Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Love Everlasting ❯ Back to Reality ( Chapter 6 )

Love Everlasting

 

Chap 6-Back To Reality

AN:You may want to read chapter 5 to catch up

(~ ~ denotes song lyrics)

 

 

Scene 1-Mina-Tokyo-Wed

 

Mina lay back on the plush sofa with her eyes closed trying to relax. Her dressing room was spacious and luckily blocked out a lot of the noise coming a hundred feet away from the set. She had thirty blissful minutes to herself before someone came to bustle her off to make up. It had been three weeks since her honeymoon had ended and she felt like she needed another vacation already. Steve Millberg had been raring to go and shooting had started only two days after she got back. She hadn't even had time to adjust to being a “wife”. They were filming in Tokyo for now but she left home before sunrise and returned after sun down. Smirking she turned over to her other side. Maybe now Andrew would understand how she'd felt having a boyfriend who put in 16 hour days almost 7 days a week. Of course she had often gotten lonely but at the same time she'd wanted to support his dream. Getting a pet to keep her company had crossed her mind, maybe a cat like Serena. She had quickly nixed that idea. She wasn't sure she had the patience and knew she didn't have the time for one. It would have just ended up lonely like her. To be fair over the years both of their schedules had been odd and busy. Andrew's was just slowing down and now hers was speeding up. In a couple of weeks the crew would be going to the U.S. for four to six months of filming. That would be the real test of their relationship. She wasn't that worried …they loved each other so they would work through it some how.

 

Her mind at ease with that worry it immediately went on to others. The cruise had went from a “pretty good idea” to “oh my god what have I done” in a matter of days. All her friends were worse off in their love lives then they were before. Poor Lita was crabby on the few occasions she had been able to catch her on the phone. Mina had heard from Ami that Lita was throwing herself back into the restaurant with a new fever, apparently to keep her mind off of her one night stand. Mina knew some information about her brother in law that she should probably tell Lita…but she had promised to stay out of it. For once she was going to keep her word. If they found their way to each other fine…if not then maybe it really wasn't anything more then a fling. So after biting her lip to keep the info she knew to her self Lita had told her that Ami's fiancé had indeed got the job in Tokyo so Ami would be accepting the position in her home town also. The pair would be moving back in about two weeks. Lita had also mentioned that Ami was keeping her “secret” but that it was eating her up in side and she hadn't been sleeping well. Mina figured the reason Ami couldn't sleep had more to with passion then guilt. Passion for Taiki who she couldn't have…well who she's wouldn't have. Mina had also managed to get a hold of Rei a few times too. The stubborn woman refused to utter one word about Chad. Every time she would bring it up Rei would blatantly ignore her and change the subject. Mina had her own thoughts on why Rei had never slept with Chad. It was really quite simple….Rei was scared shitless of loving him. Mina would have to think of a way to throw the two back together. In fact just yesterday she had come across an opportunity that might bring the two within arms reach. Though getting those two close could be deadly…she would have to think about it some more before she put that plan into action.

 

Then there was Serena. Serena wouldn't take any of her phone calls. Instead she was sending “hello's” through the other girls. Mina set up and rubbed her forehead with frustration. Serena had changed a lot from “that” summer but except for Seiya she still couldn't stay mad at people for long, well until now. She refused to speak to Mina even though she called everyday. Mina didn't think Serena realized how sad she appeared to those who knew her. After the first couple of years Mina had hoped that Serena and Darien would find their way back to each other. While living in the same city they had repaired the rift that the initial break up had caused however Darien and Serena remained only friends.

 

Now that Mina knew what had happened before Seiya left she understood things much better. It made more sense now the changes Serena had gone through, the pain she must have felt….that she still felt. Even so it was all the more reason for Serena and Seiya to find their way back to each other. Yep she would just have to figure out another way to get them back together. Mina could not…would not picture a Sailor Moon with out love in her life.

 

Scene 2-Chad-New York-Thursday

 

Chad weaved his way through the congested streets of New York on his motorcycle. The crush of people reminded him of his time in Japan. Of course thinking about Japan unfailingly made him think of Rei. Though he'd tried he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since that damn trip had ended. He couldn't erase the feel of her smooth skin under his hands, the sound of her moans in his ear. Nope he also couldn't forget the way her eyes blazed as she glared at him in anger or the slicing words she had hurled at him.

 

His hands gripped the handle bars and he swerved dangerously cutting off a taxi to the sound of its blaring horn. He tired to calm his emotions and cursed Rei again. She was always making him lose control. Did she even care what he felt? What her actions did to him? He couldn't honestly say and that uncertainly was why he'd had to walk away from her years ago. Chad wasn't what most people would call vindictive. In fact he was the opposite. The rock-n-roll business had hardened him some but he was generally a laid back guy. But Rei…she drove him crazy always had and apparently always would. This time had been different though. It wasn't the first time she'd hurt him, oh no! It was however the first time that his anger wouldn't fade. The knowledge that she'd been with other men and denied him time and time again had been the last straw. The worst part was she never gave him any reason. So as far as Chad was concerned it meant Rei considered him a game, a novelty to play with when she got bored.

 

Well not anymore…two could play at any game and he was tired of losing. He pulled up to the studio where the band was having a meeting. They always conducted meetings at the studio so if inspiration hit them they could go with the flow. Placing his helmet on the handle bar in the secured parking lot then shaking out his unruly hair he made his way into the building. The band was not happy with their current advertising and promotion company and were meeting to discuss finding a new one. They were all supposed to go out research and bring back a company for consideration. Chad had a company in mind all right though he hadn't done a lot of research…then again he hadn't needed to. All he needed to know was that a certain raven haired, thorn in his side worked there.

 

Scene 3-Darien- New York-Friday

Darien shot the nurse a small glare as his hands where busy and only his eyes showed over the surgical mask. The nurse blinked and rushed to wipe his brow right before the sweat fell in his eye.

 

“Thanks.” He said sarcastically.

 

“Sorry doctor.”

 

Darien was already forgetting his irritation as he focused back on the surgery. He was closing up a heart on a triple bypass. His stitches needed to be light and gentle for the heart was a delicate thing but at the same time his stitches needed to be tight and firm allowing the heart to heal properly. Funny how the literal heart was so much like the figurative one.

 

He finished up the 6 hour surgery and went to scrub down as the anesthesiologist and a few nurses took care of the patient. In the scrub room someone lightly touched his shoulder as he was drying his hands.

 

“Doctor Chiba I want to apologize about earlier I should have been paying better attention.”

 

Darien turned around to the pretty red head and flashed her a smile. “It's okay. Your name is Jill isn't it?”

 

The nurse perked up at a doctor of Darien's status knowing her name. “Yes it is! I'm really sorry! If I get the pleasure of working with you again I promise it won't happen.”

 

“No I'm the one who's sorry. Sometimes the stress gets to me, especially at the end when I'm so close to pulling an operation off. I didn't have to snap at you.”

 

“Oh no you didn't snap. Trust me that was nothing compared to how a lot of doctors act. You're brilliant! I think your skills are a gift.” Jill rushed to reassure him surprised and pleased she was holding this long of a conversation with the golden boy doctor.”

 

“Thanks. I do what I can.” Darien could tell where this was headed. He loved women, didn't mind spending time and amusing himself with them. However he kept his business and pleasure separate. He didn't date nurses period because of the gossip mills and only dated female doctors from other departments within the hospital. He actually preferred dating women outside the medical profession. When he was relaxing he wanted to leave his work behind. He quickly but graciously wrapped up with the nurse and made his escape. After checking on his patient and speaking to the family he clocked out at 9pm.

 

He took his time going home taking the subway then walking slowly walking down the sidewalk. He passed a few bars…thought about going in, then decided not to. He'd rather drink at home. He didn't really understand why he was in a shitty mood anyway. The surgery had gone without a hitch. As he neared his block he pulled out his cell and gave Serena a buzz. She didn't answer and he wasn't that surprised. He had talked to her earlier in the week and she had told him that she was entering what she called her “groove” working on her next book. When that happened sometimes she didn't come up for air for days. Still he was a little worried about her. He branched out his mind and tried to sense her…she was blocking him which wasn't a good sign. Usually when she was deep into writing she was an open book. He could pop over there and check on her…but he knew she wouldn't appreciate it while she was in the middle of work.

 

Besides he already knew what was probably bothering her. That damn Seiya. She claimed she was okay and over the whole thing but no one was buying that, not even Serena her self. Letting his self into the house he went straight and poured a shot of bourbon. As bad as he wanted to “fix” it for Serena he knew he couldn't. He could only be there if she needed him. He'd give her a little more time before he barged in with his unsolicited advice. Plus he was sure the girls were most likely prying at her already.

 

“Shit, this is all Mina's fault.” He said out loud to the empty place as he stretched out on the couch. Mina and her meddling. What the hell was she thinking trying to throw those two back together? Hell that whole sham of a honeymoon had been a disaster…well not really for him but for everyone else. He had to admit he'd had a wonderful time except for worrying about Serena. It had been just want he needed being surrounded by fiends and having fun with people who really knew him.

 

He'd been in New York the last six years but hand only made a handful of good acquaintances. Besides Rei and Serena he didn't have any “close” friends here. Whenever he had anything serious to talk about he more often then not called up Andrew. It was sad in a way. Here it was Friday night and he was home alone…drinking. Yeah he'd worked a 12 hour shift but it wasn't the reason he was at home, he just had no one he wanted to be out with. That was the one good thing to come out of Mina's trip. He'd spent time with people that he didn't mind being around. Got to reconnect with old friends and even made a few new ones.

 

He sat the shooter on his glass table and lay back covering his eyes. Yeah he had reconnected with old friends alright. He supposed he could put sleeping with Michelle again in that category. It hadn't been planned but hey it wasn't planned the first time either. He had been pleasantly surprised. The exchange hadn't been awkward at all and the sex had been hella good. He had enjoyed talking and spending time with Michelle during the trip also. He had forgotten what a good listener she could be. How relaxed he always felt around her.

 

She was a good women and a good friend…so why did he feel sort of bad for sleeping with her? She hadn't asked or demanding anything. Had accepted exactly what he had to give….still he felt a little guilty, as if he'd used her somehow. True he hadn't seduced her….nor had she seduced him. It had been a mutual decision between two consenting adults…so why did he feel like shit every time his mind drifted back to the incident. He didn't know why he was worried about her feelings. Michelle was more then capable of looking out for herself. He was sure if he'd over stepped in anyway that she would have put him back in his place. Maybe he just felt guilty because he hadn't called her. Yeah that was it. Here he was treating her like any old girl of the week and she was one of his good friends. She deserved better then that. He fished in his pocket for his cell, scrolled through the address book and paused with his thumb over the connect button.

 

“She's probably not even home. Unlike me she probably has a life. She's probably out on some date which she should be. She's too vivacious to be sitting at home on the weekend.” Darien flipped the phone closed. He hoped she was out somewhere having fun. Hell he should be out somewhere having fun! He got up and went to pour him self another drink. “I'll call her Sunday or during the week.” Downing his drink in one gulp he made his way to the kitchen to see what he could scourge up for a meal. Being a bachelor did have its drawbacks. Then again he should be use to it…he had always been alone.

 

Scene 4-Trista-Tokyo-Friday

 

Trista was doing something she rarely did…taking a break. She had walked the two blocks from the University to the little outside café. She almost got an inside table then decided it would be a shame to waste such a warm and sunny day. She picked the table most in a corner and settled down with a cool drink in her hands. Her dark shades blocked her green eyes and she was left alone with her thoughts, her troubled thoughts. She had barely slept the last three days, she was weary from no rest and for the first time in her life her mind could not focus. She did not like it in the least. She sat at a table for two, a book laid out as if she was reading letting her mind drift.

 

Was there Scout trouble coming? She didn't feel panic just unease. What disturbed her must was that her own path was blocked from her. With things mostly likely centering on the princess, like they normally did, she couldn't afford to have any drama of her own to distract her from her duty. Then there was Hotaru. The young scout knew something was bothering her. Trista knew her daughter became frustrated every time she said nothing was wrong. Hotaru had been spending more nights out surveying the city. Her daughter was getting restless. Whether it was just the natural teenage stage or something more Trista couldn't tell. Either way spelt trouble. Trista let out a soft sigh and took another sip of her ice tea and saw the shadow drape her table right before she heard the voice.

 

“I'm sorry would you mind if I sat down and shared your table. I know I seem to ask you that a lot.”

 

Trista lifted her sunglasses, the tiniest hint of a smile on her lips as she slow turned her head. “Yes you do and I end up saying no problem have a seat. The answer is the same this time also. Please sit.”

 

Roger nodded his thanks as he walked from behind her to take his seat, settling his briefcase on the ground. “Aren't you going to ask me how I knew it was you even though your back was turned?”

 

Trista inclined her head and nodded. “Yes that thought did cross my mind…so tell me counselor how did you know?”

 

“Well as a lawyer I need to recommend you never commit a crime. The defense would have a hard time defending you. Your hair is a dead give away.” Roger felt himself relax as she gave him a slow genuine smile.

 

“Thank you for the advice, no need to worry though; I'm one of the good guys.”

 

“For some reason when you say that, I actually believe you.” He grinned at her only to have her replace her shades over those lovely eyes and take a sip of her drink. Finally she spoke to him.

 

“We're you on your way to a business meeting?”

 

“No in fact I was returning from one. Our office is only a couple blocks south of here. How about you? You're a little ways from the University aren't you?”

 

“Yes, I was taking a long lunch. Thought the walk would do me good.”

 

“It is a nice day. To nice of a day for a lovely lady like you to be having lunch alone.”

 

His comment froze her glass halfway to her lips as she stared at him through her dark lenses. She brought the glass back down to the table as she digested his words. Roger knew she was staring at him even if he couldn't see her eyes. He was surprised he'd caught the controlled woman off guard but he had a feeling it would last long…and it didn't.

 

“I agree the day is lovely, I disagree on the rest. I don't mind having lunch alone. It's peaceful and gives me time to think.”

 

Roger scoffed and leaned back in his chair. “I have a feeling you think to much as it is. You should spend days like this relaxing, not having a care in the world.”

”Is that what you would normally be doing on a day such as this?”

 

Roger had the grace to look abashed before letting out a little chuckle. “Okay you got me. You would make a good cross examiner. I'll admit I rarely get to be out on days like this. I'm usually confined to my desk. I'm really glad I came out though, otherwise I would have missed what the day had to offer.” Again he had the feeling she was staring at him as she sat quietly not filling the void after his statement. It was apparent that he was running up against a brick wall. As law school had taught him when one tactic didn't bare the desired results try another. “So how is everything with you? Your daughter Hotaru, did she fair well in your absence during the trip?” Ah…there was that smile again he was looking for.

 

“Yes, she was fine. When I got home the house was in perfect order. Serena's brother did check in on her twice while we were gone.”

 

“That's good. So she didn't throw any wild parties?”

 

“No not that I can tell.”

 

“Well it seems you really do have a model teenager.”

 

“Maybe…that worries me sometimes.” Trista turned her head to the side looking out towards the street. Why had so said that? She really hadn't meant to share her concern with this almost complete stranger.

 

“Is that what's worrying you? Why you're using up this beautiful day to sit and think alone?”

 

Trista surprised herself again when she turned her head and answered him. “It is one thing on my mind…among others.”

 

“Well I know one way to get your mind off your worries…come to dinner with me tonight.” Roger held his breath as he felt her staring at him again. He stared back holding his ground as several moments of silence went by.

 

“Was this conversation leading to this from the first?” She asked bluntly again surprised that `no' hadn't automatically come out of her mouth.

 

Roger didn't back down just gave her an easy smile. Anything besides a flat out no was an encouraging sign. “Yes, in fact it was my objective as soon as I say the back of your head.”

 

“I see…thank you for the offer but I'm afraid I'll have to decline.”

 

“Why?” He persisted. “We've already established that neither one of us gets out enough. You have worries on your mind and the best cure for that is a distraction. Besides if you go out tonight it will give your squeaky clean teenager another opportunity to turn into a delinquent ending one of your worries.”

 

Trista had been weighing the pros and cons as he spoke. Could he somehow have something to do with the unease she was feeling? He and Andrew's brother had been the only outsiders on the trip besides the Starlights…who were gone now and technically should pose no more threat. It might be worth looking into and what better way then to spend time with him.

 

“Okay counselor you make a good argument. Dinner would be nice if the offer is still on the table.”

 

“Of course it is.” Roger was surprised that she had changed her mind so soon but thankful as well. “Is 7:30 a good time?”

 

“Yes that would be perfect.” Trista closed her book and slipped it in her tote bag of a purse and went to stand up. “Roger I need to be on my way. My long lunch has come to an end.”

 

He stood also. “Can I have your phone number?”

 

“Would you happen to have a card on you?”

 

“Uh yes, one moment.” He opened his briefcase and pulled out a card handing it to her across the table.”

 

“Thank you. I'll email you my address and phone when I get back to work.”

 

“Okay then. Well it was a pleasure running into you and I look forward to seeing you later tonight.”

 

Trista gave him a smile and nodded. “Same here. Maybe I'll start taking long lunches more often. They seem to turn out interesting.”

 

 

Scene 5-Andrew & Alex-Tokyo-Friday

 

Alex was surprised when he heard the knock on the door he wasn't expecting anyone. He hurried to the door almost tripping more then once.

 

“Andrew? What the hell are you doing here, come on in!”

 

Andrew just smiled as he entered the little house. He'd left work a little early and headed the few miles over to surprise his brother. “I was just in the neighborhood. Thought you could use some help unpacking?”

 

“Well you won't hear me turning that offer down. I knew I should have shipped everything a little bit at a time instead of all at once.” The two brothers made their way through the land mine of boxes and misplaced furniture back to the living room. “Aren't you supposed to be at work?”

 

“Hey that's one of the advantages of being the boss I make my own hours.” Andrew threw his coat jacket over a miscellaneous box and rolled up his sleeves prepared to get to work. “Besides I didn't have any plans tonight and figured I could help you get settled in.”

 

“Ahh I see what's going on.” Alex chuckled as he pointed to a box indicating where Andrew could start. “Is someone lonely for their trouble maker wife?”

 

“I don't know what you're talking about. My long lost brother has moved across the globe and now lives by me. You've been in town a week I figured I should come by is all.”

 

“Right! Are you missing the honeymoon already?” Alex thought about it then laughed out loud. “Well I can't say that I blame you. That wife of yours is something else. If she's as creative in the bedroom as she is out of it then you had one hell of a time.”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Knock it off.”

 

“Hey it's okay little bro. Is the idea of Mina going out of the country soon starting to bother you?”

 

Andrew thought about it as he unpacked a box of glasses that should have been in the kitchen. “Well no…not really. I mean we've always had weird schedules with me in school and always working and her trying to get her career off the ground. Despite that we always ended up sleeping with each other at the end of the day so yeah I guess I'll miss her a little bit. Hell to the tell the truth the honeymoon was the most time we've spent with each other without interruption in god knows how long.”

 

Alex stopped what he was doing to frown at his brother. “Man your not expecting Mina to be a conventional wife are you?”

 

The idea was so preposterous that Andrew almost dropped the lamp he was holding on his foot. “Are you kidding? Mina has never been conventional a day in her life! I'm not even sure she knows what that word means.” Andrew walked across the room to set the lamp up. “You can't get any less conventional then being a Sailor Scout” He mumbled under his breath.

 

“What did you say?'

 

“Uh, nothing.” He and Mina had discussed telling Alex about her secret. At the time since he was so far away and they weren't sure how close of a relationship the two men would have they had decided against it. Andrew had brought up the discussion again on the last night of their honeymoon. For some reason she had been adamantly against telling Alex the truth. He had thought it odd but respected that it was her secret to tell just as she had kept his secret from the others until he was ready to share.

 

“So you don't have a problem with her career talking off?” Alex probed.

 

“Nope. We've always supported each other in our dreams. In fact it's one of the things I love about her…her ability to always strive…to work for and eventually get what she wants.”

 

“So your wife always gets what she wants huh?”

 

“Well you've seen her in action, you tell me!”

 

“Right! Are you sure she doesn't want to go into business as a salesman? I could really use her.”

 

“Nope Mina has being in front of a camera and crowd in her blood.”

 

“Well it's a shame she'll be leaving soon. I was looking forward to getting to know my wacky sister in law.”

 

“Don't worry Mina's wacky enough that it might reach you anyway across the globe. Trust me while your settling in the first few month your better off not having Mina underfoot. She has a habit of being a bit of a nosy body.”

 

“I'm not worried about it. I'm a big boy I can handle what ever she can throw at me.” Alex frowned as Andrew laughed and walked over to him.

 

“Okay but don't say I didn't warn you.” Andrew slapped him on the back as he walked past. “When Mina takes you under her wing and starts trying to run your life…that's when you'll know your apart of her family.”

 

Scene 6-Serena and Rei- New York-Sat

 

Rei was running hard her short hair clipped back from her sweaty face. It was early barely 5:30 am but one thing growing up on a shrine had taught her was how to get up with the birds. She loved jogging in Central Park especially this time of day. It had become her big city form of meditation. She never worried about being out here alone. On more then one occasion she had subdued a mugger or would be killer. After roughing them up a little she always placed a call and disappeared before the police arrived. Today though she wasn't exactly jogging; so much as running as if the hounds of hell were on her tail. She damned herself for not being able to get the thoughts out of her mind, the thoughts that once again it centered on Chad.

 

~When I… thought I knew you

Thinking… that you were true

Guess I…I couldn't trust

Called your bluff… time is up

Cause I've had enough~

 

After all this time she had thought she'd known him. She had been so sure of his devotion to her. That somehow, someway he understood her like no other man could or maybe ever would. There relationship had been rough from the start shaky…their trust factor delicate. Fate was always conspiring against them. At first it had been the worry and concern for Serena, then it was Rei's schooling, both pushing her relationship with him to the background. Then when she had been ready to focus on them his drive for his band had kicked into overload. Their timing was always off…it wasn't fair. Rei kicked up her speed a little as she neared the half mile marker to the end of her run. Pushing herself….always pushing herself as if she was afraid to slow down…afraid of what she'd notice.

 

~You were, there by my side

Always, down for the ride

But your, joy ride just came down in flames

Cause your greed sold me out of shame, mmhmm~

 

In truth he had been by her side through it all. That summer when she would come home late from holding and comforting Serena he had there to hold and comfort her. He had supported and encouraged her to pursue her dream of a life outside the shrine. While her grandfather had shunned her, not speaking one word to her the entire first semester she went to University…the stubborn old fool. Chad had been their go between helping them bridge the gap. She had always known that whatever else changed Chad would be waiting on her. Then suddenly he had made a choice….her or his career. He had left her without a backwards glance heading towards his fame and fortune. He had pushed her aside for his greed of stardom.

 

~After all of the stealing and cheating

You probably think that I hold resentment for you

But, uh uh, oh no, you're wrong~

 

True she admitted that on her part she could have done a lot of things better. Put him first more, supported him better but shit so many people and things had needed her attention. Despite how she acted she was only one person. He'd still had no right to treat her like he had on the trip. The nerve of him being mad about her being with other people! Rei let out a little growl of frustration and effort speeding up a little more. He was an international rock star for god's sake! She didn't even want to venture a guess how many women had revolved in and out of his bed. He had no right to judge her. Rei was not the most forgiving person in her group of friends…so yes she held some resentment of when he had left her years ago but mostly she thought of it as her wake up call.

 

~Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do

I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through

So I wanna say thank you~

 

Chad had made her open her eyes a little wider. Made her see what even Seiya's leaving and Serena's devastation hadn't. That nothing was permanent. That she had to grab what she could when she could. He had hurt her when he'd turned his back on her as if it was the easiest thing in the world to do. Rei wasn't the type of person to keep sticking her hand in the fire if it brunt her. No she'd learned her lesson and learned it well. She had taken all her energy and focused it on her work, in reaching her goal and now she was very close to reaching it. So in a way she should be thanking Chad.

 

~'Cause it makes me that much stronger

Makes me work a little bit harder

It makes me that much wiser

So thanks for making me a fighter~

 

What she had went through with him ….had made her stronger, toughened her up for the business world. The business world was not for the weak or timid, the shy and quite. She was swimming in a pool where the big fish ate the little fish. Her motivation that she had gotten indirectly from him had made her work a little bit harder. Going the extra mile and enabling her to be recognized and put on the fast track to the top. It even made her a little bit wiser before her time. She knew now that no one was to be taken at their word, that not everyone was what they seemed. Rei trusted no one at work for even the mail boy and secretary were always looking for an opening, a way to advance themselves. To make it she needed to be a fighter.

 

~Made me learn a little bit faster

Made my skin a little bit thicker

Makes me that much smarter

So thanks for making me a fighter~

 

Rei had no choice but to learn to swim fast or sink. The competition was tough. Like this promotion that was up for grabs. She and Mark were fighting tooth and nail for it, trying to out do each other on ideas and execution. While her firm was one of the best it was still a boys club…for now, which meant her skin had to get thicker in a rush. The barely veiled sarcasm the taunts that were meant to make her back down, she had learned to let them bounce off her. She always had to appear that much smarter then her male counter parts. Her give up, not a chance! Mark, Chad and everyone else had another thing coming.

 

Rei passed the marker and ended her three mile run and slowly came to a stop. Heavily panting she bent over her head hung low, hands on her knees that trembled from exertion as she fought not to pass out. Had she pushed herself too far? She shook her head and slowly straightened up. No…never too far. After all she was a fighter through and through.

-----

 

Serena was slowly coming off a writing binge and she hated the feeling. It was like her reserve of energy was drained all at once. She had just double saved the chapter she was working on was now curled up on the couch stroking Luna. She glanced at her answering machine that was flashing and grimaced. She knew she had tons of messages she had heard them with half an ear while she worked. She would return them all…all except Mina's. She still didn't trust herself to speak to the busy body yet. Luna kneaded Serena's thigh with her claws as if she didn't approve of her thoughts.

 

“I know Luna…I'm not really mad at Mina…well I kinda am. It's just the person I'm really mad at isn't here for me to lash out at.” Luna clawed her again as if to say that was no excuse for ignoring a friend. Serena agreed with her but still she wasn't ready to face Mina yet. Serena also knew that her writing binge was partly a way of not thinking about Seiya. No matter how hard she tried or which way she looked at it she couldn't stop her feeling the hurt and pain he'd caused her.

 

~Never, saw it coming
All of your backstabbing
Just so, you could cash in
On a good thing before I realized your game~

She had never seen it coming that summer. Never could have imagined the pain that was in store for her and that was saying a lot considering the things she'd been through. He had lied to her…betrayed her…. stabbed her in the back and for what, to sooth his own pain with no regard to causing hers? She had given him her future, her heart, her body and the ultimate gift…her love. She had virtually turned her back on the only future she knew, her friends, Darien…all to be with him. He had fooled her till the very end.

 

~I heard, you're going around
Playing the victim now
But don't even begin feeling I'm the one to blame

Cause you dug your own grave, uh huh~

She replayed their last scene in her head and couldn't believe the nerve of him. Acting as if he was the wounded party. As if she had somehow done him wrong! Did he really expect her to fall at his feet swoon because he still wanted her? If so then he was insane. There was no way she was giving him her heart again. He had dug the grave for their relationship with his own hands six years ago.

~After all of the fights and the lies
used your body to harm me but that won't work anymore
Uh no more, oh no, it's over~

She had given her innocence to him. The essence of who she was only for him to play with it, drop it and crush it. She would never say he had tricked or coerced that decision from her for it wouldn't be true. But when she gave him her body she had also given him the power to use it to hurt her and he had. She had trusted him and he had promised to love her, to never hurt her, never leave her…he had broken all three promises. Well never ever again.

 

~Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture
I wouldn't know how to be this way now, and never back down
So I wanna say thank you~

She realized that he probably had no clue all the torture and hell he had put her through. How for months all she had done was doubt her self, blame her self and mourn for her loss of him. How everyday she had wished it was her last. For the longest she had seen no hope for herself. That was until she had gotten the acceptance letter from New York University. The thought of getting away, going to a place where not every corner reminded her of him had shined a glimmer of hope in life. Her parents had refused to let her go if her mental state didn't improve and so she had started the huge task of pulling herself together. Masking and concealing her pain. The transformation had seemed to make her family and friends happy. It was something she could thank Seiya for…for making her learn that skill of deception.

~Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter~

She often wondered if she would do it over again…make the same choices. Maybe, it had made her stronger and she found comfort in her new strength. She wasn't the fragile easily broken Serena anymore and for that she was glad. When she had gotten to college her need to escape the pain and prove that she was better then her agony had led her to work harder. That hard work had given her grades she would have never imagined, leading her to excel at something other than crying 101. Her experience with Seiya had even done several things that all the battles with evil hadn't. One it had opened her eyes to the bad side of people, making her finally realize that not everything in life was good and pure. The last thing it had done was finally make her a fighter in every sense of the word.

 

~Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
It makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter~

 

Once in New York she'd had to learn faster about the pitfalls of humanity. She would have never moved so far from home with out Seiya's indirect push. New York was a wonderful place if you were looking to make your skin thicker or gain street smarts that a sheltered girl living in Japan couldn't get. She had gotten both of those traits and large doses in her years living in the Big Apple. Yes…Seiya was to blame for a lot of things but for making her who she now was…she had to thank him for being that catalyst.

 

Scene 7 - Seiya-Saturday

 

~I'm sitting here thinking about you tonight
and all that you mean to me~

Seiya stood looking out from the balcony at the surrounding grounds. The beauty of the palace pleased him deep in his heart. Knowing that the once charred grasses had been darkened with destruction and now grew with rich life gave him hope in his own upcoming struggle. He had fought hard for this planet and his princess….both of which he loved. Likewise he would fight hard for Serena. She meant too much to him. He knew it was a fool's errand but somehow, someway he had to get her to give them a real chance. After all if he didn't love her he'd never love anyone.

 

~I used to think I would never fall in love again
I guess I was wrong~

 

He had been determined not to fall in love ever again. He had kept his relationship with Paris simple and shallow…uncomplicated. Then all it had taken was one glance from Serena as she walked down the isle in a bridesmaids dress. He'd really had no choice. Now he had devised a way to get back into Serena's life then her heart. His friends had been supportive and his Princess was thrilled though she warned him to talk it slow. Paris however had been livid with what he'd later learned was really worry. She had visited him earlier and made her stance very clear.

 

“Seiya why are you doing this? You know she'll only hurt you again.”

 

“Paris I'm sorry this is hurting you…but I have to follow my heart this time. I have to know `what if'.” He'd said as he'd packed.

 

“I'll admit it hurts to be so completely thrown over for another but this is more about you then me. Seiya she'll hurt you gravely. I'm your friend if nothing else, I don't want to see you in despair again.” Paris pleaded a lone tear trailing down her cheek.

 

Seiya stopped and walked over to her gently wiping the tear away. “You may be right however it's a risk I have to take.”

 

He let his memory fade as he focused back on his objective…Serena.

~When your heart was broken
When your wounded pride was laid to rest
You'll never open your heart to anyone else you said
But you lied, I know you're lying to me~

The reality was he had broken Serena's heart just as the separation had broken his. Had her pride been hurt then, like she'd hurt his now with her coldness? Had she longed for him as much as he'd longed for her? The Serena that loved everyone and gave them innumerable chances was gone. Would she…could she open her heart to him again? No he refused to believe his Serena had changed so much. Besides he'd seen other sides of her as well as she lay beneath him, on top of him and peacefully in his arms. She felt something for him. Serena could never…would never give her body and thus her soul to someone she hated. He had to believe that. She'd lied to him, a defensive mechanism for her heart. Deep down though he knew she was lying. He just had to find a way to get her to admit it.

 

~You see your mind might be made up, mmm
But your heart has got its own plans~

 

He knew he had a long rode ahead. That her mind was made up, that she believed that she didn't need him. What he was counting on was something Serena had taught him. That what may be rational, what may even be best wasn't the choice she would make. In the long run following her heart had always been Serena's course of action. Serena's heart had led her through many situations that seemed impossible. So while he knew her mind was bent on hating him, pushing him out of her life he knew her heart had other plans. He would have to show her that following her heart was once again the best thing to do.

~There's no one to blame for false pride, telling lies, trying to hide

From feeling the pain, I know you don't wanna feel it~

 

He couldn't really blame Serena he knew how she felt. He also was scared shitless of having his heart stomped on again. They both were operating on false pride, telling lies to each other and trying to hide from the truth, the truth that after all these years of hurt and bitterness they still cared for other. Even the pain of possible rejection couldn't shake that truth from Seiya's mind.

 

He didn't want to go back to the dark misery he had felt after leaving earth. Nor did he want to feel pain or cause Serena the same but he had a feeling that if they didn't figure out how to come back to each other the ensuing pain would be crippling. One fact the cruise had brought very clear to him was that you couldn't hide from love. He had decided to let love have its way with his heart. This time he would follow it knowing it would lead him only to Serena.

~There's nowhere to hide when love is calling your name

Yeah from the dark babe, nowhere to hide, baby
There's nowhere to hide, so let love have it's way…with your heart
When love calls, love calls…love calls your name~

AN: I know a little short chap (for me) LOL. This and the next one will set everyone up to interact with each other again. I know a long time in coming but this story is just so complicated (like a soap opera taking place all over the place) it takes me a while to sort everything out and set things up for future chaps that I already have in mind. And no I did not forget about the other characters, you'll see them later, remember this is a big story and some chapters will only deal with (X ) amount of the storylines going on. I will update LOL my life is just crazy! THANK YOU ALL who are following and reviewing this story and emailing me to update! BTW-this fic has songs thrown in through out so if you don't like that fact sorry. Not every chapter but they will pop up from time to time. Hope you enjoyed, trust me I am always thinking about this story at least once a day my mind drifts to it, so it will be completed one day LOL. Scene 6-Song By Christina Aquilera-Ablum:Stripped-Song:Frighter/ Scene 7-Song by KEM-Ablum:Love Calls-Song:Love Calls.

 

Next Chap 7-“Trouble in the Making” Find out how Seiya comes back to earth. Serena confronts Mina. Is Ami hallucinating about a certain Starlight? What has Lita about to have a nervous breakdown. Also just how is Chad going to get back at Rei? What could bring Amara to NY? And much more! I won't even waste my typing and lie to you about a date for this LOL, just watch for it. I do have an update email list so if you want to be on it let know by leaving your email in a review or emailing me directly.