A/N- Okay, so this is more like part one of chapter six. Just the scene in the bathroom, but don't worry! Zane's perspective is coming up in the next part, it just needs to be reworked. I had it all written, then decided that I didn't like how it was written, so scrapped it and started over. It will, however, be done. So hopefully I'll have it ready soon. While I'm working on that, please enjoy and review!

000

"Girls, honest, I'm okay." Ami raised her hands to still the multitude of questions pouring from the three, slightly desperate. She knew they meant well, but she wasn't sure she really wanted to talk about what had happened out on the dance floor yet. One golden brow rose as Mina looked at her, concern warring with what looked like apprehension in her face. That apprehension confused Ami briefly, but her attention was captured again by a scowling Rei advancing on her.

A finger tipped with a maroon-painted nail stopped less than an inch from her nose, the woman attached to it giving her a fierce frown. "Racing off the dance floor and bursting into a bathroom is not okay, Ami. Now tell us what happened!"

Ami's eyes were nearly crossed as she stared at the tip of Rei's finger. "Rei…"

Usagi shouldered Rei aside and said, "You're not helping, Rei." As the raven-haired virago sputtered, Usagi took Ami's hands in a light grip, the tenderness behind those summer sky eyes nearly undoing the fragile bulwark Ami hid behind. "Ames," she murmured, "Hun, are you really sure you're alright? It's just that you ran away from something, and that's not like you at all… It makes me wonder just what went on that could make you so afraid."

Ami's walls crumbled before the gentle force that was her best friend. "Usa…I-"

BANG! "AMI!" Makoto surged into the bathroom, a flurry of black dress and long legs. "Ami, oh my god, I saw the kiss, it was so sweet, I thought, but what happened, why'd you run away, did he do something, say something, do you want me to beat him to a pulp or something?"

All four girls gaped at the gasping brunette as she stumbled to a halt and looked at them. A sheepish grin broke out on her face as she took in the shocked look on three girls. "Oh…I guess you hadn't said anything to them…"

The room erupted in noise as Rei yelled about how you tell your best friends these things and how was it and she knew it would be a good match and why would you run away from that, and Makoto apologized at the top of her lungs and swamped Ami with more questions about what happened and did she like Zane because that would be fantastic, but if she didn't then she would definitely have to hurt him for kissing her if she didn't want it. Usagi came to Ami's defense and was busy scolding both Rei and Makoto about harassing their friend and trying to be heard above them. Ami buried her face in her hands, her cheeks flushed a painful red. Oh, god, now that's done it… All I need now is for a group of women to walk in to complete my humiliation.

"ENOUGH!" Minako's voice thundered over all of them, her golden soubrette voice a sharp whip crack, and froze them instantly. Ami cautiously raised her head and lowered her hands.

"Rei, Makoto, go get us drinks. Now." The command snapped the two women into motion, both of them scrambling for the door to comply.

"Usa, grab a paper towel, dampen it a little, and bring it here, please." Usagi bounded over the sinks.

"Ami." That golden voice softened, and Ami found herself gathered into a warm embrace. "You gotta breathe, honey." Ami realized she'd been holding her breath, and let it go in a whooshing sigh. "That's better." One arm released her briefly and then returned with a coolness pressed against her cheek; Usa must have brought the paper towel. It was only then that she became conscious of the tears coursing down her face. Surprised, she lifted a hand to the one holding the damp towel. "It's okay, Ames, I've got you. Let me dab a little, clean you up, alright?" She nodded and closed her eyes, grateful for friends like Mina and Usa, and yes, Rei and Makoto.

"Thanks, Mina." Her voice came out hoarse, another surprise. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Um, sorry about this."

Mina drew back to look at her, Usagi peering over her shoulder. Both of them looked baffled. "Sorry?" Usa chirped. "Sorry for what?"

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Ames, don't worry about it." Minko glanced around the sitting room, then steered them all towards the couch in the corner, Usagi joining them a moment later. Ami was only vaguely aware of hearing Usa's voice at the door before she was right there again. Once they were all seated, a blonde on either side of Ami, Minako gently cleaned Ami's face and then sat back to give her a good once over. "There, all better. You can't even tell you were crying."

Ami gave her a slight smile. "Thanks, guys."

Usagi nodded. "Never a problem, Ames." Those summer sky eyes darkened a bit. "Now, can you tell us what happened or do you not want to?"

Ami sighed. "You're going to think I'm an idiot…hell, I think I'm an idiot…"

Both of the girls laughed, the sound putting her at ease rather than offending her. The compassion and relief in it was too clear for her to take umbrage. "Honey, we're all idiots over men. Nothing new, and nothing to be ashamed about." Mina grinned at her. "Love's like that, sweetie. It makes fools of everyone, no matter what." A coquettish wink made Ami giggle weakly, even as she shook her head in protestation. "Remember, Ames, you're talking to the Goddess of Love here!"

Usagi made a face at Mina's declaration. "Goddess of Love my butt. Don't believe a word of that, Ames." The petite blonde shrugged then, and gave her a rueful look. "But she is right about all of us being idiots about men. I mean, look at what the rest of us went through with our guys. None of us escaped looking like morons at least a few times. It happens. But, we get over it-mostly."

Her earnest face brought a slight smile to Ami's lips, but she had to interject, "Guys, I don't love him; it's impossible to love someone that quickly. I mean, I like him I guess, I just…well, I-" She felt the heat creeping back into her cheeks.

Usagi saved her from herself. "Tell ya what, Ames. Why don't we get back out there, have a good time, and we'll talk about this later tonight when we're not in a hoppin' club?"

Ami hesitated. Can I face him? Do I have a choice? She looked at the two women beside her, both radiating support and understanding. I can. Especially with the girls around me. I can handle it; I have more self control than that. A smile now firmly curving her lips, she nodded. "Sounds good. Let's not interrupt our fun for this; we have better things to do right now!" The façade is easy, I just have to keep it up until we get back.

Mina laughed. "Thatta girl! Now, let's go get our drinks from those two spazzes, down 'em, and get back on the dance floor!"

Ami squirmed a little and stared down at her hands. "I don't know about getting back out on the dance floor, but I'd like a drink right about now."

Usagi ducked her head to grin up at her, wickedness lacing her smile. "If we get enough alcohol in you you'll sing a different tune!"

That startled a laugh out of her, and an unexpected retort flew out of her mouth before she registered it. "Get enough alcohol in me and I just may sing, period!"

Her response sent all of them into gales of laughter. "You know we have to go karaoke before we leave. It's required. Especially since we've got the guys here!" Mina flashed an evil smile. "My Kenta has quite the voice once I soften him up with a few drinks and a couple…suggestions."

Both Ami and Usagi gaped at her for a moment before bursting into helpless giggles. "Oh," Ami gasped, "I'll go just to see that!"

"Me, too!" tittered Usa. "Plus, I love to hear everybody sing, and karaoke is just plain fun!"

Just then Makoto shouldered the door open again, Rei on her heels. Both of them carried drinks in either hand, Rei clutching a third glass with her fingertips, their grins spread ear to ear. "Drinks are heeere!" Mako sang out. "Screaming Orgasms for everyone! Extra strong, no less."

Rei gave Ami a fiendish smirk as she handed her a glass. "The bartender made this one special for you, shutterbug. Extra extra strong."

Ami eyed the glass in her hands dubiously. "Exactly how much alcohol is in this?"

"Not the question to ask, Ames," Minako chortled. "The proper question is: 'how drunk will this get me as soon as I down it?' Ami nearly choked as Mina winked at her gleefully, and ended up wheezing with laughter at the blonde's cheery audacity as the others all burst into fits of hilarity around her. "Now have your Orgasm and let's get back out there!" Mina raised her glass high, toasting the breathless blue-haired woman beside her. "To being an idiot!"

"To being an idiot!" The rest of them chorused, and then they all raised their glasses, clinked them together, and drank as one.