“What’s the plan, Max?” Michael asked, glancing at both Isabel and Tess.

“Nacedo will be contacting me tonight, to let me know exactly where and when he wants us to meet. I imagine it will be tomorrow afternoon. We’ll have to locate Serena as soon as we meet them, then Isabel and I can disable her while you try to incapacitate Nacedo. If we can’t find out the information we need from Serena, then Tess can get into Nacedo’s mind and take it from him, if you’ve weakened him sufficiently she shouldn’t have trouble doing this.”

“As simple as that?” Michael asked.

“Obviously, none of that is simple,” Isabel said.

“What happens when we’ve found out what we need to help Tess? Do we let them go free?”

“Yes,” Max said slowly looking at both Isabel and Tess. “We don’t want them harmed.”

“I don’t want Serena harmed,” Isabel said crossly.

“What makes you so sure they won’t come after us again if we let them go?” Michael looked from Isabel to Max.

“We can’t be certain,” Max said slowly. “It’s a chance we’ll have to take.”

“So, how do I keep Nacedo ‘incapacitated’?”

“Well, essentially, you put a sort of shield around him. Force any energy that he tries to send out back within him,” Tess said. “It should be an instinctual reaction. I will try to help you, to direct you, but I won’t have much energy to put into it.”

Michael looked at each of them slowly, “Is there any chance that this will work?”

Max sighed, and Tess looked at her hands.

Isabel looked him dead in the eyes and nodded her head, “I believe it will.”

“No one else does, though,” Michael glanced at Max and Tess. “So, basically, if we fail – which we probably will – he’ll take me prisoner, mentally.”

Max didn’t look at him but quietly said, “Yes.”

“And, you two are going to make him promise to save Tess and the baby?” Michael asked, choosing not to dwell on his imminent doom.

“Yes, I think if we promise to stay with him unquestioningly he’ll help us save the baby. And, I think he’ll agree to let Kyle raise it - he wouldn’t let her keep it anyway. After the birth he’ll probably do the same thing to Tess that he’ll do to you,” Max answered, and a guilty look swept over his face. “We don’t have to try anything, you know. We could just go with him willingly.”

“I don’t think I could stand it if we didn’t try,” Michael said slowly. “Rolling over and playing dead isn’t exactly in my nature.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask of all of you,” Tess swallowed hard, “but, I don’t think I could go back either. No matter what, I know we’ll basically be prisoners. After we defied him at the plantation, it was obvious things would never be the same again. He doesn’t trust us anymore. It’s a long shot, but I want to try.”

“I know we should fight him,” Isabel’s tone was confident, “we’ll win.”

***

Maria watched as her brother paced the sitting room like a caged bear, practically snarling. Alex looked thoughtfully out the window, occasionally sighing and taking a swipe at his eyes. Liz sat next to her, looking stoic.

The other four were in the study, across the hall. She had hated that Michael insist they separate while they discussed their plans. There was too little time left.

The night before, after visiting the attorney, she and Michael had dined with Jeff Parker. Maria had watched Michael hug his father when they left, knowing it was probably for the last time, and she’d felt tears stinging her eyes – threatening to spill. She’d been on the verge of weeping every moment since. Another near sleepless night, watching him toss and turn. He’d been exasperated that she wouldn’t sleep, he didn’t say it, but she could read it in his eyes. Her shadowing of his movements throughout the morning and afternoon irritated him, he didn’t understand why she couldn’t leave him alone. Maria didn’t care, she had to be with him. There had been another, longer visit to the attorney today, a visit to his office at the shipyards, and then two hours of letter writing in the study while she watched. Every second was precious.

“I don’t understand why I can’t be in there,” Kyle whined as he passed in front of the sofa.

“This is their fight Kyle, they need to decide what they’re going to do on their own,” the irritation in Liz’s voice was obvious.

“Yes, but Michael is the only one who’s ever been in anything resembling a fight,” Kyle replied.

“We need to trust that they know what they’re doing,” Alex said quietly, his eyes never leaving the window.

“Come on, Alex. You practically knocked Max out – what does that say about his fighting ability?” Kyle was becoming more and more agitated.

Alex looked sharply at Kyle, “I can take care of myself.”

“Oh, please, Alex,” Kyle snorted, “Maria could take you out.”

Alex opened his mouth to argue, then his face grew thoughtful and he shrugged, “Well, that might be true - but I still say they are the ones who will need to decide how they’re going to handle it.”

“Well, that’s not good enough for me,” Kyle said taking a defensive stance near the door.

“Me either,” Maria spoke for the first time. “I think we should go along, I don’t think we would be completely useless. You made a good point about Alex – for all of Max’s ‘super-human’ powers, Alex was still able to hurt him.”

“Well, I didn’t mean you, Maria,” Kyle said. “I was talking about myself.”

“No, I’m going to follow them,” Maria said resolutely.

“If you’re going, I’m going,” Alex said to Kyle.

Kyle nodded at Alex, then looked at Maria, “Not you. You aren’t going anywhere. He’d never forgive me if anything happened to you. I’d never forgive myself.”

Maria looked at him, ready to pounce, but held herself back. Of course their father would kill him if anything happened to her.

“Kyle, I want to be there. Just in case. I won’t get involved if I don’t need to,” Maria looked steadily at him.

“No.”

“Kyle-.”

“He’s right, Maria,” Alex chimed in. “It’s stupid enough for the two of us to go. You need to stay with Liz. Think of the baby - if something happens to Kyle, you and your father will be all it has left.”

“Yeah,” Kyle shot a grateful look to Alex, “I need you to be here if I don’t make it.”

Maria nodded, pretending to agree. Liz took her hand and squeezed it, and when Maria looked at her, she saw her own determination mirrored in her friend’s eyes.

Kyle and Alex began to discuss their strategies for the following morning, while Maria and Liz started their own conversation.

“I’ll follow him on horseback,” Maria said softly.

“I will too. They’re all leaving from Max’s house. I’ll be there, and when they leave, you and I can follow,” Liz whispered.

They stared at one another for a moment, and squeezed each other’s hands.

Maria cleared her throat, there was something she wanted to ask her friend, “Well, you asked me to say that you were staying here if anyone asked, so…Liz, did you and Max…well, did you - you know…last night?”

Liz shook her head slowly, “We were both so upset we sat up talking all night downstairs. That’s why I need tonight.”

“Oh. Sorry to bring it up, I know it’s very personal, I was just wondering…” Maria let her voice trail off, slightly disappointed.

“Actually…I’m glad you brought it up. I hate to ask you this, but is there anything I should know? I mean is anything different with them than it is with a normal person? I’ve been told what to expect with a man, but…”

“Well, that’s why I was asking you.”

“What do you mean, Maria?” Liz’s question squeaked above a whisper and she quickly hushed her voice again, “Haven’t you and Michael…”

“No,” Maria blushed slightly, “you know, it’s just an arrangement.”

“Then why were you asking?”

Maria’s cheeks burned, “I was going to try, tonight…”

“Do you have any feelings for him, Maria?” Liz’s eyes were searching. “You shouldn’t play with his emotions.”

“I won’t be playing with his emotions,” Maria scoffed. “I’m the only one with emotions in this thing. Why do you say that? Do you think he’ll refuse? That’s what I’m afraid of. I’ve tried almost everything I can think of, so I thought that if I was direct…”

“Maria? I thought you eloped because Michael told you he was in love with you.”

Maria laughed slightly, “In love with me? No.”

“Then, why did you marry him?”

“Why did I marry him? Do you want the reasons I gave him, or the truth?”

Liz’s voice was low, “The truth.”

“I’m in love with him. I’ve always been in love with him. The minute he let the words slide out of his mouth that day, I knew I was going to hold him to it if it killed me. There you have it, I’m totally self-centered. I wanted to make him marry me, and I didn’t care if he felt the same or not.”

“W-why didn’t you ever tell me, Maria?”

“He’s your brother. I didn’t want you to know, and I didn’t want him to know.”

“And, you think that he doesn’t love you?”

“I know he doesn’t love me.”

Liz opened her mouth as if to say something and then closed it slowly, staring at Maria.

The door opened and Tess walked into the room and straight into Kyle’s arms, he looked down at her and cupped her face in his hand, “I’m going to take you upstairs, you need your rest.”

Isabel and Max walked in, and Liz stood to leave. Maria had invited Tess and Kyle to spend the night. Alex and Isabel were going to stay at the Parker residence, and they were going to tell Mr. Parker that Liz was staying with Michael and Maria.

Maria walked over to Isabel and hugged her, fighting tears, “Just in case…you know…I think you’re wonderful, Isabel. You’re the best thing that ever happened to Alex.”

Isabel squeezed her and whispered, “In case… I’m sure things will be fine, but if not…Please watch over Alex for me.”

“I will,” Maria tried to smile as she pulled out of the girl’s arms. She gave Alex a wink over Isabel’s shoulder and then turned to Max.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Liz had pulled Michael into the corner.

“Max…” Maria smiled at him. She was surprised to see that the man’s eyes were red when he swept her into his arms.

“Maria,” he whispered, “Liz…Please…”

“Shhh…” Maria soothed, rubbing his back as his emotions overwhelmed him. “I’ll keep an eye on her. She’s a tough one.”

He nodded and pulled back, swiping at his eyes. Walking to Liz, he claimed her from Michael mid – sentence. Liz pulled away from him and gave her brother a fierce hug and then laced her hand in Max’s as they walked to the front door with Alex and Isabel.

Maria joined Michael at the door as they watched them leave. He made a confused face when he saw Liz leave on horseback with Max instead of with Alex and Isabel in the carriage.

“What-.”

“Just let it go,” Maria cut him off. “They’re in love, and this is all of the time they have left.”

He sighed, and looked over his shoulder into the house, “Kyle and Tess?”

“He took her upstairs to get some rest,” she paused when she saw his reaction to ‘upstairs’. “This is the only place they could be together in town. It’s probably their last night, Michael…”

He smirked, “Yeah, we seem to be facilitating everything tonight.”

“Why don’t you get some rest? You look tired.”

“Why don’t you? I’m not the one who hasn’t been sleeping.”

“Michael…” she breathed with an exasperated sigh as they began to walk up the stairs.

“Maria.”

He stopped and looked at her for a moment, then, before she could speak, he was climbing the stairs again, leaving her behind.

She sighed again and moved her feet to follow him. Tonight, she would tell him everything, she would throw herself at him, and count on his pity to get what she wanted. Love knows no pride.

***

Alex helped Isabel out of the coach and held her hand as they made their way into the house. His father was still awake in his study, and Alex peeked his head into the room. He told his father that they were home for the night and that Liz would be staying with Michael and Maria. Jeff had nodded absently, never suspecting the lie. Turning to leave the room, Alex was surprised when Isabel pulled away from him and walked to his father, giving him a quick goodnight kiss on the cheek. Smiling broadly, Jeff had patted her hand and shooed them to bed.

In the hallway, Isabel had smiled slightly and squeezed his hand.

He wondered if she truly understood how much he loved her. Tonight he’d tell her, he’d use every word he could think of to describe his feelings for her.

Silently, he prayed that her faith in his brother would prove worthy. He prayed to anyone who would listen, begging for a miracle.

She closed the door of their room and moved into his arms. He started to cry almost immediately, not caring if it made him seem weak. He was weak.

“Alex…” she sighed as she held him close, comforting him. “There’s no need. I’m coming back. We’ll always be together. You’ll see…”

The tears came faster, but he nodded his head into her neck. He wouldn’t intrude on her delusions, he couldn’t rob her of all hope. But, he knew this was their last chance. What she didn’t know is that he’d die before he’d ever let Nacedo take her. So this was certainly his last chance, if they failed tomorrow there would never be another.

When he was able to catch his breath, he began to speak, to tell her all of the things she needed to hear, “Isabel, the last few weeks have been the best of my life. Since the first moment I laid eyes on you, I’ve been captivated. I didn’t know it was possible to love like this. To me, you’re everything at once: fire and rain, silk and steel, night and day…”

***

Liz sat in front of Max on the horse and sighed softly. He moved slightly to kiss the top of her head, and she couldn’t help but smile. Leaning against him, he felt so calm and relaxed. It made her remember how much trouble he’d had learning to ride.

Leaving his horse at the livery across the street, Max claimed her hand and led her into the small house he’d rented a few days before. She realized that anyone who happened to be looking out their window that night would see Miss Parker entering the house of a single man at what was certainly not a decent hour. The thought didn’t really bother her. Let them think what they wanted, and let them continue to think it when she didn’t emerge from the house until morning. Liz was through with convention. She was going to spend the night with the man she loved.

Once they were inside the dark and deserted house, Max seemed to grow nervous and shy. He’d stopped in the hallway, looking at her for a moment, then staring at the ground for a moment before glancing back at her and starting the cycle over again.

They didn’t have time to be coy. After a minute of silence, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. His kiss was soft and gentle, and his hands slowly wrapped themselves around her waist.

Their kisses became increasingly warmer, more passionate, and every muscle in Liz’s body seemed to be aching. She pulled back slowly and let him lead her to the bedroom.

“Liz, I…” Max’s voice trailed off as she kissed him again.

“I know, Max,” she whispered as she kissed his cheek and then his jaw.

“Are you sure?” he asked breathlessly as she moved her lips to his throat.

“Yes,” she moaned into his neck.

With that, he pulled her lips back up to his, and let his hunger become evident as he deepened his kiss. She lost all concept of time as their clothing slowly began to disappear…

***

Kyle held Tess while she slept. She would occasionally toss and turn, pulling out of his arms slightly, he would simply wait until she quieted and pull her back.

He thought about everything that had happened over the past few days. His entire life had been turned upside down, and he felt as though he were drowning.

Father. He, Kyle Valenti, was going to be a father. The idea was foreign, and vaguely terrifying. Thinking about his own father, he realized how totally unprepared he was for that role. Guilt began to overwhelm him for the way he’d treated the General, now he knew what it was to hope for your child’s life to be perfect – to want them to avoid every mistake you made.

Of course, ‘father’ was a role he would never play. He and Alex were going to follow them to their meeting with Nacedo, and they were going to do whatever it took to make sure that he didn’t win…or they were going to die trying. It hadn’t exactly been voiced, but he’d seen it in Alex’s eyes. Desperation.

Kyle had confidence that no matter what, the child would be safe. Nacedo would make the deal with Max and Isabel after their little rebellion failed, and the child’s safety would be guaranteed. He’d taken steps to secure more than just life for his offspring. Glancing at the bedside table that held three sealed letters, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The letters had been written after he’d put Tess to sleep, but before he’d climbed in beside her.

One letter of legitimacy. To declare that Tess’s child was his, and was his legal and rightful heir. Somehow, while writing the declaration he’d gotten it into his head that the baby would be a girl, and he’d been unable to shake that impression. In his mind he saw a young girl, around five years old with bouncing blonde curls and blue eyes…and maybe his smile…

The second letter was addressed to his sister. Asking her to help care for his child, to watch over her in his absence. He mentioned how much he’d missed his mother when she was gone. Then he told Maria how proud he was of her, and how happy he was that he had her to rely on to fill Tess’s role for his baby. Before he finished he added a few lines regarding his promise to Michael, he couldn’t keep it, so he told her everything her husband had said. Everything. And after he signed it, he left a post-script: If the baby is a girl, please call her Tess.

Finally, the third letter was for his father. He admitted everything about Tess and the child, even Tess’s alien heritage. The words came easily as he told the man how much he respected him, and loved him. Told him that the idea of fatherhood terrified him and that he had nothing but admiration for the job that his father had done raising himself and Maria. With his final words, he asked his father to fill the same role for his own child, to raise her exactly the same way. He signed it, ‘Your devoted and eternally grateful son, Kyle Valenti’.

Tess moaned and turned slightly, licking her lips as she sprawled out on her back. He smiled and let his eyes wander down to her abdomen, and he noticed for the first time that a section of it was slightly raised. Moving his hand softly over the spot his smile grew wider, and he turned to plant a kiss on Tess’s cheek. Though still asleep, she responded to his affection with a sigh and curled herself up against his side again.

Kyle understood Tess. He knew why she’d waited to tell him. Why she’d wanted to run and try to fix things on her own. She’d only wanted to have fun, and she’d gotten sucked into a whirlpool. Softly, he kissed her nose. They were similar, he could see himself making all of her decisions. Somehow they made sense to him he took the time to think about them.

He wished they had more time.

Terrified though he was, he wished he could know what it was like to have someone call him ‘father’.

When he closed his eyes, he saw Tess and the little girl laughing over a picture book, sitting in the garden at the Plantation. He saw himself, watching them, smiling.

The last thing he wished before sleep took him was that in his dreams he would hear the little girl say the word he wanted to hear more than any other.

***

Michael lay in his bath, staring at the ceiling.

This was his last night with her. He tried to imagine a life without her. No smiles, no smirks, no green eyes… No Maria.

Shaking his head to clear away his thoughts he dunked himself to wash the last of the soap out of his hair and then stood quickly.

She walked in while he was still drying himself behind the screen.

Oh God, not the tiny camisole and short white pants…

This would be a tortuous night – in more ways than one.

He could feel her eyes on him as he dressed, and he wasn’t surprised when she walked to the screen, and looked up at him. It was all he could do not to flinch when she touched his eyebrow to brush away a drop of water. His eyes drifted to the deep ‘v’ of skin that showed below her neck – why couldn’t she keep that thing buttoned?

Tearing his eyes from her, he bent at the waist, rubbing the bath sheet roughly over his head. Suddenly, he felt another set of hands softly rubbing his hair through the material and looked up slightly to be greeted by her bare mid-riff. He nearly jerked away, but the feeling of her hands, her tiny perfect hands, slowly drying his hair…

Carefully, he stood upright, dropping his arms to his sides, and she reached up on her tiptoes to finish the job. Closing his eyes, he let himself enjoy her nearness, her breath hot on his neck, her body pressed against his…

She liked to do this. Do little things. He imagined she thought they were ‘wifely’ things. Picking his clothes, telling him to eat his vegetables, straightening his collar…

He felt the cotton sheet slide down his face and looked down to see her ball it up and throw it on the floor. She took his hand and led him to the dressing table. Her hands guided him to sit in front of her on the bench. Deliberately she picked up the brush and began to comb his hair, using her fingers to move and arrange the damp strands. Again, he closed his eyes, and lost himself in her touch.

It was his last night, she liked to do this sort of thing…What could it hurt?

When he opened his lids, his eyes met hers in the mirror. A tear slipped down one of her cheeks. He sighed and tried to stand up, but her hands firmly pressed down on his shoulders kept him seated. Quietly, he watched her. She seemed upset. Of course, he knew she would miss him…They’d grown close over the last few weeks, there was an undeniable friendship between them – she thought of him as another brother. This was why she hadn’t left his side over the past two days. Maria would miss him.

And, he would miss her.

The minutes seemed to stretch out into hours, as Michael continued to observe her in the glass. He tried to keep the pleasure he felt at her ministrations from showing on his face. Finally, she seemed to be through. She placed the brush on the table and placed her hands on his shoulders lightly, staring at him in the mirror, then she leaned forward and rested her chin lightly on his head.

Michael imagined how this might look to an observer, a portrait of two lovers…He let himself savor the idea and the image for a moment, if only…

Sighing, he pulled away from her and got to his feet. Without looking at her, he walked to the bed and threw back the coverlets, plopping down. He ran a hand through his hair, mussing what she had spent so much time arranging. Part of him hoped she would make him come back so that she could straighten it again.

Daring a glance at her, he saw glistening tracks trailing from each of her eyes. She stared at him for a moment before she walked to the bed, blew out the lamp and slid in next to him.

Lacing his hands behind his head in the darkness, painfully conscious of her slightly ragged breathing, he considered his encounter with Liz earlier.

//”Michael, why haven’t you told Maria how you feel?” Liz hissed.

“Liz, this isn’t the place,” he said quietly, casting a glance across the room in Maria’s direction, she was hugging Isabel.

“You need to tell her. There isn’t any time left.”

“I can’t. You don’t understand how things are-,” Maria’s sudden movement toward Max startled him, and he brought his voice even lower, “we don’t have anything like that between us. You- well, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh no?” Liz looked at him condescendingly, “A blind man could see what’s going on between you two. You need to tell her! For once in her life, she seems to lack to cour-.”

Max interrupted Liz, grabbing her and taking a step toward the door. Pulling quickly away from him, Liz had thrown herself into Michael’s arms and whispered quickly in his ear, “ Tell her!”//

He’d heard those words from two people in the last two days.

Tell her.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered it. In fact, he’d come close last night. She’d refused to sleep, watching his every movement, never moving her gaze from him. As though she was afraid he would disappear before her eyes.

Maria cared for him. She cared a great deal. It was obvious in everything she’d done in the past few hours. Fate was laughing. If she cared this much now, over time she might have…

No, there was no point in dreaming about what might have been. Michael was firmly grounded in reality, and the reality was that things with her were hopeless. By the next night he expected to be dead, or worse. Strangely, the idea of death or torture didn’t bother him as much as the idea of never hearing her voice again…

Her breathing changed from ragged to gasping, and sobs began to shudder through her body. He looked at her, and his heart nearly broke. She was staring at him, eyes squinted, so sad.

“Maria…”

At the sound of his voice she moved to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, laying her head on his shoulder, draping her body half over his.

He nearly pushed her away, but couldn’t. She had turned to him, she needed him. Slowly he curled his arms around her, holding her firmly, as her tears began to moisten his bare chest. Silent sobs vibrated through her body. He stroked her hair with one hand and slowly rubbed up and down her arm with the other.

Was it really him making those soothing noises? Shushing her, whispering her name?

Once, this had been his dream. To hold her when she cried, to be able to comfort her. Now it seemed a cruel reminder that when morning came his hopes and dreams would cease to exist.

After a time, she quieted, and he loosened his grip on her slightly. No longer distracted with comforting her, he began to notice things. The smell of her hair, the unbelievable softness of her skin, the fact that she was lazily running her foot up and down his leg.

When she moved her head slightly and planted a kiss at the base of his neck, he dismissed it as an absentminded display of affection.

Then, as she planted a second kiss slightly higher on his throat, he stiffened.

At the feeling of her lips under his chin, he groaned.

Surprised by his own reaction, he pushed her away from him and looked at her, wondering if he was reading this correctly. She stared back at him, unwavering, her lids were heavy, and low on her smoky green eyes.

He had to know, “W-what are you doing?”

Her voice was low, with a throaty quality, “Michael…”

For a moment, he let the sound of his name on her lips wash over him. How many times had he dreamt that she would say his name like that?

“Maria. Why are you doing this?” his voice was barely more than a whisper. It seemed that the fate of the world hung on her answer. There was hunger in her eyes, it wasn’t an illusion.

“I’ll never have another chance,” she said softly as she leaned toward him.

He quickly pulled away from her. Never have another chance?

“Maria,” he tried to keep his tone even, “you’ll have plenty of chances.”

It wasn’t clear if it was his words or his tone, but she seemed to have been broken out of her mood, “What do you mean plenty of chances? You’re leaving. I’ll be alone. I need you. I need this, Michael. I can’t live my whole life without-.”

So, that was it. They were back to the ‘poor Maria will never be kissed’ lament.

He gave her a small smile that he hoped was reassuring and shook his head slightly, “You won’t have to. I’m not going to leave you stuck with an absentee husband. That will be taken care of. You’ll be free. With the money, you can travel - do whatever you want. No one will be able to keep you from being happy.”

She narrowed her eyes and shook her head violently, “No, that’s not what I want, I want y-.”

Michael couldn’t bear to hear her say it. He couldn’t hear her say those words, they would weaken any resolve that he had. Reaching up quickly, he silenced her with his hand. It wouldn’t be right. She didn’t want him, not really, this was just her emotional response to his leaving – he couldn’t let her do this and then regret it.

Trying to stengthen himself, he made his voice gruff, and sharp, “No. Why waste yourself on one meaningless night with me? You can wait, until you find what you really want – what you deserve.”

Before he was even finished speaking, tears started to stream out of her eyes. She looked hurt and embarrassed.

He didn’t know what to do, so he simply watched her cry. After a few moments, she lay down on the bed and turned her back to him. Honestly, he couldn’t blame her. Massaging his temples with his fingers, he wondered how he possibly could have handled it better.

He only wanted what was best for her. He only wanted her to be happy.

Those were the only two things in the world he wanted more than he wanted her.

***

She cried into her pillow, opening her mouth in a silent scream. There was no worse pain than this. He had rejected her, thoroughly, completely. Not even his pity would induce him to touch her.

Why not?

He’d had other women. Lots of other women. He had to care more about her than he did them. What was wrong with her, why didn’t she qualify?

Maybe his rejection was truly for the reason he stated. He wanted her to have the real thing, not to do it for the wrong reasons. But, he’d refused to listen when she tried to tell him she wanted it for every right reason. And it had been perfectly clear what it would have been to him, “ one meaningless night.”

A small twinge of dignity flew to the surface of her thoughts, and begged her to flee the room. To run away in shame from her failed attempt to seduce him. She couldn’t though, these were still her last hours with him, and she’d spend them at his side if it killed her.

Her exhaustion and her emotions were overwhelming, and before she knew it she found herself weeping in her field of green grass.

“Maria?”

She ignored him. He was somewhere behind her, but she didn’t want to look at him.

“Are you all right?”

Laughing bitterly, she buried her face deeper in her arms, “What do you care?”

“I care, Maria.”

“Yeah, ‘poor little Maria’. Better make sure she’s not suicidal. Then you can go back to laughing at her,” the sarcasm dripped from her lips.

“I’m not laughing.”

“Oh, shut up, Michael. And, leave. Leave me alone. You’ve been trying to get away from me for the past two days, here’s your chance.”

“Why are you like this?!?” his voice was angry, and almost desperate. “Every time I think I’ve figured out what goes on in that little head of yours, you do something like this. Are you trying to torture me?”

She stood slowly, careful to keep her back to him, “Michael?”

“ What?” he still sounded angry.

“Are you trying to torture me?”

“No,” he sounded confused, “why would I be trying to torture you?”

“Why would I be trying to torture you?”

“I don’t know,” he sighed wearily. “I wish I understood you. One minute you’re- well, yourself, the next- I don’t know. Your father thinks, well, he thinks…Is he right? I don’t know anymore. It seems so impossible, but I can’t explain the way you’re behaving…”

Maria turned to look at him. He was sitting in the grass with his head cradled in his hands. How was it that he always did this? He seemed so real, even the way that he surprised her seemed real. This Michael was as predictably unpredictable as the real thing…

She moved to him quickly and pulled his hands away from his face. He did look tortured, and lost…

Reaching out her hand, she caressed his cheek, and he looked frightened as though he thought she was trying to hurt him.

Then, in an instant he was gone, as though he’d never been there at all.

***

Michael opened his eyes with a start. He should never have gone into her dream. Never, never, never.

He turned to look at her. Her breathing was soft and, although her back was to him, he knew she was awake.

What was she thinking? What was she feeling? Could she possibly feel what he did?

It was insane. Ludicrous.

Thinking back to the night of the Landon’s ball, he remembered the look in her eyes. Complete hopelessness. She was deeply in love with the man who made her look like that. Was it possible that he could have begun to replace the ‘mystery man’ in her affections?

No. That was too much to hope for.

But…she did want him. She felt something for him, and it was more than friendship.

If only there were more time.

He looked at her again. There was still time, he could have her for these last few moments – she would come willingly into his arms. Was it fair? Not to her. She had a long life ahead of her, a life in which she could find someone else to be happy with. Was it fair to spend an hour with her and then leave? She seemed confused enough as it was.

“Maria…” he spoke without thinking.

She sniffed and turned her head slightly in response.

He sighed and looked out the window. The sky was growing lighter.

“I’m sorry,” it was a small thing to say, but he couldn’t think of anything else. He was sorry. Sorry that he’d hurt her, sorry that he’d refused her, sorry they didn’t have more time.

She ignored him, snuggling deeper into her pillow.

He ran his hands through his hair. It seemed tragic that, after everything, this was how they would spend their last few moments together. Silent, apart.

Dawn broke and sunlight filtered into the room. Quietly he watched as the sun rose higher and higher into the sky.

It was time. He rose and walked to the window. Behind him, he heard her crawl out of the bed. Secretly, he wished she would walk up behind him, and slide her arms around his waist, ask him for a few more minutes. She didn’t. He heard the bedroom door open and close, she was gone.

Michael dressed quickly, and ran the brush through his hair half-heartedly. He went downstairs to the dining room. Tess and Kyle greeted him silently, with forlorn looks. No one spoke as they sat down to breakfast.

He wondered if she would come down to say good-bye. If she didn’t, he’d go up to her.

“You have to eat something, Tess,” Kyle said softly.

Michael looked at the girl and noticed that she was pushing her food around, not actually eating. Kyle had sounded a little like Maria for a moment, concerned about the little things, watching out for the woman he loved.

“Are you taking my carriage to Max’s?” Michael asked Tess.

She nodded.

Kyle cleared his throat, “I’m going to ride over there with her.”

Michael looked at him for a moment and then turned back to his food. Of course, Kyle wanted to spend every last minute with Tess. Why wouldn’t he?

Maria entered the room just as Kyle and Tess were standing to leave. She was wearing her men’s clothing, and her hair was plaited in a long braid down her back. Michael thought for a moment that her choice of dress was odd, but quickly put it out of his mind.

Without a word, she wrapped Tess into a tight embrace, “You take care of that little one, all right?”

Tess nodded and squeezed her again. Maria gave her a big smile and slowly pulled away, turning her attention to her brother. Michael was slightly surprised to see her hug Kyle as though she would never see him again. Kyle handed Maria some documents, and she read the addresses on each one.

“I understand,” she said softly, looking into Kyle’s eyes.

Kyle looked over his shoulder at Michael, “We’ll see you in a bit at Max’s?”

Michael nodded at him, and followed them out into the hall. Maria paused at the door and waved at them one last time as the carriage started on it’s way.

“I have to go now.”

“I know,” she didn’t turn around, but continued to stare outside.

He wished she would throw her arms around his neck, and at least give him the same good-bye she’d given her brother. There wasn’t much chance of that though, whatever there had been between them he’d killed the night before.

Why couldn’t he have lost himself in her arms for a few hours?

Reaching out, he placed a hand tentatively on her shoulder and she stiffened.

Why had he stopped her lips from devouring him?

She pulled away from his hand and walked out the door and down the front steps to stand by his horse.

Maybe she had truly wanted him, what would it have hurt?

He walked past her and grabbed the reins, placing his other hand on the back of the saddle.

You fool. She would have opened up in your arms…

It was too much, he slumped against the horse, leaning his forehead onto his arm. This couldn’t be it. How could this be the end?

Don’t leave it like this…

He did the last thing he should have done, and turned to look at her.

Oh God.

Her eyes, her perfect green eyes, were staring into his soul. She did want him.

Oh, God.

He knew that look, it was the same one he was giving her…

A low groan escaped his lips, and before he knew it he had taken a step toward her. Briefly his eyes searched hers.

He wanted to be gentle, he wanted to be soft, and loving…

But there was too much to say…

Roughly, he grabbed her. An arm slid around her waist to pull her to him, a hand slid into her hair to grip the back of her neck…

His lips met hers.

Not soft, not gentle…

Bruising, dueling, seeking…

She deepened the kiss, she pulled him into her mouth.

Her hands were tangled in his hair, clutching him to her for dear life, as she moaned over and over…

Passion.

Nothing had ever been like this, no one had ever felt like her.

He was lost…lost…

It was the taste of salt on his tongue that brought him back to reality. He broke away from her slowly, and looked down to see that her eyes were closed. There were no tears on her cheeks. Instinctively, his hand made a swipe at his own - they were wet.

Pulling away from her completely, she opened her eyes with a gasp. She shook her head violently, and she began to cry as she tried to form words.

He couldn’t bear it. If he didn’t go now…

Throwing a leg up over his horse, he looked down at her and felt the stinging in his eyes, as he swiftly turned the horse away from her.

Now he’d really done it. He’d forced the issue.

One last look at her stunned face, and he gave the prancing horse it’s head, letting it whisk him away. He didn’t want to know how she would look when she came to her senses.

Silently, as the wind whipped his face, he cursed the day he was born.

***