Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon

Authors notes: Alright everyone. For those of you who haven't heard, posting this story has be fraught with peril. My computer crashed and I haven't been able to get it going again. That means that everything I've written has been lost. Fortunately, it appears as though I might be able to retrieve a lot of my data, but it's going to take awhile. My Beta Reader has been email my the chapters she's edited, so I was able to find a few more chapters for this story, but I'll have to re-write the ending again. Hopefully I'll get it done by the time those chapters come up, but please bare with me if it takes a few days longer than usual to update.

On another note, this chapter is really more of a filler than anything else. Time needs to pass. I hope you all still like it and learn more about some of the characters, and the next chapter promises to be a little more exciting.

I had one review posted asking me if Serenity's hair is in the two buns. Usually I make her hairstyle match more the time period than the manga. If you wish to imagine her with that hair, go for it, but it's not how I imagined it.

Thanks all! Enjoy!

Raye was sent home, with promises of visiting soon and plenty of letters. The King gave her special permission to come whenever she wanted. The same went for Lita, Mina and even Amy who Serenity hadn't come to know very well yet but desperately wanted to.

The King had dinner with her every night, and he proved to be a kind, gentle man. Within a couple of days, she decided that she really liked him. He made it very clear he wasn't interested in her as anything other than his ward, so they were able to settle into a comfortable sort of friendship.

She found him strangely odd actually. He spent so much time just meeting people and listening to what was going on in his kingdom. From all the books she had read about kings, she assumed they cared mostly about wealth and prosperity. He wasn't like that at all. He cared more about happiness and health than anything else, and he often put time into matters concerning his people that most kings would consider beneath their notice.

"I'm sorry I didn't warn you," he said to her when they were alone, smiling his kind, brotherly smile. He made her feel so comfortable when they were alone. He liked to send the servants away and just pretend he was a normal, everyday person.

Serenity smiled. "I had no idea you would even consider it. I am not someone who deserves this."

"Serenity, I can see why Endymion is so struck by you. You have such purity around you. I can see in your eyes what you want, and there's nothing selfish or dark about it at all. You just want the chance to make your own choices, and I wouldn't be surprised if you spent the rest of your life helping those less fortunate."

Serenity blushed at the compliment. "You make me sound like a saint."

"You have all the resources anyone could ever want at your disposal now. As my ward, you are both my daughter and my sister. I cannot title you with princess, but you are a lady of this court, and you can have whoever you want."

"Are you trying to bait me into confessing I might choose other than Endymion?"

The King laughed. "I find it hard to believe that someone such as you might find him desirable. Certainly he's handsome, and I'm sure he pleasured you thoroughly." Her blushed deepened and the King laughed. "But he is still Endymion."

She knew what he meant. This was not the first time he had brought this up with her. He was concerned that she was not properly interpreting what her heart wanted. If it were only an infatuation, it could turn out badly.

But his faith in Endymion seemed to be unyielding enough.

"I may not have met many people in this world," Serenity said. "But I am sure I might never meet someone whose heart is truly as good as his. He helped me when he didn't have too, and he went so far in providing me with safety. He has never treated me with anything other than respect."

"But he has treated many others with no respect at all."

Serenity nodded. "Past indiscretions are terrible indeed if you don't learn and repent. I believe that he's sorry for the pain he's caused. I understand that he wishes they hadn't happened for selfish reasons, but even selfish reasons are not to be cast aside. They do not change the fact that he truly wishes his actions gone."

The King leaned back, more relaxed when it was just the two of them.

"Well, we'll see if he's up to the task in front of him."

"I have no doubt he is," she said smiling. "I have every faith in him."

"I hope your faith is justified. If he can indeed change his reputation, then I forgive the man he was and what he did to ruin our friendship. If not, then I have taken from him the one thing he truly desires, and so we are even."

Serenity looked at the King confused. "Excuse me?"

The King just shrugged. "Like I said, we will see."

"So if he fails, I will stay here forever?"

"Of course not," the King said. "I am not a cruel man. If Endymion succeeds, you will be allowed to marry him. If not, as your guardian, I will find the most suitable person for you. Have no fear Serenity, I would never allow you to be sent back to your stepfather."

She didn't like the idea that the King might be trying to get back at Endymion by using her, but if she truly believed Endymion would achieve success, then it shouldn't matter.

The problem came with what he might achieve. She believed he would truly try, but that didn't mean it would work.

She looked at the King. He looked older than Endymion by a few years, but she assumed that was because of the stress of his position. He was a handsome man, but his eyes mainly looked tired.

"Why have you never married?" She asked boldly.

His smile was kind. He was not offended. "Because my dear, the woman I love does not know I love her, and I am too much of a coward to tell her."

Serenity was surprised at that. "Why? You're the King! I can't believe she would refuse you."

"And in that lies the problem," he said. "I don't want her to love me because I am the King. I want her to love me because thinking of me makes her smile, as it does for me when I think of her."

"Will you tell me who she is?"

"No," the King said. "One day I will marry, and then I will see if she and I are destined to be together, or if I must make a decision based on my position."

"I am sorry for your title," she said. "I believe that you are a great king, but as a friend I wish you rid of it."

He laughed at that. "And as a friend I wish you happiness with Endymion."

"What did happen between you two?" She asked. "Endymion eluded to it, but he never really spoke about it. And Raye told me it was none of my business."

The King looked down, a little hesitant. "I would not wish to color your opinion of him."

"He's slept with half the women in the kingdom. If that didn't scare me away, then I'm sure whatever you say now will not."

"It was not really his fault," The King said. "He did not know I was how strong my feelings were for the lady in question."

She looked at him confused. "What do you mean?"

The King held a wine glass in his hand, swirling the dark liquid around in a circle as he remembered the past event. His smiled, a little sadly. "I have told you of the woman I love now, but not of the one I thought I loved then. She was the daughter to a friend of my father's. I thought myself infatuated. I told Endymion, and he teased me about it."

Serenity already knew where this story was going, but she couldn't bring herself to interrupt him. She swallowed, regretting her wish to know what had happened.

"It is not as bad as you think," the King said. "We were young men, I already knew that Endymion was turning out like his father. It pained me to watch, and I tried to guide him in another direction, but the man was determined to mold his son in his own image. I attribute it to luck that Endymion is not as cruel as that man was. Nevertheless, after I told him of my attachment to the girl in question, it did not occur to me to worry. I caught him kissing her when I went excitedly to tell him that my father had decided to crown me king. It was the end of our friendship.

He tried to apologize, but I wouldn't listen. I told him he was doomed to be a copy of his father, and until he could prove me otherwise, I had no interest in seeing him again. I informed the lady's family of what I had seen, and Endymions reputation started. After that, he could not escape it. His father was so proud, and I knew Endymion was filled with anguish at the idea. But he sank into the life, accepting his fate. In a lot of ways, his final decision to walk in his father's footsteps came from my decision to make what he did known."

Serenity looked at the King, watching him speak. He looked like he regretted that decision so much. She could see pain behind his eyes.

"You blame yourself for his actions?" She asked surprised.

He sighed. "Perhaps, if I had acted differently, he wouldn't have started."

She wasn't sure what to say to him. The idea that the man who ruled the kingdom still felt guilt for possibly starting the downward spiral of an old friend seemed strange. Surely he had so many other things to worry about he could hardly remember it. But the look on his face made it clear that he blamed himself, and regretted it deeply.

"It's not to late," Serenity said softly.

The King looked at her again.

"He's not even on old man yet, and he's decided to change his life around. Even if you're right, and the reason he started this whole thing was because he was betrayed by you, there's no reason you both should be doomed to live it."

"If you had never come into our lives, I would wager he would still be spreading scandal throughout the city, and I would still consider it partly my fault."

"I disagree," she said. "I have faith in Endymion, and I have faith in you. You both would have found a way to turn things around without me. Just because I happened to be involved, doesn't mean I'm the only one who could ever be involved."

The King smiled. "You sound very sure of your opinion."

"I have never been more confident in anything I've said," she said seriously. "There's no point in arguing, I know I'm right."

He laughed then, sounding happier again. "I suppose it won't matter, if he succeeds in meeting my approval for your hand."

"And he will," she said. "I know he will."

With the threat of her stepfather finally gone, Serenity found herself more relaxed than she had ever been before. Raye came to stay for a week every month, with Mina and Lita, and together they searched the palace, learning all its secrets and getting into all sorts of mischief. Even Amy came a few times, and happily spent her time in the library.

Life, for the most part, was relatively perfect.

The King gave Serenity everything she needed to find her own way in life. She had every door open to her, and she did not waste it. She learned everything there was to learn about the kingdom and what needed to be done to help. She joined with the King to start charities and feed the hungry. It was nice, feeling useful for once. She was able to help the man who had finally saved her life to deal with the issues he was too busy to deal with.

And in the King, she found a funny sort of companion. He was kind and gentle, but powerful and headstrong. He seemed to consider everything at once while also following his heart. He made time for her in the evenings, but let her experience life during the day.

She attended balls and parties and met with foreign dignitaries and officials. She attended meetings and assemblies and was also welcome in the highest circles. She become a frequent visitor of criminal hearings, making sure every side of the story was heard before someone was sent to the wastelands of the city.

Every day was perfect, except for Endymion's lack of presence.

Raye smuggled letters in to her, and updated her on how well he was doing. He had started making amends to some of the families he had hurt, and making sure no children were born from his indiscretions. So far, he'd been lucky. It seemed his task was an impossible one. How to you apologize to a family you've wronged? How could he make up for some of his actions.

One of his letters, given to her by Raye, told her something of what he was doing.

My Serenity,

I have spent this evening with a family I had never thought to know. It seems the only reason they are to give me a chance is because they were moved by your strength in the criminal proceedings and wish for you to find happiness, even if it is with me. I find it humorous that you are the reason I wish to right my wrongs, and yet without you I would never be able to achieve it. I am happy to report that some of the ladies I was worried about have already moved on in life and married respectable young men. It seems there are many lords around who do not consider a night with me reason to overlook any woman of rank. I did not realize my scandal was becoming so common place. For those who are not yet healed, I have been helping their families in any way I can.

My task is fraught with hardship, and there are certain paths that are simply cut off to me, but I am succeeding. Do not lose your faith in me, my Serenity. I will return to you.

Endymion

She longed to see him every moment of every day. At night she thought of him, and in the morning she hoped to see him. His absense marred her otherwise perfect new live. But time went by, and she only ever got his letters.

He had told her that he would wait for her, but she had no idea how long he really would. He believed that he wouldn't fall back into his old lifestyle, but one day he might see his challenge as fruitless and stop trying. She had to believe that he would never give up on her, for she never once gave up on him.

Rumors of his continued achievements circulated to her, and she was heartened by the general opinion of him going up. At first, everyone had seemed skeptical that he could change, but slowly, people started to accept it. He started putting his efforts into helping the kingdom, and even went as far back as finding out whom his father had hurt. The talk around the court when from uncertainty and anger, to a murmur of wonder that such a man should be abel to turn himself around so fully. The hard gazes turned into wonder, and his name was no longer followed by an immediate snear.

"I do hope you find your knight in Endymion," a lady of the court said to her, smiling softly. The beautiful woman seemed genuinely happy in her comment, and Serenity smiled back at her.

"Are you aquainted with him?"

The lady blushed, and Serenity knew she was someone he had been with. "I do not wish to..."

Serenity waved her hand. "I am not bothered by what he's done, only what he is doing. Do not be embarassed about your time with him. I hope he was not cruel to you."

"Far from it," she said, sitting down with her. "Lord Endymion was nothing more than kind. It is true he took advanatage of me, but it was I who chose to give him that advantage. I am not angry with him."

Serenity nodded, feeling relieved for that.

The woman was not the only person who had approached her. She was often wished well and told that they did not think badly of Endymion any longer. It all heartened her, and renewed her faith in him. He was succeeding.

There were however one or two rumors that were not pleasing to hear.

"Lady Anne has told her father to refuse to see him at all," a woman said one night at a ball. Serenity was standing with some of the kings friends, waiting to join in the dancing.

"One family should not matter," a lord said, looking at Serenity. "They can not all be forgiving."

Serenity remember Anne. She had been the only woman Endymion had been with since he had saved her from her stepfather. She pretty girl had been apparently one of his most pleasing conquests. She also held the position of one of the only women he had gone to more than once. Serenity could imagine the young lady angry and unwilling to assist in this matter. It made her nervous, to think what the king might consider success. Was it just the general opinion that needed to be saved, or every single family he had hurt?

Serenity knew that the King had dinner with Endymion every so often, but she was never invited. The King always said that a lady should not be forced into the presence of a man such as Endymion. He was both protecting her as his ward, and making sure Endymion wasn't going to slip up.

Months passed in agony, and Serenity, although sublimely happy, longed to see him again. She was walking in the cherry blossom courtyard below her windows, idly holding a book she had started to read, when a servant came up to her.

"There is a guest waiting in your sitting room."

It was time for Raye's visit, so Serenity didn't think anything of it. Her friend usually told her when she would arrive, but perhaps this time she had arrived early and didn't have time to write.

But when she walked into her sitting room, she froze.

The King smiled at her, nodding his head. "I think Endymion has done well enough for a short visit."

Serenity couldn't take her eyes off him. It was like she had forgotten what he looked like, and the sight was more beautiful than she could ever imagine. It was exactly the same. His blue eyes gazed at her amused and his black hair hung boyishly over them. He grinned at her shocked look.

He opened his mouth to say something, probably in a teasing tone, but didn't have the chance as Serenity launched herself into his arms, kissing him almost desperately.

The King laughed. "I'll leave you two alone for now, but Endymion, you know our deal."

Endymion didn't really answer him, consumed by her. They wouldn't let each other go.

Serenity was so filled with emotion she was near tears. Her whole body seemed to tremble, wrapped in his strong embrace. She kissed him with all the passion she had kept pent up over the last several months, eager to see him and show him how much she loved him.

When he finally pulled away, he was smiling his beautiful smile.

"I've missed you, too," he said, teasingly.

Serenity playfully hit him. "Don't mock me. I didn't expect to see you."

"Then remind me to surprise you more often."

"I wish you would."

He held her close to him, gently caressing her back. "You are even more beautiful than I remembered."

She blushed slightly. "Yes well, perhaps your memory isn't what it used to be."

He laughed again, seeming so much more alive and free than he had before. "I am succeeding Serenity," he said. "It's only a matter of time before the King starts to let me see you more frequently, and then after that I will ask his permission to marry you."

Hearing him say that sent warm delight through her body.

"I don't suppose you can work faster."

"I am doing my best," he said, kissing her nose lightly. "I didn't realize you were so impatient."

She pouted. "I just want this to be over. I want to be able to see you whenever I want."

"Patience has never really been your strongest suit, has it?"

"I can be patient."

"I don't think you ever learned to be patient before. You were always fighting, always trying to achieve your next goal. You don't have to do that anymore. You're safe."

Her light mood vanished slowly, and she looked up at him with worried eyes. "Have you heard anything about my stepfather?"

"Yes," Endymion answered gently. "He was married two weeks ago."

Serenity was shocked. "Married? To who?"

"I have never met this particular girl," he said. "I know that she is hardly old enough to marry, and the family she is from is not the most wealthy. They were looking for a title, and found it. None of the other respectable noble families would go near him."

"That poor girl."

"She chose to marry him," Endymion said. "The King made sure she wasn't being forced."

Still, Serenity felt bad for her. How any woman could put up with that man was beyond her, but she supposed her mother had once found some sort of happiness with him. Perhaps he wasn't as bad once you were actually married to him.

"Don't worry," Endymion said. "At least now we know that he's moved on, and he can't come after you anymore."

Somehow, she didn't quite believe that, but she didn't say anything.

"How much longer until you're allowed to announce our engagement?" she asked.

"That would imply you've accepted me."

"Well of course I want to marry you," she said as if it were a stupid thing to doubt. "There are plenty of other noble men around here. If I simply wanted a husband I could have found one."

"That's comforting," Endymion said.

"I want to be with you," she said, ignoring his sarcasm. "Nobody else will ever satisfy me."

That made him grin. "So you admit that you were satisfied by me."

She immediately went red. "That's not what I meant."

But he could not be deterred. "It is nothing to be ashamed of," he teased. "You already know that I could never be pleased by another woman. Not after you."

Despite the crude meaning, Serenity was delighted at his words. She colored at the compliment and turned away, but she could not fight away her smile.

"Soon," Endymion said. "The King has said that I'm almost there."

"Will you be allowed to visit me more often?"

"I hope as much."

He kissed her again, this time gently and lovingly. It made pleasure ripple through her. He laughed into the kiss when she tried to deepen it.

"You're worse than I am."

"I'm okay with that," Serenity said, kissing him again, this time with everything she felt for him.

End of Chapter Fourteen!

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