Author: Sarah Y.
Title: The Return
Disclaimer: I don't own Roswell or any of the characters.
Rating: PG-13
Category: Michael and Maria
NOTE: AU, Michael and the other alien's left the planet. Alex is still alive. Tess was never pregnant. Michael and Maria still slept together before he left earth. Everything else is pretty much the same.
Summary: Michael, Tess, Max, and Isabel come back to earth after being away for two years. Michael finds out Maria was raped after he left and she has a son
******Part 19******
Later that night Maria lay in bed when she heard the phone ring next to her bed. She picked it up.
"Hello."
"Maria?"
"Michael, Why are you calling me so late for?"
"I was kind of hoping you would come spend the night over her at our house."
"Michael it's not our house yet until tomorrow when we're married. And I'm not coming over there. It's tradition. You can't see me before the wedding."
"It's also tradition to have the kid after the wedding but that didn't happen."
"Michael Guerin I'm not coming over and that's final!"
"Please."
"No."
"Please!"
"No."
"Maria!"
"No!"
"Alright fine. You know what you did to me at Valenti's house wasn't very nice. I had to leave the house with one of Kyle's shirts tied around my waist. Then I had to take a cold shower when I got home."
"We'll you deserved it."
"I'm really sorry but it wasn't my idea. Are you really mad at me?"
"No, I just like torturing you."
"I love you too"
"I love you Michael. Now let me get some beauty rest. I need it for tomorrow."
"You don't need any help. Your already beautiful but I'll let you go."
"See you tomorrow."
"I'll be there," Michael said then hung up the phone.
The day of the wedding had finally arrived. The ceremony was to be held at a small church near town. It was decorated simply with a few roses and baby's breath here and there. Michael was already at the church. Max, Kyle, Jim, and Alex were there with him.
Maria and Dakota were still at the house they shared with Alex. The gang had already moved most of Maria and Dakota's things to Michael's house. She just had a few things that she needed for today. Maria had already fixed her hair and make-up. She tried on her dress one last time to make sure it fit perfectly. If any last minute changes needed to be done she could have Isabel fix them. Liz, Tess, and Isabel were supposed to meet Maria at the house to take her to the church and help her with any last minute details.
Maria looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She wanted to look perfect for Michael. She had waited so long for this day. Dakota was in the room with her and he started tugging at her wedding dress.
"Be careful Dakota. You don't want to ruin mommy's dress. I'm going to marry your daddy today. Do you know how lucky you are to have such a wonderful father?" Dakota nodded his head.
Maria turned to look back in the mirror.
"You look beautiful Maria." Maria felt a chill run through her spine as she heard the man's voice. She suddenly felt a hand go over her mouth. She tried to fight but he was too strong. After a minute of fighting him she finally passed out.
TBC...
***Part 20***
Tess, Isabel, and Liz finally arrived at Maria and Alex's place. They noticed the door was opened so they walked in.
"Maria, where are you?" Liz yelled.
"Maybe she's upstairs," Isabel said.
The girls walked upstairs and still didn't see her.
"Well she has to be here somewhere. Her car is still out front," Tess added.
They searched the entire house and couldn't find her.
"Maybe her mother picked her up."
"I don't think so Isabel. She asked us to come over here to get her. She would have called me if she changed her plans."
"Well it's worth a try Liz. I mean she couldn't have walked to the church."
Amy answered the phone.
"Hello."
"Amy, this is Liz. Is Maria with you?"
"No Liz I haven't seen her since yesterday. Is everything alright?"
"I'm sure everything's fine. Do me a favor and call me if you see or hear from her. You have my cell phone number right."
"Yes. And call me when you hear from her."
"I will. Bye."
Liz hung up the phone. "Amy hasn't heard from her. Where else could she be?"
"Let's call the church. Maybe Alex knows where she is at."
Isabel picked up the phone and dialed the church.
"Hello."
"Hi, Can I speak to an Alex Whitman?"
"Just a minute," the man said.
__________
"It's getting late Max. The girls should be here."
"Calm down Michael. I'm sure they'll be here soon."
"Is there an Alex Whitman here?" the man said interrupting the conversation.
"That's me," Alex answered.
"There's a woman on the phone for you. You can pick up the phone in here."
"Thanks."
"Hi, Isabel."
"Alex, do you know where Maria is?"
"No, isn't she at the house? I thought she was waiting there for you."
"She was supposed to but she's not here and we can't find her. We tried Amy's but she hasn't heard from her either."
"This doesn't make sense."
"We'll keep looking. Try to keep Michael calm."
"That won't be easy."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"What's wrong Alex?" Max asked.
"Nothing much. Maria's is going to be a little late."
"Alex tell me the truth. What aren't you saying?" Michael demanded.
"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Maria is sort of missing."
"What!" Michael screamed.
"Calm down Michael. I'm sure maybe she just went for a walk or something."
"Alex it's our wedding day and she's supposed to be here. Why would she stop and take a walk. Something's wrong."
Maria awoke in what appeared to be an abandoned house. There was no furniture in the house except a bed in the middle of the room. She looked around the room and couldn't find Dakota. Panicked she got up and started to leave the room and go to search for him. She was quickly stopped by a man at the door pushing her back. He had Dakota in his arms.
"Who are you and what do you want with us?" Maria asked trying to play dumb.
"You know perfectly well who I am. You tried to get your little boyfriend to get rid of me. But I remember everything."
Maria looked at Austin's face terrified for Dakota and herself.
******Part 21******
Michael was pacing back and forth in the church.
"Where is she Max? Why isn't she here? I've got to find her."
"I don't know where she is Michael but we'll find her. Somebody should stay here in case she comes back."
"I'll stay here and the rest of you can go look for her," Alex said.
"Michael I'll look with you and if anyone finds her you can call me on my cell phone," Max said looking at Valenti and Kyle.
Michael and Max drove around town looking for Maria. They even stopped by the Crashdown and when to the pod cave in case she went there.
Meanwhile Tess, and Isabel arrived at the church."
"Hey Alex, Is Maria here."
"No we still can't find her. Where's Liz?"
"She stayed at the house in case Maria called."
__________________________
Maria looked up at Austin who was talking to her.
"I know you planned on marrying that Michael guy and making him Dakota's daddy. He's mine. A child belongs with his father and mother."
Maria was defiantly scared of the look in his eyes and the way he was talking.
"Your wrong. Michael is Dakota's father. Not you."
"Stop lying!" Dakota started to cry.
"Please let me have Dakota. You're scaring him."
"Fine, shut him up!" Austin yelled handing him to Maria. "Dakota is mine! He loves me."
"You're delusional. Let me repeat this for you since you don't seem to understand. Michael is Dakota's father. Not you. Do you understand?"
"Stop saying that. All you ever do is lie. At first I didn't remember what happened at the bar that night a month ago. It's like I woke up the next day and I had been beaten so bad I almost died. Do you know how long I was in the hospital? But I finally started to remember. I couldn't figure out why that guy attacked me at the bar. Then I remembered the conversation we were having. It came back to me that I had talked about the night we slept together."
"You mean the night you raped me?"
"You know you wanted it just as much as I did!"
Maria started to cry remembering that night. She would never get over it but Michael's coming back had started to make the pain go away. Now her nightmare was coming back.
"I didn't want you! I hate you."
"You came on to me. You wanted me. Anyway, I remembered your name from High School so I found your address in the phone book. I found out you had a child. My son. How could you not tell me we had a son?"
"He's not your son."
"He's mine! And you know what else I found out while I was following you? I found out your boyfriends secret. I know he's an alien."
"What? You're not only delusional but your crazy. And you're a stalker."
"I know what I've seen and heard. I have been following you for a while now. I know he has powers. How could you betray the human race and marry an alien!"
"If what you say is true and it's of course not, what makes you think he won't find me with his so called powers and kill you?"
"Because you're going to take care of the problem for me."
"I don't think so."
"You will. Because if you don't I will turn Michael over to the FBI. You've seen those alien autopsy videos haven't you? Just think of what they would do to Michael."
"They would never believe you."
"Maybe not. But do you want to take the chance. His slow painful death would be your fault."
Maria remembered the things Max went through when he was in the white room. He had continuous nightmares about his time there and what they did. He was only there a short time. It made her sick to think of what they would have done to him if he had not been rescued. She couldn't let that happen to Michael.
"What do you want me to do?" Maria asked still cradling Dakota in her arms.
"I want you to call Michael and tell him it's over. That you left him for good and don't want to see him ever again."
"He would never believe me. He knows I love him to much to ever do that."
"Then you better be convincing. Otherwise Michael belongs to the FBI."
Maria was crying now. She couldn't believe just a little while ago she was preparing for a wedding. Now she was going to have to give her life away to a madman to save Michael from the FBI. Austin left the room for a moment.
Maria looked at the angel she held in her arms. "If you have any of your daddy's powers now would be a good time to use them. Tess's mind warp must have worn off on Austin. We can't stay with him but I'm going to have to stall him for a while and do what he wants until I can come up with a plan."
Austin came back to the room and Maria quickly shut up. He had a phone in his hand. "You are going to call Michael now. And remember if you make any attempt to ever leave me or take my son from me Michael's life will be as good as dead."
Maria wiped the tears from her eyes. She had to be convincing to Michael in order to keep him safe.
The gang had been looking for Maria for three hours now. Max drove Michael to his apartment to check and see if there was any sign of Maria. As soon as Michael stepped in the house the phone rang. Michael ran to the phone and picked it up.
"Maria?"
"Michael."
******Part 22******
"Maria where are you? We've been looking everywhere."
"Michael I'm really sorry."
"It's alright Maria. Just tell me where you are and I'll pick you up. We can still get married."
"No you don't understand. I'm sorry but I can't marry you."
"All right we don't have to get married today. I'll come pick you up and you can stay at my place."
"Michael. It's over. I don't want to be with you anymore."
"What?"
"Michael it's just all happening so fast."
"Fine Maria. We'll slow things down. We don't have to get married."
"You still don't understand. I've left Roswell with Dakota and we're not coming back."
"No! He's my son. You can't take him away from me."
"Michael I'm doing this for you."
"How can you say that? Maria I love you and I know that you love me."
"No, I don't."
"Maria, why are you saying this? Please Maria come home. I love you. I'll do anything you want me to do. Maria I'm begging you. Please, don't leave me. I need you. You're the only person who's ever wanted me and without you and Dakota I have nothing," Michael could barely get out the words because he was sobbing so hard.
"Michael, I'm so sorry." Maria was now in tears.
Suddenly Michael heard the phone click off.
"That's enough Maria." Austin said after he slammed the phone down and unplugged it. "You better have convinced him it's over for his sake and yours."
"You sick bastard."
"Is that anyway to talk to the father of your child." Austin turned and walked out of the room leaving Maria and Dakota alone.
______________________________________________
Max saw his friend slumped over on the floor still hanging on to the phone. He could see the overwhelming flood of tears on his face.
"Michael, What did Maria say?"
"Just leave Max."
"No, I can't leave you like this."
"Maria said it's over. She left Roswell. Are you happy? Get the hell out of my apartment." Michael got off the floor and physically threw Max out of the apartment.
"Michael, don't do this!" The door slammed shut in Max's face. He had no choice but to leave. He would find the others and see what they could do. Something was defiantly wrong with Maria.
Michael turned back from the door and began throwing everything in sight. He trashed everything in his apartment, worse than the night he thought Alex was Dakota's father.
Michael continued hitting, kicking and throwing everything in his path until he reached a photo of Dakota. He picked it up in his cut hands and fell to the floor holding it in his arms. Michael continued to cry.
Later that night Max had gathered Tess, Alex, Kyle, and Liz at his house for a meeting.
"Michael got a phone call from Maria."
"Oh my god Max! Where is she? Is she okay?" Liz asked.
"Michael didn't tell me very much. Just that she said it was over between them and she was leaving Roswell."
"What? Why would she do that?"
"I don't have any clue Tess."
"Alex you've been the closest to her and you live together. Has she been acting strangely?"
"No Isabel. She has been so exited and happy to finally be back together with Michael. She wanted this wedding more than anything."
"So we all agree Maria didn't leave by choice. Something must have happened."
"So what do we do?" Tess asked.
"Isabel why don't you try dream walking Maria. Maybe you can find out where she is?"
"I'll try."
"Please Isabel. It's the only hope we have of finding her," Liz begged.
Liz gave Isabel a photo of Maria from her wallet and Alex went with Isabel to her bedroom. They lay on the bed and Alex rubbed Isabel's back while she fell asleep. After an hour Isabel finally got into Maria's head.
"Maria?"
"Isabel? What are you doing here?"
"Maria, what's wrong? Are you in some sort of trouble?"
"No, Isabel. I just had to get away."
"Why Maria?"
"Just go Isabel."
"Why are you doing this to Michael? He loves you."
"It's none of your business Isabel. Just leave it alone. Look I didn't mean to hurt him. Tell him I'm sorry."
"Tell him yourself Maria."
"I can't. It's over."
Isabel could feel Maria pushing her from her dreams. Isabel awakened.
"Did it work?"
"Yes, but she said she wasn't in any trouble. She said she wanted to leave. I'm afraid Maria was telling Michael the truth. She didn't want to marry him."
"Isabel I know that isn't true she loves Michael and wants to be with him."
"I thought that to but Maria had no reason to lie to me in the dream. She was safe."
******Part 23******
The next day Isabel was shocked to find Michael knocking at her bedroom window. She opened it up and allowed him inside. It was then that she noticed the cuts and bruises on his arms.
"Michael what happened?"
"It's nothing."
"Michael did someone hurt you?"
"No. I trashed my apartment. I'm fine."
"No your not Michael. Let me help you." Isabel reached out to touch Michael's arms. He quickly retreated from her grasp.
"No! Isabel I came here to ask you for your help in finding Maria. I want you to try to get into her dreams."
Isabel looked away from Michael unable to meet his eyes. "I already did."
"Why the hell didn't you tell me? Where is she?"
"Michael she said she didn't want us to find her and that she was sorry for hurting you."
"Why did she lie about not loving me?"
"Michael I'm afraid that she was telling the truth. She doesn't want to be with you. I'm sorry."
"Look Isabel you don't know Maria. She wouldn't do this on her own free will. This is a woman that pursued me for two years. She never let me push her away. She fought for us and never gave up on me. I'm not going to give up on her!"
"Michael she had no reason to lie to me."
"Stop it Isabel! It was a mistake to come to you. I need your help but obviously I came to the wrong place."
Michael turned and climbed out her window.
"Michael! Come back!"
He didn't look behind him he just kept walking.
Meanwhile at the house where Austin was keeping Maria, she finally awoke with Dakota still in her arms.
"Daddy! Daddy!"
"It's alright Dakota. Daddy loves you. It won't be much longer. I'll think of a way out of this," Maria said trying to soothe Dakota's cries.
"I heard my son asking for me."
Maria looked up at Austin who had appeared in the room. "No, he was asking for Michael."
Austin ignored her words. "Look I know you didn't get your wedding day yesterday but I intend to change that. You're already dressed for the part." Maria was confused by his words. She noticed she was still in her wedding dress that she had bought to marry Michael. It was torn up and slightly dirty. No doubt from the struggle she had put up with Austin when he kidnapped her and Dakota.
"Anyway I meant by what I said about a son should be raised by both of his parents."
"Then you'll let me go back to Michael."
"No, you'll marry me."
"Your delusional again," Maria laughed.
"You will marry me!"
"No I won't!"
Austin left the room for a moment and then came back with a folder. He threw it at Maria.
"What is this?"
"Open it and see."
Maria opened the folder and was stunned to see surveillance photos of Michael, Dakota, and herself. It showed that he had been following them for a while. Maria was also alarmed to find a photo of the pod chamber. He had apparently followed Michael there.
"I have a copy of these in a safety deposit box so if anything happens to me they will be turned over to the FBI. For Michael's sake you better hope I live a very long life."
"Go to hell."
"You'll learn to love being my wife."
Austin laughed and then turned and left the room. Maria started crying again. This was getting worse by the second. She had to think of a way to get those photos back and get rid of Austin in the process.
"Liz, someone's here to see you."
"Alright mom I'm coming."
A minute later Liz came downstairs and was surprised to find Michael there.
"What do you need Michael?"
"Can I talk to you in private?"
"Sure."
Liz led him into the Crashdown. It was closed and no one was in there.
"Mom and Dad won't be disturb us in here."
"I guess you heard by now that Isabel dream walked Maria."
"Yes I did. I'm sorry Michael."
"Look you're her best friend. You know what she said was a lie. She loves me."
"I know Michael. I don't know why she lied to Isabel but I know how much she wanted this wedding. She wanted you all to be a family."
"I'm glad you think so. I need your help to find her."
"I'll do anything I can, Michael. So where should we start looking Michael?" Liz asked.
"First tell me everything that happened when you came over here the day of the wedding."
"Well Maria had called me the night before and told me to get Tess and Isabel and meet her at the house at 9:00. When I got there I noticed the door was opened so we went on in. I called for Maria and I couldn't find her. We searched the entire house and didn't see her. I called Amy to see if she heard from Maria and she said no so then Isabel called Alex."
"Was there anything unusual about the house?"
"All I can say is her car was still in the driveway and her wedding dress was gone. It looked like she had maybe caught a ride with someone else. Her makeup and curling iron were out on her dresser. It looked like she had been getting ready for the wedding. And as I said the door to the house was open when we arrived."
"So what could have happened?"
"Maybe she called a cab or something. She couldn't have walked wherever she was going."
Michael and Liz spent the whole day tracking down every cab in the area. They passed her picture around but no one recognized her. Michael even tried showing her picture to bus drivers and to people at airports but no one had seen her.
The weeks had passed and Michael had done everything he could think of in his power to find Maria. Michael was out of his mind with worry. Isabel showed up at his apartment one evening to try to speak to Michael. He answered the door.
"Michael." As soon as he saw Isabel at the door he tried to slam it in her face but she used her powers to open the door back up. Michael could have fought harder but at this point he didn't really care. Isabel noticed that he must have cleaned the apartment back up. The night Michael came to her he had told her he trashed the apartment. It was now spotless. It looked like a home and you could see a child's toy box in the corner. The house had been decorated with some of Mari's things. Dakota's pictures were hanging on the wall.
"Before the wedding we had moved most of Maria's and Dakota's things to the apartment. I was going to wait till she came home to let her decide where everything would go but I decided to get it ready for when they do come home. Do you think Maria will like it?"
"It looks beautiful Michael. She will love it."
"Isabel I know you don't believe that Maria didn't leave by her choice but I can't believe she would leave me of her own free will."
"Michael I don't know what to say. You know I was really shocked when Maria asked me to be her bridesmaid. We have never been the best of friends. In fact I actually used to hate her. I thought she was ditzy. But I think she asked me because she thought I was important to you. I accepted because I knew she was the only thing in the world that ever made you happy. I don't know Maria like you do. And if you have faith in her then I will to."
"Thank you Isabel."
******Part 24******
It had been a week since Austin kidnapped Maria. She was only allowed to stay in the bedroom of the house. Austin hadn't mentioned getting married again in that time and he had bought her sweatpants and a shirt to change into. Austin had made the mistake of making Maria cook their dinner one night.
Maria had cooked some chicken. Austin sat down to eat it and spit it out.
"What the hell is that?"
"It's chicken. I told you I couldn't cook."
"Too bad. You will only be allowed to eat what you cook. I on the other hand will buy my own food."
"What about Dakota?"
"You better learn to cook for his sake. What kind of mother are you anyway?"
_______________________________________
Throughout the week Isabel continued to try and dream walk Maria but Maria wouldn't let her in anymore. Alex decided to make missing posters for Maria on his computer. In the morning Alex, Isabel, Michael, Max, Liz, Kyle, and Tess had gotten together and were hanging the posters up around town. Kyle felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to find a woman standing there.
"Your Austin's friend right?" Kyle recognized her as the woman from the trailer park the night they went looking for Michael at Austin's place.
"Yes," Kyle said keeping up the lie.
"Look the next time you see that scumbag tell him I want my money back."
"What do you mean?" Kyle asked.
"That SOB left me a week ago. He wiped out my bank account and took all of my money with him. I wish I knew who beat him up that night I'd like to thank them. I don't know what I ever saw in that man."
The woman walked off leaving a dazed Kyle.
"Hey guys!" Kyle said yelling for the rest of the group.
"What is it?" Max asked.
"That woman was Austin's ex-girlfriend. She said he took off a week ago. The same time Maria disappeared. Do you think he might have had something to do with it?"
"Tess mind warped him. Why would he have taken her after all this time?" Isabel asked.
"Can the mind warp wear off Tess?"
"I don't know Liz. I guess it's possible."
"What happened that night between you and Austin?" Max asked looking at Michael.
"Austin was drunk and I got him to admit what he did to Maria that night. He said she wanted it. That's when I lost control and started beating him up."
"Isabel why don't you try to dream walk Maria again and ask her if Austin has her?"
"I've been trying but she won't let me in."
"Is there a way you can get Michael into her head? Maybe he can convince her to talk," Alex suggested.
"It's worth a try."
The gang went back to Michael's apartment that night. Michael and Isabel lay on the bed. "Okay Michael just relax. Hold my hand. Once we get into Maria's head and you see her I'll leave. Then it's up to you to get the truth from her."
They had been asleep for over an hour when Isabel finally made the connection.
"Maria."
"Isabel how many times do I have to tell you to go away?"
Maria then noticed Michael. "What are you doing here?"
Isabel quickly stepped away and left Michael there to talk to her. She prayed for his sake he would finally get the truth from her.
Isabel got off the bed and walked out to see the others.
"How did it go?" Liz asked.
"Michael's in her head now. It's up to him to get through to her."
TBC...
Title: The Return
Disclaimer: I don't own Roswell or any of the characters.
Rating: PG-13
Category: Michael and Maria
NOTE: AU, Michael and the other alien's left the planet. Alex is still alive. Tess was never pregnant. Michael and Maria still slept together before he left earth. Everything else is pretty much the same.
Summary: Michael, Tess, Max, and Isabel come back to earth after being away for two years. Michael finds out Maria was raped after he left and she has a son
******Part 19******
Later that night Maria lay in bed when she heard the phone ring next to her bed. She picked it up.
"Hello."
"Maria?"
"Michael, Why are you calling me so late for?"
"I was kind of hoping you would come spend the night over her at our house."
"Michael it's not our house yet until tomorrow when we're married. And I'm not coming over there. It's tradition. You can't see me before the wedding."
"It's also tradition to have the kid after the wedding but that didn't happen."
"Michael Guerin I'm not coming over and that's final!"
"Please."
"No."
"Please!"
"No."
"Maria!"
"No!"
"Alright fine. You know what you did to me at Valenti's house wasn't very nice. I had to leave the house with one of Kyle's shirts tied around my waist. Then I had to take a cold shower when I got home."
"We'll you deserved it."
"I'm really sorry but it wasn't my idea. Are you really mad at me?"
"No, I just like torturing you."
"I love you too"
"I love you Michael. Now let me get some beauty rest. I need it for tomorrow."
"You don't need any help. Your already beautiful but I'll let you go."
"See you tomorrow."
"I'll be there," Michael said then hung up the phone.
The day of the wedding had finally arrived. The ceremony was to be held at a small church near town. It was decorated simply with a few roses and baby's breath here and there. Michael was already at the church. Max, Kyle, Jim, and Alex were there with him.
Maria and Dakota were still at the house they shared with Alex. The gang had already moved most of Maria and Dakota's things to Michael's house. She just had a few things that she needed for today. Maria had already fixed her hair and make-up. She tried on her dress one last time to make sure it fit perfectly. If any last minute changes needed to be done she could have Isabel fix them. Liz, Tess, and Isabel were supposed to meet Maria at the house to take her to the church and help her with any last minute details.
Maria looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She wanted to look perfect for Michael. She had waited so long for this day. Dakota was in the room with her and he started tugging at her wedding dress.
"Be careful Dakota. You don't want to ruin mommy's dress. I'm going to marry your daddy today. Do you know how lucky you are to have such a wonderful father?" Dakota nodded his head.
Maria turned to look back in the mirror.
"You look beautiful Maria." Maria felt a chill run through her spine as she heard the man's voice. She suddenly felt a hand go over her mouth. She tried to fight but he was too strong. After a minute of fighting him she finally passed out.
TBC...
***Part 20***
Tess, Isabel, and Liz finally arrived at Maria and Alex's place. They noticed the door was opened so they walked in.
"Maria, where are you?" Liz yelled.
"Maybe she's upstairs," Isabel said.
The girls walked upstairs and still didn't see her.
"Well she has to be here somewhere. Her car is still out front," Tess added.
They searched the entire house and couldn't find her.
"Maybe her mother picked her up."
"I don't think so Isabel. She asked us to come over here to get her. She would have called me if she changed her plans."
"Well it's worth a try Liz. I mean she couldn't have walked to the church."
Amy answered the phone.
"Hello."
"Amy, this is Liz. Is Maria with you?"
"No Liz I haven't seen her since yesterday. Is everything alright?"
"I'm sure everything's fine. Do me a favor and call me if you see or hear from her. You have my cell phone number right."
"Yes. And call me when you hear from her."
"I will. Bye."
Liz hung up the phone. "Amy hasn't heard from her. Where else could she be?"
"Let's call the church. Maybe Alex knows where she is at."
Isabel picked up the phone and dialed the church.
"Hello."
"Hi, Can I speak to an Alex Whitman?"
"Just a minute," the man said.
__________
"It's getting late Max. The girls should be here."
"Calm down Michael. I'm sure they'll be here soon."
"Is there an Alex Whitman here?" the man said interrupting the conversation.
"That's me," Alex answered.
"There's a woman on the phone for you. You can pick up the phone in here."
"Thanks."
"Hi, Isabel."
"Alex, do you know where Maria is?"
"No, isn't she at the house? I thought she was waiting there for you."
"She was supposed to but she's not here and we can't find her. We tried Amy's but she hasn't heard from her either."
"This doesn't make sense."
"We'll keep looking. Try to keep Michael calm."
"That won't be easy."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"What's wrong Alex?" Max asked.
"Nothing much. Maria's is going to be a little late."
"Alex tell me the truth. What aren't you saying?" Michael demanded.
"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Maria is sort of missing."
"What!" Michael screamed.
"Calm down Michael. I'm sure maybe she just went for a walk or something."
"Alex it's our wedding day and she's supposed to be here. Why would she stop and take a walk. Something's wrong."
Maria awoke in what appeared to be an abandoned house. There was no furniture in the house except a bed in the middle of the room. She looked around the room and couldn't find Dakota. Panicked she got up and started to leave the room and go to search for him. She was quickly stopped by a man at the door pushing her back. He had Dakota in his arms.
"Who are you and what do you want with us?" Maria asked trying to play dumb.
"You know perfectly well who I am. You tried to get your little boyfriend to get rid of me. But I remember everything."
Maria looked at Austin's face terrified for Dakota and herself.
******Part 21******
Michael was pacing back and forth in the church.
"Where is she Max? Why isn't she here? I've got to find her."
"I don't know where she is Michael but we'll find her. Somebody should stay here in case she comes back."
"I'll stay here and the rest of you can go look for her," Alex said.
"Michael I'll look with you and if anyone finds her you can call me on my cell phone," Max said looking at Valenti and Kyle.
Michael and Max drove around town looking for Maria. They even stopped by the Crashdown and when to the pod cave in case she went there.
Meanwhile Tess, and Isabel arrived at the church."
"Hey Alex, Is Maria here."
"No we still can't find her. Where's Liz?"
"She stayed at the house in case Maria called."
__________________________
Maria looked up at Austin who was talking to her.
"I know you planned on marrying that Michael guy and making him Dakota's daddy. He's mine. A child belongs with his father and mother."
Maria was defiantly scared of the look in his eyes and the way he was talking.
"Your wrong. Michael is Dakota's father. Not you."
"Stop lying!" Dakota started to cry.
"Please let me have Dakota. You're scaring him."
"Fine, shut him up!" Austin yelled handing him to Maria. "Dakota is mine! He loves me."
"You're delusional. Let me repeat this for you since you don't seem to understand. Michael is Dakota's father. Not you. Do you understand?"
"Stop saying that. All you ever do is lie. At first I didn't remember what happened at the bar that night a month ago. It's like I woke up the next day and I had been beaten so bad I almost died. Do you know how long I was in the hospital? But I finally started to remember. I couldn't figure out why that guy attacked me at the bar. Then I remembered the conversation we were having. It came back to me that I had talked about the night we slept together."
"You mean the night you raped me?"
"You know you wanted it just as much as I did!"
Maria started to cry remembering that night. She would never get over it but Michael's coming back had started to make the pain go away. Now her nightmare was coming back.
"I didn't want you! I hate you."
"You came on to me. You wanted me. Anyway, I remembered your name from High School so I found your address in the phone book. I found out you had a child. My son. How could you not tell me we had a son?"
"He's not your son."
"He's mine! And you know what else I found out while I was following you? I found out your boyfriends secret. I know he's an alien."
"What? You're not only delusional but your crazy. And you're a stalker."
"I know what I've seen and heard. I have been following you for a while now. I know he has powers. How could you betray the human race and marry an alien!"
"If what you say is true and it's of course not, what makes you think he won't find me with his so called powers and kill you?"
"Because you're going to take care of the problem for me."
"I don't think so."
"You will. Because if you don't I will turn Michael over to the FBI. You've seen those alien autopsy videos haven't you? Just think of what they would do to Michael."
"They would never believe you."
"Maybe not. But do you want to take the chance. His slow painful death would be your fault."
Maria remembered the things Max went through when he was in the white room. He had continuous nightmares about his time there and what they did. He was only there a short time. It made her sick to think of what they would have done to him if he had not been rescued. She couldn't let that happen to Michael.
"What do you want me to do?" Maria asked still cradling Dakota in her arms.
"I want you to call Michael and tell him it's over. That you left him for good and don't want to see him ever again."
"He would never believe me. He knows I love him to much to ever do that."
"Then you better be convincing. Otherwise Michael belongs to the FBI."
Maria was crying now. She couldn't believe just a little while ago she was preparing for a wedding. Now she was going to have to give her life away to a madman to save Michael from the FBI. Austin left the room for a moment.
Maria looked at the angel she held in her arms. "If you have any of your daddy's powers now would be a good time to use them. Tess's mind warp must have worn off on Austin. We can't stay with him but I'm going to have to stall him for a while and do what he wants until I can come up with a plan."
Austin came back to the room and Maria quickly shut up. He had a phone in his hand. "You are going to call Michael now. And remember if you make any attempt to ever leave me or take my son from me Michael's life will be as good as dead."
Maria wiped the tears from her eyes. She had to be convincing to Michael in order to keep him safe.
The gang had been looking for Maria for three hours now. Max drove Michael to his apartment to check and see if there was any sign of Maria. As soon as Michael stepped in the house the phone rang. Michael ran to the phone and picked it up.
"Maria?"
"Michael."
******Part 22******
"Maria where are you? We've been looking everywhere."
"Michael I'm really sorry."
"It's alright Maria. Just tell me where you are and I'll pick you up. We can still get married."
"No you don't understand. I'm sorry but I can't marry you."
"All right we don't have to get married today. I'll come pick you up and you can stay at my place."
"Michael. It's over. I don't want to be with you anymore."
"What?"
"Michael it's just all happening so fast."
"Fine Maria. We'll slow things down. We don't have to get married."
"You still don't understand. I've left Roswell with Dakota and we're not coming back."
"No! He's my son. You can't take him away from me."
"Michael I'm doing this for you."
"How can you say that? Maria I love you and I know that you love me."
"No, I don't."
"Maria, why are you saying this? Please Maria come home. I love you. I'll do anything you want me to do. Maria I'm begging you. Please, don't leave me. I need you. You're the only person who's ever wanted me and without you and Dakota I have nothing," Michael could barely get out the words because he was sobbing so hard.
"Michael, I'm so sorry." Maria was now in tears.
Suddenly Michael heard the phone click off.
"That's enough Maria." Austin said after he slammed the phone down and unplugged it. "You better have convinced him it's over for his sake and yours."
"You sick bastard."
"Is that anyway to talk to the father of your child." Austin turned and walked out of the room leaving Maria and Dakota alone.
______________________________________________
Max saw his friend slumped over on the floor still hanging on to the phone. He could see the overwhelming flood of tears on his face.
"Michael, What did Maria say?"
"Just leave Max."
"No, I can't leave you like this."
"Maria said it's over. She left Roswell. Are you happy? Get the hell out of my apartment." Michael got off the floor and physically threw Max out of the apartment.
"Michael, don't do this!" The door slammed shut in Max's face. He had no choice but to leave. He would find the others and see what they could do. Something was defiantly wrong with Maria.
Michael turned back from the door and began throwing everything in sight. He trashed everything in his apartment, worse than the night he thought Alex was Dakota's father.
Michael continued hitting, kicking and throwing everything in his path until he reached a photo of Dakota. He picked it up in his cut hands and fell to the floor holding it in his arms. Michael continued to cry.
Later that night Max had gathered Tess, Alex, Kyle, and Liz at his house for a meeting.
"Michael got a phone call from Maria."
"Oh my god Max! Where is she? Is she okay?" Liz asked.
"Michael didn't tell me very much. Just that she said it was over between them and she was leaving Roswell."
"What? Why would she do that?"
"I don't have any clue Tess."
"Alex you've been the closest to her and you live together. Has she been acting strangely?"
"No Isabel. She has been so exited and happy to finally be back together with Michael. She wanted this wedding more than anything."
"So we all agree Maria didn't leave by choice. Something must have happened."
"So what do we do?" Tess asked.
"Isabel why don't you try dream walking Maria. Maybe you can find out where she is?"
"I'll try."
"Please Isabel. It's the only hope we have of finding her," Liz begged.
Liz gave Isabel a photo of Maria from her wallet and Alex went with Isabel to her bedroom. They lay on the bed and Alex rubbed Isabel's back while she fell asleep. After an hour Isabel finally got into Maria's head.
"Maria?"
"Isabel? What are you doing here?"
"Maria, what's wrong? Are you in some sort of trouble?"
"No, Isabel. I just had to get away."
"Why Maria?"
"Just go Isabel."
"Why are you doing this to Michael? He loves you."
"It's none of your business Isabel. Just leave it alone. Look I didn't mean to hurt him. Tell him I'm sorry."
"Tell him yourself Maria."
"I can't. It's over."
Isabel could feel Maria pushing her from her dreams. Isabel awakened.
"Did it work?"
"Yes, but she said she wasn't in any trouble. She said she wanted to leave. I'm afraid Maria was telling Michael the truth. She didn't want to marry him."
"Isabel I know that isn't true she loves Michael and wants to be with him."
"I thought that to but Maria had no reason to lie to me in the dream. She was safe."
******Part 23******
The next day Isabel was shocked to find Michael knocking at her bedroom window. She opened it up and allowed him inside. It was then that she noticed the cuts and bruises on his arms.
"Michael what happened?"
"It's nothing."
"Michael did someone hurt you?"
"No. I trashed my apartment. I'm fine."
"No your not Michael. Let me help you." Isabel reached out to touch Michael's arms. He quickly retreated from her grasp.
"No! Isabel I came here to ask you for your help in finding Maria. I want you to try to get into her dreams."
Isabel looked away from Michael unable to meet his eyes. "I already did."
"Why the hell didn't you tell me? Where is she?"
"Michael she said she didn't want us to find her and that she was sorry for hurting you."
"Why did she lie about not loving me?"
"Michael I'm afraid that she was telling the truth. She doesn't want to be with you. I'm sorry."
"Look Isabel you don't know Maria. She wouldn't do this on her own free will. This is a woman that pursued me for two years. She never let me push her away. She fought for us and never gave up on me. I'm not going to give up on her!"
"Michael she had no reason to lie to me."
"Stop it Isabel! It was a mistake to come to you. I need your help but obviously I came to the wrong place."
Michael turned and climbed out her window.
"Michael! Come back!"
He didn't look behind him he just kept walking.
Meanwhile at the house where Austin was keeping Maria, she finally awoke with Dakota still in her arms.
"Daddy! Daddy!"
"It's alright Dakota. Daddy loves you. It won't be much longer. I'll think of a way out of this," Maria said trying to soothe Dakota's cries.
"I heard my son asking for me."
Maria looked up at Austin who had appeared in the room. "No, he was asking for Michael."
Austin ignored her words. "Look I know you didn't get your wedding day yesterday but I intend to change that. You're already dressed for the part." Maria was confused by his words. She noticed she was still in her wedding dress that she had bought to marry Michael. It was torn up and slightly dirty. No doubt from the struggle she had put up with Austin when he kidnapped her and Dakota.
"Anyway I meant by what I said about a son should be raised by both of his parents."
"Then you'll let me go back to Michael."
"No, you'll marry me."
"Your delusional again," Maria laughed.
"You will marry me!"
"No I won't!"
Austin left the room for a moment and then came back with a folder. He threw it at Maria.
"What is this?"
"Open it and see."
Maria opened the folder and was stunned to see surveillance photos of Michael, Dakota, and herself. It showed that he had been following them for a while. Maria was also alarmed to find a photo of the pod chamber. He had apparently followed Michael there.
"I have a copy of these in a safety deposit box so if anything happens to me they will be turned over to the FBI. For Michael's sake you better hope I live a very long life."
"Go to hell."
"You'll learn to love being my wife."
Austin laughed and then turned and left the room. Maria started crying again. This was getting worse by the second. She had to think of a way to get those photos back and get rid of Austin in the process.
"Liz, someone's here to see you."
"Alright mom I'm coming."
A minute later Liz came downstairs and was surprised to find Michael there.
"What do you need Michael?"
"Can I talk to you in private?"
"Sure."
Liz led him into the Crashdown. It was closed and no one was in there.
"Mom and Dad won't be disturb us in here."
"I guess you heard by now that Isabel dream walked Maria."
"Yes I did. I'm sorry Michael."
"Look you're her best friend. You know what she said was a lie. She loves me."
"I know Michael. I don't know why she lied to Isabel but I know how much she wanted this wedding. She wanted you all to be a family."
"I'm glad you think so. I need your help to find her."
"I'll do anything I can, Michael. So where should we start looking Michael?" Liz asked.
"First tell me everything that happened when you came over here the day of the wedding."
"Well Maria had called me the night before and told me to get Tess and Isabel and meet her at the house at 9:00. When I got there I noticed the door was opened so we went on in. I called for Maria and I couldn't find her. We searched the entire house and didn't see her. I called Amy to see if she heard from Maria and she said no so then Isabel called Alex."
"Was there anything unusual about the house?"
"All I can say is her car was still in the driveway and her wedding dress was gone. It looked like she had maybe caught a ride with someone else. Her makeup and curling iron were out on her dresser. It looked like she had been getting ready for the wedding. And as I said the door to the house was open when we arrived."
"So what could have happened?"
"Maybe she called a cab or something. She couldn't have walked wherever she was going."
Michael and Liz spent the whole day tracking down every cab in the area. They passed her picture around but no one recognized her. Michael even tried showing her picture to bus drivers and to people at airports but no one had seen her.
The weeks had passed and Michael had done everything he could think of in his power to find Maria. Michael was out of his mind with worry. Isabel showed up at his apartment one evening to try to speak to Michael. He answered the door.
"Michael." As soon as he saw Isabel at the door he tried to slam it in her face but she used her powers to open the door back up. Michael could have fought harder but at this point he didn't really care. Isabel noticed that he must have cleaned the apartment back up. The night Michael came to her he had told her he trashed the apartment. It was now spotless. It looked like a home and you could see a child's toy box in the corner. The house had been decorated with some of Mari's things. Dakota's pictures were hanging on the wall.
"Before the wedding we had moved most of Maria's and Dakota's things to the apartment. I was going to wait till she came home to let her decide where everything would go but I decided to get it ready for when they do come home. Do you think Maria will like it?"
"It looks beautiful Michael. She will love it."
"Isabel I know you don't believe that Maria didn't leave by her choice but I can't believe she would leave me of her own free will."
"Michael I don't know what to say. You know I was really shocked when Maria asked me to be her bridesmaid. We have never been the best of friends. In fact I actually used to hate her. I thought she was ditzy. But I think she asked me because she thought I was important to you. I accepted because I knew she was the only thing in the world that ever made you happy. I don't know Maria like you do. And if you have faith in her then I will to."
"Thank you Isabel."
******Part 24******
It had been a week since Austin kidnapped Maria. She was only allowed to stay in the bedroom of the house. Austin hadn't mentioned getting married again in that time and he had bought her sweatpants and a shirt to change into. Austin had made the mistake of making Maria cook their dinner one night.
Maria had cooked some chicken. Austin sat down to eat it and spit it out.
"What the hell is that?"
"It's chicken. I told you I couldn't cook."
"Too bad. You will only be allowed to eat what you cook. I on the other hand will buy my own food."
"What about Dakota?"
"You better learn to cook for his sake. What kind of mother are you anyway?"
_______________________________________
Throughout the week Isabel continued to try and dream walk Maria but Maria wouldn't let her in anymore. Alex decided to make missing posters for Maria on his computer. In the morning Alex, Isabel, Michael, Max, Liz, Kyle, and Tess had gotten together and were hanging the posters up around town. Kyle felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to find a woman standing there.
"Your Austin's friend right?" Kyle recognized her as the woman from the trailer park the night they went looking for Michael at Austin's place.
"Yes," Kyle said keeping up the lie.
"Look the next time you see that scumbag tell him I want my money back."
"What do you mean?" Kyle asked.
"That SOB left me a week ago. He wiped out my bank account and took all of my money with him. I wish I knew who beat him up that night I'd like to thank them. I don't know what I ever saw in that man."
The woman walked off leaving a dazed Kyle.
"Hey guys!" Kyle said yelling for the rest of the group.
"What is it?" Max asked.
"That woman was Austin's ex-girlfriend. She said he took off a week ago. The same time Maria disappeared. Do you think he might have had something to do with it?"
"Tess mind warped him. Why would he have taken her after all this time?" Isabel asked.
"Can the mind warp wear off Tess?"
"I don't know Liz. I guess it's possible."
"What happened that night between you and Austin?" Max asked looking at Michael.
"Austin was drunk and I got him to admit what he did to Maria that night. He said she wanted it. That's when I lost control and started beating him up."
"Isabel why don't you try to dream walk Maria again and ask her if Austin has her?"
"I've been trying but she won't let me in."
"Is there a way you can get Michael into her head? Maybe he can convince her to talk," Alex suggested.
"It's worth a try."
The gang went back to Michael's apartment that night. Michael and Isabel lay on the bed. "Okay Michael just relax. Hold my hand. Once we get into Maria's head and you see her I'll leave. Then it's up to you to get the truth from her."
They had been asleep for over an hour when Isabel finally made the connection.
"Maria."
"Isabel how many times do I have to tell you to go away?"
Maria then noticed Michael. "What are you doing here?"
Isabel quickly stepped away and left Michael there to talk to her. She prayed for his sake he would finally get the truth from her.
Isabel got off the bed and walked out to see the others.
"How did it go?" Liz asked.
"Michael's in her head now. It's up to him to get through to her."
TBC...