I am no way affiliated with any of the characters or events, except for the plot in this story. The real-life characters and events are simply being used for mere entertainment purposes. Enjoy the story!

Chapter 3—It may be helpful to check out the Larry King Live interview the boys did on June 18, 2009. It was cute not only for Niley, but also Joe and Camilla, and even Kevin and Danielle! This chapter is loosely based off of that. Enjoy!

Nick, Joe, and Kevin walked into their hotel room hushed and tranquil from either confusion or exhaustion. None of them were sure.

"Hey Nick," Joe started, breaking the silence. "You're not mad at me… are you?"

Nick simply stared at him seeming to give 'the look.' Joe knew 'the look.'

"Dude, I'm sorry. It was all fun and games though, right?" Joe tried pointing out. "At least we all came clean. Ya know?"

Again, silence.

Joe gave up, and walked to his suitcase to retrieve a pair of basketball shorts. After a good three and a half minutes of stillness, Nick finally spoke.

"Joe," He began. "I'm going to kill you!" He said with the tiniest of smirks on his face. Joe smiled at his comment, and pulled Nick in for a manly hug and the two laughed about the events that took place earlier in the night, yet still speculating what the morning could bring.

***

"How're you doing in the female situation Joe? Do you have a girlfriend?" Larry King asked.

"Yes I do." Joe replied quickly and easily. A big, but timid smile appeared as he leaned back into his chair hoping for the 'dreaded dating' questions to pass fairly quickly. Nick secretly laughed to himself while turning to look at Joe. 'Poor Joe. Larry already brought up Miley and the duet… I'm smooth sailin' from here…' Nick thought to himself.

"Well you know, we date and uh… we've always said we had, and uh…" Joe began to let his words drift.

Larry King chimed in, "Is she as famous as his?" referring to Nick and Miley.

It was as that very moment where Nick's heart had reached a speed it never knew was possible. Nick looked around and wanted an alternative to this very uncomfortable situation. When he learned there was no way out he replied with a laugh, "What does that mean?!" Everyone joined in with his laughter, and confusion.

"Well… is your girlfriend Joe, is your girlfriend…?" Larry King pleaded.

"Well I don't think anyone is as famous as Miley Cyrus…" Joe said. The crowd started to make approving sounds, and laughs had surfaced once more.

Nick felt the walls begin to close in. Did he really just say that?! He started to get a bit squirmy, and so decided to play it off with a joke.

"Well is she in the business?" Larry King asked Joe.

Before Joe got to answer, Nick asked, "Who… Miley? No, I'm kidding." Good one Nick, real smooth.

"No." Larry King stated firmly. "Joe, your girlfriend…?"

"Um. Kevin, what's up?" Joe said in a desperate deed to change the subject. Of course, Kevin came to the rescue.

The rest of the interview was a blur for Nick. It wasn't that the whole world knew about his and Miley's newly-kindled love that was bothering him, but that memorable night in Georgia that encompassed so many feelings and so many promises. He was for-sure, now confirmed, dating Miley Cyrus, and the whole world knew it. Everything seemed to be going so smoothly, so perfectly. And now, this. What will she think?

Nick reached for his cell phone to deliver the news of their recently public relationship to Miley as it suddenly started to vibrate on his bedside table.

"Hey." He said.

"Hey!" She replied enthusiastically. As always.

Mm, that voice... Don't do this Nick. You don't want to lose her again, do you? He thought to himself.

"I was just getting ready to call you. What's up?"

"Nothing much," she replied. "I'm just really tired."

"Oh yeah, I bet." Nick started, trying to collect his thoughts. "How's the movie shoot going?"

"Pretty good. It's really fun. The crew is nice too."

Nick began to get pretty antsy as his thoughts drifted to their night spent together in Savannah just two days ago…

***

"Hey Miles, can I have a glass of water?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, sure! Hold on. I'll be right back." Miley answered.

"Here, let me help…" Nick started as he began to rise from the couch.

"No no, you're the guest! Let me get it."

As she approached the kitchen directly adjacent from the couch they were previously sitting on, Nick couldn't help himself but to peep a glance at her as she walked by. The way she swayed her hips with each step and how she would coolly run a hand through her long golden brown hair made Nick smile like never before. There was no other place he could imagine being, and no other person he could imagine living without. It was times like these that made him wonder why it was that he spent so long trying to find his way back to her. He hadn't a clue as to why he wasted his time with other girls. No one provided what Miley subconsciously offered. She made everything look so easy, whilst other girls tried so hard. He always did find a special connection with the saying 'If you love something let it go. If it comes back, then that's how you know'. Was this his answer? Was Miley the 'real deal'? Nicks thoughts were interrupted by Miley handing him an ice cold glass of water. The condensation on the side of the cup instantly caused Nick's hand to become wet. He took a long gulp of water, nearly freezing his throat. Mmm, ice cold. Just how he liked it.

Miley sat watching him down the water and let out a loud laugh.

"What?" Nick asked with that famous smirk of his.

"Nothing" She laughed again. "You just look like you've never drank water before."

Nick joined in on the laughter. "I was thirsty."

"Mhm." Miley replied teasingly. Changing subjects, she added, "So, tell me about the album."

"Well, it's different. We've kinda got a different sound. Different instruments. The other day when I sang some songs was only a taste. The instruments really add a lot to it."

"What are your favorite songs?" She asked.

"There's a song I wrote. It's called 'Black Keys'."

"I remember." She cut him off. "I liked it."

He smiled. "Thanks. It's kind of similar in meaning to 'A Little Bit Longer' Just another ballad about hard times and getting through them. So, that's one of my favorites I think."

"Yeah. I liked it…" She said again.

"But," He began powerfully and then adding a hint of softness, "My favorite, most personal, most meaningful song on the album is 'Before The Storm…"

Miley smiled. She looked down and started to fiddle with her hands. She glanced up and saw Nick moving closer to her. He tenderly kissed her on her cheek, and then made his way to her lips. His hand, ever so lightly moved to her cheek, and Miley simply melted. Neither of them knew what had come over their senses.

After they parted, they purely stared into each others eyes for several moments. Miley broke the silence.

"What are we going to do Nick" When he looked at her a bit confused, she added, "About us? What are we going to do about us?"

He knew this was coming. He tried undoubtedly to avoid this particular situation, but dancing around the subject was only good for so long. He knew what he wanted to do, but did Miley want it too?

Nick took a deep breath and began to speak. "Well, I don't know. The past few days I haven't been able to get you off my mind. I know I've said it before, and I know I've meant it before, but I've never felt so in love. The sparks are back, almost like they never went away. I used to think that God had put us together because of where we were in our lives at that point in time, and as we grew apart we were just growing up. Moving on to other places, other things, and other people. But, now I know that God did that for a reason. We're supposed to be together. We'd be crazy if we denied it. Our time apart was difficult, but I don't regret it for anything. It taught me so much, and showed me that no matter how hard things may become between us, nothing is harder than not having an 'us' at all. I want you Miley, forever. Please forgive me for hurting you in the past. I was stupid to ever leave you. But, like I said- I'm glad I did. I've never loved you more than right now." Nick paused and there was complete silence. By this time he had Miley's hands intertwined with his. He gave them a tight squeeze before adding, "I'll do whatever it takes to make this work. If that means late night video chats or phone conversations at the crack of dawn, I'll do it." Hinting at the fact he never was the guy for waking up early.

It took a few moments for Miley to gather her thoughts and regain her strength to speak. "You really want to make this work?" She replied shakily.

"More than anything."

Without a second thought, Miley replied, "Okay. Then let's do this."

Nick smiled. He pulled her in for a hug and as Miley crashed into him, she suddenly sat up. "Wait. How about we do something crazy?" She asked creating a mischievous smile upon her face.

"Like what?" Nick asked, slightly confused but intrigued.

"Okay, so I know that the duet and paparazzi pictures will cause some suspicion, but let's try to keep everything really private. Flaunting our relationship in front of the media is just a bad idea, and it could really get stressful. As long as we keep it sheltered, I think we'll be okay." Miley said while using hand motions as she spoke. "It'd just be easier."

Nick thought about it for a few moments and then nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah. It's no one else's business. And besides, that way it can be more exciting. Ya know? Kind of add that sense of secrecy. I like it." Nick said with a smirk.

"Mm, good." Miley said while snuggling in close to him. "Tonight is perfect. I don't think I've been this happy in a long time. No, I haven't been this happy in a long time."

"Me either." He said before kissing Miley on her forehead. He then rested his chin on the top of her head while ever so delicately stroking her arm with his finger.

***

"Anyways, how was your day?" Miley continued, which was followed by a yawn.

Nick's recounts of their romantic night in Georgia were interrupted. Oh, ya know. It was okay. Played wiffle-ball with the guys. Started a new song. Oh, and blabbed to the world about us. Nothing too exciting. Nick thought. Yeah right.

"It was alright." He said instead.

"Are you okay?" Miley asked, a bit concerned. "You sound distracted."

"Oh no, I'm okay. But look, there is something that I need to talk to you about." He answered.

"What is it?"

"Well today we had the Larry King interview, and let's just say things didn't go exactly how I would have hoped…" He answered unsteadily.

"Oh, yeah! I totally forgot about that today. It didn't go well? Why, what happened?" Miley asked sounding concerned.

Nick froze. He wondered if he should make some elaborate story up about a silly question that Larry King asked, or merely tell the truth. After a few moments of hesitation that seemed like hours, Nick said what he felt she needed to know. Including every detail, Nick faltered out a mumbled mess which ended in a strong yet timid statement, " Well, Miley… What I'm trying to say is… I think…" He paused not by purpose, but by apprehension. "I think people may have an idea about 'us' getting back together…"

Oooh, gotta love cliff hangers!! What do ya think?! Review!!