“Michael.” Isabel said tearfully as she let go of Alex and threw herself at Michael.
“What happened?” Maria asked as she too let go of someone but this time to grasp Alex in a fearful hug.
“Max and Liz were going through an intersection and this drunk was coming though the side one, well when he was supposed to stop and let Max go he didn’t and he crashed into them. Some people at the gas station saw everything and called an ambulance.” Isabel explained her eyes slightly puffed and her cheeks bright red from crying.
“Oh my god, Isabel.” Maria began but that was all she could out next thing she knew Max and Liz’s parents were walking back from the check in area, they had to give the hospital certain things such as their insurance providers and so forth.
“Well the good thing is they have them both stabilized.” Nancy Parker said her husband’s arms wrapped tightly around her shaking form.
“The bad news is they don’t know for how long.” Diane Evans said as Isabel left Michael to hug her own mother.
“How long ago did this happen?” Michael asked leaning against a wall beside a row of chairs.
“Roughly, fifteen minutes ago.” Alex answered for the parents.
Maria walked over to give Jeff and Nancy Parker a hug; after all they had been her second family and Liz… Liz had been her sister almost.
Nancy and Jeff excused themselves to go get some coffee and Diane and her husband, Philip, decide to join them knowing it was doing no good to stand and worry.
“I can’t believe this is happening.” Isabel said into her hands. She had slumped down into a chair moments after her parents had left.
“I know.” Maria said doing exactly the same thing.
“Did you know Max and Liz were together?” Maria asked trying to brighten up the girl beside her along with herself of course.
“Yeah the big goof couldn’t quit smiling so I had to get it out of him.” Isabel answered smiling over at Alex. He had been there when her brother had made the confession.
“She tickled it our of him actually.” Alex said for clarification.
“Really? I caught them making out so it gave them away.” Maria said smiling briefly.
“You caught them?” Michael asked a raised eyebrow.
“We caught them.” Maria admitted.
“Yeah but that didn’t exactly stop them either. I swear they’re total horn dogs.” Michael said shaking his head.
“Maybe Max but Liz has never been a horn dog.” Alex said shiver in nausea at the thought.
“Neither has Max.” Michael said.
“I guess they bring out interesting traits in each other.” Isabel said.
Suddenly there was a code projected over the intercom along with the Parker’s names and a lot of commotion took place.
Nancy and Jeff ran past the four confused teens and into the emergency area. Suddenly Liz was being wheeled out, unconscious, her parents right behind her.
Maria leapt from her seat to look at her friend as she was rolled by. Her heart sank and her lunch rose, she was going to be sick.
She sat back down quickly and stuck her head between her knees breathing in slowly… there was just so much blood.
Michael was by her side as was Alex, Isabel had moved out of the way watching as her parents were the next to run up to them.
Maria was breathing and crying all at the same time. Alex was talking soothingly his words supportive; Michael was better with the body. He ran his hands over her spine reassuringly. His hands were comforting on her back.
Suddenly Nancy Parker walked to them to try to explain. But she couldn’t… not through the tears. Alex shot up and hugged her to him, now trying to calm Mrs. Parker.
*
Hours had passed, parents, Miss DeLuca, had been notified but had not come. Maria had composed herself as much as she could.
Alex Whitman leaned against the wall his legs laid across Maria’s lap her head laying peacefully on his chest.
Her sobs had long ago subsided. Liz had been cleaned and stabilized after emergency surgery to remove blood from her lungs.
Isabel sat across from them, her knees pulled against her chest, her head buried away from sight.
Michael, on the other hand, stood as if he was made of stone. But even in his stiffened state he was watchful and aware of everything around him.
He had tired to comfort Isabel but he couldn’t handle all the emotions. His inner turmoil had taken his attention. He had wanted to run, but he was too far from his apartment.
So, that’s why he had stayed, or at least that’s part of the reason. The other part was the simple fact that he didn’t think he could leave them- Isabel, Max, Diane, Philip, and even Alex, the Parkers, and Maria…
He didn’t know why seeing her break like that had caused his own pain and anger to intensify even more. He’d been so scared when he had entered the hospital— too many memories, but he had managed to numb himself so that he could find what was left of his family- Isabel, Max, and their parents.
“Why don’t you kids go home? There’s nothing you can do for Liz or Max.” Jeff said as he approached the warn teens.
Maria looked over at Alex.
“I’ll stay here. You go.” Alex said quietly knowing that Maria didn’t want to leave Liz’s parents alone- even if the Evans would be with them.
“Yeah you and Michael should go get some rest. Me and Alex can handle the parental units.” Isabel said giving her nearing parents a weary smile.
Maria’s questioning gaze traveled to Michael.
This didn’t go unnoticed by one spiky haired boy as he raised his eyebrows and asked with one word, “DeLuca?”
She nodded slightly and he pushed himself off the wall and made his way over to the Evans.
“I’ll keep you posted.” Isabel said hugging her surrogate brother.
“Good night Michael.” Diane said as he hugged her next.
Philip was silent and just patted him on the back.
Maria looked at Alex and he smiled weakly while giving her his patented two thumbs up.
After hugging him, Nancy, and Jeff Parker she slowly followed Michael outside and to her Jetta.
“So how do I get you home?” Michael asked as he headed out of the Roswell Memorial parking lot and onto the main drag of Roswell.
“You don’t. I don’t feel like going home. It’s empty there. My mom is having dinner at the sheriff’s house and she thinks I’m staying at the hospital so she won’t be home until tomorrow.” Maria said her voice dead.
“So back to my place?” He asked his voice unusually soft.
“Yeah.” She said her voice not changing in tone but in volume.
They rode in silence. It was now almost midnight so the roads were empty and illuminated by the Jetta’s lights and the moon that was bright in the black sky.
Soon they were back to his apartment. As he came inside he silently locked the door and retreated to his room to change. Maria went to the couch and curled up.
“You’re not sleeping on the couch.” Michael said as he walked out of his bedroom in just boxers.
“Watch me.” Maria said as she eyed Michael…
He tossed her an old worn shirt and she went to the bathroom to change and wash her face.
As she came back out she found Michael searching through a near by bookshelf.
She again went to the couch.
“I told you you’re not sleeping on the couch,” Michael called over to her not turning around to actually look at her.
She was in no mood to fight. So she kept silent but did not budge from her position.
He looked over at the tired blonde. He quietly picked up a book and went into his bedroom setting it down on the nightstand.
*
Maria’s head snapped up as she felt herself being lifted by strong arms.
“Guerin!” Maria hissed.
“DeLuca?” Michael challenged as he took her to his bedroom and laid her down, crawling in beside her.
Maria looked around the dim room the only light was on the nightstand, which Michael was using to read by.
“I hate hospitals.” Maria said with a quiver in her voice.
“Me too.” Michael said barely turning his head catching sight of sparkly eyes. They weren’t her usual sparkles caused by her total bouncy Maria-ness these… these sparkles were caused by a quick look in dim light upon wet teary eyes.
“Last time I was at a hospital Grandma Claudia died. She wasn’t even my grandma. She was Liz’s. But she was a big part of my life you know? She had a stroke.” Maria finished her voice staying eerily calm.
“I’m sorry.” Michael said facing her, why was she telling him this?
“Yeah… When was the last time you were in a hospital?” Maria asked sitting up and leaning her back against the headrest.
“You mean like injured?” Michael asked turning his face back to the book.
“Any time.” Maria elaborated.
“Not since I was 15.” Michael said absently.
“Three years. Wow… That’s when you moved here. You’ve had this apartment for three years, right?” Maria asked trying to piece together the puzzle pieces in her mind.
“Yeah. So?” Michael asked his voice not betraying his thoughts.
“Well- is there a connection?” Maria asked turning not only her head but also her body towards him.
“What?” Michael asked his eyebrows drawing together quickly as his head whipped towards her.
“Is there a connection?” Maria asked again his movements not going unnoticed.
“No.” He said quickly… too quickly for Maria’s liking.
“Liar.” Maria said calmly as she turned her head and stared at the end of the bed.
“I’m not a liar.” Michael said placing the book in his lap.
“Are too.” Maria said in a childlike fashion.
“Prove it!” Michael said smugly.
“How?” Maria asked becoming interested in the proposal.
“Prove that I’m a liar.” Michael said.
“Spiderspike- again- how?” Maria asked.
“How should I know? You’re the one that wants to prove it.” He said deciding to put the book on the nightstand.
“OK we’ll start with yes or no questions. And if I prove you’re a liar you have to tell me the connection, deal?” She asked eyeing Michael.
“Deal.” He replied evenly.
“Are you ticklish?” Maria asked making her way over to him with her back towards the end of the bed and her face towards Michael.
“No.” Michael said sitting up even more.
“Really…” Maria said as she began to tickle his neck… no response. She moved to his sides, again no response. She then moved to his knees and from there to his feet.
“OK so you’re not ticklish.” She said trying to think of the next thing to challenge him with.
“Are you hot?” Maria asked playfully.
“Yes.” Michael said with a confident nod.
“LIAR!” Maria cried with a laugh.
“No seriously the next yes / no, true / false question is… Can I get you flustered?” Maria asked wagging her eyebrows finding that all sorrowful thoughts of Liz were replaced by her curiosity about Michael’s secret.
“What’s the point to that question?” Michael asked immediately trying to weasel out of answering it somehow.
“Well if you say no I can prove you wrong, quiet easily in fact- and if you say yes then you actually admit defeat! It’s a win win thing.” Maria said smiling deviously.
“Yes you can fluster me.” Michael said giving in- there was no way she would learn his secret.
“Not as much pleasure as I anticipated.” Maria said cocking her head to one side.
Michael laughed softly.
“And just what do you find so amusing?” Maria asked scrunching her face causing Michael to snort.
“It’s just… you’re, you’re cute.” He blurted out finding her scrunched up bunny face adorable.
“Am not!” She pouted.
“Whatever you say DeLuca.” Michael said shaking his head a bit.
She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Tempting.” He said with a smirk.
She glared, “Fine back to the game… Are you a virgin?”
“No.” He answered honestly.
“Re-e-eally?” Maria asked trying to do a passable impression of Ace Ventura.
“You sound like an idiot.” Michael said not blinking.
“Blame Alex.” Maria said.
“Geek boy?” Michael asked.
Maria smacked him upside the head, hard.
“Jeez sorry! Didn’t know you and him were like that.” Michael said rubbing his head.
“We’re not. He’s my best friend so if you wouldn’t mind backing off it’d be appreciated.” Maria said her eyes icy.
“Sorry, back to the game.” Michael said apologizing again.
“Who?” Maria asked.
“That’s not part of the game.” Michael said wagging a finger at her.
“Who?” Maria asked again.
“Pam Troy.” Michael said wearily.
“You slept with that slut? Why? Was it an easy lay or…” Maria started but was cut off by a shocked and surprisingly angry glare from Michael.
“I was drunk and I don’t remember it. No it wasn’t just sex OK? I just don’t go around having sex with everybody thank you very much! She was my first, last, and one of my biggest regrets!” Michael fumed.
“Yeah you don’t go around sleeping with everyone except you’re doing a casual sex report. How the hell was I supposed to know?” Maria asked sarcastically and a little ashamed she hadn’t given him to benefit of the doubt.
“Point taken.” Michael said his eyes avoiding hers at any cost.
“Why haven’t I heard anything about you and her? When did it happen?” Maria asked not able to keep her curiosity in check.
“Last year, at a party. My jock buddies decided that I need to have some punch. I suspected it was spiked but I drank it any way. Next thing I knew I woke up next to her. We never said anything because I told her if she did she wasn’t going to make it to cheerleader status. And sine Isabel and me are tight she believed me. Amazingly enough she never told anyone, at least not to my knowledge.” Michael said with a final shrug as he looked back at her, “What about you? You still the ‘big V’?”
“Yeah. I’m still the ‘big V’. Haven’t you heard about me being the prude?” Maria asked her eyebrow quirking.
“No.” Michael said confused.
“Well you know Tommy, right?” Maria waited for some recognition; he shook his head in the affirmative, “Well one day, for some strange reason, I agreed to go out with him. He got drunk. I got pissed and he tried some stuff. After yelling at him profusely I punched him and gave him a black eye. Him and Paulie now refer to me as the prude or old maid cause I wouldn’t give it up.”
“Tommy told everyone that he and some guy from East got into a fight. Paulie and him are best friend and they’re probably the only ones that know beside you and who ever you’ve told.” Michael said angry.
“No one. I haven’t told anyone except you.” Maria said her eyes full of shame.
“Have they tried anything else since then?” Michael asked keeping his voice in check.
“Not really. Every once in a while they’ll advance on me just to watch me flinch or something but it’s not really a big deal.” Maria said still focusing on Michael’s head not his eyes though.
“You never told Liz or Alex?” Michael asked now remembering her earlier confession.
“No.” Maria said as the words reminded her of the hospital and her previous quest.
“So what’s the next question I can ask you…. I’m going to find out eventually.” She warned trying to ease the situation with a smirk.
She had confessed so much… Michael debated in his mind what to do… “There is a connection.” He finally admitted.
“I knew it!” Maria said matter-of-factly.
“Do you know why I have an apartment?” Michael asked.
“You’ve had it since you’ve moved to Roswell. That’s all I know.” Maria said shrugging her shoulders.
“Well before I moved here I lived in Albuquerque with my parents. They were clients and long time friends of the Evans so in a respect Isabel, Max, and me grew up around each other. We’d take vacations together and stuff. Well, the last vacation my parents and I took we didn’t go with the Evans. On the way home from Seattle, Washington the roads were wet and it was raining hard. My dad could barely see for the storm. So when he turned a curve he lost control because of the tires, they slid easily. We hit an on coming car and were rushed to the nearest hospital,” Michael began to tell her something he had never before told anyone.
Maria’s eyes began to cloud over at the thought of what she knew was going to come. Just looking at the sadness in Michael’s dark eyes made her hurt.
“When we got there they took me and my parents to separate parts of the emergency room. I was unconscious so I found out when I woke up that both my parents and the person in the other car died. I was the sole survivor because I was protected by the front seats,” Michael blinked a few times to keep the tears at bay then he coughed lightly so to rid his throat of the tightness that restrained his voice. “I was shipped here to the Evans’ because my parents didn’t have any siblings and Diane was the closest thing to a sister my mom had ever had. When I got here I didn’t want to stay with them. It wasn’t anything against them but… I don’t know I just didn’t want to be with the perfect family when I didn’t have one anymore so I got Mr. Evans to get me emancipated before school started freshman year. Granted fifteen was very young we had the judge finally agree with some stipulations.” Michael said exhaling silently.
“What were the stipulations?” Maria asked.
“Mr. Evans was to make sure I kept my GPA at least a 3.6 and I was to hold a steady job in the summer. My apartment payments were to come from both my parents life insurance and my inheritance.” Michael said his eyes on his hands.
“Michael…” Maria began the note of sadness in her voice that he had earlier displayed.
“Don’t Maria. I don’t need or want pity.” He said his teeth gritted.
“I don’t pity you,” Maria said softly before asking, “Do you have any hot chocolate?”
“Yeah it’s in the cupboard, why?” Michael asked looking at her curiously.
“Well when something bothers me, Alex, or Liz we play cards and drink hot chocolate.” Maria said getting up to find the hot chocolate.
“Find some cards.” She instructed as she walked out the bedroom door.
*
“Last round?” Michael asked as he finished his drink and set the cup on the nightstand.
“Sure. What is it now, Maria five, Michael one?” Maria asked cockily as she handed her empty mug to him to place beside his own empty cup.
“Shut up and deal DeLuca.” Michael glared playfully.
“Seven card stud, duces and threes are wild.” She said as she dealed.
Once she was done rearranging and exchanging her and Michael cards she called.
“Three kings.” He said proudly laying the cards down on the bed.
“Four Aces buddy! I win… again!” Maria said happily as Michael picked up the cards and set them aside.
“Yeah yeah.” He grumbled getting under the covers.
“Sore loser.” Maria said grinning as she too got underneath the covers on the opposite side as him.
Once she snuggled up in the covers he dimmed, but did not turn off the light.
“What are you reading?” She asked looking over at the boy who was already engrossed in the pages before him.
“Ulysses by James Joyce.” Michael said absently.
“Read to me?” She asked in a soft voice curling up like a kitten.
“Sure.” Michael said gazing down at her; her eyes already closed.
“What incense him the most was the blatant jokes of the one who passed it all off as a jest. Pretending to understand everything and in reality not knowing their own minds.” Michael read in a soothing voice.
He gazed down at the sleeping girl beside him, she must have been worn out because she was now peacefully sleeping.
He turned the light off and took a moment to study her face in the moonlight. She was beautiful. He had only had a brief moment earlier to study the curves and soft flesh of her face. Even though her eyes were closed he could imagine the bright green color they portrayed. It was burned into his memory.
She was gorgeous. Not noticeably gorgeous which sounded impossible to comprehend. He was contradicting himself in terms. She was exquisite if you looked close enough. But you had to get close enough to her inside and out. She was nice to him after his… declaration… but not nicer then usual. She had treated him like nothing had changed. She wasn’t like everyone else. She didn’t pity him for what had happened in his past. She had just accepted it and moved on. That little detail of her incredible personality had made her even more magnificent then before. Making him find himself even more drawn to her. Being near her was like breathing life back into the shell that was left of him…
With those thoughts plaguing his mind Michael laid his head on his pillow… but not before bestowing a feather light kiss on Maria’s forehead.
*
Maria awoke with a start. She was disgruntled to say the least. Waking up in someone else’s room and in someone else’s arms would do that to a girl... arms?
Maria followed the strong arms to see that right in front of her was a muscular chest; a bare muscular chest.
She looked up and found Michael nuzzled into the pillow beside her.
He looked absolutely serene. His lips were drawn in a slight smile and his breathing was even. She could tell because it rose and fall against her cheek as she laid her head back down. She liked how it felt to be in his arms. It felt… safe. With him she felt safe. Something she never thought was possible. She hadn’t felt safe since… it had been a long time.
She glanced back up at his handsome features. What was it about this boy that made her gravitate to his presence?
She didn’t know and at the precise moment she didn’t care. The images of last night rushed back to her and she remembered why she had stayed… where they were… the hospital… and she began to cry all over again.
*
Michael awoke to wetness cascading freely down his chest. He instantly became conscious of the girl who was trying her best not to sob too loudly for fear of waking him but for some reason refused to move away from him. Then he noticed why she wouldn’t move away… she couldn’t. He had her trapped to his chest with one of his arms.
“Maria.” He called in a low gentle tone making her turn her moist eyes to his.
His heart clenched at such a sight.
He gently brought her head back to his chest and made it so that she was as close to him as she could get by wrapping his arms around her as much as possible trying to console the trembling blonde.
“Maria, Liz and Max are going to be fine. The doctors said that they were stabilized last night before we left.” Michael said rubbing her back with one hand.
“Please Maria don’t cry, baby.” Michael said, instantly wondering where that endearment had come from.
He had never been good at the whole comforting thing but with her… it was as if it was an instinct.
“Do you have speed dial on your phone?” Michael asked his voice like liquid velvet to her ears.
She shook her head yes.
“Which one is Alex?” Michael asked taking one hand away from her to reach over to the nightstand where her cell phone was stationed.
“Memory four.” Maria said through strangled tears.
Michael used his arm that was still wound around her to squeeze her gently letting her know he was there for her.
He turned the phone on and contacted Alex hastily.
“Alex?” Michael asked as a male picked up the phone.
“Yes, who is this? Why are you using Maria’s phone? Where is she? Is she OK?” Alex asked on end.
Michael was unprepared for the rush of question but quickly recovered, “Alex. It’s Michael. Maria’s with me she’s fine she just is worried about Liz and Max. Is there any news.” Michael said just as quickly as Alex had.
“No there’s nothing to really report. The doctors did x-rays and cat scans. They’re both fine. There’s no internal bleeding anymore. Liz and Max are both stable and the doctors don’t see a reason why they won’t have a quick and full recovery.” Alex relayed the message the Parkers had given him and Isabel earlier.
“Thanks Whitman. How is Isabel?” Michael asked a bit worried about her.
“She’s fine. She’s actually asleep if you want I could wake her up so you could talk to her.” Alex offered.
“No. Don’t worry about it. Let her sleep. Later.” Michael said finding the off button and pressing it.
*
Alex turned the phone off.
“I’m not asleep.” Isabel said from her spot near to Alex.
“You look like it.” He said running his hand through her hair absently.
“Who was that?” Isabel asked lifting her head off of Alex’s shoulder slightly.
“Michael.” Alex said unwrapping his hands from around her waist.
She leaned forward still between Alex’s legs.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep on you.” Isabel apologized trying to stand but finding herself dizzy as she plopped back down by Alex.
“I knew I gave great shoulder massages but I had no idea they were that good.” Alex joked as he began to rub her shoulders like he had the night before.
“Well they are. Where did you learn how to massage?” Isabel asked leaning back into him find his presence strangely relaxing in itself.
“I didn’t really learn from anyone.” He said titling his head forward slightly resting against the back of hers. The scent of her citrus hair was filling his nostrils.
“You’re a nice guy Alex.” Isabel said turning her head slightly.
“Thank you Isabel, thank you.” Alex said smiling goofy.
“I mean you’ve been so nice and everything. You’re so supporting and…” Isabel trailed off gracing him with a rare true ‘Goddess Isabel’ smile.
“You’re not the Ice Queen I expected either.” Alex told her leaning in quietly.
“Well that’s because I’m melting.” She said as she too leaned towards him.
*