Bleed to Love Her 4/? by Meredith Bronwen Mallory mallorys-girl@cinci.rr.com AN: Yes, I know I took a while with this part, but now this story has a life of it's own. I was practically reading it as I wrote it. Anyway, now that I have a few more days before going back to school (college sucks, no matter what anyone else says!) I'll probably get more out. Personal Note: Okay, I have to tell some one. I'M GETTING MARRIED!!! Yup, Meredith Bronwen Mallory will soon be Meredith Bronwen Holt. My boyfriend, Peter, proposed to me on Christmas Eve! Okay, sorry to take up your time, on with the story.... -------- Serenaıs steps slowed as she neared the temple. Suddenly, she didnıt care whether or not Raye killed her for being tardy. The young girlıs mind simply needed time to think, sheıd been running on empty for the past twenty four hours straight. She hadnıt even slept last night, instead sitting by Darienıs side as he tossed and turned with fever. Sheıd only left to prepare some food, and sure enough, heıd woken up then. Now she needed time to think. ³Serena, there is a scout meeting, you know,² Luna reminded her, ³Hurry up.² ³No, Luna,² Serena said, somewhat mutinously, ³I need to think, honestly.² The little black cat looked up at her young charge and saw the weariness in her eyes. ³Very well,² Luna said, as if she was allowing Serena to do something, (she had her pride to keep after all), ³Iıll tell the scouts youıre running a little behind.² Then in a flash, the little black creature hurried of in the direction of Cherry Hill Temple. The blond girl watched her pet scamper off and let out a sigh of relief. Taking a seat by the the fountain in the park, she gazed down into the watery depths. Darien was Tuxedo Mask, Tuxedo Mask was Darien, and both of them were laid up on the couch in her fathers study. She admired, maybe even lusted after Tuxedo Mask, but she loved Darien. a little voice in her mind asked. What about the prince? The prince in her dreams, whoıs face she had never been allowed to see. She didnıt love him, it was impossible to love a dream, but she was forever in debt to him. Whenever she fell asleep, a truly deep sleep, he would be there. She never saw him fully, only felt his strong arms encircle her in a protective embrace. It always made her feel warm and safe, protected from the chaos she was sure was all around. Not only that, but protected from the chaos of Sailor Moon, of having the pressure to save the world almost every night. she thought inwardly. Who would want to wake up if they knew they had a haven in their dreams? Serena wondered WHY she was depressed. Usually she could go about her days on a perpetual natural high. Now days, her good moods seemed flimsy and fake. ³Running a little behind, Meatball Brains?² Raye asked as she walked up behind Serena, interrupting her thoughts. The fiery medium looked very insulted, but her eyes softened when she saw the weary look in her leaderıs eyes. ³Are you alright Serena, you look terrible!² ³Very funny, Raye,² Serena let her head rest against the back of the bench, her eyes raised to the blue heavens. ³No, Meatball brains,² Raye replied, sitting down and raising a hand to Serenaıs forehead, her violet eyes filled with sisterly worry. The blond girl was stunned. She had always suspected that Raye hated her, but now she realized that the sailor scouts of Mars really did care about her. ³Well, youıre not running a fever,² Raye said ³But I want Amy to check you out as soon as we get to the temple. You look, you look like youıre gonna die!² ³Honestly Raye, I had a late night, thatıs all!² Serena protested, rising to her feet slowly. ³Serena, Iım serious, Iım really worried about you, now come on,² she said, grabbing her friendıs hand, ³we gotta...² she never finished, because Serenaıs eyes had rolled back and she was laying sprawled on the ground. --------------- There was something cold on her forehead when Serena came to. With a groan she opened her blue eyes, raising a weak hand to her aching forehead. ³Hey, Serena, are you all right? You gave us quite a scare there,² Lita said, gently forcing her friend to lay back when she attempted to sit up. ³Stay still,² Raye ordered, ³Amyıs still running analysis² ³Oh what?² she asked. ³On you, silly,² Lita replied, ³When Raye brought you in, it was the first thing we did.² Serena nodded, laying back down and surrendering to Rayeıs somewhat less than tender ministrations It was nice to be taken care for once. Sheıd been going on nothing at all for so long it seemed. A smile crept to her features when she remembered her dream. If she concentrated hard enough, she could almost bring back feel of her dream princeıs hands on her shoulders, gently massaging, taking away the tension, then the little tingles that ran down her spin as he lovingly kissed her neck and hair.... Serena bolted upright. DARIEN!! ³Oh my gosh, what time is it!?² she asked, in a panic. ³Whoa, relax there Meatball head,² Raye said, ³Itıs noon, why?² ³Darien! I left him back at my house. He said he would sleep, but that was an hour and a half ago,²² Serena said worriedly. ³Iım sure heıs fine, Serena,² Lita assured her, ³And you can leave as soon as Amy says youıre all right.² ³You called?² a small, blue haired girl asked from the doorway, computer in hand. ³Hey Ames, would you tell these two mother hens that Iım fine so I can go home and take care of Darien?² Serena asked. Ami blushed and walked to the end of Rayeıs bed, which currently housed Serenaıs lithe body. ³Iım afraid I canıt do that, Serena,² Amy said softly, looking down and studying the computer screen. ³What, youıre joking right?² Serena asked, searching her Mercurian friendıs face. ³No, Serena, she isnıt joking,² Luna said, hoping up onto the bed and into her young chargeıs lap, ³You need to listen to her and pay attention.² ³What wrong with Serena?² Raye said, worried. Amy shook her head and brought up a display on the computer. ³If youıll remember,² Amy began, ³when I first received this, I took energy readings on each of you, for future comparison² ³Yeah, I remember,² Lita said, ³That was boring.² ³Well,² Amy went on, fixing her aqua eyes on Serena, ³While you were out, I took energy readings on you again. Serena, I honestly donıt know WHY this is happening, but, youıre energy levels are dropping steadily, as of now, they are approaching terminal levels.² ³T-terminal?² the three other girls echoed worriedly. Serena felt tears sting her eyes. ³Why, why am I loosing energy? Is it from the battles? Have I used my locket too much?² ³Normally, that would be the first thing I would consider,² Amy replied, ³but the energy didnıt start draining from you body, itıs been draining for you soul this whole time, and only recently started draining from you physically.² ³Well, what do we do?² Raye asked. ³Yeah, sheıll be all right, wonıt she?² Lita looked at their little genius friend expectantly, ³You can fix it, right?²² ³I... Iım sorry guys, I just donıt know!² Amy burst out, tears falling from her eyes, ³I donıt know if I can cure it, or even if there is a way to!² Now Serena burst into tears, sobs wracking her weak body. Raye and Lita crowded around her, hugging her and offering support even as they too cried. Amy lost it and threw her arms around the girl who had been her very first friend. ³I donıt wanna die!² -------- Yeah, I know, evil place to leave off, isn't it?? Oh, more will come your way soon. You can thank my wonderful boyfriend, who, in addition to proposing to me (AHHHH!!! I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!), bought me the lab top from which I send you this!! (And typed up this part during our ride back from New Port.) Okay, real life guys aren't THAT bad. ;-) *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~