Chapters Eleven through Fifteen

That night I dreamt of Serena. I had never met anyone like her and I guess she shocked me enough to make my mind make her into a character in a dream. I could not often remember my dreams. Sometimes I could see a woman that I called Wildman. Sometimes I would dream about a book I was reading and I would be one of the characters. I had never dreamt of someone I had seen though. Maybe it was because she puzzled me so. Or it could be that she is just the first person I had had a real conversation with since... since... ever. She was the first person who had taken the time or even to have had the opportunity to talk to me face to face. The strange thing was that even though I thought she might have a hidden agenda behind those innocent heirs and those beautiful blue eyes, I found myself able to talk to her and easily trust her.

"Maybe too easily." I said aloud while lying in bed. I had shown her the blueprints of all the tunnels. Now she could really get to me and I would never see an ambush coming. I had let down my guard for a minute and she swindled me into showing her one of my most vulnerable assets. I was kicking myself for the error now. How could I have let my guard down like that. Sure, talking was okay. Even letting her know a little about my past. But showing her my routes and telling her where I got my food and books from was just plain ignorant. Somehow, deep down, I knew I could trust her, my instincts and conclusions about humanity had been wrong, at least in the way that not everyone was violent. But still, I did not want to give too much too fast. I didn't really know her. I knew all ABOUT her, but I didn't know her.

Still, I liked talking to Serena about things. It was nice to hear what it was like to grow up in a situation where there was a family who loves you and having many friends to hang around with and talk to. Up until now, I had never really much thought of who my mother and father were. They were probably rich considering I was wearing such fine clothing the night of the crash. I had put that outfit away in a chest when I outgrew it. It was not really of any value to me considering I was not the sentimental type. But I thought it unwise to throw it out because it was stained with my blood and there was always the possibility that someone could investigate where 'this mysterious piece of clothing came from.'

But now I began to wonder who they were. Lita's name had sounded so familiar. Mina's not as much but still... Could I have been wrong and have not come from the Earth or Moon, but from Venus or Jupiter? Is that why they struck me as such?

I decided to stop pondering. I could sit there for hours contemplating and still be no closer to finding any answers. None the less, I decided that tonight I would gather some books from the library on the other eight planet's royalty. I had really only learned of the Moon's. Maybe my memory would be jarred. But for now I was content to just sit in bed and think about what I was going to do about the situation with Serena. She seemed sweet enough. She also appeared to be genuinely interested in me. Imagine that! The Princess of the Moon interested in something I had to say!! It was comical! She thinks of you as an inferior, Tux. I reminded myself. The only interest she has in you is pure amusement because you're of the lower class.

I was glad her questions had not traveled to my eye patch. There were certain things that I did not think I would ever be ready or able to discuss openly.

I got out of bed. I crossed the room to the bathroom and I got out the iodine. Thanks to Serena's medicine, the laceration had been healing much better. I changed the bandage carefully and got dressed.

It had been decided the night before that Serena would come over again at what now seemed to be becoming her usual time. I looked at the clock and discovered it was almost five in the evening! I had managed to sleep away well over half the day. I was unaccustomed to staying up until four in the morning, and now my body was retaliating. I decided to watch Serena's rehearsal. That way I at least could keep the conversation away from my personal life. I knew if I gave her the chance to start asking questions again, I'd cave just as easily as I had done last night. Well, maybe not just as easily. Now I had regained my senses and put everything back in its proper perspective. She was the Princess of the Moon, and I, a penniless commoner. I failed to see why she was even interested in talking to me, other than it might be amusing to see how the "other half" lives.

None the less, I felt myself begin to like her. I did not know why she was able to do this to me. It was annoying actually. All my life, I have been trying to build up a defence against people, and here she was, undoing my entire life's work with her... her... everything!

I opened the right door and crawled through the tunnels past the dance room and the kitchen. I climbed the ladder (as difficult as that was thanks to my shoulder) and began to watch the rehearsal, hoping to see Serena. I didn't. Maybe she wasn't rehearsing today? Then I saw the characters who were supposed to be working with her. But the girl playing her part was that of a green eyed, black haired girl. She was short, slender, flat chested, and had cream colored skin. She was pretty. But nowhere near as beautiful as Serena. Serena had the most gorgeous big blue eyes, long blonde hair that seemed to flow behind her, done up in a bon bon shape (like her mother's). Serena was thin but had all the right curves in all the right places. It seemed as though she had an impossibly thin waist for the size of her chest. She was in a word...Perfect.

It was the sound of the scream of a character on-stage that snapped me out of my daydream. It was also then that I realized how just thinking about Serena had caused my body to react. Sure, I had seen pictures of barely clothed women in books that turned me on, but Serena did not even have to try. I found it amazing that any man who laid eyes on her did not immediately fall in love, or at least in lust with her.

It was not until later that I realized my body would not have responded like this if it was merely her body I was interested in.

Serena came at her usual time. This time, rather than casually reading a book when she came I had a stack of them on the table. Most were of the royalty of the other planets, but I had not had a chance to read them. I cleared enough room so that I could set down another pot of tea and tea cups.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs her face glowed. I smiled. She always looked so pretty.

This time she needed no invitation. She sat down next to me on the couch, a little closer then usual. Get control of your mind and mouth Tux. You don't want to spill anymore information. "So, I watched your rehearsal today. I didn't see you though. Care to explain?"

Serena grinned, as if she knew a secret and wanted me to pry and drag it out. I didn't give in. She looked up at me and began.

"When I started the play, I used a disguise power of mine as to not be recognized. I did not wish to be treated any differently because of my status. I look like a short black haired girl. Her name is Jasmine. Did you see HER?"

I realized that the girl I had been comparing to Serena WAS Serena. I laughed nervously, remembering where my mind (and body) had taken me earlier. "Yeah. I saw you."

Then she gasped and got a strange expression on her face. "Wait! My powers! Oh why did I not think of this sooner?"

I was about to ask her what she meant when before I knew it she had taken off my jacket and was now unbuttoning my shirt. I did everything in my power to keep from losing my cool and letting my body react to this. But when a beautiful Princess starts spontaneously stripping you , you don't stop her and ask "why?"!

She took off my shirt and turned me around. She then unwrapped my laceration and gently placed her hand on it. I saw a flash and I felt a strange sensation. Then I heard her say, "That is better."

I moved my arm with no pain. I turned to her and looked at her questioningly. "I have the power of telekinesis. I healed you. You are better now. Sorry for not thinking of it sooner."

She was right. My shoulder had completely healed; scarless. "If only I had known her when I hurt my eye'", I thought bitterly.

"Thank you." I said to her, slightly bowing my head.

"Of course, Tuxedo Mask." she replied, not making eye contact. Was she staring at my bare chest? I raised an eyebrow. She seemed to snap back and look up at me. She knew I had caught her staring. Serena turned the deepest shade of red I had ever see. I smiled at her and broke the silence to her relief, "So tomorrow night is your performance?"

She looked at me, almost grateful and said that it was. "Can I see you the morning after my performance? I should go home and rest now, and I fear I will be exhausted tomorrow night."

I nodded yes that she could come and she seemed to light up. "Will you watch Jasmine perform? She is very pretty after all."

"Not as pretty as you." I said before I could catch myself. Great! Now she knows I think she's attractive. What will I say next? Um... Princess, I really want to sleep with you. What do you think?

We said goodnight and I didn't sleep all night.

The morning before my performance Lita and Mina came over to bug me.

They were going to attend the performance and came early to spend some time with me prior. They came in my room and woke me up like this...

"Serena..." Lita whispered as Mina shook me slightly.

At this point I must have said something about Tuxedo Mask because when I came to they looked at me with the biggest smiles and Mina asked me, "So. Who's Tuxedo Mask?"

I sat up in bed. "What?" I demanded, faster than I should have.

"You kept saying that name in your sleep, so who is he?" Lita demanded of me.

I put my head in my hands. This was great. I promised not to tell, but then again, they were my best friends. Tuxedo Mask would understand. Afterall, I did not have to tell them where he lived.

They sat down on my bed and I told them my story. I included the fact that I had strong feelings for him and that he had said I was pretty the night before. I told them I did not know for sure if he returned my affection.

Mina squealed. "Oh, how romantic! I knew you were in love! I could feel it! My being the love Princess and everything... Oh Serena! You're so lucky! He sounds amaaaazing!"

Love! Love? I had never associated the feelings I had for Tuxedo Mask as 'love' before. Was I in love with him?

Mina put her hands over her chest and squealed in-between giggles.

"Mina, I really do not believe I love him. Like, yes, certainly, but love? I simply do not..."

"Yeah right! Serena, honestly who do you think you're talking to? You have bigger goggley eyes than I did when I liked Frederick. You are so in love!"

"Well, Lita certainly mentions Frederick enough to have been in love. 'Freddy this. ' 'Freddy that.' It's SICK!" Mina grumbled, but then laughed.

My friends were such valley girls. Honestly, I sometimes wondered how they passed as intelligent at Court sessions. They were fun to be with, and they DID know a lot about men. But most importantly, I was beginning to think that they were right about my being in love with Tuxedo Mask.

"Besides." Mina started, "Anyone's better than Micah! Is he still beating you?"

Micah! I had almost completely forgotten about him. What could I do? I was engaged to one but in love with another. I certainly could not tell Mother about Tuxedo Mask. And, if Tuxedo Mask found out about Micah, there is no way he would ever love me the way I love him.

"I have not seen him in a long while. Since Tuxedo Mask attacked him, I believe."

"Well if he doesn't cut it out I'll take care of him myself!" Lita stated. Lita was by far the most powerful warrior Princess. She could beat anyone in a fight with or without powers. Jupiter had always been stranger than the other planets for some reason. Lita was certainly no exception. I figured it was from the long line or War Princes and Princesses that were in her family tree. She was the tallest of the Princesses. She was brown haired, green eyed, and had by far the biggest chest. Mina on the other hand was the most graceful, next to me. She was also, in my opinion the prettiest of all of us. She had sparkling blue eyes, blonde hair, and an attractive figure. But what made Mina the prettiest is that she always acted as sweet and pretty as she looked. Even when she was angry, she still managed to be graceful and Princess like, where Lita would pound anything that got in her way. I admired them both.

"That is alright, Lita. When we marry..."

"IF! IF you marry!!!" Mina corrected, glaring at me and looking all around perturbed in a most Royal fashion.

"IF we marry, I will be able to defend myself having the full power of the Silver Crystal."

"Yeah but still. I'd love to kick his ass."

Mina and I gasped. It was not proper for a young Princess, or any royalty for that matter, to curse.

"What?!" Lita asked annoyed. "Really, you innocents!"

We all laughed and they said goodbye.

I got up and decided to take a shower before my performance. It was already three in the afternoon. The play started at seven and I had to be there early. As I was getting in the shower I wondered what it would be like if Tuxedo Mask was in here with me. =)

The performance was a success. The audience gave us all a standing ovation. I was filled with mixed emotions. I was relieved that it was over with and it had run perfectly, but at the same time I felt like something special was now going to be missing from my life. I began to contemplate the possibility of starting another production.

Backstage, the cast members were exchanging thank yous, flowers, and phone numbers. Molly wanted my number and I told her that I would call her. We said goodbye and I finished packing up my things. My friends and Mother were standing outside waiting for me (all of us in disguise, of course. But I thought it might have been obvious with all the disguised guards around us!). They congratulated me and we headed back to the palace for a small celebration. I was exhausted and retired early. I ended up taking another shower to wash off all the perspiration I had gotten from being under the hot stage lights all night. I crawled into bed and set my clock to wake me up at nine. I wanted to sleep in, but not keep Tuxedo Mask waiting too long.

I watched the performance. It ran smoother than any of their rehearsals. The audience was great, too. They laughed in all the right places and even applauded after good lines. Some people don't realize how important an audience is to a production. There have been cast members breaking down back stage because nobody laughed at their lines or something. The audience can make or break a production. This audience definitely made it!

I enjoyed watching Serena, even if she did look like Jasmine. She was a very talented actress and really got into her role. I was biased of course, but I thought she was the best one on stage. Jasmine definitely wasn't anywhere near as beautiful as Serena. But then again, Serena had an unfair advantage. Serena was the Princess of the whole universe. It was one of her jobs to be beautiful. But she did it so well!

On my way back to my room, I got some doughnuts and coffee. I returned to my apartment, anxious for it to be tomorrow. I sat down on my bed and opened the book I had been reading. It was on Jupiter. When I saw the picture of Lita as a child, I recognized her. DEFINITELY recognized her. I remembered looking at her on a bright day. She was picking flowers and talking to me. That was the end of my flash back. Now I was certain I was born on Jupiter. I must have been a Delegate's son or something. Maybe one of the men in that crashed airplane was my father?

I decided not to tell Serena my findings. After all, she'd want to help me find my parents if she knew too much. That wouldn't have been bad except for the fact that I still had the feeling like I somehow escaped certain danger by running away. Serena wouldn't understand that. I was also glad that she still hadn't asked about my patch. Maybe she knew it was a sensitive subject with me. In any case, there were still a few things that I did not want her knowing about me. I finally gave up thinking and decided to get some sleep before tomorrow.

I woke up to the sound of Serena's voice. "Tuxedo Mask...? Wake up. It's morning. Tuxedo Mask? Are you Alurate?" I opened my eyes and saw her face right above mine. I had it in my right mind to just take her head in my hands and kiss her, but I didn't. If only I could wake up every morning to that beautiful face. She smiled down at me.

"Tuxedo Mask, are you feeling well?" Serena asked me with concern.

"Better now." I said with out thinking. I stopped before saying anything else. I had to wake up before I spoke again, otherwise I may as well just throw her down on my bed and make love to her right now. I sat up in bed. Luckily, I sleep in my boxers, so I wasn't naked. I don't think she ever saw a man in his underwear though. When she saw what I was wearing, she, gasped, blushed and turned around. She clenched her fists at her sides and was holding her breath. I laughed.

"I'm sorry Serena. Is it 'Improper' you to be in a room with a barely clothed man? Or am I just too hideous to look at?"

She turned to me. She was bright red, now. She looked at my body and let out an almost inaudible squeak. "No, you are not horrible to look at. You are very... pleasing...to the eyes. B-But I thought you might be uncomfortable."

Me, uncomfortable? Serena was so flustered, she was squirming around and stuttering, not able to form straight sentences. I felt bad for her. I had made her feel stupid. I asked her to excuse me and I crossed them room to the bathroom and got on my pants and brushed my teeth. You'd be surprised what they sold in the gift shop next to the center. Long ago, I had found a way in through, you guessed it, the vents. It was how I got my shampoo and tooth brush and paste. Not to mention my other essentials including a razor that let me shave and a scissor that let me trim my hair. I got good at making it even, but my first few attempts... We just won't talk about them.

I sat down on the couch with my pants on now, and she sat next to me. Our normal routine. I reached for the covered doughnuts and asked if she wanted any. She said no so I decided to wait to eat. I wasn't really hungry yet.

"Congratulations on your performance last night, 'Jasmine'." I said.

She giggled. "You liked it?" I liked you.

"Yeah. It was the best I had ever seen any of you perform. I had seen the rehearsals and was not too sure how it would go. But your cast pulled it off with no problems or mistakes."

"Thank you. Tuxedo Mask?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you have a favorite play."

I thought about the question a moment. I never really chose a favorite.

"Not really. Why? Do you?"

"Yes." Serena replied smiling. "Snow White."

I knew that one. It made sense that Serena would choose that play. It was about royalty, after all. Humans are creature of habit. Like if you walk into a classroom and you sit in a certain chair, when you come the next day, you will sit there again, assigned seat or not. Serena was sticking with what she knew from her own life.

I was beginning to get hungry. "Sure you don't want a doughnut? I have powdered..." I coaxed in a sing songy voice. She laughed and accepted this time. I got up to go put on some coffee. Then I thought better of it. I thought Serena would like tea better. I came and sat back down with a tea kettle and cups.

"Well, since you seem to know so much about my likes and dislikes," the cheesecake and now the doughnuts, "I wish to know some things about you."

Oh great. Here it comes. I thought.

"What are YOUR weaknesses when it comes to food?"

I was relieved. She did not want to pry!

We talked about basic things for hours... Food, clothes, plays, books, her tutors, funny things that have happened to people in the community center. Then we got onto more of a deeper level. We started talking about issues like abuse, rape, poverty, sickness... I found that for someone who I presumed to be so innocent, she knew an awful lot about what problems there were in the world. She and I agreed on a lot of points. Especially about abuse. This was the first time that we actually just talked for the sole purpose of getting to know each other better. Before, I had just been trying to avoid the topic of my past.

After a long while I got an idea.

"Serena."

"Yes?"

"The center is closed today because it's Sunday, and I usually return the books I took out and get new ones today. Would you like to come with me?"

Serena thought a moment. "I'd love to, Tuxedo Mask."

I opened the door on the left and got to where there was enough room for her to follow me before motioning her in after me. We crawled through the tunnels until we got to the platform that was the ceiling of the library. I opened the normal vent and jumped down onto the floor. I then ran and got a ladder and climbed back up. I motioned for her to come closer.

"Serena, can you climb down this ladder?"

Serena looked down. "Yes."

I climbed down the ladder and she followed. When she was on the ground, we began picking out books. I found quite a few but only ended up picking three. Serena grabbed two of her favorite stories and we headed back up the ladder to my room. We set the books down on the table and sat back on the couch.

"Do you get books like that all the time?" she asked.

"No. But I figured you wouldn't be one to want to go snaking through tunnels like me."

She grinned. We both picked up a book and started reading. After a minute or two she looked at the cover of my book.

"What is that a story of?"

I looked up. I could tell she would not be satisfied just reading all day. "I don't know yet. Come over here and I'll read it to you. She glowed in a way that only she could. She came very close and I started the book over again. She seemed to love having me read to her. To this day, I am not sure how, but by the middle of the book I was leaning against the couch armrest with a pillow behind me with my feet on th couch and Serena was leaning against my chest on her side in between my legs. I did not realize the change of position had occurred until I began to feel my right nipple being touched. I looked down and saw Serena, making circles around it with her finger. She was so soft and gentle, I could not help but immediately get turned on. Her touch now added to her beauty. Not to mention the smell of her hair. Coconut. It was intoxicating. I only succeeded in getting myself ore aroused than I had been.

"You do realize that that is distracting, Serena?" I stated teasingly. She looked up and got beat red. I do not believe she even realized she had been doing it.

"Sorry." she said, embarrassed and avoiding my eyes.

"Hey, don't apologize to me. It felt good." Why did I say that? My mouth had gotten me into more trouble than it was worth.

I glanced at the clock. "Didn't you say you needed to be home by five-thirty. It's five now. Perhaps you should be on your way." Serena agreed and we said our goodbyes.