Sailor Moon Eternal

by SetsunaKou

This is a full length novel over 1000 pages long of the 6th season of Sailor Moon, our 'Eternal'. The Wedding of Serena & Darien is attended by some familiar shooting stars cutting across the night sky, finding loves of their own in the Outer-most unlikely places. Romances blossom for the Inners, as a dangerous new enemy's threat could destroy Earth & the Sailor Guardians of it...

11. Chapter 11- Heart-pounding Waltz of Love

We do not own "Sailor Moon" nor any of the characters.

"SAILOR MOON ETERNAL"

The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga

Chapter 11

"The Heart Pounding Waltz of Love"

As the wedding limo pulls away from the wedding scene, noisy cans clattering in its wake, a bubbling crowd begins to form around a beaming Mr. and Mrs. Hart in front of the church with all the customary "Congratulations" and "oohs and ahhs" over their daughter's magnificent wedding.

"Come on, Gang!" Lita waves, giggling to her closest friends who were all gathered beside her. "Let's beat the rush to the reception hall. We'll see you there!"

"No way, Mitchell! We'll see you there! Eat our Ferrari dust! Right, Ally?" Sayer's arrogantly teasing eyes light up at the first mention of a race, especially knowing his edge of having a master racer at the wheel of the premium sports car he was in.

And she was a gorgeous soldier of speed at that.

Impulsively grabbing Alex's forearm, he trots off, dragging her protesting body behind him towards the parking lot in the back of the church. But he only manages to hold onto that arm for a couple of meters when, as everyone watches in astonishment, Alex forcefully removes his clutching hand. And in one quick motion, she grabs his other arm, to flip Sayer, fancy tails red and grey groomsman suit and all, over her shoulder, depositing him ungracefully on his backside.

There the winded man sits dazed on the (luckily for him) grassy knoll just around the corner of the church, as Alex purposely strides off on her own to her yellow sports car. But taking it as a challenge, Sayer jumps right up, unscathed and undaunted, a smile still on his face, as to everyone's further shock, he races to catch up to her.

"Oh, dear." Michelle chuckles, breaking the silence. "I do hope no one saw that." She giggles airily at how bold and unsociable her cousin could be at times. Chuckling, Michelle glides elegantly from the church steps in her fluffy aqua gown, moving to join the sparring pair, Robin secured on her arm.

Although, her amused smile changes to a worried brow, as her silver-haired escort's mesmerizing mint eyes continue to drift back to the church behind him, puzzlement on his cute face. But too afraid to shatter this otherwise perfect moment, she non-invasively holds her psychic mind's tongue, deciding to wait until Robin was ready to tell her what he was so seriously contemplating.

Love is where trust begins…is it not?

Just then, sensing her need, Robin hooks his other hand into Michelle's loose one, wanting to give her all of his attention. But the accustomed to being alone star of Healer did not say a word as to his previous thought matter.

The couple hasten to where Alex had her arm extended out the driver's side window, testily banging on the Ferrari's door, obviously annoyed at the current passenger within making her want to escape.

"Are the children coming with us in the sedan?" Not too far behind, Terry queries of the enchanted lady on his arm, who blushes as he smiles that smile at her, for neither Rini nor RiRi were in sight.

Close at their back, Sammy watches frowning when he notices again how Tara's face looks up at Terry dreamily.

See! He doesn't consider me a child! She thinks to herself. Now if I could only get Susan's claws out of him. How selfish she is! Pluto knows her duty! She has to go away soon, back to Time's Doorway where she belongs! She doesn't belong here! Tara gives Susan a sideways nasty glance that no one notices, except one interested sandy-haired young man watching her carefully.

Just then, two little pink sprites explode from the crowd, waving wildly as they bounce, hop and race down the church steps.

"Wait for us!" Rini calls forward breathlessly in her cotton candy pink flower girl frock.

"Wait, wait!" RiRi calls from behind her, with a pouty face as she tries to keep up, though falling behind her big sister. Sighing, Rini turns and scoops up Daria with a little effort. She's getting heavy! Mommy gives her too many desserts! Rini thinks in her mind as she carries the wiggly load down the steps towards Terry who meets her halfway, gentlemanly relieving the child of her burden.

Everyone's head jerks up as a yellow Ferrari pulls out of the driveway, tires screeching, the race car gunning it at an alarming rate, taking off down the street like a bullet. Simply shrugging it off, Rini rushes forward into the parking lot. "Irene-mama said we can go with you!" Rini explains, looking from a troubled Tara to a frustrated Sammy, up to her "Puu" with the adoring eyes on Terry-papa as he walks up to her.

They make a perfect couple. Rini smiles as Puu takes Terry-papa's offered free arm with both of hers, while he holds RiRi easily with the other one. Rini trots off after them, then turns around noticing her best friend and her "brother" were not at her side.

'Irene-mama?' She's just Mom. All my sisters are all sure weird… Keen Sammy was still under the mind control effects of Rini's hypnotizing Luna P ball effect, which the little girl used to entrance her 'family' with, giving she and RiRi the cover story to be accepted in this era, like she always did for time travel.

"Come on, Tara, Sammy! Let's go! There's sure to be lots of yummy cakes and cookies. And I haven't eaten since breakfast. Well, except maybe for that bag of M&Ms Terry-pa—Terry—gave us on the car trip here…" Rini admits guiltily, her big toothy smile so bright it's contagious, that Tara's unhappy face could not help but smile back. Sammy was glad something took the gloom off his new little 'girlfriend's' lips, even if it was his annoying baby sister Rini's doing.

The little pink ray of "sunshine" links her arm with each of theirs, making the three a happy looking trio following Terry, Susan, and RiRi to the parking lot.

Smiling at the bouncing children heralding the way, two by two, the bridesmaids and their escorts decide to stick together as well. Andrew and Lita accommodate Ken, Mina and the cats in Andrew's dark green, economy sized turtle of a car. Rei offers Chad's driving services to a transportation-less Amy and Greg, as the last of the couples leave the hallowed grounds now towards the happy wedding celebration filled with promise about to take place.

---

French caterers and waiters, all recommended by Mademoiselle Moreau personally, rush to and fro with their scrumptious trays of many various desserts and hors d'oeuvres of every kind. Others were busy un-stacking mountains of plates and cutlery upon each flowery decorated table, readying the reception hall for the many guests about to bombard their reception locale.

The bride and groom were just about first to arrive. Before long, the jubilant bride begins sampling the desserts 'to make sure they were just right for the guests,' of course. Which causes the embarrassed groom to chuckle lovingly at his new wife's attempts to cover up her infamous sweet tooth.

"Eat as much as you like, Madame Shields." Monsieur Souvey, the head waiter, laughs along with Darien. "After all, they are all here for you!" He finishes with a dapper, sweeping bow at the charming young lady who apparently thoroughly enjoyed every scrumptious item she devoured into her amazingly slim waist beneath that fluffy white puff skirt of her lovely wedding dress.

"He's right, my kitten." Alex's deep voice comes from across the room a ways as she leads the way forward, Sayer close behind but mindfully keeping a safe distance, with Michelle and Robin, hand in hand behind him. "This is all for you, pretty girl. You deserve every indulgence from now on, Moonface. Congratulations," Alex finishes her sentence, touching Serena's cheek affectionately, while giving Darien behind her a look that plainly said: 'Understood?'

Not catching that silent warning exchange from her protective Outer Scout leader, Serena smiles, glad to see her tall friend in the good spirits she usually was in with her again. For even airhead Serena could see that Alex had not been very happy the past few months, always tense and moody.

Planning a wedding or not, this Moon Princess still could think of others' feelings first, because her friends—who were more like family now—meant the world to her, even in her busiest season.

"Let's not forget Darien, Amara. This banquet is for him just as much. Remember, they'll share everything from now on." Never far behind her partner, Michelle pipes up, smiling coyly at the word "everything." She had emphasized its meaning in quite a flirtatious manner, making Robin nearly choke on the club soda a waiter had supplied him with.

"Easy there, Rob!" Sayer whacks his brother on the back with a fairly sound thud, probably making him choke more as Robin gives him a sour look in little thanks.

"Meatball…" Sayer turns back to Serena, searching his mind for the words to express his entire feeling of this day. "I'm glad we came." He finally says simply, his smile that came along with it enough between them for Serena to understand his deep caring for her. But then, when his wolfish gaze wanders to the golden-clad beauty at his side, whose dark green eyes quickly dart away as he adds, "for a lot of reasons." The happy bride (and groom stealthily listening in to the private words between his new wife and that past tense rock star, hmph) was even more tickled pink to see how silly Sayer made her beloved Alex come close—but not succumbing to, damn it!—a blush.

"Congratulations, you two!" Speaking of pink tickles…Rini's sweet little voice rings through the big empty hall as she comes running up to her present day "mommy and daddy" on their happy day. Rini's little sister wriggles away from Terry's arms as he puts her down gently, tiny RiRi racing to them, as well, quick as her stubby little legs would carry her to all those cookies and cake.

"Whoa, here comes the peanut gallery!" Stepping aside, Sayer laughs as Rini jumps up between he and Serena directly into Darien's pleasantly surprised arms. At her heels, copycat RiRi bounces into Serena's not so ready arms, cake flying all over the children with joyful smiles still etched on their cute pumpkin faces.

"More cute kittens?" Alex smiles her dazzling smile despite herself, feeling rather giddy for some strange reason. Even if the second, more brooding thought of this young girl having the dangerous responsibility of bearing children weighing her sweet angel down any time soon made the tough Sailor Guardian frown.

Why would any free woman be fool enough to want to be tied down and endure those sorts of… problems…around their necks for the rest of their lives that men can walk away from after saddling them with!? Not the life for this soldier of Uranus. Not ever! Marriage is a bad enough life sentence of misery for any female, without children to add insult to injury, hmph!

But I truly do wish you and the Prince well, Princess…Just blowing off some steam today that I can't explain… Not wishing to rain on their parade, undomesticated Alex Sokova ponders to herself the injustices of life concerning a female's role—even a powerful, important Moon Princess cosmic warrior—here on this planet. Her rebellious spirit was attempting to dissuade this odd buoyancy of her heart that should have been more stoic to face all the shifting events surrounding her.

She unconsciously moves away from where Sayer Starr was yet chatting with Serena, helping her wipe cake frosting off her and RiRi's faces. The 'old friends' seemed to be remembering some 'cake on the face' incident with wild laughter until tears were running down both Sayer and Serena's leaned together faces, to which neither Alex, nor Darien—nor Rini, for that matter—found very amusing.

"Mrs. Serena." The calming force in the Three Lights, Terry Starr then takes this opportunity to interrupt the friendly mirth to emphasize the 'Mrs' in place of the proper young man's usual polite address of 'Miss' Serena. "Many, many congratulations to you and Mr. Shields. Our Princess Fireball sends her warmest wishes as well, for you both to be amply blessed." Terry delivers Fireball's message left in his care as he smiles warmly, extending his hand out to Serena, then to Darien.

As for Pluto, all past wistful yearning to be in her Princess' place at the Prince of the Earth's alluringly pale purple-hued, dashing side utterly vanished with a far more handsome, brilliant and eloquent Prince of the Star Maker taking up every inch of hero worship now, as she now beams proudly in agreement.

Awash in the present's more preferable orchid of Terry Starr's eyes rather than the cold, vague greyish-lavender haze of any future King, Susan clings to Terry's other arm. This solitary soldier of time's revolution was determined to enjoy this final day of this fantasy with him, if only for one last evening, before the hands of Time sent her back to her lonely duty and he back to his duty to his Princess on their distant star homeworld.

Tara peeks out meekly from behind the taller pair. "Congratulations, Prince, Princess." She adds sweetly to her Sailor Scout leaders with a soft smile.

"Thank you all so much." Darien answers politely as Serena offers an allergy-declining Tara a chocolate covered strawberry before popping one in RiRi's wide open mouth. Then another goes into hers, both moon children scrumptiously savoring the sweet fruity taste simultaneously.

And without getting either chocolate or strawberry juice on the bride's yet white wedding dress!

But the night is still young…Darien could not help but smirk down at the similarities between the pair of mother and her now youngest daughter.

So we are to have another child in this new Crystal Tokyo future? What else has been altered in the time stream since last we saw King Endymion and Neo Queen Serenity's era?

And why…?

Darien Shields could not restrain his errant thoughts to go on more of a serious bent, even on this auspicious day, as his sharp blue eyes guardedly view the trio of Starlight visitors and the three Outer Scouts they were paired with.

At least Pluto and Neptune were wisely paired with Maker and Healer, each solidly on one another's arm. Now as for Uranus and that Star Fighter in separate corners…she obviously wants nothing to do with that troublemaker…

And I can't blame her, considering…

Observant Tuxedo Mask, try as he might to be magnanimous, still retained more than an ounce of jealousy for that particular person of idol interest. Particularly the way the dark navy blue-haired Star soldier was yet so overly familiarly friendly with RiRi and Serena both. The three were looking very harmonized together as the hungry, lone wolf had returned to partake in feeding the dark chocolate dipped berry fest with a rhythmic song and dance to their giggling delight which set Darien's future suspicion teeth on edge…

Good thing those three will be leaving Earth in a day or so, their goodwill mission to attend our wedding accomplished…

"Uh, yeah, and, uh, 'congratulations, you two.'" Sammy smirks, remembering why Mom had sent him up to the front to see dumb Serena anyway. "Now!" He announces, rubbing his palms together like a hustler would. "Only two more annoying sisters to get rid of." He says sarcastically with a sadistic chuckle.

"Gee, thanks, Sammy." Serena shakes her head as she ruffles his hair familiarly, smiling that her baby brother would never change.

"Serena!" Mina's voice was shrill and bubbling as she drags her new target along behind her towards where the bride and groom were holding court near the hors d' oeuvres table.

"Did you know Kenny used to live in England, too? He got a scholarship for architecture because he's obviously so brilliant at it! Isn't that exciting!?" The blonde bombshell wrapped all in a mix of vibrant and pastel orange hues blurts out the info she had just grilled out from her newest conquest.

"Not that exciting, Mina." A more humble Ken gently corrects the gushing gal. Even though a bit embarrassed, his red face still smiles at her, the classy young man genuinely drawn to her shine. "Congratulations." He says politely to the new couple.

"Oh, yeah, Like—Congratulations!" Mina beams, just reminded of what she was supposed to say. Then just spotting the mountains of desserts behind Serena and Darien, she shrieks, "AHHHHH! Let's go get some of those. I'm starving!" She hauls a game Ken off to the dessert section of the spread on the table.

"Me, too! Save some for this non-choco-strawberry-spoiled, starving little girl, Mina!" Rini jumps from Darien's arms, rushing to catch up to Mina after giving Sayer a dirty, pointedly criticizing look.

"Me, too! Me, too!" RiRi soon follows, slapping her chocolate covered fingers all over Sayer's cheekbones and no longer strictly red collar on her bouncing leap down from Serena's once again unscathed white gown.

"Is it bad, Meatball?" Angling his head, Sayer asks in a crooked whisper, not entirely unconscious of his good looks, especially in public where any adoring fans may be marauding.

"Here. Allow me." Darien steps in here in place of his stupefied wife, 'carefully' wiping the dark ponytail haired young heartthrob's dark chocolate streaked cheek rather roughly.

"Ooh, I like strong, rough hands. Thanks, big fella." Sayer totally flummoxes the angry husband with the femininely voiced flirt and fluttered lowered eyelids up at his supposed rival. "You're a lucky girl, Meatball." Sayer winks at Darien as he says this to his new little wife.

Ditzy Serena giggles at the two funny guys standing before her, glad they were getting along so well. As for Darien, his crimson face was left speechless.

"Yes, I am." The bride declares affirmatively of her blushing husband while she squeezes his arm, deliriously happy, not fazed by this provocatively witty Star Fighter at all, even as something gold and shiny catches Sayer's eye and he wanders away.

"Such a baby." Just then, Rei comes up to the crowd forming, faithful Chad close at her heels. Sauntering up in her showy red dress, Rei was still straightening the folds of her skirt after the darker pink bundle of joy nearly caused her red open-toe heels to trip on the way here.

"RiRi is just so cute." Serena defends her new addition, future daughter, waving over to Daria sweetly where the child was stuffing her mouth with donuts now.

"RiRi!? I was talking about Mina. That ditz." Rei smirks disdainfully towards the dessert table, She was evidently unaware of the little tête-à-tête between the two dark-haired men surrounding Serena, or she would have admonished her best friend for being so dense.

"Oh! I thought you were talking about Sayer! He may have physically matured, but still he has not outgrown that childish nature." The usually quiet, sweet and shy brainiac, Amy, did overhear the exchange as she honestly admits to the critical name calling of the irreverent singer boy, much to Serena and Rei's blinking surprise.

"Come on over here, guys!" Right then, they all hear Lita's voice from across the room, "Gather 'round bridesmaids and escorts! Photographer's here!" Andrew, getting into the spirit of the moment due to Lita's pleasant smiles, waves to the bride and groom from behind the jaunty spring green gown wearing natural beauty.

---

Wedding photographers were well known for their difficult temperaments, wanting to take a picture that was "just so," perfect for every bride's cherished wedding album.

And this one was no exception. Though not usually into weddings, Saki Itabashi, Japan's first-rate photographer extraordinaire, was here at special request of two people who had become, in the past year or two of knowing Serena and her boyfriend, Darien, good friends with her.

But still Saki had no fear of ordering even her dearest friends about, all towards the greater good and ultimate goal of that "ideal shot."

Serena just had to have multiple bridesmaids all trying to steal the spotlight that should be hers alone, didn't she? Saki sighs to herself from behind her professional camera stand. And when I'm speaking of spotlight grabbers, my girl Mina has got to be the worst! She thinks with a groan as the blonde idol wanna-be pulls her brown-haired escort into a spot right in front, kicking aside the bride's long trained veil as if it was nothing important.

"Mina, the bride and groom are the center of attraction, not you." Saki calls out in her just as blunt way.

"I know, Saki! But I want to make sure you get a good shot of my beautiful dress to bring some color into the picture!" Mina sings back cheerily, her mood too high to be offended, which makes Ken, at her side, laugh softly. Grunting, Saki peers through her camera lens, scanning the rest of the forming entourage of bridesmaids and their escorts.

Seeing three familiar handsome faces, her head pops up from inside her camera box.

"Three Lights!" She yells, deafeningly loud in pleased surprise that rings across the room which was filling with the other wedding guests. Saki knew professionally that the rock group had not been seen nor heard from in over a year much to their fans' distress. Not since their shocking disbandment and then that terrifying violence at their last concert scare.

"Keep it down, will ya, Itabashi?" Sayer—the cool one who always wore red, Saki vividly recalls—says with a coy smile. "We're here incognito." He takes his place next to his escorted bridesmaid, she supposes, a very good-looking woman in a stylish, gold tuxedo suit. Saki smiles appraisingly at her liberated aura, and raises her eyebrows as she watches the confident woman purposely take two steps away in the other direction from an all hands on deck Sayer.

Keen-eyed photographer thought the gold female looked like she wanted to be attached to the girl in that gigantic aqua pouffed thing, to whom the sensitive Three Lights' Robin was leaning his head towards affectionately.

Is this the same young idol who seemed so unaffected by women before? Saki chuckles to herself, remembering that day a petulant Robin Starr grabbed the camera from her hands for taking an unflattering yawning photo. Actually he gained a lot of my respect for that. Beautiful photos are important—it's how the world views you when you're a celebrity. I can understand that. His chic style is still flawless, second to none.

Saki was now famous in camera circles herself. Scanning the almost pose ready couples again, she searches for the last of the Three Lights, the tall mahogany-haired one with the good disposition and business sense, so rare in stars—especially teen idols.

There he is, with that gorgeous woman in light purple lounging against him. Did he just bury his chin in her hair? So, is romancing the ladies what these hidden from the public Three Lights have been up to? She mentally refers to Robin and Terry's obviously serious relationships with these stunning women in her assessing mind. Poor Sayer seems to have struck out though, having trouble with that unmanageable one. Serves him right probably, he's the type who seems too fast, too easy, and too interested in all the ladies. Her photographer's perceptive eyes flit back to Alex's rigid, avoiding stance of the lead singer even when she was shamed by the aqua puff to pose for the photo. Maybe a sleek woman like that isn't all that interested in someone like him though... Saki smiles wickedly at her own prospective thoughts.

Back to the photo session, Saki! Eyes on the prize! She berates her wandering mind.

"Hey, you! Lady with hat! Move over to the right a bit! You're blocking your scared looking friend back there!" She says with a frown, referring to Greg, who looks even more scared at her words. Lita moves embarrassingly closer to Andrew, who was already thoughtfully trying to stay out of Susan's fluffy off-the-shoulder flower sleeve thing path which Terry appeared to not mind being ensconced within.

"You in front!" She points to Ken. "Don't look so stiff. Mina, show him how." She barks knowing Mina was a "professional" poser herself. Then Saki turns her attention to the next photo-bombing victim.

"Hair out of the eyes, please, Surfer Man." Saki rudely sighs at Chad, whose rarely seen eyes pop out at being individually addressed.

"Serena, you're beautiful, babe! Good look, Darien! Somebody do something with that child!" She explodes in quick anger consternation at RiRi bouncing up and down. Darien, quite fatherly, places his calming hand on the fuchsia little head, that stops her recoiling obediently.

"Hey, blue boy. BLUE BOY!" Saki tries to get Greg's attention in the second row.

"Who, me?" Greg answers meekly, looking like he'd like to just melt into the floor about now.

"Yeah, you! Get that scared expression off your face! The cats are doing a better job of smiling than you!" Greg nods, the fearful expression now doubled at the rough-spoken female's words. That is, until Amy squeezes his arm for support, her sweet smile of encouragement more his speed.

Noticing he was the only one in the picture without a girl clinging to his arm, Sayer looks for something to hold, finding a bunch of red roses wrapped on the table the perfect choice. Well, almost perfect…Maybe I prefer golden roses now anyway…He sighs, eyes transfixed on the erstwhile golden bright beauty several, aloof paces to his left. So close, and yet so far away. Sigh

"Hey! Watch where you put those, stupid Sayer! You'll mess my hair!" Rei snaps in her usual annoyed voice when Sayer casually flings the roses over his shoulder, unknowingly smacking the vexed temple maiden right in the head.

"Nobody would know, you've already got flowers stuck in your head anyway." Sayer's smart-alecky answer comes with a wicked smile, making Rei's floral head steam, while Alex could not refrain from a suppressed chuckle.

Seeing it as an assault on his girl, Chad gallantly comes to Rei's defense. "Hey, watch what you say to Rei, okay, Dude?" Chad says, actually quite belligerently, making Rei turn red with embarrassment. And yet, it was sweet of him to try, even if Sayer is no longer listening.

"Perfect as always, Terry Starr!" Saki Itabashi compliments the elegant looking couple on the farthest right of the group.

"Nice suit, Robin. You do know how to pick them with style! At least something goes well with that aqua hair, eh, sweetie?" While complimenting her favorite subject to no end, Saki speaks to his bridesmaid partner more sarcastically, actually insulting her.

Now it was Michelle's turn to steam. If only she had her mirror, she may have unleashed a 'Submarine Reflection,' or at least broken another lipstick in half, her feminine dignity hurt.

That is, until Robin whispers in her mind the soothing: 'I could ride the waves of your aqua curls endlessly, Michelle. You are a work of fine art I can gaze upon all day.'

'Oh, Robin.' And Michelle coos like a dove, wrapping her arms, quite effectively demure, over her heaving chest and smiling up at Robin coyly as he leans into her hair.

Now that's picturesque! Almost as if those two are really communicating without any words being spoken…I wonder if I could snap a quick photo…

The more Saki saw this fascinating pair, the more she felt captivated by their almost soulful exchange. She couldn't quite grasp what was so mesmerizing about them with the naked eye, but the camerawoman was thoroughly intrigued. She secretly zooms in to click a snapshot in time, hoping perhaps her lens could capture the mystery of strikingly handsome Robin Starr and the sea of this aquamarine siren he was now magnetically drawn to embrace.

"All right, are we ready?" Satisfied with her still of the pair, Saki then does a last minute scan of the rest of the gang. "Pinkie in front, do something with those hands." Rini makes a face, never liking to be ordered about—or be called 'Pinkie'—but she politely obliges, extending her gloved fingers out gracefully. Just like Mommy taught me. She sighs at the endless lessons that came with being a Princess.

"Little dark haired girl at front right!" Saki's voice then turns soft for some reason, perhaps sensing this particular child's frailty. "Smile okay, hon?" There was an inexplicable sadness behind those eyes, which Saki never liked to see. Shaking the feeling, she smiles at the group, glad that, though unruly, they were really a good looking bunch—perfect for photos—unlike most weddings. (Never mind the obese old maid aunts shoved in, there was always at least one homely girl that everyone had felt sorry for and just had to include in the forefront of the picture. Thank goodness I don't have to deal with that this time!).

"All right, everyone!" She peers through her lens at the gorgeous bride and her tuxedoed groom, before scoping out the rainbow–hued panorama of bridesmaids and escorts surrounding the glowing white pair.

Still trying to steal the show, bright mango Mina winks one eye at her in true star fashion; the young teen boy with the sad little violet girl (who was now smiling radiantly after the tallest member of the Three Lights bends down to retrieve her dropped flower headband for her) raises his hand in the sign of 'V' for "Victory" behind them both; the big dumb surfer does his best impression of a toothy grin as his raven beauty rolls her eyes; Robin was practically melding into his aqua maiden's curls as he leaned his dashing silver coif into hers, indeed rather scenic; after rescuing Tara's windblown hair adornment, heroic Terry Starr moves even intimately closer into his stunning lavender satin partner, causing the bronze-skinned beauty to blush just the most exemplary, picture-perfect shade; and everyone else pretty much gives their most winning smiles.

To top it all, Sayer Starr suddenly, amazingly, boldly wraps his right arm around that dazzling golden female, pulling her bodily close to him. His eyes sparkle wickedly as he does so, making the idol even more handsome than ever. But what was truly amazing to Saki was that the woman did not seem to protest in the slightest, looking actually quite compatible in his arms. I guess not…Saki sighs, a tad disappointed. Although, professionally she was glad that together the pair made a better contribution to the wedding photo than when they were apart.

Satisfied at last with these 20 (make that 23 including those three well behaved cats) people standing poised in front of her, she shouts the final warning, though it was cliché.

"On my count of three, say 'CHEESE'! One, two, three!"

Flash!

Click. Click. Click! Saki takes several shots to make sure she got it. Panoramic shots are necessary for such a large group…difficult as that may be to obtain…but, I think they came out perfect!

She smiles at her work captured on film, pleased. Good thing for the first take though, because as soon as the final backup photo was snapped, that tiny fuchsia jellybean in front slips on the shiny floor, falling on her little bottom, her dress up in the air, pink mini lace undies clear to see. She giggles contagiously at her funny fall, making every one of the gathered photo subjects laugh along with her after this tense ordeal for some. Soon, the growing crowd of guests watching the photo shoot was giggling along as well.

"Now just you and Darien and your parents, Serena." As she gives gestured orders to Serena and Darien on where and how to stand, the pro camerawoman nods to Rini who trots off to collect their "parents."

"You can let go now." Everyone turns as Alex's low voice rumbles, in their euphoria of achieving a great wedding photo, having forgotten the fact the independent soldier of flight's waist was yet snagged by one of Sayer's long, grasping wolf arms tangled about her.

"Do you really want me to?" Not knowing when to say 'when,' Sayer flirts in his most seductive tone, maybe inspired that she didn't protest before at his tactile boldness.

"Do you want a broken arm, Fighter?" She smirks putting her strong hand around his forearm threateningly. Though Sayer Starr may be a fairly tough customer here on earth, infused with cosmic star power racing through this strong body, so was Alex Sokova.

Swift as the wind he was trying not to dally with—not just yet—this concealed Fighter pulls his arm out quickly, sensing Uranus' fuming words were probably not only an empty threat.

Same old Alex… Serena smiles to herself as everyone else chuckles nervously at the combative pairing. She was getting used to these two beloved's heated exchanges, and thought she saw, for just a moment, the same light reflected in their flaring eyes, something there that never was before.

Maybe even the glint of the wish of her heart for her friends on her happiest day.

---

The guests stream in to fill the banquet hall and the wedding reception begins. The orchestra's music plays softly in the background as Serena and Darien's cherished friends and family, with a little help from Lita and the other girls, slowly find their designated seats and tables.

The bride and groom, her parents, all eight bridesmaids, their escorts and the two flower girls (not to mention the three cats, hiding from the snooty French caterers in Rini's flower basket) were all seated at one monstrously long table at the front of the hall, opposite the stage where the orchestra was playing. The noisy room bustles with energy as waiters scoot to and fro, bringing trays of meals to the talkative guests and happy partygoers.

Taking one look at the plate, uncovered with a flourish by the French waiter in front of them, Sayer blinks in surprise.

"What is this stuff?" He asks of the meal in front of him consisting of some sort of green stalks and a disgusting looking greyish glob in the middle of the plate. "It's all green and gooey-like." He impolitely plays with it with his fork, examining the high-class food like some alien disease.

"Sayer! It's haute cuisine—Francais cuisine of the finest quality. Made by the finest French chefs in Japan, of course!" An embarrassed Michelle sitting next to the rude boy, looks up apologetically at Monsieur Soirvey, who just happened to be passing near enough for him to hear Sayer's disgraceful remarks about his world-famous cuisine.

Sticking his nose up in the air at this uncultured rapscallion—he was one of those drunkards from last night. The ones Mademoiselle Moreau was displeased with, Soirvey recalls—the head French cuisinier walks off, utterly insulted.

"Sayer, how could you?!" Michelle turns to him, snapping a whisper. "Monsieur Soirvey is a good friend of mine. I have never been so humiliated!" She crosses her arms, turning for refuge to Robin, seated on the other side of her. "You like it, don't you, Robin?" She smiles, hoping her recommendation in the catering department was not disliked across the board.

"Of course, Michelle." Robin delicately takes a small nibble. "It's exquisite in flavor. Almost as good as caviar." He agrees with a smile and a cultured air. Michelle sighs, grateful that at least he understood.

"Really, it is the finest cuisine there is in the world."

Hearing Alex's praising words, Sayer looks up from the glop pile he was forming on his plate after letting disgusting spoonfuls plop down before his ick-ed out eyes. Sitting up, he sees her properly straight back in her chair next to his, looking so sophisticated, cool and collected. The expression on Alex's face was superior, and looking down patronizingly on his immaturity, putting him a bit on the defensive.

"Then why haven't you touched your plate?" It was now his turn to smile as her countenance suddenly turns guilty and she puts her arm behind her head, chuckling, caught in the act.

"I'm just not very hungry." The golden woman covers for herself, obviously lying.

"Could I ask for something else?" Sayer whispers to her conspiratorially.

"Don't you dare!" Eavesdropping on every despicable word, Michelle whispers back, already embarrassed enough to Monsieur Soirvey.

"She's got ears like a hawk." Sayer complains to Alex behind his hand, turning his back on Michelle purposefully

"You have no idea." Alex simpers back at him, looking at Michelle and her unacquainted with word 'privacy' the visions empathic understood nothing of.

Then he spots something way down on the far end of the table. "Hey, you!" Sayer yells towards that direction. "What's his name again?" He asks Alex, as Michelle and Robin sink in their seats in embarrassment and Terry and Susan tear their gazes from one another for a moment, to chuckle at Sayer together.

"Greg." Alex can't help but smile at his foolishness.

"Oh, yeah…Greg! Could you pass us those rolls there in front of you!?" Sayer's voice, at times smooth and melodious when put to song, could also be grating and loud when he got to screaming across large areas.

"They're called 'croissants!'" Livid Michelle could not help from hissing disdainfully at this uncouth, boorish individual at her table who was degrading the entire lofty banquet.

"Don't even bother with him. Sayer likes fast food hamburgers best." Robin simply states, as if that was all the explanation necessary to define his unsavory brother. He squeezes Michelle's trembling mad hand in empathy to calm her delicate sensibilities.

"Hey, Greg?! You hear me, pal? Please, pass the buns!" Sayer stridently repeats to both Michelle and Robin's red face-covered chagrin with an even more vulgar term.

Greg looks up, the same scared expression pops on his face again as when confronted before, and he glances at Amy next to him, as he also turns bright red.

Amy shrugs with a smile and nods before he passes the basket to an annoyed at being interrupted while she was talking Rei, who continues her conversation and without looking sticks the basket out to Chad, who quickly jumps to grab it from his adored one, handing it to Lita, who wonders aloud 'why Sayer didn't just ask the waiter to bring it to him?' as she passes it to Andrew, who has to poke at Mina to get her attention away from Ken for a moment. But seeing the attempt hopeless, tall Andrew just leans over her bubbly ribboned head, handing it to an observant Ken, who then passes it to Alex, who plunks the much traveled pastries right in front of Sayer.

"There. Are you happy now?" More amused than anyone else apparently, Alex smirks sarcastically.

"Nah. Maybe on second thought, I don't really want them." Sayer says with a noncommittal shrug, making Alex's eyes go wide in astonishment, for once, at this unsociable creature's crude audacity.

"Just kidding." He laughs genuinely at her serious expression, popping a whole, no longer piping hot, fancy French croissant into his mouth, with another extended in her direction.

Which an incredulous Alex takes, her eyes twinkling at how he livened up the most boring part of this whole event with just a simple, stupid thing. She lightheartedly laughs through the rest of the no longer dull dinner party along with the silliest person she has ever known who was making her smile, despite herself, all while turning her whole world upside down.

---

After the meal, the wedding cake was unveiled. Lita, truly outdoing herself this time, made the beautiful cake standing four tiers high. Each layer was specially decorated by Amy, Rei, Mina, and of course, Lita, who all worked hard to make their contribution just gorgeous.

Ushering Serena and Darien to the table to perform the traditional cake cutting ceremony, the anxious audience of onlookers all had the same question on their minds.

Will she or won't she smash the first piece of wedding cake on Darien's face?

Looking into the crowd of happy adult people who could revel in this one childish tradition moment, Serena smiles down at one face in particular. Her attentions rest on a pretty little child who was in pink from head to toe, who, in all the commotion, felt a bit left behind.

"Rini," Serena beckons her with a generous gloved hand, "will you help Darien and I cut this lovely cake? We'll only mess it up by ourselves and I know how much you love cake."

Rini's mouth opens wide in joyful surprise at her pre-future mommy's maternal munificence. She hasn't forgotten about me! Blinking back grateful tears, Rini dashes forward and hugs Serena's fluffy wedding gown waist hard, never feeling closer to the younger version of her mother than at this moment. After a touching display of 'sisterly' love that had the whole crowd 'awwing,' Rini jumps up on the chair Darien had pulled up for her to stand on, so she, too, would be able to reach the top story of the cake.

Beaming brightly as their shared sweetie, Darien, joins them both with the cake knife, firmly gripping both his girls hands in his over it safely. And the three of them make the first cut together in a small, but poignant symbol of their eternal bonds of love that knew no time.

As the audience awaits, Serena picks up the piece, holding it gingerly in her clumsy hands, not wanting to harm the beautiful (and delicious, I bet!) beads of icing on the top layer Amy had ingeniously crafted. At first planning to civilly give Darien the first bite (then the rest is all for me!) Serena suddenly feels mischievous and turns to Rini.

"Should we?" She whispers the conspiracy to her fellow sweet-tooth moon-child as she breaks the moist white cake in half, slathered in butter cream frosting, appearing to the audience to be sharing her first taste of cake tradition with the sweet-faced little girl, garnering even more 'awws.'

"Let's go for it, Mommy!" Rini whispers back, so low that no one else could hear, as she places her smaller, plump digits on her half of the extra large cake slice.

SMASH! SMASH!

In a double Moon heart attack, that gorgeous piece of cake finds itself flattened on both sides of Darien's unsuspecting face. The audience bursts into peals of laughter at the groom's shocked expression at the twin sugar terrors befalling him. The gigglefest only increases when Serena and Rini both simultaneously swipe their fingers across Darien's face multiple times, so as not to waste a single morsel of icing.

"Yummy!" They both sing in chorus, making everyone, including Darien, laugh even louder. Looking into Serena and Darien's eyes, as she helps clean him off with a towel her Puu, Susan, offers this time. Rini thinks on this moment reflectively, for there was nothing a child who loved her parents wanted more than, even if only for a small part, to be included in their joy.

I'll always remember this day, Mommy, Daddy, no matter how much time passes. Thank you for making it so special for me. Rini smiles up at the two most beloved people in her life as the rest of the scrumptious wedding cake is handed out.

---

The afternoon progresses along smoothly as the familiar sea of faces scattered at the various tables chat amicably while they each reflect upon this new happy union. More than a few of Darien's college friends (and that blonde young man who somehow passed himself off as Serena's second cousin, though no relative seemed to recognize him) made the request for the 'traditional' removing of the bride's 'sacred garter.' To which, after the intimate item was publicly removed from the bride by her new husband, would then be applied to the female who caught the bridal bouquet earlier this afternoon.

Namely, tall and shapely mystery woman, Susan de Venici.

Cynical Mr. Shields was certain that poor Susan was the sole reason for these unattached young men's enthusiasm for this particular tradition to be accomplished.

"Come on, Darien, you gotta! It's tradition you know!" Reminds his college buddy, Cory, who wasn't exactly unattached, his girlfriend, aka Sarah, watching suspiciously from the sidelines.

"Start the marriage out right, guy!" Another friend throws in the weak excuse.

"It'll bring bad luck on your marriage if you don't go through with it, man!" Some jerk-off masters degree collegial type concludes with all the logic he had gained from his place of higher learning.

"It's only fair." That unknown blonde guy says pointedly, looking down the table at Susan, who suddenly feels ten pairs of eyes on her. Terry, seated next to her, notices her curious expression. (Of course, he noticed, his eyes were on her the whole time!)

"What is it, Susan?" He asks gently with a smile. She blushes, as she always did when he looked at her that way, and the shy woman directs her eyes to where all the gazes where coming from to land upon her.

"Over there. I...wonder what they're talking about." She speaks softly to him, feeling somewhat violated by all those men's sniggering titters and intense eyes.

"Shall I find out?" Terry jumps at her every whim, eager to please his beautiful lady as he disappears into the crowd forming around the bridal couple.

The very moment after he leaves her side, Mina comes flying up to her.

"Did you hear, Susan!? Aren't you so lucky?!" She bursts out in her excitable way of speaking, without anyone around understanding a thing she was saying.

"Lucky?" Susan's face turns puzzled, her lovely, dark brows furrowing.

"Why, Mina? What's going on?" Robin asks his friend inquiringly from behind Susan, he and Michelle just mentally discussing the spike in amorous sensation both sensitives felt emanating from that other side of the room.

"Darien's going to do that...garter thing." Mina lowers her voice and looks around before she mentioned that "G" word.

"Ohh…" Definitely more worldly Michelle giggles at Susan's blank expression, her sheltered friend was obviously not fully accustomed with marriage rituals.

"Poor Susan." After she herself had gone over to investigate the sudden uproar, Alex returns, a frown on her knowing face as she shakes her head in disgust at the games men play on gullible women.

"'Poor Susan,' what?" Another naive one, in this matter at least, Sayer demands, his curiosity piqued.

"Don't think I'm going to tell you, Wolf. Hmph. Men." Alex scoffs at the wolf who would no doubt pounce at the chance himself as she crosses her arms defiantly at the inane male tradition.

As the conversation continued around her, Susan was getting a sinking feeling, her eyes widening.

"Come on! Let's watch!" With a squeal, Mina races back to the scene of the crime. Caught up in her enthusiasm, Sayer curiously takes off after her, Alex close on his heels.

Michelle stands up, collecting Robin's arm to join her, though he was not even mildly interested. And then she links Susan into her other arm.

"Come, Susan dear. You'll be needed."

Susan's eyes go doe-eyed, like a deer in the proverbial headlights.

"What's going on?" Tara asks Sammy and Rini at the far end of the table when she sees everyone else suddenly run off towards the other end of the hall.

"Probably another stupid wedding thing my sister's dreamed up." Sammy answers sourly, always against anything to do with airhead Serena's ideas as he blows air through his straw in boredom.

"Weddings are not stupid, Stupid!" Rini shouts at her 'brother,' sticking her tongue out as she takes Tara's thin little arm in her chubby one to go examine the matter herself. Sammy looks up, quite puzzled at the mystery called "girls" as he looks around to see his only companion left was RiRi slurping her bowl of chocolate pudding.

"ChibiChibi?" She smiles deliriously, chocolate splattered all over her face and fingers reaching out to him.

"Hey! Wait up!" Sammy calls, chasing Rini and Tara who turn their noses up, ignoring him.

Girls are so weird, he thinks to himself, too young to completely understand the utter bewitchment they could ever hold over boys.

---

"Are you really going to, in front of everyone, Muffin?" Serena asks, biting her lip excitedly, as Darien kneels to the ground at her feet, lifting her leg up from the floor easily.

"Unless you have some objection, Mrs. Shields…?" Darien smiles, knowing what her response would be as he lifts her endless layers of skirts, taking off Serena's white slipper carefully.

"No objection, Mr. Shields." Serena giggles like a child, but feeling like a woman when her Darien first began perusing her skinny leg beneath all those layers of tulle and lace and satin. The bride was giggling more and more as Darien gets closer to the aforementioned target: that white and lavender pink tipped lacy article of clothing known as a 'garter.'

"Do you have to giggle like a hyena, Serena?" Rei was always ready to insult her dearest friend when she was one of the first of the Scouts to arrive to witness this entirely male version of the bouquet throwing.

Well, Chad is NOT participating in that. Thank you very much. I sent him to get my shawl in the cloak room, with Greg and Ken off to fetch Amy and Mina's jackets as well.

"Well, it tickles!" Serena continues to chortle as Darien slides her garter off, holding it high into the air with a flourish, just to please the growing crowd of eager men watching.

"Alright, here it is, boys." Darien, ever the showman, spins the small white lace article of clothing in deft fingers, smiling at his college friends' anticipating glances at Susan.

She had obviously just been told of her fate, looking to the ebony haired groom as if she may faint. Darien was alarmed for a moment, for he was a true gentleman at heart for such a gentle lady and faithful soldier as Sailor Pluto. But Darien sees there was nothing he could do about it now, the wheels were already set into motion.

Really, it's all done in fun. I just hope Susan sees it that way...He thinks as he prepares to throw the damnable feminine piece of underclothing into the crushing crowd of males vying for the chance.

"Ready, 'Gentlemen?'" He asks, just before tossing the small lacy circle high into the air, as many more men's eager fingers than earlier it seems, reach for the wedding garter. Spinning through the air, the bit of lace begins it descent, spiraling downward towards the crushing throng...

Wishing she could just stop time and flee, Susan resigns herself to her fate. She never wanted any man to touch her in that way.

No one, except for, maybe...

The tall, slender beauty, accustomed to a life of sacrifice, closes her eyes tightly. She, like everyone else, did not see an orchid flash of starlight sizzle by.

Her petrified eyes snap open as the crowd cheers, the garter caught, a winner found, with Susan as the unwilling prize. Unwilling, that is, until she was introduced to exactly who the one lucky guy who had just caught it.

"Terry…!" Feeling a gentle breeze sweep over her, Susan whispers breathlessly, with a relieved, blissful smile overtaking her anxious look.

"My lady." Terry nods his head, a little embarrassed, but not entirely, as he dangles the Princess' small, lacy garter in his long, agile fingers in front of her.

"Come on! Put it on! Come on! Put it on!" Mina chants in cheerleader fashion, egging them to "get on with it"—literally. "Woo! Woo! Go, Ter!" Whistling Sayer pulls a seat out from behind him for Susan to sit upon like a queen on her throne for the 'ceremony.'

"Have a seat, Susie!" The Three Lights' lead singer smiles invitingly to the woman, then looks up at his brother. "Go for it, Ter." Sayer winks at his fellow idol with a thumbs-up sign.

Wishing she had her sword in order to take down this whole crowd of stupid males harassing Susan, restrained Alex simply must roll her disgusted eyes. On the other hand, a delighted Michelle pulls Robin closer to her, obviously considering this rather sensual, post-wedding garter affair so romantic and to her taste.

The rest of the bridesmaids exchange knowing looks, holding their breath as Terry kneels down in front of Susan, gingerly removing her high-heeled shoe with a soft smile on his handsome face.

Lifting her leg gently in the air, his one hand brushes away her silky lavender dress, revealing a shapely leg. His similar colored eyes smile at it appreciatively, making Susan's cheeks blush a deep crimson.

Each of Terry Starr's deft touches set her skin afire as he slowly slides the garter up...up, until he stops at a fairly high place on her thigh. The romantic man from another star lets go of the piece of lace with one last longing caress of her soft skin, then takes both her slender hands in his larger ones.

The pair becomes lost in each other's eyes, and all the onlookers applaud, whistling at the romantic adult scene.

All but one dark-haired young girl, whose purple eyes seemed on the edge of tears, as Tara Tomoe, unnoticed, separates from her group of friends.

"Oh!" Serena giggles happily at all the merriment at her wedding. "You know what they say, Susan! You're next!" Serena predicts giddily, elbowing her older friend. The bride was unaware that her romance forecast teasing was breaking Susan's dutiful heart. Nonetheless, Susan smiles, but feels the tears welling up inside.

"Excuse me, please. All this excitement, I must powder my nose." In a hurry, Susan leaves a curious Terry behind as everyone else returns to their seats.

Once out of sight of the reception hall, she races to the restroom. Susan rushes inside, the tears already beginning to fall down her cheeks. Closing the door behind her quickly, she collapses on the circular stylized couch in the middle of the room. I mustn't cry. I said I wasn't going to. She tries to take a hold of herself, pushing away her feelings of dread. Wiping away the tears with a tissue, her other hand unknowingly lands upon her leg where under her dress, a lacy garter was just freshly put on.

By his hands...by his warm hands. Susan smiles wistfully at the recollection, still able to feel his forbidden touch. Suddenly she notices movement in the mirror in front of her. Spinning around, Susan sees Tara bunched up like a ball.

The girl's pale hands were wrapped around her knees on a couch at the other end of the powder room, tears streaming down her face, as well. Motherly instincts kicking in, Susan forgets her own troubles and goes to her young charge, placing a sympathetic hand on her young shoulder.

"Tara, what's wrong?" Susan asks tenderly, placing a hand on Tara's shoulder gently.

But looking up and seeing her rival for her very first love's attentions, right in front of her, was more than Tara could bear. She could no longer keep silent about her feelings.

"Let go of me!" Tara jumps away, an angry expression on her pretty face, darkening it harshly.

"Tara. I'm only trying to help—" Susan backs away, attempting to explain and calm her.

"You're only trying to trick him! You don't belong here! You can never be with him!" Tara shouts to Susan's astonished face. "You're just a selfish, uncaring woman and I CAN'T STAND YOU!" The black with purple streaked blunt hair trembles as she pushes Susan aside to run out the door.

"Tara…" Susan whispers to the slammed rest room door, heartbroken to hear her cherished Sailor partner say those horrible things to her. But she was even more heartbroken that most of what she said was essentially, devastatingly true.

"What should I do?" She asks the empty air, her heartfelt uncertainty causing her Garnet Orb to suddenly appear in her hand.

"The jewel which has not shined twice…" The Guardian of Pluto holds her talisman up to the light. "This is my destiny." Susan wraps her dark fingers around the jewel itself, its soft glowing warmth small comfort compared to the touch of his hand. Even the potent Garnet Orb's shining radiance was nothing compared to the sparkling gleam in his eye.

But she must do what was expected of her.

"Terry…" The forgotten woman whispers the name traced on her soul as she prepares herself to be able to tell him...

…Everything about my duty. And everything means saying 'goodbye.' The mere thought turns this civilian, human form of this celestial soldier's soul to ice.

So, with a passionless expression on her lovely face, Susan de Venici rejoins him and the others at the table. She looks for Tara, but finds her seat at the table empty.

"Where've you been, Susie?" Sayer leans forward in his seat, grinning ignorantly of all the drama as he talks over a softly conversing Michelle and Robin, who makes a face at his crass brother's rudeness. "You missed all the fun! You should have seen all the toasters Meatball got! What the hell is Dar going to do with all that burnt bread?!" He laughs at the opening of wedding gifts ceremony combined with Serena's inept cooking skills.

"Hmmm?" Susan mumbles unfeelingly, her face devoid of all light as she looks to Tara's seat again, concerned.

"Oh, yes. Tara wasn't feeling very well. And as it is getting late, Amara and I agreed she and Rini could leave early, after the pair decided to have a sleepover at the Hart's." Michelle sees Susan's upset and she good naturedly explains to her friend what had occurred in her absence. Susan merely nods. But Michelle only moderately notices her mood, all heads turning to the bridal couple now taking to the dance floor for the first time in their married lives.

All heads except for a certain mahogany-haired one, who gazes down to his Susan with concern. Susan feels his gaze but refuses to meet his eyes as the orchestra begins to play, the lights dimming, save for the spotlight on the main couple in the center of the dance floor.

---

Looking up into Darien's eyes, Serena feels his strong arms envelope around her once again. The chosen music which she herself—with a little musical arranging assistance, courtesy aspiring composer Rei Hino—had written just for this special occasion begins to play. The sweet strains of an ethereal harp begin to echo through the hushed hall as the audience watches the bride and groom dance their first dance as a married couple before them.

Slowly swaying to the guitar and piano notes, held secure in Darien's arms, Serena remembers the first time he had appeared to her—so handsome, so dashing in his black, caped tuxedo. At first only a mirage, he soon took her into his arms, and became so real to the young woman just rediscovering herself and her new role in destiny as heroine and princess.

Magically the dark, ageless void that surrounded their lonely souls had unfolded into the colors of the rainbow, and their love burst forth, never to be lost again.

Never. This is my forever promise to you, too, Darien. My love is eternal for you. Serena gazes up at the man she now could call her husband after a millennia of waiting. As the song finishes, Darien leans close down to her ear. "I love you, Serenity." This modern day Prince Endymion whispers meaningfully, their bond transcending time and space as an iridescent prism of celestial lights creates a faint halo of a rainbow around them in approval at her music's trumpeted crescendo.

When the audience applauds for the wedded couple, Darien and Serena kiss, the perfect ending for this romantic interlude, the perfect beginning for the moonlight serenade of their new life together.

When their kiss parts, the new husband encourages his bride with a nod after she whispers something in his ear. Then flowing to the microphone onstage in her fluffy bride's dress, Serena smiles sweetly, brimming over with pure love. "Everyone, to thank you for joining your spirit with ours on our wonderful day, here's a treat for you! It's my special request of my dear bridesmaids and their escorts to dance to a song written and arranged by each of them. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, too! Thanks, guys! I love you all!" The bubbly soldier of friendship nods to the orchestra leader, who starts the next piece of music in the personalized set he had been provided.

Shy Amy Anderson blushes at being up first as she hears the many musical studied hours of diligent crafting come to life in the first measure of her sentimental tune played in a keyboard's soft strains. She looks to her escort when Greg Mueller politely pulls out her seat and leads Amy onto the hall's dance floor.

I hope I don't trip up. Amy'll think I'm a dweeb. Greg thinks sadly as he and the girl dressed all in soft blue, take to the floor to dance to the handwritten melody Amy had slaved over for weeks to be technically perfect.

And maybe a little heart rending, too.

How good Serena is to give us each a chance in the spotlight, even at her own wedding. She is such a good friend! But that is something I've always known. Amy feels Greg's hand nervously place itself around her waist. This song...I did write it with you in mind…Greg… Amy reflects as the music begins, the orchestra's pianist taking the gentle melody.

How sad I've been without you, haven't I? I've been hiding these feelings since you left. You were my one and only unrequited love. I was sure when you left, I could not be your sweetheart. I really had no idea of love. But no, I need a sweetheart—just as much as anyone else! I needed you, Greg. Have you come back to me now? Amy's hand squeezes Greg's shoulder a bit tighter as they nervously dance in time with the flowing music which had the tinkling sensation of icy loneliness overlaid in every tender passage.

Looking into her deep blue eyes that the song seemed to bring a richer color to, Greg suddenly feels his confidence building. Though not a natural dancer, the bashful young man gives his best to make this dance good enough to warm his ideal girl's sweet heart.

Amy, I've stayed away all this time, because I thought I wasn't good enough for you. I'm still not...but...I don't think I can leave you again. Not until I tell you what's in my heart…He thinks determinedly, just as the hopeful ending to the song comes and he and Amy walk back to their seats, warm hand in warm hand.

Giving Amy a proud smile, Rei leads Chad onto the dance floor, prepared for this eternal melody of her heart to begin to play. The French horn sounds through the hall as the music flows.

Not clumsy or doofy at all on the ballroom floor, he not only dressed up well, Chad shocks Rei with his unthought-of of dancing ability. But then, as Rei had learned over the past few years spent with him, Chad always did find a way to surprise.

Like the fire of the sun. His strengths burst out suddenly, beaming his courage and bravery, even though I don't always appreciate them...You know what, Chad? I'm glad I met you. You let me keep chasing my dreams, without ever pushing yourself in too much. I feel secure to be me, because you're always around, Chad, always ready to be there for me...Hey, have I ever told you, Chad…?...Have I ever told you…? Rei's thoughts drift off as the saxophone takes over the last piece of the song and Chad pulls her closer to his inviting broad chest.

When the song ends and the audience claps appreciatively at the well-expressed sentiment, Rei looks up at him.

"Thanks, guy." She squeezes his arm, and Chad grins from ear to ear as they return to their seats. "But don't let it go to your head, okay?" Rei recalls herself back from the dreamy, romantic state the song she had composed set her into, and adds quickly.

"No problemo, Rei." She, like, is actually proud of me! Guess watching all those pool gymnast dance videos Rei's grandpa lent me sure helped me learn to dance good! But Rei's dress is way prettier—and sturdier too—than those skimpy swimsuit bikinis those silly dancing girls were having such a hard time keeping on! Simple Chad's smile was as huge as his innocent heart that was about to bust open to be praised by his longtime idolized temple maiden. For there was no other thought on his mind than to make her happy.

"Okay…our turn!" A little nervous for their first dance no matter how hard and how long she had dreamed of it, got-it-together wedding planner-for-everything-but-this Lita turns to Andrew, whose face was a continual smile when it came to his great friend, Lita.

Lita returns the smile, trying to calm her pounding heart as the 5'8" who'd always believed herself a gangly tall brunette and the thankfully even taller blond college grad seek their place in the middle of the dance floor. Lita's own heart's melody starts to play, haunting in its way, romantic in its mood, with a clarinet's longing strains taking instrumentation lead.

The story of my life…Lita smiles up sadly at Andrew as they begin to dance. I've been in love, so many times it seems...as many loves as there are stars in the sky. She laughs to herself the cosmic analogy that wasn't too far off the mark, really. But you know what, Andrew? I keep coming back to you. It's not your fault...no, not at all! You've never encouraged me. You've always been so sweet and loyal to your girlfriend, Rita, and now she's left you alone. But if you're alone and I'm alone...we won't be alone anymore if we're together, right? Oh, Andrew, you're so dreamy! Her natural beauty aglow on her blushed cheeks, Lita loses herself in his gorgeous green eyes as Andrew finds himself strangely caught up in her enchanting emeralds.

You're always so good to me, Lita. Somehow, when I'm here with you, I don't feel so down…I'm glad we're such good friends. But this song you wrote seems so sad, even though you're always happy when I see you. You're like a force of nature, always doing so much for me—filling in for me at the arcade afternoons when I was interning, cleaning my apartment when I was too busy at the hospital, cooking me meals and bringing them over—how can I help you out now? Even when you were starting your own floral shop business, you always made time for me. Maybe now it's my turn to be a better friend and help you out. You looked a little sad back there while we were dancing. Do you need anything? An extra pair of hands around your new shop….or a driver to do the deliveries…or, or just someone to talk to? I'd really like to see you happy, Lita. No one deserves it more than you. Genuine Andrew smiles brightly at the wonderful girl's quixotic expression up at him. His mind, no longer only full of remorse and heartache over Rita, was thinking what he could do now for Lita, good thoughts going a million miles a minute.

Lita could sense his caring interest—for me, at last!—making her grin sweetly just as the music trails off in a saxophone finish filled with the more content sound of yearning and hope.

As they pass each other, Mina gives Lita a congratulatory thumbs-up and Lita laughs at her best friend's boy-chasing buoyancy. Especially considering the mood of Mina's melody that the idol wanna-be with many hidden facets had let her best friend Lita hear before.

Walking out onto the ballroom floor with this new girl he just met named Mina on his arm, Ken half-expects the song she had written—and told him on and on about the 'music composition process' of writing it all through dinner—to be a modern, new-age type of tune, face paced and bursting with energy, much like Mina herself.

But no, as the first melancholy bars begin to play the violins, Ken suddenly sees a whole new side to this beautiful blonde's personality that he'd not yet seen. Interested before, but now quite intrigued, Ken listens carefully to the mournful music. Quite adept at the ballroom arts—Ken's mom just happened to be a dance instructor, her son learning the inherited skill at an early age—the eighteen year old young man holds Mina tenderly, beginning this special dance set to her personal melody gently.

As for Mina…she had heard her song played before, she was there when the orchestra first practiced it. Then tell me, why do I feel like I'm about to cry this time? I wrote it for someone from long ago, once upon a time, in a city far away. You were always so warm to me. We had so much fun together. But I let the seasons pass us by…

This forlorn song spoke of Mina's first, and lost love in a faraway frontier where the original sailor soldier, Sailor V, first emerged in her inaugural search for the Moon Princess and fellow guardians, which none but dear Artemis was privied to share in, to this day. While being the only one to defend earth from the forces of darkness just awakening then, Mina had fought the good fight alone, soon forging alliances on the shores of the British Isles her impressionable young heart would not soon forget.

I never thought we'd change. I saw your dream then, Alan. It was my dream, too. But what is my dream now?

Mina, though not known for quiet contemplation, held a soul deeper than many would believe. Perhaps her usual bright and sunshiny—daresay insanely unhinged—go-getter attitude belied the secretly responsible and thoughtful quality which defined her role as Sailor Guardian leader. This blatantly pleasant manner and over-the-top crazed behavior on the surface kept the hidden seriousness and sorrows the soldier of Venus' 'heavy crown' wore on the balancing scales as her way of dealing with her great duty.

Why am I crying? As she fluidly continued to slow dance to the poignant music of a single harmonica, a tear slips down Mina's cheek to splash onto Ken's hand linked in hers. Without missing a beat as he proficiently twirls the lithe female at the flaring notes of the sweeping in violins at his dance's lead, an honestly concerned Ken uses his other hand to compassionately brush the tear away from her cheek as the pair then sway softly to the music.

It's you, isn't it, Kenny? You remind me of him in so many ways. I wrote this song for him, but now...now it will remind me of your kindness, too. Because I want to see your dream now, more than anything. Seriously...let's be friends, Kenny. If nothing more...let's shine together as friends. Mina smiles at him her truest gleaming, indeed Venus quality, shine. As their waltz finishes, Ken hugs her on the walk back to their seats, now with a new perspective of each other both valued.

"Do we really have to go through with this?" In a totally disparate mood shift from Mina's sad yearning piece, Alex Sokova whispers low in an annoyed, rebellious voice to the man rising from his chair next to hers.

"Why not?" Sayer smiles down at her that sideways simper he was infamous for. Then leaning his head down close to her ear, he whispers with a challenge in his intense blue eyes: "Or maybe you don't think you can keep up with me?"

"Hmph." Never one to back down from a challenge, Alex gets straight up, pushing her chair back forcefully. "Just try not to slow me down, star man." She flashes at him competitively, striding ahead at full speed. Alex did not wait for her escort at all, rather making Sayer Starr chase her out onto the dance floor like a skittering puppy.

The room darkens as low staccato drums begin to beat, the percussion instruments adding upon themselves as the tension builds. It remains dim until the first notes of the piano begins to run through a fast-paced melody and the spotlight snaps on, revealing two figures, standing motionless, their eyes both tightly shut. Facing each other, though still separated, they both take a dramatic stance, the woman in the golden suit poised tall, her arm covering her eyes as if to block out the spotlight and anyone else in her path. The sleek man in red and grey was posed provocatively with no-nonsense arms folded, his long legs spread aggressively wide.

As the brass instrument horns rise and fall to roll into the thrilling melody, at a full note pause the musician in him recognized, Sayer suddenly opens his eyes and extends his hand out to Alex, whose eyes still remain closed. Until just the moment the piano was about to switch over again, and at the last possible second, she snaps her exotic dark green orbs open wide to stare right into his starstruck blues.

Ignoring his offered hand, doing things, as always, her way, Alex slaps both her palms around Sayer's wiry frame. She inversely takes the lead as the powerful, yet seductive notes that gave the distinct impression of a chariot race commences to the course of her chosen melody which he must follow her lead to.

The audience watches breathlessly as these two wild souls dance to the resounding beat that felt far more sensational than a mere dance. Each natural born fighter was struggling to take the lead, similar heights and long legs of their agile and lean bodies absolutely matched making this more like a heated duel than a placid waltz.

Although, to the general crowd, the two danced like professionals, made for one another on the dance floor which both were cutting sleek lines across. That was a thought that would've once made Alex Sokova laugh…or maybe punch anyone who dared say it in her presence about she and the wolf she had such a sordid past with.

Why won't the fool just let me lead? This is my song! Alex's mind angrily questions the challenger attempting to take control of the dance as the navy ponytailed rock star continues to swing her around, a perfect dancer in perfect time to the perfect music.

Music she had written into a song that the Soldier of Uranus felt surge through her veins in every battle, with every kick and punch, for every blood-soaked slash of her sword carved the initial 'U' across her heart in shining gold.

But he is better than I thought he'd be… Alex couldn't honestly help but approve of her unwanted partner who could indeed keep up with her incredible speed and strength. For this outer planets guardian was not holding back, not one iota for this alien invader from a foreign star she had a long and unsavory history with. It pained her to admit someone was almost nearly as quick and deft and dazzling an intuitive dancer as she was, especially this arrogant Star Fighter who always rubbed her the wrong way.

Allowing herself a glance at his face for a moment, Alex finds herself unwittingly beckoned to by his starry dark blue eyes. As the wind encapsulates her in the whirlwind vortex's eye of the storm, the deafening beats of her heart race at the quickened rate of the music.

Catching her attention—finally!—Sayer slows his movements which were not only trying to outpace Alex's defiant speed, but also impress her with his smooth, sleek, sex symbol skills, desperately wanting to keep her beautiful deep green eyes in his. You're so good at this, Ally. Sayer smiles to her, as they begin to move in sync. And to the singer's much awaited joy, to each other's rhythm, at last, too.

This music suits you perfectly. You're so dazzling at everything. Beautiful, too, but you'd kill me if I mentioned that aloud. You'd probably call me a 'wolf.' And you might not be too wrong there… Then, Sayer's self-deprecating smile turns dead serious. Every increasing skin to skin touch with the cool Sailor Soldier of Uranus was also setting this Fighter's soul afire in ways he'd never expect, nor imagined before.

I think...no, I feel...I must be falling in love with your shine… His eyelids lower amorously at the golden woman gyrating before him.

Alex's blood pumps maddeningly when Sayer Starr's fingers' very intense, almost energized touch shoots straight through her like a laser, exploding both their senses in flash of fireworks.

Just like that first time we shook hands in the dressing room and I felt the energy of a star burn through me…

In reactive resistance, she swiftly spins his pliable body around rather violently, yet still in precise timing with the music building to an agitated level they were both enveloped in the hot rhythm of.

What is it about those dark eyes when they look at me? Gazing into his lowering, dangerous eyes, Alex gasps for breath, feeling her heart pounding in her ears as a sudden overwhelming passion begins to form in her soul.

This burning sensation in my chest. I've never felt like this before…

She feels smoking embers catch ablaze as Sayer's hands slide around the tight abs of her waist, boldly snaking in between her shirt and her golden yellow suit jacket. In that moment, the rest of the world fades, they the only two people in the room.

And in this undertone drumroll, paused interlude of her song, their invigorated young bodies echo the same three little words as the drums pound palpably through the air and beat across their competitive, dueling hearts:

I want you.

I want you.

Alex Sokova's tensed arms were about to reach out to claim a willing, eye-inviting Sayer Starr into a desired kiss. But then suddenly, as her signature piano notes return to race through the scales, the tough female's tormented soul takes over once again and she pulls back. Breaking their locked gaze, Alex turns her face from him, feeling like she should run and leave this place right now, if only to escape his enticing arms.

Run! The urge was so strong, so overpowering. As if reading her thoughts, the music builds to a feverish pitch as Alex furiously attempts to escape the hold he had on her, both physical and surreal. But the surprisingly dominant, blindingly quick and powerful starlight soldier refused to let her flee. Her chest still afire, Alex was about to really break loose, forget this entire damn song and dance she'd let herself get sucked into, wedding and all, and flee to windswept freedom like she always did—

But that's precisely when the music changes its tone one more time. A sweet violin begins to play, its first sad notes ringing in Alex's ears as if trying to convey a message to her.

Michelle. Alex does not even need to look at the aqua beauty, who had unexpectedly taken to perform the violin onstage live with the orchestra, to know who the player was, their eternal bond so strong. What are you trying to tell me? Uranus could hear it in her partner Neptune's violin performance, something written to her personally on the wind flowing between them.

The Sailor of the wind lets go of her own rampaging thoughts, closing her eyes to concentrate on her empathic soulmate, on her gorgeous violin. And suddenly all the words come rushing in at once. Alex feels Michelle's calm waves washing over her stormy heart, telling her it was all right for even a soldier to have feelings.

Amara, don't be frightened. Don't try to run anymore. Michelle sends out through her playing to her most beloved friend. Don't let the past hold you back. Open up your mind! Listen to the future calling your secret heart, for once. Does it say you should care for this shooting star? Doesn't one strong passion denote another just as intense? The questions sear through Alex's soul as the violin tapers off on a high note, the pertinent query still hanging in the vibrating air.

In the flash of a second, Alex gives her answer, surprising everyone who knew her, save for one ocean-swept maiden when, upon opening her eyes, Amaralexis Sokova thrusts out her hand to Sayer's offered one. Like a gale force wind's impact smacking the break of the sound barrier, their paired hands grasp one another in a loud clap of thunder both felt shake them to the core.

Eyes lock in a fresh way, with a new and thrilling understanding passing between the two soldiers. Both felt an exciting new acceptance to try this most unlikely path, their endless duel finally satisfied. Now, in Alex and Sayer's heart-pounding waltz, everyone, including total strangers, could see the difference in them—the incredible force that each knew to be the most irresistible one on earth—unbidden love set free.

Grasping each other's hands, they begin the dramatic dance again, now in perfect sync. Alex for once, lets him take the lead, the dance now far more dynamic, electrifying the crowd, as she no longer fights him, no longer fights the passion inside of her. Together as one, they dance as neither of them had before, both feeling for the first time that this person in front of them was really, truly, their perfect equal.

Their electrified eyes meet again breathlessly leaning to one another as the final notes of the piano play, and the music winds down, the lights dimming so low you could no longer see the star-crossed pair. As the crowd applauds this most dazzling of dancing duos, ready to give them their deserving kudos for such a stunningly emotional performance, the lights come up.

But neither Sayer nor Alex were there to receive their overwhelming applause. In the moment of darkness, somehow, they had managed to elude the entire audience, disappearing together into the night.

"Where'd they go?" With a great big smile on her face for the thrilling performance her friends had done, Serena asks, looking around when the lights come up. Everyone at the table's eyes search for the vanished dancing couple.

"Who can say?" Michelle answers the bride, with a teasing smile as she returns to her place at the table. The aqua violinist was aware of Amara and Sayer's new discovery and was actually pleased with it, sensing how restless her cousin was of late.

Well, there will never be a dull moment for those two. She chuckles to herself in that lilting way another wandering shooting star found utmost alluring.

'Nor for us. You were amazing up on that stage, Michelle. Like the soft sea breeze…' An artistry and artist admiring Robin Starr projects this complimenting thought to the most enchanting creature in the entire room. The slender, suave young man with the sleek silver hair smoothly stands from his chair at the reception party to join his escorted bridesmaid near the bride and groom's seats.

"Princess. Thank you for inviting the three of us to your wedding. It's been unforgettable." Dashing in his pale blue and grey tails suit, Robin was speaking to Serena, but his mint green eyes were all for the beautiful lady in aqua and teal standing behind the bride.

"I'm so happy you boys came to be part of my happy, happy day. It wouldn't have been as special without my dearest star friends here, too." Sweet Serena Shields waves to flawlessly handsome Terry down the other end of the table and giggles to the adorable and chic young model standing before her, giving a squeeze to Robin's hand. Which, surprisingly, does not shrink away from the blushing bride's sticky touch like the once unfriendly idol would have previously.

But maybe there were a lot more surprise changes in store that this matured Robin Starr was going to astound everyone with, all because of the love of a memorable mermaid's summoning song.

Having shared her talents for Amara, Michelle was now ready to claim her own partner for her own moment in the spotlight. "Robin..." She extends one gloved hand out to him.

"Michelle." As if second nature, Robin takes her graceful hand in his and they walk out to the dance floor, hand in hand. Elegance exudes from the sophisticated pair and their polished, refined entrance, as Robin and Michelle pause in the center of the room.

'Let me hear your song.' Robin whispers into Michelle's psyche in a soft mental hush, curious to learn more about this jewel of a wondrous artiste's many talented facets.

'Listen with your heart, dearest, let it sweep over you like a wave upon the shore.'

As her music begins to play its mysterious fathomless melody with an oceanic intro, Michelle wraps both of her arms around Robin's neck. His slim arms easily attach themselves around her small waist. As if they had shared a waltz all their lives, the simpatico pair begin to sway to the rhythmic guitar and synthesizer that set a certain flirtatious Parisian air and deep sea mood to now overtake the room.

Gazing into her eyes, Robin was in awe of the woman before him, all aglow in an abyss of aqua frills, waves of seafaring satin and bouncing marine curls of her lovely tresses, too. He envisions the silhouette of a mermaid in his dreams from not so long ago that drew him here to earth again, and she was now the tangible vision of beauty in his arms.

Michelle Moreau was perfection itself—a work of art which was breathtakingly lovely, unbelievably talented, and with the poise and grace of a regal queen. But more than all that, more than anything else, she understood him. This Sailor Soldier of Neptune possessed a deep soul which was expressive, emotional and caring. And that depth of soul was the reason this once lonely, detached and ill-tempered Star Healer had grown to love her dearly in so short a period of time. So much so they became one in the blink of an eye, joined as few people could ever imagine for all time since the moment their spirits communed with one another.

Two lonely souls, linked as one in mind and thought—and one heart now, as well.

Looking into her ocean blue eyes, Robin silently reflects on his good fortune at meeting someone as incredible as she, knowing that what they had found—by fate or destiny—could only happen once in a lifetime.

The last rays of the sunlight flicker through the windows of the reception hall, catching Michelle's eye as she was deftly spun around by this star's sleek catlike movements. The golden hued light gleams down, shining through Robin's silver hair, making him even more stunningly handsome in her love-struck eyes. Emotional waves sweep over her, as she feels this moment embedding itself into her memory.

You and I are one. Oh, Robin, dearest! I never knew that a life like this could be so fulfilling. You've touched the feelings of this soldier. It is destiny for certain. My destiny to be with you. I've known it since the moment I found my way to you.

Or did you find me on that day? The moment you allowed me to glimpse into your soul—your beautiful, sensitive soul! When I heard you calling to me in this hidden world I thought only I walked alone, that's when everything began. That's when you first serenaded my heart. That's when I first realized you love me. Breaking through the silence in my soul, you turned my life around. Destiny at last, Robin, my Healer. I thank fate for you, my dearest. Michelle's thoughts drift through her soul as the setting sun blazes high in the sky, the young man in soft mints and silvers swaying in front of her more blinding to her than the celestial body's heliacal radiance.

'I was just thinking the same thing about you.' Robin's unspoken voice enters her pondered thoughts, so softly, so sweetly comforting that Michelle's mind did not at all feel invaded by his underlying presence she was both aware of and thrilled by.

In fact, this soldier of embrace welcomed him in with every extrasensory ounce of her astrophysical self.

"Robin Starr, you are my destiny." Michelle Moreau's mind, heart, and soul whispers out to his sensitive soul, as the beats of her music come closer to him like the roaring tide.

"And I know you are mine, Michelle Moreau." His like thoughts echo to her embracing soul. Unmatched dancer Robin dexterously spins her lovely lithe, filmy sea foam form in complex dance move in time with the final notes of music as they finish the waltz in perfect ending to their soulful etude together.

While the crowd applauds for Michelle and Robin's transcendental performance, Terry turns to the woman at his side. He had been anxiously waiting for this moment when he could hold her in his arms again. Rising from his seat, the flawlessly gorgeous and impressively tall, mahogany haired young man smiles that mesmerizing smile of his down to Susan.

"My Lady." His deep voice says softly, bowing to her in true gentlemanly style that Terry quite takes Susan de Venici's breath away. She was swept off her feet, just as in a storybook, when her princely escort claims her hand in his, leading his princess out to the ballroom, both absorbed into their own fairytale. Somewhere in the distance a waltz begins to whisper low an accordion's melancholic melody.

But it was one so strangely familiar to this handsome Starlight soldier, though Terry Starr could not quite place it.

Haven't I heard this song before, somewhere long ago...As his intelligent mind ponders the gnawing conundrum on one level, Terry was only vaguely aware of anything else, save for the haunting melody and the delicate beauty in his arms.

Waltzing coming as easy to him as writing poetry, the mature, appealing man calmly leads his lady through the clouds they were dancing upon. Susan, my graceful lily, you are divine. Terry was certain that she truly was a goddess, in awe of her gentle, muted splendor as he smiles poetically down at her with adoring eyes. Please open your soft petals to become mine...

As they continue the classic waltz to the timeless piece, violins sweeping in, Susan feels weightless in Terry's adept arms. Lightheaded as she gazes up into his slender, yet strong face, his lovely eyes shine like soft lilac beacons straight into her heart. A heart filled with so much love for this wonderful young man and fellow Sailor Soldier, she felt that it may burst apart, for such an emotion was forbidden to her. Taboo or not, this was a sentiment so strong, so passionate that Susan's once tranquil soul was reaching out for the most impossible of dreams—one denied her by fate.

But again she hears it play along the lines of her time bonded soul. And this guardian of Pluto must dutifully submit to the same unchanging melody echoing through her mind, the only one her heart had ever known.

Her eternal song of loneliness and longing.

My empty life has no reason or rhyme, only secrets. Eternal secrets. She thinks sadly, Terry's strong arms around her making the forgotten soldier feel even more helpless and forlorn, knowing this night would be their last, this their final waltz.

But the melody is not exactly the same this time. Susan suddenly realizes, listening to the notes being performed by the ballroom orchestra closely, no longer with her head, but with her heart. It is changing. In her soul, the transposed music of the piano transforms, becoming not only her song of loneliness, but her new song of love as well, while Terry sweeps the lavender satin draped female around the floor expertly. In awe I've watched these feelings unfurl. My song of love for you, my darling Terry. In your eyes I see that promise. The jewels of your eyes, promising hope to me, shining the future, and yet...

The future is not mine to hold. I am merely its servant. Only Time is my master…

Slipping back into a defeated malaise, Susan meets Terry's brilliant orbs as the melody finishes its last sweet notes. Her heart cries out for him rescue her, though her soul knew it was forever bound to another force. In this short period of time, her longing for him had become so intense, her hope of love so deep, yet completely forbidden, that Susan's heart ached to have this one dream night never end.

But hope was a bittersweet thing to this lonely, millennia lost woman, and a single tear escapes her eye, falling upon one delicate, dark cheek that was certain tomorrow would come. And in it, the profile of a lonely guardian in the distance would remain forgotten and forever solitary again.

Smooth Terry deftly dips her slender body at his command with ease in a dramatic dance pose when the last remnants of the sad sonata's enigmatic flute resounds. Then, as Terry lifts Susan back up to him, he was startled to see her trembling, magenta orbs. He instantly pulls her close to his warm, manly chest, protective and compassionate for this most magnificent woman God ever created, whom he had fallen so deeply in love with.

The tender-hearted soldier from the stars kisses the tears from Susan's inscrutably moist eyes with a gentle brush of his lips, adding a perfect romantic tableau of timeless love to the final dance of this unforgettable, heart-pounding evening.