"Are you okay?" Michael asked. "You sound upset."

"I'm fine. It's just school." Marcie said, looking at Al. Her heart fluttered when he winked at her.

"Sweetie, I know you're worried about your grades, but don't be. Everything will be okay." Michael said.

"Thanks." Marcie said as her voice quivered slightly.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, Michael. I'm fine." Marcie said.

"Okay, Sweetie. Hey, I'm off today, so why don't I come over and help you study?" Michael said. "We can even study your books instead of each other if you want." He laughed.

"NO!" Marcie yelled, surprising herself. "I-I mean, I'm really wiped out. I have this huge test to study for and then I'm gonna get some sleep." She couldn't believe she had just lied to him.

"Oh. Okay." Michael said the disappointment evident in his voice. "Well, I have to do a 24 hour, starting tonight, but I'll call you as soon as I get off. I love you, Sweetie."

Marcie's heart tightened. "I love you too, Michael." She whispered, closing the phone before he had a chance to respond. She glanced at Al, who was looking at her curiously. She walked over to the bed, where Al held out his arms. How was it possible to love two people at once? And how would she choose?

"So..." Al said, grinning at her. "Do you want to pick up where we left off? I think we were right about here..." He began showering her with kisses.

After a few minutes, Marcie sat up, breathless. "I-I can't do this." she said, throwing her leg over the side of the bed.

"What's the matter, Sweetie?" Al asked, kissing her cheek.

"Oh... I don't know..." Marcie said, thinking of Michael.

"You can tell me anything. You know that." Al said, rubbing her back.

"I-I just. This is all kind of sudden for me... seeing you again." Marcie said. "You know, I really think I should just get some sleep."

Al smiled. "Well, that sounds good to me. You, snuggled in my arms all night? It sounds like Heaven." He thought for a minute. "No that's not right. I was miserable there without you." He pulled her toward him, kissing her until she was breathless once more.

Marcie sighed as they pulled apart. The thought of being in Al's arms again sent shivers up her spine. She smiled at him, caressing his cheek. "I'd like that. I'm gonna take a shower and change clothes."

"I miss you already." Al said. "Don't take too long or I'll have to come after you."

Marcie felt a tear fall onto her cheek and quickly turned away, hoping he hadn't seen. She gathered her things and went into the bathroom and shut the door. Her hand shook as she turned on the water, and steam filled the bathroom.

She stepped into the shower, as the soothing water washed all of her fears away.

Why was this happening? Ever since Al died (and she knew he had died. She was sure of it. She was there... wasn't she?), she had dreamed of being in his arms again. She missed his gentle touches, his warm kisses, his sexy voice and his beautiful smile.

Then there was Michael... so much like Al and yet so different. He was gentle, sweet, kind, handsome and wonderful. Just like Al. But Michael had a different side to him. He had a family that had just been reunited, which might be part of what changed him into such an incredible person. She smiled, remembering when he told her that he had changed because of her.

Oh God... What was she going to do? She turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, grabbing the fluffy blue towel from the rack. Tears streamed down her face when she realized that sooner or later she was going to have to choose: Michael or Al...