A/N: I know, I know, I'm way overdue for a chapter. Now I finally have internet at my apt so I should be set to finish this story soon. Definitely posting more than one chapter today.

Hope you enjoy!

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Sailor Pluto gulped. She had never been so nervous before…to face the man she left…the man she loved…the one who held her heart in the balance.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, open the door, Trista," Fate hissed.

Pluto looked at the other scout, then headed to open the door. "Ah, Trista," spoke Hades. He looked relieved. "I am glad to see you back."

"I had to run an errand for Fate."

"That's good." He smiled. There was an awkward pause. "Ah, well, would you like to—"

"Yes," Sailor Pluto interrupted, taking him by the arm and going downstairs. Hades seemed pleasantly surprised by her haste, but she really wanted to have this conversation away from Fate. It was bad enough that woman could read her mind—she wanted Fate to stop giving her relationship advice through her thoughts.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, the couple turned and walked through the great hall. No one else was around, except for Kito, Amarina, and Maggie dashing through, completing their chores, acknowledging Hades every so often. Hades waved at his servants, then turned to Pluto. "I assume you want to talk?"

Not that I want to, I have to, thought Pluto. She sighed. "Yes, I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea when I left the other day."

Hades waved it off. "I understand. I figured that I had gone too far, perhaps?"

This reminded Trista of something. "That wine was a bit strong…"

"It's not the wine's fault. Come now, we're both adults—you more so than me. I had no idea you were so old…"

She raised her eyebrow. "I told you?"

"Yes. I think it's quite remarkable—2,000 years! Not that there's anything wrong with that," Hades quickly said. "I never did get how you got to be that age, though. Isn't the Silver Millenium a thousand years ago?"

Trista nodded. "But I stood at the Time-Space gate for such a long time…I was able to watch the history of the Earth as it took place. I could watch through the door different periods of time and different places, and I would never age. No one stepped into the gate until Crystal Tokyo appeared and Small Lady came to see me…"

"Small Lady? Crystal Tokyo?" Hades looked confused.

"The future, my Lord. When our Princess Serena grows up, she will become Neo-Queen Serenity and rule what will be known as Crystal Tokyo. Her daughter, Rini, is also known to me as Small Lady. Anyways, that was far in the future. Also, I did not go to Earth until I realized there was an issue with the time-space continuum—and it was at this point I realized that someone was searching for the talismans. That was when I decided to leave my post and protect our princess on Earth in her time."

"Sounds quite fascinating. You'll have to tell me more about the future sometime. Tell me this, though—let us be on subject here—your age does not bother you, does it?"

"Not really, considering—"

Hades held up his hand. "Then what else prevents you from being with me?"

Pluto stared at him and sighed. "It was a decree by Queen Serenity of the Silver Millennium. I know not the reason yet—and not sure if I do. I know this much is true, though; I love you. And I won't leave you." Hades looked too stunned to speak, so she continued. "I've decided to make this place my home. I hope that does not bother you?" she inquired.

Hades broke into a kind smile. "Of course, my dear. In fact…that brings me to something…" He turned to see Fate coming down the stairs behind them with a small box that fit in the palm of her hand. She gave the small box to Hades. "Ah, thank you, Fate."

Sailor Fate smiled and bowed. "But of course, my Lord. I would not miss this for anything—and I am certainly not going to watch this through my crystal ball."

"What's going on?" Pluto asked.

Hades turned back to Pluto, took her hands in his, and got down on one knee. With love in his earnest eyes, he spoke, "Trista, love of my life and light of my soul, will you complete my heart and marry me?"

Her jaw dropped. I certainly was not expecting this—and Fate's in on this! What should I say?

Say yes already, Fate whispered with a smirk.

Trista looked at Hades, and said the one word that would change her life forever: "Yes."