"Hey, Mike," Davy said, tossing his tambourine down onto the floor. "What about that Mary Mary song that you've been playing around with??"

The Monkees were rehearsing for an upcoming gig their first in months, and they were trying to work out a play list.

"Aw, it's still not done yet," Mike sighed. "I just can't seem to get it right."

"If you ask me," Davy replied, "You're just a darn perfectionist!"

Peter placed his bass down onto the floor and sat down next to it with his legs crossed. He nervously bit his lip and cracked his knuckles a habit that drove the guys nuts, but was something Peter couldn't help doing when he was nervous.

"What's the matter, Pete?" Micky asked from behind the drum kit. "Why with the knuckles?"

Peter looked sheepish and laid his hands in his lap. "It's nothing, Mick," he lied.

It wasn't nothing. It was something. A big something. Today was the day he was finally gonna tell Davy about his feelings for Natasha.

Davy and Natasha had been dating for 6 months now, and from the moment when Davy had first introduced them to her, Peter hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. He knew what he was feeling was wrong, but it was totally beyond his control he was in love with her.

"Hey, Pete, why don't you play the guys your song?" Davy suggested.

Peter looked at the Englishman. "Aw, Davy, I don't know, it's not really very good."

"Nonsense," Davy answered, "It's a great song, Pete, isn't it Micky?" he asked, knowing full well that Micky had never heard Peter play it before.

Micky produced a drumroll. "It'll light up Broadway, Kid!" he said in his best Hollywood producer voice, a voice that the fellas knew well.

They all laughed, but inside Peter didn't feel anything like laughing. How was he going to tell Davy about his feelings for Nat?? It would crush him. He'd tried to tell him countless times before, but always backed down at the last minute. On one hand, he hated lying to his friend, and keeping his feelings inside was tearing him apart. But on the other hand, he was terrified that his telling Davy would ruin their friendship beyond repair. Was he really prepared to risk losing his friend?? And what would happen to The Monkees if the worst should happen?? No, he'd made his mind up this time he had to tell Davy how he felt.

"Peter?? Peter?? Earth to Peter!!" Peter came out of thoughts to see Mike and Davy standing in front of him, waving their hands in front of his face.

Peter smiled and said, "Sorry fellas, I was a million miles away."

"So we noticed," Mike said with a grin, "Anywhere nice?"

The total opposite actually, Peter thought.

Peter forced a smile.

"Come on, Pete, man," Micky smiled, "Play us your tune. Davy's told us good things about it."

So far, Davy was the only person who'd heard Peter's new song and he'd only heard it because he'd walked in on Peter while he was playing it. Peter knew that Davy wouldn't like the song half so much if he knew who it was really about. It was called `The Girl That Can Never Be Mine'.

"Just play it, Babe," Mike coaxed. "We're your buddies."

Peter knew that he wasn't going to get out of this one, so he reluctantly agreed to play the song for them. The reason he didn't want to play it wasn't that he was afraid they would see through it to the truth about his feeling for Natasha. No, the reason was, that it was such a hard song for him to sing without breaking down in tears. It was written from the heart and not meant for anybody else to hear. Still, he picked up Mike's guitar and began to play.

"Your smile can show so much to me, your heartfelt voice it touches me" he began.

Come on, Peter, he thought to himself. You can make it through this. "Your soul so bright, be mine tonight." Pull yourself together, Pete, it's only a song, he thought. "Never be, never be, never be mine."

He could feel the beginnings of tears start to sting in his eyes as he finished the song. For a moment, none of the guys said anything. Then Mike began to quietly clap his hands.

"Wow, Pete!" he exclaimed. "That was incredible." And from Mike that really meant something.

"It is?" Peter asked with a smile. Mike wasn't overly generous with his compliments, so him saying that the song was incredible was something really special.

"Yeah it is, Babe," Mike replied.

"I told you!" Davy said smugly. "Wasn't I right, Micky?"

The drummer shook his head and smiled,"I hate to admit it but you certainly were, Davy. The song's terrific, Pete".

Peter couldn't help grinning. It meant a lot to him that the guys liked his song. For a moment he even forgot why he'd written it in the first place. Then, it all came flooding back Natasha. He turned his gaze away from Davy. It made him feel so guilty to look at him, he felt like a traitor to his friend.

"We've gotta play that at the gig, right Mike?" Micky asked. "I mean, no offense, but you're not having much luck with your new song and all"

Mike looked at Peter for a moment. He couldn't put his finger on what it was, but there was something strange in his eyes. And without realizing why, he heard himself saying, "No, I think that should just be for us. It's too good to share with everybody else".

Davy threw his arms up in the air. "What are you talking about, Man?" he demanded. "We're playing a gig next week, or had you forgotten?"

"Davy's right," Micky interrupted. "And we don't exactly have that many songs to choose from, Mike".

Mike shook his head. "It's not right, that's all. Now, lets call it day, huh?"

Micky tossed his drumsticks onto the floor. "You're the boss".

Peter silently thanked Mike. There was no way that he'd have been able to play the song in front of a proper audience, and he wouldn't have wanted to either. It was a song he'd written for himself, meant for only him to hear. He didn't even want the guys to hear it, and they were his best friends in the whole world.

Davy sighed and walked out to the beach. Micky grabbed a book from the sofa and headed for the bedroom he shared with Peter. Mike watched Peter walk across to the kitchen and sit down at the table, fold his arms and lay his head down on them. Mike followed and sat down next to him.

"Wanna talk about it, Shotgun?" he said quietly.

Peter looked up and sighed, "Is it that obvious?"

Mike smiled and said, "That song was a keeper, Pete. Nobody could write a song like that and not mean it. Who is she?"

Peter ran his hands through his hair and then cracked his knuckles. Mike winced slightly at the sound but didn't say anything, just waited for Peter to speak.

Finally, after a long silence, Peter looked Mike in the eye and said, "It's Nat".

Mike sat silently for what seemed to Peter like a lifetime. He was trying to take in what Peter had just told him. It didn't make any sense. Had Peter really just told him that he was in love with Davy's girlfriend??

Finally, not being able to stand it anymore, Peter spoke. "Please say something, Mike."

But still Mike didn't say a word.

"Please, Mike. Shout at me, yell at me, tell me what a rotten friend I am, what a bad person, but please say something. Anything." Peter pleaded, tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"Oh, Peter," the Texan said finally. "You're not a bad person, and you're certainly not a rotten friend."

He put his hand on Peter's arm.

"Yes I am," Peter said quietly.

"No, Pete," Mike repeated. "Don't ever think that. You're a great guy and a wonderful friend."

Peter closed his eyes and a single tear ran down his cheek. "What am I gonna do, Mike?" he asked his friend. "What am I gonna do?"

"I don't know." Mike replied honestly. "Why don't you start by telling me about it?"

Peter knew that he could trust Mike. Mike was always the one that they went to with their problems; kind of a father figure in some bizarre way. Still, he found it hard to find the right words. He'd spoken to nobody about his feelings, and wasn't sure how to put them into words.

"I didn't mean to fall in love with her, Mike," he said finally. "And I never meant to hurt anybody."

"I know, Good Buddy," Mike said with a sad smile. Peter was the gentlest person that Mike had ever known, with the sweetest nature, the best friend anybody could wish for. Mike knew that he'd never intentionally do anything to hurt anybody, especially not his best friends.

"The first time I saw her, I knew," Peter explained. "I felt it, right here," he said, putting his hand on his heart. "And it felt so amazing, but at the same time, so awful, because she was"

"The girl that could never be yours," Mike finished for him, thinking back to Peter's song.

Peter nodded. "I could never do anything about it. I couldn't do that to Davy. He's like my brother, you all are. It's been tearing me apart, Michael, seeing Nat every day, seeing her with Davy, seeing her beautiful smile and not being able to do a single thing about it."

That did it, tears started to run down Peter's face. Mike didn't know what to say to help his friend. He couldn't tell Peter to just go for it-to tell Natasha how he felt. He couldn't ask Peter to do that to Davy. Davy was totally crazy about this girl. But he couldn't just ignore Peter's feelings. From the wonderful song that Peter had written, it was plain to see that he was utterly in love with Natasha. Mike didn't know what to say for the best.

Then Peter stood up and through his tears he managed to say, "I'm sorry, Mike," and then he started to head towards the door.

Mike jumped up and ran after him. "Hey, hey, Shotgun, " he said, putting his hand on Peter's shoulder.

Peter stopped and turned to face Mike. Tearstains glistened on his normally cheerful face. Mike didn't know what to do, so he put his arms around Peter and hugged him.

"Come on, Peter," he said gently, "This is all gonna be okay. We'll think of something."

Peter sniffed and pulled back from Mike. "How is it gonna be okay? I'm in love with her, Mike, and I can never have her. How can anything ever be okay?"

Mike led Peter to the sofa and sat down next to him. He thought hard and long about what he was about to say.

"You've got to tell him," he said slowly. "You have to tell Davy how you feel."

"What?" Peter replied, slightly taken aback at what Mike was saying.

"You have to talk to Davy about this."

Peter shook his head. "How?? What would I say?"

"I don't know," Mike admitted, "But you'll have to think of something. Come on, Peter, do you really wanna go on like this??"

Peter sighed and said, "No, no I don't, Mike."

"So talk to him."

At that moment, Davy walked back into the Pad. Peter quickly dabbed the tears from his eyes and wiped his nose on the sleeve of his sweater.

Mike motioned towards Davy, who was bending down, inspecting the contents of the refrigerator. "Tell him," he mouthed to Peter, and then disappeared into the bedroom to see what Micky was up to.

Davy took a can of soda from the fridge and sat down at the kitchen table and began to flick through a magazine. Peter walked across to him and hovered nearby. Davy watched Peter from the corner of his eye-what was he up to??

"What is it, Peter?" he asked finally. "You've been hopping about there for the last five minutes."

Peter smiled nervously and said, "I need to talk to you, Davy".

Davy closed the magazine and looked up at Peter. "What's the matter?" he said, concerned. Peter was acting very strangely.

Peter pulled himself together and sat down next to Davy. "Well, it's" he started to say, when suddenly...

RING, RING

"Shall I leave it?" Davy said.

Peter shook his head. "No, this can wait," he lied.

Davy smiled and picked up the telephone. "Hello?" he said. "Hi, Babe".

Peter's heart fell, it had to be Natasha.

"What's up, Sweetheart?" Davy was saying. "Yeah, sure. Ok, hold on a second."

He put his hand over the receiver and said to Peter, "She sounds a little upset, I'm gonna take this in the bedroom, okay?"

Peter nodded and watched Davy carry the phone into the bedroom. Mike popped his head around the bedroom door.

"Well?" he whispered.

Peter shook his head. "Not yet."

Mike screwed his face up. "What happened?" he asked.

"Oh," was all that Mike could think to say. "Don't chicken out on me now, okay? As soon as he comes back out here, you have to talk to him."

"Yeah, I know Mike, I will", Peter replied.

Peter and Mike sat silently for a while, watching the television which was showing re-runs of some old black and white comedy series. Peter's eyes didn't leave the door of Davy and Mike's bedroom. He was half hoping that Davy would stay in there all night, so he didn't have to face up to this, but he knew that he was gonna have to, so he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.

After about 5 minutes, Davy emerged from the bedroom. "Sorry, Pete, what did you wanna talk to me about?" he said.

Peter noticed an unfamiliar tone in Davy's voice. He sounded different.

"Well, I" Peter started, looking helplessly at Mike for some assistance. "I wanted to talk to you about" he stuttered. I can't do this, he thought. He'll never talk to me again.

Then Davy said, "Look, Pete, I'm gonna take a drive downtown, why don't you come with me, we can talk in the car."

"Okay," Peter agreed, and then followed Davy to the door. As he went out, Peter turned to look at Mike, who gave him a friendly smile and a thumbs up. Peter took a deep breath and closed the door behind him.

Davy sat behind the driving wheel and Peter sat next to him in the passenger seat. They'd been driving for about 5 minutes and neither of them had said a word. Peter had tried to talk several times, but he just couldn't force the words out. There was no way that Davy would be understanding about this. After all, it wasn't every day that one of your best friends told you he was in love with your girlfriend. Was he really prepared to jeopardize his friendship and the future of the band over this??

Peter sighed and said, "You're right, I do wanna talk to you."

"What's going on?" Davy asked.

"Look, Davy, it's about Natasha." There he'd said it. Well, maybe he hadn't quite said it yet, but he'd started. There was no turning back now.

"Davy, I'm" he started, but he didn't get a chance to finish the sentence, because suddenly, Davy did something that Peter had never seen him do before-he burst into tears.

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP ~ PART THREE...

Peter couldn't believe his eyes. He'd never seen Davy cry before, not even when his Uncle died last year. Davy just wasn't the emotional type, and if he was, he certainly hid it well.

"Oh my God, Davy, what's the matter?" Peter asked with wide eyes.

Davy pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. He hung his head and tears fell from his bloodshot eyes.

"What is it?" Peter asked again.

"She's left me."

"What? What are you talking about?" Peter said.

"Natasha broke up with me," Davy said, trying desperately to pull himself together. He wiped his eyes and rubbed his forehead. "That's what she wanted on the telephone she didn't even have the guts to tell me to my face, Peter."

Peter couldn't quite take it in. "Why?" he managed to ask. "I thought you guys were happy."

"So did I," Davy replied, as Peter pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to him. "But it turns out she wasn't as happy as I thought."

"What did she say?" Peter asked gently.

"That, uh, She said" Davy struggled to get his words out. "She's met somebody else. She's in love with another guy, Peter."

Davy was a mess. Peter had never seen him so cut up over a girl before. Normally he was Mr. Valentino, Mr. Love `Em and Leave `Em, but not this time; not this girl.

"Oh, Davy," Peter sighed, "I don't know what to say."

Davy took a deep breath. "Don't say anything. Lets just forget it, eh? She's just a chick after all," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "Who cares, eh?? More fish in the sea."

Peter shook his head. "You're a terrible liar, Davy", he said. "You always have been".

Davy laughed, but it wasn't a happy laugh it was a sad, weary laugh. He rubbed his eyes and said, "It's that obvious?"

Peter nodded. All thoughts of his feelings for Natasha, and what he was going to tell Davy, were suddenly a thousand miles from his mind. All that mattered right now was making sure his friend was okay.

"It's okay to be upset, Davy," Peter told him. "Do you know who he is, this guy she's met?"

Davy closed his eyes and shook his head. "No but if I ever get my hands on him" he trailed off and sighed, "I can't believe she'd do that to me, Peter, go behind my back with another guy. I thought she cared about me".

"She does care about you, Davy," Peter said, "Anybody who saw you together could see that."

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Peter's thoughts were filled with Natasha. He couldn't believe that she'd cheat on Davy; she wasn't that kind of girl. He could never love a girl who'd do something like that to a person she was meant to care about. No, Davy had to have got it wrong.

"Peter?" Davy said quietly.

"Yeah, Davy?" Peter replied.

"Don't tell Mike and Micky about this, huh? About me crying I mean."

Peter smiled at his friend. "Of course I won't," he said sincerely. "Do you wanna head back home?"

Davy nodded.

"Do you want me to drive?" Peter asked, sensing that his friend was in no fit state to be in control of a car.

So, Peter drove them back to the Pad. When they pulled up outside, Davy said,"I don't really feel up to facing Mike and Micky right now. I think I'm gonna take a walk along the beach."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Peter asked, not sure if Davy should really be alone right now.

"No, thanks, Peter," he replied. "I could really do with some time alone right now".

"Okay." Peter understood that Davy needed some time to think. "If you need me though."

"Thanks, Buddy." Davy said. "You really are a good friend."

Then he headed off towards the beach. Sure, Peter thought. A real good friend who 20 minutes ago was planning on telling you that he's in love with your girlfriend.

Well, it didn't really matter now. Natasha was out of his life forever, there was no reason for him to tell Davy about his feelings now, and there was no way that he could ever act on them with Nat. Anyway, if Davy was right, she'd already found somebody else. Peter sighed and climbed the stairs towards the Pad. Mike was still sitting in front of the television when Peter opened the front door. When he saw Peter come back in alone, he jumped up.

"How did it go?" he demanded. "What did Davy say?"

Peter shook his head. "I couldn't tell him."

Mike sighed and threw his hands up in the air. "But you swore that you were gonna tell him."

"You don't understand, Mike," Peter replied. "I couldn't tell him because Natasha broke up with him. That's what she was saying to Davy on the phone. He said that she's been going behind his back with some other guy."

"No way!" Mike exclaimed. "Nat would never do that."

"Exactly what I thought," Peter replied, "But that's what Davy said."

"What are you gonna do now?" Mike asked Peter. "What happens from here?"

"Nothing," Peter said. "It's over. There's no need for Davy to ever know how I feel, uh.. felt.. about Natasha."

"Don't give me that, Pete," Mike said, "You can't tell me that you've suddenly managed to fall out of love with her, erase everything you ever felt for her."

Peter sighed. "I kind of have to," he said sadly. "What else can I do? I'm never gonna see her again, Mike. I have to forget about her".

Mike shook his head. "Do you really think it's gonna be that easy, Pete, Man?"

Peter looked Mike in the eyes. "No, Michael. I don't think it's gonna be easy at all."

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP PART FOUR

Davy took his break up with Natasha really hard.  For days he didn't get dressed, he just moped around the house. He wasn't eating properly, some days he even locked himself in the bedroom and refused to see any of the guys. They were all extremely worried about him. He wouldn't talk about Natasha, he wouldn't talk about how he was feeling, he wouldn't even talk about the weather! They had to cancel their gig the next week - Davy was never gonna be feeling up to playing. But, only Mike knew that Peter was feeling just as bad but couldn't show it. Truth is, Peter was falling apart inside. He was trying to be strong and be there for Davy, but inside he was in just as much pain - he'd lost the girl he loved too.

One morning, when Micky and Davy were still in bed, Mike found Peter outside the Pad on the sand. "How ya holding up, Shotgun?" Mike asked.

"I'm doing okay," Peter replied, not turning his gaze from the sea.

"And the truth?" Mike said.

"I miss her so much, Mike," Peter answered.  "Before, even though I knew that she'd never feel the same way, even though I knew that we'd never be together, I could manage, and you know why?? Because so long as I got to see her everyday, I didn't care."

He picked up a handful of sand and let it disappear through his fingers.

"I still can't believe that she did that to him, Mike."

"Me either," Mike replied. 

"But I still love her."

"Love's not something that you can turn on and off like a light switch, Pete.  No matter how much you might wanna stop loving somebody, it's not as easy as that."

"Tell me about it," Peter said with a sigh.

Mike thought for a moment.  He wanted to do something to help cheer Peter up.  But what could he do??  Then he had an idea.

"Hey, Peter?" he said.  "Wanna take a walk down to the park, maybe take your mind off of things?"

Peter screwed his face up a little.  "I don't really feel like going anywhere today, Mike."

"Now, Babe, you have got to try and get over this chick and how are you gonna do that if you sit around thinking about her all day, huh?" Mike asked.

Peter shrugged but still didn't make any effort to move.

"Now come on, Peter, snap out of it!" Mike said firmly.  "You have got to stop thinking about Natasha.  It's over."

It hurt Mike to talk to Peter like that, but he just felt so exasperated that he couldn't help his friend.  After what Nat had done to Davy, why would Peter still wanna be with her anyway?? And how would Davy feel if he found out about his feelings??  Then he
remembered his own words just a few moments before,

<No matter how much you might wanna stop loving somebody, it's not as easy as that>

"Okay, Mike," Peter said, forcing a smile.  "Lets go, huh?"

"Now there's the old Monkee spirit!" Mike grinned.  "Wanna see if Mick and Dave wanna come with us?"

Mike grabbed Peter's hands and pulled him up from the golden sand.  Peter walked ahead, kicking the sand with his toes.  Mike was about to follow him when something on the sand caught his eye.  It was something that had fallen out of Peter's pocket.  It was a photograph of Natasha.  Mike had half a mind to tear it into a hundred pieces and throw it into the ocean after what she'd done to his two buddies.  But there was another part of him that was stopping him from doing it.  Something inside was telling him to hold back, not to be so hasty.  Mike shrugged to himself and shoved the photo into his back pocket, then he chased off after Peter.

As it turned out, neither Micky nor Davy wanted to go down the park with Peter and Mike.  Micky argued that he was too busy, when in actual fact all he was doing was half heartedly reading an old book that he'd probably read at least two dozen times before.  Davy just said no flat out, with the argument that he didn't wanna go anywhere he might run into Natasha.  So Mike and Peter headed off alone.

They strolled down the sidewalk not talking for a few minutes.  Peter was thinking about Natasha and Mike was thinking about Peter thinking about Natasha.  Then they reached the entrance to the Park.

Mike felt himself cheer up a little when he saw Peter smile for the first time in way too long.  And it wasn't a false one either, he looked genuinely happy.  Mike knew the reason why - the Park was Peter's favourite place.  He loved to just sit on the grass and look at the summer flowers and smell the clean air.  Mike knew that if anything would cheer Peter up, the park was it.  Then he felt the photograph in his back pocket, and his face clouded over a little.  Maybe he should have torn it up when he had the chance - get her out of their lives once and for all.  But that nagging feeling that it would be a huge mistake still rested inside him.

"Hey, Mister!"

Peter and Mike spun around when they heard the voice of a small child behind them.  The boy couldn't have been more than 7.  Peter crouched down and smiled at the boy,

"Hey there, Good Buddy," he said.

"I can't find my sister," the boy said sadly, tugging at Peter's shirt.  "I'm lost."

Peter frowned at Mike.  What were they going to do now?? Then Mike also crouched down next to Peter and said,

"Say there, Shotgun, when did you last see your sister?"

The child looked down at his feet.  Peter took his the boy's small hand in his own.

"It's alright," he said gently, "Look, what's your sister's name?"

"Boo Ra," the boy said with a grin.  "She's called Boo Ra!"

Mike and Peter looked at each other in exasperation.  This wasn't going to be so easy!!

"Look, what's your name, Buddy?" Peter asked him.

"Michael," the child replied.

Mike grinned.  "Hey, that's my name too!" he exclaimed and then thought for a moment.  Then he smiled and took his woolhat off his head and placed it down on the boy's own.

Michael giggled and pulled the hat up over his eyes.  It was way too big for a 7 year old boy to be wearing, and it had slipped down over his eyes and past his nose. 

Then there was an urgent voice shouting,

"Mikey?? Michael?? Where are you?? Mikey??"

The boys face lit up and he spun around and bombed off towards the voice.  Mike smiled,  "Must be the kid's sister," he said to Peter.

"Oh my God," the girl shouted, seeing Michael running towards her.  "Where the heck have you been, Mikey??"

She paused as she noticed the bright green hat sitting on top of her Brother's head.

<Why> she thought to herself.  <That looks like...>

"Where did you get this?" she asked the boy, who pointed across the park to where two people were standing.  One tall, dark and lanky, and the other slightly shorter with fair hair. 

"His name's Michael too!" the child explained happily.

"Come on," she said, taking firm grasp of her Brother's hand.  "I wanna go thank them for finding you for me."

Peter and Mike were both now sitting on the grass.  Peter had picked a daisy and was running it up and down his nose, and smiling to himself.  The whole thing with Davy and Natasha seemed a million miles away right now, and he was determined to enjoy it while it lasted.

Then a sweet voice broke through his daydreams, saying "Thank you for finding Mikey.. Peter, Mike."

Peter looked up at the voice and felt his heart leap into his throat - it was Natasha.

Nobody said anything for a few seconds - they just stood looking at each other.  Mike looked at Peter, waiting for him to say something to Natasha.  Peter looked at Natasha, thinking how beautiful she was.  Natasha looked down at her feet, wondering if she'd done the right thing by going over to them.  Michael (the kid brother, not Nesmith) finally broke the silence.

"Do you know these boys, Boo Ra?" he asked.

Natasha smiled at her brother.  "Yes, Sweetie, I do," she said.  "This is Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork."

Natasha could sense the tension between the three of them.  Yes, she'd definitely made a mistake talking to them. 

They probably both hate me after what I did to Davy, she thought.  This was a huge mistake.

Then Mike gave her a warm smile.  "Hey, Nat," he said.  "How are you doing?"

Natasha sighed with relief - at least they were still talking to her.  Well Mike was anyway, Peter was still silently staring at her.  His gaze made her a little uncomfortable.

"Not bad," she replied.  "How are you two doing?"

"We're doing okay, right Pete?" he said, nudging Peter gently.  This seemed to shake him out of his daze.  But instead of saying `Yes', what came out was,

"Why did you cheat on Davy?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them.  What an idiot! That wasn't what he'd meant to say at all.  He just couldn't help it - it was what he was thinking. 

"I'm.. I'm sorry," he stuttered, blushing a little.  "It's none of my business, I.. uh.."

Natasha stopped him.  "No, Peter, really it's fine."

She looked at Mike, and her look seemed to ask for some time alone to talk to Peter.  Mike smiled at her and then said to Michael,

"Hey there Woolhat!" he grinned, "Wanna go play some ball?"

Michael's face lit up.  "Do I ever! Can I go Boo Ra?? Can I go play?"

"Sure you can," she replied, and silently thanked Mike.

Michael ran off, closely followed by Mike.  Peter and Natasha stood nervously for a few second, neither really wanting to be the first to speak.  Nat always managed to make Peter feel tongue-tied.  He was scared to speak, because he was certain to say something stupid. 

"Do you hate me, Peter?" she asked suddenly. 

Peter looked into her eyes.  "No, no," he said, the words rushing from his lips, "I could never."

Natasha ran her hand nervously through her hair.  "You wanna sit?" she asked.

Peter nodded and said, "Okay."

They both sat down on the warm grass.  The sun was shining brightly and the flowers around them smelled beautiful.  Peter sighed, thinking how wonderful it was - the park, the sunshine, and the girl he loved sitting next to him on the grass.  If only there wasn't this whole Davy business, it'd be perfect.

"How's Davy doing?" she asked him.  Plucking a daisy from the grass, and picking the petals from it, one by one.

"Not great," Peter replied.  "I can't lie to you, Nat, I've never seen him so cut up."

"You probably don't believe me, but I feel terrible about what happened.  Davy meant so much to me, MEANS so much to me.  It was tearing me apart lying to him."

"Then why did you do it?" Peter asked.  "If you cared about him so much, why would you cheat on him?" 

Peter felt awful - he had no right to speak to her like that.  The last thing in the world that he wanted to do was upset her.  But there was no taking it back, he'd asked twice now - yet still she didn't answer.

Natasha suddenly became extremely interested in the grass.  She looked intently down at the ground and wouldn't look at Peter.  After a long pause, she spoke.

"I didn't cheat on Davy, Peter."

Peter hadn't expected that.  Why would she lie to him about it??

"But, Davy said you'd met somebody else."

"I have. but I would never go behind Davy's back, I care too much to do that to him.  Did you believe that I could do something like that? Do you really think I'm that bad a person, Peter?"

"No, no," Peter answered.  "I don't think you're a bad person at all, Nat.  I didn't wanna believe Davy when he told me, but he sounded so sure about it."

Natasha smiled at him.  Peter felt the familiar feeling run through him, the feeling that he'd felt every time she looked at him since they first met.  She had the most beautiful smile.  Her whole face seemed to smile.

"But you have met somebody else?" he asked.

Natasha nodded.  "I realized a long time ago that he was the person I was meant to be with.  That Davy was a great guy, but he wasn't the one I was meant to spend my life with.  But you have to believe me, Peter, I would never ever have acted on it while I was still with Davy."

She looked almost ready to cry.  Peter's heart ached and he gently took hold of her hand.

"I believe you, Nat," he said sincerely.  "I guess sometimes you just can't choose who you fall in love with, huh?"

"No, Pete, I guess you can't."

<Peter's being so understanding about this> Natasha thought to herself.  <I was afraid that he'd hate me for hurting Davy>

"It'd sure be easier if you could, though," she sighed.  Then she realized that Peter was still holding her hand.  She suddenly felt very nervous and casually drew her hand away to brush her hair out of her eyes.

"You got that right." Peter agreed with her. 

I wanna tell her, Peter thought.  Even though I know she doesn't feel the same, I just want her to know how much I love her.

Peter pushed the idea out of his mind.  It would only cause more problems and heartache. 

"So, tell me about this guy you've met," Peter asked.  "Anyone I know?" he joked.

"Actually, you do," Natasha replied with a grin.

"I do?" Peter replied surprised.  Who could it be, he wondered.  "Does Davy know him too?"

Natasha nodded, and a sad look clouded her sweet face.  "That's the problem," she sighed, "I don't think he'd ever let anything happen between us because of his friendship with Davy.  They're very close."

Suddenly it all made sense in Peter's mind.  It was Micky!!!  Of course it was, why hadn't he thought of it before??  From the moment Davy introduced them, Micky and Nat had gotten on like a house on fire.  They were always laughing and joking together, play fighting and tickling each other.  How could he have been so blind to miss it?? And how had Davy missed it too?? And more importantly, what would Davy do if he ever found out that Micky was the guy that Natasha was in love with??  And how did Micky feel about her??  So many questions crowded Peter's mind. 

"Do you think that he feels the same way about you?" Peter asked her.

He really had no idea how Micky felt.  He'd never mentioned anything about liking Nat that way. But neither had Peter until that day when he told Mike.  Maybe all the time that Peter had been dreaming about her, Micky had been feeling exactly the same way - not able to express it.

"I don't know.  Do you?" Natasha asked Peter quietly.

"Do I what?" Peter replied.  "Do I think that Micky feels the same way about you?"

Natasha frowned.  "Micky?" she said confused.  "What are you talking about?"

"It's not Micky that you're talking about?" Peter asked.

Natasha shook her head.  "No, it's not Micky.  It's you."

A thousand thoughts rushed through Peter's mind.  He must have misheard her.  She couldn't have said that it was him she was in love with. 

"Say something, Peter," Natasha pleaded.  "Please."

"I. uh.. I.." He stammered.  He didn't know what to say.  It was impossible.  He couldn't believe what was happening.  He'd dreamt of this moment for so long, dreamt of hearing her tell him that she loved him too, but he couldn't believe that this was anything more than that - a dream.  In a minute, he'd wake up and she'd be gone, just like she was every morning  when he awoke from his dreams of her.  But still there she was, sitting by his side, waiting for him to speak.

"I'm sorry," she blurted out, "I should never have said anything!" Then she started to get up to leave.  Peter's instincts took over and he grabbed her hand.

"Don't go," he said and then paused.  "I, I don't know what to say."

Natasha looked nervously at the ground.  She'd wanted to tell Peter for so long.  It had been tearing her up inside, having to see him every day but not being able to have him.  He was the sweetest, kindest guy that she'd ever met.  Sometimes when she'd look at him, she'd catch a look in his eye, a look that said that he felt the same way.  But it'd only be there for half a second, then it would disappear again, leaving her unsure as to whether she really saw it in the first place.

"Say anything," she replied.  "Say that I should never have told you.  Tell me that you don't feel the same way.  Say that I'm a terrible person for falling in love with my boyfriend's best friend.  Just say something, Peter."

Peter closed his eyes and remembered his conversation with Mike.  It was just like when Peter had pleaded with Mike to say something, the day when he confessed his true feelings for Natasha.  All Peter wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her.  He wanted to tell her that he'd loved her since the first moment he saw her.  He wanted to tell her that he couldn't imagine his life without her.  But how could he?? How could he ever be with her without hurting Davy.  Davy was still in love with her, Peter knew that.  So what kind of friend would Peter be if he went behind his back and started to see Natasha??

"I can't." he said finally.  "I can't tell you that I feel the same way."

Natasha felt tears begin to sting her eyes.  Of course Peter didn't feel the same way - she'd been an idiot to ever dream that he would.

"I understand," Natasha said with a sad smile.  "But I had to ask.  I've wanted to tell you for so long, Peter."

Peter closed his eyes.  He couldn't believe what he was about to do.  He was going to have to let her go.  He was going to have to forget how much he loved and needed her.  He had to do it for Davy.

"Thank you for telling me," Peter said.  And then he leant over and kissed her on the cheek.  Natasha breathed in sharply.  She never thought she could love anybody so much. 

All Peter wanted to do was to kiss her properly and to hug her and never let her go.  It was the hardest thing he'd ever done, pulling away from her.

Suddenly, Mike and Michael came running across and fell down onto the floor beside Peter and Natasha.  Both were flushed and out of breath.

Mike noticed there were tears in Natasha's eyes, even though she quickly wiped them away.  Then he looked at Peter.  He'd never seen Peter look so down.  He wondered what had happened between them.  Could Peter have told Natasha how he felt about her?? And if he had, why had she been crying??

"Did you have a good play?" Natasha asked Michael.

"Oh boy, we sure did!" Michael replied, with a huge grin.  "Mike said that I could keep his hat too!"

"Really?" Natasha said.  "Are you sure, Mike?"

Mike nodded.  "I've got hundreds of the darn things!  Can't seem to get rid of `em!"

"Well, thanks," she said.  "We should probably get going.  Come on, Greenie!" she said to Michael. 

"It was good to see you again," Mike said.  "And it was groovy to meet you too, Michael."

Michael grinned.  "Likewise!" he said and then dashed off towards a flock of pigeons that had collected on the grass.

"I should probably get going after him before I lose him again," Natasha said.  "See you, Mike."

"See you, Nat," he replied. 

Natasha looked at Peter, who stood up and brushed the grass from his trousers.  He bit his lip and desperately tried to hold back the words `I'm in love with you, too'

"Goodbye, Peter," she said quietly, looking into his eyes.

"Bye, Nat," he replied and then felt his heart break in two as she turned and ran to catch up with Michael.

Mike looked at Peter and said, "So?"

Peter sighed, ran his hand through his hair and fell back down onto the grass.  He put his head in his hands and said, "She's in love with me, too, Mike".

"What??!!" Mike asked loudly.  "But I thought she was going with some guy behind Davy's back."

Peter shook his head.  "No," he said, "Davy got it wrong."

"That's wonderful, Pete," Mike said with a smile.  "You must be the happiest guy in the world."

Peter looked at Mike with wide eyes.  "Happy?" he replied.  "That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, Mike."

"What was?" Mike asked, confused.

"I said that I couldn't tell her I felt the same way."

"You said what?" Mike shouted.  "Why didn't you tell her, Peter?  This is what you've been dreaming of, isn't it?"

"With all my heart." Peter replied.  "All I wanted to do was tell her how much I loved her, Mike.  But how could I do that to Davy?  You know that he's still in love with her.  He'd never forgive me, Mike.  The band would break up.. I could never do that to you guys."

"You're a wonderful guy, Pete," Mike said, putting his hand on Peter's shoulder.  "I don't think I could've been so strong.  So, what happens now?"

"Now?" Peter echoed.  "Now I have to forget that I'm in love with her.  And I have to forget that she's in love with me too."  He sighed.  "What else can I do?"

He stood up and said, "Lets go home, Mike."

It had been two weeks since that day at the park, and life at The Monkees pad continued as normal.  Micky was as zany as ever.  Mike still tried desperately to get them some gigs.  Davy still missed Natasha like crazy, and Peter still couldn't believe that Nat felt the same way, but there was nothing he could do about it.

One day, very early one morning, Davy woke up to the sound of singing.  He looked over at the clock on his bedside table and groaned quietly when he saw that it was only 4AM.  He looked over at Mike, who was soundly asleep and snoring very quietly.  He sat up in bed and listened very hard.  Yes, he could definitely hear singing.  He stretched his arms and swung his feet out of bed.  Then, rubbing his eyes, he tiptoed out of the door and onto the landing.  He paused and tried to work out where the singing was coming from.  He put his ear to the door of Peter and Micky's room, and could hear that Micky was also snoring.  Davy grinned and then started down the stairs.

When he got to the bottom, he realized that the door to the beach was open slightly and that the singing was coming from outside on the terrace - it had to be Peter.

He crept closer, being careful not to alert Peter to his presence.  He stood next to the door and listened to what Peter was singing...then he recognized it - it was `The Girl Who Can Never Be Mine'.  Davy thought again what a fantastic song it really was.  It was so honest and feeling.  Then as Peter finished the song, Davy heard something else. Peter had started to cry.  His first instinct was to rush out and comfort his friend but he thought better of it.  Peter probably needed some time alone.  And so Davy crept back up the
stairs and climbed back into bed.  What was the matter with Peter, he wondered.  Then it came to him - why it was obvious.  The song was written for a girl, a girl that he could never be with.  How had he not worked it out before?  Nobody could write a song like that and not mean it.  But, Davy thought, Who's the girl?  He resolved to talk to Micky and Mike about it in the morning, and then turned over and fell straight back to sleep, humming the tune of Peter's song in his mind.

The next morning, everybody was awake bright and early - even Micky!! They were all sitting together around the kitchen table, eating breakfast.

"So, Mike," Micky asked, shoving a spoonful of cereal into his mouth, "Any luck getting us some gigs yet?"

Mike shook his head and pushed his cereal around the bowl with his spoon.  "Nothing," he replied.  "I'm starting to think that people just don't know good music when they hear it."

"Amen to that," said Peter. 

"Aw, cheer up, Fellas," Davy said, "We'll get a gig soon."

Mike looked at Peter who looked at Micky.  Why the sudden change in Davy's attitude?  Ever since breaking up with Natasha, he'd been all doom, gloom and misery.  How come he was suddenly `Always look on the bright side of life' ??  Micky gave Peter a look that said, `Don't question it, just enjoy it!'

The reason for Davy's change was that he now had a new project - to find out who this girl was that Peter was in love with.  He was dying to ask Mike and Micky if they knew anything, but couldn't say anything until Peter was out of the way.

He didn't get his chance until later that afternoon.

Mike and Micky were sat in front the television and Peter had offered to walk their neighbour's dog.  Davy took advantage of Peter's absence and decided that this was his chance to find out what Mike and Micky knew.

"Hey!" Mike protested. 

Davy had just walked over and switched the television off.

"What's going on, Babe?" Micky asked.

"It'd better be good!" Mike warned.

"Yeah, yeah, it is," Davy replied and sat down on the floor next to the sofa.

"Have you fellas noticed anything odd about Peter lately?" he said.

"Peter's always been odd!" Micky replied with a grin.

"Come on, Mick, I'm serious," Davy sighed.  "Has he mentioned anything about a girl to either of you?"

Mike felt himself tense up.  Had Davy found out about Peter and Natasha??

"Not to me," Micky replied, shrugging his shoulders.  "How about you, Mike?"

"Uh," Mike said, not wanting to lie to his friends, but not wanting to betray Peter's trust either.  "No, not that I recall," he finished.

"Well, don't you think there's something strange about that song he wrote?" Davy asked.  "That was pretty deep stuff."

"You know, Mike, Davy's right," Micky said.  "I mean, it was almost as if he'd written it about himself."

"Exactly!" Davy exclaimed.  "And then last night, this morning, whatever," he said, waving his hands, "I heard him singing it, and then he broke down in tears."

"Wow," Micky said.  "Do you think that Peter's in love?"

Mike bit his lip and desperately hoped that he was a convincing liar. 

"Certainly looks that way," Davy replied.  "What do you think, Mike?"

Mike stood up and walked across to the kitchen to get himself a soda, trying his best to act normal. 

"I can't say I've noticed anything, Man," he said, taking a gulp of his drink.

"Well, I think Davy's right - there has to be a girl," Micky announced. 

"And it's up to us to find out who she is, Mick," Davy said.  "Do a bit of the old detective work."

Mike thought quickly.  There was no way that Davy could try and find out who Peter was in love with.  If he found out it was Natasha, it was tear him apart. and then he'd probably tear Peter apart.  He had to stop this before it got started.

"Davy?" he said.

"Yeah, Mike?" Davy replied.

"Just leave it alone, Man," Mike sighed.  "Just forget about it."

Davy was somewhat taken aback.  "What are you talking about?" he said.  "Don't you wanna know who she is?  I mean, maybe we can help Peter win her over."

Mike shook his head.  <How wrong you are> he thought.  <If you only knew who you were talking about, you wouldn't be in such a rush to help>

"Look, Babe, I'm serious, just leave it alone," Mike said firmly.

"Fine," Davy said, shrugging his shoulders.  "Whatever you say."

"Good," Mike replied, and he hoped that would be the end of it.  The last thing that Peter needed right now, was Davy and Micky firing questions at him about Natasha.  He had enough to deal with, without them constantly reminding him about her.  Mike knew that Peter was still devastated over the whole thing and Mike was so proud of Peter for what he'd done for Davy - what he'd given up for his best friend.

Davy smiled to himself, he hadn't really given up on the idea of doing some detective work.  He'd just said that he'd leave it to shut Mike up.  No, secretly, he was forming a plan.  <I'll just wait until all the fellas go out, and then I'll have a snoop around Peter and Mick's room, see if I can find anything to tell me who she is>

Then, Peter arrived back to the Pad.  "Hey, Fellas," he called out as he came through the door.

"Hiya, Peter," Davy called back.  "Nice walk?"

"Sure," Peter replied.  Then he headed towards the bedroom, motioning for Mike to follow him.  Mike picked up on it, and followed Peter into the bedroom.

"What is it, Shotgun?" Mike asked as Peter closed the door.

"Have you seen it?" Peter asked urgently. 

"Seen what?" Mike asked.  He had no idea what Peter was talking about.

"The photograph," Peter said, starting to pace back and forth across the small bedroom.  "I had a picture of Nat, Mike, but I can't find it anywhere."

Then Mike remembered that day on the beach when he'd picked up the photograph of Natasha that Peter had dropped. 

"Hey there, Good Buddy," he said.  "It's alright.  You dropped it out on the beach, remember? The day when we saw Nat in the park.  It's in my closet.  Don't worry about it, Pete".

Peter sighed and sat down on Micky's bed.  "Aw, thanks, Mike.  You're a life saver."

Mike smiled at his buddy and sat down on Peter's bed.  "So, how are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm really doing a lot better," Peter replied.  "I don't think about Nat half as much these days.  I mean, sure it's still like five hundred thousand times every minute, but still, it's less."

Mike couldn't help but smile.  Peter was still totally crazy about her.  "Look," he said, "Lemme go get that picture for you."

"Thanks, Michael," Peter said.  "You're the best."

"No," Mike replied.  "You're the best, Babe."

Peter crossed his legs and sat cracking his knuckles, waiting for Mike to reappear with the photograph.  It was all he had left of Nat now, and the thought of losing it broke his heart.  Then the door opened and Mike came back inside with the photograph in his hand.

"Here you go, Pete," he said.  "You know, I nearly tore it up when I first found it?"

Peter smiled.  "Well, I'm glad you didn't."

"Me too," Mike said,  "Me too, Good Buddy."

Then he patted Peter on the shoulder and went back out into the pad.  Peter gazed at the picture in his hand.  The girl in the photograph was sitting on the beach with the wind blowing through her long brown hair.  She had the sweetest smile and the deepest brown eyes.  Peter held the picture close to his heart for a second and then walked over to the desk in the corner.  He opened up one of the drawers and slipped the picture inside, next to a sheet of paper.  He promised himself that he'd never misplace it again - for the girl in the photograph held his heart in her hands.

PS ~ I'm sorry about the poor quality of the poem (when you read the chapter you'll know what I mean) I'm not the world's best poet, so I apologize in advance. Hannah grins

 Note. Okay, okay, I know that Davy's birthday isn't in the summertime (when this story is set), and also that he shares it with Mike. But I needed an idea to get them all out of the Pad without Davy, and this is the best I could come up with. Come on, what about a bit of artistic license, huh???

Two more days passed before Davy got his chance to play detective.  Micky, Peter and Mike had all gone down to the local shopping mall to pick out presents for Davy's approaching birthday.  As soon as the coast was clear, Davy headed up the stairs to Micky and Peter's bedroom.

He pulled open the door and stepped inside, when Mike's words began to echo in his mind `Just leave it alone, Davy.  Forget about it'.

Davy decided to ignore his friend's advice and decided to take a look through Peter's closet first.

He pulled open the wooden door and there was a huge crash as the entire contents came tumbling down on top of him.  Davy crawled out from underneath the huge pile of junk and thought to himself, Wrong closet. Gotta be Micky's.

He bundled everything up into his arms and chucked it back into the closet, slamming the door quickly before everything fell back out again.  He chuckled to himself and walked across to the other closet in the bedroom.

He pulled the door open, more cautiously this time, having learnt from his mistake with Micky's closet.  Luckily Peter was a good deal tidier than Micky, and nothing came tumbling out this time.  Davy scanned the contents.  There was Peter's bass, his banjo, and a cardboard box full of spare strings.  A large wooden chest caught Davy's attention and he eagerly pulled open the lid.  To his disappointment, all that was inside was Peter's record collection.  The Beatles, The Lovin' Spoonful... Davy shut the lid again with a frown.  There had to be something in there that could give him a hint as to who this mystery girl was. 

Then a wicked thought entered Davy's mind.  I wonder if Peter keeps a diary?  Davy knew that this was wrong.  A diary was the most personal item anybody can have.  It would be dreadfully wrong for him to read Peter's diary, if indeed he kept one.  Davy had never seen him with one.  He felt torn between his morals and his need to find out about this mystery girl.  After a couple of minutes, the urge to investigate won out, and Davy shut the closet door, deciding instead to hunt for something that looked like a diary.

Mmm, Davy thought Where would Peter keep a diary? 

Davy scanned the room with his eyes.  His vision drifted over Peter's bed, neatly made with a magazine resting on the pillow, then to Micky's bed, unmade, with the covers tossed about every which way, draping down onto the floor. 

Then Davy's eyes came to rest on the desk in the corner of the room.  Surely that would be where a diary was kept.  He paused slightly as he went to pull open one of the drawers.  He knew that he shouldn't be doing this.  How could he read Peter's diary? That was something you shouldn't do to your enemies, let alone one of your best friends.  Yet still he found himself slowly opening the desk drawer. 

He began to sift through the various sheets of paper inside.  Mostly they were just junk, covered with Micky's practically illegible scrawl.  There was also a pair of scissors, a potato peeler and a pencil case full of paper clips in there.  Davy slammed the drawer shut - his search wasn't much of a success so far.

Davy suddenly drew a deep breath when there was a banging on the front door downstairs.  Who could that be, he wondered.  Then he let out a sigh of relief when he heard Mr. Babbitt's familiar booming voice.  It was only the landlord, come to harass them about the rent again. Davy continued to open and close various drawers in the desk, finding nothing of interest.  He was almost ready to give up and take Mike's advice to forget about the whole thing.  Then, he pulled open a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper that was sitting at the top.  He eagerly read what was written on it - it was a poem.

It read :

My heart breaks in two everytime I remember
Certain things you would say and do.
Your smile is a song and no matter how far from me you may be
And the song is like Heaven to my ears.

My heart breaks in two everytime I think
Of the day you told me goodbye.
The way your hair shone in the summer air as you turned
And you walked out of my life.

I will love you forever, my precious one
And I'll always remember your soul.
The way that I loved you for just a short while
Has made my whole lifetime worthwhile.

Davy was amazed.  He never knew that Peter could write poetry, and such feeling poetry at that.  He realized then that Mike was right.  He shouldn't be doing this.  It was up to Peter to tell them when he was ready.  Davy sighed and placed the sheet of paper back in the drawer,  but then, his hand came upon something else.  Unsure of what it was, Davy took hold of it and pulled it out of the drawer.  His heart leaped into his throat when he saw the smiling face in the photograph.  He looked at the picture and then down at the poem he'd just placed back inside the drawer, and then back at the photograph, and suddenly everything came together - Peter was in love with Natasha.

Davy's head was swimming with questions as he ran down onto the beach, gripping the photograph of Natasha that he'd found in Peter's drawer.

How could he do this to me? What does this all mean? Is Peter the one she was cheating with?

He collapsed onto the sand next to the shore.  He looked at the beautiful, smiling face in the photograph and remembered what he'd lost when she left him.  And then he thought of Peter, one of his closest friends.  One of his closest friends who'd been after his girlfriend.  A tide of anger coursed through him.  How could Peter do this to him? And to think that he was the one that Davy first told about Natasha leaving him, that day in the car.  He acted so sympathetic and supportive, when all the time he was the one that
Natasha had been cheating on him with. 

He must think I'm an idiot, Davy thought, That I wouldn't figure it out.

Suddenly he remembered Mike's words, `Leave it alone, Davy, forget about it'
Mike's in on it too!!!

Davy put his head in his hands.  Were they all in on it?? What about Micky??  Seeing red, Davy glared at the photograph in his hands and began to tear it in half.  He pulled and ripped with tears wetting his eyes, until the photo lay on the sand next to him, in a hundred tiny pieces. 

What do I do now,  Davy wondered.  Do I confront Peter and Mike about it?

Davy sat for a long time trying to decide what to do next.  Part of him was dying to run back to the Pad and wait for Peter to return, then he'd demand an explanation, screaming and shouting at Peter for betraying him.  But another part of him was telling him to forget what he'd seen.  Could he really break up the band?? And what if he was wrong?? What if it was all a coincidence?? What if Peter did want Nat, but she didn't feel the same way, and this fella she'd been going behind Davy's back with wasn't Peter but some other guy??

Davy felt so confused and torn apart inside.  He didn't know what to do for the best.  He looked at the small fragments of photograph beside him, now beginning to scatter in the sea breeze.  He couldn't help feeling that they were like pieces of his heart - torn apart and blown in every direction by the cruel wind. 

What was he going to do??

Several days passed and Davy still didn't know what he was going to do.  Tensions had been strained between him and Peter the last few days, since he'd found the photograph of Natasha, along with the poem Peter had written.  They'd all begun to notice it.  Peter was confused - what had he done to upset Davy like this?? It hurt him when Davy was so angry and distant with him, when Peter had given up his own happiness for Davy.  Of course Davy didn't know that, and must never know that, but it still hurt Peter more than he could
express. 

One morning, Davy and Mike were sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast, Micky was sat by the window, polishing his drumkit and Peter was in his bedroom, reading.

Then, there was a knock on the door.  Mike and Micky both looked over
at Davy.

"Alright, alright," he said with a sigh.  "I'm going."

Davy walked across to the door and pulled it open to reveal a small
boy.

"Hello, Sonny," Davy said with a smile, "What can I do for you?"

The boy looked a little nervous as he held out an envelope to Davy.  He examined the writing on the envelope and after a moment, he realised it was Nat's.  Davy glanced over his shoulder and then stepped just outside the door and pulled it up behind him - he didn't want Mike and Micky to see what was going on.

The name on the envelope was Peter.

"'Ere," Davy said to the boy, "Who gave you this?"

The boy grinned and said, "Boo Ra," and then dashed away down the stairs and out of the building.  Davy remained outside the Pad for a moment, looking at the envelope in his hands.  What could it be?? A love letter?? The familiar feeling of anger and betrayal rose inside him, and he shoved the envelope into his pocket.  If Nat thought that he was gonna be some kind of messenger for her, then she was wrong.

"Who was it, Babe?" Mike asked as Davy came back inside.

"Oh, just somebody wanting to know how to get to the Mall," Davy lied.

Mike nodded, apparently believing him.  Then Davy grabbed the last piece of toast from his plate and headed upstairs to his bedroom. 

Davy shut the door with a bang and sat down on his bed, pulling the envelope from his pocket.  Then, he jumped up and pushed a chair underneath the door handle - incase anyone should burst in unexpectedly and see the letter.

Then he sat back down on the bed and looked at the envelope for a moment.  Did he really want to know what was inside? It might make things worse.  Would he find out more things that he didn't want to know?  But he couldn't turn back now, so he tore open the envelope and took out the letter.

He sighed, recognizing the familiar curved handwriting and the sweet pink notepaper.  Then he began to read,

`My dear Peter,' the letter began.  It was sickening, hearing Natasha call Peter that.  Davy read on.

`I don't know if I'm making a mistake writing you this letter, but I couldn't leave without saying goodbye.'

Davy screwed his face up - it certainly didn't sound much like a love letter so far.So he continued to read.

`I want you to know that I am so sorry for what happened that day at the park, Peter - the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you and risk your friendship with Davy.  I know how much he means to you, Peter, and that's why I never said anything to you about my feelings while me and Davy was still together.  I can't say that you telling me you didn't feel the same didn't break my heart.  But I understand that you could never do anything to hurt Davy, and I know that a relationship between us would be impossible.  But, I can't stop
myself from loving you.  God knows I've tried.  I wish things could be different, but I see now that they never will be.  Even if by some miracle you did feel the same way, we could never be together - you are too kind and sweet a person to ever hurt your friend.  And that's why I've decided to leave, Peter.  Things are just too difficult for me here - being so close and yet so far away from you.  I can't go on like this.  So, goodbye.  I'll miss you always and I'll never stop loving you. 

All my love, Nat.

Davy couldn't believe what he was reading.  So, Peter was the one that Natasha was in love with, but nothing had happened between them.  And what did she mean about Peter telling her that he didn't feel the same way when Davy knew that he did??  Why would Peter lie and say that he didn't love her??  Then it clicked - Peter had done it for him.  He'd sacrificed his love for Natasha for the sake of his friendship with Davy.

How could I have been so stupid to think that Peter would have gone behind my back with Natasha, Davy thought.  Peter would never do anything like that.

Then a small note at the bottom of the letter caught his eye, it read.

PS. If by some miracle you don't want me to go, my flight is at 11.30 this morning, #421M for London.  If you feel the same way as I do, please follow me and stop me from leaving you.  If I thought there was just the tiniest chance that things might work out between us, Peter, I'd stay in a heartbeat.  If you don't feel the same way, goodbye, Peter, and I'll love you always.  Xxx

Davy didn't know what to do.  If he gave Peter the note, then he'd have to see Peter and Natasha together.  It would tear him apart seeing Nat in Peter's arms instead of his own - he still loved her so much.  But, if he didn't give Peter the letter, then he'd have to live with the fact that he denied his best friend a chance of true happiness.  How could he do that to Peter?? 

Davy made a decision, no matter how much it hurt him, he had to give Peter the letter, and his blessings to go after her. 

With Nat's letter for Peter in his pocket, Davy nervously made his way downstairs.  He had no idea what he was going to say - but he knew one thing, he had to tell Peter to follow his heart and go after Natasha.

Mike and Peter were now both sitting on the sofa and Micky was still
polishing his drumkit.

"Fellas?" Davy announced with a slight crack in his voice.  "I've got something I want to talk to you about."

Mike and Peter looked at each other, and Mike said, "Sure, Davy, what
about?"

Davy sat down at the kitchen table.  "Can you all come and sit down?" he asked.

Micky shrugged and put down the bottle of metallic polish.  He walked over and sat down in the seat next to Davy, while Mike and Peter sat opposite.

"What is it, Davy?" Peter asked.

Davy took a deep breath and fished the envelope from his pocket.  With a sigh he placed it down on the table, upside down.

"This letter came this morning," Davy said.

"What is it?" Micky asked.  "A cheque for a thousand dollars?" he joked.

"Yeah, dream on, Babe!" Mike replied with a smile.

Davy managed a small smile, but inside he was a bag of nerves.  Pull
yourself together, Jones, he told himself.  You're doing this for
Peter.

"No," Davy said slowly.  "It's a letter for Pete".

Mike looked at the envelope.  "But it's open," he remarked.

Peter stared at the envelope, wondering who on earth it could be from and why Davy had called a meeting about it.

"I'll explain about that it a minute, Mike," Davy said, "But first I want to talk to you all about something."

They all nodded.  None of them had a clue what Davy was going to say, and to be totally honest, neither did Davy.

"Firstly, I wanna thank you all for being so wonderful about this whole thing with Natasha," Davy said.

Peter and Mike glanced at each other nervously.

"Sure, Babe," Micky replied.  "You're our buddy and you were in trouble.  You'd have done the same thing."

Davy nodded.  "But because you were all being so great to me, you were ignoring the person you should really have been concerned about."

Confused looks spread across the faces of his three friends.

"Peter," Davy said, "I know about you and Nat."

Mike and Peter looked at each other in horror.  How much did Davy know??  Davy noticed the glance between them and said, "Yeah, and I know that you were in on the whole thing too, Mike."

"Look, Babe, I." Mike began but was interrupted by Micky.

"Will somebody tell me what in Gods name is going on?" he demanded.  "What do you mean you know about Peter and Nat?"

"He's in love with her," Davy said matter of factly.

Micky's mouth dropped open, and he looked at Peter, who was sitting staring at the tablecloth, nervously picking at his fingernails.

"I guess you didn't take my advice then?" Mike said, realizing what must have happened and that Davy must have gone snooping.

Davy shook his head.  "I guess not." Then he looked directly at Peter.  "I heard you that night."

Peter didn't understand.  "What night??"

"When you were singing," Davy replied.  "I heard you sing `The girl that can never be mine' and then I heard you break down in tears.  That's when I realized that there had to be a girl. At the time I didn't realize exactly which girl."

"Davy, I'm.." Peter started, but Davy cut him off.

"Just let me get through this, Pete," he asked.  Davy knew that if he stopped now, he might never finish.  "Anyway, I asked these fellas about it, and that's when Mike told me to let it be, told me to just forget about it.  But I couldn't.  For some reason I couldn't let it go.  So, I waited until you all went out and I went through your room, Peter".

He paused to see if there was any reaction about invasion of privacy but nothing was said, so Davy continued.

"And I found the most beautiful poem," he said.

Peter closed his eyes and took a deep breath - he knew what poem Davy
was talking about.  It was the poem he'd written about Natasha that day when he'd let her walk away from him.

Mike and Micky looked at each other - neither of them knew of any poem.  Micky's head was reeling - Peter was in love with Nat??  This was unbelievable.  Mike's head was also a mess - where was Davy going with all this, and what was inside the envelope infront of them??

"And then next to it," Davy carried on, "I found a photograph.  A photograph of Nat.  that's when I realised what was going on - that Peter was in love with my ex-girlfriend, and I thought, could Peter have been the one that Natasha was cheating on me with?"

Peter spoke up suddenly - Davy couldn't possibly think that!?!

"Oh no!" he cried out.  "I would never have done that, Davy.  You can't believe that I'd go behind your back like that!"

Mike leapt to his defence, "You've got this all wrong, Davy, Peter never did anything wrong.  He didn't.."

Davy held his hand up, telling them to be quiet. 

"I haven't finished," he said firmly.  "I was so broken up, Peter," he said, looking at the bass player.  "The thought that the two people I loved the most could do something like that."

Then he paused. 

"This is where this comes into it."

He turned over the envelope on the table to reveal Peter's name.

"This came this morning."

Mike picked it up and turned it over in his hands.  "So that's why you disappeared.  It wasn't someone asking for directions at all."

Davy shook his head.  "I recognized the handwriting at once and I had to know what was in it.  I was just so mad that Nat was sending Peter letters right under my nose.  So I opened it."

He took the envelope from Mike and handed it to Peter, who just held it for a moment, not sure whether he should look inside or not.

"It explained everything, Peter.  You didn't go behind my back with her.  You didn't even know that she felt the same way until after she'd broken up with me, did you?"

Peter took the letter out and began to read it. 

Davy sighed and ran his hands through his hair.  "She told you that she was in love with you, didn't she, Peter?  But you lied to her, and said that you didn't feel the same way."

Micky looked at Peter, and noticed small tears beginning to form in his eyes. 

"You did it for me, didn't you?" Davy asked with a tender smile.

Peter didn't reply, so Mike spoke for him.  "Yeah, he did it for you, Man.  No matter how much he loved her, he knew that being with her would break your heart.  So he broke his own by telling her no."

Davy just nodded.  Micky didn't know what to say, "You really did that for Davy?" he asked.

Peter looked up from the letter and said, "You're my best friend, Davy.  How could I have done anything else??"

He placed the letter down on the table and put his head in his hands.  "She's gone". he said quietly. 

"What?" Mike demanded and grabbed the note.

"She's going to London." Peter said sadly.

There was a pause, and then Davy spoke.  "No she's not," he said.

Peter looked at Davy.  "What are you talking about?" he asked.  "You read the note.she's leaving."

"No she's not," Davy repeated, "Because you're going to stop her."

Peter shook his head. "But you're still in love with her, Davy," he said.

"Yes I am," Davy replied, "But I love you more, and I'm not gonna be the one to stand between you and happiness.  You have to go after her, Pete.  You love her, right?"

Peter didn't answer for a moment.  "More than the world," he said finally.

"Well then, you have to go after her."  Davy said.  "Love doesn't happen very often, Peter, and when it does, you have to grab it and never let go."

Mike finished reading, and put the letter back down onto the table.  Micky grabbed it - he didn't want to be the only one who hadn't read it!!

"No, Davy," Peter argued.  "No matter how much I might love Natasha, your friendship means the world to me, and I'm not going to ruin it over a girl."

"Don't you see, Peter?" Davy replied.  "You're not going to ruin our friendship.  I'll always be here for you, man.  Please, just go after her."

"Are you sure, Davy?" he asked.  Davy nodded.  Peter grinned and jumped up.  He ran around the table and gave his friend a hug. 

"Thanks, Davy," he said from the bottom of his heart.  "You don't know what this means to me."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Micky shouted.  "We've got a plane to catch!"

Then, all four of them dashed out of the front door and into the car.

Natasha nervously glanced at her watch for the twentieth time that minute.  There was just 10 minutes left until her plane was due to leave.  She fidgeted in her uncomfortable plastic chair, and chewed at her fingernails. 

This is silly, she thought. I was an idiot to even write it. There's no way that he's coming.

She sat and thought about everything that had happened to her over the last seven months.  Moving away from home, coming to America, meeting Davy on her first day in California... meeting Peter.

She sighed and looked at her watch again, 9 minutes and 15 seconds.

Can't this damn thing go any faster?" Micky shouted at Mike who was driving.

"Yeah," Davy agreed, "Put your foot down, Michael!"

"Hey, I'm going as fast as I can!" Mike protested.

Peter sat silently in the back with Micky, praying that he wouldn't be too late.  He couldn't lose her.  If she got on the plane, his life would be over.  It had been torture these last few weeks.  It was hard enough being in love with her when he didn't think she felt the same way.  But ever since she confessed her true feelings for him, it had been a million times worse.  Knowing that she loved him too, but not being able to tell her how he felt, not being able to
tell her that he'd loved her since the first time he saw her - not being able to tell her because he didn't want to hurt his best friend.

"Come on, step on it!" Davy yelled at Mike.  "We've only got 10 minutes!!"

Natasha looked at her watch once more, when a tinny voice came over the loudspeaker.

"Flight #421M to London, England, is now boarding at Gate 37A, will all passengers for flight 421M please make their way to Gate 37A.  Thank you."

Natasha sighed.  There was only 8 minutes to go now.  Peter wasn't coming. 

"Aw, man, what's this?" Mike exclaimed.

The Monkeemobile had just hit traffic. 

"I don't believe it!" Davy shouted and stuck his head out of the window.  The traffic reached out as far as he could see.  "It's no good, Mike," he said, "There's no way we're gonna get through this in." he glanced at his watch, "Seven and a half minutes, we only have seven and a half minutes."

Peter's face fell.  "We're not going to get there in time, are we?" he said glumly.

"Hey, wait!" Micky cried out.  "Turn left here and take 45th and Madison," he directed Mike.  "Then we can cut through the one way street and come out right at the airport!"

Mike did as he was told and swung the car left into the small alley that led to 45th Street.  "Hey, Micky," he said, realising something.  "That one way street?"

"What about it?" Micky replied as they sped out of the alley and onto the main road again.

"We're gonna be going down it the wrong way, aren't we?" Mike said.

"Just shut up and drive!" Peter interrupted.

Crowds of people began to file past Natasha and through the departure gate.  It was almost time for the plane to leave.  "Seven minutes," she said to herself as she looked at her watch. 

What are you doing, she thought. He's not gonna come - you might as
well just get on the plane and stop being so silly.

Still, Natasha pushed the voices out of her mind, and determined to wait until the last second to get on that airplane.

The wheels of the Monkeemobile screeched as Mike spun the car into the one way street.

"Here goes nothing," he remarked, and then added, "Just pray there's nothing coming the other way!"

The one way street was nothing more than a small alley.  It was barely wide enough for one vehicle, let alone two.  The Monkees hoped that nothing would be coming through from the other end.

"How ya holding up, Pete?" Micky asked him.

"Been better," Peter replied.

Davy turned to face them.  "Don't worry, Peter," he said, "We'll get there in time."

Natasha winced as the tinny voice came over the loud speaker once again.

"All passengers for flight #421M to London, please make your way to Gate 37A.  Flight 421M to London.  Thank you."

The steady stream of people had slowed now, and only a few straggling latecomers were rushing up to the desk by the gate.  The lady behind the desk looked sympathetically at Natasha, who kept looking at her watch.

"Hey," she said quietly to her colleague standing next to her, "Who do you think she's waiting for?"

"Maybe it's like in the films where the hero rushes in at the last minute to stop the girl getting on the plane!" the other lady remarked.

Natasha looked at her watch.  Just 5 minutes left.

"Go, go, go Mike!" Micky shouted as they neared the end of the one way street. 

"I'm goin', I'm goin'," Mike shouted back, putting his foot down a little harder on the accelerator.

Then to their dismay, they saw that a large van was about to turn into the street right in front of them.  Davy and Mike screamed and Mike shoved his foot down flat to the floor.  The Monkeemobile leapt forward and screeched out of the one way street.  The driver of the van slammed on his breaks and turned sharply as the Monkees whizzed past him. 

Damn kids, he thought to himself. "This is the final call for flight #421M to London" the loud speaker announced.  "Final call for flight 421M at Gate 37A."

Nat sighed and looked sadly at her watch.  Three minutes to go.  She quickly scanned the faces around her, praying that she'd see Peter's smiling face amongst them - but nothing.

She bit down on her lip and bent down to pick up her rucksack - it was time to go.

Mike screeched to a stop outside the airport entrance.  They all tumbled out and abandoned the car. 

A short man in a blue and red uniform grabbed Mike by the shoulder,

"You can't leave that here!" he exclaimed.  "It's against airport regulations!"

Peter stopped and in his angriest, most forceful, most intimidating voice he said, "Look here, Mister, the girl I love is about to get on a plane to London and fly out of my life forever.  If you stop us getting to her in time, I will not be responsible for my actions if I ever see you again."

Micky and Davy grinned at each other.  Good on you, Peter, they both
thought.

"What were you saying?" Mike asked the man with a smug smile.

The man scowled and then let go of Mike's arm.  The Monkees whooped
and then dashed inside the airport.

Natasha stood up and slowly made her way to the desk.  Two minutes to
go.  She sighed and handed the lady her ticket.

What an idiot I was for thinking that he'd come, Natasha thought as the woman took the ticket from her hand.  What an idiot.

Peter, Micky, Davy and Mike sprinted through the airport. 

"Hey, coming through here, coming through!" Micky was shouting as the crowds parted like the Red Sea to let them through.

"Gate 37A, Gate 37A!!" Davy shouted at a nearby porter.

"Just down there on your left," the porter replied, pointing in the direction of the gate.

The Monkees dashed past him and towards the gate.

"But you'll never get there in time," the porter shouted after them, "It finished boarding two minutes ago!"

"There it is!!" Mike yelled, "Gate 37A!"

They turned the corner and were dismayed to see that the waiting area was completely empty.  They were too late.  Peter looked over at the desk, where two ladies were just closing the doors to the airplane walkway.

"No, no. no!" he shouted, sprinting over to them.  "You have to let me through, the girl I love is on that plane!"

"I'm sorry, Sir, but the plane has gone." the lady replied, and Peter felt his heart break as he looked through the immense glass windows to see the huge airplane rise into the sky.

Davy, Micky and Mike came up behind him and put their hands on his
shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Pete," Micky said gently.

"Yeah, me too," Mike agreed.

Davy hung his head.  "It's all my fault," he said quietly.  "If I'd just given you the letter straight away you'd have got here in time, man.  It's all my fault."

Peter turned to face them.  "Thanks guys," he said, a tear running down his cheek, "And don't be stupid, Davy, this isn't your fault.  I should have told you a long time ago how I felt about Nat, then maybe none of this would have happened."

Davy hugged Peter.

"Excuse me, Sir?" the lady behind the desk interrupted.

Peter turned around. 

"I think you'd better look over there," she said, pointing behind them.

They all turned around and saw that Natasha was standing in front of them, luggage in hand and tears in her eyes.

"You came," she said with a smile.  "I thought you."

Micky, Davy and Mike took a step back and pushed Peter toward Natasha.

"Sorry I'm late," he said.

Natasha smiled and took a step towards him.  "Does this mean.." She said and then stopped.

Peter nodded and managed to say, "I love you so much, Nat."

Natasha couldn't hold back anymore and the tears ran down her face.  She'd waited so long to hear Peter say that.  She stepped closer to him and he put his arms around her.

"Oh, God," he whispered, "I've wanted to do this for so long.  I've loved you since the first moment I saw you."

Then Micky, Davy and Mike smiled as Peter kissed her. 

"Hey, are you alright?" Mike asked Davy.  "I mean, you're still in love with her, aren't you?"

Davy grinned.  "Look how happy he is," he said, pointing to Peter who was hugging Natasha tightly.  "I'll be fine."

"You're a good friend, babe," Micky said to him, patting him on the shoulder.

"Come on," Mike said with a grin, "Let's break these two apart and head home." 

Davy grinned, "And let's see that dude outside run for cover when he sees Pete coming!"

They all laughed and knew that everything was going to be just fine.  Peter had finally got the girl he loved, and Davy was happy for him.  Even though he'd always have a special place in his heart for Nat, he knew that he'd done the right thing by letting her go to Peter.  He sighed contentedly.  <Gotta love a happy ending> he thought to himself.

They all headed out of the airport together.  Mike, Micky and Davy walked ahead, and Peter followed with his arm around Natasha, not wanting to let go of her for a second.

"See! What did I tell you!"

The two ladies from behind the departure desk stood together and watched them walk away until they were out of sight. 

"What were the chances of that!" the other one replied. 

They both laughed and went back to work, each with a great story to tell their Grandchildren.

THE END.