Author's Notes: I'm sorry I couldn't update any sooner than this! I'm writing an original story for the National Novel Month and haven't had time to update any of my fan fiction. I'm sorry!

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-Six

For awhile things didn't go very smoothly for Taichi. The purchase of the bookstore nearly sent him into bankruptcy due to the fact that he used most of his savings on it and it took a few months for things to really take off. People were used to Mrs. Izumi running the place and needed to adjust to the new ownership.

But near June everything picked up again. The store started turning in a nice profit, largely due to the lack of competition it experienced, and life was going good for his friends too. Daisuke and Hikari actually were still together and had plans on moving in together. Yamato and his band had been playing a lot of gigs in Japan and had another CD on its way; though his best friend still seemed sad at times when Taichi found him by himself. Jyou's film had done well in theaters and Koushirou had gotten a raise. He and Miyako were doing better than ever.

Unfortunately Takeru and Catherine were still together as well. However, he had found himself caring less and less about the fact that his younger friend was making the biggest mistake of his life and as a result spent less time with him.

Not that Takeru seemed to care all that much. For some reason Taichi felt he should be worried, especially at the times when his friend and Catherine would share unpleasant knowing looks. He didn't trust them…

However, he soon received news that took his mind as far away from the troublesome couple as humanly possible.

"You're what?" he gasped at Miyako and Koushirou, both grinning widely, across from his desk. The two had come during his lunch break at work and he had been so shocked that he had knocked his food all over the floor.

"We're engaged, Tai," affirmed Koushirou and Miyako held up her hand, showing off the pretty engagement wring. "And we'd like to thank you."

"Thank me?" he asked incredulously as he continued his task of retrieving the contents of his lunch. "For what?"

"You brought us together and you bought my mother's store."

Miyako nodded, continuing. "We're going to New York in a month, to celebrate. And we'd love it if you came along."

Taichi paused, too charmed for words, before he said, "Well I always did want to see New York and I guess I can get someone to cover for me."

It wasn't until after the shiny, happy couple left did he realize that New York was where Mimi lived.

The remainder of the month passed by so quickly he had no idea what hit him. First, he was making arrangements for the store to be taken care of, then he was packing his bags, and finally he was actually on the plane. The flight didn't bother him as his thoughts were too preoccupied with the chance he might somehow run into Mimi.

He finally decided that New York was a big city, that the chances of actually running into Mimi were as likely as being struck by lightning, and yet he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing yet. However, his dilemma was quickly resolved by Miyako.

"Before I forget we have to make a stop somewhere. The boss has some papers for me to deliver to Tachikawa Mimi."

His heart nearly stopped mid-beat. "Tachikawa Mimi?"

"Yeah…hey you know her right?" she beamed at him as he nodded. "Good! Then you'll have someone to hang around with if Koushirou and I go off by ourselves!"

He wanted to sink into a hole in the earth and never come back to the surface.

The drive to Mimi's home was much too short for Taichi's nerves and he bounced on his seat, glad he hadn't confided in his friends about the tension between him and the female brunette. The situation was awkward enough has it was.

But it just so happened that Lady Luck was on his side.

After arriving at Mimi's New York Brownstone, which she owned not rented, and after being invited inside by the nice housekeeper-"Call me, Rosie"-they were informed at Mimi was currently on vacation in Ireland.

He had let out a relieved sigh as Miyako rummaged through her bag for the papers. Rosie set out a batch of cookies which Koushirou hungrily dug into and Taichi declined as his stomach was just returning from the floor to its rightful paper.

"Here," said Miyako as she placed a manila envelope on the kitchen counter. "Could you please make sure Miss Tachikawa sees this when she gets back?" Rosie nodded and as they rose to leave a picture caught Miyako's eye and she enquired, "Is that her? I've never seen her in person before."

Rosie brightened at the subject of her employer and nodded. "Yes, this is Mimi. She's gorgeous, don't you think?"

"She's very beautiful. Hey, Taichi, does the picture do her any justice?"

The housekeeper's attention snapped to Taichi. "You know Mimi?"

"Yeah, we've met. Are you two good friends?"

She nodded. "Mimi is like a second daughter to me. You see, most people think she's arrogant, but I've never worked for a nicer woman. She even helped my daughter find a good job after her baby was born."

Taichi felt sick as she spoke and it didn't help matters that Koushirou had arched an eyebrow at him as he sensed some sort of tension. "Excuse me," he quickly muttered before dashing outside.

His foot caught in a crack on the pavement of the sidewalk and he narrowly avoided a collision with a woman walking in his direction.

"I'm sorry-Taichi?"

A lump formed in his throat as he looked up to see Mimi staring at him in confusion.

He wondered when the lightening bolt was going to strike him down.

Author's Notes: That's all for now. Things are winding down. Please read and review.