Someone11

PART ELEVEN

I woke up in a king size bed. There were fat pillows propped behind my head and plush covers surrounding me. I heard the faint sounds of the TV from the next room and sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, feeling soft carpet underneath my toes. Looking down, I realized I was in my pajamas.

How did I get here? Everything was a little fuzzy. Was I still in New York? This obviously wasn’t Lonnie and Rath’s place …

Lonnie and Rath!

I stood up jerkily, using the bedside table for balance.

They’re dead. I … I killed Rath. And Lonnie … she hurt Michael. Where was Michael?

I moved to the open door and into the next room. I was in a hotel. A nice hotel by the looks of it. There was a small kitchen by the front door and a living area with a large leather couch and big screen TV.

Tess was curled up on the couch, her back to me. She was watching Sex in the City.

“Tess?” I said, the words barely coming out because my throat was so dry. She turned quickly and stood.

“Liz! You’re up.” She fumbled for the remote and turned the TV off.

“Where …?” I couldn’t finish, my throat was too raw. I winced and rubbed my throat.

“Come sit down,” she said, coming to my side and motioning to the couch. “I’ll get you something to drink.”

I nodded and sat down, pulling the blanket she’d left behind around me. She came back with a steaming mug of tea. I smiled in thanks and took a sip. She sat on the opposite end of the couch, eyeing me a little uncomfortably.

“Where is everyone?” I asked, motioning for her to come closer so we could share the blanket. She smiled a little and scooted closer.

“They had some stuff to take care of. You know, checking on Alex’s car, closing down Lonnie and Rath’s place … You’ve been in and out of it all night. You woke up screaming and we had to connect with you to calm you down. I stayed behind in case you woke up again.”

“Screaming?”

She nodded and her brows furrowed. “You don’t remember?”

I shook my head. “What was I screaming?”

She looked away, and I guess she was figuring out what to say. “I probably shouldn’t be the one to tell you.”

I nodded slowly and took another sip. What had I said? Why hadn’t Michael stayed behind to wait for me to wake up?

“Is Michael okay?” I asked tentatively. I held my breath and looked her in the eyes, praying she’d tell me what I wanted to hear.

“He’s going to be fine,” she replied. “You actually fixed him pretty well. There’s a little more work to be done, mainly some bruises and a few cuts, but it’s nothing you have to worry about. Max and I can fix it.”

I breathed a sigh of relief and slumped back against the couch, letting the tension in my shoulders release.

“Ava explained everything. How you have powers now.” I looked to her warily, wondering if she hated me more now. A human with alien powers. Nasedo would roll over in his grave. Well, if he had one.

“Michael was terrified that healing him took too much of your energy,” she continued. “He was afraid he’d hurt you. Of course, he didn’t say it, but you can just tell.”

I hadn’t forgotten about that part, about the risk involved. But I ignored it. There are some risks worth taking.

“You having powers,” Tess continued, “it sure explains how you and Rath flew apart the way you did.”

I tensed again, letting the memory wash over me. I can’t believe I killed someone. My breathing quickened and my hands started shaking. The mug started to slip from my hand.

“Oh, Liz! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring him up. Are you okay?” Tess rushed as she took the mug from my hands.

I shook my head a little in reply, my eyes beginning to water. Then I felt her hand cover mine and I looked over at her.

“I don’t know if it means much, but I know it’s hard to deal with … what you had to do. I’m here if you need anything,” she whispered.

Looking at her, I realized how much her offer meant. It was a way for her to do something for me, to reach out and form a bond between us. Even though I may not seek her help, she was offering peace between us. Maybe even friendship.

“Thank you,” I said, putting my hand on hers.

We sat there regarding each other a moment more before her smile faded and she looked away.

“What about Max?” she asked. I suppressed an agitated sigh.

“He’s your department now, Tess.”

She looked at me, a little shocked. “But …”

“But nothing,” I replied with a smile. “You two are together now. You’re happy together. And I’m not going to ruin that. He and I are just friends.”

Her lips curled into a small smile and she hugged me.

“Thank you, Liz. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say that.”

“Don’t worry, Tess,” I said returning her hug before pulling away and leaning against the cushions. “Now let’s catch up on Sex in the City.”

------------

Tess and I heard them before they even reached the door. We were laid out on the couch, a bowl of popcorn between us, and The Sopranos on TV.

Tess jumped off the couch when she heard Max’s voice and was at the door just as he walked through.

“Alex, we’ll have to …” She cut Max off mid-sentence with a deep kiss, which he responded to immediately.

I laughed from the couch as she pulled him into the kitchen and pressed him against the refrigerator without coming up for air.

“Someone needs their own room,” Alex griped as he averted his eyes. He saw me on the couch, trying to suppress my giggles, and rushed over.

“Liz!” I grinned and stood, letting him hug me tight. Looking over his shoulder I saw Michael and Ava come through the door.

Michael and I caught each other’s eyes. He looked as relieved as I felt. Alex let go of me and helped move me around the couch before backing into the bedroom with Ava in tow. She grinned at me and gave me the thumbs up sign before disappearing into the bedroom.

Michael walked slowly to me and we stood there, looking at each other, mere inches apart. I fought the urge to reach for him.

“Hey,” he whispered. My heart was pounding.

“Hey,” I replied. His eyes burned into mine.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I threw my arms around his neck and pulled myself against him. He responded immediately and pulled me close. He buried his face in my neck and we held each other wordlessly. He crushed my body to his and I thanked Antar for bringing him to me.

“I’m so glad you’re ok. I was worried when I woke up and you weren’t nearby,” I choked out, trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall.

“I’m just glad you’re ok,” he replied. He pulled back and looked into my eyes, slowly stroking my cheek with his palm. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t okay,” he breathed.

My breath caught. His thumb stroked my lips gently and he looked into my eyes, silently waiting for an invitation. I slowly stood on my tiptoes, gently pulling his mouth towards mine. Our eyes never parted until our lips met and for a moment I swore I was floating.

The kiss was gentle at first, each of us lingering on the moment, trying to savor everything. Soon, the tentative kiss wasn’t enough and my arms wrapped tightly around his neck, pulling his body closer to mine as I deepened the kiss. Michael responded immediately, and when his hands slipped gently under my shirt and pressed themselves against my lower back I moaned into his mouth, responding eagerly to his advances.

We pulled back, each trying to catch our breath. Michael closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against mine, his hands still warming my lower back. I breathed in deeply and let my hands fall to his waist, holding his lower body to mine.

“So I was thinking…” Michael started, pulling back slightly to look into my eyes.

“What about?” I replied.

“Well, it’s about getting home …”

I grinned and figured I knew what he was getting to. Tess had explained that we’d be going home in two separate groups. Since it was Friday, 4 people needed to leave in Alex’s car and the others would be flying back. She also told me that it’d been voted that I fly back and it was just a matter of who would be staying with me.

“Michael, will you stay in New York with me?” I whispered.

Michael shrugged nonchalantly and said, “Sure, why not?” I smacked his arm playfully and he smirked before kissing me again, letting his lips linger a moment on mine before pulling back.

“Hey people! I know you’re a little busy, but we should probably get dinner and hit the road,” Alex called from the bedroom.

Michael turned around, his arm still around my waist, as Max and Tess came out of the kitchen, lips slightly bruised from their mini make-out session. Ava and Alex came out of the bedroom.

“Everyone up for pizza?” Max asked.

“Sounds good to me,” Michael said and everyone else nodded.

“Just let me change into street clothes and we can head out,” I said backing into bedroom. I grinned at Michael over my shoulder and shut the door, leaning against it with one thought on my mind.

Michael and I, alone in New York City. Yeah, I’m definitely floating.

TBC