Disclaimer: I do not own Sailormoon or its characters.

Disclaimer 2: I do own the story idea and any fictional characters of my own design.

Selene shook her head, knowing that what Rhea had just spoken was not true. Her mother and father have been long since dead. There is no possible way that her mother could be alive. Didn't she watch them die before her very eyes? "That was a good ploy on your part, Rhea, but it won't work on me. I already know the truth."

"You don't know the whole story, Selene. You just know the parts that you have seen for yourself." Rhea replied, taking a few steps closer to Selene. She felt that the words she needed to tell are better spoken directly to her.

"No," Selene whispered, shaking her head faster. "I won't listen to anymore of your lies. You never believed me when I came asking you for help."

Rhea lowered her head and raised it a few seconds later with her eyes showing the sadness she felt in hearing Selene's words. "I am truly sorry for my actions at that time, Selene, but I did have a good reason."

"What reason is that?" Selene demanded getting angrier with every word Rhea speaks. "It's technically your fault for what happened to me after that. If you hadn't pushed me away, I might have been spared."

Rhea grew concerned for Selene. She should have gotten over her anger years ago, but the memories that resurfaced probably reinforced her emotions. "I couldn't have predicted what would happen next. If I did, I would have tried to prevent it. You must believe me, Selene."

Selene snorted. "Why should I believe you, Rhea?"

"At least let me tell you the truth." Rhea pleaded with her. "If you don't believe me after I tell you, I will leave."

Selene nodded in consent. She really did want to hear the reason why Rhea disbelieved her all those years ago. Maybe she could find closure and put it all behind her. "All right, I will give you a chance to redeem yourself."

Rhea was pleased by Selene's words. It gave her hope that Selene might forgive her. She knew that she should have told Selene the truth years ago. Then she wouldn't hate her as much as she does now. "Your mother, Theia, and I grew up together and considered ourselves best friends. There wasn't a single thing that we did not tell one another."

"It really hurt you mother when she found out that your father helped his brothers in attempting to murder your grandfather, Uranus. For some reason, he got out of punishment for the wicked deed. Zeus imprisoned everyone else for their involvement. We believed that Zeus spared him for your sake. Even as children you and Zeus were close to one another."

Rhea clasped her hands together in front of her and continued on with her story. "The time that Astraios started to come around your family, your mother knew that he was a bad seed. She tried to warn your father of his true nature, but he wouldn't listen to her reasoning. She knew then that her family would be torn apart."

"Astraios began to show you attention and started to lust after you. She was relived when you turned him down and informed him that you wanted nothing to do with him." Rhea paused for a moment, making sure that Selene was listening to every word. "She was disappointed in your sister, though. She hoped that Eos was smart enough to throw off his advances and that he was only using her. But later, your sister was married to him and your mother lost all respect for her."

"Your mother knew that it was only a matter of time before Astraios would get rid of her and your father. She knew she had to prevent it and she came to me, seeking my advice on the matter. I told her of a new kind of magic that I had just learned about. That you could make a double of your person and no one would suspect a thing. I informed her that I had tried it a number of times and it was always successful."

Rhea didn't want to say anymore, but she knew she had to. Otherwise, she would have wasted her time in coming here, asking for help. "The plan was easily formulated. She would make the doubles and they would hide, until we could prove Astraios' evil intent. But when your mother arrived back home, it was too late. Astraios had already murdered your father."

"She knew that her time was up and she quickly make a double of herself. She left quickly, so she wouldn't be discovered, and returned to my palace. We agreed that she would be safer somewhere else, because we knew he would come looking for her soon. We asked Hades if she could stay in the Underworld until it was safe and he agreed."

This time Rhea stared at Selene. "I pretended not to believe you, Selene, because I was trying to protect you and your mother. I was given the task of collecting evidence against Astraios when you approached me. I couldn't say anything in fear that Astraios would learn of it and hide his tracks."

Selene couldn't help but stare at Rhea in disbelief. "If you wanted to protect me, then why did you send me back to that monster? Do you even know what he did to me?"

Rhea shook her head. "Zeus wouldn't tell me when I asked him about it. He said that it was none of my business."

The memories came flooding back to her for a second time. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself for protection. "He and my sister raped me. Eos didn't actually do the deed, but she held me down and laughed while her husband did it. I had tired so hard to forget my sister's involvement and for a while, I did. After seeing him in the Underworld after so long, my memories came back, that I had tried to forget. Do you know what I felt, Rhea?"

"No," Rhea whispered, saddened by Selene's ordeal. "Please tell me."

Selene didn't bother to wipe away the tears that flowed freely down her face. She looked up at Rhea with sadness and hurt in her cornflower blue eyes. "I felt betrayed. How would you feel after learning that your sister helped in your rape? How would you feel if she watched as her husband forced me to perform sexual acts upon him?"

"Oh, my goodness," Rhea spoke, with tears running down her face also. She moved in closer to Selene and hugged her. "I never knew. I am so sorry. I should have been there for you."

Selene let the tears flow and cried in Rhea's arms. It had been so long since someone had tried to comfort her like this. "It's all right, Rhea. The important thing is that you are here for me now."

Selene was the first one to pull back. She knew that they wouldn't have much time left before someone would come and look for her. "I do believe you, Rhea, and I forgive you. I know how hard it must have been for you to keep that inside of you."

Rhea smiled at Selene through her tears. "You truly are a kind goddess, Selene."

"Now, it's time to get down to business," Selene calmly told Rhea, after wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Tell me why you believe that Zeus would listen to me about the Titans. He has never listened to me before about matters like that."

"You two are childhood friends. Of course, he will listen to you." Rhea insisted.

Selene turned her head to the side and looked down. "I doubt he would listen to me. He must be angry at me."

"Why is that?" Rhea asked her.

Selene raised her head and glanced about the garden. She then leaned down until she was level with Rhea's ears. "I have been involved with a plot to try and stop the Titans from being released," She quietly whispered into Rhea's ears, fearing that someone would over hear her. "We discovered that Helios is the god behind the plot this and that he plans on over throwing Zeus."

Rhea gasped and Selene continued. "I believed that in order to find out more about the plans, I pretended to turn against Zeus and stay here with Helios. It was the only way we could learn ahead of time and set up measures to prevent anything from happening. Hades informed Zeus of this and I know that he is quite upset with me. He doesn't like me doing anything dangerous that could harm me."

"Why would he?" Rhea asked confused.

Selene didn't want to tell Rhea, but she had the right to know. "Zeus and I were lovers, until he married Hera. I told him that we were through, but he insists that we continue like before."

Rhea was shocked. "Well," she stated. "That is unexpected. I never thought you and Zeus would become lovers."

"There's more."

Rhea's eyes grew wider. "There is?"

Selene nodded. "I am also pregnant with his child." She quietly informed Rhea. "But it looks like I am not the only one. Hera is expecting his child also."

Rhea grew angry with this bit of news. Why can't her son learn to keep it in his pants? "This doesn't make much sense to me. Why would he marry Hera, when he knew you were pregnant with his child also?"

"He wanted what was best for Mount Olympus."

Rhea noted the sadness in Selene's voice. "Then my son is a fool." Rhea told her, deciding that she would take Selene's side. She owed her that much. "Hera will sleep with anyone to get what she wants. I am surprised that he did not know of this."

Selene was surprised. She never figured that Hera was like that. Of course, Hera is a bitch and lies to get her way, but sleeping with other gods? "Then that would mean…"

"The child in her womb might not be Zeus'." Rhea finished for her.

They couldn't talk any further for Helios was heard in the distance calling out Selene's name. It seems that he finished early. "Hurry," Selene whispered to her quietly. "You must leave before he sees you."

Rhea nodded. "Will you consider it?"

Selene nodded. "I will try, but I'm not promising anything." She heard Helios voice getting closer. "You must go."

Rhea disappeared in a bright light as soon as Helios stepped through the bushes. "There you are, Selene. So, this is where you have been? Didn't you hear me calling you?"

"No, I'm sorry." Selene replied, hoping that he didn't suspect anything. "I was lost in admiring the roses. They are beautiful." Helios plucked one and handed the white rose to her, which Selene accepted gratefully. Well pretended too, anyway.

He glanced about the garden. "Did I hear you speak to someone just now? I thought I heard another's voice."

"Don't be silly, Helios. That was me talking to myself."

Helios knew that she must be speaking the truth. No one was allowed on the Sun without his permission. "Come let's go back inside the palace. It's not good for you to be out here alone."

They headed back with Selene walking next to Helios' side. She wished that Thanatos learned something from following Helios. She is beginning to hate it here. She can't stand being nice to Helios, when she knows he is a traitor.

To be continued…