Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot :)

Author's Note: just an apology in advance, this chapter isn't too action/drama packed and there's not too much focus on Nick and Miley - but it was necessary to set us up for what's coming up as they get ready to go overseas to join the tour! :)


PREVIOUSLY:

"Miley?"

"Mmm," she mumbled, already half asleep.

"I love you."

Miley's eyes snapped open.

"I think you're talking in your sleep again," Miley told Nick.

"If I was asleep, would I do this?"

Nick rotated onto his side so their bodies were flush. He pushed one of his legs between hers, and pulled her hip to wrap Miley around him. He covered her lips with his own, not wasting any time to part them and let his tongue danced with hers. Miley moaned into the kiss, suddenly very awake. Miley then rolled on top of Nick, being careful to balance her weight as she kneeled with her legs on either side of Nick's. Nick was conscious of Miley's efforts not to hurt him, but he pulled her down to him to kiss her again. Shifting the weight onto her arms which were now braced next to Nick's head, she tossed hair back over her shoulder. She let Nick lift her top up, before pulling it off and flinging it on the floor.

"You're so beautiful," Nick breathed, running his hands up and down her lower back.

Miley smiled shyly. Then they both let themselves get lost in the moment.


CHAPTER 6:

"Ew, Miley! Put some clothes on!" hollered Oliver, slapping his hand across his eyes and stumbling in to Nick's room.

Miley stood next to Nick's bed, both her hands on her hips.

"Oliver. I'm not naked," she told him, raising her eyesbrows.

Oliver peeked through his fingers.

"Oh," he smiled impishly. "I just assumed."

"It's almost midday. You assumed that with Nick downstairs and me up here in his room, that I would be naked?"

"Well you have got that 'glow' about you," Oliver laughed, waving his hands dramatically in her direction. "Plus Nick told me what you guys got up to last night…"

"He didn't?" Miley gasped, cringing with humiliation.

"Nah," Oliver smirked. "You just did!"

"I hate you," Miley scowled, throwing a pillow at him.

Oliver just continued to grin at Miley.

"By the way, I know what I want for my birthday," Oliver said casually, grabbing Miley's bag and limping out the door. "I want my own Camero. Think of it as an exchange for my silence as well, then you can write it off as a life investment."

"I'm going to hurt you," threatened Miley, taking off after Oliver. "You're dreaming. Plus, you're birthday isn't for like 9 months."

"Thought I'd give you time to save."

If Oliver's knee wasn't still injured, Miley would have seriously considered pushing him down the stairs.

"And, that's cute that you know exactly how long until my birthday."

"I know because it's exactly 8 months after mine. Because I'm older, and smarter, and wiser, and prettier, and better than you in all aspects really."

Oliver scoffed, finally reaching the bottom of the stairs where Nick was waiting for them.

"Nick, who do you think is the smartest and prettiest? Me or Smiley?"

Nick smiled.

"Sorry bro, I'm going to have to pick my girlfriend."

"Ha!" teased Miley, elbowing Oliver in the ribs.

"Whatever, he's biased judge. It's a conflict of interest. I'll appeal to a higher authority on those grounds."

Nick wrapped an arm around Miley's shoulders, walking with her out to Oliver's car.

"I wish you weren't leaving," lamented Nick.

"I'll be back on the weekend. We're going to pick Demi up now. I'm just going to hang out back home for a while, get my stuff packed and everything organised for the trip. Then Olly is going to bring Demi and I back down here before you know it."

"Are you sure your parents don't want to stay here the night before we fly out?"

"Nah, I asked them. They're happy to stay in the motel in town and just have dinner with us all. Olly and Jackson are going to meet us at the airport to say goodbye as well."

"Sounds like a plan."

Denise was hovering next to the car, waiting to say goodbye.

"Thanks for everything, Denise," Miley said to her, giving her a quick hug.

"Anytime doll, I'll see you soon."

Oliver waved goodbye to Nick and hopped into the car. Nick opened the door for Miley, and she slid into the seat. She wound down the window, and leaned out to give Nick a kiss. She went to break away but he held her face and kissed her a bit longer. Oliver beeped the horn and the lovers separated, Nick grinning sheepishly.

"Love you," Nick mouthed, as Oliver rolled out of the driveway.

The smile that spread across Miley's face didn't move for the entire drive home.


"So, what happened?" squealed Demi, flinging herself into the backseat once she'd finally parted from Joe.

Oliver glanced sideways at Miley, knowing her cheeks would be burning with embarrassment.

"What happened when?" Miley replied, feigning naivety.

"With Nick? Did he say I love you back?"

Miley peeked at Oliver, who was staring straight ahead, but she could see the muscles in his jaw flex. Miley wasn't sure whether she should be discussing this in front of him, he had reacted oddly last night about it and fled the first chance he got.

"Uh," Miley hesitated. "Yes."

"Oh my god!" screamed Demi, bouncing up and down in her seat, clapping. "When Joe told me all about it I was beside myself, I was going to text you and ask but I didn't want to make things worse in case he didn't!"

"Joe has a big mouth," muttered Miley.

"I'm so excited for you! That's such a big step. We all knew it was coming anyway; you guys are so good together. Me and boyfriend agree…"

"Boyfriend?" repeated Miley, turning in her seat to face Demi.

"Yeah, it's official. Last night! He asked me. Wait until you hear what happened…"

Demi launched into a very detailed retelling of the story, Miley was relieved to have the focus shifted from her.


"Knock, knock," called Oliver, edging the door to Miley's room open.

"Why not actually knock instead of saying it?" laughed Miley.

"I'm a complex individual," Oliver shrugged. "Later, can you come with me to pick up my sunnies that you got me for Christmas? I might have left them at this chick's house a couple of nights ago and she's kind of holding them for ransom."

"Ransom?" Miley laughed, shaking her head at him.

"She keeps calling me and shit. Saying things like 'Oh let's go to the movies and I can give your sunglasses back then'. Or 'Want to come over and watch a dvd with me? You can grab your sunglasses too'. But if I just message her and say I'm coming to get them on my way out, she's like 'Sorry, I'm not home'."

"Why don't you want to see her again?"

"Miley, Miley, Miley," Oliver said, patting her on the head. "She's too close to the 'Zone'."

"You are not referring to the 'How I Met Your Mother' hot-crazy scale, right now?"

"Honestly, I always knew the scale existed. I probably made it up. They just gave it a name."

"So you're going to dump this girl because she's hot, but not hot enough to balance out the crazy?"

"This is why you have to be my best friend forever. You understand me and my complicated logic."

Miley laughed heartily.

"Did I mention the part where you're probably going to have to play the role of 'angry, cheated on girlfriend' when we get to her house?"

"Not again," whined Miley. "Last time I did that, you made me pretend for 3 months that I was your girlfriend. All because you wanted to date her friend, but you were worried you'd look like a complete asshole so you made me pretend I cheated on you."

"Oh, that's right," Oliver nodded, smiling jubilantly. "She felt sorry for me and we had a wicked few nights. Then I stopped answering her calls because I met that ballerina, remember?"

"Who could forget Tatiana?" chuckled Miley. "She was probably my favourite because I didn't really have to talk to her since she didn't understand a word I was saying."

"She was my favourite for the exact same reason," Oliver agreed.

"You treat girls terribly," chided Miley, moving over on her bed so Oliver could sit down.

"I treat you like a princess, and you're a girl," he countered.

"You might actually hold on to a girl for longer than a week if you extended them the same courtesy," Miley suggested.

"Why would I want to do that? You're enough. It works out well, I get to have fun without the drama, and I have you at the end of it all. I can't find everything I want in one girl, so I separate it into two."

"I think you're kidding yourself about the drama. Are we, or are we not, going to some female's house later to recover your kidnapped sunnies?"

"I think you're over-simplifying it."

"That's your plan? For me to be your best friend/pseudo-girlfriend forever?"

"Why fix what ain't broke?"

"You are such an idiot."

"Speaking of girlfriends. That's why I came up here just now. I want to apologise for being a jerk yesterday."

"Since when do you apologise for that?"

"Hey!" Oliver pouted, placing his hand across his heart. "That wounds me."

"No, it doesn't."

"You're right. Anyway, what I was trying to say before you rudely offended me. Miley, you're my favourite person in the whole wide world. And when Lily died, I was scared that I had lost you too."

Miley felt her eyes prick with tears.

"And up until recently, I only ever saw glimpses of the old Miley. And she never stayed long. But I've never seen you this happy before, and I know Lily would agree. You have the kindest heart, Miles. And you've kept it guarded and locked away from the world for too long. And I like Nick, I really do. But when you told me that stuff yesterday, I didn't know how to deal with it. I'm used to being the only one in your life, Smiley. I'm used to being the one you depend upon, the only person who can make it all better. And now that I've finally got the real you back, it feels like I'm losing you again."

The tears finally overflowed and fell down Miley's cheeks. Oliver wiped them away with the back of his hand.

"You're my best friend, Smiley. And yesterday, I realised, that I'm not always going to be the most important person to you."

"Olly," Miley sniffled, trying to compose herself. "I had no idea."

"It's okay. I didn't really say anything, so how could you know?"

"Listen here, you stupid boy. I love you, Oliver. You're my best friend. You're always there when I need you, and you're there even when I don't want you. Nothing; no boy or girl; or ocean or time difference; nothing you could ever say or do; will ever make me love you any less. You mean so much to me; you own the largest amount of real estate in my heart. Nick might be there too now, but he hasn't taken your land from you, and no one ever will. He's got his own title and claim, but on a separate part."

"The real estate metaphors are cute," Oliver complimented, wrapping his arms around Miley's middle.

"Do you understand though?"

"Yeah, I guess. I just never thought anyone would ever be good enough for you, not even me. Especially not me. I need to get used to the idea that I have to share you."

"There's enough room in my heart and in my life for both of you."

"Then I'm really happy for you, Miles. Honestly, I am."

"That means a lot to me, Olly. You know what you think matters to me."

"Look at what happened with that creep Jake Ryan."

"Exactly," Miley agreed, gently stroking Oliver's hair.

"Just so we're clear… If you had to get a name tattooed on you, it would be mine and not Nick's, right?"

"Hypothetically?"

Oliver nodded.

"With a big heart around it," Miley told him.


Miley could hear her phone ringing, but she was throwing things around her room trying to find it.

"Demi!" Miley shouted. "Demi!"

"What's wrong?" asked Demi, breathlessly, as she had just come running from her room.

"I can't find my phone," answered Miley.

"That's it?" Demi leaned forward to rest her palms on her knees, taking deep breaths.

"Yeah, why?"

"You made it sound like an emergency."

"Nope, no emergency. I was testing out your response time."

"Respond to this," Demi picked up the shoe next to her and flung it at Miley's head.

Miley swerved out of the way just in time, and the shoe landed in the suitcase which was lying open on the floor.

"Thanks, I was looking for that."

"This is the worst attempt at packing I've ever seen."

"This isn't packing. This is the 'selection' stage."

Demi walked over to Miley's bed, and shoved some clothes off it so she could sit down. The clothes landed with an unsual thud. Demi bent over to inspect, and sat back up holding Miley's phone.

"Hey, you're handy," joked Miley, reaching for the phone.

"Ooooh, 3 missed calls from Nick," Demi sang.

"Where have you been for the last 15 minutes while I needed help packing?"

"On the phone to Joe," mumbled Demi, smiling wryly.

"So you're not one to comment," Miley laughed.

"You're packing way too much stuff," informed Demi, picking up items of clothing and holding them up.

"We're going be gone for 3 months before the tour returns to Australia."

"Yeah, but think of all the stuff we're going to buy while we're overseas. Plus, we'll just combine our wardrobes then we have twice as much stuff to choose from."

"Why didn't I think of that?" moaned Miley, pitching clothes over her shoulder. "I hope I have enough money saved."

"You were earning decent money at the aquarium weren't you?" enquired Demi, referring to Miley's casual job as a habitat maintenance worker at a nearby marine conservation organisation.

"I was earning really good money, but I haven't worked there since Christmas. My parents gave me some cash too, but still."

"Well it's not like you have much to pay for anyway. The accommodation, flights, car hire, equipment, food and all the other expenses are taken care of by Connie's organisation. And Connie said we'll get an 'allowance' as she called it, because it's technically not a wage. It will still be enough to cover most things. And then the rest that you have saved will be play money!"

"Plus our toy boys are sponsored now, so we can hit them up for stuff. There's got to be some perks to dating pro surfers, doesn't there?"

"Damn straight. Speaking of toy boy, why don't you call him back while I cull this pile of clothes?"

"Okay, thanks," agreed Miley, heading for the direction of the door. "Wait, that goes in the 'yes' pile!"

Demi stopped just before she was about to throw a pair of shorts back in the drawers.

"You already have two pairs just like them ready to pack," argued Demi.

"Well, take that dress out and it will leave room for them."

"No way, that dress is sexy as. I want it in your suitcase so I can borrow it. Now go!" Demi hustled Miley out of the room.


On the first ring, Nick picked up.

"Hey, I tried calling you."

"I know, sorry. I lost my phone in the mess in my room. It's like a clothing bomb exploded."

Nick laughed, and sat back on his bed.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, I was bored," Nick admitted.

"Demi don't you dare take that out of my suitcase!"

"What?"

"Sorry, Demi is helping me pack. I know I'm going to forget something."

"No you won't. Plus you have a bit of time before we leave when you come here to figure out what you didn't bring."

"That's true. Speaking of your place, is Denise still cool with Demi staying in the guest room?"

"Yeah, but Joe's not," chuckled Nick, remembering his best friend's reaction.

"Demi just said she didn't want things to move too fast."

"And that's fair enough. We're all about head overseas together for who knows how long though. Is she having second thoughts about that?"

"Oh, no way. She just decided that she would base herself at your place before we leave. It doesn't mean she won't stay at Joe's for a night or two. And we're all going to have separate hotel rooms anyway; Demi and I are sharing, Demi's parents promised they would book one at least one hallway away from us, and you and Joe will be wherever they put you."

"Sounds reasonable. I'm not a fan of the idea of spending all my nights alone though."

"You won't," Miley laughed. "Connie's cool with everything."

"Good. Because do you know what I've done for the last few nights that you haven't been here?"

"Is this something you really want to tell me? Or is this something that happens in Nick's private time that I really don't need to know about?"

"Stewart, you're despicable. I'm not talking about that," Nick could hear Miley cackling at him. "I've been sleeping on one side of my bed."

"Oh, you are a strange boy!" Miley teased him. "Who sleeps on one side of the bed? You're a freak. You should be sent to a science lab to be experimented on. You're not safe to be out in public."

"Sarcasm will get you no where in life," Nick retorted. "I meant, that since that night, it's like I can't spread out because now that's your side of the bed."

"Oh," Miley faltered. "That's adorable. You weirdo."

"Jeez, thanks. Love you too."

Nick smiled at how easily he could say that to her.

"I've been sleeping normally. Using my whole bed. So thanks for the consideration in preparation for the future, but I kind of haven't been practising to share with you."

"Well I wasn't exactly doing it consciously."

"No shit. You can't do anything consciously when you're asleep. Because you're asleep," Miley mocked him.

"Let's not mention this again, since you're in a cruel mood."

"Aw, you sook. I'll pretend I'm sorry. But as if you wouldn't say the exact same thing to me."

Nick had to laugh.

"True."

"I'm going to go check out what damage Demi has done. I have to be finished tonight because I'm going out with the mother lady tomorrow for a 'girl's day out' or some shit."

"Sounds right up your alley," sniggered Nick.

"She was so excited when she finally had a baby girl. I honestly think she's disappointed with me though because Dad tells her all the time that she winded up with 3 sons pretty much. So I thought I'd give her tomorrow."

"Fair enough. What time are you getting here on Sunday?"

"I think Olly said we'd be there by dinner time. His dad wants to take me out to lunch to say goodbye. Jackson and Mrs Oken are coming too."

"That's cute."

"It's funny. I'm the daughter that he never had, and the daughter my parents never imagined."

"Call me tomorrow?"

"Okay. I'll talk to you then."

"Forgetting something?"

"Probably. I haven't even started to pack uni stuff."

"I didn't mean that."

"Toothbrush?"

"Nope."

He knew Miley had cottoned on to what he was hinting at.

"Camera? Bikini? Sunnies? Passport? Oh shit, I really don't know where I put my passport."

"Are you kidding?"

"Of course. I love you."

Nick's heart skipped a beat, even though he'd heard the words before. They weren't throwing them around carelessly, but it was exciting to practice saying them.

"You're so annoying, trouble. I suppose I still love you."

"You better."

"Go easy on Demi," Nick laughed.

"Not likely."

Nick was still laughing as he hung up the phone.


"What was the point of me packing your suitcase if you're going to pull it all out again?" Demi complained as Miley poked through her suitcase.

"I just want to see what you have, and haven't packed. There's too much room in here."

"So there's enough space to take me with you?" Miley's mother asked, entering the room.

"You wish," giggled Miley.

"Demi's going to have her parents around. Don't you want me there too?"

"I'm going to avoid my parents as much as possible, Mrs Stewart," interjected Demi.

"I'm going be an empty nester. All my kids have flown the coop. They've spread their wings and ventured into the wide world," Mrs Stewart continued dramatically.

"Impressive use of clichés," said Demi.

"I've got this covered. I've been packing my own bag since I was 12," Miley whinged.

"Then why did you let Demi help?"

"I was just asking myself the same question," Miley confessed.

Demi poked her tongue out at Miley.

"Fine, but darling daughter, your attitude just cost you. We're getting facials tomorrow."

Miley groaned as her mother stalked out of the room.