Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own, and if you sue all you're gonna get are a few CDs, a few Roswell books and my Cabbage Patch Kid.
Summary: AU. In Four Days, Maria's life will change forever.
Dedication: To my cyber twin Carol. You rule, even though I didn't know you when I wrote this, I've dedicated it to you coz you just rule, so feel proud.
Special Thankyou: To Sheli, for beta-ing and html-ing (someones really gotta come up with a better word for that) and for being extremely cool.

Day One: Alone

Maria DeLuca sat at a small back booth of the Crashdown Café, eating fries. A waitress came up to her. Maria recognized her as Liz Parker. She and Liz had been best friends from 2nd grade. But in 6th grade, she'd started to avoid Liz. Too many questions. The girl just didn't know when to mind her own business. Always asking about the bruises and the cuts, which was, in all honesty, not Liz's problem.

"Can I get you a beverage?" Liz asked formally.

"No, I'm fine," Maria said. How many times had she said those words to Liz? The petite brunette took the hint, and walked over to another table. Maria instantly relaxed a few stomach muscles; muscles she hadn't even known were tensed.

The door chime rang, and Max and Tess Evans walked into the café. They sat down at a booth, talking and joking with each other. Maria caught herself staring longingly, then stopped. She'd always wanted a sister or brother, but its not like stupid Hank was gonna adopt another kid. She was only there so he could get the monthly check. Max and Tess were part of a nuclear happy family - Mom, Dad, two kids and even a dog. She'd seen Tess walking her golden retriever puppy through the playground of the elementary school…

*****FLASHBACK*****

Maria sat on the swing, swinging her heart out. Trying to reach the stars, the only place she'd ever belong. Tess walked her dog past her, and Maria could feel the other girl's eyes on her. What was Maria DeLuca, school outcast/rebel doing on an elementary school swing?

"Hey," said Tess.

"Hey," Maria coolly replied, dragging her feet on the ground to slow the swing down. Then she spotted the puppy, and couldn't help smiling. "That your dog?"

"Yeah," said Tess with pride. "Her names Shelby." Shelby sniffed Maria's feet, decked out in worn leather boots. The dogs tail began to wag, and she jumped onto Maria's lap. Shelby licked her face, and she began to laugh.

"Shelby," said Tess in a warning tone.

"No, it's … it's okay," Maria said with a small smile. Suddenly the reality of the situation hit her. This was Teresa Evans, Little Ms Popularity. Dating Kyle Valenti, jock extraordinare. Best friends with Liz Parker and Michael Guerin. Maria's smile faded, and she put up her stonewall, inwardly slapping herself for being so weak. Shelby hopped off and trotted towards Tess.

"So, uh, see ya," said Tess, giving Maria a weak smile, obviously sensing the emotional wall she'd put in place.

"Yeah, whatever," Maria answered as Tess and Shelby walked away. She felt the familiar sting of pain. Everyone was always walking away. The dark haired boy and the blonde haired girl did. Back when she first came out of the pod. Where were they now? Anywhere would be better than here, living with Hank, the foster father from -

*****END FLASHBACK*****

"Is this seat taken?"

Maria broke out of her thoughts to see a tall guy standing next to her. A wave of heat surged through her. Michael Guerin.

"Does it look taken?" she shot back. The moment the words were out of her mouth she wished she could take them back. But Michael didn't seem fazed. He sat down opposite her, dark eyes serious.

"Any actual point to this rendezvous?" Maria asked coolly. Another open mouth insert foot phrase. What was wrong with her?

"Actually, we've been paired up for an assignment," he said. "Which you would know if you bothered to come to class."

"What do I have to do?" she asked boredly.

"Answer a few of these questions," he said, passing her the piece of paper in his hand that she hadn't noticed he was even carrying. She skimmed them over briefly, before shoving it back towards him.

"Questions. Too personal. I'm not going to answer these kind of questions for someone I barely know," she said. A look of annoyance flashed across his face.

"Look, Ms Attitude, my grade average isn't at the best balance right about now. In other words, this project makes up 25% of my grade. I need that 25% to pass. I need to pass to avoid being grounded the rest of my natural life," he said, obviously peeved.

"Not my problem," she said, amused at the reaction she got from him.

"Could you at least answer some questions?" he asked. "The rest I can make up."

"Fine," she spat. "I'm Maria DeLuca, my foster fathers a raging alcoholic and I'm the school outcast. Happy now?"

One thing I forgot to mention, she thought. I'm an alien, the only one on this planet except for two others who left me behind.

And I have no idea how to find them.

Day One: Friends Forever

Isabel Harding sat in her room, brushing her long blonde hair. She heard a familiar double rap at her window, and soon her best friend Alex Whitman opened it and crawled through.

"Hey Iz."

"Hi Alex. So, you ready to go?" she asked. "My bags are packed and everything."

"Yeah, the road trip will be a blast," Alex said. "You think we'll find her?"

Isabel sighed. Alex never gave up hope that they'd find the blonde girl. The other girl in the pod. They should never have left her. Isabel could always feel the other girl's emotions, memories, bursts of pain. And she still cried every night for Maria.

Maria. Somehow, Isabel just knew her name. One day, it popped into her head, and it sounded right to her heart. She had all these fantasies, where she and Maria were sisters, and nothing, NOTHING, could tear them apart.

"Maybe Alex. Maybe."

He gave a growl of frustration. "10 years too long, if you ask me. But today, we're going to Roswell. And when we get there, we ARE going to find her."

Isabel rested a comforting hand on Alex's shoulder.

"Listen. Everything will turn out fine. We'll find her. And you'll always have me. I promise."

"I know that, Izzy. And you know I love you. But… I feel all this anger coming off her, and pain. And hate, and I just know that something's hurting her. We can't let that happen. She's one of us. What if it's the FBI?" Alex shoved his hands through his dark hair and Isabel involuntarily shivered. The FBI. Maria could be lying on a cold examination table now, the doctors moments away from making that first incision …

Suddenly, Isabel felt a rush of … amusement. From Maria. She was enjoying herself. Then a rush of red-hot attraction. Heat. This could only mean one thing. Maria wasn't with some FBI agent, she was most probably lost in lustland.

"She's fine, Alex," said Isabel. "She's happy."

"Yeah," Alex said, letting out a relieved sigh. He flopped down on the bed. Isabel joined him. They lay on the bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling where Isabel had nagged Alex to pin up lots of glow in the dark stars. Alex sat up, obviously deep in thought.

"Izzy?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think that we're, you know, brother and sister?" he asked. Isabel sat up, blonde hair in tousled waves.

"I don't know. Why?"

"It's just that … oh, forget it."

Isabel glanced at him. "What?" There was a long silence, and she began what Alex liked to call her 'happy dance'. "Tell me, tellmetellmetellme!" she singsonged, tickling him. Pinpointing the exact spot underneath his ribs where he was most ticklish. Of course, she'd known where that was for years.

"STOP! STOP!" Alex begged, laughing and giving Isabel the evils at the same time. Quite the accomplishment.

"You'll tell?"

"Yeah. Just stop!"

Isabel rolled over to the other side of the bed, and Alex sat up. He took a deep breath.

"I was thinking, we've known each other forever, but if we weren't both, you know, different, would we even be friends?"

She was silent for a few moments. Alex wasn't exactly Mr. Popularity, he was only in the cool crowd because of her. Isabel was a fashion princess. Alex was … Alex was a computer-loving musician.

"I dunno, Alex, but here's what I do know. You're the best friend I have, and I hope that if we weren't the same, I'd be able to see through the social crap and see how cool you are."

"Thanks Isabel."

Isabel. He never called her that. Always Izzy, Iz, Izzy Lizard … she liked the way he said Isabel. It made her feel … special.

"You too, Alex."

Day One: Getting to Know You.

Liz walked over to Tess and Max's table. She grinned at her best friend and her long time boyfriend. It never ceased to amaze her just how wonderful Max was. And Tess, the loyalist friend ever since 7th grade. Of course, they'd know each other before then, but Liz was best friends with Maria then. Before she pushed me away, Liz thought with a sigh.

"Hey guys, what'll it be?"

"Two -,"began Max.

"- Alien Blasts," Tess cut in. They exchanged grins. Liz smiled. Max and his sister were so close.

"So Tess, you still up for the girls night after my shift?" Liz asked.

"Yeah," said Tess. "You know, I was thinking we should invite Maria DeLuca. I think she could use some friends."

Liz followed Tess's gaze to the small booth where Maria sat with … Michael?

Michael? Liz's almost brother?

"Yeah, we should," Liz agreed. Max glanced over at Maria and Michael.

"Michael looks more than a little pissed of at Ms. DeLuca," Max observed.

"She is a little … blunt," Tess agreed. "But she was really good with Shelby."

"Maria was my best friend from 2nd grade to 6th. But then she started showing up at school covered in bruises. She wouldn't tell me what was going on, and she pushed me away."

"Bruises?" asked Tess.

"Her foster dad … Hank DeLuca, right?" Max asked. "Stupid drunk. I bet he hasn't been the most inspiring parent in the world. Do you think he could be hurting her?"

Liz shivered as she studied her old friend. Maria's blonde hair hung raggedly over her shoulders. She was decked out in a worn black sweater and extremely tatty jeans. Her leather boots were equally tatty, and her eyes were covered in black eyeshadow. To hide a bruise?

Tess walked over to Maria's table. Michael smiled up at Tess, his honorary little sister. Liz, Tess, Max and Michael had known each other forever. And Kyle had turned up when they were all about 7. The 5 of them were practically inseparable.

"Hey Tess," he said.

"'Sup?" said Maria.

"Hey Michael. Listen, Maria. Liz and I are having a girls night tonight, so if you wanna come, feel free."

Maria looked a little confused, Michael noted. She gave Tess a look.

"What is this, be kind to animals week? Are you and Liz on a charity run? Did you join the Salvation Army?"

Tess looked taken aback. "We just wanted to know if you wanted to come."

"It's probably not Maria's thing," Michael piped up. She shot him a look, then smiled sweetly at Tess.

"Actually, I'm not busy. Why not? Could be fun."

Thank you Michael, Tess thought silently. Michael shot her his signature half grin. But why would he care about Maria DeLuca?

Tess walked back over to Max and Liz. Maria turned to Michael.

"Okay, you got anymore dumb questions?"

"I thought you weren't -,"

"Changed my mind. Still no guarantee it works, but still."

"Okay. Favorite ice-cream flavor."

"Peppermint chocolate chip with Tabasco."

"Tabasco?"

"Yeah, gotta problem?"

He looked at her plate of Tabasco soaked fries. How can a girl stomach that much hot sauce?

"Am I expected to do this dumb assignment too?" she said.

"Yeah."

"Gimme some paper." He handed her a piece of refill. "What's your favorite flavor of ice-cream?"

"Double Fudge Éclair," he said immediately. Maria smiled.

"Good flavor. Go chocoholics."

"Okay," she said, reading his question sheet, "What was the best moment of your life?"

"Last years Metallica concert in Albuquerque," Michael said. "How about you?"

"I haven't really had a best moment," she mumbled.

"Bull. Good things happen all the time."

"Not to me they don't. I have no idea about my past, I was adopted by a man who keeps me around for the checks and the occasional quick thrill, plus the added humiliation of a human punching bag," she said angrily.

He sat in shock. What had she just said? Her foster father was a stupid idiot, who hurt her, Maria DeLuca, the girl who should never have to be afraid of anything …

She bristled, and Michael could feel the emotional stonewall she'd just put up. He sighed. She didn't get that that never worked.

"Maria…"

"Forget that. Just forget everything. I shouldn't have blurted all that out, it's none of your business, I barely know you!"

"I can't just forget! What did that bastard do to you?"

"You really wanna know?" she said with menace in her voice. "I lost my innocence ten years ago, and this-," indicating her eyes "isn't eyeshadow."

Then she bolted. Ran out of the café before he could even react. Tess followed her outside.

"Maria!"

"I just need some air!" she yelled, blinking furiously as tears flowed down her face.

Tess moved closer, giving the girl a hug. Maria's tears subsided, and Tess held her out by her shoulders.

"You wanna go inside now? Liz is almost finished her shift, and you can borrow her pajamas. The only you have to be aware of" she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper "is that Liz has to say goodnight to my brother. That could take as long as an hour and a half."

Maria choked out a laugh, and headed back into the diner with Tess. She slid into the seat next to Tess. Michael walked over, carrying the paper from the assignment. Maria leaned over to him.

"You don't tell anyone, understand? I'm trusting you not to, you can't!"

He looked at her, her blue eyes brimming with fear. He sighed.

"Fine."

Day One: All my Troubles…

Isabel sat in Alex's jeep, hair billowing around her face as they drove down the highway.

"You okay?" Alex asked his friend, glancing at her sideways. She looked pale and worried.

"Not really."

Alex understood. That apprehension and sharp jolt of emotional pain from Maria hadn't exactly been subtle. He knew that Isabel cried every night. But with the pleasure they'd felt awhile back he'd hoped, he'd really hoped…

"Just 4 days, Izzy," he said soothingly. "Just 4 days."

************

Maria sat on the edge of Liz's bed, watching the TV screen. It was a little fuzzy. Maybe she should fix it. You know, as a favor. Liz was being so nice to her.

But she knew she had very little control over her powers. She'd never forget the time when she nearly burnt down the orphanage. She'd gotten mad…

"You wanna watch Drive me Crazy next?" Tess asked.

"Sure."

Liz passed Maria the popcorn, and she shoved a handful of it in her mouth, then, when no one was looking, followed it with a swig of Tabasco sauce.

"So, what's the deal with you and Michael?" Liz asked, in her way that was half joking, half not.

"We have a project."

"Oh that project," Liz said. "I have Kyle for that."

"And I'm with some bimbette named Courtney," Tess said, nose wrinkling. "She practically begged to be allowed to go with Michael, so if she gives you death ray eyes, that's probably why."

"You ran out on him," Liz said seriously. "He didn't do anything, right? Because if he did Max will so kick his butt. And I seriously believe that he would never ever stoop that low, so I'll tell him off so much -,"

"No, he didn't do anything. I just sorta didn't wanna spill any more of my guts."

I told him too much, she thought.

"That blue really suits you," said Tess, pulling a screeching subject change. Maria glanced down at the big powder blue nightshirt she was wearing. It hung way too loose over her super skinny frame. I look anorexic, she thought. Anyone would think I had an eating disorder. Of course, if my foster father actually provided me with food…

"I usually wear black."

"Oh."

Maria busied her self-brushing her long blonde hair, pulling the brush through so fast it crackled with static. She brushed it into a ponytail, twisting her black scrunchie around it.

"How long have you known Michael?" she asked shyly. She didn't know why she was asking, Michael Guerin was like everyone else … way too nosy and totally avoid of actual problems, so they go out looking for them.

"Since I was 3," Tess said. "Max, Liz, Michael and I were inseparable from age 3. Then Kyle came when we were 7, and all of us bonded. But I fell for Kyle, so we go out. And Max and Liz got all gushy."

"Gushy? Your mother would be so proud acquired newly acquired vocab," Liz teased.

"So, he's…"

"A great guy. Michael is a great guy. Of course, he is just a guy, so he sweats, burps, farts, swears, barfs…" Tess said, as Maria burst into laughter for no apparent reason.

She couldn't stop. Tears flew down her face as she laughed, and pretty soon Liz and Tess were in hysterics too. They laughed and giggled, giggling uncontrollably. All 3 sat laughing, and as they finally started to recover, Tess snorted, which set them all off again.

"I haven't laughed that much since … I don't know when," Tess said, through teary eyes.

"I haven't laughed that much period," Maria said.

"What's so funny?" Liz asked, as Tess began to laugh again.

"Hell, I dunno!"

"Neither!"

Just then, Maria was hit by an intense vision.

A girl and a boy sat in a Jeep, speeding down the highway. The girl's long blonde hair flew around her face, and she reached over to turn up the radio, singing along. The boy groaned, moving in to turn it off. She shot him a look.

Isabel and Alex. The names popped into her head without a conscious thought. That was their names. And they were coming to Roswell. This was Day One. On the Fourth Day, they'd be here. She had 3 days left.

"Maria?"

She snapped out of her trance to see Tess and Liz looking at her strangely.

"Sorry, just spacing."

As they tuned back into the movie, Maria thoughts still lay with Isabel and Alex. In 3 days, all her troubles would finally be over. Forever.

Day Two: Do Anything

Kyle Valenti sat with Tess in the school quad. Max and Liz had gotten themselves a detention for being too loud in the Eraser room, and Michael was off doing something. He hadn't told Kyle what. Tess looked a little worried. He glanced at her.

"You okay?"

"I dunno, Kyle. I'm really worried about Maria."

"Maria? As in Maria DeLuca? I didn't know you two hung out."

"Not usually … but she came to the girls night Liz and I had last night, and she was like covered in bruises. We were talking - Max and Liz and I - and we think her foster father might be hurting her."

"Whoa. That's … that's so …"

"Yeah. Anyway, I was thinking … could you check it out?"

"Tess," he said in a low tone. "You know I can't use my powers at home. The last thing I want is to end up turned in to the FBI by my own father!"

"I know, but how do you know he'd flip? I mean, when you told me, I didn't," Tess said, equally as quiet.

"But you're … you, Tess. I can trust you. I know that."

"I doubt that the Sheriff would really turn you in to the FBI. He diverted all suspicion off you in September."

September. Kyle would never forget it.

*****FLASHBACK******

Tess walked up to Kyle's table, grinning flirtatiously.

"What can I get you?" she asked him, pulling an order pad out of her silver apron.

"An Alien Blast, and movies after your shift?" he asked his girlfriend.

"You got it," she said, leaning in to kiss him. The guys at the next table wolf-whistled.

"I'm loving this restaurant already!" said the guy. "Good food and excellent service."

Tess moved on to their table. "What'll it be?"

"Four Will Smith burgers and fries, and a bit of tongue, eh Jeff?" the guy said, winking and joking to his friend. Tess rolled her eyes and walked on.

"I want the money today!"

Tess spun around to see two men at a back table arguing. I'd better go get Mr. Parker, she thought. This could get ugly.

"You won't need the money if you're dead."

The café was still as the man pulled out a gun. Everyone hit the floor - except Tess.

She couldn't move. Frozen in place. The other man lunged for the gun, and the man pulled it back.

An ear shattering explosion. Tess felt something wet on the front of her uniform. She flew backwards.

"TESS!" screamed Max, running towards his sister. Quickly, Kyle pushed in front of him.

"Call an ambulance!" he instructed his friend. Max nodded and ran off.

"Tess, Tess, look at me," Kyle whispered. Tess's eyes met his. He placed his hand over the wound. Focussing…

~Max and Tess playing tag in kindergarten~

~Meeting Liz and Michael~

~Michael teasing Tess~

~Tess's purple teddy bear~

~Liz and Tess, bonding over ice cream~

~Liz telling Tess that no matter how much she liked Max, Tess would always be her best friend.~

~Tess watching Kyle~

He broke the connection. Tess stared up at him. He grabbed a bottle of ketchup and broke it in half, pouring the globby contents on her stomach.

"You fell and spilt ketchup," he instructed her. She wordlessly nodded. "I'll explain later, I promise."

Max ran over.

"Oh my god, Tessie!"

"Relax Dooga, I'm fine," she said, with only the slightest tremor in her voice. She only ever called him by her childhood nickname for him when she was scared. Max knew this.

"What happened?"

"I … I fell, and broke a bottle of ketchup on me," she said, indicating her uniform. "I know it looks like blood, like a lot of blood … but it's ketchup."

Kyle hugged Tess, and Max let out a relieved sigh. She prayed her brother wouldn't press the issue. She grabbed Kyle's hand and dragged him outside.

"It's later."

"Okay … you know I was adopted."

"Yeah."

"My real parents are dead. They died in the UFO crash in 1947."

"What, so they got hit by a UFO?"

"No, they were in the UFO. My parents were aliens. And I'm an … alien."

"No," she said. "No way. I mean, you're only 16!"

"There were incubation pods. There were 4 of us. Two girls, another boy, and me. They had gone by the time I emerged. I never saw them, I just … knew."

"Whoa. This is … is … weird, Kyle."

"I'm still me."

She looked up at him, and a rush of emotion hit her.

"Yeah, you're still you. Kyle Valenti, the guy I fell in love with," she said softly. "I owe you my life. How can I ever repay you?"

"I'd do anything for you, Tess," he whispered, pulling her into an embrace.

"Anything."

*******END FLASHBACK*********

Day Two: What You Want

Michael walked down the hallway of Roswell High. He tried to convince him self he was just killing time, and the only reason he wasn't in the quad with Kyle and Tess was that he was in no mood to see them sucking face. But his heart knew that he was looking for Maria.

In that hour, she'd told him more about herself than she'd ever told anyone, he guessed. Why she'd opened up, he didn't know. He could feel this connection to her, so strong, it surprised him. Maria had always been so tough, terror of the playground in elementary. Then, in 6th grade, she'd faded into the background. Quieter, more withdrawn. Scared.

He sighed, and shoved his fingers through his hair. Maria DeLuca was not his problem. Except maybe she was. Maybe the reason she'd opened up was so he could help her.

Quickly, Michael ducked into the art room. Seeing everyone's projects always calmed him down. And maybe he could finish his. He'd put enough effort into the rest of it, it needed to get done.

He glanced over to see a petite figure sitting at the far end of the room, in deep concentration. She sat next to a CD player, and was singing along to a slow ballad. She was good, she was really, really good.

"Come to me now
And lay your hands over me
Even if it's a lie
Say it will be alright
And I shall believe

I'm broken in two
And I know you're on to me
That I only come home
When I'm so all alone
But I do believe

That not everything is gonna be the way
You think it ought to be
It seems like every time I try to make it right
It all comes down on me
Please say honestly you won't give up on me
And I shall believe
And I shall believe."

He crept up behind her to look over her shoulder. She tensed a little, and turned around.

"Hey," he said.

"What are you doing here?"

"Huh?"

"The project is over. Can't I get any privacy?"

"I was hoping that we could be friends."

"Friends? I don't HAVE friends, Michael. And don't think you know me or some crap like that, because we both know it's not true."

"I don't know you. I'd like to."

"I wouldn't."

"Listen, about last night at the Crashdown -,"

"Forget it, okay? I. Am. Fine."

He reached out and touched her cheek. She winced in pain. Frowning, he wiped off all of the crudely applied foundation on her cheek. She couldn't stand it any longer.

"OUCH!"

"What?"

"That hurts! You're like pushing my cheek in!"

"I barely touched it!"

She wasn't moving as he took the rest of the makeup off with his finger. He really didn't know why. She could move, she could run, she could just leave. But right now, she wasn't. Then all the makeup was off, and he could see the bruise. He took in a deep breath. It was purple and black and yellow, nasty.

"How did you … it was Hank, wasn't it?"

No answer.

"Wasn't it?"

"Yes." So small. So quiet. Too quiet.

"I'm telling Sheriff Valenti."

"NO! You're not telling anyone! You promised!"

"Well then what am I supposed to do?"

"Just leave me alone! Since when did this become your problem?"

"When you let me in!"

There was a stunned silence. Maria tore her gaze from him, staring at her painting. Hoping desperately that he couldn't see the unshed tears in her eyes.

"I don't let anyone in," she choked out. "I never have, and I NEVER will. I swore I never would. I can't make an exception."

"Maria -,"

"I CAN'T! It's for your own good. I can't have any ties, I need to be able to leave whenever I have to."

He was silent. Reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, he spoke, so softly she barely heard it.

"Fine then. If that's what you want."

"Yes, it is."

He stood up, and slowly walked away. She was still staring at the painting. He lingered at the doorway, staring at her.

"I can't just forget," he whispered.

Day Two: Nookie Motel

Alex parked the Jeep in the parking lot of the small cheap motel. Isabel screwed up her nose.

"I cannot believe that we are staying at an actual nookie motel," she said in distaste.

"Would you rather be camping?"

"Nah, can't be bothered pitching it and taking it down every morning," she said, after pretending to give it some thought.

"Then don't complain."

"Whatever."

Isabel grabbed her satchel and followed Alex into the motel. He flicked on the light, and Isabel scrutinized the décor.

"It's like the porno version of Aladdin," she observed.

"Izzy," he sighed.

"Sorry."

Alex scanned the room, frowning.

"What?" she asked.

"Only one bed … I'm sure I asked for two."

"And?"

"I'm not sleeping on the floor."

"Then we'll share," said Isabel.

"Share?"

"Yes," she said, as if it were no big deal.

Isabel disappeared into the small bathroom to change into her nightshirt. Alex took off his shirt and sat on the edge of his bed in his boxers. She came out and sat on the edge of the bed next to him, playfully bopping him on the head.

"This is weird," Alex said matter-of-factly, indicating the lack of clothing on them both.

"It's no big deal," she insisted. "We're friends." Although she could swear her heart started to beat just a little faster. The shirt off was an improvement. And Alex was the greatest guy, which is why they'd been best friends forever. That and the whole alien thing. When you were one of a suspected three aliens on Earth, you tended to bond with the other one in your vicinity.

"Izzy?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember when you were 8, and you couldn't find like a dozen of your 'My Little Ponies'?"

"Yes."

"What I never told you was that I blew them up."

"You did what?"

"Practicing my powers."

"ALEX!"

"It was 8 years ago!"

"Yeah, but they were My Little Ponies! That is so unfair," she mumbled.

"They're plastic, Izzy. Plastic."

"I still have a good 100 in my closet," she mused. "I should rescue them."

"You are so weird," Alex sighed.

"But you dove me anyway."

Isabel grabbed her satchel and pulled out her CD case, then rummaged around for her CD player.

"Alex, did you bring the CD player?"

"No."

"Then how can I listen to my Lads CD?"

"Use your powers."

"Oh yeah."

She set the CD on the table and started it up. Alex shook his head in resignation as the song began.

"Well there are 5 cacti on my windowsill
And a bonsai tree, living happily
Together
In any kind of weather
They get along."

"What is this?" Alex asked.

"The Lads," she explained.

"Never heard of them."

"That's because they're from New Zealand."

"Huh?"

"It's near Australia."

"Right."

"This is the Cactus Song."

"Why would anyone in their right mind write a song about a cactus?"

"Actually, there are 5 cacti."

"Well, that makes all the difference then."

"Are you mocking me? I think you're mocking me!"

She started to tickle him right under the ribs. He tickled her back, both squirming and laughing.

"Stop!" she begged.

"You started it."

"Did not."

"Did too!"

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Didnotdidnotdidnot - ahhhhhhhh!"

Alex sat on top of her, tickling her under her ribs. Isabel squirmed in discomfort. Suddenly, he froze. She was suddenly aware of how close together they were. Alex leant closer, and gave her a light kiss on the lips. A spark flew through her body, right down to her toes. Kind of like the time they both got electrocuted in 7th grade. But one whole lot nicer. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed back - not as lightly. She kept waiting for the big brother feeling to come. It didn't.

He felt her tongue teasing his mouth open. Alex was expecting this to be awkward, like his little sister. But this was nothing like a little sister. It was … wow. Brilliant comment Whitman, he mentally reprimanded himself.

Suddenly, a wrench of emotional pain hit his gut, so strong it nearly knocked him off his feet. Isabel tore away from him, and he knew she'd felt it too.

"What was that?" asked Alex.

"It wasn't physical pain, it was emotional pain. Conflict. There's some serious stuff going down," Isabel mused. "We've got to find her."

"Yeah, I know."

Day Two: Only When I Sleep

Kyle sat in his room, flipping through the pages of his high school yearbook. He stopped when he found a photo of Maria.

Maria DeLuca. School rebel/social outcast. But Tess was worried, and face it, when it comes to Tess you're whipped, he told himself. Lets just hope her dreams weren't real dirty or something.

Placing his finger on the small grainy photo of the scowling blonde, he focused on entering her dream.

On the other side of town, Maria tossed in her sleep.

******DREAM SEQUENCE*******

Maria sat on her bed in a small caravan. The wind rattled the windows, which were in dire need of repair. The door opened slowly, and a blonde girl and a dark haired boy walked in. Maria stared in shock.

"Isabel? Alex?"

The names… achingly familiar to Kyle. They enwrapped Maria in a huge hug, and he thought he saw her smile. They all began to talk at once.

"What have you been doing the past ten years? We were so worried, and now we're here," said Isabel.

"Wasn't there another pod?" asked Alex. Kyle's heart gave a sharp thud in his chest. Another pod … that would mean -

"RIA!"

Kyle turned to see a tall, drunk man standing in the doorway of the room. Isabel tensed, and Alex stood up, giving the man a defiant stare. Hank DeLuca, town drunk. Everyone in Roswell knew him, and sure not for his charity work.

"Well, Ria. Who are your little friends?" he said, sneering. "As if you have any, no one would want you."

"Who is this idiot?" Isabel asked in a low voice.

"NO ONE cares about you, Maria," said Hank. "No one worth caring about."

Hank took out a gun and aimed it at Maria. Alex ran in front of her and caught the bullet in his chest. Isabel screamed and ran to him as Alex fell to the ground. Maria looked on in shocked horror.

"Help me heal him!" she screamed.

"My powers - I can't control them!"

Hank aimed and fired at Isabel. She sank to the ground, and Maria let out a howl of frustration. She placed a hand on each of them and focused. Instead, the room burst into flames. Hank aimed his gun straight at her -

******END DREAM SEQUENCE******

Kyle sat up in bed.

Maria DeLuca was one of the girls in the pod.

Like him.

An alien.

*********

Michael lifted up the window and climbed into Max's room. He didn't need to knock, or say who it was. Max knew it was either him or Kyle, although ever since that day of the supposed Crashdown shooting, Tess and Kyle had gotten intense. Secretive. Duh, probably love.

"Hey," said Max.

"Hey."

"Whats up?"

"The Maria thing."

"Oh."

"She had this massive bruise under her eye, and she tried to conceal it. I got her to admit it was Hank, but she won't go to Valenti. She just screamed at me, said it wasn't my problem. But … how could she let me see her, really see her last night, and push me away today?"

"When you say it like that it -,"

"Get your mind out of the proverbial gutter, Maxwell."

"What are you gonna do?"

"What can I do? I don't want her hurt. How could anyone want to hurt her? She needs help. Maybe I should go to Valenti -,"

"She'd just deny it, Michael. All you can do is wait for her to open up."

"I know, but … I got this feeling. Like yesterday, today, tomorrow and the next are gonna be the most important days of my life. And of hers. Like we're … forget it, I sound like Amy! She's into the whole kismet crap, whatever the hell that it."

"Next thing you know, you'll be sniffing aromatherapy oils," Max joked. Michael groaned.

"Hey, I already caught myself using grief relief," he joked. "Am I doomed?"

"All signs point to yes."

"Terrific."

Day Three: Secrets.

"Tess, we need to talk," Kyle said, dragging his girlfriend into the Eraser Room. She grinned.

"You really wanna talk?" she asked. He smirked, but pressed on.

"I went into her dream last night. And I found out some, uh, interesting things."

"Like what?"

"You were right. Hank is hurting her, and its really bad … she's really scared, I can tell."

"Oh my god … we need to talk to your dad, and -."

"That's not all, Tess."

"What else?"

"Remember how I told you that there were 3 others in the pods?"

"Yeah, two girls and a guy. Why?"

"Well, Maria is one of those girls."

Silence. Tess stood in silence. The quietest she'd ever BEEN in the Eraser Room. Maria DeLuca was an alien? She never would have … actually, that could explain everything. She was a pretty weird person …

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yeah, I saw it. I can tell. I can't believe she was here all the time and I didn't notice. I mean, I barely see her or talk to her, so it's obvious I wouldn't know, but maybe I should have been able to -,"

"Kyle, you're babbling."

"Right. It's just weird. I mean, I hide. No one except you knows that I'm an alien. Not even Michael and Max, and they're my best friends. This gets me thinking that we should tell them."

"Kyle, Max is my brother. Michael is my other brother. Liz is my best friend. They wouldn't ever tell anyone," Tess said seriously.

"What about Maria?"

"You need to tell her. That you're the same."

"I will."

"Meanwhile, what say we swap from business to pleasure?"

Kyle grinned and moved towards Tess, pulling her into a kiss.

*********

Liz sat in class, watching Maria sprawled out on the desk. The other girl was obviously asleep. Liz kicked her chair, and she awoke with a start.

"What the hell was that for?"

"Ms Hardy wouldn't be impressed. If and when she shows for class."

"Whatever."

"Listen, we really need some help at the Crashdown. Would you be able to help out? Tess has cheerleading, Agnes is, well, Agnes and Karen's pregnant."

"Sure. Like I have anything else to do."

"We'll pay you, of course."

"Yeah."

"Meet me in the parking lot after school. I have a red, early 90's model Jetta."

*********

"Welcome to the Crashdown, may I take your order?" Maria said to the fat, balding man in front of her. She wasn't bothering to smile, there was no point.

"Saturn Rings and a Will Smith burger," he said.

"Right."

She walked over to the cook and put in her order. Then she walked over to Kyle Valenti's table. Stupid boy had to go sit in her section.

"Maria?"

"Yes, that's right. I'm in a waitress uniform. Wow. Build a bridge, Kyle. What'll it be?"

"Uh, Saturn Rings."

"Order of the Day," she muttered.

"Uh, I need to talk to you afterwards. It's, uh, personal."

"Whatever Kyle."

Day Three: One of us.

Maria took off the dorky antennae and went outside to take a break. She pulled a stick of gum out of her pocket, unwrapped it and shoved it in her mouth. Michael was staring at her when she was in the café. She couldn't deal with it. He knew too much already.

Someone came up behind her.

"Kyle."

"Maria."

"Wow, we know each others names. The beginning of a beautiful friendship," she said sarcastically. "What do you want?"

"I need to talk to you … about Hank."

"What about him?"

"I know that he hurt you."

"Terrific," she muttered. "Did Michael say something?"

"No, I went into your dreams."

"What the hell are you talking about?" she said, nervously laughing. That was something she could do, with extreme concentration. An alien ability.

"I'm not from around here."

"So you're Canadian. Big deal. There are some very good Canadians out there."

"Not Canada. You know what I'm talking about, Maria. Our home planet."

"I don't know what you're -,"

"I'll prove it!"

Kyle grabbed her arm and concentrated.

~Kyle breaking out of the pod. Walking down the highway, the sheriffs car finding him~

~The sheriff teaching Kyle to play baseball.~

~His first day at school, healing a scraped knee~

~Spotting Tess, blonde curls flowing around her face~

~Healing Tess on the floor of the café~

He let go of her hand and she stared at him.

"You … you …"

"I'm like you, Maria."

"You were here … all this time and I … didn't know?"

"Neither did I until I did the dream walk!"

"Wait a minute," she said, narrowing her eyes. "You dreamwalked me? You deliberately invaded my privacy?"

"Tess was worried."

"What right do you have to invade my privacy? What right does TESS have to get you to invade my privacy? And she knows? What I am?"

"She does."

"I can't believe this!"

Maria ran back into the café, only to see that Michael had moved to her section. She walked over to Liz, fighting the urge to burst into tears. She never cried.

"Can you take Michael's table? I just can't deal with that now."

*******

Isabel sat in the passenger seat of Alex's jeep. For the first time in 10 years, they sat in uncomfortable silence. She couldn't keep her mind off that kiss. It was … whoa. Just whoa. Maybe it was an, uh, Czechoslovakian thing.

"Isabel?"

"Yeah?" The second time he'd called her Isabel in the last 2 days.

"About that kiss -,"

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry, I know you see me as a -,"

"I liked it."

She fell silent.

"Me too," she finally said.

The car was again silent.

"What do we do now?" Alex asked.

"I don't know. I mean, I love you Alex. You're my best friend, the best friend anyone could ever have. I don't know if I wanna rush into anything immediately. I can't risk losing you, Alex."

"I totally understand, Izzy. I love you, too."

Suddenly, a current of emotion so strong she would have fallen over had she not been strapped tightly into her seat hit Isabel. She saw Alex tighten his grip on the steering wheel, knuckles whitening.

"Whats happening?" he asked softly.

"I don't know. But this is big, Alex."

Day Three: Face your fears

Maria opened the door of the trailer, listening for Hanks drunken breathing. No, he wasn't passed out yet. Just her luck, he was only just starting out. Creeping into her room, she shut the door and sat on her bed, staring at the wall.

She'd found another one like her. Another alien. Football jock, Kyle Valenti. Dating a certain Teresa Evans. Who, unfortunately, also knew her secret. Maria had always thought that anyone who knew her secret would want to kill her, but Tess hadn't done anything to Kyle. Then again, Maria was miles removed from Kyle. He could be accepted, she couldn't.

"Ria!" came Hanks drunken call. She ignored it. He stormed into her room and pulled her out into the main room of the trailer. Fear and disgust began to pour through her veins. He was gonna do it again.

Hank threw her to t he ground and pinned her there, ripping her jeans off, the faded denim shredding easily. He fumbled with his fly. She tried to fight him off, but the previous nights beating was taking its toll on her, so she had zero energy. God, she hated him. But her powers were so hard to control, all she could do was make things combust. And she couldn't afford that. Much as she hated to admit it, this trailer was her home. Making it explode in flames would be a bad idea.

He brutally advanced on her, and she resisted the urge to scream in terror and pain. She refused to give him the pleasure. He'd been doing this for years, and it was always the same hurt and fear.

Before he'd started, she'd read up about sex in the encyclopaedia. She had been 10 and idealistic. Maria had wanted her first time to be special. Forget that. All she'd gotten was a sleazy encounter with Hank. Besides, it wasn't like anyone else would bother anyway.

An agonizingly long time later, Hank pulled her away from him, throwing her across the room.

"Put some clothes on, you little tramp! And do the laundry!"

Hastily, she pulled on a tee shirt and the remains of her jeans. Then she set about collecting the laundry. But she was too tired, too exhausted. She fell to the ground, inwardly cursing her weak human body. Hank moved towards her, taking out all his anger on her, the not so human punching bag, she thought wryly. Her nose began to bleed, but she only distantly noticed it, as if it were happening to someone else …

"Maria!"

She glanced towards the door to see Liz and the Evans twins standing in the doorway, a look of shock on their faces. Instantly, Maria felt her system flood with shame and guilt.

Hank advanced on Liz and Tess, throwing Maria across the room. Where she stayed, not moving. Max put himself in front of them, protecting his sister and girlfriend.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Hank demanded of Max.

"We're here to see Maria," Liz piped up.

"What the hell would you want that fuckup for? She's useless," Hank sneered. Looking at Max, he added, "You've already got two, and they are fine little ladies."

"I think we've seen enough," Max said coldly. Liz ran over to where Maria lay, and Tess followed. Max stood face to face with Hank. He pulled back his fist and punched him across the room. Running over to where Maria lay, he scooped her up, and the 4 of them ran out of the trailer, Hank yelling drunken threats.

Max placed Maria on the back seat of Liz's Jetta. She slowly stirred.

"What the hell were you doing, Max?" she said angrily. "What were you thinking?"

"So you were expecting us to just stand there and watch you get hurt?" Tess asked.

"Like some kind of free entertainment?"

"Look, Tess. My life is completely fucked up, I am not gonna draw other people into it. I'm alone, and that's how its gotta be."

"Maria, no one deserves that treatment," Liz said.

"Has it every occurred to you that I do, Liz? That I do deserve that? I'm a disgusting worthless tramp with shit for brains," Maria said, stubbornly staring at the roof.

"Is that what Hank told you?" Tess asked.

"Even that drunk bastard could figure that out."

Maria pushed open the door of the Jetta and hobbled out. Liz noticed she could barely stand. She was hobbling on what looked like a busted ankle.

"Where are you going?" Max asked.

"Nowhere."

"Look -,"

"Max. You do not need this. None of you do. You're all from these perfect families. Mom, Dad, two point three children, a golden retriever. And you don't need to screw up your lives. So leave me alone."

Day Three : Nowhere Left to Run

Michael slammed shut his calculus book. All his homework was done. Now he could focus the 3% of his brain that had been focused on his homework back to thinking about Maria. She'd avoided him at the café, getting Liz to take his table when he moved to her section. And she'd looked amazing in that uniform …

He sighed and looked out the window, to see a slender, dripping wet figure outside his window. He blinked a few times. That was Maria, right? No, he told himself, you are obsessed. You have Maria on the brain, and your imagination is working in overdrive. She is not really outside, you are delusional. Reaching to his desk, he grabbed the bottle of grief relief his mother had given him, and took two drops, inwardly groaning at himself. He really was doomed.

Staring out the window again, there she was. So he wasn't going insane. That was good. Quickly, he hurried to his window and opened it. Maria all but fell into his arms. She was covered in bruises, and blood was smeared under her nose and down her cheek. Michael's heart gave a short sharp pang in his chest. Someone had hurt her. Hurt her badly.

"Maria…"

"Could I stay here?" she whispered.

"Yeah, of course."

She stumbled further into his room. Grabbing a discarded towel off the floor, he began to dry her off gently. She really was skinny. So tiny and bruised. But Michael knew that her most serious bruises were on her heart, and those were the ones he most desperately wanted to fix.

"Do you want to borrow some clothes? You're soaking wet."

"No, I can't …"

**********

Why am I here? She asked herself. Why did I come to him? Why am I here, after everything I've done in the past 2 days to push him away?

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

*********

Way to go, he told himself. Does she look okay to you?

She shook her head softly.

*********

"Max, Liz and Tess came to the trailer tonight," she said softly. "They caught Hank… in the act, so to speak."

"Oh my god … what else happened."

********

Maria was silent.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, its okay," he said softly. The last thing he wanted was for her to run.

********

There was nowhere left to run. She'd stay with him, the only one who seemed to care about her. Max, Liz and Tess had perfect families. But Michael's dad had left, he lived with his flaky mother, he almost understood. He was the one she wanted to be with.

"Max … punched Hank. They had to carry me out of there, he hurt me pretty bad," she said. "I'm not really sure how I got here."

*********

Max punched Hank. That was wrong. HE should've been the one to defend her. He should've been there. He should've protected her.

He took her hand and led her over to the bed. Helping her onto the bed, he pulled a blanket over her. She glanced up at him.

"Would you … stay with me? I don't want to be alone."

*********

He looked a little taken aback, then he nodded and slipped in beside her. They both lay under the covers, and she instinctively snuggled up to him. Breathing in his scent. Listening to him breathe. Feeling his heartbeat.

********

She was so light. So featherweight. So tiny. Her breathing was faint. She glanced up at him and gave a feeble smile.

"I guess, when you want to be somewhere so badly … you can get there. No matter how hard it seems, you'll make it there, because it's where you … belong," she whispered. "And I wanted to be with you."

"I know. It's okay, Maria. It's okay."

********

To anyone listening into the conversation, those last comments would have made no sense. But she knew what he meant. It was okay. He wasn't mad that she'd pushed him away, he just wanted to help her.

She gently touched his arm. A rush of images, sensations, feelings hit her.

~Michael watched her in the café, wanting her to come to his table, hoping she'd talk to him. Wanting her to let him in, like she had before.~

~Protectiveness. Wanting to protect her from anything that harmed her.~

~Love. Caring about her. He cared about her. He didn't think she was worthless.~

She snuggled closer to him, and felt herself drift off to sleep.

**********

Her breathing evened. He was sure she was asleep. Probably the best sleep she'd gotten for ages.

Love is a lesson I never learnt in school
I was sick in bed that day, now I have to play your fool

Michael felt strangely honored she'd come to him. His crush of 8 years, in his bed. And instead of a huge desire to kiss her, there was protectiveness. Of course, he wanted to kiss her badly, but now wasn't the time.

Maria had a stonewall. This wall had a gate. And Michael had a key.

Day Four: Be There for You

Isabel and Alex sat in the jeep. Less than 6 hours away from Roswell. Isabel honestly didn't know what to think. The huge conflict of emotions that had left her practically howling in pain, so intense and severe. And the comfort, the comfort that had hit her in peaceful waves, like the ocean on a sunny day. It was all too confusing.

"Iz?"

"Yeah?"

"You think we'll find her?"

"We have to, Alex."

*********

"Michael, you're gonna be late for - OH MY GOD!"

Amy walked into her sons bedroom to see him asleep with a tiny blonde in his arms. He woke up and looked a little embarrassed.

"Mom!"

"Michael, what the hell is going on?"

"Uh …"

"I should go," the girl piped up. Amy moved her gaze to the petite blonde. Long blonde hair, absolutely skin and bones figure, and some very nasty looking bruises on her cheeks and arms. Dried blood still slightly marred her face, but it was obvious that someone had started to clean her up. Michael.

"No, stay," said Amy. "Okay, I think you should have a chance to explain yourselves. Because you're clothed, so I don't think it was that, and we can discuss this like adults."

The girl sighed. "I'm Maria DeLuca. I couldn't stay at home anymore. And Michael … he was the first person I thought of."

"Those bruises look nasty," said Amy pointedly.

"My foster dad … he isn't winning any father of the year prizes," Maria said softly. "I need to go see the Sheriff."

Amy smiled at Maria, who offered a tentative smile back. Her heart ached for this girl. She seemed so lost, and she really needed a mother.

"Tell you what," Amy began, "I'll take you to the Sheriff myself. But first, why don't you have a shower and I'll lend you some clothes."

*******

Michael watched as his mother left the room, then turned his eyes to Maria. Some people looked like hell in the morning, but she sure wasn't one of them. She was actually smiling.

"Thankyou."

"For what?"

"You know. For everything. For letting me stay here. For not ditching me even though I was a total bitch and -,"

"Maria. It's not a big deal. I care about you."

"That's a first."

"You might think you're alone, but you're not. You have Liz. You have Tess, Max and Kyle … and you have me."

She was silent for a few minutes.

"Why are you helping me?" she finally asked.

"I'll be honest. I've had a crush on you since junior high," he grinned.

"On me? But I'm nobody."

"Would you stop with the pessimism already?"

"I'm not being pessimistic," she said softly. "I'm stating simple fact."

He took her hand.

"Your so called simple fact is a pile of crap. You're a person, and you're an amazing one at that. No one deserves what you went through, and you're still going strong."

"That means a lot to me," she said, smiling up at him.

Michael moved closer, considering moving in to kiss those full lips, when his mother walked back into the room.

"Maria, heres a towel, and some clothes. The bathroom is three doors down to the left."

"Thankyou."

As Maria disappeared down the hall, Amy turned to Michael. He groaned.

"I'm gonna get a lecture, aren't I?"

"No."

"No?"

"I'm glad she thought she could trust you, Michael. It makes me proud that she places that much faith in you. I've seen the way she looks at you."

He prayed that his mother hadn't seen the way he looked at her.

"I've also seen the way you look at her."

Damn. No such luck.

"If it weren't for you, Marias foster dad could have done worse," said Amy. "He could have killed her, you saw how bad those injuries were!"

An involuntary shiver went through his spine.

"But she's going to talk to Jim, and everything will be okay," she said reassuringly.

Day Four: Acceptance

Maria walked into history later that day, feeling better than she had in a long time. She'd gone to the Sheriff, who was now fixing things up to have Hank taken in for questioning. And Michael had been there the whole time, supporting her. Amy had been terrific. She'd lent Maria clothes and makeup to cover her bruises.

Maria sat down at her desk. A moment later she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Liz looking at her sheepishly.

"Look, I'm really really sorry about what happened," Liz blurted. "We shouldn't have barged in like that and -,"

"Liz, its okay. Thankyou. I went to go see the Sheriff this morning."

"Did you? That's great."

"Yeah. Last night I went to Michaels and this morning he and his mom came with me to see -,"

"Wait a second," Liz interrupted. "You spent the night at Michaels?"

"Uh huh."

"You didn't do anything, did you?"

"What, you act like I have no self control!" Maria said indignantly. "I wasn't in seducing mode, just for the record."

"I know, I was just -,"

"Being nosy."

"Yeah."

"Don't. Not worth it."

"Sorry."

"Oh god, those boxers, though," Maria began impishly.

"Too much information!" Liz singsonged, hands over ears.

**********

"Kyle!"

Kyle turned around to see Maria running towards him.

"Maria, hi," he said cautiously. Not really sure what she wanted to say.

"Listen, I wanted to apologize for being such a moron when you told me about your, uh, non human status. Like mine," Maria said softly.

"I would've freaked out too," he assured her. "I was sort of …"

"Blunt, yeah. But you must have been nervous to tell me."

"I was."

Maria sighed.

"I saw your dad today."

"Uh huh," he said carefully.

"Hanks going to be taken in for questioning. He should be in his office by now."

"What made you decide to go?"

She laughed. "I guess I realised that there were people who cared about me. I spent the night over at Michaels and -,"

"You spent the night at Michaels?" Kyle asked in shock.

"Yeah."

"You didn't do anything, right?"

"You and Liz both act like I have absolutely no self control."

"Hey, we are … um …"

"Czechaslovakians."

"Yeah. What if Czechoslovakians can't resist temptation?" he asked.

"There's only one way to find out."

"No comment."

Laughing, Maria headed off.

"Wait!" Kyle called.

"What?"

"When I went into your dream, there were two others," he said quietly. "Who are they?"

"They're the others. In the pods. They're coming to Roswell, today actually."

"How do you know?"

"I can feel them. I just … know."

"How come I can't?"

"I don't know. Maybe its because they saw me come out of the pod. They just … left without me."

"Oh."

"Their names are Alex and Isabel," she told him. "They'll be here soon, then you can meet them, and we'll finally all be together, Kyle."

"I hope so."

**********

Alex drove past a road sign advertising the UFO center. Isabel gave a sigh.

"Roswell, New Mexico. Home of all cheesy memorabilia under the sun," she said.

"And an actual alien," Alex reminded her.

"It'll take roughly ten minutes to get into central Roswell. And I know we'll find her straight away," Isabel mused.

"What could possibly happen in 10 minutes?" Alex asked.

"I really wish you wouldn't say that, Alex."

"What?"

"You'll jinx us."

"Please, Izzy, that is total superstition. Aren't we supposed to be of a higher intelligence, being, uh, not of this earth?"

Day Four: Sweet Revenge

Maria took a box to the alley behind the Crashdown café to be dumped. Michael was a little annoyed she was working, what with all her injuries, but she needed the money. The sheriff had set her up to file for emancipation. She'd just grin and bear it for awhile.

She'd never been able to grin before. Never felt like smiling. Now she was smiling, and had been since this morning. God, was life good. And soon Alex and Isabel would be here. Michael was there for her. He really cared about her. Maria would never admit it to anyone, but she knew in her heart that she was falling in love with him.

That scared her. If she fell for him … would she be able to go home if she figured out how to get there? Would she have the courage to leave? It's what she'd always wanted.

And she'd only gotten to know him in the last four days. She hadn't gotten attached. She could leave when she wanted to.

Right?

Placing the box in the dumpster, she could feel someone behind her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Maria turned around to see two tall men behind her. Her heart skipped a beat, and her stomach churned in horrified recognition.

"Stupid move, girlie," said the first one menacingly. Rod, one of Hanks friends.

"Hank has his friends, and he'll get out of jail. He has a message."

"He wants us to take care of you," said the other one, Dan.

"And we'll take care of you, alright," Rod said with a smirk. Maria backed away, as Dan and Rod descended upon her. She saw a flash of silver -

*********

Michael headed out the back to the alleyway to check up on Maria. She was taking too long to dump a box. He looked over to see two men with her - just in time to see her fall to the ground, red blood starting to soak her pale green uniform.

The men disappeared, but Michael didn't chase them. He ran over to Maria, kneeling by her side. There was terror in her eyes, but it was slowly being clouded over with the drifting sensation of falling asleep. Then not so slowly.

********

Come on, Maria told herself, placing her hands over her wound. Michael placed his over top, trying to hold in the blood. But his hands kept slipping. Too much blood.

If there was a time to have alien powers it would be now, she inwardly screamed. Focusing … focusing … oh my god, it wasn't going to work.

She knew she was going to die.

********

"In here!" Isabel screamed. Alex swerved the car into the parking lot of an alien themed diner. Isabel jumped out, and Alex followed her down an alley.

"She's here, and she's dying!" Isabel sobbed, tears running down her face. Alex desperately wanted to comfort her, but kept his attention to the task at hand.

********

"Go get Kyle," Maria whispered. Michael wasn't sure that he'd heard her, she looked half dead.

"I'm not leaving you!"

"Go get Kyle!" she said, urgency spilling over her voice. Michael began to get up.

"No need," said a voice behind him. Kyle knelt down next to Maria, removing Michaels hands and placing his own on top of Marias.

********

Kyle pulled out the knife and focused on Maria.

~Maria watching as Isabel and Alex walked away.~

~Nearly burning down the orphanage~

~Hank beating her~

~Staring at Michael all throughout junior high~

~Yelling at Liz to mind her own business.~

~Shelby on her lap at the park~

~Finding out about Kyle~

~Asleep in Michaels arms.~

He broke off, glancing at the wound. All the blood was gone, and the only evidence were the slits in her uniform. Underneath, her skin glowed silver. Slowly, she unbuttoned her uniform to see a glistening set of silver handprints - two his, two hers.

*********

"What the -,"

Michael watched as Maria stood up and buttoned her uniform, all traces of blood gone. But I know I saw the blood, he thought. He looked at his hands, fighting a wave of nausea. Still covered in her blood.

"Michael, it's a long story," she began.

"I have plenty of time," he told her, his eyes unable to tear away from his blood stained hands.

*********

Isabel tore around the corner, Alex on her heels. She saw two guys and a girl there. It's Maria! Her heart screamed. Running over to her, she smiled in relief.

"Maria!"

Alex and Isabel grabbed Maria in a big hug. She grabbed Kyle and pulled him into the group hug.

"Kyle's one of us," Maria told them. "He healed me, I couldn't do it by myself."

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Isabel said tearfully.

"Me too," Alex agreed.

No one but Maria noticed as Michael slipped away quietly.

Day Four: Good Things.

"Michael!"

Maria broke away from the hug, and followed Michael back into the Crashdown. He was sitting on the employee sofa.

"I need to explain."

"Go ahead."

"Can we go outside? I don't want this to go any further than me and you."

Wordlessly, he followed her outside. Michael held his hands out to show her the blood. HER blood.

"You were dying, Maria," he said softly. "I was watching you die. You were 5 seconds away from bleeding to death. Then you and Kyle healed you. How?"

"This is going to sound crazy."

He gave a hollow laugh. "Nothing short of crazy will explain this, Maria."

"Kyle and I … aren't from around here."

"Where are you from."

Maria pointed to the sky.

"Up North?"

She raised her finger higher.

Michael gave a nervous laugh. "You're not an … an alien, are you?"

"I prefer the term not of this earth," she said half heartedly. "Sorry, I'm nervous hence stupid."

"That … that's impossible. Aliens are green and slimy, not blonde and gorgeous."

"Um, thanks."

"This is so weird," he muttered.

She felt her insides churn. How would he look at her now? Like a freak? An alien. There was no way that Michael could ever feel the way she felt about him, now that he knew the truth.

***********

He watched her face fall. Did she think that this would change anything? It wouldn't. It couldn't. So she was an alien. Big deal.

"Maria …"

He pulled her gently towards him and kissed her. Soft and spicy. That must be from all the Tabasco sauce she puts on everything, he mused. Suddenly, he was hit with a barrage of emotions.

~Maria watching Michael all throughout Junior High~

~Knowing she was safe in his arms, no one could harm her because she was with him. And everything was okay~

~Starting school at 7, and seeing the little boy with the spiky hair, with the dark haired girl, the dark haired boy and the girl with the curls.~

Breaking off, he stared wonderingly into her eyes.

"I may be an alien, but I won't hurt you. I love you too much," she said. "I tried to show you my thoughts … did it work?"

"It worked. You love me?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Maria."

*********

Isabel, Alex and Kyle ventured around the corner to see Michael and Maria making out. Kyle grinned.

"She told him."

"You seem to trust him," Isabel said.

"Yeah, he's one of my best friends, soon to be stepbrother. Theres also Max, Liz and Tess. Tess is my girlfriend, and she knows. I healed her when she got shot last September."

"Do the others know?" Alex asked.

"I want to tell them."

Isabel smiled. "If you place so much trust in them, then go ahead. We need our allies."

*********

"So, Hanks in jail for life," Kyle completed. Maria gave an involuntary shudder and Michael put his arm around her shoulder.

"Thank God."

"What do we do now?" Isabel asked. "Alex and I still live out of town, unless you want to come back with us, Maria."

Maria glanced at Michael and smiled. "No, I'm happy here," she told Isabel. Isabel nodded.

"I thought you would be."

Maria looked around the table. Max, Liz, Kyle, Tess, Alex, Isabel and Michael. Her new family. She smiled. Michael noticed.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"How everything has changed in just 4 days," she told him.

"Good change or bad change?"

"Good change."

"Good things happen all the time, remember?"

She kissed him lightly on the lips.

"How could I forget?"

Back to Area 51 (Section IV)