"Okay, let's do that one more time," Michael said as he held up a finger. He had been in New York rehearsing for another show taking place tomorrow night and then he was off to Japan. The people around him followed his every command while rehearsing. He almost hated being a perfectionist, but he wanted to give his fans the best show of their life and he wouldn't sell them short.

As they ran into Billie Jean, he fumbled with the collar of his bright yellow shirt and began his dancing. A rope slipped from the top of the building and swung in front of him and he took a step back and looked up with a smirk. "That was interesting," he said and then continued into the song.

He tried very hard to keep his focus, but when the music stopped, Ramona came to the front of his mind. He hadn't seen her since Lisa hit her and that was almost 2 weeks ago. He called her almost every single day when he had the chance, but she wouldn't answer. He continued to leave messages for her and even wrote her a few letters. He sent her flowers and emailed her videos he made for her of himself. He had hoped she would at least see those. He wanted to comfort her in some way.

"Mike? Hellooooo?" Derek waved his hand in front of Michael's face. Michael shook his head and looked at Derek. He held out a bottle of water to him with a concerned look in his eyes.

"Sorry Derek. What time is it?" he asked.

"Time to head back to the hotel. You ready to call it a night?" Derek asked.

Michael sighed deeply. "Yeah, that about does it, I think," he turned to the director. "You think we have everything figured out for tomorrow, Kenny?"

"I do believe so, Michael. Thank you. I'll take over from here. You go try to rest up and we'll see you tomorrow," he smiled warmly. Michael gave him a hug and thanked him before walking out with Derek and climbing into the SUV.

"I haven't seen Lisa around. Did she disappear on you again?" Derek asked carefully.

Michael nodded. "She was only here for a few days and then she said she had to go home to take care of things."

"Think she'll make it for the concert tomorrow?"

"I doubt it. Not like she cares," Michael spat.

"Wow," Derek said and looked out the window. "You seem angry with her tonight."

"Not just tonight, Derek. I have been angry for a while and I don't like it. I can't seem to get control of myself."

"That's not like you," he said. "What did Lisa do, if you don't mind my asking?"

Michael sighed again. "She hit Ray."

"Come again?" Derek sat up straight, instantly angry.

Michael nodded. "She finally snapped. It wasn't Ray's fault. It was mine…" he whispered. "I…I kissed her and Lisa saw it."

Derek gasped. "Well it's about time!" Michael jumped at his outburst. "Why don't you invite her to the show? You would feel much better having the girl you love…"

"Love?" Michael interrupted. "I don't know about that, Derek. She's my best friend and I love her all the same, but in love? I don't think so," he paused. "Besides, I've tried to call her. She won't answer."

"That's odd. Did you try calling Charlie?"

Michael slapped a hand over his forehead. "No, why didn't I think of that? I'll give him a call first thing in the morning."

They pulled up to the hotel and Michael's body guards surrounded him and led him inside through a sea of screaming fans and the media. They fought their way to his room and Michael fell back on the bed and grunted. "You'd think I'd be used to seeing spots by now," he grumbled as he rubbed his eyes.

"Never a dull moment, that's for sure," Derek smirked from the door. "Get some rest man. I'll see you in the morning," he waved and walked out, leaving Michael alone in his hotel room. He flipped over on his chest and stared at the phone. He needed to try again, just once more.

The phone rang and her answering machine picked up. Hey you've reached Ramona, or Raybug to a certain Applehead *giggles* Sorry I couldn't come to the phone. Leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. God bless! BEEP

Michael smiled into the phone. Just hearing her voice on a machine calmed his spirit somewhat. "Hey babygirl. I hope you are doing okay. I'm sorry I'm filling up your answering machine so much. I can't help it, I miss you…"

Meanwhile…

Ramona sat up from her bed and waddled her way into the kitchen when she heard Michael's voice in the machine. She had listened to all of his messages and read his letters. She saw he had sent her videos to her email, but she couldn't bring herself to open them. She missed Michael so much, but she couldn't see him anymore. She couldn't even stand to leave the house, knowing she had to drive by Neverland to get to work.

She leaned in the doorway and listened to his message. I know I've said it a million times, but I am so sorry for what happened with Lisa. You shouldn't blame yourself. You know I was the one who approached you. You didn't deserve that and I have gotten into it with Lisa time and time again…

Ramona cringed.

And quit cringing at that. You didn't ruin anything between her and I, believe me. We have been butting heads way before I ever met you.

"I still gave her a reason to fight with you more," Ramona said quietly.

You've done nothing wrong, babygirl. Please believe me. Lisa isn't in New York, by the way, and I have a show tomorrow night. It would really mean the world to me if you could come. Please just think about it, for me?

Ramona looked away and bit her lip.

I've been so lost without you. Weird anger that I cannot escape. I wish you were here so I had someone to talk to. Someone who understands me completely. Oh please answer, Ramona. At least let me know you're okay. I'm sorry for kissing you, really I am. I promise I won't do it again. I just…you're my best friend, Ray. I need you…

Ramona's eyes welled up and a tear slipped as she reached for the phone. Her hand froze over the receiver for a moment when she thought she heard a small sniff coming from Michael. She grabbed the phone and he hung up just as she placed it to her ear. She sighed and set it back down.

What was she doing? She hadn't left the house since the incident. She called Charlie and told him she was sick and she wanted to work from home. He granted her that much. Luke came over to check on her but she wouldn't say much. She sat in bed with her computer doing her work. When she wasn't working, she was sitting in a chair by her window, staring blankly outside.

She gave up on running. Any time she would go outside just to get her mail, she would cringe at the site of Neverland. Not having Michael around was taking a toll on her and Luke was beginning to notice.

He sat outside her house in his car watching her from her window. She looked like she had no life in her at all. She had finally given in and allowed him to kiss her, but her lips were unmoving and she didn't even respond. He grew angry and picked up his phone.

"Hey, I was wondering when you would call," the voice on the other end answered.

"Lisa, we need to talk about Ramona. What did you do to her?" he asked.

"Woa, chill out, tiger. You sound like you're growing feelings for the girl," Lisa prompted.

"Not as of yet, but you made it impossible to carry out any kind of plans. How can I date her if she wont even speak?"

Lisa frowned. "Well, what do you want me to do about it?"

"Get over here and fix it!" he yelled.

"Fix it? How the hell…"

"I don't know Lisa, but if you don't do something to change her attitude, I am out."

Lisa paused and then sighed. "Fine. Get away from her house and I will head over there in a few hours."

Luke nodded and hung up on her before he headed home. Whatever Lisa planned on saying to Ramona, it better be good. If she couldn't get Ramona out of her state, he would be out for sure. This was such a waste of time.

A few hours later…

Lisa knocked on Ramona's door for quite some time before she just let herself in. She wondered around the house until she found Ramona sitting by her window with no expression on her face. Lisa almost winced when she saw her face. She was very pale. Her lips were the same color as her white skin which was once tan. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and she wore old sweats. She had no makeup on and she had bags under her eyes. She looked dead.

"Hey…" Lisa said, touching her shoulder. Ramona jumped in surprise and stumbled out of her chair before backing into the wall defensively covering her face. "Woa, woa, hang on, relax. I'm not gonna hit you," she said sweetly. Ramona slowly moved her hands away from her face. "I just came to talk. Can we talk?"

Ramona nodded and then sat on the edge of her bed. "Why are you here?" her voice cracked from little use.

"I had to take care of some business when Luke called me. He's worried about you. Why are you acting like this?" she asked, sitting on the bed next to Ramona.

"I'm not myself. What does Luke care, anyway? I don't belong to him," Ramona almost snarled.

Lisa thought for a moment and bit her tongue. "Michael is worried too."

Ramona's eyes lit up for a second. "So I've heard."

"Look, we had a long talk about things and…I am…sorry for hitting you like I did," Lisa practically forced out through her teeth.

Ramona looked at her warily. "No you're not." She got up and walked into the living room and grabbed a bottle of water from the coffee table. Lisa followed her and stood with her arms folded. "And that's okay. I wouldn't be too happy either if I saw my fiancé kissing another woman," Ramona finished.

Lisa blinked a few times. She didn't think Ramona would actually attempt to understand how she saw things. "Well, yea."

"I am sorry for that."

Lisa bit her lip. "Michael told me it was his idea. I don't know why you're apologizing."

Ramona looked down and shook her head. "I could have backed away."

Lisa started to agree but stopped herself. "I can see why you didn't. Who would back away from kissing the King of Pop, anyway?" she smirked and Ramona gave her a sideways glance.

"He's more than that, you know."

"But that's most of who he is, you can't deny."

Ramona shook her head. Lisa just didn't get it at all. Michael was a human being. Being famous was only a portion of who he was. It seemed to her that Lisa saw him more as an item or a trophy rather than as a person she loved. It was so unfair to Michael.

"I need to go," Ramona went into her bedroom to change. She had a feeling Lisa wouldn't leave her alone and she needed to get away for a while. She knew exactly where she would go too. She grabbed her bag and packed her notebooks and writing supplies along with her camera. She changed into a pair of cargo pants and a dark green turtleneck shirt and grabbed her military jacket Michael had bought her. She kept her back to the door knowing Lisa was standing there watching her.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Back to where I started out. To clear my head. I can't stay around here this close to Neverland," she turned as she threw her bag over her shoulder, wincing as it put weight on her scar. "And I can't stand to hear another painful message from my best friend crying out for help when there's nothing I can do for him," she almost glared at Lisa as she shoved her way past her.

"What are you talking about? He's rehearsing. He's fine!" Lisa said as she followed Ramona out the door.

"He isn't fine. Ask him yourself," she said as she threw her bag in the back seat of her car. "You shouldn't be here, Lisa. You should be with him. I appreciate your apology and you are forgiven, but I don't know what else you want from me."

Lisa stood by as Ramona climbed into her car and started it. "Maybe you need to see Michael again. Along with Luke and myself," she suggested nervously.

"Why does Luke keep coming into this conversation?" she asked.

"He likes you, Ramona. You need a boyfriend and he wants that title. Give him a shot. You won't be disappointed," she winked and Ramona sighed.

"I'll think about it. In the mean time, go support Michael in New York. He needs someone to talk to," Ramona smiled weakly and backed out of her driveway and left. Lisa sighed and watched her drive away.

She flipped open her phone and climbed back into her car. "Hey, I don't know what good I did, but I think I made an improvement. Some of her color returned. Now she's going back to where she claims she started out so she can clear her mind."

"Where the hell is that?" Luke asked.

"I don't know, but give her some time. She seems like she's in pain," Lisa said.

"Why are you so concerned? Earlier this morning you were ready to slit the girl's throat and now you're being all sweet to her."

"I'm not being sweet. I just know that look. You can't fake a painful look like that," she looked out of her window as she drove home. "Anyway give her time. I will head to New York in the morning and see if I can't figure things out from Michael."

"Why do I get the feeling she won't come around until he sees her again?" he grumbled.

"If that's what it takes, then that's what we will do," Lisa said, gripping her steering wheel.

"Alright, you're the boss," Luke sighed and hung up.