Author's Note: Thanks, again, BluCrayons. You're the best!

Chapter 7: Celebratory Dinner

When the boys got home, they decided what they would do with their winnings. The girls went off to a restaurant with their other bandmates to discuss their own winnings, saying they'd be back to the pad later that night as they didn't have to leave for the airport until the next morning. The girls had $75,000 and the boys $50,000. They had a lot of money, and while Micky and the others wanted to spend it on things they wanted, Mike insisted on saving it. After about an hour, they finally agreed. They had a good home and a good car, so they agreed to spend money on repairs needed to fix them, each would get $1500 to spend however they wanted, they'd pay back Mr. Guggins and the rest would go into a savings.

"So it's settled," Mike said getting up from the table. "Tomorrow we go pay Mr. Guggins back and then go shopping and open a savings account on the way home."

"Deal," the other three said.

"I'm off to bed," Mike said starting to walk up the stairs, but before he could, there was a knock at the door. Mike crossed the room to answer it.

"Valerie, how many times have I told you that you don't have to knock?" Mike asked when he opened the door.

"I don't live here," Valerie answered with a smile. "I found these on the doorstep."

"More cookies?" Micky asked looking at the box that looked exactly like the one from earlier.

"Yes, but I don't think you should eat them, Micky," Valerie said.

"Nothing happened last time," Micky said.

"We have no idea who they're from," Mike said stepping in between Micky and the cookies. "Look, nothing happened last time, but maybe that was an accident. Maybe this time they're really poisoned."

"They're probably just from some fan," Micky said. "Mike, you're too uptight about things."

"After everything we've seen and been through," Mike said. "You can't be too careful. Valerie, throw them away. No one eats them. I'll buy you cookies at the store tomorrow with our winnings."

"Fine," Micky grumbled. He really didn't understand why Mike was being so obstinate about the cookies. Sure there was a chance they were from Sebastian, but the last ones hadn't been poisoned so why would they assume these were.

"What time do we need to take you ladies to the airport?" Mike asked.

"Actually, we wanted to talk to you about that," Valerie said. "We aren't leaving."

"What do you mean?" Mike asked.

"Our friends are going back home," Ginny said. "We're splitting the money four ways. $18,750 for each of us. We discussed it and Valerie and I would rather stay here. Split the cost of a house. Pretty sure we can find a cheap one for a little more than $17,000. And we can split a car, too. Found a nice one advertised for around $2,000."

"Yeah, but why?" Mike asked.

"Why not?" Valerie answered. "We like it here. And our friends are here."

"You have friends back home, don't you?" Mike asked. Micky watched this interaction closely; he was happy that Valerie was going to stay because then maybe Mike would be able to actually tell her how he felt, but it seemed Mike was against this idea.

"Yes," Valerie said, "but not as close as you. And we'll have to come back for the trial anyway. We've discussed this and this is what Ginny and I want to do. We like it here."

"You're...you're staying?" Mike asked.

"Yes," Valerie answered. "I don't live across the country anymore. That is, if you guys don't mind us staying here a little bit longer until we find a place…"

"Of course not!" Micky said quickly. "We'd be more than happy to have you stay. And we'll even help you look."

"Micky…" Mike said eyeing him, but Micky didn't care. He had never seen Mike look at anyone the way he looked at Valerie and now she was staying but Mike was still not making a move on her. Micky wasn't sure why Mike was still so against revealing his feelings for Valerie. It was like she was spelling things out for him to make a move, but he wouldn't budge. Micky knew that was the biggest reason she decided to stay, but she was waiting for him to make the move.

"It'll be great!" Davy exclaimed and Peter smiled. Mike sighed and relented. Micky said goodnight as they all went to bed, but instead of sleeping, his thoughts were filled with how he could get Mike and Valerie together. With a few sprinklings of Ginny to distract him momentarily.


The next day, the boys had done their shopping and other errands quickly as Micky, Peter and Davy were excited to help Valerie and Ginny look at houses. But Mike was still being a little resistant to the whole thing. They found a perfect small 2 bedroom house almost right up the street from the boys that was under the girls budget and the two of them fell in love with it. Mike kept asking if they were sure about even staying here when they both had family elsewhere. Micky rolled his eyes and suggested Mike and Valerie go through and talk to the real estate agent while he and the boys looked around the house with Ginny again.

"What is with him?" Davy asked. "I don't get it! He obviously loves her; why is he fighting this!"

"He's had a crush on her for a long time," Ginny said. "Ever since they were kids. But there was always a reason not to ask her out. Now there isn't one and he doesn't know what to do. He's scared it won't work."

"But it will," Micky said. "I can see it in his eyes. She even wants it."

"I know," Ginny said. "She knows that song at the contest was about her."

"So what do we do about it?" Davy asked.

"Maybe we shouldn't meddle," Peter said. "Meddling isn't nice and never works well."

"Never say never," Micky said. "I actually have an idea…"


A few days later, the boys had set their plan into motion. They had worked everything out with the parties involved and were ready to go. Valerie and Ginny were still staying with them, which made their plan a little more difficult, but they figured a way around it. That morning Mike, Micky and Peter were eating breakfast and Davy had taken the girls out for a day of shopping.

"Hey, we didn't really celebrate our winning," Peter said. "Why don't we go out and celebrate tonight? Get dressed up and eat at a fancy restaurant and everything?"

"We didn't really win," Mike said.

"We won third place in a nationwide contest," Micky said. "I think that's still pretty good. Worthy of celebration."

"Ok, where do you guys wanna go?" Mike asked.

"How about Carpacio's?" Peter asked.

"That place is really fancy," Mike said.

"So?" Micky answered. "We can afford it."

"Sure, but we should be saving," Mike said. Micky nearly reached out and smacked Mike.

"We deserve one night of extravagance I think," Micky said.

"Alright, what about Davy?" Mike asked caving.

"We'll talk to him when he gets home," Peter said. "But I doubt he'll object." As the day progressed, the boys made all the arrangements needed. Davy still hadn't come home, as it was his job to keep the girls out, but he'd called and Micky had told him of their "plan". He agreed to meet them there. At the end of the day, Mike went upstairs to change and Micky and Peter each did what they planned.

"Oh, man," Peter mumbled, "my pants ripped."

"There's a tailor up the street that can mend it," Micky said.

"Good idea," Peter said.

"Darn it," Micky mumbled putting on his shoes. "My shoe's broken. I guess we can hit the cobbler nearby as well. Mike, we'll meet you at the restaurant."

"Why don't I just go with you guys?" Mike asked.

"Don't worry about us," Micky said. "Davy's gonna meet you there anyway. We won't be long. Just meet us there."

"Alright," Mike sighed with a shrug of his shoulders. Micky grinned rather wickedly behind Mike's back. Their plan was coming together perfectly.


About an hour later, Mike pulled up to the restaurant and put the car in park. He wasn't sure what his friends were up to, but he had an idea they were scheming something. But until he figured it out, he'd just go along with it. Besides, they'd never do anything to hurt him. Not intentionally, anyway. So Mike pocketed the keys and walked to front door. Once inside, he walked to the host counter and started to ask for a table, but the host smiled at him and spoke up first.

"Welcome, Mr. Nesmith," he said. "I have your table all set and waiting for you. And your friend is already here."

"Oh," Mike said shocked a little, but then realized Davy must have already shown up and picked out their table. So he smiled and followed the host back through the restaurant. "Thank you."

"You're friends have already talked to us," the host said leading him to a table, "and told us that if you need anything to ask for it."

"Um," Mike said as he realized it wasn't Davy sitting at the table. He was stunned when he saw Valerie sitting there in a beautiful tight black dress. She looked as beautiful as she had on prom night and was even wearing the same earrings and necklace.

"Mike," she said also seemingly stunned.

"Valerie," Mike said. "What's going on? I was supposed to meet the guys here for a celebration."

"I was supposed to meet the girls," Valerie said.

"It looks like we were set up," Mike said as the waiter came over and handed Mike a note.

"I'll have your order shortly," the waiter said.

"Our order?" Valerie questioned.

"Oh boy," Mike said reading the note.

"What?" Valerie asked taking the note from him.

"It would appear we've been set up," Mike said. "It seems Ginny and Micky and the others told us each they'd meet us here so we could go out on a date."

"I see," Valerie said hiding a smile.

"I'm really sorry about all this," Mike said. "Look, why don't I just take us home?"

"Why?" Valerie asked. "They went through a lot of trouble to set this up for us. They even paid for everything. Why not just enjoy it?"

"If you really want to," Mike said sitting down. The waiter came back and brought their drinks before lighting a few candles on the table.

"Oh my," Valerie snickered.

"I'm sorry," Mike said again.

"It's nothing;" Valerie laughed. "I'm just not really into this whole romance thing. Never have been."

"Yeah, I know," Mike smiled. "Me neither. But then again, I haven't ever been on many dates."

"Is that what you wanna call this?" Valerie asked.

"That's what they're calling it," Mike said.

"That's not what I asked," Valerie said.

"I don't really know," Mike said.

"Look, why don't you stop playing me for a fool here," Valerie said. "Stop beating around the bush. I know who that song was written for. That girl you said possibly could be if only she didn't live so far away, doesn't anymore. She chose to live here. With you. For a reason."

"For a reason?" Mike echoed.

"Look, why don't we just be perfectly honest with each other tonight?" Valerie said. "We can do whatever we want tonight. Just have fun. And tomorrow, we can forget all about it. If we want."

"Like a trial run?" Mike asked.

"Sure, if that's what you want to call it," Valerie said.

"Ok," Mike said not sure how he felt about all this. He did love Valerie with all his heart, but he valued their friendship. What if they did something to ruin it by exploring something more? "Ladies first."

"Fine," Valerie said. "You've had my heart for a long time, Mike. Ever since you stole my crayon."

"What?" Mike asked.

"You don't remember, do you?" Valerie asked.

"Apparently not," Mike answered.

"I was coloring a picture of a fairy and an ogre in kindergarten," Valerie said. "Of course I didn't really want to color the fairy, but it was all they had. I was getting ready to color the ogre and you stole the green crayon from me. I was about to hit you and demand it back when you smiled at me and handed me the blue crayon. Do you remember what you said?"

"No," Mike answered.

"You said why do ogres have to be green?" Valerie smiled. "Asked why they can't be blue and explained that green was your favorite color. That day blue became mine. That day you made me think. Made me realize it was ok to live outside the box. Throw conformity out the window. That day I fell in love with you."

"Oh…" Mike trailed off, not really sure what to say. Had she really loved him that long? How long had he loved her? "I...I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Valerie answered. "You already told me."

"I did?" Mike asked.

"Your song," Valerie answered. "It really was beautiful."

"You're beautiful," Mike said before he could catch himself. Valerie smiled and placed her hand on top of his. He felt a shiver go down his spine at the touch, but a good kind of shiver. One that made him feel warm and complete. They spent the rest of the evening just talking about their lives. About how they'd ride horses together on the ranch and how they'd run over the other girls dolls with trucks.

At the end of the night when they finally walked out to the car, Mike didn't really know what to do. He guessed she was seeing this as a date and so were his friends, but he still was terrified of losing their friendship if something went south between them as lovers. But still, he couldn't ignore what he'd felt when she'd touched him. And now he couldn't ignore the feeling he had in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to kiss her. Deeply. He wanted to hold her and never let her go.

Before he could make up his mind, Valerie stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her so she could kiss him. He felt his entire body tingle with the sensation. From the hair on the top of his head to the nails on the toes of his foot. His entire body melted into her arms and he couldn't fight any feelings he had for her anymore. He couldn't fight the groan that escaped his lips either. Unfortunately he had to pull away from her before she felt the pleasure building in his pants.

"We should...um...we should go home now," Mike said.

"Yes," Valerie whispered. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Mike answered.