Ack..I sent the old version of this to ASMR last week^^; You won't notice much of a differnce here except for in the tavern scene, and I thought I should send this in because my prereaders are wonderful and my revisions are from their work... AN: First stab at a Silver Millennium fic, so please excuse how... strange...it might turn out. ^^; With all the stuff that's been going on lately, I haven't had time to work on TGITM. Gomen ^^; I guess this can make up for it somewhat (??) This was supposed to be a one parter, but it ended up a *bit* longer than I thought^^; This takes place on Earth... it's a 'How Serenity Met Endymion' fic, and it doesn't correlate with the manga storyline but oh wellz. They have more of an UsaMamo personality anyways. Serenity knows about the prince but has never seen him, nor does she know his name. Vice versa for Endy. And yes, I know this doesn't sound very believable cause it takes place in one day only, but please, give me a break ^^; Writing things about one day only usually ends up to be almost 20 pgs... Just look at 'To Exist...' and TGITM- Oysh. I'm too lazy to extend it... Enjoy! Thanks go out to Sakura and Shana for prereading. You're the best, guys! I wouldn't imagine getting anything out w/o your help! Disclaimer: Naoko Takeuchi = Sailor Moon. There you go. Personal disclaimer: Too tired from practice the past few weeks. I have one last nerve left, and I'm sure *someone's* bound to sit on it sooner or later. ************************** Overnight Delivery Chapter 1 Rated PG By April Rayne Startear42@aol.com ************************** "What do you mean, an assignment?" Midnight blue eyes looked upon the royal couple quizzically. "Endymion, don't you remember your lessons? When the prince or princess reaches true adulthood, they are given a task to complete to prove that they're ready for the throne." The prince put down his wineglass against the table, the slight clang reverberating throughout the fairly silent room. Looking back at his parents with that same bewildered expression, he pouted. "To tell you the truth, mother, father, I honestly can't remember that." "Oh, Endymion, you have to learn to pay more attention in class." "He takes after you, Darling," the Queen whispered to her husband with a knowing smile, blue eyes gleaming. Ignoring his indignant look, she turned to her son. "Well, the time has come, Endymion. And we have the task prepared." His gaze switching back and forth between his parents, he frowned and ran a hand through his jet-black hair. "But mother-" "Don't 'But mother' me, Endy. You're not six anymore." The King grinned. "Your mother's right. " His mother smiled sweetly. "Your task... is to deliver a package overnight from the town of Amortia back to the palace by midmorning tomorrow." ... "That's it?" he asked incredulously. "Deliver a package? What is it?" "You'll see when you get there, son." "...There's a catch around here somewhere, isn't there?" "Now Endymion, we're your parents, and we know what's best for you. You know there wouldn't be a catch to any of this. What you are assigned to do is travel there, find the package, and return before the allotted time passes. Nothing hard." "But wouldn't a test like this be harder?" "Just be prepared, my dear." ******* Endymion took another look back at the parchment from the preparation bag that his parents had given him. 'Travel to Amortia and enter the tavern. The package should be waiting at the counter. Here's a clue as to how it will be called: Peaceful. To make sure that the transaction occurs smoothly, make sure to use this password casually with the 'merchant'...' "Gullible." Endymion shook his head. Gullible was right. This had to be some sort of joke that his generals were playing on him. Smiling ruefully to himself as he pulled back on the reins of his black steed, Silenus, he carefully dismounted from the horse, assignment in hand. He'd have the last laugh. When he came up with an actual idea, of course. He was thankful that he had dressed down for the occasion, sporting a casual civilian outfit that he often sneaked out of the castle with. He wore black pants and a white button down shirt. A simple coat was attached to the bag, which was attached to Silenus' saddle. More than anything, Endymion enjoyed being among the people, without his title. This way, he could enjoy life without the stuffy restrictions of royalty while learning more about the people that he was born to serve. The ride, on horseback, took almost the whole day, and he ended up in Amortia by the time the sun had begun to set. Endymion entered the tavern with wary steps, noting that it was fairly empty, with the exception of four men clothed in black cloaks, huge mugs of ale in hand. His eyes traveling around, he noticed the big, burly bartender standing behind the counter, wiping one glass after another. Grateful that his task was practically done for him, he walked up to it and sat down on a chair. "How much do you charge for a glass?" The bartender named a price and Endymion scoffed, a knowing look in his eyes. "Well, your customers must be extremely *gullible* to buy ale at that price!" The man glared at him, and Endymion gulped. The bartender slammed the glass on the counter, and leaned in towards Endymion. "What did you just say?" Eh... well, this was great. He'd just got into the town and already he'd gotten into a spat with a big, muscle-bound man that was probably drunk to death. He flexed a muscle again. It revealed the tattoo on his left arm- a heart that said, 'momma'. "Oh, man..." There was no one else here, so he had to be the 'messenger', right? "Gullible. I said gullible," Endymion said with growing confidence. Until he saw the tattoo heart on the bartenders arm get bigger... Endy was strong, but not prepared for someone that was the size of a gorilla. "Your customers are..." He swallowed. "...Gullible?" "Why- You little!" The bartender picked up two glasses, ready to throw them. The four cloaked customers almost rose out of their seats at the incoming fight. "I'm sure that whatever this man said, he didn't mean it." A calm and flowing voice interrupted. The bartender put his arm back down and both men looked at the newcomer. Endymion's thoughts flew out the window as he looked at the girl. She was one of the most beautiful beings he had ever seen, with crystal blue eyes and flowing blond hair, held up in a peculiar hairstyle- two pigtails with buns. She was dressed in a blue dress, simple but stunning, which brought out her eyes. But Endymion was a man. And most men didn't want to be rescued by ladies. "I'm sorry, but I think I can handle this on my own, thank you." The woman looked back at the man that had ever so politely denied her offer. He was handsome, with black hair fringing his deep blue eyes. Definitely handsome... probably one with the ladies, but not for drinking taverns. She laughed a little to herself. Boy, was he gonna get it. Endymion looked back at the bartender. "Maybe I'm saying this the wrong way. What I'm trying to say is-" "I know what you're trying to say!" Without a word, the bartender pulled Endymion to him and caught him in a headlock. The four customers moved forward, but one held them back, keeping his hand in front of them. The lady, usually not one who wanted to see brawls, couldn't help but just stand by and watch the handsome man get himself into deeper trouble. "Ack..." Endymion let out, trying to use his hands to wrench the arm away from his neck. "I can help you get out," the girl smiled sweetly, leaning in towards Endymion, who was trying to make sure that the guy's arm didn't crush him. Caught up in her eyes, he had almost forgotten that his face was slowly turning an unhealthy shade of red. "Air..." he muttered. "What was that?" Smiling like a Cheshire cat, she leaned in even closer, since the bartender was oblivious to her presence. "Where?" "Air...breathe...Help..." "What did you say? Kelp?" Endymion's eyes widened. "*Oh*...help!" Standing upright, she tapped the bartender on the shoulder. He still kept Endy in his clutches. The woman tapped him on the shoulder again. No response. Meanwhile, Endymion was going from red to an even more unhealthy shade of purple... Putting her hands on her hips with frustration, the girl smiled coyly when a new idea came to mind. Moving so that she was face to face with him, she batted her eyelashes and sent him her most dazzling smile, followed by a small giggle. "I'm kinda lost sir... could you kindly tell me where I am?" She batted her doe eyes again, and the bartender, smitten, turned to face her, Endymion still awkwardly sprawled in the headlock. "I'd...*really* appreciate the help..." she added shyly. Endymion, still not free from the man's grasp, was vowing to herself that once he got out of there he was never gonna let another beautiful stranger bargain for his life again. 'What the heck is she doing?' "Well, it's not everyday that a classy lady like you comes in here," the bartender mused with a crooked grin. While leaning one elbow on the counter and his other arm occupied around Endymion's neck, he smiled and added, "I've never seen you around here... What's your name?" She smiled. Playing around like this was something she always enjoyed doing, especially when she was around people she didn't know. 'Let's play this out for a while...' she thought to herself, totally oblivious to the man nearly choking next to her. Leaning by his ear, she whispered seductively, "That's my little secret... If you're nice to me, maybe I'll tell ya." "Well, a gentleman," he added with that same crooked grin and a drunken burp, "should always help a beautiful lady in distress." The woman cringed a little. It was funny while the person on the receiving end was sober... "Why, thank you... ummm... you're not too bad yourself... handsome." "A...little... help!" Endymion's choked voice got out. The woman's focus suddenly on the near purple man, her eyes widened. 'Oopsie...' Suddenly noticing the tattoo on the bartender's arm, an idea sprang to life in her eyes. Taking on a more serious, sisterly tone, she leaned in towards the bartender again and sighed disappointedly. "Well, I really do adore a smart guy who listens to his mother...Didn't your momma ever tell you that it's rude to keep your customers in a headlock?" "Momma? Yeah..." looking sad because he had been a bad boy in front of the pretty lady, the bartender let Endymion go, mumbled an apology, and walked into the back room. The handsome prince breathed in and out for huge gulps of air, looking at the lunatic woman that had saved him with disbelief. His face was slowly returning to its normal hue. "Why...didn't... you...do... that...sooner?" "You said you didn't need my help." She smiled again, her eyes lighting up her beautiful features. She was absolutely gorgeous. But a wench. He sat back, and sighed. "Well, thank you so much, remind me to ask for your help when I'm in a *really* life threatening situation, Ms. Lifesaver. Heh... This is what I get for coming to a town I barely know just for a package. I was really gullible for actually going on with this charade." he mumbled to himself. She blinked, confused. "What did you just say?" "I was really gullible for-" The woman paled. "Oh dear..." "What do you mean, 'oh dear'...?" "And you say that you're looking for a package?" He nodded. "What is it?" "I don't know. I just have a clue to its label: Peaceful." Before she could open her mouth to speak, his midnight blue eyes met her crystal blue ones and all forms of speech left her. With a glint in his eyes, he raked a nervous hand through his hair. "I guess I should thank you for what you did earlier, even if it was unfashionably late." Taking her hand in his, he brought it to his lips for a kiss. "My name is Endymion... And yours, milady?" Making sure she kept her eyes locked with his, she blushed. "Serenity. Your package." ***************** End Chapter 1 ***************** Feedback? Pretty please? I really really really need it (Mamo-chan will tell you so) and I haven't written anything since TGITM5, and that was weeks ago! AHHHHH!