CHAPTER 16

Maria headed down the nearly empty hallway, her mind on the afternoon ahead of her. One more class to get through, and then it was off to rehearsal. She smiled to herself--this afternoon they were going to run the musical numbers with the combo for the first time. Alex had warned her that things might be a little shaky since the combo hadn't had much of a chance to practice by itself yet, much less with the cast, but somehow he'd talked the others into jumping right into things feet first. They'd learn the music as they played it, he had insisted. Plus their keyboard player was Aaron Davis, who'd been accompanying the rehearsals so far; he at least would be able to lead them through. Frankly, Maria didn't care how they sounded; she was just happy Alex would be there.

Humming a snatch of 'Somewhere That's Green' as she swiftly made her way down the hall, she was taken by surprise as an arm reached out, latched onto her, and unceremoniously pulled her into the eraser room.

"Hey!" she began indignantly, then stopped. It was Michael. Oh boy. Michael. Eraser room. Some heavy-duty memories there...No, she wasn't even going to think about it. Space. She was giving him space.

She managed to paste a composed look on her face and asked, "What's up, Michael?" He shifted uncomfortably, eyes avoiding her. She gave him a moment, and then turned to leave. Not more of this, thank you very much. He'd pulled her in here, not the other way around.

Her hand was on the doorknob when she heard it. "Wait, Maria. Don't go. I...I need to talk to you."

Hmmm. This was more than he'd said to her in a week. She turned and arched one eyebrow in expectation. "Well?" she asked.

Michael thrust one hand unsteadily through his spiky hair, as if that would make the words come more easily. After a moment, he said hoarsely, "Maria. I..." His voice trailed off, and he turned and slammed his fist against the wall. "Dammit! I'm no good at this," he muttered. Then Maria watched, wide-eyed, as he drew himself up determinedly and looked her in the eye. "It's me," he blurted. "I'm back. And I...I love you."

Maria caught her breath, staring at the usually shuttered dark eyes that now seemed to say so much. "Michael?" she asked unsteadily. Her heart began to pound, so loud she thought the entire school would hear it. Maybe the whole town. Slowly, she reached out with a trembling hand and touched his cheek softly. Closing his eyes, he whispered, "Yeah."

"Oh, Michael," she choked, rushing into his arms. He held her tightly to him, and she breathed in, trying to absorb his slightly musky scent. A joyous smile lit her face, although he couldn't see it, since her cheek was pressed tightly against his chest.

He chuckled softly as she tried to burrow even more deeply into his embrace, then took her gently by the shoulders and held her away from him. "Look, there are some things you don't know. I need to tell you about them. I..." Once again his voice trailed off, and he swallowed.

Putting her hand gently against his lips, Maria said, "That doesn't matter right now. All that matters is you're back." She smiled up at him, and added, "And you love me?"

He laid a gentle kiss on the fingers that were still pressed to his mouth and then took her hand in his. He said simply, "Yeah. I do."

The smile on her face grew to a full-fledged grin. "Well then, Spaceboy, what are you planning to do about it?" she asked with a happy lilt in her voice. His eyes darkened and held hers as he moved toward her. His gaze didn't waver as he purposefully pulled her back into his arms, taking her chin in his hand and bending his head towards hers. She raised her face, meeting his lips in a searing kiss. Mouths melded, hands clutched, and senses seemed to spiral out of control...

FLASH
<<Michael sitting in a booth at the Crashdown, idly playing with an empty Tabasco bottle and responding noncommittally to something Max said.>>

FLASH
<<A scowling Michael gazing off over the quarry, softening as Maria approached.>>

FLASH
<<Michael, sitting with head in his hands, in a round, metallic room.>>

FLASH
<<Michael sitting in a round room.>>

FLASH
<<Michael in the round room.>>

Pulling back from him with a gasp, Maria stared into his suddenly worried eyes. "What?" he asked sharply, gripping her shoulders tightly. The look in her eyes seemed to reassure him, and he took a deep breath, relaxing his hold on her. "What is it?" he asked again, more calmly.

"I saw you," she answered, her eyes shining. "I got flashes from you." Her voice rose, and she burst out, "Michael! You didn't shut me out or close me off. You let me see you!" She reached up and pulled his face down to hers, pressing a rain of soft kisses on his cheeks, his chin, his lips.

"Hey," he protested with a smirk. "I told you already. I love you." He ran a light finger down the bridge of her nose. "I meant it."

"I think you really did," she practically sang. "Michael, I love you, too."

"Good," he said simply, pulling her in for another kiss. She could hardly believe it. One minute things were going on like usual, stressful and aggravating, and the next, she was supremely happy. Well, she deserved it. Michael deserved it. Everyone deserved this much happiness, she thought giddily. Human, alien, it didn't matter.

Smiling, she tried to pull away. He let out a small moan of protest before blindly seeking her mouth again, but she managed to avoid it long enough to murmur his name.

"What?" he asked between kisses.

"Do Max and Isabel know?"

"What? That I love you? Pretty obvious, don'tcha think?"

She chuckled. "No, Spaceboy, that you're back."

"Not yet. I wanted to find you first."

"Well, let's find them and tell them!" she commanded. "They'll be so happy about it. As happy as I am. Well," she amended, "almost as happy as I am, anyway."

He smirked down at her. "I didn't know I was so popular."

"Oh yeah, that's it," she retorted teasingly. "So let's get them. And Liz, and Alex."

"They're in class right now," he reminded her. Huh. This from Michael, who'd probably missed more classes than he'd ever attended.

"And we shouldn't be?"

He shrugged and admitted, "I couldn't wait."

"So when did this happen? You didn't seem any different in English this morning," she commented.

He looked uncomfortable. "It just happened. That's one of the things I need to talk to you about." Heading to the door, he opened it and glanced into the hall. She did the same. The coast was clear. "Come on," he said. "I need to show you something."

"Where are we going?" she demanded.

"You'll see."

Together, they traveled down the hallway, back past her locker and down towards the auditorium. That reminded her. "I can't be gone long, okay? I have rehearsal after school."

"Oh yeah, the play."

"I didn't know you knew about it," she said, surprised.

"I know about a lot of stuff," he said cryptically.

They were almost past the auditorium when the double doors swung open. Maria was startled to see Liz there. "There you are," Liz said. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Why aren't you in class, Liz?" Maria asked, ignoring her own truancy.

"I needed to see you. I needed to tell you something."

"What?" Maria asked.

"I need to tell you in private," Liz said, eyeing Michael disdainfully.

"It's all right," said Maria. "It's Michael. The real Michael. He's back. You can tell me in front of him."

Liz hesitated, and then wheedled, "Please Maria? It will only take a minute."

Maria was about to nod when Michael tensed and gripped her arm firmly. "Don't. Something's wrong. Don't go with her."

Maria looked at him in confusion. "What? It's Liz. What do you mean?" He was glaring with something akin to hatred at her best friend, who, she was frightened to note, had a very similar look on her face.

"Don't listen to him, Maria," Liz pleaded. "He's not who he says he is."

"You're the one who's not who you say you are, Liz," he retorted. Maria looked back and forth from one to the other. What on earth was going on? This was her best friend, who she'd known forever, and her...well, her Michael. How could they behave like this to each other? Didn't they know how important they both were to her?

"Maria, listen to me. Please," Liz begged.

"I love you. Trust me," Michael commanded.

"Ummm...guys? Are you trying to make me, like, choose between you or something?" Maria asked. "'Cause I don't think I can. I love you both. Well, not exactly in the same way," she fumbled. "But you are seriously acting weird. Both of you. So quit it, okay?"

Neither of them paid her any heed. "Stay away from her!" shouted Liz.

"Try and make me!" Michael taunted, letting go of Maria and taking one threatening step towards Liz.

Maria tried again to be heard. "Guys! Stop it!" They continued to ignore her, facing off like a pair of Western gunfighters. Okay. This was going beyond weird. Enough already. Stepping between them, she put her arms out to keep them apart, saying, "Stop it, you two. It's--" One outstretched hand rested against Michael's chest. The other...

...went right through Liz. As if she wasn't there, except for a cold, clammy kind of feeling. Oh god. What was going on? Trembling, Maria took a step back toward Michael, who wrapped his arms protectively around her waist and drew her away from her...friend?

"Liz," she whispered, staring at the familiar face before her.

"It's not Liz," Michael said softly.

Liz--or whoever or whatever looked like Liz--began to laugh derisively. An expression of menace crossed her--its--features. Michael continued to pull Maria away from the thing that wore her friend's face. "Come on," he whispered urgently. "We gotta get out of here!"

Dragging her horrified eyes from her friend, Maria allowed Michael to grab her hand. Without another word, they turned and began to run.

Down the hall away from the auditorium they went, the continuing laughter growing fainter behind them. "Which way?" gasped Maria, her hand still gripped tightly in Michael's.

"Here," he barked, and guided her towards a nearby staircase.

"What good will the second floor do?" she asked impatiently. "Let's find Max and Isabel and Alex and...Oh my god. Liz. What was that? Where is she?" she cried, panicked.

"No time for that now. We need to get out of here," Michael shot back.

"But--"

"No questions," he interrupted. "Do you trust me?"

She didn't even hesitate. "Of course I trust you. I just--"

"Then go! Now!" He pushed her toward the stairs, and she began to climb them hurriedly. Michael followed closely, his hand on her back.

After a few flights, she stopped and whispered, "Are they following?"

Michael listened for a moment and shook his head. "I don't know," he admitted. "Maria," he asked intently, "do you know your lines?"

"What?" she asked, confused.

"Listen to me. Do you know your lines?" he repeated.

"Well, most of them, I think. Why?"

He didn't answer her question, saying instead, "Good. Maria, I need you to get to the top of the stairs. There's something up there we need."

"I am not leaving you!" she shouted.

"No, I'll be right behind you. I just need to make sure we're not being followed first."

"But Michael--" she protested.

"Just do it, okay? I'll explain later."

She took in the pleading expression in his eyes and reluctantly gave in. "All right. But if you're not up there with me in three minutes, I'm coming back after you."

Taking her face in his hands, he left a quick kiss on her lips and then turned her roughly towards the next flight of stairs. "Just get to the top. Find it. I'll be there in a minute."

Blindly she began to hustle up the stairs. She could do this. Get to the top, find it--Wait a minute. Find what? Well, whatever it was, Michael said it would help them, so find it she would. She turned to take a look behind her, but there was no sign of Michael. Of anyone, actually. The building seemed empty. She shivered, suddenly feeling cold. She didn't remember being on this floor of the school before--which was it, the ninth? tenth?--and she'd wager no one else had been either. The steps had become gradually more grimy, and she now had to stop to brush the occasional cobweb from her face. How many more steps were there? She felt like she'd been climbing forever.

Just when she was about to give up and sit on the steps in defeat, she turned the corner and saw a metal door a few steps above her. The sign on the door read 'Fire Exit'. Finally! Climbing the last few steps, she pushed the door open and began to hunt for the item she knew Michael needed so badly. Where was it? What was it? Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something glinting in the dim light. Turning toward it, she bent and slowly picked up the relic that would save them all. Her hands trembled as she held it. It was a...

...peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

Huh?

"Maria!" The voice broke in. "You're on!"

What? She turned to face Isabel. The tall girl looked down on her impatiently. "You're late for your entrance," she hissed, taking Maria by the arm and thrusting her towards the black curtain to the left. "Go on, they're waiting for you!" With that, she shoved Maria through the curtain and onto the stage.

Maria caught herself before she could do more than stumble a few steps, and tried to look out at the audience. The lights were blazing in her eyes, and she couldn't see beyond them, but she could feel the expectation pouring out from the people who sat, unseen and silent, watching in the dark. Oh boy. What scene were they in? She looked frantically around the stage, shooting a panicked look at Mark, who was waiting quietly for her to...to what? Was it her line next? If only Mark would pull it together and give her a little help. A clue as to where they were or something.

Holding the sandwich tightly in one hand, she fumbled with the other in her pocket. Aaaahhh. There it was. "Just a second," she said to Mark in a stage whisper, pulling the script out of her pocket and thumbing through it frantically. She squinted and tried to focus on the page, but the words danced around and blurred mockingly, no matter what she did. Darn it! She looked helplessly at Mark, who continued to stand there with a dopey grin on his face. Fantastic. Some help he was.

A thought popped into her head. Alex! Alex would help her. Moving towards the front of the stage, she shielded her eyes from the pink-gelled spotlights that were trained on her and peered unsteadily into the orchestra pit. Where was he? He'd give her a hand, wouldn't he? A clue. Anything...

She gave a sudden shiver as a familiar tingle ran down her spine. Michael was nearby! In her panic, she's almost forgotten him. She'd told him she knew her lines, and now here she was, making a complete fool of herself in front of him. God, this sucked. Wait a minute--she needed to pull herself together here. The show must go on, and all that hackneyed bullshit. Stepping even closer to the edge of the stage, she hissed, "Line?" and listened intently for a familiar voice to hand her the cue line.

Instead what she got was a hand on her back, between her shoulder blades, and then she was falling forward into the orchestra pit, falling...falling, like Alice down the rabbit hole...until she landed with a crash...

...on the floor next to her bed. She lay there for a moment, stunned, before carefully rolling up into a sitting position and gently touching the now sore spot on her forehead. God, even her dreams were giving her headaches...

And outside Maria's window, a spike-headed form crouched in the dark, unmoving, as he kept guard over the girl inside.

CHAPTER 17

Juggling her history book in her hands, Maria walked down the nearly empty hall. Late again. If she hadn't taken the time to stash her other books in her locker...Oh well. Just this one class to get through--if she could remember any of the facts she'd memorized about world exploration in the sixteenth century, anyway--and then it would be off to rehearsal. She gave a happy little skip as she remembered that Alex would be there that afternoon. For some reason he'd talked the other combo members into joining the cast a week early. It would be rough, but they'd pick the music up as they ran scenes. Plus Aaron had already been playing for rehearsals, and he'd help guide the musicians through. Maria could hardly wait for Alex to join them--she would feel so much more confident with his quiet support.

Her mind on the afternoon ahead, Maria was understandably taken aback when a large hand suddenly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the eraser room, pushing her past before closing the door tightly behind them. Turning back towards the door, she opened her mouth to scold, but closed it abruptly. Michael. In the eraser room. She shivered as a sudden fit of déja vu struck her. This had happened before--but when?

Visions of a weirdly frightening Liz, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and endless flights of stairs tumbled around in her mind before she latched onto the dream she'd had the night before. In her dream, Michael had pulled her in to the eraser room, just like this, to tell her he was himself--and to profess his love for her. Now here he was, pulling her into the eraser room again, for real this time.

She swallowed as her mind continued to race. What if it hadn't been just an ordinary dream? What if it was a precognitive one? Sure, she'd never had one before, but there was a first time for everything, right? Maybe it was all going to happen for real. Maybe he'd tell her--

She sucked in a gasp of air. "Michael?" she said hopefully.

He didn't answer, instead looking right over her head and saying flatly, "See, I told you."

What? She turned and looked behind her, at whomever he was addressing. Well, well. Isabel. Okay, even in her most frightening dreams, she'd never imagined herself in the eraser room with Michael and Isabel!!

"Let me see," the tall girl instructed.

Maria tried to be nonchalant about it. "See what?" she asked innocently.

Michael was instantly by her side, pushing back the wave of hair she'd so carefully arranged over her forehead that morning. "This," he specified calmly.

Darn it! It really wasn't that bad--yeah, a lump and a slowly darkening bruise, but she'd had bumps and bruises before. Besides, she'd really wanted to keep it hidden. To avoid a situation like this one. Because, frankly, she felt really stupid about it. She hadn't fallen out of bed since she'd graduated from her crib into a 'big girl' bed. And she wasn't a toddler any more, after all. "It's nothing," she said in an attempt to blow it all off.

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" Isabel said kindly. "Hold still." She lightly ran her fingers over Maria's forehead, healing it. "There," she added in satisfaction, "now it's nothing."

Maria put her hand up. Her forehead was once again smooth and unbruised. "Thanks," she said simply.

Isabel smiled warmly. "No problem," she returned airily. Maria smiled. Maybe she was going to get out of this without having to embarrass herself after all.

Their moment of bonding was interrupted by a gravelly voice. "What happened? Who hurt you?"

Oh, fantastic. Just what she'd wanted to avoid. "Nothing hap--Wait. What do you mean, who hurt me? No one hurt me. It was an accident."

"Okay, so who accidentally hurt you?" Michael shot back. Was that a flicker of emotion across his face? Why was he getting so upset over a little bruise?

Isabel caught Maria's eye before shooting a pointed glance at Michael, whose hands were clenched tightly. "You'd better tell us," she advised. "Before Mr. Calm here starts accidentally exploding things."

Oh, great. Double great. Fine. They wanted her to embarrass herself? Okay, she would. What was a little humiliation between friends? God, the things she did for these Czechoslovakians...

"Fine. I just had a little nightmare and...and I fell out of bed, okay?" she admitted, her face flushing as she spoke. "Just me being klutzy again. No big deal." She looked up to see Isabel's eyes dancing in amusement. "So not all of us can be perfectly graceful all the time, oh perfect one."

With a little laugh, Isabel said, "You've obviously never seen me on a bad day."

"Seen you on a bad day? I didn't even know you had them," joked Maria.

Isabel rolled her eyes and then asked, "You're fine now, right?" At Maria's nod, she teased, "Well then, maybe you should borrow a sleeping bag for the floor. Might be safer."

Maria grinned. "Not with my luck." She decided that turn about was fair play; her turn to tease. "So what exactly were you and Spaceboy here doing alone in the eraser room anyway, hmmm?" she asked, raising one eyebrow mockingly.

Isabel laughed, "You know, a little of this, a little of that--"

Michael, his face once more impassive, interrupted, breaking the jovial mood. "We were waiting for you."

Huh. Spaceboy had no sense of humor. "Well, you found me. And healed me--thanks again, by the way--so now may I go? I'm late for a history class. So are you, as a matter of fact, Michael," she pointed out.

"You go ahead. I just need to check on a few things first," he said cryptically.

"I'm late too," said Isabel. "See you later!" and she was out the door.

Maria looked carefully at Michael. She'd been really good--hard though it was--and had left him to his own devices, giving him the space he said he needed. Should she take this opportunity to press him about his situation? Well, no time like the present. History could wait; here she went. "Michael," she began, only to stop as he looked at her, his eyes flat and dull. Hmmm...maybe this wasn't such a good time after all. Okay, switch topics.

"So why did you think someone hurt me, anyway?" she asked in an attempt to make conversation. Her lack of real interest reversed itself immediately when he looked away sharply. This was interesting. What was he thinking? "Well?" she prodded.

"No reason. I just saw the bruise in English this morning."

"And you leapt to the conclusion that someone had been hurting me?"

His stared down at her. "It's not like it hasn't happened before."

"It has not! I haven't--"

"That's not what I mean. I meant I've been known to jump to the occasional conclusion, all right?"

She snickered. "You could win the Gold Medal in Olympic Conclusion Jumping, Michael. But just because someone has a lump on their forehead, it doesn't mean that--" His eyes shifted away from her and she came to a sudden realization. "Look, not every bruise is made on purpose. Sometimes accidents happen. This was one of those times."

He didn't look at her as he responded, "It's just...I thought...You shouldn't have to go through that, that's all. You don't deserve that."

Stepping closer, Maria put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "No one deserves it, Michael. No one. Got that?"

He shrugged her hand off and didn't answer. Her frustration with him began to reach a boiling point. "Look, you need to stop putting the blame for everything squarely on your own shoulders. What Hank did to you wasn't your fault. You are not the cause of everything bad that happens, all right?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but she rushed on, "No. Horrible things happened in the world long before you hatched, and they probably will a long time after you fly off and save your home planet or whatever. So would you please give yourself a break from all this guilt already, because frankly, it's pretty self-centered to think that you're the cause of everything that goes wrong! Contrary to what you might think, you are not a screw-up! God, why are you so caught up in your own misery that you can't see things for the way they really are?"

She looked up at his blank expression. His mouth worked for a moment, but he seemed unable to find any words. Her voice gentled as she went on, "Just stop blaming yourself for everything, okay? And while you're at it, take some of that quality blame time and apply it to working on your little Jeckyll-and-Hyde problem instead."

Michael tensed. Uh-oh. Maybe she'd gone a little too far there. Her suspicions were confirmed as he coldly said, "Maybe I could if you weren't always bugging me about it. Stop trying to play Dear Abbey with me. You can't magically fix everything. You don't have any idea what's going on."

Hands on her hips, she eyed him angrily. "Fine. I'll keep my nose out of it, and let you waste your time on your little self-pity party. You want me out, I'm out. But then you keep out of my life. You no longer have the right to worry about me, got it? Stay away from me, Michael Guerin. Because I can't do this any more." Heading into the hall, she closed the eraser room door firmly behind her, leaving a silent--and uncertain--Michael in her wake.

"And that's when I walked out," finished Maria calmly. "Left him standing all alone in the eraser room."

"Wow," said Liz in shock, leaning limply against the bathroom counter. "Somehow I never pictured you walking out on him. The other way around, sure, but...Wow."

"I just can't take it any more, you know? I don't understand why he won't let me help him. Why he won't let any of us help him, for that matter. I don't even think he's doing anything to help himself. He's just sitting there like a...like a lump, waiting for god only knows what to happen. And then when he finally does do something, it's to obsess over something totally unimportant instead of concentrating on getting better!" Maria exclaimed in frustration.

Liz sighed as the blonde girl's voice rose in pitch once again. Oh well. At least she wasn't still pacing maniacally across the rest room floor. "Look, just give it some time. Have some patience, okay?" Liz asked quietly.

"You know what? No," Maria responded firmly. "I gave him time and he did nothing with it. That's it. I can't give him any more. I am off him. Quitting cold turkey." She caught Liz's eye and smiled wryly. "So do you think they make a Michael patch?"

Liz couldn't help but chuckle a little as her friend attempted to resume some of her typical determination. "Maybe if Michael were--" she began, only to be interrupted.

"Who? I'm sorry, I don't know anyone by that name," Maria said stoutly.

"Maria!"

"No way, Liz. He doesn't want me in his life, fine. Then from now on he's not in mine. As far as I am concerned he doesn't exist."

Liz sighed and tried again. "Maria--"

"I'm serious. I declare the space around me a Michael-free zone," she said adamantly. "And as my best friend, you'll help me out with this."

"Of course I'm your best friend, Maria," Liz burst out. "We've been friends practically forever. But Michael has become a friend, too. And right now he needs all the friends he can get. Please don't make me choose you over him."

"That's not what I mean!" Maria responded hotly. "If Michael...well, if such a person really existed--which as far as I am concerned he doesn't--I would want him to have good friends like you. I don't want to take that away from him. I just can't...wouldn't be able to be one myself. If he existed. Which he doesn't." She looked squarely at Liz, her expression serious. "I'm not asking you not to be his friend, Liz. Just don't parade it in front of me, okay?"

Liz nodded, saying, "I won't."

"Thanks. You're a good friend," said Maria gratefully. She smiled at Liz before continuing, "A really good friend, actually. I can't believe you skipped last period to listen to me vent. Keep this up, Parker, and you'll ruin that perfect-student image."

"I'm not the only one here skipping," Liz pointed out.

"No, but somehow I don't think the teachers will be quite as shocked by my absence."

Liz tried to protest, but the ringing of the bell put an end to it before she could really begin. Maria grabbed her bookbag off the counter and said, "I've got to book. Rehearsal calls."

The two girls left the restroom and joined into the flow of students moving down the hall as Liz responded teasingly, "My, aren't we eager."

"Yeah. I'm really kind of excited. Alex is going to be there this afternoon," Maria explained as they headed towards the staircase. "Finally, a friendly face."

"Are things really that bad?" questioned Liz.

Maria didn't answer, distracted as she thought she felt a familiar tingle. Darn it. She thought she'd avoided having to see him when she'd chosen to spend last period venting to Liz instead of actually attending History class. This just sucked. No, she wouldn't let it get to her. She wouldn't even look around in an attempt to catch one quick glance. She would just focus on Liz. Her best friend. Her pal. Her...

Oops. Liz. What had Liz just asked? Something about rehearsal. She fumbled for an answer. "Are things that bad?" she echoed her friend's question. "Not really, I guess. When I'm acting, it's great. I really love it, you know. I can absolutely lose myself in Audrey, and just deal with her problems for a while. Which actually seem kind of simple compared to mine." She smiled a little. "It's just between scenes when things are a little rough. I'd like it if--" The rest of her thought went unspoken as she suddenly lost her footing and, with a yelp, slid down four or five steps. Unable to keep on her feet, she landed sprawled on the bottom-most step.

"Oh my god! Maria!" cried Liz, rushing to her side. "Are you all right?"

A crowd of students formed around the fallen girl, who struggled to catch her breath. "I..I think so," she stammered, pushing herself to a sitting position. A moment later a tall figure pushed through the crowd and offered her a hand up. "Thanks, Max," she said, "But I think I'm just going to sit here for a minute."

Max knelt beside her and looked worriedly into her face. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, over the comments and titters from the crowd around her.

She assured him, "Yes, I'm fine," then continued loudly, "Show's over!" in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. Looking up at the sea of faces around her, she went on in a wry tone, "For my encore, you'll have to come see Little Shop of Horrors, 'cause this is all there is for now."

With a few chuckles, the students began to disperse, off to their jobs and club meetings and, god forbid, study sessions. Maria closed her eyes for a moment, only to open then again at Liz's insistent, "Maria! Something is wrong. I can tell."

"I think I did something to my ankle," the girl admitted. "The right one."

"Can you move your foot?" Liz asked, concerned. She reached gently towards her friend.

Maria forestalled her motion. "Ummm, let's just not touch it for a minute."

"Does it hurt badly?"

"Not really. Just don't touch it, okay?"

Liz turned to Max. "If it was twisted or sprained, it would probably hurt," she said quietly. "If she can't feel it, it might be broken. The shock might keep it numb for a while."

"I'm right here," Maria said crossly. "You can talk to me, you know."

"Sorry," Liz apologized.

"It's all right. I'm sure it's not broken, just a little twisted, that's all. An ace bandage and some Epsom salts and I'll be fine." Maria braced herself and then started to push herself to her feet. She didn't get far. "You know, I think I'll just sit here and rest a few more minutes. Why don't the two of you run by the auditorium and tell Ms. Bedinger that I'll be a few minutes late?" she suggested hopefully.

Max spoke up. "I don't think so. You're hurt. We're not going to leave you sitting here by yourself while we run errands, Maria."

"Come on. I'll be fine." Maria's tone shifted. "I'd do it for you!" she wheedled, to no avail.

"You won't be fine. Your ankle's beginning to swell," Liz pointed out.

"Okay, it's time for Dr. Max," the tall alien said decisively. He looked around at the rapidly emptying halls. "Liz, grab our books and find an empty classroom, okay?"

With haste she complied, as he picked up Maria unceremoniously and rose to his feet. "I'm not luggage, you know," Maria complained. "You can't just lug me all over--Oh. I guess you can."

"Over here," Liz said, holding the door open. "Put her on the desk." She kept an eye on the hallway to make sure no one approached as Max deposited the wounded girl carefully on top of the teacher's desk.

"This might hurt a little bit," he said, reaching for her shoe to ease it off.

"I told you, it doesn't hurt at all," insisted Maria. "Ouch!" she hissed suddenly as her ankle accidentally shifted.

Max rested his fingers lightly on her swelling joint and closed his eyes in concentration. It was broken, all right. A small fracture where the ankle joined into the foot. She must have twisted it just the wrong way when she fell. He sent energy into the bone, healing it and reducing the swelling of the tissue around it. When he was done, he looked down at Maria. "It was broken," he told her. "You should be fine now."

"Thanks," she said, smiling up at him. Gingerly, she swung her legs over the side of the desk and slowly stood up, testing the ankle. "It does feel fine," she said. "You do good work."

"You still have one problem," said Liz, pointing at the silver fingerprints on Maria's ankle. "I don't think people are going to buy that it's a temporary tattoo."

"Not a problem at all," insisted Maria airily. "I'll just grab my sneakers and an extra pair of socks from my gym locker. The big question is why are there fingerprints on my ankle when there weren't on my forehead?" Max looked curiously at her, and she realized she'd have to explain. Fantastic. Now everyone would know about her clumsiness. Isabel and Mi--well, Isabel knew, and she'd told Liz, and now Max would know. Maybe she should just rent a billboard. "It's nothing," she said briefly. "Last night I had a nightmare and fell out of bed. I got a lump on my forehead. Today Isabel fixed it, that's all."

Max nodded, and said, "Fixing a lump isn't as difficult as fixing a broken bone. That's probably why there are fingerprints now and not before, and why Liz had an entire handprint after she was shot."

"After you saved my life, you mean," Liz reminded him with a smile.

"You and Isabel should go into the medical profession," Maria bantered. "You could make a fortune, just patching your friends up."

"I'll keep it in mind," he said.

"Of course," Liz teased, "if Maria weren't so accident-prone, you might not have such a big client base." The joking expression on her best friend's face immediately vanished. "What?"

Maria hesitated before saying resolutely, "You have to promise not to tell Michael." Liz raised her eyebrows at the voluntary mention of this particular name.

Max, who didn't know about Maria's sudden purposeful ignorance of a certain alien's existence, merely asked, "Why?"

Maria looked at the two people standing in front of her. "Because this time it wasn't an accident. I think I was pushed."

CHAPTER 18

"What?" Liz burst out incredulously.

"I'm not really sure," Maria admitted slowly. "It all happened so fast. But I think I felt someone hit my back right before I went down."

"Did you see who it was?" asked Max.

Maria shook her head. "I was busy talking to Liz. I just know there were a lot of people around. And I..." She stopped abruptly.

"You what?" Liz asked.

Maria hesitated before reluctantly continuing, "I thought I felt Michael nearby."

"Maybe he saw something," Max thought aloud.

Maria tensed. "You can't ask him."

"Why not?" Max responded in surprise. He took in the look of alarm that was growing in Maria's eyes, then glanced at Liz and saw her concerned expression. "Okay, what's going on?"

Liz opened her mouth to speak but stopped at the almost imperceptible shake of Maria's head. It didn't go unnoticed by Max, who stood resolutely and asked again, "What's going on?"

Biting her lip, Liz looked pleadingly at Maria, who sighed and then nodded resignedly. "Go ahead and tell him. I've got to go, anyway," she said, grabbing her bookbag from the desk where Liz had dumped it. In the doorway, she turned back and smiled. "Thanks again, Max." Then she slipped into the hallway and headed towards the gym.

Liz watched her go before turning to Max, ready to explain the events of the day.

Rushing into the auditorium on now safely disguised and sneaker-clad feet, Maria breathlessly apologized to Ms. Bedinger. "Sorry I'm late. I had a little problem that held me up."

The teacher looked at her sternly. "Fine, but don't let it happen again." Her attention moved to the rest of the cast. "Now that we're all here, let's begin running the opening sequence, from the beginning through the 'Skid Row' number. Places, please."

Maria dropped her bag on an auditorium seat and headed towards the stage, to wait in the wings for her entrance. As she reached the steps leading to the stage, she gave a quick wave to Alex, who was sitting with his bass and amp. He cocked an eyebrow inquisitively at her and grinned when she shrugged helplessly.

As she headed into the stage right wings, she passed the doo-wop girls, who were waiting for the music to begin. "Nice of you to join us," commented Pamela with a sneer. Maria looked her directly in the eye, saying nothing. She just held Pamela's gaze coolly until the other girl shifted her eyes away, backing down.

Smiling inwardly, Maria continued into the wings to await her cue.

Two and a half hours later, Maria collapsed with a sigh into an auditorium seat. Ms. Bedinger had worked them mercilessly all afternoon, cracking a metaphorical whip. But at least she had dragged excellent performances out of them. And all without once raising her voice. It was a productive rehearsal, but on top of everything else that had happened that day, Maria was exhausted in both mind and body.

"Rough afternoon," commented Mark as he sat down next to her.

Maria nodded, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. "But good," she pointed out wearily.

Mark agreed, and they sat companionably for a few minutes. "You don't have to work tonight?" he asked.

"No, I actually have an evening off," she responded. "I'm going to head home and take a crack at my homework. I'm just waiting for Alex to finish packing up."

"He's done." Alex's voice came from the row in front of her.

"Hey Alex," she responded, her eyes still closed.

"Pretty good job today, Whitman," put in Mark. "You guys sound great."

"Wait until we actually know the music," Alex riposted with a grin.

Maria teased, "You mean that wasn't your very best?"

"Hey, at least I was here on time," the teen shot back.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she grumbled with a dismissive wave.

"So are we sitting here to make up the time you missed, or what?" he asked with a smile.

"I'm just trying to get enough energy to move," explained Maria.

"Yeah, me too," commented Mark. "And it's only Tuesday. Look what we get to look forward to for the rest of the week."

Maria relaxed further into her seat. "Don't even talk about it. I'm too tired to think."

"Well, I'm not in a hurry," said Alex. "So take all the time you need. Just so long as I'm home in time to get ready for school tomorrow."

Maria raised one eyebrow in his direction. "So that would be what, fifteen minutes before first bell?"

"Nah," he objected. "I've got it down to a science. Make it ten."

Maria gave a small snort of laughter and the three sat quietly for a few minutes. Finally Mark broke the silence. "So what are you doing for Halloween?" he asked Maria.

"Actually, I'm dressing up this year," she said.

"Really? As what?"

"As a Crashdown waitress. I've got to work on Halloween, plus a double shift on Saturday when all the parties are. Gotta make up for all the time I've taken off to do the show."

"You get much business on Halloween?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, you know, the usual," cut in Alex. "You've got your commonplace, run-of-the-mill witches and vampires, your everyday goblins, werewolves and super heroes. Nothing unusual."

"Don't forget the parents who stop in after burning out on their kids' trick-or-treating," added Maria.

"Well too bad you won't be able to celebrate," sympathized Mark.

"Actually, I'm not really in the mood," Maria admitted.

"Huh. I would've thought that you'd jump at the chance to go all out on a costume."

Alex snickered. "She usually does. You should have seen what she wore the first time she sang with the Whits."

"That was not a costume!" protested Maria. "It was a well-thought-out, carefully chosen ensemble designed to enhance the mood of the music." She caught Alex's eye and together they burst into laughter. "Okay, so maybe it was a little bit overboard. But one of us had to look good."

"And which one of us would that have been?" Alex queried, then cowered away from the mock fist she raised in his direction.

"Cut it out, you two." Mark spoke with a smile in his voice. "Do I need to separate you?"

The two raised innocent eyes up to him as they spoke in unison. "We don't know what you're talking about."

Later, in the car, Alex studied Maria carefully. "Okay, DeLuca, what is going on with you?"

"I don't know what you mean."

He shook his head. "You can't fool me. I've known you too long."

Maria sighed and rested her head on the steering wheel. "So what was your first clue?"

"Well, I did notice that we've been sitting in the car for fifteen minutes and yet you haven't driven anywhere," Alex responded gently.

"Oh," she said, not moving.

"Big brother Alex here. Good for telling all your problems to. We guarantee you'll feel better or your money back."

Maria let out a deep breath. "It's...it's a lot of things. The show, school, work, everything seems to be piling up at once. Plus some other things have happened."

"What things?"

"Alex, do you promise to keep this a secret? You can talk to Liz--she already knows--but it's just between the three of us."

Alex considered for a moment. "Of course I'll keep whatever it is a secret. Unless it puts someone else in danger or something."

"I don't think it's anyone else, just me," Maria said.

"Okay, now you've really got me curious. Talk," he commanded.

Maria leaned her head back and stared at the sun visor in front of her. "Of course, the final straw was a big fight I had with Michael today."

He nodded. What else was new? "What was it this time?"

"Oh the same old thing, how he won't let me help him, and yet he doesn't do anything about it himself."

He looked at her for a moment, then spoke quietly. "You know, I'm really sorry I didn't come down on your side on the whole dreamwalking-Michael issue. We really can't afford to have him...well, disenfranchised right now."

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously.

He hemmed and hawed for a moment. "Oh, you know, just with so much going on right now. The whole 'they've got to prepare for an alien enemy attack' thing. Lots to think about. Anyway, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, me too." She brightened. "Well, if you really feel that way, then it would be you and me and Isabel against Max and Liz. Three to two."

"There's still Michael. Three to three. We'd need a tiebreaker. Maybe we could flip a coin."

Her voice grew sarcastic. "Maybe we could flip Michael. Heads, he's a jerk and we help him; tails, he's a jerk and we help him."

"Why don't you tell him that? Keep it up and I'm sure you'll win him over to our side, DeLuca," Alex mocked.

She sobered. "I can't. I'm ignoring his existence."

"You're what?"

"You heard me."

Alex burst into a fit of laughter. "I hate to burst your bubble, but you're not ignoring his existence. He's all you've talked about for the last five minutes. I think you need to redefine your concept of ignoring."

She groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I know. I suck at it. But I'll get better. I have to."

Alex opened his mouth to comment further, but changed his mind. Instead he said, "You said that was the final straw. So what's the rest of the haystack?"

"You promised, remember. No talking about it to anyone but Liz," she reminded him. He nodded and she explained about the ugly sketch, the threatening note, and then about her fall earlier that afternoon. When she was done, he sat silent. This was getting way too complicated. He couldn't tell Michael about the second note or Maria's broken ankle, because he'd just promised Maria he wouldn't. He couldn't tell Maria that the sketch she had wasn't the real sketch, or that Michael thought there was danger lurking, because he'd promised the alien he wouldn't. He couldn't tell Max or Isabel...well, anything. He gave a mental groan. Since when did all this weight have to rest on his shoulders? He suddenly felt as tired as he knew Maria was.

"You're taking the threat to my physical and mental well-being awfully calmly," he heard Maria complain.

"I'm just soaking it all in," he responded. "It's a lot to worry about."

"I didn't tell you to worry you. I just...Well, you asked!" cried Maria indignantly.

"Hey, I need to know about these things so I can help. That's what friends do."

Maria muttered, "Maybe you should explain that to Michael." Alex pretended he didn't hear.

"So what are you going to do about all this?" he asked seriously.

"I'm not really sure," she admitted. "Just try to keep a watch out, I guess. See if I can figure out what's going on."

He decided to try and solve at least one of his problems. "I know you're not going to like this suggestion, but why not tell Michael about the note? He's the best at getting visions from things. Maybe he can sense who's behind all of this."

"I just can't, Alex. He has his own problems. It's...it's too hard to see him every day in class as it is. I can't take any more."

"Okay," he acquiesced. The faintest glimmer of an idea began to kindle in his brain. "So you would let Michael help you if he were himself again?"

She thought for a moment. "Yeah, I guess."

"Well then, all we have to do is fix him."

Maria gave a small scream of frustration. "He won't let us help, remember?"

Alex grinned. "He won't let you help. I don't recall his ever telling me not to help."

An expression of hope crossed her face. "So do you think you can--"

"Worth a try, isn't it?" He smiled as he considered things. Maria wanted Michael better before she would tell him about her stalker. Michael wanted Alex to help keep Maria out of danger. On the surface, they were playing at cross-purposes, but they really were just looking out for each other, weren't they? If he played things just right, maybe he could wangle an acceptable solution out of this whole mess.

Alex grinned as Michael approached from across the quad. He could almost feel opportunity pounding on his door. This might just be his chance to begin setting things right. "Come on, Mr. Spock. Come to Alex," he whispered.

Michael did. He sat at the picnic table and gave his usual laconic greeting. "Hey."

"What's up, Guerin?" asked Alex.

"How did things go yesterday?" Michael asked, getting right to the point. "Did you see anything?"

"Nope. All was quiet on the Maria front."

Michael stared pensively at the tabletop. Alex offered him a barbecue chip, which he took and held, looking at it without really seeing it.

"Barbecue chips are surprisingly good," commented Alex. "You'd probably like it, even without the Tabasco." Michael didn't seem to hear him. "Michael? You planning to join me here in the real world?"

The alien looked up, startled. "What?"

Alex laughed and said, "So, you going to eat that or keep it as a souvenir?"

Michael followed Alex's gaze down to the chip in his hand. Wordlessly he placed it on the table, then said, "This isn't working."

After a moment, Alex said, "I know you're going to explain eventually, so why not save us both some time and get on with it? What's not working?"

"Maria. I can't protect her if I can't get near her," Michael said sullenly. "And she's not letting me."

Aha. The moment was ripe for a friendly little trap. Now to lure him in. "So you need a good reason to be wherever Maria is?"

"Yeah. And I don't have one."

"I do," Alex said smugly.

Michael leaned forward intently. "What?"

"Not so fast, my Czechoslovakian friend. There are other things to be taken into consideration." The alien raised a questioning eyebrow. "For instance, if Maria is fixed on avoiding you--and we both know she is--then she won't be too happy if I give you an excuse to hang around."

"Would you rather have her happy or safe?" came the terse response.

"Ideally, both. But for now I'll settle for her not being furious with me. I've already seen what it's done for you. No thanks."

"Alex," Michael said warningly.

"Tell you what. I'll give you your excuse if you make it worth my while," suggested Alex, taking a swig of his root beer.

Michael looked at him distrustfully. "What do you want?"

"Let Isabel and Maria dreamwalk you."

The reaction was swift and to the point. "No."

"Fine," replied Alex with a shrug. "Then no excuses for you, my friend."

"Come on, Whitman," Michael began.

"Nope. Ain't gonna happen."

Cursing under his breath, Michael ran his fingers through his spiky hair. "You don't understand. I can't do it."

"Then neither can I." Alex looked thoughtfully at Michael. "You want Maria to be safe, don't you? If you would let her help you, she would be much more likely to allow you to hang around. Then you could do all the protecting, or whatever, you wanted."

"Yeah, I want her safe. That's why I can't let her get into my head again. It's as dangerous in there as it is out here, and I can't protect her there. You don't get it. You can't."

"Then explain it to me so I can get it," said Alex firmly.

"How can I explain it when I don't really understand it myself?" responded Michael dully. "Not that it's any different from the rest of my whole freaking life. I don't understand any of the rest, so why should I get this?"

"Quit stalling and try. What's so dangerous about it?"

Michael was silent as he gathered his thoughts. Finally he spoke. "It's not like I like the way things are. The way I am now. But it's not worth risking Maria, or Isabel, or any of you to get me back. And whenever I think about it, about Maria and Isabel going back in there...everything I am shouts no. It...well, lets just say it doesn't feel great, okay?"

"It hurts you? Physically?" Alex queried.

Michael ducked his head affirmatively. "The other Michael--the one in my head--doesn't want it. He can't allow it, I can feel that. But I don't know why."

"Then maybe you need them to dreamwalk you so they can ask and find out."

"I told you, it's too dangerous," the alien snapped.

"Well, you're going to have to do something, Michael, because Maria isn't going to let you near enough to guard her unless you get yourself back together. So it's either the dreamwalk or trying to watch out for her from a distance. I guess it all boils down to one thing: which feels more dangerous to you: a walk inside your head, where she's already been, or whatever danger you're feeling from the real world? Then again, I suppose you could just warn her about the feelings you picked up from the sketch. If she were speaking with you, that is."

Michael stood abruptly and turned away from Alex, gazing up at the sky. A moment passed, then Alex heard a broken "Dammit!" from the tall alien. Michael eventually sat back down, leaning his head in his hands. "Okay."

"Okay? You agree to the dreamwalk?" asked Alex incredulously. Had his plan actually worked?

"Yeah. But Max has to be with them when they do it. He can pull them out if...if something goes wrong," Michael instructed.

"You've got it. We'll do it this weekend. I'll check everybody's schedules and coordinate the day," responded Alex. Michael nodded, and they sat for a few more minutes, each lost in his own thoughts. Michael's were considerably bleaker than Alex's. Finally, Alex spoke again. "So don't you want to know my plan to enable you to hang around Maria?"

Michael looked at him, surprised. "I didn't think you'd tell me until after they dreamwalked."

"Well, if all goes well with that, they'll figure out how to fix you up, you can mend your fences with Maria, and you won't need my excuse. So you can use it in the meantime."

"But what if I back out?"

"Hey, I trust you, man," Alex assured him.

Michael blinked for a moment before he was able to utter a surprised, "Thanks." He looked acutely uncomfortable, and changed the subject brusquely. "So what's this great plan of yours?"

Alex munched the last of his chips and said, "This is the plan. I've got to warn you, though. You're not going to like it..."

CHAPTER 19

"Maria! Wait up!" cried Alex later that afternoon as he lugged his bass and amp down the hall from the band room. She paused, waiting for him to catch up. "Thanks," he panted.

"No problem."

"So, you decided to show up on time today, huh?" he teased.

Maria responded in kind. "Well, seeing as no one tried to push me down any stairs, I figured the least I could do was show up." She almost skipped down the hallway. "It's going to be a good rehearsal today, Alex. I can feel it!"

"Well, since you're busy anticipating good things, I'll give you something else to look forward to. Talk to me afterwards. I've got some news that you'll really like."

"What? Tell me now!" she begged, her eyes dancing with curiosity.

"Uh-uh. We're here. I've got to set up," he replied. "Get the door, will you?"

Maria planted herself squarely in front of the doors to the auditorium. "Not until you tell me what's going on. Don't hold out on me!"

Alex chided her. "Well, I was going to tell you at lunch, but you were a no-show."

"I was in the library doing research for my term paper. You can't penalize me for doing my homework; it isn't fair. C'mon, Alex, give!"

"Patience, patience, DeLuca."

Maria made a mental note to get Alex back for his teasing at the earliest possible opportunity, and then gave in gracefully, knowing that she would have the whole afternoon to plot her revenge. Swinging one of the doors open, she moved aside and held it for Alex and his equipment to pass through, her mind working busily. She frowned a little. Something was niggling at the back of her brain. Had she forgotten something? She double-checked her bag for her script and a pencil; it wasn't that. Was she supposed to have done something? She shook her head. Maybe if she didn't think about it, it would come to her. But she couldn't escape the nagging feeling that kept plucking at her attention...

"Thanks, Maria," said Melanie as she and Pamela walked through the door that Maria was still holding open. Pamela shot her a superior look, as if to suggest that doorman was a job Maria was particularly suited to. Sighing, Maria followed them into the auditorium, determined to keep her spirits up. Yesterday's rehearsal had been rewarding--even if it wore her out--and she was hoping today's would be just as good.

She hadn't made it three feet into the auditorium when she realized what that nagging little feeling actually was. Oh god. So much for a good rehearsal. Could her life get any worse?

Carefully focusing on Alex, who was setting up his amp in front of the stage, she headed directly towards him without looking around. Catching him by the sleeve, she pulled him a few steps away from the rest of the combo and hissed, "Tell me it's not true. That what I think is happening is not happening." A hint of desperation colored her voice. "Because I don't think I can handle it."

"It's okay," said Alex. "You can deal with this. You can handle it--you're the strongest person I know."

Maria groaned and asked rhetorically, "Why is it that my life has to suck this badly?" Alex gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

"Just suck it up and get through the afternoon. We'll talk then and I'll tell you the good news, remember?"

"It had better be more than good. It better be mind-bogglingly fantastic," she warned before turning resignedly to face the empty seats in front of her. Yep. There they were, standing in the side aisle by the twelfth row, deep in discussion. Ms. Bedinger and Michael Guerin. Maria watched as the teacher pointed out something in a sheaf of papers she'd handed Michael, talking in a low voice. Michael studied the papers for a moment and then nodded. Maria couldn't make out what they were saying, but she knew it couldn't be good. At least not for her peace of mind.

"Can I have everyone's attention, please?" called the drama teacher, heading towards the stage. "Some of you may have heard that we've had a problem with the theater company that was renting us the Audrey II plants; they've reneged on our agreement. Obviously, Little Shop of Horrors is impossible to perform without the plant puppets. For the past few days, I've been scrambling to find a solution. Today I am happy to announce that I have one, and that the show will go on as scheduled. I'd like you all to give a round of applause to Michael Guerin who, with only three weeks to go, has volunteered his time and artistic talents to build them." Maria stood, shell-shocked, as the other company members broke out in applause.

"Now since the full-size puppet will need to be worked with the most, I want to run Act II, scenes one and three, so Michael can get a good idea of what the plant will need to be able to do. Jon, since you're not on until the end of scene three, go with Megan and have a costume fitting. Be back in time for your scene. Okay, people, places."

Maria was glued to the floor. She could barely breathe, much less move. It just wasn't fair! The one thing in her life that was Czechoslovakian-free, and now the jerk had to come along and foist himself off on her again. If she weren't ignoring his existence, she could just kill him. Painfully. And slowly. With knives, and an axe, and maybe an anvil like in the old Road Runner cartoons. A hand on her shoulder brought her out of her reverie.

"Hang in there, Maria. Don't let this throw you," advised Alex quietly.

"How could he do this to me?" she seethed. "Why did he have to horn in on the one thing in my life that was going really well? I don't get it, Alex. What could have possessed him?" Throwing up her hands, she headed for the stage, missing Alex's uncomfortable look and how he averted his eyes. Okay. She'd follow Alex's advice. She wouldn't let this bother her. She would focus on what she was supposed to be doing...and by god, she'd give the performance of her life. She would show that badly groomed, selfish, unmannered ex-boyfriend of hers just what Maria DeLuca was made of!

What was in Act II scene one, anyway? She fumbled in her script for the correct page. Okay, it was 'Call Back in the Morning', and the scene with Mark and 'Suddenly Seymour', and 'Suppertime'...

Wait a minute. The 'Suddenly Seymour' scene...An evil idea began to percolate in her brain. That was the scene that ended in the big clinch. Ha! She would show Mr. 'I Love You Too Much And Goodbye' what was what. Just what he was missing. And she would wager that, no matter what he was or wasn't feeling, he missed kissing her. He was too good at it not to enjoy it, wasn't he? He was really good at it, and he had to be a natural; it's not like he'd been swimming in girlfriends to practice on before she came along. Not that she'd had all that much opportunity before Michael, but she'd had some. Nobody else could compare to him, though. Darn it! She had to get him out of her system.

"Maria? We're waiting for you." She looked guiltily up at Mark.

"Sorry, I was just trying to...trying to get into character," she said in a rush. He grinned at her and took his place at the makeshift counter for the opening of the act. She followed suit, but not before sneaking a peek into the auditorium. Michael was sitting towards the back, flipping through the script and design sketches Ms. Bedinger had given him. Did he even know what Little Shop of Horrors was about? She didn't think he'd seen the movie. Was he ever in for a surprise...Then her music cue began, and she became Audrey.

Alex glanced up from his music to watch Maria on stage. She was really good, he noted without surprise. She'd done well in rehearsal yesterday, but something today had lit a fire within her. He was pretty sure what it was, too. Glancing to his left, he caught Michael out of the corner of his eye. The alien was sitting, mesmerized, as Maria put her whole heart into the song. Focusing once again on his music, Alex mentally congratulated himself. This had been an excellent idea. Now if the whole dreamwalking thing would just work so that they could all concentrate on Maria's problem...

The duet wound to a big finish and Alex suddenly swallowed. He'd either forgotten or hadn't realized what was about to happen. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. He watched as Mark took Maria--no, as Seymour took Audrey into his arms and kissed her. Ouch. He forced himself to look back into the house, towards Michael. The alien was staring fixedly at the seat in front of him, hands gripping the papers he held tightly. Way too tightly, Alex could tell, even at a distance.

Looking back up at the stage, he noted with surprise that the pair was still in a clinch. Okay. That was enough. If that guy didn't stop mauling his friend, he was going to have to take matters into his own hands. If only to save the actor from the wrath of Michael Guerin, Power Ranger.

Alex gave a sigh of relief as Dennis Cooper finally entered the stage and gave the next line, causing the embracing couple to break apart. Thank god. Maria had told him that, unlike the movie, the stage play ended tragically, with everyone dead, so maybe he would be spared any more of watching his friend swapping spit with Mark Blumenthal. It had been weird enough the few times he'd seen her and Michael together, but at least that felt right, somehow. This was just...wrong.

Noticing that Dennis was getting ready to do his bit of stage business with the bloody dentist's uniform, Alex turned the page in his music and got ready to play the next number.

Maria peered out of the wings into the house. Since they weren't using the stage lighting yet, she could clearly see Michael. Ms. Bedinger had moved to where he sat, and was gesturing towards the stage as Mark and Brian sang 'Suppertime'. She was probably explaining all the necessary stage action. Michael would probably get the idea fairly quickly. He was very bright, even though he didn't like to show it. And she had to admit that he might very well make great plant puppets. He was good with his hands, after all. Ruthlessly she pushed her next thought back out of her head. No, she wasn't thinking of that. She just meant that he'd done a good job on the napkin holder he'd made her last year. That was all. Yeah, that was convincing, DeLuca.

Watching the pair talk, she wondered what he'd thought while she was on stage. He'd missed The Whits' performance during Liz's blind date, so he'd never really heard her sing before. And somehow she knew she'd never sung better than she had just a few minutes ago. It had seemed almost effortless.

Michael pulled a pencil stub from his jacket pocket and made a few marks on the pages in front of him before turning them towards Ms. Bedinger. Maria watched absorbedly as the teacher seemed to ask something; Michael shook his head in response and turned the page over, drawing on the back of it with firm strokes. After a moment, he handed it to Ms. Bedinger, who studied it and then smiled warmly at him, nodding as she spoke. Huh. It looked like Michael was making a hit with the teacher, improving on her plant designs. She had known that he'd be good at this.

A feeling of pride welled up inside her until she caught herself smiling. Tearing her eyes away from her ex-boyfriend, she looked rather wildly around the room, hoping no one had caught her staring. Unfortunately, someone had. At least it was only Alex, although that didn't keep her from reddening under his amused gaze. Fantastic. She stepped further back into the wings, out of sight, and leaned against the wall. She could get through this rehearsal. No problem. Only two more hours to go.

"Don't feed the plants!" sang the Little Shop cast in harmony, finishing the show's last scene for the third time that afternoon. Holding their positions on the stage, they looked expectantly at Ms. Bedinger.

"Good work," she said. "We need to spend a little more time polishing Audrey and Seymour's death scenes, and I'd like to re-block the end of the show, but that will all wait until we have the plant to work with. Other than that, we're in pretty good shape on these sections of the show. So go home and look over your lines for Act II Scene 2; we'll start there tomorrow." Turning to the dark figure hunched in a seat near the back of the auditorium, she continued, "Michael? A word with you, please."

The adrenaline that had carried Maria through the rehearsal drained away without warning, leaving her feeling quite shaky. She sank down onto the edge of the stage, her feet dangling into the orchestra pit, and watched Alex unplug his bass from the amp. To think that she'd felt tired after yesterday's rehearsal. That had been a day at Disneyland compared to today. A broken ankle was starting to look pretty good. Would Max be willing to un-heal?

"Pretty great of Guerin to step in," Mark said from behind her. "Does he actually know anything about theater?"

Maria let out a sarcastic little snort. "I very much doubt it."

"Interesting that he should suddenly volunteer. Did you talk him into it?"

She turned her head in astonishment. Where had he gotten that idea? "No way! I didn't even know there was a problem in the first place. Did you?"

"Yeah, Melanie and Pamela were talking about it yesterday. The theatrical company double-booked the plants or something." He looked out at Michael, who was conferring with Ms. Bedinger. "Look, we need the plant puppets as soon as possible so we can get used to using them, and I know making them is a huge project. So tell Guerin to let me know if he needs any help. I'll round some guys up."

"What? I am not his social secretary," Maria said harshly. "Tell him yourself."

Mark looked at her in surprise. "I would, but he's kind of busy right now," he pointed out, gesturing at the pair deep in discussion. "And he's your weird friend, remember?" He gave her a sly grin. "Besides, something tells me he's not too pleased with me right now."

"What? I...he...What do you mean?" she sputtered.

"Just give him the message, okay?" He leaned down to ruffle her hair and walked away.

Somehow Maria found the strength to rise to her feet and shout indignantly at Mark's retreating back. "You can do it yourself, you lazy bum!" His amused laugh floated back to her ears, but he continued on his way.

Maria looked around to find a number of interested--and two suspicious--eyes focused on her. The suspicious pair flickered away as she met them, leaving her feeling suddenly very cold. In an attempt to hide her uneasiness, she turned to Alex, who had finished packing up, and gifted him with a particularly brilliant smile. "All ready?" she asked a trifle too cheerfully.

Alex nodded and picked up his equipment. "I've just got to drop the amp off in the band room. Mr. Lewis said I could leave it there overnight."

Together, they headed up the aisle, Maria chattering madly about nothing in particular. Unfortunately, her careful plan to escape the auditorium without having to acknowledge Michael was put on hold. "Maria?" Ms. Bedinger said. "One moment, please." The girl turned and looked inquisitively at the director, very aware of Michael towering over the woman, unfortunately well within the scope of Maria's peripheral vision.

"I'll go stash this stuff and meet you in the hallway," offered Alex as he continued towards the doors.

"I've got a drama major from UNM coming in next week to do the hair and makeup design for the show. I'll want her to work with you; we want to achieve a real period look here, and she'll need to see what she's got to work with."

Maria nodded, saying, "Sure." Dismissed, she carefully avoided looking over the teacher's shoulder and turned to follow Alex's path to the back of the house. As she went, she could hear Ms. Bedinger resume her discussion with Michael, who responded in a low, halting voice.

In the hallway, she waited tiredly for Alex to reappear from the band room, and together they walked out to the parking lot. Climbing into the Jetta, they sat staring out the windshield at the empty lot around them. Finally Alex spoke.

"You did good in there, 'Ria." He shifted in his seat, turning towards her. "I'm sorry it was so hard on you."

Maria replied softly, "Yeah. It was."

In an effort to cheer her, he went on, "Maybe you need this kind of pressure more often." She raised angry eyes to his, and he continued, "I just mean that it provoked one hell of a performance. You were great."

Maria's expression lightened and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "Thanks."

"Although I could do without the tournament-length kissing scene," Alex mused.

"That was not my fault!" Maria protested. Catching his knowing eye, she continued, "Well, not entirely. I mean, Dennis really was late for his cue. I didn't mean for it to go on that long."

"If it makes you feel any better, I think it had the desired effect."

Maria tried to play dumb for a moment, but her knew her too well to fall for it. Exasperated, she burst out, "Okay, so I wanted to show him up. I admit it."

"And do you feel any better about it?"

"No. I just feel...well, kind of slimy actually," she groaned. Alex patted her shoulder in sympathy.

"Don't worry about it. It's in the past. And we do have something else to discuss."

She attempted to look enthused. "Oh yeah. The way my day is going, you're probably going to tell me I only have three weeks to live. Which might not seem so bad, when you think about it."

Alex eyed her carefully, then asked, "What do you want most right this minute?"

"You mean besides twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep? And a giant Acme anvil?"

"Yep."

"Well, duh, for Michael to be his old, complicated, annoying self again." She paused, then snorted, "As opposed to his new, complicated, annoying self."

Alex grinned triumphantly. "Well, I think we may be on the right track."

She sat upright. "What do you mean?"

"He agreed to let you and Isabel dreamwalk him."

"Stop kidding around," she crabbed.

"I'm not kidding. I asked; he said yes."

"He did? When? How? What did you do to him?" she burbled, an expression of hope mixed with joy and uncertainty blooming across her face. The questions came faster than Alex could answer them. Finally he was able to break in.

"I just reasoned with him, that's all."

"You reasoned with Michael?" she laughed happily. "I didn't know he was capable of that. No, it has to be some sort of spell. Or hypnosis. Can aliens be hypnotized?"

"Calm down. I talked to the others, and we're set for Saturday night, if that works for you."

"Of course it works for me. Even if it didn't, I'd make it work," she exclaimed. "I'm on a double shift at the Crashdown, but we wouldn't be able to start until he's asleep, anyway. What's the plan--another slumber party?"

"Yes, but this time I won't have to sneak through the window. Mr. & Mrs. Evans are going to be in Phoenix for the weekend, and Max and Isabel each have permission to have a few friends over. As long as we don't trash the place."

"Oh my god, Alex, I can't believe it!" she cried, practically chortling with joy. "I never thought he'd agree. It's so unlike him." She tensed suddenly. "It is unlike him, isn't it? It's not true. It's all a plot to drive me insane, and you're in on it."

Alex rolled his eyes, Isabel-style. "It's not a plot. If you don't believe me, then ask the source." He gestured to the school, where Michael was emerging from the building. She sat frozen for a minute. "Go ahead," he prodded.

After one moment of hesitation, the car door was flung open and a blond pixie was tearing back across the parking lot. With a happy laugh, Maria flung her arms around the unprepared alien, who dropped the papers and script he was holding and tried to maintain his balance.

"Michael!" she cried. "I can't believe you said it was okay! That's wonderful! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Tightening her arms around him, she held on for dear life.

She was still clinging to him a moment later when she noticed that he wasn't clinging back. Indeed, he was standing stiffly, looking upwards with a resigned expression on his face.

Pulling back slightly, she asked, "Michael? When we dreamwalk you we'll be able to get you fixed up. Aren't you happy? Isn't that what you wanted?"

Michael continued to gaze upward, saying coldly, "If I had wanted you dreamwalking me, I would've agreed to it the first time."

She began to protest. "But--"

"Don't worry, I'll do it. I told Alex I would, and I will. But until then, I've got a lot of work to do. So why don't you let me do it, all right?"

Startled, she dropped her arms and took a step backward. He didn't look at her, instead crouching to gather the fallen papers. For a moment she thought he would just walk away, but finally he looked down at the things in his hands and opened his mouth to speak. She held her breath, half in fear and half in anticipation.

"Look," he said roughly, as if his vocal chords were unused to working, "for what it's worth, you're really good. In the play." Maria's mouth fell open and she struggled to stammer out a coherent response.

"Th..thanks."

Michael's mouth worked as if he were about to speak again. Instead, he pressed his lips together firmly and looked off into the distance. Finally, without looking at her, he said brusquely, "See ya," and took off down the sidewalk. Maria stood in confusion, watching him go.

This had been a very bizarre afternoon. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it. But deep inside her was a growing warm, comforting sensation, as if her soul was at peace. A smile of genuine happiness spread across her lips. Everything was going to be all right. She could feel it.

CHAPTER 20

The next few days passed interminably for Maria. She got up, went to school and sat through class, her mind only half on what the teachers were saying. The rest of her mind was usually on Michael and the upcoming dreamwalk. It wasn't helped by his sudden devotion to dogging her footsteps. Suddenly, she could almost always feel him nearby. She didn't necessarily see him, but she knew he was there. The only time she was really able to focus on things was at rehearsal. After his unexpected appearance there on Wednesday, Michael hadn't shown back up in the auditorium. Alex had said he was probably in the shop room, working on building the plants, but who knew for sure? She'd gotten so used to feeling Michael around at unexpected moments; now she found she missed that little tingle during play practice.

She'd even had the feeling he was nearby when she woke up this morning, but when she peered out her window, there was no one to be seen. By the time she'd started her double shift at the Crashdown, the feeling had disappeared.

Sighing, she carried a tray of burgers over to a table and served them with a smile. Heading back to the counter, she asked Alex if he wanted another refill on his drink. Filling his glass, she placed it back in front of him and asked suspiciously, "Okay, Alex. What's going on? It's now 4:37, and you've been here since I came on duty at 11:00. When Isabel and Max left after lunch, how come you stayed on?"

He looked at her calmly and said, "I'm just killing time until Liz finishes her shift."

"Oh," she said, somewhat mollified. "She gets off at 5:00."

"I know. We're going to head over to Isabel and Max's. Get things ready for tonight."

Maria nodded. "I wish this day would hurry up and end. I'll be over there as soon as I can after we close up."

"You're driving, right?"

"No, my mom needed the car today," she began.

Alex said sternly, "Well, you shouldn't be walking around town by yourself at night. Not when there's someone out there who doesn't seem to like you."

"Hey, I never said I was walking. I already talked to Isabel; I'll give her a call when I'm done and she'll come pick me up," Maria said before she turned around in response to José's bell. "Got to go. More food to serve."

About forty minutes later, Liz, now dressed in street clothes, headed over to the counter where Maria was preparing an Alien Blast. "I'm off," she announced. "You ready, Alex?"

The teen took one last sip of his root beer before climbing off the stool and joining Liz. He reached into his pocket for his wallet, but Liz forestalled him with a smile. "It's on the house, Alex."

"Thanks," he said. Turning to Maria, he said, "We'll see you later. Be careful, all right?"

She snorted. "And what exactly could happen to me here? What, do you think the alien decorations are going to come to life and abduct me?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I foresee," he joked. "Only it'll only be one. And she'll be driving a Jeep. You can expect her in about six hours."

She pretended to threaten him with the milkshake glass she was holding, and he ducked behind Liz in mock fear. Liz shook her head and pulled him out of the café. Maria laughed at their antics and watched them go.

They hadn't been out of her sight for three minutes when Maria felt it again. Michael was around. She didn't see him, of course, but she knew he was nearby. For a moment she was pleased, but then she began to contemplate the strangeness of the situation. Why did he persist on being near her, but just out of sight? He knew she could feel him; was he purposely trying to annoy her, or what? As she served the milkshake, her mind was busy working. Forget whoever was sending her the notes, she already had a stalker. He was around all the time. She could swear he was even somewhere near her house at night. Well, most of the time, and when he wasn't, Alex--

She stopped dead in her tracks. Whenever Michael wasn't around, Alex was. What was going on? Her mind flashed to the notes she'd gotten. Alex knew about them, but Michael didn't. Well, the sketch, yes, but not the other note or her fall down the stairs. And Alex wouldn't have broken his promise and told him about it, she was sure of it. She ground her teeth. On top of everything else, it looked like she was going to have to have a little talk with those two...

The next six hours or so didn't pass any more quickly than the preceding two and a half days, but finally the restaurant was closed and Maria could change out of her uniform. She jumped when a knock came on the back door, but relaxed as she heard Isabel call, "Maria? Are you ready?" Grabbing the things she'd packed for overnight, she hurried to the door and swung it open, greeting Isabel. She followed the taller girl to the nearby Jeep and threw her things into the back, but didn't climb in.

"Maria, I can't drive you anyplace if you don't get in the Jeep," Isabel pointed out.

"Just a minute," Maria insisted, and then raised her voice. "Michael? We're leaving now. If you want a ride, you'd better make an appearance."

There was no movement in the alleyway, and she huffed, "I know you're there; I can feel it, remember?" Another moment of silence, with Isabel eyeing her appraisingly. Then a figure detached itself from the shadows in the corner and wordlessly climbed into the back seat.

"Hello to you, too, Michael," said Isabel, turning in the driver's seat to look at him. He gave a grunt in reply. "Need a ride to your place?"

"Oh, no," insisted Maria as she got in. "He agreed to this dreamwalk, and I am going to make sure he does it. He can sleep just as well in Max's room as he can on that lumpy old couch of his."

Isabel looked at him in the rearview mirror. When he didn't say anything, she shrugged and started the Jeep for a quick--and very silent--trip back to the Evanses'.

Max, Alex and Liz were waiting in the family room for their arrival. They seemed surprised when the girls entered with Michael in tow, but saw the determined look on Maria's face and didn't comment.

"Okay, let's get started," Maria ordered. "Michael, go to sleep." He looked silently at her for a few moments, then around the room resignedly.

Max took pity on him. "Give him a little time, Maria. We don't have to be in such a hurry." She opened her mouth to protest, but he went on, "Hungry, Michael?"

The spiky-haired alien growled, "No. Let's get this over with."

"Aha!" cried Maria triumphantly, almost dancing in place. "See, Max? He's tired. He's wants to go to sleep."

Michael looked at her in disbelief and shook his head slightly, but turned his attention back to Max when he spoke. "Why don't you crash in my room?" Max suggested. "The rest of us will be in Isabel's, so you can use the bed instead of the sleeping bag." With an abrupt nod, Michael headed out of the room.

The others sat down, Maria glancing repeatedly at the doorway where Michael had disappeared.

"Give the guy a break," Alex said. "You don't just fall asleep on command."

"I know that," she shot back. "I'm just anxious, that's all."

Isabel decided to play hostess. "Why don't we head into the kitchen and get a snack? We can watch TV or something for a while. Relax until he's asleep."

The others agreed, and followed her from the room. They settled back down a little while later, with drinks and munchies in hand. Max turned on the TV with its sound down low and idly flipped through the channels.

"Warm milk!" said Maria suddenly. "My mom always used to make me warm milk when I couldn't sleep. I'd be out like a light. Let's make some for Michael."

"My mom does that, too," mused Alex. "But she puts a shot of brandy in hers."

"We do not want to give Michael any brandy," warned Isabel. "We can't handle alcohol, remember?"

Everyone looked at Max, who reddened and then spoke. "It's only been fifteen minutes, anyway. Give him a chance. He's not used to sleeping this early."

"It's almost 11:30. That was about when we dreamwalked him the first time," commented Alex. "And somehow I don't think he's gotten a whole lot of sleep since then, either. He still looks beat."

Maria muttered something unintelligible under her breath. Of course Michael looked beat. He was hanging around her house at all hours of the night, wasn't he? Setting her glass down with a thump on one of Mrs. Evans's coasters, she said, "I'll be back in a minute," and headed out of the room.

"She's probably just gone to get some air," she heard Liz say as she headed to the door. Liz knew her so well. Sitting on the front stoop, she looked up at the night sky. She'd never really studied it, not before finding out about Max, Michael and Isabel; but since then she'd spent many hours staring up and wondering. About their home, about where they'd come from, about the family Michael had once had. As much as it scared her that the three of them would leave, it gave her comfort, too, knowing how much Michael needed to know where he belonged. And as much as she wanted him with her, she knew that he had to find that place, a place where he was at home. Content. Where he could allow himself to love someone, and be loved back. But first he needed to be whole again...

Sighing, she took one last look at the stars and headed quietly back inside. Ignoring the voices coming from the family room, she moved towards Max's room, trying not to make a sound. She'd just peek in on him and see how he was doing.

Reaching the door, she put her ear against it, listening. No sound from within. She reached out and eased the door open a crack. Just enough light filtered in from the hall to allow her to make out the still form on the bed. He'd taken his shoes off and lain back, his hands folded across his stomach. He didn't move. Silently she moved to the foot of the bed, picking up the quilt that was folded across it and draping it over him, tucking it gently under his chin as she used to do with her dolls.

"I'd have a better chance of falling asleep if you'd stop bugging me," he informed her dryly, his eyes still closed. "Go sniff some oil or something and leave me alone."

She flushed. "How did you know it was me?"

"I've slept in Max's room a lot, and believe me, he isn't the tucking-in type."

"But I could've been Isabel, or Liz."

"But you weren't."

"But--"

He opened his eyes and narrowed them at her. "If you want me to be able to do this, then go away," he said coldly. Biting her lip, she moved to the doorway, looking back to see his eyes once more closed. She shut the door softly behind her, smiling softly. He might not have been aware of it, but he'd clutched the blanket she'd placed over him as if he'd never been tucked in before. Well, maybe he hadn't. A sad expression crossed her face. "Sweet dreams," she whispered, and then headed back down the hall.