Final chapter! This has taken forever cos I've had to re-upload this story to my new account, but I hope it's not a disappointment! Thank you for reading xxx

Hand in hand, they lazily made their way back to the car. Maria didn't see the point in hurrying; what difference were a couple of minutes going to make?

They chatted on and off about space and family and science projects: things that were, in all honesty, inconsequential. Driving back was a lot more relaxed, and Michael drove almost-sensibly this time. Because of this, however, the journey took much longer, and by the time they reached Maria's house it was well past one in the morning.

"Holy crap, when did it get so late? My mum is gonna be so pissed."

"You could always come back to my place" offered Michael, making his best 'nonchalant' face.

"And have to deal with Max judging us the whole time? No thanks."

"I can handle Max."

Maria snorted. "Well thanks, but I think I can handle one pissed middle aged woman without running away with my tail between my legs."

Michael shrugged. "Suit yourself."

They both got out of the car and walked to the pavement. Maria held out her hand and Michael dropped the keys into her upturned palm.

Maria dithered a little while before eventually groaning "I don't wanna go in."

"Let's face it, the worst she's gonna do is ground you. You should be grateful that your mum's such a soft touch."

"I suppose." Maria stood there awkwardly, unsure what was appropriate as a goodbye. In the end she settled for a hug, wrapping her arms tightly round his neck. "Thank you" she whispered into his ear. "Tonight was a lot of fun."

When the hug was over she turned and made her way to the front gate. She heard footsteps behind her.

"Maria-"

She turned and then somehow his lips were on hers and they were kissing furiously. She caught his face in her hands and moved her lips against his slowly yet forcefully. Michael was the one to pull away and he said:

"Maria DeLuca, will you be my girlfriend?"

Panting, Maria giggled a moment before replying.

"Yes!"

He kissed her again, feeling like he was dancing on raindrops, before reluctantly pulling away again.

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Most likely grounded the way it's going."

Michael didn't hesitate. "Call me."

"Okay."

"Alright."

"Great."

Michael grinned so that Maria could see his full set of top teeth. Leaning down for one final peck on the cheek, he turned and headed off back down the street.

Maria couldn't quite move straight away, and just stood gormlessly, watching him become smaller and smaller with every step he took. Then she remembered she had a fate to meet, and looked towards her suddenly foreboding home.

It became quite apparent though, after a few steps inside the door, that nobody in this house was still awake. Sounds of her mother's soft snoring vibrated through the house and Maria breathed a shallow sigh of relief. To be honest, she didn't think she could deal with her mother right now anyway.

She soon realized that she was still wearing Michael's coat. She considered running after him, but figured that it could wait, especially if she WAS meeting him tomorrow. Creeping up the stairs as silently as she could, she reached her room without detection. Sliding under her covers, she picked the phone off her bedside table and began to dial a familiar number.

The phone rang three times before an answer.

"Hello?" Liz's sleepy voice meted Maria's ear.

"Liz!"

"Maria, is this you? Oh my god, don't you own a clock?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know it's late." Maria had to remind herself to quieten her voice so as not to blow it and wake up her mum. "But Liz, I have so much to tell you!"

Liz yawned a little before sitting up and paying closer attention. "Right, start at the beginning."

"Well it all started his afternoon, in the Crashdown locker rooms.."