Chapter 9

Micky had been out all morning he could feel the warm sun on his back and the ocean breeze on his face. He felt he should've gone in by now but for some reason he couldn't get his legs to work and he was enjoying being out side. It was days like this that made Micky love living in Malibu beach, ok granted a lot of days in Malibu beach were hot, but this day felt different, although he couldn't explain why.

His instincts told him someone was approaching him so he turned around and was not at all surprised to see Lori walking towards him, he almost felt as though he had been expecting her, like his subconscious mind had told him she was coming, maybe that was why he hadn't gone in yet because he was waiting for Lori. She smiled as she reached him and sat on the sand next to him. He smiled back and put his arm around her and pulled her towards him. Lori nestled up close and rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, Micky rested his cheek on her head and that was how they stayed. Just being in Micky's arms made Lori feel so safe and so loved it was just what she needed right now. Micky had so many questions in his mind so many things he wanted to ask and say to her but for now he was just so happy to have her in his arms. They must have sat on the beach for at least an hour never talking, just holding each other. Mike was watching them from the veranda. Davy came out over to him and handed him a soda.

"They still down there?" He asked.

"Yeah they are, I don't even think they've said a word to each other yet," Mike told him, accepting the soda and taking a long sip and letting the coolness fill his body.

"Lori is a bit mixed up about Micky isn't she" Davy questioned

"Yeah she is, but she has good reason, she's been through a lot in her life so far and she has the right to be cautious I know I would be if I was in her position" Mike said and set his soda down on the wall

"When you say a lot, how much do you mean?"

"I'm sorry shotgun I can't tell you that it's up to Lori to explain it to you, but I will empathize the words `a lot'" Mike told him. 

"Really, that bad! And she's telling Micky all about it right now?"

"Well she's suppose to be but like I said I don't think they've actually said anythin' to each other yet" Mike explained. He couldn't help but feel a little puzzled about what was going on down there on the beach, he had never been a eves dropper but he would have given
anything to be able to see and hear what was happening more clearly. At some point Lori had moved to sit in front of Micky his long legs stretched out either side of her and his arms were wrapped around her waist. Lori was leaning against his chest. She was enjoying the outside and being in Micky's arms made her feel so much better.

"I could stay like this forever" She announced. Micky was a little surprised that Lori had spoken it had startled him a little.

"So could I, as long as you were here with me" He said. Lori smiled.
She couldn't tell him, not now, everything was too perfect she didn't want to ruin it. Suddenly she got an idea.

"Do you wanna go for a swim?" she asked.

"We haven't got our bathing suits"

"So we'll go in our clothes, the water looks so cool and refreshing I just wanna dive right in there" Lori told him. Micky grinned.

"Ok sure come on then," He said.

Up on the Veranda Mike saw Micky and Lori kick off their shoes, jump up and run towards the ocean. They ran right in as far as they could and he saw Micky splash Lori then Lori splash Micky and they continued to splash each other for a few minutes until Lori pulled him over and they disappeared under the water for a few seconds. Mike
could hear them laughing from where he was standing and it sounded like they were having a really good time. When Micky and Lori re-emerged Micky pulled Lori over to him and they kissed. Mike's two wrestling sides suddenly agreed with each other and he felt a little angry.

"Come on Lori tell him he deserves to know, just tell him" But obviously Lori was too far away she couldn't hear Mikes pleas and she and Micky continued to kiss. When they stopped Micky looked at Lori and pushed her wet hair out of her face. He couldn't believe how beautiful she looked.

"Do you wanna go out for dinner tonight?" He asked her, a little nervously. Lori looked at him and smiled.

"Yeah I'd love too," She said.

"Great our first date" Micky said. He was trying so hard to stay calm but his heart was doing somersaults! Lori had agreed to go out with him and he wanted to yell and shout with joy but managed to stay in control enough to ask his next question "So where would you like to eat?"

"I dunno really I don't mind how about you surprise me"

"Ok, I'll pick you up from your pad at around seven-thirty?"

"That sounds great" Lori said they kissed again. Maybe going on a date with Micky was just what she needed to finally be able to stop worrying about falling in love with him maybe now she could begin to lead a normal life again, if she let herself. "I better get home and have a shower" she told him once the kiss had ended.

"Ok I'll see you later" Micky told her and they kissed again suddenly
Lori burst out laughing and Micky got a bit worried "What's so funny?" He asked.

"I've just realized I've gotta walk home, my pad is half an hour away and I'm soaking wet. People are gonna think I'm some kinda nut" she told him and Micky grinned.

"Oh yeah err. tell you what come up to the pad you can dry off and borrow something of mine to wear home" He suggested.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure come on" He told her. He took hold of her hand and they started to head back up the beach towards the pad. Mike realized what they were doing and he ran inside, grabbed the morning paper and jumped onto the sofa next to Davy. Peter was in the kitchen washing up the breakfast things and had been surprised at Mike's sudden and dramatic entrance.

"What's up with you?" He asked. Mike looked up at him

"Nothin' just had a sudden urge to read the paper that's all" He told him. The bassist stared at the Texan.

"Right! Ok whatever" He replied then carried on with his chore. Micky and Lori came in though the back door giggling to each other.

"Hi guys" Micky said.

"What on earth have you guys been up to? You're both soaking!" Peter told them. 

"We went for a swim" Lori replied.

"In your clothes?" Davy asked not able to stop staring at them

"Yeah we didn't have our bathing suits" Micky added.

"Oh fair enough" Davy said shooting Peter a "They're crazy" look and Peter responded by giggling a little. Mike pretended to look really interested in the paper, it was obvious by Micky's mood that Lori hadn't told him about Annie and he was desperate to know why.

"Come on Lori lets get you upstairs and outta those clothes" Micky told her Mike Peter and Davy all stared at him and reading their looks Micky added "Into dry ones! Jeez grow up guys!"

"Yeah we knew that" Peter said, Micky turned to Lori.

"Go upstairs I'll get some towels" He told her so Lori disappeared upstairs while Micky went into the bathroom grabbed some towels and was about to go upstairs when Mike called him back.

"Hay Mick can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Er. ok but make it quick ok" Micky went over to him and was about to sit down when he remembered he was soaking wet and it probably wouldn't be a good idea to sit so he decided to stay standing.

"Did Lori talk to you about anythin' did she tell you anythin'?"

"Like what?"

"Stuff about her past, when she was in England particularly?"

"No she didn't mention anything about it" Micky looked worried "Why? Should she have, do you know something I should know?"

"What? Oh no nothin' never mind forget I mentioned it, you better get out of those wet clothes before you catch your death" Mike told him.

Micky was a little confused but didn't pursue the conversation any further. He went upstairs and into the bedroom and Lori was standing in the middle of the room waiting for him. She had made a huge puddle in the middle of the floor where the water had been dripping off her.

"Look at you! I invite you into my home and you repay me by flooding my bedroom" Micky told her.

"I'm sorry but it's your fault you took so long getting the towels, what happened did you get lost?" She asked.

"Mike stopped me on the way up and asked me some very bizarre questions so it wasn't my fault" Micky said grinning, he threw some towels at her. Lori couldn't help but worry about what Mike had spoken to Micky about but she didn't want to ask in case it caused
Micky to ask too many questions she didn't want to answer. She dried down as much as she could with her clothes on. Micky went over to his closet and opened the door. Ever since the prospect of a relationship with Lori arose Micky had tried to be as tidy as possible so only a few clothes fell out of the door rather then all of them.

"Take a look in there see what you fancy" he told her. He grabbed a shirt and some dry trousers "I'll leave you to get changed in private" Micky said and he left closing the door behind him. Lori peered inside Micky's closet she couldn't help but feel a little strange, although she had Micky's permission to be looking in his closet she still felt as though she was snooping and it unnerved her a little. She picked out a plain orange v-necked shirt with a collar and a pair of black trousers. The clothes were a little big but she felt comfortable in them. She scooped up her clothes and wrung them out on the towels as best she could, dried the puddles on the floor and picked up the rest of the towels. She came down stairs. Mike was still on the sofa Davy had moved to the kitchen to help Peter put the washing up away and Micky was not in the room so she assumed he must have still been changing somewhere else in the pad.

"Here Lori let me take those for you" Peter told her and he came over to her and took the towels from her. 

"Thanks Pete"

"Lori come sit over here for a minute" Mike called indicating the empty space on the sofa next to him. She knew exactly what was coming and she prayed Micky would hurry up so she wouldn't have to face too many of Mike's questions.

"What's up hun?" She asked trying to sound as breezy as possible as she sat beside him.

"You didn't tell him did you" It wasn't a question and Mike looked deadly serious and also, to Lori, a little scary.

"No, I couldn't I was going to but I got down there and I lost my nerve. He just looked so pleased to see me that I couldn't tell him I'm sorry Mike I just couldn't," She confessed Mike's face softened a little.

"It's ok I know I kinda pushed you into it I mean you weren't really ready to tell me yet so it's my fault but you will have to tell him sooner or later you know that don't you"

"I know and I will I promise" Lori told him. Mike only nodded his response and Micky appeared from the downstairs bedroom, Lori saw him and went over to him.

"Hay that's better you're all dry" Micky said he put his arms around her and she did the same.

"You too, I hope these clothes are all right I didn't know which ones were---"

"It's ok they're fine"

"Good. well I better get going I'll Er see you tonight?"

"Yeah I'll see you tonight" They leaned in and kissed passionately.  Lori didn't want to leave him she wanted to stay wrapped in his arms forever. The other three Monkees quietly cheered as Micky and Lori were finally admitting their feelings for each other, to each other.

As Lori walked home she couldn't stop smiling she was so excited about her date with Micky that night. She was glad Mike knew about her past it had been causing her so much pain to hide it from her friends, all she had to do now was work up the courage to tell Micky.

It still hurt and she missed Annie more and more every day but she felt as though she could begin to move on. Nothing would replace Annie not ever but Annie wouldn't want her mommy to fade away into nothing she would want her mommy to live her life and move on. When Lori arrived home Lana was on the phone Lori waved dumped her clothes in the wash basket then sat on the sofa.

"Yeah Mom Peter's fine the Monkees have got a really great gig lined up it's going really well for them" Lana was saying.

"Hi Mrs. Tork" Lori called

"She say's hi back" Lana told Lori "Yeah Mike's good too and no Mother we are not getting back together" Lana said rolling her eyes.

When she finished talking to her mom Lana replaced the receiver. "I swear my mother and Micky have got together and made it their life's mission to get Mike and I back together," She said, coming over and sighed as she dropped into the chair next to Lori.

"They mean well Lan they just want you to be happy that's all" Lori told her "Why aren't you at work anyway?" she asked.

"Called in sick couldn't be bothered to go in today" Lana replied shrugging "How'd it go with Micky?"

"I didn't tell him I chickened out but I'm gonna try again tonight"

"Tonight? What's tonight?"

"Micky's taking me out for dinner" Lori's face broke out into a wide grin "We're going on a date" She told her.  Lana screamed.

"Really! Oh my god that's so great" She said and hugged Lori and then they let go of each other.

"I was thinking since I missed the morning of uni there's no point going in now so do you wanna come shopping with me so I can get a new outfit for tonight?"

"Have you ever known me to miss out on a shopping trip?" Lana asked "Speaking of outfits where did you get yours? It wasn't what you were wearing when you left"

"Oh, these are Micky's we went swimming and my clothes got wet so Micky let me borrow his to walk home in"

"Right ok. doesn't it feel a bit weird being in men's clothes?"

"No oddly enough I feel really comfortable, didn't you ever wear anything of Mike's while you were together?"

"Only his hat but never in public if you catch my drift" She explained and winked.

"Ok now I wish I never asked!" Lori said smiling a little "Shall we go?" So the two girls grabbed their purses and marched happily out the door.

Chapter 10


Lori spent a couple of hours visiting every clothes shop in Malibu beach at least three or four times each that even Lana was beginning to get extremely bored. Lori appeared out of a changing room wearing, what felt like to Lana, the millionth outfit.

"What about this one?" Lori asked.

"You know babe I liked that one you tried on before that was by far the best so why don't you get that one so we can home" Lana told her.

"Are you really sure? I mean I wanna look good for Micky I wanna find something he's really gonna dig"

"Oh honey Micky would think you looked great in a black sack you know how he feels about you so anything you wear will be fine trust me" Lana explained "What time is he picking you up?"

"Seven thirty" Lori told her and Lana looked at her watch.

"Well it's five now so you better get a move on" she said and showed Lori her watch.

"Oh jeez you're right ok I'll get the one I tried on before" she said and disappeared back in to the changing room.

"Thank the lord!"

"I heard that" Lori shouted.

"You were meant to" Lana shouted back "Now get a move on" Finally they arrived home at six. Lana went upstairs and was about to go into the bathroom when Lori cut in front of her.

"Sorry but I'm running late" She shouted through the closed door.

"Yeah cos you only have an hour and a half until Micky arrives, you'll never be ready in time" Lana said in a sarcastic tone which Lori chose to ignore.

Half past seven came and went with no sign of Micky and Lori was starting to panic. She thought about giving Micky a call to see where he had got to but she thought she would sound too desperate and that was the last thing she wanted so decided against it and all she could do was sit and wait, unfortunately she was way too nervous to just sit. She kept getting up and pacing around the living room, then sitting down then getting up, sitting down, getting up, sitting down. etc. Lana was getting extremely irritated. She was sitting on the sofa trying to read her book and now she lost her temper.

"Oh for goodness sake Lori will you sit down!" She shouted, after Lori had started pacing the living room again.

"Sorry I can't help it, what time is it now?"

"It's about two minutes since you last asked me that question, just relax I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation as to why he's not here yet" Lana reassured her. Lori sat down again and started drumming her thighs with her hands and rocking back and forth and
every now and then she checked Lana's watch.

"I wish I knew where he was this is driving me crazy" she said.

"It's driving you crazy! Trust me if you don't sit still I'll be putting you out of your misery by throwing you outta the nearest window" Lana told her, the annoyance clear in her voice.

"I'm sorry ok this is our first date I'm a little nervous I want it to go well"

"It will go well I don't think either of you is going to mess it up on purpose and any way you know what to expect from Micky. He's a complete nutcase" Lana said grinning a little.

"He's also your brother's best friend so be nice!"

"I know I'm only teasing, you know how much I love Micky I know him very well and he wouldn't be late with out a really good reason" Lana assured her.

At eight fifteen the doorbell rang and Lori almost jumped out of her skin. She made Lana go and answer the door and Lana couldn't help but chuckle a little. She went into the hall and opened the front door to see a very anxious Micky standing there.

"You're late!" Lana told him.

"I know I'm sorry"

"It's not me you should be apologizing to"

"I know but it's not my fault blame your dumb brother it's all his fault" Micky explained.

"Well get in there and see your date before she explodes" Lana ordered.

"Yes Ma'am. Is she ok?"

"No she's not she's really nervous Mick"

"Well that makes two of us," He confessed.

"Look after her ok, something's going on with her and I'm not quite sure what it is I haven't been able to work her out so just make sure that whatever happens you take care of her" she told him and Micky smiled.

"Of course I will, you know Mike told me the same thing, you guys have always been on the same wave length you're so perfect for each other" He said. Lana rolled her eyes.

"Don't start that again Mick please, just get in there to Lori will you! She's going crazy," She said. Micky nervously stepped in to the living room Lori saw him and stood up.

"Wow you look so beautiful," he told her and he meant it he had never seen such a beautiful creature in all his life. Lori blushed.

"Thank you, you look amazing I've never seen any one look so good in a suit" and she meant it too. They both stared at each other for a few moments, they couldn't take their eyes off each other. Micky snapped out of it first.

"Er sorry I'm late Peter was late getting back with the car and Davy was on the phone with his new girlfriend so I couldn't call..." Lori stopped him by raising her hand.

"Its ok you're here now that's all that matters," She told him. Micky got lost again looking at Lori he couldn't help but think how amazing she looked.

"So...shall we go?" He asked finally coming back down to earth. So they left. 

Micky drove them to a restaurant on the outskirts of town and Lori was feeling so nervous now she could hardly speak. Once they got settled in the restaurant and their first course arrived she began to feel a lot more comfortable. They found it a little hard to start up a conversation at first but once they got started they didn't stop and they talked about everything. Lori hadn't laughed so much for such a long time. Micky was having a great time too. He and Lori had so many things in common and he loved her sense of humour, none of  his previous girlfriends had made him laugh as much as Lori did, they found the same things funny which delighted him. One thing that had always been important to Micky was that the girls he dated had to have a sense of humour and enjoy goofing around as much as he did. He hated the serious type of girls that Mike always seemed to go for, apart from Lana. It had totally surprise him when Lana and Mike had started dating because she was not the type Mike would usually go for at all she was more Micky's type. Lana had a great sense of humour and she had been the only of Mike's girlfriends that he had loved like a sister, maybe that was because she was Peter's sister and he felt like Peter was his brother and the same with Davy and Mike too, but anyway he had loved Lana and was so heart broken when she and Mike split up. He had campaigned to both of them almost every day since they split to get them back together, so far with no effect but he wasn't going to give up yet!

As Lori began her food she started to think about her life so far, she was only twenty years old but she felt as though she had lived for a hundred years with all the tragedy she had suffered in her life. Then she thought about Micky and how happy he made her feel. She watched him as he got fed up of using his knife and folk he picked up a handful of fries looked around to make sure no one was watching then stuffed them all in his mouth. Lori was a little shocked.

"You pig!" She grinned Micky looked at her.

"What! Me?" He asked trying to look innocent with a mouth still stuffed full of fries.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you any table manners?"

"Of course she did. Your mother obviously taught you too many!" Micky said, the grin disappeared from Lori's face and Micky suddenly realized what he had said "Oh Lori I'm so sorry I didn't...I forgot please forgive me" He said.

"Hay it's ok don't worry about it it's no problem" Lori smiled weakly "Just use your cutlery in future ok"

"Yes Ma'am" He replied. He felt such an idiot he knew Lori's mom had died when she was very young and he felt such a moron for not remembering. Things were a little awkward and shaky after that Lori didn't talk much until Micky started to tell her about the time he had walked in on Lana and Mike.

"I had no idea they were in there," he was telling her "I was searching for my drumstick and I remembered seeing it in my closet"

"What was it doing in your closet?"

"I have no idea, you wouldn't believe the places I've left it. Anyway I went upstairs and into the bedroom and Lana was sitting on top of  Mike and she had just pulled off his shirt and he was about to unhook her...err *ahem* brazier," Micky told her his face flashed a brilliant crimson, he was obviously still embarrassed about it.

"No way!"

"It's true I've never felt so embarrassed in my life, they both looked so shocked and we just stared at each other for a few seconds"

"What happened next?"

"Well I left obviously, but I think me walking in on them broke their mood cos they came down stairs a few moments later. I was sitting at the kitchen table Mike came over to me and said," Micky put on his best Texan accent "Sorry about that shotgun we didn't realize any one was home" Lori burst in to laughter and Micky was grinning.

"Oh my god! I wish I could've seen that!"

"Lana couldn't look me in the eye for months after that, every time I spoke to her she'd go bright red, I was embarrassed too for a couple of days but I soon started to see the funny side"

"I bet you enjoyed torturing Lana about it too"

"Oh yeah of course it's only natural" Micky told her. Lori was smiling again now, Micky loved her smile so much.

"I'll have to remind her of that when I get home"

"Ah that's what I like to see, a girl with a dark side," Micky told her and Lori giggled.

"Well I have been known to tease a lot of people through my time," she said.

"Now I understand why I like you so much" Micky grinned.

Mike was sitting at home on the edge of the bandstand, he had finally gotten a minute to himself and his thoughts were flooded with the events of that morning with Lana. He had come so close to kissing her and he was almost angry with Lori for walking in on them and ruining it for them. Peter read the troubled look on the Texans face and came over to him.

"Penny for your thoughts" He asked. Mike looked at him

"It's ok buddy I'm fine" Mike said.

"You don't look fine you look troubled come on Michael maybe I can help you out you've always given me advice I'd like to return the favour, come on let the counselor be counseled" Peter told him and smiled a little dimpled grin.

Mike couldn't even be bothered to argue he knew Peter was right he had always been the one the other three came to for advice and he hardly ever talked to any one about his
problems, well except for Lana but he couldn't talk to her about this one so he decided why not talk to Peter. Mike let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding

"Lana and I almost kissed this mornin', the only reason we didn't was because Lori walked in on us right before" he told him. Peter sat down next to him and considered him for a moment then asked,

"Did you want to kiss her?"

"Oh yeah man I really did"

"Do you want to get back together with her?"

"Yes...no..." Mike got so frustrated "Oh I don't know! I love her I know that and I miss her I miss her so much it hurts sometimes but it didn't work out between us and when we broke up...well I've never known pain like that, it was awful. I don't want to ever feel like
that again. If we're apart then at least I still get to see her"

"You'd see her if you were together too" Peter told him feeling really confused.

"I know Pete but bein' together only ends in pain I can't do that to her again, if we got back together and if we broke up again..."

"Michael, you seem to be saying `if' a lot what do you want, no ifs or buts, what do you want deep down in your heart?" Peter asked. Mike looked at him and answered with just one word.

"Lana"

Chapter 11

It was after three in the morning when Micky and Lori reached Lori's apartment. They were both giggling so hysterically that their sides ached.

"Shhh" Lori whispered, "We'll wake up Lana," She said.

"Sorry" Micky told her he placed a hand over his mouth to try and stifle his laughter but it just made him laugh harder. Lori pulled him close to her and kissed him and they kissed passionately.

"What was that for?" He asked when they broke apart but kept their arms around each other "Not that I'm complaining," He added.

"Well you're not laughing any more are you," She told him.

"Good point but I feel a really big laugh coming on you better keep me quiet, don't want to wake Lana" He said and Lori smiled and they kissed again.

"I would ask you in but I've got uni in the morning and I've got to be up in" she looked at Micky's watch "Four hours!"

"It's ok I understand. I'll call you tomorrow"

"Ok" they kissed again and Micky headed back to the Monkeemobile "Hay Mick?" She called and Micky turned around and faced her.

"Yeah?"

"I had a really great time tonight, thank you for everything," she told him and Micky smiled.

"You're welcome, I had a great time too so thank you as well"

"I'll speak to you tomorrow"

"Yeah speak to you tomorrow" Micky said and blew her a kiss, which Lori returned then disappeared inside. Micky stared at the door for a while, a huge contentment filled his body.

"I'm gonna marry that girl" He said his smile widened and he turned on his heels and headed back to the Monkeemobile.

Lori was woken the next morning by a loud screaming in her ears.

"HAY LORI GET UP! YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE" Lori unwillingly opened
her eyes and saw Lana glaring down at her.

"What time is it?" She groaned.

"Half past seven, must have been some night huh? What time did you get home any way?"

"Just after three this morning" Lori was hardly awake but she sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed "Lana I had the best time I actually forgot how miserable I was"

"Well Micky does that to a person"

"Yeah he does" Lori smiled at the thought of him.

"So are you guys together yet?"

"I dunno we haven't said anything"

"Maybe you should ask him"

"What! No way I can't just come right out and ask him something like that" Lori told her looking absolutely mortified.

"Why not?"

"Because it would be embarrassing that's why!"

"Of course it won't, you have to find out where you stand with him it won't be that embarrassing" Lana said then Lori remembered something and smiled slightly.

"Oh no it can't be any worse then, oh I dunno, being caught in a compromising position with your boyfriend by a rather cheeky curly haired drummer" Lori said and Lana's eyes widened in shock.

"He told you!" She asked Lori was laughing.

"Oh yeah he told me all right"

"I'm gonna kill him, you're right don't ask him where you stand let him suffer for a very long time!" Lana said and Lori stopped giggling.

"You know I'm not even sure if I'm ready for that yet I'm still trying to sort my head out you know"

"No not really you've never told me what went on in your past"

"I know I will tell you I promise"

"I know you better get a move on you're going to be late" Lana told her and she left so Lori could get ready, muttering something about revenge for Micky and Lori started to giggle again. All she wanted to do was lie down and go back to sleep but she had already missed two days of uni she couldn't miss another one. At eight `0' clock she was ready and already fifteen minutes late she left her apartment and was surprised to see the Monkeemobile parked outside and Micky was leaning against it with his arms folded.

"There you are! Jeez I thought you'd sleep all day," He told her. Lori's face covered in a big smile.

"You're one to talk! What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I've come to give you a lift to university you could at least say hello and pretend to be happy to see me"

"Of course I'm happy to see you" Lori said she reached him and gave him a kiss "It's just in all the time I've known you I've never seen you up and dressed before noon"

"Oh that's charming that is, maybe I should just go back home then," Micky said pretending to be offended.

"Don't you dare" she said and pulled him closer for another kiss a passionate one this time.
 
"Now that's what I call a wake up call," He told her and they kissed again. Then he opened the Monkeemobile door for her and she slipped inside. Micky ran round the car and jumped in the drivers seat and they headed off.

"Don't think I'm not happy to see you but I thought you were gonna call me later" Lori asked him.

"Well I thought I'd give you the pleasure of seeing me in the flesh" He told her with mock arrogance. 

"Oh really! Well that's much appreciated," She told him with a grin.

"Well I'm being completely selfish actually I couldn't bare to go any longer without seeing you again" Micky told her "So this is all totally for my benefit" He said.

"Well you better stop the car because I don't want you to be put off driving by me kissing you" Lori told him so Micky pulled the car over and they kissed passionately.

"Not seeing you for the past five hours has been one of the hardest things in my life," Micky told her "Would you do me the honour of being my girlfriend?" He asked. Lori stared at him for a few seconds then sat back in her chair and said nothing Micky was watching her expectantly waiting for an answer. Finally Lori looked at him again.

"There's a lot you don't know about me Mick, I'm not sure you'd want to be with me if I told you my life story" Micky was a little stunned by Lori's announcement but it didn't put him off.

"Try me," he said.

"I can't go there yet I'm sorry, I wish I could but before we make any further decisions about our relationship lets just have a second date ok and see how things go from there ok" Micky was so disappointed that hadn't been the answer he was expecting but he
loved her and he respected her wishes.

"Ok sure no problem" He replied.

"You do understand don't you?" Lori asked Micky looked her in the eye and pushed the hair away from her face.

"I do, I understand that some thing happened in your past that is making you wary of loving me but I promise you I would never ever hurt you, take all the time you need I'm not going anywhere I just want you to know that I love you and I'll be here for you whenever you need me" Micky told her.

"Thank you for being so understanding I know I'm not being very fair on you but I." Micky stopped her by placing a finger on her mouth.

"I told you I understand and I do" he told her gently "Just don't make me wait to long ok there's a lot of girls out there dying for some Dolenz attention" He said with a smile, the mock arrogance back again.

"Ok I'll try thank you" Lori said and laughed a little.

"Well we better get going I don't want you to be later then you already are. If you know what I mean," Micky said awkwardly. Lori smiled and Micky put the car in drive and they set off down the road. They didn't speak for the rest of the journey. Lori was thinking about what Micky had said she knew she was falling in love with him but she didn't want to start anything with him until she was certain she had her head on straight. She was grateful he understood and she knew she was risking losing him the longer she took but she needed a little more time. When they arrived at Lori's university they both
got out of the car and Micky walked round to Lori.

"Thank you for the ride" Lori said, she couldn't help but feel a little awkward

"You're welcome"

"So how about that second date then?" She asked him reaching over and holding his hands in hers.

"You bet, how about tonight?"

"I'll tell you what, why don't you come over to my pad tonight and I'll cook us some dinner" Lori suggested.

"You can cook? I am impressed I'd love too thank you"

"Great, how about you come over for eight"

"Yep I'll be there"

"Excellent! Well I better go then, I'll see you tonight" She said. They kissed goodbye but didn't let go of their hands until the very last minute. Micky watched her go as she was greeted by some friends. She turned and waved and blew him a kiss. He didn't mind waiting, not really, she was worth it.

When Peter had got up and found Micky's note he almost fell over! He read the note over and over again just to make sure he read it right.

"Pete, I've gone out be back later, Micky" Peter read to Mike who didn't believe Peter at all.

"So, not only is he up at nine `0' clock in the mornin' but he's actually dressed and out side of the pad?" Mike asked in complete shock.

"Yeah I know it's scary isn't it" Peter said.

"It most certainly is" Mike replied. Peter considered him for a moment not sure whether he should ask the next question he had on his mind or not. He sat at the table for a moment then decided to go for it. Mike was reading the morning paper and eating his cereal. 

"So. err. have you made a decision yet?"

"About what shotgun?" Mike asked not taking his eyes from the paper.

"Lana" Peter said. Mike put down his spoon and looked across at Peter.

"No not really, I didn't get much sleep last night because I was laying awake thinking about it and to be honest the more I considered it the more nervous I became" He confessed.

"Nervous! Why?"

"Because it's Lana I mean she's pretty much the love of my life and I'm glad of the friendship we have now and I'm just scared that if we got back together and broke up again, I'd lose her completely.  I can't lose her, I need her in my life"

"You know it's funny she said practically the same thing" Peter informed him and Mike stared at him.

"You talked to her about it?" He asked, suddenly feeling really nervous

"Not recently it was a few weeks ago I think, not long after we first met Lori" Peter explained.

"Really, what did she say?"

"I can't remember her exact words but it was something like she couldn't imagine living her life with out you in it in some way or another"

"She said that! Really?" Mike could hardly believe what he was hearing. He stood up and ran upstairs.

"What are you doing?" Peter asked

"I have to go see her" Mike called. He threw off his pajamas and dressed as quickly as possible, he was in such a rush he forgot his hat!

"Michael wait a minute just think about this" Peter pleaded as Mike ran down stairs.

"Sorry Pete, no time" he called as he bolted out the door. He stopped outside when he realized Micky had taken the Monkeemobile "Damn it!" He yelled but it didn't stop him. He turned and bolted down the street, he would run the whole way. Micky pulled up in front of the pad just in time to see Mike pelting down the street and disappear around the corner

"<What is he up to?" Micky thought "And where's his hat?>"

It took Mike fifteen minutes to reach Lana's apartment, he had run all the way and now he had reached his destination he almost collapsed with exhaustion. He grabbed his aching side and stopped behind a wall outside Lana's front door to rest for a while. He
finally regained his breath and was about to go and knock on the front door when he saw a guy beat him to it. He seemed a little taller then Mike and maybe better looking too Mike thought but he was too far away from the guy to get a good look at him. He saw Lana open the door and he ducked down behind the wall so Lana wouldn't see him. He peered over and saw her embrace the guy with a big grin on her face she kissed him on the cheek and they both went in side and Lana closed the door. Mikes heart shattered into a million pieces. He turned around and slumped against the wall Lana had met some one new and he cursed himself for taking so long to tell her how he felt about her. He cupped his face in his hands and then rubbed the back of his neck. It was then he realized he wasn't wearing his hat. He stayed out side Lana's apartment for at least an hour with his head in his hands before deciding to take a walk along the beach. He desperately wanted to be a fly on the wall in Lana's pad so he could find out who that guy was and what was going on between the two of them.

Davy and Peter watched from the kitchen table as Micky busied himself polishing his drums.

"Have you noticed any thing different about Micky ever since Lori entered our lives?" Peter asked Davy quietly.

"How d'you mean?" Davy replied.

"Well, he's getting up early now, and also when was the last time he played a practical joke on us or goofed around or."

".Hid my tambourine!" Davy added.

"Exactly he's different somehow, he's....calm"

"I know, I don't like it one bit" They both shivered a little then turned their attention back to the drummer.

"Maybe he's broken" Peter suggested.

"Na he's not broken Pete he's in love" Davy explained. The front door opened and Lana came in closely followed by another guy.

"Hi guys, hay Peter guess who I found," She said and Peter turned around his face broke out into a wide dimpled grin at the sight of the other guy.

"Nick! When did you arrive?" He asked he went over and embraced Nick in a bear hug.

"Hay little brother, I got in a couple of hours ago I'm here on business so I thought I better check on my kid brother and sister, make sure you're behaving yourselves" he said. Nick was eight years older then Peter and Ten years older then Lana and very protective of them both, especially Lana. Although they were a close family this had been the first time Nick had ever visited his siblings in California.

"It's so great to see you, come and meet my friends" Peter told him "Davy, Mick come over here would ya" He called. Micky and Davy had been watching them curiously from their seats, wondering who this guy was, they walked over when Peter called them.

"Guys this is our older brother Nick" Lana told them.

"Nice to meet you Nick I'm Davy Jones" Davy told him with a warm friendly smile and extended his hand and Nick accepted it.

"You too Davy" Nick said and shook his hand vigorously.

"Hi Nick how you doing I'm Micky Dolenz" Micky said.

"Not too bad Micky" they shook hands "Yourself?"

"Yeah I'm good" Micky told him.

"So are Bella and the kids with you as well?" Peter asked his brother.

"Bella is Nick's wife" Lana explained to Micky and Davy who nodded in understanding.

"No they couldn't make it I'm afraid Pete but they send their love as does Mom and Dad"

"I spoke to Mom on the phone a few days ago and she never mentioned you were coming" Lana said.

"That's because I wanted it to be a surprise," Nick told her "So where's the Texan mean machine then?" Nick asked.

"Texan mean machine!" Micky and Davy repeated a little confused.

"He means Mike" Lana said she turned to Nick "You promised you'd stop calling him that!" She said jabbing her eldest brother in the arm.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help myself, so is he around?"

"I thought he was with you?" Peter asked Lana.

"No, why would he be with me?" Lana replied a little confused.

"No reason forget I said anything," Peter told her but he was worried about his Texan friend, if Mike hadn't shown up at Lana's then where had he got too?

Because Mike and Lana used to be a couple Lana had taken him home with her quite a few times to see her family and Nick had taken great pleasure in teasing the Texan to see if he had the temper Lana had said he did, and he had indeed. Nick had found that out the hard way when he had pushed Mike a little too far one time that had resulted in Mike punching Nick and giving him a nice shiner under his eye. Nick had not been mad, far from it, he had been impressed and grateful that his kid sister had someone to take care of her, other then Peter of course, when he couldn't be around.

Mike walked down the beach thinking about Lana he was too far away to have seen the guy clearly but it was obvious she had a deep affection for him. He sat on the beach resting against a rock, a single tear steamed down his face he had never felt so lonely in his life.

Although he had the band and his friends he wanted more, he wanted Lana and now he could never have her. The single tear was joined by three or four more and more joined them until his Texan pride gave in and he began to cry softly. He had no idea how long he sat there crying when he felt a light touch on his shoulder that made him jump a little.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you" came a gentle female voice "Are you alright?" Mike took his hands away from his face and looked up, trying to focus on the form in front of him. His eyes were red and swollen from the tears. Finally he was able to see her, she hand long sandy hair and brown eyes that bored into his soul when they connected with his. He had to admit it, she was beautiful. She had porcelain skin and her face was etched with worry and concern for the stranger that sat before her.

"I'll be fine thank you" Mike stuttered he wiped his tear soaked face and stood up, she was shorter then him maybe the same height as Lori so she had to crane her neck to look at him.

"Are you sure I mean you've been sitting out here for at least two hours I could see you from my pad" The woman said and she pointed to an apartment block just up from the beach a little.

"I'm sure, thank you for your concern and I don't mean to be rude but I'd rather be alone right now if you don't mind" Mike told her as gently as possible because he didn't want to offend her.

"Oh sure sorry I'll get out of your way I didn't mean to intrude " She told him with a friendly smile.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Caitlyn, Caitlyn Mackenzie" she replied "And you're one of the Monkees right?" Caitlyn asked. Mike was a little surprised.

"That's right how did you know that?"

"My roommate is a big fan of you guys we try and visit the Vincent van Gogh-Gogh whenever you play" Caitlyn explained "You really are very good," She added. 

"Thank you, I'm Michael Nesmith but please call me Mike" Mike told her and he held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you Mike and you must call me Cait" She took his hand and shook it.

"It's nice to meet you Cait"

"You know, I almost didn't recognize you with out your hat" she said with an amused grin, Mike laughed a little.

"Well we had a fight this mornin' and he decided to stay at home" He said and returned the grin now it was Cait's turn to laugh.

"Would you like to come in for a soda?" She asked, "I mean only if you're done with being alone"

"I am now" He replied and the two of them strolled happily up the beach, and after a couple of minutes in the company of Caitlyn Mackenzie Mike forgot all his worries over Lana.

Chapter 12

Micky wasn't due at Lori's for another three hours but he had already started to get ready. He was almost as nervous now as he had been for their first date. Peter was sitting on Mike's bed watching the drummer with great amusement as he pulled shirt after shirt from his closet.

"Ok what about this one?" Micky asked holding a navy blue button down shirt against his chest waiting for the bassist's approval. A large pile of discarded shirts lay at the drummer's feet.

"Yeah that one's good as well any of them will be fine" Micky rolled his eyes.

"Come on Pete you're not helping"

"I'm sorry you know I'm no good at this, it's more Davy's area of expertise then mine, you should've called him up here I have got guests downstairs you know" Peter said. Micky had forgotten that Lana and Nick were still down stairs.

"Oh god you're right I'm sorry you can go now"

"Thank you master" Peter said chuckling a little "I'll send Davy up" He called over his shoulder as he disappeared out the door, leaving Micky to worry about what shoes he should wear. As Peter came down the stairs he heard Davy on the phone.

"Ok Mike we'll see you later" He said and replaced the receiver.

"Was that Michael?" Peter asked the Englishman. Davy stared at him.

"No Pete it was the queen she called to make sure I was enjoying living in America" Davy said, his tone dripping with sarcastic. 

"Really wow that's kind of her" Peter said. Davy slapped his palm on his forehead.

"Of course it was Mike you dummy"

"Why is Michael pretending to be the queen?" Peter asked feeling really confused "Oh wait does he think he's princess Gwen again?"

"Isn't that dumb" Came Micky's voice from upstairs. Davy blinked.

"It wasn't Mike pretending to be the queen and no, he doesn't think he's princess Gwen it was just plain old Mike. He called to say he was having dinner with a friend and he would be back late" Davy explained.

"Oh ok" Peter said still feeling a little confused "Micky wants your
help upstairs" He told Davy and he joined his siblings sitting at the table. Davy disappeared upstairs then the three Tork's heard him shout.

"No, no, no that's all wrong! I thought you wanted to impress this girl" Lana sniggered a little.

"Micky's got a pretty important date tonight then huh?" Nick asked

"Yeah he has he's in love at the moment" Peter told him

"Speaking of which we better get going I want you to meet Lori before she goes out" Lana said.

"Will you come back later Nick?" Peter asked.

"I'll try Pete but I'll definitely come by tomorrow" Nick told his brother. Lana and Nick left after Peter had tried to get them to stay a little longer. They arrived at Lana's pad and went in. She knocked on Lori's bedroom door but got no answer so she called up the stairs

"Lori you in?"

"I'm in the bath I'll be out in a sec," Lori shouted down.

"Well be quick I've got someone here I want you to meet" Lana told her. Lori appeared from the hallway ten minutes later her hair was soaked and she was wearing a bathrobe.

"Sorry about taking so long" She said she saw the gentleman standing with Lana.

"That's ok Lor come and meet."

"Nick?" Lori cut off Lana was a little surprised.

"That's right how did you know?" Nick asked.

"It's obvious, Peter and Lana look so much like you" Lori said coming over to them.

"Well sometimes that's a burden," he said earning a jab in the ribs from his sister's elbow "Ow!"

"Well it's nice to finally put a face to the name, Peter and Lana talk about you all the time" Lori told him.

"I hear you're going out with Micky again tonight Lori" Lana said, "That's two nights in a row"

"No we're not going out, didn't you get the message I left with the answering service?" Lori asked starting to panic.

"What message? You know I hardly ever call that thing!"

"Oh Lan! I called to tell you I was cooking for Micky tonight and would you mind making yourself scarce for the evening"

"What! Yes actually I would mind this is my apartment too you know"

"I know Lana I'm sorry I'll make it up to you please, this is really important to me, please" Lori begged.

"Come on Lana help your roommate out you could come back with me to see Peter" Nick suggested. Lana sighed heavily.

"Ok fine but just this once and you owe me big Tyler" Lana told her.

"Yeah I know thank you now if you excuse me I'm dripping all over the carpet it was nice to meet you Nick I hope I'll see you again before you go back home" Lori said and then she disappeared into her bedroom.

Micky had decided to walk to Lori's rather then take the Monkeemobile. He was feeling extremely nervous and hoped the walk would calm him down, but he was wrong. With every step he took another butterfly appeared in his stomach <you're being stupid Dolenz! Calm down you've been out with this girl before, what are you so nervous about?> He asked himself but he didn't give himself an answer because he didn't know what he was so nervous about.

In his right hand he had a bouquet of flowers that Lana had assured him were Lori's favourites. He had left his pad at quarter past seven, just as Lana and Nick arrived

"Wow look at you, you look gorgeous" Lana had told him. Micky had managed a weak smile as a thank you but that was all

"Don't mind him Lan he's really nervous and hasn't said a word for the last hour and a half," Davy explained

"And I missed it! Darn!" She said snapping her fingers and grinning at Micky. Usually Micky would of shot back a sarcastic comment but tonight he had said nothing "Wow you must be nervous you've never let me get away with a comment like that before" Lana added

"If it makes you feel any better Micky Lori's just as nervous as you," Nick told him

"Yeah she's spent the last two hours trying on different outfits," Lana said

"Isn't that funny so has Micky!" Peter told them

"Well I think you went with the right choice you look gorgeous" Lana told him again.

Micky arrived at Lori's with ten minutes to spare <Well at least you're early this time!> He told himself. He wasn't sure whether or not to knock yet or wait until eight but he didn't fancy standing outside any longer because he was way too nervous now, he had no idea what he'd be like after hovering outside the front door for another ten minutes so he rapped lightly on the door, it took Lori a couple of minutes to get there so he knocked again. This time Lori opened the door and Micky's mouth dropped open.

"You're early," She said and those were the only words that came from her mouth before she forgot how to speak. Micky couldn't speak either and not because he was nervous but because of the vision that stood before him. They both stared unable to take their eyes off each other. Lori was wearing a Japanese style red silk dress and her hair was tied back in a French twist and little wisps of hair fell around her face. She had red sandals on with a slight heel but she was still not quite at eye level with Micky. He struggled to find his voice at first but finally managed to murmur

"I have ever seen such a beautiful creature in my entire life you look so amazing I just want to die" Lori went a brilliant shade of red and pulled him towards her and they melted into a passionate kiss

"Thank you Micky, you look amazing," She whispered in his ear as they hugged both Micky and Lori's nerves disappeared and they stood in the doorway hugging each other.

Lori had been just as speechless as Micky when she first opened the door. He was wearing black trousers and a blue shirt, he knew blue was Lori's favourite colour so he wanted to make sure he had some blue on him somewhere. He was wearing black shoes, which he had borrowed from Peter and a black suit jacket, also Peter's. Micky wanted to ask Lori to marry him there and then but it was too fast, they weren't even exclusive yet so asking her to be his wife would've been a little premature.

Mike was having such a great time in the company of Cait that he had forgotten all about Lana and her visitor that morning. Cait had been kind enough to invite him to stay for dinner, which he had accepted. She explained that her roommate, Joni, was out of town for a couple of weeks and she would really love some company for dinner. Mike and Cait got on really well for people who had only just met a few hours before and Mike couldn't help but feel drawn to her, she was stunning. Cait had had a secret crush on Mike ever since she first saw the Monkees play at the Vincent Van Gogh-Gogh, but she had never told any one, not even Joni. She didn't even know his name until now. Some how they managed to get on to the subject of cars.

"You guys have that red GTO right?" Cait asked over dinner

"Yeah that's right"

"She's a beauty, I see it parked outside the Vincent a lot and the club Cassandra too"

"That's were the Monkees have their main gigs so we're there a lot"

"Really? I didn't know you played at the Cassandra too, Joni and I don't go there often we prefer the Vincent"

"We'll play wherever they hire us" Mike said "Clubs, weddins, christenins, you name it"

"I'll have to remember that, be warned now, you've got yourself a groupie I'll be following you wherever you go" Cait told him

"I wouldn't mind that at all," Mike said and he smiled and Cait blushed a little

"You really are quite the charmer aren't you Mr. Nesmith" she said and Mike smiled a little more as she continued "Hay there's this really cool Car and motorbike show up state this weekend"

"Yeah I heard about that I really wanted to go" Mike told her

"Me too but I didn't want to go alone" she paused and looked at him for a second then said "You know if you haven't got anything planned do you wanna maybe go with me? I mean you know only if you want too," She asked cautiously. Mike didn't hesitate

"I'd love to go with you Cait thank you," He said and Cait smiled

"Great, My cousin lives there and he said I was welcome to stay any time so we won't need to worry about finding a hotel" she paused and looked at him "I know we've only just met Mike but I feel like I've known you forever"

"I know I feel the same way," Mike said they grinned at each other for a moment

"We'd have to leave pretty much now, the first show is in the morning" Cait finally managed to say

"That's fine let's go," he said. So Cait packed her stuff and called her cousin, while Mike washed up the dinner things and then they drove to Mike's pad so he could pack as well. He rushed in the front door and bolted upstairs.

"Mike what are you up too?" Davy called but Mike didn't answer. He grabbed his hat and put it on then he found Micky's suitcase and started to throw things in it he ran back down stairs to the bathroom grabbed his toothbrush and hair stuff and threw them in the case he'd left on the kitchen table "You going somewhere?" Davy asked

"Remember I told you about that car and motorbike show that's happenin' up state this weekend, well I'm goin'" Mike told the Englishman

"Oh right so you found some one to go with? I remember you not wanting to go by yourself"

"I didn't and yeah I found someone to go with, is Pete around?"

"No he's gone to the beach with Lana and." But Davy couldn't finish. Mike cut him off

"Ok well I'll call him and Micky later, say goodbye to them for me and Lana and Lori too I'll be back on Monday"

"You're going right now?" Davy asked

"Yep have a good weekend" Mike did up the suitcase and headed out the door. Davy followed and saw him jump in a car with a woman he'd never seen before. Mike waved goodbye and they sped off down the road

"Bye Mike" Davy called he closed the door and turned around "What is he up too?" He asked Mr. Schneider then Peter, Lana and Nick came up then back steps from the beach

"Hay Davy" Peter said

"You guys just missed Mike" Davy told them "He came home to pack and has just this second left"

"He's packed? Where's he going?" Peter asked

"The car and motorbike show up state, he said he would be gone for the weekend"

"I thought he didn't want to go by himself?" Lana questioned

"He's not, he's with a girl he didn't tell me her name but he just jumped in her car and they sped off down the road, I guess they were in a hurry" Davy explained

"He's with a woman?" Lana asked as jealousy began coursing though her body

"Yeah, I dunno who she was I've never even seen her before" Davy told her. That worried Lana. Davy knew practically every girl in town.

"I'm sure it's nothing Lan they're probably just friends that's all" Nick said, placing a comforting arm around his baby sister's shoulder. Peter was now feeling really, really confused. After the conversation he had with Mike that morning the last thing he expected was that the Texan would drive off for a weekend away with another woman.

Micky and Lori had finished dinner and were now in the living room with a glass of wine each, Nick had gone out to buy a couple of bottles for Lori because both she and Lana were underage. Micky took a sip and watched Lori pour a glass for herself

"I should report you, you know, you're underage" He teased

"I'm still on English time I'm old enough there," She told him

"You've been back in America almost four months!"

"Well what can I say, it takes me a long time to adjust," she said grinning a little. Lori had chosen to sit in the armchair but when she sat down she changed her mind and joined Micky on the sofa. She started at the opposite end so she could see him properly but as the night progressed she moved closer and closer until finally she was resting her head on his shoulder with her arm draped across his stomach. Micky had his arm around her stroking her hair. Lori wasn't a very big drinker so when Micky opened the second bottle of wine she was already starting to feel a little tipsy. She was so relaxed and comfortable she felt like she could fall asleep right there.

"Thank you for dinner Lori you really are a excellent cook" Micky told her

"Well I've had a lot of practice in my time I'm glad you liked it, thank you for the flowers they're beautiful"

"You're welcome, would you like any more wine?" He asked

"No because that would mean I'd have to move and I want to stay right here," She answered. Micky smiled and kissed the top of her head

"I don't think I've ever been this happy" he confessed he wasn't meant to say it out loud so he surprised himself when he did. It surprised him even more when Lori spoke

"I haven't felt this happy and safe in a long time" she replied and looked up at him this was the happiest she'd felt in a long time and that was down to Micky he made her feel so loved and so safe "Mick?" she asked

"Hmm" he replied Lori sat up so she was at eye level with him

"I'd love to be your girlfriend, if you'll still have me" she said. Micky wanted to jump up and scream with joy he couldn't believe those words had left Lori's mouth. A big smile covered his face

"You mean it?"

"Yeah I do, only if you'll have me"

"Are you kidding of course I will I love you" He told her he pulled her close and they kissed passionately, Micky couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that Lori hadn't told him she loved him too but he was so happy she'd consented to be his girlfriend his disappointment soon disappeared. Lori rested her head back on Micky's shoulder and closed her eyes, maybe now she could finally be happy.

Mike and Cait ended up staying away for two weeks, much to the annoyance of Mike's band mates. The Monkees had a very important gig at the club Cassandra that Mike had told them to play without him.

"What are we going to do?" Davy asked three days before the gig. Peter had called an emergency band meeting, the three remaining Monkees were present as well as Mr. Schneider "We can't cancel the manager would never let us play there again!" He added

"Maybe we could play songs that don't include lead guitar," Peter suggested. Davy and Micky stared at him for a moment. Davy blinked then turned his attention to Micky

"Maybe I could play lead," He said, choosing to ignore Peter's comment

"You don't know how, you've only just learned how to play bass," Micky told him

"Maybe Mr. Schneider could play lead," Peter said grinning at the dummy

"Don't be silly Pete, you know he gets stage fright!" Davy said

"Hang on a minute I'm getting an idea" Micky said "Pete you could play lead and Davy you could do the bass with me still on drums"

"What about percussion?" Davy asked

"We'll have to do without percussion for this one gig, so what do you guys think? I mean I don't see any other solution," Micky told them

"Well we haven't really got a choice have we" Davy said

"Ok then that's settled we better have a few more rehearsals before Saturday just to make sure everything runs smoothly" Micky told them and they agreed

"You see, who needs Michael!" Peter said

"Not us! Well not until he gets back any way" Micky added.

Lori was so excited about finally getting the chance to the see the Monkees play a proper gig. She and Micky had been an official couple for two weeks and she was looking forward to fulfilling her duties as the supporting girlfriend. Lana had pretty much screamed the house down when Lori told her she and Micky were an official couple. Lana hugged her best friend several hundred times and then danced around the living room.

"This is so exciting I can't believe it's finally happened" Lana said Lori had a big grin covering her face  

"I know! I just wish Mike were here he'd be so happy for us" Lori replied. Lana had tried so hard to forget that Mike was away with another woman but it wasn't that easy. It had not been like him at all to just suddenly take off like that with no warning and stay away for so long, it was even more unlike him to blow off such an important gig. He had never been the free spirited type and it angered Lana a little. One of the reasons they had broken up in the first place was his lack of adventure, why did he had to go and develop one now! Lana tried so hard not to dwell on it too much she knew there was someone out there for her and she'd find him sooner or later, she just hoped he wouldn't be wearing a green wool hat!!