"Marry me."

Time stopped. I felt myself become still. The only sound I heard was my heartbeat in my ears, which sounded as though I had just been dunked under water.

Slowly I sat up, staring at the wall across from me for a moment before looking down at Rei, who was looking up at me. She was smiling.

"Buh," I finally sputtered, my mouth hanging open, blinking slowly.

Rei chuckled and brought her fingertip up under my chin, closing my mouth. "You look like you're trying to catch flies." She smiled and placed a soft kiss on my jaw and then pulled away to stand. In all of her naked glory, she stalked to the corner and began rifling through her bag, pulling out one of my old button down shirts (it just happened to be a deep, dark red) and slid it on, while still searching inside her bag. After a moment, she found what it was she searching for and came back to the bed. Sitting on her knees, she tucked a lock of stray hair behind her ear with one hand and held out her other. In her palm she held a small, velvet box.

The same damn velvet box I had been looking for before we left.

"I was looking for this before we left," I said, taking the box from Rei.

"I know," she replied, not bothering to hide her amusment. "Why do you think I was so amused while watching you look for it?"

I opened the box. Inside was a simple white gold band with a modest diamond affixed in the middle. It was a simple band and while I could have affored something more flashy, I knew it wouldn't suit Rei's taste in jewelry. I bit my lip as I stared at the ring.

"How long have you known?"

Rei moved to sit beside me, leaning against me gently. "Long enough to wonder why you never asked me." Her voice held no anger or anything of the sort. It was just a simple question asked out of curiosity.

I felt myself becoming heavy. My eyes and throat began to burn. "I don't know," was what I finally said. My voice was thick, trying to hold back my shame.

I felt Rei's hands come up and brush my hair back from my face. She leaned in and kissed my cheek. "I don't mean to put you on the spot, Caden. And I'm not upset you haven't asked yet. I was just curious as to why you had the ring for so long."

I sighed and swallowed the lump in my throat. "I felt you deserved better," I replied. "I got it after the accident and there were so many times I tried. And..." I sighed in frustration, clenching both my eyes and teeth. "Everytime I tried, I remembered what happened to me and I just felt...inadequate."

I looked to Rei, hoping, praying, she would understand. Rei studied my face for a moment before a small smile graced her lips. She reached for the ring and gently took it from the box, holding it up before me.

"You are not inadequate," she said gently. "And I deserve better? Caden, love, you are one of the few people who can put up with my attitude and still love me for it. Or despite it. I'm not sure which it is."

I chuckled at that. "I'm glutton for punishment."

Rei's eyes narrowed but she giggled. "Okay then, Glutton," she said, offering me the ring. "Consider this second helpings."

I chuckled again and took the ring from her. Taking Rei's left hand, I slid the band onto her ring finger. In one swift motion, our lives changed again.

I leaned in and kissed Rei's lips gently before the moment was broken by the rumble of our stomachs. We looked at each other and laughed.

"How about we get showered and go get some food," I asked. "Just us."

Rei smiled and kissed the tip of my nose before sliding out of the bed.

Rei and I quickly showered and dressed. Rei wore a simple sundress in a light shade of pink with a pair of flats. I donned a pair of baggy cammo shorts, a t-shirt and the red flannel shirt Rei had been wearing when she proposed. I slipped my socked feet into my old Vans, and then pulled my hair back into a small, tight pony tail, a few locks of hair too short to be pulled back framing my face.

I grabbed our room key and looked up at my girl, who smiled at me as she brushed her hair back behind her ears. I caught a sparkle on her hand and I felt myself grow warm. Rei took my hand in hers and we leaned into one another for a quick kiss before exiting the room.

As I locked the door, we felt the building shake. A moment later, Rei looked up at me and I shrugged. "Earthquake. It's nothing." Rei didn't seem satisfied. Her eyes closed and she rubbed her head. "You're going to the doctor when we get home," I said concerned. "This isn't normal."

"You get headaches all the time that last for days, sometimes weeks," Rei argued as we walked from the door.

"And I have high blood pressure," I countered. "You rarely get sick."

"Maybe it's just this place," she said, stopping by a window. The rain had started some time ago and everything outside appeared blurry and soft. "The air isn't as clean here."

"Maybe," I replied, stopping beside Rei. "If you still have a headache when we get home, though..." I trailed off and glared down at my better half.

She smiled. "I'll go see Ami-chan. Promise."

"Good girl," I said, smiling as I kissed the top of her head. Our hands found one another and we stood there, looking out the window at the world below. I was content to lose myself in that moment. Rei's hand in mine had caused a calm to wash over me. I knew it was due to that happy relationship bubble and that it wouldn't last. The novelty would wear off eventually. But until that moment came...

Thundering footsteps in the hallway made us both turn. I saw Darren, Shaun, and Kelly running toward us. I had half a mind to turn and walk away but Rei's hand held me there.

"Oh thank God you're alright," Darren said, panting hard.

Rei turned to look at me and she was as confused as me. Turning back toward the trio, Rei asked, "Why wouldn't we be alright?"

Darren had been leaning over, hands on knees, trying to catch his breath. He stood then, and looked at us. "You...You don't know?"

I grumbled. "Know what, man?" I couldn't keep the annoyance out of my voice.

Kelly stepped forward. I noticed she, as well as Darren, were in their costumes again. Shaun was wearing jeans and a white hoodie with three blue diamonds painted on each side. Probably due to the rain.

"Terrorists are attacking the hotel," Kelly said. "They started attacking people in the court yard in the middle of the hotel." She turned then to look out the window across from the one Rei and I had been standing at. At once, Rei and I both moved to look down into the court yard. It was quiet for a moment and then the building shook again. We saw a few hotel patrons, in costume, running.

"Is that Usagi and Mamoru," Rei asked.

And then we saw it. A creature was stalking toward them, blasting at people in its way. I couldn't see much detail, but I could tell it wasn't human, let alone a terrorist.

It was a youma.

And it was following the Queen.

"It's going for her," I barked before Rei and I both quickly turned. I felt as though a flame had burst to life beside me as Sailor Mars came into existence beside me, running for the stairs. I heard my old friends yell after us as we tore through the doorway and down the several flights of stairs. As I reached the bottom, Mars was already through the fire exit. Darren and Kelly had managed to catch up with me as I reached for the door handle. As I went to follow her, Darren grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

"Where the hell are you going," he cried out at me.

"Stay here and keep this door open for survivors," I said. "If that monster so much as looks over here, shut the door and get the hell away from it." I looked at Kelly and saw she had her katana with her. I grabbed it and said, "I need to borrow this," before opening the door.

"What are you doing," Darren called out after me, but I didn't answer him. I pushed my way through the crowd of people I hadn't realized were here from upstairs. The rain beat down around us and I found myself shivering from the cold of it. Through the crowd, I could see Mars battling the creature and I ran toward them, jumping a few metal gates used to corral people into lines for con events.

As I ran, I saw Usagi on the ground, Mamoru kneeling beside her, his cape wrapped around them both. He glared at the beast as Mars fought it. Mars stood between the royals and the creature. It was blue and feline like, but it was reared up on its hind legs, growling at my fiance. Its tail, which had a scorpion-like barb coming out of the tip, was flicking back and forth in annoyance. Mars blasted a attack towards its face, which caused the beast to roar and turn, landing on its front paws. I had reached it then, quickly pulling the katana from the scabbard and swiping at the beast, cutting it across its snout.

It roared in pain and rubbed at its nose. I looked over the youma to Mars. "Get them out of here!" The beast reared back and swiped at me with its massive talons. I dodged them, my wet shirt a few threads less than it was before. "And call the others!" I saw, out of the corner of my eye, Mamoru and Mars guide Usagi from the fight and toward the door Darren was at. The youma tried to follow, but a few swipes from me with the katana kept the beast in place.

My mind was racing. What the fuck was this thing doing here?! Nothing like this had ever happened before, unless there was a government coverup. But that seemed too conspiracy theory, even for me. But what else could I think? Here I was, staring down a youma. Through all the weird shit I had been through the last few years, and this was confusing me.

The youma charged me. I braced myself but it turned quickly and flicked it tail at me, knocking the sword from my hands. FUCK! It turned back to me and reared up, leaning forward to roar at me. I guess it figured it had the upper hand now that my weapon was gone.

Bitch. Please.

I swung my right hand as hard as I could and I saw my hand connect with the beast's face. Hard. It stumbled and I charged it, jumping to kick the fucker in its teeth. It stumbled again. But as I charged it again, my right fist drawn back, it quickly turned back to me, its tail coming in contact with my left side.

I felt myself fly and land hard against the side of the building. The beast stalked up to me and grabbed me around the throat with its massive front paw. Choking, I swung my right hand but it's tail caught me by the wrist. I tugged against it as the youma raised me from the ground. Its eyes narrowed at my right arm. I was struggling with my left hand to keep the thing choking me and it must have sensed something was different about my right arm. Its teeth bared, it lunged forward. Its teeth broke my skin and began to tear my right arm off.

I couldn't feel pain. Not really. But I felt the pressure of it and that kinda hurt. I began kicking with my feet and smacking with my left hand. The beast glared at me as it tore into my arm, nearly severing it. I felt myself beginning to grow cold. I realized the beast and I were glowing and it occurred to me that my energy was being drained. I was feeding the fucker, one way or another, apparently.

Just as my severed arm fell to the ground, I heard, "Venus Love-me Chain!"

A line of hearts encircled the beast's throat and I was dropped to the ground as it was pulled back, roaring in it's frustration that its meal was interrupted I blinked at the scene before me, blurs of bright colors running to attack the monster. I felt my vision swim and darken, my eyes closing.

I moved my left hand and felt the hilt of the katana. My eyes opened and although my vision was still blurry, I saw the senshi has arrived and had circled around the youma. Only its back was to me. Clutching the handle of the blade, I stood on wobbly legs and charged the monster as it locked onto Mercury for its next attack.

Mustering what strength I could, I led with my left shoulder and charged the youma. I felt more than heard the beast's roar as the blade was driven into its back. I backed away as the creature swung wildly at the blade protruding from it's back.

"World Shaking!" Uranus's attack hit the beast square on and a moment later, it was gone, vanquished in the name of love and justice.

I chuckled at that thought before my knees gave out and fell to the ground. I was leaning forward on my left hand, the rain, I realized, having stopped sometime during the fight. I felt a great warmth beside me and looked to my right, see concern in Mars' violet eyes.

"Caden," She asked with concern.

I blinked at her for a moment before I smiled. "I'm tired," I said, leaning into her, my head on her shoulder.

"Are you okay," I heard from my left. I peeked my eyes open to see Usagi kneeling there.

"Just tired," I said. I sat up and with Mars helping me, I stood. The rest of the Senshi surrounded me, concern in their eyes. "I'm fine, guys. Really."

"You've lost your arm again," Mars said, one arm around my waist to steady me.

"Easily fixed," I replied. "I wasn't as attached to this one." I smiled. "Get it?" Everyone groaned, except Uranus. She laughed.

I felt a warm weight on my shoulders and I turned to see Mamoru stepping back from having just draped his cloak over my shoulders. "Its so you don't frighten the others," he said, seeing the evident question in my eyes. I nodded and thanked him.

"We should get out of here," Neptune said after a moment. "I can hear sirens."

"Agreed," I said. I went to walk and my legs wobbled and I nearly fell again. Between lack of sleep, having my energy drained, not having eaten yet and that morning's...exercise...I was a bit tired. But Mars, God love her, caught me and held me against her as we walked. I could feel her power down, as well as the others, as we moved toward the door. I looked up and saw my old friends standing there, shock written on their faces.

"I don't get it." It was Darren who spoke first. He looked at my arm, to my friends and then to me. "Are you...a robot?"

I chuckled. "Hardly. But it is a long story."

Rei helped me to the elevator while the others took the stairs. During the slow trip back to our room, I explained what all had happened to me the last few years; From the time I met my new family while in a coma to coming here for the con. My old friends simply stared at me as I finished telling them everything. By this time, I had take a seat on the bed, Darren beside me and Shaun and Kelly across from us, on the other bed.

"So... that's why you never tried to call," Darren asked, guilt written on his face.

"Mostly," I replied. "I mean, I was here for a year after waking up. But I was in a really weird place at the time. My dream seemed so real and the real world seemed fake to me at that point." I shrugged. "I couldn't adjust. I didn't want to, to be honest."

"So what happens now," Kelly asked.

"We're going home," I replied.

"Will you ever come back," Darren asked.

I shook my head. "No, I won't, I answered honestly, though I hated telling Darren that when I saw the look on his face.

"But what if more monsters come," Shaun asked. "What do we do?"

"I doubt they will," Ami said, coming in from her room. "The beast was after the Crystal. If we leave, there won't be any power source large enough to sustain any more monsters. It came here because it could sense the Queen had it."

I sighed and smiled. Finally, good news. Rei came to stand beside me, her left hand on my shoulder.

"We shou-" Rei began, but was quickly cut off by a shrill scream coming from Usagi. I quickly stood and the other senshi looked around.

"What!?" Haruka asked, her voice going up an octave.

Usagi had charged Rei and clutched her left hand. Her eyes had gone wide, a large smile on her face. She yelled again, hugged Rei and jumped up and down with her friend in her arms. "YOU'REENGAGEDOHMYGODI'MSOHAPPY!"

I laughed, bringing up my left hand to hide my eyes and shook my head. When I looked up, all I saw was a silver blur as Usagi rushed me and hugged me tightly. While she crushed my ribs, I saw Rei blush while the others asked to see the ring. When I was released, Haruka and Mamoru both shook my hand.

"Caden." I turned to Darren, who had spoken my name so softly, I barely heard it. "I don't want you to go."

I chuckled darkly. "Last night you told me you never wanted to see me again."

I saw Kelly glare at Darren before she stood and punched him in the shoulder. "You fucking prick! Why would you say that her!"

"Its okay, Kelly," I said. She looked at me, anger still in her features. "Really. He was upset. I completely understand."

"So glad you forgive him," Shaun said, glaring at his partner. "Cause I'm kicking his ass when we get home."

I heard Darren swallow and I chuckled. I turned back to my old friend and I hugged him tightly. Or, as tightly as I could with one arm.

"Darren, I love you," I said. "But, in all honesty, we're not as close as we were. Its true I didn't contact you in that year before I left. But you didn't try to find me either. Did you?"

Darren looked surprised and opened his mouth as if he was going to protest what I said. But he shook his head. I smiled and hugged him again.

"Its okay," I said, pulling away. I looked up at him and smiled. "You're still a good guy. And I'm in a better place now. You don't have to worry about me anymore. Because, believe it or not, I'm happy." I turned toward Rei who was by the door, waiting to leave. "Very happy."

I turned back to my old friends, my hand resting on Darren's arm. "Everything will be okay. I promise."

"Oh, girl," Shaun said, hugging me tightly. I chuckled and hugged him back, kissing his cheek. I turned to Kelly who wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. I smiled and felt my ears burn. I saw Rei over her shoulder, her eyebrows raised in mock concern. I winked at her and she smiled.

I turned back to Darren. "Are we good," I asked.

Darren looked at me a moment before hugging me to him. I closed my eyes and felt him shudder. "I love you," he said, his voice thick. I pulled away and saw his eyes were red with unshed tears. "And yeah, we're good. We'll always be good. And I'm sorry for acting like an asshole."

I smiled, reached out with my left hand to take hold of his right, and squeezed it. "I'm pretty much used to it by now."