1 Chapter 6: Together At Last

Serena touched up her lipstick and checked her hair for the hundredth time. It had already been one month since she had seen Darien and now their punishment was over and he was coming to take her out to lunch and Serena could hardly wait. Serena's had decided to wear a dress of white cotton that came up her neck in a halter neck that tied up behind her slim neck and the bottom of the dress reached her knees. Serena looked about and suddenly felt very nervous and when she was nervous Serena needed to eat. Serena ran to her fridge and pulled out chocolate fudge. Serena dug in with relish and popped a spoonful into her mouth closing her eyes in delight. Suddenly Luna burst into Serena's room panting. When she saw what Serena was doing she let out an exasperated sigh and grabbed the fudge from Serena before pushing her towards the door.

"Darien is here waiting for you downstairs," Luna delivered and Serena squealed checking herself one more time in the mirror before rushing downstairs to save Darien from her mother's claws. Serena didn't know what her mother would do to poor Darien because her mother had been known to ask a heap of embarrassing questions, especially to a suitor of Serena's. She was like that but then again so was Serena. Serena only had one other main suitor and his name was Prince Diamond. He was the Ruler of the Dark Side of the Moon and worshipped the very ground Serena walked on but Serena didn't like him, he was too cold.

Serena burst into the living room and bumped right into Darien who had his back to her causing him to fall flat on his face with Serena landing on top of him.

"Oh Darien, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to knock you over," Serena apologised not moving from her spot on top of Darien's back who struggled under her weight.

"Serena, that apology would sound a lot more believable if you made an attempt to get off me," Darien grunted from underneath Serena who blushed red like a tomato before getting off Darien and helping him up. Just as Darien stood Serena fell down again pulling Darien on top of her and her dress flying up and Serena squealed before trying to hide her underwear.

"Meatball head," Darien said rolling his eyes standing up offering Serena his hand. He was able to get her up safely and the two stared at Queen Serenity who was watching them very amused. She let out a soft tinkle of laughter at their red faces thinking it cute that the two were literally falling over each other.

"You both have a good time," Serenity told the two who smiled at her with a disarming sweetness. Serena glanced at Darien slyly before replying.

"We will mother," Serena replied kissing her mothers cheek and giggling.

"For sure," Darien responded before wrapping his arm around Serena's waist and leading her to his red Ferrari that was waiting in the driveway of the palace.

"Bye," they both called out as the car sped off towards the town teleporting centre that would take them to the Venus Fly Trap Restaurant. Serenity lifted a hand goodbye before walking to the card room where she was meeting the other queens. Today all the princesses were going out with their boyfriends so the queens had decided to get together for a game of bridge, gossiping and stuffing themselves full of food. Just the way we used to be, Serenity thought fondly sitting at the card table and shuffling the cards with a card sharks precision.

Ami paced the room uncertainly. It had been one month since she had seen Zoisite and she was unsure about what to say and how she should act when she saw him. How she wished she had a protector like Serena, Rei and Mina so she could talk to them. Ami rung her hands then fumbled with her dress brushing off invisible lint from the front of her modest blue dress that came down to her calves. It had a straight neckline and was held up by thick straps. On the waistline were blue pearls that were only found in the deepest part of the ocean on Mercury. Ami heard the bell and realised Zoisite was here. She walked to the door but then turned back and on an impulse put on the bracelet Zoisite had given her. She ran out of her room and calmed down at the stairs that went down to the lobby. She spied her love standing by the door holding a bouquet of tulips; those were Ami's favourite flower. Ami slowly began to descend down the stairs and Ami would never forget the look in Zoisite's eyes when he heard the clack of her heels on the stairs. He looked up and his face changed and he looked as though he were looking at a Goddess. Ami blushed slightly but continued her descent like a true princess and at the bottom of the stairs she suddenly broke into a run and flung herself into Zoisite's arms her previous concerns forgotten as she cried out how much she had missed him.

"Oh Zoi it has been so long since we have been together," Ami cried out and Zoisite swung her around in a circle.

"It has been too long," Zoi corrected before putting her down and stepping back. He held out the tulips to Ami who accepted them shyly before giving them to a passing servant and asking the servant to put them in some water beside her bed. Zoi held out his hand palm up to Ami who accepted it and they began to walk out of the door when a voice stopped them.

"Aren't you even going to say goodbye Ami?" Queen Aminda asked and Ami turned and walked quickly to where her mother stood and hugged her tightly.

"Where is father?" Ami asked Aminda who shrugged before opening her mouth.

"Oh I remember, he went riding this morning," Aminda replied and Ami nodded before turning to Zoi dying for their date to start.

"Go, have fun," Aminda stated pushing Ami towards Zoi who looked so happy he was in the clouds.

"Say good bye to father for me," Ami said before she giggled and let Zoi lead her to his smart little MG. It was emerald green and amazingly matched Zoi's eyes. Ami hopped in and Aminda watched her daughter leave with Zoi and giggled as she waved enthusiastically. Have fun Ami, Aminda thought before rushing inside to teleport to Serenity's palace for the game day.

Lita sung to the song on the radio as she meticulously fixed up her hair. She wanted everything to be perfect for Neflite whom she hadn't seen in a month. Lita could hardly wait as she hurriedly put on the rose earrings he had given her. He'll be here in five minutes, Lita thought excitedly before standing in front of her full-length mirror to scrutinise what she was wearing. Lita wore a green top with no sleeves and a soft pink skirt that reached just above her knees. The neckline was low but not outrageously so and Lita hoped her outfit would knock Neflite's eyes out. Lita's mother had suggested what Lita should wear and Lita had agreed. After all the Queen of Jupiter was known for her great sense of style. Lita looked down at her shoes then decided to change them for the sixth time. She jumped enthusiastically into the pile of shoes on her bed searching for the perfect pair. Lita decided on a pair that were like slippers yet elegant enough to be worn to any fancy restaurant. Lita bounded out of her room and down the stairs when she heard a car drive up. Before Neflite could even knock Lita threw the door open then flung herself into his arms.

"Whoa there Lita," Neflite said as she took him off guard. Neflite put his arms around her waist then kissed her softly on the lips before pulling her into his limo that he had hired just for the occasion.

"Have I missed you," Lita declared falling against him and Neflite stroked her cheek.

"I thought about you everyday," Neflite confessed and Lita smiled.

"Good," she said simply kissing Neflite's lips again.

"You look amazing," Neflite complimented Lita who looked down at her clothes and fluttered her eyelashes.

"You think so?" she asked like a child and Neflite put his arm around her shoulders and drew her to him.

"I know so," Neflite replied confidently and Lita laughed at his worldly air of arrogance. Neflite was the second oldest of the guardians. He was nineteen while Malachite, the oldest, was twenty. Darien, Jed and Zoisite were the babies of the group being eighteen though no one ever dared call them that because when they were together and angry they were a force to be reckoned with. Lita was the oldest of the Protectors being eighteen and Mina was the second oldest at seventeen. Ami, Serena and Rei were the children of the protectors all at the tender age of sixteen. Although Rei was one of the youngest she was the leader of the protectors because of her incredible powers. Lita was by far the strongest, Ami was the smartest and Mina was…well, the friendliest. Lita suddenly remembered she didn't shut the door or say goodbye to her mother so she jumped out of the limo and grabbed the huge door firmly.

"Bye mom," Lita called out closing the door behind her and her goodbye echoed throughout the palace reaching her mother who was in the garden smelling the flowers.

Bye Lita, Litanya thought laughing then she left the garden and made her way to the teleporting room excited about games day with Serenity and all the others. Lita and Neflite drove off in the limo to the transporting centre so they could meet all the others at the same restaurant.

Mina squealed as her hand trembled forcing her mascara to go all around her eyes. Artemis ran into the bathroom to see what was wrong and started laughing when he saw Mina who was desperately trying to get the mascara off from around her eyes but was only successful in spreading it around her eyes making her look like she hadn't had any sleep for a hundred years.

"You could pass for Rei's favourite animal, the panda," Artemis howled with laughter and Mina frowned at him in anger but then looked into the mirror and started laughing too.

"How am I going to get this off before Malachite comes?" Mina said her happy mood deflated and Artemis shrugged helplessly.

"I'm a male, what would I know?" Artemis said backing away from Mina who began to whine again reminding Artemis of her cousin and the Princess of whining, Serena.

"Hold your horses and I'll get your mother," Artemis consented before rushing out of the door to get as far away from the whining as he could.

Minya gracefully swept into the bathroom holding eye make up remover and gave it to a thankful Mina who quickly fixed her mascara.

"Thanks mother," Mina said shaking her head before looking at her dress checking for any make up smudges on it. Mina had decided to wear an orange dress that had a V-neckline and came up in a chocker around her neck. The dress finished just below her knees and looked beautiful on Mina who flattered the dress instead of vice versa. At the sound of loud knocking Mina turned and rushed out of the bathroom knocking over a stunned Artemis who had come to announce Malachite's arrival.

"Sorry Artemis," the blonde called out not stopping. Artemis tried to stand only to be knocked down by the second blonde who was hurrying after the other.

Blondes, Artemis thought groaning trying to assess whether he had any broken limbs.

"Mina wait, ladies don't run," Minya lectured but all in vain for Mina was well down the stairs and in Malachite's arms.

"I have longed for this very moment for ages," Mina declared huskily and Malachite's only reply was to kiss her passionately saying silently how much he had longed for this moment too. They stayed locked together until a ladylike, ahem, brought them back to the real world.

"I hope you two will have fun and behave yourselves," Minya said eyeing both of them who gave her grins, which told her they would try but most likely fail. Mina's father popped his head into the foyer and decided to add some advice but his wife had already said what he was going to say.

"I just wanted to say, don't do anything me and your mother wouldn't do," Minkal advised smiling, proud of himself for having such a smart thing to say.

"That means we can do everything," Mina said to Malachite softly but just loud enough for her mother and father to hear and Mina, Malachite and Minya cracked up laughing. Minkal blushed heartily embarrassed that his daughter had outsmarted him before disappearing back into his library muttering about children these days.

"See you soon mom," Mina said pulling Malachite out of the door. Malachite smiled charmingly at Mina's mother and bowed.

"Have a nice day your majesty," Malachite said suavely and Minya smiled thinking he was exactly like Minkal when he was courting her.

"Like Minkal said, don't do anything we wouldn't do," Minya said as she waved goodbye causing the three to erupt into laughter and Minya watched happily as Malachite helped Mina into the black corvette then they raced off towards the restaurant. Since they were on Venus they had no need to teleport to the restaurant.

Rei sat on her love seat and fidgeted impatiently with her clothing, hoisting up her top and fixing up her skirt as she watched the hands on the clock. Great, still ages till Jed will get here, Rei thought sarcastically and Phoebe watched her with a smile sensing her impatience to be with Jed. Phoebe thought Rei looked absolutely smashing today. She wore a midriff top that came to the bottom of her ribs and had spaghetti straps holding the top up. The top had a sweetheart neckline that had a daring dip in the cleavage and it was a dark pink colour, almost red but not quite. She had a matching scarlet skirt that reached just above her knees and flared out. All together she looked stunning. Dimitrius hadn't been able to say anything and Phoebe had almost been jealous but Dimitrius had turned to her with a cheeky smile and started raining her with kisses on her face and neck. Phoebe couldn't have been angry with him after that, it was impossible. Phoebe was happy that her sister had found a lovelink partner but she also knew the evil was getting nearer and she was worried about her little princess. Ever since Rei had found out about the future she had stopped wagging lessons and studied more than she ever had before. Her grandpa was so impressed that she was improving so quickly and had to move her up three lessons in the past week. Rei was now up to the second level of psychic training and was the youngest to ever progress to that level. The levels for psychic training started at ten and went downwards towards one, which was the best. After level one there was a special level but it was only for the advanced psychic's and the only ones to ever reach that level was her grandpa, Reiya and Darren who was a strong psychic as well as warrior. Suddenly Dimitrius burst into the room with a wide smile on his face.

"You-know-who is here and your mother is going psycho at his preferred mode of transport," Dimitrius said secretly and Rei eyed him suspiciously before walking downstairs to see the front door open. She could hear her mother talking to Jed.

"Are you sure that…thing is safe?" Reiya asked unsurely and Jed laughed boyishly.

"Of course, I would not take Rei on anything that I didn't trust," Jed said sincerely to Reiya and Rei came to the door and suppressed her laughter as she could see her mother's resistance weakening. Jed sure did know how to charm women into giving him what he wanted, Rei thought looking at her love fondly. His blonde hair was wind blown from the ride to the palace and his blue eyes were sparkling with laughter as he regarded Reiya with an enchanting look.

"Well…I don't know, I suppose it could be all right," Reiya relented although she was still obviously worried about her baby girl riding the…thing as she called it.

Rei stepped out of the doorway and saw what had her mother in an absolute tizzy. Jed had come to pick her up on a motorcycle. It was black with red flames up the side and Rei thought it was beautiful. Jed spotted her and his whole face smiled as though the sun had just come out.

"Rei," he called out holding out his arms and Rei ran into them and they hugged tightly.

Rei pulled away to look at Jed lovingly who returned her gaze with the same expression.

"Excuse me Princess, but have I ever told you how adorable you nose is?" Jed asked as he looked at her cute button nose.

"No my lord," Rei replied smiling up at him sweetly, her mother forgotten for the moment.

"Well, it is," Jed, said before bending his head to kiss the tip of her nose causing Rei to giggle. Reiya coughed and the two tore their gaze from each other to stare at Reiya who was smiling happily.

"All right, you know the drill Jed, have heaps of fun, get Rei home on time and everything is fine," Reiya said threateningly to Jed who grinned winningly and kissed Reiya's hand flamboyantly causing her to blush which was something Reiya hadn't done in a long time because Darren wasn't there to charm her.

"I promise she will be home on time," he said then he handed Rei a red helmet and he put on a black one. He helped Rei onto the seat and Rei tucked her skirts under her legs so they wouldn't fly out when they rode. Jed sat up in front of her and Rei entwined her arms around his waist tightly.

"Bye mommy, I love you," Rei called out then began shrieking with exhilaration as they rode off. Reiya covered her eyes and shook her head. Rei? Oh my god, Reiya thought before rushing inside to the teleporting room so she could get to the games room and tell all the others how her daughter's date had picked her up.