The pounding on her door made the pounding in her head even worse. Neither one stopped. Serena pulled herself out of bed and managed to make it to the door alive. She pulled it open just as another barrage of noise began. Mina stood in the late morning sunlight glaring at Serena fiercely. For once Serena didn't care.
"What do you want?" Her throat was raw and her voice showed it. What was one to expect after a night of crying? Mina took in Serena's appearance and the voice.
"What the hell happened to you?" She asked shrilly. Serena winced as the sound grated against her sensitive ears. Leaning her head against the doorframe she regarded Mina through silted eyes.
"What's it to you? Let me get some sleep Mina. I'll be back at work tonight, I promise." Serena shut the door without waiting for an answer and trudged back to bed. Mercifully she fell into a dreamless sleep. She didn't show up for work that night, or the next day.
Serena lay in bed staring at the ceiling and thinking. She was still in the same clothes she had put on when she got back that night. She hadn't gotten out of bed except for necessities like food. Yuck. The thought of food made her feel ill. How long had it been now? A week yet? Hardly long enough! She leaned back into the pillows and shut her eyes for another six hours of dreamless sleep when she heard the doorbell. She concentrated for a moment then knew who it was. She threw the blankets over her head and pretended not to hear the doorbell as it rang repeatedly. After a few more rings it stopped.
Something cracked and something splintered. Goddess bless they broke the door. Serena was finally filled with the energy she seemed to have lost as her temper went past the limit. She threw herself out of bed and then the door to her room. White nightgown billowing, hair flying behind her, and cerulean eyes blazing Serena faced the intruders. Lita and Ken were setting the now broken door on the wall while Mina and Raye looked around. The moment she entered the room all eyes were on her. Mina took a step toward her and stopped completely paralyzed.
"How dare you break into my home." Serena told them with regal pose. She had been a princess once, now she should act like one. No one took that tone of voice with Raye who opened her mouth to make some statement. No sound came out of her throat and she opened her mouth a couple times like a fish.
"Do you see me breaking into your homes ruining your doors and making a huge noise? Do you see me going against your obvious wishes? NO!" Serena had never been this mad before and in some still sane part of her brain she wondered why she was now.
"Serena, we just wanted to make sure you are okay." Ami got in before Serena silenced her with a look to kill a vamp. Serena took a step forward and all of them, except Mina who was still paralyzed, took a step back.
"You all have minds and abilities. Surely one of you could use them to check on me without breaking into my peace. Now get out! I don't want to talk to you, see you, or anything else." Mina could finally move and she followed the others as they made a hasty retreat. Serena's mind was on something else entirely when she heard Raye mutter that she had said it was a bad idea.
The door. Serena called a repairman, and the landlord explaining about the noise before someone complained. Then she hurried and took a shower throwing clothes on without a thought as to how she looked. Her sudden energy boost was still working as she made her way out the door. The repairman was already working on it, and one of Serena's neighbors watching. Serena asked the woman to watch the man and get the key when he was done and place it under the door. She got a copy from the man himself, then placing it in her purse, and securing the apartment she walked off into the warm afternoon.
Before she knew where she was going she was at a bus stop. Why not? She took the bus to wherever it was going and ended up at a shopping complex. The arcade center caught her eye, and with only a pause Serena headed toward Andy's Place. Inside she got her change and tried to lose herself in the arcade games. It didn't work so she went to get a drink. Andrew himself filled up a root-beer float for her.
"How's it going Serena? Have you seen Darien around anywhere?" He asked innocently. At the name Serena visibly flinched and she choked on her drink. Andrew rubbed her back until she could breath right.
"Buy your reaction I'm guessing you know." At this Serena started again. This time she wasn't drinking.
"How do you know? I don't remember you from his memories." She blurted out before realizing what she was saying. Once she did she formed a deep interest in her drink.
"His memories huh? If you saw those then you know his side of things up to a point… probably when he discovered you. He would have stopped you from going any farther." He was thinking out loud but it was for her benefit too. When she said nothing he went on. "I only know because once Darien recovered from the madness, or whatever it was, I took him in and got him cleaned up. It didn't do him a whole lot of good, he still turned to the side of evil, but it saved his life. You haven't seen him since have you?" His voice was kind and gentle. Serena looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"He decided that it was his fault for the entire thing, and when I tried to tell him it wasn't, he left. Doesn't he know that it couldn't have been his fault?" She sounded desperate. Pity filled Andrew's eyes.
"No. Until he is forced to see that it wasn't him, he will always think it was. It's something we will just have to help him with, once we find him that is. So, Princess, what are you going to do now?" Serena thought nothing of the title even though she knew it should bother her.
"I have to find the amulets my mother gave me and my friends. With those we can fight the evil that's coming, and we might be able to win. Andrew where was the Queendom I was supposed to rule? I can't figure out that one thing. Where?" She begged him for the knowledge but it wasn't his to give.
"The better question is when Serena. Only Darien can tell you that. You will have to ask him. Here in D.C. is easy enough because it is the capital, but when is what's important." He could see the confusion that caused, and the pain of having to face Darien in her eyes. But below that was determination. Serena knew she had to protect her friends and if it meant facing Darien then she would.
"Do you know where I can find him Andrew?" She asked quietly. Andrew shook his head.
"He never wanted to involve me in that aspect of his life, and I never asked. You will have to find it yourself. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help." He tried to think of any hint his friend had ever given, but couldn't. Serena pulled out the locket from her purse and listened to the music it played as the cover sprang open. Andrew recognized it.
"He carried that around with him everywhere. I think Princess Serenity… I mean you, gave it to him when you were betrothed. It was magicked so it would only play for you two, when you touch it only half the melody plays. Together it plays the whole song. Plus there is a hidden compartment where they, I mean you would leave each other notes. I think it's…. here." He pushed on one of the small decorations and the top, including the round music player, popped off. There was a small circular compartment underneath the music player and in it was a small piece of paper. The preservation spell was still strong and Serena picked it up with the tips of her fingers.
Serena, my Serenity. You may never read this I fear you will not but know this:
I love you now and forever. I will avenge your death.
Tears welled in Serena's eyes and quickly she put the note back for fear it would get wet. She snapped shut the hidden compartment, then the top of the locket turning off the music.
"There is so much of the life we had that I will never know. Maybe it is better that way since we were destined for so much pain but I wish I knew what it was to love him like I must have. Andrew tell me something." Her voice was steady despite the tears.
"Anything if I can Serena." He told her.
"When he went mad, did he kill everyone that could be remotely connected to my murder? Even if it was nothing more than a look or a whisper?" She already knew the truth.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"He is trying to avenge me, but the only person left he can connect with my murder is himself. He won't kill himself because the torture he can put himself though is much more than death will give him. He believes his hands are bloodied by the death he caused. Andrew you didn't fail though."
"What does that mean?"
"He didn't turn to the side of evil after you got a hold of him. He hasn't killed since. He is the Prince of Darkness because the light would set him free, but he failed. He couldn't become evil because it isn't in him." She looked up at Andrew with shimmering eyes.
"You mean it isn't to late for him. It can't be because he can't be evil. Find him Serena. Find him now." There was an odd urgency in his voice that Serena believed even if she didn't understand. She nodded sharply and drained the rest of her float.
"Thank you Andrew. You've helped so much." She put the money down for the drink and hopped off her stool.
"Your welcome anytime Serenity. Just find him."
She flashed him a reassuring smile then walked out the door confident and with a purpose.
"What do you want?" Her throat was raw and her voice showed it. What was one to expect after a night of crying? Mina took in Serena's appearance and the voice.
"What the hell happened to you?" She asked shrilly. Serena winced as the sound grated against her sensitive ears. Leaning her head against the doorframe she regarded Mina through silted eyes.
"What's it to you? Let me get some sleep Mina. I'll be back at work tonight, I promise." Serena shut the door without waiting for an answer and trudged back to bed. Mercifully she fell into a dreamless sleep. She didn't show up for work that night, or the next day.
Serena lay in bed staring at the ceiling and thinking. She was still in the same clothes she had put on when she got back that night. She hadn't gotten out of bed except for necessities like food. Yuck. The thought of food made her feel ill. How long had it been now? A week yet? Hardly long enough! She leaned back into the pillows and shut her eyes for another six hours of dreamless sleep when she heard the doorbell. She concentrated for a moment then knew who it was. She threw the blankets over her head and pretended not to hear the doorbell as it rang repeatedly. After a few more rings it stopped.
Something cracked and something splintered. Goddess bless they broke the door. Serena was finally filled with the energy she seemed to have lost as her temper went past the limit. She threw herself out of bed and then the door to her room. White nightgown billowing, hair flying behind her, and cerulean eyes blazing Serena faced the intruders. Lita and Ken were setting the now broken door on the wall while Mina and Raye looked around. The moment she entered the room all eyes were on her. Mina took a step toward her and stopped completely paralyzed.
"How dare you break into my home." Serena told them with regal pose. She had been a princess once, now she should act like one. No one took that tone of voice with Raye who opened her mouth to make some statement. No sound came out of her throat and she opened her mouth a couple times like a fish.
"Do you see me breaking into your homes ruining your doors and making a huge noise? Do you see me going against your obvious wishes? NO!" Serena had never been this mad before and in some still sane part of her brain she wondered why she was now.
"Serena, we just wanted to make sure you are okay." Ami got in before Serena silenced her with a look to kill a vamp. Serena took a step forward and all of them, except Mina who was still paralyzed, took a step back.
"You all have minds and abilities. Surely one of you could use them to check on me without breaking into my peace. Now get out! I don't want to talk to you, see you, or anything else." Mina could finally move and she followed the others as they made a hasty retreat. Serena's mind was on something else entirely when she heard Raye mutter that she had said it was a bad idea.
The door. Serena called a repairman, and the landlord explaining about the noise before someone complained. Then she hurried and took a shower throwing clothes on without a thought as to how she looked. Her sudden energy boost was still working as she made her way out the door. The repairman was already working on it, and one of Serena's neighbors watching. Serena asked the woman to watch the man and get the key when he was done and place it under the door. She got a copy from the man himself, then placing it in her purse, and securing the apartment she walked off into the warm afternoon.
Before she knew where she was going she was at a bus stop. Why not? She took the bus to wherever it was going and ended up at a shopping complex. The arcade center caught her eye, and with only a pause Serena headed toward Andy's Place. Inside she got her change and tried to lose herself in the arcade games. It didn't work so she went to get a drink. Andrew himself filled up a root-beer float for her.
"How's it going Serena? Have you seen Darien around anywhere?" He asked innocently. At the name Serena visibly flinched and she choked on her drink. Andrew rubbed her back until she could breath right.
"Buy your reaction I'm guessing you know." At this Serena started again. This time she wasn't drinking.
"How do you know? I don't remember you from his memories." She blurted out before realizing what she was saying. Once she did she formed a deep interest in her drink.
"His memories huh? If you saw those then you know his side of things up to a point… probably when he discovered you. He would have stopped you from going any farther." He was thinking out loud but it was for her benefit too. When she said nothing he went on. "I only know because once Darien recovered from the madness, or whatever it was, I took him in and got him cleaned up. It didn't do him a whole lot of good, he still turned to the side of evil, but it saved his life. You haven't seen him since have you?" His voice was kind and gentle. Serena looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"He decided that it was his fault for the entire thing, and when I tried to tell him it wasn't, he left. Doesn't he know that it couldn't have been his fault?" She sounded desperate. Pity filled Andrew's eyes.
"No. Until he is forced to see that it wasn't him, he will always think it was. It's something we will just have to help him with, once we find him that is. So, Princess, what are you going to do now?" Serena thought nothing of the title even though she knew it should bother her.
"I have to find the amulets my mother gave me and my friends. With those we can fight the evil that's coming, and we might be able to win. Andrew where was the Queendom I was supposed to rule? I can't figure out that one thing. Where?" She begged him for the knowledge but it wasn't his to give.
"The better question is when Serena. Only Darien can tell you that. You will have to ask him. Here in D.C. is easy enough because it is the capital, but when is what's important." He could see the confusion that caused, and the pain of having to face Darien in her eyes. But below that was determination. Serena knew she had to protect her friends and if it meant facing Darien then she would.
"Do you know where I can find him Andrew?" She asked quietly. Andrew shook his head.
"He never wanted to involve me in that aspect of his life, and I never asked. You will have to find it yourself. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help." He tried to think of any hint his friend had ever given, but couldn't. Serena pulled out the locket from her purse and listened to the music it played as the cover sprang open. Andrew recognized it.
"He carried that around with him everywhere. I think Princess Serenity… I mean you, gave it to him when you were betrothed. It was magicked so it would only play for you two, when you touch it only half the melody plays. Together it plays the whole song. Plus there is a hidden compartment where they, I mean you would leave each other notes. I think it's…. here." He pushed on one of the small decorations and the top, including the round music player, popped off. There was a small circular compartment underneath the music player and in it was a small piece of paper. The preservation spell was still strong and Serena picked it up with the tips of her fingers.
Serena, my Serenity. You may never read this I fear you will not but know this:
I love you now and forever. I will avenge your death.
Tears welled in Serena's eyes and quickly she put the note back for fear it would get wet. She snapped shut the hidden compartment, then the top of the locket turning off the music.
"There is so much of the life we had that I will never know. Maybe it is better that way since we were destined for so much pain but I wish I knew what it was to love him like I must have. Andrew tell me something." Her voice was steady despite the tears.
"Anything if I can Serena." He told her.
"When he went mad, did he kill everyone that could be remotely connected to my murder? Even if it was nothing more than a look or a whisper?" She already knew the truth.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"He is trying to avenge me, but the only person left he can connect with my murder is himself. He won't kill himself because the torture he can put himself though is much more than death will give him. He believes his hands are bloodied by the death he caused. Andrew you didn't fail though."
"What does that mean?"
"He didn't turn to the side of evil after you got a hold of him. He hasn't killed since. He is the Prince of Darkness because the light would set him free, but he failed. He couldn't become evil because it isn't in him." She looked up at Andrew with shimmering eyes.
"You mean it isn't to late for him. It can't be because he can't be evil. Find him Serena. Find him now." There was an odd urgency in his voice that Serena believed even if she didn't understand. She nodded sharply and drained the rest of her float.
"Thank you Andrew. You've helped so much." She put the money down for the drink and hopped off her stool.
"Your welcome anytime Serenity. Just find him."
She flashed him a reassuring smile then walked out the door confident and with a purpose.