Can you believe it? Two updates in one month! Wonders never cease around here! Thanks to the kind reviewers who are sticking with me! A couple of you haven't reviewed yet, but I, of all people, know that things get busy and I haven't lost hope that they will soon. Especially at this time of year. Perhaps a new chapter will prove to be the proper incentive! Banzai!

Meico - Well, the spelling was great, but what happened to the enthusiasm? sniff Still, who am I to deny you your hope of more?

cyndaquil-babe - Mushy? Well, I guess. I was aiming for touching ... Although the mood was kinda wrecked when my spacers disappeared. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?? Er ... Sorry; I'm glad you liked it! As per your request, it will not be re-written. ;)

Rosa Lunae - Going Latin on me, Artist-formerly-known-as-Moon Pie? It's pretty though. You liked the cliffy, eh? Thanks. I always thought that the cliffies (in many stories) are greatly over-looked works of genius. In a mad scientist kinda way! LOL! Anyway, thank you very, very much for your kind remarks. I re-read them every now and then ... just to make sure I didn't dream it and you really were talking about me! I hope I don't disappoint you!

Well, on with the show! And pray that I remember to save lots, 'cause it's storming outside!! --;

Disclaimer - What?! Again?? How many times do you need to be told? It doesn't change, you know!

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Chapter 11

Meetings

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It was done.

Serena wiped her dusty arm across her sweaty forehead, making a slightly dirty streak appear. She didn't notice. Even her friends didn't notice as they stood and surveyed all they had done. It was perfect.

Serena sighed and looked at her friends. Lita had a pale yellow kerchief on her head. She wore an old T-shirt with Mickey Mouse's face on the front and a pair of cut off jeans that ended mid-thigh. She had a straw broom in one hand and a duster in the other. She scrutinized the high ceilings, searching for any cobwebs she may have missed.

Mina wore a maroon coloured kerchief with a similar coloured T-shirt that was knotted at the waist because it was so large on her. It had a few old, white paint streaks on it here and there from a previous project. She wore forest green walking shorts. She had a rag in one hand and a bucket of now dirty water in the other as she headed for the door to dump it. She kept an eye on the walls for missed spots.

Rei's kerchief was purple and she was currently using it as a fan for face as she sat on the floor. Her hair was pulled into a knot at the back of her head. She wore a red tank top and denim shorts. Beside her rested a scrub brush and a large bucket of water. She glared at the wood floors, daring it to produce a speck of dirt.

Amy and Darien were up on a scaffold, replacing the last piece of stained glass in the round window at the top of the wall. It was going to be so beautiful when the noon sun hit it. Amy was wearing an old, faded green medical scrub shirt and a pair of black jogging sorts. Her hair was pulled back with a navy kerchief. Darien was wearing an old sweatshirt that he had cut the arms off of. The front had a faded picture of Garfield the cat. Serena wondered how he got it.

Glancing below them, she looked through the patio doorway. The French doors were open to the breeze and the late sunshine. Outside, Molly leaned over the patio's wall and watched the birds chasing each other. Beside her leaned another straw broom that she had been using to sweep the patio with. She had an apple green kerchief over her wavy, reddish brown hair. She wore a light grey tank top with a pair of pink denim shorts. Earlier she and Serena had been washing the many, many,.many windows to the old building. Serena sighed as she took off her pale blue kerchief and wiped her face with it. If she had to wash another window ... She left the thought there and walked over to Molly.

Molly glanced over her shoulder at her best friend. Serena was wearing a faded pink shirt with a bunny's face on it. Molly thought she recognised it from the Miss Kitty collection. She wore matching faded pink shorts that had daisies all over them. Noticing the smudged forehead, Molly giggled.

"Ya got a strwak of dirt on your forehead, ya know."

Serena smiled. "Oh yeah? Well, you got one going across your nose."

Molly gasped and started rubbing. "I don't! Do I really?"

Serena laughed. "I'm very glad you ran into us at the store, Moll. We all really appreciated the help. I'd probably still be scrubbing the windows if it wasn't for you." Serena sighed and closed her eyes, putting her hands on her hips. "And Raye would be right behind me demanding to know why I was taking so long and calling me a lazy meatball head."

An outraged screech was heard from inside. "I would not have, you ... you ..."

"Meatball head!" everybody chorused and they all started to laugh. Serena grinned and winked at Molly. Molly smiled. She reflected that Serena had certainly matured over the last couple of years. Something she thought she would never see. She was pulled out of her thought s when Serena poked her in the shoulder.

"Earth to Molly! Hey, Moll! You in there?"

Molly chuckled. "Sorry about that. I guess I spaced out. What were you saying?"

Serena pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. Molly looked over Serena's shoulder to see Darien waiting patiently in the doorway, a smile on his handsome face as he wiped his hands on a rag.

"Darien wanted to know if you were going to stick around long enough to help us polish the floor and he would bring you back a treat. He said he would be willing to drive you back now if you needed a ride. Amara won't be coming to pick the rest of the girls up for a while either as she has an extra long practise tonight."

"Oh! Sure! I'll stick around! Melvin is really focussed on the latest project at work and won't be home for a bit." She laughed. "Guess the honeymoon is over, hey?"

Serena glanced back to share a smile with Darien. He tossed the rag to Amy and stepped outside to put his arms around Serena, his chin resting on her head.

"Molly," he began, "if you two are happy and in love then the honeymoon never truly ends." He tapped her nose with his forefinger, then leaned down and kissed Serena's cheek. "Be back soon, Princess. I'll leave your change of clothes by the front door, 'kay?"

Serena placed her hand on his and gave a gentle squeeze. "Take your time, my love. We're gonna do some swimming to cool off while the floor dries."

He gave her shoulder a last squeeze as he smiled lovingly down at her. "Be careful in the water," he advised as he left. He waved to the girls.

"No worries," Serena called after him. "Amy won't let me drown!"

Darien smiled at the door. "I leave my wife in your hands, ladies!" He waved again and left. They heard the rumble of the car engine a few minutes later and then it faded away as he drove off.

Lita called Serena and Molly inside. "Let's get everything picked up so we can get the polishing over with and go for our swim!"

"Yeah!" Mina called cheerfully, " 'cause all our hands will make less work!"

Lita patted Mina on the head and turned to put her broom and duster by the patio door. Everybody laughed and hurried to clean up their supplies. Then together they got the last of the clean up done on the new home for the ex-Generals. Grabbing their gear they rushed down a path through the trees and came upon the small lake. Sunlight danced on the water's surface and a few wild geese swam peacefully on the far side.

Lita pointed to the left about half way up the side of the lake. A deer was drinking from the water's edge. All the girl's sighed as they drank in the beauty of it all.

Quickly, changing into their suits behind a screen of bushes, they ventured to the water's edge.

Serena looked to Amy. "What do you think, Ames?"

Amy looked the water over. "I think I'm jealous ... and I'm going to visit lots." The others laughed softly and agreed with her. The clear water had a wonderful sandy bottom and seemed almost weed-free for quite a ways in. Still being cautious, they all waded in. The water was even the right temperature. they each went in about waist deep and started to scrub the several hours of sweat and dirt off themselves. Once they all felt refreshed, Raye went back up to the shore to rest and lay in the sun. Mina started float happily on her back until Amy said something about joining Raye on shore to catch up on some reading. Serena looked at Mina, Mina looked at Lita and Lita nodded at them both. Ami only made it three steps before Serena and Mina pounced on her and dunked her under the water.

"Oh, no, you don't, book-worm!" Serena laughed as Amy came to the surface, gasping for air.

Molly just backed out of the way and laughed as Mina immediately start a water fight with Ami on one side while Lita splashed from another. Serena looked at her laughing friend.

"You think you're missing out on this? Hah!" She began to splash Molly. Molly squealed and began to splash back.

Sometime later, Raye yelled at them that they needed to come out and dry off if they wanted to change in time for Darien getting back. They rushed out of the water with muffled giggles.

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Dried off and refreshed, the girls dressed into clean clothes and headed back to the lodge. Rei gave a meaningful nod to Serena who returned it.

flashback

Serena had remembered something important after they'd returned from Elysion. She immediately called up Raye and Ami. They had been there too and they had seen.

The next day they met at the temple while Darien and Artemis had gone to the lodge to scope things out. Serena hadn't liked him going alone, so Darien had called Amara to see if she was free. Luna had wanted to go too, but darien had winked and said that she couldn't. It was a 'Guy's Thing'. She pointed out that Amara wasn't a guy. But Darien had just chuckled and giving her a pat had left with Artemis on his shoulder. From the balcony of the apartment, Luna watched Darien jump into Amara's car and they sped off.

Lita sipped her watermelon flavoured soda and glanced at girls who had been the first three Scouts to awaken. "So, what's up? You three seem a little tense, you know?"

Mina nodded in agreement. "Yeah, lighten up! Things are getting better now!"

The other three glanced at each other. Serena folded her hands on the table and took a deep breath. "Actually, we've accidentally created a slight problem. I wanted to hear your opinions before deciding what to do about it." She explained carefully the relationship between Molly and Maxfield Stanton, keeping her eyes on Lita. Lita looked a little sad by the time Serena was finished. Mina wiped a single tear from her cheek.

Lita took another sip of her drink. "And fixing her memory didn't work?"

Raye shook her head. "No. She loved him enough that she couldn't forget. Granted, we'd probably do a better job then Nephrite did. I think that deep, deep down in his heart ... he didn't want her to forget him."

Lita nodded. Serena leaned forward. "Lita? Are you okay?"

Lita smiled. "Of course, I'm okay. Molly helped Nephrite open his heart again. He just didn't realise what a good thing he had until it was too late. But he did realise it in the end and I think that's important." She glanced at the others, then back at Serena. "You tell her. You tell her he's back. She's got a right to know. And if it goes badly ... well, then we'll worry about it."

The others nodded thoughtfully. Serena smiled at her friends.

end flashback

Reaching out and grabbing Molly's arm she let the others go ahead.

"What's the matter, Serena?"

"There's something I needed to talk to you about, Molly. I wanted to do it in private though. It's important."

"What do you mean?"

"Well ..." Serena stopped. She wasn't sure how to continue.

Molly reached out and placed a hand on Serena's shoulder. "Serena, we've been friends for years, now. You can talk to me about anything and I promise to listen and to help if I can."

Serena smiled back. "Just hear me out before you say anything, then. This is going to be very ... well, shocking, I'm afraid."

Molly nodded and waited for Serena to go on.

"Molly, I know you remember Maxfield." She paused. "Nephrite."

Molly's eyes widened. "Why are you suddenly talking about him? He's been dead for a long time now, Serena."

"That's just it, Molly. He's not dead. He's been brought back."

Molly paled. Nephrite? Back? No. She shook her head. "Serena, Nephrite died in my arms. Sailor Moon and two Scouts were there. They even tried to help save him. He can't be alive."

"I know this is hard, Molly. But he is alive. He was healed and brought back."

"Why are you telling me this?" Tears were streaming down Molly's face and Serena's heart ached for her.

"Because you loved him, Molly. You managed to do many things because of that love. You refused to let Sailor Moon hurt him. You refused to forget him even when he tried to erase your memory. You helped to turn him to the side of good before he died. I'm not sure if he remembers you or not, but I wanted to give you the choice of whether you wanted to be friends with him or not. You had the right to know and to decide." Serena reached up and wiped away a tear from Molly's cheek. "You're my best friend. I didn't want a decision like this made for you."

Molly took a step back. Serena was saddened to see disbelief in her face as she frowned and slowly shook her head.

"Molly," Serena began gently.

"How do you know all this?!" Molly whispered fiercely. You're telling me things that I know I never told you! How do you know these things? Who told you Nephrite was back? How do you know it wasn't just somebody who looked like him."

Serena was taken aback by the anger. 'She's in shock. Anger is a natural reaction.' But she was still hurt by it. She had to deal with the anger. "I ... I can't tell you how I know all those things, Molly. You'll just have to trust me."

Molly stood there, trembling. "I can't believe. I can't." She slowly backed up. Serena caught her arm.

"Molly you promised to hear me out." She took both Molly's hands into her own. she sighed. "Maybe I've said this all wrong. I didn't want to hurt you, although I knew it was a possibility. I just wanted you to know that somebody you loved was back and doing well. I wanted to give you the option of seeing him again."

Molly stared silently at Serena. She turned her head and stared out over the lake. Serena let her think for a few moments while she sat down on the grass and watched the light on the water. A little while passed when Molly came and sat down beside her.

"I don't know, Serena. I just don't know what to think."

Serena put her arm around Molly's shoulders. "Will you believe me if I tell you that I think everything is going to be okay?"

Molly leaned her head on Serena's shoulder. You know, Serena, it's really weird, but I think I do. I do believe."

"Then meet with him before you make a decision. I'm sure you can be great friends and it would make him just as happy."

"Melvin's gonna have kittens."

"Well, you've always wanted a pet."

Molly giggled and Serena smiled. She stood and held out a hand to her friend. Molly took it and stood up. Turning they started to walk back.

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Lita leaned against the patio wall and studied the stained glass window above. She was dressed now in a sleeveless shirt with a creamy background a a green leaf pattern all over it. Her hands were in the pockets of her tan shorts. Her feet were bare. "How do you think it's going?"

Raye paused mid brush stroke on Mina's hair. She wore an Oriental style top of red silk and gold piped edging. A slightly raised pattern of lilies were scattered on it and flashed slightly as she moved in the light. Her black shorts pocket had an orange ribbon poking out of it. Mina was wearing a deep orange sundress with a small brooch of a white cat sitting on an end of a crescent moon. She couldn't turn her head to look at Mina, but she frowned thoughtfully.

Amy looked up from her book as she sat in one of the lawn chairs they had brought. Her Sapphire blue 3/4 sleeve top was just visible from behind the large tome that rested on her legs dressed in jeans. "She's probably just as shaken as you were when you realised exactly who he was, Lita. Granted the circumstances are different, but ... I don't imagine the shock is any less." She glanced toward the lake. "I wonder how Serena will convince her."

Raye finished tying the ribbon in Mina's hair and started to speak when she was interrupted by screams coming from the lake.

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Yeah, I'm evil. I know. But I have to wake up at 05:30 to get to the barns tomorrow morning by 07:00. I'm tired and my hands are cramping. I can't believe I typed eight pages without a commercial!! Am I dedicated to you guys or what? ;)

Hope I caught all the typos! I only did a sketchy proof before uploading!

Read and Review! You know the drill!

Jade's Rose

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