Vanished

Marco kept glancing at Diana sitting in the passenger seat staring out at the window. She hadn't said a word since they had gotten into the car and he was driving her home. But what was there really left to say? He racked his brain for something to say to comfort her. Things popped into his head occasionally to say-all of which he rejected. Marco felt powerless, frustrated at their lack of ability to find Maia and save her. He tried not to think of what might be happening right now to Maia or how scared she must be. The thoughts were too dark and horrible to even entertain for a moment. He cared a great deal about her...

A sob broke Marco's concentration. He looked over at Diana worriedly. It was then that she fell apart. The tears fell fast and free as racking sobs came out of Diana. Marco quickly pulled off the side of the road and shut the engine off. He gently reached over and undid Diana's seatbelt. He reached around with his arms and drew her to him. Diana, aware of his presence, leaned her head into his chest, put her arms around him, and continued to cry out all her fears.

Marco, his own tears pin pricking the corners of his eyes, hugged her harder. He kissed the top of her head. His voice, nearly breaking, said the only thing he could think of at that moment. "I'm here with you, Diana."

"It's all my fault. I should never have let her out of my sight. She told me I'd forget about her. I'm supposed to protect her," broke out Diana amidst her sobbing.

"It's not your fault, Diana," said Marco passionately. "You have done everything you could to protect, Maia. Everything. You won't forget about her just as she won't forget about her. She loves you. You love her. You can't give up."

Diana brought her head up to look at Marco. He was unnerved by her tear-streaked face. She had been slowly allowing him to see her vulnerable side that came out when she was worried about Maia or unsure how to be a good mother to this 4400 child. It was the hopelessness in her eyes that caused him to despair.

"I keep on imagining what she might be going through... Marco, without Maia..."

Marco cupped her face in his hands. Despite his own fears and misgivings which he pushed violently away in his mind, he said, "Don't give up, Diana. They won't do anything to hurt Maia. They want her for her power. They won't hurt her. We are all going to work this through and find Maia. You can't help find her if you run yourself down. You need rest. We are going to go back to your apartment where you are going to sleep. Once you are rested we will regroup and come up with another plan to find her. We can't let our fear hold us back. I'm not giving u on Maia.." Nor on you, he added silently to himself.

Diana nodded once. Tears started to stream down her face again, but they were tears of gratitude this time. Marco was relieved to see a spark of hope there. Diana took a deep breath and then leaned in and brushed her lips against Marco's. Marco kissed her quietly back, his heart full of aching emotion for Diana. He hoped he had it in his power to make this all right again. She laid her head back down on Marco's chest as he quietly started the engine back and headed toward her apartment. He silently prayed that he hadn't lied to Diana. He hoped that Maia was safe and they would find her soon. His mind refused to allow any alternatives.