Jealousy is nothing more than a fear of abandonment.

Anonymous

There was a girlish squeal of delight from the other side of his penthouse, and Mamoru scowled in displeasure at his computer monitor. "At least the last two nights I got food." That sentence lead him to reminisce the last two nights events.

Thursday while he had finished cleaning up Usagi, Minako and Makoto had returned and Usagi became antsy to leave. Seeing Mamoru's work to be more than adequate, Ami had gone to mediate between the blond and brunette insisting it was only a matter of time. Soon Usagi became anxious, she insisted, to help her friends with her thank you dinner for him, "After all, how can it be a thank you dinner from me if I don't at least get to help make it?" After ten more minutes he released the whirl wind to help her friends destroy his kitchen. As he cleaned the mess in the bathroom, he could hear the giggling teenage girls and became worried. Another five minutes and he feared for the survival of his home and went to investigate the crashing sounds in the kitchen. His way was blocked by a blond with a bow that was as persistent about her post as the royal guards of England. After another five minutes, he was forced to walk away with a sigh and return to his cleaning of the bathroom.

After twenty minutes, he heard the sing song voice of Usagi begging him to come to the kitchen and he was only to eager to comply.

There were five plates set around the island, causing Mamoru to frown as he realized one of them would have to stand. He looked around the room for the source of the earlier commotion. All evidence had been tucked into his dishwasher, while steaming bowls of food sat waiting on the counter. Makoto had urged him and her friends to sit at the stools, while she dished helpings on to their plates.

The group enjoyed lively conversation while they dined on a meal of chicken low mein, rice balls, and squid on a stick accented by freshly brewed green tea. Mamoru found himself silent as he watched the exchange between the four girls, awed by a kind of social interaction he had never participated in, let alone had in his own home. After a few minutes he finished his food, and felt he should leave when Usagi's twinkling gaze caught his and she dragged him into the conversation.

Twenty minutes later found Mamoru laughing along with the girl's before ducking out of the kitchen with Ami and Usagi as Minako and Makoto started a food fight.

Ten minutes later a rice covered Makoto and a noodle covered Minako came to join them, but finding the trio's activity to be school related, choose to follow Usagi's suggestion and clean Mamoru's kitchen.

As Mamoru did his best to ignore the shattering, clanging, and squeals from the kitchen, Usagi simply patted his arm before distracting him by insisting for his help with her history lessons.

Relaxed by her company, the evening passed with noise, laughter, and company like none other.

It was Friday evening that was less enjoyable. The day had started out positive but had turned sour when Motoki had pulled Mamoru aside before his ten o clock class for the worst conversation he could remember having with his friend.

"So, you and Serenity..."

"Friends."

"Oh." The blond man smiled, "So what would you think about me maybe asking her... would she even be interested?"

Mamoru frowned. He wanted to scream, yell, throw a tantrum. He wanted to tell his friend that he wasn't worthy of her company, let alone being graced with her smile or even a passing glance. However when he opened his mouth he found himself saying, "Ya know, I think that'd make her really happy." And much to his displeasure Mamoru knew it was true.

Some how that one little truth had led to Motoki being invited over for dinner with Mamoru, Serenity, and the girls. And that invitation had led to Motoki pulling Serenity to the side and asking for her company on Saturday evening.

And that had lead to the girlish squeals that peeled through the penthouse, as well as the now permanent frown on Mamoru's face. And if he'd been asked about it- but of course no one was really going near the now grouchy man- he'd insist it was because Motoki didn't know whom he was taking out, or even what kind of girl she really was.

After forty minutes of straight squeals, a be-ribboned blond bounced into his office, "You have to come see her!"

He grumbled something incomprehensible under his breath while rolling his eyes and rising from his chair.

He allowed Minako to drag him to the living room where he laid eyes on the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. At the moment her back was turned from him to give him the sight of a pale blue knee length dress topped by a cream colored sweater. Her hair, much to his displeasure, was out of its traditional odangos to be replaced by an elaborate system of braids and curls that still left her hair hanging almost to the floor.

When she turned, she took his breath away. The light breeze created by her action lifted her hair just enough so it seemed to float around her as she moved. He could now see that the blue garment was a sun dress, and like most of the wardrobe he'd gotten for her it showed just enough to hint at the wonders of her voluptuous frame. At the sight of her shinning eyes and glowing smile he felt himself exhale, and then suddenly remember to breathe.

"So what do ya think, Mamoru-chan?"

He shrugged feigning indifference. Usagi's head bowed to her chest, almost shyly. Did her glow dim at his action? Nah. He felt an elbow poke him in the ribs, and turned to see Makoto giving him a pointed look, "I mean, I think Motoki will really like it."

As if Mamoru's words had summoned him, there was a knock at the front door. Minako and Makoto made a mad rush for the front door at the same time, squealing, excited, and eager to get the door for their friend's big date.

He thought he saw her nod once as she lifted her gaze just enough to see him through her bangs and he heard her delicate voice, "Alright, but what do you think?"

Mamoru couldn't help but smile. She might be going on a date with his best friend, but she didn't seemed to care for the blond man's opinion, just his own. 'Cause if you're nice she knows she must look good.

So what? I tell her she looks like crap?

Yeah, that's the way to a girl's heart.

I don't want to win Usagi's heart.

Right, you're ready to begin WWIII with Motoki because he looked at you funny when he asked about the date.

I- I am not having this argument with myself.' As if to bring the internal argument to a close, he mentally kicked his inner voice before answering the -was she? Yes she was!- blushing girl. "You look very pretty. But I must say, I prefer your Odangos."

She brought her gaze all the way up to look him in the eye and opened her mouth to say something, "Serenity-san, you're date for the evening has arrived."

Usagi closed her mouth, and turned her gaze from Mamoru to Motoki, and back again, before making the final turn to look at Motoki, "Motoki-chan! You look nice this evening." Mamoru rolled his eyes, he had a much nicer shirt than the pale green one his friend had chosen.

" You're looking stunning yourself, Serenity-chan." Mamoru rolled his eyes again, 'Stunning? That's the best he can do? Come on, Motoki! Ravishing, enchanting, charming!

All you could come up with was pretty.

Be quiet. ... Did I mentally just tell myself to be quiet?

Yes. Yes, you did.

Didn't I just tell you to shut it? ... Its official. Usagi has driven me over the edge.

It was a short trip.'

He mentally kicked the inner voice again. He forced himself to smile a smile that wouldn't reach his eyes as Minako and Makoto made insinuations at the blushing duo-they were not a couple- and Ami- had she been here the whole time?- quietly told them to have an enjoyable evening. Mamoru refused to meet Motoki's gaze, but was quick to give Usagi one last hug before she disappeared behind the elevator.

"So what now?" Mamoru glared at Minako. "Movie?" He shook his head no. "Supper?" He shook his head no. "TV?" He shook his head no.

"I think its our cue to leave." Makoto said, leaning to the blond she stage whispered, "Someone's been kinda cranky since he found out his best friend was going on a date."

Minako deflated a moment as she led the way to Usagi's bathroom to gather her 'Hot Date' supplies, "Damn. Wait- What about your place?"

"Mom mad at you again?"

Minako nodded, and the long drawn out explanation was lost to Mamoru's ears as the rummaged around the bathroom.

He turned to go back to his office and the anatomy paper he had been pretending to write.

" You should talk to Rei." He jumped, he'd forgotten Ami was there, she was so quiet, she seemed to blend in with the scene.

Turning to face her he sighed, "What?"

"You should talk with Rei. Work things out. I can see that things were different on your side. I may not understand the emotional workings of the heart like Minako, but I see other things. I can see whom you like. I think we've all seen it and known for a while, but if you want a chance with her you need to work it out with Rei first. You should know by now she always puts her friends first."

He shook his head, feigning ignorance, "I'm not sure what you're talking about."

Ami nodded and smiled -almost- confidently. "Alright, but when you do. Talk with Rei."