This part is written by Roswellian Princess 2001

Part 15

DOWNSTAIRS

"Ok, we will set up around Golden Gate Park tonight," Piper began, laying out the plan. "Maria will be out in the open, scrying. Michael and Cole will be standing guard, but not anywhere they can be seen. She can't have any distractions."

Cole was shaking his head. "I don't like it. If there isn't anyone close to her, what if something happens? I don't want to risk it."

Phoebe understood Cole's argument. She knew the story of his lost sister, and understood the relationship he had with Maria. "Cole, if she gets distracted, it could be disastrous. She needs to have full concentration. She knows that we will be close by if she needs any help, but she has to do this alone." She softened her speech by patting his hand.

"And that's why you guys," addressing Max, Isabel, Liz, Alex, Kyle, and Tess, "need to stay here. We won't be able to protect Maria and you and the same time," added Prue.

"We can take care of ourselves. Or have you forgotten that we have special powers too," Tess countered.

"No we didn't forget. But we need to guys to stay behind. If something happens, we need to know that you guys are back here at the Manor to help. If we all go, and something happens, there won't be anybody to heal," Piper said, trying to calm everyone.

Max sat back in his seat. He wasn't happy about staying behind, but he understood the logic. He didn't really want Liz out there anyway, and he knew that if he went, then she would go as well.

"I understand. We will stay behind. But if you need any help, please call us," Max asked.

Prue nodded.

"Does Michael know about this plan to leave her vulnerable? Because I am sure that he is going to fight it too," Cole replied, trying to get back to the problem at hand. Leaving Maria alone didn't seem like a workable option to him.

"I don't like it," Michael began from the doorway, with Maria by his side. "But I know that the sooner this is done, and done right, the sooner it will all be over." He then looked to the Haliwell sisters. "But I will be close enough to help if needed. I refuse to leave her totally unguarded," he stated.

Prue smiled at his assertion. She felt a feeling of foreboding over the mission settle upon her, but brushed it away before the others noticed. She chalked it up to nerves. "Don't worry Michael, we will make sure that nothing happens to Maria. No matter what."

Michael nodded, trusting the eldest sister's resolve.

"So when do we being?" asked Maria.

"Tonight. We will go to the park just after dark. Have you studied the book?" asked Piper.

"Yeah. I think I can do it. But why do these things always have to happen at night? Hasn't anyone heard of the bright light of day?" Maria asked shakily.

Michael could sense her fear and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Unfortunately, the bad guys are always nocturnal, so we go at night," he said, trying to lighten up the mood.

"Are you sure you can handle this Maria? I need to know. If you are worried at all, then we will find another way to find the source," said Cole. Like Michael, he could tell that Maria was scared. And from past experiences he knew that fear could change a perfectly good plan and make it fatal.

Maria nodded her head, with a new sense of resolve. "I can do this. I have to do this. I can't let anyone, or anything, stop me from living my life. And I don't know about you guys, but one person in a relationship with danger issues is enough," she said smiling at Michael.

"OK. Then we go just after dark. Why don't we go and try to get some rest. It's going to be a long night," said Leo.

Everyone nodded. But before they all left Piper addressed the kids around the room. "Thank you for trusting us. We will bring Maria back to you."

All six teens nodded, solemnly. They would sit and wait, if that's what they had to do. Doesn't mean they had to be happy about.

Michael followed Maria upstairs to her room. When they reached her door he stopped her. "Hey, I am going to talk to Max. I will be in, in a little while."

Maria nodded. "But please hurry. I am finding it more and more difficult to sleep without you. And you know I need my rest," she stated smiling. Reaching up she placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.

"I won't be long, I promise," he replied walking back downstairs to where Max was waiting.

Once Michael had turned the corner at the end of the hall Maria entered her room and collapsed on her bed. Despite being nervous over the coming events, she was exhausted. The minute her head hit the pillow she was asleep.

BACK IN THE LIVING ROOM

"Max, I really want you to be there tonight man. If something happens to Maria, I want you there to help her," Michael stated.

"I understand your concern. But Leo heals as well. And he knows more about this witch/demon thing. If something happens to her, then he will help. But I am going to stay here and watch the others, as well as be backup in case something happens. Maria's sister was right. If something happens to all of us out there, then there wouldn't be anyone to help."

Michael let his head fall. "I understand what you are saying. But I just can't shake this feeling that something is going to go wrong and I am going to lose her." Michael looked around the room. He saw that the others were all engrossed in the TV, and not paying attention to their conversation.

"I can't lose her again," he continued. "When she left I thought I lost myself. You don't know how many times I thought about just giving up. If I really lose her, I don't think my life would be worth living."

Max was surprised by Michael's statement. He knew that Michael loved Maria, but Max never realized his feelings were so strong. He laid a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Nothing is going to happen to Maria. We all need her too much to let it. Trust me."

Michael nodded. "Thanks, man. I am just so scared. I think I'm gonna go join Maria and get some rest."
Max pulled him into a quick embrace and watched as he exited the room. Max sat back and contemplated the evening before them. He had a feeling that after tonight nothing would be the same, for humans, aliens, or witches.

TBC

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// Lino84