Disclaimer: The evil corporations still refuse to sell me the rights to Sailor Moon.

Note: 154 reviews? Hellacool! I'm sorry everybody, about how much of a delay there was. I think being near my grandparents blocked my imagination.

Tasie: -grin- I've actually never been to NYC. But I am going to go someday.

Dragon Guardian: I love your reviews… J How do I go about joining Tux-Sux? I'm awed that you think this is hotter than orlando bloom! Cause he is HOT.

I grovel at the feet of all reviewers. I love you! Apparently not as much as some of you love the Court... To think I'm actually being threatened with bodily harm if I let Sea go back to Dares! –gives dares a pitying glance-

-Dares screams like a girl and runs away- Damn. Now I have to go chase him… That's why he's shown up once. He's scared of me. Or actually, Ash… -Ash grins and looks innocent. Is thwacked by Author- Now I know you are anxious to see the court- look in chapt 13. As for the Court meets Scouts. Soon. I promise. And Dares reaction will be shortly thereafter. As soon as I go chase him down. –grabs tranq gun, net, and chocolate- well, meanwhile, enjoy!

Chapter 12

Ami had felt that something was wrong with Serena. She'd worried when she'd quit receiving letters, and then seeing her that day at the Crown so changed and distant… And the pictures from her year in New York! She couldn't begin to picture her friend doing things like that: dressing like a fashion plate, drinking, even kissing a boy who wasn't Darien. It was like she'd forgotten her soulmate! And Serena had talked about going to clubs, about drinking, and dancing, and flirting as though it was perfectly normal. Something was very wrong.

Still, it could have been a phase. It could have been Serena's way of dealing with her parents' divorce- lots of kids acted out and started running with bad crowds during times like that. Ami had almost convinced herself that Serena was just lost and trying to deal with her new life when she followed the others into Serena's new room.

Serena was standing beside her beaming, and hugging her mother. "It's wonderful! I love it Mom!"

Ami saw her own shock written on the faces of the other Scouts. They had all expected a fairy tale room- a canopy or maybe a sleigh bed, with lots of cream or white and tasteful pastel pinks and lavenders and pearl. Something fit for a moon princess. This was decidedly not what the Scouts had pictured.

To one side, a twin bed piled high with pillows, all in rich vibrant purples and crimsons, sat beneath a draped mosquito netting. The walls were painted a soft burnished gold, and there were carpets strewn across the wood floor. In the far corner opposite the bed was another pile of pillows, perfect for a small group of friends to lounge around on. To the right was an antique wooden screen, which hid Serena's iMac. Decorating the walls were a few prints and sketches of Indian dancers and temples. The bedside tables were draped in silks printed with Indian designs, and laden with candles, incense burners, and even a small Buddha.

Even Rei was speechless at the new décor. This was decidedly not the room of a moon princess. It was… It was not something that would have fit into the Moon Palace, or even Crystal Tokyo. In fact it made her think of Indian courtesans… Yet Serena seemed to be in heaven.

Ilene left the girls to relax in the new and improved room. She left smiling, her step light. It had been wonderful to see her daughter so happy. If she'd known Serena had hated the room that much she would have let her redo it ages ago.

Serena flopped down into the massive pile of cushions and wondered what her friends would say when they got to see it. Illianna and Susan would probably call their decorators that instant. Ash and Puck would make lewd comments about the many uses of pillows. Gabriel would tell her the best escape route and the best way to sneak in at 3 in the morning. Dee would snort and say it wasn't bad for a girly-thing… 'Oh my Goddess!' Serena jerked up, and stared over at the Scouts. 'I forgot them…' she felt a blush creep into her cheeks. 'I just thought about the court! I never even considered them…' she looked hesitantly at her old friends. "So? What do you think guys?" she asked, keeping her voice cheerful.

"Erm… I, uh, I like it!" Lita said, still staring around.

"It's very… posh," Mina added. "But comfy…"

"It's definitely a new look." This from Ami, who was staring at Serena.

Serena looked away from Ami quickly. "Rei? I don't think I've ever seen you this quiet!"

"I- I…" Rei trailed off, and looked out the window. A moment passed, and then she spun to face Serena, her eyes blazing. "I think it's awful! It isn't you, Serena? What are you doing? You come back from New York, running around in your designer clothes, showing off your precious new look and talking all about your new life, but you haven't changed! You haven't changed a bit- you're still the same thoughtless, immature little girl you always were. You deliberately cheated on Darien, probably just out of spite; you avoid us; you turn your nose up at everything we've worked for!"

Serena was on her feet now, her ocean blue eyes as icy as glaciers, and when she spoke her voice was just as cold. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Mars. But the sad, sorry truth is that I have changed a hell of a lot more than my wardrobe and boyfriends. And if you like Darien so much you have him! That's why you're so angry, isn't it? That I finally got a spine and forgot him and you've realized you may not be far behind."

Rei stuttered, her mouth opening and closing. Then she collected herself and her eyes narrowed. "Oh, I doubt that. Come off it Serena- we're all you've got! No one else would hang out with a loser like you!"

Once upon a time, that speech would have destroyed her. And even now it felt as if Rei had punched her in the stomach- what if she were right? Serena hadn't been able to sense the court since she arrived. Had they abandoned her? But she knew better than to let the impact show. Instead she tilted her head curiously at the fiery brunette. "Are you so certain, Mars?" her voice was dangerously calm. "If I'm such a loser, I fully understand if you wish to leave," she threw an icy glance at the rest, "all of you. I apologize for any inconveniences." She gestured pointedly toward the door.

"Serena! Rei!" Mina was scowling. "We are friends here! We're on the same team, and Serena you are the Moon Princess. We're your protectors, your friends…"

"You aren't a bother- you're one of us!" Lita protested. "And we aren't leaving."

Ami merely nodded. They would do their duty, to stand beside and protect the Moon Princess, even if she no longer wanted the title.

Rei was glaring at them all. Serena was being a selfish brat and they wouldn't even call her on it! Well… they had a point. She would just have to protect the princess from herself. She swallowed her pride. "I'm sorry Serena. I should not have said that. I was out of line…"

Serena smiled, tucking her anger out of sight for now. "I accept your apology. I still think you should have Darien if you want him."

The other gasped in shock. "Serena!" Rei frowned again. "He loves you. He's been a total mess while you were gone!"

"Andrew said he was even having trouble keeping his grades up," Mina said. Serena arched a regal eyebrow.

"Really? Are you sure he just didn't get hooked on crack or something? Because as I recall quite clearly, he doesn't even like me."

Lita decided to change the subject by asking what was for lunch. Meanwhile, Mina and Rei put their heads together. One thing was very clear- if they wanted Serena back to normal, they'd have to get her back with Darien. So, with this goal firmly in mind, the Scouts of Love and Fire began to plot.