I don't know what the hell Victor was trying to get at by taking me to the Red Room, but unfortunately, we had to part ways there. I had to get to practice. But…I had plenty of time to stop for my usual flat white after I got changed. The line was a little long, but it'd be fine. I got my latte while Gene waited outside. In a few short minutes, I started heading for the rink. Sure enough, Celestino was waiting for me by the railing.

"Violet," he didn't sound too happy, "You're ten minutes late!"

"Sorry, Coach," I dropped my bag on the bench, still a bit out of it.

"I brought Yuri and Yurio home," Celestino scolded, "And you still weren't here! Where, in God's green Earth, were you?"

"I get it!" I groaned, my head pounding from last night, "I'm late! I stopped to get coffee. Just let me skate…"

"Hold on," he stopped me, checking me over, "Violet, are you feeling ok?"

"It's nothing," I shook him off, "Just a headache."

"Are you sick?" Celestino went from pissed off to the overly concerned parent in no time flat.

"It's just a headache," I reiterated, tying my skates.

"Wait…" And he's pissed off again, "Are you trying to get on my ice hungover, Violet Isabella?"

"No!" I snapped, thankful that Gene was keeping his mouth shut, "Love of God, Celestino, I just want to skate. Something loud, fast, and violent is preferred."

"Alright," Celestino let me go. He knew damn well my ass was lying, but as long as I could still function and I wasn't as bad as last time. He scrolled through my practice playlist and picked out a song for me. I skated out to the middle of the rink and waited for the music to start.

"Nanana come on…" Oh, perfect…Rihanna's S&M. Definitely fits the theme for the season. And it brought me back to last night. When the pet aimed to please Master. And she did. Last night, we acted on pure, raw, animal instinct. Was it dirty? Yeah. Was it nasty? Oh yeah. Was it the most mind-blowing sex I've ever had in my life? Absolutely. I couldn't wait to get back to Cosmos. Maybe we won't even go there. By the sounds of things, Mike was thinking we get breakfast before we go back to that.

Out in the stands, a series of claps echoed around the empty rink as the song came to an end. Clearly, that wasn't Gene or Celestino wouldn't have gotten so defensive, "Excuse me…This is a closed practice. Gene, get him out of here and check him for cameras."

"Look," a familiar voice stopped Gene from getting too friendly, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I couldn't watch. I don't have any cameras. You did really well, though, Violet. I'm proud of you."

"Mike!" I knew that phrase anywhere. I jumped the rail and threw myself into his arms.

"Hi there," he kissed the top of my head, "Surprise."

"What are you doing here?" I beamed, ready to come unglued.

"I've never seen you skate before," Mike spun me around, "And you did say you had to go to practice today, so I thought I'd come watch. Is that alright?"

"No," Celestino stepped in, "I'm sorry, but like I said, this is a closed practice. Violet needs to practice and she can't have any distractions."

"Mike can stay," I insisted, "He won't be a distraction."

"No, Violet," he shot me down.

"Come on, Celestino," I wrapped my arms around his waist, batting my eyelashes at him, "Please?"

"No," Celestino glared, "How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Just for one more song?" I begged.

He thought it over for a second, shooting glances between Mike and me. Celestino was always hellbent on me practicing in solitude. He says it get me thinking clearer. But he also wanted to keep me happy. Happy Violet meant better at skating Violet, "Fine. One song. ONLY one song."

"Thank you!" He's like butter with me. I might be taking advantage of that, but oh well! I shook off the minor feeling of guilt, "Mike, any requests?"

"But Violet," Celestino reminded me, "You still have a program to choreograph."

"I know," I hurdled the wall, "By the way, Madame wants me to get back into lessons again."

"Is she going to teach you?" he wondered.

"Yeah."

"That's fine," Celestino allowed, "But right now, you still need to get your program down. You're going to have to start getting into local competitions soon."

"Hold on, malyshka," Mike smirked, taking his phone out of his pocket. Cute, Master. Using the safe word like that, "I have something you can use if your program is anything like what I just saw. Where's the aux cable?"

"Over there," I nodded toward the soundboard, "Unplug my phone."

"Ok," he went over to switch my phone for his…And Celestino pulled me aside.

"Violet," he worried, "Who the hell is that?"

"That's Mike," I explained, "He's a friend of mine."

"Are you sure?" Celestino jabbed, "You two seem a little closer than just friends."

"Celestino," I groaned, "I don't know what we are quite yet. Right now, things are just casual."

"It's just that," he pointed out, "He called you malyshka, didn't he?"

"Yeah."

"Didn't Victor call you malyshka?"

"Violet!" Mike called out to me, "Are you ready?"

"Hold on!" I hopped the barrier and got to the center of the ice, completely blowing Celestino off. I didn't need that today, "Whenever you're ready."

The music started kicking up and all I needed was a pole. Pony by Ginuwine was to guys what Pour Some Sugar on Me was to women. That's a song that brings out everyone's inner stripper. And I couldn't help myself. When Pony started, spins and jumps were definitely going to be needed. And some dips. I couldn't leave any cleavage left unshown. Besides, I could see Mike getting a bit twitchy when I was begging Celestino to let him stay. Other than my skating, I'm sure I could find another way to make Master stay.

I don't think I ever told him I used to dance in a burlesque club, so the stripper moves were probably a bit unexpected. Then again, I was rather flexible with him last night. I had enough speed to where a good sitting spin would go so hard, I'd make myself dizzy. Then, I did a few more laps and managed a FLAWLESS quad flip. Maybe Celestino will think twice about letting Mike stay for practice if I'm doing this good. And he thought Mike was going to be a distraction.

As the song started to die out, I fell onto the ice, completely out of breath. I've never put so much energy into a practice routine like that. The last time I was this out of breath was…I blushed at the thought. It was…Let's just say, rather compromising. Something that, if Celestino found out, I have a feeling Mike would've been pinned to the wall and not in the way he wanted. I don't think he was much for being the submissive.

"Violet?" Celestino yelled to me, "Are you alright?"

"Fine," I sighed out, "A little tired, but I'm good."

"You're doing great, bambina," he praised, helping me up, "How about we call it for the day, ok?"

"Ok," I skated my way back to the railing.

"You sure you're alright?" Mike lifted me over, holding me up.

"I'm sure," I fell into his chest, "Damn, that was fun."

"You sound like you could use a cold shower," he teased, "How good was it?"

"A hot shower sounds better," I admitted, kicking off my skates, "Will you hand me my shoes please?"

"Sure," Mike got my shoes out of my bag for me, "You want to go home or can you manage to stay out a little longer?"

"Why?" I smiled, taking a seat on the bench, "What'd you have in mind?"

"Cashing in on that raincheck," he decided, "You're not too tired for me, are you?"

"Of course not," I got a sudden second wind, "I could do breakfast."

"Even though it's well past breakfast?"

"Absolutely."

"That's my girl," Mike kissed my forehead, "You ready?"

"Yeah," I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder.

"Hold on," Celestino stopped me, "Violet, can I talk to you for a moment before you go?"

"Sure, Coach," I agreed, "I'll be out in a second."

"Alright," Mike understood, "I'll be waiting outside."

He gave us a minute alone and I could use a spot to sit, "What is it, Celestino? I'm starving. I'm tired. I really need a shower."

"It's about your new not boyfriend," Celestino winced, "I don't like him."

"What?" I squeaked, "Why not? What's wrong with him? Mike's a good dude."

"I think he's bad for you," he explained himself, "I know what guys like him are like."

"Celestino," I rolled my eyes, "You're reading way too far into this."

"Violet," Celestino held my face between his hands, "I've been a guy like him. I bet he makes you feel all kinds of special, doesn't he? Like you're the only girl in the world?"

Dammit…Celestino had me in a box. And put a mental image in my head I didn't want. No one wants to see Celestino having a lady like Mike had me, "And where is the bad there?"

"It's not real," he wrapped his arms around me, "He's going to get what he wants and then, when he gets bored, he's going to abandon you. I'm not proud of how many times I've done that, but I'll be damned if I let you get hurt. You're already in a fragile place."

"What the hell is with everyone?" I snapped, "I'm a lot stronger than what people are giving me credit for here! I'm not broken. I'm not going through some shit that I need to sort out. I've already done that. I made peace with the divorce a long time ago. I knew that was an inevitability. One day, Victor was going to get Yuri and Yurio and the family he wanted, then he'd get the one thing that would bring it all together. Does it suck that it wasn't me? Yeah. But that's life. I got over it. Now, everyone else needs to. I'll see you tomorrow."

Without another word, I walked away from the rink pissed off beyond belief and I needed a way to get this out. I can't believe him. Thinking that Mike isn't good for me. Neither is chocolate, but I still eat chocolate. Neither is caffeine, but I still consume it by the gallon. So, I want a little casual action on the side. Where is the harm in that? We're two consenting adults capable of making decisions. Since when did Celestino figure he needed to step in and be my dad?

"Violet…?" Gene tapped on my shoulder on our way out.

"Don't," I demanded, an icy tone in my voice, "If you're going to ask me if I'm ok, I may punch you."

"Alright," he kept his mouth shut. Good.

"Hey," Mike took my hand outside, "Violet…?"

"What?" I growled, immediately regretting it.

"Well, well," he hushed me, keeping his voice down as well, "Since when does my pet have such a bark on her?"

"I'm sorry," I bit my overly sharp tongue, "Celestino kind of pissed me off and I took it out on you. I'm so sorry."

"You know," Mike threw his arm around me, "I missed you, pet. And you need to cool off. What would you say about falling off the grid for a while?"

"Define off the grid," he had me curious.

"I was thinking," he purred in my ear, "You come back to my penthouse with me. How does that sound?"

"Honestly," I laid my head on his shoulder, "That sounds amazing. Let's do that."

"Absolutely," Mike held me a little closer.

"Wait," I thought for a second, "We need to stop by the Red Room first."

"The Red Room?" he gasped, "What for?"

"I need to talk to my dance teacher," I explained, getting us a cab.

"And she's at the Red Room?"

"Yeah," I got my door, "Come on."

The two of us had a quiet ride to the Red Room and I nearly fell asleep a time or two. I never thought I'd be thankful for potholes. Once we got there, the door was already unlocked. Funny. This place doesn't typically open up until seven o'clock at night. The Madame must already have a student here. Awesome!

"Alright, sweetheart," she instructed, "You're doing great these past couple weeks and I'm so proud of you. Make sure you take care of yourself, too, ok?"

"Yes, Madame," a soft, sweet Russian accent came from the angel at her waist. And in that moment, my heart melted, "Are we going to get into chorography tomorrow?"

"I'll have to talk to Celestino," Madame thought it over, "But you'll probably be ready for it. Remember, I'm doing your mama's routine, too."

"Mike," I insisted, "Stay here. I won't be long."

"Ok," he let me go.

"Hey!" Madame caught sight of me, "Speak of the devil."

"Mama!" Yurio ran and jumped into my arms. If anything was going to get me to automatically calm down after the fight I got into with my overbearing coach, it'd be him.

"Hi, baby," I hugged him tight, "I wasn't expecting to see you here so early."

"What brings you by, Vi?" Madame asked.

"I was talking with Celestino while I was at practice," I told her, "And he said you are more than welcome to be my dance teacher again."

"Yay!" she squealed, "It'll be just like the good old days again. I hope you know this means you're under no obligation to come back to work here, but the occasional guest appearance would be appreciated."

"No," I shot her down, "That's all over for me."

"Hold on," Madame quieted me, turning her attention to the hot piece of ass leaned up against the bar, "Sorry, sweetie. We're closed."

"No worries," Mike settled her, "I'm with Violet."

"Mama," Yurio asked, "Who's he?"

"He's a new friend of mine," I put him down, "And I have plans with him today. If you want to swing by my place later, I know of a certain kitty that misses you."

"Nadya?"

"That's the one," I kissed the top of my baby's head, "Who's coming to get you, dovahkiin?"

"Madame's bringing me home," Yurio told me, "Uncle Chris had practice and Victor's busy with Yuri."

"Why don't you just crash at my place?" I allowed, "Nadya likes to take long naps, too."

"Ok," he smiled, lighting up my entire world, "When will you be back?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, catching a glimpse of Mike out of the corner of my eye, growing impatient, "But I have to get going."

Yurio scaled my leg and latched himself around my neck, "I love you, Mama."

"I love you, too, Yuri," I squeezed him tight, "Madame, when do you want me?"

"Nine o'clock," Madame decided, "That's in the morning, too. We're not doing midafternoon practices."

"I don't know if I can swing nine," I thought it over, "Could we maybe move it to eight?"

"That works for me," she allowed, "I'll see you then."

I left Yurio in the capable hands of the Madame and headed to Mike's penthouse. Wherever that may be. It was close enough to where we didn't need to get a cab, so we had that going for us. Although, Mike looked a little bothered. Maybe if I turn up the cute and the charm, he'll even out, "Master, is there something on your mind?"

"I didn't know you had a kid," he thought.

"I have two."

"And you worked at the Red Room?"

"A long time ago."

"Master's little pet is keeping secrets from him," Mike's voice took on a darker tone.

"You didn't ask," I blew it off, thinking it's no big deal.

Then, that dirty little grin stretched across his face, "Let's get back to my place. I'm not too big on your tone."

Uh-oh. Either things are about to get really fun or really bad…And it was a long elevator ride up to the top of his building…

A/N: I like Mike. Mike's a delight. I also love the idea of Violet being either the type that shows up ten minutes early or half an hour late with a latte. There is no in between. And I'm going to be honest with you, friends. I missed seeing Yurio. Yurio is my squish baby and I love him. There's a disturbing lack of the babies in this story and I need to remedy that. But there's also a reason why there's a disturbing lack of the babies in this story. However! We make up for it with fatherly Celestino, which I don't understand why, but I'm seriously loving. He's worried. He cared for Violet at a time when hardly anyone did (ie. He met her parents when she first started her career and he's not a big fan of them for the lack of support they give to their daughter.) But it's also getting late and I'm thinking about going to bed. See you next chapter! xx