Justification is in Order
                            by Lunari

                             Part IV

     Small, fuzzy balls of white fur played on the green hilltop,
their ears flopping as they bounced over the soft grass.  A
little girl tumbled over the hill with the rabbits, her hair a
bright pink color.  She giggled merrily and turned, waving her
tiny hand.

     Serenity smiled, leaning against the window sill, and waved
back.  Warm hands rubbed up her arms and over her shoulders. 
Serenity closed her eyes and grinned, feeling a presence behind
her.  Endymion bent his mouth close to her ear, his breath warm 
on her neck.

     "Good morning, meatball-head," he said and she could hear
the smile in his voice.

     She moved to turn around, to press her body against his. 
"Don't call me that, Endymi-"

     He was gone.

     Serenity blinked, her eyes going wide.

     Reenie screamed.

     Serenity whirled around, her hand smacking the window sill
as she bent to look out.

     The rabbits were dead.

     Then Serenity heard an awful, gut-wrenching scream split the
air and she covered her ears.  The noise went on and on, growing
ragged and strained.  It wasn't until her knees hit the ground
that she realized it was her own voice.

                               ***

     A hand slapped against plastic and the buzzer stopped it's
annoying blare.  In its place spoke a caffeine-cheery voice
announcing this week's contest rules and then started into the
weather forecast.

     "Expect plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the mid-
fifties today," said the disk jockey, his voice accompanied by
cheesy music.  "More coming up in five minutes on WNIR, the best
thing invented since saki."

     Serenity blinked, her eyes slowly clearing.  She heard the
radio commercials starting up behind her and then another slap
that cut all noise from the speakers.  Her heart beat in her ears
and her throat ached, sore as if from screaming.

     There was movement beside her and the blanket covering her
tugged slightly against the white-knuckled grip her fingers had
on its edge.  Serenity gave a shuddering sigh, letting the fabric
slip through her fingers.  She settled against the pillow, her
eyes drifting downward as lethargy pulled them harder than
gravity ever could.

     She'd almost fallen back asleep when a thought slipped
hazily into her brain.  Her eyes opened wide again and her body
jolted itself awake.  This wasn't her bed, the dresser beyond
wasn't hers, and the room holding both the bed and the dresser
wasn't hers either.  

     Then her brain woke up.

     As did Darien.

     Serenity rolled over and saw two sapphire eyes staring at
her.  She blinked, her voice going dry and the events of last
night finally coming back to her mind's eye.

     From Darien's expression, she guessed he was going through
the same thing.

     "Serenity," he said, his voice a bit groggy from sleep.

     "En-" Serenity stared, then chided herself.  "Darien."

     Serenity felt a queasy feeling in her stomach and she
swallowed, a dull glow of pain in her throat.

     "Good morning," Darien said finally, still staring at her.

     Serenity blinked at him, her mouth opening and then closing
again.

     "Uh, yes," Serenity stammered out.  "Good morning."

     They continued to stare at each other.  Serenity felt an
uncomfortable churning in her stomach and pushed herself away
from Darien.  She sat up on the bed; sure enough she was wearing
one of his t-shirts.  Serenity hunched over, a helpless
expression on her face, her arms crossed over her stomach.

     "Oh God," she said to Darien, a lump making her words
difficult to say.  "I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to do this to
you."

     There was movement beside her and Darien sat up, placing his
hand on her arm.  "No," he said.  "I wanted this to happen.  I
..." Darien stopped, then sighed.  "Serenity, don't be sorry." 
Darien pulled his arms around her.  Serenity closed her eyes, his
embrace warm on her cool skin.  

     His words were soft on her ear and sweet like honey.  "I
love you."

     Serenity began to tremble.  Darien stroked his hand up her
arm, nuzzling her neck.  She could feel the vibrations of his
throat against her skin.  "I always have."

     His lips brushed against her shoulder and neck, her hair
spilling over his face.  She moved to brush away the stream of
gold to give him room when his hand stopped hers.  She turned to
look at him and he was holding her hair.

     "What?" she asked.

     Darien looked at her and in all seriousness said, "You do
take them out when you sleep."

     Serenity stared at him.

     "What?"

                               ***

     Raye brushed a comb through her raven hair, firelight
flickering across the surface giving it a metallic sheen as it
flowed down her back.  She sighed, staring at her reflection in
the mirror.  A pale temple assistant stared back, her eyes turned
in a constant state of annoyance and her lips curling towards a
frown or smirk.

     "Raye," called a voice tinged with a surfer's accent.  Raye
turned to the door.

     "What, Chad?!" she cried, pretending that she had been up to
important business while brushing her hair.

     Chad's voice was closer to the door, maybe just behind it
when he spoke.  "Serena's here to see you," he said.

     Raye put down her comb and arranged her ceremonial gown worn
with wear around her.  She slid open the rice paper door and was
surprised to find the gangly musician standing very close to her. 
Chad looked down at her, a fearful expression on his face.  Raye
opened her mouth to yell at him, but found her throat unwilling
to produce the appropriate dressing-down.  Chad rubbed the back
of his neck, laughing nervously.  Raye cast her eyes away, and
muttered something, nothing.

     Chad backed away, "Sorry, Raye," on his lips.  Raye brushed
past him, her feet moving faster than normal.  She looked over
her shoulder at the young man who was now bumping his head
against the wood panelling of the wall.  Raye grinned and
proceeded down the hallway.

     Serena attacked her with the same questions she had asked
last night over the communicator and Raye corralled her to a
safer room before disclosing any information.

     "Raye!" Serena whined, "Tell me what's going on!"

     Raye sighed, and sat.  "I already told you all we know,
Serena.  We followed the moonbeam to the docks and were attacked
by a bunch of robot-things.  Reenie wasn't there, so we left."

     Serena frowned, the expression not usually associated with
her springy if not addled personality.  She was grabbing at the
fabric of her jeans, her knuckles turning white as she kneaded
the denim.  "Raye," she said at last.  "Why didn't you keep
searching for Reenie?"

     "Because we were all tore up, that's why!" Raye almost
yelled, feeling very angry.  "Queen Serenity was even attacked
and she doesn't have any powers!  Darien had to take her home
because she couldn't survive the night on her own!"

     Serena looked up.  "Darien?" she asked.  "Darien took her
home?"

     "Yeah," Raye nodded, peering out through the rice-paper. 
"She was really beat up."

     Serena looked down at her lap, feeling a pulsing warmth from
her locket; the same warmth she had felt all night and morning
since the moonbeam struck at sunset.  Something ached in her
chest and she swallowed.  Her voice was shaky when she spoke. 
"When are the others supposed to get here?" she asked.

     Raye turned to her, giving an exasperated sigh.  "They'll be
here soon, Seren-" Raye stopped, noticing Serena's pained
expression.  She swallowed and crawled over to her, hesitantly
putting an arm around her.  Serena leaned heavily against the
girl and began to shake.  Raye looked around as if unsure what to
do, and then hugged Serena to her.  "Don't worry," she cooed. 
"We'll get Reenie back."

     Serena closed her eyes, smelling the scent of fire clinging
to Raye's kimono.  "Thanks, Raye," she said.  "Usually you're the
one who is mean to me."

     Raye looked down at her, ready to start screaming again. 
But after a second thought and glance at the fifteen year-old,
she sighed and nodded.

     "Yeah," she said.  "But today's not a normal day."

     Serena sniffed.  "No kidding."

                               ***

     Lita tripped, her long legs banging into each other and her
momentum carring her the rest of the way to the ground.  She
grunted, feeling vertebrae slipping out of alignment in her back.

     "Aw hell," she grunted, pulling her face out of the
sidewalk.  She struggled to her feet, feeling a few other cracks
accompanied by one loud pop.  "Now I have to schedule an
appointment with the chiropractor."  After walking a few steps,
she smiled.  "Of course, he might have that cute med student in
there helping him ..."

     Lita grinned, and hefted her backpack over her shoulder. 
She looked behind her to see what had tripped her in the first
place, and saw a flattened piece of rubber.  Lita was about to
continue on but stopped, her attention being drawn back to the
object.  

     Lita walked back to the small heap of rubber and knelt down. 
She prodded it gently with her fingers, then peeled it off the
cement.    

     And dropped it promptly.

     Lita's rear end hit the ground and she scrambled away from
the object, creative curses she learned from Freddie pouring from
her lips.  She managed to snatch her communicator from her pocket
and activate it with trembling fingers.

     Lita studdered over her words as the deflated Luna ball
stared back at her, a slash across its dark face.

                               ***

     "Look, I'm sorry, Andrew."

     "Sorry?  We waited for you for three hours, Darien!  My
folks are lucky it didn't rain!"

      Darien sighed, running his hand through his hair as he
spoke into the telephone receiver.  He leaned against the wall,
his fingers playing with the coiled cord, and looked around the
corner into his bedroom.  

     "Something came up," he said, seeing the feminine figure
seated on his bed brushing her hair into two long strands.

     "What could have possibly come up to keep you away from my
mom's cooking?"  Andrew asked.  "She was going to make Kung Pao 
Chicken for you!"

     "Well ..."

     `How to put this,' Darien thought.  `I suddenly ran into a
future version of Serena who is looking her daughter and then
Reenie was kidnapped and we were attacked by robots and I slept
with my future wife and totally forgot to call ...'

     "It's pretty complicated," Darien answered, rolling his
eyes.

     "Yeah, right.  Whatever," came Andrew's muffled reply.  "Can
I count on you to come and help out today?"

     "Sure," Darien said.  After a pause, Darien frowned.  "Well,
no.  I can't."

     "Why not?"

     Darien sighed.  "I don't think I could make it out because I
promised Serena that I'd ... uhm ... help her study."

     There was a thick silence over the receiver.  Then came a
sarcasm-laced voice with a dark undertone.

     "Yeah, I'm sure Serena learns a lot from you, Darien. 
Wouldn't want to interrupt anything."

     "Andrew," Darien moaned.  "It's not like that."

     "Darien?" came a light voice as Serenity emerged from the
room.  She saw the telephone receiver and closed a hand over her
mouth.

     "Is she over there now?" Andrew asked.  "Geez Darien, is
there something you want to tell me about you two?"

     "No!" Darien said, his face reddening.

     "Lemme talk to her," Andrew said.  Darien looked up at
Serenity.  She raised her eyebrows at him and shrugged.

     "Seren-a," Darien said.  "Do you wanna talk to Andrew?"

     Serenity's eyes widened and she reached for the receiver. 
Then she suddenly drew back, shaking her head.  "No," she said,
her voice fluctuating.  Darien looked at her, then held the phone
to his face.

     "Serena's not feeling well, Andrew," Darien said.  "She
can't talk right now."

     "Oh right!" Andrew laughed.  "If she's sick she shouldn't be
at your place.  Anyway, tell her I said hi, and make sure that
you come out tomorrow, got it?"

     Darien nodded.  "I gotcha," he said.  "Tell your mom to get
the chicken ready."

     Andrew laughed.  "Alright, I will.  Later."

     "Bye," Darien said, and hung up the phone.  He leaned back
against the wall and let out a long sigh.  Serenity swallowed,
still staring at the receiver.

     "What is it?" he asked.

     Serenity shook herself.  "I haven't spoken with Andrew," she
said, "in a long time."

     Darien came over to her and she looked up at him.  He raised
his hand and touched the knots of hair on her head.  "How do you
fasten these?" he asked.

     Serenity laughed out loud.  

     "What's so funny?" Darien asked.

     "You asked me that," she said, "on our wedding night.  I
tried to show you how I did it but you just couldn't seem to
comprehend it."

     "Sounds like me," Darien sighed, shaking his head.  "I mean,
do you use a rubber band or something?"

     Serenity smiled.  "No, silly."  She reached up and took his
hand.  "It's really very simple."

     And then it was the honeymoon all over again.

     His warm hand holding hers, his fingers streaking through
her hair.  He smiled, his eyes searching her face.  She lifted
her chin, her lips parting to speak.  And there were no words
exchanged, just a kiss.

     A kiss that started a whole new world for them.
     
     Darien held Serenity to his chest, his face pressed against
her forehead.  She listened for his heartbeat and felt the heat
from his body encompassing her in more than an embrace.  

     He whispered her name.

     The loud knocking at the door nearly made Serenity jump out
of her skin and she blinked a few times in succession.

     "Darien!" called a voice beyond the door.  "Darien, please
open up!  We think we know where Reenie is!"

     The fabric of his shirt slipped through her fingers, the
warmth drifted away replaced by the cool of the morning. 
Serenity found herself alone again and let herself mourn for two
beats.  When she turned around she was Queen once again.

     Darien pulled open the door and Amy looked ready to break it
down.  "Quickly," she said, obviously strained.  "Lita and Mina
are already there.  We have to go!"

     "Where?" Darien asked, grabbing his jacket and following
Serenity out into the hallway.

     Amy swallowed as she trotted towards the elevator.  "Across
from the lake in the park.  That's where Lita found Reenie's Luna
ball," Amy continued.  "Mina's already there and Raye and Serena
are on the way.  I got the call while I was passing your
building."

     Darien nodded and Serenity closed her eyes, feeling for her
daughter's presence.  No, no moonbeam.  Not yet.  Serenity felt
her knife hard against her leg and could see Pluto's blood on her
pants.

     `If it comes down to my daughter's life or yours, Setsuna,'
she thought.  `I will not hesitate to kill you.'
     
                               ***

     The sun was red as it glinted off the surface of the water,
some odd combination of bent light and air pollution making the
lake appear full of blood.  Mina shaded her eyes from the sun's
light, her white sailor suit bathed in red.  She looked over at
Lita.  The tall scout was crouched behind a bush, her eyes
narrowed at grassy park across from them both.

     Mina bit her lip, wishing Artemis were here to keep her
company.  She may have been a super hero longer than all the
others, but she became so very nervous when forced to wait. 
Thoughts of Sailor V and Artemis brought her images of England
and the smell of a London morning.  Mina sighed, closing her
eyes.

     Those had been simpler times.  She didn't have to worry
about evil queens and future villains, or the moon princess and
the crystal.  She didn't even sweat the occasional bank robbery,
which is more than she could say for Serena ...

     "Artemis," she sighed, brushing a twig from her hair.  "Why
is everything so damn complicated now?"

     "You say something Mina?" Lita asked, coming over to sit
beside her.

     Mina shook her head.  "No," she said.  "I'm just worried,
that's all."

     "About Reenie?"

     "Well ... yeah, that too."     

     Lita looked at Mina carefully, movement causing sunlight to
splash red from her earrings all over her neck.

     "How's Artemis?" she asked.

     Mina shrugged.  "He'll be okay," she said.  "Just needs some
rest, that's all."

     "Then what's bothering you?" Lita asked.  "Other than the
entire situation."

     "That's it, Lita," Mina said, facing the girl.  "This whole
situation bugs me!"

     "Well, Mina," Lita said, her voice tinged with impatience.
"It bothers me too.  No one likes it when Reenie suddenly
disappears and Serena from the future shows up to find her and we
get bagged by the Blenders of Gehenna."

     Mina shook her head.  "No, that's not what I mean.  I don't
think it makes any sense ... I guess."

     Lita nodded, her lips curling into a thoughtful smirk.  "You
mean you don't trust Serenity?"

     Mina blinked.  "Well, you didn't either!"  she said,
pointing a gloved finger at the Jupiter senshi.

     "Woah woah!" Lita said.  "Watch where you aim that thing!"

     Mina stuffed her hand back under her arm.  "Sorry."

     "S'okay," Lita said.  "It doesn't hash with me either.  Why
would Queen Serenity come back for Reenie?  Pluto or any other
Senshi could do it, no sweat."

     "And Reenie is suddenly missing," Mina pointed out.  

     "So what do you want to do?" Lita asked.  "Tell the others? 
Confront Serenity?"

     "No," Mina said.  "When they get here we all need to find
Reenie fi-"

     "But what if finding Reenie is the wrong thing to do?"

     Mina looked up at Lita, a confused expression on her face. 
She opened her mouth to speak when the tumbling footfall of
Sailor Moon caught her attention.  Sailor Venus stood, Sailors
Moon and Mars coming up fast.

     Serena was out of breath when she finally came up to them. 
"Where," she puffed.  "Where is Reenie?"

     "We don't know," Mina said.  "We are still waiting for the
others to get here."

     "In that case," said a masculine voice.  "Let's go."

     Serena's eyes brightened when she saw Darien dressed in his
sweeping cape and trim tuxedo.  She felt the urge to run and
crash into him like she usually did to get his attention, but the
feminine figure in faded coveralls standing next to him made her
stop.

     Serenity looked very anxious, not to mention torn up, very
uncommon for a queen or even Serena.  The young senshi wanted to
say something to her, words of comfort about Reenie? encouraging
phrases putting faith in the Senshi's abilities? something poetic
and noble a leader should say before a battle?  Serena couldn't
think of anything.

     The strike of the moonbeam covered up for her lack of words. 
Serenity fell backwards and Serena felt the crystal throbbing
against her chest.  She turned towards the beam's source, the
lake, and yelled out to the scouts.

     "Over there!" she cried, throwing herself forward, her feet
narrowly missing each other in what could have been a major
klutz-up, and stalked forward.  Serena felt the crystal growing
hot against her skin and the pads of her fingers began to tingle. 
She focussed on the beam's origin and then every hair on her neck
stood on end.

     The park was torn.  Not the grass or trees or even the small
dock by the lake, but the air was split in half like God had
taken a scalpel to the fibers of space and made one clean slice. 
Serena gasped out loud and stopped dead in her tracks.  Raye
crashed into her from behind, uttering a few curses before
catching sight of the spatial rift.  Then her four-letter words
took on a different tone, her lack of movement causing Amy to
crash against her back.

     "What the hell is that!" Lita cried, stopping before Amy
tripped her up.  Mina struck out her arm, energy collecting
around her index finger.

     "Whatever it is," Darien said, a rose in his gloved hand. 
"Reenie's inside."

     "Hey," said Serena, her eyes narrowing.  "Isn't that the
time gate?"

     There was a pause and then six sets of eyes centered on Neo-
Queen Serenity.  She opened her mouth, trying to summon words to
cover up her lies, but nothing came out.

     "It is," said Pluto's voice from the rift.  The senshi
turned and watched as the shadows parted, allowing tall and
elegant Sailor Pluto to emerge from the gate.  Her hair was a
dark green color, billowing in the winds swirling in the gate of
time.  Her eyes flashed as they found Serenity, and she opened
her mouth to speak. 

     "My friends," she said, completely visible now as she walked
over soft grass towards the younger senshi. "I am afraid I am
forced to enter your time once again."

     "What's going on?" Sailor Moon asked.  "Why are you here?"

     The green-haired senshi didn't smile as she hefted her
staff, levelling it at Serenity.

     "That woman," she said, fire dancing in her eyes.  "Is not
Queen Serenity."  Pluto continued, satisfied she had everyone's
attention.  "She is a member of the Dark Moon Family sent back in
time to kidnap Small Lady and bring her to the Dark Kingdom.  She
is a shapeshifter who looks and acts like Queen Serenity."  A
sneer curled Pluto's lips.  "But she is nothing more than a
traitor."

     Serenity stared at Pluto, her mouth open without words.  She
could feel the silence thickening, swelling to explode.  Serenity
did not want to hear Serena asking her for the truth, or Darien
looking at her as if she had taken his heart and shattered it.  

     "Setsuna," she said, forcing her mask over her face.  "I
demand the return of my daughter."

     "Small Lady will not be captured by the likes of you," Pluto
said.  

     "But where is she?" Sailor Moon demanded, stepping in front
of Sailor Pluto.  "Where is Reenie?"

     Pluto looked down at Serena, her shadow dark over the
senshi's face.  "She is safe within the time gate, where she will
remain until I have apprehended this foul youma and taken her
back to Crystal Tokyo."

     "No," Sailor Moon said, strength in her words more akin to
Serenity than Serena.  "You will bring her to me *now*, Sailor
Pluto!"

     "But Serena," said the voice of Sailor Venus.  "Wouldn't
that put Reenie in danger?"

     "Serenity isn't our enemy, Mina," Raye said, glaring at the
blonde.

     "You don't know that," Lita said.  "Not for sure."

     "Hey," Darien shouted.  "What are you talking about?  We
have to defend Serenity and get Reenie back!"

     "But Darien," Amy said.  "Pluto is the most likely to use
the time gate, not Serenity.  What if she is a fake?"

     Serenity looked up at the Pluto senshi and she was smiling. 
Serenity set her teeth together, her fist closing tight.

     "How can you say that?" Raye said.  "There is no reason we
shouldn't trust her!"

     "I can think of a few," Lita said.  "She never once helped
us when we were attacked.  She won't tell us why she has to find
Reenie.  And that it doesn't make any sense for a Queen to do a
Senshi's job!"

     "Lita, stop it!" Darien said.  "She trusted us with her
life!"

     "Yeah," said Mina.  "Pretty convincing, don'tcha think?  Why
else would we help her unless she laid down her life?"

     "Guys!" Serena whined, looking frazzled.  "Help me out here! 
I want to get Reenie back first.  Then we can fight over all
this!"

     "Setsuna."

     The senshi and Darien turned to Serenity behind them.  Pluto
looked up at her.  "What do you want, traitor?" she asked.

     Serenity held up her chin.  "I know you wish to return me to
my kingdom.  I will hand myself over to you if you return my
daughter to the Senshi now."

     "Do you think me a fool?" Pluto asked.  "I've seen your
trickery and know your plans."

     "True," Serenity said.  "We've fought before.  But I think
we've both grown tired of these games.  I wish to return home."

     "Yeah," Serena said.  "Bring Reenie back."

     Sailor Pluto opened her mouth to speak, then looked
carefully at the group surrounding her.
     
     "Very well," she spoke, eyeing Serenity carefully.  The time
Senshi held her staff out at arms length, then closed her dark
eyes and concentrated.  She jerked the staff upright, tearing a
rip into the very air and pulled the staff to open the rift. 
Setsuna walked into the timegate, the light and shadow
encompassing her, and emerged with a child asleep in her arms.

     "Is she okay?" Sailor Moon asked immediately.

     Pluto nodded.  "She will awaken soon after being removed
from the timegate."

     `It hasn't been more than four or five months since she
left,' Serenity thought.  `How could she look so different and
still be the same?'

     Reenie was pale, as natural for her, with soft brushes of
red on her round cheeks.  Her eyes were closed in a comfortable
sleep.  Two wavy pony-tails of pink hair sprang from oval-shaped
knots of hair similar to Serenity's.  A few strands strayed away
and loped over the girl's face and Serenity felt herself reaching
out to brush them away as she had when watching Reenie asleep in
her bed back home ...

     Something hard and cold knocked against Serenity's arm.  The
staff swept away and then returned, swatting at the queen again. 
Serenity backed away instinctively and Pluto frowned.

     "You said you would give yourself up," she growled, raising
the staff again.  "I knew I shouldn't trust you-"

     A flash of red streaked across Pluto's face, leaving a trail
of her blood over her cheek.  The rose impaled itself on the
ground next to the time Senshi who turned angrily towards her
attacker.  In that moment, her attention left Serenity.  And in
that moment, the queen had no choice.

     Serenity slammed her shoulder hard against Pluto, knocking
her off-balance, and dove for her daughter.  Scooping her up in
her arms, she groped for Reenie's time-key, her fingers tangling
in the girl's uniform bow.  Serenity heard Pluto yelling behind
her, and threw herself to the side before the staff crashed into
the ground behind her, grass and dirt flying away from the
impact.

     Serenity started running, blocking out everything but the
path before her.  She ignored the barrage of roses stopping Pluto
from perusing her but faintly recognized the husky incantation
being summoned behind her.

     The last word of it, she caught figuratively and literally.

     "-Crash!"

     The bolt of lightning hit her back, fortunately keeping
Reenie from any harm.  Serenity felt her nerves catching fire and
crackling inside her body.  She sagged, stumbling to the ground,
steam rising out of her back.  She almost dropped the girl in her
arms but her fingers refused to unlock.

     "Lita!" yelled Raye from the distance.  "Don't!"

     "She tried to take Reenie!" Lita called back.  "And I'm
gonna stop her!"

     Lita crossed her arms in front of her, bowing her head as
she whispered her summoning once again.  She felt the antennae in
her tiara rising and raised her head to charge the lightning of
Jupiter to do her bidding.  But something locked around her arms
and all the energy collecting inside her disappeared.  Lita
opened her eyes wide and saw something golden encircling her
body.

     "I'm sorry," Serena said, her arm outstretched and her
forehead lacking the magickal tiara.  "But I won't let you hurt
her."

     "Serena!" Lita yelled at her, struggling against the circle
of light and magick.

     "Venus-"

     "Serenity!" Sailor Moon cried.  "Watch out!"

     The fallen queen shook her head to clear the buzzing
Jupiter's lightning had caused, and turned to see a pair of
crescent moons glowing together.

     "-Crescent Beam-"

     Serenity coiled and held Reenie to her chest.

     Mina opened her eyes and screamed the final order of attack.

     The word never left her mouth.  Sailor Venus stood there,
her hands outstretched, the energy collected around her finger
dissipating into the morning air.  Her mouth hung open, her body
paralyzed from the shinto charm that had suddenly found its way
onto her back.

     Mars stood behind her, another ofuda ready in her hands. 
Serenity stared up at the raven-haired girl and felt a smile on
her lips.  Mars' mouth quirked slightly, then her scowl
reappeared on her face.  "Serenity, look out!" she cried.

     Serenity felt the blunt end of Pluto's staff slam into her
back, knocking her to the ground.  She lost her grip on Reenie
and the girl went tumbling over the dew-damp grass, her time key
flopping out of her blouse.  Serenity threw out a leg and caught
Sailor Pluto full in the stomach, the time Senshi doubling over
and staggering for balance.  

     Darien scrambled across the slick grass, his feet sliding
under him as he closed the distance between his future daughter
and himself.  But before he could close his gloved hands over her
arms, a fine mist blew out of nowhere and up into his face.  He
waved his hands around trying to see.  Darien grabbed the edge of
his cape and swept it around, blowing the mist away.

     The fog parted to reveal a frightened looking Sailor Mercury
holding the still sleeping Reenie in her arms.  

     "Stay back, Darien," Amy warned.  "Please."

     "Amy," Darien started.  "You don't understand, we have to
help Queen Serenity.  Don't you believe me?"

     "I don't know what I believe," Amy said, her stance
wavering.  "I just want to protect Reenie."

     "Amy, we are."  Darien took a step towards her.  "Serenity
is the genuine article.  She's here to help Reenie too."

     Amy chewed her lip.  She looked down at the child in her
arms, and back to Darien.

     "Help her," said Darien.  "She needs you."  He took a step
towards her and felt his back explode.

     Darien got a very good view of the ground as he fell, Sailor
Pluto's staff pulsing with the same energy she had discharged
into Tuxedo Mask's back.  Sailor Pluto turned, looking for
Serenity.  

     A scream startled her.  From across the park, Serena broke
hold on Sailor Jupiter, running towards the fallen Tuxedo Mask. 
Lita strained and the tiara burned off of her in a blaze of
electricity.  Pluto twisted, hearing a noise behind her, and was
tackled from behind.

     Serenity pulled her knife from its place on her boot and
slashed it towards Pluto.  The time senshi slammed her fists
against Serenity's head before the knife reached her face, and
the queen fell away.  Pluto followed, and the pair went tumbling
down the hillside.

     Lightning crashed through the sky and Sailor Mars fell to
the ground, scorch marks on her fuku.  Mina staggered as the
charm's influence over her evaporated and Lita came to her to
support her.  Raye groaned from her position on the ground, and
then shrieked as her violet eyes saw space develop another rip.

     Serenity thrashed in Pluto's hold as the time senshi threw
her weight backwards towards the newly opened time gate.  The
queen pushed her elbow into Pluto's stomach, hitting an already
sensitive spot and the time senshi let go.  Serenity escaped her
grasp and then whipped her leg across Pluto's head.  Sailor Pluto
spun and fell halfway into the time gate, nearly losing her
balance and toppling in.

     The Queen ran back up the hill and her eyes fell on the
image of Sailor Mercury holding Reenie.  Diplomatic words taught
to her by the Mercury Senshi years ago fled her mind and she
gasped out her only plea.

     "Please, Amy," she said.  "Give me back my daughter."

     Amy trembled slightly.  She watched as Pluto pulled herself
from the timegate and collected her fallen staff.  She heard
Serena speaking words of encouragement to the wounded Tuxedo
Mask, and then Lita's growl as she and Mina held Raye back from
the action.  Amy looked up at Serenity, and screamed.

     "Mercury Bubbles BLAST!"

     A thick fog immersed the entire area.  Serenity cried out,
catching a glimpse of Amy running away.  From behind her, Pluto
screamed a battlecry.  Serenity ducked and Pluto's energy
discharge went wide, arching through the fog. 

     There was another scream, followed by Lita gasping "Mina!" 
A fireball cut loose and swept passed Pluto, enough to knock her
off balance.  Serenity plunged into the mist before the time
senshi could make a grab for her. 

     Pluto brushed ash from her eyes and looked out into the
park.  Fog.  Everything was blocked out as if a cloud had fallen
on the battlefield.  Pluto pulled herself to her feet and
activated the crystal in her staff to help see through the mist. 
The ivory staff glinted and it's stone pulsed, lending little
light to cut through the murky fog.  Pluto cursed and felt small
rivulets of blood trickling down her person from where Tuxedo
Mask's roses had pierced.

     Pluto pricked her senses to accommodate for the fog.  There
was a continuing fight between the Mars and Jupiter Senshi,
bursts of energy escaping into the air as both senshi warred with
magick.  Across the way Pluto could sense someone chasing Sailor
Mercury, startled cries heralding the newest addition of fog.  

     And then Pluto felt a presence beside her.  She dodged and
threw herself to the ground, striking upward with her staff.

     No one was there.

     Her large eyes blinked at the failing of her ability when
Pluto again sensed a presence and slashed her staff through he
air like a sickle.  

     No one was there.

     Pluto gasped out loud, telling herself she wasn't afraid.  A
third sensation heralded another strike and, like the previous
two, no one was there.   

     "Serenity, give yourself up!"  Pluto cried, her voice
echoing through the park and her heart pounding in her ears. 
Sweat mixed with her blood and stung her wounds.  "All you are
fighting for is for naught!"

     Fear clutched at Pluto's throat and she swung around
defensively to ward off the attacker that was no where to be
seen.  Pluto gasped again, almost sobbing, her breath ragged in
her ears and hollow in her throat.  She saw a shadow cross over
hers and she lunged, screaming a battlecry.  

     She thumped to the ground, alone.  

     "Damn you, Serenity!" Pluto blurted, dragging herself to her
feet.  "This fight is worthless!"

     The time senshi shivered and cried out into the waning fog. 
"Endymion is dead!"

     The sound of battle stopped, the chase in the distance
stilled, and a breeze began to clear the fog.  Pluto gulped for
air, leaning heavily on her staff for support.  The stillness
pressed inward and Pluto turned, feeling a presence again at her
side.

     A woman stood in a shadow Pluto had not seen before.  Two
shafts of golden hair blew out into the sunlight but the face
remained in darkness.

     "Serenity-"

     "You lie," the shadow said.

     Pluto felt a chill in her back and gripped her staff.  "He
died after the surgery," she said.

     "You lie," repeated the shadow.

     "He didn't survive the night," Pluto answered.

     "You ..." the shadow faltered for a moment.  "... lie."  

     "I'm sorry, your Majesty," Pluto said, stepping towards her. 
"But there was nothing Dr. Mizuno could d-"

     The shadow moved faster than Pluto could watch and the time
senshi found out exactly where Serenity had landed and where
Darien's cane had fallen.  

     Blows from the cane's end battered her head and neck with a
stinging precision, her hands futilely going up to ward them off. 
Blood, sweat, and uncharacteristic tears sprayed from her face as
her head jerked agianst each strike.  The attack stopped for a
moment and Pluto looked up in time to see the cane's blunt end
whipping through the air.     

     She heard the cracking impact inside her head.

     Pluto fell, her hand going to her jaw that hung at on odd
angle on her face.  She jerked her staff upwards and cut a gash
in the fabric of time, revealing the timegate, and rushed to grab
Serenity before the pain overwhelmed her.

     Her hand seized upon the blue fabric of a sailor fuku. 
Pluto pulled the body towards her and stared into the large blue
eyes of the younger Serenity.

     "What do you mean he's dead?!" Sailor Moon cried out as
Pluto staggered back.  "Darien's not dead!"

     Pluto ignored the girl and looked beyond to the clearing
mist.  The few senshi stared back.  Mars helped Venus to her feet
while Jupiter sat heavily against the ground.  Darien backed away
from the time senshi, dropping the rose in his hand.  Sailor Moon
ran to him, almost stumbling over the cane in her hands, and
wrapped her arms around his waist.  Mercury handed Reenie to
Serenity silently.

     Pluto raised her free hand to Serenity, gesturing to the
time gate.  "Your majesty," she called.  "Your court awaits your
return for the funeral."

     Serenity looked down at her daughter and saw a pair of
bright red eyes staring up at her.  "Momma?" the girl muttered
sleepily.  Serenity felt her throat closing off and she blanched. 
Stroking her hand against Reenie's face she turned to Darien, a
pleading look in her eyes.    

     He retreated from her, shaking his head and turning away so
as not to look at her.  Young Serena watched him wide-eyed, then
came to the queen and took Reenie into her own arms.  Serenity
seized upon the girl's gloved hand.

     "Take care of her," she whispered.

     "Are we going home, momma?" Reenie asked.

     "Please," Serenity hissed.

     "Am I gonna see Daddy?"

     Serena swallowed and brushed her hand over Reenie's face. 
"Shhh, Reenie," she said.  "Go back to sleep.  Mommy has to go
home."

     "Okay," Reenie muttered and let her eyes drift shut again.

     "Thank you," Serenity said.

     "Tell daddy I love him," Reenie said in a shuddery exhale.

     Both the younger and older Serena winced sharply.  The queen
swallowed and kissed Reenie's forehead.  She gave Serena a long
look, their china-blue eyes locking for a moment.

     "I'm sorry," Serenity said, drifting backwards towards Pluto
and the timegate.  "I'm sorry for everything."

     For the first time since she left the 30th century, Serenity
was glad to have Sailor Pluto at her side as they let the
timegate wash over and engulf them.  As the past faded Serenity
turned to the senshi.

     "I know no apology will suffice, Setsuna," she said slowly,
not looking at the woman.  "But I am sorry."

     Sailor Pluto rubbed her jaw painfully, her other hand
clutching the timestaff tightly.  "So am I," she said quietly as
the future opened up before them.

                               ***

     Yes, after careful study up close, they did resemble
meatballs.

     Darien brushed his hand through Serena's bangs, once again
smelling the scent of her, of the young lady he loved.  She
sighed, snuggling up against him.  Her nose pressed against his
neck, the tip so cold it startled him.  He smiled in spite of
himself and held the girl to him.

     Darien rubbed his hand over Serena's back, trying to warm
the surface of her sweater.  The car's engine vibrated the
backseat but did little to pump any heat into the vehicle's
confines.  Darien knew one day he would eventually have to get
the heater fixed, what with winter fast approaching.

     Serena stirred slightly, he eyes opening and blinking at
him.  A sad smile creased her face and she set her head against
his chest, staring up at him.  Darien touched her cheek, running
the pads of his fingers down her face.

     "Warmed up yet?" he asked.

     Serena thought a moment and her fingers held tighter against
Darien's jacket.  "No," she answered plainly. 

     "I didn't think so," Darien said, stroking her head.  He
closed his eyes and listened to her heartbeat against his chest. 
After a moment he swore it beat in time with his own.

     He shivered.

     "What's wrong?" Serena asked quickly, her head raising to
face him.

     "Nothing," Darien answered, smiling at her.  "I'm just
cold."

     Serena looked at him a moment, then raised herself and
pulled her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his
and setting her head on his shoulder.  Darien felt a spike of
arousal in his chest as she exhaled warm air against his earlobe. 
Then the young man felt bile rise up in his throat and he winced
sharply.   

     He slid his arms down her sides and embraced her tightly so
she would not see his tears.

     "I love you, Darien," she said, her own eyes wide as she
stared out the back window.  Her fingers curled around the flap
of his jacket in a white-knuckled grip.

     "I love you too, Serena," Darien answered, his face
contorted to hold the emotion inside.

     "Hey you two!" a high-pitched voice broke the silence. 
Darien and Serena broke apart from each other as a pair of red
eyes peeked around the side of the front seat.  Reenie considered
them, making sure she had their attention.

     "You guys promised you'd take me for ice-cream," Reenie
announced.  "How long are you gonna take?!"

     Darien grinned at Reenie, his hand going up to rub the
moisture from his face before Serena noticed.  Serena frowned and
opened her mouth to fuss at the girl.

     "You promised!" Reenie repeated, standing on the seat in
preparation for another match of face-making between her and
Serena.  

     "O-kay," Serena said through gritted teeth.  "Ice cream it
is."

     "Yay!" Reenie crowed, popping the passenger door and hopping
out.  A wash of cold air swept into the vehicle towards Serena
and Darien.

     But they weren't cold.

     "C'mon, meatball-head," Darien said, climbing out of the
car.  He reached in to help Serena out.

     "Don't call me that, Dari-"

     Her foot struck against the doorsill and she went crashing
into Darien's arms.  He laughed as he caught her but didn't
notice Reenie coming up behind him until he tripped over her.

     Reenie, Darien, and Serena came tumbling to the ground. 
Reenie wriggled free first as the couple attempted to disentangle
themselves.  The little girl look back once at her future
parents, shrugged, and caught a glimpse of Lita and Mina.  She
called happily to them and went running down the sidewalk to
catch up. 

     A white cat appeared on the sidewalk and did a double-take
at the sight of Serena and Darien wrapped around each other on
the ground.  The feline rolled his eyes and mumbled something
unpleasant.  Darien growled at the cat as he helped Serena to her
feet, and made a `get lost' gesture behind her back.  Artemis
gave an over-exaggerated wink and darted off after Mina. 

     "Come on, Amy," came a voice from the other way.  "I said I
was sorry about all that."

     A young, blue-haired girl came into view, walking stiffly
with her arms folded to her chest.  Raye caught up to her, her
raven hair spilling over her shoulders.

     "Listen, whatever happened between you and Greg is your
business-" Raye said, not noticing Serena and Darien.

     "That's right!" Amy said, frowning at the girl.  "Not
Mina's, or Lita's, or Serena's-"

     "Hi, Amy!" Serena called.  Amy nearly jumped out of her skin
and Raye almost tripped over the short-haired girl.  "Are you
guys talking about Amy's boyfriend?" Serena asked, grinning.

     "Yeah," Darien said, catching the drift.  "What's he like,
Amy?"

     Amy blushed a furious red and continued stalking down the
sidewalk.  Raye made a strangled noise and stared daggers at
Darien.

     "Bad question," she said, and took off after her friend.

     Serena cocked her head and gave Darien a what-the-hell-was-
that-all-about look.  Darien shrugged and rubbed the back of
neck.  Then he felt Serena's hand closing around his and he
smiled.  

     "Darien," Serena said.  "We have a lotta things to talk
about ..."

     Darien nodded, swallowing.  "I know," he said.

     Words flooded from Serena's mouth in a steady stream.  "What
happened I don't understand why Serenity came back in time and
why Mina and Lita didn't believe her and why Reenie was kidnapped
and I don't understand why Pluto would say that you were dead
and-"

     Darien stopped her mouth with a kiss.

     Serena blushed a cherry red color and blinked up at him. 
"... but I think we have plenty of time before then," she said as
the color faded.  

     "Yeah," Darien said, taking her hand and walking with her
down the sidewalk.  "We can wait."

                               ***
     
     Neo-Queen Serenity opened her china-blue eyes, her mouth
still forming the words she muttered before fainting a few hours
before.

     "Endymion is alive."

     Her dreams had echoed the reality after emerging from the
timegate with Sailor Pluto.  Her friends, her only friends it
seemed, were waiting for her in the audience chamber.  Raye was
the first at her side, her arms going around Serenity in both
support and embrace.  Lita inserted herself between the queen and
Pluto while Amy handed the Silver Crystal to Serenity.  

     As soon as the crystal came in contact with her, Serenity's
wounds began to heal.  She thought absently that had she brought
the crystal with her to begin with, the situation would not have
deteriorated as it did. 

     It was Lita who noticed Pluto turn and re-enter the
timegate.  She caught the time Senshi's arm in a hard grip. 
"Where are you going, Setsuna?" she asked, her eyes narrowing,
then widening as she saw the awful bruises on Pluto's face and
her lopsided jaw.

     "Amy-" she said and the doctor left Serenity's side.

     "Raye," Serenity said as the Mars Senshi escorted her to a
chair.  "Where is Mina?"

     "Lady Venus?" Raye said with a confused expression on her
face.  "Serenity, Mina's been on Eros for the last year."

     "She isn't coming to the funeral?" Serenity said, watching
as the time gate closed and Amy ran a medical device over Pluto.

     Raye looked around and then back at the queen.  "Serenity,
you aren't making any sense."

     "I thought Mina would at least come back for the funeral,"
Serenity said bitterly.  "After all Endymion had done for her."

     Raye frowned.  "What funeral, Serenity?"

     "Endymion's," Serenity said, closing her eyes.  "Who
else's?"

     There was a pause as Mars suddenly gasped.  "Serenity,
didn't Pluto tell you?"

     "Tell me what?" Serenity said, frowning.

     "That while you were gone Lita found out that one of Amy's
lab assistants was a spy from the Dark Moon Kingdom.  She had
been poisoning Endymion for three months, that's why he had his
heart attack.  Lita made her give us the antidote and the
cleansing operation went off without a hitch."

     Raye was still talking when Serenity breathed "Endymion is
alive," and promptly fainted.

     And now she saw him standing in the doorway of her chambers. 
Moonlight from her large window streaked over his face, casting
long shadows behind him.  Serenity stared at him a moment and a
smile creased her face.

     "I heard you had a rough day," she said as he approached.

     He smiled at her.  "That always comes with surgery," he
said.  She sat up slowly, noticing someone had been kind enough
to rid her of her bloodstained clothes and dress her in something
more period.

     "Well, yeah," she said with a smile, running a hand through
her tangled hair.  "How's the back?"

     Endymion blinked at her.  "It's doing well, Serenity," he
said, walking towards her.  "Amy will be watching me like a hawk
for a few days."

     "Understandable," Serenity said, folding her arms and
looking away sadly.  "But at least the real you is in the lab and
not wandering about."

     "Actually," Endymion said, seating himself beside her on the
bed.  Her eyes widened as the mattress gave to support his
weight.  "The real me is up and wandering about."

     Serenity stared at him, her mouth open with no words to fill
it.  Endymion reached and touched her face, smiling at her. 
Surprisingly, Serenity didn't cry.  Right away, at least.

     Endymion folded his arms around her, holding her tightly
against his chest.  She wept, the past six months and twenty-four
hours catching up and spilling out over her face.  Endymion
stroked her hair, whispering soothing words into her ears,
pretending the moisture on his face was her tears and not his
own.

     She stilled and sighed, holding him with her small arms. 
She looked up into his face and kissed him, Endymion, her
husband.  He kissed her back, tasting the fervor and passion in
her mouth.  He winced slightly when her hand pulled against the
small of his back, but tried not to let it show.

     "When?" she asked when they parted.  "When did you come out
of the ..."

     "A few hours ago," Endymion answered.  "Amy about had a fit
when I told her I wanted to see you first.  She made me stay and
had a therapist work with me.  I don't know why no one came and
got you," he said.  "I missed you terribly."

     "Oh, you have no idea," Serenity said, giving a long sigh.  

     Endymion looked the bed and then back to her, a quirk in his
smile.  Serenity laughed and leaned against him.

     "You won't believe me," she said.  "But this is the first
time in a long time I'm not in the mood."

     "It's okay," Endymion said, taking her hand and kissing her
fingers.  "Amy probably wouldn't let me anyway.  Too much strain
on my back."

     "Well, who said you had to be on top ..."

     A sharp knocking on the door broke the calm air and Endymion
groaned.

     "I bet that's Dr. Mizuno," he said.  "Come to take me back
to the lab."

     "Who is there?" Serenity called, swatting at Endymion as he
nuzzled her neck.

     "Lady Jupiter," Lita's voice came from behind the door.

     "Come in," Serenity said as Endymion pulled himself away
from his wife.

     "Your Majesty," Lita said as she entered, then she noticed
the king.  "Majesties," she corrected.  "I don't mean to
interrupt, but the formal inquiry will be taking place early
tomorrow morning.  I suggest you get your sleep, Serenity, for it
is already late."

     "Inquiry?" Endymion said, turning to Serenity.  "What's
going on?"

     Serenity sighed and looked into his eyes.  "Reenie sends you
her love," she said.


                             The End


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and used for this story without permission.

Thanks for staying with me this long.  C&C is welcome.
Lunari@Sprynet.com