Behind Closed Doors:

Chapter 10: All Kinds of Time

I do not own digimon nor do I own any of the characters in this story

Disclaimer: So yet again the last chapter was long, and it again may have been a bit fluffy but I promise there were reasons for what seems like fluff this chapter should be shorter unless I get a brainstorm before class so as usual here is a time setting recap: This story takes place around 8 years after second season ends, so the ages are: Tai, Sora, Matt are 22. Izzy and Mimi are 21. Joe is 23. Kari, TK, Ken, and Davis are 19. Yolei is 20 and Cody is 17

So my last chapter was very long I know, but I want to thank all the positive feedback I received from my favorite readers over the last few chapters: Koumiloccness and Helen ess (thank you so much for your e-mail), you guys are the best! I just want everyone to know the story is going a little slower than planned because it is midterms week at the University and they are killing me haha. As soon as this week is over I will be back full steam with the fic. Enjoy the newest chapter

Matt sat at his brand new desk in the store room for the first time. (Finally after all the hard work I think I'm finally getting somewhere in my life) He looked at the stack of papers that sat in front of him, hundreds of pages of order forms and equipment checks that all waited for his approval. Though he knew he should be getting started with work he couldn't help but let his mind wander. He had been feeling frustrated with himself lately, it had been a week since his promotion and since then he had not been able to spend time with his little brother or his girlfriend. But today was going to be different he was going to get his work out of the way early and he was going to head home and spend time with his family, he already had it planned out, he would breeze through his order forms then get his assistant manager to take care of the equipment check then he would take Sora and TK out for lunch and they would make plans to spend the rest of the day together.

His day began going as planned but it suddenly took a turn for the worse when a customer's son pulled a guitar costing well over a grand right off the display wall and sent it crashing to the floor, after Matt tried to sort out that mess he returned to his routine. But as he was checking the stores order forms he realized that the store was missing an entire shipment of amp tubes, so he called up the delivery company and spent more than an hour arguing with the distribution manager until the manager found the paperwork that said they had not yet delivered the tubes after all.

Matt slammed his hands on his desk (Great I just wasted more than a whole hour running in verbal circles) He looked at the clock and it was past 2 PM (At this rate I'm never going to get home) He looked over the stack of papers that sat on his desk (I can just take them home and finish them later this evening) Smiling at his own brilliance he placed the forms in a folder and gathered up his belongings.

"Toshi I am going to need you to do the equipment check ok?" He asked his assistant manager

The older man nodded and headed into the back room to do as he was told.

"This is great!" Matt exclaimed out loud "Finally some quality time with my family"

He got in his SUV and drove home (TK and Sora have probably already had lunch but that doesn't mean we can't do something else together)

As he unlocked his apartment door Matt saw TK sitting on the living room couch "Hey bro!" Matt happily greeted his younger brother "Where's Sora?"

TK just shook his head "She's still in the bedroom, pretty hung over"

"Still? It's almost four in the afternoon, how much could she have had to drink?" Matt went into the room to check on her, she was sleeping at the moment probably though not very well. He sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her arm and kissed her on the forehead. He saw a smile crawl across her face, without opening her eyes she said "Thanks for that it makes me feel better knowing you're watching out for me"

"Of course" Matt whispered "I love you"

Not wanting to disturb her any longer Matt got off the bed and walked back into the living room (after all this time we're still so close. I never thought we would make it, but just look at us going strong, just makes me feel worse for ignoring her all week)

Rolling up his sleeves and undoing his tie Matt grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat by his brother "So what do you say you and I do something while Sora is out of commission?"

TK winced a little "I'm sorry Matt I was planning to meet Cody, Ken and Yolei I haven't seen much of them at all this break." Matt's smile faded a bit even though he tried to hide his disappointment he knew TK had caught on "But I can cancel what did you have in mind?"

Matt took a sip of his beer "No TK it's fine, you should go see your friends. I really didn't have anything planned anyways. But can you try and be back around eight or so? Sora should be up by then and we can all eat together it will be nice"

TK picked himself off the couch "I think I can do that for you Matt, you sure you don't want me to stick around?"

"Nah I'm just gonna start getting things ready to cook soon anyways, and maybe it would be best for Sora if we're not out here making a lot of noise"

TK nodded "Alright well watch after her carefully ok?"

(It's like he's asking me to do him a favor, that's odd) Matt brushed the thought off and just patted his brother on the back "Don't worry she's in good hands" He watched as his brother walked out of the door, then he lit a cigarette and a candle to cover the smell of his smoke. Exhaling a thick cloud he turned on the television making sure the volume was low. He watched the television for an hour or so alone, slowly sipping his beer and taking drags on his cigarette when he heard the bedroom door open. A very haggard looking Sora came out of the room in a pair of long black pants and a long sleeve t-shirt.

"Hey sleepy" Matt said playfully "You feeling any better?"

Sora shook her head "My boss wants me to come in to work immediately" Her face grew sour "It was supposed to be my day off today but there is some 'emergency' which probably just means his model is giving him attitude, or he can't find the designs I gave him yesterday." She began scoping out the apartment "Where's TK?"

"He went to visit Cody, Yolei, and Ken. But he said he'd be back in time for dinner, which by the way should be done around eight. You'll be back by then right?"

"I guess, I never really know with my boss. But I'll call if I can't make it." She began sniffing the air "Matt are you smoking again? You know how bad it is for your health and it makes the apartment stink"

"Sorry Babe" Matt said feeling guilty, but also confused (She normally blows up at me when she catches me smoking, did something change?) "You should get to work though, you don't want to keep your boss waiting"

Sora shook her head a bit absent-mindedly "I'll see you for dinner" She said sounding distant

Matt began to get up from the couch to kiss her goodbye but she was already out the door, so he simply set himself down again and watched the television for another hour. Deciding it was best to begin cooking he got all the ingredients he would need from the various cabinets and refrigerator and began getting the dishes ready.

Cooking definitely cheered Matt up as he envisioned his family, Sora, TK, and him all together at the table enjoying some real time together for the first time in a long time. His cell phone pulled him out of his day dream and he looked to see that Tai was calling him.

"Hey Tai what's up?"

"Hey Matt I was thinking we could go out to a bar tonight and hang out a little, maybe discuss my role as your best man, just enjoy ourselves you know?"

Matt laughed at Tai's enthusiasm for Matt's pending engagement, so far Tai was the only person besides Sora's parents who were aware of the engagement ring Matt had bought just a week ago. "I would really like to Tai but I promised Sora and TK I would spend time with them tonight, it's odd I haven't seen much of either of them for the last whole week, really since TK has been down here. I feel bad thinking I might be paying too much attention to my job you know?"

"Hey nothing wrong with being focused on work, if you change your mind the offer stands, I've got nothing planned"

"I'll see what I can do, I'm cooking right now so I'm going to have to let you go ok?"

"No problem dude, I'll talk to you later"

Matt finished cooking and peered at the clock on the wall. It was nearly eight already and still no sign of TK or Sora. Matt began setting the dining room table knowing neither of them would keep him waiting long. At about fifteen minutes past eight his cell phone began to ring. He picked it up (It's Sora, thank God, she must be letting me know she's on her way)

"Hey babe" He said cheerfully into the receiver

"Matt we've got a real problem, I'm not going to be able to make it to dinner"

Matt's chest felt heavy "What? Sora why not?"

"Mimi is gone, she's not at Izzy's, she's not at Yolei's, she's not at work, she's not anywhere. Izzy brought her back to his place last night but she never even made it to bed."

"She's been missing since last night? Well if it's that serious Sora don't worry about dinner, just make sure you guys find her ok?"

"I'm sorry Matt, I'll see you when I get home"

He hung up the phone and checked the clock again, TK still wasn't home and he was beginning to worry (TK would have told me if he was going to be late)

His phone rang again this time it was TK"Hey bro Mimi's gone missing!"

"I heard Sora just called me, she's going out to find her. It looks like it's just going to be you and me tonight"

"Matt I'm not going to be able to make it either, I'm going with Yolei to search for Mimi"

Matt didn't say anything he just listened as his younger brother continued talking "Anyways the reason I called is because we've all agreed at least one person should stay at one of the houses or apartments in case Mimi shows up she won't be locked out"

"Right well you can count on me" Matt said lighting up another cigarette "I won't be going anywhere"

"That's good Matt, thanks for understanding. We'll eat together another time"

Matt didn't reply, he just hung up his phone and buried his face in his hands. (I can't believe what's happening, this whole week it seems like I'm drifting from my family.) He got up and grabbed another beer and cleared up the dishes. He really didn't feel like eating any more. (I must have become distant or something without realizing it. I'm such a jerk *Snap out of it, your friend is missing, you and your family are fine*) The thought prickled the back of Matt's mind he looked at the beer in his hand (What am I thinking? I can't be getting drunk at a time like this. How selfish of me, feeling sorry for myself when Mimi might be in trouble. Now think Matt you can't leave in case she shows up but there has to be something you can do)

He paced back and forth for a few moments trying to come up with a plan (I've got it!) He grabbed a phone book and began flipping the pages until he got to the one he was looking for (I found it! Hopefully my hunch was right) He began typing the number into his phone…

A little shorter than usual but this chapter was supposed to focus only on Matt, hopefully Mimi can be found soon