Summary: Let's say that Valenti and Amy DeLuca had wed at the end of Season One and bought a house together. This means Kyle and Maria are step bros and sis. So when Nasedo dies, Tess does move in with the Valenti's but this time the DeLucas are there too. Let's say that Nasedo died in an accident instead of a Skin.

All is in Maria's POV.

Author's Note: sorry I changed it so much! I also apologise if sum1 has took this idea, I haven't managed 2 scroll through all stories yet! So beep me, if my story relates 2 yours a bit! Sorry!

i'm also de same author of 'The Perfect Life, Interrupted' so you can check that out too. :)

Chapter One: Waking Up Into Another Nightmare

"Argh!"

God, I barely registered my own voice as I let out this high-pitched shriek. Well, if you were in my position you would too. Imagine hating this (pretty but vain) chick because she tried taking away your best friend's love then finding her asleep on your couch!

That's right. As bright as day, Tess Harding was curled up in my couch with my favourite purple and pink blanket wrapped around her.

My scream must've startled Tess because she groaned and started to stretch her skinny arms. It must've woken up Kyle too because he suddenly appeared in front of me as well.

Okay…if I was being dishonest I would say I had always liked Kyle. Kyle's a great guy but I never really liked him because he was dating Liz and I had always thought she belonged with Maxwell. But over the break, I had really enjoyed Kyle's company even though he sometimes goes 'Buddha' on me.

"Oh Lord, what is going on here!" Kyle squeaked staring goggle-eyed at Tess.

So Kyle may now be my step bro (uh…freaky) but I still was not comfortable seeing him half-naked in my house. Okay, okay our house. But still.

"What is with all this screaming?" My mum appeared in a pink robe, hands on her hips.

I silently cringed. Thinking my mum and Valenti together makes my skin crawl. He told me to call him Jim but he will always be Valenti to me. He's a wonderful guy but for him to step in and become my father was too quick. I hate my father for leaving me but no matter what no one could replace him.

"Who are you!" my mum gasped grabbing a cushion from one of the chairs and preparing to hit Tess. Kyle grabbed her arm.

"That's Tess, she's a student that goes to my school," Kyle panted struggling to hold my mother back.

Yes, when my mum gets angry it's hard to keep her in control.

Tess was now fully awake sitting upright and looking the slightest scared. She pulled my blanket tight around her.

"Amy!" That was Valenti. He came and held her back freeing Kyle from the job.

"Jim, someone broke into our new house! It hasn't even been half a year yet!" my mum said in a panic voice.

"It's okay," Valenti soothed. "I invited her."

Kyle, my mum and I screeched, "WHAT!"

Valenti winced and gave Tess a sheepish smile.

"Tess's dad has died in an accident; she has nowhere else to go. Max bought her over last night. I promised them both I would look after her," Valenti explained.

I started to feel sick. Who knows that Mr. Nasedo has gotten himself into? Thanks to him I had to live with a skank!

"S'cuse me," I croaked exiting out of the living room and into the toilet. I bent over the bowl taking deep breaths.

I tried to tell myself Tess wasn't that bad. That she sought out Max because it was her destiny. But it wasn't doing any good. I mean, what if she mind warped me into jumping off a bridge or something when she was angry?

"Honey, you in there?" My mum's concerned voice came through the toilet door.

"Yes," I answered taking in another deep breath. Relax, easy there. Forcing a smile, I came out.

"You don't like Tess?" mum asked in a low voice.

I took my time with this question. I guess I didn't like her because she split Max and Liz up – the cosmic Romeo and Juliet. But I guess I never had a chance to know her.

"We started off on the wrong start," I said truthfully. I mean, come on! Instead of mind freaking Max into kissing her and scaring the ghost out of all of us she could've just said she was part of 'The Royal Four'.

"If you want, Maria, I could tell Jim not to take her in," my mum said looking worried.

"It's okay," I lied. I had to look at this from Tess's point of view. She had lost the person that had raised her. Dad left but I still had mum. If she left…

"Are you sure, honey?" she asked stroking my hair. "It is a bit sudden, you know, to let Jim take home a complete stranger."

"Yeah, I'm sure," I assured. "She's friends with Isabel and Max. She's trustworthy."

Sure, she may get under Liz and my nerves but we all needed her to kick some alien butts if needed.

……………………………

"Maria, I need to talk to you!" Liz said her eyes all wide. I had just arrived at school in Kyle's sexy car and Liz had pulled me aside. Yes, I had a car but Kyle's was SO hot!

"I need to talk to you too," I said. Liz was not going to look forward to this. Not a bit.

"Well?" I asked as Liz pulled me into a deserted classroom.

"I love Max!" she blurted out before her cheeks started to colour.

"You came all the way here just to tell me that?" I asked flatly. Sometimes I think Max is the worst thing that happens to her.

"Well, sort of," Liz said embarrassed. "Its just that, you know, that destiny thing. He keeps begging for me back and…I'm going to give in soon! It isn't going to be good! I mean, what about Tess?"

"Yeah, about Tess," I said realising getting it out of the way would be better. "She's living with me."

"What!" Liz gasped jumping up from the desk she was sitting on. Her hands flew to her lips. "What do you mean?"

"Nasedo died so Tess is now an orphan. Valenti decided to take her in," I explained.

"She just decided to come to your house when she found out?" Liz asked looking troubled. "I knew it! She's trying to take everyone away from me!"

"Hey, hey!" I said trying to soothe her. I smoothed down some of her hair. "I will be your best friend for eternity."

I decided to skip the part that Max suggested Tess to live with us. If I told Liz that Max and Tess were together she may actually blow a fuse.

Liz nodded although she still looked troubled. The bell went for home group.

"We better get to class," Liz said her eyes wild. "Oh God, I haven't even got my books yet!"

I smiled. My best friend the Miss. Goodie-Goodie was back. I followed her out and to my locker. I was shocked to see Michael Guerin there.

I had told Michael I missed him and wanted our relationship to be how it was before but he didn't accept. After Kyle and I moved in together, he had sort of become protective. It was nice but very unnecessary. I don't need protection from Kyle Valenti. I mean, come on! He's like an expert Buddha!

"Hey," he said in a low voice. I love his voice. It sends shivers down my spine.

"Hey, Space Boy," I greeted unenthusiastically.

Okay, okay. Normally I would be over-the-moon that Michael actually had time to stop at my locker but I wasn't in the mood. Liz was worried about Max and now Tess, which makes me worried. I was also freaked that an alien would be living in my perfectly normal house. Well, was perfectly normal house.

"What's wrong?" he asked with a frown.

I sighed, too tired to answer. Liz answered for me.

"Tess lives with Maria now 'cuz Nasedo is dead," Liz piped before scurrying to class.

"What's wrong with that?" Michael asked. "She's okay. She taught me how to control my powers."

Oh, great. How come every alien saw Tess as okay? She was far from 'okay'. I guess it's us normal people that see the real thing.

"Michael," I said trying to explain it to him. Michael is very stubborn and it's sometimes hard to find the patience for him. "I had to adjust to a new 'brother' and a new 'dad'. And while I'm trying to get away from all this Martian stuff, another one just lands in my house. So I have to adjust all over again in my new home."

"Did Kyle try something?" Michael asked immediately standing straighter instead of slouching on the locker.

I sighed. Did he even listen to a word I said? Kyle was not the problem here.

"What do you mean 'Did Kyle try something?'? No, he is fine. T-E-S-S is the problem here. What if she mind warps me?" I asked getting frustrated.

I wasn't this angry before. Michael always seems to have a talent to make me angry.

"I'm sure she won't do that," Michael said in his best (which isn't that good) reassuring voice.

"Whatever, lets hope Kyle and I can survive with her hovering around," I said rolling my eyes.

I was searching my locker for my other exercise books so I was surprised when Michael yanked me to face him. I stumbled and nearly fell but Michael steaded me.

O…….kay. What the hell was going on now? But mind you, feeling his large warm hand tight around my wrist was wonderful. And he was holding me quite close so I was, like, right up to his chest. Could I just throw myself into his arms?

I wanted to say something suggestive and smart but couldn't find the right words. So I waited for him to say something.

"Maria, do you want to…uh…have an ice-cream after school?" Michael asked with a little hesitation.

My eyebrows shot up. Was Michael trying to fix our epic relationship? Was he asking me out on a date? Since when did Michael Guerin go on dates? Our last one, the double date with Max and Liz, was a nightmare.

Before I could answer one of the Science teachers found us in the hallway. The sight for her did not look good. I was pressed against Michael's chest, one of his hands around my wrist.

"Guerin, DeLuca! Get to class!" she yelled and we jumped apart.

I, of course, hastily grabbed my books, flushing deep scarlet. Michael just carelessly started to walk but then turned back.

Shooting a quick glance at the teacher he asked in a whisper, "Yes, no?"

I glanced at the teacher, closed my locker, and then glanced back at him. Seriously, who could resist him?

"Yes."