Alina GOM: Storm of the Stars--Chapter 8 "Forgiveness" SAILOR MOON SAYS: Wow, that was quite a revelation, right? Freddy is Field is Neflite! Guess I *can* be right sometimes! Sailor Mars: Yeah, will wonders never cease. {Death glance exchange, the two end up back to back, and looking majorly annoyed.} Sailor Jupiter: Break it up! You're taking away from *My* story!!!! Sailor Mercury: Oh dear. I suppose I'll finish the summaries. The Assitant escaped, leaving the scouts in a quandry about what action they should pursue. Lita struggles with her emotions as Field pursues her. She recalls the moments they'd shared, but finds herself overwhelmed by the memory of their breakup. In the past, Neflite worried about his future. Sailor Pluto: I cannot reveal the future, but I can tell you that the events described here continue in GOM: Pyramids of Ice. Sailor Venus: Yeah, it's really cool, so stay tuned everyone! ******present********** "What if they know who I am?"Raye frowned.. "GRANDPA!" She cried "What if they attack him to get to me? I have to get to him." Jaedite transformed. "We can be there before your next breath." He said. Darien held up his hand. "Jaedite, please, let's not rush into anything here...Raye, your grandfather can hold his own. We don't really want to do anything to catch these people's attention. If Nef, Maxfield is correct then that's exactly what they want--for us to use our powers." "We need to do something!" Serena complained. "We can't just sit here.." Maxfield nodded in agreement. "They'll know you're here. We should move Raye soon. They may even be watching...." Lita frowned. "Ken and the others... What if they attack the lodge and!" She scrambled up, weakly beginning to pull her coat back on. "Calm down!" Raye ordered. "You're too weak to get up right now!" Jaedite nodded. "I'll go check on them and then come back here." He prepared to teleport. Darien shook his head. "No. No powers...You and I will go, and get the car. Then we're heading back to Tokyo. Raye, you'll have to get your Grandfather to leave the shrine for awhile. You'll need to keep a very low profile." Maxfield looked at Darrien, surprised. "That's a good plan. I think, though, we should anticipate their next move--being on the defensive just wears us down with worry." "We need more information." Raye added. "We need to know everything!" "I don't have all that much. I wish I had more I could tell you." He paused, picking up the files. "We need to contact Amy and Mina...we need them now." Serena said, pulling out her communicator. Raye put her hand on Serena. "They're coming back tomorrow anyway. Don't worry them needlessly." Field added " Those creatures could have simply killed Raye if they'd wanted-- but they didn't. Whatever Sinheart wants, he's being very careful. I wouldn't expect him to move too quickly." A thought hit Raye-- "The mask! I filled out all kinds of information when I got it." "So did I!" Lita frowned. "Serena too." "That means they know our names too?"Serena said worried, as she grabbed for Darien's hand. "It's a possibility.."Field said. "I wish I could get into his computers---That woman had some sophisticated devices--I'll bet anything he's got files somewhere that detail what he knows." "Amy could do it." Serena said... "So maybe all three of you ladies should hide. We can't stay here though. I don't have another safe house." He said pensively "We've got friends. " Lita said. "One's they probably don't know about yet. " "You'll have to be careful. Assume you're being followed. Assume that they'll investigate everyone you know. "He frowned. "Don't underestimate Sinheart. I did and almost died." A few hours later, Jed and Darrien had informed Lita's friends that Raye had been in an accident-- and that the girls were going to take her to the hospital. "We were through skiing anyway." Ken responded, "Kerri's in no shape either..." Meanwhile, Raye, Serena and Lita sat on the train, too tired to even talk over what was bothering them. Finally Serena couldn't take it. "I'm Hungry!" she wailed, reverting under pressure. "Can't we stop to get food!ohhhhhh" "We're on a train, meatball head." Raye muttered. "We have to wait. How can you be hungry at a time like this?" "I don't know. What's starving myself going to do anyway? I wish I had a pizza and --" "Serena!" Raye looked a little queasy. "I could go see if there's a concession stand. " Lita said, exiting the small private room. "All this sitting is making me nervous. Besides, I want to see if there are any cute guys around!" As she ran into Maxfield Stanton, she ammended her wish--that was one cute guy she didn't want to see. "I thought you were staying in your hideaway." She said meeting his grayish blue gaze. "I'm coming with you." He said. "Lita, I'm not going to abandon you when you're in trouble. I can't lose you again. " "I'm not an object! You don't just lose and find me! And I don't need your help. I don't want to see you! Don't you understand that?" She said. "You don't mean that. You can't mean that! " He said. "I don't care how long it takes. I'll keep fighting for your heart." "Your fighting killed her. Twice" She said "I've got to take Serena this food." He took the plate out of her hands. "She'll survive. Don't you believe what I told you? And what do you mean I've killed you twice?" "I don't want to explain it. Why should I trust you anyway?." "Somewhere, inside of you is the girl that loves me. I've just got to reach her." "She doesn't exist anymore." She replied. "That's not true. You're still wearing my earings." He said. She held his gaze uncertain, feeling electricity crackle between them. "Why should I forgive you?" She grabbed the plate. "Because I love you." He said. Images swirled in her mind. "I always have. I always will. This time I won't let anything or anyone stop me from being with you. I was wrong to try to deny my feelings for you before--and you're making the same mistake now. If you want to keep hating me, and being miserable with it then I can't stop you. Go on, let anger hold onto you..." "I..." She hesitated, lowering the tray that blocked him from her. His eyes trapped hers in blue-grey storm of intense longing. "but my arms are a lot warmer." He moved forward, placing his arms on hers. "The stars say our hearts are linked forever." "Forever?" She asked, dropping the food, and splattering the noodles along the floor. They didn't notice. Seizing the chance, he pulled her into in a close embrace. She didn't resist, and in fact, kissed him with all the pent up emotion that crackled underneath her skin. "This doesn't mean I forgive you entirely." She said when she could, the words almost lost against his cheek. "At least, I may forgive *you*, Freddy, but I don't know about your other selves. " He knew what she meant--Neflite. Who was this person they told him he was? He still couldn't understand it. "As long as you love *me*. I don't care if you're still angry. If I could change what's happened I would! But I can't do anything about the past." Just give me a chance to make it up to you!" He replied "The past is gone, and that's what tomorrows are for. A chance to make things better." She tightened her grip on his hand. "Together." "Good, but can you call me Field? " He said with a smile. **END OF CHAPTER 8 & STORM OF THE STARS** Author's notes: OK!!! I *really* want to know what you think! Did you like the Maxfield/Freddy twist or does it just seem impossible (even in a world of sailor suited soldiers?) I know this was *longer* than GOM:ITF, but there was a lot more foreshadowing in this...plot points that pay off in the next two sequels. So there are a couple of things that seem irrelevant but are like "acorns" which form the roots of the next stories. (Like, who the *boss* is...and what happened in the past.) alinasan@yahoo.com