Two months have pasted, and our story continues. In an apartment a ways off Sabrina finally leaves her room. It's about 2 in the afternoon. Her best friend and roommate Amy eyes her as she sits down at the table.

Amy: About time sleeping beauty. You know this isn't healthy.

Sabrina: [rests her head in her hands] Yeah well.. that's why I decided to finally sleep all day yesterday, thank god it was Friday.[lays her head on the table]

Amy: Well I hate to break it to you.. but it's Monday.. you slept the entire weekend.

Sabrina:[picks her head up] What?!!? Aw shoot.. [scratches her head] No wonder I peed for 10 minutes straight when I went to the bathroom after getting up. Geez.[lays her head back down]

Amy: You've been back about 2 week.. when are you going to see him?

Sabrina:[picks her head up and looks at her] Please ..I want to.. but… [lowers her head] I can't. I know he'll just tell me to go away.

Amy: [pats her on the head] I mean this with all affection. [smacks her across the head] SNAP OUT OF IT GIRL!!!

Sabrina: [grabs her head] GEE THANX!!! Remind me to show some affection to you later!!

Amy: Anytime. [walks off]

Sabrina thinks for a bit. She goes back into her room and lays back down. She thinks back to months ago when she and Miguel last spoke. How he told her how he felt, how he trembled, fought to say every word. How difficult it seemed for him to say all that. At the time.. she didn't noticed it. All she could feel was her pain.. her hurt feelings.. how could he not tell her all that before.... even when she gave him a chance to. She snapped when she shouldn't have.. and she lost him. Later when she calmed down.. she realized.. what she had done. She was mad at him for waiting so long...but deep down inside, she was also angry for going to Blake...she didn't love him.. but she loved the attention he gave her. Made her feel special.. and loved. Miguel gave her something better... he gave her all that... but he never asked for anything in returned.. he listened.. and paid attention...and despite all the playful teasing and fighting... he NEVER made her feel small and stupid. Sabrina rolls over and hugs her pillow. She thinks about how he must have felt, pouring his heart out and then... she shakes her head. She squeezes her pillow tighter as tears start to roll down her face. Finally she gets up and walks over to her closet. After pulling on some clothes she leaves her room and heads towards the door. Amy is sitting on the couch with Thomas as she's heading out.

Sabrina: I'm going to go find Miguel!!!

Amy: [gets up] ABOUT TIME!!!! GO GET HIM !![sits back down] Sigh, I'm so happy.

Thomas: Great.. um who's Miguel?

Amy: I'll tell you later.[kisses him]

Amy kisses him and they caress each other. Then she pulls him down on her as the scene fades and changes. Sabrina was amazed she remembered the way there. It hadn't been that long.. but still she always had trouble find her way back when she worked there. But somehow she made it. And there it stood, in front of her.. eMenagerie. But.. some how.. it looked different. It looked cold and alone.. very dark. She walked closer to the building.. and she froze in her steps. It looked almost condemned. She wonders if anyone is even inside. She stops at the door for a minute, but turn and walks away. She stops in her tracks and turns and walks back. Just as she is about to knock the door opens.

Funky: WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT!!!???

Sabrina leaps back a bit in surprise. But then her eyes open wide as she looks at Funky. Funky has always been a bit cross, but now…. Sabrina sees her former friend… eyes look like she hasn't had much sleep.. her voice hoarse. What has happened to her?

Funky: Well?

Sabrina: Um.. Funky.. Hi. Where is.. Miguel? Is he here?

Funky:[growls] He's not here!!! None of us have seen him since the day you left!!! We don't know where he went!!! Anyway.. don't you have a husband now?

Sabrina:[plays with her hair] No.. I'm not with Blake. What do you mean no one's seen Miguel?

Funky: You heard me!! He up and left. He left us!! And.. [breaks down crying] we don't even know if he's dead. [leans on Sabrina]

Sabrina: Funky? Listen…. Um.. I'm.. I'm.. sorry. I came here looking for Miguel… I.. I wanted to.. but you don't know where he is.

Ebony: [steps out of the back] I do.

Funky: What? [grabs Ebony] What do you mean you know where he is?!?!? Why didn't you tell me.. ANYONE!!??

Ebony: Cause.. you don't want to know where he is!! He doesn't want to be found!! I ran across him.. and he….[looks at Sabrina] Ms. Sabrina…. You're the only one who can bring him back. I'll tell you… but.. I want to know why you want to see him.

Sabrina:[fidgets a bit] Well…. I..I..[plays with her hair]..I.. I wanted to make things right.

Funky: What about Blake?

Sabrina: I didn't marry him.

Ebony:[leans over and whispers to Sabrina. Sabrina nods] Okay.. I'll tell you where to find him then.

Funky: I'm going too!!!

Ebony: You want Mr. Tigre to see you like this? [looks Funky up and down]

Funky: NO!!!! I.. I better get fixed up!![runs inside]

Ebony: She's been like this ever since.. [makes a face] She hasn't bathed in weeks. Hopefully now she will. She's now a WHOLE other type of "funky".

Sabrina: Um Ebony?

Ebony: No need Ms. Sabrina.. just.. make things right.. and bring him back to us.

Sabrina: I will. I promise.

Sabrina finds herself standing in front of a bar. She checks Ebony's directions again, to be sure. She takes a deep breath and walks in. he eyes slowly adjust to the dim lighted, smoky bar inside. She looks around a bit nervous as the guys around her leer at her. Then she focuses on someone.. in the conrer.. with his head down on the table.

Bartender: Look you've been here a long time.. and I really think I need to cut you off now.[Miguel hands him a 100 dollar bill] Then again..[takes it] I think you're old enough to know your own limits.

Sabrina: HEY!!

Miguel's ears perk up as he hears her voice. A voice he had come to love and cherish. He picks his head up and sees Sabrina. Sabrina looks at him and her heart sinks. He looks no better than Funky. His hair all messed up.. his eyes bloodshot.. and he has such a hurt look on his face. Miguel tries his best to smile, but all he does is fall out of his chair. Sabrina walks over and helps him up.

Miguel: M…Ms. Sabrina?

Sabrina: [sits him up] Yes.. it's me. What are you doing here?

Miguel: [slurred] Wasting away again in margaritaville.. searching for my lost shaker of salt.

Sabrina: Miguel…

Miguel: Some people claim that there's a woman blame.. but I know… it my own damn fault.

Sabrina: Miguel? Is this where you've been all this time? Drinking? You don't drink.

Miguel: You'd be surprised at some of the things I've done.. lately. [lays his head back down] I just don't care anymore. You were right to ditch me.. everyone does. Every girl I've been with at some point sweeps me under the rug. God I'm such a loser.[takes a swing from the bottle next to him]

Sabrina: Miguel.. that's bottled water.

Miguel:[spits it out] ARGH!! What are you trying to do.. poison me?

Sabrina: Miguel.. listen.. I'm.. [looks around] Sigh. I really don't want to say what I have to here.

Miguel: What? You don't have to.. sides.. you should go.. hard for Blake to have a honeymoon without you. [tries to pick himself up] Then again what do I know about honeymoons. Maybe he can.

Sabrina: Miguel.

Sabrina looks at Miguel in the state he is in.. she feels so badly about all of this. It tears her up inside and she can no longer bear it.

Sabrina:[into his ear softly] I love you.

Miguel:[turns to her] Like a friend?

Sabrina: [makes a face] No. I'm not with Blake.. I left.. I couldn't get you out of my mind. If you.. if you.. [feels awkward saying what she feels with tons of people around] if you still love me… I want…[sees Miguel is asleep on the counter] Sigh. Miguel.

Sabrina turns and sees a bear standing next to her looking her up and down. She tries not to notice him but he takes her arm. Sabrina gets a bit uneasy.

Bear: Hey.. if he doesn't want you.. I'd be more than happy to take you.

Sabrina: No.. thank you. [pulls her arm away]

Bear: [takes her arm again] Come on.. give me a chance.

Sabrina: [pulls away] NO!! Let go!!!

Bear: [grabs Sabrina by the arm hurting her] I think you'll change your mind soon enough!!

The bears arm is pulled off of Sabrina and is twisted with such force that it pops loudly. Sabrina watches as Miguel pushes him away.

Miguel:[wobbling] I think the lady told you no.. more than once.

Sabrina: Miguel?

Bear: [gets up] I think you had better stay out of this and leave little man.

Miguel: [looks up at him.. as he stands over a few feet taller than him] No…. I'd never let anything happen to Ms. Sabrina.. drunk as a skunk or not.[looks at Sabrina] No offense.

Sabrina:[takes Miguel by the arm] Let's go.. before there's trouble.[ Miguel stumbles off with her]

Bear: Yeah just as well.. wouldn't want to reek like her anyway.

Miguel:[stops in his tracks] Ms. Sabrina.

Sabrina: Miguel…NO!!

Miguel: Wait outside for me. [pushes her out the door and locks it]You know..[turns around and walks towards him] I can take name calling.. cheap shots.. hell even direct blows to the head.. to ME.. but when you insult…[wobbles] that girl… the one I love more than life.

Sabrina gets startled as the sound of breaking glass and furniture is heard from inside the bar. Then in an instant it stops. Sabrina tries to peer in the window. Suddenly she leaps back as the bear tears through the door and falls on the floor. Sabrina walks over him and back inside. She finds Miguel sitting on the floor.

Sabrina: Miguel?[kneels down next to him]

Miguel: I'm really out of shape..[turns and she sees his glasses broken and his eye swollen] he actually hit me.

Sabrina: You didn't have to.[takes his glasses off]

Miguel: Yes I did.. I'll be.. [leans his head back against the bar stool] DAMNED if anyone hurts you.. or says anything bad about you.

Sabrina;[smiles] Thanks. Let me help you up.

Miguel: No… best leave me here. I belong here. I can't go back.

Sabrina: Miguel… [glares at him] Don't make me hurt you!![pulls him up by his ears] If you think I'm letting you go.. you're wrong!!!! Now.. come home with me.. before I drop you like I did Blaine.

Miguel: Blake.

Sabrina: Like I care!!

Miguel: OKAY OKAY!!! [follows] Just lay off of my ears!!

The following morning Miguel is asleep on Sabrina's couch. Thomas walks in and sees him. He knocks over a lamp on the table.. but Miguel's hand catches it and place sit back. Thomas stares.. he then trying to get around him bumps the table again. Suddenly he feels his legs pulled out from under him and he falls on the couch. Thomas opens his and finds Miguel standing over him.

Miguel: Can't you walk around a bit more QUIETLY!!?? OW!![grabs his head] Stupid hang-over!![sits back down]

Amy: [Runs in] What was..[sees Thomas getting up] Something happen?

Thomas: Amy.. who is this guy?

Amy: [sees Miguel bury his head under his pillow and cover] That's Miguel.. he's Sabrina's boyfriend.

Thomas: Oh.. that explains his drunken state.

Amy: Thomas dear… leave the jokes to us.. you just stand around and look cute. Did he attack you?

Thomas: Yeah.. he's surprisingly strong for someone in his condition.

Amy: But.. he's not even you're height..[looks at Miguel] and he knocked you down?

Thomas: Yeah well he surprised me.

Miguel:[from under the pillow and covers] And he went down like a ton of bricks.

Amy:[pokes him on the head] Miguel?

Miguel:[uncovers an eye] Yes.. Ms. Amy?

Amy: Can you get up for a second?

Miguel: Sigh.. give me a sec.[slowly.. painfully pulls himself up. Then he gets to his feet and looks up and sees a much taller wolf looking down at him] Awww crud.

Amy: Thought so. Miguel.. this is my boyfriend Thomas.

Miguel: [looks up at him] You're clumsy for a tall guy. Sorry about that.. just.. my head is splitting open.. so much I can feel my fur throbbing.

Thomas: It's okay.. sorry if I woke you.

Miguel: [sits back down] Yeah.

The front door opens and Sabrina walks in with a bag of groceries. Amy watches and giggles as Miguel's ears perk up and he turns to see her.

Miguel: [Stands up in a flash] Ms. Sabrina!!! OOOOOHH stood up too fast!![falls back down]

Thomas: I'm starting to like this guy.. he makes me look good.

Sabrina: [puts the bag down] Hey tiger… how you feeling?

Miguel: Ever see that part in "Scanners" when that guy's head exploded? Well.. I feel like that.

Sabrina: That will teach you to go drinking. [sits down next to him] Hungry?

Miguel: No. No food.[Amy leads Thomas away and they leave them alone]

Sabrina: Miguel…… I.. I'm sorry all this happened.

Miguel:[leans his head on her] No.. it's my fault…if Chris wasn't such a bully to me.. I probably wouldn't kick him in the shins every chance I get.

Sabrina: What?

Miguel: Um sorry.. that didn't come out right. What I meant to say was….. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner Ms. Sabrina. I.. wanted to.. so many times.. but. I was so afraid.. I couldn't. I tried.. so hard.. but…

Sabrina: [smiles] I know what you mean.

Miguel: Ms. Sabrina?

Sabrina: [picks his head up] How about you just call me Sabrina from now on.

Miguel: Sabrina?[gets closer to her]

Sabrina:[moves closer to him] Yes?

Miguel: Nothing.

Miguel moves closer as Sabrina closes her eyes and prepares to be kissed. Just as Miguel is close to making contact. His face turns green and his cheeks fill up with vomit.

Sabrina;[sees him throw up into a trashcan and makes a face] See what you get when you drink!!??

Miguel: I'm SORRY!! OH GOD!![gags]

Later Miguel has his head on the table as Sabrina brings him some coffee. Miguel pushes it away but she crosses her arms and glares at him. He then sips a bit and makes a face.

Miguel: GAAAH!! It didn't have 10w-30 on the label did it?

Sabrina: Funny. Just drink it.. it will help sober you up.

Miguel:[sips a bit more] Man…. This coffee'd take the black off a crow.. kinda tastes like the black off a crow too.

Sabrina: That's enough. [sits down next to him] You act like you never tasted coffee before.

Miguel: I have.. but you Americans ruin everything… coffee, soccer, Sailor Moon.

Sabrina; Don't give me that.. besides you're an American!!

Miguel: Maybe… but my ethnic diversity says otherwise.

Sabrina: Oh I see. [plays with her hair]

Miguel: What's on your mind?

Sabrina: What makes you think there's something on my mind?[plays with her hair even more]

Miguel: [reaches over and takes her hand away from her hair] Because…. You always do that when you're nervous or worried about something.

Sabrina sighs and smiles. He knew her already.. and he hadn't even know her long. Like she had told herself before.. not only does he listen.. but he pay attention as well. She knew she hadn't made a mistake going back now.

Sabrina: Miguel… I want to get something straight.

Miguel: If this is going down the" I don't want to ruin our special friendship " road.. I'd better up and leave.

Sabrina: NO!! Listen…. I'm with you.. but.. just know.. I have .. I'm not going back to work for you.. I have a new job.

Miguel: S'okay.[drinks more coffee and winces]

Sabrina: You're okay with that?

Miguel: Do I look like Blake to you? You're a big girl.. you can do stuff for yourself… sides.. I'm happy you do have a job.. that way you don't have to go move in with your mom and dad. [smiles] That's what it's all about right?

Sabrina: [smiles and nods] Right.

Miguel: So.. where are you working?

Sabrina: [sweating] Um.. well.. erm.. it's a place.. I work on this studio's website.

Miguel: What studio?[tries drinking the coffee again]

Sabrina: Um.. [plays with her hair] no place special.. it's um.. a movie studio.

Miguel: Cool beans.. they paying you good there?

Sabrina: Um yeah. More than you did actually.

Miguel: Cool. Gah.. no more.[pushes the coffee away] if I have anymore.. I'm going to turn black.

Sabrina; Well.. um how are you feeling now?

Miguel: Better.[gets up] I have to go Sabrina. The girl's are probably worried about me.

Sabrina: [gets up] You sure you're okay? [walks with him]

Miguel: Yeah.. I'll be fine. See you.. [raises an eyebrow] Gypsy gal. [opens the door and socks himself in the head] Eh heh.. rough start. [walks out]

Sabrina closes the door and rests her head on it. She smiles and pats it with her hand. Miguel a little later gets to the eMenagerie building. It looks dark and almost dead. He walks through the door and sees the empty hall…. all is quiet.

Miguel: [puts his hands in his pockets and smiles] GIRLS!!! I'm back!!!!

And then the doors of the hall fly open.. light and life pour out as Groovy, Azul, Reiko, and Xiaoyu runs up to him and latch on to him.

Azul: ABOUT TIME YOU CAME BACK!!

Groovy: Never leave again.. never leave again!!

Reiko: Miguel we were all so worried!!!

Xiaoyu: Now that you're back.. how about working on my story again.

Miguel:[smiles] Sigh. It's nice to be missed.

Funky: Miguel?![comes running and tackles him] OH MIGUEL!! I thought maybe you had died!!! [hits him repeatedly] You made me cry you stupid jerk!!!

The scene pans away as it goes to Sabrina at her computer typing away. Amy pops her head in as Sabrina stops and looks at her.

Amy: Um.. just a thought.. Miguel and you are a thing now right?

Sabrina;[types again] Yupers.

Amy: So he's coming back right?

Sabrina:[stops and looks at her] Of coarse he's coming back.. why would he not?[smiles then gets a worried look on her face] Um.. I better call him just in case.[walks over to the phone]

Amy: That's a good girl[smiles]

A week later Sabrina is walking towards the eMenagerie building. She opens the door and heads towards the main office. She sees Miguel typing away like mad. She smiles and walks over to him… and smacks him good on the head.

Miguel;[grabs his head] OW!! What I DO?!?!

Sabrina;[crosses her arms and glares at him] It's what you didn't do!! You haven't called me in days!!!

Miguel: Huh? [eyes open wide] AW SHOOT!!! I'm sorry Sabrina!![gets out of his chair] It's just.. well I had so much work to catch up on.. shoot… how many days has it been. Man.. how long have I been working.[tears pages off of his calendar]

Sabrina: You mean you've been working all this time?

Miguel: Yeah[pops his neck] Shoot.. I haven't even been home.

Sabrina sees him rush around trying to find out what day it is.. and she smiles. She forgot how he wrapped up he gets in his work. She stops him in his tracks.

Sabrina: You had me worried.

Miguel: [sees her hurt expression] I'm sorry.. [picks her chin up] Just.. aw shoot.. I just got so lost in my work. Shoot… I turned into my dad.

Sabrina: That's bad right?

Miguel: It's awful. I'm sorry Gypsy gal… listen um…

Sabrina:[places her fingers on his lips] Shh it's okay.. I know you didn't mean to. I'm glad to see you're okay and that you didn't ditch me.

Miguel: DITCH YOU?!??!? I'd have to completely take leave of my senses to do that!!

Sabrina: Good. Cause if you ever do.. I'll knock your senses back in you.[smiles] Anyway.. um.. I just dropped by to see if you were here.

Miguel: Um.. come home with me. Um.. I'll get cleaned up.. and we'll go do something K?

Sabrina: Well.. okay then. [walks with him outside] You do need to freshen up.. I take it you haven't bathed in a while huh?[looks at him]

Miguel: Wow, if a skunk is complaining.. I MUST reek!!

Sabrina:[hits him in the arm] As if I smell!![looks at him] I don't right?

Miguel: Yes you do.. everyone's just been really nice to you and didn't say anything. [Sabrina glares at him] Nah,.. you smell like Babysoft.

Sabrina:[brushes her hair back] You got a good nose.. but no it's Herbal Essences.

Miguel:[looks at her] Really, do you moan like those women on TV?

Sabrina:[sweating] Um no.. not really.

Miguel: Okay cool.[walks a ways then turns to her again] Why do they moan like that on TV?

Sabrina: Just drop it.

Inside the eMenagerie building, Decadence walks down the hall and towards the sealed door. She looks at it and smiles.

Cain:[from behind the door] Who is that girl?

Decadence: The same one that was here months ago. It appears she is back.. but not working here.

Cain: Keep an eye on her, I don't like things the way they are going. She could ruin everything.

Decadence: I will.[strokes the door and licks it] My love.

At Miguel's place Sabrina is looking around and still can't get over the lack of furniture. She sits down on the couch and turns to look at something on the table. It's a model of the Heavyarms Custom from Endless Waltz.

Sabrina:[picks it up and smiles] What is it with boys and guns? [she opens all the compartments and gets shocked at the number of guns it has] Shoot…. Okay so maybe Miguel has a point.. these guys probably could take out my Laser Prime.

Sabrina sets it back down and looks around a bit more. Then her eyes fall upon a door. She walks up to it and read the plate on it.

Sabrina: The vault?![her eyes light up] So THAT'S where he keeps his collection. [tries to open the door but it doesn't budge] Okay fine.. be that way.[walks off. Then a few seconds later she bashes against the door, pounds on it and tries to get it to open. Finally she gives up] Stupid door… you've won this time.. but I'll be back. [walks off]

Miguel walks out of his room and sees Sabrina playing with Transmetal 2 Megatron. She puts him down and turns and looks at Miguel. She sees him wearing a black Chinese shirt, an old school Decepticon T-shirt and black jeans.

Sabrina:[crosses her arms and looks at him] You changed into the exact same outfit?

Miguel: Very funny. I'll have you know I was wearing my VELVET Decepticon emblem shirt.. and I did change shirts and jeans.. I just have several like them. When you have a style that works for you.. why change?

Sabrina: [laughs] That's true… I guess. Um Miguel?

Miguel: No.. I'm not letting you into the vault. [grabs his keys]

Sabrina: Oh come on…please. I'll be your best friend.

Miguel: We're more than that now.. why would I demote you?[winks] Let's go.

Sabrina:[Miguel drags her away as she points to the door] But…. But!!

Meanwhile at the eMenagerie building, Groovy and Funky are in the bathroom talking things over. Azul is in the back washing her face.

Groovy: Sigh. Isn't it nice to have him back.. and happy for once?

Funky:[sitting on a chair painting her toe nails] Yup.. I can't say I've ever seen him more chipper.

Azul: It won't last. [Suddenly gets nailed by both Groovy and Funky]

Groovy: So Funky… do you think they'll get married?

Funky: Let's not rush things there Groovkitten, let's let them move at their own pace shall we?

Groovy: You bet. Still.. it be so nice..if they did get married. Sigh.[clasps her hands together] They'd have lots of kittens and I'd be able to play with them.

Funky:[looks at Groovy] Um.. first of all Groovy.. I doubt they'd have kittens.. Miguel's a tiger.. they have cubs.. Sabrina's a skunk.. they have.. um.. BABY skunks… so they'll have.. um… aw shoot they'll have kids!! But all I know is they won't be kitties.

Groovy: Oh.. um but can I still play with them?

Funky: Sigh. Be my guest.

Groovy: YAY!!![runs laps around Funky]

Funky: That girl ain't right. [looks over at Azul still out from the pounding she got from Funky and Groovy] No way am I going to let anyone jinx things between Miguel and Sabrina. [turns and looks out of the bathroom door] and that goes for you too Decadence!

Decadence is sweating outside in the hall. She becomes aware that Funky knows about what she and Cain have planned. She scurries off. The scene changes to Miguel and Sabrina driving in Miguel's silver VW Beetle. Sabrina admires the inside of the car.. and giggles when she sees the Decepticon sticker on the back window.

Sabrina: Cute car.. is it yours?

Miguel: That's what the title says.

Sabrina: It looks new?[runs her hands across the dash board] Even has that new car smell.

Miguel: I don't use it much.. as I don't go out much.. and I usually walk to work.. other than that.. I drove you in YOUR car remember?

Sabrina: Yeah.. I miss having a chauffeur .[smiles] So where are we going?

Miguel:[stops the car] Um… I thought you knew?

Sabrina: [sweating] How would I know.. you're the one driving.

Miguel: Um.. you wanna drive?

Sabrina; [looks at the stick shift] Um.. I'm not too keen on standard. Let's just.. go someplace.. any place.

Miguel: That include the landfill?[raises an eyebrow]

Sabrina: How about we go eat?

Miguel: Fine with me[drives for a bit then stops] Um.. where?

Sabrina: Miguel remind me in advance when we go out.. that way I can draw up a list of things to say and do if this happens again? Anywhere…[drives off] except Sonic.[Miguel stops and slams his head on the steering wheel]

Miguel: Why do you girls say anywhere.. when you have someplace in your minds already?!

Sabrina: Sorry. Just not in the mood for that? Any place BUT there.

Miguel: Fine. [drives off again]

Sabrina: But no pizza.[Miguel stops and turns the engine off] Um…. [sweating and playing with her hair] any place really.

Miguel: You're SURE this time? [she nods] Okay.

END OF CHAPTER 1