Chapter 3
The Web Closes


Wednesday night
Bryce reached over to the printer and removed the picture. He stared at it and said to his guest, "This is him."

"Him?"

"The man I saw watching Serena at the lake."

"Are you sure?"

"Indeed."

"How will you locate him?"

"Through the central terminal." Bryce turned from his guest and pushed a button on the phone.

"Nat here. Problems, Bry?"

"No," Bryce answered, "but I think I have found the answer to locating Serena. I'm sending you an image on the computer, check it with Central."

"Sure, anything else?" Nat asked.

"Yeah, Make it STAT!"

"Yep, Nat out."

As Bryce turned back to his guest, Bryce was asked, "How do you know he was watching her?"

"I just do."

"Answer the question," the guest whispered derisively. "At least, for yourself, before you get into something that may not be."

"I watched him before I walked up, and when Serena left, I saw him step out from beyond the trees as if to come forward. He stopped suddenly and went back into the trees." Bryce frowned, remembering, "I went to investigate, but all I found at the place he stood were a few scattered rose petals."

The guest's head snapped up suddenly, "Rose petals you say?"

"Yes, why? Do you know something?"

"Maybe."

"Well?" Bryce asked, "Tell me!"

"Not until I know for sure."

As Bryce stared at his guest crossly, the phone rang. "Nat?"

"Yeah, listen, I ran this guy and I know where he lives, works, and goes to school."

"Send it to me." Bryce demanded impatiently.

"It's there," Nathaniel laughed, "Check your monitor."

Bryce turned the chair around to face his computer. "Excellent! Excellent work, my friend."

"Thanks, anything else?"

"No, just have the bugs ready."

"Got it, Nat out."

Bryce printed a copy of the statistics and leaned back to review it. His guest waited patiently for the details and was not disappointed, "twenty-one, movie production studio, college, high rise apartment, car, motorcycle, Darien Chiba."

"Any personal stats?" The guest asked curiously.

"No, these are only his registrations, license, and other such documents."

"So now what are you going to do?" This was a question he was most interested in hearing the answer to, knowing Bryce the way he did. He was not expecting the answer Bryce gave him.

"Sleep!"

"What?" He asked incredulously. "You have the information you wanted . . . "

"Yes, but I have to think about how to approach this. Just like you said, I can't go in there with both barrels loaded, now can I?"

"Of course not."

Bryce smiled, "You sound a little ruffled. It's certainly a first time for that."

"I do not get ruffled!" His guest said airily.

"Hmm . . . Could've fooled me! Ok, how about impatient then?" Bryce continued to smile at the other's discomfiture.

"No." Was the only reply he received.

"Then what do you call it?" Bryce egged.

"My job is to hear, assimilate, and reply."

"That's not what I asked," Bryce laughed, "but I'll drop it, for now." He turned back to the phone and hit another button.

"Brand here!" The excited voice rushed.
"What did you find?"
"It looks like a couple of things are gone from the parents' and boy's room."
"Did Ruark plant the bugs?" Bryce asked quickly.
"Sure did. It's easy when no one is expected to come home."
"I agree, but don't let your guard down."
"Yes oh dear brother and boss of mine." Brand mocked inanely.
Bryce wasn't in the mood for games from his moronic brother tonight. "What about Serena's room?"
"I was getting to that. You're never going to believe this . . . It's almost totally cleaned out."
"What!" Bryce yelled. "Why didn't you call me sooner?"
"Because I just got back to the car and picked up the phone to call you when you called me!" Brandon answered loudly, "Now calm down!"
When there was no reply, he continued, "Her closet looks almost empty, so does her dresser. There's no brushes or female, girlie things on her makeup table."
"I don't think she wears makeup," Bryce said absently, still shocked at this turn of events.
"Still, there're places where dust collected around empty places. You take my meaning?"
"Yeah, go on."
"Well, whoever took her stuff, knew exactly where to go and what to take. Even still, the room is half trashed as if done in A.."
"...Hurry." Bryce finished for him.
"Right." Brand agreed, "But I'll tell you, truthfully, I saw no one go in the house or leave the house either, especially with the amount of stuff that looks like, from the damage wrought, that is gone from there. I swear it."
"I believe you, continue . . . " Bryce replied honestly.
"Well, when the family left, they only had one small suitcase with them, justifying they'd be gone for three or four days." Brandon paused a moment to gather his thoughts, "That call from the girl, Molly. Serena's mom said two or so weeks, but I would say, guessing of course, that there is probably enough stuff gone for a month."
"A month!" Bryce again yelled, this time coming out of his seat, swearing profusely. "Shit!"

His guest placed his hands on Bryce's shoulders and gently, but firmly, pushed him back into his seat, whispering, "Compose yourself."

Bryce nodded and continued to Brandon, "All right, I'll be there in the morning to check the house myself."
Brand laughed. "Don't you trust me oh-wise-seer of mine?"
"Of course." Bryce smiled and replied, "I only think you're an idiot half of the time." On a more serious note he added, "Besides, I know this girl. Maybe I can find something you missed. But tonight I have another job for you. Check your fax. The address is there."
"It's in my hand now, what do you want me to do?"
"Shut the water off in the apartment number on that paper."
"Can we say undercover today boys and girls?" Brandon joked.
"Oh, but of course! Get the plumbers gear . . . "
"Yeah, I get it."
"Knock it off and let me finish," Bryce laughed, "Get in the apartment, see if Serena, Reenie, or Raye is in there. Don't worry about taps. Ruark'll handle that later. Just get the layout."
"I know the drill . . . " Brandon interrupted, totally serious once again, and totally exasperated with his oldest brother for telling him how to do his job. "What's the back-up plan in case I can't get in or there's no one home?"
"None, yet, just do your best."
Sighing loudly, Brandon asked, "Do you want me to do this tonight?"
"No, wait until about eight or so in the morning, when people need showers. Take a mini cam on your shirt. Is there one in the van?"
There was a rustling sound, then Brand answered, "Yeah, there's two."
"Good, take pictures of everything."
"I will. Anything else?"
"Umm . . . No, that should do it, but tonight, just go over there and watch the complex. Walk the halls, find your way around, find the apartment, get the feel of things. Then wait til morning."
"Got it." Brandon insisted, shaking his head in disgust.
"Are we clear?"
"As crystal. Brand out."

Bryce's hand slammed down on the table so hard, the glasses on it jumped.

"You must relax."

"I can't now . . . A month? You believe that? This is ridiculous!" Bryce rested his chin on his fist stunned.

"Why don't you get some sleep?"

"I know. I'm going. Turn the monitors on and listen to the others. Inform me of any changes."

"Of course. Rest well." His guest said.

Bryce smiled as he glanced back, "I guess sleep is out of the question."


Brandon left immediately for his new assignment, however, once getting there, he was more than slightly confused. He walked the halls until just before dawn, but couldn't find the apartment number Bryce gave him. He found the one before and the one after, but where there should

be Darien Chiba's apartment, was only a solid wall. I must be exhausted, was the only excuse Brand could come up with as he made his way out to the van. I'll rest a while then try again.


Thursday morning . . . about 8:30
Brandon made his way into the basement of Darien's apartment building. He shut the water off to the corresponding number on the paper. As he walked the hall where the apartment should be, once again, he found nothing but a solid wall. "What the hell is going on?" He wondered aloud. Brandon decided to wait to call Bryce and walked each floor carefully. After this was done, he went to the lobby to wait for a familiar face–he would not report failure.

Serena awoke to the wonderful smell of food. I am famished. She looked back at Darien who was still sleeping. His arm was gripped tightly around her waist once again. Luna was curled up in front of her, and Serena began to pet her.

Luna purred, stood up, stretched, and sniffed the air. She gave Serena a look that she remembered all too well.

"Starved." They both whispered.

Luna jumped from the bed and was out the door in a flash.

"Darien," Serena said softly, "Time to wake up!"

"I'm awake. It's still hard to believe that you wake up before I do." He smiled as she rolled over and snuggled close to his side when he sat up and leaned against the headboard.

"It is just that I am not used to the brightness of the Sun here. It is different on the Moon you know."

"Yeah, but the Serena of today would sleep well past noon."

Serena giggled then whispered confidentially, "And so I do, on the Moon."

He laughed at her admission. "I guess that's Lita's cooking we smell. Are you ready to get up and face the day?" When she nodded, he said, "Well, sit tight and I'll get your suitcases."

"My what?"

"Your clothes."

"Oh," Serena sounded a little forlorn, "I was sort of enjoying wearing your shirts."

Darien looked down at her nestled at his side and his voice was full of innocence as he said, "But if you go around town in my shirt, you would definitely gain a lot of attention."

"Darien!" She exclaimed laughing. His joined hers and then they both jumped as the door was pounded on.

They heard Raye as she yelled through it, "Is that mixed up moon brain awake yet?"

"Come in Raye!" Serena called out, giving Darien a dirty look as he tried to hold back a laugh at Raye's comment.

As Raye opened the door, Darien got up, laughter still sparkling in his eyes, to get the suitcases out of the living room. Raye's smile was full of mischief as she plopped herself down in the spot Darien had just left. Serena gave her the same dirty look as she had given Darien, but Raye didn't care. Raye knew how much fun it was to terrorize Serena, it didn't matter to her which Serena she terrorized as long as she had one of them.

When Darien walked into the living room, he stopped, startled, as he saw the Silver Crystal floating there.

When he looked at Lita, she shrugged and said, "It was there when I woke up. Artemis said it flashed last night after we went to sleep, but even he was surprised to see it suspended in air with no aid from Serena." Luna sat on the floor staring at the Crystal in amazement.

"Serena," Darien called out, "you really ought to see this."

Serena looked at Raye who just shook her head and shrugged. She stood up slowly, to make sure she could maintain her equilibrium. Raye put a supporting hand under her elbow to steady her. Serena smiled in thanks and walked out the door. "What is it, Darien?" Serena asked because he was standing so that she couldn't see the Crystal.

The others had come into the living room and watched her closely as he stepped aside. Serena saw the Crystal and gasped softly. When she looked directly at it, she seemed to enter a trance-like state as her crescent moon began to glow brightly. Serena slowly approached the Crystal. She reached out a trembling hand to touch it and, as she did so, it flashed blindingly bright. When everyone could see again, the four Scouts stood looking at themselves in shock as they had not transformed. Prince Darien was at Princess Serena's right shoulder, holding her waist. Serena was in her princess dress with the Crystal resting in her outstretched palms. Serena sagged wearily and would have fallen if Darien had not held her. She silently commanded the Crystal back into the locket and gave her prince a tired smile.

"What in the hell was that?" Sailor Mars demanded.

Mercury pulled out her computer and typed furiously, as confused as the rest until she read the results, then she was astounded, "We were just given a minuscule part of the Crystal. It's very small, but detectable."

As the others gasped, her eyes widened in continued amazement, "And a larger part of Princess Serena's life force as well!"

After powering down, Darien glanced at Serena in anger. She touched her locket, and, again in his t-shirt, smiled, telling him, "I did not do it."

Sailor Venus ran up to her then, "How do you feel?" She asked anxiously.

"Fine."

Sailor Jupiter, wondering what other shocks were in store for them, raised her eyebrow pointedly when she looked at Luna.

Luna knew what just happened, most of it anyway, and the group waited for her to speak, "Detransform and I'll tell you what's going on, but only after breakfast."

Serena had no idea how weak the incident with the Crystal left her, so when Darien stepped away, he took away her support. She tried unsuccessfully to stop the world from swirling around her and began to crumple to the floor. Darien barely managed to reach her before she hit.

"Look at that," Raye said sneeringly, but without the biting edge, "She wilts like a damn flower!"

Darien shook his head, smiling at Raye's way of worrying, and carried Serena back to the bed.

"So?" He asked Amy impatiently when she and the others had followed him in.

"I'm not sure, Darien."

Looking at Luna expectantly, she said, "Let's get her up and fed, then I'll tell you what I can."


Lita finished making breakfast as Serena woke up at Darien's gentle urgings. Everyone piled into the bedroom to eat. Lita watched Serena as she ate and laughed. When Raye, Amy, and Mina looked at her curiously, she said, "Take a look." And pointed at Serena. Understanding the joke, a round of heart lightening laughter was heard from everyone in the room.

Except Serena. She placed her fork on her plate and crossed her arms over her chest, waiting, "Care to fill me in on the joke?"

"It's just that . . . ," Amy began as tactfully as she could, "Well, uh . . . , you see . . . the today's Serena is . . . "

"... A pig." Raye gleefully finished for her.

At Serena's astonished look, Amy grumbled, "I was trying to be delicate, Raye." Raye just shrugged, still grinning. Darien was seriously considering his food as Serena glanced his way, and the rest of the group were rolling, their food forgotten for the moment.

When Mina could speak she added, "Yeah, girlfriend, there wouldn't be enough food for the rest of us if you had your memories. You can sure pack away the food!"

Serena lifted her nose loftily, piqued, but laughter shined in her eyes and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"So, Luna, you gonna tell us now or what?" Mina asked after they had finished eating.

"Quite simply," Luna shrugged, "Serena used the Crystal."

Their heads snapped to Serena quickly, Darien's eyes flashing furiously. "I did not!" She protested.

"She didn't use the Crystal," Artemis put in to forestall the inevitable arguments, "The Crystal used her." As each eyed him, disbelievingly, he explained. "The Crystal knows Princess Serena's vulnerability and that she can't be Sailor Moon right now. It took from her energy and gave part of itself to each of you to make you slightly more powerful. No new attacks, just the old ones will be much stronger and there'll be less a physical drain on you when attacking, using Teleport, planet attack and the such."

"That's way past cool." Mina said excitedly.

"Artemis, how do you know all this?" Luna asked, slightly miffed that he should know more about this than she does.

"Queen Serenity told me about it. She said it had only been done one other time that she could recall. That was in the time Serenity's grandmother had the Crystal. It has to do with some sort of 'overpowering need to protect the Crown'."

"Well, that's understandable," Lita agreed.

"Yeah, but why did the Crystal give us part of Serena's life force as well, it doesn't make sense." Amy asked Artemis.

"That part was my doing." Serena said proudly to the now deathly silent room. When Darien looked at her, she sighed, closing her eyes, knowing that he was going to be very angry about this. In almost a whisper she continued, "I knew what the Crystal wanted. I gave, willingly, to help all of you in the only way I could." She paused, "I determined it not to be enough for success, whatever that may mean I do not know as that was not revealed to me. I did the only thing I could think of. I split my life force in seven parts. I kept one piece to keep me alive." Serena looked at the Scouts then, "I gave to each of you an equal share." When Darien met her eyes, "To you, I gave two."

When Darien turned away from her, too angry for words, everyone began talking at once. No one could understand any of this.

"Enough!" They knew that voice and turned back to Serena. "All I can say is that this was necessary. Please understand," she implored, to Darien especially, "I had to do what I could to help."

Amy, once again on her computer, asked, "How will you sustain us?"

"I do not need to, that part of me, has combined with your life force and has made you stronger."

"But how will you survive?" Mina questioned, close to tears.

"I will improve in time. But, as an advantage, you being with me, gives me strength I did not have before." Amy nodded, almost understanding, but Lita, Mina, Raye, and even the cats were confused. "I cannot explain it, you will just have to see it, if or when, the time comes." That said, Darien got up and stalked from the room. Serena watched him leave, knowing that she had hurt him, but she also knew that she was right in this. She turned sad eyes back to the others to answer their endless stream of questions.


"Luna," Artemis whispered to her, "we need to talk."

As the two cats strolled down the street, Artemis related something to Luna that he had not told the others. "I intentionally left something out about the Crystal." At her inquiring glance, he finished, "It's about the need to protect the Crown. It means, that even the Crystal fears for her life and may not be able to protect Serena for long. That's why it used Darien and the Scouts." Luna meowed forlornly, as Artemis licked away her tears.


Brandon sat patiently in the lobby. I've had enough of this. He went to walk the halls again. He took the stairs two at a time to relieve his built up tension. As he reached the floor where Darien Chiba's apartment should be, Brandon paused to check his watch. 12:45 He'd called in to Bryce at nine and told him everything. Bryce was furious, almost hysterically so, but knew there was nothing to be done except wait. And that's all I've done for hours. Brandon complained silently as he walked down this hall for what seemed like the fiftieth time that day. It was then that he saw a door where a wall should be. Brandon felt a familiar rush of excitement when he saw on that selfsame door, the number to the apartment he'd been looking for. He shook his head as if dazed and knocked loudly on the door.

Darien was on the balcony when he heard the knock. He turned to go to it when w the bedroom door opened to reveal Mina, laughing. Darien shook his head, waved her back in, and motioned her to quiet everyone in the room. Mina shrugged, covering her mouth with her hand to prevent giggling again, and closed the door quickly and quietly. Darien walked to the door, took a steadying breath, and opened it.

Brandon waited with bated breath as heard footsteps and what sounded like laughter from the other side of the door. The door opened. "Are you Darien Chiba?" Brandon asked.

"I am."

"Well, there's been reports of water outages all over the building today. Do you mind if I come in and take a look?"

Darien waved the man in, vaguely recalling Lita mentioning earlier that there wasn't any water to wash the dishes. "Yeah, I've had problems with it myself."

"You should've called earlier. We'd have sent someone out."

Absently, as he walked the man to the kitchen, Darien replied, "I've been too busy to worry about it." When Darien looked at the sink full of dishes, he cringed.

The man seemed to notice the same thing, raised his eyebrow and hedged, "Looks like you've had quite a party here recently."

"Not really, just an early breakfast with some buddies." Darien grinned, "And no water to wash with."

Brandon tested the faucet casually as he listened intently for signs of other occupants and to what Darien was saying. Then he crawled under the sink with the tools. "Well, nothing here, mind if I check the bathroom as well?" He asked Darien as he stood up.

"Sure, down the hall, last door on the right."

Brandon had been taking pictures of everything. This wasn't as hard as he thought it would be. Chiba's quite the gullible fool. He shook his head, smiling. Passing an open bedroom door, he quickly shot a picture of it. He noticed the unmade bed and dirty clothes on the floor, but not much else as he glanced back and saw Darien watching him closely. Maybe he's not as much of an idiot as I thought. Brandon walked in the bathroom and grinned. There, on the sink, was a brush, with long blonde hair in it. Among other colors. But it was the blonde that interested him as he took a strand and put it in a bag that he had in his tool box. This was the only sign, so far, that a woman had recently been in the apartment. As he walked back out, Brandon asked Darien,

"Is there another bathroom?"

"Yes, but I only use it as storage."

"Can I see it?"

"No, there's no way to get in; it's full of junk."

"Sure," Brandon smiled, "I have one of those kind of rooms myself. I just have to finish my work in the kitchen, then'll be on my way." He watched curiously as Darien leaned against a door in the living room. He's been there since I first got here. I wonder what or whom he's hiding behind that door. After he climbed back under the sink, Brandon hit a switch on the inside of the box, and the water in the faucet above him began to run. "All fixed," he said proudly, handing

Darien a card, "Have any more problems, don't hesitate to call." Darien nodded as he steered the man to the door and let him out.

As the door closed behind him, Brand broke into a huge grin and took off at a run. When he got to the van, the phone was already ringing.

"Well?" Bryce asked him hurriedly.
"I found it! Got in, too!"
"What took you so long to answer?"
"I just got here, again. First, I heard what sounded like feminine laughter. Didn't see any girls though. Chiba was standing in front of a door, kinda like guarding it, there might have been someone behind that door."
"What else was there?"
"Not much, I'm afraid. There was a long blonde hair in a brush in the bathroom; I got a piece, just for you. Wasn't that sweet of me?"
"Quit clowning! Blonde hair . . . This could be it!"
Brandon smiled at his brother's enthusiasm and had to agree, "Well, it's the first real break we've had yet. Oh, there was also a sink full of dishes that I didn't get a chance to count. I got pictures of as much as I could, even a bedroom with an unmade bed in it. Maybe the computer can make better sense of some of what I saw."
"Was there any thing definitive?" Bryce asked.
"Afraid not, well, with the exception of the hair." Brandon replied with a casualness he didn't necessarily feel. Then, as an afterthought, added, "Oh, by the way, did you check the Tsukino house?"
"Yeah, but didn't find anything more than you did."
"Sorry Big Bro."
"Don't worry about it," was the reply, "We'll find her. We're close; I can feel it."


On his ship above Tokyo, Rubeus smiled evilly down at the four objects he had retrieved from the past. They will, indeed, serve my purpose perfectly.

Chad paced the temple floor restlessly. Reenie watched him nervously as he began to wear a permanent hole in the carpet. She desperately wanted to go out and play, it was beautiful outside. But she remembered Mina's and Raye's strict warnings, and for once, did what she was told. "Chad, they'll be here soon. You'll see. They promised." Reenie didn't know if she was trying to convince him or herself. She looked to Grandpa for help as he came through the door.

"Chad," he demanded, "Use your relaxation techniques. You're scaring the child."

"What is taking them so long?" Chad grumbled petulantly as he sat down to do as he was told.

"I don't know," Grandpa answered somberly, "but something very strange is going on. The air is fairly shimmering with danger."


"You can come out now girls. He's gone." They came out very fast, falling on top of each other. He laughed, knowing they'd been listening at the door.

"What was that all about?" Lita inquired, picking herself off the griping Mina.

"I don't know. Something about the water. He got it fixed, by the way."

Raye looked at Darien and gestured to the bedroom. He shook his head and walked back out on the balcony. Darien was not yet able to come to terms his anger over what Serena'd done to herself, or his fear for that matter.

Serena remained in the bedroom when the others had left. She leaned her head back and attempted to bite back the tears that threatened to fall, but a few betrayed her and leaked out from under her closed eyelids. Serena took a deep soothing breath, feeling an ache in her soul. She stood up, walked to the strange clothes trunks, and managed to get one open after a few tries. Finding a dress and a light, matching jacket, went to the bathroom to get dressed. Her hair was still hanging loose, so she found a brush and put it back up in its normal ponytails, mostly because it stayed out of her face better that way. Looking in the mirror Serena sighed. There was nothing she could about the crescent moon. After washing her face, she whispered aloud, "Time to face the monster in his den." Gathering her courage, Serena went in the living room to find it deserted. I wonder where everyone is? Feeling a little lost, she went on the balcony to stare out at the afternoon sky. Serena didn't even notice Darien standing in the shadowed corner as she passed him. She knew he was nearby, but never realized he was so close.

Darien felt Serena approach the balcony and stepped back in the shadows. His eyes widened as he saw that she'd changed and fixed her hair again. There was little he, even at their worst times, didn't notice about her. He watched as she tilted her head to the sun to catch the afternoon rays. Darien's anger softened, he walked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist.

Serena turned in his arms and looked up at him earnestly. "I will not apologize for what I did. It was necessary. Do not ask me how I know but there is danger here," She swept her arm out to the city, "And evil is coming." Serena started crying as she continued, placing her hands on Darien's chest. "I have given you and the others all the aid I can." She turned her tear-filled gaze to the sky, knowing she couldn't look at him and whispered, "All that I have given you of myself, will help you past the pain if something happens to me."

Darien stiffened at her words and turned her face to his, eyes flashing, "Nothing will happen to you."

Serena drew back slightly at the fierce look in his eyes, "I love you so much, Darien, but I fear for you, should I be taken away." Darien started to speak but Serena placed her fingers over his lips to silence him. "You do not know that and you may not be able to prevent it."

"What're you telling me?" He demanded intensely.

"I do not know; it may be nothing. You, I, nor the Scouts, know what can happen anymore. I cannot be Sailor Moon, but my need to keep them and you safe is still there. I felt strange things when the Crystal touched my mind . . . As if . . . in warning?" She frowned up at him. "You need to be prepared as well."

Darien hugged Serena fiercely then, as if afraid she might disappear. She looked up at him wonderingly. Serena was about to speak, but he kissed her suddenly, deeply, intensely. Darien immediately sent her world careening, but she returned his kiss full measure. The others had watched Darien hug Serena as they neared and, thinking everything was ok, began to walk out on the balcony, but stopped as Darien kissed her. All eyes widened at this, except, of course, Raye's.

She simply opened her mouth as if yawning and tapped her hand over her it, showing utter boredom. The others smiled, eyes twinkling, at her antics. Regardless, none would disturb the scene in front of them. When Darien broke the kiss, he was breathing hard and Serena felt faint, knowing that if Darien had not held her so tightly, she would fall. As she laid her head on Darien's chest, the girls behind them began applauding loudly, with Raye leading off. Serena blushed profusely as their rather physical display became public, but Darien stared at them, grinning, unabashed.

"Are you quite through?" Raye asked, disgusted. Serena stuck her tongue out at her. The others laughed, but Raye put her hand to her head and said, "What did I do to deserve this?"


Bryce was talking with Brand and Nat. They were waiting for Ruark and Jeff to come in. Bryce had recalled them earlier when it became obvious that the two wouldn't be able to get in the temple as the older Hino hadn't left yet. The pictures of Darien's apartment were laid out on the table as well as a few pictures of Darien leaning against the mysterious door. When the others arrived, Brandon told his story about the job he had to do that morning. Finishing, he said, "I swear that's the way it happened." Brand explained, still in awe over what happened. The other men looked at him skeptically, but conceded the point, as they realized there were many strange and unexplainable events going on in Tokyo.

The five men examined the pictures closely. Bryce asked, "Ruark, will you be able to get in?"

He shook his head, "No, not unless Chiba leaves. And then we have no way of knowing if he's gone. He could easily leave a way we haven't the manpower to cover."

"True," Bryce said thoughtfully, "But we have to try anyway. We'll wait him out. Maybe listen at the door if we have to. There's only one way out of his apartment and that's the front door."

"If you can find the damn thing," Brand put in.

Ignoring the comment, Bryce finished, "We may not be able to cover the complex, but the apartment shouldn't be difficult. You see the layout?" When they nodded, Bryce smiled, one that the others recognized well, "Memorize it. It may come down to . . . "

"We know, Bry." Nat interrupted, picking up some of the pictures, and turning to leave. "I'll take copies of these to the others. They'll need to know the layout as well."

"When you go, tell Cam to go to Chiba's complex and watch for signs of activity. I see the balcony there," Bryce said, pointing to one of the pictures, "If they're there, they think they're safe and perhaps will slip up. Bring him those new binoculars that we just got in and the camera, too. Tell him to use them to . . . "

Nathaniel shook his head in concern at his boss and friend, "He knows his job, Bry."

"I know, I know. But if Raye shows up," Bryce started, being interrupted again.

"You don't think she's at the temple anymore?" Jeff asked him.

Bryce shook his head as he resumed his thoughts to Nat, "Tell Ashton to follow her. He's probably bored to tears by now, having nothing to do but sit." The others grinned at his accurate description of the overactive individual. "Ryan should still be monitoring the phone taps until you," Bryce glanced at Ruark, "can get in the temple to plant the rest of the bugs." After Nat left, Bryce continued to further explain the plan changes, "Brand, I need you to go back to the temple to wait further orders." He nodded and headed out the door. "Ruark, be prepared for planting at a moment's notice. That's all the time you may have to get in and out."

"My pager's set, the codes are ready and so am I." Ruark told him.

"Good then, you and Jeff, find a place, between the temple and Chiba's apartment, so you'll be at an equal time and distance." Jeff eyed Bryce momentarily, who nodded at his unspoken question. At that, Ruark and Jeff left, leaving Bryce sitting in his chair with steepled fingers under his chin.

"What about the blonde hair?" He heard from behind him.

Bryce swivelled in his chair, propped his feet on the table and said, "It's only circumstantial. Besides, it was long, but not as long as Serena's hair. Her hair almost reaches her ankles."

His guest chided lightly, "Isn't it possible to have different lengths of hair?"

"Of course it is." Bryce scowled at the mocking tone.

Finding it best to change the subject, "What do you plan to do next?" Bryce shook his head, pondering the question, "That's difficult to say at this point. Maybe if I just get to Serena to talk to her, that'll be enough. Then I can go on my merry way again."

"Do you think so?"

"Honestly? No."

"She's fourteen."

"I know . . . but there's something about her. Something I can't quite lay my finger on." Bryce mused quietly.


Thursday afternoon
"It's time we left to get Reenie." Raye said, then added with a wry grin, "Chad should be climbing the walls by now."

"You are not leaving me are you?" Serena asked, almost in tears at the thought.

"No," Darien rushed to assure her, "You're coming with us."

Seeing Serena's troubled look, Lita added, "Don't worry, we'll be there for you. We'll help you."

"You remember all that I told you about the promises to Reenie and about her being from the future?" Luna asked.

"Some place called Crystal Tokyo." Serena nodded, but, in a small voice asked, "How will we ever explain this, me, to a six-year-old child."

"Oh, don't worry about her," Mina answered. "Reenie's quite a kid. She'll understand."

"But will she understand why I cannot become Sailor Moon? To defeat . . . um . . . " Serena looked around for help.

"Rubeus?" Artemis asked.

Nodding, she finished, "I did promise, after all, to help."

Darien squeezed her hand reassuringly, "You will, but it'll just take a little longer, that's all."

Serena smiled radiantly at him, enthusiastically saying, "Ok, we should go then." And was almost to the door when Lita grabbed her arm, "Oh no, Princess, not that way."

"What?"

Mercury Star Power!
Venus Star Power!
Jupiter Star Power!
Mars Star Power!

As the Scouts transformed, Luna told her, "They don't want to risk you being seen yet."

Serena grumbled petulantly, "I was really hoping to get out for a while."

Luna smiled inside at the softly spoken words. Sounds like Serena all right.

Darien brought Serena the transformation locket and she put it on her dress. He took her hand and led her to the center of the circle the Scouts had formed. The cats joined them and, as the Scouts began to concentrate on the teleport, Serena's crescent moon glowed, then flashed brilliantly and they were gone. Leaving behind them an empty apartment that was filled with Serena's belongings.

When they reappeared at the temple, the girls immediately detransformed so Grandpa and Chad wouldn't see them. Serena swayed slightly where she stood, but Darien steadied her.

"How in the world did that happen?" Mina asked, astounded.

"Yeah, I didn't even concentrate and here we were." Lita added.

Darien, frowning wryly, simply pointed at Serena's crescent moon, just beginning to fade.

Raye walked up to Serena and put a fist under her nose. As Serena's eyes widened, Raye said harshly, "If you ever do that again, I will knock you out before we go anywhere else."

"But . . . " She looked pleadingly at Darien for help, but he shook his head. This was her fight. Serena took Raye's fist in her hand and said firmly, "I did not do it. Remember, my life force is still linked to those in you. Put me to sleep before you Teleport and it will happen when I am out, it makes no difference." As Raye turned away angrily, Serena added, looking at all the girls, "As an advantage to you, only I will feel the drain of the teleport."

"Did you know that would happen?" Amy asked.

"No, not until it did. Truly, I am as surprised as you are."

"You can't take much more of this, Serena," Darien asserted, still not sure she was physically strong enough. "You're making yourself weak by . . . "

It was at this point that Reenie ran in the room. She stopped short when she saw Serena.

Thursday . . . Late afternoon
Chad was playing chess (and losing) with Reenie near the Great Fire, with Grandpa meditating in front of it. Grandpa took a deep breath, "They have arrived," he said.

"How?" Chad asked. "No one came in the door or we would've heard them."

But Reenie knew how. She broke into a run, but Grandpa told her to stop. "Why? I want to see Serena!" Watching the fire a minute longer, he nodded to her and she bolted. Reenie knew which room the Scouts had teleported to and slowed her breakneck pace only when she had to open the door. Running into the room, Reenie stopped suddenly as she saw Serena. Everyone in the room watched, fascinated, as the crescent moons on both girls' foreheads blazed. Serena's returning to full brightness and Reenie's appearing. "Mommy!" Reenie cried.

Serena fainted and Raye threw up her arms in disgust. "Not again!"

Lita intercepted Reenie before she could reach Serena. Luna turned to the now crying little girl as Darien carried Serena into the bedroom and asked, "What did you say?"

"That's my mommy!"

"No way!" Came from Mina and Amy.

"Give me a break!" Came from Raye.

"YES SHE IS!" The distraught girl screamed loudly, then she added more softly, "In the future . . . "


Bryce sent out the all call signal and leaned back in his chair to wait the first reply. He was thinking about all that had happened since this mysterious young girl entered his life so abruptly and trying to come up with a reason for his fascination when the phone beeped.

"Cam here."
"Have you seen any thing yet?"
"No, believe it or not there hasn't been anyone out on the balconies today at all. I'm starting to think the people in this building are hermits." Cameron laughed.
"Maybe they are," Brand agreed, happy to lighten the dismal mood he was in. "Just keep an eye out."
"You mean up right?" Cam laughed again, signing off. "Cam out."

"Ruark here."
"Are you two stationary?"
"We're about as 'between' as we can get." He joked.
"Great. Jeff, pick up the phone."
"What? Is there a problem?"
"No, no problem," Bryce answered, "I just want to be clear on what needs be done. You're the best of the best."
"I know," Jeff smiled, "That's why you hired me, remember?"
"No conceit there, huh?" Bryce asked him semi-sarcastically.
"None!"
"Just take care when you do it."
"Always." Jeff told him as he switched the phone to speaker.
"Anything else?" Ruark asked.
"No, I'll let you know when to move."
"Ruark, Jeff out."

"Ash here."
"What news?"
"Not a damn thing. Raye hasn't gone in or out and there's no one even outside. I thought this was supposed to be a temple. I swear, I'm starting to think all these people are ghosts."
"Hermit was the word Cam used." Bryce told him, laughing at the satire in Ashton's voice.
"Yeah, well, I agree, or else they're dropping off the face of the earth." Ash replied grumpily.
"Maybe." Bryce said, still smiling. Leave it to Ashton to come up with that one.
"Ash out."

"Brand here. Do you have something for me?"
"Yeah . . . Listen. Get back to Chiba's, walk the halls, find out anything you can."
"And just how do you expect me to find something?" Brandon asked, slightly peeved at his new hall monitoring job.
"Hell, I don't know. Listen at the door for all I care. As you guys have never ceased to remind me, 'You know your job'." Bryce replied, trying to lighten his brother's mood.
It worked. "Sure, all right. I just hope she's worth all this trouble." He grumbled in a laughing tone.
"Me, too, Little Brother. Me, too."
"Brand out."

"Ryan here."
"Any news yet?"
"No, not yet. It's been totally silent. You know, for a temple, it's not very busy here in the afternoons." Ryan told him, immersed in thought.
"Ashton had much the same thoughts as you. I'm not the one to ask about it though. I don't know much about them. That's Ruark's department. He lived here most of his life."
"I already talked to him and he said usually a place like this is bustling with activity. People coming and going and all that, you know?" Ryan replied.
"It's weird, but no stranger, I suppose, then mysteriously disappearing people. Just keep me posted on any changes."
"Sure, Ryan out."

"Nat here. I did all that you needed me to and I'm on my way back to the lab. Everyone's been fed, as well, so that can't claim starvation and mutiny on you."
"On company money, I bet." Bryce added sourly.
"Of course," Nat laughed, "You think I can afford to feed this army on what you pay me?"
Bryce laughed at Nathaniel's attempt at humor and asked, "Did you get the special ones done you were working on?"
"No, I'm heading back to wrap them up now. I hope they'll be done by midday tomorrow."
"Excellent. You want to tell me what they do yet?"
"No, only when I get them working right." Nat said mysteriously.
"Well, let me know."
"Yep, Nat out."


When Serena started to come around, the first thing she heard was sobbing. It was so heart rending that she, too, began to cry. Then she opened her eyes and saw Darien, realizing her head was in his lap.

"Look," Serena heard Mina say, "She's awake."

Darien turned worried eyes to her and she smiled wearily. "Can you sit up?" Serena nodded. As he helped her to sit up, Lita released Reenie and she ran to Serena. She opened her arms to the little girl that she knew, in her heart and soul must be her daughter. "Oh, Reenie, are you all right now?" Serena asked as the sobs died down. Reenie nodded but held Serena tightly. Serena glanced around, eyes glowing, as she said, "Tell me what happened. This is something you should not have kept from me."

Raye replied, "First, we didn't know about this." Pointing to Serena and Reenie. "After you fainted for the umpteenth time in the last few days . . . " The other girls giggled, but Serena chose to ignore the comment as Raye continued, "Darien carried you in here. I swear, Serena, I think you do that just to get him to carry you around." That comment invoked a round of, this time, hearty laughter from the others, including the cats.

Before Serena could say anything, Darien smiled and replied, "She doesn't need to faint for me to carry her, Raye."

Serena smiled her thanks to him but to Raye, she simply stuck her tongue out. Raye took the bait and returned the gesture.

"You know," Reenie's small voice interrupted, "they still do that in the future."

Everyone laughed except Luna. She put her paws over her eyes and moaned, "Oh great, I will always have to deal with this behavior. Why won't they grow up?"

Reenie just giggled and whispered to the distraught cat, "They wouldn't be Serena and Raye if they did," invoking more hysterics and enthusiastic nodding. Luna moaned louder.

"Can we get back to the issue please?" Artemis asked the others when he glanced at a now pensive Serena.

After composing herself, Luna picked up the story. "When we came in here, Reenie told us that you were her mother, in the future, that is."

Serena's head was beginning to ache. Three of me. I was having trouble sorting out two. She pressed her palm to her forehead to ease the throbbing there and said, "I feel that. I know I am her mother. I also know that, or at least assume that," Serena glanced at Darien, and though he seemed to be looking far away, he nodded slightly, "Darien is her father."

All jaws dropped. Serena smiled, having the satisfaction of seeing her all-knowing friends shocked into silence. Darien, in his mind, was seeing the visions that he had the first few times he held Reenie. Reenie was just happy. She had her mommy and her daddy and all her friends from the future. She couldn't understand why she didn't know them before, but it didn't matter. She was safe and they would make everything all better for her.

Luna, finding her voice, continued, "All we could get from her after that was that her mother was in danger and only the Crystal could save her, you. Reenie said that's why she was sent here. To find you, whether her mother or Sailor Moon is still debatable, and bring the Crystal to the future."

Serena's thoughts reeled. She didn't voice the words in her heart. Any more surprises, and I will not live to see tomorrow. Aloud, Serena said, "Reenie?" The little girl looked up at her and she asked, "Do you see my crescent moon?"

"Yes, that's how I knew you were my mommy."

"You have been a very brave young lady." Reenie beamed at the compliment and Serena continued, "But now, I, we," she gestured to the others, "need you to be strong as you hear what has happened since I was sick and why you know now after all this time of living with me that I am your mother . . . "

The group took turns relaying the story of what happened to Serena (with many details left out) to Reenie and when they were done, the room grew silent as she thought about everything that she heard. One thought stood out in her mind and Reenie stood up and stomped her foot. "I don't understand, Mommy! You won't help me?" Tears filled her eyes as she remembered her mother in the future in pain. Serena put her arms out to her and Reenie ran to her, sobbing again.

Serena knew how she felt. "I understand," she said softly. "I, too, Little One, am trapped between two worlds." Reenie looked up at her and Serena gently wiped away the tears that were coursing down her cheeks. "My life in the Moon Kingdom is all I remember, but now I must live here, just like your life is in the future Crystal Tokyo, and yet, you must live here. The difference between us, though, is that you have your memories of both future and present, while I only have my memories of the past. Do you understand now?"

Reenie nodded slowly. Attempting to make sense of everything, she replied, "So, you'll be able to help me after you get your memories of this time back?"

Serena smiled, "Yes, Little One, that is exactly what I mean."

Raye gaped at Serena, astounded. Luna smiled, pleased that her princess was so able to calm the younger princess.

"So," Serena continued to the group at large, "order of operations is first, my memories, second, Rubeus and the evil in this time, then, somehow we will get to the future to aid Reenie's mother, my future self." After the group voiced their agreement with her plans, Serena turned back to Reenie and asked, "Is that all right Reenie?"

"Yes! Oh yes, Mommy!" was the enthusiastic reply. Cuddling closer to Serena, Reenie added almost as an afterthought, "And Mommy? In the future you call me Small Lady."

"Well, Small Lady, let us see what can be done about my befuddled mind."

Mina and Lita watched their Princess closely. They were very impressed with the way she managed to deal with all the blows she'd been handed over the last few days. Individually the two of them believed that, if all this had happened to them, they'd be totally nuts by now. They had no idea how close to that point Serena truly was. Artemis was the only one that knew how close to collapse Serena was. She had given much more of herself than any of the others realized, maybe including herself. Raye was simply too amazed and moved to speak. She got up and walked out to see her grandpa. He had told her earlier that he wanted to talk to her when Serena was better. As light conversation began to fill the room, Darien noticed Reenie had fallen asleep and moved to take her from Serena. Shaking her head, smiling sleepily at him, she patted the bed next to her. He laid Reenie down by her side and sat with them until Serena, too, had fallen asleep.

Raye listened as her grandpa told her about the tall man's visit to the temple on Monday. He also told her of the feelings of power he had felt emanating from the man. Raye went to tell the others, and as she rushed in, was quieted immediately by Mina. She pointed to where Serena and Reenie were sleeping and Raye waved to the others to follow her. When they walked into a room further down the hall where her grandpa was, she said, "Bryce paid us another visit on Monday."

The four girls and two cats glanced at Darien at this revelation and Raye continued, "Grandpa was here, so I thought I'd let him tell you what happened." The old man repeated his story and his feelings about the strange visitor and, when he left the silent room to attend to other duties,

Lita asked, "What could this mean Darien?"

"I don't know. They'd only seen each other the two times I told you about."

"How can you be so sure?" Mina inquired.

Darien looked directly in her eyes when he replied, "Because I'd been following her since the night Luna came and got me to wake her up."

"I thought you were mad at Serena?" Raye probed. She, along with the others, wanted an answer to that question.

"No," Darien said evasively, knowing what they wanted, but refusing to satisfy their curiosity, "Just keeping a safe distance. It was still my duty to protect her, so I began to follow her." He shrugged then, "That's why I took time off from work, too."

"He seems so much older than her, too." Raye mused aloud.

"Yeah, well . . . It didn't seem to matter to either of them." Darien whispered angrily and the girls looked at him sharply. "He was toting her around as if they'd known each other a long time."

"Darien, you sound jealous!" Mina snickered loudly. Lita and Amy joined her with giggles of their own, while Raye watched Darien regain control of his temper, a decidedly difficult job as his next words testified to.

Almost snarling he swung around and replied, "Yeah! Of any man daring to touch her."

"Whoa! Calm down!" Lita put in, though not as seriously as she could have. To her, it was nice to see Darien riled over Serena instead of the other way around "First, you'd dumped her." His eyes darkened at her words. "I can't blame her for being lonely and neither should you. What'd you expect? Second, and more important, she loves you and no guy could take her attention for long." Darien frowned, thinking of his outbursts and Lita's as well, even knowing she spoke the truth didn't make it easier on him.

Luna, who'd been silent through the exchange, took this opportunity to interrupt what could turn out to be an all night argument as to whether Serena should have or not dated after Darien broke up with her, "Well, it's obvious, now, more than ever, that she can't be seen. By Bryce, especially, and others as well."

Mina asked, "Couldn't we just put a Band-Aid over her crescent moon, so it can't be seen?"

"Won't work," Amy answered, "because anyone that knows her, she won't know. But it was a good idea."

"This is getting us nowhere." Darien stated, impatiently running his hand through his hair. "Raye, is it all right if we stay here tonight?"

"Of course, Darien." She replied, watching him worriedly. His earlier outburst had scared her and she was just beginning to realize that there is more to Darien than meets the eye.

"Well, then, I'm going to bed."

Conversation had just begun to pick up between the cats and girls, mostly about Darien's unusual behavior, when they heard him scream, "SERENA!" As one, the group ran to see what was wrong. Darien was on his knees in the center of the room and Reenie was the only one in the bed.