Rating: pg-13
      Category: Mostly M&M but will have others later
      Disclaimer: Not mine do not sue
      Feedback: YES PLEASE!!!!!

      AN: I will have more of Truth out later this weekend. And I know this is kinda short but I know where it is going and
      will have more tomorrow, maybe soon, depending on feedback.

      Like Father Like Daughter

      Maria DeLuca sat at her dressing table in her bedroom combing her short, wet blonde hair. The rain poured down on
      the outside creating a light musical lullaby on the window pane. She was smiling to herself as she put down the brush
      and dabbed some rose oil behind her ears and placed a drop between her slight cleavage, enjoying the feel as it slid
      sensually down her stomach. Hearing the rain reminded her of Michael Guerin. She supposed that now it always would,
      that night that he finally came to her. The wall fell and he has yet to rebuild it. *Michael* She loved to say his name in
      her head. Ever since that whole visions fiasco and her coming to his apartment, they had been closer. And that was all
      that Maria had wanted. Tonight Maria was spending extra time after her shower getting ready because she had a 'date'
      with Michael. Okay, perhaps that date is not the most appropriate word because he still didn't take her out in public; but
      now Maria never minded. She enjoyed staying in, that was much more fun than a stupid movie at the Cineplex anytime.
      Maria was to go over to his apartment as soon as her mom went to sleep. Four weeks have passed since that initial
      gentle forehead kiss in his apartment, but that one act had opened up a new level of trust between Michael and Maria.
      She went over to his apartment at least twice a week, sometimes more, and he was at the Crashdown during all of her
      shifts, except for the time she had to work for Agnes during the early morning Saturday shift. There was nothing on this
      Earth that could get Michael up early on a Saturday. Tonight Maria wouldn't be there until late, after the town minor's
      curfew, because of her mom's date with Jim. That's another odd Roswell relationship that was getting closer. Before
      Maria could head over to Michael's she had to wait for her mom to return and then she would have to sit through the
      agonizing post-date analysis of every single little thing that Jim had said and done that night. Sighing, Maria looked at the
      clock beside her bed. It was only 9:30pm; her mom wouldn't be back for at least another two hours. This is why Maria
      was so surprised when ten minutes later her mom knocked on her bedroom door.

      "Maria, honey? Can I come in?" Her mom's lilting voice called through the closed door before the knob turned and her
      mom's head poked itself through.

      "Uh, sure Mom. You're back kinda early. Not that I'm complaining." Maria smiled at her mom. *Hmmm, now I can
      surprise Michael by being early.*

      Maria's mom, Amy DeLuca, didn't return the smile. "Maria we need to have a serious talk. About you and Michael."

      "What? Me and Michael? What are you talking about?" Maria tried to push the panic back. Even though she wasn't
      having sex with Michael, yet, she was doing plenty enough to keep her mom awake and concerned at night if would
      ever find out. *God I hope she doesn't know about the sneaking out or the backroom Crashdown rendevous'*

      "Maria don't pull that innocent crap on me. Jim saw you leaving Michael's apartment two nights ago at five in the
      morning! What the hell were you doing out then? Huh! Answer me young lady!" Amy's voice and volume rose with
      each word until it had become a high-pitched squeal.

      "God Mom, it's not what you think. I mean nothing, absolutely nothing is going on." Maria lied through her teeth to her
      mom.

      "Maria DeLuca don't you dare sit her in my own house and lie to me, lie to my face because I won't stand for it!"

      "What? Mom, I'm not lying to you!"

      "NO! That's it! First he sneaks into your room and spends the night with you, then he's arrested and I have to convinve
      my boyfriend to let him out, now he has you running all over town at all hours of the night doing God knows what!"
      Amy paused and collected her breath before lowering the final boom on Maria. "Maria you are not to see him anymore.
      Do you understand me? I absolutely forbid you to see Michael Guerin again. And I've already spoken to Jim and the
      Parkers about this and they are going to make sure you two don't see each other any more either. Jeff told me about
      catching you two at the back of the Crashdown. And he and Nancy are going to talk to the Evans' to make sure that
      they can keep an eye on Michael-away from YOU!"

      Maria paled during the 'conversation' with her mother. "No Mom please-"
      "No Maria! I just can't trust you anymore, you broke that too many times now. You are not to have any more contact
      with Michael. And I also talked to the principal at school about this, so don't think that you can pull a Liz and go off in
      that eraser room."

      *Yeah right Mom* Maria thought to herself, *Who do you think told Liz about the benefits of the eraser room to begin
      with!* But aloud she pleaded with her mom, "Mom, you can't do this!"

      "Maria I just did!" And with that she turned and left Maria's room, slamming the door in emphasis behind her.

      Maria sat trembling at her dresser. *Michael, I have to go see Michael.* Hastily pulling on jeans and a sweater, Maria
      hurtled herself out the window into the rain, forcing her feet to run faster through the empty Roswell streets.

      Part 2

      Michael opened his eyes groggily. The knocking at his door had awoken him from a really hot dream. But he didn't
      mind because he assumed that Maria was on the other end of the knock. Glancing at the clock on the wall he smirked,
      9:30pm, Maria was early. Early was definately a good thing. Opening the door Michael blinked in surprise and folded
      his arms against his chest in a self-protected gesture.

      "What do you want?" His jaw clenched and eyes glared at his visitor.

      "Mind if I come in?" Sheriff Valenti matched Michael's hostile tone and position with one of his own.

      Michael simply stared him down not answering.

      "I don't think you really want us to have this conversation in the hallway." Valenti raised one of his hands. He was
      holding four folders. Michael could see his name on one of them and Max and Isabel's on two more. Michael
      instinctively flexed his entire body in tension; he was preparing himself for a fight. However, he did move aside slightly
      to allow Valenti into his small apartment.

      "What do you want?" Michael repeated his initial question. Now it was loaded with an even more sense of urgency and
      filled with dread for the answer.

      "I have a proposition for you Mr. Guerin." SHeriff Valenti smiled at the visibly nervous young man in front of him,
      enjoying his position of power at the moment. Removing his Stetson, he walked around Michael's one room apartment
      as if admiring the small and dingy space.

      "Gee, I appreciate the offer but you really aren't my type." Michael quipped using the oppurtunity to try and regain his
      compusure. He didn't want Valenti to know that he was shaken from this unexpected visit.

      Valenti's smile quickly fell from his face. He straightened and squared his shoulders. Walking over to Michael, he
      stopped when the two of them stood eye to eye. He was going to take pleasure in wiping that smirk off of the little
      punk's face. "No, I suppose I'm not. I'd have to be what, a petite blonde, about sixteen years-old, now wouldn't I?"

      Michael sneered, "What?". The sharpness could be heard in his voice and the tension visibly hung in the room.

      "Maria DeLuca, Michael."

      "I know who the hell you're talking about. Now what the fuck do you want!" Michael did not like the turn this
      conversation had taken. His mind was spinning, he had no idea how the hell Valenti could know about him and Maria.
      The only time they spent together in public was at the Crashdown and even then Maria was working.

      "I saw her." Michael didn't speak at this so the sheriff continued, "I saw her leave your apartment two nights ago at five
      in the morning. You know her mother didn't appreciate that and she didn't seem to take it real well when I told her
      about it."

      Michael took a step back, slowly shaking his head in disbelief.

      "So I am here to make you an offer. This is everything I know about you and the Evans. You can have it. You can have
      it and I'll stop investigating. I will never bother you or look into your life again. The fourth folder here is everything I
      have on James Atherton, photos from his autopsy, photos of the handprint. I'll give it all to you. I'll be through with my
      investigation. This is everything, the shooting at the Crashdown, Hank, Marathon, Texas, the fire at the Evans, it's
      everything. No one else knows about these files, not even the FBI and I don't have any other copies."

      Michael stood in silence, weighing the words in his head. "What do I have to give you?"

      "Maria." One word. One simple word was all that was said. But that one word was what stopped Michael's alien heart.
      How the hell could he give Maria to the sheriff? He was being bribed into giving her up, for good this time.

      Sheriff Valenti kept explaining, "See, I like where my relationship with Amy is going and this is per her request. It's
      simple really. You break things off with Maria and I leave you three alone. I may even protect you if necessary. But if
      you do this you are to have no contact with her. Not here, not at the Crashdown, not at school. Amy is not going to
      watch Maria make the mistakes as her. And I am here to stop Maria from making an even bigger one with you."
      Valenti paused allowing Michael to absorb just exactly what he had proposed. "So, what do you say? Maria, for your
      freedom."

      Michael shifted his weight nervously, running his hands over his eyes and through his soft, spiky hair. He opened his
      mouth to answer when a familiar knock at the door cut him off. *Shit! Maria no! You shouldn't have come tonight!* He
      cursed her in his mind. He knew what he had to do. Michael knew that he couldn't pass this up. He was being offered
      an oppurtunity here, a chance to live an almost normal life. But more than that, for once he had somrthing to offer Max
      and Isabel. He could give them everything they wanted. He could be the one to give them safety. Michael sould protect
      max and Isabel. And all he had to do was break Maria's heart again. Michael pointed Valenti to the bathroom. Sheriff
      Valenti nodded and went inside so Maria would not see him. Micheal slowly went to the door. His breathing was low
      and shallow and he felt an unfamiliar ache in his chest. Each movement he made towards the door was met with an
      internal scream from the part of his brain that he had let Maria infest. But unfortunately for her, the majority was still
      fiercely devoted to Max and Isabel. He had to do this for them, at any cost. Even if that cost was Maria DeLuca. Max
      and Isabel have given him more than anyone, they have protected him for years. They were his family. They were his
      link. His hand lingered on the knob a moment before turning it.

      *I'm sorry Maria*

      And with that last thought Michael set his features to cold stone and flung the door open to reveal a soaked and
      saddened Maria.

      "Maria I.........

      Like Father Like Daughter
      Part 3

      "Maria I, uh", seeing Maria standing in front of him caused Michael to stumble a little. He hadn't realized how hard this
      would be.

      *When did she become so close to me? Such a part of me?*

      Michael banished these thoughts quickly, remembering exactly what is at stake here. He could finally be the strong one
      for Max and Isabel. Besides. this is what Maria's mom wants for her, he is no good for Maria, and his pain in all this is
      inconsequential and unimportant.

      But then again Michael always thinks that he is unimportant. Maria was the first one to make him feel like he was
      special, that he was someone to care about and no just because she had to like Max and Izzy. He also had to
      remember that Valenti was listening.

      Maria's chin quivered and the tears in her eyes threatened to mark her cheeks. Her sweater felt thick and heavy from
      the rain and pools of water formed at her feet. Seeing Michael always made Maria feel safe now. That concept of being
      safe with him had snuck up on her. All she knew was that suddenly, a couple of weeks ago, she stopped worrying how
      he felt about her and what the next heartwrenching Michael surprise may be. For the first time Maria felt that it was
      okay to release her own walls and that was why she had disobeyed her mother and came here to Micahel tonight.
      Maria trusted him and she wouldn't give himup no matter what. She finally understood Liz. maria knew for the first time
      what it was like to love. And that is why she came here to Michael. Just as he reached out to her, she is reaching out to
      him for comfort, for love, for safety.

      "Michael my mom knows! God the sheriff saw me leaving one night and now she doesn't want me to see you anymore!
      She has everyone on her side. Michael what are we going to do? Michael I, I don't want to let you go."

      After Michael's cold stare remained unwaivering Maria questioned him, "Michael? Say something. Please?"

      "If that's what she wants then what the hell are you doing here Maria? You're telling me all this like I should care."
      Michael's words spit at her. He has to just do this, fast and painful, like ripping out arm hairs with a really big band-aid.
      He has to make her never want to see him again.

      "I, I..why are you being like that?" Maria can't stop the tears now.

      "Look I've been thinking about all this. It's just not working out anymore."

      "What? What isn't working out? What are you talking about?" Maria was in the depths of some pretty deep denial at
      the moment.

      "God you really don't get it do you! How fucking stupid can one blonde be! What aren't you getting here! You've given
      me enough and now I'm through with you! I was gonna wait until you fucked me but I don't think you're worth the price
      of condoms."

      Maria opened her mouth but no sound was made. The only movements were the sharp and ragged breaths from her
      chest. Michael couldn't look her in the eye, otherwise he would falter. He would slip and tell her everything, all the
      emotions that he has kept hidden from her by keeping them hidden from himself. She cracked his walls every time but
      not this one. He wouldn't be weak.

      "I mean seriously you didn't honestly believe any of this did you? Please, who would want you? You're just spoiled
      merchandise. Even your dad knew what a mistake you are, afterall he left you didn't he?" Michael had never felt a
      constricting in his chest as he did right then. His ribcage felt too heavy and too tight around his heart. He had done the
      one thing, said the one comment that was Maria's greatest fear. He knew from the visions, from what Maria had
      opened up to him, that her greatest fear was that she was unlovable, she was a mistake, and that she was the reason her
      father left. And Michael used that, he used everything he had. He didn't just break her heart this time, he stopped it
      from beating. Michael killed everything that was Maria, her soul, her spirit, all gone. He hated himself at that moment
      more than he had ever hated himself before. He hated Amy DeLuca, he hated Sheriff Valenti, he hated Maria's dad but
      most of all he hated who he was. Not because he was an alien but because he was too weak to say no. Because he
      was Hank's son, the fuck up. Because he relied on Max and Isabel to always bail him out. Because Maria loved him.
      Because he didn't deserve to be loved. Because Maria did.

      Maria never spoke a word as she turned and fled the apartment. She couldn't feel her body and the water on her skin
      felt foreign. *I'm a mistake.* She repeated the words to herself as a mantra.

      Michael tried to call out to her to stop, he tried to run after her and hold her, he tried to take back the cruel and harsh
      words that he didn't mean, that he didn't believe. He tried but he failed.

      As soon as Maria left, Sheriff Valenti exited the bathroom. Neither man spoke to the other as the sheriff put on his hat
      and left Michael's apartment dropping the four files on the counter. Once the door shut behind him and he stood in the
      hallway, Sheriff Valenti heard a glass break against the door and a violent scream, "FUCK!", of pent-up rage and
      emotion.

      Like Father Like Daughter Part 4
 

      Maria ran from Michael's apartment to the Crashdown. She couldn't go home yet to face her mom, especially not after
      she defied her just to be tossed aside by Michael. Maria had never felt so cheap and used in her life, even after the
      soap factory. But more than that, *I'm a mistake*, still echoed in her head. The words ringing behind her ears.

      Maria needed to see Liz; she needed to get away from Michael. The rain had not stopped and it was becoming difficult
      to see more than five feet in front of you. But Maria wasn't sure if that was from the rain or her tears. Maria stopped
      when she reached the Crashdown. Max's jeep was parked in front and the lights were on inside the restaurant. Maria
      could see Max, Liz, Isabel, and Alex inside at a booth. The four of them were eating fries and playing a cardgame.
      Even Isabel looked happy and at peace, and Max had a goofy grin on his face that Maria had only seen previously at
      the concert when he had been drunk. Alex and Liz were looking at their 'dates' with equal adoration. The four of them
      were so happy that no one noticed as Maria turned and continued the cold walk home. She had nowhere else to go
      now.

      Maria shuddered as she stood outside her own window in the rain. Remembering the night Michael stood here looking
      into her room, searching for safety. The safety she willingly gave to him and thought she had found in him as well. That
      night had he felt this scared and alone, Maria wondered.

      Maria felt more than just scared and alone. She felt betrayed. Betrayed because she had trusted him despite the
      numerous warning signs. She had ignored them all. She had ignored when everyone tried to tell her not to get involved
      or get her hopes up. She ignored her own head telling her that he would leave just like all men do. But Maria didn't
      listen, not to Liz, not to herself. And now she was alone. She had trused Michael and as always she was let down.

      *I'm a mistake*

      Maria decided then to never let anyone in again. She stopped faking and now her true self was hurt.

      Maria walked to her windows with a sense of dread. She didn't want to feel the wrath that could be Amy DeLuca. Her
      room was dark and Maria hoped her mom hadn't come in to check on her after she snuck out. Slowly opening her
      window, Maria lifted one leg up over the ledge. A hand clamped down on her shoulder and pulled her roughly through
      the window into the dark room.

      "Maria Rose DeLuca! You have a hell of a lot of nerve! What were you thinking going out in the rain and don't think I
      don't know where you were going! Did you honestly think you could get away with this! I will not stand idly by and
      watch you make the same mistake I did! Do you want to be pregnant at sixteen? NO! I made that mistake and it was
      one of the biggest regrets of my life. I will not allow my daughter to ruin her life too!" Amy was breathing rapidly and
      her face was red from anger.

      Maria could only hear one thing all throughout her mom's frantic tyrade, "I'm a mistake". But this time she spoke the
      words aloud.

      Amy's face paled as she heard her daughter's words. That was not what she meant. "No Maria...I didnt...Oh
      God...Listen we both need some time to think. We can finish discussiog this in the morning."

      Amy left, shutting the door behind her. She sighed at sat down on her bed, grabbing the phone to see how things went
      with Jim and Michael. *I will not let him ruin Maria's future.*

      "Hey. How did it go?" Her voice was low so Maria couldn't hear her.

      "Fine. I knew exactly what to do. He won't be seeing her again. Things can get better for Maria now."

      "Good. I know that she will be upset for a while but I think we stopped things before it got too intense. Jim, do you
      think that they were having sex?"

      "Honestly Amy, I don't know."

      "I just hope one day that Maria will realize I was doing this for her sake, because I love her."

      "I know Amy and I love her too. Afterall she's my daughter as well."

      Like Father Like Daughter Part 5

      Maria sat in her room on the bed, allowing the night's events to wash over her. The images starting slowly like small
      flashes of lightening and building in intensity and speed. Michael's and her mother's words ringing in her ears and
      echoing off the walls.

      *I will not stand by and watch you make the same mistakes*

      *I was going to wait until you fucked me but I don't think you're worth the price of condoms*

      *Biggest mistake of my life*

      *Even your dad knew what a mistake you were. Afterall he left you didn't he*

      With that last thought Maria hardened. She no longer sat, soaking in rainwater on the bed, wallowing in a destructive
      self-pity, allowing words to control her. She was angry, furious, and felt a fire building inside of her, burning at her lungs.
      Standing with determination, "My father left and I will just complete the family tradition. Mom you wanted to forget
      your mistake, to erase it. Well, now I am giving you your chance. I'll take care of it for you and this way you can be
      happy that I am away from Michael as well. I'll be away from you all."

      Maria pulled a small duffle bag out of her closet and filled it with jeans, tees, a sweatshirt, underwear, and a few
      toiletries. As an afterthought, she grabbed a brunette Halloween wig from another bag and added it to her pile. Pulling a
      shoebox off the shelf from the back of her closet, Maria opened it to reveal a thick wad of cash. Stuffing the money in
      her purse and grabbing a rain jacket, Maria picked her things up and walked to the window. Pausing briefly to survey
      her room Maria's eyes fell upon an object by her bed. She crossed to it quickly and picked it up. *Fuck you Michael
      Guerin.* And with that Maria threw the napkin holder onto the bottem of the closet floor with the rest of her belongings
      that she is leaving behind. Maria quickly exited the window. Leaving her room. Leaving her house. Leaving her mom.
      Leaving her 'friends'. Leaving Roswell. Out of everyone's life. After this night Maria DeLuca would no longer exist.

      Maria ran as quickly as she could to the lone bus station in Roswell, hoping to catch the last bus of the night to take her
      the hell away from this town, from everything. Maria stopped as she stepped inside the lobby of the dingy and dirty bus
      station. She had formulated a plan for her escape from this life on her run over. Maria wasn't going to allow anything to
      get in her way or to drag her back. Maria was positve that her mom wouldn't work that hard at tracking her down, and
      Lord knows that Michael wouldn't give a damn about her. *I have to make sure that Liz and Alex can't find me though.
      I am not coming back here. They will all be better off without me around.* Maria wanted to be free. Free of everything.
 

      She found the gross, smelly bathroom and went inside. She tucked her short blonde hair into the wig and adjusted the
      fit. Once she was satisfied that it looked alright, Maria left to find someone to help with her plan. She spotted a young
      guy, probably in his twenties, standing near the pay phones. Putting on a brave face, Maria walked over.

      "Hi!"

      "Hey there." He smiled kindly at her.

      "Listen, could you do me a favor?"

      "Sure, what do you need?" He gave her a curious look.

      "Can you buy me a ticket to L.A.?" Maria handed him her money for the ticket.

      The man shrugged. "Sure honey. I can do that." He took the money and walked to the counter.

      Maria stood back impatiently and waited for him to get her ticket. Maria's plan was that if no one knew her
      movements, then no one could track her. This way the clerk at the bus station couldn't identify her and if the guy was
      found he wouldn't recognize the blonde.

      "Here you go. One ticket to Los Angelos. Have a good trip." He handed her the bus ticket and her change.

      "Thanks. But it's not a trip." And with that Maria walked away just in time to hear the loudspeaker announcing the
      boarding for her bus. She walked onto the bus and threw her bag down on the seat next to her, hoping to discourage
      anyone from sitting there and wanting to strike up a conversation. Maria settled into the seat and stared with blank,
      dead eyes out the window. She sat watching her life disappear behind her as the bus left Roswell. Maria angrily wiped
      the tear away from her cheek.

      *No! I won't be sad! They won't be sad I am gone, so I won't be sad about leaving! I have nothing for me there.
      Nothing but mistakes.*

      Like Father Like Daughter part 6

     Amy DeLuca stretched her arms above her head. She had a kink in her neck from where she had fallen asleep with the
      phone cradled between her ear and her shoulder. Her night had been spent in a combination of guilt and nightmares.
      She had to check her instincts and not go rushing into Maria's room to hug her, hold her, and tell her how sorry she
      was, and that she never meant to make her feel like a mistake, because Maria was the one bright spot in Amy's dismal
      existence.

      Amy sighed to herself, she had made so many mistakes in her past. But she never believed that Maria was one of them.
      Amy just refused to sit back and watch as Maria started down that same rocky path. Amy's mistake was lying to her
      daughter for so many years. Of course Amy lied to everyone. She had lied to Jim, to Maria, to Maria's 'father' Brian, to
      herself. She hadn't told anyone the truth. In fact, Amy didn't know for sure that Jim was Maria's father until she was five
      years old and was hospitalized for an illness.

      Brian had tried to stick it out but once he knew the truth, he just couldn't stay. He had never wanted to be there in the
      first place. If she hadn't gotten pregnant then he would've left all the sooner. Finding out the truth about Maria's
      parentage was just the convienent excuse he had been searching for since their too young marriage at eighteen.

      Amy couldn't believe that one night with Jim would have repercussions of a lifetime. At this point Amy can barely even
      remember that one night, or rather afternoon. She was eighteen, right before her marriage to Brian, and Sheriff Valenti
      had arrested her. Once out on bail Amy had stormed over to his office demanding an explanation. The afternoon was
      hot and humid and the air hung thick, almost stifling in the room.

      An explanation was the only thing that Amy didn't get that afternoon. It turned out she recieved the greatest gift of her
      life: Maria. And now she loved Maria enough not to let her repeat it.

      Five years later when Amy realized the truth, she made the decision not to tell Jim. He had been married at the time of
      their 'incident' to Michelle, and she had been six monthes pregnant with Kyle. One family had been broken, Amy was
      not going to be responsible for another.

      Almost seventeen years later Amy finally told Jim. They had started dating (Michelle couldn't handle a family any more
      than Brian apparently but she had managed to stay until Kyle turned thirteen), and when Amy came clean it had been a
      relief to her. Jim took the news surprisingly well. It seemed that he had always wanted more children, but Michelle did
      not. Now he had his daughter. Amy smiled briefly as she thought back to the day she told him. Jim held her and Amy
      cried. She cried because now the burden wasn't on her alone. And when Jim told her that he saw their *yes he said our
      daughter* coming out of that Guerin boy's apartment at five in the morning, we both knew that it had to be stopped.
      *Jim really does not like him for some reason. He even seemed a little frightened of our Maria around him*. Having Jim
      as a parenting partner to her as been such a source of comfort to Amy. She could see herself twenty years ago in
      Maria's life, and she knew that Maria deserves better.

      Sighing from the memories Amy pushed herself out of bed and padded down the hall to check on Maria. Hopefully
      they were both calm enough this morning to have a rational discussion on why Maria was never to see or speak to
      Michael again. Knocking on the door Amy went into Maria's room.

      "Maria. Time to get up. We need to have a serious discussion before school to send down some firm ground rules of
      this house! Maria-" Amy gasped as she looked around the disheveled room. Clothes were strewn round and half of her
      closet was now in a jumbled mess on the bottom of the floor.

      "Oh my God." Amy voice was barely above a whisper. "She's gone. My baby's gone."

      Amy ran to the phone and dialed a familiar number, anxiously awaitng the answer.

      "'ello?" A sleepy voice answered on the fifth ring.

      "Jim! She's gone! Some of her things are missing! I think she ran away! At this point I actually hope that she went to
      Liz's or even God Michael's! But what if she didn't! What if she really left? Oh God! I am so sorry for it all! I want my
      baby back!"

      "Um, hold on Mrs. DeLuca, let me get my dad." It had taken Kyle a second to figure out just what the hell was going
      on and why someone hysterical woman was yelling at him at seven-thirty in the morning.

      "Dad! Mrs. DeLuca's on the phone! She's kinda hysterical. Something about Maria being missing." Kyle noticed the
      shock, and was the fear?, that was displayed on his father's normally unreadable face as he picked up the phone.

      Kyle stood nearby listening intently to his dad's end of the conversation. Even when he was dating Liz Kyle had never
      really talked to or thought much of Maria, but he figured he should try to find out what happened for Liz's sake. They
      were now starting to become friends again, so for his friend he would try to gather as much information as possible.
      From what Mrs. DeLuca had said, and now from his dad's end, Kyle was able to gather that Maria and her mom had
      gotten into a fight and now she didn't know where Maria was. *Jesus, big fucking deal! She's probably with Liz bitching
      about her mom right now!* Kyle shook his head in disgust and left to get ready for school. He'd talk to Maria there and
      let her know the head's up on her mom before his dad put out an APB on her. Kyle laughed to himself at what he
      thought was his dad's attempt to get close to Amy DeLuca by caving in to her ridiculous concern. *Like Maria would
      go anywhere! This is so stupid! I'll tell her to call her mom while she stays at Liz's to calm down about whatever stupid
      fight they had.*

      Driving to school Kyle began to replay the frantic bits and pieces of the conversation he had been able to understand
      from both his dad and Maria's mom. *Michael's or Liz's? Why would Maria be at Guerin's-oh! No shit! Maria and
      Guerin, that's intersting.*

      Kyle may have reached some weird tentative post-dating Liz friendship with Max, but he still hated Michael. His hatred
      was probably used just to mask his fear but Kyle could never admit that to himself. *Dad better fucking kiss my ass for
      talking to Guerin! I can't believe I'm actually trying to help track down Maria 'the original air bubble' DeLuca. All this
      for my dad's lovelife.*

      Kyle scanned the hallway. He didn't see Guerin, but he spotted Liz and Alex, *yeah he may know where she is too*,
      talking to Max and Isabel. Kyle stepped forward towards the group. They instantly fell silent as he approached them.
      But Kyle couldn't give two shits about whatever secret they held anymore. He was just going to relay the message for
      Maria and find his own friends to hang with before school, and maybe share some interesting news about Maria and
      Guerin. Kyle shrewdly noticed that Maria and Michael were the only ones absent from the little group meeting.

      "Look, I don't care what you were talking about okay? I just came to tell you guys to tell Maria to call her mom. I
      assume that she stayed with one of you last night? Because her mom's flipping out about her being gone and my dad is
      probably going to put a missing person's report if they don't hear from her soon." Kyle started to walk away, satisfied
      that he had told them, but turned back when he heard Evans questioning him and Liz's hand on his shoulder.

      "Kyle what do you mean missing person's report?" Max spoke calmly for Liz. He could see she was having trouble
      trying to process exactly what Kyle had told them.

      "Wasn't she with one of you last night? Her mom called all hysterical this morning because of a fight they had and now
      Maria's gone and she took a bunch of her stuff with her. She thought that Maria would be with Liz or Guerin."

      "Fine. C'mon Max, we'll go retrieve her from Michael's." Isabel was annoyed at the irresponsible behavior of both
      Michael and Maria. It was hard enough keeping Michael out of trouble on his own and she did not need Maria
      compounding this. Especially since Maria's trouble now had the sheriff involved.

      "It'll be okay Liz." Max reassured his terrified looking semi-girlfriend. "I'm sure she's just blowing off some steam and
      everything will be all right."

      Kyle smirked to himself as he walked away, "Blowing off some steam? That's one way to put it."
 

      "Michael! Open up and put some clothes on!" Isabel waited thirty seconds and then walked in after her warning. She
      didn't want to see any spare body parts flying around.

      "Michael. We just came to tell Maria that she needs to call her mom." Max spoke calmly to Micahel who was sitting up
      on his small couch that doubled for his bed. Michael's eyes were blood shot from his lack of sleep and he had dark
      purple rings under his eyes. Max noticed these and it was then that he became more observant about the state of the
      apartment. A broken chair lay in one corner of the room and broken glass shards littered the kitchen floor. A hole the
      size of a fist was punched in to the wall next to Michael's STAIND poster. Max also noticed that there was no Maria in
      sight.

      "Michael? What happened here?"

      "Nothing, Now if you don't mind I'm gonna try and get some sleep." Michael's voice was flat and he stretched back
      down on his sofa, trying to ignore the other two looking at him. "What? Don't you two have somewhere better to be?"

      Michael knew that he had made the right choice in protecting Max and Isable but he just couldn't stand for them to be
      standing near him that moment. Having them in his apartment made everything too real, too final. He had sold Maria for
      the price of their freedom. Nothing could take that back now.

      "God Michael. Listen, Maria's mom is flipping out because she stayed out last night and hasn't come home yet. And if
      Maria doesn't call her soon then her boyfriend, the sheriff, is going to start looking for her and one of the first places
      they'll check is here. We do not need this right now." Isabel snapped at Michael. She was getting royally pissed off at
      Michael's attitude and the fact that she was probably going to get detention for missing homeroom and he didn't even
      seem to care.

      "Why are you telling me this?" Michael snapped back at Isabel, hearing Maria's name made his head hurt.

      Max knew he needed to take control before the two of them really to started to snap. "Michael. Maria is missing. She
      didn't stay at Liz's last night and she took a bunch of clothes as if she weren't planning on coming home anytime soon.
      We had assumed she had stayed here with you. Was she here last night?"

      Michel stared at Max blankly. "No. Yeah. I mean she stopped by. We had a fight, we broke up, she left. End of story."

      "What time did she leave Micheal?" Max was still hoping that Maria had at least spent the night there. That way they
      would know she had been safe last night. So Liz would know she had been safe.

      "I dunno know like 9:30 or 10:00." Michael rubbed his eyes trying to relieve the pressure that was building up behind
      them. He was consciously trying not to understand the scope and magnitude of Max's words, 'Maria is missing'.
      Because Michael knew that if he allowed himself, he was just itching for an excuse to go back. To turn back time and
      take back the words. To hold her again and not let anyone tear her away. He would be stronger this time for her and
      for Max and Izzy. Michael would find a way to be strong for them all.

      Isabel was the first to acknowledge the force of Max's words and the realization they had all come to. She may not
      exactly care for the girl but this situation was getting serious. "Oh my God. Max, Michael that means, that means that
      Maria is seriously missing. As in gone. And if she left last night and we know she didn't go to Alex or Liz's, then who
      knows where she could be."

      Meanwhile on a bus travelling through the desert on an otherwise empty highway, a young woman sat alone staring
      blankly at the flat dry land. She no longer bothered to wipe away the tears that now flowed steadily down her cheeks.
      But that was probably because she no longer noticed them, no longer felt the warm tracks fall down her face. The only
      thing she was aware of, at that moment, was that she was never going back to where no one wanted her and no one
      would notice she was gone.

       Like Father Like Daughter part 7

      "Michael, maybe you should tell us what happened last night. Anything could be helpful." Max tried to remain calm.
      Whenever a crisis occured he automatically would begin to utilize his leadership skills. Another reason that Max needed
      Michael to explain about last night is because looking around at the apartment and its state of disaray did not comfort
      Max about this 'fight' that Michael said he and Maria had.

      Michael was becoming agitated with Max's questions about his fight with Maria and honestly didn't believe that Maria
      would run away. She couldn't possibly care about him enough to leave everyone, leave Roswell. *Why wouldn't she? I
      almost did. If Max hadn't come to me then I wouldn't have turned back. Hank was the one that berated me, told me
      that I was worthless. Maria took you in, you asshole! You are a worthless piece of shit! The one person that cared
      about me and not because she had to but just because she did! And I fucked it all up! I stayed because Max came to
      me. No one was there for Maria. She turned to me for support last night and I caved at the first sign of pressure.
      Valenti waved around some files and I took the bait. Oh fuck! How do I even know that he is telling the truth about
      backing off or helping to protect us if we need it? How do I even know that he didn't keep copies? What does that
      even matter now? I had to do it. Max and Isabel deserve it. They deserve freedom. I owe them this and more. I used
      Maria. I took what she gave me and I used it. I betrayed her.*

      "Michael? Did you, uh, did you hit Maria?" Max hated asking Michael this but he had to know. It was too difficult to
      ignore the broken chair, the glass, the hole in the wall.

      Michael quickly rose and stood directly in front of Max. The two boys stood nose to nose. Max remained still as
      Michael's face was twisted in pain. When he spoke his voice was forced and intense. "Interesting to know what you
      think of me. Now get out."

      Isabel pushed her way in between the two. "Now stop it! Both of you! Michael we just need to know what happened,
      before the sheriff gets here. This is serious now. Maria is gone, who knows where, and telling someone God knows
      what about us. We have to find her."

      "Fine. You want to know what happened? Here!" Michael pushed away from Max and reached over the counter,
      picking up the four folders. He shoved them into Max's hands.

      Max opened the first folder. Isabel gasped when she saw the contents. "Michael this is the sheriff's file on me. How did
      you get this? Please tell us that you didn't break into his office again."

      "Michael these are his folders on all of us and on Atherton. How did you get them?"

      "He gave them to me. Valenti promised me something that I couldn't refuse. I bought our freedom Maxwell, Isabel.
      You're free." Michael sounded dead as he spoke. None of his usual passion and intensity were in his voice or in his
      eyes. He looked distant, alone. For someone whose worst nightmare was almost completely eliminated he sounded like
      a man who had nothing to live for.

      Max was afraid to ask but knew Michael wouldn't volunteer the information. "Michael what did you pay for this?"

      Michael turned and sat back down on the worn couch. "Just get out." How could Michael explain to Max and isabel
      what he had done? He gave up the one thing in Roswell that mattered. He would always have Max and Isabel because
      they were his family. But Maria, Maria was there by choice. She chose to be a part of his fucked up existence no
      matter how he pushed her away. Actually, no that's not entirely true. He would always remain in her peripheral just
      enough so she never left him completely or gave up on him. Until now, he not only pushed her away, he burned the
      ground she walked on. *I kept pushing her away and then dragging her back in until she trusted me. And then I used
      her trust to hurt her the one way I knew would be the worst. I let my guard down, I let her in, and then used that for my
      own benefit. God I wouldn't even go out in public with her! Max and Izzy have to understand that I had to do this for
      them. They have a chance for a real life. One that matches their perfect home and perfect family. The kind of life that
      they deserve. I never deserved the one thing that I had. I never deserved Maria.*

      "Oh my God Michael. You gave Valenti Maria didn't you? That's what you had to give him." Isabel sounded
      incredulous that Michael had done this. She didn't grasp the full circumstances yet. "Why? Why did he give up on
      chasing us now? What's in it for him? I mean why does Maria matter to him?"

      Michael looked up at Isabel who was looking back at Michael with a mixture of surprise, pity, and happiness. She
      couldn't help but he happy. If this were true then Isabel didn't have to hide any more. She didn't have to be afraid that
      every knock at the door was someone coming to take her away. No more Valenti putting thoughts into her mother's
      head about her and Max. She wouldn't have to be constantly looking over her shoulder, afraid of who might be
      following her. She didn't have to be afraid to get close, to allow someone into her life.

      Michael sighed in defeat and rubbed the heal of his hands into his weary eyes. It was obvious that Max and Isabel
      weren't going to leave until he told them exactly what had transpired last night. "I don't know exactly how but Valenti
      saw Maria leaving here a couple of nights ago at five."

      "Five in the morning!? Michael-" Isabel stopped when Max put his hand on her elbow. He didn't want Michael to use
      any interruptions as an excuse to stop talking. They needed to know what happened; they needed to hear it without
      judging.

      "Look all I can tell you is that he saw her and told her mother who, let's just say she didn't exactly appreciate Maria
      keeping me company that late or early, whatever. Valenti came here and offered me the files. The files, no more
      investigations, no more suspicions, and all I had to do was stop seeing Maria. So I did. I had to."

      Max and Isabel both felt a rush of conflicting emotions. They were free. Michael had freed them. Max was concerned
      about Liz because he knew that if he was free it didn't matter. His freedon didn't matter if Maria was gone. "Michael,
      what did you say to Maria?"

      When Max thought that Michael was leaving nothing else was important. If Maria was gone, then Max knew Liz would
      feel the same way. *But at least Michael came back. Liz will die if Maria is gone, if she left Roswell. Michael came
      home. Will Maria?*
 
 

      Like Father Like Daughter part 8

      "Isabel why don't you go get Alex and Liz at school and bring them here." Max spoke to his sister, it was a statement
      not a question. He needed to talk to Michael alone. Even though Michael never shared much, he was more apt to open
      up to Max than anyone else.

      Isabel looked back and forth from Max and Michael. Michael sat defeated on the couch, his shoulders slumped, head
      in hands. If Isabel didn't know better she would have sworn he was sick. *We don't get sick.* Max reached into the
      pocket of his brown leather jacket and pulled out the keys to the jeep. When he placed them in her hand, giving it a
      quick squeeze of support, Max could see the overwhelming emotions in Isabel's eyes. The two emotions that she
      couldn't mask the most were her happiness at the prospect of being free and her concern for her other brother. Max
      and Isabel had seen Michael angry, hurt, confused, sad, jealous, but never this deflated. Never had he seemed so let
      down. The last night that they had seen Hank wasn't as difficult as standing in this apartment watching Michael now.

      Forcing herself to turn away, Isabel left Max and Michael and closed the door quietly behind her. She paused in the
      hallway and leaned up against the wall, taking in four deep breaths trying to calm her pounding heart and blinking back
      tears that surprised even her. *God Michael I love you so much for doing this. Thank you Michael.* Isabel felt so guilty
      about her happiness, especially since it came at the price of Michael and Maria's relationship. But Isabel would help to
      find Maria as her repayment to Michael for his act of selflessness. Isabel finally slowed the blood pounding in her head
      and wiped the tears off of her cheeks. Straightening her shoulders, Isabel walked briskly out the building and hopped
      into the jeep while pulling her hair back into a ponytail. Isabel was not looking forward to telling Alex and Liz that Maria
      may actually have left them, left Roswell.

      "Max you shouldn't bring them here. I just...I just want to be alone. Go away." Michael never moved or looked up at
      Max as he spoke. Max moved to sit beside his friend wordlessly. For a few minutes the only sound heard in the room
      was the quiet breaths from the two aliens sitting side by side.

      "I had to make her hate me. She can't ever want to see me again. Because I can't be the one to stay away from her.
      Everytime I see her all I want to do is be with her. She let me...she let me forget it all. Hank, the FBI, everything. I
      never had enough to give her but she still accepted it, accepted me." Michael stopped and for the first time looked
      directly at Max. No guards, no barriers, no walls. Just Michael's pain. "I had to do it. For Isabel, for you. It's over
      Max."

      Max knew that Michael's last statement had a tapestry of layers surrounding it. The manhunt is over. His only brush
      with humanity is over. Michael leaned back into the couch. The pain was still a constant pounding, pulsing, a hammering
      behind his eyes. But Michael welcomed it, he deserved it. The pain would be a reminder to him. Not that he would ever
      forget. The hurt from Maria, for Maria, was a physical and emotional assault on his body. He could feel the precise
      moment he broke her, he broke himself.

      Max stood up and walked over to the wall, using his powers to patch it back together. He then mended the broken
      chair and swept up the glass shards. He didn't want Liz and Alex to see Michael's apartment. Max didn't think that
      Michael could handle the attack likely to come from Liz and Alex.

      "Michael-" But before Max could ask again Michael started.

      "I told her she was a mistake. Not in so many words but I said it all the same. I took what she had shared with me and
      I used it. I used her."

      "Michael we'll find her. I promise."

      Michael looked up at Max and nodded slowly. It was the first time that they could ever remember lying to each other.
      Michael didn't believe Max's promise and MAx didn't know if he could find her.

      "Isabel should be back soon with Liz and Alex. I can have us go to the Crashdown to talk to them. We don't need to
      meet here. You can stay if you want." Max's voice conveyed his hurt for Michael. Michael nodded again. He didn't
      want to face Alex and Liz for several reasons. He wasn't ready for the anger and the fallout and because seeing them
      would be too close of a physical reminder of Maria.
 

      "You have to do something Jim! You're the sheriff, you're her father! I want her back! Damn it I want my baby girl
      back!" Amy was past hysterics. She was absolutely mad with fear. Maria was gone and Amy couldn't understand this
      24 hour before missing police policy. She couldn't understand how Jim couild let their baby just wander out into the
      world without them to protect her. Amy's eyes welled up for the fifth time in an hour.

      "Amy we're going to get her back. Trust me. I'm doing everything I can."

      "It won't be good enough until she's back. Oh God I will take it all back. She can see Michael, anything as long as she
      comes home!"

      Jima placed his arm around Amy and held her close to his jean shirt, letting her cry on his shoulder. She looked up at
      him with wild eyes. "I want to see him. I need to talk to Michael." She was set and determined and there was no
      changing her mind.

      "I'll go. You don't have to." Jim had made a promise to Michael and Max and Isabel and he fully intended to keep it.
      Jim had just wanted to protect Maria but he also knew that they needed protection as well. And it was his job as a
      father and as a sheriff to do so. And trouble was bound to follow the three kids. Because Sheriff Valenti knew, not for
      sure, but he suspected, his gut told him that his suspicions were true and that he needed to help them. All he wanted
      was Maria out of the line of fire, out of danger. But anywhere near those three was too close to the firing squad so he
      did what he had to do to protect her. He wanted to protect them all. He thought that if he gave them the files and
      showed the three of them some good faith then they might be more trusting of him if they needed help. And Maria
      would not be in danger either.

      "No! I am going to see him! I need to have some answers! I need to know if he loves her, if I broke her heart." Amy's
      voice sounded like little more than a whimper now and Jim knew he would have to take her. He had his own secret to
      protect from the Evans and Guerin. He had Maria.

      "Okay but let me check in with my deputies first. I've put out an APB and a missing person's report. It's unofficial until
      24 hours but I have everyone looking for her. Amy we will find her. I've only had a daughter for two months now. I'm
      not willing to give her up so soon."

      Amy wiped her nose and nodded. Jim ushered her out to his Explorer and radioed the station to check on any news of
      Maria. He had officers checking out the bus station, the highways, and the local motels. But they had not found anything
      and no one had seen a girl matching Maria's description.
 

      "Michael, I'll wait outside for Isabel." Max crossed the room and opened the door. He stepped back in surprise at the
      sight of the sheriff and Mrs. DeLuca walking towards him from the hallway. "Michael." Max turned his head and his
      voice sounded worried.

      "I thought you were leaving Max."

      Max didn't have a chance to answer before Valenti and Amy walked past him into Michale's apartment. "Mr. Guerin I
      thought that you and I should have another chat."

      "What!" Michael spat out the word. He would rather explain everything to Liz and Alex than rehash it all with the sheriff
      and Maria's mom.

      "What did you do with my baby girl!" Amy's hysterics started again. Sheriff Valenti placed his arm around her trying to
      calm her again. He hadn't told her the details of either his chat with Michael nor Michael's with Maria. While the sheriff
      was tending to Amy, Max moved to beside Michael. He was afraid of Michael's reaction to the two people that had
      forced him to choose between his family and Maria.

      "I'm not the one that wanted to push her away! I did not want to do this! You did! You made me choose! You made
      me do everything! I had to give up the one thing that mattered to me outside of my family! I lost it all! And it's all
      because of you!" Michael was furious and was stepping closer to Amy and Valenti with each step. Max moved
      between Michael and Valenti and Mrs. DeLuca.

      "I think you two should leave. Sheriff shouldn't you be out looking for Maria now." Max was trying to calm everyone
      down and take control of the situation.

      "Do you love her?" Amy asked the question quietly.

      Michael blanched at her question momentarily before regaining his hostile stance. "Do you?"

      "What? How can you ask me that?"

      "How could you ask me?"

      Max looked at Michael stunned. That was the closest thing he had ever heard Michael say about the feelings he had for
      Maria.

      "I'm just trying to protect my family." Amy was weakening in her anger and seemed more depressed than anything else
      now.

      Michael was quiet before responding. "So am I."

      "What? What do do you mean?" Amy didn't understand the significance of Michael's words because Jim hadn't told her
      about the files, his suspicions, the investigation, or anything about the Evans.

      "Amy why don't you go down to the car. I'll be right there." Jim put his hand on her back and gently pushed her to the
      door. Amy was so exhausted that she didn't have the strength to argue. She left without looking at Max or Michael.

      Once she was gone Valenti took off his hat and flipped it back and forth between his hands. "I meant what I said, I will
      not look into you. And I will protect you. If you need me then I will help. But I need your help. I need Maria back. I'm
      not going to ask for details but if you can help, in *any way*, then do. I won't ask how."

      "And what about when she comes home? What about the promise Michael made?"

      "Amy just wants her home. That's what's important. Help find her and I will keep my promise to you. We just want her
      home."

      "Oh my God! She's really missing?" Michael, Max, and Sheriff Valenti turned to see Liz, Alex, and Isabel at the
      doorway. "What did you say to her? Why would she leave Roswell? Why would she leave me?"

      "Liz, we'll find her." Valenti turned to Max. "We all need to do everything we can to bring her home now." And then he
      left the teens in the apartment to contemplate his words. Liz was finally the first to speak.

      "Is there...is there anything that you guys can do?"

      "I'll look into it tonight." Isabel knew how devastated Alex and Liz were feeling right now and she could only hope that
      Maria would talk to her in her dream tonight.

      "That's a good idea Iz but in the meantime we should look around ourselves. Maybe we can get a vision." Max looked
      back at Michael. "Why don't you three check around town and Michael and I will check the bus station and the
      highways."

      "I'll go home and get my car." Alex was so scared. He would do anything to bring Maria back.

      The five teens left and went their seperate ways, all hoping for a miracle.

      A thousand miles away a leggy brunette (still sporting the wig) stepped off of the bus. Her eyes squinted as she tried to
      adjust to the harsh sun. When they did she noticed a help wanted sign in the window of a small, dirty coffee shop.
      Maria took off the wig and stuffed it in her bag.

      "Well, at least I already have experience." Maria mumbled to herself and grabbed her bag. She pushed open the door
      to the coffee shop and walked up to the counter.

      "Hi can I help you?" A frazzled looking waitress in her thirties asked.

      "Yeah, I'm here about the job."

      "Got any experience?"

      "Tons."

      "Willing to work the graveyard shift? Midnight to six?"

      "Totally."

      "What's your name?"

      Maria faltered slightly before blurting out, "Michelle." She cringed when she realized that she had chosen the feminine
      version of Michael. *Damn it! I will not think of him!*

      "Well, Michelle. You're hired. Come back at 11:45."

      "That's it? I'm hired?"

      "Yeah. We're desperate!"

      "Okay, see you then." Maria left and went to find herself a cheap motel to stay.

      Four hours later and a thousand miles back the five teenagers had met in the back of the Crashdown.

      "Anything?" Liz asked with more than a hint of desperation in her voice. Max just shook his head and pulled her into a
      hug.

      "I didn't get any visions either." Isabel looked sadly at her brothers. Michael's entire being just seemed to sag in disbelief
      and depression.

      "This just isn't like Maria to do something like this. I just don't get it. Why would she leave?" Alex asked the question
      not really expecting an answer.

      "Because of me alright! I pushed her away! Valenti promised to stop investigating us if I stopped seeing her. If I never
      saw her again! I had do it! I had to!" Michael pushed himself up out of the booth and stormed out the back door of the
      Crashdown. Isabel started to follow him but Max stopped her.

      "Just give him some time alone. We'll go see him after you try and dreamwalk."

      Isabel nodded in agreement but still looked at the door worried. She nervously played with her necklace. "Okay, I'll try
      at midnight. She should be asleep by then."

      At midnight in LA the newly named Michelle walked up to serve her first customers in her new job. She blinked in
      surprise because the man reminded her of Michael. He gave off the same vibes. She quickly squashed these thought
      and went to take his order and his companion's.

      "Hi what can I get you tonight?"

      "Well, hopefully a decent cup of coffee. Oh and do you have any croissants?" The woman smiled all teeth.

      "Um, I don't think so. But we have toast."

      "Whatever." The woman gave a little dismissal wave and the man looked at her in half amusement and half annoyance.

      "I'll just have coffee."

      "Okay, two coffees and toast. Coming right up."

      As soon as she left the table the two customers leaned in close and talked in furtive whispers.

      "Is that her?"

      "Yeah. I think so. What do we do?"

      "Nothing yet. I'll just keep watch."

      They quieted when 'Michelle' returned with the two coffees. She set them down and went to get the toast.

      "I'll just watch. For now."

      Like Father Like Daughter part 9

      "Max I can't get through. She's not asleep." Isabel looked at Max apologetically. It was now almost three AM and
      Isabel had been trying to reach Maria's dream for three hours. Each attempt had been unsuccessful.

      "It's okay Izzy. Why don't you just get some slepp now okay?" Max gave her a comforting pat on the back and left her
      room.

      Max sighed and spoke quietly to himself, "I'm sorry Michael. I'm sorry Liz." Max quietly left the house hoping his
      parents didn't hear him sneaking out so late. He decided to stop by and check up on Liz before going to Michael's.

      "Liz? Liz are you awake?" Max whispered from the street up to the balcony. He could see the light on in her room.

      "Max? You can come up. I couldn't sleep." Liz sounded strained and as Max reached the top of the balcony, he could
      see the tear tracks staining her cheeks and her eyes were red from rubbing. Max automatically wrapped his armas
      around Liz and allowed her to bury her head in his chest. As her tears started again Max gripped her tighter and buried
      his head in her soft hair, gently whispering soothing thoughts into her ear.

      Liz pulled back and looked up at Max. "Max? Could Isabel-"

      "No. I'm sorry Liz." Max's heart hurt to see Liz so emotionally vulnerable and wounded. It has now been 24 hours and
      Maria was officialy missing. After Michael had stormed out of the Crashdown Max had explained to the others he basic
      jist of what Michael had said to Maria without breaking any confidences. But Liz and Alex hadn't reacted as he
      expected them to. They weren't angry, well they were but not at Michael. They saw how this tortured him and the
      Sophie's choice presented to him. They were angry at Sheriff Valenti and Mrs. DeLuca, and angry that all their parents
      had known about Mrs. DeLuca's plan to keep Maria away from Michael and were going along with it.

      "Max, I've been thinking about what Michael said. Kyle said that Mrs. DeLuca and Maria had a figh. Michael said he
      was to blame for Maria leaving. Max, what I'm getting at is that obviously Mrs. DeLuca is holdin gback something from
      us and I think the sheriff knows what it is. Why is he just now giving everything up and claiming to be your protector?
      Max it just doesn't make sense."

      Max was contemplative. Liz's words vocalized some of the questions he had. There was more than just what the sheriff
      and Maria's mom were sharing with everyone. He and Isabel had been so focused on Michael that they didn't notice
      the signs around them. Kyle had told them at school that Mrs. DeLuca called upset about a fight she had had with
      Maria and that she thought Maria was with Michael even after she forbid her. So that meant that Maria left Michael's
      and went back home. She didn't leave until aftr that.

      "Liz, I need to go see Michael. But i'll be back first thing in the morning okay? I think we're going to spend the day
      searching. Don't worry Liz, we won't give up." Max brushed Liz's hair off her shoulder and kissed her salty tear stained
      cheeks. "Don't give up on her. She'll come home. No one could ever leave you."

      Liz smiled regretfully and leaned her forehead against Max's chest. "Thank you."

      Max reluctantly pulled away and headed off towards Michael's apartment. He knocked on the door and unlocking it
      with his powers, walked into the dark room. Michael sat on the couch, head back eith his eyes closed. Max stepped
      lightly not wanting to wake him up because of his sleepless night previously.

      "Isabel see anything?" Michael spoke still keeping his eyes closed. If he kept them closed them he could imagine her
      coming to him and he hugged her and kissed her, instead of betraying her.

      "Oh, hey. I thought you were sleeping." Max apologized for waking Michael.

      "No. I can't sleep. Yu didn't answer my question."

      "No, she's no asleep. We'll try again tomorrow night. Um, Michael?"

      "What?" Michael just wanted to wallow in his self-pity. It's all he had left.

      "It's not your fault." Michael opened his eyes at this but he didn't lift his head. "Liz was thinking about something that
      Kyle said. Maria and her mom had a fight and Mrs. DeLuca told Kyle that's why she left. Michael it wasn't you."

      "It doesn't matter what fight she had with her mom. She wouldn't have left if I hadnt...Max I'm tired." Michael wasn't
      going to listen to any sympathies from Max or anyone. He had laready placed the blame entirely on himself.

      Max walked over to the couch and reached out with his hand. "Lie down." Max placed his heand over Michael's
      forhead, a soft white glow pulsed under his palm. Michael's breathing slowed and evened out. Max placed a light sheet
      over Michael adn sat down in a chair across the room. Michael had given up everything for Max and Isabel. He gave
      away all that he held close to his normally closed heart. Max wasn't going to leave Michael alone now. *I promised
      Michael. We will find her.*

      *Thank God it's six. Quittin' time.* Maria left the coffee shop. The sun was almost ready to rise in the sky. She had
      done fairlyon tips because of the steady stream of truckers, freakd, and drunks. Her first two customers had stayed
      nursing their coffee for close to two hours. Other than the weird Michaelish vibes she got from the guy they were her
      only normal customers all night. After she had gotten the job Maria found a shitty rat hole apartment. Michael's
      apartment looked like the Ritz in comparison. But it could serve its purpose, it had a small bed and a tiny kitchen and an
      even tinier bathroom. However, it was cheap and better than living on the streets. Maria didn't care where she stayed
      as long as it was away from Roswell, away from her pain, away from the daily reminder that she was a mistake. *Away
      from Mom. Away from Michael. I hope they're happy now. I will be. I'll be happy. Liz'll be fine, she's got Max. And
      ALex will be alright. Liz will look out for him too. And Isbael may as well. I'll be fine. I don't need anyone. I don't need
      Michael. I don't need a family. I don't have a family.*

      "Dad? What're you doing up? You didn't get in until past 3 and it's only six." Kyle stodd rubbing the sleep out of his
      eyes.

      His father didn't answer. He just picked up the bottle of whiskey and poured himself another shot.

      "Dad? What's going on?" Kyle walked in and carefully took the alcohol away. The last time he had seen his father this
      upset was shen he was thirteen and his mom left.

      "I never knew. I never knew what I had."

      "What? What don't you have?" Kyle placed his hand on his dad's shoulder's and turned him to look his dad square in
      the eye. Seeing Kyle, Jim snapped out of his trance.

      "Son, sit down. We need to talk."

      "What about?" Kyle was nervous now. Those were the exact words his dad had spoken to him the morning his mom
      left.

      "It's about...it's about Maria." Jim sighed and rubbed his head.

      "Yeah Dad, don't worry about that. I'm sure she'll be back after she realizes how stupid the fight was with her mom.
      And the fact that she will get eaten alive on her own." Kyle tried to make his tone light and joking but his tenseness
      came through.

      "It's a lot more than that."

      "How much more?"

      "A lietime's worth."

      "What? What do you mean? Dad just tell it to me straight. I'm not a kid anymore. i can hanle whatever it is."

      Jim studied Kyle's face. There was so mich of Michelle there. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Maria's my
      daughter. Yu half-sister."

      Kyle recoiled from hi sfather and then reacted with the only process he could understand going thtough his brain. Kyle
      pulled back and hit his dad, knocking the slightly inebriated man off the chair. Kyle looked in shock at his won fist and
      then at his father holding his jaw s a slight trickle of blood oozed out the cut on his lip. Kyle backed away slowly,
      grabbing his keys, and left the house, driving away in his red Mustang.

      Part 10

      Michael started to stir from his sleep around eight the next morning. He craned his neck and as his eyes slowly focused
      he noticed Max sitting across from him in his beat up chair. Max had stayed with Michael all night, watching his friend
      and occasionally entering his dreams to calm the nightmares.

      "Hey Maxwell." Michael never was one to put a lot of emotion into his voice but he sounded as if all the human that was
      inside of him was gone forever. Max supposed that if Maria never came back then that might be true.

      "Hey, it's close eight now. Alex, Liz, and Isabel aren't going to go to school either so we're supposed to meet them up
      at the resevoir. We can talk up there. Michael they don't blame you." Max was going to hammer that point into Michael
      no matter how long it would take him. Michael would be useless in helping if he continued with his self-pity and
      self-loathing. They had to concentrate on finding Maria and Michael had the most connection with her. They all needed
      that connection to help with visions. But it would be of no use if Michael did not stop this downward spiral. Max feared
      that Michael would retreat back behind his stone facade and then they would have lost Maria physically and Michael
      emotionally.

      "Why don't they? They should. Liz and Alex should hate me. It's my fault! Max don't you get it! It's my fault! I used the
      one thing that would turn her away from me and I used it because I knew that it would hurt her the most! I hurt her on
      purpose! God I just...I hate myself. Alex and Liz should hate me too." Michael was up and pacing around his
      apartment. Max didn't know which was worse: the defeated, scared Michael of last night lying on the couch, or the
      ranting, scared Michael pacing like a caged animal around his apartment.

      "Michael you can't do this to yourself! Don't you get that! We've already lost Maria and we are going to do everything
      in our power to find her! But my God Michael we need you for that! Okay? We need you. And I will not let you slip
      away from us again. I won't give you up! You have to be strong and help me here! I can't do this without you. Liz and
      Alex do not hate you because they understand. Michael they are worried not just about Maria but about you too. And
      if you don't want to help then you look me in the eye and I will walk away. Michael I will walk out that door and let you
      wallow in your pity. But don't think that for an instant that I won't be grateful for what you had to do. You saved us
      Michael, now help us save Maria. Let me help to save you." Max could hear his own voice start to crack as he stepped
      closer to his best friend. Michael eyes were shining as he tried to hold in his emotions. He didn't want to be weak. But
      he didn't feel strong. Max reached out and embraced Michael. He was hugging his brother and Max was not going to
      let go of him this time.

      "I need her Max. I need her back." Michael straightened himself and nodded to Max. He silently agreed to Max's plea.
      Michael may not have been running away like Maria had but he had been running from himself and everyone else. Now
      he knew that he needed to find Maria and he could only do that if he believed that he could find her, if he should find
      her.

      "Okay Michael. Let's go meet everyone." Max and Michael both went to the door to leave the apartment. Michael
      turned quickly before walking out and went to the wall where Max had fixed the hole from when Michael puched it
      after Maria left. Michael waved his hand over the wall and reformed the damage. When he looked up to see Max's
      questioning glance, Michael met his eyes evenly, "I can't fix anything until I fix this. Not until then."

      Max nodded and placed his arm around Michael as the two left to meet their friends at the resevoir.

      Max and Michael were the first to arrive there out of their group but they were not alone. A figure sat on the edge
      throwing things into the water. As they drove closer they could see Kyle's red mustang parked down the path and it
      was Kyle sitting at the ledge. He was drinking beer and throwing the empty cans into the water as he finished. Michael
      and Max could both hear him mumbling to himself but they couldn't make out what he was saying. Max gestured for
      Michael so stay by the jeep as he climbed out slowly to approach Kyle. Max had some experience dealing with a
      drunk Kyle after the blind date fiasco and they had reached a tentative understanding between each other. Now that
      Max was with Liz and Liz and Kyle were friends again, Max and Kyle were relatively friendly with one another. But
      Max could tell that this was more that drinking with your buddies. Kyle was plowed at eight in the morning on a school
      day. And he was sitting dangerously close to the ledge by himself.

      "Kyle? Um, you all right?" Max approached him slowly not wanting to startle him so close to the ledge.

      Kyle's response was to shotgun another beer and throw it with venom into the resevoir. He was still mumbling under his
      breath, "God damn son of a bitch. I can't f---ing believe that he would...eveything is always because he...Damn it!"
      Kyle cursed and tried to stand now. He was so drunk that Max reached his out to help him so he wouldn't fall. Kyle
      looked up into Max's eyes and for the second time that morning Max looked into the soul of a broken man. As he
      helped Kyle to stand, they could hear the sound of Alex's Volvo closing in on where they were. Michael was watching
      Kyle with suspiscion. He didn't trust anyone other than his five friends and having a Valenti in their meeting spot sent
      warning signals to his already overactive paranoia.

      "Max? What is going on? Kyle are you okay?" Liz ran over to where her boyfriend was standing with her ex-boyfriend.
      Kyle looked at Liz and began to mumble again, this time a little more clearly. "She left because of him. They always
      leave because of him. Or me. Hell, it could be both. The curse of the Valenti men. The women leave because we drive
      them away. Son of a bitch never even told me. Never told me. He knew for God knows how long...I always said that I
      wanted a...but did he ever tell me? No. I didn't have to be alone or jealous. I could have had my...and then maybe she
      wouldn't have left. If she had known maybe she would have stayed."

      "Kyle who are you talking about? Who left you? Your mom? Maria?" Liz couldn't understand what Kyle was talking
      about. He was babbling about someone leaving him but his mom left over four years ago. But Maria had just left a
      couple of days ago. Michael looked at Kyle and Liz sharply as Maria's name was mentioned. He felt a surgence of
      anger and jealousy at the thought of Maria and Kyle. And before anyone realized it Michael had rapidly approached
      Kyle and grabbed the drunk boy roughly by the collar of his tee-shirt. Michael pushed him and they both stumbled
      close to the cliffs.

      "What are you talking about Valenti? What do you know about Maria? Tell me! Damn it tell us!"

      Max and Isabel rushed to Michael's side to pull him off of Kyle. Kyle pushed back against Michael and began yelling
      back, "What the f--- do you even care? What you miss her in your bed now that she's gone? Because I miss more than
      you could know! I finally get everything that I ever wanted and she's gone! They always leave me! I thought that she
      would be different! I always wished but never could hope because I knew that it just wouldn't happen! But today my
      wish came true! But she wasn't supposed to leave me too." Kyle turned and kicked the rest of the beer into the water.

      Liz motioned for Max and Isabel to restrain Michael from Kyle and she gave him a look not to talk now either. She
      carefully placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Kyle, we can help you if you let us. Just tell us please."

      Kyle turned at the soothing and pleading tone of Liz's voice. He always loved to listen to her and more than any other
      girlfriend she was a true friend. Kyle could trust her. "She's my sister. Maria. Maria is my half-sister."

      "What?" Alex was the first to talk. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Kyle what are you talking about?"

      "My dad told me this morning. He was drunk and I actually think that the Sheriff had been crying. Huh, who knew?
      She's my sister. Maria DeLuca and Kyle Valenti. What a pair."

      Max and Isabel let go of Michael and they all subconciously took a step towards Kyle. They weren't sure what was
      going on but no one wanted to miss a single word that he said. Liz started semi-laughing in recognition to herself. "I
      knew it, I knew it Max. Something had been bothering me about all this. God don't you guys see? This is why Mrs.
      DeLuca and Sherrif Valenti were doing this together."

      "He lied to me. For who knows how long he lied. And the thing of it is, what I used to wish for? I used to wish for little
      sister. I know it doesn't seem like me but I watch my friends with their sisters and I see the bond there. I mean look at
      Max and Isabel, anyone can see it. They love each other and protect each other and you don't leave each other. I knew
      that the men in my family drive women away. Grandpa drove Grandma away, my dad drove my mom away, I drove
      Liz away. But I thought that if I had a sister then she would stay. She wouldn't leave me. And now it turns out that I
      have a sister and she left before I even knew. I would've stopped her. I'm her big brother. It's my job to be there for
      her. It's my job to protect her from hurt! All these years that I made fun of Maria or put her down or joined in when
      someone else was mean...All I want now is to hug her and never let her out of my sight, never let her go. My sister! My
      sister that I failed. I'm her brother. I would never have left her. I would have gone with her if I couldn't get her to stay
      but I would not have left her. I will find her and never leave her alone again." Kyle rubbed his head with his hands and
      looked up at the sky in desperation, praying for a miracle. He got an answer to his prayer from the one place no one
      expected.

      "Maria always wanted a big brother." Michael spoke looking out to the water. But everyone knew he was talking to
      Kyle. "She used to talk about it late at night. Um, she always said that she used to imagine that she had an older brother
      who would interrogate dates when they came to pick her up, tell her it's okay when her dad left and she missed him, or
      when her mom was out on a date and didn't come home then she wouldn't have to be alone. She always said that a big
      brother wouldn't leave her. Her dad left but a brother would be someone who would stay to protect her and love her.
      She would talk about going to baseball and football games to cheer on her big brother to victory. She would watch
      Max and Isabel and want someone that would care for her like that. Not a friend or a boyfriend. But a brother because
      a brother wouldn't leave. She lost her dad and doesn't always trust in her mom. But she used to say that if she had a
      brother then he would finally be the one person that she could never let go. She wouldn't have to let him go because her
      brother that she imagined wouldn't leave her. Maybe if she had known then Maria wouldn't have left us. Maybe she
      wouldn't have left you."

      "Kyle I think that we need to get you some coffee. Guys we can all go to the Crashdown. We're not going to school.
      We need to find Maria." Liz led Kyle over to his car and took the keys from him, tossing them to Isabel. She, Max, and
      Michael were the only ones that knew how to drive stick and Kyle was too drunk. Max and Michael went to the jeep
      and Alex and Liz walked to the Volvo. They all stopped when they heard Kyle say, "The funny thing is, now that I
      know, the first thing I would've done is tell her to stop seeing Guerin."

      With that they all got in the cars and drove to the Crashdown. Things were getting more complicated than they thought.

     Like Father Like Daughter part 11

      Maria tossed and turned on the small crickety bed in her cockroach infested apartment. She had fallen asleep as soon
      as she had walked into the room after work, not even bothering to change from her uniform. Maria had hoped that
      sleep would sooth her aching heart and that the memories wouldn't follow her into her dreams, or anywhere else. The
      entire bus ride from Roswell to Los Angelos had been hell on her. Each time she closed her eyes for the brief reprieve
      of sleep the hurt would open up and the voices echoing in her head. While Maria was awake, she kept the voices at
      bay. By not acknowledging the pain of betrayel by both her mother and Michael, Maria could ignore it all. She didn't
      have a family, she didn't have a boyfriend. she didn't have friends, she didn't have a past. Maria tried desperately to
      wipe the slate clean, to ignore her wounds and hope they would close themselves because she simply didn't have the
      energy to mend to them herself.

      But in her sleep the dreams would come, washing over her in fast and furious flashes. Michael stood before her holding
      a small wooden box in his hands. He presented it to her like a present. Maria could feel her dream self cautiously
      stepping forward to accept the box from his hands. As Maria stood in front of Michael she found herself suddenly
      surrounded by her mother, her father, and a faceless man.

      "It's all in the box Maria. Everything is there. All you need to do is open it." Michael spoke to her in a frenzied whisper.
      Dream Maria nodded and tentativly reached a hand out to lift the lid. Just as she ran her fingers over the smooth
      polished wood a hand reached out and snatched her wrist.

      "Don't! You don't want what is there! You don't need what is there! You have nothing! You are nothing!" Maria turned,
      tears streaming down her face now, to the body attached to the hand on her wrist. She stared eye to eye with herself.
      "Stop crying! It's not worth it! We will make them pay! We will take care of everything! Mistakes will be fixed."

      Maria woke up with a gasp and clutched at her chest with her hand. Her heart rate was pulsing with a rapid fire beat.
      She pushed off the sheet and stumbled into the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. "It's just a dream. It's just a
      dream."

      Repeating the words over and over in a whisper to herself, Maria sank to the floor of the bathroom and placed her
      head in her shaking hands. She felt so confused about everything. *God what is wrong with me? I need to get out.*
      Maria pushed up off the bathroom floor and quickly dressed. She didn't even bother putting on make-up as she
      grabbed her purse and keys. *I won't think about it. There is nothing left for me. I have a new life. I'm not her. I'm not
      her.*
 
 

      "God what we going to do about this? Now we not only have to watch out for Michael but for Kyle too." Liz spoke in
      a hushed voice with Alex, Max, and Isabel. The four of them were huddled in a booth at the Crashdown as Kyle sat at
      a table cradling a cup of black coffee between his hands. Michael sat on the counter top watching Kyle, almost studying
      him. It was unnerving for the four to see this because they didn't know what was going on in his head. First, Maria
      leaves him, leaves them all, and now to find out that someone they consider a threat to their very existence is related to
      her. It was baffling to say the least.

      "Well, for starters I say we never leave them alone in a room together." Isabel muttered absentmindedly while
      concentrating on the two boys across the room.

      "Why would you say that Isabel?" Alex touched her arm and questioned her with his eyes.

      Feeling the light touch on her forearm Isabel turned her attention back to the other three at the booth. "It's just that
      hearing what Kyle was saying about Michael in the car...I'm worried that he may try and take out his hostility on
      Michael. I mean he made it perfectly clear to me that he places the blame on Michael. Yeah, he's angry at his dad, and
      probably Mrs. DeLuca, but he hates Michael. We're talking about a fierce passionate hate. And let's be honest, we
      both know exactly how Michael feels about Kyle."

      "I don't think that Michael would do anything to Kyle." Max shook his head and turned his concerned eye to his sister.
      "This is Maria's brother we're talking about. Michael of all people understands the importance of family. He knows how
      much she wanted a brother, you heard him say it. Michael's been looking for his family his whole life. Now that Maria
      has one, whether she knows or not, he's not going to do anything to hurt that. If anything, he'll protect it."

      "What? Max I don't understand." Liz looked at him quizically.

      "Think about it. He gave up everything to protect Isabel and I. He did it to protect his family. To Michael there is
      nothing more important than protecting and taking care of your family. Just look at him." Max nodded his head to the
      alien on the counter. "He's not glaring or pacing or yelling. He's watching him. He's not watching Kyle, the sheriff's son.
      He's watching Kyle, Maria's brother. Trust me, Michael won't do anything to Kyle, not now. But I do think that we
      need to keep an eye on both of them. Michael is bound to do something stupid eventually. And Kyle, well, Liz you
      know Kyle better than anyone. What do you think?"

      Liz sighed. "I don't know Max. That's the thing. I have never seen him this way before. It's unnerving to say the least."

      "Look, no matter what we decide to do about the two of them, we need to concentrate on finding Maria. That's what is
      most important right now." Alex reminded everyone of why they were meeting here in the Crashdown instead of going
      to school. Their parents knew that Maria was miising and were supportive of the group decision to help find her. The
      police may have the manpower and experience, but they knew their friend. At least they hoped they did.

      "You're right Alex. Why don't I take Michael and go search Maria's room. I stayed with him last night and I think that
      he may be able to concentrate more today. Hopefully, we will get a flash or something. Alex, you and Isabel stay here
      with Kyle. Try to keep him calm and let him sober up some before he confronts his dad. And I think that we should be
      there. We need to find out all we can to get Maria back. Which is why I want you, Liz, to go talk to Mrs. DeLuca.
      Find out exactly what she and Maria fought about and what she said. We need to know everything we can to find her.
      And if we know more then maybe when Isabel can get into her dream she can convince Maria to come home." Max
      looked around the table as everyone nodded with him. They were all determined to do anything they could to bring her
      back. Everyone here needed Maria for one reason or another.

      Max and Isabel had lost one of the few people that they trusted with not just their lives or their secret but with their
      hearts. They had opened up to Maria and, now that she was gone, missed the place she had filled within them.

      Liz and Alex had lost their best friend. The girl they had known since they were five, the strong young woman they had
      grown up with, the loyal and fierce sister in their heart to them both.

      Kyle had lost his sister and he never knew before. He had teased her, made fun of her, and belittled her with his friends.
      Now, he loved her and needed her. Kyle wanted the chance to be the brother she deserved, the brother he needed to
      be. He needed his sister, his family. Everyone else that had ever left him before today meant nothing to Kyle the way
      that Maria did.

      And Michael. Michael lost his entire heart and humanity. All that was good about him, he attributed to Maria. And he
      lost it all the moment that he chose Max and Isabel because he knew how it hurt Maria when he favored his family. She
      had blasted him after the balance in the cave for excluding her in his recovery. And now he had driven her away.
      Michael meant what he had said to Max. He needed Maria. He needed her back. But he did blame himself. He blamed
      his own words and verbal attack for Maria's escape. Now as he studied Kyle, Michael knew that he had to bring her
      back. He wasn't the only one who needed her. Kyle needed his family. Michael sympathized with the boy and not just
      because of how he felt Maria's loss. He also felt a responsibility to Maria. This was her brother, the family she needed,
      and it was his fault that she was not here to enjoy that. Michael was going to make sure that nothing, absolutely nothing
      happened to Kyle. He owed that much to Maria. He owed her everything. Michael never did like being indebted to
      anyone.

      Michael finally tore his gaze away from Kyle when he noticed Max and Liz get up from the booth. Michael vaulted off
      the counter and walked over to them. Max spoke softly to him and outlined their plan. Liz was going to try and talk to
      Mrs. DeLuca while Max and Michael searched Maria's room for any clues or to get a flash. Alex and Liz were to stay
      with Kyle and if the sheriff came by, the two of them would call to let them know. Michael agreed to the plan but didn't
      want to face the sheriff again or Mrs. DeLuca. While he felt a sense of protectiveness towards Maria's brother, all he
      felt for her 'parents' was an intense rage and Michael didn't trust himself or his powers enough to control it.

      "We'll see you later guys. We'll call you if we see anything." Max said good-bye to Isabel and Alex and the three of
      them left the cafe. Kyle never even looked up as they were leaving.
 
 

      "Did you follow her home?" The man from the coffee shop asked his friend.

      "Yes, of course I did. And let me say that I have seen a lot of crappy apartments but that one was the worst!" His
      companion shuddered at the sight of the rundown apartment the waitress considered 'home'.

      "And? Anything?"

      "Nothing yet. I'm gonna look through the computer files and see if anything comes up."

      "Good. I'll go back to the coffee shop tonight and try to talk with her. Maybe I can find out some more. See what's
      going on."

      "You know, we're still not even completely positive that it's her." The third voice spoke up from the back room.

      "That's why we watch and we wait. Once we know for sure then we'll make our move. Not until then." Then man's
      associates both began their search of the files while he walked into the back and shut the door. Something felt wrong to
      him but he just couldn't place it.

      Like Father Like Daughter part 12

      "Did you find anything?" The man walked back into the room and asked his two associates.

      "Nothing yet. But we still don't know if it's her or what's going to happen even if it is." The woman tried to alleviate the
      obvious tension in the room. They were becoming increasingly frustrated at their inability to find out the information
      needed.

      "It's her. I just have this...this feeling about it. I'll go back alone tonight. You guys keep searching the files. There has to
      be something in there somewhere. She didn't just appear out of thin air!"

      "Okay, we'll keep looking." The other two exchanged a look of concern but turned their attention back to the computer
      on the desk.
 

      Maria wandered the streets outside of her apartment. Her feet hurt from working all night and from walking all day but
      she didn't want to stop. She knew that if she stopped and rested then she would remember, she would think about
      Roswell. The last thing she wanted to do was be reminded of that place and of her friends and family. *No! I have no
      family! I have no one! I don't need anyone. And I sure as hell know that they don't need me. I'm out of the way now.
      It'll be easier for everyone. I can handle myself. I'll be fine! I don't need anyone.*

      Maria spotted a second hand clothing store and decided to stop in and check out their selection. She hadn't brought
      that much from home, only the bare necessities, and decided to buy a few things since she was going to be here a while.
      Even if she didn't stay here forever, she never planned on going home. *I have no home.*

      "Liz, come on in." Amy opened the door with a tired and weary look on her face. She had stayed up all night with the
      phone by her head hoping to hear from Maria. Seeing her daughter's best friend was actually a comforting sight to her.
      It gave Amy somethng tangible to hold onto. Maria had to come home. She had to come home for Liz, and for Alex.
      She had to come home because Amy needed her. Maria was the one thing in this world that Amy was proud of, the
      one good thing that she had ever had in her screwed up life.

      "Hi Mrs. DeLuca. I just came by to see how you were and if you needed anything." Liz felt a little bad for lying to her
      but she needed to know what happened the previous night. Liz needed to find Maria because without her she felt lost
      and like she was drowning but her life jacket was punctured. Liz loved Max, she loved him with all her heart. Hopefully
      her future would be with the sensitive alien that she admired and loved. But Maria was her past and present. She stood
      as a reminder to Liz as everything she was and is and without that Liz felt as if she had lost so much of herself. She
      knew now how much it had to have hurt Max and Isabel when they thought that Michael was leaving them. Thinking of
      this Liz had to blink back the tears as she stood in the DeLuca kitchen. She had spent so much time there with Maria as
      they grew up, eating ice cream, talking about boys, complaining about their mother's, crying when their hearts were
      broken, but now the kitchen, the whole house seemed empty without Maria around. The energy and light had been
      drained. And from the looks of it so had Amy DeLuca. Seeing the haggard looks of the woman, Liz had to fight the
      urge to run home. To hide herself in Max's hugs and never emerge again. But she had a second reason for being there
      this morning. Max and Michael were sneaking into Maria's room to try and get a vision or flash of where she went and
      Liz's job was to distract Amy while they did this.

      "I need my baby back that's what I need. God Liz, please help me. You are her best friend. Where would she go? Why
      would she not tell you? Why would she leave me? I love her. I love her doesn't she know that?" Amy bit her lower lip
      and turned away.

      "I know you love her. I'm, I'm sure that Maria knows it too. And I need her back as well." Liz felt the tears falling now.
      For two days she had kept them in and at bay. But now as she stood with Mrs. DeLuca watching the formally strong
      woman cry, Liz couldn't stop herself. The two women who loved Maria more than anyone grabbed ahold of one
      another fiercely and sank to the floor as the reality of the situation sank in. "We need her back. We need her back."

      Max unlocked the latch to the window of Maria's room and crawled inside. He turned expecting to find Michael rigth
      behind him but he remained outside the window, hands in his pockets, staring inside at the jumbled room. "Michael? Do
      you want me to see if I can get a vision or..."

      "No, no I'm coming in. I just...it's been a while since I have actually been here. The last time I was...I just want to find
      her. I'll come in." Michael climbed quietly into the room and his heart sank into the pit of his stomach as he surveyed the
      tornup room. Maria had turned drawers upside down, yanked pictures of the walls, and her closet had been ransacked.
      It was the blue object at the bottom of the closet that captured and held Michael's undivided attention. Without being
      aware of his own movements Michael crossed the room and knealt in front of the clothes in disarray. There lying at the
      bottom was the napkin holder. The spring activated arm was cracked in two and the side of the wood was chipped
      from the force it had been thrown into the wall. Michael reached out with a shaky hand, afraid of the vision he knew
      would come from the wood. Pulling his hand back in fear, Michael turned to Max. His eyes were wild and they voiced
      his questioning fear.

      "It's okay Michael. I can do it." Max dropped to his knees beside him and reached out to touch the handcrafted holder.
 

      "No! No. I will. I need to see this. I need it." Michael lay his palm flat on the top of the napkin holder and his body
      shook as the images hit him with their force.

      *f--- you Michael Guerin.*

      He fell back against the side of the bed, gasping for air.

      "What did you see? Michael what did you see?" Max grabbed his face and turned so that he was looking into his eyes.

      "She hates me."

      "Michael what did you see?" Max shook Michael on the shoulders. "We need to know."

      "The bus station. She was going to the bus station. But she, she had a wig. I don't what else I saw. It was confusing and
      all these different flashes." Michael was shaking as he tried to straighten out the images in his head.

      "Okay, okay that's good though. We'll go back and try the bus station again. That's good Michael." Max stopped as his
      phone rang. He answered it quickly, not wanting Mrs. DeLuca to hear it.

      "Hello?"

      "Yeah we'll be right there!" Max hung up and stood, pulling Michael to his feet with him. "We need to get Liz and get
      back to the Crashdown. The Sheriff just showed up and Kyle's not dealing with it well."

Like Father Like Daughter part 13

      Max and Michael exited Maria's room. Max ran to the jeep, dialing Liz's cell phone number as he ran. Michael lingered
      at the window, surveying the room one last time before turning to join Max. He placed his hand over the lock and used
      his powers to lock it behind him. Everything that was Maria was now locked behind that glass window.

      "I'm sorry." Michael whispered.

      Max climbed into the jeep that was parked behind the DeLuca house. "C'mon Liz. Pick up the phone."

      Liz wiped her tears as Amy still clung to her in desperation. Suddenly the sound of her phone shook Liz into awareness.
      *Oh God! That might be Max or Alex!* Liz shook as she picked up her phone. "Hello?"

      "Liz! We need to get back! Sheriff Valenti is with Kyle at the Crashdown and Isabel said it isn't going well!"

      "Okay, okay Max. I'll be right there!" Liz turned and looked at Mrs. DeLuca. She hated to leave her in this state but
      didn't know what else to do. "I'm sorry. I have to go. I'm so sorry but I want you to know that we all love Maria.
      We're going to do everything we can to find her. I promise."

      "You, you all love her?" Amy asked. Her voice was scratchy and shook from the stress.

      "Yeah. Of course we all love her. Me, Alex, Max, Isabel, Michael."

      "Michael loves her?" Amy needed to hear it. She needed to know.

      "I'm sorry. I need to go." Liz scrambled out of the kitchen and through the door. She couldn't answer that question
      because the truth was she didn't know for sure. Liz couldn't imagine that Max ever doing something like that and she
      knew for sure that he loved her. Of course Michael cared about Maria and he blamed himself for her running away. But
      did he love her?

      Liz ran out the door and rounded the corner. Max and Michael were already waiting for her in the running jeep. As
      soon as she sat down, Max drove off. Liz wanted to ask if they had seen anything in Maria's room but she didn't want
      to hurt Michael any more if they hadn't had a vision . Max would tell her if they found anything.

      As the jeep with the three pulled up to the Crashdown, they could see Isabel waiting outside. Pacing the sidewalk ever
      since she had called Max. "Thank God you guys are here!"

      Alex opened the door to the Crashdown and they could all hear Kyle's shouting at his dad. Rushing in, everyone
      stopped as they heard Kyle's ranting.

      "f--- you! All that you have ever cared about is that god damn job! You have never given a s--- about me and what I
      want! I have sister! You son of a bitch! I have sister and she's gone because of you and your f---ing obsession with
      those three! Why? Tell me why! Why do you have to drive everyone away? Huh? Why did you push her away? Tell
      me! I need her! f--- you! I need her! How could you not understand that? Is this why mom left? Did she know? Or
      was she just sick and tired of the Valenti men as well?" Kyle fury spit and threw the words at this father. They were
      facing off against each other on opposite sides of the Crashdown. The five watched from the door, afraid of any
      movement that might spook Kyle. He was acting like a rabid dog already.

      "Kyle your mom never knew. I didn't know until a few months ago."

      "Then why didn't you tell me! I deserved to know that I have a sister! I didn't...I didn't have to be alone." His voice
      trembled and the tears shone in his eyes. Dropping his tone to a hushed whisper that focused his anger, "Because of you
      I have lost everything. Everything that is important. I could have had someone. I could have had my sister but she left
      because you had to f--- everything up as usual. Why are you so obsessed with Evans and Guerin? Why couldn't your
      kids be enough for you? What did you do Dad? Why did she leave?"

      "Kyle."

      "TELL ME!" Kyle's body shook with anger as he slammed his fists down onto the formica countertop.

      "She doesn't know that she has us."

      "No! No you don't get to have her. Because you drive everyone away! I won't let you have my sister! She is *my*
      sister and I want her back!" Slamming his fists into the counter, Kyle didn't even notice the purple bruising already
      forming and the broken skin. Max stepped forward to intervene if necessary between the two Valenti's.

      "They would only hurt her! I am just protecting my family!" Sheriff Valenti pointed at Max, Isabel, and Michael.

      "No! You don't have a family! You don't have a wife! You don't have a daughter! You...you don't have a son. You
      don't have me. I will not be your son until I can be a brother. I am going to get my sister back."

      Like Father Like Daughter part 14

      After the confrontation and ensuing argument between Kyle and his father, Sheriff Valenti left and
      Kyle sat back down at the counter with the blank look returning to his face. He couldn’t believe
      that now, after all this time, he had a sister. He finally could have had a least part of the family
      that he always wanted but never thought he had. Now, after seventeen years, she was gone.
      Gone before he knew that. That was what hurt him the most. The fact that maybe he could have
      done something to help, been there for her in a way that no friend or boyfriend could, because he
      would be family. Kyle put his head down on his forearms on the counter and remembered back to
      the last time he saw Maria.

      ***”Hey DeLuca! Think that I could actually get some service here or you too bust trying to
      figure out how that push-up bra is supposed to really work?”

      “Bite me Kyle! So stalking anyone new recently or is Liz still your number one choice?”

      “Whatever. No wonder she’s dating someone like Evans. I mean, God, with a best friend like
      you.” Kyle smirked knowing that one would get to her.

      “Excuse me? And just what in the hell is that supposed to mean?” Maria put her hands on her
      hips defiantly.

      “Oh, nothing. Just that if she would pick an air-head like you for her best friend and a loser like
      Whitman, then a wussy like Evans isn’t much of a stretch now is it?” Kyle gave her his most
      annoying smile and laughed to himself as she huffed away to tattle to Liz.***

      Liz sat down next on the stool next to Kyle and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. “We’ll find
      her. We have to.”

      Kyle looked up at her when he heard the waver in her voice. His eyes matched the tears
      threatening to fall from Liz’s. “I know. I’m sorry.”

      “What for?”

      “Everything. Everything I ever did to make you leave.” Liz smiled softly at Kyle. She nodded in
      understanding. He wasn’t apologizing to her. He was apologizing to Maria. But as her best
      friend she made a very good proxy for him in the situation.

      “We’ll get her back.” Liz placed her arm around her shoulder when Kyle placed his head back
      down on his arms, hiding the tears from her. Liz silently let hers fall run down her cheeks and
      neck.

      “Max, I was thinking.” Isabel spoke quietly to her brother as she, Alex, Max, and Michael stood
      on the other side of the Crashdown keeping an eye on Liz and Kyle.

      “What about?”

      “About not being able to get into Maria’s dream. Maybe, maybe I should try periodically
      throughout the day. You know, in case she sleeping on a different schedule.” Isabel looked at
      Michael briefly but the pain on his face was too much for her. Alex leaned gently into her. He
      nodded slightly in agreement. Isabel could feel his pain. She interlaced her fingers through his
      and pulled him in for an embrace with her other arm. Alex let himself be comforted by her.
      During the past two days he had been trying to hold himself up, for his own sake as well as Liz’s
      but everything was starting to sink in now. The true desperation of their search had finally
      penetrated deep into his senses. Without even realizing it, Isabel led him to the back of the
      Crashdown into the employee lounge. Alex let himself be led by her.

      “I never thought that I would lose her. I mean, it’s Maria. She isn’t the one that is supposed to
      go. We’ve, we’ve talked about what would happen if you guys ever had to leave. We know that
      it’s a possibility one day. But...but we said that...” Alex tried to finish but the lump forming in his
      throat cut off the words.

      “Shh, Alex.” Isabel worked with an instinct that she didn’t even know that she had. She let him
      rest his head on her shoulder as she stroked his hair with her long fingers and lightly scratched
      along his palm and fingers.

      “We said that we would always have each other. That we wouldn’t be alone.” Alex whispered
      the words as he trembled, leaning up against Isabel for more than just physical support.

      “You’re not alone. Alex, you’re not.” Isabel meant the words. Seeing him in this vulnerable
      state, Isabel realized just what Michael’s choice had meant. Alex was here in her arms because
      Michael had pushed Maria away. But she was safe in Alex’s arms without the fear because
      Michael pushed Maria away. Michael gave her and Max this opportunity, the chance for a life.

      After several minutes of companionable silence Alex spoke up. Lifting his head and running his
      hand down her smooth cheek, “Isabel, I need her back. Will you help?”

      “Of course! Of course Alex. I’ll help you. I meant it about trying the dreamwalking throughout
      the day. Why don’t we get the keys to Michael’s apartment so I can go there and start trying to
      connect?”

      Alex nodded and the two of them walked back out into the dining area of the Crashdown.

      Kyle and Liz both sat at the counter still. They could both see that they were crying but trying to
      hide it from everyone. Max was standing near Michael. They both watched the two at the
      counter with concern. Neither one of Isabel’s brothers were speaking but she could see how Max
      deliberately placed himself near Michael to act as an anchor for him. Michael’s face was
      conflicting with the blame and pain that still coursed through him.

      “Michael, can I have the keys to your apartment? I want to start trying to connect with Maria as
      soon as possible.” Isabel whispered so Kyle couldn’t hear them.

      Michael made no move to respond to her. Max reached into his pocket and gave Isabel his copy
      of the key to Michael’s place. He kept the Jeep keys though because he and Michael were still
      going to drive to the bus station and try to get a flash. They also wanted to talk to the people and
      see if anyone had seen a girl in the brunette wig. Isabel smiled at Max and started to reach out to
      hug Michael when Max’s arms held her back and he shook his head at her. Isabel questioned him
      with a look but Max knew that Michael would not be accepting to Isabel’s caring gesture right
      now. It had taken Max all night to get Michael to open up to him slightly. Right now Max
      seemed to be the only one that Michael could talk to, with everyone else he still tried to shut
      down the emotions. Isabel nodded in pretend understanding, she knew that Michael was closest
      to Max and needed Max’s strength to fill the holes where his own lacked. Alex and Isabel left
      the Crashdown to walk to Michael’s place.

      Max looked at Michael after the left and placed his hand on his shoulder. Michael finally spoke,
      “I caused all this pain. I did this Max.”

      “Michael, we all need her back. And to do this we need you.” Max didn’t want to see another
      repeat of Michael’s self-loathing. He needed Michael to find Maria. Max was going to find her
      for all them and he needed everyone, especially Michael to do this.

      “I know. I know Max. I meant it when I said earlier that I would find her, when you promised to
      find her. I was...I was just thinking about when I almost left. I never said...I never I was sorry for
      that but I am. Seeing this, I’m sorry that I almost did this to everyone.” Michael looked into
      Max’s eyes when he spoke next, “Let’s go find Maria.”

      “Okay, we will Michael. You will.” Max walked softly to Liz and Kyle at the counter. Leaning
      over to Liz, he whispered into her ear. Liz looked up and sniffled. She nodded at his words and
      stood, telling Kyle to come into the back with her to get something to eat. Kyle absent mindedly
      followed and Michael and Max left to search the bus station.

      TBC