Shawn stood on the balcony as the sun slowly went down. The memories in his mind where finally calming down. He wanted to talk to so many people but he realized that most of them where gone. His family, friends, and long time allies. But he realized something else, that most of them were still alive. The ones that he was close to that is. But it seemed a memory tugged at him when the blockers were on. But he never released it until now of who that memory was for. That someone he loved and cared for in the past. But now leading a different life today. But could he get back together with her? The thought was suddenly pushed aside as he turned to look at the person who was approaching him. A small smile came to his face. "Good evening," he said.

Raye approached Shawn with a serene smile on her face.  Her hair fell down her back and she wore a light blue dress.  "Hello Shawn.  How are you doing?"  She asked and stood in front of him.

Shawn smiled back. "I am doing well. Considering the fact 75% of my memories were locked away. All in all I am doing well," he said and looked at the sun as it inched its way down at was gone from view. He felt something stired into of him. As if he did this before, doing the same exect thing but in a different time. He remember all the memories from that time. But he was hoping to make new ones now. "How are you feeling? The fight must have taken alot out of you," he said and looked at Raye. His eyes showed he was worried.

"Oh I am fine.  It is you I am worried about.  You went through a lot today.  I am used to the after battle feeling."  She smiled up at him and searched his eyes for a moment turning back to look out at the sunset.

Shawn also focused his attention to the sunset. "You know I thought I would never see one of those again," he said softly and looked down to the ground. "Raye," he said a bit nervous. Why am I so nervous around her? Maybe it's because she has changed so much over the years? He thought for a moment and looked at her. "Would you like to go for a walk in the garden?" he asked.

Raye looked up at Shawn.  "Yes?"  He looks nervous like he is afraid to talk to me maybe.  "Well of course, Shawn, lead the way."

Shawn smiled as they walked to the garden. He looked at the fountain and flowers that lined the garden. "This all seems new to me for some reason. Like I was awakened from a long sleep," he said and looked over to Raye and smiled. She is still as lovely as ever. He thought. "Tell me, what are you thinking about now?" he asked.

Raye shrugged looking out at the flowers.  "Just life how fragile and precious it really is.  And how every human being deserves to know love at least once in their lifetime."  She looked up at Shawn.  "You know I could not imagine life without love."

Shawn looked at Raye died in the eyes when she said that last sentence. I have to tell her or this will drive me crazy. he thought and mustered all his courge. "Raye," he said softly and continued to look into her eyes. "I still love you," he said softly.

Raye looked at Shawn.  "You do?  I..I do not know what to say.  I mean how do you know.  You only got your memory back an hour or so today."

Shawn looked down. "It was one of my memories that were blocked," he said soflty. "It was a feeling I could never remember when I was around you. There were times I wanted to comfront you when times went bad and there were other times I wanted to talk with you but for some reason I couldn't find the words to say," he said. "When my memories returned. I remembered that we shared a past," he said and looked up at her. His eyes were started to fill with tears. "But I know you have changed over the years. But you seem the same to me from so long ago," he said.

Raye looked down at the ground and shuffled her feet.  "When you first came back I had a dream something like a vision.  Of the two os back in the Silver Millineum.  It brought the memories of the two of us back to me.  But for some reason I could not bring myself to admit to you about it.  I never knew I mean I thought you had just put it behind you.  I well I...  I did not know what to say.  But I..  I still love you too, Shawn."

Shawn's eyes still held tears, but these were tears of joy and not saddness. He slowly reached to and placed a hand on her cheek and kept it there for a few seconds. Shawn then hugged Raye. He missed this feeling of being in her arms again. "I missed you so much Raye," he said softly.

"I missed you too Shawn.  But so much has happened.  With Chad and Aeros too. I mean I stood and watched the only man I thought I could love killed.  And then Aeros was there to comfort me and he became a friend if nothing else.  I do not want to rush back into our relationship.  I need some time.  I am still not completely over Chad."  She laid her hand on her heart.  "I still hurt.  I still hurt here."  She hugged him back.  I really did miss him. It's just to many things have happened while he was gone.  I can't take a chance at failing a relationship just cause I am not over Chad.

"Shawn, I want to be with you.  I really do.  But I do not want our relationship to fail before it even starts.  And it will because I am still emotionally a bit...unstable."  She looked into his eyes waiting to see if he would wait for her.

Shawn looked back into Raye's eyes. He nodded. "I will wait for you Raye," he said softly.

Raye smiled and ran her hands through Shawn's hair mussing it up.  "Thank you, Shawn. I am so glad you understand.  If I was another woman you would not be put through this.  But I am not I am me.  A pyro as you are all so fond of telling me.  I promise in the end we will be together.  Just not yet."  She hugged him tightly while tears began to gently stream down her cheeks.

Shawn hugged Raye back. "What's wrong Raye? Why are you crying?" he asked softly. "Please don't cry. Everything will be ok," he said in a soothing voice.

Raye shrugged and smiled.  "I don't know.  Its kinda silly but I really don't know.  I am just happy about all this.  I mean you waiting for me but this is all really hard for me right now."

Shawn smiled back to Raye. "If you need to talk. I am here for you," he said softly to her. "I want to help you. Anyway I can," he said and looked into her eyes.

Raye smiled gently and looked away.  Looking out at the sunset she sighed. "You can help.  Just by being here."

Shawn looked in the same direction as Raye was looking. "I think I can do that," he said with a smile.

Raye hugged Shawn tightly.  "Thank you."

Shawn hugged Raye back. A noise made Shawn look down into the garden. A youma with sickles in both hands looked at the two. "I have came here to finish the job that the Mummie Senshi couldn't," he said and jumped into the air.

Raye sighed, "So much for tranquility, huh?"  She smiled at Shawn and pulled out her henshin stick.  "Mars Crystal Power  Make Up!"  She quickly transformed into Sailor Mars and looked down at the youma.  "So you come to finish an unfinished job?"  She leapt off the balcony to stand in front of the youma ready to fight.

Shawn looked down at Raye. Can't let her fight alone. he thought and jumped down next to Sailor Mars with his sai's ready. "So you were sent to finish me? I think not," said Strike and got into and attack stance.

The youma grined. "Oh please. Here, try this!" he said and threw one of its sickles at the two.

Mars jumped cleanly out of the way of the sickle and began to counteract, "Mars fire, Ignite!"  She yelled.

Shawn jumped to the right and cleared the sickle. He rolled on the ground and into a knelling position. He then pointed his sai's at the youma and yelled, "Silver Sai Blast!" The energy blasts went towards the youma and slammed into it.

The shaken youma looked up to find Mars' attack but was to late to do anything. As the flame attack hit the youma, the youma threw its last sickle at Mars before turning into dust and sent a blast of energy towatds Strike.

Raye cleanly evaded the last sickle and moved towards Strike.  "You ok?"  She asked.

Strike threw his sai's up and the energy ball slamked into his sai's. The erengy was strong but he then threw the energy ball into the air. Then it disappeared. Strike then looked at Sailor Mars and started to walk towards her. "I'm ok. Are you ok?" he asked.

Raye smiled.  "Of course I am fine."  She then detransformed.  "Well so much for the tranquility we were experiencing."

"Yeah. I wish we didn't have to fight," said Shawn and realized what had just happened. Tears slowly came to his eyes. "I am going to be a target until we get the crystal," said Shawn in a small voice. "I could have been killed if you weren't here Raye," said Shawn and walked up to her and embraced her in a hug. "Thank you for being there," he said softly.

Raye smiled and hugged Shawn tightly.  "I will always be here Shawn.  Always."  She wrapped her arms around his neck and with the slightest pressure brought his head down for a light kiss.

Shawn felt the kiss and smiled. "Thank you Raye and when ever you need me I will be here for you, also. No matter what," he said softly.

"I shall endeavor to count on you as a faithful friend, Shawn.  And thank you."  She smiled.

Shawn smiled at Raye. He was happy that she was back in his life again. "Well Raye. We have a gib day tomorrow. We go for the crystal," he said. "So we should go and get some rest," he said.

Raye smiled. "Until tomorrow than?"  She looked up at him and turned walking toward her room.  A few feet away she turned and waved smiling at him and she continued on.

END