Luke was driving down a road a few miles away from Neverland. It was storming violently outside and he could barely see the road in front of him from the heavy downpour. He was lost in thought over all the pressure he had weighing on him at the moment. Charlie gave him a new assignment based on a new movie premiere as well as Lindsey Lohan's bulimic rumor and he was running very short on time. His stories for the LA Times were on time since he began working there, but only barely. Charlie wasn't happy about it and he made it known that if Luke was late on this story he would be fired on the spot.
He had flashbacks of his little argument with Charlie and then again with his argument over the phone with Lisa. She told him if he lost his job, it was over. She had many things hanging over his head and she could destroy his life in a second if she had wanted to.
Just then, a shadowed figure in a hoodie came into view and he swerved at the last moment to avoid hitting the person. He skidded sideways into a ditch and flipped his truck upside down and landed harshly against a metal gate.
"Oh my…are you okay?" he heard a voice call. He shook his head and dragged himself out of the now broken window of his truck and stood to his feet. He sighed and turned toward the voice and his eyes grew wide in a panic.
"Ramona? What are you doing out here in the rain? I almost hit you!" he yelled. He shook for a moment before embracing her tightly.
"Woa, hey…come on, Luke!" she gasped and pushed him away gently. "You didn't hit me. I heard you coming and I dodged you just fine. Relax!" she said while patting his shoulders.
He shook his head again and leaned against his truck. "You're not hurt, are you?" he said in a low voice.
Ramona almost missed it over the loud thunder and rain. "I'm fine. I'm sorry about your truck, though," she sighed sadly. She felt horrible. "Come on, my car isn't far away. I'll give you a lift."
He nodded and they walked the short distance to an abandoned parking lot and climbed into her car. Luke glanced at her as she started the engine and pulled her hood off, letting her wet hair fall past her shoulders. Little strands of curls framed her face and he suddenly felt warm next to her.
"Are you cold?" she asked, reaching for the heater.
He shook his head. "I'll be fine. What are you doing out here in the middle of a storm?"
She shrugged. "I needed a good run. The storm kind of snuck up on me."
"I see," he said quietly. Ramona turned out of the parking lot. Luke gave her directions to his house and then turned on her stereo to ease the sudden tension in the car. Ramona instantly relaxed her shoulders when Stranger in Moscow began to play. "I like this song," Luke whispered as he stared out the passenger window.
Ramona glanced at him through the corner of her eye. He seemed to be very troubled about something. "So, I know men are supposed to have 20/20 vision even at night. How is it you didn't see me that well?"
"I wasn't completely focused on the road," he said plainly.
Ramona nodded and paused in thought. After a few moments of silence, she bit her lip. "Penny for your thought?" she asked.
"Huh?" he asked, looking at her. She glanced down at his hands and he followed her gaze to his hands that were now absentmindedly scrunching the ends of his shirt up in balled fists. "Oh, I don't know. There's a lot going on at work these days."
Ramona blinked. "Like what?"
Luke hesitated but then he went into the story of his conversation with Charlie and what was expected of him. Ramona listened intently and nodded, letting him know she was paying attention. "And so now if I don't get this story turned in soon, I will lose my job."
"That doesn't sound very Charlie-like," she pondered out loud.
"I know. It doesn't make any sense," he sighed as they pulled up in front of his house. "This is it. Thanks for the ride, Ray."
She nodded. "I'm sorry about everything, Luke. If there's any way I can help," she handed him a piece of paper with her number on it. "Call me. I will do what I can to help."
He nodded and then kissed her cheek quickly before jumping out of the car and running through the downpour into his house. Ramona watched to make sure he got inside and then made her way back home, all the while contemplating everything Luke had just told her.
Once Ramona got home, she climbed out of her car and walked slowly through the rain. She was already soaked enough as it was, so she didn't feel the need to run. She shuffled her feet up the curved sidewalk that connected her driveway from her front porch. She stopped about halfway to her front door and glanced at Neverland just a few yards away. The lights of the gates were lit dimly, but the only lights she could see other than that was from the guest portion of the house and the small building by the front gate.
She sighed and blinked as she felt her eyes burn with tears. "Why am I so sad all of the sudden?" she asked herself. She shook her head and turned back to her porch. When she stepped under the protection of the awning, she noticed a rather large flat package leaning up against the wall by the door. She glanced at the address and it had her name written on it with a Japanese stamp on it. She smirked and shook her head once more. "Michael…when will you ever stop?"
She unlocked her door and dragged the package inside. She lay it up against her wall in the bedroom and changed her clothes. Once she had pulled up her hair in a ponytail and changed into some loose pajama pants and a sports bra, she tore the package open. A note fell out first and she opened it.
Hey, Ray!
I hope all is well with you so far! Mike and I have been having so much fun in Japan. The children love him, as always. I snapped this photo of him after a little girl kissed him on the cheek and told him how much she loved him. I knew you would enjoy the way his face light up when he gets around kids, so I took the opportunity of blowing it up and framing it for you. Just don't tell Mike. He doesn't know about this yet. He only thinks I'm writing you a simple letter and he said he will send his own when he got the chance. He sends his love and so do I. We miss you! See you soon, chica!
Love, Derek
Ramona grinned and folded the note, placing it on her bedside table. She opened the package fully and flipped the framed portrait over to see the image. It was a perfect angle of her best friend and her heart instantly warmed at the sight. She had never seen his eyes so lit up before. He was wearing his military red button up shirt with his hair down and there were children in the background, all smiling at him as if he had hung the moon. He had the biggest smile on his face and Ramona couldn't help but smile. She bit her lip and then looked around her room for a moment. When her eyes landed on an empty space on the wall above her bed, she blushed a little.
"Well, at least in here he wouldn't see it right away," she told herself. She got up and measured everything and finally nailed the portrait onto the wall. She stepped back to check her work and blushed once again. He looked almost as if he were smiling down at her bed. "I guess I have myself a guardian angel, after all."
She yawned and glanced at the clock before sliding into bed. She flipped on her back and looked up at the portrait once more, and sure enough, he was looking down on her like the angel he was. Her eyes drifted closed and she slowly fell asleep.
The next day…
Ramona chewed on her bottom lip as she sat at her dining room table with her laptop computer in front of her. She paused a moment in thought and then typed some more, finally finishing 3 different projects all in one day. She smiled and saved her work and stretched.
"That's one obstacle down…" she glanced at the clock and saw that it was early evening. She picked up her phone and made a quick call.
Later…
"Girl, you are on fire today!" Tasha mused as she wiped the sweat from her forehead. Ramona had come to dance with Tasha at the studio and they had been going at it for almost 2 hours. Tasha had to admit she was exhausted, but Ramona wanted to keep going.
"Come on, give me another song." Ramona panted.
Tasha stared at her like she had lost her mind. She was literally dripping in sweat. Her black tights were dripping, and her sports top was clinging to her. The sweat was beading up and dripping down her toned stomach and even her hair dripped on the floor. "You are asking for an accident," Tasha pointed toward the wet floor. "Take a break already," she smiled and threw Ramona a towel.
Ramona laughed and caught the towel and dried herself, then she turned her attention to the floor she had soaked. "I didn't realize I sweat so much."
"It's alright, as long as you stay hydrated," she smiled. "What's up with you today? I haven't seen you this focused before."
Ramona sat on her knees as she wiped the floor. "I don't know. I just have a lot on my mind, I guess," she said quietly.
"Missing your bestie, are ya?" she teased.
"Maybe. I did have an interesting dream last night," Ramona said. She sat back against the mirror and rested her arm on her bent knee and took a long drink of her water.
"Oh?" Tasha raised an eyebrow and then stood up and walked over next to Ramona and sat next to her, leaning against the mirror. "Dreams are so fascinating to me. They tell you things that you didn't know that rests in the very bottom of your soul. Tell me, what was it about?"
Ramona blinked and then looked away. "I don't know about that…"
"Come on, you can tell me. I am a good secret keeper," she winked and Ramona nodded and smiled.
"Well…"
Ramona was standing by the window, watching all of the people carrying around camera equipment and setting up props. It was kind of exciting to watch. She loved watching how things were done.
"Like what you see?" Michael's voice came from behind her.
"Hm?" she turned to look at him. He was dressed for the Speed Demon video and his wardrobe man was putting the finishing touches on him. "Oh, yeah I guess so. It's all so exciting," she smiled as she glanced back out the window.
"I suppose it is," he said quietly while smiling at her.
She glanced back at him and smirked, catching sight of a small video camera next to him. She reached around and snagged it and flipped it open. "Alright, let's get us a behind the scenes moment with the King," she teased.
"You sure you know how to work that thing?" he asked.
"Yep, it's recording now," she said as she hit the button. "And here we have the great Michael Jackson getting ready for his music video," she said with an announced voice.
Michael gave her a weird look and began throwing popcorn at her. "Yeah, real convincing voice," he teased.
"I thought I was doing an okay job, sheesh," she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Do you have the zoom button figured out?" he asked.
"Yes! Geeze, tomcat, you're just dying to tell me how to work something, aren't you?"
He smirked. "Well, it's what I do," he grinned and she gave him a look.
The man next to him murmured a few things and slipped on his gloves for him. After helping him slip on his gloves, he reached for the jacket. "Um, no, it's okay, I would rather Ramona help me finish up here, if you don't mind."
Ramona blushed and the man nodded and left them alone. She glanced at him through the lens. "So, since when do you need help putting on a jacket?" she taunted him.
He gave her a look and strolled up to the camera. She opened her closed eye and looked up at him. He smiled weakly and put his hand on the camera and slowly moved it down. She looked at her hand and then back into his eyes. This was a look she wasn't familiar with. What was going through his mind?
"Tell me what happened in Bucharest," he whispered.
"Wh…what do you mean?" she stuttered and he smiled and shook his head. He reached up and placed his hand on her scarred shoulder. He slowly pushed the clothing aside and revealed the scar. She looked at the scar and then winced when his fingertips grazed the skin. She looked up at him with glossy eyes. "I…"
"You…" he smiled and winked. "You saved my life," he whispered and then leaned down, kissing her passionately. She froze momentarily and then relaxed in his embrace. She felt his tongue glide across her bottom lip and she panted, allowing his tongue to slip through. She moaned into the kiss and he clenched the sleeves of her shirt and pushed her against the side of the trailer. He stepped away for a brief moment and swiped his hand across the countertop, causing everything that was on top to tumble to the floor. He grabbed Ramona and placed her on top of the counter and placed himself in between her legs. He ripped her shirt open and kissed her bare skin, and when his lips touched the scar, she began to burn.
"S…stop!" she winced. He jumped and backed away. She placed her hand over the scar and began breathing deeply.
"Why?" he whispered. "Why did you do that?"
She glanced at him and she was suddenly back on stage with him in Bucharest. She looked at her hand and found it covered in blood. "Because…I love you," she panted and then fell into a puddle of her own blood.
Ramona jumped awake in a panic. She placed her hand over her heart, hoping to calm her rapid heart beat.
Back in the studio…
"And I haven't slept since then," Ramona finished her story.
Tasha blinked. "Wow, I am speechless."
Ramona shrugged. "I know what the last part means, but why on earth would I have a steamy dream about my best friend?"
"Well, is that how you feel about him?" Tasha asked.
"N…NO!" she shuddered. "It's impossible. It can't happen, even if I wanted that. He has Lisa," she paused. "Besides, every female must have at least one steamy fantasy about being with Michael Jackson, right?" she asked. Tasha looked away for a moment. "Right?" Ramona asked again.
"I can't really say I have, but perhaps that's because I see him like a brother," Tasha said in a whisper.
The 2 girls sat in silence for a moment before Ramona stood suddenly. "Well, I better go. I need to finish up a few things before work tomorrow. Thanks for the dance, Tasha. I'll call you tomorrow."
Tasha paused at her nervousness and then smiled and hugged her tightly. "I understand. And hey, don't worry about the Bucharest thing. Your secret is safe with me," she smiled.
"Thanks," Ramona grabbed her jacket and zipped it up before leaving.
The next day…
Luke was shuffling through his desk, looking for his 2 stories. He was running short on time and he was in a panic. Charlie walked by his desk and glanced at him and Luke straightened up right away, trying to prove he was professional and had everything in order. When Charlie walked into his office and out of view, Luke sighed deeply. He was convinced this would be his last day at the LA Times.
"Good morning, tiger," Ramona smiled as she walked from her office past Luke's desk.
"Morning," he mumbled.
"Hey, don't worry. I got you," she winked and patted his head. He looked at her strangely as she walked into Charlie's office with 3 separate folders. She plopped them down on his desk one by one. "Alright, boss, here's my story on the awards show. And this one is Luke's story on Lohan, and his story on the movie premiere."
"Oh, he finished?" he asked and glanced through the stories. "Good, oh before you go, I need to talk to you about something…" he said. Ramona nodded and closed the door behind her and sat down.
Luke tapped his fingers waiting for Ramona to come back out. About a half hour later, she emerged with a worried look on her face.
"Ramona? What's up?" he asked.
"Come to my office," she said quietly and headed to her office. He jumped up and Charlie walked out.
"Luke, my boy! Good job on those stories! Very impressive! Keep up the good work, man!" Charlie slapped him on the back and Luke stumbled a bit with a grunt and then nodded.
"Uh, sure thing boss," he smiled at Charlie and then headed for Ramona's office. Once he closed the door he sighed. "Why did you do that?"
"What?" she asked, sitting down at her desk with a sigh.
"You finished my stories for me…why?" he asked. "I mean you didn't have to…"
"I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to," she said simply.
"Oh…kay? Well thank you…" he said as he slowly slid down onto her couch. "What's wrong?"
"Charlie…he's leaving us…"
Later…
"Ramona, can I ask you something?" Luke asked her once they got on the elevator to head home for the day.
"Sure, what's up?" she asked.
"Friday night, what are your plans?" he asked.
Ramona paused. "Uhm…"
"Come on, I know you have to have some kind of feelings for me or you wouldn't have done what you did for me today. What do you say? Just have dinner with me, please?" he asked.
"Uh…" she hesitated as the doors opened. "Let me think about it and I'll get back to you, okay?"
Luke sighed. "I'll call you tonight, then," he said and walked away.
Ramona shook her head and headed to her car. Could she really move on from her bad past with men and give Luke a chance? He seemed like a nice enough guy. Maybe if she actually had a boyfriend, she could have less focus on that insanely steamy dream she had about Michael.
Many thoughts ran through her head as she drove home. She walked in the front door and slipped off her shoes. She walked into the kitchen and put her keys and purse down and leaned against the counter. What was she supposed to do?
Suddenly her phone rang to life and made her jump. She looked at the caller ID and it read unknown. She picked it up expecting it to be a telemarketer. "Sorry, I'm not interested in whatever it is you're selling…"
"That's funny, I could've sworn you liked my music," Michael chuckled from the other line.
"Michael! Hey tomcat! How are you?" she said with a huge smile on her face.
"I can't complain. How are you, babygirl?"
She blushed. "I'm alright. Enjoying Japan?"
"Very much. What have you been up to lately?" he asked.
"Dancing and working, pretty much. Nothing special," she said with a shrug.
"Since when is dancing nothing special?" he said, sounding almost hurt.
"Since I'm the one doing it," she giggled and it made him smile. "I don't know what it is about me lately, but I just can't seem to stop dancing. If I hear any kind of rhythm, I just lose my mind and my feet begin to move."
"Sounds familiar," he chuckled.
"I'll bet…" she paused in thought. "Hey, Mike, do you know if it's normal to sweat profusely while dancing?"
"Define profusely," he said.
Ramona rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about just walked out of the shower, profusely," she said with a blush.
"Oh, yes it is, for me anyway. I usually have to have guys come out and dry the stage in between each song. Have you seen a doctor about it?" he asked.
"No, should I?" she asked nervously.
"If it becomes a problem for you, I would say so. If it doesn't bother you that much, just drink more water than usual and you should be fine," he smiled into the phone. He heard Ramona breathe in deep and hold it a few seconds before letting it out. "What's bothering my babygirl?"
"Nothing," she said almost too quickly.
"I know you miss your tomcat, but come on, I know when something is bothering my babygirl. Now spill it," he said sternly.
Ramona sighed. "Luke asked me out and Charlie is leaving the company," she almost squeaked out.
"Pardon? Since when is Charlie leaving?" he asked.
"I don't know, he just told me today. This will be his last week and then after Thanksgiving, a new man will be taking his place," Ramona said sadly.
"Oh, I see. Don't let that bother you too much, I'm sure he will stay in touch," he paused. "Now about Luke, do you like him?"
"I…I don't know, I mean…he's okay. He's a nice guy and he would serve as a good distraction…"
"Raybug…don't you dare use him as a distraction. That's what dancing is for. If you like him, then give him a try. One date wouldn't hurt. Let your guard down just a little and allow yourself to get to know him better. If you decide he's worth being around, then go for it, but you will never know until you try, believe me."
Ramona thought for a moment and then smiled. "You're right. Thanks, tomcat."
"I know I'm right," he grinned. "Oh, I better go. We just arrived at the children's burn center," he said.
Ramona's eyes pricked with tears. "Children's burn center? I don't know how you do it, Mike. That hurts my heart just thinking about a child in pain," she said sadly.
"Yeah, but seeing their eyes light up when you bring them a gift makes it all worth it," he said. "Oh, by the way, I will be home for Thanksgiving. Should actually be a few days before in fact, and we are having dinner at the ranch. You should join us," he smiled. "Uh oh, gotta go. Love you babygirl!"
Ramona paused and then smiled. "Love you more, tomcat."
"Nu uh! Love you most!" he giggled. "Bye!" he hung up and Ramona shook her head.
A few hours later, Ramona was showered and ready for bed. She was sitting on the couch eating a bowl of ice cream when Luke finally called and asked her for an answer. He half expected her to tell him she needed more time, but she actually agreed to the date.
As the next couple of weeks went by, Ramona was becoming more and more excited about Michael coming home. Charlie moved on to his new job and the new boss hadn't seemed too awful yet. He did like to call Ramona in more than she was used to, and she felt a bit overworked. She and Luke had become official within the 2nd week and they were becoming inseparable. He was actually planning to join her and the Jackson family for Thanksgiving.
When Ramona needed a distraction, she found herself dancing. When Tasha wasn't available, Ramona would make due dancing in her own living room. Luke almost seemed annoyed by her dancing within about a week of her doing it. He would come over and she would cook dinner for them, but while cooking, she would dance at the stove. When it would rain, she would drop everything and run outside just to dance in it. She was becoming a slave to that music of hers.
Thanksgiving eve arrived finally and Ramona found herself walking alone in town. She glanced around and saw children playing near the street. They were playing with a big aired up ball and giggling happily and it made her smile. Within moments, the ball got away from them and a car hit it and popped it. The children began to cry and Ramona ran over to them. They had their back to her and they were saying "don't tell mommy" and "that was our only toy" and then "mommy has no money for another one".
Ramona sighed and glanced at a toy store nearby. "Wait right here," she said as she touched them on their heads. She ran across the street and soon returned with a box full of new toys for them. "There's plenty for each of you here, just make sure you share, alright?" she said as she placed the box down.
The kids eyes lit up and they squealed with joy and hugged her. "Thank you miss!"
Ramona's eyes welled with tears as they ran off to play with their new toys. It was so amazing how good it felt. "Feels wonderful, doesn't it?" a voice said behind her.
She spun around to see Michael hidden under his fedora and dark sunglasses. "Finally!" she yelled and jumped into his arms. "Welcome home, tomcat. God, I've missed you!" she mumbled into his chest.
"I've missed you more, babygirl," he whispered into her hair. "So much!"