Dayna and I were sitting on the couch with Gerard, I along with him had put on some clothes and Dayna was refusing to leave until she got a proper explanation.

I knew she had trouble understanding things at the time but it had to be blindingly obvious even to her what we'd been doing.

I think one of the most embarrassing ways you could possibly have someone find out you'd been having sex was what happened ten minutes ago.

There was also some awkward tension between Gerard and I since we'd been about to have a morning round when Dayna knocked on the front door.

"So would you like to tell me why you're here?" I asked my friend, I hadn't been expecting her to show up here and I wanted an explanation.

"You said you were going to call me last night and you didn't. For all I know you could have been kidnapped and I wanted to see that my friend was safe." I completely forgot about calling her and had a very good reason for it, like sleeping with Gerard for example.

"How did you get into the building and how did you know where she was?" Gerard joined in and crossed his arms over his chest, not looking angry, just curious.

"I watched Lyric the other day when she keyed in the code, I remembered it then this morning I put the number in and went door to door knocking." I really underestimated the kind of friend Dayna was, she's probably the loyalist person I know.

"Why didn't you call instead? You could have saved yourself a lot of effort." I took my turn to get another question in before Dayna started telling me off for not calling her.

"I did and I kept getting voicemail." Oh, my phone must have run out of batteries in that case.

"How long have you been here with him? Is this why you haven't been at work or school for ages?" I wouldn't be surprised if she absolutely hated me for what I did, she was my best friend and I should have called her.

"Pretty much." It was the only thing I could say, after all it was difficult to tell your friend that you've been lying to them.

"Why didn't you tell me? Is it because you think I can't keep a secret? Is Gerard the guy Hayden kept telling me about? He is isn't he?!" I was expecting her to jump up and start angrily yelling at me any second now.

"I'm gonna get some coffee, do you girls want any?" Dayna and I said yes so Gerard stood up and went to the kitchen, turning on the coffee machine.

"How long have you guys been seeing each other, like romantically?" She whispered, leaning in so only I would be able to hear her.

"Last night I guess." I mumbled, a blush on my cheeks, it was awkward admitting it out loud, especially with Gerard in the room.

"What on earth were you two doing last night for you to forget to call me?" My face turned even redder and her eyes slowly went wide.

I could have probably lied my way out of the situation but what I said, or more like didn't say, was enough of an answer.

"Oh shit, really?"

"Na-uh, you're staying out of this. This part of my life I intend to keep to myself. I know you have secrets and so do I so don't bother asking." I held up my hands, refusing to let her start a huge inquisition on me like I know she wanted to.

"Hey, Lyric, can you come over here for a second?" Gerard asked, I stood up and walked over, taking a glance at Dayna who still appeared bewildered.

"What's this?" I lowered my head and looked in the cupboard he was pointing at.

I quickly registered the cake sitting there, the one I'd completely forgotten about then started giggling.

"That's your birthday cake." I said between bouts of laughter, realising I hadn't even told him happy birthday.

"Aw, you made me a cake?" I nodded and gave him a smile while he grinned at me, "I thought you'd forgotten." My smile changed to a look of fake insult.

"Of course I didn't forget, we just got too preoccupied for me to remember to give it to you." He smiled and leant in, briefly pressing his lips against mine just long enough to get my heart racing.

"Ahh! Come on! How the hell did you end up getting to make out with Gerard Way?! It's not fair! What were you in a past life? Virgin Mary?! Mother Teresa? Gahndi?" Gerard and I were thoroughly enjoying Dayna's mini rant about the unfairness of life and waited until she was finished.

"Would you like to sit down and hear what happened?" I suggested and she dropped on the couch, instantly going silent.

Gerard continued to make coffee, in the meanwhile getting the cake out of the cupboard and suggesting we eat some.

"A while ago when I'd been cleaning up at work..."

~~~

"...and that's when you showed up." I finished, watching Dayna snap back to reality and close her mouth.

I'd given her the full story of what had happened from start to end and she looked like she didn't believe me.
Who would anyway, I never thought I'd have the mafia wanting to kill me and I'd never thought I'd be in love with Gerard Way.

"I should have known you'd get yourself tangled up in drama like that. Only you would be able to make the mafia go into a panic." I laughed, of course I would, I probably had the worst stroke of bad luck ever.

"And you," she pointed at Gerard who had an arm around me, "you fricken killed someone."

"Talk about a stain that never comes off," she muttered under her breath, quoting the My Chem song we'd listen to all the time, "I, um, I'm sorry about your parents by the way."

Gerard smiled softly, "thank you."

Dayna's phone started beeping in her pocket and she looked down before pulling it out.

"Hello...now?...you sure?...alright, give me like twenty minutes and I'll be there." She closed her mobile, sighed then pocketed it again.

"I have to go to work." She muttered, looking at Gerard and I with an annoyed expression.

"You actually got a job?" I asked as she stood up, I'd never expected Dayna to get a real job, she said she never would.

"Yep, I'm workin' for the man." I walked with her to the door, not wanting to say goodbye to my friend now that the secret was out.

"You'll still be here when I come back?"

"Of course I will, it's not like I can just run away." I shrugged, the one thing I didn't mention was that I didn't want to leave Gerard either.

"Dayna, you understand you can't tell anyone about this, right?" I turned to look at Gerard who was putting the plates on the sink.

"I won't, I swear." She put her hand on her heart but I still didn't feel all that safe.

Most of the time Dayna is horrible at keeping secrets, I didn't think she shares them intentionally, the words just slip out.

Gerard walked over and crossed his arms over his chest, "alright, it was nice to meet you."

Dayna held out her hand as if offering a handshake but Gerard surprised her by giving my friend a hug which made the look on her face priceless.

"T-thanks," She stuttered, obviously shaken, "I'll see you again soon, Lyric." She waved and left the apartment, Gerard and I standing there for a moment before talking.

"She's not going to keep it a secret is she?"

"No, probably not." She wouldn't share it with anyone who wasn't a good person but I wouldn't be surprised to get a call from Hayden or maybe my Aunt.

"So how do you wanna spend the rest of the day?" I asked, leaning against him while he put his arms around my waist.

"We both need to have a shower because there's something I need to do and I want you to come with me." I looked up at him, his hair was messy from this morning.

"What's that?"

"Sorry but I can't tell you." Of course he couldn't, I still wanna know what it is because telling me I can't know about something just makes me want to hear about it more.

"Now come on, into the shower." Gerard picked me up around the waist and I squealed, laughing as he took me to the bathroom.

"Okay, let me go so I can take my clothes off." He put me down and leant against the bathroom sink while I pulled my shirt off.

My pants dropped to the ground and I turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature of the water before getting in.

Gerard walked over to the shower door, looking as if he planned to get in with me.

"No you don't. I have enough trouble not spending too much time in the shower when it's only me. If you're in here then I'll never get out." I closed the door, refusing to let him in and he sighed before leaving the room, understanding that I wasn't going to share a shower with him right now.

I turned away from the door and continued with my shower until I felt sufficiently clean.

"You're turn." I told Gerard, popping my head into the living room then walking into my bedroom.

Now that Gerard and I are kinda together, does this mean he'd want me to sleep in the same bed as him?

"Is there anything in particular that you want me to wear?" I called out, looking through my collection of clothes.

"No, whatever's fine." He replied as the shower went on, drowning out anything else he said.

I wrapped my hair in a towel then grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of cargo pants because I'm the kind of person who's in the hight of fashion.

While Gerard was taking his time in the shower I got changed and dried my hair in front of the heater, still feeling giddy from last night.

I was having trouble believing that Gerard and I were together like that and it all started from me kissing him.

The one time in my life I had the lady balls to do something that scared me and it actually turned out alright. Maybe I should consider doing stuff like that more often, as difficult as it was I felt relieved afterwards.

By the time Gerard came into the room my hair was almost dry and I was chilling on the couch, watching tv.

"You ready to go?" He asked, pulling the sleeves of his shirt down and immediately making me feel suspicious.

"Gerard..." I stood up and walked over to him, putting a hand on my hip.

"What?" I grabbed his arm and pulled the sleeve of his shirt up.

Nothing had changed, the marks from last night were still there, the cuts that had been fresh had scabbed over and the older ones were fading.

"You were doing the sleeve pulling thing." I mumbled, allowing him to readjust his shirt.

"It's a habit but I told you I'd stop and I have. Of course you could always try bribing me with sex again." He gave me a sly smile and I gave him a playful slap on the shoulder.

"How about now?" I leaned in to him and he sighed, not happily, like he was annoyed.

"Ugh, it'll have to wait until later unfortunately." Gerard's sigh turned into a groan and I giggled, enjoying his frustration just a little.

"Where are we going?" I wondered as we walked down the city street towards the nearby subway.

"Still not telling you." He singsonged, looking through his mobile and dialling a number.

He pressed the phone to his ear and went quiet, listening and waiting for someone to pick up.

"Hey, Frankie...yeah it's Gerard...no I'm fine...I was wondering if you wanted to get the guys to Emerald?...really?...great I'll see you soon...bye." He put his cell away, looking rather happy with himself and leaving me to make many mental guesses on what 'Emerald' is other than a gem.

"We're not too far away." He said as we go onto a train heading into the very heart of the city.

Since the train was completely packed we had to stand up which was no problem since we chatted the whole time.

"How long till we'll get there?" I tried when we left the subway and stepped onto the surface, Gerard holding my hand.

"About a block so we should be there in like, five minutes." He glanced down the road before pulling me down the street, jogging quickly.

"You're looking really happy." I noted, enjoying seeing a smile on his face for once.

The sorrow that had always been lingering behind every expression he wore had faded away and I finally got to see just him, only him.
It was now joy, plain and simple.

We took a turn at the end of the street and he squeezed my hand a little tighter.

"Why, wouldn't I be happy? It's bring your girlfriend to work day as far as I'm concerned."

Wait, what?
I'm his girlfriend?
Gerard wants me to be his girlfriend?

And work, what work?

We stopped outside a building and Gerard held the door open before gesturing for me to go in.

"Welcome to Emerald studios, where we've been recording our new album." He murmured in my ear, closing the door just as I spun around and hugged him.

He's back in the recording studio.
I got him into the recording studio!

"Come on, we have to see the guys." I put my hand in his once more and he walked me into the studio, strolling right past the person at the desk.

"Sir, sir, you can't go in there. That's authorised personnel only." The man said, standing up and giving us a warning.

I wasn't a genius but if My Chem had been recording here then I think it's reasonable to assume Gerard's allowed to walk around as he pleases.

"Na, it's fine. I'm allowed here." Gerard waved him off and continued walking while the guy did a double take.

"Gerard?"

We went through another door into what appeared to be a relaxation area for the band when they aren't recording.

Almost all of them were there, Bob, Frank and Ray, the only person missing being Mikey.

"Dude, you're back!" Frank crowed probably more loudly than he meant to since the guys sitting next to him flinched.

"Yeah, I think I'll stay back this time," Gerard smiled, looking excited to see his closest friends, "where's Mikes?"

"Don't know, I sent him a text but he didn't respond." Ray shrugged and an expression of disappointment flashed across Gerard's face before he became happy again.

"Alright, well we need to start recording again. We have an album that needs to go out and I've finished with my sulking." Gerard let go of my hand and shrugged off his jacket, tossing it onto the couch.

"How many songs do we have to put together?" He asked, walking over to a window and reading the piece of paper taped to it.

"We've got the instruments for nearly everything, we need your voice for Famous and Sleep, plus there's a few lines you haven't figured out and Frank needs to do rhythm for Sharpest Lives." Ray told him, counting things off on his fingers with a thinking expression.

"I've actually got an idea for one more song we could do." Gerard grabbed his phone from his jacket, looked through the notes then handed his mobile to the three guys.

I'm not positive but I get the feeling that the song he's talking about is the one he wrote while we were riding the subway with some psycho teens.

They crowded around the small screen, trying to read the words without squashing each other or invading any personal space.

It wasn't long before they started laughing which caused Gerard to frown from confusion.

"This is a joke right?" Frank giggled handing the phone back to Gerard who rested it on the bench and crossed his arms.

"No, I really think it should go on the album." He replied, looking as serious as ever while the laughter wore off Ray and Bob.

"'They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me. They could care less as long as someone'll bleed. So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose. Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me.' The song sounds like it's supposed to be a joke." Ray said, trying to sound sincere with no laughing mixed in like Frank.

"Let's just give it a try, what's the worst thing that could happen?" Gerard asked, attempting to convince them which apparently worked since Ray and Frank got their guitars and plugged them into two amps.

"Fine, what were you thinking mister musical genius?"

"Uh, something like..." Gerard started making sounds and I could feel the aura of creation crackling through the air.

With the boys distracted I took a glance out the glass separating the relax room from the main entrance of the building.
It would have to be one of the most fortunate timings ever.

Not interrupting them I slipped out the door and strode up to the person standing by the desk.

"Hey, I've been wanting to talk to you." I said to Mikey, grabbing him by the arm then without waiting for a response I pulled him into a nearby room.

"What was that for?" He whined, rubbing his arm as if I'd hurt him.

"No, you don't speak. I want you to shut up and listen." Mikey looked confused but I started talking anyway, not giving him a second to get a word in.

"I know you're here to meet up with the guys and Gerard who is writing a song with them at the moment. I want you to know that the first two words you say when you walk in there better be 'I'm sorry' or else I will kick you out of here." Mikey tried to speak but I held a hand up, silencing him.

"Gerard has been through a lot, I know your parents have died and I'm sorry about that but he's had to deal with the same thing while having more and more shit thrown at him. He'd started getting better then what you said at the church shot him down in flames." I'm not even sure if Mikey remembered me but I think he got the idea I was friends with Gerard.

"Now he's just become happy again and I swear to God if you go in there and fuck him up one more time I will kill you. It is irrelevant that you're his brother or in a band, I don't know you and I'm not friends with you thus it'd mean nothing to me. So do you understand? First two words 'I'm sorry.' Got it?" Mikey quickly nodded and I got the impression I'd scared him which is reasonable.

"Good, now on that note, go apologise." I opened the door and he hurried out, probably in an attempt to escape the insane teenager who was all but yelling at him.

I followed Mikey into the chill out area where the guys were enjoying themselves and smiled at the look on Gerard's face when he saw his brother.

"I'm sorry." Mikey mumbled as Gerard hugged him, the two immediately making up and being friends again.

"It's alright, I forgive you. That's what big brothers do." They let go and I felt a sense of satisfaction from knowing I made Mikey apologise.

"So how's that song going?" I was talking about the one the band believed was a joke.

"We think we'll be putting it on the album. Already made the rhythm and lead for it." Frank and Ray simultaneously played their parts for it while grinning.

"We still need drums and bass though, and Gerard needs to figure out how to sing," Bob commented, "I've got the drums all out, I already know how it should sound."

"I've heard him sing it." I told them, thinking of him belting the song out as we walked down he street.

"How 'bout we practice it now?" Frank started playing the notes on his guitar but Gerard told him to knock it off.

"I think we should send a video to everyone first to let them know we're back in the studio." Gerard said and Mikey click-pointed at him, meaning 'good idea.'

"Lyric, think you could film it?" Frank stood up and threw me Gerard's phone, luckily for them I caught the object instead of flinching.

They stood next to each other, Gerard front and centre in the middle while I hit record on the iPhone.

"Hey, this is My Chemical Romance, as you can probably tell a certain missing member is back." Ray clapped Gerard on the back, almost knocking him over by accident.

"Yeah, I've been dealing with some problems but I'm alright now. We're back in the studio and we're working hard on the new album," Gerard ran his fingers through his white hair messing it up, "and yes, I know my hair looks weird now." He added.

"Thank you so much for your concern, the well wishes, the tweets and every letter." Frank took a turn speaking to the camera, smiling and waving happily.

"We hope we'll get on tour within the next couple of months." Bob mumbled, putting his hands in his pockets.

"So once more thank you for everything. Hold on just a little longer and we'll see you soon." Mikey finished for everyone, Gerard smiling brightly at him.

"Bye!" They called out and I stopped the recording, passing it to Gee when he held his hand out.

"I'll upload this and we'll be good." Gerard said, focusing in his mobile for a moment before putting it down and giving me a surprising hug.

"This is all thanks to you that I'm back in here," he whispered, kissing me on the lips and squeezing me a little tighter, "she's my girlfriend in case you haven't figured it out yet." He informed them rather proudly.

"That explains why you're so happy then, you're getting laid." Frank laughed, causing Gerard's face to go bright red which was completely adorable.

"T-that's not it." He lied, staring at the ground and scuffing the tip of his sneaker on the floor.

"Um, I'll go into the booth and record Famous." He mumbled, walking awkwardly over to the control panel where Ray was spinning around in a chair.

"Ray, can you put the instrumentals for Famous on?" He nodded and slid a disc into a fancy looking piece of machinery, then pointed to a door.

Gerard walked into the recording booth and put a set of headphones on while Ray changed some dials and adjusted sliders.

Apparently Toro controls the panel while everyone's recording, I didn't know that.

Ray spoke into a microphone and Gerard got a dazed look on his face before nodding.

"Now I know that I can't make you stay. But where's your heart? But where's your heart? But where's your?"

Ray had made it so we were able to hear him in here and I felt my mouth drop.

"And I know there's nothing I could say, to change that part. To change that part, to change. So many bright lights to cast a shadow, but can I speak? Well, is it hard understanding I'm incomplete? A life that's so demanding, I get so weak. A love that's so demanding, I can't speak!"

He actually sounded perfect.

"I am not afraid to keep on living. I am not afraid to walk this world alone. Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven. Nothing you could say can stop me going home."

It was strange after so long of hanging out with this normal guy to have him open him mouth and have that voice come out, wow, just wow.

"Can you see my eyes are shining bright. 'Cause I'm out here on the other side. Of a jet black hotel mirror and I'm so weak. Is it hard understanding I'm incomplete? A love that's so demanding I get weak."

"I am not afraid to keep on living. I am not afraid to walk this world alone. Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven. Nothing you could say can stop me going home. I am not afraid to keep on living. I am not afraid to walk this world alone. Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven. Nothing you could say can stop me going home."

His eyes were closed as he sung, head tilted back and a slight smile on his face.

"These bright lights have always blinded me. These bright lights have always blinded me. I say..."

Gerard turned to look at me, eyes opening and the smile growing even wider.

"I see you lying next to me, with words I thought I'd never speak. Awake and unafraid. Asleep or dead. 'Cause I see you lying next to me, with words I thought I'd never speak. Awake and unafraid. Asleep or dead!"

Without realising what I was doing I wiped my face, collecting the tears that were starting to spill down my cheeks from the sound of his voice.

"'Cause I see you lying next to me, with words I thought I'd never speak. Awake and unafraid. Asleep or dead! 'Cause I see you lying next to me, with words I thought I'd never speak. Awake and unafraid. Asleep or dead!"

I know right now that the second this album is released I plan to buy it and play the thing till it stops working.

"I am not afraid to keep on living. I am not afraid to walk this world alone. Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven. Nothing you can say can stop me going home. I am not afraid to keep on living. I am not afraid to walk this world alone. Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven. Nothing you can say can stop me going home."

His eyes closed once more.

"I am not afraid to keep on living.
I am not afraid to walk this world alone. Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven. Nothing you can say can stop me going home."

He went silent, the song apparently ending before Gerard took the headphones off and left the booth.

"How was that?" He asked walking into the room and I all but jumped on him, wearing an uncontrollable grin.

"It was perfect, I loved it." I had to resist the urge to squeal like an idiot and settled with almost hugging him to death.

"Gerard, you freestyled. Nice lyrics too." Ray said, adjusting some more dials before standing from the chair.

"What line did you freestyle?"

"'I see you lying next to me, with words I thought I'd never speak. Awake and unafraid. Asleep or dead.'" He murmured, pulling me to him and hugging me back.
"Thank you for making me feel inspired again."