CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Darien was really starting to worry about Serena. She hadn't said a word since he carried her off the battlefield and brought her back to his place. He knew the battle had been rough on her. She had been the enemies target and she had taken the worst of the beating. While the rest of them who had been put under some spell and unable to move could only watch.

He would never forget the feeling of helplessness he felt as he watched his love being attacked and unable to go to her aid and now even though the battle was over and they were all safe for the moment she just lay there not moving not making a sound as he tended to her cuts and bruises that he knew must pain her. No sound not even a whimper past her lips. She was just lying there on his bed staring up at the ceiling with a vacant look on her face.

When he finished cleaning and dressing her wounds he laid down next to her. He turned her face towards his and her eyes held that same vacant expression. Gently he raised his hand to caress the cut on her cheek. He still got no response it was as if the lights were on but nobody was home

"Serena" he sighed and brushed a strand of hair off her face. "Where are you? Come back to me." He watched as the life slowly came back in her eyes and focused on him. He felt his chest tighten with pain as those sad blue eyes filled with tears.

"Oh Serena" he groaned and reached for her

"Darien" she sobbed before throwing herself in his arms

"Its ok shhh" he whispered as he rocked her back and forth "everything is going to be fine"

Serena could do nothing but cry and hold onto him for dear life. She could have lost him today him and her friends and all because she wasn't strong enough. That woman was right she was no warrior.

It wasn't long before she began to tire herself out and soon she fell asleep to the comforting sound of his heart beat and the feel of his strong arms around her holding her as if they'd never let her go.

.................................................

In Darien's living room the Scouts were having a meeting about this new enemy and planning strategies for their next encounter.

"If only I could have gotten some readings on my mini computer but their just hadn't been enough time." Mercury muttered in disgust

"Well we have to come up with something and fast" Jupiter grumbled rubbing her shoulder the pain worse their than in other parts of her body

"I still think we could have taken her if we'd been able to join all our powers together." Mars stated angrily steamed at being beaten so badly and having their own attacks used against them.

"That might be our only option the next time you meet." Luna stated carefully reminding everyone that this fight was far from over.

"I still can't believe you guys didn't tell me about Serena being taken and almost dying" Rini complained feeling both hurt and angry that she hadn't been informed after all Serena was her future mother and she was officially a sailor scout now.

"We didn't want you to get involved until we knew what we were up against. The fact that Serena was taken from here brought up the possibility that they knew that she was sailor moon, which it turns out, they do. What we don't know is if he knows whose she's going to be and the fact that you're her daughter." Luna explained gently needing Rini to understand how serious this was and why they needed to protect her from it.

"Luna's right Rini" Artemis remarked "and until we know more about what's going on and who were dealing with we don't want you involved."

"That not fair" Rini wailed

Everyone sighed and cast longing looks at Darien's closed bedroom door hoping one of her future parents would walk out and help them out as Rini raised the volume on her protest. They swore she got more like Serena every day

.................

In her dreams he was waiting for her.

"Serena" he purred

Serena shuddered all around her she was surrounded by complete darkness and it was as if his voice reached out of that darkness and actually touched her.

"Why wont you leave me alone" she sobbed she was so tired of the endless fear he was right she couldn't escape him not while she slept and not when she was awake it was an endless nightmare

"I was very impressed with you today I knew you were the one I needed and soon I'll come for you again."

"I don't understand" she cried, "I lost the fight I didn't save myself or my friends you did."

"True you have some things to learn but I am a wonderful teacher." Damien reached out a hand to touch her face "and I have so many things to teach you."

Serena shriek and jumped back as something touched her even though she knew she was dreaming everything felt so real and the touch of his hand was like ice.

Damien laughed he did enjoy her fear it was intoxicating he was about to reach out and touch her again when a faint light started glowing off to the right.

(Run Serena run to the light)

That voice she knew that voice it was the same one that helped her find Darien not taking any more time to wonder Serena took off at a dead run for the light.

"No" Damien roared as she ran past him. He didn't know what was going on and where that light had come from he should have been in total control of her dream. He started to go after her but the closer she got to the light the more powerful it became knowing he had lost the advantage he left her.

Serena didn't stop running until she was surrounded by the light after the horror of the cold empty darkness it was paradise to her.

"Serena." a voice whispered softly

Serena stood to attention where a moment ago she was bent over gasping for breath she was now back on alert maybe it wasn't over maybe he was still playing games with her giving her this haven only to take it away and leave her a drift again in that bare dark void.

She couldn't believe her eyes as a form materialized before her. It was Queen Serenity.

The figure laughed softly "Don't look so surprised my dear I live in you mind and heart and I told you that I would come again when you needed me."

"Queen Serenity is it really you?"

Queen Serenity approached her and enfolded her in a warm embrace "Yes my darling it is.

Serena hugged her back tightly where as the creature in the darkness touch was cold this was all warmth." Oh mother" she cried "I'm so scared I don't know what to do he haunts me day and night I cant escape him"

"Shhh my darling you have to be strong. Its true his powers are strong but so are yours my darling in fact your stronger than you realize.

Serena looked up at Queen Serenity with disbelief

"Its true my darling take your mind back to the battle earlier. There is something that you over looked but your enemy did not."

Serena thought back to the battle images formed and she watched everything that happened in her minds eye. What she remembered caused her to gasp in disbelief. It couldn't be true how could she have missed it?

"Its true Serena. She placed you under a motionless spell. A spell you had to break to come to Darien's aid. If you want this nightmare to end your going to have to be the one to end it.

"I don't know how. Even though I managed to break her spell she would have destroyed me and my friends if that thing in the mist hadn't stopped her."

"It's alright I'll help you but now is not the time and until the time comes do not fear my darling he will haunt your dreams no more. Let the love for your friends and theirs for you give you strength. I will visit you again soon.

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Rini couldn't take it anymore even after all the wailing and pleading they still refused to let her help it just wasn't fair she was a sailor scout too and she wanted to fight with them.

Agitated she tossed and turned on the couch. Everyone had agreed to let her stay the night but she couldn't sleep. With an aggravated sigh she threw off her covers. Looking around she made sure everyone was still sleeping and careful not to wake anyone she tiptoed over to the bedroom door. Even though everyone had told her Serena was ok and to leave her alone so that she could rest she just had to see for herself. What if they were lying again thinking to protect her. She had to know for sure.

Very carefully she opened the door just a little bit wincing when it gave a faint creak. Standing perfectly still she listened for any movement that would tell her someone had heard it. After a minute she gave a small sigh of relief and stepped into the room. Once inside she walked quietly over to the bed.

Serena and Darien lay tangled up in each other arms sleeping. Rini gave the bed a longing look remembering the times when her parents let her sleep with them. She was startled out of her thoughts when she heard the bed creak.

She looked up to see Darien smiling down at her. She didn't know that he had woken instantly upon sensing someone else's presence in the room besides his and Serena's and that he had been covertly watching her. He pulled back the covers in a silent invitation. Smiling Rini climbed in. She settled down onto the bed with a happy sigh and cuddling up to her future mother she wrapped a small arm around her before finally falling asleep.

Darien looked at his girls while they slept and prayed for the strength to protect them and keep them safe. he couldn't bare to lose either of them.