Hi! Sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter posted.
I made this one a two-part chapter--I got a little long winded.
Thanks for the reviews you all have been so kind!
Enjoy, and keep me posted on what you like and dislike.
WHITMAN HOME
Sera hopped out of bed as soon as the alarm buzz registered in her subconscious. She grabbed her robe and dashed to the shower. She smiled as she adjusted the water temperature. Glancing at the clock, her smile grew. Tonight she was finally going out with Kyle, ALONE.
I was beginning to think that he was never going to ask.
I figured that he was just a huge flirt who talked a big game, but never did anything about it.
I can't believe I'm this giddy over some guy!
Then again Kyle Valenti, was more than just "some guy." He was good-looking, charming, funny, an incredible flirt, and was becoming a great friend.
She'd been in Roswell for three weeks, and the majority of that time she'd spent with Kyle.
Granted, it was mostly during group outings or while he ate lunch at the Crashdown. But for now she was willing to accept quantity over quality.
As she stepped in the shower and felt the warm water cascade over her, she planned her day.
Work on the butterflies in my room till my shift starts. Obsess with Maria over what I should wear tonight. Come home in time for another quick shower and just enough time to look dazzling before Kyle picks me up.
Running a freshly lathered shower puff over her body, she thought back to his invitation.
"Hey Sera, what are you doing Saturday night?"
"I work till 6, after that I'm not sure. You?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to see Tomb Raider with me."
Maria, who'd been filling a glass at the soda machine turned with a smile. Kyle made a quick jerking motion with his head and she turned back around.
"Yeah, I'd love to go."
"I hear it's a really good movie."
"And it has nothing to do with the fact that Angelina runs around in a half shirt and short shorts right? Sera said with a smirk.
Maria snickered from her position at the soda machine.
"Of course not," He protested
"Yeah right!" Maria and Sera replied in unison.
"Although I think you'll be distracted by Lara Croft, I'd still like to go with you!"
"Great, I'll pick you up at 7:00? I figured we could grab a bite and catch the late show."
"Sounds perfect." she beamed at him.
The water temperature changed, bringing Sera out of her rumination.
She rinsed her hair, turned off the shower and hopped out. Throwing on her robe, she had just entered her room when she heard her cell phone's version of the Buffy theme. She grabbed her phone off the charger and hit the talk button.
"Hello?"
"Chiquita, Its me."
"Hey Maria."
"Listen I know you're not supposed to be here for another two hours or something but..."
"Let me guess, Holly called in sick again?"
"Good guess!"
"Yeah, I can come in. I was just going to work on my room today, but that can wait."
"Are you sure? I don't want to interfere with your plans."
"No big. I was just going to stencil those butterflies on the walls. I'll just see if I can sweet talk Kyle into helping me."
"I see, enticing Kyle into your bedroom you little slut!" Maria cackled.
"Do you want me to come in or not?"
"Just kidding!!"
"OK, I just got out of the shower so give me about a half an hour and I'll be there."
"I so owe you!"
"And I plan to collect!"
"See ya in a few."
As she hung up, Sera turned to the stencils and paint scattered on her desk.
"I promise I'll get to you tomorrow."
She was sure if they could talk, they'd tell her that she had been saying that for a week.
CRASHDOWN CAFEÉ
Sera walked from the kitchen to the counter where Maria was making a Blood of Alien smoothie.
"I'm here."
"Oh my God, I've never been so happy to see someone in my life. Its like everyone in town decided to come in for breakfast. Don't they know there is a perfectly good McDonald's two blocks down the road?
"Now Maria, how can you possibly compare a McFlurry with our very own Blood of Alien Smoothie. Just look at its lovely green hue."
"Funny! Let me know if you think things are so amusing when you've been here for an hour with all the crazies. And Michael I swear to god if you ding that bell one more time I WILL kill you!"
"You've got two orders that have been up for 5 minutes. I'm getting backed up here."
"Well I guess I know where to start. Maria, where do these go?" Sera asked, playing peacemaker.
"Uh, take the UFOs to table three and this smoothie goes with the waffles over to table eight."
"Got it."
Thanks again for coming in early Sera. It means a lot."
"Anytime."
Sera distributed the food on her tray to its proper locations. She took orders from the tables in what would have been Holly's section if she'd bother to come in. As she took the order slips to the window she tried to make small talk with Michael. He offered her an occasional grunt and a few `yeah, sures' before Maria told her not to bother.
"He's grumpy in the morning."
"Yeah, and you're little miss sunshine."
"See."
"OK guys, call a truce. We're going to be here all day, I think it will go better if you don't trade barbs for the next eight hours."
"But it's so fun!" Maria whined
"Come on, we have about 15 tables to wait on."
"Ugh, don't remind me."
They worked the tables effortlessly; it was the counter customers who were the biggest pains in the ass. They always seemed to ask for more coffee only when the girls had their hands full with trays or plates. Sera was nearly at her breaking point with an elderly lady at the end of the counter. She wanted blueberry syrup on her UFO cakes but she wanted it heated, not too hot. She wanted half-decaf, half regular coffee in a warm mug with cream, but only real cream, not the powdered variety. Sera took both pots to her mug so the woman could measure the exact quantity. When she finished the lady took a sip and asked if she could have her mug reheated. The coffee simply wasn't hot enough.
Sera plastered on her best smile and said "No problem. I'll be right back."
She pushed through the swinging doors that led into the kitchen.
Popping the mug in the microwave she punched the keypad and turned to Michael.
"How many years do you think I'd get for lacing the coffee of that Mrs. Doubtfire out there with arsenic?"
Michael gave her a weird look and she pointed out to the end of the counter.
"That's Mrs. Myers. She's a regular. Liz and Maria play rock, paper scissors to see who has to wait on her."
"I was never given that option!"
"Personally if I were on the jury you'd get off Scott free."
Sera grinned and took the warm mug out of the microwave. She placed it on the counter in front of Mrs. Myers and smiled.
"There you are. How's that?"
Mrs. Myers took a sip and pondered for a moment. "Much better dearie, thank you."
"Sure."
She started to turn away when Mrs. Myers called out.
"Dear do you think you could re-heat my syrup? It's gone a bit cold."
Sera gritted her teeth and turned around.
"Sure!"
Maria was picking up an order when Sera made her second trip to the kitchen. As she passed she shot Maria a death look and pushed the doors open.
Michael laughed when she came in.
"Back so soon?"
"Laugh it up fuzzball!"
"Listen, Princess."
Sera laughed, "You know most people don't get my Star Wars quotes. You're quick."
"It's a great movie."
"Amen to that."
When the microwave beeped AGAIN, Sera took the syrup out to Mrs. Myers.
"Anything else I can get for you?"
Please say no
"No I think everything looks OK for now."
"Great. I'll be right over here if you need anything."
"Mrs. Myers giving you trouble? Maria asked as she took a breather.
"How could you stick me with her after I came in to help you?"
Hey, that's the way it worked out. Mr. P scheduled Holly to work that section. And because you are the generous soul you are, you got stuck with Mrs. Myers!"
"Remind me the next time you want a favor, NOT to do it for you!"
"Hey, at least you don't have the Stinky Cheese Man over here."
"Who?"
"That guy, he works at the cheese factory and he stinks...therefore
"The Stinky Cheese Man." they finished together.
One of Maria's tables was low on drinks so she scooted off to make refills just as the bell over the door rang again and Vicki Delany walked in with a guy Sera didn't know. They found a table in her section. Vicki waved as she sat down.
"Hi Vicki, How are you?"
"Hi Sera. When did you start here?"
"Right when I got into town. My step-dad called Mr. Parker and set it up."
"Wow, you were busy when you got here, trying out for the squad, getting a job."
"I'm never happy unless I've got twenty things going at once."
"Sounds familiar. Vicki laughed. God I'm sorry. Sera Davidson, this is Jake Winger, Jake, Sera."
"Hey."
"Hey, nice to meet you. Can I get you guys something to drink?"
"Yeah, I'll have diet coke."
"Uh, Martian milkshake. Chocolate." Jake mumbled
"OK, you guys check out the menu while I'll get your drinks and I'll be back to get your order."
Sera was at the shake machine when she heard Maria's sultry voice behind her. "Sooo, excited about tonight?"
Sera turned to face her friend not even trying to hide her smile. "A little obvious huh?"
"Just a little. Wanna hear something hilarious?"
"Always!"
"Kyle was singing this morning."
"What? No way!"
"Honest to God."
"What was he singing."
"Please. I could barely hear him I was laughing so hard. I really couldn't make out what it was."
"I think the more important question is why was he singing?" Michael called from the kitchen
"Michael, girl talk! Go away."
"No Maria he raises an good point. Why is Kyle singing, and why do you find it so amusing?"
"Hello! Earth to Sera? Have you not noticed that when Kyle gets around you he looks like a smitten love puppy? I never knew him to sing before you came to town, and I've known that boy for MANY years!!"
"You really think it had to do with me."
"Yes crazy girl I do. But I can't go into any more detail."
"Why?"
"Because he's heading in our direction."
Sera finished Jake's Martian Milkshake and quickly filled a glass of Diet Coke for Vicki, before turning to see Kyle grab a seat at the counter. Maria took the drinks from Sera, grabbed them two menus and placed all of it on her tray.
"Go."
"I have to take those to Vicki and Jake."
"Go Wait On Kyle." Maria said stressing every word
"Mar...
"GO! I'll not tell you again."
Sera flashed Maria a huge smile.
"I love you."
"I know. Can I borrow your Prada bag tonight?"
"It's yours for a week if you want it."
"Score! Now hurry, I don't want Kyle to pull a Max and serenade you!"
"What?"
"I'll explain later!" she called as she walked to Vicki and Jake's table
Sera took out her order pad and walked to Kyle.
"Hi."
"Hey you. What are you doing here so early?"
"I was just going to ask you the same thing. I thought you took lunch at noon, Its 11:30" she said consulting his watch.
"Yeah, Toby's letting me off early. So I have to take an earlier lunch. What are you doing here? I thought you didn't come in till noon."
"Maria called at 9:30 to see if I could come in early."
Kyle glanced around. "No Holly?"
"No Holly."
"I wouldn't make a regular habit of covering for her. She'll call in sick more often."
"Is that even possible?"
"She'll event a way!"
"The sad thing is, her shift was only from 9-1."
"I think the morning cartoons were too much of a temptation to pass up!"
Sera laughed, "I guess since you're here for lunch we should feed you sometime soon. Do you know what you want?"
Kyle had to fight the urge to respond YOU.
"Uh, yeah, Just a Sigourney Weaver with a side of Saturn rings. And tell Michael medium means it should have some pink in the middle."
"If you want to criticize Michael's cooking go right ahead, but don't have me do your dirty work for you."
"Chicken."
"I'll get your order in. What can I get you to drink?"
"Root beer."
"Be right back."
"So, dinner a movie and then..."
Kyle turned to see Maria perched at his elbow.
"Where did you come from?"
"I was over there with Vicki and Jake. Don't try and change the subject."
"What subject?"
"The subject of where you are taking Sera after dinner and the movie."
"I don't know, probably home. It's a first date Maria."
"What's this the great Kyle Valenti not taking a girl to Buckley Point...I'm shocked!"
"I didn't say I wasn't taking her there ever, I'm just saying its not in the plans right now."
"What's not in the plans?" Sera asked returning with Kyle's root beer.
"Uh, uh..." Kyle stuttered looking at Maria desperately for help.
"It's not in the plans for him to go into work tomorrow."
"Oh great. I'm going to stencil those butterflies in my room and I wanted to enlist your help...if you're free."
"Uh yeah, sure."
"I mean, if you already have plans its cool. I just..."
"No. I'd love to be in your room, Help. Help you in your room."
"Great! Hang on a second." she hopped over to Vicki and Jake's table to offer them refills.
As soon as she was gone Kyle dropped his head in his hands.
"Smooth!" Maria teased.
"Shut up! You weren't much help."
"What are you talking about? I totally saved the day."
"It's not in the plans for me to go to work tomorrow? Maria you've been lying on the spot for nearly three years and that's the best you could come up with."
"Sorry. Next time I'll leave you to sputter and squirm."
"I'd love to be in your room? Did I really say that?"
"You bet Romeo!"
They quieted as Sera brought Vicki's glass to the soda machine and refilled it. She reached under the counter, got a clean glass out for Jake, filled it with ice and coke and took both glasses back to their table.
"So what were you singing this morning?" Maria asked when Sera was again out of earshot.
"You heard me?"
"Yeah, it was a little hard to hear over my hysterical laughter, but I caught some of it. What were you singing?"
"No force on this planet will get me to tell you that."
"A piping hot Sigourney Weaver and Saturn rings." Sera proclaimed setting the platter in front of Kyle.
"This looks great. Thanks."
"Sure."
"Oh look, Sean's here." Maria said without enthusiasm.
"Who's Sean?" Sera asked looking from Kyle to Maria.
"My deadbeat cousin."
"Maria" Kyle said, his mouth full.
"Sorry. Habit. Kyle and Sean have become pretty good friends over the past few months."
"Hey gang." Sean said as he walked up and snagged food from Kyle's plate
"Hey buddy. Sure, help yourself to my Saturn rings, I don't mind."
"I didn't think you would."
"Sean."
"Cus."
Sean stopped, gazing at Sera with interest.
"Hello!"
"Hi."
"And who might you be?"
"I might be a lot of people, but my name is Sera."
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
Kyle picking up on the flirting, quickly moved into action.
"So Sera, where do you want to have dinner tonight."
"I don't know what's a good place?" she asked turning to Maria.
"Yeah, like Michael takes me out to dinner."
"Liz said something about Senor Chow's, is that nice?"
"Yeah, we can go there."
"So you're new in town?" Sean asked, knowing he was ruffling Kyle's feathers.
"Just moved here about three weeks ago."
"She's Mr. Whitman's step-daughter." Maria explained.
"Cool." Sean replied, pilfering a few more of Kyle's Saturn rings
"Can I get you your own food or do you prefer to just pick off Kyle's plate?"
"Yeah, give me a slice of Men in Blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream."
"Hot?"
"Very hot." Sean snickered his eyes roaming over Sera.
Maria reached across the counter to smack Sean upside the head as Kyle elbowed him in the ribs.
"Let me rephrase, do you want your pie heated?"
"That sounds great."
"Be right back."
"She's feisty Valenti, you'd better hold on to this one."
"How is it that you've been gone for a month on a job seminar which requires sensitivity training and you come back equally as obnoxious as when you left?" Maria queried.
"What can I say? You bring out the best in me."
The cousins made faces at each other until Sera came back with Sean's pie.
"Enjoy."
"OK guys, I have to head out. If I'm not back soon, Toby won't be so willing to let me go home early. Thanks for the food." Kyle rose and laid a ten on the counter.
"I'll see you tonight." He directed at Sera, she nodded and smiled shyly.
"Kyle wait, your change." She started after him
"Keep it."
"Thanks."
He winked at her. "Sure. See you Maria, Sean."
"Later."
"So are you planning on inhabiting the new DeLuca/Valenti home or will you be staying in your car?"
"I plan on moving in to the new homestead...if the nearly newlyweds are agreeable."
Vicki and Jake came to the counter and paid their tab to Sera, after they'd gone she went on a +sweep of her tables, checking to see if anyone needed anything.
"She would just like to know if you're going to stick around for more than a week."
"Yeah, I plan on sticking around. Especially now that there are so many interesting developments." he was gawking at Sera as she refilled a coffee cup.
"Hey," Maria yelled as she smacked him. "What did I tell you about checking out my friends? Do you know how creepy it is to see you fawning all over them?"
"You never let me have any fun."
"You're right. It's my goal in life to rob you of any kind of amusement. Especially when it involves dark-haired Crashdown waitresses. I'm sensing a pattern here."
"Fine, fine. So is Aunt Amy home?"
"Yeah, Sheriff, uh Jim, didn't have to go in till tonight so I think they were going go over the guest list. November is fast approaching."
"So you're OK with this? Aunt Amy and Sheriff Valenti?"
"Yeah, Jim's a great guy and I think I can handle living with Kyle."
"Now I just have to try and live with both of you."
"You're moving in with Kyle and Maria?" Sera asked as she re-joined them at the counter.
"Yeah. So I'll be around quite a bit."
"How wonderful for us!" Sera joked.
"All right vixens, I can take a hint. I'll see you two later."
"Bye." they replied in unison
"OK. Now we're finally alone, so what are you going to wear on your date tonight?"
"I haven't decided yet. I'm torn between a blue dress and this little flowered skirt with a white corset top."
"A corset? Won't that be a little binding?"
"No, it's not whale boned, it's corded so it's really comfortable; but it does hold in and UP certain things."
"Hmmm, maybe I could borrow that sometime too. I warned you I was going to be raiding your closet a lot."
"I still haven't had a look at yours. I'm sure you've got some amazing finds."
"Please like those will fit into my clothes." Maria laughed pointing in the vicinity of Sera's chest.
"Shut up. You have a great figure."
"I'll second that." Michael said suddenly behind them. He bent to kiss Maria's neck.
"Hey!"
"Jose's here, I'm going to lunch with Max. When are you taking yours?"
"I don't know we really haven't had a chance to talk about that yet."
"You two go to lunch together. I'll hold down the fort."
"No way, I can't do that to you. We get slammed on Saturday lunches."
"Look Mr. Parker is here now so I have him for backup." Sera pointed through the order window to Jeff who was entering with one of the delivery guys. "Besides, you'll be back in a half hour. I think I can manage for that long."
"OK, If you get in too deep call me on my cell."
"I'll be fine. Have fun. Tell Max I say hello."
"Sure, Hey Mr. Parker." Maria said as Jeff entered the restaurant area.
"Hello Maria, Michael. Taking your lunch?"
"Yeah, we're were a bit worried about leaving Sera here alone but she keeps insisting."
"Well I think the two of us will be OK, you two have fun."
"OK, See ya."
They exited the front door and across the street to pick up Max before heading out to lunch.
The hour was busy but Sera and Mr. Parker handled it well. Maria and Michael walked back into the Crashdown to see Dan McCarey at a table with Kevin Franklin and Tim Malamud. Kevin dropped his spoon on the floor in front of Sera. She stopped to pick it up, providing Dan a view from the rear and Kevin the chance to look down the front of her uniform. Maria started to walk over to their table and tell them off but Michael took her arm.
"Let's see how she handles it."
"Here you go BOYS. Will there be anything else."
"Sure baby, how about you phone number." Kevin asked.
Sera smiled sweetly at him. "Sure sweetie, its 555-Zero Chance! Resorting to childish pranks to peek down a girl's shirt is so not a turn-on. Funny thing is, if you had just asked, I might have been willing to give you a good look. Here's your check you can pay at the counter. Have a nice day."
She turned from their table and walked to the back. Maria and Michael followed her inside.
"Oh my God Sera, that was great! Its about time someone told those jock jerks off."
"Nice." Michael said nodding his head
Sera smiled as she opened her locker and grabbed her purse.
"Thanks, It was tough not to go with my original instinct and dump their milkshakes in their laps."
"Were they hitting on you the whole time?" Michael asked.
"Pretty much."
"They used to do that to me until they figured out that I was with Michael...that put a stop to the harassment REAL quick. Liz is lucky, because she used to date Kyle they leave her alone."
Sera closed her locker door with more force than she intended. She spun to face Maria.
"Kyle and Liz used to date?"
"We didn't tell you that?"
"No, I just kinda assumed that she and Max had been together since infancy."
"You'd think so, but no. She dated Kyle about three years ago."
"Wow!"
"Tell me about it!"
"Was it serious?"
"No, it might have been, but Max entered the picture and you know the rest."
"I say again, wow! Well that will give me something to ponder for awhile! OK, I'm going home to grab my clothes and bring them in for your perusal. I should be back in 20."
"Are you going to eat lunch on your lunch break?"
"I'll grab some pasta salad or something, Charles made some last night for dinner and we had a ton left."
"So long as you eat!"
"Thanks Mom!"
"Just looking out for you Chica."
"I'll be back soon."
Sera whipped into her driveway and put the SUV in park. She hopped out and ran inside.
"Mom? Charles? Hello?"
Getting no response she sprinted up the stairs straight to her closet and grabbed the outfits she was considering for tonight. Looking around she spotted a garment bag and put both selections in it. As she started to exit her closet she spotted the Prada bag Maria asked her about earlier. She grabbed it and threw it over her shoulder. Sera got half way to her car when she realized that she forgot the pasta salad in the fridge. She tossed the bags into the back seat of the Pathfinder then ran inside to get her lunch.
Reaching the Crashdown with ten minutes left in her lunch break she parked the car, walked into the café and motioned to Maria.
"I brought the clothes."
"Be right there."
Sera pulled the outfits out of the garment bag and placed them on her locker. She snagged a fork from the dish drainer and was just about to dig in to her lunch when Maria entered the break room.
So, let's see!
Sera set her lunch aside and took the blue dress off her locker.
Maria's eyes lit up.
"I like that!"
"You don't think its too revealing?"
"Kyle likes revealing."
"Maria!"
"No I really like it, it matches your eyes."
"What about this?"
She held up the corset top.
"Save that for another night! I know! Fourth of July!!"
"Are we doing something for the Fourth?" Sera asked.
"Of course! I'm not exactly sure what that is yet but lets just say it involves you wearing that shirt in front of Kyle, and copious amounts of body glitter!"
"Body glitter? Now that sounds fun!"
"Oh it is! I assure you!"
Maria's eyes suddenly landed on the Prada bad sitting on the couch.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Yep, you asked for it, so it's yours."
"Ahhh! Thank you!"
"I can't wait to see Isabel's face when she sees me with this!" Maria laughed.
"Now, I didn't give you that bag so you could use it for evil." Sera warned.
"I promise I'll be good. Well, after I parade it in front of her and she's green with envy, THEN I'll be good."
Sera shook her head. "I've created a monster."
Maria placed the bag in her locker and sighed heavily, "Well, I guess we'd better get back out there. I'm sure there are some annoying customers waiting for food."
"Do we have to?"
"Yeah, but just think, soon Liz and Christina will be here and they get the dinner crowd! Does that make you feel better."
"I'd feel better if they came in now."
"I second that emotion...come on," Maria grabbed Sera's arm "And don't forget your lunch, you can eat it at the counter."
The café was considerably less crowded in the afternoon than from 10-2. The girls had six tables between them. They were filling sugar containers when Liz and Nancy returned from their shopping excursion around 3:15.
"Uh Liz? Did you leave anything in the stores?" Maria asked noticing the volume of shopping bags the Parker women were carrying.
"Maria we didn't buy that much!"
"Three shopping bags apiece...Sera do you think that's a lot?
"Certainly not. When you have to get someone to help you carry the bags out to your car then you might have a problem."
"See, I told you we'd didn't go overboard," Liz said looking at her mother.
"How was it today?" Liz asked glancing around at the nearly empty restaurant
"Not too bad, but Holly called in sick again so I had to call Sera in early."
"You have to be kidding me! She does all the time. Thanks for coming in Sera."
"I only came in so I'd have something to hold over Maria's head!" Sera smiled, her deep blue eyes flashing.
The girls laughed as Liz rifled through her bags to show them her latest purchases.
When the café failed to pick up by 4:30, Mr. Parker told Sera and Maria they could go.
"You girls have been here all day. Go home! Have a fun night."
"Thanks Mr. Parker." Maria hugged him.
"Michael, you were a part of the morning crew too. Go on, get out of here!"
Michael didn't need to be told twice. He quickly shed his apron, and hung it on a hook near the door, then turned to Maria.
"Lets go."
She grabbed her purse, Sera's bag and Michael's keys from her locker.
Sera closed her locker door and threw her clothes over her arm.
"Ready?" Maria asked
"All set!"
The trio walked outside to Sera's SUV and Michael's motorcycle.
"The dress, you're sure?"
"Positive! And don't forget to call me tomorrow and tell me how things went!" Maria said
"OK, you two have fun!"
"I plan on it!" Michael said with a lascivious grin.
Sera raised her eyes at her friends and waved goodbye.
MICHAEL'S APARTMENT
Michael sped to his apartment as quickly as he could without driving recklessly or exceeding the speed limit.
The last thing he needed was for Jim or one of his deputies to catch him in the vicinity of his apartment with Maria when Amy thought they were at work. Mr. Parker had given the duo a nice hour and a half window to play with, he really didn't want to cut it short.
They entered the apartment, Michael went for the fridge and grabbed a Snapple, while Maria dropped her stuff on the couch and went straight to his bedroom.
Michael followed her, grinning, "Little anxious aren't we?"
"I'm so tired," she moaned, her face buried in his pillow. Do we have to go to dinner with Iz tonight?"
Michael took a long pull of the Snapple. "Yes, it's a double date. She can't exactly do that without us there."
"Michael," Maria said, lifting her head. "What do you think of her dating so soon after Alex?"
"I don't know, she had a rough year, with Whitaker, Grant, Alex and everything else. Maybe its good that she's moving on."
"I guess," she said flatly.
"What?"
"Its just it seems so soon."
"Maria, its not like she's going to marry the guy. Its one date."
"I know, I just feel like she's pulled away from us since he...since then."
Michael walked to the bed, set his Snapple down on the floor as he knelt and took Maria's face in his hands.
"She'll be OK, just let her work through it in her own way."
Maria smiled and gazed at her boyfriend. "I love you."
He returned her smile. "I love you too."
"So are you going to join me here or what?" she asked him suggestively, patting the bed.
He pounced on her, completely forgetting the Snapple bottle on the floor.
As he undid the buttons of her uniform he whispered against her skin, "You know we only have about an hour."
"Well then Spaceboy, use it to your advantage."
******************************************************************************
Part II coming soon!
I made this one a two-part chapter--I got a little long winded.
Thanks for the reviews you all have been so kind!
Enjoy, and keep me posted on what you like and dislike.
WHITMAN HOME
Sera hopped out of bed as soon as the alarm buzz registered in her subconscious. She grabbed her robe and dashed to the shower. She smiled as she adjusted the water temperature. Glancing at the clock, her smile grew. Tonight she was finally going out with Kyle, ALONE.
I was beginning to think that he was never going to ask.
I figured that he was just a huge flirt who talked a big game, but never did anything about it.
I can't believe I'm this giddy over some guy!
Then again Kyle Valenti, was more than just "some guy." He was good-looking, charming, funny, an incredible flirt, and was becoming a great friend.
She'd been in Roswell for three weeks, and the majority of that time she'd spent with Kyle.
Granted, it was mostly during group outings or while he ate lunch at the Crashdown. But for now she was willing to accept quantity over quality.
As she stepped in the shower and felt the warm water cascade over her, she planned her day.
Work on the butterflies in my room till my shift starts. Obsess with Maria over what I should wear tonight. Come home in time for another quick shower and just enough time to look dazzling before Kyle picks me up.
Running a freshly lathered shower puff over her body, she thought back to his invitation.
"Hey Sera, what are you doing Saturday night?"
"I work till 6, after that I'm not sure. You?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to see Tomb Raider with me."
Maria, who'd been filling a glass at the soda machine turned with a smile. Kyle made a quick jerking motion with his head and she turned back around.
"Yeah, I'd love to go."
"I hear it's a really good movie."
"And it has nothing to do with the fact that Angelina runs around in a half shirt and short shorts right? Sera said with a smirk.
Maria snickered from her position at the soda machine.
"Of course not," He protested
"Yeah right!" Maria and Sera replied in unison.
"Although I think you'll be distracted by Lara Croft, I'd still like to go with you!"
"Great, I'll pick you up at 7:00? I figured we could grab a bite and catch the late show."
"Sounds perfect." she beamed at him.
The water temperature changed, bringing Sera out of her rumination.
She rinsed her hair, turned off the shower and hopped out. Throwing on her robe, she had just entered her room when she heard her cell phone's version of the Buffy theme. She grabbed her phone off the charger and hit the talk button.
"Hello?"
"Chiquita, Its me."
"Hey Maria."
"Listen I know you're not supposed to be here for another two hours or something but..."
"Let me guess, Holly called in sick again?"
"Good guess!"
"Yeah, I can come in. I was just going to work on my room today, but that can wait."
"Are you sure? I don't want to interfere with your plans."
"No big. I was just going to stencil those butterflies on the walls. I'll just see if I can sweet talk Kyle into helping me."
"I see, enticing Kyle into your bedroom you little slut!" Maria cackled.
"Do you want me to come in or not?"
"Just kidding!!"
"OK, I just got out of the shower so give me about a half an hour and I'll be there."
"I so owe you!"
"And I plan to collect!"
"See ya in a few."
As she hung up, Sera turned to the stencils and paint scattered on her desk.
"I promise I'll get to you tomorrow."
She was sure if they could talk, they'd tell her that she had been saying that for a week.
CRASHDOWN CAFEÉ
Sera walked from the kitchen to the counter where Maria was making a Blood of Alien smoothie.
"I'm here."
"Oh my God, I've never been so happy to see someone in my life. Its like everyone in town decided to come in for breakfast. Don't they know there is a perfectly good McDonald's two blocks down the road?
"Now Maria, how can you possibly compare a McFlurry with our very own Blood of Alien Smoothie. Just look at its lovely green hue."
"Funny! Let me know if you think things are so amusing when you've been here for an hour with all the crazies. And Michael I swear to god if you ding that bell one more time I WILL kill you!"
"You've got two orders that have been up for 5 minutes. I'm getting backed up here."
"Well I guess I know where to start. Maria, where do these go?" Sera asked, playing peacemaker.
"Uh, take the UFOs to table three and this smoothie goes with the waffles over to table eight."
"Got it."
Thanks again for coming in early Sera. It means a lot."
"Anytime."
Sera distributed the food on her tray to its proper locations. She took orders from the tables in what would have been Holly's section if she'd bother to come in. As she took the order slips to the window she tried to make small talk with Michael. He offered her an occasional grunt and a few `yeah, sures' before Maria told her not to bother.
"He's grumpy in the morning."
"Yeah, and you're little miss sunshine."
"See."
"OK guys, call a truce. We're going to be here all day, I think it will go better if you don't trade barbs for the next eight hours."
"But it's so fun!" Maria whined
"Come on, we have about 15 tables to wait on."
"Ugh, don't remind me."
They worked the tables effortlessly; it was the counter customers who were the biggest pains in the ass. They always seemed to ask for more coffee only when the girls had their hands full with trays or plates. Sera was nearly at her breaking point with an elderly lady at the end of the counter. She wanted blueberry syrup on her UFO cakes but she wanted it heated, not too hot. She wanted half-decaf, half regular coffee in a warm mug with cream, but only real cream, not the powdered variety. Sera took both pots to her mug so the woman could measure the exact quantity. When she finished the lady took a sip and asked if she could have her mug reheated. The coffee simply wasn't hot enough.
Sera plastered on her best smile and said "No problem. I'll be right back."
She pushed through the swinging doors that led into the kitchen.
Popping the mug in the microwave she punched the keypad and turned to Michael.
"How many years do you think I'd get for lacing the coffee of that Mrs. Doubtfire out there with arsenic?"
Michael gave her a weird look and she pointed out to the end of the counter.
"That's Mrs. Myers. She's a regular. Liz and Maria play rock, paper scissors to see who has to wait on her."
"I was never given that option!"
"Personally if I were on the jury you'd get off Scott free."
Sera grinned and took the warm mug out of the microwave. She placed it on the counter in front of Mrs. Myers and smiled.
"There you are. How's that?"
Mrs. Myers took a sip and pondered for a moment. "Much better dearie, thank you."
"Sure."
She started to turn away when Mrs. Myers called out.
"Dear do you think you could re-heat my syrup? It's gone a bit cold."
Sera gritted her teeth and turned around.
"Sure!"
Maria was picking up an order when Sera made her second trip to the kitchen. As she passed she shot Maria a death look and pushed the doors open.
Michael laughed when she came in.
"Back so soon?"
"Laugh it up fuzzball!"
"Listen, Princess."
Sera laughed, "You know most people don't get my Star Wars quotes. You're quick."
"It's a great movie."
"Amen to that."
When the microwave beeped AGAIN, Sera took the syrup out to Mrs. Myers.
"Anything else I can get for you?"
Please say no
"No I think everything looks OK for now."
"Great. I'll be right over here if you need anything."
"Mrs. Myers giving you trouble? Maria asked as she took a breather.
"How could you stick me with her after I came in to help you?"
Hey, that's the way it worked out. Mr. P scheduled Holly to work that section. And because you are the generous soul you are, you got stuck with Mrs. Myers!"
"Remind me the next time you want a favor, NOT to do it for you!"
"Hey, at least you don't have the Stinky Cheese Man over here."
"Who?"
"That guy, he works at the cheese factory and he stinks...therefore
"The Stinky Cheese Man." they finished together.
One of Maria's tables was low on drinks so she scooted off to make refills just as the bell over the door rang again and Vicki Delany walked in with a guy Sera didn't know. They found a table in her section. Vicki waved as she sat down.
"Hi Vicki, How are you?"
"Hi Sera. When did you start here?"
"Right when I got into town. My step-dad called Mr. Parker and set it up."
"Wow, you were busy when you got here, trying out for the squad, getting a job."
"I'm never happy unless I've got twenty things going at once."
"Sounds familiar. Vicki laughed. God I'm sorry. Sera Davidson, this is Jake Winger, Jake, Sera."
"Hey."
"Hey, nice to meet you. Can I get you guys something to drink?"
"Yeah, I'll have diet coke."
"Uh, Martian milkshake. Chocolate." Jake mumbled
"OK, you guys check out the menu while I'll get your drinks and I'll be back to get your order."
Sera was at the shake machine when she heard Maria's sultry voice behind her. "Sooo, excited about tonight?"
Sera turned to face her friend not even trying to hide her smile. "A little obvious huh?"
"Just a little. Wanna hear something hilarious?"
"Always!"
"Kyle was singing this morning."
"What? No way!"
"Honest to God."
"What was he singing."
"Please. I could barely hear him I was laughing so hard. I really couldn't make out what it was."
"I think the more important question is why was he singing?" Michael called from the kitchen
"Michael, girl talk! Go away."
"No Maria he raises an good point. Why is Kyle singing, and why do you find it so amusing?"
"Hello! Earth to Sera? Have you not noticed that when Kyle gets around you he looks like a smitten love puppy? I never knew him to sing before you came to town, and I've known that boy for MANY years!!"
"You really think it had to do with me."
"Yes crazy girl I do. But I can't go into any more detail."
"Why?"
"Because he's heading in our direction."
Sera finished Jake's Martian Milkshake and quickly filled a glass of Diet Coke for Vicki, before turning to see Kyle grab a seat at the counter. Maria took the drinks from Sera, grabbed them two menus and placed all of it on her tray.
"Go."
"I have to take those to Vicki and Jake."
"Go Wait On Kyle." Maria said stressing every word
"Mar...
"GO! I'll not tell you again."
Sera flashed Maria a huge smile.
"I love you."
"I know. Can I borrow your Prada bag tonight?"
"It's yours for a week if you want it."
"Score! Now hurry, I don't want Kyle to pull a Max and serenade you!"
"What?"
"I'll explain later!" she called as she walked to Vicki and Jake's table
Sera took out her order pad and walked to Kyle.
"Hi."
"Hey you. What are you doing here so early?"
"I was just going to ask you the same thing. I thought you took lunch at noon, Its 11:30" she said consulting his watch.
"Yeah, Toby's letting me off early. So I have to take an earlier lunch. What are you doing here? I thought you didn't come in till noon."
"Maria called at 9:30 to see if I could come in early."
Kyle glanced around. "No Holly?"
"No Holly."
"I wouldn't make a regular habit of covering for her. She'll call in sick more often."
"Is that even possible?"
"She'll event a way!"
"The sad thing is, her shift was only from 9-1."
"I think the morning cartoons were too much of a temptation to pass up!"
Sera laughed, "I guess since you're here for lunch we should feed you sometime soon. Do you know what you want?"
Kyle had to fight the urge to respond YOU.
"Uh, yeah, Just a Sigourney Weaver with a side of Saturn rings. And tell Michael medium means it should have some pink in the middle."
"If you want to criticize Michael's cooking go right ahead, but don't have me do your dirty work for you."
"Chicken."
"I'll get your order in. What can I get you to drink?"
"Root beer."
"Be right back."
"So, dinner a movie and then..."
Kyle turned to see Maria perched at his elbow.
"Where did you come from?"
"I was over there with Vicki and Jake. Don't try and change the subject."
"What subject?"
"The subject of where you are taking Sera after dinner and the movie."
"I don't know, probably home. It's a first date Maria."
"What's this the great Kyle Valenti not taking a girl to Buckley Point...I'm shocked!"
"I didn't say I wasn't taking her there ever, I'm just saying its not in the plans right now."
"What's not in the plans?" Sera asked returning with Kyle's root beer.
"Uh, uh..." Kyle stuttered looking at Maria desperately for help.
"It's not in the plans for him to go into work tomorrow."
"Oh great. I'm going to stencil those butterflies in my room and I wanted to enlist your help...if you're free."
"Uh yeah, sure."
"I mean, if you already have plans its cool. I just..."
"No. I'd love to be in your room, Help. Help you in your room."
"Great! Hang on a second." she hopped over to Vicki and Jake's table to offer them refills.
As soon as she was gone Kyle dropped his head in his hands.
"Smooth!" Maria teased.
"Shut up! You weren't much help."
"What are you talking about? I totally saved the day."
"It's not in the plans for me to go to work tomorrow? Maria you've been lying on the spot for nearly three years and that's the best you could come up with."
"Sorry. Next time I'll leave you to sputter and squirm."
"I'd love to be in your room? Did I really say that?"
"You bet Romeo!"
They quieted as Sera brought Vicki's glass to the soda machine and refilled it. She reached under the counter, got a clean glass out for Jake, filled it with ice and coke and took both glasses back to their table.
"So what were you singing this morning?" Maria asked when Sera was again out of earshot.
"You heard me?"
"Yeah, it was a little hard to hear over my hysterical laughter, but I caught some of it. What were you singing?"
"No force on this planet will get me to tell you that."
"A piping hot Sigourney Weaver and Saturn rings." Sera proclaimed setting the platter in front of Kyle.
"This looks great. Thanks."
"Sure."
"Oh look, Sean's here." Maria said without enthusiasm.
"Who's Sean?" Sera asked looking from Kyle to Maria.
"My deadbeat cousin."
"Maria" Kyle said, his mouth full.
"Sorry. Habit. Kyle and Sean have become pretty good friends over the past few months."
"Hey gang." Sean said as he walked up and snagged food from Kyle's plate
"Hey buddy. Sure, help yourself to my Saturn rings, I don't mind."
"I didn't think you would."
"Sean."
"Cus."
Sean stopped, gazing at Sera with interest.
"Hello!"
"Hi."
"And who might you be?"
"I might be a lot of people, but my name is Sera."
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
Kyle picking up on the flirting, quickly moved into action.
"So Sera, where do you want to have dinner tonight."
"I don't know what's a good place?" she asked turning to Maria.
"Yeah, like Michael takes me out to dinner."
"Liz said something about Senor Chow's, is that nice?"
"Yeah, we can go there."
"So you're new in town?" Sean asked, knowing he was ruffling Kyle's feathers.
"Just moved here about three weeks ago."
"She's Mr. Whitman's step-daughter." Maria explained.
"Cool." Sean replied, pilfering a few more of Kyle's Saturn rings
"Can I get you your own food or do you prefer to just pick off Kyle's plate?"
"Yeah, give me a slice of Men in Blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream."
"Hot?"
"Very hot." Sean snickered his eyes roaming over Sera.
Maria reached across the counter to smack Sean upside the head as Kyle elbowed him in the ribs.
"Let me rephrase, do you want your pie heated?"
"That sounds great."
"Be right back."
"She's feisty Valenti, you'd better hold on to this one."
"How is it that you've been gone for a month on a job seminar which requires sensitivity training and you come back equally as obnoxious as when you left?" Maria queried.
"What can I say? You bring out the best in me."
The cousins made faces at each other until Sera came back with Sean's pie.
"Enjoy."
"OK guys, I have to head out. If I'm not back soon, Toby won't be so willing to let me go home early. Thanks for the food." Kyle rose and laid a ten on the counter.
"I'll see you tonight." He directed at Sera, she nodded and smiled shyly.
"Kyle wait, your change." She started after him
"Keep it."
"Thanks."
He winked at her. "Sure. See you Maria, Sean."
"Later."
"So are you planning on inhabiting the new DeLuca/Valenti home or will you be staying in your car?"
"I plan on moving in to the new homestead...if the nearly newlyweds are agreeable."
Vicki and Jake came to the counter and paid their tab to Sera, after they'd gone she went on a +sweep of her tables, checking to see if anyone needed anything.
"She would just like to know if you're going to stick around for more than a week."
"Yeah, I plan on sticking around. Especially now that there are so many interesting developments." he was gawking at Sera as she refilled a coffee cup.
"Hey," Maria yelled as she smacked him. "What did I tell you about checking out my friends? Do you know how creepy it is to see you fawning all over them?"
"You never let me have any fun."
"You're right. It's my goal in life to rob you of any kind of amusement. Especially when it involves dark-haired Crashdown waitresses. I'm sensing a pattern here."
"Fine, fine. So is Aunt Amy home?"
"Yeah, Sheriff, uh Jim, didn't have to go in till tonight so I think they were going go over the guest list. November is fast approaching."
"So you're OK with this? Aunt Amy and Sheriff Valenti?"
"Yeah, Jim's a great guy and I think I can handle living with Kyle."
"Now I just have to try and live with both of you."
"You're moving in with Kyle and Maria?" Sera asked as she re-joined them at the counter.
"Yeah. So I'll be around quite a bit."
"How wonderful for us!" Sera joked.
"All right vixens, I can take a hint. I'll see you two later."
"Bye." they replied in unison
"OK. Now we're finally alone, so what are you going to wear on your date tonight?"
"I haven't decided yet. I'm torn between a blue dress and this little flowered skirt with a white corset top."
"A corset? Won't that be a little binding?"
"No, it's not whale boned, it's corded so it's really comfortable; but it does hold in and UP certain things."
"Hmmm, maybe I could borrow that sometime too. I warned you I was going to be raiding your closet a lot."
"I still haven't had a look at yours. I'm sure you've got some amazing finds."
"Please like those will fit into my clothes." Maria laughed pointing in the vicinity of Sera's chest.
"Shut up. You have a great figure."
"I'll second that." Michael said suddenly behind them. He bent to kiss Maria's neck.
"Hey!"
"Jose's here, I'm going to lunch with Max. When are you taking yours?"
"I don't know we really haven't had a chance to talk about that yet."
"You two go to lunch together. I'll hold down the fort."
"No way, I can't do that to you. We get slammed on Saturday lunches."
"Look Mr. Parker is here now so I have him for backup." Sera pointed through the order window to Jeff who was entering with one of the delivery guys. "Besides, you'll be back in a half hour. I think I can manage for that long."
"OK, If you get in too deep call me on my cell."
"I'll be fine. Have fun. Tell Max I say hello."
"Sure, Hey Mr. Parker." Maria said as Jeff entered the restaurant area.
"Hello Maria, Michael. Taking your lunch?"
"Yeah, we're were a bit worried about leaving Sera here alone but she keeps insisting."
"Well I think the two of us will be OK, you two have fun."
"OK, See ya."
They exited the front door and across the street to pick up Max before heading out to lunch.
The hour was busy but Sera and Mr. Parker handled it well. Maria and Michael walked back into the Crashdown to see Dan McCarey at a table with Kevin Franklin and Tim Malamud. Kevin dropped his spoon on the floor in front of Sera. She stopped to pick it up, providing Dan a view from the rear and Kevin the chance to look down the front of her uniform. Maria started to walk over to their table and tell them off but Michael took her arm.
"Let's see how she handles it."
"Here you go BOYS. Will there be anything else."
"Sure baby, how about you phone number." Kevin asked.
Sera smiled sweetly at him. "Sure sweetie, its 555-Zero Chance! Resorting to childish pranks to peek down a girl's shirt is so not a turn-on. Funny thing is, if you had just asked, I might have been willing to give you a good look. Here's your check you can pay at the counter. Have a nice day."
She turned from their table and walked to the back. Maria and Michael followed her inside.
"Oh my God Sera, that was great! Its about time someone told those jock jerks off."
"Nice." Michael said nodding his head
Sera smiled as she opened her locker and grabbed her purse.
"Thanks, It was tough not to go with my original instinct and dump their milkshakes in their laps."
"Were they hitting on you the whole time?" Michael asked.
"Pretty much."
"They used to do that to me until they figured out that I was with Michael...that put a stop to the harassment REAL quick. Liz is lucky, because she used to date Kyle they leave her alone."
Sera closed her locker door with more force than she intended. She spun to face Maria.
"Kyle and Liz used to date?"
"We didn't tell you that?"
"No, I just kinda assumed that she and Max had been together since infancy."
"You'd think so, but no. She dated Kyle about three years ago."
"Wow!"
"Tell me about it!"
"Was it serious?"
"No, it might have been, but Max entered the picture and you know the rest."
"I say again, wow! Well that will give me something to ponder for awhile! OK, I'm going home to grab my clothes and bring them in for your perusal. I should be back in 20."
"Are you going to eat lunch on your lunch break?"
"I'll grab some pasta salad or something, Charles made some last night for dinner and we had a ton left."
"So long as you eat!"
"Thanks Mom!"
"Just looking out for you Chica."
"I'll be back soon."
Sera whipped into her driveway and put the SUV in park. She hopped out and ran inside.
"Mom? Charles? Hello?"
Getting no response she sprinted up the stairs straight to her closet and grabbed the outfits she was considering for tonight. Looking around she spotted a garment bag and put both selections in it. As she started to exit her closet she spotted the Prada bag Maria asked her about earlier. She grabbed it and threw it over her shoulder. Sera got half way to her car when she realized that she forgot the pasta salad in the fridge. She tossed the bags into the back seat of the Pathfinder then ran inside to get her lunch.
Reaching the Crashdown with ten minutes left in her lunch break she parked the car, walked into the café and motioned to Maria.
"I brought the clothes."
"Be right there."
Sera pulled the outfits out of the garment bag and placed them on her locker. She snagged a fork from the dish drainer and was just about to dig in to her lunch when Maria entered the break room.
So, let's see!
Sera set her lunch aside and took the blue dress off her locker.
Maria's eyes lit up.
"I like that!"
"You don't think its too revealing?"
"Kyle likes revealing."
"Maria!"
"No I really like it, it matches your eyes."
"What about this?"
She held up the corset top.
"Save that for another night! I know! Fourth of July!!"
"Are we doing something for the Fourth?" Sera asked.
"Of course! I'm not exactly sure what that is yet but lets just say it involves you wearing that shirt in front of Kyle, and copious amounts of body glitter!"
"Body glitter? Now that sounds fun!"
"Oh it is! I assure you!"
Maria's eyes suddenly landed on the Prada bad sitting on the couch.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Yep, you asked for it, so it's yours."
"Ahhh! Thank you!"
"I can't wait to see Isabel's face when she sees me with this!" Maria laughed.
"Now, I didn't give you that bag so you could use it for evil." Sera warned.
"I promise I'll be good. Well, after I parade it in front of her and she's green with envy, THEN I'll be good."
Sera shook her head. "I've created a monster."
Maria placed the bag in her locker and sighed heavily, "Well, I guess we'd better get back out there. I'm sure there are some annoying customers waiting for food."
"Do we have to?"
"Yeah, but just think, soon Liz and Christina will be here and they get the dinner crowd! Does that make you feel better."
"I'd feel better if they came in now."
"I second that emotion...come on," Maria grabbed Sera's arm "And don't forget your lunch, you can eat it at the counter."
The café was considerably less crowded in the afternoon than from 10-2. The girls had six tables between them. They were filling sugar containers when Liz and Nancy returned from their shopping excursion around 3:15.
"Uh Liz? Did you leave anything in the stores?" Maria asked noticing the volume of shopping bags the Parker women were carrying.
"Maria we didn't buy that much!"
"Three shopping bags apiece...Sera do you think that's a lot?
"Certainly not. When you have to get someone to help you carry the bags out to your car then you might have a problem."
"See, I told you we'd didn't go overboard," Liz said looking at her mother.
"How was it today?" Liz asked glancing around at the nearly empty restaurant
"Not too bad, but Holly called in sick again so I had to call Sera in early."
"You have to be kidding me! She does all the time. Thanks for coming in Sera."
"I only came in so I'd have something to hold over Maria's head!" Sera smiled, her deep blue eyes flashing.
The girls laughed as Liz rifled through her bags to show them her latest purchases.
When the café failed to pick up by 4:30, Mr. Parker told Sera and Maria they could go.
"You girls have been here all day. Go home! Have a fun night."
"Thanks Mr. Parker." Maria hugged him.
"Michael, you were a part of the morning crew too. Go on, get out of here!"
Michael didn't need to be told twice. He quickly shed his apron, and hung it on a hook near the door, then turned to Maria.
"Lets go."
She grabbed her purse, Sera's bag and Michael's keys from her locker.
Sera closed her locker door and threw her clothes over her arm.
"Ready?" Maria asked
"All set!"
The trio walked outside to Sera's SUV and Michael's motorcycle.
"The dress, you're sure?"
"Positive! And don't forget to call me tomorrow and tell me how things went!" Maria said
"OK, you two have fun!"
"I plan on it!" Michael said with a lascivious grin.
Sera raised her eyes at her friends and waved goodbye.
MICHAEL'S APARTMENT
Michael sped to his apartment as quickly as he could without driving recklessly or exceeding the speed limit.
The last thing he needed was for Jim or one of his deputies to catch him in the vicinity of his apartment with Maria when Amy thought they were at work. Mr. Parker had given the duo a nice hour and a half window to play with, he really didn't want to cut it short.
They entered the apartment, Michael went for the fridge and grabbed a Snapple, while Maria dropped her stuff on the couch and went straight to his bedroom.
Michael followed her, grinning, "Little anxious aren't we?"
"I'm so tired," she moaned, her face buried in his pillow. Do we have to go to dinner with Iz tonight?"
Michael took a long pull of the Snapple. "Yes, it's a double date. She can't exactly do that without us there."
"Michael," Maria said, lifting her head. "What do you think of her dating so soon after Alex?"
"I don't know, she had a rough year, with Whitaker, Grant, Alex and everything else. Maybe its good that she's moving on."
"I guess," she said flatly.
"What?"
"Its just it seems so soon."
"Maria, its not like she's going to marry the guy. Its one date."
"I know, I just feel like she's pulled away from us since he...since then."
Michael walked to the bed, set his Snapple down on the floor as he knelt and took Maria's face in his hands.
"She'll be OK, just let her work through it in her own way."
Maria smiled and gazed at her boyfriend. "I love you."
He returned her smile. "I love you too."
"So are you going to join me here or what?" she asked him suggestively, patting the bed.
He pounced on her, completely forgetting the Snapple bottle on the floor.
As he undid the buttons of her uniform he whispered against her skin, "You know we only have about an hour."
"Well then Spaceboy, use it to your advantage."
******************************************************************************
Part II coming soon!
