May 2002
Disclaimer: These character's aren't mine, but the story is..
Chapter 24
Selenity awoke and rose with a stretch, yawning as she glanced at the
clock. 8am. Not bad. Her gaze moved to the calendar she'd placed next to
her bed and a smile lit her face. Today was the day they'd find out if
Darien was related to Martin!
She dressed quickly in black slacks and a white blouse, a delicate
golden chain around her waist, and slipped her flats on. She quickly put
her hair up before leaving her room. "Charles!" she called, making her way
to the stairs. "Charles!"
"Yes miss?" his voice floated up from downstairs as she neared the
staircase, "Do you need something?"
She fairly skipped down the stairs and stopped, grinning at him, "Not
really. When do we know for sure, is Dr. Mizuno due to call any time now?"
Charles chuckled, "Relax miss, your father and Darien, along with
Martin, are waiting at the clinic even now. She said she would call, but
they wanted to wait with her. Would you like me to drive you over?"
She nodded, "Oh yes. Yes yes yes. I need to know soon."
Charles chuckled again and nodded, "Very well, miss. Your breakfast
is in the kitchen. When you are finished it, I will have the car out
front."
She beamed at him, "Thank you so much, Charles!"
He waved her away and left as she entered the Kitchen to find her
breakfast.
Half an hour later she stepped out of the limo in front of Amy's
clinic. No reporters were present and she thought she saw the markings of
the Royal guards several blocks away, holding their security cordon. Made
sense. She approached the clinic doors and quickly stepped inside.
The three men stood as she approached, and she embraced Darien before
taking the seat beside him, "Any word yet?" she asked, nodding a greeting to
her father and Martin with the barest of courtesies.
She was in a good mood and trying not to let the slandering of the
papers the past few days intrude. They'd said everything from she was a
slut, to having been raped and their conclusions were not pretty. Forcing
the thoughts away as she focused on the man who was anxiously waiting his
blood tests.
They waited in silence, four sets of eyes glued to the clock, as the
minutes ticked slowly by. One hour passed and they stood to stretch for
five minutes before quietly resuming their seats. Another hour, and then
two more passed uneventfully. Martin dozed off as Selenity and Darien
waited anxiously. Darien stood every few minutes to pace, unable to sit
still as the hands on the clock crept towards noon.
Amy finally appeared, a slim folder in her hand. She stopped by her
desk as they stood, looking at her expectantly. She shifted her fingers,
revealing three more folders behind the first, and stepped up to them. She
offered the first one to the King, "Your Majesty, as promised, you are the
first to know."
He inclined her head at her wry comment and carefully opened the
folder. His eyes scanned the contents, his face betraying nothing beyond a
flicker in his eyes. Amy turned to Selenity, "This one is for you."
She accepted it with a smile at her friend. Amy returned it and
winked. She then offered the last two folders to Darien and Martin before
sliding her hands into the pockets of her doctor's coat. Martin's lips
thinned as he read the results. Darien's eyes widened, and he turned pale.
Selenity simply held her folder, waiting with an unusual patience for
someone to say something.
Amy gently took her arm and pulled her to the side, "Selene, can I
talk to you for a moment?"
She glanced at the others, "I'll be back in a moment." her curiosity
almost got the better of her as Amy led her into a small side office.
Amy closed the door firmly behind them, a brilliant smile spreading
across her face, "You are not going to believe this. Darien is not only
Martin's younger brother, but he's got Lunarian blood in him!"
Selenity blinked. "Excuse me?"
Amy glanced at the door and lowered her voice, "You know what we were
talking about, how we were looking for our Princess?"
Selenity nodded, not sure where this was going. "Yes... what about
it?"
"We were looking for the wrong person! Darien is of the Moon's Royal
line! As is Martin, though how he ended up the way he did with such potent
blood in him is beyond me. I'm pretty sure we're not looking for Martin.
If I'm right, and I usually am, the souls of our long forgotten Prince and
Princess are in the right bodies but not the right bloodline!"
Selenity sat down hard on the chair, putting her head in her hands
and rubbing her forehead. "Amy, slow down. Martin and Darien are
brothers?"
"Yes."
"And you think they have the blood in them from some long ago moon
dwellers?"
Amy crouched in front of her, "I don't think, Selenity. I know. On
this computer," she pulled out the small blue computer from the a few days
earlier, "I've got the DNA of every noble on file and I pulled them up to
cross reference on a hunch. Darien is not only full blooded Lunarian, but
he's got dormant powers. They haven't manifested yet. I crossed your DNA
with what I had on file and somehow, you match the Terran bloodline from
over two thousand years ago."
"You said Martin is part of the same bloodline Darien is from?"
Amy nodded, "That's a little confusing. Martin doesn't have dormant
powers. He is exactly how you see him, but his blood is definitely
Lunarian. Don't ask me to explain, I only know that only one heir may wield
the crystal."
"I don't understand."
Amy placed a hand on Selenity's shoulder, "I'm sorry I sprang this on
you. Just know that the reason you heal so fast is because you have a touch
of magic in your blood. There's more. Because of the nature of the
injuries dealt to you, being both psychological and physical, you've been
scarring. I checked in my database for reference. When we, the Sailor
Scouts, are dealt a psychological and physical blow at the same time, we
scar. When that barrier is dealt with and removed, the scars start to fade.
You have to deal with Martin, Selenity."
She was silent for a long moment. "I don't know how."
Back in the waiting room, Martin turned a livid gaze to the King, "I
demand to be retested. I refuse to believe that this... commoner is related
to me in anyway!"
Darien's lips tightened in a firm white line, "Contrary to popular
belief, sir, I want nothing more than to be a commoner, but this blood test
confirms what has been speculation all along. I am related to you in blood.
Make no mistake, I don't like you, I don't want to like you and I refuse to
have more contact than in necessary with you. Our press conference, due to
our liege, is set to begin this afternoon at 2pm."
Martin's eyes blazed with righteous fury, "I will not lose my title
to you."
"I don't want your hypocritical title. I don't want your money. I
know who I am and where I came from, that is enough for me. Keep your
property. I have what I want from you, and she is not going anywhere."
Martin's fist clenched and the King stepped between them, his stern
visage warning of severe repercussions should they try anything. "Enough."
he snapped, "you two are brothers, and like it or not, you are family. That
may not mean much to either of you but it means something to me. You will
present a united front without your jabs and snide comments. Due to a
conflict of interest, you will not be seeking to oust Martin from his
rightful place as Duke."
Darien nodded curtly, "Yes, sire. I have no intentions of trying.
As I said, I have no need nor desire for his title."
The King nodded approvingly. "Today we will also be announcing the
engagement of Darien and Selenity. In light of these recent events, I see
no reason not to. You will accept this graciously, Martin." the 'or else'
was unspoken at the end of his sentence, but they both heard it.
Martin glowered at Darien, "Of course, your Majesty. If you will
excuse me, I must go change for the conference."
Martin stormed away. Darien let out a relieved breath as the man
disappeared, "Thank you sire."
Francis waved it away, "Sit. Let me be the first to congratulate you,
son."
Darien accepted the King's hand as the other man sat across from him
again. "I would accept that graciously, sire, but for the fact I know the
only reason you are offering them is due to the composition of my blood, and
not my character. Forgive me, but I would much rather the test have proven
negative and had to work for your approval."
The King sat back, eyeing the young man the way a hawk looks at a
mouse. "My daughter chose you," he said, picking his words carefully, "even
knowing that you were not of noble blood and that I would not approve. She
told me about Martin and I thought it nothing but a child looking to make
trouble. I have not given my daughter enough credit for her choices, young
man, and it is time I did. You are an exceptional man. Firm in your
beliefs and willing to do anything to meet your goals. I saw it when you
were lashed by restraints. I saw the surveillance films. I know what you
went through to keep within my guidelines. I thought you would step over
them. I was wrong. I do not apologize often, Darien, but I make one now.
I was wrong about you. I am sorry for the grief I have caused you and
Selenity. I will be a long time repairing the damage."
Darien weighed his words, hearing the truth in their tone and the
sense of guilt that lay beneath. He nodded once, "So long as the past is
not a model for the future, your highness. Selenity means the world to me
and I would do nothing to hurt her."
The King nodded and leaned back in his chair. They observed each
other silently and stood as the office door opened again. Selenity was
paler than normal and Darien leapt to her side, carefully helping her into a
seat. "Princess?" he asked softly, concerned.
Francis watched as Darien worried over his daughter, feeling as if
everything was right for the first time in a long time. He didn't know why,
but these two fit. They seemed to complete one another. He allowed himself
a rare, small smile before approaching them. "Dr. Mizuno, is there a
problem with Selenity's blood work?"
Amy met the King's gaze and for a few moments they spoke with their
eyes. He challenged her into revealing what she knew and she challenged him
to confirm it. Nothing was gained as they stood locked in the silent
struggle. Amy looked away first, focusing on Darien and Selenity. "What
will the two of you do now that it's confirmed?"
"We will be announcing our engagement this afternoon," Darien told
her. He gently brushed Selenity's bangs off her forehead, "Are you alright,
Princess?"
She nodded, clutching his hand, "I'm sorry," she whispered, I didn't
mean to frighten you."
He looked at her critically. Her color was returning to normal and
her breathing wasn't as shallow. He pulled her into his arms as they stood
and gently hugged her. "You have no objections to announcing this tonight,
do you?"
She shook her head, "No. I just want to be happy."
Darien met the King's approving gaze over the top of her head.
Silently, he and Amy melted away leaving the two alone in the waiting room.
Together, they stood silently and drew strength from one another. The
press conference would be an ordeal neither was looking forward to.
Amy closed the door to her office and pulled out her communicator,
clicking a few buttons. She waited for a few minutes before the faces of
her fellow scouts came on, "I have news, can you guys meet me in twenty
minutes? This can't wait."
Mina glanced over her shoulder with a grimace, "Alright. Raye's
temple?"
Raye nodded, "I can close up the booth early. Lita, can you get away
from the restaurant?"
Lita shook her head, "No. I've got an important deal going down, I
can't leave!"
Amy sighed, "Alright, when you're done then. How long?"
"A couple of hours at least."
The other three nodded, "3pm sound good?" Raye asked finally.
"Great. See you guys then." Amy turned off her communicator and ran
her hands through her hair in an uncharacteristic gesture of frustration.
The others were not going to believe this.
Straightening her hair, she rose from her desk and went to burn 3
hours seeing patients. Hopefully they would pass quickly.
Author's Note: Comments, Questions, Suggestions, flames... all go to
Jademax@hotmail.com
Unless of course you'd like to write a review!
On that note the next chapter is going to be a little late. Maybe a week or
two. Thanks for your patience.
Thanks for reading!
Jade_Max
Disclaimer: These character's aren't mine, but the story is..
Chapter 24
Selenity awoke and rose with a stretch, yawning as she glanced at the
clock. 8am. Not bad. Her gaze moved to the calendar she'd placed next to
her bed and a smile lit her face. Today was the day they'd find out if
Darien was related to Martin!
She dressed quickly in black slacks and a white blouse, a delicate
golden chain around her waist, and slipped her flats on. She quickly put
her hair up before leaving her room. "Charles!" she called, making her way
to the stairs. "Charles!"
"Yes miss?" his voice floated up from downstairs as she neared the
staircase, "Do you need something?"
She fairly skipped down the stairs and stopped, grinning at him, "Not
really. When do we know for sure, is Dr. Mizuno due to call any time now?"
Charles chuckled, "Relax miss, your father and Darien, along with
Martin, are waiting at the clinic even now. She said she would call, but
they wanted to wait with her. Would you like me to drive you over?"
She nodded, "Oh yes. Yes yes yes. I need to know soon."
Charles chuckled again and nodded, "Very well, miss. Your breakfast
is in the kitchen. When you are finished it, I will have the car out
front."
She beamed at him, "Thank you so much, Charles!"
He waved her away and left as she entered the Kitchen to find her
breakfast.
Half an hour later she stepped out of the limo in front of Amy's
clinic. No reporters were present and she thought she saw the markings of
the Royal guards several blocks away, holding their security cordon. Made
sense. She approached the clinic doors and quickly stepped inside.
The three men stood as she approached, and she embraced Darien before
taking the seat beside him, "Any word yet?" she asked, nodding a greeting to
her father and Martin with the barest of courtesies.
She was in a good mood and trying not to let the slandering of the
papers the past few days intrude. They'd said everything from she was a
slut, to having been raped and their conclusions were not pretty. Forcing
the thoughts away as she focused on the man who was anxiously waiting his
blood tests.
They waited in silence, four sets of eyes glued to the clock, as the
minutes ticked slowly by. One hour passed and they stood to stretch for
five minutes before quietly resuming their seats. Another hour, and then
two more passed uneventfully. Martin dozed off as Selenity and Darien
waited anxiously. Darien stood every few minutes to pace, unable to sit
still as the hands on the clock crept towards noon.
Amy finally appeared, a slim folder in her hand. She stopped by her
desk as they stood, looking at her expectantly. She shifted her fingers,
revealing three more folders behind the first, and stepped up to them. She
offered the first one to the King, "Your Majesty, as promised, you are the
first to know."
He inclined her head at her wry comment and carefully opened the
folder. His eyes scanned the contents, his face betraying nothing beyond a
flicker in his eyes. Amy turned to Selenity, "This one is for you."
She accepted it with a smile at her friend. Amy returned it and
winked. She then offered the last two folders to Darien and Martin before
sliding her hands into the pockets of her doctor's coat. Martin's lips
thinned as he read the results. Darien's eyes widened, and he turned pale.
Selenity simply held her folder, waiting with an unusual patience for
someone to say something.
Amy gently took her arm and pulled her to the side, "Selene, can I
talk to you for a moment?"
She glanced at the others, "I'll be back in a moment." her curiosity
almost got the better of her as Amy led her into a small side office.
Amy closed the door firmly behind them, a brilliant smile spreading
across her face, "You are not going to believe this. Darien is not only
Martin's younger brother, but he's got Lunarian blood in him!"
Selenity blinked. "Excuse me?"
Amy glanced at the door and lowered her voice, "You know what we were
talking about, how we were looking for our Princess?"
Selenity nodded, not sure where this was going. "Yes... what about
it?"
"We were looking for the wrong person! Darien is of the Moon's Royal
line! As is Martin, though how he ended up the way he did with such potent
blood in him is beyond me. I'm pretty sure we're not looking for Martin.
If I'm right, and I usually am, the souls of our long forgotten Prince and
Princess are in the right bodies but not the right bloodline!"
Selenity sat down hard on the chair, putting her head in her hands
and rubbing her forehead. "Amy, slow down. Martin and Darien are
brothers?"
"Yes."
"And you think they have the blood in them from some long ago moon
dwellers?"
Amy crouched in front of her, "I don't think, Selenity. I know. On
this computer," she pulled out the small blue computer from the a few days
earlier, "I've got the DNA of every noble on file and I pulled them up to
cross reference on a hunch. Darien is not only full blooded Lunarian, but
he's got dormant powers. They haven't manifested yet. I crossed your DNA
with what I had on file and somehow, you match the Terran bloodline from
over two thousand years ago."
"You said Martin is part of the same bloodline Darien is from?"
Amy nodded, "That's a little confusing. Martin doesn't have dormant
powers. He is exactly how you see him, but his blood is definitely
Lunarian. Don't ask me to explain, I only know that only one heir may wield
the crystal."
"I don't understand."
Amy placed a hand on Selenity's shoulder, "I'm sorry I sprang this on
you. Just know that the reason you heal so fast is because you have a touch
of magic in your blood. There's more. Because of the nature of the
injuries dealt to you, being both psychological and physical, you've been
scarring. I checked in my database for reference. When we, the Sailor
Scouts, are dealt a psychological and physical blow at the same time, we
scar. When that barrier is dealt with and removed, the scars start to fade.
You have to deal with Martin, Selenity."
She was silent for a long moment. "I don't know how."
Back in the waiting room, Martin turned a livid gaze to the King, "I
demand to be retested. I refuse to believe that this... commoner is related
to me in anyway!"
Darien's lips tightened in a firm white line, "Contrary to popular
belief, sir, I want nothing more than to be a commoner, but this blood test
confirms what has been speculation all along. I am related to you in blood.
Make no mistake, I don't like you, I don't want to like you and I refuse to
have more contact than in necessary with you. Our press conference, due to
our liege, is set to begin this afternoon at 2pm."
Martin's eyes blazed with righteous fury, "I will not lose my title
to you."
"I don't want your hypocritical title. I don't want your money. I
know who I am and where I came from, that is enough for me. Keep your
property. I have what I want from you, and she is not going anywhere."
Martin's fist clenched and the King stepped between them, his stern
visage warning of severe repercussions should they try anything. "Enough."
he snapped, "you two are brothers, and like it or not, you are family. That
may not mean much to either of you but it means something to me. You will
present a united front without your jabs and snide comments. Due to a
conflict of interest, you will not be seeking to oust Martin from his
rightful place as Duke."
Darien nodded curtly, "Yes, sire. I have no intentions of trying.
As I said, I have no need nor desire for his title."
The King nodded approvingly. "Today we will also be announcing the
engagement of Darien and Selenity. In light of these recent events, I see
no reason not to. You will accept this graciously, Martin." the 'or else'
was unspoken at the end of his sentence, but they both heard it.
Martin glowered at Darien, "Of course, your Majesty. If you will
excuse me, I must go change for the conference."
Martin stormed away. Darien let out a relieved breath as the man
disappeared, "Thank you sire."
Francis waved it away, "Sit. Let me be the first to congratulate you,
son."
Darien accepted the King's hand as the other man sat across from him
again. "I would accept that graciously, sire, but for the fact I know the
only reason you are offering them is due to the composition of my blood, and
not my character. Forgive me, but I would much rather the test have proven
negative and had to work for your approval."
The King sat back, eyeing the young man the way a hawk looks at a
mouse. "My daughter chose you," he said, picking his words carefully, "even
knowing that you were not of noble blood and that I would not approve. She
told me about Martin and I thought it nothing but a child looking to make
trouble. I have not given my daughter enough credit for her choices, young
man, and it is time I did. You are an exceptional man. Firm in your
beliefs and willing to do anything to meet your goals. I saw it when you
were lashed by restraints. I saw the surveillance films. I know what you
went through to keep within my guidelines. I thought you would step over
them. I was wrong. I do not apologize often, Darien, but I make one now.
I was wrong about you. I am sorry for the grief I have caused you and
Selenity. I will be a long time repairing the damage."
Darien weighed his words, hearing the truth in their tone and the
sense of guilt that lay beneath. He nodded once, "So long as the past is
not a model for the future, your highness. Selenity means the world to me
and I would do nothing to hurt her."
The King nodded and leaned back in his chair. They observed each
other silently and stood as the office door opened again. Selenity was
paler than normal and Darien leapt to her side, carefully helping her into a
seat. "Princess?" he asked softly, concerned.
Francis watched as Darien worried over his daughter, feeling as if
everything was right for the first time in a long time. He didn't know why,
but these two fit. They seemed to complete one another. He allowed himself
a rare, small smile before approaching them. "Dr. Mizuno, is there a
problem with Selenity's blood work?"
Amy met the King's gaze and for a few moments they spoke with their
eyes. He challenged her into revealing what she knew and she challenged him
to confirm it. Nothing was gained as they stood locked in the silent
struggle. Amy looked away first, focusing on Darien and Selenity. "What
will the two of you do now that it's confirmed?"
"We will be announcing our engagement this afternoon," Darien told
her. He gently brushed Selenity's bangs off her forehead, "Are you alright,
Princess?"
She nodded, clutching his hand, "I'm sorry," she whispered, I didn't
mean to frighten you."
He looked at her critically. Her color was returning to normal and
her breathing wasn't as shallow. He pulled her into his arms as they stood
and gently hugged her. "You have no objections to announcing this tonight,
do you?"
She shook her head, "No. I just want to be happy."
Darien met the King's approving gaze over the top of her head.
Silently, he and Amy melted away leaving the two alone in the waiting room.
Together, they stood silently and drew strength from one another. The
press conference would be an ordeal neither was looking forward to.
Amy closed the door to her office and pulled out her communicator,
clicking a few buttons. She waited for a few minutes before the faces of
her fellow scouts came on, "I have news, can you guys meet me in twenty
minutes? This can't wait."
Mina glanced over her shoulder with a grimace, "Alright. Raye's
temple?"
Raye nodded, "I can close up the booth early. Lita, can you get away
from the restaurant?"
Lita shook her head, "No. I've got an important deal going down, I
can't leave!"
Amy sighed, "Alright, when you're done then. How long?"
"A couple of hours at least."
The other three nodded, "3pm sound good?" Raye asked finally.
"Great. See you guys then." Amy turned off her communicator and ran
her hands through her hair in an uncharacteristic gesture of frustration.
The others were not going to believe this.
Straightening her hair, she rose from her desk and went to burn 3
hours seeing patients. Hopefully they would pass quickly.
Author's Note: Comments, Questions, Suggestions, flames... all go to
Jademax@hotmail.com
Unless of course you'd like to write a review!
On that note the next chapter is going to be a little late. Maybe a week or
two. Thanks for your patience.
Thanks for reading!
Jade_Max