Daughters of the Moon

**Ooh! I'm gonna make Mike and Stanton become best friends! Haha!**

Stanton

I looked up at her, still a little dizzy. But that would pass as I recovered. Shock was a hard thing to come through, and I was just beginning to. I nodded as she sat in a chair beside me. I noticed how wary she was around me, as if she were afraid.

"Why are you afraid?" I asked before I realized it.

"I don't want to hurt you... You're so badly injured! I don't want to make it - "

"Serena, you're not going to hurt me. Not by just touching me. And I'll be fine. I'll only be in here for a few more days; then I'm out. I'll be stuck inside, doing nothing for several weeks, but I will be fine. Don't worry so much."

I smiled as I took her hand in my right one and brought it to my lips. I then reached out and touched her on the cheek, smiling when she put her hand over mine. But it didn't stop the tears. She was still crying.

"I'm sorry I'm worrying you. I hate seeing you so upset, and I hate not holding even more."

"I don't want to hurt you..."

"You won't." I took her hand again and pulled her toward me, guiding her to my right shoulder. I wrapped that arm around her as I put my left hand against her back. The movement made me ache, but nothing more. "See? I'm fine. But, if you want to cry, it's okay. Cry it out. Don't hold it in. Just cry."

She whimpered, and I felt a few tears against my bare chest and shoulder.


Mike

Why did you encourage her? I asked him after a moment, touching his mind. Why did you tell her to cry?

It'll be easier for her. She'll get over the shock faster by crying than she will by holding it in. I'm trying to make it easier on her, so that only one of us is suffering.

I accepted that, knowing that he was right. I suddenly felt respect for him. First, he risked his life for her, and now, he was helping her recover faster. He really did care for her, and he knew how to do it. I'm sorry I attacked you.

It's fine. It was actually pretty fun until Serena got in the way.

I snorted at that. He was right about that. I heard him groan when he tried to chuckle. "Careful, idiot."

"Then stop making me laugh, dickhead."

I knew he was smiling, too. Maybe, just maybe, we could actually be friends.

Serena:

I cried against his shoulder. It was good being here. "Are you mad at me?" I asked. "I shouldn't have gotten in between you. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault!" I cried harder. I hated this! I was such an idiot! He was so sweet though! I looked over at Mike. He was smiling. I looked at Staton who as smiling too, though he was having a bit of difficulties with the laughing part. I knew I was missing something, but I wasn't going to press it. I was in Staton's arms again. "Would you mind if Mike stayed over?" I asked in his mind. "While your in the hospital?" I was scared about what his answer would be. "Please?" I whispered breathlessly.

Mike

I held my breath. What would he say?

"Yes, he can stay," Stanton finally said. "Since I can't."

I exhaled. Yep, we might just be friends.

Serena:

I kissed him passionately. "Have I told you how much I love you lately?" I grinned. "Your amazing. You sure your not mad at me?" I asked, sniffing and closing my eyes as I layed on his chest. "Your not mad at me for getting in the way?" I asked softly. "For putting you here?"

Stanton

I sighed as I held her, rubbing her back gently.

"I'm not mad," I told her softly. "At any time, I'm willing to risk my life for you. I love you that much."

I kissed her on the forehead, finalizing my words.


**I gotta go early tonight. It's 9 now, and I have to be up at 5. Later!**

**Night**

Serena:

I felt myself getting tired in his perfect arms. "Thank you love. I don't deserve you." I felt a single tear role down my face. He gently wiped it away.

"Don't say that."

"But it's true!" I protested. "I'm always messing things up! I'm too emotoonal. I'm needy and clingy. Sacuna loves you too. She's gorgeous...and...she's not always having to be saved or comforted." I couldn't look at him."Maybe..." I couldn't say it . I couldn't let him go! I was so selfish. I knew I was, but I just wanted him. And I couldn't tell him that it would be best for him not to have him in his life, because the truth was that I would die without him there. I wanted to stay right where I was forever. I could feel the tears coming again. I as such an idiot.

Mike

I sat upright, ignoring the pain in my head as I did so. "You can't say that, Serena! Stanton's the best thing that's ever happened to you! And he doesn't love Sacuna! He loves you!"

Stanton looked at me flatly. "Mike. Not too harsh." I shut up and listened. "Serena, it's you I adore, and for those reasons. You're beautiful, smart, emotional - which is only average for a girl - and clingy. To tell you the truth, you're all I think about. You're all I want. If I could get away with it, I'd stay with you everynight, just holding you."

Damn, he was good. But I knew he was telling the truth; the more Stanton talked, the more I listened, and the more I saw how much better Serena was off with him than me.

"Stay with him," I urged, gently. "You need each other. You love each other. Breaking up would only kill you."

Serena:

I looked over at Mike. "You think I don't know that?!" I said harshly into his mind. "I know it would kill me! But...he deserves so much better! Someone who can always b there. someone he doesn't have to worry about getting hurt all the time. If you hadn't noticed, it's my fault he's in here! And..." I chocked off. I was crying again. I burried my head into Staton's shoulder. There was a knock on the door and a nurse walked in. She glared disapprovingly at me. I whimpered.

"Visiting hours are over, miss."

"C-can I stay here? Just for one night? I promise I won't bother them! I just want to stay here for tonight. Please?"

The nurse looked at Staton, then Mike. "Is that okay with you gentleman?" She asked, uncertain.

Stanton

I looked at Mike and saw the determination in his own gaze. Serena was staying with us, no matter what. We would get her calmed down. We would make her think straight.

"It's fine," Mike finally said.

"She's staying," I added, more firmly. The nurse nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

"Thank you," Serena whimpered. "I can't leave you yet. I just...I feel so bad about all of this! I don't want to leave you!"

I held her tighter, humming a soft, Gaelic lullaby into her ear. "Serena, it's not your fault I'm here. It will never be your fault. I am responsible for my own actions."

"And I made the first move. I would have killed you," Mike added soothingly. "It's my fault, really."

Serena:

"It's my fault. If I hadn't have gotten in the way, you wouldn't have gotten hurt." I whimpered. "Keep singing to me. Please." I felt myself getting sleepy in his arms. His voice was comforting. "Why didn't you come last night?" I accused. "I thought you were going to come!" I whimpered. It was still upsetting when he didn't show up. "I didn't fall asleep until one..." I said, tears still shimmering in my eyes. It hurt when he wasn't around. I loved being in his arms, but it hurt when I wasn't. I whimpered into his chest.

Stanton

"I didn't want to alarm you, or hurt you," I said softly, humming when I paused. "The Followers pissed me off."

She nodded. Mike gaped at me.

"You don't get along with them?"

"No, I don't."

"Then...why do you stay?"

"Because the Atrox controls my life. If I try to turn sides, it'll kill me."

Mike nodded as I hummed for Serena, massaging her back easily, gently. I felt her relaxing, heard her breathing slow. In the morning, she'd be fine. She would be all right with everything. If I had to, I'd even enter her mind and induce peaceful dreams for her, dreams that would tell her not to worry and that it wasn't her fault. Because it wasn't. It was Brian's and Mike's. No one else's.

Serena:

I woke up slowly, softly. I looked up into Staton's eyes and smiled. "Morning love." I whispered softly.

He kissed my forhead softly. "Sleep well?"

I nodded. "I always sleep well when I'm in your arms." I giggled slightly.

I looked over at Mike. He would be released today. "Are you sure you'll be okay with Mike staying over? Am I allowed to sleep in his arms?" I asked softly, not chancing to look at him.

Mike

I listened, pretending to be asleep. After all, it was still only eight...

Stanton finally spoke. "If it'll make you feel better, I don't mind. Whatever you need from him...I give you permission."

He chuckled, and I smiled. Perfect. Anything Serena asked, I could do without worrying about Stanton.

Serena:

I looked up at him. "Why are you so sweet to me?" I asked. "You know how Mike feels about me...and yet your willing to let me stay with him. Why?" I looked up at him with my eyes wide and innocent, searching for understanding.

He was so amazing! I didn't deserve him! I knew he was mad when he saw me kissing Mike...but yet here he was giving me permission to do what I wished with Mike...not that I was going to take advantage of that...but I just didn't unerstand. I waited for his answer, knowing that whatever he said, he cared for me.

Stanton

"Because I can't; not right now," I answered honestly. "I don't really want to do it, but it's best for you. While I'm here, Mike can keep you safe. You can find support in him while you're not visiting me. I just want what's best for you."


**ugh...I'm exhausted...**