Author's Note : I'm sooooorrry! This has taken forever! I haven't written for ages, I'm lacking so much inspiration right now. But now I have ideas for four new fics (including one PD!) so woot, I'm back!

Oh, and the ball detail in this doesn't mean I'm following the movie, I'm just pretending there is one after her meeting the Genovian public. Hey, it's called artistic license, roll with it and don't sue me.

Chapter 5 : Denial

Mia's eyes flickered open.

"Hey," Michael said softly. Yawning, she sat up.

"Is it morning?" she asked sleepily, blinking in the dim light, and he smiled.

"Nope. We're still here, in the elevator. You know, my personal hell."

"Ah. Right. Fun for you?"

"Oh, sure, I'm having a ball."

Mia groaned. "Don't talk about balls. If you do, I cannot be held responsible for my actions."

"Oh, right, the Genovian meet-the-people-have-a-ball thing. I get it."

"I'm going to screw up, I know it. I'll trip, or knock foie gras into someone's lap or something. Not to mention the amount of toes I'll step on."

"You may not be the most...graceful person in the world," he told her tactfully, "But you'll be fine." She looked unconvinced. "You just need to practise." Scrambling to his feet, Michael offered her a hand.

Mia looked up at him, then at his outstretched fingers, then back into his eyes. "Are you kidding me?"

"No. Up!" He grabbed her hand and hauled her to her feet, placed one hand on her waist and one of her hands on his shoulder, and then grasped her free hand with his.

"You know how to do this?"

"Yes." He leant forward and whispered conspiratorially, "I used to take ballroom dancing lessons."

"No way! I never knew that."

"Well, I didn't exactly want it broadcasting. I suppose I should feel lucky I didn't take ballet like Lilly."

Mia snorted as an image of Michael in leotard and tights popped into her head. Before she had time to comment, Michael whirled her round.

"Now, follow me lead. One two three, one two three..."

After a few circuits of the elevator (which unsurprisingly didn't take that long), and after Mia had stepped on Michael's toes nineteen times, she stopped and pulled away.

"I quit!" She groaned. "I'm going to injure you if we do anymore."

Michael pulled her back into his arms. The sudden tug took her by surprise and she stumbled, only staying upright thanks to Michael strong arm around her waist. She looked up at him and found his beautiful brown eyes boring into hers, more intense than she'd ever seen them.

"Mia, about before...you don't hate me, do you?"

"Of course I don't hate you. Michael, I could never hate you."

"Well, I'm still sorry."

"I didn't mind," Mia whispered, almost without thinking. Michael looked at her for a few moments, then leant closer. Their lips were mere millimetres from each other; the slightest movement and they'd be touching.

"Good," he whispered back, his breath warm on her skin. He brought his lips achingly closer. "And by the way, I'm not dating Judith Gershner." Finally, their lips touched, the meeting of two souls more than the meeting of two bodies. Melting into the kiss, Mia moaned softly, until a face flashed into her mind.

She pushed Michael away, breathing deeply, her heart pounding against her ribs. "Kenny," she said simply. Michael groaned and backed off, putting a safe distance between them. "I'm sorry, but I can't do this while I'm dating him."

"Then break it off."

"I can't." Her voice was barely audible. "I'm scared."

"Scared to what?"

"Well, to hurt his feelings."

Michael laughed harshly. "More likely too scared to express your true feelings." As she opened her mouth to protest, he cut her off. "I know you Mia, remember?"

"I – I'm sorry, I – "

"Forget it."

"What?"

"I said, forget it." Michael turned his back on her and sat down, leaving Mia open-mouthed and broken-hearted.

Friday December 11th 11:57pm Moscovitz's apartment building elevator.

He's right. I can't do it. I can't express my feelings, except in here. How sad is that, to be able to tell a bundle of paper what I want, but not be able to reach out and grab it with both hands.

I don't deserve a boyfriend.

I don't deserve Michael.

A/N : 18 reviews? For one chapter? Whoa.

Thanks to everyone!

Meg, Robtaymattlouned, MelancholicPolarBear, LasDosQueridas, Sunni07, jacki, ellan, pip, kat, FunkyWitchOnFire, Tirtreaton – Thank you for all your positive comments!

Laynie – I'm sorry I made you wait :0( I just hope you're still reading!

Chaos Called Creation – I love you too! Hehe.

Multicolouredsaz – He has veggie burgers, they'll do :D

Shilly – I know, yay for Mia!

SunnyCorinne – why thank you. Thank you very, very much!

AmethystHannah – Question answered!!

There's only going to be one more chapter of this. I don't want it to drag on and get boring!

In fact, I think I might go write it now. But not post it for a while. I'm sometimes mean like that. Muahahaha.