Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, I just like messing with them 

Chapter 16 – Unhappily Ever After

Neo Queen Serenity heard a commotion in the throne room, and brightened when it clicked in her head that the inner senshi, Hotaru and Rini were home. She turned to address her guest who had arrived a few moments earlier.

"Well Helios, you are just in time, Rini is back," Serenity said to her future son-in-law and Helios grinned widely, delighted by the news.

"Shall we go meet her? It has been so long since last we saw each other," he requested eagerly offering her his arm and Serenity giggled lightly taking his arm and the two strolled to the throne room.

Just as they reached the door, it slammed open in their faces and Rei barged through, throwing a glare Serenity's way.

"Rei…" Serenity said bewildered by her friend's behavior and Rei waved a hand in Serenity's face cutting of her speech.

"Do not speak to me, I am so angry at you right now," Rei growled roughly, not looking at her and Serenity couldn't understand why.

"Angry at me, why?" Serenity asked in disbelief and Rei turned sad violet eyes to her, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Why did you have to mess with my life Usagi? Why did you have to make me remember? I didn't want to," Rei whispered sadly and Serenity frowned in distress, not knowing why her friend was so upset.

"I thought it was the right thing to do," Serenity defended herself and tears of self pity began flowing from Rei's eyes.

"No you didn't, you just didn't think, how could he love me now, after everything that I did?" Rei spun on her heel and ran off in the direction of her room, passed startled servants who looked at each other in shock.

Minako left the throne room after Rei, and she couldn't look Serenity in the eyes.

"Minako, are you angry too?" Serenity asked softly, almost afraid to know and Minako breathed deeply, pursing her lips.

"You shouldn't have done this without our permission Usagi," Minako scolded her tightly before she turned and wandered off in the same direction as Rei.

Serenity stared after them both her heart breaking. Endymion had warned her but she didn't believe it, she couldn't believe that they didn't want to meet their destined others. Serenity thought that uniting them was the right thing to do by her senshi, but Serenity was starting to get a cold feeling in her stomach as she started to realize she may have indeed been wrong to do what she did.

"They will calm down soon enough, as will I," Makoto whispered from behind her and she was gone before Serenity could even turn and look at her. In her place was Ami.

"Ami, I did the wrong thing didn't I?" Serenity said resignedly and Ami gave a weak smile, feeling sorry for the Queen.

"I know it didn't seem wrong to you Usagi but this has shocked us all very deeply, it was not something we were expecting, and not something we wanted," Ami said softly and Serenity nodded accepting this now.

"I'm sorry," Serenity apologized to her and Ami smiled and moved aside as Heero came at the sound of Serenity's crying.

"Don't cry Sere," Heero said softly and Serenity looked up to see light blue eyes staring down at her so warmly.

"Heero!" Serenity cried out happily throwing her arms around his neck and Heero stiffened uncomfortably. In this life not many people had dared hug him. When Serenity didn't relinquish her hug, Heero shrugged her off him and although hurt by his coldness Serenity smiled at him brightly.

"Usagi, are they back?" Endymion called to her as he ran up to greet the newcomers but he stopped in his tracks upon seeing Heero.

Last night Endymion had dreamt of the Silver Millennium, and his feelings towards Heero at this moment in time were not so favorable.

"We have all returned including Jedite," Heero said coldly and Endymion's face became one of shock as a certain blonde haired general stepped out of the throne room.

"Jed!"

"Endy!"

The two friends greeted each other with manly hugs and laughter, so happy they were to see each other again.

"We have much to catch up on, Serenity do you mind if I leave you with the guests?" Endymion asked his wife excitedly and Serenity kissed her husband on the cheek.

"Of course not," she replied and Endymion kissed her on the forehead before he and Jedite headed in the direction of the study.

Helios entered the throne room first and was nearly flung backwards when Rini ran and threw herself into his waiting arms.

"Helios! I've missed you so much," Rini squealed excitedly and Helios hugged her back just as tightly.

"I have missed you also," he replied softly placing his lips on hers and Rini accepted the kiss hungrily.

"Come on, I have heaps to tell you," Rini said pulling away as she grabbed his hand and bounded off, with Helios in tow.

Serenity wandered into the throne room and saw her friends from the Silver Millennium, men she had not seen in quite a millennia. Wufei, was glaring angrily at Duo, Trowa standing in a corner by himself, and Quatre standing side by side with Hotaru as they held hands smiling at each other. Heero had followed Serenity inside and went to stand with Trowa.

"Hotaru are you at least happy I sent you to them?" Serenity asked hesitantly and Hotaru looked up at Quatre and nodded.

"I am very happy," Hotaru confirmed and Serenity smiled that at least her plan had worked out for one of the senshi.

"I'm afraid the others will hate me forever," Serenity said sadly and Hotaru shook her head, not believing that for an instant.

"Serenity you know that they couldn't, its not in their nature," Quatre spoke what Hotaru had been about to say and Serenity smiled at him thankfully.

"Dear Quatre you always were so sweet," Serenity told him, and Quatre blushed bright red, much to Serenity and Hotaru's amusement.

"Didn't you think I was sweet too?" Duo asked cheekily fluttering his eyes lashes at her and Serenity burst out into laughter.

"Oh yes, of course Duo," Serenity managed to say through her laughter and Duo became serious for a moment.

"Serena, I mean Serenity, if it makes you feel any better, I am glad you sent Ami back to me, and I know what I have to do to win her back, I have to fight for her," Duo said surely and the others stared at him in shock, never having seen him so serious about a girl.

"Good luck Duo," Serenity said meaning every word and Duo nodded accepting her luck.

"Thanks, now who do I talk to about organizing a romantic meal for two?" Duo enquired and Hotaru decided she would be the one to help. She wanted Ami to know the happiness that she now knew with Quatre.

"I'll take you down to the kitchen, the chef is a fantastic cook, come on Quatre," Hotaru said leading the way, pulling Quatre along behind her, and Duo followed her eagerly, leaving Serenity alone with Heero, Trowa and Wufei.

"Well what do you three plan to do?" Serenity asked, hoping they would be like Duo and want to be with their past loves.

"About what?" Trowa asked, not sure what Serenity was talking about and Serenity rolled her eyes at how dense they all were.

"About your girls, Rei, Mako, Mina? What do you plan to do?" Serenity pried and the three men just stared blankly back at her.

"Hn."

"…"

"Nothing," Trowa said for the three of them and Serenity was horrified and saddened by their resolve.

"Is you fury so great you would pass up happiness to hold onto a grudge that would fester and eat away at you for the rest of your life?" Serenity asked softly, choosing her words carefully and Heero grunted with distaste.

"Not everyone falls back in love as you did with Endymion and Hotaru did with Quatre, some people are just not meant to be," Heero said harshly and Serenity frowned.

"I don't believe that," Serenity said looking pointedly at Trowa, knowing of all the three he would be the first to admit he had come for Minako.

"I came to be with my sister," Trowa said slowly his green eyes staring into Serenity's and Serenity shook her head, terribly disappointed in his reply. Serenity turned to Wufei and smiled at him gently, urging him to be the one to confess.

"I came because Duo dragged me through the portal," Wufei spat angrily and Serenity sighed deeply and turned to Heero.

"And you Heero, why did you come back if not to be with Rei?" Serenity asked curiously and Heero eyes flashed with warmth for a second.

"I came to find you," he said and Serenity smiled and nodded accepting their decisions, before gesturing for them to follow her.

At the door she paused,

"I love all of my senshi with all my heart, in the past they have made mistakes, no one can deny that, all of us have made terrible mistakes in the past, but my senshi have learned from their mistakes and are better people now than they were then, can you say the same?"

The three men remained silent. Serenity smiled sadly and led the way to their new chambers.

The next day…

Rei awoke the next day to find Minako staring down at her. Rei sat up and hugged her friend with all her might.

"You're my best friend forever," Minako whispered, and Rei smiled to herself.

"You're my best friend forever too," Rei replied and they pulled apart smiling as she said, "I'm so sorry for the way I acted yesterday, we aren't who we were."

"I know, I'm sorry for what I did, even though it was a millennia ago," Minako said sadly and Rei nodded agreeing wholeheartedly.

"Yeah, so long ago, but it still doesn't change the way I feel about him in my heart," Rei said sadly, her smile disappearing to be replaced by a frown and Minako forced a smile to her face.

"I have an idea to cheer us up."

"And that idea is?" Rei enquired curiously and Minako grinned widely.

"A picnic in the gardens, I already asked Makoto and she said she would be there," Minako revealed and Rei noticed one of them had been left out.

"What about Ami?"

"Duo invited her on a date, he goaded her and annoyed her until she had to say yes just to shut him up," Minako said laughing a little shaking her head and Rei chuckled.

"Oh poor Duo, he really is trying so hard," Rei said feeling sorry for poor Duo and Minako shook her head a little down heartened.

"I guess you can't make people fall in love with you again if its not meant to be in this time," Minako said sadly and Rei had never heard Minako sound so despondent.

"You are the senshi of love Mina, you can't just give up like that," Rei said and Minako raised an eyebrow at her.

"You have," Minako pointed out bluntly and Rei sighed deeply.

"Yeah well I'm the senshi of war, I fight, I don't love," Rei said folding her arms across her chest defiantly and Minako laughed lightly.

"That's a lie and you know it, get out of bed sleepy head its time for a picnic."

Rei approached the blanket where Makoto was busy laying out her freshly prepared food. She looked terrible, like she hadn't slept last night. As soon as she saw Rei she ran over and the two hugged each other tightly.

"I believe I owe you an apology," Rei said as she pulled away, fresh tears shining in the corners of her eyes and Makoto bowed her head.

"And I owe one to you," Makoto replied, and would have spoken further if Rei hadn't covered Makoto's mouth with her hand.

"Its over and done Mako, lets just let it go," Rei pleaded and Makoto nodded grateful.

"Agreed," Makoto replied and Minako rushed to hug them both in a crushing hug.

"Senshi together again!" she cried out delighted with their progress and Makoto and Rei could only laugh at the blonde haired young woman.

Ten minutes into the picnic, Minako was lying on Makoto's lap and Rei knelt behind Makoto playing with her hair when Jedite came upon them, a wide smile on his face.

"You three make a beautiful picture just now, a bevy of beauties," Jedite complimented them and Makoto and Minako flushed with appreciation while Rei chuckled.

"General Jedite, you are welcome to join," Rei invited him and Jedite shook his head, his face becoming serious for a moment.

"Actually, Lady Rei, I was wondering if I might have a word," Jedite asked and Rei frowned wondering what was wrong but she nodded getting to her feet.

"Of course Jedite, we can go for a walk by the lake," Rei suggested and avoiding Minako and Makoto's curious gazes Rei took the arm Jedite offered her and the two strolled towards the lake.

Heero, Wufei and Trowa were sitting down to lunch in the glass pergola that was beside the lake. Serenity and Endymion had promised to join them, but due to Serenity they were running a little late. Out of the corner of his eye Heero saw something that he didn't like. There was Rei strolling by the lake with General Jedite by her side. Wufei followed Heero's glare and chuckled when he saw what had gained Heero's attention.

"Bad luck bro," Wufei snickered and Heero chose to ignore him, turning away from the pair, but he just couldn't stop himself from watching them.

"Are you just gonna let her move on with him?" Trowa asked of Heero and Heero grunted in response, "You fought a whole damn planet to make sure she didn't end up with him."

"I don't care what she does," Heero snapped at the both of them, glaring hard at the two men trying to silence them but Wufei could see through Heero.

"Your face now betrays that statement," Wufei commented lightly and Heero clenched his fists together, advancing on the both of them threateningly.

"Shut up both of you, or I will kill you."

Rei looked up at Jedite and he seemed to have trouble forming what he had planned to say. They reached a small swing that Serenity had ordered made for Rini when she had been a little girl. The swing happened to be in full view of the pergola but Rei had no idea Heero was looking at her from inside. Rei released Jedite's arm and ran to sit on the swing, with her back facing him, knowing it would be easier for him to speak if he didn't have to see her face.

"You had something to say Jedite?" Rei asked him when she was seated, gesturing with her hand for him to push her and Jedite went to do as she asked, pushing her lightly letting her swing back and forth a few times before he mustered enough humility to speak.

"I just wanted to take this time to apologise to you for everything that I did…" Jedite began and Rei turned her head to look at him.

"Shh… there is no need for apologies, believe me, we were all very different people then, and we are all very different people now," Rei said her voice becoming dark with emotion and Jedite stopped pushing her to walk around the swing so he could stand in front of her, searching her now sad face.

"I sense you are speaking more about a certain someone?" Jedite pressed and Rei shook her head sadly as she thought of Heero.

"I'm afraid Heero will never forgive me for my foolishness," Rei said bowing her head in defeat and Jedite reached out to lift her chin so he could look her in the eyes.

"He'd be a fool not to," Jedite told her meaning every word and Rei laughed lightly blushing a little. Jedite always was a suave gentleman.

Wufei and Trowa were watching as Heero stood by the window glaring at Rei and Jedite who were talking while he pushed her on the swing. Wufei noted that Heero's hands were clenching and releasing as though he was trying to control his temper but failing miserably.

"Oh look he is pushing her on the swing, how romantic, they make such a lovely couple," Wufei mocked Heero as he came to stand beside his fellow pilot and Heero turned and grabbed Wufei around the throat with an iron grip. Wufei merely smirked and that infuriated Heero more, Heero punched him in the nose before throwing him into the nearest wall. Wufei sat up against the wall, blood running from his nose, still wearing the smirk. Trowa then walked up to Heero, his eyes on Rei and Jedite, and at that point in time, Jedite had captured Rei's chin in his hands and he was staring into her eyes.

"Wufei is right, they do make a lovely couple," Trowa mused and Heero looked back at Jedite and Rei and his glare deepened.

"Thank you Jedite, truly," Rei said getting to her feet, dusting off her dress and Jedite caught her hands and held onto them, much to Rei's confusion.

"Can I suggest one thing Lady Rei?" Jedite asked winking at her and Rei smiled a little.

"Of course," Rei accepted and Jedite winked again.

"Kiss me."

"I beg your pardon," Rei would have pulled away from him, but Jedite's grip on her hand tightened as he pulled her to him so that they were pressed against each other and Jedite could whisper in her ear.

"If I'm not mistaken that is your Heero over there in the glass pergola peering jealousy at us, and it seems to me that he is not quite as over you as he would have you believe," Jedite whispered in her ear chuckling and Rei looked out of her peripheral vision and saw Heero was indeed watching them from the pergola.

"Jedite, you are a sneaky one aren't you?" Rei complimented him seeing where he was going with the kiss and Jedite smiled winningly at her.

"I have one favour if I assist you with this," Jedite spoke before they kissed and Rei frowned and replied,

"And that is?"

"I…in the Silver Millennium, I had a crush on a Princess whom I saw from afar but never had the courage to meet, she was the Princess of Pluto, if I assist you, will you introduce me to her?" Jedite asked, blushing a little and Rei smiled at the notion that Jedite had been harboring a flame for Setsuna.

"Quite happily," Rei agreed as she leaned in and kissed him.

Heero moved before he realized as he pushed past Serenity and Endymion without a word. Serenity watched her brother storm from the room before turning to look at the remaining occupants. Trowa had a small smirk on his face while Wufei was wiping a bloody nose as he was getting to his feet, a strangely triumphant smile on his face.

"What's wrong with Heero?" Serenity asked and Wufei jerked his head towards the glass window where you could clearly see Rei and Jedite locked in a passionate kiss.

"Heero has gone to claim his wife back," Trowa said feeling slightly happier now that Heero would be the first to break. Neither wanted to be the weakest and cave first, but now that Heero had it didn't matter who caved next.

"Oh dear, poor Jedite," Serenity murmured and Endymion understood what Serenity was thinking. Heero was going to beat Jedite for touching his wife.

"I hope Jedite knows what he is doing," Endymion muttered as they watched the scene unfold as Heero ran out to Rei and Jedite, murder written on his features.

The next thing Rei knew someone was pulling her off Jedite, and the next Jedite was on the ground with a bloody nose and Heero standing above him.

"Heero! What have you done?" Rei said angrily running to go help Jedite, but Heero grabbed her as she passed him and pulled her to him possessively kissing her roughly and Rei couldn't do anything other than stand there. Not that she wanted to.

After a few moments, Heero pulled away from her and strode off, leaving her standing there with Jedite on the ground groaning in pain. Rei came to her senses and ran to Jedite's side.

"Jedite are you ok?" Rei asked concerned for him and through the blood Jedite smiled and winked at her.

"Bet that got him jealous hey?" he chuckled and Rei laughed helping him to his feet.

"I think it did," Rei chuckled and then she saw someone running towards them and her smiled widened, "no time like the present for introductions."

Jedite looked over and saw who was approaching and his eyes widened in fear.

"No Rei, you can't introduce us now, not as I am!" Jedite protested but it was too late, for Setsuna was nearly upon them.