**First Meetings**, chapter 11: Conclusion & epilogue

by Lily

lilian413@yahoo.com

AN: Okay, onto the last chapter we go. I hope you people enjoyed the journey... I surely did!. I would like to thanks (oh, that sounds so rehearsed, don't you think?), everyone who took the time and effort to review my story... and want you all to know I hold very close to my heart.

Praise by readers is the most wanted reward for a writer--- and I have been truly fuillfilled with this story. And it's all thanks to you.

Wait for more Ami&Zoi soon... I still have my sequel to revise!!.


****************



Princess Serenity stood impatiently looking at the window, while her
friends and the rest of the generals paced around the room.

"Guys, come on, stop already. You are gonna make a hole in the carpet!".

"I'm sorry Serenity, but I'm way too worried about Mercury. It's already morning and there has being no sign of her".

Uranus reply was angered and tight. She had been expecting to kick some demonic Prince's butt... and she had been locked up inside the Palace for the entire night, with that twerp Jaedite trying to look up her Senshi's skirt all night along.

"I still think we should go and look for her. We are from no use in here doing
nothing".

"There's no need to worry now".

They all turned around, and stared at the door. Sailor Pluto stood there, her
stance regal and relaxed, even after a whole night of worrying the hair out of
her scalp.

There had been some moments in which she was sure Mercury wasn't going to make it... heck, anyone would've broken a long time ago!. But the little princess
had kept on going, the strength Zoisite provided fueling her own forward.

It had been a good choice.

'I told you so'.

{Oh, bugger off, Mercury. Divine being and all, you can surely be a
pain in the butt}.

'Hey!. I'm the God of Mischief after all!'.

The deep, male laughter ringed in her head, as she stepped into the room.

{Smart ass}.

A faint smile danced in her lips, though, as she realized she had once again,
lost her bet. Boy, she owed an entire lifetime of slavery to Mercury... she thanked
the fact that she was way too known for her fiery temper for him to even *try* and
collect.

"What do you mean?".

"She is safe now".

"Where?".

The chorus of voices almost made her jump off her shoes.

{Nope. No freaking out for the Time Guardian, Setsuna. Don't wanna break
the cool image}.

"All you need to know is that she is Ok. You probably want to give them
some time alone... I would not interrupt them. But that's me".

She shrugged absently. That was a good warning as any. If they did not
get the hidden meaning... well, a pissed off Mercury was not something they wanted
to deal with.

"But---".

Venus was cut short. Setsuna had had it with the cryptics.

"Venus, listen carefully. One good advice: READ BETWEEN THE LINES".

The blonde blushed to the end of her hair, as she realiced what this meant.

"Oops. Sorry. Got the message now".

As Pluto was getting ready to leave (you could not stay long when you
wanted to stay mysterious and cool), Nephlite.

"Excuse me, Sailor Pluto, but do you know if our friend Zoisite is safe
too?".

Ooohhh. Cryptic-Answer-Time(tm).

"That depends on how tired she is".

"You mean they are together?".

Poor Rei did not like to be left in the dark. One of the primary reasons
of her ability to read the fire. But now, Setsuna knew it was time for the
Necessary Mistery Departure(tm).

"That I can't say. I must leave now. Time is flowing".

With one last flutter of her spectacular dress, she turned on her heels, and left.

Leaving behind a large group of *very* flabbergasted people.

"Anyone care to elaborate that?".

Jupiter's remark kinda vocalised their feelings.

Although they could also be summoned up in one word:

Huh?.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


They reappeared in Mercury's room, not even a second later.

The drapes were still closed, so the room was dark... only the sunlight filtering through the curtains adding some light.

The atmosphere was calm. Not a sound could be heard through the door.
The hallway was empty, all the guards probably searching for her... the funny
thing was, she was in the only place they would not look twice. And it was a
safe thing to say, they had already checked the room thoroughly.

They were alone. Both of them thanked the given time.

He whispered, not daring to disturb the peace that seemed to hang over them
like a safe cocoon.

"Ami, we are here".

The young girl stirred in his arms, awakening. She had fell asleep in his
embrace, lulled by the steady beating on his heart.

"Darling, are you awake?".

She sighed contentedly, and answered sleepily.

"No one has ever called me darling before...".

He grinned.

"You better get used to it then, because I'm here to stay".

More than seeing it, he felt her smile.

"I like that. I like that a lot".

He bent over, and captured her mouth in a tender kiss. She stretched in
his arms, moving up, catching up with him halfway up. They shared lips for
an instant, before she dropped back, too tired to retain the uncomfortable
position for log.

"I'm so tired... I just want to sleep---".

Always the obliging gentleman, Zoisite immediately reacted.

"Let me put you to bed".

She playfully slapped his arm in mock anger.

"Let me finish. I want to sleep... but I want to sleep in your arms".

Zoisite was suddenly thankful for the semi-darkness in the room, so
Ami couldn't see his blush.

"Ami, I have to go back---my friends must be waiting for me---".

The same instincts which had told her how to behave during their
kiss, were now telling her he was not turning her down because he wanted
to... he was doing it for her honor.

He was nervous. He was terrified she would consider him even
the tiniest bit similar to Ren.

Funny. It didn't hurt anymore when she thought about him.

She wriggled in his arms, making him release her. She landed softly,
her legs aching. The caduceus healed their wounds, but the effort they had
been through had not been erased.

Muscles still ached. Tissues were still weak.

They needed to rest.

And like hell they were going to get it.

"You are way too weak to go anywhere. Besides, they can wait until noon".

She unsteadily walked to the bed, and laid down.

Zoisite had to look away. Her Senshi fuku had not been replaced. It was
still torn and ripped... exposing much more flesh than he was ready to see...

"Come on, Zoi. Come here".

Was it just him or had her voice just taken a sultry tone?. And was that
lust in her eyes?.

The chesire cat's grin in her lips, was enough to confirm it.

He paled. And began sweating... what was he supposed to do?. If someone
caught them together, even laying there together, they would become the latest
gossip... her reputation would be ruined!. He would not put her through that!.

On the other hand, Ami had different plans.

Plans which were about to be devastated.

'My daughter, what do you think you're doing?'.

{Me?. I'm not doing anything!}.

'Really?. And then, would you care to explain why Zoisite here is
about to have a seizure?'.

{Ahem. I don't think I need to explain to *you* that when two people
love each other... }.

'My, my, my Senshi. Acquiring some attitude, I see?. It's not that
I do not want to you to fulfill your desires... it's just that... wouldn't
it be better to wait?'.

Ami gave it some thought. And she realized what she was doing. And
blushed to the end of her hair roots.

{I---I'm sorry. I understand. Adrenaline rush, I guess}.

'Don't worry. You're like a daughter to me, after all. Just--- don't
tire him out, okay?'.

As the God's voice lowered into a whisper, and then into nothingness,
Ami looked down, suddenly shy.

"Ami, I---I---".

And then she realized what she had to do.

"Don't worry, Zoi. I just want to lay down with you".

He began breathing again. Relief flooded through him, as temptation
slipped away.

He smiled at her, and answered.

"I can deal with that".

He crawled into the bed, and engulfed Mercury in his arms. His warmth soon flooded through her, warming her cool body. She felt so safe in there, that she rested
her head on his chest again, and sighed in contentment.

Zoi was feeling very comfortable also, his previous nervousness forgotten.
He kissed the top of her head.

Ami cuddled against him, and they both fell asleep, entwined in each other arms . . . .


* * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Sunlight streamed through the window, reaching Mercury's face.
Her features were calm and peaceful... a sleeping princess, with no worries
to trouble her.

Her breathing was slow and even, the clear sign of dreamless sleep.
It wasn't very long before the warmth began increasing, and her eyebrows
scrunched in annoyance.

She tried to squirm away from it, but the curtains were undrawn, leaving
the entire window to lighten her face. And she did not like that... she just wanted
to sleep.

God, she was tired!. All she wanted was to remain with her eyes closed,
in her bed, with Zoisite by her side....

Whoa!. Hold on there!. She squirmed back once more. She met not resistance.
Where Zoisite's warm body was supposed to be, there was only nothingness.

She opened her eyes, and turned around.

Empty.

The bed was empty... save for herself.

Yet, the sheets still smelt like him... cinnamon and leather.

She inhaled deeply. She could almost pretend he was still here.

Stretching, she realized she was not going to sleep any longer.
Sleep had oozed out of her, slowly, yet now, she was almost fully awake.

She looked around, a grin on her face.

She was a little disappointed he hadn't stayed until she woke up... but she
understood, that like herself, Zoisite had obligations.

Obligations which he had laid aside just for her.

She thanked him for that.

Heck, she *loved* him for that!.

As her eyes wandered over the room, they caught a white glimpse over her night table.

An envelope.

On top of it, a pink rose.

She jumped off the bed, scrambling to her feet in her hurry to read it...

Her hands trembling, she took it from the night table.

Opening it, she read, the graceful handwriting reminding her of love.


My beloved Ami:

Yesterday you made me the happiest man in the world. I could never thank
you enough for that. I'm not sure if what we did was proper, but it felt right to
me. And I do not feel sorry for it.

There once was a poet back on Earth, who wrote a phrase that comes to my
mind whenever I think of you: 'my love is all I have to give'. And the best thing is I know you don't want anything else.

You're the most charming person I've ever met. I don't know how I was ever
able to think straight when I was around you... even when you lay sleeping
by my side, I feel my head getting cloudy.

Is this love?.

Yes, I know it is. And I'm forever grateful for finding you.

There are many things I've regretted doing in my life... spending last
night with you will never be one of them.

I wish we could be together forever, and never ever part again, but I must leave
now. If I didn't, and anyone found us in here, can you imagine the scandal?.

I can see the headlines: 'Perverted General seduces and beds innocent Princess. Silver Millennium shook to its foundations'.

I know I'm being selfish, but I only want you for me. I don't want gossip spreading through the Palace, or people discussing our relationship,

Anyway, let them think whatever they want.

Love is never wrong.

I hear footsteps approaching, so I will go... for now.

Think of me at night, when you go to sleep, in the morning, when
you wake, and in the afternoon, when you look out the window, a
far away look in your eyes....

I'll be doing it to.

Who knows, maybe somehow we can meet each other in the middle...

Eternal love,

Zoi.


As she clasped the letter between her hands, and tried to stop her heart
from bursting in happiness, a huge smile graced her lips.

{I love you too, Zoi}.

She dipped her nose on the rose, inhaling deeply.

Then, dancing and singing like a child, she detransformed, and
disappeared into the bathroom...

She really needed a bath...


*****************



Very slowly, she walked through the halls of the Moon palace. It was dark
already, almost midnight.

She sweated.

She must not be caught.

She took a few steps, then stopped and listened.

Nothing. The halls were empty.

Good.

She resumed her walking.

As she stealthily moved through the corridors, a sly smile was planted on
her lips.

She was happy.

Very soon, she reached a door.

Looking both ways, her slender hand stretched, and grabbed the handle.

Her mission was secret, and she was sneaking into a place she shouldn't.

Getting caught met interrogation, torture and most probably, total humiliation.

She was not going through that again.

One time had been enough.

She had polished her skills since then, and had managed to go unnoticed for two
weeks now.

Excellent.

She had done it. She had pulled it off again.

No one had seen her, no one had heard her.

She had left no witnesses. No proof of her being there.

They would never get her.

Not ever again.

As she entered the room, she closed the door behind her.

She waited.

And waited some more.

Nothing.

A deep breath of relief left her lips. She had fooled them again.

Much calmer now, her hands closed in together, to clap once and make the light turn on.
She never got to.

WHAM!.

The sound of the lights being turned on went like thunder through the empty room.

Nope. Scratch that.

The sound of the lights being turned on went like thunder through the *not* empty room.

They were everywhere.

On her bed.

On the floor.

On the window.

On the door frame.

"Hello, Mercury. Missed us?".

Panic ran through her.

No. No. No. They were here.

She had been caught.

Red-handed.

She began backing away... the door had already closed behing her.

The treacherous thing.

Even furniture was turning against her.

"Er---uhm--- hi".

Maybe, if she played it cool, they would not notice.

"So, how was meditation today?".

Nope, no such luck.

Darn lights. If she could manage to clap twice, they would turn off...
she could ran in the darkness...

"It went---fine".

Again, caught. Their sleazy eyes were watching her every move. She would not be able to
even raise her hands, before they would stop her.

"It did?. And where did you go this time?. You're running out of places".

Oh... the wickedness n their voice... so mocking...
if she wasn't cornered, she would've attacked them a long time ago.

"To---to---to Titan. Yeah, that's it, to Titan, in Jupiter".

Please, please, oh please buy it. I swear, I'll be good, just buy it. No more
midnight reading sprees for me, I promise.

"You sure?. There were no reports of a Princess landing in Titan today.
Or any other day for that matter".

Ooops. The cat's out the bag. Here it comes.

"And we checked every other place you told us about, and there was no
proof of you *ever* being there. What do you have to say to that?".

That's it. I'm so screwed.

Hold on now. This ain't now Sailor Wars. Why in the heck am I keeping
up with this?. I'm a princess for Serenity's sake!!.

"Why do I have to answer your questions anyway?. And stop looking at me like that".

The predatory grins that widened their lips was the clear indication that
pushing them around was *not* a solution. But she had screwed up already. The dice
was cast, and it said trouble was coming her way.

Fast.

"Like what?. Like friends who have just caught a friend coming home
from a secret rendez-vouz everyone would *die* to hear about?".

"You wouldn't!".

Damn. Her big mouth had spoken before she could control it.
And vital information had just slipped through her lips.
But it seemed Serenity, Jupiter, Venus and Mars already had made their own
little theories about her whereabouts.

"Oh yes we would... so, where did you go?".

Come one girl, you can fool them. Just keep up the act.
You're much smarter than them... IQ, come and save me!.

"To Titan. I already told you".

"Reaaallyyy?".

The sweet tone in their chorused voices was sickening. It made her
stomach turn, and her lunch threatened to come out.

"Yes".

Oh, smooth!. Convince them with monosyllabics!!. Nice way to deceive people!.

"Okay then".

Excuse me?. Come again?. 'Okay'?. As in, 'I-swallowed-the-lie-all-the-way-down-
and-I-won't-bother-you-anymore' kinda okay?.

They jumped out of their sitting places.

Good. The Inquisition thing was getting on her nerves.

As one, they moved towards the door. Jupiter was the closest.

"Goodnight then, Mercury".

"G--goodnight, Jupiter".

Then came Mars, Venus and Serenity. Why wasn't she relieved?. She had done it.
Then why didn't they pull off the sly grins from their faces?.

The door opened to let them out. She held her breath. One, two, three, four steps...
three more and they would all be out. And she would be safe.

"Oh, Mercury. One last thing?".

"Su--sure".

Would her voice ever stop trembling?. She thought no.

"Could you stand here, next to me?. I wanna check something".

Serenity's voice was calm and soothing, as it always had been... or was
it?. Was the mischievous edge just a trick of her imagination?.

Probably.

She walked towards them, and stood by Serenity.

Four pair of eyes stared at her intently. There it was again. They
were looking at her as if she was some scientific experiment or something...
besides, her nervousness was blocking her thinking.

Otherwise, she would've seen it coming much sooner.

"Yep. We were right. Thank you. Bye!".

Hey, hey!. What was that?. They were *waaayyy* to cheerful for her
taste. I mean, she had just slipped between their fingers, and they were smiling like
a spider, feeling the little fly trying to wriggle its way out
of its web...

"What?".

"What what?".

"What is it?".

"What is it what?".

Even Mercury had her share of patience. And it had run out some time between
the interrogation and the sudden smiles in their faces.

"You know!. What's with the grins?".

Mars turned to her, and the grin turned even wider. Mercury
paled, somehow regretting having ever asked...

"Oh, *that*. Oh well... we have done a very complete research, and
just now, we have proven our conclusions to be right!. Doesn't that feel good girls?".

"Yep!".

The chorus-thingy was already beginning to grow a little bit too old...

"What conclusion?".

In the bottom of her heart, she kinda knew already, but she hoped against
hope that it wasn't what she was thinking.

"You went to Earth".

"WHAT??. How did you---I mean, that's not true".

Oh, boy...

"It isn't?. We have proof".

Quick as lightning, Venus grabbed her arm, and placed it right next to
Serenity's.

"There, see".

She paled. Damn!. How could she have forgotten?. It was so obvious!!.
Ooohh, Zoisite was going to get it!!. 'Wear sleeveless dresses, honey. You have
such beautiful arms'.

Now, thanks to that, she had just been busted.

Serenity's thin arm was as pale as the moonlight... and it stood out like
a beacon, when placed against her own arm, which was now sporting a *very*
healthy tanning.

Oh yes, Zoisite was going down!. 'Come and lay in the beach, sweetie.
You'll see, it's wonderful!'.

She at least had the grace to blush.

"Tanned by sunlight, honey. Now, spill".

Venus did not waste any time.

"There's nothing to be said. We were just talking".

Their laughter echoed around the halls through the opened door. Mercury
panicked, and slammed it shut.

"Sssh!. We don't want to wake anybody!".

Ooops. The grins were back.

"Don't we?. I mean, Tibbie the head chef would just *love* to have some new
gossip to spread around...".

Ami knew when she was defeated. She surrendered.

"Okay, okay. I'll spill. Just be quiet, okay?".

The muffled sound of their voices went through a long way into the night,
only interrupted by fits of giggling and 'aahhs' and 'oohhhs'...


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Zoisite was walking on cloud nine.

He kinda did that a lot, lately.

It was kinda tied to the presence of a certain princess... oohhh, there
he went again. The Moon was brighter, the cricket's singing was sweeter. The air
was lighter and his whole stance felt better.

Ohhh, Ami-chan... I can't wait to see you again...

He walked through the Garden's, not minding the least to keep on the
marked paths... his mind was somewhere else.

In the warm lips and tight body of his beloved Ami.

A crunching sound behind him went unnoticed.

The roses he was stepping on, went unnoticed.

All he could see where her eyes... 'I love you, Zoi'...

The not-so-quiet whispers behind him went unnoticed.

Oh, he could just melt inside those eyes!.

WHAM.

As a heavy weight landed on top of him, and sent him crashing down hard
onto the ground... well, it did not go unnoticed.

"Hey, let go!".

"Now, now, Zoisite, that's not the proper way to address your Prince".

"Bug off, Endimion. And let go of me!".

He trashed around, trying to get rid of the weight laying between his shoulders.

Nope, he wasn't getting out that easily!.

"Zoi, come on, don't be such a party-pooper".

"Me?. You are the ones pouncing on people!".

A snort ringed on his ears. As he looked up, from the dirt clinging
in his hair, he saw Kunzite, leaning casually against a tree. The smart-ass
grin in his face as something echoed by Nephlite, as he kneeled in front of him,
and absently picked some small branches from his bangs.

"Pft. Details, details. It's just perspective when you look at it".

"Neph, spare me the philosophical chatter, okay?".

Zoisite's left eye-brow began twitching. He was laying on the ground,
spitting dirt, with one heavy Prince and one heavy General sitting comfily
on his back and legs. And Nephlite wanted to theorize on the existence of God.

He had a very interest rustic expression to share with him... it kinda
replaced the 'I'm going to the bathroom' thing.

"Now, Zoi, we can stay here all night, we don't mind, or you can
kindly share some knowledge with us".

"What could I possibly know you needed to know so desperately
you couldn't wait until I got home?".

"Oh, just a little teeny-weeny thing... I'm sure you won't mind
sharing it with us, will you?. How's Princess Mercury?".

Oh. That. He was kinda hoping they wouldn't know... yeah, right. With
Jaedite listening through every door and peep-hole.

"Fine, I guess. Why do you ask me?. Ask Jiva, he's the Moon ambassador".

"Oh, we *did* ask him. But we were hoping to get some more *personal*
tidbits...".

No way!.

"And why should I know?".

Even from underneath them, he could *feel* their grins of impishness.

"Unless you just changed your perfume to 'Aqua', which since it's for
women I doubt, then we can surely say that you spend the entire day in
close contact with her".

"Me?. No way!".

"Oh well, we'll just and ask somebody else, then. Like Princess Mercury
herself... I wonder if she'll be more talkative".

"Oh no you won't!".

It was then that the weight lifted, and running footsteps where heard.

"Hey, wait!".

Their laughter echoed into the night, as Zoisite chased them into the darkness...

It was very late in the morning when he managed to get them... and what he did
to punish them is another story...

Just one hint.

It was *very* painful.




The end.


Hope you liked!.