Maria glanced at Liz as they crouched in the bushes near the riverbank. This was as good a spot as any to observe the action from. She pulled out one of the two knives she had sheathed in her belt out and handed it to her friend with a wink. Liz examined it briefly with wide eyes before silently slipping it into the back of her waistband.

An hour earlier, Maria had watched from behind a bush as Michael, Max, Isabel, and Tess embarked on their journey. She had waited until Kyle and Alex left to follow them before striding quickly to Max’s house with two horses in hand, one for herself and one for Liz. Liz changed into men’s clothing as Maria watched what direction their brothers went, and then they had set off to follow them.

Glancing in Michael’s direction, Maria was almost sure that his eyes had been on their hiding spot, but he gave no indication that he’d seen her. She studied his profile and lightly ran a finger over her bottom lip. The kiss. Closing her eyes, she remembered what his lips felt like. For a few moments she’d been in heaven, she’d laid claim to his mouth as if it were her own. Her first kiss, but she hadn’t felt awkward at all – she had the feeling she was more in control than he was.

If only it wasn’t so confusing. For a moment, after his abrupt departure, she’d been ready to write it off as a last show of pity, but there had been something in his eyes… Sighing, Maria wished she’d followed him into Max’s house earlier in the morning rather than hiding outside waiting for him to leave. She wanted to know if it meant anything to him, if she meant anything to him.

Feeling a nudge from Liz, Maria refocused her attention on the scene in front of her.

Max was gesturing with his hands, speaking to Michael, “I didn’t think it was worth mentioning.”

“ Worth mentioning?!? My little sister nearly gets shot, and you don’t think it’s worth mentioning?” Michael’s voice was angry and exasperated.

Maria let her eyes drift to Liz for a moment, they must have spotted Nacedo. This was their plan: to be arguing and present a divided front when Nacedo arrived. Apparently, Michael had been unnerved when Max informed him that Nacedo had chosen this spot by the river, knowing it held some significance for Michael. He felt that Nacedo was trying to unnerve him with his choice of venue, so before they’d left Max’s house, Michael had insisted that they find a way to throw Nacedo off his guard. Thus, the argument. Maria had a feeling however, judging by Michael’s tone, that some of his anger was genuine – Max was talking about something that had really happened, and Michael was not happy to be hearing about it.

“Well, if you hadn’t been pre-occupied with running off and getting married, maybe I would have mentioned it. You were so caught up with Maria-,” Max’s tone was harsh, and he pointed an accusing finger in Michael’s direction.

“You leave Maria out of this! There is no excuse for this Max. How would you feel if the positions were reversed and it had been Isabel?” Michael’s tone was dangerously low.

Maria didn’t like where this was going. Things were feeling a little too real. Were they actually angry?

‘It’s just a ploy, it’s all an act,’ she told herself.

She heard a sharp intake of breath about 10 yards to her left, and knew it was Alex. Maria and Liz had watched from behind to see where he and Kyle hid before they’d chosen their own spot.

“Well, children,” Nacedo stepped out of the trees toward the arguing duo, “I expected you to be getting along much better than this by now.”

“Maybe if your ‘ king’ wasn’t such a ‘ royal’ pain in the-.”

“Michael, that’s no way to address your liege,” Nacedo said with a sickening grin.

It had worked. Nacedo believed that they weren’t getting along.

“I can’t mate with him, do you see how he is?” Isabel snorted, narrowing her eyes at Michael.

“Now, now. Let’s not say anything we’ll regret,” Nacedo seemed amused.

“Where’s Serena?” Isabel asked offhandedly.

“Nearby,” Nacedo said, looking at her closely.

Max was glaring at Isabel. Maria had a feeling she wasn’t supposed to ask for Serena just yet.

“Tess needs her,” Isabel said quickly.

Nacedo looked at Tess, “You look surprisingly well.”

In response, Tess moaned slightly.

“Serena!” Nacedo called over his shoulder.

After a few moments, the woman appeared from the direction Nacedo had come. She looked weary.

“Hi,” Tess said softly.

Serena gave the girl a weak smile.

Maria could scarcely believe this was the same woman she’d met a few weeks before. She looked as though she’d lived through a horrible illness.

Max glanced briefly at Michael and then looked quickly from Nacedo to Serena, “Tell me how to help Tess.”

Nacedo seemed slightly surprised by his words and his tone, “We’ll be there for her when things get rough. Let’s get on our way back.”

“No, now,” Max said firmly.

Narrowing his eyes, Nacedo looked carefully at Max, “No. There’s no reason to get into it now. Let’s go.”

Tess closed her eyes, and Maria knew she was trying to reach into Nacedo’s mind.

It all happened at once, and to Maria it felt as though everything was in slow motion. Nacedo raised his hand and held it out in Tess’s direction. Michael saw what he was doing and raised his own hand at Nacedo.

Max and Isabel rushed to Serena, but just as they reached her, she disappeared into thin air. Maria saw them stop to glance at one another in surprise. Max started shouting for Serena, running along the edge of the forest, with his hands to his mouth. Isabel had her hands on her head and her eyes closed.

Maria’s eyes shot back to Tess and Michael. Tess had a look of concentration on her face, and her eyelids were lightly fluttering. Nacedo seemed locked in an invisible battle of wills with Michael, they stood twenty feet apart, hands stretched toward one another, straining. After a moment, Nacedo spared Tess a quick look.

“It goes both ways, you know, Tess,” Nacedo’s voice was forced, then his eyes widened. “Human?!? It’s human? You’ve actually mated with one of these vermin?”

At that moment, Kyle stepped out of the trees and went to Tess, putting an arm protectively around her shoulders. No one seemed to notice him. It looked as though he was just in time, because she slumped against him, limp. He quickly lowered her to the ground and shouted for Max. She seemed to be sleeping.

Maria looked up from Tess to Michael and bit back a cry. His body was shuddering, and the veins on his neck and face stood out strangely. She knew he was losing.

Max ran to Tess and forced her eyes open, losing himself in a connection with her. Alex was running the opposite direction toward Isabel.

Liz stood and pointed at Isabel who was walking confidently into the forest, apparently looking for Serena.

“We’ve got to help Isabel find Serena,” Liz’s voice was frantic as she pulled on Maria’s arm, “Max is caught in his connection with Tess.”

“You and Alex help Isabel,” Maria said, jerking her head toward Nacedo. “He’s killing Michael – I have to do something.”

Liz looked frightened, but started running when Maria gave her a shove in Isabel’s direction.

Michael was gasping now, and even from several yards away, Maria could see the sweat dripping off his body. She stepped out from behind the bushes, and Kyle looked startled to see her. He was the only one who noticed her, as he looked over Max’s shoulder.

Glancing at him briefly, Maria quickly looked back at Nacedo.

She had to do something. Maybe if she could disrupt his concentration. A plan was forming in her mind, if she could push him over the bank…

“Maria!” she heard Kyle’s voice behind her as she lowered her head and made her charge.

***

Pain. Horrible, blinding pain.

Michael couldn’t remember when he hadn’t felt it. His brain was too large for his head. The blood in his veins screamed to be released from his body.

Nacedo’s eyes were all that he could see. Dark, hawk-like eyes, cruelly amused by his agony. The rest of the world had disappeared.

It had to end soon. Nacedo had him. He hoped that Tess was able to get the information she needed. Death was starting to appeal to him. If he could only hold out a little longer…

For a moment, he wondered if Nacedo had chosen this spot, knowing that this was going to happen. It was ironic. Just a few feet away, at the riverbank, he had been ‘born’, and this was where he was going to die.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of someone in a white shirt.

Suddenly, Nacedo was flying sideways.

Michael fell to the ground, abruptly released from Nacedo’s invisible grasp, he barely caught himself on all fours. He looked up, surprise and relief overwhelming him as he began shaking his head slightly to clear the fuzz from his vision. Nacedo was sprawled at the edge of the riverbank, pushing the person off him.

Maria. He thought he’d felt her presence earlier. Why was she here?

She rolled into a crouching position and jumped to her feet, sending a swift kick into Nacedo’s jaw before he could get to his feet.

No.

He wanted to scream at her. Wanted to tell her to run. If only he could speak, or move – he was helpless, barely able to hold his head up to watch in horror.

Nacedo swung his head back to look at her after the kick and sprang to his feet before she could land another blow. His hand came up quickly as she fumbled for the knife that was strapped to her belt.

“No!” Michael’s was hoarse in it’s warning.

He was too late…

Maria was flying backwards. Ten…Twenty…Thirty feet. Her back slammed into a tree, wrapping itself unnaturally around the trunk behind it.

Nacedo let out a small chuckle as she crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

No, no, no.

He staggered to his feet and Nacedo turned to face him, his face twisted into a sickening grin.

He killed her, he killed her, he killed her.

A scream, something primal, burst out of his soul and through his mouth. Nacedo’s eyes widened for a moment as Michael brought his hand up.

The light was bright, blinding. When it was gone a moment later, so was Nacedo. All that remained was a pile of ashes.

“Maria!” Kyle’s voice echoed in his ears.

“No,” Michael choked out as he stumbled in her direction.

She lay motionless on her back. Her eyes were open, staring aimlessly into space. He fell to his knees beside her, and as he hit the ground he saw her blink.

Alive.

Without thinking, he reached for her, but stopped himself. She wasn’t moving, and her body was twisted strangely. Her neck was broken. Gently, not to jar her, he put his hands on her cheeks and leaned forward so that his face was directly over hers. Her eyes were cloudy, but focused on his.

“[/i]Maria[/i],” he whispered.

“Do something!” Kyle screamed behind him. “ Save her. Dammit, Michael!”

Michael shook his head slightly and shouted, “Max!”

“He can’t - Tess – he’s helping her. Michael, now! Do something,” Kyle’s hand was insistent on his shoulder.

He looked down into her eyes. It had worked once, he stared and concentrated. He could feel her slipping away…

Her jaw moved slightly under his hand, and as she tried to speak a rush of blood gurgled over her lips, choking her. Her eyes widened in fear.

“ Oh God, Maria,” there were tears in his eyes, they clouded his vision. He had to see her. He had to focus.

Focus.

Focus…

She was sliding away, he could feel it. Green eyes, speaking to him. ‘Goodbye.’

NO!

He was in. He felt it. He had to work fast…

***

Maria had only one purpose.

Knock Nacedo over.

Somehow, she had to give Michael a chance to recover.

As her shoulder crashed into Nacedo’s side, she shoved with everything she had.

It wasn’t enough. She fell on top of him, and he quickly pushed her aside. Knowing that he would try something ‘superhuman’ at any moment, her old wrestling instincts took over and she rolled slightly so that her feet were under her, and then she pushed herself to a crouching position. Using the spring of her motion, she swiveled her hips slightly and kicked him square on the jaw. Nacedo’s head snapped to his left. Silently, she thanked God that Kyle had treated her more like a little brother than a little sister when they were growing up.

She settled lightly on her feet after the kick and was ready to kick him again when she saw his head swing quickly back in her direction. In a heartbeat, he was on his feet. Quickly she reached for the knife at her belt, trying to pull it out of the sheath, but she didn’t have time.

Before she knew it, she was in the air. She heard Michael’s voice as she was hurtling backward. Her eyes focused on him. He was on all fours, looking as weak as a kitten.

Something stopped her backward motion. Dully, she felt herself moving downward. Then, she was on the ground. Staring up at the sky.

She heard a scream. It sounded inhuman, terrified and terrifying at once. The voice was familiar. Michael.

No. There was too much pain in his voice. He was dead. She knew it. Michael was dead, and all she could do was stare stupidly up at the blue, blue sky.

Dead. She lay there and waited for Nacedo to kill her too. Although she had a feeling she wouldn’t need to wait. With Michael gone, all of the will to live seemed to have left her body. She couldn’t move her arms or legs.

Suddenly, she caught a motion in the corner of her eye. Could it be? Michael. It took all of her strength to blink and try to focus her eyes. Things were starting to look hazy.

Maybe this was his ghost. Come to pay her one last visit before his journey to the afterlife.

No…He looked too real. She could see the sweat on his forehead as he leaned his face over hers. His nose was only an inch from her own, and she could vaguely feel his hands on her cheeks.

He was alive. Her heart sang. Would he kiss her again?

Joy bubbled up insider her, and she wanted to throw her arms around him, but they wouldn’t obey…

Her own name echoed oddly in her ears, whispered from Michael’s lips. Over his shoulder, she saw Kyle leaning down to look at her, his eyes wild. Then she saw Michael shout for Max. She couldn’t hear him, but she could see his lips move. It was strange. The world was starting to blur around the edges…

She had to tell them not to worry, she opened her mouth to speak, but a warm liquid filled her mouth and gagged her.

Oh. Somewhere in the back of her mind, the truth presented itself. She knew what was happening.

At least Michael was alive, at least he was with her. She saw the tears in his eyes.

Would he miss her?

He was looking intensely at her. Was he trying to communicate with her? She couldn’t tell him anything with her mouth, so she did it with her eyes. ‘Love. Always. Goodbye…’

Michael’s eyes widened briefly, and then everything disappeared.

She couldn’t see the outside world, she was surrounded by memories.

Was this what people meant when they said ‘my life flashed before my eyes’?

Suddenly, she realized they weren’t her memories. Some of these things she had never seen before…

//Michael, in this very spot, seventeen years before. Watching Jeff Parker approach him with a smile. Fear, anticipation.//

Woosh. The image was gone and another rushed to take it’s place.

//Liz as a baby, reaching out to squeeze his nose.//

//Kyle, Alex, and Michael as boys, running as fast as they could. Freedom, camaraderie.//

Michael’s memories continued to overwhelm her. Maybe this was her heaven. To know Michael from the inside out, feeling everything he’d felt.

//Moving a candle from the mantle to a table with only a thought as a small boy. Horrible Fear.//

//Michael standing in the churchyard at Jeff’s side. Three ladies pointing at him and whispering, snickering. Shame.//

//A few years later, Michael is eleven, he’s giving Maria a piggy back ride as she squeals in his ear, having fun.//

//Michael punching a boy who’d thrown a rock at him and called him a ‘bastard’.//

She never knew how it was for him, if only she could have eased his pain.

//Dinner with his family as an adolescent. Laughing with his father as a frog leapt out of Liz’s pocket and hopped across the table onto a bewildered Alex’s plate. He has a family, and he feels like he belongs.//

//Michael at seventeen as Jeff lovingly tells him that he’s making a mistake in his business ventures. He must prove his father wrong, make him proud.//

//He and Kyle, sleeping on the floor of the run down plantation house as the rainwater leeks down onto them, dreaming about fixing it up. Determination.//

//Smiling two years later as the workers finish painting the house. Pride, accomplishment.//

//Finding her in the swimming hole. Startled by his lust. The shame he feels as he’s lashing out at her to cover his own feelings.//

Maria is shocked, she remembered the incident, but she had no idea it was the beginning of something for him as well…

//A storm onboard ship. Michael is doing things he’d never dreamed. Hoping no one will discover him as a freak. Then, seeing Kyle at the bottom of the steps, fear overwhelming him as he reaches for his friend and does the impossible.//

//A ball in London. Two girls, looking at him and giggling. Immediately he is defensive, thinking they are making fun of him, but then they walk over to him. The brunette can’t take her hands off him and when she pulls him into an upstairs bedroom, he doesn’t resist. Excitement, Lust.//

//Pride as he returns home. A man…wealthy, powerful. But, then one of his father’s friends snubs him. Things haven’t changed.//

//Chasing Maria after she’s thrown mud at him. Not understanding why she’s always mean to him now.//

//Smirking with pride as he watches their second ship sail away from London. Glad that he can bring more good news back to Kyle this trip.//

//Watching out the window as Maria sneaks out of the plantation house in boy’s clothing to ride her horse. He wants her, and turns away in shame afraid Kyle will see him looking. Later that night, at the dinner table, she makes fun of him – he’s sorry for lashing out at her two years before, sorry that she hates him, sorry that he returns everything she spits out at him full force...Sorry that he can’t take his eyes off Kyle’s little sister.//

//Sitting on the ground, shocked, after he and his saddle slid off his horse. Watching amused as Kyle drags a smirking sixteen year old Maria into the house. Amazed, amused, strangely proud of her.//

Had he really noticed her then? Did he really feel that way? Was this all a figment of her imagination?

//New York. London. Women, women, women. Feeling empty, hollow.//

//Another ball in London. Michael listening to a petite blonde sharing her opinion that women’s bodies were not intended for any physical exercise. He laughs and thinks about what Maria would say to the girl. Looking around, he examines every woman in the room, thinking none of them can hold a candle to his green-eyed spitfire. Then feeling shame when his eyes land on Alex, his brother, her fiancé.//

//Returning home to find her fully grown. Guilt, as what was once simple lust grows into unstoppable passion. She is in control of every conversation, he feels as though he is at her mercy. Realizing one night as he eats dinner with her and Liz that he has to leave, has to get away from temptation. He can’t look Kyle in the eye, he dreads seeing Alex. Guilt.//

//Michael grabbing her arm as he’s ready to board the ship, going to London to bring Alex home. Asking her sharply if she has a message for Alex. Feeling a bolt of electricity pass through him at the touch of her skin. Fear, guilt…need.//

//Reveling in their dream world. Amazed at how quickly he wins her affections. Enjoying their friendship, but always pulled away from her...//

It was real. All of it.

//In London, he can’t escape her. She haunts him during the day as well as at night. He attends an auction at the house of a once noble family. The emerald is shown last, and the minute he sees it, he thinks of her. Michael outbids everyone in the room, it should belong to Maria. As he tucks it into his pocket, he realizes he has no way to give it to her.//

//Walking along the dock with Alex, when they returned home. Feeling her there, before he sees her. Later, running away from the Parker house, unable to face her in Alex’s presence. Guilt, anger.//

//Michael being overwhelmed by the truth that Max lays at his feet. Then, his amazement that Liz and Alex haven’t rejected him when he hears that they know the truth.//

//Seeing her hands at the plantation. His realization that the dreams are real. Sickened by the way he’s violated her.//

//Watching Maria interact with their family and friends. Amazed at the way she puts everyone at ease. He’s proud of her.//

//The night of the Landon’s ball. How quickly his gloating is replaced with concern. His longing to help her, but feeling useless. Finally, his decision to lay himself open for ridicule in the hopes it will cheer her…//

The memories were beginning to pound at her quickly now, every emotion was so strong, so recent.

//Riding home with her after the ball. His pain at seeing her so uncharacteristically sad. The horrible feelings of hurt and jealousy that overwhelm him when he realizes she’s in love with someone. That night, he watches her carefully, not minding if she hates him for it. He can’t let her be hurt, and he’s afraid she’ll hurt herself…Then, his relief the next morning when she begins to smile again, and they get along better than they have in years.//

//The night their fathers came for a reckoning with Alex. His shock and fear that he’d offered to marry her. Not that he didn’t want to, but he knew she wanted someone else. His amazement that her father had accepted, and even welcomed him. Then, his overwhelming guilt for forcing her into something she didn’t want.//

// The stream. He wanted her so badly it frightened him.//

//Michael’s reaction to Margaret and Patricia the night of the engagement party. His need to protect her. Then, his desire to make her his own. To be free to do something to make her feel better, to make her smile again.//

//The wedding. He means every word of his vows. It’s amazing to him that she’s actually marrying him. Pride, relief.//

Scene after scene of their interaction over the last three days pelted her.

//Last night, when he’d turned her away, thinking it was for her own good.//

//Mulling his actions in the morning light, beginning to question himself… Regret.//

//The kiss this morning. His control had finally failed, he’d been unable to resist. He was incredibly surprised by her reaction, her aggressiveness. Michael wondered what she felt for him. Then, he’d pulled away, crying, and left her.//

//Watching Nacedo throw her through the air. Thinking she was dead. Realizing she wasn’t, but that he was the only one who could save her. His fear was overwhelming. Pain, Horror, Desperation…//

Maria could feel his presence all around, enveloping her. He felt weak, so weak. She started to feel his fear. Despite a valiant effort, he couldn’t save her.

She wished she’d had more time with him, but if she had to die, at least it was after she found out how he really felt. His presence left her suddenly, and she could see him again as he leaned over her.

***

“I can’t,” Michael’s voice rasped. “Help, Kyle, get Max. I’m too weak!”

Michael heard Kyle’s footsteps disappearing behind him.

A light came back into her still open eyes and he leaned over her again, “Maria, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Max is coming.”

He stared into her eyes and felt her understanding. Without even trying, he was connected to her again. Then, suddenly, there was a hand on his shoulder and he felt strength surging into him.

Quickly seeking out the area of her mind that would help him find and understand the damage in her body he began to repair again.

It felt like hours, but he knew it was only a minute or two. Crushed bone in her back, seeping fluid. Nerves, ripped and torn, had to be re-connected individually. Organs in her abdomen, pierced by a broken pelvic bone, bleeding profusely. He found everything, everything, and healed it. After the eternity ended, he broke the connection with a sigh.

Blinking his eyes a few times, he stared down at her. She was blinking back, and he almost fainted when she shook her head slightly as if to clear it.

He’d done it. They stared at one another silently, and then her eyes traveled up over his shoulder and her brow became furrowed. Painfully he tore his eyes away from her and turned to follow her gaze over his shoulder.

Serena.

“Serena!” he turned his head in the opposite direction to see Isabel approaching. “I knew you were somewhere nearby. Nacedo created an illusion of you, but I had felt your presence, so I knew you were close.”

“I’m sorry, he had me bound. I felt the release,” Serena glanced over her shoulder at the small charred pile that had been Nacedo, and tears filled her eyes.

“Thank you,” Michael choked out. Her strength had saved Maria. And himself, he realized suddenly, feeling completely revitalized.

The woman nodded at him silently as tears began to fall down her cheeks. Isabel moved to wrap her arms around her as she cried.

Michael’s eyes grazed Max who was still concentrating on Tess. Apparently not getting anywhere.

Alex helped Maria to her feet and Kyle glanced up to give Michael a grateful look when he saw that his sister was better. Seeing the tears streaming down Kyle’s face, Michael realized what his friend had been faced with. He was nearly forced to choose between saving Tess and Maria.

Isabel pulled Serena over to Tess, and the two of them laid their hands on the girl. In a few moments, she was stirring and talking softly to them.

Breaking from the connection, Max looked around, asking for Nacedo. Isabel and Serena had looked away, but Kyle pointed almost happily to the pile of ashes.

“Michael won,” Kyle said simply.

Max hung his head slightly, looking overwhelmed.

Michael didn’t know what to say. He stood unsteadily to his feet, feeling Alex put a hand on his shoulder for reassurance. How do you apologize for killing someone’s surrogate father?

Liz walked to Max and put her hand on his back, crouching beside him, as Serena began to cry again into Isabel’s shoulder.

“Max…” Michael spoke, unsure of what to say.

Maria walked from behind him to crouch in front of Max and lay a hand on his shoulder. Max slowly lifted his head and looked at Michael, “No, I understand, it’s just…” he sighed.

Kyle stood up, incredulous, “Excuse me? That bastard nearly kills Tess, my sister, and my child and everyone’s sad about it? Please.”

Maria slapped his shin and he scowled at her, and then looked at Max’s face and his expression became apologetic.

Alex’s voice was soft, so only Michael could hear, “Kyle is right. I’m sorry for them, but you had no choice.”

Slowly, Michael nodded. His eyes traveled to Maria.

What would she do if he went to her and gathered her into his arms? He wanted to so badly. Nearly losing her put things in a new light. The only reason he hesitated to kiss her a few moments before was because he was afraid she was still confused about that morning. They had the rest of their lives. There wasn’t any reason to rush things. He could wait to see what her real feelings were before he acted.

Alex began to herd everyone back to their horses. Kyle lifted Tess into his arms and carried her.

Michael was amazed when Isabel threw her arms around him before mounting her horse. Awkwardly, he patted her back.

When she pulled away, she met his eyes with an amused look and whispered, “I told you that you could do it. I knew I would have picked the best man on the planet for my mate,” then she cast a glance at Alex and smiled. “Just like I did this time.”

Michael let out a small chuckle, “Whatever you do, don’t tell him that. We’ll never hear the end of it. Alex, the greatest man on earth.”

She giggled and winked at him as she mounted her horse. Michael walked alongside his brother to the spot twenty yards further back where Kyle and Alex had left their horses.

“I won’t say I was shocked to see that you two came,” he said to Alex, “but what were you thinking letting Maria and Liz come with you?”

“We didn’t bring them,” Alex said casting an angry look at Liz.

Their sister smiled at him in response, “Good thing we were here. If it weren’t for Maria, who knows how things would have turned out.”

Michael had to admit that it was true. Not that it was worth her being hurt.

Liz and Maria walked off to the side and retrieved their own horses, and the group (including Serena) headed back to town.

***

Maria watched him silently from across the sitting room. He was deep in conversation with Max. They both looked serious. Alex and Kyle were listening to them from the side and kept exchanging amused glances. She wished she knew what they were talking about.

“What do you think, Maria?” she heard Liz’s voice next to her.

Turning back to the group of women, she smiled and blushed a little, “What do I think about what?”

“Should Isabel and Alex just tell everyone that they eloped, or should they set a fake wedding date?” Liz looked at her strangely, obviously wondering why she didn’t know what was going on in the conversation.

“Oh. Um, I say just tell everyone you eloped,” she looked pointedly at Isabel.

Isabel nodded, “Anything that means Alex and I can continue to share a room.”

Serena, who had been silent most of the evening, chuckled softly, and Liz let out a shocked gasp. Tess and Maria broke into giggles.

“What?” Isabel asked, with a confused look. “I want to sleep with him.”

Maria and Tess broke out into full out laughter, while a scandalized Liz turned a brighter shade of red.

“Oh, come on, Liz,” Maria teased, “you have no right to look so self-righteous.”

Liz ducked her head with an embarrassed smile and darted a glance back at Max.

Isabel turned to Tess, “What about you and Kyle? Are you going to get married?”

Tess shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you are,” Maria smiled.

“Really?” Tess asked her, seeming genuinely surprised. “I didn’t agree to anything.”

“Well,” Liz smiled at her, “you have to get married.”

“Why?” Tess asked with genuine curiosity.

“The b-baby,” Liz stammered, looking embarrassed all over again.

Tess furrowed her brow slightly, “The baby’s coming if we get married or not.”

Maria smiled, “Tess, you won’t mind getting married will you?”

“No,” Tess said, “not really.”

Nodding slowly, Maria laughed softly. Her new sisters-in-law had a lot to learn about polite society.

“So, when will the baby come?” Isabel turned to Serena.

“It should be a little more than three months,” she said softly.

They’d learned a great deal from Serena in the last few hours. The aliens had listened in awe as Serena told them the truth about a few things Nacedo had twisted for his own reasons. They had been sent to earth in a last ditch attempt to start a new colony on another planet, but all hope of that ever happening had vanished when they’d crashed. There was no reason for them to follow their intended ‘destiny’, and in fact they had been created so that they could mate with humans as well. After Serena found out that Tess was pregnant and Nacedo intended to use the fact to lure them back, she had decided to defy him. He’d punished her for it, though. Keeping her bound in his power for the entire journey to get them. Any doubts that the woman had still harbored about the decision she’d made seemed to have vanished during his cruel treatment over the past two days. Maria had the distinct impression that she still cared a great deal for Nacedo, despite the fact that she felt her actions were right.

Maria was beginning to like Serena.

Isabel yawned, and Serena looked at her curiously, “Are you tired, Isabel?”

“Yes. Very.”

“You should probably go get some rest,” Maria said, concerned.

“Yeah,” Isabel smiled and winked at them, while she motioned Alex over.

Tess giggled softly while Alex walked over to the group followed closely by Kyle.

“What are those two talking about so intently?” Maria asked the pair, jerking her head toward Michael and Max.

“Oh, uhhh,” Kyle rolled his eyes slightly, “employment opportunities.”

“Employment opportunities?” Maria looked at her brother.

“Yeah,” Alex smiled, “Max is suddenly interested in having ‘prospects’.”

Liz blushed and looked down.

“Well, why on earth is the conversation taking so long?” Maria asked, glancing back at Michael who had his face scrunched and was pounding his palm with his fist.

“Uh, as his new boss, Michael is making rules,” Kyle smiled at Liz, “things like ‘Liz and Max must always have a chaperone when they’re together’.”

Liz made a face, and Tess and Isabel laughed. Maria scowled at Michael over her shoulder, although he was completely oblivious to it.

“Well, one of you go rescue poor Max,” Maria said looking pointedly at both Kyle and Alex.

Alex smiled but shook his head, “Not getting involved, besides I don’t think it would hurt for Liz and Max to have a few rules…”

Liz looked at him angrily.

“Then you go, Kyle,” Maria said.

“Not a chance,” Kyle shook his head slowly.

Before she could comment, however, Michael and Max walked across the room to join the larger group.

Isabel yawned, and Alex grabbed her hand, “It’s nearly supper time, I should get you home.”

She smiled at him and stood.

Liz moved to follow them, casting a furtive glance in Max’s direction.

“Uh, I think I’ll be going too,” Max said quietly, following them.

“I’m hungry too,” Kyle said, “Tess, you and Serena want to have supper with me at my father’s?”

“Sure,” Tess replied.

“Then, you wanna’ get married after we eat?” Kyle asked, reaching for her hand.

“Sure,” Tess said absentmindedly.

“All right,” Kyle smiled and pulled her to the door.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Maria halted her brother with her voice. “Just like that? ‘Wanna’ eat?’ Sure. ‘Wanna get married after dessert?’ Sure. What was that? You call that a proposal?”

Kyle cocked his head to the side and looked at her curiously, “Yeah, I guess. I don’t know. I’m hungry. First things first.”

Maria looked astounded, “But-.”

Kyle ignored his sister and turned to Serena, “Maybe we should tell people you’re Tess’s sister. I don’t think you look old enough for people to believe you’re her mother.”

Serena shrugged, disinterested.

Isabel’s voice called from the hall, “Why does she get to be Tess’s sister? I want her to be my sister.”

“No, you’ve already got Max,” Kyle called back, “Tess should have some family or people will get suspicious.”

“Good point,” Isabel called back.

Maria could only shake her head at the bizarre reality of their lives.

Walking everyone to the door, she hid a grin behind her hand as she saw Alex and Isabel’s carriage stop at the end of the drive so Liz could hop out and climb onto Max’s horse. Glancing at Michael, she knew he hadn’t seen.

She put her arms around Tess as they left the house, “My father will absolutely love you. Are you sure that you want to do this?”

Tess nodded and smiled.

Maria turned to Serena with a grin, “Thank you. For everything. For myself, and Tess, and the baby…”

Serena smiled at her softly, “You’re welcome.”

“I’ll come to see you tomorrow,” Maria turned back to Tess. “Or are you going to stay here tonight?”

“Ugh,” Kyle groaned, “guess we’ll have to stay with the General. He’ll probably insist.”

Maria nodded and pecked her brother on the cheek as he turned to follow the two women to the carriage.

“Oh, Kyle, wait!” she said quickly before he’d gotten all the way down the steps. She threw a quick glance over her shoulder and saw that Michael was already on his way upstairs.

Her brother was looking at her expectantly as she pried her mother’s wedding ring off her finger, “Here, it belonged to mother.”

Kyle looked at the ring as recognition slowly dawned on his face, “Yeah. Father gave it to you?”

Maria smiled, “Yes, but I think you might need it more than I do. This marriage is off to a less than sentimental start – maybe this will help.”

Kyle smiled slightly and kissed her on the forehead, “Thanks, ‘Ria.”

She waved at him as he climbed into the carriage, and then turned to hurry back into the house.

“Supper is served, mum,” the butler stopped her as she was mounting the stairs.

“Oh, thank you,” she turned to walk to the dining room. It couldn’t hurt if she ate before she did what she needed to do. Actually, she was fairly hungry.

***

Michael rummaged through their joint sitting room, looking for the letters. Kyle had warned him a few minutes before, downstairs, and now he had to find them before she read them.

“Damn, Kyle,” he hissed under his breath as he opened the door to her room. He hadn’t known what Kyle intended to do when he said he was going to ‘create a distraction’, so he was as stunned as Maria when he heard the awkward proposal.

Oddly, he had a feeling it was the real thing – Kyle probably was going to marry Tess tonight. Only his friend would use something that serious as a ‘distraction’. Shaking his head slightly, he had to admit to himself that his own proposal had been less than perfect. He blushed when he remembered his horrible stammering explanation.

Ah, he found them! They were on her dressing table. Gathering the letters up he examined the seal on hers to see that it was undamaged, then he ran into his own room and stuffed them under the mattress. Mission accomplished.

“Ahem,” he was startled by a voice behind him, the butler. “Dinner is served, sir.”

“Thank you,” Michael nodded in dismissal, but then spoke again to the man before he left the room. “Was my note delivered to the man at the wharf?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Was there any reply?”

“I believe the stable boy said that the man laughed and said, ‘all right, I won’t kill him’.”

The butler looked confused, but Michael knew the man wouldn’t question the strange message.

“Thank you, I’ll be down in a moment,” he tried to hide a smile. His step was considerably lighter as he made his way downstairs.

She was seated at the table, and he quickly sat down across from her. Her face had been washed, but there was still dirt on her neck and at the edges of her hair. The braid, which had been smooth this morning, was frazzled and unraveling. The clothes she wore (which were earning her scandalized looks from most of the staff) were rumpled and grimy.

Somehow, she’d never looked more beautiful.

“I was hoping you’d gone upstairs to change,” she said lightly, not looking at him. He looked down at himself, he was in much worse condition than she was.

“I’m only following your example,” he replied.

She smirked.

They continued to eat in silence. Michael had thought that their actions the night before or the kiss this morning would hang between them, making everything uncomfortable, but it didn’t. It seemed they were back to their bantering routine as if nothing had happened between them. He could live with that. There was plenty of time to address things, no rush.

“Thank you,” she said, meeting his eyes,” for saving me.”

He choked on the bite in his mouth and had to pound his chest briefly and take a long drink of water before he could speak. She simply watched with a slightly amused expression.

“I- uh, it wasn’t…I mean, of course. Well-…D-did you think I was going to let you die?”

“No,” she shook her head, taking another bite.

“I should thank you, I suppose. Even though you had no business being there, and even less getting involved.”

“Well, I imagine that’s as close to a ‘thank you’ as I’ll ever get from you, so you’re welcome,” her smile was amused, teasing.

He scowled at her. Why did she always fluster him?

“I’m going to burn those clothes,” he gestured at what she was wearing, “every time you wear them you get into trouble.”

If he’d thought that would put her on the defensive, he was wrong.

She laughed out loud, “Fine. Go ahead. I’ll just wear yours.”

He tried to scowl again, but a smile played on his lips. Good thing she didn’t know how he really felt about her wearing those things.

“Why were you giving Max such a hard time earlier?” she asked as she continued to eat.

“Hard time? I thought I was fairly reasonable. You don’t know what it’s like to walk into someone’s house in the morning to see your sister walk out of their bedroom.”

“Hmm…Bit hypocritical of you, I think. When my brother saw you walk out of my bedroom one morning you were ready to kill him for even suggesting that he suspected anything.”

Dammit. How did she do this? They’d been in a life or death situation just hours ago, and now all he could think about was how to get the upper hand in a conversation.

“That was completely different. I told him I was going to stay in your room the night before.”

“Uh huh,” her tone was patronizing.

“What is ‘uh huh’ for? You know nothing happened between us.”

“Uh huh.”

“Maria…” he was exasperated.

“Michael…” she mimicked, lifting her eyebrows.

“All right, all right. I won’t say anything else to him, happy?”

“Mm hmm,” she nodded, her mouth full.

“Ahem,” the butler interrupted them from the doorway, “your baths have been drawn, sir.”

“Thank you,” Maria sing-songed.

“Wait,” Michael held up his hand to stop the man. “Did Mr. Filmore bathe every night?”

The older man made an amused face, “No, decidedly not, sir.”

“Then why is it that you draw us each a bath every night? Most people don’t bathe that often.”

Taking two steps into the room, the butler nodded in Maria’s direction, “Standing orders from Mrs. Guerin, sir.”

Michael was barely able process what the man said - he’d called her Mrs. Guerin. Mrs. Guerin? He hadn’t heard anyone say it yet. Now he had to hear it again.

“Oh, standing orders from Mrs. Guerin, eh?” he looked at her, and she pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows as if daring him to protest.

“Yes, sir.”

“Kindly thank Mrs. Guerin for taking such an avid interest in my hygiene.”

The butler looked slightly flustered, and glanced between them, unsure if he should actually obey.

Maria held a straight face, “Please tell Mr. Guerin that I am happy to be of help.”

Michael smirked, “Tell Mrs. Guerin that while I’m grateful, her attentions are unnecessary.”

The butler looked completely lost, and took a step back from the table.

“Inform Mr. Guerin that the next thing to go on standing order will be a monthly haircut.”

He pointed a finger in her direction, “Tell Mrs. Guerin that no one is touching Mr. Guerin’s hair.”

At the sound of the butler’s hasty retreat into the hall they both laughed.

“They’re all going to think we’re insane,” she said, throwing her napkin onto the table.

“Speak for yourself,” he said.

“Well,” she smiled as she stood, “I’m not insane enough to let my bath get cold.”

Without another word, she flounced out of the room.

***

She dried her hair carefully as she looked into her vanity mirror. Well, she certainly looked better than she had earlier. Grabbing her brush, she made several quick swipes at her hair before wrapping it up in the bath sheet. Hopefully it would be dry soon.

Standing, she reached for the tiny vial of jasmine oil. She always used it after she bathed, but tonight she was going to be especially liberal with it. Pouring a small amount onto her hand, she rubbed her palms together and then stood to begin massaging it into her skin.

All day she’d been working out a plan for tonight. She knew she had to play her part perfectly or it wouldn’t work. Thinking of the flashes brought a smile to her face, as she put more oil on her hands and began to work it into her arms.

He wanted her to come to him. Wanted her to give herself to him, of her own volition. So she would. Of course, he’d refused her the night before, but she knew he wouldn’t again. Now he at least suspected how she felt, although he didn’t have any idea of the extent of it, and he would accept her offer. She would climb into his bed, into his arms, and make him believe.

Smiling at herself in the mirror, she remembered how hopeless she’d felt the night before. Feeling embarrassed, unwanted, unloved. He felt the same way. Confused, afraid that she would laugh if she knew how he felt. So, she’d lay her heart at his feet, and his fear would be gone. She nearly giggled in anticipation. All of this time, all of these years, finally…

Unwrapping the material from her head, she brushed her hair again. Oh, why wouldn’t it dry already?!?

***

Michael stepped out of his bath and dried quickly. He didn’t know if Maria would sleep in his room tonight, but he didn’t want her to catch him in the same position she had the night before.

After he’d dressed in his loose cotton pants and brushed his hair, he hopped into bed and reached under the mattress, pulling out Kyle’s letter.

For about ten seconds, he debated the horrors of opening something that belonged to someone else – then, of course, he tore the seal open. Scanning down the page, he came to the last few lines…

“…there’s even more to tell you about Michael. He’s an idiot. I tried to tell him to talk to you himself, but something tells me that he won’t. He’s crazy about you. The other day, he got gooey and told me that he married you because he really wanted to. I don’t know how you feel, but I thought you should know.”

Michael rolled his eyes. Typical Kyle. What good would it have done for her to read that after he left? But, if she read it now…

He stopped his hand before he let the flame touch the paper. Would it actually kill him if she knew? After this morning she had to have some idea, anyway. Maybe this would be the easy way. He could leave it for her to read, and let her decide how to act on it.

Carefully he re-folded the letter, and walked to the desk in the corner. He melted a tiny bit of red wax back onto the seal and smoothed it with a letter opener. If she didn’t examine it closely, she’d never know it had been opened. Walking back to the bed, he held the letter in his hand, debating what to do.

He could leave it on the table at her side of the bed. Although, judging by how long it had been since he’d gone to bed he imagined that she was planning to sleep in her own room for the night.

Tomorrow morning, he could leave all three letters in the adjoining sitting room. She might wonder how they’d been moved from her own room, but would likely dismiss it as something the maid had done.

Reaching under the bed, he grabbed the other two documents, and rolled over to place them on the table at her side of the bed. If she came in tonight, she would find them; if she didn’t, he’d put them in the other room in the morning.

After he extinguished his candle, he stared at the table, barely able to make out the letters in the moonlight. He couldn’t stop thinking about her reading them, and his heart began to pound, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea after all…

He moved to reach for them, but he then he heard the door open.

S**t.

Now that she was actually in the room, he wasn’t sure…

She was carrying a small lamp, and she set it gingerly on the table next to the letters. He saw the curiosity on her face as she reached out to touch one of them. Then, she shook her head slightly, obviously not very disconcerted at seeing them in his room.

S**t. It was a stupid idea. What had he been thinking?!?

He watched as she turned her back to the bed. Her hair was hanging down her back over the material of the dressing gown. It took him a couple of tries to swallow. God, he hoped she wasn’t wearing the camisole and short pants…

She let the dressing gown fall from her shoulders and slowly turned to him and slid into the bed.

He laid back against the pillows in shock. Had he just seen what he thought he saw? Shaking his head slightly and blinking his eyes, he dared another glance over at her as she settled into bed next to him.

A moment ago, he’d thought there couldn’t be anything worse than her little outfit, but he was wrong… Nude was worse.

Her eyes met his as she pulled the covers up under her chin. Desire, naked desire, was in her gaze.

What was he supposed to do? He couldn’t-.

Oh hell, yes he could.

Thoughts of the smart thing to do, the right thing to do, flew out of his head as he reached for her.

She met him halfway. Her fingers gripping his shoulders, her lips crushing against his own.

She wanted him . There was no question.

He buried his hands in her hair and then slowly ran them down her back, feeling the wide expanses of her delicate skin under his fingers. Her tongue was playing seductively with his own.

She pushed him onto his back and rolled on top of him. Breaking the kiss to pull back for a moment and gaze down at him. Her naked body glistened above him in the moonlight, and he sat up quickly, pulling her to him, burying his face in her neck.

He couldn’t get enoug. Somewhere, a small voice in his mind told him to go slowly, to touch her softly, but he ignored it as his hands demandingly explored every inch of her body.

“ I want you,” she whispered into his ear.

Her passion ruled him. The seconds ticked into minutes, and the minutes seemed to pass into hours as they fought for dominance, moaning one another’s names…

***

Maria was awakened to the sound of Michael cursing, as he rolled her off of his chest and jumped out of bed.

“ S**t, s**t, s**t!”

“What?” she yawned.

He glanced at her as he ran across the room and quickly dunked his head into the wash basin.

Her view was slightly obstructed by the dressing screen, but she could see by the agonized look on his face when he stood up that the water was cold. He washed himself quickly and then threw on his pants and shirt from the night before.

“Oh, crap!” he hissed as he grabbed a brush off the vanity and tried to tame his hair.

“What, Michael?” she asked again as she sat up and stretched.

“Kyle and Max. Told them to meet me here at 10, and it’s a quarter after. S**t,” he ran back across the room and slid into the chair by the window to put on his shoes.

She giggled, “Well it’s not as if it’s life and death.”

As she laughed a little harder, she heard Kyle’s loud voice from the adjoining sitting room, “Well, I’ll look for him in here if I bloody well want to.”

Michael ran across the floor and threw her dressing gown at her, “He hates it when I sleep in, he thinks it’s his moral duty to wake me up.”

There was a knock at the door, “Get decent, Michael, I’m coming in. Do you know what time it is?”

Maria grabbed the dressing gown and ran for cover behind the screen. She barely made it before Kyle flung the door open.

“God, Kyle, get out,” Michael growled at her brother.

“What in God’s name for? I’m not the one who slept through his appointment.”

“All right, you made your point, I’m awake, now go downstairs and wait for me. I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Fine, fine. Oh, I see you found the letters.”

“Yeah. Go.Downstairs.”

“She didn’t see it did she?”

“Dammit, Kyle – go downstairs.”

“All right. All right.”

Maria heard Michael slam the door and she ventured out from behind the screen.

Michael looked startled by her presence. They hadn’t exactly had time to discuss anything last night, they’d both been so tired they’d simply fallen asleep.

“I just realized it was kind of stupid for me to hide, I mean we’re married,” she smiled slightly at Michael, and clutched her dressing gown tighter. Why did she feel embarrassed?

“Oh, uh, yeah. You’re right,” he kept his eyes on her as he slowly moved until he was standing directly in front of the little table on her side of the bed. “Um, the coast is probably clear if you want to slip over to your room. He’ll probably come looking for you if you don’t show up downstairs.”

Maria nodded slightly and started to walk to the door, then paused and turned slowly to face him, “What was Kyle talking about? About the letters?”

Michael looked startled, “Huh? Oh, he-…uh, he wanted me to make sure they didn’t get sent to your father.”

He was hiding something. Seeing that he wasn’t about to reveal what it was, she continued on out the door. She’d just sneak back in and get them after he went downstairs.

***

Michael swiped a hand across his forehead in relief the minute she walked out the door. That had been a close one. He glanced at the letters on the table behind him. After last night, he didn’t have the courage to let her read what Kyle said.

If she did, she’d know how completely pathetic he was, and he didn’t know if his heart could take it. Better to live with what they had than to risk her knowing how far gone he was.

Last night had been unbelievable. No one had ever made him feel like she did. Not even his wildest fantasies could touch the reality of making love to her. She was relentless in her pursuit of pleasure, even her own pain hadn’t stopped her. He wished he could remember exactly how many times they’d-.

No, he didn’t have time to reminisce. He needed to get downstairs and discuss Max’s new position with Kyle.

Tucking in his shirt as he went, he moved down the stairway and then down the short hall to his study. The sound of Liz’s voice stopped him in the hall before he entered. What was she doing here?

“Kyle, you’re disgusting,” Liz said.

“What? A bet is a bet. Alex owes me 100 pounds.”

Michael wasn’t sure why, but he had a feeling he should stay in the hallway.

“That is horrible. I can’t believe that either of you would bet on whether or not they were sleeping together.”

Michael’s mouth went dry, and his fists clenched in rage.

Kyle was laughing, “Alex is the one who started it. I tried to tell him that Michael would never have the guts to tell her. Besides, she’s in love with the guy from the ball.”

“What?” Liz asked sharply. “What ball? What guy?”

“You know, whoever it was she danced with at the Landon’s ball. The one she’s in love with. When he thought the end of the world was coming, Michael told me to ask you who it was so that I could push them together.”

Dammit, he’d told Kyle not to tell anyone, and here he was blabbing to Liz.

“Maria only danced once at the ball,” Liz said slowly.

“Yeah,” Kyle’s voice was insistent, “well – who did she dance with?”

“Michael,” Liz said.

“No,” Kyle snickered, “I mean ‘who else’ did she dance with.”

Michael listened closely, wishing he didn’t want to know who the man was.

“I told you, Kyle, she only danced once. This is a stupid conversation, I know Maria is in love with Michael.”

What? Had he heard that correctly?

“So, if Michael’s the only one she danced with, then…What do you mean you know she’s in love with him?”

“Well, I probably shouldn’t tell you, but she didn’t say to keep it quiet. She’s in love with him, and she told me she always had been.”

“Oh,” Kyle’s voice was soft.

Michael couldn’t breathe. That couldn’t possibly be true. Could it? His feet started to move, and suddenly he was in the room with them. Oh, no, Max was present as well.

“Liz, I’m the only one she danced with?” he choked the question out, looking in his sister’s direction.

She seemed startled to see him, “Yes.”

“She’s in love with me?” his voice was hoarse.

“I-I thought she was going to tell you. The night you were leaving, I thought she was going to…That’s the reason I told you to tell her,” Liz looked nervous.

“Just answer me straight out, Liz.”

“Yes, she’s in love with you.”

“And, you’re sure she was telling the truth?”

A slight smile played at his sister’s lips, “Oh yes, it’s true.”

“All right, get out,” he jerked his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the front hall.

Max moved to stand, Liz narrowed her eyes, and Kyle maintained the slack jawed look he’d held since Michael walked in.

“I mean it. Now! Everyone, go home.”

A bewildered looking Max walked past him and out the door.

Liz grabbed Kyle’s arm and pulled him with her, pausing briefly to scowl at her brother, “If this wasn’t such a delicate situation, I would have a serious discussion with you about your manners.”

“ Get out, Liz.”

She smirked and pulled Kyle out the door.

He waited until he heard the large front door open and close and then he ran up the stairs. At the doorway to their joint sitting room, he nearly collided with the maid.

“Mrs. Guerin and I are not to be disturbed,” he said to the girl as he walked past her.

“But, sir,” the maid protested and he whirled back to face her, “Mrs. Guerin said-.”

“Not.To.Be. Disturbed.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And close the door behind you,” he said softening his voice slightly.

When he heard the click of the door closing, he walked to the entrance to her room. For a moment he considered knocking, but instead threw the door open wide.

“Henrietta?” she called from behind the screen. “Did you forget something?”

He slammed her bedroom door behind him and strode over to the screen.

She was in her bath.

“Uh, Michael,” she flushed and crossed her arms over her chest.

Michael ignored the effect her naked body was having on him.

“Who did you dance with at the Landon’s ball, Maria?” his voice was harsh.

“You,” she said looking at him strangely.

“Was there anyone else?”

“No,” her voice was firm.

It was true. From her own lips.

Why hadn’t she told him? Why hadn’t she told him?

“ Why didn’t you tell me?” his voice was suddenly quiet.

“I was going to tell you,” she stated simply.

“When?”

“Last night.”

“Why didn’t you?”

She smiled slowly, “Um, if you’ll remember, we got distracted...”

He walked over to the tub and dropped to his knees beside it, searching her eyes. Knowing that his anger was irrational, but unable to stop it.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” his voice was strained, urgent.

“I was afraid you would reject me,” for the first time since he’d spoken, she dropped her eyes in embarrassment. “I’m not like Lady Margaret or Patricia Landon, I thought you were only being nice to me because you felt sorry for me. I mean, I’m just Maria.”

The anger disappeared. She had been as frightened of him finding out about her feelings as he was of her finding out about his.

He had to tell her.

“Maria, I-,” he swallowed hard, “I-I…Maria, I…”

God, she had literally laid herself bare before him and he couldn’t even tell her.

She reached out and laid her palm against his cheek, looking at him with eyes full of understanding, “You don’t have to-.”

“No,” he said firmly, shaking her hand off of him. “I have to- to-…” there had to be some way to tell her, “Uh, the letters…Kyle’s letters.”

She reached down to the floor in front of him and grabbed a sheet of paper that he hadn’t noticed lying there, “ This letter?”

He nodded.

She dropped the letter and cupped his face between her hands, “I already know, Michael.”

His eyes searched hers.

Suddenly, she rose up out of the water and stepped onto the floor. She wrapped a bath sheet around her body and then reached down to pull him to his feet. Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck.

Had she really felt as unworthy as he had? He looked down at her. She was perfect, a goddess. Maria.

And, she loved him.

When she leaned up for a kiss, he met her mouth with a whimper. She loved him. Then, the images came. Flooding over him. Every reason he’d ever had to believe she would never care was disproved when he saw himself through her eyes. He saw her own self-doubt, her fears, he even saw the reason she knew how he felt.

Michael reached down to cup his arm behind her knees, and swept her up into his arms. She caught his lips again as he walked to the bed on the opposite side of the room.

Laying her on it gently, he unwrapped the bath sheet from around her body and laid down beside her.

“Maria,” he whispered, as he caressed her face with his hand.

“Michael…”

“Say it, Maria. Please.”

She softly brushed her fingers across his forehead and gave him a sultry smile.

“I love you, Michael.”

“I love you, too.”

***

THE END