This part is written by Roswellian Princess 2001
Part 18
Even after being healed Maria lay unconscious. Piper and Phoebe continued to cry over their fallen sister. Leo hung back, unable to comprehend the idea that he let Prue die. Cole tried to comfort Phoebe, but his words fell on deaf ears. Michael simply continued to hold Maria in his arms, rocking back and forth.
No one changed positions for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, Cole broke out of his shock. "We need to get back to the Manor," he said quietly. "Leo, please help me get Prue to the car."
Both men moved to take Prue into their arms. Leo lifted her easily, with Cole next to him for support. Phoebe followed, with Piper still sitting on the ground in the same spot.
Michael lifted Maria, who began to stir. "Michael…" she whispered.
"It's OK baby. You're gonna be fine," he replied.
She looked around and saw Piper sitting on the ground crying. She then looked to the vehicle and saw Leo carrying the limp body of her oldest sister.
"Prue? Prue!" she screamed. She struggled to get out of Michael's arms. "Let me go! I have to see my sister!"
Michael finally relinquished his hold, allowing Maria to run to where Prue lay in the back of her SUV.
Maria looked at her beautiful sister lying so still. Her skin already gone ashen, Maria could tell that there was no life left.
"No, no, no." Maria chanted. "She can't go! I need her to much. Oh god!" Maria screamed breaking down. Michael attempted to get close to her, but Piper, hearing Maria's screams, got to her first. The older girl clutched her baby sister in her arms, rocking her back and forth.
Maria continued to scream incoherent words. Every once in a while the words "No" and "Oh god" could be understood amongst the sobs. It hurt Michael to see Maria in that condition, knowing there was nothing he could do to help her. He couldn't even imagine what she was feeling. He knew that if he ever lost Isabel or Max, there would be no consoling him.
After a few more minutes, Piper was able to calm Maria down enough to get her buckled in. Maria had finally quieted, staring off into oblivion. If she noticed anything going on around her she made no sign. Michael climbed in next to her, with Cole on her other side with Phoebe in his lap. Leo got in the driver's seat with Piper in the passengers seat.
Michael wrapped his arms around Maria. He could feel her shaking, but she had no expression on her face. It was almost as though the light in her eyes had gone out.
No one said anything the entire way back to the Manor. When they finally arrived, the teens inside the house cam barreling out. When Michael exited the vehicle he looked to Max.
Max noted the sad expression on Michael's face. "Oh god, Maria?"
"Maria's alive. Let's get into the house, and I will tell you everything."
The teens watched as Leo gathered Prue into his arms and took her inside. The other Haliwell's followed with Cole. Michael attempted to coax Maria into getting out by herself. Maria was completely oblivious to everyone and everything around her. Finally, Michael unbuckled her seatbelt and lifted into his arms. He carried her into the house and upstairs to her room.
After laying her on the bed, he could see that their friends had followed them. Max, Isabel, Alex, and Liz all gathered close, with Kyle and Tess hanging back. Liz sat on the bed next to Maria, and Michael sat on the other side.
Liz could see the vacant expression on her best friends face. "Maria, honey it's Liz." Maria gave no indication that she heard her, other than to turn and bury her face in Michael's side. She still didn't speak, but everytime Liz tried to make eye contact Maria avoided her gaze.
As Maria continued to try and burrow underneath Michael, he looked to all the concerned faces surrounding the room. "Maybe it would be better if you guys left her alone for a while. I'll stay with her."
Liz started to interrupt. "But I want to stay…"
"Please Liz," Michael pleaded. "I will be down as soon as she is calm to explain everything."
Liz gave one last look to her best friend and walked out, followed by the others. Once the room was empty except for the couple on the bed, Michael shifted to look Maria in the eye. She still avoided his gaze, refusing to acknowledge his presence.
"Maria? Come on baby, I need you to look at me." Still no response. He took her face in his hands, trying to make her look at him. She still wore no expression, no clue to what she was thinking or feeling.
"Maria!" Michael yelled. She didn't even flinch at his raised voice. There was a knock at the door and Cole walked in.
"How's she doing?" he asked quietly.
Michael shook his head. "She hasn't said a word since we got into the van. She refuses to look anyone in the eye. And when Liz tried to talk to her she turned away, burying her face in my side."
Cole nodded. "Phoebe and Piper are in with Prue. Neither will say anything. But I know that they are concerned for Maria, so I thought I would come and check. She seems to be in the same state as her sisters."
Michael nodded, looking down at the quiet girl in his arms. "Can you stay with her for a few minutes while I go down and talk to my friends. I am sure they are freaking out right now."
"Sure no problem."
Michael gave Maria one last kiss on her forehead and whispered into her ear. "I will be right back. Cole is gonna stay with you."
Maria gave no indication that she heard him. Cole took her out of Michael's arms and sat down next to her. The minute he touched her, Maria grabbed his hand and held on. Michael saw her reaction and winced. With him she couldn't seem to acknowledge his presence. He left the room, knowing that Maria was in safe hands.
Once Michael had left Cole began whispering soothing words into Maria's ear. He stroked her hair and held her tight. It wasn't until she was asleep that her grasp on his hand loosened. But even in sleep, she held on tight.
MEANWHILE DOWNSTAIRS
Michael had just finished explaining everything that had happened in the park. Liz was in tears, she was so close to losing her best friend. The others were in shock. Max was the first to speak.
"If I had been there, they could have both been saved."
Michael shook his head. "We can't live our lives with 'what if's'. Right now we have to accept that Nasedo is helping The Source, and that, for the moment, Maria is alive. I, for one, plan on keeping her that way. She is going to need all our help to get through this."
Isabel was in awe of her almost brother. She had never seen him so sensitive to anyone's feelings before. She was glad that Maria had come into his life. She was able to teach him to be more human.
Max decided to take Liz back to the hotel, promising to return early the next morning. Kyle and Tess decided to go and check on Maria. Isabel leaned over to Alex and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and smiled, then followed the others out of the room, leaving Isabel and Michael alone.
Isabel came over to sit next to Michael who had his head buried in his hands. She placed an arm around his shoulders and pulled him to rest against her. She could feel his body shaking with sobs, his tears wetting the front of her shirt. She continued to stroke his back as he cried.
"Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?" she asked quietly.
Michael raised his head and looked her in the eye. "Why are you proud of me? I haven't done anything but screw up."
Isabel shook her head. "I have never met anyone with more courage than you. You have been through so much in your life, but you are still so strong. Now with everything that is happening, your strength has continued. Right now Maria needs you to be there for her, and you wouldn't dream of being anywhere else."
Michael was quiet during her speech. By the time she was finished he was shaking his head. "I don't know how you can say that. I have never been so scared in my life than I was today. When I saw Maria stab herself I thought my world was going to end. I couldn't see anything except her. I don't…I don't know what I would have done if I lost her. Still I am so scared that I won't be able to help her through this. So I don't know how you can call me brave. I am hanging on here by my thumbs."
"I think that's what makes you brave. Knowing that you are afraid. If you couldn't admit you were afraid then I think you would just be lying to yourself. But you know what they say…'Courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to do what is right in the face of it.' I have complete faith that you will know just what to do."
Michael gave her a small smile and hugged her quickly. Not used to the spontaneous shows of affection, it took Isabel a second to embrace him back. After a couple of minutes Michael pulled back. "Thanks for everything. But I think I need to check on Maria. I don't want to leave her alone for too long."
Isabel nodded and left Michael alone in the living room. After a couple of minutes of staring out the window Michael decided to check on Maria. Right now he simply needed to be close to her.
UPSTAIRS
Kyle and Tess stood outside Maria's door watching her with Cole. They could tell that Cole really cared about her. They watched as he stroked her and spoke in hushed tones. She was facing away from them, so they couldn't see if she still had the vacant stare.
Finally, Kyle cleared his throat announcing their presence. Cole looked over at them, then slowly rose. He crossed to them, slightly pushing them out into the hallway. "She's finally asleep," he said quietly. "I think she just needs some time to process everything that happened. Did Michael tell you everything?"
Both teens nodded. "Good, then you know she has been through a lot. I am going to go back to Phoebe. Please, come get me if something happens."
Again Kyle nodded. Shortly after Cole left Michael arrived in the hallway. He saw his friends sitting outside Maria's door. "What are you guys doing out here?"
"Maria finally fell asleep and we didn't want to wake her. But we wanted to be close in case something happens."
Michael nodded his gratitude. "Why don't you guys go to back to the hotel. It's late. I think Iz, is waiting downstairs for you guys. We will see you tomorrow."
Kyle helped Tess off the ground. "Will you call if anything changes with her?" Kyle asked.
"I promise," Michael replied. Tess gave him a quick hug then followed Kyle downstairs.
Michael quietly opened the door and slipped inside. He could see the outline of Maria in the moonlight. She looked so small and fragile lying there. For the second time that night he was struck by how close he was to losing her. He gently leaned down on the bed and kissed her pale cheek. When she didn't stir he climbed into the bed behind her, wrapping her in his arms. Tears came unbidden to his eyes as he thought back on the days happenings. He simply pulled Maria tighter and fell into a troubled sleep.
TBC