The usual disclaimers apply: I do not own, and if lesbianism offends go away. Thanks in advance. ;)

Chapter 2: Confusion, Explanations, Guilt

"Who are you?" The words were delivered calmly, if a little confused.

An unpleasant feeling slithered up Ami's spine and crept around her neck before it settled into her brain. Distress and disbelief battled for control and it was reflected plainly on her face. The situation felt so surreal she felt for a second she was standing outside herself. For that moment she was just as confused as Makoto before a calm mask slid into place. Panic all you want later, Ami told herself, right now you have to take care of Mako. Her lips drew into a placid smile as she looked into the questioning viridian eyes of her best friend. Her best friend who currently thought of her as a stranger.

"I'm Ami," she started, "There was some definite trauma to your head earlier today. I did some scans while you were unconscious and and the tests returned normal results." She licked her dry lips before she continued, "However, there's a possibility you may have amnesia. "

Deep silence invaded the room as Makoto absorbed this information.

"Do you remember anything? Anything at all?" Ami questioned carefully.

"I don't." There was an undertone of fright in the two words and it hurt Ami to see Makoto, usually so strong and unafraid looking frail and scared. She was about to speak when the door opened gingerly. Makoto and Ami both looked towards the entrance, noticing the rest of the inner senshi filling the doorway. Their eyes lit up as they saw Mako sitting up but a quick glance at Ami's face convinced them something was very wrong.

Ami beckoned them inside, not knowing if she was doing the right thing but doing it anyway. Minako and Rei stood silently, waiting for either Ami or Makoto to speak. Even the boisterous Usagi was subdued. By this point she had grasped the ability to read the atmosphere in any situation before jumping in.

"Is Luna or Artemis here?" Ami asked Usagi who shook her head, the twin blonde tails trailing behind her with the action. Maybe that's a good thing, Ami thought, their presence could possibly confuse the situation further.

"Will someone say something?" Makoto growled, suddenly irate. "Who are these people anyway?" She gestured to the newcomers. Turning to Ami she exclaimed, "Are you even a doctor?"

They all blanched at the harsh tone coming from Makoto. Ami fought to get the words out.

"Please, I'll explain everything." She pleaded taking Mako's hand in her own. Mako looked down at the strangely familiar action by the woman. She sat back and waited for Ami.

"You're right. I'm not a doctor. Not yet anyway." She motioned to the three standing near the bed. "We're your friends. We all had plans to meet earlier today but something happened."

"Ami-" Rei piped up and Ami held up her hand causing the shrine maiden to pause.

"Considering the amount of information Mako is missing I believe it's safe to say she has amnesia. What I'm not certain of is how serious it is. All we can do is monitor her condition for the next few days." Four pairs of worried eyes looked at Makoto again. The woman was laying back, her eyelids drooping closed although she was obviously fighting to stay awake. Ami pointed to the door indicating to the rest they should wait outside. She intended on joining them before long.

Speaking softly, she adjusted Mako's pillows until she appeared comfortable. "You must be so tired, please rest. I'll be here when you wake up." She brushed the hair back from Makoto's forehead and at the touch Mako ceased struggling and closed her eyes. She drifted off to sleep right away. Ami stood over her, unaware she was crying until she felt teardrops on the hand that stroked Makoto's hair.

"I'm so sorry, Mako. So sorry." She swiped the tears away determined to hold onto her self-control before she spoke to the others.

-x-x-x-

Usagi, Rei and Minako were involved in a hushed, heated discussion that abruptly died when Ami exited the bedroom. They sat around the table in Makoto's living room and she joined them, feeling drained. Usagi noticed the tenseness in Ami and compassion oozed from her. They were all anxious about Makoto but she knew this had to be hurting Ami the most. Especially if she thought she was the one to blame for the brunette's condition. She squeezed Ami's shoulder lightly to convey the message that everything would be okay.

Once again Rei was the first one to address her in a low tone."Ami, we can't keep her here like this! We need to take her to a hospital." Her amaranthine eyes stared into Ami's, trying to appeal to her sensibilities. Minako looked on sympathetically but Ami could see the blonde stood with Rei on this argument.

The blue haired woman sat up straight, anger suddenly flowing into her body. "I did all the tests and scans myself and I trust my results. She's fine. The hospital will say the same thing and keep her there in a sterile environment." Her lips tightened, drawn into a straight fine line. "It's better if she's surrounded with the familiar. Like her home!" She glared at Rei, refusing to give in.

"She's not fine! She can't remember a damn thing!" Slamming her fist down on the table,the raven haired miko couldn't believe it. Ami should have been the first one to suggest they take Mako to a proper facility for treatment. Looking at Ami carefully, Rei noticed the usually cool woman appeared frantic below the surface. One little push and Ami would probably go right over the edge. The only thing holding her together right now was the indignation she saw in Ami's eyes and posture.

Mina spoke carefully, but without hesitation. "We have to do the right thing for Mako-chan."

"And how do we explain what happened to her? 'Oh doctor, we were out fighting a random youma when it happened? Here, have a gander at her bizarre physiological makeup while you're at it?'" The scornful manner in which this was spoken cowed Rei, but the miko refused to look away from the stormy depths. Mina's mouth hung open at the outburst but she quickly closed it. She could feel anxiety rolling off Rei in waves and she placed a hand on the hot-tempered woman's back to calm her.

"I suppose you agree with Rei and Mina?" Ami turned cold blue eyes on Usagi and the future queen of Crystal Tokyo almost shivered at the chill. They rarely experienced this side of Ami, so very different from the sweet and kind person. This Ami filled the room with guilt covered in a thin layer of rage and Usagi knew there was only one thing to do. She scooted around the table and pulled the woman into her arms. Ami resisted at first, her body stiff and unyielding.

"Ami," she whispered, "this isn't your fault. Please, believe me." She stroked the woman's back and gradually she could feel Ami's defenses melt before the trembling began. Tears followed on the coattails of the departing anger. Usagi whispered soothing words and employed calming touches while Rei and Mina could only look on in sorrow for their friend, tears threatening to spill from their eyes.

Omake:

Rei was the first one to address her in a low tone."Ami, we can't keep her here like this!" Her amaranthine eyes stared into Ami's, trying to appeal to her sensibilities.

"No!" Ami shouted, then pouted, her arms crossed. "I wanna keep her! I never had a pet before." She muttered, "I wanna feed her,bathe her, comb her pretty hair and play with her lots!"

Mina smiled delightedly,"Awww...here you can use this then!" She offered a collar to the blue haired woman. "Don't worry about giving it back, I have more at home."

A/N: Once again would really appreciate some feedback. Thank you! :)