With her scouts behind her, Serena sat at a long conference table with a multi-paged document in before her. Darien across from her, his guards behind him. Their mothers in between, separated by a royal advisor. They both in tears.
"Darien...please think about this." His mother wept.
"I know you are hurting sweetheart. But really, really think about this." Serenity pleaded with her daughter.
He looked up at her. She didn't move. Just looked at the papers.
"Please take your time with these, this is a big decision to make and I can easily come back." The advisor instructed. "As I stated by signing this contract I will be terminating the original contract. Earth with no longer required to assist in protecting the moon."
"I fully intend to still protect this planet." Darien corrected.
"And that is your choice your highness, but you are no longer obligated too and you and princess's marriage will be void." The advisor continued.
"Serena..." Ami whispered as she kneeled against the table. "Whatever you decide, we are here. But if you need more time."
She looked up at Darien, just staring back at her, and all she could see was him with Beryl. She could only imagine the things that were said about her, i they were anything like what Jadeite said, and she looked back down at her papers.
"Serena, my dear," She looked up at Darien's mother. "My son apologizes, I apologize, what happened last night, and everything..." Her eyes teared up.
"That's the thing you majesty..." Serena too started to tear. "He never apologized." She gave Darien one last look. Picked up her pen and started signing.
Each of the guards hung their heads down.
Darien followed her lead. Page by page they flipped, signing and initialing until they were done. They both put their pens down, and looked at the advisor. Their mothers covered their faces to hide their tears.
Malachite took Darien's forms, as Mina took Serena's.
"Thank you," The advisor said taking both forms. "I will step out and review them all to ensure there is no error, and I will be on my way."
"Thank you for coming so quickly. Let me show you out." Queen Serenity said standing up, wiping her tears.
Darien's mother stood up and wrapped her arms around Serenity. "We tried."
Serenity stepped back, bowed, and walked the advisor out.
Serena looked up at her scouts, then to Darien's mom. She stood up. "I am sorry your majesty." Her voice cracked as she bowed. Looked at Darien one more time, and walked out. Her scouts followed close behind her. Lita closing the door.
"You stupid arrogant son of a -"
"Unless you intend on insulting yourself mom, I suggest you stop." Darien rolled his eye, sinking into his chair even more, rubbing both temples.
"Don't you dare get smart with me young man!" She took a step closer to his seat. "Do you know how badly you just embarrassed you mother in law and myself? Not to mention your wife!"
"Me!" Darien pointed at himself. "Me? You saw what the hell she did!"
"After you left her to escort herself!" His mother yelled. "I told a million times Darien, you are to never embarrass your wife like that. You never leave her alone like that...and of all people her!"
"What the hell makes her so special that she can do that to me?!"
"Boy if you don't fix your tone and your posture." His mother warned. "I vividly remember a young man running into my office with the idea to marry the Princess of the Moon, to merge two kingdoms and strengthen ones forces. Do you remember that day?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "I sure as hell remember how floored I was, considering the very woman you were parading around the ball, was offered to you with a stronger army and large pay out." She turned around, put one index finger on her chin. "Hmmmm...makes me really wonder...why exactly did you want to marry Serena?" She turned back around. Took another step to her son. "You are not fooling anyone, but yourself."
"You have no idea what you are talking about mother..." Darien said under his breath breaking eye contact.
"No? I only birthed you. I only watched you grow into the man you are today. I only watched you treat other women like second class citizens, and then she came along. And I watched how you looked at her. I watched how to dotes over her, so protective." She turned her son's face back to her. "Don't tell me I don't know what I am talking about." She took a step back. "And Darien, had you paid attention to your wife's life over the past years, you would have know that she never wanted Prince Diamond. He wanted her more than she ever would have wanted him, that is why they never ended up together, but they are really good friends."
"She doesn't want to be with me mother." Darien flung his pen across the room. "She signed the damn papers! Hell she was the one who rushed the damn advisor out here!"
"Wrong, she loved you and she gave you a chance."
Darien turned to his mother. "How do you know?"
"She said exactly what you needed to do, and it would have fixed it all. She gave you time, and you didn't take it. She just needs to know that the man she married is as devoted to her as she will be for him."
"I have been trying to talk to her." Darien argued.
"In between visits with Beryl? We told you, if you wanted to continue your shenanigan with her, marry her, and you said no over and over."
"I didn't invite her mom! I don't know how many times I have to say that! I don't even know the hell she got in." He started to rub both of his temples.
"Then why entertain her? Why sit at the bar with, when you knew damn well you were supposed to make an entrance with your wife." Darien's mom's shoulders dropped. She looked at the guards standing behind her son. Just staring at the ground. "I am going to start packing my things to go. I hope with all my soul, you stop this."
"How mother?" Darien asked slamming his hand on the table.
"The papers have not been filed. You can stop this." She said desperately.
Darien looked up at his mom. "So can she."
His mother just shook her head. Signaled the guards to take care of him, turned around and walked away.
"Your majesty," Zoisite whispered.
"I just need a minute."
Outside Serena just ran in her flower field, with scouts keeping their close distance. She took in the air, she twirled around.
"Serena!" Serenity yelled after her daughter as she dragged her dress through the flower fields. "Serena!"
Serena did not say a word. Serenity just watch as her daughter sink down into the field, covered her face and started to weep. Her scouts took a step towards her just to be signaled to stop.
"Oh my sweet girl..." Serenity said with a deep sigh taking a few more steps to catch up to her daughter. She laid a comforting hand on her daughter's bare shoulder.
"I am so sorry mom." Serena continued to weep.
Serenity lowered herself to the ground, pulled her daughter into her arms, and rested her head on her chest. "I know honey..." She kissed the top of Serena's head and she smoothed out her head. "I should be apologizing to you my dear. If I would have known it was going to play out like this..." Serenity heart broke.
The rest of the day somber. Nobody said a word. Serena just listened as everyone scrambled around to prep for the Earth families departure. She looked at the clock over and over again. The scouts stayed close, but allowed Serena her time to be alone.
Darien struggled to pack his things. He would one thing and then lose it or remember he forgot to grab something else.
"Stupid Jadeite." He muttered to himself over and over remembering that day at the cabin. How everything went so bad so fast.
"Prince Darien."
Darien looked up to see none other than Jadeite bowing before him.
"I came to see if needed any assistance."
Darien just shook his head. Threw whatever he had in his hand in his luggage, as Jadeite remained standing there, head down, hands folded in front of him.
When the time came for them to leave, Serena did her duty as the princess and escorted her mom to the shuttle area. Her scouts of course with her. They all watched as the servants brought the luggages to be boarded.
The four guards passed next. Each bowing before the Princess and the Queen. Then waiting by the stairs. Then Darien's mom next.
"I am so sorry," Darien's mom cried hugging Serenity as tight as she could.
"Me too." Serenity whispered they let go. "Let me know when you land, so I know you are safe."
Serena went to courtesy, but Darien's mom grabbed her arm, and pulled her into a hug. "You will always be my daughter." She whispered. Tears started build up in Serena's eyes, because she knew once the queen let go, all that was left was Darien. "I am so sorry for my son and everything we put you through." She kissed her forehead and slowly let go.
She stepped to the side, and almost instantly everyone held their breath as Darien stepped forward. He bowed to Serenity.
"Queen Serenity, I thank you for your hospitality." He started monotoned. "And know that," He looked at Serena who was looking away. "I will make sure the moon is protected, and everyone on it."
Queen Serenity just nodded.
Darien took one step to the left.
"Serena..." her mother called. She turned to her mom who was pointing in the direction of Darien.
Suddenly it was like breath was taken from her. She put her hand to chest. Cleared her throat. "I hope you have a safe travels." She curtseyed again not making any eye contact.
Tears forming in his eyes, he sniffed hard to bring them. "Thank you Se..Princess." He choked out. He looked up at the guards nodded. Then over to the scouts who bowed simultaneously. One more look at Serena. And took a step towards the shuttle.
Serena turned to her mom, "I am sorry mother, I...ummm..." She did a hard blink to stop the tears from flowing.
"I know honey, you can go in with the scouts, I will make sure all is taken care of." She put a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder, gave her a gentle rub.
Serena took one more look at Darien as his head hung in shame. She took a step in the opposite direction of Darien, towards her scouts, who stood there with open arms, and off they went.
He did one quick bow, as Serenity nodded, with weak knees and heavy feet, he climbed the steps and entered the ship. When he finally entered, the door closed behind him, and every emotion rushed through him, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Sire!" Malachite called rushing to him. Jadeite got there first.
"I got you prince." He encircled his body with his long arms, and helped hoist him up.
"Have a seat sire. Please." Malachite moved some things on a chair, for Jadeite to place Darien in.
"Here have some water." Zoisite handed him a bottle.
Darien just shook it off.
"Should we call a doctor?" Nephrite asked leaning over his seat.
"No!" Darien shouted. "We need to go." He cleared his throat.
"Sire, as your friend..." Malachite started.
"I am fine." Darien caught his breath. "It is just weird. I feel like this heaviness over my chest." He shook his head. "I have never felt this way before." He looked at his guards. "You know the worst part of all this?" He looked down at his knees. "I really do love her. Always have." He picked at a little piece of fuzz on his slacks. "Now she will never know."
The guards all sunk in their seats, as Darien slammed himself against the seat back. He slammed the window cover shut, and closed his eyes.
The sound of the shutter got louder, echoing across the palace as it readied for take off. Serena just held her breath as she walked. Every part of her wanted to look back, or run back.
"Serena, we will get you inside, and we will have some tea." Mina said soothingly.
Serena cleared her throat. "I really just...ummm."
"Sere..." Lita called.
Serena looked over to her. "Leets, I just need some time okay?"
Lita just nodded.
"Sere." Rei's confused called. "Isn't that the advisor?"
Serena turned to the castle.
"Your majesty!" He called, scurrying over to her. "Your majesty!"
"What is it?" Serena stopped in her tracks.
"I do apologize, for bothering you." He bowed apologetically. "Normally, I review these forms where they are signed so errors like this can be fixed as soon as possible." He took in another breath. "But I was called to my office. So, I handled that. Long story let me tell you." He rolled his eyes, then noticed Serena's face not amused. "But that is not relevant right now." Again, bowing apologetically. "I am here because it looks like you forgot to sign this part." He handed her a copy of their divorce forms. "This part here stating that 'if either of you change your mind, there is nothing that can be done, there is no going back. There is no cool off period. It is done.'" He pulled out a pen.
"I double checked to make sure nothing was missed..." Serena whispered folding her papers to the missing signature.
"A very common mistake Princess, there is so much signing and reading and...it happens. Usually, though I only get one who misses that part, maybe the signature from the line before is so big it covers the other, but both of you did." He awkwardly laugh. "Almost like you two were meant to be together, and this divorce was not in the cards." He handed her the pen. "Right there, I tagged it too." He looked around. "Where is the prince I do need him to sign his too."
"He already left." Serena answered staring dead at her papers.
"Oh that is an issue..." The advisor placed his index finger on his chin.
"W..what?' Serena looked at him confused. "Why?"
"I need him to sign his part for the marriage to be no longer valid. And until he does."
"They are still legally married." Mina exhaled.
"Even if you sign yours." He completed.
Serena finally looked back to see the shuttle in the sky. "Prince Darien is on a one way trip back to earth."
"I will have to look at my schedule and see when I can down to earth, or maybe we can call the shuttle and have them turn around?" The advisor suggested.
"We are not calling him back." Serena said sternly. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Does he have to physically sign them, like with a pen? Can we do a virtual signature? Get it done once he lands? And have him send it back."
"I apologize your majesty, I have to witness the signature, and turn in an official copy."
"This cannot be happening..." Serena stomped and whispered under her breath.
"Maybe it's a sign?" Mina whispered, placing a hand on Serena's arm.
"I wish I got here sooner your majesty."
She turned back to her papers. "Maybe. It is not like it would change anything, we aren't meant to be." Serena just shrugged. Grabbed the pen out of the advisors hand and quickly squiggled her name across the form Shoved it to the advisor. "When the shuttle returns, I will arrange for you to go to Earth." She pushed her way past the advisor. "I don't want him returning back here."
"My apologies for her behavior." Mina bowed.