-

Author's Note: This story follows my earlier story entitled

"Best Friends". I'm not sure how much sense this story will

make if you haven't read that one, but hopefully it stands on its

own.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own take on other people's

work.

-

Hino Rei sat across the room from her friends, watching quietly

as they discussed their plans for the big night. The Winter

Formal would take place the next day and everyone else was quite

excited. Rei sighed and wished that Ami was there. Ami

understood what it was like to be on the outside looking in, even

though in this situation, that would not have been the case.

Though the distance spanned only a few feet, Rei could feel the

gap between her and the three before her. Usagi being

preoccupied with her "Mamo-chan" was typical, though still

painful. Minako and Makoto in love was a new development,

however. Rei doubted that Minako had admitted that it was love

yet, but the signs were there. Mikos were supposed to notice

these things, after all. Rei thought it ironic that the Senshi

of Love would be the last to figure out that she herself was

falling head over heels.

Still, watching Minako fawn over a boy was only strange in its

degree of seriousness. Makoto in love was something quite

different. Rei had been as happy as anyone when Makoto and Ami

had realized their feelings for each other. She took pride in

her small part in helping that process along. Truly, she had

never seen the two of them as happy as they were now. That, of

course, brought Rei great joy. While Makoto had fawned over boys

in her day, she'd never been so...giddy.. before.

'Maybe it's harder to watch her because she's in love with a

woman, too,' Rei mused, before turning, as usual, to Usagi.

Despite her lack of attention to the conversation, Rei could tell

that Usagi was describing her gown and theorizing about what

Mamoru might wear. Rei and Naru had had so much fun helping

Usagi shop for the Formal. At times, Rei had gotten so caught up

in the excitement that she'd forgotten to be upset or jealous.

Naru. Rei did not know what to make of Naru. Before that

fateful night when Naru had stopped in at the shrine, Rei had

quite successfully hidden away her feelings for her best friend.

Somehow, in that brief conversation, all of those old wounds had

been torn open. At the same time, however, the knowledge that

she was not alone, that someone else suffered the same way she

did, brought some comfort to Rei. At first, that had been why

she'd insisted that Usagi invite Naru along whenever they went

out. Somehow, shared grief, even when the sharing remained

unacknowledged, was easier to bear.

Since then, however, Rei had realized that she enjoyed Naru's

company for reasons other than their common, unrequited love. In

fact, they all just had a lot of fun together. Rei and Naru made

each other laugh, usually at poor Usagi's expense. They both had

their feet on the ground, their practical natures complimenting

Usagi's fanciful moods quite well. Naru surprised Rei with her

quick intelligence, a feature of her personality that was all too

often obscured by her insecurities. She had a sharp mind for

business; obviously her apprenticeship in her mother's jewelry

store was serving her well. Rei enjoyed making Naru smile, making

her feel good about herself.

"Moon to Mars, come in Mars!" Usagi waved a hand in front of

Rei's face, yanking her back to the present. Seeing Rei re-focus

her attention on her, Usagi asked, "Geez, Rei-chan, what were you

thinking so hard about?"

"Naru-chan," Rei answered quietly. Usagi's eyes widened, but Rei

recovered quickly. "I was thinking that you should ask Naru-chan

to come tomorrow night, too. I'll need all the help I can get

getting that meatball hair of yours under control!"

Usagi smiled slowly. "That's a great idea, Rei-chan. I'll call

her tonight."

"I wish I had someone to help me get ready," Minako complained.

"With Rei helping Usagi and Makoto and Ami helping each other,

I'm left with no one."

"What am I, chopped liver?" Artemis asked, padding over from the

window where he'd been lying in a sunbeam.

Minako reached down to scratch him behind the ears, "I'm sorry,

Artemis, I know you and Luna will help as best you can. Hey

Mako-chan, where is Ami anyway?"

"One guess," Makoto sighed. "Studying. Some things never

change." Everyone laughed fondly.

"So, did she really rent a limo?" Usagi asked Makoto, with just a

trace of jealousy in her voice. "Mamoru said that it would be

just as romantic to walk, but I think he was just being cheap!"

Rei poked Usagi admonishingly as Makoto answered. "She did, and

she's not going to help me get ready. She's going to go away and

then come back and pick up me, like a real date!" Makoto beamed

at her friends.

"Who is going to help you, then?" Rei asked.

"I asked Michiru to come by. They've been keeping my dress over

at their house, so Ami wouldn't see it ahead of time. Haruka is

going to drop Michiru off and take Ami to her place to help her

out. Then, Ami is going to come back to pick me up." Makoto

explained with a bright smile.

"That's so romantic!" Minako sighed wistfully. "Who knew that

Ami had it in her?"

"I knew!" Usagi insisted. "I caught her once in the school

library, during a study hall. She had a textbook in front of

her, but inside it, she was reading a trashy romance novel!"

Rei and Minako laughed while Makoto blushed sympathetically.

"She really is quite the romantic," Makoto admitted finally.

"And I don't mind one bit!"

As Minako, Makoto, and Usagi fell into a discussion of the

relative romanticism of their significant others, Rei once again

shifted out of the conversation. She lifted Artemis onto her

lap and idly petted him as he napped, staring out the window at

the bare trees outside.

-

"Ouch!" Makoto yelped, jerking her head forward.

"If you wouldn't move around so much, it wouldn't hurt," Ami

chided her. "Now sit still and let me finish. I need to

get all these tangles out."

With a deep sigh, Makoto settled back into her place on the

floor. Ami sat on the edge of their bed behind her, patiently and

methodically combing out her long auburn hair. "Maybe I should

just cut it all off," Mako considered. "I wish I could just get

out of the shower and be done with it in a few minutes like you

can."

"Don't you dare!" Ami exclaimed in alarm, wrapping her fingers

protectively in the thick strands. "I love your hair just the

way it is. Now, I'm almost done, so be patient."

"You don't love it when it hangs down in your face and gets in

your eyes when we...oww! You did that on purpose!"

Ami smiled slyly, secure in the knowledge that Makoto wouldn't

dare turn to see her. "I love your hair all the time, even then,

now hold still!"

After a few more minutes, and only a couple more yelps from

Makoto, Ami declared her work complete. "There, all done. That

wasn't so bad, was it?"

Makoto ran her fingers through her hair once or twice. "I guess

not. Now, you'd better get out of here. I still have a lot of

work to do to get ready. My 'date' is due in an hour or two, you

know." The two of them moved out of the bedroom together toward

the entryway.

Picking up the duffle bag that waited by the door, Ami smiled at

her love. "I have two and a half hours, thank you. I still

think it is an awful lot of trouble for me to go away to get

ready and then have to come all the way back here." Makoto's

reply was forestalled by a knock at the door. Ami hefted the bag

over her shoulder and opened the door.

"Haruka is waiting for you downstairs, Ami-chan," Michiru

announced, gliding into the apartment carrying a long dress

covered by a plastic garment bag.

"Yes, shoo shoo!" Makoto added, waving Ami out of the door.

Stepping forward quickly, she kissed her girlfriend lightly on

the cheek. "I'll see you in a couple hours, my love."

With a happy smile for Makoto and a friendly bow for Michiru, Ami

departed.

Makoto left the foyer and found Michiru waiting for her in the

bedroom, peeling the garment bag carefully from the dress she

carried.

"Her eyes are going to melt when she sees you in this, Mako-

chan," Michiru promised.

"Thank you for helping me pick it out," Makoto replied shyly. "I

want to look extra special tonight."

"It is the Winter Formal," Michiru pointed out.

"Well, that, and..." Makoto paused. "You see, it was exactly one

month ago today that we first got together, the way we are now."

Michiru offered her congratulations, but could tell that there

was something else. She waited patiently for Makoto to continue.

"It's also the first time that we're...well...it's such a big

event. So... so..."

"Public?" Michiru offered.

"Yeah," Makoto sighed. "I'm not really scared, and I know Ami

isn't. Ami's never been one to care much about what other people

think or say about her, people that she doesn't know, that is.

I've tried to not worry about that kind of thing either. I know

that you and Haruka don't, and I could never be ashamed of being

with Ami, but..."

Michiru strode forward and laid a comforting arm around Makoto's

shoulders. "It's still hard, Mako-chan, I know. Just remember,

especially after everything you've fought in the past, nothing

else matters but your love for each other and your friends. The

people who matter most love and care for both of you and the

people who would criticize or mock you aren't worth your time."

Makoto offered Michiru a wan smile, "I know. It'll be fine, I'm

sure. It's not like we haven't danced together in public before

anyway. I don't suppose you could give me a hint about what Ami

will be wearing?"

"Of course not, no more than Haruka will tell her anything about

this dress. I can tell you that she put a lot of thought into it

and that Haruka helped her pick it out," Michiru informed her.

"Now, we'd better get started..."

-

"So, are you ready for your big night?" Haruka asked as she drove

Ami to the house she and Michiru shared with Setsuna and Hotaru.

"I think so," Ami declared. "Mako is a little nervous, I think,

but once we get there, everything will be fine."

"People are going to be staring at you, pointing, snickering.

Are you ready for that, too?" Haruka gave Ami a challenging

look. She could recall all too clearly those first few times

when she and Michiru had appeared together in public, as a

couple. Only Michiru's calm disregard for anyone and anything

other than her had kept Haruka from getting into a brawl on more

than one occasion.

"None of that is new to me, or to her," Ami answered with a wry

smile. "Besides, it's not like we'll be there alone."

Haruka nodded, satisfied with the response, and refocused on the

road ahead. In the weeks since Ami and Makoto had realized their

feelings for one another, the two young women had come to rely

increasingly on Haruka and Michiru for support. The other senshi

were at the same time too close to the new couple and also too

far removed from their particular situation. Haruka and Michiru

provided the wisdom of experience with the clarity that can only

come from some distance.

Oddly enough, their initial relationships had flipped somehow.

Whereas before there had been stronger ties between Haruka and

Makoto, and likewise Ami and Michiru, now Haruka found herself

more drawn to Ami. Similarly, Michiru and Makoto had formed an

unlikely bond. All in all, Haruka appreciated having another

couple to spend time with that could understand all the different

aspects of their strange lives.

'She's not that much different than me,' Haruka noted, peeking at

Ami out of the corner of her eye. 'She is driven to succeed; she

is strong and determined, and confident in herself' Haruka

realized. True, Ami was not quite the extrovert Haruka could be,

nor did she have the 'attitude'. Thinking of their shopping

expedition, however, and the new outfit which awaited Ami brought

a quick laugh. 'No, not that much different at all.'

-

"Oooohhh, he'll be here any minute!" Usagi wailed, thrashing

about in her chair. "Are you guys almost done?"

"We'd be done already if you'd quit jerking your meatball head

all over the place!" Rei flared. She sat behind Usagi in the

young blonde's dorm room trying to finish off the braid she'd

been working at for the past fifteen minutes.

"Yeah, Usagi-chan, besides, it's good to keep a date waiting.

You don't want them to think that you're too anxious," Naru

added, putting the final touches on the other braid.

Usagi stuck her tongue out at the mirror in front of her, so her

two best friends would be sure to see. She was wearing a

beautiful blue evening gown which the three of them had spent the

better part of a week hunting down in seemingly every store in

Tokyo. Actually, they had found three. Usagi had insisted on

getting them all, arguing to Rei later that as a future queen,

she needed to begin working on her gown collection as soon as

possible. She had finally decided on the sapphire for tonight,

however, and now Rei and Naru were finishing up her hair,

interweaving matching blue ribbons into her braids.

"But, I haven't seen him..." Usagi moaned, trying to remain

still.

"...since last summer!" Naru and Rei shouted in unison. They

turned to each other and smiled.

"If I had 10 yen for each time I heard you say that," Rei

muttered. "There, done. Now, get your shoes on and get

downstairs."

"I still think you should wait up here," Naru suggested. She

sighed in defeat as Usagi leapt from her chair and grabbed her

shoes, dashing out the door before bothering to put them on.

"Thanks guys!" Usagi called out. "I don't know what I'd do

without you two. Have fun tonight!"

"You too," Naru replied to an empty doorway.

"I don't know what she'd do without us, either!" Rei agreed,

sitting down gently on Usagi's bed. Though Usagi's room wasn't

very large, it was a single and that was nothing to complain

about. She looked over at Naru, who stood staring at the door.

The three girls had spent almost every weekend together lately,

shopping, going to movies, etc. Spending time together without

Usagi would be new, however.

"It sure was lucky that Mamoru got back in time for the Formal,"

Naru pointed out, moving to sit across from Rei at Usagi's desk.

She didn't feel all that lucky, and was relatively sure that her

companion shared the feeling. Not for the first time, Naru let

her eyes linger over her new friend. Rei was probably the most

beautiful woman Naru had ever seen. True, she had met not one,

but all (she thought) of the Sailor Soldiers at one point or

another, but when she'd seen those women they'd been surrounded

by an aura, a glow of power and light that had obscured their

features. Thinking back, Naru could remember their sailor suits

in different colors and their long legs, but that was about it.

She doubted any of them had eyes to match Rei's.

Rei looked over to the door and then back to her friend. It

occurred to her that this was the first time they'd really been

alone together since that night in the shrine. Her thoughts from

yesterday, along with the feelings generated watching Usagi get

ready to meet Mamoru, put Rei in a melancholy, reflective mood.

Somehow, she could think of no one better to share that with than

the pretty girl before her.

"It's hard for you too, isn't it?" Rei asked gently. Meditating

on the flame was all well and good, but she really needed someone

she could talk to about this.

Naru looked up from her own thoughts, surprised. She began to

ask what Rei meant, but Rei's expression filled in any gaps.

Naru knew all to well what her companion meant. She nodded

silently and both women shared that silence for a while.

"I never got the chance to thank you," Naru finally said.

"For what, Naru-chan?"

"For what you said, that night. It really helped me." Seeing

Rei's confusion, Naru explained. "You told me it was never wrong

to love somebody. It meant a lot to me. It means a lot to me."

Naru lifted her eyes to meet Rei's. For a moment, she lost

herself in the violet fires that simmered there.

"I'm glad," Rei replied with a gentle smile. "I'm also glad you

came that night. It's been...easier...since I've gotten close to

you." As she said this, Rei realized suddenly that it _was_ a

lot easier with Naru there.

Again, Naru nodded knowingly. Suddenly, she noticed something on

the desk beside her. "Oh no! Usagi forgot her tickets!"

Rei laughed, "How typical! Well, don't worry. I'm sure she can

talk her way in."

"Shouldn't we try to return them to her?"

Rei looked at the clock by the bed. "Mamoru is always right on

time," she noted. "I think he got sick of hearing Usagi wail at

him for being late. I'm sure they're gone by now."

"Yeah, I guess so," Naru answered. She sighed, but then realized

something strange. For some reason, she didn't feel quite as

upset as she'd thought she would. Naru had long ago come to

terms with her feelings for Usagi but seeing her with Mamoru

usually brought on at least a little melancholia. Tonight,

however, she could barely scrape up enough regret to give a

proper wistful sigh. Maybe Rei was right. Maybe it was easier

now.

"I think I have an idea," Rei announced, jarring Naru's

contemplation. "You can fit into Usagi's clothes, right?"

"Some of them," Naru admitted with a curious look. "Why?"

"And I know I can, with a safety pin here and there," Rei

continued. "And, we have these tickets, and I'm sure they were

quite expensive. It would be a shame to let them go to waste,

wouldn't it?"

Naru blushed suddenly, "Are you suggesting..."

Rei noticed the blush with some confusion. "That we borrow those

other two gowns and go to the formal? Of course! Why not?"

"Rei-chan, I'm not sure..." Naru stammered, still blushing

fiercely.

"It will be fun to get dressed up! I'm sure there will be other

girls there with their friends. Who needs men anyway?" Rei

laughed.

"Ohhh," Naru said, understanding dawning. "Yeah, sure, ok. But

I get to wear the green one. I really don't know what Usagi was

thinking getting that. It's not her color at all. I'm sure

you'll look great in the red." Naru rose to retrieve the other

gowns from Usagi's closet.

Rei watched her friend, pondering. Initially, she had just

thought it would be fun to dress up and see her friends at the

dance, but Naru's blush was making her wonder...

"What do you think?" Naru asked, holding the green gown in front

of her.

Rei caught her breath. Even just held in front, she could see

how perfect the gown was for Naru. She would look exquisite in

it. 'She's so beautiful,' Rei thought suddenly.

"Well?" Naru asked again, concern tweaking the corners of her

eyes.

"It's perfect," Rei whispered. Before she could finish her train

of thought, however, Naru presented her with the red gown.

"Better get moving if we want to make it on time," Naru pointed

out. "I guess we should just get changed here." Shyly, she

turned her back and started undressing.

Rei watched for quite a while before she had to begin getting

ready herself. Fortunately, the excitement of dressing up gave

her thoughts a rock on which to moor while a strange storm

flashed through the recesses of her mind.

-

The doorbell rang just as Michiru was putting the final touches

on Makoto's hair. Though she normally kept her hair in a large

ponytail, tonight she wore it down, auburn locks cascading across

her shoulders and delicate curls framing her face. Michiru

patted her shoulder gently and headed out to answer. Though Ami

had her own key, of course, she wouldn't use it this evening.

It had all been Makoto's idea. One evening a week or two

previous, she had lamented that the odd way in which they had

finally come together had robbed them of the joy of dating.

After all, Ami had practically moved in right away. Though her

mother was still unsure about the idea, it was all but certain

that Ami would be moving in formally after the holidays. After

hearing Makoto recount her old teenage fantasies of waiting at

home for her date to arrive, of fancy dinners and dances, and of

furtive kisses stolen at the front door on the distant edge of

curfew, Ami had decided to make those dreams come true for the

Winter Formal.

"Eighteen...nineteen...twenty," Makoto counted to herself, trying

to restrain her eager curiosity. Michiru had counseled her on

how to generate the proper levels of suspense and nervousness in

a date. With a deep breath and a final check in the mirror, she

left the bedroom.

In the sitting room, Ami stood, impatiently shuffling her feet.

"Isn't she ready?" she asked Michiru.

Michiru smiled, "The best things in life are worth waiting for,

wouldn't you agree, Ami-chan? You look very nice tonight." Ami

thanked her, but most of her attention remained focused on the

closed bedroom door. After what seemed like an eternity, the

door opened.

"Oh my," Ami sighed. Her breath seeped out of her and she had

trouble recapturing it as she took in the vision before her.

Makoto stood framed in the doorway, blushing shyly, in an elegant

green strapless gown, cut low enough to bring a blush to Ami as

well. Her hair lay across her shoulders along with a pink wrap

that matched the ever-present rose earrings perfectly. As Ami

stared at her, Makoto slowly spun around, her dress ever so

briefly opening along the slit that ran up to mid-thigh. "Oh my,"

Ami sighed again, at a loss for coherent speech.

"You like it, then?" Makoto asked in a quietly triumphant voice.

Ami nodded in reply, moving forward slowly. For her part, Ami

wore a midnight-blue tuxedo, discernable from black only by the

way the color meshed with the aqua-blue vest and tie underneath.

Silently, she proffered a small white box to her date.

Makoto's heart raced as Ami glided across the floor to her side.

Truly, even her romantic fantasies could not compete with this

wonderful reality. 'My prince,' she thought happily.

"I hope this matches," Ami said as she placed the box in Makoto's

trembling hands.

Carefully pulling the gold ribbon from the package, Makoto lifted

the lid. "Oh Ami, it's perfect! Thank you!" She lifted the

corsage of pink roses up for Michiru to see, noting that Haruka

had apparently come in while she was focused on Ami. "Wait here

a minute," Mako requested.

Moments later, Makoto returned from the kitchen with a box of her

own. "I've been working on this hybrid for awhile now. I hope

you like it."

Ami took the box with a questioning glance. She knew that Makoto

loved flowers and spent some of her free time in a local

greenhouse, but she hadn't suspected that she was doing anything

so serious there. "Makoto, I didn't know this sort of thing was

possible!" she gasped after opening her present. "Could you?"

she asked, handing the box back to Mako.

Makoto smiled and reached inside, pulling out a single rose. At

first, it looked like a normal white rose, but as she carefully

pinned it to Ami's lapel, the blue tint of the petals came to

light.

Michiru slid her arm around Haruka's waist and laid her head

against her, with a happy sigh. Haruka chuckled and pulled her

love close. For a moment or two, they happily watched Ami and

Mako as they stood together, gazing dreamily into one another's

eyes, hands clasped lightly. Finally, though, Haruka spoke up.

"Ok, young lovers, it's time to get going. You're paying for

that limo out front by the hour, after all."

Extending her arm to Makoto, Ami escorted her date to the door.

"Thank you both for everything," she told Haruka and Michiru.

"What are your plans for the evening?"

"Oh, we'll find something to do," Haruka responded with a devious

grin. "Have fun and don't do anything we wouldn't do."

"Haruka love, what exactly wouldn't we do?" Michiru asked in an

innocent voice, winking naughtily at Ami and Makoto as Haruka

turned bright red and tried to stammer a reply. "Have fun, we'll

lock up," Michiru called. After Ami and Makoto left, she turned

to face Haruka, her fingers idly toying with the buttons on her

lover's white Oxford shirt. "Now that we're alone, dear heart,

why don't we do something that we 'wouldn't do'."

Any reply from Haruka was lost in the press of soft lips on

hers...

-

Minako twisted her foot back and forth nervously. How ironic

that after so many weeks of longing to see his face again, now

that he was here, she couldn't meet his eyes. "How was your

trip?" she asked nervously.

"Fine," Kenjo replied in a painfully normal tone. "I was worried

that I wouldn't make it in time, but I guess you can see that I

did. You look beautiful, Mina-chan."

"Thank you," she replied politely. She knew this, but it was

always nice to hear. They had decided to meet at the Student

Center, next door to the gymnasium where the dance was being

held. She'd arrived in gown #7. At least, that's how she

referred to it, since she'd bought and then later returned six

other ones before settling on this black, tea-length number.

With all of her friends busy with their own preparations, Mina

had had to get ready by herself. Well, not entirely by herself.

Artemis and Luna had been there, but there's only so much cats

can do without opposable thumbs.

Kenjo, for his part, wore a standard-issue tuxedo. It annoyed

Minako to no end that guys could just walk into a formal-ware

store, get a couple measurements taken, and be done with their

preparations for an event like this. He did look good, though.

"So," Kenjo said.

"So," Minako replied.

He'd called her just about every day since he'd gone back to

school. They'd emailed each other to fill the spaces between

phone calls. For the past month, they'd talked of nothing more

than how much they longed to see each other again. She'd shared

all of her innermost secrets, her hopes, her desires, and he'd

done the same. She'd even begun getting progessively racier in

their phone conversations, particularly the late night ones.

They'd been dating over a month and in that time they'd become

closer than either ever thought possible.

But she'd only ever seen him a handful of times, not once since

that weekend. They'd both tried, but the end of the semester

brought exams and papers and neither Kenjo nor Mina was the type

who could crank out their work and be done with it quickly.

Sharing yourself in person was much different than sharing

yourself over the phone.

"Do you want to get a cup of coffee or something before we head

over?" Kenjo suggested tentatively.

Anything was better than this, so Minako leaped at the chance.

"Great! There's a cafe upstairs, come on!" In her enthusiasm,

she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the stairway. The

contact brought a shock that stopped her in her tracks. How

could a simple thing like holding hands carry so much power?

Before she could say anything, Kenjo stepped forward, his eyes

locked with hers. Gently, carefully, he reached out and took her

hand again. His thumb caressed hers and he smiled and Mina knew

suddenly that everything would be all right.

-

"Mako-san! Ami-san! Come get your pictures taken!"

Ami and Makoto stood in the doorway, eyes still adjusting to the

change in light. They slowly moved toward the familiar but

unexpected voice.

"Hotaru-chan, is that you?" Ami asked.

"Hai, Ami-san," the teenage girl replied. "Michiru-mama knows

someone on the faculty and pulled some strings. This is my first

real gig!"

Makoto grinned at their young friend, noticing how much older she

looked in a formal woman's business suit. Gone were her usual

goth trappings, though the suit was as black as the clothes she

normally wore. "So, you're the official photographer, huh?"

Hotaru nodded enthusiastically and pulled the compliant couple in

front of the backdrop before her camera. "You both look

wonderful. Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama showed me your outfits.

They look even better on, and next to each other." As she'd

planned, her compliments brought about beautiful smiles on her

subjects. A click, a flash and she was done.

"I'll track you guys down later!" Hotaru told them, hustling them

out of the area. "But, I get paid by the picture and everyone

wants them taken before they get all sweaty dancing. Usagi and

Mamoru are here already. They were the first ones in, just

about." She pointed Ami and Mako in the direction of their

friends and turned to greet the next couple.

Ami and Makoto made their way across the dance floor to a table

where Usagi and Mamoru waited. Somehow, Usagi had managed to

save the other six chairs at the round table with just her coat

and Mamoru's.

"Mamoru-kun," Ami called out, "it's so good to see you again."

The warning gave Mamoru time to disengage himself from Usagi, who

sat for a moment with eyes closed and lips puckered before she

realized the kissing was over for the moment. He stood up and

extended a hand to Ami.

"Hai, it's been too long, Ami-chan." Mamoru bowed, taking Ami's

hand and squeezing it gently. Rising, he turned to Makoto and

said, "You look wonderful, Makoto-chan. Congratulations to you

both."

Makoto blushed slightly and shocked everyone by dropping into a

perfect curtsy. "Thank you, Prince." Noticing everyone's

astonishment, she added, "What? It's a formal event, so I

thought I'd practice my court manners. I'm going to need them

someday!"

Ami shook her head fondly. "You never cease to amaze me, or

impress me, my love." This time, Makoto's blush was anything but

slight. Ami moved to a chair across from Usagi and pulled it

out, holding it for Makoto. Makoto sat primly as Ami helped her

slide the chair forward.

"Oh Mamo-chan, why don't you hold my chair for me like that!

It's so romantic," Usagi sighed. Mamoru sighed as well, though

in a different tone, and moved to get Usagi's chair for her.

"Usagi-chan," Ami asked, "why have you saved the whole table? I

thought we were only expecting Mina and Kenjo."

Makoto scanned the room quickly. "Yeah, and I don't see them

here yet. I hope they didn't sneak off for a quickie. It has

been awhile since they've seen each other, but that would be

rude!" She was so intent on looking for her friends that

she missed the shared look of embarrassment between Usagi and

Mamoru.

"Well," Usagi began, leaning forward conspiratorially, "can you

guys keep a secret?"

'Here we go again,' Makoto thought even as Ami anxiously moved to

listen to Usagi's gossip.

-

The dance was in full swing by the time Kenjo and Minako appeared

at the table, eyes still partially blinded from Hotaru's flash.

Usagi, Mamoru, Ami, and Makoto had filled in the time catching up

with Mamoru. Ami in particular had lots of questions for him

about his experiences studying abroad.

After introductions were made and teasing of Minako for being

late was complete, Usagi finally prevailed upon Mamoru to dance

with her. Kenjo and Minako joined them, leaving Ami and Makoto

alone.

For the first time, Makoto shifted her attention away from their

table and scanned the room. There had to be at least two hundred

people in attendance, very few of whom were familiar to her.

"Mako," Ami said quietly. "Would you like to..."

"Hey there, ladies!" a loud, slurred voice interrupted. "What's

two hot chicks like you doing all alone in a place like this?"

Standing over the two women were a pair of broad-shouldered guys,

swaying ever so slightly. Despite the distance, Makoto could

smell the beer on their breath. "So, you wanna dance? Or maybe

just skip all the bullshit and blow this taco stand?" The blonde

attempted to give the dark-haired boy a high-five, but they

barely connected.

"No, thank you," Ami replied politely.

"I told you she was a dyke," the blonde whispered loudly.

"How about you, baby?" the other guy asked Makoto. "How about

taking a turn with a real guy. I bet I fill out my tux a hell of

a lot better than your 'friend' there." Laughing crudely, he

shoved his crotch forward.

Makoto focused her attention on his zipper with a critical eye.

"I doubt it. There's a difference between having a big dick and

being a big dick, you know."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" her suitor roared, able

to puzzle her words out enough to get that he'd been insulted.

As he moved forward, though, he suddenly fell to the ground in a

heap, taking his friend down too. For a moment, the two of them

scrambled and flailed about, until everyone in a twenty foot

radius was looking and laughing at them.

"Fuck you, dykes!" the blonde said as they crawled away, finally

able to stand. Despite the harsh words, they fled from the

taunting looks of the bystanders, leaving the gymnasium

altogether.

Makoto sat, trying to figure out what had just happened, when she

noticed something funny about the floor. Reaching down, she

felt a sharp chill as her fingers hit a puddle of icy cold water.

She looked to Ami with an expression of amazement. "You

didn't..."

Ami simply smiled serenely and stood up. Extending a hand, she

said, "You know I never get tired of asking you to dance, my

love. Will you?"

Makoto rose, and again curtsied formally. She never let her eyes

leave Ami's and was rewarded with a radiant smile when she

replied, "I will, my prince."

Later, as they danced close, oblivious to anything else in the

world around them, Ami whispered, "Technically, you know, I would

be a princess, not a prince."

"You will always be my prince," Makoto insisted with a happy

sigh, nuzzling her head even closer to Ami's. "Always."

-

When the happy couples returned from the dance floor, they were

surprised to find Rei and Naru sitting at their table.

"You know, meatball head, you shouldn't just leave your things

here for anyone to walk by and steal!" Rei warned. As she stood

to greet her friends, four jaws dropped, for rather similar

reasons. (Usagi and Minako were impressed, but in quite a

different way than the other four.)

Wearing the long red formal gown that Usagi had bought, her long

black hair flowing naturally down her back, Rei could have

stepped from a fashion magazine. Somewhat less stunning, though

no less beautiful, Naru stood in the green gown that matched her

eyes and set off her red hair perfectly.

"What are you guys doing here?" Minako asked, not noticing that

only Kenjo seemed as surprised as she to see them there.

"Usagi forgot her tickets, and she had these gowns, so we figured

we might as well," Naru explained, a little embarrassed. "I hope

you don't mind, Usagi-chan."

"Of course not, silly!" Usagi announced, giving both of her

friends hugs before letting Mamoru settle her in her chair.

"Thanks a lot, Ami-chan," Mamoru complained, "now I'm going to

have to hold every chair she ever sits in or else hear all about

it." Usagi nudged him in the ribs, hard, and he turned a winning

smile on her. "Which, of course, I don't mind at all."

Ami smiled prettily as she sat herself down, "She is a princess,

after all." The way Ami squeezed Mako's hand as she said this

made it quite unclear to whom she was referring, however.

"Well, I'd say you owe me at least a dance?" Mamoru asked.

"Me?" Ami asked, slightly confused, "well, I'd be delighted."

Noting the early warning signs of Usagi's pout, she quickly

added, "if it is ok with you, Usagi-chan."

Usagi grimaced slightly, but then her more typical smile lit up

her face. "Of course, Ami-chan, but you'd better bring him back

safe, 'cause I'm holding onto to Mako-chan as insurance until you

do." This brought about a round of laughter, if only from the

mental image of Usagi trying to keep Makoto away from Ami

somehow.

After Mamoru and Ami left, Minako turned to Naru and Rei. "So,

since you both are here and looking so beautiful, are you going

to try to meet some guys?"

Makoto muttered something about 'slim pickings' but didn't

elaborate.

'That was the plan, wasn't it?' Rei thought. She did not reply

to the question, though, as she realized that she didn't know the

answer any more. Instead, she focused on Naru. Though Naru and

Usagi wore similar sizes, Rei still could not believe how

perfectly the dress fit the redhead and how wonderful she looked

in it. 'How could Umino have ever let her get away?' Rei

wondered, not for the first time.

While Rei was pondering, Naru shook her head. "No, we just

wanted to get dressed up and see you all. Like Rei said, 'Who

needs boys anyway?'"

Minako and Makoto laughed at this, making Kenjo pout a little.

Rei seemed lost in thought while Usagi just smiled knowingly and

nodded her agreement.

"Well, I'm glad you're both here," Usagi declared.

-

A slow waltz was playing as Mamoru and Ami approached the dance

floor. Mamoru paused, unsure for a moment, until Ami held out

her arms, encouraging him take the lead. He chuckled briefly and

led her into the dance.

For a moment or two, they waltzed together, gliding smoothly

among the other couples there. Ami was a much more accomplished

dance partner than Usagi and it took Mamoru a few moments to

adjust to that. For his part, Mamoru was a decent dancer, but

Ami couldn't help but think that he didn't hold a candle to her

Mako-chan.

"I was surprised to hear about you and Makoto," Mamoru finally

said.

Ami smiled up at him, "I can imagine you were." She thought for

a moment. "You know, I used to have a crush on you. I guess it

was safe because we all knew you'd always be with Usagi."

"I thought you, well," Mamoru paused, trying to pick his words

carefully, "I wouldn't think you'd have a crush on a guy."

"Like I said, it was safe," Ami laughed. "Besides, I was

flattered."

"Flattered?" Mamoru asked cautiously. She couldn't have known,

could she?

"Of course," Ami replied, giving a pointed look. "What girl

wouldn't be flattered knowing that such a smart, debonair young

man was interested in her?" Seeing his surprise, Ami smiled

reassuringly. "I might not be a genius when it comes to people,

like Usagi or Minako," she explained, "but, even I can see some

things."

Mamoru grinned wryly, but didn't reply. "You know I love Usagi

with all of my heart," he began.

Ami shushed him, "I know, and I'm sure she doesn't mind in any

case."

"Do you think she knows?" Mamoru asked, horrible visions of

tantrums to come looming in his mind.

"When it comes to love," Ami advised him, "I don't believe there

is much that our princess doesn't know. Besides, you can always

just remind her about the way she goes all starry-eyed over

Motoki, or Haruka."

With a relieved laugh, Mamoru swept her into the final stages of

the dance. "I'm glad that you're happy, Ami-chan. I think,

aside from Usagi and Chibi, I've always felt closest to you."

"I know, Mamo-kun," Ami answered. "I feel the same way." With a

heavy sigh, she added, "It's nice to have at least one male

friend I know I can rely on."

Usagi had told Mamoru about the business with Urawa, but Mamoru

didn't want Ami reliving it on such a special night, so he said

no more. They finished their dance in the comfortable silence

that comes with deep friendship.

-

And so the evening passed, with the happy conversation of good

friends interrupted only by an ongoing succession of dances and

the private talks that accompanied them.

-

At Makoto's urging, Kenjo danced with Ami while she and Mina

went to "powder their noses." As with Mamoru, Ami noted that

Makoto was a more pleasant dance partner. 'Perhaps I'm just

getting used to leading,' she considered.

After an awkward silence, Ami spoke. "I understand that I am in

your debt."

"What do you mean?" Kenjo asked, confused.

"Well, Makoto has told me all about how you tried to help get us

together," Ami replied with a patient grin.

"Of course she did," Kenjo nodded with understanding, "I should

have assumed that. Still, I'm not sure I had much to do with it

after all. I should have trusted that she'd take care of things

on her own. If anything, I owe her a debt, for introducing me to

Mina."

Ami looked up at him, considering. "We all care for Minako very

much. She is a very giving, loving woman."

Kenjo smiled, "Don't worry, Mizuno-san, I know just how lucky I

am and how precious she is. I care for her, too, and I will try

my best to do nothing to hurt her."

Ami seemed pleased with the answer and the two danced together

quietly for a bit more. This time, Kenjo broke the silence.

"I know it's not my place to say so, that you aren't doing it for

me, but I did want to thank you for making Makoto so very happy."

Ami blushed suddenly, not knowing how to respond to such a

statement.

Kenjo continued, "We've been friends forever and I love her like

a sister. I've always hoped she could find someone who would

love her for who she is, who could make her as happy as she

deserves to be. I have never seen her remotely as joyful and

alive as she is tonight, with you."

"Thank you," Ami replied quietly. "She makes me feel the same

way."

"So, do you think they're talking about us in the ladies' room?"

Kenjo asked, sneaking a glance toward that part of the gym.

With a light laugh, Ami followed his gaze. "I'm sure they are.

I'm sure they both want us to be good friends." She turned back

to him. "I'd like it if we were, too."

"I would, too," Kenjo agreed. The music came to an end and he

bowed politely before leading her back to the table, where Minako

and Makoto waited eagerly. Mina looked up expectantly, but

Kenjo shook his head. "Sorry, Mina-chan, but Makoto promised me

the next dance."

"As long as you save the last dance for me," Minako said,

elicting laughter from her friends. "What?" she asked, puzzled.

"That's the lyric to an old song," Rei informed her. Softly, Rei

sang a verse, entrancing everyone with her lovely voice.

"Well, song or not, you'd better do it," Minako snorted.

Kenjo smiled and bowed. "After this, my dance card, like my

heart, will be yours and yours alone, my fair maiden."

"Ooooh, he's good," Usagi pointed out.

"Told ya," Makoto agreed, standing and taking the hand Kenjo had

extended.

As they danced, Makoto and Kenjo used the time to get caught up.

Though they didn't speak often, when they did, they made the most

of it. As he had mentioned to Ami, Kenjo marveled at how happy

Makoto seemed and she shared with him the joy and happiness that

her relationship with Ami had brought into her life.

"So, why were you and Minako so late to the dance?" Makoto

eventually asked in a teasing tone.

"We decided to have some coffee together before coming here,"

Kenjo replied. "And yes, I just mean coffee. You know we've

never... I mean, this is really only our third date!"

"But, you've been talking almost non-stop since you went away,

right?"

"Yes, and that's been wonderful, but it is still different than

being together. I think it took us both a little while to

adjust. We wanted to do that by ourselves, instead of here with

everyone watching."

Makoto nodded, watching his expression carefully. There was

something in his demeanor that she had never seen before, but she

thought she could guess what it might be.

"Do you love her?" she asked.

"It's a little early to worry about that, isn't it?" he answered

a bit too quickly. "I mean, it's only our third date."

"Why does that matter, especially if you've been sharing so much

time together?"

"Long-distance relationships don't work."

"Usagi and Mamoru work. You haven't answered my question,

Shinozaki. What are you trying to convince yourself of?"

Kenjo tore his eyes away from his friends and fell silent.

Makoto followed suit, giving him time to sort things out.

Finally, he spoke.

"You're just trying to get even with me, aren't you?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, quite unsure where that had come

from.

"Because I figured out about how you felt about Ami before you

did," he explained, a slow, uncertain smile forming.

Understanding brought an answering smile to Makoto's lips. "You

do love her, don't you? I knew it. I guess I do know you as

well you know me."

"I knew there would be an 'I told ya so' in there," Kenjo

lamented. More seriously, he continued, "I think I do, Mako-

chan. She's just completely unlike anyone I've ever met. She's

fun, she's caring, she makes me feel like ... she makes me feel

like you do, Mako-chan, but with a little something extra."

Makoto smiled fondly at her best friend. "Are you going to tell

her?"

"Eventually," he replied. "When the time is right."

"I suppose that will do for now."

-

"Mamo-chan!" Usagi whispered from down near his chest, where her

head rested as they danced.

Leaning down as best he could while maintaining the forms of the

dance, Mamoru asked, "Yes, Usa-chan?"

"You need to dance with Rei!"

Mamoru lifted his head and glanced toward their table where Rei

and Naru sat chatting with Ami and Makoto. "I wouldn't mind

dancing with Rei, but why do you want me to?"

"You just dance with Rei and leave the rest to me," Usagi

directed. "The trouble I go to..." she muttered under her

breath, but he did not hear.

-

"Naru-chan, you haven't danced once tonight," Usagi complained.

Mamoru had just accompanied a startled Rei out to the dance

floor, where the other two couples already glided to the soft

classical music in the air.

"Oh, that's ok, Usagi-chan," Naru sighed. "I didn't come to

dance."

"Well, why did you come then?" Usagi demanded.

"I don't know, we didn't have anything else to do and Rei

suggested it. It seemed like a good idea."

"'Seemed like?' Aren't you having fun?" Usagi asked, laying a

concerned hand over Naru's. For once, Naru didn't react at all

to her touch. Usagi considered this an encouraging sign.

"I'm having fun," Naru insisted, but her eyes were glued to the

dance floor, watching Mamoru and Rei.

"Will you dance with me at least?" Usagi begged. "My boyfriend

has abandoned me once again!" She sighed and turned the full

force of her best 'puppy-dog' look upon an unsuspecting and

unprepared Naru. "Please?"

"Sure, why not?" Naru agreed. Truthfully, she had been having a

good time this evening. She felt so classy, all dressed up and

sitting with such handsome men and beautiful women. Though she

was closest to Usagi and Rei, Naru knew the other girls from

school and considered them all friends. Still, as the evening

wore on, she had begun to feel a bit out of sorts, a feeling that

had come on particularly strong after Mamoru had asked Rei to

dance. She told herself it was because, as long as Rei wasn't

dancing either, it was ok that she didn't. Naru told herself a

lot of things.

"Hooray!" Usagi yelled, dragging Naru to her feet and yanking her

out toward the dance floor. "I get to lead! No one ever lets me

lead, not Mamoru, not Haruka, no one!" Seeing Naru's eyebrow

rise at the mention of Haruka, Usagi broke out in a cold sweat.

Before Naru could inquire, though, Usagi was grabbing her hands

and leading her into a waltz.

Though Usagi was not a bad dancer, the attempt to lead was

testing her skills to the utmost. Fortunately, Naru had had

formal 'charm school' training and was able to assist her friend

subtly. After a few turns around the floor, they found

themselves dancing next to Rei and Mamoru.

"Rei-chan! Mamo-chan!" Usagi called out, drawing the attention

of most of the dance floor. "Leading is hard! I want to dance

with my Mamo-chan!" In a deft demonstration of dexterity, Usagi

swiftly exchanged her partner for Rei's, dancing off in a swirl

with Mamoru, leaving a very confused Rei hand-in-hand with an

equally confused Naru.

"I'd ask what just happened, but I already know the answer," Rei

commented wryly.

"Usagi happened," Naru agreed with a giggle. "I guess we should

just go sit down," she added, her gaze dropping to the floor,

along with her smile.

Rei turned to face her friend, still holding her hands tightly.

She considered the young woman before her shyly examining the

ground and twisting her foot back and forth. Without another

word, she lifted her right hand and slid her left around Naru's

waist and continued the dance.

'She's a much stronger lead than Usagi,' Naru noted, even as she

felt her spirit filling with delight. Warmth and comprehension

suffused her as she looked up into those violet eyes that had

shone in her dreams for nearly a month.

Rei remained silent, but her expression spoke volumes. She

smiled fondly and shared understanding and happiness sprang

between the two of them. Without another word, Naru rested her

head on Rei's chest, content to follow Rei's lead to the end of

the world.

-

Mamoru and Usagi were the first to leave. Everyone knew how hard

it had been on them, being apart for so long, so no one begrudged

them their time together. They made their way back toward his

apartment, hand-in-hand, sharing their thoughts on the evening.

The walk was indeed quite romantic, as he had promised. It gave

them the time they needed together. Despite their long

separation, it was as if no time at all had passed and they fell

naturally into the rhythms of their love for one another. When

they arrived, each was more than ready to make up for lost time.

Quite a while later...

"You planned all that, didn't you? The dance, the tickets, the

dresses, all of it."

"Why Mamo-chan, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Remind me never to underestimate you, my love."

"If you need me to remind you, it's too late for you anyway."

-

Not too long after Usagi and Mamoru left, Minako and Kenjo said

their goodbyes. They found their way to that playground where

they had stopped on their second date and sat for a long time,

drinking in each other's company. Finally, the time was right.

Admissions of love, happy as they are, can be difficult and are

often born in tears, albeit tears of joy. Fortunately, tears can

be kissed away, while true love is eternal.

Eventually, the happy couple left the playground. They could see

the earliest glimmers of the long path strewn before them and

they took the first steps eagerly, hand-in-hand.

-

"Here we are," Ami announced as she and her date arrived at the

door to their apartment. Though their long limo ride around

Tokyo had been fun, it was good to be home. She paused in the

doorway, remembering the role she had been assigned this night.

Makoto moved to get the door. "Would you to like to come in for

a little while?" she asked coquettishly.

"I think I would like that very much. How long can I stay?"

"How about...forever," Makoto replied as her lips found Ami's.

After a languid kiss on the doorstep, they moved into the

apartment. Ami slid her shoes off and hung her coat and jacket

neatly. Before Makoto could do any more than remove her wrap,

Ami took her by the hand and led her inside. Seating Makoto on

the couch, she sat delicately on the coffee table in front of

her.

"Do you know where I was exactly one month ago, my love?" Ami

asked tenderly.

"Here, with me," Makoto recalled with a broad smile.

Gently, Ami lifted Makoto's foot onto her lap. Her deft fingers

made quick work of the straps that ran along her ankle and

halfway up her calf. As Ami eased the shoe off, Makoto settled

back against the couch with a happy sigh.

"You gave me a massage," Ami reminded her. "You made me feel as

loved and as special as I ever had in my life. And every day

since, you've done the same exact thing." Even as she spoke, Ami

took Makoto's other foot and released it from its stylish leather

prison. "Now, it's my turn to make you feel the same way."

"But Ami, you do, every moment..." Makoto began to protest

before Ami shushed her. Taking the hint, she closed her eyes and

lost herself in the sensation as Ami began to rub and caress all

of the sore points on her feet.

After a thorough massage, and all of the grateful soft moans it

had elicited, Ami slid her hands up over her lover's calves and

later past her knees. Makoto slid down on the couch, silently

begging Ami to roam higher. Her sighs and heavy breathing made

the same plea, but much more audibly. After an eternity of

delight, Ami knelt on the floor before the couch, now following

the trail her hands had blazed with soft, tender kisses

interrupted only by the occasional tender nibble.

"Oh Ami..." Makoto sighed, surrendering herself completely to the

joy and pleasure her love was intent on providing. "Oh my..."

Quite a while later...

"Aren't you cold out here, love? It's so much warmer in our

bed."

"You should know that cold doesn't bother me much. I just want

to be out here for a minute or two. Isn't the view beautiful?"

"Not as beautiful as you, my prince."

"You know it makes me blush when you call me that!"

"I like it when you blush."

"That's very sweet, my love. Now, stand behind me... there, just

like that."

"This is kind of nice. And much warmer this way."

"This is my favorite place in the whole world and I wanted to be

here tonight, just like we were that night a month ago."

"I love you, Ami. Thank you for a perfect evening."

"I love you, too, Mako. Thank you for a perfect life."

-

"Are you sure she went back to Mamoru's?" Naru asked for the

third time.

Rei gave her a wry look in response even as she opened the door

to Usagi's dorm room. Clearly, it was unoccupied.

Naru giggled, "Looks like you were right. I guess this means we

can take our time getting changed." With a heavy sigh, she

slipped off her shoes and sat gingerly on the edge of the bed.

Rei tossed her jacket over the chair and joined Naru on the bed.

"I guess so. Thank you for agreeing to come along tonight."

"Thank you for inviting me," Naru replied shyly, suddenly

dropping her eyes. "I had a wonderful evening."

Rei smiled and leaned back against the wall, watching her friend.

Naru looked up and met Rei's gaze with a puzzled expression. For

a long moment, they simply observed each other. Rei's eyes

glowed with a strong feeling that Naru couldn't name, but which

made her feel warm and comfortable. In the face of that, Naru's

confusion and uncertainty melted away, her own smile arriving at

last to meet Rei's.

"I need to ask you something, Naru-chan," Rei said finally.

"Sure, you can ask me anything," the redhead replied, a little of

her uncertainty returning.

"Did you ever kiss her?"

A small tear formed at the corner of Naru's eye as she turned

away. "Does it matter?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Suddenly, Rei understood. It didn't matter any more, at least,

not for the same reasons. A sudden mental image of Usagi and

Naru kissing brought a sharp pain in Rei's gut, but it was not

only Naru she was jealous of. Eyes widening, Rei realized that

she was equally jealous of Usagi. The bed shifted underneath

her, snapping her back to the moment.

"I'll just grab my stuff and get changed at home," Naru sniffled.

"Thanks for everything..." She stood facing away from the bed,

away from Rei.

"Naru-chan," Rei said quickly, "don't... I'm so sorry."

"Why should you be sorry?" Naru replied curtly in a trembling

voice. "I wonder the same thing sometimes. We both love her,

right? We both love her and neither of us can have her and..."

Naru's words were cut off as Rei stood quickly, pulled her into

her arms, and kissed her. Rei's soft lips pressed Naru's until

they were still; Rei's arms held Naru until she relaxed into the

embrace. Naru's eyes closed and her mouth shifted, pulling on

Rei, summoning her, willing her to deepen their kiss. As Rei's

tongue slid tentatively to meet her own, Naru twisted her hands

in long, soft black hair.

"So, am I a better kisser than she was?" Rei asked with a

naughty, playful smile. Naru punched her on the arm. "Ow! Ok, I

retract the question."

Rei sat down on the bed again, pulling Naru down next to her.

"Naru-chan, I want you to know, I love her, I will always love

her. It's a part of who I am." Naru nodded sadly, but Rei lifted

her chin and met her eyes directly. "But, just because I love

her, doesn't mean I can't love anyone else. You're right, we

both love her. That's one thing we have in common, but it is not

the only thing. Tonight... for a while now really...it's been

easier and easier not to think of her. Just now, I realized why

that is. It's because I've been thinking of you instead."

Naru leaned forward suddenly and kissed Rei with a longing

passion that both startled and excited them both. "You know, for

someone so wise, you just don't know when to shut up."

Quite a while later...

"I think I've decided something."

"And what have you decided, dear heart?"

"There can never be enough love in the world."

"That's very profound. Does that mean you want to make some

more?"

"Mmm hmmmm. Do you have a problem with that?"

"What do _you_ think?"

Quite a while later again...

"I think I've decided something else."

"My, you are full of revelations today. Maybe you should ditch

the jewelry store and come work with me."

"But I like jewelry! That's not the point anyway."

"I'm sorry. What have you decided?"

"That it's kind of ironic?"

"What's ironic, sweety?"

"Well, you and I... here... in her bed."

"I can tell you one thing. There's no damn way I'm changing her

sheets for her."

And laughing together, the two happy young women settled down to

sleep in each other's arms.

THE END (for now)