Darien raised his fist to knock on the door when it swung open

Darien raised his fist to knock on the door when it swung open. He came face to face with a blonde man carrying an overnight bag. For a couple of seconds they stared at each other, shocked at their sudden appearance.

The blonde shook off his surprise first. "Hi Darien," Jason Ice greeted him cheerfully, "After Angel?"

Darien's lips twitched and he couldn't help but smile back at the irrepressible man. How could I not have known him? To be fair his bruises were great camouflage but still… "Mostly," he responded after a short pause, "I was also hoping to meet the rest of her guardians." To see if I was right and she is protected by the Guard like Sailo- His mind reeled for a moment and the other man looked at him in concern. Darien shook his head and smiled reassuringly at Jase. "Just a stray notion being put in its place." Unfortunately it's not in a place where I can get at it. "So is Angel here?"

Jase smiled slyly has he answered, "I'm afraid not..."

What? But...

Darien's face fell, seeing that Jase took pity on him and explained, "She's with the others at the lab. I'll show you if you want to give me a lift-"

"Deal!" Darien said, not giving him the chance to finish. Jason snickered and handed him the overnight bag as he locked up. Jade you haven't changed at all, still the eternal child.

"Ready to book it any time you are Boyo," the blonde said a couple of seconds later.

Boyo? Hmph! "My chariot awaits," he responded sardonically.

The other man donned a haughty air and nodded regally, "Lead on my good man," but the laughter in his eyes spoiled the effect. His act was completely abandoned several moments later when he caught his first glimpse of Darien's car.

Ah, another worshipper!

"Oh Gods Endy..." Jason whispered reverently as he reached out and touched the frame delicately, as if he was afraid it would break, "She's gorgeous."

Hah! I knew it! Hello Jadeite! "Nothing compares to a red Ferrari," Darien drawled throwing the overnight bag into the back sat before getting in.

Jason followed suit and as the black haired man drove away from the old home he saw his passenger watching him mischievously. "Oh go ahead, spit it out," Darien said in resignation, memories of previous experiences with Jadeite in this mood coming to the fore. Get it out of your system Jade.

Jase grinned at him and cracked, "So this is why the Angel is mad about you. I'd wondered why she'd date a Zit, you bribed her with your car, didn't you?"

Darien's lips pressed together in a flat line. Zit? Oh no, we're not doing that again. "In my experience she's rather impartial towards cars, she likes motorcycles," Darien's voice was conversational and Jason started to look disappointed that he hadn't risen to the bait. Darien injected just a hint of curiosity into his voice as he continued, "The blue beauty she's been darting about on is magnificent. I wonder what idiot let that one out of his hands?" Come on Jade...

"It's mine," Jase said, looking at him sourly.

Not any more Jade. Darien's smile conveyed his thoughts and Jase's expression grew determined.

"She's not keeping it," he insisted.

Darien turned away from the road long enough to grin and ask, "Want to bet?"

Jason pouted and muttered sulkily, "She is not."

What ever you reckon Jade.

"And stop grinning like that!"

"Like what?"

"Hmph! You'd think you'd be grateful to me for getting the Angel to make the first move. If it hadn't been for me the pair of you'd still be shrieking at each other every time you crossed paths!"

"Thank you," Darien said sincerely.

"You're welcome," the other man replied smugly.

But... "Even though I probably couldn't have kept it up much longer..."

Jase grinned at him, "Seeing her in that short skirt regularly not doing anything for you're self control?"

Short skirt? Does he mean the Scout uniform? Angel is Sail- Darien hit the breaks and said a heartfelt prayer of gratitude that the road was deserted as his vision was swamped by a golden crescent.

"Endy are you OK?" Jase's worried voice drew him out of his daze.

He shook his head and looked across to the other man, "It's nothing, just when ever I think about Angel and Sai-" Darien broke of and closed his eyes as he waited for the vision to pass. This is getting worse.

"Endy?"

"It's OK. I'm all right as long as I don't think about... something."

Jason appeared bewildered for a moment before comprehension dawned and he unbuckled his seat belt. "Hop out, I'll drive."

"I'll be fine, I've just got to stop thinking about Sailor Moo-" Not again!

When he opened his eyes again Jason was standing next to his open door, "I don't think so Endy, she's definitely not forgettable, quite the opposite considering the skirt."

Hmm!

"It's like trying not to think about a white elephant."

White elephant? Darien reluctantly climbed out of the driver's seat and slowly walked around to the passenger's side. What does a white elephant have to do with anything?

"Don't worry I'll get us there with no problems."

Darien only vaguely noticed Jase's last comment as the car started up and left again, his thoughts were drifting off onto the tangent his friend had provided. I mean an albino elephant doesn't exactly have a lot to do with life in Tokyo. Jade you're a nut. I'm not going to think about a white elephant.

...

Are there such things as white elephants? What would be their problem? Pigmentation difficulties? Illness? A clown and a pool full of white paint?

Stop it! Stop it! Look at the scenery. There's the park, I wonder if Angel would like to go there for our date? It's big enough to fit a herd of white elephants...

Think about Angel... Blue eyes, beautiful hair, gorgeous figure and her soft lips! I'm going to be holding that miracle in a short time... She's mine all mine. I have a sudden desire to cackle maniacally. I bet Jade would be surprised if I started trumpeting like a herd of elephants... white elephants.

Jadeite, you are so dead for starting me off on this train of thought. You're going to wish a bloody white elephant had sat on you after I'm through with you!

"Are you OK Endy?" Darien started and blinked when he found that they were parked in the garage of a large building and the blonde man was once again holding his door open.

"White elephants Jade? White elephants?" Darien winced when he noticed the crack in his voice.

Jase did not sound in the least apologetic, "It got your mind off other matters."

What? Oh I was thinking about... What was I thinking about? I was having dizzy spells because I was thinking something about Angel...

Jase led Darien to an elevator and hit three buttons at once. Darien frowned. What on Earth? His confusion was relieved when the door on the elevator opened to reveal a huge laboratory. Wow! This is amazing! He moved to examine a series of stands containing suits of armour that were displayed. There were several variations on the four main themes of phoenix, dragon, unicorn and gryphon.

"Neat huh?" Jase asked from behind him, "We couldn't fight just in our uniforms so Zoi made them."

Goddess, I'd forgotten how good she was.

Behind the armour an area about nine square metres caught his eye. In was depressed by half a metre and the edges were lined with machinery and computers.

"The teleportation device she cooked up. There are some major limitations, like distance and the fact that it'll only receive but it comes in handy for emergencies like last night."

Darien turned around to face his friend, "Kunzite's OK?"

Jason nodded, "Yeah Kev's fine. Still completely dead to the world but it's a temporary condition."

Angel said something about Jase and Kevin... "You're brothers?" Darien remembered, "Weird. What about Angel?"

"She's also still asleep, that may or not be because of last night, she doesn't like mornings, you might want to keep that in mind."

I will. So she's OK, why was I so concerned? She's Sail- Darien staggered and Jason grabbed for him and yelled.

"Zoe, get out here quick!"

Two figures rushed from a back room, one a tall auburn haired man and the other a hazel eyed woman with her light brown hair pulled back in a bun.

"Endy?" the man asked.

"Jase, what's wrong with him?" the woman demanded, quickly crossing to where the two men stood and leading them to a set of chairs. Darien sat down in relief and looked up to see Nephrite hovering over him while Jason muttered quickly to Zoicyte.

"Nick, right Neph?" he asked as his mind calmed.

Nick smiled, "Yeah, it's good to see you again Endy."

"It's Darien now."

"So I've heard," Nick replied, "At rather great length."

Hmm? Does he mean-

"Two months ago Angel could expand on your faults with out a second thought. Yesterday, on the other hand, it was Darien said that, Darien said this... Darien took me into the storeroom at the back of the arcade and kissed me six times. You might want to avoid any mention of that with Kevin. We all find it difficult to think of Angel as an adult but Kev finds it harder than the rest of to think of her making out with someone. Even if it is you," Nick finished thoughtfully.

She told them what happened? Six kisses... she kept count?

Jason caught his eyes, "She can't keep a secret from us Endy but it if helps she's been as restless as Jupiter implied you were last night."

Oh, that's what you were grinning about.

Suddenly Jason's grin became pure mischief, "Definitely watch out for Kevin though, he's rather protective." With that the blonde warrior went to the back room.

"We all are Endy," Zoe added, "And I'm afraid that's what the dizzy spells are about."

Huh?

Zoe smiled apologetically, "When I designed the outfit she would fight in I wanted to make sure that no one could tell who she was. My first priority was keeping her safe. The disguise mechanism I built into her choker is the strongest I could devise. Every time you try to name her or even think about both identities in the one thought the suggestion it implanted in your mind the first time you saw it activates. It forces you to forget your train of thought and that causes you to get dizzy-"

"Zoe?" a sleepy voice called, "You wanted me?"

Darien looked up and stopped breathing. Goddess. She's beautiful. Jason had reappeared leading Bunny with him. The young woman had obviously only just awoken as her eyes were more closed than open. Her hair was loose and it fell to trail along the floor. She was wearing an overlarge white business shirt that came off one shoulder and fell to just above her knees. Darien was enchanted. Angel...

Suddenly the teen's eyes widened as she saw Darien and she squeaked and leapt behind Jase, "Why didn't you tell me he was here, I'm not dressed!"

Jason firmly pulled her from behind him and pushed the reluctant girl toward Darien and the rest of the Guard, "Angel your Scout uniform is a lot more revealing than Nick's old shirt... besides would you care to make a wager on how soon he'll see you in a lot less?"

Darien watched as Bunny, already red, blushed brighter and felt his own cheeks heat at the General's innuendo. From beside him the young man saw Nick roll his eyes and Zoe sigh.

Simultaneously the pair snapped in a warning tone, "Jase!"

He looked at them innocently. "What?"

Zoe shook her head and Darien met Bunny's eyes in shared understanding. He hasn't changed and he's been raising you. Angel you have my deepest respect for surviving him. Hmmm Scout, he most definitely said Scout. You are Sailor- Darien closed his eyes as the, now familiar, golden crescent appeared in his mind.

When he opened them again Bunny was standing right in front of him reaching to her neck for something. Darien could not help but follow her hand with his gaze and found himself growing dizzy for an entirely different reason. Angel...

The slight blonde displayed the small gold pendant she was wearing on the palm of her hand. Not averse to accepting an excuse to move closer to his girlfriend, Darien stepped forward to examine the trinket. That's the pendant you showed me on the day of the picnic, the one you said Zoe made... oh!

He felt Bunny watching him intently but he didn't take his eyes off of the small piece of jewellery as she spoke clearly and deliberately, "Darien I am Sailor Moon."

The crescent on the necklace seemed to enlarge, growing so that it dominated his vision. He blinked and all he saw was small gold charm held in a dainty hand. He looked up to the face of the hand's owner and in her expression he discovered extreme nervousness. He smiled gently and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him. "I know," he murmured before he kissed her. The simple kiss he had planned on giving her, one that would merely reassure her as to his regard, became one that conveyed every iota of what he felt for her to her. He lost anything resembling conscious thought as he held her closer to him and deepened the kiss even further. Angel...

"Endy? Angel?" voices intruded on his preoccupation.

Go away.

"Angel, Endy, break it off."

Neither of the young couple paid attention.

"Come up for breath you two!"

Darien growled as he was physically parted from his lady and his face darkened even further as he heard her soft protest. What...

Nick was standing between the two with a disgusted expression, "Endy though I approve of the eventual outcome of your relationship with Angel, I mean I've expected it ever since she told us of you, that does not mean I want to watch you seducing my ward in front of my eyes!"

Darien frowned at him and found the warrior was sourly looking at him back. Beside him Bunny was blushing again but when she met Darien's eyes she smiled at him radiantly.

Meanwhile Nick had turned to Jason and demanded irritably, "And what, may I ask, do you think you're doing?"

Jason shrugged dismissively, "They're in love, besides we can trust Endy, he won't hurt her."

"That's not the point, he should at least take her out a few times before you have them setting up house.

I take it that Kunzite's not the only over protective one Neph... but you do have a point.

"From that I'm guessing you're going to be as slow as Kev in wooing your girl," Jase retorted.

"What?" Nick's face darkened further and Darien could sense the imminent explosion.

Jase gesticulated wildly, "What I mean is that it took my brother over twenty years and two lifetimes before he finally proposed to Zoi."

At this revelation Darien's head swung to Zoe who blushed while smiling blissfully. He proposed? Way to go! Bunny's face had lit up again as she noticed the brief glance and Darien saw that she was just as ecstatic about it as he was. He gave her the thumbs up and she nodded emphatically. About time huh?

"And you're just as bad!" Jason continued ignoring the by play between their audience, "In our last lifetime you and Jupiter danced around each other like you were made of spun glass and what's the bet that you'll do it this time around as well?"

"So what if I do? Sometimes, though you mightn't think so, the getting there is half the fun!" Nick retorted sharply.

"But we don't have the time!" Jason exclaimed, "Nick, time is precious to us and you can't waste it. If there's one thing my near death experience taught me is that we don't have any to waste."

"Jase..." the taller man's voice trailed off at the other's earnest expression.

"Nick we will undoubtedly be reintroduced to the Scouts today or tomorrow. When you meet with Jupiter again-"

"Her name's Lita now," Darien interjected softly. Jase I was wrong, you have grown up.

"Lita then, when you meet with her again don't get back into your old rut. Savour the courting if you like but don't go waiting for the perfect moment that might never come. Trust me, you do not have the time!"

For a moment everyone was silent. They all stared at Jase and he bit his lip before beating a hasty retreat, disappearing behind several large displays. From the corner of his eye Darien saw Zoe's facial expressions alternating between amusement and astonishment. Nick was gazing after his friend in shock and Bunny moved closer to him so that she could place a calming hand on his shoulder. Darien just stared, totally bemused by such an outburst from someone he had known as a joker or a warrior convinced of his own immortality, never someone who contemplated his own death. I guess this is out of character for him still. If he has changed it's still too recent for them to have adjusted. His gaze wandered back to where Bunny was standing with a still shocked Nick. Almost against his will his eyes began roaming up and down the blonde girl.

It's true that her Scout uniform is more revealing but it just doesn't have the same impact. In that way too big shirt with her hair down she looks so innocent and helpless and I can't stop wanting to hold her and protect her and... Maybe this is not such a great train of thought to follow.

Darien blinked and saw Zoe biting her lip while she watched him. "Angel," the older woman murmured. The girl looked to her and her lips twitched again before she continued, "Maybe you should get dressed-"

"Yeah, before Endy trips on his own tongue!" Jason had returned and he was carrying the overnight bag he'd dropped at the door when they'd arrived. He tossed it to the teen who caught it easily, "Don't worry about him, I'm sure he won't mind waiting for you-"

Actually...

"-and it's not like he has anything to fear from us."

Bunny looked at him suspiciously, "I don't know Jase, you can be deadly to the unprepared..."

Jase's expression was one of mock pain, "Angel you wound me," her expression didn't change and he sighed dramatically, "Besides, he already knows the worst I can do."

Yeah, those purple slimy things from Neptune down my armour when I was trying to impress the Lady Imogene. Between the smell and the noise I have never been so embarrassed in both my lives! Bunny noticed Darien's droll expression and her eyes became curious. Darien noticed and said, "After the incident with the Neptunian panjells there is nothing that he can do to me that I couldn't handle,"

"He's had more practice," she warned, "Lots more practice."

On you I presume. He shook his head and repeated, "Nothing."

Darien noticed Zoe's lips were twitching again, as were Nick's and Jase himself was smiling reminiscently. "It did chase away the so called Lady, what's her name? Imagine me naked? Immoral seducer of princes?"

"That it did and her name was Imogene," Darien muttered sourly. Ok, so she wasn't the paragon I'd thought her to be but what if the prince in question wanted to be seduced?

Jase didn't even bother to try and hide his smile and though Nick's lips were twitching as well the tall warrior tried to aid the prince. "It might have rid Endy of an undesirable... associate but what about that persistent little rumour about the young prince's, ah..."

Thank you Neph... I think.

"Intestinal problems?" Zoe suggested, her eyes twinkling merrily.

Maybe you shouldn't help me Zoe. Darien saw that Bunny was listening avidly and her eyes were suspiciously bright. Why me? All right Angel, laugh it up. Just remember that they've probably got just as many stories about you that I'm just dying to hear.

Nick nodded his thanks to Zoe and turned back to Jase, "Intestinal problems-"

"Let's not forget the rash!" Darien muttered.

At this even Nick could no longer keep his composure and he and Jase started to howl in laughter. Darien groaned and Bunny opened her mouth to speak but was forestalled by Zoe.

"Go get dressed Angel," she said firmly. Bunny looked as if she were about to protest but Zoe shook her head and the teen's shoulders slumped in disappointment as she started to walk away.

Thank you Zoe.

Bunny abruptly turned back and asked, "Panjells? Weird, floppy things from Neptune right?"

Darien nodded wearily as Zoe joined the other two men in a renewed fit of mirth. Bunny looked at the three laughing adults and shrugged before heading off again. Darien ignored the chuckling trio in favour of watching Bunny cross the room. In his opinion the view was not only more friendly but prettier as well. Very pretty indeed!

"She's very easy on the eyes isn't she Endy," Jase quipped in between guffaws.

Darien sighed with regret as she vanished from sight. "I don't suppose any of you'd calm down long enough to tell me your story and where she comes into this"

The three of them looked at each other and it was Jason who answered, "She's an angel."

This simple phrase caught Darien by surprise. They call her 'the Angel' more often than just Angel. They mean it literally! "I don't understand."

Zoe waved to the chairs and the four of them sat down before Jason began to explain, "She's a real bonafide angel Endy. I think she told you our version of the story of Selene and Endymion didn't she?"

"Where Queen Serenity and the Lunari are trapped on the Moon and the only reason she was able to help us was because of her daughter? Angel said that it was the Moon princess' link to Earth that let Queen Serenity get past the curse on her people and that the price they paid was the princess' life."

"That pretty much sums it up," Jason said.

"And Angel is Queen Serenity's daughter?" Angel's the daughter of a goddess?

"Queen Serenity sent all of you to be reborn before she discovered that Beryl had gone as well. With out Beryl it was doubtful whether or not you could defeat Metallia, with her you and the Scouts alone didn't stand a chance," Zoe told him.

Nick took up the thread of the story, "At that time our spirits were still present, we were free of Metallia and Beryl but what we'd been forced to do..."

"It wasn't your fault," Darien assured them, "None of us blame you for what happened." How could we after Pluto described how difficult it was for Queen Serenity to defeat the Shadows. If it was that hard for a goddess how could you have stood a chance?

All three of them looked at him gratefully, "Thank you Endy. You have no idea how much of a relief it is to hear you say that," Zoe said wholeheartedly.

Nick and Jason nodded in accordance and Nick went on with his story, "It was about that time Serenity noticed that we were there. The princess was already dying, it might have been because of the battle or because of the way they bypassed the curse. Whichever it was the princess knew she was dying and convinced her mother to send her forward in time to be reborn as a human."

"There are quite a few side effects of a Lunarian soul in a mortal body. Her power is no where near what it was in her last life, most of the abilities she had are gone and her memories of her previous life are blocked," Zoe explained quietly.

"In short Endy," Jase finished, "She's a genuine angel who's made an enormous sacrifice to help us." The man's lips twitched at a brief thought, "If you think she's gorgeous now then you should have seen her with her wings!"

Wings? Real wings?

"Her mother knew that things would be very difficult for her on Earth and so she asked that we guard her and watch over her to make sure that she was never alone. When she was given into our keeping she was so fragile but so bright, she was dying that was obvious. Her wings, her skin, everything about her was fading but she was still shining with an amazing light," Nick marveled as he remembered.

...The aid of the angels for darkness defeat... "The Shadow Bane," he breathed reverently, "She's the Shadow Bane!"

"If that were so then what would she need to be freed from Endy?"

Darien started at the deep voice and looked up to see that Bunny had returned with the last of the Guard. He was dressed in a plain white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a pair of jeans and no shoes. The man's silver hair was loosely pulled back into a ponytail. In his ears studs, with a stone Darien knew had to be kunzite, sparkled. Though his pale blue eyes were weary they shone with life nonetheless and Darien breathed a sigh of relief to see that he was truly OK. It's good to see you alive my friend... what did you say? What would she need to be freed from?

Zoe rose from her chair, crossed to her lover and gently trailed her fingers along his cheek. Without a word Kevin gathered the woman into his arms and held her tightly to him. Darien saw that Bunny was smiling as she moved away from the couple to take a chair between him and Jase.

She leaned towards him and whispered, "It hasn't been a good month for us. You know Jase was hurt last week but a week before that Zoe almost died and last night it was Kevin. The injuries are becoming more and more difficult to heal and I guess we're all afraid of what'll happen when one of us is hurt beyond help."

"If you could heal Kunzite last night then you should be able to cope with anything."

She shook her head in denial and her hair, redone into her usual buns and pigtails, softly brushed against his hand. "Darien, it wasn't me last night, it was a... relative of my mother's. If he hadn't... I don't know what I would have done!"

Darien took her hand and she gripped his tightly. Her face was pale with remembered fright and Darien watched as she looked to their friends and received and sent silent reassurance. They've all grown so close... Kunzite, Zoicyte, Jadeite, Nephrite and Angel. They're not my Guard anymore, they're hers and they're closer to her than they ever were to me. There was friendship between us but there's so much more between them. Pluto said they were bonded to the daughter of a goddess... They may have returned to fight with us but they haven't come back to serve me.

He found Nick, Zoe and Jase looking at him in understanding and Kevin's face was sad but showed no regret. Beside him Bunny was watching him uncertainly. You know that they're yours now, don't you? You're afraid that I'll be angry and perhaps I should be but I need time to think about it. He smiled and tried to change the mood, "OK now we've all met up again I have one burning question."

"That would be?" Jase drawled as Zoe and Kevin sat down.

Darien brought Bunny's hand to his lips and kissed it, "How on Earth are we going to explain you to the Scouts?"

***

Lita and Mina strolled down the street heading towards the Crown Arcade. As they crossed the bridge across from the park Lita chanced to look over to the green expanse. Her gasp of shock surprised Mina and her open mouthed expression scared her even more.

"Lita, Lita," the blonde girl began to wave her hands in front off the taller brunette's face, trying to provoke a response from her frozen friend. Lita began to shake her head and stutter. Mina placed the back of her hand to the other girl's forehead trying to find if there was something physically wrong with her. Lita, still unable to form words batted her hands away and pointed to the park. Mina frowned, looked to where she was pointing and felt her own jaw drop in shock.

Two figures were dashing about in the mid afternoon sun, playing what looked to be a game of tag. Even from this distance Mina could tell the pair were obviously deeply in love. Her powers as the Scout of Love aside, the way the couple were laughing and kissing when they were caught was a definite sign of romance.

"Is that Darien?" Mina asked incredulously.

"Yeah!" Lita answered, still stunned.

"With Bunny?"

"Yeah!" Lita repeated in the same voice.

"...Wow!"

"Yeah!"

Mina suddenly grabbed Lita's hand and began to drag her back the way they'd come. Lita finally shook of her amazement and demanded, "Hey, where are we going?"

Mina looked over her shoulder in exasperation, "To see Bunny and Darien of course! I've got to know what happened!"

Lita dug her heels in and stopped the blonde girl short.

"What!"

"Uh uh," Lita shook her head, "Leave them alone. It's enough that they've finally gotten together, let's leave them alone. We were supposed to meet the others at the arcade anyway."

Mina pouted for a moment before a grin spread across her face, "Of course! Andrew'll know what's up!"

Lita winked and shot off. Mina blinked in surprise as the tall girl sprinted off of the bridge and down the road, stopping only long enough to shout, "What are you waiting for?"

"Wait up!" Mina shrieked and took off after her.

***

Bunny stopped and looked up in confusion and an instant later a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her. She squeaked in surprise and behind her Darien chuckled.

"Got you," he whispered into her ear, "Now where's my forfeit?"

She twisted until she was facing him and complained, "That's not fair, I got distracted." Her eyes were twinkling though and as Darien's face leaned down closer to her own she couldn't help but smile.

"By what," he breathed, his smile confusing her thoughts.

"I thought I heard-"

"What?" he asked after the kiss had ended.

"Nothing," she answered wide eyed.

He shrugged and grinned at her, "So what about my forfeit?"

"I though you already claimed it?" she responded tartly, gathering her wits.

"That was just an advance," he informed her, straight faced.

"Oh!" she responded and her eyes began to shine as she leaned forward.

Darien closed his own in anticipation and his arms around her loosened as he prepared to receive his kiss. Instants later his eyes flew open and Bunny laughed, escaping his hold after surrendering only a peck on his cheek.

"Hey!" he roared, "Angel, get back here, you haven't paid up yet. That peck does not count!"

She began to back away from him and his disapproving form followed her menacingly. Her urchin's grin grew wider. "Gotta catch me first!" she teased him before giggling and darting off. Behind her she heard him growl comically as he began to chase her once more.

***

Andrew looked up as Mina and Lita entered the arcade, panting. Mina collapsed against a game machine and asked Lita between breaths, "Do you think that's why he wants to meet us all tonight?"

Lita shrugged, "Who knows... except maybe-"

"Andy!" Mina screeched seeing the blonde man watching them. Andrew blinked in surprise and the two girls came and took seats at the counter in front of him. Mina looked at him seriously and the man began to get a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "So spill!" the blonde demanded.

Andrew spent a frantic second trying to think of what she was talking about before he realised there could be only one thing. He donned his most innocent expression and answered, "Spill? I don't think so, then I'd have to clean it up."

Both girls stared at him in bewilderment before seeing the cup of coffee in his hand. Andrew gulped as Lita growled at him, "Andrew Furuhata do not play stupid. You always know what's going on."

Mina nodded in agreement, "Yeah and if Darien and Bunny are going out then you'd know about it."

"Darien and Bunny? Together? Are you kidding me?" he questioned, maintaining his facade of innocence.

Mina and Lita frowned at him for a moment before deciding to believe his ignorance. "Well it does explain why he was so spaced out yesterday," Lita informed them. Mina nodded in understanding and Andrew gaped at them.

"Darien spaced out?" he encouraged, "You really are kidding me."

"Nope!" Lita swore holding her hand to her heart, "All yesterday it was check the time, zone out, check the time, zone out and, just for variety, every now and again he'd get this really silly smile."

Andrew shook his head in disappointment, "Oh man, it's so unfair, I should have been there with my camera. I could have become rich, can you imagine it? A documentary on Darien in love? All the females in this city would die to get their hands on something like that... yourselves excepted of course." Andrew suddenly remembered himself and quickly asked, "Are you sure it's Bunny though? I mean Bunny?"

Lita smiled smugly, "We always thought he denied the idea too strongly." Andrew nodded in agreement.

"Besides," Mina added, "On the way here we saw the pair of them in the park, kissing."

"They tend to do that a lot," Andrew nodded absently before he realised what he had said. His eyes bulged and he began to back away from the counter as Lita's face darkened. "Now calm down Lita-"

"You knew!" she growled as she leapt over the counter easily, "You lying, little-"

Andrew stopped with a hurt expression, "Don't you thing that's a little harsh- eep!"

Lita had grabbed the front of his shirt and loomed over him even though he was ten centimetres taller than she was. "Andrew," she told him slowly and carefully, "If Darien asked you to keep quiet you may as well forget about it because we're not leaving until you have filled us in."

Mina moved to stand beside Lita. "You may as well," she advised him, "It's not like we don't already know."

"Look girls I can't," he apologised frantically.

"I have been waiting forever for E... Darien to fall in love," Andrew wondered at her brief pause but forgot it as she continued, "And not even you can be allowed to keep something like this from me!"

Andrew looked into her eyes and saw that she was serious and he began to babble, "Bunny came in here two days ago crying and Darien followed her and dragged her into the store room and when they came out they couldn't keep their hands off of each other and that's all I know, I swear!" Lita suddenly smiled and Andrew sighed as she let him go. He couldn't stay mad with either of them, especially not since he understood exactly how they felt.

Mina beamed at Andrew and whispered loudly, "Don't worry Andy, you'll get a chance to get even with her in a couple of days."

Andrew shrugged, "Don't worry about it Mina-"

"Not even if I were to tell you that an old flame of hers is back in town and she's pining for him?"

Andrew grinned as Lita hissed, "Mina!" At that moment the door opened to allow two more girls entry. Amy and Raye waved at the trio and Andrew saw Mina breath a sigh of relief as their arrival saved her from certain retribution. As the two girls moved out from behind the counter Andrew had a sudden thought.

"Hey Lita!" he called. The green eyed girl turned to face him and he smiled at her, "I don't know if you'll find this interesting but he's calling her Angel now."

Lita grinned and started to chuckle as she mouthed thank you and went to sit with her friends. Andrew shrugged, it was only fair to repay information and what they'd told him about his friend's behaviour was definitely worth that little tidbit of knowledge. Darien was not going to hear the end of it!

***

As Mina and Lita took a seat in the booth Raye said quietly, "Amy's found it!"

The two girls looked at each other and then at Amy, "Found what?" they asked simultaneously.

"Where Beryl's based," the genius answered, "It's in the middle of the arctic and we were wondering if you knew where Darien was, he didn't answer his communicator."

Mina and Lita exchanged significant glances and Lita's lips twitched, "Yeah we know where he is."

"But he probably doesn't want to be disturbed," Mina murmured.

"But-" Amy started.

"What about the Guard?" Lita interrupted, "Do you have any idea of who they are?"

Amy shook her head and Raye seized the opportunity to demand, "Why wouldn't he want to be disturbed?"

"He's busy," Lita said, trying to keep her face expressionless.

"What could be more important than this?" Raye insisted.

Lita couldn't help it, she burst into laughter and Mina followed suit as she stuttered, "Tongue wrestling with Bunny!"

"WHAT!" two shrieks echoed through the arcade and both Amy and Raye blushed as several people looked in their direction.

"You mean Darien... and Bunny?" Raye asked doubtfully.

Lita and Mina nodded while still giggling and grinning like loons.

Raye and Amy exchanged glances. "Maybe we should leave him to his own devices for the moment," Amy decided her eyes twinkling.

"Yeah," Raye agreed, "We are obviously horribly behind the times and need to be briefed."

Lita and Mina calmed down and began to fill their friends in on what they knew.

***

Darien leaned back against the tree and sighed with pleasure, it had been a good day. I've been productive today. I've confirmed that Angel's guardians are the Earth Guard and that she herself is not only Sailor Moon but also the daughter of Selene, the Moon Princess and possibly the Shadow Bane... I'll have to get Kunzite alone sometime tonight to talk about it. I've arranged a dinner where I can reunite the Scouts and the Guard as well as formally introducing Angel as Sailor Moon. I find out that Angel is the same girl who cheered me up when I was a child and gave me the roses. To top it all off I've spent the last three hours alone with my Angel who is now in my arms. Today has definitely been a good day.

Even as he thought about her she shifted and moved her head to rest higher on his shoulder. They had stayed at the lab until a little after two talking about their current and past lives, getting to know each other again. I was right when I thought that they hadn't changed too much but I was also wrong. Jade and Neph still argue like cats and dogs but that closeness between all of them is still obvious. Kunzite has loosened up a lot, I wonder whether that's due to having Jade for a brother or Angel for a daughter of sorts. Probably both. Zoe more sure of herself now and though Nick seems to have changed the least he's a lot less detached than he used to be. His only passion used to be the stars, even Lita barely got his attention. Now he seems so much more open to the others and Angel, especially Angel.

Darien thought about what they had told him about the link between them and the godsend, literally, in his arms. Raye didn't know the half of it when she said that Angel could feel when those she cared for were in trouble. They're all a part of each other and I'm happy for them. I thought that I'd be jealous or angry but I'm not. I can't be jealous of Angel or angry with any of them. They're back with us again and since I've got Angel it's not like they'll be taking off with out us. Darien's thoughts turned smug. I've got Angel. Me! The rest of that stuff can wait for tonight. Right now I've got Angel, in my arms, with no one else around.

In his arms Bunny looked up, somehow sensing his change in mood. He grinned and leaned down as she pushed herself upwards. Their lips met and Darien lost track of his surroundings as his entire being focused on the girl in his arms. Mmmmm... Suddenly she flinched and drew back. What?

She was shuddering and looking around frantically. "What's the matter Angel," he asked, concerned.

"They're coming, here!" she whispered, looking about as she rose to her feet.

They're coming? Oh! Shadows, your Light can sense the approach of Shadows. Both Zoi and Raye agreed on that... Darien stood and even as he turned to examine the area darkness grew behind him and materialised into Kunzite. No, not Kunzite. Beryl's bad imitation of Kunzite.

"Hello Highness," the silver haired warrior sneered, "It's time you and my Queen had a little chat."

What?

He heard Bunny's desperate warning but it came too late as the dark general's fist connected with his temple. Darien collapsed into the clone's arms and his mind went blank.

***

Bunny watched as the fake Kunzite struck Darien and then slung him over his shoulder. The enemy general didn't spare a second glance for her as he began to disappear. Bunny sent another desperate mental cry for help to her guardians before she leapt towards the disappearing men. The last thing she saw was the surprised face of Beryl's pawn as the world went black.

***

The minds of the Guard reeled as the four warriors thundered through Tokyo. Jason's telekinesis fixed the traffic lights or any prospective accidents and Kevin's own power caused the two police cars they passed to ignore them as the jeep shot down the streets. They had all been returning home when Bunny's warning of another attack had reached them. Almost instantly afterwards had come the knowledge that she and Darien were at the location of the coming incursion. Their Angel and their prince, for they would always think of him as such, were in danger.

Even as they squealed around another corner Bunny's mental voice pleaded with them for help and then vanished. Only one thought was going through the four minds, hurry.

***

Amy started and glanced around to ensure that she was unobserved. She conjured her minicomputer from its keeping place in her sub-space pocket and tapped in a query. A moment later she snapped the computer shut and rose hastily. "Guys we're needed."

Mina nodded as she and the others also got up. "Where?" she asked as they quickly walked out of the arcade.

"There's an energy reading in the park-"

Mina and Lita looked at each other, horrified. "That's where Darien and Bunny are!" Lita shouted and ran off. The same look of fearful understanding crossed the other Scout's faces as they all started to run, not taking the time to search for a safe place to transform. Their prince and their friend were in danger and only one thought was going through their minds, hurry.