The next day Mia had awakened early and decided to walk down to the dock to sit and think.  Early morning was always her favorite time of  day and the best time to do some thinking.  Yes she loved the peace and quiet here.  That's why she jumped when she hear the voice behind her. 

     "What are you thinking about?" Mike asked as he sat down next to her.  Mia looked at him sadly.  Mike knew right away why she was out here so early.  "You can't dwell on it."  He told her. 

     Mia nodded her head, her eyes and face still portraying her sadness.  Although Mia knew Mike was right she just couldn't forget.  Not as easily as they wanted her to.  She had a reminder of it every day.  All she had to do was look down and see that reminder and it made her shiver each time.

     "Come on, want to go for a ride in Mol?"  He grinned at her.  He saw the beginnings of a smile, and he continued to badger her.  "Come on you know you wanna."  He was goading her and he knew it.  He would get them some breakfast then they would talk.  Here they could be interrupted, in Mol, no chance of that.

     She nodded, then got up to put her shoes on and grab her purse.  She told him she'd meet him out at Molly.  Yes yet another thing he named.  His nice wonderful little car.  And she did mean little.  It was a two seater, the latest thing in automobiles as far as she knew and it was convertible.  Molly the Solstice.  A nice sleek black one.  Mia always loved going for a ride in Molly, made her feel free and happy, and have no cares in the world.  Best of all she and Mike got to talk.

     About an hour later, after their breakfast Mia knew Mike was waiting for her to begin.  He knew she needed to vent, or yell or just get what happened out of her system.  She didn't feel ready to vent or yell yet but she could sure talk calmly about it right now.

     "Do you think I'll ever be safe again?"  she asked finally.

     Mike looked at her.  Of all the things he had been expecting that hadn't been one of them.  He glanced breifly over at his sister and wondered how she could stay so calm.  "I don't know.  But you are safe here remember?"  He looked over again breifly, not wanting to take his eyes off the road for too long.

     "But for how long?  When will this all end?  When can I have a life again?  When will I not be putting everyone I love in danger?"  The questions were like rapid fire to Mike.  Coming quickly and one right after the other.  He quickly made the decision to pull over.  His sister needed his undivided attention.

     "You know I can't answer any of those questions.  You know I can't.  But I can be here for you, of my choosing, as is D and so is Ken.  Remember I explained everything to him and he agreed that we should all come here at least for the summer right?"

     Mike felt bad for her.  He could see the tears welling up in her eyes.  He could see her fighting them too.  He wanted to make this all go away for her.  He couldn't stand to see his sister so upset.

     Mia couldn't hold it in anymore.  The tears started to flow freely and she knew Mike would help her through them.  Sure enough as soon as Mike saw her tears he pulled her into his arms.

     He had no idea how long they sat there, him holding her and she crying but to him it seemed like hours.  It was good to see her release her fear and tension finally, in one form or another.

     Slowly she pulled back.  At last she felt better able to go on at least for a little while.  She just wanted a normal life.  She wanted to go to the movies, shopping, anything without a 'bodygurard' which ususally meant her brother, his friend Ken or their friend JT, who convinently happend to be a police officer, Mike had met up here his first week. Oh boy did she remember that one.

 

     Mike had come up before them.  He was anxious to make sure everything was ok.  His and D's son Steve was going to drive Mia and D up to Ken's so Mike was free to come ahead and make things right.

     Well Ken had this other guy, Chuck staying with them as well, and he was bad news.  So Ken and Mike and the son of a friend of Ken's, Chris, all set out to make Chuck pay. 

     They did this quite nicely.  They set him up.  Chris' cousin took Chuck out and Chuck's gf, who happened to be married, was waiting for him when he got home, but he showed up with this other woman.  She screamed at him, took off and then Chuck started in at Mike, all part of the plan.

     Chris and Ken went to the upstairs and stood on the veranda.  They wanted to make sure that Mike had witnesses if anything went wrong.  Instead of fighting in the house Mike lured Chuck outside.  It was then that Chuck sucker punched Mike.  Well Mike not thinking, or maybe he was, round house kicked him.  Right in the chops. Chuck hit the ground hard, when he recovered he took off. 

     Chris had asked Mike why he karate kicked him.  Mike had responded with he didn't want to hurt him or be charged with assault with a weapon, his cast.  This actually made sense to most of them.

     But an hour later when Mia, Steve and D pulled into the yard there was Mike, in handcuffs, being led away by the police.  The women were out of the car in record time hurrying over to them to see what in the world Mike had gotten himself into this time. 

     Ken was explaining to Mia, but in German, so she didn't understand it all, she was the only one who didn't speak it, so Steve was translating for her.  Mia was just shaking her head.  How in the world did Mike do it?

     An interesting little adventure right?  If only it were over.  When Mike got to the Police Station the fun really began. Chuck was in behind bars cause he had landed the first punch.  Mike however was put in the police lunch room, where he proceeded to play poker with the officers and take them for 40 dollars.  None of his family or friends for that matter know how he does this.  He could fall in a barrel of shit and come out smelling like a rose.  Or he had a horsehoe up his ass.  Take your pick, either way it translates to he is one lucky son of a bitch.

 

    So that was how JT came into the picture, as he was the arresting officer.  All Mia did when things like this happned now was bow her head and shake it.  There wasn't anything else you could do.  Life with Mikey was like being on a roller coaster.

     Mike knew Mia was feeling confined with the precautions they had had to put in place.  He was as frustrated with them as she was.  He was used to his sister being happy, full of life, funloving and now here she was confined to being with someone almost 24/7.  It must be hard.  Then the idea hit him.  He knew he may regret it but he'd put both forth and see what she said.

     "How would you like to go to the show tonight, almost unchaperoned."  Mia's head swung in his direction.  She couldn't believe what he was saying.  Then her eyes narrowed.  What was he saying?  How was this going to work?  There was  no way he could pull this one off.

     "Ha ha ha, very funny.  No way that's possible."  She crosssed her hands over her chest and sat in her seat quietly, after rebuckling then watched as Mike took off again.

     "Oh it's possible.  Definately possible. One of two ways.  You get to choose."  He paused, glanced briefly at her and then said.  "One I can get JT to take you out on a date.  No one would be the wiser and you have freedom." 

     Mia looked at him.  Was he crazy?  Everyone around here knew that JT had a gf so they'd know right away something was up and it could cause a lot of trouble for JT and his gf.  

     "Or you and D could go to the show and Ken and I would be near by but not right with you.  We'd keep an eye out for you from a distance.  No one, and I mean no one would know you were there with anyone but D."

     Mia looked at him with admiration.  Now this had potential.  This she was willing to give a go.  Oh yeah.

     D was pacing when Mike and Mia drove back into the yard.  Oh she knew they had these chats and had no problem with it but with the recent events, she got nervous if Mia was gone for too long.  That poor girl had been through hell and back.

     Ken was watching D and could understand her anxiety, but she needed to relax.  Mia didn't like anyone to fuss over her.  She was independent and loved being so.  She was wilting away at having to have people around her all the time.  The freedom in Molly this morning probably made her feel much better.

     When D would have run out to meet them Ken stopped her with a shake of his head.  D knew Ken was right but she so wanted to make sure Mia was ok.  So she went and sat back down on the couch. 

     Mia came in to see D sitting quietly on the couch and Ken puttering around in the kitchen.  To Mia it looked like a quiet Saturday morning and that was fine with her.  She liked that no one was making a fuss about her and Mike being gone so long.  But she was waiting for the fireworks when he came in and announced what he planned to.  Shit was going to hit the fan.  Big time.

     "You have breakfast Mia?"  Ken asked.  Mia smiled at him.  He was a sweet man too bad he wasn't a bit younger.  He was 26 years her senior.  But he was a nice man.  A very nice. man.  He was about 5'10" tall, blonde hair, with a little gray in it, but toned and fit and nice blue eyes.  He also had the kindest heart she'd ever seen besides Mike and D.

     "Hey beautiful." Mike spoke to D as he b lined for her and the couch.  He sat beside her and Mia went into the kitchen.   She knew when those two got together on a couch kissing, and she meant kissing, a lot of it would ensue.

     She smiled at Ken then went to help him make breakfast.  "You going to have breakfast Mia?"  Ken asked again.

     "No it looks so good but Mike bought me breakfast.  Thanks for asking though."  She felt bad now that she saw all the trouble Ken was going through. 

     When Mia went out into the living room she saw exactly what she expected to see.  D and Mike lip locked like there was no tomorrow.  They were tongues every where from what Mia could see. Hands were all over each other, and Mia finally figured it was time to bring a halt to things when she saw D's hand wander below the waist of Mike.

      "Breakie guys."  Mia yelled loud enough to be heard.  Slowly the two on the couch came out of their stupor.  They were all aroused looking no where in particular trying to focus on their surroundings. 

     Mia was acutally envious of them.  They were very lucky to have each other.  They were made for each other.  Not everyone found a love like that and the best part of it?  They knew they were lucky to have found what they have.  

    While they ate, Mia cleaned up the kitchen.  She didn't know where Mike put it.  He was a human garbage can.  He could eat and eat and eat and never gain a pound.  That being said, he dug into the breakfast Ken made with gusto.  Everyone was chatting but Mia knew the minute Mike had mentioned the movies tonight.

     The chatter stopped.  Everyone was extremely quiet.  Then she heard a resounding  NO from D be emmited.  "Are you out of your ever loving mind Mike?"  D said in a raised voice.

    "No I'm not.  She needs a live and to be alone somewhat.  This is killing her."  D knew what he was saying was true but she was scared for Mia.  She didn't want this to happen to her again and it was most likely going to.

    "But the show?  Her and I and you guys god knows where."  She was not giving in on this.  She knew there was too much risk in it.  "No Mike.  No I won't agree to it."  D stated with finality.

     Mia had had it.  for months now everyone was making decisions for her now she was going to start making them for herself again.  She stormed out into dining area then stood there for a second.  She looked at everyone and knew no matter where she stood she'd be heard and seen.  It was an open floor concept.

    "That's it.  I am bloody well going tonight.  There is no way you are stopping me.  I'm an adult and I can make my own damn decisions.  So either you come or don't suit yourself.  But I am going to the show tonight.  With or without you guys." 

     With that Mia stormed off to the stairs and started to climb them, stomping her feet like a child would when angry and had just been sent to their room.  She didn't care if it was jeuvnille she was angry and ready to let people know it now.  It felt good to get angry she thought.

     She was doing fine with the anger and her emotions until she opened her bedroom door.  She hadn't taken more than two steps into the room when she screamed.  Vaguely she could hear the rukus of people clammering up the stairs to get to her to see what was going on.

     She could hear them all pull up to a stop behind her.  Someone actually pushed her farther into the room, as they tried to stop.  Mia was stunned and looking in disbelief at what was on her bed.

     Behind her she heard someone swear in German, probably Ken.  She heard D yell something at Mike, and Mike the little shit decided to laugh.  Then what he did stunned them all.

     He walked over to Mia's dresser and sat at the chair there.  He looked at Curtis through the mirror and pretened to be busy, then actually had a conversation with the critter.

     Mia couldn't believe her eyes.  He calmly sat there waiting out this stupid racoon, and  this racoon looked like he was loving the attention.  After a few minutes Curtis left.  Mia felt  nothing but relief.  D started laughing and Ken was swearing at Mike in German still.  That sucked cause Mia wanted to know what he was saying.  She'd have to ask D later.

     Mike walked over to the french doors that opened onto the veranda and closed them.  "Leave them closed." He warned her.  "Next time it might not be Curtis."  He hated to be cruel but she was in big trouble.

     Mia lost it.  She sank to the floor and cried.  She cried like she had never cried before.  D sat down with her and held her, just letting her cry, letting her know that she was there to support her.

    

 

     About 2 hours later D walked down the stairs minus Mia.  The men looked at her.  "I finally got her to lay down.  She's sleeping."  She looked at both men.  "There's stuff she's not tellling us."  D stated.

     "I figured that.  To my understanding, we know the bare bones only.  Mia is the only witness alive to tell it all.  They're going to gun for her."  Mike was blunt about it.

     "How can we keep her safe?  There has to be a better way than this."  D said.  Ken was agreeing with D.  Something had to be done.

     "Ok so we know she was kidnapped at gun point after dropping Damian.  We know that Damian had that ordered if not performing the kidnapping himself."  Mike went on.  "So we know she was there for weeks.  Six weeks to be exact.  We know there was physical violence.  Just look at her leg.  The doc said there was more evidence to that but Mia didn't want us to know."  Mike was beginning to get pissed off all over again.

     "Why do people do this to a nice girl?"  Ken asked.

     "My thoughts exactly Ken.  What is or was Damian into."  Mike thought outloud.  "I'm going to call Parker."  He decided.  Time to take matters into his own hands.  Parker was a private investigator friend he had.  He knew Parker would help him out.  He had met Mia once and liked her a lot so was hoping to play on that.

     D and Ken waited while Mike made the phone call.  D was perched on the edge of the couch as Ken was pacing the floor in the living/ dining area.  D was happy when Mike got Parker on the phone.

    "Hey Parker.  I need your help buddy."  Mike then proceeded to tell him what was going on.  Parker asked for the name of Damian, his last name.  Mike noticed there was no hesitation when he swore and informed Mike he'd be there and that all of them had to talk big time and not on the phone.  Parker said to expect him sometime tomorrow and hung up.

    The three people in the living room were flabberghasted by what had just transpired.  Mia was in some serious shit apparently, and it wasn't over, not by a long shot.  Damn. 

     Mike stood up and threw his cell phone.  He didn't even think, he just heaved it across the room, and he didn't even flinch when it hit the wall and shattered.  He just looked at it as if it were the enemy.

     D and Ken knew they'd be going shopping later to get Mike a new phone but how would they explain it to Mia.  He'd think of something.