Chapter Six Okay, I don't think I've ever actually gotten up at four in the morning. I've fallen asleep then or passed out. But to voluntarily wake up and get moving at four in the freakin' morning is insane. I know Rena scheduled this little meeting so damn early because she knew I was out with Michael. God, what a bitch! I rolled of bed and almost tripped on the nightgown. I rolled my eyes and took it off as I stepped into the bathroom. I had woken up with my pillow clutched to my chest and dreams of my dad weighing heavily. It had been a long time since I dreamt of him. Happened a lot right after he died. Right before the first time I got high. "Daddy, I miss you." Tears rolled down my cheeks before I could stop them as I stepped under the streaming shower water. Again, Maria DeLuca is so not a crier! I know what it was, though. It was Michael telling me I was pretty. No man had told me I was pretty for a long time. Most of the men I had been with weren't exactly interested in my face. As long as I was a party-girl, I'm sure I could have had four eyes and they wouldn't have cared. I closed my eyes and tried to push the images away. I couldn't tell their faces apart anymore, they just blended into a generic man. A mean, vulgar, sadistic son-of-a-bitch. I was done with them now, thank God. Michael. As I scrubbed my hair the only thing I could think of was Michael. No one had ever had this kind of effect on me before. I hardly knew anything about him except he was raised at Section, or maybe he was just being facetious, and that he liked strawberry ice cream. Okay, the ice cream part I can handle, never trust a man who doesn't eat ice cream. I know he's a man of secrets, but that's okay; everyone has to have a few. I wanted to know more about him, God; I wanted to know everything about him. I guess I'll take the scraps he throws me. Wait, did I just turn into some sort of sniveling little girl with a crush? Taking scraps? Okay, I looked in the mirror as I stepped out of the shower; will the real Maria DeLuca please stand up? I dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, with a bra no less. 'You don't have to try so hard', that's what he said to me. I guess I had been overly obvious, huh? Well, when that's all you know how to do…Thing's are changing for me and I think they're for the better. I smiled as I blow dried my hair thinking that I was never going to have to sleep with someone for a place to stay or drugs ever again. It was a refreshing thought and one I wanted to savor. Apparently getting a death sentence was the best thing that ever happened me. Funny how things turn out like that, huh? A death sentence. I thought about that for a minute letting it sink in. I had only been given the sentence a couple of days before I woke up in Section, I think. That whole time was kind of blurry, really. I didn't deserve a death sentence, but then again, who does? But I really didn't. I didn't kill anyone; I shook my head as I felt the heat from the drier soaking into my scalp. This was the first time I thought about it since I'd been here. That whole night had been blurry. Four years ago, God, it seems like yesterday. I was high, oh was I high. I don't know on what. I smoked some weed and then popped some pills washing them down with something alcoholic I'm sure. I don't remember the name of the man I was with; yeah, that hurt during the trial. The state made me look a big drug addict whore. I was never… I turned off the blow drier and reached for the brush. I brushed my wild hair smooth thinking about that night. The night that changed everything. It was late and I was high and I was with a guy. Okay, so far that sounds like a lot of my life after my dad died. We were at a party in some warehouse, I can remember going there with him. It was somewhere in downtown Atlanta and it was hot. Jesus it was hot. We went and we partied, then we left. I can remember leaving. Everything became a blur then. I can remember it in flashes; we were at a quick stop beer and food store, I remember stuffing packs of cigarettes in my pocket. Whoa, cigarettes? I haven't even thought about smoking since I've been here. Once again, a change for the better. The next thing I know I have a gun in my hand, money in my pocket and a dead guy in front of me. Did not look good when the cops came. I remember I ran. I kept that stupid gun in my hand and I ran down the street. That's where they got me, on the street. The stupid cop hitting a cat before slamming into the curb to come and get me. I shuddered. It had been a long time since I relived what I remember of that night. I guess jail was almost a good thing after that. I had to get clean overnight. I got to read and watch TV and I even made friends. More enemies than friends, though. Imagine that, not everyone enjoyed my smart mouth. I tucked my shirt in and tried to push away the memories; I had to be in top form for Rena and her psychological review or whatever the hell it was. I pulled my hair back and locked a ponytail in place at the nape of my neck with a rubberband. One more look in the mirror and I was ready to go. I let myself out of the hamster cage and tried to retrace the steps Michael and I had taken for my first trip to Rena's. I knocked on the door, after only getting lost once, at exactly five in the freaking morning. I heard someone say to come in and so I went. Rena was sitting at the large table where I had learned all the news last time. Today it was empty except for a briefcase at her side. She looked me over and smiled, although I don't think it was a very nice one. I smiled back, a big toothy one. She motioned to the chair across the table from her and I sat down. "So nice to see you looking more like a respectable person, Maria." She nodded so I nodded back at her. "Are you ready to begin your testing?" I nodded again and winced when I saw her take papers out of her briefcase. Oh shit, an actual test? Like a written test? Jesus, I hadn't taken a test in…I don't even know how long. She slid the papers to me and then rolled a pencil across the table. "How long do I have?" I asked thinking this was like a timed thing. The less time with Rena, the better. "You have as long as it takes," she glanced at her watch. "Like I said in my note, I don't know if Michael is only seeing what he wants to see or if you are indeed ready to fulfill your commitment to Section." "Okay, what is all this talk about commitment to Section?" I didn't understand it before in the note and I didn't understand it now. "I see our dear Michael didn't explain everything to you, did he?" She made a horrible clucking noise with her tongue and I wanted to scream at her. "You see dear, let's just say you're on loan. You work for Section and Section works for you. You don't fulfill your part of the agreement and Section, well, Section exterminates you." Oh shit, here we go with the extermination talk again. "So I'm on loan? Like a movie rental?" I can't help but to roll my eyes. "Not exactly like a movie, Maria." I was really beginning to hate the way she said my name. She made it sound choppy and cheap. Not at all the way Michael let it roll of his tongue. Damn. Almost had a half-hour without any Michael thoughts. "More like a whore. You do us a favor and we pay you." Okay, this made me want to fly over the table and knock the shit out of her. I think the old Maria would have done it, but this new improved version wouldn't. No, the new Maria DeLuca was going to wait until she didn't see it coming, then get her. Ha! "Can I take the test now?" I asked picking up the pencil and rolling it in-between my fingers. She waved her hand and me and I flipped open the pages. I read the first few questions and nearly laughed. I'd taken this test in prison, trying to get into another job. I had hated the laundry room and I wanted to help out in the therapy classes; I excelled there. Today just may be my lucky day. I cruised through the test and then watched with utter glee as Rena graded it, not once, but twice. She set the test down and met my stare. "Why do you think you'll make a good alien hunter?" I shrugged; she had me there. "I guess because this is my second chance at life and I'm not going to mess it up." "You've messed up everything else in your life, why would this be any different?" "It is," I was beginning to feel ill now. Not good. "You can't give me a real answer can you, Maria?" I hated her. Oh yeah, really hated her. She was making me feel like I was fucking five years old again. "I can do it," I said and fought back the rage that was taking over. I will not sink to her level. Oh fuck it, maybe I will. "Listen, you jealous bitch. I know you want Michael and I'm sorry if you think I'm moving in on your territory but don't use that as an excuse about me not being able to do my damn job!" She grinned and I wanted to slap that smile right off her face. "Very well," she leaned forward. "I recommend that you are too unstable to do this for Section." I stood up, all the demureness I thought I had leaked away. "No! I can do this! I will be the best fucking alien hunter since Predator. I will find them and I will destroy them." She looked me over and began to clap. If this was another test… "Very nice," she rose and met my eyes. "I am still recommending that you're not stable enough to do this. I know the loss of your father played an important part in your downfall. And I'm sure hearing about your mother's death last year-" Oh God, I didn't hear anything else after that. Mom was dead? I fell back in my chair thinking about a woman that I hadn't seen since I was a baby. My mom was gone. "Oh, I guess you didn't know that, huh?" Rena sat back down and watched me. I shook my head and tucked a few stray strands of hair behind my ears. "No, I didn't know that." "I'm sorry, if Michael would have been doing his job and not fawning over you, you would have known." I heard no sympathy in her voice. "I am doing my job Rena." Michael? I spun in my seat to see my knight in black leather pants striding towards me. He offered his hand to me and I took it without hesitation. "The next time you have a problem with the way I train someone, come to me. Not the new operative, got it Rena?" Rena glared at him. "I am doing my job, Michael. Maybe you're just getting in too deep with that one." She pointed and me and I really though about strangling her with the red hair of hers. "No!" He raised his voice and I got shivers. "I am and always will be your superior, got it? You question my tactics, then do so in private. Never, Rena, never go behind my back and question my authority!" "I wasn't questioning your authority, Michael," She changed her tone. "I was questioning the validity of her being able to accomplish her job. I don't know if you can see everything as clearly while you're fucking her." Michael looked to me; my eyes were wide. "Go wait outside." Didn't have to ask me twice. I walked straight out of the room and shut the door behind me. I sat down against one of those steel gray walls on the carpeted floor and crossed my legs. This was turning out to be a very bad day. I heard the rise and fall of muffled voices from behind the door, but I couldn't understand a damn thing they were saying. It was only a few minutes before Michael stormed out of the room slamming the door behind him. I stood up and looked at him. His hair was slightly off, like he had been running his hands through it. His face reflected something I hadn't seen before, pure anger. Whew! Glad that wasn't directed at me. When he noticed I was looking at him his face relaxed and wait, is that a smile? I think it is. "I'm sorry," he shook his head and took my hand leading me away from the closed door. "Rena's not exactly a very nice person. I woke up this morning with the feeling she was going to ambush you." "Yeah," I watched the ground as we walked. "I didn't know how ugly she was going to get." He sighed and I wanted him to hug me and tell me everything was going to be okay. "It's not going to good here with her, so I want you to leave sooner." Say what? I looked at him and stopped walking. "When?" "In the morning," he closed his eyes. "I don't know if you're ready or not, but I can't risk you staying here with Rena hell-bent on ruining you." "Can she hurt me?" "Yes Maria, she can. You'll actually be safer going after aliens than you will be here with her," he smiled that cute crooked smile and licked his lips. He leaned in closer to me and I thought he was going to kiss me. Shafted again. He was going for my ear. "I told you I trust you, now you have to trust me. I want you out of Section before she does something to you." His breath lingered in my ear and I felt the gooseflesh on my arms before I could see it. "Will you go with me?" "I will move you to Roswell, then I have to come back to Section." He backed away and escorted me back to my room. He closed the door behind us and sat on my unmade bed. "What do I do if, I mean, when I find the aliens?" I asked sitting next to him. "You call me and we'll go from there. I don't want you to tackle this by yourself. Maria. I'll be there to help once you locate them." "Are you sure there's more than one?" "Yeah, I'm pretty sure." I watched as the distance filtered in his eyes and knew this was important to him. I didn't know his reasons; but like I said, I trusted him. "So I leave in the morning?" I looked down and smiled when he picked up my hand. I met his eyes and saw my reflection in the deep pools. "Man…" "Pack up tonight. You'll have more things delivered to Roswell. A car is waiting for you and an apartment has been leased in your name. You won't have to worry about bills while you're there. You're there for one reason, find the aliens." He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckle. "You look very nice today." "Oh yeah?" I shrugged. "Funny, I wasn't trying that hard." Chapter Seven I packed up all these things that didn’t seem like mine. They were clothes I hadn't picked out; some things I wouldn't be caught dead in. They yellow nightgown got folded on top; I wouldn't sleep in it tonight. I looked at it as like a symbol of my new life. Okay, no, I didn't know at that point if I would ever wear it again. It had been hours since my "meeting" with Rena. What a bitch! Michael had promised to come back tonight, I was hoping that he really would. He had seemed so distracted when he left my room earlier. I don't know what to think anymore. He's going to move me down to Roswell, but then I'm alone. I put the suitcase on the floor and curled up on the bed. Damn it! I didn't want to be alone! I wanted to be with Michael. There, I said it. It's Michael, in some ways I think it's always been Michael. Man of mystery and here I am, totally falling for him. Maybe he's like this with all his new 'operatives', wasn't that what Rena had called me? Maybe all the things I think I'm reading into his casual glances, overt stares and touching are nothing to him. Maybe he really is just a touchy-feely kind of guy. Hmm, for some reason I don't think Michael Guerin is very touchy-feely with anyone. Okay, see, that leads to a whole other round of questions. Why me? Maria DeLuca, I'm no one special. I haven't been in a long time. Why me? As many times as he tells me that I was the only one who could do it, I still ask why. "This is crazy," I sighed pulling my knees up under my chin. I jumped when I felt a hand on my thigh. I'm sorry, did I say jumped? I mean jumped and screamed. I leapt off the bed and saw Michael standing there with an amused smile playing across his lips. "What's crazy?" He asked folding his arms over his chest. "It's crazy that you can just freaking sneak in my room and scare the shit out of me!" I snapped feeling my heart pound. I'm not sure if it was from the scare or from Michael. Damn! And now I leave town. "What do you want?" There you go DeLuca, be a bitch, I'm sure that's attractive. "I came to see if you needed any help with anything," He raised his eyebrows expectantly. "Help with what?" I pointed to the bag on the ground. "Everything pretty much went in the way it came out. I don't have anything Michael, in case you forgot. You can't pack what you don't have." He smiled and once again, I melted. Damn! He unfolded his arms and I saw he held a small red box in his hand. The red looked so out of place even being near him. He extended his hand to me across the bed. I raised my eyebrows and took it from him. He nodded and I opened it up and smiled. A silver chain with a charm on the end. I picked it up and looked closer at the charm; it was a locket. I looked to him and slipped it over my head. "Aren't you going to look inside?" He asked with that same smile. I opened the locket and felt my knees go weak. How? "Oh God, how?" I was looking into my father's eyes. A tiny picture of my dad was embedded on one side of the locket; the other side was empty. "Michael? Where…?" I recognized the picture immediately; I had a copy of the same one in my wallet. My wallet, of course. "I put it back where I found it," he smiled once again as if reading my mind. "Do you like it?" I nodded afraid to speak. The crier that I was so not, I think I was turning into. Shit! I cleared my throat and blinked back invisible tears. "Thank you." "You don't have much to remember him by," he stepped around the bed and stood inches away from me. "I thought you could keep this close to your heart." He took the chain out of my hands and closed the locket, dropping in my shirt. It fell between my breasts. I nodded again and looked up into his eyes. He leaned in closer to me and whispered in my ear. "We're leaving after two. Will you be ready?" "Why so early?" I whispered back. "Because Rena is on the warpath and I'm number one on her list today, well, after you that is." He smiled a little bigger and I caught a glimpse of teeth. Nice. "Any way, I think it'll be better if we sneak out of here before she realizes you're gone." "Sneak?" For some reason I was so not digging the way this was going! "It's all cleared Maria," he said when he pulled back and met my eyes. "No one is getting into any trouble. I just want to avoid a confrontation before we go." I nodded and watched as he walked a few feet away. "Be ready, Maria. I'll be back to get you in a few hours." I saw his face coming at mine and waited for the obligatory peck on the corner of my mouth. I was not disappointed. He left as quietly as he had arrived. It took me a whopping five minutes to clear out the rest of my, and I use that term loosely, stuff and cram it into the bag. I went back to the bed and lay down. I didn't even know how we were getting to the creepy little town of Roswell. When he awoke me this time, I didn't freak; maybe I had been expecting it. I rolled over and yawned. "Time to go?" He nodded and offered me his hand, I accepted, of course and hopped off the bed. He grabbed my bag and I grabbed my jacket and I was finally moving out of the fucking hamster cage! Woo-hoo! Section looked pretty much the same no matter what time it was. There were always people sitting in front of computers and looking smart. I felt super inadequate around them, the only computers I had ever been good at were video games. I hope he didn't have a lot of techno-shit for me to do, because I didn't have a clue and I doubt I could fake it. He retinal scanned us out of Section the same way he had the night before. I was so full of questions, but being in the cool night air seemed to ease my quest for answers. He led me to a waiting limo. Limo? We got in after Michael handed the chauffeur my bag. I slid across the leather seat to the opposite side and looked at Michael expectantly. "What?" He asked. "What?" I repeated. Was he serious? I took a deep breath. "How are we getting there? What do I do when I get there? How do I get in touch with you? How long are you staying with me? Will the aliens know I'm looking for them? Will they try to hurt me? Do I have an Official Alien Hunter badge or anything?" I looked at him and got the amused stare back. Great. "Damn it Michael! Answer me!" "You don't get a badge." I could tell he was trying to fight back a big smile. "They won't know you specifically are looking for them and I don't think they'll try to hurt you unless provoked." "Like a dog?" "Something like that. I don't know what they're capable of, so I want you to be on the lookout for anything. Anything strange, I mean anything at all, I want you to call me a.s.a.p." "Like just dial out to Section?" "We'll take care of all of that once we're in Roswell." He leaned back against the leather and seemed to relax. He caught me staring at him. "I don't like to fly." I nodded, I didn't either. After a few more minutes of driving around the empty city, we arrived at the airport and Michael took my bag and another one from the trunk and whisked me into the airport. I followed him holding my own bag so my other hand could hold his. We walked for what seemed like miles and eventually boarded our plane. We were in first class. I sank into the seat and next thing I knew I woke up with Michael's arm around my shoulder and my head on his chest. I could feel his deep breaths and I never wanted to move from where I was. I stayed there and eventually fell back asleep. "Maria." Was I dreaming? "Maria, wake up." I opened groggy eyes and looked at Michael. "What?" "We're in New Mexico," he whispered as I felt the rumble of the wheels hitting the ground. I pried my eyes open and felt the urge to go scrub my teeth. I looked out the window to see a beautiful sunrise over the desert. The desert. Never seen one before. It looked hot. Michael led me through de-boarding and everything else. I felt like a foreigner who didn't speak the language. Michael was so aware, so knowledgeable. I held on tight to his hand and eventually we were in a rental car speeding towards Roswell. I was right about the desert on the plane; it was hot. Very hot. I slipped off my leather jacket and turned the a/c vents towards me. I was still wearing what I had been yesterday morning and I wanted a shower. I watched out the window as we passed sand, cacti, more sand and as we neared Roswell, alien theme shops and restaurants. "Is this place for real?" I asked looking back at Michael. I noticed he had pushed up the sleeves of his black shirt and I knew those leather pants must be hot as hell. I don't know if he answered me or not because suddenly I was sucked into mind-bending images of hot sweaty legs wrapped around me. "Maria?" Oh yeah. I licked my lips and focused back on the clothed Michael, I felt a blush rise up my face. Damn! "Yeah. What?" He slowed the car and pointed to a brick building. It had a door in the center, but it looked like it was divided into quads. I guess this was home sweet home. He parked and I got out of the car and wanted to gag on the heat. I was so not ready for the heat. He told me the average in October was in the upper seventies, they were just having a heat wave. Woo-hoo, lucky me! I stretched feeling the T-shirt ride up my abdomen; did I look to see if Michael was watching? Of course. Was he? You betcha! He took our bags out of the trunk and I followed him inside the building, which he had a key for. These Section guys are so well organized, I thought. We walked upstairs and turned left. I was staying on the second floor on the left. He opened the door and I followed him in and my breath was actually taken away. I spun around the room and saw all kinds of things I'd never thought I'd have. There was furniture, a TV, Stereo, a computer, yikes, and so much more. It was like I fell asleep and woke up in my own selfish heaven. I flew from room to room and it was all there. Everything a girl needed to feel at home. Home. Cool, I was actually home. Although it may be temporary, it was a home. Also, it was a hell of a lot better than the fucking hamster cage! I threw myself on the queen-sized bed and smiled when I saw Michael in the doorway. His arms crossed over his chest. "I guess you like it?" I jumped off the bed and threw my arms around his neck. "I love it! This is amazing!" I kissed him on the lips. There, I did it. I didn't mean to, it just seemed like the right thing to do. At least until I felt the hesitation, shit! I backed away and met his eyes noticing that he was still holding me tight against him, a plus. "I have to show you a few things," he nodded towards the window and I bounded away from him towards it. I looked out and felt him heavy in back of me; his lips less than an inch away from my ear. I saw a Mustang convertible outside and knew it was mine. It was black and old, a '65 I'm sure. "You'll have everything you need. Ask and you'll get it." I turned around and forced him to look in my eyes. "You really have faith in me, don't you Michael?" I whispered. He nodded and I felt his lips touch mine, no hesitation coming from either party this time. Before I could stop them, my arms snaked their way around his neck and I opened my mouth against his letting my tongue slide inside. Uh-oh, hesitation. Wait…Gone, aww… He broke away from me first. "I can't do this Maria, not now. Too much is at stake. Things you don't…" He ran his hands through his hair and met my eyes. I nodded and felt the weight of the world crumble on top of me. Stupid! "Sorry." "Don't be sorry," he smiled. "I don't…" Was he at a loss for words? "I don't think this is the right time for anything. You're here for a job and I'm your superior. That's it. There can't be anything more." He shook his head and I knew he didn't want to be saying that. Score! He walked from the room and I followed like an obedient puppy. Puppy? Maybe I could get a dog! He walked to the computer and pulled a notebook out of the desk drawer. He handed it to me. "This is how you start it up and everything that you need to do. I want you to memorize this and then destroy it. You'll be able to reach me at all times through here." "When are you leaving?" I asked biting my lower lip still heavy with the Michael-taste on it. "Tomorrow." "You're staying the night here?" Oh boy. "Here with me?" He nodded slowly and looked at me. I swear I could see the hunger in his eyes. He licked his lips and I wanted to jump him. I felt urges in me I haven't felt for a long time rushing to the surface. I calculated the flat in my head to make sure I was right. One bed. Woo-hoo! "You're not like anyone else Maria," he said quietly. "You're a diamond in the rough. A ray of light on an otherwise gloomy day." He reached to me and touched my cheek. "You make me crazy," he smiled, "and at the same time you make me feel alive again; something I haven't felt for a long time." I smiled not knowing what else to do. "How long will I be here?" "As long as it takes." "Then what?" "Then you have a life back." "At Section?" With you? Please be with you, please be with you. He met my eyes and he didn't have an answer. This was not looking good. "Michael?" "I don't know Maria." He answered and I felt sick. I saw the distance back in his eyes and wondered what the hell my future was going to like. It couldn't be worse than death, right? My daydreams of a future with Michael Guerin were slipping through my fingers like sand. Not a good. Chapter Eight I didn't want to look at him anymore. I just wanted to go back to that queen-sized bed and curl up under the blankets with…Well, him. Damn! I sighed; what else was I supposed to do? I looked back at him and was relieved to find his eyes no longer on me, but on the computer instead. I stood next to him and looked over his shoulder. Oh shit! A screen full of numbers, letters and symbols stared back at me. This was so not good. I watched his fingers fly over the keyboard and all I could think about was what else those lithe fingers were capable of. I think I swayed into him because when I pried my eyes away from his hands, he was watching me and I was closer to him. "Are you okay?" He asked with a smirk close to the surface. I nodded. Damn! "What are you doing?" "Making sure that the others did their job correctly." He raised his eyebrows and went back to the finger flying. I had to look away or I was going to need a cold shower. Hell, I think I needed one of those anyway! After a few minutes he motioned me over to him. Gone were the insane amounts of garbage on the screen and its place were four pictures. A flower, a car, a globe and a picture of Michael. I looked at him to meet his smile. "What is this?" "This is national security at its finest," he waved his hand to the screen. "I know you don't know anything about computers, so I made this as easy as I could for you. Everything is password protected; I'll let you pick your own password. The flower is you. Everything you need to know about your new history. You're no longer the Maria DeLuca plucked out of jail, you have a new past; the car is for any reports you make, which by the way you will have to do daily and send to me. The globe is the Internet, I thought you might like to play around a little. The picture of me is how you get in touch with me, day or night." I was stunned. The thoughtfulness that went into making this DeLuca-accessible was amazing. I grinned. He walked me through everything I would need to know how to use and I picked my password: hamstercage. A flicker of amusement flashed across his face. We spent the rest of the afternoon into the early evening going over my job. Needless to say, it was a long day. Basically what he told me was I was going to have to immerse myself into the creepy little town known as Roswell. I would have to meet the locals and make friends. Watch the interaction between every single citizen and report back any little discrepancy in 'normal human relations'. "What isn't normal?" I finally asked leaning back on the couch watching the creases in his leather pants as he sat in a chair across from me. "You'll know it when you see it." That was it. "I need more than that," I yawned and heard my stomach rumbling. Damn, when was the last time I ate? "I can't give you more Maria, I wish I could. Do you want to go get something to eat?" He raised his eyebrow at me and I knew then that I wasn't the only one listening to my stomach bitching. "Can I take a shower first? I've been in these same clothes for over a day now." Michael nodded and I know he watched me walk from the living room to the bathroom down the hall. I found the bathroom after trying to get into two different closets first. I stripped off my clothes and got underneath the water trying to figure out what the hell I was doing here. I wasn't an alien hunter; I was an ex-con! Whatever Michael saw in me I hoped I'd see the same thing soon. Right now I was feeling that this big bad known as Section was going to end up calling out the extermination team on me. And I bet I know who would be the first one here with the can of Raid! I washed my hair and my body and when I was done I smelled like a fat sun-ripened raspberry. I wiped away the condensation from the mirror and stared at my reflection. "Okay, I'm here in Roswell to find aliens. I have no idea what to do but I will work my hardest to make Michael proud of me." What? I blinked and shook my head. Why was this man invading every part of me? Why did I want to make him proud of me and not let him down? Why was he the single most important person in the world to me? Great DeLuca, you're really handling this like the bad-ass you thought you were! I wrapped a towel around me under my arms and combed my hair. I didn't bring any clothes in with me, so I walked out of the bathroom in my towel. Michael raised his eyebrows when he saw me coming down the hall towards him. "I'll be ready in a minute," I picked up the bag of clothes. "I just have to dry my hair." He nodded and leaned in closer to me and inhaled at the nape of my neck. "You smell good." All I could do was nod. If I would have looked at him, I would have dropped the towel and attacked him. I was trying very hard to stray away from the slutiness I had pursued him with during our earlier meetings. I grabbed a pair of black pants and a red V-neck short sleeve shirt and a bra from the bag before I felt his hands on my bare shoulders. I felt his breath in my ear and the gooseflesh broke out on me, everywhere. In my mind I stepped away and went to get dressed; in reality, I stepped back into him and closed my eyes. His hands moved from my shoulders down underneath my towel-clad breasts and pulled me tight into him. I'm pretty sure if he wasn't holding on to me my knees would have given out and I would have landed on the floor. "You're the one I've always looked for," he whispered in my ear and then I felt his lips on my neck. I nodded totally not knowing what to do next. He removed his hands and I stepped away to my new bedroom and didn't look back. I pulled the pants on and then my boots. I looked at the bra on the bed and really thought about it, nah. I slipped the shirt over my head and tucked it in. Nice. The V-neck was low enough to keep Michael looking, but not too low so I wouldn't be giving a free show to everyone. I blow dried my hair and went back to Michael. His eyes traveled my body. "I'll be back in a minute." He took the small bag he had brought with him and breezed by me down the hall. I heard the bathroom door shut and the shower turn on. All I could think of was wet, naked Michael. Almost as good as chocolate-dipped Michael, but not quite. I waited and played with the computer. I found my history and that kept me interested until Michael reappeared looking as dapper as always. Black dress pants and a tight black T-shirt. Damn, he looked good. He took me by the hand and led me out of the building to the Mustang in back. He drove, almost expertly through a town he said he'd never been to before. We arrived at a little Italian restaurant called Rizzo's and he held my hand as we walked inside. We took a corner booth and I ordered a lot. I glanced to a TV behind the bar; it was a baseball game. The Braves against the Phillies. The Braves were winning! Woo-hoo! I maneuvered myself in the booth until I could see the full screen. I didn't catch Michael looking at me until I knew I had one of those big toothy grins on my face. "Baseball fan?" He raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, well, I used to be." I smiled and touched the locket underneath my shirt. "When I was little my dad and I used to go to Braves games all the time; we had season tickets." Why did I feel like I could talk about my dad with him? Why was it so damn easy? "So, every time I see a baseball game or even a Braves hat I think of my dad. It was a big father/daughter-bonding thing for us. The past time of America, right? Apple pie, Chevrolet and baseball." "You don't strike me as a baseball fan." "I love the game. And I love the memories of me and my dad going to the games." I sighed hating the fact that I could divulge so much about myself to someone who hasn't told me shit about himself. "What about you? Baseball fan?" "I never went to a game." Here we go, finally getting to learn a little about the mystery man in black. "Never wanted to or just never did?" I leaned forward hoping my eyes weren't completely prying. "Never did," he shrugged. I don't know if 'did' was really the word he wanted to use; I think it might have been 'could' instead. "Maybe we could go sometime," I looked around. "Well, maybe if we're ever in a city that has a team." "That's be nice Maria," his smile was not happy, but sad. He looked relieved when the food came and he didn't have to talk about himself anymore. Yeah, like he really gave a lot of info. We ate in near silence and only when I leaned back with a full belly did I notice Michael had quit eating awhile ago and was watching me. "What?" "Are you going to be okay?" "I'm full, but I'll survive." Wait a minute, that's probably not what he was talking about. "Yeah Michael. I'll be okay. I'm smart, right? That's why you picked me to do this, because you thought I could do it." "I know you can," a wave of ease washed over him. He reached across the table and took my hand. "You're going to be alone-" "I've been alone for a long time." "Let me finish," he smiled. "You're going to be alone here but never forget, I'm just a click or a phone call away. I can actually be at your door in less than two hours. I want to hear from you everyday, several times a day no matter what." "I promise," I wanted to hear from him everyday too. I wanted to hear his voice everyday. Damn! I was going to actually miss the man I once thought of as the devil. We left the restaurant and went back to my place. My place, cool, I actually had a place! We sat at the kitchen table and Michael began explaining everything to me again. What to look for, what to do if something goes wrong and so on. By the time he was done I was half-asleep. "Am I boring you?" He mused resting his elbows on the table. "No, I'm just tired." He nodded and stood. I followed and we walked back to the bedroom. The bedroom with one bed. "I'm staying in here with you tonight." He stated and I nodded. "For some reason I feel the need to be close to you." "I hope it's not because you think you'll never see me again," I kicked at imaginary things on the carpet. He grinned, an honest to God full-fledged grin! "I know I'll see you again Maria. If there's one thing I can count on it's that I'll see you again." I shifted away from his intense stare. "Do you mind?" I asked feeling slightly uncomfortable with the way he was looking at me. I unbuttoned my pants and began to unzip them. He turned away and faced the window as I took off the pants and then the shirt. I stood there buck naked with him only a few feet in front of me and I felt completely under duress. The old Maria DeLuca would have probably actually thrown herself at him; not this new one though. I shook my head and reached into the bag and got out that yellow nightgown. I slid it over my head and turned back to look at Michael's back. I smiled when I saw my reflection in the window he was looking out of. Damn! He reached for me and I fell into his arms. The strength and support of Michael rushed through me. I couldn't remember ever feeling safer. He laid me on the bed and then slid off his loafers and took off his belt before lying down next to me. He pulled me against his hard body and held me tight. I felt safe. I don't think I can remember if I had ever felt safe with a man in my bed before. I closed my eyes and smiled as he whispered in my ear. "You belong to me." Chapter Nine "Maria?" I heard my name and my eyes flew open; I sat up in a cold sweat. I felt a hand on my shoulder and jumped. "Maria, it's Michael." Michael. I leaned back and felt his arms close in around me. Safe. He held me from behind and I sank into him. His strong hands gripped my shaking arms. I bit back the fear of the nightmares, steadying my nerves on his. I'm okay. "I'm okay," my voice was shaky and I hated that. "You were having a nightmare," he whispered in my ear. I nodded and he kissed the back of my neck. "You're safe with me." I wanted to scream 'but you're leaving!' at him, I bit my tongue instead and nodded. His hands moved down my arms. They were so soft, well, maybe a little callused, but that was okay, I liked the friction. I shook my head almost disappointed in myself for feeling those little cravings for chocolate-coated Michael while he was trying to comfort me in my time of nightmarish hell. "Do you want to…" He asked as one hand swept the hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. "Just bad dreams," I croaked and cleared my throat. "I'm fine." "You were shaking so bad." Yeah, definite concern in his voice, no doubt about it. He wrapped his arms around my chest and pulled me back to him again. Sigh. Wait a second, did Mr. Guerin decide to remove his T-shirt at some point in the night? I chanced a peek over my shoulder and I was so right! Naked Michael-chest against my yellow nightgown clad back, hmm, something was so wrong with this picture. I think it might have actually helped having him now half-naked and so close, it did take away the nightmares. For tonight anyway. "I'm okay, really," I fought the shakiness and won. "Are you going to be okay here alone?" I nodded. "I'm fine, Michael." Although I said it, I wasn't really sure. "I'll do everything I can to-" "Don't talk about that now," he hushed me. "I have to know if you're going to be okay." "I told you that you could count on me and you can!" The indignation in my statement was overbearing; but I couldn't help it. Visions of Rena and a giant can of Raid were rapidly creeping over my consciousness. "I'm not talking about work," he said and I could visualize his set jaw. "I'm talking about you." "I'm sorry," I turned around to face him and also to take a look at that bare chest. Yum. Muscles one can get only from working out seemed to shine in the pale moonlight drifting in from the window. Every ounce of self-control I've ever had was put to the test right then. Before I could stop myself, still wondering exactly how hard I tried; I reached to him and placed my hand on his chest. He looked down at it like it was a foreign object and if his chest hadn't felt so damn good I would have moved it. Finally, I saw the worry lines relax and an almost smile graced his lips. I pried my eyes away from that chest and met his. This was one of those times when neither of us knew what to do. I mean, I knew what I wanted to do, but that was a whole other story. He leaned closer to me, our mouths barely an inch apart. I heard a short intake of his breath and I parted my lips. "No…" He shook his head so slightly I barely saw it. No? I tilted my head to the side and had the realization that I probably looked like a confused dog. That wasn't entirely inaccurate though, I was confused. "What's wrong?" He shook his head a little more and I heard his breath become heavier. "We can't…We can't do this Maria. There's too much on the line." "Like what?" I felt the deep arousal in me surge forward. Damn! How could he do this to me? "This is a job." He spoke in a normal tone and I knew my Michael-cravings were about to end. I nodded. "It doesn't matter what either of us feel." "Damn it!" I shouted and jumped off the bed, my legs tangling in the god-awful nightgown causing me to teeter and get more pissed off. "Why the hell are you leading me on like this then? How can you do that to me?" "Maria…" "Saying my name with your sexy as hell voice is not a fix!" I started to pace. "You kiss my neck, you hug me, you hold my hand and tell me I'm the one. Last night you had to sleep in my bed with me and you told me that I belonged to you! Now, all I want a freaking kiss and you turn all mysterious man again. What the fuck is going on?" I looked at him and saw that smile. Oh yeah, that same amused smile that I wanted to knock off his face on more than one occasion. "What the hell are you smiling at?" "You're even more beautiful when you're angry." I closed my eyes trying to decide if I should laugh or scream at him. Wait, a new part of me was wondering why the hell my eyes were shut when naked Michael-chest was staring at me. I opened my eyes and saw the sadness in his own. Shit! Against my better judgement, I actually shut up and sat back down next to him suddenly feeling the urge to comfort him; my nightmares were all but forgotten. I wrapped my arms around him and a new feeling went through me; not being comforted, but being the comforter. Damn! All this newness and I was so inexperienced with it all. He rested his head on my shoulder and I ran one hand through his hair; my other made a circular motion on his bare back. Maybe we were good for each other. I smiled and kissed the top of his head. Maybe everything in my life had happened for a reason and that reason was in my arms letting me comfort him. Comfort him about what, I have no idea. Michael Guerin was definitely a man of secrets. We laid down together and I never wanted to move. Our two bodies pressed together as one. Our faces were so close when he finally kissed me. It was different from the short one earlier; this one was for real. I felt more in this one kiss than in all the others I'd had in my life combined. It didn't go further than the kiss; maybe that was all it took. Michael had been right, I did belong to him. We fell asleep in each other's arms keeping the nightmares away When I woke up Michael was gone. I felt the other side of the bed and it was empty and cold. I tucked my knees up close to my chin with this stupid yellow nightgown that was so freaking tight I wanted to die! After feeling sorry for myself for a few minutes I got out of bed and looked around the new digs. Not bad, I thought nodding at the coolness of it all. My attention turned back to the bed and the side where Michael had been; suddenly I felt so alone and scared. More alone that I ever imagined. After fending for myself for so long, just that one night of having him hold me seemed to be all I needed. I was going to be okay. I will always be okay. Michael didn't just run away and I'll never hear from him again, he's my boss. My superior. He wants to hear from me everyday and I can't think of a single reason why he won't. This is a job, when it's over…I didn't really want to think about it being over. Not yet. I stumbled into the living room and yawned. Something caught my attention sitting on top of the computer. Oh my God, it was a stuffed animal. A bear with a note taped to his belly. I reached for the bear and ripped the note off the fur: Maria- I didn't want to wake you, you looked so peaceful, and I thought it might be too hard to say good-bye. You'll be fine here, I know you will. You know what you have to do and then…Then I don't know. The choice may be up to you. Remember, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, for any reason. Never hesitate to call me. I'll miss you Maria, probably more than I should. Michael. So that was it? I re-read the note a few more times before grabbing the bear and holding it tight against me. The tears I loathed ran down my face. Damn! I set the bear down and turned on the computer just so I could look at that little picture of Michael on the screen. I had fallen for him, hard. The picture, I mean icon, came up and I touched it with my finger. "I miss you too." After a few more minutes of feeling sorry for myself, I thought things over. Who the hell was I to feel sorry for myself? I was taken out of prison, off death row, and given a new start. Doing something for my country, I think, although I never knew the alien population posed such a threat. I had a job to do and I was going to do the best I could at it! I wouldn't let anyone down ever again, least of all, myself. I set Mr. Bear down and went back in the bedroom to get dressed. I dressed in jeans, boots and a gray T-shirt. Did I wear a bra? Hell, no! I looked in my wallet and was surprised to find it chock full of cash and credit cards in my name. That was all I needed to get started in Roswell? Clothes that I look awesome in and money to burn. Now all I had to do was rustle me up a couple aliens and I can call Michael and we can live happily ever after…Riiiight. I cruised through the building and wondered if I would ever meet any of the other tenants. Didn't matter, I wasn't there to make friends. I got in the Mustang and the engine came to life. I cruised through town and took in my new surroundings. I drove past gift shops that all seemed to specialize in alien-related crap. My stomach began growling, again, and I parked in front of a theme restaurant. The Crashdown Café. This should be great. I walked in and laughed out-loud. This place was ridiculous! I turned around slowly making sure I caught all of the tacky alien decor before sitting down in a booth. I smiled at the menu and when the waitress came to take my order it took every bit of self-control I had not to laugh in her face at the gaudy uniform she had on. I ordered something with eggs and pancakes with a freaky name and waited watching the other patrons of this cheesy restaurant. Someone caught my eye standing behind the counter, so I focussed on her for a few minutes. She was probably around my age; long plain brown hair and big brown eyes. She was pretty, in a girl next door kind of way. Nothing special. She wasn't wearing a hideous uniform so I guessed she was the manager or something. She was barking out orders to the cook and I smiled when he rolled his eyes at her. I watched her look agitated for a few more minutes then my eyes wandered onto a table not too far away from me. A man and woman were sitting across from each other, but they were both looking at me. Great. I attempted a smile and got nothing in return so I stared back until the male finally looked away. The blond continued to stare and I had the feeling she thought I had been looking at her husband or whatever. Wonderful way to blend in DeLuca! The brown-haired girl from behind the counter joined the couple and they huddled together in whispers occasionally looking in my direction. They were nothing. That's what I told myself over and over. Nothing at all. I was here to hunt aliens not make friends so it didn't matter what they were talking about; even if it was me. Damn! I hated it. My order came am I forgot about the freaky trio and ate. When I was completely full I noticed the brown haired woman was looking at me again. I laid money on the table and stood up. Before I hit the door I walked back and rested my hands on the freaky trio's table. "Can I help you with something?" "No," the blond shook her head. "Then why all the staring? Do I have something on me?" I looked down at my chest and was pleased to see the adrenaline of my first confrontation had settled in my nipples. I looked to the man and was equally pleased to see him stare. "Sorry," brown haired chick said and took the man's hand. Ah, so that's how the coupling here worked! I raised my eyebrows at them and eventually, I smiled. "I'm new in town here, anything I should know about the city? About aliens?" I laughed. "Welcome to Roswell," the Ms. Dark Hair extended her hand to me. "I'm Liz Parker. This is my fiancé Max Evans and his sister Isabel." "Maria. Maria DeLuca." I shook her hand and then the other two. I don't think I liked any of them. Chapter Ten I stood there for a few seconds looking at the first real Roswellian's I met and wanted to hang myself. If this was what I was going to have to put up with while I was here I just might rather face Rena with Raid. "So, why did you move here?" Isabel asked me. I think her name was Isabel, but maybe I'll just call her Barbie instead. "I…" was stumped. Damn! I knew I should have read over my history a little bit better. Think DeLuca. Think! The waiting on their faces was forcing me to seriously think about getting a brain check-up. How could I have already fucked-up on my first trip outside alone? Michael would be so disappointed in me. That's the part that upset me the most. "Hey guys." I turned around and saw this little curly haired blond standing almost directly in back of me. Great, I rolled my eyes, I can't remember my own history and now people are sneaking up on me. This is so not the way it's supposed to be. I wish Michael were here. "This is Mary." The one called Liz pointed to me. "She just moved here." "Maria," I said slowly and looked at the newcomer. "Hi, I'm Tess," she smiled and I think it might have been legitimate. She slid in the booth next to Barbie and they all looked at me. "So, what brings you to Roswell?" Oh shit. I looked at the imaginary watch on my wrist and nodded. "God, it was so nice to meet you guys, but I'm late for an appointment. I'll catch you later." I breezed out of there and into my car. I raced home and clicked on the flower to learn all about myself. Stupid, DeLuca. I shook my head as I read. I was born in North Carolina. Both my parents died when I was little and I lived with my aunt in Raleigh. I went to high school there and then two years at the Junior College. I'm in Roswell because my aunt died and left me some land outside of town and I have to be here until it sells. Sounds good and it's now engraved on the brain. Both my parents were dead. Boy, that sure wasn't fiction was it? As sad as it sounds, I had almost forgotten about Rena telling me my mom was dead. I guess if I would have cared more, it would have had more an effect on me. But I didn't know her. She split when I was a baby. I don't give her credit for anything except squeezing me out. I don't think she ever did anything else right. I glanced at the corner of the screen. I had mail! I clicked and waited. Woo-hoo! It was from Michael. Like who else would it be from? Maria, I hope your first day is going good. I hope you remember how to read your mail! I'm sorry I didn't say good-bye. I thought it would be too hard, but now I think leaving without saying it was harder. Always remember that I'm not that far away. Even if you just want to talk, call me. Rena's on the warpath around here so I'm glad you're gone for this. Don't forget to send it your report tonight. Good luck. Michael. "Rena," I spat the name out and then shivered. What a bitch! I somehow managed to figure out how to get out of this mail and went to the car icon. The form seemed easy enough to fill out but I didn't have anything to report except I was a total fucking idiot. I clicked on the Michael icon and sent him a quick note; at least I think I did: Michael. I may have messed up a little today, already. I forgot to read my history before I went out and I met some townies, freaked and ran away. I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again. Thanks for Mr. Bear; he can keep me company tonight since you're so far away. Maria. Short and sweet and to the point. I was proud that the screen actually told me I had sent it. Alrighty then, I stood up and looked outside at the crappy parking job I had done. Rolling my eyes, I decided to venture back out into Roswell and see if I couldn't scare up a few aliens. Even just thinking about finding aliens was beginning to sound stupid to me. At Section I had been all into it; 'big alien huntress'. Now I felt like an idiot. I had no freaking idea what to look for. I stepped out of the front door and slammed it shut. Without looking where I was going I ran into a body. "Hey!" "Hey what?" The person I ran into asked. "You ran into me, lady." I looked to him and thought about kicking his ass; then I remembered I was no longer that Maria. "I'm sorry." He smiled and outstretched his hand to me. "I guess you're my new neighbor. I'm Kyle, I live across the hall." "Nice to meet you," I shook his hand and actually felt like he wasn't a threat. That was a big good. "You too. So where are you from?" "North Carolina." I swear I sounded like a freaking robot. I was so going to have to work on my acting skills. "Okay," he said slowly and I think he looked at me like I wasn't mentally all there. Great. The nice guy across the hall thinks I'm slow. "I'm sorry," I batted my eyelashes at him. "I just moved in last night and I'm still tired from unpacking." "Unpacking?" He asked and I knew my fate was sealed. All that confidence Michael had in me was slipping away with every second I was around people. "There were a couple of guys here a few days ago, when they brought your car, I could have sworn they said they were unpacking for you. A cousin? I think?" A cousin? No one said anything about a cousin. "Right, I forgot. They left before I got here." "You forgot you had a cousin or you forgot you didn't unpack?" I looked at my new neighbor and wanted to grin. I liked him. Something about him made me smile. Not smile in the way I did when I was with Michael, but smile none the less. "I don't know," I shook my head and tried out a girlish laugh. It made me sick, but guy across the hall seemed to buy it. "So…" "So…" he dug his hands in his pockets. Shit! I wasn't making him nervous, was I? "What brings you to the alien capital of the world?" "My aunt. She left me some land outside of town and I have to stay here until it sells." I shrugged. "I didn't really have any plans so I thought I'd rent a place and hang out here for awhile. You're from around here?" He nodded. "Born and raised. My dad's the Sheriff, so if you have any problems with anything, let me know." "Thanks Kyle, it was nice to meet you." "Ditto. What's your name, anyway?" "Maria." He nodded and retreated into his apartment. I took a deep breath and ventured back outside. I got in my car and cruised through town. I passed by the Crashdown and figured I'd never step foot in there again; not after the display of incompetence I had put on earlier. Okay, new realization, Roswell sucked. How the hell was I suppose to just 'find aliens'? I mean, I don't see any standing on the street with a 'hello my name is Mr. Alien' sticker on them. Immerse myself in the town, that's what Michael had told me to do. Damn! I wish he were here with me to hold my hand and help me. Sometimes I can't believe this is even happening to me. Death row to alien huntress. Amazing. Drifting into the dream world I called my own I didn't see anyone step off the curb. I swerved as I saw shades of brown and screeched the pony to a halt. Shit! I slammed my hand into the steering wheel and looked over my shoulder. You have got to be kidding me! It was that Liz and her guy from earlier. I took a deep breath and got out of the car. "Are you okay?" I called as that Liz was helped up. "Might be nice if you actually paid attention to the crosswalks in Roswell!" She shouted and I wanted to kick her ass on the spot. "I assume they have them from wherever you came from!" "Liz," her guy put his arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure it was an accident." "It was, I'm sorry." I said and rolled my eyes thankful that dark glasses covered them. "I wasn't paying attention, I'm sorry." "Maria, right?" The guy said and I fought my memory trying to come up with his name. Damn! I nodded. "It's forgotten, Liz is fine." "Man, like I said I wasn't paying attention. I just got here yesterday and I was trying to look around town, see what there was to do around here…" If I sounded half as lame I as thought I did I might as well run now. I was getting 'the look' from that Liz and her guy, I think, was checking me out. Nice. "We understand," he said and looked to that Liz who did nod, eventually. "There's a town party-like celebration tonight in front of City Hall. It's kind of a food and crafty thing, but you might want to check it out and see who your neighbors are." I nodded and wanted to hug him. "That sounds great, thanks." I looked at that Liz. "Are you sure you're okay?" "I'm fine." Alrighty then. I said I was sorry about three more times and got back into my car. Maybe tonight I could pick out the aliens and call Michael and… Well, you know what I want to do with Michael. Visions of Michael in various stages of undress and sugarcoated were the things keeping me going today. Maybe I didn't fuck up as bad as I had thought. Or maybe Mr. That Liz just wanted to see my tits again! Tonight I would meet the town and the town would meet Maria DeLuca! I drove around, without even coming close to hitting anyone else and went back to my apartment. I checked my mail and felt all giddy when I saw a new message from Michael: Maria. I'm sure you'll do just fine and I don't think you messed up too bad. Just blend. You don't have to make real friends, just do what you were trained to. There some bad things going on around here at Section, Rena is behind them all. I think my visit to you may be a lot sooner than anticipated. Watch your back Maria, I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you. When I tell you to be careful, I mean it. Be careful from all sides. I'm missing you when I know I shouldn't. How could you have affected me this way? Always, Michael. Always? That was a big good. He's missing me like crazy! I knew it! He's coming back soon! Man, even with the crap Rena was doing, this was the best message I ever could have gotten. Michael's coming back to see me! Michael's coming back to see me! If I knew how, I would have danced. Instead I made myself a late lunch. It was strange; after four years of being told when I could eat, now I just walk into my own kitchen and make myself a sandwich whenever I feel like it. I ate in front of the TV with the remote control in one hand. After I ate I felt seriously bad. Without Michael there I somehow forgot to work out. And I bet I'd need my strength to fight the big bad aliens, if I ever found them. It was late afternoon by the time I dressed in spandex running shorts and a halter. I stepped out of my a-apartment and into neighbor Kyle and no…That Liz! "Hi." I looked at them both. "Hi Maria, " Kyle grinned. "This is-" "Yeah, we've met." Liz looked at me with daggers in her eyes. "She's the one who tried to run me over." "I did not try to run you over," I closed my eyes and counted to five. "If I would have tried, then I would have done it. It was a freaking accident!" I saw neighbor Kyle smirk; see, I knew I liked him for a reason. Liz walked past him and into his apartment. "She's a little high-strung sometimes." "You think?" I waved and set off on my run. I'd have plenty of time to run, shower and dress before the Roswell jamboree. Yee-haw! * * * Michael paced in his apartment. An overnight bag was packed and ready to go sitting on his bed. He ran his hands through his hair and looked back at the computer screen in front of him. The last memo from Rena was insulting. She had been questioning his motives with their newest operative since he'd arrived back at Section. The memos she was sending out were unbelievable. Michael had been in conferences with the men in suits all day. They were worried about his involvement with such a new operative. As much as he had tried to deny everything, he was still put on observation. Michael Guerin was never put on observation. He put people on observation. He was the golden boy of Section, not some new guy of the street. He tried to explain to his superiors that Rena was acting on a personal issue and she had ignored the potential in Maria DeLuca. The Suits were not as convinced as Michael wished they had been. His newest operative was on the line for extermination if she failed. 1792 miles. That was how far Washington D.C. was from Roswell New Mexico. Michael took another look around his apartment and walked out the door with his bag in hand. |
| Parts 6-10 |