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SAILOR MOON ETERNAL

"The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga"

By Haruka Kou

Chapter 2: Return Upon a Starry Night

"It is quiet tonight." A tall young woman muses to herself, looking out a window as she brushes an errant strand of short golden hair from her face. It was the kind of night she liked — quiet meant no danger — and she'd seen more than her share of that despite her young age. But still, she felt restless, uneasy with the calmness of late. At times her soul longed to be wild and free like the wind, for she was the wind. In quiet moments, like these, when she could hear the wind whistling through the trees, she ached to be part of it, to let it take her away.

For the wind was part of her, as much a part of her as Michelle was.

Alex knew people sometimes didn't understand their relationship, that they'd turn their bond with each other into something it was not. But other people didn't matter, she and Michelle knew what they had, what they meant to each other and that was all that mattered. Michelle mattered. She was the calm in Alex's wild soul's storm, Alex the strength upon Michelle's soft gentle waves. They complimented each other's weaknesses and strong points, were more than friends, more than just cousins.

Their souls were forever linked, a partnership that would last through eternity. It went beyond anything earthly, a spiritual bonding that few people ever experienced.

Alex smiles to herself as the aqua maiden comes to mind, shaking away that feeling of uneasiness, and joins her companions in the living room.

The quiet dark woman in the quiet dark part of the living room, Susan glances up from her paperwork as Alex enters the room. The two acknowledge each other with a simple nod. As Susan returns to her work she regards her friend. The two of them had never been very close, and would never have become friends if destiny had not brought them together. No two women could be more different: Susan with her calm and serene demeanor, Alex and her wild imposing temperament.

She watches as Alex and Michelle chat leisurely on the couch and, for a moment, envies their closeness. For Susan stood apart from all others, loneliness her only true companion. She spent so many long years in solitude that most would think she was cold and unfeeling.

No one knew her secret. No one knew her longing. No one knew her passion. Perhaps all the years in loneliness only fueled her passion more — this passion to love and be loved, to always have him near, to never be alone again. It was her secret wish, a burning desire that no one would ever know about. Time had sealed her away from a life like that. But no matter how all-encompassing it was, even time could never take away a woman's dreams. And in all her dreams, Susan sees him. Her forbidden dream, the man she longs for, the one with those alluring eyes. Those entrancing eyes that call to her, those beautiful eyes that smile only for her. Those violet eyes that haunt her every dream.

She idly recalls the time, not so very long ago, when she had "officially" changed her millennia-old name, Trista, to the more modern Susan. She had done this as a small gesture to try to become more a part of this new world Time had given her another chance with. When Tara was given to their charge, Time had allowed her a certain amount of freedom from the Doorway, letting her live in peace on Earth, as a part of a close knit family, together with Alex, Michelle and little Tara. Once Susan had begun living this "normal" life with them, she found herself still to be distant, set apart. Alex, Michelle and now even Tara had been reborn, changed from their Millennia selves. No longer were they only the 1000 year-old ancient Princesses of Uranus and Neptune, but now they were Earth-born Alex Sokova and Michelle Moreau, race car driver and concert violinist.

Princess Trista, destined to guard the Doorway of Time for eternity, had never "died" so long ago, and so had never been reborn in this era. She was an ancient, as old as Time. How she longed for her own "jewel" to have shined twice, as the others all did. They belonged here now. In this century. In this time. Susan had longed to partake of this, and attempted to change her whole outlook. She changed the ancient name of Pluto's Princess Trista to Susan de Venici, learned to sketch and design fashions as her "career" and become a sort of mother to Tara. Yet still, after all this, something ached in her heart, something or someone she could not quite place…..

Even if I knew who you were, dream-giver, I could not be with you. So maybe it is better I do not know, Susan sighs sadly to herself, but….I will dream of you still...

Michelle smiles absently as her friend comments on the local news, she lost in her own thoughts. What's wrong with me? She thinks to herself, why do I feel so strange? It's this vision, I'm sure of it. This dream I keep having over and over, always the same. I don't understand. Someone's calling to me, I am adrift on the ocean. I hear him again, yes, it is a man's voice — familiar…oh, who can it be? If only I could see him! All is see is light — a vivid pale green light behind him. What can this possibly mean? She sighs.

Visions are important. With them, I can see sight beyond sight, I can know things beyond knowledge, I can feel things beyond feeling. Why is this vision different from all the others? Why does it feel so…so…Her thoughts trail off as another presence once again enters her mind, calling to her, whispering to her, reaching out to her. In a dream, she walks out of the house and into the garden. In a daze she looks towards the heavens, standing perfectly still, and closes her eyes.

"Michelle?" Alex asks worriedly as her friend abruptly gets up and walks out the door. She and Susan exchange confused glances and follow her outside.

"Michelle, what…?" Alex begins, then she stops suddenly in mid-sentence. Her eyes unfocus and her stance readies.

"The wind is changing." She announces conclusively. She directs her gaze upward, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Something is coming." The youngest member of the household announces softly as she runs out into the crisp night in her nightgown. Susan looks from Tara to Alex and then to Michelle, who suddenly raises both her arms in a welcoming gesture, her hands reaching out to some unknown force in the darkness, a dreamy smile upon her lips.

"I'm here." Michelle whispers, barely audible and the others turn to her, wondering what was to come.

A small greenish flickering appears in the night sky, quickly moving towards them. The closer it gets, the stronger it glows. They watch in bewilderment as it makes its way to Michelle in a blinding flash. The light transforms into a human, his eyes closed, a knowing smile on his face, his arms reaching out as he drifts slowly downward. With her eyes too still closed, Michelle takes his hands in her own, pulling him close to her, enveloping them both in a blue-green haze.

Alex eyes the all too familiar newcomer suspiciously, obviously not pleased with his presence. Then a second figure cuts across the skies at an alarming speed.

Crash!

This figure skids across the ground, evidently trying to avoid those below, coming within mere inches of running into Susan. Alex watches as Susan helps this near miss to his feet.

'Where there's two…' She starts to think, when a flash of light, a whoosh of air and something slams directly into her, knocking her down, pinning her to the ground. The impact knocks the wind right out of her (something that rarely, if ever, happened) and she feels something still on top of her.

'A man!' Her minds screams out. 'And not just any man…him!' He was so close she could feel his warm breath on her face, his muscular body pressed against hers. She feels a strange sensation inside, like none she had ever experienced before. It was like racing her Ferrari, then find that the brakes suddenly freeze up.

Sayer wakes up finding himself on top something soft and supple. In a daze, thinking it was his pillow, he squeezes it tightly.

'How nice it feels,' He thinks, cozily drifting back to sleep when the words:

"GET OFF ME RIGHT NOW." Snap him to attention. He opens his eyes and finds himself looking into Alex Sokova's angry ones. He jumps up as fast as he could, an embarrassed blush covering his face, after realizing what just happened.

"Uh, yeah, thanks for breaking my...um...fall." Sayer tries to lighten the moment. Alex gives him a sideways glance and brushes herself off as she swiftly stands tall again. She shifts her gaze over to the others, suspiciously scrutinizing Michelle and Robin who were still clutching each other's hands.

Susan glances up at Alex and the young man that pummeled into her, glad they were both unharmed from such a fall. He was one of the Starlights, the Sailors who had become their allies in the war with Galaxia a year and a half ago. The man in front of her, the one Susan recognized as Maker, however, was not so lucky. As she helps him up, he gasps slightly.

"What's wrong?" Susan asks worriedly.

"I'm alright. I think it's just a sprained ankle, Miss…?" Looking up at her, he nearly collapses again.

Those eyes! Those beautiful fuschia eyes! She's the one—the one I've dreamt of, the one I've waited for. How lovely she is! Even more beautiful than I ever could have imagined! Terry stares at her wide-eyed, in awe of her.

Susan stands staring right back at him, the same exact awestruck expression on her face. From the moment his eyes met hers, she knew.

Violet eyes. Mesmerizing violet eyes. He is the man of my dreams! The one I've waited all eternity for... She trembles with the thought. Oh, is this what it feels like, this wonderful, joyous feeling? She smiles up at him timidly, offering her arm for support, not quite knowing what to say.

"Please, come inside." She smiles warmly, inviting the injured visitor into her home.

In a misty dreamworld, two lonely souls reach out to one another, discovering an awesome new world now opening to them. Adrift on the ocean but no longer alone, with their hands still entwined, Robin and Michelle levitate over it, still wrapped in the bluish light. The calm waves gently crash at their feet, their eyes locked in a dreamy gaze. They stay like this for what seemed to them an eternity, until Robin finally breaks the silence.

"You were the one calling to me?" He asks the only other occupant of this new world.

"But you were the one whispering my name." Michelle replies, confused.

"In my vision, I was drifting on the ocean, lost and alone." Robin explains.

"So was I." Michelle answers.

"I felt your presence." He looks directly into her true blue eyes.

"You appeared to my dreams." Michelle professes to his minty green ones.

"You reached out your hand." Robin gazes down at his no longer empty hands.

"And you took mine." She smiles sweet, now squeezing his hands almost possessively.

"Where are we?" Robin asks, finally breaking their eye-lock, gazing around at the ocean scene just at the break of an unfamiliar dawn.

"We must be inside each other's minds." Michelle concludes, too taking in the psychic landscape.

"We can reach into each other's soul." Robin adds profoundly.

"I've never done this before." Michelle whispers softly.

"Are you frightened?" He asks curiously.

"No, because I'm not alone." Michelle begins to tremble.

"I'm right here with you." Robin assures her, hand to her cheek.

"I'm right here with you." She repeats meaningfully, embracing the touch.

He smiles, finding himself lost in the ocean of her aqua eyes. Through those eyes he enters her soul — a soul the mirror image of his — beautiful and elegant, sensitive and full of longing — a longing that made him finally understand his own. A longing to be understood and cared for, to never be left alone. Suddenly he feels strong emotions overtake him, wanting to be lost in her eyes forever, to never awaken from this new dream.

Michelle feels his soul beside hers, and surprises herself by welcoming him in, for Michelle was generally distrustful of men. But he was decidedly different from all others. He was special.

She reaches out into his soul and finds it a reflection of her own. Elation fills her heart as she senses their souls begin to merge, becoming one with each other, and realizes that this just may be that beautiful destiny she'd been anxiously waiting for.

"Thank you," Terry smiles warmly at the frail little thing and she giggles sweetly, as Tara Tomoe dashes in first to hold the screen door open for them. She reminded him of his young friend Misa and he felt an immediate liking for her.

Susan helps him inside, leading him to the couch. She kneels on the floor and gingerly lifts his left ankle. He grits his teeth as pain shoots up through his body, but somehow it didn't hurt as much as he expected it would. \

Maybe it's because of her gentle touch, the pain fading with the thought. She rolls up the cuff of his pants, exposing his ankle, all swollen and black and blue. She gasps slightly, the pain apparent on her face, her fuschia eyes look up into his soulfully.

Looking into those eyes, he feels the pain disappear almost completely.

"Tara?" Susan turns to the child with a hopeful expression on her face.

The little sprite comes to him and Susan moves aside. Tara locks her gaze with his, her violet eyes large and mysterious as she places her tiny hands on his ankle. She begins to glow and then the glow spreads to him. Terry feels a strange warmth and then suddenly, the pain is gone. Tara removes her hands and the swelling and discoloration were no longer there. Terry looks at her in surprise. She opens her eyes, so peaceful and serene, but then she dizzily sways forward and he catches her in his arms. She felt so small and fragile, he suddenly feels protective of her.

"I'm fine now." She wheezes out, "Just a little spell." Her little voice so sweet and delicate.

"You didn't have to do that for me." He smiles gratefully, looking down at the small form in his arms.

"No, I wanted to because…." She pauses shyly, "beecause I like you and your singing, Mr. Starr." Even Tara, who didn't get out much, could not escape the Three Lights infectious fandom. And Terry had always been her personal favorite.

Shocked, but pleased by this child's refreshing honesty and sweetness, he stands up and squeezes her gently.

"Thank you, I like you too, Tara." He tries out the name. She beams from ear to ear to hear the shortened, affectionate version of her name, Hotaru, said in his melodic low voice.

Susan smiles at this exchange, though surprised a bit by Tara's boldness. The child was usually painfully shy. But yes, she thinks to herself, there is something so special about him. He is so handsome and kind, too.

Out of the corner of her eye she notices Michelle still holding hands with the Healer, Robin Starr, and is not surprised to see Alex standing near them, her hands on her hips, an angry expression on her face. Fighter, I mean, Sayer Starr, she smiles, trying to familiarize herself with their civilian names, why is he not facing us? He was instead still in the doorway, looking out at the stars.

Susan feels the tension building in the room, a large part of it coming from Alex. She remembers that Alex and Michelle had had problems with the three men in the past and she herself had doubted the Starlights for a time. But they had turned into valuable allies and were dear friends of the Princess. And his eyes are so enchanting, Susan's mind can't help but wander back to Terry. Suddenly she feels someone looking at her and turns to see him studying her. She blushes crimson red, a guilty expression on her face. She tries to cover it quickly by making conversation.

"Did you say you are here for the Wedding?"

"Yes, she sent for us." He responds.

"Well, the Wedding isn't for 2 days yet, but the rehearsal is set for tomorrow afternoon-"

And her next sentence Susan would never be able to explain. "Please you're welcome to stay with us." As soon as it comes out she feels shocked and mortified she could ever be so bold, yet still, inside she feels a bit pleased with herself for saying it.

"Kind of you, Miss…." He trails off, not knowing her name.

"de Venici." She answers, almost in a whisper, realizing Terry Starr AKA Sailor Star Maker doesn't recognize her yet as Sailor Pluto.

"Miss de Venici." His violet eyes sparkle at her as he repeats it softly.

"Yes, I think that's a splendid idea." Michelle finally rejoins the conversation, although still holding Robin's hand.

"We're all going to be bridesmaids!" Tara pipes up excitedly, her eyes not being able to leave Terry.

Alex couldn't believe her ears. "Hold the phone, They are not staying here." Her low voice begins to rumble the order.

"Oh, Amara," Michelle smiles in that wheedling way. "Don't be an old stick in the mud!"

"I think the Princess will be so happy to see them again." Tara adds gently.

"Yes, Alex, they were invited by the Princess, so we should—," Susan starts.

"I can't believe you three!" She erupts throwing her incredulous hands up in the air.

"These are men…I think." She emphasizes the word, eyeing the three of them disdainfully.

"We can easily make other accomod-" Terry meekly tries to calm the storm.

"You stay out of this." Alex booms in his direction, then suddenly spouts:

"Fine, do as you like." Then she shoots directly at Sayer.

"Just stay out of my face." She storms out the door, shoving past him pointedly.

"Really, we don't want to cause any trouble," Terry says apologetically.

"Oh, don't mind her, she'll come around." Michelle tries to explain, "-Eventually." She shrugs with a giggle disaming them all to smile.

"Please make yourselves comfortable," Susan gestures towards them, "I'll make us some tea." Terry looks to Robin whom he finds inside his little own dream world, then he turns to Sayer to find him no longer there, and wonders where he went off to.

Alex strides into the breezy summer night, across the lawn, until she reaches her favorite spot, by an old wooden fence, put there years before the house was built, under a stately cherry tree. Somehow, whenever she came here, she could calm whatever storm raged within her and leave this crazy world behind, at least for a few moments. She closes her eyes, finding the peace she came for.

"This is a pretty spot." A voice whispers in the darkness.

Her eyes snap open, in shock to find Sayer Starr standing there in front of her, leaning against the tree, hands in his palace uniform's pockets.

"How did you find me here!" Her voice strains with surprise mingled with anger. No one knew about her secret getaway — no one, not even Michelle - from whom she kept no secrets. Here, it was just her and the wind and no one else — until now.

"Just had a feeling." He shrugs. "Besides if I lived here, this would be my special place away from it all too." Sayer smiles that crooked smile of his.

How does he know all this? Her mind races in disbelief. What is it about him in particular, that makes me feel so crazy!

"I used to have a place just like this when I was on Kinmoku. You know, where you can go when it seems life is turning upside down and there everything was still right side up." He gazes up a distant look in his bright eyes.

Shocked by how much his words ring true for her as well, Alex finally lets her guard down (a little anyway) and actually smiles, although small and almost unnoticeable.

"Don't you have somewhere like this on your new planet?" She asks, sincerely interested.

"Nope. Never found it." Their eyes lock for a moment, something unspoken passing between them.

"Well, nobody else knew about this place of mine, until now." She breaks the gaze, looking away.

"I'm sorry." His brows furrow, and he bites his lower lip, "I really didn't mean—,"

"It's alright. For some reason I really don't mind all that much." She chuckles at his apologetic face.

He can very cute at times. Shaking that thought, she turns walking quickly towards the house. Sayer looks confused and stands up straight. Alex stops and turns around with a smirk,

"If you're staying you'd might as well come in." Then, as an afterthought, she adds with a wicked undertone, "Before everyone wonders what we're up to out here in the dark." She raises her eyebrows at him and continues towards the house.

"I like how this woman thinks," Sayer smirks to himself out loud as he trots after her. And for the first time in a long time, he forgets the painful aching in his heart.

When Alex walks calmly back in the door with Sayer close behind, Michelle sighs with relief. Not the argument, not the explosion she half-expected from the two of them, considering their past—ahem—difficulties. Normally Michelle was just as suspicious of men as Alex and would have nothing to do with them—but these three were different. They were Sailors after all, with a mission of protecting a galaxy similar to her own. They had formed an uneasy alliance at first, but now Michelle felt she could trust them—at least one of them she felt she could trust with her very soul. Quietly sipping her tea, she glances at the fair-haired young man seated next to her and finds her gaze met by his soulful green eyes. She looks down, shyly.

He is different from anyone I've ever met. Emotion sweeps over her as she remembers the soft touch of his hand in hers, the wondrous feeling of sharing her mind with his, and how she wanted to never let him go. She was glad they were going to stay here. Now she could talk with him, be with him, get to know him more. I know him so well already, just from those few moments we joined, but I want to know even more. Robin the name whispers through her soul, and she trembles. Am I losing control? She looks up to find his eyes still upon her, with the expression of a man who has just discovered something he never knew he didn't have.

Then let's discover it together, she thinks losing herself in his eyes.

"Oh, I'll fix up the spare room for you, Robin." Michelle says hurriedly, suddenly feeling Alex's disapproving eyes upon her. She jumps up and scurries away before Alex has a chance to say anything biting to the contrary.

"Really, we don't want to impose," Terry says.

"No, you're not imposing at all," Susan smiles warmly even though she sees Alex rolling her eyes.

"Yes, you can have my room," a small voice squeaks out from behind him. He turns to see little Tara carrying some sheets and pillows in her arms.

"Oh, Tara, I couldn't take your room," Terry looks down at her.

"I've already set it up and everything. I'll sleep with Susan-mama." Tara looks up to the tall brwon man hopefully.

"No, it's your room, I can just sleep on the couch," he smiles reassuringly.

"Oh, but you can't — your ankle — it's not all healed yet. You need a good bed," she insists, her voice eager.

"Yes, please do, Tara can stay with me," Susan says encouragingly, meekly.

Terry glances at her and then back at Tara, her little features so disappointed when he refused.

"Go on, Ter," Sayer puts his two-cents in, "I'll take the couch," he smirks. Terry smiles, turning to Susan and Tara,

"You've been so kind. Thank you. Are you sure, Tara?"

"I'm sure…sir," she adds humbly.

"For a young lady who goes out of her way so much for me? Tara please…call me Terry," he smiles at her.

"Terry," she whispers meekly, as her awestruck eyes meet his smiling ones.

"Good," his violet eyes sparkle.

"It's your bedtime anyway, Tara. Let's get what you need from your room," Susan dutifully attends to her responsibility, despite her pounding heart. She motions for Tara to move along, but the child doesn't respond, standing fixed in some sort of daze.

"Tara, say goodnight to everyone," Susan prompts.

"Oh," she says, her cheeks turning rosy, "Goodnight, everyone." She starts to follow Susan down the hall and then, suddenly, turns and stops. "Goodnight, Terry," she almost whispers.

"Goodnight, Tara," he says kindly, "and thank you." She just giggles sweetly, then scurries down the hall. That left Alex alone with the three men. An uncomfortable silence takes hold of the room as she sits there, her arms folded defiantly.

"How have you been, Miss Sokova?" Terry tries to make conversation.

"Fine." She answers simply. Terry looks to Robin.

"And how are all of the Inner Soldiers?" Robin searches for something to talk about after Terry's eyes enlist his aid.

"Fine," she repeats in a clipped tone.

Terry and Robin look at Sayer and shrug, not knowing what to say.

"Has there been any trouble?" Sayer asks, one fighter to another.

"Not since you left," the meaning obvious in her tone. Terry smiles and Robin snickers.

"Hey, at least I got something outta her other than 'Fine'," Sayer defends himself.

Alex tries to keep a smile hidden. He's so strange, she thinks to herself. Just then, Michelle comes back in.

"Here's some pillows and things for you." Michelle piles them on the couch next to Sayer.

"Terry, Susan and Tara have your room all ready. It's this one here," she points to a door with the name 'Tara' written on it.

"Oh, goodnight, everyone, Miss Sokova," he nods in her direction, and she nods back. Terry gingerly gets up and walks down the hall as Susan appears and opens the door for him. "I hope it's alright," she says humbly.

"It's perfect," he says with a smile, drowning himself in her eyes.

"Here are some extra sheets and a nightshirt and some clothes Michelle—uh—found," she says, a little embarrassed. "I hope they'll fit you," she says worriedly as she folds and refolds, busying herself, trying to avoid his eyes.

"I'm sure they're fine." As she hands the clothing to him, their hands touch and she feels that sudden rush, that quivering inside again. She quickly pulls her hands away and moves towards the door.

"Goodnight…Susan," he calls after her.

"Goodnight," she hurriedly closes the door behind her.

Terry smiles softly at the closed door. What a beautiful woman, he thinks as he takes off his uniform and changes into the nightshirt she had given him. In so many ways, he finishes, thinking of the delicate hand that gave him these clothes.

Michelle turns to Robin. "Yours is this way," she gestures down the hall.

"Follow me." Robin obediently does so, not noticing Alex's warning glances directed at Michelle who just smiles sweetly back. Never before have I ever imagined a smile so perfect, a face so beautiful, eyes so entrancing, he thinks to himself, blindly following her down the hall.

The whole world could collapse right now, and I wouldn't even notice. What's wrong with me? Wake up, Robin! She's just a human—nothing more. I can't trust humans — not a single one — that's my policy — isn't it? But I've trusted Sailor Moon before, she's the whole reason we're here, or is she? He remembers the girl from his dreams.

It's you, isn't it? He looks at the aqua curls bouncing jauntily in front of him. I'm so confused! Are you the reason I'm here? She stops in front of a door and opens it with an elegant flourish that make him smile. He stops short, losing his breath as he enters. Inside, over a dozen masterpieces hung on the walls, gorgeous interpretations, some of the simple beauty of flowers, some of endless flowing landscapes, all showing the considerate talent of an artist extraordinaire, the likes of which Robin had never encountered before. The paintings spoke to him, reached out to him, portraying a beauty and depth he could only have ever dreamed of before.

"Amazing," the word finally whispers through his lips, his eyes dancing with excitement.

"Do you like them?" Michelle asks inquisitively.

"Like them? What a magnificent collection!" Robin answers, a rare enthusiasm in his voice.

"I use this room as my studio," she gently lights on the edge of the bed.

It takes a moment for her words to sink in. "Your studio? These are your works?!" He states in astonishment.

"Yes," she giggles demurely.

"You are a truly talented person, Michelle Moreau," he says, taking a seat on the bed next to her.

"I don't know if it's talent. Maybe more inspiration," she says modestly, looking down. He takes both her hands in his (something he'd never do before) and looks clearly into her aqua eyes.

"Then you must have a lot of both," he says significantly, squeezing her hands. He looks into her deep eyes and watches the praise make her blush, her face even more lovely because of it. She was a work of art in herself, an elegant splendor radiating from her very being.

No, she is not merely human. He thinks, hopelessly sinking into the endless fathoms of her blue eyes.

She is a goddess, one I never knew existed until right now.

As Michelle's elegant brow raises almost coquettishly, Robin wonders if she was able to hear even his stray thoughts, a pink tinge of shame crawling up the nape of his neck, considering, as she continues her coy smile back at him.

"Why thank you, kind sir."

Sayer watches as Alex immediately starts pacing after Michelle and Robin leave the living room. She's like a caged animalhe thinks to himself. He sits admiring her sleek movements, her finely toned arms, her tall shapely figure she tries to hide under those slacks and long sleeves.

Can't fool me. he smirks slyly to himself. You are a woman — and a good-looking one at that. Sayer can't help but think as the thoughts creep into his mind. Whoa-oh, he catches himself, there I go again. Stop it now. Of all the people on Earth - why does this woman drive me batty?

"So!" he spurts out, trying to change the subject in his own mind.

"Just you and me left, huh?" he tries to smile pleasantly.

Alex spins around, meets his eyes cooly and snipes "Sometimes life is cruel."

"Ouch," he smirks, pretending to be hurt, slowly grasping her strange sense of humor, which was, in fact, not that much different from his own. "Care for a quick game of strip poker?" Sayer asks, propping his chin on his upturned hand as he lounges across the couch that was to be his resting place for the remainder of the night,

She takes one look at the comical look on his face, chuckles slightly, then shakes her head.

"Go to sleep," she orders him. "We're up early tomorrow for the rehearsal,"

"Yes, ma'am," he says mockingly with a salute. Alex rolls her eyes once more and leaves, exasperated.

She walks into Michelle's room to find her friend absent. Not letting her suspicions run rampant, she goes to Susan's room, hoping to find her there.

"Alex?" Susan looks up at her, from the dressing table where she was brushing her voluminous locks of foest green hair.

"Never mind." Alex abruptly says after looking around, her temper flaring. She practically slams the door shut behind her.

"Oh my," Susan says, seeing Alex's temper in action before. Then shrugging it off, she continues to brush her hair at her mirror and begins to hum softly, a gentle peaceful feeling washing over her. She glances over at Tara who was sprawled on the bed, busily writing in her diary. Susan smiles, How kind-hearted of her to give up her room for a stranger. Tara is a very sweet girl. And yes, there is undeniably something special about this man, she smiles at her reflection in the mirror.

"….he is so sweet and kind to me and has beautiful violet eyes—just like mine! He is so very, very tall and handsome too, and his voice is heavenly. He likes me too, I know he does because he told me to call him by his first name. Terry. Terry, what a glorious name! Just writing it makes my heart flutter! Oh, Diary, I think he's just so perfect. I think, I think—I'm scared to even write it! No, I won't be afraid! I'll write it anyway! I think I'm in love! Oh, Terry, you're so wonderful! Tara sighs happily as she closes her diary and takes extra-special care to lock it, hiding the key in her nightshirt pocket. She stretches across the bed, a warm happy feeling overtaking her.

Susan senses she is finished and goes to tuck her in. She covers her small form with the blanket, brushing the loose strands of hair from her eyes. "Comfortable?" she asks in her motherly way.

"Yes, very!" she says excitedly, snuggling into her pillow. Susan smiles at the child's enthusiasm. It has been an excited night, for all of us, I think.

Alex feels the adrenaline building as she quickly makes her way to Michelle's studio. She's been gone too long. What could she be thinking! We swore off men long ago — what's so different about this one? All men are the same, could she be falling for him? That - that shrimp of a man?! Oh Michelle, Michelle, what am I supposed to do? I've promised to protect you — from everything — especially men. She's about to slam open the studio door when she hears a voice call out to her from down the hall. Alex readies herself for a confrontation, not quite knowing what to expect as she reaches the door.

"Amara, what are you doing?" Michelle's voice says in confusion. Taken by surprise, Alex fumbles for her words,

"Oh-I-uh-was just-uh…"

"Looking for me," Michelle finishes, a knowing smile creeping across her lips.

"Well—uh…" Alex starts again, a guilty expression on her face.

"I was just making myself a cup of Earl Grey. Would you care to join me?" Michelle says, her discerning eyes dancing with laughter at ther suspicious friend, always glad to be "one-up" on her.

"Uh, no thanks, I'll just turn in—it's been a long night," Alex smiles, weakly trying to cover herself. I don't want Michelle to think I don't trust her. I do. It's him I don't trust. No matter what he may have been in the past, he is a man now, and you can never trust a man. Why did I ever allow the three of them to stay here! Hmph, I'll just have to watch them very carefully.

The full house slowly settles down, a quiet calm taking over. Susan smiles at the peaceful sleeping child laying next to her. She closes her eyes, the song pervading her soul begins again, its unending melody now accompanied by the vision of a pair of violet eyes and a deep voice with a melody of its own, guiding Susan into the world of dreams.

Robin lies awake in an unfamiliar bed, so many questions in his mind, so many answers in his heart. I never thought I could feel like this. Has it only been a few hours since we left home? Did I just meet her tonight? It seems I've known her all of my life.

He could see one of her paintings from where he lie, his eyes drawn to it. It was a beautiful sunset over the endless ocean, sparkling in golden hues. She must understand my love of art. How captured in its beauty is true emotion far above ordinary things. And few people, in any world, could ever be able to understand this. She does. As much as I care for my brothers, sometimes I feel they don't understand me, not really. Here I finally found someone who does? Someone who wuld understand my sensitive nature and share in it? Can we even sense each other's very thoughts?

"Are you there? Can you hear me?" In sudden curiosity, his mind suddenly projects into the darkness, urgently needing to know. A pause. Silence. Doubt begins to sneak in. Then the fear of being left alone once again grips his heart.

"I'm here." Michelle'sgentle voice wafts through his mind. Relief sweeps through his body and suddenly he feels strangely shy.

"Am I — disturbing you?" Robin asks, uncharacteristically thoughtful

"No, no. I was just thinking about you." She whispers into his mind.

"So, we can sense each other's thoughts," he concludes softly.

"Read each other's mind," she agrees.

"I never knew I had this power." He whispers in awe.

"Exciting, isn't it?" Michelle's mind whispers.

"Why are we whispering?" Robin's whispers back.

"You're right — no one else can hear us." She thinks.

"No one at all," Robin projects dreamily.

"Just the two of us," Michelle starts whispering again.

"I'm glad you're here with me, Michelle."

"So am I, Robin."

The two of them lying in their separate rooms, smile to each other in the darkness. However, their dreamy mood is rudely interrupted by a strange sort of growling coming from the direction of the living room.

"What's that noise?" Michelle asks worriedly, about to jump out of bed, expecting imminent danger.

"Oh, don't worry, it's nothing." He reassures her. "It's just Sayer snoring," he smirks. "You get used to it."

Alex moans audibly, her head buried tightly under her own pillow, covering her ears, trying to muffle the sound — but to no avail.

"Ahh! That man! He must do it just to annoy me on purpose! I knew I shouldn't have let them stay here!" She groans, pulling the pillow even more tightly around her ears.