PART 25


They just sat there and stared at each other, not able to move a muscle. They were naked in front of each other now for the first time, not physically but emotionally. They knew exactly what each other had thought in certain defining points in their relationship. Or their “ thing” as Maria liked to call it.


That was why Michael was caught off guard when Maria punched him.


“Maria… What the…?” He was rubbing his chin with one hand while his other hand was busy holding her wrists.


She stilled for a moment and searched his eyes with fire in her heart. He appeared clueless. That enraged her once again. Her hands slipped out of his grip and she started pounding on his chest, his face, his arms… anywhere she could reach.


“MARIA WHAT THE HELL?”


“How dare you? You… you… you… bastard! How can you do this? You’re so stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How can you be so stupid! My God… You idiot!”


“Maria… Maria… CALM DOWN FOR A DAMN SECOND!”


She stopped and found herself straddling his lap, her face only inches from his. She got lost in his eyes for a moment, not able to move or say anything. He looked like he was trying to say something, but couldn’t quite find the words.


“I… I’m sorry.” He stuttered his gaze firmly fixed on her, almost like he was hypnotized.


“You’re sorry? For what?” Her breath was tickling him seductively. He tried to ignore it, but it was… distracting to say the least.


“For… I don’t know. Everything?” Where was he supposed to start? There were so many things she had gone through because of him… He shuddered just at the thought of it. He gulped. This was going to be a long apology.


He needed to say a thousand things, but could manage only one sentence. “I’m sorry I hurt you.” It summed things up pretty well though.


To his surprise she smiled. “No, no… It’s okay.” She was shaking her head.


“No, it’s not okay.” He protested. “Nothing’s okay. I hurt you. It’s all my fault. I f-ucked up your life, just like I always do…”


“Stop it!” she said forcefully. Her face softened slowly, she watched his surprised eyes and cupped his face. He was so innocent, almost like an angel. How come she hadn't seen that the first time she’d met him?


“You’re so stupid…” she muttered, and leaned in to kiss him. His grip tightened around her waist. Their lips met, and he felt his insides turn to jello. He let his doubts go with the taste of strawberries and the rich smell of wild flowers.


The kiss they shared was passionate but yet gentle. Maria was kissing him slowly, caressing his face delicately. She had waited too long for this, she wasn’t about to hurry things up as she had done the last time. She was thinking that she could kiss him for days, for years, for eternity like this.


She pushed him on the bed on his back softly and continued kissing him while lying on top of him. He started to protest between kisses.


“Maria… You shouldn’t… We… shouldn’t…”


She shook her head at his attempts to form a sentence and continued kissing him slowly while unbuttoning his shirt.


“Why Michael?” He looked stupefied, like he couldn’t understand what she was talking about.


“Why was it a mistake?” she asked calmly, proceeding to unbutton her own shirt after his.


His mind was blurred. How was he supposed to form a sentence when she was stripping inches away from him? “I… can't…”


“It wasn’t a mistake.” She said, kissing his neck and squirming torturously on top of him. He groaned. “We can't…”


“Can't what?” she whispered licking his earlobe. “Can't be together? Can't have sex? Can't love?”


He stilled at the word love. “Love?” he croaked out, cursing his voice silently for showing his insecurities. Though he knew deep down that she knew them already…


She took his hand and placed it on her bra clad breast over her heart. “Yes Michael. Love.”


She slowly moved her hands to unclasp the front clasp of her bra. She let it fall and started to unbuckle his belt. Michael was in a daze, still feeling her heartbeat under his palm.


“Love? How can you be sure?”


She pulled his trousers down and he couldn’t protest or help. “You know how.” She said when their eyes met.


“Tell me.” He pleaded needing to hear the words.


She shrugged. “It’s there when I look at you, when I touch you, when I kiss you. I can feel it when I think of you…” she let her hands slowly explore his chest. “I am in love with you. For the first time in my life… And I know it’s the last.” She leaned forward and placed feather light kisses around his nipples.


“I don’t care what you name it. You belong to me. And I'm yours.”


She looked at his face again and thought how child-like he looked. In wonder of everything around him. In wonder of her… She placed a kiss over his eyebrow. “You are mine. And if you ever hurt yourself again, I’ll kick your ass.” She stated, combing his hair back.


She felt the power. It was back. She was in charge of her life once again. It felt right. It felt normal with Michael. She knew everything was going to be fine now.


He looked lost. She knew he wasn’t a man of words, and she didn’t really need the words anymore. She had what she needed right under her. So she kissed him, with much more passion this time to clear his mind of unwanted thoughts.


One of her hands sneaked down to caress him through his boxers, and she felt his hands grab her breasts in an instant. His touch softened a moment later, and began kneading the soft flesh, making her pant and lose control.


One of his hands unbuttoned her jeans hurriedly and he moved to switch positions to get them off. “Uh-uh-uh…” she protested, pushing him back. “I don’t think so… This time you’ll have to get through me before you run away.”


He threw her small figure on the bed easily and loomed over her. “I’m not going anywhere…” he whispered to her ear and continued peeling off her jeans.


Biting her lip she reached to take off his boxers. She was feeling too much at once. His skin was brushing against hers and creating a sensation so sweet and torturous, she wanted to scream. She was rubbing herself against his thigh which was nestled between her legs. He was so much bigger and stronger, but also so gentle and careful with her. She was seeing everything from a different angle now, and she could see clearly how scared he was. He was terrified of hurting her.


They were both naked a moment later, and were calmer, lying there in the silence, expecting the storm.


He traced a finger between her lower lips and made her squirm under him. He was lying half on top of her, his erection pressing her upper thigh. He was worshipping her, watching her, tasting her, slowly, taking his time. He inhaled her deeply, and pressed his forehead to her neck not able to handle his emotions.


She placed a delicate hand at the back of his neck, and turned his head to see his face. There were tears in his eyes.


“What happened baby? What’s wrong?”


His heart clenched at her soft voice and caring look. She’d called him baby. He’d never been anyone’s baby… A tear coursed down his cheek. He fought with the sobs building up in his throat.


Turning his head slightly, he kissed her palm. Looking in her eyes, he had to ask. “You’re mine?”


“Forever.” She whispered kissing away his tears.


With a satisfied sigh he lowered his head to her breasts and took one nipple in his mouth, making her gasp with pleasure and arch off the bed in anticipation. His name left her lips in a whimper, and he felt it. Love… So it really was love…


He teased her with his finger, enjoying her melodic voice. She was a kitten when she was under him, always rubbing against him and purring. And she was small. So small and delicate…


“You’re mine.” He said kissing her navel in a daze.


“Yes…” she breathed grabbing his hair and trying to control her hips.


He chuckled softly, and explained at her quizzical look. “Now that I have you, I honestly don’t know what to do…”


“Well…” she said with a mischievous smile. “…why don’t we… uh… I don’t know… maybe try having sex?”


“No.” he said firmly shaking his head, not quite aware that he was causing her a heart attack. “Considering that we’re in love, we will be making love now.”


Her heart made a happy dance instead of the expected heart attack. “So we’re in love?” she asked playfully, trying but not exactly succeeding to hide her grin.


“Well, I don’t know about you…” he said in a mocking serious tone and took her small hand in his larger one. He kissed her palm softly and placed it over his heart. “…but I know I am.”


How could she have thought she didn’t need the words? All her playful mood was gone in a second. Her heart which had been running because of his touches was now beating in a painfully fast rate. Tears built up in her eyes and her chin started to quiver. She closed her eyes to handle her emotions but it was useless.


A single tear slid down her cheek and coursed down towards her ear. She felt his soft lips trail up its track. He pulled himself up on his elbows and softly kissed her lips.


“Open your eyes…” he whispered, his face just a breath away from hers.


She shook her head. That was the happiest moment of her life, but she was finding it hard to not break down. This wasn’t how she was supposed to react. She was supposed to throw herself in his arms and kiss him senseless. But hearing the actual words was too much since she had waited for too long, fantasized too much about them.


He kissed her nose. “I love you.” He whispered nuzzling her face, softly rubbing their faces together, mating their skin, unconsciously mimicking what she had done when they had first kissed.


She opened her eyes and her eyelashes touched his face. He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, and found them teary but smiling.


“You do?” she asked, still not able to stop her chin from quivering. She looked for the answer in the depths of his brown eyes, and it didn’t take much searching.


“I have been in love with you since that first kiss. You’re my light. My reason. My everything. You make me want to live… want to actually be a better guy…” his voice croaked, and closing his eyes he leaned his forehead to hers.


She stroked his hair, she had been given so much happiness at once, she actually didn’t know what to do with it.


“But you know who I am, I don’t think I can be much more than that. I wish I could… for you… but I can't…”


“You know what baby?” she said softly, knowing exactly how his mind worked, knowing how his thoughts hurt him. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted and more.” Michael’s eyes opened in surprise. “You’re my hero. You saved me. You made me feel again. You let me be myself. You gave me a taste of heaven…” she seductively licked his lips and continued with a smile. “…And now everything will be perfect cause you're giving yourself to me. Now I’ll be complete. I’ll be content…” with a mischievous squirm she added. “…And I’ll probably be a little naughty.”


Michael smiled at her, meeting her movements. “Oh, of that I’m sure.”


“I can't help myself when it comes to you. You're so damn sexy.” She lost her train of thought when he let out a growl and started sucking her neck. He trailed down, his kisses causing her to lay beneath him motionless which was a miracle all by itself, and reached her nipple.


A mutual sigh was heard. Michael was suckling her while she urged him on with her caresses. They knew what to expect from that action since they had actually lived it once and dreamt about it ever since. It was ecstasy.


Maria was burning. His every touch was sending her into a trembling frenzy, causing her trouble with her breathing. Never once in her life had she thought she could want anything that much. Everything except the throbbing need between her thighs and the man above her had disappeared.


“Michael, please…” she managed to beg between pants. Hearing the desperation in her voice, he raised his eyes to meet hers. He nodded, knowing exactly what she was feeling. He was craving for it too.


She opened her legs and wrapped them around his hips. He placed himself at her entrance, his breathing ragged with anticipation. Maria’s urging hands on his ass stilled all of a sudden.


“Michael? Baby?”


“Yes.” He hissed looking at her.


“I'm not on the pill. I didn’t really need it you know…” she said and felt the relief that last statement had caused in him.


He was looking at her lovingly, his gaze clouded with raw passion, and she could see happiness there. Michael Guerin was lying on top of her, he was hers and he was happy. She made her decision, it was fairly easy. Placing her hand around his erection, she urged him on.


His head shot up at her request. He searched her eyes with panic. Was she…? “Are you…?” he began with a hoarse whisper but couldn’t finish. The day had turned so many emotional turns, he now wasn’t sure what he should be thinking. Then with one look into her eyes he thought “should” could go to hell.


“Do you really want to?” he asked in a tone so vulnerable he couldn’t be sure it was his own.


Scanning all thoughts in her head regarding the subject she chose a simple answer. She sighed. “Yes.”


After making sure her eyes held no doubt, he entered her in one long stroke, their whimpers blending into one, their eyes never leaving each other.


Michael felt safe for the first time in months. He was home.


They moved together in tandem, each feeling like an extension of the other. Their hearts beat as one, and the loud thump was felt almost like an earthquake in time with their thrusts. They were torturously slow, letting their anticipation grow with the knowledge of what’s to come, feeling every nerve being touched by the other.


They couldn’t let their eyes part, just like the first time. Maria couldn’t stop a small smile when she looked deep in his eyes and remembered Liz’s words. Were they seeing into each other’s souls? Were they soulmates? No. The thought seemed too little and unimportant compared to what she was feeling.


She didn’t believe in soulmates. She didn’t feel the need to see his soul, know everything there was to know about him. She had fell in love with him at a time when she knew nothing about him, and now she knew more than she would ever need. And she was positive, even if she disagreed something he had done which she was sure she would, she would still love him. Like… always. Like… maybe for as long as she existed…


When their movements gained speed, she let go of the last shred of outer world she had hung onto, trusting him to be right by her side.


World stopped spinning and they stilled except for the cries of each other’s names escaping their lips. Then it took off in light speed and they collapsed in each other’s arms as the only other real and stable thing.


Maria rode the waves of pleasure this time in contentment, completing the feeling with his scent, his sweat and his weight on top of her. She caressed his trembling body soothingly til he stopped shaking, and kissed the top of his head when she heard his sigh.


They laid there for what seemed like hours, but the position felt too comfortable to move. Finally Michael stirred a little and tried to move, thinking that he was crushing her. She stopped him by placing her hands on his back, he gave in easily and let his head drop to its place on her chest.


He could hear her heart beat right under him. It was the most relaxing sound he had ever heard. He thought he now was an official sap, loving even her heartbeat. Not that he would let anyone know that. After a second and surprising thought, he found that he would indeed let everyone know it. She was hers and he would make sure that everyone knew that. Who gave a damn about what they thought?


He nuzzled the soft skin under her breast. “I want to stay here.” He said, realizing after he heard his voice that he had said it out loud.


Maria looked down at him and smiled. “It is an awfully decorated room at the back of a bar Michael.”


He nuzzled her breast again and softly kissed it. “No, I mean here.”


“Oh.” She said, clearly surprised that he was so open for once. “You can stay there…” she said happily. “…for as long as you want to baby.”


“Okay then…” he said yawning and making himself comfortable on top of her. She held him tightly as they slowly drifted off to sleep.


- - -


“Maria… You still in there?”


The loud tapping and some sound suspiciously resembling a kick woke Maria up from her peaceful slumber. She checked the man in her arms to make sure it hadn't all been a dream. No, he was still there, his head between her breasts, his lips brushing her skin. She smiled at the disapproving grunt he let out as she stirred under him. Letting her hands still him back to sleep she wondered at the happiness she had found in someone so unexpected.


“Yes I’m here, but not quite decent right now…” she answered Lucy, trying to keep her voice down.


“Are you coming out anytime soon?” Lucy asked in a amused voice.


“Not by choice…” Maria mumbled to herself.


“Well I’m locking up the place. It’s almost 5 am. I’m leaving a key on the bar for you… I’ll be seeing you later I guess.” She said and pausing for a moment for a non-existent respond from Maria, she quietly left.


- - -


Michael woke up to Maria’s cell’s annoying sound. She picked it up from the floor without opening her eyes and found the buttons by memory.


“Yeah?” she said groggily.


Michael listened to her one sided conversation, cussing wildly in his mind for the intrusion.


“None of your damn business.” Maria said calmly.


“Yes Tom, I did.”


“No, I definitely don’t want to hear it.”


“No… No… I said NO!”


“I am happy babe, deliriously, but if you call me again in 6 hours, I definitely would kick your ass… Yes… Yes… Bye! YES!”


She growled in frustration as she threw the phone to the other end of the bed.


“Tom?” Michael asked her as he crawled up towards her lips. She kissed him gratefully, purring as her body responded to him in an instant.


“He said that he knew we had sex, and he wanted to bug me and congratulate you.” Maria said, and protested. “Why is he on your side? He’s supposed to be my best friend.”


“But it’s so much fun to bug you…” he said seriously, while tracing her jawline with kisses.


She was about to protest but lost all coherent thoughts when he woke her sleepy body with patented Michael touches. She was squirming under him when her phone rang again. Her body jerked at the sudden sound but Michael held her down.


“No… Let it ring…” he said and continued kissing her breasts. She wasn’t strong enough to protest. It rang once… twice… She could feel the disturbing sound in her brain.


Stilling him with one hand she reached for it. “What?” She was too grumpy for pleasantries.


“Yes, I am.”


“No… No… Kyle! I'm okay. Yes… Yes… What? Why? Okay, hold on.”


She passed the phone to Michael. “He wants to talk to you.”


Michael looked at her questioningly, and she just shrugged.


“Yeah?” he said in a voice which he hoped was confident.


“I know.” Maria watched as his face hardened and his voice became serious.


“Yes… Okay…”


“You know I do.”


Michael’s face crumpled in confusion a moment later.


“Uh… Thanks.” He said and put the phone on the bed once again.


“So?” Maria asked, her curiosity obvious in her eyes.


“He congratulated me.” Michael said looking shocked.


She threw her hands up in an exasperated gesture. “Huh! They’re all on your side!”


- - -


Maria was curled up in Michael’s arms, her body spent and her mind unable to think anything except her very own alien. She placed her face at the crook of his neck and nuzzled his skin. She couldn’t get close enough.


Michael heard her whisper against his neck. “Love you so much.”


He pulled her body a little higher, and placed her head on the pillow so close that their noses were touching. He kissed her nose and made her giggle. It was surprising and unbelievable that he would find something like this enjoyable. Feeling her naked body against his, having her breath tickle his face, touching her, kissing her, making her happy…


“I'm hungry…” she whined and sat up.


She found her bra on the floor and started getting dressed. Suddenly dread covered his being. Everything was good there, in the awful white room, they had their own world. But outside… things could change. He wasn’t sure how he would handle real world. It was easy when it was just the two of them, he didn’t want to include other people.


She saw the confusion on his face and climbed back on top of him. “Come on, Spaceboy, we need to eat.” Closing his eyes he kissed her and wished with all his heart that they didn’t have to. She pulled him up and gave him his cloths.


The way he got dressed reminded her of a kid getting ready for school. He was stalling. She pushed his hands away and continued buttoning up his shirt herself.


“You don’t wanna go?” she asked softly.


Surprised that she noticed, he couldn’t say anything. He didn’t really want her to know, it was stupid to feel like that. It was childish… Immature…


She smoothed the wrinkles on his shirt and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her head slightly tilted up, her deep green eyes boring into his. “I'm scared too.” She whispered to him.


He buried his fingers in her tousled hair, but couldn’t say anything. What else could he say? She already seemed to know everything.


“But I know it will be okay.” She reassured him.


“How?” he asked, wanting to be let in on the secret.


Never letting his eyes look away, she slowly pulled him to the door. “Cause I know you’ll be with me.” She said caressing his cheek. “And I know, when I touch you, everything will feel right again.”


She pulled his hand and placed it around her waist under her shirt. She felt him stiffen and pull her closer to his body as they stepped outside, but with one small kiss on his shirt clad chest and he was relaxed again.


“Let's go eat.” He said with a new found confidence in his voice.


She smiled as they walked out, towards their new life. They were excited, they were scared as hell, but also for the first time in their lives they were content.


The End

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