Disclaimers: I don't own these characters. If lesbianism offends you, then boy are you lost!

A/N: I read somewhere that it was easy to write about pain and suffering but difficult to write comedy. And I've found this to be so true, while this isn't exactly comedy I wanted to imbue an air of happiness in this chapter. It was really difficult to get started especially when I felt that I had written myself into a corner I couldn't get out of for the past week. I'm happy to say I found a sudden spurt of inspiration and I wasn't left a muse-less fool after all. ;)

On another note - There will be one last chapter after this one.

And on another random note – I found a new tea, green tea with jasmine. I never knew such a delicious thing existed!

Chapter 11: All together Now

Ami sighed as hot water cascaded over her, little streams and rivulets forming on their way down her lithe figure. The water felt good as it beat against her skin but she suddenly wanted Makoto with her, the hands of the taller woman following trails of water on every part of her body. She pinked at the thought of a naked Mako-chan in the shower with her. She already knew from experience that being in the taller woman's arms provided comfort, but there was an underlying need for so much more. They had only kissed so far but Ami was caught up in the dilemma of wanting Makoto and moving too fast. She knew Makoto would not do anything if she was not ready for it. She was afraid of her own body and its cravings before she could fully comprehend the feelings that came with it. For being all of twenty-one she wasn't used to such carnal desires and it unnerved her. Academics were her forte, romance and the physical aspects of it were beyond her scope.

At least I conquered the first hurdle tonight. Sighing again but with a smile on her face, she recalled the evening.

-x-x-x-

Thursday rolled around again and unlike the previous it had been very uneventful. As uneventful as could be for five young women gathered in one place anyway. Neither of them had felt like studying as they were wont to do after a particular crisis. Even Ami had not felt very inclined to pore over textbooks and instead opted for just enjoying the time being next to Makoto. Mina, Rei and Usagi had exchanged smirks and knowing looks that made Ami blush but did not deter her from the brunette's side.

The others had been overjoyed on finding Mako's memory returned but the celebration did not last long, they had been thrown into their busy schedules back again, especially Ami and Makoto. Their commitments might have taken away time spent together but each night before sleep they laid in bed with their phones reducing the distance between them if only for a little while. The chance to finally see each other after almost a week made them both giddy and the teasing from the other young women did not pause their craving of contact.

Rei's room had turned into an impromtu party spot, the low table in her room laden with snacks and everyone had found a comfy area to sit and relax. Usagi was in her customary position of laying next to Rei's bookshelf, manga in hand. Mina lounged on Rei's bed while Makoto sat on the floor, her back supported by the bed. Ami sat by her side while Rei sat at the table.

The topic morphed constantly until it got around to the incident in the park and the strange, quick youma. They all agreed it was the first time they had found any of the beasts to move that quickly, outdoing one of their fastest senshi.

"Ami told me if it wasn't for you two showing up so quickly who knows what might have happened. We were both lucky you were there. Thanks guys." Makoto remarked, smiling gratefully at Rei and Mina who had changed position from the bed to end up sitting next to the miko.

Mina beamed back, "I'm glad we were there to help."

"I thought we were all going to meet up here though. How come you two were at the park?" Usagi pointed out.

Rei's cheeks reddened when Mina smirked at her, answering while teasing the raven haired woman. "Rei's going to answer that question. Right?" The blushing woman turned an impossible shade of red and Ami was concerned there might not be enough blood in the rest of the miko's body.

"W-Wait a minute!" Rei turned to Mina, her movements and words demonstrating her nervous state. This only made the other three very interested. They rarely saw Rei this flustered, it had to be something good. Even Ami's curiosity was piqued.

Rei turned to the others noting the expectant expression everyone wore and gulped, "W-Well, you see..." The rest of the words seem to be stuck in her throat. Minako crossed her arms and waited. Makoto thought Mina seemed the most impatient and she wondered why.

"Well?" Usagi prompted.

"Uh-" Rei swallowed and tried again.

Minako huffed, out of patience. "Oh for Venus' sake! We were on a date."

Makoto noticed Rei shooting Mina a glare but there was something else in the look, something intimate and she felt like she was suddenly intruding. She turned to look at Ami and a spark of intuition passed between them. So that's it. They shared a smile and Mako took Ami's closest hand in her own, giving it a light squeeze.

Usagi gave a laugh, "Was that all? I don't know why you were so nervous, Rei. Were the guys cute at least?"

Makoto nudged Usagi and the blonde looked at her quizzically for a moment. Makoto gave the barest indication of a nod in Ami's direction then another in Mina and Rei's who were too busy silently communicating and therefore missed Usagi's question and Makoto's hints.

Usagi's eyes opened wide, blue sparkling in excitement as the meaning of Mina's words hit home. "Ohh!" She got up quickly and went around the table between Mina and Rei, her arms pulling the two into a hug. "You're together! I'm so happy!"

Mina's smile was radiant and the dying blush on Rei's cheeks renewed itself. Turning to Rei Mina triumphantly exclaimed, "See? I told you they wouldn't care!"

Usagi let go and Rei muttered something only Mina could hear. Makoto and Ami did not get a chance to hear Mina's reply as Usagi enveloped them in a hug like the one she had given to the other women. "And you two! I'm so thrilled you finally worked things out."

The four senshi wore light blushes as Usagi danced around the room while crooning delightedly that her children were finally growing up. At the word children, Rei had thrown a chip at the exuberant blonde princess and from there on it had escalated into an all out food fight. The evening quickly passed in blur of food, friendship and laughter. Lots of laughter.

-x-x-x-

Ami smiled again, shaking her head and sending drops of water flying. It felt like years had passed since she had fun like that. Being with her friends, with Makoto, their feelings out in the open had only made the night more special. But the part of the evening she really treasured was the walk home with the brunette. In an unspoken agreement they ended up walking in the direction of Ami's home. It was warm for a spring night, the skies clear with stars abundant against the black velvet of space.

Makoto had taken Ami's hand in her own while they walked as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The smaller woman had blushed at the feeling as Mako entwined them fingers together, their palms intimately touching. While a sensation stirred in her chest a sweeter feeling of contentment filled her. Recounting all of the small kindnesses Makoto allowed her over the years, she wanted to do something special for the woman. Not just to repay Makoto but to show her how much she meant to Ami. She had no idea what to do but she decided to jump in anyway. Mako had taught her sometimes obsessing over the smaller details made her lose sight of the bigger picture. She was slowly realizing how much the brunette had done for her just by being in her life. Just jump in.

She stopped, and drew in a breath as Makoto paused on the sidewalk facing her. She had not asked Ami what was wrong, instead she waited patiently with a slight smile on her face.

"Mako-chan, are you doing anything tomorrow evening?" While she didn't stutter her voice came out shaky.

Makoto smiled as if she had been anticipating this question and already had an answer. "No, I have the day off."

A happy grin bloomed on Ami's lips and she realized it might have echoed in her eyes because Makoto gave her a radiant smile in return. So beautiful, I can't believe she loves me.

Makoto pulled Ami into a hug, "I do. I really do love you, Ami," and the smaller woman's eyes widened as she realized she had spoken the thought out loud.

Ami clung to Mako, an overwhelming feeling in her chest, it was practically painful. "I love you, Mako." They might had stayed like that for hours if it wasn't for a car, the beams of its headlights flashing over them as it passed.

"Damn these cars," Mako said with a teasing smile on her lips as they broke apart. Ami blushed but did not comment. "Anyway, you were asking me something before we got sidetracked?"

"Will you go out with me?" Ami looked down at their feet, dug inside herself for some courage and looked up into the taller woman's face again, "I-I mean on a date tomorrow."

"You beat me to the punch." Green eyes twinkled happily.

"You mean-"

"Yes."

They resumed walking, hands clasped again. They did not speak the rest of the way, instead an easy silence sprung up between them. They had not felt the need to say anything else. Being together in the dark with the stars for company, their hands and fingers entwined had been more than enough.

Ami stepped out of the shower. She had no idea where the courage to ask Mako out had come from but she was proud of herself. Better hope you have plenty more in reserve for tomorrow, the though crossed her mind and she winced before letting a smile overtake her. Her mother passed as Ami stepped out the bathroom. Noticing the glowing smile on her daughter's face, her lips settled into an unconscious echo of the smile Ami wore.

"You look very pleased tonight." Mizuno-sensei remarked.

Ami placed a kiss on her mother's cheek. "Yes!" she answered mysteriously, followed by "Goodnight Mom!" As she hurried to her room, a bounce in her step.

An eyebrow rose as Mizuno-sensei stared after her daughter. Her lips twitched in amusement as she remembered acting in a similar manner.

It's about time, good for her.

Reviews are most welcome, in fact I encourage you to mention anything you felt that I might have neglected to address in this chapter so that I may include it in the last chapter. Thank you!