Mamoru set the phone down, and sighed. Why wasn't she answering? Surely, she didn't mean to write him out of her life completely. This was, after all, just a phase she was going through. She didn't really intend on leaving him. She was just throwing a fit, as all girls do when they don't get their way. That's just what all of this was… wasn't it? It was too much to think on right now. It was late and he was tired. He'd talk to Motoki about it tomorrow.

"I don't think it's just a phase," Motoki said after Mamoru told him his concerns, "I mean, she did give you a chance and you blew it. And now it sounds like she's moved on."

"What do you mean 'move on'? Have you been talking to her? Has she found someone else? Who is it? Where is he?"

"Mamoru, calm down. That's not what I meant. What I meant was that she's had enough of the situation. My god you're so paranoid, see this is what those things are doing to you."

"Do you think she'll ever come back?"

"Sure. I mean her family's here. I doubt she'll live in Canada forever."

"No. I mean come back to me."

"Oh… well, you'd have to get clean before that happens."

"But I've tried before, it didn't work."

"Then maybe you need professional help."

"You mean go to a rehab center? No way, I wouldn't be caught dead in one of those."

"Then you may be found dead somewhere else. Look, I'm only telling you this because I'm your friend. Besides, how badly do you want her back?"

Usagi put her books back in her bag after the professor dismissed the class. Her mind was on the major paper that had just been assigned. How she hated homework. Oh well, she'd just get Damon to help her with it like she always did.

"Usagi?" Usagi's professor called her over. This could only mean one thing. She was in trouble. At least that's why her teachers back home always wanted to talk to her, though it didn't make much sense to make her stand out in the hallway after class. Usagi slowly walked over to her lady professor, "Usagi? Have you thought about an internship yet?"

Usagi shook her head, "No, I mean summer's still awhile away."

The professor smiled, "Yes, yes I know. But I was talking about now. There's a local rehab center that is desperately short on volunteers. And you're doing so remarkably well that I promised them I'd talk to you about doing an internship there. Not only will they hire you if they like what they see (which you already know) but you can get in some hours before summer, so you can have more time to do what you like when summer actually gets here."

"You mean the big center? The one on Lake Street and Russell Avenue? But it's so hard to get a job there, you're lucky if they even look at your resume. And you recommended me? But I'm not anybody special."

"That's the one. And yes you are. Usagi you come to class everyday, you have yet to miss a day and you're never late. I see the excitement and the desire to learn in your eyes. You're here to try to make the world a better place. And most likely to save someone because you couldn't save someone else, but still. This is a huge opportunity, Usagi, and you deserve it. So take it."

"But I'm just here on a visa. Even if I did get hired I couldn't take the job."

"We'll worry about that when it comes times. And even if you can't take it, it's a great experience and you'll have the skills you'll need when you do get hired."

"Okay. I'll do it."

"I've found a place to go." Mamoru said to Motoki as soon as he saw him.

"The place downtown?" Motoki asked.

"No. There's a place in Canada, in the city where's Usagi's staying. So I go get help AND be in the same city as her. Not only that, she'll see I'm making a real effort here and reconsider things. It's a fool proof plan."

"I don't think that's a good idea Mamoru. You may push her away even more than you have already. It's not like she's just going to forget everything that's happened and agree to go back to you. You're going to do more bad than good. Where as if you stay here and get the help you need and THEN go back to her and try to mend things, you may have a better chance than if you were to throw the proof in her face. Besides, there's no guarantee that you'll stay clean."

"But it's just like you said: It all depends on how much I want her back. Besides I've already paid for everything and I'm leaving in a week."

Usagi headed to the cafeteria to tell Damon the good news when she stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes narrowed into a glare at the scene she saw before her. There Damon stood helplessly trying to pry a familiar Brunette off his arm and then suddenly she kissed him. Becky came up behind Usagi, "Hey. Ready for lunch?"

"Not quite. I'll be right back." Usagi watched Cassandra walk away from Damon and followed her. Usagi was not far behind when Cassandra sat down at a table with her friends. Usagi tapped Cassandra hard on the shoulder, "What the hell do you think you're doing with my boyfriend?"

Cassandra made a 'tsking' sound with her tongue, "Aw, honey. Don't you know? Damon and I are back together. I really didn't want to be the one to tell you, but it seems I have to be."

"Like hell you are."

"It's true. He told me that he didn't want to be in a relationship with someone who doesn't put out. So he came back to me."

Usagi eyes narrowed into a look of death and reached for the closest thing which, unfortunately for Cassandra, was a chocolate milkshake. Usagi dumped the contents of the cup on to Cassandra's new white satin blouse.

"You bitch! Do you know how expensive this top is?"

Usagi threw the cup away and stormed off, "not as expensive as the new dry-cleaning bill." Usagi shouted over her shoulder. In a fit of anger Cassandra got up and with a cry of rage tried to attack Usagi. Usagi, sensing an attack, turned at once and caught the punch headed for her face and twisting Cassandra's elbow behind her back, she pushed her down onto the table and bent down to her ear and whispered, "You do NOT want to fuck with me right now, believe me. And stay the fuck away from Damon!" Letting go of Cassandra's elbow she stood up straight and started to head out of the cafeteria, all the while wide staring eyes followed after her including Damon's. Damon hurried after Usagi, "Usagi! Hey, wait!" Usagi stopped and faced Damon with an obvious look of displeasure, "What was all of that about?"

Usagi crossed her arms in front of her chest, "Don't act like you don't know. I saw you guys kissing in there. You know, you really had me believing this act of yours. I don't how I could have been so stupid. Well, don't you think you've humiliated me enough? Go back to your little slut. After all, why would you want to stay with someone who doesn't, how did she say it? 'Put out'?"

Damon furrowed his brow intensely, "What are you talking about? She kissed me in there. I was trying to fend her off. And this is not act of mine; it's all an act of hers."

"If she's the one that acting then how in the hell did she know that we haven't had sex yet?"

Damon sighed, "I don't know. Believe me if I knew I'd tell you. Look I love you, very much, please don't let her lies come between us. Besides, if I didn't want to date you because of the sex situation, do you honestly think that I would have stopped it last time, because of the concerns I shared with you? No, I wouldn't have given a fuck and done it anyway," Damon lowered his voice so no one else would hear, "No matter how much it would have hurt you."

Usagi shuffled around where she stood, "I forgot about that."

"And do you think I would have been able to keep up this 'act' for eight months now? Look, I was going to wait until tonight to do this, but," He reached inside his bag, "It looks like you could use the reassurance." He stood up and dusted himself off and a little bit of the floor as well. "I've never done this before so bear with me," Clearing his throat, he got down on his knee and held up a small box; opening it he revealed a gold ring with a tiny diamond set in the center, "Marry me?" Usagi just stood there and stared. She didn't know what to say or to believe that this was actually happening. Damon's heart was racing; why wasn't she saying anything? "I realize that this isn't the ideal place for this," Damon continued. A group of people had started to crowd around them to watch this spectacle, "I mean, at school. But Usa---"

"Shut up!" Usagi interrupted and glared down at him. Damon's heart broke in two by Usagi's harsh tone; he had been so sure that she would say yes. Maybe after what happened in the cafeteria, not even this would help. Suddenly, Usagi reached down with her right hand, grabbed his collar and dragged him outside to the courtyard. She finally stopped when they reached a beach sitting beside an old maple tree. She turned around to face him and began fussing with her appearance. When she was finished fixing herself she said, "Ok. Ask me now."

Damon looked around confused, "What?"

"Do it. Ask me now."

Damon once again got down on his knee and held up the ring, "Usagi? Will you marry me?"

Usagi sighed and then nodded slowly, "Yes."

Damon smiled, stood up and placed the ring on her finger. Usagi grinned and sat down slowly on the beach never taking her eyes of the ring. Damon sighed and slumped down beside her, "Don't ever do something like that again. You had me second guessing myself and I was scared to death."

Usagi giggled, "But this kind of thing happens in Manga all the time and I wanted it to happen to me."

Damon turned his head and stared at her, Usagi stared back for a while before they both finally burst out laughing.

"The real reason was," Usagi began, "That you wanted it to be special and a school hallway doesn't cut it. Besides, I know that this is important to you as well."

Damon placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, "See, this is why I love you."

AN: Well, there hyou have it! The next chapter. I'm actually urprised with how fast I got it done. I know that the time line is a little messed up but I had to fast forward a few things make certain things work. Anyway, send me your reviews, and feedback and ideas and stuff

PS, thanx Rida for helping me out with the majority of this story. You're the bestest.