Author's Note: Hello everyone! Well, I know that most people wont really read this, because through tireless searching online, I have found that there aren't many Michael Jackson fanfictions out there, that aren't focused solely on sex, (I'm not saying that there arent any good ones out there, I'm just saying I have yet to find any) I really debated with myself over even writing this story, let alone publishing it. But it wouldn't leave me alone. So I decided to give it a shot. Michael Jackson has played a HUGE role in my love of music, and I always loved him, so I decided I didnt really have much to lose by publishing this. I accept all criticism, or thoughts, however I will make this clear now, I will NOT accept any hateful message and or comments left on this story. I understand that not everyone in the world is a Michael Jackson fan, however I am, and as everyone is entitled to their opinions, I am entitled to mine, so any messages of the sort mentioned before will be removed. Thank you for your understanding, and hopefully you will all enjoy the story.

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

" A Journey of a thousand miles, must begin with a single step."- Lao Tzu.

I sit in my 1990 Honda Accord, sweating as I curse my faulty air conditioner. I sit staring at CPA Ink office building, biting my lip nervously. I check for the third time to make sure that I was hear on the correct day. June 18th, 1992. Okay, so I know that I'm here on the right day, so sue me for my dismal attempt at stalling. I worked long and hard to get my foot into this door, and yet here I sit wondering what I am doing, or if I am even cut out for this job. On that thought, the voice of my well meaning, all be it snobby mother comes into my head.

' Be serious Dani. Do you really think that you could become a celebrities personal assistant? Honestly, you are a mother, a single mother to boot. You can't just go gallivanting across the world. You know, Shirley's girl Jessica got herself into a good nursing program, I can have her get you the information for it.'

I blink my eyes slowly, pulling myself from that particular memory. I shake my blonde curls from my shoulders and take a deep breath as I push out of my car. I do a quick once over in the window, straightening out any wrinkles in my suit, and decide that there is no time like the present. I walk to the office doors, my high heels clicking rhythmically along the cement with every step that I take. I open the doors with a last fleeting question of my own sanity, and prepare for another let down.

I scan the board, trying to find the floor to go to when I finally find it. Floor 14.

'Hmm, my lucky number, maybe it's a sign, please be a sign,' I think to myself as I step into the elevator, pushing the needed button. I twirl a lock of my hair between my fingers trying to keep my mind occupied. The doors slide open with a soft whooshing sound, and I step into the hallway. The first thing that catches my attention is the noise, the speed of peoples movement, and how quickly everyone is talking. I smile, feeling completely at ease, in my element. I walk confidently to the receptionist desk, and clear my throat politely to get the harried woman's attention. She looks up at me, her hazel eyes glinting with frustration and exhaustion.

" Can I help you?" she asks, her voice annoyed.

" I have an appointment with Jay, my name is Daniella James," I say, catching her quick eye roll as she flips through the appointment book in front of her. I watch in awe, her movements so quick and yet graceful. She presses a button on the phone, waiting for someone to answer.

" Jay, your two o'clock is here," she says, and I listen with bated breath for the response.

" Send her in," the gruff voice on the other end replies and I smile as she points the way to the furthest office in the room. I walk to the door and give a quick knock.

" Come in," the muted voice says, and I turn the knob, smiling as I enter. The office is cool, muted colors on the walls, well kept, save for the desk, which looks like a mini tornado blew in and decided to redecorate. I smile brightly at the man sitting behind the desk, a phone pressed to his ear. He flashes a smile back, motioning with his free hand for me to take a seat. I sit and listen quietly to the one sided conversation.

" Sorry about that," Jay says, hanging up the phone. I just shake my head, looking around the office at the disarray. " Daniella James, you come with high recommendations from several of your college professors."

" Please, its just Dani, or Ella," I say, smiling as I fold my hands in my lap. He returns the smile before turning back to my resume.

" Your resume is quiet impressive Dani. Really it is. I have never had a potential client come to me with such outstanding recommendation, but to be completely honest," Jay says, leaning forward in his chair. I groan inwardly, knowing that somehow this was going to happen, and even worse that I would have to tell my mother and she would render one of her all too familiar 'I told you so's.' I blush deeply when Jay cocks an eye brow at me, apparently the groan was not as internal as I had hoped it would be.

" To be honest, personal assistants need to be available, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Having a child may hinder your abilities to perform your tasks," Jay continues, and I can't stop myself from rolling my eyes, or my blood from starting to boil.

" With all do respect Jay, I had perfect attendance my entire college career, and that was with my daughter. I wouldn't have chosen this line of work if I thought that my personal situation would hinder my capabilities to do what I need to do. You have my recommendations, and I'm sure a few of my professors would talk to you in person if need be," I say, my voice sharp with anger. Jay leans back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.

" Let me ask you a question Dani. Why do you want to be a personal assistant?" he asks, and I sit trying to find the words to say before I even think about opening my mouth. This could be a 'make it' or 'break it' moment, and the last thing I want to do is let my mouth get me in trouble, like it usually does.

" I know most people would come in here and tell you that they had dreamt of doing P.A work since they were little, but if I told you that I would be lying, and my parents didn't rais a liar. My first dream was to be a professional dancer. Ballet had been my life from the time that I was four, until I got pregnant with Carly-Ann at sixteen. I knew that I would have to grow up, and I didn't want to be a single mother on welfare. So I did my research, felt out what other talents and capabilities I had, and discovered that I am damn good at organizing peoples lives, and getting them the things that they need. I want to give my daughter the best that I can, and I know with P.A work, I can do that," I say, feeling satisfied with my answer.

" Why not nursing? That's a pretty lucrative job," he fires back and for a second I seriously consider asking him if he had been speaking with my mother.

" I am an emotional person Jay. I get attached easily, and if I became a nurse I know that I would lose some patients and that would kill me, and haunt me for the rest of my life. Besides, blood and things along those lines make me nauseous," I say, a small giggle following my words. Silence fills the room for a few seconds, before Jay says anything.

" I like you Dani, I really do. So you know what, I'll take you on. Get your name out there, see if there are any takers, but I make no guarantees," he says, " and in the mean time, you can come in the office, and be my personal assistant. If you can last with me, you will be able to last just about anywhere." I get to my feet, extending my hand to Jay.

" Thank you Jay, you wont regret this," I say, not bothering to stick around for a reply. I walk to my car, trying to keep the shout bottled inside of me until I get into the privacy of my car. As soon as the door shuts behind me I shout at the top of my lungs, beyond ecstatic and thankful that today was truly a new beginning for me, and it helps that for once, I would be able to tell my mother that I knew better than she did.

Half an hour later I pull up in front of my mothers house, smiling at the familiar house. Located on the outskirts of Los Angeles, this house holds many happy memories for me. I push open the door, and smile even wider when the shouts of my little girl resound throughout the neighborhood.

" Mama," Carly-Ann yells, thrusting herself into my arms. I smile as I pick her up and whirl her around, pressing a kiss to her forehead as I settle her on my hip.

" How's my girl?" I ask, walking towards the front door.

" Good. Grandma made cookies, and she let me eat two whole ones to myself," she whispers, evidence of her mini feast at the corners of her mouth. " But, grandma told me not to tell you, so Shh, you have to keep it a secret." I roll my eyes as I set her down in the entry way of my childhood home, patting her on the butt.

" To the bathroom, wash up before supper," I say, kicking of my shoes as I watch my blonde haired angel skip to the bathroom.

" Well Dani, how did the interview go? Oh don't tell me, they were impressed by your amazing resume and recommendations, but turned you away because P.A work is not respectable work for a single mother," my Mother says, and I turn smiling to face her. Even at forty years old, my mother is beautiful. Her soft blonde hair wrapped in a tight bun, her face flushed from the heat of the kitchen. I love her so, and yet, she infuriates me.

" At first yes, but I was able to convince them that just because I have a child doesn't mean that I cant do the job. I start on Monday. Working as a P.A for the owner of the company, just until something better comes along," I say, smiling with self-satisfaction at the dumbstruck look on her face. I sail past her, walking into the warm kitchen. The smell of slow cooked roast and potatoes wafting towards me, making my stomach growl.

" Well, I'm proud of you Daniella. As much as I wish that you would find a more, suitable job, I have to admit that what your trying to do is, brave," my Mother says, and I look up at her caught off guard.

" Momma?" I ask questioningly. If we aren't at odds about one thing or another, something has to be wrong in the world.

" Daniella, I know that I give you a hard time, about everything. Its just, I never thought that you would be a mother at twenty two. I wanted more for you, but I see now, that's exactly what your trying to do. So I'm proud of you," she says, and I feel tears misting my eyes, as I blink them away.

" Momma, I love you," I say, hugging her quickly before I turn to set the table.

" We do have to talk though. You braid that child's hair entirely too tight," she rambles on, and I smile even as I roll my eyes, realizing that everything is right in the world again.

A month has passed since my interview with Jay, and in that month, I have learned more than any class at any college could possibly teach me. I walk into the building, smiling at everyone as I walk as quickly as I can without spilling Jay's coffee all over my jeans and white shirt.

" Morning ladies," I say, tossing a bag of muffins to Renee, the receptionist, not stopping to talk, as I push into Jay's office smiling at him as he smiles back at me, the phone held between his ear and shoulder.

" Double mocha latte extra foam," I murmur, and Jay's smile of thanks is enough to satisfy me as I take a seat and open my day planner, flipping to the date to see what exactly is on the agenda for the day. I shuffle through my papers, pulling aside one's that need to be signed and sent today when I catch just part of the conversation Jay is having on the phone.

" Well, you and your client will have to understand how hard it is to give her up, she's a real gem. Absolutely, I will let her know, she should be on her way by the end of the week, okay, thanks Tony, ciao," Jay says, and I look up to him beaming. Sounds like another one of the girls is getting a good job. Probably Ann. She is one of the most efficient people that I have known.

" Sounds like we're losing another one. Must be some sort of record, this will be the third girl in a week. Let me guess, it's Ann isnt it?" I ask, sliding the papers needing his signature across the desk to him. It catches my attention that Jay hasn't said anything back, no usual banter. I look up at him, and notice the pained smile on his face. " What? What is it?"

" It's you. The client asked specifically for you," Jay says, and I stare, shell shocked. I have to admit that when I first began working for Jay, as his assistant, I assumed that would be the best that I would get. Most celebrities have their P.A's living in home with them to make it easier for them, and if they don't live in home, they usually live on the premises, and what celebrity wants a personal assistant that comes with a child?

" What? How? I just thought that I was going to be your P.A. How did they even find out about me? I haven't seen a celebrity actually come into the office since a week and a half ago," I say, feeling flustered and nervous.

" Most of the time we send out portfolios if you will, of potential P.A's to celebrities and anyone else in search of a P.A, and you got chosen," he says, and I search for something, anything to say.

" Who, who is it?" I ask, my mind automatically switching into planning mode.

" Hold on just a second," he says, getting up from his desk to shut the door. I watch as he presses a button on his phone, buzzing Renee. " Hold all my calls and appointments." My heart sinks immediately, this cant be good. Jay never holds off calls or appointments, ever.

" Jay, your really starting to worry me," I say, looking at him soberly.

" Dani, I have to admit that when you first walked into my office I had reservations about a young woman with a child being able to make anything of herself in this business. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, one that can change the course of you and your daughters life forever. Usually people have a while to think about things such as this but the truth is, If your going to take this job, you will have to leave in two days," he says, and it takes a minute for my brain to kick in.

" Leave? Where? New York?" I ask, trying to picture where I would be going.

" Dublin," he says, and then for some unknown reason I begin laughing.

" Dublin. As in Dublin, Ireland. Are you kidding me?" I ask, looking around. " Is this some sort of joke that everyone decided to pull on me?" I knew, after only a month of working for Jay, that he was into his practical jokes.

" No it isn't a joke Dani, and yes I mean Dublin, as in Dublin, Ireland," he says, and as curious as I am about who it is that requested for me specifically it is absolutely absurd to even consider taking not only myself, but my daughter half way around the world.

" As much as I would love to take the job Jay, I cant. I cant just take Carly-Ann away from everything she has ever known, especially if its to the other side of the world," I say, gathering my things to leave. I reach the door before Jay clears his throat to get my attention.

" Aren't you the least bit curious about who asked for you, and only you?" he asks, and I turn to look at him, knowing that the flicker of curiosity was lit up all over my face. I nod slightly, and wait for him to say something. I watch as he leans across the desk, humor and knowing in his eyes before he opens his mouth. " Michael Jackson." I stare at him skeptically, before smiling a curious smile.

" Yeah, okay, and I'm the Virgin Mary," I say, shaking with laughter. I am half expecting Jay to laugh along too, but when my laughter is met with silence, something inside of me tells me that he isn't joking at all. " Holy shit, you aren't kidding are you?" I ask, turning my back to the door, watching as he shakes his head no. He wasn't kidding when he said that this was a life changing opportunity, but how could I justify moving my daughter half way across the world.

" What's it going to be Dani? Are you going to stay here, being a P.A to a small time business man, or are you going to take the chance, get on that plane, and live the life you always wanted to?" he asks, and I sit down to consider my options, realizing that this very well could be the only chance that I get.