Chapter Two:

Prince Diamond's magic engulfs the fallen Sailor Scouts, altering their minds and switching Sailor Mars' and Sailor Moons' colorful outfits. He reaches out for Sailor Moon's Silver Imperium Crystal, locked into her transformation brooch, but its power will not let him near it.

Prince Diamond uses a great deal of power to just switch it for Mars' transformation pin, and with that done, he fades away too. The clouded-sky suddenly parts, to reveal rays of sunlight. As these filter through the trees, and stroke the faces of the Sailor warriors, they each awake with bruises and confused expressions, but none are led to question their altered identity.

Sailor Mercury, sprawled out on the grass, can hear the faint moans of the other girls. Gingerly, she raises herself onto her left leg, only to realize that it is twisted out from her body. Mercury forces her weight to the right leg instead, and limps towards her nearest fallen companion, Sailor Jupiter.

Inspecting Jupiter's injuries with a professional air, she notes a series of sharp scrapes coat Jupiter's arms, none of which are deep. Releasing the breath she was holding, she shakes Jupiter awake, amidst cries from the other Scouts.

As it turns out, Mercury received the brunt of the injuries. Sailor Moon's* violet-colored eyes inspect her scraped knee, and the bruises that dot her body, with a forced indifference. Sailor Venus nurses her wounded side, which Mercury assures her, is NOT broken.

Sailor Mars'* golden hair has spilled out of its usual style. No longer secured by buns on top of her head, it falls like a golden curtain down her back, nearly to her ankles. She is otherwise, uninjured.

Venus voices all the girls' unspoken concern, "Why would they leave us alive?" The last part comes out as a whisper, and goes unanswered for several moments.

"Is it possible they were driven off?"--- Sailor Jupiter

"I don't think so," said Sailor Moon*, voice gaining confidence, "unless my 'Moon Princess Elimination' was enough to scare them away,"

Then a startled cry cut the air. "Tuxedo Mask," shouts Sailor Mars*, kneeling beside the unmoving superhero. Tears stream down Mars'* high cheekbones, and unto Mask's still figure. Sailor Mercury rushed over, computer in hand, and begins running a full diagnosis.

"He's alive," she announces. There is sighs of relief.

"What's wrong with him?" Sailor Moon* says, as she comes to kneel by Mercury, and her boyfriend's prone form.

"He received second degree burns to his back, where he blocked Catsy's attack. He also has severe wounds to the neck---like someone attempted to strangle him, and perhaps a broken rib. We need to get him to a hospital immediately."

"But what are we going to tell the doctors? How do we even change him back into his civilian form? We can't risk our secret identities, Ami."

Already, Sailor Mercury is de-transforming, becoming the quiet, practical Junior-High student named Ami she is most of the time. "We certainly can't leave him to heal on his own. These injuries could still prove to be fatal."

Sailor Mars* gazes down at Tuxedo Mask. Flashes of memory are rushing through her--- the countless times Mask had risked his life to preserve love and justice; to protect the Sailor Scouts, most of all Sailor Moon. She can't believe Moon/Rei would hesitate to save him now.... "No," she thinks, "they're just saying we have to address some issues before we get him help. We all care about him a lot. If it comes to it, we'll take him to the hospital, regardless of the consequences." Gingerly, she reaches down and grabs a red rose still within his grasp. Once it is pried from his fingers, his Tuxedo Mask outfit transforms into the black slacks and horrible green jacket worn by Darien Shields.

"Good job, Serena," Sailor Moon/Rei* grudgingly admits.

Sailor Mars*/Serena forces her face into a weary half-smile, "Jupiter, do you think you can carry him to the hospital?"

"I could, but it would take a while. It probably wouldn't help his condition either."

Ami's voice startles the concentrated group, "Actually, I think he drove here today. Isn't that Darien's car?" and she points at the sky-blue sports car, parked nearby.

After a quick, cursory glance, Serena confirms that it is Darien's car. Sailor Jupiter lugs him into the back seat, and then de-transforms into her civilian form, Lita. With hardly another word spoken, Rei scrambles into the back seat with Darien. Lita climbs into the drivers' seat, with Serena riding shotgun.

Sailor Venus's civilian form, Mina, and Ami plan to call everyone's parents, and make some excuse about a sleepover. They will meet the rest of the girls at the hospital later.

As Lita's crazy driving brings them closer and closer to the hospital, Rei goes over the battle again and again in her head. What could this mean? And always at the back of her mind, is a feeling of inadequacy. Rei knows that she is the strongest scout--- the moon princess--- clearly the one with the best leadership skills, but luck always seems to pull against her. Why is it always Serena that brings the group together? I mean she's a cry-baby for sure.... "It doesn't matter," Rei tells herself, but that's the thing: it does.

Serena's mind is also occupied, with thoughts of Darien. She glances at the back seat, where a distracted Rei is absentmindedly looking out the window.

Darien's head is lying across Rei's legs--- his silky black hair is pushed back from his forehead, so that one might glimpse his midnight-blue eyes. His skin is peaked, but at least his breathing appears to be stable.

"It's funny how we used to fight all the time," Serena thought. "Of course, we still do, but I don't hate him anymore... and at least he doesn't call me Meatball head." Back before the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask had realized their real identities, Darien and Serena participated in a verbal war that lasted for weeks. He would make fun of her hair--- she would criticize his arrogance--- you know, the usual.

Over time, their bickering had become more entertainment than anything else. And when the Scouts discovered Darien was Tuxedo Mask, and the Earth Prince from the past that they had been searching for, the whole group pulled together. Rei, the newly discovered Moon Princess, started dating him. Since that time, Darien and Serena had become close friends. "Even if I embarrass him sometimes," she thought wryly, and felt the tug of a smile on the corner of her lips.

That was one thing about Serena--- she was almost always cheerful. She saw herself as clearly as anyone else did, and always did things true to character. Serena had an expert knack for making other people happy. Her smile was warm, and contagious--- infecting anyone who stood too close.

Finally, the car stops. Lita and Rei hurry to usher Darien through to the emergency room. Serena lingers in the lobby, to fill out any necessary paper-work. "Like I know what his insurance policy is...." she mutters, staring at the paper she had been handed. Eventually, Rei and Lita troop back out....

"What did the doctors say?," Serena squeaks.

"Well, they can't be sure, but they think Darien will pull out of this alright," Rei says with character practicality. "I'll feel much better, though, once I hear the report."

"We all will. Still, we've pulled through tougher scrapes in the past..."

Rei rushes to cut in, "You know I love him, right?"

"Of course I do, Rei," remarks a startled Serena. "You would have found a way to get him to the hospital...."

"Okay, then," and silence settles over them.

Chapter Two-Part Two:

The girls all crowd around Darien's hospital bed. It's been three hours since he was hauled into the emergency ward, but he still isn't responding.

After four hours, Rei, Lita, Mina, and Ami, file out to the cafeteria for food. "Serena, are you coming?"

"No, it's okay guys. I'm just going to wait here. We want someone to be here for him if he wakes up.... I'll go later."

The girls nod in agreement, but internally, everyone is astounded. To think, Serena would pass on food! Everyone except Serena leaves the room. Almost immediately after their departure, Serena feels a slight stirring from the bed beside her. She turns her head to inspect Darien, whose eyes are still closed, but whose hand is shaking slightly.

With almost painfully slow movements, he extends his hand--- like he is asking Serena to hold it. Serena reaches out and grips his palm. "Darien, can you hear me?"

Darien's eyes flutter. With a forced gesture, he opens them, and stares into Serena's crystalline-blue eyes, looking down on him with concern. Cracking his crooked grin, he whispers, "Hey Meatball Head! Been waiting here a long time?"

"Oh, now, don't start that again," Serena replies, but he can tell she really doesn't mind anymore. They laugh together for a few minutes, hands still clasped.

The sound of the door opening startles them, popping their "private joke" bubble. "Oh, good, you're awake," remarks Rei, as she walks in, accompanied by the other girls.

"Yeah, I guess you're stuck with me a little while longer," laughs Darien, addressing the group. "Thanks for taking care of me."

"You are always taking care of us, Darien. Darien---" admonishes Rei.

"Hmm?"

Serena speaks up, "Umm, you're still holding my hand."

"Oh, right," Darien unlocks their intertwined fingers, smiles, then says, "Guess I'm being the meatball head today." Amid chuckles from the girls, Rei flashes a glance between Darien and Serena, but they are laughing along with everyone else. Rei allows herself to smile, too, and everything is normal again.

Author's notes: Please read and review. I welcome ANY suggestions or ideas for future chapters