Okay this chapter is a little shorter than my other chapters. Only six pages. But I said what I needed to say. Warning though, a slight tear jerker at the end. Or at least I wrote it good enough to make you want to cry.

I hope that you don't think they are moving to fast. There is that past connection thing I have to take into consideration.

~Ravyn~

Disclaimer: I do not own. GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEAD! J

Ami scrubbed the porch with all the fury that it demanded. But the time she was done, the old coat of polish would be off. It would be a long process but she had what it took to do it!

Ami re-adjusted her sander and furiously scrubbed at one of the darker stains. The floor had cracked, had been stained, and was in quite a mess. It was almost like a volcano had erupted with bits of stain and bird crap. Not a pretty picture.

And so in order to keep her fine porch in its wonderful condition she sanded off the old stain and reapplied it once every ten years. Unfortunately this was the year to do it. She could remember exactly the year that her Aunt had decided to sand it. One spot on the floor had been over sanded, due to Minako and Usagi's brainless movements, and was it only ten years ago? Was she really 24?

Ami winced as she pulled herself up right. She had been sanding for hours now and it looked like she had just started. At this rate she was going to take all summer. No wonder her Aunt had recruited her and the girls. Young arms.

" AMI!" The loving warm voice that reminded her of warm chocolate cookie called out. Ami turned with a smile.

" Hi Mrs. Keys." Ami cheerfully waved. Her face pulled into a grimace as she did so. Hot bath that night.

" I knew you planned on starting sanding today so I brought you some lunch. It's only a sandwich but I put some of my Dolly brownies in there." Mrs. Keys said as she lugged a basket over the ground.

Ami allowed herself to raise a brow. By the look of that basket she had packed enough for Usagi. " Thank you but you really should not have." Ami softly told her.

" It's all right, I came over earlier but you were in town getting your supplies." Mrs. Keys lowered her voice and the glasses that were purchased on her nose. " I saw that new house guest of yours." She winked at the younger woman. " And what a FINE male that is as well. Was heading to the beach."

" Mrs. Keys." Ami said in exasperation.

" He make my nephew look like a rail." Mrs. Keys drowned on. Ami figured it was best to not tell her he was one.

" Anyway, the man has a stomach. And the arm muscles." Mrs. Keys continued with great fun, enjoying the apple blush that covered her young friend's face. " You really caught the ten pounder this time." Mrs. Keys finished, before smartly turning on her heel.

Ami almost choked at the whole ten-pounder comment. As if men were FISH!

Ami reached down and picked up the basket and with a grunt heaved it up. Did she pack bricks in here? Usagi could eat two meals off this weight alone.

" Must have made a whole batch of brownies though." Ami mummered, thinking about those wonderful gooey, chewy, chocolate, sinful brownies. Hello Dollies were the best.

Ami rummaged through the never-ending supply of sandwiches before she grabbed a sprite and perched herself on the tall stools that circled the counter top.

Ami took small bites as she ate with ease. It was one thing she prided herself on, eating like a normal person. Not like a half-starved animal that had never seen a descent meal. Unlike some people she knew.

Ami saw a shadow fall across the porch and froze at what she saw. Her chewing stopped, along with her breathing.

In front of her of her was Mr. Zachary Green in his bathing suit talking to one of the well-known surfers, and he to was carrying a board. His blond hair was ruffling in the wind and he had developed a slight tan the past two days.

Ami gulped as her eyes lowered onto his chest. The slightly bronzed skin was hiding extremely well developed muscles. Her moved his arms with animation and the muscles in his arms also moved with his motion. Ami slipped off the chair.

Ami sat horrified on the floor, her entire body burning with the blush, praying to whatever deity was listening that no one had heard the crash. Of course that was close to impossible considering she sounded like an elephant crashing into a series of boards that all fell at the same time.

Ami gulped as she watched the shadow move toward the kitchen. EXIT STAGE RIGHT! Ami slammed herself against the recently washed floor and slide behind the sink. She fervently prayed that he was not thirsty.

The sounds of voices came from the dinning area and Ami heard one set of footsteps moving away. Ami almost relaxed until she heard the sound of footsteps moving her way.

" Miss Mizuno? Are you all right? What are you doing under the sink?" Came the smooth tenor she had prayed not to hear. Begged. It appeared that someone wanted her to suffer.

" Mice." Ami said simple as she pulled herself up dusting away invisible flecks of dust. She looked up with a red face and embarrassed smile and tried to sound convincing. " I thought I heard a mouse." Ami lied again.

She knew she sounded weak but it was the best she could come up. Of course she had stolen the line from Usagi once, when she was hiding from the gawky next door neighbor who called her Ondago Atama, but she had added tears to her display. Something Ami was never any good at.

Zach stared at her like she was crazy. She knew exactly what he saw. She was in a dreadful pair of shorts and an odd looking shirt that had the words Butterfly scrawled across the front. The shirt itself was neon green. It was her work because she looked stupid anyway clothes.

What she did not know was that the blush caused her blue eyes to look even bluer. Or her bangs that fell just over the set of aforementioned eyes moving slightly in the warm mid-afternoon breeze. The way she was adorable ringing her hands. Or the crumbs of bread on the corner of her mouth.

Zach looked at her startled features and took pity. " Try a mouse trap. They work wonders." With that he leaned over and snitched a brownie and left the room.

Ami watched him go and felt her eyes narrow. There were certain things you did not do in her house. And one of them was eat her brownies. Pay back. Now what chemical formula was it that causes you to have green fingernails?

Ami smiled sweetly as she walked out of the kitchen, food forgotten, and embarrassing moment past. Until the phone rang.

~*~

Zach stepped out of the shower in time to here the front door slam. Raising a brow he shrugged to himself. He had the house to himself for a while it seemed.

After he dried his hair (a task that took more time than Ami's) he tied back the curly strand with his normal band. He reached into his closet and pulled out his black shorts and a normal green tee shirt. Looking at the clock he frowned.

It was close to six thirty and, he sniffed the air, and nothing was cooking. Shrugging he pulled on his flip-flops and headed down the stairs.

Zach started to rummage through the cabinet until he found what he wanted. Pulling out what he needed he began the long process of cooking.

~*~

Zach placed the last lid of leftovers into the refrigerator. He looked at his watch and repressed a sigh. It was close to nine thirty and no Ami. He froze when he heard the sound of the car pulling up.

It caused the pressure that had been building up in his chest to release slightly. It surprised him, the fact that he had been worried. The last time he had been worried had been when Kris had fallen out of a tree in third grade and broken an arm.

Zach walked into the room in time to see Ami holding a sleeping toddler and wearing a look of complete exhaustion. The child had its arms locked loosely around her neck and appeared to be asleep.

" Ami," Zach questioned keeping his voice low," who's little fellow?"

Ami looked up at him in surprise and he read the exhaustion. He was surprised to see the red rimmed eyes that showed the heartbreak she was feeling.

" This is Kei. He is one of my best friend's son. Her name is Rei." Ami swallowed hard and he saw a tear fall down her cheek. " Her grandfather died today. Heart attack. I am taking care of him until the funeral." Ami said her voice going horse.

Zach walked over and took the sleeping toddler from her. " You have a place he can sleep?"

Ami nodded and headed up to her room. She opened up a closet and pulled out a playpen looking thing. " He can stay here when he is not sleeping with me. This is not the first time I have taken him from Rei for a weekend." Ami replied her voice tear filled.

Zach walked into her room and layed the small body onto the bed. He glanced around the room, but it was as modest the little lady who slept in it.

" I only have to keep him till day after tomorrow. Usagi will pick Kei and I up then so we can go to the funeral. Minako is flying in from England on a red eye flight and Makoto is with Rei." Zach just nodded and decided to ask her who all these people were later.

" There are leftover in the fridge if you are hungry." Zach told her softly afraid she would break, her shoulders were ridged and she looked like she could find a way to curl up somewhere and make herself sick.

Ami nodded mutually. " I think I am going to take a shower and just go to sleep." Ami said her voice a hallow echo.

She went to brush by him but Zach gentle grabbed her arm. " Are you going to be okay?" Ami looked up and the simple kindness in his eyes broke the damn.

Zach sank to the floor with the sobbing woman in his arms. He caught bits in pieces of words she mumbled. She brokenly talked about her childhood and something about a temple. About the move. Smiles. Hugs. Cookies. Practical jokes played on all them. Unconditional love.

Zach just allowed her to cry in his arms. He rocked slowly back and forth and mummered rubbing her back. And as he held her in his arms in a gentle circle he realized something. He knew in that instant that this woman was special and he had no right to let her go. He felt the pull on his heart stings.

Zach realized he was in danger of falling in love. And he had never been more terrified.

Kei simple rolled over and sucked on his fist.