A/N: Here it is, the next chapter, a day early!

Thanks to Bloodylilcorpse for reviewing the last chapter.

Enjoy!:)

Mike returned to the inn by the time everyone else did. He received a hug from those who'd been there when Noah had shown up and crashed the party. "We were so scared, Mike!" Dakota said. "If that evil guy had taken you, Brick would've been in the show again, and no way is that going to happen! He can't act!" She shook her head.

"That was my stepfather. And he's not evil," Mike disagreed.

"You sure 'bout that? He had that look on 'im, like he was up to something." Manitoba narrowed his eyes in thought before shaking his head. "Ah, I won't worry about it right now. Good to see you in one piece."

"Can we acknowledge your amazing dancing, Mike? You were so good! Way better than that street performer." Dakota changed the subject.

Mike blushed. "I did ok. Leshawna was cool about it." He shrugged.

"You did awesome, mate! One of the best dances I've seen." Manitoba smiled at him.

"Thanks."

Mike and everyone else ate dinner at Owen's place. "Make sure you guys pack up, 'cause we're heading home tomorrow morning," Trent told them.

Mike went to bed trying to keep his mind off of going home. "Hey, Mani?" he asked once they were back in their room.

"Yeah?"

"Could I...stay with you for the rest of the show's run? I don't think I can go home yet after what happened today."

Manitoba smiled. "O' course you can!"

Mike smiled.

The next day was crazy yet again, with packing things into the carriages for the ride home and getting everyone sorted out. The cast and crew would be going directly to their places of residence, so they were grouped based on what side of town they lived in. Normally that would mean Mike being seated with Duncan, Zoey, and Beth, but since he was staying with Manitoba, Mike would be with Trent and him on the ride back. Which was fine.

Before Mike's carriage left, Zoey handed him a slip of paper. It had the date, time and place of the wedding scrawled across the top, no doubt by Duncan. "Just in case," she told him.

Mike kept it in his pants pocket on the way back. He'd never been to Manitoba's house before.

Manitoba threw his stuff to the side of the door as soon he walked in, after they both got their things and waved farewell to Trent for now. "Alright. You can stay in 'ere as long as you need to." He pointed to a room with just a bed and a chair. "Finally have use of a guest room again. No one's been in there since my wife left and people stopped visiting."

"Ok…" Mike looked around. The house wasn't big like his, but it was nice. He took his stuff and left it on the chair.

"I'll be back with dinner in a bit. Feel free to look around more, but try not to break anything." Manitoba tipped his hat before heading out.

Mike found a few interesting things: a boomerang, a script for a play he'd never heard about, and a few different fedoras in various places.

He tried on one of the fedoras. It was black with a thin layer of dirt on it. He looked in a small mirror in what appeared to be Manitoba's bedroom. It made him look alike to him. Duncan had been right, they could be twins. "G'day, Sheila!" Mike said in his best impression of Mani's Australian accent.

"Very funny, mate. Make fun o' the Australian." Manitoba had reentered the house, food with him. He was smirking.

Mike put the fedora back down and rubbed his neck while looking at the ground, embarrassed. "Heh. Sorry."

Manitoba picked the hat back up, dusted it off, and put it back on Mike's head. "Keep it. Looks better on you."

Mike smiled. They ate dinner and then Mike decided he ought to get some rest. They had a show tomorrow.

The rest of the run was successful. When it was over, the day after the final show, the crew struck the set and everyone said goodbye to each other. PThere were many hugs exchanged.

Mike had brought his stuff with him from Manitoba's house to the theater that last day. He was going to return to his house. He would no doubt be greeted less than pleasantly, and Manitoba tried to talk him out of it. "I have to go back, Mani. I have to."

Manitoba shook his head. "I don't think I'll ever really understand you, Mike. Take care of yourself." They hugged.

Zoey handed out the legit wedding invites to everyone. "I hope you all can make it." She gave Mike a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Be careful, Mike." She smiled at him.

Duncan wasn't one to exchange these kinds of pleasantries. He did say goodbye to Mike. "Yeah, if you could be there, it'd mean a lot to Zoey. And maybe me too. I don't really care."

"You auditioning for the next show?"

"Um, yeah. I might get a job fixing things to get more money in the meantime, but I do want to keep acting."

"I'm probably just gonna keep doing the same thing." Mike sighed.

"Don't let them get to you."

"I'll try."

"Good."

Mike walked home by himself. It was dark when he arrived.

Please review! See you next time(hopefully this Saturday)