Title: You Can't Run Away Forever
Name: Scarlet
Subject: Michael and Maria
Spoilers: I don't think so unless you haven't seen season 2 yet.
Rating: PG-14 (Language, a little)
Feedback: Would greatly be appreciated, good or bad I would
love feedback.
Note: I always wondered what would happen if someone left
the show after they found out about the aliens, only to come back
a year or two later. So this is in my perspective on how (Or shall
I say what I wish it would be.)
Note 2: This is my first fanfic that I wrote without it being in parts
So please tell me what you think!
Summery: Maria leaves Roswell in the middle of her junior year
(This takes place after the episode Max In The City. Just imagine
A Roswell Christmas Carol never happened.) She then returns 2
Years later to face up to the life she left and someone from her past
Follows her down and may pose a danger to her and all of her friends.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own anything to do with Roswell,
So please don't sue, all you will get is a stuffed, beat up teddy bear
And a lot of Trigonometry homework.

Maria De Luca had always been considered the jokester of the group. No one ever took her seriously and people paid hardly any attention to her. But they always seemed to go to her for help. For advice. But when Maria needed her friends the most, no one was there for her. No one seemed to care, and the hardest memory of her life was peeking its little head around the corner.

Maria was always afraid of people leaving her. Ever since her father left her, that had been her greatest fear. And now more then ever, she needed people to talk to, but no one was there to listen. When they were, they were too concerned in their own worlds and never seemed to notice Maria speaking up less and less. Or the fact that she wasn't as involved with the group as she used to be. No one seemed to care.

"So what exactly are we going to do, we can't exactly just sit around and do nothing!" Michael said to Max.

"Actually, that is probably the best thing we can do … if we wait for them to take the first move, then we might be able to come up with a plan to destroy them. Especially since we would have an idea on what they are up to." Max said trying to step up to his leadership position as best as he could.

"Max, we can't just wait around forever. If we give them the chance to take the first move … they might destroy us all at once." Michael said getting angry.

"Michael … I am the leader, and what I said is final." Max stated standing 3 inches from Michael's face now.

"You guys … calm down, we can't be fighting with each other, we got more important things to tend to." Isabelle said trying to break apart the two angry men.

"Isabelle is right, we need to be focussing on the skins right now. They are our enemies, not each other." Tess said joining with Isabelle.

"Why don't we do a little of both. Come up with a plan just to be ready, but wait it out and see what happens." Maria said trying to jump in.

"No. Right now we need to focus on what the skins are planning to do." Max said.

"But Max …" Maria started to say.

Then Isabelle interrupted her, "Look, I am not agreeing with anyone here, but Maria, don't you think you should leave it up to us?" Isabelle said a little harshly. She had been under a lot of stress lately, and it still hadn't settled very well that Vilandra betrayed her family. Isabelle could never imagine herself betraying Max and Michael.

"I was just trying to help." Maria said in a low voice.

"Isabelle is right Maria, they need to handle this. Right now they are going through a lot and sometimes we get in the way." Liz spoke up finally.

"And what … they are the only beings on earth that have problems. As if the rest of us don't have things to deal with." Maria replied angrily.

"Maria quit whining like a baby. All I have heard you do lately is complain." Michael said looking at her for the first time they had arrived.

"Don't take this the wrong way Maria … but I hardly doubt dealing with which pair of shoes your going to wear tomorrow meets up to whether or not you will live to see another day." Tess said frustrated.

Maria knew they were going through a lot. It was expected. But she couldn't take it any longer. Her father came back finally. And she wasn't sure how to take it. Sure, she finally got the one person back she never thought she would see again. But he asked her to go to Miami, Florida with him. She hadn't even told Liz and Alex about this yet. All she kept thinking to herself was, how do you expect to be there for the good years when you weren't they're to help me through the bad years.

"I think I am going to go home … I don't feel so well." And with that Maria left the Crashdown. The last thing she needed at the moment was arguing in a group where no one would stick up for her. Not even Liz would. Even though she and Max weren't together, she still tended to side with him, not that, that wasn't expected.

When Maria got home, all the lights were off except for her mother's room. She already knew that Amy knew what her father asked her and she was planning on going to talk to her about it, but Amy was on the phone. And she didn't seem very happy.

"I just don't want Maria to make any of the mistakes I made as a child. I was 16 when I made the worst mistake of my life. Maybe she would be better off going with Charles." Amy said sadly. But in heart, she knew she could never mean it.

Maria's heart ached when she heard this. So no even her mother wanted her. Would anyone miss her if she left, maybe it would be better if she left. Maybe the life she always wanted was in Miami. Maria had always wanted to get out of this small town and go to a city. She knew her father was at the subway. If she wanted to go, she would have to do it now.

Maria got to her room and took out a duffel bag. In it she put 3 shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, 1 skirt, sox, and some under garments. She took out all the money she kept under her bead in her jewlery box out and also put that in. Before she left she put a small note on her bead explaining that she left. But it wouldn't be like anyone would read it.

*~*~*~*~*

The next day

Amy walked into the Crashdown with no facial expression at all. She was delivering some alien merchandise and a few pies but today was definitely a day she wanted to get over with, and as soon as possible. She was hoping to just drop off the items on the counter, but Liz got to her first.

"Hi Ms. De Luca, have you seen Maria, she was supposed to show up for her shift an hour ago, and she usually calls me when she is going to be late." Liz asked a little worried.

"She must not have told you." Amy replied sadly.

"She must not have told me … what?" Liz asked as she felt all of the color in her face drain out.

Amy just handed Liz the letter Maria left and watched as Liz's slight smile drooped towards a frown.

"She … left … for Miami." Liz asked confused.

"Yeah … um … her father came back and asked her to go with him." Amy replied sadly.

"Oh I see … so when will she be back … I mean, she wouldn't leave Roswell without saying goodbye would she?" Liz said hoping the answer would be soon.

"Liz, she doesn't plan on coming back." Amy said as she turned around and walked out the Crashdown.

"What's wrong with Amy … Liz, what's going on." Alex asked Liz.

"Maria left for Miami yesterday." Liz said trying to hold out the tears that were trying to creep out.

"Well … when will she be back … I mean, she will be back right?" Alex said in a monotone.

"I don't think so Alex." Liz replied as she went upstairs towards her room.

Alex couldn't believe it. Liz and Maria were his best friends. He just couldn't imagine not having someone babble all the time about her time at the mall. Or no one to turn to when Isabelle was ignoring him.

"What's going on?" Max asked as he and Isabelle walked up to Alex.

"Maria left!" Alex said sadly.

"What … when?" Isabelle asked confused.

"Yesterday." Alex replied.

Then Michael and Tess walked up to them. Michael then replied, "Well … when will she be back?"

"She's not coming back." Alex said. Then he walked out of the Crashdown leaving the other four alone.

"Oh my god, I can't believe this is happening." Isabelle replied in shock.

"She didn't even say good bye." Michael said bewildered more to himself then everyone else.

*~*~*~*~*

Meanwhile back in Miami, the bus finally arrived.

"Well Maria … we are here … you don't look so happy." Charles said.

"Oh … I am, it will just take a little getting used to without my friends from Roswell. That's all. I am glad I will be where I am wanted.

"I'm sorry I left all those years ago!" Charles replied looking at the hot beach.

"It's ok … you came back … that's the point." Maria replied smiling for the first time since she had left.

*~*~*~*~*

Many months had past. Maria called her mom every now and then and called Liz every few months. But after a year had past, they stopped calling each other. Liz, Max, Isabelle, Alex, Michael, and Tess eventually grew apart. They still held meetings, but it was more of the aliens on one side, and the humans on the other.

Maria on the other hand was living a great life. Her father was married and she had 1 little sister and 2 older brothers. All of them were apparently her half brother and sisters. Even her stepmother seemed to like her. She had a great time at the beach and even made some new friends. But none of them were nearly as close to her as Liz and Alex were. And never once did she slip on Max, Michael, Isabelle, and Tess's secret. Even though many kids asked about aliens since she came from Roswell. Living in a big city had many advantages. There were a lot more places to sing and Charles helped promote her singing. Many people seemed to like her and that made her happy.

At age 18, she graduated from high school. Her new family was there. Charles, her stepmother Donna, her older brothers David and Devin, and her 12 year old sister Jennifer. It was one of the happiest days of her life. But something was missing. She was supposed to graduate with her best friends, with Liz and Alex, and even Michael. But she didn't even know if Michael had graduated, or even if he was still alive.

She ended up going to the University of Miami, Florida. She was majoring in both music and psychology. Wow if only Liz could see her now, a psyche major, no way, not Maria De Luca. She missed her friends so much. And even though she loved the family she thought she would never get, something was missing.

"Maria … why don't you go back." Donna asked Maria.

"What … back to Roswell?" Maria asked.

"I know you miss it there. And you're old enough to live on your own. You could easily transfer to Roswell University." She replied.

"I know … but what about you, and Jennifer?" Maria asked again.

"We'd be fine, and Jennifer would love to see Roswell, she could visit sometime!" Donna said.

"I know … and I want to go … I just don't know!" A 19-year Maria said while looking at a picture of her, Michael, Liz, Max, Alex, and Isabelle.

"I think you do!" Donna pushed at her.

And with that, Maria decided to move back. It had been forever since she had seen Amy. And Roswell University of New Mexico excepted her easily. Now all Maria had to do was get on the sub-way that headed to Roswell and she was off.

*~*~*~*~*

It was a hot day when Maria arrived back on the desert floor of Roswell. She had a pair of sunglasses and was glad to be home. She called Amy and informed her she was coming back. Maria was wearing a back leather skirt with boots that laced up to her knees. A red leather tank top, and a black leather jacket that went down to her knees. She was definitely living large and letting it show.

Her hair was curly now. More natural looking and to the middle of her back. She had a duffel bag in one hand and a mini purse in the other. The first place she would go was The Crashdown. She doubted that Liz still worked there. But chances were she still lived there, so maybe she would catch a glimpse of her. Roswell hadn't changed much, a few buildings here and there, but everything was basically the same.

She walked up to the Crashdown. It too looked the same. And walked inside, and the theme song chimed, but no one looked up or acknowlaged her presence, probably because they couldn't here Close Encounters playing in the background do to the fact it was very busy. But sure enough there was Liz in her waitress outfit, and she was even laughing with Alex. Liz's hair was a little shorter, but Alex looked exactly the same. They didn't even look up. But Liz glanced quickly in Maria's direction. And just sort of stared at her. She wasn't sure if it was Maria, with the curly hair and sunglasses, it didn't look like Maria at all. But when Maria took off her sunglasses, Liz knew for sure, Maria had returned!

"Maria!" Liz whispered to herself.

"What … where." Liz said as she finally grabbed Alex's attention. He then turned around to see Maria walking slowly towards them.

Maria walked right up to Liz and dropped her duffel bag and opened her arms up for a hug from Liz. "I missed you so much." Maria said.

Then she went to hug Alex, "How have you been Alex."

"Good … I mean wow … look at you, you look great!" He said staring big eyed at her.

"Thanks … you don't look so bad your self. So how are my two favorite people in the world?" Maria asked happily.

"Great now that you're here … Maria … are you staying, or is this just a visit?" Liz asked.

"I'm stayin Babe!" She replied.

Maria then heard her mother and Sheriff Valentie walk in. They were laughing and he had his arm around her shoulder. Kyle wasn't too far behind them.

"Maria … your back … I am so happy to see you!" Amy said as she ran to hug Maria.

"Me to mom … what is that on your finger?" Maria asked confused as she looked at the ring that was on her mom's left ring finger.

"Don't tell me she didn't tell you … looks like we are going to be brother and sister!" Kyle replied.

"You're kidding me right?" Maria laughed. This was going to be one hell of a trip home.

"Nope … me and your mom are tying the not!" Sheriff Valentie said!

"Look … I am glad to see everyone but I really must get going … I have to go sign some papers for living at the dorms over at Roswell University." Maria said as she grabbed her bag.

This day wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She was glad to see that her mother was happy and that she hadn't lost her best friends. But what happened to Isabelle, Michael, Max, and Tess. She was glad she didn't see them, but she hoped nothing had happened to them. But she wasn't ready to face any of them. Not yet anyway.

*~*~*~*~*

Maria had finally unpacked everything she brought. Her dorm was nice. Luckily, she got a room that no one was in. Sooner or later she figured that she would have a roommate. But today wasn't that day. After words she figured she would go back to the Crashdown and see if she could get her old job back. Something had to pay the rent.

As Maria walked in, she totally forgot about the fact that her alien friends might be there. She had changed into more comfortable cloths. A black tank top and brown leather pants. She walked in and right away noticed Liz and Kyle talking. What she didn't notice was that Max and Isabelle were sitting at a booth, and Max had a clear view of her as she walked in.

"Oh my god … Isabelle, look who's back!" Max said shocked.

Isabelle turned around to see Maria walking up to Liz and talking to her, "Is that Maria?"

"Yeah … I think it is … she looks different." Max replied.

"I wonder if Michael knows she is back … I wonder if he told Kelly about Maria!" Isabelle said in a low voice.

Meanwhile, Maria and Kyle were arguing.

"No Kyle … I am not changing my last name to Valentie. That's just … wrong." Maria replied sarcastically.

"Oh common Maria … can't you be traditional?" Kyle replied back, pretending to beg.

"When have you ever known me to be traditional?" Maria asked smirking.

"Good question." Kyle replied.

Maria had already asked Liz for her old job back and Liz had already agreed, "You know Maria your shift starts in 5 minutes."

Liz led Maria back to the changing room. Just when they left, Michael, Tess, and Kelly walked in. Michael obviously didn't know about Maria but Kyle decided it would be best if he got out of there. Everyone was looking at Isabelle and Max who weren't saying much, but they could tell something was up!

"What's wrong?" Tess asked Max.

"Nothing." He replied quickly.

"You guys looked like you just saw a ghost!" Michael replied dryly.

"We minus well have." Isabelle said under her breath.

"What?" Michael asked.

"Nothing." Isabelle shook it off.

Everyone sat down including Kelly. Some how she felt out of place. She had been included in the group for the past 3 months. But for some reason she felt she hadn't learned everything. They didn't believe her at first when she told them she was one of them, but Michael seemed quick to believing her. That was one of the things that attracted her to him.

All of the sudden Max noticed Liz coming out of the back room laughing. She then proceeded to pull Maria out also and they were laughing together.

"So, you'll cover the right side and I got the left … just like old times right?" Maria asked as they turned towards where the other 5 were. Immediately Maria saw them, all-staring at her like she was a ghost. She instinctively caught Michael's eye and they held each other's gaze for a while. She was stunned. She hadn't expected to see them so soon. Especially all at once. She didn't expect to deal with Michael right away either. But they were at her table, and she had to serve them.

"Oh my god Maria … I totally forgot Max and Isabelle were here when you're arrived." Liz whispered to Maria.

"You mean they were here when I got here." Maria whispered as she walked towards their table.

"Your back." Isabelle said in a monotone. She was shocked and excited all at the same time. But she was concerned for Michael, she thought he got over her when he started dating Kelly, but by the way he was looking at her, he still had feelings he never resolved.

"Uh … yeah, I've been back … a while now." Maria said as she broke the eerie silence that fell before them.

"Good to see you back Maria." Max said trying to force a smile.

"It's good to be back." Maria replied, "Uh … can I get you guys anything?" Maria asked staring at her notebook.

"We'll have the usual … Will Smith bur …" Tess started to say

"I remember!" Maria said and then she smiled.

"Yeah well it was nice to meet you … uh Maria is it … but Michael and I have to head to the movies now!" Kelly smiled.

"Movies?" Maria choked out.

"Yeah … um Kelly, and I … are sort of … together." Michael said as he quickly grabbed Kelly's arm and took her out of the Crashdown.

"Ok … I guess I'll um … be back with your orders then." Maria let out as she watched Michael leave.

She quickly took their orders and fled to the break room. This was supposed to be expected, she kept telling herself. Even she dated a little. Turner had helped her adjust. But they had a fight and broke up right before she moved out here. She never loved him like she did Michael. Then she started remembering the things that everyone said to her before she left. Liz finally told her that they hadn't been as good as friends after she left and that she was sorry she didn't stick up for Maria.

Maria was tired and just decided to call it a night and told Liz she felt sick. Liz understood and Maria drove home. What she didn't expect was someone waiting in her dorm for her.

"Turner … what are you doing here?" She asked as she walked in her room.

"We didn't exactly finish things off very well in Miami." He replied walking up to her.

"I know." She replied looking at her feet.

"I'm sorry Maria … I just want you to listen to me!" He said lifting her chin up.

"Not right now Turner." She replied sadly.

"I just …" He started to say.

"Look, I am just getting used to it here. And I don't want to deal with anything right now. So if you don't mind." Maria said as she pointed towards the door. Turner nodded and walked out the door. This discussion would have to wait another day.

*~*~*~*~*

* Knock * * Knock *

"Hello … Maria?" Michael asked confused as he saw her standing there.

"Hey." She said dryly looking at him. It had been way to long since she saw his face.

"What are you doing here." Michael asked harsher then he had meant to.

"I … I needed to talk to you." She said in a low voice.

"About what." Michael asked looking at her.

"About you and …" Maria started to say.

Then Kelly walked up in one of Michael's shirts. She was a tall blonde with gray eyes. And her skin wasn't much lighter than Isabelle's, "We have company Michael?" She asked as she saw Maria standing there.

"Maybe I came at a bad time." Maria said feeling hurt and embarrassed.

"Yeah … I guess so." Michael said as he watched her leave. This was definitely not one of his better nights.

*~*~*~*~*

Maria didn't have to return to work for two more days. But it gave her a lot of time to think. Luckily she didn't see Turner. She kept herself pretty busy. She helped her mom pick out a wedding dress on Saturday. Then she and Alex went to the mall on Sunday. She knew Michael was seeing Kelly, she just didn't realize how close they had gotten. She and Michael had never gotten that far, hell, she was still a virgin.

"Hello Maria … earth to Maria … sorry couldn't resist." Liz said waving a pencil in front of Maria's face while laughing a little.

"Oh … sorry!" Maria replied smiling.

"Thinking about Michael?" Liz asked.

"Oh … no! What about you, what happened to you and Max." Maria asked trying to change the subject.

"We um … I guess we grew apart. We don't even talk much anymore. Alex and I haven't been involved in one of the "meetings" in over a year now!" Liz replied dryly.

"Sorry!" Maria replied.

Just then Michael walked up behind Liz, "Can I please talk to Maria alone?" Michael asked Liz.

"Sure … I just go back to my room." Liz said as she started climbing the stairs.

"I thought I should explain to you about … the other night." Michael said never keeping his eyes off of her.

"Michael … there is nothing to explain to me." Maria said a little sadly.

"No … I blew you off, and I shouldn't have." He said sadly.

"It's ok … really, you have your own life Michael, and I moved on with mine … in Miami." She said as she turned to walk away.

But Michael grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him. She could smell the shampoo he used and she had to admit, she missed being this close to him. But she could tell that this wasn't going to end very well.

"You left without even saying good bye Maria … why?" Michael asked confused.

"I honestly didn't think anyone would care." Maria replied in a low, shriveled voice.

"Maria, what made you think that?" Michael asked sounding a little hurt.

"You Michael, you and everyone else. You ignored me … and when I left, no one even bothered to stop me to see if I was ok." Maria said getting a little angry.

"I said some stupid things Maria … but I never wanted you to leave." He said getting a little raled up.

"Then why didn't you stop me? Why didn't you go to Miami to find me? If you really cared, you would have tried harder to get me back Michael. Now let me go!" She yelled back at him.

She went through the double doors and then saw Turner sitting at one of the tables. Michael was still apparently working there because he took his usual place behind the counter in the kitchen, still keeping an eye on her. She then proceeded to walk up to where Turner was sitting.

"What are you doing here Turner?" Maria asked still a little angry.

"We need to talk Maria." He replied trying to hold his composure.

"Not right now … I am working!" She replied trying not to let her voice break.

"Right now is the perfect place!" He said getting up standing right up to her face.

Michael immediately felt jealousy arousing in him. But there was something different, he didn't like this guy and he could tell that he was scaring Maria, so he walked up to where they were.

"Every thing ok here?" Michael asked.

"Yeah … it's fine … Michael this is Turner … he is a uh … a friend from Miami." She said as she took her wrist out of his hand.

"I'd say we were more than just friends Maria." He said bodily.

"Back off." Michael said as he stepped in between them.

"What … are you her body guard?" Turner asked angrily.

"Stop it you two … look Michael, I can handle this, just go away." She said angrily.

Michael gave up and went back to where he was before. But he still never took his eyes off of Maria.

"Who was that guy?" Turner asked annoyed.

"That was my ex-boyfriend Michael. Now there is nothing to talk about Turner … so I would suggest that you leave."

"What about us Maria." He asked.

"There is no us Turner … not now anyway." She said starting to leave.

"It's because of him … isn't it?" He asked getting upset again.

"No … It's cause I don't have time for this … so leave Michael out of it." She said again.

"I could see it as you two walked out. And the way he was protecting you. He still wants you Maria … and I can tell that part of you wants him." He said as he then turned around and walked out the door. Part of her new he was correct. But Michael didn't want her. Not the way she wanted, they way she needed. And that was killing her inside!

*~*~*~*~*

Meanwhile Turner walked to his car and pulled out a cell phone. He knew Maria was hiding something from him the entire time, but he never knew that she was friends with the Royal 4. Or used to be anyway. This was going to work to his advantage in the long run after all.

"Hello … Jamison … it's Turner." Turner said checking his surroundings to make sure know one was listening.

"What did you find?" Jamison asked on the other line.

"Maria … and she knows the Royal 4." He said showing a mischievous smile.

"Good … get to know more about them … use Maria if you have to." He replied.

"Ok … and I know just the way to do it!" Turner replied and then got into his car.