The Return: An Intern's Life At The Peacock Network.

Chapter 3: New Year, New Life (Featuring Old and Resurfaced Feelings)

"Sometimes, you can dodge a bullet when it comes to certain problems, certain distractions or just anything you can bear to think of. And then in life, when you least expect it, the bullet can hit you before you have a chance to put your armor on." Anne shook her head as the last words hit her lips as she stood the hotel suite she had been staying in, her bags packed up and ready to return to the trunk of her car. Not too long after Mika left that she received a call saying her apartment was ready to move back in. Getting showered, dressed and ready as the hotel concierge wheeled her bags to the lobby. As she closed the door and followed them to the elevator, slipping into the elevator shaft along with the hotel concierge, Anne checked her phone as she responded to a text from a friend of whom she had gotten to know while she was in New York during her first internship.

As she rode the elevator, Anne thought back to the previous night's events, a shiver slipping up and down her body, hitting her lower and more personal areas harder than she wanted the memories to do so. She couldn't help but feel guilty and frankly pissed off that she would not only allow herself to do that, but that Mika didn't think to stop it before it got even more intense. Still, she had to admit that Mika was far sex...Shaking her head to erase the last thoughts, Anne and the hotel concierge walked to her car as she put on her sunglasses. She had offered to help but was repeatedly rebuffed. As soon as the last bag was packed in, Anne paid each member with a hefty tip, set her car in gear and drove off to the address of her previous residence.

Just as she drove off, Mika was contemplating her next move. She wanted so desperately to call Anne and explain how wrong she was in taking advantage of their friendship. But that would've crossed a line she promised herself she wouldn't cross. Even thinking about it was the worst thing she could do. Standing in her office, Mika could only agonize over the mixed signals, the discomfort in all she had done or had even thought was her right to do when it came to being in the same room with someone as sweet, as beautiful as Anne. And just as she would've had a chance to contemplate further, a ringing of her office phone startled her. Answering it, Mika spoke softly but audibly as she was summoned to the studio. As she walked into the studio, she noticed one person wasn't in attendance. "She's not here. It's not like her to miss morning run-through" The last words slipped out of her mouth just as Joe came into the studio behind her, sliding past her and patting her back softly. She had hoped that Joe wouldn't notice the uncertainty in her eyes as he walked past and thankfully he didn't...or at least she didn't think he didn't. At the moment it wasn't important as they had a show to do. Stepping onto the soundstage and into her seat beside Joe, the show started and ended by 9 am as it always had. By the time the red light went off and it was time to head back to their offices, Mika had closed her door behind her, biting her lip as she pondered whether or not to call her cellphone.

Relief came in the form of her office phone calling, the uncertainty of who it was on the other end biting at her as she exhaled, cleared her throat briefly and picked up the phone. "Hello? Mika's office, how can i help you?" An additional exhale was expelled, this time by the caller on the other side of the phone. "Mika? Hey, it's me. Look, i wasn't gonna call but i couldn't just leave you alone without explaining myself." Mika knew exactly who this was and she was surprised by the sentiment of her words. However, she felt it was unfounded given that it was her who initiated the exchange. "Why are you apologizing? You know damn well..." Mika stopped to look at Joe waiting for her to be through with her phone call and exit the office. "Damn well what? That it was you who initiated it? Mika, it was my confession and the fact that i had my feelings plain as day on my sleeve" Mika nodded and gave Joe the "one second" finger before exhaling and speaking. "Look, can we talk about this at a more closed in area? Maybe at back at the studio? I'm on my way out to see Joe off to the airport." Anne nodded and exhaled through her nose. "Text me when you're on your way back to the studio" With a last "I will", Mika hung up, leaving Anne to contemplate where to go from here.