(AN: This chapter really doesn't have much more going on other than the fact that it shows the true relationship and feeling of how powerful the emotion of love can be, and what it can do to two people who truly love each other.)
An Unavoidable Fate…Recollection of the Past and Hope For the Future
Jen's heart raced as the minutes passed by without a sign that Shane was home or was all right. Each passing minute made her more and more worried about him. She wanted to scream out to him in hopes he'd hear her it was eating her away so badly. No armour, no beam saber…just a sword. A regular katana with no real power to it. How was Shane going to kill something unearthly and most likely wielding more power than the whole army of a large third world nation, when he had nothing more than one piece of cold steel at his side. The sheer fact that he had nothing to help him fight except that old piece of metal made her worry even more than she figured she should, but then again this was the worrying of a loved one. It worried her down the core of her very physical being all the way through her soul. This was the only person in the history of the universe that cared about her so much that he was willing to give his own life over and over just for her. It was no surprise that when she lived on the Moon SOOOO long ago that she was well renown for her unsurpassed beauty. She had guys twice as old as her asking her out, but…she was happy with the man she had fallen for. A man by the name of Keikito Ashura. He was a gentle, but strong Knight who protected the kingdom of the Moon against the forces of evil. While not known for his gung-ho fighting he slew many a demon with little to no effort and made no attempt to allow anything remotely evil to fester itself within the confines of the place called eternal heaven by some. Jen remembered the times he would blow in her ear and hold her in his strong muscular built body. Keikito was a VERY big man and was VERY strong. One of the strongest if not the most powerful next to the Queen and the Princess' inner court. And Jen was not known as Jennifer Smith. Her true birthright name was Tashi Kione, and she was not a true Sailor Scout so much as a member of an elite group created to overlook the development of the Earth and keep it safe from danger. Tashi had been awarded metals of valor MANY times. She was among the most decorated senshi in the entire history of the Moon for completing missions FAR beyond expectations, but to her…it was meaningless to be so powerful. The man Keikito preoccupied her heart. Just looking at his chiseled and flawless body made her melt into a pool of ooze and she could feel the thump-thump of her heart as it tried to escape. He was the man she wanted…not the second best. She wanted the best, and to have the best would require a lot of work. Jen still remembered the day long ago when they first met up with each other. A chance meeting at the royal barracks where they had been assigned for a short period of time. The moment she saw him it was like a fire had been lit inside her heart, and nothing could extinguish the flame that burned inside of her. Oh sure she had met a few guys in her younger years and found nothing but heartache, but this…this feeling was much different she remembered. It felt…like nothing she had ever experienced before. More than just puppy love…more like love…at first sight. "I was so old back then…I'm only 15 now…but back then I was almost…20." Jen relaxed her muscles and closed her eyes slowly letting her mind remember her past. She remembered how being around Keikito made her feel. So warm…and wonderful inside, nothing like anyone else she had been with had made her feel at the time. So what else could she do but feel scared to approach him? He was only 6 years older than her and already a more seasoned veteran. The laws did not forbid anything when it came to romance and love so much as it did not be placed above the responsibilities that were to be performed as a member of the Knight/Senshi guard. Keikito's dark green eyes were well complimented to his pony tailed long blond hair and red bandana he wore across his forehead. If Rambo had been done back in the day then he would have beaten out Stallone for the part by FAR. The only difference was Keikito's gentle soul and his compassion for others. If he was on the field of battle he would be the leader and showed no mercy for his opponents, but away from the battle he was more controlled and relaxed than almost all of his companions. A strong warrior housing a gentle but rock steady soul. The girls were always hitting on him and of course he was respecting them in kind, but did not so much as "flirt back" with them. He did accept to court a few ladies on dates, but nothing really…serious. He was content on being the best person he could but just did not really think any of the girls he courted were the "one." He was content on not doing anything rash until he had found this "one." Jen's mind seemed to laugh at how much Keikito revealed about him on one of their dates. The ironic thing about it was HE was the one that asked Tashi out. She didn't know why he liked her, only that what she was after was what she got. By no means was it easy to convince Keikito that she was anything more than the other girls that flocked him like a warm and tasty meal, but the feeling that he got around her, it was unlike anything he had ever felt. She still remembered his kind and well thought out words the day he told her how he felt.
"Tashi. You are unlike…anyone I've ever met. You go beyond the term perfect and make it jealous of how much more than perfect you are. Each time I see you I feel myself drawn to you like a magnet. I can't get you out of my mind no matter what I try to do. All my life I've looked for someone who was different from everyone else. Someone who was the 'one.' Tashi Kione…I know that in my heart, you might be the 'one.' You are the kind-hearted, strong willed person that I see myself with down the road. I want to be the first person before someone else takes you away to ask you to be my girlfriend." The night he asked that was gorgeous, and romantic. The air was full of rose smell and the place he had taken her to ask her this was a small hillside many miles outside of the main city. The grassy hill was slowly blowing about a gentle wind that was not real, but more of an artificial wind that made the mood seem even…more perfect than she thought it could be. She remembered her eyes stared into Keikito's and all she could see was what he presented to her…gentleness, warmth, compassion, and most importantly…love. He loved her. It was like heaven was giving her this one chance at love and a happy life away from fighting, with the most perfect person she had ever seen. She wept tears of joy for perhaps the first time in her entire life. She had never remembered anyone so…meaningful to her in her entire life. Keikito was the 'one' she felt. It was no doubt in her mind…it was as clear as the day and night. She had felt something with other guys, but Keikito…he was no man she felt…he was her soul mate. It left no doubt in her mind the more she was with him. The more they were together the more it just assured her how right she was. Then…on that fateful day…when tragedy struck the Moon and all of it's inhabitants. There was no way to warn the Moon that there was a planned attack from the Earth…it was so sudden…and so evil outright that it caught everyone off guard. The pain…of it all set in when she rushed back to see everyone fighting and millions of people dead already. She saw her boyfriend wounded but still fighting…she screamed and he reached out for her one last time, but then…was stabbed right through the back with the sword of a human child. A child…killed her first love…the only person she ever felt like would understand her life. Her mind returned to the conscious world but her eyes were still closed. She could feel something mixed with tears on her face…it was like she could feel the blood from his wound as it was coming from her eyes. Soon however she realized that this was not his blood, and she opened her eyes to see Shane holding his left shoulder blood seeping from his wound as he watched her sleep peacefully. He looked in pain, but not from the wound…more like a deep wound that hurt him inside more than anything.
"Shane! You're bleeding! Are you ok?!" She thought first about the wound on his shoulder more than anything. She reached to try and move his hand away from the wound to see how bad it was, but Shane turned away the pain in his face still showing.
"Jen…don't worry about this wound…I'll be fine. Nothing a few hours in the meditating waters won't heal. I'm just…I'm so hurt right now. I feel so…alone right now."
"Shane?" Jen's voice changed to concern and she looked at him with a slight hurting feel to her face shape.
"I'll tell you everything…that I found out today…and what is going on right now."
"What's going on Shane?" Jen asked as Shane slid his arms under her and picked her up cringing a little as the wound in his shoulder stung a little. "Where are you taking me?"
"To the meditating waters. That way you can get a little more recovery and I can tell you everything I know now…about who I am."
The portal to the command central of Meta opened and Shane carried Jen through. Jen blushed a little making a slight thought to be carried across the threshold after a wedding. "It's been a while since I've seen this place."
Shane set her down beside the door to the meditation waters room. "Yeah. It almost seems surreal again that we're here once more. Together…under less than critical circumstances." Jen giggled a little and Shane input the command code to open the door. The doors to the room swished open and a wisp of dust and particles created a sort of fogged up feeling for but a second. Shane picked Jen back up and carried her into the soothing waters that wisped with light steam and relaxation. Slowly he sat down against the wall that held the waters in place and the water started to flow into his wounded right shoulder. Jen could feel the waters giving her strength back as well and she took a full deep breath letting her muscles relax even more.
She looked over at Shane who was in a state of simple meditation to keep his body calm and said blushing a little, "Ummm…Shaney?"
Shane's ear twitched when she said his name like that but he responded, "Yes?"
"I think…it would be better if you took your shirt off, and just let the waters do their thing."
Shane gave a light laugh and said, "You have forgotten haven't you…the water doesn't stain clothes at all. It's not even really water. It's some chemical compound that rapidly regenerates the dead cells of the body, while keeping the excess energy being used at a low temperature. The only reason I call it water is because it looks and tastes like water. It's tasteless, and because water is tasteless…unless it's polluted badly, I called it water."
"Shannnnnnneeeeeey! Pwease?!" Jen gave him a big puppy eyed look. "Just pretend it will stain your clothes and take your shirt off for me?"
Shane's eye started to twitch and he could tell she just wanted to see him with his shirt off. He sighed and nodded slowly, "Fine…but just this once…and only my shirt is going off."
Jen's face turned a little upset by his remark and responded, "What do you mean that's the only thing going off? You thought I wanted to…or would even THINK like…ok I'm not talking to you now…" She folded her arms and turned her head away from him. She blushed a little and responded a bit kinder, "but thank you for doing what I asked you."
Shane shook his head and grit his teeth as he removed his shirt showing the massive wound in his shoulder being repaired. "Damn…and I liked this shirt too."
Jen turned back around and looked at his wound blood still seeping out slowly however. She opened her mouth to say something but could say nothing. Shane looked in so much pain, and it almost looked like tears were forming in his eyes. "Shane…are you…crying?"
Shane shook his head and looked back at the healing waters as they moved and rippled about slowly. "No Jen…I'm just…thinking about a few things, and how to…explain them…to you. May I slide closer to you?"
Jen blushed brightly and lowered her head and nodded slowly giving a cute, "Hai."
Shane slide over until his body was touching her's and she couldn't help but feel…embarrassed. She started to laugh a little in a cute little girl voice and looked at Shane. Shane however was staring at her with a face that could break stone it was so powerful. Her giggling subsided and she touched his chest running her fingers down the muscles that lined it. It didn't seem like he was that strong, considering he didn't have a BULGING chest, but it was toned, and strong nonetheless. Touching his chest like she did reminded her of Keikito and how safe she felt being near someone that was strong. She put her head on her hand and her hand on his chest and sort of started to stare off feeling so warm and comfortable on Shane's chest. Shane looked down at her relaxed figure and took a deep sigh. "So who do I remind you of?"
Jen suddenly snapped back to the world of the living and said a bit confused, "What? What do you mean?"
Shane smiled slightly and put his head back facing the ceiling. "Jen, I know that before you left the moon you must have had SOMEONE who you loved."
Jen felt like a scolded dog and slowly nodded her head on his chest. "Yes…I did Shane…but that was so long ago, and he died on the day-."
"The day my home was destroyed…"
Jen looked up at him quickly and saw he was crying. It was the first time she had ever seen him cry. He never cried. He was like…a wall. Something about seeing him in tears must have shaken him so deep it was like being killed. Or the very thought that he was dying or dead. She didn't know how to respond to him other than put her hand up to his tears and try to whip them away. Shane grabbed her by the wrist and shook his head still looking at the ceiling. "Shane…" Jen could feel his grip was not hard, but was such that he just needed to let these tears fall on their own.
"Jen…you've know who you were your whole life. You knew of your past. You've known what happened your whole life. I thought I did, but it appears I don't. It appears that the past I thought I had was indeed my past, but I have another past. A past that is endowed with more pain and suffering than I ever imagined. I just found out today WHY we mix so well together, and why we have been able to understand each other so well." Shane closed his eyes and more tears fell from his cheeks. Jen could only see as the tears dropped into the soothing waters and wanted to say something, but couldn't figure out WHAT she should say to him. She had NEVER seen this from him. How could she decide what would be best for someone she had NEVER seen like this? Before she could consider what was the best to do Shane continued speaking, "It's because we both came from the same place."
Jen seemed a little confused by his answer and replied, "You're from California too?"
Shane sniffled a little and laughed, "No no no, I'm saying we are both from…the Moon. The Moon of 1000 years ago."
Jen's eyes got a little bigger and she opened her mouth to say something but could only come out with, "Wh…what?"
Shane nodded slowly and looked back at her face again and finished, "I can see why you seemed so familiar to me too. I'm sure that when we lived on the Moon I saw you before."
Jen blushed and shook her head, "I don't think I ever saw you when I lived on the Moon, and I remember that so…vividly."
"I only know of what befated our home. I don't know anything more than a few other sketchy things. I'm sure it's because I was asked to remove everything I knew of my past life on the Moon. I didn't want to know it existed. So I was asked to have it wiped from my mind…forever."
"Why would you want to forget about something that happened to you so long ago?"
"Because…back then…I was an outcast. I didn't belong in the society of the Silver Millennium. Everyone but my mom wanted me dead. So…I decided that the past was not worth remembering. I don't want to remember something that was nothing more than an entire lifetime of a bad memory."
"But why would you want to forget it? No one's life is full of nothing but bad memories! You think being killed for being an outcast is bad? How about seeing the one you love with all your being killed right in front of your very eyes?" Jen was mad, but crying tears rushed down the sides of her face, "Do you think it's easy for me to just forget what happened to me when I was on the Moon?! I can't Shane! I won't! I want to remember the joy, the love, and even the pain I experienced, because it's part of who I AM!"
"Well that's because you HAD love in your life. I didn't have anything. I had no one to be with, and no one to understand what it was like to be shunned from a society that wanted eternal peace. I was an outcast…and that was all there was. I don't want to think back to my old life and go, how did I approach this situation back then? Oh yeah, that's right that never HAPPENED. I WAS ALONE!"
Jen raised her arm in anger and gave him a weak slap across the face, and the impact barely made any mark at all. "SHANE WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!! I DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST!!" Jen started crying harder and harder and couldn't even form words.
Shane looked down on her and put his hand to his face apologizing, "Jen…I'm sorry, but…you had a good life back on the Moon. I want you to remember the good times you had on the Moon, but…I won't remember anything about my past because it wasn't anything worth remembering." Shane pulled her closer to his warm, firm body and she calmed down putting her face onto his chest. "But…if there is one thing I want to remember forever…it's what I do have here. I had a bad life back then. It's not something I want to remember, but what I have with you…here, now…I NEVER want to forget that. Not even the times before this that we had together. I want to remember the good, and…the bad. I'm sorry about what happened to the one you loved back on the Moon, and I hope you never do forget him, but I want you to know that I'm here for you. I love you Jen…and I don't want to lose you again. You…are the kind of person I see myself down the road with. You have everything that I look for in a girl. I can't describe it other than…I just KNOW. My past sucked, but you weren't in my past. I want my past to be the past that I had with YOU, and I want the present and future to be with you as well."
Jen sighed and shook her head, "Shane…why…are you so upset about your past? Why can't you forgive everything that's happened over a thousand years ago?"
Shane scuffed and said, "Jen…I'm not one for forgetting the bad. I usually live with it because I know that there is more good than bad, I just have to find it. Something…about my past…it was basically a fight for survival. I was living on my own, with no real help. People wanted me to just flat out die. They didn't think a male heir to the throne was right. So they just decided instead of talking they would lay down their own 'Law' and do what they wanted to." Shane still shook his head and finished, "Besides…royalty means nothing to me. I may have been crown Prince to the throne, but I don't think I would have taken it honestly, had I been given a choice in the matter. I like being normal. No titles or fancy parties, or politics. I'm just me, here; with the people I care about trying to keep them safe from anything that may try to hurt them. I want nothing more than to put away my armour forever and say, the universe does not contain evil anymore. It is forever washed clean of evil, but that won't happen. No matter what I do. The world is full of evil hearts, and as long as temptation exists so will the hearts of evil that wish to cause havoc, chaos, hurt, and pain. So I will keep fighting to protect what I hold dear. I won't lose no matter what the cost, I will protect who I love and care for with my last breath. Even beyond my death I will find some way to protect over those whom I care for. So if you look at it this way my past is nothing more than protecting people. Ever since I've been Meta I've been protecting people I care for, and for those who have no idea of how harsh the world really is. If you want to know what my past is. You've seen it when I dawn the armour. The armour is my past, my present, and now it shall be my future. However…" Shane looked down at Jen and lifted her chin up to face him and he continued, "I want something more in this life than just armour and millions of people to protect. I want someone I can fight to protect and realize that the person I'm protecting loves me. They want me to fight for them, but also want me to be someone to love them. Someone they can cry on with they've had a bad day, or just need a shoulder. I don't care about the past. The past is nothing more than something that was. I want something that is...right now; is…is you. I want you in my life. I don't care WHAT roadblocks, hurdles, vines, ANYTHING I have to do. I just want you. I want someone I can just be normal with and live my life in love. I love you Jennifer Smith. I can't take that back just because I feel like it. I can't help that no matter what I do you're in my mind somewhere. You are someone who I never thought would understand me, and yet you are. You understand me as well if not more than I can understand myself sometimes. I want nothing more than to live out my days being with you and having you here with me. I love you Jen, and I can't change that ever."
Jen's heart was beating like a war drum. She was fixated on every word that came out of Shane's mouth, as it seemed to just flow from him like a waterfall. She could feel her breath shortening and her eyes locking onto him not even pausing to blink. Slowly she moved her head up and touched lips with Shane. She softly kissed him and could feel tears streaming from her eyes. Her energy seemed to be returning. She was able to hold herself up and rose up a little more so that she was face level with Shane instead of looking up at him. She pushed a little harder on his lips feeling the love and compassion that he returned to her from his own lips. The longer she kissed him the faster her heart pounded. The harder it pounded the more she wanted to just 'show' him how much she loved him, but despite everything she resisted that urge on far more…romantic occasions. Eventually they broke off the kiss and she looked at him smiling and grabbed him as tight as she could. She never wanted to let go of him. He had always been there for her when she needed someone, so why would he lie about something this important now? "Shane…I really, really, REALLY love you too. Why are you so…why am I so in love with you? I can't even begin to understand WHY and yet every time I see you, every time I'm…WITH you…I feel so…so…perfect just being in your arms. Being held, being complimented, being…just about anything with you. When I'm with you I feel I can overcome anything no matter how tall it stands. I never even felt this close to Keikito honestly. You're just so…perfect for me. You are the person that fits the kind of man I want to be with forever. You are honest, gentle, a gentleman, and you are trustworthy. You put everyone else before yourself, and you're such a jerk about it."
Shane blinked a few times, "A jerk?"
"Yes! A jerk!" Jen started crying, "Why are you such a jerk?! Why are you always helping everyone else even at the cost of your own life!? What if you die?! You're so selfish in that aspect. You think only of yourself when you put your life on the line because you don't care what happens to yourself!" She erupted in tears and put her crying head on his left shoulder.
Shane looked at that same shoulder and saw that the flesh was back on it securely and that the injury from before was almost fully healed. All it took was about an hour and he was patched up good as new. Jen's tears gently trickled down his shoulder and she hit him with all her strength crying at him. He put his other arm around her and then wrapped her up with his left arm holding her on his chest. She punched it as hard as she could there as well and just let the tears fall down his toned chest. She had her teeth grit and looked up at him. "Jen…why do you think I'm so selfish when I put my life on the line? Why do you think I put my life on the line to begin with? It's because…I care for others…and if you were in danger I would lay my life down to protect yours…I'm not afraid to die for the one I love. I never will be." Shane gently moved his calm smiling face toward Jen's and she gently closed her tear-stained eyes awaiting his kiss. Once they met lip to lip it was like a giant spike of energy erupted filling Jen with all her strength once more. It was like Shane was feeding her his energy to make her better, faster. She could feel that energy revive her weakened muscles and they felt strong and fully re-energized. She removed her lips from his slowly and stared into his greenish/blue eyes. They seemed to change color into a darker blue right before her eyes. It signaled he was calming down and was feeling slightly…relaxed.
Jen could feel her heart beating so quickly it seemed like it would rip out from her chest at any moment. She started to shorten her breath and it seemed like she was almost in a trance. Something inside of her was telling her that the only way to REALLY show him how much she cared for him would be to tear off ALL his clothes, but her logic was still functioning and she knew that doing something like that now would not be a good idea for either of them. "Shane…please…never let go of me. No matter what happens please hold on to me tight."
Shane's grip on her tightened on her and he replied, "You think I would want to let the most important thing to me get away from me? If you think I would you've got another thing coming."
Jen lay there in the healing waters with him and cried lightly enjoying every moment she had with Shane. She didn't care if the world ended tomorrow; all she knew was that she was in the arms of the one who she knew could make her eternally happy. The two lay in the waters holding one another for another 20 to 30 minutes before Shane took a deep breath and stirred a bit. Jen looked up at him and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Shane smiled happily and replied somewhat playfully, "You think something would bother me when I'm with you?"
Jen laughed a little and smacked his arm playfully back saying, "Silly, you know what I'm saying."
Shane nodded, "Yes I know, and no nothing is wrong. I just thought we should get out now since I'm back at full strength, and since you're back at full strength I think we should take care of a few things. Mainly that mall and getting a hold of your folks."
Jen's lips turned a bit displeasured with needing to do that but nodded. "Hey at least I get to head to the mall, so it's not a complete loss in my book. The parents issue however…that is going to take some clearing up."
Shane sighed and nodded lightly, "Oooooooh yeah, that isn't going to be fun to explain. Don't worry though I'm sure I'll figure out a good explanation." Slowly Shane got back to his feet and Jen giggled at his toned frame of a body. "Hey, no knocking on the body now you."
She stuck her tongue out at him and replied, "Nuuuuu, you have a VERY sexy body."
Shane laughed and just shook his head, "If you say so Jen." He helped Jen back to her feet and she almost had trouble walking. Her legs were a little wobbly still when she tried to move, but after a few moments she gained full control over them once more. Shane picked up his shirt and shook his head saying, "Man! I loved that shirt! Stupid ass tentacle demon."
Jen did a slight twirl to meet his face, giggled at him, touched his nose with her index finger, kissed him and replied, "Don't worry hun, I'll get you another one soon."
Shane nodded and replied, "Aright."
* * * * * * * * * * *
In the distant future…
"Sir," the information officer saluted, "We have good news and bad news I'm afraid."
"Good news first. I've had a rather sluggish day."
"Yes sir. The last two remaining resistance members are dead. We found the remains of them both just a few hours ago."
The commanding officer jumped for glee and laughed evilly, "The world is now MINE!!!"
"However…"
The senior officer looked over at the information officer sternly and responded, "You better come out with the bad news before I just kill you off."
"S-s-s-sir! It appears that Squidile was killed! Reports indicate that one of the resistance members killed him and then died after slaying him."
"With all war comes a casualty. His death was not in vain though. With the death of that little brat the barrier guarding the palace should now be weakened. It's only a matter of time before we break in and take care of the royal family. They are the only REAL threat to us now."
"Yes sir. What shall I tell the troops?"
"Tell them…our objective is growing closer and closer, and is in sight."
"Yes sir!" The information officer bowed and left the room.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Back in the Present…
Jen hadn't done something like this is…weeks. Not to mention the fact that she was doing it all with Shane just set that entire…feeling of romance. She just loved it all. Everything about it was just making her jump for joy. Everyday with him was like this. I mean there were a few days that weren't ALL romantic, but when he had to be romantic he could pull it off better than just about 90% of the population she felt. He wasn't a god awful romantic, but he wasn't just a complete jerk or some other kind of boring person. She pulled him from store to store checking out thing after thing like it was her birthday or some other major shopping holiday. Eventually she saw a dark navy dress that made her jaw drop and she just stood fixated on it. She had a navy blue dress, but it was getting a bit small for her as she was still growing up. This one was just perfect for her. It looked like her old navy dress only instead of it having thin straps around the shoulders it was strapless and the V cut for the legs was much higher than the other one. Instead of going up to her knees this one went almost all the way up to her hips. The whole dress was more of a…seductive look than her old one, but still had all the beauty of her old one and then some. She turned around and looked at Shane with diamond gleams in her eyes and said, "PLLLLLLLLEASE get me that dress for my b-day?"
Shane laughed and checked his watch, "Well maybe when it's September 25th I'll get you the dress for your birthday and not when it's March 17th."
Jen moaned a little and begged him harder, "Pwwweease Shaney?!!! Pwease! Pwease! Pwease?!!!!"
Shane shook his head, "Sorry Jen. That's birthday material, not regular shopping material."
Jen shook her head, "No no. EVERYTHING is regular shopping for a girl."
Shane sighed, "Ok then let me rephrase what I mean; Shane is not a bank. He needs time to make money to get something that costs 200 dollars like this dress."
Jen laughed and hugged him, "It's ok Shaney. Just save up 200 dollars and get it for me. Then we'll call it even."
"Even!? Even for what!?"
"Ummm…for…me…being such a nice girlfriend to you."
Shane just hung his head and shook it slowly. Jen laughed and pulled him over to another area of the mall going off about what else she wanted to buy. Shane checked his watch again and noticed it was getting to be about 8:30 and while it WAS a Friday, he realized that he had to set off on the journey tonight ASAP. There was still the matter of dealing with Jen's parents, but he figured that he could push that back just a FEW days. Even though he knew what he had to do he was hesitant about it. It had been almost 3 years now since he had even touched the medallion, and life was peaceful in those 3 years. He didn't want to return to times of war. War only brought on more and more death and bloodshed. Despite all of this opposition his soul knew that sometimes the only way to bring about peace was to go to war. The only difference about this war and a war fought by millions was the fact that he was the only line of defense against mounds of monsters, demons, and just about anything under the sun. His only ally he had ever known was holding his arm dragging him about from store to store giggling and talking like a little schoolgirl. He had always looked for something to comfort him in times of war and he had found that comfort sometimes, but then there were those times where he felt outcast and alone. Like no one understood who he really was. Loneliness was not going to get him this time however. He had someone else to draw courage from. Someone he KNEW would want to be by his side when everything went down. She was just as much about war as he was. She hated all of it…but…she knew that to protect the ones she loved, she was willing to risk it all for them. She too found comfort in the fact that there was someone else who risked it all to protect everyone. Shane shook his head before he got to deep into the thought and looked at his watch again. "Hey Jen, I REALLY need to get home. There are a few things I have to do…sooo how about we come back to the mall in a few days ok?"
Jen pleaded with him to let them stay just a bit longer but to no avail did she change Shane's mind. She sighed and nodded eventually giving into defeat, "Ok…but you better promise me we'll come back and you'll get me that dress."
"What?!"
Jen grinned knowing she won that battle without much of a fight. "Thank you Shaney. You're the best." She kissed him on the cheek and dragged him out of the mall toward the car with Shane just laughing and shaking his head.
Later that night…
Shane had already gotten the clearing from his mother about having Jen over just as long as she didn't catch them getting TOO close. She re-iterated this MANY times to Shane as he agreed knowing that his intention was anything but with Jen. Despite the fact he had feelings for her…very DEEP feelings, he wasn't about to destroy his life for 5 seconds of pleasure. He liked romance more anyways and just spending time with Jen made him happy. He loved just spending time with her. It's not like he had other things he had to take care of, but it was just the fact that the time he got with her he made the most of. After the discussion Shane, Jen, and Karen (Shane's mother) sat down to eat. Dinner was indeed a treat. Chicken noodle casserole was Shane's favorite dish. The sad thing was because they were at the mall when dinner was served they had to eat it nuked, which of course Shane didn't mind at all. There was still more than half a pot of dinner left and before anyone could say a word Shane was already asking Jen and Karen if either of them would have seconds. Karen shook her head and Jen, after taking a bite, replied, "You better save some of that for me if you do."
"Is the meal good Jen?" Karen asked.
"VERY good Mrs. Jones. It's almost like my favorite meal. Would you be willing to give me the recipe? I might have to cook it some night for Shane since he still can't cook."
Karen laughed and Shane said nearly choking on a piece of food, "Hey! I told you that one time wasn't my fault! I can cook!"
Jen looked at him with one eye open and replied, "Suuuuuuuure you can."
Shane swallowed a giant forkful of food and responded, "Hey, I can cook mac n' cheese so BACK OFF!!" He laughed full of pride, and Jen shook her head.
"Shane the dog you have could make mac n' cheese," Jen replied.
Karen got a good laugh off of that and said, "So this must be the Jen you were talking about back then."
Shane kinda blushed and said, "Mom! Don't say something like that!"
Jen blinked a little bit, "Nani? What did he say about me?! When! When!? When!?"
Karen started, "Oh he said he had found this really sweet girl, and that you were kinda young at the time. I still think you are a little young to be his friend honestly, but I'm only saying that because I'm looking out for you both."
"Mom!" Shane whined, "Ok! Enough! Please…no more of that kinda…talk. We're not like THAT."
"So you're not going out?"
"Uhhhh, well technically you could say we ARE, but…look mom, just…let me be me please? I am REALLY thankful for your concern, but please try to remember that we didn't just rush into this whole dating thing. We've known each other for 5 years now, and we've been really good friends the whole time. She's almost out of High School and I just finished my final year so PLEASE cut me a LITTLE slack."
"Well in a way she is Shane. I mean she trusts you enough that she's willing to let us sleep in the same room," Jen replied.
"Same room?" Karen said, "I never said I would let you two-"
"Look mom I'm sleeping on the floor and she gets my bed. I'm serious I am NOT looking for something like THAT. I told you that I don't know HOW many times."
"I don't care Shane. I'm still your mother and you're living in my house so you go by my rules," Karen replied.
"Mom!"
"Shane. Do you even want her to stay the night?"
Shane moaned a little and sighed, "Fine…be that way." Shane cleaned his plate up and put his dishes in the sink. Then he headed off to his room still a bit angered by his mother's decision.
"Mrs. Jones?" Jen asked once Shane was away from the kitchen, "What else did Shane say about me?"
"Well it's been a while since he REALLY talked about you, but he described you as a beautiful young woman who acted much more mature than your age suggested. I honestly can say that had you not had that mature attitude I don't think Shane would have gotten this close to you. One thing he always talks about is he likes a girl who is mature and honest with him. He'll warm up to you if you aren't, but when someone tries to get to close to him and he feels they just aren't that type he'll kind of…push them away a little. He's not doing it to be rude, but he just kinda…does it indirectly."
"But he seems so…nice. I mean he tells me that he's romantic and gentlemanly like and he's not lying. I haven't seen anything to back up what you're saying yet…but…then again…Shane and I ARE pretty close."
"I think its cause he likes you a lot. He's not a really rash person. He makes a lot of wise choices now, but he's so serious. I wish he could just lighten up sometimes."
Jen looked down at her helping and could understand why he was so uptight sometimes, but responding to Shane's mother as to a good reason why was NOT such a bright idea. "Well that is true. He's usually very serious sounding. Doesn't really relax and always seems on edge."
Karen sighed, "If anything. I hope he starts to calm down now that he has someone he's found that he likes. Look, Jen, you two can sleep in his room tonight, but PLEASE don't do anything stupid. I really am going out on a limb here I think, but I feel like I can just trust you."
Jen smiled and nodded, "Thank you Mrs. Jones, and don't worry. One thing I DO know about Shane that sets him apart from all the other guys I know is that his mind isn't filled with perverse thoughts of sex and vile grossness. He's actually quite a gentleman at heart. He's never ONCE made a pass on me in that sense ever. He's willing to talk more than anything, and it's usually about life and things that most people just don't talk about. I really think he's a nice guy at heart and that he's being himself when he acts and talks."
Karen could see and hear the sincerity in Jen's voice and hugged her a little, "Thanks."
Jen blinked, "For what?"
"For telling me how he is around others. Lately the last couple of years he's been somewhat…distant with us. The last week or so he's been very talkative and everything. I guess he just needed to come out of his shell in a way."
Jen nodded and smiled, "Anytime Mrs. Jones." Jen cleaned up her plate and set it in the sink before moving back into Shane's room.
Shane lay on his bed his face a little upset but didn't seem to sound all that upset. His laptop was laying on his stomach and Jen peeked at what he was looking at. "I bet you're wondering what I'm looking at."
Jen nodded and could only tell that what Shane was looking at was some kinda map. "What is this a map of some kinda strange land?"
Shane laughed a little, "It's a map of the Zainlain dimension."
"Zainlain dimension?"
"It's where I put the Meta medallion for safekeeping. It's been…almost 3 years now since I saw it. All I know is that I should map out the area just incase I ever DID have to use it again. Honestly though…I really would rather not use it."
"Wha? Why not?"
Shane sighed, "That thing did nothing more than cause me problems. I never understood why I fought, whom I was trying to protect. So I basically fought on the basis that this was the right thing to do. Then you came along…and suddenly I found myself fighting for something completely different. I started fighting because I felt it my duty to protect you, and then I thought about all the other people who needed protecting. The world was so innocent and unknowing of all the evil that actually existed right on top of them. I thought I had finally understood everything, but then…you decided that you didn't love me as much as you thought you did. It set off something in me. It set off this sudden thought of what was I really fighting for?" Shane turned his head and looked outside at the dimly lit sky and sighed, "I realized that it wasn't the world I was protecting, it was you I was trying to protect, and once that was gone from my life. I felt no more reason to fight. It's been 3 years since I felt this sudden…urge to protect someone like this, but now…I don't know if I honestly could protect you. I'm not as strong as I was, and it's been so long. I don't know if I would be able to use that armour again."
Jen looked at him and slapped him across the face, "What are you saying!? You have been protecting me since the day I met you!" Jen closed her eyes and turned around, "Even while I wasn't with you I felt your warmth and love protecting me. Telling me that if I were ever in danger you would be there for me to protect me. I never gave up on that feeling ever. Shane you are something extremely special to me. You've always and I mean ALWAYS been there for me. When I needed someone you were the first person that came to my mind. I trusted you no matter how far apart we had gotten. You WERE the first person to come to my mind. Sometimes after I had a hard battle I would look around and wait to be congratulated for doing so well, but then I would realize that you weren't there anymore, that you weren't beside me, but every time I realized this I would smile and look at the sky. I could look at that sky and know exactly what you would do after a battle, and I knew that feeling that you gave me when you hugged me and kissed me. I held onto that warm feeling through it all. Back then when I left you I was foolish. I honestly didn't know what love was. I didn't know what it meant to be in love with someone. The deepness of my love was something I didn't understand. So because I didn't understand it you paid the price with our relationship we had go into the crapper. I look back on that and I feel so…stupid! I had actual, TRUE love right there in my face! It was so damn in plain sight that it was like a sign saying you are in love! Shane…no matter how far away I was from you, you WERE protecting me with your love, and no matter how far away I was from you, I was protecting you with my love. I know there were times where you would just…scream because you were waiting to see my face or think that I was in trouble, but the fact was I was there with you the whole time. I just HATE you sometimes though; I hate you because you let me get pulled away from you. You gave up your fighting to protect me because you didn't think you were protecting anything important anymore. Shane…you have been protecting me ALWAYS, but what about your mother? Your father? Aren't they important to you?"
Shane nodded, "OF COURSE THEY ARE! It's just…"
"You were in love with me, and you let the feeling of not being there to protect me cloud your duty to protect your family, and everyone else."
Shane sighed, "God I feel like and idiot…and here I think I'm so damn smart and tough. I can't even keep going when the going gets tough."
"Shane what happened in the past happened in the past. You live you learn you move on. I don't know how many times this has been said but…what we have…here…now. I wouldn't give it up for the world. No matter what happens to us you're always protecting me. It might not be physically there for me always, but I feel your love protecting me. It gives me strength when the going gets tough." Jen slid on top of Shane moving his laptop to the side and kissed him. Shane again was caught off guard by her kiss but wrapped his arms around her and started returning her kiss back to her and then some. Jen slightly arched her back and moaned a little and said with a slight sigh, "Shane…I love you from the bottom of my heart. No matter where I go or what happens to me I know you're there with me through it all. You give me courage, you give me support, and you give me love. Without you I know for a fact I wouldn't have been able to keep fighting. I don't want you to give up the fight anymore. No matter where I am. I am with you." That feeling inside her started to swell again and she resisted it with every ounce of her being. She had made a promise to Shane's mother not to get into one of these situations, but how could she resist how she felt? She so badly wanted to let herself go and give into the feeling she wanted to feel, but somehow she resisted it. Eventually they stopped kissing and she lay next to Shane curled up against his chest feeling his warm, comforting body.
Shane gentle moved his finger around her face and she cooed at how happy he made her feel. "Jen…I've made a decision…I'm heading into the Zainlain dimension and…I'm going to protect everyone again. I've realized that I will always have something important to protect…no matter how far away they are from me. I've decided that it's time to revive the hero I once was. It's time I get back that Meta medallion and return to myself. It's time I become MetaSigma again."
Jen cooed happily and replied, "Thank you Shane…for always being there for me. To always protect me."
"I'm sorry for giving up Jen…I…"
Jen put her fingers to his lips and responded quietly, "Shhhh, don't say anything, just hold me here. I forgive you for everything."
Shane pulled her closer to him and she moaned a little feeling so warm and happy. Shane smiled at her and said, "Jen, tonight, after everyone has gone to bed, I'm going to head out for my medallion. If you want to come then you can, but if you want to stay here then I won't force you to come."
"Where ever you will go, I'll go with you. I'm not afraid of anything when I have you with me Shane. I mean that. You give me courage beyond my wildest dreams. You fill me with power unlike anything natural or supernatural. Your love is all I need to keep me going."
Shane nodded, "Then get some rest, in a couple of hours we'll be heading out for the Zainlain dimension. I don't know how much of the place has changed or how dangerous it is, but no matter the danger I'm going in there, and I'm coming back here to defend those who can't defend themselves. I'm not afraid anymore…I'm not scared of failing anymore, and I'm not scared of being distanced by anyone anymore. I have faith in myself. I have the faith to trudge ahead through the muck and grime of the bad side of life. It's time to quit thinking about what ifs and make them into they are."
Jen could feel Shane's body getting stronger with each word he said like his own words were pouring energy into his body sort of a machine charging up. Slowly she reached down to the other end of the bed and slipped the covers over her and Shane. She could feel how much stronger he had gotten since the last time they had lay together like this. His muscles weren't bulky and thick, but they were strong as the veins bulged in his skin. Jen took one of her fingers and ran it down the path it took going down his arm. He laughed and squirmed a little, and Jen found that he was also ticklish a little now. "Ohhhhh…a little ticklish now are we?" She touched him in the side and he squirmed again. She tickled his underarms and he curled up like a little ball. "Kawaii! Shaney is a little ball." Jen put her arms around him again and suddenly found herself being gently touched on the back of her neck. She instantly relaxed and could feel her body just letting go.
"You are forgetting one thing though. I know HOW to counter a tickle attack, and all it takes is one soft touch on the back of your neck…and one soft seductive kiss to make you melt."
Jen moaned a little frustrated and put her head back on Shane's chest. "Shane…"
Shane blinked for a moment, "Something wrong?"
Jen shook her head, "No…it's just…never mind right now…just let me lay here with you. I want nothing more than to lay here with you being protected by you. Just like you used to…and how you always will."