Author's note: Hello all, this is the missing scenes story I mentioned in my last chapter of 'These Things'. I'm working on both simultaneously, but the other is giving me some issues so I decided to entertain my muse with this effort. It is much easier to write these snippets because I'm working off of what was already in the show.

With that being said, I have included some dialogue from the show where a spoken scene of my creation fits in with a scene from the show. As for the concept behind this series it is simply a suggestion at conversations, events or thoughts that could have been and that those of us in the fandom wish had been. I will be tackling each act that has some good Rei/Minako potential one by one. So essentially each chapter will represent an act from the show.

Act 18

Scene 1

The walk back to the shrine was long. Rei could see the people she passed huddle further into their jackets as the night time breeze became increasingly colder. But she did not feel the cold the same way that those she passed did. She was still too shaken to pay much attention to anything other than her thoughts. Surprise was not a good enough word to describe her feeling when Aino Minako was revealed to be Sailor Venus. It was closer to feeling flabbergasted with a side of amazement that rendered her totally speechless.

Rei had supposed she found the girl pleasant enough when they were just talking while watching over the dog. To be honest, she felt like she almost liked the girl. She always thought that there was some unwritten rule that idols were untouchable, empty and so distant from the world around them that they sometimes became people that are no longer just normal. But Minako had seemed completely normal, just as sad and innocent as the rest of the world. And of course she was wearing that ridiculous hat, which could only be described as completely useless, yet thoroughly endearing.

Her musings continued for her entire journey until she stopped in her tracks when she realised that she was standing just outside the door of the shrine. She couldn't even remember walking up the steps. Apparently an Aino Minako shaped distraction could become very dangerous. Heading inside she went straight to her room where she rather unceremoniously flopped down on the floor and stretched out on her back.

"Aino Minako is sailor Venus."

Saying the words almost made it sound more incredulous. It wouldn't be smart to tell the others, not yet at least. Rei could safely assume that Usagi would throw a fit that could only be rivalled by a chicken that had just lost it's head and she really didn't want to see that ever if it could be avoided.

Deciding on keeping her knowledge secret was easy. It was locked firmly in the category of a no brainer. What to do about Venus though was a totally different matter all together. And one that could possibly result in more trouble than dealing with an overly excited Usagi, but that chicken comparison was awfully disturbing. So maybe not more trouble, but just a different kind of equal trouble.

Rei shuddered at the thought of headless chicken Usagis and quickly abandoned that train of thought for another, decidedly angrier train. She couldn't believe what Venus had said to her. It was hard to imagine that such harsh words could come from Minako, she had just seemed too nice to be that cruel. Maybe she was bipolar. Wasn't it another unwritten rule that all idol's had to have some kind of mental condition?

But still Rei was bothered by what she had said. She had always thought she was a good fighter. Always careful to make the right decision in a timely fashion. And wasn't it supposed to be her job to protect the princess, as much of a pain as she was quickly becoming.

Rei rolled over onto her stomach and let out an exasperated sigh. She hated thinking about these things. Emotions made her stomach feel like it was unpleasantly full of acid. She would much rather just not have to give this any care or consideration. But Venus is her princess, and she has to protect her. Even if that does require babysitting.

Scene 2

She knew she shouldn't have revealed her identity to Mars. Artemis warned her everyday. There were certain mistakes that she absolutely could not afford to make, and her weakness had led her right into one. What else was she supposed to do? She couldn't allow any harm to come to Mars. It was too important to the mission to keep Mars in the fight. It was too important to her.

Minako watched the buildings pass by as her car headed back to the hotel. Her vision was still blurry but the fog had cleared from her mind. It was getting worse and there would be no point in denying it any longer. Lifting one hand to message her temple she absentmindedly let the other scratch behind Artemis' ears. She had disappointed her guardian today. She would have to make it up to him. If only he was the only one she had upset today.

Thinking about Mars gave her a headache. What was true in the past is true in the present. Maybe she had gone too far this time. It wasn't the escaped youma that she found upsetting. It was what Mars had done that had perturbed her. Mars had stayed behind to protect her.

Even if Mars thought she was protecting her princess, for Minako it felt like how it used to feel. She knew that was why she revealed her identity, using entirely selfish motivational logic. She wanted to feel that once again. And she only has a few months left. Not very much time to work with. Artemis kept saying that Mars would never remember in time, if ever. Why risk bringing about the potential for heart ache. It wouldn't be fair to Mars or herself.

The car pulled up in front of the hotel and Minako stepped out onto the rain soaked sidewalk. Cradling Artemis in her arms she looked up briefly and caught sight of a tiny point of red light shimmering in the sky. Closing her eyes she made a wish.

Scene 3

"I would if I could trust you to take care of the youma." She did it again. Throwing barbs at Mars was starting to become an involuntary action that she was sure would only end in a mess. And so in an effort to avoid calamity she turned to leave.

"Hey hold on a second." Maybe if she just kept walking she could get away. Or at least she could have until Mars latched on to her wrist. "Do you have to run off right away?"

It was a strange question to ask. Not because the meaning behind it was obscure, but the combination of facial expression, tone of voice and subject matter effectively turned it into a loaded gun.

"I don't have anywhere I have to be if that's what you're asking." Minako smirked. She was going to make Mars work for it. Just like everything else. If Mars wanted something from her she wouldn't be able to beat around the bush.

This tactic was clearly agitating the other girl as she crossed her arms, lowered them to her sides, shifted her weight and looked in every direction but towards Minako.

"What I meant was." Just spit it out. "If you have time maybe you're hungry?"

"Well I do have the time to be hungry. Manager-san doesn't keep me that busy." Minako missed this. She didn't even want to remind herself that it would probably never be the same as it was. But all she has is six months left to live and she just wants to drive this girl crazy. And from the looks of things, it was going very well.

"Why is this so difficult?" Rei muttered it under her breath, not accounting for super sensitive idol hearing.

"I'm sorry what was that?"

There was an interesting bird in the tree behind Minako to the left. "Why are you making this so difficult?"

"Think of it as training."

"Training for what?"

As much as Minako was enjoying this she was getting very hungry and she didn't have much hope in Mars catching on to this game any time soon. Motioning for the other girl to follow her she headed towards the waiting car.

"Come on and get in, I'll explain it on the way." Rei followed. Slightly annoyed by how automatic her actions seemed. "How do you feel about ramen?"

Scene 4

"Minako." Here it comes. It was like clockwork. "Aren't you spending a lot of time with Sailor Mars?"

"I'm not befriending her. It's quite the opposite actually." Artemis didn't wait long after her return from being with Mars to begin his interrogation.

"You sure are stubborn sometimes. We've talked about this before Minako." Artemis was worried, and with what he thought was a very good reason. In the past life Venus' relationship with Mars had always been so taxing. As much as she professed to loving it, the toll it took on her spirits was obvious.

"I know, but can't you at least allow me this much?" Minako continued her work on the poster in front of her. She was sure it would be much better than Mars'. How would she be able to continue calling herself an idol if it wasn't? "And besides, it might be beneficial to awakening her powers."

Artemis had to concede her that point. The best way to crack a tough nut is to hit it with an even harder nut. "I just don't want to see either of you get hurt."

"I'm being careful Artemis." That wasn't a out-and-out lie. She was being careful. Sometimes she acted as though she absolutely detested the other girl. She would just pretend that that wasn't how they used to flirt in the past.

"Just don't push too hard. If it happens it happens. This incarnation of Mars is much different than the one you remember." It wasn't a full-blown lie. This Mars was shorter and she wore her hair differently. It was only every aspect of her personality that was similar.

Minako smiled at the stuffed cat, they were both to polite to admit that they knew exactly what the other was thinking. "Okay Artemis, don't worry so much or you'll give yourself an ulcer." Her brush paused in mid-stroke as she was struck with a thought. "Hey, can you get ulcers in that form?"

"Minako."

"I'm just kidding." Maybe a little bit. "Anyway, why did the youma attack the priest?"

Scene 5

It really was like she was dealing with multiple people when she was with Minako. The girl was driving her crazy. Rei had considered talking to Ami several times tonight about inventing some kind of personality predicting device. Maybe Luna had one squirreled away somewhere?

As many times as the idol did or said something completely adorable, she would turn around and do something utterly frustrating. Rei was sure that Minako was doing it on purpose. If it weren't for her duty to protect her princess she would have no qualms about dropping the girl off the tallest building she could find.

This whole situation was making her stomach do hand stands, and other assorted gymnastics manoeuvres. It was a very distasteful experience. As Rei continued working on her posters for tomorrow she briefly considered telling the others about Venus' true identity. Maybe it would take some of the pressure from her shoulders. Rei could feel her skin prickling at the thought of Usagi's reaction. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea.

Rei continued working on her posters late into the night. Visions of headless chicken Usagis dancing in her head.

Scene 6

She had told her not to bother coming if she wasn't going to make any effort to stick with the team. It was a nuisance. Rei kicked at the ground as she walked back to the shrine. It seemed that Minako's skill at getting under her skin grew with every passing moment.

Between the popping in and out whenever she pleased to behaving in a curious manner that threw her identity as the princess in to question, Rei was beginning to find the girl absolutely intolerable. Now if she could only get rid of the nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she couldn't let Minako out of her sight, then everything would be okay.

Lost in her thoughts, Rei was rudely brought back to reality when her face met the cold concrete of the shrine steps. Thinking about Minako truly was detrimental to her health.

Scene 7

"About half a year left?" Minako hung her head and looked at Artemis forlornly. Even if Mars did awaken and reclaim her memories of the past life, six months was not enough time. And she couldn't truly reconcile the possibility of Mars remembering just to have to watch her die again.

"Minako."

"Hmm?" She turned away from the plush cat and walked to the window. "I promise I won't get too attached. I just want to help awaken her powers. For the mission."

Artemis pawed over to his ward. "You know, there is another option."

Minako sought out the red point of light once more, her heart barely registered the words Artemis had said, but her head provided the usual response.

"You know that's not really an option." The sky was partially cloudy. The red star was hidden from her tonight.