Part VIII

After looking around, hoping to spot Jae somewhere in the light sprinkling of people in the cafeteria and failing, Diana gets her food.

She sees HLM and Neph eating at a table not to far from her.

Diana takes her tray over to them.

"May I join you two?"

They look up and smile at her. "Of course. Have a seat," HLM answers with a friendly smile.

Diana smiles back, sitting in the chair by Neph so she's facing HLM.

"Thanks. How are you liking your stay here, M-chan?" Diana asks.

"Oh, it's lovely here, and the people have been so nice to me," HLM answers with a smile. Then she looks down and sighs, "But it's nothing like home, and that attack yesterday really scared me."

"It scared all of us," Neph says in a soothing voice, patting HLM's hand.

"I know, I know, but I just have this horrible feeling about the fate of my worlds. She sighs, "When I last spoke with my people this morning, though, things were going very well, so maybe the feelings are unfounded."

"Maybe Nephrite can do a divination?"

"I did, and the stars told me nothing, Diana-chan. I think perhaps M-chan's worlds are invisible to the stars."

HLM nods and sighs, "Well, I'm sure everything will turn out for the best.

"Anyway, how are you doing, Diana? Neph and I haven't seen you all day!"

Diana chuckles softly and finishes her glass of water and the last bite of her meal.

"That's because I've been in the library since seven this morning."

"Ah...that's right! You're assigned to do that research," Neph speaks up, "How is it going?"

"Very well, in fact. I've gathered a great deal of information, which Sailor Mercury was so kind as to bring it to Serenity for me. I'm not finished yet," she tells them as she stands. "Now I must be returning to work. It was great chatting with you tow. I'll see you later?"

"Hai," Neph answers, "I hope you don't have to much more to do."

"Heh, same here," HLM puts in with a sympathetic grin.

"Thank you both. Jaa ne!"

With that, Diana heads back to the library, stopping briefly to shower, pick up some more paper and leave a note for Jae telling him
not to wait up for her.

It's midnight when Diana is finally done with her research and is able to stumble into her and Jae's room.

As she makes her way to the bed where her sleeping lover is curled up, she sheds her clothing as a butterfly would shed its cocoon.

She smiles gently, pausing for a second to watch him sleep before crawling under the covers and sliding her arms gently around his middle. She presses her body against his and rests her head against his back, closing her eyes and sigh softly, sleepily.

"Mmph," Jae murmurs groggily,  "zat you, Diana?"

"Hai," she answers softly, opening her eyes as he turns over in her arms to face her.

"Are you ok?"

"Just tired...and my head is hurting like there's no tomorrow."

"Oh, sweetheart, I would have helped you, but I couldn't get away from the Prince or my duties."

"It's ok, honey, I understand."

He tenderly kisses her forehead and whispers, "You found a lot of information though, right?"

"Oh hai, most definitely, I ran out of writing paper and had to dip into my drawing paper," she whispers back, looking up into his eyes through darkness.

"Damn, you poor thing," he nibbles a bit on her neck, "now as for that headache..."

Diana shivers as he slides a hand down her belly and between her thighs, "What about it?"

He gently strokes her delicate, soft skin between her legs, whispering sensuously into her ear, "They say sex is the best natural cure to headaches..."

"We'll just have to see about that," she whispers back, her hands finding his quickly hardening member, "though I have the feeling that we're not doing this for my benefit alone."

He chuckles softly, leaning over her and gently removing her hand from himself.

"Your feeling is right. I trust you've been taking your birth control herbs?"

"But of course," she whispers, moving her hands gently over his smooth skin.

She moans as he lowers himself into her and begins thrusting, both of them soon loosing themselves in each other.

Diana sighs softly, resting her head on Jae's chest after they catch their breath.

"You were right," she whispers.

"Right about what?"

"My headache."

He gives her an odd look.

"Are you all right love? I wasn't to rough for you was I?" he asks, worried, forgetting his previous comment.

"Sex IS the best natural cure for headaches," she answers with a wink.

He laughs softly and kisses her.

"Oh, koibito," he whispers softly into her ear, "I love you and I will do EVERYTHING in my power to keep you safe. Everything."

He feels his heart melt completely at the look of total love she sends him.

The look tells him far more than words ever could.

"He whispers, "I love you."

"I love you, too," she whispers back.

"We've both had a long day," he starts.

"And we should get some sleep," Diana finishes.

He chuckles softly, and stroking her hair, says, "Exactly love."

"Sweet dreams, beloved," Diana tells  him in a soft voice.

"With you in my arms? Of course," he answers grinning as a blush comes over her face and neck.

"You're such a romantic," she whispers fondly as they both drift into sleep with gentle smiles on their faces.

Part VII
Part IX
Beginnings and Endings Index