Okay I decided to get off my lazy butt and do the thank you part right! But before I go into thank you's, this chapter is dedicated to Warrior of Ice and Kaze, because I like flattery.

Monoxide child: Yes Ami is going to freak out slightly. The hot housemate decided he wanted to kiss her! Run for the Hills!

Celtic Storms: No not in this story. The rest of this one will be concentrating on Ami and Zach. But if you want Rei…look into the future.

Warrior of ice: Hope this meets your expectations.

Earth's silver shadow, Mira Moon, Gelasia, Blue eyes, wyannick54: Thanks bunch for reviewing. You guys are the best!

Sorry this chapter took so long to get out. My life has been one giant roller coaster. Plus it was my birthday Sunday! So I have had very few free moments to pound on the keys!

~Ravyn~

Disclaimer: I do not own Ami or Zach. I do own Mrs. Keys and Kei.


Chapter 5

Ami walked on the beach, watched the sun come up over the clouds, and tried to regain the sense of peace she had been happy to say was hers before the funeral, but images of her guest quickly threw that out of her mind. But images of her guest quickly threw those out of her mind.

Ami sighed and allowed the water to rush over her ankles. The morning was cool and the water colder, but the cold had always been a friend. Watching the sun turn the ocean to a blaze of colors, Ami sighed.

Reaching down, Ami pulled out a large seashell from where it had been half buried under the sand. It was in the shape that cartoons had always used to show a house of a crab. It was larger than her hand and perfect in shape. An idea started to form in her mind. It would make a perfect picture frame.

Placing it in her handbag, Ami turned and slipped her flip-flops back on. Moving back up to the house, she headed to the kitchen to find something to eat. Finding nothing but cereal and breakfast bars, Ami decided she wanted some donuts.

Grabbing her tennis shoes and wallet, Ami looked at the clock. It was 15 till 7. The place should have been running for close to half an hour by now. Ami walked silently down boardwalk.

The brisk morning air ruffled her short navy locks. It was one of the things Ami loved about the ocean. The morning breezes always carried the ocean, the salty tang that Ami had dreamed about after her visits.

Ami smiled and waved to those who knew her and called out a greeting. Even in the off season, things got started early around here. The sounds of joyful shouts and bargains had already started the day.

Ami walked with quick steps to her favorite donut shop. They made them early, and the doughnuts were still warm if you got in early enough. Grinning as she stepped in, the unmistakable smell of warm donuts assaulted her nose. Smiling widely Ami walked over to the register.

A few moments later, Mr. Doul came out with a fresh batch of glazed twists. If Mrs. Keys reminded Ami of Mrs. Claus, then Mr. Doul was Santa. He was as round as the donuts he made, and his face was burned a steady shade of red. He had warm eyes and a bright smile. (And the kids like to say he chuckled and rolled like the aforementioned character.)

"AMI! Welcome back to my humble place! What can I get your beautiful face this morning?" Mr. Doul demanded. He had never married but had a nephew that was interested in the business. And since he had no children, he adopted all the islanders as his children instead.
"Two dozen donut holes, half a dozen glazed, and three chocolate," Ami told him with a smile.

"Is that not quite a few donuts for a single young woman?" Mr. Doul questioned in a playful manner, winking at her with a large smile.

Ami laughed as she headed for the chocolate milk and bought three small pints of it. "You know the glazed are for Mrs. Keys, so please box them separate. She absolutely loves the glazed but never has time to come and get them. I thought I would surprise her this morning," Ami told him as she walked back over.

"You two spoil each other grandly," Mr. Doul replied with a large smile at her. Ami grinned back and winked at him. " It's because it's so much fun."

" I hear you have a handsome young man staying with you. Is he yours?" Mr. Doul questioned as he counted out donut holes. Ami laughed at that. Mr. Doul was also a large gossip.

"No, he is not mine," Ami said. "He is staying because he needed a break from something, and he got a pretty good referral. And you know me."

"Well that will make my nieces happy," Mr. Doul said as he picked out two of the gooier chocolate donuts. Ami felt something twinge inside her and blinked. "They have been eyeing him since day one."

Ami smiled, but she felt slightly uncomfortable. Shaking her head, she grimaced. "I'd best be getting back. I have things to do and things to sand." Laughing, Mr. Doul took her offered money, and Ami shoved the change into her pockets. Balancing the boxes, Ami headed home.

Ami knocked at Mrs. Key's door and waited for her to answer. Hearing the door click open, Ami met the disgruntled nephew she had heard so much about. With dark hair and eyes he was rather cute in a boyish way. He did not give off the air of…manliness that her houseguest did.

Ami felt her face turn red at her thoughts and shoved the milk and donuts into the startled young man's arms. "These are Mrs. Key's. Bye." Ami turned and practically ran down two more houses.

Walking into her kitchen, Ami froze as she watched Mr.…Zach, it was best not even to THINK his last name, slide across the kitchen floor in his socks. He was pouring some orange juice and had the newspaper in his hand. Taking in the muscle shirt and shorts, Ami gulped.

Zach took that moment to turn, when she stood there like a statue and was red from seeing him and her encounter with the nephew. He smiled a charming and slightly mocking smile and settled down at the table. Picking up the paper, he gave her the time needed to calm her nerves.


Ami walked over and placed the chocolate donuts and donut holes onto the table. Placing the two cartoons of chocolate milk onto the table as well, Ami sat down. Picking up the parts of the Newspaper he was not interested in, Ami tried her best to concentrate on the words instead of the faint smell of…whatever he wore.

Looking over the paper, he smiled at her. "I plan on going surfing today. So do not expect me back till later. Probably not till lunch," Zach told her as he stood up to go. Looking down at the donuts, he grabbed a chocolate and several holes. Smiling, he disappeared upstairs

~*~

Several hours later, Ami stood up from her shells with a creak. Rolling her shoulder blades, Ami heard a satisfying popping noise. Next came the elbows and neck. Minako and Rei had taught them all the easy ways to pop themselves back into place early on in their friendship.

Grabbing her flip flops, Ami smoothed down her pale blue tank top and white shorts and headed to the beach. Hopefully Zach was done with his surfing and was long gone. But even if he wasn't, she refused to allow him to ruin her day. But somehow the thought of seeing him shirtless again did not dampen the mood at all.

Walking down the steps, Ami groaned as she saw Mrs. Keys wave her over. Looking at her longtime friend's side, she wanted to pretend she had not seen her. She had that darn nephew with her again. Something about him just gave her the creeps.

"AMI!" Mrs. Keys said in her gushing voice. "This is my nephew, Greg. Greg, this is Ami."

"Nice to meet you," Greg said holding out his hand. Ami was about to take it when she looked over his shoulder and saw something that made her blood run cold. Watching as a surfer fall off his surfboard was one thing, but Ami knew this water like the back of her hand. The place he had fallen over had some pretty nasty hidden rocks.

Kicking off her flip-flops, Ami ran down the beach. The surfer's head had hit surface but then went back under. Ami cut the water like a well-honed knife. Quick strokes slashed through the current and strong legs kept the undercurrent from sucking her down.

Ami took in a deep breath and dove under. The salt caused her eyes to burn, but Ami located the body with an extra sixth sense. Grabbing the waist of the person, Ami fought the undertow and managed to pull them both up.


Ami almost let him go when she saw his face. It was Zach.
~*~

Ami ran a hand through her thick hair that fell in tousled waves down her face and sat down in the emergency room. A thick blanket was wrapped around her shoulders, and some semblance of warmth filtered through her numb limbs. Hospital rooms were not known for their heat.

" Ms. Mizuno?" a warm voice questioned.

Ami turned around and looked at the taller looking woman. Her nametag said Dr. Gallow, and her mannerism was very professional. Dr. Gallow walked over and smiled at her.

" That young man owes you his life. There is nothing really serious, just a slight cut over his temple and a mild concussion. It could have been much worse."

" Is there any medicine that he is going to need to take?" Ami questioned. Her own eyes were large and her face a bit drawn. The doctor was quick to assure her.

" No. He is going to need quiet and lots of sleep. Besides that, he should be okay. We are willing to release him tonight. Do you have a ride home, or do you need us to call a cab?"

" I drove over here after I pulled him out of the water and the ambulance got him,." Ami informed her.

" Wait here, there are a few forms we need you to fill out, and then you two are more than welcome to go," Gallow told her gently.

Ami nodded her thanks, and a few moments later she was sitting down in a hospital chair with a stiff back and writing out the forms she needed to release Zach. Luckily it was nothing personal that she had to do or else she was would have been lost. It was mostly 'what is your number and how can we reach you' type of thing.

Hearing footsteps, Ami looked up and let the blanket slide from her shoulders. Her clothing was still damp, but it was not the soaking wet it had been.

Her eyes scanned Zach's features in slight panic, and her shoulder relaxed when she saw he was only a little pale.

A few moments later, they were in her vehicle and on their way back to the beach side house they both had been calling home.

" What possessed you to surf over that area of water?" Ami said softly, her tone cool, her face ice. It was worse than if she had yelled at him.

Zach looked at her profile and wondered if he should mention that he had been trying to show off for her. But looking at the icy complexion, and the way she refused to look away from the road, and decided that it was better if not.

" Stupidity?" Zach offered, trying to force a smile, but the pounding of his head refused to allow him that.

" Well, do not do it again," Ami growled, inside wondering why she was so worked up but not really caring." I might not be in the mood to lose a good pair of flip flops and pull you out of the current again."

Zach just sat perfectly still the rest of the way home. It was partly due to his pounding head and partly to figure out exactly what he read in her voice.

AN: So sorry this took so long to get, I am trying to get around a ball schedule. *growl* I won't have time to write hardly anything next week, because I am having a huge tourney I have to work and play in. 25 teams, and that's only the softball. There are around 12 baseball teams!

I will hammer out what I can when I can though. Again I apologize for the fact that this took so long to get out. Please Read and Review. And enjoy!