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

"Food!"

The Inner Senshi, having managed to cram all five girls onto one couch, tried to leap up, but ended by falling back down in a tangle.

"Ah, a study in grace and elegance," Jadeite noted, watching with a grin.

"You could help," Rei growled from underneath Usagi's arm.

"And stop the entertainment so soon?"

"Hang on, ladies."

Nephrite set down his bags, then went to the couch. He caught Ami around the waist, lifting her easily into the air. She giggled as he turned and handed her to Zoisite, who accepted the burden with a grin. Next he caught up a laughing Minako and placed her on her feet beside him. Rei, passed into Jadeite's hands, grumbled and tried not to smile. Usagi squealed playfully in her turn. Makoto shouted as he swept her off the couch, into his arms. He held her just above the ground, and she swung her feet.

"Put me down!"

"Say please!"

"Nephrite!" Makoto laughed. "Seriously!"

"We need to put these groceries away," Zoisite reminded them, apparently unaware his hand still rested on Ami's waist. "The ice cream is melting."

"Ice cream!" Usagi cheered. "What kind?"

"If Nephrite had his way, I'll bet every kind," Makoto said teasingly.

"Wicked one!"

He tossed her effortlessly into the air. She shrieked, catching him around the neck as he caught her under her knees. Everyone else laughed as he dipped her over until she was almost upside down, her hair brushing the floor.

"Say you're sorry!"

"Never!" she cried.

"Say you're sorry," he commanded her again, "or I'll keep you like this!"

"Ha! You can't hold me like this forever!" Makoto shot back.

"Wanna bet?"

"I'm too big! You're arms are going to get tired!"

"Oh, please. You're light as a feather! You should try carrying Jadeite some time."

"Hey!" his friend shouted.

"Why was he carrying you?" Rei asked in an amused voice.

"Probably when some crazed woman tried to kill me. Again."

"Nephrite!" Makoto yelped. "The blood is rushing to my head!"

"Say you're sorry!"

"IIE!"

"Say it!"

"I'm getting a headache!"

"Oh, alright."

Nephrite flipped her back into an upright position, and let her feet down. Giggling, Makoto took a dizzy step back and almost tripped.

"Kyah!"

She grabbed onto Nephrite's shoulders, and he put a steadying arm around her.

"Easy there, love!"

Both froze, Makoto looking hard into those gleaming dark eyes. He seemed equally surprised by his own words, for he dropped his gaze, his face confused. He did not let her go, though.

"Alrighty, folks, show's over!" Jadeite announced, seizing up a bag. "Let's put this stuff away. For the love of Sol, Nephrite, you did buy every flavor!"

"Not every flavor," the other man grumbled, smiling. "Just half of them."

"Oh, that's much better," Rei noted, leaning over to look into another bag. "Ooh! Black forest, Mako-chan!"

"My favorite!" Makoto replied, her cheerfulness a little forced as she stepped away from Nephrite's arms.

"That's what started Nephrite on his ice cream binge," Zoisite called from the kitchen. "He insisted we get that one, and then he saw another, and another. I thought I was going to have to call for backup to get him out of the frozen foods."

"Black forest is your favorite, too?" Ami asked, coming back into the room for another bag.

"Er, no." Nephrite shrugged. "It was the only ice cream I could remember anyone ordering the other day."

"But only Mako-chan orders th- Ow!"

Usagi looked at Rei in hurt confusion. "You stomped on my foot!"

"No, I didn't," her friend hissed back. "Your foot was in the way!"

"It was not! You-"

"Usagi, shut up!"

"Don't yell at me!"

"Nice to come home to a little peace and quiet."

Mamoru and Kunzite closed the door behind them, both grinning. "So, what did we miss?" the silver haired man added.

"Oh, nothing much," Makoto said airily. "Nephrite just bought a ton of ice cream."

"You and ice cream, Jadeite and soda pop," Kunzite listed off, "and Zoisite and bubble gum."

"Bubble gum?" Ami cried out in surprise. "Really?"

"But it's fun!" Zoisite came back in, his face defiant. "You can blow bubbles, and it's sweet!"

"Just like Ami," Jadeite offered helpfully.

"Hai," Zoisite agreed. "Wait, no! I mean, you do blow bubbles, and you are sweet, but that's not… I didn't…"

"That's alright!" Ami said in the same embarrassed tone. "I understand… I don't, really, but you don't have to explain!"

"I didn't mean-"

"Are you satisfied?" Rei demanded.

Jadeite grinned as the pair bumbled along, becoming more confused and mortified with every word. "Actually, I am."

"You're terrible. Here." She dumped a heavy bag into his arms. "Take this into the kitchen."

"Of course, m'lady."

He gave her a mocking bow, and headed into the kitchen.

"What was that?" Kunzite demanded. "No yelling, no fighting, no kicking? We must have missed something, after all."

Minako smiled, raising up on her toes and putting a hand on his shoulder. He immediately bent down so she could put her lips close to his ear. "We don't have any proof, but…"

However she finished the sentence, Kunzite burst out laughing. The others gave them arch, knowing looks, and continued what they were doing.

"Konichiwa, minna."

Setsuna and Hotaru came in, looking around curiously.

"Oh, hi you two!" Usagi called, coming back in. "Hotaru, how are you?"

"Much better. Arigatou, princess."

"You don't usually call me that."

"Of course. Gomen, Usagi."

"Setsuna? Are you feeling alright?"

Mamoru put out a hand to steady the tall girl. She smiled at him warmly. "I just felt a little dizzy before. I'm alright, Mamo-chan."

"Nani?" Usagi spun around, blue eyes sparking dangerously. "What did you call him?"

"What did you call me?" Mamoru seconded, alarmed.

"Mamoru-san."

"Oh!" Usagi smiled again. "Sit down, and we'll get you some ice cream! We have plenty."

Setsuna stepped away from Mamoru, and touched Usagi's hair gently. "You are so very sweet."

"Ano…" Usagi gave her a concerned look. "Are you sure you're alright, Setsuna?"

"Hai," she said in a sad voice. "Everything is going to be alright."

"That's good to hear," Makoto said in a soothing voice, as though Setsuna were a little kichigai. "Have a seat."

As everyone turned their attention over to Setsuna's wellbeing, Hotaru moved close to Minako. "You and Kunzite looked like you were having fun."

"Oh!" She smiled and blushed. "Well, he was just asking about Jadeite and Rei. They haven't really fought all day, and we think, well, you know."

"That's wonderful! You two seem so happy together." Hotaru touched her hand, then frowned. "I'm sure he can't hurt you now."

"Why would he?" Minako asked in surprise.

"He has before. But just because the Abyss is even more powerful than Queen Metalia doesn't mean he'll betray you again." Hotaru smiled again, squeezed her hand, and walked away.

"Here, Setsuna!" Mamoru came out of the kitchen. "Chocolate mint. That's your favorite, isn't it?"

Setsuna reached for the bowl, her smile warm. "You remembered."

"Mamoru remembers everything important," Usagi boasted, looking up at him meltingly. "Isn't he wonderful?"

Setsuna nodded. "He is."