Eternity

ANOTHER ~EmeraldRain FAN FICTION.

Written 7th February 2003

Liz sat silently on her balcony. She'd just been sent to her room after having an argument with her mother. It hadn't been intentional, the argument, but a few nasty comments and it was well and truly going. However, the outcome had been much to Liz' relief. Seclusion was exactly what she wanted tonight. With her Dido cd playing quietly she let her thoughts flow with the cool night breeze that was blowing her hair around her face. She'd been getting raised eyebrows and conserned looks everywhere over the last few days. Apparently her behaviour wasn't adding up to the perky, friendly version everyone had of her in their heads. Well... tough. Let them think something was wrong. She simply couldn't muster an ounce of care on the subject. Her life just wasn't what she wanted it to be. Why should she worry about other people's opinions when she had enough trouble worrying about her own?

Footsteps sounded on the ladder to her balcony and she inwardly groaned. It was probably Max wanting to know why she didn't want to go to a movie with him tomorrow. Much to her surprise it wasn't Max who jumped onto her balcony, but Michael.

Her eyes flickered over him briefly while her surprise registered. He wore all black. Black boots, black jeans which snugly fitted his lean frame, and a black tank showing more flesh than normal. The black was offset with the simple silver bands on his hands and the dog tags around his neck.

Liz got to her feet as Michael lit a cigarette. "What are you doing here Michael? It's late." He slid a smirk in her direction followed by a cloud of smoke. "I could ask what you're doing out on your balcony, considering you've just informed me that it's late, but I'll cut the crap. Max's freaking out. He thinks you're sick." She should've expected that answer. It was like Max to send Michael. It was his version of giving her space.

"I'm not sick, I just don't feel like going out with him tomorrow, now if you don't mind, I'm tired. Goodnight Michael." Liz knew she was being unfair and terribly short with Michael, but his presence made her uncomfortable. She turned her back to him and started to climb through her window. She hadn't gotten far however when his hand stopped her. He pulled her around to face him and she felt her discomfort grow when she realised they were standing nearly nose to nose.

"What's the matter Elizabeth?" His voice came out a gently whisper and her name seemed to roll off his tongue. She stood blinking at him. Unsure whether his grip on her arm held her there or whether it was the simple fact that her legs didn't want to move.

"Michael. Let me go." Her voice was shaky, and barely a whisper but she felt his grip loosen to a touch.

"I will, when you tell me what the matter is." She couldn't meet his eyes and the fact alarmed her.

"Just tell Max I'm fine. You've done your job Michael, you've seen me, now please go."

"I'm not asking for Max's benefit. And I won't leave until you tell me the truth. Don't lie to me Elizabeth. Don't tell me you're fine." Liz started to squirm, to try and move away from him. He backed off a little to give her room and she walked to the corner the farthest distance from him. "I have no reason to lie Michael. Nothing is wrong." Suddenly she felt him behind her. She could smell the scent of him, hear the gentle rustle of his clothing and, as she looked out into the night she could even feel the gentle breeze of his breath kiss her hair.

"Liz..." She ignored him. "Elizabeth..." He put his hand on her wrist again and raised an eyebrow when she jerked it away, almost violently. "Is it something I've said or done? Did I upset you?" She didn't realise that she was gently shaking her head until Michael continued. "Then what Liz? I want to help..."

Liz pushed him away and headed back towards her window. "You can't help" She snapped at him wishing he'd give up and leave. But he didn't and once more she wasn't able to make it to the window. He swung her around to face him again as he tenderly brushed a few strands of hair off her face.

"Please tell me Elizabeth...." His softly spoken request shattered her remaining restraint and she threw herself against his body, capturing his lips in a kiss. She pulled back before his shock wore off and, grabbing his hand she placed it at the pulse point on her neck so he could feel the pace of her heartbeat. "That's what's wrong Michael. I'm falling in love with you." The silence stretched between them for minutes, Michael's hand still resting on Liz's neck as he processed his thoughts. Neither Liz nor Michael breaking the staring match they'd fallen into until Michael pushed her back, slamming her against the wall as his lips came back to hers. With hands wandering and tongues clashing, Liz moaned at the pressure of Michael's body against hers.

When they eventually broke for air Michael grew serious, But as he drew up the courage to ask the inevitable questions Liz placed a finger on his lips to silence him. "Stay tonight. Please Michael, I don't want to be alone." Michael nodded his consent and Liz, taking his hand, led him through her window into her room.

A silence stretched between them as Liz locked her bedroom door and turned the light out. The moonlight from the window filled the room with a bluish-white light. Flickering a nervous gaze to Michael, she smiled at his presence in her room. Liz moved closer to him and, gingerly taking the bottom of his tank in her shaking fingers, she pulled it over his head. Michael licked his suddenly dry lips as her fingers brushed the snaps on his jeans. He bit his lip to suppress the moan trying to force it's way out as the snaps came undone and his jeans slipped down his legs. Kicking off his shoes and his jeans, he stood in front of her is silk boxers and a shaky smile. Liz let her gaze flow over Michael's body and her pulse doubled as she experimentally ran her hands over his lightly tanned chest. She smiled at his sharp intake of breath as her hands moved to the top of his boxers. Michael decided it was time to return the favour and so, stilling her hands before they drove him any closer to insanity he kissed her and undid the buttons on her shirt, kissing each inch of flesh he exposed. It was her turn to moan as her skirt slid down to the floor and his gently fingers undid the clasp on her bra. She helped him slide it down her arms to join the rapidly growing pile of clothes on the floor. Heavy breaths filled the air as Michael gazed at the young woman standing in front of him. He'd long thought about a moment when he would have her in his arms. Somehow that thought brought him back to reality.

Pulling her flush against him, holding her in his arms as he forced himself to calm down. This was simply too important to rush.

"Elizabeth..." His voice was rough, sending chills down her spine. She didn't bother to pull away and look at him, doubting she could stand to be separated from him.

"Yeah?"

"Have you done this before?" She clung tightly to him as she slowly shook her head. Taking a deep breath, Michael pulled away from her. He cupped her cheek in his hand and stared into her eyes filled with emotion. "We're not going to do this tonight." She opened her mouth to protest but he covered it with his own and sent their thoughts spiralling downwards in another kiss.

"I want this more than you can possibly imagine, but when we do this there has to be no room for regrets. I could handle regrets from anyone but you. This is special Elizabeth. What we have is going to be great. We don't need to rush it ok?" Her smile lit up the room as Michael pulled her to him for another kiss. She pulled him towards her bed and shyly said "I still want you to stay Michael." He returned her smile and lay down next to her, pulling her tight against his chest, body against body. They closed their eyes to let sleep come. The last thing she heard before she fell asleep was a tender whisper, 'Goodnight Elizabeth.' and she realised she never wanted to spend a night without him ever again.

Morning crept through Liz's window, a gently trail of sunlight kissing her face as Michael watched on. He'd seen Liz sleep before. There had been nights when he'd sat on her balcony all night watching her, needing reassurance that no matter what alien crisis they were in the middle of, she was safe. But this was infinitely different. She'd ask him to stay with her. The thought made him smile and pull her closer to him.

Liz yawned and stretched a little, finally opening her eyes to look at Michael. She brushed a couple loose strands of hair from his face, amazed at how beautiful he was.

"Hey..." Her voice was a little rough and hoarse with sleep but it sent shivers through Michael.

"Hey yourself...." Michael's left hand rested on her naked him and as he absently rubbed her side she couldn't fight the giggle that escaped her lips.

"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, well... it's not funny as such. I just love the feel of your rings on my body... it.. ah... It kinda turns me on..."

The blush grew on Liz's face as Michael quirked an eyebrow at her. It was enough to break what little tension remained in the room. Michael rolled on top of her and kissed her as if it'd been years since his last opportunity.

A solid knock sounded on her bedroom door, startling both the young lovers.

"Get up Lizzy, you're late. Max is here to pick you up already." The footsteps faded back up the hallway but Liz and Michael were too intently focused on each other.

"We should get up baby..." He kissed her once more, then pushed himself away to sit on the edge of the bed with his back facing her as he slipped his jeans on.

"What are we going to do about Max, Michael? And Maria?" The panic grew in Liz's voice as a harsh sigh fell from Michael's lips.

"Liz, if you regret what's happened between us in the last 12 hours then tell me now and I'll leave this room pretending I'd never been here..." Tears shimmered in her eyes as she heard the emotion in Michael's voice. He believed that Liz was regretting being with Michael, that she wanted to run back to Max, and she knew then and there that if that was what she wanted Michael would let her go. Moving behind him she sat up on her knees and laced her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I don't regret anything Michael. I can't tell you how amazing it was to wake up with you this morning, I don't want Max, I just don't know how to tell him that I'm falling in love with his best friend that's all. They'll both hate us Michael. Both of them."

He moved to face her, the relief shining in his eyes. He caught her lips once more, moaning into her mouth as his roughened hands found her naked breasts with a gently touch.

"we'll deal with them in time honey. We'll leave it alone for today, ok?" She nodded briefly before stealing another kiss.

"I've got to go before Max or your parents find me here." She began to protest but he kissed her hungrily instead.

"Don't worry, Max always picks me up after he gets you. I'll see you in fifteen minutes." He kissed her again, threw the rest of his clothes on and slipped out the window just as Max climbed up the ladder to her balcony.

"Michael? What are you doing here?"