1 Title: As I Lay Me Down

Author: Lauren

Author Email: PaceysLilMcPhee@aol.com

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: M/M mainly, but all C/C

Disclaimer: I don't own Roswell and I'm not affiliated with any of the actors. Although I do wish I knew Brendan Fehr…

Summary: The aliens leave and the humans have to deal, including Maria.

Author's Note: Another chapter to my story. I'm so sad! :o( I have gotten no reviews! I promise, it will get better, there will be some M/M interaction! After all, that's my whole point for writing this story! So please, read, read, read, and review, review, review! I'm begging here! And I'm not usually that type of person! But I, like most authors, live off these reviews! So, please review my story. Whenever you read another author's work, please review it, because even though you may think that you might be being repetitive with your opinion, you're not. I, for one, love to read my reviews. :o) Thanks!

A/N 2: Oh, and by the way, I'm sorry this is so short! I promise the next chapter will be longer.



Chapter 2



The four aliens stood next to each other, still facing the oddly dressed man. The man glanced in turn to each of them before saying in parting, "Meet me here tomorrow at dusk. We shall leave then." Max nodded to the man and then at the others before turning to lead the way back to the Jeep. The girls were quick to follow but Michael hung back for an extra second. Noticing his hesitation, the man whom it seemed had sealed their fate for the rest of their life, approached him. They stood toe-to-toe before the man said anything.

"Your hesitation does not go unnoticed." When Michael didn't say anything he continued. "It is obvious that of them all, you are most reluctant to leave."

Michael was slightly surprised, although he wondered if he should be. He had always thought he would be the first to jump at the chance to go back to whatever planet they came from. And he told this to the man.

"You have made this your home," the man responded, obviously considering his statement fact. Again, Michael was surprised and wouldn't be shocked to know that his face showed it. He had for the longest time regarded the planet he knew was out there among the stars, as his home. Starting from a young age, he had made a pact with himself to never get attached to Earth, to anything, or to anyone. It would only cause trouble later on. He had even presented Max and Isabel with his theory in an attempt to warn them. And what did he do? He got attached. He hadn't meant for it to happen. He hadn't even known it was happening until it was too late. Maria was the only one who ever made him rethink his solo pact. Maria was the only one who made him forget completely about his pact, his theory, and his self-governing law to never get attached. He cursed at himself for letting her have influence over him like that. However, as he thought about it, he didn't know what it was that he could have done in order to stop it.

Michael was still thinking about Maria until the man continued. "Love is one of the few things that can connect us, forever, to a place." It was obvious the man was looking for some sort of answer as to whether this was Michael's situation, so Michael nodded in response.

"This is a time for decisions. It is not a decision about whom you love more. That is a different situation all together. You must fulfill the obligations to yourself, what you wish for and what it may take to make you complete."

Michael was slightly confused but he was sure he understood enough to know what this strange new man was talking about.

"I need to share information in which I have not yet told the others. They have not asked. I can feel that what I am about to tell you is an answer to a question in which you are afraid to ask and that is why I am telling you now, first."

Michael wasn't sure what to do so he waited for the man to continue. He didn't think there was any way for the man to know what he really wanted to ask.

"It is possible to leave Earth and return to our planet. That much you know," the man said. "But, what you want to know is whether or not you can return here, from there," he added.

Michael drew in a quick breath. What was with this guy? Was the guy some kind of mind reader? The man knew the question that was he had been burning to ask, not because the question was scary, but that the answer that may precede was terrifying.

"I know of a way to return," the man told Michael. "I know that now it may be easier for you to follow through in the decision to leave this planet."

It did in a small way make Michael feel a little bit better. He wouldn't be saying goodbye to this place forever; he could return if he wanted. He could come home to the place in which he had once viewed as temporary, like his foster home. Because he was sure the planet in which he had once regarded as his home wouldn't compare to Earth, his life and the people, here.

"If I leave, can I come back any time I want? Can you do that? If I get there, and I think it sucks, can I come straight back?" Michael asked.

The man nodded. "If I am willing, and I am."

Michael was couldn't think of anything else he wanted to ask. It didn't really matter anyway. He would still have to make the same decision at the end of the day. Michael wasn't sure if the conversation was over, as they stood, still toe-to-toe, to each other. After a few moments of silence, Michael turned to catch up to the other three who were waiting for him back at the Jeep. He got two steps away before turning back around and looking the man in the eye.

"Thanks," Michael told him.

The man didn't reply, he only looked back at Michael, so Michael continued on his way back to the Jeep.

"Till tomorrow," the man said in a firm voice.