Hi Everyone! Here is part five to "Runaway." Thank you for all of the great reviews and comments I have been getting. Please review this part.
If you or anyone you know is being abused then please tell to someone whether it's a teacher, counselor or friend. Or call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-Abuse
E-mail me with suggestions and feedback to AngelRaye2@aol.com.
Also visit my web site at http://angelrayeschibiscouts.homestead.com/angelraye.html
My web site is in the process of moving to another server. The new address will be www.angelfire.com/anime3/chibiscouts
Captain Commando has set up a Chibi Scout message board at http://pub53.ezboard.com/bangelrayeschibiscouts. Please drop by and leave a message.
Disclaimers: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own this generation of Sailor Scouts. I also created the Elysian Scouts and the Crystal Scouts.
Runaway
Part Five
By
Angel Raye
"What do you mean we can't take Tiffany from her mother," Mina practically shouted. "I can't allow her to go into an abusive situation with the knowledge I have now."
"I agree Sailor Pluto," Amy added. "I have been working with her in therapy right now and it's just breaking my heart to hear what she has to say."
"I know it will be hard," Pluto replied. "But we cannot disrupt the timeline."
"To hell with the damn timeline," Mina shouted. "This is my great-granddaughter we are talking about. In the last couple of weeks I have grown to love her as my daughter. I can't allow her to be born and then turn her over to her mother."
"Neither can I," Amy pointed out. "How can you ask us to turn Tiffany over to her mother when we know what she will abused?"
"All this is meant to happen," Pluto replied. "If I allow you to take Tiffany away from her mother at birth then Brooke will come back to a different future."
"Sailor Pluto I can live with that if it means Tiffany will be happier," Brooke informed her.
"No Brooke," Pluto shook her head. "What Tiffany goes through is significant to the timeline. It not only is important in this period but in the future. Right now events are taking place as a result of Tiffany's abuse."
"So in other words we cannot interfere," Raye sighed.
"Serenity," Mina turned to the queen. "You're the queen. Can't you issue a command of some kind?"
Serenity looked helplessly at Mina. "I'm sorry Mina," she replied. "I wish I could but in I have to respect what Pluto has to say."
"This is outrageous," Mina shrieked. "So what am I supposed to do during those seven years?"
"Just love her," Pluto replied. "She does depend on the love of her grandmother and great-grandmother."
"Mina I know how you are feeling," Amy muttered. "I'm the one who has been listening to her experiences. I don't know how I am going to just sit back and do nothing during those seven years."
"None of us like this," Lita said. "But you heard what Sailor Pluto has said. We have to let everything happen."
"Then you will need to take the oath," Pluto stated.
"No not that," Mina begged.
"Yes," Pluto replied. "All of you must take an oath saying that you will not change the events that are laid out."
Mina and Amy both gave a gusty sigh. The Scouts and the Queen all took the oath and the meeting was adjourned.
"Damn that timeline," Amy thought to herself. "I can't believe I have to allow Tiffany's mother to raise her after all I have heard." Amy was angry. She could not understand how anyone could harm her child. And now Amy was told that she had to give Tiffany to her mother.
Amy burst into her quarters. She was seething with anger. "What's wrong honey," Greg asked when he saw how upset his wife was.
"Greg I wish I could tell you but I can't," Amy replied as she pulled of her shoes and put her slippers on. "I only have to deliver a child in the future and then give her to an abusive parent. That's all that's wrong."
"Try to calm down," Greg advised. "I can see your temples throbbing."
"Yours would be too," Amy thought. Suddenly she knew whom she wanted to see. "Where's Ariel?"
"She's in her room," Greg replied. Before he could ask anything else Amy headed to Ariel's room.
Ariel was lying on her bed reading a book. She looked up when Amy came in. "Hi Mommy," she cried in delight.
"Hi Darling," Amy replied as she sat down in the rocking chair.
"Are you all right Mommy," asked Ariel. "You look distressed."
Amy smiled at her daughter's large vocabulary. "I'm okay Darling," she said. "I'm just a little upset right now." She held out her arms, "Come here." Ariel went over to Amy climbed up on her lap. Amy wrapped her arms around the little girl. "I could never imagine doing what Tiffany's mother does to my little Ariel. What kind of heart does that woman have to treat someone as precious as a child so cruelly?"
"Mommy," Ariel murmured. "Why are you so upset?"
"I can't tell you," Amy replied.
"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better," Ariel asked.
Amy smiled as she placed her hand on Ariel's cheek. "Just let me hold you right now," she whispered. Ariel snuggled down into Amy's arms. Amy felt tears mist in her eyes. "Forgive me Tiffany. Please forgive me."
Mina was seething with anger. "Damn," she thought to herself. "How can we be so cruel? There is no way I am going to be able to hand Tiffany over to her mother when she is born."
"Mina," a voice behind her said. She turned around and saw it was Serenity. "Are you all right?"
"No," Mina replied curtly. "I can't believe Pluto expects us to do nothing when Tiffany is born."
"I understand," Serenity sighed.
"How can you," Mina snapped. "It's not your family member who is being abused. You don't have to stand by and allow someone you love be abused."
"You're right," Serenity admitted. "But Gloria is my goddaughter and I love all the children here as I would love my own. It has been painful for me to. Tiffany is a very precious child. I wish I could do something about it. But if it is suppose to happen then we have to let it."
"I know," Mina sighed. "It's just going to be so hard."
Serenity placed a comforting hand on Mina's shoulder. "We'll all get through this together," she assured Mina. "Both in present and the future."
"Thank you Serenity," Mina replied. "I don't know what I would do without your friendship."
"I feel the same way about all of you," Serenity smiled at her friend.
"I had better get back to the girls," Mina stated. She and Serenity said goodbye and they headed for their separate quarters. Tonight was a night when everyone ate dinner in the family quarters. When Mina got back to hers she saw that Asai already was fixing dinner.
"Hi Mom," Gloria called from the couch. She was watching television.
"Hi Darling," Mina kissed Gloria on the head. She went over to Asai and kissed him. "Where's Tiffany and Palla?"
"They're in the girls' room," Asai replied. Mina went into the girls' room. Tiffany and Palla were sitting on the bed looking at a book together.
"Mama," Tiffany jumped into Mina's arms.
"Hi Sweetie," Mina replied. She turned to Palla. "I appreciate you staying with her."
"No problem," Palla said as she got up. "I was glad to help. Let me know when you need me again."
After Palla left Mina sat down on the bed with Tiffany in her lap. "There's something I need to tell you," she informed Tiffany.
"You're sending me back," Tiffany asked in panic.
"No Darling," Mina assured her. A look of relief crossed over the child's face. "The Scouts and I talked about possibly in the future taking you away from your mother when you are born. Unfortunately Sailor Pluto told us we couldn't. Apparently all of this is significant to the timeline."
"Why are you telling me this Mama," asked Tiffany.
"Because I am going to know what you are going through and not be able to do anything about it," Mina choked as a tear rolled down her face. "I just hope you will forgive me."
"Mama," Tiffany whispered. "Or Great-grandma. I do forgive you because you always love me. You and Grandma make me happy when I am with you."
"I'm glad to hear that," Mina hugged Tiffany close to her.
"Mom," Gloria came in. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine Darling," Mina replied as she held her hand out toward Gloria. She drew Gloria into a hug. "Tell you what girls. How about after dinner all four of us go to that dessert shop in town and get whatever we want?"
"Hurrah," Gloria squealed and Tiffany nodded eagerly.
Mina smiled. "We might as well treat ourselves tonight."
Brooke took a sip of the tea Raye had given her. Today's meeting was still fresh in her mind. She could only imagine the guilt her grandmother and the rest of the Scouts felt in the future.
"Doing okay," asked Raye as she sat down beside her.
"I still feel so awful," Brooke replied. "That child is my godchild. How could I have not noticed anything?"
"Like Tiffany said it all happened when it was just her and her mother," Raye pointed out. "Don't beat yourself up over it."
"Well I am going to make it up to her," Brooke declared. "I am going to take a more active role in her life."
"I think she'll like that," Raye assured her.
Annika came up. "Mama," she murmured.
"Yes Sweetheart," Raye turned to her daughter.
Annika hesitated for a moment. Then she pushed Raye's arms back and climbed up on her lap. Raye wrapped her arms around Annika who snuggled down. "How much do you love me," she asked.
"What kind of question is that," Raye inquired.
"Please tell me Mama," Annika pleaded.
Raye sighed. Since this entire affair with Tiffany began Annika had been very fearful. Raye discussed it with Amy who told her to just keep reassuring her. "Annika if I had to choose only one thing in this whole world to keep I would choose you," Raye told her. "You are more important to me than my own life."
"So you would never hate me," asked Annika as she snuggled even closer to Raye.
"Never," Raye assured her.
"Even when I do bad things," Annika pressed.
"Nothing you could ever do would make me stop loving you," Raye stated firmly.
"I just don't understand why Tiffany's mother doesn't like her," Annika whispered.
"Neither can I Sweetheart," Raye whispered back. "Neither can I." Raye held Annika close for a minute and then told her, "It's time to take your bath and get ready for bed now. So get started."
"Yes Mama," Annika replied and she climbed down off of Raye's lap. Before she walked away Raye grabbed her and gave her another hug and a kiss. Raye and Brooke watched Annika disappear into hallway leading down to her room.
"You two still have a close loving relationship," Brooke whispered softly. Raye smiled. Hearing that made her happy.
During the time of the Chibi Crystal scouts...
Amy was sitting in her office looking through her files. Marina had told her to pull out the documentation from her therapy sessions with Tiffany ninety years ago. When Tiffany had left Sailor Pluto told Amy to hold on to her notes from the child's therapy sessions. Marina came to her and asked her to get them out. Amy fished around and finally found what she was looking for. She opened them and began reading them. She felt tears well up in her eyes as she recalled listening to what Tiffany had been through.
"Mom," a voice cut into her thoughts. Amy looked up and saw Ariel standing at the door in her lab coat. "Are you all right?"
"Yes Darling," Amy replied. She motioned her daughter to come in and sit down. "I was just reading through the notes I took during Tiffany's therapy sessions when she visited us in the past."
"May I," asked Ariel reaching for the notes. Amy nodded. Ariel took them and began reading through them. Her eyes got misted with tears too. "I remember her coming back now. I didn't know who she was. All I knew was that she was unhappy and that her mother had hurt her. When she went back for the Venus crystal I grew suspicious. When she ran away I knew that she was that same child who had run away from an abusive home."
"We wanted to take her away from Celine when she was born," Amy stated. "We had discussed it when Tiffany was with us but then Pluto came and told us we couldn't do that."
"It must have been hard," Ariel murmured.
"Let me tell you what I almost did on the night Tiffany was born," Amy said. Ariel turned her full attention to her mother. Amy began talking.
[Flashback]
Amy took the healthy baby girl to clean her up. She knew it was Tiffany whom she had just delivered. Amy had remembered the little girls who visited them in the past to retrieve their planet crystals. Jasmine and Melody were two. Lily, Sydney and Gisselle were all one. Neo-Princess Rayna was a few months old. Now Tiffany was here. This was the birth Amy had been dreading. She did not want to have to give Tiffany over to Celine. She took an extra long time bathing the infant.
"You're taking your time aren't you," asked Hotaru.
"Do you blame me," asked Amy.
"No," Hotaru sighed as she gently stroked the infant's cheek.
"Hotaru I can't do it," Amy cried. "I know we took an oath but I can't hand this child over to that woman."
"I know but we have to," Hotaru began but Amy held up her hand.
"We can tell everyone that she died from some kind complications," Amy whispered. "We can hide her for a few days and then claim we found her on the doorstep. I'll give her to Mina to raise telling her who she really is."
"I'm tempted to go along with that plan," Hotaru admitted. "But we can't do that. We have to give Tiffany to her mother. We cannot alter the timeline."
"You're right," Amy murmured. She held Tiffany up and kissed her. "Forgive me little one but I promise I will be there for you when the time comes." Amy wrapped Tiffany up in a blanket and carried her into the delivery room. Tiffany's father immediately took her from Amy.
"Look at her Celine," he exclaimed. "She's perfect."
"Whatever," muttered Celine. She glared at Gloria. "There you go. I didn't want her but I had her."
"You'll grow to love her," Gloria cried as she took Tiffany into her arms. "She is perfect."
Amy glanced up at Mina who also had a pained look in her eyes. They knew the truth and they hated it.
[End Flashback]
"How tempted I was to go through with that plan," Amy sighed. "But I didn't so that I wouldn't disrupt the timeline."
Ariel reached over and clasped her hand on Amy's arm. "I know it was hard on you Mom," she said. "But the important thing to remember is that right now Celine is getting what she deserves and Tiffany is going to be happy."
"You're right," Amy replied. "And I will be continuing my therapy sessions with her when she gets back."
"We'll get her through this," Ariel promised. Amy smiled at her daughter. She picked up Tiffany's old file and went to take it to Marina.
Mina walked through the door that adjoined her quarters to Gloria's. She found Gloria in the guestroom looking it over. "What are you doing," she asked.
"I'm trying to decide if I should decorate it for Tiffany to surprise her when she gets back or let her do it," Gloria replied.
"I think you should let her do it," Mina stated. "Amy wants to talk to us at some point."
"Very well," Gloria sighed. She went and sat down on the couch. Mina sat down with her. "Mom how were you able to manage these last seven years knowing what you knew."
Mina sighed. "It wasn't easy," she admitted. "And there was one time I almost ran away with her."
"Really," asked Gloria. "When? What did you do?"
Mina sat back and began her tale.
[Flashback]
Celine and her current husband had decided to go away for the weekend. Gloria happily agreed to keep the children. The boys, Isao and Chomei were nine and ten while little Tiffany had just turned a year old. The boys kept Gloria busy so Mina helped out by taking care of Tiffany. Since Tiffany's father was still in the picture her mother had not done much to her yet. However, Mina could tell that Celine had no love for her daughter. While most children Tiffany's age cried when their mothers left them, Tiffany cried when her mother came to get her. Mina badly wanted to prevent her from experiencing the abuse that was in her future.
That night after everyone had gone to bed Mina got up and got dressed. She crept into Gloria's quarters and went into the guestroom. Tiffany was asleep in the crib. Mina quietly picked up a blanket and wrapped it around the toddler. Tiffany opened her eyes and saw Mina. She smiled. "Hush," Mina whispered. "I'm going to save you." Mina quietly crept out of the quarters with the little bundle in her arms. "I am not going to allow you to go through that abuse. I'll raise you as my daughter and we'll be happy together." Mina headed down the stairs. She was almost to the entrance when the light was turned on. In dismay Mina turned around and saw Sailor Pluto standing there.
"Don't do it Mina," Pluto commanded. "You cannot run away with her."
"Please Sailor Pluto," Mina begged. "I love this child. I can't bear the thought of leaving her with her mother. Please let me save her."
"I know this is hard for you," Pluto replied. "But you took an oath."
"To hell with the damn oath," Mina snapped. "My heart is breaking at the thought of her being abused."
"So is mine," Pluto admitted sadly. "But all this is going to have a purpose. I cannot tell you now but everything will work out for the best."
Mina sat down with Tiffany still in her arms. She gazed down at the tiny child with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry Sweetie," Mina choked. "I promise to give you all the love you deserve. You can always come to me for comfort."
Pluto placed a comforting hand on Mina's shoulder. "You will be very important to her. Both you and Gloria will be her reason for living. Don't run away with her. You will likely be caught and incarcerated. If that happens what will Tiffany do?"
Mina saw the reasoning. Without another word she went back upstairs to her quarters. She crept into Gloria's guestroom and placed Tiffany back in the crib. She quietly stayed by the child's side until she fell asleep.
[End Flashback]
"How close I came to just taking her away that night," Mina sighed.
Gloria reached over and squeezed her mother's hand. "You're heart was in the right place," she stated. "I know the last seven years had to be difficult for you."
"It has been," Mina admitted.
"I wonder how she is doing now," Gloria murmured sadly.
"I'm sure she is fine," Mina assured her.
During the time of the Chibi Scouts...
Tiffany sat in Amy's office clutching a teddy bear she had brought with her. She gazed at Amy with her large green eyes. "So Tiffany where did you get this bear," Amy asked.
"Mama gave him to me," Tiffany whispered. "She told me when she is busy and I need to hug someone to hug him."
"Good idea," Amy smiled. "Well how about if you and the teddy bear come down here and play with some dolls for a while?"
Tiffany hesitated for a moment and then climbed down. Amy sat down beside her. She had a hidden video camera recording the session again. Tiffany quietly began playing. "Tiffany did you have a lot of things to play with at home," Amy asked.
"Yes," Tiffany replied. "My grandma and great-grandma got me a lot of things."
"You really love them don't you," Amy asked.
"Yes," Tiffany whispered. "But I love them here as my mama and sister."
"You have brothers don't you," Amy asked next. Tiffany nodded her head. "How was your mother with them?"
"She was nice to them," Tiffany replied sadly.
Amy pulled put some dolls. "Show me something that happened with you, your brothers and your mother," she requested.
Tiffany took a deep breath and began.
[Flashback]
Tiffany watched as her brothers, Isao and Chomei came home from after school activities. Isao was in his last year of junior high so he was busy studying for the high school entrance exam. Chomei was in high school and was the star of his track team. Celine smiled at both of them. "How was your day boys," she asked.
"Pretty good Mom," Isao replied. "I got my math test today and I got a perfect score on it."
"Wonderful," Celine cried in delight. She turned to Chomei next. "And how about you?"
"I made it to the finals for the big track meet," Chomei announced. Celine beamed in delight.
"You two make me so proud," she declared.
"Oh come on Mom," Chomei laughed. He and Isao headed for their rooms. Neither one of them even glanced at their younger sister. Celine told them Tiffany was the reason why their father left. Because of that they did not want to have anything to do with her.
Celine turned toward Tiffany. "What are you standing there for," she snapped.
"Why are you nice to them," Tiffany whispered.
"Because they're my sons," Celine replied.
"But I'm your child too," Tiffany choked as a tear fell down her face.
"I didn't want you," Celine snapped. "I wanted them but I did not want you." Tiffany began to cry which infuriated Celine. "Stop that worthless crying," she shouted. When Tiffany did not stop Celine slapped her across the face. Tiffany began crying harder. Celine slapped her again. "Shut up," she screamed. Tiffany gulped her tears down. "Nobody here loves you. Your father didn't love you which is why he left."
"He did love me," Tiffany protested. "He always told me he loved me."
"Then why didn't he take you with him," Celine demanded. "It's your fault he left and no one here will forgive you for that. Now what do we say?"
"I'm a worthless individual who isn't wanted and will never mount to anything," Tiffany choked.
Celine was about to go on another tirade when there was a knock at the door. She answered it and saw it was Gloria. "Grandma,' Tiffany cried in delight as she ran into her arms.
[End Flashback]
Amy put her arms around the sobbing child. "It's my fault Daddy left," Tiffany sobbed. "Mother said it was all my fault. Everything is always my fault."
"Listen to me," Amy commanded cupping the child's face in her hands. "It was not your fault. Your mother had no right to blame you. I want you to stop blaming yourself."
"But she told me," cried Tiffany.
"She's wrong," Amy told her. She reached for a male doll. "Pretend this is your father. If you could see him what would you say?"
Tiffany looked at the doll. "Daddy why did you leave me with Mother? Why didn't you take me with you? Tiffany grabbed the doll out of Amy's hand. "Why did you leave? Why," she screamed and she threw the doll across the room.
Amy next pulled out another doll. "Now this is your mother," she stated. "Tell her how you feel."
Tiffany only gave a loud scream and knocked the doll out of Amy's hand. She began to cry hysterically. Amy pulled the child onto her lap and held her. She had a feeling there wasn't going to be any more talking at this session.
When Mina came to get Tiffany she saw her still in Amy's lap crying. She walked quietly into the room. "Look who's here Tiffany," Amy whispered. Tiffany turned around and saw Mina. She jumped down off of Amy's lap and ran into Mina's open arms. She buried her head in Mina's shoulder and sobbed.
"It's okay honey," Mina soothed. "I know this is hard for you but it's necessary."
"Just allow her to cry when she needs to Mina," Amy advised. "It's very important for her recovery."
"I understand," Mina replied. She gazed down at Tiffany. "I have to oversee a Scout practice right now. Chibi Jupiter and Chibi Neptune have training. Gloria is over at Annika's. How about if I ask Aunt Raye if you can play there too."
"Okay," Tiffany whispered.
About half an hour later Tiffany, Gloria and Annika were sitting in Annika's room playing a game. Tiffany looked up and saw all the kimonos in Annika's closet. "You have a lot of kimonos Annika," Tiffany gasped.
"Doesn't she," asked Gloria. "I only have about three but she must have about a hundred."
"I don't have that much," Annika rolled her eyes. "Not all of them fit me. Mama likes to keep them."
"Let's try them on," Gloria suggested.
"Okay," Annika agreed. She went to her closet. "Here Tiffany this one should fit you."
"Thank you," Tiffany took the purple kimono from Annika.
Raye was looking at the directions on the package of curry she was fixing for her family's dinner that night. Suddenly a pair of arms came around her and someone kissed her cheek. "How's my beautiful wife," Chad asked.
"Fine now that you're here," Raye replied as she turned around. She and Chad shared a passionate kiss.
"So packaged curry tonight," he asked.
"Please don't say anything," Raye begged. "Annika has already commented that she wished I could cook like Lita."
"I won't," laughed Chad. "Where is Annika by the way?"
"In her room with Gloria and Tiffany," Raye replied.
"I'll go and say hello to her then," Chad stated and he headed for his daughter's room.
Tiffany loved the look of the purple kimono on her. Gloria and Annika also had kimonos on. They were having a great time. "Okay," Annika sighed. "We had better take these off or Mama will get mad."
"Nuts," muttered Gloria as she pulled off the kimono. She reached for her jeans and sweatshirt.
There was a knock at the door and Chad came walking in. Tiffany, who was buttoning up her shirt, froze in panic.
Raye was in the kitchen when she heard the ear-shattering scream from Annika's room.
To be continued...
If you or anyone you know is being abused then please tell to someone whether it's a teacher, counselor or friend. Or call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-Abuse
E-mail me with suggestions and feedback to AngelRaye2@aol.com.
Also visit my web site at http://angelrayeschibiscouts.homestead.com/angelraye.html
My web site is in the process of moving to another server. The new address will be www.angelfire.com/anime3/chibiscouts
Captain Commando has set up a Chibi Scout message board at http://pub53.ezboard.com/bangelrayeschibiscouts. Please drop by and leave a message.
Disclaimers: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own this generation of Sailor Scouts. I also created the Elysian Scouts and the Crystal Scouts.
Runaway
Part Five
By
Angel Raye
"What do you mean we can't take Tiffany from her mother," Mina practically shouted. "I can't allow her to go into an abusive situation with the knowledge I have now."
"I agree Sailor Pluto," Amy added. "I have been working with her in therapy right now and it's just breaking my heart to hear what she has to say."
"I know it will be hard," Pluto replied. "But we cannot disrupt the timeline."
"To hell with the damn timeline," Mina shouted. "This is my great-granddaughter we are talking about. In the last couple of weeks I have grown to love her as my daughter. I can't allow her to be born and then turn her over to her mother."
"Neither can I," Amy pointed out. "How can you ask us to turn Tiffany over to her mother when we know what she will abused?"
"All this is meant to happen," Pluto replied. "If I allow you to take Tiffany away from her mother at birth then Brooke will come back to a different future."
"Sailor Pluto I can live with that if it means Tiffany will be happier," Brooke informed her.
"No Brooke," Pluto shook her head. "What Tiffany goes through is significant to the timeline. It not only is important in this period but in the future. Right now events are taking place as a result of Tiffany's abuse."
"So in other words we cannot interfere," Raye sighed.
"Serenity," Mina turned to the queen. "You're the queen. Can't you issue a command of some kind?"
Serenity looked helplessly at Mina. "I'm sorry Mina," she replied. "I wish I could but in I have to respect what Pluto has to say."
"This is outrageous," Mina shrieked. "So what am I supposed to do during those seven years?"
"Just love her," Pluto replied. "She does depend on the love of her grandmother and great-grandmother."
"Mina I know how you are feeling," Amy muttered. "I'm the one who has been listening to her experiences. I don't know how I am going to just sit back and do nothing during those seven years."
"None of us like this," Lita said. "But you heard what Sailor Pluto has said. We have to let everything happen."
"Then you will need to take the oath," Pluto stated.
"No not that," Mina begged.
"Yes," Pluto replied. "All of you must take an oath saying that you will not change the events that are laid out."
Mina and Amy both gave a gusty sigh. The Scouts and the Queen all took the oath and the meeting was adjourned.
"Damn that timeline," Amy thought to herself. "I can't believe I have to allow Tiffany's mother to raise her after all I have heard." Amy was angry. She could not understand how anyone could harm her child. And now Amy was told that she had to give Tiffany to her mother.
Amy burst into her quarters. She was seething with anger. "What's wrong honey," Greg asked when he saw how upset his wife was.
"Greg I wish I could tell you but I can't," Amy replied as she pulled of her shoes and put her slippers on. "I only have to deliver a child in the future and then give her to an abusive parent. That's all that's wrong."
"Try to calm down," Greg advised. "I can see your temples throbbing."
"Yours would be too," Amy thought. Suddenly she knew whom she wanted to see. "Where's Ariel?"
"She's in her room," Greg replied. Before he could ask anything else Amy headed to Ariel's room.
Ariel was lying on her bed reading a book. She looked up when Amy came in. "Hi Mommy," she cried in delight.
"Hi Darling," Amy replied as she sat down in the rocking chair.
"Are you all right Mommy," asked Ariel. "You look distressed."
Amy smiled at her daughter's large vocabulary. "I'm okay Darling," she said. "I'm just a little upset right now." She held out her arms, "Come here." Ariel went over to Amy climbed up on her lap. Amy wrapped her arms around the little girl. "I could never imagine doing what Tiffany's mother does to my little Ariel. What kind of heart does that woman have to treat someone as precious as a child so cruelly?"
"Mommy," Ariel murmured. "Why are you so upset?"
"I can't tell you," Amy replied.
"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better," Ariel asked.
Amy smiled as she placed her hand on Ariel's cheek. "Just let me hold you right now," she whispered. Ariel snuggled down into Amy's arms. Amy felt tears mist in her eyes. "Forgive me Tiffany. Please forgive me."
Mina was seething with anger. "Damn," she thought to herself. "How can we be so cruel? There is no way I am going to be able to hand Tiffany over to her mother when she is born."
"Mina," a voice behind her said. She turned around and saw it was Serenity. "Are you all right?"
"No," Mina replied curtly. "I can't believe Pluto expects us to do nothing when Tiffany is born."
"I understand," Serenity sighed.
"How can you," Mina snapped. "It's not your family member who is being abused. You don't have to stand by and allow someone you love be abused."
"You're right," Serenity admitted. "But Gloria is my goddaughter and I love all the children here as I would love my own. It has been painful for me to. Tiffany is a very precious child. I wish I could do something about it. But if it is suppose to happen then we have to let it."
"I know," Mina sighed. "It's just going to be so hard."
Serenity placed a comforting hand on Mina's shoulder. "We'll all get through this together," she assured Mina. "Both in present and the future."
"Thank you Serenity," Mina replied. "I don't know what I would do without your friendship."
"I feel the same way about all of you," Serenity smiled at her friend.
"I had better get back to the girls," Mina stated. She and Serenity said goodbye and they headed for their separate quarters. Tonight was a night when everyone ate dinner in the family quarters. When Mina got back to hers she saw that Asai already was fixing dinner.
"Hi Mom," Gloria called from the couch. She was watching television.
"Hi Darling," Mina kissed Gloria on the head. She went over to Asai and kissed him. "Where's Tiffany and Palla?"
"They're in the girls' room," Asai replied. Mina went into the girls' room. Tiffany and Palla were sitting on the bed looking at a book together.
"Mama," Tiffany jumped into Mina's arms.
"Hi Sweetie," Mina replied. She turned to Palla. "I appreciate you staying with her."
"No problem," Palla said as she got up. "I was glad to help. Let me know when you need me again."
After Palla left Mina sat down on the bed with Tiffany in her lap. "There's something I need to tell you," she informed Tiffany.
"You're sending me back," Tiffany asked in panic.
"No Darling," Mina assured her. A look of relief crossed over the child's face. "The Scouts and I talked about possibly in the future taking you away from your mother when you are born. Unfortunately Sailor Pluto told us we couldn't. Apparently all of this is significant to the timeline."
"Why are you telling me this Mama," asked Tiffany.
"Because I am going to know what you are going through and not be able to do anything about it," Mina choked as a tear rolled down her face. "I just hope you will forgive me."
"Mama," Tiffany whispered. "Or Great-grandma. I do forgive you because you always love me. You and Grandma make me happy when I am with you."
"I'm glad to hear that," Mina hugged Tiffany close to her.
"Mom," Gloria came in. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine Darling," Mina replied as she held her hand out toward Gloria. She drew Gloria into a hug. "Tell you what girls. How about after dinner all four of us go to that dessert shop in town and get whatever we want?"
"Hurrah," Gloria squealed and Tiffany nodded eagerly.
Mina smiled. "We might as well treat ourselves tonight."
Brooke took a sip of the tea Raye had given her. Today's meeting was still fresh in her mind. She could only imagine the guilt her grandmother and the rest of the Scouts felt in the future.
"Doing okay," asked Raye as she sat down beside her.
"I still feel so awful," Brooke replied. "That child is my godchild. How could I have not noticed anything?"
"Like Tiffany said it all happened when it was just her and her mother," Raye pointed out. "Don't beat yourself up over it."
"Well I am going to make it up to her," Brooke declared. "I am going to take a more active role in her life."
"I think she'll like that," Raye assured her.
Annika came up. "Mama," she murmured.
"Yes Sweetheart," Raye turned to her daughter.
Annika hesitated for a moment. Then she pushed Raye's arms back and climbed up on her lap. Raye wrapped her arms around Annika who snuggled down. "How much do you love me," she asked.
"What kind of question is that," Raye inquired.
"Please tell me Mama," Annika pleaded.
Raye sighed. Since this entire affair with Tiffany began Annika had been very fearful. Raye discussed it with Amy who told her to just keep reassuring her. "Annika if I had to choose only one thing in this whole world to keep I would choose you," Raye told her. "You are more important to me than my own life."
"So you would never hate me," asked Annika as she snuggled even closer to Raye.
"Never," Raye assured her.
"Even when I do bad things," Annika pressed.
"Nothing you could ever do would make me stop loving you," Raye stated firmly.
"I just don't understand why Tiffany's mother doesn't like her," Annika whispered.
"Neither can I Sweetheart," Raye whispered back. "Neither can I." Raye held Annika close for a minute and then told her, "It's time to take your bath and get ready for bed now. So get started."
"Yes Mama," Annika replied and she climbed down off of Raye's lap. Before she walked away Raye grabbed her and gave her another hug and a kiss. Raye and Brooke watched Annika disappear into hallway leading down to her room.
"You two still have a close loving relationship," Brooke whispered softly. Raye smiled. Hearing that made her happy.
During the time of the Chibi Crystal scouts...
Amy was sitting in her office looking through her files. Marina had told her to pull out the documentation from her therapy sessions with Tiffany ninety years ago. When Tiffany had left Sailor Pluto told Amy to hold on to her notes from the child's therapy sessions. Marina came to her and asked her to get them out. Amy fished around and finally found what she was looking for. She opened them and began reading them. She felt tears well up in her eyes as she recalled listening to what Tiffany had been through.
"Mom," a voice cut into her thoughts. Amy looked up and saw Ariel standing at the door in her lab coat. "Are you all right?"
"Yes Darling," Amy replied. She motioned her daughter to come in and sit down. "I was just reading through the notes I took during Tiffany's therapy sessions when she visited us in the past."
"May I," asked Ariel reaching for the notes. Amy nodded. Ariel took them and began reading through them. Her eyes got misted with tears too. "I remember her coming back now. I didn't know who she was. All I knew was that she was unhappy and that her mother had hurt her. When she went back for the Venus crystal I grew suspicious. When she ran away I knew that she was that same child who had run away from an abusive home."
"We wanted to take her away from Celine when she was born," Amy stated. "We had discussed it when Tiffany was with us but then Pluto came and told us we couldn't do that."
"It must have been hard," Ariel murmured.
"Let me tell you what I almost did on the night Tiffany was born," Amy said. Ariel turned her full attention to her mother. Amy began talking.
[Flashback]
Amy took the healthy baby girl to clean her up. She knew it was Tiffany whom she had just delivered. Amy had remembered the little girls who visited them in the past to retrieve their planet crystals. Jasmine and Melody were two. Lily, Sydney and Gisselle were all one. Neo-Princess Rayna was a few months old. Now Tiffany was here. This was the birth Amy had been dreading. She did not want to have to give Tiffany over to Celine. She took an extra long time bathing the infant.
"You're taking your time aren't you," asked Hotaru.
"Do you blame me," asked Amy.
"No," Hotaru sighed as she gently stroked the infant's cheek.
"Hotaru I can't do it," Amy cried. "I know we took an oath but I can't hand this child over to that woman."
"I know but we have to," Hotaru began but Amy held up her hand.
"We can tell everyone that she died from some kind complications," Amy whispered. "We can hide her for a few days and then claim we found her on the doorstep. I'll give her to Mina to raise telling her who she really is."
"I'm tempted to go along with that plan," Hotaru admitted. "But we can't do that. We have to give Tiffany to her mother. We cannot alter the timeline."
"You're right," Amy murmured. She held Tiffany up and kissed her. "Forgive me little one but I promise I will be there for you when the time comes." Amy wrapped Tiffany up in a blanket and carried her into the delivery room. Tiffany's father immediately took her from Amy.
"Look at her Celine," he exclaimed. "She's perfect."
"Whatever," muttered Celine. She glared at Gloria. "There you go. I didn't want her but I had her."
"You'll grow to love her," Gloria cried as she took Tiffany into her arms. "She is perfect."
Amy glanced up at Mina who also had a pained look in her eyes. They knew the truth and they hated it.
[End Flashback]
"How tempted I was to go through with that plan," Amy sighed. "But I didn't so that I wouldn't disrupt the timeline."
Ariel reached over and clasped her hand on Amy's arm. "I know it was hard on you Mom," she said. "But the important thing to remember is that right now Celine is getting what she deserves and Tiffany is going to be happy."
"You're right," Amy replied. "And I will be continuing my therapy sessions with her when she gets back."
"We'll get her through this," Ariel promised. Amy smiled at her daughter. She picked up Tiffany's old file and went to take it to Marina.
Mina walked through the door that adjoined her quarters to Gloria's. She found Gloria in the guestroom looking it over. "What are you doing," she asked.
"I'm trying to decide if I should decorate it for Tiffany to surprise her when she gets back or let her do it," Gloria replied.
"I think you should let her do it," Mina stated. "Amy wants to talk to us at some point."
"Very well," Gloria sighed. She went and sat down on the couch. Mina sat down with her. "Mom how were you able to manage these last seven years knowing what you knew."
Mina sighed. "It wasn't easy," she admitted. "And there was one time I almost ran away with her."
"Really," asked Gloria. "When? What did you do?"
Mina sat back and began her tale.
[Flashback]
Celine and her current husband had decided to go away for the weekend. Gloria happily agreed to keep the children. The boys, Isao and Chomei were nine and ten while little Tiffany had just turned a year old. The boys kept Gloria busy so Mina helped out by taking care of Tiffany. Since Tiffany's father was still in the picture her mother had not done much to her yet. However, Mina could tell that Celine had no love for her daughter. While most children Tiffany's age cried when their mothers left them, Tiffany cried when her mother came to get her. Mina badly wanted to prevent her from experiencing the abuse that was in her future.
That night after everyone had gone to bed Mina got up and got dressed. She crept into Gloria's quarters and went into the guestroom. Tiffany was asleep in the crib. Mina quietly picked up a blanket and wrapped it around the toddler. Tiffany opened her eyes and saw Mina. She smiled. "Hush," Mina whispered. "I'm going to save you." Mina quietly crept out of the quarters with the little bundle in her arms. "I am not going to allow you to go through that abuse. I'll raise you as my daughter and we'll be happy together." Mina headed down the stairs. She was almost to the entrance when the light was turned on. In dismay Mina turned around and saw Sailor Pluto standing there.
"Don't do it Mina," Pluto commanded. "You cannot run away with her."
"Please Sailor Pluto," Mina begged. "I love this child. I can't bear the thought of leaving her with her mother. Please let me save her."
"I know this is hard for you," Pluto replied. "But you took an oath."
"To hell with the damn oath," Mina snapped. "My heart is breaking at the thought of her being abused."
"So is mine," Pluto admitted sadly. "But all this is going to have a purpose. I cannot tell you now but everything will work out for the best."
Mina sat down with Tiffany still in her arms. She gazed down at the tiny child with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry Sweetie," Mina choked. "I promise to give you all the love you deserve. You can always come to me for comfort."
Pluto placed a comforting hand on Mina's shoulder. "You will be very important to her. Both you and Gloria will be her reason for living. Don't run away with her. You will likely be caught and incarcerated. If that happens what will Tiffany do?"
Mina saw the reasoning. Without another word she went back upstairs to her quarters. She crept into Gloria's guestroom and placed Tiffany back in the crib. She quietly stayed by the child's side until she fell asleep.
[End Flashback]
"How close I came to just taking her away that night," Mina sighed.
Gloria reached over and squeezed her mother's hand. "You're heart was in the right place," she stated. "I know the last seven years had to be difficult for you."
"It has been," Mina admitted.
"I wonder how she is doing now," Gloria murmured sadly.
"I'm sure she is fine," Mina assured her.
During the time of the Chibi Scouts...
Tiffany sat in Amy's office clutching a teddy bear she had brought with her. She gazed at Amy with her large green eyes. "So Tiffany where did you get this bear," Amy asked.
"Mama gave him to me," Tiffany whispered. "She told me when she is busy and I need to hug someone to hug him."
"Good idea," Amy smiled. "Well how about if you and the teddy bear come down here and play with some dolls for a while?"
Tiffany hesitated for a moment and then climbed down. Amy sat down beside her. She had a hidden video camera recording the session again. Tiffany quietly began playing. "Tiffany did you have a lot of things to play with at home," Amy asked.
"Yes," Tiffany replied. "My grandma and great-grandma got me a lot of things."
"You really love them don't you," Amy asked.
"Yes," Tiffany whispered. "But I love them here as my mama and sister."
"You have brothers don't you," Amy asked next. Tiffany nodded her head. "How was your mother with them?"
"She was nice to them," Tiffany replied sadly.
Amy pulled put some dolls. "Show me something that happened with you, your brothers and your mother," she requested.
Tiffany took a deep breath and began.
[Flashback]
Tiffany watched as her brothers, Isao and Chomei came home from after school activities. Isao was in his last year of junior high so he was busy studying for the high school entrance exam. Chomei was in high school and was the star of his track team. Celine smiled at both of them. "How was your day boys," she asked.
"Pretty good Mom," Isao replied. "I got my math test today and I got a perfect score on it."
"Wonderful," Celine cried in delight. She turned to Chomei next. "And how about you?"
"I made it to the finals for the big track meet," Chomei announced. Celine beamed in delight.
"You two make me so proud," she declared.
"Oh come on Mom," Chomei laughed. He and Isao headed for their rooms. Neither one of them even glanced at their younger sister. Celine told them Tiffany was the reason why their father left. Because of that they did not want to have anything to do with her.
Celine turned toward Tiffany. "What are you standing there for," she snapped.
"Why are you nice to them," Tiffany whispered.
"Because they're my sons," Celine replied.
"But I'm your child too," Tiffany choked as a tear fell down her face.
"I didn't want you," Celine snapped. "I wanted them but I did not want you." Tiffany began to cry which infuriated Celine. "Stop that worthless crying," she shouted. When Tiffany did not stop Celine slapped her across the face. Tiffany began crying harder. Celine slapped her again. "Shut up," she screamed. Tiffany gulped her tears down. "Nobody here loves you. Your father didn't love you which is why he left."
"He did love me," Tiffany protested. "He always told me he loved me."
"Then why didn't he take you with him," Celine demanded. "It's your fault he left and no one here will forgive you for that. Now what do we say?"
"I'm a worthless individual who isn't wanted and will never mount to anything," Tiffany choked.
Celine was about to go on another tirade when there was a knock at the door. She answered it and saw it was Gloria. "Grandma,' Tiffany cried in delight as she ran into her arms.
[End Flashback]
Amy put her arms around the sobbing child. "It's my fault Daddy left," Tiffany sobbed. "Mother said it was all my fault. Everything is always my fault."
"Listen to me," Amy commanded cupping the child's face in her hands. "It was not your fault. Your mother had no right to blame you. I want you to stop blaming yourself."
"But she told me," cried Tiffany.
"She's wrong," Amy told her. She reached for a male doll. "Pretend this is your father. If you could see him what would you say?"
Tiffany looked at the doll. "Daddy why did you leave me with Mother? Why didn't you take me with you? Tiffany grabbed the doll out of Amy's hand. "Why did you leave? Why," she screamed and she threw the doll across the room.
Amy next pulled out another doll. "Now this is your mother," she stated. "Tell her how you feel."
Tiffany only gave a loud scream and knocked the doll out of Amy's hand. She began to cry hysterically. Amy pulled the child onto her lap and held her. She had a feeling there wasn't going to be any more talking at this session.
When Mina came to get Tiffany she saw her still in Amy's lap crying. She walked quietly into the room. "Look who's here Tiffany," Amy whispered. Tiffany turned around and saw Mina. She jumped down off of Amy's lap and ran into Mina's open arms. She buried her head in Mina's shoulder and sobbed.
"It's okay honey," Mina soothed. "I know this is hard for you but it's necessary."
"Just allow her to cry when she needs to Mina," Amy advised. "It's very important for her recovery."
"I understand," Mina replied. She gazed down at Tiffany. "I have to oversee a Scout practice right now. Chibi Jupiter and Chibi Neptune have training. Gloria is over at Annika's. How about if I ask Aunt Raye if you can play there too."
"Okay," Tiffany whispered.
About half an hour later Tiffany, Gloria and Annika were sitting in Annika's room playing a game. Tiffany looked up and saw all the kimonos in Annika's closet. "You have a lot of kimonos Annika," Tiffany gasped.
"Doesn't she," asked Gloria. "I only have about three but she must have about a hundred."
"I don't have that much," Annika rolled her eyes. "Not all of them fit me. Mama likes to keep them."
"Let's try them on," Gloria suggested.
"Okay," Annika agreed. She went to her closet. "Here Tiffany this one should fit you."
"Thank you," Tiffany took the purple kimono from Annika.
Raye was looking at the directions on the package of curry she was fixing for her family's dinner that night. Suddenly a pair of arms came around her and someone kissed her cheek. "How's my beautiful wife," Chad asked.
"Fine now that you're here," Raye replied as she turned around. She and Chad shared a passionate kiss.
"So packaged curry tonight," he asked.
"Please don't say anything," Raye begged. "Annika has already commented that she wished I could cook like Lita."
"I won't," laughed Chad. "Where is Annika by the way?"
"In her room with Gloria and Tiffany," Raye replied.
"I'll go and say hello to her then," Chad stated and he headed for his daughter's room.
Tiffany loved the look of the purple kimono on her. Gloria and Annika also had kimonos on. They were having a great time. "Okay," Annika sighed. "We had better take these off or Mama will get mad."
"Nuts," muttered Gloria as she pulled off the kimono. She reached for her jeans and sweatshirt.
There was a knock at the door and Chad came walking in. Tiffany, who was buttoning up her shirt, froze in panic.
Raye was in the kitchen when she heard the ear-shattering scream from Annika's room.
To be continued...