Disclaimer: As much as I would LOVE to own anything related to Roswell, other than my keychain, hat and t-shirt, sadly I do not. It is all owned by Jason Katims and all of the wonderful people at the WB who are gracious enough to share them with us week after wonderful week. For that I will be forever grateful. But please don’t sue me because all you would get is my car and some debts and I really need the car to get to work everyday to pay off those debts.

Category: Everyone, this is a tag to ‘What Might Have Been’, ‘If Only’, ’No Matter What’, ‘For Always and Forever’, ‘Dreams Realized’ and ‘Chosen Destiny’.

Summary: A future fanfic. It’s 15 years after the ‘Destiny’ and Isabel has an encounter with an old friend a continuation to ‘Past Revisited’.

Feedback: PLEASE! I love feedback!! Good, bad, whatever, all is welcome!

Notes: I want to thank Annabelle and TrinaLynn who encouraged me to submit this fanfic, thank you.

***

“She’s avoiding me isn’t she?” Michael asks Liz. He’s at Max and Liz’s to see Max, who conveniently isn’t home yet, and Michael seizes the opportunity to question Liz about Maria’s absence the past few weeks. Maria hasn’t necessarily been absent, he’s seen her, five minutes here, ten minutes there, but he’s positive that she’s deliberately trying not to spend any length of time in his presence. He has seen the look in her eyes though and knows she is just as confused as he is.

It’s been five weeks since his little encounter with Isabel in the park that brought him crashing back into their lives. He knows that everyone is happy he’s back, hell he’s happy to be back, but he also knows that his presence is causing friction, especially where Maria is concerned. He finally met Sean after about a week and found him to be a pretty nice guy, but he also noticed that there was that little something lacking in Maria’s eyes when she looked at him, something he’d noticed in her eyes whenever he noticed her looking at him. There was also that little voice inside telling him that Maria wanted to be with him and not with Sean, she didn’t love him Sean like she loved him.

“I don’t know what you mean, Michael…she’s just been busy,” Liz answers innocently. Michael knows she’s lying to protect her friend but decides to play along.

“Whatever you say Liz, maybe I’m just being paranoid… just let Max know I was here and I’ll try and stop by later.” He says as he heads for the door. Once outside he takes in a deep breath of fresh air, trying to clear his head which is cluttered with thoughts of Maria. It won’t do any good, he already knows this. She hasn’t been off his mind for more then five minutes at a time, even at work where he thinks he’s distracted there’s always a lingering thought of Maria floating around in his mind.

Michael started working for Alex a couple of weeks ago when a Repair Technician position became available. He wasn’ t necessarily qualified but Isabel convinced Alex to hire him if Michael agreed to take some courses to upgrade his skills. He’s also still living in their spare room but things are getting a little crowded and he knows he’ll have to find his own place soon. He’s feeling healthier thanks to Isabel’s home cooking and the dark circles that were so prominent under his eyes just weeks ago have all but faded.

He walks the streets of Roswell thinking about the past five weeks. Isabel, Alex, Max and Liz have all welcomed him home with open arms, no questions asked. They’ve accepted his reasons for leaving and all of his reasons for coming back. He was worred at first that Liz might hold some grudges over how much he hurt Maria when he left, but he was pleasantly surprised. Maria was another story. He knew she was avoiding him and he knew why, he just sure how to deal with it yet.

He turns onto Alex and Isabel’s street and smiles to himself when he sees that no one’s home, he really needs some time to himself to work through his thoughts. He heads down to his room, flops onto the bed and tries to relax. It doesn’t take long for him to fall into a restless sleep and the memories come flooding back in his dreams.

::Maria in the hotel room, when he ‘abducted’ her to go to Marathon to find the dome in his vision. It was the first time he realized he had anything in common with Liz’s wacky best friend, let alone anyone besides Max and Isabel

::Their first kiss that night in the Crashdown when they were waiting for Max and Liz to come back, he told her it was to calm her down but he knew he wasn’t telling the full truth, he wanted to kiss her

::The look on Maria’s face when he told her he couldn’t get involved during that freak heat wave in high school, he hated hurting her but felt he was doing the right thing

::Maria’s reaction when he told her about the red sneakers and dalmation dog when Max and Liz were missing

::How hurt she looked when he walked away from her after killing Pierce and telling her he loved her

::The joy on her face when he finally let her in, having turned on his destiny and dealt with killing Pierce, knowing he would never let anything happen to her

::Their high school Graduation, the six of them all together, one of the last times they were all together before everyone else left for school in the fall

::College, when they shared their first apartment, how happy she was decorating the small cramped space that was theirs

::How excited she was when she told him she was pregnant, the joy he felt but didn’t share with her because he was too stubborn and scared

::Her devastated face when she woke up in the hospital and he had to tell her she had lost the baby, he wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how to make her feel better

::The way she pushed him away when he went to her to tell her what an idiot he had been and that he couldn’t live without her, the night he left Roswell

::The sound of her voice when her saw her that night in this room from his hiding place in the closet, scared to let her see him but desperately wanting to see her

::And the look he sees in her eyes, telling him without words that she still loves him, that she still wants to be with him

Michael bolts upright in bed, covered in sweat. He knows what he needs to do. He pulls on his shoes and jacket and is outside running towards his destination before he has a chance for second thoughts.

Standing outside Maria’s house he breathes a sigh of relief that Sean isn’t home. He heads to the back door and knocks, hoping that Maria is in the kitchen, and praying that he doesn’t lose his nerve. He knocks several times before Maria finally answers, a surprised look on her face at finding Michael standing there.

“Michael…what are you doing here?” she asks, nervously wringing the towel in her hands and backing into the kitchen to allow Michael into the house.

Michael stares at her, searching her face for that familiar look he knows is there. Finally he sees it and smiles, he knows he’s doing the right thing. She does still love him. He seaches for the right words to say and finally is able to stammer, “…I love you, Maria.”

He can tell she’s not surprised to hear this but sees the tears spring to her eyes and continues, “I’ve always loved you…and I know you still love me.” He takes a step towards her and she doesn’t back away. “I want you back, Maria. I know I screwed up but I’m willing to fight for you if I have to. I’m sorry I was an idiot and left you…I should have stayed and fought for you then but I was scared. Hell I’m still scared but I know this is the right thing to do, we belong together.”

Michael reaches over and places his hand on Maria’s cheek. “Michael please stop…I can’t do this.” Maria tells him, but it feels so good she thinks to herself.

He puts his arm around her waist and gently pulls her towards him. He lifts her chin so he can look into her eyes and slowly brings his lips towards hers until they’re so close he can feel her breath on his face. His lips gently brush hers and he pulls back and looks into her eyes, he can see in them all the love he knows is reflected in his own. He presses his lips against hers more passionately this time and she eagerly responds, bringing her arms up to wrap around his neck, her hands running through his hair. Michael runs his hands up her sides and around to her back and pulls her closer to him. The memories he had early rushing forth to fill her mind. She pulls from his embrace, breathless, “Michael…,” but before she can finish they hear the front door open and Sean’s voice greeting the children in the living room. Maria runs her hands over her face and through her hair, trying to compose herself.

Sean walks into the kitchen seconds later and looks at Maria and then Michael. “What’s going in here?’” he demands. Michael and Maria are silent, both desperately trying not to look at Sean or each other.

“Never mind, I already know,” he says, glaring at Michael, “I see the way you look at her. I know what you’re thinking. She’s my wife and this is my family, find your own.” Sean says.

“Look, Sean, face the facts, she’ll never love you likes she loves me, we belong together.” Michael states.

Sean takes a step towards Michael and Maria screams as his fist makes contact with Michael’s jaw, sending him stumbling backwards. Michael recovers quickly from the blow and clenches his own fist bolting towards Sean when Maria grabs his arm and holds him back. She glares at him with tears running down her face. “Please leave, Michael…this is between Sean and I.”

Michael can’t stand the look of pain on her face and it hurts to know that he put it there. He spins around and storms out the door. He runs out of the driveway and down the streets of Roswell, no destination in mind this time, but the pained looked on Maria’s face is burned into his mind. I did the right thing though, he keeps repeating to himself. She’s hurting now but I can help her, I’ll be here for her.

Maria watches Michael leave and stands staring at the door, her back to Sean, afraid to turn around. Finally she wipes the tears from her face, takes a deep breath and turns around to face her husband.

The tears well up in Sean’s eyes and the look on his face is enough to break Maria’s heart. “It’s true isn’t it?” he asks Maria, “You do still love him, don’t you.”

“I’m sorry, Sean…I never meant for this to happen…if he’d only stayed away and out of our lives… ” Maria’s tears start again. She can’t bring herself to look into Sean’s face and see the pain she knows she is causing him. “I thought I was over him…I thought I could deal with him coming back…but…”

“Don’t, Maria…just stop.” Sean interrupts. “What do you want me to do because I can’t live like this…” The unshed tears now starting to trail down his cheeks. “I always knew though, did you know, I knew that you really wanted to be with someone else…I just hoped that eventually you would let go of those feelings and love me like I was the one you were meant to be with.” He wipes away his tears that continue to fall. “I was naïve, I should have known. You could never love me like that when your heart belongs to someone else.”

Maria reaches out and tries to take hold of his hand but he pulls away. The tears are streaming down her face now, she knows what’s happening. The life she created without Michael was over, Sean was leaving her, she had broken his heart.

He wipes his face and takes a deep breath before heading upstairs. Not wanting to upset their children his stops to play with them for a few minutes before going to pack. Maria stands in the doorway to the living room watching her family before her. She brushes away her remaining tears and picks up the phone and dials.

Come on, pick up the phone, she thinks to herself as it rings for the third time, “Hello,” it’s Liz, thank god, Maria wasn’t sure she could deal with Max right now.

“Liz, it’s Maria…” Maria turns her back to her children so they can’t see the fresh tears that are falling from her eyes. “Can you please take Michael and Emily for the night?”

“Of course, are you okay? You sound upset.” Liz asks, her voice filled with concern. She knows something is wrong, Maria has never asked her to take the children before and she can hear in her voice that she’s been crying.

“Sean’s leaving and I don’t think they should see that, I don’t know what to say to them…I need some time.” Maria tries to explain. “Please just come over I’ll explain everything then,” and she hangs up the phone.

~~~~~

Liz stands there with the phone still in her hand, she can’t believe what she’s just heard. “Max!” she screams for her husband.

“What’s wrong?” he asks as he comes rushing into the kitchen, a look of concern on his face when he sees her.

“We have to go pick up Michael and Emily. Come with me and bring your car so I can stay with Maria……Sean’s leaving,” she quickly tries to explain as she yells for her children to get on their shoes.

“What’s going on?” Max asks, not sure if he heard Liz correctly. Liz shrugs, that’s all she knows, and they head out to their cars.

~~~~~

Sean has packed two bags and they are sitting in the kitchen. He doesn’t want the children to see them so he’s planning on bringing them out through the back door. He walks into the living room, lifts Emily out of her playpen and sits on the floor with Michael, Emily in his lap.

He kisses Emily softly on the head and looks over at Michael. They’re not going to understand, he thinks to himself, but he has to say something. “Munchkins, daddy has to go away for awhile, but I'’ll see you soon, okay?” Emily just giggles, not understanding a word, but Michael looks up at his dad, a serious expression on his face. He has always been so intuitive, he knows something’s wrong.

“Are you coming back daddy?” he asks, tears forming in his eyes.

Sean considers the question for a minute, not knowing how to answer it. “Buddy…I don’t think so.” He reaches over and ruffles Michael’s hair. “But I’ll still see you every day and you know I’ll always love you and your sister.”

The tears that have welled up in Michael’s eyes start to fall and Sean reaches over and gently wipes them away. He pulls Michael over to sit on his other knee and hugs him close. “It’ll be okay, don’t worry.” Michael is sobbing uncontrollably and clinging to his father. Sean rubs his back, trying to hold back his own tears, not knowing what to say to calm his son down so he just comforts him as he cries.

Maria, who has been standing in the doorway, can’t watch anymore. She turns her attention on her kitchen and starts to clean. She doesn’t hear the doorbell ring, or Liz come up beside her. Liz places a hand on Maria’s shoulder and startles her. She spins around and seeing Liz her tears start again. Liz pulls her into a hug, rubbing her back, not asking questions, she knows Maria will tell her when she’s ready. Sean walks into the kitchen and places a hand on Liz’s shoulder. She pulls away from Maria and heads into the living room.

“I’m so sorry, Sean,” is all Maria can say.

He pulls her into a hug, “I know, Maria…so am I. I’m sorry I couldn’t be the one you wanted to be with,” He rests his chin on her shoulder and breathes in her scent, cyprus oil. “I’ll stay with my parents for the next few days and we’ll figure everything out with the kids and the house.”

Maria pulls from his embrace and looks into his eyes. She smiles and nods, knowing that eventually everything will work out. Sean turns, picks up his bags and heads for the door, glances back one more time at Maria, but says nothing, there’s nothing left to say for now and he walks out the door. Maria slumps to the floor, her face in her hands, letting her tears flow freely.

~~~~~

Morgan and Ashley are trying to entertain Michael, who is finally calming down, and Jared while Max and Liz are upstairs with Emily packing some clothes.

“What happened?” Max asks Liz as he throws some of Michael’s clothes in a small duffel bag.

“I’m not sure,” Liz says, “All I got from her is that Sean is leaving, I don’t think she’s ready to talk about it.” She lifts Emily off the change table and hands her to Max. “She dry and ready for bed, just pull out Jared’s old playpen and put her to sleep in our room.” She tells him as they head back downstairs.

“Okay guys, everybody ready to go?” Max asks as he reaches the bottom step. His kids all jump up and run to put their shoes on, Michael trails behind, obviously still upset.

“Take Maria’s van, it’s the only one with car seats,” Liz says and kisses Max. “I’ll call you later when I find out what’s going on.” She picks Michael up and gives him a hug, “It’s okay, honey, you go stay with Uncle Max and your cousins, I’ll stay here with your mommy.” She kisses his cheek and sits on the floor with him, helping him pull on his shoes. She kisses Max and her children and closes the door behind him. She rests her forehead on the door, takes a deep breath and heads to the kitchen to find Maria.

Maria is still sitting on the floor crying when Liz comes into the kitchen. Liz helps her to her feet and leads her into the living room. She sits on the couch and Maria lays down next to her, her head resting in Liz’s lap.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Liz asks, brushing the hair off Maria’s face. Maria shakes her head. “That’s okay…I’ll be here when you need to.” She tells her, “Don’t worry, Maria, it’ll be okay…ssh, it’ll be okay,” she reassures her, running her hand over her hair again and again, trying to calm her down as Maria continues to cry.

~~~~~

Max spots someone on the side of the road and recognizes the figure immediately. He pulls over, rolls down the window and offers Michael a ride. Michael glances at the van, a confused expression on his face, then climbs in next to Max. He glances in the back of the van, notices Michael and Emily and turns his confused expression on Max.

“I don’t know exactly what’s going on but I have a feeling you have something to do with our little houseguests for the night.” He gestures for Michael to lean closer so the kids don’t hear what he has to say, Michael leans into Max and he says, “What I do know for sure is that Sean just left Maria.”

Michael leans back in his seat, conflicting emotions running through his mind. He wants to be happy that maybe now he and Maria can be together again, but knows how much pain Maria must be in, not to mention Sean, Michael and Emily. He didn’t want to cause anyone any pain, he just wanted to do what he thought was right, and he and Maria together was right.

“Should I go over there?” Michael asks Max.

“Probably not a good idea right now, you can spend the night at our house. Liz is there with her now and she’ll call if she needs us. Just give her some time, Michael, she deserves that.” Max tells him.

“Okay,” Michael nods, “I can wait. I’ve waited this long haven’t I?”

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