A/N- Okay, guys, I'm sorry this has taken so long. Honestly, real life has been rather...well, harsh lately. Still, I feel bad that I just left all of you hanging. For this chapter, please thank FilmMaker, as she is the one who really got me moving on it. She's been fantastic throughout. As a note, this chapter deals with several perspectives other than the main two; hope you enjoy it. Thanks, Liari.

The rest of the evening passed as a blur for Ami, the pleasant haze of alcohol blunting and softening all the edges and spikes of anxiety as her friends pressed drink after drink on her. Normally, she would have refused, but tonight…well, tonight wasn't exactly normal. She didn't normally come home after two in the morning, and she didn't normally need help walking through the door, either. Of course, nothing today could really be called normal anyway. And what was this preoccupation with the word normal? Eh, nothing is ever normal, right? After all, it's not every day I'm kissed by an incredibly handsome man that I'm surprisingly and intensely attracted to…ARG NO no thoughts about that, isn't that why I drank so much…though he is really quite good-looking…

Mina, who happened to be on Ami's right side supporting her as they walked back to the house, happened to see the dreamy smile that accompanied that thought and held back a slight smile. Thought so. She steered her wobbly friend towards the couch, where the physics of sitting down became interesting for a moment before she got Ami settled on the settee. Amused by her own thoughts, Mina grinned for a moment and then turned to Mako who'd been hovering worriedly about. "It's okay, Mako. She'll be fine, really. She just needs to sit quietly for a while, and probably have some water." Mina pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Actually, if you could go get some, that would be great. Especially since I don't think Rei or Usa are going to be much help at this point…"

Since the duo were currently singing and giggling together as they stumbled into the house that was rather obvious. Though, Mina did have to admit, even drunk Rei could sing. Meh, when we do karaoke, then we'll see who's better, drunk or sober!

Mako laughed. "Yea, I think you and I are the only sober ones, hm? Let me get those two tucked in, then I'll be back with some water for Ames."

Mina shot her a quick grin of gratitude. "Great. I'll just keep an eye on our little lush, then."

"'M not a lussh!" Ami protested from the couch. This protest was accompanied by an attempt at raising an arm to emphasize her point. Of course, since she was slouched down quite a bit into the soft cushions, giving the impression that she was being eaten by the couch, it didn't quite come across with the verve it should have.

Mako chuckled and ran off to take care of the other two as she called over her shoulder to Mina, "Right, then! I'll just get these two squared away!" She shuffled them off, slurred objections overridden by her cheerful banter and scolding for the overindulgence.

Mina snorted, bemused. "Such a mother figure." With that taken care of, she turned back to the slight figure still slumped in the embrace of the sofa. "Well, shutterbug, since we seem to have a moment to ourselves, let's talk."

She had to suppress another snort as Ami looked at her with the cutest mix of bewilderment and suspicion on her face. "Talk? You wannme to talk wh'n I'm this drunk? Thas mean, Mina…"

She patted her friend genially as she sat down beside her. "Well, I'll probably do more of the talking, you just need to listen and answer every now and then. But I figured that you drunk would be a good thing, really, since maybe it'll loosen you up enough that you don't feel like you have to hide your emotions."

Ami looked startled at that blunt statement, and Mina sighed. "I know you have reasons, sweetheart, but honestly, I worry about you so much when you shut down like that. We're your friends, you know? You don't have to keep everything inside; you can tell us when you're afraid, and when you don't feel strong. We'll help as much as we can, and if we can't, then we can at least listen to you. Sometimes that helps more than anything else." She glanced at Ami and nearly wanted to cry when she saw how tiny and lost her friend seemed. "Ames, you've gotta talk to somebody before you explode… Ever since…" her voice quieted as she continued, "ever since your mom died you've drawn away from us. When the guys came into our lives, you withdrew even more. I don't think it's really on purpose, but honey, I don't think you know how much we need you."

In a voice so small and sad that it nearly broke Mina's heart Ami answered. "Dun' wanna talk 'bout it. Still hurts, 'n ev'n though I know t'shudn't it does. 'Nd then he comes, and makes me feel, 'n I dun' wanna, dun' wanna go th-rough that a-gain, 'm happy for you and th' gurls, really am, but dun' th'nk I c'n do it, 'm too mess'd up. I…I want him, Mina, 'nd that's bad, that's bad b'cuz he won't want me, not for g'ud, ev'ryone I love leaves me, ex-exschep…except for you girls." Sapphire blue eyes sparkled with tears as they met Mina's distraught gaze, and she watched as Ami fought for the words. "Makes me 'fraid. 'nd…And, that's not how I want to be. 'M…I'm…okay like this. I have all of you, and now the guys, too. I'm okay."

Mina watched Ami wordlessly for a moment, took in the tears at the edges of her eyes, the way her hands were clenched, the lines of pain drawn tight across her face. She smiled gently, then, and took those fists into her hands. "No," she crooned, "no sweetheart, you're not okay. And that's all right. It is, because if you can admit that to yourself and him, then this has a chance." Mina's smile wavered a little, and twisted slightly. "Take it from me, Ami. No one, hear me, no one is ever really okay when they've gone through the things we've all gone through. Not one of us has had an easy road with regards to anything, much less our relationships. You know that; you've been there for us. Now it's our turn. Okay? Let us have our turn, too." The smile became genuine again, sweet as summer sunshine. "You've gotta be fair, shutterbug, don't take all the glory for yourself."

That teased an answering smile out of Ami. The glaze was lifting from her eyes, cleared slightly. "You know, you're all so quick to assume that this man, Zane, will be my one. What makes you think that'll be so? I barely know him, after all."

Mina grinned, feeling mischief take over. "Because, Ames, I am the Goddess of Love, and I know when the love rug bites someone!" Pleased with herself and secure in the knowledge that at least Ami was listening and thinking now, she flounced off to grab the glass of water for Ami, since Mako was taking so long with Usagi and Rei. So caught up in her success, she never even heard the faint murmur from the bemused Ami.

"That's love bug, Mina…"

000

Zane sat outside the cottage with his arms up on his knees. The "talk" with the guys earlier had gone about as he'd expected; a mixture of good natured threatening, some serious questions, and a lot of teasing. He'd answered as well as he could, but even then he knew it hadn't been quite up to par. Zane sighed; of course, since he wasn't sure himself what was going on, it was a bit hard to answer questions about it.

"You know, Ami and I often look at the stars together. It's a passion of mine, and she's kind enough to indulge me now and then."

Zane twitched but didn't jump as Naoki sat down beside him, wryly pleased that he managed to mask his surprise. He kept his voice low and bland. "Oh?"

Apparently not bland enough. Naoki grinned at him cheekily. "Don't worry, even though the stars are romantic, neither of us feel that way about the other. I have Mako, and Ami…well." The brunet sighed and ran a hand through his hair, then went off on what seemed a non sequitur. "She's so passionate, our shutterbug, but you'd never know it to begin with. A lot of who she is lies under that cool surface she puts on for the world." He looked over at Zane. "I get the feeling that you're the same way."

Zane refused to take the bait, and simply stared outward. Naoki shrugged and smiled slightly. "Right. Anyway, she's rather complex, our Ami. Perhaps even as much as you yourself are. But, as they say, everything is written in the stars. I guess it just depends on whether or not you can read them."

With that vague statement, Naoki wandered back into the house and left Zane to wonder what that had all been about.

"Odd guy…" he murmured to himself. Still… Zane gazed up at the stars. Can you tell me what's to come? Show me what path I should take? The stars shone down, as silent and shimmering as ever before. He bent his head and closed his eyes, the smile on his lips derisive. Stupid. They won't answer. Never do, no matter how important the question is, or how many times you ask. He sighed again and leaned back, staring upwards and wishing, though he wasn't sure what for.

000

Naoki paused, one hand still on the door as it closed. He smiled slightly. "Been there long?"

Jad grinned and stepped out of the shadows. "Nah, not that long. Just wanted to make sure that you didn't kill him. He may be a pretty-boy, arrogant prick, but he's still my best friend."

Naoki looked at Jad with a curious look. "I know. Which is why I'm surprised it's taken you as long as it has to introduce all of us to him. You've talked about him forever, but the first time we ever met him was for the wedding prep. Why is that?"

A sigh gusted from Jad. "Honestly?" He smiled wryly, and ran a hand through his hair, the gesture one of Zane's characteristic moves. "We grew up together in America, moved here together, and have been each other's best friend forever and a day, but sometimes I still feel like I don't know him. I've been trying to get him to meet all of you from day one, ever since I brought Rei home to meet him. He's flat out refused me more times than I can count. I'm not sure why he finally gave in to me, but I'm glad he did." Another twisted grin. "He's one of the loneliest party guys I know. He's a playboy, but he didn't use to be like that." Jad shrugged, uncomfortable. "Of course, that's not my secret to share."

Naoki glanced at him sharply. "Is it something that will come out to hurt Ami?"

Blue eyes met brown. "I don't know. But that's something they have to find out for themselves, Naoki. Not us. We can't interfere that much."

The chestnut-maned man growled under his breath. "I won't let her be hurt."

"We don't have a choice. There's nothing we can do but be there. For them both." Jad's eyes smouldered at Naoki. "Passion burns. People get hurt. Love is just that way, as you well know." The slender blond advanced on the taller man. "Leave things to your stars, Naoki."

Naoki snarled and whirled, disappeared into the back of the cabin. Jad gazed after him and sighed again. He glanced at the door even though he knew he wouldn't see anything through the sturdy wood. "Zane…I hope this works out. For everyone's sake."

With that he went back to his room to try and get some sleep, and hopefully dream of his own violet-eyed virago. Love is always complicated… I hope for you, my friend, that it isn't as bad as all the rest of us have been.