Disclaimer: Alas, I still have not managed to buy Sailor Moon. So I'm just borrowing that universe for the moment.

Note: Sorry I haven't updated. I already had this chapter written- so I'm giong to go ahead and post it. I know the cliffy is evil… and I want to thank all of my wonderful, blessed, divine reviewers. I may not get this updated for a few days- I got in a car wreck Saturday and I'm a leetle banged up. Not serious, but sitting doesn't feel too good. – got glass in the backs of my legs-.

Enjoy this chapter and I apologize for the cliffy and the slowing of the updates…

Chapter 14

They were at Illianna's penthouse apartment. The music wasn't quite blaring, but was definitely somewhere above loud. Serena was sipping cherry sloe gin with orange juice- she couldn't recall the proper name, but she thought it tasted delicious. It had been the perfect morning so far and it would be the perfect day. But then, when one was part of the Court, every day was perfect. The thought made her smile, and then she laughed. Goddess, how many days had it been since she'd found it this easy to laugh?

They had meant to take this time to relax and recover from jet lag and general fatigue, but as always, once they were all together, there was no thought of sleep or rest. It was energizing to be together. Serena privately felt as though the twelve of them could take on the world. And win.

"So what's there to do here?" Dee asked, flopping into the couch beside Serena.

"Yeah," Puck added, "I could use a serious massage! Maybe by some hot Japanese chicks… Like in that Jackie Chan movie- Rush Hour 2?"

Susan snorted. "A massage? I swear Puck, you think life is one big porno!"

"Well… yes. Isn't it?" his cornflower blue eyes widened in surprise. "Ooph!" he grunted as Dee's well-aimed pillow struck him upside the head.

"Well," Serena interrupted before another pillow fight could erupt, "How about we go get lunch or something? There are a bunch of really great places by my house…"

"Sounds great," Ash said.

"You always think the idea of food sounds great," Quinn told him. "But let's go investigate…"

"Yeah, real subtle Q." Theirry was smirking. "Must be genetic."

"All right, all right, play nice boys," Diana said, looking amused. "All in favor of terrorizing Serena's neighboring restaurants?"

Maybe if she hadn't been just so deliriously happy she would have seen it coming. Maybe if she'd taken them down a different street the whole episode would have been avoided. But she was and she hadn't and so there it was.

The Court was wandering down the street, a group of touristy rich teens, obviously Americans, window shopping and discussing food. Serena was walking between Theirry and Illianna, without a care in the world when Puck stopped dead in his tracks. She nearly ran into him as he stood frozen and gaping at something ahead of them.

"The Crown Parlour? Sweet!" he said, sounding awed. "That's so… perfect!"

Ash was staring too. "Dude! That's it!"

"I think they've found their new hangout," Diana said wryly, her green eyes dancing.

"Well it does fit," Theirry was saying as the group began making its way there. "The Court… the Crown…"

Serena couldn't think of a thing to say. Of all the places in the entire city of Tokyo, they had to stumble on this one. Bloody hell. She let herself be swept along, through the familiar front doors, and into her childhood hangout, the place that had become forever the Scouts' hangout…

The Court were seated, taking up the large back corner table, when she realized how completely dumb she was being. She had always loved the place, and now her friends could be here with her!

Andrew wove through the other customers to come and take their orders. She waved to him happily. "Everybody, this is Andrew!" she announced as soon as he was standing by the table. She grinned as she saw the look on Andrew's face- he was looking unbelievably nervous and unsure. "Andrew, these are my friends from America!"

Illianna and Susan were both eyeing Andrew curiously as he managed a smile and nod. "Hello, good to meet you," he got out, barely even stuttering. "Um… can I take your orders?"

Andrew had difficulty focusing as he wrote down the twelve orders. It was like he'd just been introduced to royalty, or the hottest new band or… or… something. It was like he had somehow stumbled into a teen movie staring The Beautiful People. They were all so cool! Their clothes, their hair, their voices, it all screamed 'COOL.' And Serena was one of them. And two of the girls had definitely been flirting with him! Him, plain old Andrew, and suddenly he didn't feel so plain…

The dazed and confused Andrew had just disappeared into the kitchen, when Serena's worst dream came true. Ami, Rei, Lita, and Mina walked through the door.

Mina's jaw hit the floor. "Oh my god! Ami, is my hair okay? Do I look okay? Should I go back and change?"

"What's with yo---oh…" Rei's eyes had followed Mina's to the back of the room.

Lita was light years ahead of them, and was staring at the group in the back with lost, dreamy eyes.

Ami looked at the group of laughing and oblivious strangers closely. "Guys, those look like the people from Serena's album!"

"Wha… oh. Whatever you say Ami…" Lita said.

"And look, there's Serena!" Rei said suddenly, reanimating. "Come on! She's gotta introduce us!"

"Rei! Stop!" Mina grabbed her friend's arm. "Look at that boy she's with!"

Even Lita's trance ended as she stared at Serena and the pale-haired boy. His arm was draped around her. And the two interacted with an easy affection they had only glimpsed between Serena and Darien.

"That's him," Rei hissed, her eyes narrowing. "We have got to stop this! She's freaking intended for Darien, whether she wants to admit it or not!"

Even Venus couldn't hold back the wrath of Mars…