Chapter Twelve
"You sure you don't need me to walk you home?" Kyle asked doubtfully. He and Rachelle were standing outside a restaurant, just finishing up a date. Rachelle smiled. "Kyle, your home's seven blocks in the other direction. Go on, it's only three blocks away, and you've got that test tomorrow, you told me." Kyle sighed and gave her a doubtful look. "This isn't the best part of town." Rachelle leaned close and whispered in his ear. "Hey, I'm a Scout, remember? It's all good." She kissed him lightly on his cheek before turning to walk away down the street, waving back. Kyle watched her go before turning around and starting the walk to his apartment building. Rachelle walked along the deserted, quiet streets. She bit her lip, fears gnawing up her stomach. Truth be told, she was frightened of this place. Glancing around nervously, she kept close to the streetlights, but not so close so that someone could pull up behind her in a car and grab her. She let out a small scream of fright as something moved in a dark alley and raced ahead a few feet, panting, clutching her bracelet close. Her heart was beating so loudly in her ears.she gave a very small smile and breathed deeply, willing herself to calm down. She frowned in annoyance as the sound remained in her ear, very softly now though. Then she realized the sound was not in her ears.no, it was coming from somewhere close behind her.very soft, very careful footsteps. She sped up slightly, a scream starting to well in her heart. "Now, don't panic, Rachelle." She breathed. "Probably just some local gang rapist coming up behind you with a knife about to slit your throat-" "Hey!" A friendly voice called from behind her. Rachelle's legs froze unwillingly. She slowly turned. A man with brown hair and dark eyes was right behind her, not even panting for all he must have sped up to catch her. His grin reminded her of a snake's smile. "What's wrong, sweetling? Where are you going so late at night?" "It's only eleven." Rachelle whispered, pleading with her legs to begin moving again. The man clucked and shook his head. "Too late for a sweet thing like you. Why don't you come along with me? I'll take good-care of you." His eyes roved shamelessly over her. Rachelle clutched her purse close, terror making her limbs quiver. "N-no thank you." "Now, don't be stuck up, sweetie." The man was edging closer, some cologne smell wafting off of him. "I'd like you to come along with me." "Get away from me!" Rachelle cried, raising her bracelet. Too late. The man grabbed both her wrists in one giant hand. Rachelle gasped as her transformer bracelet was shaken loose from her hand. It fell to the ground with a clatter. "Now, what's wrong?" The man asked, dark eyes glinting in triumph, his other hand smothering her mouth. "We're going to become very good friends." Rachelle bit his finger, sinking white teeth deep into flesh. The man cursed and drew it away. She opened her mouth and let out a scream that was quickly silenced as the man raised his hand-and- Her head hit the wall with a loud crack He hit me. She thought dazedly, feeling a bruise welling up on her cheek. Why couldn't she scream?! Sharp, hot hands were fumbling with her shirt now. Rachelle cried out and tried to kick, only to be rewarded with another blow. The man was over her, dark eyes so terrible- "GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!!!!!!!!!!!" Something golden flung the man aside. Rachelle slid down the wall, weeping. Warm hands-familiar hands-grabbed her shoulders. "Rachelle!" A warm voice whispered. "Rachelle, are you all right?!" "Kyle!" She gasped, opening her eyes and flinging arms around his neck. "Oh, Kyle, Kyle, Kyle!!" Kyle gently smoothed his girlfriend's hair. "Hey, are you all right?!" "He-he- " Rachelle gulped. "Where is he?! Where's that-that man- " Kyle jerked his head to the side. Rachelle peered over his shoulder and gasped. "You trying anything, you punk-ass creep?!" Diamond roared, slamming the would-be rapist into the wall. "Were you trying anything?!" "Get off it, bitch!" The man growled, trying to shove her off. This was a big mistake. The creep was on the ground bleeding from his head and mouth within two seconds. Diamond kicked him hard in the stomach. "I said, were you trying anything?!" She yelled, kicking him again and again. The man shook his head, tears squeezing out of his eyes. Diamond picked him up by the scruff of his shirt and threw him over the wall behind them into the park. "I didn't think so." She growled before turning around, eyes beginning to lose their hate-filled look. "Are you all right, Shellie?" She asked, kneeling by her friend. Rachelle nodded before bursting into tears and hugging Diamond close. "No!" She sobbed. "Angie-god-he was-dark eyes-sharp hands- " Diamond smoothed her friend's hair, murmuring soothing words into her ear. "Hey, come on now, no tears." She said gently. "No need for sadness. It's okay, it's over, he won't try it again." Rachelle nodded but only clung tighter to Diamond's bow, crying and crying. Diamond sighed and smoothed her friend's hair, giving Kyle a reassuring smile. "She'll be all right. Just shock." Kyle nodded his head, watching his firecracker sob into the Senshi's outfit. "What happened?!" A voice gasped from behind them as Amethyst and Emerald ran up. "Some-creep- " Kyle's kind voice was livid with anger. "She was almost raped." Emerald clapped a hand to her mouth as Amethyst gasped. "Is she all right?! Did you find her in time?!" "Actually, it was Diamond." Kyle said sheepishly, pointing at the golden girl. "She grabbed me and leapt over several buildings with me. Apparently she felt Shellie's terror or something." Emerald looked down at Diamond, who was still smoothing Rachelle's hair and singing softly to her. "Hey, it's okay." She heard their leader whisper tenderly. "Rachelle, it's okay. It's all over. You can stand this. Come on, stand up." Gulping, Rachelle obeyed, still hanging onto Diamond's shoulders. Diamond beamed like a mother whose toddler has just survived a scrape without tears. It was then that Emerald realized for the first time why Diamond was their leader. "She's our glue." She whispered, looking at Amethyst, who frowned politely. "Huh?" "Diamond. That's why she's our leader. She's the one that holds us together. She couldn't do it alone, and we could fight without her, but we wouldn't be a team. She makes us that way." Amethyst looked puzzled for a moment before she nodded in agreement, eyes full of understanding as she looked at Diamond's face.
* * * Angie skipped merrily down the street, happiness clear on her face. Rachelle was still being comforted by Malorie and Elisha after what had happened last night, but she was definitely feeling better. Angie had a very deep suspicion that part of this might have resulted because of the fact that Kyle had insisted she come home with him that night. But he wouldn't have done anything. Maybe she was just paranoid. Hah. Right. And the Queen of England lived in Spain. Angie mulled over this thought for a few moments, still grinning. If that was what it took to get Rachelle all smiles again, it was completely fine by her. It almost seemed like Rachelle had to play sadness this morning, she had on such an incredibly bright look. She snickered to herself for a few moments. Oh yeah. That look pretty much closed the discussion. Unconsciously she began humming slightly, a familiar tune she had heard many times before, usually on weekdays around four in front of the television. "Fighting evil by moonlight.winning love by daylight.dum-de-dum-dee-dum-dee- dah-dah, so on and so forth, tra-la-la..." She giggled slightly and stopped to look in at a window display of a flower store. A smile lit up her face as she looked at the centerpiece of one particular bouquet. A white rose. Very fitting. Life was perfect. She turned around and ran smack dab into a woman carrying a large amount of shopping bags. Clothes and perfume went flying everywhere. Angie landed on the ground with a thump. "Ow!" She looked up at the woman apologetically. "I-I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going-so sorry- " "You should be sorry, you little brat!" The plump woman-wearing a very expensive fur, oblivious to the fact it was ninety-three degrees out- snapped, bending down to pick up her shopping. "Look at this! Everywhere! All my new things! Ooh-" She glared down at the meek girl. "I certainly hope you're happy, you little clumsy oaf!" Angie's eyes filled slightly. She was not at all ready for this criticism, not so soon after everything had officially been declared wonderful. Her temper was completely gone. "I-I said I was sorry- " She began to help pick up, bending about, handling the expensive clothes and perfumes as carefully as she could. "Give me that!" The woman screeched, yanking the stuff from her grasp. Surprised, Angie let go. Once again, the stuff clattered to the pavement. "Oh, you horrible little swine!" The woman shrieked. "Look at you! You terrible little wretch! You did that on purpose!" She raised a hand as if to slap the golden-haired girl in front of her. Angie stared up at the oncoming hand, bewilderment and injury deep in her eyes. Why was this woman picking on her? Her perfect day was ruined. She closed her eyes and let the tears seep out from underneath, not caring who saw them. A strong hand wrapped firmly around the plump woman's wrist, stopping her before the hit even began its downward descent. "Excuse me." A cold voice said. "But I do not think you should be attempting to hurt this girl." "Let go of me, you man-handler!!!" The woman shrieked. Angie carefully opened one eye. The woman was struggling furiously against a tanned hand that was connected to a blue-sleeve-covered arm that was reaching from behind her. She began beating at the hand furiously with her purse, with very little success. "Oh-oh please-let go!" Angie said in surprise, gently releasing the woman from the firm grip. "I'm sorry, ma'am- " "Just stay away!" The woman screeched, grabbing up her bags. "Stay away from me, you wretch!" And in a flurry of bags and perfume, she whisked away down the street. Tears lined Angie's eyes. "She was so mean." She whispered. "Why? I didn't do anything to her." "Some people are like that, little Cat." A drawling voice said in her ear. Angie turned, a weak smile on her face. "Hello, Alan." She murmured. Damon cupped his Cat's face in one hand, thumb gently running across her cheek, wiping away the slowly falling tears. "Did she hurt you?" He asked in concern. Oh, would that woman get it from him if she was hurt! Angie's usually laughing eyes were swimming in a sea of tears. Angie laughed thickly and wiped her eyes. "Just my feelings." She replied softly. "But-everything was going so well-I should have snapped or something-but I just didn't feel like it." A strange prickling ran over her skin as Alan continued to run a finger lightly over it. Shock waves seemed to be shooting from her cheek. Very suddenly, the woman was completely gone from her mind. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. Damon was amazed at how quickly those tears had dried in her eyes. Her eyes were half-closed now, and she was almost purring, like a lazy cat-the nickname seemed to suit her more than ever. He quickly dropped his hand from her cheek, ignoring his mind yelling at him for letting go. Angie was disappointed when the warmth left her cheeks, but she opened her eyes and smiled brightly anyway. "Thank you, by the way. That snob, trying to hit me- " She clenched her fists and scowled. "Oooh, I wish now I had given her a piece of my mind!" Without warning, she turned and yelled down the street. "Yeah, I hope all your perfume bottles broke, ya hag!! You old witch!!" Damon laughed and gently covered her mouth with his hand. "Whoa, Cat. She's long gone. Don't scare all these nice people." Indeed, several people were staring at them. Angie waved merrily, then turned around to look up at Alan. "What's up? Where are you going?" Damon shrugged, darkness fading in slightly in his eyes. His mind flew back to the conversation he and Ithengil had had not a half hour ago. Ithengil flung him up against the altar. "And what were you doing, saving that Sailor Senshi!?!?" He hissed at him. He shrugged "She deserves a better fight." Ithengil sighed. "Damon, I don't know if you're in lust or have a small crush or whatever, but GET OVER IT!!!! We don't have time for anymore interruptions! Yes, we do have a lot more energy, but not enough yet for you to go prancing around like king of the world!!! So next time we see her, you are going to kill her. Quickly and without delays. Understood?" "Understood." "Understood." Damon muttered under his breath. "Alan?" Startled, Damon looked down at Angie's puzzled expression. "You okay? You kinda spaced out there for a second." Damon forced a smile. "I'm all right." "So.?" Angie said slowly, as if waiting for a reply. "So?" "What's up? Why are you here? An appointment with friends, or something?" She smiled at him, a bright, beaming smile that almost completely healed away the thought of having to kill Diamond. Almost. "Just here for the sake of being here." Damon replied, grinning his quirky smile in return. Angie hesitated, then said slowly. "You-you probably want to do something else, but-um-" She stopped, then said in a rush, "Doyouwannahangoutwitmetoday?" "What?" Angie sighed, and repeated slowly. "Do you want to hang out with me today?" She winced and ducked her head, waiting for amusement, disgust, or even derision to fall. "I'd love to." She heard Alan calmly reply. Her head snapped up. She looked stunned. "What? R-really?!" Damon nodded. There was a pause, then Angie threw her arms up into the air and began dancing. "YAHOO! HAHA!!!! Take that, world!!! Hahaha!!!" Damon watched her leaping about, laughing in puzzlement. "What's wrong with you?" "HAHA!!!" Angie flung her arms around him. "Life is perfect again!! A friend to hang with!! Yay!!" She quickly let go and went frolicking about again, a barely discernible blush on her cheeks. But Damon did notice it. And he smiled. Angie was just beginning to get dizzy from spinning when a warm arm wrapped around her shoulders. She weaved drunkenly for a moment before grinning up at Alan, her body length pressed to his. Something flashed in Damon's memory. Dark room..one single light.some kind of music in the background.and Diamond's laughing eyes, looking up at him, so like hers. Similar thoughts were flying through Angie's mind. He does remind me of Damon, now I think of it. She thought. A twinge of guilt came into her mind as she realized her revelation from a few days ago. But-I love Alan too! I can feel it!! Isn't that like a curse violation?! Besides, Damon is an enemy. Alan's a regular guy. She shook her head and laughed, startling them both out of their thoughts. "Well?" She chirped, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet as she backed away slightly. "Come on! Let's go!" "To where?" Damon asked, one eyebrow rising up. Angie giggled and spread her arms. "Everywhere."
* * * "Has anyone heard from Angie?" Elisha asked. All the girls were at the gym training harder than ever. "Not since the end of the first patrol shift." Mary answered, carefully dodging a laser in the wall. "So where is she?" Lacie asked, trying not to let the concern she felt slip into her voice. "Probably just out somewhere having fun." Rachelle said, watching the punching bag mistrustfully. "I mean, come on, she deserves a break once in a while. We all do." "Still, that's no excuse for playing hooky." Lune said severely. "I may have to hurt her." "Violent kitty, aren't you?" Chase muttered. He was in a corner reading a novel and was being watched very carefully by Lune and Demetri. "Oh, let her alone, Lune." Marisa said from her place high up on a trapeze. To herself, she added softly, "I think Diamond's going through more than we know."
* * * Damon couldn't remember the last time he'd been so happy, if ever. He affectionately watched the golden-haired girl, studying her opposition so carefully, pink tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. "CURSE YOU, YOU EVIL THING!!!!!!!!!" Angie roared, kicking her adversary. The game in front of her blipped a few times in return as the words "GAME OVER" flashed over the screen. Angie scowled at it, muttering black curses. "Stupid game." She growled, turning to look up at Alan, who was watching her in amusement. "What?" She asked, flinging her hair back. "Stupid game always cheats on me! It is too afraid of my great game-playing skills!" She stuck her tongue out at the machine and turned her back on it. "Evil." "I am very sorry the wicked game played a deceitful, unworthy trick." Damon said solemnly, eyes sparkling with laughter. "Oh, shut up." Angie said good-naturedly, smacking his arm. "You're making fun of me, I know it. Cut it out." Damon bowed melodramatically. "As you say, great lady!" Angie smacked him again, then bounced up and down with a squeal. "Oooh, that's right! The carnival's in town! We can go there! Come on!" She grabbed his hand and took off, dragging him after her. "Wait!" Damon yelled in alarm. "What's a carnival?!" Angie looked back at him and giggled. "You'll see!"
* * * Damon blinked rather confusedly at the large, brightly colored construction in front of him. "What is this?" Angie giggled. "No roller coasters in Monaco?" "Roll-er-Co-ster?" Damon inquired, rolling the words around in his mouth. "What's that?" "This, my friend." Angie gestured at the roller coaster-named "The Hurler"- dramatically. "Is the number one greatest invention of our age, next to television and VCRs." Damon stared at her, perplexed. "So what's it do?" Angie grinned, grabbed his hand, and pulled him up into a line full of ten or twelve people. A train of cars pulled into the station. Angie bounced up and down as they got in the one at the front. She yanked the safety bar down on their laps. "Hang on!" She chirped. Damon started as the train began to move forward. "What's happening?" He asked uncertainly as they began to climb a very big hill. Angie giggled, clutching the safety-bar and grinning at him. "I'd hold on, if I were you. First time is usually kind of scary." "First.time.?" Damon repeated slowly as their car carefully inched over the top of the hill. "For what?" The car hesitated, then angled downward and flew down the very steep drop. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!" "WHEEEEEEEHEEEEHEEHEEHEEEHEEEEHEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Damon was yelling his lungs out as this thing sped off with them, turning corners and somersaults with speed and downright insanity. Angie at his side was screaming in mirth, cackling and flinging her arms up in the air. She obviously did not know how extensively run down and hazardous this-this- machine was!!! He could hear the joints and beams creaking under them!! And yet-in an incredibly stupid, crazy way-this was fun. The ride came to an abrupt stop back at the station. Angie grabbed his arm, screaming with laughter. "HAHAHA!!!! WHOO-HOO!!! Man, I absolutely LOVE roller coasters!! Even these creepy rickety carnival ones." She giggled dazedly. "Wait a sec- " Damon pushed bluish hair out of his eyes. "You knew this thing's hazardous?!" Angie nodded with a laugh. "I know, it's really unstable and probably could break at any time-but I just LOVE these things!!" She giggled again. Damon sighed, then attempted to stand. He couldn't. "Um-Angie?" "Yeah?" "How does this thing go up?" Angie stared at him. "You just push it up, silly!" She demonstrated. Nothing. "Uh-oh." "So-now what?" Damon asked sarcastically, yanking up harder. A metallic voice bleeped on and said, "Please keep your safety-breaks down, hands and legs inside the car at all times, and enjoy your ride!!" "Oh, no." Damon muttered as they began climbing the hill again. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!" "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Six rides later.. "Okay, there is NO way I am going on again!" Angie growled, pulling up hard on the thing. "The first three times were fun, but now this is just boring! Hey, can we get some help?! Hello!!" Damon sighed, then glanced down at the evil bar. It seemed to be smirking at him. There was a sharp "snap!" Angie turned back around to find Alan calmly holding the bar that was no longer attached to its hinges. "Okay." He said calmly, tossing it away and standing up. "Let's go." Angie stared at him as they walked down the ramp back into the crowds. Then, without any warning, she completely cracked up. Damon pounded her gently on the back as she roared with laughter, choking and gasping, tears running down her face. "Why didn't you do that earlier?!" She demanded through her howls. Damon shrugged, an apologetic smile on his face. "I have no idea. I guess I just didn't think of it." Angie nodded. This made more sense than it didn't. "Wanna hit the Midway?" "The what?" "Oh, just come on." Five minutes later, Damon was staring at a stack of white bottles in some confusion. "So let me get this straight." The game clerk-a snobby looking well-endowed blond girl with fingernails the size of hummingbirds and who was snapping a piece of gum impatiently- sighed. "You throw the ball at the bottles. You knock all three down, you get a prize." She indicated the large stuffed tigers and bunnies above them. Angie squeaked with joy as she spotted a large bunny. "Oooh! A pink one! Lemme try, lemme try!" She forked over a dollar. The clerk gave her a baseball, then leaned back on the counter, a smug sneer on her face. Angie leaned back, then threw it with not bad accuracy or strength. The ball hit the center of the bottles-and only knocked over the top one. "Oh." The clerk said in false sympathy. "Tough luck, sweetie. Maybe next time." Angie sighed, then glared at the remaining bottles. "Should've known." She muttered to Alan. "This entire thing is set up. No one can knock all three over." She sighed and did her best to look cheerful. Damon considered her for a moment. Behind his back, he quickly transfigured a dollar bill into the air. He handed it to the arcade woman, who looked him up and down with a snort. "So, you wanna try, handsome?" She asked mockingly, handing another baseball over to Damon. Angie sighed. "You're wasting your money, Alan. This thing is jipped." She glared at the woman, who rolled her eyes and blew a bubble. Damon leaned back, smiling a little as he infused some energy into the ball. He threw it with all his strength. BAM!!!!!! The bottles went flying in multiple directions. Damon grinned triumphantly at the shocked look on the clerk's face. Angie squealed and bounced up and down, hugging him. "HAH!!!! Go, Alan!! Man, that was truly beautiful!!!!" Damon gave her a sideways hug while he smirked at the attendant. The girl's face changed in an instant. She smiled slowly at Damon. "Hmmm, you must work out, huh?" She asked drawlingly, running a finger lightly up and down his arm. Damon suddenly felt very uncomfortable. "Can we please get our prize?" He asked. Beside him, Angie was beginning to snicker. "Which one, cutie?" The girl asked, leaning towards her and showing off more than was strictly necessary. Angie's snickers began to grow louder. Damon leaned back awkwardly. "Um, the large-" He looked at Angie. "Pink bunny!" She finished excitedly, wrapping an arm firmly around his very visibly. The girl's face fell slightly, but she snorted a little before turning about and stretching up to reach the large bunny. She handed it to him with a bright smile. "Hey, can I get your phone number?" Damon blinked at her, confused. "I don't have one." This was too much. Angie screamed with laughter and pulled him away from the girl's crestfallen and puzzled expression. "Oh my God!" She chortled as soon as they were far enough away, clutching the pink bunny with both arms and hugging it close. "Whew! Took the wind right out of her sails, let me tell you!" She snickered. "Do you seriously not have a phone number?" "What's a phone number?" Damon asked curiously. "More, what's a phone?" Angie sighed. "Monaco must be the most isolated place in the universe. A phone is an invention that lets you communicate over long distance by transferring your sound waves into energy." The amused look on her face grew to seriousness as she fought to remember. "The energy goes soaring over telephone lines until it goes to the person you want it to. Everyone with a phone has a phone number. So you dial in this number to talk to a certain person. Understand?" Damon blinked at her. "Um-I think so." Angie laughed, solemnity gone from her voice. "But the way that clerk was trying to hit on you-HAH!!!!! Path-et-ic!! Though, come to think of it, she was very pretty. Why didn't you go for her?" Damon shrugged. "Not my type." Angie giggled and skipped ahead slightly as she saw the swings. "And what is your type?" She called back over her shoulder. Damon did not reply. He merely watched the happy gold girl dancing about in the sunshine.
* * * Several hours later, around five o'clock, Angie was clutching onto Alan's arm and roaring with laughter. They had been on almost every ride at the park, even the kiddy ones-and the look on those people's faces when they got in line and rode on the itty-bitty bumper cars-! She giggled and sighed, leaning her head on Alan's arm as they reached the top of a hill. Nearby they heard a moan. Angie turned to see a sad old man-who looked suspiciously like Mr. Rogers-lying in a gutter, crying. Beside him, Mary was patting his head and feeding him a banana, clucking and petting him. "Mary?" Angie asked uncertainly, walking over. "What on earth- " Mary looked up with a relieved grin. "There you are! Where've you been, you idiot?! We've been worried about you! Didn't check in, didn't call-" Her eyes moved past her, and widened. "Hiya, Alan!!" She called with a wave. Alan waved back. "What are you doing?" Angie asked seriously, pointing down at the weeping old man. Mary grinned evilly and scratched the man's head. "I stole his wheelchair yesterday and he's been here ever since." "You did WHAT?!?!" Angie demanded, shaking Mary by the shoulders. "WHY?!" "I always wanted to ride down that hill in a wheelchair!!" Mary said defensively, pointing to the large hill Angie and Alan had just climbed up. "And so yesterday I stole this dude's wheelchair-oh, there, there." She said soothingly as the man let out an extra loud wail. "And he's just sort of been sitting here crying ever since." Angie sighed. "Get him home RIGHT NOW, Mary!!" She growled. "And I mean it!!" Mary saluted smartly. "Yessir!!" She yanked the old man off and ran away with him, cackling insanely as the man wheezed and puffed, trying to keep up. Angie sighed and shook her head. "And that's one of my best friends." She muttered to Alan as she jogged back to him. "Man! Completely, totally crazy." "It shows." Damon replied, staring after Mary in wonderment. "Was she dropped on her head as a child?" Angie laughed a little. "Not that I know of. Of course, that would explain everything." "The ears of a fox catch all!!!" Mary yelled from quite some distance away. Angie giggled as Damon stared. "How did she hear?" He asked Angie. "Mary's senses have always been-better than most." Her eyes suddenly sharpened on a nearby alley. A brown-haired man with dark eyes was sitting in front of it, smoking a cigarette. He was watching her in a very rude way. "Oh, I remember you all right, buddy." Angie growled under her breath, glaring at the man. "Pardon?" Damon asked, looking at the creep also. He was eyeing his little cat in a way that Damon did not like at all. "That creep tried to rape my best friend." Angie hissed, anger clear in light blue eyes. "Rape?" Angie turned bewildered eyes on Alan. "Rape. You know." She cleared her throat and blushed. "What's rape?" Damon asked curiously, eyes dancing. He knew what it was, of course, but this was interesting and humorous. "Well, it's-" Angie looked up in his eyes and saw the expression there. "ARGH!!! You idiot!! You knew what it was!! You pervert! Sicko!" She laughed and hit his shoulder. Damon winced. She punched hard for a fourteen-year-old girl. "This creep tried to rape who last night?" He asked to avoid getting hit again. "Rachelle." Angie answered, righteous detestation flaring again. "She was terrified, the poor thing-though I saw the scar on his finger, she must've bit him pretty good- " The brown-haired man leered at her from his alleyway. "Okay, that's it!!" Angie growled, puffing herself up like a mother hen. "Just a sec, please, Alan. I'm going to give this creep a bit more of a lesson!" She walked away, muttering under her breath. "I mean, Sailor D must not have given him enough of one." "Sailor D?!" Damon demanded, grabbing her shoulder. "Sailor Diamond?! She saved your friend?!" Angie looked up at him, eyes widening in surprise. "Yeah, she did. Why?" Damon forced himself to let go. "Nothing, I just-" He gave a slightly forced smile. "Sailor Diamond-she's cool, you know?" Angie giggled. "Yeah, she's my favorite." She whirled around and stalked towards the man. "Mine too." Damon whispered under his breath. "Mine too." The man slowly stood up as Angie drew closer. He grinned at her in a way that made her blood boil. "Hey, there, innocence. Come to talk to me?" Angie glared at him, eyes turning like the blue flame found in the hottest of fires. "You nearly raped my friend last night, you pervert." The man threw his hands up in mock dignity. "I don't need to rape anyone! They- " he smiled at her, "-come to me. Besides, how do you know it was me?" "Trust me." Angie said, face deadpan. "I know." The man shrugged and moved towards her slightly. "I think your friend more came onto me, sweetheart- " "LIAR!!!!!!" The man was flung back against the wall of the alley, a fury of a girl grabbing him by the throat. "Whoa, toots, can't we find a room first?" The man joked, trying to remove her fingers from his throat. Angie only clenched harder. The man began to gasp for air. "You dare-" She hissed. "You dare try anything like that ever again, I will find you. And I will kill you, make no mistake. And I don't care if the law comes down on me also. I will kill you!!!" The man wheezed as she let him go, dropping to the ground. "You're-you're crazy!" He gasped. "Nah." Angie answered coldly, walking away. "Just a bit overprotective." Damon whistled as the girl stalked back up to him. "Have a nice talk?" "I hear any more reports of rape downtown, I'm going to go right to that creep and kill him." Angie told him peevishly, clenching her fists. "I mean it. One little hint-" She made a violent motion with her hands. Damon sighed. "Don't get yourself in trouble, all right? Some of these guys are dangerous." Angie grinned, a secretive grin. "I'll just get Sailor Diamond to come along with me and help!" "I think she's a bit busy saving the world from the bad guys, don't you?" Damon retorted, wincing inside slightly. He hadn't really thought of himself from a human's point of view before. Angie shrugged. "She'll come. Her people mean a lot to her. To all of them." Damon shook his head. "She won't. The bad guys-they take up a lot of her time, I'll bet." Angie put her hands on her hips and glared up at him. "She would come!! Diamond cares a lot about others! She understands that a lot of people are in pain now!! She'll fight evil on the streets, not just the stupid general-bad guys!" "How do you know?" Damon challenged. "Do you know her?!" "As a matter of fact, I have met her!!" Angie growled, putting her nose up in the air. "And they're wonderful. They all are." Damon snickered. "Bet I know her better." "Hah!" Angie sniffed. "What, she rescued you?!" "Um-yes." Damon replied uncomfortably. "Liar." Angie said cheerfully. "Complete, total liar." "Well, she didn't save you either, I bet." Damon snapped. He couldn't remember seeing her anywhere near the battles. "She saves me every time she goes into battle against the evil." Angie answered calmly. I save everyone. I care about everyone. Every life form on this planet means something to me. Even the creepy or evil ones. Damon sighed. "Fine." He grinned down at her. "But then, how do you know her personally, eh?" Angie's eyes twinkled. "Oh, that's my secret." Her eyes lit up as she looked across the street. "Oooh! Look!! The park! Happy! Let's go!" She grabbed Alan's hand and raced into the park, skidding to a stop beside a row of daffodils and honeysuckle. She stared at them, entranced. "Oh..." "What?" Damon asked, looking down at the vegetation. "They're just plants." Angie turned bewildered blue eyes on him. "Only plants? These aren't only plants, my friend. These are-" She gazed reverently at the flowers. "These are beautiful. Think of this: probably not a week ago, these were just little sprouts sticking their tiny heads out of the ground. And now." She smiled at the pretty yellow and white heads turned up at her. "They're magnificent jewels. They're beautiful. And in another week, a lot of these will wilt and die, but their beauty might have touched dozens, maybe hundreds, by that time, and made them just a bit happier." Damon's heart gave a funny little jerk in his chest. The glazed look over those eyes, blue as a summer's day.the way her lips curved up just slightly into a tiny smile.her hair coiled around her shoulders, falling in waves to the middle of her back.it was all just a little too much. An idea sprang into his mind, and he thanked whatever divinity was listening for at least a shred of brilliance. Angie blinked in surprise as Alan lightly hit her shoulder and took off across the grass, long legs moving incredibly fast. "Tag!" He yelled back. "You're it!" "What?!" She yelled as Alan ran away. "Alan!!!" "It's a game, remember?!" He called back, already a long way off. "It's fun!" Angie laughed as she began to try to catch up, speeding over the grass. "Wait!" She gasped, breathless. Alan was still running, and he had a head start. "Wait for me!!" Damon laughed and turned, running backwards as smoothly as if he was flying. Angie raced along, panting slightly. He slowed enough to let her catch up, then, without warning, he grabbed her around her waist. Angie shrieked as she suddenly found herself being carried. "Alan!" She screeched, laughing insanely. "Put me down!!" The ground was flying by a few feet beneath her. How fast could this kid run?! Damon chuckled as Angie twisted around in his arms so she could pound his chest slightly. "What are you doing?!" She cried, giggling. Damon grinned down at her as his destination came close. A soft splashing of sound came into Angie's hearing, and a soft mist sprayed on the back of her head and shoulders. She turned her head sideways, and shrieked. The fountain in the center of the park was just beneath her, the spray from the top of it falling gently down on her. With a quirky grin, Alan lifted her over the pool in the fountain's center. Angie shrieked and clutched tightly to his shirt. "Alan!" She screamed. "Don't you dare drop me, you idiot!!" She was laughing at the same time that she cried out. Damon chuckled mischievously. He pretended to drop her, letting his arms fall an inch or so. Angie squealed and clutched tighter at him. "Alan! Don't! Don't you dare!" She said, half-screaming in laughter. Damon grinned. "Say I'm the best." He ordered. Angie gasped, eyes twinkling. "Blackmail! Never!" "Say I am a truly gifted person who is a wonderfully strong, handsome, and brave knight in armor." Damon ordered, holding her even further out. "Or I'll drop you!" Angie shrieked as the spray wet her face. "All right! You are a truly gifted person who is wonderfully strong and brave knight in armor!" "You forgot handsome." Damon teased. "Handsome!" Angie yelled as he made to drop her. "Handsome! Beautiful! Stunning! Now don't drop me!!" Damon laughed and carefully pulled back away from over the fountain. Angie sagged in his arms, still clutching his shirt, laughing and gasping as she wiped her face on her sleeve. Unintentionally, she snuggled into his chest. The laughter died on Damon's lips as the golden haired mortal snuggled into his side. His heart gave the same funny twist he had felt earlier, only this time it went on and on, not fading for an instant, merely growing as he studied her cheeks, her eyes, her hair, her lips. Angie beamed up at Alan-and her smile faded slightly. He was studying her in a way that suddenly made her feel boiling hot all over. She licked her lips, suddenly nervous. Damon's eyes fastened on her tongue as it peeked out from in between pink lips and tiny white teeth. Something was raging through him-something warm, something that he had felt when Diamond smiled at him. His arms tightened instinctively around the girl. Angie stared up at Alan's eyes, hands wrapped around his neck. The light blue in them was fading to a deep rich blue, almost black. She stared into them, fascinated. "Alan." She began softly. Damon stared down at the girl as her sky-colored eyes flashed with shyness and something hot and fiery. She was so warm in his arms-why wasn't she on fire? Slowly, his head bent down towards hers. Angie closed her eyes. His breath was warm on her face as he bent towards her. She felt giddy, almost weightless. The familiar feeling of warm affection and love was soaring through her veins. Damon half-smiled as Angie's eyelashes closed together, a fine vapor misting over them from the fountain. He slowly closed his own eyes- Unbidden, a thought of Angie flashed across his mind, only Ithengil was there, angry because he cared for another-black energy-consuming her- killing her-that purity, that bright flame of life that had drawn him like a moth out of the darkness, gone forever- Damon quickly pulled back away from those tempting lips. He gently placed the girl on the ground. She swayed on her feet for a moment, confusion deep in her eyes. "Alan-" Damon turned away from her pleading eyes. "You should go." He told her, voice rough and firm. "I-I'm sorry." It was incredible how she felt around this man. A moment ago, she would have easily claimed to be the happiest girl on Earth. And now her heart was breaking down the center, splintering into a million pieces. "O-okay." She whispered, voice breaking. "I-I'll see you another time, I guess." I should have known. He's too wonderful, too perfect for someone like me. Tears fogging her vision, she turned and flew out of the park as fast as her feet could take her. Damon sighed as he watched her run away, something tearing deep in his chest. He scooped up a handful of water from the fountain and rubbed his face with it. He could not be with her. She didn't even know what he was!! And if she did.she'd hate him. She'd have to. He pounded the marble base of the pond in frustration. The two people he actually cared for-both torn from his grasp because of his stupid identity. A soft step on the ground behind him made Damon swing around. An old man leaning on a walking cane was eyeing him from a few feet away, eyes keen and intent from under gray, bushy eyebrows. "May I help you, sir?" Damon asked with a hint of a snarl in his voice, wishing the man would go away. "No, but I believe that I can help you, if you'll take my advice." The man replied in a gravelly voice. "Speak." Damon said, wondering what this was about. The man chuckled. "I am old, and lord knows my senses are not what they once were. Yet even my failing ears could hear that young girl's heart breaking, and my eyes could still discern the tears in those pretty eyes." He studied Damon intently. "And they can still see the love in your eyes, young sir." Damon shifted uncomfortably. "It's truly no business of yours- " "Why do you push her away?" The old man asked bluntly. "It is obvious you are in love with her, and she with you. Why not take advantage of this? I assure you, young master, that not many people find their soul mates in this world. Why pass up this opportunity and let your other half run away from you?" "Sir," Damon growled. "If I wasn't in such a confused mood, I would probably kill you instead of answering your questions. But she is so young- " "And you're so ancient, I see." If only he knew! "-very young, and innocent. She is as pure and wonderful as they make them. I am not." Damon pounded his forehead in frustration. "I have secrets, and dark ones at that. I am not who she believes me to be! Would you have me break that innocence?! All right, I'll admit she was wonderful-god, she was like the sun in my arms-I can't take that away! I won't!" With this firm statement delivered, and the man seemingly not having a reply, Damon turned away, fully intending to go back to the base. Words came softly like magic out of the old man's mouth- "Would you have her turn into the sun anywhere else?" Damon froze unwillingly, eyes and expression blank. The old man continued. "That girl is beautiful and charming and wonderful, young man. She will not go unnoticed. Another will pick her up, and he would perhaps not treat her as kindly as I believe you would." Damon's fists clenched involuntarily. "Would you have her heart go to another? If it is not you, then someone else shall. As for you not being who she believes you to be-she loves you. She will understand." With a quiet chuckle, the man began to stiffly walk away across the grass. Damon stood frozen for a few minutes, staring off into the sunset. The man had hit every possible weak spot he could. The thought of his little cat in another's arms made him very much insane with jealousy. And if anyone would understand about his predicament, it'd be her. His head lifted, and had anyone been around to see, they would have seen eyes as clear and deep as the ocean, without any doubt whatsoever He calmly turned around and began to run in the direction that his angel had disappeared, heart singing in his chest.
::BLINK:: Wow.people actually demanding I update? YAY! ::squeals:: Wheeeeee! Sorry for the delay.my life has been rather incredibly hectic. It's better now, though. Next chapter should come soon!
"You sure you don't need me to walk you home?" Kyle asked doubtfully. He and Rachelle were standing outside a restaurant, just finishing up a date. Rachelle smiled. "Kyle, your home's seven blocks in the other direction. Go on, it's only three blocks away, and you've got that test tomorrow, you told me." Kyle sighed and gave her a doubtful look. "This isn't the best part of town." Rachelle leaned close and whispered in his ear. "Hey, I'm a Scout, remember? It's all good." She kissed him lightly on his cheek before turning to walk away down the street, waving back. Kyle watched her go before turning around and starting the walk to his apartment building. Rachelle walked along the deserted, quiet streets. She bit her lip, fears gnawing up her stomach. Truth be told, she was frightened of this place. Glancing around nervously, she kept close to the streetlights, but not so close so that someone could pull up behind her in a car and grab her. She let out a small scream of fright as something moved in a dark alley and raced ahead a few feet, panting, clutching her bracelet close. Her heart was beating so loudly in her ears.she gave a very small smile and breathed deeply, willing herself to calm down. She frowned in annoyance as the sound remained in her ear, very softly now though. Then she realized the sound was not in her ears.no, it was coming from somewhere close behind her.very soft, very careful footsteps. She sped up slightly, a scream starting to well in her heart. "Now, don't panic, Rachelle." She breathed. "Probably just some local gang rapist coming up behind you with a knife about to slit your throat-" "Hey!" A friendly voice called from behind her. Rachelle's legs froze unwillingly. She slowly turned. A man with brown hair and dark eyes was right behind her, not even panting for all he must have sped up to catch her. His grin reminded her of a snake's smile. "What's wrong, sweetling? Where are you going so late at night?" "It's only eleven." Rachelle whispered, pleading with her legs to begin moving again. The man clucked and shook his head. "Too late for a sweet thing like you. Why don't you come along with me? I'll take good-care of you." His eyes roved shamelessly over her. Rachelle clutched her purse close, terror making her limbs quiver. "N-no thank you." "Now, don't be stuck up, sweetie." The man was edging closer, some cologne smell wafting off of him. "I'd like you to come along with me." "Get away from me!" Rachelle cried, raising her bracelet. Too late. The man grabbed both her wrists in one giant hand. Rachelle gasped as her transformer bracelet was shaken loose from her hand. It fell to the ground with a clatter. "Now, what's wrong?" The man asked, dark eyes glinting in triumph, his other hand smothering her mouth. "We're going to become very good friends." Rachelle bit his finger, sinking white teeth deep into flesh. The man cursed and drew it away. She opened her mouth and let out a scream that was quickly silenced as the man raised his hand-and- Her head hit the wall with a loud crack He hit me. She thought dazedly, feeling a bruise welling up on her cheek. Why couldn't she scream?! Sharp, hot hands were fumbling with her shirt now. Rachelle cried out and tried to kick, only to be rewarded with another blow. The man was over her, dark eyes so terrible- "GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!!!!!!!!!!!" Something golden flung the man aside. Rachelle slid down the wall, weeping. Warm hands-familiar hands-grabbed her shoulders. "Rachelle!" A warm voice whispered. "Rachelle, are you all right?!" "Kyle!" She gasped, opening her eyes and flinging arms around his neck. "Oh, Kyle, Kyle, Kyle!!" Kyle gently smoothed his girlfriend's hair. "Hey, are you all right?!" "He-he- " Rachelle gulped. "Where is he?! Where's that-that man- " Kyle jerked his head to the side. Rachelle peered over his shoulder and gasped. "You trying anything, you punk-ass creep?!" Diamond roared, slamming the would-be rapist into the wall. "Were you trying anything?!" "Get off it, bitch!" The man growled, trying to shove her off. This was a big mistake. The creep was on the ground bleeding from his head and mouth within two seconds. Diamond kicked him hard in the stomach. "I said, were you trying anything?!" She yelled, kicking him again and again. The man shook his head, tears squeezing out of his eyes. Diamond picked him up by the scruff of his shirt and threw him over the wall behind them into the park. "I didn't think so." She growled before turning around, eyes beginning to lose their hate-filled look. "Are you all right, Shellie?" She asked, kneeling by her friend. Rachelle nodded before bursting into tears and hugging Diamond close. "No!" She sobbed. "Angie-god-he was-dark eyes-sharp hands- " Diamond smoothed her friend's hair, murmuring soothing words into her ear. "Hey, come on now, no tears." She said gently. "No need for sadness. It's okay, it's over, he won't try it again." Rachelle nodded but only clung tighter to Diamond's bow, crying and crying. Diamond sighed and smoothed her friend's hair, giving Kyle a reassuring smile. "She'll be all right. Just shock." Kyle nodded his head, watching his firecracker sob into the Senshi's outfit. "What happened?!" A voice gasped from behind them as Amethyst and Emerald ran up. "Some-creep- " Kyle's kind voice was livid with anger. "She was almost raped." Emerald clapped a hand to her mouth as Amethyst gasped. "Is she all right?! Did you find her in time?!" "Actually, it was Diamond." Kyle said sheepishly, pointing at the golden girl. "She grabbed me and leapt over several buildings with me. Apparently she felt Shellie's terror or something." Emerald looked down at Diamond, who was still smoothing Rachelle's hair and singing softly to her. "Hey, it's okay." She heard their leader whisper tenderly. "Rachelle, it's okay. It's all over. You can stand this. Come on, stand up." Gulping, Rachelle obeyed, still hanging onto Diamond's shoulders. Diamond beamed like a mother whose toddler has just survived a scrape without tears. It was then that Emerald realized for the first time why Diamond was their leader. "She's our glue." She whispered, looking at Amethyst, who frowned politely. "Huh?" "Diamond. That's why she's our leader. She's the one that holds us together. She couldn't do it alone, and we could fight without her, but we wouldn't be a team. She makes us that way." Amethyst looked puzzled for a moment before she nodded in agreement, eyes full of understanding as she looked at Diamond's face.
* * * Angie skipped merrily down the street, happiness clear on her face. Rachelle was still being comforted by Malorie and Elisha after what had happened last night, but she was definitely feeling better. Angie had a very deep suspicion that part of this might have resulted because of the fact that Kyle had insisted she come home with him that night. But he wouldn't have done anything. Maybe she was just paranoid. Hah. Right. And the Queen of England lived in Spain. Angie mulled over this thought for a few moments, still grinning. If that was what it took to get Rachelle all smiles again, it was completely fine by her. It almost seemed like Rachelle had to play sadness this morning, she had on such an incredibly bright look. She snickered to herself for a few moments. Oh yeah. That look pretty much closed the discussion. Unconsciously she began humming slightly, a familiar tune she had heard many times before, usually on weekdays around four in front of the television. "Fighting evil by moonlight.winning love by daylight.dum-de-dum-dee-dum-dee- dah-dah, so on and so forth, tra-la-la..." She giggled slightly and stopped to look in at a window display of a flower store. A smile lit up her face as she looked at the centerpiece of one particular bouquet. A white rose. Very fitting. Life was perfect. She turned around and ran smack dab into a woman carrying a large amount of shopping bags. Clothes and perfume went flying everywhere. Angie landed on the ground with a thump. "Ow!" She looked up at the woman apologetically. "I-I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going-so sorry- " "You should be sorry, you little brat!" The plump woman-wearing a very expensive fur, oblivious to the fact it was ninety-three degrees out- snapped, bending down to pick up her shopping. "Look at this! Everywhere! All my new things! Ooh-" She glared down at the meek girl. "I certainly hope you're happy, you little clumsy oaf!" Angie's eyes filled slightly. She was not at all ready for this criticism, not so soon after everything had officially been declared wonderful. Her temper was completely gone. "I-I said I was sorry- " She began to help pick up, bending about, handling the expensive clothes and perfumes as carefully as she could. "Give me that!" The woman screeched, yanking the stuff from her grasp. Surprised, Angie let go. Once again, the stuff clattered to the pavement. "Oh, you horrible little swine!" The woman shrieked. "Look at you! You terrible little wretch! You did that on purpose!" She raised a hand as if to slap the golden-haired girl in front of her. Angie stared up at the oncoming hand, bewilderment and injury deep in her eyes. Why was this woman picking on her? Her perfect day was ruined. She closed her eyes and let the tears seep out from underneath, not caring who saw them. A strong hand wrapped firmly around the plump woman's wrist, stopping her before the hit even began its downward descent. "Excuse me." A cold voice said. "But I do not think you should be attempting to hurt this girl." "Let go of me, you man-handler!!!" The woman shrieked. Angie carefully opened one eye. The woman was struggling furiously against a tanned hand that was connected to a blue-sleeve-covered arm that was reaching from behind her. She began beating at the hand furiously with her purse, with very little success. "Oh-oh please-let go!" Angie said in surprise, gently releasing the woman from the firm grip. "I'm sorry, ma'am- " "Just stay away!" The woman screeched, grabbing up her bags. "Stay away from me, you wretch!" And in a flurry of bags and perfume, she whisked away down the street. Tears lined Angie's eyes. "She was so mean." She whispered. "Why? I didn't do anything to her." "Some people are like that, little Cat." A drawling voice said in her ear. Angie turned, a weak smile on her face. "Hello, Alan." She murmured. Damon cupped his Cat's face in one hand, thumb gently running across her cheek, wiping away the slowly falling tears. "Did she hurt you?" He asked in concern. Oh, would that woman get it from him if she was hurt! Angie's usually laughing eyes were swimming in a sea of tears. Angie laughed thickly and wiped her eyes. "Just my feelings." She replied softly. "But-everything was going so well-I should have snapped or something-but I just didn't feel like it." A strange prickling ran over her skin as Alan continued to run a finger lightly over it. Shock waves seemed to be shooting from her cheek. Very suddenly, the woman was completely gone from her mind. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. Damon was amazed at how quickly those tears had dried in her eyes. Her eyes were half-closed now, and she was almost purring, like a lazy cat-the nickname seemed to suit her more than ever. He quickly dropped his hand from her cheek, ignoring his mind yelling at him for letting go. Angie was disappointed when the warmth left her cheeks, but she opened her eyes and smiled brightly anyway. "Thank you, by the way. That snob, trying to hit me- " She clenched her fists and scowled. "Oooh, I wish now I had given her a piece of my mind!" Without warning, she turned and yelled down the street. "Yeah, I hope all your perfume bottles broke, ya hag!! You old witch!!" Damon laughed and gently covered her mouth with his hand. "Whoa, Cat. She's long gone. Don't scare all these nice people." Indeed, several people were staring at them. Angie waved merrily, then turned around to look up at Alan. "What's up? Where are you going?" Damon shrugged, darkness fading in slightly in his eyes. His mind flew back to the conversation he and Ithengil had had not a half hour ago. Ithengil flung him up against the altar. "And what were you doing, saving that Sailor Senshi!?!?" He hissed at him. He shrugged "She deserves a better fight." Ithengil sighed. "Damon, I don't know if you're in lust or have a small crush or whatever, but GET OVER IT!!!! We don't have time for anymore interruptions! Yes, we do have a lot more energy, but not enough yet for you to go prancing around like king of the world!!! So next time we see her, you are going to kill her. Quickly and without delays. Understood?" "Understood." "Understood." Damon muttered under his breath. "Alan?" Startled, Damon looked down at Angie's puzzled expression. "You okay? You kinda spaced out there for a second." Damon forced a smile. "I'm all right." "So.?" Angie said slowly, as if waiting for a reply. "So?" "What's up? Why are you here? An appointment with friends, or something?" She smiled at him, a bright, beaming smile that almost completely healed away the thought of having to kill Diamond. Almost. "Just here for the sake of being here." Damon replied, grinning his quirky smile in return. Angie hesitated, then said slowly. "You-you probably want to do something else, but-um-" She stopped, then said in a rush, "Doyouwannahangoutwitmetoday?" "What?" Angie sighed, and repeated slowly. "Do you want to hang out with me today?" She winced and ducked her head, waiting for amusement, disgust, or even derision to fall. "I'd love to." She heard Alan calmly reply. Her head snapped up. She looked stunned. "What? R-really?!" Damon nodded. There was a pause, then Angie threw her arms up into the air and began dancing. "YAHOO! HAHA!!!! Take that, world!!! Hahaha!!!" Damon watched her leaping about, laughing in puzzlement. "What's wrong with you?" "HAHA!!!" Angie flung her arms around him. "Life is perfect again!! A friend to hang with!! Yay!!" She quickly let go and went frolicking about again, a barely discernible blush on her cheeks. But Damon did notice it. And he smiled. Angie was just beginning to get dizzy from spinning when a warm arm wrapped around her shoulders. She weaved drunkenly for a moment before grinning up at Alan, her body length pressed to his. Something flashed in Damon's memory. Dark room..one single light.some kind of music in the background.and Diamond's laughing eyes, looking up at him, so like hers. Similar thoughts were flying through Angie's mind. He does remind me of Damon, now I think of it. She thought. A twinge of guilt came into her mind as she realized her revelation from a few days ago. But-I love Alan too! I can feel it!! Isn't that like a curse violation?! Besides, Damon is an enemy. Alan's a regular guy. She shook her head and laughed, startling them both out of their thoughts. "Well?" She chirped, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet as she backed away slightly. "Come on! Let's go!" "To where?" Damon asked, one eyebrow rising up. Angie giggled and spread her arms. "Everywhere."
* * * "Has anyone heard from Angie?" Elisha asked. All the girls were at the gym training harder than ever. "Not since the end of the first patrol shift." Mary answered, carefully dodging a laser in the wall. "So where is she?" Lacie asked, trying not to let the concern she felt slip into her voice. "Probably just out somewhere having fun." Rachelle said, watching the punching bag mistrustfully. "I mean, come on, she deserves a break once in a while. We all do." "Still, that's no excuse for playing hooky." Lune said severely. "I may have to hurt her." "Violent kitty, aren't you?" Chase muttered. He was in a corner reading a novel and was being watched very carefully by Lune and Demetri. "Oh, let her alone, Lune." Marisa said from her place high up on a trapeze. To herself, she added softly, "I think Diamond's going through more than we know."
* * * Damon couldn't remember the last time he'd been so happy, if ever. He affectionately watched the golden-haired girl, studying her opposition so carefully, pink tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. "CURSE YOU, YOU EVIL THING!!!!!!!!!" Angie roared, kicking her adversary. The game in front of her blipped a few times in return as the words "GAME OVER" flashed over the screen. Angie scowled at it, muttering black curses. "Stupid game." She growled, turning to look up at Alan, who was watching her in amusement. "What?" She asked, flinging her hair back. "Stupid game always cheats on me! It is too afraid of my great game-playing skills!" She stuck her tongue out at the machine and turned her back on it. "Evil." "I am very sorry the wicked game played a deceitful, unworthy trick." Damon said solemnly, eyes sparkling with laughter. "Oh, shut up." Angie said good-naturedly, smacking his arm. "You're making fun of me, I know it. Cut it out." Damon bowed melodramatically. "As you say, great lady!" Angie smacked him again, then bounced up and down with a squeal. "Oooh, that's right! The carnival's in town! We can go there! Come on!" She grabbed his hand and took off, dragging him after her. "Wait!" Damon yelled in alarm. "What's a carnival?!" Angie looked back at him and giggled. "You'll see!"
* * * Damon blinked rather confusedly at the large, brightly colored construction in front of him. "What is this?" Angie giggled. "No roller coasters in Monaco?" "Roll-er-Co-ster?" Damon inquired, rolling the words around in his mouth. "What's that?" "This, my friend." Angie gestured at the roller coaster-named "The Hurler"- dramatically. "Is the number one greatest invention of our age, next to television and VCRs." Damon stared at her, perplexed. "So what's it do?" Angie grinned, grabbed his hand, and pulled him up into a line full of ten or twelve people. A train of cars pulled into the station. Angie bounced up and down as they got in the one at the front. She yanked the safety bar down on their laps. "Hang on!" She chirped. Damon started as the train began to move forward. "What's happening?" He asked uncertainly as they began to climb a very big hill. Angie giggled, clutching the safety-bar and grinning at him. "I'd hold on, if I were you. First time is usually kind of scary." "First.time.?" Damon repeated slowly as their car carefully inched over the top of the hill. "For what?" The car hesitated, then angled downward and flew down the very steep drop. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!" "WHEEEEEEEHEEEEHEEHEEHEEEHEEEEHEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Damon was yelling his lungs out as this thing sped off with them, turning corners and somersaults with speed and downright insanity. Angie at his side was screaming in mirth, cackling and flinging her arms up in the air. She obviously did not know how extensively run down and hazardous this-this- machine was!!! He could hear the joints and beams creaking under them!! And yet-in an incredibly stupid, crazy way-this was fun. The ride came to an abrupt stop back at the station. Angie grabbed his arm, screaming with laughter. "HAHAHA!!!! WHOO-HOO!!! Man, I absolutely LOVE roller coasters!! Even these creepy rickety carnival ones." She giggled dazedly. "Wait a sec- " Damon pushed bluish hair out of his eyes. "You knew this thing's hazardous?!" Angie nodded with a laugh. "I know, it's really unstable and probably could break at any time-but I just LOVE these things!!" She giggled again. Damon sighed, then attempted to stand. He couldn't. "Um-Angie?" "Yeah?" "How does this thing go up?" Angie stared at him. "You just push it up, silly!" She demonstrated. Nothing. "Uh-oh." "So-now what?" Damon asked sarcastically, yanking up harder. A metallic voice bleeped on and said, "Please keep your safety-breaks down, hands and legs inside the car at all times, and enjoy your ride!!" "Oh, no." Damon muttered as they began climbing the hill again. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!" "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Six rides later.. "Okay, there is NO way I am going on again!" Angie growled, pulling up hard on the thing. "The first three times were fun, but now this is just boring! Hey, can we get some help?! Hello!!" Damon sighed, then glanced down at the evil bar. It seemed to be smirking at him. There was a sharp "snap!" Angie turned back around to find Alan calmly holding the bar that was no longer attached to its hinges. "Okay." He said calmly, tossing it away and standing up. "Let's go." Angie stared at him as they walked down the ramp back into the crowds. Then, without any warning, she completely cracked up. Damon pounded her gently on the back as she roared with laughter, choking and gasping, tears running down her face. "Why didn't you do that earlier?!" She demanded through her howls. Damon shrugged, an apologetic smile on his face. "I have no idea. I guess I just didn't think of it." Angie nodded. This made more sense than it didn't. "Wanna hit the Midway?" "The what?" "Oh, just come on." Five minutes later, Damon was staring at a stack of white bottles in some confusion. "So let me get this straight." The game clerk-a snobby looking well-endowed blond girl with fingernails the size of hummingbirds and who was snapping a piece of gum impatiently- sighed. "You throw the ball at the bottles. You knock all three down, you get a prize." She indicated the large stuffed tigers and bunnies above them. Angie squeaked with joy as she spotted a large bunny. "Oooh! A pink one! Lemme try, lemme try!" She forked over a dollar. The clerk gave her a baseball, then leaned back on the counter, a smug sneer on her face. Angie leaned back, then threw it with not bad accuracy or strength. The ball hit the center of the bottles-and only knocked over the top one. "Oh." The clerk said in false sympathy. "Tough luck, sweetie. Maybe next time." Angie sighed, then glared at the remaining bottles. "Should've known." She muttered to Alan. "This entire thing is set up. No one can knock all three over." She sighed and did her best to look cheerful. Damon considered her for a moment. Behind his back, he quickly transfigured a dollar bill into the air. He handed it to the arcade woman, who looked him up and down with a snort. "So, you wanna try, handsome?" She asked mockingly, handing another baseball over to Damon. Angie sighed. "You're wasting your money, Alan. This thing is jipped." She glared at the woman, who rolled her eyes and blew a bubble. Damon leaned back, smiling a little as he infused some energy into the ball. He threw it with all his strength. BAM!!!!!! The bottles went flying in multiple directions. Damon grinned triumphantly at the shocked look on the clerk's face. Angie squealed and bounced up and down, hugging him. "HAH!!!! Go, Alan!! Man, that was truly beautiful!!!!" Damon gave her a sideways hug while he smirked at the attendant. The girl's face changed in an instant. She smiled slowly at Damon. "Hmmm, you must work out, huh?" She asked drawlingly, running a finger lightly up and down his arm. Damon suddenly felt very uncomfortable. "Can we please get our prize?" He asked. Beside him, Angie was beginning to snicker. "Which one, cutie?" The girl asked, leaning towards her and showing off more than was strictly necessary. Angie's snickers began to grow louder. Damon leaned back awkwardly. "Um, the large-" He looked at Angie. "Pink bunny!" She finished excitedly, wrapping an arm firmly around his very visibly. The girl's face fell slightly, but she snorted a little before turning about and stretching up to reach the large bunny. She handed it to him with a bright smile. "Hey, can I get your phone number?" Damon blinked at her, confused. "I don't have one." This was too much. Angie screamed with laughter and pulled him away from the girl's crestfallen and puzzled expression. "Oh my God!" She chortled as soon as they were far enough away, clutching the pink bunny with both arms and hugging it close. "Whew! Took the wind right out of her sails, let me tell you!" She snickered. "Do you seriously not have a phone number?" "What's a phone number?" Damon asked curiously. "More, what's a phone?" Angie sighed. "Monaco must be the most isolated place in the universe. A phone is an invention that lets you communicate over long distance by transferring your sound waves into energy." The amused look on her face grew to seriousness as she fought to remember. "The energy goes soaring over telephone lines until it goes to the person you want it to. Everyone with a phone has a phone number. So you dial in this number to talk to a certain person. Understand?" Damon blinked at her. "Um-I think so." Angie laughed, solemnity gone from her voice. "But the way that clerk was trying to hit on you-HAH!!!!! Path-et-ic!! Though, come to think of it, she was very pretty. Why didn't you go for her?" Damon shrugged. "Not my type." Angie giggled and skipped ahead slightly as she saw the swings. "And what is your type?" She called back over her shoulder. Damon did not reply. He merely watched the happy gold girl dancing about in the sunshine.
* * * Several hours later, around five o'clock, Angie was clutching onto Alan's arm and roaring with laughter. They had been on almost every ride at the park, even the kiddy ones-and the look on those people's faces when they got in line and rode on the itty-bitty bumper cars-! She giggled and sighed, leaning her head on Alan's arm as they reached the top of a hill. Nearby they heard a moan. Angie turned to see a sad old man-who looked suspiciously like Mr. Rogers-lying in a gutter, crying. Beside him, Mary was patting his head and feeding him a banana, clucking and petting him. "Mary?" Angie asked uncertainly, walking over. "What on earth- " Mary looked up with a relieved grin. "There you are! Where've you been, you idiot?! We've been worried about you! Didn't check in, didn't call-" Her eyes moved past her, and widened. "Hiya, Alan!!" She called with a wave. Alan waved back. "What are you doing?" Angie asked seriously, pointing down at the weeping old man. Mary grinned evilly and scratched the man's head. "I stole his wheelchair yesterday and he's been here ever since." "You did WHAT?!?!" Angie demanded, shaking Mary by the shoulders. "WHY?!" "I always wanted to ride down that hill in a wheelchair!!" Mary said defensively, pointing to the large hill Angie and Alan had just climbed up. "And so yesterday I stole this dude's wheelchair-oh, there, there." She said soothingly as the man let out an extra loud wail. "And he's just sort of been sitting here crying ever since." Angie sighed. "Get him home RIGHT NOW, Mary!!" She growled. "And I mean it!!" Mary saluted smartly. "Yessir!!" She yanked the old man off and ran away with him, cackling insanely as the man wheezed and puffed, trying to keep up. Angie sighed and shook her head. "And that's one of my best friends." She muttered to Alan as she jogged back to him. "Man! Completely, totally crazy." "It shows." Damon replied, staring after Mary in wonderment. "Was she dropped on her head as a child?" Angie laughed a little. "Not that I know of. Of course, that would explain everything." "The ears of a fox catch all!!!" Mary yelled from quite some distance away. Angie giggled as Damon stared. "How did she hear?" He asked Angie. "Mary's senses have always been-better than most." Her eyes suddenly sharpened on a nearby alley. A brown-haired man with dark eyes was sitting in front of it, smoking a cigarette. He was watching her in a very rude way. "Oh, I remember you all right, buddy." Angie growled under her breath, glaring at the man. "Pardon?" Damon asked, looking at the creep also. He was eyeing his little cat in a way that Damon did not like at all. "That creep tried to rape my best friend." Angie hissed, anger clear in light blue eyes. "Rape?" Angie turned bewildered eyes on Alan. "Rape. You know." She cleared her throat and blushed. "What's rape?" Damon asked curiously, eyes dancing. He knew what it was, of course, but this was interesting and humorous. "Well, it's-" Angie looked up in his eyes and saw the expression there. "ARGH!!! You idiot!! You knew what it was!! You pervert! Sicko!" She laughed and hit his shoulder. Damon winced. She punched hard for a fourteen-year-old girl. "This creep tried to rape who last night?" He asked to avoid getting hit again. "Rachelle." Angie answered, righteous detestation flaring again. "She was terrified, the poor thing-though I saw the scar on his finger, she must've bit him pretty good- " The brown-haired man leered at her from his alleyway. "Okay, that's it!!" Angie growled, puffing herself up like a mother hen. "Just a sec, please, Alan. I'm going to give this creep a bit more of a lesson!" She walked away, muttering under her breath. "I mean, Sailor D must not have given him enough of one." "Sailor D?!" Damon demanded, grabbing her shoulder. "Sailor Diamond?! She saved your friend?!" Angie looked up at him, eyes widening in surprise. "Yeah, she did. Why?" Damon forced himself to let go. "Nothing, I just-" He gave a slightly forced smile. "Sailor Diamond-she's cool, you know?" Angie giggled. "Yeah, she's my favorite." She whirled around and stalked towards the man. "Mine too." Damon whispered under his breath. "Mine too." The man slowly stood up as Angie drew closer. He grinned at her in a way that made her blood boil. "Hey, there, innocence. Come to talk to me?" Angie glared at him, eyes turning like the blue flame found in the hottest of fires. "You nearly raped my friend last night, you pervert." The man threw his hands up in mock dignity. "I don't need to rape anyone! They- " he smiled at her, "-come to me. Besides, how do you know it was me?" "Trust me." Angie said, face deadpan. "I know." The man shrugged and moved towards her slightly. "I think your friend more came onto me, sweetheart- " "LIAR!!!!!!" The man was flung back against the wall of the alley, a fury of a girl grabbing him by the throat. "Whoa, toots, can't we find a room first?" The man joked, trying to remove her fingers from his throat. Angie only clenched harder. The man began to gasp for air. "You dare-" She hissed. "You dare try anything like that ever again, I will find you. And I will kill you, make no mistake. And I don't care if the law comes down on me also. I will kill you!!!" The man wheezed as she let him go, dropping to the ground. "You're-you're crazy!" He gasped. "Nah." Angie answered coldly, walking away. "Just a bit overprotective." Damon whistled as the girl stalked back up to him. "Have a nice talk?" "I hear any more reports of rape downtown, I'm going to go right to that creep and kill him." Angie told him peevishly, clenching her fists. "I mean it. One little hint-" She made a violent motion with her hands. Damon sighed. "Don't get yourself in trouble, all right? Some of these guys are dangerous." Angie grinned, a secretive grin. "I'll just get Sailor Diamond to come along with me and help!" "I think she's a bit busy saving the world from the bad guys, don't you?" Damon retorted, wincing inside slightly. He hadn't really thought of himself from a human's point of view before. Angie shrugged. "She'll come. Her people mean a lot to her. To all of them." Damon shook his head. "She won't. The bad guys-they take up a lot of her time, I'll bet." Angie put her hands on her hips and glared up at him. "She would come!! Diamond cares a lot about others! She understands that a lot of people are in pain now!! She'll fight evil on the streets, not just the stupid general-bad guys!" "How do you know?" Damon challenged. "Do you know her?!" "As a matter of fact, I have met her!!" Angie growled, putting her nose up in the air. "And they're wonderful. They all are." Damon snickered. "Bet I know her better." "Hah!" Angie sniffed. "What, she rescued you?!" "Um-yes." Damon replied uncomfortably. "Liar." Angie said cheerfully. "Complete, total liar." "Well, she didn't save you either, I bet." Damon snapped. He couldn't remember seeing her anywhere near the battles. "She saves me every time she goes into battle against the evil." Angie answered calmly. I save everyone. I care about everyone. Every life form on this planet means something to me. Even the creepy or evil ones. Damon sighed. "Fine." He grinned down at her. "But then, how do you know her personally, eh?" Angie's eyes twinkled. "Oh, that's my secret." Her eyes lit up as she looked across the street. "Oooh! Look!! The park! Happy! Let's go!" She grabbed Alan's hand and raced into the park, skidding to a stop beside a row of daffodils and honeysuckle. She stared at them, entranced. "Oh..." "What?" Damon asked, looking down at the vegetation. "They're just plants." Angie turned bewildered blue eyes on him. "Only plants? These aren't only plants, my friend. These are-" She gazed reverently at the flowers. "These are beautiful. Think of this: probably not a week ago, these were just little sprouts sticking their tiny heads out of the ground. And now." She smiled at the pretty yellow and white heads turned up at her. "They're magnificent jewels. They're beautiful. And in another week, a lot of these will wilt and die, but their beauty might have touched dozens, maybe hundreds, by that time, and made them just a bit happier." Damon's heart gave a funny little jerk in his chest. The glazed look over those eyes, blue as a summer's day.the way her lips curved up just slightly into a tiny smile.her hair coiled around her shoulders, falling in waves to the middle of her back.it was all just a little too much. An idea sprang into his mind, and he thanked whatever divinity was listening for at least a shred of brilliance. Angie blinked in surprise as Alan lightly hit her shoulder and took off across the grass, long legs moving incredibly fast. "Tag!" He yelled back. "You're it!" "What?!" She yelled as Alan ran away. "Alan!!!" "It's a game, remember?!" He called back, already a long way off. "It's fun!" Angie laughed as she began to try to catch up, speeding over the grass. "Wait!" She gasped, breathless. Alan was still running, and he had a head start. "Wait for me!!" Damon laughed and turned, running backwards as smoothly as if he was flying. Angie raced along, panting slightly. He slowed enough to let her catch up, then, without warning, he grabbed her around her waist. Angie shrieked as she suddenly found herself being carried. "Alan!" She screeched, laughing insanely. "Put me down!!" The ground was flying by a few feet beneath her. How fast could this kid run?! Damon chuckled as Angie twisted around in his arms so she could pound his chest slightly. "What are you doing?!" She cried, giggling. Damon grinned down at her as his destination came close. A soft splashing of sound came into Angie's hearing, and a soft mist sprayed on the back of her head and shoulders. She turned her head sideways, and shrieked. The fountain in the center of the park was just beneath her, the spray from the top of it falling gently down on her. With a quirky grin, Alan lifted her over the pool in the fountain's center. Angie shrieked and clutched tightly to his shirt. "Alan!" She screamed. "Don't you dare drop me, you idiot!!" She was laughing at the same time that she cried out. Damon chuckled mischievously. He pretended to drop her, letting his arms fall an inch or so. Angie squealed and clutched tighter at him. "Alan! Don't! Don't you dare!" She said, half-screaming in laughter. Damon grinned. "Say I'm the best." He ordered. Angie gasped, eyes twinkling. "Blackmail! Never!" "Say I am a truly gifted person who is a wonderfully strong, handsome, and brave knight in armor." Damon ordered, holding her even further out. "Or I'll drop you!" Angie shrieked as the spray wet her face. "All right! You are a truly gifted person who is wonderfully strong and brave knight in armor!" "You forgot handsome." Damon teased. "Handsome!" Angie yelled as he made to drop her. "Handsome! Beautiful! Stunning! Now don't drop me!!" Damon laughed and carefully pulled back away from over the fountain. Angie sagged in his arms, still clutching his shirt, laughing and gasping as she wiped her face on her sleeve. Unintentionally, she snuggled into his chest. The laughter died on Damon's lips as the golden haired mortal snuggled into his side. His heart gave the same funny twist he had felt earlier, only this time it went on and on, not fading for an instant, merely growing as he studied her cheeks, her eyes, her hair, her lips. Angie beamed up at Alan-and her smile faded slightly. He was studying her in a way that suddenly made her feel boiling hot all over. She licked her lips, suddenly nervous. Damon's eyes fastened on her tongue as it peeked out from in between pink lips and tiny white teeth. Something was raging through him-something warm, something that he had felt when Diamond smiled at him. His arms tightened instinctively around the girl. Angie stared up at Alan's eyes, hands wrapped around his neck. The light blue in them was fading to a deep rich blue, almost black. She stared into them, fascinated. "Alan." She began softly. Damon stared down at the girl as her sky-colored eyes flashed with shyness and something hot and fiery. She was so warm in his arms-why wasn't she on fire? Slowly, his head bent down towards hers. Angie closed her eyes. His breath was warm on her face as he bent towards her. She felt giddy, almost weightless. The familiar feeling of warm affection and love was soaring through her veins. Damon half-smiled as Angie's eyelashes closed together, a fine vapor misting over them from the fountain. He slowly closed his own eyes- Unbidden, a thought of Angie flashed across his mind, only Ithengil was there, angry because he cared for another-black energy-consuming her- killing her-that purity, that bright flame of life that had drawn him like a moth out of the darkness, gone forever- Damon quickly pulled back away from those tempting lips. He gently placed the girl on the ground. She swayed on her feet for a moment, confusion deep in her eyes. "Alan-" Damon turned away from her pleading eyes. "You should go." He told her, voice rough and firm. "I-I'm sorry." It was incredible how she felt around this man. A moment ago, she would have easily claimed to be the happiest girl on Earth. And now her heart was breaking down the center, splintering into a million pieces. "O-okay." She whispered, voice breaking. "I-I'll see you another time, I guess." I should have known. He's too wonderful, too perfect for someone like me. Tears fogging her vision, she turned and flew out of the park as fast as her feet could take her. Damon sighed as he watched her run away, something tearing deep in his chest. He scooped up a handful of water from the fountain and rubbed his face with it. He could not be with her. She didn't even know what he was!! And if she did.she'd hate him. She'd have to. He pounded the marble base of the pond in frustration. The two people he actually cared for-both torn from his grasp because of his stupid identity. A soft step on the ground behind him made Damon swing around. An old man leaning on a walking cane was eyeing him from a few feet away, eyes keen and intent from under gray, bushy eyebrows. "May I help you, sir?" Damon asked with a hint of a snarl in his voice, wishing the man would go away. "No, but I believe that I can help you, if you'll take my advice." The man replied in a gravelly voice. "Speak." Damon said, wondering what this was about. The man chuckled. "I am old, and lord knows my senses are not what they once were. Yet even my failing ears could hear that young girl's heart breaking, and my eyes could still discern the tears in those pretty eyes." He studied Damon intently. "And they can still see the love in your eyes, young sir." Damon shifted uncomfortably. "It's truly no business of yours- " "Why do you push her away?" The old man asked bluntly. "It is obvious you are in love with her, and she with you. Why not take advantage of this? I assure you, young master, that not many people find their soul mates in this world. Why pass up this opportunity and let your other half run away from you?" "Sir," Damon growled. "If I wasn't in such a confused mood, I would probably kill you instead of answering your questions. But she is so young- " "And you're so ancient, I see." If only he knew! "-very young, and innocent. She is as pure and wonderful as they make them. I am not." Damon pounded his forehead in frustration. "I have secrets, and dark ones at that. I am not who she believes me to be! Would you have me break that innocence?! All right, I'll admit she was wonderful-god, she was like the sun in my arms-I can't take that away! I won't!" With this firm statement delivered, and the man seemingly not having a reply, Damon turned away, fully intending to go back to the base. Words came softly like magic out of the old man's mouth- "Would you have her turn into the sun anywhere else?" Damon froze unwillingly, eyes and expression blank. The old man continued. "That girl is beautiful and charming and wonderful, young man. She will not go unnoticed. Another will pick her up, and he would perhaps not treat her as kindly as I believe you would." Damon's fists clenched involuntarily. "Would you have her heart go to another? If it is not you, then someone else shall. As for you not being who she believes you to be-she loves you. She will understand." With a quiet chuckle, the man began to stiffly walk away across the grass. Damon stood frozen for a few minutes, staring off into the sunset. The man had hit every possible weak spot he could. The thought of his little cat in another's arms made him very much insane with jealousy. And if anyone would understand about his predicament, it'd be her. His head lifted, and had anyone been around to see, they would have seen eyes as clear and deep as the ocean, without any doubt whatsoever He calmly turned around and began to run in the direction that his angel had disappeared, heart singing in his chest.
::BLINK:: Wow.people actually demanding I update? YAY! ::squeals:: Wheeeeee! Sorry for the delay.my life has been rather incredibly hectic. It's better now, though. Next chapter should come soon!