Standard stuff:
Title:Touch of Death {cryptic huh}
Author: Kathryn C.
Disclaimer: Me No Own.
Distribution: You want it, you take it, just give me
the URL.
Feedback: Send it, or I don't feel like writing.
Well, maybe for some of you, you might want
that.SEND IT, SEND IT, SEND IT. I won't
stop writing, so I can't threaten that, but please
send it. Let me know you're reading.
Rating: Uh, pg-13/14a?
Spoilers: Well, it's mostly speculation based on
spoilers mentioned. But, spoilers for Sexual Healing
and the whole "T" person storyline.
********
Michael fell to the ground as Maria's body made contact with his. He heard Topolsky's gun go off. He didn't feel a bullet hit him as he hit the ground, Maria landing on top of him.
He watched as Topolsky aimed the gun again, only to be hit with something from behind. Her head snapped forward, breaking her neck. She wore a stunned expression as she herself fell to the ground, dead.
George aka Nasedo was standing in the doorway to the office. He lowered his hand. It seemed he had used some sort of energy burst to hit Topolsky with.
"She won't bother you anymore," he said grimly, his mouth in a set line.
"You killed her," Liz said in an awed voice.
The look he gave her was deadly. "Do not try to make me out to be evil here. I saved you all from a life of absolute government control of your lives, for now at least. Your friend there threatened to do the same thing, do not make me out to be some evil monster. I did what had to be done."
"We weren't saying that," Max said gently. "I just wanted to say, thank you for saving our lives."
George was taken aback. "You're welcome," he finally said, coughing uncomfortably.
"How did you know we were here?" Isabel asked.
George shook his head. "I tried to stay away, but I've gotten into such a habit of following and protecting you. I couldn't give it up when you were in so much trouble."
George cleared his throat. "Just don't expect my help again. I'm leaving for awhile. Going to a country that isn't obsessed with the possibility of 'life out there'."
When Max started to protest, he held up his hand. "I'll be back sometime," he said firmly.
And George/Nasedo walked out without another word.
"Cryptic bastard," Isabel muttered.
Michael's arm was falling asleep from his position pinned underneath Maria on the floor. They hadn't moved since Topolsky had taken a shot at Michael. He shifted restlessly and felt a wetness seeping into his clothes. It was above his waist though. However, he didn't think much of it.
"Maria," he said, gently nudging her with his free hand. "You can get off me now. I'm alive. You saved me."
"I can't move Michael," she said. Ever so quietly.
"What are you talking about?" he asked. "Why the heck can't you move? Come on, roll off. My back's killing me."
"Mine too," she said with a gasp.
That was when Michael noticed something. The floor around them was starting to redden. It was blood.
"Maria?" he asked ever so softly, knowing what the wetness on his t-shirt was.
"Just roll me onto my back Michael," she said with a sob as he gently rolled her off him onto her back on the floor.
There was a gaping bullet wound in her lower abdomen. A bullet she had taken for him. Blood was seeping quickly through her t-shirt. Michael pulled it up to get a better look at it. The blood ran out only the more faster.
"At least I saved you," she said with a strangled gasp.
"You'll be just fine Maria," Michael assured her. "We'll get you all better. Just hang on."
"Look at all the blood," she said in a distant voice looking all around you. "My blood."
"You're going to be just fine Maria," he said frantically. "We can heal the wound remember?"
"The blood....too much," she said weakly, her eyes fluttering. "I'm dizzy Michael."
"Just hold on," he said, putting his hand on her cheek. "Just keep awake a little longer. I need you to look at me."
It's such a mystery
How you found something in me
That I never knew was there
But you uncovered it so easily
You turn me like the season
And I began to change
You wrapped your arms around me
Now I'll never be the same
That's how love works
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you high as Heaven
It consumes you
That's a given
That's how love moves
Her eyes fluttered shut again. "Dammit, stay awake!" Michael said frantically. "Look at me Maria."
"I'm so tired," she said in a soft voice. "Everything's just so peaceful. I want to close my eyes Michael."
He put his hand along her cheek. "No Maria. For God's sake stay with me. You can't die. You can't."
As her eyes fluttered again, he said frantically, "No Maria, you can't shut your eyes! I need you to stay with me. Not only for your sake but for mine! If you die, where the hell will I be without you?"
He was getting really scared. For the first time in his 16 years, Michael Geurin was terrified out of his mind.
"I hate to admit it, but I need you in my life," he said with choked back sobs as her eyes didn't open. "I love you Maria, I can't live without you. For God's sake, just look at me!"
I've seen walls that could never be broken
Come tumbling down
I've heard the voice of love calling
Without making a sound
See I was touched by an angel
The day you took my hand
You know that you're the miracle
That makes me everything I am
That's how love works
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you
As high as Heaven
It consumes you
That's a given
That's how love moves
Her eyes flew open. It wasn't for long, but Michael stared into her eyes and he placed his hand on her wound to heal it, not waiting to ask Max or Isabel.
The only other time he had been able to harness his powers was that time with River Dog. This time, it was a lot the same, while being so much different.
He flashed back to that vision that he had previously while he was being healed at the Indian reservation. But, with River Dog he had focused on the part with Max and Isabel.
This time, all he saw was Maria. How she had kissed him. The others who had approached were all gone. No Max looking at Liz. No hug from Isabel. No Alex. All he felt were her lips on hers.
Sometimes it's a whisper
Sometimes it's a storm
Sometimes it reaches forever
With it's everlasting arm
That's how love works
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you
As high as Heaven
It consumes you
That's how love works
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you
As high as Heaven
It consumes you
Oh, that's a given
That's how love moves
Baby, yeah
High as Heaven
That’s how love moves
As high as Heaven
He began to catch glimpses of her thoughts about him. From when they met in the third grade (him the sullen child in the back of the classroom), to the time she held him in her arms as he cried.
He saw himself through her eyes. Her perception was incredibly different from what he saw in the mirror each morning. To her he was beautiful. He was worthy.
Michael yanked back his hand from her stomach. The wound in itself was gone, leaving nothing but a silver handprint.
Maria's eyes remained shut. Michael's heart momentarily stopped, but they eventually fluttered open.
"You saved my life," she whispered.
"Hey, you did the same for me," he said with a tenderness uncharacteristic to him.
"I can't believe I almost lost you," he said, helping her sit up, "God you scared the hell out of me Maria."
"I love you too," was all she said in response. maria leaned her head against his chest as they sat intertwined on the floor of the late Ms Topolsky's office.
Michael didn't say anything, just held her tightly to him as if her wanted to reassure himself that she was allright. As if he never wanted to let her go. His embrace said more than words ever could.
TBC.......
Yes, I'm going to have more of a conclusion than that. I know the first part with Nasedo was hurried, but who really cares about him all that much, right? I just wanted closure with him in the fic. The other option was having Max kill again. Might as well let nasedo do the dirty work
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