We do not own "Sailor Moon" nor any of the characters.
"SAILOR MOON ETERNAL"
The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga
Chapter 9
"The Treaty Borne of Love"
…11:30 AM…
…11:45 AM…
…12:00 PM…
…Tick tock…
Twelve terrible strokes of empty passing time beat into Michelle Moreau's soul. You're not coming, are you? Oh, Amara, please come to the wedding! What I said before, I didn't mean it! This is all my fault. I've lied my way through the morning saying you're just late…but was it a lie? Or a hope? Should I tell Serena? She'll be so upset. She and Amara have become so close.
Close…
Michelle blinks back the tears as she stands, gazing out the window. Her elegant, expensive dress, her stately mansion, her sophisticated lifestyle—she would give it all up just to see that one person again.
That one person whom she hurt so badly just yesterday. That one person with whom she was closer than close.
What do I do? An unbidden tear slips down her cheek.
'Are you all right, Michelle?' A familiar voice echoes in her head, sounding worried.
'Robin…?' Michelle feels a tiny bit of relief, hearing his voice in her mind again as she knocks down the barriers she had erected.
She lets him back into her mind, her soul, her psyche—needing him more now than ever.
Without another word, Robin knew all he needed to know, knew all he needed to do.
'Don't worry.' His parting thought wa clipped just before he closes the channel again.
"Robin?" Michelle actually says out loud, bewildered by his abrupt departure. But still the short connection with him was enough to know that soon everything would be all right again, she hoped against hope.
Across the city...
Just coming out of the changing room in a posh men's fashion shop, Sayer goes on his third attempt to bowtie that blasted tie so that it would at least stay in place. He didn't even care what it looked like any longer, he was so riled up.
ARGH! He grunts, tearing the loosened piece of cloth from his neck, almost wanting to rip it in half, his temper almost getting the better of him, despite being in public.
"How am I supposed to do this thing?!" He erupts loudly in frustration, his anger as flaming red as his suit. All eyes in the ritzy store look down at the teenaged boy disapprovingly.
"Sayer…" Terry's calm voice attempts to scold him but it quickly turns into a smile instead. For today, nothing could change Terry's mood.
Walking up to his younger brother, Terry takes the erstwhile tie from Sayer's hand, tying it expertly around his neck in one swift motion.
"There." The tall, mahogany haired man in a dashing yellow and grey tails designer tuxedo smiles, standing beside his fellow Three Light reflected in the full length mirror. The two of them look extremely dashing in their designer matching suits.
"I could've done that." Sayer sulks a bit, feeling his ego a bit bruised at how easily Terry had handled it.
"I'm sure you could have." Capable Terry says amicably, a jubilant tone in his voice that Sayer picks up on immediately.
"Happy, huh?" The navy blue haired man lowers his voice as he finishes buttoning up his grey vest in the mirror.
"Well, I…" Terry blushes sweetly, knowing what Sayer was referring to.
And he would be right.
"Guess I know why…" Sayer teasingly trails off, smiling from ear to ear, with visions of a certain lady filling both their minds.
Suddenly cutting through the store like a bullet, the third of the Three Lights, looking quite debonair in his blue suit jacket that completed the set of three idols, makes his way towards them.
"We've gotta go. Right now." Robin says simply, turning on his spats heel, not even looking back to see if the other two were behind him.
Sayer and Terry exchange a glance with each other and take off after him, both surprised to see their usually recalcitrant brother in such a hurry.
Following Robin to the car, Terry gets in the driver's seat with Sayer in the backseat in the flash of a few moments.
"What's wrong?" His voice all serious, Terry asks in concern at the anxious expression on Robin's face. With total concentration, the silver-haired psychic closes his eyes, ignoring his brother's question.
"Where're we going?" Sayer asks.
Another long moment passes until Robin finally opens his eyes with the answer to both his brothers.
"We're going to go find Alex." He says with determination, making Sayer and Terry give each other apprehensive glances.
After a few simple directions with Terry at the helm, the vehicle speeds off as a thoughtful silence overtakes its passengers, each man lost in his own reverie.
Though concerned about Alex, Terry's thoughts can't help but drift back to his Susan and just how he was going to convey to her the extent of his newfound love—
No, a love as old as time…
—At the very first opportunity he could find today.
Sighing contentedly, Terry glances in the rear view mirror at a pensive Sayer who was in the backseat. He sensed the sudden serious mood overtake his brother's earlier, easygoing joviality, making Terry wonder what exactly was on this headstrong sibling's mind.
As to what that was, Sayer Starr himself did not have a definite answer. This morning he had been so up, so certain that today was going to be a wonderful day.
But now suddenly, he wasn't so sure. He wanted to believe he had come to terms with his feelings for the Princess of the Moon. He was inexplicably sure he had been developing feelings inexplicably for the difficult Sailor of Uranus now instead.
Amazing. He scoffs at himself. A few days ago, we weren't even friends and now…
Red zone! Red zone, Sayer! Am I a masochist or something? She's not interested in me. Ally is different from other girls. But I can't shake this feeling! Just one smile from her sends me reeling! Oh, I can't get her out of my mind!
I guess I'm falling for you…
Tangled up in these strong, once inconceivable emotions, the curly haired man scruffs at his no longer coiffed hairstyle he had spent so much time adjusting in the mirror this morning.
Ally…where are you? This is a special moment for Meatball! I know how you care for her, how much you'd give to protect her…You have to be here for her now, too, because she cares about you just as much!
And… I want you to be here with me…But I can't tell you that. You wouldn't like me to tell you that in tenderly whispered words. That's why you're so different from other girls. That's why you're so perfect. Because you're not like anyone I've ever known before. You're just you. And I think…I think I might be falling—
Suddenly a voice cuts off Sayer's final conclusive thought. "Stop here!" Robin cries out matter-of-factly.
Looking outside the windows, they see a large area, with a small part of it devoted to various physical sports, crowds gathering around each location.
But the main focus of the stadium was obviously on the motor sports aspect. On one circular track to the left, test cars zoomed by, their exhaust filling the air the boys' take in when they step out of their car.
Watching the race cars whiz by, Sayer feels an exhilaration surging through his veins.
"Is this where Ally spends her time?" He asks, impressed to no end.
Robin ignores the question and instead points to a building on the other end of the raceway.
"She's here somewhere. I can feel her mental signature near. Let's split up. Terry, why don't you go see if you can find her in that building over there? It looks like where all the drivers gather. Sayer, go to the physical sports' area. Michelle was telling me that Alex used to do track and field over there, too. And you know all about racing, so maybe she's there. We'll meet back at the car in twenty minutes, either way. All right?"
Uncharacteristically taking command of the situation, Robin nods to Terry who nods back. His long legs immediately head for the sports center building. Giving Robin a sideways look, Sayer takes off for the direction of the track and field, feeling more than a little out of place in his fancy monkey suit in a place like this.
Alone, as he intended to be, Robin turns on his heel in the opposite direction, glad his brothers had listened to him so readily. He didn't want them around for this encounter.
Robin knew exactly where Alex was—for Michelle knew Alex and Robin knew Michelle. And in knowing her, he'd fallen in love with her and in loving her, he knew how much she loved Alex.
It was his fault the two of them had quarreled. And he'd do anything to make it right again. For Michelle, he would do anything—even if it meant facing down the wildest of wild storms…
"Alex, we have to talk." Robin speaks succinctly with determination in his voice to a pair of long red panted legs sticking out from under a stock car on a lift inside the otherwise vacated garage he had found his way into.
"There's nothing to talk about." Comes the low, sullen reply from beneath the vehicle from the person situated on the garage shop creeper below.
With no surprise, nor guile, Alex had already registered Robin's presence long before he had opened his mouth. She simply did not deem him worthy enough to come out from under the car to speak to him face-to-face as she continues to work on the car ignoring him entirely.
"Alex, you know there is." Robin steps a few paces closer to the car, determined to have this out with her, once and for all.
"What I know, obviously, isn't important anymore." She grumbles with a chip on her shoulder bigger than the yellow Ferrari.
"That's not true. Michelle—" Robin starts to explain.
"—chose you over me. That's all there is to it." Her anger getting the better of, Alex quickly slides out from under the car and jumps up to stand directly in front of Robin, staring him right in the eye.
A wrench in her hand, grease and oil stains all over her mechanic's overalls and even across her face, Alex Sokova stood in stark contrast to Robin Starr's polished looking, perfectly fitted and stylish pale blue and grey tailored designer suit.
"But she doesn't have to choose between us!" But Robin holds his ground, looking up at Alex, a fierce determination in his mint green eyes.
Locking gazes with him for a prolonged second, Alex then turns away, shaking her head.
"What are you doing here? You got what you want. Just leave me alone." The racecar driver starts to walk away. The last time she had seen Michelle and the angry words which had passed between them was still ringing across the winds of her broken heart.
"Alex!" Robin's urgent voice stops her as he bravely places a hand on her shoulder. For any man would have to be very brave to stop Alex Sokova in mid-motion—especially when she had a wrench in her hand and was angry as hell.
"Michelle loves you." He admits simply, condensing all the emotion, all the feelings, all the caring that Michelle had for Alex into three small words.
The golden-haired woman's angry face melts into a sad, painful grimace and she looks down in silence.
The Sailor of the Star Healer continues on, seeing that maybe, just maybe, he was beginning to break through that tough exterior to bring that 'healing' back into all their lives.
"Her feelings for me could never change her feelings for you. Don't you see that?"
No reply comes as Alex stands stock-still, frozen in place, the emotion on her face difficult to read.
"You two are beyond special to each other. You always have been. You're a part of her soul and she's a part of yours. I don't want to come between that. I love Michelle too much to ever come between you two." Robin looks away himself now, letting go of Alex's arm, having said all he could express.
But still he didn't know if he had gotten through to her, Alex's hard look still etched on her face as it was downward in deep consternation.
A long moment of silence passes.
Finally, Alex looks up. "You must love her very much to be able to tell me these things to my face. I didn't think you'd have the guts." Alex feels a slow, new respect for the silver-haired shrimp.
"I do love her. More than I ever thought I could love anyone." Robin answers truthfully. His light green eyes lock again assuredly with Alex's dark green ones—a silent understanding forming between them.
"But if you ever hurt her…" Alex warns threateningly, though beginning to accept these new circumstances in her relationship with Michelle in her innermost heart.
"I wouldn't…But if I did, I'm sure I'd feel the consequences from you." Robin gestures his chin towards the most ferocious soldier he'd ever known, giving her a small, wry smirk.
Considering this visitor from the stars for a minute, Alex finally returns his smile with a quick smirk of her own.
I suppose if Michelle MUST have him…I'll just have to keep a close watch…She thinks to herself, almost not, but in the spirit of the moment, deciding to wipe her hands on her slacks before sticking her greasy palm out to pristinely clothed Robin Starr.
He shakes it without hesitation, sealing this precious pact over Michelle between them.
"Hey! What're you two jabbering about in there?! We've got an important wedding to get back to!" A high voice calls in from outside the garage's open doors at just this opportune second.
"Sayer?! How long have you been here?!" Robin asks with a blush, a little embarrassed if his annoying brother had heard such soulful admissions he'd been imparting to Alex.
"Just got here." The darker haired boy says innocently enough, somehow sensing this was the location he'd find the pair.
Turning his attentions to Alex, he smiles and then winks with that wolfish grin on his face.
"Lookin' good, Ally. Like the outfit…Overalls on a good-looking woman like you is a real turn on." He waggles his flirtatious eyebrows and points his finger like a gun, taking a good, clean shot at Alex.
Turning back to Robin, she sighs in disgust, jutting her thumb back at Sayer.
"Did you have to bring him along?"
Robin sniggers in response, finding he and Alex agreed on something else before they join Sayer outside.
"Let's get going, Terry's waiting with the car right over there." Robin points, seeing that reliable Terry was already standing by the sedan, albeit dreamily looking up at the sky.
"I'll meet you there." Alex turns on her heel to retrieve her yellow Ferrari behind the garage. Sayer's eyes light up as he dashes after her instead of going with Robin back to join Terry.
"Taking any passengers today, Ally?" Sayer asks, leaning provocatively on the driver's side door of the expensive sports' car, plying his undeniable charm on her.
Which, in this rock star's experience may have impact on other females, but it never worked on Alex Sokova.
Well, not that she'd admit anyway.
Before she could respond negatively, Robin jumps in. He had intuitively turned on his heel to go through the garage and make his way back to the Ferrari. Anything to try to avoid Alex's wrath from a pushy Sayer, the touchy woman perhaps not coming along, if Sayer rubbed her the wrong way first.
"We'll BOTH come with you." Robin throws a responsible older brother warning glance at Sayer to behave. The dark-haired rapscallion smiles with a shrug, sliding into the front seat when Alex climbs into the car and turns on the purring engine.
"Fine. Let's just get going." Alex growls, clearly annoyed.
"I'll go tell Terry to meet us back at the mansion." Robin, uncommonly energetic on this mission from the heart,hurriedly trots back to the sedan, as he leaves he could hear Sayer begin to say:
"I was just talking to some people over there at the track and field. They say you're really good, even faster than your record before. I'd love to see you in action again, live sometime myself and not just on TV..."
Sayer smiles enticingly as he infers in the world 'action' something other than running when he imagined her sleek muscles pumping.
"Oh, would you?" Alex's eyebrows rise as she smirks. "The only action you'll ever see from me is probably a fist in your face again." She revs the Ferrari's engine with a saucy look in her eye.
Arghh… Robin thinks to himself as he returns and settles into the rear seat of the vehicle. What could Sayer be thinking?! I only had to talk to Alex for Michelle's sake. She's like a fire breathing dragon! How could Sayer ever even think of her in that way?
"You're nuts, Sayer…absolutely nuts…" Robin whispers to the wind smacking him in the face in the open-air convertible as it speeds along the roadways.
But that was already an established fact he had known almost all his life.
The yellow Ferrari comes to a screeching halt in front of a mansion oh-so-familiar to it, with the sedan pulling up behind it. Stepping out, Alex smiles to herself as the wind gently whips against her face.
That fool man can talk! She shakes her head as she hears the car door slam from the other side of the vehicle, but somehow didn't feel as annoyed by it as she was just yesterday.
I guess I'm getting used to being near him. And now the other one, too... She concludes. Then with a twist of her lip, Alex considers that scary thought which just went through her mind.
I certainly hope not. She strides through the door, which the silent butler whisks open for her with Sayer and Robin close at her heels.
How strangely out of place she looked in the midst of all the elegance and splendor of the mansion as Alex stands there in her oil-stained machine shop overalls. But to the lady of the house she was the most beautiful sight in the world.
"Amara!" Michelle's sweet voice rings through the mansion as she races down the spiral staircase like a child, not giving a single thought to her fancy gown or her expensive high heels.
"More and more amazing you are…" Alex hears Robin whisper in awe of both mansion and mistress. And for once, she agreed. Seeing her once again, Alex opens her mind to Michelle, all of the emotions and feelings rushing to her.
How could I ever have thought I could turn away from your embrace, Michelle? Alex wonders, realizing that she could not, for Michelle was the other half of her soul—her better half, at that.
And no matter who came into their lives, they two would always still be soulmates. The only difference now was that Michelle had invited someone else in, too.
Maybe not taking my place in her heart, but claiming a new part of Michelle's vast heart for his own. I guess I can live with that. Alex thinks as Michelle rushes to hug her first, her heels clicking on the marble floor as she runs to her across the mansion.
Just about to embrace, Alex stops her, holding back Michelle's bare forearms, smiling.
"I'm all greasy, Michelle, you'll get your beautiful dress—" She protests, not wanting to ruin that gorgeous gown. But Michelle doesn't care one wit as she breaks free of Alex's grip and throws her arms around her dirt-stained form nonetheless, tears streaming down both her cheeks.
"Amara, I am so sorry for all those things I said. They're not true, none of it! Can you ever forgive me?" Michelle sobs onto Alex's shoulder, truly meaning every word. Alex squeezes her tightly, feeling the tears stinging her own eyes.
Burying her head in Michelle's flowing teal hair, Alex whispers in her ear: "Shh, shh. It wasn't you, it was me not hearing." Then looking up into Michelle's ocean blue eyes she says, "How can I deny you anything you want so badly, even if it's a little shrimp like that?" Alex jibes at Robin once again, who holds his quick tongue for Michelle's sake.
Smiling joyfully at both her beloveds near and getting along, Michelle beams at Robin, then back at Alex, now the two most important people in her life. Happiness filling her soul, she tugs on Alex's arm.
"Come on. Let's get you dressed! I have your suit all ready and pressed!" Michelle drags Alex up the stairs, dodging the array of bridesmaids who were watching the scene in curiosity.
Not wanting to interrupt the touching moment, Terry stood watching from the doorway all the while. But now entering the vast front hall, he gazes up at the girls all in their fancy attire. Seeing how his two brothers had rudely ignored them as the pair of their gazes had only followed Michelle and Alex's departure up the stairs, both smiling at their tender exchange, Terry, ever the gentleman, goes to compliment the feminine hearts sent aflutter.
"You all look very—" But a vision of beauty halts him in mid-sentence. Susan prepares to join her fellow bridesmaids at the top of the spiral staircase, feeling a little bit frightened, knowing who would be waiting downstairs below.
What should I do? How do I act towards him? I love him terribly, but I cannot... These thoughts were foremost in her mind as she gracefully glides to the top of the stairs. Looking down, she feels her heart skip a beat.
How handsome he is in that yellow and grey suit! She can't help but admire. Then suddenly her eyes lock within his violet ones and she feels all the uncertainty of the night before fading away.
Today is different. Today is special. I can be myself—if just for today. She thinks as she moves down the stairs, drawn to him, the magical wonderment of this day of all days, allowing her to believe that she could leave behind her duty, her bound soul, to be happy—if only for one day.
"—breathtaking." Finishing his previously begun sentence supposedly directed at the now disappointed bridesmaids arrayed on the spiral staircase, and transposing it to focus on one dress designer as she floats to him as if in a dream, Terry loses himself in her beauty as he reaches out to touch her cheek when she reaches him. Only at the last second does he remember his place and her silence towards him just this morning.
"Please do." Susan whispers, her smile lighting a fire in his soul. His hand was still hanging in the air, as she gingerly takes it, pressing it to her cheek as he tenderly caresses it and she blushes. She then closes her eyes, pressing against it, feeling such bliss from his simple touch.
Excitedly watching the quixotic scene in shock, a wide-eyed Rei finally breaks the silence.
"Did you see that?!" Disapproving again, Rei whispers, drawing her own conclusions from Michelle's rumored hearsay.
"Wow…" It was all that Mina could utter at the time, (and usually Mina could utter a lot more!). Then cementing their audience's suspicions even more, Terry lifts Susan's left hand to his mouth, brushing the top with his lips like a proper gentleman, then turning it, he kisses her palm with something a little less than proper in his kiss.
"Right in front of everyone!" Rei's whisper becomes nearly rabid, her eyes flashing.
"Terry's a romantic, isn't he?" Lita says, dreamily, as Amy nods, smilingly blushing.
"He sure is!" Rini says, quietly smiling from ear to ear, impressed, she herself was a young girl with dreams of romance, remembering a certain young man who once kissed her hand (well, on the top anyway).
"Is! Is!" Daria repeats, giggling at the funny scene that everyone seemed so interested in. Standing behind them all, unnoticed, a young girl dressed in pastel violet indigo, steams silently.
"Susan, you take my breath away." Terry says finally, breathily, after what seemed an eternity looking into her eyes. Blushing, Susan fights the instinct to turn away, feeling her heart caught in her throat.
What wonderful things he says! And when he says them, I believe him—I believe him with all my heart. Susan smiles shyly up at him. "You look very handsome as well." Her voice was just above a whisper.
His eyes smiling, Terry gently squeezes the hand he still held. "Not nearly good enough for you, my lady."
Susan's eyes widen at his smooth admission which causes her heart to race.
My lady? He called me 'My lady.' How beautiful! How gentlemanly! I only wish I really could be your—No! No more sad thoughts today. It's a joyous day and I intend to share in the princess' happiness. Share it with you, Terry...My lord.
Just thinking the words makes Susan blush even deeper, for she knew in imagining it she was giving him more than just a title, she was giving him rule over her heart, too.
And even time could not control that sentimental organ.
The Inner Scouts watch in interest as this touching tableau unfolds before them, each imagining themselves in a similar situation with their own dream man. They all sigh as one, making Sayer (who was also watching his brother and Susan, as well, feeling quite pleased at what was happening between them) chuckle at their...their girlishness.
Girls are curious. Girls are innocent. He shrugs at the almost lyrical thoughts. I used to think girlishness was nice, but maybe now I'm leaning towards someone more adult...
Sayer's musings trail off when one more curious and innocent girl just on the brink of womanhood takes her place at the top of the stairs. The Princess of the White Moon was beaming such inner radiance she was almost too brilliant to look at with just the naked eye.
Ornate but still elegant, the flowing white wedding dress seemed to sparkle with light as she descends down the stairs, her long trained veil cascading down her perfect flawless white shoulders. Though despite all the diamond-studded jewels and lace finery, underneath that flowery rosette veil was the same sweet smile, the same friendly warmth, the same incorruptible Serena all those gathered below had come to cherish and love.
Her coruscating twinkle and glowing shine left the group speechless for a good ten seconds. Sayer, as always, was the first to recover. Striding over to his beloved friend, he takes both her outstretched gloved hands in his, squeezing them tightly.
This is it. The day I traveled half a galaxy to see you're sure you made the right choice. The day I watch another man carry your shine away…
And I can, because you are that certain…
"Meatball..." He pauses, engulfed in her light once again for a moment. Sayer was trying to feel happiness at her happiness and a bit of guyish pride wells up in his soul. Not finding the words to express his feelings, Sayer does what he does best—
Just say what you feel.
"You look like a star going supernova." He admires none too plainly in astrophysical terms felt in his star soul this princess who had become his princess, too.
Looking in his eyes, their bond was so close now, closer than ever, Serena understood all he meant to say, even as Sayer had just compared her glow to a stellar explosion that briefly outshines an entire galaxy, radiating as much energy as the sun itself.
"And you still look like my favorite wandering shooting rogue star. I've always had a weakness for a handsome, dark haired man in a tuxedo." She giggles that sweet giggle of hers as she dusts off his jacket lapel playfully, the two old friends both bantering and flirting in intergalactic terms.
"Yeah, I know, that's why you're in this mess." Sayer winks, his wicked sense of humor was something Serena could always count on.
"Oh, are you here to rescue me, then?" Serena's maturing wit was not too dull herself anymore as she joked with her close friend giddily.
"Anytime, Meatball." Sayer salutes her with a smile. "It's still not too late for me to take you away with me." The dark-haired man leans in close and whispers in that sultry smooth voice, but not with the true longing he once had, for the emotions were not the same anymore.
"Well, before you do, let me fix that tie of yours…" Serena tries to straighten that unforgiving tie as Sayer lifts his chin for her, though still looking into her crystal clear eyes. Not quite satisfied with it, but deciding it would just have to do, Serena finishes the tie, meeting his gaze again, feeling a brotherly affection and warmth from this dear, dear friend.
As the rest of the gang soon forms around Serena, oohing and ahhhing over her designer dress, one more onlooker, who had been surveying the scene intently from the top of the stairs, did not envision the pair's exchange merely as friendly.
"Amara, what is it?" Michelle asks softly, not wanting to pry, but concerned about the sudden spike in her friend's tense emotions.
"Nothing, Michelle. Nothing can ruin this day." She answers, though Michelle was not that easily fooled as Alex inwardly steams, her growing tolerance for Mr. Sayer Starr again waning.
Not if I'm on wolf alert…That's the ONLY reason I'm putting up with him, until they all go home again. '…keep your enemies even closer...' That's what they say, right? That's all I'm doing.
"Isn't she lovely?" Unaware of Alex's scowl behind her, Mrs. Hart, who had also been watching from the top of the stairs, asks with motherly pride.
"A beautiful bride." Michelle compliments sweetly of Serena while surveying Amaralexis' reaction to Sayer and the Moon Princess' exchange just then. "Anyone might be jealous…" The witty clairvoyant gives a sideways glance at her golden partner, even as she speaks over Serena's mother's unknowing head.
Even with your biased, angry blinders on, my love, I hope you can see that Sayer is truly over her now…But that irascible boy does get you and my Robin both easily riled up, Amara… heeheehee…Maybe you two are more alike than you'd care to admit…
"Yes, beautiful." Alex answers...I AM NOT JEALOUS, MICHELLE! Her mind screams at the very idea she had picked up her cousin projecting . Why would I be jealous!? I'm simply protective of the princess, that's all. It has absolutely nothing to do with any feelings for HIM. But in her mind, Alex was still steaming, as she stalked down the stairs, Michelle hanging clingingly on her arm, giggling all the while.
"Michelle…" Robin smiles dreamily up at her, as she, with a gentle squeeze, takes her leave from Alex, floating over to her new escort, leaning her head on his pale blue and grey shoulder as she takes his arm.
Hearing Robin call Michelle's name, Sayer looks up from sweet Serena to find a heavenly body now far more dazzling in his eyes, standing tensely radiant on the stairs, and glowering at him with a guarded gaze.
Though she did not wear a fancy gown in comparison to Serena's sparkling white wedding dress, nor elegant as Michelle's glimmering golden jewels, nor graceful as Susan's s sophisticated high-heeled stiletto shoes, to Sayer, Alex Sokova was the most gorgeous woman in the room.
"Ally." He walks up to her smiling, feeling proud he would have Alex Sokova on his arm at this wedding he has come to grips with attending, for now he would want no other.
"You look stunni—" Sayer starts to say, though in his mind no adjective could describe what he was thinking of her.
At least not in public.
"Save it, starman." She cuts him off in disgust, throwing her hands up in his face. Then simply walking past him, Alex leaves red hot Sayer Starr panting on the steps in awe of not only her stunning beauty, but her indomitable will that turned him on to no end, as well.
"Well, don't all of you look wonderful?! Just like a photogravure from a royal picture book!" Mr. Hart comes in through the front door smiling, his photographer's proud gaze then falling on his darling daughter in her beautiful wedding gown. Going to her, tears start to fill his eyes.
"My little girl…" He almost whispers taking her hands in his. "I feel like I'm losing you today…" He chokes out, trying manfully hard not to cry.
"Oh, Daddy!" Serena smiles, wrapping him up in a bear hug, wedding dress puffiest rose sleeves and all. "You'll never lose me." She whispers, tears in her eyes now as well. Mrs. Hart now comes up to join the scene. Putting her hand on her husband's shoulder, she taps on it gently.
"Now, Honey, we have to get going if we don't want to be late." Mr. Hart listens to his wife, parting from Serena with a kiss on the cheek. "Besides, it's my turn." Mrs. Hart pulls her daughter close.
"Mom…" Serena whimpers, truly on the verge of tears.
"My first child to leave the nest." Mrs. Hart pulls back, looking into Serena's eyes proudly, under the disillusionment that she had three more (Sammy and 2 pink future tricksters) to send off into the world.
But the first one is still the first. Courage, Irene, she thinks to herself, putting on a brave face. This is my dream, too.
"All right, everyone, let's make this happen!" Mr. Hart says, clearing his throat, taking his wife's nodded cue. "Ladies, the limousine is awaiting you." He makes a sweeping gesture towards the front door as with an excited giggle, Amy, Rei, Mina and Lita follow him out to the limo, the Sailor Team arm in arm.
"Everyone's so happy for me." Serena watches the girls' exuberant faces as they leave, giving her smiles or thumbs ups as they go past. She then looks around at the remaining smiling faces gathered.
"More than happy. We're honored to share this moment with you." Terry flashes a quick smile at Serena. Then his gaze returns to Susan lovingly, adoring her in the gorgeous light purple dress she had designed, with some of his own alteration input on the daring shoulderline which the romantic man now uncovers for his eyes' pleasure even a little further.
Susan, enthralled with the touch of his warm fingers and the awed satisfaction in his pleased eyes, smiles back up shyly, nodding in agreement with his words to Serena.
"Yes, this is going to be a wonderful day!" Michelle clings even tighter to Robin, who smiles nervously.
"Dar is one lucky man. He'd better appreciate it, or else." Sayer grins, his eyes glazing over dreamily, unconsciously fueling Alex's silent jealousy.
"The Prince is the right one for you, Moonface." The golden-haired woman reminds Serena meaningfully with the pet name between them, giving the waify young girl's gloved palms a strong squeeze.
"Yes, I know he is, forever and always." Serena smiles back up sweetly, dreamily thinking of her hunky prince, all others zoned out.
Satisfied with that response, Alex smiles at her, though still wary of the dark haired man's misplaced feelings, from where he was standing behind her.
"Let's go before he starts getting unnecessarily worried then." She says pointedly, glancing back at Sayer with the words, as she signals to him to head out the door.
"Yes, Ma'am." Sayer salutes mockingly. "See ya later, Meatball." He throws over his shoulder in that familiar way.
"Come on, Ally!" Then he offers the fierce female donning her yellow gold pantsuit his arm after he sees Terry do so for a swooning, accepting Susan. But independent Alex refuses, looking at his extended arm with disdain.
"I'm your escort, right?" Sayer smirks, thinking he had the upper hand, not giving up.
"Only because you were left over." She responds nastily, purposely making him sound like last night's mashed potatoes.
Throwing her chin up in the air, Alex quickly strides out to her Ferrari on her own with an unattached arm.
"Hey, Ally! Wait up!" Undaunted, Sayer trots off cheerily after her, not a bit perturbed, determined to get this difficult woman to notice him in a different light, sooner or later.
"This is gonna be another fun car ride." Robin complains, as he and Michelle follow Sayer out to Alex's yellow sports car, leaving Serena and her Mom, with Terry, Susan, Tara, Rini, and Daria.
"Rini, Honey, were you supposed to go in the limo? For some reason, I can't quite remember..." Mrs. Hart trails off, putting her memory lapse down to a mother's wedding day nervousness.
"I'd rather go with Tara, if that's all right," Rini links her arm with her silent friend, who for some reason did not look all that happy at all today.
"Chibi RiRi, too!" The eager child was determinedly not wanting to be left out of any fun.
"Oh, I don't think..." Mrs. Hart's motherly protectiveness shows, not wanting her "baby" to be out of her sight for long.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Hart, I'll drive very carefully." Terry smiles, sensing her concern. Looking at this tall, young man, Mrs. Hart, though not knowing him very well, finds herself trusting him implicitly and reliable older 'sister' Susan was there, too, of course.
"Yeah, let's go together!" Rini's exuberance kicks in as she drags Tara along with her, making the two run out the door with Diana in her arms and Artemis at her heels. Daria was about to take off after them, but Susan, responsible still, scoops up the little bundle.
"I'll take good care of her, Mrs. Hart." Susan assures the worried "mother." With a final smile at Serena, she and Terry walk out, his arm easily wrapping around that large, satin lavender rosette frill adorning Susan's bare shoulders.
And with the baby in her arms, they looked like quite a happy little family.
"Don't they make a cute couple?" Serena comments of the pair, smiling. Mrs. Hart nods.
"Speaking of cute couples…Are you ready, dear?" Mrs. Hart then smiles down at her daughter, with Luna standing at Serena's side, not wanting to miss a second of this momentous time in her girl's destiny.
"More ready than I've ever been in my life!" Serena says, beaming, knowing her beautiful moonlit destiny was awaiting her, starting today.
'I believe in the miracle romance of our moonlight legend coming true...'
The way the sunlight gleams in your hair
The deep blush of your delicate cheeks
My Lady, Susan...
Inspired poetry wafts through Terry Starr's mind each time his eyes alight upon her beautiful face. He was finding it more and more difficult to keep his gaze on the road. But how could he keep his lovestruck eyes from drifting to her?
Shining brighter than the stars...your eyes...Oh, Susan there's so much I have to tell you (I love you)...to ask you (will you...?) You're smiling at me now. Do you know just how beautiful your smile is? More beautiful than the sunset, more beautiful than...even I have no words to describe you...My lady, my timeless love. Terry smiles, his gorgeous wisteria eyes looking on Susan lovingly.
Meeting his gaze, his adoring gaze, Susan feels her heart pounding in her chest. Terry...his name drifts across her soul. I know I love you desperately! Susan squeezes Daria even closer to her chest. The way you're looking at me. Could...could you possibly love me, too? When you could have your choice of any woman in the world?! Any woman would die for you. Why me?...Especially when I can't...No, I don't care if I can't! I don't care why. I only care about you, Terry, my...darling. I won't think about anything except for today. My whole lifetime, I will somehow live today. All the joys of being a normal human being I'll squeeze into this special day, if God allows…
And after today there will be no tomorrow for me. Only today. Only you...only us in this one moment in Time.
Susan glances into his violet eyes, a hot blush still on her cheeks, making her even more radiant in his eyes.
Tara watches the silent exchange, envious anger filling her soul. It's not fair. It's not fair! Why Susan!? There's nothing special about her! Why don't you notice me? This is my prettiest dress and you haven't even looked at me once. She's poisoned your mind against me. Why can't you see I'm in love with you? Tara sits pouting in the back seat of the sedan, on the verge of tears, her arms crossed angrily.
Seated next to her, wearing her cute little pink frock, Rini had been watching her dearest friend's sullen face carefully. At first confused, it didn't take long for a sharp cookie like Rini to figure out what was going on.
Oh, I get it. Terry-papa was Tara's first love. I never knew that. But, didn't she know that he and Puu...? One look at Tara's angry stare at Susan explains everything to Rini. Uh-oh, she does know.
"Don't worry, Tara. It will all be as it should someday." Rini whispers in her friend's ear, for she and no one else, knew what was in store for each of them in the future.
"I don't know what you mean, Rini." Tara whispers back, sulkily looking down, vainly trying to hide her hurt emotions.
Rini understood Tara's feelings totally, about having a silent tormenting love, the kind you couldn't tell anyone about, because it was impossible. Impossible and there was nothing you could do about it, except to dream.
My dream. Rini smiles, though tears bite at her large crimson eyes. Helios, I miss you. Shaking off her own lonely feelings inside, Rini bravely chuckles.
Today is Serena and Darien's wedding—my Mom and Dad's wedding! Today's a happy day. A happy happy wedding day! Let's be happy, too.
"RiRi likes you, Puu! She's not usually that quiet for anyone." Rini breaks the car's virtual silence with her cheeriest voice.
"Oh," Susan smiles sweetly down at the baby in her arms, who was looking at her and Terry, wide-eyed the entire time in wonderment. Susan strokes her hair in an almost motherly way, making Terry sigh and proudly grin.
Then Susan and Terry become entranced in each other's eyes once again.
"Puu!" Daria giggles at Rini's funny name for this pretty, older lady, then she looks up to Terry with those all-encompassing big eyes.
"Terry-papa." The tiny girl uses Rini's future nickname again for him.
"What was that?" An amused Terry smiles at the little one, confused.
"Baby talk!" Rini fills in, trying to cover for her big-mouthed little sister, giving RiRi a warning look of prohibited spoilers not allowed.
As she drove along, Alex felt the wind whip across her face as usual. But today she sensed something was wrong in it. Is it blowing towards the east or the west? I always know. Why can't I tell today? The wind and I are one. The soldier of Uranus closes her eyes, trying hard to focus on it. Somehow it seems so confused. As if the wind itself doesn't know which direction to go, which way to travel. What's wrong with it? I don't sense any danger, is there something wrong with me? It's not Michelle, I know it's not. Just touching her mind for a moment was enough for me to realize what she had found in that little shrimp. Her soul is now complete. I always knew there was that part of her, a hole I could never fill. I suppose that gap closed when he came along.
I wonder...Are we all missing a piece of ourselves? Am I? Michelle put the scattered pieces of my life together. But is the puzzle complete? Pondering these deep thoughts as she drove along, for some unknown reason, her mind calls up an image. The image of just minutes ago, a bride in her wedding dress, looking so radiant and beautiful, with a stunningly handsome dark-haired man in a grey and red tuxedo at the base of the steps gazing up at her adoringly, their hands intertwined.
Why do I keep seeing this? It's nothing to do with me, nothing at all. But...I need to know...Is he still in love with her? Is he? She doesn't love him, she loves the Prince. Alex assures herself over and over. He knows that, too, the stupid fool. So how could he still...? Maybe he's searching for that missing piece in his soul, too. Suddenly a strange feeling rushed through her body, making Alex Sokova feel mixed up and confused, like the winds of today.
The same as this maddening wind. She realizes. No! I don't want to be this mixed up again! I don't want to be confused! When I rediscovered myself as the soldier of Uranus, I found my life's meaning. What's he doing to me now? Everything was fine before he came. Everything was perfe—her thoughts were cut off by the voice next to her.
His silky voice.
"You've sure been quiet, Ally. What are you thinking?" Sayer smiles, so sweetly unaware of the hostility about to be unleashed at him.
"None of your business. Leave me alone." Alex growls, keeping her eyes glued to the taillights of the limo she was following in front of her, for some reason not wanting to meet his eyes.
Taken aback a little by the abrupt outburst, Sayer raises his eyebrows, "Not a very nice thing to say to your wedding party escort, is it?" He cocks his head, grinning, trying to lighten her mood.
"You weren't my choice." She glares at him angrily, looking as sleek as a golden lioness in her stylish, body hugging tailored suit jacket and matching designer slacks. "And I'm sure I wasn't yours." Sullenly she mumbles, turning away.
"That's not true, Ally! There's no one else I'd rather be going with—" Sayer starts to explain his own new raw emotions he was feeling now free to explore truly. But he was not quite sure if this was exactly the right time to explain his developing feelings for her…
"Don't try that infamous charm of yours on me, jerk. I'm not like other girls, who'd fall for those smooth tricks." Wind blowing riotously through her wild bangs, Alex vents her inner frustrations, grasping at her longtime suspicions of all men—especially this previously convicted one.
"They're not tricks. I really mean it. I like you, Ally." Sayer pauses, always hard for him to express what he truly meant. But he looks directly into her dark emerald green eyes, willing to try for her.
I'd be willing to bend all the rules, if you are… Mysterious winds tickle the corners of his heart that felt something new and thrilling was soon to be born.
"I like you because you're different. You choose your own way. I respect that." The words spoken in sincerity hit Alex like a ton of bricks.
Because I'm 'different'? And you 'respect' me for it? Her mind found that hard to believe. I never thought I'd hear a man say that to me. He likes me for me? For who I am now? What does it all mean? And what about Serena? Don't you still...? Maybe he's just fooling me again. Maybe he's...What am I doing? Now I do sound like one of those silly girls. No. I don't care what he says. I don't care what he thinks. I won't lose control of myself. Not for any man, not for anyone.
I'll make it through today for you, Princess. I will put up with him, and his so-called charms for today. And that's it. Tomorrow, everything will go back to the way it was before. He'll go back to where he came from and everything will be all right again. I'll be alright again.
"So, can we at least be friends, Ally?" Recognizing their past rocky road, but wishing to hurdle past it badly now, Sayer asks, hopefully, though secretly wanting their relationship to become something more.
"For today, I suppose, I must." Alex answers, determined this would all be over by tomorrow.
And the wind continues to swirl, directionless, beating down hard upon her in the speeding convertible racing down the road.
'For a moment I thought Alex was going to throw Sayer out of the car.' Michelle projects to Robin on their special "line."
'Yeah. She probably would have if we weren't on our way to the Princess' wedding, poor guy.' Robin smiles weakly, knowing exactly what it was like to be on the receiving end of Alex's sharp words.
But it was worth it… He thinks to himself, looking down at the prize whose head was nuzzled up against his chest pale blue suit's finery in the back seat of the Ferrari.
'What was worth it?' Michelle's mind delves into his private thoughts, for Robin forgot the channel between their minds was still open. He smiles to himself at his slip-up.
'You, Michelle.' He answers truthfully, feeling a tad triumphant over today's victory against what seemed impossible odds.
'You're worth everything to me. I'm glad we came back.'
'Oh, Robin, I love you.' Michelle blushes as she lifts her blue eyes to meet his mint ones.
'You look so elegant in that. Like a painting.' Robin gingerly touches a puffed sleeve on her pale aqua gown.
'Why, thank you, sir. Hee hee hee.' Michelle giggles girlishly at the compliment, for the artiste in Michelle Moreau enjoyed compliments very much. That and the musk cologne splashed all over Robin's svelte pale blue and grey silk suit which was all too enticing for her to resist.
'You look quite dashing yourself.' She thinks to him, running her long, polished fingernails along his vest in that seductive French manner, to which Robin Starr was finding he was not totally immune to.
'I don't want to mess your hair.' His mind whispers, already moving close to her face.
'Go ahead and mess it. You can help me fix it—and my lipstick, later. If you approve of the color this time, that is…' Cattily Michelle manages to send out the tease a millisecond before their lips met and their young minds turn to more basic emotions.
Seeing the osculating pair in her rear view mirror, Alex almost veers off the road, eyes flashing in tested rage. But, instead, with a resigned sigh that had learned to let Michelle choose for herself, the Soldier of the sky thinks: If he is what you want Michelle, I won't stop you…as long as he keeps to his end of our bargain…but don't ask me why you want that shrimp... Alex smirks, eyes dubiously scanning first pansy blue Robin in the rear view mirror, than spicy red Sayer at the side of her critical eye as she steps on the gas to release some fury on the road at least, the Ferrari accelerating to match the racing of her heart on this most trying of days where she was already seeing stars...
In the car behind Alex's yellow Ferrari, Terry smiles, pleasantly surprised at his unromantic recalcitrant brother's display with Michelle in front of them.
"Look, they're kissing!" Rini whispers to Tara, in a hushed tone, and Tara simply nods, lost in her own thoughts. Diana's eyes open wide to catch the romantic scene, while Artemis attempts to cover her curiosity with his own paternal paws, though secretly ecstatic in seeing Robin Starr romancing another lady besides his beloved Luna.
Susan looks up from a last minute stitching job on Daria's torn collar to find Terry's eyes smiling at her in that certain way. Then hearing Rini whispering about something in front of them, she looks up and sees Robin and Michelle's little liplocked tête-à-tête.
"Oh…" Susan blushes, realizing Terry must be remembering yesterday, when the two of them had kissed and…so much more. I remember, too. Susan timidly smiles back up at the man she was madly in love with.
"Would you look at that, now?!" Rei suddenly points out the back window of the wedding caravan limousine in sheer astonishment, her mouth dropping open.
"What?!" The other four girls seated in the back next to her jump up and spin their heads in surprise at Rei's shocked tones.
Amy, who was sitting next to Rei in the seat facing backwards, gasps, pulling her hand to her mouth. Mina, who was sitting next to Amy, flies out of her seat, almost jumping on top of a disgruntled Lita and a miraculously dodging Serena in her perfect wedding gown in the furthest back seat to get to the rear window.
"AHHHH!" Mina lets out a shriek, pointing through the back window with her mouth hanging open. "MY ROBIN!"
By now all five girls were plastered to the back window, not caring if they smashed their dresses up, as their eyes focus on the Ferrari's backseat passengers behind them. Only Serena takes notice of Sayer's wild waving at them and Alex shaking her head at his childishness. Serena waves back to her friend, smiling and giddily catching the air kiss he blew to his old schoolmate, much to Alex's chagrin as the Ferrari speeds ahead of the limo.
"Girls? Is everything all right back there?" Mrs. Hart slides open the limo's glass window from the front seat to see what all the noisy fuss was about.
"Yeah, Mom." Serena calls up to her worried parents. Mrs. Hart shrugs and goes back to chatting with her husband of the wedding itinerary.
"You think Michelle and Robin did it, too?" Rei asks, inferring more than a simple kiss.
"You mean like Susan and Terry did?" Amy asks bashfully, trying to hypothesize what Rei was conjecturing.
Rei nods, petting poor crestfallen Luna. Lita and Serena's eyes pop out at the intense French kissing going on in the vehicle that just passed them by.
"But aren't Michelle and Alex always together...?" Looking as innocent as she sounded, Serena ingenuously wonders aloud, still yet naïve in such matters.
"I told you it wasn't like that." Lita gently scolds her friend, knowing Alex better than most of the other girls, and how her tough guy attitude was often mistaken for something it was not.
"How lucky Michelle is!" Mina whines, beating the armrest, always having a soft spot for Robin Starr as she watches, with a jealous frown, the silver fox of the Three Lights kiss Michelle rather ardently.
"Don't worry, Mina, you have an escort, too." Lita tries to bring Mina down to the real world again, and off her idol kick, besides putting in a good word for her best bud, Ken, while she was at it.
"That's right! I do!" Mina's excitement for the coming day takes over again.
"Hey, hey, hey, Kenny boy! Here I come, my new dreamboy! So pucker up!" She plops back in her seat with a delirious smile on her face, envious yearning lips moistening up at the ready.