Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Hannah Montana.

The week went better than Miley could have hoped. Any reservations Lilly had about liking Oliver were gone by Monday night. Miley had been on the phone with her until well past midnight, when Robbie Ray had finally ambled in, looking rather groggy, to tell Miley to go to sleep. Of course, Miley had still been on the phone at least two more hours after that and by the time Friday rolled around, Lilly was almost bouncing off the walls with excitement, and perhaps a touch of nervousness too.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun! Do you think he'll say something once we're there?" Lilly asked for the thousandth time. She was pacing frantically around the Hannah Closet while Miley picked through a few of her outfits, trying to decide what she wanted to wear for the awards ceremony.

Miley rolled her eyes, smiling, "He could."

"I mean, he does like me, right?" Lilly plopped down on the base of the revolving clothes rack, apparently unaware that it was spinning her towards the wall.

"Seems like he does to me," Miley replied patiently, watching as Lilly hopped up to begin pacing the room just before she would have collided with the wall, though she doubted Lilly was aware of it.

Lilly's stopped dead in her tracks her face growing worried, "But what if he doesn't"?

"Lilly," Miley cut across her, causing Lilly to stop and look at her, "We've had this discussion a million times already. He likes you, and he'll tell you when he's ready. You know how nervous he'll be about it."

"I know, I know, and I'm sorry for bringing it up so much. It's just all I can think about."

Miley smiled warmly, "Don't apologize. After all, that's what I'm here for. To listen."

Lilly smiled too, stepping forward and embracing Miley in a warm hug. "Thanks, Miley. I think anyone else would be sick of hearing me talk about it by now," she said, sounding a little self-conscious.

"Well," Miley said as Lilly stepped back, "I never get tired of it, so talk to me whenever you want."

Lilly smiled and her eyes looked a little watery, "Thanks, Miley."

Miley smiled at Lilly as she turned to inspect some of the clothes Miley had chosen. Lilly had never had trouble letting people know she cared about them, but ever since their talk Sunday night, Lilly had been more affectionate than Miley had ever seen her. Miley had probably received more hugs from Lilly in the past five days than she had in the past three years combined. She never would have guessed that this burgeoning romance with Oliver would bring out this side in Lilly.

"How do you think he'd tell me?" Lilly asked.

Miley rolled her eyes again, "With Oliver, who knows, but I'll bet you it will involve food."

Lilly laughed, "That wouldn't be all that surprising, would it"?

A knock from the door caused both girls to look around. Robbie Ray was standing in the doorway of the closet, "Time to get your things together, Bud, we need to be headed to the airport in fifteen."

"Alright, we're just about done," Miley said, beginning to collect her clothes and pack them away. Robbie Ray nodded and disappeared from the doorway. Miley turned back to Lilly, "Are you all set to go"?

"Of course," Lilly replied, sounding as though it should have been obvious, "Afterall, I'm Lola Lufandagle, international jetsetter"! Lilly struck a pose to emphasize the point.

"Yeah, yeah," Miley pushed past her with her suitcase, "Just grab your stuff and lets go." Lilly grabbed her own luggage and followed Miley down the stairs into the living room.

"What took you guys so long?" Jackson whined upon seeing them.

"Oh, boo-hoo," Miley retorted, "Your lucky your even coming as far as I'm concerned."

Jackson scowled at her but before he could reply, Robbie Ray came back into the house, "Come on, folks, let's get a move on. We don't wanna miss our flight." Everyone grabbed their things and rushed out the front door.

Feeling the cool night air on her face, Lilly breathed deeply and looked up at the sky, the stars were largely invisible thanks to the bright lights of Malibu. Miley walked just ahead of her and Jackson just behind, as they made their way to the car. Lilly tingled with anticipation as she loaded her things into the trunk, and climbed into the backseat with Miley. She loved to travel to new places, it was always so exciting, and this time it carried the added bonus of possible romance. Grinning widely, Lilly folded her hands in her lap and looked out the window at the passing houses as they made their way to Oliver's home. She knew the route so well.

When they pulled up in Oliver's driveway, they were all surprised to find that he was actually ready and waiting for them. Loading his things into the trunk, Oliver had climbed into the backseat beside Lilly, and they were on their way. The ride to the airport was largely uneventful, the roads fairly clear due to the late hour.

The trip through the airport, however, had been a little more entertaining. Oliver had gotten one of his shoelaces stuck in not one but two of the escalators and Jackson had been taken aside at security due to a quarter that had somehow ended up inside his sock. The lines had been annoyingly long, but once they had gotten into the terminal, the traffic cleared considerably.

"Man, this place is a zoo!" Oliver exclaimed once they had finally passed security.

"Tell me about it," Jackson said in a harried voice, "I thought they were gonna put me in cuffs and take me away."

"That's what you get for being such a slob," Miley chided, "If you'd clean that pigsty of a room of yours maybe your loose change wouldn't end up in your footwear."

"I still can't believe you couldn't feel it," Lilly added.

"Hey, it's just a tiny, little coin. How was I supposed to know," Jackson retorted.

"A tiny, little coin?" Miley asked, sounding incredulous, "It was a quarter. The stupid thing is, like, an inch across," Miley demonstrated with her fingers.

"Alright, now just cool it," Robbie Ray broke in, attempting to head off the oncoming argument, "Now, we still need to get to our gate, so let's get moving." Nodding they took up their carry on luggage and began to wind their way through the labyrinth of the airport, trying as best they could to follow the signs to the right gate number.

Fifteen minutes later they arrived at their gate, having narrowly escaped being run over by several of the small, supped-up golf carts they used to get handicapped passengers from gate to gate. "Why can't we ride in one of those?" Jackson complained, slightly winded from having to leap over a line of chairs to avoid being run over by the most recent cart as it sped on its way.

"Because they're only for the physically handicapped," Miley replied.

Jackson made a face at her but otherwise didn't respond. Once they had made sure they were at the right gate, the group settled into a row of chairs to await boarding.

Miley looked at her watch, "Man, we've still got fifty minutes before the plane leaves. That's, like, forever."

"Sorry Darlin' but you know the drill," Robbie Ray said, "We're supposed to be at the gate at least forty-five to fifty minutes before the plane leaves."

"Yeah, yeah," Miley sighed. Turning to her side, Miley found Lilly and Oliver whispering and giggling together before they both paused to look at her and then broke out laughing. Miley narrowed her eyes at them, "What's so funny"?

"Nothing," Lilly replied, folding her hands neatly in her lap while Oliver cleared his throat and sat up a little straighter next to her. Miley continued to glare, so Lilly leaned forward, patting her on the hand, "We weren't talking about you, we just cracked up when you caught us laughing that's all."

Miley continued too look suspicious for several more seconds before she finally decided to accept Lilly's story, "Alright, but I'm keeping an eye on you two," Miley pointed at both of them. Lilly and Oliver looked at each other again before they both broke into another fit of laughter and Miley sighed patiently, rubbing at her temples, "Its going to be a long trip."

When it finally came time to board, they gathered into a line and allowed the stewardess to check their boarding passes. Making their way down the gantry, the grouped squeezed their way down the narrow isle between the seats until they found the proper numbers, and they all took their seats. Miley, Lilly and Oliver were seated on one side of the isle, and Jackson and Robbie Ray were seated on the other.

Pushing his bag under the seat in front of him, Oliver reached into the pouch in front of him and pulled out an airsickness bag, "I sure hope I don't end up needing one of these."

Lilly wrinkled her nose, "So do I."

"I didn't know you got motion sickness," Miley added.

"Oh, yeah," Oliver said, "When we were in first grade we went on a field trip to the carnival. As soon as I got off the merry-go-round I threw up."

"Of course, the five chili dogs you ate before going on probably didn't help," Lilly giggled.

"Hey, I was hungry, and it was either that or pass out from starvation," Oliver said defensively. "Besides, it's the teachers fault for putting so much time between meals."

"Oliver, we had just eaten not an hour before we got there," Lilly retorted.

"I swear there is something wrong with you, boy," Miley added.

Oliver shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "Hey, I have healthy appetite, that's all."

Before the girls could say anymore on the subject the flight attendant announced that boarding was completed and that there was going to be a safety demonstration. Oliver observed that about only half of the people in the cabin actually looked like they were paying attention. Beside him, Lilly and Miley had already begun to peruse the magazines they had picked up while they were waiting in the terminal to board. Across the isle Jackson was snoring and Robbie Ray was organizing their boarding passes for the connecting flights to Boston.

Nudging Lilly with his elbow, Oliver said, "You're supposed to be paying attention. What if some sort of emergency comes up"?

Lilly looked up at him from her magazine, "Well, that's what I have you for. Now pay attention before you miss something."

"You're so lazy," Oliver huffed.

Lilly scoffed, "Excuse me. Who was the one who almost fell asleep in class last Friday"?

"And I would have succeeded if you hadn't jabbed me in the ribs," Oliver replied. "Plus, you almost got me a detention."

"Oh, for—Oliver we've been over this a hundred times," Lilly said with an air of great annoyance, "You weren't going to get detention."

Oliver huffed again, "Says you."

"Yes, says me," Lilly replied, "Now, read my magazine with me."

"Oh, Lilly, I don't want to read some girly magazine," Oliver complained. Lilly pouted at him. "Forget it." Lilly's lip began quivering. "Oh, alright, fine." Smiling brightly, Lilly scooted closer to him, leaning over the armrest to give him a better view of the magazine. Oliver had read no more than a few lines before he had confirmed his fears that the article was going to bore him stupid, though, Lilly would probably say he already was. Looking over the top of Lilly's head, Oliver saw Miley watching them, before she smiled warmly and turned back to her magazine. Oliver couldn't help but smile himself, he was warm and comfortable, and Lilly was very soft beside him. He barely even registered how heavy his eyelids were getting.

Lilly turned to Oliver to ask if he was ready to turn to the next page, only to find him already asleep, "Wow, I guess these things really are boring to guys." Folding the magazine in her lap, Lilly took a moment to look at Oliver's peaceful face. She was tempted, for a moment, to poke him in the side and wake him, but as she continued to watch him, slouched slightly in his chair, his breathing coming in and out in a steady rhythm, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Reaching out with her hand, she gently brushed a few stray bangs from his forehead, before opening her magazine once more and continuing to read the article she had been perusing in the meager light of the airplane cabin.

XXXXXX

"Oliver…Oliver! Wake up"!

Groaning, Oliver opened his eyes to find Lilly shaking his shoulder, "Wassa matter"?

"We're getting ready to land and we need to be ready to get to our connecting flight," Lilly replied.

"Alright," Oliver yawned, closing his eyes again.

"Oh, no you don't," Lilly said, jabbing Oliver in the side this time.

Oliver jumped, gripping the armrests tightly. "I hate it when you do that!" Oliver whispered, rubbing his sore side.

"Then don't go back to sleep," Lilly chided. Oliver rolled his eyes and sat up straighter while Lilly replaced her magazine in her carry-on pack.

Oliver rubbed his face for a minute, "Where are we again"?

"On a plane," Lilly replied seriously.

Oliver gave her a flat look, "I meant what city are we in."

"Chicago."

"Thank you," Oliver said sarcastically, and Lilly smiled prettily.

"You're welcome."

The landing had gone smoothly, and soon they were making their way through the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. It was less crowded now, since it was so early in the morning, and the gift shops were all closed, much to Lilly's disappointment.

"Oh, so cute," Lilly pouted, admiring a pink, beanie in a shop window.

"Come on," Oliver said, taking her by the arm and dragging her away from the window.

"Man, the award ceremony is tonight, are you gonna be rested enough, Miley?" Oliver asked.

"Sure," Miley responded, "We'll have a little time to catch-up on our sleep once we get to Boston, the ceremony isn't until eight o'clock."

"I still think Mikayla is going to want to kill you," Lilly chimed in.

"Bah, I can handle her, and my dad can handle her manager," Miley responded confidently, "Right, Daddy"?

"Now, Miley, I don't want you to go picking any fights, you got it?" Robbie Ray replied.

"Uh, but, Dad—"

"Miley," Robbie Ray warned.

"Oh, alright, fine," Miley huffed.

Robbie Ray pulled Miley into a one armed hug, "I know she gets under your skin, Darlin', but you gotta be the bigger person."

"I know," Miley sighed.

They arrived at the gate just as boarding was beginning, so they didn't have to wait long to find their seats on the plane, for which they were all thankful. The flight to Boston was also much shorter than the flight from Malibu to Chicago, and before they knew it they were touching down at Logan International Airport. Dawn was just beginning to color the Chicago skyline as they stepped out of their limo at the Boston, Tipton, they had changed into their various disguises at the airport.

"Ah, Ms. Montana, welcome back," the hotel manager, Marion Moseby, greeted them as they approached the counter. "Oh, and Mr. Montana as well, of course."

"Thanks," Hannah replied, smiling despite how tired she felt, "It's good to be back."

"All of your accommodations are in order," Moseby continued, handing out their various key cards, "Your rooms will be on the twenty-third floor, and of course, I'll have your bags brought up to you immediately."

"Thank you so much," Hannah said, taking her key.

"Esteban!" Moseby shouted, and the bellhop immediately came to his side, "Please, escort Ms. Montana and her guests to their rooms."

"Ms. Montana!" Esteban exclaimed in his rich accent, "It is so wonderful to be seeing you here again—"

Moseby cleared his throat, "Estaban, Ms. Montana has just arrived from a very long flight from Malibu, so if you would be so kind as to show her to her room, I'm sure there will be plenty of time for catching up later."

"Oh, right," Esteban said, coming back to attention. Picking up their various bags and loading them onto a luggage cart, Esteban led the way to the elevator. Once they had arrived on the twenty-third floor, Esteban led them to their rooms, making sure to leave the proper luggage behind, before moving onto the next room. Once they were all settled in, he excused himself to return to the lobby.

The rooms were all joined together by doors, with room the Stewarts were staying in being the largest, and Lilly and Oliver's own rooms being slightly smaller, each located on either side of the Stewart's main suite.

"Wow," Lola said, stifling a yawn, "These rooms are really nice. The most my dad can usually afford is those tiny little rooms that only have one bed and no television."

"I didn't even know those kind of rooms existed," Miley said, removing her Hannah wig.

"Do we have to be in disguise every time we leave the room?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah," Miley replied, "We have to keep up appearances. I can't afford to have anyone figuring out who I am."

"What about Jackson?" Oliver asked, looking over at him.

"Pft, I never go to these things," Jackson scoffed, "I just come along for the ride."

"How supportive of you," Lilly retorted.

"Hey, don't get on me just because I don't want to dress up in a bunch of goofy outfits all the time."

"Goofy outfits!?" Lilly cried, outraged, "I'll have you know I spend a lot of time picking out these outfits," Lilly huffed, sticking her nose in the air.

"It's true," Oliver added, "I've been there. She can take hours."

"Oh, who asked you?" Lilly snapped, swatting at him. Oliver laughed as jumped out of range before tripping over a chair and winding up on his back. The whole room erupted with laughter, and Oliver turned very red, but it was all short lived as exhaustion served to put out their amusement or embarrassment, respectively. Stifling another yawn, Lilly declared herself ready for some sleep. Nodding their agreement the others meandered their way to their respective beds, some not even bothering to undress, before flopping onto them for some much needed rest. It was going to be a busy day after all.