Disclaimer – I own zip, nada nothing. Though I wish I owned Michael…..but that's a whole different story.

Summary – My version of what happened between Michael and Maria after the Heat Wave episode and carrying on from there I guess.

Author's notes – Just an idea I'm going on at the moment. I'm not sure how far it will go since it depends of the feedback and CC that I get to keep it going, so please read and review!

Ignorance Is Innocent

Chapter One: The Soap Factory

Maria pushed all the energy she could muster and ran, away from the Soap Factory…away from Michael. Eyes darting everywhere, searching frantically for her mother's hopeless Jetta so she could get the hell out of here. There! Sighing with relief, she bolted to the little red mass and climbed in.

Taking in a long breath, she composed herself before starting up the engine and speeding off to her house. Once she reached, she threw the car in park and ran through her house, flying onto her bed. Then, and only then, did she succumb to the tears that had been threatening to spill since the words came out of Michael's mouth.

A million and one thoughts bombarded her mind. Me getting intense? Who was he kidding? He started it, HE came to me. HE got intense, not me! I can't believe I let myself fall for him. "You'd think I'd know better when it comes to Michael," Maria mumbled in between sobs.

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Michael had to use every ounce of strength to keep from running after her. Maybe we should've never started this? What the hell is wrong with me? He thought to himself, watching her retreating form walking away. When she said she needed air, he had stupidly chanced a glance at her, only to find eyes shining with unshed tears. He felt his heart clench at the sight, knowing he had put them there.

"You started it you numbskull" came an annoying little voice in his head.

"I didn't see her trying to stop it." He muttered defensively.

"It's not like you were complaining though" replied the voice.

"So what? It's not like I care anyway…she's just a human. I don't need her." He said, trying to convince himself that he really didn't feel anything for Maria.

"Right….If you don't care for her, why does it feel like you've just lost the only thing you've ever had that was truly yours?" said the voice again which had seemingly taken residence in his head.

"Dammit!" Michael growled and took off, needing to get the hell away from the building before he went completely insane with the mental war taking place in side his mind.

So he walked mindlessly, his only intention to get as far away from the Soap Factory as possible. His feet took him to the desert, once his only place of comfort. Now, he had something better, more real then just empty surroundings. He had Maria. Key word there being had he thought gloomily to himself. Planting his carcass on a large rock, he let his mind wander back to his most recent act of ignorance. Had he really forced away the one good thing in his life? Turned his back in blatant ignorance to her passion, refusing to believe that someone as beautiful and perfect as Maria DeLuca wanted to be with HIM of all people? Yeah, he had. Now, he had to figure out how to fix it.

Sighing heavily, he stared out into the open, hoping the answer would fall out of the sky. Then, it hit him…"That just might work," He thought. It wasn't the best plan, but it was something.

TBC….?

How's this going so far? Liking it? Hope so….I had the idea, then a major writer's block when it came to typing it all up. Anyway, if you like it, let me know, and I'll continue! CC much appreciated!