This part is written by Roswellian Princess 2001
Part 14
Maria was flipping through the Book of Shadows when Max found her. She was alone in the attic, and it was the first chance he had to speak privately with her. It seemed that Michael was always around, and if he wasn't then someone else was.
Max knocked lightly on the doorframe, not wanting to startle her. Maria looked up from her reading and smiled. "Hey Max," she said.
"Hey, am I bothering you? I could come back later."
"No, no. Come on in. I have had this feeling that you have wanted to talk to me since you got here."
"Yeah, but it seems like you always have some kind of bodyguard around. Where is Michael, by the way?"
Maria smiled. "I got rid of him. Ever since he found out about everything he has been my shadow. And my family isn't much better. They all follow me around like they are afraid I might break or something."
Max laughed. Maria was the last person he would think would break. She had always been tough, no matter the situation. Whenever faced with an issue, Maria always met it head on, never backing down.
"I can't believe Michael left you alone."
"Well I told him he wasn't getting any until I had some time alone," Maria giggled.
Max paled. He knew what Michael was like when he was denied anything. He couldn't imagine his mood if he was denied Maria. "Well I guess that would work. Anyway there is something I wanted to say."
Maria looked at him questioningly. "What is it? Is must be serious. Jeez, you'd think someone died or something."
"No, it's nothing like that. But I wanted to tell you that if you pull that disappearing act again I won't be responsible for my actions."
"Max…"
He put up his hand signaling silence. "No. You are going to listen to me. I know Michael and Liz both scolded you, but I wanted my turn. Remember when Liz told you our secret?"
Maria nodded, learning about aliens was not something one quickly forgot.
"At first I was afraid. I knew she trusted you, but we didn't know you. Since you lied to Valenti for us we have come to trust you. But for me it's more than that. I have come to depend on you. You may not think so, but you are the backbone of the group."
"Come on, Max," Maria interrupted. "I am just the quirky sidekick. Comic relief. I mean, Liz is a brain and Alex is a computer whiz. You guys have these awesome powers, but me, I am just Maria. Or at least I was."
"You're not!" Max yelled, startling Maria. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before continuing. "You are the glue that holds us together. Without your positive attitude I don't think we would have gotten through any of the tough times. And we have all come to depend on that. When you left it felt like the light went out in Roswell. A room just brightens when you walk into it. You have this amazing way of making a situation seem less impossible."
Maria just sat and listened as Max continued. "I need to know that you won't take that away again. Not just from Liz or Michael, but from any of us. We need you too much."
"Oh, Max!" Maria cried as she launched herself into Max's arms. "Thank you. I didn't realize you felt that way about me."
"And how exactly is he feeling about my woman?" asked Michael from the doorway.
Maria felt Max stiffen in her embrace. She smiled at Michael. "Oh you know. He was professing his undying love to me. He wants to take me away and marry me."
"Yeah well, he better step away."
Max sat back away from Maria. He smirked at her before turning to face Michael. "Hey, I have told you before that if you didn't treat her right someone was going to come in a sweep her off her feet," he replied.
Michael scowled. Even though it was all in fun, he still remembered the feeling when Maria was gone. Maria noticed his look. She got up and walked to him, snaking her arms around his neck, kissing him lightly on the neck. "Oh honey, you know there's no man, or alien, out there for me but you. You are gonna have to put up with me for a very long time," she said smiling up at him.
Michael looked at Max over her head. "Oh, in that case. Max you want her, you can have her!"
Maria playfully slapped him on the arm and Michael laughed. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. "You know I would never give you to Max. Maybe Kyle or Alex, but not Max. He never shares with me."
This time Maria showed her indignation by kissing him deeply, making him forget about ever giving her up. Max, seeing that he was forgotten, slipped out the door and left them alone.
Michael continued kissing Maria, running his hands up and down her arms. Maria walked them over to the old sofa that was stored in the attic. Once her legs hit the edge, she laid down, bringing Michael on top.
Michael broke the kiss and looked deeply into her eyes. "We have to stop. You're not ready, and we have other things we need to do."
Maria arched her body into his. "But it feels too good to stop," she purred.
Michael closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure. "No. Anyone could come up at any moment, and you're supposed to be studying." Michael rose, despite the tricks Maria used to keep him where he was.
"Come on, Blondie. We got work to do."
TBC
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The address is: www.geocities.com/roswellskyindex
// Lino84