There was a knock on the bedroom door. Naru stirred in Nephrite's arms as she awoke, then Nephrite sat up, careful to keep the covers over Naru's shoulders. "Yeah?" he called out.

"Room service," Kunzite said as he sidled in through the door, carrying a tray laden with coffee, juice, bowls of cereal, and fruit. "Good morning. Or afternoon, rather."

"You seem sober today," Nephrite remarked as Kunzite set the tray at the foot of the bed.

"I've no choice. You dumped out all the booze. It's just as well, though. I've actually had a coherent thought or two today."

"You're kidding. What was it?"

"We need to figure out a way to take control of the situation with Topaz. We've got to quit letting Topaz call all the shots."

"You are able to think again," Nephrite said, reaching for a glass of juice and handing it to Naru. She sat up, clutching the covers tightly to her collarbones with one hand.

"So once you two are, um, up and about, let's all talk."

"Good idea. We won't be too long here. Thanks, Kunzite."

Kunzite left the room, closing the door behind him. Nephrite worked on a cup of hot black coffee for a moment, then smiled at Naru. "You're back, and Kunzite's sober. Things are looking up."

* * * * * * * *

A short while later, after Naru and Nephrite were up and dressed and Kunzite had fed and cleaned Jadeite, they sat at the table on the balcony overlooking the woods. "What we need to do," Kunzite said, "is figure out a way to lure Topaz out when both of us, and hopefully a few of the Sailor Senshi, are ready to attack her. A combined attack might be strong enough to break through her shield."

The three of them thought it over for a few minutes. "Topaz likes to gloat," Nephrite said finally. "I don't think she's missed an opportunity yet."

"You're right. And if we give her something to gloat about..." Kunzite said thoughtfully.

"The three of us acting like we hate each other." Nephrite gripped Naru's hand tightly as he said this. His idea was going to require some difficult acting on her part. And on his.

"That's good," Kunzite said. "Then she won't be expecting a coordinated effort."

Naru finally spoke up. "But what about Zoisite and Thulite?"

"Well," Nephrite answered, "once Topaz is destroyed, Zoisite will be released from her influence. He'll be fine. And Thulite... Maybe once he's free of Topaz, maybe we'll be able to reach him somehow."

"What if they show up and try to defend her?" Naru pressed.

Nephrite thought for a moment. "If we attack hard and fast, they won't have a chance to defend her. But Thulite may try to fight back. If that happens, Naru-chan, I'll have to fight him. You know that."

She bowed her head and said, "I know," in a small voice.

"I seem to remember," Kunzite said slowly, "that Sailor Moon's scepter has a healing power. She could heal humans who had been taken over by evil power."

"So maybe, when Topaz is destroyed, Sailor Moon can heal Thulite!" Naru said anxiously.

"If we can give her a moment to work, and a clear target. We'd have to keep him down long enough for her to summon up the healing power."

"But it could work! Don't you think so, Nephrite?"

"I don't know anything about this healing power," Nephrite said to her. "It must be something she acquired after... my part was done. But it seems worth a try, if we can avoid having to destroy Thulite right away."

"I agree," Kunzite said.

"So," Nephrite said, "let's see if we can book Sailor Moon, along with her Tiara and healing scepter, for this Saturday. Then we'll give Topaz something to come gloat about."

"I think we have a plan," Kunzite said.

* * * * * * * *

"Of course I'll help," Usagi said to Naru over the phone, "but what about these other guys we've been fighting? Am I supposed to just say, 'Hey, take Saturday off, I've got other bad guys to fight?' I don't think that will work."

"Usagi, don't you think the other Senshi and Tuxedo Mask can handle anything that might come up? This is really important, and it's kind of going to be a one-shot deal. If Topaz gets away, I don't think she'll let us trick her again."

"Well," Usagi said reluctantly, "I suppose the others can handle things while I'm helping you guys. Actually," she said, sounding rather deflated, "sometimes I wonder if they really need me at all."

"Oh, Usagi," Naru tried to assure her, "they do. But just this one time, we need you more."

"Okay. Saturday afternoon then, about one?"

"That's right. And remember your Tiara and your healing wand thingie."

"I never go anywhere without them," Usagi said brightly. "See you then!"

"Thanks, Usagi. Bye." Naru hung up and smiled at Nephrite and Kunzite, who had been anxiously listening to her side of the conversation. "She'll help us."

* * * * * * * *

It seemed like forever until Saturday. Naru just wanted it over with, she wanted Nephrite safe, she wanted Thulite to stop hating her and Nephrite so that they could begin to build some kind of relationship with each other.

During this time there were more deaths. Two more teenage couples, parked in isolated places late at night, an old man out walking his dog at night in a park, another half-dozen drug addicts found in alleys. Topaz was working hard at building up her energy reserves.

Friday afternoon, there was a knock on the front door of the mansion. Naru opened it to find Umino standing there, his old blue motorbike parked in the driveway behind him. "Umino!" she exclaimed.

"Hi, Naru."

"What are you doing all the way out here?"

"I hadn't seen you since, well, you know, and I wanted to see how you are. And wish you good luck against Topaz tomorrow."

Naru folded her arms and stared at him. "Umino, have you been spying?"

He blushed. "Well, just on Usagi, and I've known for a long time that she's Sailor Moon."

"You are such a sneak, Umino," Naru said. Nephrite came up behind her and put his arms around her. "But thanks, anyway."

"Also, I've decided I owe you an apology. For dumping you the way I did. I shoulda just said it wasn't going anywhere, or you deserved better or something. Maybe then you wouldn't have gotten involved with Kenichi. If I'd known you were already feeling bad about losing him -" He glanced up at Nephrite. "Anyway, that's why I'd been spying on Kenichi, and why I tried to warn you when he...anyway... but I realized I never apologized to you. So, I'm sorry."

"How did you know about what happened to Nephrite before?"

Umino blushed again. "Well, I just, I sort of pieced it together...."

"Umino," Nephrite said from behind Naru, "have you ever considered a career as a secret agent?"

Umino's face lit up. "Wow, you really think I should?"

"Absolutely. You'd be perfect for it."

"Wow," Umino repeated. "Well, anyway, Naru-chan, that's what I wanted to say, okay? Bye." He turned to walk back to his motorbike.

"Bye. Oh, Umino?" Naru said.

The boy looked at her. Yeah?"

"Thanks. For caring."

As Umino drove away, Naru started laughing. "Umino, as James Bond?"

"Why not?" Nephrite replied. "Except he might become too suave, and steal you from me."

"Oh, Nephrite. As if."

* * * * * * * *

Late that night, Naru lay with her head pillowed on Nephrite's chest, tracing designs on his skin with her fingernail. "I'm scared," she finally said. "I wish tomorrow wouldn't come, but I also wish it was here already, and we could get it over with."

"I know," Nephrite said softly.

Naru thought how much she loved the sound of his deep voice resonating through his chest. "You're not going to lie to me, and promise me everything will be all right, are you?"

He chuckled a little, dryly. "No, love, I'm not. I don't lie to you any more. But I will tell you that I think we've made a good plan, and if we're ever going to be able to beat Topaz, tomorrow is our best chance."

Naru finished the circles she was making with her finger, then kissed the skin right over his heart. "Nephrite?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for treating me like... like your equal."

He rolled over and pinned her beneath him. "Oh, my darling Naru, I'm sorry you've had to grow up so fast. But I'm selfish -- I wouldn't give up having you for my wife for anything. I can't imagine trying to make a life without you, and I just want to treat you the way you deserve to be treated." He kissed her deeply, and while they lost themselves in the kiss and in each other, they were each aware that things could go terribly wrong the next day and this might be the last night they would have together.

* * * * * * * *

When Usagi arrived the next day, Minako was with her. "I thought, when it's over, and Jadeite wakes up, it would be good if someone was with him," Minako explained, then blushed.

"Good idea," Nephrite said, and Kunzite nodded agreement. Naru, encircled by Nephrite's arms, added, "You can go on upstairs."

The three of them watched Minako head up to Jadeite's room, then turned back to Usagi. Nephrite went over the strategy they had worked out over the phone. "You transform beforehand, Usagi, and wait in here while we take our little... altercation outside. You can look through the spy hole in the door?"

Usagi nodded and, standing on tiptoe, showed them that she could indeed see through the hole.

"Good." Nephrite said. "Now, when Topaz shows up, we'll make sure to draw her attention away from the door. When she's looking away, you come out, and on the signal we'll all attack together. Remember the signal?"

Usagi repeated the phrases which would be said by Nephrite and Kunzite. Both men nodded approvingly. "Then, if you'll go ahead and transform, we can start," Nephrite said.

"Turn around," Usagi said, and the men obliged. She transformed into Sailor Moon, then hugged Naru, who let go of Nephrite long enough to return the hug. "Everything will turn out fine, Naru-chan. Don't you worry."

"I'll try," Naru said, though her mouth trembled a bit. She turned to Nephrite. "I'm sorry for everything I'm going to say to you, Nephrite."

He smiled, ruffled her hair, and pulled her close to him again. "It's okay, love. I know you'll only be acting. I just hope you're very good at it."

They kissed, then looked at Kunzite. "Might as well do it now," he said.

Nephrite nodded. "All right. That's your cue, Naru-chan," he said.

She looked up at him, wanting to kiss him once more, but he pushed her a bit towards the door. "Go on."

Naru took a deep breath, and put her hand on the doorknob. She banged the door wide open and stormed out. "I've had it, Nephrite!" she yelled. "I've had it, I'm fed up, that's it." She stalked down towards the driveway.

Nephrite ran after her and grabbed her arm gently, but pulled on it to make it look like he was being rough. "Dammit, will you listen to me?"

"Forget it. All you want to do is feel sorry for yourself. What about me? You don't care how I feel about all this! You don't care about me at all, except to sleep with!"

"If that's how you feel, then why'd you come back?"

"Because I was stupid, that's why. Boy, was that a mistake, but I'm not going to make that mistake again. I'm out of here, and I'm not coming back!"

That was Kunzite's cue. He appeared in the doorway. "Nephrite, it's your turn to clean up after Jadeite. I'm getting sick of always having to do it because you keep forgetting."

Nephrite turned around and stomped back toward the house. "It's all your fault, you know."

"MY fault? How could it be my fault?"

"The way you were moping around after Zoisite left, it's no wonder Jadeite had to get out of the house. And now Naru's leaving --"

"Are you listening to me?" Naru yelled.

"What?" Nephrite yelled back.

"I said we're through! I want a divorce, Nephrite."

Even though they had loosely rehearsed the quarrel several times, the words still hit Nephrite like a punch in the stomach. She's only acting, he reminded himself, and that line was my idea. "The hell you do! I'll kill you before I let you divorce me, Naru. I swear I will!"

"Just try it," she hissed.

"I don't blame her," Kunzite said. "The way you've been acting like such a martyr. You've really been a pain."

"Don't start on me, Kunzite. You're the one who cheated --"

"Well, well, how amusing." Topaz appeared in the clearing, floating about ten feet off the ground. Zoisite and Thulite hovered on either side of her. "We all hate each other, don't we. Well, you just keep it up -- all that hatred is generating some wonderful energy, and I'll drain every bit of it, until you die cursing me."

She was facing the front door. Nephrite walked towards Naru, drawing Topaz's attention away from the door. "You can gloat all you want, Topaz. We don't care if you win or not."

Kunzite also walked away from the door, to the left of where Nephrite and Naru were. "You've taken everything else from us, we don't care if you kill us."

That was the signal. Naru watched, heart pounding in her ears. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Nephrite crossed his arms across his chest, then flung them apart, releasing half a dozen balls of blue energy. At the same time, Kunzite held out his hands and conjured two ice-pink energy blades, and flung them towards Topaz. The attacks shot towards her; she flung up her black shield around herself and her Lords.

The energy balls and blades ricocheted off the shield back towards Nephrite and Kunzite. Nephrite threw himself towards Naru, knocking her to the ground while the balls flew overhead and exploded into the ground a short distance behind them. Why hadn't Sailor Moon attacked? Naru wondered.

Topaz laughed as she lowered her shield and reached out her hands towards the former Generals. Suddenly there was a high-pitched whistling in the air, a streak of golden light behind Topaz. She shrieked as she disappeared into a flash of light. The light dissipated, leaving a trail of black dust floating up towards the sky.

The golden Tiara slowly spun to a stop on the ground. Zoisite, still hovering, said, "Kunzite --" in a choked-sounding voice, then fainted and crashed to the ground. Kunzite ran to him and cradled him in his arms. Sailor Moon stood on the front step of the house, looking very pleased with herself. "Damn," Nephrite whispered, sitting up and grinning a little. "She's smarter than I thought."

Thulite stared at where Topaz had been, then shrieked, "Nooo!" He flung out ribbons of violet energy from his hands. The ribbons wrapped around Naru, stinging and burning. She screamed as he pulled the ribbons back in, bringing her with them.

"Naru!" Nephrite cried. He ran towards Thulite, who shot out more energy ribbons that tangled around Nephrite's legs and sent him sprawling to the ground.

Thulite held Naru above the ground, one arm across her throat, choking her. She was too tightly bound with energy ribbons to even struggle. She tried to cry out, but couldn't move any air through her throat.

"You killed her!" Thulite cried. "She was everything to me, and you killed her. I'll kill this one, and then you'll see how I feel!"

Held captive by the energy ribbons, Nephrite could only watch helplessly. With Thulite holding Naru hostage, he couldn't attack him. But Thulite was slowly choking Naru to death; her face was already starting to turn slightly blue. Nephrite looked across the clearing to Usagi, desperation in his eyes.

Usagi chewed at her lip. Thulite wasn't a clear target. Would Naru be hurt if she got caught in the healing power? There was no other choice. Usagi circumscribed a circle the size of her body with her moon scepter, and cried out, "Moon Healing Activation!"

Thulite turned, cursing, more ribbons of energy unfurling from his free hand. They met the burst of golden healing power, and were overwhelmed. The light bathed Thulite and Naru; Thulite screamed.

* * * * * * * *

The brilliance was unbearable; the light felt as though it were flaying her alive, but Naru couldn't scream because of Thulite's arm across her throat. She thought they fell to the ground, but all her senses were so overwhelmed by the light and the pain that she couldn't be sure what was happening. Then she was free, but she still couldn't move. Another pain struck her, a fierce pain in her abdomen. She clutched her arms across her stomach and doubled over, sobbing in agony.

* * * * * * * *

"Naru!" Nephrite cried as the brilliant healing power hid her from his sight. The screams coming from within the light were horrible. Were they Thulite's screams, or Naru's, or both? When the light dissipated, Nephrite saw Naru kneeling on the ground, huddled forward. Her back was towards him, so he couldn't see if she was all right, but he could hear her crying. Freed now from Thulite's energy ribbons, Nephrite ran to her and knelt at her side. "Naru?" he said anxiously.

She looked at him. Her face was streaked with tears, and she looked tense, as though trying to endure some great pain. Dark bruises were already starting to show on her throat.

But she was alive. Nephrite put his hands on her shoulders, and helped her to sit up straight -- and stared. Naru also looked down at herself, at her rounded belly. The button at the waistband of her jeans had popped; she undid the zipper, and gave a sigh. "That's better." Her hand moved over the gentle rounding. "He's back in there," she whispered. "Where he should be." Nephrite's hand joined hers on her belly. Together they felt something slide around beneath the skin, then bump a few times. "We can start over again, with our baby," Naru said, a few more tears trickling from her eyes.

"Are you better now?" Nephrite asked softly.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "I still feel kind of... stretched out, from it happening so suddenly. But it's getting better."

Gently, not wanting to hurt her in her suddenly changed condition, he gathered her close to him and buried his face against her hair. He held her for a long time as she cried against his shoulder.

* * * * * * * *

Zoisite awoke and looked into Kunzite's concerned eyes, then looked away, ashamed. "I'm sorry."

It wasn't your fault. I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"

"I - I think so."

Kunzite pulled Zoisite up into his arms, and they just held each other. The broken trust would take a while to mend, but at least they had the chance to try.

* * * * * * * *

Jadeite could move. He stirred, and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Minako's face.

"Hey, welcome back," she said, smiling.

Weakly, he lifted a hand to touch her face. "I knew it was you. Thank you."

"No problem." A few tears swam in her eyes.

"I must look awful."

"You look fine to me."

Jadeite tried to sit up. "I want to see what's going on."

"Here, I'll help you."

He hesitated, ashamed of his weakness, then let her help him. Leaning heavily on her, his arm around her slender shoulders, he made his way downstairs to the doorway.

* * * * * * * *

Nephrite looked around. Kunzite and Zoisite were holding each other. Usagi still stood in the doorway, looking smugly pleased. Jadeite, leaning on Minako's shoulders, appeared in the doorway behind Usagi.

Nephrite stood, then bent down to help Naru to her feet. "Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you?" he asked.

"I'm fine. I'm not like sick or anything, I'm just pregnant." She blushed and smiled, rubbing her hands over her stomach again as Nephrite helped her stand. She seemed a little off-balance, so he helped her steady herself. Then he realized that everyone was staring at them, or, more specifically, at Naru. The smugness was gone from Sailor Moon's face. "Did -- did I do that?" she asked.

Nephrite looked at Naru for a long moment, then at Usagi. "I should say, rather, that I did that," he said finally. Jadeite snorted, and all three girls blushed furiously. "Come on, sweetheart," Nephrite said to Naru, hugging her around the shoulders, "Let's go inside."

Their arms around each other, Naru walking carefully as she adjusted to her new shape, they went into their home.

"You know," Usagi said out of nowhere as everyone came in, "if Topaz was Beryl's daughter, I wonder who her father must have been."

Beryl's four former Lords all looked at each other, then shook their heads slightly. "We haven't the slightest idea," Nephrite said, "and I don't think it really matters."

Postscript

The police investigated Kenichi's disappearance for some time, and turned up a great many unsavory facts about the young man's activities. Kenichi's parents, appalled at the bad publicity that would result if these facts became public, insisted that the police drop the investigation. He would turn up, they said.

But he never did.

* * * * * * * *

"I can't believe you guys are all moving out on the same day." Naru sniffled a little and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. Nephrite came up behind her and hugged her, running his hands over her ripe belly. He loved to do that, to feel how warm and round and full of life she was, to feel the movement of the baby within her and try to guess which part of his son's body it was that was moving, a foot or a knee or an elbow.... He had gotten pretty good at identifying the various parts. It was an amusing way to spend the evenings.

Jadeite, who was now officially the vice-president of Sanjouin International, looked at Naru over the top of the box he was carrying. "With that baby coming in a month or so, you two are going to want some privacy."

"And we're going to want to be able to sleep," Zoisite added with a wink as he handed an armful of bedding to Kunzite to pack into another box. Zoisite had taken a job as an orderly in the maternity ward of one of Tokyo's largest hospitals. Nephrite had insisted he do this for a year before Nephrite would consent to pay for medical school. So far, Zoisite was undeterred from his unexpected career goal. Meanwhile, Kunzite's poetry was now being published regularly by various literary journals.

"I know," Naru answered Zoisite, dabbing at her eyes again. "And I know you guys are ready to have your own places, but still... I'll miss you."

"Hey," Zoisite said, "we'll still be in Tokyo. It's not like we're moving to the other side of the world. We're all getting together for your birthday party next week, remember? And you can call us whenever you need free babysitting." He came over and slipped an arm between her and Nephrite, giving her a quick hug around the shoulders. "Besides, you'll always be my little sister."

Naru tried to smile. "Thanks."

Zoisite hugged her once more, then Naru watched as the men took the last boxes out to the van.

* * * * * * * *

Nephrite came back inside after watching the van drive away, followed by the taxi containing his three former housemates. Naru was on the sofa, resting her aching back and feet. Nephrite climbed over the back and slid down beside her. "Finally," he said. "Peace and quiet and privacy." He pulled Naru as close to him as he could.

Naru rubbed at her stomach as another painless practice contraction made her womb tighten up. "We'd better enjoy it while it lasts," she said.