Chapter 24: Misunderstandings

Lulu poured herself a cup of coffee from the carafe in Michael's kitchen. She turned back to Michael and Liam who were deeply engrossed in conversation about last night's rescue of one Lila McCall-Morgan. Both men cared about the girl deeply, which made Lulu wonder what was so special about her. She'd gotten a good look at her last night, and she was gorgeous, she could tell even in her passed out state. Lulu had watched as time and time again her own brother had fallen for the stunning girl who had zero personality. Like Sarah Webber. God that girl was awful. Elizabeth was a step up, but then there was Summer, and then his crush on Emily.

To this day, she was convinced that the only reason Lucky had ever been attracted to Emily was because she was his last connection to a presumed dead Nikolas. Sure, she liked Emily okay, but part of her would never forgive the woman for keeping Nikolas away when Laura died. They had been on the lam for nearly nine years after Helena's "death" and during that time Laura had passed on of natural causes. Emily had forbade Nikolas to come home for the funeral, for fear that they would be found and arrested. Though she knew that Emily had no control over what had happened, she still couldn't help but blame her. Lulu tuned back into the guys' conversation in time to hear about the drinking contest.

"What the hell could she have been thinking?" Liam fumed. "She probably doesn't weigh eighty pounds soaking wet, and she tried to out drink a full grown man."

"She was thinking that she was tired of being a DID," Lulu said interrupting.

Michael frowned, "What is a DID?"

"Damsel in distress. From everything I've heard about Lila, she sounds like she can take care of herself. She tries to get herself out of bad situations before she'll all in help. She showed that when she took care of Alcazar before calling you two."

"She showed that she had a total disregard for her own safety," Michael said roughly. "Damn woman thinks she knows everything."

Lulu stared for a moment before speaking. "Wow, you have some issues that I don't even want to touch. Ya know you kinda act like Sonny?" Michael all but growled at her.

"Back to your corners ladies," Liam smirked. "What are we gonna do about Alcazar?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "Not much we can do. We already have an APB out on him, and top security at the compound where-" She trailed off not wanting to say the names in case Lila was awake in the other room.

Liam nodded understanding, "You're right. I think we're gonna have to tell Lila the truth though. About Jason, Brenda, and this whole Alcazar mess."

"She's gonna hate me," Michael said quietly suddenly feeling dejected.

"If she loves you half as much as you love her, she'll understand that everything you did was to protect her," Lulu told him gently.

"I wouldn't try telling her as soon as she wakes up, give her some coffee, then try it," Liam clapped him on the back and reached for his and Lulu's jackets. "We'll pray for you man."

"How long do you think I have before I have to tell her?"

Before Liam could answer, a sound came from the bedroom. "Son of a bitch!" He gave his cousin a smirk. "About 30 seconds."

!#$&()

Lila woke to the feeling of hundred of tiny gnomes tap-dancing in her head. EVIL gnomes. She burrowed deep into the covers and hoped that the little people would peacefully retreat back to their mushroom homes, but at this point it seemed unlikely. No more clubbing with Lorelei. She took a deep breath in preparation for moving, but stopped short. She would recognize that smell anywhere. It was Michael's cologne. She sat straight up, but wasn't ready for the shock of pain that radiated from her skull. "Son of a bitch!" Resisting the urge to lay back down, she surveyed the room and her fears were confirmed. She was in Michael's bed. She instantly knew what happened.

After partying way too hard with Lorelei, they'd run into Michael or Lila had come on her own, but either way she'd made a fool of herself in front of Michael and he being the person that he is put her to bed. Oh god, he probably thought she was a total loser. And he wasn't far from the truth. She'd probably begged him to take her back and said a million awful, embarrassing things. She had to get out of here—fast. She swung her feet over the bed thankful that she was still dressed, and slipped on her shoes. Ignoring the sharp pain in her head where the gnomes were wreaking havoc, she stood up and made for the door. Taking another breath, she swung the door open and power walked through it. Michael was standing in the living room looking delicious in a brown Henley shirt and jeans. He caught sight of her and smiled. That bastard was laughing at her! Oh he was gonna get it now!

!#$&()

She walked out of the bedroom with messy hair, and smeared eyeliner, and she looked so cute he couldn't help but smile. That seemed to piss her off. Uh oh, time to abandon ship. He let the smile slip from his face as she stood in front of him fuming. "Lila, what's wrong?"

She nearly hissed her words at him. "I am not proud of what happened last night, I am well aware of how incredibly idiotic my actions were, and I don't need an I told you so on top of this hangover, so kindly get the hell outta my way so I can escape with some of my dignity still intact."

Michael stood confused in front of her. What was she embarrassed about? Being kidnapped, or trying or save her ass? Quick, think of something to say. "It's okay. Want some coffee?" He smiled a warm smile at her.

Lila raised an eyebrow at him. He was trying to give her coffee, while he still had that little smirk on his face? Did he not know who she was, and what she was capable of doing to him? She'd play his game; for now. She followed him into the kitchen, and slid onto a barstool. He sat a steaming cup of coffee in front of her, and Lila almost forgot to be mad at him. Almost. She sipped the black liquid leisurely, hoping to remember some details of last night.

"So how much of last night do you remember?" Michael asked coyly.

"I remember everything!" Lila snapped at him.

"Okay, calm down! Jeez Lila, who knew you could be so mean in the morning?"

Lila slammed her cup onto the counter, "Excuse the hell outta me for being slightly upset that I threw myself at you!"

"Huh?"

She kept ranting, oblivious to Michael's words. "I mean, it's bad enough that I made a fool of myself in front of you, but you don't have to rub it in!"

"What the hell are you talking about? You didn't make a fool of yourself in front of me, and I'm sure as hell not rubbing anything in!"

"Oh of course you are! And of course I made a fool of myself! I always do something stupid when I go out with Lorelei! First I made out with Cam, then I wind up dancing on a table, and now I wake up in your bed after begging you to take me back! God I'm so stupid sometimes!" She stomped into the living room and jerked her coat on.

"Hold up—you made out with Cam?"

"Oh for God's sake focus would you? I do not want you back, and contrary to everything I said last night, I am doing just fine without you." She stalked over to the door and had it open when Michael slammed it shut before she could leave. "What are you doing?" she asked spinning towards him. Big mistake. Their bodies were pressed together now, and Lila was finding it difficult to breathe. She pulled away quickly. "I need to leave."

"Not before we get a few things straight. First off, you obviously don't remember a damn thing that happened last night, so I'll help you out. You were kidnapped by Lorenzo Alcazar and taken aboard his yacht. You kicked his ass and tied him up then called Liam to come help you. Before we could get there, one of his guards came across you. You challenged him to a drinking contest."

Lila shook her head trying to clear away the cobwebs, "What was the point in that?"

"He'd let you go if you won, and if not he'd keep you. You were drinking Tequila, and were on shot number 9 when we got there. Alcazar was long gone, and you passed out a few minutes later. We brought you back here, and I put you to bed. I slept on the couch."

"Oh god!"

"C'mon princess, it wasn't that bad."

"No it was worse!" Lila slumped against the door and slowly slid down it. The pain in her head had intensified in the past few minutes. "Damn gnome bastards," she said grabbing her head.

Michael frowned, but didn't ask. "We got bigger problems than the gnomes right now."

"What?" Lila groaned.

"I think you broke my favorite coffee cup."

!#$&()

Hi guys. Sorry it's taken so long to crank this out. I've had horrible writer's block the past couple of weeks, and I decided to just wait it out rather than trying to write, and posting something awful. I gypped you guys out of a rescue scene, and I apologize, but it just wasn't coming. Anyways, the "big secret(s)" should be revealed soon like within the next few chapters, so review and I'll get it to you sooner. Hershey Kisses to all! luvr