Part 11
Michael’s relaxed confidence at dinner started to dwindle as they gathered in the living room so Haley could open her presents.
He was looking forward to see Kyle surrounded by pink bows and wrapping paper knowing Kyle’d be the one to unwrap all the presents, but Michael didn’t know how well he would handle everyone staring at his present.
While he was wrapping it up he didn’t remember to consider this part.
The part where everyone would sit and silently judge his work.
His art.
His dedication.
His love.
Running a hand through his much shorter hair he forced a smile as Kyle went through one pink frilly outfit after another.
He couldn’t help but laugh at how disappointed Kyle was that there were no toys.
Suddenly realizing that his present was the only one left to be opened he stood up and grabbed it from the pile and handed it to Isabel.
He loved Kyle as much as the next person, but he wasn’t about to trust him and his sense of humor when Michael himself was in such a delicate state of mind.
His brown eyes caught Isabel’s own and he ignored the question and tried to hide his hesitation by encouraging her with a small nod.
Michael found himself once again holding his breath as she pulled away the white paper he had so carefully wrapped the painting in.
Like all of his paintings he had this one memorized so it was the faces of everyone else that had his rapt attention. Isabel’s eyes immediately filled with tears and Michael was horrified at first thinking she didn’t like it.
But then he saw her shaking and being pulled into a hug by Kyle who was genuinely smiling at him and whispered a “Thank You” over her head.
Michael discreetly found himself looking around to the proud eyes of Liz and Amy. Serena was smiling like it was her birthday and all these presents were for her.
As the picture got passed around and eventually turned around he saw Maria’s reaction to it.
The second most important reaction to him after Isabel.
He couldn’t help but smile briefly as he watched everything click in place in her head, by the time her eyes briefly met his and she opened her mouth to talk his pleasure at her reaction was safely hidden.
“Oh my god.”
As everyone turned to look at Maria he studied her while she continued to stare at his painting. She looked as if she was trying to immerse herself in it.
“That’s you.”
Michael watched her shaking finger point towards it.
He tried to ignored the others as they looked on in confusion, waiting for her to explain.
Michael hoping that she wouldn't.
“I have that, in New York. I have your pieces. The Broken Heart, The Faded Pixie, The Missing Siblings, The Lost Childhood.”
Nobody, dared to move as she took in a deep breath. “Michael those are yours!”
Michael nodded, he had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. Obviously it was his and now she had gone and brought attention to the two of them He hated how now everyone was staring at the two of them.
“But they’re so no like you’re…”
Michael panicked when she started to talk again. His eyes went wide and he furiously shook his head to get her to stop talking. He was doubtful it would work. He only knew one way that was ever successful at getting Maria to shut up.
It was because of this knowledge that he was surprised when she did stop talking and it was the others that finally demanded an answer.
“His what?”
At the same time Michael spoke he heard Maria say “Nothing.”
He had to stop himself for cringing at the obvious lie.
He pretended to not notice when the others sent him doubtful looks. He was trying so hard to ignore them all that it wasn’t until Liz’s soft spoken, “Ria?” that he found Maria mumbling to herself with her face hiding behind her hands.
“It’s you’re pain. It’s displayed all over my walls? I’ve been living surrounded by you’re pain.”
He wasn’t moving much, but her revelation had him freezing completely. No one had ever been able to read him like she did. He didn’t know why he was so surprised that she could still do it even after all this time apart.
Her shimmering bright green eyes meet him and he watches as she takes whatever she needs from them before letting out the humorless laugh before beginning to sob.
At the first hiccup Michael was already at the edge of his seat ready to flee and after Amy and Liz escorted Maria out of the room he wasted no time in standing up and heading towards the door not even hearing Isabel’s plea to stay for cake.
The firestorm of emotions boiling inside him calm slightly as his hand touches the cold door knob. It gives him the stability to turn and tell Isabel, “It’s too much Iz. I’ll drop by later to see you and Hales tomorrow.”
He wraps his other arm around her as a teary eyed Isabel gives him a hug and nods in acceptance.
“I’m really glad you came Michael.”
He manages half a smirk and responds, “Me too Iz.”
Then he walks out the door and it clicks shut softly behind him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It’s the banging on the front door that startles him awake the next day.
Granted he was awake at six in the morning. He managed to shower and eat a small breakfast before realizing he really didn’t have anything to do until later so he went back to sleep.
He was not pleased to be disturbed from that sleep now even if it was…9 am.
Michael groans and pulls a pillow over his head.
He manages to hear some mumbling through the closed door and the pillow and only shoots out of bed to hear better when he hears Maria’s very confused, “What.”
Serena’s reply is indistinguishable having learned how to speak soft enough to not be overheard in this apartment, but Maria’s answer is loud and clear and leaves him with his mouth hanging open.
“Nope, hanging out sound good.”
Hanging out? They can’t hang out. He managed to wait a few minutes before beginning to pace back and forth trying to ignore the sound coming from the TV. When they finally start laughing hysterically Michael finds the courage to creep out into the hallway hopefully going unnoticed.
He knows he’s unsuccessful immediately at Maria freezes and suddenly they both turn to look at him. Michael continues to watch them puzzled, they don’t say anything and he finally decides it's not worth it before turning and heading back into the sanctuary of his study.
He shuts the door and just as the quiet mumbling of Serena begins he heads over to his radio. He tries not to focus on the walls of color surrounding him and until the loud rhythm begins to shake the floor he’s successful.
With the floor shaking and the few picture frames on the desk vibrating the color itself on the wall seems to talk on a life of its own and he has no choice but to get sucked into it.
With the first knock of the door comes the music volume increases automatically as Michael braces himself for the encounter he knows is coming. Prepping for a conversation he'd give anything to get out of.
When she knocks a second time Michael closes his eyes tight and the music get just a bit louder, which Michael knows is gonna blow his speakers because when he first turned it on it was already up all the way.
His powers were about to ruin the best speakers he had and to avoid that he headed for the door and just as the banging starts throws it open.
Michael knows he’s glaring at her, not because he’s not happy to see her because he is, but because he’s speakers are probably ruined now. Plus it’s good that she doesn’t how happy he is to see her.
“I want to talk about the pictures.”
“I don’t.”
“Michael!”
“Maria, NO!”
“The Pixie’s me and the warrior too, with the bow and arrow piercing the black heart.”
“Damn it Maria!”
“The Broken Heart its one piece out of two isn’t it? I’ve read that about the work.”
“Maria you can’t just stomp in here and demanding answers. It’s now how it works!”
“Then tell me how it works Michael. Tell me how to FIX THIS!”
“I DON’T KNOW ALRIGHT! I don’t know.”
Michael curses as he feels the passion swirl in his gut. It’s how it always was between them, even when they were yelling at each other. Especially, when they were yelling at each other. How it WAS, not how it’s gonna be from now on. Michael feels the emotions deflate as this thought bashes itself against his brain.
The same time the emotions become bearable for him he sees the fight go out of her, “It’s not for sale.”
“Can I see it?” He coaches himself not to react as her eyes glitter with hope “Fine, I want push.”
He was surprised at the small, genuine smile that crossed his own features when he really meant to role his eyes, knowing that its what she doe and he said so,
“It’s what you do. You’re a vibrator. If it’s not you pushing, it’s your vibes demanding to be noticed.”
He couldn’t stand to see her reaction so he turned away from her and went to turn off the stereo not willing to risk another flare up of his powers to blow the whole thing up. Whatever her reaction was by the time he turned back around both of them were ready for round two with all their emotions hidden.
They stared at each other for a minute.
“I should go.”
Michael not liking the idea one bit found himself nodded nonetheless, “Probably.”
“Serena went to get food for you guys so...”
“I don’t do Chinese.”
“Wanna get a burger.” Michael watched her as she bites her lip, she looked so sexy in that moment he almost said sure. He almost forgot all the pain she put him through and was willing to go get a burger with her. Actually he wanted to be the one biting her lip, but he’d settle for a burger with her for now.
Even as these thoughts were passing his mind he was surprised at how easy they came. The fact that they came so easily scared him and he quickly decided against the burger, remembering he had other things to take care of today.
“Maybe another time, I’m actually heading over to Isabel’s soon.”
“Oh right. Okay then.” He watched as she twisted her hands awkwardly until finally looking up and gracing him with a soft smile. A smile he tried to return, but he wasn’t as successful.
“Goodbye Michael.”
He walked her to the door, as she crossed the threshold he whispered back much kinder then he was aiming for, “See you later Maria.”
When she turned and winked at him before sauntering down the hallway his mouth dropped open in shock.. He was positive that he had a hallucination until he noticed the extra skip in her walk from her own neverousness.
Michael shook his head as he shut the door and then leaned his body against it realizing all that hurt was already dissolving.
Her mere presences was already fixing it whether he wanted it to be fixed or not.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hesitantly, Michael knocked on Isabel’s front door not realizing he was holding his breath waiting for her to answer it.
He couldn’t help but smile when he heard her yelling from somewhere upstairs to hold on. Michael didn’t care what anyone said as far as he was concerned Isabel had probably changed the farthest out of all of them since high school.
Well except maybe Maria, she did after all have a record album and tended to perform sold out concerts. These thoughts had the smile dropping from his face which was regretful because it was the same time Isabel finally made it to the door.
Michael watched as her own smile wavered for a second seeing his downcast face, but then she plastered on the fake smile Michael had become accustomed to in high school. It was a smile that failed miserably to reach her eyes.
He made a conscious effort to cast away any negative thoughts about Maria and focused on spending the rest of the afternoon with his sister and niece.
“Hey Izzie.”
When he pulled back from the hug he initiated he was happy to see a real smile on Isabel’s face as she dragged him inside and shut the door.
“I just have to finish putting on Haley’s shoes and then we can go to the park. Liz mentioned you like the park.”
Michael ignored the raised eyebrow that was questioning what in god’s name could Michael Guerin enjoy at the park. At least he tried to ignore it.
“I didn’t know you hung out at the park Michael?”
Running a hand through his hair he cursed Liz for blowing what he though was an understood secret between them.
He smirked at Haley who he found staring at him and reaching for him surprised when Isabel lifted her up and gently handed her to him.
“I don’t hang out there. I go there sometimes.”
When she continued to looked at him Michael rolled his eyes at Haley who giggled.
“On Saturdays, I go there on Saturdays, and sketch people. Liz brings Becca and Zan and I sketch them sometimes.”
Michael closed his mouth quickly before it betrayed him and told Isabel anything more.
For once Isabel decided not to push knowing how difficult all this was for Michael to begin with. She didn’t want to make it any harder if it wasn’t necessary.
“They parks okay? We don’t have to go there if it will throw off your whole routine.”
It would be a toss up as to who was more surprised at Michael’ next disclosure, “Trust me Iz, two trips to the park in one week will not mess with the routine. Besides I think it’s time for a new routine anyways. Don’t you?”
Her only answer for him was a blinding smile as she ushered them out the front door closing it and locking it behind them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After the park, Michael found himself being dragged to the Crashdown where shockingly enough Liz was working behind the counter.
Isabel grabbed a booth for them while he went to the counter, “I thought you had your own eating establishment to worry about Parker?”
Liz turned around her surprise evident, not only was Michael out and about but he was voluntarily interacting with people humorously at that.
She rolled her eyes at him, “Yeah Michael, but my dad was short staffed and I just love the uniform.”
Michael chuckled at her sarcasm not really used to this joking side of Liz.
“Alright Parker, I need three cherry cola’s.”
“Be right there.”
Michael nodded his head once and headed back to Isabel in the back corner booth struggling to get Haley to sit in the boaster seat.
Finally having her situated she placed the crayons and kid’s menu in front of her.
“So…”
Michael looked at her questioning trying to remember a time when Isabel looked as self-conscious as she did right now.
“What’s up Iz.”
“I wanted to ask you…”
“Ask me what?”
“About…” She looked around and Michael expected something about aliens to come out of her mouth so when she finally finished her statement it was little wonder that the glass ketchup bottle cracked.
“…Maria.”
Both of them turned to the ketchup bottle Isabel sighed and placed a glowing hand over it to fix it before she continued speaking,
“It feels like high school all over again.”
“Yeah, except I never gossiped with you then, and I sure as he…heck aren’t starting now.”
Isabel crossed her arms over her chest and huffed in annoyance. It lasted for about a minute before she turned to whining.
“Michaeeeeelllll…Pleeeeease.”
And since Michael was use to his isolated apartment and only the ramblings of Serena who never whined directly at him it wasn’t long before he caved.
“What?”
“I just wanna know what you’re going to do about it.”
“It?”
“The Maria situation.”
“There is no Maria situation.”
“Michael.”
“Isabel.”
They stared at each other the only sound coming from their booth was Haley mumbling to herself and the scratching of the crayon on the paper.
It was the silence that Liz encountered when she dropped off their cherry colas.
“Hey guys…what’s with the staring.”
“Michael won’t discuss the Maria situation with me.”
“Ahhh.”
Michael looked between the two of them, “Ahhh? What ahh? There is no ahhh and there certainly is NO MARIA SITUATION.”
“AAhhhhh….hhheeee ha. Moma pop!”
All three turned smiles to Haley, Isabel helping her daughter to take a small sip before her and Liz both turned their attention to Michael who studiously ignored them by studying Haley.
“Michael. Come on. We just want to help.”
Knowing they wouldn’t let the topic drop even if he did give in he simply chose to ignore them for the time being hoping they would at least give up momentarily.
After only a minute Liz pulled out her order book and wrote down Isabel and Haley’s order then turned expectant eyes to Michael.
“Will Smith Burger and Orbit Rings.”
Liz nodded and smiled before heading to the order window.
“Fine. You win, for now.”
Michael had to control the urge to smirk.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When he got home that night he bypassed Serena who was engrossed in some TV show drama and went directly to his study.
For a whole half hour he managed to avoid what he went in there for. He managed to ignore the thoughts that were swirling in his head and had been doing so since Isabel dropped the line of conversation involving Maria back at the Café.
He turned on the computer and checked his mail ignoring the demands from his agent for the new pieces for his showing, and replying to Max’s email about lunch the next day before he had to go out of town.
All of that wasted a solid five minutes and then Michael found him self pulling open the closet door and shuffling things around to find it.
Still wrapped in a white sheet Michael carefully cleared off space from his desk and laid it down flat slowly pulling the sheet off to reveal the painting.
Instantly his eyes are drawn to the bright red heart in the middle held fiercely by a pair of hands. His hands.
Protectively and so tender, as if they are holding the most precious gift in the world.
Because they are.
Unwillingly he finds himself looking remorsefully at Maria’s figure walking away from him.
The pain comes again as it usually does, but this time the ache isn’t as bad.
Michael manages a half smile as he wraps it back up and sets it on the side of his desk for later contemplation.
He goes to bed that night hearing the TV in the background and seeing Maria winking at him before flirtatiously walking down his hallway.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Michael’s alarm goes off in the morning he wakes up without hitting the snooze button once.
He quickly showers and is eating breakfast when the phone rings.
“Yeah.”
“Hey Michael.”
“What’s up Maxwell?”
“Nothing just calling to see where you want to do lunch today?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Crashdown?”
“It really is like high school all over again.”
“What?”
“Nothing just something Izzie said yesterday.”
“How was that?”
“Good.”
“Maybe we could go to a game or something this next weekend when you get back from Seattle? You, me, Kyle, Zan, and Coby?”
“Sure Maxwell.”
“Alright Michael, See you at noon then.”
Michael made some agreement sounds then hung up the phone.
It was only nine o’clock now, what could he possibly do for three hours. His eyes turned towards the closed door of his study and before he knew it he was opening the door and staring at the painting still covered in the sheet.
He closed his eyes and all he saw was Maria’s pleading green ones begging to see the second piece.
He opened his eyes surprised that the thought of Maria didn’t bring forth immediate pain.
With this realization he picked up the painting and headed out the door.
Putting in carefully in the back of his truck and calmly started the car and put it in drive.
“You’re really going to do this?”
Michael waiting for some sort of answer from himself and then just shook his head in disgust that she already had him talking to himself.
Far too soon he found himself standing at her front door looking for the courage to ring the bell, it was only when he heard murmured yelling that his concern for her grew and he rang the bell.
For a moment all Michael can focus on is how beautiful she looks in the sweat pants and t-shirt she’s wearing with her hair haphazardly put in a bun.
Just as he’s remembering the necessity of oxygen he notices movement behind her and misses her look of panic as his eyes harden as he focus on Billy.
The semi-truce that Michael was about to offer her flees his mind as he shuts down his emotions carefully so they don’t show on his face or worse yet by exploding something.
“Michael, no. It’s not what you think.”
He doesn’t even hear the words only sees her mouth moving as he shoves the painting into her hands briefly wondering why they’re shaking before backing away.
“I wanted you to know I was protecting it.” Michael glares at Billy whose closer to Maria now, the gleam in his eyes has Michael talking again even though what comes from his mouth almost breaks what is left of his heart.
“But you can have it back now.”
Walking to his truck as quickly as possible without running his mind repeats over and over again ‘don’t turn around, don’t turn around don’t turn around’ as he gets in the truck and starts it accidentally, slamming the door.
Before he knows it he’s back in his apartment breathing heavily as he paces back and forth.
Serena walks in moments later startling him and causing him to lose the little control he has as a pillow explodes sending feathers everywhere.
“Good thing we got rid of all the mirrors.”
Michael barely hears her as he drops onto the couch and covers his face with his hands unwilling to let any more of his emotions tear apart his home.
Not because of her.
Not because of who she was with.
Serena cautiously approaches Michael and puts a hand on his shoulder.
The static electricity that sparks her has her pulling her hand back protectively. She waves her other hand over the pillows gathering them neatly together and the fixing the pillow.
“What happen?”
When he only manages to shake his head she persists.
Just like he knew she would.
Just like he hopes she wouldn’t.
“Michael.”
“NO.”
“Michael what happen to you’re promise?”
“What promise?”
She smirks at a job well done knowing she has him now.
“The secret promise you made to yourself not to be a jack ass any more to us even if she does hurt you.”
“You’re a brat.”
“Very mature.”
Not getting even the smirk she was hoping for she continues, “Michael what happen. I’m sure whatever it was it’s just a big misunderstanding.”
“Billy is not a misunderstanding.”
“Billy was at Maria’s? Wait you went to Maria’s?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sure it was no big deal.”
Michael gave her a doubtful look cursing the part of him that was being hopefully even knowing Serena out of all of them knew the situation the least.
“He probably just wants her to go back to New York.”
Serena cringes as Michael’s eyes turn panicky.
“She’s not gonna go Michael. She loves you, you idiot.”
“She loved me last time too.”
Serena rolled her eyes at his dramatics.
“Are you really afraid of Billy taking Maria from you or are you just that unwilling to give this thing a second chance…”
He opened his mouth but no words come out.
“Hey you don’t actually have to answer that because everyone already knows the answer to it except you and hopefully Maria because if she realized you didn’t want to give this thing another chance it would send her running…Oh my god…you’re such a jackass.”
“What?”
Michael was confused now well not really all that confused just confused as to how she could tell what was going on with his mind when he could barely figure it out.
“You sure as hell aren’t afraid of Billy. And you sure as hell would kill to be with Maria again so that means your testing her. Seeing how far you could push her and make sure she stays this time. Michael… that is no way to fix this situation.”
“Leave me alone Serena.”
“Michael.”
“I can’t handle if she leaves again Serena okay. I just…I can’t let myself go there only to watch her walk away again. It’s forever this time or nothing. And seeing Billy there just…it doesn’t feel good okay. And I know he can’t take her away from me, the only thing that ever took Maria away from me was her and as much as that hurt, I’m getting past it because she’s here now and…I just have to know she won’t leave again alright.”
By the end not only was he whispering, he was pleading with her to let the subject drop. Seeing Billy again with Maria, yelling with Maria…as much as he rationally knew she loved him it still pained him to see her arguing with Billy.
“Okay. When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow, the showing is on Friday and Saturday. Then I have to do some interview thing on Tuesday. I”ll be back Wednesday.”
Looking up he realizes it’s almost noon, “Shit, I gotta go meet Max for lunch.”
“Really?”
“Shut up Serena…” He pauses at the door considering something in his head before turning back to look at her more sincerely then he ever has before, “Can you…not now, but can you maybe check on her or talk to Liz and have her do it I left there pretty quickly and said some stuff.”
Serena had to stop her mouth from dropping open and merely settled for nodding her head.
“Make sure she knows I’m not leaving for good.”
“Kay.” Serena smiled as he shut the door leaving her alone to plot.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Despite his best efforts Michael was more then absent during his lunch with Max.
Max didn’t seem to mind too much, he was used to Michael’s stony attitude at least now he was only distracted by something else and not intentionally ignoring him.
Max correctly assumed it had to do with Maria, especially considering the phone call Liz had gotten right before he left from a frantic Amy.
Michael did manage to point out that they should play baseball next weekend since Coby was on the team and Zan had a growing interest in it.
Michael was gratefully Max didn’t put up any fuss when he made a quick exit after shoving some tasteless food down his throat.
His mind a traitor to him as it constantly replayed the yelling her heard from Maria to Billy as he stood outside her door.
Yelling that constantly repeated through his mind on the air plane the next morning and all through his time in Seattle it was only as he was climbing the steps to his apartment that the merciless voice halted and his mind tried to take in this new sight.
He was shocked to find Maria sleeping on his door way.
It took his breath away and for a moment he couldn’t remember why he was so mad in the first place.
Michael walks over slowly prepared to wake her up and make her leave but as he reaches out his hand to touch her arm he sees it’s covered with gooseflesh. Noticing the jacket, she was using as a pillow Michael cursed as he saw her shiver and wondered how long she had been out here.
Maria doesn’t wake as he effortlessly picks her up to bring her inside. She merely lets out a content sigh and tires to bury herself deeper into Michael’s warmth.
Michael freezes as the soft sigh escapes her, when she snuggles into him he grits his teeth for control, but he can hear the glass window to the outside behind him cracking.
When she whispers his name across her lips like he’s the most precious thing in the world, he caves a little and allows himself to briefly bury his own head in her hair inhaling her deeply.
It was a moment of weakness.
People were allowed to be weak.
Even hybrid people.
Michael opens the door with one hand and carefully maneuvers his way to his bedroom. He stretches out an arm as he kicks the door shut, and pulls back the blankets with his powers.
He sets Maria in the middle and removes her shoes before covering her back up.
He watches in awe as she smiles in her sleep and clutches to his pillow smelling it in her sleep.
For once in her life Maria is oblivious to the effect she’s having on him.
He unconsciously reaches to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, but pulls back at the last second.
Michael shakes his head and leaves the room as quietly as the two of them entered.
With the door securely closed and Maria safely behind it. Michael softly bangs his head against the wall.
“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.”
Michael still shaking his head in disapproval goes to the living room. He manages to watch a hockey game without really seeing it.
He looks at the clock and is surprised it’s already four o’clock. Five hours. She’s been in his bed asleep for five hours. He would be concerned if not for the dark circles he had seen around her eyes telling him she hasn’t been sleeping much.
That made two of them.
Every time he closed his eyes he could see her bright smile a moment before Billy is standing behind her.
Crushing him once again.
And all he hears is them yelling at each other.
When his stomach let out a loud grumble, he got up and went to the kitchen and started making some dinner for him and possibly a dinner guest.
Michael didn’t hear Maria wandering around his room, but he definitely noticed when she enters the kitchen. He ignores her as he sets a second bowl on the table.
He looks up finally and his breath stops yet again as he takes in her bed rattle hair and rosy cheeks still warm from being huddled under all his blankets.
He masks his face before she turns around to face him and points at the bowl and just in case she doesn’t understand his silent message he speaks,
“Eat.”
Hoping she couldn’t tell how astounding he thought she was standing there slightly confused.
He completely ignores her presences, pretending she’s not there to stop himself from putting a hole in the kitchen wall with his powers.
He was never very good with words and actions right now would be unacceptable.
So his powers were the only way his emotions would be able to find expression.
If he let them.
Which he wasn’t going to do.
Stone wall.
He had to be a stone wall.
At least for a little while longer.
“About Billy…”
Damn there goes that idea.
The cabinets rattle and he closes his eyes tight.
Michael shakes his head no.
“But Michael…”
He stops her again, melting the spoon in his hand.
“After dinner.” Is all he can manage to spit out.
“Kay.”
They ate their chili in silence.
Glancing at each other when the other wasn’t looking.
Pretending they didn’t know the other was doing the exact same thing.
When they finished Michael picked up the bowls and set them in the sink.
Hoping Maria would forget that she wanted to talk to him, he kept heading down the hallway towards some sort of safety away from her. Michael heard her stand up and the chair hit the floor, but all of it fled his mind as her skin made contact with his.
Michael couldn’t move.
Couldn’t breath.
Couldn’t think.
Couldn’t do anything at all.
With only the brightness of her touch in the forefront of his mind he let out a sigh changing directions for the living room.
In the short walk he allows the strongest, purest emotions to take dominance. They wouldn’t stop crashing though his mind, through his body.
They would never leave.
He knew this; he had tried to make them.
But it was only a half hearted effort, knowing without these emotions he really wouldn’t be able to survive even if he did have Maria.
They sat opposite each other.
Michael looked everywhere feeling Maria’s green eyes piercing him, boring holes into his being.
“Billy doesn’t mean anything to me Michael. Not like that. Not like…”
He tried not to flinch as the though completed itself in his head.
Not like YOU.
Michael waited in the silence knowing she most likely had more to say.
She always did.
When the silence continued his eyes meet hers briefly realizing she didn’t know how to go on.
Before he could stop himself his gaze turned accusing as he spoke all the hurt he felt was reflected in his voice.
“You were arguing with him.”
He waited for her to react.
Almost as hurt at her confusion as the actual arguing.
“You were arguing with him like we argue. Like we used to argue.”
He was startled when she dropped onto the ground in front of him trying to make eye contact with him as he studied the floor. Her cool smooth skin was once again touching his warm calloused hands.
“Michael. He wanted me to go back to New York. He was trying to make me leave, Roswell. He wanted me to leave my home. Damn right I was going to yell at him. I would fight anyone that tried to take me away from my home.”
He watched her as the tears filled her eyes before she continued, “Anyone, but ME apparently.”
Michael barely managed to contain his own emotions as he wiped away her tears that escaped. It only got harder as she leaned into his hand and he cupped her cheek.
“I’m glad you’re here Maria.”
She smiled knowing her happiness was reflecting in her eyes, trying to determine what it was in his eyes before he closed them.
Michael took a deep breath searching within himself, making sure what he was going to say next was truth.
Making sure he had to say it, that he actually believed it.
It had only been almost two weeks since she returned, but he believed it. As much as he didn’t want to believe it, and as hesitant as he still was.
It shone in her eyes every time she looked at him. Every time she wasn’t looking at him.
“I’m glad you CAME BACK.”
He didn’t have to finish the thought.
Both knew what he was thinking.
Came back to ME.
Maria wrapped her arms around his neck.
Holding him tight.
Making sure it was real.
He pulled her up to the couch wrapping his arms around her waist.
Holding her tight.
Hoping it was enough to keep her this time.
Neither moved.
And when they finally did it was when Michael pulled them down to the couch so they were laying along it horizontally.
Arms still wrapped around each other.
Her head tucked under his chin.
His head resting on her head.
Their legs intertwined.
Every inch of them lined up, perfectly together. How they always had been. How they always should be.
Falling asleep at the only place that was better than Roswell, New Mexico.
TBC…
