Chapter 27: The Hardest Part is Waiting

The apartment was quiet. There were no conversation, no voices. She could hide in her room until it was time. But it would waste what time she had left. It felt like such little time and it was slipping through her fingers quickly. Wrapping her arms around herself, Celeste entered her living room.

Jonathan was taping garbage bags over her ruined balcony doors. The glass had already been cleaned up, making it safe for her to walk barefoot over the floor. There was no sign of the others.

“You don’t have to do that, Jonathan.”

He stopped working and looked at her for a long moment. He shrugged his shoulders before resuming his taping. “It needs to be done.”

She watched him. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, so much she wanted him to understand. But her courage failed. She went for what she hoped would be a safe topic.

“It’s so quiet,” she murmured. “Where is everyone?”

For a moment, she thought he wasn’t going to reply. Yet, when he finally did, Jonathan kept his back to her, focused on his repair job. “They’re at my apartment, thought we would like some time alone. Sofia’s folks think she’s spending the night here.”

“It’s probably for the best.”

Again, he shrugged. “Anyway, your landlord showed up because of all of the racket but Tomiko did something and he was suddenly unconcerned about it. I’ll help you replace them when you get back.”

“Jonathan, I couldn’t care less about the doors right now.”

Again, she wondered if he would respond. How long would they stand there in silence? An hour? Until she had to go?

“I just had to stay busy.” He finally faced her, his brown eyes flickering with every conflicting emotion she felt. “If I stopped, I started thinking and I…I just couldn’t deal with that right now.”

He returned to the door once more, now double-taping the bags. “Setsuna said that they will be back a bit before you have to leave. To say good-bye, I guess.”

“Jonathan, you know I have to do this.” She reached to touch him but he jerked away.

“Of course I know!” he spat, whirling to face her. “What I don’t know is why you have to go there by yourself! Sofia may not be able to fight and I can’t help but I know that Setsuna and Tomiko can!”

She deserved this, deserved his anger and more. But she wanted him to understand and she didn’t want to leave him like this. She didn’t want his probable final memories of her marred by anger.

“It has to be that way because Notus said I had to come alone. If there’s anyway I can get Mara back, I’ll take it.” She glanced down at her feet, willing herself not to cry. “I can’t leave her there. There’s no telling what they are doing to her. I won’t leave her to that fate.”

“I don’t want to lose you, Celeste!”

She forced herself to smile as she looked at him. “You’re not going to lose me, Jonathan.”

“Sofia and Mara together couldn’t handle this woman. What makes you think you can take her and Aeolus?”

“Because I have to.” She reached out to touch him again. This time he allowed the contact. “Besides, we’ve found each other once. We can find each other again.”

“Celeste, let someone go with you.” But the anger was fading. Replaced by acceptance? She could only hope.

“I can’t.”

“Celeste.”

She pressed a finger against his lips. “Is this how you want to spend this time? Arguing?”

He sighed and pulled her hand away. “No, it’s not. You’d better come back to me, Celeste. You’d better!”

Before she could speak, he kissed her. He pulled her tightly to him, acting if he got her close enough, she couldn’t leave. Celeste embraced him just as tightly.

It didn’t seem fair. Her duty as Sol had cost her Chiron during the Silver Millennium. That duty was threatening to do the same to her and Jonathan now. Would she ever know more than a brief happiness?

‘Don’t think about that now,’ she thought, pressing herself even closer to him. ‘Enjoy what you have while you can.’

* * * * *

“You know, you never did tell me why you dislike Ian so much.”

Jonathan glanced down at her, where Celeste laid against his chest. “You really want to know? I can always tell you when you get back.”

“We have time.”

He decided not to push the issue. They could pretend for a little longer that this was just a normal night. That tomorrow was another day.

“Well, where do I begin?” he said, sitting against the headboard. “You already know that we went to high school together back in South Carolina. We were the same class and were on the football team together.”

She grinned up at him. “I never pegged you for a jock, Jonathan.”

“I made all-district a few times,” he admitted, “but it was mostly for track. But you’re distracting me from the story.”

“Sorry.” But she wasn’t a bit apologetic.

“Anyway, Ian and I had a bit of an athletic rivalry, but that’s not the main reason things are the way they are between us. One of my best friends in high school was a girl named Tammy Sullivan.”

“A girl?”

“Yes, a girl. And it was strictly platonic.”

“On whose part?”

He frowned at her. “On both our parts, from the very beginning. Anyway, Tammy had had a rough life. Her dad ran off shortly after she was born, and her mom worked two jobs to try to make ends meet. Tammy had a series of after school jobs since junior high and sometimes more than one.”

“So how did you get to be friends with her?”

“We were in a lot of the same classes.” He chuckled softly. “She’s the reason I got through physics with a decent grade. She was brilliant and knew that her grades in school were her ticket to a better life. She wanted that life and college desperately.”

He looked down at Celeste again with a slight smile. “Now let me say this next bit without any comment from you, sweetheart. Tammy was a beautiful girl with long, jet black hair and these huge, baby blue eyes. Our friendship was platonic, but I’m a guy and I'm not blind.”

“Apparently,” Celeste said, but she was smiling.

“Well, Ian was wealthy, captain of the football team, and charming when he wanted to be. You can imagine how thrilled Tammy was when he began to notice her.”

“What happened?”

“They started dating. I tried to warn Tammy, but she said I was being paranoid. They were named king and queen at homecoming and were even talking about going to the same college. Then Tammy found out she was pregnant. Ian stopped talking to her and started rumors that the baby wasn’t his.”

“Was it?”

“Yes, a paternity test proved it when their son Peter was born just after graduation. However, the damage was done. Most of the town viewed her as a slut trying to marry her way into money. Ian has gone with his life, while Tammy struggles with school, work and raising her son.”

“Wow.” She had had no idea. She really couldn’t blame Jonathan for his hatred of the guy.

“So, now you know why I hate Ian. He took a good person and ruined her life.”

“I’m glad it was something serious,” she said, kissing his check. “I hate to think was something like he cut you off in traffic.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Are you calling me shallow?”

“Not to your face,” she baited.

“Oh, you’re getting it!”

She didn’t have time to defend herself before he was tickling her without mercy.

* * * * *

Jonathan watched her as she slept. While he was reluctant to waste any of the time they had left, he knew she would need her energy. He tried not to begrudge her for it.

He was sorry for being angry with her earlier. If he was in her situation, he would make the same decision. It was her seeming willingness to throw her life away that bothered him.

‘Am I not enough for you to live for?’ he wondered, stroking her hair. ‘Do you want something more than me?’

He immediately felt guilty for the thoughts. He knew that Celeste loved him. And he knew what he was getting into when they had started dating.

Celeste reached out toward him but only encountered empty sheets. Frowning, she opened her eyes. She relaxed slightly when she found him watching her. “Why aren’t you sleeping, Jonathan?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Liar,” she said, smiling as she snuggled against him.

He smiled back. “How could I sleep in the presence of such beauty?”

“At least you’re a charming liar.”

How could he let her leave in a few hours? How could he do it and it not kill him? He tilted her chin to make her look at him. “Make me a promise, Celeste.”

“What kind of promise?”

“That you’ll come back to me, if there’s any way possible.”

She traced the edge of his face with her fingers. For a moment, he wondered if she was going to refuse. “If there’s any way possible.”


But The Hardest Part Is Waiting The apartment was quiet. There were no conversation, no voices. She could hide in her room until it was time. But it would waste what time she had left. It felt like such little time and it was slipping through her fingers quickly. Wrapping her arms around herself, Celeste entered her living room. Jonathan was taping garbage bags over her ruined balcony doors. The glass had already been cleaned up, making it safe for her to walk barefoot over the floor. There was no sign of the others. “You don’t have to do that, Jonathan.” He stopped working and looked at her for a long moment. He shrugged his shoulders before resuming his taping. “It needs to be done.” She watched him. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, so much she wanted him to understand. But her courage failed. She went for what she hoped would be a safe topic. “It’s so quiet,” she murmured. “Where is everyone?” For a moment, she thought he wasn’t going to reply. Yet, when he finally did, Jonathan kept his back to her, focused on his repair job. “They’re at my apartment, thought we would like some time alone. Sofia’s folks think she’s spending the night here.” “It’s probably for the best.” Again, he shrugged. “Anyway, your landlord showed up because of all of the racket but Tomiko did something and he was suddenly unconcerned about it. I’ll help you replace them when you get back.” “Jonathan, I couldn’t care less about the doors right now.” Again, she wondered if he would respond. How long would they stand there in silence? An hour? Until she had to go? “I just had to stay busy.” He finally faced her, his brown eyes flickering with every conflicting emotion she felt. “If I stopped, I started thinking and I…I just couldn’t deal with that right now.” He returned to the door once more, now double-taping the bags. “Setsuna said that they will be back a bit before you have to leave. To say good-bye, I guess.” “Jonathan, you know I have to do this.” She reached to touch him but he jerked away. “Of course I know!” he spat, whirling to face her. “What I don’t know is why you have to go there by yourself! Sofia may not be able to fight and I can’t help but I know that Setsuna and Tomiko can!” She deserved this, deserved his anger and more. But she wanted him to understand and she didn’t want to leave him like this. She didn’t want his probable final memories of her marred by anger. “It has to be that way because Notus said I had to come alone. If there’s anyway I can get Mara back, I’ll take it.” She glanced down at her feet, willing herself not to cry. “I can’t leave her there. There’s no telling what they are doing to her. I won’t leave her to that fate.” “I don’t want to lose you, Celeste!” She forced herself to smile as she looked at him. “You’re not going to lose me, Jonathan.” “Sofia and Mara together couldn’t handle this woman. What makes you think you can take her and Aeolus?” “Because I have to.” She reached out to touch him again. This time he allowed the contact. “Besides, we’ve found each other once. We can find each other again.” “Celeste, let someone go with you.” But the anger was fading. Replaced by acceptance? She could only hope. “I can’t.” “Celeste.” She pressed a finger against his lips. “Is this how you want to spend this time? Arguing?” He sighed and pulled her hand away. “No, it’s not. You’d better come back to me, Celeste. You’d better!” Before she could speak, he kissed her. He pulled her tightly to him, acting if he got her close enough, she couldn’t leave. Celeste embraced him just as tightly. It didn’t seem fair. Her duty as Sol had cost her Chiron during the Silver Millennium. That duty was threatening to do the same to her and Jonathan now. Would she ever know more than a brief happiness? ‘Don’t think about that now,’ she thought, pressing herself even closer to him. ‘Enjoy what you have while you can.’ * * * * * “You know, you never did tell me why you dislike Ian so much.” Jonathan glanced down at her, where Celeste laid against his chest. “You really want to know? I can always tell you when you get back.” “We have time.” He decided not to push the issue. They could pretend for a little longer that this was just a normal night. That tomorrow was another day. “Well, where do I begin?” he said, sitting against the headboard. “You already know that we went to high school together back in South Carolina. We were the same class and were on the football team together.” She grinned up at him. “I never pegged you for a jock, Jonathan.” “I made all-district a few times,” he admitted, “but it was mostly for track. But you’re distracting me from the story.” “Sorry.” But she wasn’t a bit apologetic. “Anyway, Ian and I had a bit of an athletic rivalry, but that’s not the main reason things are the way they are between us. One of my best friends in high school was a girl named Tammy Sullivan.” “A girl?” “Yes, a girl. And it was strictly platonic.” “On whose part?” He frowned at her. “On both our parts, from the very beginning. Anyway, Tammy had had a rough life. Her dad ran off shortly after she was born, and her mom worked two jobs to try to make ends meet. Tammy had a series of after school jobs since junior high and sometimes more than one.” “So how did you get to be friends with her?” “We were in a lot of the same classes.” He chuckled softly. “She’s the reason I got through physics with a decent grade. She was brilliant and knew that her grades in school were her ticket to a better life. She wanted that life and college desperately.” He looked down at Celeste again with a slight smile. “Now let me say this next bit without any comment from you, sweetheart. Tammy was a beautiful girl with long, jet black hair and these huge, baby blue eyes. Our friendship was platonic, but I’m a guy and I'm not blind.” “Apparently,” Celeste said, but she was smiling. “Well, Ian was wealthy, captain of the football team, and charming when he wanted to be. You can imagine how thrilled Tammy was when he began to notice her.” “What happened?” “They started dating. I tried to warn Tammy, but she said I was being paranoid. They were named king and queen at homecoming and were even talking about going to the same college. Then Tammy found out she was pregnant. Ian stopped talking to her and started rumors that the baby wasn’t his.” “Was it?” “Yes, a paternity test proved it when their son Peter was born just after graduation. However, the damage was done. Most of the town viewed her as a slut trying to marry her way into money. Ian has gone with his life, while Tammy struggles with school, work and raising her son.” “Wow.” She had had no idea. She really couldn’t blame Jonathan for his hatred of the guy. “So, now you know why I hate Ian. He took a good person and ruined her life.” “I’m glad it was something serious,” she said, kissing his check. “I hate to think was something like he cut you off in traffic.” He raised his eyebrows. “Are you calling me shallow?” “Not to your face,” she baited. “Oh, you’re getting it!” She didn’t have time to defend herself before he was tickling her without mercy. * * * * * Jonathan watched her as she slept. While he was reluctant to waste any of the time they had left, he knew she would need her energy. He tried not to begrudge her for it. He was sorry for being angry with her earlier. If he was in her situation, he would make the same decision. It was her seeming willingness to throw her life away that bothered him. ‘Am I not enough for you to live for?’ he wondered, stroking her hair. ‘Do you want something more than me?’ He immediately felt guilty for the thoughts. He knew that Celeste loved him. And he knew what he was getting into when they had started dating. Celeste reached out toward him but only encountered empty sheets. Frowning, she opened her eyes. She relaxed slightly when she found him watching her. “Why aren’t you sleeping, Jonathan?” “I couldn’t sleep.” “Liar,” she said, smiling as she snuggled against him. He smiled back. “How could I sleep in the presence of such beauty?” “At least you’re a charming liar.” How could he let her leave in a few hours? How could he do it and it not kill him? He tilted her chin to make her look at him. “Make me a promise, Celeste.” “What kind of promise?” “That you’ll come back to me, if there’s any way possible.” She traced the edge of his face with her fingers. For a moment, he wondered if she was going to refuse. “If there’s any way possible.”


Chapter 28: Wills Sailor Sol: Battle Against the Winds