For Love...or Duty by Sapphiregirl

Part 7: Greater Love

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, never have, never will. :( I'm just borrowing the characters. All hail the wonderful Naoko Takeuchi for creating this fabulous series. bows

AN: Well, after long last, I'm back with the next chapter. I was delayed by a number of things, including work and my mom having back problems, but here it is. And let me tell you, this revised Part 7 is a hundred times better than the original. I'm much happier with it. I was also the recipient of a small miracle a few weeks ago—I lost a bridging scene I'd written on a piece of paper and it showed up months later on our back porch. Talk about amazing.

A bit of back-story for those interested...I originally wrote the end of this chapter as a one-shot back in late April of 2003 and then realized I needed to flesh it out. The result? FLOD. This has been a very interesting journey and I've enjoyed the entire process.

Special thanks go to Lori, who suggested back in 2003 that I have a scene in which the girls try to find out what’s really wrong with Mina. Thank you, Lori!

And as always, extra special thanks go to Dejana Talis for being a fabulous beta reader. :smiles:

Hope y'all enjoy!

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."Proverbs 27:5 NIV

and...

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."John 15:13 NIV

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For Love......or Duty

Part 7:

Greater Love…

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Early the next morning, Mina stood beside her door for a few minutes, trying to work up the courage to knock. A thousand irrational, half-formed thoughts flitted through her mind in an unceasing stream. She'd crossed the invisible line between them—she'd broken the tacit agreement they had developed through months of studiously avoiding any physical contact with each other.

I kissed Malachite.

True, it had been a gentle peck to his cheek, but she had not missed the way his body tensed. Mina closed her eyes. Come on, she told herself, you can do this. You're Sailor Venus. You've dealt with diplomats, royalty, and even Rei when she's really angry. He's just a man. You can do this.

Mina raised her hand and rapped on the door.

There was no answer.

Lifting her chin, she cautiously opened the door and stepped out into her husband's room. It was empty. She breathed a deep sigh of relief and leaned up against the door dizzily as the strength drained from her legs.

He's not here.

She wouldn't have to face him for the rest of the day—unless she was unfortunate enough to run into him in the palace. Feeling giddiness wash over her, Mina glanced around the dim room, noting there were still haphazard stacks of maps, letters, reports, and whatnot piled on his desk. She frowned. That's odd. He usually puts those away before he leaves.

A soft noise came from the direction of the bed. Mina instinctively flatted herself against her door, feeling her heart begin to pound again. You're slipping, Venus, she scolded herself.

Malachite hadn't left after all—he was still asleep.

Mina's blue eyes widened and she bit her lip nervously. She had given the bed a passing glance, but in the dim light she hadn't noticed the still form lying there. A small part of her was amused. This is new. He's always up before I am.

One hand creeping up to rest on her heart, Mina looked over at the window.The sun was just starting to make its way over the horizon. Either I'm up earlier than usual, or he stayed up too late last night doing all that silly paperwork. After a moment's thought, she decided it was probably both. Her stomach rumbled and she bit back a nervous, irrational giggle. Well, there's no point in staying here any longer.

Using every bit of the stealth she had learned as Sailor Venus, Mina crept across the room to the outside door. Her hand reached for the doorknob and then halted. The room was growing brighter with every passing second and from here, she could see Malachite more clearly. Her breath caught in her throat.

He didn't look as stern and cold when he was sleeping. In fact, he seemed younger and…peaceful. Mina's heart did a flip-flop and she took two steps toward him. What would it be like, she wondered, to have his arms around me? She took another few steps, one hand reaching out to brush a lock of silver hair out of his face…and then realized what she was doing.

Mina retreated hastily to the door, her checks burning. If she touched him, she would probably wake him up and there was no way he would believe her motives to be innocent. Nor would he find the gesture welcome. I don't want him to think even less of me.

Head held high, Mina turned back to the door and slowly eased it open. The freshly oiled hinges made nary a squeak and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. How wonderful that Malachite had finally decided to have it oiled. She quickly slipped out and shut the door with a gentle click. Then, feeling breakfast was well in order, she set off for the kitchens, completely unaware her departure had been observed.

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Half-asleep, Malachite listened to the light footsteps echoing down the hall. It had been rather thoughtful of Mina to leave so quietly, he decided blearily, closing his eyes. The image of the sun flashing on her hair came to him as he began to drift off again. Then realization sank in and he bolted upright, staring at the chink of sunlight dancing on the door. The sun is up? His feet hit the floor with a thud as he scrambled out of bed.

Malachite prided himself on being the one who could be counted on to make sure things were running smoothly. If that meant he was often up much earlier than most of the palace's inhabitants, then so be it. Today, however…he'd clearly overslept.

Shooting the piles of official-looking papers on his desk a scathing glance as he dressed, Malachite tried to shake off the last vestiges of fog still muddling his mind. He'd stayed up much too late the night before—which, he decided irritably, was entirely Mina's fault. Her one, simple gesture had distracted him so thoroughly that he spent the rest of the evening in a state of shock and had managed to accomplish very little. He sighed and yanked open the door. Even Clarisse had not possessed that power over him.

As he stalked through the empty halls and corridors, he felt a heavy weight settle over him. She didn't mean anything by it. Mina, much like Serenity, was an affectionate person. Studied in the cold light of day, her kiss meant nothing but the fact that she was a little more comfortable around him.

I'll have to dance with her tonight.

His steps slowed and he stopped in the middle of the corridor, head bowed and fists clenched tightly. The thought was a double-edged blade. For one evening, he had a legitimate excuse to touch her, to hold her…to find out if everything Zoicite, Endymion, and the others had said was true. And yet…

Mina frightened him.

No, that's not quite right. It wasn't she herself who frightened him as much as the prospect of what she could become. Malachite had thought himself in love once and he recognized the signs. Clarisse had been an infatuation he was glad to be rid of, but Mina…he shook his head. With Mina he stood on the brink of nothingness. If he let himself fall—if he gave her his heart—there would be no return. Ever.

Either way, dancing with her was going to be torture. Malachite ran a hand through his silver hair and sighed. I can't wait for this day to be over.

He started off again and turned down the corridor that led to the Great Hall. When he strolled in, the servant girl setting the table for breakfast dipped a curtsey.

"Good morning, General."

Malachite acknowledged her with a curt nod and pulled out a chair. He sat down at the long table and the girl hurried off to serve him. Tiredly, Malachite rubbed his eyes to chase away the last remnants of sleep. He couldn't think about Mina any longer—he was going to have to dance with her at the ball and that was that. The best he could do was keep the agony as short as possible.

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Mina was in the kitchen, munching on a freshly baked cinnamon roll and plying Clara, one of the head cooks, with questions as to how they were made, when one of the scullery maids dashed back into the room.

"Did you get that table set?" Clara asked sternly, looking up from the rolls she was spreading with icing.

The girl shook her head breathlessly. "General Malachite needs breakfast."

Clara's face softened. "Well, that's another matter." Quickly, she piled cinnamon rolls and a few other things onto a plate. She was about to hand it to the scullery maid when Mina intervened with a bright smile.

"I'll take it to him."

Clara blinked, looking somewhat taken aback. Then she bowed her head. "As you wish, Princess."

Mina took the plate, but allowed Clara to hand the mug to the scullery maid. They left the kitchen and headed for the Great Hall.

Behind them, the kitchen sprang into action. A scant moment later, another girl hurried out with a second plate, a goblet of juice, and an ear-to-ear grin. The kitchen staff had a great deal of respect for both General Malachite and Princess Mina, and the fact that the two of them weren't particularly close had been clucked over on numerous occasions. This was their chance to help.

Unaware that Clara and the others had taken matters into their own hands, Mina entered the Great Hall. Her heart began to thump a little harder as caught sight of Malachite. She was half-afraid he would notice her as she approached, but he was staring off into the distance as if it held all the answers to the universe.

He didn't look around as she set his plate and mug in front of him, but immediately reached for his coffee. "Thank you."

A mischievous grin suddenly lit Mina's face. "You're welcome," she said cheerfully.

Surprised, Malachite nearly choked on his coffee, but he managed to compose himself. He looked at her but, before either of them could speak, another servant girl darted forward. In the blink of an eye, another plate had been set beside his, along with a pitcher and a goblet of fruit juice. The girl bobbed a curtsey and vanished.

For a few seconds, Mina stood rooted to the spot, staring at the extra setting on the table in shock. She hadn't actually intended to sit with Malachite, but it appeared the kitchen staff had other ideas.

Malachite watched a strange look pass over Mina's face, surprise mixed with...is that a trace of panic on her face? he wondered. Oddly it was the panic that made up his mind. Politely rising to his feet, he said in what he hoped was a casual voice, "Good morning, Princess. Care to join me?"

Mina felt rather discombobulated—unused to having her own matchmaking tactics used against her—but she dipped her head in a shy nod. "If I may?"

"Certainly." Malachite helped her into her seat, noting that the sunlight streaming through the windows behind them turned her hair to molten gold. He resumed his own chair and they ate in awkward silence.

Mina risked a glance at Malachite now and then. He doesn't seem angry, she thought, munching a wonderfully gooey cinnamon roll. Maybe he just doesn't care.

Malachite caught the wistful look that flashed across her face, wondering what it meant. He gazed down into his mug absently. So much for not thinking of her. Clearly his attempt to avoid her wasn't working.

They parted ways a little later with barely a dozen words exchanged, much to the disappointment of the kitchen staff, who were hoping the two would relax and enjoy each other's company.

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The day crawled by for Mina and the other princesses. Anticipation was at its peak and servants dashed about making sure everything was exactly as it should be. This left little for Serenity and her court to do to prepare. The Moon Princess spent the day with the Queen, while Ami ensconced herself in the library. Mina, Lita, and Rei slipped away to visit the flower gardens, but separated to wander different sections.

Mina spent several seemingly happy, carefree hours roaming the gardens while her mind worked overtime. She was going over all of the security measures, running through the corridors in her mind, and imagining how the ball room would look from different angles. But she was also reminiscing, remembering other dances she had attended in years past. She remembered how excited she used to be; how she always laughed and wondered if perhaps she would find her knight in shining armor that night. But she never had. And I never will.

She bent and gently brushed the top of a red rose with her fingertips, feeling the silky softness of its petals. Her golden hair fell to frame her slender form. I never will.

The blonde glanced up at the sky and noted the sun's position. I'd better be getting back. I don't want them to come looking for me. Slowly, she threaded her way out of the garden. When she passed the bench where Malachite had found her two days before, she felt a sharp stab. To counteract it, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Why did I have to fall in love with him? Why? It's a distraction. I don't need distractions. I need to focus on Serenity. Protecting her is my duty, and I can't do it if I'm pining after Malachite. As long as Serenity is safe, it doesn't matter if he dances with me or not.

Her head held high, Mina swept down the stone path and into the palace.

"Oh! Mina! There you are!"

Mina turned just in time to brace herself as Serenity launched herself down the hall and grabbed her hand.

"We were starting to wonder where you were," Serenity chattered, towing Mina through the halls. "It's time for us to start getting ready, you know." She laughed, a pink blush suffusing her cheeks. "This reminds me of our wedding day." Her long golden ponytails streamed behind her merrily.

The Venusian princess didn't answer. In all honesty, her wedding day was a day she'd like to forget. She never would, but it was sometimes nice to think she might. She allowed herself to be pulled along, and finally regained some of her old spark. "Race you to your room, Sere," she said impishly.

Serenity looked startled. "Mina, I don't think—"

Mina tugged her hand free and picked up her skirts. "Come on, Princess!" she called with a laugh.

"Hey!" the Lunarian protested as the blonde whirlwind rushed past her. "Mina!!! That's not fair!!" She picked up her own skirts and dashed madly after the rapidly departing Venusian. "MIIIIINNAAAA!!! Wait for meeeeeee!"

Malachite, Jadeite and Endymion were descending the grand staircase in the ballroom when two blonde streaks darted through the room. They stopped short in surprise as Serenity halted in the middle of the room, panting.

"MIINAAA! Slow down!" she gasped. "I can't keep up!"

Mina stopped and whirled about to face her friend. "But you said we had to hurry," she said innocently, blue eyes dancing.

"I pant didn't gasp mean huff that way." The Moon Princess shook her head, holding her side.

Mina posted her hands on her hips, unaware of their audience. "Well, then what did you mean?"

Serenity straightened. "I meant that we should walk like ladies." She bit her lip. "Mother would kill me if she saw me running through the palace like I was a little girl again."

"Like ladies?" Mina deliberately widened her eyes. "Oh, I see. We should walk like this." She proceeded to take mincing, delicate steps across the ballroom floor, her nose stuck in the air. Above them, Jadeite and Endymion fought laughter and even Malachite had trouble restraining a smile. Mina had captured perfectly the way the majority of the court's ladies pranced about.

Serenity burst out laughing. "Oh, Mina, you're hilarious."

"I know." Mina gave her a saucy wink and then tucked her arm through Serenity's. "The ball awaits." She gestured dramatically. "Onward!" The two of them hurried out of the room.

Once they were safely out of earshot, Endymion and Jadeite both gave way to their laughter.

"An excellent imitation if I ever saw one," Jadeite said with a chuckle. He glanced over at Malachite, who was staring thoughtfully after the departing princesses, and nudged him. "Sweep her off her feet tonight, Mal."

The silver-haired General's faint smile vanished and he turned an icy lavender gaze on his friend. "Our relationship is none of your business," he ground out. "Get that through your thick skull." With a swirl of his cape, he turned around and stalked off the way they had come.

Endymion whistled. "You touched a nerve, Jade. I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Jadeite shrugged. "Somebody has to keep him honest. He's too stubborn to admit he cares for her and it's hurting both of them."

Endymion shook his head. "He'll come to his senses eventually."

Jadeite's face was unusually grave. "I jut hope it's not too late." He smiled and said in a lighter voice, "Besides, I've been getting Old Stiff and Stern riled up for years now and I'm still alive."

"You're either very brave or very stupid."

Jadeite smirked, but did not reply.

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Laughing merrily, Mina and Serenity entered the beautiful set of rooms the Moon Princess shared with her husband. The other princesses were already there along with their maids.

"Endymion doesn't mind us being here, does he?" Ami asked with a trace of concern.

Serenity shook her head. "We discussed this earlier and he moved everything he was going to need to another room."

"That was very kind of him," Ami said, looking rather relieved. "Especially considering it is his birthday."

Serenity accepted a cup of tea from her maid and sipped it thoughtfully, looking at the dresses spread across the room. She smiled. "I know. Isn't he wonderful?" She sighed dreamily into her tea as she crossed the room to her dressing table.

"Look out!" Rei's warning came too late.

Serenity bumped into a chair and the contents of her cup sloshed onto the dress lying there. "Oh, no!" She looked over at Mina. "I'm so sorry!"

Mina waved a hand. "Don't worry about it. I'll go get another one."

"No," Rei said suddenly. "Let Ginevra do it." This was a chance for them to speak to Mina with no listeners.

Surprisingly, Serenity caught on immediately. "Yes," she said brightly. "Why don't all of you go find something beautiful for Princess Mina?" She smiled at the maids, who curtsied and quickly left, pleased the Princesses had entrusted them with the task.

Rei sank down into an unoccupied chair and fixed Mina with a violet stare. "Are things working out better between you and Malachite, Mina?" she inquired pleasantly.

Mina shrugged, fingering the sleeve of her stained dress. "I suppose. I leave him alone, and he leaves me alone." Except for when you kissed him, her inner voice reminded her.

"But what about the rose he gave you?" Serenity asked. "Didn't that mean anything?"

Mina shook her head. "I told you before, Sere, he only gave it to me because I fixed his favorite jacket."

"He's falling in love with you," Lita said bluntly, resting her hands on her hips.

Mina stiffened and looked at the Jovian Princess accusingly. "Don't say things like that. He's not falling for me. He can't stand me."

"Are you sure?" Ami prodded gently from her corner,. She clasped her hands in her lap. "Zoicite said he's been acting strange lately."

"It doesn't have anything to do with me, I assure you." Mina waved her hands in the air. "He's had mountains of reports to go through, and some of the news that is coming isn't good. There have been a number of small mobs and such that have formed around Earth in the past few days. They don't seem to be happy with the Royal Family and he's concerned."

"Why are you being so blind, Mina?" Lita demanded. "For a Venusian who's supposed to be very adept in reading the feelings of the heart, you're being extraordinarily dense about your own feelings. Don't you care about him?"

Mina didn't answer for a moment. Then she said softly, "I never said I didn't care." She blinked and her cornflower blue eyes were suddenly glittering with unshed tears. "I know you mean well, and I appreciate you caring about me, but I really don't want to discuss this now. Please."

"You can tell us anything, Mina, you know that," Serenity said, her silvery voice comforting.

"We're here for you," Ami added. The setting sun caught the sapphire jewels she had just placed in her blue hair and made them sparkle.

Rei laid a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Don't give up, Mina. Things will work out. You'll see."

"Yes. Things will work out," Lita said cheerfully. She smacked a fist into her hand. "Or else I'll have to work Malachite over and make him see reason."

The thought of the Jovian princess beating Malachite up made Mina crack a small smile. "Thank you." Then her whole expression brightened. "Now let's knock their boots off, shall we?"

The maids returned with a gown for Mina, and the rest of the afternoon was spent in merry chatter and laughter.

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"What on Earth are they doing?" Nephrite paced the hall outside Endymion's quarters. "They've been in there for hours," he complained. He, Endymion, and the others were waiting to escort their wives to the celebration.

From his place leaning against the wall, Jadeite laughed. "Neph," he said easily, "haven't you learned yet that the fine art of dressing is a long and complicated process?"

Nephrite scowled. "It never takes Lita this long in the morning," he grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"She's not preparing for a ball every morning, either," Zoicite pointed out quietly.

Nephrite glared at him. "Whatever."

"Calm down," Endymion admonished. "They'll be out eventually."

"Or at least they'd better be." Jadeite's blue eyes were full of amusement. "It'd be a shame for them to miss this."

Zoicite shook his head. "They won't."

Malachite alone was silent, listening to his friends' exchange with only half his attention. He was busily running through a mental checklist. Everything was set. All the guards were in place and had their orders for the night. No one would be admitted to the palace without a valid invitation, and the guards would be keeping an eye on the crowd gathering outside.

The sound of a door opening jolted him out of his reverie and he straightened to attention as Serenity swept out into the corridor.

The Moon Princess wore a flowing white dress with gold accents and a tiny, glittering crown nestled between her customary buns. When she caught sight of Endymion, she beamed at him and curtsied daintily. "Happy birthday, my prince."

Endymion bowed and kissed her hand before tucking her arm through his. "You look beautiful, Sere," he whispered, loving the way her cheeks grew pink.

"We were wondering when you would grace us with your presence," Jadeite said with a rakish grin as his wife emerged through the door, followed by Ami, Lita, and Mina.

"Nephrite almost wore a path through the floor," Zoicite added.

Mina tossed her head, sending golden tendrils of hair flying. "You don't think it's easy being this beautiful, do you?" She laughed and her blue eyes sparkled with mischief and excitement. Her eyes sought Malachite and she was pleased to discover he was looking at her, his eyes slightly wider than usual. She wondered if he recognized her dress.

He probably didn't. In all likelihood, he had permanently blocked out memories of that first night on the Moon. She allowed her gaze to flick over him and held back a sigh. Handsome as ever.

"Venusians," Lita said in amusement, shaking her head. Instead of her beloved ponytail, she wore her rich brown hair piled up on top of her head, but a few wisps had slipped out to frame her face. Her dress, deep green with off-the-shoulder sleeves, enhanced her eyes.

Nephrite, his impatience quite forgotten, could only stare at her. After a few seconds, he regained his senses and quickly stepped forward to offer her his arm.

"Blondes," Rei agreed. Her black hair was loose and streamed around her, contrasting nicely with the silky lavender gown she had chosen to wear. She sauntered over to her husband and her lips curved in a sultry smile. Do I look presentable?

You look absolutely gorgeous, he replied mentally, matching her smile with one of his own.

"I beg your pardon!" Serenity protested. She looked indignantly at the princess of Mars. "You mean Mina, don't you, Rei?"

Mina gave them an innocent look. "But I'm the Princess of Venus," she pouted teasingly, swishing her orange skirts. "I'm supposed to be gorgeous, aren't I?"

"Gorgeous but no sense at all," Malachite observed coolly.

Mina had far too much experience to let her cheerful mask falter. She laughed merrily and batted her eyelashes at him, knowing he would find it irritating. "Now, really, Malachite, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you thought I was a vapid flirt!" She spoke lightly, but the memory of his words still rankled in her heart.

"That's because you are." The instant the words left his mouth, Malachite regretted them. For a split-second, he thought he saw pain flash across Mina's face before it was replaced with a bright smile.

"Malachite—" Endymion began, sounding rather taken-aback, but Mina interrupted him.

"It's quite all right, Your Highness," she said, "He's just teasing me." The sweet, mischievous expression on her face effectively covered over the raw wound that just been reopened inside her.

Endymion looked like he didn't believe her, but Serenity was tugging on his arm.

"Come on, Endy," she implored. "You're going to be late to your own ball."

Distracted, the ebony-haired prince smiled at his wife. "We can't have that, can we?"

Malachite looked at Mina, whose smile was still in place as she stared after the royal couple. He felt off-balance again and suppressed a scowl. He hadn't meant to say those things to her.

Taking a deep breath, Malachite forced himself to walk over to his wife. This was one of those times he really loathed protocol. He bowed slightly and held out his hand. "May I escort you to the ball, Princess?"

Mina's smile widened just a little, even as her breath hitched in her throat. "You may," she murmured, placing her hand in his.

They walked arm in arm down the halls behind Endymion and Serenity in silence, both hyper-aware of the other. Ami, Zoicite, Lita, Nephrite, Rei, and Jadeite followed, chatting quietly.

Malachite resisted stealing glances at the beautiful blonde beside him. No matter how wrapped up in their own wives his friends were, he knew they would notice and he did not feel like listening to anymore lectures. Still, he couldn't help but remember his thoughts from the morning.

Every once in a while, Mina's eyes darted to her husband's face. She hoped he couldn't tell that being so close to him was making her heart pound faster, though it was certainly loud enough for him to hear. Her stomach was a mass of writhing, twisting knots. I have to be careful, she thought. I can't let him see how much I care. It'll only push him away.

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The banquet was delicious and Mina tucked into her food, determined to at least look like she was enjoying herself. During the meal, she caught Malachite's eyes on her a few times, though she pretended to be unaware of what he was doing, and a sudden, completely irrational hope filled her. Maybe he'll dance with me tonight; really dance with me. The thought brought a bright smile to her face.

Beside her, Malachite found himself wondering what had suddenly made her so happy.

After several rousing birthday speeches, including one by Serenity, everyone streamed into the ballroom. Mina stole a cautious look up at Malachite, her hand lightly resting on his arm. Please dance with me, she prayed silently, watching Endymion and Serenity step onto the floor.

Malachite counted the beats in his head, waiting for the moment he would take Mina out on to the dance floor. He wasn't sure he could do this, but his duty was to his wife—at least for the first dance. He took a deep breath, struggling to return his pulse to normal, and swept Mina into the swirling strains of the waltz filling the air.

Mina melted into his arms like they had been made for each other and Malachite instinctively allowed himself to relax into the dance, pulling her closer. This isn't so bad, a part of him reflected. The flowery scent of her hair filled his senses and her small body was soft against his own as they moved flawlessly in time to the music.

His eyes settled on her glowing face before sliding to her lips, which were slightly parted in a smile. Unbidden, the memory of the spark he'd felt at their wedding rushed back to him. If he leaned in just a little…he could find out if that spark had been his imagination.

Malachite brought himself up short, not liking where his mind was going. What was he thinking? He couldn't kiss her here—he'd never hear the end of it. You don't want this marriage, he reminded himself savagely, and you certainly don't want her! Never mind what dancing with her was doing to him, and never mind he'd been thinking he was poised on the brink just a few hours earlier. There's only one thing to do.

His face showing nothing of his internal struggle, Malachite finished the dance. As soon as the music ended, he dropped Mina's hands and stepped away to put some distance between them. He made the mistake of meeting her gaze, however, and found his abrupt movements had startled her. A niggling feeling of guilt tried to make itself known, but he ignored it. This was the only way he would have any peace.

"If you'll excuse me?" he asked blandly, giving her a bow before he turned and vanished from the floor.

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Mina could have cried. She had thought he was relaxing, had thought that maybe there was a chance for them, but clearly he considered dancing with her an advanced form of torture. Completely missing the way his gloved hands clenched as he disappeared into the crowd, she stared after him in painful realization. He hates me so much he can't even stand to touch me.

Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she had no time to indulge them. She was the Princess of Venus; she had both her family's honor and her reputation to maintain. Besides, Rei and Jadeite were moving past her as the next dance began and the Martian Princess was sure to sense something amiss. Hastily, Mina composed her face into a semblance of a smile.

"Princess?" a voice asked from behind her.

Grateful for the interruption, Mina turned to find a young man holding out his hand to her, an eager look in his dark eyes.

"May I have this dance?" he asked with a courtly bow.

She placed her hand in his without a moment's hesitation. "Of course."

He was only the first of many dance partners that evening.

In an attempt to distract herself, to keep her thoughts from lingering on Malachite and his rejection of her, Mina swirled and twirled around the ball room constantly. She appeared to be in high spirits and was the center of an admiring crowd wherever she went, but she couldn't keep herself from searching for silver hair.

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As the night wore on, Malachite grew more and more agitated. Watching from the sidelines, he felt a stab of something he steadfastly refused to identify as jealousy every time he saw her with a new dance partner, or worse, an old one. The way she laughed, chatted, and smiled, charming everyone around her grated on his nerves.

Finally, towards the end of the evening, something inside him snapped. He pushed away from the wall he had been leaning against and waded into the sea of people on the floor, forcing out barely polite excuses between clenched teeth whenever he bumped into someone. This was the way she had acted before breaking off their engagement. I will not be made a fool of again.

He made it through to Mina and caught her wrist just as she was about to begin another dance

"Another time, perhaps," she said graciously to her disappointed partner, giving him a smile before following Malachite.

Keeping a firm grasp on her, Malachite maneuvered them through the crowd. Then he practically dragged her into a semi-secluded niche and shoved her up against the cool stone wall. "What do you think you're doing?" he demanded in a low, angry voice. His tanned face was dark and his lavender eyes flashed dangerously.

Though his nose was inches from her own, Mina refused to let his proximity intimidate her. "What do you think I'm doing?" she retorted. "I'm dancing. I'm enjoying myself. Is there a problem with that?"

Malachite's fist slammed into the wall beside her head and Mina willed herself not to flinch. "Yes," he growled. "You're a married woman. You're supposed to show restraint, not openly flirt with every man who so much as looks at you!"

"Typical," Mina said scathingly, white-hot pain blazing inside her. "You won't dance with me yourself, but you object when anyone else does." She gave him a glare she usually reserved for use as Sailor Venus. "For your information, General High and Mighty, I wasn't flirting. I was merely being polite."

"Well," Malachite snarled, "I don't like your way of being polite."

"Then dance with me yourself! I'm your wife!" Mina burst out. "All I wanted was for you to dance with me tonight, Malachite. Is that so horrible?"

The look in her blue eyes was almost pleading, and Malachite found he could not answer. Too many conflicting thoughts and emotions were flitting around in his head for him to make sense of them. Chief among them were guilt and horror at the lack of control he had just displayed.

A sudden cheer went up from the people gathered behind them in the ball room and he came to with a start. "We're supposed to be out on the balcony," he muttered.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mina allowed Malachite to take her arm without protest and they quickly made their way to the huge balcony opening out of the ballroom's western wall. The King, Queen, Endymion, and Serenity were already there, waving to the masses of people crowded into the courtyard below. The entire city was celebrating Endymion's birthday and it looked like all of them were gathered in front of the palace.

Mina and Malachite took their places behind Endymion and Serenity, joining the other Princesses and Generals. The happiness everyone was radiating hit Mina like a physical blow. At that moment, surrounded by cheering crowds, she had never felt so alone. She couldn't remember what it felt like to be joyful. She glanced at Malachite, who stood tall and stiff beside her, and her gaze slid down his body to rest on his gloved hand. It only served to remind her that she was denied even the slightest show of affection—if theirs had been a normal marriage she could have slipped her hand into his.

Stop it, she told herself. Dwelling on it does no good. She forced the thoughts away and looked down at the crowd, deliberately scanning for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing caught her eye and she breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps she had been worried for naught.

Fireworks suddenly exploded in the sky, sending tendrils of sparkling silver and gold in all directions. The crowd burst into applause. Clapping along with the rest, Mina glanced down again. And then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him.

In and of itself, there was nothing unusual about the man at the edge of the crowd. He was just a well-dressed citizen trying to get a better view of the Royal family. Yet something about him screamed a warning to Mina.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched him deftly pick his way through the crowd. The fluid, borderline unnatural grace with which he moved sent chills up her spine. This man is not of Earth.

Several more fireworks exploded overhead, creating brilliant starbursts of red, green, blue, purple, and white. The man came to a halt in the center of the crowd and for a few seconds, he was perfectly still. Then something silver glinted in his hand.

Even before she consciously registered it was a knife, Mina broke from her place beside Malachite. There was only one possible target. Her own words echoed in her ears.

What is the best way to destroy the peace?

Mina thrust her way towards the woman she was supposed to protect just as more fireworks went off above them. "Princess! Look out!" Her voice was drowned out by a fresh cheer from the crowd. Serenity stood at the balcony's edge, clapping delightedly. Endymion was at her side, but he wouldn't be able to stop the inevitable. He didn't even realize there was danger.

The man threw the knife.

Time seemed to slow as it arched through the air. Out of the corner of her eye, Mina saw Rei move. The Martian Princess had apparently picked up on the danger as well, but it was much too late. I'm the only one who can save her.

Mina knocked Serenity aside just as the blade came down with deadly accuracy.

For a few seconds, there was absolute silence in the courtyard, save for the thunderous booming of fireworks. Then the crowd realized what had happened and all hell broke loose.

Mina sank to her knees, the purple and gold sparks raining down from the star-studded sky filling her field of vision. She looked down at her chest and the noise around her faded away. How strange, she thought in fuzzy bewilderment. It doesn't hurt at all.

She's safe, a voice in her head whispered. Go to sleep. You've done your duty. That's all that matters.

Her eyelids suddenly heavy, Mina slumped sideways. Her mind refused to focus on anything except that Serenity was safe. As she slipped into oblivion, she was dimly aware of someone calling her name, but she couldn't muster the energy to care. Her duty was done; the darkness tugged at her, offering her a release from everything.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In his peripheral vision, Malachite saw Mina dart from his side. He turned towards her, the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior threatening to manifest itself again. After her little speech about only wanting him to dance with her, what was she doing now?

Then he caught sight of the knife hurtling through the air and his anger evaporated like morning mist. He realized in horror that she must have seen it, but she couldn't—she couldn’t possibly be—

It was all over before he even had the chance to lift a finger. Mina reached the Moon Princess just as the knife fell, but he was unable to see where it had gone. Everyone immediately converged on Serenity, effectively shielding both her and Mina from his sight.

Malachite was vaguely aware that his fellow Generals were rushing to capture the would-be assassin, who was struggling to leave the crowd, but the question of where the knife had gone was paramount in his mind. Fighting a sick feeling, he roughly pushed his way to his prince's side. Either Serenity was wounded, or…his mind trailed off unable to complete the thought.

Endymion was kneeling on the stone floor, holding a distraught Serenity in his arms. She was struggling to escape him, babbling incoherently though her tears, but otherwise appeared to be uninjured.

Malachite's eyes met Endymion's as he looked up, and the sorrowful regret in the prince's blue eyes caused an icy fist to close around his heart. No…

Behind Endymion, Rei, Ami, and Lita were huddled around an unmoving figure. They were all talking frantically, but Rei's panicked voice could be heard above the rest, begging Mina to open her eyes.

The icy fist around his heart tightened as Malachite stepped around Endymion and his eyes swept over the crumpled form of his princess. In a glance he took in the knife protruding from her chest, buried up to its hilt dangerously close to her heart, and the dark, chilling mist the knife was emanating.

A mist that seemed to be slowly draining the last of her life-force.

No…

He dropped to his knees beside her, one hand brushing her golden hair out of the way while the other reached to cup the side of her face. "Mina?" he asked urgently, "Can you hear me?"

There was no answer—not that he had expected one.

Her breathing was coming in long, shallow gasps, and it did not take someone with as much experience as he had to see what was happening. Closing down on the fear and dread welling up in him, he said grimly, "Fight it, Mina. Don't give up." He hoped she could hear him.

Ignoring the other princesses and everyone else on the balcony, Malachite scooped Mina up in his arms and dashed back into the palace.

"Get out of the way!" he growled at the gawking men and women blocking his passage. They scattered immediately and broke out into hushed whispers. The fireworks had stopped.

Malachite cast a glance down at Mina's face as he sprinted to the Healers' Wing, taking care to jostle her as little as possible, and felt his heart contracting painfully again. Whether from the knife or the mist, she wouldn't be with him much longer.

The thought was staggering and he instinctively held Mina tighter. I can't lose her. A thousand and one images of her flashed through his mind; the first time they met, the night of the ball on the Moon, their wedding day, last night, just before she kissed him, and the pleading look in her eyes before they stepped foot on the balcony. If she died, he would carry that image to the end of his days, a reminder of how foolishly stubborn he had been.

It seemed to take forever to reach his destination. When Malachite finally hurtled around a corner and entered the main corridor of the Healer's Wing, Mina was barely breathing. He ignored the startled Healer posted at the entrance and dashed into the first empty room he could find, kicking the door shut behind him.

The room was dark without the light from the flickering torches lining the hall, but Malachite's eyes adjusted quickly. He gently laid Mina's limp body on the bed, just as the door banged open and the Healer burst into the room.

"General Malachite!" she cried breathlessly, "What's—"

He cut her off before she could finish. "There's nothing you can do."

The Healer's eyes went wide, flicking to Mina's unconscious figure. "But, General—"

Malachite took the candle she was holding. "Leave." His princess was too far gone for the Healers' skills and they were wasting precious time.

Once the door had closed behind the confused woman, Malachite set the candle on the table beside the bed and dropped to his knees. His throat catching at the sight of the unnatural translucency of Mina's skin, he reached for the knife. As yet, very little blood had escaped the wound, but he knew that would change. "Hold on, Mina."

The knife's oddly-shaped handle burned him as he grasped it, but he ignored the pain and withdrew the blade from her chest with one fluid motion. Blood immediately spurted from the hole, drenching the front of Mina's bodice.

Tossing the knife over his shoulder, completely unaware that it turned to dust the instant it hit the floor, Malachite yanked off one of his gloves with his teeth and pressed it against the wound to stem the flow of blood. Then he held his other hand above the wound.

He forced himself to relax, deliberately forgetting he had not done this in a very long time. It was one of the Royal family's best-kept secrets that he and the other three Generals had been born with special abilities. His, strangely enough, was the gift of healing.

Malachite closed his eyes, focusing on Mina's injury. I won't lose you, he vowed. Not when I've just realized how much you mean to me. Golden light issued from his palm.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Rei paced back and forth in Serenity's sitting room like a caged tiger, her violet eyes all but shooting sparks. I should have sense the danger sooner! she berated herself. If I'd been doing my job, I would have realized Serenity was in danger and Mina wouldn't have—wouldn't have…she faltered and trailed off.

They didn't know if Mina was dead or alive.

She closed her eyes. True, Malachite had rushed her off somewhere, presumably to the Healers, but the sheer…unadulterated evil pouring in waves off of that knife filled her with foreboding.

A resounding CRACK echoed through the room and she whipped around. Serenity and Ami, both seated on the couch, let out yelps of surprise.

Lita, her face darker than one Jupiter's thunderclouds, had just punched the wall. "I should have seen him," she muttered thickly. "I should have done something." She was on the verge of either tears or a violent explosion.

"There was nothing you could have done," a voice said softly.

They all looked around as Endymion came through the door, followed by Nephrite, Jadeite, and Zoicite. Their faces were grim; the festivities of the evening completely forgotten.

"Who was he?" Rei demanded, her smoldering gaze flicking over each of them in turn.

Endymion shook his head. "Not now," he said firmly.

Rei switched topics, too worried to wonder about his reluctance to divulge any information. "Where is Mina? Is she all right?"

Jadeite took a few steps towards her, reaching out to rest his hands on her shoulders. "We haven't had a chance to find out yet." He did not show surprise when she jerked her body out of his grasp.

"Where is she?" Lita asked, her pleading green eyes resting on her husband.

"Mal probably took her to the Healers' Wing. We'll escort you there." Zoicite wrapped an arm around Ami as she stood.

Serenity made to get up, but Endymion stopped her. "You're not going anywhere yet."

"But, Endy! Mina—" Tears leaked out of Serenity's blue eyes. "She saved my life!"

"And I'm sure she wouldn't want you to risk it until we know the palace is safe," Endymion countered. "That assassin may not have been alone. I promise," he said in a gentler voice, "we'll go see her as soon as it's safe."

Serenity subsided, but her face was miserable as she watched the others leave.

Halfway through the door, Rei froze. She whipped around, narrowly avoiding ramming into Jadeite, and advanced on Endymion. "What about Serenity?" she demanded. "One of us has to stay with her."

Endymion met the Martian princess's fiery violet gaze full on without flinching. "Nothing's going to happen to her," he said firmly. "She's not leaving my sight. A detachment of guards will be here momentarily to keep an eye on this hall. There's no need for any of you to stay."

Rei's eyes flashed, but Serenity spoke before she could open her mouth.

"Go to Mina," she said softly. "Go for me. I couldn't—I couldn't bear it if she—if she—" she broke off, burying her face in her hands. Endymion wrapped his arms around her, his blue eyes still fixed on Rei.

Rei stared at her for a moment before dipping her head in a tight nod. "As you wish, Princess." Head held high, she pivoted and stalked out of the room.

Shaking his head, Jadeite fell into step beside her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was a silent, hurried walk to the Healers' Wing. No one felt like talking; they were each wrapped up in their private thoughts and recriminations.

A rather shaken-looking Healer greeted them with a hasty curtsey.

"Where are General Malachite and Princess Mina?" Nephrite asked.

The Healer began to twist her hands together. "Down the hall," she answered. "He won't let me help. He said there was nothing we could do for her. General, please—please reason with him before it's too late!"

Ami let out a whimper and Zoicite's arm tightened around her.

Rei charged forward. "Take us to them!" she demanded.

The Healer obeyed, but she stopped outside the door. "The General told me to leave. He doesn't wish to be disturbed."

Jadeite nodded. "We understand. Return to your duties."

She dipped a curtsey and departed, casting anxious glances over her shoulder.

Rei reached to open the door, but Jadeite blocked her way. "You can't go in yet," he said quietly.

Her eyes went wide with surprise before narrowing with anger. "Why not?"

Zoicite stepped up beside the blond General. "Because if he's doing what we think he's doing, a distraction of any kind could prove fatal to Princess Mina."

Ami's brow furrowed as she stared at her husband. "What are you saying?" She searched her memory for some mention of Earth possessing advanced medical equipment, but found nothing.

Zoicite glanced at Jadeite and Nephrite, who both gave him fractional nods. "I'm saying he is attempting to heal her and distractions make it that much more difficult for him to focus."

"How is that possible?" Ami whispered through suddenly stiff lips. "I've never heard of Terrans possessing powers like that.".

Zoicite shook his head. "It's a long story. One best suited to another time," he added grimly.

Rei glared at him, but quickly shifted her glare to Jadeite, who was still blocking the door. "I need to see her."

Jadeite's face softened, his blue eyes watching her with mingled compassion and misery. "Not yet."

Rei held his gaze a few seconds more and then spun on her heel and stalked off down the hall without another word.

Lita looked up at Nephrite. "Can he save her?"

Nephrite wrapped his arms around her. "He'll do his best." He closed his eyes, resting his chin on the top of her head. The stars had been right about Mina's danger, but he had not expected this.

Tears still dripping down her face, Ami looked at Jadeite, who stood frozen at the door, his gaze fixed on the end of the hall Rei had taken. "She needs you, Jadeite," she said softly. "She won't admit it, but she does."

The blond general met her eyes briefly. Then he inclined his head slightly and strode off down the hall. Rei had done her best to close down her connection to him, but her emotions were running rampant. Fear, anger, sorrow, and guilt leaked through the walls she had put up.

She had not gone far. He found her huddled on the floor around the corner, her face in her hands. Kneeling beside her, he gently pried her hands free. Rei tried to pull away, but he held her fast. "It's not your fault, Rei. It's not your fault," he repeated.

Shock was written all over her face at his words.

"We did the best we could to prepare for disaster. There wasn't anything else you or I or anyone could have done. Even Endymion didn't see that man and you know he'd give his life for Serenity."

Rei tried to speak, but the words stuck in her throat, choking her. Jadeite's arms wrapped around her and she buried her face in his chest, finally allowing herself to cry.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Malachite could feel time slipping away and he knew Mina's life was going with it. The knowledge should have filled him with desperation, but all he felt was a kind of quiet determination. She was his wife—the woman he had finally, irrevocably, learned he loved—and he would not lose her. Not now.

He concentrated harder, putting every ounce of energy into the effort to stop the bleeding and mend the wound. All of his strength, willpower, and this new feeling inside him called love. The golden light he emitted grew brighter and brighter, before finally winking out, plunging the room into semi-darkness once more.

The world swam back into focus as Malachite opened his eyes. Hardly daring to breathe, he looked down at Mina. She lay motionless, her long golden hair spread about her, but the color had returned to her cheeks and the gaping hole that had been pouring out her lifeblood was gone. He leaned forward and curled his fingers about her wrist. Her pulse beat pleasantly against his thumb.

She was alive.

Malachite was so relieved he actually felt weak in the knees. With his free hand, he brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. He smiled faintly. She's alive.

His exhilaration was short-lived. Exhaustion from the amount of energy he had expended kicked in and he slumped beside her bed as he lost consciousness.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Rei and Jadeite rejoined the others, the Martian princess immediately asked, "Have you checked on them yet?"

Zoicite shook his head.

"Well," Rei continued briskly, "I think it's time. He's been in there long enough." She made for the door.

Zoicite glanced at Jadeite, who simply shrugged. "I agree with her," he said.

"He hasn't done this in some time," Nephrite added. He didn't need to say anything else—his friends knew what he meant.

Rei cautiously opened the door and they all peeked inside. By the light of a guttering candle, they could see Malachite half-lying on the bed beside Mina. Both were unmoving.

Ami slipped past the others and rushed to check their pulses. She looked up with a watery smile. "They're both alive."

"Did he do it?" Lita demanded, a catch in her voice.

Ami simply nodded.

Lita threw her arms around Nephrite's neck and hugged him tightly. "He saved her," she sobbed, overcome with relief.

Jadeite moved over to stand beside Malachite, whose hand firmly grasped Mina's. "Think there's room on this bed for two?" he asked Zoicite

The other man nodded. "I'll get his feet." Together, they lifted Malachite onto the bed, stretching him out carefully beside Mina.

"Endymion's going to want to see him as soon as he wakes up," Nephrite observed a moment later. "Someone should stay with them."

"Couldn't you get the Healer—" Rei began, but Jadeite shook his head.

"They don't know," he said flatly. "Malachite never told them what he could do."

"It's not something to be taken lightly," Zoicite added, his green eyes concerned.

"I'll stay here," Ami offered. She settled into the room's lone chair. "I have a book to read. I'll keep watch until one of them wakes up."

Lita stared at Ami, one hand going to her hips. "You brought a book again? To this ball?"

Ami blushed. "Old habits die hard," she mumbled.

The Jovian princess threw her hands up in the air. "I surrender."

Looking faintly puzzled, Nephrite addressed Ami, "Thank you, Princess." He tugged a spluttering Zoicite out of the room as they left. "You'll survive a few hours without her company."

Nettled, Zoicite shot back, "I don't see you leaving your wife in there."

Jadeite winked at Ami as he closed the door. She merely smiled and opened her book.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Malachite awoke several hours later, severely disoriented. For a few seconds, he stared up at the ceiling in bewilderment. Then he turned his head and saw Mina.

Everything rushed back to him.

He raised himself up on one elbow, looking down at her. He wasn't sure if she was still unconscious or merely asleep, but her breathing was steady. Realizing he still held her hand, he lifted it to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. The thought of how close he had come to losing her was sobering.

Ami, her face tinged pink at her intrusion into this obviously rare appearance of Malachite's other side, resisted the urge to squirm uncomfortably in her chair. She didn't want to embarrass Malachite, yet she could think of no polite way to let him know she was there.

The decision was taken out of her hands as, feeling her eyes on him, he looked up. His face wore an unreadable expression, but he seemed neither displeased nor surprised to find her there.

Ami swallowed. "Thank you for saving her," she said softly. "It would have killed us to lose her."

"I know." He did, he really did. It would have killed him too.

"How…" Ami bit her lip, debating with herself, and then plunged ahead. "How did you heal her?"

Malachite shook his head. "It's a gift I was born with. I don't know where it came from." He fingered Mina's hair. This was the closest he had ever been to her, and the irony was not lost on him. "Do you think she'll wake up soon?"

Ami was surprised by the hopeful, yet uncertain tone in his voice. In the time she had known Malachite, he had never been anything less than confident, always keeping his emotions in check. "I'm sure she will," she said gently. "Mina's always been strong. Just like you." She smiled at him before leaving to ask the Healer to send someone for General Jadeite.

"Mal!" Jadeite exclaimed in a low voice as he entered the room. "We were wondering when you'd get enough beauty sleep."

Malachite gave him a look, but knew the younger man's light words masked his concern.

"Endymion wants to talk to you about the assassin."

The silver-haired general nodded—he had seen that coming. He got up from the bed, grimacing at the way the world threatened to spin around him, and took one last look at his sleeping wife.

"Don't worry," Ami said softly. "I'll take good care of her."

Malachite bowed to her and followed Jadeite out the door, before he stopped short. "The knife," he murmured. He should probably take that with him so they could examine it. His eyes swept around the room, searching for it, but oddly, it was nowhere to be found.

And then he saw the little heap of dust on the floor.

His mouth tight, Malachite ignored Jadeite's puzzled face and Ami's curious expression and swept the dust into his handkerchief with the blade of a dagger he pulled from his boot. Then he straightened and marched out of the room. This did not bode well.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Some time later, Mina awoke to find herself in a dimly-lit room. She was tired, so very tired, yet strangely without pain. That's odd, she thought fuzzily. I could have sworn I was dying. Wait, I was dying. What am I doing back here?

"Mina!" Ami's voice, sounding both happy and relieved, broke through the haze surrounding her. "I'm so happy you're awake. We were worried about you."

Mina blinked up at Ami, her face twisting with pain. "How could you do this to me? Why didn't you let me die?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Malachite hurried through the palace's empty corridors, feeling some of his strength return to him. In addition to debriefing him, Endymion insisted he eat before he returned to Mina. Just as he turned the corner and reached Mina's room, he heard Ami happily exclaim her name.

His heart leaped for joy. Quickly, he reached to push the door open, but Mina's words froze him in his tracks.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"What?"

Ami gasped, sure she had misheard her friend.

"Why didn't you let me die?" Mina repeated. Her voice was soft, but had a bitter edge neither Ami nor Malachite had ever heard there before.

"Mina, what do you mean?" Ami shook her head, her navy eyes filled with concern. "I don't understand."

"You wouldn't," Mina said bitterly. She turned her face away to hide the tears she could no longer control. Desperately, she tried to summon the happy façade that had fooled everyone for so long, but it refused to come. She was too tired.

Ami sank down on the edge of the bed, realizing there was something seriously wrong with her friend. They had all known she was not as happy as she pretended, but they had not known how bad things truly were. "Mina, try me, please," she said gently.

Mina closed her eyes, tears still streaming down her face. She didn't want Ami to know how weak she had been…how hopeless she had become. Unfortunately, the feelings and words had been bottled up too long for her to hold them in any longer.

"You, Rei, Lita, and Serenity are so lucky," she confessed in a rush. "You're married your soul mates. I've known you were meant for each other ever since the ball the first night they were on the Moon. But I…I married a man who hates me."

Ami's eyes widened. "Malachite doesn't—"

"Yes, he does!" Mina struggled to sit up. "He thinks I'm a vapid flirt capable of nothing more than to be a bit of fluff decorating the palace. Mala—" she stumbled painfully over his name, "Malachite can't stand to look at me or—or touch me. He'd be just as happy if I did die because then he wouldn't have to go through all the bother of putting up with me!" She was breathing heavily, raw pain pressing at her throat.

"I just want to be loved!" she exploded. "I want to be married to someone who loves me!" She looked at Ami and demanded angrily, "Is that such a terrible thing to want?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Outside, Malachite closed his eyes and leaned up against the wall. What have I done? Mina's pain-filled words cut him to the heart. He had been denying his feelings for her for months, pushing her away every time she got close, and he had been too blind to see how badly his actions were hurting her. In that instant, he perceived with crystal-clear clarity the other half of Mina's personality. The half that hid unhappiness and pain away so well that even her closest friends hadn't seen it.

The tiny hope he had nurtured since he woke up that they could start over, that perhaps she would come to love him as well, flickered out and died. There was no hope left. He'd strangled it by his silence, choked it on harsh words. How could I have been so stupid?

He was dimly aware that Ami was speaking now, but his world was spinning and it was difficult to concentrate on her words.

He heard them anyway.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ami waited until Mina's torrent of speech slowed. Talk about the course of true love not running smoothly, she thought wryly. They were both entirely too stubborn for their own good. Aloud she said gently, yet with a firmness she usually reserved for use during Serenity's lessons, "Mina, Malachite has been a blind, pig-headed, stubborn man who would not or could not see what was right in front of him. There's no denying that. However, I think you're wrong about him. He cares for you."

Mina started to retort, her eyes flashing, but Ami cut her off. "No, Mina, you're going to listen to me. When he realized you took that knife for Serenity, you should have seen his face. He was as pale as a ghost. He didn't care about the person who threw it; he charged through to you and carried you off to the Healers before any of us could gather our wits about us."

Ami's voice softened. "But they couldn't help you, Mina. He used his healing ability to save you. If he hadn't, you would be dead. And he nearly killed himself in the process."

Mina's eyes were wide with shock.

"So," Ami continued, glad to see some of the bitterness and anger had faded from her friend's face, "Don't give up on him yet. I mean that quite seriously." She held Mina's gaze and then picked up her book and left, her knees a little wobbly.

After she had gone, Mina weakly curled into a ball. So that's why I'm not dead. She stared at the wall blankly, too exhausted to cry anymore. He doesn't love me. He can't. I wasn't meant to find love. Why would he save me?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ami pretended she hadn't seen Malachite standing outside Mina's room looking like he'd been hit with a bolt of lightning. Obviously he had overheard their conversation. Good, she thought. Now he knows how much he's hurt her, she knows how much he cares, and they can get a fresh start on things.

Musing on this, she left the Healers' Wing and wandered along the corridors until she was suddenly seized and held tightly by a pair of strong arms. Her book tumbled from her hands, but it never hit the floor.

"How is she?" Zoicite asked as he caught the book in one hand.

Ami twisted in his embrace and looped her arms around his neck. "She's awake now, and I think she and Malachite are going to have a talk."

Zoicite snorted. "About time. Though," he added thoughtfully, "it's a shame it took something like this to make it happen." He looked down at her. "Love, do you realize it's nearly dawn?"

"Is that why I'm so tired?"

"It is. Why don't we retire before someone else finds a way to keep us apart?"

Ami delicately stifled a yawn. "An excellent idea, husband. Lead the way." She tucked her arm through his with a tired smile.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Malachite wasn't sure how much time passed before he gathered his thoughts and pushed open the door to Mina's room. When he entered, he found Mina huddled in the middle of the bed. Her eyes were closed, but there was such a look of acute misery on her face that it hurt to look at her. He wanted her to smile again.

How do I show her that I love her? he wondered. And if I did, would she believe me? Swallowing a sudden lump in his throat, he knelt beside the bed. "Mina?"

Her eyes fluttered open and she focused on him slowly. It was a trick of the light, she decided, that his lavender eyes held so much concern. "Yes?" Her voice came out more weakly than she would have liked.

"How are you?" His voice was equally soft, and laden with things she had never heard there before.

"Tired," she admitted. "But otherwise, I'm all right." She studied him, noticing against her will how tired he looked. "How is Serenity?"

"She's been worried about you, but she'll be happy to know you're better." Malachite's lips twitched. "Endymion could barely keep her from camping out by your bedside." His eyes skimmed her body, looking for anything amiss. Her dress was bloodstained, but he didn't see anything on her skin. Ami must have cleaned her up while he was away.

Mina was silent for a moment, trying to find the courage to ask the question burning on the tip of her tongue. "Why did you save me?"

The question caught Malachite off-guard, though he knew he should have expected to hear it. Wildly, he searched for the right words. Would she believe the truth? "I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you," he said finally.

Mina's lips twisted. It's just his guilt talking.

When she didn't say anything, Malachite asked, "Why did you jump in front of Serenity? Surely you could have—"

She cut him off. "There was no other way. It's my duty to protect her."

Malachite let that oddity pass for the moment. "And it's my duty to protect you. I failed," he added quietly.

Mina misinterpreted his words and her face hardened. Ami's wrong. He doesn't see me as anything more than a duty. "You didn't fail," she said flatly. "Admit it, Malachite, your life really would be much happier if I weren't around."

His lavender eyes darkened to grey as he stared back at her. "You truly believe that?"

"You've never given me any reason not to believe it," she retorted. Another wave of weariness washed over her and she closed her eyes, missing the stricken look on his face.

Malachite could not reply. What was there to say? She was right. He may have had an epiphany after nearly losing her, but she didn't know that and he didn’t know how to explain it. He rose to his feet and left without a word. I need time to think.

Mina heard him walk out, but did not open her eyes. Sleep was beckoning to her tired body, offering a release from the confused mass of thoughts swirling around inside her brain. She drifted off into an uneasy slumber, tossing and turning restlessly. In her dreams, Malachite was everywhere she turned. She couldn't escape him, and yet, when she reached out for him, he slipped through her fingers like mist.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

:ducks the fruit, shoes, and other assorted projectiles being thrown at her: Yes, I know! Angst, drama, and more angst! Don't worry—there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Part 8 contains the moment we've all been waiting for. So hang in there. And don't forget to let me know what you thought—reviews are brain food, after all.

Cheers!

 

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