Hello! I really appreciate your support :) I'm at uni right now, waiting with my friend for our next lesson (it's in 2 hours!). Even though you don't care, I got the top score in my course on my last exam :D So to celebrate, he helped me editing this! lol Enjoy it if you can and let me know what you think :)

- xo, Mel

P.S. The "Monkey Rum" is a great liquor in my country (Idk if you guys have it there too) and the name's always sounded kind of funny to me lol It really doesn't have a connection to anything at all, except for the "flexibility" assonance with "monkey". Maybe? ;) It's stupid, I know but that's just who I am lol

P.S. #2 The title of this chapter is a reference to Bob Dylan's "New morning", which came on my iPod as I edited this. I thought it was perfect for this chapter! Give it a listen if you're interested, it's a great song!

X

Lips had always been one of Mike Warren's guilty pleasures, since his first kiss in 10th grade - he had been an early bloomer, despite his parents being fervent catholics.

He loved kissing them, biting them. Basically, he could spend his time devouring lips and not getting tired one bit. No matter what shape or how full they were, it was always one of his favorite things about make out sessions, as long as he could have some time to have fun with it.

But waking up to the feeling of Paige's mouth - of her tender, luscious lips tickling their way up his spine - was something almost sublime. He made a mental note to reschedule his list of favorites: this one was going straight up to the top. Maybe he could make himself 24/7 available for her as long as she'd provide him such a sensual awakening every morning in return. It was sending him into raptures - which although probably wasn't a good thing. He was sure that if he turned around, he would take into her ravishingly morning beauty and all his plans for the day would be fucked. Literally.

Paige's lips trailed up between his shoulder blades and she sneaked one hand down his back to keep herself steady. He could feel the tip of her hair brushing against the back of his head, but didn't dare to move, so not to broke this pleasant spell he happened to have fallen under: he was laying on his stomach, one hand curled up under his - her pillow and his other arm stretched out on her side of the bed and his face turned towards the door.

He squeezed his eyes tight at the feeling of her tongue brushing sensually on the spot under his lobe, forcing a raspy moan up his throat.

"Mhm."

Paige giggled and settled on his back, straddling him. He reached one hand behind, stroking her thigh tenderly.

"You up early." He murmured. She nuzzled the back of his neck, biting into his skin and scraping her nails down the side of his body to prove her point.

"Seems like I am, sleepyhead."

Mike groaned. This wasn't fair. He was sleepy, he was tired, he was in a weak state and she was clearly taking advantage of him. Evil, evil woman.

"Can't. Another round. Wore me out." He managed to slur out, his eye lids too heavy to lift due to his lack of energy.

She moved to the other side of his neck, dangerously close to his mouth: he could smell the fading scent of her shampoo making its way up his nostrils, poisoning his brain.

Turning his head, he met her lips almost instantly. 'Just a quick peck', he promised himself. A brush and he would be done. Or at least, that's what he had intended to do. But Paige was hard to resist, even when every cell of his body was too spent and screamed at him to stop.

When he finally released her mouth, she rolled off of him and he opened his eyes to look at her tiredly. She laid on her side, facing him, curled up in a human ball - her hands tucked in under her cheek. She almost looked innocent. Almost.

" 'morning," she whispered.

His arm slithered over her waist, snuggling up closer to her. He nuzzled her nose, breathing contentedly.

"It is a good morning…"

When he gazed upon her, two green orbs stared back at him, waiting for him to give her his full attention. He readjusted on the bed, so to be on his side too, facing her completely. She didn't say anything, but he could clearly see something was bothering her. He sighed.

"Stop." His stern scold didn't match at all the tender movement of his hand tracing a soft path up and down her side.

Paige faked a quizzical expression, trying to act nonchalant, but his raised eyebrows made it quite clear he could see right through her facade. Lowering her eyes, she let his caress soothe her.

"Sorry… I just need to wrap my head around it."

Mike stilled his hand on her hip, lazily drawing circles with his thumb on her skin: it felt silky and warm under his touch, but somehow she shivered anyway.

It was early, way too early for her to wake up and oddly enough, even for him. He had stopped going for runs in the morning when he had gone to DC, but once back at Graceland, he had tried to pick up his old habit in order to stay fit. It had worked for some time, but then their blazing passion had reached its peak and he had been pretty busy with Paige sneaking into his room every night.

Looking back at it, there hadn't been one night he had spent alone since they had surrendered to one other. Not even when she'd been mad at him.

"C'me here…" He scooted up to sit with his back against the wall and softly pulled her into his arms. He kissed the top of her head, as she half moaned and half giggled, laying her head on his chest and swinging her arm over his lower stomach. He stroked her hair. "It's going to be fine. We'll just have to deal with their teasing for a while, but it'll eventually wear down. Worst case scenario, Johnny will keep on picking on us and making crude jokes about it, but he already is, so what's the problem?"

Paige run her finger over his v-line absentmindedly.

"I guess I'm just choking under pressure."

He snorted, tickling her side.

"Performance anxiety is something I should be having with you, considering your proven abilities last night."

"Mhm. You did just fine. But maybe you should work out once in a while. Chubby doesn't look good on you."

She nabbed his side, hiding a smile and he looked down at her aghast, holding her wrist.

"Really? 'Just fine'? Why, you're so romantic."

"I am. Your love handles struck my heart." She chuckled, squealing when he mimicked her action and pinched her side; his nose nuzzled her cheek playfully and she heard him smile against her skin.

Their next kiss was once again unpredictable: Paige didn't know why, but every kiss they had shared since their thing had started developing on a deeper level had been different from the other.

This one was intimate. Sweet.

There was a lascivious hesitation on both parts as they touched, before their lips met in a gentle, lingering touch, as if they were both trying to memorize that feeling of warm intimacy that had settled between them. When they parted, she rolled in her lips, smiling unconsciously when he ran his fingers through her hair. 'There he goes with the adoring look.'

"I know I'll regret this but…"

Mike pulled away from her, sliding to the foot of the bed to get up and look for his discarded pants; she sat up, curling her legs and watching him, confused.

When he walked back to her, he sat at her feet, propping himself back on one hand, while he held out to her a small, leather bag.

"…I got you something."

Her eyes searched for any kind of sign on his face, but all she could see was his nervous smile as he waited for her to take the object.

"I planned to give it to you the night of our date but… I chickened out, figured it'd be too much and too fast." He said. She hesitantly pulled an Indian bracelet out, along with a folded note. Paige fingered the stone braided at the center. A turquoise.

"I.. don't understand." She confessed.

Mike shrugged, rubbing her ankle.

"It's just something that I saw and reminded me of you. I have one too."

The last part of his statement made Paige's heart stop. She swallowed hard - his voice turning into a distant blur - as she unfolded the small piece of paper and let her eyes scan over the black printed words.

'Turquoise, the "fallen sky stone" hidden in Mother Earth, has been valued by cultures for its beauty and reputed spiritual and life-giving qualities for over 7000 years. It is a true gem of the centuries. A long time ago someone noticed a clear blue line running through gray rock, and saw the imagery of sky and water in stone, and from that time on, turquoise has been cherished above all else in creation - turquoise, stone of sky, stone of water, stone of blessings, good fortune, protection, good health and long life. Native Americans believe that the earth is alive and that all things, no matter how small or apparently inanimate, are the Native Americans, turquoise is life.'

Turquoise is life. She was about to pass out. Life. She knew she was being insane and overreacting, but he had been right: this was too much and too fast for her.

It reminded her of those friendship bracelets Dale's father made him make. It almost sounded like a proposal.

She couldn't even call it for what it was - a freaking relationship, how was she supposed to wear that thing and not feel like she was wearing some sort of pseudo commitment ring?

'Chill, P. All he did was getting you a wristband, girl.' Yeah, but why did it feel like he was asking for proof? Maybe he wanted her to wear it so he could be sure about her. About them.

Maybe it was a test?

No. Knowing Mike, he was just being his annoyingly sweet self and trying to make her feel special and she - she was being her usual party pooper self and spoiling his game. When it came down to these kind of situations, though, she couldn't help it. It felt too official.

How she wished he'd just understand that him being there, with her, made her feel special already.

"… mine has an emerald, though. The lady said it brings goodness into one's life and you…"

As he laced their fingers, all she could think about was how she had missed half of his speech and was still hyperventilating inside for… she didn't even know why. She just was. Damn her and her stupid relationship issues.

"…I told you, you're the only thing I'm sure of right now."

Paige sucked in a breath: 'please, please stop talking.' She was freaking out already and the fact that he was professing once more what he felt for her wasn't exactly helping.

Not. One. Bit.

Prying her hand away from his, she handed everything back.

"I- I can't take it, Mike."

He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yes, you can. It's a gift."

"No, it's not. It's - you're right, it's too much, too soon. I… I can't be tied down now, we've only started this thing. "

"Tied down? What are you…" Mike started, catching himself on the way as realization hit him. He closed his mouth, looking down at the stuff in his hands. "Oh…"

An awkward silence took over them. He should have known. How could have he been so blind not to predict it? Once again, his east coast polished version had kicked in and scared her away.

Back in Virginia, it was a rather common thing to spoil the girl you were going out with, even when you had no reason to.

However, most of the times, they'd all do that to get one thing: sex.

That wasn't usually the only purpose he'd do it for, although it had become a habit of his to intensify the amount of jewelry, candies and flowers during his last months in a relationship. Every time, he'd run out of things to talk about or to do, and he'd find himself trapped into a thing with a girl who had nothing to offer him, apart from casual sex.

But Paige was different. She was stimulating on so many levels, he knew he'd never get tired of her.

Buying her something had been a natural instinct of his; he hadn't thought about how she was used to casual and free, to non-commitment and hook ups.

He felt so stupid now.

"I'm sorry…" She murmured, the softness she used to caress his face taking him away from his thoughts. He covered her hand with his.

"No, I'm sorry. I gave you the wrong impression. I'm not trying to trap you into something you don't want. It's seriously just a gift - you don't have to wear it."

Paige looked at him for a brief moment, as he slipped his fingers between hers again. When she didn't reply, he crumpled everything in his fist and threw it away. The rattling sound of stuff scattering all over the floor echoed on the other side of the room, startling her: she looked at him, a silent question lingering in the air. 'What the hell?'

"You know what? Forget it. Leave it there, throw it away for now. When you're ready and feel confident about this, maybe put it on. But if you don't, I won't care."

"Mike…" she sighed. "You know you will…"

"No, I won't. Look - I'm sorry, it's something I did spontaneously. I didn't think, and I should have." He took her chin and laid his forehead on hers, pecking her lips. "We'll take it slow."

Paige sighed once again. She had sighed more in these past few weeks with him than in her whole life. It wasn't fair.

He deserved everything he wanted, yet he was wasting his time after something as unstable as their thing. Maybe they should have kept it casual, hook up once in a while. All these doubts were killing her.

But if he - Mike Warren, the biggest nit-picking fusspot she had ever met - was willing to try, why couldn't she?

She could stand breaking her routine and tasting unknown waters, as long as he would hold her hand and face everything with her.

"You know why I chose the emerald?"

She shook her head. He ran his thumb over her eyebrow, pecking her lips once more. This time, he lingered a little longer than before.

"Your eyes." He explained.

Mike bit his lip, as she stared at him speechless, yet emotionless. He was sure he had gone too far this time. He had just made this weird speech about how they'd take it slow and next thing he knows, he's telling her how he chose a stone because of... her eyes?

He needed to work on his speaking abilities around her: she could make him spurt out whatever was on his mind and that was no good. Especially if he wanted to make this work without scaring her away, which seemed to happen way too often.

Before he could go and apologize again for his brave stupidity, Paige's laugh filled his ears. He watched as she threw her head back and fell against the wall, her hands holding her stomach in a fit of giggles.

It was his turn to look speechless: was she really laughing? At him?

"I... M-my eyes? Seriously? I-I can't believe y-you've just said that, Mike!" She managed to get out.

Mike felt his face getting hotter with each sound coming from her mouth. He chuckled sarcastically along with her, as he crawled up her body to shush her with a kiss.

"Ha - ha. I'm glad to know I'm such a great entertainer."

Pecking his lips back, she tried to stop herself from laughing. Something she was finding pretty hard to do.

"Sorry." She kept giggling, as he buried his face into her hair and breathed in deeply, hiding a smile.

At least she wasn't freaking out. That was a start, wasn't it?

"You're so soppy sometimes - it's actually cute how much of a cliché you can be."

Bending one knee, she wrapped her arms around his torso and kissed him chastely on the lips. She ran one hand through his growing hair, while he propped himself up on his forearms so not to crush her with his weight.

Paige had expected him to come out with a sarcastic remark, but he had gone quiet instead and was staring at her. Intensely. It kind of made her self-conscious, which rarely happened: she was naturally strong and confident, it wasn't fair he could make her feel like a little girl with just one blink of his eyes. Sometimes, she wanted to go back to his first days at Graceland, when he had been so green that it had been the complete opposite.

He had been the lamb and she had been the lion. Now, the roles were reversed.

However, she was unable to look away from his eyes - or from his face, for the matter. Lying this close to him, wrapped up into his arms, she couldn't help but notice the sprinkling of freckles across his nose: the California sun was already marking his white skin and turning him into a sexy surfer - even though he really didn't know anything about surfing. He was okay, average.

As Johnny always said, 'surfers are born, not made'.

When Mike looked into her eyes once again, after having given her the once-over, his expression was even more intense, almost threatening.

For a moment, she thought she had gone too far with the teasing and had hurt him. But before she could ask him if he were mad, he yanked her to him and covered her mouth with his in an ardent and bruising kiss.

He was definitely not mad.

X

Paul looked at his clock impatiently. It was well past 9 and they had agreed to move at 8.20.

Of course, if he had known Mike would have been so late, he would have slept a little longer. And yet, he knew how hard it was for him to wake up early!

Usually, Warren wouldn't be so inconsiderate, especially about such an important case like this one; he would always be on time, no matter the circumstances, even if he had spent the entire night awake, working on something else.

However, he had the strange feeling his unusual delay was due to the hard effort put into working on somebody else.

Unable to stand this any longer, he took the stairs two at a time, only to find Zelanski and Johnny at the top; a miserable, resigned look on their faces: he had sent them out to look for the kid, but apparently they hadn't had much luck.

"The bed's been made. He's probably there already to get ahead with the stuff." Wayne reasoned.

"Nah, dude. I called, nobody's showed up yet."

Both Zelanski and JT's words did nothing but confirm his suspects. He was sure the bed hadn't been used in the first place. At least, not Mike's bed.

Paul clenched his fists, casting a look at Paige's door. He didn't know how or why it was happening, but their relationship was affecting this case a little too much. More than it should. Eventually, it'd end up affecting Graceland too.

He didn't want to, but if he were to realize this was becoming a possible threat for the success of the operation, he'd have to have a talk with Michael. A long, mentor chat.

However, he was rather relieved to see DJ approaching them, as pissed as himself: he had promised Paige he wouldn't have said anything, but he was pretty sure Jakes had busted them too. Maybe, he could manipulate a few things and push him to do the dirty work.

He opened his mouth to talk, but the black agent beat him, clearly irritated by the fact he had thrown himself out of the bed earlier than usual only to find the guy missing.

"Where is he?"

They all shrugged and, as Johnny and Wayne briefed him on how they had looked everywhere in the house but had had no such luck to find him, he turned to Briggs, even more pissed than before.

"You gotta be kidding me."

Paul raised his hands, acting unaware of what had been going on; however, the look they exchanged told otherwise.

Jakes shook his head, marching towards Paige's door and banging loudly on it.

"Yo, P! Open up!"

Johnny took a cautious step closer to him.

"C'mon man, we don't need her-"

Before he could finish his sentence, hustling noises came from the other side, followed by a thud, an imprecation and, finally, the creaking sound of the door opening.

Paige's head peeked from behind: her hair were completely ruffled, sticking in every direction, her lips swollen and puffy. She could've faked having just been woken up by Jakes punching on her door, had it not been for the pale pink sheet she was trying to hold into place to cover herself.

She looked out at the men in the hall, before casting a quick glance back inside.

"Dale? What- I've just come out of the shower…" She made up.

However, the unfazed look on her roommate's face made her regret the lame lie she had just fabricated.

"And your hair have magically managed to stay dry?"

"I…" She looked back at Mike, who shook his head and pulled himself up from the floor, using the side of her bed as a support. He laughed silently to himself, as he looked for his boxers and pants.

"LEVI!" Dale screamed, startling her. "You've got 5 mints to get yo' ass in the car."

Without a second glance, he turned on his heels and made his exit down the stairs, angrily muttering incomprehensible words on the way.

Paul raised his eyebrows at Paige's reddening face, as she opened her door wider and stepped aside to let a shirtless Mike out.

When he came into view, he didn't even glance at the agents outside: he simply zipped his pants up and cupped the back of Paige's head to surprisingly kiss her soundly on the lips; his mouth was so warm and the caress of his lips more prolonged and firmer than that of their usual morning kisses. He tentatively traced the outlines of her lips with his tongue, before pulling away; she gawked up at him, bleary-eyed, chewing on her lip.

"Good morning," he beamed at her, tapping her nose. He hid a grin, as he passed a speechless Johnny and an uneasy looking Zelanski, only to disappear briefly into his room to retrieve a fresh shirt.

"Wha- when?" Johnny managed to stammer out. Paige smiled sheepishly and awkwardly at him. She shrugged, quickly closing her door before she could be harassed and hit by a dolly shot of questions.

"You knew about this?" He turned to Paul, shocked; the older man raised his hands up once again, eyeing the door Mike had slipped through, skeptically. "I know as much as you do, John-boy."

"Why are you so surprised?" Wayne murmured, eyeing Paige's door instead. "She does want his kids after all?"

Johnny shook his head. "I thought they were code speaking or shit like that!"

"Well, obviously they weren't."

He watched as Mike hasted out of his room, whistling. He had always been a happy morning person, or at least that's what he had used to be like his first summer there. But after he had got back from DC, he had turned into this asshole who had that stick so far up his ass, it almost threatened to poke out of his mouth.

Today, he was happy. He was whistling. And he had this annoying, big anime-like smile on his face. It was irritating, literally. Especially after having assisted to his not so subtle 'walk of shame' from Paige's room. Paige's.

"C'mon, guys. Let's move!" Mike cheered, skipping down the stairs.

Johnny's eyes followed him in disbelief.

He was definitely going to be on his back and wouldn't give up until he had gotten every juicy detail.