A longer chapter this time. Bring on the drama! I dedicate this chapter to my buddy Rebecca, for her alone time with Katie idea :) Thanks to everyone else reviewing on this story.

By the way, the song they dance to in this chapter...you can see exactly what it looked like if you go to and search "Highschool Musical 3 - Can I have this dance?" The way they dance is the way Lola and Michael dance. Enjoy!

Two Hearts. One Dream Ch. 9

We were able to come home the next day as the doctor had promised. Luckily for me, I only suffered minor burns on my feet and slight smoke inhalation. Michael hadn't hardly slept at all. The nurses came in every few hours to draw blood and make sure I was still doing okay.

I looked at Michael while we rode on the way home. He had dark circles under his eyes and he wasn't speaking hardly to anyone. He noticed me looking at him and he gave me a fake smile.

"Don't do that," I mumbled.

"What?" he asked.

"Don't act like you're not tired. I'm sorry I kept you up all night."

"You didn't, silly. The nurses did," he smiled.

"I should've stayed home," I whispered, looking away from him. "I'm sorry, Michael."

"Hey, stop that," he grumbled and turned my face towards him and kissed the back of my hand. "You have no reason to be sorry. You know, you're like me. Never can be completely satisfied. You've done it all at the ranch and you wanted a change in scenery. I can't hold that against you. I would've done the same thing."

I smiled and held his hand. "There really isn't much I can do even being away from Neverland. I don't like being without you. Life becomes so dull when you're not around."

Michael smiled at me and kissed me gently. "I'll never leave you alone again. I promise."

When we got back to the ranch, Kai had a special dinner set up for us. Michael's family made me a card and Katie offered to stay and help take care of me.

"Mother, that's very generous of you, but I can take care of Lola. It's really no problem for me," Michael told Katie.

Katie pursed her lips. I could feel some kind of tension between her and Joseph and I cleared my throat. "Michael, I love you to death and beyond, but you look terrible. Let Katie stay. You need to get some rest."

"But Lola..."

"Michael," I pouted and gave him a sad look.

"Okay, okay! I'll do whatever you want, just don't make that face!" he groaned.

"It's a gift," I winked. I guess I really was like him now. I was using his phrases and making the same comments as he normally would. He rolled his eyes at me and I giggled. He picked up a few of my traits as well.

"Goodnight, ladies," he kissed Katie on the cheek and lightly kissed my lips. "If you need me, I won't be far. I love you."

"Love you more," I grinned.

"Sure, sure. Have fun girls," he gave his mom a look.

"We will once you leave," Katie teased.

Michael made a scrunched look and made us laugh before he finally turned down the hallway towards his bedroom.

"Such a crazy boy, that Michael. I don't know how you keep up with him now. I had a hard enough time when he was just a boy and he hasn't changed much," Katie chuckled.

She sat on the couch with the first aid kit and lifted my bandaged feet into her lap. I ignored the slight pain as she cleaned the burns and rebandaged me.

"You did good, Katie. I've gotta say, I've never had more respect for one person as I do now. He's a kid at heart, but his heart is so gentile and he's so amazing. All of your children are amazing."

I heard Joseph grunt in the back of the room and he slowly got up and walked out towards the guest house. Katie just ignored him and kept her eyes on me.

"Oh, child, they picked up their own traits without any help from me," she rocked a little in her seat.

"You've done so much. You raised them all and taught them well. They each have such fragile hearts and it's all from you. They're only where they are now because of you."

Katie smiled and blushed a little. I would've brought up the things I've learned before about how hard Joseph was on them, yet she was their only support through it all. This woman was everything I wanted to be. I felt tears burn in my eyes.

"I'm sorry, are they too tight? Did I hurt you?" she asked, concerned.

"No, not that," I whispered, holding my hand over my heart.

Katie watched me for a minute and then took my hand in hers.

"What is it then, child?" she smiled in an encouraging way and I knew right away that I could confide in her.

"I look up to you, Katie. You're everything I wish I could be. I wish I could've been more like you for my own son," I whispered.

"Honey, you did everything you could in such a short amount of time. I can't say I know how you feel in the same sense, but I do feel pain when my boys are out performing. Especially that apple head in there. He became a star, and I felt like I gave my son up, so he could be given to everyone else."

"But then everyone else...broke into different beliefs, and they broke him..." I clenched my fists.

"Exactly. People that I gave my fragile hearted son to, broke him. So, I do feel some pain like you. But now that you're here, my son isn't broken anymore. Now, family is more important to him than his career. Not much more important as other people may put it, but it's a start," she squeezed my hand. "I want you to know I'm always going to be around for you, child. As far as I'm concerned, you are a Jackson."

I blushed. "Thank you, Katie." I hugged her tightly. "I'd be honored to be a part of this family."

I didn't know it, but Michael was listening from down the hall. The last thing he heard me say made him smile widely. If I had seen the look on his face, I'd probably say he was plotting something.

A few weeks went by and my feet were completely healed. Mr. Davis came by a few times each week to go over the Bad Tour plans. Michael had put it off a few times so that he could stay closer to me while I recovered. Mr. Davis got rather annoyed with me.

I stepped into the theater one night while Michael sat in his office with Mr. Davis. I decided to put in the movie "Highschool Musical 3". I was a bit embarassed when I asked Michael if he had it. He didn't seem to mind. He had every movie ever made in the world in that little theater of his.

I sat back and watched the movie. I sat up in my seat when the scene of the Waltz came on. The girl sang to her boyfriend as she was teaching him how to Waltz. I sang along with the movie and Michael walked in and listened. He studied the look of longing on my face and then smiled that plotting grin again.

The next morning after breakfast, I took a walk outside. I walked next to the garden and Michael walked up to me and gave me a Tiger Lily.

"You...you remembered?" I gasped.

"Keep your faith...yes, I remember," he smiled.

"Oh, Michael...thank you," I stuttered. I didn't know what to say. He grinned and put the flower behind my ear.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did," I teased. He quirked a brow and I nodded. "Sure, ask away."

"Would you teach me how to dance?" he blushed.

"What? Come on, funny Michael. You are the master at dance. Geeze."

"Yeah, sure...the master at my own style. I wanna learn how to Waltz."

"Waltz?" I paused. "How did you know I knew how to Waltz?"

"You aren't the only one who sings along to Highschool Musical, you know," he winked.

I laughed nervously. "Well, sure I can. If you really want me to. Just tell me when and where."

"Here and now," he took the stance with me and held my hand, then nodded to the side. Music that sounded familiar started to play. "Sing to me, Lola."

I blushed. Was he serious? He looked nervous too. I figured I wouldn't get another chance like this, so I sang to him. He followed my steps and words. When the man's part in the song came, my heart melted. He knew the words and he sang them to me.

We danced around the garden and sang. At the end, I honestly expected rain to fall. I felt like I was in the movie myself.

"That was..." he breathed.

"Incredibly..." I panted.

"Brilliant!" we both jumped at Joseph's booming voice. "Absolutely brilliant! I saw the whole thing. Michael, if you put that number in your lineup, you would bring in so much more money than before," he beamed.

Michael snorted. "Joseph, I've told you before, it's not about the money. This was just for fun, anyway."

"For fun...so? Have your fun on stage in front of all your fans! They'd have fun seeing you do something new."

Michael paused in thought and then looked at me. I smiled. "It would be interesting, Michael. I'd pay to see you doing something that no one's seen you do before."

"That's alot of people, Lola. If I introduce you on stage now, the media will be all over you," Michael whispered.

I squeezed his hand. "I've been through worse. That won't matter as long as I'm with you. I've beaten worse because you were right there next to me."

Joseph grumbled and Michael frowned for a minute before looking at me and finally smiled. "Okay."

"Great! I'll call Davis and set it up," Joseph boomed again, making Michael and I jump again.

"He sure is enthusiastic," I gulped.

"Anything for publicity. I'd do it just for the fans, and for you, but not him or the money," he grunted.

"I know you would. You're such a saint," I said sarcastically.

"Tell me about it," he grinned.

Rehersals started soon after that. It was insane how tired we ended up when we got home every night. Michael decided a week into the rehersals that he wanted me to be the girl he followed around on stage during his song "The Way You Make Me Feel". He said it was much easier to sing to a girl he really felt that way about.

Of course, I was nervous about being in front of so many people. We did a dress rehersal at the Staples Center a few days before the first concert. I watched him dance across the stage and sang along to his songs. When he called me up, I looked at the empty seats and froze.

"Lola, it's okay," Michael whispered in my ear and kissed my shoulder. "Just focus on me and have fun. No one else around, baby. It's just you and me." I nodded and the music started.

I did exactly what he said and focused on him. Pretty soon, I moved like him and I didn't notice anyone but him. Then, we waltzed and received a standing obation by the few people who saw the rehersal.

We played the first couple of shows and it went just as well as rehersals. Just before the first show, I was extremely nervous. Michael made me laugh and loosened me up. He was running through a sound check before the crowd came in and he pretended like he forgot what to do.

He started to dance and then he froze and looked at his back up dancers standing behind him.

"Uh...what comes next? I forgot."

One dancer told him to yell into the microphone and run into the first song and he smiled.

"Oh...HOE!" he yelled and then he ran off stage leaving everyone laughing like crazy.

"What are you doing, crazy man?" I laughed.

"Just trying to get you laughing, which I accomplished. Remember to focus on me. It's not easy to ignore the screaming fans, but if you're like me, as I'm sure you are, you'll get tons of energy out of them. Pretty soon, you will become someone completely different on stage."

He was right. I focused on him, but during the Waltz, the energy the crowd gave us was almost intoxicating. Michael was a completely different person on stage, and now I was exactly the same way. His fans seemed to like me pretty easily. We always got flowers thrown to us when the Waltz ended.

The third show came to an end and we ended up having a dance off for fun. The crowd loved it and of course, Michael won. On the way back home, in the back of the limo, it didn't take us long to wind down. Michael's adrenaline kept him awake, but mine wore off and I soon fell asleep across his lap.

The next morning during breakfast, Michael told me Mr. Davis was frantic about the song lineup, so he'd have to leave for the day.

"An entire day without you? Ugh!" I grumbled.

"I know, I'm sorry. I'll try to be back as soon as I can."

"If you say so. I'm still tired from last night, so I guess I can catch up on some sleep."

"Sounds good. I wish I could sleep with you," he whispered.

"Me too," I reached over the table and grabbed his hand.

"Well, I'd better go meet him. I gave everyone but Sam the day off. Just promise me you will stay home unless Janet is with you."

"After what happened last time? No thanks. I'll just stay in bed."

Michael chuckled and got up. I walked him to the door and he kissed me gently. "If you can't sleep, you can get on the computer in my office."

"I'll consider that," I smiled and hugged him. "I'm gonna miss you, Mike."

"I'm gonna miss you too," he kissed me one more time and walked out the door.

I leaned my back against the door and listened to my hear slow down to its normal pace.

'Hm...no more pain. I guess my heart was mendible after all.'

I waited for my voice of reason, but heard nothing but my own heart beating. I shrugged and yawned and decided a long nap sounded nice. I had aches in muscles that I didn't even know I had.

Four hours later, I woke up feeling unusually rester. No nightmares, no pain...life was slowly getting better and better for me. I only hoped Michael felt the same way.

I stretched and headed for the office. I sat down at Michael's desk and stared at the black computer screen. It had been a while since I used a computer. I only imagined how many emails I had waiting for me. All of them, no doubt, demanding to know where I'd gone. Too bad I was sworn to secrecy. I laughed at my own sarcasm.

'Yeah, too bad. Maybe I don't want anyone to know where I am. I'm happy with things the way they are. Just Michael and myself. No one else.'

I shook my head and turned on the computer. I opened my email and found several new emails. Just as I suspected, everyone wanted to know where I was or if I was even alive. I rolled my eyes and kept reading. Two messages said something about they thought they were seeing things, but could've sworn they saw me on the television dancing with Michael Jackson. I bit my lip. I didn't want anyone I knew to know I was staying with him.

Another email that caught my eye was from my cousin, Jon.

"Lola,

I don't know how long it will be before you will see this. I just hope you're okay. You better be taking care of yourself like you promised me you would. Drop me a line soon, prima. I miss you.

Love, Jon"

'Atleast it was more decent than telling me to reply if I'm not already dead.'

I had to think very carefully of what to say before I started typing. I only planned to write Jon back. He was the only one I knew that wouldn't ask so many questions. He'd settle for the facts I gave him. After a few minutes, I ran my fingers over the keyboard...

"Jon,

I'm doing very well for myself. Yes, I am taking care of myself. I'm staying with a friend in L.A. That's all I can tell you at this point. Tell everyone I'm still alive. Don't tell anyone where I am. The last thing I need is for someone to come looking for me. I'm happy. I miss you too, primo. Keep in touch.

Love, Lola"

After I hit send, I read through a few more emails and decided to open up messenger. If anyone other than Jon asked questions, I'd simply lie or sign off. No one seemed to notice I had signed in until about five minutes later.

"Lola? Is it really you?"

"Cody...how have you been?"

"I'm good. How have you been? And where?"

"I'm okay. I'm actually happy. I'm...staying with a friend in California."

"Oh, I didn't know you had friends there."

"Well, I do now."

"Hm. Mom was having a hard time since you left, you know."

"Was? Does that mean she's okay now?"

"Well...uh..."

As I waited for his reply, I heard some sounds coming from the living room. The front door closed. What was Sam doing here? It had to be Sam. Michael said someone would've called before coming over.

"Lola, sweetheart...where are you?" a faint voice called.

What a relief to hear Michael's sweet voice. I hadn't realized how much I really missed him until now. I turned back to the computer.

"Cody...I'll be right back. My friend is calling for me."

"Okay...hurry back."

"Sure."

I jumped up so fast, the chair caught my foot and tripped me. I kicked the chair and grumbled at it before I ran out the door. When I saw Michael, my mouth almost dropped open. He was dressed in white from head to toe. I assumed he had just got done rehersing "Smooth Criminal". He saw me and smiled, holding his arms out wide. I jumped into his arms and he spun me around, knocking his hat off of his head. I kissed him repeatedly. I couldn't help myself. I missed him so much and he looked sexy as hell.

"Well damn," he chuckled. "If I'm gonna be getting this kind of treatment everytime I leave you home alone, I'm gonna have to do this more often."

"No way," I argued. "If you plan on leaving me this long again, you're taking me with you. I missed you too much."

He laughed and kissed my nose. "So, what have you been up to?"

"Nothing much. A taste of my old life came when I took a four hour nap. I answered an email and read several more. Funny thing, almost every email demanded to know where I was and if I was even alive. Two of them swore they saw me dancing on stage with you on the television."

"Really? Which one did you answer?" he asked. He almost looked like he was angry that someone had seen me on television. Even more angry that people assumed I was dead.

"My cousin, Jon. He was the only one I could answer. He settles for what little facts I can give him," Michael quirked a brow at me. "Don't worry, all I said was I was staying with a friend in L.A. and I was happy."

"Are you? Are you truly happy here?"

I stared at him expecting a smile to say he was joking, which never happened. "You don't know?" he shrugged. "Do you believe me when I say how much I love you?" he nodded. "Being in love and being loved by a man with such a pure heart makes me more than happy, Michael. You make me happy."

He smiled and kissed me. "You make me happy too."

"Oh, by the way, I am talking to my brother with messenger. I hope that's okay with you."

"Of course. Are you still online in there?"

"Oh yes, I forgot I told him I'd be back when I heard you come in."

I took his hand and we walked back to the office.

"Cody, are you still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here."

"Cool. I brought my friend with me."

"Okay. Hi friend."

Michael reached forward and typed. "Hello, Cody."

"So, Lola...tell me about your friend."

I bit my lip and thought for a minute. "Well, we met when my car broke down. He actually saved me from a neighborhood gang."

"Really? What's his name?"

I looked at Michael and he nodded. "Mike."

"Thank you, Mike. So, tell me more."

"Well...he has a big family. They took me in pretty fast. His sister is my shopping buddy."

"Shopping? Did you get a job?"

"Recently, yes. I haven't started yet. Mike was kind enough to buy me a new wardrobe."

"Wow...what does he do for a living?"

I sat back in my chair and folded my arms. "I can't say anything more," I whispered.

"Why not?" Michael asked.

"I'm trying to keep our little secret. I should've known he'd ask things that I can't answer."

"Then answer truthfully," he replied. I looked at him like he was crazy. "Can he keep a secret?"

"Sure, but he's never had to keep one this big before."

"If he can keep the secret, then tell him. I don't mind. It was about time for me to meet your family anyway."

"Are you sure?" I asked nervously.

"If I can trust you, I should be able to trust the people you love."

I nodded and turned back to the computer. I took a minute to decide how to word it.

"Cody...can you keep a secret?"

"Haven't I always?"

"Yes, but this is pretty big. The mother of all secrets."

I heard Michael chuckle behind me and I gave him a look. He grinned and put his hand over his mouth.

"Yes, I'm sure I can handle it. What is it?"

"Well...my friend Mike is actually Michael Jackson. I met him while he was on trial."

"Lola, come on. What's the real secret?"

"That is the real secret. I'm staying with him at his ranch. And to be honest, we're more than just friends."

"Lola, when are you gonna stop living in your little fantasy world? Michael is the biggest superstar in the world. He wouldn't just take you in and take care of you."

I sat back in my chair and sighed. "He doesn't believe me."

"I don't blame him. If he would've believed you that easily, I'd think there was something wrong with his brain," Michael laughed.

"Yeah, but this is the truth. How can I prove it to him? I don't want him to think I'm a liar."

Michael thought for a moment and then started digging through his desk drawers. He pulled out an old webcam and plugged it into the computer. My mouth dropped open.

"Michael...uh, a cam? Are you sure you wanna do that?"

"It's the only proof I have right now. Find out if he's alone first. If he is, leave the proving to me."

I hesitated, then turned back to the computer.

"Are you alone?"

"Alone? Yes...why?"

"Turn on your cam and I'll prove my story."

"Ha! This, I've gotta see. Okay."

Michael and I watched my brother's face come on the screen and he waved. Then Michael turned on his cam and ducked out of view. The screen showed my face and I waved. Cody smiled.

"You look good. But really, the office doesn't look convincing. Way too cluttered to belong to someone like Michael Jackson. Where's your proof?"

Michael slid his chair beside me and pulled me against him and I leaned my head on his shoulder and smiled. Cody's eyes popped open and Michael waved.

"I...can't believe this. Michael Jackson?"

"That's me. Nice to meet you. Sorry my office is too cluttered for you. Lots of touring to do, not alot of time to clean and organize, you know."

"Well, I...uh...sorry. Nice to meet you too. Lola...sorry I doubted you. You know, I thought I actually saw you dancing with him one night on the television."

"You did, actually. Just don't tell anyone, please."

"No worries. I don't think anyone would believe me even if I did."

"True."

We talked like that for about an hour. After a good ten minutes, Cody got over the initial shock and talked to Michael like he was a normal person. After an hour, he grew serious.

"Lola...can you call me at all? I need to speak with you alone. No offense, Mike."

"None taken."

Michael nodded and I got up. "Phone's in the kitchen, right?"

"Yep. Make sure you call privately. I don't want my number on anyone's caller I.D." Michael reminded me.

"I know, silly. I'll be back." I blew him a kiss and he blew one back.

"Hey, Michael?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for taking care of my sister, man. She seems like herself again."

"You don't have to thank me. She's made me happy too."

"Thanks anyway. She's still gonna need you though. I have to...break her heart again."

"Break her heart? Why?"

"Don't tell her, but...ah...that's her calling. I'll tell you later if she doesn't first. Just...stay close to her."

"Okay."

Michael sat back in his chair trying to figure out why Cody told him that. He shrugged and started writing lyrics to a new song.

"Hello? Lola?" Cody answered.

"So, what's got you big boy pants in a bunch?"

"Glad to hear you're voice too. I think you'd better sit down."

I felt an automatic pain starting to throb in my chest. More pain...this can't be good. I walked outside and sat down at the fountain's edge and took a deep breath.

"Okay...I'm sitting."

"Mom...she passed away the other night."

I dropped the phone and took a sharp intake of breath. "Oh...God."

So more drama yes? Hope you liked this chapter. I'll say again...all ideas are most welcome. Thanks for the reviews everyone!