PART 21 Everyone took their positions as planned in less than ten minutes. Max, obviously, was delivering the baby. Maria was holding Liz’s hand while Isabel was running around playing nurse and occasionally shouting at the guys. Liz was calm at first. She had her family with her and everything was going as planned. But when her contractions became frequent, she started screaming. She was screaming at Max at first. To take the pain away. Then she started cursing the day she’d f-ucked an alien. After that she lost all logic. Maria supposed it wasn’t an easy job to form meaningful sentences while you're in labor. Liz screamed unintelligible things for like two hours and Maria wasn’t able to feel her fingers for the last hour or so. That was when Kyle fainted. One minute he was talking to Alex about how he hated this, the next he was a heap on the floor. Liz started screaming Kyle’s name and tried to get up. Maria couldn’t believe how powerful a woman in labor could be. Thankfully, Michael appeared right next to her and helped her hold Liz down on the bed. Isabel slapped Kyle while Alex was trying to wake him up with a wet cloth. After they convinced Liz that Kyle was alive, Liz turned back to her ritual of screaming obscenities and squeezing Maria’s hand. Another hour passed without any babies in sight and everyone started to get bored. Alex and Michael were sitting on the floor eating popcorn while watching the interaction between the dream couple with interest. Maria was now sure they would have to cut her hand after the baby was born, and she was trying to figure out how the hell was she going to paint her nails with only one hand. It was physically impossible. Maybe with her mouth… Hmm… Isabel had lost all her enthusiasm and was filing her fingernails out of pure boredom when she could do them perfect in a second with her powers. Some time –suspiciously resembling a century- passed and Maria found herself almost drifting off. Liz was exhausted, covered in sweat. She was mumbling something about how she had changed her mind about the baby. Maria looked around and her eyes caught Michael. He was watching her. Or maybe he was sleeping his eyes open and fixed on her. She couldn’t be sure. Then she looked to her left and saw Isabel asleep on the floor, her head resting on Alex’s knees. He was caressing her hair. Such a lovely picture. It was so… not Icy Bitch. So that was who Isabel was… Maria sure was glad to meet her. Kyle was standing next to Max and chatting with him, while Max stood between Liz’s knees. They were talking about cars. Wait? Cars? That was odd. It was kinda disturbing. The room was strangely silent when finally Max asked Liz to push harder with excitement. Liz pushed and squeezed the life out of Maria’s hand but in the next half hour, it was over. The ending of the event was much quieter than the beginning. It was so quiet, it didn’t even wake Isabel. Maria watched from afar as Max placed the baby in Liz’s arms. They looked so beautiful together, so in harmony. It hit Maria suddenly then. Of course they were, they were a family. A complete family. A happy family. Something she, unfortunately, was denied, not just once but many times. “He is so quiet.” Maria didn’t mean to say it out loud but the thought escaped her lips in a whisper. She felt Michael’s breath near her ear as he talked to her. She hadn’t been aware of how close they’d been. “Of course he is. Look at his parents. What were you expecting, it’s Max and Liz’s kid.” She was happy to hear the humor in his voice. She liked it when he made jokes, even if they were all sarcastic. “He would have been wailing and screaming our ears off if he was our baby.” Michael’s body stiffened the minute he realized that he said it out loud. He felt Maria’s body still next to him but he couldn’t move his eyes from his hands. Maria checked her brain once more to be sure that it was working properly and not playing tricks on her. Their baby? He’d said their baby… Oh God… He’d said their baby. She wasn’t sure what to do, what to say. She was paralyzed. She gathered all her strength and used it to turn her head slightly to her right to see his face. His face was emotionless, closed off. But she could see that he wasn’t happy with what he’d said from the way he kept staring at his hands. She took a deep breath, realizing she’d stopped breathing altogether and claimed his left hand. He jerked slightly but didn’t refuse her touch. She was the one that flinched at the contact. Her hand was sour from all the squeezing Liz had done. He saw that or maybe felt it, he wasn’t sure and softly massaged her hand. He was creating miracles. Maria wasn’t sure if he was using his extra features or not, but it felt good. He felt good. He stopped massaging the moment Maria felt all pain leave her. Again, she had no idea if he’d felt it. He raised her palm to his lips and kissed it softly. Then to her surprise he got up and left the room without even turning to look at her. - - - Maria felt pure rage start to burn inside her, turning all hurt into fury. She was literally burning. Her cheeks were red and she was fuming. She left the room and found him in the balcony looking at the sky. She shut the door behind her. They didn’t need to hear that. Michael faced her with dread. She was going to make it more difficult, he knew it. It was taking his every last shred of strength to walk away, but she just had to ruin it by following him. Hurt. He could see it in her eyes. Carefully hidden behind rage. But it was there nevertheless. It was there because of him. Again. “I am sick of this.” Maria said calmly. Calm was the last thing he’d expected her to be. “Sick of what?” he replied coolly, like he couldn’t care less. “Sick of you. So I’ll clear things between us a little bit.” She was still calm but her voice was raised a little with the anger she couldn’t seem to contain. He shrugged. She laughed bitterly at that. Did he really not care? Had she been dreaming all those thing? “You think I'm a whore.” Michael winced at her words. Did she really believe that? “You have been using me as one, both emotionally and physically.” His brow furrowed. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but Maria held her hand up to silence him. “I'm talking. I'm sick of waiting for you to talk. So you will listen.” He nodded, feeling numb and not really knowing how to say what he should. “I thought I saw something different in you. Something I could relate to. Something I thought I wanted. But it doesn’t work like that. There are two sides to this and you obviously can't see anything there. So, just to make things less awkward and more clear between us, I just wanted to let you know…” A bitter and mocking smirk covered her beautiful features. “You are not the first Michael. I have been f-ucked before. I have been f-ucked many times before you. And I will be, after you. You don’t have to feel bad about it or anything. We used each other, that’s it.” She stood defiantly as she waited for him to respond. He thought for a moment. What was he going to say? It meant more to me? It meant everything? Of course not. He had wanted this. To cut loose. And now she was doing it for him. Okay then. “Alright.” He said as he felt his heart contract. He couldn’t say anything else. He knew his voice would crack if he’d tried. Maria stood there emotionless for a moment expecting more. That was it? Alright? She wasn’t expecting him to declare his undying love for her but he could at least say she wasn’t a whore, out of pity if nothing else. So she’d been right. He did think of her as one. “Okay.” She whispered and turned around to leave. She couldn’t just start crying in front of him again. She wasn’t weak. Okay, maybe she was. But even if she was, there was no way she would let him see that. She grabbed her jacket and stormed out of the door, leaving a perplexed Kyle behind. The last thing she heard before leaving the building was Kyle’s bellowing voice. “What the hell did you do to her?” - - - Kyle had been waiting outside the balcony door, just in case. When Maria stormed out he’d tried to say something but her fiery eyes made him stop in his tracks. He knew that he would get burned if he tried to touch her. He stepped through the door to face the other part of this mess. Maybe he wasn’t Tom, he couldn’t say the right things to calm her down or make things right again, but he could always kill Guerin. Wasn’t that what a big brother was for anyway? He found Michael standing frozen with a weird facial expression. He couldn’t figure out what it meant. Michael’s expressions were pretty limited; bored, pissed off and scowling… This one was different though. He looked like he’d just bit his tongue and was trying to not cry out. “What the hell did you do to her?” Kyle bellowed. Michael didn’t even flinch. He just slowly raised his eyes to see the unwanted guest who was invading his session of self-hatred and pain. “Leave me alone.” He said calmly, focusing all his strength on not crying, shouting or showing any other extreme emotion. Kyle stepped closer and crossed his arms. “No, I will not leave you alone! Not until you explain to me why the f-uck you keep hurting her!” Michael felt his legs become numb. He had to sit or he was going to collapse. He sat on the floor and leaned his back against the wall. Kyle watched him intently. He wasn’t getting out of this without giving him a proper answer. He watched as he sat. His movements were too slow, much slower than usual. He saw Michael comb his hair with his fingers. That was when Kyle decided to sit down and talk instead of shouting and fighting as he had planned in the first place. He thought the situation could be a little bit different than his original assumption. Michael Guerin’s hands were shaking. Kyle pulled a chair and closed the door. He sat facing Michael who was avoiding eye contact. He waited for a moment to give them time to gather their thoughts. He secretly hoped that maybe Michael would explain without him insisting. But of course not. Michael stayed quiet. Kyle tried to find a way to say what he wanted to say without causing an argument between them, but he wasn’t really good with words. So he tried being honest. “Guerin?” Michael held his head up to face the inevitable. Kyle was going to punch him. He knew it. He knew he’d deserved it. And he was hoping that pain could maybe distract him. “I don’t really like you. But I respect you.” Michael didn’t know what to feel or think. He found himself feeling something between disappointment and shock. Why wasn’t Kyle punching him? “You're not the person I would choose for my sister…” What was he talking about? Why would Kyle respect him? Who was his sister? And why the hell wasn’t Kyle punching him? Michael’s brain was about to short circuit. “…But since she chose you, all I can do is help her out. So, what are your intentions with her?” Kyle looked at him expectantly. Michael blinked a couple of times to make sure that he wasn’t hallucinating and when he was sure it was real, he said “What?”. Kyle rolled his eyes. “What are your intentions with Maria? What the f-uck are you trying to pull?” Michael’s face visibly tensed. “Nothing. I'm trying to keep her away from me… us… I mean this whole alien s-hit.” “And why the hell is that exactly?” Michael wasn’t expecting this question from Kyle, since he had never doubted that the jock would want her out as well. “It’s dangerous.” “I know it’s dangerous. But we both know, whatever you do, she will never stay away from Liz or Alex. She is one stubborn chick. What I am asking you is why you keep her away from yourself?” Michael couldn’t answer. What was this? Now he was having heartfelt conversations with the super jock? This was bullshit. He had his own damn brain, he’d never needed someone else’s to help him decide. “None of your damn business.” Hallelujah! So Guerin was still alive! Kyle smirked. “You see, it is kinda my business since it involves my family.” He paused but Michael didn’t say anything. So he continued. “I would have killed you if I believed for one second that you would want to hurt her. Or maybe I would have killed you anyway if I thought she could live with it afterwards. But there is this weird thing… I know she won't move on. She won't give up on you. And I somehow think… I know it sounds crazy, but you two would be good for each other… Not that I care about you…” “What are you talking about Kyle?” Michael couldn’t believe it. The guy was actually saying that he should be with her… And all he could think in return was… Why?! “I know… I know… I sound like I'm possessed or something. But I spent months living with her. I talked to her about some things I’d never even talked with my dad or best friends. Hell, I fell in love with one of her quirky friends. But that’s not the point. The point is, I know her now, I understand her. And I know what she needs…” Kyle made his point known with his eyes. He wasn’t going to get all mushy with Guerin. He might have spent a lot of time with Tom but he still was a jock. “Don’t make it harder than it already is. It’s not gonna happen. It’s not right. She doesn’t know…” “No, Michael. YOU don’t know! You think it’s just some coincidence that she fell for you and not Max?” Michael laughed bitterly. “She should have, you know. It would have been so much better for her.” “Oh really? And why is that?” Kyle asked sarcastically. “Do you really need to ask?” Michael looked at Kyle like he should have known this as he knew day from night. “He’s better than me. He is the better alien. He is the better human. He is the damn king for God’s sake! He is safe and normal.” Michael wasn’t raising his voice. He sounded just jaded. These were not thoughts anymore for him but facts. He knew this one thing by heart. Max Evans was better. “You can't understand this right now maybe Michael, but Maria isn't the little innocent girl she appears to be. There’s so much more fire and strength in her than all of us combined. She would chew and spit out a guy like Max. Or me or Alex for that matter… And she had done it before, lots of times. That’s why Tom calls her a man eater." He saw the sad lines forming around Michael’s face at the mention of other men. He cursed himself for caring but felt the need to help him out. “It’s not just by chance that she chose you over them all Michael. And believe it or not, it’s not because of your charms. She’d found the one that fit her. I'm not trying to sound like some chick flick. I don’t believe in that soul-mate crap Liz keeps talking about. But I know this is right because I just found the one that fits me, the one person that’s everything I need. I never thought it was possible but believe me it is…” “I don’t really know what’s happening between you two. She never told me anything specific and I never asked. I know what I need to know though. I know that this is not just a crush or infatuation. And I know it’s not a sex thing. I know that she’d stopped seeing other men the moment she met you. I know she took all her guards down just to take whatever she can get from you, even if it’s just some occasional banter…” Michael was shocked at the honesty he saw in Kyle’s eyes as he talked. The guy really believed those things. But he was wrong. This was the one thing he had been sure for practically all his life. How could he be good enough for someone like Maria? He had nothing to give her except danger… “I can't Kyle…” Kyle chuckled at the irony of the situation. “You know, you are that badass alien who is supposed to be despised and scared of, but all members of her family gave you thumbs up before you even asked. Amy adores you, dad had been thinking of you as his own son since he had found out, and me… Well, though it’s surprising as hell, I give you my permission. So… All you gotta do is let yourself…” Kyle sighed and got up from his chair, there was nothing else he could do. He patted Michael softly on the shoulder and ignored his dumbfounded look. He was about to leave but stopped abruptly. “But don’t think I would hesitate one moment before I break your nose if you make her cry again…” He left the balcony to get some sleep and let the confused alien think things through. - - - Maria walked the streets without really seeing them. Her mind was fixed on one thing and one thing only; a future without Michael. She sat on a bench under a tree where she could see children playing in the park and started to fantasize about her future. Since the baby was born now, her guests would be leaving soon. Michael, would be leaving. Then what? She was supposed to accept that it was over and move on. She could go back to work, it would take her mind off of things. But she didn’t want to let herself get lost in her job again, like she had done after Colin. She wasn’t going to make the same mistakes, she wasn’t going to hide. She was going to face life and the pain it brought and try to live through it. She thought about marriage and children… It didn’t look likely that she would get married. She knew she wouldn’t be able to look at other men without comparing them to a certain spiky haired a-sshole. None of them stood a chance. But maybe she could find a good man to have a family with. It might not be passionate or immortal love, but it could be enough. She could be happy. Maybe… Why had this happened? How? She couldn’t understand. She’d never seen it coming. A man like Michael would claim her heart? Hell, he wasn’t even a man! He’d made her hope things that were against every dream she’d had, ever… He’d made her crave things she’d never imagined. He’d made her feel content with the idea of him being her whole life. And the annoying thing was he hadn't even tried… “Maria? Maria DeLuca?” Maria jumped at the unexpected voice coming from behind her. She turned her head and narrowed her eyes to avoid the sun. Then she saw the owner of the soft voice and her jaw dropped. “Carrie? Carrie North?” The girl smiled brightly. “It’s Carrie Cornwell now, you know…” she said teasingly and wrapped her arms around Maria. “Oh my…” Maria was shocked. Carrie had changed. Maria had loved the girl from the first moment she’d laid eyes on her. She was cheerful, kind and lovable. Almost like a kitten. But now… Now she looked enchanting, charming, bewitching… Maria tried to figure out what was the cause of this sudden change but couldn’t put her finger on it. Carrie was wearing a simple white shirt with faded jeans. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and she didn’t appear to be wearing any make up. What was so different about her? “I heard you’re not working right now? I hope nothing’s wrong…” Carrie sat on the bench next to her and watched her face carefully, with worry evident in her eyes. “No, no… Everything’s fine. I’m just taking some time off.” Maria had some serious acting skills, but Carrie could see through them easily. She didn’t look tiny bit relaxed for someone who’d been on vacation for months. Instead she looked worn, tired. Sad lines had formed in her face which weren't there the last time she’d seen the girl. It was disturbing to see someone like Maria DeLuca like that. Like something inside her had died. “Betty had asked for you, for her birthday party last month. You definitely chose a great time to take a vacation.” Carrie joked, trying to lighten up the girl. “Oh God! I don’t think I could handle her once more.” Maria laughed, remembering the times she considered seriously leaving country because of Carrie’s out of control mother-in-law. “You look happy.” Maria added a moment later. “Hell, you look radiant!” Carrie smiled sheepishly. “Thanks to you.” She said shyly. “What? What do I have to do with anything?” Carrie looked at her with big grateful eyes. “You stopped me from doing the biggest mistake of my life. I don’t know what I would have done without him.” “Oh.” Maria lowered her eyes to her hands. “Danny. So you guys are happy?” “Couldn’t be happier. He’s my everything.” Maria’s eyes filled with tears. She wasn’t jealous or anything, but it hurt to know that she could never have what Carrie had. “What? What’s wrong?” Maria chuckled softly and dried her tears with the back of her hands. “Nothing. Nothing, it’s okay. I'm just a little emotional today.” Carrie hugged her again, not really knowing what her problem was, but guessing nonetheless. “I'm sorry.” She whispered. She could feel pain pouring out of the small girl in her arms. “You want me to take you home? My car’s right here.” Maria nodded and they made their way to the car. - - - Carrie stopped the car in front of Maria’s building ten minutes later. The ride was quiet and she was worried. She wanted to say something, do something to make her feel better but they had never been real friends, so she had no idea what to do. Maria muttered a thanks to her and got out of the car slowly. Carrie saw her look up to a window and try to get herself back together. Her body took a defensive and determined stance, and she started to walk towards the door. Carrie opened her car’s door and did what she thought was right. “Maria?” She turned back to look at the car with questioning eyes. “Don’t let it get away.” Carrie got in her car again and drove away, leaving a frozen Maria behind. - - - Carrie drove away watching the girl from her rear view mirror. She had seen the confused and torn look in her eyes. She decided that it was time to repay the favor. She dialed her husband’s office number and learned the number for the place she needed to call. The phone rang twice before it was picked up by a young girl. “Hi. This is Carrie Cornwell. May I speak with Tom Lindley please?” PART 22 “Kyle… I’m leaving!” Maria shouted towards the living room. A moment later Kyle came running to the door just as she expected. “What? Where are you going?” Maria rolled her eyes. “I’m meeting Tom at your girlfriend’s bar. I’ll be okay, I’m a big girl.” “Okay.” Said Kyle reluctantly and let her hug him. “I’ll see you later.” “Yeah.” Kyle waved her goodbye, already forming a plan in his head to see her much sooner. - - - “So Tom, what is so important that you can't talk near Kyle?” Maria took a sip from her drink and welcomed the alcohol burning down her throat. “Can't a guy want to spend some quality time with his best friend?” he pouted mockingly. “I missed you babe. We can't even talk over the phone for ten minutes without getting interrupted anymore.” “Yeah, but it will be over soon. They’re leaving tomorrow morning.” Tom’s eyebrows rose questioningly at the obvious disappointment in her voice. He went over the alternatives to approach the subject in his head and chose a direct one to avoid her attempts of escape. “So Carrie was right.” He said nonchalantly, avoiding eye contact. She literally jumped. “Who?” “Carrie. The blond half of your oh-so-meaningful couple.” Maria hit his arm not so playfully. “Hey.” Tom shouted, a slight smile on his lips. “Carrie called you? For what?” “She was worried about you. And I can see why.” He was bating her, trying to make her talk while keeping the conversation from getting too intense. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “That, my friend, is supposed to mean that you can’t hide it as well as you thought.” Maria pouted. “I’m not hiding anything.” Tom stopped playing her I-don’t-know-what-you're-talking-about game, because he knew it would get out of hand and he would be left in the dark once again. “Why doesn’t it work Mars? I know you want to make it work and I know he likes you, so… why?” Maria started to play with the hem of her shirt. There was no way she could avoid Tom’s questions once he’d gotten that look. “It’s complicated.” “I know. You keep saying that. But what makes it so complicated?” Maria held her head up defiantly. She was sick of looking down at her feet all the time. That wasn’t her. She hadn't been herself for months. It was time to change things a little bit now. It was time for her to get her life back, even if Michael didn’t want to be a part of it. “You know what? It’s not complicated. I want him. He doesn’t want me. End of story.” “But he does want you.” Tom was trying to piece together a puzzle in his head with the limited information he’d gotten out of her. “Nope. He doesn’t.” Maria sighed. “Believe me I wouldn’t be sitting here with you right now if he did want me.” Tom pouted mocking. “Aww, that breaks my heart.” - - - Kyle entered the bar just as Maria started singing. He watched her from the door for a moment before heading for Tom who was sitting in their usual table. She looked like an angel. A sad one. Her eyes were shut and she was singing as though the song was a part of her. Singing was like breathing for her, that easy and also that vital. “Hey Kylie…” Tom greeted Kyle, smiling at his brotherly gestures. “Stop calling me that!” Tom’s grin grew bigger at Kyle’s discomfort. “I thought you weren't invited.” “I thought we were a team.” “Nothing major Kyle, I was just trying to make her talk but she avoids it like the plague.” “Michael?” “Of course, what else?” Kyle rolled his eyes and ordered himself a drink. “I just don’t get it. Why would he push her away like that? He’s so obviously in love with her.” “He thinks he’s not good enough.” Kyle explained, knowing this could cause some questions he can't possibly answer. “Why not?” Kyle tried to answer him leaving the alien parts out. “He is not your average, normal guy…” Okay, he knew that wasn’t really an explanation but he thought he’d give it a try. “Oh, believe me I gathered that…” Tom watched Kyle intently, waiting for him to finish his explanation as Kyle studied his drink like it was a magical potion or something. “Kyle?” “What?” Kyle feigned innocence but his attempt were futile and he knew it. He took a deep breath and silently prayed to God that Tom wouldn’t use his persuasion methods on him. “I can't really explain it but I can tell you he’s wrong.” “Let me get this straight. He thinks he’s not good enough while you think he is good enough. But you can't explain me why he thinks he isn't and you think he is.” “Yeah, something like that.” Tom paused for a moment. “So he is good enough?” Kyle chuckled. It was a nice change to see Tom confused for once. “I'm not saying he’s good or bad. I just think he’s good for Ria.” “Okay then. I’ll trust you with that.” Kyle couldn’t help but feel flattered. Tom valued his opinion. Wow… “So what do you think we should do?” Kyle rolled his eyes. “Stay away maybe? We can't force them to it Tom.” “I know that but we can help. The singing thing worked perfectly, didn’t it?” Kyle had to agree with that. It was the best thing that had happened to the poor girl in months. “I think we should lock them in a closet.” Tom suggested remembering his high school years. That had been fun. Kyle smirked thinking about Michael’s locksmith-ish powers. “Won't work. Either he would crush the door or she would kill him before we can let them out.” “Hmm. I guess she would kill us once she gets out anyway. Think Kyle! Think! They’re leaving tomorrow. We have to do something!” Kyle smirked. “I have my own little plan.” Tom opened his eyes in anticipation and pouted when Kyle shook his head no. “I thought we were partners.” He whined. “Yeah me too.” Kyle retorted. “Come on Kyle…” He was practically begging. “Okay, okay.” He motioned him to come closer and whispered as if she could hear them all the way from the stage. He knew she wouldn’t hear in her coma-like state even they shouted it in her ear but what was the fun in secret plans if they weren't whispered? “Before I came here, I asked Michael to come here later tonight.” “And he agreed?” “He was so bored with Max always talking about Little Mr. Perfect Junior, he jumped on the idea. I told him we would have a guys’ night.” Tom looked confused. “Who’s Little Mr. Perfect Junior?” Oh S-hit. “Max’s son.” He said not able to form a lie that quick. “Liz gave birth?” “Yeah.” Kyle said hoping that he looked actually convincing. “She was five months along when you saw her.” “So she gave birth early?” “Yeah.” “Oh.” Okay, time to change the subject. “So what do we do when he gets here?” Tom shrugged. “We’ll improvise.” - - - Michael walked all the way to the bar. He wasn’t in a hurry, and he welcomed the silence of the streets at night. The kid was crying and everyone was packing and running around at home. “Not home…” he chided himself. “Not home, Maria’s place…” Maria. It was weird to have her away from him. He was so used to the constant vibes he kept getting from her, he felt empty when they lost the proximity of sharing a house. How the hell was he going to survive without her? He found the place easily enough with Kyle’s directions and entered the candle lit room. He stopped abruptly at the door. He felt her, before hearing her voice. All of a sudden she wasn’t a tingle at the back of his mind but a rainbow invading his thoughts. He knew it wasn’t scientifically possible but he could smell her in the room. Love wasn’t exact science anyway. Love. Was that what it was called? Was that what all those stupid songs were all about? Had all those people talked about this all this time? No. This was something else. People loved more than once in their lives. But with this thing between them he couldn’t even acknowledge other people, let alone think about them. He knew whatever he would do to stay away, he would never stop thinking about her just for one second. She had become the meaning of life, his reason to survive. She was the beauty and as she had once said, that was what life was all about. Living the beauty. It was too sad that he would just dream about the beauty instead of living it, but it was better than never knowing it. Michael took a deep breath to stay on his feet and saw Maria’s eyes snap open. - - - Kyle was drinking his beer and watching Maria sing when he saw her open her eyes with an excited look. Her eyes focused on something immediately and stayed glued there. He slowly followed her gaze but he knew what he would find anyway. Michael was there. He nudged Tom and they watched in awe as the two people got lost in each other’s eyes in the middle of a crowded bar. “Holy s-hit!” Tom muttered. A tear slid down his face as he watched his friend look at the man she loved with desperation. Her need was obvious. She was caught vulnerable and he could read everything she had suppressed before. Pain… So much pain… “That is more tragic than Romeo and Juliet.” Tom stated wiping his tears. “No s-hit…” “I have to do something. I can’t just watch them throw this away. I can't…” “Tom, calm down. He’s coming here.” Michael walked towards the table Kyle said he would be sitting. He was focused on walking straight. It wouldn’t be nice for his ego to stumble over something with his wobbly legs in front of Kyle, Tom and Maria. Maria… Why the hell was she there anyway? Michael acknowledged Tom and turned his furious gaze on a squirming Kyle. “Kyle.” “Michael, hi.” Kyle said in a way too cheerful voice. His smile looked so artificial and uncharacteristic, Michael would have laughed his ass off if he wasn’t feeling like his lungs were being squashed. Michael sat down next to Kyle thinking maybe he should have just turned back and ran away. Running away had always worked… at least for a little while. But of course he couldn’t possibly run away from something that was both in his mind and body. That girl had invaded him. She had possessed him. And now it was too late. He was too far gone. “So…” He didn’t want to give his thoughts and discomfort away by punching Kyle. Lucky bastard! At second thought he considered it again, thinking that he couldn’t possibly give away anything Kyle didn’t already suspect, as he had gathered from their talk the other day. But he decided against it once more. Not in front of Tom… Kyle was a lucky, lucky bastard! “I thought this was gonna be a guys’ night?” he asked between gritted teeth. “Yeah, it was…” Kyle said lamely. “But…” His mind went blank. Think! Think! “Maria showed up to sing. She does that a lot.” Tom came to his rescue. “I didn’t know she sang… I mean here…” Michael said, ignoring Kyle’s relieved sigh. “Oh she does. But not always… Whenever she wants, whatever she wants… Luce owns the place, so nobody cares about what she’s doing.” Tom explained, trying to look innocent while watching this mysterious guy intently. He was interesting. But he knew there had to be something more than interesting to make Maria fall so hard for him. And he knew he would find that out. Eventually. - - - Maria’s heart fluttered and danced, her cheeks started to burn. She was on the edge of a panic attack. Her anxiety was mixed with a sudden but powerful wave of sadness and grief which made her want to cry till she had no tears left, without once allowing herself to think why. All she knew was what she was feeling, and she didn’t give a damn about why’s or how’s anymore, they had never helped her anyway. She couldn’t cry. She wasn’t going to cry in front of them; the three most important men in her life. Not now, not ever. So she sang the tears instead and let them bleed out of her freely. Her pain flooded out of her, securely disguised in her songs. She didn’t let her eyes open again and forced herself to forget his presence. The half of her mind which still belonged to her complied willingly, as the other half told her Michael was overwhelmed by some feeling she couldn’t quite name. Hours passed and she could feel herself getting stronger with every passing minute. She was almost ready to open her eyes again, face reality, face Michael, face her disastrous life. She was getting sidetracked again with all those bad thoughts. She had good things in her life still. She had Tom, Kyle, Luce… She had her friends in Roswell and in LA. She had a good job… She might have left for months, but she knew they would take her back willingly. She had her mother and now a step father. She had Goldie. She had… She had her life, what else could she ask for? Michael? No! There was no point in asking for him when she couldn’t get him. She opened her eyes in anger as the song ended. She put her guitar down on the stage and walked towards the table with firm steps, forcing herself to not back out of her plan. It was time to take matters at her hands. - - - “Man… She looks pissed!” Kyle was the first one to see Maria coming towards them. “Someone’s in trouble…” Tom said enjoying himself. They both turned their heads to Michael who looked rather uncomfortable in his chair. “What? Why me?” Tom shook his head, laughing and patted Michael’s shoulder. “It was nice to know you Michael…” Michael was panicking. “What?” Just then Maria reached the table. She looked directly at Michael ignoring the others. “Michael?” He had always loved the way she had said his name. She always said it so tenderly, in a way it had never been said before. But this time… Her voice sent shivers down his spine. He looked at her tentatively. “Yeah?” She grabbed his hand, ignored the things a small touch of his skin reminded her and pulled him up from his chair. Then addressed Tom without letting his hand go. “You guys go ahead without us, we’ve got things to do.” She said in a don’t-you-dare-ask-what kind of voice. Tom raised his hands up in surrender. “Whatever you say.” And they watched them leave towards the bar, Maria gripping Michael’s hand like he would run away if she didn’t. “She’ll kill him, right?” Kyle said sadly. “Yep! And I was starting to like him.” - - - “Where are we going?” Michael asked after they got out of Kyle and Tom’s earshot. “Backroom.” Maria didn’t stop or look at him. “Why?” They reached the bar. Maria turned around and faced him. “You had a thing to do before leaving remember? Get whatever the f-uck you want from my head and you can leave all relieved and Maria-free tomorrow.” Oh that… He had managed to make himself ignore the fact that they hadn't done anything about the connection yet. Honestly, he knew it was dangerous and could harm her, but he liked having something special with her. Something just for them. Maria was the only thing in his life that he had tried to approach unselfishly and now it looked like he was failing at that. But he wanted to be selfish dammit! He wanted to keep her, hold her and never let her go! Maria found Andie, Lucy’s sister behind the bar and took a key from her. The girl threw Michael a mischievous smirk. Oh yeah, if only she knew what they were going to do in there. They walked to the back and stopped in front of a wooden door. Maria opened the door and lead them inside to a large bedroom. The room was simple and… white. Too white. It resembled a hospital room. Maria sat on the bed cross-legged and closed her eyes for a moment to find the strength to go on with this. She was playing with her hair to avoid looking at him. “So? What now?” she asked. Michael sat on the bed reluctantly. It was inevitable he knew that, but he couldn’t help but stall. What now? Well all he could think of right now was how good she would look naked on white sheets. But somehow he doubted she would appreciate that thought at that moment. “We… connect I guess.” “Okay, how?” “I don’t know…” “How did we do it the last time?” His sheepish look reminded her how. “Oh…” She looked at the bed, then at Michael… Oh, s-hit… PART 23 Maria shook her head in disbelief. “Oh, no buster. Not again. Never again.” Hearing her own words out loud made her feel more confident. She constantly had to remind herself that she was in control. It was too easy to believe she wasn’t otherwise. Her words stung. He knew she didn’t even want to touch him anymore, but hearing her say it so easily, hurt him. He went into defensive mode. He raised his hands in surrender. “I didn’t say anything.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “Focus!” she chided herself. “Just do this thing and it’s all over and you’ll have your life back.” “Okay. So, how do we start then?” Looking in his eyes made it a thousand times more difficult, but she couldn’t help it. They were sitting on a bed facing each other, and she knew she probably wouldn’t have a chance to do it again any time soon. No matter what her mind screamed, her body seemed to listen her heart. Michael looked in her eyes and saw her fear in the deep green of them. She was afraid? Of him? Hell, why not? He had deserved it, hadn't he? “I think I need to touch you…” he said tentatively and saw her flinch. He put down the hand he was raising to touch her cheek. No. She wasn’t ready for this. She saw him pull away his hand and gathered her courage. She reached for his hand and felt a tightness in her chest. He looked so happy for a moment when she’d touched him. She never could make herself be angry at him when he was so child-like and innocent. Michael squeezed her hand slightly to reassure her that everything was okay and tried to get his mind away from her skin. Her soft, silky skin under his calloused fingers… “Now focus on me. Think about me and it should happen I guess.” Maria nodded, and closed her eyes. She saw Michael, on top of her, his body glistening with sweat and his eyes shining with awe as he gazed down at her. She panicked. The feeling was too powerful. Her breathing was ragged and she was scared of what she would do, if she would be able to carry on as planned if she would keep seeing that moment in her head. The scene she saw when she opened her eyes was worse though. To her surprise, Michael’s eyes were open. He was looking at her, studying her in concentration and awe. It was just like the look she had tried to escape a moment ago, but somehow more intense. There was longing in this look and it made her feel like punching him. “Why the hell are you doing this?” she asked pleadingly, almost crying. “What?” he asked, his voice hoarse. “Look at me like that? Like you… you…” she stuttered, not able to finish her thought. “Whatever, just forget it! Let’s just get this over with!” She clutched his hand tighter. Closing her eyes, she focused on Michael. Michael’s hair, Michael’s touch, Michael’s scent, Michael’s taste, Michael’s voice… He didn’t close his eyes. He wanted to watch her, not miss a minute of their time together. He was focusing on keeping his walls up while watching her though. His plan was simple. He couldn’t let her get into his mind. He was just going to get inside hers, take whatever he had left there and let the connection stay one-way. This way, he was sparing her the pain while guaranteeing himself a lifetime feeling of Maria. He would never have to be alone again. - - - Michael cursed mentally. Nothing ever went according to his plans. He could feel her… Maria was in. It was terrible, awful, scary to think of what she might see. Could she get hurt there? Could she get stuck or something? There was nothing he could do about it though. Their bond was strong enough to let her do what Max or Isabel could never have done. He had thrown Isabel out of his head countless times when she had tried to dreamwalk him, but with Maria it was different, as always. There was no alert of a stowaway in his mind. It was as though she belonged there. His defenses had given her full access to do as she wished. So he focused on his part of the plan. Get in her head and take what he had left. It took just a thought and he was in. - - - Maria found herself in a dark room and realized immediately where she was. She was in his head, it wasn’t hard to guess. She could smell him there, feel his presence around her. It was dark. Darkness had always reminded her of the castle. It was something she had always found scary and cold. But Michael’s darkness felt safe. It was warm and somewhat friendly. She knew there were no monsters hiding in those shadows, only a strong feeling of loneliness. It made her sad to know. He was lonely. She boldly stepped further. She couldn’t help the trust she felt about everything that was Michael. She could trust him with herself, only except when it came to emotions. He would die before hurting her physically, but emotionally he had wrecked her… many times. She heard a faint cry coming from behind her. She turned and followed the voice. She knew what she would find. It was Michael. She had prepared herself for this. For finding his memories, his childhood, his dreams. It could be devastating but she was ready. At least she had thought she was. Her surroundings started to change as she walked closer to him. His voice was soft and low, almost like he was trying to keep quiet. She began to see different shades of black around her. She realized there were shapes but she couldn’t make them out. The texture of the ground changed and she noticed that she was walking through woods. Dead leaves were crackling under her bare feet and the shapes she’d seen beneath the shades of black turned out to be branches. The trees looked like they were burnt and the branches were in odd angles. They appeared as though they were reaching out for something. It was… disturbing. She found the source of the sound but it didn’t make any sense. Where was Michael? The cries were coming from the trunk of a tree. She kneeled in front of it and the stinging of her knees caused her to noticed her clothes. She was wearing a long black dress that was flying around as though there was wind, but she knew she would have noticed if there was. The air was calm around her, but it had a liquid quality to it. It made her move slowly, like she was swimming. But it also made the air richer. She felt like she was breathing honey. She savoured it. She was breathing Michael. She tentatively touched the tree with her fingertips and something resembling jam or glue soiled them. The cry stopped the moment she’d touched it, but started again as she flinched from the touch and pulled her hand away. She whispered. “Michael?” and touched the tree again. The sound stopped and a disturbing silence took its place. “Michael? Are you in there?” She wanted to place her ear on it to hear better, but the sticky fluid stopped her from doing it. So she placed her palm instead and closed her eyes, trying to feel him. Yes. He was there. He was in the tree. What the hell was he doing in a tree? - - - Michael opened his eyes in a room with large windows. He could see the backyard and the trees from where he was standing. He stepped further inside and found himself in a kitchen. The place was familiar. He knew he hadn't ever seen the house before but it had Maria’s signature on it. It had the same feeling of the house he’d dreamt, the one with the hammock. It felt warm and homey. And smelled like Maria. He walked around, trying to find a clue to what to do next. But the place looked so comfortable, felt so safe, all he wanted to do was to stay there. He reminded himself where he was and why he was there. That got him moving. He went upstairs and found his first clue. A locked door. He tried to open it with his powers but they didn’t work. So he knocked. “Yes?” It was Maria’s voice. Was that right? It felt right, but wasn’t he supposed to find himself there? “Maria?” There was a pause, than the answer came with recognition. “Michael?” “Yes, it’s me. Can I come in?” He didn’t know what he was going to do if he could go in, but was going on instinct. “Why?” Good question, he had no idea. “I don’t know. I need to be there I think.” Honesty looked like his best shot. “You’ll hurt me.” His heart clenched at her words. Would he hurt her? “I don’t want to hurt you.” He whispered. “I need something. You have something that’s mine, I need it back.” “No.” That was unexpected. So she knew she had it. Was that her subconscious he was talking to? Did she know subconsciously how they had caused this? “Do you know what it is?” “Yes.” “Can you tell me?” She paused again as he waited impatiently. “You gave it to me. You can't take it back.” “What did I give you?” “No, go away.” Great… What was he supposed to do now? - - - “Should we leave them here? Are you sure about this?” Kyle asked as he watched the backdoor they had disappear through. “It’s been two hours. They are not coming out. And she said leave, so I think we should let them be.” Tom reasoned, concealing his uneasiness with fake confidence. “What do you think they’re doing in there?” “As much as I don’t want to think about it, I'm hoping that they're having sex.” Tom said honestly. Kyle gave him an unbelieving look. “What?” Tom asked. “The only other plausible explanation is that they killed each other. Would you prefer that?” Kyle looked thoughtful, like he was considering it. Tom threw his arm over his shoulders and guided him out of the bar. “Sorry about your plan. What were you going to do?” “I was going to give jealousy a shot.” Kyle said longingly. Tom patted his back. “Oh, that’s a classic. It’s a shame we couldn’t try it, could be so much fun. Maybe we can try it later?” - - - Maria couldn’t stand still when emotions hit her in full force. The fear, longing, loneliness, desperation, self-loathe coming from Michael left her kneeling in front of the tree, struggling to breathe. Her palm had never left its place though. She put herself back together, and ignoring the hot tears trickling down her cheeks or the ache in her heart, she started to pull away pieces of the tree. The sticky liquid on it made it slippery and no matter how much she dug her nails into it, she couldn’t break any off. She started sobbing and hitting it with her small fists. “Michael? MICHAEL? Michael, please help me…” - - - Michael placed his palm on the door and concentrated on getting some emotion or flash. He had known that it could be hard to reverse the connection, but he honestly had never expected to deal with Maria’s stubbornness. Even her subconscious was stubborn. Nothing. He couldn’t get anything from the room. He wondered if it worked both ways. Could he send his emotions through? Maybe if he could show her his intentions, she would let him in. He placed his palm again and concentrated on Maria. Pictures of his favourite Maria moments flashed through his mind. He felt the warmth she made her feel. And his thoughts of being insufficient for her came unwillingly. That was when he felt the door move under his fingers, in time with the sadness creeping up his heart. The door didn’t open as he hoped it would. Instead it started shaking. He took a step back and opened his eyes. The thing he saw caused his heart to triple its rate. The door had started bleeding. “Maria? MARIA?” - - - Maria’s hands were aching and bleeding from hitting the rough surface of the tree, but there was still no progress. She placed both her palms and her forehead on the sticky surface with exhaustion, not being able to find strength to care about anything but Michael. Her tears dropped on the soil just beneath the tree and her voice thick with tears managed to croak out only one name. “Michael…” She knew he was in there. She knew he was hurting. Nothing made sense but she didn’t care. She needed to see him, help him, stop his hurt. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on sending him her love. Reminding him that there was someone that cared about him out there. The minute she felt her heart burst with the love she held for her spiky haired alien, she felt the surface under her hands move. A thin ray of light shone through the dark tree and she saw two fingers reaching out. - - - Michael was panicking. He couldn’t help it. Blood. So much blood. And it was everywhere. “Maria? MARIA?” She wasn’t responding. He paced back and forth, telling himself it wasn’t real. But it wasn’t helping. It felt real, and Maria was inside a room that was bleeding. He looked at the door, wishing he could do something to stop it. Then he threw reason out the door. “F-uck!” he muttered and threw himself to the door with all his might. The door broke easily and he found himself inside the same white room their bodies rested in the real world. His eyes found Maria immediately. She was lying on the bed, her eyes tightly closed and she was clutching her chest. - - - “Michael?” she said not able to believe her eyes. She touched his fingers and just knew it was him. “I’ll get you out of there. Hold on.” She pulled the edges of the hole with her new found strength. It was much more easier this time. As the hole got bigger, her heart lightened. She worked on it for what seemed like hours. She was talking non-stop with her struggled breathing. Talking was good for fear. She wasn’t sure if it was for him or herself though. She pushed a big piece in the middle with her shoulder and felt it break off a little too late. She stumbled inside the newly opened hole into a blinding light and two familiar arms. She opened her eyes, and her heart made a little dance in her chest when she found the deep chocolate brown eyes looking back at her. Her voice and words suddenly and surprisingly left her. She held onto his neck tightly and sobbed to his shirt. Her relief was overwhelming. Seeing him again, being in the light and not alone, feeling his heartbeat next to hers… It was too good to be real. She remembered then. It wasn’t real. Right. She pulled back slightly. It looked real though. His lips for example, looked real enough to kiss. She leaned in and brushed her lips against his. The tingles were there. It had to be real. Seeing no resistance from him she deepened the kiss with the need that had been building up in her for months. She felt the pictures and memories coming before she could see them. She fought it, wanting to savour his lips instead of the flashes, but they were too much, too powerful, too fast. - - - Michael kneeled next to the bed and called her name. All the reaction he could get was her soft whimper. He touched her cheek and leaned closer to her. She was awake but scared. Scared from what? Him? Why was she scared from him? “Maria? Open your eyes. Please…” She shook her head. “No.” That wasn’t the reaction he had hoped, but it was better than nothing. “Why not?” “You’ll take it away. You’ll leave me. I can’t… I can't do it… I tried… I can't…” He touched her tears and softly caressed her face. She was always so soft and so warm. “You can't what?” She tentatively opened her eyes. Her voice was hardly audible. “I can't live without you.” His eyes started to burn. She wasn’t supposed to do this. She was supposed to be strong. She was supposed to hate him. He wasn’t prepared for this. He shook his head. “No. You can do it. You don’t need me.” “I don’t?” she asked through her tears like a little kid. “No.” he said, his heart breaking. “Okay.” She said with a small voice. She placed her hand above her heart and a soft glow beamed between her fingers. She closed her hand into a fist and placed it in Michael’s bigger one. Meeting his eyes she reluctantly opened it to reveal a small sphere of bluish white light. She held his hand holding the sphere in between their hands and leaned in to kiss him. “I don’t want you to go.” PART 24 FLASH His heart is beating like crazy. A girl that smells like flowers and feels like silk is lying on top of him. His lips are tingling. Curiosity. Who is she? Is this a dream? FLASH He’s watching her cook, trying to convince himself that it must be his imagination, no girl can possibly look that enchanting. FLASH Reaching for a plate, he’s almost sure she can hear his heart beat. She is so close. That smell. It’s driving him crazy. He’s thinking it must be alien related, his reaction to that smell. It’s not normal. FLASH He’s watching her talk with Alex, and thinking. Would she have been his, if she’d never left? What would she had done if she’d found out what he was? Would she had done everything Liz had done for Max? Would they have had something close? Intimate? FLASH He’s watching her face for some reaction, but she isn’t moving. His fears keep chanting in his head. “She’s going to die. She’s going to die.” He’s refusing to believe it as he’s trying to fight the tears. She can’t die. She’s too young to die. Too beautiful. Smells too good. He needs her too much. She can’t die. FLASH He wakes up in her arms. Excitement. Joy. Fear. He has to put her to her own bed. He can’t let her know. It’s too much. He’s too scared. FLASH He sees her sick. Her face is pale, she looks small. He wants to take care of her. He can’t understand why. He never took care of anyone. This thing he’s feeling is not right. FLASH Liz is pregnant. Everything is crashing down on him. He wants to run. But where? You can’t run to another planet. He wants to die. He knows everything had been leading up to this moment for years, since the shooting, but this makes it real. He’s lonely, he’s bitter, he’s going to die this way. FLASH She’s telling him she is his friend. Why? Why would anyone want to be his friend when he doesn’t even want to be himself? FLASH She has a boyfriend. Jealousy. Anger. Denial. It’s not up to him as he had always presumed it for them to be together. She has something better out there waiting for her than Roswell New Mexico and Michael Guerin the loser alien. FLASH He watches them danced, confused over his dreams and jealous that the guy is holding her so close. Then he figures out about the dreams. Her memories. He refuses to believe it. She had hurt so much. FLASH She’s dancing with him. He has to focus to keep his mind working and away from where she’d placed his hands. Then she asks him to come to LA with her, says she’s not going out with the guy. He wants to forget everything and kiss her. Forget Max, forget Antar, forget Roswell… Just leave… FLASH Fear. Raw fear. The guy is touching her. Anger takes over. He controls himself though. Can’t make a mistake. It’s Maria. FLASH Relief as he’d never felt before. She’s alright. He can’t believe it. He’s checking her again and again to make sure. His fear of failing had never been this strong. He can’t afford to fail when it’s about her. FLASH She’s waiting and he can’t get himself to talk. He’s terrified. He keeps seeing her face contorted in disgust and fear in his mind. Why did she want him to tell her? He’s not sure if he can handle rejection. He had never told it to anyone before. So he blurts it out. “I’m not human.” FLASH He’s lost to everything around him. His senses are in overload. He’s kissing her and she’s kissing him back. Why? He has no idea. She knows and still she’s kissing him with so much passion he wants to pinch himself to see if he’s dreaming. He’s not sure if he can stop it this time. He’s not sure if he wants to stop it. FLASH He’s inside her. Not just a part of him, it feels like she had engulfed all of him. It feels safe. He wants to stay there, at that moment for eternity. But it also gives him this painful, torturous pleasure. His whole body is shaking as he hears her whimper his name in a daze. He wants to sob like a baby, cry like he’s never let himself before. FLASH He sees her dream. The backyard, the house, the baby. Himself. He’s there. But that’s not him. It can't be him. He can't look that soft. He can't hold a baby that delicately. He can't smile like he knows everything there's to know. He's not capable of being that man. He can't do it. He's going to fail her. She wants too much, needs too much, deserves too much. “This was a mistake.” FLASH He hears her soft sob and quiet plea. He runs. He runs till he can't move anymore. He wants to run till he dies, till the pain goes away. But he doesn’t die and the pain stays. FLASH They are on the road. How long has it been? What day is it? It doesn’t really matter. All he knows is he’s driving now and when it’s night he’ll be with her. FLASH He checks the map. He’s headed towards LA. He knows he didn’t do it on purpose. He hadn't checked the map in weeks. He can't help but hope to see her there. Just for a moment. From afar. So he could have another mental picture of her to keep. FLASH Her pain. She is in pain. She can be dying. He doesn’t even have a phone. Desperation. What happened to her? He will kill, if anyone touched her. FLASH She’s yelling at him for his hair. He wants to smile but he knows it wouldn’t look appropriate. He can't believe that she’s there. She’s alive. And talking to him again. He doesn’t even want to grab and kiss her, hearing her voice is more than enough. FLASH She did it again. She’s putting herself in danger. Why the hell is she so annoying? He would kill himself and find her in afterlife to yell at her if she gets herself killed. FLASH He has to stay away. She deserves better. He can't watch her throw away her life to be with him only to realize he can't give her what she needs. He has to be a wall. Never let anything get through. He has to lock that selfish side of him away that wants to be with her. She doesn’t know. He can't use her. FLASH He walks in to hear her singing. He’s not strong enough anymore. Tomorrow. He will leave tomorrow, or his resolves will crumble. END FLASH Maria opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times to clear her mind. She was panting from all the emotions. Her whole body was shaking. She tried to sit up but noticed the arms holding her. She found the eyes she adored looking at her with concern. “I'm okay.” She said softly. But she wasn’t okay. She was nowhere near okay. She was miserable, she was angry. But she was also determined. She would kick his ass for hurting himself so much once she’s back in reality. She watched him carefully, he wasn’t letting her go. “So you're the selfish part that got locked away, huh?” she asked, a small smile playing on her lips. His face held a pained expression for a moment. He held her tightly to his chest and kissed the top of her head. “I can't let you go. But you deserve better. And you'll have something better.” She pushed him away to look at his face. “Oh no! you're not doing this to me again! God knows your real-life-self does it enough, I don’t need it from you too!” She cupped his face and brought him closer. Her voice was softer when she spoke. “Listen to me, I’ll go now and straighten things up. But I want you to promise me that you won’t let me go. And please don’t punish yourself for wanting this. Please Michael! I need you. Please.” She was begging. She was desperate. He looked at her with sad and teary eyes. He looked long and hard, without responding but studying her face. Then he smiled. A small but genuine Michael Guerin smile. “I love you.” Her heart literally jumped at his words. Her stomach quivered, her eyes filled with tears. She had heard them before, from various different people, but it had never meant that much. It had never meant the world, universe, life itself. So she kissed him. Giving him herself, which was all she had to give, and all he could ever ask for. She smiled against his lips and caressed the sides of his face lazily. “Now I’ll go and kick your ass.” She said happily. “Don’t ever think about trapping yourself in a tree again and don’t let that annoying stupid part of you take charge! Okay?” Giving him one more small kiss, she reluctantly got up. ”Now, how the hell am I supposed to get out of here?” - - - FLASH He’s smirking at her. How dare he? She wants to punch him for the pleasure he had given her with one simple kiss. FLASH Too bad he doesn’t live in LA. She would have jumped his bones at first sight… FLASH She’s looking through his sketches. Surprise. Awe. So he’s not just the delinquent he appears to be. FLASH He’s so annoying! And sexy… God, that shirt and his arms… How the hell can his arms look so sexy? And those hands… Don’t even go there. This will be a long month! FLASH Liz. She’s with Max Evans. And Alex with Isabel Evans. So that makes him Michael Guerin. Michael Guerin, the cool guy from high school. Michael Guerin, who she’d had a huge crush on but would never admit. He still is cool. And she still has that crush… Oh God… FLASH They are lying. Her heart broke with every word. She isn’t wanted here obviously. She is finally getting what she had deserved. FLASH She’s sick. She can't even gather enough strength to walk. And he’s there to make it all worse. He’s standing there, looming over her all god-like, mocking her like he doesn’t give a damn. It hurts. She wants him to give a damn. FLASH Liz is pregnant. Why is he angry? Why is Liz scared? Only one thing comes to her mind. He loves Liz. She doesn’t want to believe it but something freaky is going on… FLASH He’s crying in her arms. She wants to take the pain away. It hurts to see him hurt. He says he’s lonely. Why? He shouldn’t be. He’s this exquisite person, how can he be so miserable? FLASH “Stay.” She doesn’t want to say no to him. She wants to stay. She wants to feel him against her, get lost in his arms and listen to his heart beat. She wants to be the one to give him what he needs. Cause he is special. He makes her feel. FLASH She is lying to him. She doesn’t want to lie to him but it’s hard to resist. How would he react? Would he be mad that she has a boyfriend? Would he be jealous? FLASH Max says he doesn’t have anyone. “He doesn’t like being known.” But she knows he wants to be known, he needs it. He needs a friend. And she would try to give it to him no matter what. FLASH She hates it. She hates that she needs to leave. She hates that he’s so confusing. She hates that she can't just take care of him. No matter how hard she tries to convince herself that he’s old enough to take care of himself, her heart never believes it. So she swallows her pride. “You can come to LA…” FLASH “You’re not scary.” She wants to scream to him to kiss her but doubts that it would be helpful. She craves for his lips, his touch… The shriek coming from upstairs makes her jump. What was that? FLASH The guy touches her and she feels sick. She holds herself together though. She has to. For Liz and Max. And Michael would come. She knows it. She trusts him. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. FLASH He’s not human. And he thinks she would hate him for it. Why? If anything it makes her love him more. She knows it now, she loves him. There’s no way to deny it anymore. She is in love with him. And she wants him. She wants him so bad, it hurts. FLASH He’s kissing her. His lips so soft and hot, just like she remembered, and his touch, still so gentle, like she would brake. He looks at her with want, desire and awe… She knows from that moment on she will live for that look. FLASH He is inside her. She feels him all over her skin. There’s no denying that she would never be able to live without that feeling from now on. This is her new addiction. Not sex, not orgasm, but feeling Michael. FLASH He’s gone before her clouded brain could process what he had said. Her world shatters. No. She must have done something wrong. Why doesn’t he want her anymore? How can she breathe now without him? She closes her eyes and wishes to die with all her heart. FLASH She’s home, watching the not so bright stars. It doesn’t feel like home though. It’s too lonely, too quiet. Everything looks strange. She clutches the alien doll to her chest. The t-shirt smells like him. Tears roll down her cheeks. It smells like home. FLASH Her guitar sounds far away. She scribbles down the words almost in a daze. She doesn’t even read them twice. She needs to get them all out before they burst out of her. FLASH She needs to get her life back, feel the power. The guy’s breath makes her want to pull away but she doesn’t let herself. She needs this. As he penetrates her all she can feel is pain. It hurts. Not just physically. Her mind hurts. Her heart hurts. She wants to scream. FLASH She watches her friends. Warmth. Nancy and Drew. She’ll never have that. Envy. Sadness. FLASH Michael’s voice… After all this time… She feels blessed and curses herself for it. Liz. She’s pregnant. And lonely. Anger. Pain. She remembers her own pregnancy. Liz shouldn’t go through that. FLASH They are coming. She has to keep herself busy to stop trembling. Michael’s coming. Will he hate her? Will he be mean to her? She tries not to think but it’s all she can do. FLASH She’s singing. It makes her feel complete again. When she closes her eyes she can almost touch him. She sings for hours but it feels like seconds. She opens her eyes and he’s gone. Pain. Disappointment. FLASH Michael’s here. Her heart is going to burst out of her chest. He looks older and sexy as hell. But the hair… What happened to his spikes? How dare he change it? FLASH Max is crying in her arms. She doesn’t want to like him. He was mean to Michael. But he looks so pathetic. And he’s on the verge of losing a baby. She knows that pain. FLASH She wakes up in his arms. Safe. Secure. Michael. He’s so close she can smell him. She touches his face. Will she ever get over him? Ever love someone that much again? She wants to believe it but refuses to lie to herself. She knows it. He will be the one and only. FLASH He’s going to reverse it. He doesn’t want to feel her. She wants to fight her way through it to keep what she wants, needs, craves, but it doesn’t mean anything if he can't even stand to feel her. How did this happen she wonders. How did she fall so deep? FLASH Liz says he is no good. She knows she’s her friend and only trying to help, but she won't just sit there while she insults him. He belongs to her no matter what he thinks. His body knows that. It tells her when its hurt so she can help him. And she will. No matter what. “You have no idea who Michael Guerin is. So please don’t assume you do, okay?” FLASH Liz forgives her. She says it wasn’t her fault. Relief. She feels lighter. Years of guilt is gone in minutes. It’s not weighing her down anymore. She feels like she can fly… FLASH Our baby. He said our baby. She is paralysed. She just wants to collapse in his arms. Is there still a chance? FLASH She can't breathe. It’s over. He thinks she’s a whore. He thinks she should go f-uck someone else. The world might as well end right that minute. She can't see herself living another day. FLASH She’s walking towards their table with determined steps. She’s not a coward. She is the kind of person that would die standing, with her honour. Well, that’s not exactly death, but close enough… FLASHS END Michael opened his eyes but for a moment all he could see was darkness. He couldn’t breathe. He didn’t want to breathe. All that pain… It was almost physical. He felt her hand on his cheek. She was watching him with loving eyes. How could she still love him? How could she still care? But she did. He knew that now. She pulled his hand away from the sphere. He couldn’t protest. He felt himself being pulled away to the real world. She smiled at him through her tears. “Trust me Michael.” He opened his eyes in the backroom of the bar once again. PART 25 They just sat there and stared at each other, not able to move a muscle. They were naked in front of each other now for the first time, not physically but emotionally. They knew exactly what each other had thought in certain defining points in their relationship. Or their “thing” as Maria liked to call it. That was why Michael was caught off guard when Maria punched him. “Maria… What the…?” He was rubbing his chin with one hand while his other hand was busy holding her wrists. She stilled for a moment and searched his eyes with fire in her heart. He appeared clueless. That enraged her once again. Her hands slipped out of his grip and she started pounding on his chest, his face, his arms… anywhere she could reach. “MARIA WHAT THE HELL?” “How dare you? You… you… you… bastard! How can you do this? You’re so stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How can you be so stupid! My God… You idiot!” “Maria… Maria… CALM DOWN FOR A DAMN SECOND!” She stopped and found herself straddling his lap, her face only inches from his. She got lost in his eyes for a moment, not able to move or say anything. He looked like he was trying to say something, but couldn’t quite find the words. “I… I’m sorry.” He stuttered his gaze firmly fixed on her, almost like he was hypnotized. “You’re sorry? For what?” Her breath was tickling him seductively. He tried to ignore it, but it was… distracting to say the least. “For… I don’t know. Everything?” Where was he supposed to start? There were so many things she had gone through because of him… He shuddered just at the thought of it. He gulped. This was going to be a long apology. He needed to say a thousand things, but could manage only one sentence. “I’m sorry I hurt you.” It summed things up pretty well though. To his surprise she smiled. “No, no… It’s okay.” She was shaking her head. “No, it’s not okay.” He protested. “Nothing’s okay. I hurt you. It’s all my fault. I f-ucked up your life, just like I always do…” “Stop it!” she said forcefully. Her face softened slowly, she watched his surprised eyes and cupped his face. He was so innocent, almost like an angel. How come she hadn't seen that the first time she’d met him? “You’re so stupid…” she muttered, and leaned in to kiss him. His grip tightened around her waist. Their lips met, and he felt his insides turn to jello. He let his doubts go with the taste of strawberries and the rich smell of wild flowers. The kiss they shared was passionate but yet gentle. Maria was kissing him slowly, caressing his face delicately. She had waited too long for this, she wasn’t about to hurry things up as she had done the last time. She was thinking that she could kiss him for days, for years, for eternity like this. She pushed him on the bed on his back softly and continued kissing him while lying on top of him. He started to protest between kisses. “Maria… You shouldn’t… We… shouldn’t…” She shook her head at his attempts to form a sentence and continued kissing him slowly while unbuttoning his shirt. “Why Michael?” He looked stupefied, like he couldn’t understand what she was talking about. “Why was it a mistake?” she asked calmly, proceeding to unbutton her own shirt after his. His mind was blurred. How was he supposed to form a sentence when she was stripping inches away from him? “I… can't…” “It wasn’t a mistake.” She said, kissing his neck and squirming torturously on top of him. He groaned. “We can't…” “Can't what?” she whispered licking his earlobe. “Can't be together? Can't have sex? Can't love?” He stilled at the word love. “Love?” he croaked out, cursing his voice silently for showing his insecurities. Though he knew deep down that she knew them already… She took his hand and placed it on her bra clad breast over her heart. “Yes Michael. Love.” She slowly moved her hands to unclasp the front clasp of her bra. She let it fall and started to unbuckle his belt. Michael was in a daze, still feeling her heartbeat under his palm. “Love? How can you be sure?” She pulled his trousers down and he couldn’t protest or help. “You know how.” She said when their eyes met. “Tell me.” He pleaded needing to hear the words. She shrugged. “It’s there when I look at you, when I touch you, when I kiss you. I can feel it when I think of you…” she let her hands slowly explore his chest. “I am in love with you. For the first time in my life… And I know it’s the last.” She leaned forward and placed feather light kisses around his nipples. “I don’t care what you name it. You belong to me. And I'm yours.” She looked at his face again and thought how child-like he looked. In wonder of everything around him. In wonder of her… She placed a kiss over his eyebrow. “You are mine. And if you ever hurt yourself again, I’ll kick your ass.” She stated, combing his hair back. She felt the power. It was back. She was in charge of her life once again. It felt right. It felt normal with Michael. She knew everything was going to be fine now. He looked lost. She knew he wasn’t a man of words, and she didn’t really need the words anymore. She had what she needed right under her. So she kissed him, with much more passion this time to clear his mind of unwanted thoughts. One of her hands sneaked down to caress him through his boxers, and she felt his hands grab her breasts in an instant. His touch softened a moment later, and began kneading the soft flesh, making her pant and lose control. One of his hands unbuttoned her jeans hurriedly and he moved to switch positions to get them off. “Uh-uh-uh…” she protested, pushing him back. “I don’t think so… This time you’ll have to get through me before you run away.” He threw her small figure on the bed easily and loomed over her. “I’m not going anywhere…” he whispered to her ear and continued peeling off her jeans. Biting her lip she reached to take off his boxers. She was feeling too much at once. His skin was brushing against hers and creating a sensation so sweet and torturous, she wanted to scream. She was rubbing herself against his thigh which was nestled between her legs. He was so much bigger and stronger, but also so gentle and careful with her. She was seeing everything from a different angle now, and she could see clearly how scared he was. He was terrified of hurting her. They were both naked a moment later, and were calmer, lying there in the silence, expecting the storm. He traced a finger between her lower lips and made her squirm under him. He was lying half on top of her, his erection pressing her upper thigh. He was worshipping her, watching her, tasting her, slowly, taking his time. He inhaled her deeply, and pressed his forehead to her neck not able to handle his emotions. She placed a delicate hand at the back of his neck, and turned his head to see his face. There were tears in his eyes. “What happened baby? What’s wrong?” His heart clenched at her soft voice and caring look. She’d called him baby. He’d never been anyone’s baby… A tear coursed down his cheek. He fought with the sobs building up in his throat. Turning his head slightly, he kissed her palm. Looking in her eyes, he had to ask. “You’re mine?” “Forever.” She whispered kissing away his tears. With a satisfied sigh he lowered his head to her breasts and took one nipple in his mouth, making her gasp with pleasure and arch off the bed in anticipation. His name left her lips in a whimper, and he felt it. Love… So it really was love… He teased her with his finger, enjoying her melodic voice. She was a kitten when she was under him, always rubbing against him and purring. And she was small. So small and delicate… “You’re mine.” He said kissing her navel in a daze. “Yes…” she breathed grabbing his hair and trying to control her hips. He chuckled softly, and explained at her quizzical look. “Now that I have you, I honestly don’t know what to do…” “Well…” she said with a mischievous smile. “…why don’t we… uh… I don’t know… maybe try having sex?” “No.” he said firmly shaking his head, not quite aware that he was causing her a heart attack. “Considering that we’re in love, we will be making love now.” Her heart made a happy dance instead of the expected heart attack. “So we’re in love?” she asked playfully, trying but not exactly succeeding to hide her grin. “Well, I don’t know about you…” he said in a mocking serious tone and took her small hand in his larger one. He kissed her palm softly and placed it over his heart. “…but I know I am.” How could she have thought she didn’t need the words? All her playful mood was gone in a second. Her heart which had been running because of his touches was now beating in a painfully fast rate. Tears built up in her eyes and her chin started to quiver. She closed her eyes to handle her emotions but it was useless. A single tear slid down her cheek and coursed down towards her ear. She felt his soft lips trail up its track. He pulled himself up on his elbows and softly kissed her lips. “Open your eyes…” he whispered, his face just a breath away from hers. She shook her head. That was the happiest moment of her life, but she was finding it hard to not break down. This wasn’t how she was supposed to react. She was supposed to throw herself in his arms and kiss him senseless. But hearing the actual words was too much since she had waited for too long, fantasized too much about them. He kissed her nose. “I love you.” He whispered nuzzling her face, softly rubbing their faces together, mating their skin, unconsciously mimicking what she had done when they had first kissed. She opened her eyes and her eyelashes touched his face. He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, and found them teary but smiling. “You do?” she asked, still not able to stop her chin from quivering. She looked for the answer in the depths of his brown eyes, and it didn’t take much searching. “I have been in love with you since that first kiss. You’re my light. My reason. My everything. You make me want to live… want to actually be a better guy…” his voice croaked, and closing his eyes he leaned his forehead to hers. She stroked his hair, she had been given so much happiness at once, she actually didn’t know what to do with it. “But you know who I am, I don’t think I can be much more than that. I wish I could… for you… but I can't…” “You know what baby?” she said softly, knowing exactly how his mind worked, knowing how his thoughts hurt him. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted and more.” Michael’s eyes opened in surprise. “You’re my hero. You saved me. You made me feel again. You let me be myself. You gave me a taste of heaven…” she seductively licked his lips and continued with a smile. “…And now everything will be perfect cause you're giving yourself to me. Now I’ll be complete. I’ll be content…” with a mischievous squirm she added. “…And I’ll probably be a little naughty.” Michael smiled at her, meeting her movements. “Oh, of that I’m sure.” “I can't help myself when it comes to you. You're so damn sexy.” She lost her train of thought when he let out a growl and started sucking her neck. He trailed down, his kisses causing her to lay beneath him motionless which was a miracle all by itself, and reached her nipple. A mutual sigh was heard. Michael was suckling her while she urged him on with her caresses. They knew what to expect from that action since they had actually lived it once and dreamt about it ever since. It was ecstasy. Maria was burning. His every touch was sending her into a trembling frenzy, causing her trouble with her breathing. Never once in her life had she thought she could want anything that much. Everything except the throbbing need between her thighs and the man above her had disappeared. “Michael, please…” she managed to beg between pants. Hearing the desperation in her voice, he raised his eyes to meet hers. He nodded, knowing exactly what she was feeling. He was craving for it too. She opened her legs and wrapped them around his hips. He placed himself at her entrance, his breathing ragged with anticipation. Maria’s urging hands on his ass stilled all of a sudden. “Michael? Baby?” “Yes.” He hissed looking at her. “I'm not on the pill. I didn’t really need it you know…” she said and felt the relief that last statement had caused in him. He was looking at her lovingly, his gaze clouded with raw passion, and she could see happiness there. Michael Guerin was lying on top of her, he was hers and he was happy. She made her decision, it was fairly easy. Placing her hand around his erection, she urged him on. His head shot up at her request. He searched her eyes with panic. Was she…? “Are you…?” he began with a hoarse whisper but couldn’t finish. The day had turned so many emotional turns, he now wasn’t sure what he should be thinking. Then with one look into her eyes he thought “should” could go to hell. “Do you really want to?” he asked in a tone so vulnerable he couldn’t be sure it was his own. Scanning all thoughts in her head regarding the subject she chose a simple answer. She sighed. “Yes.” After making sure her eyes held no doubt, he entered her in one long stroke, their whimpers blending into one, their eyes never leaving each other. Michael felt safe for the first time in months. He was home. They moved together in tandem, each feeling like an extension of the other. Their hearts beat as one, and the loud thump was felt almost like an earthquake in time with their thrusts. They were torturously slow, letting their anticipation grow with the knowledge of what’s to come, feeling every nerve being touched by the other. They couldn’t let their eyes part, just like the first time. Maria couldn’t stop a small smile when she looked deep in his eyes and remembered Liz’s words. Were they seeing into each other’s souls? Were they soulmates? No. The thought seemed too little and unimportant compared to what she was feeling. She didn’t believe in soulmates. She didn’t feel the need to see his soul, know everything there was to know about him. She had fell in love with him at a time when she knew nothing about him, and now she knew more than she would ever need. And she was positive, even if she disagreed something he had done which she was sure she would, she would still love him. Like… always. Like… maybe for as long as she existed… When their movements gained speed, she let go of the last shred of outer world she had hung onto, trusting him to be right by her side. World stopped spinning and they stilled except for the cries of each other’s names escaping their lips. Then it took off in light speed and they collapsed in each other’s arms as the only other real and stable thing. Maria rode the waves of pleasure this time in contentment, completing the feeling with his scent, his sweat and his weight on top of her. She caressed his trembling body soothingly til he stopped shaking, and kissed the top of his head when she heard his sigh. They laid there for what seemed like hours, but the position felt too comfortable to move. Finally Michael stirred a little and tried to move, thinking that he was crushing her. She stopped him by placing her hands on his back, he gave in easily and let his head drop to its place on her chest. He could hear her heart beat right under him. It was the most relaxing sound he had ever heard. He thought he now was an official sap, loving even her heartbeat. Not that he would let anyone know that. After a second and surprising thought, he found that he would indeed let everyone know it. She was hers and he would make sure that everyone knew that. Who gave a damn about what they thought? He nuzzled the soft skin under her breast. “I want to stay here.” He said, realizing after he heard his voice that he had said it out loud. Maria looked down at him and smiled. “It is an awfully decorated room at the back of a bar Michael.” He nuzzled her breast again and softly kissed it. “No, I mean here.” “Oh.” She said, clearly surprised that he was so open for once. “You can stay there…” she said happily. “…for as long as you want to baby.” “Okay then…” he said yawning and making himself comfortable on top of her. She held him tightly as they slowly drifted off to sleep. - - - “Maria… You still in there?” The loud tapping and some sound suspiciously resembling a kick woke Maria up from her peaceful slumber. She checked the man in her arms to make sure it hadn't all been a dream. No, he was still there, his head between her breasts, his lips brushing her skin. She smiled at the disapproving grunt he let out as she stirred under him. Letting her hands still him back to sleep she wondered at the happiness she had found in someone so unexpected. “Yes I’m here, but not quite decent right now…” she answered Lucy, trying to keep her voice down. “Are you coming out anytime soon?” Lucy asked in a amused voice. “Not by choice…” Maria mumbled to herself. “Well I’m locking up the place. It’s almost 5 am. I’m leaving a key on the bar for you… I’ll be seeing you later I guess.” She said and pausing for a moment for a non-existent respond from Maria, she quietly left. - - - Michael woke up to Maria’s cell’s annoying sound. She picked it up from the floor without opening her eyes and found the buttons by memory. “Yeah?” she said groggily. Michael listened to her one sided conversation, cussing wildly in his mind for the intrusion. “None of your damn business.” Maria said calmly. “Yes Tom, I did.” “No, I definitely don’t want to hear it.” “No… No… I said NO!” “I am happy babe, deliriously, but if you call me again in 6 hours, I definitely would kick your ass… Yes… Yes… Bye! YES!” She growled in frustration as she threw the phone to the other end of the bed. “Tom?” Michael asked her as he crawled up towards her lips. She kissed him gratefully, purring as her body responded to him in an instant. “He said that he knew we had sex, and he wanted to bug me and congratulate you.” Maria said, and protested. “Why is he on your side? He’s supposed to be my best friend.” “But it’s so much fun to bug you…” he said seriously, while tracing her jawline with kisses. She was about to protest but lost all coherent thoughts when he woke her sleepy body with patented Michael touches. She was squirming under him when her phone rang again. Her body jerked at the sudden sound but Michael held her down. “No… Let it ring…” he said and continued kissing her breasts. She wasn’t strong enough to protest. It rang once… twice… She could feel the disturbing sound in her brain. Stilling him with one hand she reached for it. “What?” She was too grumpy for pleasantries. “Yes, I am.” “No… No… Kyle! I'm okay. Yes… Yes… What? Why? Okay, hold on.” She passed the phone to Michael. “He wants to talk to you.” Michael looked at her questioningly, and she just shrugged. “Yeah?” he said in a voice which he hoped was confident. “I know.” Maria watched as his face hardened and his voice became serious. “Yes… Okay…” “You know I do.” Michael’s face crumpled in confusion a moment later. “Uh… Thanks.” He said and put the phone on the bed once again. “So?” Maria asked, her curiosity obvious in her eyes. “He congratulated me.” Michael said looking shocked. She threw her hands up in an exasperated gesture. “Huh! They’re all on your side!” - - - Maria was curled up in Michael’s arms, her body spent and her mind unable to think anything except her very own alien. She placed her face at the crook of his neck and nuzzled his skin. She couldn’t get close enough. Michael heard her whisper against his neck. “Love you so much.” He pulled her body a little higher, and placed her head on the pillow so close that their noses were touching. He kissed her nose and made her giggle. It was surprising and unbelievable that he would find something like this enjoyable. Feeling her naked body against his, having her breath tickle his face, touching her, kissing her, making her happy… “I'm hungry…” she whined and sat up. She found her bra on the floor and started getting dressed. Suddenly dread covered his being. Everything was good there, in the awful white room, they had their own world. But outside… things could change. He wasn’t sure how he would handle real world. It was easy when it was just the two of them, he didn’t want to include other people. She saw the confusion on his face and climbed back on top of him. “Come on, Spaceboy, we need to eat.” Closing his eyes he kissed her and wished with all his heart that they didn’t have to. She pulled him up and gave him his cloths. The way he got dressed reminded her of a kid getting ready for school. He was stalling. She pushed his hands away and continued buttoning up his shirt herself. “You don’t wanna go?” she asked softly. Surprised that she noticed, he couldn’t say anything. He didn’t really want her to know, it was stupid to feel like that. It was childish… Immature… She smoothed the wrinkles on his shirt and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her head slightly tilted up, her deep green eyes boring into his. “I'm scared too.” She whispered to him. He buried his fingers in her tousled hair, but couldn’t say anything. What else could he say? She already seemed to know everything. “But I know it will be okay.” She reassured him. “How?” he asked, wanting to be let in on the secret. Never letting his eyes look away, she slowly pulled him to the door. “Cause I know you’ll be with me.” She said caressing his cheek. “And I know, when I touch you, everything will feel right again.” She pulled his hand and placed it around her waist under her shirt. She felt him stiffen and pull her closer to his body as they stepped outside, but with one small kiss on his shirt clad chest and he was relaxed again. “Let's go eat.” He said with a new found confidence in his voice. She smiled as they walked out, towards their new life. They were excited, they were scared as hell, but also for the first time in their lives they were content. THE END |
| Parts 21-25 |