blueeyeddevil06 thank you for being my beta and for catching all of the consistency errors no one else has to see!

I have a New story for FINDING LOVE: "Locked Up" Mina and Andrew lock Darien and Serena in the break room because of all of their fighting.


Chapter 46 - The Plan

Serena got off the phone making plans to have a meeting at twelve thirty about Sapphire, and Darien was laughing. He said, "Just because we use our dining table as a conference table doesn't mean Lita has to make lunch for all of us."

Serena gave him a sharp look and said, "Bite your tongue! Of course it does. I love her food. It's a good thing that Nephrite works out or else he would end up gaining weight."

She smiled at him and said, "So, when are you going to set up the office?"

He looked at her curiously, "I was about to order the furniture for it, you know that." He had given Sammy his desk he had used before. He wanted to get something that would work better in one of the main rooms, and he also wanted Sammy to have one of his own.

Serena nodded, "Can you order me one too?"

Darien was puzzled, "You want a desk?"

"I do. It was weird the other day when they set up makeshift thrones for us. At least it was weird for me. Maybe I need a desk where I can talk to Mina. I don't know. What do you think?" she looked insecure.

Darien instantly heard what she wasn't saying. She wanted to be seen as an equal to him and if he had a desk for meetings, and she didn't, she would feel lesser. "Buns, here's the deal. We get matching desks, and we share the study. I would love to be in there together with you." He walked over to her, pulled her up against him and said into her ear huskily, "My only hesitation can be fixed with me just asking. Can we have sex on my desk first? I was actually looking forward to that."

She looked up at him and smirked, "I would love that. You know I like to distract you when you study from time to time."

"Oh, gross!" Sammy yelled. "When you are in the main areas of the house, can't you just stick to saying the dirty stuff telepathically to each other?" He pulled out his cell phone and started typing, "Right now I am googling therapists."

Serena looked at him and shrugged, "Just remember to knock before you come into the study then."

"Thank goodness I have my own awesome desk. No way will I borrow either of yours, now." he retorted.

Serena swayed her hip and gave him a sassy look, "So, do you want a list of all of the places you can't sit anymore?"

Sammy paled and shook his head, "I think I just would prefer to remain ignorant." He looked back at his phone and said, "Hey, this one looks expensive. I think I will go give him a call and send you the bill."

Darien just shrugged and said, "Totally worth it." Darien reached in his pocket and threw Sammy a card. Sammy caught it and looked puzzled. "That, right there, is a debit card to an account that we set up for you. I talked your parents into sending money to me for your food and lodging. All of the money is being put in that account. Serena and I talked, and we are giving you an allowance too. The amount that is in there will be added to your account every month. The pin is your birthday, for now. You can log in to change the pin and see your balance."

Sammy looked shocked, "That money isn't supposed to be for me."

Darien looked Sammy in the eye and said, "Just say thank you. You are legally my brother-in-law. You know I have seen you like a brother before this. Let us take care of you. I will never get over how much you have done for Serena growing up. Do you remember the time she was excited about getting an A on her art project and your parents didn't care? Do you remember that you told her you loved it, asked if you could keep it and hung it in your room? She does. You aren't just her brother to me. You are her protector."

Sammy cleared the lump from his throat and said, "Thank you. I am really glad you're my brother and money has nothing to do with it. I just don't want you to ever think it does."

"What is it with both of you? I have all of this money, and you both seem determined to prove that you don't care about it." Darien shook his head in mock distress.

Serena piped up, "I guess we both just want you to know it's you we actually care about. The nerve of us!" she laughed.

Darien held her tightly and looked at Sammy. "I appreciate you both for feeling that way. Now, both of you get over it, and take the money. It's legally Serena's too anyway."

Serena pulled away and said joking, "Well, I better go do some shopping before lunch then. There was a purse I really liked."

Darien smiled and nodded, "I'll drive. I don't want you backing out of buying it." He took her hand and led her out of the penthouse. He wanted to make sure she turned the joke into reality.

When Sammy checked his balance on his checking account, he grew pale seeing how much was in there.

Sammy let Lita and Nephrite in when they arrived at twelve fifteen. They all headed straight for the kitchen with the food.

Lita asked, "So, where is Serena? I thought I would be fighting her off to make sure all of the food would make it to lunch."

"She and Darien went out shopping. He was trying to make a point about the money being hers too and she mentioned wanting a purse. He went along to make sure she bought it." Sammy informed her.

Nephrite rolled his eyes, "Nice trick. Wait until he realizes she talked him into going purse shopping. That is hilarious."

Sammy started laughing, "That is too funny! You're so right."

They both helped Lita plate up the food and prepare for lunch. Sammy periodically began letting people in as they arrived early.

At twelve twenty-eight, Serena and Darien arrived. She was beaming and holding up her new purchase. "Look! Don't you just love this purse?"

Even Jadeite held his tongue. No one teased Darien about purse shopping when they saw how happy he looked. It was obvious that Serena's joy was incredibly important to him.

Once everyone was all seated and their food was set before them, Serena said, "I rule that we eat first. This all looks delicious, Lita!"

Nephrite kept quiet, but was so glad that Serena said that. He knew Lita had worked really hard on their meal. He was so happy that she was getting recognized for that.

Once they started eating, Serena yelled, "Oh my gosh! This is amazing. Lita, you really outdid yourself." Everyone agreed.

Lita blushed and thanked her. She was so pleased with the reception of the meal. She was considering using it for part of her application to culinary school.

When lunch was over, Darien decided to speak first. "Rui has decided that she wants to be at the next battle. She is hoping to draw Sapphire out long enough for Serena to heal him." Almost everyone started to object. Darien held up his hand for silence.

Serena surprised him as she spoke up. "Shame on all of you! You haven't even given it any thought and you are already objecting. Andrew, you killed Bazzite and you don't have super powers. We aren't asking her to go up against him. She wants to make a plea to him. She thinks he has been acting out in anger because she has broken up with him. It makes sense that she would want to help. She cares about Molly like we all do. We can't let him keep attacking her. We can't risk her life like that. Or, do you all want Molly to keep being the focus of Sapphire's anger?"

Everyone was silent.

She looked puzzled, "What?"

Rui spoke up, "I think they are just all startled that you yelled at them."

Luna nodded, "That's true."

Serena shrugged, "You all literally put me on a throne less than a week ago. If you want me to lead, then I will step up. I don't want to let anyone down."

Darien sighed, "Serena, you haven't let anyone down."

She looked at her hands, "I let Kunzite get hurt protecting me. What does that say about me?"

"No, what does that say about me?" Kunzite said. "I could have pushed you out of the way if I was thinking, and we both would have been fine. Darien gets you out of the way all the time. I wanted to prove to you both that I would be your shield. That isn't your fault. That was my pride. Don't you ever take responsibility for that."

Rui spoke up, "Tell me if I'm wrong, but whatever gave Serena more of her voice was a good thing. Thank you for standing up for me. I want to be part of this. Please, let me help save my soulmate. Let me do this. Not only for you, but also him."

Mina smiled at Rui, "I didn't think about it that way. You are right. You should have a hand in saving him. It's romantic."

Raye nodded, "We all have a weird sense of what's romantic, don't we? Well, let's help her take part in saving the man she loves. I would like to think that I would fight for Jadeite if he was under Beryl's thrall."

They spent two hours working on their plans for ensuring Rui was at the battle but would also be protected. Rui was touched how hard they were all working out plans to keep her safe even though she believed she would be the safest one there.

When it was time to decide what Molly and Rui would do together to draw out Sapphire, Lita hopped up and exited the room. She came back carrying a picnic basket and a blanket. "You should both go on a picnic in the park together. I packed one for you."

Serena's eyes got huge, "Wait, how did you know to pack that? Also, can I be part of the plan too? I want to eat the food you made!"

Lita smiled and said, "Rui mentioned to me that she wanted to be a part of everything. I figured out where it was going."

Serena sighed, "And I can't go, because I can't be linked to Molly. Dang!"

"I put some for you in the fridge." Lita said.

Serena jumped up and hugged her. "Thank you so very much! You are so good to me!"

And so it was decided that Molly and Rui would have a picnic dinner together, in the park, in three hours. That gave them all more than enough time to get in position.

Before Kunzite left, he pulled Darien aside, "She will be defended."

"Thank you. Now, let's get Sapphire back to himself so we can all be safe for a while." Darien said.