Title: Someone's Watching Over Me

Authors: Reesepbc *KouUsagi* and Umi Kane

E-mails: reesepbc@gmail.com / ecchimichiru@yahoo.com

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer : Reese and Umi do not own Sailor Moon.

Ch 16

For a moment there was silence, aside from the hum and beep of the machines. No one dared to speak, afraid that if they did, they all might wake up and this be some beautiful dream. It took Serena trying to remove the tube in her throat, to make them move. The nurse, in as much shock as the rest of them, faltered for a moment before rushing forward to removing the tube properly. Once freed of her breathing tube, Serena was going to say something. However, she wasn't given the chance. Before she could speak, she was being smothered by Michiru, who had thrown her arms around her the minute the tube was out.

"Thank heavens you're alive, Serena. I was terrified we'd lost you," she breathed into Serena's hair.

Serena coughed a few times into Michiru's hair from the pain of the tube. She wrapped her arms weakly around her friend returning her embrace. Slowly she glanced around the room, she was met with many tear streaked faces. She was scared to say anything, but managed. “Wow I guess I worked myself to hard, and really needed a break huh?" She laughed softly not knowing what else to say. She was starting to feel really lost and confused. The only thing she really could remember was walking across the street towards Andrew. All at once everything came back to her, without thinking Serena sat up quickly almost pushing Michiru off her as she stared frantically around the room, “Where’s Darien?” She asked as her eyes fell upon the faces of Haruka and Michael.

Haruka's eyes widened. Darien. If Serena was awake, Darien had to be awake. Without saying so much as one word, Haruka dashed out of the room. Everyone waited with bated breath, for her to return. Many envisioned Haruka dragging Darien in by his arm, grinning like she'd won the lottery. However, those were just daydreams. In truth, Haruka walked in slowly, looked at Serena and shook her head. "He's still out," she said softly. Michiru took a step back and dropped herself back into her wheelchair. She had been just as sure that Darien would wake up. Haruka stayed back a bit, trying to hide the tears filling her eyes. She was happy that Serena was awake, but her fear of losing Darien had just doubled.

Serena leaned back in her bed confused and sad. She was back, and Darien was still in a coma. This wasn't getting any better. She was swamped with her friends and family sitting all around her, but she was still not happy.

She turned her attention out the window and watched as the rain fell lightly. She was happy to be back, but scared at the same time. Anything could happen now, including the worst. Sighing softly she glanced back at everyone, when something caught her attention. She did not say anything as she felt someone holding her hand tightly, looking up she caught her mothers tear swelled eyes look back at her. She smiled softly before letting go of her hand. "Serena sweetie, we have to go and talk with the doctor, but we will be back shortly." Serena nodded as her mother and father kissed her on her head, "I don't have anywhere else to go, the party is in my room." Laughing softly Serena waved at her parents as they left the room.

Her friends surrounded her, starting to talk excitedly. They were all very glad that she was awake. Even Haruka joined in, trying not to worry about Darien. Voices mixed, Serena only half heard them. "I knew you'd wake up," Mina exclaimed happily, "If falling down a flight of stairs and crashing into a vending machine in high school, couldn't do you in, an accident wasn't going to do it." This got laughs from the other girls, though admittedly they all feared her death a minute ago. "Mina's right," Lita followed, "We know all your horror stories and you always made it out fine." "Yeah I don't know why we were worrying," Rei chimed in. The four men in the room just rolled their eyes. They knew that even if the chances were slim of Serena dying, the girls would have worried beyond reason.

She glanced down at her small hands that now lay on her lap. She listened to her friends talking around her, but she was hardly paying attention. She missed him, both of them. Was it possible to feel so alone while in the company of all your friends? She knew the answer to that was yes. Smiling a small smile mostly to herself she looked up, but the smile soon vanished as shock set in at the sight in front of her.

"It's not possible, you're, you're." Serena stuttered as her friends fell silent and turned their attention towards the young women in the bed.

"Dead, is the word you are looking for Rena. I'm dead. “A soft voice answered from behind Rei, who jumped and screamed at the same time. The group parted quickly to opposite sides of the room as they noticed the new comer.

No one could believe it. Andrew was standing right there. It was impossible. There was no way. He looked the same as they day he had died, wearing the same clothes. Everyone just stood there, speechless. Trying to make light of the situation, Andrew laughed. "And here I thought nothing could shut you girls up," he said, trying to lighten the mood. It did not work, however. Everyone stood their, frozen in their places. Rei mustered up her courage, reached out and placed her hand on Andrew's shoulder. It was solid.

"You're-" she began, but Andrew cut her off. "Just because I am solid does not mean I'm alive," he countered, "I assure you that I am dead." "But how..." Mina tried to say, but let the words trail off. Andrew finished for her. "Those of you in this room are the only ones that can see me," he explained, "Think of me as a guardian angel, given a temporary body. You all can touch me, but the ones who cannot see me, can't touch me. They won't even notice I am there." "And your parents?" Lita wanted to know. Andrew shook his head. "They can't see me. They don't need to see me, so they don't see me. They've also accepted my death and let me go. Some of you can see me because you still need me. While others," he looked over at the four gentlemen standing together, "Can naturally see spirits, ghosts, angels... Whatever you believe in. Simply because you believe."

"But what are you doing here?" Haruka asked. Andrew looked at all of them, with a sad expression on his face, then looked at Serena, who was puzzled. "I've come for my sister..." he said with a heavy heart. The entire group's eyes widened as one. "You've got to be joking, Andrew. You are joking, right?" Michiru half exclaimed, desperately. Andrew shook his head. "She has to go back, to get Darien out. She has to enter Hell. There is no other way in... She has to get her vitals down low enough to be on the verge of death. I know that five of you have tried to get back in, and been unsuccessful. This is why," he explained. All eyes turned to Serena.

Before anyone could say anything, Andrew cut in once more. "The parents are coming back in. Don't say anything," he said before the door handle turned. Everyone remained silent as the parents entered. Serena's mother walked up to her bedside and smiled at her. "I have good news honey," she said brightly, "The doctors say you can go home in a couple days. They want to keep you just to keep an eye on you, to be safe." Serena forced a small smile. "Well that is some good news, I guess," she said, "I'd like to be out of this bed when Darien wakes up." Her mother gave her a soft hug. "Well your father and I are going to go home and get some rest, since you're awake. We'll call and check on you as the night goes on, if that's alright," she half asked. Serena nodded. "I know how you worry, Mom," she said, half laughing. Her father gave her a hug and bid her farewell. The two of them left Serena with her friends.

Serena paged her nurse. "Do you think it's possible that I could get some fresh air?" she asked when the nurse entered. The nurse nodded. "Your friends can take you up onto the roof, if you like," she responded, "These rooms can get pretty stuffy." The nurse helped remove the different tubes from Serena and then helped her into her wheelchair. "I can push her," Michiru said, making to stand. The nurse held up her hand, in protest. "Though you seem fine, we prefer that you stay in your wheelchair as well, Miss Michiru, as a precautionary measure." Michiru sighed and nodded. Haruka walked up behind Michiru and took control of her pushing. After a small argument about who would push Serena, Rei stood behind her, wheeling her out of the room. The group took the elevators to the roof and walked out onto it. It felt good to have the wind on their faces, especially for Serena.

Once they came to a stop just near the ledge Serena let out a deep breath. She stared out over the scenery in front of her and watched as a few birds flew by. She thought over and over in her head what she was about to do. She dared not say a word to anyone, but she had it all planned. Standing up she turned to face her brother and the others.

"Drew?" Andrew looked at his sister intently, "Yeah Rena what’s wrong?" Serena took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "To save Darien I have to die?" Andrew nodded his head solemnly.

Nodding slightly Serena turned back around to look out over the city once more. Everyone once more fell into conversation with Andrew. "I'm sure there is another way Andrew we can try the meditation again if needed." Michiru pleaded. Andrew just shook his head, even if she knew it wouldn't work she had to try. The thought of her friend dying just didn't sit well with her.

Serena was just ready to have this all be over. Somehow she felt she was still in a dream, but couldn't explain it. 'Come on Serena, just a few steps and you can die.' She thought to herself, but she didn't want to die. No one really wants to die. 'Darien has no choice Serena, you do.' That last thought is what did it for her.

Without warning or sound, Serena took a step forward onto the ledge. Her friends were so engrossed in their discussion they never even noticed. Michiru looked up just in time to see Serena turn around. "SERENA NO!" It was too late, the others turned, horror stricken looks upon their faces, and then as if time had stood still Serena stepped backwards off the building and fell. Michiru collapsed to the ground in complete shock. Michael and Jared had to keep Rei in place from following Serena. Hannah stood wide-eyed clinging to Haruka for dear life. Mina fell to her knees to afraid to move. Ami and Lita both clung to the other, as Nathan, and Zack both took a step back in shock. Everyone was so silent.

Andrew was the only one willing to move. Even he felt like he had to force himself to walk. He made his way to the ledge and looked down shaking his head. Turning around with tears in his eyes he mustered up his courage to speak. "She's gone." Gasps and cries were heard, but only Michiru’s could be heard inside the building.