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 Twenty-Five

Taichi was going nowhere fast.

His friends were all badgering him to get a job and get out of the apartment but he just couldn't seem to accomplish that. True, he had sent his resume out and had gotten more than a handful of offers but he didn't want to be stuck in that same oppressive, office environment again.

Especially since he wouldn't be able to free himself from it if it happened again.

But he found the second demand, getting out of the loft, much easier. He would take walks, volunteer in Mrs. Izumi's bookstore, meet up with the others to do something, or spend time with Miyako and Koushirou.

Though he only went through with the latter between time spans of several days. He couldn't stomach staying around a happy couple for more than a few hours.

It was Mimi's fault.

He sighed; he had tried to find Mimi's phone number in New York but usually abandoned the search half-way through. While he wanted to apologize to her and perhaps be given an opportunity to get to know her better if she would allow it but he was afraid that she was still angry at his rejection of her.

He collapsed back on the couch and flicked through the television channels. Eventually he picked one showing a movie that Takeru would've liked and he would've deemed as being too girly. But he had liked the actress in it since he had seen Pirates of the Caribbean and even he had to admit that the book it had been based on had a good storyline even it was a romance.

He even found himself engrossed in the film as Pride and Prejudice unfurled before his eyes. Immediately he was struck by the similarities with his life at the present moment with its plot. Like Jane and Bingly, Sora and Yamato had been separated even though they had strong feelings for each other and like Lydia Takeru had fallen in with a two-faced scoundrel that was probably more interested in money than anything else.

But the greatest parallel had to do with himself.

He emphasized entirely with the main character, Elizabeth Bennet, and her situation with the seemingly arrogant and self-centered Darcy, and identified her problems with Mr. Darcy has the same ones he had with Mimi. Similarly to Elizabeth, he had pushed the outwardly egocentric though secretly sensitive individual away because he had been too preoccupied with the duplicity enigmatic trouble-maker.

However, unlike that story he had little hopes for a happy conclusion.

"I don't think I'm going to get my little Miss Darcy. It's not looking good for Yamato and Bingly either."

"I hate love…."

Later that day found Taichi inside Longbourn, the bookstore the Izumi family owned. He could say without bias that this was one of his favorite places to be. The store was small and tucked in between two larger ones but there was a real sense of home clinging to it. There were bells on the door that jingled everytime a customer strolled inside and there was usually a fresh plate of cookies lying around.

And he loved to work there.

Especially when it got his mind off his present situation and got him discounts.

However, today he had noticed something worrisome about the store. A "Going Out of Business" banner was slung over the wall and every item was half-off. An odd lump formed in his throat and he made a funny gurgling noise that he was glad no one was around to here.

He stumbled through the store and into the backroom where Izumi Yoshie was holed in, going over the accounting books. She brushed a strand of dark red hair behind her ear and glanced up when he coughed.

She smiled though it didn't quite meet her eyes. "Hello, Taichi. How are you today?"

He ignored the question and asked one of his own. "Why?"

She sighed deeply. "Oh Taichi…it's been three years since Masami passed away….and I just think it's time to start over."

He sunk into the chair opposite her, feeling numb. She continued, pretending not to notice his reaction. "I found a new apartment and everything. Koushirou is helping me move in….I just need to find someone who wants to buy the store and I'll be able to leave." She frowned. "I just wish whoever buys it will keep it the way it is. Though I suppose that's a little too much to hope for…"

"I'll buy it."

"What?"

"I'll buy it," he repeated more firmly. She blinked hesitant and he urged, "I have money! I didn't get a chance to cash in my last paycheck I was sent and if that's not enough I'll save up more! Please! I can't see this place close down!"

"Taichi….I would like nothing better than for you to take over for me."

He grinned and really meant it for the first time in almost two months.

He was finally going to be able to own the bookstore he had wanted.

Author's Notes: That's all for now. And yes, Mimi will be back soon so don't worry. Please read and review.