| Author's Note: I'm trying to fairly work on each of my fanfics. Its hard, especially with the new one that everyone loves. Anyway, here's the next chapter to this fic and I hope you guys like it. **Edited By Emily 1.04.03** ***** ~Earth~ Here, on earth these emerald eyes, Spirit and growth reach to the skies, Forest and Mountain inside of me, Star of the North I call to thee, Spirits Green and Night of my birth, Come to me, For I am Earth. By: SailorPerfect c 2002 ***** Beyond the Emerald Earth Chapter 3 "I have to go home." Mina mumbled it under her breath while the lively music from the pub pumped all around them. She, Serena, and Amy all sat together at a table in the kitchen, Lita still outside dancing with Ken. "Already?" Amy asked quietly. She had grown extremely close to Mina in just days, much closer then she'd ever grown to anyone else. She believed it had to do with there past life connection. "Couldn't you stay longer?" "Well....I'll be back. I think I'll be able to get my things together in a few days." When Amy just stared at her, she grinned hugely and leapt from her seat to hug her."I'm staying here! Like you! I can't leave now that I've found such a place!" Amy couldn't find her voice. "You're....you're staying?" "Yes! I mean, I'll keep my home in the Bahamas, just so I can go back to visit, but I belong here. Besides, I think opening this store will be a great idea. As long as we can bring in works on ocean life and promote the need to keep our oceans safe." Amy laughed and hugged her back."Oh I'm so glad!" Serena watched them, pleased the two had become so close in just a matter of days. "Sounds like you two have found home." They looked to her, Amy beginning to frown. "What about you Serena? Don't you want to stay here?" She sighed, rolling her shoulders. "I don't know what it is, but I DO feel safe and at home here, but also....watched. As if someone is watching, waiting for me. I can't shake the feeling." She shrugged. "You guys probably think I'm an idiot." Mina shook her head."No way. After last night, I don't think anything will ever surprise me again." Serena decided to pick the line as a change of subject."Have you two....well, I mean, have you tested them out?" "You mean cast a spell?"Mina shook her head, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder."I played with the water this morning." "Played? What does that mean?" Raye swung through the kitchen doors, going to the sink and dumping the empty plates and glasses she'd picked up. "And whats this? A private meeting? What would you three be speaking of?" She turned the faucet on. "This." With a simple flick of her wrist, the steady stream of water sprayed and splashed hazardly onto Raye, drenching her apron, shirt, and skirt that she wore. Mina immediately stood, horrified. "Oh no! Thats NOT what I meant to do!" She grabbed a thick towel and began drying Raye with it. Serena and Amy each burst out laughing, Raye eyeing Mina with an angry gleam in her eye. "Playing with water already, are you?" "I'm having trouble figuring out what does what." Completely embarressed, she looked up at Raye in guilt. "I'm sorry, I really am." Raye couldn't stay angry at her, not when she looked so guilty. Heaving out a heavy sigh, she shook her head. "You didn't have trouble controlling it before, as I remember." Mina stopped drying her. "I didn't?" "No, you didn't. You and Amy, the both of you were quick to learn it and control it. Give yourself time and patience, you'll find it comes to you." Raye, still wet, turned on Amy and Serena, who were still chuckling softly. "And you two. Perhaps one of you could help with this?" She gestured to her wet clothes. "We shouldn't. Magic has it's responsibilities." When the three women merely stared at her, Amy laughed and shook her head. "All right. Maybe I can help." "No, let me." Serena stood and went to Raye, standing before her in silence for a moment. Cupping her hands and holding them before Raye, she muttered a few words beneathe her breath and closed her eyes, concentrating on her task. They watched her clothes dry, watched the small puddle that had formed at her feet disappear as well. When Serena opened her eyes she was smiling. "I don't think I've ever felt such an exhileration in my life." "Amazing." Raye smoothed a hand down her now dry skirt. "You controlled it with such ease." "Yes, I did. I understand whats inside of me and how it is I can use it. I think I have my entire life." "It surprises me only because you had such a hard time before. The power you and Lita carried was filled with burdens, with a recklessness neither of you could ever trully control. Earth and Fire were always more potent, more passionate and traiterous." Raye gave her a beaming smile. "But it looks as if you have no problem with it at all." "Lita will." The words were out before Serena could stop them, causing the three women to narrow there gazes on her. "What have you seen?" Raye asked, taking her arm and leading her to sit back at the table where Amy and Mina were at. She settled with them. "Tell me what you've seen." "Its still hazy." She rubbed at her temples a moment. "Last night I built a fire and looked into it, and I saw things I never thought I'd see. She has anger inside of her, vicious anger filled with suspicion also. It was there hundreds of years ago and it has grown stronger over time. I don't think she even realizes it's there, or why." She frowned and recalled what the fire had shown, images she'd carried with her throughout the day. "Betrayal and sorrow seem to surround her. But the sorrow turns into this black rage....it's so huge, so out of control I'm afraid for her." They were silent, absorbing what she had revealed to them. "It comes from a past she was never able to let go of. Her husband, the man she loved, pushed her away with angry and bitter words. He forced her to leave their child. I believe that with love comes a sort of fear for those you care about. He-" Raye halted when Lita came swinging through the kitchen doors. "And whats this? Leaving our handsome Ken to fend for himself?" She waved her hand carelessly, but none of them could miss how flushed her cheeks were. "He's having a word with Connor over a pint. Men's talk." She settled at an empty chair, blowing out a breath. "He sure can dance." "I'll bet. Tell me Lita, what else can he do?" Serena raised a slim brow at her. "Ha ha, very funny." Reaching out and nipping a cookie from the bowl in the middle of the table, she began to nibble on it. "I still haven't decided if I'll let him take me out." "And why not? The man's taken with you." Raye pointed out. "Taken? Hmm, you must mean smitten." Serena teased, grinning when Lita glowered. "I'd say that he's hooked." Amy put in, giggling along with Serena and Raye as Lita glared at them. Mina, staring off into space, a dreamy expression on her beautiful face, shook her head slowly. "No, no. He's clearly and mutually attracted to you and wants to progress that into a deeper, emotionally involved relationship." Lita stopped glaring to turn and smirk at her. "You're so romantic Minerva." Mina blushed. "You mean I have an odd sense of romance." "I was thinking something along those lines too." Lita flicked a glance over her shoulder, then leaned across the table, closer to them. "He kind of freaks me out. There's times when I catch him looking at me and he's....I don't know, the look on his face is so intense. Then again, I shouldn't blame the guy for being wierd. I mean, look at me." "Your not wierd." Raye made a face at the word. "Never think that." "Well I'm not exactly normal." She polished off her cookie and reached for another. "We'll see if he deserves a chance." "Here they are." Jack swung through the kitchen doors, Ken right behind him. "There's my beautiful wife. Come here and give me a kiss, my lovely Raye." Raye blushed a deep crimson. "Jack, don't be so silly." "I cannot help myself. I have such a beautiful wife." He lifted her into his arms, ignoring Raye's gasp and grinning at the four women when they cheered him on. "I have a wish to dance with you, my Raye." And turning, disappeared back outside to where the lively music and more cheers greeted them. "Raye struck gold when she got him." Serena commented, the other three nodding there approval. "Hey, what about me? Am I invicible or something?" Ken took Lita's hand and pulled her up and into his arms. "Come on, lets get out there and show them what we're made of sweetheart." The moment they were gone, Amy and Mina turned back to Serena. "Will she be able to accept him? He IS her husband from the past, isn't he?" "Yes, he is. If she'll be able to accept him....only time will tell." It was later that night that Lita finally relented and allowed Ken to show her his home, the cottage he'd told her he'd bought some years back. He took her to his car, a shiny, brand new truck that looked odd and out of place in such a quiet country. "Don't rough it, do you?" She asked after she'd settled in and he was behind the wheel. He flashed her a quick grin that had her insides melting. "Of course not. Now ask me if I've ever been camping." She laughed. "Yea right. That would be a joke." "Have YOU ever been camping?" "Maybe." She didn't mention she'd trudged through a rain forest, a jungle full of wild animals, or climbed the highest mountains just for the thrill of it. The earth had always seemed to cry out to her and now she understood why. "Here it is." He pulled into the drive, shutting off the engine and quickly coming around to help her out of the car. "What do you think?" "Looks nice in the dark." She shrugged and followed him up the drive. "Ask me again when I can actually see it." "Blunt, aren't you?" He opened the front door, stepping back to allow her in."Welcome to my home, Lita Flanagan." The moment she stepped through the doors she felt something shift inside of her, something dark and violent seemed to want to emerge. Struggling with herself and her new found powers, she took a deep breath and concentrated on centering her thoughts and emotions. He came in after her, shutting the door behind him and switching the lights on. "Whats wrong? You don't like it." She glanced about, still confused with why she felt such a sudden anger and resentment. "Its nice. Cozy." "Which is exactly what I wanted it to be." Pleased because she had seen what he wanted her to see, he ushered her to the couch in the living room. "Sit down. Tea or coffee?" He was already going into the kitchen. "Coffee. Black." She would need it. She listened as he bustled about in the kitchen, the sounds he made strangely fading until she heard nothing. The room seemed to be tilting around her, the air turning humid and causing her to gasp for breath. As the world revolved about her, she heard it then, a slithering of evil, a call to her heart's suspicion and desire's, a whisper of promise and a revenge she had sworn long ago. She could feel the anger, vicious anger filling her heart, and was unaware when the air snapped about her, whips of electricity coursing through the empty room. "Lita?" Ken came back into the living room and was immediately met with an overwhelming sense of evil, the room so stifled with it he could barely breathe. But when he saw her, sitting on the sofa, her eyes half closed and her chest heaving for breath, he forgot about it and quickly raced to her side. "Lita! Lita, what's wrong?" He shook her sharply, horrified by how pale and sweaty she was. "Lita!" The insideous whispers were still echoing in her head, black promise's, tempting her and filling her with an odd sense of lust for a sensation she couldn't see. And just as she felt a hand, dark and familiar, smoothing along the inside of her thigh, she snapped back to herself, bringing Ken's terrified face into view. "Holy shit." She brought a hand up and rubbed at her temple. "What happened?" "I don't know. I think you fainted." He smoothed her wild hair from her face. "How do you feel?" "I'm all right." She didn't feel all right though. She felt confused and with a horrible desire for what those black promise's had whispered to her. "I just.....I think I should get out of here." She stood and made for the door before he could protest. "Wait!" He was just as quick to move, and was blocking the door before she could move to open it. "What's wrong? What did I do?" "You didn't do anything." That was the problem. She didn't understand what could have happened the moment she had stepped inside this small cottage. It seemed as if something inside of her had erupted, boiling with fury and menace. "Then stay." He took her hand in his, held it even when she attempted to jerk it back. "Please stay." She looked up into his eyes, deep golden eyes that haunted her dreams and made a suspicion inside of her rise when before it had been silent. How could she remain here when she felt so unsettled? When he brought out these emotions in her? She was still trying to gain control of what she had awakened inside of her; how could she control it when this one man brought out such a riot of emotions inside of her? "I have to go." She slipped her hand from his, only to have both his hands shoot up to grip her shoulders, to whirl her around to face him. "I let you walk away from me before...I won't let you do it again." He uttered the words softly, so softly she almost didn't hear them. But before she could think he had bent and taken her lips with his, silencing all protests and driving all thought away in one moment. She'd been kissed before. Of course she had...but never like this. She could feel him, so strong and frustrated by her, his arms holding her tightly, his lips moving insistently, one hand on the small of her back, the other coming up to tangle in her thick hair and hold her head to him. His body was bigger then hers, solidly built, seeming to move as a shadow over hers as he backed her into a corner, as he ravished her lips beneathe his. She couldn't gather the strength to push him away. She never allowed a man to kiss her whenever he wanted. She always kept the control in her own hands, always made sure to let them know when it was allowed for them to kiss her. But Ken.....he'd moved in before she could blink. And even now she couldn't deny him, could only clutch his shoulders, so powerful and hard, his body aggressive, pushing her smaller one into the corner of the wall. His head was moving over hers, his lips turning gentle, his hands soothing as they held her to him. An image came into her mind, a flash of an instant that she saw as clearly as the light of day. A child, so beautiful and small, a boy of golden hair and eyes, laughing as he ran to her open arms. She could feel the small body beneath her hands as she held him, could feel a strong surge of love course through her, so much love she was astounded at it. And as she held him, she looked up to see a man standing some distance away, another pair of familiar golden eyes that watched them together with love shining through them. But just as the image came so did the anger, the rage that filled her so quickly it seemed to take over her being. And the loving image faded, replaced by a woman weeping alone, and a man standing over her, his golden eyes once filled with love, now filled with suspicion and a twinge of regret. She broke away from him, but couldn't move from where he had trapped her. Her breath was coming out in quick gasps, his own matching hers as he leaned down to touch his forehead to hers, his hands sliding up and down her back. She wanted to leave, to bolt from the cottage, from the country, but couldn't find it in herself to shove him away. She felt his hand move to beneath her chin, lifting it so he could gaze into her eyes. His own were soft, dreamy, unnerving her so much she attempted to look away, only to have him force her gaze back. "Lita.....my God.....did you feel it?" his lips moved over cheek, gentle and filled with such a longing a shudder ran through her. "Oh my beautiful one.....where have you been? Where have you been?" Confused, she watched him, but he didn't seem to realize what he was saying as he nuzzled at her neck, burying his face and holding her so tightly she could barely breath."Ken?" "I've waited for you.....so long, for so long....." He moved his head enough so that his lips were against her ear, his warm breath fanning out across her neck and causing chills to run along her spine. "Lita?" She was trying to figure out if she should shake him, or simply hold him. "What?" "Do you believe in love at first sight?" This time she did shove him, pushing away and ducking beneath his arm to face him. "Are you crazy? We barely met a few days ago! You can't decide you love someone in just one moment! You-" He moved quickly, gripping her upper arms in his hands and shaking her, causing her mouth to gape open in shock. "Don't tell me what I can or cannot feel. I know what's inside of me because its here." He took her hand and lifted it to his chest, settling it over the warm, steady beating of his heart. "It's right here, where you are." Her eyes shot up to his, a vivid, burning green that seemed to pierce inside his soul. "No....Ken, I can't-" He silenced her by laying his lips over hers until he felt her soften against him. "I understand, but I don't want you to push me away because your afraid. Give me a chance. Give US a chance." "I didn't come here looking for this." Her fingers tightened on the black jacket he wore, where his heart lay, open and vulnerable, beneathe her palm. "I didn't come here looking for any of this." He pressed his lips to her temple, smiling. "And I DID come here looking for you." She pushed back to look up at him."There are things you don't know about me." All that came to mind was her mother, the Earth. "I know that. Are you trying to scare me off?" He cocked his head, his eyes a brilliant gold that seemed to shimmer against the soft light surrounding them. "It's going to take a lot more then that honey." Suddenly furious, she shoved him away. "You don't even understand what I mean! I look at you and all I can feel is anger, an anger so huge I'm afraid!"she held up a hand when he moved toward her. "Don't. Just don't. You really don't know what I mean when I say there are things you don't know about me." She dropped her hand and moved forward, looking up at him with such an intensity he felt goosebumps rising along his skin. "I wonder if you would accept me if you knew....." "I would accept you no matter what." He spoke carefully, seeing a sorrow in her eyes that ripped at him. "We'll see." She turned and walked to the door, opening it and allowing the chill of the night inside. "I'll be seeing you Ken." He let her go because he couldn't bear the sadness he knew he had caused inside of her. He let her go because he knew he would see her again as soon as he could. But one day he wouldn't let her go again. "She's been acting like this all morning." Amy hissed it at Mina, who was busy going over the structure of the building the two women had purchased together in town, the both of them sitting together in Raye's kitchen. "Like what?" Mina asked absently, frowning over the compound as she struggled to picture where they could set things up. "Mina!" Amy's voice was in a low whisper, her usually soft eyes filled with impatience. "Will you stop looking at that and listen to me for a minute!" "Oh, I'm sorry."she looked up, adjusting the glasses she had perched on her nose. "What is it?" "Lita!" Rolling her eyes, she motioned upstairs. "She's been in her room all morning, barking at anyone that comes knocking." Mina frowned. "Yes, I heard her typing all night. I suppose when writers feel the inspiration, they continue until it's all out." "I'm worried about her. She came back angry last night and just slammed upstairs. I think we should-" She was cut off when the door to the kitchen swung open, Serena and Declan walking through, laughing together. "Did you know she didn't come home all night?" Mina whispered to her from the side of her mouth. Amy's eyes widened just a bit, but she smiled warmly at them ."Serena, Declan. It's good to see you guys." "You guys too." Serena took Declan's hand. "We'll be in the living room." Once they had exited the room, Amy pounced on Mina. "ALL night?!" "All night." Mina confirmed. "Wild, huh?" "Very. I could never....but I do wish I could." Amy let out a heavy sigh, then suddenly snapped back to attention. "Oh! I almost forgot about Lita!" "Right, Lita. Um...I'm sorry to say, but Lita is way out of my league. The woman is so powerful, so...I don't know, I can't explain it." Mina ran a hand carelessly through her long, blonde hair. "I wouldn't know how to approach her." "I wouldn't either. Serena would." Amy glanced back at the doors the couple had left through. "I guess we should go get her and tell her if she could check on her." "Lets try." Mina stood and walked to the doors leading to the living room, halting in her tracks and turning a dark shade of crimson. "Oh dear." "What is it?"Amy came to stand next to her, her eyes widening at the sight. Serena and Declan were wrapped around each other, lips locked, eyes closed as they kissed with a passion that had the two women staring. Serena was up against the wall, Declan holding her there, one of her thighs wrapped about his waist as they ran impatient hands over one another. Mina quickly glanced away, her face red. Amy, pushing her aside, cleared her throat three times before the couple finally noticed they were in the room with them. "Could we have a word with you?" Amy asked politely, but when Declan remained by her side she pinned him with a meaningful look. "Alone." He excused himself, leaving the room and them alone. Serena ran a hand through her silvery hair, tossing it over her shoulder. "Come to lecture me? Or even look down your nose at me?" Amy and Mina exchanged puzzled frowns. "No. Actually, I wish I could have your wildness. I've never been able stay out all night, even when I was in high school." Amy said. Serena's smoky eyes snapped back to them, speculative. "Really?" She took a step toward them. "So you're not here to judge me?" "I don't see how we could. It's only fair you live your life as you please, just as we do." Mina pointed out. They could see how their words shocked the other woman. "Oh....well then, I'm sorry for being so rude." "Its all right. Serena, we need you to go up and talk to Lita. She's been in her room since she got back from Ken's last night, typing." Serena raised a slim brow."She is a writer, isn't she?" "Well yeah, but it's not that. If it was that.....I don't know, I can just sense its not about getting a book done. Something happened last night between them, but everytime we try talking to her she shouts at us to get out. I think the only one she would listen to would be you." Amy said. "She wouldn't willingly listen, I would have to shout at her also to get it through that thick skull." But she remembered what Lita had done for her only days ago, forcing the truth from her when none of the others could. "All right. But I'm not promising anything." "Thank you." Amy and Mina said at the same time, Serena merely snorting before heading for the stairs. She made her way to Lita's room, muttering under her breath because she knew she was about to have a battle of wills against the woman. She made it to the door and walked through it, not even bothering to knock. The room was dark, the curtains drawn to hide the sun that was shining brilliantly outside. The bed was untouched, Lita sitting at the small desk with her labtop before her, her fingers flying across the keyboard, her face set in concentration. She didn't seem to notice when Serena entered the room, or didn't acknowledge her presence. She marched to the windows and threw back the curtains, allowing the sunlight to spill inside."What are you, a vampire or something?" Lita turned, snarling."What the HELL is your problem? Can't you see I'm busy?" Serena tapper a finger against her lips, studying Lita."Well, your not foaming at the mouth. Thats always a good sign." "Fuck you." "Is it that time of the month?" When Lita shot to her feet, her hands made into claws, Serena couldn't help the laughter that escaped. "Wow, they weren't kidding." "What are you talking about?" "Amy and Mina are worried about you. Of course you didn't notice because your so busy." She motioned to the labtop. "Bad night?" "I don't want to talk about it." "Very bad night then." She went and settled on her bed, smoothing the covers. "Remember things you didn't want too?" Lita's eyes flickered, giving Serena her answer. "Maybe." "I don't know what's worse. Not remembering when you know it's right there, within your grasp, or having it come back to you in pieces. Which is it Lita?" Sighing in defeat, Lita plopped down heavily next to Serena."They say ignorance is bliss. I used to think the same way, but I don't anymore. Now that I've started to remember, I want to remember it all, just to get it over with. But I'm afraid too." Serena nodded."I don't blame you." She touched Lita's arm with a small hand. "Tell me about last night." "Last night."she sighed heavily, propping her chin in her hands."I went home with Ken. He wanted me to see this cottage of his that he'd built. We got there, went inside, then something changed. Something inside me moved. I know it sounds crazy, but I swear that something inside me just got so unbelievably pissed off that for a moment I couldn't even think straight." Serena stiffened, but when she spoke her voice was calm. "What did you do?" "Nothing!" Lita stood and began to pace. "HE kissed me! He actually kissed me and caught me off guard!" "I see." Lita whirled to glare at her, her green eyes burning with fury. "No you don't see! I never allow a man to kiss me unless I WANT him too!" "And you didn't want him too?" The question jolted her, causing her to blink and grow silent for a moment."Well....I didn't want him too when he did." "Ah, so its when YOU want them too. And he chose the wrong time." "Its more then that." Lita sighed, running a hand through her wild mane of hair. "I remembered something. I remembered a little boy, MY little boy. Serena, I had a son." The sorrow, the joy and grief in her voice tore at her. Serena went to her, wrapping an arm about her. "And it makes you sad." "Yes, it does. It shouldn't because I can't even remember past that, but it does." She'd never been weak, she'd never allowed others to see her in rare moments of self pity. But with Serena, it just seemed natural. "Why does he make me so angry?" When Serena remained silent, Lita pulled back to look at her. "You know something. You know more then your letting on." "I don't know everything Lita. I've seen...images. Of us. But I haven't seen even what I want to see." When Lita continued to stare at her, she blew out a breath. "I'm not lying to you. Even what I see is limited. You have to understand it's not my time yet." "Patience has never been a virtue of mine." She rubbed at her temples. "Serena, we know the story up to the moment we cast the spell on the beach. We know that because Raye told us about it.....but what about after that? What about when we left to America and were on our own without Raye? What could have happened then?" She looked at the other woman, saw by the sudden confusion in her eyes that even she hadn't thought of that. "We were all so heartbroken, so in despair. How could we have comforted one another when we were all so confused, so vulnerable?" "I can't answer that. The fact is Lita, you'll be the first to remember. Your going to be the one to have that time come back to you before any of us." "That's comforting." Lita grumbled it, causing Serena to smile. "So.....is he a good kisser?" Lita shot her a glare."Not that its any of your business, but yes. He is." "How would you rate him, on a scale of one to ten?" "What, are we in high school?" When Serena continued grinning at her, she rolled her eyes in defeat. "An eleven." "Interesting. Must have really tied you in knots. Its going to be fun to see how this one turns out." Lita glanced back, looking outside the window of her room. She saw the countryside, so green and pure, with a sheen of fog settling across it, the sun trying desperately to penetrate it. This land was beautiful, filled with magic and hope, promises and memories. So many sights and smells that called to her, triggering things she had never realized slept inside of her. And Ken.....he was at the center of all of it. Desire and love were returning, but would she be able to accept it? Would she be able to handle the anger, the black rage that came with the feelings she had for him? Or would the evil that came with it take over? For her, only time would be able to tell. For now she would accept what she had become, and attempt to solve the puzzle of what had happened to them after they'd left Ireland together. Stay tuned for chapter 4!~sailorperfect@yahoo.com |