Chapter 2: Fear and Problems

Serena and Darien sat at Rini's bedside. Mina and Ami stood silently near the door; Rei and Lita had arrived only a few minutes ago, and two cats watched from the windowsill.

"She still hasn't woken up. Why won't she wake up?" Serena cried into Darien's shoulder. Darien turned his head and waved the girls, Artemis, and Luna away.

"We'll find out what's wrong, guys; don't worry," Ami assured the two kindly.

"Yeah. Rini'll be fine Serena, just you wait," Lita added with a big grin. All left the room.

"You hear that, Meatball-head? Our friends will find an answer. Our little princess will be just fine." Darien lifted her delicate, blond head and smiled hopefully into her eyes.

Serena shook her head, "I called her a brat. I'm so mean to her."

"Serena," Darien's voice became heavenly-deep and serious, "Rini knows you love her. It's enough that you're here. I promise."

"Oh, Darien." He kissed her with soft passion. Serena smiled and blushed. She turned and took Rini's hand. Darien wrapped his arms around her waist and she stopped crying "Please get better, Rini. I-I love you." She closed her eyes, "Darien? How old do you think we are when we have Rini?"

Darien blushed at this and Serena felt it (she was 14 and her dear Tuzedo Mask was 19). "Well, I don't know. I asked Sailor Jupiter-" Serena gasped slightly at this.

Sailor Jupiter rarely physically fought with the rest of the Scouts. She held a special position as the guardian of time. They'd met when Rini took them to the future to save themselves. It was forbidden to tamper with time except in very, very special situations. "but she said it was unnecesary information. If we knew, we might be tempted to change it and Rini would be different."

"Hmm, oh well. We looked so happy in the future, with Rini and all our friends. Will the fighting ever end? Will we ever really destroy the Negaverse and live normail lives?"

"I don't know that either, Serena, but I love you and we can beat anything - together."

"I love you so much, Darien."

Suddenly a pink glow radiated between them. It floated over above Rini's head.

"What the-" Darien exclaimed.

The light lowered to the child's heart and vanished inside. Rini's bright eyes opened and she said, "What are you staring at, Serena? You look dumb with your mouth hanging open like that."

Serena laughed and kissed the girl's forehead.

"Eww, let go! Stop acting weird!" Rini cried indignantly.

"Sorry, Rini. I was just worried. You've been out for hours, ya know."

"Oh," Rini shook her head, "Well then, thanks for staying with me, Mommy." Her nonchalantness was what really startled Serena, as if she'd truly considered the 'bonehead' her mother all along. "Goodnight, Darien." She hugged him tight and went off to her own room (they'd put her in Serena's bed).

"See?" Darien told her when the girl had shut the door behind her.

Serena smiled and called Ami's communicator.