Disclaimer: Don't own nothin', no point suin'…

The song for Serenity and Endymion I chose is Loreena McKennit's "The Dark Night of the Soul"

…The veil concealed my eyes…

…While all within lay quiet as the dead…

Silence from the hallway. Serenity held her breath, her heart hammering even harder than it had just six nights before. Her excitement to return to Earth actually made her hands shake as she pushed back the covers.

Tiptoe, she moved towards her door. She lay one hand on it, then another. She could hear nothing. A gentle push…

"Serenity! Go back to bed!"

"Ah!"

She leapt back, glaring at the offensive door. On the other side Venus lurked, at the ready for any attempts to escape. The only consolation was the lack of any other Senshi. At least she had not broken the sacred oath of secrecy.

Sighing, Serenity dragged her feet as she moved back to her bed. She sat on the edge, kicking her bare feet and chewing on her lower lip. A glance at the window banished that possibility for escape. If she were Jupiter, or even Mars…but she was only the Princess of the Moon, and no good at climbing through windows and scaling down the castle.

"I wish I could just teleport from here."

She sat up straighter.

Why not? I've never tried inside the castle…It's so close to Mother, but she's sleeping, she'll never know!

Even more nervous, she slid of the edge of her bed. Her hair was spun up in moments. She carefully removed from under her bed the cloak she wore when visiting Mercury, a heavy garment of pale blue velvet and quilted satin. Next came the tall, white leather boots for the snow. Long gloves used for driving the Mercury sled teams finished her ensemble. She would take no chances with the cold this time. Then she moved to the window. One glance was cast to the door, uncertain, and then she turned away.

I have to see him! Take me to him!

That rush of joy, that overwhelming feeling of freedom, and suddenly she was silver light.

Her feet found solid ground, and she opened her eyes eagerly. Then she blinked. And blinked again. Then she frowned.

Veils of mist hung heavy in the air. Serenity squinted, trying to look around, but only found herself confronted with more shifting, swirling clouds of white. They hung on her dress when she moved, and forced their heavy way into her mouth as she tried to breathe.

What…where am I?

Panic filled her. Could she have landed somehow on Pluto? Had the Timekeeper caught her, brought her here for some punishment?

Then the heat finally made itself known, pricking sweat from her brow and neck. She groped blindly for the catch of her cloak. Her fingers became damp quickly in their thick gloves, and these followed her cloak off. She almost let the garments drop to the ground as she tried to breathe deeply in the humid air. A lifetime of being a Princess in front of the solar system kept them in her arms.

Still, she could see nothing. Then she heard the sound of a splashing, off to her right. She took several careful steps in that direction, her hands trying to cut through the vapors.

"Kunzite? Is that you?"

His voice almost made her heart stop. Serenity bit down on an exclamation of joy, hurrying forward several steps in his direction. Very dimly she began to see an outline of a body.

"Kunzite, where have you been? Father must have been talking to you for hours! What could you have been saying?"

"Yes, because your father has ever been at a loss for words, Endymion."

"Shut up, Jadeite."

Oh, dear. Those other men are with him! I didn't think of that. Well, they were very kind last time, even that Jadeite, in a way. There can be no harm…

"Kunzite? What is it?" The voice was younger than the rest, probably that of Zoisite. "Blessed Sol, has the King cramped your jaw shut?"

A burst of male laughter issued from the figures floating in the vapors before her. Serenity hesitated further, suddenly shy. When she spoke to Venus it seemed so obvious that he must love her, too. But now, with him so close, doubt began to eat at her mind and heart.

"Kunzite! Don't be sullen!" The charming, cheerful voice must be that of dark haired Nephrite. "We are only teasing!"

"That's it!" Endymion added. "If you're going to sulk…"

Huh?

She did not understand the danger in the sound of splashing water. Suddenly, a dark shape loomed out of the mist, directly in front of her. He moved towards her…she took three eager steps forward…

Blue eyes stared down into hers in wonder, and all her doubts shattered.

"Oh!" he whispered. "It's you!"

Serenity smiled. "Yes."

"Endymion?"

His head turned slightly towards his friend's voice, and she let her gaze shift. His face, carved so beautifully of marble, like some young god, and his bare shoulders…and bare chest…and bare…

"KYAH!"

Serenity's hands flew up over her eyes, and she backed up several steps, shrieking, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Which was the exact moment Endymion realized just how very naked he was. Yelping with a complete lack of heroism, she heard him stumble back several steps, then a loud splash.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"Sweet Terra, Endymion, are you all right!"

"Oh, I am so sorry!"

"Blessed Sol, that hurt!"

"What in the name of—"

"Damnation! Why is there a shrieking woman in the Prince's Royal Bath!"

"Hehehe, Endymion, you dog. But you know your mother wouldn't approve of maids in the bath."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm—What is your obsession with the maids!"

Dead silence followed this, then an uncertain voice.

"My lady?"

"Yes, of course!" Serenity snapped. "As if Endymion would have maids in the bath, Jadeite! Honestly!"

"Endymion, why does she suddenly sound like my sister?"

"Ow!"

"Oh, Endymion!" she cried, her hands clenched in front of her. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I think so. Just, uh, haha! Just stay where you are, please, my lady."

"And how does it make more sense that a lady would be found in your bath than a maid?"

"Jadeite, will you shut up?"

"Has he ever?"

The drawling voice behind Serenity made her jump and gasp. Spinning around, she found herself face to face with a, fortunately, completely attired Kunzite. He smiled down at her and offered his hand.

"My Prince, with your permission, I will take the lady outside while you, um, make yourself more presentable."

"Yes, thank you, Kunzite!" her beloved groaned. "Oh, my foot!"

After several bewildering moments in the fog, a door suddenly opened before them with a rush of cool air. Serenity found herself in a long stone corridor that seemed to stretch on endlessly in either direction. The walls were decorated with beautiful tapestries, just as fine as the one her mother brought her from Jupiter for her last birthday. In sconces at equal intervals were white wax candles.

"Candles?" Serenity mused. "Goodness, do you use wax candles?"

Kunzite looked down at her, raising one eyebrow slightly.

"Of course. What do you use in your home, my lady?"

"Not candles!"

A sympathetic smile turned up his lips. "Torches, then? Well, not everyone can afford candles. This is the Palace, so you must allow for a little more luxury than you might be used to."

Her mouth opened automatically, ready to explain, in detail, the elegant glasswork of Neptune, and the ingenious lighting techniques of Mercury, both of which Queen Serenity combined to illuminate the entire palace. But her mouth closed, words unsaid. She would entrust the secret of her true identity to Endymion, because she could not believe him capable of betraying her. But this Kunzite was so cold, and so distant. She did not know if she could trust him.

"Yes," she finally said. "It is a very lovely Palace. From what I've seen of it."

Kunzite chuckled low in his throat. "I am glad you approve, my lady."

"Oh, I didn't mean…Um, should I be here? If Prince Endymion wants to get by me to, uh, dress—"

"The Prince has a door from the bath to his bedchamber. There is another door from the bedchamber to his personal suite, which leads to the hall just around the corner."

"Oh, really? Where?" She blanched. "Not that I would ever need to know how to get into the Prince's bedchamber! I don't, I wouldn't, that is…Oh, dear."

A full laugh burst from his throat, and his smirk turned into a true smile. He rested his hand on top of her head, very much the same way the Princess of Uranus did when telling Serenity she was adorable.

"My lady, you are lovely when you blush like that."

She sighed. "I must seem very strange to you right now."

"Not at all. You seemed very strange when we first met you, too."

There came the sound of hurried footsteps, then Endymion rounded the corner, fastening the last buttons of a black jacket. He ran a hand through his damp hair, leaving it in an adorably rumpled mess. Serenity bit her lip on a smile.

He stopped suddenly, several feet away. His lips curved up into an answering smile.

"Hello."

Serenity laughed.

"Hello."

Kunzite stepped back, bowing to both.

"Goodbye."

Serenity and Endymion watched as he strolled back the way his Prince had come. A moment later there was a burst of unhappy voices.

"Oh, come on, Kunzite!"

"Just a peak!"

"Endymion, take notes!"

"Move it, you three!"

Endymion winced. "I suppose I should apologize for my guardians."

"Oh, not at all. It's what mine would have done."

"Your…guardians?"

Serenity started, eyes wide. "Er, no. I meant my friends."

"Oh."

The two stood, smiling at one another for a long moment. Then Endymion cleared his throat, shifting from foot to foot. Serenity began chewing on her lower lip, her hands clasping tightly on her skirt. He switched from shifting to bouncing on the balls of his feet. They continued smiling.

"Take her to the gardens, idiot!"

"Jadeite!"

"I'm comin', I'm comin'."

Endymion closed his eyes, his lips moving in silence. Serenity watched, frowning. He seemed to be counting backwards. At last he smiled and opened his eyes again.

"Would you like to take a walk in the gardens, my lady?"

Serenity burst into a crystalline peal of laughter. "Yes, my lord. That would be nice."

"Thank you!"

"JADEITE!"

Serenity kept laughing, taking the arm Endymion offered gallantly and allowing him to lead her through the corridors. A little less lightheaded than last time, she noticed the passing of time somewhat more realistically, but could not have found her way back to his bath if her life depended on it. The candles, the stones, the tapestries, all blurred around her as an insignificant backdrop to that beautiful face, and those brilliant blue eyes.

The soft, warm air of a lovely night swept her up as they stepped outside, and she turned immediately to take both Endymion's hands in hers. He held them tightly, but carefully, raising first the left, then the right, to his lips for kisses. Again and again his lips brushed her fingers.

"I was afraid you had disappeared forever, my love."

Love! I was right, Venus! Oh, my love…

"Endymion," she whispered. "Endymion."

"Will you tell me your name at last, lovely lady?"

"Yes. Yes, I will. But please, come further into the garden. I don't want to be seen, or overheard. I have so much to tell you, so much to explain."

He gave her a worried look. "Is something the matter? Do you need help?"

Serenity laughed, a bit hysterically. "Yes, I do!"

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Not here. Please, can't we go somewhere secluded? I want to be sure we are alone."

He nodded. "Yes. Follow me."

Still holding one hand, Endymion drew her deeper and deeper into the maze of roses. She felt lost, turned around, and confused, almost trapped by the towering walls of greenery and blossoms. Then she looked ahead at the outline of his strong face, and knew she was safe.

At last they came to a small arch, vines of roses crawling up either pillar to meet at the top and dangle down. Underneath, Serenity spotted a small bench, just big enough for two people to sit close side-by-side. Endymion sank down, and pulled her beside him.

"Now, why all the secrecy? What is it that you are afraid to let anyone know?"

"Not you! I'm not afraid of you, Endymion! It's just that the others, Kunzite and Jadeite and Zoisite and Nephrite, they might not understand. They might think I tried to trick you, and I didn't! I never meant to meet you at all! I'm happy I did, so happy I could cry, but also so sorry."

"Sorry?" Endymion murmured. "Why sorry?"

"Because I may very well have put you in danger, just by falling in love with you!"

Slowly, a smile spread over his face. "I would face any danger just to hear you say you love me again!"

"You might not think so after you know the truth."

"Well? What is the truth, my mysterious love?"

She lowered her head, afraid to meet his eyes.

"Come now," he urged gently. "You promised to tell me your name."

"My name…" She took a deep breath, and made the plunge. "My name is Serenity."

Endymion laughed a little. "That is so strange! Did you know, that is the name of the Queen of the Moon?"

"Yes. I am named for her."

"How odd of your parents!" he murmured. "Most would be afraid of incurring the wrath of the Moon by invoking that name."

"The 'wrath of the Moon'?" Serenity echoed blankly.

"Of course." Endymion raised his eyebrows slightly. "The Queen Serenity is so above us—"

"Oh, no!" she cried. "No, she does not ever mean to be! She is good, and gentle, and kind to everyone, from the maids to the rulers of the other worlds!"

"Now how would you know that?" Endymion asked in a teasing voice.

Serenity stood up from the bench and came around to stand in front of him. Taking the edges of her long white skirt, she dropped an elegant court curtsy.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Endymion of Earth. I am Serenity, Princess of the Moon Kingdom, Heiress of the Silver Millennium, and Guardian of the Silver Imperium Crystal."

Endymion stared at her mutely, his expression calm.

She straightened and looked at him with all the regal grace of a Princess. "Now you know the truth."

Silence.

"Prince Endymion?"

…

"Endymion?"

…

"Are you alright?"

…

"Oh, dear."

She sighed, and returned to her seat beside him. Her concern doubled when he did not turn to follow her, but continued staring straight ahead.

"Endymion? Would you…would you like me to leave?"

He jerked as though shocked by one of Jupiter's bolt, and twisted around to look at her. "What? No! I just… are you sure?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Are you sure? That you are the Princess, I mean. Are you sure you are the Princess of the Moon Kingdom?"

"Yes."

"And the Heiress of the Silver Millennium?"

"Yes."
"And the Guardian of the…the what, exactly?"

"The Silver Imperium Crystal. It's…hard to explain. But, yes."

"And the granddaughter of the gods?"

"The what?"

Endymion looked equally surprised. "Isn't your mother the daughter of the Goddess of the Moon?"

"No! I don't think so. My grandmother died a very long time ago, but I don't think she was a goddess. I think Mother would have mentioned it."

"Yes, I suppose she would have." He sighed, glancing down at his hands. "Well, this is a bit problematic."

"I thought you might think so," she admitted.

"I doubt very much your mother will approve of me. You must be courted by so many people of your own Court!"

"But I don't like them!" Serenity wailed. "I mean, I do like them! Sir Eluves is very kind, and very handsome, and Lord Furor is so very funny, and also very handsome—"

Endymion's face darkened somewhat. "Who and who?"

"Oh, Eluves is the half-brother of the Princess of Neptune, and Furor is the cousin of the Princess of Mars, and they are both very nice, but…I don't want to marry them. They only want to marry me because I will someday be Queen!"

Endymion sighed, looking down at his hands. "The future Queen of the Moon cannot have a King from Earth."

Serenity's eyes flew open wide. "Why not!"

"Because…we are not even part of your Court, Serenity. Contact between the Moon and the Earth is forbidden!"

She looked away. "That is what Venus said."

"Well, he was right."

She laughed weakly. "She. I meant Orianna, Princess of Venus. She is the head of my guardians, the Sailor Senshi."

She felt his hands, warm on her shoulders. "I don't want to see you sad, Serenity. I would do anything to make you smile. But this…this is not good for either of us. You must know that."

"I love you, Endymion."

He sighed. "That's not playing fair."

"I know. I'm sorry. But I love you."

"I love you, too, Serenity. Which is why…I don't think you should come here again."

She drooped, defeated. "If that is what you want…"

"No. But it is what is best for you."

She lifted her head slowly to face him, looking up into his brilliant blue eyes. "Endymion…will you kiss me?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"It's just…I've never been kissed. I turn eighteen soon, and I will be eligible to be married. At my wedding, some other man will kiss me. I would like, very much, for you to kiss me before anyone else."

Endymion smiled gently. "I would like that very much, too."

Serenity sat up straighter, titling her face towards his. Then she paused, uncertain, waiting for him to move.

Endymion reached forward, sweeping her hair back over one shoulder. He paused to run his fingers across her forehead, then traced one eyebrow down to the line of her cheek. His touch moved under her eye and down her nose to outline her trembling lips. Then he took her face very gently in both hands, and closed the minimal distance between them.

Serenity shut her eyes, partly out of fear, partly out of shyness. Her breath caught when his lips first touched hers. He was soft, tender, careful as he applied the lightest pressure on her mouth. A brush of a touch slowly deepened, his lips moving against hers, and then with hers. She reached for his shoulders, then put her arms around his neck, pulling him insistently closer. A tiny whimper of longing came from her throat, her fingers twining in his black locks.

Then his mouth disappeared, and her lips felt cold. She had never felt as lonely as she did when she rose from that bench. His hands lingered on hers for a moment before letting her go.

"Goodbye, my lovely Princess," Endymion whispered.

"Goodbye, my gentle Prince."

She held his eyes as she became nothing more than light, held his gaze until she found herself in her own garden.

This time she walked slowly into the Palace, her feet dragging up the stairs. She did not even try to sneak down the hall to her bedchamber. She paused, watching Venus sleeping against the door, then turned and opened another door. She walked across the soft carpet, pausing only to take off her boots. Then she pushed back the red curtains, pulled back the covers, and crawled in beside Mars.

"Uh…Serenity?" the other Princess groaned. "What are you doing? What's wrong?"

"Mars..." Serenity dropped her face onto her Senshi's stomach. "Sholeh! I want to die!"

At last the tears came. She sobbed and sobbed, her friend holding her in shaking arms. She cried so hard she could not answer any of Mars' questions, nor the questions of the others as they hurried into the room at the sounds of her weeping. She shook her head and moaned in almost animal pain.

More warm arms came around her. Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus lay down around Serenity, their embraces tangled with Mars', and held her as she cried herself into a fitful sleep.

Below, on the surface of the forbidden planet, the Crown Prince entered the outer room of his suite. His four guardians sat around a table, cards in hand, gold coins piled in the center. They turned to him with expectant grins.

"Well?" Jadeite prompted.

Endymion began work on his jacket buttons, not meeting their gazes. "She is gone. She will not be coming back. Forget you ever saw her."

He turned away, walking into his bedroom and closing the door.