"So who was the Turner guy I saw you with earlier?" Liz asked as she helped Maria put up some of the chairs.
"He's an old boyfriend from Miami … that's all." Maria said nonchalantly.
"What did he want?" Liz asked again.
"He wants me back I guess." Maria replied dryly.
"Well?" Liz asked as she started to get excited.
"I don't know … I mean, we had fun together and all … but there is something about him I can't put my finger on … something just doesn't seem right!" Maria said.
"Well … you're the psyche major, I'll take your word for it." Liz said as they closed up the Crashdown.
*~*~*~*~*
Meanwhile Max, Tess, and Isabelle gathered at the Valentie's. Tess had been getting strange visions of them being chased. Last year her powers grew stronger and she had the ability to see bits and peace's of the future. Nothing big, but when it happened, it happened big, and usually gave her one hell of a headache!
"Well what did you see?" Max asked Tess.
"I saw all of us … running, I can't remember much." Tess said as she put her head on her head.
"Who were we running from … did anyone get hurt? Was Michael, you, me and Isabelle there?" Max asked.
"No … you don't understand … I saw all of us … us for including Maria, Liz, Alex, and Kyle." She replied in agony.
"Them also … what would they want with them?" Isabelle asked worried.
"I don't know … but I think it's time we all talked!" Max replied.
*~*~*~*~*
Everyone gathered at the Crashdown. Liz's parents were out of town, so everyone gathered in the back room. The humans didn't know why they were called here. Kyle had never been to any of the meetings, but Tess was living with him and the Sheriff. So this involved him now.
"So you're saying that you saw all of us in your vision?" Kyle asked confused.
"Yes … all of us." She replied.
"What was happening?" Maria asked. She could feel Michael's eyes on here. She had a green neon dress on, and Michael couldn't help looking how short the dress looked on her. She was apparently planning to go to a club.
"We were being cased in a run down building." She replied.
"Was Kelly there?" Liz asked. For some reason she was glad Kelly didn't come. And she could tell Maria was also glad.
"No … I didn't see her." She replied.
"But the skins haven't attacked us in over a month. Do you think they are planning something?" Isabelle asked.
"I don't know … but right now we should probably keep a low profile … all of us." Max said as he pointed his gaze towards Liz.
"Yeah … you're probably right. Maybe Maria should stay here … she is the only one who isn't living with anyone and I don't think she should travel across town." Liz replied.
"That's a good idea." Alex stepped in.
"I guess I can … I always kept some cloths here just in case." She replied looking back at Liz.
"Ok … we will try to meet back here sometime tomorrow. Just be careful everyone!" Max said as he, Isabelle, Tess, and Michael left.
*~*~*~*~*
Maria woke up the next day on the couch in the break room. She didn't have to work today, so she was going to enjoy her day off. Maria manly watched TV and listened to some music. Then she decided to get up around 4:00. Liz said that she could welcome herself to anything in the kitchen so Maria got up, but when she turned the corner, Trevor was face to face with her.
"God Trevor … you virtually gave me a heart attack." Maria said groggily.
"Is now a good time to talk?" He said smiling at her.
"Well no … no it isn't … I just woke up … I am tired, this is my day off, I wasn't planning on seeing anyone." Maria started to say.
"Maria … quit babbling." Trevor said laughing a little.
"I always babble when I am upset." She replied trying to sound angry.
"You look cute when you're mad." He said pulling a strand of hair out of her eyes.
"What do you want Trevor?" Maria asked.
"I wanted you to give me another chance Maria." He said as he walked up to her so they were standing face to face. She really did like him. He had irresistible blue eyes and his blonde hair was in his face a little. The look she always loved.
"I don't know." She said looking back at the floor again.
"I never cared about Rita. She was my ex-girlfriend. Maria … I came all the way out to New Mexico to find you … doesn't that mean anything?" He asked her with his puppy eyes melting her heart.
"But I thought I saw you with her." Maria replied trying not to remember that memory.
"No … I wasn't … she saw you coming and kissed me, but you know I didn't kiss her back, I pushed her off me right away Maria." He said. Maria was starting to believe him again.
"Trevor … I do believe you … I just don't know if I … gosh … I …" Maria started to say.
"One chance Maria … you said that you had the day off … so let me take you somewhere … there was a dance club a few blocks away … Maybe we can go there?" He asked her.
Maria didn't respond at first, she just looked back it his soulful eyes. The first time she saw him was in school and he was staring at her with those big eyes of his. They had argued the rest of her junior year but he finally fussed up that he had a huge crush on her. She never forgot those eyes.
"Maria … come on!" He said pretending to beg now.
Maria gave a slight smile then said, "Ok … give me a half hour … you can wait in the Crashdown."
"Good!" He smiled back at her. She soon ran up the stairs and he smiled to himself when he was sure she was gone, "This is going to be easier than I thought!"
*~*~*~*~*
Maria went up into Liz's room. She always left some cloths at Liz's since she used to spend the night all of the time here before she left. She had everything from P-Jays, to school cloths, and even Party cloths. They hardly went out, but there was that one time there was a party over at the school. It was the perfect out fit.
She ended up putting on a black plaid leather skirt that was about 6 inches above her knees. The shirt she found was a silver spaghetti strapped shirt with shimmered under the right light and showed a little of her stomach. She took out the black plat form boots that reached just under her knees and tied them up. Next she got her hair and wrapped it up in a messy French braid but let little strands poke out. Part of the strands spilled over the right side of her face. Finally she was ready.
*~*~*~*~*
Turner sat in the Crashdown and waited for Maria. He never really cared about her. I mean, she was beautiful and he was sure he could have a lot of fun with her, but he never wanted to get to attached to her. In high school it was a little crush that continued, but he still had a duty. If he had fun in the process, more power to him.
Soon Turner's phone rang and he picked it up, "Jamison?"
"Did you find anything out?" Jamison asked.
"No … but I am taking Maria out … I figure that it won't be hard from there." Turner said as an evil grin spread across his face.
"Don't have to much fun Turner." He answered.
"Don't worry … I will." Turner laughed and then hung up.
*~*~*~*~*
Michael's shift started in a few minutes so he went to the back room to change and get his things together. As soon as he changed his shirt Maria came down the stairs. God why did he have to look at her, the minute he looked his eyes met hers and they held each other's gaze instantly. She was amazingly beautiful. More then ever he just wanted to touch her, to feel that spark they once had.
"What are you doing here?" Michael asked as he tried to lower his eyes towards the floor. Big mistake, he was much safer looking at her face then the position he was in now, his eyes dropped to the position of skin that shown through the break between her clothing and her shirt. More than everything he wanted to see more of her, to touch her, but he had to keep his eyes of that thought.
"Actually I was just about to leave." Maria responded as she started to leave.
"Where?" Michael asked.
"No where … look, I was going out tonight." She answered. She didn't want to say anything about Turner.
"With Turner?" He asked suspiciously.
Maria didn't answer him at first but looked into his eyes and she could tell he already knew, "Yes."
"Maria … Max said we are supposed to keep a low profile … I don't think you should be going out tonight." Michael said as he started to walk towards her.
"Your jealous." She replied almost laughing to her self.
"I am not jealous … I just don't want to see anything happen to you." He replied.
"What difference does it make … just because you don't like Turner doesn't give you the right to tell me what to do." Maria replied angrily.
"I am not jealous … remember, I'm with Kelly … you want to go out with Turner, fine do it … go." He yelled at her.
Maria was hurt by what he said, "Fine!"
She then proceeded to go out the door and Michael ran out after her but Turner got to her first. He quickly put his arm around her and led her to the door. In a few seconds they left and Michael realized Maria was right. He was jealous!
*~*~*~*~*
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Tess screamed as a whole bunch of images came pounding in her brain. But this was different, this time she could actually hear little bits of what was happening, and that had never happened before. First she saw Maria being chased down the hall in an old building. Then she saw a man chasing after some shadow and from behind him she heard a man calling after him saying, "Don't let her get away Turner." And finally she saw Maria getting badly beat up by the same guy.
"Tess what happened?" Max asked as he shook her.
"Oh my god … I can't it's … god, it's so confusing." She said crying because her head was killing her.
"Come on … try … what did you see?" Isabelle begged her.
"I saw … Maria!" Tess choked out.
"You saw Maria … Tess … what the hell was happening." Michael asked angrily.
"When did Maria leave Michael?" Liz asked him.
"She left about an hour ago with Turner!" Michael replied confused.
"Turner … did you just say Turner?" Tess asked frantically.
"Yes … why … did he hurt her?" Michael asked worried.
"Michael where were they going?" Tess asked as her head started to calm down.
"Was he hurting her?" He yelled at Tess.
"Yes Michael damn it … he was hurting her … now where the hell did she say she was going, why might be able to get there in time!" Tess yelled back at him. But she fell back in her sleep as it caused her head to ache even more.
"She was going to the new dance club a few blocks away … we got to go after her." Michael said as he started running towards the door. Everyone else followed after him and Max and Liz helped Tess to her feet. Michael was going to find Maria … then he was going to kill Turner.
*~*~*~*~*
Maria was having a great night. She loved dancing in the dance floor and Turner had his hands all over her. They were currently dancing in the middle of the song Case of the Ex by Mya, which happened to be Maria's favorite song. Right when it ended a slow song began so Turner got closer to her just as Back at One began to play. Maria liked just dancing there. It felt great. But for some reason she kept thinking that it would be better if she was in Michael's arms right now.
"You having fun Maria?" Turner asked her.
"Yeah … this was better than I thought it would be." Maria said in a low, tired voice.
"Do you wanna have some more fun." He played with her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Maria asked confused as she pulled her head off his shoulder to look at him in the eye.
"There were some rooms in the back of the club … we could go there to be alone!" He said trying to push her in that direction.
"Look Turner … I don't think I'm ready." She said doubtfully.
"Sure you are Maria." He said as he started to pull her arm. Just then Music began to play and everyone was so caught up in dancing that they didn't even notice Turner pulling her towards the other direction.
"Let me go!" She looked at him scared.
But he dragged her into a room where no one else was. It was an older part of the building she could tell.
"I just want to have a little fun Maria … oh … there is someone I want you to meet … this is Jamison." He smiled at her.
"What do you want from me?" She said just barely enough for him to here.
"We don't want you stupid … we are using you to get to the Royal 4!" Jamison said to her as he got right up in her face.
"Your skins aren't you?" Maria said as she started backing up.
"Your smarter than you look Maria." Turner said as he started to walk towards her.
"They're not stupid you know … they will figure out what you're doing and Michael is going to kill you!" She said looking at Turner.
"We want them to figure it out … they will be walking right where we want them to … and then I will get you." He said as he stroked her chin.
"Not if I can help it!" She said as she kicked him and then ran out a door that was behind her. She quickly threw whatever she could behind her to try to slow them down, but she knew they would catch her eventually if she didn't think of something.
*~*~*~*~*
Max, Michael, Liz, Alex, Isabelle, Tess, and Kyle walked into the dance club and Tess knew this was the place. She quickly saw a room that looked like it was about to be remolded and knew that, that was where Maria had been.
"This way!" Tess said confidently.
"Are you sure?" Alex asked worried.
"Yes … but we don't have much time!" Tess said.
"If you're wrong Tess … I swear I'll kill you myself." Michael said looking at her with his piercing eyes.
"I am right." She said as she began to run in that direction.
They quickly got there only to find it empty but Michael could sense she was there earlier, maybe even a few minutes ago. They looked at a door that was still swinging open, they just missed her. There were things scattered everywhere so they were guessing that she tried to escape.
"She went this way!" Michael said as he ran towards the door.
"How do you know?" Max asked.
"I don't know … I just do." Michael replied.
*~*~*~*~*
Maria kept running as fast as she could. She didn't stop for anything and didn't dare turn back. Anything that was in front of her she threw behind her. But her stomach was killing her.
"Damn it Turner … don't you dare let her get away!" Jamison yelled from behind them. He was pretty close, so Turner must have been right behind her.
"Don't worry … it dead ends up there!" He yelled back. And sure enough he was right, there was a wall in front of her. All she could do was stop and turn around only to find herself face to face with Turner.
"Thought you could get way did you!" Turner said and then he hit her causing her to fall to the ground.
"Get up Maria!" He said as he picked her up only to hit her again.
Just then Michael ran in and not far behind was the others. Michael saw Maria … she looked hurt so badly. She looked barely conscious, like she was about to faint. And all of the sudden Turner pulled out a knife and put it to Maria's throat.
"Let her go … it's us you want." Michael said pleading with them.
"Michael's it's a trap." She said barely able to speak.
"Shut up … come one more step closer and she dies." He said holding the knife closer to her throat.
Michael put up his hand about to cause and energy blast when he heard some noise behind them and turned only to find Kelly.
"Now Michael … if you did that … you would end up killing Maria also." Kelly said laughing.
"You're a skin, aren't you." Michael asked angrily.
"Smart boy … took you long enough!" She said shacking her head.
"I'm gonna kill you!" He said looking at her straight in the eye.
"I highly doubt that." She said as she put her hand up causing Liz and Alex to go flying against the wall.
"Liz!" Max said as he saw Liz land on the floor. He quickly put his hand up causing a small fireball to come out making Kelly catch on fire. Isabelle then joined in with her energy blast. While this was happening, it distracted Jamison and she sent a fireball towards him causing him to turn to dust. Turner instinctivly let Maria go and proceeded to throw an energy blast at Michael, but Maria hit him before she fainted. Michael then threw and energy blast at him and he turned to dust also.
*~*~*~*~*
Michael went to check on Maria at her dorm the next day. He brought some flowers with him and some Aspirin because he figured she would have a major headache. He knocked on the door and she answered, she had a small bruise on her head but other than that, she looked beautiful.
"How you feeling?" He asked her.
"I could be better!" She said as she led him inside.
"Maria … I am sorry for everything!" He said looking at the floor.
"It's ok Michael … I am fine … and your alive, that's all that matters." She said forcing a smile.
"I almost lost you Maria … I couldn't handle loosing you again." He replied walking up to her.
"I was stupid Michael … I should have trusted you about Turner!" She said as a tear slid down her face.
"No … I was stupid … for ever letting you go in the first place!" He said as he lifted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. When Maria thought about it, his eyes were so much more beautiful than Turner's ever were.
"Michael … what are you saying?" She asked as she felt a little bit of hope creep up.
"I want to be with you … to touch you … I should have never let you left!" Michael said as he walked a little closer so they were just inches away.
"Then don't Michael." She said and smiled up at him. He then kissed her. It had been over 2 years since they had kissed. Way to long. She missed him so much, just being here with him. He never should have let her go, being with her was the best thing in his life. He then deepened the kiss and touched like he had so longed to do. "I love you Maria." He finally said 2 and a half years after the first time he said it. "I love you to Michael." She said saying it to him for the first time ever.
*~*~*~*~*
Maria watched as her mom walked town the aisle towards Jim Valentie. She wasn't going to change her name no matter how much Kyle bugged her. But she was happy to see her mom happy, and to have Michael standing by her side holding her hand as they watched her mother in one of the happiest days of her life.
"I now pronounce you man and wife … you may kiss the bride!" The preacher said.
"Finally!" Amy spoke up as Jim kissed her.
"Ok Mrs. Valentie … it's now time for you to toss the bouquet." Liz said hoping it would land in her hands.
"Ok … here goes nothing." She said as she turned around and tossed it behind her.
Just when Maria looked up, it landed in her hands and she started laughing.
"Maria you know what this means … you're the next to get married … its tradition." Liz said giving Maria a little nudge.
"But Liz … you know I never follow tradition." Maria said sarcastically.
"Then maybe it's about time you did." Michael said as he pulled out a small black box.
"Maybe it is about time I did after all." She said beaming at the ring he placed on her finger.
The End.
