"This is it?" Duo asked as he looked up to Deathscythe as he as then sighed. He looked back at the others as he asked, "When do we leave for the actual mission?"
"In three weeks." Rei answered as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she looked to the clock and shook her head as she commented, "I think we should get to bed."
Wufei draped his coat over her as he spoke up, "I'll drive you home."
Rei smiled at him and walked with him. The others just smiled at the two and soon followed.
21st Century
"Koneko?" Amara called out as she knocked on Serena's door and asked, "Are you ready?
"Yes." Serena answered through the door as she then opened it. "Are they here yet?"
Amara shook her head as she spoke up, "You look nervous."
"I am. My father is just adjusting to me being Sailor Moon."
"Everything will work out, Koneko. You're more then welcome here at anytime."
"Thanks," Serena said with a smile as she hugged her and spoke up, "All of my stuff is already down there, right?"
"Yes." Amara grabbed her hand and spoke up, "Michelle has breakfast ready. Your mother called and said they'll be here in forty-five minutes due to they had to pick up something."
"Okay." Serena said more calmly as she walked in the kitchen to see Michelle already had her plate dished up with bacon, pancakes, and hash-browns. "Thanks, Michelle."
"You're welcome." Serena began to eat her breakfast then gasped as she spoke with a mouth full of food, "I almost forgot!" She saw Hotaru, Amara, and Michelle looking at her with confusion as she smiled as she took out four new communicators. She swallowed her food and then handed the communicators to Hotaru, Amara, and Michelle as she explained, "These are your new communicators. I thought since I updated the inners, I might as well develop new ones for you."
Hotaru looked at her black and purple communicator with a crescent moon on the front as she commented, "It looks like a cell phone."
"I thought it would look more natural if we need to contact each other instead of talking to a watch just incase someone happened to see us. If you want, you can use it as a cell phone as well or like a mini-computer. I got the inspiration from the new Apple phone from AT&T."
Hotaru's eyes widened as she spoke up, "Sugoi." She gave Serena a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "I have to go to school now. Bye Serena, and thanks for the new phone!"
Serena smiled as she looked to see Michelle and Amara looking at her with frowns as she asked innocently, "What?"
Amara shook her head as she asked, "Do you think giving a twelve-year old a cell phone is a good idea?"
Serena smiled as she finished her breakfast and shrugged her shoulders. "She's responsible." Serena said defending Hotaru as she then commented, "Just because she's the youngest it doesn't mean she should go without a communicator."
Michelle shook her head as she commented, "We'll keep that in mind when your son becomes twelve and he gets his first bullet-bike."
Serena laughed as they all turned their attention to the door. "Well, I guess it's time."
"Guess so, Princess." Michelle answered as she cleared the dishes and followed Amara and Serena into the living room.
AC 195
"Wufei, where are we going?" Rei asked as she noticed they passed the turn to the warehouse and was confused as Wufei looked at her with a smile. "Wufei?"
"You'll see." He answered as he knew the surprise couldn't wait.
"We were supposed to be at warehouse in twenty-minutes to go over the plans to this mission." She said crossly as she then mumbled, "I hate being late."
Wufei chuckled as he looked at her and commented, "Do you think I am so careless that I wouldn't inform our comrades why we're late?"
Rei glared at him as she asked, "Everyone knows?"
Wufei chuckled again as he pulled into a dark driveway as he spoke up, "Well, seeing how we're getting married in another month –"
Rei interrupted him as she looked at him and asked, "Is this a Shinto shrine?"
Wufei smirked as he turned off his Lexus RX and asked, "Don't you want a tour?"
Rei looked at him with surprise in her eyes as she asked, "A tour?"
Wufei chuckled as he got out of the car, walked around, and helped Rei out as he took a hold of her hand to walk up the steps to the house. "Well, go check it out." Wufei instructed as he unlocked the door.
"How?" Rei asked but then shook her head as she slipped off her shoes and walked into the small four bedroom house. She walked through the living room to see the kitchen was big enough for a table and gasped as she looked out the window to the kitchen to see Chinese lanterns lighting the yard. She looked back to see Wufei was standing in the living room watching her as she turned her attention back to the yard. She slid the door open and stepped onto the wooden porch to see another lit building to the left. "A shrine?" She asked herself as the shrine reminded her of the one back in her world. She walked on the balcony as it wrapped around the house and the steps led to a stone pathway to the shrine. She followed the steps and walked up the steps to see another deck wrapped around the building. She noticed she was on the back side of the shrine as she walked around to the front to see the front was well lit.
"So?" Wufei asked as he walked up next to her as he saw the steep stairs which led to the temple.
"I don't understand why a house is this close to a shrine." Rei commented.
Wufei wrapped his arms around her stomach as he spoke up, "It's for the owners to have their own place while attending to the temple duties."
"But why would we . . ." she trailed off as she turned around and looked him in the eyes as she asked, "Is this ours?"
Wufei smiled as he kissed her lips as he answered her, "Every bit of it. I talked to Lita and the rest of the onnas to find out more about the world you came from and knew this was one of your desires. There's also a small building to the temple where I am going to open a dojo."
Rei hugged him and kissed him as she slid open the door to the front of the temple and gasped. "It's like the one my grandpa owns . . ." she looked back to see Wufei standing in the doorway as she walked out and followed the deck to see another room with a fire burning, "Did you build this?" Rei asked as she looked to see Wufei standing behind her.
"No. The old man said it was here before he took over the temple."
Rei looked back to the fire and asked, "Is it okay if I have a few minutes by myself?"
"Sure." Wufei watched as Rei bowed to the door before she stepped foot inside of the fire room, and watched as she sat down on her knees in front of the fire as she began to meditate. Wufei still curious watched as Rei sat there motionless as he was about to leave her to mediate until he heard her call out elements in Japanese and with each word her hands moved. His coal eyes widened as he saw the small fire come to life as Rei's violet eyes snapped open to stare into the burning flames.
"We never saw the fire come to life before . . ." said the old man as he came to check on his place to see the new buyers. He looked at the man and then gasped as he saw a beautiful woman sitting in front of the fire commanding for the fire to show her things none of them understood. "She's remarkable . . . a true priestess indeed."
Wufei looked to the old man and bowed as he commented, "She sure is."
"A beauty too," the old man's wife commented as she saw the woman stand and bow to the fire. "We didn't mean to interrupt your reading." The woman said to Rei once she reached the door.
Rei looked at her and smiled as she spoke softly, "You didn't. I was done."
Wufei spoke up, "Rei, this is the couple who owned the shrine."
Rei bowed and shook their hands as she asked, "Why are you selling such a unique temple?"
The old woman smiled as she looked into Rei's violet eyes as she answered her, "It's too much work for us old people. When I met your fiance two days ago about wanting to buy it, I was hesitant. My husband was sure your fiancé was the one. I didn't think so, but seeing you, I can now leave here with peace."
Rei smiled at her as she asked, "How long have you owned this place?"
"Almost seventy years. We got married when we were both eighteen and stayed here since then."
"My Grandpa took over his father's shrine when he was twenty. I moved in with him when I was six and helped him with basic chores while watching him."
"You'll make a wonderful priestess. We just ask that we can come visit." The woman asked.
"You bet. Next time, I'll sure to have some tea ready." She looked to the older man and asked, "I have a question to ask of you."
"Yes, my dear?"
"Can you be the one to marry us?"
The old coupled laughed as they looked at the young couple as the man smiled at them, "It would be our honor. We must be going, we are meeting our great-great-grandson for dinner. Mr. Chang has our contact information. Give us a call and we'll make arrangements."
"It was nice to meet you . . ."
The woman chuckled as she looked at Rei and spoke up, "You can call me Akiko and my husband's name is Kazuya."
"It was nice to meet you Akiko-san and Kazuya-san." Rei bowed to them and watched as the old couple descended down the stairs as Rei turned to Wufei and gave him another hug. "Thank-you."
"For what?"
"Loving me and making me feel at home."
Wufei kissed her hair as he held her tighter as he spoke up, "You make me feel the same. We should get going."
Rei sighed as she took a hold of his hand and gave him a nod, "I guess so."
Wufei helped opened her door and got in as he drove them to the warehouse for their mission as he commented, "You seem more at ease."
Rei looked at him with a smile as she grabbed a hold of his hand and answered, "I am. The fire showed me what I needed to know."
"What would that be?"
"Serena is doing well and she's moving in with her parents." She sighed as she leaned back and spoke up, "I'm not going on this mission."
"I wouldn't ask you to."
Rei looked at him as she felt tired from the fire reading as she spoke up, "I'll stay at the base to help direct Heero with Silver Eclipse. I can channel some of my energy to help him pilot it when the time comes."
Wufei frowned as he glanced at her, "Don't do anything stupid. You need your energy and strength for the baby."
"I know." Rei looked ahead and saw the warehouse as she spoke up, "Are you ready?"
The group waited patiently for Wufei and Rei to show up and looked up as two figures came walking in from the back holding hands. Heero looked up from the layouts Serena and him collected from their missions and spoke up, "We leave in five."
Rei walked to the table and drew a circle in the quadrants as she spoke up, "These are the areas you need to be. The areas I have circled is where the enemy will launch a surprise attack. I'll tell you when to position yourself in those areas and who will move to what area. We need to make sure Heero also has enough backup to ensure he gets in and out of the base."
"How do you know the enemy has set up traps?" Duo asked.
Rei looked at him as she answered, "The sacred fire showed me what I needed to know for this mission."
The girls all smiled as they noticed how relaxed Rei looked as Mina asked, "But that isn't all the fire showed you, is it?"
Rei smiled as she looked at her and answered, "No. That is not important right now. I suggest you all get in your Gundams and head out."
"You're not coming?" Mina asked.
"No. I'm staying right here. I'm needed here."
The girls understood and gave her a hug as the got into their Gundams. Rei gave Wufei a kiss and spoke up, "Be careful."
"I will." He said as he kissed he forehead and then smiled, "I'll see you in a few hours."
Rei smiled at him as she looked to Heero and walked over to him as she spoke up, "You still haven't figured out how to get in her Gundam?"
Heero looked at her and shook his head as he replied, "No."
Rei looked at the black and silver Gundam as she instructed him, "You need to concentrate on seeing yourself sitting inside of the cockpit. Silver Eclipse requires you to channel your energy into it. I'll be here to help if you begin to loose your energy too quickly." She smiled at him as she spoke up, "Heero?"
Heero looked back and grunted, "Hn?"
"Don't give up out there." Rei advised as she stepped back and took out her communicator and touched the all-call button. "Can everybody hear me okay?"
"Rodger." Came seven voices while Heero used that time to enter Silver Eclipse.
"Good. Move out." Rei commanded as she walked back to the table with her communicator flipped open.
Heero took a deep breath and slowly released it as he sat in the cockpit to Silver Eclipse as he nervously ran a hand through his hair. "It smells like you." He looked through the window to see the group take off as he remembered this Gundam was fast and knew he would be able to catch up with the others once he figured out how to pilot the system. He noticed there was only a control button and a control handle for maneuvering as he asked, "How did she pilot this thing?"
His eyes noticed a blinking yellow light and pushed it to see a screen show with Serena looking at him. He took in a shaky breath as he noticed her stomach was round and touched the image with a shaking hand as he spoke up, "I'm the screw up."
The image blinked and then began to speak. "Heero, I want to apologize for the way things turned out. If you are seeing this, then that means the time has come for the last mission to end this war." The image sighed as it began to speak again, "Silver Eclipse is different from the other Gundams due to the energy it requires for piloting and attacking. Seeing how you've mastered the Zero system and knowing your piloting skills, I knew you would be able to handle Silver Eclipse, for she is needed in this battle. If you look at the control panel you will see different colored buttons. The yellow button is for any messages the pilot needs to be aware of; the blue button shows a screen that will indicate where the enemy dolls are located; the green button is to switch into the jet you saw me in for the first time; the red button is the cloaking device; and the pink button is to open up the communication link between the Gundams."
Heero looked at each button and then asked, "How do I move this thing?"
"You're probably wondering how to maneuver the machine. Simple, you think of what you want it to do. The joy stick allows you to increase or decrease in speed by either pushing the stick forward or back. To attack the dolls, you simply think of how you want to destroy the dolls, and Silver Eclipse will do the rest. When you are ready plug your new communication device into the USB port that is located below the pink button. I think that is all you need to know." The image looked away and then back to Heero as it spoke up, "One more thing Heero, you're going to be a father to a boy and I'll be six months pregnant the time you are watching this. I-" the image began to cry as it continued to speak, "I want you to know that I do love you and I'm sorry . . .I'm sorry for screwing up your life . . . I know you never had anyone to care for you – Relena, but . . . I love you and even though you don't need me, I will always love you."
The figured sighed as it looked up with tears falling freely as it choked out, "I wish things could have been different, but I know that's only a childish wish. So, I'm letting you go. This is it. After this mission I will no longer be a part of your life and I regret you will never know your son. After all, I am a screw up and it's best we leave it at that. Goodbye and good luck, Heero Yuy." The image disappeared.
Heero sat numbly as he stared to spot the image was a few seconds ago as his vision became blurry. He felt something wet fall down his face and wiped it away. Heero slammed his fist against the control panel as the tears kept falling as he yelled out, "Damn you!" He buried his face in his hands as he began to cry openly as he choked out, "I love you." As he sat in the cockpit to Silver Eclipse with his head buried in his hands, he allowed what humanity he had wash away with the tears of knowing he'll never see Serena and his son.
Rei looked over to see Silver Eclipse hasn't moved yet and wondered what was wrong. Frowning she hit the Venus symbol as she asked, "Mina are you sensing anything?"
Mina grunted as she fell forward on the joystick as she gasped out, "Yes and it feels like my heart is being ripped out of my chest."
"Where's Yuy?" Wufei's voice and picture popped up on the communication device as the others joined in knowing Silver Eclipse was no where in sight and they had thirty minutes to reach their destination.
"He hasn't left yet." Rei answered as she saw how pale Mina's face looked, "Mina?" She asked in concern.
"I'll . . . be fine." She breathed out as she wondered why her powers had grown and was affecting her so much.
"V-babe?" Duo asked as he also showed concern for his girlfriend as he asked worriedly "What's wrong?"
"Love." Was all she could answer as she closed her eyes to fight back the emotions hitting her like a locomotive.
Heero wiped the tears with his sleeves as he sat up and knew he had a mission to complete. He plugged in the communicator as he was instructed and spoke up, "How far are you from our destination?"
The group all flinched as they heard how cold and dead Heero's voice sounded. Quatre was rubbing his chest as his empath abilities were working on over drive as he looked at Heero and answered, "Thirty minutes. Are you okay, Heero?"
Heero did as Serena instructed for him to pilot Silver Eclipse and touched the green button as he pushed the joystick up to increase speed as he spoke up, "I'll meet you there."
Rei sadly shook her head and frowned as she asked out loud, "What did you do Meatball head?"
21st Century
Serena twiddled her thumbs as she sat at the doctor's office with her mother. She glanced to her watch and saw they only have been there for ten minutes. Groaning she looked to her mom and asked, "Why is it taking so long?"
Ilene smiled as she looked to Serena and then frowned as she asked, "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes . . . no . . . I don't know." Serena answered as she leaned back as she spoke up, "It feels like my heart is constricting and my whole body is going numb." She saw her mother begin to sit up as she quickly grabbed her hand as she explained, "It's not the baby . . . it has to do with the connection I have with the scouts. Amy, Rei, Lita, and Mina should be getting ready to fight their last mission today." She said softly so no one else could hear her.
"Oh." Ilene said as she looked at her daughter and sat back down.
Serena and Ilene left the doctor's office two hours later as Serena looked to her mom and spoke up, "Mom, I need to check on Rei and those guys. I probably won't be back until tomorrow." Serena said as she knew she needed to get to the Time gates.
Ilene understood as hugged her and whispered, "Just be careful and don't do anything that will cause you to go into labor early." Ilene cautioned as she knew her life as Sailor Moon was beginning to take its toll on Serena and the baby.
"I won't." Serena hugged her mom one last time and disappeared to the Time Gates.
Ilene shook her head as she walked into her house as she then sighed as she whispered, "Why do I have the feeling you're hiding something."
"Where's Serena?" Ken asked as he saw Ilene standing by the door.
Ilene looked at her husband and smiled softly as she walked to him and gave him a hug as she answered him, "She went to the Time gates to check on Rei, Amy, Lita, and Mina."
"Oh." Ken said as he led his wife to the couch and sat down as he asked with concern, "How did the doctor's visit go?"
"The baby is still healthy but is also under stress. The doctor asked what Serena has been doing but she answered him with a lie. I know her life as Sailor Moon is taking its toll on her."
"I've noticed it to, but I worry that she's also suffering from a broken heart."
"Me too." Ilene said as she leaned against Ken and asked, "What happened to our carefree little girl?"
"Like you said, she grew up at the age of fourteen to defend our world from monsters."
Ilene slowly nodded her head as she closed her eyes as she thought about Serena as she asked, "Have you noticed she doesn't talk about Heero?"
"Is that the father?" Ken asked.
"Yes. He's in the dimension Serena is checking on." Ilene sat up to look at him as she asked, "I wonder what happened between those two. He doesn't seem like the guy to have sex with a girl then toss her to the side." She hid a smile as Ken bristled at her comment but continued to talk, "She said he was trained to be the perfect soldier, and he was trained to show no emotions, but I just don't understand Ken. She's hurting more then she's letting on and that concerns me."
Ken hugged his wife as he spoke softly, "It concerns me too."
Time Gates
Serena appeared and quickly walked to the mirror to see the battle taking place as she looked to see Pluto staring at her as she asked with annoyance, "What?"
Pluto shook her head as she looked back to the mirror as she asked, "How did the doctor's visit go today?"
"He told me if I'm not careful I'll be on bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy."
"You should be careful."
Serena scowled as she looked at Pluto and commented, "How am I supposed to be careful if I'm the only one that can destroy the youmas? They're getting stronger and I still have no idea what the objective is."
"The objective is to collect star seeds, but the enemy hasn't shown itself."
"Star seed?" Serena asked with confusion as she glanced to the mirror to see Venus use an attack similar to her love me chain.
"It's the heart of a sailor scout or soldier. It's how we exist and where our powers come from, but looking at the attacks the person doesn't know that yet. They just know to collect pure star seeds."
"So their like a dream mirror but a person can die if the star seed is not returned?"
"Yes."
"Great." Serena mumbled as she looked to the screen and winced as she saw Mercury get hit from behind. She kept her eyes on the fight as she asked, "How is he?"
Pluto looked at her with a frown and shook her head as she spoke up, "He's still setting up the bombs. Jupiter, Trowa, and Wufei are doing an excellent job with backup."
"And Rei?"
"She stayed behind due to she could focus more on her physic abilities."
"I'll be back." Serena said as she left the Time gates.
AC 195
"Serena?" Rei asked as she looked up to see her friend materialize in the warehouse and smiled as she ran over to her and gave her a hug. "It's so good to see you."
"You to, Rei." Serena said as she hugged Rei as best she could. The two separated as Serena walked over to the table and sat behind the communicator as she listened to the group talk amongst each other.
Rei walked back as she sat down and looked to Wufei as she asked, "Has Heero come out yet?"
"No. He said to give him ten minutes and it's only been eight. If he's not out by that time, he instructed us to blow the base up."
Serena flinched as she heard Wufei and looked at Rei as Rei answered, "He'll make it. He knows this mission depends on Silver Eclipse to finish."
"I know, Onna, but something is wrong. It should have taken him at least seven minutes!"
Heero grunted as he held his side as a bullet grazed it as he managed to make it to the last room and set the detonation in the heat duct. Stepping down from the chair and setting it back at the desk, he heard, 'Jupiter thunder clap zap!' Using that as his que, he opened the door, and stepped out to meet up with Lita. "Move out."
Jupiter used another one of her attacks to clear the passage full of soldiers and smirked. She ran an opposite direction as Heero and quickly joined Trowa. "Move out." She instructed as they left to make it back to their Gundams.
Heero watched as Jupiter's and Heavy Arms left to split off in the quadrant Rei instructed after their mission in the building. "Move to mission four." Heero commanded as he moved out and was thankful for the cloaking device as his area was heavily guarded.
Serena flinched as she heard how cold his voice was as she mumbled low enough the communicator could pick up her voice, "He's colder."
Rei looked at her and then back to what mission four was. "Give them hell." Was her command as she looked to see Heero turn off his communication. She looked to Lita and asked, "What took Heero so long?"
"I think he got shot." Lita answered as she saw Rei's eyes widened as she further explained, "His left hand had blood on it and he was running slower then he usually does."
"If that's the case, he's also loosing energy." Rei concluded as she looked to the others, "Finish the mission and meet back here. I'm turning off my communicator so I can concentrate on helping Heero." She flipped the communicator closed as she looked to Serena and asked, "What did you do, Serena?"
"I did nothing Rei. I just left him an instruction clip on how Silver Eclipse works."
Rei looked at her and then sighed, "You two are too damn stubborn. You're even blocking me from reading you."
Serena smiled as she looked at her friend as she commented, "Because I knew you would be seeing if I was lying or not. No, I'm not lying." She looked down to the table and gasped, "You're getting married?"
Rei shook her head as she answered, "Yes. Wufei and I are getting married next month and I'm also pregnant."
Serena looked at her with wide eyes as she asked, "Really? How far along are you?"
"Two months."
"So you're four months behind me?" Serena asked and then smiled, "I'm so happy for you, Rei."
"Thanks." She then smiled as she spoke up with excitment, "We can both have a baby shower together!"
Serena smiled and laughed as she rubbed her swollen stomach as she then frowned. "I wish I could, but I have to get back to our world."
Rei frowned as she asked, "Are you avoiding this world because of Heero?"
"No. I'm the only one who can defeat the youmas, Rei. They're too strong this time and it takes everything I have to destroy them!"
"Bullshit!" Rei yelled out as she stood from the table to glare at her friend, "You left our world to come here even when there were still youma attacks. You're just using that as an excuse just to avoid Heero!"
"I am needed there, Rei!"
"YOU'RE NEEDED HERE!" She yelled out as her temper was released as she wanted to strangle Serena.
"Really? You're all finally happy, Rei. You don't need me."
"Heero does!"
"No, he doesn't. He doesn't need me or a child to get in his way." She said as she fought back the tears as she matched Rei's glare.
"You're not getting in his way, Serena. He misses you."
"I find that hard to believe." Serena shot back as she turned around to leave until the communicator started to beep.
Rei flipped it opened and yelled, "WHAT?!"
Wufei jumped back as he wondered what happened for his fiancée to lash out like she did as he pushed it back and spoke up with seriousness, "Silver Eclipse stopped moving and Yuy won't answer. We managed to get rid of the base and dolls. He happened to get hit as a mobile doll tried a Kamikaze against him." His eyes narrowed as he heard someone gasp in the background and knew it wasn't Rei as he asked, "Who was that?"
Rei looked back to see Serena looking at her as if she was about to cry and answered her fiancé, "I'll talk to you once we get home. Can anyone bring him back?"
"No, we're all low on fuel. We only have enough to make it back to earth." Wufei answered as he asked, "What should we do?"
Serena turned the communicator around and answered, "Tell no one that I'm here and I'll bring Heero back myself. Does he still live in his dorm?"
"Yes." She turned the communicator around and disappeared to help Heero.
"She's back?" Wufei asked Rei with disbelief.
Rei sighed as she answered, "But I don't know for how long."
"If she hurts him, I'll kill her, and I don't care if she is your princess and friend."
Rei leaned back as she looked at him and rubbed her stomach as she tiredly commented, "I don't think she has a choice this time."
"Like hell." Wufei replied with animosity towards Serena as he commented, "We'll talk about this tonight."
"Can we get some rest first? I'm still tired from the fire reading and dealing with everything that has happened within the last five minutes."
Wufei's eyes softened as he looked at her and smiled as he replied, "Yes, my fiery priestess. Get some rest, we'll be there in about twenty-five minutes."Serena appeared in Silver Eclipse in front of Heero to see he was unconscious. Her heart broke as she brushed back his hair and spoke softly, "I'm sorry." She hit the green button and commanded, "Silver Eclipse, take us back to the base." She was thankful she had more room and sat on the floor to lift up Heero's shirt and gasp, "You did get hit." She pulled out a medical kit from her sub-space pocket and opened a bottle of alcohol and drenched a gauze pad as she noticed there was no bullet. She placed the gauze pad on his wound and flinched as she felt Heero flinch from her touch. She looked up to see his eyes were not opened and sighed in relief. She threw the bloodied gauze pad away and took out a fresh one as she pressed it against the wound while holding it in place with her elbow as she used her hands to tear off a piece of tape.
She used her free hand and taped the top part of the gauze pad, which allowed her to use both hands to finish tearing off pieces of tape. She then took out a roll of bandages and wrapped it around his waist and felt herself shudder as her hands brushed against his skin. She blushed as she remembered the weekend they shared and looked up at him with heartache as she whispered, "I wish things could be different." She leaned back to look at him while rubbing her stomach as she spoke to the baby, "Your father is an incredible man, Little one. He may not think so, but he is. He has a good heart and that's what I love about him." She wiped a tear away as she continued to speak to her unborn child, "I love his eyes and how they show his emotions despite the fact he tries to hide them. Did I ever tell you what beautiful Prussian eyes he has and how his chocolate hair falls and covers them at times. You're father, I think looks like God." She giggled as she spoke up, "I hope you inherit his genes and intelligence. I didn't do well in school and hate math. Your father is perfect at everything." She sighed as she looked up to see Heero was still asleep due to the lack of blood and energy from piloting Silver Eclipse. "Yes, your father is perfection, and I'm ashamed that I tainted his perfection."
She looked down to the floor of the jet as she knew they still had ten minutes before they reached the warehouse. "Rei is wrong, he doesn't need me. He doesn't need a screw-up, that is why I chose to remain in the twenty-first century. Being there I won't screw up his life anymore then I have, and I'm sorry you will never know your father, Little one." She chocked back a sob as she thought about her life and rested her hands on her stomach as she felt her baby kick and closed her eyes as tears fell down, "I came back one last time to see him, to touch him, and to know he'll be okay. I'm selfish. I betrayed him into piloting Silver Eclipse because I knew he wouldn't be able to withstand the energy drain. I knew he would need more energy and that's why I came back." She allowed the tears to come as she kept her hands on her stomach, "Yes, you're mother is an awful person. I didn't mean for him to get shot. I just wanted this moment. To look at him, one last time . . ."
She looked at him and felt her heart break as she memorized every detail of his face. How his bangs fell in his eyes as he slept and how his face seemed softer without the worries of playing the role of the perfect soldier. She saw how defined his jaw was and how strong it looked as she looked at his well built chest as she remembered roaming her hands over it as they made love. She gulped as she looked to his arms and remembered how they wrapped around her, giving her strength, and making her feel safe as she thought back to those nights they made love as he had his arms wrapped around her while she looked up into her Prussian eyes. She felt special as she saw his barriers dropped that weekend and allowed her to see the real him. She wanted to reach up and touch his face again, but fought against herself as she heard a beep.
Pushing the thoughts of Heero and her making love away, she stood up to see they had reached the warehouse. She pushed the green button again to have Silver Eclipse change back to the Gundam form and maneuvered it in the warehouse and parked it next to Wing Zero. She looked out the window to see the others have left except for Rei and Wufei. She sighed as she turned back to Heero and draped his left arm over her shoulders as she concentrated on leaving her Gundam.
"Serena?" Rei asked with concern as she saw blood on Serena's hands and also on Heero's left hand.
"He got shot, but the bullet grazed his side." She said as she looked at them and asked, "Where are the others?"
"We sent them home. I told them that I had to wait for the information Heero retrieved to give it to Trista. Luckily, they were tired enough they didn't argue." Rei answered as Wufei walked over and draped Heero's right arm over his shoulders.
Wufei looked at her as he commanded, "Get the car."
Serena was about to comment she could teleport them to his apartment, but bit her tongue as she began to feel her energy was low from teleporting to transferring her energy to Silver Eclipse. "Thank-you."
"I'm not doing it for you." Wufei bit back as he ignored Serena's reaction as he helped Serena carry Heero to the car.
Rei quickly got out of the car and opened the back passenger door as she saw Serena get in first to help Heero from the inside. She saw the displeased look on Wufei's face and saw the dried tears on Serena's face and sadly shook her head as she got in the passenger side. "He's lucky you got to him when you did, Serena."
Serena said nothing as she looked down to Heero's face while she ran her fingers through his messy brown hair as his head rested in her lap. Wufei mumbled things and ignored the glare Rei gave him as she heard every word. Serena leaned back in the seat as she continued to run her fingers through his hair and found herself falling asleep.
Rei looked back to see Serena sleeping as she turned to Wufei and slapped him as she spoke up, "Those things you said were not nice, Wufei."
"They were the truth."
"She's been hurt and what Heero said to her on our last mission crossed the line."
"She's a screw-up?" He asked defensively as he looked at Rei, and spoke with anger, "She is a screw-up, Rei. She used her broken heart to lure Yuy in only to break him down day by day until there is nothing left. I liked him a lot better before he met her."
Rei scowled at him as she defended her friend, "She is not a screw up, Chang! I think I liked her a lot better before she met Heero. Perhaps he's the screw-up! He let his emotions get the better of him and dragged Serena with him. I don't think Serena is a screw up!"
Wufei snorted as he looked at her with a glare as he spoke up, "So you think it's okay for that damn onna to leave Yuy and never come back? Is that any different than that bastard who left you three days after you had your abortion because he promised you he would marry you if you went through it, and you two could start a family once he was READY?!"
Rei chocked back a sob as she glared at him and spoke up, "You're an asshole!"
Wufei slammed his fist down on the steering wheel as he knew his temper got the best of him as he looked at her as he spoke up more calmly, "Rei?"
Rei looked back at him, not bothering to wipe the tears away as she asked, "So you think it's better to marry someone due to you got them pregnant?"
"Rei . . ."
Rei interrupted him with fire burning in her eyes as she spoke up, "No, Wufei. I love you but I don't want nothing to do with you if you feel obligated to marry me because you got me pregnant. You may not have made me get an abortion, but at least I knew what Chad's intentions were even if I was a few days late."
Serena sat up and blushed in embarrassment as she heard their conversation and asked timidly, "Are we there yet?"
Wufei and Rei looked out the window and both got out of the car to help Serena with Heero. "We can take him from here," Wufei said with coldness towards Serena.
Serena flinched as she looked at him and then spoke up, "No, I want to make sure he's okay."
"So you can tear him down again once you leave?"
Serena looked into his eyes and squared her shoulders back as she spoke up, "That depends on what he wants, Wufei. He's the one who told me that I was the screw-up and screwed up everything. After dealing with that in my last relationship, I knew I didn't deserve to be treated like I'm a screw-up again. I love him, Wufei, do not mistake me for Relena who only wanted to sleep with him. I also have other obligations that I must see too and if I don't people will die because I chose this life over my responsibilities." She looked to Rei and then back to Wufei, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but for two people who are absolutely in love should be focusing on their own problems."
Rei glared at her as she spoke up, "I think you should follow your own advice."
Serena shook her head as they stepped onto the elevator as she sighed with frustration as she spoke up, "Wufei isn't Chad, Rei . . . Rei isn't Sally, Wufei."
Wufei glared at her as he spoke through gritted teeth, "Sally has nothing to do with this, Onna."
Serena smirked as she raised a golden eyebrow and asked, "Really?"
The elevator door dinged opened and they stepped off the elevator as they didn't see Trowa, Quatre, Duo, Mina, Amy, and Lita standing in the hall due to their arguing. Wufei kicked Heero's door open as he spoke up, "I think you've done enough damage for one night."
"You haven't?" Serena shot back as she helped Wufei lay Heero down on his bed. She wondered how he was still asleep from the yelling and bickering as she pointed to Rei as she then lowered her voice and spoke softly, "Wufei, you can hate me all you want but don't, I repeat don't hurt her. She's been through more heartache then I can imagine due to her father leaving her when she was six, and Chad doing the worst thing to her. You can hate me, but I don't want to be the one who picks up the pieces to try and show her she's needed and is worth something.
"You can hate me all you want and even kill me, but I don't want to be the one walking in just before she slits her wrists because she can't take the pain. Wufei, I promise you, if I find her doing any of those, I promise you that Hell will seem a lot nicer the time I get done with you." She looked down to Heero and began to untie his shoes and take them off as she looked up to see Wufei staring at her as she asked, "What? Rei never told you how she wanted to kill herself because she went through the abortion and regrets it everyday that she lives?" Serena then moved up to take off Heero's bloodied shirt and then looked into Wufei's eyes as she then spoke up, "And don't pity her either for the choices she made and think she's weak. You were not there, but I was. None of the girls know of the pain and heartache. I was there through it all, Wufei. I was afraid of loosing my best friend even if we did bicker. She is someone that I look up to and I want her happy, Wufei. Can you be that man that takes away the pain that Chad caused because he wasn't man enough?
"Can you be that man she can turn to when everything turns to shit? She doesn't need a friend, Wufei. She needs a solid foundation, someone that will give her strength and more." Serena began to cry as she looked at him as she asked, "Can you be that man that she can open her heart to? Wufei, I beg of you to let go what Sally did to you and what Heero and I are going through. Please, I'm begging you to open your heart for Rei because she needs you!" Serena began to cry harder as she looked at him, "Wufei, I feel all of my scouts' pain and it's killing me. Out of them all, Rei is the one I worry about the most, Wufei. I left this place in hopes Mina, Amy, Lita, and most of all Rei would find their happiness. It pained me because I felt like I betrayed Rei, and that hurts. It hurts because I also left her, even though I had to go back to our world.
"Wufei, I can only give her so much of my strength. I can't anymore. I can't because if I do, I'll lose my baby and die as well. Because I gave her my brooch with a tiny bit of my crystal which has allowed me to give her the strength and hope she needs. I can't, Wufei, I can't do it any more and I feel like I've failed. That piece I gave her was supposed to last long enough until she could open up to someone, but even now . . . Wufei, please, I know you love her and she needs to know that . . ."
The two of them turned to the doorway as they heard someone gasp to see Rei was standing their shocked. "Rei?" Serena asked as she prayed Rei wouldn't be angry or try to run.
Rei looked at Serena with tears running down her face as she looked at her princess and best friend. Rei looked at Serena with guilt in her eyes as she walked over to her and embraced her in a hug. "Serena . . . why didn't you tell me?"
"Because, you would think my idea was stupid."
"It is. I failed you . . ."
Serena smiled through her tears as she shook her head, "No. You showed Mina, Lita, and Amy the brooch and each time you opened it, a part of the crystal fell out. They each have a piece and like yours it would last until they could open up and someone would love them for all they are worth."
"I didn't . . ." Rei held onto her tighter as she heard everything Serena told Wufei and cried harder as she whispered, "I'm so sorry. We should be the ones protecting you."
Serena made comforting noises as she spoke up, "You have."
Wufei looked at Serena as he asked, "You would sacrifice your life for your friends?"
"Yes." Serena said as she looked back to Wufei as she watched as he kneeled down and wrapped an arm around Rei's waist. Serena looked into Rei's eyes as she saw the fear and spoke up, "You need to trust him, Rei. He doesn't cower when you threaten to fry his ass."
Wufei chuckled as he helped Rei stand up and watched as Serena stood up and spoke up, "I'm sorry."
Rei gasped as Serena looked at him with a smile as she looked to the bed to see Heero still asleep. "For what? I didn't take anything personal and knew you were frustrated. My situation with Heero brought up memories of Sally and you, and for that I should be apologizing to you, Wufei Chang."
Rei yawned as she felt Wufei's grip tighten as she looked up at him and spoke up, "I'm sorry to."
Wufei looked down at her and smiled as he kissed her forehead as he spoke up, "Let's get you to bed, and we can talk tomorrow." He looked at the bed to see Heero had an eye open and smirked as he saw Heero close it as Serena moved. "I'll be back to check on him. I ask that you stay around longer." Wufei said to Serena and left the apartment with Rei to see the others standing in the hall.
Rei groaned as Mina asked, "Was that Serena?"
Lita then asked, "Is she pregnant?"
Rei groaned as she looked at her friends and answered them, "Yes and yes. We'll meet at two in the afternoon for a meeting. I'm tired, she's tired, and a lot has happened. I suggest you get some rest."
Serena sighed as she heard the door closed and walked back to Heero's bed and turned on a lamp to check his bandage. She brushed back his bangs and kissed his forehead as she turned to walk towards the balcony but felt a hand grab her wrist. She turned around to see Heero awake and felt her heart stop as she commented, "I thought you were asleep."
Heero shook his head as he commented, "It was hard due to the yelling." He chuckled as he saw her blush from embarrassment and slid over as he pulled her back as he forced her to sit down. "I thought you weren't coming back."
Serena looked down to the floor and sighed as she answered him, "I wasn't."
"Then why did you?"
"To see you one last time." She answered still not looking at him.
Heero sighed as he forced himself to sit up and clenched his teeth from the pain. "So you're going back?"
Serena shrugged her shoulders as she ran a hand through her bangs as she answered him sill looking at the floor, "It depends on how my friends are doing."
Heero felt hurt at her answer as he looked at her and asked, "You won't stay even if I need you?"
Serena's eyes widened but controlled herself as she finally looked into his eyes. "You don't need me, Heero."
Heero saw the pain and emotions she was fighting to control as he leaned forward to brush away a tear. "You're right . . . but then I don't understand why I feel lost, alone, and empty without you here." He looked into her eyes as he continued to speak, knowing this was his chance in hopes to redeem himself, "I don't know why I felt like I died when I watched your video and you said, and I quote, 'I will no longer be a part of your life and I regret you will never know your son.' I don't understand how I cried once you said those words, so if those things indicate that I don't need you, then you're right."
Serena closed her eyes as she looked at him and asked, "You still want a screw-up?"
Heero ran a hand through his hair as he looked at her, "You're not a screw-up, Serena. I am. I said those things in hopes you would stay behind. I didn't want to hurt you."
"But you did."
"You got even with your message." Heero shot back as he looked at her and frowned, "What would it take for you to stay, Serena? What would it take for me to have you and my son in my life? Tell me, because I have no damn clue!"
Serena turned away to look outside at the full moon and spoke up, "Nothing, because I'm going back."
Heero clenched his other fist as he looked at her and commented, "You're as annoying as the first time I met you." Heero sighed as he kept his eyes on her as he spoke softer, "I fell in love with you, Serena. I realized that after your message, and thought I would never see you again, so I gave up. I wanted that mobile doll to kill me because I thought I would never see you again."
Serena gasped as she turned around to look at him and shook her head in denial, "You don't . . . you can't. . ."
Heero leaned closer and smirked as he interrupted her, "But I do." He wiped away another tear and spoke up, "You make me feel, Serena, and I don't want to let that go even if I have to handcuff you to me for the rest of my life."
Serena laughed as she looked into his eyes and commented, "That would make missions impossible."
"Is that what it would take for you to stay?" He asked seriously.
Serena shook her head and answered, "No." She yawned as she saw it was nearly two in the morning.
"Then what?"
"Heero-" she began only to be cut off from a kiss. She closed her eyes at the feel of his soft and warm lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt his arms wrap possessively around her. She pushed away as she asked, "What are you doing?"
Heero smirked as he answered her, "A diversion."
"A diversion?" She asked with confusion and then kissed him back as she allowed her heart to have it's desire.
Heero pulled away as he asked, "Is that what I need to do, to make you stay?"
Serena sighed as she pushed Heero gently back down on the bed and laid her head on his bare chest as she felt him wrap an arm around her as she answered him, "I have to go back, Heero. For now, can I enjoy being here with you?"
Heero sighed as he wrapped his left arm around her tighter as he kissed her forehead and saw she was already falling asleep as he answered, "For now."