Sabrina arrives at work the following day. She enters the office and finds Ebony at work. She sits down at her chair as Ebony turns and sees her.

Ebony: Hello Sabrina.

Sabrina: Morning Ebony, it's odd to see you at work this early?

Ebony: Oh heh well Mr. Tigre got really creative yesterday and drew up a slew of new pics. So I have my work cut out for me. [goes back to inking] Feeling better today?

Sabrina:[leans on her chair back] Yes thank you. Do you have work done for me?

Ebony: Not yet.. I want to finish everything that way you can start on tackle the whole pile and finish once and for all. Coarse[rolls her eyes] it would help if our resident colorist did her job for once.

Sabrina: Why does Miguel keep Azul around again?

Ebony: [shoulders droop] Because Azul has no other place to go.. she has no job skills what so ever. And Mr. Tigre, noble guy that he is, doesn't have the heart to 86 her. However, in Azul's defense.. when she DOES work.. it's a sight to behold.

Sabrina: Oh well, I guess we're all suited for a specific job I guess.

Ebony: Yes, [smiles] take me for example.. I ink.. and well if I get any ink on my hands or fur.. who will notice?

Sabrina: [laughs] Yeah.. I guess you got that going for you.

Ebony: Yup.. [goes back to work] Now I best get back to work.. since I'm up to my ears in pics.

Sabrina: Ebony? Where is Miguel?

Ebony: In the hall with his dad.

Sabrina: Oh geez. [trembles] That guy scares me.

Ebony:[sweating] He scares us all.

Sabrina: Well.. I need to talk to him.. [gets up form her chair] Wish me luck.

Ebony:[watches her leave] I'll pray to every Catholic saint I can think of.

Sabrina walks into the hall and hears voices. She turns the corner and sees Miguel standing with another tiger. This tiger is older looking, and is orange instead of white. He has glasses and is dressed in jeans and a Club Fed T-shirt.

Miguel: I was not avoiding you okay..I just wasn't here last time you came.

Arturo: We both know you NEVER leave this place.. so how can you be out?

Miguel: I was some where else okay? And besides for someone who hates this place so much.. you sure show up here a lot don't you?

Arturo: I don't like you spending all your time here, that's all.

Miguel: Right.

Sabrina: [Approaches them] Um.. excuse me. [both turn and look at her] Sorry to interrupt, [plays with her hair] but I need to speak with you.. [looks at Arturo and flinches] but it can wait.

Arturo: And you are?

Sabrina:[shrinks back a bit] No one really sir.

Miguel: This is Ms. Sabrina, she helps me with my job.

Arturo: [looks at her] Are you the one I met the other day?

Sabrina: [voice cracks] Yes.. sir.

Arturo:[shakes her hand and smiles] I thought so. Nice to meet you.

Sabrina:[relieved] Yes.. nice to meet you too sir. [looks past him at Miguel who is cracking up]

Arturo: Well you need to talk to him I see, [turns and looks at Miguel] I'll talk to you later. Bye.[walks off]

Miguel:[looks at Sabrina] Feel so much better when he smiles at you huh?

Sabrina:[breathes deeply and grabs her chest] YES!! Man, I thought he was going to eat me. Anyway Miguel I.. um well.. I wanted to thank you. For watching out for me the other night.

Miguel: Aw it's no sweat off my back Ms. Sabrina, so don't worry. [winks at her]

Sabrina: Yes I know.. Um.. Miguel.. I have to warn you… Blake isn't too found of you right now.

Miguel: Like I care. Ms. Sabrina I know I MAY be stepping out of bounds by saying this but.. you can do much better.

Sabrina: [looks at him and smiles] You mean like you?

Miguel:[lowers his head] I said BETTER, not worse. And.. I'm sorry if I got you in trouble with him.

Sabrina: No it's okay. I can handle Blake, trust me.

Miguel:[walks off] You don't show it.

Sabrina: [walks next to him] What do you mean by that?

Miguel: Well when you say things like oh Blake is gonna kill me, or I hope Blake doesn't mind, or well the way you talk about him.. you sound like you're always walking on eggshells with him.

Sabrina: [rests her head on his shoulder] Yeah, well I have you to protect me right?

Miguel:[face red] Y..Yeah I guess. But.. may I ask.. [looks at her] Blake doesn't strike me as an Amiga person either.. so why does he get you?!

Sabrina: [glares at him] Shut up.

Later in the office Miguel is typing away at his computer. He stops and lays his head down for a bit. Sabrina looks over and sees this, She turns her chair and faces him.

Sabrina: You okay?

Miguel: [picks his head up] Not really, I think I'm coming down with something. [takes his glasses off]

Sabrina:[gets out of her chair and walks over] Awwww, you gonna be okay? [pats him on the back]

Miguel: Yeah, I'll be fine.

Sabrina: Why don't you go home?

Miguel: No, I'd rather be here than die alone at home.. thanks.

Sabrina: Yeah well I don't want to catch what you have, I'm tired of being sick. So go home.

Miguel: No. [puts his head back down]

Sabrina:[glares at him] Miguel.. go home. I don't want you getting sick. Cause if you do, I'll have to be here alone with these crazy people.

Miguel:[looks up at her] Yeah, but if I leave.. won't you be alone with these crazy people anyway?

Sabrina: Um.. yeah I guess. Well anyway I don't want you sick.

Miguel:[picks his head up and puts his glasses back on] If I don't feel better in a bit I'll go home, that alright with you?

Sabrina: Fine. [smiles and puts an Amiga sticker over the apple logo on his computer and goes back to her desk]

Miguel:[glares at her] You're taking advantage of my condition aren't you?

Sabrina:[sits back in her chair and crosses her legs] Hey what did your dad want to talk to you about?

Miguel: He's planning a trip back to Brownsville, a border town near Mexico where I grew up. He asked if I wanted to go. Last thing I want is a LOOOOOOOONG car trip with them and Matt. I'd go insane.

Sabrina: Oh I see. [smiles] Then I can't blame you. [watches Miguel put his head down] Miguel.. you don't talk much about your mom.. what's she like?

Miguel: Mom's.. she's okay at times. We don't get along 8 out of 10 times cause we're exactly alike. She's.. a lot like you friend Amy.. strong and independent… but well.. she can be a bit .. well she has this it's my way or nothing thing. And.. [looks away] Maybe someday you'll meet her. And you can judge for yourself. I can never figure out just how I feel about her.. no matter what happens between us.. she's my mom.. and I can't hate her..[turns and looks at her with a goofy smile on his face] well not for very long anyway.

Sabrina laughs and leans back in her chair. She turns around and gets back to work as does Miguel. Later Sabrina arrives at her place. She runs in and tosses her coat on the couch covering Amy's face.

Sabrina:[runs to her room] Has Blake called?

Amy:[pulls Sabrina's coat off of her face] Nice to see you too?

Sabrina: [taking off her shirt as she closes the door behind her] Sorry, just that.. he's coming over tonight, and I need to be ready.

Amy: [gets up] Oh good cause I want to have a word with him.[walks over to the door] So when he gets here.. I..

The door opens and Amy gets knocked down. She looks up and sees a black blur enter the bathroom.

Sabrina:[pokes her head out of the door] No, you're going out. Gotta take a shower now bye.[closes the door]

Amy: [gets up and dusts herself off] Oh I am, am I? And what am I going to do?

Sabrina:[pokes her head back out] Do something.. I don't know.. just go out!! [hands her some money] Go see a movie.. ANYTHING!![pops her head back in and closes the door]

Amy: Well.. I guess I'm going to a movie.[walks off]

After a dinner Sabrina threw together at the last minute,(talented gal and wiz under pressure she is) She and Blake sit on the couch cuddling. Blake looks at her and she looks up at him.

Sabrina: We finally get a moment alone together, no little kids, Amy or anyone to mess things up. Sigh.

Blake: Or Miguel for that matter.

Sabrina:[sits up] Huh? He's not so bad.

Blake: I see. Well let's not bring him up anymore shall we? [moves in to kiss her]

Sabrina:[turns and he kisses her on the side of her head] What did you mean by that?

Blake: [makes a face] Nothing.. forget it.[tries again]

Sabrina: [turns again and he gets a moth full of hair] Miguel never does anything to us!

Blake: [annoyed] Yes he does.. he's ruining this moment for us!!

Sabrina: Um.. sorry.. [looks down] Forget it.. I'm all yours.[smiles]

Blake:[moves closer] Glad to hear it.

Blake moves in to kiss her. Sabrina closes her eyes and moves in close as well. Just as their lips are about to touch.. the phone rings.

Blake:[angry] I'm going to kill whoever is on the other side of that phone!!

Sabrina: [pushes him away as she give shim a look] Cool your jets. [picks up the phone] hello?

Amy: [at a payphone] Can I come back now?

Sabrina: NO!! As a matter of fact.. find a film festival.. me and Blake need time.. alone. [looks over at Blake with a smile]

Amy:[makes a face] You do know I will get you for this later, right?!

Sabrina: We'll see. Bye.[hangs up the phone then takes it off the hook]

Amy: Great I'm freezing my tail off and she's warm and cozy with her guy.. AND HE'S A REAL JERK!!!

Miguel: [puts a coat on her] Then take this with my blessing Ms. Amy.

Amy: [turns and sees Miguel behind her. She closes the coat around her] Thanks. But don't you need it?

Miguel: No,.. you need it more than I do Ms. Amy.. sides I can handle a cold if I know I helped out a pretty girl.[winks]

Amy:[smiles at him] Sweet talker. What are you doing here anyway Miguel?

Miguel: I came to buy some cold medicine, and I guess I'm lost. And you Ms. Amy.. what are you doing out on a night like this?

Amy: Well.. [looks at him sadly] Sabrina's got Blake over, and it appears.. they may.. take things more seriously. So I can't go over right now.

Miguel:[face loses all expression] You… you mean they're going to…

Amy: [nods] Yeah. Sorry Miguel.

Miguel: [looks down and trembles] Ms. Amy.. I must go. [runs off]

Amy: Miguel wait!!! What about your coat!!!?? [thunder is heard and it begins to rain] Aw shoot..[ducks under a canopy] I hope you get to where you're going Miguel.

Miguel runs despite the pouring cold rain. He runs for a while till he finds himself in front of Sabrina's residence. He looks up and sees a light coming in through a window. There he sees Sabrina and Blake embracing each other. The shade gets pulled down and the light goes off. Miguel slumps down onto the floor. The rain pours down hard on him as he trembles. He gets up and runs off. Inside, Blake and Sabrina are kissing and embracing each other.

Blake: Oh[kissing her] Sabrina.

Sabrina:……… Miguel.

Blake:[pulls back and turns on the light] WHAT?!?! What the hell did you just say!!!!??

Sabrina:[stands there shocked] Um.. I said Blake.

Blake: [glares at her] You sure as hell did not!!!! I heard you.. you called his name!!! Why the hell did you think of him just now?!?!?

Sabrina: I didn't mean to.. I mean.. I didn't!!! Honest Blake.. I.. I…

Blake: I can't believe you!! There IS something between the two of you isn't there?!?!?

Sabrina:[gets in his face] HOW DARE YOU!!!! I haven't done a thing with Miguel!!! I'm insulted that you would think I was screwing around with him behind your back!!!

Blake: Well you sure didn't think about me just now!!! What the hell is wrong with you?!?! You actually care for that freak?!?!?

Sabrina: Blake!!! Apologize!![glares at him]

Blake: WHY THE HELL SHOULD I!!!!??

Sabrina: Fine!![the scene goes outside as the door opens and Blake goes flying out. Sabrina stands at the door] Till you can apologize.. you can stay the hell away from me!!! As a matter of fact, GO TO HELL!!! [slams the door]

Amy:[watching from the stairs] WOW!!! [walks up to Blake] What did you do to get her like that?! [smiles and walks past him]

Sabrina: [in a corner hunches over sobbing] Why… why did I think of him at a time like that?

Amy:[walks in] You okay Sabrina?

Sabrina:[gets up and pretends she's fine] Yeah.. I'm cool.

Amy: Get off of it, you can't hide those tears in your eyes. What did he do?

Sabrina:[hugs Amy] It was me!! I messed things up.. and I don't even know why?

Amy: What? What happened?

Sabrina:[pulls away] I..I have to get out of here!![grabs her coat and umbrella and leaves the apartment]

Amy: WILL SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!?!?![stomps on the ground]

In an alley Miguel sits on the ground, the rain pounding down on him. he coughs but remains in the rain. He trembles as he remembers what he saw. Suddenly the rain stops falling on him. he looks up and sees an umbrella with a picture of a moon on it. Holding it is Astral.

Astral: You know.. I'm not allowed to do this. But you can't compete with Blake if you die of pneumonia.

Miguel:[knock the umbrella away ] Leave me alone.

Astral: At least take the umbrella.

Miguel: I said.. LEAVE ME AL..[begins coughing]

Astral: Okay.. don't cough up a lung.[walks off]

Miguel:[pulls himself together] Just leave me alone.

Sabrina is walking looking down on the ground. Her glasses are fogged up. She wipes them and her tears are visible. Suddenly she stops in front of someone. She looks up and sees Astral.

Astral: Now I'm REALLY not suppose to do this but…. Your friend is in the alley.. he's soaked.. and he may get really sick if you don't help him.[walks off]

Sabrina:[looks at her] HEY!! Who's….. [looks down the alley and she hears coughing. She walks down it and sees Miguel slumped over on the ground] Miguel?

Sabrina runs over and places her umbrella over him. He looks up and sees her, his eyes sparkle a bit but he closes them as he begins coughing again. Sabrina helps him up and takes him with her. At her place Miguel is drying himself off as Sabrina takes his shirt and sticks it in a bucket.

Sabrina: I need your clothes.

Miguel: Sorry Ms. (cough) Sabrina.. this is as nude as I get.

Sabrina: Come on.. if you don't get out of those wet clothes.. you'll die for sure.

Amy:[pops up] You can borrow some of my boyfriend's clothes if you like?

Sabrina: See? Now gimme.

Miguel:[gets up] Fine. [walks into the bathroom as Sabrina stands with her back to the door] Here.

Sabrina:[takes his clothes] Now take a hot shower while we get you some clothes.

The shower comes on as Sabrina wrings out Miguel's clothes and then puts them in the dryer. Amy walks in and hands her some clothes.

Amy:[smiles] Not feeling bad anymore I see.

Sabrina:[takes the clothes] Give me a break Amy, he needs my help.. I can't feel bad right now.

A bit later Miguel is sitting at the table dressing in a button up shirt and pants. Miguel looks at himself and sighs.

Miguel: Now I know how Vegeta felt.

Amy:[walks in and puts a blanket on him] What was that?

Miguel: [sweating] Um nothing.(coughs) I just haven't worn clothes like this since elementary school. My mom stopped dressing me then.[Amy glares at him] Sorry.[looks down]

Sabrina: [brings in a bowl of soup] Here you go. It's hot so be careful.

Miguel: [takes a spoon] Thank you.. for everything.

Amy: Yeah well, you're lucky you're a hard guy to hate. [walks off]

Sabrina: [looks at Miguel} What were you doing out in this weather?

Miguel:[doesn't look at her] I had something on my mind.. I need to walk it off. What were you doing out?

Sabrina: Um.. [sits back] the same thing. Had a bad incident… stupid really[stares off into space]. Blaine will never forgive me.[rests her head on her hand]

Miguel: Blake.

Sabrina: Huh?[eyes open wide and she bursts into laughter] Oh my god.. now you got me saying that!!! Listen Miguel.. you can sleep in my bed.. I'll take the couch.

Miguel: [looks up at her] No!! I won't hear of it.. I don't want to put you or Ms. Amy out.

Sabrina: You won't. sides. You are our guest.. and you are sick.

Miguel: Couch is fine..[sits back] When I was going to art school.. I stayed with my aunt and uncle, there I would always sleep on the couch.. back when I used to sleep more than 4 hours at a time.

Sabrina: Well you need to sleep as much as you can, okay?

Miguel: I'll try.[puts down the spoon] Thank you Ms. Sabrina. I promise I'll make it up to you. [bows his head]

Sabrina: You already have.[smiles] When I was drunk remember?

Miguel:[smiles back] Drunk as a skunk.

Sabrina: [makes a face] Yeah.. don't rub it in.

Later Miguel is resting peacefully on the couch. Sabrina checks on him and sees him asleep. She smiles and begins to walk off as she sees Amy watching her.

Amy:[whispers] Something wrong?

Sabrina: [walks to her room] Yeah, you were right Amy. I am falling for him[closes the door to her room]

It's morning and Sabrina wakes up. She stretches and gets out of bed and pokes her head out of her room. She finds the couch vacant. She rushes out and sees the blankets folded up nicely as the clothes Miguel borrowed. Amy sits at the table eating.

Amy: He made breakfast.

Sabrina:[walks towards her] But he left? He's not well.. talk about fast recovery.

Miguel: Well I tried to leave.. but the room started spinning(cough).

Both girls turn around and see Miguel laying on the floor staring up at the ceiling. They look at each other then look back at him.

Miguel:[slowly gets up] One of my worst (cough) escape attempts.. ever.

Sabrina: Get back into bed!![crosses her arms and glares at him]

Miguel: [tries to stand] You have no idea how long I waited to hear a girl say that.[stumbles and almost falls]

Amy: [smiles]Well he got his sense of humor back.. I'd say he's recovering nicely.

Sabrina: [grabs Miguel by the arm and leads him to the couch] Lay down.. geez, you wanna get better don't you?

Miguel:[looks at Sabrina.. then smiles] Nice shirt.

Sabrina: Huh?[looks down and then realizes she's wearing his Chinese shirt as a nightshirt] Oh um..[blushes] um well uh.. it's laundry day.. and since it's Amy's turn.. I may not get my old nightshirt back till Christmas.[looks away] That's all.

Miguel: That the one I lent you to wear around your waist cause of the apple I drew on you?

Sabrina: Yeah..[crosses her arms and makes a face] So you owed me.

Miguel: Fair enough.. [turns his back to her]as long as it's not this one.[takes his shirt off and folds it] This one my mom gave me.[smiles] Besides.. it looks MUCH better on you anyway.

Sabrina:[pushes him and he falls face first down on the couch] Get to resting!!

Miguel:[muffled] Can I at least take my glasses off first?

Sabrina: Go on. [walks into her room followed by Amy.]

Amy:[closes the door] So..[smiles] you gonna tell him?

Sabrina:[[back turned as she pulls off her nightshirt] Tell him what?

Amy: [raises an eyebrow] You know what I mean. That you're falling for him.

Sabrina:[walks into frame dressed] No. Besides I still have Blake.

Amy:[wraps her on the head] Not quite ripe yet. This same Blake you threw out last night?

Sabrina:[rolls up her sleeves] He got upset.[Amy crosses her arms and looks at her] hey I bet Thomas would get upset if you said someone else's name during a passionate moment.

Amy:[eyes open wide] WHO'S!?!?[Sabrina waves her arms franticly to get her to keep her voice down] Sorry. Who's? [Sabrina blushes as Amy's eyes open wider and look towards the door] HIM?!?!?

Sabrina: [brushes her hair] Yeah, so?

Amy:[gets closer to Sabrina with a wicked grin on her face] Were you thinking about him when you two were getting it on?

Sabrina: AMY!?!?!?[covers her mouth then keeps her voice down] That's none of your business. Besides… he probably doesn't even like me.

Amy: Riiight. In case you haven't noticed… his eyes light like a Christmas tree when ever you call his name.. not to mention his hair stands on end when you touch him. [smiles] Kinda cute actually.

Sabrina: No… I'll let him make the first move. [puts her brush down]

Amy: [puts her hands on Sabrina's shoulders] Let me let you in on a little secret.. you CAN'T depend on men to do everything in life. Sweet as they may be.. they're about as sharp as a wet sack of potatoes when it comes to things like this.

Sabrina: I have.. too much on my mind right now. If he has something to say.. he knows where to find me.[walks out]

Amy: Sigh. [leans against the wall] BOTH are about as sharp as a wet sack of potatoes if you ask me. They're SOOO perfect for each other.

End of Chapter 9