Dying Alone

By Caroline

Disclaimer: Someone else, who I probably won't meet owns them...
Summary: Ok, it's a Maria/pregnant fic...without the sex scenes, only there are some interesting plot twists.
Category: Michael/Maria
Rating: PG-13
Authors Note: Distribution: Just give me a link and tell me your putting it up on your site. Thanks!! you do not need my permission, just my name where ever it goes! thanks. If i've already told you that you can use my fics then just use them! Spoilers: Um......thinking....don't think so. Thanks: To Leslie (or Lanna...) for giving me the great info and idea's for this fic! She deserves credit just as much as me. Roswell is moving to Monday...Caroline IS NOT HAPPY about this....

Part 1

Maria woke up another morning in Michael's bed. He had eventually bought a bed, coming to his senses that he didn't have to sleep without comfort on a couch for the rest of his existence. Maria slowly opened one eye, then the other to see and feel a sleeping Michael by her side.

They had been together for around 2 months and for the past month Maria and Michael had made an appoint to get together at least one night a week. Yet on these mornings, Maria could never enjoy them because she was always running off at the crack of dawn home, desperately afraid her mother would find out. Luckily so far so good though. She put her hands on Michael's arm and pushed him lightly to wake him up.

He wearily opened his eyes and squinted at the new found morning. "Morning" He said gloomily as his body moved up and began putting some clothes on.

While Michael had been slowly awaking, Maria had been getting up and dressed and ready for her departure. "Michael, I'm not feeling so hot today, and I need to get home before mom wakes up, or else I am dead meat. Also we've got school to deal with, Bye." She said as she attempted to walk out the door.

Michael quickly grabbed her and kissed her then shoved her playfully out the door. "See-ya." He said as he laughed and continued getting dressed. Once he heard the door close he flopped back down and began going back to sleep.

Maria swiftly opened the door up again, "Michael, get up, we've got school!" She yelled across the room to him as she poked her head in and then she officially left and headed home.

Michael groaned and got up to do his morning routine, which consisted of showering, getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing his teeth, and getting whatever books he may have decided to bring home.

Maria almost didn't make it home, she rushed through the front door and bolted to the bathroom. After she finished her regurgitating she walked to her room, messed up her bed sheets to look like she had slept in them and went to wake up her mom. Only to find that her mother wasn't home.

"Great" She said aloud, "My mother had another night at Valenti's home, this is just plain gross." Then she felt herself getting sick again and ran once more to the toilet, knelt down and released. 'This is not good.' She thought to herself.

Maria walked the halls of school, if it weren't for her Spanish test today, she wouldn't even had bothered to come, but now she was stuck in the middle of a crowded hallway, trying to make it to her locker.

She barely heard Liz walk up next to her, "Hey Maria, how's it going?" She asked in her usual manner.

Maria looked at Liz, "Liz I honestly don't know what's wrong, I mean I woke up this morning at Michael's fine, I felt a little sick but not bad, I came home and literally everything I ate these past few days came back up. It was horrible, and now I just feel so awful. My stomach is killing me and I feel dizzy and just plain sick."

Liz could tell Maria wasn't lying, she looked really pale and sickly. "Damn, Maria if I'm late again for U.S government my teacher will have my head, but take some echinacea or some Tylenol, something to help you feel better, I'll talk to you later, feel better." She said as she rushed off determined not to be late.

Next, Maria could just feel Michael's presence next to her. He twirled her around and moved in for a kiss when Maria's hand came between them. "Uh huh, no sorry Michael, I've got something, like the flu or a virus and I don't want you to get it too, or anyone else, sorry."

Michael shrugged it off and put his arm around her shoulder, "Walk you to the next class?" He asked causally.

For the first time that afternoon she felt better, "Yeah sure."

After school, Maria stopped off at the local CVS, to pick up some medication for herself. She felt so awful, like she could pass out at any minute.

Yet she continued down the aisles, stopping when she got to the flu medicines, "Yeah, this one should do." She muttered to herself several times as she picked out a few bottles of stuff to help ease her virus. As she turned around to walk to the check-out counter she stopped and looked at the pregnancy tests which stood on the opposite shelf as the medications. She stared at them for several minutes before reaching out and grabbing one. Her heart stopped several times whenever she thought about the fact that she could be pregnant, true her monthly visitor hadn't come yet and it was late, but she had never been regular so obviously she thought nothing of it. She didn't want to take any risks thought and so quickly she reached out her hand and grabbed the box. She took a deep breath in and then walked to pay for her purchases.

Part 2

Once she got home Maria flopped on her bed and read through the entire instructions of the test. She wasn't overly nervous, she was nervous, yes, but not as much as she probably should have been. She just didn't think it was true, and that it was just to be cautious in making sure it was just a virus and not a tiny fetus growing inside of her.

"So I wait two minutes and if it's blue it's good, pink is bad, got it!" She said as she set it down on the table and went to read the latest edition of Teen People. "Oh! Freddie Prinze, you just get hotter and hotter each picture." She said aloud as she stared at his pictures and read through the articles.

She looked at her watch a little while later and realized it had been 10 minutes and that she could have looked at the test 8 minutes ago. She got up and walked over to where she had placed it down. She picked it up in her hands before she even looked at it. She took one glance at it and her hands shook so badly that she dropped the test and stared at the wall in shock. After she lunged for the phone and immediately dialed Liz's number.

"Hello" She heard her friends voice from the other line.

"Liz, you need to come over quickly, don't ask, just come." With that she dropped the phone on the receiver and just sat on her couch, shivering. 'Should I call Michael?' She pondered in her head. She didn't know how he would react. He would probably he furious and completely upset. 'But he is the father.' Her mind was just going in all different directions and at the moment, she didn't know black from white.

About 10 minutes later Liz rushed into the house thinking Maria was on her death bed or something like that. She looked over to see Maria on the couch, lifeless.

Liz walked over and sat next to Maria. "Ok, what's the big deal for me to rush over here, thinking you were dying?" Liz wasn't upset, just curious what had caused Maria's worries.

"Look on the table." Maria said to her as she remained sitting against thecouch. Liz leaned in and looked to see what Maria wanted her to. She recognized it right away to be a pregnancy test. "Oh my God, Maria, do you know what this means?" She asked astonished.

Maria got up off the couch and paced around the room, "Yes, yes Liz I do know what this means, it means I have a fricking baby growing inside my stomach, a 1/2 alien, 1/2 human baby! And I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do." With that Maria walked over and hugged Liz, she really wanted all the support she could get.

"You have to tell Michael." Liz suggested to her.

Shaking her head, Maria said "No, Liz I cannot tell Michael, I won't tell him yet. He would be so furious at me, he probably won't ever want to see me again. I can't do that to him or myself. Besides he never even has to know, I can just get it removed, you know."

A confused look spread over Liz's face. "Maria, we're talking about a baby here not a mole! And Michael has a right to know, he's the father and he may be your biggest comfort source you have."

Maria walked into the kitchen, followed by Liz, she found her keys and looked at Liz, "Look, I can't deal with this all now, I'm going out, and please don't tell anyone." With that she slammed the door shut behind her, leaving a frustrated Liz.

"Max, I tell you, things are just going really great now, you know. I mean everything is just, good." Michael said as he and Max drove in the jeep on their way to the Crashdown.

Max smiled at his friends happiness "Michael, I am happy for you, it's about time you got some happiness and not all gloomy and dismal all the time."

"Look Max, I mean I *really* like Maria, and I think I'm in love with her. I don't know what to do yet though. I've never been to these stages before. It's like an adventure without a map. Do me a favor though, don't tell anyone though, not even Isabel. I want this to be just between you and me." Michael said as they parked the car on the side of the street.

Max turned his head to Michael, "Yeah, of course. Between you and me." He repeated.

"Oh damn, Max, can I borrow the car, I need to pick up some bread for the apartment, I meant to do it earlier but it slipped my mind, mind if I borrow?" Michael asked sincerely.

An answer to his question was the set of keys thrown his way, "No accidents." Max said as he walked into the Crashdown where Isabel was already seated in a booth.

"Hey Isabel." Max said as he sat down.

Isabel smiled at him and repeated a greeting towards him. Right after Liz walked over to them. "What will you guys have?" She asked in a daze.

Max furrowed his brow, "Liz is everything alright? You seem really distracted." He hated when he didn't know what was wrong with her.

"Huh? Oh what? Um, no It's just Mar-- It's nothing nothing at all." She stared down at the notepad hoping they didn't hear her slip.

Isabel looked at Liz, "No, Liz you were about to say Maria, what's wrong with Maria?" Isabel asked sternly.

Liz shook her head, "Guys, come on, I can't tell you, I promised." When she saw the look they were both giving her, she leaned in more to them and said "I guess you guys will probably find out another way anyhow, Maria seems to be, um, she's kind of, pregnant with Michael's baby." She whispered in a serious tone.

Max and Isabel just stared at her and then at each other, they both didn't have the foggiest idea as what to say.

Liz straightened herself up, "Look, guys, do not say anything. Especially not Maria that I told you, please, I mean I would have rather I told you that you dreamwalk and find out, but just keep it on the low-down, I have to go take some orders." She said and then left, without even taking Max and Isabel's orders, not that they were even hungry anyways.

Right after Liz left Michael walked in saw his two friends and sat down next to Max. He saw the look on Isabel's face and said to Max, "She knows, you told her? Max can't you hold anything back?" Michael said furiously.

Isabel was confused. "Wait, he knows, and you knew before! I thought Liz said only Maria and her knew? How did Michael find out?" She asked rather quickly, realizing after seeing the look on Max's face and that Michael must have been talking about something different.

Michael looked at Isabel, "Isabel, tell me right now what are you talking about?" he demanded.

Max finally spoke up and said, "Michael, Maria is, well she's pregnant, with your baby. We didn't mean to tell you, we thought Maria would tell you. We just found out a few minutes ago so don't blame us for not saying anything." Max wanted to block his ears, not wanting to hear Michael's comments.

Nodding his head Michael said, "Very funny, ha, ha, ha, now seriously what were you talking about Is?" he asked again. Then he saw the looks on their faces and looked over to see a gloomy Liz and realized it was the truth. "What the hell, how the hell did you guys find out before me? I need to find Maria." Was the last thing he said before rushing out of the Crashdown,leaving his bag of groceries on the floor.

Part 3

Maria walked down the streets of Roswell. The sidewalks were usually crowded this time of day, it was a good time for her to blend in with the crowds. She never seem to notice how many mothers were outside all the time with their newborns and sometimes a husband at the side. She closed her eyes briefly, thinking how just this morning she thought all she had was the flu. Now she was dealing with a whole new ball game.

Michael's first reaction was to go to Maria's house. He needed to see her, tell her he wasn't ready for this, and that he couldn't do the whole father-deal. 'I should have just kept away from her, and kept my distance. Now I've got two strings attached to me.' He said inside his head. After knocking unsuccessfully on the front door he decided to try her window. She usually kept it open for him anyways.

He walked over to where he had many times before, he looked in her room to find it empty but decided to check the house out. Once he was inside he walked down the hallways and through some rooms to find that the house was completely desolated. "Damn." He said to himself.

He had to think, she wouldn't be at Liz's because she was working and she wouldn't be upstairs by herself, she's not home, she wouldn't to Alex's yet, I doubt he even know, although Max and Isabel did know.

Maria sat down on an empty bench to contemplate her options. There was always abortion. It still wasn't too late, that way Michael would never have to know about it. But was that fair to Michael, no she would have to tell him before she did it, if she did it. There were other options obviously. There was keeping the baby, for a moment Maria picture herself with a little boy in tow of her and Michael walking down the streets happily, a boy with a small frame and spiky brown hair. But then she quickly erased the thought, knowing that would never happen. There was adoption, but could she really go through the pain of having to leave a baby after seeing it for real?

Michael was now walking down the streets of Roswell, going to places where he thought he might find Maria. He too was noticing more babies with their parents outside today. Suddenly a wave of guilt rushed over him. He had been so worried about himself and what he was going to do now, he didn't even think of how Maria was doing. She must be in complete chaos of herself now. His need to find Maria was even stronger now.

Maria saw Michael before he saw her, he was walking down the streets in deep thought obviously. Yet he was walking like he was on a mission. "Damn" Maria said as she tried to get up and walk away but she didn't have the will to do it.

Michael right after saw her sitting there and he rushed over to her. "Maria" He said calling her name, he felt so horrible when he saw her, her face was tear streaked and she looked in distress. "Maria we need to talk."

She looked at him sadly, then reality crashed into her. "You know don't you." She could see it in his eyes that he had found out already. "I tell one person and they can't keep there mouth shut, serves me right. You know Michael, don't worry, if you ever get your big chance at home, you don't have to worry, I'm getting rid of it. You won't have to worry about a thing, you can go back living life and so can I. As soon as I can I will get it out of me, and then you won't have to worry anymore." She was about to leave, go home, go anywhere but where he was. She didn't know when she had decided to pin him down as the enemy, she just kind of said what was in her mind.

He held his hand out to keep her from getting up. "Can I get a word in?" He asked minorly agitated. "Yeah, I do know, and I don't understand why I wasn't the first one you came to, I thought we were close enough for this stuff? I guess I was wrong there. Listen though, I don't want you to form your decision on me. You do what you want to do. I won't lie to you though and say I'm happy that this is happening. It doesn't have to be a bad thing thought. Whatever you decide I will be fine with." He stopped a moment to catch his breath and see her reaction.

Maria saw there, she was waiting for him to say one thing she needed to hear more that anything. One sentence that would determine the rest of her life.

Michael's eyes softened as he began his next statement, "Maria, whatever course of action you take, I'll be with you all the way."

On the verge of tears Maria smiled at him, that's exactly what she needed to hear from him.

Part 4

Maria suddenly felt strange. I mean this was Michael, the same Michael who last year she would have voted him in the top 10 creepiest guys out there. She didn't know hat had caused his sudden change in personality, she had expected him to be rude and then get cold and distant. While it was nice that he was being 'Mr. Supportive' She still felt awkward a little bit.

"Do I dare asked what has brought this change in personality?" She meant it as a joke, she hoped he didn't take it the wrong way.

Michael just looked at her for a moment, "What? I can't be supportive? Yeah a lot has changed in the past months, you can't still think I'm some monster do you?" Michael was very apprehensive of what her answer would be.

Maria also just glared at him. "Michael I didn't mean it that way, I just felt...I don't know what I felt, I don't even know why I asked the question, I guess I meant it as a joke, you know kidding around and mocking you, it's what we do best, we make fun of each other." She was trying to help the mood, mission not accomplished.

He put a tad of distance between him and her. "Yeah I know Maria, so what are you saying though, you don't see me as the type of guy who will be a supportive boyfriend and father?"

Maria tried to hide her smile when she heard him say the word 'boyfriend' He'd never called himself that to her or anyone else. She liked the way it rolled off his tongue. Then when she came back down to reality, his words cut her like a dull knife.

Michael saw how his words affected her, immediately he knew he had jumped the gun and that Maria didn't mean anything by her words, just that she was surprised by his affection. 'Damn you Guerin.' He said to himself mentally. "Look, Maria, I'm sorry, let's start over." He suggested to her.

Maria liked that idea, she could go with that. "Yeah, it sounds really good to me Michael."

Michael nodded, "Hi Maria, I know about the baby, I will be there for you whenever you need me, and when you don't, I'm not mad about the baby, surprised yes, but upset and mad, no. And would you like to go get a drink?" He said it in a scripted way, but it amused Maria, which was his goal.

Maria was the first to get up, then she pulled him up. "Works for me."

On there way to the Crashdown, Maria and Michael saw a mother, her husband, and their two little twins in a carriage, looking just like a family to come out of the Brady Bunch. Maria looked at Michael with a sad, "aww..." Look on her face.

Michael knew exactly when she was thinking, "Your time will come." He said to her before grabbing her hand.

Go to Part 5-8