Minnie stood in her kitchen, clutching the counter. Tears of hurt, anger, and pure shock flowed from her eyes. Her mind was spinning; in all her thoughts of the future, she had never, ever believed that this would happen… not even as a remote possibility. It was just not possible for this to be happening.

But now here she was, living her worst nightmare. She felt her entire world breaking apart, the pieces scattering all over. Her mind was reeling with anger, shock and utter disbelief.

Why? That single question kept pounding in her head every second. Why?

Why would Mickey ask her if she wanted to break up with him? Did he want to break up with her? The thought of that made her want to scream. Just a few hours ago she thought she'd lost him forever, and then gotten him back only to have her heart shattered again.

By the person she trusted most, loved more than anything in the world.

Minnie shut her eyes tightly, squeezing the counter so hard that her hands hurt. Not once in her life had she ever felt so furious with Mickey.

How could he? How? She stood there, clenching the counter, her body shuddering, her eyes burning as hot tears flowed down her face.

But after several long minutes, she felt her anger start to fade. She couldn't stay angry with him. Even now, she still loved him. But she still felt hurt and confused.

Why?

As the question spun through her mind, she thought back to how Mickey had acted throughout the whole awful experience, from his voice on the phone to his rescue of her to when he'd asked that terrible question, trying to make sense of it. There had to be a reason.

She thought of all the emotions she'd read in his voice and in his face. None of the anger she'd seen or heard was directed at her, only at the people who'd taken her. All Minnie had seen when he looked at her was love, encouragement, and… fear; overwhelming fear.

It was the same fear she'd felt when she saw him hurt, while he was fighting the Phantom Blot, and when she thought he'd been shot. The fear of losing the person you love more than life itself.

With that realization, the female mouse instantly smiled and felt her heart come back together with a sense of deep relief.

Mickey didn't want to break up with her; deep down, she never truly believed that he did. He was just afraid for her… of something bad happening to her, like what happened tonight. She understood that now.

Suddenly remembering how she'd stormed out before he could explain, Minnie gasped and hurried back toward the living room, praying that Mickey hadn't left. She had to tell him she was sorry.

Her momentary relief when she saw him sitting on the couch instantly faded when she saw Mickey's shoulders shuddering with repressed sobs, his hands covering his face, and the way he slumped in his seat.

He looked like an empty husk. It was like all his natural confidence and optimism had been drained away. Minnie inhaled and took a step toward him.

Mickey's ears twitched and he turned his head toward her. Her heart twisted at the terrible pain in his vacant eyes. He looked as though he wanted to melt into the floor and disappear completely. She approached the couch slowly, realizing how deeply she must have hurt him.

"Mickey…" But before she could continue, he suddenly let out a strangled wail and slumped forward, pressing his clenched fists to his head.

"I'm so sorry, Minnie!" he cried, unable to even look at her. "I never should've asked that, but… but the Blot kidnapped you because of me, 'cause he wanted to get to me. He would've hurt you, maybe even…"

He couldn't finish; just the thought of it tore out his heart. He slumped even further forward and whimpered, "It… it was all my fault…"

He broke off, his entire body shaking with silent but wrenching sobs. Minnie was too stunned to say anything; she had seen Mickey cry before, but only rarely, and never like this.

As he kept sobbing, tears came to her own eyes. Finally Minnie walked over, sat down beside Mickey and put her arms around him.

"Shh…" she murmured, gently stroking his back. "It's all right. I'm here, and I'm fine. Please don't blame yourself… it wasn't your fault," she told him, trying hard not to cry herself. After almost a half hour Mickey inhaled shakily and placed a trembling hand on hers.

"I'm sorry," he rasped. "But, some enemies I go after… they know that they can use you to get t' me, and they won't think twice 'bout doing it. I'd rather be alone than to make y' deal with that." He looked down and closed his eyes again, tears seeping out.

"And if something happened to you, I… I could never live with myself," he said, then gently squeezed the hand he was holding.

"You mean more to me than anything, Minnie," he murmured. "I love you so much, it hurts. If you were gone, I'd be nothing." Minnie's eyes brimmed, her heart filled with overwhelming love.

"Oh, Mickey…" she whispered. Reaching up a hand, she turned his head toward her until his eyes met hers, kissed him deeply, and then nestled against his chest.

"I love you too," she said softly. "I always have, I always will. And I could never leave you. That's the one thing in my life I'm completely sure of." She drew back and placed both hands on the sides of his face, smiling lovingly.

"And you can be sure of it too, baby," she said sincerely. "I don't regret a single thing and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, because you're worth it all… and so much more."

Mickey gazed into her shining eyes, then slowly smiled back and touched his nose to hers, drawing her into his arms.

"Right back at you, kiddo." Their lips met in a loving kiss, and then they held each other close, both thankful beyond belief. They'd almost lost each other twice tonight, and now both mice knew that neither would ever let that happen again.

Minnie nuzzled against the other half of her heart; his warmth spread through her, soothing away any remaining stress of her experience, and she couldn't resist a small, squeaking yawn. Mickey heard it and kissed one of her ears, grinning.

"Go ahead and get some rest, Min… I'll be right here," Mickey said softly. He stroked the top of her head as she closed her eyes and slowly dozed off, her head on his chest.

He gazed at her as she slept and closed his arms around her, saying a silent prayer of thanks that she was safe, and that he was here with her. He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.

"I love you," he murmured in her ear. "So, so much." Without opening her eyes, Minnie smiled and nestled even closer to Mickey.

"I love you more." Mickey smiled and nuzzled her, feeling her heart beat in perfect time with his.

"Not possible, Min," he said softly. "Not possible."