Title: Against All Odds
Author: Lisa
Chapter: 2
Author's Notes:
Here's chapter 2! I hope everyone is enjoying this story so far, and that it's not boring. Please excuse the typing errors, since I type very fast, and don't see it when I make a mistake. This chapter is in Serenity's p.o.v. Sorry, but this chapter is very short. Now, if you want me to send any chapter or story, that I've written, then e-mail me and tell me which ones you would like. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed my stories, or has sent me an e-mail concerning it. On with the story!
Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and the others don't belong to me, but this story does.
******************
I faltered. "Uh...Prince Endymion..." His question really caught me off guard. I swallowed a bit, nervousness taking over me, engulfing my entire body. "I'm..." The words just didn't seem right. I couldn't find the right words to say to him. I hated deceiving others, but what was I to do in that particular situation? "Well...my name is Serenity because..." I languished.
"Go on." He looked at me, then at my crescent moon symbol engraved on my forehead. He touched it with his fingertips. "It is warm." He pointed to the symbol. "Not tell me that this is not the sign of royalty." True enough, it was. I could not let him know my secret.

"Prince...I am from the moon...but I am not Princess Serenity." I articulated tenaciously. "My mother named me after our brave and beautiful queen, Queen Serenity. That is all." Now that wasn't a complete lie, but enough to make me feel heartbroken. Endymion risked his very own life to save me, and in return, I lie to him.
I turned away from his intense gaze. I knew he was searching my eyes for the truth. He did not believe me. "Prince Endymion...please...stop." I beseeched, feeling the familiar sting of tears in my closed eyes.

"Very well, Serenity. I shall believe you then." He lay down once more. "You may leave now." He gestured towards to partially opened door.
I shook my head. "No my prince. Please...I want to take care of you. You jeopardized your life to safeguard me...this is the only way I can show my full gratitude." Taking his hand in mine, I looked into his deep blue eyes. So mesmerizing...enchanting...bewitching. I could drown under his gaze.

I blushed bright pink, realizing how long I was staring in his eyes. "Prince Endymion...do you agree?" I questioned him.
He nodded slowly. "As you wish Serenity, only under one condition." He hesitated for a second.
"That you be careful. You are from the moon, and there are so many people out there that think the people of the moon are dangerous. I don't want you to be hurt, and I can not protect you anymore..." He trailed off.
I bowed to him. "Thank you my prince. For your hospitality, and your valor. If it wasn't for you...I would probably not be alive today. I will be back soon. Very soon." I simpered a bit. "See you." I left his quarters.

Endymion seemed so nice, kind, generous. I wonder...could it be that he is the one for me? That is possible for I feel these deep emotions when around him. He makes me feel...better about myself. Perhaps if I were to get to know him better...we could be friends...and maybe more.

I picked up the mini communication device Ami had given me the nigh before. Sitting down on my bed with a sigh, I pressed to small button to turn it on. "Mother..." I whisper.
After a moment of silence, the worried face of Queen Serenity came into picture. "Serenity...my daughter." Queen Serenity mumbled, tears in her eyes. "I miss you Serenity. Are you okay? Are they treating you well?" She inquired.
I nodded. "Yes. The prince is extremely nice." I could barely hear my mother whisper the next words.
"Prince Endymion is your soul mate." She murmured unconsciously.
My eyes went wide with excitement, and fear. "Mother, what did you say?" It seemed like my mother had just snapped out of it. She instantly covered her mouth. "Uh...nothing dear."

"Your Highness, we need you." A voice was heard. I could see my mother cringing. I tittered a bit. "It's okay Mother. Talk to you again. I love you."
"Love you too Serenity." With that, the connection was cut off.

I sigh. What was a girl to do? Suppose that I go visit the prince. He must be bored staying cooped up in bed all day...

I opened the door to his room, and peeked inside. I could see him reading a book. "Prince Endymion...I am here." I walked timidly over to him. Could I be even more timorous than this?
Endymion looked up from his book, a smile instantly forming on his face. "Serenity, how nice to see you." He put the book down on his nearby table. "Serenity...come...sit down." He motioned for me to sit down.
I beamed. So the prince didn't mind my company and care. "Prince Endymion..." I started slowly, "...how are you feeling?" I asked timidly.
I could see a smile on his face. "Why so shy Serenity?" He asked, a grin on his princely features.
I sigh. Prince Endymion is unlike any other prince I have ever met, I would have to admit. He is so...normal, and not so formal. I don't like formal princes I guess.
"Prince Endymion...I don't know all that much about you. But once I do, you will see a change in me, I promise." I took his warm hand, placing it in mine. "Right now, all that matters is that you get better." Tears formed in my eyes, threatening to spill. Endymion noticed, and wiped them off from my eyes gently. He is just so gentle...caring.

"Don't cry Serenity...I will be fine...I promise." His ocean-blue eyes burned into mine with his intense gaze. "Now," He gave my hand a little squeeze. "...tell me more about yourself."
I got up, and helped him fluff his pillow, getting him comfortable. After that, I sat down once more. "Prince...if you really want to know...I will tell you as much as I can." I looked down. I gelt so guilty not being able to reveal my true self to him...but what happens if he hates Princess Serenity? Then he would hate me...perhaps telling him isn't the right thing to do.

I could see Endymion smiling a bit. "It is alright Serenity." He murmured to me, playing with a strand of my hair. And somehow, I didn't mind him doing so. Used to, I hated it when others would even touch me... with Endymion however...I feel...I like it. The feelings that are running through my mind...they are confusing me. I knew this friendship with Endymion would work out wonderfully...and maybe we will be more than friends...

"Prince Endymion, as you know, I am from the moon. I have four best friends who stick by me no matter what. My mother is nice, and I basically have a wonderful life." Well, it was not a complete lie. I did have four best friends, and my mother was very nice and loving to me. But what I did not tell him is the life I have as princess. I did not tell him that I attended long balls...that I was the princess, and my mother was the queen. So much I did not tell him...I hate lying to much. Especially to Endymion, who is just so kind to me.

I could see Endymion rubbing his chin, deep in thought. "I see Serenity. Now, tell me...do you have a..." He coughed, suddenly becoming a little uncomfortable. Of course, being the innocent princess I was, I didn't know what he wanted to ask me.
"Prince Endymion, what is it? You can ask me." I articulated to him soothingly. "You can really."
He looked up. "Anything?" He queried.
I nod to him, showing my approval. "Of course my prince."
"Good. Now...tell me Serenity...do you have a love back on the moon?" Well, no I didn't. But what I want to know is why he would ask such a question...
"No I don't Prince Endymion. Now you tell me, do you have a special someone here?" My face flushed bright red. Usually, I don't ask these questions.
"No. But, lots of girls do chase after me." He replied.
"Oh." Was all I could manage to mutter out. What was I supposed to say? He IS the prince after all, and all princes have tons of admires. Not to mention he is very handsome...guess being prince and being handsome are a great pair, huh?
"Well Prince Endymion...do you need anything?" I asked him, getting up to leave.
He grabbed my wrist. "Please don't leave Serenity. I want you to stay." He pleaded with me. Endymion is just so wonderful...how could I say no? I looked down at my watch. It was about five...almost time for visiting periods to end. "Prince Endymion...you do know what time it is, don't you?" I queried, just to make sure that he did.

He nodded, groaning slightly, making me rush to his side. "Are you alright?" I asked, very concerned. He closed his eyes, and took in a few deep breaths. "Yes. Just felt a little pain in my side, that's all." He clutched the bandaged wound at his side. "Do not worry Serenity." But of course I worried.
"Prince Endymion, would you like me to call in the doctor?" I asked him.
He shook his head. "No need. But..I would like it if you would stay here with me."
"As you wish."

Silence. The whole room was silent. I looked over at Endymion. He just lay there, staring at me. Watching me as I made each and every mood. I could feel a smile forming. Why do I feel so...right when I am with him?
A suppressed knock was heard at the door. Opening it, the other side revealed a servant holding a bowl of soup in his hands. I took it from him, giving him an appreciative glance. "Thank you."
Carrying it back to Prince Endymion, I found him to be reading that book again. But when he saw me again, he put down the book. "Serenity...thank you...for staying." I sat down beside his bed, picked up the spoon, and scooped up a spoonful of it. The tantalizing aroma filling the air. I felt hungry all of a sudden. Well, I haven't eaten in like a whole day so you can't blame me anyway. I wonder what Earth food tastes like...
By smelling the delicious scent in the air, I predicted the soup must have been very tasty. Hungry for some soup, I picked it up, ready to eat it when...it hit me. This was the prince's. Giggling a little at my stupidity, I felt a blush coming at me...full speed. I looked away.

"Serenity, you must be hungry." Endymion chuckled lightly. "Help yourself." He gestured to the soup.
Once again, I was confused. What exactly did the prince mean by ‘help yourself'? "Sire, do you want me to...eat your soup?" I inquired curiously. ‘Not that I would mind.' I added silently. I was very hungry.
"Yes." He answered back, laughing at my expression.
"Uh, what about you, Prince Endymion? Do you want me to get another spoon?"
"No. Ladies first as they say." He smiled. Man, Endymion is just too good to be real. Never disobey you prince right? I picked up the spoon, and tasted Earth food for the first time. Very good in my opinion. In fact, I loved it!

After devouring about half the bowl, I set the spoon down. Getting up, I prepared to get another spoon. Only to be stopped by Endymion. "No need Serenity." Was his reply. I looked at the spoon...to the half-eaten soup...and back to Endymion. Now did he actually agree to eat out of the same spoon? This was getting more and more complicated by the second.
"Prince Endymion, you are not telling me that you want to eat out of my spoon...are you?" Once again, he nodded. "Of course I am saying that." My eyes went wide. Now, if I were him...why would I eat from the same spoon when someone I didn't know well ate out of it? If I were his love...now that's a different story. But this...oh well. Not that I mind or anything...

I fed the soup to Endymion, and during this dinner, he talked about himself, and his home. Endymion is very talkative, as I had found out from that night. But there is one thing that still bothers me...the painting I had seen earlier.
"Prince Endymion...I need to ask you something." I said, putting the spoon down. "It is about the painting I saw yesterday."
"Yes, so you have seen it after all. You are probably wondering why the young woman in the painting resembles you, right?" Well, Endymion sure knew how to really read my mind. I guess I have never met a guy to can. Who's knows...Prince Endymion is full of surprises.
"Um...yes. The young man is you I suppose, right Prince Endymion?" I questioned.
He nodded. "So you guessed. I had special artists paint that portrait. I assume they did a good job, right?"
"You do not know what it looks like?" I asked.
"No. It was finished just yesterday. I did not get the chance to see it yet." He looked down, playing with his blankets. "The woman resembles you...I have noticed. It is amazing how much you look like her..." He took my hand. "The young lady in that picture is the one I have been dreaming about these past years. I believe that she is my soul mate..the one I am destined to be with." My mouth dropped open.
"Prince Endymion...does that mean we are...destined to be together?"
************************
Uh, so...like the cliff-hanger? *giggles* I knew it was a good place to stop! Now, if you really want chapter 3, it will be out in a few days. But failure to send me enough e-mail, then I will stop writing this story...just kidding! But, I do need comments...please? Pretty please? Oh, and if they are flames, not too bad, okay? My e-mail address is LisaZUMstories@aol.com. Feel free to send me comments, suggestions, and whatnot to me. I love e-mail! For those who has stuck with me through Roses, chapters 4 and 5 will be out this weekend. Yes, 2 chapters! Well, thanks for reading!
This story written and posted January, 2001.