Protector

By the time that Serena opened the door, it started raining. She gets up the stairs, well tries..

"Serena!"

She looks over to see her mother in an angry pose.

"Did you have detention again?!"

"I couldn't help it, my stomach was growling!"

"Young lady…" She was about to blow up, but regained her composure by mentally counting to 10.

"You need to go on a diet! Those sugary snacks aren't good for you, and you can't fool me, Serena, I know that what's you practically eat! From now on, it's fruits and vegetables, am I making myself clear?"

Serena wanted to protest, but today has practically beaten her spirit down to a pulp.

"Yes, mom…"

"Do you have homework?"

"Yes.."

"Then go upstairs, and do it. Don't come down until you're done, and I'm going to check it. I'm tired of you slacking.."

Serena trudged herself up the stairs, all she wanted to do is cover her head in her covers, and hope to disappear.

Algebra won't help me to save the world..I don't care what X equals..I don't care where the 8:00 train is headed…I just want this nightmare to end..

She arrives in her room, and lays on her stomach. She hugs the pillow. For all her contemplating, she neglected to see that her window was open. Her closet door silently opens to reveal a familiar face.

His throat catches. I can't believe it, she's here…My Serenity..only a few meters.. He takes a few steps praying that her floor doesn't creak.

He kneels towards her, and puts his hand on her back.

"Go away, Sammy…I've had a bad day."

Diamond's hands begins to caress up and down her back.

That's not Sammy!

"I forgive you, mom.."

Lips are felt on her neck.

Serena's eyes bulge as she feels the lips, she spins over to discover a face from her past.

She wants to scream, but can't. She holds her hands to her mouth. She gets up and heads towards the door. A hand quickly stops her.

"Shhh, it's alright..I mean you no harm, Serenity, you know that.."

She flinches when he holds her hand. She resembles a wounded animal. Her heart races as fear engulfs every part of her body.

"Diamond.." She manages to say..

"I'm honored that you remember me after all this time. You still look as radiant as ever.."

"I thought you were dead.." She says shocked.

"More like purgatory…Ever since my death, I've been watching you..All your battles, your hardships. Such courage.."

"Wait, you could see me?"

"Yes.."

"Even in my more intimate times, showering, getting undressed?"

Diamond smiles a little, "If I wanted to, I could've. But I'm a gentleman. I'd rather get surprised during our wedding night."

"You mean, you're still in love with me?"

"When have I ever been out of love with you?"

"Let me guess, you're going to take me away, right?" She says, reaching for her locket.

He knocks it out of her hands with a flick of his wrist.

"Now now, do you always greet your guests like this?" He says with a light chuckle.

"You didn't answer my question."

"Kind of hard to, when you're ready to fight me."

Serena narrows her eyes.

His smile didn't waver, "Serenity, as much as I enjoy that fire in your eyes, I didn't come to anger you, nor capture you."

Serena blinks a couple of times, and drops her defense, "You didn't?"

"Far from it. Can't a gentleman talk to the woman he loves?"

"I..I guessso.." She pulls a chair for him.

Diamond places a kiss on her hand, and takes a seat in a chair adjacent to her.

Serena sits on her bed, "So, how did you get here?"

"Somehow, I escaped from purgatory.."

"How?"

"I could see you from this huge mirror in this darkened place. When I saw that you were in such need and pain, and that I helpless to comfort you, kept bashing my head into the glass, and I was able to break out.."

She was speechless. She looked into his eyes. His eyes were lighter than their last encounter. Gone was the lust, the iciness of control, but love. The eyes were a warm blue. Safe..Just looking into them felt as if his broad arms were wrapped around her from behind, and wouldn't ever let go.

She quickly looked up at his forehead. It made her think back when his eyes could literally hypnotize. She had to make sure that she wasn't falling into one of his spells.

"Something wrong, Serenity?" He asks with concern.

She shakes her head. "So, you were by yourself? You didn't see Sapphire, Emerald, or Rubeus?"

He shakes his head, "I don't know what happened to them. After telling you that I loved you, I woke up drifting in this darkened place. At first, it was very hard to breathe, my mind was floating, and my body felt as if it weighed tons. It was almost like, I was in the heart of a black hole…but my body wasn't shredded, if that makes since to you…"

Serena was confused. Astronomy wasn't her thing. Wish Ami was here to translate..

Diamond laughs, "You don't understand, do you, dear Serenity?"

Serena blushes in embarrassment.

"Their's no need to be ashamed, my dear. In due time, I'll explain it, to where you can comprehend it. For now, I want to drink in your presence.."

"But what of my parents? What they see you?"

"Only you can see me. I still have a little power left.."

"You still have some of your dark crystal powers?"

"I don't think they're from the dark crystal. When my family and I lived on Nemesis for awhile, we started developing powers outside of the dark crystal Powers that we could harness without use of the crystal."

"Like?"

"Invisibility for once. We used it a lot when we tried to gather information from our enemies. I would've used it more if I was alive, but the dark crystal tended to warp my mind, and I forgot a lot of those strengths. I also can withstand pain unlike normal humans."

"I'm glad though, that you forgot those strengths when you were corrupted.."

"I am too..As much as I desired you then, I didn't want to take you unwillingly. I would've, if their was no other way, but know that I wanted more than anything, for you to love me…I want that now..:"

"Diamond….I…I'm not ready for another relationship yet.."

"I understand. I know about what he did to you…I assure you, Serenity, I'm a changed man. I'll be with you always, standing by your side. I'll be your white knight, Serenity. I'll be your angel.."

Her lips softly quiver.

His fingers reach to touch her lips, "Shhh, be still.." He says nearly a whisper.

"I feel like I have no control over my life anymore.."

"It's fortunate I came.."

"Yes.."

"Let me help you to pick up the shards of your life. Let me help you put them back together.."

"Yes…"