AN: Well, here we go, last chapter of this story, then on to the sequel!! Thank you to OoOSakuraOoO, Zoey89, Taeniaea, and Butterfle for reviewing and thank you to all my readers and reviewers! The sequel's name and summary can be found at the end of this chapter. Hope you all had a safe and fun New Year's Eve and that 2007 is full of good people, good food, and good opportunities for everyone. 1-1-07

Sailor Moon had successfully avoided her friends after the battle, slipping away while Mercury's fog still provided her some cover. The battle had been easier than the ones of late, because she knew he was there, watching, ready to help and, most importantly, because the unbearable state of emotional flux she was in was about to end. She was waiting for him now at the far end of the park, near the lake. Her legs were shaking so badly that she had opted for the safer choice of kneeling by the water's edge. Nervously, she chewed her lip and wondered how well this discussion was going to go. And the butterflies in her stomach about the kiss she knew they both wanted were driving her absolutely insane!

When she heard him approach, she rose and turned to face him. He was amused and touched to note that she was blushing in the moonlight and she refused to look directly at him, her gaze skittering over him and the sky and the woods behind them. He pulled his cape off dramatically, the action startling her. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile as he covered the dew-damp grass with his cape. He had her full attention now, as he tossed aside his mask and top hat, then held out a gloved hand towards her. Her blush deepened as she took it and allowed him to seat her next to him on the satiny cape. "Hi." he whispered silkily.

"Hi." she murmured back, her voice barely louder than the rippling of the lake's surface. She twisted her skirt futilely in her nervous hands and snuck peeks at him from beneath her lashes, face tinted a deep rose pink. He shifted on the grass and her heart leapt into her throat. Was he going to kiss her now? Her mind started screaming, he is, he is! But he simply moved a little closer to her, crossing his long, elegant legs out in front of him, his gloved hand resting on hers.

"Sailor Moon?" His voice was low, but the concern in it was clear. She raised her eyes to his and his heart twisted. He could read so much in the depths of her beautiful blue eyes. She was nervous, a little afraid, but excited too, cautious and curious. The blend of emotion in her eyes held a hint of something else, something he thought was too strong to be affection. Attraction was part of it, but a tiny part of him hoped and prayed that what he saw was love. Holding her gaze, he leaned slowly down, tilting his head to kiss her, giving her lots of time to break away. It was torture, but he had to make this just right. Her head lifted, her eyes closed expectantly and he sighed in relief. She was going to let him kiss her.

His lips were a second from hers and he was anticipating the thrill of the kiss, when she suddenly spoke. "You told me you meant what you said, about a kiss."

He pulled back, disappointment filling him. "Hmm?" he articulated intelligently.

"A kiss and you are all mine?" She sounded questioning, as if uncertain that it was true.

"All yours." he confirmed. "If you want me, that is." Now he was the one sounding uncertain.

She pulled away, standing and shifting her weight nervously from foot to foot. He smiled and moved next to her, catching her hand and studying it. "Have you decided?" She gave him a confused look. "Whether to hit me or . . ."

"Kiss you." she finished softly. She was still staring at the ground. He waited, but wasn't prepared when she next spoke. "How can I decide if I don't have all the facts?"

"Uh, what do you mean?"

"Why do you want the Ginzuishou? Why do you protect us?" If Ami was there, she would have been so proud of Usagi.

Tuxedo Kamen pushed away from her, stalking away a bit, dragging his hand through his hair. "I should have expected this." he muttered.

"I have to know!" Moon pleaded, willing him to understand. "I . . . We have our mission and it's im . . . imperative we complete it." She was speaking fast and hardly breathing. "I jeopardize the mission enough as it is. I can't . . ."

He stopped her from speaking by pulling her against him. Her stroked her hair with one hand and spoke softly, "I understand, Sailor Moon, I do. I just . . ." She stared up at him, watching him wrestle with himself for a moment.

He was silent for a long moment. Just as she began to fear his face would get stuck in that wrinkled, almost pained expression, he sighed. "The truth is I don't know why I protect you. But it's like I'm linked to you and I have to help you. When you are in danger, I feel a physical pain. I have no idea why." He looked down at her. Her lips were rounded in a silent expression of sympathy and sadness. How badly he wanted to kiss her right now! But he forced himself to open up about the most precious and torturous secret he had. "As for the Ginzuishou, I have these dreams. There's a princess; I can't see much more than the outline of her form and her white dress. She is standing with her back to me but she's calling to me, begging me to find the Ginzuishou and set her free. I don't understand why, but the dream comes every night."

Moon stepped away from him, visibly upset. "You've seen the Moon Princess." He sent her a puzzled look. "We're searching for the Ginzuishou because it belongs to her and we are also searching for her. We are her Senshi." She looked down for a long moment, thinking hard. "If she is speaking to you, then you must have a strong bond with her."

"Why?"

"None of us have heard from her. And we are the closest people to her, according to our mentor." She shook her head. "No." She raised tearful eyes to his. "You must be the Princess' soul mate. I am her Senshi. We should not let this happen. It's wrong!"

"A dream princess is not real. How could she claim me when I have never met her? I love you, Sailor Moon." Now he flushed, having definitely not intended to say that but realizing just how true he felt is was.

"And what about when she shows up? What about then? You can't promise to be mine because she could show up anytime."

"Then she's too late." Kamen stated coldly. "It's my life, Usa-chan. And I am choosing you."

Moon's tears spilled over. "You don't know what you are saying." she whimpered helplessly. Her heart urged her to shut up and kiss him and her brain was in full agreement. The man wanted to be hers, let him, and let the Princess cry. But a small part of her felt a deep loyalty to the Princess she didn't know and it kept her rooted to the spot.

Tuxedo Kamen decided it was time to take control. He caught her chin and tilted her head up. "I'm going to kiss you. I really want you to kiss me back. If you don't, I'll go away. But, if you do, I swear to be yours forever." He brushed away a few of her tears, but his speech had caused them to fall faster. He slid one hand behind her back, pulling her closer, and touched his lips to hers, his heart racing. The thrill of kissing her was mixed with a fear that she would send him away.

Sailor Moon was still beneath his kiss, frozen in place, senses reeling. She'd waited so long for a kiss from her hero, probably longer than he even imagined. But just when she thought she was finally going to settle everything, finally get that kiss she needed more than air, she finds out that he belongs to her Princess! It was so unfair, she wailed mentally. She had fallen in love with him, he said he loved her, but they couldn't be together! She couldn't steal another girl's guy. Especially not the girl she was supposed to protect! How could she ever face her Princess? What if when the Princess came, he realized he'd made a mistake? She couldn't bear it if he left her. Oh, but his lips felt so right on hers, her heart whispered. She felt safe, protected, loved, and cherished. His kiss made her, clumsy Usagi, feel like a princess. His words echoed in her mind, "I love you, Sailor Moon." Fresh tears traced her cheeks.

Tuxedo Kamen tasted her tears. He was certain she would pull away any second now. He'd given her so long to respond, it was obvious she had chosen her Princess over him. He supposed he understood. She was, after all, the leader of the Princess's guard. If she failed her Princess, who would protect her from Queen Beryl? And he was certain Beryl knew about the Moon Princess. Still, he growled to the cruel fate that mocked him at every turn, he was going to get a farewell kiss from Usagi, even if she didn't respond. He kissed her harder, more passionately, pulling her against him, molding her to him. He was vaguely surprised when she didn't resist. But the surprise was pushed away by excitement and triumph when he felt her arms snake about his waist and her lips push experimentally at his.

Sailor Moon, no, Usagi surrendered to her heart. It was her best and worst character trait, but she trusted her heart more than her mind or even the advice of her friends. Her heart made it so simple. He loves you, you love him, end of problem. If he had been able to look in her eyes with that depth of conviction and tell her the Princess would not take him away from her, she simply had to believe him. Her mind was silenced by her heart's demands and the sudden change in Tuxedo Kamen's kiss; she all but threw herself into his arms, allowing him to mold her to him as she kissed him back. She was shy and hesitant, uncertain if she was kissing him right, but she was not going to lose him. One kiss, she thought hazily as his tongue gently sought entrance to her mouth. She gasped for breath, then moaned when he boldly claimed her mouth, seeking out her tongue. Her last coherent thought was "All mine." Her body filled with a strange tension and a singing joy as she mimicked the movements of his mouth on hers. A cat-like grin played on her lips when he rewarded her with a groan and his gloved hands pulled her even closer to him.

Mars and Mercury were not pleased. Mercury had pulled out her computer to track Sailor Moon as soon as they realized she was gone. They had been highly suspicious of her sudden disappearance and then Luna had appeared and told them that Mamoru had been hanging around Usagi's house. The senshi and cat arrived on the scene mere moments after Sailor Moon surrendered to the overwhelming need to kiss Tuxedo Kamen. Mercury gasped, blushed and returned her gaze to the computer screen, completely embarrassed. Mars muttered a fiery-sounding expletive and glared angrily at Tuxedo Kamen, ready to blast him into space for daring to touch Sailor Moon again. Luna, however, was strangely silent, her eyes seeing a double image that she couldn't quite make out. For some reason, she wasn't worried any longer. The two just seemed so . . . right.

Sailor Moon was lost in the heaven of Tuxedo Kamen's kiss and hadn't noticed the arrival of the others. Tuxedo Kamen, however, had heard Mars' expletive and intentionally drew the kiss out just a little longer before finally drawing away from Sailor Moon's sweet, inviting lips. She blinked slowly up at him, cheeks flushing, her lips looking thoroughly kissed. He gave her a gentle grin, then turned her slightly to face her friends. He kept an arm possessively about her waist, the other rubbing her back reassuringly. She knew he was silently telling her he wouldn't leave, not this time.

Sailor Moon grinned weakly at Mars, and joked, "Somehow I don't think that look in your eyes means you're happy to see me. I'm about to be throttled, aren't I?"

Mars rolled her eyes and snapped, "You ditz! What do you think you are doing, running off with him like that? He could be the enemy!"

Moon stared at Mars seriously, sensing the concern in her friend's voice behind the anger. "He's not, Rei-chan." She glanced up at him and he knew she was going to have to tell them about what he had told her. He nodded. "He's seeking the Princess, too."

"What?" three voices shrieked. Only Luna seemed to recover quickly, a look in her eyes that seemed to be filled with dawning comprehension.

"And I love him." Luna sighed softly. Mars and Mercury exchanged a look, their shoulders sagging. What could they do against love?

"And I love her." Tuxedo Kamen stressed, still wary they might try to take her away from him.

"Truly?" Mars demanded. He nodded and she strode right up to them, waving a fist under his nose. "Then don't ever let me find out you hurt her." she warned darkly. He nodded grimly, knowing she'd have to stand in line behind himself if he ever did hurt her.

Sailor Moon's eyes filled with tears and she leapt at her friend, squealing, "Rei-chan!" Mars barely withstood the bear hug attack her best friend and leader unleashed on her, but the embarrassed smile on her face was tinged with happiness. Mercury glanced at them both, then found herself caught up in the hug as well, as Tuxedo Kamen and Luna smiled at them fondly.

He gave them a minute of laughing and hugging before he pulled Moon out of the huddle. "Can I have a good night kiss, Sailor Moon?" he teased, lightly tugging on one ponytail. "I'd really love a good night's sleep." She giggled and tilted her face up for his kiss, knowing they both would finally sleep well. Now that their hearts were safely in each other's care, she was convinced nothing would ruin her sleep again.

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Tune in tomorrow for chapter one of The Princess Problem! This story is in-progress with two completed chapters and the third being written now.

Summary: First season. Usagi and Mamoru are together, but the dreams of the princess haven't stopped. Jupiter has been awakened. When a new senshi appears, Mamoru's vow that he will only love Sailor Moon is put to an interesting test. Which senshi is the real Sailor Moon? Usagi will meet her Princess and face losing her hero. Sequel to An Unlikely Encounter, but this one isn't an OHC.