Note: This part is *far* from finished.  People have been hunting me down
with knives to get this finished, though, so here's what's been
completed so far.  It hasn't been beta read, so there're probably 
spelling and grammar errors.  Won't be too much longer until I actually
finish it.  Yakusoko yo.  Last added to: 2001/10/14.

~*~*~*~*~

	The figure fell to the ground with a soft thud.  The purple aura 
around her began to fade and finally disappeared.  Serenity ran across
the lawn to where the figure lay.  As she approached, she could make 
out more detail.  Black hair.  Pale skin.  Purple fuku.

	Without hesitation, she picked the figure up, and carried her 
inside the palace.  Using the ginzuishou, Serenity alerted the Senshi
of the emergency situation, and asked them to come as quickly as
possible.  As she looked down at the figure she was carrying, she
could hear faint moans of disorientation.  A million emotions were
currently running through her head, confusing her.  Above all else she 
felt the need to break down completely and cry.

	She was calling out now for someone, anyone to come help her.  
Several palace workers came to her aid, and momentarily she could hear 
the clicks of Senshi heels running down the hall.

	"Serenity-sama!" exclaimed Sailorjuno.

	"Minna," said Serenity in a controlled, but grief-stricken voice, 
"Sailorsaturn needs medical attention."

	Looks of surprise, horror, and shock came over everyone's 
faces.

~*~*~*~*~

	Serenity paced nervously outside the room where Saturn was being
examined.  She looked over at the other Senshi who all reacted to the
news in different ways.  Most were crying, or had cried when they found
out.  Some looked deeply confused and distraught, while others were
beaming with joy and excitement.  She then looked over at her husband
who had baby Usagi with him.  He gave her a smile of reassurance.

	Serenity then reflected on her own feelings of the situation.  Of
course, she just couldn't believe that Saturn was back.  How was that
even possible?  Was it the real Saturn?  Could she have been brought
back somehow?  Millions of questions swam through her head.  As hard as
it was, she just couldn't deal with the emotional side of the situation
right now.  She had to push her personal feelings to the side, and lead
by example as the Queen.

	Just as she was contemplating her next course of action,
Sailormercury emerged from the room looking haggard and emotionally
drained.  Despite that, she managed to smile.

	"It looks like she'll be okay.  It was nothing serious.  Her
energy was just a little drained, but it seems to be coming back to her
more and more every minute."

	"Mercury," asked Venus cautiously, "is it...is it really her?"

	"From what I can tell, yes."

	"But how can that be?!" yelled an exasperated Sailoruranus
between sobs.

	"Uranus," offered Sailorjupiter, "do you really need to ask that
question?  How many times have you seen a miracle occur?  How many
unexplained things do we still, even today, not know about about the
power of the ginzuishou or even the universe?"

	"Jupiter's right."  The blue-haired Senshi was lowered into a 
chair with the help of her wife.  "And whatever the answer, I'm sure 
we'll come to understand it in due time."

	"Mercury," asked Serenity in a quiet voice, "may I see her?
Alone?"

	The Senshi of Suisei smiled.  "Of course.  She's not asleep, just
resting."

	Serenity turned to see if Elios was okay with baby Usagi.  He
nodded to her, and she back at him.  She closed her eyes, and balled
her hands up to try and gather the courage she needed.  A voice inside
her head cried, 'yuuki wo dashite!', which gave her the motivation to 
enter the room.

	The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the moon
filtering down through the window.  Serenity saw a figure laying in 
the bed, her gentle breathing the only sound.  She looked so peaceful,
like she was a child without a care in the world.  That was particularly
ironic, considering the childhood Saturn had lived.

	"Saturn," said Serenity softly, as she didn't feel the need to
wake her if she actually was asleep.

	The figure stirred a little bit, and then two eyelids opened to
reveal two shining purple orbs.  She looked over at the woman standing
over her bed, and smiled.

	"Small Lady," said Saturn in a somewhat groggy voice, "finally I
can see you again.  It seems like we've been apart so long.  I missed
you so much."

	All Serenity could do was try and choke back the tears that were
welling up inside of her.  "Do you remember what happened, Saturn?"

	"I..." Saturn looked away as if in deep thought.  "I remember we
had been apart for some time.  I was...on Kinmokusei, wasn't I?  Yes,
that's right.  I was on a diplomatic mission.  There was...a storm.  A
huge storm, the likes of which the planet had never seen.  I tried to
save everyone that I could...but there were a few people trapped under
mounds of rubble.  I held out as long as I could, but then..."  She
returned her gaze to the pink-haired woman.  "It was all over.  My last
memory, before waking up here, was hearing your voice call out my name. 
I remember feeling warm and happy at that moment."

	Serenity couldn't help it anymore.  Streams of tears were running
down her face, and she wrapped her arms around herself.  "Yokatta na.  
I'm so happy you're back.  I'm so happy.  You must have a million 
questions you want to ask, and I'm sure everyone here wants to ask you 
lots of questions, too.  But you look exhausted.  Why don't you try and
get some sleep, and we'll gather again in the morning?"

	Saturn smiled and nodded, already half back into a deep slumber.

~*~*~*~*~

	When the morning came, most of the Senshi looked as if they hadn't slept 
at all.  Serenity was no exception.  She stayed up all night, sitting beside 
Usagi's crib, deep in thought about the implications Saturn's return brought.  
Her eyes had circles of worry, and her heart shook with fear.

	Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were the first to greet Saturn when she woke 
up.  They actually hadn't gone to bed at all, and had watched over their 
daughter all night.

	"Papa...mama...mama..."  Saturn's voice cracked a bit, and she was 
obviously still very tired.

	Uranus held her daughter's hand tightly.  "Daijoubu, hime-chan?" she asked 
with concern.

	Saturn smiled.  "I will be soon."  She closed her eyes and concentrated.  
Soon the purple mark of Saturn appeared on her forehead, and she glowed.  After 
a few seconds, Saturn opened her eyes, the mark dissapearing.  She sat up in the 
bed, smiling.  "It's good to see you all again."

	Neptune took her daughter into her arms and hugged her tightly.  "You gave 
us such a scare.

	"Even I could not predict...  We're so glad to have you back." said Pluto 
with obvious affection.

	"How long has it been?"

	The three looked at each other.  "A little over three years..." replied 
Uranus.

	"Where's-"

	Just as she started, Saturn got cut off by the door opening, and a figure 
rushing in.

	"Saturn!" Serenity cried, still not quite believing what was happening.  
"I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier.  But I had to take care of-"  She had to stop, 
she was so out of breath.  She took in a few deep breaths, a look of panic still 
on her face.

	"We'll leave you alone."  The two others followed Neptune, hugging their 
daughter one last time, and nodding to Serenity before leaving the room.

	"Small Lady," said Saturn, leaving the bed clad in loose-fitting 
comfortable clothes.  She walked over to the shocked woman who was stitting at 
the end of the bed, still breathing hard.  Saturn sat beside her and rubbed 
soothing circles on her back.

	"I'm sorry."

	"No!" said Serenity with a force that shocked even herself.  "Kami, no..."  
She shut her eyes, the tears she was trying so hard to hold at bay threatening 
to overwhelm her.  After a few escaped her long lashes, more and more fell until 
they came in an unending stream.

	Saturn pulled her partner into an embrace, also sobbing quietly, unable to 
help herself.

	"Oh, Saturn..."  She was starting to gain some control again.  "So much 
has happened.  They's so much I need to tell you, but..."  The little control 
she had back was beginning to slip away.  "I don't know if I can..."

	Saturn pulled away from the embrace slightly, looking her best friend in 
the eye.  "Small Lady, you know you can tell me anything."

	"I, well, first off I'm not really Small Lady anymore.  I...I'm Queen."  
Saturn's eyes widened at this.  "I was named...mama..." she broke off, not 
knowing quite how to continue.  The next part would be the hardest thing she had 
ever done in her life.  The prospect of saying it, of destroying her former 
lover was breaking her heart.  How could she possibly do it?  But not telling 
her would not only be unfair, but would hurt Saturn even more.  She sighed, and 
plowed forward.  "I was crowned Queen at my wedding."

	Saturn reeled.  It was almost the same as being hit with a physical blow.  
Except this hurt more.

	Serenity saw the hurt in her eyes, and her entire being almost died.  She 
disentangled herself from Saturn who was too stunned to protest.  She looked 
down at the floor, her hands gripping the sheets.  "You deserve to know 
everything.  I owe you that much at least.  When you...when you died, I felt 
like I had died, too.  I was so alone.  The blackness consumed me for a very 
long time.  Almost.  There...there was a man.  Elios.  Do you remember him?  I 
had forgotten at the time.  He helped me.  He brought me back to the light.  
There's no doubt in my mind that he saved my life.  We were friends for over a 
year before.....he proposed to me.

	"At the time I couldn't believe it.  I thought if I married him, if I even 
admitted my feelings for him were more than friendship, that I would be 
betraying you."  She looked up at Saturn, not quite knowing what the expression 
on the other woman's face meant.  "Somehow I convinced myself that you wouldn't 
mind -- even that you'd want me to...god, I'm so stupid.  I had his child."

	"You have a baby?" was all Saturn could manage.

	Serenity nodded.  "Usagi Hotaru Serenity.  Saturn," she said, suddenly 
with more conviction in her voice, "I never stopped loving you.  I know that 
will never make up for what I did.  But I never once loved you any less."  
Wiping some of her tears away, she got up.  "I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry."  She 
glaced at Saturn once more before fleeing the room.

	Blackness seemed to rush towards Saturn without warning, and she fell back 
onto the bed.  "Small...La..dy...."

~*~*~*~*~

	"Puu!" cried Serenity as she ran up to her old friend.  The Senshi of 
revolution, however, just kept walking.

	"Puu!" she cried again.  "Matte, Puu!"

	Suddenly the green haired women turned and fixed Serenity with a glare she 
had never seen come from her.  "What do you want?" came the angry reply.

	Serenity could only stop and stare.  Why was Puu acting like this?  "I...I 
need to talk to you..."

	Soft, disturbing laughter came from the other woman.  "You think I'd talk 
to you after what you did?"

	"What?  What did I do?"

	"You betrayed her."

	"No, I..."

	"You BETRAYED HER!!"

	Serenity felt a fist smash into her cheek, sending her to the ground.  
Uranus stood above her, smirking.

	"That's for killing our daughter, bitch!"

	Neptune appeared beside Uranus and swiftly kicked Serenity in the side.  
The pink haired woman let out a painful gasp as the shoe came in contact with 
her rib cage.

	"How did I kill-  Ahh!"  Another kick to the ribs.  She struggled to get 
up.  "Please!  Listen to me!"

	"Why should we?  Why should we trust you at all?  You betrayed one of us.  
You LIED and CHEATED!  Why should we trust *you*?" cried Neptune.

	Serenity was too shocked to speak.  To her left another figure appeared.

	"That's right.  You dumped your little girlfriend because you liked 
fucking me better."

	<Andrea> O.O;;;;;;;;;;; </Andrea>

	"Elios!?!"

	"Hn."  He forcefully grabed her chin.  "You liked it better, didn't you?" 
he practically spat.

	"Small Lady."

	She turned and saw a woman is a purple fuku.  "Saturn!  Please, hel-"

	A curved blade pointed at her face, cutting her off.  "You don't *deserve* 
to be helped.  You BETRAYED ME!  You planned it all along, didn't you?  As soon 
as I was out of the picture, you jumped into bed with the closest warm body?!  
You're disgusting!"

	Serenity felt tears on her cheeks, and realised she wasn't crying before.  
"Sa-"

	The blade touched her chin.  "You don't deserve my love.  In fact," said 
woman with a sneer, "I don't know how I *ever* could have loved you.  Or maybe I 
didn't love you from the beginning, and only thought I did.  Yes, that's it.  I 
never loved you at all.  I NEVER LOVED YOU!!"

	The words echoed in Serenity's head as she saw the blade move up, and then 
down with deadly accuracy towards her neck.

	"SATURN!!!!!"

~*~*~*~*~

	She bolted up to a sitting position, sweating and breathing hard.  She 
raised a hand in front of her face and stared at it for a moment.  "I'm...not 
dead?"  The dream had felt so real.  It still held her rigid with fear, words 
still running through her mind.  She looked over at the figure beside her on the 
bed.  He was watching her with concern clearly visable on his face.

	"Otome..."  He layed a hand on her shoulder.  "I saw it.  It wasn't real, 
don't worry, please..."  He brought her into an embrace, slowly stroking her 
back.  "None of it was real.  They weren't real, the words weren't real.  I 
wasn't real.  And she wasn't real."

	Serenity clung to her husband, unwilling and unable to let go for a long 
time.

~*~*~*~*~

	"Yes, of course.  If you need my supervision..."

	"It would be appreciated."

	She smiled.  "It's no problem, Venus.  I'll be there later this week.  
Tell Prime Minister Kinomoto to go ahead with the plans.  She'll need to start 
the construction soon if we want to have the space station in operation by the 
time Omicron Theta is colonised."

	"Thank you."  Vensus looked into the other woman's eyes from her position 
on the other side of the screen.  She hesitated for a moment, and then 
cautiously started.  "Serenity, maybe-"

	"I'm sorry, I have to get going," said the Queen with forced 
cheerfullness.  "I'll talk to you later."  She pressed a button on her desk, and 
the picture of Sailorvenus was replaced with a crescent moon with "Crystal 
Palace" written underneath it.  She sighed.  It had been a week since Saturn's 
miraculous return.  So far, after their last meeting in the medical ward, 
Serenity had managed to avoid the black haired woman by emersing herself in work 
and taking care of Usagi.

	She knew she was making things harder, both for herself and for Saturn, 
but she truly thought this was for the best.  It just wasn't her place anymore.  
She had made her decision two years ago, and she would have to live with that 
choice.  Yes, she did still love Saturn.  She loved her just as much as when 
they first admitted their feelings for each other, if not moreso.  But she had a 
commitment to Elios on which she just couldn't recind.  She had married him, had 
a child, and loved him.  And she still did love him, but was incredibly confused 
about it.  Didn't she want more than anything to run into Saturn's arms, and 
continue right where they left off?  Yes, she admitted.  She repremanded 
herself.  How unfair that would be to Elios!  She wouldn't dream of hurting him 
in that way.  And besides, Saturn...  Saturn hated her now anyway, so there was 
really no point...

	Serenity shook her head.  These were exactly the type of thoughts she was 
trying so hard to keep at bay.  She refocused on her paperwork, burrying the 
thoughts as she did so.

~*~*~*~*~

	Saturn stared out her window, and into the blackness of the night.  A 
point of light just above the horizon shone with a particular brillance; at 
least to her.  It was Saturn, her namsake; her strength; her home.  

	She shook her head as she stepped away from the window and towards her 
bed.  Old memories were resurfacing.  She picked up a mug of coffee off her 
bedside table, and cradled it gently in her hands.  Why on Earth had she been 
reincarnated?  For what possible purpose?  It didn't seem as if there were any 
major threats, or that there would be in the near future.  And the talismans 
certainly hadn't been brought together.  Then...why?  She sighed as she sat on 
her bed.  Small Lady...iie...Serenity was now Queen.  She had a kingdom to 
protect, a daughter to raise, and a husband to love.  Her reincarnation...it 
only served to disrupt this happy existence, and cause the one she loved pain.

	Of course she didn't blame anything that had happened on her former lover.  
How could she?  They had made a deal of sorts several years before the accident.  
"Be happy no matter what."  At the time, she remembered, Serenity had been dead 
set against it.  She almost had to beg to get the other woman to accept it.  
Saturn wouldn't have been able to handle it any other way.  She knew it seemed 
strange, but she was happy about the way things turned out.  Yes, when Serenity 
initially told her she had been in shock, but that quickly gave way to 
understanding.  And she was actually very grateful to Elios.  If it hadn't been 
for him, her angel might not even be here right now.  Elios made Serenity happy.  
That was all that was important.

	So, she had to wonder.  Her being here only caused Serenity pain.  That 
alone was enough to seriously consider living permanently in Titon Castle.  At 
least that way she could lessen the hurt in her love's heart.

~*~*~*~*~

	"Are you sure?"

	"Yes.  I think it's really my only option," replied the black-haired girl 
from her closet, where she was selecting items that would make the permanent 
trip to Titon Castle.

	Uranus sighed and drew a hand through her hair.  "I still don't understand 
why you're putting yourself through this self-impossed exile."

	Saturn stiffened at this, and dropped the coat she held.  Neptune laid a 
hand on her wife's shoulder, and spoke in hushed tones so their daughter 
couldn't hear.  "Don't you, love?  I understand all too well."

	"It's not a question of what I want, Uranus."  Saturn spoke in an almost 
cold tone, her speach formal, and her eyes never meeting those of her papa.  
"It's not selfish, and, no, it doesn't have anything do with the good of the 
kingdom.  The only thing that matters....the only thing that's ever mattered is 
the happiness of the person I love."

	"And that's /not/ selfish?"  Pluto, who had remained quiet for some time, 
now spoke softly while looking out one of the many windows in the room.

	Saturn smiled kindly at her mother.  "No, not really.  If I was being 
truly selfish I would ask you to manipulate time, and change the entire course 
of events.  I'm not doing this for myself.  I really could keep living in the 
palace, even if meant I'd be faced with the happy royal family every day.  I 
could deal with my own feelings.  But I know if I continue to live here, I'll 
just serve as a constant reminder to Serenity of what we used to share.  None of 
this is her fault -- I know it and everyone else knows it.  But she doesn't, and 
I know she's having a hard time coming to terms with her feelings, and with the 
situation.  It's best for everyone that I just leave.  That way, things will go 
back to how they were before my reincarnation."

	"But...you just got back..."  Uranus now looked depressed, all traces of 
her former anger gone (disapeared??) (THSAUR**).

	"I know, but...there's nothing stopping you from coming to visit me."  
Saturn smiled at her papa.  It was strange, even though Uranus was obviously a 
woman, one that had no wish to ever be a man, Saturn still thought of her as her 
papa.  She reasoned that it was because Uranus had done all the papa-like things 
with her when she was growing up -- motor sports, baseball, piano...  Well, the 
last wasn't nessecary a papa-like...  And Jupiter had just as strong an interest 
in sports as Uranus did...  Oh, well.  Uranus was her papa, Neptune was her 
mama, and Pluto was her other mama.  Even after all these years, she couldn't 
think of them as anything else.

	"This move is just to put a little distance between Serenity and myself.  
Of course you are all welcome on Titan Castle, just as you were during 
our...leave.  And so are the other senshi, of course."

	Neptune nodded solemly.  "I understand."  She hugged her daughter tightly, 
trying to make herself believe that she wasn't losing her again.

	"If it's what you want..." Pluto got up and followed Neptune's lead.

	Uranus was the last to accept the inevitable.  "I still don't agree with 
your dicision, but I guess I can accept it."

	Saturn smiled while in the hug.  "Thank you, papa.  That means a lot to 
me."

~*~*~*~*~

	It had been decided that a quiet, unannounced departure from the castle 
would be best, especially for Serenity.  The other senshi knew, and most had 
said their heart-filled goodbies in the few days preceding Saturn's leave.  Now, 
only Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto stood with her to see her off.

	"Thanks for everything, minna," said a smiling Sailorsaturn.

	Both of her mothers and her father hugged their daughter one last time, 
all three with tears flowing down their cheeks, though Uranus was trying hard to 
keep hers at bay.  They all promised to visit as often as possible, and made 
Saturn promise that she would call them at least once a week.  Saturn had to 
laugh at this.  Even after all these years, she swore they still thought of her 
as a child.

	With centuries of practice, transporting from Earth to Titan Castle had 
become almost second nature.  As she materialised in one of the great halls, she 
couldn't help but feel emotionally exhausted.  So much had happened over the 
last two weeks.  First her miraculous reincarnation, which sent a shock wave 
over the entire population of the solarsystem.  Then the revolation that Small 
Lady not only had become queen, but also got married and had a baby.  After 
their talk in Saturn's bedroom, the pink haired woman had avoided her.  This 
hurt Saturn more than anything else.  She knew, though that Serenity was feeling 
painful guilt, a feeling that was growing and could have killed her if something 
wasn't done.  So Saturn had done the second most painful thing in her life, and 
left to try and elliviate some of the guilt from her soulmate.  The first 
occured almost 1000 years previously, when she left for Titan Castle the first 
time.  Even Mistress 9 and Tomoe-kyouju's experiments were nothing compared to 
this.

	Saturn collapsed onto the floor and cried long, long into the night.

~*~*~*~*~

	Serenity sat in her office playing with Usagi, and talking to Elios.  This 
was the best she'd felt in a long time.  It was wonderful to see the smiling 
face of her daughter, and hear her laughing joyously.  She and Elios were 
discusing inconsiquencial things for the first time it what seemed liked months, 
but really it was only weeks.  Serenity had to marvel at how much Elios was 
giving his unconditional support though all the traumatic events.  She expected 
him to be at least a litte jealous, and maybe even angry, but he genuinely 
wasn't.  She couln't believe how lucky she was to have married this man.

	Serenity was also glad to have some much-needed quality time with her 
daughter.  She was just over a month and a half old, and Serenity hadn't been 
spending as much time with her as she would have liked.  Officially, she was 
still on maternaty leave, but she felt the overwhelming need to burry herself in 
work after Saturn arrived.  Fortunately, Elios had convinced her to take the 
rest of the day off, and managed to get her to work only two hours a day for the 
next few months.

	Usagi was so cute and adorable.  Her eyes had begun to change from baby 
blue to deep purple, and she had a tuft of curly silver hair on top of her head.  
She seemed quite content and happy, and was very well-mannered.  At least, she 
had been.  In the past week, she seemed to sense something was wrong with her 
mother, and would frequently cry.  But today, her nomal demenor had reasserted 
itself, and she was having a wonderful time with her parents.

	There was a knock at the door, and Serentiy cheerfully asked whomever it 
was to enter.  She was even happier when she say Diana, in human form, walk in.  
However, at second glance, there was something very wrong with her.  Diana 
seemed deeply worried and sad.

	"Diana...what's the matter?"

	Diana, one of her closest friends, looked almost lost.  "I'm sorry, 
Serentiy, but I have to deliver something to you.  Um...maybe it would be best 
for the two of us to go to your room..."

	Serenity shook her head.  "Here is just fine.  Diana, you know I don't 
keep anything from Elios."

	Diana looked apologetic, and actually smiled a little.  "I'm sorry...I 
guess I'm just a little on edge."  Slowly, she handed Serenity a page of folded 
while paper.

	As she read, Serenity's eyes went wide with surprise and infinite sadness.  
She read aloud, 

	"'Serenity-sama e,

	"'I still fell odd calling you that, you know?   I can't seem to get Small 
Lady out of my head.  But I guess that's to be expected.  Serenity, when you 
read this, I'll already be on Titon Castle.  I'm sorry...but I just had to 
leave.  And I need to tell you why.

	"'First off all, get any ideas out of your head right now that I hate you 
or don't love you any more.  God, nothing's farther from the turth, and deep 
down, you know it, too.  Of  *course* I still love you!  I always will, and 
nothing you ever do will ever, EVER change that.  Understand?  I love you more 
than life itself!

	"'Secondly, I wholeheartedly understand, support, and even encourage your 
marriage with Elios-sama.  Serenity, I know you remember the discussion we had 
several years ago.  I had to *beg* you to promise me you'd find happiness if 
something were to ever happen to me.  You know the most important thing to me is 
your happiness!  And Elios-sama makes you very, very happy.  I can't thank him 
enough for helping you and being with you.  Just so I'm abolutely clear, 
marrying Elios-sama was the best possible descision you could have made at the 
time, and I agree with it one hundred percent.  I don't know what I would have 
done if something awful happened to you!

	"'Now, I'll get into my exact reasons for leaving.  I know you feel 
extremely guilty right now.  You think you betrayed me, and that I didn't love 
you anymore.  I hope what I've said so far makes it clear to you that those 
thoughts aren't true at all!  But, I still know you feel oppressive guilt, and 
having me around was only compounding it.  Serenity, with me in the Palace and 
on Earth, you would be constantly reminded of your misplaced guilt, and that 
might end up hurting you errevecally.  I couldn't let that happen!

	"'You have every right to deserve a happy family life with Elios-sama and 
your daughter.  I wasn't going to spoil that for you.

	"'Please, if there's one thing I want you to remember from this letter, 
it's this: be happy, no matter what.  Please, it's all I ask, and all I ever 
want for you.

	"'I love you always,

	"'Sailorsaturn yori.'"

	Serenity had to pause to catch her breath.  What?  Saturn was gone again?  
She left because of me?  But...she still loves me?  How can she after I betrayed 
her like that!!  Serenity shut her eyes tightly, trying to block out the 
emotions that were wheling up inside of her.  She should go after her, she should 
tell her that she loved her, and that they would never be apart again.  But she 
couldn't.  Too much had happened, and she had a duty to stand by her dicisions.  
Was her life always going to be filled with pain?

	Elios could see the tears falling from his wife's eyes, and took her into 
a tight embrace.  She was now sobbing uncontrollably, and he could do nothing 
but whisper words of comfort and understanding.

	That letter just confirmed what he had to do.  He had thought about it 
almost constantly over the last few weeks.  In fact, it was something he had 
even promised to himself before he proposed.  Yes, he definitely would be 
carrying out the plan.

~*~*~*~*~

	The next morning, Serenity was just waking up.  She rubbed her eyes 
sleppily, and felt the overwhelming urge just to close them and go back to 
sleep.  But...she had duties to attend to.  She looked over at the clock that 
was on her bedside table, and cursed under her breath.  10:47.  How did it get 
that late in the day?  She never slept in that late!  Then she remembered the 
letter.  She must have been emotionally as well as physically exhausted, and 
Elios had let her sleep.

	She looked over to her husband's side of the bed, and got a very large 
shock.  Nothing was on his bedside table.  She jumped up from the bed, and 
rushed over to his closet and drawers.  Nothing.  How could this happen?  She 
was almost panicing over his whereabouts when the door to the large room opened.  
She spun around and saw her husband standing in the threshold.

	"Otome...iie...Serenity-sama, may I enter?"

	Serenity was even more shocked at his behaviour.  What on Earth could be 
going on?!

	She ran to him, and grasped his hand.  "Elios...you're scaring me," she 
said in an almost panic-stricken voice.  "What's happening?"

	He hugged her to him, and stroked her back.  "Shh...it's alright.  
Everything will be fine, you'll see."  He lead her into the room, and sat her 
down on the bed.  He joined her, and held her hand tightly in his.

	"Serenity, I'm afraid I must leave."

	"WHAT?!  Doushite?"  Extreme fear could be seen in her eyes.  Was everyone 
she ever loved going away?

	He gave a small smile.  "I can explain everything."  Elios took a deep 
breath, and plowed forward, his heart tightening with loss.  "I've always 
planned on doing this, if such a thing ever happened.  Serenity, I knew when I 
married you that I would never even begin to replace Sailorsaturn in your heart.  
What you two had was very special, and could never be duplicated.  So I knew 
that I was residing in another, smaller part."  He could see her begin to shake 
her head, but stopped her with his words.  "Please.  I know it's true, and 
believe me, I was just happy to get any part at all.  And as long as we were 
together, it didn't matter.  I loved you and you loved me, and we were happy 
together.

	"But I always knew that your love for Sailorsaturn would never die down, 
and that it was still she who occupied most of your dreams.  Serenity, you were 
happy with me, but you were happier with Saturn."

	"Elios!"

	He smiled at her, a sad smile.  "I would never stand in the way of your 
happiness."

	"But, Elios, what about you?  I mean..."

	He cut her off again.  "I'll...manage.  Somehow."  His eyes had turned 
into liquid pools, and were quickly gathering moisture at the corners.  "But 
that does not matter.  The only thing that matters to me is you, and if we 
continued in our marriage, I would be the most selfish person alive.  I can't do 
that to you, and I wont."

	"But where will you go?"

	"Back to Elysion.  I've been going back and forth all these years, but I'm 
going to live there permanantly again."

	Tears were rapidly falling from Serenity's eyes.  "You don't have to do 
this for me.  Your happiness is important to me, too!  I don't know if I could 
live knowing...that I broke your heart."

	Elios smiled again, but this time it was a happy one.  "Otome," he used 
his old nickname for her, and it seemed to help Serenity, "don't worry about me.  
I'll be fine; there's lots of work for me to do.  Believe me, seeing you with 
Saturn again would make me infinitely happier than if you stayed with me."

	Serenity sighed.  She knew she wouldn't be able to change his mind.  And 
there were more important things to discuss.  "What about Usagi?"

	"She'll stay here, of course."  He looked over to the crib that had been 
set up in their...her room.  "But is it alright it I visit her on occasion?"

	Serenity looked shocked.  "Why would it not be alright?!  Of course you 
can!  She's your daughter, too. You can come as often as you like.  I would 
expect nothing less than equal time spent with both parents, even if we won't be 
living togehter anymore."

	Elios looked beyond happy.  "Arigatou.  I really appreciate that.  Maybe I 
can have her when you're working and very busy, and vice versa."  The pink 
haired woman nodded approvingly.  "But we can work out the specifics later," he 
said.

	With that, he stood up, and helped Serenity to her feet as well.  He 
walked over to the crib, and carefully brought the sleeping baby out, and held 
her in his arms.

	"Goodbye, little one.  Papa will be back really soon, and we'll get to do 
all sorts of fun stuff together, I promise."  He kissed her on her forehead, 
then gently put her back, proud that he'd managed not to wake her up in the 
process.

	He slowly stepped away from the crib, and felt arms go around him.  
Serenity hugged him tightly while still crying.  "Elios...all you've done for 
me, how can I even begin to thank you?"

	He hugged her back with equal intensity.  "Never.  Never feel you have to 
thank me for anything I've done.  It was all done with love for you."

	She nodded.  "I want to let you know....you'll always have that place in 
my heart.  I'm eternally grateful for all that we've shared."

	He stepped back, and put his palm on her cheek.  "And I'll never stop 
loving you.  Promise me one thing.  Be happy."

	She nodded.  "I will."  She smiled, a true, open smile.  This incredable 
gift that he was giving her...  She could only ever repay him by finding true 
happiness.  And she was sure she would find it.  It was just a matter of time, 
now.

~*~*~*~*~

	Serenity wasted no time.  Once she dressed, she made a quick call to 
Sailorvesta, and just told her she was leaving for a while.  How long she would 
be gone, she had no idea, but she told her the King would be taking over for 
her, and had her authority to handle any matter that might come up.

	She also entrusted him with Usagi, saying he was still completely welcome 
to stay in their old room.  He smiled and nodded.

	"Everything here will be fine.  Go to her."

	She hugged him one last time, then envoked the power of the ginzuishou, 
dissapearing with a flash.  She was so nervous.  In truth, she wasn't sure how 
Saturn would react.  From reading the letter, she was pretty sure she wouldn't 
be rejected...but there was a part of her that was terrified at the prospect of 
facing her former (and hopfully present) lover again.  But there was nothing she 
could do but hope...

	In no time at all, she arrived at Titon Castle.  She appeared to be in a 
large hall, ornately decorated, and with large oval windows all around the 
circular room.  There, at the other end of the room, a figure stood.  At first, 
Serenity couldn't make out who it was.  They were faced away and were wearing 
black from head to toe.  But as Serenity stepped silently closer, there was no 
doubt in her mind it was the woman of her dreams.

	She knew she hadn't been noticed, and was glad.  This let her take in 
Saturn's ethereal beauty.  She really hadn't gotten a good look at her since she 
appeared on the lawn those weeks ago.  Serenity couldn't help thinking that she 
looked exactly the same.  The same shimmering black hair, the same long sleak 
legs, the same wonderfully cute ears...  She even stood the same, with her arms 
hugged around her, and her right leg crossed in front of her left.  It was 
almost too perfect to spoil the moment, but after all this time, Serenity 
couldn't help but act.

	She walked up directly behind the paler woman, and put a hand on her 
shoulder.  The Senshi of destruction and renewal spun around with a clearly 
startled look on her face.

	"Small Lady?!"

	Serenity smiled joyously, and wrapped her arms around the slightly taller 
woman [check height from part 3 (or 2? o.O;].  She spoke softly, and with much 
emotion, "Tadaima.  Finally...finally...I'm home."

~*~*~*~*~

	Saturn retreated from the embrace, and turned her back to the pink haired 
woman.  Serenity looked unbelievably confused, but Sakurn spoke before she could 
say anything.

	"Why have you come here?"  Her tone of voice seemed devoid of any emotion.

	Serenity was confused.  Why wasn't Saturn happy to see her?  Maybe she 
really did hate her after all...

	"I...I don't understand...  I came to be with you...  To tell you that I 
lo-"

	"*Please*!!" Saturn cut her off.  "You shouldn't have some."

	"Why?"

	"You read my letter?"

	"Yes."

	"Then you know the reason why."  Saturn wrapped her arms around herself as 
if she was trying to remain upright.

	Serenity was beginning to get angry.  "Yes!  I know why!  'For my 
happiness.'  Everything is always for my happiness!  You and Elios...you both 
sacrificed yourselves for *my* happiness.  Well, let me tell you something!  
It's not only my happiness that's at stake here!  *You* deserve to be happy, 
too!"

	Saturn had turned around at Serenity's sudden out-burst.  She continued to 
stare at her, eyes wide.

	"Besides," said the Queen, her voice soft, "you make me the happiest I 
could ever possibly be."

	Saturn seemed to melt at her words.  All her fears and feelings of duty 
washed away; the only thing she could think of was pulling the other girl into a 
tight embrace and never letting go.  Fortunately, she had enough sense to do 
just that.

	"Oh god, I love you!"

	Eyes sparkling with tears, Serenity replied, "Watashi mo.  Aishiteru, 
zutto."  She pulled back from the embrace just enough to meet Saturn's lips in a 
long, hard, and incredibly passionate kiss.

~*~*~*~*~

	The two women spent that night together in each other's arms,
re-exploring their bodies and reaffirming their love for one another.  It all 
felt so natural, like hardly a day had passed since they were last together.  
After all the pain, misunderstandings, and sacrifices they were finally together 
again.

	Late into the night Serenity laid in Saturn's arms, both silent, but happy 
and content.  After a long while, Serenity broke the tranquil silence.

	"Saturn, I have to ask you something before anything else happens."

	The other girl stared at her lovingly while stroking her hair.  "What is 
it?"

	Serenity sat up in the bed, and held Saturn's hand tightly in her own.  
She closed her eyes, and a shimmering light enveloped her.  A crescent moon 
appeared on her forehead.  The display seemed to end as soon as it began.  She 
opened her eyes, and smiled brightly.

	"There."

	Saturn was still looking at her in obvious curiosity, until Serenity let 
go of her hand.  Sitting there in the palm of Saturn's hand were two gold rings, 
one with a brilliant rose quartz stone, and the other with an exquisite 
amethyst.  Saturn looked up in obvious shock.

	"Saturn," Serenity began, "will you join with me and solidify our love for 
all to see?  Saturn, will you marry me?"

	Sweet, simple, and to the point.  No other words needed to be said.  The 
dark haired girl smiled sweetly.  "Yes.  Together, forever."

	Serenity had tears in her eyes, and made no effort to hold them back.  She 
picked up the rose quartz ring from Saturn's hand, and placed it on Saturn's 
ring finger.  "A piece of my heart to always carry with you."  She meant it 
quite literally.  When she was holding Saturn's hand, she took a fragment from 
each of their hearts and embedded them in the stones.

	Saturn brought her eyes up from looking at her engagement ring, tears 
spilling down her cheeks.  She repeated Serenity's action, and placed the 
amethyst ring on Serenity's ring finger.  "A piece of my heart to comfort and 
protect you, always."

	Tears streaming down flushed cheeks, the two women came together to meet 
in a passionate kiss.  This kiss seems somehow different from all their previous 
kisses, though.  It was almost as if a spark travelled between them, signifying 
the intensity and commitment of their new bond.

	Both women collapsed in a heap of sobbing, ecstatic, happiness.  They 
laughed as they cried, thinking of how silly they must look right now.  But it 
didn't matter.  The two would now be together forever, their love stronger now 
than it had been before, and their relationship set firmly and set irrevocably 
in stone.

	They would be together forever, and that's all that mattered.

~*~*~*~*~