Chapter Seven.

The next morning the Monkees decided to go out for breakfast. Davy and Peter had left a few minutes before and were waiting for Mike and Micky outside. Unfortunately they didn't get very far, Mike and Micky had only just stepped out the door when they saw Kayla marching along the corridor.

"Hi Kayla" Micky called cheerfully. Mike wasn't so cheerful, he recognised the look on her face and remembered all too clearly what it meant. He turned to Micky.

"Mick, go outside and wait for me with Davy and Peter, I'll be there as soon as I can" He said.

"Looks like someone's in trouble!" Micky said with a grin.

"Quit being a wise ass and do as I ask okay!" Mike told him, pushing him forward. Micky chuckled and ran up he corridor.

"Hi Kayla" The drummer said again as he passed. Kayla just nodded slightly keeping her eyes fixed on Mike. Micky shrugged and disappeared around the corner.

"Hi Kay, this is a nice surprise. What do I owe this pleasure?" Mike asked.

"What the hell do you think you're playing at! Do you have ANY idea what you've done!" Kayla screamed.

"I beg your pardon?" Mike asked, completely stunned.

"I had a visit from my father. He demanded Robert and I move back in with him. It's all your fault! Robert and I were fine until you showed up."

"I'm sorry Kay I had no idea that he would react that way. I just wanted what's best for you and Robert."

"That's none of your concern. You've ruined everything, especially for Robert" Kayla yelled. Mike wasn't sure how to respond, that comment hurt him more then he ever imagined.

"Robert is my son," He said quietly.

"Yes and he's my son too, that's not an excuse Michael. You haven't been here; you have no idea what it's been like for us since you left. It's been an uphill struggle every single day."

"I'm sorry but it wasn't my choice to leave remember, I left because you asked me to, it was your decision."

"I know, and I made a mistake, a huge mistake. I realise that now. I needed you Michael more then I've ever needed anyone. I needed your help."

"It's not too late, I'm here now. Come with me, when we go back to Malibu beach, come with us. We can be a family you, me and Robert, we can start over."

"I wish I could but that's not a solution, it just deepens the problem. You know my father."

"Kay, you have to stop being afraid of him, he can't control you anymore, you're a grown woman with your own son to think about. You have to do what's best for your son."

"It's not that easy Michael, I wish I could just run away and forget about him but I can't. He wouldn't rest until he found us."

"Fine then spend the rest of your life living as a frightened little girl because it seems there's nothing I can do to make you see. Man, what happened to the Kayla I used to know? The Kayla who would stand up to her father and fight for her right to live her own life."

"She got scared" Kayla told him "Suddenly she was presented with this life she had to take care of by herself, with no idea how to do it alone."

"You don't have to be alone anymore. Come with me. We can be together I... I love you, Kay" Mike told her. Kayla started to sob slightly at those words. It was exactly what she needed to hear but Mike wasn't finished yet. "I still love you, I don't think I've ever stopped. I want us to be a family. I can't go home and pretend to forget about you again, it was so hard the first time, I can't do it again, and I won't do it again."

"Then stay" Kayla begged. Mike shook his head.

"You know I can't, it's impossible. For this to work you and Robert have to leave Saginaw, for good."

"I can't Michael, I just can't" Kayla told him, the tears streaming down her face now. Mike sighed, finally feeling defeated.

"Than there's nothing I can do for you," He told her.

"Are you going to leave?" Kayla asked, petrified of the answer.

"I can't see any other way. We both know I can't stay and if there's no way you'll even consider leaving then I'll have to go" Mike told her. Kayla started to cry a little harder. She couldn't believe this was happening.

"What about everything you just said, all that stuff about you can't pretend to forget me again?"

"Believe me, it's the last thing I want, but you leave me no choice. We don't have any other options."

"So that's it! You're just gonna go again. Just going to leave me, again" She yelled, choking back tears, determined not to let herself cry anymore. Mike's heart was breaking into a million pieces, he hated to treat Kayla this way but he needed to make her see, to make her understand. Ignoring his own urge to put his arms around her and tell her that everything would be okay. He looked at her with determination in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Kayla" He told her and then walked away leaving Kayla standing watching him leave, there was no way she believed he'd go through with it, but it looked like he was and Kayla collapsed in tears again. Mike heard her and it was the hardest thing he ever did, to keep walking and not turn back and run towards her but his head was telling him to be strong, he was doing the right thing. Kayla needed to get away from that place and the disapproving eyes of her father, she needed a clean break and he desperately wanted her to see that herself.

Mike walked out into the morning sunlight and saw the other Monkees sitting on the curb waiting for him. He sighed and walked over to them.

"Come on guys let's go get something to eat," He told them. Micky stood up.

"Still alive then" The drummer said clapping Mike in the back. The other two Monkees stood up too. Mike didn't say anything, just managed a small unconvincing smile, which even Peter saw right through.

"Everything all right Michael?" The bassist asked as they crossed the street. Mike sighed.

"No not really, good buddy" He told them, then looked at Micky, "I asked Kayla to come with us, back to California, she refused, wouldn't even listen to reason. I told her I was leaving then because I didn't know what else to do" He explained.

"We're sorry, Mike" Davy told him "But maybe she'll realise what a mistake she's made and follow us back" He offered.

"I don't think so. I just want to go home now. I need to have Babbitt yell at us or Mrs Purdy cook us a meal."

"We get it, back to normal," Davy said and Mike nodded.

"Are we leaving right now?" Peter asked.

"Not yet, let's go get something to eat first, then we'll hit the road" Mike told him.

"I think someone might have something to say about that," Micky told them. Mike looked at him and realised Micky was looking past him, over the other side of the road where they had just come from. Mike tuned around and saw Kayla standing on the pavement.

"Kay?" He asked.

"You're right" She called, Mike moved a little closer to the edge of the curb to hear what she was saying. "I should leave, I should take Robert away from this place, he needs you, I need you" She told him.

Mike stared at her unable to get the words to register in his brain.

"What are you saying?" He asked.

"I'm saying I love you and we're coming with you," She told him.