Homecoming.
My ficathon! And now with the pic that inspired it!
Sailor Venus by ~RedreevGeorge on deviantART
“Do you think about me now and then?
Do you think about me now and then?
Oh, now I'm coming home again…
…maybe we can start again.”
- Homecoming, Kanye West
She stands, a sigil in the night. Blonde hair reflects moonlight, casting a pale silver stain to the long tresses that blow gently in a late summer breeze. Golden sparks at her fingers, a white cat at her feet, helicopters loom overhead, swinging low - their blades pounding loudly above.
She can’t even remember her old life. ‘Awoken’ at the tender age of 14, she’s been a warrior scout - fighting in the name of love and justice for years. She started alone, then her sisters joined the battle. Finding her princess partially completed the puzzle, but she feels there is more.
A memory pushes to the surface. Early in their days together, the quintet defeated a group of four men. She hasn’t been able to forget them - him - the one with quicksilver eyes refuses to fade from her subconscious. Her princess’s beloved collected their remains - rocks which sit in a carved wooden box in his office. She’s visited his place for parties, informal dinners and occasional meetings but always avoids the room where the stones keep watch.
Perhaps when they ascend their thrones…
The feline at her feet looks up at her and puts a paw to his whisker.
She knows it’s a silly thought - that they are working towards some sort of unattainable goal, some place that can’t be reached, that hasn’t been earned. She’s looked in the scared flames at the shrine, she’s seen the unforgivable acts both sides committed - not only in this life, but the past. Retribution is not in their cards. To live and serve, to protect - that is their sacred duty.
As the leader, she’s thus far refused to share her feelings. Not wanting to show weakness, she needs everyone to believe that the reason she works so hard is to support their king and queen to be - the prince and princess they failed. Some days are more difficult than others, but she’s been wearing the mask for so long, that the false attitude is nearly second nature.
To her great relief, it is Venus’s night to patrol the city. Each of the young women rotate through the patrol - proactively on the lookout for youma. Tonight, she’s glad for the action. While she’s not sure if it will be supernatural or something for the civilians to handle, she could use the distraction.
And maybe, he will be there…
Not an alien from another planet, or a man from her past, perhaps the only person to shake her from the dark cloud following her the past few months is Detective Trevor Williams. Eight years her senior, he is young for a detective, but has a history of getting things solved. His innate ability to lead also puts him above the politics the department seems to offer.
When it comes to the topic of teenage girls in short skirts and magical powers, the police force is respectively cautious. While the press genuinely loves the young women and the seemingly endless supply of solutions they provide for free to the city, they often puts guesses forward as to the true identities of the sailor scouts. Thanks to some brilliant technology put forward by the Mercurian senshi, the young women’s tiaras activate waves which disrupt photos and other recording devices. Pictures of the senshi fighting always seem to come up blurry.
Sighting the detective, she says, “See you tomorrow morning, Artie.”
“Yaorw.”
“Same to you.” She takes a running leap off the ledge, and calls out, “Don’t worry.”
He should be worried. In her move towards despair that duty and loyalty are draining from her, she has become increasingly risky in her movements.
With some expertly executed acrobatics, Venus lands in a nearby alley. As quietly as 3 inch orange stilettos will allow her to approach, she thinks she’s finally got the jump on the detective, when Williams stubs out his cigarette and says, “You’re wasting your time.”
“Why is that?”
“None of your kind.”
“What’s the supposed to mean?”
“This was a drug bust gone bad, open and closed case.” Seeing her face, he says, “Don’t look so disappointed.”
Still spoiling for a fight, more than ready to spend some of her unused tension, she clenches her fist and answers, “Fine.”
A commotion on the far left side of her peripheral vision is the only indication that something is wrong. Light flashes and a beam of electric blue light heads in her direction. Without hesitation, Venus throws herself in the direction of the beam - at the same time extending her finger. The words, ‘Venus Love Me…’ are all that she’s able to utter before she’s struck. Watching the absolute horror on Williams’ face, the world fades to black.
She awakes not in her own bed, but on the mattress of a stranger. Her thoughts feel foggy - she knows she needs to alert someone where she is, but a sharp pain in her side pulls her back into sleep.
When she returns to consciousness again, there is a man sitting on a chair in front of her. Feeling alone, fuzzy and in dire need of a shower, she feels for any of her usual accoutrements - the henshin, her fuku…all are absent.
“You were hit.”
“I was?”
In a blast of memories, she recalls the events before her blackout. “Williams?”
“Good. You remember.”
“Where am I?”
“My home.”
“Really?” She moves to sit up and says, “Oww. What happened? Why didn’t you take me to a hospital?”
“Would you want to be taken to one?”
Mina thinks of the scrutiny she would be put under, but wanting to gain some semblance of control says, “You didn’t have to tell them who I was.”
“I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on you there.”
“How long have I been out?”
“A few days.”
“Days?!” She moves to stand up and besides the unbelievable pain in her side, realizes she is sans everything but a pair of skimpy bikini panties and some bandages.
“I, erm, had to, remove your clothing to stich you up.”
“I have stitches? What could possibly make you qualified to perform that sort of rescue?”
“Medic,” he blurts out. “I was a medic in the army before I transferred into the police academy.”
“That’s convenient,” she huffs, then winces.
“You want to go to a hospital and double check my work?”
“No.”
“Then you might want to stay still. I wasn’t able to get you under an x-ray, but I’m fairly certain you cracked a rib or two.” The dark circles under his eyes tell of sleepless nights she hope weren’t on her behalf.
She eases back to rest on a pillow and asks, “Really?”
“That blow you took was pretty intense.”
Rolling her neck trying to release the kinks she’s acquired, she says, “You don’t have to tell me.”
“Thank you, by the way.”
“For what?”
“I’m pretty sure you saved my life. That beam was coming directly for me. You dove in front of it.”
“You are a pedestrian. My job is to protect the city,” she says, then mentally berates herself for belittling her approach to him. Looking around for an escape, she says, “So, can I go now?”
Now it is Williams time to look uncomfortable, and he says, “If you’re sure.”
“Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but clearly there is something out there which I need to protect the city from.”
“The rest of your team took care of the monster.”
“You’ve met them?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?” Mina challenged.
“I’ve kept an ear on the police scanner.” He nods to a device sitting on a table in the living room.
“Oh.”
“Can I ask you something?”
In this early morning light, he looks younger. She’s always thought he had attractive qualities, but here, out of uniform, he looks…good. As quickly as she tucks a strand of long blonde
hair behind her ear, she pushes the thought aside and asks, “What?”
“Where does you power come from?”
Unprepared to give a lesson on her past as a senshi, the Silver Millennium or being a princess from another planet, she says, “It just does.”
“Are you an alien?”
“I don’t know, you got a look at all my parts, do I look like an alien to you?”
“Not exactly.” She’s glad to see there’s a hint of a blush on those sharp cheekbones.
“Give or take, I’m your average young lady.”
“I have a difficult time believing that.” He stands up and says, “Let me get you something to change into.”
“Thanks.”
Mina waits patiently, idly cursing her inability to make small talk. Why does she even care? Williams isn’t worth anything. He’s just a cop. He hasn’t provided any special help. If he hadn’t taken care of her, Serena would’ve come along and healed her, the same as usual. He comes back into the room and, depositing the clothes on the bed, says, “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
After a few tries, Mina is distraught and embarrassed when she can’t physically get herself out of the bed. Tentatively, she calls out, “Williams?”
He’s there in a moment and asks, “Yes?”
“Can you,” she pauses, catches her breath, and asks “Can you help me up?”
“Sure.”
She’s surprised what the contact with him does. Surprised that there is a fair amount of muscle hiding under the oversized Army sweatshirt he’s wearing. Surprised that she want to lean into the smell of him. Maybe she was knocked on the head as well.
Once they are at a standing position, he asks, “Where to?”
“The bathroom would be great.”
They make little progress when, without asking, Williams gently sweeps her up and carries her to the bathroom. Grunting as he puts her down, she says, “You didn’t need to do that.”
Ignoring her comment, he asks, “Are you hungry?”
“Sure.” Not wanting to promote further conversation, she shuffles into the bathroom and gingerly steps into the tub, turning on the faucet. The hot water works wonders on her battered body and much as she wants to hide out, she finally turns off the water, dries off and steps into the oversized clothes Williams left out for her. The button down oxford shirt and boxers are somehow exactly garments she associates with him.
Opening the door in a cloud of steam, Mina instantly perks up at the smell of breakfast foods. From the door way in the kitchen, she watches Williams. He’s lost in cooking, humming poorly along to the radio. For such a stoic man, this scene seems out of place - a slice of his life she shouldn’t be allowed to see. He finally looks around and spots her small frame in the doorway. If he’s embarrassed, he doesn’t show it. Munching a piece of bacon, he says, “You’re not who I thought you were going to be.”
She crosses the kitchen and sits down carefully, mindful of her injuries and asks, “What do you mean?”
“Your public persona.”
“Ah, that old thing.” The Sailor Venus presented to the public is a carefully constructed version of herself. She always wears the mask from her days as Sailor V to hide her identity and tries to come across as bubbly and immature. It’s rare, but from the beginning she’s let more of her actual personality come through when around Williams.
“I think I like the real you better.”
Proving her internal armor isn’t as tight as she thought it was, Mina blushes. Although she wouldn’t admit to it, late at night, in the back room of the Crown, she’s researched Trevor Williams. He’s been in town about four years, transferred in after some classified missions with the military. On paper, it’s almost as if he didn’t exist until walking into town. The mystery nags at her. Where did he grow up? Did he have a high school sweetheart? Why did he move here?
“Bacon?” Williams interrupts her thoughts. “Or is that part of the senshi diet?”
“This senshi says ‘fuck it.’” Mina nimbly plucks a piece and eats it, savoring the taste.
Williams watches her, somehow glad she can find joy in something as simple as a piece of food. In this moment, he realizes, he will do almost anything to keep her in his small loft. Knowing that as soon as she returns to the real world that forces will tear them apart, that she’ll be called upon to defend the city once again from some terror that he has no hope of saving her from… Instead, he says, “There’s more where that came from.”
“Where are we exactly?” she asks, even though she knows exactly where the apartment is. In part of her research into Williams, she found where he lived.
“We’re close to where you call home, don’t worry about that.”
Her blue eyes widen and she asks, “How do you know where I live?”
“Minako Aino. Aged 18. Daughter of…”
“That’s enough. How did you find out?”
“A strand of hair.”
“Damn.”
“Don’t worry - I haven’t shared the information with anyone. In fact, I called your parents to let them know you were safe.”
Mina sighs, knowing it’s pointless to fight or rage against the machine. She says, “Thank you.”
“And I also, ahem, sent an anonymous tip to your friends.”
“No doubt they think I’ve been kidnapped and you’re going to put me up for ransom.”
“There’s a tempting idea,” he says, only half kidding. Shooting him a look, Williams responds, “I think they’ve had their hands full. Anyway, you’ll be back to them today. I could tell you you’re not battle ready, but I think you would disagree with me.”
“You’d be correct.”
“Fine, finish your meal and I’ll drop you off.”
The threat of leaving the apartment makes her sad somehow. Although she’s been largely unconscious for the entirety of her time here, somehow, in his space she feels at peace - rested. Williams busies himself cleaning up the dishes, still trying to shake the feeling that she belongs here.
“Where’s my uniform?”
“I tried to wash it…but the damage was relatively severe. I hope you have a spare.”
She’s got plenty - they seem to naturally appear when she transforms, but isn’t sure how she feels about a civilian with a trophy from her.
“The shoes?”
He smiles and collects a scuffed pair of heels, presenting them as if priceless heirlooms over his forearm in front of her. He says, “I have no idea how you run or fight in these. You have both my sympathy and admiration.”
There’s something in his action that gives her a definite sense of déjà vu. She shakes her head, knowing it’s impossible. This is the first time she’s been alone with him, let alone out of her shoes. She takes them and shrugs, not wanting to admit there was a small pang seeing her petite heels next to his much larger boots, “Thanks.”
She scoops some cheesy eggs onto a piece of toast and finishes her breakfast. Not wanting to seem an ungrateful guest, she brings her plate to the sink. Placing her hands on either side of the ceramic, she takes a minute to gather her strength. Unable to help himself, he steals up behind her. He tries to tell himself it’s so he can chivalrously assist her if she needs his help. In reality, it’s that he yearns to be closer to her. She turns around, bumping directly into his chest. His heart rate increases exponentially and if he’s not mistaken, hers jumps up too.
A delicate finger moves up to meet his face, tracing his lips. His gray eyes lock on her lips. She may be a young woman with superpowers but in this moment, she’s something else entirely. The attraction, the spark he’s been trying to ignore won’t go away. She puts her hand down. He places his hand around her waist. She’s warm beneath his touch.
“Mina…”
“Yes, Williams?”
“You should probably move.”
“Should I?”
“Yes.”
“And why is that?”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he lowers his mouth to hers. Ignoring the pain, she gladly opens to him, yielding her lips and putting her arms around his neck, pressing herself against his broad chest. Beneath his oversized shirt her sensitive nipples harden, creating glorious friction that neither can ignore. Lost in the embrace, in a flash of realization, she remembers why the shoes seem familiar and the memory jolts her out of the moment.
Another lifetime…
Bored with yet another diplomatic ball and fortunate enough to have the Outer Senshi on location to act as protection, Princess Venus is allowed a rare night off. Taking off her shoes, she leaves them near a bench and heads for the inner sanctuary of the gardens, luxuriating in the feel of the cool grass against her bare feet. Her gown trailing behind her, she collects her thoughts. Terran generals were in residence tonight and protocol dictated she dance with each of them at least once. Altogether, they were a surprisingly pleasant group. They were fair and treated Venus and the other senshi as equals.
“Rinvla?”
Hearing her native tongue spoken by someone not from her planet, Venus perks up and notices a man lurking in the shadows.
“Yes?”
“I found these, are they yours?” he presents the golden sandals formally, draping the dainty creations over his broad forearm.
“Yes, how did you know?” she easily places him, one of the Generals. The tall one from the Middle Eastern region with serious eyes and a sensual mouth. Her mind quickly shifts through information, trying to lock on something similarly impressive as his correct use of her title and language.
“It is my duty to notice such things.”
“And is it your duty to surprise young women in private gardens?”
“Sometimes my work overlaps my interests.”
“And that’s what I am? An interest?” She can’t help her response; flirtation comes naturally. Words and glances never meant. Secrets traded for a smile from her lips.
“Perhaps. Perhaps you have something interesting to share with me.”
She barely manages to keep her eyebrows from rising in surprise. Keeping a serene mask on her face, she wonders if the General shows this side elsewhere. To date, he’s been reserved, concentrated. The attitude doesn’t match with the cavalier treatment of her shoes.
“What is it? Mina?”
“I need to go.”
And just like that, she slips away, leaving him to wonder what he did wrong. Had he come on too strong? He thought she had felt something, that her response to his kiss was an expression of what had been bubbling between them for weeks, but perhaps he was mistaken. In a blur, she waltzes out the door, stuttering on high heels - out of his life, leaving him alone once again.
Still clad in her haphazard outfit of a man’s shirt, boxers, and stilettos, Mina gets her bearings and dashes to the apartment of Mamoru Chiba. Bypassing the speechless doorman, she angrily punches the button for his floor in the lift and, finally reaching his floor, bangs on the entrance to his apartment. He opens the door to a blonde warrior bounding through.
“The girls are worried about you.”
Ignoring the twinge in her side, she says, “This is more important. The stones, Mask. Tell me.”
While the energy she’s just expended catches up with her, she all but falls on the futon couch while he retrieves the box. Taking a seat across from her, keeping the object shut, he says, “The best I can figure, there was an unexpected lunar event some time ago.”
“That’s not enough.”
Keeping his eyes on the box, he admits, “I knew they were nearby.”
“Does Serena know?”
“No, although as their presence grows stronger, I believe she will be able to sense them soon.”
“Why?”
“Why didn’t I tell you about them? Why didn’t I go to them?” He runs a hand through his thick dark hair and continues, “I wanted them to have a chance at an uncomplicated life - one they’ve earned. After two times of my failure to save them, I have to believe that a life away from me, from all of us, is their best chance at happiness.”
“And the rest of the senshi?”
“I wasn’t sure if you were meant to find each other-“
Before she knows what she’s doing, a loud slap sounds across the room. It is the only time she has laid hands on her liege. Hand shaking, she says, “That is not your decision to make.
You’ve found happiness. You’ve saved the woman you’re going to spend the rest of eternity with. Do you not think it selfish that you have these luxuries that we do not? Duty, honor, commitment - these values are all important but once you ascend the throne, what will we have?”
Mamoru remains silent.
Mina departs.
She wanders for awhile, oblivious to the stares and finds herself at the safe house. Given the large geography of the city, the senshi have invested in various apartments that they keep extra gear and first aid kits on hand. Realizing how injured she really is, Mina barely manages to stagger into the room (opened biometrically) before passing out in the bed.
Her dreams, tinged with fever, are a mixture of the past and present. Of failures and successes. The meeting in the garden was the start of a torrid, passionate affair which ended horribly. How could Williams be that man? Why did they have to come across each other? Couldn’t she exist without him? Why were they stuck in this endless cycle of reincarnation?
A cool hand on her forehead awakes her. It’s small and dainty. Without opening her eyes, Mina says, “Ami.”
“You had us worried.”
“Sorry.”
“Why here?”
Mina rolls over onto her non-injured side, slightly disappointed it’s not Williams here with her and says, “I wasn’t ready to come back.”
“What happened? Who found you? I scoured CCTV feeds but couldn’t find a trace of your location. Artemis is nearly going out of his fur.”
“Williams.”
“Who?”
To date, Mina has given very little away about the detective. As well as her sister senshi know her, they will easily be able to pick up on her interest. Trying to mumble, Mina hopes that
Ami isn’t going to be as perceptive as usual and says, “He works for the police.”
“Does he?”
“Yes. He can be trusted.”
Ami lets the subject drop and asks, “Are you ready to rejoin us?”
“Not yet. Also, I should ask you, am I physically ready?”
“More or less. You’re prone to breaking those particular ribs, but they’ll heal.”
The ribs were shattered by Kunzite’s broadsword in another lifetime, but Mina tries not to see the relevance today. She asks, “How long can you hold off everyone?”
“A few more days.” Ami pauses and asks, “Is there something else?”
Mina thinks of what she’s learned - how her world has been turned upside down. How is she supposed to tell Williams he’s her long lost soul mate? That he’s betrayed her? That they’ve killed each other? And for the others - that perhaps their lovers are in the city. That Mamoru has been hiding this information.
“Nothing.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Are you going to hurt yourself? Did you do this on purpose? The unspoken questions linger in the air. Mina forces a smile and says, “Just another day and I’ll be back to you. Promise. Scout’s honor.”
The terrible joke from their early days seems to set Ami at ease. She points to the nightstand and says, “There are some drugs. If the pain is too much.”
“Thanks.”
“Come back to us soon.”
Mina’s eyelids flutter as a pair of soft lips press against her forehead.
The dreams continue and she awakes. Mamoru’s words come back to her. Would Williams’ life be better without her? Has she deserved him? Will he ever remember their shared past? She can’t very well leave the city and he will be here - forever testing her patience and the limit of her commitment to duty.
Getting out of bed she binds her ribs and looks in the closet to clothes that will fit her.
She comes to a decision.
His clothes, cleaned and returned and smelling sweetly of jasmine, appear on his porch the next day. Of the Venusian senshi, he sees her no more. She does not drop in to crime scenes. If one of the senshi need to interact with the police department, it is not her.
After trying to look for her, he gets the message - she does not want to be found. He keeps her identity a secret. He moves from the apartment - the time spent in it with her is too painful a memory.
Years pass.
The sharp pain moves to a dull ache.
The royal couple ascends their thrones.
All is well in the world.
Peace and prosperity find humanity.
The King and Venus do not speak of the stones.
After the coronation, Venus finds herself in a park - alone with her thoughts. And although she thinks him a mirage, Williams more or less appears in front of her. If either is surprised, they don’t show it. They stand in silence and the sounds of those at play surround them.
“You’re here.”
“I am,” he says.
Although she’s wanted to look him up, to track him - she hasn’t allowed herself. From the moment of her decision, he has always presented too big a distraction, a door that once opened cannot be shut. That he’s still here means the world to her. She glances quickly at his strong, capable hands and does not spot a wedding ring.
Without a word, he takes her hand.
She doesn’t care if he knows about their past, or if it will be a tale she tells him later. She doesn’t worry. She is finally home. They will talk later of the sacrifice, of the years wasted. They will remain quiet of other lovers or terrible thoughts. For now, all that exists is their future, the sunlight and the potential of tomorrow.
Sailor Venus by ~RedreevGeorge on deviantART
“Do you think about me now and then?
Do you think about me now and then?
Oh, now I'm coming home again…
…maybe we can start again.”
- Homecoming, Kanye West
She stands, a sigil in the night. Blonde hair reflects moonlight, casting a pale silver stain to the long tresses that blow gently in a late summer breeze. Golden sparks at her fingers, a white cat at her feet, helicopters loom overhead, swinging low - their blades pounding loudly above.
She can’t even remember her old life. ‘Awoken’ at the tender age of 14, she’s been a warrior scout - fighting in the name of love and justice for years. She started alone, then her sisters joined the battle. Finding her princess partially completed the puzzle, but she feels there is more.
A memory pushes to the surface. Early in their days together, the quintet defeated a group of four men. She hasn’t been able to forget them - him - the one with quicksilver eyes refuses to fade from her subconscious. Her princess’s beloved collected their remains - rocks which sit in a carved wooden box in his office. She’s visited his place for parties, informal dinners and occasional meetings but always avoids the room where the stones keep watch.
Perhaps when they ascend their thrones…
The feline at her feet looks up at her and puts a paw to his whisker.
She knows it’s a silly thought - that they are working towards some sort of unattainable goal, some place that can’t be reached, that hasn’t been earned. She’s looked in the scared flames at the shrine, she’s seen the unforgivable acts both sides committed - not only in this life, but the past. Retribution is not in their cards. To live and serve, to protect - that is their sacred duty.
As the leader, she’s thus far refused to share her feelings. Not wanting to show weakness, she needs everyone to believe that the reason she works so hard is to support their king and queen to be - the prince and princess they failed. Some days are more difficult than others, but she’s been wearing the mask for so long, that the false attitude is nearly second nature.
To her great relief, it is Venus’s night to patrol the city. Each of the young women rotate through the patrol - proactively on the lookout for youma. Tonight, she’s glad for the action. While she’s not sure if it will be supernatural or something for the civilians to handle, she could use the distraction.
And maybe, he will be there…
Not an alien from another planet, or a man from her past, perhaps the only person to shake her from the dark cloud following her the past few months is Detective Trevor Williams. Eight years her senior, he is young for a detective, but has a history of getting things solved. His innate ability to lead also puts him above the politics the department seems to offer.
When it comes to the topic of teenage girls in short skirts and magical powers, the police force is respectively cautious. While the press genuinely loves the young women and the seemingly endless supply of solutions they provide for free to the city, they often puts guesses forward as to the true identities of the sailor scouts. Thanks to some brilliant technology put forward by the Mercurian senshi, the young women’s tiaras activate waves which disrupt photos and other recording devices. Pictures of the senshi fighting always seem to come up blurry.
Sighting the detective, she says, “See you tomorrow morning, Artie.”
“Yaorw.”
“Same to you.” She takes a running leap off the ledge, and calls out, “Don’t worry.”
He should be worried. In her move towards despair that duty and loyalty are draining from her, she has become increasingly risky in her movements.
With some expertly executed acrobatics, Venus lands in a nearby alley. As quietly as 3 inch orange stilettos will allow her to approach, she thinks she’s finally got the jump on the detective, when Williams stubs out his cigarette and says, “You’re wasting your time.”
“Why is that?”
“None of your kind.”
“What’s the supposed to mean?”
“This was a drug bust gone bad, open and closed case.” Seeing her face, he says, “Don’t look so disappointed.”
Still spoiling for a fight, more than ready to spend some of her unused tension, she clenches her fist and answers, “Fine.”
A commotion on the far left side of her peripheral vision is the only indication that something is wrong. Light flashes and a beam of electric blue light heads in her direction. Without hesitation, Venus throws herself in the direction of the beam - at the same time extending her finger. The words, ‘Venus Love Me…’ are all that she’s able to utter before she’s struck. Watching the absolute horror on Williams’ face, the world fades to black.
She awakes not in her own bed, but on the mattress of a stranger. Her thoughts feel foggy - she knows she needs to alert someone where she is, but a sharp pain in her side pulls her back into sleep.
When she returns to consciousness again, there is a man sitting on a chair in front of her. Feeling alone, fuzzy and in dire need of a shower, she feels for any of her usual accoutrements - the henshin, her fuku…all are absent.
“You were hit.”
“I was?”
In a blast of memories, she recalls the events before her blackout. “Williams?”
“Good. You remember.”
“Where am I?”
“My home.”
“Really?” She moves to sit up and says, “Oww. What happened? Why didn’t you take me to a hospital?”
“Would you want to be taken to one?”
Mina thinks of the scrutiny she would be put under, but wanting to gain some semblance of control says, “You didn’t have to tell them who I was.”
“I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on you there.”
“How long have I been out?”
“A few days.”
“Days?!” She moves to stand up and besides the unbelievable pain in her side, realizes she is sans everything but a pair of skimpy bikini panties and some bandages.
“I, erm, had to, remove your clothing to stich you up.”
“I have stitches? What could possibly make you qualified to perform that sort of rescue?”
“Medic,” he blurts out. “I was a medic in the army before I transferred into the police academy.”
“That’s convenient,” she huffs, then winces.
“You want to go to a hospital and double check my work?”
“No.”
“Then you might want to stay still. I wasn’t able to get you under an x-ray, but I’m fairly certain you cracked a rib or two.” The dark circles under his eyes tell of sleepless nights she hope weren’t on her behalf.
She eases back to rest on a pillow and asks, “Really?”
“That blow you took was pretty intense.”
Rolling her neck trying to release the kinks she’s acquired, she says, “You don’t have to tell me.”
“Thank you, by the way.”
“For what?”
“I’m pretty sure you saved my life. That beam was coming directly for me. You dove in front of it.”
“You are a pedestrian. My job is to protect the city,” she says, then mentally berates herself for belittling her approach to him. Looking around for an escape, she says, “So, can I go now?”
Now it is Williams time to look uncomfortable, and he says, “If you’re sure.”
“Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but clearly there is something out there which I need to protect the city from.”
“The rest of your team took care of the monster.”
“You’ve met them?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?” Mina challenged.
“I’ve kept an ear on the police scanner.” He nods to a device sitting on a table in the living room.
“Oh.”
“Can I ask you something?”
In this early morning light, he looks younger. She’s always thought he had attractive qualities, but here, out of uniform, he looks…good. As quickly as she tucks a strand of long blonde
hair behind her ear, she pushes the thought aside and asks, “What?”
“Where does you power come from?”
Unprepared to give a lesson on her past as a senshi, the Silver Millennium or being a princess from another planet, she says, “It just does.”
“Are you an alien?”
“I don’t know, you got a look at all my parts, do I look like an alien to you?”
“Not exactly.” She’s glad to see there’s a hint of a blush on those sharp cheekbones.
“Give or take, I’m your average young lady.”
“I have a difficult time believing that.” He stands up and says, “Let me get you something to change into.”
“Thanks.”
Mina waits patiently, idly cursing her inability to make small talk. Why does she even care? Williams isn’t worth anything. He’s just a cop. He hasn’t provided any special help. If he hadn’t taken care of her, Serena would’ve come along and healed her, the same as usual. He comes back into the room and, depositing the clothes on the bed, says, “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
After a few tries, Mina is distraught and embarrassed when she can’t physically get herself out of the bed. Tentatively, she calls out, “Williams?”
He’s there in a moment and asks, “Yes?”
“Can you,” she pauses, catches her breath, and asks “Can you help me up?”
“Sure.”
She’s surprised what the contact with him does. Surprised that there is a fair amount of muscle hiding under the oversized Army sweatshirt he’s wearing. Surprised that she want to lean into the smell of him. Maybe she was knocked on the head as well.
Once they are at a standing position, he asks, “Where to?”
“The bathroom would be great.”
They make little progress when, without asking, Williams gently sweeps her up and carries her to the bathroom. Grunting as he puts her down, she says, “You didn’t need to do that.”
Ignoring her comment, he asks, “Are you hungry?”
“Sure.” Not wanting to promote further conversation, she shuffles into the bathroom and gingerly steps into the tub, turning on the faucet. The hot water works wonders on her battered body and much as she wants to hide out, she finally turns off the water, dries off and steps into the oversized clothes Williams left out for her. The button down oxford shirt and boxers are somehow exactly garments she associates with him.
Opening the door in a cloud of steam, Mina instantly perks up at the smell of breakfast foods. From the door way in the kitchen, she watches Williams. He’s lost in cooking, humming poorly along to the radio. For such a stoic man, this scene seems out of place - a slice of his life she shouldn’t be allowed to see. He finally looks around and spots her small frame in the doorway. If he’s embarrassed, he doesn’t show it. Munching a piece of bacon, he says, “You’re not who I thought you were going to be.”
She crosses the kitchen and sits down carefully, mindful of her injuries and asks, “What do you mean?”
“Your public persona.”
“Ah, that old thing.” The Sailor Venus presented to the public is a carefully constructed version of herself. She always wears the mask from her days as Sailor V to hide her identity and tries to come across as bubbly and immature. It’s rare, but from the beginning she’s let more of her actual personality come through when around Williams.
“I think I like the real you better.”
Proving her internal armor isn’t as tight as she thought it was, Mina blushes. Although she wouldn’t admit to it, late at night, in the back room of the Crown, she’s researched Trevor Williams. He’s been in town about four years, transferred in after some classified missions with the military. On paper, it’s almost as if he didn’t exist until walking into town. The mystery nags at her. Where did he grow up? Did he have a high school sweetheart? Why did he move here?
“Bacon?” Williams interrupts her thoughts. “Or is that part of the senshi diet?”
“This senshi says ‘fuck it.’” Mina nimbly plucks a piece and eats it, savoring the taste.
Williams watches her, somehow glad she can find joy in something as simple as a piece of food. In this moment, he realizes, he will do almost anything to keep her in his small loft. Knowing that as soon as she returns to the real world that forces will tear them apart, that she’ll be called upon to defend the city once again from some terror that he has no hope of saving her from… Instead, he says, “There’s more where that came from.”
“Where are we exactly?” she asks, even though she knows exactly where the apartment is. In part of her research into Williams, she found where he lived.
“We’re close to where you call home, don’t worry about that.”
Her blue eyes widen and she asks, “How do you know where I live?”
“Minako Aino. Aged 18. Daughter of…”
“That’s enough. How did you find out?”
“A strand of hair.”
“Damn.”
“Don’t worry - I haven’t shared the information with anyone. In fact, I called your parents to let them know you were safe.”
Mina sighs, knowing it’s pointless to fight or rage against the machine. She says, “Thank you.”
“And I also, ahem, sent an anonymous tip to your friends.”
“No doubt they think I’ve been kidnapped and you’re going to put me up for ransom.”
“There’s a tempting idea,” he says, only half kidding. Shooting him a look, Williams responds, “I think they’ve had their hands full. Anyway, you’ll be back to them today. I could tell you you’re not battle ready, but I think you would disagree with me.”
“You’d be correct.”
“Fine, finish your meal and I’ll drop you off.”
The threat of leaving the apartment makes her sad somehow. Although she’s been largely unconscious for the entirety of her time here, somehow, in his space she feels at peace - rested. Williams busies himself cleaning up the dishes, still trying to shake the feeling that she belongs here.
“Where’s my uniform?”
“I tried to wash it…but the damage was relatively severe. I hope you have a spare.”
She’s got plenty - they seem to naturally appear when she transforms, but isn’t sure how she feels about a civilian with a trophy from her.
“The shoes?”
He smiles and collects a scuffed pair of heels, presenting them as if priceless heirlooms over his forearm in front of her. He says, “I have no idea how you run or fight in these. You have both my sympathy and admiration.”
There’s something in his action that gives her a definite sense of déjà vu. She shakes her head, knowing it’s impossible. This is the first time she’s been alone with him, let alone out of her shoes. She takes them and shrugs, not wanting to admit there was a small pang seeing her petite heels next to his much larger boots, “Thanks.”
She scoops some cheesy eggs onto a piece of toast and finishes her breakfast. Not wanting to seem an ungrateful guest, she brings her plate to the sink. Placing her hands on either side of the ceramic, she takes a minute to gather her strength. Unable to help himself, he steals up behind her. He tries to tell himself it’s so he can chivalrously assist her if she needs his help. In reality, it’s that he yearns to be closer to her. She turns around, bumping directly into his chest. His heart rate increases exponentially and if he’s not mistaken, hers jumps up too.
A delicate finger moves up to meet his face, tracing his lips. His gray eyes lock on her lips. She may be a young woman with superpowers but in this moment, she’s something else entirely. The attraction, the spark he’s been trying to ignore won’t go away. She puts her hand down. He places his hand around her waist. She’s warm beneath his touch.
“Mina…”
“Yes, Williams?”
“You should probably move.”
“Should I?”
“Yes.”
“And why is that?”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he lowers his mouth to hers. Ignoring the pain, she gladly opens to him, yielding her lips and putting her arms around his neck, pressing herself against his broad chest. Beneath his oversized shirt her sensitive nipples harden, creating glorious friction that neither can ignore. Lost in the embrace, in a flash of realization, she remembers why the shoes seem familiar and the memory jolts her out of the moment.
Another lifetime…
Bored with yet another diplomatic ball and fortunate enough to have the Outer Senshi on location to act as protection, Princess Venus is allowed a rare night off. Taking off her shoes, she leaves them near a bench and heads for the inner sanctuary of the gardens, luxuriating in the feel of the cool grass against her bare feet. Her gown trailing behind her, she collects her thoughts. Terran generals were in residence tonight and protocol dictated she dance with each of them at least once. Altogether, they were a surprisingly pleasant group. They were fair and treated Venus and the other senshi as equals.
“Rinvla?”
Hearing her native tongue spoken by someone not from her planet, Venus perks up and notices a man lurking in the shadows.
“Yes?”
“I found these, are they yours?” he presents the golden sandals formally, draping the dainty creations over his broad forearm.
“Yes, how did you know?” she easily places him, one of the Generals. The tall one from the Middle Eastern region with serious eyes and a sensual mouth. Her mind quickly shifts through information, trying to lock on something similarly impressive as his correct use of her title and language.
“It is my duty to notice such things.”
“And is it your duty to surprise young women in private gardens?”
“Sometimes my work overlaps my interests.”
“And that’s what I am? An interest?” She can’t help her response; flirtation comes naturally. Words and glances never meant. Secrets traded for a smile from her lips.
“Perhaps. Perhaps you have something interesting to share with me.”
She barely manages to keep her eyebrows from rising in surprise. Keeping a serene mask on her face, she wonders if the General shows this side elsewhere. To date, he’s been reserved, concentrated. The attitude doesn’t match with the cavalier treatment of her shoes.
“What is it? Mina?”
“I need to go.”
And just like that, she slips away, leaving him to wonder what he did wrong. Had he come on too strong? He thought she had felt something, that her response to his kiss was an expression of what had been bubbling between them for weeks, but perhaps he was mistaken. In a blur, she waltzes out the door, stuttering on high heels - out of his life, leaving him alone once again.
Still clad in her haphazard outfit of a man’s shirt, boxers, and stilettos, Mina gets her bearings and dashes to the apartment of Mamoru Chiba. Bypassing the speechless doorman, she angrily punches the button for his floor in the lift and, finally reaching his floor, bangs on the entrance to his apartment. He opens the door to a blonde warrior bounding through.
“The girls are worried about you.”
Ignoring the twinge in her side, she says, “This is more important. The stones, Mask. Tell me.”
While the energy she’s just expended catches up with her, she all but falls on the futon couch while he retrieves the box. Taking a seat across from her, keeping the object shut, he says, “The best I can figure, there was an unexpected lunar event some time ago.”
“That’s not enough.”
Keeping his eyes on the box, he admits, “I knew they were nearby.”
“Does Serena know?”
“No, although as their presence grows stronger, I believe she will be able to sense them soon.”
“Why?”
“Why didn’t I tell you about them? Why didn’t I go to them?” He runs a hand through his thick dark hair and continues, “I wanted them to have a chance at an uncomplicated life - one they’ve earned. After two times of my failure to save them, I have to believe that a life away from me, from all of us, is their best chance at happiness.”
“And the rest of the senshi?”
“I wasn’t sure if you were meant to find each other-“
Before she knows what she’s doing, a loud slap sounds across the room. It is the only time she has laid hands on her liege. Hand shaking, she says, “That is not your decision to make.
You’ve found happiness. You’ve saved the woman you’re going to spend the rest of eternity with. Do you not think it selfish that you have these luxuries that we do not? Duty, honor, commitment - these values are all important but once you ascend the throne, what will we have?”
Mamoru remains silent.
Mina departs.
She wanders for awhile, oblivious to the stares and finds herself at the safe house. Given the large geography of the city, the senshi have invested in various apartments that they keep extra gear and first aid kits on hand. Realizing how injured she really is, Mina barely manages to stagger into the room (opened biometrically) before passing out in the bed.
Her dreams, tinged with fever, are a mixture of the past and present. Of failures and successes. The meeting in the garden was the start of a torrid, passionate affair which ended horribly. How could Williams be that man? Why did they have to come across each other? Couldn’t she exist without him? Why were they stuck in this endless cycle of reincarnation?
A cool hand on her forehead awakes her. It’s small and dainty. Without opening her eyes, Mina says, “Ami.”
“You had us worried.”
“Sorry.”
“Why here?”
Mina rolls over onto her non-injured side, slightly disappointed it’s not Williams here with her and says, “I wasn’t ready to come back.”
“What happened? Who found you? I scoured CCTV feeds but couldn’t find a trace of your location. Artemis is nearly going out of his fur.”
“Williams.”
“Who?”
To date, Mina has given very little away about the detective. As well as her sister senshi know her, they will easily be able to pick up on her interest. Trying to mumble, Mina hopes that
Ami isn’t going to be as perceptive as usual and says, “He works for the police.”
“Does he?”
“Yes. He can be trusted.”
Ami lets the subject drop and asks, “Are you ready to rejoin us?”
“Not yet. Also, I should ask you, am I physically ready?”
“More or less. You’re prone to breaking those particular ribs, but they’ll heal.”
The ribs were shattered by Kunzite’s broadsword in another lifetime, but Mina tries not to see the relevance today. She asks, “How long can you hold off everyone?”
“A few more days.” Ami pauses and asks, “Is there something else?”
Mina thinks of what she’s learned - how her world has been turned upside down. How is she supposed to tell Williams he’s her long lost soul mate? That he’s betrayed her? That they’ve killed each other? And for the others - that perhaps their lovers are in the city. That Mamoru has been hiding this information.
“Nothing.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Are you going to hurt yourself? Did you do this on purpose? The unspoken questions linger in the air. Mina forces a smile and says, “Just another day and I’ll be back to you. Promise. Scout’s honor.”
The terrible joke from their early days seems to set Ami at ease. She points to the nightstand and says, “There are some drugs. If the pain is too much.”
“Thanks.”
“Come back to us soon.”
Mina’s eyelids flutter as a pair of soft lips press against her forehead.
The dreams continue and she awakes. Mamoru’s words come back to her. Would Williams’ life be better without her? Has she deserved him? Will he ever remember their shared past? She can’t very well leave the city and he will be here - forever testing her patience and the limit of her commitment to duty.
Getting out of bed she binds her ribs and looks in the closet to clothes that will fit her.
She comes to a decision.
His clothes, cleaned and returned and smelling sweetly of jasmine, appear on his porch the next day. Of the Venusian senshi, he sees her no more. She does not drop in to crime scenes. If one of the senshi need to interact with the police department, it is not her.
After trying to look for her, he gets the message - she does not want to be found. He keeps her identity a secret. He moves from the apartment - the time spent in it with her is too painful a memory.
Years pass.
The sharp pain moves to a dull ache.
The royal couple ascends their thrones.
All is well in the world.
Peace and prosperity find humanity.
The King and Venus do not speak of the stones.
After the coronation, Venus finds herself in a park - alone with her thoughts. And although she thinks him a mirage, Williams more or less appears in front of her. If either is surprised, they don’t show it. They stand in silence and the sounds of those at play surround them.
“You’re here.”
“I am,” he says.
Although she’s wanted to look him up, to track him - she hasn’t allowed herself. From the moment of her decision, he has always presented too big a distraction, a door that once opened cannot be shut. That he’s still here means the world to her. She glances quickly at his strong, capable hands and does not spot a wedding ring.
Without a word, he takes her hand.
She doesn’t care if he knows about their past, or if it will be a tale she tells him later. She doesn’t worry. She is finally home. They will talk later of the sacrifice, of the years wasted. They will remain quiet of other lovers or terrible thoughts. For now, all that exists is their future, the sunlight and the potential of tomorrow.