After the Cave

by

Domino

Part Six

Once again Maria stopped at a motel for the night before continuing on her way, the next day.

When she passed the outskirts of Roswell the next morning she felt a wave of homesickness. The feeling she always felt when Michael was around, the sense of his nearness she forced herself to ignore and continued driving.

The Indian Reservation wasn't far from Roswell. She pulled up on the side and walked to the centre. Almost immediately she ran into Eddie and asked for Riverdog. Eddie, for once took her straight to him.

Again her nervousness began to rise. This time however it was easier to defeat. The last 6 weeks had improved her confidence. Still Riverdog was someone special. He was the only other person who knew about the Czechoslovakians besides Sheriff Valenti that could help.

"I've been expecting you," Riverdog stated.

"You have?" Maria questioned, puzzled.

"You have come to learn, Maria," he said, without answering her question.

It was the first time in 6 weeks that Maria had been called by her name. She hadn't realised how much she missed it. Being Agent Jennifer Sandler was all fine and good but being Maria, the slightly wacky weird girl was who she was. She had missed it.

Coming to Riverdog was something she felt she had to do. And in recent times Maria listened to her feelings. She trusted her instincts especially since they had been right in the past with Tess and Topolsky. Even in FBI Training, one of her instructors had said numerous times, "Trust your instincts. They will keep you alive." The other trainees had nicknamed him the 'Sprite' after the soda. But Maria recognised the truth of his teachings and paid close attention to all he taught.

For a while now the words he (Riverdog) had said to her once in the cave echoed in her mind. Her path. The one she was destined to follow…THAT word again. She hated it.

Riverdog was the only one who could help her, that she knew. How she knew that, she wasn't quite sure. Riverdog, as usual said little and what he did say was usually cryptic- as Maria was to discover in the following fortnight.

He trained her, guided her and helped her develop her mental skills. Maria learnt to concentrate solely on one object, how to focus her mind on one person. The ability she'd always had of picking up vibes became more developed, stronger. Her mind became more focused.

Breathing was an important part of the rituals Riverdog taught. Deep, even breathes. Vision quests and sweats. For 10 days Maria stayed at the Reservation among the Indians, lived, ate, slept amongst them and leant from Riverdog. The only thing she did separately was the 10 mile run she took every morning. It had taken her 2 weeks in the beginning of the summer to complete that run without collapsing in exhaustion. It had become a habit, a necessary one and a symbol of all that she had accomplished and she used it to keep fit.

Maria discovered that Riverdog was a hard taskmaster and was determined that she would be prepared for whatever was out there. And so he taught her nature, healing, the desert with all its moods and changes and the sky covered in stars and mysteries. Riverdog never asked her any questions. Maria never volunteered any information. She assumed he knew or didn't want to know. Whatever the reason she didn't ask why he was helping or how he knew she was coming again.

On the 11th day Riverdog took Maria out to the desert. They drove for a few hours in no particular direction.

"It's time for your test," he stated when they were in the middle of nowhere far as Maria could make out.

"Test?"

"Yes," he said.

She got out of the jeep following his gestures. Riverdog was a man of few words. Then she watched in alarm as he started back up.

"You're leaving me here. Alone," her voice rose with each syllable.

"It is the test. Three days," Riverdog replied calmly as he drove of, leaving a trail of dust behind him.

"3 days," Maria shrieked to the back of the jeep. Already he was too far away. She fought the urge to scream and began to breathe.

'Deep breathes.' She repeated to herself like a mantra.

When she was calm, her training kicked in.

'I can do this,' she thought. All the training, lessons by Riverdog. 'He wouldn't have left me here if I wasn't ready.'

With that reassurance Maria took stock of the environment, of all she had on her, of the direction of home, the sun, of time. Her backpack lay on the sand besides her where she had thrown it when she jumped of the jeep. She knew at the very least she had 2 water bottles. Previous lessons in the desert, although much shorter had taught her to bring water.

If she was lucky she had matches left over from lighting the candle the night before. Immediately she checked and struck it lucky. In addition she had a sweater which would be useful at night when it was notoriously cold in the desert.

Maria carefully repacked the backpack, slung it over her shoulders and began to walk west, back to civilisation. According to her calculations as far into the desert as she was she was still closer to the reservation than to Roswell. She rationed her water sparingly and walked for hours. When it began to get dark she looked for a place to camp. In the end Maria settled for resting below an outcrop of rocks. She didn't sleep much that first night. It was cold and she shivered constantly despite the sweater she wore wrapped tightly around her. There was no sticks or anything that could be used to light a fire with.

The next morning she started walking at first light. She was hungry, tired and grumpy. It was a good thing Riverdog wasn't around at this time because Maria would have probably done a few things to him that she would regret later.

Desperation made her swallow her squeamishness and kill a small furry animal. She also managed to light a small fire (after half an hour and numerous attempts) which she used to cook 'lunch.'

Her water was almost finished despite the way she sparingly doled it out. However, Maria's worries of the previous day were slightly diminished. Eating and lighting the fire had reassured her somewhat.

At 4 o'clock after walking for hours Maria found some cactus plants. Her lessons with Riverdog held her in good stead and she managed to get some of the liquid within down her parched throat.

The second night also passed better. A fire kept her warmer than the previous night and sleep came easier. Once again she began walking early. Maria ate the remainder of the cooked meat from the day before and drank what was left of her liquid supply.

By afternoon she spotted the reservation, the first sign of civilisation in 3 days. Energy Maria wasn't aware she still possessed allowed her to run the rest of the way.
'Thank God for those 10 mile runs,' was the fleeting thought that passed through Maria's mind just before she collapsed outside Riverdog's dwellings.

He appeared almost immediately.

"You did well, my child. You passed the test."

Maria had never been so glad to hear someone else's voice in her life. Although it had only been 3 days, it was the most time she had ever spent completely alone. It was a relief to hear someone besides her own voice.
She smiled up at Riverdog. Maria was just too tired to be mad at him anymore. She was exhausted, dirty, hungry, and thirsty. Other priorities were on her mind.

After showering and drinking as much water as she could, Maria sat with Riverdog for the last time. Her time with him was over she realised with regret. The test was a completion of his teachings.

"It's time to leave, Maria," Riverdog stated in his slow measured tones. Maria nodded in response, "Yes."

"You will remember. You will practise," he said.
Again she replied in the affirmitive.

It was time. She was ready to return home. To face Roswell. To face her friends. To face Michael.

That night the Indians celebrated with Maria. It was her congratulations for passing the test and a farewell combined. She would leave in the morning.

Part Seven

Alex was worried. She was two days late with her phone call and with this Maria was always on time. Like clockwork. Every Wednesday at 9pm.

On Wednesday night he thought it unusual. On Thursday he worried slightly. He accidentally, deliberately ran into Mrs Deluca who hadn't seen in two months and subtlety enquired after her. She hadn't phoned Amy either however Mrs Deluca wasn't concerned. She assumed Maria was having fun and forgot.

Maria never forgot.

Still he felt slightly better for a while. After all if her own mother didn't think was unusual, he was just being paranoid.
'I've been hanging around Michael too long,' Alex thought wryly to himself.

By Thursday night- he decided 'Paranoia be damned.' Mrs Deluca , although a cool mum and a great person, was slightly flaky. Maria was more a mother to her than she was to Maria.

It was too late to phone Florida so he spent the night debating with himself various possibilities and imagining reasons for the lack of a call. Stuck in the desert didn't occur to him.

On Friday morning he dialled Florida. Liz answered,
"Alex, its great to hear from you."

"Liz, you okay?"

"I'm better. How is everyone?"

"They're okay," normally Alex would chat to Liz but after the night he had just had, "Can I speak to Maria?" He got straight to the point.

"Alex," he could hear puzzlement in her voice. "You realise I am in Florida, right."
"Of course you are. You and Maria."

"Alex, are you alright. Why would Maria be her. She's in Roswell with you. I spoke to her last week."

"What do you mean she is in Roswell?" Alex's voice rose in his surprise and panic.

"Alex, what's going on?" Liz was starting to get worried.

"Oh my God, she lied." He was almost talking to himself.

"Alex!" He didn't answer.

"Alex!" She yelled louder. He jumped on the other end.

"Liz, don't yell"

"You're ignoring me. Tell me what the hell is going on. Now!"

"Maria - she's missing."

"What do you mean she is missing. She's in Roswell with you. She's been there all summer." Liz was panicking as well now.

"No, she hasn't. She told us she was in Florida with you. And since you weren't talking to anyone, no one knew any better."

"Are you saying that Maria disappeared for two months and no one knew?"

"She phoned every week. You said yourself you spoke to her. This is bad - really bad.
What are we going to do?"

"Okay, let's not panic," Liz sounded more like Liz now. Analysing and thinking. "Why do you think something has happened to her. She seems fine when we speak to her."

"That's why I am worried," Alex answered.

"Because she is fine?" Liz questioned.

"Liz, no. because she didn't phone. Every week she phones. At the same time. And she didn't. You know Maria…"

"Never forgets."

"What are we going to do?"

"This is bad, Alex."

"I know."

"I'm coming home." Alex didn't try to stop her. He was now more scared than worried. Two months she'd been lying to them. The realisation was just settling in.

"Okay."

"Don't do anything till I get there. Don't call them." He didn't ask who them was.

"We might need them."

"Wait till I get there, okay"

"Alright."

"Okay, I'll phone you in 5 minutes with my flight and time."

"I'll be at the airport." They both hung up, a hundred thoughts running through their minds, fear for their best friend prominent.

'She lied to us,' Alex thought again in shock. Just then the doorbell rang. Almost automatically Alex headed towards the door and opened it.

"Kyle," Alex said in surprise.

"Hey man how's it going?" He walked past Alex into the house. Alex followed him almost blindly.

"I just got back from basketball camp. I stopped by the Crashdown. Guess Liz and Ria aren't back from Florida yet," Kyle continued.

At the mention of Maria's name Alex became alert again.

"You okay, Alex?" Kyle asked noting Alex's distraction.

"No," he answered. He didn't question Kyle's appearance. Things had changed for all of them in the last week of school with Pierce and then Kyle getting shot. Sharing a secret made them all closer. Alex didn't have to decide if he was going to tell Kyle what was going on or not. He just did. Alex explained everything to him.

In between explanations Liz called with details of her flight. Both Kyle and Alex left immediately for the airport.

Three hours later, three worried friends driving home from the airport were debating whether or not to call 'them'.

"We need their help," Alex said.

"How can they help. We don't know anything. Why would they know?" Kyle questioned.

"Isabel can dreamwalk," Alex answered. Liz had been silently observing the conversation until now.

"Michael needs to know." She finally stated. No one said anything. They all knew that whatever happened between Michael and Maria, Michael would die for her. For something never stated aloud and by two people who in their own way were strangely private about their feelings, it was a well known fact.

"I'll call Max," Alex finally said.

Liz smiled wryly. Going to Florida didn't appear to have helped much with the staying away from Max.

Alex phoned Max on the cell and told him to get everyone and meet at Michael's apartment. Max didn't ask questions, hearing the tone of Alex's voice which reflected all his worry and fear for Maria.

Kyle who was driving pulled up in front of Michael's place and the three of them got out slowly. Kyle had been there only once after he had been shot. For the others it brought back memories of happier times.

Everyone was there already when Liz, Alex and Kyle arrived. For the first few minutes no one said anything , just looking at each other. Max looked shocked to see Liz and the two of them did their usual stare-into-each-other's-eyes thing.

"Where's Maria?" Michael's voice broke the silence. Her absence was noticeable.

That snapped everyone out of it. Liz and Alex exchanged a look

"We don't know," Kyle answered.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Isabel asked quickly before Michael did or said anything. He and Kyle were not the best of friends.

"She's supposed to be in Florida with you," Michael stated looking at Liz.

"Liz thought she was in Roswell," Alex said when it didn't appear that Liz was going to answer. She was still recovering from seeing Max again.

"Damn. I knew it," Michael said and got up, grabbing his jacket. Max stopped him at the door.

"Knew what, Michael? And where are you going?"

"Knew she was nearby," he answered. "I'm going to find her," he continued.

"Wait. Stop. Nearby? Someone explain what's going on and start from the beginning?" Tess said.

Everyone else was still taking in Michael's statement.

"Alex?" Tess asked again. And so Alex explained for the third time all that had happened. They all looked shocked.

"She lied to you, to us?" Isabel asked finally. "That can't be right. Maria wouldn't lie."

"Two months," Max said, "two months. She could be anywhere."

"Not anywhere," Michael spoke up.

"You'd better explain, Michael," Alex said.

"Yes, explain, please," Liz added.

They all looked at him expectantly. He looked uncomfortable.

"I think she is close. Near Roswell - well she has been for the last 10 days."

"You can feel her, Michael?" Max asked. "You never said anything."

"And why didn't you say anything. Ten days and you didn't tell us," Kyle added.

"Yeah, I can sense when she is near. I think she can sense me too," Michael answered Max's question first. Then he explained, "It's not an exact science, you know. I felt her getting closer about two weeks ago. And I didn't say anything because I convinced myself…" he paused. Everyone waited expectantly.

"Michael!" Isabel went impatiently when he didn't appear to be finishing his sentence.
A blank look came upon his face before Michael softly answered, "I missed her so I thought I was feeling her because I wanted her to come home, and she was supposed to be in Florida." No one knew what to say. Michael rarely admitted his feelings, and usually went out of his way to deny that they even existed or he ignored them by focusing all out and obsessing about his past, his origins.

"I'll dreamwalk," Isabel suggested. Alex smiled at her in relief. She smiled back. It felt good even in these circumstances to be together again. Things were simpler when everyone was together.

"There's one more thing," Michael said again.

"Michael?" Isabel prompted again when he stopped speaking.

"She's okay now but the last three days… she was scared, I think."

"You think?" Kyle asked.

"I told you it was not an exact science."

"If she was scared why didn't you…?" Alex trailed of, not sure what he was asking.

"I don't know. It was strange, you know. She was scared but she wasn't asking for help." Michael looked confused.

"You said she is okay now?" Liz asked.

"Yeah."

End part 7

Part Eight.

Seven teens sat in a tiny apartment. The absence of one weighed heavily on them. It was the one thing that had the power to bring them all back together - after something even more powerful had torn them apart - destiny.

"I'll need a picture of Maria. Do you have one?" Isabel asked all of them.

"We can get one," Alex said standing up.

"Will a painting do?" Michael's words stopped him in his tracks.

Isabel looked slightly surprised, "Yes."

Michael stood up and went into the other room. He came out holding a big painting. The others waited for him to turn it around. None of them, except for Max and Isabel knew that he could paint , but even they didn't know that he still did it.

Michael handed the painting to Isabel. She gasped, and everyone crowded around her to see. The painting showed a border of darkness and overcast clouds with this bright ray of sunshine in the middle spreading towards the edges. In the centre, was a girl with a pixie haircut sitting on a swing, her eyes huge, her slight smile beautiful. The way Michael saw her. His ray of sunshine. His happiness. His Maria. It was beautiful.

Again no one knew quite what to say. There was no words to describe the painting. It was like seeing through someone's soul - extremely private, seeing exactly how thhey felt. They felt like voyeurs.

Liz went up to Michael and wrapped her arms around him. It was a thank you for loving Maria. It was a thank you for showing them Maria in his eyes. He thought it was because she missed Maria. He patted her back awkwardly.

"It's amazing, Michael," Isabel said eventually.

"Thank you," Michael was too worried at this stage to care what they thought of the painting. Another time perhaps. But then again… after the first time he showed them a painting of his, their reaction had not exactly inclined him to make any further disclosures.

It was time to begin the dreamwalk. Although it was day time, Isabel was confident that she could dreamwalk Maria - after all she had done it before and she had been practising all summer to remain undetected. Isabel stared at the painting intently while sitting on the couch, one hand in Alex's hand. The picture wavered slightly and then she fell back, her eyes closed. The rest watched anxiously.

***************************

Maria got into her car and waved to Riverdog, Eddie and the rest of the Indians who had come to see her of. She turned the car towards Roswell and turned the music up singing along as she drove. She was going home.

Why, Maria wasn't quite sure - maybe it was all the exercises, the meditation, the vision quests she went on with Riverdog - whatever the reason, she felt Isabel almost immediately.

"Hello Isabel."

Isabel sat in the passenger seat of the car. She looked surprised when Maria greeted her.

"You felt me - how?"

Maria ignored the question.

"Is something wrong. Did something happen to Michael?" she asked worriedly.

"No. Everyone is fine, except for you. Do you have any idea how worried we are about you?"

"You know," Maria stated flatly.

"Know what - that you aren't in Florida. Yeah we know that. Are you okay? Where are you?" Isabel decided to get straight to the point. This conversation was strange enough as it was. Isabel liked to be in control and this dreamwalk had slipped from her control right at the start when Maria has somehow sensed her.

"I'm fine," Maria answered like it was obvious. In a way it was. After all Isabel was sitting next to her.

"Maria," Isabel said, impatience lacing her voice.

"Yes?"

"It's been two months, Maria. You lied to us."

"I needed to leave. I did phone."

"Where have you been. Where are you now?"

"I'm near Roswell," Maria answered after a pause.

'Michael was right," Isabel thought. It was obvious Maria wasn't going to tell her anything. She made the decision to go further into Maria's mind. It was the wrong decision. It didn't work. Maria felt Isabel pushing into her mind immediately and blocked her.

"Not going to happen, Izzy," Maria said.

Isabel winced. Maria sounded mad at the invasion into her mind, and being blocked wasn't a fun experience. It had never happened before except with Michael and Tess who was way more advanced with her powers than they were.

"I have to concentrate on driving," Maria said and that was the last thing Isabel heard Maria say before she woke up, rather in shock.

"I can't believe it," Isabel said surprise, shock and anger was evident in her voice.
"She threw me out. Actually threw me out," she continued, jumping of the couch.

The teens surrounding her watched as Isabel began pacing.

"Isabel," Alex called. She ignored them.

"Isabel," Michael yelled louder, "Where is she? Is she okay?"

Isabel stopped and looked at the people watching her anxiously.

"You were right. She is near Roswell. At least that's what she said - before she threw me out." Her voice rose with indignation.

"Threw you out?" Tess asked, "How - she's only human?"

"I don't know but she felt me when I arrived and when I tried to go further into her conscious to see where she was, she blocked me. Then she threw me out." Several smiles were suppressed at the sheer shock in Isabel's voice every time she repeated the last phrase.

"Start from the beginning," Alex said reasonably when he saw Isabel begin to pace again. And so Isabel started the tale from the beginning.

When she was finished, "She threw you out," Tess said in shock. Everyone groaned.

"Please don't get her started again," Max said. They all laughed and then quieted when they remembered the circumstances.

"She's okay, right?" Liz said, half statement, half question. No one answered.

"She is," Isabel finally said. "She said she just needed to go. I'm sure she'll be home soon." Isabel hugged Liz.

"I'm not waiting," Michael said decisively. "I'm going to get her now." He stood up.

"Michael"

"No, Maxwell. We tried Isabel's way. Even if she is fine, I want her home. I'm going to get her."

"I'm coming with you," Kyle said. Everyone turned to look at him in surprise.

"Me too," Alex said.

"We'll all go," Max said. Michael looked shocked.

"What? She's one of my best friends. I want her home as much as you do," Max said defensively.

"Didn't say anything, Maxwell," Michael smirked.

They all waked out. Michael jumped into the front seat of the jeep. Max handed him the keys. Liz , Alex and Isabel got into the back and Max took the passenger seat. Kyle and Tess took Kyle's car and followed the jeep as it pulled on to the freeway.

"Where to?" Alex asked after 15 minutes.

"I don't know," Michael replied. No one said anything after that.

They drove for about 20 minutes more well into the desert. Near a few rock formations Michael pulled the jeep up and everyone piled out. Kyle and Tess joined them a minute later and there they all stood, waiting.

End Part Eight.

Part Nine

Maria had calmed down since Isabel attempted to enter her subconscious. She wasn't even mad at Isabel after thinking about it since she knew that Isabel was just worried about her. Still she wasn't quite looking forward to going home and facing her worried and not-so-happy-with-her friends.

It was a delay tactic that made her stop. 'Avoidance. Classical. She did learn something from Michael after all,' she thought wryly as she parked the car.

Maria got out and stared at the sand stretching out in front of her. She needed to think - to prepare herself for home, for everyone, for Michael and so she began to walk.

Maria knew where she was going although some might doubt it. It was hard to distinguish features in the desert. Maria was headed to a group of rocks - her thinking place. What made this rock formation special, she wasn't quite sure but it reminded her of Michael, even though he had never been there. Once she had planned to take him but now... who knew.

As Maria walked, she began to move faster. Something was drawing her there. An attraction. Something she missed. She didn't about what or who it was. Deep inside of her knew. Maria just ran.

*************

Michael began walking. The others looked at each other in question and then almost as one, made a decision and followed. Again no one asked where they were going.

Michael didn't know where he was going. If one of his friends had asked he wouldn't be able to tell them. He was feeling Maria and following that feeling. It was almost like the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz, Maria had forced him to watch once - the long winding road that led to Maria. Maria was the Emerald City. He almost laughed at his thoughts. They were certainly weird. He knew that she had lingering effects on him.

The others suddenly noticed Michael's increased pace and they rushed to keep up. He was almost running now. Michael could feel her getting closer. Suddenly he stopped. Isabel and Kyle who were directly behind him almost knocked him down in their sudden brake.

In front of them was a group of rocks and in the centre was Maria.

Part Ten

Everyone stared. They hadn't been quite sure that Michael would find her. It was ironic that 6 people were at the same time making the same silent apology to him. They all watched as he began walking towards their missing friend.

Again the others were reduced to role of observers and stood silently and stared as Maria's eyes widened when she saw him, as she began slowly walking towards Michael, as they met in the middle.

Michael and Maria stood together, as close as two people could without touching. They didn't say anything. Everyone stood nearby silent, no one wanting to break the moment or interrupt.

Maria reached out with one hand and touched his cheek. It felt good to touch him again. He looked different. Older. His hair was different.

It was good to feel her hands on him again. He lifted his hand and tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear. Her hair was longer. She looked different. Older. He stared into her eyes. They had always been his favourite part of her. Emerald pools. Now they were sheltered. He felt the loss. She was the same but changed. Not so easy to read. Then again, in some ways she had always been difficult to figure out. A mass of contradictions.

He leaned in and felt her lean forward. Their eyes closed simultaneously and the two met again in the middle. It was a tender kiss. A I-missed-you kiss. One containing all the passion they were known for yet different at the same time. The sparks came immediately. Familiar sparks. Sparks they had both missed. Still, they didn't touch except for their lips.

Slowly they pulled away. The others watched in awe. They had never seen Michael and Maria like this. It was scary. The world was turning. Tess felt something shift inside her. All the time, all summer she had spent with Max, Michael and Isabel she had convinced herself that Destiny would eventually come about, even though Max had pined for Liz, Isabel had missed Alex and Michael…

Nothing had convinced her. Nothing could convince her, she had thought, that they were not meant to be. She and Max. Isabel and Michael. Even watching Max and Liz together with their soulmate looks and Isabel and Alex being friends. Until now. This moment, so unlike Michael and Maria. Tess accepted that the Destiny she believed her entire existence was never going to happen. She let it go. She let Max go and in her mind freed Michael and Isabel.

She never realised how their names fit. Michael and Maria. Even she had always linked them. And doing so Tess freed herself. She glanced away from the enthralling sight in front of her and met Kyle's eyes. Tess smiled and Kyle returned her smile.

Max turned to Liz as always and she to him. Liz accepted him back. Max felt her welcome. His and Liz's relationship had always revolved around Michael and Maria's and vice versa. It began when theirs began and ended when theirs ended and now once again would continue in their wake.

Isabel smiled in relief and Alex smiled because Isabel smiled. And because Maria was fine. Their hands reached out and held.

To Parts 11-15

To Index

To Home