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Chapter 14

Light and Dark

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She opened her eyes to darkness. Closing them again she held very still as she took stock of herself. She couldn't see, but she could feel the cold surface beneath her. It was smooth beneath her hand and cheek. A bit of dust tickled her nose, but she resisted the urge to sneeze. She opened her eyes again and tried to look around for any light at all. She listened for any sound outside of her own heartbeat.

Nothing.

She was alone and lost in the dark. She shivered.

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Some where far away, cruel eyes gazed on the scrying waters and the thin lips twisted into a smile that revealed sharp teeth.

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Serena lay comfortably on a bed in the Elysian temple. At least, she looked comfortable. Yoake and Helios had made her as comfortable as they could. Helios patted her face with a damp rag, then did the same with her arms and legs, removing dirt and sand. Yoake was talking with Tuxedo Mask on the other side of the room. Tuxedo couldn't take his eyes off of Serena though. The worry shone brightly in his eyes.

"Darien, there's nothing more I can do. You healed the wounds on her before you even got to me. I cleared out what toxins I could, but it was very quick spreading. I don't know that I could have helped even if I had been there when she was injured. Her mind and heart … I can't reach either of them." She reached out and took Tuxedo's hand. "But she's alive, brother. There's always hope as long as she lives." She put her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry that I'm so useless to you."

Tearing his eyes away from his wife, he enfolded his sister into his arms. "You are not useless! We'll find a way to get her back." He looked back at Serena. "Sailor Moon is invincible. She always finds a way to win and I believe in her." He gave Yoake a quick squeeze in comfort. "And so should you."

Helios gathered up what needed to be taken away and handed it to a Menard that appeared silently at the door. He turned to Yoake and Tuxedo and touched her on the shoulder. When she looked up at him, he took her hand and quietly led her away. Taking off his mask, Darien watched them leave, silent thoughts running through his head. Turning back to the pale woman, he sat on the side of the bed and took hold of her hand. With his free hand, he reached up and smoothed a few locks of hair from her face, then touched her cheek. He refused to give in to despair. What he had told his sister was true and he fiercely held it in his heart like a lifeline. Sailor Moon was invincible and she would come back to him.

Stroking her hand as he held it, he began talking to her quietly. Telling her how much he missed her and how worried he was. How everybody needed her and that if she didn't come back soon, Raye was going to hunt her down and give her the lecture of her life. He just kept talking … important things, not so important things, his feelings, his fears, anything to keep going in hopes that she might be hearing him. Anything to help her find her way back. He even recited some poetry that he remembered and sang a few of her favourite songs.

It was all he could think to do for her. It was all he could think to do to keep from going crazy.

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"Molly."

Molly just continued to stare at the man who, that last time she had seen him, had died in her arms. Tears formed in her eyes and she fought to keep them from falling. She should say something, she knew she should, but she couldn't seem to force anything past her throat. And what would she say if she could?

"I was told that you recently married," Nephrite continued. "May I offer you my warmest congratulations? I'm sure he's a wonderful person." Still there was no response from her. His brow lowered a bit, concern in his eyes. "Do I make you uncomfortable? This must be hard for you. Would you like me to leave?" He took a step back and started to turn. "I'm sorry."

Molly rushed forward before he could go and threw her arms around him.

"I've missed you."

Nephrite held her gently for a moment. Then taking her shoulders into his hands he took a step back from her, looking her over.

"You've grown into a beautiful woman, Molly. I hope your husband appreciates his luck."

"He still goes into shock now and then that I said 'yes'… He was very supportive and understanding when you … I'm mean, he was there when I really needed somebody … and well, it kinda opened my eyes to what he could be and not just what everybody saw him to be."

"Well, you'll have to introduce me to this wonderful man one day … over, say, a chocolate parfait?"

Molly laughed, "You remembered!" Her hazel eyes crinkled with joy … with only a touch of sadness at the memory his words invoked.

"Molly, I never forgot."

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She sat up in the darkness, moving carefully. Moving her arms and legs around slowly proved that there was nothing in her immediate vicinity … just a cold, hard floor and darkness. She wondered where she was and how she got there. How long had she lain there? Was anyone looking for her?

Hugging herself and chafing her arms to encourage warmth, she looked around in hopes of seeing a spark of light, any light, no matter how dim. And then she saw it … a tiny golden spark. Eager to go toward it, she stood up and took a quick step.

She stopped. What was she doing? She couldn't see where she was going! What if she tripped over something and got hurt? What if she fell off the surface she was standing on? Anything could be out there. She glanced at the light again, it dimmed and went out as she stood there indecisively. Despairing, she sank back down to the floor, hugging her knees to her as she wept silently.

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The feral smile turned into a satisfied smirk at the image in the waters. Soon … soon …

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Rose: Well, there you go! Two updates in two days! Don't say I never do anything for you!! I hope you'll be kind with your reviews!

Jade: Yeah, or I'll come and kick your bahookey!

Rose: Bahookey? I don't think they even know what that is! And stop threatening my readers!

Jade: mumble Well, it's a "family" environment … I can't say the other words.

Rose: Well, it was thoughtful, even if it was ill placed. hugs Jade

Jade: Please review!! !!

Jade's Rose