Author's Notes: You know how sometimes your head just seems so full of a million different thoughts that you think if you can just write them down you can clear up some space? I WISH it worked like that. Trying to free up some space anyways, because my mind should be focused on other things than this story. To quote some JRB "I'm feeling panicked, and rushed and hurried. I'm feeling out maneuvered and outclassed, but I'm so happy I can't get worried about this singular sensation things are moving too fast."
"So what was up with the temper tantrum at the station?" Paige asks walking into Mike's room where he's sitting reviewing case notes. "You just left. I thought we were going to go grab dinner."
"I just needed to get out of there." Mike grumbles, not looking up from his notes.
"What's going on? Did those guys give you a concussion?" Paige asks, walking closer to examine his head injury, but Mike pulls away angrily before she can touch him. "Why are you so mad? He's behind bars. The plan worked. We got him back into the country and arrested the bastard."
"Because you're married to a gangster thug! How are you not more upset about this?" Mike rolls his chair back away from her. The fact that she's not taking this seriously is making him even angrier.
"So I'll get an annulment. What's the big deal?" Paige shrugs, perching herself on his desk ignoring the papers scattered there.
"The big deal?! Paige you're married!" Mike screams, as if one of these time's she'll finally realize the fact and have the proper panicked reaction.
"Yes I'm technically 'married', but it doesn't mean anything. It was just for work. It's not like I cheated on you. Why does this bother you so much?" Paige asks, unable to understand why they can't move past this.
"Why? Because you're my girlfriend, and as you're boyfriend I have a right to get mad when my girlfriend marries a man WHO'S NOT ME!" Mike screams, standing up from his chair so forcefully it falls over behind him with a bang. Paige can't help it, she starts to giggle. She knows she shouldn't laugh. Mike is obviously genuinely upset by this for some reason, but once she starts, she can't stop. The whole situation is so ridiculous.
"It's not funny! Stop laughing." Mike wants to shake her, but his protests only make her laugh harder until she can't breath.
"You're so mad!" She manages to gasp out between giggles.
"Of course I'm mad! If you are going to get married to anyone, it should be to me!" Mike crosses his arms. The last phrase scares her enough to stop her laughter. "Why wasn't it me?"
"Are you serious?" Paige stares at him aghast.
"Of course I'm serious. You're the only one who seems to find this funny. You've never once mentioned marriage, kids, or the future to me."
"Wait, you think about stuff like that?" Paige is panicking at the sudden turn this conversation has taken.
"People do you know." Mike says stiffly.
"We've only been dating for three months." Paige backs away from his desk slowly, looking like a caged rabbit suddenly.
"You know I had feelings for you long before that." Mike argues, following her out from behind the desk.
"Yeah, I just didn't know you were thinking about… wow… y'know… that already." Paige sits down on Mike's bed, completely dumbfounded, and Mike shakes his head in frustration that she clearly is taken off guard by this. She shouldn't be. They're in love and exclusive, and she should have realized Mike was not a casual dater. He has plans for their future together and wishes she would catch up to where he is. Watching Paige learn how to be in a relationship as opposed to casual dating is like watching a small child try to walk for the first time.
"Look, it's not like I bought a ring. I just figured, when you were going to get a husband, I would be first in line." Mike sighs, and sits down on the bed beside her rubbing his temple.
"Mike, I don't even know if I want a husband." Paige admits softly, and watches as Mike's shoulders tighten in frustration. She quickly tries to clarify to calm him down and adds, "But, if I do, someday want one. You could still be him. This doesn't change that."
"No, now I have to be your second husband." Mike grumbles.
"Or my third…" Paige says flightily, and Mike shoots her a glare which only makes her grin widen as she shoves him playfully with her shoulder. "Maybe fifth. Don't assume you've got this locked down."
"Could you please take this a little more seriously? You're married!" Mike scolds her. Paige's playful nature is usually one of the things Mike loves most about her, but right now it's just pissing him off.
"You keep saying that." Paige rolls her eyes. Mike sometimes gets on these loops where he just obsesses over something, and usually it's something he can't control or change.
"Because you don't seem to realize it!"
"I realize it. I just don't care." Paige clarifies.
"I care!"
"Calm down. Under the circumstances, I'm pretty sure they'll grant me an annulment." Paige assures him. Deciding to try a different tactic, she leans in and nuzzles his ear, rubbing her hand on his inner thigh. "C'mon. Take it easy on me. It's my wedding day. I was promised a honeymoon, let's go get a hotel somewhere and you can celebrate my honeymoon with me… Come here."
She leans in and kisses Mike's lips. For a second she thinks she's won, but a second later he pushes her away. He stands up and walks away from the bed as quick as he can.
"No! I do not sleep with other men's wives! So until this whole thing is resolved, you're not getting any of this!" He yells at her, gesturing to his body.
"You're joking right?" Paige is dumbfounded. He's calling a sex boycott? On her? Seriously?
"No! So until this whole thing is done... no Mikey time!" He says sternly. The fact that she's just sitting on the bed grinning up at him, makes him even madder. Mike realizes that he may regret this soon, but right now he wants to punish her for getting married, and this is the only way he can think to do it.
"What? No Mikey time?" Paige can't help but laugh. She wants to take him seriously, but he's so damn adorable standing there all flustered insisting that he's cutting her off that she can't help it. He's so damn cute sometimes, even when he's not trying to be. "How will I get by with no Mikey time? What about hump day? It's almost November 5th and I bought new lingerie to go with my Guy Fawkes mask. You can't cut me off now. You're my boyfriend! I have needs!"
"Go have a conjugal visit from your husband!" Mike yells, storming out the door for the second time that day and slamming it behind him.
"You just stormed out of your own room!" Paige yells after him.
"I've got places to be!" Mike yells back sarcastically, so his voice echoes through the hallway and filters through the closed door to Paige. "I'm going to go marry a stripper! Don't worry. It's a work thing!"
"That's not funny!" Paige yells back to the door, remaining seated on his bed. She hears his angry foot steps disappear down the stairs and sighs. He just needs a while to cool down. She mutters confidently to herself. "I can hold out longer than him."