Blueeyeddevil06, thank you for being my beta!

Darien wasn't nearly as prepared for the meeting as he had been hoping to be. He smirked at the fact that it was all because he pleasured Serena and then they both drifted off together in a sated sleep. When they woke, he was on top of her thrusting into her before she could fully open her eyes. They made love and orgasmed together again. It was beautiful. He then wrapped them up in the sheets, and as he kissed her skin, they talked of their love and their future together.

Now they were just putting away the dinner plates when there was a knock on the door. He looked over at Serena as she went to answer it and said, "Things really do have to change." He smirked when he realized she was walking a little funny and not because of the battle earlier.

She nodded and bit her lip. "They do have lives."

"You can't tell me we should've let it go on that long." She agreed and shook her head. He knew he won when she let it drop and went to finally open the door.

Once everyone was there (wow was it a full room) Darien started. "Well, that was not something we're going to repeat again. I'm assuming in our past lives the scouts and generals took vows of service. I will ask you to do that again."

"You can't think they don't still hold?" Kunzite objected immediately.

"It's been proven they don't," Darien said matter of factly. "If they did, we allwould have gone after Balm this morning like Serena wanted to." He then looked them all over. "If they still held, you all failed."

He was glad when Serena stayed quiet. He didn't want her to object in front of them. He wanted to show a united front and to show he would demand they listen to her instincts. Even if she wasn't the princess, she'd proven herself to be right about things.

Nephrite defended, "Lita couldn't get out of her culinary class."

"It's my understanding that the vows of service would be to your prince or princess above all else. Am I wrong?" While he asked the question no one was under the impression that he really needed an answer. He still paused and let the silence fill the room. He then added, "It's up to you each individually. I won't judge a single one of you for not choosing to make that vow. However, once you do, know that I will hold you to that vow strictly. Also, it is by no means a one time offer. If you choose your career now or your schooling, you can always come and make the vow later. I won't have you feeling forced.

He then sighed out and looked over at Rick holding out his hand. While he hadn't fully prepared for the meeting, this part he had delegated so it was done. Rick looked grim as Darien took the stack and dropped it on the coffee table.

He then pointed at the thick stack and said, "Read all of that before you make your decision either way. That is all of the reported incidents between the time when Serena wanted to go after the newest Negaverse attack and when we actually stopped Balm. That is what Serena and I chose to allow to happen to cave to your schedules. That is the list of crimes on our consciences now."

Serena looked at the stack, and she was the first one to pick it up. She grew pale as she looked at the first sheet, but Darien pulled it from her hands quickly. "You aren't to read this. We saw enough while we watched over the city." He then turned and handed the stack of papers to Nephrite.

As the list of reported crimes went around the room, the tension in the room amplified. Even the generals were caught with misty eyes.

Darien made sure that even the civilians among the group read the reports. He didn't want any opening for people to question his demands. He wanted it crystal clear why he was being so harsh.

Rick stood when everyone gathered had read everything and said, "I read it all before I came. I knew what his point was in asking for that report. I'm in. I know I can't fight, but I've already been involved. I offer anything I can do for you in service to you both. I guess I should be making my vow to Darien, though."

"You're sure?" He asked. "You aren't even bound by reincarnation."

"I am reincarnated, but I know what you mean. Yes, I'm sure."

Jadeite had been feeling good about the fact that he and Raye had made it to the battle in time to be of use, but now having read the list, he was humbled. It was good, but not enough.

Rita looked over the group and said, "Umm, I'm going to Africa on an internship. I should wait, but don't mistake me. That list is vile and shouldn't have happened." She then shuddered, and a tear slipped down her cheek.

"What?" Andrew and Rick both asked at the same time. Rick stayed quiet, letting Andrew take the lead. "What's wrong?"

"One of the assaults… It was a little too close to home."

Andrew roared out in a fury. "What?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I handled it. He didn't…" she filled through the stack and pointed to one of the crimes. "I stopped him the same way. It just brought it all back."

"We should have gone to the police!" Andrew demanded.

Rick shot him a glare. "Not helping, Andrew!" He then turned to Rita. "So, what did you do as payback?"

She gave him a wry smile. "I was in high school, and I didn't want it getting around. He was a college guy… I um… let's just say he got caught with drugs."

"You planted drugs on him?" Raye asked, laughing.

"No! I dug into his life to discover where he was vulnerable. The drug charges stuck since he tested positive. I just made sure it was discovered."

Raye laughed. "Oh, I really like you. You're devious."

Then one by one, everyone except Rita, for now, had made vows of service to the two royals. Darien was relieved.

"Now," he said, "Mina and Kunzite, I need you to both work out schedules for everyone. Kind of like an on-call schedule. I want half of the scouts and generals on call at all times. That said, if you can make it to a battle and you aren't on the schedule, come anyway. I want to know that at least half of you will be there. I do understand we're all working on our futures. Serena and I don't need to be scheduled. We'll be there every time."

Serena had been quiet most of the night, and that worried Darien. He couldn't imagine what could possibly be enough to keep her quiet.

When everyone left, he held her close. "Are you mad? -"

"No!" She answered, cutting off anything else he was going to say. "I just… I agreed, and you're a better 'bad cop' than I am. I was just staying out of your way."

He laughed hard at her admission and kissed her senseless. He loved her so damn much.