Welcome to another fic by me, Prince Darien. Hope you enjoy it. Sailor Moon and all related charactes are not mine, blah blah blah. Also, I am using the manga version a BIT in this. Lita and Nephlite have already met. And Nephlite is not falling for Molly. And, there is one scene that is suggestive. So you have been warned. Now, nuff said. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me The Sailor Soldiers were fighting another monster. It was a low-class youma, with the basic instinct to kill the Soldiers, but not the ability. Still, the Soldiers exercised caution. One wrong move could mean the youma would get lucky. < This isn't as tough as that lion, > Sailor Moon thought. After a few dodges from the other Soldiers, she was able to hit it with her tiara. But only after Jupiter had stunned it with her thunder. The youma turned to a pile of dust, and held shape for an instant before the dust fell to the ground. In a few seconds, not even that was left. The Soldiers had fought it outside, in an old abandoned parking lot. The wind managed to clean up the ashes. "Sailor Soldiers, you are beginning to annoy me very much," said the coarse voice that belonged to Nephlite. He appeared in front of them. The Soldiers stared at him, hatred clear in their eyes. Nephlite looked at them, annoyance in his. "I just want you to know that I will find the Silver Crystal before you do. AND I will use it to kill all of you. But until then..." Nephlite disappeared. Tuxedo Mask showed up. "Sorry I'm late girls..." He noticed that there was no fight going on. "You guys take care of it already?" "Yeah," Mars said. She walked away. "I'm going home now." She just walked off, by herself. "What's gotten into her?" Jupiter asked, more to herself than anybody. Still, it was asked out loud. "I dunno," Mercury said. "Maybe it's that time of month?" Moon and Jupiter knew what Mercury was referring to. "That would explain it," Sailor Moon said. She turned to Tuxedo Mask. "So, you're not usually late. What was going on?" "I guess my radar wasn't working right. I can usually sense the moment you're in danger, but this time, I don't know..." "Well..." "Um, Sailor Moon? Can we see you a second?" Mercury and Jupiter asked in unison. "I'll be right back." Sailor Moon walked over to her comrades. "What is it?" "Um... I hate to be the one to say this, but it's kinda late, and..." "And what, Mercury?" "Well, you have a Math test tomorrow. You need to study." "Geez... All right." "I think you and Tuxie make a good match," Jupiter said. Sailor Moon shot her a look. "Hey, just trying to keep it a little light here." Sailor Moon turned back to face Tuxedo Mask. He was gone. She would not see him again that night. Back in her apartment, Lita sat on her sofa, drinking some hot tea. She couldn't help but think about the guy she had met earlier that day. His long, flowing brown hair. His crystal blue eyes. His soothing voice... < Max... Max... > His name ran through mind over and over as an image of him flooded her brain. He was wearing that blue suit. It had brought out his eyes. < Oh Max... Will I ever see you again? > Nephlite stood in his vast expanse of a room, calling upon the stars for their power. < Stars of the Cosmos, help me to make anyone who has ever known me on the planet Earth to know me only as Maxfield Stanton. Let them not know of my true identity, even if they have seen it. > The stars that were over him flickered brighter, and then became dull before finally vanishing. Zoisite appeared in the air behind him. Nephlite needed not to turn around to see his thorn in the side. "Hello, Zoisite. Why have you come here?" "The Queen sent me," he replied. "She wants to know why you haven't gotten the Silver Crystal yet." "The Queen will know when I tell her. But I won't tell her until I am ready. I still have a few plans to try. A few places to look." "Well then..." Zoisite floated gently to the ground, walked up to Nephlite and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good for you. You haven't given up. A lesser fool would have thrown in the towel and handed his fate over to Beryl's hands. But not you. You're just too big a fool for that." "You can shut up now. Go back to Malachite. Let him hold you or something." "Hey, we are just good friends. No matter what you say though, I'm not gonna snap at you. You won't kill me without a reason. That just wouldn't hold to the code, would it?" "What code?" "The code of fools." Zoisite stepped back as Nephlite turned to face Zoisite. "You go back and tell Beryl that I am in the process of obtaining the crystal. And if she wants to see me, then let her summon me!" Zoisite closed his eyes as he turned his head to the side and down a bit. "Tsk Tsk... You should have come back with me to see the Queen. She MIGHT have spared you." Zoisite disappeared in a whirl of pink flower petals. "The Queen will have no problem with me when I give her the Silver Crystal." Lita was walking to school alongside Serena, on time. Serena was with her, and they were on time. This was definitely a day to mark on the calendar. < I know I'm usually on time, but Serena too? Something bad must be about to happen. > "Hey, Serena. You're never on time. What's going on this morning?" "I had a bad dream and woke up early. I couldn't get back to sleep. I was too scared." "Oh." As the two girls walked to their school, they heard a voice from behind them. "Hello girls." Lita recognized the voice immediately. She turned on a dime to see him. The one who had plagued her thoughts since she had met him. "Max!" The man laughed a little. "Actually, I would prefer it if you called me Maxfield. I like it better." Lita looked at his blue eyes, complemented by his also blue suit. They almost made her melt. "OK," she said, dreamy-eyed. Serena noticed her friend's obvious crush. "Uh... if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna get going." Serena walked off. Lita stayed. "So, did you want to see me?" Lita asked. "Actually, I did. I hear you're a pretty good cook." "I like to think so. But don't believe it until you've tried my food." "Well, I'm having a dinner party for some friends of mine, and I was wondering if you would like to--" "I'd love to," Lita almost shouted, saying it before she realized her lips were even moving. "Great. Come by tonight and I'll let you know the menu. I live in the mansion at the edge of the city." Lita had totally misunderstood him. She thought he was inviting her to his party. Now, she realized her mistake. Oh well, at least she could be alone with him tonight. Even if it was just get the menu. "OK." Nephlite stood in his vast expanse of a room. The stars were showing, and an image of Lita was being displayed. Nephlite studied it for a long while. He felt... something. A strange... attraction. Yes, that is what it was. An attraction to this girl. There was some mysterious aura about her that he could vaguely sense. It drew him to her. "So," said a voice that was so recognizable as that of Zoisite. "Is this your newest failed attempt at what you were supposed to be doing? Gathering energy.." "Hmph! I don't see YOU doing anything." "The queen has not told me to do anything. Except retrieve you. And that is what I'm here for. The queen really would like a word with you." "The queen can have me as her audience when I'm good and ready." "My my, having a rebellious attitude nowadays? Nephlite, you poor fool. The queen will probably spare you if you come now, but if not, then I will not be held responsible for your death." "My attitude is none of your business. I know that if I go back empty handed she will not be pleased." "And she won't be pleased by this. I'd say you no longer have a home with the Dark Kingdom." Zoisite disappeared. Nephlite returned his full attention to the image of that girl. He closed his eyes and disappeared. Lita arrived at Maxfield's house around seven o'clock. She knocked on the door, and then realized that in a house that size, there was little chance he heard it. So, she hunted for the doorbell. Before she located it at the upper-right of the door, the door opened. Where it once was was now Maxfield. "What, no butler?" Lita asked playfully. "Butler's week off," he replied. "Come on in. I have to discuss the menu with you." Actually, he didn't want to do that. He wanted to kiss her... But why? He was a Dark Kingdom General. He wasn't supposed to like humans! Lita entered, and promptly took her shoes off at the entrance foyer. She made her way into the living room. It was a very grand room, nearly 15 feet high and very spacious. There was a sofa near the South wall, and toward the Northern wall was a large television set. There was a glass table near the sofa, and to the East, the room had a small partition with a doorway leading to the kitchen. "Make yourself at home," Maxfield said as he went into the kitchen. He was in there for a few minutes. Lita sat on the sofa, and looked around. vfhn uShe noticed the walls were adorned with many pictures. There was a woman in one of them. She looked very elegant, with long, wavy blonde hair. Another picture contained the same woman with a man. The man looked similar to Maxfield but also different. The man had the same eyes, but the hair was black, not brown. His nose was a bit bigger than Maxfield's. Maxfield came in the living room to see Lita looking at the pictures. "They were good people. My mother and father." Lita quickly became aware of Maxfield's presence again. "That's who's in those pictures?" "Yes. They died a few years ago in a plane crash." "Oh, I'm so sorry... I know what it's like to lose your parents." Maxfield's thoughts ran away from him for a moment. < I do not like lying to this girl about myself. This is all fake. All of it. It's a lie to her. And I don't like it. But why don't I like it? I shouldn't CARE! > "So, what am I supposed to cook?" Maxfield looked at the glass table as he sat down beside Lita. There was a glass of wine he had set out. Actually, it was empty. Lita had obviously drank it. He saw his and her reflection in it. "You know, forget it. I can't ask you to cook for me. It'd be like you were a servant or something. I don't think I could--" "Oh, it's OK. I don't mind. Really." Maxfield looked at Lita, who was staring at him. In her eyes it was evident she had an attraction for him. "No. I like you too much to have you being my servant. I'll not ask you to do this." Maxfield looked deep into her soft, green eyes. Lita was looking even deeper into his crystal blue eyes. "Oh, all right," she said, more of a whisper. Both of them got caught up in the moment. They moved closer to each other at the same time. Maxfield pressed his lips against hers, as she pressed her lips to his. The kiss did not stop there, as his and her lips parted. Lita's eyes closed, as did Maxfield's. They kissed for the longest time. Maxfield lost control of the room for an instant, as it turned back to the vast, star-studded expanse. He quickly realized and returned it to be what he had made it for Lita before she opened her eyes. Maxfield broke away, breathing not hard, but not easily either. "This is wrong," he said. "No.." Lita whispered. "It's perfect." Lita found it easy to pull him back to her, and they kissed again. Lita's heart felt more alive now than ever before. It fluttered in her chest. Her soul was screaming for more! This felt like nothing she had ever experienced before! It was like they were destined to be together. Maxfield felt something inside of him. He had never felt it before. He had feelings for this girl! And not just enough to fool her, but actual, genuine feelings! How had this happened? And in such a short time! The two slowly fell to a laid-down position on the couch. At least for this moment, nothing else in the world, or universe for that matter, had any place in either of their minds. The next morning, which was a Saturday, Lita awoke to find herself in a bed that was definitely not hers. She looked around. Soon, she saw Maxfield come in the door. He was fully dressed. Lita glanced under the coverse to see that she was... "Oh my Gosh! What went on last night?" Maxfield looked Lita directly in the eyes. "You don't remember?" "No.. I had some wine... and..." "Nothing happened. You started to get undressed, and I broght you up here to sleep. You obviously couldn't think straight." "So we didn't...?" "No. We didn't." Maxfield turned around. He started out the door. "Your clothes are in the closet. I'll leave so you can put them on. You can join me in the kitchen for breakfast if you want." "Okay." Maxfield closed the door behind him. "What is it, Zoisite?" Nehlite asked hurridely. "I don't have a lot of time!" "Well, it's just that you were so busy last night--" "What do you knbow about last night?" "Just that you were having fun with a human. Need I remind you--" "No. It's not like that. I thought she might be an acquaintance of the Sailor Soldiers. And I'll get information any way I can." "OK. Whatever. Well, I'll be seeing you around, Nephlite." Zoisite disappeared. Lita came down the stairs from the bedroom, fully clothed, and stood behing Nephlite, or as she only knew him, Maxfield. "OK, I'm ready. What's for breakfast?" Later in that Saturday, Nephlite was once again annoyed by the presence of Zoisite. He had appeared unexpectedly, as usual. Nephlite was drinking some wine. "So," Zoisite said. "Your plan is to make Sailor Moon drunk, I see..." "Hmph. Stick to the underhanded remarks. Sarcasm isn't your thing." "Fine. But I came here to tell you that Queen Beryl is getting rather mad at you. I'd just hate to see you killed." Zoisite looked at Nephlite, who was now in his uniform. He was holding that star crystal in his right hand. "Go away." Zoisite walked toward Nephlite. Zoisite looked at his arch-rival for a moment, before finally continuing on. He brushed past Nephlite, making shoulder contact meant to intimidate him. Zoisite disappeared. Nephlite clenched his fist so tightly around the crystal, he nearly shattered it. < Zoisite you are about to make me really mad. > Lita walked up the steps to the Hikawa shrine. All the Soldiers were there. Even Serena. "Hey guys!" "Hey Lita! What happened? You're late!" "I know, I know. I'm sorry. I was over at--" "Maxfield's?" Serena finished with a question instead of a statement. "Yeah." The rest of the group gave Lita a look that clearly meant "Did you spend the night?" "Before you ask, yes, and no we didn't do anything. I fell asleep and he let me stay." Serena nodded. Rei looked down at the ground. < I have a bad feeling about that guy... > Rei didn't want to say anything. After the other night with Tuxedo Mask, she had seemed like a real pill. "Well, anyway," Rei said. "Let's get started. Nephlite, and what to do the next time we see him." "Well, since he's with the Dark Kingdom," Lita said, "I think it's obvious. We kill him so he can't bother us anymore." The entire group was in full agreement there. Nephlite entered the realm of the humans' universe, dressed as Maxfield Stanton. He drove his red Ferrari into Tokyo. As usual, he flew down the streets, not caring much for how fast he was going. All he wanted to really do was get out and think. Away from Zoisite. Away from Beryl. Away from the Dark Kingdom all together. < The queen will certainly kill me for what I have done. She won't listen. Even if she did, she can tell if I'm lying. I can keep Zoisite from knowing for a while. But how long? I've got to tell this girl.... Wait! I have to attack something so Beryl won't send Zoisite after me again. And I really don't want to. > He got out of his car at the arcade. As long as it looked like he was searching for the Silver Crystal... He stopped as he saw her go in. Lita... He could not chance hurting her. But he couldn't just stand outside either... He noticed a presence... Zoisite! Zoisite was spying on him! < Now I HAVE to do this... > Nephlite changed into General mode, and rushed in the building. He sent an energy blast to a girl sitting at a video game. She mamaged to get out of the way. Then he recognized her. One of Lita's friends. Then the name popped into his mind. Serena. "No time for secrecy here!" Lita said. "JUPITER POWER!" The words didn't quite register with Nephlite at first. "TRANSFORM!!" In a brilliant flashing array of different shades of green lights, the girld transformed into the Pretty Soldier Sailor Jupiter. Serena followed suit. "Moon Prism Power! TRANSFORM!" In the bightest of yellow and white lights, she turned into the Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon! Nephlite stopped dead in his tracks. "Oh... Oh no.... Lita..." Sailors Moon and Jupiter were puzzled. "How... How did you know my name...?" Jupiter stepped forward. Nephlite seemed so familiar, like she knew him as something more than Dark Kingdom slime. Nephlite stepped back. He couldn't bear it. He had feelings for this girl. < A SAILOR SOLDIER!! > Jupiter's eyes became wide with a surprising revelation. "M... Max... field..?" Nephlite looked to the left and down. He slowly changed into Maxfield Stanton. "Yes. It is me." Jupiter powered down to Lita. Sailor Moon looked at her partner. "What are you doing? We have to fight him!" "No Sailor Moon. We don't. Could you please leave us alone?" Sailor Moon begged Lita not to do what she thought her friend was about to do. "Just go." Sailor Moon reluctantly agreed to go. The arcade was empty now except for the two star-crossed lovers. Lita looked at Nephlite, hurt in her eyes. Not just her eyes, but her very soul. Even in this short time, she knew she had loved him. From some other place, some other time... "Lita, I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, but.." "Nephlite... It's OK. I understand. But I just didn't think you would lie to me. Not like that." "Lita, I'm sorry. But we can not be together." "Yes we can. We can make this work. Don't give up!" "No. There is no way to do this. We are from two different worlds. But my world has forsaken me. Yours has not. You can still go home." "What are you saying?" "We can't both live and be apart. And we can't be together. I will try to kill all of the Soldiers. Even you, given the time. But if I go back, Beryl will certainly torture me for a very long time." "I can make you forget your world. You can live with me!" "No. Just make me one promise. Make it quick." Nephlite closed his eyes. Lita had tears streaming down her face. Her heart was sore. Her soul was despairing. "I can't do it." "Yes, you can. Kill me." Lita adamantly refused. Nephlite opened his eyes. He moved closer to Lita, and then back-handed her across the mouth. Lita's head went with the blow, and when she looked at him again, tear and pain in her eyes, he repeated his action. One more time she looked back at him. He again hit her. Something inside of her snapped. She quickly transformed to Sailor Jupiter and used her lightning. Nephlite flew through a window. The glass made so many cuts that he bled profusely. In a matter of seconds, he died, but not before saying 2 last words to Lita. "Thank you...." Nephlite slowly faded out of existence as some dull, blue lights faded in and out around him. Lita's hurt was still with her. And it was going to stay for a very long time. She had lost at love again. Serena waited for her friend outside the arcade. Lita slowly came out, taking short, slow steps. Serena could see the pain in her eyes. Lita slowly made her way to Serena. "Lita... I'm sorry..." Lita faked a smile. "Thanks. I'll be all right." The two walked away, Serena trying her best to comfort Lita. But for Lita, comfort was not an option. Comfort would come later... Only after the despair and sadness.