Author's Note: I would like to thank all the readers and reviewers who are reading this story as well as my other ones! Sorry that I have not updated soon, college is a lot of work. =[ And on top of that my wisdom teeth are getting pulled tomorrow! WOOT! Well once I am better there will be more updates. I promise.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hannah Montana or its characters.

The Palace Nightclub
Sunday, July 11
10:38 PM

Lilly was already miserable. It had been a long day, and all she had managed to do was bicker with the new client and then spend an awkward ride back to Los Angeles from the desert in Miley's limousine. Lilly sat across from Miley with Lucas sitting next to her and staring at Lilly accusingly the entire time. It was an hour and a half of tension, after a long drawn out day. She expected that they would return to Miley's home. When they returned to LA, it was already late, she was looking forward to settling down into her room and calling it a night but then Miley decided she was ready to go to a club, and Lilly was floored.

She walked around, keeping a glass of club soda in her hand and taking the occasional sip while she continued to keep her eyes on Miley. She was working on her third drink and partying like it was a Saturday night, not a Sunday. Lilly was exhausted and keeping an eye on the gorgeous brunette who couldn't stand her wasn't exactly her idea of a good time.

"You're new to this aren't you?"

Lilly turned to see a muscular man standing before her. Wearing a tight black tank top that fit snugly to accentuate his physique, his bulging biceps were in clear view. With short black hair slicked back, he raised a curious brow, and a sly smirk adorned his brown skin face.

"That obvious?" Lilly questioned with a friendly smile.

"When you've been around like I have you can spot the newbie's." He extended his hand to Lilly who readily took it. "I'm Brandon Anderson."

"Lilly Truscott. Good to meet you."

"Same here. So who do you have?" Brandon asked as they both surveyed the crowd.

"Miley Stewart," Lilly responded. "You?"

"Joannie Palumbo... the singer. She's over there." he pointed with the hand that held his bottle of beer.

"She doesn't mind you drinking on the job?"

"What are you talking about?" Brandon scoffed. "We're not cops... or are you?"

"Close but not quite," Lilly answered. "So how did you get into this?" she asked wanting to switch topics. She really didn't want to discuss her role in the ISA.

"Short story is I was a running back for the Steelers for two years until I blew out my knee for good and there went my career. With my size and the fact that I love to give guys a bruising, this seemed like the best fit. Signed up with a security agency and next thing I know I'm going to after-parties like this. It's the good life," he commented with a charming grin. After taking a swig from his bottle, he glanced at Lilly. "Now, how in the hell did a little girl like you get a gig with the infamous Miley Stewart?"

"Infamous? I didn't realize she had such a reputation." Lilly commented, "As for my size, trust me I can handle myself."

Brandon simply chuckled in response. "Look, here's the deal. These folks work crazy hours and can party until dawn and go on set or to the studio a couple hours later like nothing ever happened. Welcome to LA Lilly. This is a different world. There are no rules for them and from what I've heard, Miley isn't exactly the biggest party girl or troublemaker out there but she can definitely hold her own. But I'm sure you've figured that out."

Lilly gazed out into the crowd to see Miley dancing amongst a group and she couldn't help but be mesmerized by her. She was very drawn to her. She was a free spirit, that was more than obvious, but she also had a fiery temper that she witnessed at the photo shoot. "She's definitely something." she finally commented.

Miley's Home
Monday, July 12
12:23 AM

Lilly followed Miley quietly through her lavish home carrying her bags in her hands. Miley barely spoke to Lilly and after watching her act so carefree at the club Lilly knew she had a lot of work cut out for her. She was careless and didn't seem to be concerned that she needed to be cautious. Lilly decided they would have a serious talk about it in the morning after she had slept, but when Miley led her toward the back door and walked out, she immediately had to protest.

"Where are you going?" Lilly asked, refusing to walk outside.

"I'm taking you to the pool house." Miley said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"The pool house? As in away from this house?"

"Right... by the... Pool." she said, speaking slowly and deliberately in a snobbish manner.

Lilly's eyes narrowed in on her, annoyed by her tone. "Why?"

"Where else are you going to stay?" she asked with tremendous attitude. "I'm being forced to have you around, I don't need to make you comfortable."

"But I need to be close by... as in, I need to be in the house. If I have to, I'll crash on the couch."

"Like hell you will," Miley scoffed. "It's the pool house or nothing, especially if you continue that nasty smoking habit of yours. I don't want you doing that in my home. Hell, I don't want you doing it out there either."

Lilly put her hands up in defeat. "Fine."

A small smile of satisfaction came across her face. "I knew you'd see it my way. Well, it was great to meet you," she said insincerely. "Tell dear old daddy thanks but no thanks, I don't need his help. I'm tired, so you can see yourself out."

Lilly watched in confusion as she began to walk away. She's a piece of work. "Hold on a minute sweetheart," she said, her New York accent thickening on the last word. A smug look swept across her face when she turned around. Miley's blue eyes were fierce and Lilly could tell she was ready to spit fire. "You misunderstood me. I have a job to do and I intend to do it. You may have some issues with Robbie Ray..."

"ISSUES?" she interrupted angrily.

Lilly quickly put her hand up to stop her from continuing her outburst. "I'm talking honey," she said condescendingly. "Like I was saying, you may have some issues with Robbie that's fine, but they're not mine so don't try and bring me into the middle of it. It's not going to happen. But what will happen is I'm going to stay in one of your guestrooms in the house." She saw Miley begin to protest and quickly stopped her. "AND... as a compromise I'll get the patch, I'll chew gum, whatever I have to do... but I have to stay in the house. That is not up for negotiation. Okay?" It took every ounce of strength for Lilly not to laugh at Miley's look of extreme dissatisfaction. She couldn't help but to continue to press the issue further. "So where's my room?"


Tuesday, July 13
8:23 AM

Lilly was hardly able to sleep that night and woke up craving a cigarette. In order to relieve the stress she took an early morning jog and returned to Miley's home with a small package from a nearby mart. She arrived to see Miley up with a cup of coffee in hand and shuffling her fuzzy slipper clad feet along the floor. At seeing Lilly, she cut her eyes at her and tried her best not to acknowledge her presence, but it was difficult. Lilly wore a grey t-shirt that molded to her frame and a pair of short navy blue soccer shorts. With every glance, Miley was more and more mesmerized by her physique. Lilly was aware of her occasional glances but it never really fazed her. She began to make her way up the stairs.

"We'll need to set some ground rules," Lilly muttered as she disappeared up the stairwell.

"I bet." Miley mumbled in response and continued to sip her coffee, catching an occasional glance of her as she walked away.

About half an hour later, Lilly had showered and dressed, ready to start her day and talk to Miley but she needed some assistance. She pulled out the few items she purchased at the nearby mart and sighed. Tearing into the first box, she quickly read over the directions and peeled back the patch then placed the adhesive onto her upper arm. Already getting more anxious, she opened the other package and immediately popped a piece of gum into her mouth, chewing rapidly to control the craving but her nerves were still shot.

Grabbing her cell phone she was soon awaiting an answer on the other end while she chewed her gum frantically. When Robbie Ray answered she seemed to calm down a bit. "Robbie, it's Lilly."

"Lilly, how are you kid? I heard you made it to LA safely. I got a brief report from Oliver about what you're planning to do."

"Yeah, I'm here, trying to keep up."

"How are things? How's Miles?"

"Well, your Miles is... um... well she's a piece of work. I'm actually about to talk to her and set some ground rules, but it's not going to be an easy task. She doesn't want me here and we've barely spoken. When she does it's to bicker with me over something like smoking, which by the way she's forced me to quit in order to stay in her home."

"It is a bad habit kid."

"Robbie that's not the point!" Lilly snapped.

"I'm sorry Lilly," Robbie Ray chuckled. "It's just that despite everything I do know my daughter and I know how difficult she can be. She is just like her mother in that respect. But I didn't want to tell you that upfront and discourage you from taking the assignment. Point is I have faith in you kid. Miley will come around eventually, just be patient and in the meantime, do your job. Keep her safe."

With those words, Lilly's conversation with Robbie Ray ended and she looked for Miley. She wasn't surprised to see her in her robe and fuzzy slippers like before with a cup of coffee in her hand. Sitting at the kitchen table, she looked through the newspaper and didn't look up to see Lilly enter the room.

Lilly poured herself a cup of coffee, quickly making herself comfortable in Miley's home and took a seat at the table, across from the brunette. Lilly watched her closely, seeing her pay attention to the paper and obviously choosing to ignore her.

"Would you stop staring at me?" she finally said, but continued to keep her head buried in the periodical.

"I was wondering how long you were going to ignore me."

"Trust me, I can continue without a problem." she muttered.

"That's fine, but we do need to set sound ground rules. I do have a job to do and I've agreed to try my hand at quitting smoking." She lifted her sleeve to reveal the patch on her bicep. "I'm trying to see if this does me any good," she said with a light chuckle that quickly faded when Miley didn't raise her head to see what she was trying to show her. "Okay," she mumbled. After a brief pause she continued when she turned the page of the newspaper, and continued to read intently. "Look, I know this isn't an ideal situation for you. This must be hard, but we have to develop some sort of rapport. We've started off on the wrong foot but..."

"Forget this wrong foot shit. I don't want you here," Miley forcefully interjected. For the first time she looked up at Lilly. Her blue eyes were fierce with great intensity. "Forget this being hard and not being ideal. I do not need your help."

"Then why in the hell did you agree to have me here?" Lilly asked angrily.

"I didn't have a choice. But since you are here, let me tell you what my ground rules are... stay out of my way."

"That's a problem considering I'm your bodyguard. Let me tell you something, this is how it's going to work and there's no point in arguing, because I have a job to do and I'm not letting you get in my way of doing it correctly. You'll just have to live with that... Miles."