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Category- Rejoice, Candygirls, for I have written a Michael/Maria song-fic! And it's probably the last time!

Rating- This is a serious G. Pure foof.

Disclaimer- If anybody at RU really does own Roswell, tell them that I want to replace Shiri, okay? The song is "Sweet Surrender" by Sarah McLachlan.

Setting- It's ten-year reunion time at West Roswell High! Michael left in the aftermath of 'Destiny' and hasn't been back since. Michael POV.

Distribution- I NEED RECOGNITION! Just tell me where.

Author's note- Shoutouts to all you lovely Candygirls--this is for you. I love all of the Roswell higher-ups -- Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, Thania St. John, etc. -- for giving me my one teenybopper obsession. I adore feedback (positive or negative, but positive is much preferred)!

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it doesn't mean much,
doesn't mean anything at all
the life I've left behind me is a cold room...

She's here. Maria. Her eyes are even more intense than I remember them and her hair is darker and longer, but it's her. I can feel her in my bones, in my heart. I wonder if she feels me too. I half hope, half fear that she does.

Suddenly, she looks up. When she recognizes me, I see so many emotions pass over her face that I can't even name them all before they're gone. I'm sure I saw shock, pain, and even love. Then her face dons what I've always thought of as her Teflon-mask. But it's ripped a little, just around her eyes.

She steps forward, and I notice that she's wearing a slim emerald velvet dress that sets off her eyes. She's taller than I remember. Putting her hands on her hips, she walks up to me. When she's a few feet away, she stops. "Michael?"

I nod, and step closer to her. Taking one of her hands in mine, I put a finger to my lips and lead her outside.

I've crossed the last line
from where I can't return
where every step I took in faith betrayed me
and led me from my home
and sweet, sweet surrender
is all that I have to give...

"Why, Michael? Why now? Our ten-year reunion?" Maria spat at me. She was trying to seem furious, but it wasn't going to fool me.

I shrugged. "I don't know, Maria," I whispered, "but life without you is nothing. Means nothing." I can feel my eyes welling up with tears, but it doesn't matter now that she's here.

Her eyes soften and her full, red lips curve into a small smile. She tilts her head up and kisses my chin, my nose, my forehead, my cheeks, my eyelids, my tears. We sit on the steps and hold each other. It's been too long.

You take me in, no questions asked,
you strip away the ugliness that surrounds me...

I look up at her, noticing that the light coming from behind her gives the illusion of a halo, sitting atop her dark blonde curls. She's always been my angel, my guiding light, even when I was gone for so long. Even in elementary school when Hank was drunk and I locked myself in my room. Always.

Are you an angel?
am I already that gone?
I only hope that I won't disappoint you
when I'm down here on my knees
and sweet, sweet surrender
is all that I have to give...

When we've been silent for what seems like ages, she looks straight into my eyes. "Why?"

"I'm sure Liz told you about the cave..." She nods, and I go on. "I was scared of myself and and I was scared of my 'destiny' and I was scared of..." But I can't go on. Even now, I can't say the word. "I missed you. Everything about you. Your touch, your smell, your eyes. The world is cold without you."

I don't understand,
by the touch of your hand,
let me be the one to fall,
I miss the little things,
oh I miss everything...

She looks down and nods slowly. "And I was scared of losing you. That was all."

Seeing how much I hurt her makes my heart ache, almost physically. I promise her with my eyes and my lips that I'll never leave again. But neither of us can say that one little word that would bring everything back. It doesn't mean that much, does it?

It doesn't mean much,
doesn't mean anything at all,
the life I've left behind me is a cold room...

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