From the Darkness

Chapter 4

Conversations of the heart

By: Aireonna (a.k.a. Candice Willman)

Disclaimer: I do not own… Wish I did.

A/N: Wooo, updating another fic. Sorry it took me so long, hope you enjoy.

Michael didn't know what to do or say. His mind over worked itself trying to find the most obvious reasons and answers to her question, but he found nothing. Running his hands through her hair over and over again, his other hand rubbed the small of her back trying to keep her calm.

"Shh… I don't know why this is happening, but you aren't alone in finding out. I'll help you Maria." His voice was calm and soft.

Maria shook her head, still crying. Pushing herself weakly from his body she turned her eyes to the ground.

"Michael, Ah don' know if you helping me is a good ideal." Her voice was still shaky and he could hear her tears falling from her emerald eyes. How he loved those eyes of hers.

"Maria, you can't do this on your own. You don't know what you're capable of."

Maria grew angry at his words. Shaking her head over and over again she sobbed, "Oh no no, do not even go there. On mah own? That's all Ah have ever been Space boy." She turned around and began walking back towards the stairs. "Telling ya migh'a been the wrong thing."

"Maria, no, wait!" Michael attempted to stop her, but he knew it was pointless. But there was no way he was leaving. Not wanting to anger her further he turned his head and sat back down on the couch.

"You can deny me all you want, but I'm not going anywhere until you do give in."

Michael released the breath that was consequently still held within his mouth. Closing his eyes he shook his head, bowing it slightly, and relaxing back onto the couch. He really didn't know what to do or say. It was bad enough that not even Max, Isabelle, or himself had their powers quit figured out let only able to control them, but now Maria… His mind seemed to trail off slightly and before he knew it he had fallen asleep, his head leaning back against the back of the couch and his body limp against the cushions.

Maria quietly made her way down the stairs; she knew he would still be here. He wouldn't leave, he was too stubborn. Sighing, she entered the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. She needed some major painkillers and a good nights rest. She'd have to call work in the morning, and the clubs, to let them know that she wouldn't be in for a day or two. God how she hated calling off work especially with money so tight. But right now, she needed to be here.

Drinking her water, she walked back into the living room, her eyes falling upon Michael fast asleep on her couch. She shook her head, boy did he look uncomfortable. Shrugging her shoulders, she decided to leave him just how he was. She didn't need to wake him just to hear more words that she wouldn't agree with.

Her mind still couldn't accept the fact that Michael was here. After all this time, he was right here in front of her. She had practiced so many times the words she wanted to say to him the day they were face to face once more, but it was nothing like that. It had happened so suddenly.

Closing her bedroom door behind her, she plopped down onto her bed and closed her eyes. Today was a never-ending nightmare. Her arm still throbbed in pain, and her sanity wasn't much better. Michael had taken the little sanity that she had left away from her. She wasn't ready for head to head combat with him. He was her one true weakness, nothing else but him.

Thoughts raced through her head of their last encounter, the pain he had caused her. But it was different now, she was different now. These powers, she needed to figure everything out, immediately. Before she knew it, darkness overcame her, and she fell into a decent slumber.

Morning came slowly. The suns morning glow inching its way into Maria's room. Creeping up her bed, it teased her eyes annoyingly causing her to stir in her sleep.

Michael had awoken a few hours previous, now standing outside her door. He didn't know whether or not he should knock, enter, or just ask for her.

Maria opened her eyes, sensing Michael and his thoughts she growled.

"Coulda be any louder?" Her voice was soft, but annoyed as she spoke into the pillow.

Michael blinked and opened the door. "I didn't even say anything…" He stared at her in slight confusion.

"No, butcha certainly were thinking an awful lot." She grumbled.

Shaking his head, he didn't quite understand at first. "You mean… you could hear my thoughts?" His mind searched for any other reason, but found none.

"It doesn't happen all da time, butcha were thinking too many thoughts at once, so it was stronger than it would be if ya were just thinking about one thing." She closed her eyes and pulled the blanket over her head more.

Michael chose not to comment on her powers right now, but found it cute how she hid from the morning light.

"I think that means time to get up." Stepping into her room, he stood next to her bed.

Maria growled once more. "Does it look like Ah'm ready to be up?"

"Maybe not, but I'm not going to allow you to go back to sleep. We need to talk about this, and you know it." Michael shook his head, this all felt so weird to him. It was if they had switched rolls. She now was the stubborn rude one and he was the one who wanted to talk, be nice, and just fix everything.

Rolling her eyes she pulled the covers off to reveal her face staring at him with a look that could cut through metal. "Michael, why must ya keep this up?"

Clearing his throat, he pulled the covers off her body and threw them aside. "Because I can, and I will. You're a wreck and you know it."

Laughing, Maria sat up. "Ha, look whose calling the kettle black. Doesn't this sound familiar?"

He ignored her comment, he knew she was right. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he looked at her with sympathetic eyes.

"Look, I know our past is bumpy. And trust me; I will be the first to tell you that I was an asshole. But that was then, this is now. You need my help, and you know that's true. We need to get you ready so we both can return to Roswell. And you are coming with me even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming. Plus don't you think it would be better if we had Max and Is also to help us figure it all out."

Suddenly, Maria felt nervous. Shaking her head she ranted, "No, no no…"

Michael looked at her. "What?"

"Ah don't know if Ah want them knowin'. This is my burden. Not ya'lls." She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself tightly. "Ah don't know if I can take this… Ah only told you because I didn't want to be alone… Ah'm so tired of being alone Michael." She didn't know how they had started, but the tears fell once more. They ran down her ivory skin, staining a stream behind them.

Michael leaned forward, taking her into his arms. "It could be less than we think… We know you're still human. Just now, there are complications."

Maria looked up at him abruptly. "You say that as if there is seriously somethin' wrong wit me." He could see the hurt in her eyes.

Shaking his head no, he pushed her head into his chest and sighed. "Maria, I know I haven't been the greatest to you. I'm probably one of the last people you want to trust right now, but I'm here for you. You still mean more to me than you will ever know…" Shit, did he just say that out loud. Stopping himself from going any further, he prayed she hadn't heard that last part.

"I do?"

Damnit, there goes that prayer. Nodding his head, he looked into her eyes.

"I never meant to hurt you that day. You know how I am… I didn't want anything to happen to you. I convinced myself…"

"Stop! Right there. Ah won't hear anymore. You've done enough's with your words. Ah don't want to think about the past anymore. It hurts too much…" Pushing herself away from him, she stood from her bed and looked away.

His heart hurt at the sight. He knew he had hurt it, but it was far further than he had imagined. He didn't want to think about it anymore, he was at fault for the scars, the inflictions, and the pain. Sure it wasn't him alone, but him more than anything else.

"Nothing will ever fix what I did to you… and apparently what I'm still doing to you. But I can still damn well try. I might not be the perfect person Maria, but damnit I want to help you. I need to know that you're okay." He found himself standing behind her, his arms draped around her lean stomach.

She leaned back into his touch unwillingly. It had been so long since she felt his arms around her, it felt nice. Closing her eyes she stopped the tears from falling and nodded her head.

"You're warm…" She whispered quietly.

Kissing the back of her head, Michael decided holding her right now was the best option.

"You're no longer alone. I'm ready to be here for you. I know I wasn't then, and its wrong of me for that. I know you hate me for that, but I was stupid. I'm ready." He vowed softly into her ear.

Maria didn't know what to do or say, she listened to his silent promise intently. The words that she so longed to hear were finally being said, or were they? She didn't know what to think. After all the pain that he had caused her, what was she to think about everything now?

"You can't even begin to understand the pain Ah have been through. But its good ta know that Ah don't have to face it all alone right now. Even for a little, it feels good." Her words rang deep into his ears. He understood that he hurt her, and he never wanted it to happen again.

His eyes diverted to the window as the day became bright. Morning was now past. It was definitely time for something to eat.

"Are you hungry?" He asked softly not wanting to ruin the moment.

Maria nodded her head gently feeling like a little kid once more.

"Come. I'll make us something to eat."

Laughing, Maria smiled. "With what? There's nothin' in this house thatcha can make."

This angered Michael. He knew their condition was bad, but to the point of no food. He pushed it aside, not wanting to hate Amy anymore and shrugged.

"So, we can go out some place. You know this city, I don't. So what are you hungry for?"

This all felt so weird to Maria. She wasn't used to this Michael. In fact, she wasn't used to Michael period anymore. It had been too long since they were a couple. She missed it.

"Thank you…" She spoke silently.

Michael didn't understand why she was thanking him. "For?"

Not answering his question, Maria broke their contact and went into the bathroom, grabbing some clothes on the way, and shutting the door behind her.

"You're buying Ah hope you know! Ah'll be out in a minute or two. Just need ta shower."

Michael grinned and glanced around her room. She sure had become a little messier since their last encounter. He could remember the endless fights about his untidiness.

'Whose calling the kettle black now?'

"I heard that!" Maria screamed from the shower.

Closing his eyes and shaking his head, Michael sat once more upon the bed. Everything was now indeed different. They were different. But that didn't matter, did it? He knew just showing up wouldn't have an affect at first, but would it eventually? He needed Maria, he realized that a while ago but never had the courage to admit it. He missed her, that's why he was now here. But how long until he was able to confess everything to her?

First, they needed to get back to Roswell and discover what exactly was going on with her. It irked Michael. So long he worried about everything dealing with being an alien, having powers, being different. He wanted better for his Maria. But was that what was really meant for the two?

Fate had a weird way of working. But he had no right to question fate. Lying back on the bed, his eyes closed once more enjoying the soothing sound of the water hitting the bathtub and her quiet voice singing a tune that he had never heard before.

Would he be able to save her like she had tried to save him so long ago?

A/N: Woo… finally updated! I know this chapter is a little slow, and not very long. But work with me! At least I updated! Hope you enjoyed. . . hopefully next chapter will be out shortly! REVIEW!