A/N: Wow. I suck. I haven't updated in FOREVER. One whole month... This was such a tough chapter to write, seriously. I hope it came out OK.

Chapter Nine: Phone Calls and Sleeping Troubles

You know, I always wondered what kissing Mia would be like. Well, guess what. It's better than what I expected. Ten times better. And the fact that she kissed back made it even better. To my disappointment, she pulled away suddenly and buried her face in my chest.  I looked down at the top of her head, puzzled.

"Mia, what's wrong?" I asked. She looked up at me, a tear rolling down her cheek. I brushed it away with my thumb.

"Oh, Michael, you have no idea," she sobbed. She shook her head and wiped her eyes. I finally realized what she was talking about.

She. Was. Moving. Damn it, of course once I actually get the girl of my dreams, she's taken away from me. I mean, no one could stand to see me happy, right? They all take enjoyment in my despair.

"I know," I said softly. I could feel a migraine coming on, but I figured the fact that I held Mia in my arms would keep me sane for the moment.

She shook her head violently. "No, you don't."

"You're moving."

"Yeah. Wait, wha-?"

"My eavesdropping skills are plentiful," I replied simply.

"Now, of all times," she muttered under her breath. She pulled away and stared at the ceiling. "They had to choose now of all times to make me move to Genovia!" She looked up at me. "I don't want to go home yet," she sniffed. "Can't I stay here?" she pleaded. I caved. How could I say no with her gray eyes staring at me like that?

"For tonight," I said. "But my parents get back tomorrow afternoon...and if they see you here they'll send you home and I'll be bound to my room for the rest of my time living her, and I don't want that to happen." She seemed somewhat relieved. "And we'll figure out a solution to this whole mess..." Of course, I had absolutely no idea what that solution would be at the time, but I didn't tell her that.

At that exact moment, Lilly barged in and froze. She saw Mia crying up against the wall and me standing beside her and shook her head. "God, Moscovitz, what did you do now?" she asked accusingly.

"Nothing!" I said defensively, but added as a second thought, "well, except, you know..."

Lilly smirked. "I see. It's about time. But Mia, for God's sake, why the hell are you crying? Be happy! I swear, I can't stand any more depression."

"I still have to move."

"Oh... well, seriously Mia, we'll get you out of it. You know I always put up a good argument." So true. How do I know? I usually lose, even if I'm right.

"But we already made a compromise! He promised!"

"Promised what?" I asked her, looking down at her sympathetically.

"That I wouldn't have to move. He promised..." I inferred she was talking about her Dad. "But what if Grandmere made him change her mind!" She sobbed. I put my arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. I knew Lilly was probably rolling her eyes, but I didn't bother to look. I didn't care. "Thanks for letting me stay here tonight..." she said gratefully. Lilly gave me a questioning look. I glared at her and she shrugged.

"Uh, no problem," she said. "But you're sleeping in my room." She gave me another accusing glare.

____________________________________________________________________

Helen picked up the phone on the first ring. "Hello?"

"Helen. It's Phillipe."

"Is she back?" Helen asked, hoping he would reply affirmatively.

"No," he replied. Helen sighed. "But we finally found out why she ran away..."

"Yes?"

"My mother's making her move to Genovia."

"What?!" Helen shrieked. "Phillipe, we had an agreement. Why wasn't I consulted first?"

"She didn't even tell me! And she's being ridiculously stubborn. I can't reason with her!"

"No," Helen said as calmly as possible.

"She already booked a flight for tomorrow."

"And you're not going to stop her?!" Helen shouted.

"I've tried. I've tried endlessly but she won't even tell me what provoked her to make this decision," Phillipe pleaded.

"She's can't take my daughter away from me," Helen reasoned.

"She's going to."

"Phillipe..."

"Wait. Helen, listen. For now, there's nothing we can do. She's leaving as soon as she gets back. But no way is she staying there for good...yet. I'll get her to cave in...somehow."

"You better," Helen said threateningly and hung up.

____________________________________________________________________

"Um, Michael?" I heard a soft voice whisper. I opened one eye groggily and smiled. Mia was standing by my bed, biting her nails nervously.

"Huh?" I replied, rubbing my eyes and sitting up. She saw the fatigue in my eyes and stepped back.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have woken you... I can leave..." she said even softer than before. She was blushing.

"No, don't. What's wrong, Thermopolis? Can't sleep?"

She shook her head no. I sat there for a minute, pondering what o do next. Finally, I moved over and patted the bed beside me, motioning for her to lie down. She bit her lip. "Lilly'd kill me."

"So? It's not that much of a big deal. You can't sleep in that bed, so I'm offering you a more comfortable one." I smirked. She laughed and gave in, snuggling into the covers beside me. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her, burying my face in her cherry-scented hair.

She was asleep in ten minutes.

And I swear, that was the best nights sleep I've ever had.

Hands Down.

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