We do not own "Sailor Moon" nor any of the characters.
SAILOR MOON ETERNAL
"The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga"
By Haruka Kou
Chapter 4: Rehearsing the Love Duets
Outside the stately Catholic Church on Tenth Street, you could hear the summer birds singing as the sun's rays beat down upon the trees, stretching towards the One who had placed them all there. The midafternoon lull in activity displayed such peace and harmony that not a soul outside the monument could suspect the pandemonium raging inside.
"OKAY, who stole my folder!" Lita demands in outrage, the past few hectic weeks putting a strain on her usually sunny disposition.
"Don't have a cow, Lita," Rei's sarcasm cuts in.
"We'll find it. CHAD!" Her high-pitched voice shrieks out through the sacred walls. A tall man with his eyes hidden beneath his frazzled hair hurriedly comes running up, tripping on the piles of ribbons until now neatly stacked in the corner of the room. Vainly trying to extricate himself from the sea of ribbons and lace he was wrapped in, Chad Levington looks up at Rei Hino.
"Yeah, Rei?" He obediently asks like a lost puppy, looking at the woman he worships in awe.
"Oh, Chad, you doofus. Look at the mess you just made!" Rei's voice echoes off the high vaulted cathedral ceiling.
"Uh—sorry, Rei, I'll clean it up." He quickly tries to pull the pile back into their strewn boxes, but the erstwhile ribbons keep unravelingfrom their spools.
"Never mind that now," Rei sighs, exasperated. "Just go and find Lita's folder — you know — the green and pink one." Like some royal monarch, she waves her hand at him to leave.
"That is, if you can manage that without making anymore messes," she hisses under her breath as he trots off wordlessly obedient as a faithful dog. "I don't know why you stuck me with him, Lita," Rei turns back to her friend. "He's such a good-for-nothing," she says, a fire in her voice, as she watches Chad crawl on hands and knees beneath the pews in search of the errant folder.
"Rei, don't you think that's a little harsh?" Lita observes absently, her mind really in a thousand other places.
"No, it's not. Why do we have to do this stupid escort thing anyway? And since we do, why couldn't you set me up with a really hunky guy instead of just Chad!"
"Rei, don't start!" Lita booms, "I've a billion other things to think about without having to hear your caterwauling!"
"Here it is, Rei," Chad comes running up, green and pink folder in hand, a triumphant look on his face.
"Well, finally," Rei just snatches it from his hands smugly without a single word of thanks, wiping the smile right from his face. Despite her frantic state of mind, Lita can't help but feel bad for Chad.
He has such a good heart, and Rei is constantly really cruel to him! Yet still he never complains...
"Thanks, Chad," Lita says, giving him a sincere smile of gratitude.
"No problemo, guys." He brightens up again.
"But - ick! - Where'd you find it!" Lita asks in dismay as she opens it up to find the once pristine and neat folder full of dust and grime.
"Oh, like Mina was using it to clean out some spiderwebs and junk," Chad answers.
"Yuck!" Rei hands Lita a towel and she wipes it off. Then Lita opens it up and examines the seating arrangements.
"Let's see," her forehead crinkles in deep thought, "Rei, you will come in from that entrance over there," she points her pen at the side door. But upon looking up, she sees Mina dangling dangerously from a tall stool, attempting to hang ribbons on the wide doorway, but the results so far were not very good.
Oh, Mina, Lita thinks to herself with a smile, you do try so hard, so how can I get mad at you?
Somehow feeling Lita's attention on the back of her head, Mina's cheery voice rings out, "How does it look?"
"Great! Keep going!" Lita bites back her criticisms, bowing to her friend's genuine enthusiasm.
"Lita, it looks horrible," Rei says frankly.
"It's fine, Rei." Lita says quietly, not wanting to hurt Mina's feelings. "We'll just touch it up later."
"What are you going to do about an escort for her?" Rei whispers.
"Don't worry. I've invited someone special she'll just love," Lita smiles conspiratorially.
"Doesn't Mina fall in love with every man she meets?" Rei snickers beneath her breath, Mina sneezing as result of being gossiped about, way across the church pews.
Just then Serena and her family come in the chapel's front entrance.
"Oh, Lita, it's already so lovely, dear," Mrs. Hart comments, bubbling over.
"It's lovely," Sammy imitates mockingly, weddings and fancy dress-up shin-digs not a young boy's cup of tea.
"Sammy," Mr. Hart scolds at his son as he pushes his black rimmed eyeglasses higher up his nose.
"Remember what your Mother and I said."
"Yes, Dad," Sammy answers sullenly, obviously been lectured on his behavior recently.
"It really is wonderful, Lita, everyone!" Serena calls out as she looks around in awe at how much everyone was working so hard for her day to be special.
Married. Tomorrow, I'll be married to Darien, Serena starts to lose herself in her own reverie. She watches her Mom go right to work with Lita and Rei, looking through lists and arrangements, and her Dad and a reluctant Sammy help a tipsy Mina and butterfingers Chad hang the skewed ribbons and lace around the remaining doors and pews.
Serena sighs a happy sigh, realizing that tomorrow everything would be even more wonderful somehow.
"Ahhh!" A scream pierces through her fantasies. Serena watches Mina tip dangerously on that stool she was perched on, teetering back and forth until she catches her balance on the door's wood trim and then - her grip slips and she suddenly falls !
Right into the arms of a young man who just happened to be walking in the door at that exact prodigious moment.
Mina looks up into the eyes of her rescuer and sighs.
What handsome blue eyes he has.
"Are you alright, Miss?" The young man asks bashfully.
She just nods, for once in her life at a loss for words.
"Ken, just in the nick of time!" Lita smiles, coming across the room to greet him."Literally, for Mina's sake!"
Ken, what a lovely name, Mina's mind wanders as if in a daze as he turns his attentiin to his childhood friend.
"Everyone, this is my friend, Ken," Lita introduces him. A collage of 'Hellos' come from the group.
"Hello," Ken answers, then he looks down at the speechless girl still in his arms.
"Oh, Ken. This is my good friend Mina," Lita crosses her fingers, hoping for good first impressions, Lita knowing from experience how that first glance meant everything to a girl with a fluttering heart.
"Mina, this is Ken," Lita wonders at Mina's sudden silence.
"Hello," Ken smiles.
"Hello," Mina manages to squeak out. He puts her down gently, watching her platinum blonde hair cascade down her shoulders.
"Mina, I've asked Ken to be your escort for the wedding, and he was good enough to agree."
"Oh, it's no bother at all, Lita," Ken answers kindly, "I was actually looking forward to meeting all your friends," he glances shyly at Mina.
Mina finally catches hold of herself, Lita's words sinking in—ESCORT—for me?! A light bulb flashes on.
"Lita, don't tell me this is the best friend you've been telling us about! No wonder you've kept him hidden all this time!" Mina exclaims, grabbing Ken's unsuspecting arm, dragging him into the church.
"Kenny, we're going to have such fun together! Oh, and thank you for rescuing me before — you were so heroic!" she bubbles excitedly. "If you're Lita's best friend — and I'm Lita's best friend — well — that makes us great friends already! Ha ha! You can tell me everything you know about her and I'll tell you everything I know - well almost everything — and, oh, this is going to be so great!" Mina excitedly babbles on and on, not letting him get a word in edgewise.
What life, what spirit she has, Ken muses to himself, her brightness fills the whole room, shining like a beacon of light.
As Ken, led by Mina walk away, Lita turns to Serena and Rei. "Do you think it'll work?" She asks, a questionable smile on her face.
"Why not? I believe in love's power more and more every day." Serena answers with all the joy in her hopeful heart.
"You never know." Rei adds skeptically. Then Lita sees someone coming up the church front steps.
"I think here comes surprise #2," Lita smiles cunningly as she opens the door and Amy's long lost love Greg comes in, a few inches taller, a little bit older, and maybe a tad cooler than last they saw him. But still the same old Greg Mueller.
"Hi, Guys, it's—it's been a long time," he smiles at the girls, nearly stuttering under the crowd of their curious gazes.
"Greg, I'm so glad you could come!" Serena says happily, clapping her happy hands together.
"Well, Lita called, I don't know how she found me, I didn't even know my new number was listed in the directory yet. So... I just had to come…" He shakily starts to explain, but is cut off by a sight he's longed to see for way too long.
"Sorry I'm so late guys, Class just got out a little…" Amy's sweet voice trails off as their eyes meet across the room.
"Greg?" She asks in disbelief. "Is it really you?" Her sweet voice quivers as she stands frozen on the spot.
"Amy, yes it's me," Greg's shyness was obviously still apparent.
"How?…why?…..when?" All the questions keep going a-jumble as Amy's sharp mind begins spinning.
"I—I know it's been too long. I'm sorry about that, Amy," Greg stutters.
Amy, Amy, he's saying my name, how do I answer? My heart feels like ice! What do I do? Oh, Greg I thought I was long over you, but I don't know anymore. I don't know….
"It was good of you to come." Her words come out coolly, not what she really wanted to say.
"I wouldn't want to miss this important event." The words aren't right at all, he thinks. I shouldn't have come, she doesn't want to see me, I've hurt her too badly, it's been too long for us to try again. Greg feels a cool weight pressing down on his heart.
How much taller he's gotten, and even more handsome too. Amy feels her heart begin to melt.
But she's still as lovely as I remember, Greg thinks wistfully.
"I suppose you're my escort for Serena's wedding ceremony, Greg. Am I right, Lita?" Amy asks sweetly. Lita nods, proud of her tracking down feat.
"You keep amazing us, Lita!" Then Amy turns to Greg. "How did she ever find you?"
"She emailed me two days ago via a chat room on the Internet."
"You chatting on the Internet? No way, Lita!" Serena says in shock.
"I tried everything else - phone books, newspaper ads, library records - and then I asked Melvin to help me and well, here you are, Greg!"
"Never underestimate the matchmaking powers of Lita Mitchell," Rei says proudly.
Lita smiles, her good deeds for her friends paying off dividends as she looks at the shy glances passing between Amy and Greg, the noisy chatter of Mina and an awe-struck Ken, the fussing between Rei and her adoring lapdog Chad, and this was, after all, Serena and Darien's wedding.
Now, the only one left alone, Lita sighs sadly, is me.
If only Rita wasn't coming back all the way from Europe to attend. Then maybe Andrew and I…even just as fruends...Lita's thoughts trail off, knowing the depressing answer to her own question. He's Darien's best man and I'm the only bridesmaid left without an escort (sigh)…well that's not exactly true, Susan doesn't have one either. Somehow I've managed (well actually Serena's Mom did) to get her brother Sammy to escort Tara. And Alex and Michelle…Lita giggles nervously to herself. They said they're coming together, so that leaves just me and poor Susan. I'd try to find someone but… I just don't know any men old enough for her! I mean, what man is suitably eligible for a thousand year plus, ageless woman? Sigh. I guess some of us are always meant to be alone, even at weddings…
Just then, the door opens and Darien Shields, Andrew Collins, and his sister Lizzie Collins walk in. Darien seemed to be in his usual calm mode (no nervous pre-wedding jitters there -– yet, Lita smiles despite her sad mood) but Andrew seemed to be mirroring her, in an unusually dejected state, far from the pleasant demeanor he always greeted them with. Lizzie was standing by his side, too looking worried at him.
"You're late, Mister"! Lita playfully smacks Darien's arm with her folder. "For your own wedding rehearsal, too", she smirks, looking up into Darien's handsome face, seeing worry lines faintly written there too, directed at his best friend Andrew. Lita begins to feel something wrong. So must Serena, I can see it in her eyes, too. Serena goes to them, hanging one arm on her love's, the other hooking around her good friend Andrew's.
"Andrew? What is it?" Serena asks worriedly, concern visible in her voice up at him.
But before he can answer, Mina suddenly comes running up. Never one to tread lightly, she shouts, "Hey Andrew! Lizzie! Where's Rita? Wasn't she supposed to come today?" Mina asks, wondering why Darien flashes her a sharp look.
"She's not coming today." Andrew says simply, looking out a stained glass window.
"Will she make it by tomorrow?" Rei asks, probing gently.
"No, she's not coming… not ever," his voice trails off, so low you almost couldn't hear.
"Oh!" Serena says worriedly. "Is she alright?" The kind-hearted girl was expecting the worst from such a definite answer.
Lizzie couldn't take anymore. "Andrew got a letter this morning. Rita's gone and married some professor at her school," she says, her green eyes flashing in anger at this woman's nerve to break her poor brother's heart.
"Oh, Andrew." Lita genuinely feels sorry for her friend. She reaches out to him, squeezing his arm gently. His happiness is all that matters. He loved her so much! How could she do this to him! How cold, how unfeeling! Lita's eyes well up with tears, caring for him so much, she could feel the sorrow, her heart thundering with his pain. I've been through this all; I know what you must be going through, Lita thinks, her own heart broken many times before.
Andrew looks up at Lita's touch and smiles at the tears in her eyes, he pushes away his own feelings of sadness. What a kind girl, what a good friend she is.
"Don't worry." He forces a smile. "I guess we just weren't meant to be," he sighs.
"Andrew didn't even want to come today, but Darien convinced him. And I told him being with all you guys would make him feel better," Lizzie brightens at Andrew's slight terms of closure.
"For sure!" Mina explodes boisterously. "We'll take good care of you Andrew! Don't let yesterday's frown get you down, when there's so much to smile after a while! We've got a wedding to rehearse, today, my lad!" Made up ditty on hand, lively Mina drags him away.
"Oh! I know, I know," Freezing in her trek, she suddenly exclaims as if inspiration suddenly struck her.
"You can escort Lita tomorrow! She doesn't have anyone yet!" Ignoring Lita's mortified shaking her head behind them, Mina presses on, "that would be so perfect! We don't need silly old Rita anyway, do we?" Mina's enthusiasm was so overpowering Andrew couldn't help but smile.
He turns back to face Lita, "I'd be glad to," He looks down into Lita's green eyes and wonders why the pain in his heart suddenly didn't hurt as much.
"Really!" Lita feels her spirit lifting, electrified with sudden happiness. She gazes into his eyes as he nods.
I shouldn't be so happy, Lita scolds herself, breaking the gaze quickly. But I can't help it! Trying to contain herself she looks at the clock's rapidly moving hands as it hangs near the church's ceiling.
"Two o'clock already! We're way behind schedule! Everyone get into places," she orders, excitedly pointing and directing with new vigor.
"Rei, Chad's in the wrong place, Ken, you stand beside Mina there, just like that, right. Andrew," she turns to him, blushing, "you and I go right here. This is how we're going to walk out so everyone remember their places."
"Mom, do I have to!" Sammy whines.
"Sammy," Mrs. Hart chides. Lita smiles at Sammy's resistance and then glances out the window. "Now where can Alex, Michelle, Susan, and Tara be?"
"How does it always happen this way?" Alex moans silently, giving a hard shove to the passenger squished next to her in the front seat.
"Hey, Ally, what's this little thingy here for?" Sayer reaches through the steering wheel and presses his finger on the oil pressure guage on the dashboard.
"Keep your hands off my dashboard," she rumbles at him.
"Just asking," he shrugs, pouting. Then, a wicked look in his eye, he suddenly trips a switch on the panel in front of him, making the windshield wipers swish back and forth.
"You're just doing this to be annoying, aren't you?" Alex angrily flips the switch off, keeping a watchful glance in her rear view mirror, she adjusts to see the two passengers in the seat directly behind her.
Michelle meets her gaze in the mirror, knowing what was on Alex's mind. She giggles at her friends' protective nature.
"What?" Robin whispers from next to her.
She shakes her head knowing Alex was listening to every word, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
How lovely she looks, her hair blowing in the wind, Robin admires Michelle's elegant beauty, still uncertain if she was picking up his personal thoughts.
Susan watches with interest the budding romance between the pair in the seat next to her. How nice it must be to be free to fall in love, to be able to…she blushes, finding her own gaze entranced on the wide-shouldered, chesnut-brown haired figure in front of her.
'No!' her mind screams, 'don't even think it — you can't!'. But even a thousand years of restraint can't stop the longing in her heart. She tears her gaze away, looking out at the whizzing world speeding by without her. 'The story of my life,' she sighs, holding back the tears in her eyes.
Terry, was unaware of the attentions of the lady behind him, and likewise unaware of the attentions of the young girl he held on his lap. For being such a man of intelligence, there was still much about the female psyche that he had yet to discover. Space being limited in the sports car for 7 people, Terry had offered for the child to sit on his lap and Tara jumped at the chance eagerly. It was the least he could do for this sweet girl and he found himself growing rather fond of the fragile little creature.
Tara, for her part, was growing more than fond of this tall stranger. She was falling in love — her first love - and for a teenager in love, nothing was more dreamed of than to be held in his arms. So Tara felt like she was in heaven, looking up into his violet eyes, his handsome face.
Sigh, her eyes glaze over.
"Is this the same route to your school?" Terry asks pleasantly making conversation with his small charge, mistaking her sigh fir boredom.
"Uh-huh," Tara nods in a trance.
"Sure, we're gonna pass by it right over there!" Sayer points to the school on the left, brushing his hand against Alex's hair as he does so, receiving a nasty glare in return.
"Oops, sorry," he says casually, smiling wickedly.
Just keep your mind on the road, don't let him get to you. What is it about that wicked smile that drives me absolutely nuts?! I've gotta get out of here! Alex swerves into the church parking lot, coming to an abrupt stop. She throws the Ferrari in park and springs from the car as fast as she could — which was almost blinding speed.
"What's with her?" Sayer asks innocently, smiling. As he gets out of the car, he looks up at the tall imposing building, his joyful mood broken, his smile fading.
"So this is it," he says, more to himself than to anyone else, blowing air between his lips. It's been nearly a year. And a day hasn't gone by that I haven't thought about her. I've wondered what she was doing right then, or if she were safe, I've wondered if he was making her happy. Why do I ask these questions? Why do I care so much? It doesn't matter anymore how I feel. I'm just going to go in there and see her and then I'll know. I'll know everything once and for all. He walks up the stairs slowly, taking a deep breath.
Sayer stops, waiting for his brothers, grateful for the gentle wind washing over him.
Terry opens the car door and helps the little sprite hop off his lap. Then, like the perfect gentleman he was, he helps Susan out of the car, offering her his hand. Not used to such attention, Susan meekly accepts the hand, feeling as if time stops when their hands meet. Once out, she quickly pulls her hand away. "Thank you," she says quietly. Terry walks up to Sayer, a look of concern etched on his face. Tara rushes to his side, Susan a few steps down, Michelle and Robin lagging behind. When they all catch up to him, Sayer turns to them.
"Ready, guys?" He says jauntily, trying to disguise the uncertainty in his soul.
Alex hurries up the church steps, realizing how late they are, and how furious Lita will be.
But that's not it. It's what you're running from, isn't it? A little voice inside her mind asks. Alex pushes the thought away as she does the same to the front door.
"There you are Alex!" Lita exclaims, obvious annoyance in her voice. "You've been holding everything up! Where're the others?"
"They're coming," she cocks her head towards the door.
"Why're you so late?" Rei demands.
"Well, we ran into a few problems," Alex answers mysteriously, making everyone wonder.
"Hey, 'Problem #1' just heard that." A familiar voice pierces through the doorway's sundrenched blindspot. Everyone freezes in shock.
"SAYER!" Serena shrieks in utter glee, the first to recover. Dropping the bouquet of flowers she was doting over just seconds before, she rushes to him, warmly throwing her arms around her ;pmg absent friend.
"Meatball," he whispers and, in that moment, in a flash faster than the speed of light, he knows. As he holds Serena Hart tightly in his arms, he knows.
Yes, I love her, I love her dearly — but it's not that kind of love — not the love between a man and a woman, more the kind between brother and sister, between friends who are more like family. The acknowledgement feeling warms his heart as any doubts evaporate.
As he looks into her clear blue eyes he sees her happiness and her joy, and Sayer is glad he can now truly be part of it with all his heart. He feels a great weight lifting from his soul, his questions finally all answered.
Serena looks up at Sayer smiling. "I knew you'd come," her voice full of unmitigated joy.
"I knew it." Tears stream down her emotional cheeks.
"Wouldn't miss it," Sayer smiles down at her, wiping away her tears tenderly with a pair of thumbs.
"Would we, guys?" He turns to Terry and Robin, his arms still snug around Serena's waist.
"Of course not," Terry offers her his hand and Serena grasps it tightly. "Terry," she whispers sweetly, then feels a light tap on her other shoulder,
"Don't forget me, Princess," Robin, on the opposite side of Sayer, uncharacteristically offers his hand as well.
"How could I, Robin? How could I ever forget any of you!?" She beams at the three of them. Like sweet déjà vu, Serena smiles. They were even wearing their Three Lights' signature colors.
Susan, Tara, and Michelle come in unnoticed, joining Alex next to Lita. Alex watched the scene play before her in wide-eyed interest, especially the exchange between Serena and Sayer.
There is something more between them than with the other two, it's undeniable. But how far does it go? The Princess will be married tomorrow so nothing else matters, does it? And why do I care so much?
She wasn't the only one whose interest was piqued at the tender embrace. Darien never really knew the man, met him only for a few moments before they left Earth.
There was definitely something between that guy and Serena while I was gone, Darien muses, I never did find out how deep that went. But that doesn't matter anymore, I am certain of Serena's love now. I need no other proof, although…how eagerly she ran to him, how well they fit together, Darien could not help but let those little jealousies creep into his mind as he watches his bride-to-be in another man's arms. What exactly is between them?
First shock over, the other 4 Inner Scouts all scream their names in glee rushing to the Three Lights like a tidal wave. Each girl clings to her own respective favorite, pushing Serena even closer into the huddle. Lita and Amy hug Terry while Rei and Mina hang all over Robin in a gaggle of shrieks and giggles, of "I missed yous" and "Oh Terry!s/Robin's" and even a few "Sayer!s" mixed in.
The abandoned escorts look on cooly at the newcomers who caused such a panic. Chad lifts the hair from his eyes to get a good look at the little white-haired one Rei was hanging on. Those must be the "idols" they were all continually screaming over in the backroom of the temple when I wasn't supposed to be listening. What's so special about them! Especially that little short one! And why can I never get Rei to act like that for me, even a little? Chad lets the hair fall back into his eyes, that old depression setting in.
Greg watches in shock as his usually calm and composed Amy lets out a loud squeak and runs (yes, actually runs) to that tall man who just came in. That's not like Amy at all—well at least not the Amy I remember. It has been years and she probably has changed, meeting other people in her life, other boys…..as he looks up sadly he realizes his "competition" was not a boy, but a tall (really tall) man with a great physique. How can I compete with that? Greg worriedly frowns.
"Who are they?" Ken asks out loud. The girl clinging to his arm had suddenly screamed, "ROBIN!" at the top of her lungs and took off for him like a bullet. Feeling slightly tossed aside like yesterday's old news, Ken shakes his head still trying to get his equilibrium back after Mina's deafening explosion.
"The rock group, The 3 Lights, I think," Andrew answers, matter-of-factly, remembering the frenzy the group had sent through every girl in the arcade where he worked, not to mention his own sister's wall being plastered with their posters. He turned to Lizzie for confirmation to find her flattened to the floor, obviously fainted after that high-pitched scream. Andrew hurries and lifts her up.
"Are you alright?" he asks as she comes to.
"AHHHHH," she screams again, "the 3 Lights!" and she rushes off to join the crowd of Inner Scouts forming around them without even a backwards glance at her caring brother.
Ken chuckles. "Like a bunch of screaming banshees, huh? I guess it's understandable. They were popular."
"Yeah," Andrew answers surveying the scene, as he watches Lizzie go to each man. First she went to the dark-haired one in the front, the one that Serena was still clinging to. Then to the shorter white-haired one on the right, the one that Rei and Mina had blown out their eardrums for, and then finally on the tall brown-haired one, who Amy and Lita were fawning over. For some reason, his eyes remain on this man, as he watches Lita gabbing happily with him, her eyes lit up, making her even prettier than she normally was. Such a pretty girl, always so kind, but I wouldn't take her for the rock star type. Looking again at the pair, Andrew feels a strange sensation inside he can't explain. Lita's such a good friend to me, I must just be feeling protective of her, they are rock idols after all, and you know all about idols…Andrew folds his arms, not quite pleased with the situation.
"Some of Serena's friends I don't know about?" Mr. Hart asks his wife, straightening his glasses as he examines the men.
"Oh, yes they're those nice young boys who went to Serena's high school a year ago. I always did wonder what happened to them. They were so nice to the girls," Mrs. Hart hands her husband another ribbon, unfazed by the commotion.
"Hmph," Mr. Hart grunts. Those boys looked a little wild to him, with their ponytails and designer clothes, especially the dark-haired one his daughter was so attached to. Strange I never met them before. Oh, well, a lot of strange things I've got to get used to. "My little girl…" Mr. Hart sighs out louds, looking at the beautiful woman his daughter had blossomed into. He looks down at his wife.
As if reading his mind she sayys, "I know, Honey, I know," with a sad smile. Sammy watches this exchange between his parents, shaking his head.
"What's the big deal? Weddings are a stupid waste of time," he says, jaded, much rather being out playing with the other boys at the arcade.
"Sammy, you'll never grow up, will you?" Mrs. Hart smiles at her son.
"If it causes all this trouble, I sure hope not," Sammy says decidedly—making both his parents laugh.
Susan hears the laughter and smiles. Such a happy family, she thinks, reflecting on her own sad fate, then looking back at the group, she suddenly notices something, the realization hitting her like a ton of bricks. Certainly Amy was also talking to Terry, but it was Lita who caught Susan's eye. Lita's sudden shy demeanor, the way she lowered her eyes, the flashes of crimson in her cheeks—and to her horror, she was sure there was something in Terry's handsome eyes, too. The way he's looking at her…Oh, why does my heart feel like it's splitting apart! I should not care, I do not care, I CAN NOT care, her mind spins in tumult as the tears spring to her eyes.
"They were popular with the girls, weren't they?" Susan hears Michelle say from behind her.
"Yes, they were," Susan smiles brightly, any signs of distress vanishing from her face. It was her secret and it must remain her secret—locked forever in her heart.
"I suppose all rock stars have that…" and Michelle trails off. Now it was her turn to notice something amiss. "WHAT did you just think!" her whisper so ferocious making all heads turn. Everyone looks at her in confusion. "Who are you—" Susan starts to ask her friend when she sees Robin's head suddenly jerk up, a guilty expression on his face. Rei on one side of him, Mina still clinging to his arm. Everyone looks back and forth between Robin and Michelle.
You're attracted to her, aren't you! Michelle's voice cuts into his mind accusingly.
Michelle,….it's not what you think…I just haven't….seen her for awhile. Robin tries to cover up his indiscretions.
You think that of that, that little—Michelle breaks off her thought, truly hurt.
No! Not really. Actually,…I think it more of you…Michelle, Robin removes Mina's arm (to her displeasure) and looks across the room at Michelle, slightly embarrassed, but intent in emotion.
Finally meeting his gaze, Michelle blushes, smiling. "Oh Robin," she whispers softly, leaving everyone to wonder what just happened, unaware of the silent exchange.
Lita looks into Terry's violet eyes dreamily one more time and then snaps back to her responsibilities. "I'm so glad you guys are here!" she bubbles, "this is so perfect!" Lita's mind races at her new "brainstorm." Grabbing each of their arms, she tugs Sayer, Terry, and Robin away from the other girls, leaving them in an amused astonishment. "We just needed three more guys!" she announces, grabbing a perplexed Susan by the arm, dragging her over to where Terry was standing.
"There! Terry," she says his name so sweetly, Susan feel those pangs of jealousy again, but those feelings quickly erased by Lita's next words. "you can be Susan's escort," in a matter-of-fact, no-questions-asked tone. Terry nods, quite pleased with the arrangement and smiles at Susan, who looks down, shyly blushing, inside, her heart leaping for joy.
"Michelle," she leads her by the hand to Robin, "you two can go together," Lita states as Michelle smiles sweetly and Robin takes her offered hand with a squeeze, glad to be out of the jam he had just been in moments before.
"And—" Lita grabs Sayer's wrist and then pauses, looking rather unsure of herself for once, but quickly lets it spill out, "Alex," she looks up into Alex's unforgiving eyes, "you and Sayer can.." Lita feels the words choke in her throat as Alex gives her a killing glance.
"DON'T EVEN SAY IT," her low voice rumbles, threatening.
"But you guys are the only ones left," Rei pipes up from behind Lita, trying to fill in her friend's silence, until she receives Alex's flashing angry eyes as well.
"Ooh, if looks could kill," Mina says as they all cower in the corner.
Seeing it as a challenge, and I never back down from a challenge, Sayer smiles that wicked grin, turning to Alex.
"C'mon, Ally, how bad can it be?" he touches her arm in a peacemaking gesture, but she shrugs it off quickly.
"Amara, don't be so difficult! It'll be fine," Michelle tries wheedling again.
"Michelle, you and I, we were supposed to…" Alex finds herself grasping at straws, more than a little hurt at how easily Michelle had discarded her for that silver-haired shrimp. (Though he had grown several inches in the past year, still reaching only 5' 5")
"Oh, Amara dear, we must all do our part," Michelle smiles sweetly, signifying the end of the argument.
"But—" Alex says her hope fleeing.
"Hey, Ally, any girl would die to be in your place," Sayer's old confidence and arrogance returning as he feels his good mood rising.
"I'm not just 'any girl'" she snaps at him not willing to give an inch.
"Alex, please, just this once, for me?" Serena's gentle voice flutters in, a hopeful smile on her face.
How can I deny the Princess anything? But why she puts up with this conceited…I'll never know, I guess, Alex thinks to herself with a smile. Turning to Sayer, she says "All right," with a sigh. He smiles triumphantly, making her want to punch him.
"I knew you'd give in," a smug smile on his face. Alex grits her teeth then turns to Lita, who thought she had been forgotten in the scuffle, but wasn't that lucky.
"You're gonna pay for this, Mitchell," Alex threatens. Lita cringes because she knew Alex always carried out her threats.
"Oh well, I'll think about that later," Lita breaks from Alex's gripping eyes and clears her mind.
"Alright, everyone, places!" She watches all the pairs timidly join together (well, except for Serena and Darien; and oh, Ken and Mina, who was never timid). Then catching a glimpse of little Tara, who looked hurt and a little spacey, Lita thought, she takes the child's shoulders and leads her to where Sammy was standing.
"Sammy!" Lita calls ahead to the boy, an enthusiastic smile pasted on her face. Oh, boy, here goes another difficult case, she thinks to herself, knowing Sammy's dislike of escorts and weddings and "anything to do with girls" as she vividly remembers him saying one day, not long ago.
"Sammy, this is Tara. Tara this is Sammy, Serena's brother," as Lita makes the introductions, Sammy's mouth drops open.
"Hello," Tara's small voice comes out softly.
"Uh-uh," Sammy stumbles over the words to the pretty girl in front of him.
"Oh, this is Tara," Mrs. Hart comes over, interested in meeting Sammy's new little friend, "so nice to meet you, dear," she coos, "I'm Sammy and Serena's mother."
"Nice to meet you," Tara says sweetly, though her eyes keep drifting back to a tall figure behind her.
"OK, you two get to know each other while I get everyone else set up. Sammy, you know your place right? Show Tara, OK?" Lita reiterates again.
The boy just nods absently. What's with him? Lita thinks to herself as she scurries away, I was at least expecting a sarcastic 'Yeah, yeah, Lita,' or something. Oh, well, her thoughts turn to her own churning emotions. Oh, Andrew are you really going to be my escort? I feel bad why, but…I can't help but feel glad too! Alright, Lita, focus, you got a wedding to direct! She walks up to Andrew.
"You and I go out over here, right after Rei and Chad, okay, Andrew?" she smiles up into his green eyes, glad to see his old familiar smile back at her.
"Got it," he says, impressed with Lita's organizing of the whole wedding it seems. Looking over, seeing everyone in the right order, Lita says, "Now girls, take the arm of your escort and…" she stops, not realizing what trouble it could cause.
One by one, each girl takes the arm of her man, Serena and Darien, with a knowing smile, Amy and Greg, with quick uncertain glances, a smug Rei and her eager Chad, a blushing Lita and polite Andrew. Then, Michelle and Robin, clinging tightly, a timid yet secretly ecstatic Susan and gentlemanly Terry, who offers his arm cordially, and little Tara and Sammy in the back, his focus on her, hers on the tall man in front of her, leaving only…
"You've got to be kidding me," Alex just looks at Sayer in disdain.
"Ally, I don't bite," Sayer says trying to cooperate, "well, not at first," his tone not quite appropriate for the holy location.
"I bet you don't," she answers snidely, sarcastically.
"You scared?" his eyes light up with the dare—Alex never could back down from a dare—in a flash, her arm snakes its way into his. "Happy now?" There's that feeling again, the kind I get when I race my car, her heart skips a beat.
"Very," Sayer answers, squeezing her arm in his tightly against his chest.
Oh why do I have to be so short and scrawny! If I was just a little bit taller, maybe, maybe I could've been paired with Terry. How lucky Susan is and she doesn't even appreciate it! Life can be so cruel sometimes! Well, at least, I get to walk behind him. I can pretend he's my escort and he's holding my arm. I love how his ponytail swishes back and forth….why is he looking at her that way? It's that mini skirt she's wearing. He can't help it if Susan wears such showy clothes. I wish I had a skirt like that too and then maybe he'd look at me that way… Tara's purple eyes glaze over, lost in a young girl's fantasy world.
Sammy shyly looks at his companion out of the corner of his eye. Wow, she's so pretty! Why didn't Serena or Lita tell me they knew such a pretty girl? Ditzes they are, they don't care about anything but their stupid wedding. She's a little spacey though, I wonder why. Sammy follows her unshakable gaze to the back of the tall (I mean tall!) man in front of them. The sad realization dawns on Sammy. Though a young boy, Sammy was a quick study and it didn't take much power of deduction to see what was clear on Tara's face. She likes that guy—what's his name?—Terry, right, everyone was screaming it before, how could I forget. He's way—way too old for her—and it looks to me he's more interested in that girl Susan anyway. What Tara needs is a younger man, more her age, someone smart and funny, someone…someone like me! Now if I can only get her attention away from that big oaf….
Luna crawls along slowly, hanging her head. I always knew Robin would find someone but….that's not it, it just hurts to be reminded once again I'm only a cat. She glances over at her sullen furry white friend. Certainly I have Artemis, but it might be nice to have a choice in these matters, not just be thrown together because we're the only two talking cats on the entire planet! Luna, get a hold of yourself! Tomorrow will be one of the crowning achievements in your duties, the Prince and Princess will be wed, as they should have been a thousand years ago. Destiny will be fulfulled at long last. And I'm here to see nothing stands in its way, Luna peeks around into the crowd, until her gaze lands on Sayer. Nothing, she thinks decidedly.
Artemis sees Luna stretch her head forward with that angry "Don't make me use these claws," face and mistakenly concludes she must be directing her gaze at Michelle, who was clinging tightly to Robin's arm. Oh, Luna, why? Not another human again. When are you going to realize that this cat loves you more than life itself? You've always been the only one for me, Luna, and someday I'll marry you too, in a church just like this, then you'll forget all about these silly infatuations of yours. Artemis just finishes his thoughts as he and Luna join the entourage outside the church on the front steps.
"That was great," Lita smiles broadly, glad her plans were all coming together as well. "Now…" she begins to explain what will happen next.
Serena looks back at her crowd of friends, not hearing Lita anymore. Everything is so nice. Now if only one more special little girl could make it, then it would be perfect! Serena looks up towards the heavens, closing her eyes, Rini, Rini, if you can hear me…please come, my wedding wouldn't be complete without you…please….
In answer to her prayers, a sudden cloud forms over the group, swirling, swirling, an energy buildup in the center. A blinding flash of light, then 3 figures once again fall from the sky. The first to recover, the Three Lights rush to catch the plummeting packages.
Plunk! Terry catches a pink-haired, cone-head little girl with a strangely familiar face.
Plop! Sayer dives to find himself holding a little fuschia-meatball-head, who he's come to know so well.
Poof! Robin think he miscalculated and missed, then looking down finds a tiny grey furball purring softly in his cupped hands.
"Rini!" Serena shouts, as Rini jumps down from Terry's arms and runs to her with a hug.
"Diana!" Luna squeals happily, unaware of how much she missed her time-hopping kitten as Diana leaps and bounds towards her.
"Chibi chibi?" the little fuschia-haired sprout still had no grasp of the language, still using baby talk.
"Doesn't anyone want to claim the little one?" Sayer struggles to keep a hold of the wriggling package.
"Here give me," Alex unceremoniously grabs the child from his arms. "You behave yourself," she commands. The child immediately clams up, not used to such authority, her eyes wide.
"Hey, you're good with children," Sayer looks astonished.
"That's why I get along so well with you," Alex says pointedly, sarcastically. Sayer feigns hurt feelings.
Shock wearing off, Serena looks to Rini, a question on her face. "Rini, who is this child? I mean I know who she is, but…just how is she here with you?"
"Oh right, you wouldn't know, not yet anyway," Rini smiles crookedly. "Everyone, this is my sister, Daria," Rini reaches up and Alex hands her the toddler.
"Daria," the baby repeats with a giggle.
"Sister?" Darien smiles the same crooked smile as Rini, taking Daria from her.
"I'll explain later," Rini whispers to Serena, "too many people."
"Right," Serena nods, still confused, I thought she was just the light of hope but…another daughter? Wow. Serena reels from her own future knowledge. "I'm so glad you made it!" Serena smiles, leaving behind her doubts.
"Me too," Rini hops up the steps happily. "I heard you and I just had to come. Mommy and Daddy send their love," and for the first time Rini feels strange about saying that. In a way, tomorrow, you and Darien are going to become my mommy and daddy. Not really, just kinda, sor of. Oh well, I'm just glad to be here!
"Mina," Ken asks confused, "What just happened?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing," Mina waves her hand, "just a few more guests." Ken smiles it off.
Sayer, Terry, and Robin dismiss the odd encounter, having seen far stranger things happen in their experiences as they go back into the building. Greg follows, unable to shake the feeling that he'd seen those children before, somewhere. Chad totally forgets everything as Rei drags him inside without som much as an explanation. Sammy, Mom and Dad, fall back into their hypnotic states as to who both children are. The scouts all lead their escorts inside, the cats scampering behind them, leaving only Lita and Andrew on the front steps.
"Lita," Andrew asks quizzically, "Did those children just fall outta the sky?"
The truth such an innate part of her, Lita couldn not bring herself to lie. "Yes," she answers slowly, "Oh look at the time!" she glances at her watch, "Let's get inside," she changes the subject quickly, praying her doesn't ask anymore questions, striding into the church.
Andrew smiles, shaking his head. "Girls and their secrets," Maybe I'll ask Darien about it later, he thinks, following Lita back inside. What a strange day this is turning out to be.
Diana looks around at the new scenery with a kitten's wide-eyed curiousity. Although a few years older than the last time we saw her, Diana's small size and penchant for asking numerous questions remained unchanged, perhaps due to her human-like qualities that left her still a learning kitten than a full-grown cat.
"Mother," she asks out loud turning to Luna, a million questions spilling into her mind.
"Diana, hush," Luna scolds in a whisper, her eyes instructing her forgetful kitten on her place in this century, hoping nobody heard her little voice in the crowd. But someone did.
Leaning down, close to the trio of cats, so no one else could hear, Robin smiles. "Did I just hear that kitten call you 'Mother', Luna?"
"Well, I—yes, but"—Luna stumbles, not knowing quite where to begin.
"A beautiful kitten," he tickles Diana's tummy, "and you must be the lucky father," Robin looks to Artemis. Artemis just smiles crookedly, unsure of how Luna was taking all of this.
"I always knew there was something between you two," Robin's green eyes sparkle as he pats the two cats on the head affectionately. "You're a lucky man," Robin's words make Luna realize the truth behind them.
"I always hope to be," Artemis looks at Luna shyly. Yes, we do have something, don't we? Luna remembers all the times Artemis was there for her, even when she didn't appreciate it. Maybe she judged him too harshly, maybe, she looks down at the wide-eyed kitten at her feet, maybe, the future just might be looking a whole lot better.
The afternoon wears on, Lita and Mrs. Hart directing everyone to and fro, making sure they all know their seating arrangements, when to stand, when to sit, all the boring details over and over until it's all ingrained in their memories.
"Okay! I think that about wraps it up. Ladies, I want to see you all bright and early at Michelle's, Okay! Before 10 AM." Lita stresses, counting on last minute bridesmaids dress alterations. "And escorts," she turns to the men, most of whom were draped across the pews, "we expect you to be here at the Church no later than 1:00 o'clock. Got that?" She knocks Sayer's draped arm off the nearest pew and looks at them threateningly. "1:00 PM." She takes ot a few slips of paper, and hands them out. She smiles cheerfully after saying that mouthful.
"You all did wonderfully!" Mrs. Hart calls out after them as each says a special goodbye to Serena and Darien, and their own "special" girl.
"Bye Serena..uh, Darien," Greg looks a bit frightened, but considering their past, it's not surprising.
"Bye, Greg," Serena smiles comfortingly, "Thanks for coming,"
"Bye," Darien nods.
"Uh, no prob," Greg looks to Amy, "Um, Amy, uh…"
"Call me later, number's the same," Amy fills in the words Greg couldn't find and he smiles appreciatively.
"Gramps is gonna have a fit if we don't get to the temple like right now!" Rei rushes about, gathering her things. "Gotta go. Bye, guys. Say goodbye, Chad!" Rei pulls the poor man out the door before he could say a word.
"Bye, Rei. Bye, Chad. Oh, no, Rei! Wait a minute! There's something I want to do!" Serena rushes to her father.
"You go on Chad! I'll be along soon!" Rei waves Chad off, returning inside the church.
"We've gotta get going, too, my shift at the arcade, you know," Andrew and a starry-eyed Lizzie come up. In her hands, autographed napkins, streamers, and ribbons that the 3 Lights signed and even a scrawled "Sayer Starr" across the back of her white T-shirt.
"I'm never gonna take it off!" Lizzie squeals in pleasure, her eyes still glued to her three rock idols, who were casually leaning against the back wall. She waves frantically, Robin rolls his eyes, Sayer just looks at her and Terry gives a polite little wave back, making Andrew's little red-head sister nearly faint again.
"They're causing quite a stir, huh?" Andrew comments to Darien, considering the 3 men and the effect they had on his sister.
"You can say that again," Darien frowns as Serena's attention once again is drawn to Sayer as she returns armed with her Dad's camera. Daria giggles as Sayer tosses her up and down in the air, to the child's squealing delight.
"Sayer and Daria always did get along so well," Serena says to Darien as she loads the film, amazingly getting it right!
"Yeah," Darien answers absently, a little green-eyed monster growing inside him.
"Darien, what is it?" Serena finally notices his silence, "aren't you feeling well?" concern in her voice.
"I'm fine, really, I'm fine," I can't let her think I'm jealous, I'm not. Why should I be? There's nothing between them. Nothing at all. He doesn't even notice Ken say goodbye, his mind so absorbed until he finds Terry standing right in front of him, his hand outstretched, Tara and Susan at his side.
"Good to see you again, Mr. Shields," he shakes Darien's hand firmly. "Goodbye, Miss Serena," Terry smiles putting his hand on her shoulder.
"We'll be back tomorrow," Robin smiles with a wave out the door, Michelle on his arm.
"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Serena bubbles smiling as Terry, Robin, Michelle, Susan and Tara. "Since today was our last day of school and you're all here too, I'd like to have us all in a picture together, okay?" Serena holds the camera up cheerily.
"Certainly," Terry smiles, Serena's warmth and friendship all coming back tohim.
"Great idea, Meatball!" Sayer comes bounding up having dumped Daria unceremoniously to Mrs. Hart. Serena smiles up at her old friends linking her arms with theirs as she leads them outside. "C'mon, girls! Outside!" Serena calls over her shoulder, assuming that Darien was right behind her, which he was, watching every move of the dark-haired man on Serena's arm. And he wasn't the only one. Like father, like daughter, no matter from how distant a future, Rini was also a bit nosy of Serena's relationship with 'that guy'.
Meeting Michelle and Robin on the front steps, Serena points to the park across the street. "There that's the perfect spot!" she sings as Rini trots up next to Tara who was surprisingly able to keep the quick pace today, her eyes gazing up adoringly at the tall man who caught Rini earlier.
"This is exciting! Isn't it Robin!" Mina scurries up to him, grabbing hold of his arm, pulling him forward with her,in her enthusiasm not noticing she left Michelle behind. As she watches Robin being dragged away from her, Michelle stops short in her tracks, fuming.
"Idols. Here one day and gone the next," Alex interrupts disapprovingly as she strides up to Michelle offering her own arm as replacement (As it should be anyway! Alex's temper flares) and Michelle takes it as she always does, not wanting to let Alex think it bothered her. So she holds her tongue not wanting to cause a scene in so doing leading Alex to believe she had just won a small victory in the battle over Robin.
"Alright, this looks good," Serena stops, looking through the camera lens for the best shot. "Everyone, group shot!" Serena plays the cameraperson. As everyone gathers in a close formation, camera hogs Mina, Rei, and Rini placing themselves smack in the middle, Mina grabbing a shy Amy and putting her in the center so she herself doesn't look (dare she think it?) conceited. Lita finds herself in a nice enough position next to the 3 Lights, who were doing their best not to steal the spotlight, trying to just be part of the gang on the side lines. (Well, Robin was posing a bit, forever the idol.) But you might actually mistake Sayer and Terry for normal boys, not just rock stars. That's what's so nice about them, I think. Lita smiles ups at Terry but finds his attention elsewhere, towards the Outer Scouts on the far left side of the group. That's exactly where Alex had made certain to place Michelle and herself, as far from the Three plagues as she could get, Susan and Tara naturally tagging along wherever Alex lead them. Darien takes his place behind Rini, folding his arms. Seeing them ready, Serena smiles, looking into her viewfinder. "Okay, everyone, say CHEESE!" Serena looks hard into the camera moving it up and down. "Hey, where are you guys?" she asks still searching through the camera.
"It would help if you took the lens cap off," Robin says, sounding annoyed.
"Oh," Serena giggles, embarrassed, "Now which little button do I push?…" she struggles to find the correct button amidst the numerous ones on her Dad's expensive camera.
Seeing her fumble with it exasperatingly, Terry, always the gentleman, offers to come to her aid. "Miss Serena, I'll take the picture if you'd like and that way you can be in it too."
"Oh no, Terry! I want all three of you in it!" Serena shakes her head, knowing that soon they would be returning to their planet, leaving again. But she didn't want to think about that now, she just wanted to take the photo!
"Princess, please allow me," Susan leaves her spot going up to Serena holding her hand out for the camera.
"Oh, but Susan,….I want you there too!" Serena whines.
"Like you said, today was your last day of school. I don't need to be in it." Susan smiles reassuringly.
"C'mon Serena! I'm late enough as it is! We'll take another one with Susan later all right?" Rei's cutting voice says as she dashes forward, pulling Serena into place right in front of Darien.
"Good," Susan nods, not minding (or was it that she was just used to it?) being left out, especially not for the Princess' sake.
"Everyone ready?" she asks politely, looking in the viewfinder, her eyes can't help bt be drawn to the tall man on the left whose violet eyes seemed to be giving her a sideways glance, looking right at her.
At her pause, Rei takes controll once again, starting the familiar, "CHEESE," to prompt her, in which Serena, Amy, Rini and Lita join in all smiles.
CLICK.
The picture is taken by one self-sacrifing 'young' woman whose gentle kindness and consideration for others did not go unnoticed this day by a certain brown-haired handsome gentleman on the far right of the photograph.
Going back into the church, they say their goodbyes to Mr. And Mrs. Hart and little Daria and then it's time to say goodbye to Serena.
"Miss Serena, Mr. Shields," Terry nods to Darien, kissing Serena's hand.
"See ya tomorrow," Robin somehow had gotten Michelle back on his arm as they walk out the door.
Sayer sprints up to Serena. "Meatball," he smiles that smile of his Serena remembered so well. "It's good to see you again," he takes her shoulders, kissing her forehead goodbye. Unintentionally ignoring a fuming Darien, he jogs out the door, down the steps until he reaches Robin and Michelle. Then he calls back through the doors, "Come on, Ally! 'Shelle's in a hurry for her picture show!"
"It's an art exhibition!" they can hear Michelle's angry voice, faint in the distance.
"Michelle has an art exhibition tonight," Alex stops to explain, not ready to rush to any man's beck and call, especially one who gives out kisses so freely to engaged girls, her mind still steams from the innocent scene a few moments before, her own jealousies twist it into something other than innocent. How can the Prince just stand there when he does things like that! I couldn'' put up with it. Not that it's any concern of mine really anyway. Alex clears her mind.
"I'll see you guys later," she strides out the church doors, bracing herself for the ride ahead of her.
"A noisy bunch of kids today, huh, Honey?" Mr. Hart asks, cleaning up strewn ribbons and streamers.
"I don't know about noisy, dear, just full of life." She turns to Serena. "I like your friends, Serena dear, they're all very sweet," Mrs. Hart picks up Daria. "Now I've got to get your sisters home. Big day tomorrow! Don't be out too long, you two," she gives Serena and Darien each a kiss on the cheek. "Tomorrow you'll be part of our family, Darien," Mrs. Hart hugs him warmly. "I want you to now how glad we are to have you."
"Thank you," Darien answers sincerely, the first heartwarming feeling he's had all day.