Chapter 9: Explanations

"Bye," Celeste said, slowly hanging up the phone.

Jonathan rose from the couch. "Is something wrong?"

"Sofia is on her way over," Celeste stated, still staring at the phone. "She is coming over to find out more about being Sailor Althene."

He stood behind her, rubbing her arms gently. "Is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know," she replied with a sigh, leaning back against him. "I don't want to be responsible for someone else being involved in all this fighting."

"You gave her a choice, Celeste. It was her decision."

She shook her head. "But it wasn't an informed decision."

Placing his chin on the top of her head, Jonathan hugged her fiercely. "I don't recall anyone asking you if you wanted to be Sol."

"It's my duty, Jonathan," she said softly. "Although I don't know why I was chosen, I have importantly responsibilities as Sol."

"Don't you think that Sofia is Sailor Althene for a reason?"

She turned in his arms to face him, a ghost of a smile hovering over her lips. "Do you enjoy playing devil's advocate?"

"Only with you, Celeste," he replied with a chuckle, kissing the tip of her nose.

"How did I become so lucky?" she quipped with a genuine smile.

Jonathan's expression sobered as he ran his hand through the fiery tresses. "I don't believe in luck."

There was a long pause.

"What do you believe in?" she asked softly.

"A lot of things," he answered slowly, "especially you. You should believe in yourself as well."

She closed her eyes and lowered her head. They stood silently for several moments, holding each other in the quiet apartment. Each thought about the difficulties they had faced, recently and long ago during the Silver Millennium, grateful that they had been given a second chance.

"Do you want me to leave before Sofia arrives?" he asked, reluctantly breaking the silence.

Celeste shook her head. "You should stay. You're involved in this, too. You and Sofia need to meet each other."

Nodding, he released her.

"Besides," she continued with a smile, "I might need your help in explaining everything to her."

"Everything?"

"Yes," she said, heading into the kitchen. "I plan on telling her about the Silver Millennium, the other Sailors, Scorpios, us. Everything."

As the elevator doors opened, Sofia readjusted her bagpack and took a deep breath. Glancing up and down the hallway, she exited and looked down at the scrap of paper that held Celeste's address. 'Well, now or never,' she told herself, as she head toward the appropriate end of the hall.

Checking the number over and over again, Sofia stood outside the off-white door. If she was ever to turn around and walk away, it was now. However, no matter how uncertain she was, she knew that she had to find out what answers Celeste had for her. With another deep breath, she raised her fist and knocked on the door.

"Coming," a voice called.

Still debating on whether to turn and go, Sofia visibly flinched when the door opened, revealing a tall, smiling woman with wavy red hair. Opening the door wide, Celeste stepped back, offering a silent invitation for her to enter. "You must be Sofia."

Nodding, Sofia readjusted the strap of her bagpack nervously. "And you must be Celeste."

"Yes," she replied. "Would you like to come in?"

With another nod, Sofia entered the apartment nervously. She stopped suddenly as she saw the tall, dark-haired man sitting on the couch, watching her with great intensity. Then, he blinked. With a sheepish smile, he rose from the couch and walked toward her.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable," he said.

"I didn't know that anyone else would be here," Sofia said, her eyes darting back to Celeste.

"I hoped you wouldn't mind," Celeste stated. "Sofia, this is Jonathan McKenzie, my boyfriend."

With a puzzled look, she held out her hand for Jonathan to shake, which he did. However, he had noted the faint blush on Celeste's face as she had introduced him as her boyfriend. He would remember to ask her about that later. Right now, they needed to explain things to Sofia.

"I'm afraid this gets a little complicated," he stated.

As she sat down in a nearby arm chair, Sofia gave a genuine smile. "I would honestly be surprised if it wasn't."

Sofia reluctantly said goodbye to Celeste and Jonathan, realizing that she would have to rush home in time for dinner. She promised to contact Celeste in a few days so that they could finish their conversation. With another rather hurried goodbye, she left.

"Well, I think that we rather well," Celeste commented, leaning against her front door after she closed it. "Don't you?"

"Yeah, I think so," Jonathan replied, stretching his arms. "I do have one question, though."

"Really?" Celeste asked, settling beside him on the couch. "What?"

"Why did you blush when you introduced me as your boyfriend?"

Celeste shook her head. "I did not!"

"Oh, yes, you did, Celeste," Jonathan cried, leaning toward her. "Come on, tell me."

Celeste scooted away from him, a playful smile dancing over her lips. "I do not blush."

"Fine," Jonathan declared, his eyes narrowed menacingly, "we'll play it your way."

Cutting off her shout of protest, he lunged, mercilessly tickling her sides. She rolled and twisted, contorting her body in an effort to get away from his ruthless hands. She was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face.

"Stop," she gasped, trying to grab his wrists.

"Not until you tell why you blushed," he stated, moving one of his hands to a new spot.

"Okay, okay," she cried.

With a smug smile, he stopped and sat back, allowing her to sit up. Brushing the tears off her cheeks, she tried to straighten her clothing as well. "You're evil," she muttered.

"Better tell me," he said, "or it's tickle torture again."

She glanced down at her shirt. "I've never had a boyfriend before," she mumbled.

He leaned closer. "I'm sorry. I didn't quite hear that."

She looked up, glaring. "You're my first real boyfriend. There, are you happy?"

He blinked at her a couple of times. "You're kidding."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "However, if you knew some of the creeps I went to high school with, you wouldn't be looking so smug right now."

He pulled her against, shaking his head in disbelief. "I would have never imagine."

"Well, what about you?" she asked, arching one fiery eyebrow. "Should I be worried about a little black book somewhere?"

"A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell," he intoned solemnly.

Celeste whacked his shoulder playfully. Laughing, but still rubbing the injured joint, he focused on her. His expression gradually becoming serious.

"Yes, I've had my share of girlfriends," he replied, taking her hands in his. "But it was nothing like I have with you, Celeste. I've never felt wrong around you. It just feels right."

Lowering her head, Celeste studied their joined hands. "I know what you mean."

"That day in the park," he began, tipping her chin so she would face him, "was that your first kiss?"

Her cheeks flamed. "Yes."

"Well, you acted like a pro," he teased and was rewarded with another whack.

Absently rubbing his bruised skin, he smiled. "Do you know what?"

"What?" she said, again lifting one eyebrow.

"You do too blush."

With the quickness of a cat, she pounced, knocking him on his back against the couch. Soon she had him screaming in laughter as her lithe hands roamed across his body. With one hand, she flipped her hair back over her shoulder, never letting up on her torture.

"You know something, Jonathan," she said with a broad smile, "payback can be so sweet."