"Oh Katie…you're ok!" Michael breathed a sigh of relief and gently kissed Katie's head.

"What happened?" Katie asked, looking round at the unfamiliar room.

"Where am I?" she asked worriedly. Pain shot through her arms and legs and she began to cry.

"Don't cry sweetheart, please. Its ok, you're in the hospital. You're safe now, with me and Janet" Michael comforted, sitting on the bed next to her and holding her in his arms.

"Janet?" Katie asked, peering round.

"Remember me?" Janet smiled, walking over.

"Janet! Wow, it's been ages! Are you ok? Katie asked, spotting Janet's injuries.

"We had a little confrontation with Frankie…but don't worry, it's over with now. It was Michael who saved us both" Janet smiled, squeezing Michael's hand encouragingly.

"I'm just happy you are both safe" Michael smiled, hugging Katie tightly. Janet perched on the other side of Katie's bed. Katie cuddled up to them both before gently falling asleep.

"Aww, bless her. She's so sweet Michael" Janet whispered. They both moved off her bed to let her rest. Janet pulled the blanket over Katie as she slept.

"So? When are you going to tell her? She'd love it Mike" Janet smiled.

"Soon, I promise. Soon" Michael smiled back at his sister.

Michael was sure about making things work. He knew Katie would love the ranch; she liked pretty much everything he liked.

It was just Lisa that was Michael's main worry.

……………………………………………………………………..

Three days later, Katie was ready to leave the hospital.

"You ready Katie?" Michael asked, pushing through the door with one case full of Katie's clothes and small belongings.

"Oh yeah, definitely!" Katie beamed, standing fully dressed with a huge smile on her face. Michael took Katie's case in one hand and her hand in the other, and the pair walked out to find a black limo waiting for them.

"Wow!" Katie smiled. Michael had never exposed Katie to his glamorous life away from the streets before; he didn't want to think of himself any different from the children as best as he could.

He put Katie's bag in the boot of the limo and held the door open for Katie, before climbing in next to her ready to set off.

As the ranch got nearer, Katie began to get quieter. She stopped talking, and looked nervous.

"What's wrong?" Michael asked.

"Nothing…I just feel bad. You don't have to do this for me; you've got your career to think about" Katie told him.

Michael pulled her into a hug.

"I've got time for a career, a special friend of mine...that's you" Michael smiled.

"And?"

"And a girlfriend" Michael answered.

Katie paused. Michael had a girlfriend? Why didn't he tell her? She felt slightly disappointed; she wanted to be something special to Michael. She didn't want to feel neglected.

"Oh…" Katie could only answer.

"Lisa. She's nice but it'll probably take time for her to open up. I'm hoping you two will become friends" Michael reassured, hoping for the best.

Katie thought she might as well give it a try. She might be nice…or not. Katie only worried more, but she soon cheered up as she saw the ranch.

"Oh my god! It's fantastic!" Katie beamed, as the limo passed through the gates of Neverland. They passed through fields of scenery, a swimming pool, loads of Michael's animals and the theme park, all to Katie's delight, until they finally reached the house. Stood there at the front was a young woman with dark hair and dark make-up; she was very slim and was wearing a fedora hat, like Michael's.

Michael jumped out of the limo and ran to greet her.

"Lisa! How are you Hunnie?" Michael asked, kissing and hugging her.

"I'm fine, I'm glad to see you are ok!" she smiled.

Katie took a deep breath, put on her best smile and got out the car, slowly walking over to Michael and Lisa. Michael turned around and smiled at her, however Lisa's expression was somewhat different.

"Lisa, this is Katie, one of my best friends. I've decided to let her stay here with us" Michael said, moving Katie in front of him so he could rest his hands on her shoulders.

"Hi, nice to meet you" Katie said nervously, putting on her best smile. She might as well try and make a good impression.

Lisa put on a fake smile and answered her with a simple 'hi'. She then turned to Michael.

"Can I speak with you?" she then turned to glare at Katie. "Alone? NOW!?" Lisa said, impatiently.

Michael was in for it now.

"Yeah, sure…Katie, go into the house and up the big staircase. Go down the left hand corridor; your room is third on the right. Janet has laid out some clothes for you so go and freshen up and make yourself at home. Explore the house as much as you like and come and meet me for dinner later; I've got some things to do." Michael said, eyeing Lisa's angry expression, before gently pushing her along. Katie grabbed her suitcase and walked away as fast as she could.

"Great. I've been here two minutes and already she doesn't like me" Katie thought to herself.

She was absolutely gobsmacked as she entered the house. It was all very posh and modern. Beautiful paintings and ornaments sat proudly in the huge house and there were so many rooms. Katie managed to peek in a few on the way; a cinema, a huge lounge and a huge dining area and even a library. She quickly found the stairs and climbed them to her room.

Pushing open the door, she dropped her case in awe. Her room was huge; pink walls, pink carpet and pink bedding. Michael knew her well.

She had a huge double bed, with soft sheets and a very bouncy mattress. She had her own dressing table and wardrobe, and her own en-suite bathroom. A small pile with a note was on her bed:

Katie,

Got you some new clothes as a little present from me. Hope they fit!

I'm off to New York for a couple of weeks, but I promise I'll be back soon then we can get to know each other properly.

Enjoy the ranch!

Janet x

Katie smiled at her letter and put it in her pocket. At least she'd made a good impression on Janet. She then held up the first outfit; a blue summer dress. She ran into the bathroom, cleaned herself up and changed into it. It fitted perfectly and was absolutely beautiful.

She hung the clothes neatly in her wardrobe and began to unpack her things; her teddy, the few clothes she owned and a couple of pictures of her mum and dad, Sean and Zeke and her favourite picture of her and Michael.

After ten minutes of organising, she was fully satisfied with her room. Unlike Michael, she wasn't a perfectionist. She carefully closed the door and walked down the corridor, admiring the pictures Michael had.

Katie decided to start downstairs. She began to climb down the stairs, but as she did she stopped as she sensed an argument coming from the ground floor. She could tell straight away it was Lisa and Michael. She leant against the staircase as she listened from the landing.

"How dare you! Why didn't you consult me? She looks like nothing but trouble!" Lisa argued.

"She isn't! She's a lovely, sweet girl who needs a family. I'm the only one she's got!" Michael protested.

"I don't care! You don't need her Michael. Just send her to a care home; she'll be in good hands there! Lisa argued back.

Michael had to steady himself from shock.

"I had no idea you could be so cruel! You don't understand what she's been through. She needs me, Lisa."

"What could she have possibly been through that's so bad?"

"Lisa, her parents died two years ago and they were very dear friends of mine. She's been showing me she's happy but I can tell she just isn't! And recently she's been kidnapped twice and nearly killed. How is that not bad?"

"I don't care about her.I can tell she's going to cause trouble; I've met her kind before. Look, I want to be happy with you, and I want you to be producing records and selling your music top of the charts. She'll spoil that! She'll just get in your way! Honestly, if it was up to me she'd be on her way to boarding school. I'll even pay for her to go myself" Lisa offered. She was one nasty piece of work.

"No. I won't do that. Can't you just try to get along? You've barely spoke to her! God, grow up Lisa!" Michael shouted.

Lisa sighed.

"Fine. I'll try, but if she makes one move wrong, she's out of here" Lisa snarled, before storming off. Michael kicked at one of the chairs in his rage over Lisa. He didn't understand how cruel someone could actually be.

Katie was too busy crying to see where Lisa had gone. Instead she sobbed and sobbed on the staircase.

"Katie? Did you hear us shouting?" A familiar voice spoke. Katie looked up from her crying to see Michael looking at her with sympathy, coming up the stairs.

"Every word!" Katie shouted back, angry. And with that she took off to her own room, running inside and slamming the door, followed by locking it.

Michael came running after.

"Katie please sweetheart! Can we talk?" Michael pleaded.

"No! I heard every word. EVERY SINGLE WORD!" Katie cried.

"Katie, please don't do this! I need to talk to you!" Michael shouted through the door. Katie wasn't listening. Instead she threw herself on her pink, silky bed and burrowed her head into the soft pillows, screaming and crying, kicking at the mattress. She was in a fit of rage and confusion.

Outside, Michael sat down by the door, listening to Katie's emotional avalanche. He sat and cried to himself for a few minutes.

He hated a child being unhappy at his ranch.

…………………………………………………….

Sorry it may be a bit boring atm but I promise it'll get better :)