							March 2000
			Secret Garden 3: Final Battle
				Scene 2				


	Gentle hands skimmed over his chest, the slim fingers lazily
 tracing a path from the base of his neck to his navel and back.  He
 rolled towards the touch, reaching out to capture the fingers quickly in
 his own and then brought them to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on each
 tip.  He opened his eyes to see Serenity's eyes widen as he nipped at
 one of her finger tips.  "Good morning," he said softly.

	"I think it is night." She replied, her voice catching in her
 throat.  

	He felt the heat and passion begin to spiral through her and
 smiled, "Probably.  We missed dinner?"

	She nodded, her eyes glued to his mouth.  He licked the tips of
 her fingers between his words, sending shivers of electricity through
 her system, down her spine, to coil low in her belly.  After nearly a
 month of treatments and teasing designed to arouse her, the technique
 quickly achieved its desired effect and she began to shiver.

	Endymion pulled her closer into his body, bringing them heart to
 heart as his head bent to hers.  Her foot slid up his calf muscle,
 curling around back and gripping the fabric of his pants in surprisingly
 dexterous toes.  They lips met and melded as his hands slid down to her
 shoulders and he rolled on top of her, never breaking the kiss, and
 deepening it instead, teasing her lips, the roof of her mouth and the
 line of her teeth with elusive darts of his tongue.  She moaned,
 gripping the back of his head and curling her fingers into his hair as
 his whole length pressed her into the soft mattress.

	Endymion finally broke the kiss and nuzzled her neck, "I should
 have been gone by now," his voice was muffled by her skin as he nipped
 at her neck.

	"I..." she gasped as he bit her gently, her neck arching into the
 kiss, "I know," she stammered out.

	He smiled, nipping her neck again and eliciting another moan and
 catch of breath.  "I love how sensitive you are to my kisses," he told
 her softly, breathing into her ear as he nibbled his way up and finally
 traced the shell of her ear with his tongue.  He pulled away to look at
 her face, tracing her features with eyes the color of night, a tender
 smile on his lips.  One of his hands pushed the gentle honey colored
 strands out of her face and she slowly opened her eyes to look at him.

	"What are you looking at?"

	"Only the most gorgeous, tender Angel in the heavens.  I have to
 keep telling myself you are real, Serenity, for fear that I will open my
 eyes one day to find all this a dream."

	"Never.  You and I are one, my love," he grasped his face between
 both of her hands and looked deeply into his eyes, "Joined, heart, mind,
 soul and body, nothing, not even death, can part us.  You are inside me
 in every possible way, Endymion, and you will never leave."

	"I know, Angel, but it does not stop my fears that this may some
 day end.  I do not wish to loose this happiness, this peace, with you,
 even though war will soon be upon us."

	Serenity gently brushed his bangs out of his eyes, "Think of me,
 my prince, and you will find all the peace, all the love, to see you
 through any situation.  Think of me, and I will carry you through."

	He silenced her with a kiss, his feelings, his emotions, welling
 through their bond and telling her without words that no matter what was
 to come, they would always have each other.

******

	Endymion stepped off the transporter pad, his knees locking as
 Earth's gravity took a hold of him and pulled downwards with a familiar,
 and welcome pull.

	"Endymion!" Queen Mindaya stepped forward and stretched her arms
 out to embrace her son, "Welcome home, my son." She looked around
 expectantly, "Where is Serenity?"

	Endymion embraced his mother and smiled, "Thank you, mother. 
 Serenity sends her deepest regrets and most sincere congratulations. 
 She did wish to come but she must learn what preparations have been made
 for defense on the moon, as I must learn ours here.  She promises she
 will come and visit with us sometime before the end of the month."

	Queen Mindaya smiled, "And the congratulations?" 

	"It is my understanding that I have a new sibling.  Were the
 reports mistaken?"

	Mindaya blushed, "Of course not.  Come, I will take you to your
 new brother."

	"Brother?" he inquired as he offered her his arm.  

	The Queen accepted graciously, nodding, "Yes brother.  Your
 father is quite proud to have two sons to carry on the family name." A
 worried look crossed her face and she bit her lip, "Your father had to
 go to the front lines to rally the troops, we are expecting an attack
 any day now.  I fear for his safety."

	Endymion grasped her hand resting on his arm in the crook of his
 elbow with his free hand and squeezed her fingers, "Father has lasted
 through many civil wars, mother, I am sure one more will not be the end
 of him.  And if it is, he will go like the soldier he is.  Do not fear
 mother, my brother will grow up knowing his father."

	She looked up at him, "It is not your father I worry about the
 most, darling.  I fear more for you than I do for him, as much as I care
 for the man.  You area married man, now, my son, and I fear you will be
 called on to give your life before your father is.  I do not wish for
 your brother to grow up without your guidance."

	Endymion squeezed her fingers again, "I do not wish to dwell on
 possible futures, mother.  I know the dangers I will soon be facing, and
 they may terrify me, as does the thought of never seeing my beloved
 Serenity, but I will be fighting to make the universe a place where
 Serenity and my children can grow in peace.  A place where my brother
 can grow up to be a man without worries such as war."

	"All very noble," agreed his mother, "but loosing you will not be
 any easier know you are fighting for something you so believe in."

	Endymion stopped at a door in the palace, allowing a servant to
 open it, before leading his mother through.  He stepped into a nursery
 done in soft shades of blue, red, darker blacks and greens and his eyes
 fell on the huge cradle in the corner.  His mother released him, going
 to the side of the crib and bending over it, her hair gleaming in the
 light as it fell over her shoulder.

	Endymion found himself marvelling at how much his mother looked
 like a young maiden in that pose, looking all the world like a maiden
 with her first babe, the wonder and adoration plain on her face.  He
 stepped forward as the illusion broke and the Queen straightened, a
 squirming bundle wrapped securely in her arms.  He gently raised one
 hand and moved the blanket out of the way.  His face froze in a mask of
 amazement as he looked down into the small, chubby face of his younger
 brother.  The infant sported a mop of black hair, dark skin and a pair
 of eyes that were almost black as they looked around quietly at Endymion
 and Mindaya.  Endymion gently ran one finger over the back of the
 infant's closed hand, smiling as the tiny fingers curled around his.

	"He is very handsome." Endymion murmured softly.

	"Like his father and his brother." Mindaya answered back, smiling.
  "Endymion, this is your brother Damien."

	"Damien.  I like it." His gaze never drifted from the infant as
 he gently stroked the soft flesh of Damien's cheeks. 

	Mindaya eyed her eldest son, "Would you like to hold him,
 Endymion?"

	His gaze flew to hers, "Would you let me?"

	She offered the bundle to him and Endymion gingerly accepted,
 mimicking her stance and gently cradling Damien in his arms.  "He is so
 small..." his eyes darkened and her finally voiced a concern of his,
 "Mother, what if Serenity is already with child?"

	Mindaya gently placed her hand on his arm, "Then you will deal
 with it as it comes, Endymion.  Come, we can discuss your family and
 your wife later.  Now we must discuss the plans for defending earth from
 the upcoming war." She lifted Damien from his arms and replaced him in
 the cradle, her smile gentle.  "Come, Endymion, I will show you our
 preparations."

********

	Endymion studied the topographic map, tracing the lines as his
 brow creased, "Are you certain this is where they will strike?  You are
 certain?"

	"Yes, my prince," Kunzite tapped his fingers to the one spot on
 the map, "Your father is setting up a trap for the invaders here, our
 contingent will be here," he pointed to a spot a few feet away from the
 hot zone, "by your father's orders.  We, my prince will be stationed at
 the Western most borders for the attack on their main earth base."

	"We are certain that their base is here?  We know they are based
 from Earth now?"

	"Yes, Endymion," Zoisite responded, "We are certain their base is
 here," he pointed to the same spot on the map, "If we remove their base
 of operations they will never be able to operate."

	"And if they escape the bold plan of attack, or counter strike?"

	"Then we will deal with them as we must, my prince.  Will
 Serenity and the Lunarians back us in this venture?" Jaedite was
 studying a list of names of volunteers and enlisted soldiers.

	Endymion nodded, "They will.  Is there any chance of this army
 and their leaders striking at her and the Moon?"

	"None that we foresee, your highness." Kunzite said firmly.

	Endymion felt his palms sweat at their cold assurances.  His
 friends didn't believe there would be a threat to his wife and her
 mother.  He clenched his fists, "Well, plan for something.  I do not
 wish to return home from the front lines to find that my wife has been
 taken captive."

	"They will not strike the moon while we attack their main base,
 your highness," Nephlite finally spoke up, his voice calm, "They do not
 have the resources to spread their forces so thin."

	"And if we underestimate their power and return to find the moon
 in shambles?  My friends, I am afraid that you are not taking this
 seriously.  I fear that these enemies we are facing are more powerful,
 more cunning than you give them credit for." He slammed his palm down on
 the table in front of him, looking at each of his Generals in turn,
 "Beryl and Diamond have made threats to me and to my beloved, and those
 threats involve removing either me from her life, or stealing her from
 mine.  If no one except me takes this threat seriously then I will
 station myself at her side for the duration of the war and I will not
 leave.  Each of you know that she is my life and my reason for living,
 should anything happen to her..." he trailed off, his gaze meeting each
 of the General's solemn looks.  

	"Perhaps it is for the best, your highness.  We can handle the
 fight with the fortress, and the Lunarians can protect your and the
 Princess." Kunzite studied him carefully, "Unless you would rather we
 four go with you."

	Endymion shook his head, "No, Serenity will be safe with me and
 her guards.  When the fortress raid is complete meet me on the moon in
 preparation for the assault on the Dark Moon." He nodded to each of them
 and then turned and left the room, leaving them to plan their raid.

	His boot heels clicked on the polished floors as he purposefully
 made his way towards the throne room to speak with his mother about the
 change in plans.

	Queen Mindaya's voice was raised and distorted as he approached
 the throne room, the tone betraying something akin to anger with an
 underlying fear.  His pace quickened as he heard a loud, reverberating
 crash, and he broke into a run, tearing the main doors open and flying
 into the throne room, his hand on the hilt of his sword as his mother's
 scream filled the corridors.  He stopped, wide eyed, at the scene that
 greeted him.

	Queen Mindaya lay on the floor, unconscious, perhaps dead, a score
 of warriors in colors he didn't recognize, mostly blacks and dark
 greens, in various positions about the room.  His gaze narrowed on a
 woman standing near the Queen, a bundle of black and red cloth in her
 arms, a small cradle lying broken and shattered on the floor at her
 feet.  Endymion drew his sword and advanced slowly on the woman, paying
 little heed to the warriors about the room, his eyes on the bundle she
 held.  Damien.

	The woman looked up, smiling, carefully shifting the bundle in
 her grasp to give Endymion a clear view of his little brother, "Halt,
 prince, or I will make sure your brother does not see his first
 birthday."  Her eyes were red, a black cloud surrounding her body, and
 she was dressed in head to toe in black, her face covered by black
 paint.  

	Endymion felt his blood run cold hearing the threat to the
 newborn, "Who are you that would threaten an innocent?" he demanded,
 dropping his sword from the aggressive stance but maintaining his hold
 on it as the tip touched the floor.

	"I am the Angel who will save your brother from your fate.  I
 take no pleasure in having to steal him from his home in his first
 months of life, Prince Endymion, but this is necessary if you wish for
 your brother to live a normal and peace filled life.  I take no pleasure
 in this."

	"Who are you?" he asked again.

	The woman turned, revealing a shock of hair that blended in with
 her black outfit almost perfectly, only the green highlights in her hair
 distinguishing it, "I am time.  And in time, you will understand.  I
 must go, do not fear for his safety, prince Endymion, your brother will
 remain unharmed and will be returned to you should you win this war with
 the Black moon and the Lady Beryl." She stopped, looking back over her
 shoulder at him as a black portal opened in front of her and her
 soldiers began filing through.  "Your mother is not dead, prince, tend
 to her.  And a word of caution.  The Lady Beryl will stop at nothing to
 have you, just as the Prince Diamond will stop at nothing to have
 Serenity, guard her well, your highness, for all of our hopes and dreams
 live or die with her.  Farewell."

	Endymion watched as the mysterious lady stepped through the
 portal and was gone.  He walked swiftly to his mother's side, his mind
 turning over what the lady had said as he gently rolled the Queen onto
 her back and took her pulse.  Strong.  He breathed a sigh of relief and
 gently lifted her, carrying her out of the room, not noticing the
 figures of the guards who seemed frozen in their positions, unable to
 move, throughout the throne room.

	Endymion carried the Queen to her chambers and laid her gently
 down on the bed before stepping back.  'How can I leave her knowing what
 I do about Damien and the strange woman?' he asked himself quietly, 'And
 yet how can I stay?  Damien is in good hands, the woman, despite her
 threat, will keep him safe, of that I have no doubt, but who will keep
 my Serenity safe if I do not?' his gaze went to his mother and he shook
 his head in frustration, clenching his fist, 'Serenity, I miss you,
 darling, and I've been gone less than a day.  I know more about our
 preparations than I could learn in a week, and now this.  I want to be
 with you, Angel, but can I leave my mother before Damien is returned to
 her?'

	Endymion closed his eyes, searching for the familiar energy
 within him and bringing it out completely, feeling Serenity's love
 engulfing him, soothing his turbulent emotions and allowing him to think
 clearly. 'Angel, you know my feelings on this, you know my thoughts.'
 Her feelings and opinions drifted back to him, engulfing him, a sense of
 impending doom almost overshadowing everything.  'You want me to stay?'
 he thought to her shocked, feeling her agreement. 'Why?'

	He swayed on his feet, seeing the images of her mind forming in
 his.  He saw the Earth burning, the castle in ruins and the bodies of
 his family littering the entrance way, himself missing from the picture.
  He swallowed hard, 'Very well, my love, but I will be back with you
 before the week is out, as I have promised.' He told her silently.  He
 felt the thrill of pleasure and anticipation run through her before he
 concentrated and their link faded to the gentle, constant light burning
 in his heart.  Over their honeymoon they'd learned to tuck it away
 inside, and draw on it as needed or wanted and now he drew on her
 strength, opening his eyes to focus on the still unmoving form of his
 mother.  He sighed and retrieved a chair, settling into it to wait for
 his mother's revival.  He has much to tell her before the plans to take
 the enemy fortress went through.

********

 Author's Note: Alright, that's it for part two and part 3 is in the
 works... yes it's going to be heavy on the romance but at the same time,
 you've got to understand I'm trying to write a universal war here!
 *laughs* Just bear with me, I promise I'll try and make it worth the
 wait... thanks for reading!

 questions, comments and flames to Jade_Max@innocent.com


