Sorry for the second repost.  Getting used to these mail setting and it 
came out wrong.  Hopefully, this is a better version.  Anyway, on to the 
story.

Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are the property of
Naoko Takeuchi and co.

This story, while NOT a lemon and NO real crass words are used, is
gratuitous. You have been warned.

C & C welcomed.

Defending Her Majesty

A sequel to For Want of Moon

by

Donny Cheng

	Endymion paced nervously in the antechamber to their bedroom as
he waited for his wife.  It never ceased to amaze him how long it could
take her to get ready.  He supposed that the girl in her took over on
these special nights where they entertained their subjects,
dignitaries, and ambassadors to the court.  She could wear something
other than her usual, regal, but ultimately plain, white dress.  *Her
former self would probably have killed herself if she knew that she
would be wearing a single style for the rest of her life,* he thought
wryly.

	�Stop moving around, you�re making me nervous now,� Serenity
chided as the maids opened to doors for her.  She almost giggled as
Endymion�s jaw dropped at her appearance.  �I take it that this is to
his Majesty�s liking?�

	Endymion nodded numbly as he hesitantly held out his arm for his
wife.  �You look amazing.�  And she did.  Her dress was similar to her
queenly outfit in that it was strapless with the same lacing along the
top with a cute bow at her back.  However, this gown was midnight
black, and the instead of a voluminous skirt, the hem was cut short,
way too short, above her knees, in the fashion of a mini-skirt.  He
could imagine how even more impressive she would look with her pale,
flawless skin enhanced against the dress and darkness of the night sky.
What was more, she hand undone her hair, letting it out so that it
looked much like Minako�s.

	�Really?� Serenity asked as she twirled around in her new dress,
before linking her arm with her husband�s.  She stood on her toes to
nuzzle at his ears, whispering, �Mmm... for that. you will get a
special treat tonight.  I�m not wearing any....�

	The shock had just worn off before the caressing lips of his
queen made him stiffen up again.  �Stop that or we�ll never leave this
room.�

	�Is that a promise or a threat?� She asked impishly with a
twinkle in her eye.

	�You do realize that we�re not alone right?�

	Serenity had the decency to blush as she remembered her maids
were still in the room.  They were looking at their feet as long
suffering employees accustomed to their employers� carelessness were
wont to do.  �Okay, let�s go.  Loosen up, Endy-chan.  We�re going to a
masquerade, not a battle.  Nobody will know who we are so we can mingle
freely.�

	Endymion grimaced.  A battle was indeed what he was going to be
going into tonight.

			* * * * *

	A glance at the ambassadors in the room increased Endymion�s mood
considerably as he failed to find any sight of those Starlights.
Tonight, he would not have to worry about those three at least.  They
took exceptionally long turns at hugging Serenity and shaking her hand.
His mood almost dipped as he remembered the look of insolence on that
guy, Seiya�s face.  The worst part of it all was that Serenity didn�t
see any of it and just thought it cute that he was jealous.

	Lost in his thoughts, he didn�t even realize it when Serenity had
left his side.  A quick scan of the ballroom alerted him to the
presence of one Sailor Neptune.  And where she was, _the other_ was
bound to be.  As expected, both Serenity and Uranus was chatting by the
wall at the far side of the court, alone.  It was hard to imagine
Uranus as anything but a man, with her body posture and smirk.  The
woman was leaning too close for comfort to his queen, with one hand
against the wall, and Serenity caught in between her and the wall.
Needless to say, he rushed over there immediately.

			* * * * *

	�No, I�m sure I would remember someone as cute as you,� Uranus
grinned.

	Serenity giggled at Uranus�s husky voice.  �I bet you say that to
everyone.  How do you know I�m cute behind this mask?�

	Uranus let her eyes drift downwards, causing her prey to blush.
�Let�s just say it�s intuition.  Your beautiful eyes and sweet voice
betray you, little kitten.�

	Her eyes flashed, �Do you call everyone that as well?�

	�I only call one person that,� she grinned.

	�Oh?� a grin replaced the upturned pout immediately.

	�Would you care to dance, little kitten?�

	�I would love to, kind sir,� she giggled again and allowed
herself to be swept away into a loose embrace of the taller �stranger.�

	The dance was slow as Uranus liked it.  She stepped in closer,
their bodies close to touching.  �This is a rather tight dress you�re
wearing.�

	�Implying something?� Serenity asked hotly.  Her friends all knew
she was sore about her diet.

	�Only that,� Uranus started to say, then bent down to the woman�s
ear to finish her thought, �I think anything underneath would show up.�

	Serenity blushed.  �Maybe I am, maybe I�m not.�

	�I could check,� she threatened teasingly.

	�You wouldn�t.�

	�Wouldn�t I?�  Uranus lowered her hands from the small of the
shorter woman�s back.

			* * * * *

	Endymion tried desperately to move through the throng of people
on the dance floor without appearing to be in a state of panic, which
he was.  He looked again at the wall where he had just seen his wife
moments ago.  Suddenly, Uranus straightened up, bowed, and extended a
hand to Serenity.  Oh, god, they were going to dance.

	As he hurried towards them, he noticed Uranus�s hand slip from
the small of Serenity�s back slowly to the swell of her hips.  Just as
Uranus�s hand dipped past the hip to the rise of his queen�s backside,
her fingers clenching slightly, he lost sight of them as the crowd
swelled up between him and them.  He cast his gaze left and right
frantically, hoping he was not too late.  He did not like how the
taller woman�s hand had almost reached the hem of Serenity�s short
skirt.  In his mind, he could imagine Uranus�s fingers in places they
did not belong.

	In a moment of despair, a flash of brilliance hit him.  He rushed
over to where he had seen Neptune admiring the art of the palace.
�Neptune.  It is so nice to see you, tonight.�

	�Endymion,� Neptune nodded in his direction.  �You�re out of
breath.  In a hurry?�

	�In a manner of speaking, yes I was.  I was wondering if you
would like to dance with me for the next song...,� Endymion barely had
time to finish his request when he felt a hand leading him away by the
arm and noticed Neptune being similarly led away by another blonde.  A
mischievous grin from the green haired beauty let him know that she
knew what that was all about.

	�Endy-chan, I was looking all over for you.  You really shouldn�t
wander off like that,� Serenity scolded as regally as she could, but
came across looking petulant.

	�I�m sorry, your Majesty.  It was just that I couldn�t find you,
so I thought I would entertain myself in other ways,� Endymion said,
looking as contrite as possible.  When he looked back up, he found his
queen missing again.

			* * * * *

	It didn�t take long for Endymion to find Serenity as she was
currently with the most blindingly gaudy person in the room.  His mood
further darkened as he saw what said gaudy person was wearing.  He knew
he should have argued against the masquerade as it would just give that
woman a chance to wear her Sailor V costume again.  His wife was the
queen, an idol to billions and worshipped as a living goddess, but she
reverted to a little girl whenever Sailor V made her appearance.

	�Sailor V!� Serenity squealed, as she wrapped her longtime friend
in a hug.

	�Your Majesty,� Sailor V tried to say and curtsy in response, but
it was hard when you had a hundred pound woman holding you in a death
grip.  �You know the point of the masquerade is for me not to guess who
you are, right?�

	�Oh, like I could fool anyone.  Everyone just humors me and
pretends they don�t know the shortest blonde in the room is their
Queen.  And you�re one to talk.  Who else would dress as Sailor V?�

	�Well you�ve got to admit, who else could pull it off?� Venus
smiled as she stepped back from Serenity to pose, her fingers spread
out to form a V.  A blush formed as her queen looked at her with vapid
adoration.  She had always known that Serenity idolized Sailor V, but
she hadn�t really known how much until she wore her old costume to a
Halloween party so many centuries ago.  A shiver shot through her spine
as she remembered those curious hands that night.  She now tried to
wear it whenever opportunity gave her an excuse.

	�Sailor _Venus_,� Endymion greeted, emphasizing on the current
title of the woman before him.

	�Endymion,� Venus greeted, smiling as if glad to see him.

	He saw through her immediately, knowing full well she was easily
the most deceptive of the lot.  �How are you this fine evening?�

	�I�m� okay.�

	�V� I mean, Venus, what�s wrong?� Serenity was immediately by her
friend�s side sensing something wrong.

	�Nothing.  You know how nights like these get me down sometimes.
I see you and Endymion.  I can�t help but think...�

	�Endy-chan, maybe you should leave us two alone.�

	Half-truths, Endymion was sure, but he couldn�t really argue
against it.  Damn the woman for attacking Serenity�s greatest weakness,
compassion.  A vein burst on his forehead as he saw Venus�s head being
cradled on Serenity�s bosom.  Another vein popped up as he saw Venus
deliberately nuzzle her face deeper into Serenity�s chest and back his
wife into the make-shift lounge they had set up beside the dance floor.

			* * * * *

	Venus couldn�t help but feel a little guilty whenever Serenity
held her as she was doing now.  As she was about to push herself away,
she felt other woman hug her even tighter.

	�I�ve been meaning to talk to you about this since my last
holiday.  It�s been awhile since you last married or even dated
seriously.�

	That brought her down even more.  Serenity only cared to help
her, while Venus had ulterior motives and used those feeling to her
advantage.  �Well, I�ve been busy.�

	�This is the same Venus that once had to study for five midterms,
but decided to go out on two dates the night before?�

	�Well, I�m getting old�.�

	�I heard you saved a group of citizens that wondered out of the
boundaries from youma single handedly while sick with fever.  Doesn�t
sound like someone old to me.�

	�I�,� Venus hesitated, quickly running out of excuses, *�love you
madly�* �...have found someone,� she finished instead. She felt some
small amount of relief when Serenity finally let go of her, but at the
same time she was already beginning to miss that warm soft �pillow.�
She wasn�t disappointed for long as the other woman kept hold of her
hand.

	�Really?� Serenity asked, a little skeptical and a little hurt at
the possibility was true.  �You didn�t tell me when I visited you last
time.  I thought you would tell me of all people.�

	�Ah, s� he has someone already.�

	�I see,� Serenity said gently, but her hold on the Venus�s hand
became stronger.  �It must be hard for you then.�

	�A little,� Venus answer truthfully.  She lowered her eyes as if
her friend could see what she was feeling through them.  Suddenly, she
began to feel very hot as her eyes now centered on the top of
Serenity�s dress.  The strapless gown showed off her flawless skin and
they way it hugged her body showed exactly how much the woman had
filled out since her teen years.

	Serenity mistook her friend�s averted gaze for not wanting to
talk about it.  �You know that if you want to talk about it, I�ll
always be here.�

	�I know that.� Again, the kindness.  Each word ate at her,
wracking her with guilt as she ogled Serenity.  And yet, she could not
help it.  Their friendship was something she would have liked to place
above all else, but her need would never go away and only became
stronger the deeper their friendship.  Shame brought her head down even
more, and again her love tempered guilt and shame, allowing her to once
more notice such things as the hemline of her queen�s dress riding up
the thighs.

	Endymion looked warily at Mercury.  The woman appeared to be
sheepish, but at the same time determined to do what was necessary.  Of
all the others, she was the one that Endymion feared the most.  �Hello,
Mercury,� he said curtly.

	�King Endymion,� Mercury greeted.  �Let me introduce you to
Ambassador Topaz.  I was about to take him to see Serenity.�

	�That�s nice to hear� wait, did you say Topaz?  Of the Dark Moon?
Now?� Endymion asked incredulously.  On the list of things that
Serenity worried about, was that particular faction.  Mercury knew this
of course.  She also knew that he would try and prevent anything from
disrupting Serenity�s enjoyment tonight.  �Uh, she is occupied at the
moment, perhaps you would care to speak with me first.�

	�Of course, your Majesty,� Prince Topaz said, bowing deeply.

	Endymion could only watch as Mercury took her leave now that her
task of diverting his attention had been accomplished.  She was no
doubt going to roam freely looking for her prey now.  Damn the woman.

			* * * * *

	It didn�t take long for Endymion to realize that this Ambassador
carried no great mission.  He was simply here to monitor peace
negotiations and was only going to pay his respects to the Queen.  �I
see, as I said she was speaking alone with a friend at the moment.�

	�Oh, yes, I saw her walk off with Sailor Venus.�

	The way the man said the woman�s name made Endymion pause.  �Yes,
do you know her?�

	�Only in legends I�m afraid.  I have been a great admirer of hers
for a long time.  She was one of the reasons I became interested in
resolving our conflicts.�

	�Would you like me to introduce you to her? You could also take
this moment to pay your respects.�  A plan began to form in his mind.
He just noticed that the man was quite handsome.  Very handsome
actually, judging from the glares from other men as their escorts
looked this way.

	�That would please me greatly.  Please, lead the way.�

	*I will be taking your pawn now Mercury,* Endymion thought,
chortling gleefully inside as he saw Venus�s eyes widen as they
approached them in the lounge.  �My Queen, Sailor Venus,� he said,
tipping his head to the two in acknowledgement.

	�I have an Ambassador Topaz from the Black Moon.  He is just here
to enjoy the party,� he said quickly to not worry Serenity. He
apparently needn�t have worried as the two women zipped past him to
immediately greet the man.

	�Topaz did you say?� Serenity said smilingly, offering a hand up
for the man to kiss.  Her hips budging Sailor Venus out of the way, who
was mirroring her with the same words and actions.

	�Yes, you honor me with your presence,� Topaz said taking each
woman�s hand and kissing them in turn, lingering a little longer with
Venus.

	However, to Endymion, he felt the Ambassador�s lips had stayed
too long with Serenity�s hand also.  Another thing that had remained
constant throughout his wife�s life, was her tendency to flirt
outrageously even when he was there.  The woman could not stop ogling
beautiful men.

	�I would like to hear more about your journey Ambassador.  Would
you like to sit down with me� us,� Sailor Venus said, wincing slightly
as she felt Serenity�s elbow.

	�Uh, I would also like to hear about your travels,� Endymion
quickly said, joining in.

	�There you are, you Majesty,� Sailor Mercury chose at that moment
to appear.  �Uh� could I have a word with you?�

	Serenity immediately forgot about Topaz as she quickly went
towards her friend.  �Of course.  I�m sorry Ambassador.  I will hear
about your travels later.  My King, if you would look after our guest
for me.�

	And with that they were gone.  Endymion blinked at the speed of
the turn of events.  It took him a moment to register how everything
had been orchestrated.  He had not figured the woman to be up to
diverting one of her friends also.  Damn her.

			* * * * *

	Mercury fidgeted as she and Serenity sat down at the bar counter.
Now that she actually had the woman to herself, she didn�t know what to
do.  Well, she knew what to do, just that she didn�t know how she
should go about confessing to her oldest friend.

	�Can I get you two anything?� the bartender asked the two new
guests.

	�Yes!  Liquor!�

	Serenity blinked at Mercury�s outburst for alcohol.  Could her
friend have a problem?  The woman did seem a little out of sorts.
Maybe a little talk was in order.

			* * * * *

	�And then?� Mercury asked, her eyes glazed.

	�Well, I move my hands up and down the sides.�

	�You mean you caress your hips?�

	�Uh, I guess you can say that.�

	�What next?

        �I move to the� um, lower end of my body.�

	�How low?� she asked her Queen insistently.

	�Just to the undersides of my bu� well you know.�

	�What do you do there?�

	�Mercury!� Serenity squealed, before realizing that she was still
at the bar and that her friend was quite drunk and wasn�t of right
mind.  Reluctantly, she indulged her friend and answered, quite
embarrassed, �I rub.�

	�Rub what?�

	�The cheeks, okay?�

	�Oh,� Mercury replied in a small voice before perking up again to
ask, �then what do you do?�

	�I finish off my legs and then I�m done.  Honestly, the topics
that come up when you�re drunk.�

	�I�m not drunk!� Mercury declared loudly and stared down everyone
that looked her way at her statement.  �Now, where was I?�

	�You were just finished telling me that you were in love with my
perfume.  I told you that it was just from the scented soap I use and
somehow you ended up telling me about your bathing habits and forced me
to tell mine.  Does that sum it up?�

	�Oh,� Mercury said again in the same dejected whisper from
before.  �I am really in love with yo�.�

	�With my perfume, I know, I know,� Serenity whispered gently
before waving the bartender over.  �Get the Head Maid over here and
have her prepare a room for Mercury.�

	She waited for Miriam to appear before she slipped outside and
walked towards one of the terraces.  It was just about time for her to
meet a visitor.  *This is so naughty,* she thought giggling to herself.

			* * * * *

	*Constant vigilance!* Endymion reprimanded himself when he felt
his eyelids lower from the entrance.  He was tired with all the running
around he had done, but there were still two that haven�t made their
appearance yet.  He can�t afford to let them get by him like Mercury
had done.  Salvation had come because despite all her intelligence, she
was the shyest of them.

	Endymion�s patience was rewarded by the sight of a tall masked
woman in a trench coat entering the room and then just as quickly, slip
outside onto one of the terraces.  This one was just as dirty a fighter
as the others, if not more so, attacking another of his wife�s weak
points.  Those were not extra pounds the woman was packing underneath
that coat.  It was not long until he saw his wife also slip outside.

	Fortunately, he was prepared for her this time.  �Miriam,� he
called over the head maid.  There was a silent feud between the maid
and Jupiter over Serenity�s diet.  �I think I saw Sailor Jupiter come
in just now.  I think she was with my wife.  I recall that you wanted
to say something to her?�

	�Oh yes, I did.  Where did she go?�

	Endymion pointed the old woman towards the balcony where he last
saw Jupiter.  Three Inner Senshi down, one to go.

			* * * * *

	�Hey there, little girl.�

	Serenity turned her head at the sound of the husky voice coming
from the terrace out outside.  The glass door was slightly ajar,
causing the curtains to billow about.  She looked out the balcony door,
at first not seeing anything.  �Who�s there?�  The clouds parted in the
sky just then, letting moonlight fall upon one Senshi of Jupiter
dressed in a trench coat that covered her tall frame.

	�I�ve got some treats for you.  Why don�t you come out here?�

	�You sound like a big, bad, hungry wolf from a fairy tale,�
Serenity whispered as she let herself out, closing the door behind her.

	�Ah� heh, really?� Jupiter asked, bringing up her hand to her
mouth, wondering if she was drooling that much.

	�What is that you�re wearing?  It isn�t that cold out tonight.�

	�Look,� Jupiter winked, and then opened up her trench coat to
reveal cakes, candy, and various sweets lined up along each side of the
coat like some cheap peddler.  Running out of space, she also wore
several pouches bound to her body.  �Enough food here that even you
can�t finish.�

	Serenity�s eyes widened, before tears formed.  �J-Jupiter� I
don�t know what to say��

	�I heard about that old coot Miriam putting you on a diet for
gaining weight during your last holiday.  So I thought you could use a
little cheering up.�

	�What was that?  Jupiter?� came Miriam�s voice from inside.

	�Oh no, it�s her.  I have to hide.  If she sees me here with you
and all this food, she�ll make me diet even longer!� Serenity whispered
shriekingly, which Jupiter was amazed was even possible.

	�Quick, hide in my coat, behind me.�

	�But....�

	Whatever her objections were, they were lost when the door opened
and Miriam stepped on to the terrace.  �Jupiter, how nice to see you
here.  You�re looking� swell.�  *As an ox.  You�ve put on some weight
it looks like.*

	Jupiter didn�t miss the sarcasm in the senior maid�s voice.
�Likewise, I�m sure.�

	�Have you seen the Queen around?  I thought for sure I saw her
standing outside the door a minute ago.  And weren�t you just talking
to someone?�

	�Oh, just mumbling to myself when I saw you inside and I thought
I�d give your name a call.�  *Good ears for an old bat*  �You probably
just missed her majesty.  She�s just a thin little thing isn�t she?
She used to stick out a bit more.�  *You�re starving her you sadistic
old woman.*

	�Like a whale you mean?  I had to secretly have her dress altered
so it wouldn�t burst at the seams one time because she came back from
her holidays a few pounds heavier.  That girl has no self-control
sometimes.�  *Especially around you, you evil temptress plying your
trade with sweets.*

	*That _girl_ is your Queen, you� you� aaah, Serenity, not there.*
It seemed Serenity had found the stash of food in the coat more
pressing then the situation they were in.  Jupiter could feel the other
woman behind her fumbling about.  Hands tentatively moved along her
sides, tickling her, as they searched and found some offerings taped to
the coat.

	�Is something wrong, Jupiter?� Miriam asked as she noticed some
perspiration on the Senshi�s brow.  Is she sick?  It would explain the
overly large trench coat on this warm night.

	�No, I�m fi~ine!� Jupiter screeched out as she felt Serenity�s
hands start to move again over her waist, this time to the pouch on her
belt.  Her body temperature shot up several degrees as she felt fingers
press against thin layering of the pouch that now dipped below her
waistline.  In order to reach, Serenity�s cheek was pressed against
Jupiter�s lower cheeks.

	�Well, if you haven�t seen her.  I�ll be going now.�

	�No~o!  I mean stay for a bit.  I hear you�re something of a cook
yourself.  I�m always interested in new recipes.�

	�I�m afraid my recipes might be a little bland for a master chef
such as yourself,� Miriam actually found that she blushed a little,
with no sarcasm in her voice this time.  Despite what she may think of
her, everyone in Crystal Tokyo, including her, knew that Jupiter was
the greatest chef that ever lived.

	�Ple~ease, you been taking care of the King and Queen for
decades.  I�m sure you�ve got a few tricks that keep them happy.�

	�Well� I have been experimenting a little in the kitchen lately.
And your opinion would be greatly appreciated.  Would you like to go
inside?  I can�t really see you very clearly out here with my eyesight
and all.�

	�No, out here is fine.  I am a little under the weather and the
palace is incredibly stuffy and noisy.  It�s much nicer out here.  And
believe me, the pleasure would be all mine,� Jupiter managed to say
with a straight voice as Serenity�s hands now found the pouch tied to
against the inside of her thigh.

			* * * * *

	*Poor Jupiter,* Serenity thought as she slipped back inside to
the party after Miriam had left for a few minutes.  The inner Senshi
had collapsed on the floor and was slightly delirious.  It must have
been a nerve wracking experience for her in this heat and in that coat
with another body behind her.  Serenity was a little overheated
herself, but she had also found it mischievous fun hiding from Miriam
like that.  It was especially sweet of her old friend to stall Miriam
while she had her fill.

			* * * * *

	Rei stood in the middle of a throng of men that hung on her every
word.  Out of uniform, she was not the respected and out of reach
Senshi.  She was simply another woman. A very beautiful woman.  She
wore a strapless black evening gown that sparkled with priceless
jewels, but they paled compared to her own brilliance�.  Endymion
coughed.  Or at least that was what he heard the other men whisper.

	At Endymion�s cough, the men around Rei dispersed to allow their
King to talk to their idol.  However, many kept within view of her.
*Respect only went so far after all,* Rei smiled at the thought.  �King
Endymion.  How are you this evening?�

	�Oh, a little tired, but fine.  I had a busy night chasing some
pests away.�

	Rei had little doubt to who those pests were.  �I�m sorry to hear
that.  You should really enjoy yourself on nights like these.  It�s not
often we can let our hair down and just have some fun.  And her
Majesty?  I hope her night has been eventful.�

	�Maybe a little too eventful.  I am thinking of asking her to
retire to her chambers.  It really has been a long night.�

	�Oh, she�ll miss out on my performance� won�t you my Queen,� Rei
turned and curtsied to the new arrival.  She noticed Serenity
immediately placing herself slightly in between Rei and Endymion.
Centuries earlier, she had felt hurt, as if Serenity did not trust her
around Endymion.  She�d since come to know that Serenity did not step
out in front to bar Rei from Endymion but to stop her from seeing them
side by side as a couple.  It had been about that time she discovered
the real reason she had felt hurt.  It was amazing how a realization of
one�s feelings altered her views.

	�I wouldn�t miss it for the world.  I think I saw them finishing
up the preparation by the lounge.  A large crowd has already gathered.
I don�t think anyone wanted to miss a free concert from the most famous
Idol in the world.�

	�I don�t think too many people would remember that.  I haven�t
been an idol in a long time.�

	�Your voice isn�t easy to forget, Rei.�

	Rei blushed at the words as Serenity held her gaze.  She was so
much easier to deal with back when she gave out insults rather than
compliments.  �Then I hope my performance won�t disappoint tonight.�

	�Yes, your voice is very beautiful.  It is too bad you only sing
once in a while.  A talent like yours should be shared,� Endymion
interjected, stepping forward past his wife, and taking hold of Rei�s
hand.  While the woman professed to be above petty things like
jealousy, there were times where his wife could become very childish.
He hated himself for wielding the same tactics the others used, but he
could not ignore their effectiveness.

	�Hmm, maybe we should be retiring soon.  We have a long day ahead
of us.  You know how long your concerts can last with everyone always
asking for more,� Serenity said, and let loose a loud yawn to emphasize
her tiredness.

	*That bastard!* Rei fumed inwardly.  She dropped her hands,
pulling them away from Endymion.  She�ll get back at him later.  �Oh, I
was hoping I�d see you two there.  Just one song?  Surely you can stay
for one song.�  She let her disappointment show on her face which
didn�t need any acting on her part at all.

	�Yes, I think we can take in one song,� Serenity said immediately
at the tone of Rei�s voice.  She went took Endymion�s arm and made her
way to the front of the chairs that had been set up in front of the
lounge�s piano.

	Endymion groaned.  This was going to be hell.  And it was.  The
song was one of Rei�s most popular during the height of her fame.  A
woman�s ballad to someone she loved, but couldn�t have.

	Serenity sighed as Rei began to sing.  It was this song again.
It didn�t have a title but it didn�t matter to those that loved to
listen to it.  She suspected the name of the song was person that Rei
had longed for.

	��you in my arms~� Rei sang. Her eyes shining as she looked
around the audience.  She took in each of their faces and was filled
with great sadness when she didn�t see the one face she wanted.  It had
bee the main reason she had quit singing.  The profound sadness she
felt at the end of each concert had been overwhelming.  She finally let
her eyes drop the woman in the front row and joy filled her.  Did she
dare?

	Serenity smiled when she saw Rei smile and slink towards her.
She had heard that Rei often chose an audience member to sing this song
to.  There was never really any pattern that any of her fans could see.
Sometimes she choose a man, sometimes she chose a woman.

	��look in your eyes~� Rei sang with a whisper as she lowered her
face to Serenity�s, searching the other woman�s eyes.  She stood up
again as if scared to see what was there.  Yet, she didn�t move away.
Rather, she let a hand glide on the woman�s bare arm up to her
shoulders as she walked around the chair.

	��feel you~�  The tips of her fingers trailed up the woman�s neck
and stopped. Her pulse was fast� she couldn�t try and think why,
however.  Her fingers threaded themselves into the luscious blonde hair
next, needing to get away from the hot skin.

	��hold me�~�  Rei�s voice suddenly rose as she twirled around the
body and sat herself down across Serenity�s lap.  Only past years of
training forced her to concentrate on the song.  Years of doing this
song, imagining the person�s lap who she sat in was another.

	��never let go~�  Her voice almost cracked as Serenity seemed to
obey the song and held her tighter.  She had to stop herself from
thinking of the woman with one arm around her back, touching her goose
pimpled skin and the other arm on her knee keeping her steady.  And she
definitely could not think of the comfortable feeling of her side
resting against a pillow.  I pillow with something definitely hard on
the end of it.

	��but I can�t~�  Rei sang in a pained voice as she ripped herself
out of Serenity�s embrace.  At the same time glad that her mind had
regained some semblance of intelligence and saddened by the loss of
that warm feeling.  Finally she looked at Serenity�s face, wondering if
she understood.  All she could see, however, was an extremely happy
woman.  And that was all Rei could hope for.

	Endymion gasped when it was all over.  He hadn�t been aware he
had been holding his breath for the entire song.  Rei had been so
blatant, that he felt himself lose a few years of his life as his heart
pounded.  When he looked at his wife�s face as she joined the entire
audience in applauding the woman, he didn�t see any trace of
acknowledgement and could finally allow himself to feel relief.

	He couldn�t help but feel some sadness for Rei as he looked at
her with tears streaming down her eyes, smiling beautifully.  He
understood them all and knew if circumstances were different, he might
have been in their positions.  Theirs was a dangerous game of balance,
the war between her happiness and theirs.  He sought only for her to be
happy and would not jeopardize that for anything in the world.  If she�
accepted them, then he would also, however grudgingly.  Until that time
however, they could just keep their hands to themselves.

			* * * * *

	Serenity sighed as she tugged at Endymion.  Her promise of a
special treat would have to wait for another day it looked like.  She
never understood how her husband could get so tired at a party.  It
wasn�t like it was a war or anything.

	Endymion slept soundly, his mission accomplished for yet another
day.  He had held his ground.

			* * * * *

The End.  (maybe)


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