Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Knight's Work Is Never Done ❯ Acceptance ( Chapter 11 )

A Knight's Work Is Never Done

Chapter 11: Acceptance

 

By: Ginsan

 

 

It was like trying to swim against a current.

 

Jordan continued to fight against what was happening, but he was loosing. He could feel consciousness approaching, and he didn't want it. Even now, all he wanted to do was die.

 

Except for things he could count on one hand, there was nothing for him in this world anymore.

 

Ever sense what had happened to him back in L. A.,he had been living through events as everyone had wanted him to. He'd lost his Best Friend, and been shot by the person he considered to be a friend. Everyone had expected him to be fine, like nothing had happened. His parents were the worst of all. His Father had begun to push him towards being a member of the corporation, and his Mother can pushed him back into the modeling business. Both had said it would help, and both had been wrong. At least his mother had finally relented, and allowed him to do things his own way, instead of pushing harder.

 

As far as Jordan was concerned, the past week or so had been fun, but nothing that he could count as wanting to do again. Especially where pain was concerned. Within the past year, he had had more than his fair share of it.

 

He continued to fight against waking up, but in the end it was a loosing battle. He was forced to awaken after all.

 

* * *

 

Ami continued to hold onto Jordan's hand. Even though she had fallen asleep, nothing would make her let go.

 

Jordan's eyes slowly opened, and he hissed in pain, as he began to pick up the various feelings his body was sending him. He glanced down at his hand, to see why it wouldn't move.

 

"Could you please let go of my hand." When he got nothing more than a soft moan, he tried to yank his hand out of her grasp, with little success. "This is pathetic." He tried to use his free hand to pry hers off, and met the same result. "I can't even pry her off. Damn it."

 

Jordan fell back onto his pillow, and before he knew it, he was asleep again.

 

* * *

 

He awoke again sometime later, and it took him a moment to figure out where he was. He was still in the guest room, but it looked like he was alone this time. He could move his hands freely now at least. He sat up slowly, and cautiously looked around the room. Other than Ami's computer still sitting on the table, there was no sign of anybody else in the room.

 

He tried to get out of the bed, but as soon as he stood up, he got dizzy and tripped over the chair near the bed. He hissed in pain, and the noise quickly brought people into the room.

 

Ami rushed over to him, and tried to help him back to the bed. He waved her off as he slowly stood back up. He glared at everyone in the room, before righting the chair and sitting in it.

 

"Obviously, I've recovered, and so has Ami. Now, if you would ALL kindly get out of my house. I would appreciate the restoration of what passes for peace and quite around here."

 

No one moved for several seconds, but most of them quickly scurried from the room, as Jordan began to fix each of them with a baleful glare. Finally, the only ones left, were Lita, and Ami. He continued to stare at them for several minutes, but neither one relented. He finally gave in with an exasperated sigh.

 

"Fine. If the two of you are going to stay, you might as well make yourselves useful." He glanced at the clock on the wall, and grimaced. "My Mother and sister will be home tomorrow. I wasn't exactly planning to have the whole lot of you over here, or I wouldn't have sent the maid home. I'd advise cleaning up whatever messes may be laying around the house. I'm sure Serena's left at least half a dozen. Make sure you get rid of the blood stains on the floor. I'd rather the maid didn't find them, and report it to my Mother."

 

He slowly started to stand up, bracing himself on the back of the chair. When he felt steady, and after giving Ami a couple of glares when she tried to help, he started walking towards the door.

 

"As for me, I'm going up to my room. It wouldn't do for my family to see me in this state, and a decent sleep will help me recover enough to heal myself." He paused, as he leaned against the door frame. "You two might as well stay for dinner. You can order something with the money in the jar in the kitchen, or you can cook yourselves."

 

With that, he walked out of the door, and headed for his room. He had to stop several times along the way to steady himself, and cursed himself for it each time he did it.

 

Ami tried to go after him, but Lita blocked her way.

 

"I don't think it'd be such a good idea to go after him. You'll get your chance to talk to him later. For now, I think we should clean up our mess. Last time I ever try and let Serena try to make more than one cup of hot chocolate."

 

Ami smiled slightly at that, as she followed Lita out of the room, and towards the kitchen. Yes, Serena could be a handful in the kitchen.

 

* * *

 

Jordan could hear the girls moving around downstairs. Hopefully, they were cleaning up the mess. And if they were doing that, then they'd be leaving him alone, at least for a while.

 

He settled himself on his bed, and stared up at the ceiling. A poster of the L.A. skyline greeted him, and he continued to look at it. It always seemed to calm him, but today, all it did was annoy him. Instead of remembering the good times he had there, all he could remember was that night. The night when Ron had utterly destroyed his life. Instead of dealing with the feelings and memories that the poster was giving him, he rolled over to stare at the blank wall instead.

 

Blank and empty. Just like what he kept trying to make himself. Every time he let himself start to feel for someone or something, all he would get in return was pain. This latest fiasco was further proof. He'd allowed Ami to get too close, and had ended up getting both of them almost killed because of it. Getting himself killed, he didn't really care about. But the fact that someone innocent had almost been killed. Well, that just showed how dangerous it was to even know him.

 

Staring at the wall, and lost in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed that the sounds from downstairs had ceased, or that there was a gentle knock on his door. The knock repeated again, before the door was slowly opened.

 

Ami peeked her head inside the room. She spotted Jordan on his bed, with his back to her. She opened the door the rest of the way, and walked in with a small tray of food.

 

"Jordan, are you awake?"

 

When she didn't get a response, she sighed and walked over to his desk. She placed the tray of food on it, and with a look of regret, she left the room. She had wanted to talk to him, but she couldn't do it when he was asleep.

 

Jordan rolled over as soon as the door closed. After a few minutes, to make sure that it wasn't going to open again, he looked over at the tray of food. A couple of sandwiches, and a glass of water. A closer look at the sandwiches revealed them to be Peanut Butter, Banana Fluff.

 

After a moments hesitation, Jordan reached for one, and slowly began eating it. He managed to eat about half of it, before he set it down. He took a few sips from the water as well, to wash the peanut butter from his mouth. Seeing that it at least looked like he had tried eating, Jordan rolled back over, and stared at the wall again.

 

Blank, and empty. Somehow, he had to make himself into a hollow shell again. Allowing feelings and emotions inside wasn't doing anything but causing further pain. With a promise to himself to find a way of cutting off his emotions, he found himself back at the desk, eating the rest of the sandwiches.

 

After realizing what he'd just done, a disgusted Jordan dropped back on his bed, and looked back at the wall. Plans slowly began forming in his head as he began to drift off to sleep. It would all be so easy. Just pretend his emotions didn't exist.

 

* * *

 

Ami sighed, as she helped Lita clean up the last of the mess in the kitchen. She still hadn't been able to talk to Jordan. If she didn't know any better, she'd almost think that he was avoiding her. Taking out her frustration on a stubborn counter stain, she didn't notice when Lita began asking her something.

 

She blinked down at her empty hand for a few seconds, before she realized that Lita had snatched the rag from her.

 

"Got your attention now I see. You feeling alright? Not like you to space out like that. And, I think the stain is finally dead."

 

Ami blushed slightly, as looked away from Lita.

 

"Sorry. I guess I'm still not quite myself. I think I just need some more sleep."

 

Lita smiled, before tossing the rag into the sink.

 

"Then go rest in the guest room. I'd stick around, but I've got an appointment in the morning for a possible Job. I've got to get home, and make sure I have everything ready. If you need me, just give me a call."

 

Ami smiled meekly at her, before nodding her head.

 

"Sounds like a plan. Good luck."

 

Ami turned, and left the kitchen, headed for the other guest room. Lita watched her go, and smiled. It was good to see that she was going to be OK.

 

For a while there, they had all thought they had lost their friend. Luckily, it seemed like Jordan had managed to find a way to not only save her, but also other victims of Soul Devourers.

 

Lita quickly finished cleaning the rest of the Kitchen, before grabbing her things, and letting herself out. Today looked like it was going to be a good one.

 

* * *

 

Ami yawned as she sat up in bed. She was amazed at how much better she felt now, than she had last night. A good nights sleep was exactly what she needed.

 

She quickly took a shower, and changed her clothes, before heading to the kitchen. Since she didn't hear anyone moving around downstairs, she assumed that Jordan wasn't awake yet. She'd make breakfast, and take it up to him. It'd be the perfect opportunity to finally talk to him.

 

* * *

 

Jordan felt himself rising up to consciousness once again. He knew it was futile to fight it, but he tried anyway. The darkness was nice, but the light still wouldn't let it claim him. Not yet.

 

Wearily, Jordan allowed himself to wake up. As he did, he noticed a smell in the air for the first time. It took him a moment to place it, his mind still hazy from the clutches of oblivion.

 

Waffles. Fresh made waffles. Even though he wanted to deny how much he wanted them, his stomach began to growl. Just as began to criticize his body for it's weakness, the door to his room opened after a soft knock.

 

Ami entered the room, carrying a plate of waffles and a glass of milk, on a carefully balanced tray. There was also a large bottle of syrup on it.

 

"Good morning. I thought you might like a good breakfast after what you've been through."

 

Jordan sincerely wished that he could be sleeping again. Waking up, was one thing. Waking up to a cheerful girl, bringing him breakfast in bed, was quite another. Still, he couldn't quite bring himself to yell at her to leave.

 

"How can you be so Damned cheerful this early? It's not even noon yet."

 

Ami's steps faltered slightly, bit she managed to place the tray on the desk without mishap.

 

"Sorry Mr Grouchy. I was just trying to thank you. I'll leave you alone."

 

She turned away, and started out the door. A tear started it's way down her cheek.

 

Jordan tried to remember his promise from the night before, but something just wouldn't let him be like that around her.

 

"Come back." Ami paused, but didn't turn around. "Like you said, I'm grumpy in the morning. It's too early for me. I didn't mean to take it out on you. Sit."

 

Even though the last word sounded more like a command than an offer, Ami turned around and sat at the desk.

 

They stared at each other for several moments, before Jordan finally pointed at the tray of food and distracted a slightly blushing Ami.

 

"Are you going to hand me the tray, or do I just get to smell it?"

 

Embarrassed, Ami grabbed the tray, and handed it to Jordan. He quickly grabbed the syrup bottle and drenched the waffles with it. With an eagerness he wished he didn't have, he quickly began eating the waffles.

 

Ami watched on in amazement, as Jordan devoured the waffles. He was almost as bad as Serena. When he finally finished, and sucked a last drop of syrup from his finger, Ami couldn't help but laugh.

 

Jordan stared at her for a moment, trying to figure out what exactly was so funny.

 

"And just what, pray tell, is so Damned funny?"

 

Ami finally stopped laughing, and pointed towards his face.

 

"You. You have syrup and waffles all over your face. You should see yourself."

 

Jordan frowned, and tried to be angry at her for laughing at him. But, her laughter seemed to be calming to him, not allowing him to get angry at her. With a frustrated sigh, he grabbed a napkin, and began to clean the mess off of his face.

 

By the time he had finished, Ami had managed to stop laughing, and had set the empty tray of food aside. She sat there in silence for a few minutes, while Jordan continued to stare at her. She finally worked up her courage to talk to him.

 

"Jordan. I. Thank you for saving me. I don't know how I could ever possibly thank you enough. And, I also wanted to tell you something."

 

Ami was silent for several minutes, having lost the courage she had built up for this. She suddenly found herself unable to tell him her feelings, now that he was awake and looking at her. Jordan interrupted her before she could get it back.

 

"Look, I did my job. I made a vow a long time ago that I would find a way to restore the victims of Soul Devourers. You just happened to be my first success. There is no need to get all gushy, and thankful. Now, if you don't mind, I'm still tired and I want to sleep some more."

 

He laid back on the bed and rolled over, ignoring the hurt expression on her face.

 

Trying to keep back the tears Jordan's harsh statement caused, Ami quickly gathered the dishes, and fled from the room. Jordan grunted to himself, once he heard the door slam closed behind her.

 

He didn't know where that sentimental crap came from she was about to spout at him, and he was glad that he had managed to cut her off in time. He continued to stare at the blank wall, trying to empty his head. Empty head, empty feelings. He let her slip through, but it wasn't going to happen again.

 

* * *

 

Ami was gone, when Jordan finally came down from his room. The house was still silent, so he guessed his Mother and Sister weren't back from their trip yet.

 

"Probably stopped somewhere to buy more anime. Like the brat doesn't have enough."

 

Jordan made his way to the kitchen, intent on grabbing a soda from the fridge. He paused at the door, when he spotted a note attached with a magnet. He took it off the fridge, and read it. It took a moment, since some of the words were blurred by what he assumed to be tears.

 

'Jordan. I had to go home and get dinner started for my Mother. I left my number if you need anything. Otherwise, I'll see you at school tomorrow.'

 

Jordan sighed, as he wadded up the note, and tossed it into the trash. She was really starting to get on his nerves. He grabbed a soda from the fridge, and went back up to his room. As he began climbing the stairs, he heard the car finally pull up outside.

 

"Finally. Now to get out of here, before they start spewing about the trip."

 

He quickly made it up to his room, and locked the door behind himself. He finished off the soda, and tossed it into his trash. He sat at his desk, and worked on the homework he hadn't been able to do since this whole fiasco had started.

 

As he worked, thoughts about the way he had treated Ami popped up. He quickly squashed them down, but they just kept coming back. With an exasperated sigh, he slammed the text book closed and dropped back onto his bed.

 

He pulled his pillow over his head, hoping to drown out the annoying voice of what was left of his conscience. He completely missed the faint glow coming from his pendant, laying on the corner of the desk.

 

* * *

 

Jordan stood in a hazy fog. He wasn't sure where he was, but guessed that he was probably stuck in his dream scape again.

 

"I thought you finally croaked. Why am I here again?"

 

"Because, you need to wake up."

 

Jordan spun around, to confront the owner of the familiar voice. His eyes widened in shock, as someone stepped out of the fog.

 

"How the Hell? This is impossible."

 

The figure smirked, and gestured at himself.

 

"Normally, yes, but you are doing this to yourself. True, Jorowyn is gone, at least for a while. However, someone needs to kick your ass. So, as your best friend, that task falls upon me."

 

The figure stepped fully out of the fog, and stood staring at Jordan. Other than a few minor differences, he looked nearly identical.

 

"What do you want Z? Haven't I been tortured enough by my past?"

 

Z smirked, as he poked Jordan in the chest.

 

"Simply put. No. So long as you keep treating people this way, you deserve exactly what you get out of it. So I died, killed by a bastard we thought was a friend. That doesn't give you an excuse to never have another friend, much less try to piss off the entire world." He poked Jordan with each sentence, knocking him back, one step at a time. "All you're doing right now, is alienating yourself from the people that want to help you. Yes, life was bad back in the Moon Kingdom, but you also had good times. If it wasn't for you, as soon as she was born, the Princess of Saturn would probably have been sealed away to keep her powers from threatening everyone. Through your counsel with the Queen, and continued visits and stays with her, you kept her from being a problem. Thanks to you, she had a life. And she has one now. Yes, you lost almost all of your family, but you gained a new one."

 

Z stopped poking Jordan, and allowed him to look where he was now. Behind him, the ground disappeared, leaving him standing at the edge of a cliff.

 

"And due to this attitude you've developed since my death, you're in serious danger of making everything that happened back then, and what they have accomplished now, worthless. If you go off and kill yourself, or cut yourself off from the world like you want, what happens to those who count on you? What happens to your sister without you to protect her? What happens to Frannie back in the States, when you abandon her in that asylum? And what happens to the girls, when you leave them without any information about what they're about to face."

 

Jordan began sputtering, trying to find a way to say that none of it was his responsibility, that he could care less. But here, inside his own head, such a denial was a hard thing to do.

 

"And what happens to Ami? You might as well admit, that you've started to like the girl. Technically, you've liked her ever since she was nice to you after Phaeton's destruction. She likes you to, as you well know. She's been trying to admit it to you, and herself, but you keep stopping from doing so. Why? Are you afraid that she'll actually crack that shell of ice you call a heart? Well, get over it. You can't keep living in a shell, no matter how much you'd like to. And, to help you with the decision, I think you need a glimpse of just what the future holds, if you go out like a schmuck and get yourself killed."

 

With that, Z shoved Jordan, knocking him off the cliff.

 

Jordan fell down into the darkness hopelessly trying to find something to hold.

 

As soon as he was out of sight, Z's form began shifting. The hair darkened slightly, and lengthened. His clothing changed into a soft green outfit, with silver trim. Frowning down into the darkness, and listening to Jordan's screams, Jorowyn sighed.

 

"I'm sorry I had to do that to you, but I couldn't think of anything else that would get through to you. Maybe, faced with what might happen, you'll finally snap out of this self induced misery."

 

Jordan's screams echoed in the darkness for a while before they finally died out, leaving Jorowyn's now faint form standing alone.

 

"This really is farewell Jordan. Goodbye."

 

* * *

 

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

 

Jordan woke up screaming, and it took him several moments before his foggy brain finally managed to stop the scream. He stayed sitting up in bed, taking deep breaths, as he remembered what had caused the scream in the first place.

 

After he had fallen down into the darkness, he'd begun to see visions. More horrible than any he'd ever had awake. At first, they were normal. Visions of Soul Devourers taking Soul Gems. Then, they gradually became worse. Not content with taking the Gems, they began killing people. One or two at a time, and eventually whole crowds. He watched, as one by one, each of the Scouts fell prey to them. At the last, even Neptune, and Uranus were killed, going down under a seemingly endless assault of Devourers. Mercury and Moon were the last. Even though he had never seen the Devourer that killed them, he knew who she was all too well. The final vision, was the one that woke him up screaming. His sister, slowly being ripped apart, crying his name until her throat was finally ripped out.

 

He placed his hands on his forehead, trying to get the last vestiges of the visions out. The accompanying headache wasn't helping.

 

He slowly got up out of bed and headed towards his bathroom, hoping that a hot shower might help things. A glance at his alarm clock revealed that it was four o'clock in the morning. With a groan, he headed for the shower, and hopefully, an end to whatever was trying to crack his skull open.

 

Half an hour later, Jordan re-emerged from his bathroom and feeling only marginally better. He still had a headache, but not nearly as bad as before the shower. He quickly got dressed, and headed downstairs. If nothing else, he could get a work out in before needing another shower before school. And maybe, he could work out what he had seen in the visions.

 

* * *

 

Ami arrived early for Mr. Hijira's class, only to find Jordan already there. And apparently, asleep. His head was down on his desk, and facing towards the wall.

 

Not wanting to wake him, and possibly having him create a scene in the middle of class, Ami quietly took her seat. The rest of the class eventually filed in, along with Mr. Hijira.

 

As soon as the teacher placed his things on the desk, Jordan sat up. Ami managed to get a look at his face before she began on her notes. He looked better than he had yesterday, but he still didn't look like himself. She decided to wait after class to talk to him.

 

Class droned on as usual, Ami taking notes and Jordan apparently, doing homework. As class ended, Jordan began gathering his things up as Ami leaned over to talk to him.

 

"Jordan. Can I talk to you?"

 

Jordan paused for a moment, before putting his notes into his Chem book and standing up.

 

"Meet me on the roof during lunch."

 

Before she could say anything else, Jordan was up, and out the back door of the classroom.

 

* * *

 

Lunch time arrived, and Ami found herself waiting on the roof for Jordan. He arrived a few minutes after her. He headed over towards his corner and placed his lunch box down, opening it, and pulling out a sandwich. He quietly began eating it as Ami sat down nearby and watched him eat. After several minutes, Jordan finally put the sandwich down and stared at her.

 

"Well? So what do you want? You are the one who wanted to talk to me."

 

Ami blushed slightly, and Jordan had to fight down a voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like Z's, saying she looked cute when she did that.

 

"Sorry. I wanted to make sure you were alright. You didn't look so good during Mr. Hijira's class."

 

"I'm fine. Just had a bad dream last night. Now what did you really want to talk about?"

 

Jordan began eating his sandwich again, waiting for her to finally get to it.

 

"I. I know you told me to stop thanking you, but I can't. And please, let me finish this time." She paused a moment and took a deep breath, some of her blush coming back. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't saved me. And I wish I knew of a way to thank you. When you collapsed, and started dying, I realized something, Jordan. I like you. A lot. I wanted you to know, and I want to get to know you better. But, you make it so hard. Yelling at people, and cutting them down. What do you have against other people? I know what happened to you back in the States. I understand that would make anyone cynic, but this is more than that. It's almost like you want everyone to hate you. Why?"

 

Jordan remained silent, as he finished the last bite of his sandwich. He pulled a soda from the box, and took a few sips.

 

"There is a very simple reason for why I saved you. You saved my life, and that of my sister, when you chased off that Soul Devourer. If you hadn't, we both would probably have been victims. I was returning the favor you gave us." He paused, and frowned as though he was upset at something. "As for you liking me, that's entirely your choice. How you could is beyond me. And yes, I am an asshole on purpose. I don't want people getting close to me." A glazed look crossed his eyes as he spoke the next part. "Everyone who ever gets close to me, or that I get close to, gets hurt. It happened repeatedly in the past, it happened to Z, and it happened to you. I never should have let you even talk to me. All it did was make you a target."

 

Jordan stopped and stared down at the ground, his face still distant. After several minutes of silence he began speaking again, his voice barely audible.

 

"I personally have nothing against the world, though it seems to despise me. First, I lost my family, and everyone I knew when Phaeton was destroyed. From that, all I had was a life of misery while I was on the Moon. I was gone so often, because I couldn't stand to live with everyone's pity, or in some cases, hatred. When I was off on assignment, I was allowed to be myself, to do what I wanted. I didn't have to be the polite little Prince of Phaeton, the ridiculed ruler of a non-existent planet. I didn't have to worry about the pressure to give a polite smile to everyone, and pretend not to know they hated me for what happened to their families. I was able to be free, and alone. No one else's thoughts. No one else's opinions. Just myself.

 

"Here in the present, I'm betrayed by someone I thought was a very good friend, and I loose the single most important person to me. I watch as my life crumbles around me and I'm expected to keep a straight face, all because of who my parents are. I've only recently managed to get the damned paparazzi to quit trailing me and my sister. I have obligations I'm forced to accomplish. I come here only to be surrounded by suspicion and mockery. All before I've even said one word. I find, that even though I didn't want it back, my past was thrust upon me once again, complete with every single memory that made it Hell. Forgive me if I'm cynical. It happens when everything I touch turns to dust or bites me."

 

His eyes had lost the distant look, and were now filled with a burning anger. He stood up and tossed his empty soda into the box.

 

"Maybe if I didn't have to deal with two lives worth of misery and threats, I wouldn't be so cruel and mean to people. Sadly, I have to. So the rest of you can just deal with it, or pretend I don't exist. I'd rather it was the later. That way, everything would be just the same now as then."

 

He began moving towards the stairwell, and opened the door. He turned back to look at her.

 

"I don't want you coming over to the house again. It just makes you that more tempting of a target. I wish life would leave me alone so that I could do what I wanted to, but it's not going to happen. Goodbye Ami."

 

He disappeared down the stairwell, and left a very confused Ami sitting on the ledge. That goodbye had sounded almost final. She shivered, as she felt a chill run up her spine.

 

* * *

 

"It was creepy. The way he said it. He sounded like he was never going to see us again. I think he's going to do something."

 

"I wouldn't worry about it. Probably just the Jerk's way of trying to get you to stay away from him." Lita paused as she looked around for a drying rag. "I'm sure you'll see him in class tomorrow. Can you check the oven for me? I think the muffins are done."

 

Lita continued to wash dishes in her sink, while Ami checked the muffins for her. Sure enough, they were ready. She grabbed an oven mitt and carefully pulled the muffins out of the stove. She placed them on the counter before resuming her conversation with Lita.

 

"I don't know. I still it was more than that. He sounded like he really didn't want me to get hurt again."

 

Ami grew silent, as she thought over her conversation with Jordan again. She stared at one of the walls, trying to find since in what had happened.

 

"So you really think he's going to do something?"

 

"Uh huh."

 

"Hmm. Maybe he's going to go after that thing that attacked you?"

 

"Uh huh."

 

Lita turned around to look at her. Ami was off in her own little world, and probably didn't even know what she'd been asking her. Only one way to find out. A grin spread across her face as she leaned back against the counter.

 

"So, are you in love with Jordan?"

 

"Uh huh. No, I didn't mean. Lita, you're mean."

 

Ami's face was covered in crimson, as she blushed furiously. Apparently, Lita had caught her after all.

 

"Hah, caught yah. Day dreaming about what it's like to kiss him, huh?"

 

"Lita, how dare you. Stop teasing me. I wasn't paying attention, and you know it."

 

"Oh, I think you were paying attention alright. Just not to me."

 

She grabbed the muffins and began placing them in a basket as she continued to tease Ami.

 

"If you didn't mean it, then how come you're blushing so badly? Answer me that one?"

 

Ami could only sputter, as her blush managed to deepen.

 

Lita put the last of the muffins in the basket and began walking out of the kitchen, lightly pushing Ami ahead of her.

 

"Oh, just admit you like the guy and get it over with."

 

Ami continued to sputter objections at Lita, who just continued to laugh as the two left the apartment.

 

"Admit it, and I'll stop."

 

"I will not admit anything. I don't like Jordan like that."

 

"Ah hah! You just admitted that you do like him."

 

"Do not!"

 

"Do too!"

 

"Do not!"

 

"Do too!"

 

* * *

 

"Do not!"

 

"Do too!"

 

"Do not!"

 

"Do too!"

 

"What are you two arguing about?"

 

Ami and Lita paused, and looked around. Apparently, they had argued the entire way to the Temple and hadn't even realized it. Rae, Mina, and Serena continued to look at them, waiting for one of them to answer Rae's question.

 

A look of horror crossed Ami's face when she saw the smirk on Lita's.

 

"Oh, nothing. Just that Ami here has fallen in love with Jordan."

 

Ami's blush returned as the other three girls started at her. Slowly, matching grins crossed their faces. Before Ami knew what had happened, all three girls had grabbed her and forced her to sit at the table. Mina grabbed a nearby lamp and shinned the light down on poor Ami.

 

"Time to spill. What's this all about?"

 

Serena and Rae nodded eagerly at Mina's question, while Lita pretended not to notice Ami's death glare. Or at least as much of one as she could give, considering how badly she was blushing.

 

It took a while, and the entire basket of muffins, but the other girls eventually got the story of the roof-top conversation out of Ami. By the end of it, Ami was several shades of red and wasn't looking anyone in the eyes. At the end though, Rae agreed with Ami. Jordan was up to something.

 

They didn't have long to wait.

 

Before anyone else could make a comment, their communicator's went off. Ami quickly leapt at the distraction and switched hers on.

 

A frantic looking Luna came onto the screen.

 

"Girls, this is an emergency. We think he's really going to do it."

 

Ami motioned for Luna to calm down.

 

"Easy Luna. Who's going to do what?"

 

"Jordan. He's up on Star Light Tower. And, it looks like he's going to jump. One of you has to come and talk him out of it."

* * *