BEFORE I START THIS:

Okay, so this chapter isn't that long. It's a conversation between Michael and his mother, Carly. The next chapters will all be longer, I promise. I just got muse to write this and figured I'd make it a chapter too. I ended it where it was because there wasn't anymore I could have said or done in it. Plus, I'm trying to hold out for the whole romance thing to make it realistic and we all know Carly, she'll have half a thousand objections to every damn thing any woman one of 'her boys' brings home.

Anyway, I hope you guys like it. More Veronica & Michael next chapter, I swear! Love you guys for putting up with me!

THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEW!


"She is in a dangerous position right now, Michael. That's all I'm saying." Carly insisted as her eyes fixed on her oldest child, a look of genuine concern in them. Michael sighed and took a sip of his soda as he answered quietly, "And I'm always in danger, Mom. Look, Veronica is my friend and I'm not going to stop being friends with her just because her life is scary right now.. Kristina needed me with Kiefer and I didn't abandon her just because things got a little scary then, did I?"

"That's different, Michael.. Kristina is your sister. This girl is just some girl you were friends with in school and you really weren't that close." Carly argued, determined to make her son see that this situation with Veronica and her ex was not a good one for him to be in the middle of, not at all. And as Michael looked at her, he thought about it.. Yes, his mother was right. But she was also wrong about things.. And he was just fed up with the way she butted in and forced his hand in some things and then ignored his warnings when she wanted to do something badly enough despite any danger she might face.

"We actually were, Mom."

"A crush you might have had on her does not count, son. You need to listen to me and you need to listen to me good.. She's in danger and you have already been through more than enough in your life. You're finally getting a chance to have a peaceful life.. Don't mess that up."

"Helping someone is not messing up my life, Mom. Especially not if they need the help but they're too stubborn to ask for the help." Michael said quietly, fixing a calm gaze on his mom as he told her, "All I'm doing is making sure Ben stays away. I'm just being there for her because right now, everything is scary to her."

"No, I know what this is.. This is someone needing you. It's a male thing."

"Right, mom. Okay look.. If you want to keep fighting with me about this, go ahead, but I'm telling you. Veronica and I are just friends." Michael told his mother for what had to be the ten thousandth time in an hour as he eyed her and then asked, "Why don't you like her?"

"It's not that I don't like her. I just think the mess she's in poses a threat to you. And you just got your own life together really well. Why does it matter if you two are just friends?" Carly inquired as she looked at her son, waiting on an answer. Michael shrugged and then stood as he said calmly, "My order is ready. I'll come by later and see Josslyn, Mom." and walked away, thinking about what his mother said.. How she was right about what she said but completely wrong and how she'd asked him a question he couldn't exactly give an answer to.

Because he hadn't quite figured out that answer himself yet.

He grabbed his food and paid for it, walking out to his car and his mother came out and said calmly, "You never answered my question in there, Michael."

"Because I don't know, okay? I don't know why it matters. I just wanted to know why you seem to hate every single person I care about." Michael spoke defensively, looking at his mother. It was true, but some of them he knew well his mother had good reason to hate.

"We'll talk some more when you come by to see Josslyn. Your brother is going to be there too.. Can you two at least try to get along?" Carly asked, a surprised look on her face as Michael spoke up and said with a smile, "I actually talked to him earlier. I think maybe in the case of Karlee you might be wrong.."

"We'll see.. She is Nina's daughter."

"Mom, sooner or later you're going to have to let us both grow up." Michael told his mother as he hugged her and then got into his car to leave. The drive home was filled with him trying to figure things out because his mother had asked a really good question before he left the diner.. But he wasn't sure if he was ready to admit to the answer that was sort of presenting itself to him deep down…