Roswell Fanatics

Title: Take it Back

Author: Me, myself, and I!

Rating: TEEN

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Brendan, I wish I did! Nor do I own any other characters mentioned in this story!

Summary: Maria's wish comes true, but is it everything she had hoped for?

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I was woken out of my sleep by the phone. It rang once, then didn't ring again. That was my signal. I got out of bed and packed a bag quickly and glanced at the clock: 2:45 in the morning. I sighed and climbed out of my window and started toward Michael's apartment. It was rather peaceful walking the streets of Roswell in the middle of the night. On this familiar journey I have taken many times, I felt as if I were the only person in the world, at least the only one awake.

Upon reaching Michael's apartment, I let myself in with my key and dropped my coat and bag on the couch. I reached Michael's bedroom and found him laying peacefully, an unfamiliar sight.

"Um, Michael? Why'd you call me?" I asked, confused and a little bit annoyed. He opened his eyes and pulled me down into bed with him. "I came because I thought you had another nightmare." he smiled.

"I just couldn't fall asleep, I think it's because you weren't here." he said, pulling me closer to him. I smiled and got under the blankets. He snuggled against me, and I rubbed his back like I do everytime. I smiled to myself.

Things were actually going pretty well for once. No evil aliens were trying to kill us, and Michael wasn't being a jackass, for now at least. I just might have a good birthday, and not have to be running fo rmy life. Those were my last thoughts as Michael and I fell asleep in each others arms.

*********

The next morning came way too soon. I could see the sun shining in through the window as I slowly opened my eyes. I couldn't help but groan and want nothing more than to close them for at least another three hours. Thank God it was a weekend. I adjusted my eyes to the light and noticed Michael wasn't asleep anymore. I looked at the clock: 11:30. Damn, I slept late.

I got up and walked into the living room, expecting to see my goofy alien boyfriend parked in front of the tv watching Saturday morning cartoons. Nope. Then I walked toward the bathroom thinking he might have just gotten out of the shower. Nope. Hmm, weird. I walked over to the fridge and saw the note he left me.

"I had to go out and get a few things. You can stay or go home, I'll see you later. -Michael"

I smiled, he was probably out buying my birthday present, nothing like waiting until the last minue. I picked up Michael's phone and called my mom, figuring she'd walk to hear from me on my birthday.

"Hey Mom!" I said, excited about the day ahead of me.

"Maria! Happy birthday hunny! Where are you? I came in this morning but you must have gotten up early!" she said happily. I hated lying to her.

"Yup, I came to see Michael early this morning, but I'm coming home soon so we can spend some time together, okay?"

"Actually sweetheart, I have to run out on an errand and pick up something for the store. But I should be home later tonight, so I'll see you later okay? I love you Maria, have a good day!" she said, and hung up. Initially I was a little disappointed, but figured I'd have more time to spend with Michael and whatever he was cooking up for tonight. I took out some paper and started writing him a note.

"Hey, I just talked to my mom and she's going out of town for a couple hours, bummer. I'm going to see Liz, but call me about later! I can't wait to see what you're up to! Love BG"

I laughed at my nickname for myself. BG, Birthday Girl. I'm sure he'll make fun of me for that one later. I left the note taped to the TV where I was sure he'd see it. I grabbed my stuff and started for the Crashdown, anxious of what Michael was planning for me.

thanks for the fb! =)

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I walked the short walk to the Crashdown, excited to see Liz! I was eighteen years old today, legally an adult! When I reached the doors of the cafe, it seemed abandoned.

"Liz?" I asked, peering in the doors. I was confused why the place was closed. I shrugged, turned around and headed toward the doors ready to leave.

"SURPRISE!!!" I heard voices yell and was greeted with the happy faces of Liz, Max, Isabel, Kyle, my mom, Sheriff Valenti, Liz's parents, and no Michael.

"Guys! What are you doing?! It's the middle of the day!"I said, surprised and happy.

"Well we figured you and Michael had plans for tonight so we wanted to catch you during the day!" my mom said, moving up to give me a hug.

"But I thought you had to go out of town?" I asked, smiling.

"It's my baby's eighteenth birthday, I wouldn't miss it for the world!" she said, kissing my cheek.

"Happy birthday Maria!" Liz said, giving me a hug.

"Wow, thanks guys! This is reallky nice of you!" I exclaimed, thrilled that my friends were thinking of me.

"Well, we all chipped in and got you this!" Isabel said, hanging me a beautifully wrapped present. I was so happy.

"Guys! You didn't have to! This is so nice! WHAT IS IT?!" I asked, excited. I tore off the paper and looked at the present. A beautifully engraved picture frame of the picture from prom night. Around the picture all of our names were engraved, and on the top it said 'Then, Now, and Forever. Love, All of Us' This is one of the nicest presents I had ever received. I made sure to hug all of them, thanking them individually.

"Hey, Maria, where's Michael? I left a mesage for him yesterday for him to come here for your party! I guess he has something else planned!" Liz said, naturally curious. I, too, thought it was a bit strange that my boyfriend wasn't at my birthday party.

"I dunno, I'll call him, he's probably on his way!" I said, reaching for my cellphone and heading into the break room.

"Yeah?"

"Hey Michael, where are you?" I asked.

"Well, since you seemed to have called my apartment and I picked up, you guess." he said sarcastically.

"Why aren't you at the Crashdown? Everyone else is!" I asked, started to become a little disappointed.

"Um, why would I be at the Crashdown? I have better things to do." he said simply.

"Like what?" I asked, started to raise my voice.

"Hockey. Playoffs. Remember? What else would I be doing this time of year?" Oh god, he forgot. I'm so stupid.

"Um yeah, I remembered, but apparently you didn't." I said, and hung up the phone. I can't believe he forgot my birthday. Not just any birthday, my eighteenth birthday! One of the milestone ones! Here I was, thinking he was out planning this great night for me, and he didn't even remember what today was!

"So, where is he?" Liz said, peeking her head in the door.

"Um, he's at home." I said, with pangs of anger starting to overtake me.

"But why? I called him and told him to come! Didn't he get my-"

"HE FORGOT LIZ! The bastard doesn't even know it's my freaking birthday!" I yelled, fully and completely angry.

"Well, I'm sorry, but the rest of us didn't! So try and have fun for a little while! Deal with your asshole boyfriend later!"

I smiled and took my best friend's hand and rejoined my party.

Hi, sorry for the lack of writing the last couple of days!! I had a couple of midterms to study for and wanted to get it out of the way! Thanks for being interested!!

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As I waslked home around 5:00, a ton of thoughts were going through my mind. I was touched by the efforts of my friends and family. They were so thoughtful and nice and I really wasn’t expecting anything from them. Yet at the same time, I was so disappointed in Michael. I guess I jinxed myself last night by thinking everything was going good with us. This whole situation just seems so typical you know? Things go good for a little while, something bad happens, mostly he does something stupid, then things are bag again. After that, he does something nice to make up for it, then things are going good again. It’s been this never-ending cycle that’s taken over my life for the last three years.

“What?” I asked, as my cellphone woke me out of my thoughts.

“Wow, what crawled up your ass today?”

“What do you want Michael?” I asked, frustrated and annoyed. I bet he still didn’t have any clue why I was pisses.

“Do I have to want something in order to call you?” he asked, trying to joke. Unfortunately for him, I wasn’t in the mood for his poor attempt at humor.

“Yeah, you usually do. So just get to it because I’m not in the mood for your crap right now.” I spat.

“Whatever, forget it,” he said, ready to hang up.

“Yeah, that seems to be the theme of the day isn’t it? I yelled, anger growing rapidly inside me.

“What the hell are you talking about Maria?” I snorted.

“What’s today’s date Michael? I asked him.

“Uhhh, June 2nd, why? What does that have to do with anything?” I sighed, time for the clincher.

“What day was I born on?”

“Um June.. Oh shit.” I hung up as he began to realize. I reached my house and found my mother running around the kitchen,

“Mom?” I asked.

“Hi Maria! Come on in, dinner’s almost ready!” she yelled as I walked into the kitchen. I could smell the aroma of my favorite foods strewn across the table.

“Mom, you didn’t have to cook me all this!” I said, taking off my jacket and sitting down at the table.

“Well, I knew you were going to be upset over the whole Michael situation, so I wanted you to try and have a good night too,” she said, setting the bowl of salad on the table.

“Well thanks!” I said, putting salad into a large bowl.

“And also, I wanted to talk to you about some things.” She went on to tell me about how I’m 18 years old, an adult, and I needed to start thinking about myself and my future more.

“Maria honey, you are such a good person, so caring and thoughtful. I think you should start living your life for you.” she offered, shoveling food onto her plate.

“I know Mom, thanks for saying that.” I said, as I stuffed another bite of food in my mouth. I wasn’t really interested in having this conversation with my mother. I was 18, I could think for myself. I knew she was just looking out for me, but I wanted to be independent, and make decisions for myself.

“Well, to go along with that horribly planned little speech, I’m going to give you your present now. I know it isn’t much but-“

“Mom, no. I’m sure whatever it is, it’s great.” I said, taking hold of the small box she handed to me. I opened it, and looked at her questionably.

“It’s a necklace, I saw it at one of the conventions I went to. It’s a special symbol, it means strength. I know you’ve been dealing with a lot of tough times lately, and it’s okay that you don’t tell me about them. But I just want you to be strong through it all, you’re a DeLuca after all! And you’re still my babygirl, and I love you.” I smiled, and reached over and hugged my mother. She could be so sweet.

“Thank you, Mom! This is a really great present, it really is!” I said happily, while clearing the plates from our dinner. As I loaded the plates into the dishwasher, the doorbell rang. My mom shouted that she would get it as I continued clearing plates and utensils.

“Oh, hi MICHAEL!” I could hear my mother say purposely loud. My heart started beating faster. Well, this was unexpected. I figured he would just forget about it like he would anything else.

“Maria, Michael’s here.” She said, walking into the kitchen. I nodded and walked into the living room where I was greeted with my boyfriend sitting on the couch with a single flower in his hand.

TBC..

newbie - thanks for the fb!

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"Here." he said, handing me the flower. I nodded and continued looking at him. He tried everything to avoid my eyes; looking at the floor and even staring at his hands. I sat down on a chair across from him and continued this staring game. Me staring at Michael, Michael staring at the floor. There was quite an awkward silence that was finally broken.

"Um, can I get you something to drink, Michael?" my mother asked.

"No thanks Ms. DeLuca." he replied. She nodded and walked out. I refused to keep playing this stupid silence game.

"Well, if you aren't going to say anything, then I will. How the hell could you forget my birthday Michael? I've only been talking about it everyday for the last month!" I yelled, waiting for his reply.

"I know, I guess I was just busy. I don't know."

"You don't know?" I fumed. "It's one thing to forget our anniversary, that's something I can get over easily. But you aren't supposed to forget my 18th birthday for God's sake!" I yelled.

"What's the big deal? You probably don't even know when mine is!" he started to yell.

"January 26th. Because I actually listen to you when you talk."

"What? How is this turning into a fight about me not listening? It has nothing to do with me forgetting your stupid birthday!" he yelled back. I almost laughed.

"It doesn't? Maybe if you listened to me once in a while, you would have heard me the 900 times I said my birthday was coming up!"

"Well, Whatever Maria. I'm not gonna argue about this again" he yelled, starting to get up.

"Then leave! It's all you do when things get hard. Most guys would just apologize and beg for their girlfriends' forgiveness, promise to make it up to them. But nope, big Stonewall Guerin just walks away and doesn't care!" I yelled as I watched him walk out the door.

I sighed and sat back down on the couch. Maybe I was being too harsh? But he didn't even apologize. But then again, he did bring me a flower. Maybe I should go after him. But then again if I do, he'll think it's okay to forget things, and a boyfriend should remember his girlfriend's birthday, right?

"Don't go after him Maria." I heard my mom say, sitting down next to me. "I know you probably want to, but give you and him time to cool down. If you go now, things will just go right back into the fighting." she said, getting up.

"Thanks." I said, laying down. I looked over at the clock, 7:30. Even though I was exhausted, I decided I should call Liz. I picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number.

"Liz, hey it's me."

"Hey, Maria! How's your night?" she asked curiously.

"Um, not so good. Michael came over and we got in a fight."

"Oh, really? I'm sorry! But I can't really talk right now. Max is picking me up soon, he's taking me on some surprise. I'l call you later though."

"Okay, have fun." I said before hanging up. How is it that on my birthday, Liz was being taken out for a surprise? I guess Liz was just living the life I wanted.

Max took her out places, Michael always wanted to stay home in front of the tv. Max buys Liz presents randomly, I have to hound Michael for three weeks to get a Christmas present. 'Ugh, why couldn't Michael be more like Max?' I thought, as I drifted off to sleep.

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Sorry if this part is overly short! I'll probably post another part tonight! :p

hey guys, sorry for the delay, i've had a pretty crazy weekend so far, but today's going pretty slow so i'll update for you! :thumbsup

P.S the next couple parts sort of make fun of Max a little bit, so if you're a big Max fan, too bad

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I was woken out of my sleep by the phone. It rang once, then didn't ring again. That was my signal. I got out of bed and packed a bag quickly and glanced at the clock: 2:45 in the morning. I sighed and climbed out of my window and started toward Michael's apartment. It was rather peaceful walking the streets of Roswell in the middle of the night. On this familiar journey I have taken many times, I felt as if I were the only person in the world, at least the only one awake.

Upon reaching Michael's apartment, I let myself in with my key and dropped my coat and bag on the couch. I reached Michael's bedroom and found him laying peacefully, an unfamiliar sight.

"Um, Michael? Why'd you call me?" I asked, confused and a little bit annoyed. He opened his eyes and pulled me down into bed with him. "I came because I thought you had another nightmare." he smiled.

"I just couldn't fall asleep, I think it's because you weren't here." he said, pulling me closer to him. I smiled and got under the blankets. He snuggled against me, and I rubbed his back like I do everytime. I smiled to myself.

Maybe things would get better from here. I can look past him forgetting my birthday, I can't be mad forever. Plus, no evil aliens were trying to kill us, and Michael wasn't being a jackass, for now at least. Those were my last thoughts as Michael and I fell asleep in each others arms.

*****

I got up in Michael's bed and started thinking. I hadn't even thought twice before coming over when he called. Should I have? I hope he doesn't think-

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!" he yelled, walking into the room. I looked at him, confused. He was carrying a tray of food and set it down in front of me.

"It was supposed to be breakfast in bed, but you slept so late, so now it's brunch!" he said, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I continued looking at him. My birthday was yesterday.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he laughed. "What? Did you think I'd forget?" he laughed, kissing me again.

"What the hell? Today isn't my birthday!" I said, growing more and more confused. He started laughing. Michael, laughing. Two times in one day, that was a rarity in itself.

"You're crazy, but that's why I love you so much!" he said, sitting down. Okay, now something's up. There's no freaking way Mimchael would say something like that casually, if he would ever say it period.

"Michael, what's going on? My birthday was yesterday!" he shook his head.

"No, sweetheart, it's today! June 2nd! Look, it's marked on my new Counting Crows calendar!" I looked over and saw that today's date was in fact June 2nd. And the date was circled in a heart with 'Maria's Birthday' written inside. Okay, this was really weird. It was then that I started noticed the changes in the room I was in. Counting Crows? There's no way my Spaceboy would be caught dead listening to that stuff. He always called it "Max's Sappy Crap." I looked around, and there were no Metallica posters, no posters at all. I glanced toward the closet and everything was set in place nicely, where it should be. There were no clothes on the floor, nothing on the floor in fact. Everything was clean.

"Did you clean or somethong? Where are all your posters?" I asked, continuing to survey the room.

"I took them down, did you know hanging posters can ruin the walls?!" Okay, this was not Michael. Michael doesn't give a crap about walls, clean closets, organization, chivalry, and especially calendars!

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my badly groomed, messy, obnoxious boyfriend?" I asked, trying to get up. This was weird, way too weird.

"Wait, are you seeing someone else?" he exclaimed. I almost had to laugh.

"No! But this isn't you! You're..... nice to me, for a lack of better words!" I said, standing up.

"Well, you're crazy! But we have to get going soon, we have a busy day!" Okay Maria, start thinking. Yesterday, my birthday, Michael forgot. Then he came and we got in a big fight. Maybe it was just a dream? Yeah, must have been.

****

"Where are we going?" I asked impatiently. He shrugged and smiled.

"Well, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, now would it?" he said as he grabbed my hand. Really weird, I can't remember the last time Michael held my hand. Well, I guess I couldn't complain. Maybe he'd realized that I wanted him to be more affectionate.

"We're here!" he said, smiling. He jumped out of my car and was there to open my door before I could even get my seatbelt off.

"Why are we at my house?" I asked, even more confused.

"You'll see!" he said, grabbing my hand again. He rang the doorbell, which I thought was increasingly strange.

"I live here you know, you can just go in!"

"I know, but it's polite!" he smiled, squeezing my hand. The door opened and my mom's happy face popped out.

"Maria! My baby! Happy Birthday!"

Now things are really weird.