A/N: I don't own Sailor Moon, but I do own this story and all original characters. I hope you all enjoy! Don't forget to review!
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Jadeite
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Serena decided to go for a long walk, she needed to sort out all of the feelings inside of her. The best way for her to do that was to walk through the city she now lived in and take in all the sights, to cleanse her spirit.
It had been a full month and a half since the incident with Rachel father. Rachel was now living in the shelter and Joan and helping the girl through a 'healing process'. Serena was givin the opportunity to sit through each of the sessions to observe. She found that Rachel was normal cheerful teenager like herself. She had dreams, hopes and wishes, just like Serena had. The only difference between the two girls was Rachel's abusive, alcoholic father.
Rachel grew up with with abuse. Her mother had been abused just about every day from Rachel's father. Mentally and physically. Rachel's fater was a big man, a big man with sick mind. On the night Rachel ran away from her father, Rachel was also running away from the man who brutally murdered her mother.
The sick monster had forced Rachel to sit and watch as he brutally raped and beat her mother with his awesome strength. He planned on killing her after. She had barely escaped the house with her life, and once her feet hit the pavement, she just ran.
Serena couldn't fathom why a man would ever want to hurt a woman like that. Why a husband would rape and beat and kill his own wife. Why a father could raise a hand to his precious daughter. It didn't make sense to her, and she was thankful to have had a good father like Kenji Tsukino. Serena had definatly driven him mad more than once, but he had never risin a hand in anger to his only daughter.
She felt sick inside, in her heart, inside her soul. She had killed Rachel's father and she felt no remorse for the horrible act. She hated Rachel's father (and Serena Tsukino hated no one) she loathed the monster with everything she had in her.
The police didn't press charges because she killed the man in self defense. The man was a murderer, he desearved to die.
But did she have the right to decide who lived and died?
"No." Serena spoke outloud, angrily brushing a tear from her face, "No I don't have the right to decide."
"Serena." a familiar voice murmered from behind her and Serena froze in mid step. "Serena you shouldn't be alone out here."
Serena looked behind her and silently wondered how Dirks found her. Did he follow her? "What are doing here?" she asked.
Dirks held up a paper bag of groceries, "I ran out of food." he replied. "And I felt like walking."
"Ahh, I see." Serena nodded, "I just came out to clear my head."
Dirks nodded in understanding, it had been a crazy month for him too. "Well, why don't you come over to my place for a bit and we'll talk sometime?" he offered, his voice smooth as honey, dripping with understanding and sympathy.
Serena opened her mouth to reply when she saw Dirks eyes darken as he looked past her and his smiling lips slowly turn into a frown. "What?" she asked as she turned around again and came face to...well... neck with a tall man. She looked up and gasped when she figured out who was staring at Dirks with an almost murderous look on his face. "Jadeite?" she wispeared.
He appeared not to even hear her. He raise one hand and placed it firmly on her arm and started pulling her behind him.
Dirks' hand shot out, faster than light and latched onto Jadeite's wrist, "I'll thank you for releasing the young lady." he growled, his voice low and dominating.
Serena froze, her eyes widening, her brain still not fully comprehending that Jadeite was standing infront of her, his form firm and hard, not an illuision. Last time she checked, she was pretty sure that Jadeite was dead, or at least in stone form, held in a place of honor in Darien's apartment. The fact that he was alive boggled her mind.
"The Lady no longer needs your protection, sir. I will take care of her now." Jadeite spoke firmly, his voice a shade deeper than the last time she had spoken to him.
Serena frowned and looked up at Jadeite once again, "I don't understand? What are you doing here? Dirks is a friend." she explained.
Jadeite glanced down at his future Queen, "I need to talk to you. Alone." he growled for Dirks benifit.
"You wont be going anywhere alone with Serena." Dirks replied, his grip tightening.
It was then that Serena first felt a forigen power within Dirks. It was there for only a second, and then only faint, but Serena felt it non the less. It made her gut churn, and if there was one thing that Serena listened to, it was her gut. "Look, Dirks, I'll be fine. I know this guy. You go home and keep an eye on the shelter for me." she spoke firmly, looking up into his hard, wary eyes.
Dirks let out a slow breath, and dropped his hand from Jadeite's wrist, "As you wish. But he tries anything, he's mine." he told her firmly, then walked away without another word.
Jadeite watched silently until he could no longer see the man called 'Dirks' before turning his attention to the Princess. His wrist throbbed with pain, and decided that he would rather not be in a fight with the man. "Princess, we must talk." he spoke softly, for her ears only. He was fairly sure that she was being watched right now, and that anything that he might say would be heard by whoever else was listening in.
Serena nodded, "Very well, talk then."
Jadeite shook his head and motioned for her to follow him, "We need to go somewhere private, where no one could listen in on the conversation. I know a place." he informed her.
Serena followed Jadeite for almost two miles before she started to question her own judgement. She didn't even know if Jadeite was sent from Darien, she didn't even know if he was now on the side of good. She was beginning to curse herself when she was led into the wood, full and thick, anything could be hiding inside.
"Its safe here," Jadeite promised her and with a wave of his hand he started a small fire so Serena would stay warm. "There's a problem."
Serena took a seat on a log, close to the fire, "What kind of problem? Is everyone okay?" she asked.
Jadeite shrugged a shoulder, "I don't know Princess, I haven't been able to get into contact with Tokyo since I left. There is a barrier surrounding the city. It wont let any of the scouts leave, and it wont let me back inside. I can't make any phone calls to the city, nor can I email anyone, the barrier blocks everything." he explained.
"But who would put up a barrier? And how come the scouts can't take it down?" she asked,
"I'm not sure, but whoever's doing it is covering itself with your energy signature. Its powerful."
Serena frowned and rubbed her eyes tierdly, "It sounds like it. Look, I have stuff here I need to deal with. I can't just go back, I have responsibilities now. Besides, if I just go back now, with no plan of action then I might as well walk into a trap."
Jadeite nodded in agreement, running an agitated hand through his blond hair, "I agree, I think that it is unwise to go rushing in without a plan. But there is no way to contact the prince, or any of the scouts, so the plan can only include us two." he informed her.
"Maybe," Serena thought to herself, a plan running through her brain. "Or maybe we can use someone as a go between." she suggested.
Jadeite was silent, slowly comprehending what she was saying. "You mean, getting someone who isn't a Sailor Scout, or a General, someone with no powers to go into Tokyo City with all of our secrets and act as a liason?"
Serena nodded, "I don't see why not. You only said that we couldn't get back in and they couldn't get out. Everyone else was fine, right?" she asked. At Jadeite's nod she continued, "Well, I'll see if I can convince Joan to come with me. Once I explain the gravity of the situation, I'm sure she'll agree."
Jadeite grinned widely, "You are brilliant, Princess, an absolute genius!"
Serena shook her head and got to her feet, "No I'm not. I have my moments where I'm not a total blonde, though." she replied. "Why don't you come back to the shelter with me. You can have a safe place to stay and we'll talk more over something to eat. I'm starving and you..." she said with an appraising grin, "look skinner than ever."
It was well after midnight before Serena reached the shelter, and wasn't too suprised to see both Rachel and Joan waiting up for her in the kitchen. "I'm sorry I'm so late ladies, I didn't mean to make you worry. I ran into an old friend." she smiled brightly and pulled Jadeite into the kitchen with her. Both the girls froze in place upon laying eyes on the young male.
Jadeite, upon sensing tension and distrust towards him immediatly attempted to sooth the ladies with his most charming grin. He bowed lowly and murmered a soft hello.
"Ladies, this is my very good friend, Jadeite. Jadeite, this is the woman who took me under her wing, Joan, she owns the shelter. And the lady beside her is Rachel, who is staying with us for the time being." Serena introduced.
Joan got to her feet and decided to meet the man head on, putting out a hand she waited for Jadeite to shake it. She would trust her gut instincts with Serena's male friend. "Its a pleasure to finally meet one of Serena's friends," she spoke firmly, watching the young males' intense blue eyes, waiting for a look of shock and disqust on his face when he heard her voice.
Jadeite was a little shocked from the older woman's lowly, scratchy voice, but years of rigid control, and his own code of honor refused to let him show it. He met the woman's gaze head on and gently took her hand in his, then brought her hand slowly up to his lips. "The pleasure is all mine, milady." he murmered against her hand. Upon seeing the older lady blush, Jadeites smile grew wider and he instinctively that he had pleased the woman.
Serena grinned at Joan's reaction and gave a silent little cheer for Jadeite. He was playing the perfect gentleman to a tee. "Joan, I think we need your help, if you are feeling up to it." she said, and glanced to Rachel instinctively, "You too, Rachel, if you wouldn't mind."
Rachel nodded, "I owe you my life. If I can do anything for you, I will." she promised, her eyes lighting up with the pleasure of being included.
Serena shook her head, "You owe me nothing. What I ask is indeed extremely dangerous and should be handled with care. I will understand if either of you decide to back out."
Joan pulled her hand away from Jadeite warm grip and pulled out a pair of chairs for them. "Let me put on some tea and maybe something to eat. This sounds like it may take some time."
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Serena told them everything, from start to finish. It felt good to tell someone, anyone about her secret life as Sailor Moon and as the Moon Princess. They were stunned, their eyes wide and mouths half open in disbelief. But they were also captivated by the story, the two ladies leaning forward in their seats, eager to hear more of her wonderful story, to learn more about her. And when she was finished her tale she felt better than she had in years. It had felt like an enormous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Her soul felt cleansed and her heart at full capacity once again.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, so you mean to tell me that you are Sailor Moon? I mean, I always knew that there was something special about you, about your ability to make people around you feel better, safer, cleaner. But that you could actually be a super hero?" Joan spoke, pacing her kitchen floor as all of this information tried to force its way into Joan's head all at once. "And to be a Princess at that, of the Moon! Its too much to comprehend. You seem too down to earth. Not at all like a snob like Princess's are supposed to be."
Serena raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jadeite and frowned, "Are Princesses supposed to be snobby?" she asked him.
"No milady. Not the Princess of the Moon and Earth anyway. The Princess of Mars seems a little snobby, but the rest are all good. Princess's are supposed to be kind hearted people who would do anything for the people of their planet." he decided firmly. "Perhaps Princesses and Queen's of Earths minor realms have been snobby in the past, but certainly not the Princess of one's planet."
Serena looked back at Joan, "There you have it." At Joan's look of complete and utter disbelief Serena sighed, "look, I'd love to transform for you, but this new evil, whatever it may be, will be able to track me here. If it hasn't already, that is. I'd like to keep my identity a secret, if only for a little while longer."
Rachel stood up, her eyes clear and calm. Her face, which had been previously battered and bruised was healing quite nicely, and determination showed clearly upon her pretty face, "I believe you, Princess."
Serena shook her head, "You don't have to call me that, Serena will do just fine."
Rachel blushed, "Serena. So what can we do for you? You are the one with powers, what is it that just normal people like Ms. Joan and me can do?" she asked, her voice soft and shy.
Serena took a slow sip of her green tea before responding. "Well, the thing is, Jadeite and I can't go back into Tokyo city, on account of there being an energy barrier there that prevents us from going inside the city. We need someone with no powers to go inside and gather the scouts and generals together, along with Darien, and act as a go-between between us so we can make a plan of action." she decided firmly.
There was no hesitation in either woman's voice a minute later when they both agreed to Serena's plan.
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"Serena, I can't teach you how to physically fight!" Jadeite pleaded with his future Queen. "There is a chance I could hurt you...and Darien would have my head."
Serena rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "Whatever, Darien doesn't have to know. Besides, Rachel could use the lessons as well. And Joan is too busy to teach us. There is only a few more days untill we leave forTokyo, and us girls need to know how to protect ourselves.
Jadeite's eyes slid over to Rachel's slim form, shoulders hunched forward, eyes carefully guarded and wary. She needed to regain confidence in herself. "Fine, but only for the girl."
Serena gave a loud cheer and high fived Rachel. "Thats awesome!"
Jadeite groaned and unbuttoned the jacket on his General uniform. e took it off and tossed it on a lawn chair. He walked out into the middle of the small yard behind the shelter and beckoned the girls forward. "The first thing you both should know is the basics of self defence. I'll show you a few of the most effective blocks and stances used in self defence and I want you two to practice them."
Joan glanced out her office window when she heard sounds of fighting and paused in mid conversation with a friend. Serena was defending herself (very badly) against Jadeite while Rachel stood aside and watched. Serean tripped over her own feet and fell to the ground, and Joan stood up ready to come to the girls aide when she saw Jadeite push his shoeless foot up against Serena's neck. To Joan's relief however, Jadeite backed off after a moment and held out a hand to the younger girl.
"Joan...Joan are you listening to me?" Deserie McKinnon asked impatiently in an effort to gain Joan's attention.
Joan sat back down, relaxing when she realized Serena's friend was giving the girls a lesson in self defence, and forced herself to return to the conversation at hand, "Yes I'm here, Dezy. I'm sorry I just go destracted."
"You do need a break," Deserie sighed into the phone, "Yes I'll cover your shelter untill you get back. I hope you enjoy your vaction. I'll come over tomorrow and we'll discuss your house schedule."
"Okay, its a date." Joan said wearily, turned her gaze down to the mountain of paperwork on her desk.
"Joan, I've been meaning to tell you..." Deserie spoke softly, quietly now.
"What is it?"
"Its Simon, Joan. I had the very unpleasant experience of seeing him again. He trapped me while I was at work. He's gotten out of prison on good behaviour. He's looking for you Joan." she wispeared.
Joan froze, her hand reaching up to her throat, feeling the hard, but barely noticable thin white scar that circled her throat. The one of many physical scars that her ex husband left behind on her.
"Joan, I swear I didn't tell him where you are. I told him I haven't heard from you in years. But he's in the city and he's looking for you. I'm sorry."
Joan shut her eyes tight, "Its alright Dezy. I'll be fine. At least I'll be prepared. Come anytime tomorrow, I'll be waiting."
Without waiting for another word from her friend, Joan hung up the phone.
He was back. Simon Cohen. He was looking for her and it was only a matter of time before he found her. Found her and finished what he started so many years ago.
"Not if I can help it." Joan growled and stood up. She walked over to the safe on the wall and entered the access code. Once the door was open she pulled out a black shoulder holster and attached it to herself. Secondly she pulled out a heavy metal black case and unlocked it. She opened it wide and pulled out her Firestorm Government 38 Super.
She checked to make sure the gun was loaded before putting the safety on a gently placing it into the holster. She placed the heavy black case back into the safe and closed the safe back up.
Oh yes, she would be prepared this time. She would not be caught offguard, and Mr. Simon Cohen would pay for his crimes against her.
Joan returned to her desk and closed her eyes, willingly remembering the last time Simon had hurt her.
She had just finished washing the dishes when Simon waltzed into the kitchen, his fourteen or fifteenth beer in hand, bored and drunk out of his mind. He had come up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, beer in one hand, grabbing a breast with the other.
Joan didn't want him, she hurt to much still from the previous night, and she attempted to shove him away. Not liking that too much, Simon started yelling at her, and when Joan decided she had had enough she left the kitchen and went to her room. She locked the door behind her and immediatly went for her husbands cell phone. She had just pressed 'send' on the phone, when Simon busted down the door.
She had thought she was going to die when she saw the rage in his eyes, the drunkin rage and hate deep within the colbalt black of his eyes. He came at her in a fury, his fist flying out to hit her square in the face, knocking her sensless. She didn't feel the pain as he took a couple more swings at her before finally raping her still body, too numb and sensless to do anything about it.
She could hear the sirens in the backround as she felt wire wrapping around her throat, pulling tighter and tighter, cutting off all oxygen. And just before she blacked out she felt blood pouring down her naked chest from her neck, and she saw the uniforms of cops swarming her bedroom. Then black. No sound. No smell. No feeling what so ever. Just black.
She felt like that for the longest time. Floating in a black oblivion that was her haven. She couldn't be hurt here, in the never ending black.
Then there was pain, Joan recalled opening her eyes, pain beyond her wildest dreams. "I will have my revenge."
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