A/N- Hi everybody. Sorry this took so long, but it's very long. I'm not sure yet whether that's a good or a bad thing, but it is a fact. Much more action, and yes, I'm evil. Mwuahaha! Anyway, standard disclaimer, plus the lyrics from Imogen Heap's song "The Walk" are also not mine. Those are the words in both bold and italics. Thank you for being patient with me, and enjoy! Remember, I love reviews!
000
As she was tugged along by Mina and Usagi, Ami, feeling incredibly light-hearted, interjected a question into their banter. "Guys, don't we need to go home and change before going to dinner?"
Mina grinned at her, blue eyes happy and sparkling. She tossed her wheaten mane and let go a chiming peal of laughter. "Silly Ami, we're going to a crab shack, so we'll fit in just fine in our beachwear! Besides, you know how messy crab gets, so it's better to be in these kinds of clothes anyway; I wouldn't want to ruin a good outfit with melted butter and seafood juice." To emphasize her point she brushed a hand over her burnt-sienna off-the-shoulder top and matching sarong. "These'll bounce back from a little drippage just fine, and if they don't, they're much easier to replace. Besides, we'll change for the club afterwards."
A nod from Usagi as she chimed in sent her golden tresses afly. "Yeah! Oh, it's gonna be tasty, Ames. Mamo and I have been there before, and it was sooo yummy. Plus, we all get to wear the cutest little bibs! It'll be a blast! We'll look all sexy for the club, of course, but for now these are good." She preened briefly, and shot a look full of mischief at Ami. "And I think I look cute like this, don't you?"
Ami laughed and made a show of admiring her. "Yes, Usa, you look adorable." Which, as a matter of fact, she did. The royal blue shrug she had on was perfect with her sunny swimsuit, and she was also wearing a sarong the color of her eyes.
Rei came up on them and snorted. "You have to look adorable, Usa, since it's the only thing you can do." The violet eyed virago snickered at the indignant expression now plastered on Usagi's face. "Oh, unless you count whining. That you can do, too."
Ami stifled her own chuckle as she watched Usa turn a very interesting shade of cherry red before boiling over with a tea-kettle shriek. "REI! You take that back!" An eruption of sapphire and sunflower yellow launched towards the raven-haired spitfire, who fled to the dubious safety of Jad's arms with a gleeful laugh.
"Jad! You let me at her! Now!!" Usagi tried futilely to grab a scrap of Rei's crimson shirt as the instigator of it all dodged and ducked behind her boyfriend.
"Nyah! You couldn't catch me anyway, Meatball Head!" Rei stuck out her tongue and made a face at the incensed blonde, eliciting another screech of fury and renewed efforts.
Jad raised both hands soothingly. "Now, now girls, let's not fight. C'mon, you two, we all want to eat in peace." He looked at Usa and smiled. "I know Rei's a bit of a firecracker, but you love her anyway, right?"
Usagi nodded sullenly, and muttered, "Some of the time…"
"Good!" Jad grinned, then turned to look at his girlfriend, who was still behind him making faces at Usagi. "And you, my love…" Rei smirked at the endearment. "Need to keep your luscious mouth shut."
Rei gaped at him as everyone laughed, then let loose a banshee cry and smacked Jad with a resounding whap, before starting to rant at him. "Jadrick Fulsi, how dare you tell me to sh—mmph!"
Ami flushed and chuckled as Jad stoppered Rei's mouth with his own, averting her eyes. Unexpectedly, her gaze met Zane's, and her flush deepened. His eyes seemed to smolder, and the heat in her cheeks burned. She quickly tore her own eyes away, and smiled a bit desperately at Minako. That man is too attractive for my own good… Luckily the blonde seemed oblivious to Ami's discomfort, and returned the smile while she linked their arms. "Come on, Ames; let's just leave them to make up. Walk with me?"
Ami nodded, noting briefly that everyone else had already resumed walking to the restaurant. "Sure, Mina." Minako leaned against her, and Ami found herself smiling slightly at the blatant show of affection. Even after all these years, she sometimes marveled that she had such friends. As much as they could fight, as different as they all were, there was a bond there that all of them knew would never be broken. But they're all connected to more than just each other now, aren't they? They have people to share their futures with, and what do you have? Photography? There's a poor second for you… Ami clamped down on that thought immediately, biting back the hard bitterness behind it. That's not fair; how could I ever begrudge them happiness? But the voice, the thought, wouldn't be silent. It insinuated itself into her denial, snaked through her mind. But you'll still be the one standing alone, left behind and lost once again…
"Ami."
Ami blinked. Broken out of her darkening reflections, she stared at the woman looking at her in concern, obviously having said her name several times, not recognizing her for a second. Then reality once again made sense, and she answered sheepishly, abashed that she had been so caught up in herself that she'd ignored her friend. "Oh, sorry Mina, did you say something?"
Blue eyes studied her somberly for a moment, seemed to take her measure even as an odd emotion appeared to glimmer briefly in their depths. "Mm." Ami was pierced strangely by the gaze, felt as if she were laid bare before it. "Ami, what do you want from life?"
She was startled. What was it with everyone and the all the questions? And what a question… What do I want from life? I used to know… I had my life all laid out, didn't I? Go to school, get the grades, become a doctor, dedicate myself to healing people… I lost all of that, flung my plans out the window. Now I just live day to day, not looking to the future, trying too hard not to remember the past. She looked at Mina, who gazed back steadily, waiting for her answer. I don't know… Not anymore.
Ami sighed and answered, "I don't really know, Mina. I want what everyone wants, I guess; to be happy." She knew it wasn't a real answer, but it was all she had. Please, just accept that…
Sapphire met sky as Mina confronted her with another question. "And what will make you happy?"
A soft, sardonic laugh escaped her before she could restrain it, but she tried on a smile for Minako's sake. "Does anyone know that? I'm sure I'll know it when it happens."
"Will you?" Mina murmured, her voice low and troubled. Ami barely hid her shock; that wasn't the reaction she expected. But then the moment was gone and Minako was all smiles and sunshine again. Ami glanced at her from the corner of her eye, still wondering, as Mina perked up and started burbling over. "Oh, look, Ames, we're almost there! You know, Usa was right, their crab really is delicious. Oh, and the surf'n'turf is just to die for, and the lobster! Mmmm, the lobster… It's kinda expensive, but Kenta says-" She let Minako's words flow over her, and kept walking, but she was once more lost in thought. Will I…?
000
"Zane, c'mon, let's sit over here!" Jad dragged him along like a cat on a leash, Zane trying to extract his arm from the overly excited grip to no effect.
"Jad, dammit, leggo, man!" Zane scowled and tried harder as he saw Ami seating herself at the other end of the table with Minako.
Suddenly, there was Kenta. Without a word the tall man extracted Zane's arm and led him away from a gape-mouthed Jad. "We're sitting here," Kenta stated simply as he gave Zane a speaking glance. Zane just nodded, dumb for the moment, and sat across from Ami. The delicate object of his affection turned a curious eye on him, but was distracted a moment later by the loquacious blonde by her side.
He was happy just to be near her. And that, frankly, was something that made him rather nervous. To cover that, he made conversation with Kenta, who incorporated both Mina and Ami into the conversation seamlessly. As the meal progressed without incident, Zane relaxed a bit, and began to enjoy talking with them all. He and Kenta discovered several similar interests, such as boating and philosophy, and Minako shared his passion for clothes; not surprising in a fashion designer, but still a delightful plus. Ami joined into a debate between himself and Kenta about the lyrical writings of Khalil Gibran and their religious influence.
Zane was surprised to find himself having a wonderful time getting to know these people more; not just Ami, but also Minako, and even Kenta- though he and the man beside him had spoken before, it had not been as easy and friendly as it was now. He and Jad were close, but they'd known each other for years now. This was an ease that he hadn't expected, a feeling of belonging that he'd never known he missed. Jad had always wanted to bring him into this group, but he'd resisted…and now he couldn't remember why.
I…don't have many friends, not really. I work, and I hang out with Jad and sometimes Rei, but that's mostly it. Well, and my dates. Lots of dates. I have a booming social life…but no real friends. Partying with people is not the same as having people to just be with. I'm almost never alone, but this is different. This is…nice. He looked around the table, and marveled at these people and how close they all were. Usagi and Rei laughed about something, with Jad grinning at them both and Mamoru looking on with an indulgent expression, Makoto leaned against Naoki as they shared a smile and a bite of Naoki's steak, and Ami and Kenta both chuckled at Mina as she wiped at a bit of butter she'd dripped on her bib. He smiled to himself. I think I like this.
As he smiled, Minako glanced up and caught his eye, and he transferred the smile to her, letting it widen to a grin when she returned it. "Thinking good thoughts?" She teased him, her sparkling beam lighting her face.
He nodded, and included the other two looking at him in his grin. "Yeah, as a matter of fact I am." Both Ami and Kenta smiled at him, and he laughed, just glad to be there. "Good food, and I'm looking forward to tonight." The mention of the fun to be had tonight was enough to send Mina off on a story of one of the times she'd finagled Kenta into going to a club with her, and as she detailed their adventure he let his eyes wander over to Ami, noting how her mouth curved in a sweet smile, how her head inclined towards Mina as she listened, and he felt content.
000
"Ami! Are you dressed?" Usagi popped her head into the room, grinning from ear to ear. When she saw Ami was almost clothed, she bounded into the room as her hair trailed behind her, the silvery blonde mass constrained in her usual odangos. Her outfit was impeccably lovely, a halter of shimmering white sequins over pale rose capris and matching strappy heels. Ami pulled on the lace shirt that Mina had given her, a black scrap of fabric called a Romance top, and wondered a bit desperately how she was supposed to fit in with such splendor. She wrinkled her nose, exasperated at how little it covered, and mused that only Mina would name something Romance.
"Ames, you look gorgeous! Wow!" Usa spun her around and gazed at her with a huge grin. "Mina helped you with the clothes right? That girl has great taste! Okay, now sit down, Mako will be here in a second with the make-up and we'll refine your beauty, okay? Don't worry, we're not going to do much, just put a light dusting of anti-shine mineral veil over that perfect skin of yours-so jealous!-maybe some eyeshadow, a little blush, eyeliner, and lipstick! 'Kay?" Usa bubbled as she ushered Ami over to her vanity and seated her in front of the mirror without giving her a chance to say a word. Just as Ami settled in and opened her mouth to respond, Mako peeked around the corner.
"You decent? Good!" Makoto stepped in with a makeup bag in one hand, and Ami gaped.
"Mako! My god, you look fantastic!" Ami exclaimed as she marveled at Mako.
Mako preened and looked smug, showing off the little black dress. The sides were cut out and emphasized her slim waist and muscular stomach; the hem came to mid-thigh and displayed her long legs wonderfully. Short heels completed the look, giving her legs a slender line while not adding too much to her height. With her hair pulled back in auburn curls, she was a vision of elegance.
"Yea? Think Naoki'll like it?" Makoto asked innocently, her viridian eyes full of mischief.
Ami laughed, a burble of amusement. "You know very well that he'll be beside himself and drooling, greenthumb."
Mako gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up. "You know it, shutterbug!" She then strode over and deposited the bag. "Now let's make you breathtaking!"
The two girls set to with a will, and Ami sat back and let them work their magic, giggling a little as the brushes spread ticklish little butterfly kisses all over her skin. Well, here we go… I hope I don't make a fool of myself. Especially in front of Zane… She suppressed a sigh and shoved her doubts to the back of her mind, hoping that if she ignored them they'd go away. Or at least leave her alone for a while.
000
The club pulsed with people, the air heavy with music and body heat. Flickering lights gave everything a dreamy feel, as if they'd stepped out of reality for the night. Tables were surrounded by laughing people in all manner of dress, the bar full of men and women drinking and watching the ones out on the dance floor. The dance floor itself was a mass of bodies, all moving to the same rhythm, as if they shared a heartbeat. Ami fidgeted with the hem of her short jacket, unsure and nervous, the silver fabric twisting under her fingers.
"C'mon, shutterbug, let's dance while Mako's grabbing drinks!" Naoki flashed a grin at her and pulled her with him even as she sputtered protest and stared in disbelief at the back of his maroon shirt. Her heels made an uneven clicking as she stumbled after him, Mina and Rei laughing and joining them while Usa trailed after Mako and the other guys went to find a table. Ami turned pleading eyes to Rei, who looked like she belonged in this trendy club in her vibrant red mini-dress with the lace inset across her flat stomach, but Rei-traitor!-just gave her a wicked smile and grabbed her other hand to help Naoki drag her along.
"Time to loosen up, Ames!" With that, they were out on the floor, and Ami could feel the throb of the music in her sternum. Naoki released her, as did Rei, and all three of them, including Mina, began to dance. Ami glanced at Mina as her thick mane of hair was tossed in gleeful freedom. The blonde was gorgeous, wearing a dress similar to Rei's, but in a golden, shimmering material and no lace. Ami felt distinctly out of place even though she'd let the girls dress her up in this outfit, but it looked like so much fun as they just let go and danced… Alright, she decided, like Rei said, time to loosen up. I can't be serious all the time, and I'm tired of being the stick in the mud. Here goes!
At first she was only moving tentatively, but as Naoki danced beside her and Rei and Mina danced around her, she started to feel a bit freer, and lost herself to the music, letting it sweep her away. Thrum thrum, thrum thrum, the bass line seemed to echo her heartbeat as she began to allow the music to guide her, feeling as if the beat was merely finding its own expression through her body. Tendrils of melody ran up her spine, down her arms, and escaped out her fingertips, leaving an invigorating tingling in their wake. Conscious thought was gone, replaced by music and movement, reaction and revelation. Restraint was gone, nervousness and inhibition thrown out to make room for wild abandon and the joy of immersive sensation.
Her attention was so caught up in the motion of her body that she barely noticed when Jad and Usa joined them, partnering with Rei and Mina respectively; she was peripherally aware of Naoki as he danced with her, but it was a fuzzy knowledge at best, as she only knew in that she made sure she didn't run into him. At some point she realized that she didn't have her jacket on anymore, but when she caught a glimpse of Naoki weaving through the crowd with a scrap of silver in his hands she relaxed, even as she vaguely noted that he wasn't beside her anymore.
000
They finally had a table after waiting for a large group to finally leave. Claim was laid, orders were placed, and Jad and Usagi headed out to the dance floor where they could see Naoki, Rei, Mina, and Ami. Zane attempted not to stare too much, but it was almost impossible. My god she looks amazing… She'd lost her jacket at one point or another-ah, wait, there's Naoki coming with it-and was now clad only in black; a lace top that bared a bit of bare stomach and sleek pants that melded to her curves in a way that made him jealous. Her skin looked incredibly creamy and pale against the darkness of her clothing, and the contrast was amazing. Her friends had done something to her hair that made it look like feathers, or maybe as if she was a flower of some kind. Anyway, she looked fantastic.
He sighed, and took his shot of Blue Dolphine. It slid down cool and easy, the hit of alcohol sweet-tart with pineapple. The flavor invaded his senses, and the rum and curaçao burned heat into his blood. He glanced at the glass in surprise; that was good! "Hey," he prodded Kenta, "what did you get to drink?"
The silver-haired man glanced at him, and lifted his glass to look at it. "I think the bartender said it was a Slow Screw." Kenta studied the liquid for a moment. "I believe it has orange juice in it, as well as vodka and gin." His friend glanced at him, grey-green eyes inscrutable. "What did you get?"
Zane regarded his now empty glass with a grin. "The bartender called it a Blue Dolphine. Pineapple, rum, and blue curaçao. I think I'm going to go get another one, in fact." His eyes flicked over to where Ami was still dancing, and he gave another slight sigh. If she were more comfortable with me, I would go dance with her…
As he rose Kenta reached out and gripped his wrist. "Zane."
Emerald eyes wide, Zane looked at him. Kenta looked somber-well, Kenta always looked pretty somber, but this was rather more so than usual. Zane felt a twisting in his gut, uneasy. "Yeah?"
A slight smile played around Kenta's lips, softening the normally hard planes of his face. "Go dance."
Zane stared at him. How the hell…? "What? I was going to go get another drink…" That earned him a sardonic look and a quirked brow. Translation: 'You know damned well you want to go and dance with her, so go do it, you fool. Unless, of course, you'd rather skip the chance and then explode in a blinding rage when another man tries to move in, blowing all the good you've done today towards getting her to accept you by being a jealous asshole.' Zane scowled. "How is it that you say more than anyone I know without saying a damn thing?"
Kenta smiled serenely. "It's a talent."
"Talent my ass, you must practice in the mirror or something, smug son of a bitch, think you knows everything, yeah, well…" Zane stalked off towards the dance floor muttering under his breath. As he passed Naoki the chestnut haired man gave him a grin and a thumbs up.
"I want a drink, and Ames doesn't have a partner; you gonna go dance with her?"
Zane shrugged, a bit nervous. "If she doesn't mind, I guess." Dammit, this woman has me all turned around! I'm not normally this disconcerted about anything, much less a female.
The sympathetic look from Naoki almost made him scream. And apparently it's blatantly obvious how unsettled I am. "I doubt she'll mind; she's pretty focused on dancing right now. Go have fun, huh? And…" Naoki's expression turned enigmatic, and he moved closer, his voice lowered. "Look, just…don't get discouraged, okay? Take it gently, but keep at it. If I'm reading her right-and I normally do-she'll respond. You're a good guy, Zane. She'll see it." With that, Naoki slipped away to the table, where he hung Ami's jacket over a chair and sat next to Mako, murmuring something in her ear. Zane was dumbfounded. What was with all this support? Mind, he wasn't going to complain…at least, not yet. Not until it got to the "too helpful" stage. Then he'd have to put his foot down, but this, this was…nice. It was good to know that he had people rooting for him.
With a new determination he made his way to her side, hope a fever blooming in his chest.
000
The current song merged into a new one, one of Ami's favorite Imogen Heap songs, The Walk. Her eyes flew open in pleasure, the melody washing over her as the rhythm soaked into her heart and the lyrics cascaded around her.
Inside out, upside down, twisting beside myself. Stop that now, 'cause you and I were never meant to meet. I think you'd better leave, it's not safe in here, I feel a weakness coming on.
Alright then, I can keep your number for a rainy day, that's where this ends, no mistakes no misbehaving. Oh, I was doing so well, could we just be friends? I feel a weakness coming on.
It's not meant to be like this, not what I planned at all. I don't want to feel like this, hey yea. It's not meant to be like this, not what I planned at all. I don't want to feel like this, so that makes it all your fault.
She was rolling up out of a dip when she was suddenly, strikingly aware of the body beside her. Clad in a soft-looking shirt of a forest green so deep it almost looked black and fitted dark blue jeans, Zane was close enough for her to smell the light spice and musk scent of him through the dense air. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart stuttered. Oh…
His eyes locked with hers, and she was lost all over again, this time in emerald depths that seemed to go on forever. She swayed towards him, and then they were moving in a harmony so perfect that it was transcendental. Two bodies matched to one heartbeat mirrored each other in complete synchronization, barely a hair's breath between them.
Inside out, upside down, twisting beside myself. Stop that now, you're as close as it gets without touching me. Oh, now, don't make it harder, than it already is. Mm, I feel a weakness coming on.
He leaned forward, she leaned back; she slipped to the side, he slid to the other; he dropped a shoulder, she raised hers. The distance between them halved, then halved again.
It's not meant to be like this, not what I planned at all. I don't want to feel like this, hey yea. It's not meant to be like this, not what I planned at all. I don't want to feel like this, so that makes it all your fault.
They spun, twisted, turned, dipped. Ami couldn't have taken her eyes off him if she tried…and she had no desire to try. Not now. Not when this felt so good, so right, warmth that spread from her chest into her limbs. And all the while, his eyes captivated her with a kind of fire she'd never seen before.
Trouble, losing control, primary resistance at a critical low. On the double gotta get a hold, point of no return one second to go. No response on any level, red alert this vessel's under siege, total overload, all system down, they've got control. There's no way out, we are surrounded. Give in, give in, and relish every minute of it.
He was so close she could taste his breath, the sweet tropical tang of it sliding over her tongue as he bent over her, shimmering green filling her vision.
Freeze, or make it forever...
I feel a weakness coming on…
Suddenly he pulled her against him, and she was startled out of her reverie by the contact. The heat of his body seared through her, and she stared up at him out of huge blue eyes, her hands braced against his chest. Her heart raced frantically and tried to leap out of her chest; she panted slightly in panic. Too much too much too much…!
He leaned down, and she froze, heart abruptly still. His lips a whisper away, he paused, and she waited, petrified, unsure of what to do. Then lightning shot through her as those lips poised above her own descended, brushed against hers in the lightest of meetings. Ah! Involuntarily she pressed back as craving rose in her chest, overwhelmed her rationality. He broke the contact after the merest moment, and she, wild-eyed, raised a hand to her lips. They burned, tingled with something she didn't want to name. Now completely beyond reason or thought she fled, stumbled through the crowd to the bathroom without looking back for fear of wanting to return, too distraught to notice that Rei, Mina, and Usagi had stopped dancing and followed her.
It's not meant to be like this, not what I planned at all. I don't want to feel like this, hey yea. It's not mean to be like this, it's just what I don't need! Why make me feel like this? It's definitely all your fault.
She tumbled into the restroom and nearly fell against the wall. Her breath came in frantic sobs as she tried to calm herself, tried to tell herself that it didn't mean anything, that he'd been swept up in the moment and didn't mean to really kiss her. Her fingers found her lips again, touched the lingering burn of where his had been. The realization flooded into her, drowned her in its terrible clarity. Oh god, I want him! Fear crested in her; she'd never wanted anyone like this before, not even Ryo. Her feelings for him hadn't been this turmoil of desire, hesitation, longing, sweetness, and affection that blazed in her when she thought of Zane. Talking with Zane was intellectually satisfying, his wit and love of knowledge equal to her own, he made her laugh with an ease that surprised her, and this physical attraction…well, it was magnetic, to say the least. No… She moaned. Oh god, I could fall for him too easily…
"Ames! Ami, are you okay? Honey, are you sick? What happened?" Usa's frantic voice cut through her thoughts as the bathroom door banged open and admitted the three other girls.
She turned to give them a wan smile. What the hell am I supposed to tell them? "Oh, no, I'm not sick, I was just terrified that I may want a man carnally so I ran away when he kissed me"? Or maybe, "Nah, I'm just coming to terms with the fact that I may actually be attracted to someone and it's scaring the shit out of me, especially the part where when he kissed me, I kissed him back"? She cleared her throat. "Ah, no, I'm okay, Usa."
She sighed as the three converged on her, and resigned herself to trying to get out of this without too many humiliations.
000
Zane stood where she'd left him and gazed after her as she ran from him. His eyes gleamed with a strange light, and he watched the other three follow her. He licked his lips, and they curved into a slow smile; he'd tasted more than the melon of her lip gloss. "Run if you want, sweetheart," he crooned. "But," His smile grew, became knowing and filled with hunger. "I'm going to remember-you kissed me back."
000
A/N ending-Told you I was evil. Anyway, there it is in all its long-winded glory. Hope you liked it, and please review!