AN: Hiya! Not much to say this time, just a big thanx to everyone 
that's read this far!

***********************
Overnight Delivery 
Chapter 5
Rated PG
By April Rayne
Startear42@aol.com
***********************

	"AIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-CHAAAAAAAAAAN!" Serenity shrieked as she 
looked at the contents of the bag. 
	A gown…

	"I did *not* pack this!" she practically yelled again. When she 
had packed the bag, another makeshift dress had been put in, insuring 
that her true identity wouldn't be revealed to her companion. So much 
for that idea. 'Geez, so *that's* why she asked me where I put my 
traveling bag! What the *heck* was she thinking?!'
	"Serenity!" Endymion called out, coming through the bushes.
	"Ahhh! Pervert!" she screamed, jumping behind the tree. "What 
are you doing?!"
	Turning around quickly, Endymion blushed as much as his 
companion. "Sorry! I'm *not* a pervert! What do you expect me to do, 
hear you scream bloody murder and just ignore you?"
	"YES!" she cried, her head popping out from the side. 
	"I give up," he laughed, beginning to walk away. "I have the 
fire running, just come back when you're done."
	Serenity let out a huge sigh as he left, and peeked out of the 
side before coming out again. Looking back at the pile of wet clothing 
that was on the ground, and then back at the dry gown in her hands, she
groaned.

	Endymion himself went through his bag for something dry, 
pulling out the clothes that were folded at the bottom. "What the-?!" 
	A black shirt and pants, of a delicate material lay in his 
hands. There was light silver and gold embroidery against the cuffs, 
signifying the royal family. They were only to be used during formal 
activities, like balls, and other festivities.
	He was stuck in the middle of nowhere and he was dressed to go 
out for a formal evening. 
	Well, that made *perfect* sense.

	A note fell out as he unfolded the items. 

	To Our Dearest Endymion-

	This is just in case something comes up and you're late for the
meeting with the Moon Princess. Of course, we're sure that you won't 
have to worry about that... We eagerly await your return.

				Love always,
				  Mother and Father

	"Funny- *really* hysterical," Endymion told the sky, hoping 
that somehow the message would reach his parents. Well, it was either 
work with what he had or stay in sopping wet clothing. Looking between 
his two choices, he groaned.

	After finally getting dressed, Serenity moved past the bushes 
and out towards the riverbank clearing. She froze as she saw Endymion 
moving to get dressed. Her face bright red, she snapped back towards 
the bushes. But her curiosity got the better of her and she peeked 
through the leaves. He had his back to her, and he had his pants on, so
it's not like she was being echhi or anything. 
	Sneaky, but not ecchi. 
	She froze once again as she looked at his back…

	After putting on the jacket for warmth, he tossed his old shirt 
back into the bag and ran his hand through his hair again. A rustling 
came from behind him and he turned around. 
	His voice caught in his throat, and his mouth hung slightly 
open as he looked upon the vision that had just emerged from the 
bushes. Serenity, golden hair flowing down her back, was wearing a gown 
of pale white with silver embroidered roses running down the layered 
skirts. The bodice was of the same material, again flooded with roses, 
and the simple jeweled straps gleamed in the moonlight. 
	Serenity couldn't help but stare at Endymion. Her mind must 
have been playing tricks on her again, because he looked more handsome 
than ever... The outfit fit him to a tee, and brought out his jet-black 
hair and midnight blue eyes... He looked the way he was- noble, 
compassionate, regal... In fact, he looked like he was dressed like 
a... She shook her head. 
	"Serenity…"
	She stepped forward with a slight hesitation until she was 
right in front of him, her eyes looking up expectantly at his. "You 
look…" the words died in his throat once again, and he looked down at 
her. 
	"You too…" she mumbled shyly. 
	"So, now that we're all set," she started, a slight nervous 
tilt in her voice, "What do we do now?"
	"We need some rest before we continue."
	Serenity nodded. "I'll set up somewhere for us to sleep..."
	"But first things first." Taking her hand, he again brought it 
to his lips. Gazing up at her as his lips made contact, he murmured, 
"May I have this dance?"

*

	"Ne, Ai-chan, isn't it your turn?"
	"Yup." She nodded enthusiastically.  
	Silence.
	"Well?" Hi-chan called out, putting her hands on her hips. 
"Aren't you going to do something? Your love chain, or the beam you 
almost skewered me with earlier?"
	"Look at them." Ai-chan said while pointing down at the couple 
from across the river. A humble smile rested on her lips, and her eyes 
shined as she watched the two shadows meld into one. 
	"What about them?"
	"They're falling for the trap. I am the senshi of love and 
beauty, after all."
	"Ai-chan, what are you talking about?"
	The blond only shrugged and continued to look upon the two.
	Mizu-chan scratched her head. "So what you're saying is, since 
your the senshi of *love* and they're...oh, my... You're taking the 
credit for *that*?!"
	"Yup."
	"But that's rude, to use it as an obstacle. You're not doing 
any work!"
	"Cheater."

*

	"Endymion..." Serenity tried to fight it, but the hand that he 
possessed began to slightly shake, as a shade of red began to brighten 
her cheeks. "What are you talking about?"
	"We'll we're not going to let these outfits go to waste, and to
make up for the unfortunate way we met this morning, no matter how much 
of a wench you were." He smiled jokingly. 
	The feel of his eyes upon her serious again, he pulled a cut 
rose from behind his back and placed it in her hair with care. "Don't 
you hear the music, milady?" he asked gently as he stood up, leading 
one hand to his shoulder as he put the other on her waist. Pulling her 
hesitant form towards him, he grinned. "Just close your eyes and 
listen. You'll hear it." 
	He had to be insane. Maybe he hit his head when he fell into 
the river, maybe the heat had affected him too much... She looked up, 
only to find that his were closed too. "Close your eyes, princess," he 
whispered once again.
	She followed his lead, and soon she found herself swaying to 
the 'music' that played melodically in their heads. Their steps 
following a slow ballroom waltz, they found themselves moving fluidly 
from one step into another, never faltering. Endymion moved to dip her, 
and he leaned forward, keeping in close contact. When he pulled her 
back up, her brought her up against him. 
	Feeling the sudden charge of electricity in the air around 
them, Serenity brought her hands to his chest as he brought both of his 
around her waist. Her hands traveled to the nape of his neck, 
unconsciously caressing the black silky hair at the nape of his neck. 
Their 'music' had drifted into back into the music of the night, where 
the beat of their hearts and the gentle breeze against the water and 
the trees conducted the slow dance between the two. Minutes passed, 
silent minutes in which they simply swayed to nature's beat, reveling 
in each other’s presence.
	"How did you manage to fit that dress into your bag?" he 
whispered with a quiet laugh as she rested her head against his chest. 
A small grin formed on her lips. "Magic," she replied with a mysterious 
whisper. "I guess it's the same for you," she added with a sigh. 
"Magic..." she repeated, as if learning the word anew. Remembering what 
had happened earlier, she started. "Magic... Endymion, you-"
	He didn't want to hear it, and brought a finger to her lips. 
	"But you're-"

	Serenity pouted and she leaned back a little. Her blue eyes 
yelled indignant comments at him, and the way he was avoiding things. 
Bringing the dance to a halt, she moved out of his embrace with the 
slightest hint of hesitation, but took his hand and led him to a nearby
tree by the fire. "It's time to get some rest."

*

	"Well, Ai-chan, we'll only be able to find out what happens 
tomorrow morning."
	"I'm beat as is. My head still hurts."
	"My skirt's ruined."
	"I can't get the dirt outta my hair."
	"Is my finger supposed to spark when I touch this rock?"
	"Let's get back to the palace," the blue haired senshi 
concluded wearily before the four figures disappeared into the shadows,
with the agility of...well, the agility of turtles. ^^;

*
	Unable to find the words to ask her about her sudden change of 
heart, he nodded, mumbling, "You get some rest, and I'll keep watch." 
Serenity looked at him and shook her head, as if he had done something 
shameful. She sat down on the ground, putting the bag down as a pillow.
Patting the ground next to her as an invitation to sit down, he looked 
at her quizzically before slowly sitting down. She moved behind him, 
and putting her hands on his back, she closed her eyes. A white glow 
surrounded each palm, and Endymion felt a warmth on his back. 
"Serenity...?"
	"Why did you tell me you weren't injured?" left her in a quick 
breath. The light intensified, and Endymion could feel the sting of the 
slight burns on his back dying down. "How did you-?"
	"I saw you while you were changing." She blushed, then added 
quickly, "It was an accident. You don't have to pretend you're not 
hurt, you know."
	"Serenity... Where did your magic come from?" 
	She took in a sharp breath, realizing that as she was caught up 
in the moment, she was slowly giving away her identity. "I...What about 
your magic? I felt it in the river. Only the royal family is able to 
harness their planet power..." 
	The assignment. He couldn't reveal his identity to her. And 
Serenity was told specifically not to reveal her identity as well. They 
had both hit a brick wall. Well, the only easy way out was-
	Lie.
	"I grew up in the royal court...I had training that enabled me 
to work with magic." The girl simply smiled wanly, trying to hide her 
hidden sense of disappointment. Knowing what she did, Endymion couldn't 
be just some squire but the prince himself. 
	Of course, that wasn't true.
	"You?" 
	She looked up at him, suddenly remembering what she had gotten 
herself into. "The princess taught me how to use it. Lunarians have a 
higher tendency to acquire powers early on." He nodded. 
	His back fully healed, the light died down. She positioned 
herself next to him and took a deep breath.
	"Endymion, don't argue with me. Go get some rest. You need it."
	"Serenity..."
	"At least let us switch off. I'll wake you up in an hour, and 
I'll sleep for an hour. See, compromise!"
	"Oh yes, you're a real diplomat, princess..." 
	"Just go to sleep." Unbeknownst to him, her hand on his 
shoulder glowed a dulled white, and soon his head lay upon the bag, 
deep in sleep.
	Serenity grinned. "This shouldn't be too hard..." 

	Minutes passed, as did another hour, but she couldn't bear to 
wake him up from his sleep, only keeping herself occupied by watching 
the moon, and them him... He looked so peaceful... 


	Finally succumbing to the call of sleep, she put out the fire 
and fell asleep against his chest.

******

	It was her again. The Moon Princess...Her shadowed form called 
to him as he lay upon his cloud of dreams. She stepped into the 
light... So he finally met the Princess face to face... For some 
reason, he wasn't surprised. He saw her familiar gold hair, her blue 
eyes, and smiled. Only this time, she lay down next to him, and he 
turned to her and brought their lips together...
	It was incredibly sweet, almost as if it was real...
	It was. 
	

	Endymion was pulled back to the reality of the light of a 
dawning day... and the feel of his lips upon Serenity's. Pulling back, 
Serenity opened her eyes, and brought her hand to her mouth. "Do you 
kiss everyone that tries to wake you up in the morning?!" she cried 
incredulously.

	So he'd gotten a little carried away with his dream...
	
	Trying to ignore the strange feelings, he sat up, and finally 
stood, leaving Serenity to blankly follow his moves. Looking at the 
rising sun, he groaned.


	"Damn...we're going to be late! We can't walk all the way back 
on time!"
	"It doesn't matter if we're going to be late or not! I don't 
care about getting there on time! Did you forget? You...you 
just...kissed me!"
	He froze, then walked until he was right in front of her. He 
loomed above her menacingly. He'd been through hell and high water for 
the past 24 hours... 
	He needed this. 
	"Dammit, Serenity, if I was going to really kiss you, I'd do 
this!" Pulling her up against him, he leaned his head down and claimed 
her lips with his own, his frustration leading him at last. His lips 
suppressed her squeak of surprise, and soon she found herself falling 
into his kiss. It softened, and soon it was just a gentle caress before 
they broke for air. They stared at each other, wide-eyed, when a whinny 
made both of their heads turn.

	"Silenus!"

	That was it. They had their ticket back to the palace, with a 
sure guarantee that they would get there before midmorning, as 
assigned. Once they were there, Serenity would return to her duties as 
handmaiden to the princess, and he would be a prince again. To 
Serenity, she would have to reclaim her title and Endymion would 
continue with his obligations as head squire. There was a chance that 
they would not have a moment alone ever again.
	For the first time in their lives, they frowned bitterly at 
their titles.
	Endymion could shut his emotions on and off like a faucet. 
"Let's go." Getting himself adjusted to riding again, Endymion extended 
his hand to her. Placing her shaking hand in his, he helped her up. 
Feeling his muscles constrict as she wrapped her arms around him, 
Silenus began to gallop down the rivers meandering path.
	Serenity's heart plummeted to her stomach, and she only moved 
towards him, leaning her cheek against his back.
	They couldn't go back now...

***************
End Chapter 5
***************

Feedback is a girl's best friend, ya know... Next to Mamo-chan, of 
course ^_^