Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


Michael woke up sometime later, hearing voices in the kitchen. He opened his eyes and looked around. He noticed that Starr was gone. Michael slowly stood up, trying to exert as little effort as possible. Even so, his ribs still burned with pain as he finally stood upright. Michael slowly walked through the room and over to the kitchen.

"I'm just saying," Michael saw Ellie leaning against the refrigerator. Starr was at the stove, cooking something. "You dad's kind of a nut job. I don't really want to go near him."

"Well neither do I," Starr said. "But I don't have any clothes besides the ones I'm wearing." Starr looked over at Ellie. "Please?" Ellie sighed.

"The things I do for my friends," Ellie muttered. "Fine. I'll do it."

"You are the best," Starr said. "I owe you."

"Yes, yes you do," Ellie said, bluntly. "And eventually I will collect." Starr rolled her eyes and went back to what she had originally been doing. Ellie finally noticed Michael.

"He can stand?" Ellie asked, sarcastically. "What a concept!" Michael chuckled and Starr looked over at him.

"Michael why are you out of bed?" Starr asked. Michael rolled his eyes and walked over to her. "You're supposed to be resting."

"I've never been one for following rules," Michael said. Starr sighed and Michael kissed her cheek. "So what were you two talking about?"

"Starr wants me to get some stuff from her hotel room," Ellie said. "Because she doesn't want to see her dad."

"I see," Michael said. Starr sighed as she leaned her head against Michael's arm.

"So I'm going to go do that," Ellie said. "I'll be back in a bit." Michael nodded and Ellie headed out of the kitchen. He listened for the apartment door opening and closing. Then he looked down at Starr.

"Are you okay?" Michael asked. Starr shrugged.

"My dad's tried calling me," Starr said. "But I just can't deal with him right now. After what he did to you, I don't think I could even be in the same room with him." Michael nodded. "But you must feel the same way about your mom." Michael sighed.

"Yeah," He said quietly. Starr wrapped her hand around Michael's.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up," Starr said.

"I think we both came to terms a long time ago that our parents aren't perfect," Michael said. He gently ran his thumb along Starr's hand. Michael sighed again and looked at Starr. "So what are you cooking?"

"Spaghetti," Starr said. "Since I know it's one your favorites." Michael smiled and kissed Starr gently. The kiss began to heat up as Michael pulled Starr closer to him. Starr pulled away and noticed the wicked smirk on Michael's face. "You're incorrigible." Michael chuckled.

"And you love me for it anyways," Michael said. Starr rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile.

"Well if you're going to ignore the doctors' orders and not rest," Starr began. "You can at least set the table."

"Oh manual labor," Michael said, jokingly.

"You can go back to lying in bed if that's too much for you," Starr said, cocking an eyebrow at him. Michael reached past Starr to grab the bowls and utensils. He kissed her on the cheek before walking out of the kitchen. Starr smiled and watched him walk away before turning back to the food.


Ellie sighed as she walked through the hallway of the Metro Court Hotel. She was hoping that Starr's dad wouldn't be around so she could slip in and out. Ellie stopped at the door of the hotel room and took a deep breath before sticking the card into the reader. There was a beep and then Ellie opened the door. She stepped into the hotel room and looked around. Starr had told her that her room would be the one to the right after she walked in. Ellie was about to keep walking when she heard footsteps.

"Where have you been?" Ellie froze as she heard a voice. "It's been three days." A man walked into the room and looked confused to see Ellie standing there. "You're not Starr."

"Clearly not," Ellie said.

"Well who the hell are you?" Todd asked. "And what are you doing in my hotel room."

"I'm a friend of Starr's," Ellie said. "And I'm doing her a favor." Then Ellie turned and headed into what was Starr's room.

"A favor?" Todd asked, following after Ellie. "What kind of favor?" Ellie ignored him as she found an empty bag and placed it open on the bed. "I'm talking to you."

"And I'm ignoring you," Ellie said. "But clearly you can't take the hint." Suddenly, Todd grabbed Ellie's arm and spun her towards him.

"No listen to me you insolent kid," Todd said. "Starr is my daughter and I have the right to know where she is. I suggest you tell me what I want to know."

"Or what?" Ellie asked. "Are you going to beat me up in an alley like you did to Michael?" Todd let go of Ellie's arm and Ellie turned away.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Todd said, as he watched Ellie. She was grabbing a bunch of Starr's things.

"We all know," Ellie said. "We know that Michael's mom told you about Starr and Michael being together and we know that you jumped Michael in an alleyway." She zipped the bag shut and turned to Todd. "Did you really think that was a smart idea? Or that Starr wouldn't find out?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you," Todd said, glaring at Ellie.

"You're right," Ellie said. "You have to explain yourself to your daughter. But if you haven't noticed yet, she wants nothing to do with you. So why don't you get the hint and back the hell off?" Then Ellie walked out of the room.

"She's my daughter," Todd said. "I have the right to protect her." He turned towards Ellie snorted.

"If you're too blind to see that Starr is happy," Ellie said. "Then you have no right to dictate any part of her life." Then Ellie turned and left the hotel room.


Michael and Starr were eating dinner when there was a knock on the door. Starr and Michael looked at each other before Michael shook his head.

"Door's open Ellie," Michael called. Ellie opened the door and walked in. She tossed a bag on the couch.

"How did it go?" Starr asked.

"I met your dad," Ellie said, walking over to them.

"What did he say?" Starr asked. Ellie sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Starr gave her a look.

"He wanted to know where you were," Ellie said. "And he kept saying all this crap about he had the right to protect you." Starr sighed. "Anyways, I just grabbed a bunch of stuff."

"Thanks Ellie," Starr said, quietly. Michael looked over at his girlfriend, concerned.

"I better get going," Ellie said. She nodded to Michael before leaving the apartment. Starr sat quietly, fidgeting with her hands after Ellie left.

"Starr?" Michael asked. Starr looked up at him and plastered a smile on her face.

"I'm fine," She said. "I'm fine." She stood up and grabbed her plate. She quickly headed towards the kitchen. Michael stood up and went after her, but he moved slower than she did because of the pain in his ribs. When he finally reached the kitchen, Starr was leaning over the sink, gripping the edges tightly. He walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. Starr turned around and wrapped her arms around Michael, burying her head in his chest. Michael kissed the top of her head and held her close to him.

"It's going to be okay," Michael assured her. Starr looked up at him.

"Thank you," She said. Michael nodded. As much pain as they were both in, being around each other seemed to make everything okay.


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