Disclaimer: I do not own Disney, Hollywood Records, etc. :)

A/N: Aw, you guys are too nice. :3 I was so happy, reading the reviews. Haha. You all were quite pleased with the 'happy' chapter, right?

:) You do see that the genre is Drama, right? 8D

Compromise

As the need for oxygen came upon them, Miley pulled back, loosening her hands ever so slightly. She no longer felt angry, that was true, yes, but now she felt.. Saddened. Saddened as the truth dawned on her. She was saddened by the fact that Oliver didn't even have some sort of decency to tell her the truth. Sure, he might have been mad at her, but that didn't mean he couldn't tell her who he really was, right?

Oliver, on the other hand, was also having emotional turmoil. He was slightly unsure of what had just happened, and the reasoning behind her actions. He looked at her, and she looked pained - It made him feel all guilty and horrible inside. He cursed at himself, feeling disappointed with himself.

"I know," she mumbled suddenly, jolting him out of his thoughts. His eyes focused on hers - Brown on blue - Cold on cold. He had no idea what was going on - But his heart rate accelerated and sweat started to form on his palms.

"What.. Exactly do you know?" he asked hesitantly, fearing the answer.

She averted her eyes, and casually swiped at the corner of her eye.

"You.. You're a real jerk, you know that, Oliver?"

Silence fell.

He shuffled his feet uncomfortably, watching his shoes scuff against each other.

A question nagged at him.

"Why'd.. Why'd you kiss me?"

She didn't even think twice. "Mistletoe," she said faintly. The atmosphere lightened a little as she chuckled quietly. "Did you know I've been trying to get you under one?"

"Yeah.. I kinda noticed there were twice as many than needed," he quipped back, almost breathing a sigh of relief at the happier tone.

Another silence.

"I liked you," she murmured.

"What about now?"

She shrugged half-heartedly. "I don't know." Her eyes flashed momentarily. "I'm still mad at you for not telling me."

He gaped at her. "Miley - You left without saying anything - I just didn't tell you who I was for a couple months - From my view, it looks like you're in the wrong here." He immediately regretted it as her eyes watered. "Oh - No - Miley - I'm sorry--" he amended. If there was one thing that never changed - It was that he hated to see her cry, and being the cause of it? That was worse.

To his surprise, she threw herself into his arms, burying her face against his chest. "I'm sorry," she whimpered. "I'm sorry for leaving you - You and Lilly." He shushed her, forgetting everything he had built up at the moment, and allowing it to crash down as he held the girl he once loved (and still loved). His heart screamed at him to do something - And his brain agreed with his heart - But he was too frozen - Too satisfied with this moment to do anything that would damage it.

And yet, he found himself closing the door behind them with his foot, pressing her up against it gently, and tenderly brushing his lips against hers. He felt her body rise against him as she inhaled in shock and surprise, and then slacken as her arms moved from his waist to his neck. He moved a hand from her waist to fumble with the lock on the door, pressing it down. He decided on resting his hand on her cheek, brushing away the still wet tears, and moving his lips away for a moment.

This time, their eyes met again - Both opening slowly - And it was still brown on blue, but this time, their eyes were no longer cold - They were warm - Darker, filled with emotion.

"I still want to talk," he mumbled, pressing a kiss on her nose, before kissing to the side of her face. "But you have no idea.. How much.. I missed you--"

"--Me too," she breathed, closing her eyes when his lips brushed the skin at her neck.

He didn't care about any rules he was breaking - Diving into this with his employer - But he didn't care.

And apparently, neither did she, with the way, her hands were pushing him back onto the couch in the dressing room.

--

Upon reaching her home, they were now sitting in her room, looking around awkwardly.

"Are we going to talk now?"

"I s'ppose so," he said slowly, leaning against the wall.

"..."

"Well?"

She sighed loudly, blowing out a puff of air. She shuffled her feet from where she was standing a small distance apart from him. She timidly took a couple steps towards him, and tucked loose strands of hair behind her ears before reaching out to wrap her arms around his neck.

"It's really you," she murmured, more so to herself than to him. He nodded, unsure that he should say anything. "Oliver," she said, testing his name out on her tongue. It felt satisfying, and comfortable.

"Yeah," he breathed.

"And you're my bodyguard," she stated, leaning into him a little more.

"That is correct, Ms. Montana."

"And I think I.. Really like you," she murmured again, brushing her lips against his, making his body tingle from the touch.

"I like you too," he said automatically. He immediately felt like a weight had been lifted up off his shoulders - He felt lighter - Like years of burdens, and secrets were now out in the open, where the whole world could see - And yet, he didn't feel exposed, but ecstatic.

Joyous.

"Oliver," she whispered. "I really don't think I want you as my bodyguard anymore."

Crash.

:) Danger. :) Yum.