Hey everyone, I am so sorry for the wait but I've been having some very bad writing cramps, anyway hope you enjoy the chapter, daisyboo xx

Special thanks to Kiweee for your continued support throughout this fic and hope you enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own sailor moon or any of the characters, only the ones created by my own imagination.

Enjoy peeps, chapter 17.

Chapter Seventeen

Serena gasped as she felt someone suddenly grasp her waist and place a firm hand across her mouth as to stop her from screaming. She was in shock because it happened so suddenly and then she became afraid for her life. She desperately wanted to scream for help but as she moved her mouth to let some sound escape, her captor's hand squeezed tighter across her mouth. She wanted to cry and tears threatened to escape from her glistening eyes but she would not let them succeed. However, she heard her captor speak for the first time then and she thought that the voice sounded familiar but she ignored that thought. Instead, she concentrated on what the voice was saying as she was intent on saving her life and then she listened to the first instruction that the voice commanded.

"Do as I say and you won't get hurt," the voice commanded as Serena shook with the fear that was slowly consuming her.

The scariness of the situation frightened her as she thought of the last time someone had tried to capture her and she had lost her beloved brother because of it. So, she listened to the voice and did as it commanded.

"Come with me, princess, and be quiet," the voice commanded and Serena started working as she felt the strong arms of her captor start pushing her forward.

Serena started doing as the voice commanded and started walking in the direction in which his hands had pushed her. She walked slowly and rather clumsily because her captor had a strong grasp on her waist as the other hand was placed securely over her mouth. Together, Serena and her captor slowly made progress to wherever he wanted to take her and Serena suddenly realised that her captor pulled her closer to his body as they walked. She could feel his body pressed against hers cautiously and she could feel his warmth begin to envelope her. However, the tears from before, threatened to fall again and this time they succeeded. The tears began falling frequently and then she choked back a sob. Serena's captor heard her sob and to ease her emotional pain slightly, he lessened the pressure his grasp held onto her body. Serena felt his grip loosen slightly and she was relieved momentarily. However, her captor's other hand still remained across her mouth and they were still walking clumsily to wherever Serena's captor wanted to go as they walked along the length of the extensive marble balcony frequently pausing so no-one would see them, which Serena secretly wished for but they eventually left the realms of society far behind.

However, the vast sparkling ocean that was beside Serena and her captor, radiated comfort to its young frightened princess and Serena felt the warmth with gratitude. Her eyes then glanced at the beautiful floating orb that stood proudly above the comforting ocean and more tears threatened to brim her eyes. She wanted to escape the clutches of this man and what he might do to her. She wanted to be with Diamond, held within his protective embrace as he whispered sweet declarations to her. She wanted to kiss him and just be with him but instead she was with this man who wanted to do god knows what. She thought about what he could do to her and she suddenly was afraid that he would hurt her. However, Serena began struggling against her captor's strong grasp then and she was putting up a good effort. She wriggled and struggled immensely until his grip became free and Serena suddenly bolted. She ran as her life depended on it and she quite fast but her captor was faster. Serena rounded a corner in the balcony but she came across an obstacle and that was the barrier that protected the balcony reached the opposite wall. The barrier that was supposed to prevent people from falling into the freezing waters of the ocean was now preventing Serena from escaping from the man that was expertly pursuing her. Serena thought for a split second and then striped herself of the top heavy layer of the gown she was wearing. She threw it quickly to the side and then flung her shoes too. She looked at the man who was almost near her and fright took her again. She expertly then dived into the cold clear waters of her ocean and her whole body disappeared under the water.

"Serenity."

Serena emerged a few seconds later as she heard her captor cry her name and then she heard a splash near her as the man dived in right after her. Fright took Serena again as she heard the splash and then she began taking long quick strides in the water. She had no idea where she was going but all she knew was that she had to get away from her captor. She swam and swan as quickly as her limbs allowed and then she felt small water droplets falling onto her already sodden head. She tried to quicken her pace, as she knew the man was behind her but her limbs failed her, as they grew tired from the sprinted swim from the balcony. She endeavoured as passionately as she could but again she failed and this time she felt a strong firm grasp on her bare leg. She cried in frustration and tried to wriggle his hand away but he kept a firm grip.

"Serena," the man's voice said softly then as the familiarity of it struck her.

Serena stopped struggling then as the soft soothing voice of the man calmed her and then she relaxed her body into a vertical stationary position. She turned to look at the man who had captured her for a time and then pursued her as she escaped. However, she was stopped before she fully turned to look at the beautiful man she remembered by his arm that prevented her from moving.

"Please, Serena," the man pleaded as Serena desperately wanted to gaze at him, "it would be unwise to look upon my unmasked face. Just close your eyes please."

Serena stood there suspended by the waves of the cool water of the vast Moon ocean and then she slowly nodded her head. She closed her eyes then as the man had asked and then he allowed her to face him. As always, the man was amazed at her beauty that he had always secretly admired and he took in her loveliness for a moment. Her pale milky skin looked ethereal in the pale light of the Earth and her long golden hair that was previously held in her twin bun style was now loose and free but soaking wet. The man desperately wanted to look into Serena's captivating sparkling pale blue eyes, the ones that he loved so much but to do so would mean treason to his kingdom and heritage. Instead, he just gazed at the beautiful wet moon goddess before him and gently brushed his lips against hers. It had been sweet and heartfelt and Serena had been surprised by his bold gesture but she knew that it had been sincere.

"Hold onto me tightly, Serena," the man commanded then as Serena griped his wet shirt tightly with her fingers as her eyes remained closed.

Serena waited then desperately wanting to open her eyes and gaze at the man that was holding her protectively. She was drawn to him by his boldness and mysteriousness but she kept insisting that she loved Diamond. She heard her captor say a few whispered words, which were alien to her and then she felt a brilliant golden light surround them. She clung to her captor in fright more than anything and then she felt her body being lifted from the cold water. The levitation was gradual at first but then it quickened and in a rush of the brilliant golden light, they left the ocean waters and appeared in the exact spot in which Serena and the mysterious man had dived into the water. Serena was stunned that the man that held her within his hold consumed that much power as teleportation without the aid of the teleportation device required a lot of energy and not even Serena had mastered that skill yet. However, as he had asked, Serena's eyes remained shut and then she felt the man place a warm dry cloak around her cold drenched body. She was thankful for the cloak and then she felt the man touch her cheek softly with his fingers. She tinkled at his touch and then the man motioned for her eyes to open.

"You may open your eyes, Serena, and thank you," the man said gratefully as Serena's eyes fluttered revealing their blue exquisiteness.

"What for?" she asked with her voice sounding like sweet honey.

"For doing as I asked and I'm sorry for my earlier actions."

Serena's eyes clouded then as she looked up into the face of the masked man before her and then her face became more serious.

"Why did you do that?" she asked as the tone of her voice raised, "you really scared me and I thought something bad was going to happen."

"I said to you before, I would never let anything happen to you, Serena," the man said softly as he gently placed his arms around Serena.

Serena looked up into his disguised face and she saw behind his mask that he owned deep midnight blue eyes. They were shining with emotion and Serena was instantly drawn in. She leant forward and then placed her head on his damp chest. His hold on her tightened as she closed her eyes and his warmth surrounded her. He slowly began smoothing her damp hair then and they stayed that way for a while with him just holding her and Serena enjoyed the feeling of his arms around her.

"Mark," Serena said as she broke the intimate moment between the two of them.

"Yes, Serena."

"Why must you hide your face from me?"

Mark looked at the ground then as he tried to avoid Serena's gaze. He desperately wanted to tell her the real reason but again he would have betrayed his kingdom if he did and he could not bring shame to his household.

"It is forbidden, Serena," Mark stated simply as he gazed into her amazing blue eyes.

"What so you mean?" Serena asked confused.

"Serena, I have wished to meet with you for ages and to be standing here with you now is heavenly but if you looked upon my face then something terrible would happen to you and I do not want that to happen. But then again, if I had never revealed to you myself, then you would never have been placed in the situation that I have placed you in but I am too selfish and have wished to meet with you since the very beginnings. I am sorry, Serenity."

Mark looked down at the ground then but Serena removed her arms from the warmth of the cloak and touch his chin lightly with her fingers. She applied a little pressure then and his head tilted back to look at her.

"I am glad that you placed me in this position because I am not sorry that I met you," Serena declared as Mark just looked at her, "now, come with me."

Serena quickly grabbed Mark's hand and gathered the top layer of her gown that she had disposed of before and her shoes too as Mark quickly gathered the garments he had disposed of earlier too. Serena moved easily and quietly then through back halls and forgotten corridors until she and Mark reached her old bedchamber. She rushed in with Mark behind and then closed her door. She locked it and then looked around. She walked over to her old attendants door opened it and returned a few minutes later with a heap of towels. She handed a few to Mark and he began drying himself with them after he had thanked her. Serena smiled and she too then started to dry herself with the towels. She dried her hair expertly and then she was about to take off her damp clothing. She blushed as she looked at Mark and he smiled.

"I'll leave for the moment," he stated chuckling slightly.

"Thank you," Serena replied as Mark walked out onto the balcony.

Serena made sure that Mark was looking in the opposite direction and then she stripped herself of her damp garments. She dried herself quickly with her towels and then placed over her head a simple blue gown that was still in her wardrobe. She straightened the skirt then, done up the strings and was at last looking presentable. She walked back out onto the balcony and Mark was there gazing intently at the Earth. He did not hear Serena enter the balcony and was startled to see she was there too gazing at the Earth.

"It's beautiful, isn't it," Serena said suddenly as Mark turned to look at her.

"It is, yes," Mark agreed readily.

"I've always wondered what's it like there."

"You've never been," Mark stated shocked.

"My mother would never allow it," Serena explained sentimentally as she continued to look at it, "my fellow kinsmen have not walked on Earthian soil for years now and I wish every day that some day, I would be able to have that opportunity."

"Someday, Serena," Mark said as he looked at her, "someday, we shall go there together."

"Isn't that a little bold, Mark."

"A little, yes. But I would very like to go with you."

"And I would very much like to go with you too," Serena admitted back as she and Mark exchanged a glance.

They smiled briefly at each other and then Serena approached Mark cautiously. She touched his bare muscular chest, once she reached him and then she looked up at him. She looked into his deep blue eyes that were still concealed partly by the white mask that covered his face. Serena cautiously then raised one of her delicate hands then and slowly moved it towards the mask. Mark's breath was heavy and deep then as Serena's hand edged ever closer to his disguise and he thought about stopping her but he did not. Instead, he watched as her hand almost reached it and was afraid of the moment that was about to occur. He was afraid that when Serena looked upon his face, she would realise who he was and what might happen to her because of her curiosity and his allowance. Then it happened, Serena's hand reached their desired destination and the mask that covered Mark's face was removed. His breathing was still heavy and deep and then as he looked at Serena, expecting to see her shining glistening blue eyes looking back at him. However, instead all he saw was her beautiful face looking pale but exquisite and her eyes were firmly concealed behind her eyelids.

"Serena," Mark began but his voice was silenced by the touch of Serena's sweet finger.

"Shh," she said softly, "I want you to be comfortable around me and if this is the way, then so be it."

"Why?"

"Because I like you," Serena stated simply, "and if this will make you more comfortable, then I'll do it."

Mark stared in astonishment at the petite golden-haired girl before him who was not just breathtakingly beautiful but a princess and of a rival nation too. He looked down at her beautiful face and was amazed at how giving she was. He wanted so much to capture her lips with his but refused to allow himself to do so again. However, Mark was broken from his thoughts suddenly when the door to Serena's bedchamber opened and a number of footsteps were heard. There were whispers and Serena opened her eyes in anxiety. She thought she was going to be caught and she looked at Mark quickly. She noticed that his mask was back on his face and she was relieved a little but then she heard a familiar voice calling her name. The voice belonged to Diamond and Serena grew even more anxious then.

"Run," she whispered heatedly to Mark.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Please," Serena pleaded.

Mark looked at her as her eyes pleaded with him to cooperate and he had to admit, her eyes were extremely convincing.

"I'll hide but I won't run, okay."

Serena nodded.

"Do as you wish, but please don't get caught."

"I won't"

Serena smiled at his reassurance and then he ran and dived off the balcony. Serena gasped at his boldness and Diamond heard it from inside Serena's bedchamber. He had already noticed the numerous towels that were placed on the floor carelessly and also numerous drops of water. He was concerned and when he heard the gasp on the balcony, he moved closer to where the noise had occurred. He had two guards with him and they followed him wearily as Diamond called Serena's name again. However, Diamond was surprised to see that Serena appeared off the balcony and jumped in front of him dressed casually in a simple dress.

"Serena, what the hell do you think you are doing?" Diamond scolded as Serena looked deep into his lovely violet eyes, "and you two get out."

The two guards left Diamond and Serena to their little discussion then and closed the door quietly behind them.

"What are you on about, Diamond?" Serena asked innocently as the two guards left.

"You know what I'm on about, Serena."

Serena just looked at him oblivious as to why his rage had arrived.

"I'm on about you not telling anyone that you had left the ball."

"Right, yes I'm sorry."

"Sorry. I was so worried about you, Serena."

"Yes, but I'm okay, Diamond," Serena explained as Diamond's eyes softened, "after I had fallen in the water…"

"You fell in the water," Diamond yelled as Serena looked a little amused.

"Yes, I was being curious and I slipped but I am okay."

"You sure."

"Sure."

However, Diamond was only satisfied once he had checked Serena over himself and once he was happy, he looked at Serena meaningfully. He looked deep into her eyes and then brushed his lips passionately across hers.

"I love you, Serena," he declared once the kiss had ended.

"I love you too, but you have to stop worrying so much, darling. I am capable, don't you trust me."

"Of course," Diamond assured as he looked at his beautiful wife, "I just can't help it."

Serena smiled again as she and Diamond kissed for a second time.

"I assume your not returning to the ball."

"No sorry. I got a little wet," Serena chuckled as Diamond joined her.

"You gonna stay here for a while?" Diamond asked as Serena nodded her head.

"Yeah, if you don't mind. But I'll join you soon."

"Can't wait," Diamond admitted as he kissed Serena for a third time, "I'll be counting the seconds."

"Me too and tell mother not to worry."

Diamond chuckled as he left Serena alone in the room again and closed the door behind him as he and Serena both declared their love for the second time. Serena made sure that Diamond was completely gone then and returned to the balcony.

"Mark," she whispered as she looked for him but he was nowhere to be seen.

However, he appeared suddenly out of nowhere, startling Serena immediately and he laughed loudly as he did.

"Did I scare you?" he asked mockingly.

Serena swatted him on the arm as Mark continued to laugh.

"Anyway," Serena said as she broke their happy moment, "I'm sorry but I think you should leave now."

"Really, why? Don't you want to talk to me?" he asked, as he looked severely downhearted.

"Of course, I do but I got a big day tomorrow and I really need to sleep."

"Can I see you again, then?"

"I'd like that," Serena admitted as she looked at Mark meaningfully.

Mark smiled then and he picked up one of Serena's free hands. He kissed it softly with his lips and Serena tingled at his touch. Their eyes captured each other's as Mark prepared himself mentally to leave and then he spoke slowly to Serena, before he left.

"Enjoy Neptune, just please be extremely careful around the royal family."

And with that Mark was gone. Serena was stunned at Mark's statement because she had never told him that she was going to Neptune and how the hell did he know?