Thank you blueeyeddevil06 for being my beta

Chapter 8 – A Time to Reflect

Serena's parents were left in a sort of suspended tension and relief, if those things go together. They spoke to her on the phone weekly, and her father received updates from his brother regularly. They were so relieved she had a job, one where she succeeded and where she was appreciated. The tensions came in when they realized they didn't recognize their daughter anymore. The description of the hard-working girl they received from her uncle didn't fit what they knew of their daughter. That, and her regular appearances at breakfast. They were so used to her dashing off with a piece of toast in her hand. Her mother then realized she wasn't even sure what Serena liked for breakfast anymore.

And so, her parents reflected on the fact that when she returned, they would have to get to know her all over again. Her mother quipped, "I guess we could start by all going out for breakfast." Her brother laughed, and then agreed. He thought it was a strange world where Serena woke up on time.

Luna moved in with Mina and Artemis when Serena left. She enjoyed being around Mina since she was so like Serena, and Artemis had her heart for over a thousand years. Even with all of that, she missed Serena terribly. Two months after Serena left, Luna had gone through everything she thought she knew about Serena. She eventually realized that while Serena was changing, her perception of Serena had not. She had remained, to Luna, that clumsy girl who didn't know what she was doing in the beginning. After truly reflecting on her though, she realized that she wasn't that girl even when she left. Luna knew she really wouldn't be that girl when she returned.

Raye maintained she was correct about Serena the whole time. Really, how could she be wrong? Serena was loud, got bad grades, and wasn't dependable. How could she ever have been a princess and be like that. Surely, she needed to grow up and try harder. Raye never made it to reflecting on the fact that it was Serena's power and abilities that defeated the youma and saved the day. If she had, she would have felt like the support cast in her own life. Without even knowing what she was doing, she had made sure to tear Serena down. She was always the leading lady when she closed her eyes at night. She made it so that she felt like that in the daytime too.

Amy, on the other hand, had quickly realized that she had been too hard on Serena. For one thing, she felt their group was quickly falling apart. She then realized she was being dramatic in that thought. It didn't fall apart; it just wasn't the same. Serena was always the one to notice when something was bothering one of them. She also was apparently the only one who noticed when Amy was lonely but didn't know how to reach out. So, she spent many afternoons alone and missing her friend. She knew the other girls truly cared about her, and they just didn't get together as much as they used to.

Mina lost her rudder with Serena gone. For so long, even when she was fighting alone, she always knew Serenity was out there for her to go to. Once she found Serena and started fighting with her, she had the one person with her that she was meant to support. She realized that Serena had needed more from her. Mina was a natural leader, and her lack of patience with Serena only made things worse. Serena needed her help to teach her and not be made to feel lacking since it wasn't a natural ability for her. She looked forward to the moment Serena came back.

Lita missed Serena's acceptance of her. She was friends with the other girls, and it was a true bond of deep friendship, but it lacked part of what she received from Serena. On rough days, when she felt too tall or too strong for a woman, she remembered how Serena appreciated her just as she was and told her. She resolved that when Serena came back, she wouldn't mention her strength. She would just ask to train together. Really, to Lita, it was a win-win. Serena would be stronger, and she would get to spend time with the one person who she felt truly accepted her and cared for her.

Molly kept in regular contact with Serena. She was excited to hear all about her new life and her job. She listened to her tell all about her various dates, and Molly filled her in on Melvin. Molly loved hearing about The Boys. She loved to hear about the funny things they did and how they supported Serena. She quickly grew to admire them. Molly hoped Serena would come home soon so they could meet for lunch and go out shopping and laughing like old times.

Darien was happy with his studies. At least that is what he told himself. He was concentrating on medical school and getting fabulous grades. All his professors praised his abilities and his hard work. He was top of his class, and that wasn't going to change. No one understood the material or worked harder than he did. He slept well and never had nightmares. Deep down, he was miserable.

What was he working towards if it wasn't a life with Serena? What was the point of med school in the first place? He knew he wanted to be a doctor before he even met her. He just struggled to remember why that was. When he did remember, it felt vague and unfulfilling. She had given him a wonderful future to look forward to, and without her, it became bleak. Yet, he still studied and concentrated on becoming a doctor. After all, what other alternative did he have?

Andrew watched them all from behind the counter at the Arcade. He watched the girls in various levels of guilt and missing Serena. He watched Darien, his best friend, shut down even further. He still came and drank coffee while he studied, and he made small talk with Andrew. He never opened up and said anything of consequence though. So, Andrew watched and waited. Ten months after Serena left, Darien told Andrew about the dreams of her dying in his arms soaked in her own blood.

Andrew was never a violent man, and he really cared for Darien. Yet, that day in the Arcade, he lost it completely. Darien was on the floor holding his bloody nose before he even realized Andrew was angry.

Andrew growled, "You broke Serena's heart over a dream?! You are the stupidest... dumbest… Ah! What the hell?!"

"It wasn't just a dream. I saw it every night ,and I knew it was more than that. It was a warning. If I stayed with her, she would have died. I can live with her hating me. I can't live if she dies. Don't you understand?"

"Oh, I understand. I understand you broke her heart, and you made sure you get to feel self-righteous about it. You just can't fathom being happy, can you?"

"That is hardly fair! Being with her was easy; it was like breathing. Now, I don't know how to be alone again. I was good at it, and after her, I don't remember how."

"You were never good at it. You were just really good at lying to yourself. Now, you know the difference between the lie and reality. And, you broke up with her and chased her away."

"How did I chase her away? I stayed away from her so she could get over me!" Darien was puzzled.

"You brought that girl to the Arcade to hurt her," Andrew spat at him.

"Yes, I will admit I brought her to prove to Serena that we were over, but she never came in that day."

"Nope, she sure didn't. She took one look at you with that girl from her spot at the door, turned and fled. I saw her crying."

"I didn't even see her. I feel awful."

"Why do you care when it was exactly what you wanted? She saw the two of you together. Mission accomplished. We will call it 'Mission: Darien is an Ass.'"

"Of course I care! I had second thoughts about it later, and I was relieved when I thought she hadn't seen me with her. I can't even look at that girl without hating myself, and that was before I knew Serena even saw us!"

"Well, the next day, she started talking about getting out of town for a while when she came to the Arcade. She told me it was time to get some distance away from the city. Next thing I know, her father is calling mine excited that she finally had some motivation to grow up and get a job. So, I hold to the original statement that you chased her away."

"Please, tell me that isn't true," he begged.

"It is true and all for a stupid dream."

"It wasn't just a dream, it was a warning." Darien desperately wanted Andrew to believe him and understand he was protecting Serena.

"You sound really stupid right now."

"No, really, you know who I am, but…."

"Serena is Sailor Moon." Andrew said evenly and with a bored tone.

"You know?!" Darien was absolutely shocked.

"I've known her longer than I have known you. Of course I know. She and the girls aren't really that good at talking quietly. She had bruises and injuries that I knew you and her father weren't giving her."

"Well, then you know she is special, and I have to take the dreams seriously!"

"What I know is there have been people or aliens who have wanted to separate you before, and I'm sure that wasn't the last time. Luckily for them, you made it easy." Andrew was really angry now.

"This isn't a joke."

"Oh, I'm not joking. How do you defeat the bad guys if you don't even fight? You are stronger together. Now, they're assured that you're both weaker. She isn't even in the city!"

"You're wrong about my dreams."

"And, you're an idiot. You aren't going to convince me those dreams were going to come true."

Darien sighed and gave up on convincing Andrew for now. "I just wish I knew if she was okay," Darien said sadly.

And here, Andrew smiled and got a sick satisfaction out of what he was about to say. Darien was his friend. and he shouldn't have enjoyed it so much. "She's actually doing really well. She sounds great every time I talk to her on the phone."

"Wait, you have been in contact with her this whole time?!"

"Yup," and Andrew smiled.

"Where is she, and what's she doing?"

"Oh, no. I'm not telling you where she is. She is doing well. She has a job where they absolutely love her, and she is enjoying it. She has great friends around her. She is really thriving."

"Is she seeing anyone?" Darien asked nervously.

And, here came the part of the conversation Andrew was really looking forward to. "I wouldn't call it seeing anyone. She goes on lots of dates, and apparently, the local florist has her address memorized, but she hasn't been seeing any one man. She says she's having fun being young, single and dating around."

Darien's face fell at the idea of other men receiving her smiles. The idea of them even touching her hand made him sick. Jealousy grew in his chest.

Andrew smiled and said, "So see, you got exactly what you wanted. She's moving on."

Darien stormed out of the Arcade after that statement, went home to study, and ice his face. Once he got there, he slammed his books down and punched a hole in the wall for the first time in his life.

He then went to his freezer and pulled out two ice packs.

Andrew sighed and smiled back at the Arcade. He knew he was able to start chipping away at Darien's armor. Step one to getting them back together, check. Then he sighed. It was going to be a long checklist.

Sapphire was ready, and he knew it was time. Hopefully, Endymion was playing his part. "Time to go!" he yelled.