Very Happy Birthday to nileyfan#1!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot!

Chapter 25: Run

Nick rushed over to the sobbing girl curled up on the bed, gathering her in his arms as she let the emotions pour out of her.

"Shhh..." He consoled her with his presence, his warm body embracing hers in a tight hug. "Don't cry, baby girl..." He soothed, his heart aching at the sight of the salty tears flooding her rosy cheeks. Miley's sobs slowly subsided and a small smile appeared on her lips when she realised that he hadn't even asked her what was wrong, he hadn't asked what had made her cry in the first place... he was just there to hold her, remind her that he was there when she needed him, giving her his whole support with no questions asked. And that was one of the many things she loved about him. He always gave her space even if she didn't want it... because that was the kind of love and respect he had for her. But this wasn't something she could hide from him… but how was she supposed tell him?

"Sorry… I just needed to let it out." She apologised as she wiped away the last of her tears, pulling herself out of his embrace and off the bed, avoiding his gaze the whole time.

"Miles…" He lifted her face so she would look at him.

"I'm just tired…" She smiled weakly in an attempt to reassure him. He let it go, knowing that whatever it was, she would tell him in her own time. All he could do in the meantime was be there for her and support her… he wanted to be that guy to her, he already was.

Confusion washed over him as he was reminded of the news he had gotten just moments earlier from his second eldest brother. A movie... A contract she had signed weeks ago without consulting him, an action that remained a mystery to him since never, had she signed a contract without his opinion. No matter how many times he told her she was entitled to making her own choices without running them passed him, she had always insisted it was her way of showing him how much she valued his opinion. He felt hurt that for once, she hadn't consulted nor told him and had signed a contract that would take her away thousands of miles from him for several months. But what hurt him most was knowing she hadn't told him, never had she come close to even mentioning to him. Knowing she had hid it from him for... for what? For the mere purpose of avoiding the conflict that would result? It didn't make sense to him and as much as he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, his heart was too wounded to give up his pride. He could only breathe a sigh of relief when he realised the brunette's breathing had evened out, finally crying herself to sleep. As much as he wanted to help her with whatever was troubling her, he didn't trust himself around her... Questions were burning his lips but he knew he would have to wait before obtaining any sort of answer from her. For the time being he was just glad she was asleep, getting the rest she needed.

Shaking his head at himself, he slipped out from beside her and made his way to the living room, flopping down on the couch as tiredness washed over his tensed muscles. His thoughts wandered to the various reasons behind Miley's 'breakdown'. It did happen that she let tears fall from her eyes whenever she thought he wasn't looking and he had always attributed it to stress and hormones. But this time, his gut told him that there was a lot more behind her mood swings but he couldn't think of anything wrong.

Upon waking up front her nap, Miley noticed Nick was fast asleep on the couch with the television playing in the background. She moved around sleepily, watching as his eyes fluttered in his sleep. He looked so peaceful.... just how was she supposed to tell him she was bitter and sad the pregnancy test she had taken that morning had turned out negative? How was she supposed to explain something she didn't understand herself?

Her retreating figure didn't go unnoticed by the dozing Nick. He had felt her presence but had opted on ignoring it, hoping a little more time would give him the clear headedness he needed to confront her about her movie contract.

Unaware of Nick's awaken state, Miley dialled her best friend's number.

"Hey Miles, how are you doing?" Demi's cheerful voice greeted the worried Miley.

"I'm good." The younger girl replied with conviction.

"You know I'm here if you want to talk, right?"

"Yeah I do. Thanks Dems... I actually need a prep talk. I need to break the news to Nick about the movie..."

"Ah... the movie." Demi took a deep breath. "Just tell him the truth... They needed your signature within the day and he wasn't picking up his phone... You didn't want to pass up such an opportunity and gave in to your crazy moment of glory. He will understand, Miles, don't worry."

"Easy for you to say, Dem... All he's going to see is that I will be gone for months... And this time it's not Mexico, Tennessee or Georgia... It's Italy!"

"You're freaking billionaires! You can fly in and out to see each other!" Demi exclaimed.

"You're right... I should stop feeling sorry for myself."

"Miles... you're going through a lot... Everybody needs a break at some point. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself and take things one at a time."

"Thanks Dems... I'm going to talk to him." She promised.

"Good." Demi smiled to herself, feeling proud of her little prep talk. "And Mile?

"Yeah?"

"Don't forget to tell him about the pregnancy 'scare'. He would want to know."

"I'll try." The younger girl let out a deep breath as she ended the call, feeling all her resolves melting away. She closed her eyes, once again fighting a batch of tears begging to roll down her cheeks. Once the pregnancy test had turned out negative, she had attributed all her symptoms to stress and had voted to ignore any further indications that she could be in fact pregnant, even though she knew she wasn't.

"Italy, huh?" She froze at the sound of his voice... suddenly feeling dizzy, she gripped the head board of the bed. She turned around slowly to be faced with an obviously upset Nick.

"I-"

"You're going to Italy and you didn't think it important to let me know? To tell me you had signed a contract weeks ago?" His sharp tone sliced through her, making her shiver.

Short chapter... Just thought you guys deserved to know whether she was pregnant or not after all this time I let you go back and forth! lol