Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon in any way, shape, or form. The show and the characters are the property of Naoko Takeuchi.

Chapter 7

The day continued in mute silence between Andrew and Mina. Each did their best to keep busy. Andrew stayed in the kitchen completing all of the orders that had been left for him, while Mina occupied herself at the tables and counter. It was apparent to their most loyal customers that something was amiss in Crown's Diner. Andrew had not once left the kitchen to greet customers as he normally did, and Mina's strained smile made them nervous. They all knew her temper was no where near Raye's but with enough provocation it could certainly peak as high.

As Mina furiously wiped tables and stacked up dishes, her thoughts continually led to Andrew. She was hurt. He wouldn't tell her how he felt about her, nor would her tell her how he felt about Molly. What was a girl to do with that information? She exhaled loudly and proceeded to give the table a thorough wipe, wishing it was Andrew's face. Once she finished, she wheeled the cart of dirty dishes into the kitchen, doing her best to ignore Andrew and stacked the dishes into the dishwasher. She quickly finished and left through the kitchen door.

Though Andrew appeared to have his concentration completely focused on flipping hamburger patties, he had looked up once at her rigid back and felt his temper cool immediately. He knew she was angry. He had never seen her so angry with him before. They argued nearly everyday while working but never to the point where she refused to make eye contact with him.

As Mina served Mr. and Mrs. Stevens their traditional lunch of tomato soup and sandwiches, she felt their eyes studying her. She quickly finished and walked away to greet a new customer.

"Duncan, there's somethin' wrong with our Mina," murmured Mrs. Stevens as she dipped her spoon into the warm tomato soup.

He grunted in response.

"I haven't seen the boy out o' the kitchen either."

"Don't poke your nose where it doesn't belong, Maggie."

"Well, I'll not let the two argue themselves to death."

He put down his spoon and sighed loudly. He knew what she wanted and would continue speaking until she got just that. He couldn't blame the Irish in her. "You'll be the death o' me Maggie."

She patted his hand and proceeded to finish her soup as he stood up from his booth and made his way to the kitchen.

He pushed open the door and took in the sight of a miserable Andrew stirring a bowl of cake mix. He stopped immediately and set down the bowl once he noticed Mr. Stevens' presence.

Attempting to put on a cheerful face, he smiled brightly, "Mr. Stevens! How are you, sir?"

He looked up at Andrew. The boy was as tall as a building. Why hadn't he noticed that before?

"I'm well. Just been eating some lunch out there with the wife," he replied, absently scanning the kitchen. He hadn't stepped in here for quite some time. Andrew had made many changes since he last had control over the diner.

"You haven't been outside to say hello."

Embarrassed at the attention his absence brought, Andrew looked away. "I've been occupied in here."

Silence hung in the air as Mr. Stevens picked up a pot and pretended to examine it. He looked over at Andrew, who was clearly wrapped up in his own miserable thoughts to pay mind to Mr. Stevens. He hid a grin. The boy had certainly matured into a man. He would never tell a soul this, but it warmed his old heart to know that he had left his precious diner in the hands of a boy he loved like his own. He didn't give a damn what anyone thought. Andrew might as well have been the child he and Maggie never had.

He put down the pot with a clang, waking Andrew from his thoughts.

"Sir?"

"What's wrong with you boy? When you worked with me your mouth would never stay shut."

Sheepishly, he ran his fingers through his thick blonde hair. "I've just been thinking."

"What about?"

Andrew stared at the short round man before him. It astounded him that it had been nearly ten years since Mr. Stevens hired him, and the old man hadn't changed a bit. The black suspenders and the grey bucket hat were his everyday wear that he refused to be without. The man continued to give tongue lashings but those who knew better understood it came from a soft heart. From the moment Andrew stepped foot into the diner, he and Mr. Stevens spent long hours bantering everyday just until Andrew was able to get a rise out of the old man, at which point Mr. Stevens would thrust the mop at him and shout, "Aye. You think you won boy? Well just remember I've still a mind to find another worker who doesn't talk as much ya. Now get to work!"

"Boy! Get your mind out o' the clouds and answer my question!"

Mr. Stevens' sharp tongue quickly roused Andrew from his reminiscing.

Andrew shook his head and grinned. The old man could still scold him and make him feel like he was nine years old.

"Sir, there's nothing wrong with me. Go out and eat with my beautiful wife-to-be." At this Mr. Stevens growled. "She winked at me the other day and said if I baked her a sponge cake today, she'd meet me at the altar."

Mr. Stevens hid a smile. The boy always knew how to use his charm to get out of situations. He pasted on a scowl and did his best to sound angry, "Aye. You'll tell me sooner or later." He walked to the door. "I can taste the misery in your soup!"

As the old man pushed his way out of the kitchen, he nearly hit an unaware Mina with the door. He gruffly apologized and made his way back to Maggie who was halfway done with her sandwich. As he settled down she asked, "Well, what did you get out of the lad?"

He allowed the question to hang in the air for several seconds as he tested his soup to make sure it had not grown too cold since his departure.

She impatiently wiped her mouth with a napkin, "Well?"

His grey eyes peered into her golden brown eyes. The woman could still make him turn his head with her voice.

"He said he's got the sponge cake."

For several seconds she said nothing then let out a big whoop of laughter.

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As Mina wheeled in the cart of dishes, she looked up to find Andrew staring at her. She scowled and looked away.

He tapped his fingers against the counter. Her temper had not cooled as he had hoped. He shifted uncomfortably. It was rare to have anyone angry at him. Most of the single women he knew were like Molly. They understood the kind of relationship he wanted. No strings attached.

Mina was certainly not single but he wanted her to be. It was strange. For some reason the allure of women like Molly had dissolved. Perhaps, that was why he was so upset when Mina had questioned his relationship. Women like Molly weren't the kind of women he wanted Mina to know he slept with.

He sighed. It was time to take matters into his hands. He cleared his throat.

She continued unloading dishes from the dishwasher without stopping or indicating that she had heard him at all.

He cleared his throat louder.

She tightened her grip on a plate but continued.

He ran his fingers through his hair. "Mina. Come on, stop it."

She said nothing.

"I know you're angry but…"

Without saying a word she turned around, threw a spoon at him and left.

He rolled his eyes. She was more than just angry.

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"Lita, I can't believe how stupid I was."

"What are you talking about?"

"I thought he liked me but…he just wanted to find something new to have fun with."

Lita listened through the phone as Mina complained about how horrible Andrew was. She hadn't been too surprised when Mina broke the news that she and Andrew had begun to notice each other in a completely different light. In fact, if she remembered right, Greg, Ken, Chad, and Darien had made a pool about a year ago, wagering when they would begin seeing each other. Lita had dismissed it as nothing. After all, Mina loved Jeffrey…or so she had thought.

She twirled her shoulder-length brown hair. "Mina, maybe you should talk to him."

"Why? He's an ass who deserves to get slapped by every single girl he touched."

Lita laughed. Mina was clearly upset but had calmed down enough to crack jokes.

"Seriously Mina, you guys need to talk. How are you guys gonna be able to work together if you won't talk to each other?"

Mina pursed her lips. She liked her job and she wasn't going to let Andrew ruin it for her.

"And Mina?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you going to tell Jeffrey?"

Lita listened intently as Mina took in a deep breath.

"I'm not sure. He's coming over soon but I don't know what to say." She groaned and put her face in her hand. "Kill me now?"

"Nah. I like it when you suffer."

Mina laughed and heard the doorbell ring. "He's here. I gotta go. I'll call you tomorrow to whine, ok?"

"I'm already looking forward to it. Bye."

Mina dropped the phone and ran to the door. She opened it and found a smiling Jeffrey. He immediately engulfed her in his arms.

"Babe. I missed you."

She sighed and held him close breathing in his cologne.

"I missed you too."

He let her go and brought in his overnight bag.

She helped him take his jacket off. As she turned to hang it in the closet, she felt him restrain her arm.

His eyes penetrated her. "Do you want to talk now?"

"Not really."

"Good."

He grabbed her and she released his jacket. His mouth covered hers as he cupped her behind and pressed her against his rising need. She gasped as she felt how hard he was. His hands moved up and reached for her breasts.

He tore his mouth away from hers. "You're so fucking hot. You don't know how long I've waited to do this to you."

She moaned as he picked her up and took her to the bedroom. She felt him drop her on the bed. Immediately, she took off all of her clothes. She didn't want to think about Andrew. She didn't want to. But as Jeffrey pushed opened her legs and moved his hard member against her wetness, she couldn't help but envision Andrew taking her instead.