Part 2

A week passed with no further luck for Ami apart from information on a few small attacks, all seeming random. She was disheartened, to say the least. Typically, she would get sick at night in her apartment, however one of the days the previous week she had gotten horribly sick in the morning and forced to miss half of her work day.

As for her neighbour, he remained silent around her, and Ami was positive he thought she was an airhead from how he regarded her, always with that cold and calculating gaze. She had become better acquainted with Duo, who was at her desk every morning flirting or telling her how he was about to bother Heero and Wufei. Wufei had also not said much to her, and Trowa, the other quiet one, simply offered her a nod in greeting when he felt like it. Quatre, the really friendly one from the first day, also came and chatted with her and the other girls from time to time, earning sighs all around from the other secretaries when he and Duo left.

That particular Wednesday, Duo and Quatre were at her desk during lunch chatting with her. As Ami had not had much success in locating any information on her friends' whereabouts, she hadn't been planning to even take a lunch break and just eat a snack while working.

As luck would have it, Duo was bored that day. He had thoughtfully brought her a sandwich, and he was sitting on her desk chattering about how nice the weather was that day. The other secretaries had gone out for lunch, Ami having rejected the offer in an attempt to do more research in peace, and Ami was sure they would have swooned to have Duo sitting on their desks and talking earnestly for once. Quatre was simply leaned on the desk, smiling at Duo's enthusiasm for the sunny day as he munched on his sandwich.

"Let's do something fun today Ami! Quatre come on! Let's go to the park or something."

"The park?" Ami questioned, thinking that perhaps at age twenty four Duo had outgrown needing to go outside and frolic at every sunny day. Apparently not, although she guessed that Duo hadn't had a normal childhood due to the war.

"Yes, the park!" Duo continued, oblivious to Ami's confusion. "We can walk around, enjoy the day, perhaps even play a game of American football!"

"That does sound fun actually, I haven't just relaxed with my friends in a while," Quatre commented, beginning to smile brightly.

"Well then, you two and the other three go and have a good time."

Duo glanced at Ami, frowning. "What about you?"

"I'm not about to intrude on your time together, I hardly know most of your group and I've never actually played American football. I would destroy your fun."

"Ami, that's practically the point of the outing! We're friends, aren't we?" Duo asked, pouting slightly. Ami nodded at him, not wanting to hurt his feelings, however Quatre didn't seem to catch on that Ami was hesitant to come.

"Excellent. I'll go tell the others. We all finish around five, right? We could meet at Remington Park around 6?"

Duo nodded energetically at Quatre's statement as Quatre rushed off to tell the others. Ami sagged in her chair. She couldn't possibly be off having fun when her friends were in danger, but then again she was lonely and she couldn't do anything to find her friends when she wasn't in the office, as pathetic as that was.

To add to her discomfort, she was positive that Heero didn't like her, never saying a word to her, and Wufei clearly didn't think much of her. Trowa was quiet, so she couldn't be sure of anything about him. It was at times like this that she needed her friends. Where Ami would hesitate to jump into a crowd of new people and get to know them, her friends would take her hand and drag her there. Somehow, having them with her always helped Ami relax and not feel uncomfortable.

She wondered if they were badly hurt, or if they were hungry or being tortured in any way. Why would the Dark Alliance have kidnapped them at random? What was worse was the fact that they were in Makoto and Minako's apartment, goofing off and untransformed. How had the Dark Alliance even known who they were, or jumped across dimensions to come for them? Was the Dark Alliance originally from their dimension and had just fused with a rebel group in this one? It was all so confusing.....

"Ami," a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up at Duo, who had leaned over the desk slightly to glance down at her. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"Wrong?" She blinked shaking her head. "Nothing Duo, what could possibly be wrong?"

"You tell me," he said softly. "One minute we were joking around, and the next second you looked miserable. Are you okay? Did something happen?"

She cleared her throat before meeting his gaze, keeping her voice even and hoping her eyes didn't betray her. "Don't worry Duo, I was just thinking. Nothing's wrong, anyways how could it be when I am sitting here with a good friend having lunch?"

Her joke was a good attempt to deter him from the conversation, but Duo was positive she had added it for his benefit alone. Her smile was empty and her eyes gave her away.

"Well," Duo said thoughtfully. "I guess you're right. So, do you need a ride to the park?"

She shook her head. "I could take a cab if you'd tell me where it is."

"Don't be silly. I'll pick you up, and I guess I'll offer Heero a ride too since he does live in your apartment."

Ami nodded, the thought of riding in the car with Duo and Heero slightly sickening. Duo would be chattering non-stop and Heero would simply gaze at her coldly. It sent shivers down her spine and she couldn't keep trying to ignore it.

At the end of her shift, Ami headed home in a cab, arriving at her apartment at five-thirty and looking for something to wear to the park. It was about eighty-five degrees out and she hadn't taken a proper look through the casual clothes Setsuna ha delft her, although the dressy clothes for work were beautiful. Opening up her closet, she saw a shelf littered with casual clothing. Setsuna hadn't thought Ami would be here long, why so much clothing? Although, if she was being honest with herself: the clothes were adorable. She selected a pair of denim shorts, which weren't too short and hit her mid thigh, and a cream coloured t-shirt layered with a royal blue navy camisole that had a bit of lace on top. Slipping on a pair of flats, she was about to head downstairs and wait for Duo before someone knocked on her door. Frowning, she grabbed her apartment key and stuck some cash in her pocket, sure that Duo had come up.

She opened the door, tipping her head when she saw Heero standing outside her door.

"Duo called, he's downstairs," he said simply. She nodded, thanking him, as she stepped out of her apartment and locked her door. Of course Duo wouldn't have come up, he didn't even know which apartment was hers.

She and Heero got into the elevator, the ride silent save for the face that Ami was sure he was watching her from the corners of his eyes. Perhaps she was just being paranoid, but she always had an odd feeling when he was watching her and she usually wasn't wrong.

They exited the building and she laughed at Duo's smug grin as he sat back in his black convertible.

"Hi Duo," she said cheerily.

"Hey babe, you look awesome," he said, enticing a blush from Ami while Heero shoved his passenger's seat forwards. Ami climbed into the back, and Heero readjusted the seat and sat down, shutting the door. Duo took off immediately, beginning to talk about how excited he was and about the football he had stopped to buy.

Ami couldn't help but be relieved at her seat in the back. Heero was nodding unenthusiastically at Duo's chatter, and since he was in front of her he couldn't watch her. She leaned back in her seat, enjoying the breeze from the convertible as the wind tousled her hair.

They arrived only about fifteen minutes later, Duo hopping from the car excitedly and rushing at an unsuspecting Quatre while Heero again moved his seat so Ami could climb out. She brushed past him lightly, apologizing quickly but saying nothing more. Heero nodded, moving the seat back and shutting his door before locking the car.

He turned to stare at her as she hurried after Duo, smirking. Did he make her nervous or something? He was a bit scary, or at least he thought so. Duo was insisting that they play right away, but Wufei grumbled about how Duo had insisted that they enjoy the park.

Trowa spoke, perhaps the first time since Ami had met him. "Well playing is enjoying the park. Let's find a clearing and play."

Duo was thrilled at Trowa's suggestion, grabbing Ami and Trowa's hands arms and dragging them at top speed towards a clearing. They reached the clearing, Duo saying they should have two team captains.

"You know, maybe I should watch," Ami said, ignoring Wufei's slight shake of the head. "I've never played before; I'll just be in the way."

"No Ami, it's alright. Most of us have only played once or twice anyways," Quatre insisted. "Come on, you can play on my team. Trowa?" Trowa nodded, coming to stand beside Ami and Quatre.

"Guess that leaves us three," Duo said excitedly, eyeing Wufei and Heero.

"I can't believe I'm stuck on a team with Maxwell," Wufei grumbled, shaking his head. "Alright. Maxwell, don't screw up. I don't lose."

Duo rolled his eyes. "Wu-man, I love American football, we are gonna do awesome! Ready He-man?"

Both men looked ready to pummel their teammate, whilst Quatre and Trowa explained the rules to Ami in their huddle. It didn't seem so bad, but then again Ami had no idea what she would do once out on the field.

Wufei began telling everyone where the goal posts were as Quatre finished explaining to Ami the rules, Trowa nodding at Duo and Heero to begin.

"Okay, so Trowa will hike the ball to me, and then block anyone trying to tackle me. As soon as he hikes the ball to me, take off running towards the left side of the field, as far as you can distance yourselves from the others, and I will throw the ball to you. If one of them tries to get you, toss the ball to me or Trowa, okay?"

Ami nodded at Quatre's instructions, feeling apprehensive. Trowa stood in front of Quatre, ready to hike the ball. Ami stood on Quatre's left, and in front of her was Duo, while Heero and Wufei stood before Trowa and Quatre. Okay, so from what she understood, Wufei and Heero had clearly made Duo guard her so they could guard Trowa and Quatre. Clearly they thought she was just a spot filler on the team. Maybe she was, Ami wasn't sure, although she was decently fast from all her years as a Senshi. Even Duo seemed to be paying a bit more attention to Quatre and Trowa from where he stood in front of her. Okay.....

Quatre counted down, and Trowa hiked the ball to him. Immediately Ami took off running down the field, Duo gasping as she shot past him and chasing after her. Trowa temporarily blocked Wufei and Heero from tackling Quatre, who threw the ball to Ami just as Heero shot around Trowa and ran at him. Ami caught the ball, taking off towards the designated spot for the goal.

Duo was on her tail, and she heard Trowa shout to her from a few feet behind her, having shaken off Wufei. She threw him the ball just as Duo smacked into her, the two tumbling to the ground.

"Ooof, sorry Ames," Duo apologized, not having meant to tackle her that hard.

"It's okay, I'm used to it," she groaned, thinking of the many times Usagi knocked her to the floor. Duo helped her stand, kicking the ground when he noticed that Trowa had gotten a touch down. Quatre approached, patting Ami on the shoulder.

"That was well done, you're really fast. I didn't even think Duo would catch you," Quatre joked, Duo punching him on the arm lightly. Wufei nodded at her as he approached, appreciating the fact that she had at least taken a decently hard hit from Duo and not cried about it.

Trowa nodded at Ami, smiling when she congratulated him as Heero nodded and ushered for Duo and Wufei to come huddle by him, needing a new strategy as Ami was faster than expected.

The next few rounds moved in Duo, Wufei and Heero's favor. Right off the bat, Duo tackled Ami to ensure she wouldn't run. Wufei had taken down Quatre as he had thrown the ball to Trowa, but Heero had caught up to Trowa instantly, much faster than Ami had expected. The round after that, Wufei had scored and had been in such a good mood that he had slapped Duo a high five.

"Alright, we're tied right now, but I think we can get ahead still this round," Quatre said.

"Duo's better than they gave him credit for," Ami noted, Trowa nodding as well.

"Right, but Heero's way too fast," Trowa said.

"Well then, the have the ball, so let me block Duo," Quatre said.

"Duo's hiking the ball, and I'll keep Wufei away. Do you think you can block Heero, Ami? Maybe just keep up with him..." Trowa paused.

"Yes, intercept the ball if it comes to Heero. If you can keep on him it's possible, I doubt he'll push or tackle you," Quatre said. Ami nodded, not wanting to argue with their plans as they seemed to know the strengths of their friends.

Everyone lined up, Heero surprised as he saw them lining Ami up in his path. He smirked. Fine, but although she deserved credit for being fast he was faster.

Duo hiked the ball to Wufei. Heero shot off towards the opposite end, Ami right on his tracks. Quatre blocked Duo, and Trowa tried to tackle Wufei. Wufei threw the ball to Heero, but thanks to Trowa it didn't go straight to him. Ami and Heero both ran for the ball.

Heero's hands were about to grab the football from above her head, Ami cursing her height, before loud screams tore through the area. Rather than watch Heero catch the ball, Ami felt herself being shoved to the ground roughly, Heero throwing himself on top of her and covering her head. This occurred about half a second before an entire tree passed over their bodies and crashed into the ground about ten feet away. Heero sat up slightly, allowing her to turn around and look up at him. His usually cold eyes held concern.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded blankly, trying to control her erratic breathing as Heero tried to help her up.

"Thanks," she managed finally. The others were stunned, all about ten feet from them with their guns drawn.

"You!" A slithering voice cut through the air. They saw people in the park's main area running around, but a youma stood about fifteen feet from Heero and Ami, and it was pointing right at Ami. Ami frowned, remembering this youma as one of the one's who took her friends.

It approached stealthily, its voice almost smug as it disregarded Heero's drawn gun, the other four approaching with their own weapons quickly. "Can I pick 'em or what?"

"Stay back," Ami warned it, watching as it laughed.

"Little girl, you have no idea what you're dealing with. Stop wasting our time. We have been getting punished every day for the past week because of you and that other-"

"Pluto deadly scream!"

The sound of another voice cut through the air, the youma obliterated in an instant whilst it stood a mere five feet from Ami and Heero.

Everyone looked around, but no one could be seen. Ami's head was meanwhile spinning. Where was Pluto anyways? The youma still remembered her, and it had also been referring to Pluto or Setsuna, blaming her for trying to save everyone. The enemy must have tried to go back for her, Ami realized, and had been unable to find her. Only now, the enemy knew she was in this dimension, meaning it was just a matter of time. Either she and Pluto found them, or they found her, and Ami hoped it was the first option. Well, Pluto had destroyed the youma, so maybe no one knew she was here. Maybe she did have time.

Quatre was on his phone, calling 911 because a lot of people had been drained of their energy. This had the name of a particular group they had been investigating all over it.

Heero spun around to face Ami, tucking his gun away and grabbing her around the shoulders as the others huddled around them. "What was that monster talking about? How did it know you? What destroyed it?" He demanded angrily, any trace of kindness that had been in his eyes before now gone.

Ami was silent, and Heero shook by the shoulders now.

"It doesn't know me," she responded angrily. "It's a stupid monster. I have blue hair, maybe whoever it was chasing had blue hair. As for how it was destroyed, how would I know? I saw what you did." He practically growled at the reasonable yet untrue response, knowing it was more than that.

"Ami!"

Ami pulled away from Heero's grasp, relieved when she saw Setsuna standing there in a light purple skirt and white blouse.

She hugged Setsuna, more than relieved that she had shown up when she had. The sound of sirens filled the air as paramedics rushed onto the scene.

"Where did you come from?" Heero asked Setsuna suspiciously. She laughed lightly at his question.

"I was taking a stroll in the park of course. It's a beautiful day. Are you alright Ami? I saw a tree fly over your head," Setsuna said. Everyone stared at the beautiful newcomer, before Wufei reminded them of the issue at hand.

"We'd better go take a look, we'll have a report to file after this," Wufei stated, Heero finally grudgingly nodding but vowing to keep a much closer eye on Ami, and her strange friend if need be.

"Wait, I drove Ami," Duo said, Quatre and Trowa stopping.

"I'll take Ami home. I haven't seen her in a while, we should catch up," Setsuna said smoothly. Ami nodded, smiling at Duo.

"Yes, you go ahead and do what you have to."

Duo nodded, grinning as the five left, Heero shooting her a glare as they took off.

When they were out of hearing range, Setsuna spoke, getting tight down to business.

"Let's search the city for any negative energy. Judging by your attire, your transformation wand and computer are at home?"

Ami nodded. "Yes, let's catch a cab."

The two headed to the street and flagged a cab, stopping at Ami's apartment for a moment. They transformed inside and left through the window, Ami opening her computer as the two rushed down the city streets, searching for any signs of negative energy that might lead to a base.

Three hours later, the women were positive that the enemy base was not in the city she was residing in.

Pluto leaned against an alley wall three blocks from Ami's apartment tiredly, staring at Mercury. "I suppose it was just a freak attack. Have you seen anything of interest in the files?"

Mercury nodded. "One group, but not enough information yet, although after today's attack I'm thinking there's a chance they are who we're looking for. If that's the case, they may attack some cities often, and I just have to find out where. Hopefully within the next few days I will see something."

Pluto nodded. "Good. Beyond that, how are you feeling?"

Mercury smiled. "Fine, I've been getting sick but usually at home."

"Well, you should head home soon. You're looking a little pale and I don't want you to have an attack. As for that youma recognizing you, I destroyed it, but to be safe make sure you keep a low profile. Firstly, they will come after you, and secondly that man you were with is going to be even more suspicious. I'm going to be honest with you Mercury, once the enemy sees or hears of Sailor Mercury or Ami Mizuno in this dimension, they will likely hunt you down like the others. I don't know what they wanted with our friends, but they likely want all of us. Your name is probably safe on the payroll of the Preventers, because no one from the group that the enemy is working with wants anything to do with Preventers, but still be careful."

Mercury nodded hesitantly, agreeing with Pluto and also feeling a bit sick. It was probably time she headed home.

She de-transformed and waved goodbye to Pluto, who opened a portal and headed back to the gates of time.

Ami headed back to her apartment, only three blocks away. After the first block, she couldn't control the pain spreading from her abdomen to all her limbs, her head beginning to pound.

She muttered a curse, never one to do so but the situation fitting as she somehow made it to the front doors of her apartment. She stopped in the main lobby, breathing deeply as she placed her hands on her knees. This was going to be bad. Ami hurried into the elevator, unaware of the pair of eyes that watched her suspiciously from the doors behind her.

Heero frowned. Was the girl's iron low again? His eyes narrowed as she doubled over and grabbed her stomach. No; not her iron.

The elevator shut and Heero hurried up the back stairs, determined to catch her in a lie.

He arrived, panting heavily from how fast he had run as he ducked against the wall, to watch her stumble into the door of her apartment. The door swung closed after her, but the key was still in the door. Now that wasn't very careful.

He wondered if he should check himself before he became obsessed but ignored the mental warning and approached her door, rolling his eyes at his own foolishness before opening the door and pulling out the key. He would simply give her the key and go back to his apartment before he argued with her again he decided.

He didn't get a foot in the door of the still dark apartment however, before his foot hit something soft and from his experience most definitely a body.

Had she passed out again? Again, no. He heard her groan and he stepped back immediately, flicking on the lights and turning to look down at her. Ami was lying on her side, her hands covered in blood. He moved over to the phone at its stand to call 911, but her raspy voice stopped him.

"Stop."

His eyes widened as he looked down at her. She began to cough, more blood coating her hands as he decided to ignore her and call anyways.

"I said stop." Her coughing had ceased again and her voice was slightly clearer.

"What do you mean stop? Coughing up blood is not normal, plus you could hardly walk," he stated.

"Why were you watching me?" She questioned, wiping some blood dripping from the side of her mouth with the back of her hand as she sat up slightly, looking up and meeting his gaze. He ignored the natural impulse he had to help her up and make sure she was alright. Clearly she was up to something and he had to find out what it was, whether she was sick or not. Plus, she was too damn smart for her own good.

"I wasn't," he lied. "You left your key in your door."

Ami allowed him to sidestep the question, too sick to deal with him and not wanting him to be with her while she had an attack. As much as her friends always tried to help her, Ami preferred to be alone when this happened. "Thank you. Goodnight."

Heero was about to leave as planned, but the previous natural impulse won out for a moment as he picked her up off the floor without permission and carried her down the hall.

"What are you doing?" She demanded, tucking her bloodied hands close to her and ducking her face in embarrassment.

"I'm taking you to your room. I didn't think you could walk there."

She was silent a moment, before responding. "Thank you."

"Which room is it?"

"On the right."

He nodded, entering the bedroom and setting her down on the bed carefully. He turned, switching on the lights. Ami had leaned over to her nightstand and grabbed some tissues, wiping the blood from her hands and mouth but stopping as another fit of coughs ensued, glad she had the tissues now. Heero stood awkwardly, debating whether he should leave since she was obviously a liar or stay and help her. Ami made the decision for him.

She stopped coughing, her hands flying to her stomach as she trembled slightly, speaking. "You can go. Thank you."

"Are you sure?" He asked, genuinely wondering what the hell she was sick with as the trembling turned to her body full out shaking and the pain became evident on her face, her eyes tearing.

"Please go," she said quietly. All he could do was nod in response, turning and stalking out of the room. He headed down the hall and out the door, shutting it behind him as he entered his own apartment.

If anyone could relate all of the events of the last week and come up with a decent conclusion as to what was going on, it was him. He decided not to fill his friends in on anything more until he had decided the truth, needing the fool Duo to continue to befriend Ami.

Next chapter gets even better I think. Review if you are moved to do so lol.