Elora Danan This takes place before the Nega moon attack in Crystal Tokyo. As always, I still have no money, but you can sue me if it makes you feel better. Standard disclaimers apply, and I?d really, REALLY appreciate some email?My box is so empty..I?ll even take FLAMES? Empty Carriage The rising sun awakened Endymion as he slowly sat up. He hated the very idea of traipsing around Crystal Tokyo with Serenity so close to her time, but she had insisted that she was all right. Besides, time had increased her stubborn streak, and there would be no talking her out of the idea. There had also been talk of unhappy factions within the city planning to make trouble, but he felt confident that they could stop them. As he heard the bells at the Starlight Tower begin to toll Serenity, ever at his side merely rolled over and ignored them. "Sere, love. We need to get moving." "Mmmm." "Sere, don't make me tickle you." No response. He reached down beneath the sheets and began to tickle her sides. What started as a mumbled; "Don't" emerged into laughter that echoed through the recesses of their private chambers. "I yield! I yield!" "Good. Now, will you get up?" "I suppose." she stretched and sat up. Her very round belly was plainly visible beneath the sheets, and Endymion smiled beatifically at her. "How is our baby today?" "Very energetic. She kept kicking my bladder last night." "Are you all right?" "Yes. I'm fine. Just a little tired." he leaned over and kissed her good morning. "Well, before Micheal comes in and wrecks the morning, I suggest we get a move on and prepare for the day. Are you certain you want to attend so close to the due date?" "Yes, We'll be fine. Stop worrying." He got up, and after helping Sere to her feet headed for the shower. He bathed quickly and left the water running for her. As she climbed in, Micheal came bounding into their chambers exuding more energy than an old-style nuclear plant had ever managed. "Good Morning, sir. And how are you this fine day?" "Fine, Micheal, just fine. What do you have for us?" "I have just the information about today's event, sir. I believe today's ceremony is her majesty's last until after the baby is born, correct?" "Yes. Micheal, what is the weather supposed to do today?" "I believe it's going to be sunny and warm, sir. I'll be waiting for your timely arrival as always, sir." Micheal turned and left their chambers quickly as Serenity opened their bathroom door. Endymion smiled brightly at her, dazzling her. "What are you up to?" she asked suspiciously. "What makes you think that I?m up to something?" he fought the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. Stepping forward, he wrapped her securely in a hug, smiling into her hair. "You?re hiding something.." "No, I?m not. I?m just happy to be with you. Now, Do you want help getting dressed?" "No, I can manage. You worry about yourself instead of me for once." She gave him a gentle shove in the right direction and sat down on the bed to pull on her socks. He watched her for a moment longer before heading for the closet to finish dressing. Once he finished, Endymion helped Serenity rise and buttoned the back of her dress for her. Her expression was pained, but she hid it well beneath her mask of Serenity. "You all right?" "Yes." She smiled weakly at him. The Ecars were lined up before the Palace in their usual array. Two headers, two chasers and the standard laser-proof "Royal centerpiece" as it were termed. Endymion noted how Serenity?s arm was tightly clamped around his, her fingers were bone-white. One look at her face said; I?m going to do this. He only prayed that she would be able to admit that she couldn?t keep this charade going forever. The streets were filled with people, each hoping to get a look at the King and Queen. The drivers had done this many times before; they knew exactly how to get through throngs like these. Drive slow. Endymion knew that the inner court was following them in one of the two chaser cars, and he hoped that Amy was scanning Sere?s vital signs. She didn?t look well at all. "Sere, I?m getting to the point of ordering you to remain in the car. You don?t look well at all." "I?m fine!" her voice was adamant. She would not yield or back down. And she would not listen. Those standing outside the hotel where the speeches were to take place waited eagerly. The sun was shining brightly overhead, striking the windows and making it impossible to see in. The children were bouncing up and down on the other side of the police lines, waiting for the Royal couple to come out. Endymion motioned to the driver to pull up to the curb, they would get out and go ahead as planned. He just hoped she would be all right. As the door opened, cheers and thunderous applause rose from the crowd. Endymion stood and straightened, holding his hand out for Sere. She took it carefully, squeezing slightly to get his attention. As he turned and looked, he saw her pale, tired features melt into her usual warm smile. The children shrieked gleefully as she stepped out, and more than a few would have barreled toward her if not for the police lines. They walked forward easily, Endymion wrapped his hands in hers, offering support in the only way he knew how. They walked inside and seated themselves on the stage, waiting as the President of the Workers Guild came up to speak and thank them. The President was a thin, light haired man of good temperament and of decent breeding. He stepped out onto the stage smiling gracefully at both monarchs. All the while, he was waiting for the signal to duck. When terrorists had come to him and asked him to set this up, he had initially refused. Anyone would have, with the Queen so close to her time. But they had promised his children would be delivered to him in bags if he refused. A life for a life. Wasn?t that how the saying went? Endymion felt a shiver run up his spine as the President took the podium. He turned to Sere to ask if she had noticed anything wrong, but she was oblivious to the world at the moment. Eyes half closed, she looked as though she were about to pass out from the pain. He was just about to rise and cancel everything when she looked up suddenly. A figure dressed in black stood on the far side of the auditiorium. The sight and sound of an explosion tingled in his senses. Death. Suffering. Loss. Endymion?s mind flashed the images before his eyes quickly. The figure raised his hands and pressed the palms together, whispering; "Time?s up." Endymion instinctively reacted, pushing Sere to the floor and pinning her there with a knee. The explosion he had known of rocked the room. The cries of confusion gave way to nothingness. He couldn?t hear. He struggled to sit up, collapsing before he was half-way. Serenity! Where was she? There! Her face was half covered in blood, leaking from a gash on her forehead. He cried out, but heard nothing but the dim roaring in his ears. A puddle of water was around her, he felt as though his heart was about to burst in fear. The baby! He looked about for help, seeing nothing but the sunlight as it streamed through the holes left by the explosion. Suddenly faces surrounded him. Voices he wished he could hear. Fingers touched him, then all seemed to coalesce into someone he recognized. Raye. "Endymion, can you hear me?" "Endymion..?" He slowly blinked back to awareness, shaking his head he started to rise. "No, don?t get up. Can you hear me?" "Yes." He coughed; relishing in the feel of air as it rushed through his lungs. "Where is she?" his voice was no more than a squeak, yet it held fear, no, panic for his wife and unborn child. "She?s unconscious. Amy?s taking her to the hospital now. Are you all right? Do you need to be checked out?" "No, I?m fine." Raye reached down and pulled him to his feet. Standing up, he discovered, was a miracle indeed. The world spun for the first few minutes, and he could the blackness trying to claim him. Fighting off the comfort the darkened world offered he opened his eyes to face Raye bravely. "Let?s go. I need to be with her." Hand in hand they started for the Ecars. The people waiting for them looked up sadly as Endymion limped at Raye?s side. They knew she had not told of the danger both Serenity and the baby were in most mothers in the crowd had known she was in labor the second she stepped from the car. By now, Serenity was fighting to keep herself from succumbing to the darkness. Amy had rushed her into the delivery room, preparing to do surgery if necessary. Nurses scurried about restlessly, waiting, watching. Serenity was barely conscious; her forehead was bleeding from a blow suffered during the explosion. "Sere, stay with me. You hear me? Stay with me." Amy kept repeating it over and over. Serenity?s eyes fluttered each time, until at last they closed and didn?t open again. "Damn!" Amy screamed it loudly. Giving birth to the baby just got a whole lot harder. She slid Sere?s feet into the stirrups hurriedly, then turned and grabbed the wrist of one of her assistants. "When Endymion comes, I want you to keep him out, do you understand? I don?t want him in here." The nurse nodded, and Amy let go. "All right, people. We?ve got a baby to save." Endymion dragged Raye through the hospital corridors quickly, letting his senses guide him. Raye tried to slow him down, but he would not be satisfied until he was at her side. Guards were posted outside the doors, at his approach they stiffened, moving forward to prevent his entry. "I?m sorry, your Majesty. Lady Mercury has asked that we not admit you." "Who pays you, Lady Mercury or me?" "Sir, I understand your feelings, I was kept from the birth of my son, but I cannot let you pass." Endymion glared at him a moment longer, then his shoulders slumped and he numbly let Raye lead him away. Amy sat as the early nineteenth century doctors had; like Johnny Bench. The baby hadn?t turned, and for all the technological advances they had made in a millennia, they still couldn?t turn the baby without help. Amy was working hard, yet her hands remained gentle. "My Lady?" "Yes?" "Her majesty is waking." "Keep her still, don?t let her push." "Amy?" Serenity?s groggy voice managed to whisper. "It?s all right Sere. Relax." She tried to sooth, but at that same moment, the baby squirmed. Serenity cried out, her vaginal muscles contracted and Amy felt the baby struggle to breathe. "Knock her out!" "Lady?" "I want her unconscious on the strongest stuff we?ve got! Now! I?m going to lose the baby!" they sprung into motion. One of the nurses took Serenity?s hand and tried to restrain her, but she was flung away. "Amy, the baby! The baby! Oh Gods, it hurts! It hurts!" Endymion could hear Sere?s cries from inside, and he bolted to his feet, running for the door. The guard held him back as though he were a child. Eyes wide with panic, he didn?t see or notice Raye attempting to talk to him or even feel her hand on his arm. Or notice the physician who advanced on him with a tranquilizer, and put him to sleep. Amy watched as one of the nurses finally managed to knock Sere back out. She?d kept a hand in between the baby?s neck and the vaginal wall, even at the risk of crushing her hand. She slowly reached up and carefully pulled the baby out. She was blue. She hurriedly cut the umbilical cord, set her on a table, and began CPR. "C?mon, little one. C?mon. You can make it." There was no response from the infant at all. Amy stopped, and stared at her, tears running down her cheeks. "No.." Swallowing, she bit her lip painfully. Clearing her throat, she forced herself to look away from the baby girl and toward her nurses. "Record the time of death as 11:47, CTST. I?ll clean her up and get her out. Tell Lady Raye to break it Endymion, but don?t let him see her yet." Amy cleaned her old friend up quickly, and had her moved to a private room. Raye managed to call the others while Endymion slept soundly on the waiting room couch. They were all coming as soon as they found replacements. She left Endymion briefly to check on Amy, and found her crying in her office. "Amy, it?s not your fault." "I know. I just?If I had her knocked out before she woke up, the baby might still be alive." "Amy, some things just aren?t meant to be, you know that." "I know. I know." Raye let her hand rest on Amy?s shoulder for a moment before pulling her into a hug. Endymion awoke to Raye?s face yet again. "You know," he whispered softly; "Sere?s going to feel jealous if I keep waking up to you." Raye smiled, a watery, tear-filled smile. And he felt his world deflate. "How is she?" "Serenity?s fine, she?s resting." "And the baby?" both exchanged looks, and he pushed himself out of the couch. "I?m sorry, Endy." Amy?s voice trembled, and he felt his eyes fill with tears. "She?s gone." "She? Oh Gods?" he began to cry. Raye reached over to hug him, but he rose and pushed her away. Instinct led him to the room Serenity was in. She was sleeping peacefully, tired and drawn, she still looked as innocent as the girl he had married a millennia ago. He sensed both Amy and Raye come up from behind. The others were a bit further down the hall. "Does she know?" "No, I haven?t told her." Amy whispered. "I?ll tell her, okay?" he managed to get out. "I?ll do it." "Okay." Five faint whispers from choked throats. "I need?.I need to be alone for a while, okay." He shuffled out of the room, heading for the roof. He needed time to think. When he arrived up there, he found a bottle of wine and a glass waiting for him, along with a note. Endymion, I?m sorry for your loss. I knew of this possibility, but I wasn?t certain it would happen. Be assured that the timeline shall progress, and your happiness is not ended. - Setsuna, Sailor Pluto The darkened sky promised rain. Thunder rumbled in the distance, lightning threaded through the sky and flashed brightly before fading again. Endymion stared blankly at the patterns of light in the distance. He slowly lifted the goblet to his lips, savoring in the bitter taste of the wine as it slid down his throat. It had been a hell of a day. The thunder sounded again, and he idly wondered if Lita enjoyed thunderstorms. She probably did. He stood, leaning against the railing of the balcony. He longed for the rain. The wind began to rise, blowing his black hair back as the first droplets began to fall. Slowly at first, then faster and faster the wind encouraged the rain into sheets. He embraced the pain as the rain stung his face. Dripping and wet he remained until at last his tears mingled with the rain. Lita stood quietly inside, glancing occasionally out the windows. Endymion had been outside for nearly two hours; he'd asked to be alone for awhile. She could hear the crack of the thunder, the flickering lightning. But he was an adult. He would know how best to protect himself. She hoped. Endymion slowly forced himself to his feet, placing a hand over his eyes to block the rain. The lightning had stopped finally, and as he set the glass down, he wiped the tears from his eyes. He knew he should return inside, see to his wife, and to the inner court. But he remained for a few minutes longer, willing the rain to wash away his tears. As he walked back inside, he glimpsed Lita moving back toward their chambers hurriedly. Sere had more than likely asked for him and he felt the wave of despair threaten to take him again. Steeling himself, he headed toward their chambers and pasted a fake smile on his face. He knew, however, that she would not accept his attempts to put it off. Serenity was lying in the center of the large bed, wrapped securely in blankets. Raye was sitting beside the bed; her hand enmeshed with Sere's, offering support. He cleared his throat to get her attention. Startled, she glanced up and smiled weakly at him. "Raye.." his voice was roughened from crying. "Would you give us a few moments alone?" "Of course." she slipped her hand out from Sere's, whose fingers were slackened in sleep. Raye crossed to the door and was nearly out of the room when she glanced back. Shaking her head sadly, she walked out and closed the door behind. Endymion settled on the bed, hovering over Serenity in silence. She looked so worn, so frail that he despaired of the pain their loss had caused. "Sere? My love, can you hear me?" her eyes fluttered slightly, then opened. She faced him with a frightened look in her eyes. "Shh, my love." he kissed her hand gently. "It's all right." "What... happened? Where's the baby?" "Sere..." "Where's the baby?" her voice rose hysterically as she struggled to sit up. "Sere, calm down." "Where?!" "She's gone." he whispered his deepest regret softly, watched as her face fell. Her deep blue eyes filled with tears. "Gone?" her voice trembled, how he wished he could have saved her! "I'm sorry..Oh God I'm sorry!" he held her close as she began to cry, quiet little sobs first, then they seemed to grow louder and more heartrending until at last she cried herself out. He tilted her head back carefully; she was asleep again. He settled her back into the bed, pulled the covers back up around her gently. She needed to rest for now. Rising, he stretched, and headed for the living room. The inner court was seated amongst the white decor of the room, each looked as saddened by their daughter's death as if it had been their own. He entered quietly, slowly until at last he was standing before them. "I would like you to go sit with her, Amy. I want someone there when she wakes up." Amy nodded and immediately rose, heading for their chambers once more. "I'm going to address the public now, many will be curious, and I feel the need to share my pain. Tomorrow will be a day of mourning!" with that, he motioned for them to leave and sank onto a chair wearily. It was Raye who lingered for a second longer, who grasped his chin and pulled his eyes up to meet hers. "It will be all right, you know." He sighed, and forced himself to smile. "I know. It's just... I wanted to be a daddy. I thought I was ready. But, now..she's gone. A whole person, and I wish..." Raye barely held her tears in check as his own fell. "I'm sorry." "So am I." I was going to continue this a little further, but as I looked at the ending, I thought it would be better if I left it alone. Please, PLEASE mail me and tell me what you thought. I could use anything in my mailbox at this point..