Title: Raw Fish
Author: kateafur
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Vague season 3, specific events from the first two seasons.
Summary: Secrets are revealed when a night goes horribly wrong.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

Friday night. Michael and I are planning to stay at my house, eat dinner, watch a movie, and factor in some serious 'us' time. My mom has a date with a few girls from her shop. One of them, Sandy, is getting engaged for like the third time this year so the girls are planning on going out to a strip club and getting loaded. I don't expect my mom back until very late when she'll probably be too messed up to even comprehend Michael and I together on the couch, the kitchen table, my bed, her bed…well, you get the idea.

Unfortunately, my very detailed fantasies of having Michael in my childhood bed are quickly squashed when my mom comes gliding through the kitchen door, arms full of carryout bags.

"Mom? What's up? I thought you were taking Sandy out to celebrate her engagement to what's-his-face?"

"Tony, honey. And she decided to call it off. Again. Before we even got to celebrate! I said we should go out anyway, but the other girls all wimped out. So I thought sushi from Mr. Chan's!" She smiles and holds up a brown paper bag for emphasis. Mom loves sushi. I'm indifferent. Give me a greasy, well-done burger any day, but I'll tolerate raw fish.

"Sorry, Mom. You'll have to make it a private dinner with Mr. Chan. Michael and I have plans." Or had, more accurately. We'll have to use his apartment, which is fine. I try to focus on thoughts of Michael's rather roomy bathtub instead of my mom's crestfallen face. Sudsy Michael. Michael in nothing but a bath towel. Michael dripping wet.

Damn, why did this woman have to labor over thirteen hours for me?

"Well, maybe I can convince Spaceboy to try sushi. As long as he's got it slathered in Tabasco, I'm sure it'll be fine." I flash a fake smile at my mom, who immediately looks happy again. The things I do.

"Wonderful, baby! I haven't seen Michael in ages! We'll have a fun night. I even rented Moulin Rouge!" Mom skips gleefully around the kitchen, opening various paper cartons.

I am so going to owe Michael for this.

***

"Did you like the sushi, Michael?" Mom busies herself clearing plates and take-out boxes from the table. My poor Spaceboy looks a little green and in a completely non-alien way. I don't think raw fish agrees with him. I reach over and rub his arm soothingly.

"Um. It was great, Ms. DeLuca." He manages a weak smile. I mouth a 'thank you' at him as my mother babbles on about the health benefits of seaweed.

"Everyone ready for the movie? I heard the costumes are just incredible."

Michael's face turns an even brighter shade of green. Oh boy. I grab his hand and pull him toward the couch.

"Feel free to doze through this movie, Spaceboy. You've already suffered enough through the raw fish." Eew. Note to self: don't mention raw fish to boyfriend.

"You owe me big, Maria." Though he looks like regurgitated lettuce, Michael still manages that mischievous glint in his eyes which lets me know payback will be mutually beneficial.

My mom plops in the armchair, remote in hand. I steer my boyfriend toward the couch and ignore my mother's disapproving looks as I situate myself in his arms, stretching us out along the length of the couch.

"Hands where I can see 'em." She warns as Michael and I both hold ours up and visible. I feel Michael relax behind me. With any luck, he'll be out before Nicole Kidman can burst into song. He wraps both arms around me and burrows his face in my neck. I revel in his soft breathing, the way I can feel his chest rise and fall beneath my back. I tangle my legs with his, letting my arms rest over where his have encircled my waist.

My mom flashes me a quick smile as the movie begins letting me know how adorable Michael and I must look all spooned up on the couch. I smile back and let myself enjoy the movie.

Just as Ewan and Nicole are falling in love to a dance number, I begin to notice the body behind mine. Michael is always a big furnace, perfect for warming me up at any given time. But now, he feels really hot. I snuggle back into him, hoping it's just my imagination. Nope, I only notice how his arms are slightly sweaty.

Turning my head to get an answer from him, I gasp in shock. His face is covered in beads of sweat; his eyelids are closed and twitching. Oh God. Oh no. My stomach plunges for my feet and I feel the panic rise in my throat. Not again. Please, not again.

"Michael." I twist myself around in his loose embrace, hoping he's just having a nightmare or something. "Michael? Spaceboy? Wake up!"

He doesn't respond. God, his forehead feels so hot. I can't help my hands from shaking as I try unsuccessfully to nudge him awake. As I gently push some sweaty hair away from his face, the tremors start. His much larger body bumps against mine as he trembles. One last futile attempt to wake him up by physically opening his eyes sends fear piercing to my core. His eyes are dark, unfocused. He doesn't even look at me when I say his name. No, no, no. This can't be happening.

The tremors increase in severity. I feel the bile rise in my throat. What's happening? Hot tears slip down my cheeks when I touch his cheek. Fire, it feels like fire.

"Oh God!" I jump off the couch, causing my mom to look up in alarm. "Michael! Please, Michael!" Bending back down, I look to see if he responds. Nothing.

"Maria? What's going on?" She panics seeing my tear-streaked and pale face. Her gaze shifts to Michael. I realize how horrible it must look to her. My boyfriend is a limp, sweaty, shaking mess on our couch. Oh God. My mother. How can I explain this to her? A new wave of fear and panic sweeps through my body. Not knowing what else to do, I turn back to Michael hoping he'll just snap out of it. Please, Michael. Please be okay.

Think, Maria. What can I do to help Michael? I press my hand to Michael's cheek again and whimper when it feels hotter than before.

"Maria? What's wrong with Michael?" My mom leans down with me, her face panicked.

I shake my head. "I don't know, Mom. I have no idea. Get the thermometer."

Happy to have some direction, my mother scurries off to find the thermometer. I don't need it. I know without a doubt the heat in Michael's body far exceeds the scale on the thermometer but I had to get my mom out of the room. How am I supposed to explain this to her? She's going to want to call an ambulance. Amy DeLuca is not a passive woman and will figure out any minute now something serious is going down. Desperately, I try again to shake Michael into consciousness. Nothing.

Max. I have to call Max. He can fix this. He'll know what to do. My hands are shaking so much I can hardly dial the number. Pick up, Max. Come on.

"Hello?"

"Max, it's Maria." I barely recognize my own voice; it's weak and distant.

"Maria? What's wrong? What's going on?" Max's voice mutates into 'king' mode as he demands an answer.

"It's Michael. He's sick." Putting it into words is harder than I thought. My knees go weak and I allow myself to collapse into a nearby chair. One glance at Michael's trembling form, however, and I suddenly gain back some strength. I need to be strong for him.

"Sick? What happened?"

"I don't know. It's bad though. You have to hurry."

"Liz and I are out in the desert. We'll be there as soon as we can, okay? Can you handle him until I get there?" I hear Liz's questioning voice in the background.

"Yeah. Hurry, though. I'm so scared Max. He's so hot, I don't know what to do."

"Try to cool him down. Do you have help? Where are you?"

"I'm home. My mom's here." Max swears softly under his breath.

"Okay. Just hold tight until I get there." Max hangs up abruptly leaving me staring at the phone, needing more answers. Looking back up at Michael, I notice my mom crouched over his sick form. Uh-oh. How long was she here for? She turns from Michael to look at me, concern written all over her face.

"What's going on with him, Maria? He's burning up. I have to call an ambulance, this boy needs to be at a hospital."

"No!" I jump up and scream. My mom looks at me in shock.

"He's running a temp over 110 degrees. This is really serious!"

"No!" I clutch the phone. "You can't take him to a hospital!"

"Why the hell not, Maria?" Mom stands and puts her hand on her hip, challenging me.

"Trust me, Mom. You can't take him there. Please." I plead with my mother and she relents just a little, sensing the desperation in my tone.

"Is this drugs?"

"No." I say firmly. Maybe I could let her believe that and protect Michael's identity but somehow I doubt that would help the situation much. No need to deal with cops on top of doctors. "Max is coming. He can help. Just trust me, Mom."

My mom shakes her head in disbelief. "Since when does Max Evans have an M.D.?"

"He knows what to do." I turn my head from Mom's intense stare and notice Michael's sweating get even worse. "We have to cool him down…the shower! Let's put him in the shower!"

I wait for my mom to protest, but she seems to accept the situation. "If Michael gets any worse, I don't care what reasons you have. I'm calling an ambulance. Got it?"

Nodding, I rush toward my Michael. I struggle to prop his dead weight up on the couch; he just slumps against me. "Michael, baby," I coo, "help me out here! Come on. We'll get you cooled down, okay?" I continue to murmur to him as I strip off his shirt. When my hands move to unbuckle his belt, I steal a glance at my mom who is frozen in shock or panic or something. "Well, are you going to help?"

She moves to life and hurries to Michael's side. I slide off his pants, ignoring my mother's questioning glare. Trust her to get all freaked out about our relationship at a time like this. It's not like I took off his boxers or anything. Michael's body is covered in sweat. We struggle to heft him off the couch toward the bathroom. He's so heavy; my mom and I are hardly qualified for this job.

"Come on, Spaceboy. Help us out here. When this is over no more donuts for you, got it?" His features remain unresponsive, but I swear the load becomes a little easier. I share a look with my mom; she thinks the same. Good, at least my Michael is in there somewhere. Finally, we make it to the bathroom and dump his sweaty body into the tub. Then, I see it.

On Michael's neck is a giant, colorful hickey. I'm horrified. I know I put it there two nights ago when we got bored at work. I also know that he healed it himself before coming over tonight. Why did it come back? Michael has nowhere near Max's healing abilities, but he can do small things like paper cuts and hickeys.

"Jesus, Maria!" My mom has obviously noticed my love bite too. Hopefully, she doesn't realize it wasn't there an hour ago.

This is not good. Michael's powers are reversing or something. What the hell is going on? Remembering something, I reach for Michael's left hand. He burned it on the grill this morning at work. Sure enough, the small blister he'd waved into nothingness is back. Shit.

Taking a deep breath, I try to focus. Shower. Cool him down. I ignore my frantic mother who's fussing over Michael's perspiring, trembling body and flip on the shower. Michael calms down a little as the cold water flows over his skin.

"Oh God, Michael!" Suddenly, Isabel is in the bathroom too. Max must've called her. "What the hell is going on, Maria?" She sends me a death glare, like somehow this is my fault. No, no, no. We're not doing this again, having a damn power struggle for Michael. He's my boyfriend; I will not step aside and let her be the sole nurse here.

"He just got hot all of sudden. Then the shaking started. I don't know why." I push her aside and kneel down beside the tub. Thank God, he seems to be cooling down.

Shaking her head, Isabel kneels beside me. She reaches over me to stroke his face. "This is just like before. I don't understand."

"This happened before!" My mom screeches. Isabel whips her head up; she hadn't noticed my mom in the room before.

Before Mom can really let loose, I cut her off. "Yes, Mom. But we healed him before."

"It's drugs, I know it!" Isabel is shooting me more death glares and promptly pushes me out of the way.

"No, Mom! It's not drugs." I edge my way back to Michael, not caring if I piss Isabel off more. His skin feels cool, the shower must've worked but now we need to get him out of the cold. "Come on, let's get Michael somewhere warm."

Snapping out of her tirade, my mom offers to get blankets and rushes out of the room. I assume that Isabel was giving her evil looks to freak her out. I know the feeling. Reaching for a towel, I begin to dry Michael off.

"I'm sorry about my mom, Isabel." I offer.

"How much does she know?" Her voice is terse as she grabs the towel from me.

"She was here when it started. I couldn't just send her away- there's no way she would leave Michael like this. I've had a hard time convincing her to not call the hospital."

"I can imagine." There's no emotion in her voice as she concentrates on Michael. He looks so weak. My heart begins to ache and the fear I feel for him is almost paralyzing. If I lose him…

We heft Michael out of the tub. I take in his soaking boxers and go to remove them. Isabel swats my hand away. With a small smile, she waves her hand and they immediately dry.

"I understand about your mom. It's okay. We can trust her, right?" I stare at Isabel. It hits me how hard this must be for her too. I know it would nearly kill her to lose Michael. Add everything with my mom to the mix, and I know she's probably freaking out. I mean, I know she's always wanted to let her parents in on the big secret, it must hurt that now my mom is going to find out through circumstance.

"We can trust her. I promise." I really do believe that my mom will take this well. If anyone can believe in extreme possibilities, it's my mother. Michael begins to shiver again so we hurry our pace to my bedroom.

***

It's easy to get Michael into bed with the three of us doing the lifting. After piling the blankets on top of Michael, I decide to climb in with him. I need to feel him near me now. Isabel sits on the other side of the bed as I snuggle closer to my Spaceboy. He's beginning to heat up again. Though, thankfully, the tremors have subsided for the time being.

"I got the healing stones! I even brought the translation in case something in it can help. Holy shit! Michael looks terrible!" Kyle bursts into the room with babble worthy of, well, me.

"Thanks for that observation, Kyle." Isabel snaps as she gets up to take the stones from him. She deliberately ignores the book. I can understand. I don't even believe that Kyle got up the nerve to bring it. I miss the look that Isabel gives Kyle, but it makes him glance in my mother's direction.

"Ms. DeLuca! Um, hi?" Kyle looks at me confused. I just shrug. 'Does she know?' he mouths to me. I shrug again.

My mom has been quiet for far too long which is why I'm not surprised when she goes off.

"Healing stones? What the hell is going on here? Why did Isabel and Kyle just show up at my house, Maria? What do your little friends think they can do for Michael? For Christ's sake, he's deathly ill! He needs to be in the hospital! I won't take no for an answer this time, missy!"

Isabel panics, staring at me with wide eyes. Kyle just scratches his head, obviously confused with the entire situation. He can't take his eyes off Michael's sick form, though. I move my hand over Michael's chest until I can feel his heartbeat, still strong, beneath his skin.

"Tell her." Isabel's voice is soft. I look at her alarmed, does she really mean it?

"Tell me what?" My mom says impatiently. I turn my head toward Kyle for support. He just shrugs.

God, tell my mother that Michael's an alien? She'll think I'm insane. She would never turn them in or anything, but would I ever be allowed to see him again? How would I even being to explain? I was under the assumption that she would just, I don't know, gradually find out?

"Kyle, go ahead." I turn my focus back to Michael who has begun to shake again. Please hurry, Max. Please don't let me lose Michael.

"What? She's your mother!" Kyle folds his arms over his chest defiantly.

"Will someone please just tell me!!" Mom screeches again.

"Maria, you'd better…" Isabel is too quiet. She won't even look in my mom's direction. She must be so scared right now.

"Fine. Just give me a minute, okay?" I don't want to leave Michael. I run my hand over his face, praying that he'll snap out of it before I have to go change my mom's world. "Michael, please wake up. Please, Spaceboy." I whisper softly, a few more tears slipping down my cheeks. They plop silently onto Michael's heated skin.

"Maria?" My mom's voice is gentle near my ear. "Please explain what's going on. I need to know or I'm going to call an ambulance."

Sighing, I lean down to press a soft kiss to Michael's lips. I'm shocked when I feel a slight response. I pull away and stare at his face; his eyes flutter open and focus on me. I'm amazed at the clarity I see there.

"Maria?" His voice is rough, he attempts to reach up for my face but his arm misses its target. I gently take his hand and press it to my lips. I'm crying in relief. "Why…crying?"

"Spaceboy. What's wrong? Why are you sick?" I lean closer to him. I can hear Isabel's gasp as Michael's eyes open even wider, his hand takes on a renewed strength and pulls me down to him.

"Raw fish…" He rasps out. I gaze into his eyes, happy for his lucidity but afraid of the dark intensity of his eyes.

"Michael, we'll fix you up okay? Max will be here soon." I feel his forehead, it's burning up again.

"Love you, Maria. My angel." He smiles up at me. The far away look in his eyes scares me.

"No, damnit! Don't get mushy on me, Michael! You'll be fine."

"My Maria." His voice is soft and his eyes slide shut again. I try and shake him back into consciousness but it's no use. I let out a sob and fall back into my mother's waiting arms.

"What did he mean, raw fish?" Kyle asks, moving closer to the bed.

"Oh my, God! Food poisoning!" My mom exclaims. "But Mr. Chan never gives bad sushi."

"Sushi? Michael ate sushi?" Isabel stares at me in disbelief. I sniffle still concentrating on the steady rise and fall of Michael's chest.

"I've had food poisoning before, it does not cause fevers this high. No. We need to take him in." My mom is shaking her head now, pacing the room.

Isabel leans over to me, gripping my hand. "You have to talk to your mom, okay? Go tell her. I'll see if I can do anything for him. Now that we have an idea of the problem, maybe I can fix it."

I nod and clumsily get out of bed. "Mom, let's go in the kitchen." With one last prayer for Michael, I follow her out of the room.

***

We sit at the table. I can tell my mom wants to lash out at me, ask me a million questions and demand answers. However, she patiently waits for me to gather my thoughts. I give her a lot of credit for that.

Where to start? I have no idea.

"Mom, do you remember those dreams you had? About Larek saying that Max was an alien?"

"Yes, sweetie. But what does that have to do with anything?"

"They were true."

"True? But they were just dreams. Maria, you're making no sense."

"Okay, maybe that wasn't a good place to start. I'll just say it, okay? Okay. Max, Michael, and Isabel they're…well, they're different."

"Different?"

"They're aliens, Mom." I spit it out, carefully watching her reaction. She just stares at me. Then anger washes over her features.

"Maria. I told you. Tell me the truth or I'm calling an ambulance! This is insane! I have a very sick boy under my roof and I'm doing absolutely nothing about it!"

"I did tell you the truth, Mom." I say softly, which captures her attention. Speaking softly is not exactly my signature reaction. "The reason we can't take Michael to a doctor is because he's not of this earth. His cells are different and the doctor will see that and call the FBI or whatever and then they'll take him away and do God knows what to him!" I lose the soft voice with that last remark.

"What the hell drugs are you on, Maria?" My mom reaches over and checks my pupils. I swat her hand away.

"I'm serious! Think about it, why else would I call Michael 'Spaceboy'?"

"Oh my God. You actually believe this, don't you?"

I nod my head. There's not enough time to explain everything, but I have to at least try. Max will hopefully be here any minute. That should be interesting. "Mom, remember two years ago when there was that shooting at the Crashdown? When everyone thought Liz got shot?"

"Of course. But it was just a broken ketchup bottle, right?" My mom is gripping the table as if her life depended on it. I can tell she doesn't fully believe me yet, but she's on her way.

"No. Liz really got shot. She almost died. But Max, he healed her, Mom. He dissolved the bullet and repaired the wound. That's how we found out."

"Oh my. You're serious? But, but…how? Why?"

"There isn't time to explain it all now. You have to trust me, Mom. I'll tell you the whole saga later, okay? I promise. Just promise me you'll help protect Michael and the others."

"Maria." My mom shakes her head at me.

"Mom," I plead. "No one knows. They trust us with this secret. Now I'm asking them to trust you because you have to help us here. If anyone else finds out about Michael, it could be so dangerous. Trust me, I've seen what can happen to them if the wrong people find out. I can't lose Michael. I can't."

"Wow. I don't believe this. Are you sure it's not drugs?" Mom has a dazed look in her eyes, but she seems calm enough. Maybe she can accept this. I decide to play another angle.

"Think about it, Mom. The only people that know are Liz and Kyle... Alex knew…I know. And Jim knows…"

"Jim knows?" She repeats, wide-eyed.

I nod. "He's helped them, us, so much. Anyway, my point is that not even the Evans' know about Max and Isabel's alien-status. Can you imagine what that's like for them? Having to hide this deep secret from their parents? Constantly living in fear that someone will discover the truth and turn them over to some covert government organization? Isabel's own husband doesn't even know!"

Mom just stares in shock as she digests this new information. Before she can respond, however, more people come crashing through the door. This time it's Max and Liz. Thank God.

Max looks questioningly at my mom, probably wondering if she knows. He pushes Liz behind him slightly, protecting her. I feel a pang in my heart. Who could ever protect me better than Michael?

"I told her." I glance at my mom who seems to be studying Max intently, looking at him in a new light. Finally, she comes to a decision and rushes toward him. Max immediately takes on a defensive position, wary of her reaction. Hell, even I don't know what to expect. Instead of physical violence however, she pulls Max into a big hug. I can't help the small smile that creeps onto my face.

"Oh, you poor darling!" She exclaims into Max's very confused ear. "Hiding your entire life! You sweet boy!" Max awkwardly returns the hug all the while glaring at me. I stifle a laugh, the heaviness that I've felt since Michael's sickness began lifting momentarily at my mother's antics.

Amy DeLuca can always be counted on to help the underdog.

Liz moves toward me, enveloping me in a hug. I accept it gratefully, appreciating that rather than retreating into her own little Max world, she understands how I feel about this. The hugging stops abruptly as we all remember the situation at hand. I give a longing look toward the bedroom, praying that Michael has miraculously recovered in my absence.

***

No such luck. Michael is still sweaty and trembling. Isabel is hovering over him; her face looks exhausted- probably from trying to heal him. Kyle is hunched in a chair, skimming the translation. His face has a gray shade to it. The history behind the translation is obviously bothering him, yet he plugs on.

My mom immediately rushes to Isabel, giving her the same treatment as Max. Isabel responds much more enthusiastically. She shuts her eyes tightly and grips my mom back, probably wishing it were her own mother. Why Max can't just let her tell her own mom, I'll never understand. After my mom finishes hugging everyone in the room, she stands in the back and allows us to take over. I smile gratefully at her.

"Do we know what happened to Michael?" Max looks between Kyle, Isabel, and me for answers.

"We think maybe food poisoning. We all ate sushi for dinner, he got sick after that." I slide back into my bed next to Michael, needing to feel him alive against me. I take a damp cloth that Isabel must've gotten while I was in the kitchen and use it to wipe some of the sweat from Michael's forehead. That's when I see it again. "Guys! See this on Michael's neck?"

"That's a hickey, Maria." Max rather astutely points out, leaning down to inspect it.

"Maria, now is not the time to being worrying about why Michael has a hickey on his neck. " Isabel rolls her eyes.

"I'm not worried about it. I put it there." I say indignantly, shooting her an evil look.

"Yeah, I'm sure you did!" Kyle snickers. Thankfully, Liz smacks him on the head. I hear my mom clear her throat in the background.

"That's not the point. The point is that Michael healed it himself before coming over because he didn't want my mom to see it. Now, it's back. And see this?" I pick up Michael's limp hand and point to the burn there. "He healed this burn this morning and it's back too."

"You're saying that the healing in Michael is reversing?" Isabel furrows her eyebrows at me.

"Those two things did, yes." I run my finger gently over the burn on his hand.

"So, maybe this sickness is a reversal of the healing before? From his trip to the reservation?" Liz finally speaks up, stepping closer to the bed.

I look up at Max, wondering if maybe we found an answer. He shakes his head.

"No. Because if that were the case, all the other things he's had healed would come back too."

"Well, I'll tell ya what. There's nothing in this damn book that'll help." Kyle chucks the translation across the room and wearily rubs his eyes. Isabel moves to his side to comfort him.

"Then what would explain the reversal, Max?" Liz looks up at her boyfriend then back at Michael. I just sigh and study my Spaceboy. He doesn't seem to be getting any worse. But he doesn't seem to be getting any better, either.

"Michael isn't very good at healing yet. When this sickness he has took over his strength, the wounds just naturally reversed because they weren't all the way healed. Michael just fixed the surface, not the entire problem." I look over at my mom to see how she's handling all of this alien talk. She's leaning against my closet door, near the back of my room, just observing everyone else. I wonder how we must look to her. Catching my eye, she gives me a small grin and nods that she's dealing.

"Do you think this is all due to some bad sushi?" I can't help the fear that rises in my voice. If some bad fish caused this reaction, does that mean this can easily happen again? I shudder at the thought. Glancing up a Liz, I see she shares my worried expression.

"I don't know, Maria." Max kneels down beside Michael, studying his face. Turning back to glance at all the others, he comes to a decision. "Let's not worry about the why right now. Let's concentrate on trying to heal Michael."

Isabel nods and joins Max near the bed. Off Max's soft look, I move from the bed not wanting to disrupt the healing process. My mom comes to my side and squeezes me softly to her. It hits me how glad I am she's here to comfort me. Having her as a part of all this is really making it much easier to deal.

"It'll be okay, baby." She whispers into my hair. "He'll be fine." I shudder into her embrace. I'm glad that she's been supportive of the alien revelation so far.

"Thank you, Mom. For taking this all so well."

"I think I'm in shock now. I'm sure tomorrow you'll be dealing with quite another reaction." She ruffles my hair a little, causing me to scrunch my nose up in annoyance. I look back toward the bed to see Max bending over Michael, a hand on either side of his head. Isabel steps behind him, placing her hand on his shoulder and closing her eyes. My mom grips me tighter as Max visibly puts all his effort into healing Michael. Beads of sweat break out on his forehead and his muscles all go tight. Isabel, too, looks overly exerted. Stealing a glance at Liz, I see her biting her lip in worry, eyes fixed on Max. Kyle is sitting on the edge of his chair, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands steepled under his chin.

I pray silently that this will work. After a few minutes, though, Max pulls away, defeated. He looks at me apologetically and I feel my heart drop again.

"It didn't work?" My mom speaks up, her voice full of hope that she's wrong.

Isabel won't take her eyes off Michael's gently trembling body. Max just shakes his head.

"I think I got to some of it. It's like his whole system is on hyper mode. I tried to calm as much as I could. It would explain the fever, though. His body is trying to fight something in his system."

"Must've been some really bad fish." Kyle speaks up. I move to be near Michael again, whispering soothing words into his ear.

"Do you think the healing stones will work?" Liz has attached herself to Max, worriedly fussing over his strained expression.

"I don't know." Max admits. "Michael isn't sick in the same way as before."

"It's worth a shot." Isabel looks up, sharing a look with all of us. "Maybe our combined focus will still help him like it did before."

Kyle nods. "I got the stones." He holds up the pillowcase that contains them.

"Let's do it then." I can only stare down at Michael as I say it. This will work. It has to.

***

We decide to do the healing in the backyard. Maybe it would've worked in my bedroom, but Isabel insists that we recreate the setting from before as closely as possible. Thankfully, our small yard is well hidden from prying neighbors or else they will really think my mom and I are crazy.

I spread out a thick wool blanket on the hard grass of the yard. My mom has never been one for lawn upkeep so our grass is withered and dry. Kyle and Max easily cart Michael's body out of the house and position him on the blanket. I can't help the bile that rises in my throat at the sight of my boyfriend being so easily carried, the limp quality of his normally strong body. I rush over to the bushes and quickly spit out the vile taste in my mouth.

Returning to the crowd, I watch as Isabel touches her hand to the ground and the wheel shaped circle appears around Michael. Max reaches into the pillowcase and hands Isabel and I our stones. I roll the heavy rock in my hands, already beginning to concentrate my energy on it. Max pauses when he reaches Liz.

"Are you up for this, Liz?" He searches her face and we all turn to see her reaction, remembering before. Taking a deep breath, she squares her shoulders.

Looking only at me as she accepts the stone, she replies. "Of course. He's my friend too." I offer her a weak smile, which she returns.

Kyle accepts a stone somewhat reluctantly. "What do I do, Max?"

Stopping, Max makes sure we're all listening before continuing. "All you have to do is concentrate on Michael. Our energies will activate the stones. So long as we all stay focused on Michael and helping him, it should work out okay. Can you handle this, Kyle?"

"Hey! You forget I'm a Buddhist! This is right up my alley." Kyle steps determinedly into one of the spokes of the wheel. We all follow suit.

"Wait! I want to help!" My mom. I forgot about her. She steps closer to the circle, I recognize the steadfast look in her eyes. There's no way she'll stand quietly by. Max, however, looks uncertain. Recognizing the determined look in her eyes from the times I've used it myself, he finally relents. He reaches into the pillowcase to pull out another stone. My mom accepts it triumphantly and Isabel creates another spoke for her. I smile at her and she winks back at me.

Taking a deep breath, I find it easy to focus everything on Michael. I feel the stone heating up in my hand and I concentrate even harder. Every touch, every kiss, every word I've ever shared with Michael I bring up into memory letting my love for him wash over me. In a matter of minutes, I feel myself flash into another world.

Michael once told me about the last time he was sick. He said that when we were healing him, we all appeared to him on this alternate plane of reality. I have had flashes of it before and I find myself in nearly the same place. None of us remember greeting Michael last time, but maybe we're stronger this time or something. I look at everyone's faces and see that, yes, we all realize we're not in Kansas anymore.

"Focus. Keep your focus." A voice echoes in my head and I realize Max must be reaching out to all of us, warning us not to panic.

We're in the middle of the desert, the sun is blinding in the sky. Everything feels so surreal, like this is a dream or something but I know this is real. Max is concentrating fiercely on Michael in the center of the circle. I notice his lips moving in time with the words in my head. That must be how we communicate here. My consciousness feels disconnected from my body as I try to turn my head. My mind is still endlessly cycling thoughts of Michael, yet I can still take in the scene before me.

Isabel is watching Michael intently, waiting for something to happen. Though I feel no wind, her skirt and hair seem to flow to a gentle breeze. She looks beautiful. Next to her is Kyle. He scans the world in awe, a peaceful smile on his face. Liz is gripping her stone tightly, her eyes still closed as she continues to focus. Finally, my eyes rest on my mother. She looks a little panicked as she takes in the new scene before her, but her eyebrows remain furrowed in concentration.

My heart quickens as Michael begins to stand up. Pure joy flows through my body as I watch him stand steadily on two feet, his muscles that were before limp and unresponsive visibly flexing beneath his shirt.

He goes to Max first.

"Welcome back, brother." Max whispers in Michael's ear as the two share a manly hug. Again, I hear the words in my head but watch Max's lips move.

"Thanks, Maxwell." Michael's words are much clearer in my head. I don't know if I've ever heard a more wonderful sound.

Isabel is next. "Michael! Oh, God! I was so worried!" She gives him a tight embrace and pecks him on the cheek.

"You worry too much, Izzy." Michael smirks at her and she playfully smacks his shoulder. Shaking her head, she pulls him in for another hug.

"I love you, Michael."

"Ditto, Iz."

Pulling back from his sister, Michael moves to Kyle next. "Kyle." Michael offers his hand to him.

"Michael, my man." Kyle grips his hand tightly. "Ah, screw it!" With a wicked grin on his face, Kyle pulls him into an awkward hug, patting Michael fiercely on the back.

"You're an odd one, Valenti." Michael laughs as he pulls back, shaking his head.

Liz greets Michael next. "Michael. Welcome home."

"Thanks, Liz." They share a quick hug.

Michael turns to my mom next, clearly confused. "Ms. DeLuca?"

"Oh, you dear, dear boy!" My mom wastes no time in pouncing on my boyfriend, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Don't ever scare my daughter like that again, got it?"

"Yeah." Michael removes himself from her clutches and scratches his eyebrow. I feel the love swell in my heart. My Michael is back.

Finally, he walks toward me. I see nothing but his careless stroll, the way his eyes go dark with emotion when he sees me. When he's finally close enough to touch, I waste no time in flinging my arms around his neck.

"Spaceboy!" I can't help from giggling as he bends back a little causing me to lift up off the ground. He laughs and smiles his amazing, however under-used, smile at me. "God, I was so scared."

Returning me to the ground, he moves his hands slowly down to my hips. I rest my forehead against his and revel in breathing him in. I can't decide where to look: his gorgeous brown eyes, the chiseled angles of his face, or his sweet lips. My hands are just as indecisive as they roam from his muscled back to his strong chest through his careless silky hair and over the planes of his face. I can feel the tears of joy running down my cheeks. He reaches one of his incredible hands to brush them away, promptly pulling my chin up so our lips crash together.

The kiss is deep and passionate. I can feel him in every cell in my body. He invades my head as I'm assaulted with all the love and emotion he feels for me. He pulls back all too quickly, leaving me quivering for more.

"I could never leave you, Maria. Never. You're my everything."

I smile broadly, feeling the purest form of happiness I've ever experienced. Before I can respond, however, I feel myself being pulled back into reality.

***

Snapping my eyes open, I still feel breathless from the kiss and adrenaline is coursing through my body. I wildly look around for Michael who is just getting up from the ground. This time, he focuses on me first. This time, I'm not filled with joy but a huge sense of relief that he is really okay. Suddenly, I feel emotionally exhausted. When Michael walks over to me, all I can do is collapse into his arms and sob. He burrows his face into my neck and I can feel rather than hear him whispering soothing words to me.

Pulling back, he again brushes the tears from my face only this time he places a soft kiss on first my forehead than my lips. "You really scared me, Spaceboy." I whisper pulling him closer to me. I wonder if I can ever be close enough to him.

"I'm sorry." He smoothes my hair, and rubs his face against my head. I slip my hands up under the front of his shirt, feeling his abs constrict under my touch. His skin is smooth and no longer sweaty. I sigh into his chest. "Remind me never to eat sushi again, okay?" He rumbles into my hair.

Laughing, I reach up to kiss his lips again. "Sure thing."

I refuse to be more than a foot away from Michael as he greets everyone on this plane. My mom still seems to be holding up well. She can't understand that Michael is as good as new, though. She keeps suggesting that he go lay down and sleep it off.

We're all tired though, it's been a long evening to say the least. Max and Liz are the first to go. Liz is on a strict curfew, so they rush home to get her back before Mr. Parker sends out the cops. Isabel and Kyle stay to help clean everything up.

My mom follows Isabel around, exclaiming her awe at all the little tasks Isabel performs with her powers. Kyle finds Isabel's annoyance incredibly amusing and keeps giving my mother even more suggestions for her alien housekeeper. Finally, Isabel just storms out. I think Mom asking her to rid the bathroom tile of grime was a bit beyond the call of duty. Kyle follows shortly after.

Michael and I stand awkwardly in the living room. I won't let him leave just yet even though it's really late. Michael, too, seems reluctant to go.

"Thanks, Maria, for taking care of my gross sweaty body again. I know before I told you not to help me ever again, but I'm very glad you ignored that." Michael steps close to me, gripping my arms with a tiny smirk on his face.

"Oh God. I forgot about that." I laugh, leaning my forehead against his.

"Good thing." He kisses me lightly. "So…do you remember what happened, you know, when you guys were healing me?" I stare up into his eyes; they're clouded with insecurity. Does he want me to remember?

"Yes." I answer honestly and watch as his eyes light up. "Do you?"

"Of course." He looks down at his shoes, suddenly shy. "I've never felt that happy before, knowing that I could see you again. I was afraid…"

Tilting his head up, I make sure he sees how much I love him in my eyes. "Michael, were you afraid I wouldn't help you?"

"No." He shakes his head. "But I was afraid I would never see you again. I went to this really dark place, Maria. It was awful. All I could think was that I would never see your beautiful face again. Then, there you were. All of you. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven."

"I assure you, this isn't heaven." I smile through the tears in my eyes.

"With you here, it is." Michael's eyes burn with an intensity that nearly sends me to my knees. All this mushiness is too much for me, but I do love it.

"You're beginning to sound a lot like Max, you know." I pull him closer to me, our lips only a breath apart.

"I guess I'll have to work on that." He smirks at me then closes the distance between us.

"Ahem." My mom clears her throat after we've been kissing a few minutes. We pull apart.

"Sorry, Ms. DeLuca." Michael blushes. He's been really nervous around my mom all night, being as polite as possible, which is quite shocking.

"Gee, Michael. Maybe if you were this polite to me after I found out we would've had less problems, huh pally?" I jab Michael in the ribs and he has the nerve to act all flustered. Maybe I should've told my mom sooner.

"But you're so hot when you're pissed." He smirks and I roll my eyes. My mom laughs.

"I can't believe my daughter is dating an alien." Mom shakes her head. I clutch Michael's hands and smile up at him proudly.

"You'll get used to it." I drop a light kiss on Michael's lips. I can't help the smile that seems permanently attached to my face. I'm just so glad he's okay.

Mom steps closer to us and places her palm on Michael's forehead. "Are you sure you're feeling okay, sweetie?"

Michael flinches a little under her touch; he's not used to being so coddled. "Fine, Mrs. DeLuca."

Sighing, my mom looks us hard up and down. "I just don't know if I'm comfortable with you going back to your apartment where you'll be all alone. What if you have a…relapse or something?"

"Oh, really, Ms. DeLuca, I'll be okay." Michael nods but makes no move from my side.

"Still, I think you'd better not be by yourself tonight. I did say you were always welcome on my couch…" Mom seems to think it over. I feel the giddiness rise again. I definitely need to be near Michael tonight.

"Really?" Michael looks so hopeful and innocent. It's adorable.

She looks at us again, huddled close together. Seeing the pleading look in my eyes, she continues. "And, since I doubt you two will be separated tonight, I will even allow Michael to sleep in your room."

I squeal in delight and my mom gives me a warning look.

"But!" She emphasizes, "The door must be open all night. I also reserve the right to pop in at any time. Please don't make me regret this uncharacteristic rule bending or else government agencies will be the least of your concerns!"

"Yes, ma'am." Michael nods gravely.

"Thanks, Mom!" I throw my arms around her neck.

"Okay. Now I'm off to bed. Goodnight." She gives each of us another hug before heading back to her bedroom.

"Ready for bed, Spaceboy?" I loop my arms around him.

"Hell yeah." He smirks at me and I melt. Dragging him off toward my room, I thank God once again that my Michael is okay.

***

Epilogue: Amy's Story.

Ever since I held Maria in my arms, swaddled up in a blanket nearly as pink as she was, I've had this dream. Not just a dream as in 'I hope my daughter graduates Harvard med school,' more real than that. Like an actual reoccurring dream. I've talked to many of my psychic consultants about it in hopes that maybe they could shed a little light on it. All I got was that it was my wishful thinking, merely a mother's fantasy. But after tonight, I'm not so sure.

For nearly eighteen years, it's been the same. Even my perception of Maria never changed as she grew into the young woman she is now. When she chopped off all her hair into that God-awful Meg-Ryan-in-an-electric-storm look, I still dreamt of her with flowing, long, golden hair.

In the dream, I'm witness to a beautiful moment. I'm standing in the desert at high noon, the landscape bleached by the sun. I see my pride and joy, my one true love: my Maria in a flowing, silky white dress. There's a look of utter serenity and happiness on her face, though it's not directed at me. Her soft blonde hair blows gently in the breeze. I watch as a man enters my line of view. Maria's beautiful face becomes even more angelic as a wide smile forms on her lips. She reaches up for the man at the same time he reaches down for her, placing his large hand on her hip. His face is never clear. All I know about him is the broad expanse of his shoulders beneath his black tux jacket. A soft glow surrounds the pair as they share a kiss which echoes of permanence, a promise of eternal love. Soul mates.

Okay, okay. I'll admit it's probably nothing more than a corny dream. A mother's wish for her daughter's absolute happiness. In her short time on this earth, I've watched Maria's heart get broken more times than I can bear. One boy in particular has been the cause of much of her pain: Michael Guerin. But beneath all the heartache he causes her, I still see love shine from Maria's eyes whenever Michael is near. I've never been a woman to believe in simple happily ever after, so I don't have high expectations for the two just so long as he is making her happy now.

But after last night…

Kinda funny how I've just seen proof that there's aliens on Earth and found out my daughter is dating one and all I can think of is some silly dream. I should be worried about extraterrestrial STDs and green, three-eyed babies or questioning her alien's ability to practice monogamy…in short, my normal preoccupation with my daughter's sexual activities. But all those things have taken the back burner to the vision that keeps floating in front of my eyes:

The look of absolute reverence on Michael's face as he greeted my daughter in both that group-hallucination thing and in real life; the utter bliss on Maria's face when she realized Michael was okay. To me, that searing kiss was an exact duplicate of the one in the dream. I really wonder how connected my daughter is to this alien boy of hers. Just another to add to the list of questions I have regarding last night.

Unable to sleep, I decide to make good on my promise to check on Maria and Michael. I really wonder if I'm going extraordinarily soft in my old age, letting Michael sleep over. I peek into her room and see a sight that makes my heart pound deep in my chest,

Both children are still fully clothed, thankfully. Michael takes up nearly the entire bed. I notice that the usual gruffness of his appearance fades in the innocence of sleep. I always knew he was just a big softie under all that grunting. Maria is sleeping on Michael's chest, her hands resting on his shoulders. As I lean closer to check for breathing, a mother's habit, Michael instinctively pulls Maria closer to him, his serene face taking on a very protective expression. Am I hearing things or is he growling? Maria seems to sense this and I watch fascinated as she mumbles something I can't understand into his chest and he visibly calms.

I don't know what it is between these two but it surely is special. Maria owes me major details tomorrow. Dating an alien. Oh Lord.

***

Amazingly enough, I'm able to fall asleep after witnessing my daughter so safe and secure in Michael's arms. I would have assumed nightmares at catching my seventeen year-old daughter in bed with a boy, but I'm not bothered by it tonight. My last thoughts as I drift off to sleep are that my daughter is obviously loved and that's all that matters.

The next morning, I wake up feeling very well rested. So much so, that I wonder if the weird happenings from last night were only a dream, or maybe result of some LSD-laced white rice? Who knows? Surely, there is some explanation other than my daughter dating an alien…my daughter is dating an alien!!!!

I manage to suppress the urge to scream at the top of my lungs, instead focusing on the beautiful day outside my window. A quick glance at my alarm clock tells me that it's almost 9:30 AM, much later than I usually sleep in. Maybe it was all really just a dream. I inhale deeply. My stomach grumbles with delight as I realize Maria is making breakfast. Bacon and eggs sound really good right now. Coffee too. Definitely coffee.

I pad into the kitchen, the normality of the situation soothing my nerves. It had to be just a dream. I can hear Maria singing softly along to the radio. My baby. It's been a longstanding tradition in our home: first one up on weekends makes breakfast. Maria's never been one of those teenagers to sleep the day away. Like me, she takes full advantage of every day. I smile as I steer into the kitchen, guided by the promise of caffeine.

Maria looks so happy. It's not a rare thing, lately. She was lost for a while after Alex died, of course. But over the summer, she's managed to return to her normal bubbly self. It's hard to see her as the bright, beautiful woman she's becoming at times like this. Her blonde hair is pulled into two messy French braids, her face devoid of all make-up but her green eyes still sparkling. She's wearing her favorite pajama pants- flannel with Scooby Doo all over them and a tight black tank top. The radio is playing softly in the background and she's dancing barefoot around the kitchen to some teenybopper song.

Sensing my presence, she looks up and her expression immediately throws me off. Instead of the warm smile I've come to expect from her, her face is panicked. She loses her balance and trips into a chair. I've never seen her look so nervous around me before…I don't think. At least never when I've caught her playing around. Usually she gets me to join in.

Then I realize. It wasn't a dream. And my daughter is now looking at me terrified.

"Um, Mom. Good morning. I made breakfast. Here, sit down." She babbles nervously, adjusting a plate of bacon on the table. "Coffee? Would you like coffee? I have eggs too!" She won't look me in the eye; rather she bustles about the kitchen digging for non-existent things.

"Maria! Sit!" I finally stop her before she breaks something.

Her face goes white and she sits carefully at the table, focusing on the floral design on the tablecloth. I sink into the chair next to her, gently placing my hand over her own. She seems to calm a little.

"Where's Michael?" I remember my rather lenient decision from last night. Hmm…he better not have been the reason my daughter was singing so happily this morning.

"He had to work this morning." Maria says quietly. Quiet concerns me. I remember how horrible he looked, his body shaking uncontrollably and sweating all over the place.

"Was he okay to work? Maybe I should call Jeff, he'd understand." My mind immediately springs into motion. Michael really shouldn't be working after that state he was in yesterday. Alien or not. Alien!! It keeps hitting me like that. I shake my head. Maria is now looking at me, amused. I return her grin. "What?"

"Nothing. Michael is fine, Mom. Really, good as new."

God. Do I really believe all of this? That boy was so sick…then, we all hold a couple of stones, share a hallucination, and, poof!, he's all better!

"Maria…about last night." I don't know what to ask her first.

"Right. We need to talk. God, I bet you have a million questions." She leans back in her chair and plays absently with her hair. I can't help but smile as I see the familiar twinkle in my daughter's eye. If she believes this, accepts this, then I guess I have no choice but to do the same.

"You promised to tell me the whole saga, as I believed you termed it. I'm listening." I wrap my hand around the mug of coffee Maria produced when she was freaking out. I lean forward, ready for the gossip.

"Are you sure you want to hear this? I mean, we can just forget all about last night if you want. No big deal." Maria pulls her knees up to her chest and looks so innocent and young that I can't imagine she's about to tell me that aliens exist on Earth. No big deal, my ass.

"I want to know. I just found out my daughter is dating an alien. You want me just to forget that? Try again." I raise my eyebrow at her and she looks a little sheepish.

"Okay…just making sure. Because, you know, once I tell you this, you're in it. The secret alien club! This is some pretty classified info, are you sure you want to know? It's pretty fantastical. I mean, aliens! Who would've ever thought…"

"Maria!" I roll my eyes at her. Babbling is one trait I wish she never would've inherited from me.

"Fine, jeez. You know, Mom, for the record, you're taking this really well. I mean, not freaking out or anything. When Liz told me, I ran screaming from the room!" Maria smiles at me and squeezes my hand. I can imagine. Rational Liz telling my bubbly daughter that aliens exist. Maria does not handle change well.

"Well, give it time, baby. I haven't heard the full story yet." I smile at her and sit back, taking a long sip of my coffee.

"Okay, so, like I said. It all started that day in the Crashdown…"

***

Soaking deep into the tub, I let the refreshing scent of lavender wash over me, exhaling all the stresses of the day. Stress is putting it mildly. Never before had I felt so old as when my daughter told me tales of chasing down Max after he was captured by the FBI or defeating skin-shedding evil aliens. I don't know if I should be relieved that rather than spending that lost weekend getting stoned and having sex, Maria and Michael were hunting down some strange jellyfish creature and finding Michael's long lost rich relative. I'm wondering if the former is as bad as I'd thought…

I let myself fall deeper into the bubbles. Maria and I spent all day talking. Well, she did most of the talking. I can't believe all of the horrific things my baby has experienced over the past two years- all without my help. It horrifies me. My heart breaks all over again as I remember the tears Maria shed when telling me about how that Tess character killed dear Alex. I swear, that girl or alien or whatever will have bigger things to worry about than super powers if she ever sets foot in this town again.

But now I'm working against the rejuvenating powers of the essential oils…

It's amazing, though. To hear these things my baby girl has experienced, things that have matured her beyond her years- all of those kids. Hiding this dark secret from us adults in fear we'll turn over Max, Isabel, and Michael to the government. I know I can only speak for myself, but I hardly think the Evans' would betray their own children like that. It's unimaginable.

Letting my mind stray from those big issues, I focus on another rather large, but more personal, issue. The relationship my daughter has with Michael. Am I petrified that Maria has fallen in love with an alien? Hell yes! But she's told me some things that comfort me a little…

The glow in her eyes when she told me he stayed for her will always be burned into my memory. Like so many things that have happened in the past twenty-four hours, I will never forget how close the two appear to be. It's really beautiful. She wouldn't divulge too much information to me about their relationship no matter how hard I pried. Being her mother, I had to ask if there were any freaky otherworldly side effects of them being together. After all, Tess had gotten pregnant so easily. Maria assured me everything, as far as she knew, was pretty standard in that department. She said she had no plans on getting pregnant and that her and Michael were always careful.

That stopped me dead in my tracks.

I think it was a slip of the tongue. Her speech sounded rehearsed and upon later grilling she revealed that her and Michael always got flack from the others in their group over the nature of their relationship because of the Tess incident. I was quite surprised how easily Maria admitted it to me. My reaction, however, was not so easy. I may not have screamed when I learned that there actually are aliens in Roswell, but when I found out my baby girl is having sex with one, well, I'm sure my yells were heard clear into California.

After I calmed down, Maria assured me that it is okay. Well, my daughter having sex at the tender age of seventeen will never be okay…but she did convince me that Michael was the love of her life, that he chose her over his home planet, and that, no matter what, he would never leave her. Maybe it was a bit over the top, they are only teenagers- what do they know about the loves of their life? But, I can see that Michael is not just a smarmy dog looking for some action from my innocent child, that he really loves her, so I suppose I will refrain from locking Maria in her room until her thirtieth birthday.

Again, thinking about today's events is not exactly helping me calm down. I slosh around in the water a bit more, trying to clear my head. Unfortunately, I still have so many questions about this- like how can I go back to my shop and sell my neon green plastic aliens knowing that they actually exist? Looking up at the clock, I decide to worry about that later and instead get ready for my date with Jim. He's another one I have to interrogate. Keeping this huge part of his life from me? Inexcusable! But, I suppose, I can see some logic in it. Not that I'll admit that to him until I've had my say…

I'm changed and ready about a half an hour before schedule, a miracle! Before I can find something to do in my spare time, someone knocks on the door.

"Isabel, sweetie!" I find the dear alien girl standing tall on my front porch looking every bit the princess Maria told me she was destined to be. Despite her calm demeanor, I can sense the nervous vibes emanating off her body. I give her a wide smile and swing the door open all the way. "Maria's not home from work yet, but come on in. Can I help you with anything?"

Isabel offers me a brilliant smile and practically floats into my living room. Definitely royal genes. "Actually, I came to talk to you."

"Oh, okay. Well, have a seat then." I shut the door behind her and gesture toward the couch. She gingerly sits and smoothes her skirt, her anxiety showing through again. I sit in the armchair.

"I know Maria probably explained most things to you about us. I just stopped by to see if you had any questions."

"Hmm. Honestly, I'm still trying to absorb everything. All I can think right now is how wonderful and strong you must be to deal with this on a day-to-day basis!" I lean forward and pat Isabel on the knee. Her cheeks redden a bit.

"I don't have much of a choice."

"Yes, you do. You can survive or you can give up."

"Thank you, Ms. DeLuca. For helping us. We owe you our lives now. If there's ever anything I can do, anything at all." Is it me or is Isabel a little teary now? She brushes it off quickly, though. "Well, I have to draw the line at household chores but other than that."

I laugh and pull her into a hug that she eagerly returns. I remember how Maria used to hate Isabel, saying she was an Ice Queen, a real bitch. She puts off that exterior but underneath she's a sweet girl merely trying to protect this huge secret from the world. I can see why dear Alex was head over heels for her.

"There is one thing…"

"Oh. Okay." She looks a little concerned.

"Promise me that you'll watch out for Maria. I know Michael would do anything for her, but she's my baby, all I've got, so if you would just watch her back too I would be grateful forever."

Nodding solemnly, she replies. "Of course. We're a family; we look out for each other. I would never admit it to her, but Maria is one of my closest friends." She smiles a little. "Without her, I don't know what we all would do."

We both laugh. Yes, my daughter certainly has her strong points. I can imagine her talking one of those evil government baddies to their grave! Not to mention her red-hot temper. It's in the DeLuca genes, what can I say? Glancing down at Isabel's hand, I remember what Maria told me about Isabel's husband not knowing.

"Isabel? Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Okay…" She seems a little wary.

"Maria told me that your husband doesn't know about your alien side. Isn't that hard to keep from him? Maria has told me next to nothing about her relationship with Michael, for obvious reasons, but I would think there would be some differences, you know."

Isabel turns bright red. "Umm…"

"I know it's none of my business. I was just curious cause it will be next to impossible to get it out of Maria."

"Jesse's a guy. He just chalks anything different up to an added bonus." Isabel grins. "At least I know he'll never be able to get the same experience elsewhere."

I raise my eyebrows. "What experience exactly?"

Blushing again, Isabel sighs. "Well, things are more heightened. It's hard to explain. But the…culmination…well, it lasts much longer than the regular human one… so I'm told."

I cough. Oh Lord. "Seriously?"

"Yeah."

I have to sit down. Trying to banish thoughts of my daughter having alien orgasms from my brain, I fan my face, needing air. Isabel looks real uncomfortable now. Before I can get myself collected, someone knocks at the door again. Isabel hurries to answer it.

"Michael!" She exclaims and squeaks a little. Ha! Nervous that you just told the mother of his girlfriend about his ability to satisfy?

"What are you doing here Iz?" Michael steps inside. When his eyes see me nearly hyperventilating on the couch, he immediately looks to her with concern. "What's going on?"

"Um, Ms. DeLuca and I had a little chat. Bye now." She rushes out the door, avoiding him.

Michael kneels down in front of me. "Ms. DeLuca? Are you okay?"

Sexual predator! I knew it! Using my poor innocent daughter like a drug for alien sex! Looking into his eyes, however, I must say he looks genuinely concerned. Scumbag.

"Isabel told me about alien orgasms." I stare him down, wishing for my newspaper.

"Wha-?" He sputters for a minute and then turns completely pale and still.

Standing up, I get up in his face and poke my finger into his chest. "If you are just using my daughter for some alien sex then you've got another thing coming to you, buddy. I will personally mince your testicles using a dull pair of scissors and feed them to rats!" I feel the rage swell up in me. The bastard! Using my poor Maria!

Michael looks petrified, but then finds it in himself to speak. "Ms. DeLuca, ma'am. I assure you, I'm in no way using Maria. I love her. She's everything to me."

That calms me. A little. Looking into his brown eyes, I see he's telling the truth but does he really mean it? "You say that now, but when you get what you want with her, you'll break her heart."

Sighing, Michael steps back from me and runs his hand through his unruly hair. "No. I would never do that to Maria."

"Sure. That's what you say now." Vividly, I remember all those promises my ex-husband made to me before fleeing his family.

Coming to some sort of decision, Michael steps toward me, a desperate look in his eyes. "I can show you."

"Huh?" I move back from his open hands.

"Did Maria tell you about the flashes?" He looks very nervous.

Oh yes. Another perk of the aliens I forgot she mentioned. It sounded so romantic at the time, but now…another ploy in his attempt to steal Maria's innocence. "Yes." I fold my arms skeptically.

"Well, I can try to show you that way how I feel about Maria. Please." He offers his hands to me again. Suddenly, I remember how Maria told me he stayed for her. I remember the kiss from last night. The anger subsides as I realize I just overreacted a bit to all of this. He probably does care about Maria; I shouldn't doubt it. But the thought of getting flashes…well, it sounds so tempting. Nodding my head in agreement, I step toward him.

"Okay." He takes a deep breath and scratches his eyebrow. "I don’t know what Maria told you about my abilities." He grins a little. "But I'm definitely not as advanced and focused as Max and Isabel. I think this will work though. I have to warn you- the connection goes both ways so I might get some feelings from you."

"That's fine, Michael. It's only fair, right?" I smile at him in my most motherly way. He looks down a little.

"Yeah, well, I'm probably going to be concentrating too hard on, um, editing what I show you so I won't really notice but just in case."

"Okay. Let's do it." I feel a surge of energy rush through me as he places his hands on mine and closes his eyes. Automatically, I close my eyes too as I'm assaulted with a collage of images and feel the emotions tied to them…

*flash*

Fear. Maria is standing in Liz's shadow, dressed in her Crash Festival costume. He doesn't want to have to trust Liz Parker let alone that crazy, blabbermouth chick who looks absolutely terrified of him. She is kinda cute though…

Upheaval. He's driving my Jetta. He doesn’t know what he's doing; the plans are all messed up now. Maria is sitting in the passenger seat, babbling on as usual. For some reason, he wants to forget his whole quest and just drive her into the sunset. Why?

Tension. In the Crashdown. Is he anxious because Max and Liz are gone or because he's standing next to Maria? She looks so cute all stressed out, but it's annoying as hell. She has to stop. Then…

Shock. He kissed her. His first kiss. Never before has he felt that incredible.

Lust. He wants her. It's the heat wave and everything is insane, out of control. Surely he can give in just this one time? Maria looks so perfect after he has kissed her. A goddess.

Hate. Maria is struggling with some stupid wood shop project and he wishes he could help her. He hates himself for hurting her. He knew he would but, still, he's a monster…

Pain. Never before has it hurt this much to be alive. Hank's bruises still ache on the outside and the inside is dying. Maria will make it all better; she'll know how to fix it. Cradled in her arms, he cries for the first time and it feels better.

Tenderness. Holding Maria in his arms, he's never felt so close to someone before. And he likes it.

Terror. If he can kill a man with only a thought of deep hatred, what could he do to her? Sweet, innocent, beautiful Maria doesn't deserve a monster like him. It may hurt like hell, but he has to walk away.

Loneliness. If this is life without Maria, he'd rather be dead.

Happiness. Making Maria happy, seeing her perfect smile, he realizes he's never felt this good before.

Complete. He's never known the meaning of home. Certainly he'd never thought he'd find it in Roswell, but here, with Maria wrapped in his arms he realizes that home is Maria. He can't leave her- how could he survive without his heart?

Love. She's a goddess. An angel. Maria is all he needs to live.

*flash *

I pull away, breathless. Though the connection is broken, I still see images of my daughter as Michael sees her flying past my eyes. Michael, too, looks thrown. He watches me anxiously for a reaction.

"Oh, Michael." I can't help the tears that escape my eyes. Never did I imagine a man could love my daughter so completely. Michael offers me a vulnerable grin, still unsure of himself. "It was beautiful."

"I love Maria, Ms. DeLuca." He says it as if it were a universal truth, almost like he's saying 'the sky is blue' or something.

"Thank you, honey." I pull Michael into my arms. Amazingly, he seems to relax in my embrace. "Thank you for loving my daughter."

"Thank you for raising her." We smile at each other and share a mutual moment of Maria-admiration.

Before we can say anything else, Maria comes crashing through the front door. Seeing us together, she immediately smiles.

"Hey Mom." She kisses me on the cheek. Then leans over and kisses Michael on the lips. "Michael. What's going on?"

"Oh nothing, sweetie. Michael and I were just chatting about you." I say and can tell Maria doesn't believe me. Michael just grunts and drapes his arm over Maria's shoulder. "How was work?"

"Fine. So what were you guys talking about?"

Ah, what the hell. "Michael gave me flashes."

"Really?" Her eyebrow climbs up her forehead. "Should I be jealous?" She turns to Michael who is looking rather red at the moment.

"No! I was just curious." Michael sends me a thankful grin.

"Right." Maria looks between her boyfriend and me. "You can tell me all about it after your date with Jim."

I squeal at that, remembering he should be here any minute. Excusing myself from my daughter who is too busy cozying up on the couch with her boyfriend to notice anyway, I rush into the bathroom to give myself a last minute check.

When the doorbell rings, I hurry to the living room. Stopping momentarily to check on Michael and Maria, I'm overtaken with a wave of tenderness when I seem them spooned up on the couch together. It reminds me of how adorable they looked last night…God, so much has happened since then. I now know that my daughter is dating an alien, something I never dreamed I could be at peace with. But I am. He loves her so much, I know that now. They're facing each other on the couch, legs intertwined. Maria has one hand tracing the planes of Michael's face and the other resting on his chest. Michael's one arm is pillowing their heads and the other is wrapped protectively around her waist. I stop and gaze at them, feeling my eyes get all watery. So young but so connected to each other- it's amazing really.

The doorbell rings again and Maria pokes her head up to look at me. "Mom? Aren't you going to answer that?"

Nodding, I sniffle a little and take a deep breath. "Yeah, baby. I'll see you later."

"Bye Mom! Have fun!" Maria smiles and waves at me, Michael smirks in my direction.

"You too!" I nearly giggle as I head for the door. Stopping just shy of exiting the house, I turn back. "But not too much fun." I say it sternly and shake my head at the eruption of giggles from Maria. My baby girl. All grown up.

The End