A.N. Hey everyone! I'm back…. Finally! It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, I'm going to try and update at least once a week; we'll see how that goes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters; they all belong to Naoko Takeuchi, DiC, and Toei Animation. Any similarity in this story to any other is pure coincidence.

Title: Look Out

Chapter Ten

Author: Icess

In the wee hours of the morning, while Serena was sleeping, Darien and Lita sat huddled together in the corner of her room, whispering and trying not to wake her up. "Okay," Lita began. "You know that he's going to come after Serena again and try something. That's a given. All we need to do is bait him." Lita paused, knowing that Darien wouldn't like her plan one bit.

"What do you suggest we do then?" He asked eagerly… a little too eagerly.

"Well, you aren't going to like this Dare, but it's worth a try just to get this guy. We have to be totally nonchalant. First of all, we need to get some new guards, that way he won't recognize them. But they won't be dressed as guards. They will either be doctors or nurses, maintenance workers, anything! Then, we leave." At Darien's frown, she hesitated. "I know, I know, not something that you want. But just hear me out. We have to make him think that we think we'll never catch up to him. We need to let up. Once he realizes that there isn't anyone to protect Serena, he'll come out of hiding and try to finish the job." Lita stopped and looked to Darien, he nodded in understanding.

"This is our only chance, Lita… we have to get him." He said determinedly.

"Oh, don't you worry. We'll get him all right."

The next day, they set their plan into action. New nurses and janitors were tending to their "jobs". Making sure that all the patients were comfortable and that the floor and rooms were spotless. But they always kept their eyes trained on the door to room 201. Darien and Lita were nowhere in sight, and that's because they were monitoring all that went on in a nearby maintenance closet, which was conveniently situated adjacent to the employee break room.

Joel stopped in the downstairs lobby of the hospital; adrenaline was running through his veins, making him antsy. Soon his job would be done and he could finally meet his destiny. He smiled coldly and made his way to the elevator, pressing the button for the second floor and holding the doors of the elevator so that an elderly woman could step in as well.

"Why thank you, young man. Very kind of you indeed." She smiled pleasantly.

"No problem, I'm always glad to be of assistance." He smiled kindly and tapped his foot lightly, impatient.

"You must be in a hurry. Lots of patients to tend to, I imagine." The elderly woman commented, looking at the hospital I.D. attached to his white coat.

"You have no idea. Oh, here's my floor. Have a wonderful day, ma'am." Joel said and stepped from the elevator, glad to be rid of the nuisance of a woman. The longer he spent with her, the more likely that she would recognize him. His eyes scanned the busy floor, automatically locking eyes on door number 201. There didn't seem to be any guards around. 'Stupid pigs, must be on lunch break.' He ducked his head quickly as Mina stepped from Serena's room. Her eyes were red-rimmed, from lack of sleep and guilt. That was okay; he would deal with her once Serena was out of the picture. He stepped to the side and waited until Mina was out of sight, then made his way to Serena's room. Before he opened the door, he took a deep breath and then turned the knob quietly, so that he wouldn't alert Serena.

Serena sighed as she gazed out the window of her room. She was glad that Mina had left; it had been an unpleasant visit. One that Serena wouldn't like to remember, but it would forever be ingrained in her mind. "I'm so sorry Serena. I wanted to tell you, tell the authorities. But he threatened me, and Andrew. I couldn't risk it. You have to understand." Mina pleaded.

"Yes, I certainly do understand, Mina." Serena commented bitterly. " My God, you should have called Darien right away!" Serena said vehemently. "Instead, you risked my life… and look where I am now? They could have put you in protective custody, for crying out loud!" Serena shook her head and chose to ignore Mina until she left. Her energy spent, she watched the leaves on the trees blowing in the wind.

"Hi Serena." Came a chilling voice. She turned to scream but never got the chance. The door to her room burst open and there stood her knight, Darien. With his gun in his hand, he turned hard, resentful eyes to Joel. "FREEZE!" He screamed and Joel turned surprised eyes to the door, where at least twenty other agents stood, ready to fire on command. Lita then stepped forward and put Joel's hands behind his back, reciting his Miranda rights. "You have the right to remain silent…"

Joel was then escorted from the room. All the way to elevator, all he said was "But it was my destiny, my destiny! Don't you understand?" When Serena could breath again, when she could even think again, she finally came to the realization that it was over. Really over. She no longer had to look over her shoulder and depend on someone to protect her. She was her own person again. Almost. She gaze flew to Darien's, and there she saw determination. She smiled slightly and turned her head and wept like she never had before.

A.N. Almost done! I think just a couple more chapters and we should be all set. What'd ya think? Good, bad, in between? Let me know!