Chapter Eleven Okay, I stood with my back in front of the mirror and turned around checking out my butt. Nice. Dressed in boots, jeans and a long-sleeve, semi-deep neckline black shirt, I looked good. Always try to look nice when you're about to meet the town. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail banded by a strip of black suede. I put on some eye make-up for effect only. I've never been a big fan of make-up, but for special occasions it's okay. I sat on the edge of my new bed and picked up Mr. Bear bringing him close to my chest and hugging him. Michael. So sweet, so mysterious, but so sweet at the same time. I thought about all the things he's done for me and how he made this whole transition easier to comprehend. I don't think it would have gone near as smooth if it weren't for Michael. God, here I am mind rambling about him like I have a schoolgirl's crush! I put Mr. Bear aside and remembered that Michael said he'd visit me sooner than expected. Woo-hoo! I stood up ready to face the creepy little town of Roswell and then threw myself on the bed; my face buried in the pillow Michael had used last night. It smelled like him and every naughty vision of Michael I ever had raced towards me like a bullet train. With every breath I took I saw him dipped, coated, sticky or slippery and I knew I had to get up and go or I'd lay here and daydream all night. Too much is going on in my head. One last deep inhale and I was up. I was up and ready to take on the world; or at least that Liz. I wonder what nice neighbor Kyle was doing with her anyway! I stepped out of the apartment and saw Kyle's door opening. I waited for the sight of that Liz with yet another torrid tale of me trying to run her over; but I was let down. Kyle was alone. "Where's your friend?" I asked as I leaned against the banister. "Liz?" He smirked and I liked him even more. "She was just here picking something up for work." "Right, she works at the alien greasy spoon, right?" "No, her parents own it. She manages it when they're busy or out of town." Kyle walked closer to me and I caught a whiff of the after shave. Nice. Not Michael nice, but still nice. "She works at City Hall; assistant to someone, she's in law school." A brainiac, I should have known. "So, is she always that uptight? I mean, I didn't intentionally try to hit her or anything." "I know, she knows. Like I said before, she can be a little high strung." Kyle laughed and I laughed with him. It felt good. It felt normal. "So, where are you off to tonight? I hope you don't think Roswell has much of a nightlife." "Actually, that…I mean, Liz, her boyfriend told me about some type of hoe-down in front of City Hall. I thought I might check that out." "Max?" I saw a glimmer of something that I couldn't quite place. "Cool, that's where I'm headed. We could go together if you'd like. I can point out the townies and tell you who to avoid." Damn! I knew I liked him for a reason. "Excellent. Shall I drive or you?" I looped my arm through his as we walked down the stairs. "I guess I will, I wouldn't want you running down any more citizens tonight." That little remark earned him a jab in the gut. "Sorry. But, we can take your car. It's much cooler than mine. What's it got in it? A 351?" "351, 352, whatever it takes." I smiled earning a laugh from my new best friend Kyle Something. I got to take in a little more of my new temporary home as Kyle drove my car. He was right; it was much cooler than the little foreign jobbie he drove. I thought about the way Michael had navigated the streets the night before and wondered how he was doing. I hated the fact that Rena was being such a bitch because of me. What's that phrase, something abut 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'? Thank God, Michael was her superior; but still, I hoped he wasn't getting into trouble because of me. I know trouble at Section was bad. Very bad. Always, Michael. Damn! I wish I could get the man off my brain, but I couldn't. I could almost repeat that last email verbatim. I was so glad now that I decided to drop the slut-routine. Well, not entirely, but close… "Maria?" I looked over to my escort for the evening. "What?" "I've been saying your name for like the last two miles. Are you sure that's really your name?" "Believe it or not, I promise." I focused my attention back on the town and Kyle and tried to push Michael out of my psyche, which by the way, was not an easy thing to do. "So, what should I expect from this little social gathering?" "A lot of staring," he smirked. "Staring? At what?" "At you," he looked over at me and rolled his eyes. Damn! I thought I had the market cornered on eye rolling. "Seriously. You show up out of nowhere and you've already pissed off the town sweetheart. You're gorgeous and mysterious. I'm sure Liz has already talked about you half the day to anyone who would listen." "Wow," I laughed. Gorgeous and mysterious? Hmm, I'm pretty sure that was what I was thinking about Michael. God, I missed him. "So, Liz is the town sweetheart, huh?" He laughed. "Some people think so, like her." He laughed again. "Seriously, we used to date in High School and let's just say, although I love her to death, she can be a real pain in the ass." I nodded, and then my attention was turned towards the park in front of City Hall. Hanging lights and tents and the sweet smells of a cookout were in my face. I couldn't remember the last time I had gone to anything like this. I know it had to have been when my dad was still alive. I can't remember… "Ready?" Kyle looked to me and handed me my keys. He had parked the car and I hadn't even noticed. I nodded and got out and walked closer to him. It was a strange feeling I got from him. There was not an ounce of sexual strain between us and I liked that part. I felt comfortable with him, another thing I didn't think I'd ever be able to do. Be comfortable around a man without having anything sexual present. I mean Michael was a whole other ballgame. What we had going on between us was more than just a sexual need. At least it was on my part and I would be on my knees praying tonight that it was more on his end too. Always, Michael. Kyle escorted me into the thick of town and I met his dad and instantly loved him. There was something about him that made me want to trust him. I think that maybe it was because he reminded me of my own dad. "Do you like baseball?" I blurted it out before my brain could stop my mouth. Damn! That seems to happen more and more often. I hope I'm not losing my edge. "Yeah, I love it. Why? We don't get baseball here too often." The Sheriff looked at his son and I could see what he was asking in silence. 'What kind of nutcase did you pick up now?' "Sorry, you just remind me of an old baseball fan I used to know," I smiled. Kyle led me away from his dad and looped his arm through mine. "So, what now?" "Well," Kyle scanned the crowd and pointed to a vacant bench with a view of the festivities. He led me over to it and we sat. He pointed to my left. "There's Liz and Max. I'm sure Max's sister will be tagging along behind them somewhere." "Barbie?" "Barbie…?" Kyle closed his eyes and laughed out loud causing several bystanders to stare. "Yeah, Isabel. She's not so bad once you get to know her. She's lonely because her boyfriend, Alex, is spending a semester in England." I nodded and looked around desperately for an alien of the non-blow-up variety. I swear if I was sent here on a wild-alien chase…What DeLuca? I asked myself, what were you going to do? Kyle went through the motions pointing out various townsfolk, always with a comment on each of them. Sometimes he had me laughing so hard my stomach ached. We ate and drank, probably more than I should have, but this was fun. This was the kind of fun I had missed out on for so long. Th old me would already be crawling all over Kyle and we'd end up in bed. Not this time. I was a new person and I think my heart belonged to another. Michael. Damn! I missed him. "Here comes Liz and Max," Kyle giggled and pointed to the approaching pair. "Hey guys." "Hi," Max smiled and I decided he wasn't all that bad. He shook Kyle's hand and once again I felt his eyes on my chest. I saw Liz hold on to his arm so apparently I wasn't the only one noticing where his attention lay. "So Maria, you met Kyle. Liz said you live across the hall from each other." "Yeah," I smiled at Kyle and we both laughed. That was when I was sure we had too much to drink. This was not exactly the alien fact-finding mission that I thought it would be tonight. "Having a good time? Looks like it," Max grinned and motioned to the stack of empty beer cups between us. "I'm having a great time," I smiled and I meant it. For a brief minute there I felt normal. Then I caught something out of the corner of my eye that made each tiny hair on my body stand on end. A flash of red hair. That was it. But it was so red, fire engine red to be exact. I shook my head. No, it couldn't be Rena! Michael would have warned me. If he could… "Are you okay?" Kyle was holding my arm and Max and even that Liz looked concerned. "Maria?" "Yeah," I forced a smile. "I'm fine. I just…I don't think I'm feeling so good. Maybe I should go." "Sure," Kyle stood and held my arm. "C'mon." I didn't say good-bye to the couple; I just walked away keeping my eyes peeled for another flash of red. I had the uncontrollable knowledge that I was being watched and now, for the first time, I was scared. We arrived back at the flat and Kyle led me upstairs. He opened my apartment door for me and I invited him. He sat me on the couch and went to the kitchen. He returned with a bottled water and handed it to me. "You okay? You look like you saw a ghost." I nodded and sipped the water. "Just too much to drink I think. Thanks for tonight Kyle, I had a great time." "Me too," he grinned and walked towards the door. "I told you there would be a lot of staring." He laughed and let himself out leaving me alone smiling on the couch. I walked to the computer and prayed there was something from Michael. Nothing. I began to pace the apartment as I stripped down to nothing. I knew the window was open, but unless you were in the back parking lot, no one could see. I don't know if I even cared. Was it Rena or was I being stupid? She wasn't the only one in the world with red hair. I went to the bathroom and brushed away the alcohol flavoring from my teeth. I saw Mr. Bear waiting for me on the bed and went to him, hugging him close against my bare breasts. I curled up on the bed with my head on the Michael pillow and waited for sleep to take me away. * * * Michael watched as his newest operative and her neighbor laughed drunkenly while walking inside the flat. He looked at the laptop on the seat next to him. "Kyle Valenti." He said out loud and felt his blood boil. * * * I knew I was having the nightmares again, damn! Wouldn't they ever go away? I felt a hand on my naked thigh and I cried out in fear. I scurried to the head of the bed and curled myself into a ball; Mr. Bear still clutched in my hand. I was shaking when I felt the hand again. Wait. Soft and callousy. Michael? I lifted my head and saw a shadow. It was Michael. I outstretched my arms to him and he held all my nakedness. "Michael." I buried my head in his neck and felt his arms hold me against him. He laid me down and spooned my body. I sighed as I felt one hand slide underneath my breasts; the other to my thigh. Safe. Chapter Twelve I've suffered from the nightmares for a long time now, how could they go away so easily when Michael was here with me? How did he have the power to take them away? Nobody could understand where the nightmares came from until they've lived it. I actually considered myself lucky if all I took with me were a few mind-shattering nightmares. I snuggled in closer to the warmth that was Michael. Even though he had only been gone less than a day, it had felt like years. Damn! I hated feeling this way. I hated needing anyone but myself. Maybe it was the alcohol still in my system, or maybe it was just Michael. Feeling his hands on my bare body would have sent me into sexual overdrive had it not been for the fact that I was still trembling from my nighttime horrors. His hands were so warm, so comforting. I looked over my shoulder and into his eyes. "Hi." Yes, that was actually all I could come up with. He nodded. "Thank you for coming back." I felt so vulnerable in all my nakedness and I actually wished that I had on that stupid yellow nightgown! "I had to make sure you were safe," he whispered in my ear and my muscles contracted. Wait, I'm sorry, not my muscles, my nipples. "Am I in danger here?" "I don't know," he kissed the back of my neck. "I have no idea." "Is Rena here?" I felt his body tense. Damn! "Not yet. She's still at Section, but she is out to beat you. There's been a lot of meetings and memos when I was back at Section." Not yet? So I didn't see her and any flash of red hair is going to send me into fits? I knew there was more so I waited for him to finish. When he didn't say anything else, I knew it was seriously bad. "Tell me." "They put me on observation," he laughed and it was bitter. "Because of Rena and her lies, they made up their minds that I may be too involved with my newest operative." Gee, I thought laying here naked next to him, what makes them think that? Although I hated being called an operative… "I received a message on my way here. You fail in any way-" "Extermination." I didn't have to ask. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. "Did you learn anything tonight?" I heard the plea in his question and I felt my heart twinge when I gave him the disappointing news. "No. Nothing of importance." I didn't think telling him how I thought I saw Rena was necessary right now. Maybe later though. "How long do I have?" "A while," he sighed and I melted. "I'm going back to Section tomorrow night." "No!" I sat up and faced him totally oblivious to my bare chest. I saw his eyes linger on my chest before meeting mine and for some reason that pissed me off right now. Not exactly pissed me off, but I did deem it inappropriate. "I have to try to correct some of this before it goes any further." "I don't want you to leave." There, I was officially whining and I think I might have actually heard the whipping noise. I might be missing the old me now… "Maria, I will come back but first I have to straighten this out. Tonight, I had to see you and tell you…" He paused. Oh shit. "Tell you that I was going to take care of you. I won't let anything happen to you, Maria, ever." If he had told me anything else I don't think I could have been as happy. Someone was going to take care of me. Michael was going to take care of me. Hearing those words and believing them purged all feelings of fear about the nightmares and Rena. All thoughts of not being good enough or screwing up royally: gone. He really cared about me and that made everything all right. So he was leaving to go back to Section tomorrow, I could deal with that. I did have a job to do and as soon as I got it done- "Maria?" Damn! Stupid daydreaming and I totally missed what he said. Plus I was still naked. "Yeah." "Lay back down with me." He kicked his shoes off and pulled his shirt over his head. I momentarily thought about reaching to my chin to see if I was drooling. He undid his belt and I swear if he would have reached for the zipper on his pants it would have been all over, but he didn't. Damn! I lay back down next to him and he spooned me again. "Michael…?" I wasn't sure what I was going to ask him, but I was always so full of questions. "Not tonight, Maria," he whispered in my ear and I knew he wasn't talking about me asking too many questions. "Not like this." I nodded and closed my eyes. I felt his arm underneath me, his forearm closing in on my stomach. His over arm was over me crossing in-between my breasts. Nice. Sleep came for me and I slept soundly in the arms of a man I thought I was falling in love with. Never being in love before I wasn't exactly sure, but I figured if I was willing to die for him, then it must be love. Either that or a very sick clause in the lust factor. I woke up before dawn and I felt like my head was going to explode. Michael was still sleeping next to me and I watched him. All the times he'd watched me sleep, now it was my turn. I slipped on that yellow nightgown and sat cross-legged on the bed. His chest rose and fell with each breath; the worry in his demeanor last night was overshadowed by deep sleep. Damn he was handsome! Handsome? I don't recall ever using that word to describe any man. I touched his face and screamed when he grabbed my wrist. "Michael!" I shouted and he let go of me. I jerked my hand back; all semblance of a normal morning went straight to hell. "What the hell is wrong with you?" "I'm sorry," he sat up and I watched those abs. Okay, forgiven. No, not yet. "You damn near scared the shit out of me!" I rubbed my wrist although I think it was more for effect because it didn't hurt. "You scared me too," he admitted and I saw him not for the big bad Section guy, but for the man. Sigh. "I'm not used to…" I watched as flush crept up that lickable neck. "I'm not used to sharing a bed with someone." Wow. I know that took a lot for him to say. "It's okay." I smiled and leaned over to kiss him almost feeling like a normal couple. Well, at least until he turned away from me. "Alrighty then." "Maria-" "I know already," I stood up full of frustration. "You give me thousand and one mixed signals and then when I try to act on one of them, any of them, you do a 180 and I feel like a fool. Tell me Michael, tell me what you want!" I paced in front of the bed and did everything I could not to look at him. That was my downfall. "It doesn't matter what I want right now Maria. All that matters is that you do your job and we keep Section and Rena off your back," he ran his hands through his hair. Yeah, so I was peeking. He stood and before I could move away, he caught me. He pulled me tight against him. "You know the signals I want you to pick up on; but I have to keep my distance to be safe. Okay?" Oh yeah, I knew the signals. I could feel one digging into my hip as he talked. "Fine." I looked at him and crammed my mouth against his before he had a chance to react. No hesitation. Woo-hoo! A knock at the door sent my mind reeling. "Damn!" "Get it," he released me and shook my head as I walked form the bedroom to the front door. I swung open the door ready to beat who was on the other side for interrupting us. It was neighbor Kyle. "Kyle. Hi." "Hi, did I wake you?" He smirked looking at the nightgown. Oh yeah, I think I was going to have to burn it. "No, what's up?" "I just wanted to make sure you were okay; you seemed a little out of it when I left last night." He stepped into the apartment and I looked nervously over my shoulder towards the bedroom. "Is everything okay?" "Yeah, fine. Just a little hung over I think," I laughed that girlish laugh. "Great," he dug his hands in his pockets. "I'm on my way to work, but I was wondering if you didn't have any other plans tonight if you'd care to join me for dinner?" Dinner? Oh shit. Technically I knew I should go, he was the Sheriff's kid and the Sheriff usually knew everything that was going on in a town. Alien activity? I bet Jim Valenti would know something about it. On the other hand Michael was here; but he was leaving tonight, I just didn't know what time. Decisions. Michael would tell me to go. "Sure, that sounds great." "Cool," he smiled and I hoped I wouldn't have to break his heart. "Wait, I hope you don't think I'm hitting on you because you’re the new gorgeous mysterious girl in town. I'm not. I mean I'm not hitting on you, I just know how hard it can be to be new in town." "Perfect!" I beamed. "Because I'm really not ready to get involved with anyone right now. You know?" He nodded and I sensed he knew exactly what I was talking about. He told me he'd pick me up at eight and we laughed about him driving my car again. I shut the door and walked back to the bedroom; Michael was waiting expectantly sitting on the bed. "Kyle Valenti." He said not asked. "Yeah," I said slowly not liking the look on his face. Wait, maybe I was liking it if it was jealousy. "Why?" "Dinner?" "You said you were going back to Section." "I am," he relaxed. "His father is the Sheriff." "I know, hence the me going to dinner. I'll pump him for info." I sat next to Michael and picked up his hand. "I know you won't say anything, but I'm not going on a date with him. I don't want anyone else…" He nodded. "I'm going to take a shower. Then we can go over some things today before I go back to DC, okay?" I nodded and watched him walk away. Damn! I wished he'd not walk away so much. The morning and afternoon blurred together as Michael let me in on a little more information about Section and Rena. "We did go out a few times when she was a new operative," Michael finally admitted late in the afternoon. "You dated her?" I was shocked and somewhat let down. "Not really, I said we went out a few times. It wasn't anything serious and it was a long time ago." He looked embarrassed to be talking about it. Oh well. "She wasn't the way she is now, I don't know if you can believe it or not." "Does she treat all the new female operatives like she does me? Or does she just have the hard-on for me?" I had changed into shorts and a halter and I'll be damned if the a/c wasn't kicking out enough cool because I was boiling. "It's just you Maria," he sighed. He sat next to me and took my hand. "I think she saw in you what I saw and it scared her." "What a bitch!" I sighed. "Can we stop her?" "We'll try. For now, do your job and let me handle Section. I have a few markers to call in and I've been there long enough to rack up quite a few." "How long?" "Since I was four." He looked out the window and I knew that was the end of that conversation. I was right. It was after five when Michael said he had to leave. I walked him to the door and waited for the peck good-bye. He cupped my chin and raised my face to meet his. He leaned into me and I think I was melting as he kissed me. It was a kiss that said he'd be back soon and he'd be wanting more than a kiss. Woo-hoo! Chapter Thirteen I dressed in black pants and a black shirt and, wait, a bra. Un-freaking-believable! I didn't want young Mr. Valenti to get any wrong ideas about me. I let my hair hang loose and used the eye make-up sparingly. When I was ready to go I checked my mail and it made me smile. Maria. I didn't want to leave you, just so you know that. Sometimes I'm not the most eloquent with words, especially when it comes to you. I'm en route to Section now and I fear what lies ahead of me. It's going to be a long night, but thoughts of keeping you safe are my motivation. Remember what I said: be careful. If something happens, call me. I'll take care of you. Always, Michael. It was the 'always' part that got me. Damn! We could have consummated our relationship, and I'm using that term very loosely, last night; but there's something holding him back. Something he's not telling me and I hope it doesn't end up getting us both killed. I walked across the hall and knocked on Kyle's door. He answered with a towel around his waist. Damn! I must be early. "Give me two minutes," he darted down the hall and I made myself at home by looking around. Okay, I was snooping. Nothing too exciting, just a regular guy's home. Sports memorabilia was spread out sporadically and I had to smile at high school pictures of the football stud. I sat on the couch and noticed a photo album on the bottom shelf of the coffee table. I looked around the room stealthily and grabbed the album. I flipped through the pages and smiled back at all the smiling faces. I watched my neighbor age in front of the camera and then I started to see familiar faces. Of course, it was that Liz. Liz, Max, Barbie and the curly blond, Tess? A tall lanky guy with Barbie, must be the overseas beau. So they've been friends since high school. I frowned. I don't even remember who I went to high school with. "See anything interesting?" Kyle was leaning over my shoulder. Damn! I have to be more alert. "Sorry," I set the book down. "Just being nosy." "I can see that," he laughed. "Ready?" I stood and we left the flat. I followed him to my car and tossed him the keys. He drove through town and I think we were nearing the next town when he pulled into a parking lot. I looked at him and he smiled at my questioning stare. "Where are we?" "You like burgers?" He asked getting out of the Mustang. I nodded and tried to remember the last time I had a real hamburger. "Yeah." "This place has got the best ones in the world." He nodded towards the building as we walked side by side. I noticed a clothes boutique on the other side of the hole in the wall restaurant and pointed to it. "Do you think we could stop in there after we eat?" We were seated in a booth and we talked about everything except me; which was so good. We ordered burgers and beer and Kyle was right, best burger I've ever had. I learned he had worked at an accounting firm but was now laid off. He told me about Roswell and some of the history of it and I hung on every word. Maybe Kyle Valenti was an alien. Hmm… We finished dinner and after I insisted on paying went next door to the clothes store. I felt like a kid in a candy store going from rack to rack pulling clothes off and layering them on my arm. I got jeans, pants, a skirt, shirts and a new nightgown. If I was going to wear one, I think the yellow one had outworn it's welcome. Besides. I really wanted Michael to see me in something sexy besides just my skin! I looked for Kyle and saw him leaning on the counter talking to the salesclerk. Tess? Yeah, it was Tess. I laid my purchases down and smiled. "Hi." "Maria. Hi," she smiled and began to ring me up. "I didn't know you knew Kyle!" "We live across the hall from each other," I said knowing that Kyle had already filled her in. "Right," she nodded as I watched the register total. Damn, I'd never been able to spend this much money on clothes before, ever! I'd never had this much money before. Tess held up the slinky nightgown and gave a knowing nod in Kyle's direction. Great. "I'm closing up here in a minute. I'm meeting Max and the others at Juno's, wanna come?" Kyle raised his eyebrows to me and I shrugged. Juno's? Sounded like a bar. A few more cocktails and I might be able to sleep through the night without Michael. I nodded. "Sure. If you want?" Kyle agreed and I think he nearly choked at my bill. I paid in cash and we promised Tess we'd see her soon. Kyle put my bags in my trunk. "Okay, what do you do for a living? Most people don't carry that much cash." Living? "Oh, I have a trust fund. My dead aunt." I didn't go further than that because I didn't have any more history to give him. We drove for awhile passing by the Crashdown and eventually ended up at Juno's. Oh yeah, it was a bar. We went in and I saw Max jump up from a table and wave us over. He shook Kyle's hand and smiled at me. "What are you two doing here?" "We saw Tess and she said you all were here." Kyle looked down at the table where Liz sat, alone. "Yeah, Alex got back today and him and Iz will be here shortly." Max pulled out a chair for me and I sat down in between him and Kyle. "So, how do you like Roswell?" "It's intoxicating," I looked to Liz and grinned. "Isn't it?" She looked at me and I think I could feel the total dislike oozing off of her. Whatever. I turned to Max. "So, you lived here all your life?" I touched his hand that was resting on the table just to be a bitch. "Yeah," he nodded. He asked where I was from and I gave him the spiel about North Carolina while tapping his hand off and on. I couldn't look at that Liz or I know I would have laughed out loud thus ruining my fun. "Look at what the cat dragged it!" A voice from in back of us boomed and I stood up. "I'm sorry," a tall lanky guy holding Barbie's hand was smiling at me. "I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Alex Whitman and you must be Maria. I've already heard so much about you!" He glanced at that Liz. "Welcome to Roswell!" I smiled and I liked him. Not as much as Kyle, but he was a good. Barbie smiled warmly at me and I found myself willing my brain to call her Isabel, not Barbie. Damn! "Thanks," I sat back down and Tess joined us a few minutes later. I wasn't sure if this was the way that it was supposed to be happening or not. I think I was making friends. I don't know if when Michael told me I didn't have to make friends if that really meant don't make friends. It was actually kind of nice hanging out in the bar with normal people. Men and women, neither Section nor convicts; well, at least not that I knew of anyway. I looked around and noticed that the pitcher of beer I was sharing with Kyle was almost gone. Alex and that Liz were each nursing their mixed drinks, but the other three were contentedly sipping on soft drinks. Why go to a bar and drink soda? "So," I pointed to Max, Isabel and Tess. "What's with the soda?" "They can't drink," Kyle nodded to me and I saw the reaction of the three in question. They weren't happy. I met Kyle's face and I saw his expression tense. "I mean, they can, but they don't." "We're not drinkers," Isabel bat her eyelashes at me and I nodded. "Max and I have a few alcoholics in our family so we tend to stay away from alcohol altogether." Max nodded along with her. "Tess just doesn't drink." "Nope," she chirped. "I'm usually the designated driver!" Okay, that makes sense. Kind of. Conversation erupted again and I was drawn into their stories of high school and beyond. I laughed along with them and felt like one of them. So this was what happened to normal people when they grew up, huh? I tried not to let my mind wander to Michael and Section and what the hell was going on there. Michael. Damn! All I had to do was think his name and there he was front and center in my subconscious. Standing in front of me with open, waiting arms. Those black leather pants with the button undone, so tight I can see the outline of what was digging into my hip last night. In my version, he doesn't have a shirt on and sweat is glistening off that steely chest. No, not sweat, I think I'm going back to the chocolate fetish. Syrup. Oh yeah, chocolate syrup. "Hello?" A hand was waving in front of me. It wasn't Michael's hand. I looked to the person attached to the hand. Alex. "Spacing out, sorry." I glanced at the clock; stunned to see it was after midnight. Where the hell did the night go? "I better get going." I looked at Kyle who stood up on wobbly legs. "Alex, it was nice to meet you and to see the rest of you again." We said our good-byes and I took the keys from Kyle. Hey, it was my car and if someone was going to wreck it, it should be me. Besides, I could actually walk a straight line. I swung the door open and stepped into a light rain. I darted to the car and put the top up, then stood there letting the rain hit my face. I knew Kyle was staring at me, but I didn't care. The rain on my face gave me a new sense of freedom. I was actually free! I was a free woman standing in a parking lot in the rain and I felt good! I felt alive! * * * The light was intense. Michael shifted uneasily in the straight-backed chair. He hated the chairs across the desk from Intel. The men in suits, he'd called them to Maria. Well that's essentially what they were: men in suits. They never got their hands dirty, they had the rest of Section to do that for them. "I don't understand any of this." Michael crossed his leg resting his ankle on his knee. "What exactly is the problem, gentlemen?" "Mr. Smith and I, " the older of the two looked to his partner then to Michael. "We have reason to believe that you are not performing to Section protocol." "That's bullshit." Michael hissed. "No, I'm afraid it's not. Your newest recruit, Maria DeLuca, is in question." The younger suit, Mr. Smith, replied. "I know who we're talking about," Michael was losing his patience and it was obvious. He took a deep breath and counted to five; never had the patience for ten. "You're taking second-hand information and trying to use it against her. Against us." "Michael, Mr. Smythe and I have seen documentation that states otherwise." Mr. Smith cocked his head to one side. Michael laughed bitterly. "An operative stays in training for no less than six months, recruit DeLuca was only in training for a few weeks. Not nearly enough time-" Mr. Smith was cut off. "It was plenty of time!" Michael knew they could sense the anger radiating off of him. "My father-" "Is dead and has been for over a year, Michael." Mr. Smythe folded his arms over his chest. "The way you were used to things when he ran Section have changed. You work for us now. You do things our way or you leave." Michael closed his eyes. "My father ran Section more efficiently than the both of you together ever will! This is all bullshit. Get Rena in here and we'll end this right now!" "I'm sorry, Michael, Rena is on assignment." Michael felt the color drain from his face. * * * I pulled up in front of the flat and noticed Kyle had slightly sobered up since we left the bar. I grabbed my bags from the trunk and he carried half of them for me. We walked up the stairs to our apartments and I felt so comfortable. The sexual tension that was not there before, still wasn't. He hugged me and I realized it was the first intimate gesture I'd had with a man in a very long time that meant nothing more than friendship. "I'm glad you came to Roswell, Maria." He shook his head and met my eyes. "I finally have someone to hang out with and who'll drink with me and not be a…a freak." I smiled and he waved goodnight. Now all I wanted to do was get in my apartment and check my mail for a Michael-message. I kicked the door open with my hands full of bags and walked in. My eyes flew to the couch. "Hello Maria." It was Rena. Shit! Chapter Fourteen Have you ever had one of those moments where time seems to stand still? I felt like I was standing on the beach, right at the tide line, and watching the tide move back in to the ocean; dizzying. I sobered up entirely too fast and my head began to throb. I didn't know which way to look. I saw both her hands on her lap so I know she wasn't hiding a can of Raid in back of her. I set the bags on the floor and stared at my unwanted visitor. Damn! Where was Michael? "Why don't you come in and sit down?" She smiled at me and I felt the bile rise in the back of my throat. I took a deep breath. No way was I going to let this little red-haired bitch try to make me feel inferior. I'd been in that position before I sure as hell wasn't going back to it. I'm still climbing the walls out of that hole. "Why don't you tell me what the fuck you're doing here?" "Such language, I thought we talked about that." She sneered and I wanted to jack her in the head. She nodded towards the bags on the floor. "I know you didn't get much money from Section for this mission, so how did you afford all those new toys?" I thought about the wallet full of cash. Oh shit, Michael. "I don't know if that is any of your business." She was off the couch before I had time to react. She grabbed a handful of my hair and slammed my face into the front door. "Everything that you do is my business!" She hissed wetly in my ear. "You don't know who you're fucking with Maria DeLuca. You have no idea." I closed my eyes and willed back tears. No, not tears of defeat. Tears of pain because she was really pulling my hair and it hurt! "Let go of me." I said it as calmly as I could while my face was smashed against the door. "Please." It must have been the 'please' because she released my hair. "Thank you." I stepped away from the door and met her gaze; I could actually see the hate in her eyes. "Are you here for me? Is it my time? I mean, if it is, just get it over with and cut out the dramatics." She laughed and I got the chills. "I wish it was your time, you have no idea. But I have to listen to Intel and they say wait and maybe you can salvage something out of this cluster fuck of an adventure. I have no idea what Michael was thinking when he signed you on for this. You're nothing but a waste." I bit my lip and counted to five. "Thank you for the words of encouragement." "Don't take me so lightly, Maria." She stepped closer to me and I stood my ground. She smirked at my defiance and once again I wanted to hit her. "I hope you do fail and I hope I'm the one to lead the extermination team right to you." "Jealous much?" I felt the corner of my mouth turn up into a wicked grin. I saw her hand coming this time and I blocked her open palm inches away from my face. "You caught me off guard once, it won't happen again." I really hoped she couldn't hear my heart beating otherwise my tough-girl act was totally ineffectual. She pulled her hand back and I saw a flicker of, could it be surprise, flash across her face. "Michael trained you well." "You have no idea how well." Ahh, now I see jealousy. "I'll be waiting for you to fail, and when you do, I'll come down on you so hard you won't even realize what happened." She took a step back. "What potential he sees in you is beyond comprehension. He's on the list now too, because of you." "You know what Rena, you're really beginning to sound like a whiny high school girl. Wake up and get over it. Michael doesn't want you, he never did. Move on." I think I might have stepped over the line with my accusation when I saw the flush creeping up her neck. Bulls-eye! "You know nothing about Michael," she steamed. Well, she kind of had me there. "He should be in control of Section right now! It was owed to him for everything he's done and now, he's throwing his future away for a absurd cause and a worthless piece of used white trash." Okay. Not white trash. "Back off and get the fuck out of my home!" "Your home?" She laughed. "Do you really think this is your home? No, Maria, you don't have a home. This place doesn't belong to you; this all belongs to Section. Nothing belongs to you and you don't belong to anything." "Oh yeah," I nodded and grinned. "I belong to something. I belong to Michael." I stood straight and waited for the next round of cruelty and meanness and was surprised when she walked back to the couch and picked a briefcase up off the floor. "You don't know anything Maria. You're just a stupid uneducated girl who thinks fucking the boss is going to get you places. Well, I have news for you darling. It won't get you anywhere." Before I could even come up with words she walked out of my apartment and closed the door behind her. Damn! I looked out the front window and saw her get in a white sedan. With a flourish of screeching tires, she was gone. Good. I didn't realize my hands were trembling until I sat down in front of the computer. After a few deep breaths, I clicked and typed in my password. I had mail. Maria. Rena may be in Roswell and I don't think she's there for a good reason. Intel won't tell me anything and I'm losing my mind worrying about you. They won't let me leave tonight; but I promise I'll be there as soon as I can. You're more important to me than Section. I used to think it was all there was to live for; then I met you. Please, let me know you're okay as soon as you can. I'll be waiting by the computer and the phone. Always, Michael. I reached for the phone and though better of it. I didn't want to hear his voice; that would make the distance seem even further. Damn! Since when did I pine away for anyone? Michael. Ding. Ding. Ding! Give the man a cigar! Yes, Rena is here and she was waiting for me in my apartment when I got home. We had some words and some violence and now she's gone. I'm sure you'll get a full report. I haven't learned anything yet, but I did make friends. I think I might be starting to like it here a little. I mean, I would like it more if you were here…Anyway, I'm still on the hunt and I won't give up. If there are aliens in Roswell, damn it, I'm going to find them. I miss you Michael. Always, Maria. I hit send and everything else I wanted to say to Michael flashed across my mind. I wanted to tell him that I loved him. Damn! I wasn't supposed to fall in love with anyone. I'm Maria DeLuca and I don't need anyone but myself; but the person who can take away my nightmares is the one worth keeping. I fought the urge to write him and tell him all of this because, as much as I hate to say it, Rena was right. I knew nothing about Michael. I had no idea what she was talking about when she said Michael should be in charge of Section. I know I've let my hard shell down for him, but I was going to have to put it back up a little until I knew he really wasn't going to let me fall. With Rena's visit all but a distant, and vile, memory, I began to sift through the bags of clothes and fell in love with them over again. I couldn't wait for Michael to see me in some of them! Or out of them… I showered off all the bar smells and put on my new nightgown. The silkiness of it sent my nipples into spasms. Damn! Why wasn't Michael here? I grabbed Mr. Bear and crawled under the blankets with Michael weighing heavily on my mind. I'm pretty sure I was thinking about him covered in cotton candy and nothing else when I finally fell asleep. * * * Always, Maria. Michael smiled and reread the email again. Always, Maria. He closed his eyes and wondered if she was really okay. She talked tough, but there was so much gentility underneath that gritty image. He swiveled in his chair and looked at a monitor above him. The picture was grainy; but he knew exactly what he was looking at. He had watched the muted video so many times over the last year. She was there, her hair over her face, her body shaking violently. He knew she was hysterical, she was sobbing. Her hands clawed along the floor, her knees bloody and bare. Alone in a desolate room with no human contact for five months. That was when he knew it was Maria. He also thought he knew where the nightmares came from. So desperate, so unsure. Her prison shirt was ripped, as were her pants. The shirt hung open on her, every once in awhile, there was a flash of breast. There was nothing sexual about this video, though. No. Michael's heart broke watching the tape made three years before. This was a recorded history of one woman's fall into darkness. He hoped he had saved her from it, not thrust her in deeper. He slammed the monitors power button and turned to the computer on his desk. His fingers flew across the keyboard and within seconds, he was looking at the dossier on Maria DeLuca. The picture was so unflattering; she was much more beautiful. The photo had been taken after her arrest. Her hair was matted to her head, greasy. Vacant eyes stared back at him. Not the ones he saw when he looked at her; the eyes so full of life and questions. Eyes he could fall into and never come up for air. Damn Smith and Smythe! Michael stood and walked around his apartment. He wanted to leave but knew he couldn't and still live. He almost laughed remembering how Intel had told him that if he didn't like working for them he could leave Section. Right. No one ever just leaves Section. Either you die or…You die. This was not working out the way he had hoped; the way he had dreamed. Maria was perfect. She was everything he had hoped for and more. She was going to be the one to be there for him. She was a challenge at first, but now…Now she was his. * * * When I woke up I didn't know where I was. I looked around and focused on the window. I was in Roswell and this was my apartment. I began to rock back and forth clutched Mr. Bear tightly. I looked around desperately for Michael hoping that maybe he had shown up in the night like last time. No. I was really alone. I tucked my hair behind my ears and sat on the edge of the bed. I was shaking and scared. Damn! I hated when I got like this; this was a bad one. Should I call him? No, what was I going to do then hug the phone? I got off the bed and took a step forward with Mr. Bear tight in my grip. I walked through the seemingly familiarity of my new home to the front door. It took me a few minutes before I could turn the doorknob. I stepped into the hall and took a deep breath; sweat trickled down my back as I walked across to the hall to the one person in the near vicinity I thought I could trust. I banged on the door and hoped Kyle had recovered enough to open the door and let me in. I didn't want to be alone. I banged my fist on the door again and heard movement. Kyle answered the door in pajama bottoms and looked at me through sleepy bloodshot eyes. "Maria?" "Can I come in?" I stepped towards him as he opened the door wider. He looked to Mr. Bear then back at my terrified face. "I have nightmares." "Oh God," he rubbed his eyes. "Come in, please!" I stepped around him and into the apartment. I headed for the couch and curled up on it feeling stupid. He sat next to me and took my hand. "I'm sorry Kyle, I don't know anyone…" "It’s okay." He placed a hand on my sweaty back. He sat with me in my pretty new nightgown on the couch until I fell back asleep. * * * Chapter Fifteen When I woke up in the morning I was curled up next to an unfamiliar body. I looked next to me and saw Kyle sitting up, asleep. He was holding onto Mr. Bear. I smiled at the sight and then said a small prayer of thanks for Kyle being there last night. I sighed. God, how was I ever going to live completely alone? I'd been alone a million times before, but I've never really lived alone except… I had my dad until he passed away, then I wandered. It all seemed like so long ago now. I didn't have a home I didn't have anything that mattered to me except for a few possessions I wouldn't let go of. The picture of my dad; I absently touched the locket around my neck, his leather jacket and my boots. Of my life, that's all I had acquired. Unbelievable. After my dad died I didn't care where I spent the night or with who. I tried doing the relative thing, but it didn't work out. They didn't like me and I didn't like them. Then I left. I left part of myself behind and went with the flow. I did drugs, I drank and I had sex with near strangers. I didn't care where I was at night, as long as I had somewhere to go; if it cost me an hour in bed with some guy, then so be it. I did what I had to do to survive. Even when I hit my lowest points, I knew I had to try to survive. Maybe I knew even back then that my knight in black leather would come for me someday. I had roommates in jail; they tend to not give out too many private rooms. My first one moved in after I had been in the pokey for a little over six months; she lasted a few months before she got transferred to another prison. The other one I had was the closest thing I had to a friend in a really long time. She was a few years older than I was and she was going to spend the rest of her life behind bars. When you maliciously butcher your husband with a meat cleaver; you get life. Why I was going to be electrocuted and she was going to stay alive, I don't know. I'll never understand the death penalty. Kyle snorted in his sleep and I think I giggled. Wow. Maria DeLuca giggling. Will wonders never cease? I looked at his sleeping body and wanted to hug him. It didn't matter if he stayed on the couch because he passed out or if he stayed for me. Either way, he was there when I needed someone. He wasn't Michael and I think he was the one I truly needed; but as a friend, Kyle was the best one I had right now. I sat down next to him and touched his cheek. He opened one sleepy eye and focussed in on me. I smiled and he smiled back with both eyes open looking down at Mr. Bear on his lap. "You better?" He asked and I wanted to pass out from the alcohol breath. I think he noticed my reaction and quickly excused himself. He came back minty fresh. "I'm better, are you?" "Yeah," I nodded. "Thank you. I get really bad nightmares sometimes and I can't be alone. Being with someone doesn't make them go away; but it makes them not quite as scary." I thought about Michael and his magical way of making them disappear. "They're really bad, aren't they?" He touched my arm and I wanted to cry. I nodded instead. "If you ever need to talk…" "Thanks, but something's are just too private." I put my hand on top of his. "I'll never be able to thank you enough. I don't know anyone else here." I kissed his cheek. "Anytime Maria, anytime." He yawned and I stood. "I'm going to go back across the hall. Go to bed and try to get a few more hours sleep, Kyle. You have bags." I grabbed Mr. Bear and let myself out. I walked across the hall to my unlocked apartment and went inside. I looked around and hated Rena. I hated her more than anything for telling me this wasn't my home, that I didn't belong. This was my home, for now, and I loved it! I put Mr. Bear down on the computer monitor and had to check my mail. I mean I had to. Woo-hoo! Sweet Maria. I've been waiting for a reply from you all night and I'm worried. I've called you and either you're not answering the phone or can't. Please, put my mind at ease and call me or email me. I won't leave the phone or computer until I hear from you. All I can do is sit here and think positive thoughts while the darkness swirls all around me. Maria, please. I can't leave to come back yet and I have to hear from you. Always, Michael. Sweet Maria? I smiled and I think I blushed. I thought the 'always, Michael' had been special but knowing I was now Sweet Maria was… Wow! It made me think of my dad. When I was little he always said the same thing to me when he tucked me in at night: 'good night sweet girl.' Damn! Why was everything getting too hard to manage? Why was Michael invading every pore of my being? I couldn't even concentrate on finding the fucking aliens because Michael-thoughts were the prominent ones on the brain. Even though I was now Sweet Maria, I was going to have to force myself away from Michael. Wean myself off of him. God, I was a junkie again! But this time, I was a Michael Junkie. When I got this job done then things were going to change! Michael. I'm fine. I'm sorry I worried you. I had nightmares again and I got scared so I went across the hall to Kyle's. I couldn't be alone, Michael, and you weren't here. I was so scared. You've seen me like that, so I went over there. I finally fell asleep on his couch. In case you're worried, nothing happened. I just couldn't be alone. Is Rena still here? When can you come back? Tell me what's going on, please! I have to know what I'm really up against. Is it just aliens and Rena or is it Section too? I can't beat Section. Always, Maria. I hit send and within a minute the phone was ringing. It was Michael. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked and I could hear the concern over the phone. "I'm fine, really. I think the run in with Rena freaked me out a little and brought on the nightmares in full force." I sighed. "When are you coming back?" "I have another meeting at Section this afternoon, I'll try to be there tonight, but I can't promise." I smiled thinking I wouldn't have to spend a night alone. "I have to ask you something. Something Rena said." Silence, okay. "She said you should be the head of Section right now. Why?" Silence. "Michael?" "My father used to control Section. Before he died he never put in a formal request for his successor." His tone was shallow and I knew he didn't want to be discussing this either with me or on the phone; I was hoping it was the phone thing. "Oh." I wish I understood the politics of this more than I did. "Okay." "I can explain it more when I see you." Man, I freaking heard the smile through the phone. Damn! "Be careful and…" "I know, find the aliens!" I smiled and looked down at the wrinkled nightgown and remembered something else Rena said. "Where did the money come from? The money in my wallet." He sighed. "Most of it is from me," he admitted. "I didn't want you to want for anything." "Michael-" "I have to go Maria. I'll try to be there tonight." With that he was gone. I looked at the phone and thought about screaming. Why was he doing this for me? Why was he helping me while apparently his own life with Section was falling apart? What did he know about me that I didn't know about myself? I stripped off my pretty new nightgown and handed to the bathroom where I hand-washed it in the sink. I wanted to look nice tonight for Michael when he came back. After a hot shower and a tiny breakfast of fresh fruit I put my running spandex on and stepped out of my apartment. I was surprised to see Kyle awake and stretching with Isabel right beside him; both in running shorts and Isabel in a halter. "Hi," I smiled. The both greeted me and after some small talk, we decided to run together. They knew the area and I didn't, so I followed. My short run around the block several times the other day wasn't that great. We took off and I felt like one of the gang. Wow. One of the gang. I knew I was already bonded with Kyle and now Isabel and I found out we actually had a lot in common. We liked clothes and some of the same music. It was nice to talk to a woman who didn't a) want me dead or b) want to talk about how many people she'd killed before ending up in the pokey. Isabel Evans was a nice, normal all-American woman and I liked her. I kept my eyes peeled for non-human activities and came up short. We traveled through a dusty and sandy park and I was amazed. The parks I remember from growing up were nothing like this. I wasn't really watching where I was running, just following the two locals while I took in my surroundings. "Maria!" Kyle shouted and I looked down almost in time to see a three-foot drop into a gully. I tried to change my direction, but it was too late. I closed my eyes and hoped for the best. I felt a slight bump as I landed on my ass and that was it. I opened my eyes to Kyle and Isabel peering down at me. I looked over my shoulder to where the gully was and holy shit! It was gone. I jumped to my feet and pointed at the suddenly flat ground. "Where the fuck did it go?" They looked at each other then back at me. "What the fuck is going on?" I looked at Kyle who seemed a hell of a lot more nervous than Isabel. "I…Uh…" He stammered. "Snake. It was a snake Maria." Isabel stepped closer to me and I could smell her perfume. "He yelled at you because there was a snake in your path and you tripped." "Like fuck I did!" I backed away from her, the hair on my arms bristling. "There was a fucking dip in the ground and now it's gone! There was no fucking snake!" We argued over this for a few more minutes until Isabel almost had me convinced that there really hadn't been a dip. Almost. Something strange was going on and apparently it included Mr. Kyle Valenti and his cohort Isabel Evans. We walked the rest of the way back to the apartment and I went in alone trying to make sense of what happened. I decided after sunset I would go back to the park and see what was really there. Maybe I was right, maybe it was Kyle. Hmm…The plot thickens. * * * The partners of Smith and Smythe sat across from Michael, again. Michael was back in the hardback chair. His comfort zone was hitting about minus ten. He knew they liked it like that; it was something his father had mastered. "We know you've communicated with Maria DeLuca, so you know the gravity of this situation. Rena was indeed in Roswell New Mexico and is now back here at Section." Smith crossed his arms over his chest. "Now Michael, I hope you've had time to rethink your issues. We understand this is a important mission for you; extraterrestrial life-forms was always a hobby of your fathers as well." Michael took a deep breath and released it slowly. "It's not a hobby. Section would have never allocated the funds for a hobby." "We understand that Michael." Smythe sighed. "It's a relevant operation and we think you would have headed it quite professionally if you had not let your personal feelings for Ms. DeLuca get in the way." "Okay, once again," Michael fought the urge to stand. "This is bullshit! I have not let anything get in my way! I took Maria from here to get away from Rena and her witch-hunt. She's doing a flawless job in Roswell and I want to keep it like that. Sending Rena there was a big mistake. Do you want this cover blown?" "Michael-" Smythe started. "Keep Rena away from Maria and I promise a result. Stay off her back and we'll get answers. In time, Maria will be an asset to Section. Have I ever been wrong before?" Smith and Smythe looked at each other and conceded. "No Michael, you've never been wrong before." Smith shrugged. "Your father would be proud." Michael nodded and stood. "May I presume we are done here?" "Almost," Smith answered. "Although you have made your points brazenly, we are not lifting the sanction to exterminate on Maria DeLuca if she fails. Keep an eye on your operative Michael. A close eye. She fails, there will be severe repercussions for you as well." "Fine," Michael felt the knot in his stomach. "I'll be leaving tonight then to keep an eye on my operative." He bit back the sarcasm as much as possible while still leaving a trail of it behind. Smith and Smythe nodded as Michael walked from the office. Michael fought the urge to pick up the first heavy object he saw and chuck it through one of the many glass partitions. He took deep breaths as he walked through Section. He paused at the room where he had first met Maria DeLuca, the hamster cage, and smiled. "Reminiscing?" A voice from behind him brought anger back to the surface. "Rena." He said slowly turning around. "What brings you here? I thought you might be out beating up little kids or kicking dogs." "You're funny Michael," she sashayed closer to him. "I was told to pay your operative a visit. I can't help it that Intel doesn't think any more of her than I do." "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into Rena," Michael's smile was cruel. "You'll never be at a higher level than you are right now. It didn't work on my father. And I never gave in. It won't work on anyone." He relished watching the color drain from her face. "See Rena, it doesn't matter who you're screwing because the only one to get fucked in the end, will be you." He stepped past her as she grabbed his arm. "You'll go down for this Michael," the anger leaked from her. "I'll be the one to do it and I'll start with your whore!" Michael laughed which infuriated her even further. "This is your downfall Rena, I've told you that for years. You think you deserve everything. You don't." He whipped his arm out of her grasp. "And if I ever hear of you laying a hand on Maria again, I'll kill you myself!" He walked away and retinal-scanned out of Section. He looked over his shoulder at the clandestine building and wondered if he'd ever step foot in there again. That part of life was slowly trickling away making room for a new one full of surprises. He smiled as he got into a waiting cab and headed back to his apartment. His life had been spent at Section; concise, organized, planned, calculated, no surprises. He grinned as he thought about a life with Maria DeLuca; there he was sure to find a lot of surprises. He packed a suitcase this time and made flight reservations for New Mexico. He packed more than he had before; he was planning on spending as much time down there as he could. Almost as an afterthought, he slipped the dossier and videotape of Maria in his bag. He called for a private car and driver; the flight wasn't scheduled to leave for a few hours, but he had a stop to make on the way there. Surprises. |
| PARTS 11-15 |