Never Alone (AU,CC,M/M,TEEN/MATURE) Pt 10 - 9/21 [WIP]

[baby_bre]

Thanks to Chynna Princess for my lovely lovely Banner! I love it!

Title: Never Alone

Authors: Baby_Bre

Rating: TEEN/MATURE

Category: M/M, CC

Authors Notes: Okay, I hope you all enjoy this story, I know it was posted a long while back. But due to a nasty case of writers block, it was deleted and now it's back. I shall be updating quite regularly! And Maria and Michael do not see each other as brother and sister, they care about each other but it's not like that. Please read and review!!! (I've made slight changes to it though, like how it's written etc etc)

And I forgot to add, it was added the first time I posted this, but this story was/is dedicated to Ash, may she rest in peace.

Disclaimer: Only borrowing the lovely characters, I shall return em .

Summary: What would live be like for Maria and Michael, if Maria's parents had both abandoned her as a child and not only her dad left? What would Michael have been like if he hadn't grown up alone, what would he be like if he had a little blonde pixie to watch out for?


Part One


"Maria," Michael whispers, causing me to groan lightly in my sleep.

"Huh, what?" I ask, wiping the sleep from my eyes, as I will myself to sit up, the dizziness immediately taking over.

"You've gotta get ready for school," Michael states in a soft voice, making me feel uncomfortable.

"What for? It's not like you ever go!" I bite back, glaring at him from under my heavy eye lids.

"Maria!" He states forcefully, his face serious as he glares back at me.

"How come I have to go?" I question, crossing my arms over my chest, sleep forgotten, "It's not like you're my boss." I toss out, cocking my head to the side as I stare at him.

"Because," He says exagerating the word more then he should have, "One of us has to, Hank will be pissed if he comes home to find us here and I'd rather it be me here then him finding you." Michael tells me, looking straight at me and I feel like I'm going to be swallowed up by his chocolate brown eyes.

"Fine," I practically yell, pouting on the inside.

"Now go get in the shower," He snaps, obiviously annoyed by my attitude, and I roll my eyes.

"Alright, DAD." I reply, hopping off the bed to head into our very cramped bathroom.

"I'm not your dad!" He spat out, giving me one of his intense glares.

"Thank god for that!" I yell at him, "I mean you might even be worse than Hank," I tell him bitterly, instantly regretting my words when I see the expression that quickly crosses his face, almost so fast that I think I'd imagined it.

"Look, Michael I'm sorry." I apologize, placing a hand on his back, and I want to cry when I feel him flinch, "I didn't mean it."

"It's okay," He says quitely, his eyes meeting mine, making me feel like my insides were going to burn up. I don't know how Michael can spark so much passion up inside of me, just from a simple glance.

"I won't say anything like that again," I mumble softly, in a meak attempt to make him feeling better.

"Really, it's alright, just go take a shower and I'll call Iz and let her know she needs to stop by and get you." He tells me, the moment broken as I glare at him.

"I'd rather walk." I say sharply, it's the truth, I cannot stand Isabel.

"Why?" Michael askes me for about the thousandth time.

"Michael, nothing personal, I mean I know that they're you know, like you and all. But I am not taking their pity, just because you guys are the same. Their your family and friends, not mine." I state, sometimes I swear he tries to push Isabel and me together, he just has to realize that we are different and by that I don't mean different species.

"I know that," He tells me and I raise my eyebrow, not quite believing him as he hasn't face the fact as of yet.

"Then why do you keep pushing?"

"Is there something wrong with me wanting you to make friends?"

"You're talking like you make friends all the time." I tell him stubbornly.

"I have friends." he says firmly... who's he tryin to convince me or himself?

"Yeah but you're not close to them." I tilt my head to one side looking at him while he gives me a funny glance.

"Maria what I do doesn't affect you."

"Yes it does."

"And how is that?"

"I learn it from you." I say still staring at him.

"Learn what?"

"Not to get attached."

"Maria!" He scolds, "How many times do we have to go over this? You're not going to have to worry about that." Michael reasons.

'Yeah, and what is life for me without you? Why should I make friends when I know they'll eventually leave me, like you?' I want to say, but I don't, knowing it'd only make things worse for us.

"I know, but it's like, what's the point in trying? Everyone eventually ends up leaving me anyway," I say quietly, he was right maybe I did need to become friendlier with Max, Isabel and the rest of his "group" but I don't see the point. Because it's like, are they looking for a medal because they know the secret now too?

"Maria."

"Don't Maria me."

"Whatever."

"Whatever." I mimick him.

"You know what?" You can just walk, I don't care." Michael shouts angrily, storming out of the bedroom. I can tell he's already pissed at me, so I slowly head into the bathroom to take that shower, already knowing he'll be gone by the time I finish showering, so what's the point in hurrying?

[baby_bre]

Thanks for all your lovely feedback!!!!

Please read and review!!!

Part Two

"Michael," I call into the empty room, knowing that he won't be there, I do it anyway. Entering the tiny bedroom, I quickly dress in my low rider jeans and throw on my black tank. Running a comb through my long hair, I grab my jacket ready to get the hell out of there.

Arriving at school on time, I notice Liz walking with Maxwell, they made a nice couple, I thought bitterly. Liz and Max were alright, they weren't like Isabel, I'd give them that, but when Michael told me 'their' secret, he was pissed off, but he had no problem telling Liz, who went and told Alex.

"I see you've decided to grace us with your presence," Isabel says in that stone cold tone of hers, the one that makes me want to rip out her teeth, one by one.

"Shut up and leave me alone." I tell her, rolling my eyes definately, I can only take so much of the Ice Queens bull.

"I won't just leave you alone, you got Michael all in a twist this morning." She snaps and I glare icily at her, how is it any of her business what goes on between Michael and me?

"So," I state, turning away from her, it wasn't her business and I wasn't about to explain myself, I can't help it if Little Isabel is jealous of my relationship with Michael.

"What did you say to him?" She asks, tapping her nails lightly against the table top.

"Nothing really, only that you'd make a cute couple with him." I tell her, flashing her a sickening sweet smile as I walk off, teach her to always mess with me.

I don't know what her problem is most of the time and why does it make a difference to her what Michael and I talk about? Sometimes I'd swear she liked him, fortunately I know it isn't the case, as everyone except Alex can see Isabel has the hots for him.

~*~*~*~

"So, how is my girl?" I hear Alex ask as I enter the Crash down after school. I'm not sure why I spend so much time in there, ever since I found out about the aliens, it's like we're all drawn to this stupid little cafe.

"Well, that depends how is my baby doing?" I ask, trying in vain not to burst into a fit of giggles.

"I'm doing swell, now that your beautiful face is here to brighten up my day." He tells me with a grin, I knew I could always count on Alex. It's like he could lighten up my entire mood in two seconds flat. It's strange really, out of all of them, Alex is the only one besides Michael that I feel I have a connection with.

But then, you couldn't help but love Alex, he has like this contagious smile that just makes you light up, he could make you go from extremely sad to bursting with happiness in seconds.

"Awww, stop that or you'll make me tear up." I say sarcastically.

"Do you guys even realize we're here?" Chimes the rest of the group.

"No, not really." We reply before bursting into giggles again.

"So, lets all calm down and get to business." Isabel says in her tones that says 'listen to me or else'

"Whatever," I reply glaring at her as I wrap my arm around Alex, she's just jealous anyway.

Isabel narrows her eyes at my arm, glaring intently, yeah she's not jealous. I cough a bit too loudly, trying not to choke on that thought.

"You have all meet the new girl right?" Max asks, cutting through out bickering, and doing his attempt at changing the subject.

"Yeah, I think her name was like Tess Harding or something." Kyle says, staring at us.

"Well, some weird things have been going on that are revolving around her." Max states, and I raise an eyebrow curiously. There are very few times that anything Max says interests me, I mean this group always lays low, we hardly ever have any drama going on. Strange, seeing as how three of them are aliens.

"Like what?" Someone says and I don't care enough to take notice of who spoke.

"I've been having these flashes, I can't really control them and they're of her, we're doing things that I don't really want to discuss." Max explains, his face turning pink and I grin, sometimes Maxwell is just a bit too entertaining.

"What kind of things?" Isabel questions, for once I don't hate something that comes out of those red lips of hers, seeing as how she made it so I won't have to ask and seem interested for once.

"You know, ummm," He says blushing even redder and my grin widens, "Things..." He trails off, obviously embarrassed but you can't blame him, who wants to sit here and speak about these things with a bunch of people?

"Do we really need to sit here and discuss your wet dreams Maxwell?" I ask, which sends Alex and Liz into a fit of giggles.

[baby_bre]

Part Three


"Mar!" Max scolds, in that completely annoying voice, the one he thinks makes him sound like he's all diginified. "This is a serious matter."

"Well, then what do you guys think?" I question, looking at them expectedly, "Is she "Different"?"

"We're not sure what to think," Isabel snaps, I don't know what her problem is, it was just a simple question, geez sometimes these people take things too seriously.

"We've decided the best plan of action is to follow her," Michael explains, "See if we can find anything suspicious."

"That's just great," I say roll my eyes as I stand up, "I have to get home." I tell them, getting up from my seat, grinning to myself, I think the Pod Squad has finally lost it, you just don't go around stalking people, it's not right.

~*~*~*~

Slowly I open my eyes, the sun shining through my window momentarily blinds me as I sit up, glancing around disorentedly as I notice Michael's already left, but then what's new? It feels like the more I try to be indepdant and not rely on him, the more disconnected from me he becomes.

Turning over I gentely rub the sleep out of my bruised eye, it's not the first time I've had to attend school with a black eye and I don't think it'll be the last. I'm so sick of having Hank control my life, I mean it's hard for me to even remember what happened or why it happened for that matter, since it happens so fast. I know he was drinking, alcohol and Hank are a terrible combination, but I believe it had to do with my being home later then he wanted or expected, as if he honestly gave a damn, it's just another excuse for his fist to meet flesh.

Standing up, I grab hold of my tan capri's before slipping them on, frantically glancing about the room, I take notice of Michael's T-Shirt hanging off the side of our tiny dresser, grabbing it I throw it over my head and pull down, I was completely ready to get as far away from the tralior as humanly possibly. Hank wasn't there, or else Michael wouldn't have left, but who knows when he'd be back.

~*~*~*~*~

Reaching the entrance, I take in my surrounding, it seems I'm a bit late for first period, but again what's new with that? I hate school, I don't see the point in it and why I must bother going, I mean it's not as if anyone would notice if I didn't, other then Michael that is, but who cares, he hardly attends so why should I?

Pushing open the doors, I head towards my locker, completely ignoring the emptiness of the halls. I like lonely places, it makes me feel calm and at peace. It's extremely annoying when the halls are buzzing with idiots, all of them drooling on themselves and crushing soda pop cans on their heads, no wonder they're so dumb, they've probably caused themselves to have brain damage.

Sometimes being this bitter almost makes me feel... bad? But then I tell myself that all of these losers treat me like crap, so why should I feel bad? If there's one thing Michael's taught me, it's that people shouldn't be let in, especially not idiot jock boys who think with one thing and one thing only.. Need I say more?

Fishing my keys out of my bag, I glance up just as a blonde girl rounds the corner, obviously running late as her face is flushed and she seems in a hurry. The only thing that crossed my mind was, how come I hadn't reconginzed her? I had checked out every student in our high school records, well more like I had Alex do it. I didn't want anything happening to Michael so I thought it was my duty, he still doesn't know that we broke into the school datebase, but what he doesn't know can't hurt him, right?

"Excuse me?" I turn at the sound of a soft voice, eyeing the blonde up and down suspiciously, I raise my eyebrow.

"I'm new here and I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of my locker." She asks, telling me her number, I shrug and point towards the locker that's two doors down from me.

"It's that one," I say when she looks around helplessly, some people just can't do anything for themselves, I know she's been here more then one day, so why is she pretending she doesn't know where her locker is?

"Thanks a lot," She tells me with a warm smile, it doesn't quite reach her eyes but it's some what convinicing, "You're a life saver."

"Don't mention it," I say, slamming my locker shut I head towards my homeroom, not caring whether the girl got her stuff or not.

Part of me knows I should stay as far away from this new girl as I can, at least until the paranoid losers figure all of this out, but another part of me wants to help figure it out for myself, Michael's my responsibility and if she's a threat to him, then I have to take her out, simple as that. Plus, I know it'll get them all in a twist, which is worth more then I can say.
Turning around, I head back towards the little blondies locker, "So, Blondie, do you have a name?" I ask casually, leaning against the locker next to hers.

"Tess," She tells me, grabbing a book off the shelf, "What's yours?" She questions, glancing in my direction shortly.

"Maria," I tell her and she smiles, "How long have you been in Roswell?"

"Not long," she tells me with a shrug, smiling at me again, "It's nice here."

"More like boring here," I tell her with a grin, "I hate this puny little town."
She nods, "it's better then some of the places I've been to," She explains, looking up as the bell rings.

"So, you moved around a lot then?" I ask, raising my eyebrow questioningly.

"Yeah, my Fathers job causes us to move quite a bit," She tells me with another shrug.

"That must suck," I tell her, though it sounds a lot better then a life of
living in a tiny tralior with a guy who beats you whenever he feels like it.

"Hey lovely," I hear Alex coo in my ear, wrapping his arms around my waiste, I giggle and lean into him.

"Alex, this is Tess." I tell him, gesturing to the nervous blonde in front of me.

"Why hello there," He says taking her hand and kissing it.

"Hey," She says blushing, "He's quite the charmer isn't he?"

"Indeed, he is."

"I gotta get to the music room," He tells me, "So, I'll see you later?"

"Yup." I tell him, with a wave of his hand he's gone.

"Boy friend?" Tess asks with a sly smile.

"Hardly," I tell her, "He's just a good friend."

She nods understandly and I wonder what they could find so threatening about this girl, she seems harmless, but then I know that looks can be decieving because look at Isabel, Max and Michael, but still. The vibes I'm getting from this girl are completely friendly, unless my meter is out of whack.

"Have you made any friends yet?" I ask, trying to make conversation.

"Not really, I get the feeling most people here are unfriendly, but then I'm used to it, most people don't want to be caught dead with the "new" girl." She tells me and I nod, because I know how that goes, this is Roswell afterall.

[baby_bre]

Thanks for all the FB

Part Four

"I'm sure people will come around in time," I tell her confidently, "And if not, you can always hang out with me, won't hurt my reputation any, though it may hurt your future one." I finish with a wink, I don't feel threatened by this girl, in fact she seems kind of sweet, strange for me to say I know. But then, I'm not a paranoid alien, so my thoughts and feelings dont matter.

"I'd like that," She says shyly, pushing a curl behind her ear, "It'll be nice to walk around with someone for once."

"I know the feeling," I admit honestly, seeing as how I'm usually alone unless Alex decides to grace me with his presence, Isabel decides to annoy me or Michael shows up at school.

"Maria!" I hear Max's booming voice, damn I've been caught, I mean can't I have a moment of peace talking with a friend at their locker?

Turning around slowly, I smile up sweetly at him, "Yeah?"

"Join me over here for a minute." He says glaring down at me, with a little wave to Tess, he's pulling me off in the direction of the quad.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Michael shouts at me, once we've reached their table, sitting down next to Alex he places his hand atop mine.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing acting like my flipping boss!?" I scream, glaring at him, not even caring that people are probably stopping to stare.

"Lets just get this straight, you will not talk to her, do I make myself clear?" Michael says in what I like to call his, 'don't fuck with me tone.'

"The only thing that is clear here, is that I am so out of here." I yell, still glaring at him as I take off through the door to find Tess.

"That went well," Alex mutters sarcastically.

Max just shakes his head.

"I'll be back," Alex tells them, getting ready to go after me.

"Let her go," Max says firmly, he didn't enjoy hurting the people he cared about, but he knew this was for the best.

"Why?" Alex questions.

"She needs to think about her priority's."

"Fine." He says sitting down and talking to Isabel about it.
~*~*~*~

"Hey," I say when Tess comes up to her lockers after lunch, "I'm sorry about earlier."

"It's alright," She tells me, opening her locker as she does so.

"No, Max was being rude," I tell her.

"I understand, perhaps he just doesn't want you associating with the new girl."

"Yeah, well as you can tell, I don't usually listen to what "he" or anyone else thinks I should do." I explain as I watch them walk past.

"So what are you doing after school?" She asks.

"Umm nothing dreading going home where Michael will yell at me for running off." I say rolling my eyes.

"Are you guys brother and sister?"

"Hardly we were adopted together we look out for one another but we're hardly brother and sister." I tell her laughing at the thought.

"Oh, well if you want, only if you, I could maybe talk to my dad and then maybe you could spend the night," She says and I consider this, wondering if she has motives for this invite.

After a moment I nod, "Sure I'd like that," alien or not, this is just what I need right now, a night away from the hell I call home.

"Great!" She says excitedly, "I'll see you by my explorer after school then?"

"Yup," I say, running off to my next class just as the last bell rings.

~*~*~*~

Note in class between Alex, Maria and Isabel.

Alex: Mar are you mad?

Alex: Mar are you mad?

Maria: Not at you.

Isabel: Why are you mad.

Maria: Why do you think?

Isabel: it's not our fault we want you to be careful.

Maria: your only worried about yourself so don't pretend.

Isabel: Whatever you are so damn self centered.

Maria: Oh and you 'I'm an ice bitch' aren't?

Alex: Ladie's, Ladies calm down.

Isabel: No she's got something up her ass

Maria: Hmm probably the same thing that's stuck up your ass 24/7

Isabel: You know you're just putting 'our' lives on the line here.

Maria: Whatever, you're just paranoid because she's new, what I do has nothing to do with you, so stop acting like the solar system revolves around YOU!

Alex: Girls stop fighting

Maria: Whatever signing off now.

[baby_bre]

Thanks for the awesome feedback, I adore it so keep it coming! And Candy is my favorite couple in the entire world hehehe so it's my favorite couple to write about

Part Five

I still can't believe how much of a witch Isabel is, an Alien Witch, that's what she is! I mean how does she even come up with the nerve to speak to me the way she does? And everyone is so blinded, they think she's this completely innocent person and it's like she's not! I swear, I could pull out my hair in frustration, maybe Isabel's intentions really are good, but I don't care! I mean how does she think she can get away with treating people like crap? Is there some rule that because she's this Alien witch, she can do whatever the heck she wants to? I don't think so and unlike everyone else, I will never stand for it.

Putting all my frustrations aside, I make my way out into the parking lot, ignoring the blistering heat as I glance around looking for Tess's explorer. I know I shouldn't even be doing this, I shouldn't be going, but since when did that ever stop me? Michael is my best friend, he's my only confidant other then Alex, but Alex doesn't know what it's like to live with Hank, he is my everything, probably the only reason I've stayed in Roswell this long. But I can't stand him sometimes, he makes me so mad, he has to learn that everything in this world doesn't revolve around him and his little friends, I deserve to have a life of my own.

I know that's selfish, I know it is, but don't I deserve to be selfish for once in my life? I mean, I'd never admit this, but I often find myself putting Michael above all else, I wonder how my actions will effect him. So why can't he spend a little time thinking about me for once? Sometimes I don't think Michael would notice me at all, if it weren't for Hank that is, our being in the same situation. Is it crazy that I wouldn't want to leave Hank's trailor? Because it could mean Michael and I being split apart, I don't think I could deal with that.

What I wonder is, would Michael be hurt if we were split apart? Because he'd still have the others, so would he even care at all? It hurts me a lot to even wonder this, but I can't help it, because I have a feeling that one of these days I'm going to find out.

"Maria?" Tess's voice interrupts my thoughts and I spin around.

"Hey Tess!" I say a little more chipperly then I had intended.

"You looked lost," She comments with a smile. "Is everything okay?"

"It's just great!" I tell her with a forced smile, trying to push my thoughts of Michael out of my mind completely, I don't want to ruin our budding friendship with my worries. "Shall we go?"

"Yeah, my dad said it's fine if you stay over," She tells me as we make our way to her car.

"That's good." I state meakly, knowing I should talk a little more, but my mouth goes dry as I notice Michael and the others staring at us, they're standing by Max's jeep, could they be a little more obvious?

"So, I've never had a sleep over before, what should we do?" She asks, totally oblivious to the others.

"I don't know, I've never really done this sort of thing, but I guess we could watch movies, hang out, or something." I suggest, igorning the others disaproving stares.

"Sounds good to me." She says as we hop into the explorer and pull out.

[baby_bre]

Part 6


Once we reach Tess's house, I can't help the fact that my stomachs tied in knots, her house is huge, it's like five times as big as our tralior. I'm nervous to meet her Father, I've never been good at meeting parents in general, probably because I've never had any, but I can't be for sure.

As we walk towards the front door, the knots in my stomach tighten and I grimance inwardly. I hate being nervous, at least I've learned to control my feelings enough to keep them at bay, except for nervousness. I'm good at not letting anyone know what I'm thinking or feeling, it's another little nifty trick I've picked up on from Michael, my big stone wall, the only person on this planet that I know who knows what it feels like to be me, living in Hanks world.

Of course I would never in a million years admit any of this to him, but I do know that it's going to feel strange staying the night away from him, I don't think we've ever been apart during the night, not even when we were pissed at each other, for at least five years. Unless of course we're out together with the others searching for clues or on a wild goose hunt, but that's completely different.

"We're home!" Tess shouts into the open house once we've entered, the decorating looks suprisingly good, especially since they've only just moved in, glancing about the room I take notice of all the boxes and such.

"Tess Darling, how was your day?" A tall man with a balding scalp appears, giving Tess a quick kiss on the cheek before turning his gaze towards me, frowing I wonder how he can seem familiar, because he does, it seems like I've seen him before, but that's impossible, I would remember.

"It was great." Tess says with a grin, turing towards me she motions us to head into the kitchen, "Want a soda or something to eat?" She asks over her shoulder.

"Sure," I say uncomfortably, I can still feel his gaze on my back.

"Maria right?" Her father says as he enters the kitchen, Tess and me are already munching on chips and drinking soda, I was actually comfortable now that we were away from him, his vibes are strange.

"Yes," I say turning towards him.

"I'm Ed Harding," He tells me and I nod, "It's nice to meet you."

"Yeah, nice to meet you to." I say, even though I want to run as far as I can from him, I stay because it'd look too suspcious and Tess is really cool, even if her father freaks me out.

[baby_bre]

Yes, Ed is the scary one isn't he? It's his eyes, I think.. hehe. thanks for all the feedback.


Part Seven

Later on that evening, we're sitting on Tess's bed reading magazines, her rooms nice, it's a lot larger then Michael's and my bedroom, but I'm not jealous. I wouldn't trade my life with Michael for anything or anyone. Hank may hit me, he may not give a crap, he may drink all the time, but I'd much rather endure his psychical pain then have to live under the same roof as Ed Harding, his eyes are cold and lifeless, even when he's being nice. I don't want to sound rude, I know it's mean, that's her father and all, but he scares the heck out of me and believe me, it's take quite a bit to scare little ol' me.

"Tess, Maria, dinners ready!" I hear him call from downstairs, I feel my stomach tighten as Tess's head springs up suddenly.

"Want to go eat?" She asks me with a smile, placing her magazine down on the bed next to where she was sitting.

"Sure," I reply, smiling back at her, even though I feel uneasy for some reason around him, I don't want to spoil this, I don't want her thinking I'm strange and I guess it is kind of nice that Tess has someone who makes her meals and calls her down for them. I'm not sure I trust Ed though, so I don't know that I'm actually going to eat anything he makes, I just don't feel like I can. I laugh inwardly as a flash of Hank dressed in an apron, cooking dinner, pops into my head, he'd probably be mixing beer with ceral and serve that.

Sitting down at the table, the smell of chicken and potatoes make my mouth water, because it looks really good, better then anything I've eaten. "Eat up." Ed tells me, looking at me in that way of his, the one that causes my skin to crawl, I mean he looks at me like I'm a fly that he wants to squash, what am I meant to think?

After dinner, Tess and me run back upstairs, leaving Ed or Mr. Harding if you will, to do the dishes. I didn't eat a bite, not even one, I was so tempted, it smelt so good, but instead I pushed the food around on my plate, cutting it up into small pieces until it looked like I had eaten some. I trust Tess, I don't know why I do, but I do, but I just can't bring myself to trust her father, there's no way.

"Can I use your phone?" I ask, I know I shouldn't be doing this, but I worry, I need to call Max, and let him know here I am. Because I know he'll be able to get a hold of Michael at some point tonight, seeing as how we don't have a phone at the trailor, or else I would have skipped calling Max all together.

"Of course, it's over there." She points and I grin, her phones adorable, it's all fluffy.

Dialing in Max's number I wait three rings and then I hear the worst possible voice, "Hello?"

"Hiya," I refrain from adding Princess or bitch or Ice bitch...

"Is that you Maria?" She says in that voice of hers.

"What gave me away?" I question with a snicker.

"Oh, I don't know, it's kind of hard to mistake your annoying voice for anyone elses, seeing as how no one else sounds like they have a hair ball stuck down their throat all the time."

"Yeah well at least I don't constantly have a stick up my ass," I snap back, "Now just put Max on the phone Isabel!"

"No."

"Just put him on the damn phone." Why does she have to be so freaking difficult all the freaking time?

"Why should I?" She asks, and I swear the next time I come in close contact with her, it's going to be because I'm strangeling her.

"I don't have time for this, just put him on the freaking phone!" I order angrily.

"Is everything okay?" Tess questions, her eyebrow raised, I nod and go back to yelling at Isabel.

"Isabel, I swear if you don't put him on the phone right now, I am going to come over to your house and smack you!"

"Try it."

Rolling my eyes, I'm ready to hang up on her, she is just so aggravating, "Just please put him on the phone."

"Fine, all you had to do was ask nicely."

"Whatever," I mumble waiting a few seconds before I hear max's voice.

"Hey," He says, "What's up Maria?"

"Nothing, could you do me a favor?"

"Sure,"

"Could you tell Michael the next time you see him that I'm not going to be home tonight?"

"Why don't you tell him yourself?" he asks, "He's here."

"Oh...." I start, biting on my lip, "Put him on then, please."

"Alright, hold on." Max says before he yells for Michael.

"What?" Michael's gruff voice booms into the phone.

"Nice to talk to you too porky pine."

"What's up Maria?" He asks, concern already shining in his voice, "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing, I was just going to tell you that I won't be at the tralior tonight, so you might as well stay at Max's." I know it's strange, but I really don't want him to be home alone, not with Hank.

"Where are you going to be?" He interogates, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

"Errm..." I mumble Tess's under my breath.

"Where?!"

"Tess's..." I say a little more loudly, but not loud enough for Tess to hear me.

"WHAT!?" He says, his voice a lot louder then a whisper. "I don't think so!"

"Well, I do!"

"Not after the little stunt you pulled today, it's not safe and you're obiviously not thinking with your brain Maria."

"Mickey, I gotta go, I'll talk to you tomorrow." I hang up before he can say anything else, I don't want him saying anything that could be bad seeing as how Ed could be listening for all I know.

[baby_bre]

Thanks for the fabulous FB!

Part Eight

"Everything alright?" Tess's concerned voice breaks into my clouded thoughts, I nod, even though I still feel shaky. I had defined Michael, straight out defied him, my protector, my Michael. Now I know I'll never hear the of this, tomorrow, I'm positive he'll be screaming at me, that is assuming Hank doesn't first.

I know that we're meant to be going to bed early, afterall it is a school day, I despise Wednesdays, they really rub me the wrong way, I'm not sure why that is, I've alays just felt that way. Maybe that's the day my parents left me? Maybe it's the day they decided I wasn't good enough to be their daughter anymore, I can't be sure.

You know, in the beginning, living with Hank, it really wasn't that bad, he didn't hit us, he was even sort of nice, that was of course before started drinking and turned on us. It makes me sad to think about the type of person he was before he started drinking, naturally he wouldn't win dad of the year award and he wasn't the best guy in the world, but he was decent enough and he treated us okay.

Michael wouldn't be very pleased with me, if he knew I still thought about those days, still thought about my parents, why they left me, if they were ever going to talk and why Hank started drinking. He had told me once, Maria, don't waste your time thinking about those days, the days when everything was alright, focus your time and energy on trying to figure out how you're going to make it to the next day. He always talked about suriving, and said things that I found to be horribly depressing.

In the beginning, back before he told me his secret, I thought it was only because of his being ditched by him parents that he spoke this way. But when he told me, I was finally able to understand what those things meant to him and why he told me them. I suppose Michael wanted to install a little bit of himself in me, a little piece of his defenses. Is it weird that I've lived with him for over most of my life and yet I still don't consider him to be my brother, I feel like he's a part of my family, and I know he'll protect me, and he knows I'd do the same for him, but I don't feel like he's my big brother.

Tess and me sit in silence for a few moments, it wasn't a particularly uncomfortable silence, more of a thoughtful one, each of us lost in our own thoughts, I giggle silently as I think about this situation. A few weeks ago I never would have pictured myself hanging out in a girls bedroom, especially not ones that I barely know. I mean up until today, I've never really spoken to anyone outside of Alex and Michael, unless I really had to. Like when I associate with perfect little Princess Isabel, it's only because I have to and with Max and Liz, they're cool but what can I say?

"So, Maria?" Tess says, "What types of things do you like to do?"

"Errm, I guess just write and sing mostly." I tell her honestly, I don't have a lot of hobbies unless protecting aliens secrets and going on wild goose hunts for clues to their past count. "What about you?" I ask, giving her a little smile.

"I don't know, I guess I mostly just hang around my house, you know that sort of thing," She says with an almost sad shrug of her shoulders.

"Oh," I say, not knowing what else I can say to her.

"Want to go to bed now?" She asks, smiling at me again.

"Sure." I say and I go crawl into my sleeping bag, my thoughts plaguing me about Michael and what's he's feeling right now.

[baby_bre]

Thanks you guys! Means a lot to me that ya'lls are reading this!

Part Nine

I woke with a bit of a start the next morning, glancing all around the room before I realized Tess wasn't there. "Tess?" I called out into the empty hallway, I was waiting for a reply when I heard the shower going in the next room. I figured she must be in the shower, so I quickly smoothed out my school clothes, which happened to be the same clothes I'd worn the day before, as I hadn't exactly gotten a chance to get an outfit from home.

I sat silently on Tess's bad for about ten minutes, just thinking about Michael, what was going to happen at school, how angry the group would be with me, if I would even care and if they were going to try and get me to stop being friends with Tess. "Are you going to wear that to school?" Tess asks, causing me to jump as I hadn't heard her enter the room.

"You scared me," I exclaim. I take in Tess's perfect apperance, she's wearing one of those knee length flowing skirts, it's white and she's wearing a baby pink top. It makes me wonder, what exactly would people think of me if I showed up in an outfit like that? Because it looked so soft, so girly, so sweet, all thet hings people would never call me.

"Sorry," She apologizes as she heads towards her closet, opening it she says, "You can wear anything you'd like. I hadn't realized you weren't able to get an extra pair of clothes until just now."

"No, it's alright." I tell her with a smile, it's not like people haven't seen me in the same clothes twice.

"Nonsense," She tells me as she begins putting her make up on, "I have more then enough clothes, just go pick something out."

Standing up, I hesitantly make my way over to her large closet, I swear her closet it almost as big as Michael and my room. I've never seen so many skirts and blouses in all my years of living. I don't think I own a single one of these colors and it gives me an idea, maybe I should try dressing like Tess, at least for today, see what the Pod Squad has to say about it, perhaps they'll think I've been brainwashed by the all mighty Tess Harding.

"Need some help?" Tess asks, appearing behind me, I nod frantically and feel a bit silly, as I have no idea what goes with what.

A half hour later we're both dressed and in her explorer, Tess helped me pick out a light blue flowing skirt that matches hers and then hse matched it up with a darker blue blouse and let me borrow her strappy heels. I've never felt so girly in all my life, and then she decided it'd be fun to up make up on me and do my hair, I'm never coming back here, I feel like a clown.

"You don't look so scary." She tells me as we pull into the school parking lot.

"What do you mean?"

"Yesterday, I was scared to approach you." She admits, "The way you present yourself, you look like one of those people who go around killing people or something."

I laugh, "I'm not scary."

"If you say you're not." She says as we hop out of the car, I'm not used to wearing

[baby_bre]

Sorry it took so long to update!

Chapter 10



"Careful," Tess warns, "You look like you're going to trip and I wouldn't want you breaking anything."

"Yeah that would suck, everyone would be making fun of me." I tell her with a shrug, I don't feel like me, I'm not used to heels, I look polished and it's actually kind of frightening.

I wonder if they'll reconginze me, perhaps I'll be able to go the whole day without speaking to any of them. Maybe they'll even pass me in the halls and they won't even know it's me. I mean it could happen, right? Because I really don't feel like facing them, seeing their disapproving faces. Okay really it's only Michael's I care about but still.

"So, I'll see you at lunch?" Tess asks when we reach her locker.

"Yup." I leave the area, if they spot me with Tess they'll definately know it's me and my cover will have been blown. I just can't take that chance, it's too much of a risk.

When the first bell rings it doesn't even register that I am never in school this early, nor am I ever dressed like this. I think I could get away with just walking around the halls, I look so presentable that I bet the hall monitors wouldn't even stop me, they'd figure I have a pass.

******

The morning goes by in a blurr of nothingness so at lunch time I see them, I want to run the other way because they're coming towards me and by their expression they know it's me. I'm going to faint! I'm standing here feeling sick but I know that I have to get a hold of myself because Tess is a friend and there is nothing abnormal about her arrival in Roswell, the Pod Squad is just so damn paranoid.

"Maria?" Alex, I knew he wouldn't be able to pretend he didn't know it was me, damnit! I wasn't able to turn around quickly enough and now he even knows it's me.

I look at him with a sweet smile. "Excuse me but what is it you need?"

"Give it up Maria." Isabel snaps, "What are you doing dressed like that?"

"What do you mean? Don't you dig my new wear?"

"Are you okay?" Liz asks looking at me strangely.

"Why of course I am." I tell her with another sweet smile.

"What has she done to you!" Liz gasps and I bat my eyelashes prettily.

"What ever do you mean, dear?" I ask in my most professional tone.

"Ria, what is going on with you?" Michael asks and I turn to look at him, big mistake on my part because he looks hurt. "First defying my orders and now you're dressed like that AND acting insane!"

"What is wrong with the way I look?" I retort, I thought I looked girly, soft and sort of nice even.

"That's not what I meant."

"You guys just want to bring me down, I finally find a friend and now you guys want to take her away."

"No you found a friend because you wanted to be bitch to us." Isabel states, she's practically seething.

"Same difference."

"It's not like that, she's dangerous."

"Yeah, and you guys aren't?"

"It's different."

"Even if what you guys are accusing her of is true, how do you know she isn't exactly like each and everyone of you? How do you know that she isn't just as scared, that she isn't just doing her best to keep her secret hidden? Huh?"

"We don't know that but we also don't know that she isn't out to get us." Isabel barks and I roll my eyes.

"I'm not going to discuss this any further so please do excuse me." Manners really work because they don't stop me when I head in the direction of the table Tess and I were going to meet.

I must have been barring my teeth or sulking because when I reach the bench Tess asks, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing,"

"Sure about that?"

"Yep."

"You look sad."

"I'm not sad." I say finally, "It's just sometimes I hate my friends." I know that's not entirely true because I could never hate Michael and Alex, they're the most important people to me, even though they're paranoid.

"Maria." Tess says with a shake of her curly head, "You shouldn't say such things."

"Yeah well they're annnnoying."

"How come?"

"I don't know they're just a little controlling."

"Friends can be that way."

"I guess," I say taking a bite of my sandwhich, "This stuff sucks."

"You're right about that." Tess agrees and takes a bit of her own sandwhich. How could they even think Tess is out to get them, she is the first girl I can remember ever feeling like I could relate to them.

"We should totally start boycotting the caf." I say with a grin, "The food they serve us is disgusting."

"Totally," She says and puts her food back in her bag, "Not everyone is fortunate to be able to buy something worth eating."

"You got that right." If I ever asked Hank for money for something as "silly" as lunch well all I can say is it'd be a while before I could leave the trailor. He hates "wasting" his money on us, I mean once in a while when he's not so drunk he can't walk and hasn't spent it all on beer he'll give us a few 20's to buy stuff for school. But that's only because he has to, if it were up to him we'd still be wearing and using the same stuff from third grade.

"My dad can afford it but well he thinks they should provide us... yadda yadda yadda."

As I'm about to reply I hear a "can I sit here" and turn to find exactly who I expected, Alex.

"Sure, go right ahead." Tess says with a bright smile, she must be happy.

"Yeah, loverboy, take a seat."

He grins and I smile, I can't help but smile, Alex always has a way of brightening bad situations up. "So what's everyone been up to?" I ask daring the question I know Alex knows has been on my mind since I stormed off.

"You know, he's brooding." Alex tells me, somehow knowing I wanted to know about him.

"Who's brooding?"

"Michael,"

"Ooh, how come?"

"We got in a fight." I tell Tess and she nods in understanding.

"Ooh.. nothing serious I hope?"

"Nope, just stupid banter, you know I'm right he's wrong sort of thing, his ego just can't handle to be wrong."

Tess and Alex laugh but I sigh. I never wanted to hurt him, it's the last thing I'd want to do so why is it that I'm hurting the stubborn jerk? I don't know it's like I know I shouldn't be doing this, hanging out with Tess when it goes against what he wants but then it's sort of like I can't help it, I feel drawn to her.

"Earth to Maria earth to Maria, come in." Tess says waving her hands over my face, "You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine." I say giving her my best smile, I mean I am okay right? I feel ridiculous in this outfit but other than that I'm peachy. "I'm going to go check something out in the computer lab, I'll catch you guys later."

********

The weeks drag on and I wish I could say things to better between Michael and me but they haven't. In fact they have only gotten worse, he's not talking to me, the only people currently on speaking terms are Alex and Tess, who I might add have become quite the friends. As far as I can tell the Pod Squad hasn't found any more info on Tess but then I doubt if they had that they'd tell me. It's like I'm a stranger just because Tess is my friend, they think if they tell me anything that I'd run straight to her and tell. Which is not even true considering if it were then she'd already know about their alien status.

"Michael... talk to me!" I order while pouting. I've been doing my best to get him to not ignore me for the past billion months and it's beginning to annoy me. He comes home, hangs out in the room doing whatever, goes to bed, wakes up before me and it starts all over. "I'm sorry that I don't want to stop being friends with Tess but it's no reason to pretend I don't exist."

"Shut up and get over yourself Maria,"

"Screw you." I was just trying to be nice and what does he go and do? Be's an asshole.

"No screw you."

"Whatever I'm out..." I'm so pissed I could punch him.

He doesn't move to stop me and I don't know where I'm going, grabbing my bag I leave the trailor, I don't even care that it's like 3 in the morning. He can have it his way, I won't bother him anymore, infact I don't think I'll come home anymore, I mean what is home? Hank? The trailor? i don't think so. Pulling out my notebook I begin writing yet another song that'll never touch anyone.

I pull out my notebook and begin writing yet another song that'll never touch anyone.

An hour after the sun comes out I sigh, feeling extremely tired as I make my way towards school, I'm an hour late, my hair is a mess and my clothes are wrinkled. But I don't care.

********

"What do you want." I shout glaring at the computer lab teacher, can't they just leave me alone?

"Don't you get an attitude with me young lady."

"Don't act like my fucking mother and I won't."

"That kind of language will only land you in the Principals office Ms. Deluca."

"Ooooh. I'm so fucking scared. What are they going to do? Huh? Send me to the fucking office, see if I give a damn." I mouth off, I'm pissed, I hate my life, I hate fucking Roswell fucking New Mexico. So why am I even here?!

"MARIA! Maria. WAIT!" Isabel screams to get my attention. What the hell does Queen bitch want? Other then to annoy me, I swear she only lives for that purpose.

"WHAT!?" I yell back at her.

"What happened back there?"

"Isn't it obivous?"

"Why'd you freak like that."

"What's it matter to you?"

"It matters, you're not supposed to draw attention to yourself."

"If this is going to turn into one of those fucking lectures about 'blah blah our safety is so important blah blah' save your stupid breath alright? I'm done. Don't worry about it."

"You can't just go off like this, it looks bad."

"WHAT DO YOU NOT GET?" I ask glaring at her.

"You're such a bitch,"

"Fuck you, you don't even know me." I shout and turn around, she grabs my arm and I spin around, punching her in the face.

Her hand instantly flys to her face and I use this free time to leave.

I make it to the trailor in record time, panting as I notice Hanks there and he doesn't look too pleased to see me.

"What are you doing home? I got a call from your principal."

"So?"

"Don't you so me, you goddamn bitch, you know better then to act up."

"I learnt it from you, don't blame for that Hank."

"Why you little," He slaps me across the face, "Don't you disrespect me."

"Don't fucking hit me!" I shout, getting in his face, I'm tired of taking his crap, sick of listening to him bitch, sick and tired of him hitting me for no fucking reason.

"I'll do whatever the hell I want! This is my house."

"Fuck you." I shout at the top of my lungs, I hate him. He goes to hit me and I grab the nearest thing and whack him over the head with it, HARD. "There." I spit on him as I make my way to the bedroom, after packing my things in my bag I leave.

I don't feel sad as I walk the short distance to the highway. I've hated the people in this town forever, if it hadn't been for Michael and Alex I would have left along time ago but with Michael out of the picture I can't stay, it's too difficult.

Like something out of a movies I'm standing there with my tumb out. It's been hours and I'm sitting down to my bag. What am I meant to do now? What if no one comes by and I never leave, I'll die! Or I'll steal a car and end up in jail but there is no way I can stay here, not after what happend at school, the incident with Hank and not after punching Isabel, it's just not possible.

Yet another hour passes and I want to scream or die from boredom... The heat is killing me and not even writing is helping but just as I'm about to give up a jeep pulls up, unfortunately it's filled with some of the last people I wanted to see.

"MARIA!"

"I don't want to hear it Max." I notice that the others have all pilled out now.

"Where are you going," Michael ask.

"What's it to you?" I ask wondering how they knew where I was.

"Maria.."

"Don't start, now go away."

"No, you're coming home with us."

"Home? Where's that?"

"At the trailor," Michael says, "With me."

"Right. Because you've been there for me, because you've made me feel at home for the last month right?"

"Stop it," Liz says forcefully, "We didn't come here to fight."