Disclamer: I am in no way responsible for the ownership of said Moon, or any of her friends. I am a starving college student, so even if you wanted to sue me, you wouldn't get jack!

Italics: Thoughts

Chapter 13: "The Truth Will Set You Free"

The excitement of the concert dissipated enough, so soon, all of the members of the audience were gone. The only people left in the lobby were the band members, Andrew and Rita. They all agreed that it was time for the rest of the party to start. Especially when Serena remembered the goodies and food!

"Let's go you guys! All that singing made me hungry!" And off she went, straight to the elevators like a shot, leaving the rest of the group to stare at Darien and hope that the place was still in one piece when they got there.

Jonathan felt more nervous about this part than the rest of the week put together. He was finally going to be able to share his secret with his new best friends.

Wait! Andrew, Rita and Chad don't know! How is this gong to work?

Luckily for him, Mina seemed to sense that Jonathan was troubled. When they moved to the elevators, Mina stayed right by his side and just barely brushed against him in the close confines of the elevator. She didn't expect his reaction to be so immediate. When their arms brushed, Jonathan reached down grabbed a hold of her hand very possessively, but not too tight. She just smiled on the inside and her heart raced.

When she finally built up enough courage to look at him, she saw what was to her a very scared look on Jonathan's face. She pulled gently on his hand to get his attention. When he noticed, his face turned a light pink and he looked down at her, "Yes?" he said.

Mina pulled a little more and caused him to bend slightly to bring his face right next to hers.

"You looked like something was bothering you. I just wanted to let you know that I'm here if you want to talk."

When she finished, it was her turn. She brought her other hand up to brush his cheek, then placed a tender kiss on his other one.

Jonathan could almost feel his insides turn to butter. He definitely was not prepared for such tenderness and compassion from someone who didn't even know what was wrong.

Chalk it up to being the goddess of love and beauty.

When the elevator stopped and the group arrived at Darien's floor, they noticed a sad Serena standing at the door to her boyfriend's apartment. She heard the doors open, and turned a tear-streaked face to her friends.

"I left my key at home." Was all she said before bursting into tears again.

That brought a hardy chuckle from her future husband, who moved to her side and encircled her in a giant embrace.

"It's ok, sweetheart. I left the ice cream in the freezer and all the goodies will be there when I open the door. You won't miss your food."

Serena looked at him and gushed, "You are SO perfect!" and placed the first Christmas kiss on her boyfriend.

After the dramatic show and mixed responses from the audience, some whistles and cat-calls, other deep sighs and light laughter, Darien invited his friends in for the party.

The stereo was on, playing soft Christmas music, guest were either in the kitchen or in the living room, chatting away and enjoying the festive spirit. Jonathan was seated on Darien's green couch with Mina next to him. During the entire first half of the party, he seemed to have a lot on his mind. Mina decided to find out what was troubling him.

"Jonathan, are you ok? I think that you are hiding something."

Jonathan looked at Mina and saw that she would only take one answer. He decided that it was time.

"Mina, I think you and I need to talk. Privately. How about the balcony?"

"Okay."

The two moved out onto the balcony of Darien's apartment. The sky was clear, and the moon looked like it was two times bigger than Jonathan remembered.

Stay focused. After you tell her what needs to be said, then you can enjoy the night.

"Mina, there are a lot of things that I wish that I could say to you right now."

He seemed to be struggling with the words to say.

"I never thought I would actually have a chance to talk to you, period, much less be in a situation that some would say borders on a romantic relationship."

Mina heard that, and went red from head to toe. She could not guess what he was about to say.

"When I saw you for the first time, with my own eyes, You took my breath away. And then, when you and the guys needed help with that monster, I couldn't help but feel like something very special was at stake." He turned form the railing and looked at her.

"Yeah. I don't know what we could have done if you hadn't done anything."

Then the realization of what she said sunk in. "Ah, HAHAHAHAHA what are you talking about? Hahaha, I mean, what monster?" She was beet red again, and this time, she couldn't look at him.

"Mina, It's ok. I know all about you guys, Serena being the Moon Princess and you being Sailor Venus." She still refused to acknowledge that he was still there.

"Here, I'll prove it to you. I know when YOUR birthday is, even though you never told me."

That got her attention. She looked up at him, still red faced, and challenged him.

"Yeah, well when is it, mister smarty?"

"Mister smarty? HAHAHA, if you saw my grades, you would be singing a different tune. Anyway, it's October 22." he said. Mina looked like she was about to say something, but Jonathan beat her to it.

"And you hate shitake mushrooms."

That was enough to close her mouth. She just looked at him with wide, beautiful blue eyes, and gawked.

"I know. You will not believe how I know, though. But now that you know that I know, why don't I let you know who else knows that I know?" he said with a higher tone.

His ploy to turn the conversation to a lighter setting worked. Mina just started laughing and couldn't keep from smiling.

Oh, God. That smile could warm the depths of space. Then why don't you let her know? Okay, he told himself. I've got nothing to lose.

"You've got a smile that could warm the depths of space." She stopped laughing and looked at Jonathan. He was standing only three feet apart from her, and yet it seemed like it was too far. She wanted so desperately to be closer to him; to have his arms around her. Then she noticed that look on his face again. It was closed off, like something of real importance to him was slowly being taken from him.

"Jonathan, what's wrong? You don't look like that's all that you wanted to say."

"Your right, Mina. It's not. I… I'm not from around here."

She laughed and said, "well of course not! You're from America!"

Jonathan turned back to the railing and leaned against it. "I know. But it's not that simple. I am from another dimension. At least, I think that's what it is." He saw the clouded look start to spread on Mina's face and decided to start at the beginning. He told her everything, from the time he was in middle school, watching the show and finding comfort in it and it's portrayal of friendship. There were times when Mina would smile, and other times, when he talked about his hard times, that she would almost cry. There was so much trapped inside him, that she felt she needed to help him.

When he told her about how he was standing next to his fountain, and then suddenly he was in Tokyo, she couldn't stand it any longer. She moved closer to him and snaked her arms around his frame. He stopped his narration, and looked down at his comforter. She had her arms around his waist under his jacket, and her face was nestled on his chest. He felt like he would never find a more comfortable hug in all of his life.

His arms found their way around her slim shoulders and he laid his head on hers.

She is so wonderful. She smells like sunshine! I know that the sunlight doesn't smell, but it does. I don't really care. I feel too happy.

Mina was feeling similar emotions. He smells like a pure forest! Wow! I never want to leave. This is too great!

"Mina," He suddenly said, her hair muffling his voice. Neither of them minded, Jonathan enjoying the silky softness of her golden locks, and Mina enjoying the presence of his warmth.

She looked up at him with stunning blue eyes and said, "Yes?"

He couldn't take it any more. "I don't know what this new threat to you and the girls is, but I will not let anything happen to you, or them. I promise."

She couldn't contain herself. She wanted to kiss him. Not just on the cheek, not just on the lips. She wanted to KISS him. A real, passionate kiss. Not the fake ones in the movies, but the kind that Serena and Darien shared. She was a little bit jealous of her "twin" when she would share her experiences with them. Now, it was her turn. She moved up to Jonathan and she was almost there, when he gave a slight chuckle.

She opened her eyes, and saw him looking at her with an amused, yet loving expression on his face. "What?" was all that she could say.

"You missed last time."

"Oh, you! I'll teach YOU who knows the meaning of 'accurate'!" and with that, she flung her hands behind his neck and planted a breathtaking one, right on his lips.

Both of them lost track of where they were, what time it was, and even the temperature seemed to raise by about 50 degrees.

Jonathan was lost in his own mind and all of the past fantasies could never have prepared him for this.

They finally broke apart when the need to breathe became paramount. They didn't let each other go, however, and held onto each other until they heard something.

They looked back to the apartment and both did a double take. All of the guests were on their feet, clapping an whistling like there was no tomorrow! They all had looks of admiration and Darien moved to the fore front.

"Well, if you two are finished, we saved you guys some cocoa."

And until bed time, the two of them were inseparable that night.