AN: This is probably the most depressing chapter so far, so just a hint of warning.

After the night was over, Elwood walked Maria back to her room "Sorry about Jake ruining our date." He told her, feeling a little annoyed by it.

"Its ok." She replied with a shrug "I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose."

"And speaking of Jake, tomorrow we're having a band meeting at 9:30 at Jake's & my place so…"

"Oh" Maria then responded sounding a bit uneasy "um… I'm sorry Elwood but I have…something I need to do tomorrow that's very important to me & personal."

By the look she had in her eyes, he could tell that she wasn't looking forward to her task tomorrow but it's something that had to be done.

"Ok" he responded kindly "I'll let the other guys know."

She smiled a bit at him & kissed his cheek yet again

"Goodnight Elwood"

"Night"

At nine the next morning, Maria rose from her bed, feeling sad & gloomy. Today was a bad & haunting day for her many years ago but she still has to live with it for the rest of her life. She took a shower & dressed all in black from head to toe. When she left the hotel, she walked across the street to the florist to pick up the same type of bouquet as she ordered last year

4 tulips

3 daisies

And 5 roses

Meanwhile the members of the Blues brothers' band gathered around the brothers' beds.

"Hey, where's our new chick?" Willie asked

"Oh uh…" Elwood began "She told me to tell you guys that she can't make it because she has personal errands to run."

He honestly didn't know whether they were errands of not, but he had to defend her.

"Speaking of which, I have a bone to pick with her." Mr. Fabulous then spoke up. "Why the hell has she been hanging with you guys? Do we offend her of something?"

"I doubt it man. Maybe she's just shy around us since we're the original members & she's new." Lou suggested

"And why is she automatically a singer now?" Mr. fabulous asked

"Well, the first time she sang, she was just helping Elwood with his screw-up when he sang Rawhide…"

Jake began but then was interrupted by the trumpet player.

"Yeah, but she sang that Patsy Cline song & then yesterday she sang that Beatles song; Does she think she runs this band now just because she has ovaries?"

Elwood locked his jaw, obviously really angry at him.

Who the hell is he to judge her? Jake & I are the ones that discovered her at that bar; I'm the one who has real feelings for her instead of lust like him!

Jake sensed his brother's anger as Elwood replied "She is not running the band; she's just helping us out & to be honest I'm glad she's in this band."

"I agree" Jake spoke up "Steve Cropper will always have a special place in this band, but no one can deny she's a good asset to this band. She can fill in for someone when they screw up & she can book gigs. Are my brother & I the only ones who agree with that?"

"Well…sure; I agree with you guys." replied Murph with a shrug "She's ok."

"Yeah Mr. Fabulous, I don't know why you don't like her" Matt said towards the trumpet player "I always respect decent guitar players."

The rest of the band agreed as Mr. fabulous sulked.

"You're just angry at her because she humiliated you while trying to recruit you to be back." Elwood told him.

Mr. Fabulous spoke no words & just sneered at him.

After the meeting, Elwood was driving in the blues mobile around town, to see if there are any venues hiring any bands. As he drove by the cemetery, he heard an oh so familiar voice

"But I need to deliver these flowers!"

He turned his head & halted the car automatically once he saw who it was.

There stood Maria, black clad & arguing with the owner of the cemetery. She turned her head, sensing someone saw her & once she saw the taller Blues brother, her eyes lit up

"Elwood!"

As much as he adored the happiness of his presence in her eyes, he knew something was wrong, so as he got out of the car, he thought of a plan.

"Excuse me sir" he began as he fished his pockets for something to present as identification

"I am Officer Edward Johnson" he began as he briefly showed an "ID" to the owner, when in reality it was a crushed box of cigarettes. "And I see my co-worker Miss Valens here, is having some sort of quarrel with you."

"The cemetery is closed for the day due to renovations" the owner told him as he glanced at Maria with an ugly look. "She can't be here."

"My co-worker here is the most respected employee in our company and she only asks for this one favor." Elwood told him.

"My parents died 20 years ago today" Maria told the owner. "I need to see them & pay my respects & love."

Elwood at first thought she was playing along with the lie, but he looked at her attire & bouquet, and noticed she had a certain sadness in her eyes.

She's not lying

The owner's eyes softened & seemed he had a change of heart so he opened the cemetery gates

"Stay for as long as you like" he told her kindly.

Maria smiled a bit in thanks, at the owner's realization & kindness as she stepped between the gates.

"Thank you."

She then looked at Elwood and a change overcame her. She normally faced this alone, but this time, she had someone.

"Elwood, will you please accompany me?" she asked him quietly

"Yes" He replied just as quietly.

Things were very quiet as the two musicians walked around the cemetery looking for the Valens parents. A few minutes went by until Maria halted in place. She finally found them; Juan & Esparanza Valens. Elwood kneeled next to her as she got on her knees, removed the dead flowers from the year before & replaced them with the fresh ones.

Maria stared at the light gray arched tombstone with glassy eyes. Before she knew it, a tear ran down her cheek & she instantly turned away from Elwood. She didn't want him to see her like this

So sad…

And Vulnerable…

"Don't look at me!" She commanded to him "I don't want you to see me like this…"

His heart sank as he watched her in this state. He knew she could be emotional, but he never wanted to see her so devastated & unhappy.

"I never had anyone be with me while I visit them." She admitted honestly "You're the first one. I always had the feeling that no one cared."

Elwood sighed in sadness. He had no clue what to say to her, even though he wished he knew the right words.

Actions speak louder than words…

Taking the quote into consideration, Elwood wrapped his arms around her & held her in a comforting embrace. He didn't know what to say, but he wanted to show her that he cared.

He cared about her more than any other woman he's been with.

Maria was surprised by his actions, but she couldn't deny that she enjoyed it.

So…the kindness wasn't just flirting.

He's kind & caring towards me even when I feel & look my worst.

He's not telling me to 'suck it up & get over it' like my ex band would.

She smiled & closed her eyes as she basked in the comfort of his arms. She never had anyone hold her like that and it felt amazing.

He slowly let go, to her disappointment, and she sighed.

"Let's go." She whispered finally feeling a bit better emotionally.

"Ok"

The two musicians walked somberly to the Blues-mobile & got inside.

Elwood began driving as Maria looked sadly outside the window, with her parents still in mind.

"You're lucky that you & Jake had each other from the beginning." She told him breaking the silence. "You two had each other; and the family bond you two have is still going strong today! Me, I never thought that I would lose a family so young…"

"Do you mind me asking what happened to them?" Elwood asked concerned "If its too personal of a question to answer, I understand…"

"No, its alright."

She sighed & flashbacked to her horrible day as she explained it to Elwood.

It was a dreary, cold & rainy afternoon as 5 year old Maria waited outside underneath her little red umbrella for her parents to pick her up from kindergarten. They tried to get to her, but they were stuck in traffic due to the rainy weather & closed roads. As they waited for the traffic to clear on the highway; an 18 wheeler truck, not aware of the traffic ahead of it, was driving over the speed limit & was soon driving out of control due to the slippery roads. The truck sped toward the traffic jam & before the driver could step on the brakes,

he crashed into 6 cars, injuring many, but also killing some.

Including Maria's parents…

Two hours went by before anyone could identify her parents & notify any close living relatives. Unfortunately, the only family they had was their daughter, who was still waiting for them back at her school.

She had tears running down her little cheeks, worried about where her parents where & why they weren't there.

"Mommy; Daddy!" she cried out "Where are you?"

A police officer arrived inside the school looking somber for having to deliver the horrible news to a little girl who was too young to handle something so life changing. The officer saw her & told her what happened. Little Maria began crying even more, feeling saddened & confused at the reality of not seeing her parents again, as she was carried in a police car from the school to St Mary's Orphanage.

The rest is history…

"And ever since then, I had no one to go to and I was so young when it happened, so how can I get over something like this? My ex-band always told me to 'suck it up & get over it' but they never knew how it felt!" she added angrily.

"Let me tell you this." Elwood told her sympathetically, feeling pity for her "You're lucky that you had a mother & father figure who adored you. It's unfortunate that you lost them so young, but Jake & I strongly believe that the lord works in mysterious ways. Maybe he wanted your parents as guardian angels for you so that they can help you be successful in life. You're parents may not be here physically, but they're watching over you spiritually. If the penguin taught me anything, it was that loved ones can look after their family after they're gone. Knowing you & what you're doing right now, I know they're proud of you…"

The strong attraction she felt towards him grew enormously. No one she knew was so spiritual & sympathetic.

Why wasn't I attracted to guys like him before?

Maria looked at him and smiled sadly "That's a beautiful thought Elwood."

He turned his head a bit & smiled at her. As he looked back at the road, he gently held her hand while his other was on the stirring wheel.

"No problem at all"

Things were quiet yet again as Elwood's mind ran.

It felt so good having her in my arms…

And that look in her eyes when she noticed me…

I just hope she's ok for the rest of the day & night.

He wanted to make sure she would be ok, so he asked her…

"Maria?"

"Yes?"

"Would it be too much to ask if…I asked you on another date tonight?" he asked her worried about whether it was a good time to ask her out due to her emotionality right now…

How can I say no to him after what he showed me?

"I want to be with you again." She replied "and I want this day to end nicely unlike the past years so Yes"

He looked at her & smiled a bit feeling relieved "What do you want to do?"

"Maybe we could just hang out in my room & play a few songs on my old six string. I've always wanted to be in a duet. Let's say we meet in my room about…6:30 pm?"

"Sure. It's a date then."

AN: I told you they'll finally get some alone time. Isn't it romantic how Elwood treats Maria through her time of sadness?

R&R please