June 2002

Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, but this story is...


Chapter 25



The black satin slid over her skin with a whisper, making her
shiver. She smiled at her reflection. Black was by far her best
color. The dress was long, covering her from neck to ankle. Her arms
were bare, to be covered with a black shawl, her hair piled high on
her head in a mass of braids. She and Darien were planning on a
little celebration after the press conference and she wanted to look
the part. She zipped the back of her dress up and spun once. Sequins
glittered along the hemline and ran in a criss-cross pattern over the
bodice. A belt of gold lay across her hips, her pendant hanging
outside of her dress for once. She slipped her feet into tiny
slippers made of black satin and nodded. Perfect.

Walking carefully, she made her way out of her room towards the
main staircase. She'd heard Darien leave the other room a few moments
ago, having borrowed it to change, and knew he'd be waiting for her.
She stopped at the top of the stairs and looked down. Her breath
caught in her throat. Darien was dressed in a tuxedo. His hair was
freshly washed, curling at the back over the neck of his coat. The
King was dressed formally, as tradition dictated.

His navy blue tuxedo, cut in an old military style, with a white
cravat and medals pinned to his breast, cast him as a dashing figure.
He held a cane in one hand and was speaking in low tones to Darien.
She felt her heart swell as her father clapped her fiancée on the
shoulder and then turned to leave the house.

"Darien."

He turned and looked up at her. And froze. She smiled at his
expression as she walked carefully down the stairs, pausing on the
last step, her hand resting lightly on the rail. "You look very
handsome."

He closed his mouth as she spoke and cleared his throat.
Stepping forward her offered his hand, "You looked incredible,
Princess Selenity."

She blushed, accepting his hand and allowed him to escort her
down the last step, "Thank you."

He gently kissed the back of her hand and ran his thumb over her
knuckles before tucking it into the crook of his elbow. With a
devastating half-smile that stole her breath, he escorted her to the
door and held it for her before following her through. She took his
arm again and he escorted her to the car. Handing her in, he ducked
and slid in beside her, closing the door as Charles began to drive
away.

Selenity slid into the curve of his arm and smiled. "I cannot
wait for this to be over," she told him softly.

He stroked her shoulder, resting his head against hers, "Me
either. With the end of this conference Martin will be gone for good,
right?"

She nodded, sighing, "That is the hope. It is the agreement
between my father and Martin, right Daddy?"

Francis nodded, "That is correct. After today he is to have no
further contact with either of you. The blood connection will be
acknowledged and then, due to their differences, Darien will not
challenge Martin for the title of their estate. Should Martin be
killed, however, it will of course fall on his shoulders should Martin
have no acknowledged heir at that time. Now, with Darien as your
husband, he will be expected to do certain things and uphold certain
obligations. You are aware of this?"

Darien nodded, "Yes sir, but my schooling comes first. Once I am
finished, I will gladly do all that you ask to prepare me to take my
place at Selenity's side."

"You intend to finish your studies and become a Doctor?"

He nodded, "I will, sire. I have come too far to stop now. It
has been my dream for as long as I can remember. I refuse to give it
up."

"Even for my daughter?"

"Daddy!" she was shocked, "I would never ask Darien to give up
his dream! He is helping make mine come true. This is not your
decision to make. When he is finished his schooling, he can be taught
what he will need to know to take your place one day."

Francis raised an eyebrow at her. "Is it not my decision? He is
to be my successor, he must be ready should something happen to me."

Selenity shook her finger at her father, "We will talk about this
later. For now, we should concentrate on what is going to happen when
we get to the conference. You know Martin will try and turn this
against us."

Francis nodded grimly, "Let me handle it. I have a surprise for
Martin should he try anything."

Selenity stared at her father. He sounded so cold, so confident.
She shivered, feeling Darien's arm tighten about her shoulder. They
rode the rest of the way to City Hall in silence.



Flashes popped as the four figures stepped out on the conference
stage of the main speaking room in the city hall. The Mayor led the
assembled journalists and media in a round of applause for their
monarch.

Francis held up his hands for silence and it was quickly given as
he stepped to the podium. Only one of them could speak at a time and,
after a short pre-conference discussion, Francis and Selenity would
make the announcements. Francis about Martin and Darien's
relationship; Selenity about her engagement to Darien.

The King nodded to the press as he touched the microphone up a
little. "Once again I come before you, ladies and gentlemen of the
press, with astonishing news. I hold in my hand, proof that Chiba
Darien and the Duke of Eldrige are related by blood. It was brought
to my attention that the men had similar coloring. This past week we
have had their blood tested and the results are indeed positive.
Darien is Martin's younger brother, the long lost Endymion."

It was quiet for a moment before the press exploded with shouted
questions and noise. The King held up both his hands, "I appreciate
that you will have many questions," he said loudly, his voice
effectively silencing the mass, "however, we have limited time and
will not be able to answer them all, though I will try and get a few
of them answered. First of all, there were no other indications as to
their relation. The Duke will not be stepping down from his title; he
will not be relinquishing his estate to his younger brother. Endymion
will not be seeking his brother's title or position, and will be
continuing with his studies. Should anything happen to the Duke,
without an heir, the title and responsibilities of the manor shall
fall on Endymion's shoulders." He looked around the hall, "Are there
any questions?"

A large woman draped in a rug-like dress stood near the middle
and cleared her throat, "Will you be reinstating the betrothal
contract for Endymion and Selenity with this news?"

The King glanced at his daughter, "I will allow my daughter to
field this question. Selenity." He stepped back and motioned for her
to step up to the podium.

Selenity smiled as the flash bulbs went off. She felt a little
like a diamond on display as she opened her mouth to speak. "My
father has agreed that, should I wish, the contract can indeed be
reinstated. However, before he conceded this, Endymion had already
asked me to marry him." She smiled widely, "The contract is
unnecessary. I have said yes,"

Shouted questions, the click of cameras and the general hum of
conversation drowned out anything else she might have said. She
simply shrugged her shoulders and took a step back. Darien grasped
her hand and, before the pleased press, got down on one knee and
gently kissed the back of it. Cameras flashed furiously as he finally
stood and she stepped into his arms with a smile.

Martin fought a glower as he watched them, his fists clenched
together at the base of his spine. Gritting his teeth, he forced
himself to keep a smile on his lips should anyone catch him as part of
the pictures.

Francis stepped up to the microphone again, his voice quickly
bringing a hush to the crowd, "I appreciate that you will all have
questions. Such as: when Endymion, or Darien as he is more commonly
known, propose to my daughter or perhaps, why did she say yes. The
first can only be answered by this, and nothing more: before we found
out he was royalty. Selenity has answered the second question
already. She wishes to marry for love. She has found that in this
young man and they have my blessing. As to the date of the wedding,
she will announce that once one has been decided."

For the next twenty minutes Francis fielded questions regarding
the relationship between Endymion and Martin and Endymion and his
daughter about the coming wedding. Near the end, Selenity stepped up
to the podium to answer the last question, "I am sorry sir, could you
repeat the question?"

The man with the bifocals spoke up so that everyone could hear
his question. "Will Martin be attending your wedding when it happens
and will he have the honor of being the best man?"

Selenity glanced at Darien, "Should Martin choose to attend, he
will not be denied entry. However, though he is my fiancée's brother,
I would rather he not be there."

"Any reason why, Princess?" called a voice from the back.

She met Martin's gaze as she contemplated her answer. He glared
at her, his eyes promising murder should she say anything. Swallowing
hard she turned back to the mic, rubbing her hands nervously on the
edge of the podium. She looked out across the sea of reporters who
were awaiting the worst. Her courage deserted her as she opened her
mouth to speak. "It would be too painful of what could never be. It
would not be polite to ask him to endure that. Unfortunately that is
all the time we have, and I truly appreciate everyone coming today.
Thank you."

Applause followed the small party as they left the stage. Just
out of view, Darien pulled Selenity to a stop as Martin and the King
talked in low, furious voices. "Are you alright?"

She was shaking so badly she could barely stand as she shook her
head. "No. I wanted to tell them, Darien. I wanted everyone to see
him for the monster he is but I could not do it!" she pounded one fist
gently on his chest, closing her eyes and allowing him to hold her
weight.

His arms were wrapped securely about her, "I understand, Selene.
Come on, we should get out of here before the press are allowed to
leave."

She nodded, allowing him to lead her out of the hall and into the
limo awaiting outside. As they sat in silence, a single tear trailed
down her cheek, a testimony to her silent, inner turmoil.


Amy paced back and forth at the top of the temple steps, her eyes
glued to the stairs leading up to the Shinto shrine. She glanced at
her watch every thirty second, silently urging her friends to hurry
up.

"Amy."

She spun, "Raye. Good, you're here. Is everything ready in our
meeting room?"

Raye nodded, "Now if Lita and Mina will just get here you can
tell us why you called this meeting."

Amy's eyes sparkled, "It's worth it, Raye. Trust me."

Raye shrugged, "With you as jumpy as you are, I don't doubt it's
worth it. Quit pacing, you'll wear a ring in my flagstones."

Amy sighed, "Sorry Raye, I'm just so keyed up. This could change
our missions, and our lives." She went over to Raye and sat next to
her on the temple steps.

Raye grabbed the hands she was twisting together in her lap and
chuckled, "Calm down, Amy. Mina and Lita will be here soon enough,
whatever you have to tell them isn't worth giving yourself a stroke."

Amy smiled ruefully. "I'm bad when I've got important
information to share, aren't I?"

Raye shrugged, "No worse than the rest of us. Look, here they
come."

Lita and Mina were running up the temple steps. Mina skidded to
a halt, panting, "So what's all the fuss about?"

Amy looked around and then glanced at Raye, "We can't talk out
here. Raye?"

Raye motioned for the girls to follow her and led the way inside
the temple. They stopped just outside her room where Raye knelt and
removed a mat fro the floor. Beneath it was a slate of concrete and
she softly murmured words as she ran her fingers in a set pattern
across the cement. There was a small noise and the concrete slid
away, revealing a wooden trap door. Raye pulled it up and the others
dropped down into the hole. Raye quickly followed, pulling the mat
back in place before closing the trap door.

Amy looked around the room and sighed, "I love this place, why
can't we just live here?"

The room was huge, a single square, equipped with four single
beds along the north wall, four oversized chairs that faced a small
table in the center, a stove and cupboards along the south wall and a
small cubicle with a fully equipped bathroom in the south west corner.
On the east wall, opposite of where they'd descended, there was a huge
computer system with four terminals. Oriental rugs lined the floor,
chasing away the chill.

"Because we'd be missed, you know that." Mina told her, smiling.
"Alright, now that we're out of harm's way, what's so important that
you called us in the middle of the day?"

Amy reached into her pocket and pulled out her computer. She
motioned for them to sit as she took her seat at the table and keyed
in a small sequence before turning the screen so they could all see
it.

"What exactly are we looking at here?" Lita asked, seeing two
pictures with genetic codes beside them. A delicate looking princess
and a handsome prince turned slowly on the screen.

"These are Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion from the moon
kingdom, the nobility we've been searching for. Serenity is of a
Lunarian blood line and carries within her, I speculate, the power to
transform the world from what it is now, into a kingdom of
righteousness. Endymion was her protector. From the terran
bloodline, he carries within him the powers of the Earth. Combined,
these two could create a world where order and chaos could live in
perfect harmony. This is the princess we've been searching for and
not found."

The other three nodded slowly in understanding, "So you've
discovered exactly who they are here on earth?"

Amy sighed, "Not exactly, Mina. This is where it gets
complicated. All of you know Selenity and Darien, we've all had the
chance to get to know them. Selenity is a direct descendant of the
Terran bloodline. She is Endymion's heir. I think she carries within
her all of the powers he once had. Or she will once she becomes
Queen." She keyed in a sequence on the keyboard and brought up a
picture of Selenity next to Prince Endymion. "If you look closely,
you'll find that their genetic structures are almost identical."

Lita sat back in her chair, "So you're telling me that Selenity
is our long lost Prince? We were specifically told to watch for a
Princess, weren't we?"

Amy nodded, "This is why it's a little confusing. Darien," she
keyed another sequence on her computer, bringing up Darien's picture
and Princess Serenity's and their genetic codes, "is an almost perfect
match to Serenity's DNA. I was asked to test his and Martin's blood
by the King and took the liberty of testing them for something else as
well. Imagine my complete surprise when they matched these. I
believe that, somehow, our Prince and Princess were born in the right
bodies, but the wrong bloodlines."

"How will this affect our mission?"

Amy met Raye's gaze squarely, "I don't know. If Selenity has
Prince Endymion's powers of protection and agility, not to mention his
healing abilities, and Darien has Princess Serenity's abilities, then
Darien is the one we are searching for. Only he can use the crystal,
once found. His powers, including his ability to heal, haven't
manifested themselves yet. We need to find a way to stimulate those
powers to test the theory that he has Serenity's abilities."

Raye grimaced, "Ugh, talk about crazy. Our Prince is a princess
and our princess is a prince. How messed up is that? Ok, so we need
to figure out a way to get Darien's powers to come out. Any ideas?"

"Amy, do you know how Serenity's powers first came out back in
the Silver millennium?"

Amy shook her head, "She was trained from birth, as were the rest
of us, Mina. There's no way to tell if there was a certain incident
that brought them into being."

Mina sighed, "Back to square one. Ok, maybe he can be trained?
Maybe we can teach him how to use the powers, to find them?"

"Like you had to back in junior high?"

Mina grinned, "It wasn't so bad, Raye, you remember. Mine came
out in a fight..." she trailed off, her eyes widening. "That's it.
We take him out with us, and Selenity, and use her as bait. Cashrawk
is bound to come, seeing as how he's already sensed the powers inside
her. If we don't get involved, maybe Darien's powers will come out."

"What is Selenity's come out first?"

Mina shrugged, "Then we've accomplished one of two goals. Both
of them have to have their powers awakened, correct?"

Amy nodded slowly, "It's a thought. If one of them changes,
perhaps it will spark something in the other, seeing as how closely
they were tied in the past. It also helps explain their attachment
here in the present."

"I don't think our past really had anything to do with their
relationship," Mina told her, shaking her head, "they met as two
strangers, and enjoyed a good friendship for many, many years. If
history were to repeat itself, they would have been sneaking around to
see each other, even now, and be married in secret, right?"

"Right. Still, they are supposedly two halves of one soul,"
Amy's voice was thoughtful, "Maybe the circumstances don't really
matter, as long as they're together, right?"

"Right." Raye slapped her palms down on the table, "But that
still doesn't solve our problems when it comes to awakening the rest
of Selenity's powers and getting Darien to admit and use his. A fight
is one option, but it may not work, we need a backup plan."

Mina reached into a pocket and pulled out her transformation
stick, placing it one the table. "Do you guys ever wonder why I never
transform with you?"

They were staring at her transformation stick, the dull, silver
-grey crystal that was attached to the lower end. "Where did you get
that?"

She met Raye's wide eyes, "Queen Serenity affixed it to my pen
before we were sent here. It's been in my keeping since I remembered
who I was. Now that Amy has put a name to our Princess, my memories
are no longer restricted. If you'll notice, none of yours are either.
You know who our Princess was. You know the powers that were used to
send us here to guard her. Our mission hasn't changed. Our Princess
is now a Prince, the heir to this crystal and the only one who can
channel its powers. It lends strength to our attacks in the most dire
of situations, as I'm sure you've all noticed, but only a Lunarian of
pure blood can wield it. Darien, according to all of the evidence, is
that person. Perhaps the crystal will awaken if he holds it."

"There's no guarantee it'll work, Mina." Amy groaned, rubbing her
forehead as she sat back in her chair, "Talk about a road block.
You've been near Darien enough times and the crystal hasn't reacted,
what's to say it will again, now that we know who he is?"

Mina gently twisted four things on her pen and removed the
crystal from the end of it, placing it in the middle of the table,
"Don't touch it. I have a little Lunarian blood in me so I can handle
it, but it'll destroy anyone else who tries to touch it. If Darien
can handle it as a full blooded Lunarian, the crystal should make some
kind of indication."

Amy cleared her throat. "There's another problem. Martin is
also a full blooded Lunarian. He doesn't have dormant powers, as far
as I can tell, a part of his gene sequence is different, but he could
use the crystal if it fell into his hands."

"That... could be a problem." Mina sighed, "I don't like Martin.
Amy, is he corrupted?"

Amy shrugged, "I don't know. I think he is, but I can't be
certain."

"He can't wield it. The crystal can only be used in the cause of good."

Amy blinked, "Are you sure?"

Mina nodded, "I can't be sure about the consequences, but I
believe the crystal can only be used by those of pure heart and
intention. Martin has neither. Depending on what he asked it to do,
it might do anything from becoming dormant again to eliminating him."

"The crystal can kill its wielder?"

Mina nodded, "It sucks the energy from those who dare use it.
It's a dangerous last resort, you guys, not one I like to think
about."

Raye grimaced, "Well this is fascinating, but how do we get their
powers to awaken? Draw them into a fight?"

Mina nodded, "We'll try that. If it doesn't work, we'll think of
something else. On the side, I'll try and get Darien to handle the
crystal. If it acknowledges him as the heir, we're in business."

Amy nodded, "It's settled then. Tonight we'll try and draw them
into a fight?"

Raye put her hand in the middle, Lita's coming to rest atop it,
Amy's a second behind as Mina clasped their three hands in hers.
"Tonight."



Selenity took Darien's arm as he escorted her into the large
Japanese restaurant. She smiled as they were immediately led to a
secluded table in a private room and seated. Darien holding her chair
for her before taking his own seat. They were having a late lunch,
unaware that as they were being seated, across town at the Shinto
shrine, their futures were being altered.

A waiter came and lit the candles as they looked at each other
across the small table. Darien twined his fingers with hers as they
looked at the drink menu. "A bottle of chardonnay, Princess?"

"That would be acceptable, my lord," she told him, tongue in
cheek.

"May I have the honor of selecting tonight's meal?"

"You may."

Waiting in a dark alcove, their waiter could see them, but not
hear, as he waited for some kind of signal. Darien didn't even bother
openeing his menu and beckoned their waiter over with two fingers. He
motioned for the waiter to bend and whispered something in his ear.
The waiter glanced at Selenity, his eyes widening and then nodded,
"Right away sir," he said and disappeared.

Selenity raised an eyebrow, "What did you just tell him?"

Darien was fighting a smile, "I said that my fiancée was
absolutely famished because they won't let you eat anything at the
palace, Royalty having to keep up their image and all, and asked him
to bring our entree's as quickly as possible before you ate the
garnish," he motioned to the small bouquet in front of her plate that
resembled a salad except for the half-bloomed flower.

Selenity laughed, "Oh, lovely. What will they think of us Nobles
now?"

He shrugged, grasping her hand and gently kissing the backs of
her fingers, "Does it really matter, Princess? I love you. Will the
opinion of the world ever effect that?"

She smiled softly, squeezing his fingers, "No, Darien. You know
it won't."

Her smile slowly faded and he looked at her concerned, "Something
the matter?"

She nodded. "Amy told me I have to deal with Martin. I realize
this is a tasteless time to bring this up, but I cannot relax with
this on my mind, forgive me."

"Always, Princess. I wish you'd chosen another time to discuss
him, though."

Selenity grimaced, "I'm sorry. I suppose we could talk about
this later."

Darien dropped her hand and took a sip from his water glass, "You
brought it up, Selene, you know it's going to be in the air until
something is done now. What's on your mind?"

She twisted her napkin in her hands, glancing around to make
certain they were truly alone, "I feel like something is in the way
when it comes to Martin," she admitted, "Almost like something,
something in me, won't let me deal with him because of the danger or
the damage it would cause. Does that make sense?"

Darien nodded thoughtfully, "Sounds like the same concept with
people who bottle up their anger, Selene. They hoard it away and then
one day they just snap. They don't know how to deal with it, so they
figure if they push it out of sight, or burry it deep enough it'll
just go away."

Selenity shuddered, rubbing her arms, "Can we go somewhere else,
Darien?"

He pushed back from the table and rounded it, crouching as he
grasped her white-knuckled hands in his, "Is that what you want
Selene?"

She nodded, "Take me back to your apartment? Please? I don't
feel safe talking here."

He stood and pulled her to her feet, into his arms. She was
tense, rigid as a board. Darien threw a few dollars down on the table
for their trouble and escorted Selenity from the restaurant. Charles
looked up from where he was relaxing and jumped to his feet,
"Something the matter?"

Darien nodded, "Selenity wishes some privacy to talk with me.
Could you drop us at my apartment please, Charles?"

Charles looked a little sceptical but held the door as they slid
into the limo and obligingly did as he was asked. Darien rubbed
Selenity's back as she sat rigidly beside him, her thoughts obviously
painful, "Penny for your thoughts, Princess."

She glanced at Charles and then shook her head, "Not yet. I'm
sorry I ruined our afternoon, Darien."

He hugged her, "Not ruined, just changed. This is a lot to
absorb, Princess, I can give you some time alone if you like."

She shook her head. "No. I need your help with this,"

He watched her out of the corner of his eye, wisely holding his
tongue until Charles dropped them at his apartment. He hurried
Selenity into the building and they were silent until he was locking
his apartment door behind them. "What's on your mind-"

He was cut off as she pinned him to the door with a surprising
strength and kissed him hard. Shocked, he didn't react at first until
her hands began sliding down over his chest. Grabbing her wrists he
firmly pushed her away, "What are you doing?" he gasped.

Her chest heaving she looked up at him, "I thought it was
obvious. I'm trying to deal."

"Not like this, Selene. You can't use me to erase him, it won't
work."

"You won't even let me try?"

He groaned, "Don't, Selenity. I love you, I don't want to hurt
you. Trying to overcome your fear by seducing me is not going to work
and you'll end up hating yourself for it later. I can't allow that,
no matter how much I want you."

Her face fell, "I just thought..."

He dropped her hands and pulled her close, "I know what you
thought, Princess. It was a good idea, even if it's doomed to
failure."

"Why won't you let me try?" she asked, her voice a whisper, "All
I want to know is if I'll freeze when you touch me."

He groaned and buried his face in her neck, "You're tempting me,
Selenity. When I finally start touching you, I won't want to stop, do
you understand? Hugging you, holding you is torture sometimes because
of how close you are. I want you, but I want you to want me too. I
know you love me, that's enough for me."

"For now."

He nodded and pulled back, looking into her eyes, "Can you
understand that? I don't want to hurt you further."

She pulled away from him and walked into his apartment, "I
understand, but I already want you. And it terrifies me," she stopped
at the glass leading to his balcony, "I'm scared I'll freeze when the
time comes. I'm scared I'll disappoint you. I'm terrified I won't be
able to go through with it."

Darien leaned against the wall and watched her from across the
room. "You'd never disappoint me, Selene. When you're ready, and
that may not be today, it might not be a week from today, or a month
from today, it might be a year or two from now, maybe more, but when
that day comes, you'll know. When that day comes, you'll come to me
with no doubts in your mind. What can I do to prove that to you?"

She half-turned to look at him, looking nervous, "I want to know
my mind won't always bring the feel of his hands on my skin to replace
another's. I want you to touch me."

"I can't."

"You won't." she turned back to the window, "I'm terrified I
can't even take that first step, Darien. I'm terrified I'll never be
able to get past this. I feel so dirty, so violated, and I can't show
it."

He crossed the room and loosely wrapped his arms around her
waist, resting his head on her shoulder, "Why can't you show it?
Because of your station? Your reputation? Because of your father?"

She shook her head, "Because of the questions. When it comes
out, and I know it will, people will want to know when, and where and
how." she closed her eyes and tensed. He stepped back as she mentally
pulled away and allowed her some space. "I couldn't answer those
questions, Darien. I couldn't be honest and tell people exactly what
that monster did to me, I couldn't have my shame broadcasted like
that."

"You're the victim, Selenity. There's no shame in wanting
justice."

She turned towards him and leaned against the window, her hands
behind her, "Victims gets galmourized and torn to shreds, Darien. I'm
a Princess. I was taught at a young age to play mind games with men
at court. I was taught to always flirt but never follow through. It
could be argued that I 'asked for it' as some men put it."

Darien's gaze darkened, "Never. People may not know what goes on
in the court, but a woman does not 'ask' to be raped."

She smiled sadly, "If only there were not so many men, and there
are a few of them, in the world such as Martin. They're not many, but
they're well head. If this goes to court or some such, my name, and
yours will be dragged through every slew and slander known. Are you
willing to do that, to risk our future, so that Martin ends up with a
prison sentance that he won't serve any of? I don't want him to hurt
me again, Darien, and that would give him the openeing to do so."

He turned and paced across the living room, "Then how are you
going to deal with him? Confront him alone, Selene? Demand a reason
why? Ask what compelled him to? I won't let you face him alone, I
refuse to allow him to take that kind of opportunity to violate you
again. You're mine, heart and soul and I would sooner kill him than
allow him to hurt you again."

She crossed to him and wrapped him in a hug, "That is why I want
you to help me, Darien. Part of my fear is a lack of trust. We can
build that together. My body can learn your touch, probably not
quickly, trauma is hard to overcome, but I want to try."

Darien pulled away from her and collapsed on the couch, "You
don't know the kind of restraint you're asking, Selene. I don't know
if I can simply stop when you ask me to."

She sat on his lap, brushing his bangs out of his eyes, "You can
because of how much you love me, Darien. You're so scared you'll hurt
me or so something to remind me of Martin that you don't want to
chance it. I'm terrified, but I want to get over that fear and I want
you to help me do it."

"Not tonight, Selene. Let me think about this. What you're
asking is incredible and I'm humbled but I need to think of the
consequences. Please."

She nodded and slid off his lap, "May I go rummage in your
fridge?"

He half-smiled, "In that gown it'll look awfully funny. Can I
dig out my camera first?"

She smiled and shook her head before disappearing into the
kitchen. Darien dropped his head into his hands. She couldn't know
what she was asking. How was he going to get out of this one?


Amy locked the door to her practice and checked her watch. 7pm.
Her communicator beeped and she glanced around before flipping it
open, "What's the scoop?"

Mina's grinning face appeared on the screen, "Darien took
Selenity to his place when they cut their lunch short. Charles said
they've been in there for the last 5 hours. Doing what I can only
guess."

Amy shook her head at Mina's suggestion. Selenity wasn't ready
for any kind of physical relationship. Emotional yes, she was
practically starved for affection, but the physical would destroy her.
"Any word on Cashrawk?"

Mina shook her head, "Lita's out looking, but I'm going to go
crash Selenity and Darien's party. Wanna come?"

"I'm a couple of blocks from his apartment. I'll meet you there
in 20 minutes, alright?"

"Sounds good, see ya there!"

Amy slipped the communicator back into her pocket and started off
at a brisk walk towards Darien's apartment. It was a good thing she'd
memorized it from his patient file.


Darien and Selenity were curled up on the couch with a huge, half
eaten bowl of popcorn watching Casablanca when the buzzer went.
Darien untangled himself and walked over as Selenity sat entranced by
the old black and white film.

"Hello?"

"Hey Dare, it's Mina and Amy, is Selene up there with you?"

"Come on up you two." he didn't bother to answer as he hit the
button that would grant them access to the building. He unlocked his
apartment door and left it ajar as he went back to the couch and sat
back down. Selenity curled up against him again as the movie neared
its end.

The credits were just beginning to roll when a knock sounded at
his door, "Hello?"

"Come in you two."

There was the sound of two people entering, shoes being removed,
the door being closed and locked before Amy and Mina appeared in their
line of sight. Selenity smiled at them as Darien stopped the movie
and hit the rewind button. "Well hello, what brings you two here?"

Mina and Amy exchanged glances, "Know that whole blood thing I
was talking to you about today Selene?"

She nodded, glancing at Darien, "Yes."

"Well, we have an idea. We were curious if the two of you might
want to come out with us tonight for shakes or something. Maybe a
little Frisbee in the park?"

"Dressed like this?"

"Well," Mina shrugged, "Ok, maybe not Frisbee. Unless you want
to hit my house and we'll find you something to wear?"

"I'd love to go out tonight. Darien?"

He shrugged, "I'm game. Let me change and grab my keys,
alright?"

"Take your time, Darien," Mina told him with a grin as he
disappeared. She looked about the room, "I don't normally do this,
but since we're interrupting, do you think he'd mind if we tidy up a
bit?"

Selenity smiled, "Not at all." she helped them clean up the
living room for the few minutes before Darien reappeared.

Dressed in black jeans and a black t-shirt he looked better
suited to a midnight heist than a late night walk. "You ladies didn't
have to do that. Thank you, though."

"No problem, Darien," Amy finished folding the afghan and placed
it on the back of his couch, "If you're ready, let's go find Selenity
something to wear, shall we?"

An enthusiastic nod from Selenity was all the encouragement
anyone needed as they left the apartment for the night beyond.



Author's Notes: Sorry it took so long, I've got a lot on my plate right now! Let me know what you think!

All feedback to : Jademax@hotmail.com or simply write me a review!

Thanks for reading!

Jade_Max