Lost in You (Maria/Kyle, ADULT) Ch. 8 9/2/08 [WIP]

[gnrkrystle]

Title: Lost in You
Author: gnrkrystle
Email: gnrbonjovi8793@yahoo.com
Summary: After Tess’s betrayal, Maria realizes that she has feelings for two men…one more platonic than she thought, and one less platonic than she could ever imagine…drama ensues
Rating: ADULT
Category: Romance
Coupling: Maria/Kyle
Time Setting: Takes place after the 2nd Season
Authors note: This is a rewrite…I’ve posted this story before, but it was much different. I’m changing things, so this is NOT the same story. Hope you enjoy!




Chapter 1

Maria looked over at the man lying beside her in bed and could help but smile. His pale skin felt soft as silk as she ran her hands lightly over his chest. Her guilt was just below the surface, but she was pushing it aside, in favor of reveling in these few moments of bliss, in the arms of Kyle Valenti.

She watched him smile in his sleep and she brushed her fingers lightly across his face. She could watch him sleep all day. She’d never felt like this about anyone, not even Michael. It had happened fast, and neither of them expected it, but she and Kyle had fallen, head-over-heels, for each other. She still remembered when she hated Kyle, back before he had entered the “I-Know-An-Alien” Club. It seemed foreign, looking down at him now, that she had ever referred to him as “the stalker.”

Her mind wandered back to the events that had led each of them to this moment and to the passion they had shared for the first time that night. She hadn’t expected it, but she’d wanted it more than anything.

*When Maria opened the door and saw Kyle staring back at her, she felt her heart race. She’d been avoiding a one-on-one encounter with him ever since their “almost kiss” in the Crashdown after closing a few weeks before. She didn’t trust herself around him anymore. She didn’t know if she could control herself around him.

“Maria, we need to talk,” Kyle said, almost breathless as he pushed his way past her and entered the house. It was already midnight, so it was a good thing that Maria’s mother wasn’t home, or she would have flipped.

“Kyle, it was nothing. Don’t worry about.” Maria said, trying to look anywhere but into his eyes. If she looked at him, she knew she would lose her resolve.

Kyle’s features fell in disappointment. He knew there was something going on between the two of them. He’d felt it for weeks now, and after that night in the Crashdown, Maria had completely blown him off. He had to talk to her and get her to at least admit that his feeling were not one-sided. “Maria, look at me.” He said, his irritation apparent in his voice.

Maria turned away from him and plopped down on the couch, sighing as she held her head in her hands. Kyle followed her into the living room and sat down beside her. “Maria…” he called to her, trying to get her to look at him.

When Maria finally sat up turned to Kyle, he could see tears collecting in the corners of her eyes. “Maria…” he said again. He didn’t really know how to put into words what he was feeling, but he knew it was strong, and he knew it was reciprocated.

“We can’t do this,” Maria said simply, but she didn’t move away from him. She just sat there, looking up at him, waiting for him to do or say something.

“Yes, we can. We both want it. Tell me you don’t want it.” Kyle breathed, moving in closer to her. If she was going to pretend there was nothing going on between them, he was going to make her fight for it.

Maria felt herself crumbling as she allowed herself to move into him a little bit. “How did this happen?” she asked, not really expecting an answer. She knew how it had happened. Kyle Valenti had changed, and she had changed. Now, they were people who had fallen for one another, even if they had been enemies since childhood.

“I’m in love with you, Maria. I don’t know when it happened, or exactly how, but I know it’s true.” Kyle said, lifting her chin so she was looking him in the eyes.

All other thoughts flew out of her head when she looked into his eyes. When she saw the raw emotion under the surface, matching her own, she couldn’t think about anything but how tired she was of hiding this whole thing that had been going on between them for months.

“Kyle…” she breathed, closing the gap between them. Her lips brushed his, lightly, and gasped as Kyle pulled her hard against him, deepening the kiss. She felt her lungs burn for lack of breath, but she didn’t care. She wanted this so badly that she couldn’t think about anything else. This was exactly what she wanted; exactly what she needed.

Seconds later, she had her legs wrapped around Kyle’s muscular frame as he carried them into her bedroom and threw her down on the bed.*

She came back to reality, looking down at Kyle as he smiled up at her. She knew that what she had just done with Kyle was the ultimate betrayal. She was with Michael, and she’d promised to be there for him after Tess left. However, her feelings for Kyle were too strong to ignore. What they had was more than sexual chemistry. When they had sex, they reached a completely different level of sexual intimacy.

Kyle reached up and kissed her on the lips. “Morning,” he said, a goofy grin on his face. He knew he should ask where Maria’s mother was, and if she was going to walk in on them at any moment. But looking up at her, all he could think about was Maria.

Maria’s smile turned down momentarily as the implications of what happened last night hit her. “Kyle, we have to talk.”

Kyle sighed and sat up next to her in bed. He knew they would have to discuss the little problem of Michael sooner or later. It wasn’t like he didn’t care about Michael, though. They had actually become pretty good friends ever since Michael dropped that whole ‘stone wall’ persona. He didn’t want to hurt Michael, but he didn’t want to hide how he felt about Maria either.

Maria decided to start the conversation. “It’s just that, I love you, Kyle.” She began. “But then there is Michael to think about. No matter how we feel, this was wrong. I cheated on him.” She explained.

“I know, Maria.” Kyle returned, cautiously, “But you can’t deny that all of this means something. Sure, it was wrong, but I don’t regret it. Do you?”

Maria looked down at her hands. She wanted to say that she did. She could go back to Michael and everything could return to normal. Oh, who the hell was she kidding, nothing would ever be normal again. “No, I don’t regret it.” She said, quietly.

Kyle smiled and took her hand in his. “Then we can work this out.” He said. “We will just tell Michael, and things will work themselves out.”

’Yeah, right,’ Maria thought. She doubted this would be something that just ‘blew over.’ But at the same time, she knew that things wouldn’t work out if she stayed with Michael out of obligation either. “I’ll tell him,” she said, finally. “I’ve got a shift with him today, and I’ll tell him afterwards.”

“Want me to come?” Kyle asked. He was just as much to blame for this as she was. Maybe it would be better if he was there to give her support.

“No,” Maria said, shaking her head. “I’ve got to do this. Besides, he’s definitely not going to take this well if you are there.” She laughed.

“Alright,” Kyle gave in. “But call me after, cause I want to be there for support.” He didn’t want to discourage her, but the fact was that Michael was not going to take this well, and there was no telling what he might say to Maria. He wanted her to know he was there for her.

TBC...

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 2

After Kyle left, Maria got out of bed and stretched her sore muscles. The activities of the previous night left her with that wonderful feeling of being fucked every was imaginable. Her happiness was cut short when she thought about how she was going to tell Michael about Kyle. It might have been easier just to tell him that she had made a mistake. But the fact was, she had fallen, head-over-heels, for a guy she used to not even like that much.

She was running late, so she hopped into the shower, getting ready to face the day before her. As her mind went back to Kyle and what happened last night, she quickly turned the water to cold and took the fastest shower of her life. She slipped on her green uniform and gave herself a once over before leaving for work. She just hoped that she wouldn’t lose her nerve when she saw Michael.

On the ride over she decided that the Crashdown was not the place to have this discussion with Michael. She would have to meet up with him after work at his house, or hers, to tell him the truth. She just hoped that, by then, her nervous guilt had waned because right now, it was eating her alive.

When she entered the Crashdown, Michael was already there with Max, Isabel, and Liz. As she walked by the booth they were in, Michael grabbed out to her pulling her into his lap. Maria let out a nervous laugh and stood up quickly. “We better get ready to open,” she said to Liz and Michael, trying to get as far away from him as she could.

Michael followed Maria into the back room. She was acting weird. “You okay?” he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah,” Maria said, painting a smile on her face. “You think we could meet up later? I want to talk to you about something.” Her nerves didn’t get the best of her, as she kept her voice light.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Michael asked her, concern in his voice.

“Nothing.” Maria said, hoping she was being convincing. “Are you free later?”

“Yeah, how about I come over about 7:00.” Michael said as he leaned in and pecked Maria on the lips. He always liked to get a shower after work, so this would give him plenty of time.

She gave into the kiss but cut it off quickly, muttering something about having to get to work.

“Ok.” He said, slightly disappointed. He didn’t know what was up with Maria, but he knew there was something wrong. He hoped it didn’t have to do with her mom. Mrs. DeLuca wasn’t around much anymore and it wore on Maria more than she was willing to admit.

Meanwhile, Maria looked over at Liz. Maybe she should tell her best friend what was going on before Michael. Sort of as a practice for the real thing. Maybe Lizzy could help her figure out the best way to tell him. She’d always been so rational when Maria had a tendency to fly off the handle.

No, she had to talk to Michael first. Not doing so would be even more of a betrayal to him.

*******

The work day went by far too fast. It was crowded and Maria was pretty busy, but she knew the day was going by so fast because she was dreading telling Michael about Kyle. It wasn’t only that she had cheated, but also that she loved Kyle. How do you tell your boyfriend that you are in love with someone else?

When her shift was over, Maria waved ‘goodbye’ to her friends and hopped into her car. The less time she spent with them, the less time Michael or Liz had the opportunity to ask her what was wrong with her all day.

Once she got home, she pulled out her cell phone to call Kyle. She needed a little pep-talk before Michael came over in an hour. Kyle would make her feel okay again, and give her the confidence to have this conversation.

“Hello,” Kyle answered the phone.

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Hey!” Kyle answered. “Did you talk to Michael? Want me to come over?”

Maria let you a nervous laugh. “No, he’s coming over in an hour. I just wanted to talk to you.”

“I can still come over if you want,” Kyle offered. To tell the truth, the whole situation made him nervous.

“No. I don’t want you to be there. I don’t know how he is going to take it. It might be really bad. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Maria said, “I was just kind of calling for a pep-talk,” she laughed, her mood already feeling lighter.

“Well, just think about this; no matter how badly it goes, it will be out in the open and we can be together.” Kyle rationalized.

“I know. You’re right. Look, I’ll come over when I’m done.” Maria said, “If that’s okay.” She added, not wanting to invite herself.

“It’s more than okay.” Kyle said. “I love you, I’ll see you in an hour or so.” He felt a little helpless in the situation, but he could understand why Maria wanted to tell Michael by herself. If he were dating a girl, he would feel the same way.

“Thanks, Kyle.” Maria said with a smile.

“No problem, babe. I’ll see you later.” Kyle said hanging up the phone.

Maria paced the living room, going over what she was going to say to Michael until, at 6:45 on the dot, the doorbell rang. ‘Impatient, that was Michael’ she thought. She got up took a few deep breaths before opening the door.

Michael leaned in for a kiss and she backed away from him. “Can you just sit in the living room?” She asked, her voice shaky with nerves. He looked at her for a long minute before following her instructions and sitting on the couch.

“What’s wrong, Maria? You have been acting funny all day.” Michael asked, looking up at her.

“There is something I need to tell you Michael.” Maria said, sitting down next to him. It was now or never, and as much as she wanted to be with Kyle, looking at Michael honestly made her reconsider this conversation for a minute.

“What is it?” Michael said, concerned. Whatever it was, he’d rather have it out in the open. They could work through it.

“Ok, there is no was to say this except to just say it.” She said, taking a deep breath to collect herself. “I’m not in love with you anymore.” It wasn’t how she planned to start the conversation, but that’s what came out of her mouth so she was going to go with it.

“What?” Michael said, barely grasping the words that came out of her mouth.

“I care about you very much, Michael.” Maria was quick to say. “It’s just…” she was grasping for words. All of those speeches she had prepared had left her brain and now she was sitting there like a idiot, trying to figure out how she was going to break this to him ‘lightly.’

“I’m in love with someone else.” Maria finally said. ‘Quick and painless, like a band-aid,’ she told herself.

Michael looked like he had been slapped. “Who?” he asked, more calmly than she had expected. That, actually, wasn’t a good sign. When Michael got calm, there was usually a volcano of emotion lying beneath the surface.

Maria looked at her feet, “Kyle,” she finally said, daring to look up at Michael.

Michael’s rage began bubbling over. It would have been one thing if it was some guy that he barely knew, but he had trusted Kyle. He’d welcomed him into their group and this is how he repaid him. “When did this happen?” he asked. Maria could here the bite in his voice, but so far he was doing an impeccable job of keeping his cool.

“Well, it’s kinda hard to say,” she began, “I guess it started a couple of months ago, after Alex died,” she said, tearing up at the thought of her dead friend. She always got emotional thinking about Alex.

“You mean you have been with him for months?!?” He was screaming now. This was the Michael she was expecting. And as much as she didn’t want to admit it, she deserved this.

“Not really,” Maria tried to explain, “That’s when we started to get closer.” How could she explain what she still didn’t understand herself.

“So, you love him. You seem to throw that word around easily.” Michael scoffed.

“I can’t help how I feel.” Maria cried. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, it just did.”

“Are you fucking him?” Michael bit out, gripping the arm of the couch. He was fighting the urge to punch something.

Maria looked down at her hands. She couldn’t lie to Michael, but she couldn’t exactly make herself admit the truth. “You are!! Oh my God, Maria. How could you do this to me?” Michael screamed as he stood up and paced the room, running a trembling hand through his long hair. He could feel his powers beginning to spark beneath his skin and it’s all he could so to keep them in check.

“Michael, we’ve only done it once; last night. We didn’t plan it. I should have told you about this before it got that far. I’m so sorry. God, can you ever forgive me?” Maria asked, tears streaming down her face. She knew she was in the wrong for this. Not for falling for Kyle, but for cheating.

Michael was livid. He couldn’t believe that the girl he thought love loved had done this to him. “I gave you everything! I showed you parts of myself that I never even showed Max and Isabel. How could you do this to me?” he yelled.

“Look I know you have every right to be mad at me. I’m sorry!” Maria answered, trying to move close to him, but he moved far out of her reach every time she advanced.

“Mad? Maria, I’m way beyond mad. I’m fucking enraged! I feel so stupid. How can I believe anything you told me? Was I even your first?” Michael spat. He knew for a fact she was a virgin when they met, but he also know the accusation would hurt her, and right now he wanted her to hurt as much as he did.

“I was! Michael, I gave myself to you because I wanted to. I still care about you, but I’m in love with Kyle. I can’t help it. We couldn’t stop it.” Maria tried to explain, but she was getting nowhere. This was not going well, though she hadn’t really expected it to.

“Whatever! I can’t even stand looking at you.” Michael yelled, throwing up his hands and heading for the door. He slammed the door behind him, shaking the foundation of the house with his force.

Maria could hold her tears in no longer. She bawled for a half hour before collecting herself enough to get into the car and head to Kyle’s. She needed him. And Jim was in Hondo for the night so they didn’t have to worry about him asking questions. She knew that only Kyle could make her feel better about all this.

*******

When Kyle answered the door and saw Maria standing before him, tears running down her face, he pulled her into him. He shut the door behind them and led her to the couch. “Shhh, it’s okay now.” He said, running a hand through her hair. As upset as she was, he had to admit, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. There would be no more lying about what they wanted now. They were free.

Maria sobbed into his chest, and he just held her tight, waiting for her to calm down. “He hates me Kyle. He asked me if we had slept together. I had to tell him. He is never going to forgive me. I mean who could blame him. I’m an awful person.” She cried as she rested her head on Kyle’s chest.

“No! You are not. We just made a mistake. We should have told him weeks ago. But you are not an awful person.” Kyle reasoned.

“So why do I feel so awful.” Maria asked, looking up at him.

“Come here.” He said holding her once more. She felt so safe in his arms. Even if she felt terrible, Kyle could lift her spirits. “You feel awful because you care.”

“Can I stay with you tonight?” She asked weakly. “I just don’t want to be alone.”

“Sure.” He said as he, wiping her tear stained cheeks.

“I’m actually kind of tired. I think I’m just going to go to bed.” She said, getting up off the couch.

Kyle smiled at her and followed her up the stairs. Once in bed, Maria lay in Kyle’s arms thinking. She’d probably lost Michael forever, and as much as she wasn’t in love with him anymore, he was her best friend. All of that was gone now. Everything changed, and while she wouldn’t give up Kyle, she had to admit that she was a little sad to lose Michael, and possibly Max and Isabel in one fell swoop.

Finally she was able to drift off to sleep, only to be awakened by the loud ringing of her cell phone.

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 3

“Hello?” Maria answered her phone, sleep still thick in her voice.

“What the hell are you doing?” Liz asked in an agitated tone.

“Well, I was trying to get some sleep.” Maria answered, thrown by the late night call, and her friend’s harsh tone.

Kyle stirred. “Who is it?” He asked, sitting up next to Maria. She mouthed ‘Liz’ to him and he sighed and shook his head. The news must be out. Only a crisis could get perfect little Lizzy to stay up past 9:00 on a school night.

Maria heard a shrill sigh on the other line before Liz started in on her rant. “I can’t believe it! The same night you rip Michael’s heart out of his chest you are in bed with Kyle.” She screamed into the phone. Maria wondered where her parents were.

“I mean, I stood up for you. I told Michael he had to be wrong; that my friend wouldn’t do something like this!” She continued. “What is this? Jealousy? Are you into Kyle cause he’s my leftovers?” Maria was shocked by the accusation and the smug tone with which it was delivered.

Tears welled up in her eyes as her best friend’s words cut into her like a knife. “You know it has nothing to do with that.” She tried to explain, but it didn’t matter wahts she said, Liz didn’t want to understand. “What do you want me to say Liz? I love him. I love him like you love Max, if not more. Why are you so upset? I thought you, being my friend, would want me to find happiness!”

“Why am I mad?!? Because you cheated on Michael! You are screwing up the whole group! We just got back together after Alex died, and you’re fucking it up!” Liz yelled into the phone.

“So all of this goes back to your precious relationship with Max?” Maria scoffed, she should have been smart enough to see this coming, but she hadn’t. “I thought you were my friend.”

“Well, that was before you screwed everything up. Goodbye, Maria!” Liz snapped before hanging up on Maria. Maria felt like she was going to hurl. She and Liz had been growing apart ever since the alien invasion, but she’d never expected her friend to just abandon her like this.

Kyle had heard the entire conversation; it was kind of hard not to with Liz yelling into the phone like that. He wanted to go over to Liz Parker’s house and tell her about herself. How could she be so cold to Maria. Maria had always stood by Liz, even if it hurt her relationship with Michael, and even if Liz might have been wrong.

“Maria…” he began, his voice soft, hoping he could calm her down.

“Just don’t, Kyle. Don’t want to talk about it.” Maria said, lying back down in bed and snuggling into him. She was too upset to have a rational conversation. Besides, she was tired and if she was going to deal with the whole gang tomorrow, she needed her sleep.

“Ok.” He said, wrapping his arm around her and drifting off to sleep.

*******

The next morning, Maria’s eyes were puffy from crying, and frankly she didn’t care. She didn’t even bother to shower before she just got up, got dressed and waited for Kyle so they could leave together. The only bright side of going to school was that Kyle would be by her side through the whole thing. It was enough to get her motivated to actually get into the car and go to school.

When they walked into the school hand in hand, they first saw Max and Isabel standing at Max’s locker. Max had a look of disgust on his face, while Isabel looked purely and simply angry. When Maria and Kyle walked toward them they rolled their eyes and walked the other way.

Maria’s heart was breaking. She and Max were good friends, even if they did only meet through Liz. Even Isabel had become close to her. After Alex died, Isabel decided to stay at West Roswell High, and she and Maria had spent the whole summer together bonding. Now, they wouldn’t even look at her.

At least she had Kyle, and even though they only had a few classes together, so could take comfort in that. Still, letting go of his hand made her feel more alone than she had felt in a long time.

Things were going fine through first period. The ‘alien club’ pretty much stuck to themselves, so it wasn’t like any of the rest of the school cared about Michael and Maria breaking up, or the cause.

Then it was time for first period, with Michael. When she walked in she noticed he had already surrounded himself by other people so she couldn’t sit next to him like she usually did. She mustered up her courage and walked over to him, taking a chance, and asked, “Can we just talk?”

He said nothing to her, just glared. She could see the anger and hurt in his eyes, and she hoped that Kyle was right; that one day Michael would get pasted the betrayal and want to be her friend again.

The rest of the morning, Maria had back to back classes with Liz, Isabel, or Max, non of whom were speaking to her, but all of whom were sending her ‘death vibes.’ Kyle was facing a similar problem, having two back to back classes with Michael. He could feel Michael’s glare on the back of his neck, and as much as he loved Maria, he had to admit, it sucked losing a friend.

Finally it was lunch time, and Maria and Kyle couldn’t get to each other fast enough. They didn’t even try sitting with their old group, as it was made pretty clear that they were no longer wanted. So, they sat together, outside, and watched as their former friends talked about them with disgusted looks on their faces. Neither Kyle nor Maria got the chance to make their case. Judgment had already been passed down.

Weeks went by exactly. No one in the group had spoken to either one of them. They were not invited to the secret meetings. They were completely cut off from the only friends they had left.

The isolation brought Kyle and Maria closer together, though. With no one else to hang out with, they spent all their time together. Jim had been cut out of the secret society, by proxy, and when he realized that Maria’s mother was never around, he basically moved her in. He’d rather have the possibility that his son was having sex with Maria, than think about that girl living in her house alone.

With the exception of being ostracized by her friends, things were going relatively well, until Maria noticed that she was a week late. For a few days, Maria chalked it up to stress, but as the days wore on, she decided to be safe and ventured to the drug store for a pregnancy test.

Fifteen minutes later, her fate stared up at her in the form of a little blue line. Blue for pregnant. Her eyes grew wide and her pulse races as she thought about the implications of that little blue line. She knew she had to tell Kyle, but the question of who the father was loomed in the background. It was still possible that it could have been Michael’s and if that was true, it was going to cause one hell of a mess.

Maria rushed home, trying her best to maintain her calm. Kyle was on the couch when she walked in the door, and she sat down next to him, flipping the TV off in one motion.

“Something wrong?” Kyle asked, immediately thinking that one of their old friends had said something to her. She looked a little green around the gills.

“Look, Kyle, I have to tell you something.” She started, pasting on a smile. As bad as this might seem, she was a little excited about all of it. “I’m pregnant.”

Kyle’s face looked shocked for a minute before a wide grin pulled across his features and he pulled her into his arms. He knew this was going to be hard, and that they really weren’t ready for this, but he couldn’t help but feel excited. “Really?” he asked.

“Yeah, but before you get excited, it could be Michael’s” Maria said, biting her lip nervously. Either way, she was happy, but she really hoped it was Kyle’s. That way she wouldn’t have to deal with the issues her old group of friends would undoubtedly bring to the picture.

*********

Maria sat on the doctor’s table awaiting the results of when she conceived. Everything rested on whatever this doctor told her. She debated about whether to do to the doctor or not. If the baby was Michael’s, there was the little alien problem. But the bottom line was that she needed to see the doctor, to know who the father was and to make sure the baby was healthy.

Kyle stood next to her and held her hand. He was just as nervous as she was. He wanted the baby to be his more than anything in the world. He loved Maria and while he hadn’t planned on starting a family so soon, he couldn’t look at this as anything other than a blessing.

They were pulled from their thoughts as the doctor entered the room and smiled at the couple. “Eight weeks,” he said. “Your eight weeks pregnant.”

Kyle’s heart dropped. “Thank You.” He said weakly, clutching Maria’s hand tighter. Maria had a look of fear and pain in her eyes all at the same time. If she was eight weeks pregnant, Michael had to be the father. The first time she slept with Kyle was six weeks ago. It was like all the air was sucked out of the room.

As Maria and Kyle walked out of the doctor’s office, Kyle wrapped his arm around Maria, “I don’t care whose DNA this baby has, its mine.” He said leaning over and kissing her on the forehead.

Maria just smiled weakly up at him. She didn’t know what to say anymore. Her mind was on bigger things, like how she was going to tell Michael when he wouldn’t even talk to her.

“Let’s just get you home,” Kyle said, leading her to a car.

“I love you.” She said, looking up at him as he drove them back to his house. “But we have to tell Michael and the others. This baby is probably at least half alien. They have to know.” It was better that they planned how they were going to handle this so they could take care of the situation as soon as possible.

“I know,” he said, “I just don’t want them to hurt you.” He’d been thinking the same thing. This time he wouldn’t let Maria so it alone. He wouldn’t let them hurt her.

*******

Maria and Kyle decided that they would tell Liz and the pod squad about the baby the next day at school. It was better sooner than later. Besides, they had spent the last few days working up a plan of their own as to how they were going to deal with this pregnancy, regardless of the ‘pod-squad’s’ reaction was. So, after they talked to the administration and figured out their options, Maria and Kyle had a plan. All that was left was revealing the truth to their former friends.

Maria felt that the discussion needed to be on neutral territory. Since she wasn’t working at the Crashdown anymore, the best place was school. The group wouldn’t make too much of a scene in such a public place. She just was not sure how she was going to get them to listen to her. None of them had spoken to her or Kyle since the night Liz hung-up on her.

The next day at school, Maria’s stomach was in knots. As she walked over to their table at lunch, Kyle sat down at their usual table and watched. He felt sort of helpless, but he knew she would be more likely to get them to listen than he would.

None of them looked at her as she approached the table, but she wasn’t discouraged. She’d expected as much. “Look, you guys,” she started, “I know that you are mad at me, and I know you don’t want to talk to me ever again. But I have to tell you all something. It’s extremely important.” She was speaking fast, as she wanted to get away from them and back to Kyle as soon as possible.

“I need you guys to meet me in the art studio after school today. This isn’t about getting you guys to forgive me, or anything. It’s just that there is a ‘Czechoslovakian’ issue that has come up.” She knew that if she made it sound like an alien problem they wouldn’t be able to resist meeting up.

She didn’t get a verbal answer, but Max look up at her, which was more than he’d done in weeks, so she took that as a good sign. “The art studio at 3:30,” she repeated before walking back toward Kyle, and the comfort of his arms.

“How did it go?” Kyle asked, lowering his mouth to hers.

“I think it was a success,” Maria replied, sitting down next to Kyle and finishing her lunch.

*********

When the last bell of the day rang, Maria wasn’t as nervous as before. She had given herself a pep talk and was ready to tell them about the baby. Frankly, she was just so sick of their bullshit at this point. She didn’t need them if they didn’t want her.

She met Kyle at his locker, and they made their way to the Art Studio. Maria took a deep breath, and Kyle squeezed her hand supportively before they made their way inside. It was now or never.

TBC...

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 4

Maria was happy to see that everyone had shown up in the art studio like she’d requested. She knew if she played the alien card, they wouldn’t be able to resist. When she and Kyle walked in, they were all sitting on the art tables, looking none to happy to be there.

“So, what’s the alien related problem?” Isabel snapped at them. As mad as they were and Maria and Kyle, if there was a problem that could affect them as a group, they needed to know about it.

“Well, I have some news.” Maria said, getting more and more nervous by the second. “I’m pregnant.” She finally spit out, looking up at the group to try to assess their reactions.

“Why would you get us together to rub Michael’s nose in this?” Max asked, in a disgusted tone. This was none of their business, and if Maria couldn’t practice safe sex, what did that have to do with aliens?

“Trust me, if it were that simple I would have never come to you.” Maria sighed. It was now or never, she thought. “I went to the doctor, and the baby is Michael’s.” She explained. “So, given the possibility that this baby could be part alien, I thought you all should know.”

The room fell eerily silent. Kyle took the opportunity to have his say, “Look, you guys don’t have to worry. I’m going to raise this child with her as my own. We just thought it was the right thing to tell you,” he said.

“The hell you will.” Michael growled, running toward Kyle with anger in his eyes. There was no way he was going to let Kyle play father to his child. His world was crumbling. Not only had he lost Maria, but he was going to lose a child, too.

Maria stepped in front of Michael and pushed him away from Kyle. “Why do you care Michael? To you I’m just a slut, right?” She countered with venom in her voice. His reaction snapped something inside her.

Everyone else’s surprise soon turned to anger. “How could you do this?” Liz asked, her voice laced with disgust.

“Well, in case you didn’t realize, Ms. Scientist, I didn’t get myself pregnant.” Maria shot back. She knew they were angry about her relationship with Kyle and the fact she cheated on Michael. But they couldn’t blame her for getting pregnant. Michael played his part as well.

Everyone glared back at Maria. They couldn’t really counter her argument, as she had a point, but they still weren’t willing to let her off the hook. This put a major crimp in their ‘hide in plain sight’ strategy.

Maria felt the rage build up inside her with every passing moment of their angry glares and judgments. How had everything suddenly become her fault? This group, of all people had not right to judge her.Now that she had them together, she decided to get a few things off her chest. “You are all a bunch of hypocrites. What right do you have to judge me? ” she spat.

“Max,” she began her tirade, turning her attention to their ‘fearless leader.’ “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you betray Liz and fuck Tess? Didn’t you get her pregnant and abandon your child in favor of rekindling your ridiculous romance with Liz?

Then she turned to Liz, “You forgave him, which I think is mighty big of you considering you could toss your best friend aside so quickly. I fell in love with someone else. I made a mistake by not being upfront from the beginning, but why is what I did worse?”

“Isabel, Ms. Ice Princess, didn’t you continue, time and time again, to lead Alex on? Didn’t you break his heart into a million pieces every time you thought he was getting too close?” Maria accused, her voice rising as she fueled her own anger.

She took a deep breath before she turned her attention to Michael. “Did nothing we had together mean anything to you?” She asked. She felt herself getting emotional but she was not going to let them see her cry. “Have you forgotten all of the crap you put me through?” When he didn’t respond, she continued. “You cheated on me with Courtney. You treated me like crap for almost two years of my life. You controlled my every action, even when you didn’t want a place in my life. Need I go on?” She huffed.

She waited for a reaction out of any of them before she concluded her diatribe. “You see, the problem I am having with this situation is that I made a mistake, and none of you have let me forget it. I don’t know who you think you are, but all of you have made your fair share of mistakes too! I told you what I had to tell you. Isabel, Max you are going to have a niece or nephew, and Michael you are going to have a son or daughter. But keep this in mind, you’ve cut your ties with me as well as this baby. Kyle and I are leaving Roswell. We’ve got the credits to graduate, and we are leaving.”

“Where will you go?” Isabel asked, still using a condescending tone.

“Wherever we want to.” Maria said, her voice cool and calm. In one slick movement she took Kyle’s hand and walked out the door leaving the rest of them behind in a cloud of hate and confusion.

Maria felt so much better to get all of that off of her chest. She finally realized that if her so called friends wanted to hate her for eternity, she didn’t care. It still hurt to lose them, and she hoped one day they would come to their senses, but she was done worrying about what they thought. She had Kyle and he was all she needed.

*******

She and Kyle drove back to his house to begin packing. Valenti was out of town so they could take their time and leave him a note. It hurt both of them to have to do it. Maria had come to love Jim like a father, but they couldn’t stay in Roswell for several reasons. First of all, Maria couldn’t deal with the pod-squad. More importantly, Roswell is not a town you want to be a teen mother in.

After Kyle got all of his stuff packed he started on a note to his father. When he was done, Maria could see tears in his eyes. She felt awful for pulling Kyle from his father. “You don’t have to do this, Kyle. I can leave by myself. It’s not right for me to drag you away from your dad.” She said.

“It’s not like I’ll never see him again. We just need to get settled somewhere and then we can see him again,” Kyle explained. “My priority now, is you.” Maria smiled and hugged him close. She hoped the same was true for her relationship to her mother. Even if her mother wasn’t ever around, she hoped that this wouldn’t divide them forever.

Her mother still wasn’t home, so Maria packed up the stuff she needed before leaving her note to her mother. She wiped some tray tears from her cheeks before turning to Kyle with a smile. “Ready?” she asked. Kyle nodded, and they climbed into his mustang and headed down the road to their future.

**********

On the road they realized they needed a plan. They each had a bit of money saved from working over the last two years and Maria’s college fund. She knew now that providing for her family was going to be a bigger priority than college. They wanted to stay close enough to home that Jim and Amy wouldn’t be too far, but far enough away that Roswell would seem like a distant memory.

Finally they decided on Phoenix, AZ. It was close, but not too close, and a relatively inexpensive city. Once it was decided Maria relaxed in the passenger seat feeling free for the first time since she broke the news about Kyle to Michael.

As they headed westward down the road toward Arizona, she saw a sign for a motel. She smirked, and idea popping into her head. “Hey, Kyle?” She cooed with an evil gleam in her beautiful green eyes.

“Yes, babe?” Kyle replied, tearing his eyes from the road to look at her.

“Why don’t we pull over here and relax?” Maria said as she rubbed her palm up and down Kyle’s thigh. This was exactly what they needed to start their life together.

He saw a sparkle in her eye for the first time in weeks. The grin on his face grew wide. “Anything you want,” he replied, finally feeling the chains that tied him to Roswell breaking.

TBC...

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 5

The room left a lot to be desired, but Maria and Kyle were just happy to be out of Roswell and on their way to a new city full of new possibilities.

“I thought that with all the crap we have gone through lately we should take some time out for ourselves. Forget about Roswell. Forget about Max, Michael, Isabel, and Liz. Let’s just be together.” Maria said, as she pulled Kyle onto the bed with her.

Kyle leaned down and kissed Maria softly on the mouth. “I couldn’t agree more,” he said, pulling her mouth to his again. Even after Maria told Michael the truth, they hadn’t had much time together because the guilt of the whole thing had been weighing on Maria’s conscience. But now, there had been a weight lifted off of both of them, giving them the freedom to explore each other like they both wanted to.

Maria’s lips parted to allow his tongue to massage hers. She moaned into his mouth as his hands moved up and down her side, slowly and seductively. She quickly swung one leg over his lap so she was straddling him, and arched into him until her pert nipples were rubbing against his chest.

Kyle parted from Maria just enough to lift her shirt over her head. He took no time before unclasping her bra revealing her perfect breasts to him. Within seconds, Maria had ridded him of his shirt as well, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck to feel his smooth skin against hers.

Kyle moved his hands up her stomach until he was cupped her breasts with both hands. As his thumbs passed over her nipples, she groaned into his mouth. She moved her mouth from his lips down to the side of his neck, biting the skin as he pinched her nipples.

“Maria…” he hissed, throwing her down on the bed next to him. He couldn’t wait any longer. He made quick work of ridding her of her jeans and panties, settling between her legs.

Maria was having trouble getting Kyle’s pants unbuckled, and with a frustrated sigh she looked up at Kyle. “Help…” she pleaded. Kyle grinned down at her and moved one of his hands on top of hers, unbuckling and unzipping his pants in one clean motion. Maria breathed a sigh of relief and pushed the offending garment down his legs with her feet.

Maria’s breath hitched as she felt the silky smoothness of Kyle’s cock as it brushed against her wet pussy. “Mmm, Kyle I need you!” she moaned, grasping his arms as he settled above her.

Kyle took her lips in his before moving down her neck, kissing every inch of her softly and slowly. He moved down to her breasts, taking a nipple into his mouth. Maria’s hands went, instinctively, to Kyle’s hair, pulling him closer to her.

“Now, baby,” Maria pleased, pulling his head up to look her in the eyes. Kyle saw the raw desire there and took her thighs in his hand, spreading her further as his cock teased her entrance.

He rubbed back and forth against her clit until she couldn’t take it any longer. Maria arched her back and pulled him flush against her until he slammed into her in one quick motion. “Fuck!” he groaned, feeling her hot walls close around him.

He started thrusting slowly at first, prolonging the feeling of ecstasy as their bodies danced together. They moved in synchronicity, speeding up and slowing down at the same pace in order to build up to the climax they both sought.

As she felt herself get closer, Maria dug her nails into Kyle’s back. “Faster…” she begged, throwing her head back as that wonderful feeling built in the pit of her stomach. Kyle picked up his pace, gripping her hips tighter.

They came together, seconds later, and after he emptied himself inside her, he rolled them over so she was lying on top of him. “Whew…” Maria said with a chuckle when she finally caught her breath.

Kyle chuckled, the vibrations of his chest already lulling Maria to sleep. “Let’s get some sleep and hit the road early tomorrow.” He said, his eyelids already feeling heavy. Tomorrow they would be on their way to Phoenix, AZ.

*******

Meanwhile, In Roswell…

It only took days for Jim to come to the ‘pod-squad’ about Maria and Kyle. Kyle’s note left a few details, but not nearly enough for Jim to find comfort. Sure, they were 18, but to just leave like that was so uncharacteristic, even if they were in trouble.

They explained all they knew. That Maria and Kyle had left, for God only knows where because Maria was pregnant. Jim still thought something was off. There had to be a reason why they felt the need to bolt out of there so quickly, but Max, Isabel, Michael, and Liz were not forthcoming with any answers, so he decided he’d have to wait it out until Kyle told him where they were. He just wanted Maria and Kyle to be safe, even if it wasn’t in Roswell.

When Jim broke the news that Maria had left with Kyle to Amy, she didn’t seem surprised of concerned. He couldn’t’ believe how nonchalant she was about the whole thing. It only took weeks before Amy had boarded up the house and sold it to someone, never to be heard from again.

The group made a point of avoiding the subject, but they were all dealing with the loss of Maria and Kyle. Even though they hadn’t been on speaking terms for months, having them gone sort of put a magnifying glass on their true feelings.

Liz was surprised that Maria and Kyle actually left. She knew Maria wasn’t joking when she said she was moving away but actually sitting next to her empty seat in class made it sink in. If she was being honest, she would say that she missed them. She knew that she had been out of line for not standing by her friend. She’d been taking Max’s side over Maria’s for a long time now, and this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Now her friend was gone, and she didn’t know if she would ever see her again.

Michael just couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that he’d created a life. He was going to be a father and he would never get to experience it. He knew he had been too hasty to judge Maria, but his pride would not let him admit it to anyone. On the other hand, what Maria did had hurt him. He was so angry at her, but at the same time, he knew that this wasn’t entirely Maria’s fault. Did he really want her to pretend she was still in love with him when she wasn’t? Then neither of them would have been happy.

Isabel, on the other hand, was in no mood to give Maria the benefit of the doubt. She was protective of her brother and hated Maria for ripping his heart. Not to mention, she was having his baby and wouldn’t even let him have a role in its life. Isabel wasn’t even able to be rational enough to see Maria’s point in all of this. She just hated Maria for screwing up their lives and not being able to keep her legs shut.

Max was stuck in the middle. He was mad at Maria for cheating on Michael, and he was even more pissed at Kyle for allowing this to happen. At the same time, he missed them. He had been getting closer to Kyle and Maria has always be his closest confidant next to Liz. He just wished he knew where Maria and Kyle were so he could keep an eye on things and make sure the baby was okay, especially since it was part alien. Anything could happen and he wouldn’t be there to help them.


In Phoenix, AZ…

Maria and Kyle put the last finishing touches up in their new apartment and sat on the couch to rest. A month had passed before they found the place, but they were finally settled, with jobs, and they wouldn’t be living in the lap of luxury, but they were certainly going to make it.

They had just gotten the place ready before the doorbell rang. “That must be your father,” Maria said, biting her lip nervously. She and Kyle had told him where they were, and he’d planned a visit. Neither one of them knew how he would react to their leaving, so they both hoped he didn’t freak out.

Kyle went to the door and opened it. Before he could even get a greeting out of him mouth Jim Valenti flew at him, pulling Kyle tightly into his arms. “Don’t ever do that to me again!” Jim yelled, pulling away from his son and turning to Maria.

There was a smile on his face, so they took that as a good sign. It wasn’t long before Maria was in his arms as well. They said their ‘hellos’ and led him into the living room.

“I’m sorry we left without saying goodbye,” Maria offered. She had always regretted that, but she figured he would try to talk them out of it if they waited for him.

“I’m just glad you guys are safe.” Jim said, smiling at both of them. “I talked to the school. They said you guys worked everything out and get your diplomas in May.” Kyle and Maria nodded in affirmation.

“So, are you going to make us move back?” Maria asked hesitantly. She and Kyle looked up at Jim, praying he would say no.

“No,” he smiled, rubbing Maria’s knee in a fatherly gesture. “You guys are doing well here. There’s no reason to go back to school, so it really makes no sense to have you move back to Roswell. Besides, maybe it will be good for both of you to get away from the alien chaos.” Jim reasoned.

“Thank you!” Maria called, almost leaping into his arms.

“Besides,” Jim continued. “There’s nothing keeping me in Roswell either. So, I figure, after my contract at the sheriff’s department is up, Phoenix seems like a good place to retire.” He grinned.

Kyle’s face almost cracked with the smile that passed across his lips. “Really, dad?” he asked. If his dad moved to Phoenix, that would be perfect.

“Yep,” Jim answered. “Just give me a year, and I’ll be out here with you.”

Maria and Kyle couldn’t have asked for a better visit. With all of their worrying about Jim making them move back to Roswell, they hadn’t once considered that he might be supportive. At the end of the week, when Jim left, Maria and Kyle felt a whole lot better about the decision they had made.

TBC...

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 6

As the months passed, things got easier for Maria and Kyle. They were regularly talking with Jim, and they were settling into Phoenix so fast, it seemed like it had been their home forever. Maria’s sadness over losing her friends was even getting better.

They both loved their jobs. Maria was working under an amazing woman at the Phoenix Museum of Art. She’d sort of taken Maria under her wing and was teaching her everything she knew about the business of art galleries. Kyle had gotten a Teaching Assistant job at a local elementary school and he loved it. He’d always loved working with kids. It even inspired him to look into getting his teaching license once things were settled with the baby.

Maria was, now, seven months pregnant and she felt as big as a house, but she was happy. They had decided not to go to the doctor, given the possibility that there could be alien related complications, so Kyle had begun connecting with the baby through his new found powers.

So far is powers were pretty minimal, but he could heal small wounds, manipulate molecular structures, and send out bolts of light energy. The powers Kyle had been so afraid of getting, he was actually grateful for now, as they would help him protect his new family which was the most important thing to him now.


Meanwhile, in Roswell, Max, Michael, Liz, and Isabel tossed and turned throughout the night, dreaming of things they’d been avoiding for too long.

Max was sitting out at the quarry where gang used to meet up for “top-secret” meetings in his dream. He skipped rocks on the lake, his mind racing with thoughts of Maria, Kyle, and whether or not they were safe.

Suddenly, a figure materialized at his side and Max almost jumped when he saw Alex sitting next to him. He thought he was imagining things; this was a dream after all, but there was something real about it.

“Hey, Max.” Alex said with a goofy grin. “Look, I’ve got three other stops to make on this trip into your dreams, so let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” he continued, his voice light and stern at the same time.

“Okay…” Max drawled out, still a little confused.

“Well, as I’m sure you realize, I spend a great deal of my afterlife watching you.” When Max looked up at him, confused, Alex quickly explained. “Not, you,” He amended. “The group as a whole.“

When he had Max’s attention, he continued, “You guys need some help. You are all miserable without Maria and Kyle and you know it.”

“Look, Alex…” Max started. He wanted to refute Alex’s claim. He wanted to explain the group’s actions, but he realized he didn’t have much of a defense anymore.

“That’s what I thought,” Alex grinned again. “Now, you all need to find them, and you need to make amends.” He answered in a no-nonsense tone.

“It’s not that easy,” Max replied lamely.

“Max, it is that easy. You need to find them for your own sake, not for theirs. Sure, they miss you, especially Maria, but they are doing well. They are happy and excited about the baby. It’s you guys that are breaking down without Maria and Kyle. You never spend time together anymore. Isabel is angry all the time. You and Liz haven’t been as close as you were before. Michael is bitter and lonely. It all started when Maria told you guys the truth and it’s only gotten worse since they left.” Alex explained, using a calm rational voice like he always used to do in life.

“I know, I want to find them,” Max finally admitted. “But we don’t know where they are, or if they even want to see us. We weren’t very kind to them.” He reasoned.

“It probably will be hard at first. Kyle will probably be your biggest obstacle, as he’s only concerned about Maria’s happiness. But they both still love you guys. As for finding them, I know where they are,” Alex answered, a twinkle in his eye.

“Where?” Max asked, excitement in his voice.

Alex stood up and began to walk away. Max began to panic, thinking he was just going to leave without giving him any clue where to look for Maria and Kyle.

“Phoenix,” Alex called back to Max as he began to disappear.

Max jolted away and shook his head, trying to get his thoughts under control. “Phoenix,” he breathed, reaching for a pen and a piece of paper so he wouldn’t forget.

***

Michael’s dream took place on a basketball court. One minute he was playing with Max, the next minute Max was gone and Alex was passing him the ball.

“Alex…” Michael breathed, stunned. He knew Isabel dreamed of Alex, but he never had.

“I’ll make this quick,” Alex said, setting the ball down and sitting on it. Michael sat next to him. “I know you miss Maria,” he said. “You guys need to reconcile.”

“The others don’t want to.” Michael said, his voice laced with sadness.

“Don’t be so sure.” Alex said, standing up.

“Where are they?” Michael asked. Even if the rest of the group didn’t want to go, this dream proved to him that he needed to.

“Max knows,” Alex’s voice called out, but he was already gone.

***

Liz’s dream started with her in the back room of the Crashdown. When Alex walked through the back door, her face lit up as she jumped into his arms. “ALEX!” she called to him. It was like he was really back.

“I’ve missed you so much, Liz!” Alex said, tears stinging his eyes as he held her tight. He had business to deal with, but he missed his friend as well. Finally he pulled away from her and they sat down on the couch in the back room. “But I actually came to talk about Maria and Kyle.”

“I know, Alex.” Liz said, already knowing where this was going. “Everything just got so screwed up!” she exclaimed.

“I know, Liz.” Alex said, wrapping his arm around her. “But you guys still have the chance to fix it. Talk to Max.” Alex said, getting up from the couch. “I’ve got to go. I’ve still got to see Isabel, and it’s not a conversation I’m looking forward to,” he chuckled.

“Ok, Alex,” Liz said, kissing his cheek. “I love you,” she called as he disappeared right in front of her.

***

Alex knew he would have a tough time with Isabel, but he also that only he would be able to get through to her, so he had to do it.

He took a deep breath and entered her dream. She was standing in the desert and he walked up behind her and put his arms around her. As much as he had business on the brain, he did miss her. She turned around immediately to kiss him. He gave into the kiss for only a second before cutting it short.

“What’s wrong, Alex” she asked, looking into his eyes.

“We need to talk about Maria and Kyle.” Alex said, getting right down to business.

“I don’t want to. I just want to be with you.” She replied with a petulant pout.

“Listen, Isabel, this is important. The fact of that matter is, you are being completely irrational.” Alex replied.

“She broke Michael’s heart. That I cannot forgive.” Isabel said, folding her arms across her chest.

“Why not? Michael has.” Alex countered.

Isabel’s eyes flew up to his, “What are you talking about?” she huffed.

“I just had a long talk with Michael, and he forgave her a while ago. Max and Liz have forgiven her too. They miss Maria. They hate what this tension had done to them. They’ve all been afraid to tell you because you seem hell bent on blaming Maria and Kyle for everything that had gone wrong for the last 8 months.” Alex said. He wasn’t going to sugar coat this for Isabel. She needed to face the facts.

“What?” Isabel breathed, confused. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Then a thought struck her. Why was Alex coming to all of them? “Are they okay? I mean, they aren’t hurt or anything.” As mad as she was, she would feel very guilty if something happened to her friends and she hadn’t been there to help them because of a stupid grudge.

“No, no, Maria is fine. The baby is fine. Kyle is fine. But the four of you are not fine. Maria and Kyle played a bigger part in this group than I think any of you realized. None of you are happy without them, and none of you will be happy until you reconcile.” Alex explained.

Isabel’s eyes began to tear up. She knew everything Alex was saying was right. Even though she had put up a hateful exterior, deep down Isabel’s heart was breaking because she missed Maria and Kyle, and she saw what it had done to her friends, even though she ignored it.

“How will we find her?” she finally asked.

“Max knows where she is and you can use your connection to Kyle. He has powers now, just like Liz.” Alex smiled.

***

The next day Max called a meeting at the Evans’ house to discuss what the group’s next move would be.

TBC...

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 7

Back in Phoenix…

Maria yawned and stretched as she woke up. Her body was achy from the pregnancy, but she had never felt better in her whole life. She smiled down at Kyle as he mumbled something in his sleep. He was so adorable.

Maria was so proud of Kyle and what he’d done to create a home for her. Since the baby was likely to be of an extra-terrestrial nature, he had researched delivering babies to the extent that he could deliver one in his sleep. Also, Kyle had been practicing his newfound powers everyday. She was happy that he baby would be able to have a father that he could relate to on his alien side, since the only aliens she knew where no longer around.

Kyle’s eyes finally fluttered open and he turned to Maria. He blushed, noticing she’d been watching him as he slept. “Morning,” he said, pecking her lightly on the cheeks.

“Better get up,” Maria said, getting out of bed. She had the day off, but Kyle didn’t and if he didn’t get showered and ready, he’d never make it to the school on time. Kyle nodded and followed her out of the bed, moving into the bathroom to start his shower while Maria fixed up some breakfast.

After they’d both showered and gotten ready, Kyle left for work and Maria headed out the door to do some baby shopping. They had gotten a lot of stuff already, but they still needed a stroller and some more clothes.

She headed towards Target. Maria smiled as she entered the baby aisles. She seeing all the baby stuff. It made it that much more real to her that she was about to be a mother. Her maternal instinct had kicked in, hard core, somewhere around her third month.

After an hour or shopping, Maria finally found the perfect stroller and decided to dive into the baby clothes. That was always where she spent most of the family budget. She knew she was having a boy, but little boy clothes were almost cuter than little girl clothes.

As she moved past the electronics section, she stopped to peruse the CD selection. She needed to round out her David Bowie collection anyway. As she turned the corner to the “Rock/Pop” section, she spotted him. She ducked out of sight and her breath caught in her throat. ‘Oh shit!’ she thought.

She left her cart in the middle of the electronics section and left the store as quickly as possible. She got into her car and dialed Kyle’s number. “Come on, come on, pick up.” She said into the phone. She didn’t know why she was so freaked out, but the sight of him did send nervous shock through her whole body.

Finally, Kyle picked up his phone. “Hello?”

“Kyle!” Maria almost screeched into the phone.

“What’s wrong” Kyle asked, fear racing through him. What if something was wrong with her, or the baby.

“I was at Target, getting some more baby stuff.” She explained. “And then I saw him. He was just there, in OUR city. I didn’t know what to do, so I just left.” She rambled.

“Maria, baby, you got to calm down. You can’t get yourself worked up. Now slow down, who did you see at Target.” Kyle asked, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

“Michael!” Maria yelled into the phone.

“Are you sure it was Michael?” Kyle asked. Of all people, he’d never expected her to say that. He thought maybe an FBI-agent, or maybe an alien, but not Michael.

“Yeah, It was him. I got out of there quick. I didn’t want him to see me.” She didn’t really know why she didn’t want to see him, but something in her told her she didn’t want to run into Michael in Target.

“Well, why don’t you go home and I’ll clock out and meet you there.” Kyle said. He could tell she was upset, and he knew that she should stay calm, so anything he could do, he would.

“You don’t have to leave work.” Maria assured him. “I’m fine, I was just a little thrown off.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Kyle said, “The kids are all taking naps anyway, and all that is left is reading. They don’t need me here.”

“Okay. I love you” Maria said, smiling as she started her car.

“Bye.”

“Bye.” She hung up and pulled out of the shopping center. When she got to the apartment Kyle was already there. She grinned to herself. He probably sped the whole way home to beat her there.

He gave her a big hug and they sat on the couch. “Are you sure you are okay?” Kyle asked.

“I’m fine.” Maria said, smiling up at him. She was going to be okay. Kyle would protect her from any harm, she knew that. Her only curiosity was why Michael was there. Was it coincidence? Or did he knew where they were. If he knew where they were, what was he doing there? Did he want to take their baby? The though scared her, but she decided not to worry about it until it became a problem.

“Let’s make dinner together tonight,” Maria said, getting off the couch, pulling Kyle with her. Usually, they ate out or ordered in because neither of them cooked very well but Maria did have a way with Italian food.

“It’s a plan,” Kyle said, following Maria into the bedroom. “Tired?” he asked as she yawned. She nodded, and pulled him down on the bed next to her.

“Joining me?” Maria asked, her eyes already beginning to close. Kyle wrapped his arms around her and settled behind her.

*********

Around 5:00 Maria woke up. She slipped out of Kyle’s embrace and walked down the hall to the kitchen to decide what they would have for dinner. She finally decided on a classic, spaghetti marinara. She got all of the stuff together to cook and padded back into to bedroom.

She smiled at Kyle and gave him a light kiss on the lips. As he woke up he deepened the kiss parting her lips with his tongue as soon as his mind was aware of what was happening to him.

Maria finally broke apart from him, giggling as she slapped him on the ass. “Time to get up,” she said. “Cooking time!” He rolled his eyes but got out of bed and pulled his shirt over his head.

They worked in perfect synchronicity in the kitchen. For two people who were not comfortable in a kitchen, they were able to work very well together. Kyle made the sauce while Maria boiled the water and prepared the salad.

As they worked, they lightly touched each other and laughed and reminisced over stories about life back in Roswell. They usually didn’t talk about Roswell. They tended to stick to topics of the future, or music, books, theology, but they rarely talked about the past. Maria wondered if it was the Michael sighting that brought back the old feelings, but the was nice to be able to comfortably talk about the past again.

As Kyle was putting the garlic bread in the oven, and Maria was making the oil dipping sauce, the doorbell rang. Neither of them was expecting company. Besides, it was not like they had a whole lot of friends in Phoenix. Kyle hung out with a few of the teachers from work, once in a blue moon, and Maria had lunch every once in a while with a woman she had met at Lamaze classes. Other than that, they kept pretty much to themselves.

Neither of them could ignore the gnawing feeling that seeing Michael in the store had something to do with this unexpected visitor. It was too much of a coincidence that Michael would be in Phoenix for no reason. The aliens didn’t travel, unless they were fighting other aliens.

Kyle kissed the top of Maria’s head as he felt her tremble next to him. He walked, and in hand with Maria, to the door to answer it. When they answered the door, it wasn’t, at all, who they had expected.

TBC...

[gnrkrystle]

A/N: Sorry its been a while…I was moving back to school

Chapter 8

“Isabel?” Kyle breathed in disbelief. Kyle’s surprise quickly turned to anger as he thought about the last time he saw her. “What are you doing here?” He asked, feeling Maria clutch his arm, next to him. Words had escaped her at that moment.

Isabel looked down at her shoes, embarrassed. “Listen, can we talk?” she asked. She had no idea how to start the conversation that was inevitable, but she figured that was as good away as any.

Maria nodded, pulling Kyle with her, motioning for Isabel to come in. Maria and Kyle sat on the couch while Isabel say, uncomfortably, on the chair next to them. “So, is something wrong?” Maria asked, hoping that Isabel showing up and the Michael sighting she has earlier didn’t mean anyone was in trouble.

Kyle was not so interested in whether or not something was wrong, and more interested in why the hell Isabel was there in the first place. Things were going so well for him and Maria. The last thing he needed was a blast from the past to screw it up.

“No, no, nothing’s wrong,” Isabel said, trying to smile through her nervousness. She sighed and decided to take the direct approach. “I’m here because I want to apologize.”

“Yeah right,” Kyle mumbled under his breath, but Maria quickly elbowed him in the ribs and looked to Isabel to continue.

“I screwed up,” Isabel said, bluntly. “When you broke up with Michael, and when you told us about the baby, I was too blinded by anger to see that I was being irrational. You couldn’t have helped who you fell in love with, and it would have been worse for you to stay with Michael if you weren’t happy with him. I just didn’t want to admit it. I wanted to hold a grudge.” Isabel admitted.

“What made you change your mind?” Maria asked. It felt great to have Isabel there; saying everything she hoped she’d say months ago, but she didn’t know how Isabel finally came around or why.

“Would you believe it was Alex?” Isabel asked, a smile forming on her lips.

“Alex?” Kyle asked, skeptically. He was not really in the mood to accept Isabel’s apology. She’d hurt Maria, and him, when she turned on them, and he wasn’t about to just give her a free pass.

“Yeah,” Isabel said, clearing her throat. “I had a dream and Alex talked some sense into me.”

Maria smiled, “So, he visits you too?” she asked. Kyle’s head whipped around to look at her, a confused look on his face.

Isabel’s smile grew wider. “Yes, he does.”

“None of that changes what you did,” Kyle cut in, his voice gruff and curt.

Maria turned to Kyle, “Baby, don’t do this.” Isabel just watched the two, silently, hoping that Maria could talk Kyle into giving them a chance. She may not have been as close to Kyle as she was Maria, but she did care about him. And if he was part of Maria’s life, then he was always going to be a part of hers if she had anything to say about it.

“What? You’re just going to let her off the hook? After all those nights you cried yourself to sleep, and all the awful things she said to you?” Kyle asked, his voice rising with every word.

“I’m not letting her off the hook. I’m giving her a second chance. Isn’t that what we wanted from them? We would be just as bad if we turned our back on her.” Maria reasoned.

She had a point. Kyle sighed and nodded. “Okay,” he said, “But don’t think I’ve just forgotten everything,” he was quick to add.

“That’s fair,” Isabel said with a smile. “There’s something else,” She added, looking down at her feet. They’d been gracious enough to hear her out, and she hoped that meant they would accept what she had to tell them next.

“What is it?” Maria asked, tucking her feet under her on the couch. She had a feeling it had something to do with seeing Michael at Target. It was just too much of a coincidence not to be related.

“The whole gang is here.” Isabel said, hoping they would be willing to hear all of their apologies. “I just wanted to say I was sorry first. You know, since I was the one who kept the group from coming sooner.” She explained.

A smile spread across Maria’s face before she could stop it. They were all there, waiting to talk to her and she couldn’t have been more happy. Sure, it would take time to get over the fact that they had been so cruel to her and to Kyle, but at that moment she was just happy they were there, and wanted to see them. “Where are they? Can they get here?” she asked.

Kyle didn’t say a word. He knew fighting this was going to be counterproductive, and if they ever hurt Maria like they had before, he’d be there to make them pay. So, for now, he was going to let it go, and trust that they really did want to make up for that they’d done.

Isabel pulled out her cell phone and began texting away. “They are in the car.” She said, “They are on their way up the driveway.”

Before Maria could even process what Isabel was saying there was a knock on the door and her heart leapt in her chest. Kyle got up to get the door, and as he opened it, he saw all of three of them standing there, heads down in shame. “Come on in,” he said, successfully keeping the bit out of his voice.

They shuffled into the apartment, unsure of how to act or what to say. It had been many months since they’d seen their friends and though they were invited in, it didn’t mean there wasn’t deserved animosity to come from Maria and Kyle.

Any thoughts of ill will that Maria might have had were gone when she saw them standing in her living room. Tears filled her eyes as she got off the couch and pulled each one of them into her arms, starting with Isabel. She stood before Michael for a long second before she pulled him to her. Sobs wracked her body as his arms pulled around her and he kissed the top of her head.

“Maria…” Liz started, as Michael and Maria broke apart.

But Maria stopped her, with a raise of her hand. “No,” She said. “You are here now, that’s all that matters.”

Max, Michael, Isabel, and Liz took seats around Maria and Kyle. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much!” Liz gushed, wiping the tears from her eyes. Max was a bit nervous and didn’t know what to say, so he sat there, looking between Maria and Kyle. Michael’s elation was only heightened by the sight of Maria’s pregnant belly.

“I’ve missed you guys too,” Maria said, taking Kyle’s hand in hers. She knew Kyle was wary of their old friends, but she wanted him to be as happy as she was. He looked over at her and smiled slightly.

“Yeah, how has Roswell been?” He asked. The best way for him to feel okay about this was to go back to what they were used to. There was no use dwelling on the past. All he could do was move forward. The only thing he was worried about was what Michael was going to do in regard to the baby because he did not want to give up his son.

They were taken by surprise, but were not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Same as usual,” Max said with a shrug. “Graduation was pretty boring. You didn’t miss much,” he chuckled.

Maria smiled. “Well, one thing I didn’t miss was West Roswell High!”

Suddenly, Maria smelled burning. “Oh shit!” She exclaimed, “The bread.” With that, she ran to the kitchen and removed the, now black, bread from the oven. “We were in the middle of making dinner when you guys came over.” She explained.

Isabel said, “Oh we’re sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt your meal.”

Maria dismissed her with a flick of her wrist. “No you are fine, I’m so glad you guys came. If you can wait a few minutes I can whip up some more food and we can all eat together.”

“No. You shouldn’t go to any extra trouble. We will just go to McDonald’s really quick,” Max offered.

“I would really like to do this. Please?” Maria said.

Everyone looked to Kyle for what they should do and he finally spoke up, “Hey, how about we all go into the kitchen and help out that way it will get done faster.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Michael answered and they all made their way to the kitchen.

The gang began on more pasta, salad, and new garlic bread as Kyle marveled at the joy in Maria’s face. He hadn’t seen her this happy since before the great schism. He had to admit, that while he had reservations about his former friends, he was ecstatic that they were making Maria feel like herself again.

Isabel worked dutifully on the salad as Michael boiled the water. Maria made more of her signature sauce while Max buttered the bread, and Kyle set the table. Liz put herself in charge of tunes. When everyone was done with their jobs, they sat in the living room waiting for Maria to finish the sauce.

They were catching up and telling Kyle all of the latest gossip in Roswell when they hear Maria let you a painful moan. “Kyle!” she called out before she dropped to the floor.

TBC…