Disclaimer: The Sailor Moon Universe does not belong to me. Which is probably a good thing…

Note: Kudos to all of ya who recognized the names of the Court! And I am amazed at how few fans Darien has right now… *smiles at D* Tux boy, you need to hire a PR expert…

Anyway I'm warning you that I'll be gone for a few days so the next couple of chapters won't be out for a little bit. Family Reunions. UGH. Also, these chapters might get rewritten. I'm not sure I like them.

And for those who are confused about the ties of the Court- it will be explained. Eventually. Till then I'm just going to let everyone get a headache as they attempt to figure it out.

Chapter 10

Rei, Ami, Lita, and Mina were all huddled around her, and she was about to open the book when it hit her. They were all giggling, laughing, and so eager to hear all about New York, about her school and any cute guys. But they hadn't asked about her new friends. They hadn't asked about any of the changes beyond her hair… They didn't think she'd changed. They didn't even realize she might have made new friends, that she might have made a new life.

But it was too late. She'd hesitated a moment too long… Rei was grabbing the book, opening it. Oh well, it was done. Maybe it was better this way. She glanced down at the pictures and smiled fondly at the memories.

The first few pages were from her first weeks among the Court- she still had her pigtails, and several of the pictures showed her sprawled out after having a major trip-up. Those sent Rei and Lita into howls of delight. Then they saw her cheerleading photos. The pigtails were gone by then, and she wore the short pleated skirt and shell top comfortably. The maroon and silver outfit was reminiscent of the sailor suits, minus the bows and flaps. Not to mention those insanely high heels. The pictures were of her in a full extension held up by Puck and Ash, of her at the peak of her toe-touch (it was Serena's favorite jump) with her legs out nearly to the splits and her arms extended perfectly, then a few more of the entire squad.

"Oh my god, Serena!" Rei was laughing suddenly, "You actually made a cheerleading team? What were you- comedy relief?"

"You were a cheerleader?" Lita was staring at her. "Come on Serena, you hate getting in front of people…" Serena fought down her anger and forced herself to grin.

"That was before! I love performing! And for your information Rei, I was voted best flyer… that means that I was the best at the aerial moves. I was the one on top of the pyramids, the extensions… and I got tossed into the air…" she smiled at the memories.

"Serena, you're terrified of heights!" Ami laughed.

"Do I look scared in that picture? Besides, Ash and Puck never dropped me…" She glanced meaningfully down at the pictures of her with the two boys. The ploy worked. The girls were now entranced by the picture.

"Those guys are hot!" Mina squealed. "Who are they?"

"Ash Roman and Puck Winston. They're great friends…" She said as she turned the page. A moment to register what was on that page… Rei was gaping. So were the other scouts. Photos of school dances… Serena wearing her Winter crown, standing close to a boy with pale hair and dark eyes. Theirry looked so handsome in that picture… Serena dancing with the dark blond, lanky Ash who was smiling that slow sexy smile… Gabriel, his dark hair ruffled and his midnight eyes sparkling as he expertly twirled Thea and Susan both…

Then the parties: Serena and Illianna the honey blond princess toasting margaritas beside the fountain in Susan's garden. Serena and Theirry caught mid-kiss on Quinn's father's yacht. Serena being carried across a beach by Ash, the white-haired Puck, and Gabriel. Quinn winking an emerald eye at the camera. Susan and Diana striking centerfold poses on the hood of Ash's fiery red Porsche. Gabriel and Zach passed out on a couch, beers still clutched in their hands. Dee, her cinnamon eyes blazing in triumph as she held Puck in a headlock. Then lastly, Thea with her chestnut hair flying as she held a SuperSoaker at the camera.

Rei spoke first, staring at Serena accusingly. "You kissed that boy? W-why? How could you?"

"What about Darien?" wailed Mina.

Serena shook her head. "Of course I kissed Theirry. He is my boyfriend!"

"But… Darien…" Lita was looking very confused.

"Darien's my ex." Serena shrugged. "HE wanted it that way. And I have to agree with him… "

"Serena!" protested Luna, who had somehow gotten in, tailed by Artemis, "You don't mean that for a moment!"

"I've meant it for a year, Luna," Serena said, turning a wilting gaze to the cat before smiling as she attempted to soften the blow. "Darien made a wise decision breaking it off."

"No he didn't!" Rei growled. "What about Crystal Tokyo? What about the future? You are so thoughtless Serena!"

"Rei," snapped Mina, "That is enough." She didn't want to have to deal with a Serena tantrum just now… But a quick glance at Serena assured her that their 'fearless leader' was not in danger of having a tantrum. If anything Serena looked disturbingly bored.

Ami was staring at the pictures again. She was looking at the people in them now, not just Serena, or the surroundings. And she noticed something- Every single one of the group was beautiful. They made the snapshots look like professional portraits. Like magazine ads, she decided as she continued turning the pages. Why did she find it so disturbing?

Lita and Mina were also staring at the pictures. Or more correctly the guys in the pictures. They could both understand why Serena would have had trouble focusing on her duties to Crystal Tokyo with those sorts of distractions.