Summary: Takes place a couple of months after Destiny.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. They don't own me. Not that if Brendan asks I'd say no...

I'm going through the motions of the day as usual. Serving, cleaning, taking orders without even realizing what I'm doing. What is that strange lethargy doing in my chest? In my head? How did it get there? And why isn't it going away?

I feel them coming in even before I hear the bell. Deep sigh. One more. I can do it. A lot of people lie. I can too. As long as I don't look into those eyes I'll be fine.

"Maria... can you...?"

I looked at Liz and curse inside. Her smile is apologetic. She knows I won't say no.

"You owe me big... AGAIN!"

Where is that cypress oil when you need it? I bite my lip and walk outside with a smile.

"Hey guys. What'll you have?"

Keep your eyes on the order pad girl. Don't look up. DON'T. LOOK. UP.

I look up. His face is as expressionless as ever. His eyes meet mine for a brief second. The whirlpool of emotions is so strong it almost knocks me down. What happened to that lethargy? I’d welcome it now. He turns away and I suddenly find strength to continue as if I feel nothing. My smile is more honest now. Or is it less fake?

I avert my eyes to Max's face and nod, prompting him to order. Isabel orders next. I write it down without knowing what I'm writing down. I'm dreading the next order. I bite inside of my cheek hoping that my smile won't change.

"Just coke."

His voice is harsh. Much harsher than I expected and I jump a little. I compose myself quickly hoping that he didn't notice. They didn't notice.

They did. I can see it in a way Max's eyes start wondering, looking anywhere but me. I can see it in Isabel's soft smile. I can hear it in his voice.

"Not really hungry. Too tired. Had to work double shift at the factory." Now that his voice is softer I can hear exhaustion in it. Other feelings step aside letting sympathy take over. I want to pull him toward me and hug him. I want to kiss every little part of him until he feels better. I look into his eyes again and don’t move. He looks away quickly.

“What do they have you doing in that factory? Bathing cats?” Isabel asks with amusement.

He looks at her. He’s so startled by her question he even drops his mask and smiles with confusion.

“What?”

She leans over the table lightly and traces a few deep scratches covering his biceps. Is it me or is Michael Guerin actually blushes? Probably me ‘cause the mask is back on and his voice is cold.

“None of you business Iz.”

She raises her brow and tries to hide her concern and hurt under sarcastic grimace. Max looks at him with interest.

“You have some on your back too. I saw them when I picked you up for work this morning.”

Michael doesn’t respond. He just stares out of the window with a little grin that no one but me notices. I know that grin. I open my mouth but I don’t dare to speak.

I don’t think Max realizes that I’m still standing next to them or he would’ve never pressed the subject. After all, isn’t he Mr. Sensitive?

“Michael. What gives?”

Michael finally turns from the window and glares at Max.

“You’re a big boy Maxwell. Figure it out.”

I see Max’s expression change from interest into realization and quickly into disapproval.

Panic. Panic taking over. I don’t want this to go farther. I don’t want to know what Max is about to say. I don’t want the truth to come out. I’m too scared of the consequences of that truth. They might kill me. But the words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

“How in the world do you get scratches on your back?”

His eyes stare into mine. Suddenly they’re cold. That coldness reaches his lips twisting them into a sneer. His voice is controlled and sarcastic.

“Easy DeLuca. You take a girl. Any girl. You kiss her and caress her and drink her until she loses control... starts moaning your name and digs her nails into your back.”

Wow. That took balls. I must say that I’m surprised. Cross that out. I must say that now I know what a punch in the stomach must feel like. His eyes are still looking into mine. Daring me to continue this little game. I never back out of dare. Especially when he is concerned. I throw as much venom into my voice as I can master.

“With anyone else I might believe that. But we’re talking about you here. The only way you’ll hear a girl moan your name would be in frustration.”

My eyes are challenging him. With a light scoff he accepts the challenge but before he can reply Max and Isabel come out of their shock and the yelling starts.

“How can you be so irresponsible...”

“We agreed to control our urges...”

“Michael! Answer me!”

“Can’t you think with your head once in a while!”

After about thirty seconds of them yelling and not even giving him a chance to throw in one word, he rolls his eyes.

“I’ll tell you WHAT!” His voice is hard and loud, easily covering over theirs. “You two are so good at yelling I’m sure you can do it with me gone. I’m gonna get some sleep.”

I watch him leave. How long are we gonna do this? I’m not sure I can handle it much longer. All this... farce is killing me. I can be strong. But there is a limit to everything. I know he loves me. He knows I love him. They know we love each other. So why are we doing this? Who needs it?

Don’t get me wrong. I remember all the reasons. Destiny. Danger. Saving planet. Blah blah blah. I just don’t understand why those reasons have to keep me and my worse-bathed half apart. I don’t understand why those reasons are keeping Max and Liz or Izzy and Alex apart. Michael doesn’t understand either. I know he doesn’t. But after long considerations Max and Isabel decided that it’ll be better that way. He agreed.

I throw a look at Max and Isabel. They both avoid my gaze. They think they know what I’m going through. They think that it’s what they’re going through when they see their ex-partners with someone else. They’re wrong. I hate lying. They don’t realize how much I hate lying.

“I’ll be back with your order.”

My voice is soft and even. I can see they’re surprised. I almost chuckle. I hide my emotions well now. I learned from the best.

The rest of the day passed me by. I don’t remember any of it. I don’t remember serving them. I don’t remember working the rest of the shift. Lethargy was back. I don’t remember cleaning up. I come back from whatever dream world I was in and realize that I’m finished and ready to go home. I throw the last look at the Crash Down and see a small box on the counter that wasn’t there just a few minutes ago.

I walk closer. My curiosity is piqued. I know who it’s from. I know that he’s still here. I feel his presence. I choose to ignore him for now. I walk up to the counter and touch the package. After I open it I laugh as his hands circle my waist.

A pair of black leather gloves.

“Think you could wear them? I don’t feel like going through Alien Inquisition ala Max and Izzy again. They’ll kill me if they ever find out and I might not have strength to keep my mouth shut next time.”

His lips find that perfect spot on my neck and a soft moan escapes my lips.

“Oh, Michael...”

He tightens his hands around my waist and he chuckles.

“Frustration, huh?”

Hey, I said he agreed that us being apart would be for the best. But we’re talking Michael here. When did he ever do what’s best?

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