Chapter 17
In the End
Serena and the girls all led Sammy to a table in a quiet restaurant. The whole way there he had not said one word. Serena was worried about him and Luna was being a pain in the ass calling this a 'breach of security', but she guessed you couldn't blame her. After all, this knowledge could be deadly. They all sat and Serena took a deep breath.
"Well....." There was a pause. What could she say? "Sammy, uh, what can I tell you that you already don't know?" She asked, feeling helpless and a bit embarrassed. If he saw ALL of her memories, he must have seen the night when Caleb was conceived. She fought down a blush. He was only 12 for goodness sakes. It was almost like porn for him to watch. Jeeze, what would Darien say if he knew?
"Are you really Sailor Moon?" He asked. Serena nodded and she and the girls exchanged looks. "And you four," He asked pointing to the scouts, "Are the Sailor Scouts."
They all bobbed their heads in unison. He turned to Luna and Artemis. "And you're cats that can change into humans?" He asked them. They nodded. Serena watched him from across the table as her digested the information. It was a lot Serena knew.
"Sammy, now that you know all of this, I have to tell you not to say anything to mom and dad. I don't want them to know that we're the sailor scouts." Serena told him firmly.
"And Caleb?" He asked.
Serena sighed. "I want to tell mom and dad about Darien and I. You have to keep that a secret too."
Sammy sighed and leaned back in the booth seat. "That's a lot of secret to keep Serena." Serena froze, but Sammy looked into her eyes with a smile. "But I can do it." He told her proudly. Serena let out a sigh of relief and went around the table to give him a hug.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serena sighed as she sat the menu aside. Allen murmured something to the waiter. One second ago, she was on her way to the mall to meet Raye and Caleb, the next she was dragged to lunch by a persistent Allen.
"I enjoyed the play you and Ann were in." Allen said with a smile on his lips.
"Thank you. Ann left all of the sudden. Was she alright?" She asked, not really caring.
"Yeah, the monster kinda freaked her out and I had to take her home." He explained easily. Something in the tone of his voice had her wondering if it was true.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here?" A voice that Serena knew all to well.
"Hi Ann." Allen said quickly, standing up. Serena looked up as well and saw that Ann roped Darien to her.
"I really have to go Ann, I have a report due in two days." Darien tried to explain while pulling his arm out of her grasp.
"Yeah, and I promised to help him." Serena said jumping up. "Sorry Allen, maybe next time." Serena said and pushed Darien down the sidewalk.
"What's with those two?" Darien asked looking back to see Ann and Allen arguing.
"She always seems jealous for some reason." Serena said with a shrug.
"Where are you headed?" He asked sliding an arm around her waist.
"The mall. Raye is waiting for me." Probably going to kill me as soon as I enter. Serena thought, a sliver of fear in her. She almost laughed, she was overreacting.
"Well, I better get going. I really do have a report due." He told her and left her at the entrance of the mall. With a quick kiss goodbye, they parted. She saw Raye and Caleb in the food court. Some guy was trying to pick up on her. Serena watched silently as Raye shook off her admirer with a dismissive flick of her slender hand. The guy took the hint, but left his number on the table for her anyway. Serena giggled at Raye's annoyed face as she made her way to the table. Caleb squealed with delight as soon as he saw her.
"Finally meatball head." Raye breathed.
"I just wanted to give your admirer a chance with you." Serena said innocently and took Caleb from her.
"Mommymommymommy." He chanted.
"Ready to go?" Serena asked, placing Caleb on her hip. Raye nodded and gathered her purse off the table. Serena felt something was wrong with her. She seemed agitated for some reason. It took her three stores to finally ask.
Raye glanced from side to side and then pulled her off to the side. "My moon hasn't come in a week." She whispered urgently. Serena frowned then something clicked in her mind.
"Serious?" She whispered. Raye shook her head up and down, her amethyst eyes were filled with worry and desperation. "You don't think you're........."
Raye cut her off. "I don't know. We used protection."
"Do you want to get a test?" Serena asked her shifting Caleb to her other hip. Raye looked down.
"I guess." She whispered in a heartbreaking tone. Serena hugged her.
"Come on Raye. Maybe it's a false alarm." Serena suggested, praying it was true. She was going to kill Jadeite if he knocked up poor Raye. They shopped to get their minds off of the problem, but soon evening fell upon them and they left to a convenient store. Raye pranced in the aisle not wanting to touch the test that was on the shelf.
"You know, maybe I am reacting. You know me Serena, always worried about something." She said and grabbed her hand to pull her out of the store. Serena shook her off.
"Come on Raye, you have to know for sure. I mean, what if you are. You have to start planning. A baby is a really big deal." Serena tried to explain to her.
Raye bit her lip. "Was it like this for you?" She asked. Serena blinked, thinking back to the time she found out she might have been pregnant.
"Yes, I was really scared. And at that time, Darien and I weren't exactly buddies." She admitted.
~ ~ ~ ~
On the other side of the aisle, Darien paused, hearing his name.
"What were your first thoughts?" He heard someone ask. He looked through the shelves to see Serena and Raye talking among themselves. He looked from Raye to Serena.
"I was scared. I mean, I was only sixteen, not so great in school. I thought I was going to die if I told my parents, you know, like they would disown me or something. And Darien and I hated each other. It was quite a shock after I found out who he really was." She said softly. What was she talking about? Find out who he really was?
"How DID you find out that Darien was Tuxedo Mask?" Raye asked. He saw Serena blush.
"After we you know..........and after you all left, I saw him jumping across the tops of the buildings and I decided to follow him." She said. A million thoughts were running through Darien's mind as he listened.
"Oh." Raye said and turned to the opposite shelf. "I'm scared, what if I am pregnant Serena?" Raye asked. He heard the quiver in her voice. Serena put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"If you are, then I'll help you get through this. I've been there and done this believe me, once you have the baby, everything you went through will be worth while. Look at my son." She said and held out Caleb. She laughed. "He's still alive." She joked. Darien sucked in a harsh breath.
Raye looked up and smiled. "And he looks like his daddy everyday huh Caleb Chiba." She cooed at the smiling baby while gently pinching his chubby cheek. He backed away, feeling light headed. Did he hear that right? His heart beat sped up and he bumped into the shelf in the back of him.
"Come on, we have to get back. You know Luna. She wants to have a meeting tonight."
"Yeah, ever since Sammy found out that we were the Sailor Scouts, she's been very disturbed." Raye chuckled.
"Just like you Sailor Mars." Serena teased.
"Shut up. Let's go Sailor Moon." Raye joked back and they left the aisle. Darien let out a breath and peeked around the corner to see Serena and Raye holding Caleb's little had as he walked between them, swinging him up every now and then. This can't be true. He would have remembered if he and Serena ever made love together. And what was this about him being Tuxedo Mask? He saw them in the distance exit through the sliding doors. He had to talk to someone. Andrew maybe. He walked to the cashier and paid for his book and then left to the arcade. Andrew was just about to close.
"Hey Dare, what's up?" He asked looking up from the money he was counting.
"Andrew, you wouldn't believe what I heard Raye and Serena discussing." He said in a rush. Andrew looked up and lifted a brow.
"What?" He asked.
"Well, I was in the store and I accidentally overheard them talking about how Raye might be pregnant, and all, so I kinda listened in........." He retold all of what he heard, even about them being the Sailor Scouts. Andrew paled a little.
"Wow, Dare, that was a great story but......."
"It wasn't a story!" He exploded. Something about the way Andrew avoided his eyes had him grow even more suspicious." You knew." He finally said, feeling like the biggest fool in the world. Everyone but him knew about Caleb and the Tuxedo Mask thing.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way Darien. Mina told me I was sworn to secrecy and that you would get all your memories back." He heard a little panic note in his tone.
"So everything is true?" Darien growled and stood up from his chair.
"Yes." Was all he said. He never felt so betrayed in his life.
"You are my best friend! How could you do this to me?" He yelled, glaring daggers at him.
"I had to! Look Darien, I'm sorry, really I am but......." Darien cut him off and stalked out the arcade into the cold night.
~ ~ ~ ~
Serena pulled out her ringing cell phone. "Hello?"
"Hey Serena, Darien was just here and he found out." Andrew's solemn voice echoed through her ears.
"What do you mean he found out?" She demanded and stood up from the table.
"He was at the store earlier when you and Raye were there. He said he heard you talking." Serena felt a bit sick. "I think he went off to find you." There was a screeching sound and Serena jerked her head around to see Darien throw his helmet off and park his motorcycle.
"Serena? Are you there?" Andrew's voice brought her out of the panic she was going into.
"I'll call you back if I'm alive." She said and flipped her phone closed. "Watch Caleb for me." She called out to the group and intercepted him before he made his way to the door. "Darien, I can explain." She said as soon as she was outside.
He paused. She felt how taunt he was. "Yes, why don't you explain?" He told her in a silver voice filled with silky malice. She shivered at the sound.
"I wasn't going you tell you. I wanted you to get your memories back."
"What the hell are you talking about? I have all my memories, and I don't remember anything about you and me having sex." He shot at her. She winced. How was she going to explain?
"I mean your other memories." She tired to clarify desperately.
"Look Serena, I don't care who you slept with, but how dare you give my last name to another man's child." He hissed with a sharp finger. Serena felt like she had been slapped. He practically called her a whore to her face. Bitter tears welled up in her eyes. She never knew he could be so cruel. "So what was this we had going? Was it all a game to you?" He asked. She looked away. "Was I just a stand in for your real boyfriend?" He snickered at her. That did it for her. She slapped him hard in the face. The smack roughly echoed in the night. Her hand stung, it was almost numb. With out another word, she left him in the night staring after her in shock. When she was inside she buried her hand in her face and cried.
~ ~ ~ ~
Mina watched the whole scene unfold before her through the window. Darien was standing out side, looking at the door. A hand came up and touched his pink cheek. He turned around and left. She watched his taillights disappear in the darkness. In the distance, she heard muffled sobs. She sent the scouts a look and they left the room and went out into the hall way. Serena was on the ground, her slender shoulders were shaking.
"Oh Serena, I'm so sorry." Ami whispered and knelt down beside her and gathered her in a hug. The scouts all followed suit.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serena, Ami and Lita were sent to go check up on Allen and Ann a couple of days later.
"I don't know why we were sent. Ann doesn't even like us." Lita grumbled.
"Yes, she's not the easiest person to get along with" Ami said a little shyly. They lived on the wealthy side of town in a new apartment complex. Miss H gave them the room number. Allen answered the door.
"Serena, what a surprise." He greeted them with a please grin. The door opened wider for them all to come in.
"What are you doing here?" Ann asked them coldly.
"Miss H just wanted us to come and see how you were doing." Lita said and folded her arms in front of her.
"Yes, she was worried about you two. You've missed a whole week of school, so we brought your homework." Ami said and placed a thick folder on the desk.
"Thanx." Ann said dryly with a roll of her eyes.
"Would you like something to drink?" Allen asked.
"Sure." They all answered in unison. Serena walked around the apartment looking at whatever caught her eye. There was a metal slid door by their book case. She pressed one of the buttons and it slid open. Inside, it was dark and cold. She shivered and took a cautious step in the room. A rough rope like thing slithered out and wrapped itself around her. A scream burbled in her throat. The branches tightened its hold on her. She tried to fight it, but she felt so weak.
"Serena!" She faintly heard someone cry out her name. Allen pulled her back and shut the sliding door.
She stumbled back and landed on her butt in the care of Lita and Ami.
"Are you alright?" Allen looked over her with a concerned expression on his face.
"Serves her right for snooping around." Ann sniffed indigently.
"What was that?" She gasped out. Allen took a small step back and smiled a little nervously.
"A science project in botany." He said smoothly.
"We better go now." Lita helped her up.
"Yeah, well, it was nice of you to come." Allen said.
"Yeah, whatever." Ann pushed them out the door. "See you." And with that, she slammed the door in their faces.
"She's such a bitch." Lita grumbled. Serena was still shaking when they reached the school yard. Ami had forgotten one of her books. When she was done, they went to the temple where Raye waited for them with a happy smile on her face. After the fight with Darien, they had found out that she wasn't pregnant.
"Hey guys, Luna and Artemis are waiting in the fire room." She said and then frowned. "What's that in your hair?" She asked.
"It is a bug? Get it off, get it off, get it off, get it off!" Serena squealed, slapping her head, wanting to kill the dreaded bug.
"Hold still." Raye said and pushed her head down. She picked something off of her head and held it out.
"It was just a small piece of bark." She said with a roll of her eyes. Serena squinted up at it and it wiggled. Raye shrieked and dropped it.
"What was that?" She demanded. All of them peered down at the wiggling branch. Ami dug into her purse and pulled out a pair of tweezers and a small Petri dish. She picked the squirming thing up. When the lid was closed, they all leaned. (AN: What else does Ami have in her purse?)
"Didn't Allen say that this was his science project?" Ami asked. Serena gulped and nodded.
"Let's take it to Luna and Artemis and see what they have to say about it." Ami said and they all headed out to Serena and Mina's apartment.
~ ~ ~ ~
She didn't know why she was going all alone to a place that was surely going to kill her, but she wanted to see what was in that room. So she walked down the sidewalk, lost in her own thoughts and bumped into a hard chest. She dreaded looking up because she knew who it was. She felt him.
"Sorry." She muttered and took a step back. He stood in front of her with flowers in his hand. "Where are you going?"
He looked away. "To see Ann." He said. She felt cold as soon as the words were spoken. "She helped me with the play after all and I wanted to see if she was okay. Where are you going?" He asked.
"To see Allen, he invited me to come over yesterday." It was a lie, but she wanted to get back at him and hurt him like he was hurting her. She his jaw muscle clench and secretly, she was glad he still had SOME feelings in regard to her. They both entered the elevator and went up. Ann answered the door and squealed like a pig when he held out the flowers for her. Serena hated them both at that moment, but she pushed away the bitter filling and moved passed him to Allen.
"I thought I just stop by." She said sweetly, smiling at him in a flirtatious manner.
"I'm glad you did." He murmured and took her hand to kiss it.
"Allen, why don't you get us something to eat? And take Darien with you." Ann cut in.
~ ~ ~ ~
Darien silently seethed and wanted to murder Allen for touching his Serena. Serena sent him a hooded look and then took a seat on the couch across from Ann. In reality, he had bought the flowers for Serena, hoping they could talk. After she had slapped him, he rode home in a fury. He was mad at her yes, but he was madder at himself. He should have let her explain, but his pride won over. It hurt to think that Serena had shared her body with someone other than himself. That she had a child no less. There must have been a reason she gave Caleb his last name. She said she had wanted to wait until her got his memories back, but he HAD all his memories. Allen hastily made the coffee and told him to grab the sweets in the fridge for him. There was a scream and he spun around and ran back into the living room.
"Where's Serena?!" He yelled at Ann who had a smug smile on her lips. Her screams tore at his heart and he ran into the dark room where he heard her.
"Enough! Enough I say I had enough! Stop it!" There was a dark cry. He saw Serena being held by thick green branches.
"Out of control! Out of control!" A cardian said in a raspy voice. The tree threw the cardian against the wall.
"Serena!" He yelled, but the tree knocked him and Allen down.
"Help me! Someone HELP!" She cried out. The tree grabbed him up as well, he felt like his ribs were going to break. He looked to the side of him and saw that her eyes were beginning to droop.
"Serena, grab my hand!" He called out to her. Wearily, she stretched out her hand. He stretched as well, almost to the point where he thought he would dislocate his shoulder or something. Their finger tips touched, and the brief contact had him breathing a mini sigh of relief. A blue boot shot out and knocked his hand away.
"Keep your hands off of her." Allen hissed at him.
"Allen, you have no right to talk to Darien that way." Ann hissed. He looked at the two, completely changed into some king of leotard.
"So, you finally admit you like the guy." Allen sneered at her. Ann gasped and held a hand up to her mouth.
"Well what did you expect when you're drooling all over her? All that stuff about me being your one and only, all lies!" She shot back at him, pointing at Serena who was barely keeping her eyes open. He desperately wanted to get to her.
While the two aliens bickered, Darien tried to reach for her again, but she was too far away.
"Come on," Allen scoffed, "Quit being a drama queen."
Ann seethed and turned to the trunk of the massive tree. "Doom tree, take all of her energy." She ordered sharply. Darien panicked.
"No, zap Ann's BOYFRIEND, he will give you more energy." Allen came up beside her
"Not true!" Ann ranted. "She doesn't even appreciate her energy." She snapped.
The tree glowed an unruly blue color and soon pain pricked his whole body. He couldn't help but holler out, it was so intense.
"Doom Tree let them go!" Ann said and tried to pry the thick branch away from him. He felt so dizzy, he wanted to throw up. But the tree continued to drain them both. After a while he kinda blacked out and then he was falling. He was caught in someone's arms and lowered to safety. He tried to open his eyes, but was unable to.
~ ~ ~ ~
Serena pushed away the sleep that wanted to claim her mind.
"Let them go Negatrash!" She heard one of the scouts say. She forced her eyes open.
"Sailor Scouts." She managed to moan. The aliens aimed an attack at them and they jumped out of the way. Mars conjured up her firebird, but it quickly dissipated. Mercury and the others had their turn, but they knocked them down. The scouts all fell to the floor, nearly unconscious. Even when they were down, the aliens continued to torment them and hurt them. She felt her anger win over were weariness and she stood up on shaky legs. She transformed and felt a small renewal of energy. She kneeled beside Darien and lifted his head.
"Darien," She began softly. "Are you alright?" she prodded gently. He moaned in pain, vaguely aware of her presence. He lifted a hand she took it. "I'm so sorry, I wanted to tell you all about our past, but I couldn't." she whispered to him, feeling so tired and sad.
"Doesn't look like your boy toy will be interested in hanging around with you." She heard Allen say behind her.
"How could he choose her over me?" Ann asked in disbelief.
"Humans are only good for one thing. Doom tree fertilizer." Allen said in a harsh voice.
"I won't stand for this!" Ann roared and Serena felt a stinging force hit her in the back. She held onto Darien's hand and slid to a stop across the floor.
"Look at that clingy little wimp. Let go of him!" Another burst of energy. Serena tried to shield Darien from the blow. I just have to keep him safe that's all. Oh Darien hang on. She silently prayed.
"Doom tree, since they refuse to separate, drain them both. They're no use to us." Allen ordered.
"No!" She heard Mars cry out. She and the others picked their bruised bodies from off the floor and charged at them, but they were knocked back in their weakened state.
She grabbed her scepter from the space pocket and aimed an attack at Ann, but was incapable of finishing her enchanted words before Ann shot another dark magic attack at her, knocking her back to Darien's side. Her wrist hurt when she landed on it. Darien moaned again and she turned to him, feeling a light of hope.
"Darien, we'll be together again, I promise." She murmured to him. His eyes fluttered open.
"I'm sorry Serena, I should have known you would never hurt me like I thought you did. I was just angry, I didn't mean what I said." He said in a chocked voice. She nodded and kissed his forehead.
"Knock it off!" Ann screeched and shot multiple dark magic at them, ripping the apart. Her head throbbed, but she held onto his hand like a life line. Ann was going crazy with her powers. Don't they ever get drained using so much magic? She felt Darien's grip on her hand slack and she rolled to her side and up to shield him from another powerful attack. Her whole body ached with pain, she swore she saw stars swim around her head. She braced herself for another one.
"Don't." She heard Darien plead behind her. But she had to do this, it was her job and she would protect him. She owed him that and a lot more.
"Even braver than I thought." Allen breathed. She glared up at them.
"You don't know what bravery is, or friendship. All you know is evil." She spat at them. Allen's eyes widened with hurt and realization.
"That's right, so glad you finally noticed." Ann told her with a sinister grin. She opened her hand and Serena slid back, keeping her hand up in defense. "Renounce your love for Darien and I might spare you." Serena looked at her in disbelief. Was she crazy? Just a moment ago she wanted to kill them both.
"No! Love can't be taken away." She said.
"Sentimental fool." Ann muttered. She raised her hand again. Serena didn't know if she could take another attack. She was already weak and weary. There was a flash and she braced her body for another wave of pain, but when it didn't come she looked up and saw Darien in front of her, warding off the attack. She gasped. Three more attack and Darien fell. She caught his heavy body in her arms.
"Darien, let me do this. You're too weak. Let me protect you." She whispered urgently in his ear and turned her body so that Ann's next attack hit her instead. Tears from pain and worry ran down her face.
Allen said something softly to Ann.
"You're just weak Allen." Ann scoffed.
"No you're the one who's weak. All you know are hatred, vengeance and jealousy." She heard Jupiter say.
"Shut up!" Ann roared and held up her hand. Serena wanted to run and protect the scouts. They couldn't withhold another attack from her. A white rose came sailing down. The Moonlight Knight stood on a thick branch.
"It looks like a bad scene Sailor scouts, but nothing we can't handle." He assured them all. "These misfits can be beaten."
"Misfits?" Ann cried out on protest. "I'll show you what this misfit can do!"
"You're blinded by jealousy. You just can't bear it that Darien has dumped you." He snickered at her. Like they were ever together, Serena thought a little dryly. Ann shot an attack at him and he was hurled back into the trunk of the tree. Serena gasped.
"Moonlight Knight!" She whispered when he disappeared. They ground began to shake and the tree branched began to flay wildly, knocking Ann and Allen around. Sharp points were aimed at Allen and Serena gasped when Ann pushed him out of the way. The sharp branch stuck her deeply in the chest. Allen cried out and caught her falling figure. Blood tricked from the side of her mouth. They murmured silently together. Serena saw tears running down Ann's pale face, and then her hand fell limp to her side.
"Ann, don't leave me!" Allen yelled with so much pain, she clutched Darien tighter to her and buried her face in his silky hair. The tree twitched again and she looked up to see a sharp branch aimed at Allen. Allen looked back. There was defeat in his eyes and he turned back to Ann and bowed over her body. "I'll be with you shortly." She heard him say. Her heart broke and she turned to the tree.
"Stop this now!" She cried out. The sharp branch halted and slithered back.
"You think so Sailor Moon?" A spooky voice asked her. She blinked and looked at the tree.
"You can talk?" She asked in a squeaky voice. Lights exploded from the massive tree. She felt herself falling.
"Where are we?" She asked looking around in confusion. It was dark and faint lights were barely seen.
"I think we're in the mind of the tree." Allen spoke up behind her. She jumped.
"Let me tell you my story." The tree said and began her story. A sad story about how her children were turned to the negaverse.
"Sailor Moon? A favor?" The tree asked gently.
"Sure." She whispered and the tree told her to heal it. She picked up her scepter from the ground by broken concrete and aimed her attack at it. The tree glowed.
"I am free." It breathed and then disappeared. Serena dropped her scepter.
"Oh no! I killed the tree!" She whimpered.
"No Sailor Moon, you healed it." Serena looked behind her to see the Moonlight Knight standing next to her.
"I-I thought you disappeared." She said a bit nervously. There was a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"Sailor Moon, Serena, Moon Princess." He breathed her name. She felt the warmness of his breath on her cheek even though his mouth was covered.
"You know all that?" She asked, gazing into his deep blue eyes. Their faces were inches apart and she made no effort to put any distance between them.
"Yes, and now it is time to tell you who I am." He said and reached up and pulled his mask down. Darien's familiar face looked back at her and she softly gasp.
"Darien?" She asked, he eyes roaming over his face. "But how can this be?"
"I'm not really Darien, but the courageous soul of Darien." He said. She shook her head in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"In the battle between Queen Beryl, he lost all his memories of the Moon Kingdom, being Tuxedo Mask and our son, but deep down, he knew that he had to protect the moon princess and the sailor scouts. So I was created to fulfill that mission. I live, only to protect you Sailor Moon, but once I saw you again, I wanted to be with you, thus the nights we spent together."
Serena took a step back. "Those weren't dreams?" She asked, a blush creeping up her cheeks. He chuckled and touched her cheek.
"No, everything was real. But there is no need for me now. Darien has his memory back."
"You're leaving?" She asked and grabbed his hand.
"It's Darien who needs me now Sailor Moon. He's too weak to sustain me much longer. Farwell my Princess, I will always remember you." He whispered and tilted her face up. She smiled into his eyes and they kissed. It was a soft kiss, filled with sweet emotion and love.
"Where will you go?" She asked when he lifted his mouth from hers.
"Where I belong." He said simply and turned into a white mist. He moved past her and entered Darien's body. It was like they were hugging.
~ ~ ~ ~
"Sailor Moon are you there? Sailor Moon?" He shook her shoulders and her eyes fluttered open. He let out a breath of relief.
"Mmm, Darien, is that really you?" She asked and stretched like she was waking from sleep. He nodded, feeling like a whole new person with all his memories back.
"Sure is, and it's great to be back meatball head." He teased her lightly. She smiled and he helped her up.
"Ann? Ann, you came back!" He turned and saw Allen cradling Ann's head, and holding her, much like he was holding Serena.
"I would never leave you Allen." Ann murmured and winked at him.
"Oh look, the tree had come back to life." Serena said pointing at the small seedling glowing and sparkling.
"Look Ann, we got another chance." Allen said and they picked up the seedling.
"They've been healed." Serena said and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Yeah." He said and saw the two aliens float up in the air. They were beginning their journey.
"I think they're going to make it." Serena sighed and the aliens disappeared in the sky.
"So?" Serena twisted around and looked back at the scouts.
"So what?" Darien asked.
"Are you a couple or not?"
"Did you kiss and make up?"
"Yeah, I just remembered like two minutes ago." He said fending off the nosey scouts.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serena starched under the soft covers and opened her eyes. Lazy midnight blue eyes looked down at her.
"What?" She asked, with a little yawn.
"This is the first time I woke up beside you." He said. She smiled and leaned up and kissed him. They had moved in together two weeks after the doom tree fiasco. Ami moved in with Mina. Everything was going great.
She leaned back down and gathered the blankets all around her. "You have to get Caleb this time." She said with a sly grin.
"So what does the day hold for us today?" He said huskily grabbed clean underwear from the drawer. She bit her lip. He became instantly alert. "What?" He demanded.
"Well, I kinda told my parents that you would meet them today." She said hastily. His air constricted.
"What?" He chocked out.
"Yeah, I told them we would be there around noon." She closed the bathroom door before he dashed to stop her.
"Serena! Why didn't you tell me yesterday?" He pounded on the door.
"I knew you would say no! Don't worry, I'm sure my mom will like you." She called out to him.
"What about your father?" He called out. There was a pause. "Serena?" The water turned on and he was left standing outside the door.
~ ~ ~ ~
AN: Look at that finished at 8:30pm. Well, one more chapter can you believe it? Darien meets Serena's overprotective father, hummmmmm, wonder what will happen? *WINK* Alright, you know what to do, review me everyone, I need reviews!.........................wow, coming out pretty desperate am I?......lol........
In the End
Serena and the girls all led Sammy to a table in a quiet restaurant. The whole way there he had not said one word. Serena was worried about him and Luna was being a pain in the ass calling this a 'breach of security', but she guessed you couldn't blame her. After all, this knowledge could be deadly. They all sat and Serena took a deep breath.
"Well....." There was a pause. What could she say? "Sammy, uh, what can I tell you that you already don't know?" She asked, feeling helpless and a bit embarrassed. If he saw ALL of her memories, he must have seen the night when Caleb was conceived. She fought down a blush. He was only 12 for goodness sakes. It was almost like porn for him to watch. Jeeze, what would Darien say if he knew?
"Are you really Sailor Moon?" He asked. Serena nodded and she and the girls exchanged looks. "And you four," He asked pointing to the scouts, "Are the Sailor Scouts."
They all bobbed their heads in unison. He turned to Luna and Artemis. "And you're cats that can change into humans?" He asked them. They nodded. Serena watched him from across the table as her digested the information. It was a lot Serena knew.
"Sammy, now that you know all of this, I have to tell you not to say anything to mom and dad. I don't want them to know that we're the sailor scouts." Serena told him firmly.
"And Caleb?" He asked.
Serena sighed. "I want to tell mom and dad about Darien and I. You have to keep that a secret too."
Sammy sighed and leaned back in the booth seat. "That's a lot of secret to keep Serena." Serena froze, but Sammy looked into her eyes with a smile. "But I can do it." He told her proudly. Serena let out a sigh of relief and went around the table to give him a hug.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serena sighed as she sat the menu aside. Allen murmured something to the waiter. One second ago, she was on her way to the mall to meet Raye and Caleb, the next she was dragged to lunch by a persistent Allen.
"I enjoyed the play you and Ann were in." Allen said with a smile on his lips.
"Thank you. Ann left all of the sudden. Was she alright?" She asked, not really caring.
"Yeah, the monster kinda freaked her out and I had to take her home." He explained easily. Something in the tone of his voice had her wondering if it was true.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here?" A voice that Serena knew all to well.
"Hi Ann." Allen said quickly, standing up. Serena looked up as well and saw that Ann roped Darien to her.
"I really have to go Ann, I have a report due in two days." Darien tried to explain while pulling his arm out of her grasp.
"Yeah, and I promised to help him." Serena said jumping up. "Sorry Allen, maybe next time." Serena said and pushed Darien down the sidewalk.
"What's with those two?" Darien asked looking back to see Ann and Allen arguing.
"She always seems jealous for some reason." Serena said with a shrug.
"Where are you headed?" He asked sliding an arm around her waist.
"The mall. Raye is waiting for me." Probably going to kill me as soon as I enter. Serena thought, a sliver of fear in her. She almost laughed, she was overreacting.
"Well, I better get going. I really do have a report due." He told her and left her at the entrance of the mall. With a quick kiss goodbye, they parted. She saw Raye and Caleb in the food court. Some guy was trying to pick up on her. Serena watched silently as Raye shook off her admirer with a dismissive flick of her slender hand. The guy took the hint, but left his number on the table for her anyway. Serena giggled at Raye's annoyed face as she made her way to the table. Caleb squealed with delight as soon as he saw her.
"Finally meatball head." Raye breathed.
"I just wanted to give your admirer a chance with you." Serena said innocently and took Caleb from her.
"Mommymommymommy." He chanted.
"Ready to go?" Serena asked, placing Caleb on her hip. Raye nodded and gathered her purse off the table. Serena felt something was wrong with her. She seemed agitated for some reason. It took her three stores to finally ask.
Raye glanced from side to side and then pulled her off to the side. "My moon hasn't come in a week." She whispered urgently. Serena frowned then something clicked in her mind.
"Serious?" She whispered. Raye shook her head up and down, her amethyst eyes were filled with worry and desperation. "You don't think you're........."
Raye cut her off. "I don't know. We used protection."
"Do you want to get a test?" Serena asked her shifting Caleb to her other hip. Raye looked down.
"I guess." She whispered in a heartbreaking tone. Serena hugged her.
"Come on Raye. Maybe it's a false alarm." Serena suggested, praying it was true. She was going to kill Jadeite if he knocked up poor Raye. They shopped to get their minds off of the problem, but soon evening fell upon them and they left to a convenient store. Raye pranced in the aisle not wanting to touch the test that was on the shelf.
"You know, maybe I am reacting. You know me Serena, always worried about something." She said and grabbed her hand to pull her out of the store. Serena shook her off.
"Come on Raye, you have to know for sure. I mean, what if you are. You have to start planning. A baby is a really big deal." Serena tried to explain to her.
Raye bit her lip. "Was it like this for you?" She asked. Serena blinked, thinking back to the time she found out she might have been pregnant.
"Yes, I was really scared. And at that time, Darien and I weren't exactly buddies." She admitted.
~ ~ ~ ~
On the other side of the aisle, Darien paused, hearing his name.
"What were your first thoughts?" He heard someone ask. He looked through the shelves to see Serena and Raye talking among themselves. He looked from Raye to Serena.
"I was scared. I mean, I was only sixteen, not so great in school. I thought I was going to die if I told my parents, you know, like they would disown me or something. And Darien and I hated each other. It was quite a shock after I found out who he really was." She said softly. What was she talking about? Find out who he really was?
"How DID you find out that Darien was Tuxedo Mask?" Raye asked. He saw Serena blush.
"After we you know..........and after you all left, I saw him jumping across the tops of the buildings and I decided to follow him." She said. A million thoughts were running through Darien's mind as he listened.
"Oh." Raye said and turned to the opposite shelf. "I'm scared, what if I am pregnant Serena?" Raye asked. He heard the quiver in her voice. Serena put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"If you are, then I'll help you get through this. I've been there and done this believe me, once you have the baby, everything you went through will be worth while. Look at my son." She said and held out Caleb. She laughed. "He's still alive." She joked. Darien sucked in a harsh breath.
Raye looked up and smiled. "And he looks like his daddy everyday huh Caleb Chiba." She cooed at the smiling baby while gently pinching his chubby cheek. He backed away, feeling light headed. Did he hear that right? His heart beat sped up and he bumped into the shelf in the back of him.
"Come on, we have to get back. You know Luna. She wants to have a meeting tonight."
"Yeah, ever since Sammy found out that we were the Sailor Scouts, she's been very disturbed." Raye chuckled.
"Just like you Sailor Mars." Serena teased.
"Shut up. Let's go Sailor Moon." Raye joked back and they left the aisle. Darien let out a breath and peeked around the corner to see Serena and Raye holding Caleb's little had as he walked between them, swinging him up every now and then. This can't be true. He would have remembered if he and Serena ever made love together. And what was this about him being Tuxedo Mask? He saw them in the distance exit through the sliding doors. He had to talk to someone. Andrew maybe. He walked to the cashier and paid for his book and then left to the arcade. Andrew was just about to close.
"Hey Dare, what's up?" He asked looking up from the money he was counting.
"Andrew, you wouldn't believe what I heard Raye and Serena discussing." He said in a rush. Andrew looked up and lifted a brow.
"What?" He asked.
"Well, I was in the store and I accidentally overheard them talking about how Raye might be pregnant, and all, so I kinda listened in........." He retold all of what he heard, even about them being the Sailor Scouts. Andrew paled a little.
"Wow, Dare, that was a great story but......."
"It wasn't a story!" He exploded. Something about the way Andrew avoided his eyes had him grow even more suspicious." You knew." He finally said, feeling like the biggest fool in the world. Everyone but him knew about Caleb and the Tuxedo Mask thing.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way Darien. Mina told me I was sworn to secrecy and that you would get all your memories back." He heard a little panic note in his tone.
"So everything is true?" Darien growled and stood up from his chair.
"Yes." Was all he said. He never felt so betrayed in his life.
"You are my best friend! How could you do this to me?" He yelled, glaring daggers at him.
"I had to! Look Darien, I'm sorry, really I am but......." Darien cut him off and stalked out the arcade into the cold night.
~ ~ ~ ~
Serena pulled out her ringing cell phone. "Hello?"
"Hey Serena, Darien was just here and he found out." Andrew's solemn voice echoed through her ears.
"What do you mean he found out?" She demanded and stood up from the table.
"He was at the store earlier when you and Raye were there. He said he heard you talking." Serena felt a bit sick. "I think he went off to find you." There was a screeching sound and Serena jerked her head around to see Darien throw his helmet off and park his motorcycle.
"Serena? Are you there?" Andrew's voice brought her out of the panic she was going into.
"I'll call you back if I'm alive." She said and flipped her phone closed. "Watch Caleb for me." She called out to the group and intercepted him before he made his way to the door. "Darien, I can explain." She said as soon as she was outside.
He paused. She felt how taunt he was. "Yes, why don't you explain?" He told her in a silver voice filled with silky malice. She shivered at the sound.
"I wasn't going you tell you. I wanted you to get your memories back."
"What the hell are you talking about? I have all my memories, and I don't remember anything about you and me having sex." He shot at her. She winced. How was she going to explain?
"I mean your other memories." She tired to clarify desperately.
"Look Serena, I don't care who you slept with, but how dare you give my last name to another man's child." He hissed with a sharp finger. Serena felt like she had been slapped. He practically called her a whore to her face. Bitter tears welled up in her eyes. She never knew he could be so cruel. "So what was this we had going? Was it all a game to you?" He asked. She looked away. "Was I just a stand in for your real boyfriend?" He snickered at her. That did it for her. She slapped him hard in the face. The smack roughly echoed in the night. Her hand stung, it was almost numb. With out another word, she left him in the night staring after her in shock. When she was inside she buried her hand in her face and cried.
~ ~ ~ ~
Mina watched the whole scene unfold before her through the window. Darien was standing out side, looking at the door. A hand came up and touched his pink cheek. He turned around and left. She watched his taillights disappear in the darkness. In the distance, she heard muffled sobs. She sent the scouts a look and they left the room and went out into the hall way. Serena was on the ground, her slender shoulders were shaking.
"Oh Serena, I'm so sorry." Ami whispered and knelt down beside her and gathered her in a hug. The scouts all followed suit.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serena, Ami and Lita were sent to go check up on Allen and Ann a couple of days later.
"I don't know why we were sent. Ann doesn't even like us." Lita grumbled.
"Yes, she's not the easiest person to get along with" Ami said a little shyly. They lived on the wealthy side of town in a new apartment complex. Miss H gave them the room number. Allen answered the door.
"Serena, what a surprise." He greeted them with a please grin. The door opened wider for them all to come in.
"What are you doing here?" Ann asked them coldly.
"Miss H just wanted us to come and see how you were doing." Lita said and folded her arms in front of her.
"Yes, she was worried about you two. You've missed a whole week of school, so we brought your homework." Ami said and placed a thick folder on the desk.
"Thanx." Ann said dryly with a roll of her eyes.
"Would you like something to drink?" Allen asked.
"Sure." They all answered in unison. Serena walked around the apartment looking at whatever caught her eye. There was a metal slid door by their book case. She pressed one of the buttons and it slid open. Inside, it was dark and cold. She shivered and took a cautious step in the room. A rough rope like thing slithered out and wrapped itself around her. A scream burbled in her throat. The branches tightened its hold on her. She tried to fight it, but she felt so weak.
"Serena!" She faintly heard someone cry out her name. Allen pulled her back and shut the sliding door.
She stumbled back and landed on her butt in the care of Lita and Ami.
"Are you alright?" Allen looked over her with a concerned expression on his face.
"Serves her right for snooping around." Ann sniffed indigently.
"What was that?" She gasped out. Allen took a small step back and smiled a little nervously.
"A science project in botany." He said smoothly.
"We better go now." Lita helped her up.
"Yeah, well, it was nice of you to come." Allen said.
"Yeah, whatever." Ann pushed them out the door. "See you." And with that, she slammed the door in their faces.
"She's such a bitch." Lita grumbled. Serena was still shaking when they reached the school yard. Ami had forgotten one of her books. When she was done, they went to the temple where Raye waited for them with a happy smile on her face. After the fight with Darien, they had found out that she wasn't pregnant.
"Hey guys, Luna and Artemis are waiting in the fire room." She said and then frowned. "What's that in your hair?" She asked.
"It is a bug? Get it off, get it off, get it off, get it off!" Serena squealed, slapping her head, wanting to kill the dreaded bug.
"Hold still." Raye said and pushed her head down. She picked something off of her head and held it out.
"It was just a small piece of bark." She said with a roll of her eyes. Serena squinted up at it and it wiggled. Raye shrieked and dropped it.
"What was that?" She demanded. All of them peered down at the wiggling branch. Ami dug into her purse and pulled out a pair of tweezers and a small Petri dish. She picked the squirming thing up. When the lid was closed, they all leaned. (AN: What else does Ami have in her purse?)
"Didn't Allen say that this was his science project?" Ami asked. Serena gulped and nodded.
"Let's take it to Luna and Artemis and see what they have to say about it." Ami said and they all headed out to Serena and Mina's apartment.
~ ~ ~ ~
She didn't know why she was going all alone to a place that was surely going to kill her, but she wanted to see what was in that room. So she walked down the sidewalk, lost in her own thoughts and bumped into a hard chest. She dreaded looking up because she knew who it was. She felt him.
"Sorry." She muttered and took a step back. He stood in front of her with flowers in his hand. "Where are you going?"
He looked away. "To see Ann." He said. She felt cold as soon as the words were spoken. "She helped me with the play after all and I wanted to see if she was okay. Where are you going?" He asked.
"To see Allen, he invited me to come over yesterday." It was a lie, but she wanted to get back at him and hurt him like he was hurting her. She his jaw muscle clench and secretly, she was glad he still had SOME feelings in regard to her. They both entered the elevator and went up. Ann answered the door and squealed like a pig when he held out the flowers for her. Serena hated them both at that moment, but she pushed away the bitter filling and moved passed him to Allen.
"I thought I just stop by." She said sweetly, smiling at him in a flirtatious manner.
"I'm glad you did." He murmured and took her hand to kiss it.
"Allen, why don't you get us something to eat? And take Darien with you." Ann cut in.
~ ~ ~ ~
Darien silently seethed and wanted to murder Allen for touching his Serena. Serena sent him a hooded look and then took a seat on the couch across from Ann. In reality, he had bought the flowers for Serena, hoping they could talk. After she had slapped him, he rode home in a fury. He was mad at her yes, but he was madder at himself. He should have let her explain, but his pride won over. It hurt to think that Serena had shared her body with someone other than himself. That she had a child no less. There must have been a reason she gave Caleb his last name. She said she had wanted to wait until her got his memories back, but he HAD all his memories. Allen hastily made the coffee and told him to grab the sweets in the fridge for him. There was a scream and he spun around and ran back into the living room.
"Where's Serena?!" He yelled at Ann who had a smug smile on her lips. Her screams tore at his heart and he ran into the dark room where he heard her.
"Enough! Enough I say I had enough! Stop it!" There was a dark cry. He saw Serena being held by thick green branches.
"Out of control! Out of control!" A cardian said in a raspy voice. The tree threw the cardian against the wall.
"Serena!" He yelled, but the tree knocked him and Allen down.
"Help me! Someone HELP!" She cried out. The tree grabbed him up as well, he felt like his ribs were going to break. He looked to the side of him and saw that her eyes were beginning to droop.
"Serena, grab my hand!" He called out to her. Wearily, she stretched out her hand. He stretched as well, almost to the point where he thought he would dislocate his shoulder or something. Their finger tips touched, and the brief contact had him breathing a mini sigh of relief. A blue boot shot out and knocked his hand away.
"Keep your hands off of her." Allen hissed at him.
"Allen, you have no right to talk to Darien that way." Ann hissed. He looked at the two, completely changed into some king of leotard.
"So, you finally admit you like the guy." Allen sneered at her. Ann gasped and held a hand up to her mouth.
"Well what did you expect when you're drooling all over her? All that stuff about me being your one and only, all lies!" She shot back at him, pointing at Serena who was barely keeping her eyes open. He desperately wanted to get to her.
While the two aliens bickered, Darien tried to reach for her again, but she was too far away.
"Come on," Allen scoffed, "Quit being a drama queen."
Ann seethed and turned to the trunk of the massive tree. "Doom tree, take all of her energy." She ordered sharply. Darien panicked.
"No, zap Ann's BOYFRIEND, he will give you more energy." Allen came up beside her
"Not true!" Ann ranted. "She doesn't even appreciate her energy." She snapped.
The tree glowed an unruly blue color and soon pain pricked his whole body. He couldn't help but holler out, it was so intense.
"Doom Tree let them go!" Ann said and tried to pry the thick branch away from him. He felt so dizzy, he wanted to throw up. But the tree continued to drain them both. After a while he kinda blacked out and then he was falling. He was caught in someone's arms and lowered to safety. He tried to open his eyes, but was unable to.
~ ~ ~ ~
Serena pushed away the sleep that wanted to claim her mind.
"Let them go Negatrash!" She heard one of the scouts say. She forced her eyes open.
"Sailor Scouts." She managed to moan. The aliens aimed an attack at them and they jumped out of the way. Mars conjured up her firebird, but it quickly dissipated. Mercury and the others had their turn, but they knocked them down. The scouts all fell to the floor, nearly unconscious. Even when they were down, the aliens continued to torment them and hurt them. She felt her anger win over were weariness and she stood up on shaky legs. She transformed and felt a small renewal of energy. She kneeled beside Darien and lifted his head.
"Darien," She began softly. "Are you alright?" she prodded gently. He moaned in pain, vaguely aware of her presence. He lifted a hand she took it. "I'm so sorry, I wanted to tell you all about our past, but I couldn't." she whispered to him, feeling so tired and sad.
"Doesn't look like your boy toy will be interested in hanging around with you." She heard Allen say behind her.
"How could he choose her over me?" Ann asked in disbelief.
"Humans are only good for one thing. Doom tree fertilizer." Allen said in a harsh voice.
"I won't stand for this!" Ann roared and Serena felt a stinging force hit her in the back. She held onto Darien's hand and slid to a stop across the floor.
"Look at that clingy little wimp. Let go of him!" Another burst of energy. Serena tried to shield Darien from the blow. I just have to keep him safe that's all. Oh Darien hang on. She silently prayed.
"Doom tree, since they refuse to separate, drain them both. They're no use to us." Allen ordered.
"No!" She heard Mars cry out. She and the others picked their bruised bodies from off the floor and charged at them, but they were knocked back in their weakened state.
She grabbed her scepter from the space pocket and aimed an attack at Ann, but was incapable of finishing her enchanted words before Ann shot another dark magic attack at her, knocking her back to Darien's side. Her wrist hurt when she landed on it. Darien moaned again and she turned to him, feeling a light of hope.
"Darien, we'll be together again, I promise." She murmured to him. His eyes fluttered open.
"I'm sorry Serena, I should have known you would never hurt me like I thought you did. I was just angry, I didn't mean what I said." He said in a chocked voice. She nodded and kissed his forehead.
"Knock it off!" Ann screeched and shot multiple dark magic at them, ripping the apart. Her head throbbed, but she held onto his hand like a life line. Ann was going crazy with her powers. Don't they ever get drained using so much magic? She felt Darien's grip on her hand slack and she rolled to her side and up to shield him from another powerful attack. Her whole body ached with pain, she swore she saw stars swim around her head. She braced herself for another one.
"Don't." She heard Darien plead behind her. But she had to do this, it was her job and she would protect him. She owed him that and a lot more.
"Even braver than I thought." Allen breathed. She glared up at them.
"You don't know what bravery is, or friendship. All you know is evil." She spat at them. Allen's eyes widened with hurt and realization.
"That's right, so glad you finally noticed." Ann told her with a sinister grin. She opened her hand and Serena slid back, keeping her hand up in defense. "Renounce your love for Darien and I might spare you." Serena looked at her in disbelief. Was she crazy? Just a moment ago she wanted to kill them both.
"No! Love can't be taken away." She said.
"Sentimental fool." Ann muttered. She raised her hand again. Serena didn't know if she could take another attack. She was already weak and weary. There was a flash and she braced her body for another wave of pain, but when it didn't come she looked up and saw Darien in front of her, warding off the attack. She gasped. Three more attack and Darien fell. She caught his heavy body in her arms.
"Darien, let me do this. You're too weak. Let me protect you." She whispered urgently in his ear and turned her body so that Ann's next attack hit her instead. Tears from pain and worry ran down her face.
Allen said something softly to Ann.
"You're just weak Allen." Ann scoffed.
"No you're the one who's weak. All you know are hatred, vengeance and jealousy." She heard Jupiter say.
"Shut up!" Ann roared and held up her hand. Serena wanted to run and protect the scouts. They couldn't withhold another attack from her. A white rose came sailing down. The Moonlight Knight stood on a thick branch.
"It looks like a bad scene Sailor scouts, but nothing we can't handle." He assured them all. "These misfits can be beaten."
"Misfits?" Ann cried out on protest. "I'll show you what this misfit can do!"
"You're blinded by jealousy. You just can't bear it that Darien has dumped you." He snickered at her. Like they were ever together, Serena thought a little dryly. Ann shot an attack at him and he was hurled back into the trunk of the tree. Serena gasped.
"Moonlight Knight!" She whispered when he disappeared. They ground began to shake and the tree branched began to flay wildly, knocking Ann and Allen around. Sharp points were aimed at Allen and Serena gasped when Ann pushed him out of the way. The sharp branch stuck her deeply in the chest. Allen cried out and caught her falling figure. Blood tricked from the side of her mouth. They murmured silently together. Serena saw tears running down Ann's pale face, and then her hand fell limp to her side.
"Ann, don't leave me!" Allen yelled with so much pain, she clutched Darien tighter to her and buried her face in his silky hair. The tree twitched again and she looked up to see a sharp branch aimed at Allen. Allen looked back. There was defeat in his eyes and he turned back to Ann and bowed over her body. "I'll be with you shortly." She heard him say. Her heart broke and she turned to the tree.
"Stop this now!" She cried out. The sharp branch halted and slithered back.
"You think so Sailor Moon?" A spooky voice asked her. She blinked and looked at the tree.
"You can talk?" She asked in a squeaky voice. Lights exploded from the massive tree. She felt herself falling.
"Where are we?" She asked looking around in confusion. It was dark and faint lights were barely seen.
"I think we're in the mind of the tree." Allen spoke up behind her. She jumped.
"Let me tell you my story." The tree said and began her story. A sad story about how her children were turned to the negaverse.
"Sailor Moon? A favor?" The tree asked gently.
"Sure." She whispered and the tree told her to heal it. She picked up her scepter from the ground by broken concrete and aimed her attack at it. The tree glowed.
"I am free." It breathed and then disappeared. Serena dropped her scepter.
"Oh no! I killed the tree!" She whimpered.
"No Sailor Moon, you healed it." Serena looked behind her to see the Moonlight Knight standing next to her.
"I-I thought you disappeared." She said a bit nervously. There was a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"Sailor Moon, Serena, Moon Princess." He breathed her name. She felt the warmness of his breath on her cheek even though his mouth was covered.
"You know all that?" She asked, gazing into his deep blue eyes. Their faces were inches apart and she made no effort to put any distance between them.
"Yes, and now it is time to tell you who I am." He said and reached up and pulled his mask down. Darien's familiar face looked back at her and she softly gasp.
"Darien?" She asked, he eyes roaming over his face. "But how can this be?"
"I'm not really Darien, but the courageous soul of Darien." He said. She shook her head in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"In the battle between Queen Beryl, he lost all his memories of the Moon Kingdom, being Tuxedo Mask and our son, but deep down, he knew that he had to protect the moon princess and the sailor scouts. So I was created to fulfill that mission. I live, only to protect you Sailor Moon, but once I saw you again, I wanted to be with you, thus the nights we spent together."
Serena took a step back. "Those weren't dreams?" She asked, a blush creeping up her cheeks. He chuckled and touched her cheek.
"No, everything was real. But there is no need for me now. Darien has his memory back."
"You're leaving?" She asked and grabbed his hand.
"It's Darien who needs me now Sailor Moon. He's too weak to sustain me much longer. Farwell my Princess, I will always remember you." He whispered and tilted her face up. She smiled into his eyes and they kissed. It was a soft kiss, filled with sweet emotion and love.
"Where will you go?" She asked when he lifted his mouth from hers.
"Where I belong." He said simply and turned into a white mist. He moved past her and entered Darien's body. It was like they were hugging.
~ ~ ~ ~
"Sailor Moon are you there? Sailor Moon?" He shook her shoulders and her eyes fluttered open. He let out a breath of relief.
"Mmm, Darien, is that really you?" She asked and stretched like she was waking from sleep. He nodded, feeling like a whole new person with all his memories back.
"Sure is, and it's great to be back meatball head." He teased her lightly. She smiled and he helped her up.
"Ann? Ann, you came back!" He turned and saw Allen cradling Ann's head, and holding her, much like he was holding Serena.
"I would never leave you Allen." Ann murmured and winked at him.
"Oh look, the tree had come back to life." Serena said pointing at the small seedling glowing and sparkling.
"Look Ann, we got another chance." Allen said and they picked up the seedling.
"They've been healed." Serena said and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Yeah." He said and saw the two aliens float up in the air. They were beginning their journey.
"I think they're going to make it." Serena sighed and the aliens disappeared in the sky.
"So?" Serena twisted around and looked back at the scouts.
"So what?" Darien asked.
"Are you a couple or not?"
"Did you kiss and make up?"
"Yeah, I just remembered like two minutes ago." He said fending off the nosey scouts.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serena starched under the soft covers and opened her eyes. Lazy midnight blue eyes looked down at her.
"What?" She asked, with a little yawn.
"This is the first time I woke up beside you." He said. She smiled and leaned up and kissed him. They had moved in together two weeks after the doom tree fiasco. Ami moved in with Mina. Everything was going great.
She leaned back down and gathered the blankets all around her. "You have to get Caleb this time." She said with a sly grin.
"So what does the day hold for us today?" He said huskily grabbed clean underwear from the drawer. She bit her lip. He became instantly alert. "What?" He demanded.
"Well, I kinda told my parents that you would meet them today." She said hastily. His air constricted.
"What?" He chocked out.
"Yeah, I told them we would be there around noon." She closed the bathroom door before he dashed to stop her.
"Serena! Why didn't you tell me yesterday?" He pounded on the door.
"I knew you would say no! Don't worry, I'm sure my mom will like you." She called out to him.
"What about your father?" He called out. There was a pause. "Serena?" The water turned on and he was left standing outside the door.
~ ~ ~ ~
AN: Look at that finished at 8:30pm. Well, one more chapter can you believe it? Darien meets Serena's overprotective father, hummmmmm, wonder what will happen? *WINK* Alright, you know what to do, review me everyone, I need reviews!.........................wow, coming out pretty desperate am I?......lol........