Serenity's jaw had dropped at his confession. Had she heard him right? He loved her? Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She could feel him gently wiping them away. Slowly she began to shake her head and took a step back. Why now? Why couldn't he have told her sooner? It felt as if her heart were shattering as she pulled away. The look in his eyes was almost too much to bear. Wiping at her eyes she leaned her head back to look up.

"Why? Why now?" When she looked at him he had a pained expression upon his face.

"I'm sorry. I just…" He lowered his head. "I couldn't go on another day without you knowing." Serenity slowly fell to her knees in despair.

"You're too late…" A silent sob wracked her body. Kneeling in front of her Duo placed his forehead against hers while taking her hands in his.

"Why is it too late Serenity?" When she looked up at him he wiped away her tears.

"I'm engaged Duo…It's been made final." Duo felt his heart drop into his stomach. Engaged?

"To who?" Shuddering with the effort it took not to cry she forced herself to maintain eye contact.

"Endymion."

"What? But why? When?" Anger and sorrow quelled within his stomach as he heard his brother's name. Why didn't he know about this?

"It was arranged at my birth. Earth would join the Alliance if I would wed the heir of the throne when I became seventeen." Wiping away her tears she sniffled. "I don't want to marry him… I don't love him… It's just not fair." Moving closer Duo sat next her, still caressing the side of her face. Softly he spoke to her, almost afraid to do so.

"Who do you love Serenity?" As he moved closer to her Serenity could feel her heart speeding. Shutting her eyes she spoke moments before his lips met hers.

"I love you Duo." A shiver went down her spine as their lips met in a soul searing kiss.

It was a moment she had often dreamt about yet never dared believe possible. Placing her arms around his neck she allowed him to pull her closer. Looking up into his eyes she placed her hands on either side of his face before he planted several kisses on her face. Brushing his bangs out of his face she kissed his forehead, shuddering when he placed a kiss on her neck. Leaning in close he whispered into her ear.

"I love you will all of my heart, my dearest Serenity." Pulling him close she kissed him once more. For the first time in her life she had everything she could have ever dreamt of.

One Month Later…

"Serenity?" Slightly out of breath Duo ran into the hallway, following a mischievous Serenity to the corridor where they had shared their first kiss. Turning around she pulled him to her, kissing him.

"Welcome home my Prince." Grinning she embraced him, enjoying his warmth.

"It seems like years since I last saw you." Kissing her once more he wrapped an arm around her waist as she leaned upon him. Together they slowly walked the hallways, ignorant to the world around them.

"When are you supposed to go back out?" Gravely Duo sighed, pushing his bangs out of his eyes.

"I have two weeks before we're sent back onto the battlefield." Serenity frowned lightly, pulling away and crossing her arms.

"I don't want you to go back." Duo stopped to look at her, her pain tugging at his heart. "What if…What if you don't come back?" Her breathing was uneven as she struggled not to cry, staring into his eyes. Holding her tightly he planted a gentle kiss upon her forehead. Serenity placed her hands on either side of his face as she shut her eyes, memorizing every detail about him.

"Marry me Serenity." At this her eyes snapped open, shock written clearly in them and upon her face. "Say you'll marry me and we'll go right now. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to make you happy." Smiling she leaned up on her tiptoes and gave him another kiss.

"I'll marry you Duo." Placing their heads together she kissed his nose. "It's all I ever wanted."

Duo was true to his word. The moment she accepted he whisked her away to a church on earth. It was a small church, nothing extravagant. Although it wasn't the wedding she had dreamt of as a child Serenity thought it was even better. She was marrying the man of her dreams and was going to spend the rest of her life with him. After the ceremony Duo took her to an island in the Caribbean that was uninhabited. He had built a home there long ago for himself and wanted to share it with her.

That night, as she lay in his arms, she reveled in the safety she felt. With her head on his shoulder and his arm around her she felt that all she would ever need she had. They were enjoying their time of peace before they eventually had to return to the moon. As he moved to turn onto his side to look at her he watched her blush furiously. She giggled when she saw the blush across his own face and gave him a gentle kiss. Sighing, Duo pulled her close to him. He could feel her playing with his hair and shivered. He'd never allowed anyone to touch his hair before then. She had taken it out of the confines of his braid and now ran her fingers through it. It was nice to have her play with his hair.

"You're so beautiful." Brushing the back of his hand against her cheek he watched her sigh as she shut her eyes. Holding his hand to her face Serenity opened her eyes and blinked back the tears.

"I don't want you to leave Duo. What if you don't come back?" The fear and despair in her voice tore into his heart. Embracing her he felt her bury her face in the crook of his neck. Her tears fell into his hair and onto his skin, reminding him of the reality he faced.

"I promise I'll return to you Serenity. Once this war is over I'll come back. I won't let anyone take you away from me." Gently she pulled away, reaching up around her neck to unclasp her necklace. Taking it off she used a small amount of her power to lengthen the chain that the silver cross hung upon. When it was a decent length she went to clasp it about Duo's neck.

"My father gave this to my mother as a promise of his love. I want you to wear it and remember how much I love you." Once it was around his neck she kissed his nose and returned to her previous position. Duo held up the cross and noted how beautiful it was, carved by hand. Smiling he kissed the top of her head. He then curled his body around hers as she pressed against him. "I love you Serenity." Sniffling as she struggled not to cry she kissed his jaw line.

"I love you too Duo. So, so much." They fell asleep in one another's arms, ignoring the perils of the world around them.