[* He spends his nights in California, watching
The stars on the big screen
Then he lies awake and he wonders, why
Can't that be me
Cause in his life he is filled with all these
Good intentions
He's left a lot of things he'd rather not
Mention right now
But just before he says goodnight, he looks
Up with a little smile at me and he says
If I could be like that, I would
Give anything
Just to live one day, in those shoes
If I could be like that, what would I do
What would I do
Now in dreams we run
She spends her days up in the north park,
Watching the people as they pass
And all she wants is just a little piece of
This dream, is that too much to ask
With a safe home, and a warm bed, on a
Quiet little street
All she wants is just that something to
Hold onto, that's all she needs
I'm falling into this, in dreams
We run away*]
---Chapter 13---
"So now what?" Michael calls back to Victoria as he drives.
"So now--- let's hit that." Victoria points to a road that goes around Roswell, heading to the state road.
Michael does as she says. He drives for a while, then turns back to her. "So where are we going anyway? There's nothing out here, but---
"-desert. Exactly." Victoria says.
"And this is where your magic place is?" -Michael.
"Yes." Victoria says. She directs him now and then.
They were outside of Roswell now, where the desert seemed to go on forever. It was October and in the afternoon- heading towards evening, so it was not unbearably hot.
Victoria directs Michael to drive into the desert now. "Okay. Slow down. See those twin rocks?" Victoria says.
Michael looks around. "yeah. If he wasn't mistaken and he's sure he wasn't - HIS - Max, Isabel and his place wasn't so very far from here. He felt a bit apprehensive being out here with her. But it wasn't like he was showing her that place. She was showing him some place.
They drive over to the huge twin rocks. Up close they looked to be leaning on one another precariously. Stopping the motorcycle, Michael looked up at them.
Victoria looked at Michael looking at them. "Don't worry. They won't fall."
"Yeah, you never know." -Michael.
She laughed, "Well, I am quite certain they will not. You see they have each other to lean on. As long as they have that, neither will ever fall."
Michael looked at her askance. "Seems like you have more reasoning behind that then what you say."
"Yes, I do. I've had many hours to think on different things." -Victoria.
"Out here?" -Michael.
Victoria points to the north-east. "Far over there, a few miles away- there's a military base."
"THE base?" -Michael.
"What do you mean?" -Victoria.
"It's kinda famous." -Michael.
"Oh." -Victoria.
"Have you ever been in that place?" -Michael.
"Yes --- actually." -Victoria.
"How did you ever manage that?" -Michael.
"My father, remember?" -Victoria.
Michael nods. Victoria goes on, "Well, he takes me with him sometimes. I escape sometimes and wander out her for hours under the night sky."
"Escape?" -Michael.
"..A figure of speech. Figuratively, I escape that is. Out here, it can be an escape . . . for a while." -Victoria.
"I know, but you always have to go back to reality." -Michael.
Victoria looks at him. "You've come out here before?"
"Well, not here -- but the desert, yeah." -Michael.
"Hmm." -Victoria.
"What's the 'hmm' for?" -Michael.
"Just you don't seem to be the type to revel in nature." -Victoria.
"See, you wouldn't know." -Michael says, looking away.
"I said you didn't really *seem* like that. But I know you are." -Victoria.
"You wouldn't know much about me. You couldn't" -Michael.
"Maybe, maybe not. But I'd bet you that I know more than you think." -Victoria.
"Like what?" -Michael.
"Like you're not what you seem. You play a part too, so to say. You appreciate nature and are a deep thinker, you just don't want anyone to know that." -Victoria.
"Anything else?" Michael says, but without commenting.
"..plenty." Victoria continues, "You are stubborn, infuriating, impulsive, arrogant ---"
Michael groans. "I shouldn't have asked."
Victoria laughs, but continues undeterred. "You are soft and vulnerable."
"Hey, that's ridiculous." -Michael.
"Why is that?" -Victoria.
"That' not me!" -Michael.
"Yeah it is and far more, I think. You just hide everything behind a suit of armor- whether that armor be anger or arrogance." -Victoria.
Michael was uncomfortable at her assessment. Could she tell all that by looking at him? How? No one else could. If she could go that deep- could she see 'green skin and antennaes' below that? A joke inwardly, but it wasn't really funny. He inwardly snorted at the 'soft' bit.
They sat a while in silence, small talk here and there, quiet observation at other times. They sat under the rocks, leaning against one corner of one of them.
"So -"Michael finally says, "What are you hiding behind your "rich girl", "princess", "smart alec"- armor?" -Michael.
Victoria looks at him, surprised. She avoids the question. "I think I was the one to use 'smart alec' in reference to you once, not to me."
"You didn't answer my question." -Michael.
"Oh, what was the question again?" -Victoria.
"What do you hide?" -Michael.
Victoria looks off at the far horizon where she sees the red of the sunset for miles and miles. "What do you think?"
"I don't know yet," Michael says. "But I think there's a lot more than meets the eye."
Silence ensues, again. Michael says then, "What ever happened to your mom?"
"What?" Victoria looks over at him, finally.
"Your mom. You said once that you didn't have one." -Michael.
"I never had one." -Victoria.
"Once you had to have or you wouldn't be here." -Michael.
"Well- I guess. Yes. Of course. I just never thought about it. I mean -it's never talked about." -Victoria.
"Too painful for your dad?" -Michael.
"Oh nothing like that. I'm adopted." -Victoria.
"What . . .I didn't know---" -Michael.
Victoria shrugs. "I never knew my real parents. And my father -- well, he's not sentimental. He's all business. I had tutors growing up. Pretty lonely, but you get used to it."
Michael looks at her, seriously. "Hey, I'm sorry."
She shrugs a bit again, "You never really miss what you've never had."
"I do." Michael says.
Victoria turns to him. "What do you mean?"
"I never knew my --- parents, either. I was in and out of foster homes. My foster dad was far from.. sentimental too, *very* far. "-Michael.
She looks at him, a flash of understanding. "He hurt you, didn't he." She says quietly.
Now it was Michael's turn to shrug, looking away. "You know beatings- that sort, they go away, the - pain, that is. Doesn't matter."
".. . But what lies underneath and what is left behind doesn't go away so easily." -Victoria.
There was more silence, before Victoria asks, "Did you have any siblings?"
"Well, sort of. Maxwell Evans and his sister are the closest thing I have to it. But -" Michael sighs, "Isabel's in trouble."
"Isabel?" -Victoria.
"Max's sister." -Michael.
"Oh. I've seen this Max Evans, but I don't think I've seen his sister." -Victoria.
"She goes to the college. Graduated early." -Michael.
Victoria nods. "What happened - you said she's in trouble."
Michael looks at her, "Oh, never mind. It's our problem."
"I won't say anything to anyone." Victoria says. "...Is she pregnant?"
He looks back at her. "No, nothing like that. She' ----- missing."
A sinking feeling enters Victoria's mind when she hears his words. She forces her voice to stay calm, normal. "What is she like?"
"A little bit like you. Hair's darker, dark eyes, about your 'build' and height, I think. She's called an ice princess- or was," Michael almost smiles at that. "But she's not really like that."
"I guess she has armor too." Victoria says calmly, controlled- but her mind was spinning.
"Yeah, I guess we all do." -Michael.
Victoria barely hears his words as she is remembering the girl at the base. Michael's friend. Hardly 3 miles away, just across the desert. This was one of the things that was bothering him. She somehow didn't like him distressed. Perhaps she could take that distress away. She could- -- God, no - she couldn't tell him. It wasn't permitted. Besides, even more so, Adam would-- She didn't want to think what Adam might do to Michael if he ran to go rescue his friend. She wanted to tell him, but she forced herself to stay perfectly composed, initiating small talk here and there, interspersed again with thoughtful silence. They shared the lunch Victoria had in her backpack, which had been meant for her school lunch. Michael scoffed at the fancy bottled water and packaging of the meal.
They both sat staring in thought at the vast, beautiful sky that seemed to stretch on so endlessly.
"That's where the magic lies." Victoria says quietly, in awe as always, as she stared at the night sky.
Michael looks over to her a long moment, as she sat cast with her head to the heavens, her long hair trailing the ground, her face awash in moonlight.
He almost hated to break that quiet, peaceful moment, but he says, "..It's getting later. Do you have a way back to Las Cruces?"
Victoria looks over at him. :"Oh yes, I guess we should be going. And no, I don't have a ride, but ---"
"Don't worry about it," Michael says, standing up. "I can take you home."
"But it's far." -Victoria.
Michael shrugs.
"Okay, then." -Victoria.
"Let's hit the road." -Michael.
They drove quickly for a long while in silence. Every mile Victoria became more and more tired. She was still not 100% from the 'treatments' and it was late now, plus she felt almost emotionally overwhelmed from being around Michael. Why did that always happen? She fought it for miles and miles, but she just had to rest her eyes - and - it wouldn't really hurt if she just put her head- - -
Michael stiffened at the first feel of Victoria as she lied her head against his back, leaning into him. She wasn't really thinking, she was just tired- he thought. After a few long moments, he put her arms around him, holding them a bit against him in one hand as he drove, because he could tell she was already asleep. There was no need for her to fall off and get landed in the hospital. He'd never met him, but he bet this Winthrop guy would have his head if that occurred. Michael drove on.
"Hey- Vic---" Victoria awoke to the sound of Michael's voice. She raised her head and saw that they were still driving, but they were in town and not in Roswell.
"Las Cruces?" Victoria asks.
"Yeah, we're here. Tell me where your place is." -Michael.
Victoria directed him and they rode for a while longer. On almost the outskirts of the city, Victoria told him to stop a few blocks up ahead. Michael pulled to a stop in front of an enormous 3-story, white stone mansion set far back in the distance, behind an extremely tall iron fence. Stopped in front of the security entrance, Michael said, "This is where you live?"
"Yes." -Victoria.
"I knew you were rich, but I didn't imagine this." -Michael.
"Yes, well, you should see the inside." "But," she quickly continues, "I'd better get inside." She slid off the motorcycle.
"I owe you one." -Victoria.
"Maybe I'll call it in sometime, too." -Michael.
"You do that." Victoria said seriously. She started to turn, but stopped when Michael said, "Hey, thanks."
She turned back and looked at him. "For?"
"It worked for a while -- what you meant to do." -Michael.
She smiled. "I'm glad. Has reality forced you back yet, though- as you said it always must do?"
"Not yet." -Michael.
The gates opened at Victoria's command into the security monitor. Michael left when she was inside the gates.
He drove, real tired himself by the time he got back to Roswell.
[Roswell, Michael's Apartment]
Maria was pacing back and forth, alternately cursing Michael and hoping he was safe.
When Michael walked into his apartment - reality in the form of Maria, hit him. Literally.
"Maria!" -Michael.
"You bastard, I thought you'd been kidnapped like Isabel!" -Maria.
"What are you talking about?!" -Michael.
"Max, Liz, and I saw you leave with that girl." -Maria.
"We didn't do anything Maria." -Michael
"It's 2 o'clock in the friggin' morning, Michael, and you're telling me you didn't DO anything?!!" Maria railed. "Do you realize I've been here for HOURS worried about you. I thought you could have been kidnapped or WORSE - and then you just finally show."
"You'd rather I have been in danger?" -Michael.
"Well - maybe! At least I would have known you weren't cheating on me! Is that what you are doing, Michael?!" Maria continued, not giving him a chance to get a word in.
"You and that- you and *her*?! How long - - -Maria.
"What?" -Michael.
"How - long- have - you - been -sleeping - with -her?" Maria demanded, very slowly, as if he couldn't understand her words.
"Stop, Maria. Just stop. It's not like that! Not like that at all!" Michael continued, "Look, I needed to get away from it all. Everyone is acting as if Isabel's already dead and not coming back."
"Maybe she isn't." Maria said, but she almost regretted it as soon as she said it.
"Don't ever say that again! She IS coming back." Michael said, and then, "She is." He said, quieter.
"You're still not explaining why you were with HER." -Maria.
"I told you, I needed to get away from it all - - - and Isabel's 'mourners." -Michael.
"Assuming that was the case, why with her, huh?" Maria asked, her hands on her hips.
"We have things in common." -Michael.
"Like what?" Maria asked. "She's a rich little tramp, Michael."
"You don't know her." - Michael.
"And you do?" Maria shot back.
"Yeah. . . I think I do." -Michael.
He continued, "We went to the desert, talked, I drove her home to Las Cruces -and that's it."
"You took here *there*." -Maria gasped.
"No. Of course I didn't take her there." -Michael.
"Michael," Maria sighed. "Tell me the truth. Have you and this girl slept together?"
"I told you no!" -Michael.
"Kissed?" -Maria.
"No Maria." -Michael.
"Held hands?" -Maria.
"No." Michael said. They hadn't held hands really, well anyway - it wasn't like *that* or anything.
"Look Maria, you're my girlfriend okay. She's not. She's .. a friend. That's all. Stop giving me the 3rd degree." -Michael.
Maria stopped, she stood studying Michael. Finding him to be telling the truth, she said, "Okay, fine. I'm going home- to bed."
Michael rubbed his eyes wearily, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Maria nodded. Before she went out the door, she called back, "By the way, I'm glad you weren't -kidnapped or anything."
---End of Chapter 13---
I took a walk around the world to
ease my troubled mind
I left my body laying somewhere
in the sands of time
I watched the world float to the dark
side of the moon
I feel there's nothing I can do, yeah
.
I watched the world float to the
dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be something
to do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll be my friend at the end
.
If I go crazy then will you still
call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be
there holdin' my hand
I'll keep you by my side with
my superhuman might
.
You called me strong, you called me weak
but still your secrets I will keep
I'll keep you by my side with
my superhuman might
The stars on the big screen
Then he lies awake and he wonders, why
Can't that be me
Cause in his life he is filled with all these
Good intentions
He's left a lot of things he'd rather not
Mention right now
But just before he says goodnight, he looks
Up with a little smile at me and he says
If I could be like that, I would
Give anything
Just to live one day, in those shoes
If I could be like that, what would I do
What would I do
Now in dreams we run
She spends her days up in the north park,
Watching the people as they pass
And all she wants is just a little piece of
This dream, is that too much to ask
With a safe home, and a warm bed, on a
Quiet little street
All she wants is just that something to
Hold onto, that's all she needs
I'm falling into this, in dreams
We run away*]
---Chapter 13---
"So now what?" Michael calls back to Victoria as he drives.
"So now--- let's hit that." Victoria points to a road that goes around Roswell, heading to the state road.
Michael does as she says. He drives for a while, then turns back to her. "So where are we going anyway? There's nothing out here, but---
"-desert. Exactly." Victoria says.
"And this is where your magic place is?" -Michael.
"Yes." Victoria says. She directs him now and then.
They were outside of Roswell now, where the desert seemed to go on forever. It was October and in the afternoon- heading towards evening, so it was not unbearably hot.
Victoria directs Michael to drive into the desert now. "Okay. Slow down. See those twin rocks?" Victoria says.
Michael looks around. "yeah. If he wasn't mistaken and he's sure he wasn't - HIS - Max, Isabel and his place wasn't so very far from here. He felt a bit apprehensive being out here with her. But it wasn't like he was showing her that place. She was showing him some place.
They drive over to the huge twin rocks. Up close they looked to be leaning on one another precariously. Stopping the motorcycle, Michael looked up at them.
Victoria looked at Michael looking at them. "Don't worry. They won't fall."
"Yeah, you never know." -Michael.
She laughed, "Well, I am quite certain they will not. You see they have each other to lean on. As long as they have that, neither will ever fall."
Michael looked at her askance. "Seems like you have more reasoning behind that then what you say."
"Yes, I do. I've had many hours to think on different things." -Victoria.
"Out here?" -Michael.
Victoria points to the north-east. "Far over there, a few miles away- there's a military base."
"THE base?" -Michael.
"What do you mean?" -Victoria.
"It's kinda famous." -Michael.
"Oh." -Victoria.
"Have you ever been in that place?" -Michael.
"Yes --- actually." -Victoria.
"How did you ever manage that?" -Michael.
"My father, remember?" -Victoria.
Michael nods. Victoria goes on, "Well, he takes me with him sometimes. I escape sometimes and wander out her for hours under the night sky."
"Escape?" -Michael.
"..A figure of speech. Figuratively, I escape that is. Out here, it can be an escape . . . for a while." -Victoria.
"I know, but you always have to go back to reality." -Michael.
Victoria looks at him. "You've come out here before?"
"Well, not here -- but the desert, yeah." -Michael.
"Hmm." -Victoria.
"What's the 'hmm' for?" -Michael.
"Just you don't seem to be the type to revel in nature." -Victoria.
"See, you wouldn't know." -Michael says, looking away.
"I said you didn't really *seem* like that. But I know you are." -Victoria.
"You wouldn't know much about me. You couldn't" -Michael.
"Maybe, maybe not. But I'd bet you that I know more than you think." -Victoria.
"Like what?" -Michael.
"Like you're not what you seem. You play a part too, so to say. You appreciate nature and are a deep thinker, you just don't want anyone to know that." -Victoria.
"Anything else?" Michael says, but without commenting.
"..plenty." Victoria continues, "You are stubborn, infuriating, impulsive, arrogant ---"
Michael groans. "I shouldn't have asked."
Victoria laughs, but continues undeterred. "You are soft and vulnerable."
"Hey, that's ridiculous." -Michael.
"Why is that?" -Victoria.
"That' not me!" -Michael.
"Yeah it is and far more, I think. You just hide everything behind a suit of armor- whether that armor be anger or arrogance." -Victoria.
Michael was uncomfortable at her assessment. Could she tell all that by looking at him? How? No one else could. If she could go that deep- could she see 'green skin and antennaes' below that? A joke inwardly, but it wasn't really funny. He inwardly snorted at the 'soft' bit.
They sat a while in silence, small talk here and there, quiet observation at other times. They sat under the rocks, leaning against one corner of one of them.
"So -"Michael finally says, "What are you hiding behind your "rich girl", "princess", "smart alec"- armor?" -Michael.
Victoria looks at him, surprised. She avoids the question. "I think I was the one to use 'smart alec' in reference to you once, not to me."
"You didn't answer my question." -Michael.
"Oh, what was the question again?" -Victoria.
"What do you hide?" -Michael.
Victoria looks off at the far horizon where she sees the red of the sunset for miles and miles. "What do you think?"
"I don't know yet," Michael says. "But I think there's a lot more than meets the eye."
Silence ensues, again. Michael says then, "What ever happened to your mom?"
"What?" Victoria looks over at him, finally.
"Your mom. You said once that you didn't have one." -Michael.
"I never had one." -Victoria.
"Once you had to have or you wouldn't be here." -Michael.
"Well- I guess. Yes. Of course. I just never thought about it. I mean -it's never talked about." -Victoria.
"Too painful for your dad?" -Michael.
"Oh nothing like that. I'm adopted." -Victoria.
"What . . .I didn't know---" -Michael.
Victoria shrugs. "I never knew my real parents. And my father -- well, he's not sentimental. He's all business. I had tutors growing up. Pretty lonely, but you get used to it."
Michael looks at her, seriously. "Hey, I'm sorry."
She shrugs a bit again, "You never really miss what you've never had."
"I do." Michael says.
Victoria turns to him. "What do you mean?"
"I never knew my --- parents, either. I was in and out of foster homes. My foster dad was far from.. sentimental too, *very* far. "-Michael.
She looks at him, a flash of understanding. "He hurt you, didn't he." She says quietly.
Now it was Michael's turn to shrug, looking away. "You know beatings- that sort, they go away, the - pain, that is. Doesn't matter."
".. . But what lies underneath and what is left behind doesn't go away so easily." -Victoria.
There was more silence, before Victoria asks, "Did you have any siblings?"
"Well, sort of. Maxwell Evans and his sister are the closest thing I have to it. But -" Michael sighs, "Isabel's in trouble."
"Isabel?" -Victoria.
"Max's sister." -Michael.
"Oh. I've seen this Max Evans, but I don't think I've seen his sister." -Victoria.
"She goes to the college. Graduated early." -Michael.
Victoria nods. "What happened - you said she's in trouble."
Michael looks at her, "Oh, never mind. It's our problem."
"I won't say anything to anyone." Victoria says. "...Is she pregnant?"
He looks back at her. "No, nothing like that. She' ----- missing."
A sinking feeling enters Victoria's mind when she hears his words. She forces her voice to stay calm, normal. "What is she like?"
"A little bit like you. Hair's darker, dark eyes, about your 'build' and height, I think. She's called an ice princess- or was," Michael almost smiles at that. "But she's not really like that."
"I guess she has armor too." Victoria says calmly, controlled- but her mind was spinning.
"Yeah, I guess we all do." -Michael.
Victoria barely hears his words as she is remembering the girl at the base. Michael's friend. Hardly 3 miles away, just across the desert. This was one of the things that was bothering him. She somehow didn't like him distressed. Perhaps she could take that distress away. She could- -- God, no - she couldn't tell him. It wasn't permitted. Besides, even more so, Adam would-- She didn't want to think what Adam might do to Michael if he ran to go rescue his friend. She wanted to tell him, but she forced herself to stay perfectly composed, initiating small talk here and there, interspersed again with thoughtful silence. They shared the lunch Victoria had in her backpack, which had been meant for her school lunch. Michael scoffed at the fancy bottled water and packaging of the meal.
They both sat staring in thought at the vast, beautiful sky that seemed to stretch on so endlessly.
"That's where the magic lies." Victoria says quietly, in awe as always, as she stared at the night sky.
Michael looks over to her a long moment, as she sat cast with her head to the heavens, her long hair trailing the ground, her face awash in moonlight.
He almost hated to break that quiet, peaceful moment, but he says, "..It's getting later. Do you have a way back to Las Cruces?"
Victoria looks over at him. :"Oh yes, I guess we should be going. And no, I don't have a ride, but ---"
"Don't worry about it," Michael says, standing up. "I can take you home."
"But it's far." -Victoria.
Michael shrugs.
"Okay, then." -Victoria.
"Let's hit the road." -Michael.
They drove quickly for a long while in silence. Every mile Victoria became more and more tired. She was still not 100% from the 'treatments' and it was late now, plus she felt almost emotionally overwhelmed from being around Michael. Why did that always happen? She fought it for miles and miles, but she just had to rest her eyes - and - it wouldn't really hurt if she just put her head- - -
Michael stiffened at the first feel of Victoria as she lied her head against his back, leaning into him. She wasn't really thinking, she was just tired- he thought. After a few long moments, he put her arms around him, holding them a bit against him in one hand as he drove, because he could tell she was already asleep. There was no need for her to fall off and get landed in the hospital. He'd never met him, but he bet this Winthrop guy would have his head if that occurred. Michael drove on.
"Hey- Vic---" Victoria awoke to the sound of Michael's voice. She raised her head and saw that they were still driving, but they were in town and not in Roswell.
"Las Cruces?" Victoria asks.
"Yeah, we're here. Tell me where your place is." -Michael.
Victoria directed him and they rode for a while longer. On almost the outskirts of the city, Victoria told him to stop a few blocks up ahead. Michael pulled to a stop in front of an enormous 3-story, white stone mansion set far back in the distance, behind an extremely tall iron fence. Stopped in front of the security entrance, Michael said, "This is where you live?"
"Yes." -Victoria.
"I knew you were rich, but I didn't imagine this." -Michael.
"Yes, well, you should see the inside." "But," she quickly continues, "I'd better get inside." She slid off the motorcycle.
"I owe you one." -Victoria.
"Maybe I'll call it in sometime, too." -Michael.
"You do that." Victoria said seriously. She started to turn, but stopped when Michael said, "Hey, thanks."
She turned back and looked at him. "For?"
"It worked for a while -- what you meant to do." -Michael.
She smiled. "I'm glad. Has reality forced you back yet, though- as you said it always must do?"
"Not yet." -Michael.
The gates opened at Victoria's command into the security monitor. Michael left when she was inside the gates.
He drove, real tired himself by the time he got back to Roswell.
[Roswell, Michael's Apartment]
Maria was pacing back and forth, alternately cursing Michael and hoping he was safe.
When Michael walked into his apartment - reality in the form of Maria, hit him. Literally.
"Maria!" -Michael.
"You bastard, I thought you'd been kidnapped like Isabel!" -Maria.
"What are you talking about?!" -Michael.
"Max, Liz, and I saw you leave with that girl." -Maria.
"We didn't do anything Maria." -Michael
"It's 2 o'clock in the friggin' morning, Michael, and you're telling me you didn't DO anything?!!" Maria railed. "Do you realize I've been here for HOURS worried about you. I thought you could have been kidnapped or WORSE - and then you just finally show."
"You'd rather I have been in danger?" -Michael.
"Well - maybe! At least I would have known you weren't cheating on me! Is that what you are doing, Michael?!" Maria continued, not giving him a chance to get a word in.
"You and that- you and *her*?! How long - - -Maria.
"What?" -Michael.
"How - long- have - you - been -sleeping - with -her?" Maria demanded, very slowly, as if he couldn't understand her words.
"Stop, Maria. Just stop. It's not like that! Not like that at all!" Michael continued, "Look, I needed to get away from it all. Everyone is acting as if Isabel's already dead and not coming back."
"Maybe she isn't." Maria said, but she almost regretted it as soon as she said it.
"Don't ever say that again! She IS coming back." Michael said, and then, "She is." He said, quieter.
"You're still not explaining why you were with HER." -Maria.
"I told you, I needed to get away from it all - - - and Isabel's 'mourners." -Michael.
"Assuming that was the case, why with her, huh?" Maria asked, her hands on her hips.
"We have things in common." -Michael.
"Like what?" Maria asked. "She's a rich little tramp, Michael."
"You don't know her." - Michael.
"And you do?" Maria shot back.
"Yeah. . . I think I do." -Michael.
He continued, "We went to the desert, talked, I drove her home to Las Cruces -and that's it."
"You took here *there*." -Maria gasped.
"No. Of course I didn't take her there." -Michael.
"Michael," Maria sighed. "Tell me the truth. Have you and this girl slept together?"
"I told you no!" -Michael.
"Kissed?" -Maria.
"No Maria." -Michael.
"Held hands?" -Maria.
"No." Michael said. They hadn't held hands really, well anyway - it wasn't like *that* or anything.
"Look Maria, you're my girlfriend okay. She's not. She's .. a friend. That's all. Stop giving me the 3rd degree." -Michael.
Maria stopped, she stood studying Michael. Finding him to be telling the truth, she said, "Okay, fine. I'm going home- to bed."
Michael rubbed his eyes wearily, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Maria nodded. Before she went out the door, she called back, "By the way, I'm glad you weren't -kidnapped or anything."
---End of Chapter 13---
I took a walk around the world to
ease my troubled mind
I left my body laying somewhere
in the sands of time
I watched the world float to the dark
side of the moon
I feel there's nothing I can do, yeah
.
I watched the world float to the
dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be something
to do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll be my friend at the end
.
If I go crazy then will you still
call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be
there holdin' my hand
I'll keep you by my side with
my superhuman might
.
You called me strong, you called me weak
but still your secrets I will keep
I'll keep you by my side with
my superhuman might