Well! What is Serena brooding about? Did she tell Darien everything? Who is
haunting her in her sleep? What's with the weird itching on her and
Darien's backs? Go ahead and find out!
Disclaimer: I own not, so sue not.
The Unexpected: Episode 7
"Serena! Wake up, Meatball Head! It's after noon!"
Raye shook Serena's shoulders gently, trying to rouse her. Serena rolled over as best she could with a 7 month belly, moaning. She pulled the covers over her head. Darien stood to the side, fully dressed, watching bemusedly.
"Move aside, Raye. I got this." Lita stepped forward, grinning, brandishing a steaming apple pie sizzling with vanilla ice cream. She lifted the covers, allowing the fragrance to waft under the blanket. Serena opened one eye wide open, sucked a finger for a moment, then with a tortured moan, rolled back over slowly, hiding under the covers.
Lita gasped, laughing hysterically. She jerked a thumb at Serena. "She MUST be tired." She then raised her voice to benefit Serena. "I guess I'll just take this sizzling apple pie a la mode and feed it to Luna and Artemis!" She left, tiptoeing away.
Serena opened both her eyes for a moment, enraged at the idea of her guardian wolfing down her pie. Then, she decided sleep was better, and closed her eyes again.
"Step back, ladies. Let an expert deal with this." Darien stepped forward and sat on the bed, stroking her belly.
"Ser-eeeeee-naaaaa." he sang. "Oh, Ser-eeeee-naaaaa!"
"Darien..." she purred, from under the covers, snuggling up against him. He chuckled, and stood up. "Well, girls, the guys and I are gone for the day. She's all yours!" Laughing, he ran from the room.
"WHAT?!" Serena shot straight up as best she could, considering her acquired girth. "DARIEN! WHAT?! Come back!" she glanced at the eight Senshi hovering around her. "Don't leave me with THEM!" she cried pitifully. All she heard was his bemused laugh, followed by several other male laughs. She sank back against the wall, hands on her stomach. Her eyes lit up. "Wait a minute! Where'd that pie go, now that I'm awake!"
She leapt up, threw on clothes, and waddled full speed down the hall. "LUNA! You better not have eaten all that pie!" Lita's laughter was heard from downstairs.
Mina held the communicator to her mouth. "All right, everyone. The subject has left her chambers and is active in the house. Proceed with the plan."
Raye rolled her eyes. She took her own communicator, pushed the button, and yelled, "We're all right here, Mina!"
Mina blushed. "Oh, leave me alone. I was getting into it."
The Senshi laughed, and moved through out the house, continuing the scheme it had taken them a month to plan.
Darien laughed at the younger guys' questions. They'd taken him to Crown for lunch and were barraging him with questions! The latest, from Chad, was, "Is it only Serena that gets to like, not have the like, mood swings and like, cravings?"
Darien answered, still chuckling, that the one thing Serena did have was cravings. He'd been fishing through the kitchen for everything from peanut butter ice cream to scrambled eggs to French onion dip. "However, Serena didn't have mood swings or morning sickness and only minor back pain, and that may simply be because she is the Princess of the Silver Millennium and the only person in the universe who controls the most powerful stone in existence."
"Man, I hope not!" Chad groaned. "I hope it all applies to the other girls too!"
Darien chuckled. It was a sunny day out. Birds were singing and children were playing outside. There hadn't been an attack in weeks and all of the Senshi were with his wife. There was nothing that made him suspect trouble.
"So what are those girls planning to do to Serena?" Greg asked, amused.
"Yeah, 'cause I'd be worried with all that estrogen in one place, Dare," Ken warned.
Darien laughed again, leaning back in his chair, sipping his milkshake contentedly. "I promised the girls to beat it for the day. I didn't get any details."
Andrew winked. "Well, I heard..."
Serena rolled her eyes, trying to cross her legs in the waiting room leg, then realizing she couldn't do it, crossed her ankles. "So, ALL of you want to come watch me get an ultrasound?" she asked, incredulously, a smile dancing in her eyes.
"Well, YEAH," Mina told her, as if that was a stupid question.
"Ohh! It's moving again!" Serena squealed.
Eight girls, even Amara, leapt from their chairs, shrieking, "LET ME FEEL!"
"NO, ME NEXT!"
"YOU FELT IT BEFORE!"
"NO I HAVEN'T!"
"OUTTA MY WAY!"
Serena raised her hands, helplessly, thanking the cosmos that she wasn't claustrophobic. She glanced at Amy, who'd felt her belly, then returned to her typing.
"Whatcha doin, Amy?" she wondered, ignoring the mob hovering around her stomach.
Amy looked up, very seriously. "The enemy knows your identity, Serena. I'm making sure their not watching you, because then they'd know you're pregnant. And you can't use the disguise pen here in the hospital when you really do need an ultrasound. Plus, you want the ultrasound pictures to keep and I can't give you that. I'm trying to cloak your aura, if you get me."
Serena bit her lip. "Actually, I knew you wouldn't approve, but I left the Silver Crystal with Darien and the guys. That's what they'd trace to me, and they'd discover the child. The guys volunteered to keep it with them to confuse the enemy. We figured if they found the guys with the Silver Crystal, they'd figure I was in disguise, but wouldn't think that I'd be disguised as a man, and leave the guys alone. So the guys have it. And even without powers, they can protect Darien if the enemy comes after him, at least until we get there. Plus, earlier, Darien used the Disguise Pen himself. He doesn't look different to us or the guys but Luna and Artemis say he's now short with long blond hair." They cracked up at that one. "Plus, Greg would know if there was danger and he said he didn't see any trouble." For the guys at least, Serena whispered to herself.
Amy looked thoughtful, then glanced sharply up. "What if we're attacked!? You won't be able to transform!" she hissed.
Serena winked, and reached into her pocket. She twirled the Disguise Pen, grinning, then returned it to her pocket.
Amy stared for a moment, then grinned. "Well, that's actually a pretty good plan! I'm proud of you, Serena! Good thinking." She paused. "And thank you for the compliment."
Serena looked puzzled. "Your...welcome?"
Amy laughed. "You assume we can take care of an enemy without you."
Serena waved this aside. "Of course! And Darien would sense the fight and come with the Crystal immediately, and I could transform if you desperately needed me. So let's just hope there's no attack today, at least until we're out of the hospital and I can disguise myself again."
Amy laughed, returning to her work. "Hai, that makes sense!"
Serena turned her attention back to everyone else. She noticed Lita was still attentively feeling her belly, waiting. She sighed. "I wanna have a baby!" she said dreamily.
"Lita, pregnant?" Raye said doubtfully. "We'd all be electrocuted before she got to term!"
Everyone laughed.
"Shields? Serena Shields?"
Serena waved at the nurse, and began the long effort of standing up.
"Oh, let me!" Lita said, exasperated, and grabbed Serena's arm and pulled her up, steadying her when she wobbled.
"Is an ultrasound really that exciting?" Chad wondered, leaning back against the big oak tree behind him, staring at the sky through his hair. "I mean, they rub the thing on her belly, it takes a picture, what's the big deal?"
Greg looked at him disbelievingly. "It's a very big deal to first time parents! You get to see pictures of your child-"
"But it's ugly when its in there!" Chad protested.
Grimacing, Greg continued. "-and you get to hear the heart beat of your child, see it moving, discover the gender, all that!" He eyed Darien curiously. "Don't you want to be there, Dare?"
"Yeah, seems like a big deal," Ken put in, also curious.
Darien chuckled, but Andrew answered for him.
"Hey, this is the Prince of Earth here, you guys! I mean, next to Serenity, he's the most powerful entity for good in this universe!"
Darien laughed. "Thanks, Drew!" He turned back to the younger guys. "Well, I don't really need a machine to hear the baby's heart beat or to feel her moving or see her moving-"
"Hold up!" Chad interrupted. "SEE her? HER?"
Darien whistled innocently, staring at the sky.
"Man, that's rough having your wife being more powerful than you," Ken said mournfully, picking up the conversation again.
Darien stared at him. He distinctly remembered the Senshi of Jupiter BEFORE she received her powers, twirling a youma over her head and hurling it across a room. Ken noticed this in his eyes, and laughed, thinking over what he'd just said.
"Yeah, okay, so all our girls are more powerful than us mere humans too. Maaaaaaan!" Ken conceded with fake grumpiness. "That's good for the ol' self esteem, right there."
"He's right, Dare." Andrew put in thoughtfully. "The girls are much more powerful than us, with the exception of you. I mean, there's hardly anything we can do to help them, much less protect them."
Darien cocked an eyebrow, wondering what the girls would say to this. "Now, hold up a minute," he protested. "There's more to protection than throwing roses around!" he said with a grin. They chuckled. "The girls don't NEED you to come rescue them in a battle. Unfortunately, they got that covered. But I can tell you that being a Sailor Scout does things to them. For example, Serena, in her first big battle, watched her four best friends die before her eyes, then she forced to fight me because I was brainwashed. When she finally healed me, Beryl killed me before her eyes. I died in her arms. Then she was forced to fight Beryl alone. She won, but died alone after the fight before being reborn." Darien took a deep breath, maintaining his composure.
"She still has nightmares. The other girls don't see things quite as bad, but they still see terrible things and are forced to do things they wouldn't choose to do otherwise. They need you guys for emotional support! And there are times when even I can't protect Serena, and I know how FRUSTRATING it is! But sometimes, even though I want to be the macho prince in shining armor, I just have to face the facts that Serena can usually take care of herself in battle; my job is to take care of her when she gets back. That's what we guys do for our girls with super-human powers."
They grinned, still unsure, but still feeling a little better. "Well, I suppose we can do that," Greg said, grinning.
"If you couldn't, the girls wouldn't have picked you guys." Darien said. "They're like my sisters. I know them. And you are all very lucky guys."
They laughed at this, and began teasing Darien about being married to the most beautiful, most powerful, most amazing princess Serenity of the Moon. He laughed along, knowing full well they found their respective princess just as amazing if not more.
He reached up to scratch his back, laughing as the guys began to tease Chad about his fiery princess, not sensing a shred of danger.
"WELL?!?!?!"
Serena backed off, hands raised, as the Senshi cornered her, glaring.
The nurse had whispered something in Serena's ear and then, Serena's whole face had lit up. Then, seeing the crazed curiosity in her friends' eyes, she grinned devilishly.
"Hm... wouldn't you like to know!"
Raye glared Serena down. She turned to the others, jerking thumb at their leader. "I believe that nurse just showed Serena the gender of her child. So either Serena is overjoyed about having Rini or overjoyed about having more than one child, if this is not Rini."
Serena just grinned. "What would Darien say if I took away his fatherly duty of coming out in scrubs to the waiting room and saying, 'It's a boy!' or 'It's a girl!'? He'd kill me. So you'll just have to wait with the rest of them. And don't help them out any with your computer, Amy. No cheating!"
In mock outrage, the Senshi all leapt at the enlarged princess and tickled her until the nurse shooed them away, giggling herself. They launched a verbal barrage on the nurse, and still giggling, the young woman refused to break her patient's wishes. Resigned, the big group calmed enough to walk in a herd to the bathroom.
Serena first made sure no one was in the bathroom with them before using the disguise pen. She simply disguised herself as Serena Shields before pregnancy. The older three of the Outer Senshi stepped back and allowed the Inners and Hotaru their fun. The five girls swarmed around Serena, giggling, jumping, whispering, and gossiping. Amara, Trista, and Michelle smiled at their comrades, but they were not fooled. The girlish energy and immaturity before them was a façade really. Amy Anderson was giggling, a careless hand hovering at her cheek. Still, this was the frighteningly genius and cunning Warrior of Ice. And Raye Hino was chastising Serena for this and teasing her about that, but she remained the easily angered, fierce Senshi of Fire. Lita Kino, hands clasped together on one side of her chin, daydreamed happily, but she was yet the universally feared and respected Soldier of Storm. Mina Aino, flashing mischievous smiles and winks and chasing after gossip, could in a moment become the epitome of grace under pressure and leadership, the Scout of Light.
Perhaps most frightening were the three completely different and yet completely unified personas inside one Serena Tsukino. Right now, she was a giddy first-time mother, cheerful and innocent. In an instant, she could transform into a fearless warrior for peace and justice or a noble princess, filled with dignity and honor, and enough self-sacrificing love for entire universes. The fact that this woman could retain all three roles and amalgamate them into one being was incredible.
When they reached the home of the Outers, Amara grinned and took her role of covering Serena's eyes. Serena yelped, but allowed herself to be led into the Outers' home. When her eyes were uncovered, she squealed with joy.
Before her in the largest room in the house, were mounds of baby paraphernalia and wrapped gifts.
"EEEEEEE!"
Pleased, the Senshi decided that she liked it.
Miffed, Ken looked at his watch. "What could those women POSSIBLY be doing all day?"
Andrew laughed. "Shopping. Gossiping. Showering Serena with gifts." They groaned at his bad pun. "Who knows? Women can keep themselves occupied for any amount of time."
Greg looked at the fading sun. "It's getting late."
Darien's focus was on the moon, but he answered, smiling peacefully. "Serena is supposed to contact me when male presence is once again welcome in the house."
Chad rolled his eyes and returned to humming the bars of a new song he was working on. That sounded exactly like something Raye would say.
Suddenly, just for an instant, Darien's back itched furiously. Then, before any one could say or do anything, the youma was on him.
Serena froze, wrapping paper dangling from her hands. She had only opened about half the gifts when the chill came.
Lita noticed instantly and her eyes darkened. She stood. "What is it, Serena?"
Serena remained still with indecision for another moment. Then, she shot up from the floor, and issued commands.
"The guys are being attacked. Another youma is surely on its way here to catch us separated." She fought back a nauseating urge to run to Darien. "Raye, Mina, Lita, Amy, you go find the guys and help them out." She knew the women wanted to help their respective paramours. "The Outers will wait here for the inevitable appearance of another youma." Instantly, the eight of them all transformed. Mercury shot a look at her princess on her way out the door.
"What about you?!"
Serena looked grim, gripping her disguise pen. She hated the cowardly idea of hiding, but for the safety of her child, she simply had to. "Good question."
Before another word could be uttered, a youma burst through the large window in the entrance hall. Uranus cursed; that was an expensive window and their last safe hideout was blown. Then, as it appeared, she instinctively, turned to shield her princess, but found her gone. She glanced at Neptune, panicked, but azure eyes held reassurance.
"She is safe, Uranus." She turned to the youma. "Deep Submerge!" She whirled again, and mouthed, "She used the pen to become invisible!"
Uranus laughed as Saturn launched a "Silence Glaive Surprise!".
"Well, I suppose that will do for now."
Darien bucked the youma off of him and leapt up to a fighting stance. Moments later, he felt Serena's use of the disguise pen. She was most likely being attacked as well. He was torn. The guys, his comrades, though each was heavily trained in the martial arts, needed him as did his princess-he had her crystal. And should he transform? It should be okay, since he was disguised already. They would try to link Tuxedo Mask to the form his was in now and it would take a while.
So, he transformed.
The youma was humoring the other guys, and laying off energy attacks. And the guys were quite impressive in the martial arts. But it wouldn't hold for long. He let loose a barrage of roses, foolishly announcing his presence. The youma immediately recognized Tuxedo Mask, and flew at him, but Andrew body slammed him out of the way. The guys fought bravely and Tuxedo Mask launched rose after rose, but they were struggling.
Then, a sound like heaven reached their ears.
"Supreme Thunder!"
"Crescent Beam!"
A yellow beam of light sparking with green electricity put the youma down for the count.
"Come on, guys, Sailor Moon is busy, we can finish this guy off!" Mars yelled, casting a glance at her husband, then turning back to the youma. She and the girls had seen the "powerless" guys fighting the youma with hand combat. They were endeared by the effort and wanted to finish the youma off so they could all go purr up to the guys and make them feel macho.
"Right!"
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!"
The four full power attacks entwined with a massive cloud of roses destroyed the youma. There was a moment when the four couples went to each other for an embrace. Tuxedo Mask, feeling oddly out of place, remembered his princess-with no way to protect herself save the fierce Outer Scouts. Well, that was reassuring enough, but for Serena's ego and his own assurance, he took off sprinting to deliver the Crystal to her. The others followed after a much-needed romantic moment.
Uranus threw the youma off of her and across the yard, furious and panting. "NEVER!" she cried again.
"You cannot protect her forever!" the youma growled.
"Wanna bet?!" Outraged, she slammed her fist into the ground, screaming, "World Shaking!"
The youma dodged the attack only to meet Pluto. Pluto stood like Babe Ruth, holding her Staff like a bat, and swung it fiercely. The youma went flying. Uranus laughed at the comical attack.
The youma stood and dusted itself off. Obviously, this one must have been the stronger of the two because the Inners radioed to say they were on their way back. And it was a heck of a lot more annoying.
"Hah! I knew the Moon Princess was always a coward! Hiding behind your Senshi like usual, huh, Serenity? Are you a coward or just too weak to fight me!"
Neptune choked back the rage at the insult to her princess and attacked. "Submarine Reflection!"
Pluto could sense the anger radiating from the Moon Princess, invisible in the corner. "Not yet, Serenity! You can do nothing until Endymion gets here!" she hissed in her direction. She sensed Serenity bury her rage impatiently and silently. Then, Pluto attacked.
"Dead Scream!"
The youma screamed. It had just recovered from Neptune's attack and now Pluto was trying to erase it from existence. Slowly, its fibers of being were being eroded away. Suddenly, Pluto pulled her powers back, distracted by a shrill scream. She whirled to her almost daughter, Saturn, but found the girl searching for the origin of the sound as well. Dread nauseated her.
Serena screamed again.
The youma smirked hideously. "Yes, she's here, obviously. I embedded a tracking device into her skin. Now it is burning a hole into her flesh." He said it like a child on Christmas.
Another scream.
"STOP IT!" Saturn shrieked. He only smirked.
"Now why would I do that?"
"For a trade."
The youma whirled to the source of this new voice. Tuxedo Mask stood alone. He turned so they could see through his mask, and winked. The Outers were puzzled, but remained silent.
The youma didn't catch the wink but was puzzled as well. Serena continued to suck in sharp breaths to keep from screaming.
"I'm listening."
"Stop hurting the Princess and you get the Prince. How does that sound?"
Pluto almost smiled when she heard Serena's indignant gasp.
No one moved as the youma approached the Prince. Then, just as there was an inch between the two, all heck broke loose.
Namely, Sailor Moon.
Tuxedo Mask grinned as he felt a feather from Sailor Moon's wings brush his cheek. She shot at the youma, knocking him to the ground with her staff. He panicked, and tried to make whatever tracking device burn again, but Sailor Moon clenched her teeth, bore the pain, and blasted the youma into oblivion.
Before the celebrating could start and before Mercury could get to work on removing the "tracking device", Uranus and Moon locked eyes. Sailor Moon nodded grimly, and raised her staff, teleporting them.
While in the void, Uranus called out to the Senshi, Darien, and the guys, "This is a Level 4 emergency! I repeat, this is a Level FOUR emergency!"
Heh heh. Sorry to Nicole Patterson! I couldn't resist the cliffie! In the FBI Witness relocation program (I read a book about it by Dee Henderson. Good book.) Level Four is the highest level of security around a witness in protection. It means that the stalker or enemy knows where the witness is so the witness is forced into deep security and must relocate to a secure location and stay out of sight for a while. Just FYI.
Beware in Episode 8! A double kidnapping and Serena sneaking out into public?! Very VERY BAD!
Thanks for staying with me! And please review!
-Moon Pie
PS: Gomen again about the cliffie! I just cannot resist! ^.^ Ep 8 should come in a week or two!
Disclaimer: I own not, so sue not.
The Unexpected: Episode 7
"Serena! Wake up, Meatball Head! It's after noon!"
Raye shook Serena's shoulders gently, trying to rouse her. Serena rolled over as best she could with a 7 month belly, moaning. She pulled the covers over her head. Darien stood to the side, fully dressed, watching bemusedly.
"Move aside, Raye. I got this." Lita stepped forward, grinning, brandishing a steaming apple pie sizzling with vanilla ice cream. She lifted the covers, allowing the fragrance to waft under the blanket. Serena opened one eye wide open, sucked a finger for a moment, then with a tortured moan, rolled back over slowly, hiding under the covers.
Lita gasped, laughing hysterically. She jerked a thumb at Serena. "She MUST be tired." She then raised her voice to benefit Serena. "I guess I'll just take this sizzling apple pie a la mode and feed it to Luna and Artemis!" She left, tiptoeing away.
Serena opened both her eyes for a moment, enraged at the idea of her guardian wolfing down her pie. Then, she decided sleep was better, and closed her eyes again.
"Step back, ladies. Let an expert deal with this." Darien stepped forward and sat on the bed, stroking her belly.
"Ser-eeeeee-naaaaa." he sang. "Oh, Ser-eeeee-naaaaa!"
"Darien..." she purred, from under the covers, snuggling up against him. He chuckled, and stood up. "Well, girls, the guys and I are gone for the day. She's all yours!" Laughing, he ran from the room.
"WHAT?!" Serena shot straight up as best she could, considering her acquired girth. "DARIEN! WHAT?! Come back!" she glanced at the eight Senshi hovering around her. "Don't leave me with THEM!" she cried pitifully. All she heard was his bemused laugh, followed by several other male laughs. She sank back against the wall, hands on her stomach. Her eyes lit up. "Wait a minute! Where'd that pie go, now that I'm awake!"
She leapt up, threw on clothes, and waddled full speed down the hall. "LUNA! You better not have eaten all that pie!" Lita's laughter was heard from downstairs.
Mina held the communicator to her mouth. "All right, everyone. The subject has left her chambers and is active in the house. Proceed with the plan."
Raye rolled her eyes. She took her own communicator, pushed the button, and yelled, "We're all right here, Mina!"
Mina blushed. "Oh, leave me alone. I was getting into it."
The Senshi laughed, and moved through out the house, continuing the scheme it had taken them a month to plan.
Darien laughed at the younger guys' questions. They'd taken him to Crown for lunch and were barraging him with questions! The latest, from Chad, was, "Is it only Serena that gets to like, not have the like, mood swings and like, cravings?"
Darien answered, still chuckling, that the one thing Serena did have was cravings. He'd been fishing through the kitchen for everything from peanut butter ice cream to scrambled eggs to French onion dip. "However, Serena didn't have mood swings or morning sickness and only minor back pain, and that may simply be because she is the Princess of the Silver Millennium and the only person in the universe who controls the most powerful stone in existence."
"Man, I hope not!" Chad groaned. "I hope it all applies to the other girls too!"
Darien chuckled. It was a sunny day out. Birds were singing and children were playing outside. There hadn't been an attack in weeks and all of the Senshi were with his wife. There was nothing that made him suspect trouble.
"So what are those girls planning to do to Serena?" Greg asked, amused.
"Yeah, 'cause I'd be worried with all that estrogen in one place, Dare," Ken warned.
Darien laughed again, leaning back in his chair, sipping his milkshake contentedly. "I promised the girls to beat it for the day. I didn't get any details."
Andrew winked. "Well, I heard..."
Serena rolled her eyes, trying to cross her legs in the waiting room leg, then realizing she couldn't do it, crossed her ankles. "So, ALL of you want to come watch me get an ultrasound?" she asked, incredulously, a smile dancing in her eyes.
"Well, YEAH," Mina told her, as if that was a stupid question.
"Ohh! It's moving again!" Serena squealed.
Eight girls, even Amara, leapt from their chairs, shrieking, "LET ME FEEL!"
"NO, ME NEXT!"
"YOU FELT IT BEFORE!"
"NO I HAVEN'T!"
"OUTTA MY WAY!"
Serena raised her hands, helplessly, thanking the cosmos that she wasn't claustrophobic. She glanced at Amy, who'd felt her belly, then returned to her typing.
"Whatcha doin, Amy?" she wondered, ignoring the mob hovering around her stomach.
Amy looked up, very seriously. "The enemy knows your identity, Serena. I'm making sure their not watching you, because then they'd know you're pregnant. And you can't use the disguise pen here in the hospital when you really do need an ultrasound. Plus, you want the ultrasound pictures to keep and I can't give you that. I'm trying to cloak your aura, if you get me."
Serena bit her lip. "Actually, I knew you wouldn't approve, but I left the Silver Crystal with Darien and the guys. That's what they'd trace to me, and they'd discover the child. The guys volunteered to keep it with them to confuse the enemy. We figured if they found the guys with the Silver Crystal, they'd figure I was in disguise, but wouldn't think that I'd be disguised as a man, and leave the guys alone. So the guys have it. And even without powers, they can protect Darien if the enemy comes after him, at least until we get there. Plus, earlier, Darien used the Disguise Pen himself. He doesn't look different to us or the guys but Luna and Artemis say he's now short with long blond hair." They cracked up at that one. "Plus, Greg would know if there was danger and he said he didn't see any trouble." For the guys at least, Serena whispered to herself.
Amy looked thoughtful, then glanced sharply up. "What if we're attacked!? You won't be able to transform!" she hissed.
Serena winked, and reached into her pocket. She twirled the Disguise Pen, grinning, then returned it to her pocket.
Amy stared for a moment, then grinned. "Well, that's actually a pretty good plan! I'm proud of you, Serena! Good thinking." She paused. "And thank you for the compliment."
Serena looked puzzled. "Your...welcome?"
Amy laughed. "You assume we can take care of an enemy without you."
Serena waved this aside. "Of course! And Darien would sense the fight and come with the Crystal immediately, and I could transform if you desperately needed me. So let's just hope there's no attack today, at least until we're out of the hospital and I can disguise myself again."
Amy laughed, returning to her work. "Hai, that makes sense!"
Serena turned her attention back to everyone else. She noticed Lita was still attentively feeling her belly, waiting. She sighed. "I wanna have a baby!" she said dreamily.
"Lita, pregnant?" Raye said doubtfully. "We'd all be electrocuted before she got to term!"
Everyone laughed.
"Shields? Serena Shields?"
Serena waved at the nurse, and began the long effort of standing up.
"Oh, let me!" Lita said, exasperated, and grabbed Serena's arm and pulled her up, steadying her when she wobbled.
"Is an ultrasound really that exciting?" Chad wondered, leaning back against the big oak tree behind him, staring at the sky through his hair. "I mean, they rub the thing on her belly, it takes a picture, what's the big deal?"
Greg looked at him disbelievingly. "It's a very big deal to first time parents! You get to see pictures of your child-"
"But it's ugly when its in there!" Chad protested.
Grimacing, Greg continued. "-and you get to hear the heart beat of your child, see it moving, discover the gender, all that!" He eyed Darien curiously. "Don't you want to be there, Dare?"
"Yeah, seems like a big deal," Ken put in, also curious.
Darien chuckled, but Andrew answered for him.
"Hey, this is the Prince of Earth here, you guys! I mean, next to Serenity, he's the most powerful entity for good in this universe!"
Darien laughed. "Thanks, Drew!" He turned back to the younger guys. "Well, I don't really need a machine to hear the baby's heart beat or to feel her moving or see her moving-"
"Hold up!" Chad interrupted. "SEE her? HER?"
Darien whistled innocently, staring at the sky.
"Man, that's rough having your wife being more powerful than you," Ken said mournfully, picking up the conversation again.
Darien stared at him. He distinctly remembered the Senshi of Jupiter BEFORE she received her powers, twirling a youma over her head and hurling it across a room. Ken noticed this in his eyes, and laughed, thinking over what he'd just said.
"Yeah, okay, so all our girls are more powerful than us mere humans too. Maaaaaaan!" Ken conceded with fake grumpiness. "That's good for the ol' self esteem, right there."
"He's right, Dare." Andrew put in thoughtfully. "The girls are much more powerful than us, with the exception of you. I mean, there's hardly anything we can do to help them, much less protect them."
Darien cocked an eyebrow, wondering what the girls would say to this. "Now, hold up a minute," he protested. "There's more to protection than throwing roses around!" he said with a grin. They chuckled. "The girls don't NEED you to come rescue them in a battle. Unfortunately, they got that covered. But I can tell you that being a Sailor Scout does things to them. For example, Serena, in her first big battle, watched her four best friends die before her eyes, then she forced to fight me because I was brainwashed. When she finally healed me, Beryl killed me before her eyes. I died in her arms. Then she was forced to fight Beryl alone. She won, but died alone after the fight before being reborn." Darien took a deep breath, maintaining his composure.
"She still has nightmares. The other girls don't see things quite as bad, but they still see terrible things and are forced to do things they wouldn't choose to do otherwise. They need you guys for emotional support! And there are times when even I can't protect Serena, and I know how FRUSTRATING it is! But sometimes, even though I want to be the macho prince in shining armor, I just have to face the facts that Serena can usually take care of herself in battle; my job is to take care of her when she gets back. That's what we guys do for our girls with super-human powers."
They grinned, still unsure, but still feeling a little better. "Well, I suppose we can do that," Greg said, grinning.
"If you couldn't, the girls wouldn't have picked you guys." Darien said. "They're like my sisters. I know them. And you are all very lucky guys."
They laughed at this, and began teasing Darien about being married to the most beautiful, most powerful, most amazing princess Serenity of the Moon. He laughed along, knowing full well they found their respective princess just as amazing if not more.
He reached up to scratch his back, laughing as the guys began to tease Chad about his fiery princess, not sensing a shred of danger.
"WELL?!?!?!"
Serena backed off, hands raised, as the Senshi cornered her, glaring.
The nurse had whispered something in Serena's ear and then, Serena's whole face had lit up. Then, seeing the crazed curiosity in her friends' eyes, she grinned devilishly.
"Hm... wouldn't you like to know!"
Raye glared Serena down. She turned to the others, jerking thumb at their leader. "I believe that nurse just showed Serena the gender of her child. So either Serena is overjoyed about having Rini or overjoyed about having more than one child, if this is not Rini."
Serena just grinned. "What would Darien say if I took away his fatherly duty of coming out in scrubs to the waiting room and saying, 'It's a boy!' or 'It's a girl!'? He'd kill me. So you'll just have to wait with the rest of them. And don't help them out any with your computer, Amy. No cheating!"
In mock outrage, the Senshi all leapt at the enlarged princess and tickled her until the nurse shooed them away, giggling herself. They launched a verbal barrage on the nurse, and still giggling, the young woman refused to break her patient's wishes. Resigned, the big group calmed enough to walk in a herd to the bathroom.
Serena first made sure no one was in the bathroom with them before using the disguise pen. She simply disguised herself as Serena Shields before pregnancy. The older three of the Outer Senshi stepped back and allowed the Inners and Hotaru their fun. The five girls swarmed around Serena, giggling, jumping, whispering, and gossiping. Amara, Trista, and Michelle smiled at their comrades, but they were not fooled. The girlish energy and immaturity before them was a façade really. Amy Anderson was giggling, a careless hand hovering at her cheek. Still, this was the frighteningly genius and cunning Warrior of Ice. And Raye Hino was chastising Serena for this and teasing her about that, but she remained the easily angered, fierce Senshi of Fire. Lita Kino, hands clasped together on one side of her chin, daydreamed happily, but she was yet the universally feared and respected Soldier of Storm. Mina Aino, flashing mischievous smiles and winks and chasing after gossip, could in a moment become the epitome of grace under pressure and leadership, the Scout of Light.
Perhaps most frightening were the three completely different and yet completely unified personas inside one Serena Tsukino. Right now, she was a giddy first-time mother, cheerful and innocent. In an instant, she could transform into a fearless warrior for peace and justice or a noble princess, filled with dignity and honor, and enough self-sacrificing love for entire universes. The fact that this woman could retain all three roles and amalgamate them into one being was incredible.
When they reached the home of the Outers, Amara grinned and took her role of covering Serena's eyes. Serena yelped, but allowed herself to be led into the Outers' home. When her eyes were uncovered, she squealed with joy.
Before her in the largest room in the house, were mounds of baby paraphernalia and wrapped gifts.
"EEEEEEE!"
Pleased, the Senshi decided that she liked it.
Miffed, Ken looked at his watch. "What could those women POSSIBLY be doing all day?"
Andrew laughed. "Shopping. Gossiping. Showering Serena with gifts." They groaned at his bad pun. "Who knows? Women can keep themselves occupied for any amount of time."
Greg looked at the fading sun. "It's getting late."
Darien's focus was on the moon, but he answered, smiling peacefully. "Serena is supposed to contact me when male presence is once again welcome in the house."
Chad rolled his eyes and returned to humming the bars of a new song he was working on. That sounded exactly like something Raye would say.
Suddenly, just for an instant, Darien's back itched furiously. Then, before any one could say or do anything, the youma was on him.
Serena froze, wrapping paper dangling from her hands. She had only opened about half the gifts when the chill came.
Lita noticed instantly and her eyes darkened. She stood. "What is it, Serena?"
Serena remained still with indecision for another moment. Then, she shot up from the floor, and issued commands.
"The guys are being attacked. Another youma is surely on its way here to catch us separated." She fought back a nauseating urge to run to Darien. "Raye, Mina, Lita, Amy, you go find the guys and help them out." She knew the women wanted to help their respective paramours. "The Outers will wait here for the inevitable appearance of another youma." Instantly, the eight of them all transformed. Mercury shot a look at her princess on her way out the door.
"What about you?!"
Serena looked grim, gripping her disguise pen. She hated the cowardly idea of hiding, but for the safety of her child, she simply had to. "Good question."
Before another word could be uttered, a youma burst through the large window in the entrance hall. Uranus cursed; that was an expensive window and their last safe hideout was blown. Then, as it appeared, she instinctively, turned to shield her princess, but found her gone. She glanced at Neptune, panicked, but azure eyes held reassurance.
"She is safe, Uranus." She turned to the youma. "Deep Submerge!" She whirled again, and mouthed, "She used the pen to become invisible!"
Uranus laughed as Saturn launched a "Silence Glaive Surprise!".
"Well, I suppose that will do for now."
Darien bucked the youma off of him and leapt up to a fighting stance. Moments later, he felt Serena's use of the disguise pen. She was most likely being attacked as well. He was torn. The guys, his comrades, though each was heavily trained in the martial arts, needed him as did his princess-he had her crystal. And should he transform? It should be okay, since he was disguised already. They would try to link Tuxedo Mask to the form his was in now and it would take a while.
So, he transformed.
The youma was humoring the other guys, and laying off energy attacks. And the guys were quite impressive in the martial arts. But it wouldn't hold for long. He let loose a barrage of roses, foolishly announcing his presence. The youma immediately recognized Tuxedo Mask, and flew at him, but Andrew body slammed him out of the way. The guys fought bravely and Tuxedo Mask launched rose after rose, but they were struggling.
Then, a sound like heaven reached their ears.
"Supreme Thunder!"
"Crescent Beam!"
A yellow beam of light sparking with green electricity put the youma down for the count.
"Come on, guys, Sailor Moon is busy, we can finish this guy off!" Mars yelled, casting a glance at her husband, then turning back to the youma. She and the girls had seen the "powerless" guys fighting the youma with hand combat. They were endeared by the effort and wanted to finish the youma off so they could all go purr up to the guys and make them feel macho.
"Right!"
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!"
The four full power attacks entwined with a massive cloud of roses destroyed the youma. There was a moment when the four couples went to each other for an embrace. Tuxedo Mask, feeling oddly out of place, remembered his princess-with no way to protect herself save the fierce Outer Scouts. Well, that was reassuring enough, but for Serena's ego and his own assurance, he took off sprinting to deliver the Crystal to her. The others followed after a much-needed romantic moment.
Uranus threw the youma off of her and across the yard, furious and panting. "NEVER!" she cried again.
"You cannot protect her forever!" the youma growled.
"Wanna bet?!" Outraged, she slammed her fist into the ground, screaming, "World Shaking!"
The youma dodged the attack only to meet Pluto. Pluto stood like Babe Ruth, holding her Staff like a bat, and swung it fiercely. The youma went flying. Uranus laughed at the comical attack.
The youma stood and dusted itself off. Obviously, this one must have been the stronger of the two because the Inners radioed to say they were on their way back. And it was a heck of a lot more annoying.
"Hah! I knew the Moon Princess was always a coward! Hiding behind your Senshi like usual, huh, Serenity? Are you a coward or just too weak to fight me!"
Neptune choked back the rage at the insult to her princess and attacked. "Submarine Reflection!"
Pluto could sense the anger radiating from the Moon Princess, invisible in the corner. "Not yet, Serenity! You can do nothing until Endymion gets here!" she hissed in her direction. She sensed Serenity bury her rage impatiently and silently. Then, Pluto attacked.
"Dead Scream!"
The youma screamed. It had just recovered from Neptune's attack and now Pluto was trying to erase it from existence. Slowly, its fibers of being were being eroded away. Suddenly, Pluto pulled her powers back, distracted by a shrill scream. She whirled to her almost daughter, Saturn, but found the girl searching for the origin of the sound as well. Dread nauseated her.
Serena screamed again.
The youma smirked hideously. "Yes, she's here, obviously. I embedded a tracking device into her skin. Now it is burning a hole into her flesh." He said it like a child on Christmas.
Another scream.
"STOP IT!" Saturn shrieked. He only smirked.
"Now why would I do that?"
"For a trade."
The youma whirled to the source of this new voice. Tuxedo Mask stood alone. He turned so they could see through his mask, and winked. The Outers were puzzled, but remained silent.
The youma didn't catch the wink but was puzzled as well. Serena continued to suck in sharp breaths to keep from screaming.
"I'm listening."
"Stop hurting the Princess and you get the Prince. How does that sound?"
Pluto almost smiled when she heard Serena's indignant gasp.
No one moved as the youma approached the Prince. Then, just as there was an inch between the two, all heck broke loose.
Namely, Sailor Moon.
Tuxedo Mask grinned as he felt a feather from Sailor Moon's wings brush his cheek. She shot at the youma, knocking him to the ground with her staff. He panicked, and tried to make whatever tracking device burn again, but Sailor Moon clenched her teeth, bore the pain, and blasted the youma into oblivion.
Before the celebrating could start and before Mercury could get to work on removing the "tracking device", Uranus and Moon locked eyes. Sailor Moon nodded grimly, and raised her staff, teleporting them.
While in the void, Uranus called out to the Senshi, Darien, and the guys, "This is a Level 4 emergency! I repeat, this is a Level FOUR emergency!"
Heh heh. Sorry to Nicole Patterson! I couldn't resist the cliffie! In the FBI Witness relocation program (I read a book about it by Dee Henderson. Good book.) Level Four is the highest level of security around a witness in protection. It means that the stalker or enemy knows where the witness is so the witness is forced into deep security and must relocate to a secure location and stay out of sight for a while. Just FYI.
Beware in Episode 8! A double kidnapping and Serena sneaking out into public?! Very VERY BAD!
Thanks for staying with me! And please review!
-Moon Pie
PS: Gomen again about the cliffie! I just cannot resist! ^.^ Ep 8 should come in a week or two!