A/N This story was originally going to be a one-shot (which is why I didn't write any more), but I liked Linneagb's review and what she said about how she would like the event to eventually turn out, and it's a good idea and I feel like writing it so why not? Hope you enjoy it. :-)

I also have to thank Tbr and Maleeha for reviewing. All the reviews made me so happy! :-D

Tracy POV

As I got into work the next morning my heart was pounding in my chest. I was planning on telling Mike how I felt, and, as much as I believed he still cared about me, the events of the past few days had allowed some doubt to creep up on me.

What if he didn't care and then shouted at me?

I knew Mike rarely shouted, but he was under stress at the moment and I didn't really want it directed at me.

I took a deep breath, before I walked into the office.

"Mike?"

"Morning, Tracy," said Mike, not even looking away from his computer screen where he was obviously working.

I sat down on the chair opposite him. "Could I possibly have a word?"

Mike sighed. "Can't you see I'm a little bit busy now?"

I took a deep breath to stop myself from crying. I really needed a hug from Mike, and it didn't look like I was going to get one. "Please?"

"Is it urgent?" asked Mike.

I wanted to say yes, wanted to talk to him immediately, but I knew it wasn't. "No."

"Well can you come back later then?" asked Mike. "Go check on the kids, see how they are after yesterday."

I sighed. The kids had had a huge bust up yesterday, and I didn't really want to have to get involved with it all again.

"What about me?"

I didn't mean to say that.

"What do you mean, what about you?" asked Mike.

"What about how I feel after yesterday?" I said.

"Well, we've got to put the kids first," said Mike.

I stood up. "I knew it!" I shouted. "I knew you didn't care!"

Mike stood up as well. "I didn't say that."

"Yes you did!" I shouted. "We have to put the kids first!"

"Well we do!" said Mike, his voice getting louder. "That's why we're here, isn't it?!"

"Yeah, but..." I paused for a moment. "You just don't care! You've barely spoken to me all week, you don't want to listen to what I've got to say, and it's just like you don't even want me here!"

The room was silent as I stood there, tears rolling down my cheeks. And, as Mike just stood there, I didn't know what to do.

I turned around and fled.

I ran to the toy cupboard, locking the door behind me. I didn't mean to, but as I realised it was the same place I'd been in my dream last night I hoped I'd get a similar reaction from Mike, one of care rather than anger.

I pulled my knees up to my chest as I sat on the floor, sobbing.

Just then I heard Mike's voice, calling my name. I just continued to cry, wanting him here and at the same time wanting him to just go away and leave me alone.

"Tracy?" called Mike. "Tracy, please answer me."

As he came outside the toy cupboard I tried to quieten my sobs, but it was no good.

"Tracy?" Mike asked, his voice much quieter. "Are you in there?"

I didn't answer, but my sobs answered his question.

Mike sighed and I heard him sit outside the door. "I'm sorry, Trace," he said. "You were right: I haven't been listening to you. But I am now. And if you want to tell me anything I'm right here."

I let out another sob. This was just like my dream. I wanted to open the door and run into Mike's arms, but at the same time I didn't know if I had the strength to.

"Why?" I said. "You haven't bothered the rest of the week."

"Because I care about you," said Mike.

"Everyone says that, but they never show it." I said.

They were the same words as in my dream.

"I will, if you'll let me," said Mike. "I'm here for you, and nothing's going to change that."

I let out another sob, curling myself up smaller as the emotional pain hit me. I then reached up and unlocked the door. Mike was silent as he opened it, knelt down by me, and embraced me in a tight hug.

"Shh," said Mike as he held me tight. "It's OK, I'm here now. Shh."

"I just, feel like no one wants me," I said through my tears. "The kids hate me."

"Well, I want you," said Mike. "And the kids don't hate you. They're just not having the greatest time at the moment and are just taking it out on you. They don't mean it." He paused. "And I'm sorry. I should have listened to you, made sure you didn't feel lonely, made you feel wanted and loved. I just got busy."

"It's OK," I said. "I'm sorry too, for making a fuss."

Mike shook his head. "Don't be." He paused. "You're allowed to have feelings." He let out a small laugh. "Just try not to shout at me next time, hey?"

I nodded, relaxing onto Mike, my head lying on his chest.

"I won't leave until you want me to," said Mike. "And I'll make sure I listen to you from now on. You can come to me with anything and everything, and I'll be there." He paused as he looked down at me and gently wiped a tear from my cheek. "I'm not leaving, yeah?"

I'm not leaving, yeah?

Mike had repeated the words in my dream.

And I believed him.

Everything was going to be OK.

No.

Everything was OK.

A/N I hope you liked this second chapter. I actually had to write it nearly twice as I started and then didn't like it, so had to start it again. Please review. :-)