Mia and Lars arrived to the restaurant right at 1 o'clock and Michael smiled warmly at them. Without even thinking twice, he leaned down to kiss her cheek the moment she was close enough. She just looked so very pretty in her sundress and with her hair softly framing her face.

She almost backed away when he did so and yelped something about a cold. He didn't believe her for a second, laughing as he said, "I like your germs." She didn't back away anymore so he gingerly kissed her cheek. It was just as soft and warm as he remembered. He felt her breath on his neck again.

Not quite the romantic start he had been hoping for, but it was very Mia.

However, as he pulled away, her eyes were fluttering, and she almost fell over. Literally. Lars ended up holding onto her elbow and asking if she was alright.

Michael was suppressing a grin as she tried to play it off with a laugh. Thank God he didn't wear the tie.

She looked a bit panicked when they were shown to their table. Michael's assistant had really gotten them the best seats in the place because there was a perfect patch of sun overlapping it and a beautiful view of the lake. Lars took a spot at the bar, giving Michael a small wink as he walked away.

Mia kept looking back at the lake, a bit scatter-brained. It didn't seem like she was listening to a word he was saying but kept nodding along anyway.

"And so, a velociraptor came crashing into the office, demanding that we give him Pop-Tarts or else he'd steal every robot arm we've ever made," Michael went on, and her nodding confirmed that she indeed wasn't listening to him. She just kept nervously glancing between him, Lars, and the lake. Despite her frenzy, she looked incredibly beautiful in the sunlight.

"Mia, are you all right?" he finally asked, watching her with some amusement. It was nice to know that he was still able to frazzle her like this.

Looking startled as he called her out, she tried to play it off again, but then her eyes lit up as she remembered something. Now focused only on him, she told him that an editor wanted to publish her book.

He felt a wave of happiness wash over him as he beamed at her. She looked back at him with one of the first genuine smiles he had gotten from her since returning, and he proclaimed that they needed to celebrate. He waved down the waiter and ordered some sparkling waters to toast with. He kept on praising her while waiting for the drinks, and she was trying to bashfully underplay it.

"No, Mia, this is amazing news. You should be thrilled! You're going to be a published author!"

"Oh, stop, Michael," she was motioning for him to calm down. ".. But do you wanna know what the best part is?"

"What?"

Mia paused for a second, giving him a small smile, "she didn't even know that I'd written it. I sent it under the fake name."

He nodded, "Of course you did. And she loved it, because, as I told you, it's really good. And I mean that. I couldn't put it down that whole day"

She didn't speak for a moment, watching him with a fond look. The waiter brought over the waters and Michael proposed a toast to Mia and her book. She looked a bit overwhelmed and toasted him right back.

"And to you and your CardioArm, which is actually going to be saving people's lives."

He shook his head, "Mia, while my CardioArm is saving their life, their family members might be reading your book in the waiting room. It'll give them the comfort they need." She rolled her eyes, but he could tell that she was pleased.

They ordered their food and kept smiling at each other back and forth. It was all going extremely well. Mia had calmed down, and they were speaking to each other warmly.

That is, everything was going well until Michael was momentarily blinded, a rainbow being cast over his face. His attention was brought to the culprit, the (enormous) diamond on her ring finger, which Michael silently agreed with Lilly about being absurd. Mia looked utterly mortified as she hastily pulled the ring off and hid it away in her bag.

He didn't let it phase him; he already knew about the stupid ring, so who cares that she was wearing it? Instead, he teased, "That's some rock. So are you guys, like, engaged now?" He was well aware that they weren't, but also knew that it would rile Mia up a little. She then lamely told him that it a friendship ring, which somehow made him feel worse. Why lie to him at this point?

She looked a bit depleted when he commented back with something about friendships having gotten more expensive than he remembered. He hadn't meant to sound quite that snarky. Their conversation had taken a quick turn from the fond smiles they'd been sharing.

And for some reason, the next thing out of his mouth was asking about J.P.'s college plans. Now that the ring had been brought up, Michael suddenly couldn't stop remembering that she still had a boyfriend.

Mia spoke carefully as she explained that J.P. was considering putting off college to go to Hollywood and work on his movie. The thought perked Michael right back up, and he could hear the enthusiasm in his voice as he asked if they were thinking about doing long-distance. Considering that Mia and Michael had tried and were basically broken up as soon as he sat on the plane, he didn't really see it working out for them either. Oops, was that too bitter?

But then she said something that made his stomach drop. She was thinking about going with him?

He didn't even try to conceal his astonishment when he blurted out, "To Hollywood?" quite harshly. It was the same shock he had felt as when he heard that she might be going to college in Genovia. I mean, going to California? To follow around her snobby boyfriend? What would she even do there, make him his coffee as he left for set?

But he regretted the harshness in his voice after seeing Mia's startled face and apologized. Stumbling over his words, he explained that he just didn't see her as the Hollywood type (because she wasn't). But then he was worried that would come across poorly, so he explained that it wasn't because she wasn't glamorous enough (because she totally was).

She looked embarrassed, which seemed to be a recurring trend with them now, and thanked him. Before Michael could say anything else, the waiter brought over their salads and he forced himself to look polite.

When the waiter finally walked away (God, how long did it take to offer some pepper?), Mia continued.

Luckily for him, she seemed to understand where he was coming from and hadn't taken much offense. She wasn't sure what she would do in Hollywood, but J.P. so graciously suggested that she could write. Man, he was really starting to hate that guy now. And then she admitted that she had always wanted to talk a year off to do Greenpeace, which he already knew. He also knew that her parents (or more so, her dad and grandmother) had vetoed that idea years ago.

He expressed that they probably weren't thrilled about the idea of her going to Hollywood either, to which she agreed. Michael was relieved to see that Mia didn't look all that excited about the plan, and relaxed when he realized he probably wouldn't need to worry about it very much.

She explained that she needed to figure some things out and that her parents expected a decision by the election, which was coming up in just a few days.

He reassured her that she'd do the right thing because she always did. It was this statement that rattled the conversation once again. She was now arguing with him, asserting that she screws everything up.

She then carefully put her fork down and claimed that he should know more than anyone because she ruined their relationship. That took him by complete surprise. He blinked at her, completely stunned.

"No, you didn't. I did." And he meant that. It was his choice to move to Japan, his choice to insensitively tell her about Judith, and ultimately, his choice to break up. How in the world was their breakup her fault?

She didn't seem to see it that way, because she was still arguing with him. She said that she shouldn't have made such a big deal about Judith. He interrupted her and said that he should've told her sooner. She then replied by saying that she'd acted like a psycho. He interrupted her again saying that no she didn't. And he really did mean it. Honestly, they both had made a lot of mistakes.

But then she interrupted him, holding up her hand and laughing humorlessly. "Can we please not try to rewrite history? I did. You were right to break up with me. Things were getting too intense. We both needed a breather."

Michael almost snorted at her statement. Yeah, a breather. As in a break. Not as in go and get engaged to someone else, which is exactly what he ended up saying out loud. He hadn't meant to sound quite so bitter, but he didn't care enough to hide it. He stuffed the remaining forkfuls of salad into his mouth as she just stared at him.

She obviously looked fazed and he was starting to feel guilty again. Not because she had a boyfriend or whatever, but because he was obviously upsetting her. He wanted this lunch to go well, and so far, they had spent a majority of their time fighting.

So, as the waiter grabbed their plates, he laughed and claimed that he was just kidding. He hadn't been, of course, but he really wanted to get back to some happier topics.

She was still staring at him, stuck processing what he had said. It really wasn't how he had planned to express his feelings for her, but he couldn't really take it back now.

"Just kidding. Look, I knew it was a risk. I couldn't have expected that you were going to wait around for me forever," that was true, but he had still been hoping. "You can get engaged-or, what is it? Right, friendship-ringed-to whomever you want. I'm just glad you're happy." He did want her happy, that part was also true. But she really didn't seem happy, no matter how big of a diamond she had in her bag.

She was still watching him wordlessly when their main courses were put down, and Michael took it as a chance to reset the conversation. He just wanted her to smile at him again.

"So," he cracked a grin as he said, "When do you think Joss Whedon is finally gonna get around to doing that Buffy reunion movie? He's way overdue."

She still looked a bit taken aback, picking up some mashed potatoes on her fork. "Uh… Hopefully soon, I guess."

He nodded, trying to keep the conversation moving along, "I know he's been talking about it for like, 10 years, but still, it could totally happen."

Mia finally laughed, though she still didn't seem fully comfortable. "I'd kill to see the Scooby gang back together again… Oh, but I did see that they released a comic book earlier this year."

Michael nodded, "yeah, I saw that. Apparently, it's what season 8 would have been. You totally reminded me though, I might even stop by a comic book store and pick up a copy."

She was now smiling again, easing back into the conversation. And then they were off, and it was like two years had never gone by.

"Ooh, definitely tell me what you think of it. Maybe I'll get it myself if you think it's good."

"Ha. Yeah, right, as if you would read a comic book."

"Hey! If it has Willow Rosenberg in it, I'm reading it."

"Yeah, yeah, sure. I'll lend it to you and we'll see if that really happens.

"Oh, that would be ever so kind, Michael. Thank you, I am so incredibly indebted to you for lending me the book you don't have yet."

They were both grinning widely, and it was as if their earlier conversations hadn't happened.

"And oh my God, did you see that Karen Allen's coming back for the new Indiana Jones movie?"

"Seriously? No way! She might be 30 years older, but she still looks so hot."

Mia rolled her eyes, but she was amused. "Not only is she 'hot', she's totally awesome! I hope she gets a bunch of screen time."

"You're totally right, she absolutely rocks. You know, I always thought you looked a bit like her."

"Uh uh, no you didn't. Stop lying!"

"Mia, seriously. I could totally see you running next to Harrison Ford, fighting Nazis and kicking butt. All you'd need to do is dye your hair brown."

"Oh, quit it. You look like Harrison Ford just as much as I look like Karen Allen."

"Well, I'm going to take that a compliment then. Harrison Ford is quite a good-looking man."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. What did you think about Boris's concert?"

"I think he sounds really good when he's not being trapped in a supply closet."

"Ha-ha, you're definitely right. I can't believe how many people were holding onto their CDs like prized possessions though.

"Yeah, that was insane. I think I might need to sound-proof a room for him or something."

"Oh, right. He mentioned that he's going to be staying with you. That's awfully nice of you, Michael. He told us that you're not making him pay a cent."

"It's fine, Boris has been a good friend to me, and he needed my help."

"And the apartment's so huge, right? Boris mentioned that part too."

"It's not that big, it's just…"

"The size of a Manhattan palace."

"I'm not sure it measures up to your palace. But I guess you'll just need to see it and decide for yourself."

"Whatever… Oh my God! I've completely forgotten why I asked you to this lunch. I really do want to thank you for sending over a Cardioarm to Genovia."

"It's no big, and anyway, I told you why I really sent it."

"Yeah, I know. But still, you could have at least let us pay for it!"

"Old friends don't make each other pay for that kind of stuff. It was a gift, let's just leave it at that. I humbly accept your gratitude though."

"Okay, okay. How's the company doing anyway? I can say that your letterhead is quite impressive."

"Thank you! I helped design the logo. It just didn't feel right if Pavlov wasn't featured on every envelope. It's going well. I know you've read the articles, so let's just leave it at that."

"You don't have to be so humble all the time, Michael. You're twenty-one and the president of a huge company! Enjoy it!"

"Yeah, yeah, thanks and all that. Did my donation end up helping the campaign?"

She nodded enthusiastically, "it really did. And the commercial really brought it over."

And that's when they got to Lilly. Mia said the commercial was wonderful, and then suspected that Michael had something to do with it. He remembered how he had told Lilly to start being nicer the week prior and wondered if that had somehow come up between the girls. She was looking at him with searching eyes now, but he turned the conversation to how he couldn't believe that they still weren't friends.

She admitted that they weren't exactly not friends but admitted that she still didn't know exactly what happened years ago. Michael told her that he didn't know either, which wasn't entirely true. Lilly had told him some stuff (but never in detail), but he knew that it wasn't his place to tell Mia.

Luckily, they were then distracted by dessert. Mia kept reading through the options and said that she couldn't seem to decide what to order because it all looked so good. That's when Michael went a little overboard and requested that they get everything on the menu.

"What? Michael, you can't-"

"Mia, we're still celebrating your success," he interrupted, turning back to the waiter with a bright smile. "We'll have everything, please." She looked stunned, still basking in the afternoon sunlight. She looked even more beautiful now that there was a smile permanently attached to her lips.

Mia then asked him about Japan, and unlike during his interview, he happily obliged. He kept having stories spill out of him, about the cultural difference, the unavoidable karaoke, and his friends. He noticed Mia perk up when he mentioned Midori's boyfriend, so he brought him up a few more times for good measure. She sure did seem happy to know about that.

As they were devouring a cream tart, Mia looked out on the lake and began giggling furiously. Michael followed her view and noticed two girls screaming at each other on a small boat. It took him a second to realize that he definitely recognized one of those girls.

"Is that Lana Weinberger?" he asked, laughing along with Mia. "On a rowboat?"

Mia, still giggling, nodded. "Yeah, uh, she mentioned that she and Trish might go boating today. I didn't realize she meant row boating."

Michael could tell that was a lie because Mia's nostrils flared. But she seemed too caught up in watching them to notice though.

"You two are friends now, right?" She gave him a sheepish look and nodded, finally calming herself down. "I almost can't believe that. You once threw an ice-cream cone at that girl." His teasing tone helped her relax again.

Mia shrugged, "Hey, she doesn't make fun of Tina anymore. And she's really not that bad once you get to know her. At least I finally have someone to do girly stuff with, hence my better haircut." She winked as she flipped her hair dramatically.

"Hey, I always liked your haircuts. I thought you looked like a pixie when it was short." She gave him a look. "You know, in a cute way."

Her cheeks flared pink and she looked down at her plate. "Yeah, well, whatever. I think I like it better longer."

"I'll admit it, it does really suit you, Mia."

She smiled up at him, the blush becoming more pronounced across her face. The check came before she needed to reply, and Michael whipped out his credit card faster than you could say 'Genovia'. The waiter was off with the card before Mia could open her mouth to argue.

"You do realize that we're here because I wanted to thank for you donating a million-dollar robotic arm to Genovia, right? Meaning that I'm meant to pay."

He flashed her a grin, "you already paid for our drinks at the café, so we'll call it even."

"Yes, because a lukewarm hot chocolate I spilled all over your pants and a 3-course meal is the same thing."

"Yeah, well." The waiter brought back the check and Michael happily signed it. "I want to celebrate your book getting published, so who cares why we planned this? That's way more important."

He stood up assuredly and offered his hand to her. He felt her hesitation while she stared at it for a moment, looking as if she thought it would shock her. But then she took it and he helped her up, letting it linger for a beat longer before he let go. They walked out of the restaurant side-by-side with Lars trailing them. It was mid-afternoon now, but Michael knew that he wanted to keep it going. He still hadn't told her yet. He asked if she anything else to do that day, really hoping that she would say no.

Again, she hesitated and looked at him thoughtfully, but admitted that she was free until four. He grinned, looping his arm under hers, proclaiming that they could keep celebrating.

She froze up after he took her arm. By the time she managed to ask him what they would do, he was already walking her over to a horse carriage. He definitely had a plan.

Michael saw her expression go from puzzlement to complete shock as he asked if she had ever ridden in one. He had certainly never taken her on one; there was no way he would have ever been caught dead riding in a horse-drawn carriage when he was a teenager. Even Adult Michael had to admit that it was super cheesy, but he also knew that Mia would secretly love it. And the thought of them sitting alone in the carriage was sounding really appealing.

He was thrilled to hear that she never had and felt no embarrassment when one of her arguments against going was that "they're for people who are on dates" and he replied with a simple "perfect." He could tell that even with her arguing, she did really want to go. And he was eager to please.

Michael handed the driver some money and instructed Lars to sit in the front with her, adding to not turn around. Lars's lips turned up slightly at his gumption before he did as he was told.

If Michael and Mia would ever get their moment, it was then and there.

Mia was still protesting, but also laughing just the same. She then insinuated that the carriages were cruel to horses, and the driver looked insulted, snarking something back to Mia.

Michael was trying not to laugh now because Mia had a guilty look cross her face. He gave her a fake disappointed look and tutted quietly at her. She just had to get in the carriage now. He stood in front of the step and held his hand out for hers, just like he had in the restaurant. And just like she had then, she looked hesitant to take it.

Come on, Mia. If you really have no feelings for me, what's the worst a dorky carriage ride can do?

He saw her glance around for a moment, perhaps to see if there was anybody watching her. She seemed satisfied enough though because she finally rolled her eyes and let her help her in the carriage. She laughed as she climbed in and he followed right behind her. And soon enough, their knees were bumping into each other's as they rode along Central Park.

Michael was playing his luck now. He had just-so-casually put his arm around Mia when the carriage first started moving. In the moment, he pretended to be examining the scenery but really, he was just studying her reaction. And she leaned back into his arm as if it was the most natural thing in the world. So, he kept pushing it a little further, scootching ever so slightly closer to her.

She looked pointedly at him after a few minutes and it looked like she had a speech prepared. But no words ever came out. Michael was just sitting there, looking into her eyes. And then he was looking at her lips and it felt like they were just calling out to him. That urge he had felt in the café was back and much stronger than before. But he was willing himself not to do anything without her permission first. She would have to be the one to make the next move.

He tore his gaze away from her mouth and back into her eyes, desperately seeking the answer he so craved. She stared back at him, and it was like they were two souls lost in time. And then it happened. She glanced down at his lips and then back up. Her own were slightly parted. She had a look in her eyes he had never seen before. She was screaming for him to go for it.

And so, he did. He tried to be gentle about it, as gentle as a man who had been waiting for this kiss for two years could be, but it heated up almost immediately He wouldn't be proud to admit it, but his mind went blank and his animal instincts emerged as they deepened the kiss. He was suddenly that teenage boy making out with his girlfriend in his college dorm room.

It was like he was a starved animal. He was so hungry for her that it was like all his sense and self-control were lost. And it seemed to be the same for her. She was kissing him back with just as much ferocity. Her body was pressed up against him, so much so that she was practically in his lap.

He couldn't control his hands as they re-inspected the territory they had once known so well. They were running through her hair, and then holding her neck, and then moving a bit lower, all on their own. He didn't care about anything else, couldn't care about anything else. All he knew in that moment were Mia's lips, firmly planted on his as they rode down twenty or so blocks.

He didn't even notice how much time had passed until the carriage came to a sudden stop (well, it seemed sudden for him) and it was like the rest of the world came flooding back. He was panting and couldn't focus his vision.

She came back to reality much faster than him. "Oh my God!" She looked at him with utter horror, but he didn't couldn't find it in himself to care. His chest kept rising and falling with his heavy breaths and he was still softly holding her face in his hands. This was definitely the moment.

"Mia, you have to know. You have to know I lo-"

But her hand collided with his mouth, not allowing him to finish. He was so startled that his own hands dropped to her arms.

"DO NOT SAY IT."

She then whipped her head around and told Lars that they were leaving. He hopped out and helped her down without another word. And then they were gone, with Michael staring blankly as she hurried away. He had finally caught his breath and his mind was clearing up as his sense returned.

He had just let her get away, again. He had no chance of stopping her now and instead pulled out his phone. A text was the only thing he could do.

Mia,

I'm not sorry.

And I'll wait.

Love,

Michael