Maria reached for the last of the shopping bags placing it in the back of the Jetta. Making her way round to the fount of her car she looked at the slightly dented bonnet. They had been through some rough times together, but it had never failed her once. She was very surprised that the Jetta had lasted so long.

Maria lowered her self into the drivers seat gently. Her back ached and she gave it a quick rub as she started the engine. Pulling out of the k mart car park she turned up the radio finding a good station. Sounds of Jennifer Lopez filled the car and Maria happily sang in time to the song *Coz I’m real*.

Maria loved to drive it soothed her nerves. It was almost 6pm and the day was giving way to night she could see the stars forming in the sky. She loved the night-time it was defiantly her favourite time she seemed to have more energy at night. It was strange, Liz was always telling her night was for sleep, but not for Maria it was the time she most liked to work.

Maria was so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed her exit of the freeway. * Welcome to Roswell New Mexico *. She never tired of seeing the funny green alien, it reminded her of the time she, Liz and Kyle had vaporised. Maria shivered she couldn’t remember where she had gone but she remembered feeling cold. She turned up the Jetta's heat a little looking back at the road in time to see a coyote running into it.

“ OH MY GOD” Maria grasped the steering wheel tightly and stepped on the brakes. Her car skidded of the road onto the dirt track before slamming into the billboard. Maria slumped forward in her seat the belt holding her tightly in place. The darkness of unconsciousness over came her and she was out cold.

Jim Valenti Roswell's Sheriff was doing a routine call up to Bakersfield. He had planed to spend the day with Amy his wife but duty called. He was thinking of ways to make it up to her. On his trip back he had stopped at a gas station and bought some flowers since Amy loved flowers. They had been married for 5 years now and every day got better and better because he truly loved her.

He was watching the road idly listening to the calls coming over the police radio when one call got his attention. He slammed on the brakes and turned the volume up.

* Any units in the vacinity of the state line be advise a red Jetta registration L872 OTO has crashed any units respond *.

Jim grabbed his Mic “dispatch can you repeat that last call this is Sheriff Valenti."

Jim’s voice held a trace of panic as he was frantically trying to remember Maria's licensed number. The dispatcher repeated the call

“ I’m on my way I want an ambulance there now" Jim yelled as he threw the mic on the passenger seat and accelerated leaving trail of dust in his wake.

Jim could make out the faint glow of the emergency lights as he pulled over the horizon. “Oh god Maria” he choked as the van came to a stop. He ripped his belt off and was out of the van in a second.

A young officer tried to intercept him but he pushed him out of the way to see a paramedic hauling Maria's still form from the wreaked Jetta.

“Careful she’s pregnant, looks to be about 8 months gone”. Jim was in a daze as the emergency guys were yelling out things

“ I got a faint pulse”.

Jim knelt down by Maria she was still unconscious they had laid her out on a gurney and were preparing her for the ambulance. Jim had grown very close to Maria in the past years. He loved her truly, just like a daughter. He looked down at her angelic face she was so pale and there was a deep gash across her forehead. Her beautiful blond hair was now matted with blood. Jim stifled a sob

“Please is the baby okay” he whispered.

The paramedic looked up surprised as if he hadn’t noticed Jim. “Are you relation?” he questioned

“I’m her father” was Jim’s only response and for all intents and purposes he was her father.

“ She has a faint pulse. We are going to have to get her back to the ER. Do you want to follow us” the paramedic looked at Jim who was still staring at Maria’s still body,

“ Umm, yes of course I’ll just have to call her mother and her husband”. Jim leaned down and kissed Maria's cheek. “ Your gonna be fine honey, I’m going to get you mum. we will be there soon. You be strong remember you have the little one to protect now "

That was one of the hardest things Jim had ever had to do, but calling Amy was going to be just as hard. He flipped open his cell phone and dialled the number almost with out thinking. The phone connected and after 3 rings Amy picked up

“Valenti house of horrors can I help you” Amy giggled she knew it would be Jim calling letting her no he was almost home but the silence she was meet with unnerved her “ hello”.

Jim was shaken form his daze. She sounded so alive, so happy, how could he crush her with the news. But he had to be strong for Maria her reminded him self.

“Amy honey its me. I have some news”

Amy was deathly silent “Its Maria isn’t it? What’s happen” The panic rising in her voice Jim explained what had happened. “Where is she? Is she okay? Tell me Jim, what about the baby does max know”

Jim stopped her "I’m about to call him now. Meet me at Roswell memorial in 20 min's okay. Maria is on her way there now. Honey, I love you and take care".

And with that he snapped the cell phone shut cutting the connection. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out as if he was preparing him self, than when he thought he was ready he opened the phone again dialling Maria's home number.

After 1 ring Max picked up.

“Maria?” the voice on the end of the phone was urgent. He was obviously expecting Maria to call.

“No Max its Jim."

Max laughed over the phone. Jim sighed why did he have to be the bearer of bad news, but it had to be done. “ Max I’m afraid there was an accident tonight. Maria was hurt in a car crash. She’s on her way to the ER now”.

The line went dead obviously Max had dropped the phone and was racing to the ER at that very moment.

He could feel the tension in his neck as he rolled his head a couple of times. It was dark now; the evening was defiantly up on them. Out of the corner of his eye he saw some thing by the Jetta glinting in the glow of the lights.

Walking over to the Jetta he tried so hard not to look at the mangled body of the car. It reminded him of the fateful night he was called to Alex Whitman’s death. That had affected him deeply and he couldn’t allow him self to think about it again.

Maria is going to be fine; he said it aloud just so he could hear the words. As if to reassure him self. He bent down and brushed the dirt away and there in a pile of soil lay a silver wedding band. He knew it was Maria’s since she had made a big fuss before the wedding saying she just wasn’t a gold kind of a girl.

He remembered the long drive he and max had taken out to Salt Lake City to get this ring that Maria had seen. Max had wanted every thing to be perfect. He hadn’t even realised he was squeezing the ring tightly in his palm, not even feeling the edges sink into his skin. With out a look back he was in the van starting the engine. But before he set off he shouted to Hanson

“I want to know exactly what happened here Hanson. Call me if you find anything”. Jim sped off down the road with all that he had been through this could have been a simple car accident but then again it could have been some thing else and Jim wasn’t going to take the chance with Maria's life

Max pulled into the front of Roswell memorial hospital abandoning his car in the front and crashing through the doors. He saw Amy first encircled in Jim’s arms and she was sobbing uncontrollably.

Jim saw Max and sat Amy down on one of the blue chairs in the waiting room. He approached Max, a solemn look on his face.

“Jim tell me what happened?” Max was frantic with worry his hazel eyes darting everywhere searching for a sign of his wife.

They had married 2 years ago and it was the happiest day of his life, only second to the day she told him about their baby, which was due next month Max didn’t know what he would do if he lost either of them.

Jim placed some thing in Max’s palm. He looked down dazed his face crumpled and fresh tears poured down his cheeks “no” he gasped.

Jim saw this realising that max thought she was dead “Max, no, she’s alive. Barely, but alive”

Relief flooded Max “I need to see her” he croaked.

Jim gently took him by the shoulder" I know Max but right now let the doctors work on her”

Max tried to resist Jim for he desperately wanted to see her. He knew that he could heal her if he could just see her. “Jim you know that I can help her”

Jim squeezed a little more firmly “I know you can, but not with all the doctors around. Now lets take a seat, the doctor will be out soon to tell us what’s happening. Don’t worry Maria is going to be fine”

Max slumped in the seat next to Amy, they both looked at each other and Amy burst onto a fresh bout of sobs. Max circled his arms around her shoulder drawing her close

“Come on Amy, do you really think Maria's is going to give up this easily. She’s got a brilliant little wrestler inside her”

Amy smiled a little “You know she thinks it’s a girl don’t you”

Max wiped his face “Nope its going to be a boy, defiantly a boy”

Jim watched as the 2 chatted about the baby. He had seen a coffee machine earlier and he wanted to grab them both a cup because there was no telling just how long they were going to be here. He just prayed Maria and the baby were going to be okay.

As he was getting the coffee he realised in all the panic he hadn’t called anyone else. He didn’t use his cell for he knew that it wasn’t allowed in hospitals, so he grabbed a couple of quarters and fed the public phone calling Is & Kyle and Michael & Liz. He explained what had happened and they had all said they would be there as soon as possible.

Hanging up Jim realised it was almost 11pm as he returned to find the doctor standing with Max & Amy. He couldn’t read either of there expressions as he approached them. Amy saw him and she tried to smile for him, but he could see the tears coursing down her cheeks.

“Oh Jim she’s going to be fine, but the baby” she collapsed into his open arms.

“Can I see her now? Please doctor” Max was as white as a sheet.

“Of course you can Mr. Evens if you like to come with me I will show you to her” The Dr guided Max down the corridor and they entered her room.

Max hesitated just for a second. He was scared to see her like this. She was always his pillar of strength and with out her he would have fallen apart a long time ago.

The doctor gently closed the door behind him leaving Max and Maria alone. She was so pale and that was the first thing he noticed just how much she looked like an angel, but the cuts and scrapes that marred her creamy skin killed the illusion quickly.

Max grabbed a chair by the window and he winced as the chair grated across the floor, as the noise just seemed to echo forever in the small room. He sat down next to her and gingerly reached for her hand. She was so still, but she was warm that was a start.

The doctor had said Maria was till unconscious and that she would pull through. However, the next 24 hours were crucial for the baby. Max lent over and gently kissed his wife on the cheek, holding back the tears that threatened to fall.

“Maria, baby can you hear me?” Max didn’t know what to expect. The Dr had told him to talk to her, so he was trying that.

He loved her so much and most times she amazed him. She was so giving, so loving and he knew just how lucky to have found her.

Max got up and closed the blinds on the window then retaking his seat he placed his hand on her arms willing the connection to form. He was so used to Maria now that he had no trouble getting it. He closed his eyes, his brow creased in concentration as he did a full check on her. Working his way down to her stomach he found that she had a cracked rib, which he healed. He was tired since it took so much of his energy to do this.

He reached the womb where their baby was nestled. He could feel its weak presence and he had no idea how to help the baby. He just thought of how much he loved Maria and sent images of when they had meet. The day Liz had been shot how their friendship had turn to love and the day they were married.

Max could feel the baby presence but he couldn’t tell if he had helped at all as the connection faded. Leaving him mentally as well as physically exhausted. He rested his forehead on Maria's arms and soon drifted on into a restless sleep.

Jim & Amy opened the door slightly to see Max. He was breathing deeply, resting next to Maria.

“Come on Jim. We shouldn’t disturb them, they have been though enough”

Jim took a quick look at Max and then closed the door lightly. He took Amy’s hand “come on I’ll buy you a coffee”

Before they had chance to reach the coffee machine they were intercepted by Michael & Liz.

“God what happened? How’s Maria” Liz pulled Amy into a hug “Can we see her” Liz pleaded.

Michael took his girlfriend by the shoulders. “ Honey, give Amy some room to breath” Michael grasped Liz’s hand and gave her a comforting squeeze, but before Amy could even speak Is & Kyle came sprinting through the door

“All of you calm down” Jim said. “Maria will be okay. She just needs rest. She’s still unconscious but Max is with her now” Jim said in a firm voice. There was no use in getting them all worked up, especially not at a time like this

“What about the baby Dad “ Kyle said as he gave him a quick hug

“We don’t know yet the next 24 hours are critical” Amy replied as she wiped her eyes and not for the last time that night

“Come on lets leave them to it. I’ll stay here and if any thing happens I’ll call you all" Jim said as he ushered the group towards the door ignoring all of the protests that came from them

“Me and Liz can give Amy a lift “ Michael pulled his keys out of his pocket “We have the jeep so we have plenty of room”

Jim thanked Michael and took Amy to one side “You’ll be okay wont you honey” Jim said as he hugged her

“Jim thank you so much for this I don’t Know what I would have done with out you. Promise to call me if anything changes” he nodded and they rejoined the group. They said all of there goodbyes and after the crowed had gone Jim went back to the waiting room and sat down. He knew it was going to be a long night

Dawn broke over the small town of Roswell Maria peeled her eyes open looking around the room. What had happened? The last thing she remembered was singing to Jennifer Lopez and her immediate reaction was to cradle her stomach and the precious cargo that was in there. She tenderly stroked her stomach making sure there was no damage.

Max stirred in his sleep and Maria gently brushed away a strand of black hair out of his eyes. He looked so peaceful and she knew that she was a lucky woman. The pain in her head was a dull throb as she gently touched her forehead and found the deep gash covered by a bandage.

She still had no idea what had happened as she tried to sit up but found the pain in her head was too much, so she collapsed back into the pillows.

“Max, sweetie are you awake?” she softly shook him and he open his eyes, did a double take and almost jumped on her but at the last second thought better of it in her fragile state.

“Oh my god Maria your awake I was so worried” Max gushed and Maria listened to what had happened.

“What about the baby” Maria tighten her grip on her tummy hoping that would protect the small person that was growing inside of her

“The Dr said they would no soon. I’ll go and find him okay. Will you be okay” Max was so reluctant to let Maria out of his site but the baby was more important than Max’s insecurities.

He stood up and then leaned down softly brushing his lips across his wife's beautiful pink lips and then dipping to kiss her stomach as well inspire of the dire circumstances.

Maria smiled as Max ran to the nurse’s station, passing a sleeping Jim Valenti. He skidded to a stop shaking Jim. “She’s awake. She’s awake” Max was so happy he just knew the baby would be okay. Maria was strong and so was their child.

Jim who had only just managed to get to sleep was instantly alert and awake “I’ll call Amy”

Jim was about to run to the phone when Max grabbed him by the arm “Jim in case I forget I really appreciate what you have done for me and Maria and for the baby” Max hugged Jim tightly

“Okay, okay You’ll make an old man Cry” Jim joked “Now go find the Dr and make sure that baby is okay. We need a new little wrestler for the team don’t we”

He winked at Max and walked to the pay phone.

Max found the Dr and practically dragged him out of the cafeteria to check on his wife. The Dr prodded and poked Maria as he scratched his head.

“Mrs Evens you are doing fine and the baby, well the bay is doing fine as well. I want to keep you in for a week as you nearly due now, but you will both be fine”

Maria was so relieved that she’d had just realised she was squeezing Max’s hand so tightly. She looked at Max a slight pained expression crossed his features.

"Sorry honey" she smiled at the Dr. “Thank you so much for taking care of me and my baby I’d hug you but as you can see I’m wired in to this bed “ The Dr smiled

“well I see you fighting fit. I’d leave you two alone but I think you have some people waiting to see you”

They all turned to the window seeing 6 happy people squashed up against the glass holding large amounts of balloons and teddy bears. The Dr opened the door but before he let the group pass he had one thing to say, “She’s still a little weak. So, no more than 20 minuets okay”

The large group nodded in unison and then charged into the room. Maria looked lovingly at Max knowing that she was the luckiest woman on the earth for she had a baby, a man she loved and her friends.

1 year later

Maria lay on a blanket in the middle of a field the remains of a picnic half-eaten surrounded her. The sun was shinning brightly as she was reading a book of poems Liz had given her for her 26th birthday.

It was a collection of Robert Frost and Maria loved it. The sound of Child laughter filtered through the air and Maria sat up as she watched as her little 1-year-old daughter Rafellena Evens waddled around.

She had just begun to walk but she could only go so far before falling on her bum. She giggled happily chasing a butterfly before her father scooped her up in his arms and spun her around. Catching her eye as he did, they shared a private smile then she went back to her book as the sound of their laughter filled the air.

!THE END!