Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from this fan fiction, they all belong to the creators of Sailor Moon.

A/N: The words in italic are the flashbacks.

Take A Chance On Me

Chapter 3

-The Strength Within-

An almost wolfish smile appeared across Ami's face as she saw the light blush that fanned itself over Setsuna's cheeks. It wasn't too often that her books would be ran over by an exotically beautiful woman. The ice senshi took a moment to scan the facial features of the woman before her. Dazzling garnet orbs and a mane of sleek green tinted black hair framed her beautiful face. The woman had a perfectly chiseled nose and jawline, which by the look of her jaw would show Ami that the woman could set it in a menancingly stubborn look.

"I must apologize again for my clumsiness, I am not usually this much of a klutz," responded the beauty.

Ami shook her head clear of her thoughts and replied, "It's perfectly fine. I was just about to leave anyway."

At that moment, Setsuna took the time to let her gaze roam over Ami more since she has a closer view. On some people, a person could tell what exactly defined them whether it was their smile or eyes. But Ami was different, Setsuna could not place a finger on what made her so alluring. Her hair was fashion in one of the latest emo styles and piercing blue eyes were held captive behind her glasses. The eyes... held an emotion that not even Setsuna could identify.

"Please allow me a chance to make it up to you," she paused and raised her hand up gracefully before Ami made a protest then continued, "Let me buy you dinner."

The guardian of Mercury was stunned for a moment at the forwardness of the woman before her but she quickly regained her composure to answer, "Sure."

It was unlike Ami to take up such an offer but with this woman she found that she could not refuse her of that simple gesture of kindness.

At a small cottage, the other two outer senshis were busy playing with their little daughter named Hotaru. It was suppose to be a quiet time for the family, but little Hotaru had other things on her mind.

"Hotaru, please put down Mama's paintbrush. It's not suppose to be used as Papa's space blaster." A tried Haruka was chasing their daughter around the house as she tried to attack anything her little two year old body could reach.

"Space blaster goes zooooom." Hotaru ran around the house with stubby legs and a bob hair cut, she looked like the portrait of adorable. Violet eyes reflected upon sea green ones as her papa caught up with her in mid-step. In her papa's arms, Hotaru was held protectively and she felt nothing but security and love there.

"Aww, you're too cute when you look at me like that firefly." Haruka sat her daughter down upon the heavily cushioned sofa while she went to clean everything up.

Michiru looked on with an amused smile while waiting for the pot on the stove to be ready. It was nearly six in the evening and Setsuna was not home yet. A perfectly arched eyebrow raised up in the air when the thought of Ami and Setsuna alone together came to mind. Wavy aqua locks fell over her shoulder as Michiru set the table for dinner, and she was not surprise at all when Haruka came up from behind her to place a gentle kiss to her cheek.

"Hey beautiful, dinner is ready?"

"Just about, bring Hotaru to her seat and make sure she's securely in it."

"Aye, you're wish is my command princess." A flirtatious wink from the golden haired one and she left to get their daughter.

Across town things were coming along well with Ami and Setsuna. Both were taking appreciative glances at each other every so often while waiting for the meal to arrive at the table.

"I've heard you've graduated early to now attend the University, I am impressed."

For a moment, Ami's face had harden at the thought of other people she hardly knew had heard some type of information about her. She smiled at Setsuna quickly, but it did not fool the time guardian who made a mental note to herself about the comment.

"Yes." It was a clipped response from Ami, but it held all the coolness she was known for by others.

Setsuna sighed and looked out the window to see couples that passed by. "You didn't have to join me for dinner if this was not where you wanted to be, Ami."

A surprised looked flickered across Ami's face, "I'm sorry if I am bad company at the moment, I guess I haven't.." she paused and then resumed, "I haven't been around people for awhile." She saw the curious look that crossed Setsuna's face and she hurried to say, "I mean, I have been around people I just haven't talked much..."

"It's okay, really. I have a forward personality, and I usually say the things that come to mind before actually thinking it through."

But Ami wasn't paying much attention to what Setsuna had just said, she was thinking about the argument between her dearest friend Makoto.

"Let me help you Ami. What happened with you mother was not your fault, and it pains me to see you blame yourself as you do. I lost my parents at a young age as well, and I am not saying that I can feel your pain better than you do. I am simply saying that I can identify with your lost." Deep emerald pools were filled with warmth and compassion as they looked deeply into icy blue ones.

"You can never understand the pain I feel at the moment, Mako. I should've been with her but I was consumed with my studies and not on spending time with the person that mattered most to me."

The wind began to pick up and blue strands of her were blown forward in the face of Ami. She inhaled deeply to smell the fresh air and to maybe gain a different perspective of the situation.

"I've saved countless of lives and yet I couldn't save the life that mattered most." She paused.

"Please don't push me away."

With a firm shake of her head, Ami raised her chin up and looked into Makoto's green eyes then said, "I need to be stronger and I can't do it with you next to me."

As Ami was saying those words to Makoto, she couldn't help but to witness the pained expression that crossed her dear friend's face.

"Ami your meal has arrived, is everything okay?" The question from Setsuna seemed to bring Ami back into the present, and she just smiled into those garnet eyes.

"Yes, I think so."

To Be Continued...

A/N: Thanks for the reviews everyone. It is much appreciated. I am working on the next chapter it should be up in a day or so. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter and please feel free to voice your opinions to me. Thanks !