Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or any of its characters.

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Chapter 8: Dinner

Serenity watched Usagi and Mamoru leave. She wiped away a tear, hating the situation with her parents. She knew she was doing the right thing in helping Usagi, but it brought back all the pain she had suppressed over the last few months. She felt an arm swing over her shoulder. She turned and looked up into the concerned face of her prince.

"Are you OK?"

A faint smile touched her lips. "You seem to be asking me that a lot lately."

"Well I worry about you," Endymion said, turning her to face him, his eyes pleading. "If anything was seriously wrong, you would tell me, right?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"You want to go out for dinner tonight?" he ventured.

Serenity's eyes lit up at the thought.

"Good. I wonder if that French restaurant is open yet," Endymion wondered out loud.

They walked back into the room where the Senshi waited.

"Well, we'll see you later," Serenity called.

"Bye," the Senshi replied shortly, engrossed in their plans for Usagi's party.

Serenity sat quietly, sipping her water, deep in thought.

"Hey," Endymion said quietly, slipping his hand over hers. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm fine."

He sighed and shut his eyes, jaw clenched. Serenity didn't miss the change in his body language.

"Nothing is wrong. I promise."

He looked at her sceptically.

"I swear. Will you stop it please? I'm fine OK. End of story." Serenity by now was getting frustrated, as was Endymion.

He was about to fire back when the waiter walked over.

"Your entrée, Madame." The waiter leaned over and placed her plate on the table, his gaze wandering below her neck.

Endymion tensed.

'Endy,' she warned.

"Monsieur," the waiter placed Endymion's entrée in front of him. It took all of Endymion's self-control not to grab the waiter and beat him.

As the waiter left, he snuck another glance at Serenity. Endymion stood menacingly, but Serenity stopped him.

'You have to control your temper sometimes!' she scolded.

He turned to her, his eyes blazing with fury. 'Don't treat me like a child. He was taking a free peek! He's a pervert!'

Serenity glared back, 'I don't need you screwing up this timeline at the moment because your male territorial instincts. Act like the king you are meant to be!'

With a final glare, Endymion began to eat, ignoring her completely.

She let out a frustrated sigh and thought of the last time they fought like this.

Flashback

"I want to tell them! They have a right to know who we are!" she yelled.

"Well, tell them, then! But I'm not going to tell them with you! I don't want to be around for your father to kill me," he retorted, slamming his hands on the desk.

"But he likes you! You know that!"

"He's crazy though. There's no telling how he would react!"

"Well, then maybe I should hide when my so-called 'crazy' father finds out that I'm pregnant!" she hissed before turning on her heel and walking out, leaving a bewildered Endymion with his mouth hanging open.

End

'Endy, I'm sorry about… before. I didn't mean to snap but…'

"It wasn't exactly the best way to tell me you were pregnant," he murmured, sounding insulted.

"I know. I was originally going to tell you when I walked in but you brought up the ball, and… well… I got sidetracked."

Flashback

The servant entered the side room, followed by Kenji, Ikuko and Shingo. The sound of music and chatter from the ball followed them in.

Serenity and Endymion turned, tears welling up in Serenity's eyes at the sight of her family.

The servant bowed. "Your majesties. How else can I be of service?"

"That will be all, thank you," Endymion answered. He took Serenity's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She smiled back at him before turning to her family.

The three of them bowed as soon as the attention was on them. "Your Majesties. To what do we owe…"

Endymion help up his hand to silence them, "We asked you here to discuss a very personal matter."

A baffled look crossed their faces.

Serenity sighed. Her gaze had a powerful hold over their eyes. "We have some news on your daughter and her husband."

End

Serenity looked at him, "Please, let's not fight. I already have enough on my shoulders from my family. I can't live with you being angry at me too."

His eyes met hers, and the desperation in them melted his resolve. He gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I just…"

She returned the smile, indicating there was no need to apologise.

"Are you finished, Madame? Monsieur?"

They nodded their heads, giving the waiter matching kind smiles. "Yes. Thank you."

"Would you like a desert menu?"

Endymion shook his head before Serenity could say yes. With a smirk, he answered, "No, I think we'll go home. Can we have the cheque, please?"

The waiter nodded and hurried off.

After paying and leaving the restaurant, Endymion noticed Serenity was sulking. She was looking at the ground and twirling a strand of blonde hair around one finger—that said something was on her mind. But he knew at once that she was sulking because of the way her nose crinkled.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"Why did you deprive me of dessert?" she pouted.

"Who said anything about not having dessert?" Endymion answered mischievously, a familiar gleam sparkling in his eye. "It's not always ice cream, you know."

Catching his drift, Serenity's eyes widened then brightened. A slight flush bloomed in her cheeks when she recognized the grin spreading across her husband's face.

"After all," he continued slyly, "I have to carry out my full apology."

A/N: Well there is the next chapter you've been anticipating. Thanks to all who have helped. I am halfway through writing the next chapter so I don't know exactly when it will be done. I'm a bit stuck. Well, please review. Tell me what you think and also if you have not read My Only Love- please do so! Thanks

Moosagi