Hi Everyone! Here is part six to "Runaway." Please read and review.
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 Six
By
Angel Raye
Raye dropped what she was doing and dashed into Annika's room. She went in and saw Gloria knelt down by the bed. Annika and Chad were both standing nearby. "What happened," Raye demanded.
"Daddy came in to say hello to us and Tiffany screamed and hid under the bed," Annika replied.
"Oh no," Raye moaned as she remembered that Tiffany had a fear of men right now. She went over to the bed and looked under. Sure enough there was Tiffany huddled underneath it sobbing. Raye took control of the situation. "Chad you had better leave the room. "Contact both Mina and Amy and ask them to come over."
"All right," Chad replied in a confused voice.
"Annika and Gloria I want the two of you to go somewhere else right now," Raye commanded.
"But Aunt Raye," Gloria started to protest but Raye gave her a look that said she shouldn't argue. Not wanting to scare Tiffany more she left the room with Annika.
Raye turned her attention to the frightened child. "It's all right Tiffany," she cooed. "Come on out. It's just the two of us in here now."
"No," Tiffany sobbed.
"I know you're scared," Raye stated. "But I promise that no one will hurt you." Tiffany did not budge. Raye gave a sigh. "Hurry up Mina and Amy."
Annika and Gloria sat side by side on the couch. They were both in shock. They could not understand what had frightened Tiffany.
"Cheer up Annika," Stardust piped up. "Ms. Mina and Ms. Amy will be here soon."
"I just hate not knowing what is going on," Gloria moaned.
Brooke came walking in. She saw the two girls sitting on the couch and Chad in the kitchen. "What's going on," she asked.
"I just went into Annika's room to say hello to her and Tiffany screamed and hid under the bed," Chad replied.
"Mama's in there with her now," Annika added. "Brooke what is going on? Is Tiffany afraid of men?"
"She did something like that when Dad came into the bathroom while we were taking a bath," Gloria put in.
"Kami-sama," Brooke murmured. She ran into Annika's room. Raye was kneeling down by the bed, talking gently to Tiffany. Brooke knelt down beside her. "What happened?"
Raye quietly explained it to her. Brooke looked under the bed. "Come on out Tiffany," she gently urged. "I'm here."
"And Mama and Aunt Amy are on their way," Raye added.
Tiffany climbed out. She clung to Brooke and sobbed. "I kept thinking about Arinori," she choked.
"Not all men are like your stepbrother Tiffany," Brooke gently assured her. "I know what happened to you is a scary thing but I promise you will be all right." With Tiffany in her arms Brooke stood up with Raye's help. Brooke sat down on the bed. Tiffany clung to her and cried.
Amy and Mina both arrived at Raye's quarters at the same time. Chad let them in while Annika and Gloria both told them what happened. They went into Annika's room and saw Brooke sitting on the bed with Tiffany clinging to her. Raye was standing nearby. "Tiffany," Mina flew over to her. "It's okay honey. I'm here."
"Mama," sobbed Tiffany. Brooke gently handed her over to Mina. Mina worked on calming the child down.
"Tiffany I want you to tell me how you felt when Chad walked into the room," Amy gently instructed.
"I was so scared," Tiffany cried. "I kept thinking about Arinori when he came into my room that time."
"Okay," Amy took Tiffany's hands in hers. "Arinori is not here. You are in a safe place now where no one will hurt you."
"Why don't we go back to our quarters," Mina suggested. She stood up with Tiffany still in her arms.
Brooke turned to Raye. "I'm going with them. I'll be back in a little while."
"Take your time," Raye stated as she followed everyone out of Annika's room. Gloria jumped up and followed her mother, Amy and Brooke. Chad was sitting in a chair. Annika was on the couch with Stardust.
"Is she all right," Chad asked with concern once everyone had left.
"I don't know," Raye admitted as she sat down on the couch. "I have the feeling she is in for years of therapy. Damn that mother of hers."
Annika got up and stood in front of her mother. "Mama," she said. "Why did Tiffany scream when Daddy came into the room? Why is she scared of men?"
Raye hesitated for a moment. She always wanted to protect her daughter from horrors like this. She held out her arm. "Come here baby," she stated. Annika came over and climbed up onto her lap. Raye wrapped her arms around her. "Remember when Daddy and I told you that there are certain places on your body that no one should be allowed to touch?"
"Yes I do," Annika replied.
"Well someone touched Tiffany there," Raye explained. "It was a man and that is why she is afraid of men."
"Poor Tiffany," Annika gasped.
"I know," Raye sighed. "I don't understand Tiffany's mother. If someone had done that to Annika I would have torn him from limb to limb."
"I guess the important thing is to be there for Tiffany," Chad suggested.
"She'll be all right," Raye assured everyone. "She just has to be."
Later on that evening Tiffany was asleep in bed. Amy had worked with her on getting the feelings she had out. Mina and Brooke stayed with her the entire time. Tiffany was physically and emotionally exhausted so Mina put her to bed early. Brooke stayed beside the child until she had gone to sleep. Amy had a private talk with Mina. "I think you need to find some way to explain this to Gloria," she told Mina.
"Do you think that is necessary," asked Mina. "I don't want her to know that Tiffany is her grandchild."
"You don't have to," Amy pointed out. "But my professional eye is telling me that Gloria is very confused right now. I think she just needs to be aware of what Tiffany has been through. She is only a child so chances are when Tiffany is born she will have forgotten about this."
"I'll talk to her," Mina promised.
"And get some rest yourself," Amy ordered. "You're exhausted too. You need your strength."
"I will," Mina replied. "Thank you Amy."
"Call if you need me," Amy said as she left.
Mina walked into the living room. She saw Gloria sitting on the couch staring down at the floor. Mina went over and sat down by her. "How are you doing Darling," she asked.
"Okay," Gloria muttered. She turned toward her mother. "Why is Tiffany afraid of men? Dad is a great person and Uncle Chad couldn't harm a fly."
"Come here," Mina reached out her arm. Gloria sat back and rested her head on her mother's shoulder. Mina put her arm around her daughter. "Someone touched Tiffany in a place where she shouldn't be touched. That is why she is afraid of men."
"Who did that," asked Gloria in astonishment. "You always told me that if someone touched me there to tell you or someone else right away."
"Unfortunately Tiffany chose the wrong person to tell," Mina explained. She looked down at her daughter. "I know it seems like I have be spending a lot of time with Tiffany lately but I still love you very much and I don't want you to forget it."
"I won't Mom," Gloria replied. "And I want Tiffany to be happy too."
"Good girl," Mina smiled as she hugged Gloria close to her.
[Flashback]
Tiffany stared in horror at juice spill on the carpet. The glass had slipped out of her hand and now there was a red stain on the beige carpet. Tiffany knew she was going to have to try and clean it before Celine returned. She got up and grabbed some towels from the kitchen. She knelt down to clean it up. Suddenly the door opened. Tiffany looked up in fear and saw Celine walking in. Her heart sank as she realized she was too late.
"What's this," Celine shouted angrily.
"I...I...I spilled some j...j...juice," Tiffany stuttered.
"You little fool," Celine raged as she grabbed Tiffany by the ear. "You are nothing but a disaster."
"It w...w...was a...a...accident," Tiffany choked.
"You've ruined the carpet," Celine shouted as she slapped Tiffany across the face. "You've ruined the carpet just like you've ruined my life."
"I...I...I'm s...s...sorry," Tiffany cried.
"So am I," Celine snapped. "I'm sorry I even had you." She dragged Tiffany by the ear to the closet. "Now what do we say?"
"I'm a stupid clumsy fool who can't do anything right," Tiffany sobbed.
"And that is the absolute truth," Celine confirmed. She opened the closet door and shoved Tiffany in. She slammed the door and locked it.
"Let me out please," Tiffany cried in terror as she beat her fists against the door. She heard the door closed, which meant Celine had left. Tiffany screamed at the top of her lungs and continued to beat on the door. Her fists got all bloody and bruised. Finally she couldn't scream any more. Weeping she huddled up in the dark closet and hoped that someone would let her out.
After what seemed like an eternity Tiffany heard a click at the door. She looked up as the door opened and saw Gloria standing there. "Grandma," Tiffany cried as she jumped into her arms. She looked over and saw Celine was standing nearby.
"I told you Mother," Celine grunted. "She locked herself in the closet again."
"I see," Gloria murmured as she held Tiffany close. "Well maybe you need to get the lock taken off of there so that she can't lock herself in there again."
"We'll see," Celine replied.
Gloria looked at Tiffany's bloodied wrists. "She needs Amy or Ariel to look at these," she pointed out.
"Then you take her," Celine snapped. "I am not wasting time with a child who is so careless."
Gloria glared at her daughter and took Tiffany out of her quarters. A few minutes later Tiffany was in Ariel's office having her wrists examined. How she badly wanted to tell her grandmother what really happened but she was too scared.
[End Flashback]
"I didn't mean to spill the juice," Tiffany sobbed to Amy as she clutched her teddy bear.
"How often did your mother lock you in that closet Tiffany," Amy gently asked.
Tiffany shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know," she choked. "I wanted to tell someone but I was afraid Mother would hit me again."
"How did you feel when you were in that closet," Amy asked next.
"Scared," Tiffany replied.
"Anything else," Amy prodded.
"It was so dark in there," Tiffany mumbled. "I wanted to get out of there but I couldn't. It was so scary."
"I know it was scary," Amy gently told her. "But I also know you had to have some other feelings. I want you to describe them to me."
Tiffany stared at Amy. "I can't," she whispered.
"Yes you can," Amy pointed out. "It's just the two of us in here and you are safe. You can tell me how you really felt."
"NO," Tiffany screamed. "I can't. I'm afraid Mother will find out. I can't tell you."
Amy sighed and pulled the frightened child into her arms. Tiffany cried hysterically. She just had to help Tiffany get past her fears.
Mina sat down in Amy's office to hear what she had to say. Tiffany had gone into the next room with Hotaru so that Amy could talk. Mina could tell that the child was terrified.
"Tiffany is reliving the memories right now," Amy told her. "She is very scared. We need to get her past her fears."
"How are we going to do that," Mina asked.
"Right now it's important that she feels safe," Amy replied. "I know you are giving her a safe and loving environment. We have to get her past her fears so that she can feel the other feelings. Underneath the fear is pain and anger. She has to be aware of those in order to heal."
"I understand," Mina sighed. "How long could this take?"
"There's no telling," Amy replied. "When fear dominates a child it could take a long time to get her past it. I only ask that you continue what you are doing with her. She feels very safe and loved with you. That will be important in her recovery."
"I'll do that," Mina promised as she stood up. "Thank you Amy." With that she got Tiffany and left the office.
After her meeting with Mina, Amy headed over to Raye's quarters. Tiffany's recollection of being shut in dark closets reminded Amy of Annika's therapy sessions from three years ago.
Raye answered the door. "Amy," she exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Did we miss a therapy session for Annika?"
"No," Amy replied. "Hers is tomorrow. But I did want to talk to you about something I would like Annika to do."
"And what can that be," asked Raye as she sat down on the couch. She motioned Amy to sit down also.
"Tiffany mentioned to me today that she has been locked in dark closets," Amy stated. "I was wondering if maybe Annika could talk to her. She knows what it is like since Ms. Ito locked her in a closet three years ago."
"I don't know Amy," Raye said doubtfully. "That traumatized Annika. She had nightmares for weeks after that. Not to mention it took several weeks of therapy to get her through it."
"But I helped Annika to get all of her feelings out," Amy pointed out. "Tiffany is unable to get past her fears. I thought maybe if she talked to someone who is not much older than her who has been through a similar experience then it might help."
"Annika's situation is not like Tiffany's," Raye reminded Amy.
"I'm not saying it is," Amy replied. "But Annika knows what it is liked to be locked in a dark closet. She may have only been in there for a few minutes but that is an eternity to a five-year-old. I think it might be of some comfort to Tiffany."
"I don't know," Raye sighed.
"Mama," Annika came into the room. Raye and Amy both looked up. "I want to do it."
"Are you sure Sweetie," asked Raye. "Because you don't have to."
"I want to help Tiffany," Annika replied. "I like her."
"Annika this is your choice," Amy pointed out. "You don't have to do this."
"I know Aunt Amy," Annika said. "But I have a mama who loves me and would never try to hurt me. Tiffany's mama hurts her. I want to help her."
Raye smiled and pulled her daughter in her arms. "I'm proud of you baby," she stated. "You really do have a very large heart."
"We'll talk about it at your session tomorrow Annika," Amy smiled at the child. "Thank you."
A couple of days later Amy approached Brooke. In her hands was the tape she had of some of her sessions with Tiffany. "I am giving this to you to hand over to Marina," she told her. "I hope this is enough."
"How many sessions do you have on there," asked Brooke as she took the tape from Amy.
"About four," Amy replied. "There are some very detailed descriptions of what the child has been through so it should be enough evidence."
"Let's hope so," Brooke sighed. She headed for the Time Portal.
[During the time of the Crystal Chibi Scouts...]
Marina sat in her office reviewing all of the statements and evidence she had. She was shocked at all she had learned over the course of the last several days. She was going to make sure that Celine would never see Tiffany again.
A knock at the door made her look up. She saw Gloria and Mina were both there. "You wanted to see us," Mina stated.
"Yes," Marina replied motioning them to come in. Mina and Gloria sat down. "I don't know if you were aware of this but I had gone to the past to ask Grandma to tape some of her therapy sessions with Tiffany."
"She never told me that," Mina exclaimed.
"I swore her to secrecy," Marina told them. "Brooke delivered the tape to me yesterday and I have looked at it."
"And," asked Gloria.
"I thought it would be a good idea if you looked at it now," Marina informed them. "It is a very disturbing tape and I know it will upset you. It will be shown at the trial and I want you to be somewhat prepared."
"Very well," Mina said and Gloria nodded in agreement.
Marina stuck the tape in the VCR and turned it on. Gloria immediately got misty eyed when she saw Tiffany whom she was missing very much right now. They watched four sessions of Tiffany telling Amy what she had been through. They watched as she cried and shook with fear. By the time the tape was over with both Mina and Gloria were crying.
"Damn Celine," Gloria choked. "How could she?"
"I was not there during the therapy sessions," Mina added. "But I knew how she would cry at them. Oh how I wished I could have forgotten that damn oath and take Tiffany away."
"This is going to be in place of Tiffany's testimony," Marina informed them. "Grandma wants to continue with these sessions as soon as Tiffany returns."
"That won't be a problem," Gloria quickly said.
"Don't worry," Marina smiled at both of them. "Pretty soon all of this will be over with and Tiffany will be safe at home with you."
Hotaru headed toward the throne room. Neo-Queen Serenity and Neo-Princesses Rini and Chelsea had sent for her. She was curious to know what it was about. She got to the door and held up her transformation pen. "SATURN ETERNAL POWER MAKE UP!" After she transformed she entered the throne room. "Sailor Saturn reporting as ordered."
"Thank you Sailor Saturn," Serenity replied. She gestured to a chair. "Please be seated."
Sailor Saturn sat down. "So what do you need?"
"As you know Celine's trial and Tiffany's custody hearing is coming up," Rini replied. "When there is a trial before the Royal Court an original Scout must be a judge."
"I know that," Saturn informed them as a feeling of apprehension began to build up inside of her.
"We have looked over the situation and feel that you would be the best judge in this case," Chelsea stated.
"Me," gasped Saturn in amazement.
"Yes," Serenity replied. "You either have the least personal involvement and you don't work in security. You also do not have any knowledge of what the outcome will be which ruled Pluto out."
"Very well," Saturn stood up. "I will be the judge in the court and I will rule according to evidence presented before me."
"Thank you Sailor Saturn," Rini said. "Good luck."
Saturn nodded and left the room. She now had a case to prepare for. On her way out of the throne room she ran into Hope. "Good afternoon Sailor Saturn," Hope stated. "Did their Majesties send for you too?"
"Yes," Saturn replied. "Do you know what you were sent for?"
"No," sighed Hope. She pulled out her transformation pen. "NEPTUNE COSMIC POWER MAKE UP!" After her transformation she turned to Saturn. "But I guess I will find out." Saturn nodded her head and watched as Cosmic Neptune disappeared into the throne room. Then she continued on wondering what their Majesties wanted with Cosmic Neptune.
"You want me to do what," Cosmic Neptune exclaimed.
"We need you to be Elysian Venus's defense lawyer," Rini calmly explained.
"You want me to defend someone who has clearly abused her child and broke my own nephew's heart," Cosmic Neptune couldn't believe her ears.
"I know Elysian Venus isn't your most favorite person but we needed someone to take her case," Serenity replied. "You have got a level head on your shoulders and you can handle the challenge. That is why you were the logical choice."
Cosmic Neptune gave a gusty sigh. "Very well," she bowed before the Queen and Princesses. "I will do the job I am assigned to do to the best of my ability."
"That is all we ask," Chelsea replied. "Good luck Cosmic Neptune."
Cosmic Neptune left the throne room and gave another sigh. This was definitely going to be a challenge.
"Please sit down," Amy told Mina and Gloria as they came in. Once they sat down she turned to them. "I trust you have viewed the tape."
"Yes," Gloria replied. "My poor baby."
"All those sessions she came back from," Mina added. "She always begged me to hold her or something like that. She felt the need to be safe."
"I'm so glad you gave that to her Mom," Gloria sighed. "I remember how she really came to look at you as her mother."
"That's what I wanted to talk to both of you about," Amy stated. "At this point for all of us it has been ninety years but for Tiffany when she gets back it will be yesterday."
"I'm aware of that," Mina pointed out.
"What are you concerned about," asked Gloria. "We already agreed that she would see you daily until she recovers."
"Yes but that is not what I want to talk to you about," Amy replied. "You have filed for sole custody with secondary custody for Mina. As of right now Tiffany is in the past where you are just a child and Mina is the one who is looking after her."
"I'm following you so far," Gloria said.
"Mina is the one who has been Tiffany's source of love, comfort and security," Amy continued. "If I remember correctly Tiffany turned to Mina for everything. Gloria I don't want you to be surprised if Tiffany still looks to Mina as her mother when she returns."
"We've already discussed that," Gloria replied. "Mom and I have both agreed that until Tiffany feels secure again then she can have the option of staying with either one of us. Our quarters are adjoining so if Tiffany does stay with me then we will either keep the connecting door open or Mom will stay with us."
"It's whatever Tiffany wants," Mina added. "That child has been through so much and we want to do what is best for her."
"She's lucky she has the two of you," Amy smiled. "Whatever happens she will be in the good hands of her grandmother and great-grandmother."
Mina and Gloria said goodbye and left Amy's office. "I really miss her Mom," Gloria sighed.
"So do I," Mina slipped an arm around her daughter's shoulder.
"I wonder how she is doing now," Gloria mused as she looked out the window.
[During the time of the Chibi Scouts...]
"Mama," Tiffany murmured to Mina. She had just come from another therapy session and was emotionally drained. Right now they were in their quarters. Tiffany was curled up on Mina's lap.
"What is it honey," Mina asked.
"Do you like having me here," Tiffany asked.
"Of course I do," Mina cried. She wrapped her arms around the child. "I love you."
"But you didn't have me," Tiffany pointed out. "You still love me even though you didn't have me."
"Yes I do," Mina replied. "I love you because of who you are."
"Then why does Mother hate me," Tiffany choked. "She had me. Why does she hate me so much? She has told me so many times that she did not want me."
"I don't know Sweetie," Mina hugged the child close to her. She saw that Tiffany was blinking back tears. Remembering what Amy had said she wrapped her arms even tighter around the child. "It's okay," she assured her. "Go ahead and cry."
"Is it really okay to cry," Tiffany asked.
"It really is," Mina repeated. "You have a lot of hurt in there. You need to cry. I'll be right here with you."
Tiffany threw her arms around Mina and began to cry hysterically. Mina held the child close. "Oh Tiffany. I do love you."
"That's wonderful," Amy exclaimed when Mina told her about Tiffany's cry. "She's allowing herself to feel right now."
"I remembered what you said," Mina told her. "I don't know how much she got out."
"We won't," Amy stated. "This was just a scratch on the surface. Tiffany has a lot of buried anger and pain that she is unaware of. We need to get her past her fear first but what she did with you today was a start."
"I'm so glad," Mina sighed. "I will do whatever it takes to help her."
Amy smiled. How she badly wanted to tell Mina that in the future she and Gloria had filed for custody of Tiffany. But she couldn't. All she could do was wait to see if any news came that would convince Tiffany to go back home.
[During the time of the Chibi Crystal scouts...]
Celine was sitting quietly in her cell just glaring at the wall. Her sons had come to see her yesterday and they were very angry with her. They were angry with themselves for not noticing anything sooner. "So now I have possibly lost my sons thanks to that brat," Celine brooded angrily.
She heard footsteps approaching and then stopping outside her cell. She looked up and saw Elysian Uranus standing there with a smirk on her face. "Well, well, well," Elysian Uranus stated. "I got back from a business trip and heard that the leader of the Elysian Scouts is in jail. What a treat."
"What do you want Taylor," Celine asked coldly.
"That's Elysian Uranus to you," snapped Elysian Uranus. "And I have what I want. You are where you belong. Oh how I have waited for years to see you get what you deserve after what you did to Kokei. Now I see that you got it. This is sweet."
"What happened with Kokei was years ago," Celine growled.
"Oh don't go making excuses," Elysian Uranus yelled. "He loved you for reasons I have no clue about. You cheated on him. He was all ready to marry you and you broke his heart by cheating on him. There he was at the altar waiting for you. Raye was ready to perform the ceremony. And what do you do? You come walking in with that poor excuse of a man and announced that it was over. You humiliated him and broke his heart in front of everyone in the palace. It took him years to recover from that. I am so glad Kokei found a wonderful woman who loves him. He certainly doesn't need a bitch like you."
"Get out," Celine growled.
"I thought what you did to Kokei was the worst thing you could do to anyone," Elysian Uranus snapped. "But when I found out you have been abusing your child, that sweet, precious little girl I couldn't believe it. That has to be the vile thing I have heard of. And to make it worse it a Sailor Scout of love who was doing it. You are going to get what you deserve and I promise I am going to be there to see it."
Celine couldn't say anything. She was shaking with rage. Elysian Uranus walked away. "That brat has ruined my life," Celine thought to herself.
"Elysian Venus," a voice said. Celine looked up and saw Cosmic Neptune standing there. "I have been assigned to be your defense in your trial."
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 Six
By
Angel Raye
Raye dropped what she was doing and dashed into Annika's room. She went in and saw Gloria knelt down by the bed. Annika and Chad were both standing nearby. "What happened," Raye demanded.
"Daddy came in to say hello to us and Tiffany screamed and hid under the bed," Annika replied.
"Oh no," Raye moaned as she remembered that Tiffany had a fear of men right now. She went over to the bed and looked under. Sure enough there was Tiffany huddled underneath it sobbing. Raye took control of the situation. "Chad you had better leave the room. "Contact both Mina and Amy and ask them to come over."
"All right," Chad replied in a confused voice.
"Annika and Gloria I want the two of you to go somewhere else right now," Raye commanded.
"But Aunt Raye," Gloria started to protest but Raye gave her a look that said she shouldn't argue. Not wanting to scare Tiffany more she left the room with Annika.
Raye turned her attention to the frightened child. "It's all right Tiffany," she cooed. "Come on out. It's just the two of us in here now."
"No," Tiffany sobbed.
"I know you're scared," Raye stated. "But I promise that no one will hurt you." Tiffany did not budge. Raye gave a sigh. "Hurry up Mina and Amy."
Annika and Gloria sat side by side on the couch. They were both in shock. They could not understand what had frightened Tiffany.
"Cheer up Annika," Stardust piped up. "Ms. Mina and Ms. Amy will be here soon."
"I just hate not knowing what is going on," Gloria moaned.
Brooke came walking in. She saw the two girls sitting on the couch and Chad in the kitchen. "What's going on," she asked.
"I just went into Annika's room to say hello to her and Tiffany screamed and hid under the bed," Chad replied.
"Mama's in there with her now," Annika added. "Brooke what is going on? Is Tiffany afraid of men?"
"She did something like that when Dad came into the bathroom while we were taking a bath," Gloria put in.
"Kami-sama," Brooke murmured. She ran into Annika's room. Raye was kneeling down by the bed, talking gently to Tiffany. Brooke knelt down beside her. "What happened?"
Raye quietly explained it to her. Brooke looked under the bed. "Come on out Tiffany," she gently urged. "I'm here."
"And Mama and Aunt Amy are on their way," Raye added.
Tiffany climbed out. She clung to Brooke and sobbed. "I kept thinking about Arinori," she choked.
"Not all men are like your stepbrother Tiffany," Brooke gently assured her. "I know what happened to you is a scary thing but I promise you will be all right." With Tiffany in her arms Brooke stood up with Raye's help. Brooke sat down on the bed. Tiffany clung to her and cried.
Amy and Mina both arrived at Raye's quarters at the same time. Chad let them in while Annika and Gloria both told them what happened. They went into Annika's room and saw Brooke sitting on the bed with Tiffany clinging to her. Raye was standing nearby. "Tiffany," Mina flew over to her. "It's okay honey. I'm here."
"Mama," sobbed Tiffany. Brooke gently handed her over to Mina. Mina worked on calming the child down.
"Tiffany I want you to tell me how you felt when Chad walked into the room," Amy gently instructed.
"I was so scared," Tiffany cried. "I kept thinking about Arinori when he came into my room that time."
"Okay," Amy took Tiffany's hands in hers. "Arinori is not here. You are in a safe place now where no one will hurt you."
"Why don't we go back to our quarters," Mina suggested. She stood up with Tiffany still in her arms.
Brooke turned to Raye. "I'm going with them. I'll be back in a little while."
"Take your time," Raye stated as she followed everyone out of Annika's room. Gloria jumped up and followed her mother, Amy and Brooke. Chad was sitting in a chair. Annika was on the couch with Stardust.
"Is she all right," Chad asked with concern once everyone had left.
"I don't know," Raye admitted as she sat down on the couch. "I have the feeling she is in for years of therapy. Damn that mother of hers."
Annika got up and stood in front of her mother. "Mama," she said. "Why did Tiffany scream when Daddy came into the room? Why is she scared of men?"
Raye hesitated for a moment. She always wanted to protect her daughter from horrors like this. She held out her arm. "Come here baby," she stated. Annika came over and climbed up onto her lap. Raye wrapped her arms around her. "Remember when Daddy and I told you that there are certain places on your body that no one should be allowed to touch?"
"Yes I do," Annika replied.
"Well someone touched Tiffany there," Raye explained. "It was a man and that is why she is afraid of men."
"Poor Tiffany," Annika gasped.
"I know," Raye sighed. "I don't understand Tiffany's mother. If someone had done that to Annika I would have torn him from limb to limb."
"I guess the important thing is to be there for Tiffany," Chad suggested.
"She'll be all right," Raye assured everyone. "She just has to be."
Later on that evening Tiffany was asleep in bed. Amy had worked with her on getting the feelings she had out. Mina and Brooke stayed with her the entire time. Tiffany was physically and emotionally exhausted so Mina put her to bed early. Brooke stayed beside the child until she had gone to sleep. Amy had a private talk with Mina. "I think you need to find some way to explain this to Gloria," she told Mina.
"Do you think that is necessary," asked Mina. "I don't want her to know that Tiffany is her grandchild."
"You don't have to," Amy pointed out. "But my professional eye is telling me that Gloria is very confused right now. I think she just needs to be aware of what Tiffany has been through. She is only a child so chances are when Tiffany is born she will have forgotten about this."
"I'll talk to her," Mina promised.
"And get some rest yourself," Amy ordered. "You're exhausted too. You need your strength."
"I will," Mina replied. "Thank you Amy."
"Call if you need me," Amy said as she left.
Mina walked into the living room. She saw Gloria sitting on the couch staring down at the floor. Mina went over and sat down by her. "How are you doing Darling," she asked.
"Okay," Gloria muttered. She turned toward her mother. "Why is Tiffany afraid of men? Dad is a great person and Uncle Chad couldn't harm a fly."
"Come here," Mina reached out her arm. Gloria sat back and rested her head on her mother's shoulder. Mina put her arm around her daughter. "Someone touched Tiffany in a place where she shouldn't be touched. That is why she is afraid of men."
"Who did that," asked Gloria in astonishment. "You always told me that if someone touched me there to tell you or someone else right away."
"Unfortunately Tiffany chose the wrong person to tell," Mina explained. She looked down at her daughter. "I know it seems like I have be spending a lot of time with Tiffany lately but I still love you very much and I don't want you to forget it."
"I won't Mom," Gloria replied. "And I want Tiffany to be happy too."
"Good girl," Mina smiled as she hugged Gloria close to her.
[Flashback]
Tiffany stared in horror at juice spill on the carpet. The glass had slipped out of her hand and now there was a red stain on the beige carpet. Tiffany knew she was going to have to try and clean it before Celine returned. She got up and grabbed some towels from the kitchen. She knelt down to clean it up. Suddenly the door opened. Tiffany looked up in fear and saw Celine walking in. Her heart sank as she realized she was too late.
"What's this," Celine shouted angrily.
"I...I...I spilled some j...j...juice," Tiffany stuttered.
"You little fool," Celine raged as she grabbed Tiffany by the ear. "You are nothing but a disaster."
"It w...w...was a...a...accident," Tiffany choked.
"You've ruined the carpet," Celine shouted as she slapped Tiffany across the face. "You've ruined the carpet just like you've ruined my life."
"I...I...I'm s...s...sorry," Tiffany cried.
"So am I," Celine snapped. "I'm sorry I even had you." She dragged Tiffany by the ear to the closet. "Now what do we say?"
"I'm a stupid clumsy fool who can't do anything right," Tiffany sobbed.
"And that is the absolute truth," Celine confirmed. She opened the closet door and shoved Tiffany in. She slammed the door and locked it.
"Let me out please," Tiffany cried in terror as she beat her fists against the door. She heard the door closed, which meant Celine had left. Tiffany screamed at the top of her lungs and continued to beat on the door. Her fists got all bloody and bruised. Finally she couldn't scream any more. Weeping she huddled up in the dark closet and hoped that someone would let her out.
After what seemed like an eternity Tiffany heard a click at the door. She looked up as the door opened and saw Gloria standing there. "Grandma," Tiffany cried as she jumped into her arms. She looked over and saw Celine was standing nearby.
"I told you Mother," Celine grunted. "She locked herself in the closet again."
"I see," Gloria murmured as she held Tiffany close. "Well maybe you need to get the lock taken off of there so that she can't lock herself in there again."
"We'll see," Celine replied.
Gloria looked at Tiffany's bloodied wrists. "She needs Amy or Ariel to look at these," she pointed out.
"Then you take her," Celine snapped. "I am not wasting time with a child who is so careless."
Gloria glared at her daughter and took Tiffany out of her quarters. A few minutes later Tiffany was in Ariel's office having her wrists examined. How she badly wanted to tell her grandmother what really happened but she was too scared.
[End Flashback]
"I didn't mean to spill the juice," Tiffany sobbed to Amy as she clutched her teddy bear.
"How often did your mother lock you in that closet Tiffany," Amy gently asked.
Tiffany shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know," she choked. "I wanted to tell someone but I was afraid Mother would hit me again."
"How did you feel when you were in that closet," Amy asked next.
"Scared," Tiffany replied.
"Anything else," Amy prodded.
"It was so dark in there," Tiffany mumbled. "I wanted to get out of there but I couldn't. It was so scary."
"I know it was scary," Amy gently told her. "But I also know you had to have some other feelings. I want you to describe them to me."
Tiffany stared at Amy. "I can't," she whispered.
"Yes you can," Amy pointed out. "It's just the two of us in here and you are safe. You can tell me how you really felt."
"NO," Tiffany screamed. "I can't. I'm afraid Mother will find out. I can't tell you."
Amy sighed and pulled the frightened child into her arms. Tiffany cried hysterically. She just had to help Tiffany get past her fears.
Mina sat down in Amy's office to hear what she had to say. Tiffany had gone into the next room with Hotaru so that Amy could talk. Mina could tell that the child was terrified.
"Tiffany is reliving the memories right now," Amy told her. "She is very scared. We need to get her past her fears."
"How are we going to do that," Mina asked.
"Right now it's important that she feels safe," Amy replied. "I know you are giving her a safe and loving environment. We have to get her past her fears so that she can feel the other feelings. Underneath the fear is pain and anger. She has to be aware of those in order to heal."
"I understand," Mina sighed. "How long could this take?"
"There's no telling," Amy replied. "When fear dominates a child it could take a long time to get her past it. I only ask that you continue what you are doing with her. She feels very safe and loved with you. That will be important in her recovery."
"I'll do that," Mina promised as she stood up. "Thank you Amy." With that she got Tiffany and left the office.
After her meeting with Mina, Amy headed over to Raye's quarters. Tiffany's recollection of being shut in dark closets reminded Amy of Annika's therapy sessions from three years ago.
Raye answered the door. "Amy," she exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Did we miss a therapy session for Annika?"
"No," Amy replied. "Hers is tomorrow. But I did want to talk to you about something I would like Annika to do."
"And what can that be," asked Raye as she sat down on the couch. She motioned Amy to sit down also.
"Tiffany mentioned to me today that she has been locked in dark closets," Amy stated. "I was wondering if maybe Annika could talk to her. She knows what it is like since Ms. Ito locked her in a closet three years ago."
"I don't know Amy," Raye said doubtfully. "That traumatized Annika. She had nightmares for weeks after that. Not to mention it took several weeks of therapy to get her through it."
"But I helped Annika to get all of her feelings out," Amy pointed out. "Tiffany is unable to get past her fears. I thought maybe if she talked to someone who is not much older than her who has been through a similar experience then it might help."
"Annika's situation is not like Tiffany's," Raye reminded Amy.
"I'm not saying it is," Amy replied. "But Annika knows what it is liked to be locked in a dark closet. She may have only been in there for a few minutes but that is an eternity to a five-year-old. I think it might be of some comfort to Tiffany."
"I don't know," Raye sighed.
"Mama," Annika came into the room. Raye and Amy both looked up. "I want to do it."
"Are you sure Sweetie," asked Raye. "Because you don't have to."
"I want to help Tiffany," Annika replied. "I like her."
"Annika this is your choice," Amy pointed out. "You don't have to do this."
"I know Aunt Amy," Annika said. "But I have a mama who loves me and would never try to hurt me. Tiffany's mama hurts her. I want to help her."
Raye smiled and pulled her daughter in her arms. "I'm proud of you baby," she stated. "You really do have a very large heart."
"We'll talk about it at your session tomorrow Annika," Amy smiled at the child. "Thank you."
A couple of days later Amy approached Brooke. In her hands was the tape she had of some of her sessions with Tiffany. "I am giving this to you to hand over to Marina," she told her. "I hope this is enough."
"How many sessions do you have on there," asked Brooke as she took the tape from Amy.
"About four," Amy replied. "There are some very detailed descriptions of what the child has been through so it should be enough evidence."
"Let's hope so," Brooke sighed. She headed for the Time Portal.
[During the time of the Crystal Chibi Scouts...]
Marina sat in her office reviewing all of the statements and evidence she had. She was shocked at all she had learned over the course of the last several days. She was going to make sure that Celine would never see Tiffany again.
A knock at the door made her look up. She saw Gloria and Mina were both there. "You wanted to see us," Mina stated.
"Yes," Marina replied motioning them to come in. Mina and Gloria sat down. "I don't know if you were aware of this but I had gone to the past to ask Grandma to tape some of her therapy sessions with Tiffany."
"She never told me that," Mina exclaimed.
"I swore her to secrecy," Marina told them. "Brooke delivered the tape to me yesterday and I have looked at it."
"And," asked Gloria.
"I thought it would be a good idea if you looked at it now," Marina informed them. "It is a very disturbing tape and I know it will upset you. It will be shown at the trial and I want you to be somewhat prepared."
"Very well," Mina said and Gloria nodded in agreement.
Marina stuck the tape in the VCR and turned it on. Gloria immediately got misty eyed when she saw Tiffany whom she was missing very much right now. They watched four sessions of Tiffany telling Amy what she had been through. They watched as she cried and shook with fear. By the time the tape was over with both Mina and Gloria were crying.
"Damn Celine," Gloria choked. "How could she?"
"I was not there during the therapy sessions," Mina added. "But I knew how she would cry at them. Oh how I wished I could have forgotten that damn oath and take Tiffany away."
"This is going to be in place of Tiffany's testimony," Marina informed them. "Grandma wants to continue with these sessions as soon as Tiffany returns."
"That won't be a problem," Gloria quickly said.
"Don't worry," Marina smiled at both of them. "Pretty soon all of this will be over with and Tiffany will be safe at home with you."
Hotaru headed toward the throne room. Neo-Queen Serenity and Neo-Princesses Rini and Chelsea had sent for her. She was curious to know what it was about. She got to the door and held up her transformation pen. "SATURN ETERNAL POWER MAKE UP!" After she transformed she entered the throne room. "Sailor Saturn reporting as ordered."
"Thank you Sailor Saturn," Serenity replied. She gestured to a chair. "Please be seated."
Sailor Saturn sat down. "So what do you need?"
"As you know Celine's trial and Tiffany's custody hearing is coming up," Rini replied. "When there is a trial before the Royal Court an original Scout must be a judge."
"I know that," Saturn informed them as a feeling of apprehension began to build up inside of her.
"We have looked over the situation and feel that you would be the best judge in this case," Chelsea stated.
"Me," gasped Saturn in amazement.
"Yes," Serenity replied. "You either have the least personal involvement and you don't work in security. You also do not have any knowledge of what the outcome will be which ruled Pluto out."
"Very well," Saturn stood up. "I will be the judge in the court and I will rule according to evidence presented before me."
"Thank you Sailor Saturn," Rini said. "Good luck."
Saturn nodded and left the room. She now had a case to prepare for. On her way out of the throne room she ran into Hope. "Good afternoon Sailor Saturn," Hope stated. "Did their Majesties send for you too?"
"Yes," Saturn replied. "Do you know what you were sent for?"
"No," sighed Hope. She pulled out her transformation pen. "NEPTUNE COSMIC POWER MAKE UP!" After her transformation she turned to Saturn. "But I guess I will find out." Saturn nodded her head and watched as Cosmic Neptune disappeared into the throne room. Then she continued on wondering what their Majesties wanted with Cosmic Neptune.
"You want me to do what," Cosmic Neptune exclaimed.
"We need you to be Elysian Venus's defense lawyer," Rini calmly explained.
"You want me to defend someone who has clearly abused her child and broke my own nephew's heart," Cosmic Neptune couldn't believe her ears.
"I know Elysian Venus isn't your most favorite person but we needed someone to take her case," Serenity replied. "You have got a level head on your shoulders and you can handle the challenge. That is why you were the logical choice."
Cosmic Neptune gave a gusty sigh. "Very well," she bowed before the Queen and Princesses. "I will do the job I am assigned to do to the best of my ability."
"That is all we ask," Chelsea replied. "Good luck Cosmic Neptune."
Cosmic Neptune left the throne room and gave another sigh. This was definitely going to be a challenge.
"Please sit down," Amy told Mina and Gloria as they came in. Once they sat down she turned to them. "I trust you have viewed the tape."
"Yes," Gloria replied. "My poor baby."
"All those sessions she came back from," Mina added. "She always begged me to hold her or something like that. She felt the need to be safe."
"I'm so glad you gave that to her Mom," Gloria sighed. "I remember how she really came to look at you as her mother."
"That's what I wanted to talk to both of you about," Amy stated. "At this point for all of us it has been ninety years but for Tiffany when she gets back it will be yesterday."
"I'm aware of that," Mina pointed out.
"What are you concerned about," asked Gloria. "We already agreed that she would see you daily until she recovers."
"Yes but that is not what I want to talk to you about," Amy replied. "You have filed for sole custody with secondary custody for Mina. As of right now Tiffany is in the past where you are just a child and Mina is the one who is looking after her."
"I'm following you so far," Gloria said.
"Mina is the one who has been Tiffany's source of love, comfort and security," Amy continued. "If I remember correctly Tiffany turned to Mina for everything. Gloria I don't want you to be surprised if Tiffany still looks to Mina as her mother when she returns."
"We've already discussed that," Gloria replied. "Mom and I have both agreed that until Tiffany feels secure again then she can have the option of staying with either one of us. Our quarters are adjoining so if Tiffany does stay with me then we will either keep the connecting door open or Mom will stay with us."
"It's whatever Tiffany wants," Mina added. "That child has been through so much and we want to do what is best for her."
"She's lucky she has the two of you," Amy smiled. "Whatever happens she will be in the good hands of her grandmother and great-grandmother."
Mina and Gloria said goodbye and left Amy's office. "I really miss her Mom," Gloria sighed.
"So do I," Mina slipped an arm around her daughter's shoulder.
"I wonder how she is doing now," Gloria mused as she looked out the window.
[During the time of the Chibi Scouts...]
"Mama," Tiffany murmured to Mina. She had just come from another therapy session and was emotionally drained. Right now they were in their quarters. Tiffany was curled up on Mina's lap.
"What is it honey," Mina asked.
"Do you like having me here," Tiffany asked.
"Of course I do," Mina cried. She wrapped her arms around the child. "I love you."
"But you didn't have me," Tiffany pointed out. "You still love me even though you didn't have me."
"Yes I do," Mina replied. "I love you because of who you are."
"Then why does Mother hate me," Tiffany choked. "She had me. Why does she hate me so much? She has told me so many times that she did not want me."
"I don't know Sweetie," Mina hugged the child close to her. She saw that Tiffany was blinking back tears. Remembering what Amy had said she wrapped her arms even tighter around the child. "It's okay," she assured her. "Go ahead and cry."
"Is it really okay to cry," Tiffany asked.
"It really is," Mina repeated. "You have a lot of hurt in there. You need to cry. I'll be right here with you."
Tiffany threw her arms around Mina and began to cry hysterically. Mina held the child close. "Oh Tiffany. I do love you."
"That's wonderful," Amy exclaimed when Mina told her about Tiffany's cry. "She's allowing herself to feel right now."
"I remembered what you said," Mina told her. "I don't know how much she got out."
"We won't," Amy stated. "This was just a scratch on the surface. Tiffany has a lot of buried anger and pain that she is unaware of. We need to get her past her fear first but what she did with you today was a start."
"I'm so glad," Mina sighed. "I will do whatever it takes to help her."
Amy smiled. How she badly wanted to tell Mina that in the future she and Gloria had filed for custody of Tiffany. But she couldn't. All she could do was wait to see if any news came that would convince Tiffany to go back home.
[During the time of the Chibi Crystal scouts...]
Celine was sitting quietly in her cell just glaring at the wall. Her sons had come to see her yesterday and they were very angry with her. They were angry with themselves for not noticing anything sooner. "So now I have possibly lost my sons thanks to that brat," Celine brooded angrily.
She heard footsteps approaching and then stopping outside her cell. She looked up and saw Elysian Uranus standing there with a smirk on her face. "Well, well, well," Elysian Uranus stated. "I got back from a business trip and heard that the leader of the Elysian Scouts is in jail. What a treat."
"What do you want Taylor," Celine asked coldly.
"That's Elysian Uranus to you," snapped Elysian Uranus. "And I have what I want. You are where you belong. Oh how I have waited for years to see you get what you deserve after what you did to Kokei. Now I see that you got it. This is sweet."
"What happened with Kokei was years ago," Celine growled.
"Oh don't go making excuses," Elysian Uranus yelled. "He loved you for reasons I have no clue about. You cheated on him. He was all ready to marry you and you broke his heart by cheating on him. There he was at the altar waiting for you. Raye was ready to perform the ceremony. And what do you do? You come walking in with that poor excuse of a man and announced that it was over. You humiliated him and broke his heart in front of everyone in the palace. It took him years to recover from that. I am so glad Kokei found a wonderful woman who loves him. He certainly doesn't need a bitch like you."
"Get out," Celine growled.
"I thought what you did to Kokei was the worst thing you could do to anyone," Elysian Uranus snapped. "But when I found out you have been abusing your child, that sweet, precious little girl I couldn't believe it. That has to be the vile thing I have heard of. And to make it worse it a Sailor Scout of love who was doing it. You are going to get what you deserve and I promise I am going to be there to see it."
Celine couldn't say anything. She was shaking with rage. Elysian Uranus walked away. "That brat has ruined my life," Celine thought to herself.
"Elysian Venus," a voice said. Celine looked up and saw Cosmic Neptune standing there. "I have been assigned to be your defense in your trial."
To be continued...