As you all know, Sailor Moon and related characters don't belong to me. I'm just a poor fan. OPERATION END THIS STORY LINE By Cloretta Bailey Baileyct@ionet.net Episode 5: Too Many Moons Here's the buzz sailor fans: The scouts have successfully saved Serena from Rubeus' evil clutches but have discovered she was the victim of another nefarious plot. Serena is pregnant. Will she have the baby? What could that mean for Darien? Read on and find out. Serena gave the her friends and relatives a blank look. "Pregnant?" Each of the faces of her family and friends was filled with concern even pity. She gazed at the vanity mirror across the room. As she stared at her reflection, the truth slowly permeated her brain. Serena put her hands to her mouth to stifle a scream. Tuxedo Mask gathered her in his arms and rocked her. "I'll get him for you, Meatball Head." "He's a dead man," Evan added. Serena jumped out of Tuxedo Mask's arms. "Darien's not responsible. He didn't touch me, I swear." "I was referring to Rubeus. May he rot in hell." "Watch your language. This show is for children." "May he rot in heck." Mercury suggested Serena get cleaned up. As Serena walked toward her restroom, the princess bent double with her first contraction. Mercury's mother arrived at the front gate 20 minutes later. Because of the heavy press coverage out front, Evan had to go get Dr. Anderson personally. Both the press and the police wanted to know why she was there, but Evan refused to answer. By this time, Serena had already experienced a second contraction and her water had broken. No one wanted to hear Luna admit that fast births were normal for children of the Moon. Especially not the doctor. She was forced to except that her daughter was a superhero. Amy, however, had failed to inform her that the cats talked. She had also forgotten to mention that the patient had wings. The doctor examined Serena and got a new surprise. "How did this girl get pregnant? She's still a virgin." Serena and the others were relieved to hear she hadn't physically been raped. "Rubeus must have used some sort of invetro fertilization," Mercury deduced. "He is still a dead man," Tuxedo Mask mumbled. It was close enough to rape for Darien. Only Rubeus' painful death would be justice. Dr. Anderson tired to get people to leave the room. The scouts refused. They had to guard their princess. Rubeus could attack at any moment. They, however, managed to get the doctor everything she needed for an at-home-delivery. They couldn't take Serena to the hospital. Her labor was proceeding too rapidly. Tuxedo Mask was in pain. Every time Serena had a contraction, she dug her fingernails into the palm of his hand. Sammy was there with the family camcorder. He intended to video tape the birth but the expressions on Serena and Darien's faces were more interesting. He ripped off Darien's mask to get a better image. He felt sure this could bring in some money. Throughout the labor, everyone gave Serena encouragement. Then at last the baby came. "It's a girl." One slap on its butt and it was obvious the baby belonged to Serena. They had the same wail. Other than Dr. Anderson, Mercury was the first to see the baby. She had been assisting her mother. Mercury stifled a scream. The other scouts looked at the baby and stared in horror. "What's wrong?" Serena asked. Dr. Anderson handed the baby to its grandmother. Ann gazed down at the babe in her arms. "She's beautiful like her mother." "She sure is," Evan said. "She bawls like her too," Sammy added. Serena didn't remove her gaze from the faces of her friends. Fear clutched her heart. "What is wrong with her? Give her to me." "Nothing's wrong," Ann replied. "She just has a birthmark on her forehead similar to the one you had when you were born. It will fade away in a couple of days. Yours did." "Serena's has returned, dear." "Amy had one on her forehead when she was born too," Dr. Anderson said. "It was gone the next day. I thought I had imagined it." "My symbol is the sign of Mercury," the teen said in a huff. "It does not look like THAT." "Give me my baby," Serena begged. Ann placed the new born in Serena's arms. The screaming baby quieted and fell asleep. Serena thought the baby was perfect with its little mop of red hair. Though the baby hadn't opened its eyes yet, Serena instinctively knew they were blue like hers. She smiled and looked at Darien expecting to see the same joy she felt reflected in his eyes. She was disillusioned. He was as horrified as the scouts were. Serena's new joy crumbled. Darien hated her baby. "I want to see the baby," Sailor Mini Moon said. Serena dabbed away a tear and lowered her arms so Mini Moon could get a peek. The pink haired child didn't waste any time letting her feelings be known. "It's an enemy from the Negamoon." Serena looked again at her baby daughter. She had been so enthralled with the child she had not noticed the symbol on the girl's forehead. There was a golden crescent moon, but there was also a black crescent moon. The two moons together resembled Venus' crescent beam sign. "What are we going to do?" Mini Moon asked. Serena smiled in assurance. "I need the Silver Imperial Crystal." Though Mini Moon was reluctant, she removed the Crystal Star Locket from her sailor suit and reverted to her usual appearance. Renie then handed it to Serena. The princess activated the crystal's healing process. The black crescent moon vanished. The baby giggled in her sleep. Serena looked at her friends and saw their relieved expressions. She could not bring herself to look at Darien. She didn't want to see the contempt he felt for her baby on his face again. Dr. Anderson wanted to transport mother and child to the hospital. Though the baby had powerful lungs, she was still tiny. The doctor planned to phone for an ambulance. "Why don't you teleport there?" Sammy asked. "Good idea." Serena gave her daughter to Ann and raised the Crystal Star Locket. The scouts assured her Renie could do the job, but Serena wouldn't hear of it. Being Sailor Moon was her job. The transformation worked as it usually did. The wings formed into her sailor suit and the crescent moon vanished as the tiara appeared. Sammy's eyes bulged. "She really is Sailor Moon." The nurses were surprised to see the scouts and others--including two cats and a baby with crescent moons--suddenly appear in the maternity ward lobby. They quickly admitted Serena (now in her normal appearance) and the baby. Serena was given the room nearest the nursery where the scouts stood guard. One nurse in particular was very helpful. She personally assisted Serena to bed then went to the nursery. She bathed baby girl Moon, took her measurements, weighted her and placed her in a bed near Mercury who was speaking to Dr. Anderson. The nurse smiled when she overheard Mercury refer to Dr. Anderson as "Mom." She walked to the nurses lounge and picked up a phone. Her cousin, Nancy Bargis, was going to owe her big time. * * * * * * The house was deserted. The speculation around town was that the princess would be at this house. Rubeus wondered from room to room looking for confirmation that she had been there. Nothing downstairs. He morphed upstairs and walked into a bedroom. Blankets were thrown in the floor and the sheets on the bed were crumpled. Tiny lights, dancing on the ceiling, caught Rubeus' attention. He looked around the room to see what was creating them. The morning light shown through a window. He looked outside. There were still several humans on the street below. He wasn't concerned with them; he wanted to know where his prize was. The light through the window glared off pieces of broken glass lying on a vanity table. Rubeus inspected the glass and smiled. Aging liquid. She had been here, but where was she now? Commercial Break Darien sat next to Serena's bed with his head lying on the bed rail and dozed. He was still in his tuxedo but he wasn't wearing his mask. He had put it in his vest pocket. The identities of the scouts were public knowledge. His identity might as well be known too. No one was sure what Serena intended to do with the baby, but giving her up for adoption wasn't an option. As a moon princess the scouts had to protect her. Judging from Serena's expression when she first laid eyes on the newborn, Serena had no intention of parting with her. With that in mind, he and Evan had finally come to an understanding. Darien was going to claim paternity and have his name placed on the birth certificate. No way would he let Rubeus claim that privilege. The slime wasn't likely to try legal avenues to get custody of the baby, but Darien wasn't going to risk it. Darien wasn't sure how he could afford to help with the baby's expenses, but he intended to try. He would probably have to sale his motorcycle or his red sports car. The car would bring in the most money but then he was making payments on it. At least he could get rid of the debt. He liked the car but it could never compare to a certain little red-head gazing at him with adoring eyes and calling him "Daddy." "Good morning," said a cheery nurse as she opened the shudders to let in the morning sun. Darien lifted his head and squinted at the light. Man, he was tired. He hoped the scouts were getting some rest. They would need to be alert when Rubeus attacked, and Rubeus would attack. Serena groaned and lifted her head from the pillow. "Turn out the light." "Sorry dear, I'm your morning nurse. It's time to take your vitals." While she recorded Serena's blood pressure and temperature on a chart, Darien walked over to the window. The press had accumulated out front. "You needn't worry about the press," the nurse said. "Security won't let them near our patients." Darien laughed. "They better not try it. Mars wants to give them a hot foot." "I'm hungry. When's breakfast?" Serena asked. "It's been nine months since I ate anything." "It will be here in a few minutes, dear," the nurse answered as she left the room. "Where's Mom and Dad?" Darien came away from the window. "They were talking to the police last time I saw them. You were a missing person." The detective wanted to talk to Serena, but she would have to get through him to do it. She had interrogated Darien like he was a murderer. He wasn't giving her the chance to treat Serena that way. "How long was I missing?" "Three weeks." Serena didn't have to ask. Darien told her how they found her. "Mercury believes that the gray slime you were in was some kind of aging liquid that accelerated the gestation process. She called the sisters. They confirmed that such a substance exits in the 30th century. Mercury intended to have it analyzed, but she left all her samples at your house." Breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs and pancakes. Serena gobbled them down and asked for seconds. Darien pulled his wallet out of a trouser pocket that wasn't there a moment before. Sammy was out in the hall annoying Mars. Darien sent him to the cafeteria after breakfast rolls for everyone including one for Serena. He also promised to sneak her a package of M & M's from the vending machine in the lobby later. Serena opened a carton of milk. "Why are there two cartons on my tray?" "Probably because a lot of mothers breast feed and need the extra milk," Darien answered. Serena choked and spilled milk on herself. She folded her arms over the front of her hospital gown. "No!" Darien pulled a tissue from a package of Kleenex sitting next to Serena's breakfast tray and handed it to her to dry herself. He assured her she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to do. Serena got a sad look on her face. Darien asked her what was bothering her but she didn't answer. He wasn't sure how to broach the subject of the baby so kept quiet. An awkward silence built up around them. Sammy delivered a couple of cinnamon rolls on his way to give the other rolls to the scouts. Serena and Darien picked at their rolls. The silence was suffocating. Finally, he could stand it no longer. "Serena--" "Why are you here?" They spoke at the same time. "Where else would I be?" "I'm not your responsibility. You don't have to be here." "Come on Meatball Head, I want to be here." "Why," she cried. "Because I'm such a baby, I can't take care of myself. Well, I've got news for you. I don't wear diapers anymore." "Serena--" "It's obvious to me that we are destined to be together only once, and that isn't for another thousand years." "That is ridiculous." After Darien said those words, he realized it was a mistake. "If you don't shut-up, you are going to mess up that chance too." She wiped away a tear. "Please leave, I have no wish to cry in public." "I'm not public." "You don't look like my parents or my brother. You're not a cat, and you don't wear a sailor suit. Therefore, you're public." Mars rushed into the room. "What's going on?" "Serena, I love you." Serena reached inside her pillowcase and retrieved the Crystal Star Locket. "Get out. I have a crystal and I'm not afraid to use it." Mars dragged Darien out into the hall. "Give her a break. She's been through a lot." He walked to the nursery. Baby girl Earth (Moon had been crossed off of the name label) was asleep in her crib. Darien pulled the mask out of his pocket. Serena wasn't the only one who could hide tears. Mars went back to see if Serena needed anything, but Serena only wished to be alone while she cried. What could she say? How could she explain when she couldn't explain it to her own heart? Darien loved her, but he didn't love her baby and never would. She could not condemn him to a life as a step-father to a child he could not stand. He was incapable of hiding his feelings. The girl would grow-up knowing he despised her. Serena refused to do that to them. The baby may have an evil father, but she was a moon princess and Serena loved her. Serena would have to spend her life alone. She already had an heir. Someone to take care of the Silver Imperial Crystal and guard the world. She didn't need a husband. She could never replace Darien. He was the only man she would ever love, and she would never settle for less. Serena curled up in a ball and cried harder. "Why the tears, my dear?" Serena started to say she wished to be alone till she realized to whom the voice belonged. She sat up and looked around the room. "Queen Serenity?" The spirit of Queen Serenity materialized on Serena's pillow. "Was that necessary? Are you certain Prince Darien can not be the baby's father?" "He doesn't want to be." "Have you asked him?" Serena pulled a tissue from the package of Kleenex and blew her nose. "One look at her and he will always be reminded of Rubeus." "So you must choose between them?" "Darien can live without me, but she needs me." Ann walked into the room carrying the newborn. "Time to feed the baby." When she saw the apparition, her jaw dropped open. Serena squealed and threw the covers over her head. After a moment, she peeked out. "Does it hurt?" "Not when you have a bottle." Queen Serenity stepped off the bed and became a full length apparition. "May I see her?" Serena introduced her two mothers and held her daughter so Queen Serenity could see. The little one squirmed in her arms. Queen Serenity smiled. "She looks like you." "I was thinking the same about you and Serena," Ann said flatly. "My time here is finished. Follow your heart Princess Serena. It will not steer you wrong." She turned to Ann. "I could not have chosen a better family for my dear one." Then she was gone. Ann sat down on the edge of the bed. "You really are someone else's daughter." Serena heard the depression in Ann's voice. "Princess Serena belongs to the Queen. I belong to you. I love you Mom." The two hugged. "Now I know why I was compelled to name you Serena." "What were you going to name me?" "I hadn't decided. Your father wanted to name you Bunny." Serena's eyes became dots. "Bunny Moon. I don't think so. I would never be able to wear pink. I would look like the Energizer Bunny." "Have you decided what to name the baby?" Serena gazed down at her baby. She was greedily sucking on her bottle. Serena pushed a tiny red curl away from the golden crescent moon. "Crystal, after the Silver Imperial Crystal that healed her." Serena made a face. "Oh, but I wanted to name her after her grandmothers too. You and Queen Serenity." "Crystal Serenity Ann. What a lovely name." "How come you were allowed to bring Crystal in here? I thought only nurses could do that." Ann had a cryptic gleam in her eyes. "The nurse had no wish to become a popcicle." Commercial Break Rubeus lay on the sofa and waited for the Moon family to return home. He had searched for clues to their current location but found nothing. His boredom had him pitching a throw pillow in the air and catching it. After a few minutes even that got old, so he tried juggling two pillows. He didn't know how. He reached to catch both pillows at once. One pillow hit him on the head; the other hit the small table next to the sofa and knocked an object in the floor. Rubeus retrieved the object and inspected it. The object had several white buttons and one red He pushed the red button. A large square object in front of him suddenly produced a picture of a man standing in front of a tall building and talking. 'It must be the ancient object called a television,' Rubeus thought. Just as he pushed another button, the man mentioned Sailor Moon. Rubeus had to push several more buttons before the television produced the man again. ". . . she could have had a baby in three weeks. Speculation is running rapid here at Tokyo General Hospital. Is Tuxedo Mask the father? The scouts refuse to talk. For more details stay tuned to--" So the new princess had been born. She and his prize were waiting for him at a hospital. The Silver Imperial Crystal would probably be there as well. They were guarded by the scouts. The task of getting all three would be formidable. Rubeus would dally no longer. He decided to use all the droids at his command. * * * * * * Serena was watching the same news report, but she wasn't listening. Queen Serenity had advised her to follow her heart. Serena's heart said grab a hold of Darien and never let go. But her head ruled. It knew the three of them could never be a happy family. Serena could see no other way but to continue to let Darien believe she would not forgive him for treating her like a child. If he knew the real reason, he would pretend to care for Crystal. Serena couldn't bear it. Darien couldn't even act. His attempt at Prince Charming had proved that. If this was what being an adult was like, Serena didn't want any part of it. Responsibility was too hard. Renie entered the room with her Luna ball floating behind her. "Here's the M & M's Darien promised." She sat on the bed with Serena. "Did you and Darien have an argument? You both look depressed." Serena didn't want to discuss her failed love-life. Especially not with the product of a life in which she actually got Darien. The more Serena thought about it, the more she believed it was the only life in which she would. Serena opened the bag of candy and gave some to Renie. She hoped Renie would stuff the candy her mouth and shut-up. Renie ate a couple of M & M's. "Where is the Silver Imperial Crystal?" she asked. "You're safe now, so I can take it home with me." "You're not going anywhere. Your father wants you to stay here until it's safe." "It will never be safe till Mommy is free, and we need the crystal to save her." "You're not taking the crystal into the future. I am." "But--" Serena pulled Renie into her arms and rocked her. "I know you have been Sailor Moon in my absence--" "Sailor Mini Moon." Standing corrected. Serena continued. "You have been very brave and I am proud of you. Even so, I am bigger and stronger than you and have more experience using the Silver Imperial Crystal. I am going." "I want to go with you." "No, it is safer here." "But--" "I need you to help the scouts look after my baby." Being nestled in Serena's arms felt familiar to Renie. She looked into Serena's eyes. "Maybe you really are my Mommy." Renie agreed to stay and handed over her crystal key. She instructed Serena how to use it. Serena retrieved the Crystal Star Locket and transformed. Sailor Moon activated the crystal key. She started floating upward. Mars came into the room and tried to stop her but she was too late. Sailor Moon disappeared through the crystal key's ring of clouds. Tuxedo Mask and the other scouts rushed into the room followed by Serena's family. Now was not a good time for Sailor Moon to disappear with the Silver Imperial Crystal. Rubeus was outside trashing the news reporters. Entering the hospital was his obvious goal. And he had at least a hundred droids with him probably even more. Commercial Break "Renie," said Tuxedo Mask. "Call Crystal Tokyo and tell Sailor Moon to get back here." "She went to save Mommy." "I doubt if your Mommy wants you to be captured," Mars said. Renie made the call, but the answer she received wasn't good. Sailor Moon hadn't landed in the palace nor had she landed at the defense headquarters. She could be anywhere. The scouts were on their own. "I'll get the baby." Mercury rushed out the room. They couldn't stay there and endanger the lives of everyone in the hospital. They would have to try to escape. A task that would be nearly impossible because they couldn't teleport to safety without Sailor Moon. "We can't beat that many," Venus said. Mercury returned with baby Crystal in her arms. "We'll just have to fight the best we can." "I'm going to take a few of them with me," Jupiter vowed. "We might not be able to get out of this alive, but Renie and Crystal will." Tuxedo Mask took the baby from Mercury's arms and smiled down at her. "Be a good little girl for your grandparents." He handed her to Ann. "Take the baby and Renie and sneak out the other end of the hospital. Get as far away from here as possible. We will keep Rubeus and the droids busy." "I want to stay with you," said Renie. "NO!" the warriors yelled. Tuxedo Mask squatted down to Renie's level. "I need you to help protect the baby. Will you do that for me?" "I promised Serena I would." "Then stay with the Moon's." Tuxedo Mask turned to the scouts. "Ready?" "Ready!" The warriors rushed out the door toward the biggest battle of their lives. To Be Continued Commercial Break Having a child is a great responsibility. Parents can no longer go anywhere they want at a moment's notice. The child's needs must come first. So wait until you are older and wiser to begin a family. You will do yourself and your children a favor. SAILOR MOON SAYS Eye wink and giggle.