A/N: enjoy this next chapter. i've almost finished the whole story which is exciting. so i will update quickly. review and let me know what you think!

EDIT: Formatted 01/22/13

Part B: Resolution

Haruka appeared not long afterwards. She took in the stony silence that stretched between the past lovers and smirked inwardly. Odango's plan seemed to be working. She 'fixed' the car and drove Rei to Crown Parlour.

Rei quietly thanked Haruka and purposely avoided any eye contact with Jadeite.

She didn't pry into the details of the confrontation between Jadeite and Rei and was happy to blast the radio loudly as they headed off to meet her manager, Mark.

Mark quickly read over the contract and looked over at Rei and an apologetic Jadeite.

"I'm terribly sorry about the error, I wasn't aware that the figures weren't correct. I understand that you need to present it to the sponsors today but if you let me talk to them I'm sure we can work something out." Jadeite said politely.

Mark looked at him bemused.

"Mr East there is no error here."

"What?!" Jadeite grabbed the documents sitting on Mark's desk and read over them quickly, comparing the numbers on each one. Realising that the older man was correct he looked over at Haruka confused.

"Oh woops. Sorry I must've been mistaken" she said flippantly, fiddling with an antique sword displayed on the wall. Jadeite groaned.

"Thanks a lot Haruka" he muttered under his breath.

/\/\/\

The meeting proved to be fruitless. No one had so far been 'taught' any lessons.

Rei was sitting on a park bench contemplating the day's events. A clap of thunder suggested a possible storm was approaching but she was too wrapped up in her thoughts to notice. Jadeite's words echoed around her head causing the guilt to grow from a tide to a wave. Burying her face in her hands she searched around for another topic.

Usagi.

Did she really think that Rei didn't know how to love? Her first instinct was to vehemently deny this but Rei trusted Usagi and knew that the girl had some good instincts. A droplet of rain fell on her face. Rei looked up at the ominous grey clouds and found that it had begun raining. She was considering moving when she felt a small warm hand on her shoulder.

"Rei?" Usagi's face appeared in her line of vision.

She was wearing that ridiculous yellow raincoat that made her look 15 instead of 20.

"Hey" she said in a small voice.

Damn her voice betrayed her inner turmoil.

Usagi gave her a kindly smile and sat down on the wet bench next her. She unbuttoned her coat and threw the other half over Rei's shoulders. They sat together huddled in the ridiculous raincoat in silence for a few minutes.

"Is everything okay?" Usagi asked, her eyes full of concern for her friend.

Rei was about to assure that she was fine but something about the way Usagi was looking at her and the small gesture of sharing her raincoat made Rei stop. Without realising she was suddenly divulging all the thoughts that burdened her mind.

She described the encounter with Jadeite, her conclusion that he hadn't loved her all that much and her fear that she really was unable to love. Serena listened carefully and let the raven-haired girl to speak until she had no words left.

"Rei" she began in a soothing voice, "I had to stab Endymion to snap him out of it and I had the power of the silver crystal on my side. He was cleansed and brought back through that power. Everything was different for you back then."

She patted Rei's back comfortingly underneath the raincoat. Their heads were now soaked from the steady downpour but neither made any attempt to move.

"I forgot" Rei whispered mortified. How could she forget that horrible scene?

Usagi chuckled, "don't feel bad! I try my hardest to forget most days as well. By the way you can love, you have the ability but you're just afraid."

She gently forced Rei to look her directly in the eyes,

"but if you never conquer your fear then your heart will remain locked away and every day it will become harder to unlock it. You can conquer it though! I know you can. You're one of the strongest women I know, so don't let fear hold you back okay?" Serena smiled sweetly.

It was the type of smile that made Rei's heart fill with pride and joy to see her princess so mature and lovely. It was the type of smile that despite the cold that was beginning to seep into her bones, she felt warm and fiery on the inside. Serena shrugged the raincoat off her shoulder and wrapped it securely around Rei.

"I'm going to run into the arcade and wait for the rain to subside. You know how much I hate thunder and lightning. You take my raincoat and take all the time you need, I know you'll work things out Rei."

Rei nodded and thanked her and watched as one of her four best friends sprinting out of the rain, her golden hair flying behind her. Standing up slowly, Rei knew what she had to do. Usagi was right. It was time to confess the truth and face up to her fears.

/\/\/\

Rei knocked on the door of Jadeite's apartment, nervously shifting from one foot to another.

She hadn't put the hood of the raincoat on, so her hair was drenched and water droplets ran down her face and neck.

She heard shuffling behind the door and it opened to reveal a rather surprised looking Jadeite. His sandy blonde hair was tousled and his business shirt was unbuttoned.

Rei tried not to let a blush grace her features at the sight of his rather toned chest.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Jadeite asked coolly once he had gotten control of his emotions.

"We need to talk." Rei said softly staring at her feet.

Jadeite's eyes widened. For once there was no animosity. Reaching out a tentative hand, he forced her chin upwards and studied her eyes carefully. There was nothing there but fear, pain, sadness and longing. Wordlessly, he stepped aside and allowed her into his apartment.

Rei cautiously entered the well-furnished apartment and stood awkwardly in the sitting room whilst Jadeite disappeared down on the hallways. He returned with a towel.

"You look wet." He explained gruffly.

A small chuckle escaped Rei's lips.

"Really?" she asked archly. Jadeite smiled slightly and gestured towards the couch.

They sat facing each other, Rei towelling her hair and Jadeite unwrapping a small piece of candy.

"So what's up?" he asked her.

"It's time we spoke properly and truthfully about our past, the present and our future."

/\/\/\

"Popcorn?" Makoto offered the bowl around and five eager hands dived into the bowl.

Mamoru abstained, preferring to sip his coffee and finish his conversation with Nephrite regarding Japanese politics.

"You guys are so boring" Usagi teased them.

She was joined by Jadeite, who likewise found politics to be an unbearable subject. Zoicite and Kunzite were playing a game of chess not far away with Ami watching intently and occasionally offering advice to both players.

Minako, Rei and Makoto were busy watching a terrible romantic comedy on Mamoru's television whilst Usagi and Jadeite played a game of Snap.

The tension between the senshi and the shitennou had cooled significantly when word got out that Rei and Jadeite were going to try and become friends and maybe something more. Though they both remained fairly tight-lipped on the subject, no one missed the lingering glances and the fleeting touches they now exchanged. Even Makoto was kinder to the Generals. After all, if hot-headed Rei could forgive them maybe they weren't so bad after all.

After obliterating Jadeite in their game, Usagi stood up and asked if anyone wanted a drink. Without waiting for their response, she rattled off their usual orders.

"Alright, I bet that Nephrite and Jadeite want root beer, Ami is going to go for water, milk for Luna and Artemis, a fresh pot of coffee for Mamoru the coffee addict"

Mamoru grinned at this description of himself,

"soda for Mina, Makoto and Rei, Kunzite is going to refuse any drink but later go into the kitchen and grab some orange juice so I'll just get that for you now and finally a milkshake for me."

Everyone stared at Usagi in stunned silence. They were impressed that she had managed to guess what everyone was planning on asking for and furthermore by the fact that she had said all this in one breath. Smiling brightly she twirled around and marched into the kitchen. Rei stood up quietly and followed her.

"Hey" she greeted Usagi, sitting on the edge of the counter.

"Come to help?" Usagi asked.

Rei laughed,

"yeah right! I like seeing you do something for once, you lazybones!" she teased playfully but adopted a serious expression moments later.

"Actually I just wanted to thank you for your advice. You were right, I needed to learn how to love again and I'm getting there. Jadeite and I are working through all our issues and you know what? I feel good about this."

Usagi scooped out some ice-cream to make her milkshake and giggled, "I'm glad to know that I helped! You guys are really cute together by the way." She giggled again.

Rei smiled fondly and picked up a tray filled with various drinks.

"By the way I know that you set up the whole meeting between me and Jadeite. I remember you saying that Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna and Hotaru were in on this. I bet you purposely came by to check on me as well."

Usagi assumed a dignified expression but her eyes twinkled, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Rei let out a low melodious laugh.

She couldn't stay mad at Usagi, after all how could she be mad when she was so utterly happy.

in next week's episode...

"My dad caught me and Mamoru in a comprising position" she confided. Makoto' jaw dropped. "Noooo" she breathed...

Please leave me some love! 3