Disclaimer: I own nothing in this story but the idea and the title.

Hotaru watched her princess as she sat by the window and chewed her lip nervously. Every thirty seconds she checked her watch, then the clock on the wall to reassure herself. A long sigh seemed to seep away her strength, and she leaned weakly against the pane of glass.

"Don't worry, Usako. They'll find her," Mamoru promised, putting his arms around her waist from behind.

"But what if something happened to her?" She turned in his arms, looking worriedly up into his eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without Ami!"

"You won't have to figure it out, because she's safe. If she wasn't, you would know, wouldn't you?"

A little smile flitted across her face. "I guess."

Relaxing, she laid her head on his chest. He gently began stroking her hair, fingers combing gently through the long, silky locks. Her eyes were closed, and his loving gaze rested on her sweet face. He brushed a kiss across the top of her head.

Hotaru slid lower in her chair, hoping not to disturb them, or catch their attention. She knew she should discreetly find somewhere else to be, but her eyes peered guiltily over the arm of her chair at the lovers.

Usagi lifted her head, and Mamoru leaned forward. He kissed her softly on the lips, her eyes closing with a happy little sigh. Her arms rose to wrap around his neck, while one of his hands went to the small of her back, the other at the nape of her neck. Bending her gently back, Mamoru deepened the kiss.

That looks nice, Hotaru mused wistfully. I wonder what it would be like to be kissed that way, by someone who really loves me.

Of course, it would be a very hard think to love the Senshi of destruction. It had taken a long time for even Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama, and Setsuna-mama to accept her, and they were Senshi. How could a stranger ever understand that she did not want to be powerful enough to destroy the world? Only two people had ever loved her without question. Papa, and Chibiusa-chan, and both seemed so far away.

I wish Chibiusa-chan were here, she thought. I know mama, mama, and papa love me, but they're so much older than I am. If I just had someone to talk to…But even Chibiusa-chan wouldn't understand.

"Hotaru!"

Usagi's face burned, though a silly grin stayed on her lips. "I forgot you were there! Gomen!"

Forcing a smile, Hotaru shrugged. "That's alright."

"No, it isn't," Mamoru said firmly. "That was wrong of us."

"Mamo-chan!" Usagi snapped, turning on him with a little frown. "There's nothing wrong with kissing the girl you love!"

"But to do it in front of a young girl-"

"Mamo-chan!"

Hotaru couldn't help the little giggle that escaped her. The couple turned to her, and she shrugged guiltily. "It's weird, but you guys sound like you're in love even when you're fighting."

This seemed to soothe Usagi, as she smiled and came towards her. "That's because when you're really in love, not even an argument can make you forget it."

"Unless you miss her birthday," Mamoru muttered.

"I apologized for that!"

"Being in love must be nice," Hotaru said.

Usagi sat on the arm of her chair and dropped her hand on her shoulder. "It's the best thing in the world." She winked playfully down at her. "But friends are a close second."

Smiling, Hotaru leaned her head against Usagi's waist, enjoying her gentle warmth. "Friends are nice."

The door opened suddenly, and Setsuna, Haruka, and Michiru came in, looking windswept and concerned.

"Are they here?"

"Who?" Usagi asked.

"The others!" Haruka demanded, helping Michiru out of her jacket.

"Iie," Mamoru answered slowly. "Should they be?"

Setsuna ran a distracted hand through her hair. "They said they had found Ami, and were on their way back."

"They found her!" Usagi exclaimed happily. "Is she alright?"

The three women looked uncertainly at each other. "We think so," Michiru said at last.

"What do you mean, you think?" Mamoru asked in alarm.

"Well, we heard her giggling a lot over Rei's communicator. And, well, I really hope she was talking to a man," Setsuna explained.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Haruka demanded.

Mamoru interrupted. "Why? What was she saying?"

"Why don't you just tie me up?"

Six heads whipped around to face the door. Ami came through first, feet dangling off the floor and a naughty smile on her face. Next, a very harassed looking Zoisite entered, holding her away from him like she was a bomb about to explode. Behind him, trying unsuccessfully to hide their grins, Rei and Makoto almost tripped on their way through the door. Kunzite and Minako came in last, arm in arm and looking highly amused.

"What's going on?" Usagi asked, leaping up from beside Hotaru. The little Senshi of Silence rubbed her cheek, already missing her princess's warmth.

"Ami-chan isn't feeling well," Zoisite announced firmly. "My lord, may I borrow your bedchamber?"

"Uh, okay. Go ahead."

"Arigato, Mamoru!" Ami called with a big grin. "Zoisite-chan, I think I saw a canister of whipped cream in the refrigerator earlier. Why don't you?"

Zoisite disappeared into Mamoru's bedroom, and they heard a muffled thump. Seconds later, he darted back out, slamming the door behind him. Immediately, pounding began against the door.

"Zoisite-chan, don't be shy! It's perfectly natural! Come back!"

"When did they start calling each other Zoisite-chan and Ami-chan?" Usagi asked the other girls.

"In the arcade," Rei said, as though that answered everything.

"How do I lock this thing?" Zoisite asked, his voice panicked.

"You can't," Mamoru told him with a shrug. "What's going on?"

Makoto burst into giggles, while Rei grinned. "Well, Ami ran into Motoki, and thought perhaps she would like him to, er, touch her. But then Zoisite showed up, and she remembered that she likes Zoisite more than Motoki, so she's been trying to get him to touch her all the way here."

"This isn't funny, Mars! There has to be a way to keep her in there!"

"Zoisite-chan, don't you want to know what panties I'm wearing? They're very cute, white and lacy with a bow. They match my bra! I'm sure you remember what that looks like! Just imagine!"

"I will not!"

Haruka looked closely at his beat red face, then pointed accusingly. "You are imagining it! Hentai!"

"Now, imagine your teeth-"

"Make her stop!" Zoisite begged.

Shoulders shaking silently, Mamoru dropped onto the couch, a hysterical Usagi landing next to him. Their laughter proved infectious, as everyone but Zoisite burst into helpless gales. He glared at them helplessly.

"You can't hold this door closed all night!" Ami called in an almost threatening voice.

"Oh, yes I can!"

"Maybe we should help him," Kunzite murmured, leaning over Hotaru towards Mamoru.

"Why? This is funny!" Rei shot back.

Usagi wiped tears from her eyes, then fell into a renewed fit as Ami and Zoisite proceeded to have a tug-o-war contest with the doorknob. At last she put her hand on Hotaru's arm, still giggling.

"I think Zoisite is about to find out just how strong love really is!"

"Someone please help me!"