A/N: Sorry this has gone so long without an update, but writing block was a bitch, so here I am trying to finish the story...


Chapter Twelve

Moral of the story

Cassandra was feeling a nervous wreck, she couldn't focused on doing her make up as glancing to her phone for the millionth time. "Fuck sake!" She put the phone back down before seeing Dominique staring at her.

"You still waiting on the exam results?" she placed a hand on her shoulder watching Cassandra's reflection.

She placed her makeup brush down for a second, then sighed. "I am so nervous I failed so badly they didn't even bother emailing me."

Dominque pick up the phone, she then glanced over the screen, "Did you check your junk file?"

"Why would I check the junk?" picking up her phone she then looked to her email again, she went to the junk folder feeling like her heart was in her throat seeing the email from her online course. "It's here…." She bit her lip looking over the email that wasn't in her main file.

Dominque took the phone, "I am not doing this." She looked to the other dancers, "Well let's see how our Harley did…" She clicked the email to open it. "Oh Harley…"

"Fuck, I knew I fucked up." Placing her hands over her face feeling like shit, "I'm just that dumb."

"We're going to miss you." Dominque placed the phone in front of Cassandra, "You passed." She pointed out with a smile.

Taking the phone off of Dominque, Cassandra felt her heart race, "I passed…" She laughed loudly, "Oh God I fucking passed!" She now held her hands up, "eighty nine percent." She now grabbed Dominque hugging her tightly, "Thank you."

"You're smart," Dominque moved back, she brushed her hands into Cassandra's hair. "I'm gonna miss you."

Cassandra smiled, "I'm going to always be your friend."

"You mean it?" She took a step back, "Maybe even meet up and know each other's real name."

"I'd like that," holding her hand out, "I'm Cassandra."

Taking her hand, "I'm Naomi." She smiled back. "I've not told anyone my name in years…" She added looking over "Well I am thinking we'll need to tell the others and celebrate." Cassandra glance over the phone, she turned heading out of the changing room.

"Guess who's an owner of a business degree?" Cassandra held her phone up seeing Derrick and Scott at the bar.

Scott glanced up from pouring out a pint, "You finally got your results?"

"Passed with flying colours," Cassandra placed the phone down pushing it towards him, "So Dom is thinking a celebration."

Picking up the phone Derrick looked over the results, "I'm thinking I'm going to be planning it." He turned to Scott, "Think we can plan it?"

"Of course," Scott smiled to Cassandra, "We'll plan something awesome for you."

Cassandra broke into a grin, "I'm going to tell Mickey." She headed towards the DJ booth.

She opened the door, closing it quickly behind herself seeing him standing by the deck. "I passed…"

Turning around Mickey was grinning, "I fucking knew it!" He rushed to her pulling her in his arms, "How are you going to celebrate?" He held her face in his hands watching her eyes.

"Derrick and Scott are planning a party," she held onto his arms, "But before I know it, I'll be getting myself out of this job, and doing something." She stopped talking as Mickey pulled her into a kiss.

"You are," Mickey ran his fingers into Cassandra's hair, "I will miss seeing you here." He pointed out trying to keep himself from kissing her again.

Cassandra laughed, "You need to be careful," She whispered taking a step back. "We're not being smart on keeping this under the radar." Her voice calmed down trying to keep it together. "How much longer?"

"I'm still working out a plan," he reached for her hand squeezing it, "I just need time." He knew it wasn't easy for him, but at this moment he didn't want to risk losing Hector.

Cassandra didn't want to say anything, "Well, I'll let you know when the party is happening." She patted a hand on his chest, he pulled her in for a quick kiss, before letting her walk away. She wasn't sure how they managed to keep it a secret, but as she walked down the stair, she kept thinking over all the plans she could have in motion now.

Each part of the night Cassandra would remind herself this was going to be good, she didn't regret her work, but at the same time she knew she was going to need to figure where she was going to go from here.

While she sat at the bar counting her money, she glanced behind her to feel Mickey's hands on her waist. "Good night?" He rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Yea," She put a shot glass to his lips.

Mickey took the shot, then laughed, "So I bumped into Demitri, and he wants to talk to you." He was nervous, but then he didn't get a bad feeling from the other man's tone when he asked.

"I won't be long." She got up taking her money for Demitri, she didn't look back as she made her way to the off.

Mickey sat down at the bar looking to Scott starting to clean the pumps, "So what kind of party are you planning?" he poured more drink into the shot glass.

"Derrick's already hired the place, everything provided." Scott kept cleaning, he kept watching Mickey. "Maybe you can bring Chloe." He was throwing the idea out there.

Mickey took another shot, "I don't think it'll be something she'll be into." He placed the glass down.

"If you say so…" Derrick started to clean his side of the bar, but he couldn't help but just watch the expression on his face. "I mean I'm starting to think this woman doesn't exist."

"Oh, she does," Mickey exhaled, "I am going to make a move." Getting to his feet he glanced over the two men behind the bar. "If Harley asks…" He paused, "Just let her know I'll be coming to wherever her party is."

Chloe stood in the kitchen, she knew the club wasn't open on a Sunday night, and she kept an ear open to the sound of Mickey possibly waking up.

Thoughts kept going through her mind, she had already been though his phone, but he was smart. He didn't keep anything on his phone to be able for her to confront him with. Her mind wouldn't stop going over the sight she saw, and Chloe knew her heart was ripped apart.

"Morning," Mickey poked his head into the kitchen, "I have a thing tonight."

Chloe turned slowly, "What kind of thing?"

"Oh, Cassie passed her final exam and got her business degree." He shrugged, "She's having a little celebration tonight."

Chloe smiled, "I'd love to come."

For a second, he smiled, but inside his mind he was trying to think quickly. "I would of thought…"

"I mean it's a celebration," she smiled not quite her normal one. "I mean I've not seen Cassie in a while, and I would love to see how she is." Her hands folded neatly across her chest as she now took a step towards Mickey.

He watched her carefully, "Are you sure, I mean Hector…"

"I'm sure I can call Aspa and explain," taking her phone out of her pocket, she never took her eyes off Mickey's.

He didn't want to give anything away, "If she's cool with it." He shrugged walking out of the kitchen. "Have you seen my phone?"

"Yea, you left it on the coffee table," Chloe now exhaled starting to call up Aspa.

Mickey picked his phone up, he quickly messaged Cassandra, hearing Chloe on the phone he half hoped that Aspa wouldn't agree to the last second change of plan.

Chloe watched him from the door frame, "She doesn't mind." She knew that for a split second his eyes fell to his phone, and then back to her face. "I'm going to find something to wear."

Mickey kept still, "Great…" he let out a sigh when Chloe rushed to the bedroom. Knowing he couldn't stop her from coming, he needed to keep the act up until he could figure out a way to end things with her, while simultaneously keeping his joint custody of Hector.

"Is this a smart, or casual party?" Chloe poked her head back into the lounge, she could see he was staring at his phone.

Mickey snapped back to reality, "Casual," He nodded, "I'm going to head out, I promised Derrick and Scott I'd help set the DJ up." He knew he had to say something as he grabbed his jacket leaving the apartment.

Chloe didn't get a chance to speak as the door slammed shut behind him, slowly she sat down on the couch looking over her phone, part of her wanted to say something, but for now she was just going to have to keep quiet, not for long, but just long enough.

The night was young, and while Cassandra watched as people talked, some were dancing along to the music. She watched as Kali was with Dominque, she found it amusing to see how the people she worked with interacted with her daughter.

"Cassie!" Chloe threw herself into the other woman's arms, "It's going to be so strange with you no longer working with Mickey!" She smiled, "I think I need to get you a drink." She pointed to the bar walking quickly.

Cassandra watched before turning to Mickey looking as shocked as she felt. "She had a few pre party drinks…" Mickey pointed out.

"Ah," Cassandra placed a hand to his shoulder, "I'm guessing she wanted to come."

He shrugged, "I couldn't stop her coming," He felt frustrated, "We've got to be careful." He stopped as Chloe came over with two drinks.

"Did you know it's an open bar?" Chloe laughed, "Like we don't need to pay for anything!" She passed a drink to Mickey and then Cassandra. "This is amazing!"

Mickey and Cassandra did a quick look as Chloe rushed to get her own drink from the bar, "Enjoy your night," Cassandra said with an awkward smile, "I'm going to talk to Demitri." She walked carefully away.

"She's rude!" Chloe laughed, "I'm going to get shots," She pulled Mickey in kissing him rough.

"I'll get us some food," Mickey wanted to keep it calm, he didn't know what had gotten into Chloe, and he didn't like it one bit.

Cassandra kept close to Derrick, "You know I kinda regret the open bar," She could see Chloe was already drunk, and for some reason she didn't like the idea of her drinking too much. "I'm having a feeling…"

"You're thinking too much," Scott wrapped his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. "You need a drink, and to dance!" He waved a glass in front of her. "It's your night."

"I just got a degree in business," Cassandra took the glass taking a sip from the straw poking out of it. "But if you want me to dance." She giggles while moving her hips to the music.

"See there you go," Derrick joined in with her, taking hold of his husband's hand pulling him into a dance, "We're going to miss you, Cassie." He frowned.

Cassandra laughed, "Well, don't worry too much." She could see Mickey from across the dance floor, she wished so much to be able to dance, but she could see Chloe starring at her now. "I just need to freshen up." She walked towards the bathroom.

Mickey hated this; he was meant to be having a fun night, but here he knew from now he needed to be careful. He glanced across the party to see Cassandra heading towards the bathroom. Part of him wanted to follow her, but he could see how Chloe's eyes were watching Cassandra.

"I need to use the rest room," Chloe shouted over the music, she knew what she wanted to do, but for now she couldn't be near him without the fear of letting it slip.

Mickey took a sip from the beer in his hand, "Cool," He watched her walking away, he didn't like the feeling sticking to the pit of his stomach.

Dominque was quick to move across the dance floor to Mickey's side, "So that's the girlfriend?"

He exhaled, "Yea," he drank more trying to figure out how he was going to navigate the night, "She wanted to come." He tried to hide his fear, but knew it was useless with Dominque.

She shifted her eyes to the bathroom, "Do you think she knows?"

"Knows what?" He snapped his attention from the bathroom, back to Dominque.

She stared in disbelief at Mickey, "Everyone knows," She pointed out, "You're not that good at hiding it…"

"Shit!" Mickey turned to the dancefloor, he could see everyone chatting, dancing and having a good time. Dominque was still watching his reaction, "How?"

"I only know because Cassie," it was the first time she used her friend's real name, "She really likes you, and I'm hoping you're not using her."

Pinching the bridge of his nose he cringed, "I'm not using her!" He tried to control his temper, "I'm in love with her, but I can't just leave Chloe."

"Yes, you can!" Dominque took his hand from his face, "And I know about the Hector situation, you need to talk to your ex, tell her about how you're not happy with Chloe, and end it." She drank some of her drink, "Because Cassie isn't going to wait forever."

Cassandra exited the toilet heading to the sink to wash her hands, she slowly turned hearing the other cubical open. "Chloe," She let out a sigh, "You scared me." She smiled carrying on washing her hands.

Chloe was careful to the sink next to Cassandra starting to wash her own hands, she took the time to study over the other woman. She had her long hair in half up style, it was more curly tonight than her normal beach waves. Chloe admired the dress she was wearing; it was yellow and white coming just below her knees. "You look beautiful tonight."

"Thank you," Cassandra walked over to the hand drier, "You look lovely too," Seeing Chloe's short hair wasn't really styled, a nice top and jean shorts, "I wasn't expecting you here."

"Well, I thought you've got a business degree," She smiled, but she felt sick looking at her now, "So, when are you going to quick taking your clothes off for a living?"

"Not too long," Cassandra felt nervous as Chloe kept moving close to her, "I mean, I have a surprise for everyone." She swallowed a hard lump in her throat. "Are you okay?"

"Me!" Chloe placed her hand to her chest, "I am just peachy…" her hand reached over brushing Cassandra's shoulder. "You really do look good tonight…" She turned walking out of the bathroom.

Cassandra kept still feeling her stomach knotting up, something inside her just knew, but she didn't know if Mickey knew. She slowly walked out of the bathroom, seeing that Chloe had planted herself next to Mickey.

Mickey tried to smile as Chloe returned to him, her hands wrapping around his waist as she kissed him with no shame of anyone seeing. "Miss me?" She asked seeing Cassandra exiting the bathroom.

He could tell Cassandra's expression as she walked out, but he couldn't think of a way to talk to her as Chloe held onto him tighter. "Yea," He tried to get her to let him go. "I just need to talk to Cassie for a second." He carefully took her arms off him as he stepped away from her.

Cassandra found her drink taking a sip, she felt a hand on her lower back turning to see Mickey, "Hey…" She shifted her eyes to see Chloe getting another drink from the bar. "I think she knows."

"No," Mickey shook his head, "She's just had a hard week, and wants to let off some steam." He watched Chloe doing shots, "A lot of it…"

Cassandra shook her head, "Something doesn't feel right," Her voice kept low, but at the same time she could feel Chloe's stare from across the room. "Mickey."

"I know," He turned to see Chloe making her way over with a tray of drinks and shots.

Chloe placed the tray on the table, "So!" She smiled bright, "I am thinking since this is a celebration," she passed a shot to Cassandra.

"I would love to get crazy drunk, but I have Kali here." She placed the shot down.

"Really?" Chloe handed her the shot again, "One won't kill you."

Cassandra placed the shot down again, "I'm sorry Chloe, but I'm being responsible for the sake of my child." She tried to not get angry, "I'm sure if you was a mother you'd understand." She turned to Mickey, "I hope you both enjoy your evening." She picked her drink up walking towards Derrick and Scott.

"What a bitch!" Chloe did the three shots, "We will have a good night." She hiccup, covering her mouth. "I'll be right back." She headed towards the bathroom quickly.

Mickey closed his eyes, "Fuck!" He walked over to Derrick, Scott, Gemini and Cassandra. He put on a smile to try and hide what he was feeling, "How's everyone?"

"We're trying to get Harley here to tell us this big secret." Gemini laughed, "Apparently she can't say anything yet." She focused on Mickey, "Do you know?"

"I have no idea," Mickey felt nervous, he turned his attention to the bathroom before back to the group, "Does it involve your new degree?"

"Yes," Cassandra smiled, she then took a sip of her drink, "But for now you guys will need to be patient." She stopped for a second, she touched Mickey's arm, "Are you alright?"

He did a double take, "I'm good," He waved his beer bottle, "Need another." He headed towards the bar, feeling Cassandra behind him.

"You know I can tell when something is bothering you?" She placed her empty glass down on the bar.

Mickey sighed, "This isn't easy for me."

"And I'm having a cake walk over here?" She sighed, "We've got to figure out what we're going to do Mickey." She glanced behind to see Demitri entering the party with his wife.

He watched as Cassandra walked away, part of him wished that it could be simpler, but as he felt Chloe holding onto him, he wanted to just leave. "You alright?" He asked her quickly, hoping for an excuse to go.

"I'm good," She smiled, "I'm going to check out that buffet table." Pointing her hand, she tapped Mickey's chest with the other. "This is not a small gathering." She walked away and Mickey turned to see his empty beer bottle had be changed for a full one.

Cassandra kept watching Micky from across the party, her attention back to Demitri. "Are you sure about this?" She asked, her hand brushed over her arm trying to keep calm.

"I want to take a step back, and you know the business. I trust you to keep everything going smooth." He grinned, "I'm not leaving the club, but I want to start living my life."

"Yea," Cassandra smiled, "So you want to tell everyone tonight?" She asked with a look to everyone enjoying the party.

Demitri laughed, "I will make an announcement." He glanced towards the bar, "Mickey is here with his girlfriend."

"Yea…" Cassandra picked her drink up taking a sip, "That's Chloe…" her voice trailed off as she watched Mickey trying to appear happy, but she knew he wasn't.

"So that's your boss," Chloe pointed across the party.

Mickey didn't know what to think as she started to walk over, he didn't hesitate to follow her, "Yea," He didn't know what had gotten into her.

She stopped, "Hi, I'm Chloe." She held her hand out, "Mickey hasn't really told me anything about you." Her head tilted as she turned to look at Mickey. "But then I guess you wouldn't talk much about me…"

"I'm so sorry, she's a little drunk," Mickey did his best to smile it off, he placed his hands around Chloe's waist, "I think we should be leaving."

"Why?" Chloe pushed away from him, "I mean I just want to see if these people are as dumb as I am." Her face turned to Demitri, "Like do you have a policy on your employees fucking each other?"

Cassandra's eyes went wide hearing this, her hand covering her mouth. Mickey felt like a bomb went off inside him, but his focused of Demitri's puzzled expression. "I beg your pardon?"

"Well, I'm just wondering if you're cool with my boyfriend fucking one of your strippers?" Chloe held a hand up, her eyes not leaving his, but she knew that everyone was now staring at her. "I mean, I know which one."

Mickey couldn't believe it, he was seeing Chloe staring daggers in Cassandra's direction, "What are you talking about?" He tried to think quickly, he was hoping this was the drink speaking.

"Don't play fucking dumb with me Mickey!" Chloe poked his chest, "I saw you two!" now snapping her attention back to Cassandra, "I knew you was a whore the second I saw you." She didn't mean it, but now she was just looking to hurt the other woman.

Standing still she felt horrible, it was easier to ignore what they were doing was bad, but now she was face with Chloe's rage, and the pain behind her eyes. "Chloe, I never meant to..."

"No!" Chloe shook her head, "You knew what you were doing." With a fire in her eyes, she glared to Mickey, "Trust me, I've only started to fuck shit up!" She nodded turning around.

Mickey could only feel a dry lump in his throat as Chloe left the party in complete silence, and he knew now that it was going to be a lot of explaining to do from here.

Demitri turned slowly to Cassandra, "I think we need to talk." His tone was serious, "You to Mickey." His voice didn't change, but then as Mickey and Cassandra watched each other, they knew they couldn't hide it anymore.