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 7: A Night of Promise
"Where could they be!?" Michelle's quiet voice steams.
"We have been waiting patiently for over an hour. How degrading." She glances around in shame as waiters finish cleaning up the empty tables in the restaurant, kind enough to let them wait inside as it was not well past closing hours.
"I hope they're all right," Susan's gentle one answers with worry on her face.
"I'm sure they're fine," Michelle says angrily, hurt that Robin must've closed his mind to her since she's been unable to reach him for some time now.
"How dare he shut me out!" She whispers to herself, though in reality she was the one closing out on him for her own tormented reasons just hours before. But people have a funny way of blaming others for their same mistakes. Deep in her mind she was sure that maybe, just maybe Alex was right, though she'd never consciously admit to herself.
"I called the hall." A Serena returns to the table, the truest kind of friend despite her own pre-wedding jitters the very next morn, their dear moon princess was the only one of the girls who had not long since abandoned them as it was approaching midnight. "And I just caught Andrew before he left. He said the Three Lights left the party over an hour ago." Serena joins Susan's worried expression. "Do you think they're all right?"
"They're fine. Believe me, I would know," Michelle gets that far-off distant look as she tries to contact Robin again, pleased to be able to assure herself of his safety, if not his whereabouts.
"Well, my Dad should be here any second to come pick me up. If they don't get here by then, we could drive you home." Serena offers sympathetically, along with her sweetest smile.
After sitting a little while more, the three friends watch as the head waiter scurries to their table.
"I believe your ride is here, ladies," his French accent was thick.
Susan feels her heart leap, hoping it would be Terry and the boys. Seeing her friend's excitement, Michelle shakes her head sadly.
"Not them," she says softly, as Susan's expectant face drops.
"Must be Dad," Serena smiles trying to cheer them up, "C'mon, gang! We're still all foot loose and fancy free - at least for a couple more hours! Let's order to go some of those double devilishly divine choko cookies to go out with a bang! While Rei's not here to nag me about squeezing into my wedding dress! Oh, Pierre!" Trying to make light of the situation (and get a bite of those luscious treats denied her for weeks on end now), Serena waves her hand to the maitre'd as she gets up.
"What if they come after we've left?" Susan says, putting a damper on the ever boisterous yellow spaghetti and meatball headed bride to be whose chocolate craving is wordlessly fulfilled in a small 'to-go' doggie baggie placed in her greedy hands.
"Here," Michelle whips paper and a pen from her purse, "I'll leave them a note." She scribbles something on the piece of paper, handing it to the headwaiter on the way out.
"If three handsome young men finally decide to come looking for us, please, would you give them this?"
The headwaiter nods. "Of course, Mademoiselle."
"Thank you," then she says something in French, that makes the waiter laugh.
"Oui, Mademoiselle," the waiter smiles knowingly.
"What did you say to him?" Serena asks curiously as the three women walk out onto the sidewalk.
"Oh, just that we had a wonderful evening," Michelles passes off nonchalantly, purposely omitting a certain other part of her message.
Spotting her father's car, Serena waves to him and he pulls to the curb. "Evening, Ladies!" he says to them as Susan and Serena get into the back seat, Michelle into the passenger front seat next to Mr. Hart.
"Thank you so much for going out of your way for us, Mr. Hart," Susan says politely.
"Oh no trouble at all. It's my responsibility to come to the aid of ladies in distress," he teases.
"I wouldn't exactly say we're in 'distress' sir, more like 'furious' at the three 'gentlemen' who were supposed to take us home," Michelle vents her anger.
"Michelle, I'm sure it couldn't be helped," Susan defends them.
Mr. Hart chuckles as he drives along. "You're friend's right there, Michelle. When you're at a bachelor party, it's easy for you to lose track of the time, believe me I know. So, I'd cut your dates a little slack, if I were you." He says with a smirk, obviously speaking from personal experience.
"Yes, I suppose," Michelle concedes amicably, though her haughty sensibilities were still miffed, as she smiles to herself when she imagines what waits in store for those forgetful boys, when they finally do reach the restaurant. Smiling, she chuckles with a get-even giggle.
Studying her back-seat companion, Serena considers Susan curiously. How quiet she is tonight. I mean, she's always quiet, but tonight there's something different. I can feel it. How sad she looks. Poor Susan, it's so hard for her to share her secrets with us. But she's my friend, my very good friend. There must be some way I can help her. I have more happiness than I deserve, her thoughts drift to tomorrow's joyous event. I want to share it with you, Susan, even though I don't understand, I'm here for you. Serena takes Susan's graceful hand, squeezing it reassuringly. Susan turns away from gazing at the night sky and looks at Serena's sweet face.
Susan smiles at her gratefully. Her smile is so radiant. She's always here for me, for all of us. She gives us such strength, such courage. She is the light of this world - this beautiful world that I cannot be part of. Looking into Serena's crystal clear eyes, she squeezes her hand back, despite the pain in her heart. I will be brave, she holds back her tears. For you, my Princess, I will be brave.
A dark sedan carelessly maneuvers its way through the city at midnight. Drifting from lane to lane, ignoring most signal lights, the driver of this vehicle should count himself lucky that tonight was unusually quiet, traffic nearly nonexistent, causing most of the police force to pass their valuable time in the various local doughnut shops around town. Not that the man in control of the car was in any condition to care (not to mention drive.)
"Search for you love," Terry's low voice melodically sings as he moves the steering wheel in rhythm to the tune. "Where is that restaurant? Search for your love…we're never gonna find it. Search for your love…I only want…to find my Susan now," he chuckles at his made up lyrics, the alcohol in his system affecting his usually calm demeanor, as he blinks the headlights on and off in beat.
"Hey, that's pretty good," Sayer pulls his head in from the open window, his unruly hair even more so after the wind got through with him. "We oughta use that tune for a song," he says dizzily, grabbing hold of the dashboard as the car swerves in rhythm.
"You think so?" Terry smiles squinting hard at the passing signs on the buildings.
"Sure. That sugar one you had before too. Hey, what are we looking for anyway?" Sayer's voice comes out in a drawl as he tries to keep his eyelids open.
"Looking for? I don't know," Terry answers with a shrug and a giggle.
"I don't know. I thought you knew," Sayer answers with his own shrug. "Do you think that he knows?" he jabs his finger towards the rear, to the figure sprawled across the backseat, unconscious.
"Hey you, hey you," he starts shaking his brother roughly, "Wake up! Sleeping Beauty," Sayer roughly smacks his face, and Robin finally comes to.
"Sayer, what're you doing? Leave me alone," he grumbles. "Oh, my head," he holds his head moaning, lying back down.
"Wait a minute." Sayer grabs him again, lifting his body back up. "Where're we…where do we…Hey what was I supposed to ask him Ter?" Sayer turns his head towards Terry, confused.
"Where are we supposed to go?" Terry fills in, in between his humming.
"Right." Sayer turns back to Robin wholse eyes were closed, his head bobbing back and forth sleepily. "Hey," he shakes Robin, his temper getting the better of him. "Where're go supposed to we?" It comes out all in a discombobled mess.
"Go?" Robin's voice scratchier than ever, "I don't care, just leave me alone, my head hurts," he whines.
"But Susan and Michelle are waiting for us," Terry says, anxious to see his lady-love.
"Michelle?" Robin says, his mind clearing slightly at the thought of her. "Oh. It's the restaurant on 5th Street. Remember?"
"Oh, right!" Terry's quick mind, despite the alcohol, just needed a little push. Destination known, he floors the gas pedal, and Robin rolls to the back seat floor as Sayer smashes against the side door. Terry speeds along eager to see Susan and her beautiful eyes, and her rosy cheeks, and her crimson lips… Terry's intoxicated mind could still vividly recall that kiss he and Susan shared earlier this evening.
In no time flat, the car comes to a screeching halt in front of the restaurant. Triumphant of the find, Terry dizzily steps out into the road. "Here we are," he smiles, walking to the door, no idea of how late the hour really was.
"I knew it the whole time," Sayer's bravado kicks in. When they reach the door, Terry yanks on it, finding it locked. "Here, let me try," Sayer grabs the door handle then starts banging on the glass.
"Hey, let us in! You can't hold our women captive! We're gonna knock down the door if you don't -" The door is whisked open and Sayer plunges forward onto the plush carpet. Getting up, he dusts himself off. "There, that's better." He looks down at the headwaiter. "Where're Susie and 'Shell?" he demands, ready for a fight as his hands turn into fists.
"Ah, yes. 'Se the young "gentlemen" Mademoiselle Michelle spoke of," his French accent thick and haughty. "Is there not a pale haired "gentleman" in your party?" he asks using the word "gentleman" with disdain, just as Robin slowly makes his way into the door, slowly taking his time up the sidewalk.
"'Sere you are, sir, Mademoiselle Michelle has a special message for you," he says, handing him the note. Robin unfolds and reads it aloud: 'Tired of waiting for you all night. Got another ride home. See if you can remember where that is.'
Robin looks to his brothers worriedly. "Do you think she's mad at me?" Before they could answer, the waiter taps Robin on the shoulder. "She sent one more message, sir," and with that he empties a tall glass of cold ice water over Robin's shocked head. Turning his nose up, the waiter shoves the three astonished boys out the door, locking it with a bang, rubbing his palms together as if cleaning something dirty from them.
Looking at Robin's dripping head, Sayer smirks. "Yeah, Rob, I think she's mad."
After keeping vigil by the window for over an hour, Susan sighs worriedly. Oh where could you be? She wonder silently.
"Tara's sound asleep," Michelle returns to her lookout spot next to Susan.
"That's good," Susan says, her mind recalling the cruel words the child had said to her earlier this evening. Cold and unfeeling. Maybe that was true before, but not anymore. Not since he…Susan blushes at the very thought of him, that kiss they shared, her first kiss, still on her lips. Suddenly she sees the the flash of headlights then the screech of the breaks and her heart catches in her throat.
"It's them," Michelle nods, saying the words nonchalantly, as if she were not anxious in the slightest as she takes her time walking to the front door. But Susan cannot contain herself so calmly. Sprinting graceful as a deer, she's out the door in a flash, crashing into an unsteady Terry, who still manages to keep his balance somenow, catching Susan in his eager arms.
"Oh!" Susan looks up at him, blushing then gazing at his sweet smile, she searches for something to say. "We were so worried about you!" she says, embarrassed, trying to untangle herself from his arms, but finding him unwilling to let her go.
"You were?" Terry's smile widens and his eyelids lower sexily. She can smell the alcohol thick on his warm breath as he holds her closely. Just then Sayer comes sauntering in the doorway, dizzily bumping into Terry, pushing him forward into Susan's hair where he stays, nuzzling gently, much to Susan's shock.
"WE'RE HOME! Hey, WE'RE HOME! Where's Ally?" Sayer's loud voice cuts through the silent house, announcing his arrival as he sways back and forth in the front hall.
"Shh! Tara's sleeping!" Michelle snaps at him, but he just smiles.
"You're drunk," Michelle looks at the two men disapprovingly.
"Drunk?" Sayer repeats incredulously. "Who me?" he wavers as he stands, silly grin plastered to his face.
"I knew it," Michelle shakes her head angrily. "Well, where is he?" she looks around for Robin.
"Who?" Sayer asks in a daze.
"Robin!" Michelle's eyes flare at him having no tolerance for drunken men who leave her standing in restaurants.
"Oh him," Sayer's smile turns wicked, "who needs him 'Shell when you got me?" he leans forward putting his face right in hers. Michelle smirks pushing past him.
"He's still in the car, hmm? I suppose he's drunk too?" Michelle asks, knowing the answer as she strides out to the car, fully prepared to give this forgetful boy a piece of her mind. Not seeing him in the front seat, she pulls the back door open.
"Robin Starr, I will not—" she starts her tirade, then looking at the sleeping form curled up like a kitten on the floor of the car, his hair dampened over a sweet baby face, Michelle's angry heart melts like butter.
Aww...How can I be angry? He's just so cute! Kneeling down she touches his face, brushing the loose hair from his eyes and in his sleep he smiles at her soft touch.
"Robin," her voice gentle. "Robin," she repeats. He stirs. Smiling, she plants a sweet kiss on his lips and he slowly comes to.
"Michelle," he whispers with a smile, her beautiful face a vision to his cloudy eyes. But the painful throbbing in his head soon returns.
"Argh," he clutches his head as he sits up.
"Robin?" she asks worriedly, putting her hands on his.
"I guess this is my reward for letting Sayer convince me to have a drink. I'm never trusting him again." He smiles up at her despite the throbbing pain in his head, obviously having a low tolerance for any liquor since on their home planet, t-totaler Princess Fireball made it a point for her three younger charges to be moral, upstanding and alcohol free citizens to be shining examples for the people.
"Come on inside. You'll feel better soon," she helps him out of the car leading him to the house, as he leans heavily on her shoulder.
Back inside the house, she sees Susan still in Terry's nuzzling embrace, a confused look on her face. "Michelle, what do I?…" Susan looks to her friend for help. Her own drunken man in her arms, Michelle giggles at the situation, her eyebrows raised. "I guess you'd better get him into bed. That's what I'm going to do with mine," her head gestures to Robin. How wonderful to touch him! I wonder, maybe…she thinks, her emotions spinning.
"Oh," Susan says unsure of herself. "All right," Seeing no other option, she tries to lead him towards the bedroom. Finding him too heavy to move by herself, she says to him quietly, "Terry, please come with me, I'm taking you to bed," her voice sweet.
"Oh, Susan," he whispers, "yes, Susan, yes," his hot breath in her ear, his fuzzy mind misunderstanding her innocent words, perhaps too willingly, turning them into something far from innocent.
"Oh," Susan stops, unaware of Terry's intentions, remembering the third member of the drunken party.
"Sayer, are you coming?" she asks.
Drunk but not blind, Sayer could clearly see what was on his brother's mind. "Nah, Susie, I'm fine right here. Me and this couch are old buddies," he smiles, patting his "friend" on the back, a knowing smile in her direction. As they disappear, Sayer turns to Michelle.
"Once you asked me to help you undress, 'Shell. I'm ready now if you can get rid of that wimp. My couch and I could be separated," Sayer infers amorously, maybe a little jealous of Terry's luck as he motions towards the nearly fainted Robin propped up in her arms.
"Oh no, you and that couch deserve each other," she smiles, used to deflecting unwanted advances. "Besides, I think I'm saving that privilege for someone else," she smiles her own amorous smile in Robin's direction. Thinking her joking, Robin chuckles, making his head throb even more as he does. "Oh my head," he groans, almost passing out from the pain.
"Poor baby," Michelle coos at him with sympathy, and maybe a little something more. "Let's go," she drags him off to his room.
"Goodnight, Sayer," she smiles with a wave.
"'Night," Sayer feels quite left out as he watches Michelle and Robin disappear down the hall, without even imaging what Terry and Susan were up to. "If only Ally were here…" he says to himself, his distracted mind happily fooling him into believing that Alex might actually be interested in him (which, in reality, wasn't that far from the truth, though she'd never admit it) as he plunks down on the couch, asleep before he hits the pillow, dreaming of a tall, golden-haired beauty.
Leading Terry inside, Susan once again tries to extricate her body from his arms, still finding it an impossible task.
"Susan," his voice deep and melodic, now not only nuzzling her hair, but kissing it as well, as he gently loosens the tight bun until it falls out. Slowly making his way down, his lips nibble at her ears softly, then his mouth kisses her neck tenderly.
"Terry," his name escaping her lips in a whisper, his gentle cologne pervading her senses, as she realizes what was happening.
I've waited a thousand years for this moment, a hundred thousand lonely nights I've waited for you. Only for you. Suddenly, she can hear music begin to play, her eternal song of longing becomer louder, louder, stronger, until it's nearly deafening. My empty life—my empty life….. It's sad, lonely melody grips her soul once again. What am I doing? I can't I can't! My life is not my own, I cannot enjoy this world. I cannot share myself with another. I was born to be alone. I have searched through all of time for you, yet I cannot have you. I cannot be with you, my darling Terry. Please, you cannot love me, I must be cold and unfeeling. The tears run down her cheeks as she breaks the long kiss, the temptation of the night tearing her bound soul asunder.
"I'm sorry, Terry, I can't be your lover. Please forgive me!" the tears stream down her face as she turns and flees, wrapping her disheveled self in his discarded shirt near the door as she runs out.
Practically carrying a dazed Robin to his room by now, Michelle feels his arms draped around her shoulders, unknowingly hanging loosely in places where they should not be over a low-cut dress. Giggling at the arousing feeling, she drags him to his bed, laying him on it as gently as possible. Realizing that to put him to bed properly she must undress him, Michelle proceeds to do so, struggling with his passed out body until he was lying there in nothing but his boxer shorts. She stands back, just staring at his still form for awhile, rather impressed with his muscular frame.
Yes, indeed, she smiles, her eyebrows raised, you certainly have matured. She remembers the scrawny little 16 year old she had first met at what seemed ages ago. Feeling a surge of independence, of rebellion, of desire, Michelle quickly strips off her dress until she was only in her lacy slip. Well, so have I, she smiles wickedly as she turns out the light. Excitedly climbing into the bed next to Robin, she takes her hair out from the swept up style it was in, her aqua curls cascading onto her bare shoulders, her French heritage showing through. Sliding down under the covers next to him, Michelle runs her slender hands over his chest and around his back, attaching herself to his body. Stirring, his eyes still closed, Robin's own hands make their way down Michelle's back, thinking himself in a dream until his eyes snap open to find her face so close to his, her warm body wrapped tightly around his.
"Michelle!" he jumps up straight out of the bed, shocked to find his body shirtless and pants-less. "What're you doing here!"
"Why, I'm going to sleep with you. Don't worry, dearest, it's alright. Nobody can tell us what to do anymore." She smiles amorously, sitting up throwing her curly locks over her shoulder with a giggle.
"But Michelle, I…we…" Robin finds his sharp wit for once at a loss for words. He watches her smiling, expectant face drop.
"You don't want me," she feels tears biting at her eyes. "Nobody ever wants me," she turns her face from him on the verge of tears.
"No, Michelle," Robin kneels by the bed, grabbing her bare shoulders, surprised at how good it felt. "That's not it," he feels his adrenaline rising. "I do want you…more than you know," he smiles at her gorgeous body, his blood pumping like this for the first time. Her face lifts expectantly, waiting for him to make a move.
Oh, how tempting, Robin sighs. "I don't want it to be like this though, Michelle." He pulls back his arms, moving away from her.
"What do you mean?" she asks, tears again in her eyes.
"You're only doing this to spite her," he says succinctly.
"No no, I'm not. It's nothing to do with her. I love you!" She pitches her body forward across the bed towards his standing form, clutching at his arm pleadingly.
"I know you do Michelle. I love you too," he finds the words so easy to say, cementing his belief in their truth now. "But I know you better than you know yourself. You're just running from her. I won't let you do that. She's an important part of you…and I love all of you - I want every bit of you, understand?" He surprises himself at the ferocity of his words. Taking her shoulders in his hands again, as her eyes glisten at him, she nods, smiling sweetly.
"Good," he pulls her from the bed so she's standing in front of him, he forcefully wraps his arms around her planting a passionate kiss on her lips. After a long moment passes, he pulls away looking at Michelle lovingly, her eyes still closed in bliss. Picking up her dress (and her pantyhose and shoes) he smirks to himself, then hands them to her as he leads her to the door. "You go on now, go right to sleep," he smiles reassuringly, squeezing her hand. Stopping her in the doorway on her way out, he smiles at her dreamy expression.
"And don't go into the living room. I think you've had enough excitement for tonight," he smirks, knowing Sayer was there lurking.