I had a decent amount of fun writing this chapter, so I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon!

R&R, please! :)

Minako sat calmly on the couch examining her nails idly as though they were the most fascinating things to be found in Mamoru's apartment. An uncomfortable silence filled the room where everyone was sitting as they waited patiently for Ami, Taiki, and Yaten to arrive. Minako, Ace, and Usagi were seated comfortably on one couch and Mamoru, Zoicite, and Nephlyte were seated on the other couch directly opposite of them. Jadedite was sitting in a chair that had been dragged over from the dining room table, looking remarkably relaxed. His feet were set on the vacant chair that was next to him that had been meant for Kunzite to sit on. But Kunzite was leaning against the wall behind his Prince, and had been glaring at Ace since the moment he had arrived with Minako.

"Umm… does anyone want something to drink?" Asked Usagi in an attempt to cut through the silence. She looked at Mamoru helplessly when no one answered.

"I have water, lemonade…" there was still no response, "vodka," he said, deciding he might need some if this silence didn't improve.

"Do you have any mixers to go with that?" Minako looked up from her nails to smile at Mamoru. He grinned back at the blonde.

"Naturally," Mamoru chuckled, standing up and walking toward the liquor cabinet on the far wall.

"Don't you guys think it's a little early for that?" Pouted Usagi. She looked pleadingly around for someone to back her up.

"Any other day, I would agree with you, Usagi-chan," Minako said, standing up and walking over to join him. "Do you have any peach schnapps and citrus vodka? I think I'll make myself a Hale Bopper."

"I just so happen to have both of those things," he opened the cabinet to display the numerous and various amounts of bottles stored there. "I'll go get the lemonade from the fridge, shall I?"

Minako smiled and nodded as she grabbed a glass from the cabinet. She poured in the vodka and schnapps as the silence continued to fill the room. When Mamoru returned, she poured in the lemonade and then returned to her seat with her glass brimming. She took a sip of the citrus yellow drink and smiled.

Mamoru returned to his seat with a dark brown drink in his hands. "The bar is still open, in case any of you change your minds." He took a sip of his drink and then set it down on the table. He smiled at Usagi who rolled her eyes and then smiled back at him.

A knock at the door prevented the silence from returning. Usagi went to answer it and let in Ami, Taiki, and Yaten. "Good morning you guys!" She said cheerfully, hugging each person as they walked through the door. Minako took a sip of her drink to hide the glare she shot at Zoicite as he sat up straighter at the sight of Ami. Give it up, asshole; she's not into you. She set her drink down and glanced at the newcomers. Ami was standing very close to Taiki, in a way that was more than friendly. Minako glanced back at Zoicite, who was doing nothing to hide the glare he was shooting at the tall man standing next to Ami. Taiki ignored the eyes boring into him and draped an arm around Ami's shoulders. She gasped and looked blushingly at the tall starlight, who was saying good morning to Usagi.

Yaten had watched the exchange with interest. He chuckled at Taiki, who was normally never jealous or mischievous. His eyes drifted back to the couch where he saw Minako, who was also giggling. She locked eyes with him and winked. He felt a blush faintly spread across his cheeks before turning to scan the other faces in the room.

The brunette man, Nephlyte, was whispering something to Zoicite to make the man relax. Jadedite hadn't moved at all, his expression suggested that he was deep in thought. The last man, Yaten realized with surprise, was glaring directly at him. Before Yaten could stop himself, he sneered back at the silver-eyed man and then flipped his long hair over his shoulder as he looked away.

Once, Usagi would have been oblivious to anything going on around her unless it was happening right in front of her. But, as the time had passed, she had changed and matured. In less than a year she would marry, ascend the throne as Neo Queen Serenity, and become pregnant with Chibi-Usa. Now, her eyes didn't miss the jealous gazes of Kunzite and Zoicite. Nor did they miss the subtle retaliation by the Star Light's. She fought the grin that tugged at her lips.

"So," said Mamoru as everyone settled down for the meeting. Yaten had stolen Usagi's spot next to Minako. Ami, and Taiki drug chairs for themselves and Usagi from the Dining Room. Minako could see their hands were hanging off the sides of their seats and were loosely tangled together. She smiled, happy for her friend at let her eyes flit over to Yaten. He too saw the joined fingers of two intelligent lovebirds, and a smile was forming softly on his face.

"So," repeated Mamoru, "we are here because Rei's prediction that more people than just the Shittennou had been revived has proven true. We need to do what we can to figure out who else, if anyone, might have been revived."

"Minako, do you want to introduce your companion," Usagi smiled kindly at Ace.

"Everyone, this is Kaitou Ace. When he worked for the Dark Kingdom he was known as Danburite. He was a soldier of Venus during the Silver Millennium. He was killed with his squad after the Venusian Army was sent to Earth to back up the crumbling forces there. In this life he was born again and turned by Beryl-" an audible snort interrupted her and all heads turned to look at Kunzite. He was sneering openly at Ace.

"I'm sorry, General, but I was under the impression that my Princess was talking," Ace growled.

"Turned by Beryl? As if. If that is what he told you, Venus, then he lied to you. He had more of a choice than anyone." Kunzite spat angrily.

Minako's eyes narrowed and she coolly replied, "Thank you for your input, but I am well aware of how my Guardian came into Beryl's service. It was because he wanted to be with me, and felt the power and fame the Dark Agency would bring him could help him attract my attention. I do not condone his choice, or his turn in allegiance, but he also worked against the Dark Kingdom to help me."

"If you are quick to forgive him, but not the rest of us, then I find you guilty of employing a double standard." Kunzite growled at the blonde. At these words Yaten jumped to his feet.

"From what I understand, your not in a place to find her guilty of anything," Yaten said heatedly.

"Yaten, that's enough," came Taiki's quiet voice.

"Yes alien, sit back down," Kunzite sneered.

"Kunzite!" Shouted Mamoru angrily at the man standing behind him. "That's enough."

There was a tense silence. Then Minako spoke, "I can forgive him easily, because he did not betray me in the same capacity that you did. He didn't kill my Princess or break my heart or help to end the happiest time this universe had ever known. No, you did that." Her words were merciless and cold. There was silence again.

"So, how exactly were you revived Ace?" Asked Usagi kindly, trying to get the meeting back on track.

"When Minako destroyed my body, my soul was freed from Beryl's control. I chose to remain in a card that I had just given to Minako. I never had the strength to manifest myself from it, so I just rested, hoping one day I might have my body back. Last night, I could feel the power of Venus wash over me and when I awoke, I was sitting on Minako's vanity."

"Interesting," muttered Ami.

"What we need to find out is if any dark creatures could have been revived, like youma," stated Mamoru.

"I don't think so," said Ami slowly, "It seems as though only people with actual souls that remained behind in talismans were revived. I don't think we are in danger of any youma coming back to life since they were just creatures created by dark energy."

Relief flowed through the room like a wave, until Ami spoke again, "But, I worry that one other person might have been revived… Beryl."

The tension rose around the room.

"But no one had kept anything of hers," Minako murmured thoughtfully. "And Chaos is still rotting in the Galaxy Cauldron, so if she was even revived, she would be virtually powerless."

"That is true. There weren't any other brainwashed or power hungry people working with the Dark Agency were there?" Ami directed her question toward the Shittennou.

"None that I remember," said Zoicite quickly. "Though, mind you, I didn't live all the way to the final battle between all of you and Metallia."

"There were no others," Kunzite's eyes didn't look at anyone in the group when he spoke.

"If that's the case, then maybe, for once, we have nothing to fear," said Usagi happily.

Minako took a large gulp of her drink. "That may be, but our destiny is to always fight to protect you and the Silver Crystal. I vote we stay on our toes."

Usagi nodded, "Agreed. But in the meantime, I have a wedding that isn't going to plan itself!" She looked at Ami and Minako hopefully.

Minako's expression softened slightly, "Sorry Usagi, I have a rehearsal today for another concert tomorrow night and filming to do afterwards."

Usagi sighed and looked hopefully at Ami. "Sorry, Usagi-chan! I have a busy day at the hospital ahead of me. Taiki is coming with me to help me do some research." She smiled up at Taiki.

Defeated, Usagi sighed, "There's so much to do and you girls never help me!" She wailed. She wasn't a Queen yet and didn't feel bad about cranking up the water works when it seemed like it might work.

"Oh Usagi, that's a lie and you know it! We have dress shopping to do tomorrow afternoon, so why don't you just work on the guest list today?" Minako said. She walked over and gave Usagi a big hug, "You know, how about tomorrow after the concert we have a sleep over, for old times sake?"

"Minako- chan! That is a great idea!" Usagi beamed happily.

"If I ask Makoto to come over and bake you some yummy snacks, will you stop saying such crazy things and promise to work on the guest list and invites?"

"Yes! I promise!"

Minako smiled at the blonde beside her. Her princess had changed a lot in the last few years, but it warmed her heart any time she was able to see glimpses of the Usagi she had first met. She finished her drink, glad that the meeting had been adjourned so quickly and that she wouldn't need another Hale Bopper to help her through the day.

"Minako, Taiki and I need to go to the hospital right away. Can you take Yaten back to the house?"

Minako grimaced, but nodded. She turned to glance at Yaten and Ace, who had been seated on either side of her. They were determinedly not looking at each other. Minako sighed; maybe she would need another drink.

Ahahaha! Next Chapter is going to be an awesome awkward car ride. ;)

See you guys next time!

Also, please R&R! ;D