Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

When they say you're
not that strong
Well you're not that weak
It's not your fault
When you climb up to your hill
Up to your place
I hope you're well
There's nothing left to prove
Nothing I won't do
Nothing like the pain
I feel for you
Nothing left to hide
Nothing left to fear
I am always here
-"Not Enough," Our Lady Peace

Not Enough
Chapter Fifteen

Since Catherine's arrival Taichi and Takeru's friendship had gone in a whole new direction, which unfortunately did not improve their bond. To the disappointment of their friends neither was usually happy or comfortable when the other was in the room and they had developed the habit of cutting off each other's sentences. Not to mention the fact that they vied against themselves over the French woman's attentions.

Matters between them had worsened considerably the following week when the two wrestled each other over who would win the remote control. Taichi had Takeru pinned, despite the blonde man's valiant efforts, and was effectively rubbing it in his face when Daisuke walked in.

He had arched an eyebrow at the sight and said, "Okay. When I'm amazed at the immaturity, you know you've gone too far."

Taichi scowled and helped himself and Takeru to their feet but it melted off his face as he studied the other man. Daisuke had lost some weight and there was a tired though jubilant expression in his wide brown eyes.

Before he could comment Daisuke's cell phone rang to the tune of the Fall Out Boy song, "Dance Dance", and the actor promptly answered it, walking away from his friends. Though they, and the good people of Australia, could hear the subsequent cry of "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"

Taichi was seriously wondering if he was living in a secret insane asylum and was the only sane person around.

Work had improved to some degree for three reasons: his amount of tasks had lessened somewhat, Catherine and he had more time to hang around each other, and Mimi had been coming less and less. He was pretty sure it was because she didn't want the other woman to publicly announce her secret.

"It'll come out eventually," agreed the blonde woman. "Not by me though. I'm not a fan of making scenes."

He shrugged and passed the carton of Chinese takeout they had ordered over to her. The two were seated over his desk, cartons of food spread across the surface, and were conversing friendly when the subject of Mimi had somehow come up, though neither was quite sure how.

"I can't understand how her and Sora are such close friends. She's impossible but Sora's just so damn nice."

She nodded, a pensive expression crossing over her features. "I know what you mean. Sora and I have only met a few times but there's just something likeable about her."

"Are you going to her party?" Her light blue eyes darkened and he continued, "Guess not. Not all of Sora's friends are as nice as she is."

"I might go. Mimi doesn't scare me after all." She grinned. "If it comes down to one of us leaving Japan, it's not going to be me."

"Good."

The party that Friday was held at a local club that the record label had rented for the evening. Though the number of guests was much smaller than at the original one, through Sora's doing, it was much more lively than the last one. Loud, fast-paced music blared over the stereo has a sea of couples moved across the dance floor. The lighting was low and the bar was turning out numerous alcoholic beverages and some snack foods.

Yamato had abandoned them all almost as soon as they walked past the door and glued himself immediately to Sora's side. Takeru, Daisuke, and Jyou rolled their eyes and gravitated towards the bar though Taichi was a little more preoccupied than his friends. Chocolate orbs roamed over the crowd for some sign of Catherine and he walked around the length of the dance floor in his search.

An hour later he admitted defeat and reassured himself with the fact that Mimi was also not present. Doing his best to be happy he took up a few women on their offers on dancing and than went over to where Yamato and Sora were.

His conscience picked at him for distracting their conversation, especially as Sora had placed a hand on Yamato's arm, but never the less he tapped his friend on the shoulder. Yamato broke away gently from Sora and when the two were out of earshot was rallied on by Taichi.

"Does Sora know anything about what happened between Catherine and Mimi?"

Yamato arched one perfect golden eyebrow. "She really doesn't know anything about it since she only met Catherine once or twice and Mimi didn't really say much about what happened. But from what she was able to pick up from people that were close to both of them, it was apparently all Catherine's fault. And she agrees with them."

"Well of course she agrees. Mimi's her best friend! Besides, she doesn't know that much about it anyway."

"And you do?"

"…I'm going outside. This place is giving me a headache."

He left before Yamato could say anything and he suppressed a smirk as he faintly heard his friend groan in irritation. It took him nearly ten minutes to get through the crowd to the backdoor and he hastily slipped outside as his skull felt ready to explode.

But he wasn't the only one who had gotten this idea.

Mimi leaned up against the wall, lost in thought, and was only aware of his presence by the sound of his footsteps. Her honey hair had been pulled into an intricate looking bun though a few tendrils had escaped and framed her face. She wore a light black jacket, a dark pink shirt with a plunging neckline, a denim skirt, and a pair of black heeled boots. The makeup she wore was done so adeptly that at first glance he thought she hadn't been wearing any.

He froze and she stiffened noticeably; it figured that he would run right into the person he had been trying to avoid, it was just his luck. But he would not be chased away by her, he was much too proud for that. So he instead stood next to her, doing his best to ignore her.

She followed along with him and the two stayed in a complete silence for so long that he found himself speaking. His attempts had conversation were met with swift replies and he found himself growing more and more frustrated at her.

"That's it! It's your turn, Mimi!"

She blinked, large cinnamon eyes at him. "My turn?"

"To start a conversation! I've talked this entire time so now it's your turn to wow me with your intellect…"

She giggled. "Wow you with my intellect…I don't know about that."

"Fine. Tell me something about yourself then."

"About me? Well…it's not very easy for me to forgive people. And if what they did was bad enough they've lost my good opinion forever."

"Is that what happened between you and Catherine?"

The scowl she gave him did not complement her lovely features in the slightest. "She's still good at making friends, I see. Though it remains to be seen how good she is at keeping them."

"Better than you, probably."

The two remained in a frosty silence for the rest of the night.

Author's Notes: That's all for now. Please read and review.