Chapter 7: Midnight Confessions

"How's Ilene?"

Galen closed the file he was studying and slowly turned his head to the door. Elara stood in the doorway, studying him with a soft smile. With her hair loose about her shoulders, she was stunning.

"There's been no change," he replied. "That's a blessing in itself."

"I know," she said softly. She walked over the side of the bed and whispered something into Ilene's ear. After giving her sister a kiss on the cheek, she took Galen's arm and lead him out the door.

"What about Lady Ilene?" he asked.

"I'm staying with her," Adam replied. "Make sure you both get some rest, Elara."

Elara nodded, pulling the protesting Dr. Cross down the hallway. "Shh!" she hissed, ignoring his pleas to at least let him finish a few more things. "You don't want to wake up the other patients, do you?"

Galen gave her a dirty look. "I would never imagine being set up by you, Elara."

She laughed softly, trying to keep quiet. "I never imagine you thought so highly of me, Galen," she countered, the laughter bubbling in her voice.

"I think very highly of you," he said, the tone of his voice sending shivers down her spine.

"The feeling's mutual," she stated after a pause.

They walked through the nearly empty corridors of the palace, nodding to the guards they passed. Galen was unsure as to where Elara was taking him, but he truly didn't care. It was rare when he allowed himself to be with her, outside the consultations over Ilene's condition. There seemed to be so many other things demanding his time and his attention.

They soon entered through two stainless steel doors. Flipping a switch, Elara filled the kitchen with light. He turned to her with an amused expression.

Smiling, she headed to the refrigerator, pulling out several containers. "Plates and cups are in the top cabinet to your left," she said, still digging through the refrigerator's contents. "I hope you're not a picky eater."

Galen laughed and placed the plates and cups on the container. "No, I will eat just about anything. But, I'm still at a lost as to why you drug me here. I am perfectly aware of where the kitchen is."

Elara closed the door and retrieved a loaf of bread from a nearby bin. "Well, some of the medical staff noticed that you haven't eaten today. They thought that I might be able to persuade you to take a break."

"Did they?" His voice betrayed some annoyance and frustration.

Elara's eyes softened. "They are concerned, and so am I. How much longer do you think you can go on a few scattered hours of sleep and caffeine?"

"Long enough," he replied.

Sighing, Elara began to make some sandwiches. While she wasn't surprised by the stubborn comment, it didn't mean that it frustrated her none the less. Wordlessly, she put the first finished product on a plate and shoved it at him.

With a muffled "Thank you," he began to eat the sandwich. Elara quickly made two more sandwiches and poured two drinks. Moving quickly, she returned all the used items to their places.

Taking a small sip of the drink, Galen gave the castle healer a questioning look. "What is this?"

"Oh, that?" she asked airily, laughing at his expression. "It's a special tea brew I made. Nothing that will hurt you."

"That's comforting," he replied with a chuckle. He took another bite of the sandwich before he spoke again. "You really didn't have to do this."

She nodded. "I know, but I wanted to."

They finished the sandwiches in silence. After he had eaten the first one, Elara had shoved the second one at him, her eyes ordering no protests. Realizing how long it had been since he had last eaten, he didn't.

"So, are you always so charming?" he asked. "Do you always kidnap poor, defenseless men and lure them into the kitchen?"

Elara smiled. "No, it's usually the garden or another suitable, secluded place. But, then again, you know what that say about men's hearts and their stomachs."

"Any regrets about not being allowed to go to Cignus?" he asked.

"Leda's was right to ask us to stay," she replied after a pause. "My place is here. Although, I can't let Leda think she is right all the time."

He studied her with a thoughtful expression, slowly sipping the tea. "Worried much?"

"Of course," she stated. "It's extremely difficult to dissuade Leda from doing something, once she has decided it's her duty. I just hope that everything is fine there."

"I'm sure everything is," he said readily.

However, he wondered how they would know if something was wrong on Cignus. Elara glanced at him over the rim of her cup, her eyes telling him that she was wondering the same thing. Galen quickly tried to think of some other topic.

"So, what happened between you and Dr. Miller?"

The pained flash in her eyes immediately informed him of his blunder. Elara finished drinking and slowly placed the cup on the counter. She studied the remaining liquid intently, making Galen wonder if she was going to say anything.

"I haven't told anyone what happened between me and Reese," she finally said, her voice hushed. "I didn't think it was anyone's business but ours, but apparently it's still a source for speculation."

"Elara, you don't have to tell me anything," he stated apologetically. "I spoke without thinking."

"But the question is still there in your mind, Galen."

She sighed and walked over the counter attached to the wall. She hopped unto the surface. Leaning against the upper cabinets, she studied her companion.

"Despite my reputation, I do not enjoy inflicting pain on men or anyone else, for that matter," she began. Losing her nerve she studied the floor. "I don't derive any pleasure in my 'dumping a guy like a hot potato' as some people believe. I don't operate like that.

"I was only fourteen when I first became Sailor Europa. I saw time and time again how devoted Leda and Paul are to each other. As I grew older, I longed for that kind of love and companionship. Things did not get easier when all my sisters got married.

"However, I quickly found that most of the guys that were interested in me because of my status. I thought that Reese was different. He seemed to like me for myself. He really seemed to care.

"One day I asked him why he loved me. He said, 'Your title.' He immediately apologized and gave me a whole list of things that he loved about me. But the damage was done. I knew that I would always wonder if it was the real me he loved or the title of being a lord of Jupiter. So, I ended it.

"Reese tried everything to convince me of his love, but I just couldn't trust him, not after that. I hate that I drove him back to Crystal Tokyo. He preferred Jupiter so much to Earth."

Elara finally looked at Galen's face. She couldn't read his expression. He just studied her.

"So, there you are, Galen. The whole sordid tale of my screwed up love life."

She studied the toes of her shoes, noting that the leather was being to show the signs of its wear. She would need to buy a new pair soon. She waited for him to say something, desperately wanting to know what he was thinking.

Finally, he spoke. "Why did you let them think you were some kind of flake?"

She gave a bitter laugh. "It seemed like the easiest thing to do. I tried to justify it to myself, saying it was really no one's business. But the real reason was I didn't want everyone to know how insecure I was."

She gave another bitter laugh. "God, I am a complete flake."

To her horror, she began to cry. She buried her face in her hands, unaware that Galen had crossed the room until he hugged her. Elara managed to regain control of herself and gently pulled away.

"Why are you so nice to me, Galen?" she said, staring at him with her tear-stained face. "I'm known throughout the kingdom as a man-eater or worse. I have been so mean and sarcastic to you. I have slapped you. I have cried like a baby, twice now. But you are still nice to me. Why?"

"You are a remarkable woman, Elara," he said gently. "You are very compassionate, caring, and wise. But you are also stubborn, fiery, and opinionated."

Elara managed a genuine smile. "It's a curse of all of my mother's daughters."

"You will always keep a man on his toes," he quipped. "You've definitely kept me on mine."

She smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. With a reverent air, he gently brushed some of her hair off her shoulder. "May I ask why you told me, of all people, about what happened?"

"I trust you, Galen, as a physician and as a friend," she replied. "I thought that you deserved to know the truth, especially if the question is already there. I don't want you to think badly of me."

"I don't think I could ever think badly of you, Elara," he said, brushing his fingers over her cheek. "Would it be too presumptuous to tell you that I believe you have stolen my heart?"

Her hazel eyes widened in surprise. "Galen, I . . ."

He suddenly gave in and kissed her, silencing whatever she was about to say. When he stopped, he found those bewitching hazel eyes filled with wonder.

"Despite everything that you know about me, you love me?"

He chuckled softly. "In light of everything I have learned about you, I love you," he corrected. "Do you think that there could be something between us?"

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him her reply.


Midnight Confessions "How's Ilene?" Galen closed the file he was studying and slowly turned his head to the door. Elara stood in the doorway, studying him with a soft smile. With her hair loose about her shoulders, she was stunning. "There's been no change," he replied. "That's a blessing in itself." "I know," she said softly. She walked over the side of the bed and whispered something into Ilene's ear. After giving her sister a kiss on the cheek, she took Galen's arm and lead him out the door. "What about Lady Ilene?" he asked. "I'm staying with her," Adam replied. "Make sure you both get some rest, Elara." Elara nodded, pulling the protesting Dr. Cross down the hallway. "Shh!" she hissed, ignoring his pleas to at least let him finish a few more things. "You don't want to wake up the other patients, do you?" Galen gave her a dirty look. "I would never imagine being set up by you, Elara." She laughed softly, trying to keep quiet. "I never imagine you thought so highly of me, Galen," she countered, the laughter bubbling in her voice. "I think very highly of you," he said, the tone of his voice sending shivers down her spine. "The feeling's mutual," she stated after a pause. They walked through the nearly empty corridors of the palace, nodding to the guards they passed. Galen was unsure as to where Elara was taking him, but he truly didn't care. It was rare when he allowed himself to be with her, outside the consultations over Ilene's condition. There seemed to be so many other things demanding his time and his attention. They soon entered through two stainless steel doors. Flipping a switch, Elara filled the kitchen with light. He turned to her with an amused expression. Smiling, she headed to the refrigerator, pulling out several containers. "Plates and cups are in the top cabinet to your left," she said, still digging through the refrigerator's contents. "I hope you're not a picky eater." Galen laughed and placed the plates and cups on the container. "No, I will eat just about anything. But, I'm still at a lost as to why you drug me here. I am perfectly aware of where the kitchen is." Elara closed the door and retrieved a loaf of bread from a nearby bin. "Well, some of the medical staff noticed that you haven't eaten today. They thought that I might be able to persuade you to take a break." "Did they?" His voice betrayed some annoyance and frustration. Elara's eyes softened. "They are concerned, and so am I. How much longer do you think you can go on a few scattered hours of sleep and caffeine?" "Long enough," he replied. Sighing, Elara began to make some sandwiches. While she wasn't surprised by the stubborn comment, it didn't mean that it frustrated her none the less. Wordlessly, she put the first finished product on a plate and shoved it at him. With a muffled "Thank you," he began to eat the sandwich. Elara quickly made two more sandwiches and poured two drinks. Moving quickly, she returned all the used items to their places. Taking a small sip of the drink, Galen gave the castle healer a questioning look. "What is this?" "Oh, that?" she asked airily, laughing at his expression. "It's a special tea brew I made. Nothing that will hurt you." "That's comforting," he replied with a chuckle. He took another bite of the sandwich before he spoke again. "You really didn't have to do this." She nodded. "I know, but I wanted to." They finished the sandwiches in silence. After he had eaten the first one, Elara had shoved the second one at him, her eyes ordering no protests. Realizing how long it had been since he had last eaten, he didn't. "So, are you always so charming?" he asked. "Do you always kidnap poor, defenseless men and lure them into the kitchen?" Elara smiled. "No, it's usually the garden or another suitable, secluded place. But, then again, you know what that say about men's hearts and their stomachs." "Any regrets about not being allowed to go to Cignus?" he asked. "Leda's was right to ask us to stay," she replied after a pause. "My place is here. Although, I can't let Leda think she is right all the time." He studied her with a thoughtful expression, slowly sipping the tea. "Worried much?" "Of course," she stated. "It's extremely difficult to dissuade Leda from doing something, once she has decided it's her duty. I just hope that everything is fine there." "I'm sure everything is," he said readily. However, he wondered how they would know if something was wrong on Cignus. Elara glanced at him over the rim of her cup, her eyes telling him that she was wondering the same thing. Galen quickly tried to think of some other topic. "So, what happened between you and Dr. Miller?" The pained flash in her eyes immediately informed him of his blunder. Elara finished drinking and slowly placed the cup on the counter. She studied the remaining liquid intently, making Galen wonder if she was going to say anything. "I haven't told anyone what happened between me and Reese," she finally said, her voice hushed. "I didn't think it was anyone's business but ours, but apparently it's still a source for speculation." "Elara, you don't have to tell me anything," he stated apologetically. "I spoke without thinking." "But the question is still there in your mind, Galen." She sighed and walked over the counter attached to the wall. She hopped unto the surface. Leaning against the upper cabinets, she studied her companion. "Despite my reputation, I do not enjoy inflicting pain on men or anyone else, for that matter," she began. Losing her nerve she studied the floor. "I don't derive any pleasure in my 'dumping a guy like a hot potato' as some people believe. I don't operate like that. "I was only fourteen when I first became Sailor Europa. I saw time and time again how devoted Leda and Paul are to each other. As I grew older, I longed for that kind of love and companionship. Things did not get easier when all my sisters got married. "However, I quickly found that most of the guys that were interested in me because of my status. I thought that Reese was different. He seemed to like me for myself. He really seemed to care. "One day I asked him why he loved me. He said, 'Your title.' He immediately apologized and gave me a whole list of things that he loved about me. But the damage was done. I knew that I would always wonder if it was the real me he loved or the title of being a lord of Jupiter. So, I ended it. "Reese tried everything to convince me of his love, but I just couldn't trust him, not after that. I hate that I drove him back to Crystal Tokyo. He preferred Jupiter so much to Earth." Elara finally looked at Galen's face. She couldn't read his expression. He just studied her. "So, there you are, Galen. The whole sordid tale of my screwed up love life." She studied the toes of her shoes, noting that the leather was being to show the signs of its wear. She would need to buy a new pair soon. She waited for him to say something, desperately wanting to know what he was thinking. Finally, he spoke. "Why did you let them think you were some kind of flake?" She gave a bitter laugh. "It seemed like the easiest thing to do. I tried to justify it to myself, saying it was really no one's business. But the real reason was I didn't want everyone to know how insecure I was." She gave another bitter laugh. "God, I am a complete flake." To her horror, she began to cry. She buried her face in her hands, unaware that Galen had crossed the room until he hugged her. Elara managed to regain control of herself and gently pulled away. "Why are you so nice to me, Galen?" she said, staring at him with her tear-stained face. "I'm known throughout the kingdom as a man-eater or worse. I have been so mean and sarcastic to you. I have slapped you. I have cried like a baby, twice now. But you are still nice to me. Why?" "You are a remarkable woman, Elara," he said gently. "You are very compassionate, caring, and wise. But you are also stubborn, fiery, and opinionated." Elara managed a genuine smile. "It's a curse of all of my mother's daughters." "You will always keep a man on his toes," he quipped. "You've definitely kept me on mine." She smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. With a reverent air, he gently brushed some of her hair off her shoulder. "May I ask why you told me, of all people, about what happened?" "I trust you, Galen, as a physician and as a friend," she replied. "I thought that you deserved to know the truth, especially if the question is already there. I don't want you to think badly of me." "I don't think I could ever think badly of you, Elara," he said, brushing his fingers over her cheek. "Would it be too presumptuous to tell you that I believe you have stolen my heart?" Her hazel eyes widened in surprise. "Galen, I . . ." He suddenly gave in and kissed her, silencing whatever she was about to say. When he stopped, he found those bewitching hazel eyes filled with wonder. "Despite everything that you know about me, you love me?" He chuckled softly. "In light of everything I have learned about you, I love you," he corrected. "Do you think that there could be something between us?" Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him her reply.


Chapter 8: Unbidden Memories Jupiter's Gone