Blossoming Within Her.

Set after the end of season 2 and before season 3.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, this is written purely for entertainment. Please don't sue me I'm broke and a teenager.

Old times recaptured.

Maria DeLuca stood outside the Crashdown, looking inside at the three people who had changed the lives of herself and her best friend Liz Parker so completely. One of them, Michael Guerin particularly had changed her life in a way he did not yet understand.

There had been chemistry between them for as long as she could remember. It was a chemistry that had recently reached it's peak and resulted in a night she was never likely to forget and in all honesty wouldn't want to. Their relationship had been an on and off one at the best of times, but lately she had found herself falling more deeply in love with him than she ever thought possible. That moment three months ago where he told her that he, Max, Isabel and Tess were going home truly tore her apart, though she knew it was inevitable.

That night was the first night he had let her in. It was the first night he had opened up to her. For the first time she had seen his true self and felt the love he possessed for her so strongly it was as if it was imprinted into her being. He had shown her that she was the centre of his world and that was something Maria had never expected. Especially from Michael Guerin

She truly had expected him to go that day. She had expected him to leave their more often than not troubled relationship so he could follow his destiny, and yet there he stood, in front of her, having left the ship on which they would be going home because he had realised something. That something was that for the first time he had a home and that no matter where he came from that home was on earth. He had realised his home was with her. And that his home was her. He had stayed because of her and because of the strength of his love for her and for that Maria felt blessed.

No one had ever possessed that kind of love for her. It was something she had never expected from anyone, but ever since that day he hadn't left her side and a day didn't go by when she wasn't made aware of that love. She hadn't expected to see them in the Crashdown that evening though. She and Liz were supposed to be having a girly night in and yet there they all were, laughing and joking together, something she couldn't have pictured happening a few months ago after the revelation that Max had slept with Tess and that she was expecting his child. There were things she needed to talk to Liz about...things she couldn't talk to Michael about yet... but here they were and having the big heart she did she wasn't so selfish to stop the obvious friendly gathering that was taking place as it really was something needed.

Taking a deep breath and clutching her bag Maria entered, smiling at all that sat inside the Crashdown, though the smile was forced and one Max immediately saw through.

"Hey Maria, I know we were supposed to have a girly night but I thought we could all stay and watch some videos, you know try to recapture some of the old times before..." Liz started.

"Yeah." Maria replied quietly.

"Sweetie you okay?" Michael asked her pulling her down onto his lap, the others smiling at the affectionate term he had used.

"I'm fine." She told him, putting on a smile and kissing him on the forehead. "Look I'm gonna go and put my stuff upstairs. I'll be down in a minute." She told the group before leaving a very confused bunch of people behind.

"What's up with her?" Isabel commented a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Max what?" Liz asked, noticing that Max was still looking towards the door having sensed something within Maria.

"It's...uh nothing. I was just thinking." He replied giving Michael an uneasy look, which Liz immediately picked up on.

"New concept there hey Max." Isabel joked, oblivious to the silent communication going on between the pair, as was Michael who kept looking at the door, which Maria had previously walked out of.

"So, uh... does anybody want another soda?" Liz asked the group.

"Nope, I'm good." Isabel replied.

"Michael?" Liz asked noticing Michael was still looking at the door totally oblivious to the group who sat with him. "Hey Michael you want another soda?" She asked again.

"Erm yeah. You think she's okay?" He asked Liz obviously worried.

"I'm sure she's fine Michael." Liz replied, though not entirely sure herself.

Isabel smiled.

"Michael Guerin, so obviously in love with a human woman. Who would've thought it possible?" She joked. "It suits you." She then told him quietly making Liz smile.

"Max you wanna help me with the sodas?" Liz asked, silently encouraging Max to talk with her.

"I'm okay here..." he told her, getting ready to tease Michael himself.

Liz hit him in the arm.

"Or I could go help." He told them. "Be back in a minute guys." He told his family following Liz into the kitchen.

"Max are you going to tell me what you saw when Maria walked in." Liz asked him crossing her arms and frowning at him?

"Liz I don't know if I should." He replied quietly, looking down at the floor.

"Max what is it? It can't be good if you can't even look at me. Max she's my best friend, if something's wrong I need to know."

Max tenderly stroked her face.

"Liz it's not something that's wrong. It's something that could complicate things that's all." He told her reassuringly.

"She's not sick or anything is she Max?" Liz asked, worried for her best friend.

"No she's not sick Liz, I swear on my life." Max told Liz honestly.

"Then please tell me." She pleaded looking straight into his eyes, Max fighting the will to tell her something that could only be revealed by her best friend.

"It's not my place Liz; it's Maria's." Max replied.

Liz turned away from him, Max then putting a hand gently on her shoulder.

"Liz, I know this is hurting you, and I know that after everything that's happened with Tess you're only now starting to trust me again. I want you to trust me now...I need you to. I need you to believe that what I sensed.... Only Maria can tell you what it is."

"Max I do trust you. I don't think I ever really stopped, and even though you won't tell me.... Thank you for respecting Maria enough to let her tell me herself." Liz replied as Max took her in his arms.

"I'd do anything for you Liz." He told her, breathing in the scent of her as she relaxed into his embrace.

"I know." She replied. "But we'd better get those sodas or Michael will know we've been talking."

"Liz, I'm sure he's too worried to even notice." Max told her wanting to hold on to this moment for a little longer.

Liz looked at him.

"Okay...let's do the sodas." He agreed making her laugh, giving her a reassuring pat on the small of her back before they moved about the kitchen getting the drinks.