Title: Scrooge

Author: Andaluchia

Email: Sp1derbait@aol.com

Disclaimer: The characters don't belong to me blah blah blah!

Rating: PG

Spoilers: None that I can think of.

Category: Michael/Maria, Max/Liz, and Isabel/Alex

* * * * *

Part 1

Roswell, New Mexico

December 24, 2008

RING! Michael slapped the clock as hard as he could and slowly got up. He moved towards his computer and signed on to the net.

"You've Got Mail!" The computer blared. Michael rubbed his eyes and clicked on the mail icon.

From: MLEvans@Roswell.net

To: AlienGuerin@Roswell.net

Hey Michael! It's Liz and Max! We wanted to invite you to our Christmas Party tonight. I know you've said no a million times already, but you must come! It's Christmas Eve and you have to spend it with your family! That's an order!

Merry Christmas!

Max & Liz Evans

"BAH HUMBUG!" Michael yelled out loud as he deleted the email. He got up and searched his closet for a suit. He ironed it then set it down. He then went and took a shower and came out and combed his hair then put his suit on. He fixed his tie then went downstairs.

"Mr. Guerin," The maid started. "I was wondering if I could possibly be let off early tonight." She asked. Michael was about to say sure until she added, "After all it is Christmas Eve." Michael hated when they used that as an excuse.

"Of course, not! I want you to clean up this house!" He yelled and the maid flinched at his tone. He grabbed his brief case.

"Have a good day at work and Merry Christmas." The maid said even though Michael had been very cruel to her.

"BAH HUMBUG!" He yelled as he went out the door. He climbed into his Mercedes Benz and sped off to work.

He came into the office and Max quickly advanced on him. He was about to say something when Michael interjected.

"No, I'm not coming to your party, Max." He said quickly. Max shied away. Michael momentarily felt a twinge of guiltiness, but ignored it.

Michael went into his office and slammed the door. "People are so annoying." He muttered. "I hate this time of year."

"Why?" Michael quickly turned around and was face to face with Liz. "Because, everybody is acting all nice and cheery went it's all just a fake. It's just an excuse to act stupid, spend money, and eat disgusting food!" He said.

"Michael, that's not what Christmas is about." She said to him.

"Liz, don't lecture me on what Christmas is about." He said. Liz stood there quietly.

"Michael, would you please come over to our dinner tonight." She asked again.

"No."

"Maria is going to be there." Michael stopped breathing for a second. He hesitated in his reply.

"S-so?" He said.

"I just know that she would like to see you." Liz said.

"Liz, don't you have some reports do by Lunch to work on?" Michael asked.

"Micheal, they weren't due till tonight." She said.

"It's Mr. Guerin and now their due by lunch." He said. "Now, GET BACK TO WORK!" He yelled and Liz ran out of the room.

Michael walked throughout the office to check up on his employees. They were all smiling and talking about Christmas things.

"Yeah, I bought Max this really great present." He heard Liz talking to another worker. Michael came up behind Liz and cleared his throat. "Mich-Mr. Guerin, would you like something?" She asked nervously.

Michael smiled sarcastically at her. "As a matter-of-fact I would." He said in fake cheerfulness. "I would like you to GET TO WORK ON THOSE REPORTS!" He yelled. Liz jumped and quickly turned to her computer.

Michael sat alone in his office. It was 12:30 P.M. He was so angry. He felt like he might have a stroke any minute. Liz walked in. "Mr. Guerin, I have that list that you wanted." Michael got up quickly.

"Liz, call security and tell them to clear out Max Evans' desk and throw him out of the building." He said. Liz stood astonished.

"B-but, sir, he's your friend and it's Christmas!" She exclaimed. Michael huffed.

"Liz, you're on the verge of being fired too. Now DO IT!" He yelled. Liz threw down the pile of papers she had in her hand.

"DO IT YOURSELF! I QUIT!" She yelled and left the office.

Michael got his phone and dialed the number. "Security, Max and Liz Evans, Code 9. Also, call MT Fed Bank and stop their bonuses." He said. He looked at his clock then went to the window. He smiled sinisterly to himself. "Max and Liz Evans leaving early today." He laughed to himself.

Suddenly the ground began to shake and Michael fell over. There was pounding on his door. "Whoever is there, leave now!" Michael yelled. He was so scared he almost peed his pants. "If you don't leave now, you'll be fired!" he yelled. The door opened followed by smoke. It finally cleared and a tall man with Blond hair and green eyes came in.

"Hello, Michael." He said.

"H-hi, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?" He yelled.

"James DeLuca." He said. Michael got up and stared at him.

"Maria's father? But, you're dead." He stated.

"Yes, I am. But, I didn't come here to discuss that. I came here to save you." He replied.

"From what?" Michael asked.

"From turning out like me. From being a father who abandon's his daughter and wife. From anger, from loneliness, from basically having a miserable life." He said.

"Oh, my gosh! I knew I shouldn't have drank that extra bottle of scotch last night." Michael said to himself.

"Michael, you've been a very bad boy. You need to start loving, sharing and giving to the needy." James said. Michael advanced on him.

"Wait, a second now! Maria dumped me! SHE LEFT ME! So why aren't you talking to her?" He yelled.

"Maria left you because you were on the verge of being HANK!" James DeLuca yelled. Michael quieted down. Michael stepped back.

"This is my imagination." Michael said to himself.

"Oh no, it's far from it. Today you will be visited by three ghosts, the first one will come in about an hour. And you shall see the light." He said and disappeared.

Michael opened his eyes and found himself in his office. Everything looked normal.

"It was a dream I know it was!" He yelled. He looked over at the phone. The speaker phone was on and it was ringing.

'Hi, you've reached 671-9898, I'm Maria DeLuca and I'm not here right now! Ho, Ho, Ho and Merry Christmas-"Hello?" Michael stood there for a second. Maria had answered. He could hear her breathing as she waited for a reply. It had been 2 years since he had heard her voice. "Hello?" She said again. Michael reached for the phone and stopped. He was frozen. What would I say? "HELLO!?" Maria asked again. Michael waited. "Freak." Maria muttered and hung up.

Michael sat down and realized he had just begun breathing again. "What's happening?" He asked himself.

"Hey Michael." Michael spun around and saw Maria's mother, Amy DeLuca standing there. Had it been an hour? Michael thought. No, Maria's mom couldn't be the ghost. Amy smiled at him then looked over at the wine on the table.

"Mind if I have some?" She asked. Michael nodded and she went over and poured herself a drink.

"W-what are you doing here?" He asked.

"I came to see you," she replied. She took a sip.

"Wait a second! You died!" He said. Amy swallowed the wine and turned to look at Michael. She smiled at him again.

"Well, Michael you see, I'm the ghost."

Part 2

"The ghost of what?" Michael yelled at her. Amy gave him a dumbfounded look.

"The ghost of Christmas past, duh!" She said and for a second Michael knew where Maria got her attitude. "I swear Maria was right when she said you were impossible." Amy added. Michael stood up and fixed his disheveled clothing.

"So, you're here to show me some past of mine?" Michael asked.

"Yes, are you ready?" Amy asked. Michael straightened up.

"As ready as I'll ever be." He said.

"GOOD!" Amy said and snapped her fingers.

Michael and Amy were in front of a beautiful house in a nice little subdivision. Michael recognized this place. It was the first foster home he was put in and the only family he remembered. Michael huffed. "I get it OK. You're supposed to show me this and I'm supposed to get all sentimental and go around yelling 'MERRY CHRISTMAS! I LOVE YOU ALL!' Well, I've got news for you! Ain't gonna happen." Michael said a matter of factly. Amy smiled and chuckled to herself.

"You say that now, but it will change," she said softly.

"So, you're gonna expect me to get all teary eyed and shit," he began.

"Well, whatever!" He said mocking the way Maria said it.

"Well, whatever!" Amy imitated. "But, let me tell you something. When Fox Mulder saw his mother last year…niagra falls." She said. Michael gave her a confused look.

"Who the hell is Fox Mulder?" He asked. Amy ignored him and motioned for him to follow her. She went right through the doorway like a ghost. Michael went to do the same thing but ran right into the door with a hard thud! Michael stepped back and nursed his head. He could hear Amy laughing.

"They always fall for it!" He heard her yell through her laughter. "Son of . . . " Michael muttered a bunch of cuss words under his breath.

He opened the door and stepped inside. He saw himself as a six year-old on the ground playing with some GI Joe's. His foster mother walked in along with his foster father right behind her. She walked up to little Michael grabbing him into a hug.

"How's my little angel?" She asked him.

"I'm fine." He said in a little voice. His mother touched his cheeks.

Little Michael could tell she was about to cry. "What's wrong Mommy?" He asked. She grabbed little Michael and stood him straight up.

"Listen Michael," she tried to contain her tears. "The judge says that you can't stay with us anymore." She began. Little Michael looked at her confused.

"Why not, Mommy?" He asked innocently.

"He says it would be better if you went back with the other children." She started to cry and his father came up to little Michael.

"I don't want to go, daddy." He said. His father fixed his jacket up.

"I know, son. But, we don't have any control over that. I want you to know that we love you so much. DNA doesn't matter to us. You will always be our son." He said also trying to contain tears. Little Michael wrapped his arms around his father tightly.

"NO! I'm not going! I want to stay!" He yelled through tears. His father pulled out an old watch from his pocket. He showed it to Michael.

"My grandfather gave this to my father and my father gave this to me. Now, I'm giving it to you." He said and placed it in Little Michael's hands. "Take good care of it." Little Michael nodded his head in agreement.

"When I get old enough I am coming back here!" Little Michael said. His father and mother smiled.

"Promise?" His mother asked. Little Michael nodded his head.

"I promise!"

Michael stood there with tears in his eyes. Amy came up from behind him. "Niagara falls." She said. Michael stepped outside and wiped his eyes. "I told you." Amy added.

"I was touched by a gift! That is an antique watch that is probably worth thousands of dollars by now." He said. Amy smiled.

"Whatever!" She replied.

"Are we done?" Michael asked.

"Not in the least." She replied and snapped her fingers.

They were then in the middle of a party. Michael recognized it as the graduation party in 2002. He saw himself sitting around quietly just observing everyone. Max ran up to him.

"Hey, Michael you did notice a party going on, right?" He asked. Michael nodded.

"I'm just tired. I think I'm going to go now." He said and started to stand up.

"Are you sure you're alright, Michael?" Max asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He said. Suddenly, Juliet the hottest girl in school ran up to him.

"Michael, where are you going?" She asked.

"Oh, I'm just tired. I'm going to go home."

"Wait! What do you say we go to the crashdown and get something to eat?" She asked.

"Nah, I'm gonna go. See yah around." He said and walked off.

"Ohmigod! I was so stupid! She was totally hot for me!" Michael yelled. "STUPID STUPID STUPID!" He yelled. "Get back over there!" Amy tapped him on the shoulder.

"Not that one, Michael. This one." She snapped her fingers and Michael watched himself run into another door.

"Ooh, I'm so sorry!" Maria said. Michael sat back and laughed as the scene played before him. He had never forgotten that night. Michael groaned and got up. "I'm fine." Maria saw that it was Michael.

"Oh, it's just you." She said. Michael looked at her.

"Sorry to disappoint you." He replied.

"No, no I mean, that well if I had really hurt you, you could just heal yourself. But, if it was a . . . 'Regular' guy it would be different. Cause then I could get a lawsuit or something. And that would be bad cause I just graduated and-"

"Maria," Michael stopped her. "You're making my headache worse." He said to her.

"Oh sorry, it's just that I've been working all night and I am so tired and I so need to get home. And I'm anxious and then I hit someone in the head . . . and I'm babbling again." She said. Michael smiled at her. Maria smiled back. "I'm sorry if I made your headache worse." She pulled something out of her purse. "Here I have some aspirin." She handed it to Michael and he held it in his hand. "Well, see yah." Maria said and began to walk off. "M-Maria!" She turned around.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Want to go to the graduation party right now?" He asked. He mentally slapped himself cause he remembered her say about a million times how she was tired.

She looked at him with disappointment and said, "Not really. I'm tired. So I'm gonna go home." She began walking off again. Michael ran a bit to catch up with her.

"MARIA WAIT!" She turned around and tried to keep her patience.

"Yeah?" Michael's mind went blank for a moment. Then he figured out something to say.

"I have an apartment now." He said and slapped himself mentally again.

"What?" Maria asked astonished at what she thought Michael might have been implying.

"No, I mean. Well, I have that movie Titanic. And well, it's REALLY long and pretty boring. Well, to me it is. But, I mean you could come over. And watch it! And . . . we could be bored together. And it would help you fall asleep real fast and well . . . I just feel like . . . like-" Michael was already stuttering and he couldn't finish his sentence. Maria smiled at him. She knew he was trying to just get some free time with her.

"Titanic. Sure I'd like to see it." She said and walked up to him. He handed her the aspirin back.

"Here you go." He said and put it in her hand.

"I thought your head hurt?" She asked. Michael smiled at her.

"Surprisingly it doesn't hurt anymore." He replied and put his hand in hers leading them toward his home.

Michael sat back watching and smiling. He chuckled to himself. "I can't believe she didn't think I was such a dork." He said.

"Well, my daughter isn't the superficial type. I would've thought you'd learned that by now." Amy said. Michael smiled.

"Yeah, she was amazing." He said mainly to himself.

Amy looked at him and said, "Well, next stop. The breakup!" She snapped her fingers.

Part 3

Michael and Amy stood in a living room of his old apartment. The setting was 2 years after the night him and Maria watched Titanic together. Michael watched himself pace and Maria sit on the couch as if she was in the principal's office.

"Michael, I was just talking to him. That's all. I swear." She said. Michael ran a hand through his hair. He continued to pace around the room. Maria got up and went up to him. "Michael," she whispered and placed a hand on his shoulder. He jumped away from her.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" He yelled at her. "I am so pissed at you!" He said to her. Maria stood still and stared at him. She was even angrier. "He's practically our enemy and you were conversing with him. How stupid is that?" Michael continued.

"MICHAEL STOP IT!" Maria yelled. Michael froze at her volume. "No matter how demented Kyle is he is still a friend of mine. What is happening to you? Ever since you got all this money you are suddenly acting all high and mighty!" She said to him. "We have to work this out."

"I don't want you talking to Kyle." He said. She started to walk off.

"I can do whatever I want." She replied. He grabbed her arm.

"No, I forbid it!" He said to her. She looked at her arm then at him and yanked it away.

"Well, I don't think I've been forbidden to do anything since I was 10 years old." She said.

"Don't talk to me like that." He said. She started to walk off. "Maria, don't you walk away from me!" He yelled. She ignored him and continued walking. He ran after her. He grabbed her arm and turned her around. He brought his hand back and had it not been for her shocked expression Michael would have slapped her, but he stopped himself. His hand was frozen in mid air. He finally let go of Maria and as she finally began to breathe again she fell to the floor and cried.

Michael looked at her for a moment and then bent down next to her.

"Maria, I'm sorry." He said and began to wrap his arms around her. She pushed him away.

"Get out," she whispered.

"Maria, I'm really so-"

"GET OUT!" She yelled through her tears. Michael stood up and looked at her for a second before turning around and walking out the door.

"My God, I must have been possessed." Michael said. "I was so close to hurting her."

"The past is a very hard thing to look back on." Amy replied softly.

"But, you have the power to change it."

"How? Tell me how." Michael said to her. Amy smiled him and touched his face.

"You'll soon know how. I promise." And with that Amy vanished and Michael was standing back in his office.

Part 4

"Mr. Guerin, is everything all right in there?" His secretary asked through the speakerphone. Michael pushed the botton and replied.

"Yes, everything is fine." He growled. He rubbed his head. That had to have been just a dream. He thought to himself. He wasn't sure though. But that memory of what he had almost done to Maria was very painful. Michael clicked on the botton again. "Ms. Ledger, I want you to get me Maria DeLuca's phone number, pronto." He said. He waited a few seconds for her reply.

"Yessir." The secretary said.

Michael sat back in his chair and poured himself some vodka. He hesitated to drink it when he had another memory.

///Flashback///

"So, you're having another drink are you?"

"Maria, don't start with me OK. I've been under alot of stress lately." Michael said and sighed. Maria huffed.

"Yeah, well it seems that bottle is your best friend these days...I mean gosh, I always thought you hated Hank enough to not turn out like him." She said mostly to herself. Michael sat up.

"What is that supposed to mean?" He asked. Maria placed her hand on her forehead.

"Nothing." She sighed. Michael slammed his drink down.

"No, it meant something or you wouldn't have said it!" He yelled. Maria sighed again. Michael waited for a reply. He was starting to get irritated. She turned and faced him.

"I mean that whenever you're angry, whenever you're upset or lonely or stressed or even happy you turn to that bottle. You don't even talk to me anymore!" She said and Michael could tell she was on the verge of crying. He looked away from her.

"Well, maybe it's because you wouldn't understand." He said.

"You never even try, Michael. How do you know I won't understand if you don't try?" She asked.

"Shutup, Maria. Just shutup."

///End Flashback///

Michael set the drink on to the table. He rubbed his head again. He was getting a really bad headache. His speaker phone beeped and he heard his secretary's voice.

"Mr. Guerin?" She asked. He pushed the button.

"Yes. Did you get the number?" He asked.

"Sir, I searched for a Maria DeLuca, but there is only one...And she's 63 years old. Is that the one you wanted?" She said. Michael squinted as he thought.

"That's impossible. On her answering machine it said Maria DeLuca. It was her!" He said out loud to himself. He pushed the button. "Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yessir. I have here a bunch of other Maria's. If you can give me a birthdate I can match it up." She said. Did she get married, maybe? Michael thought. Birthday? Birthday. Birthday. When was her birthday? Damn, if I don't even remember. Michael thought hard. Yes! He pushed the button.

"May 21, 1983." He replied. He waited and knew the secretary was searching.

"OK, Sir I found one. Her name is Maria-" The secretary was cut off. Michael pressed the button.

"What was that? I didn't get it." He said through the phone. No response. He repeatedly pressed the button. "Ms. Ledger? Ms. Ledger!" He yelled.

"Michael..." Michael spun around. He squinted his eyes. "Sheriff Valenti?" He asked. The Sheriff smiled.

"I knew you'd never forget me." The Sheriff said.

"You're the ghost of Christmas present." Michael stated.

"How in the world did you guess?" He asked. Michael rolled his eyes.

"Well, seeing the fact that you died two months ago and now you're walking around like a live man with a bullet hole in his forehead gave me a small hint." Michael replied sarcastically. Michael opened up his arms.

"Well, let's get this over with." He replied.

"Here we go!" The Sheriff yelled.

Part 5

"You know, I must say I am surprised at your eagerness." The sheriff comented.

"Well, the truth is..." Michael mumbled the rest. The sheriff strained his ears.

"I'm sorry. What was that? I didn't get it." He said smiling to himself. "I WANT TO SEE WHAT MARIA IS DOING!" He yelled in the sheriff's ear. The sheriff didn't flinch.

"Thought so. But, first stop the Whitmans." The sheriff said and snapped his fingers.

"Where are we?" Michael asked.

"The Whitmans." The sheriff reminded him. Michael huffed and rolled his eyes.

"I KNOW that. I mean what state are we in. This isn't Roswell, I can tell." Michael said looking around at a beautiful house in front of him.

"We are in San Antonio, Texas." The sheriff answered.

"Oh, OK....Wait a second! Why are we looking at Alex's present. He never had any affect on my life." Michael said. The sheriff smiled at him and nodded his head. The sheriff motioned for Michael to follow him. He went straight through the door like a ghost.

"Oh No! I'm NOT falling for that one again." Michael said and grabbed the knob. As soon as he did he fell through the door and landed on his face. The sheriff laughed hysterically.

"I LOVE THAT BIT!" He yelled through laughter. Michael mumbled more cuss words and got up from his seat.

"You know one of these days a person is going to deck you when you do that." Michael said. The sheriff shook his head.

"Already happened...Word of advice. Don't mess with Dana Scully." He said.

"Who?" Michael asked.

"Nevermind. Look over there." Michael followed the sheriffs gaze and saw Isabelle come out.

"Wh-wha?" Michael was speechless. He never thought Isabel and Alex would hook up.

"Alex! Samantha! Dinner is ready!" She yelled to her husband and daughter. Alex came tumbling down the stairs with Samantha right behind him. Alex turned around and stopped her.

"Come here Samantha." He said and picked her up. He sat her down on the stool and went to get her a plate of food. Isabel walked over to her daughter.

"OK, mija, here is your medicine." Isabel said to her daughter. She poured enough to fill the spoon and began to move it through the air. "OK, flight 180 to Samantha, ready for landing." Isabel said and smiled at her daughter.

"Copy Flight 180. Ready for you to land!" The child responded happily.

Isabel put the spoon in her mouth and the little girl tilted her head back slightly so the medicine would go down her throat. She swallowed it and scrunched her face.

"Uh Oh!" Isabel said. "Daddy, come save the day!" She said to Alex. He came over with a cup in his hand.

"Uh Oh! Hurry and swallow it!" He said as he put the cup to the little girls mouth. It was a cup of milk chocolate to wash away the taste of medicine. "Hurry, hurry, hurry!" He said in a playful tone. The little girl swallowed it. She burped then smiled at her parents.

"T'ank you!" She yelled happily and giggled. Isabel smiled at her. She looked at her watch.

"OK, mija, you have to eat your dinner quickly and then go to bed or else Santa won't come tonight." She instructed Samantha. The little girl nodded her head.

"OK, mommy. But, we are leaving Santa milk and cookies, right?" She asked. Alex smiled. "Of course, we are."

Michael turned to the sheriff and whispered, "Why does she take medicine?"

"It's digoxin. It's a heart medicine to get her heart pumping stronger. She needs to have surgery, but Isabel and Alex are so much in debt from paying of court fees to adopt Samantha that they can only afford to pay for her medicine. They are desperately trying to get loans, but it's no use." The sheriff answered sadly.

"What's wrong with her heart?" Michael asked curiously.

"Two of her valves don't open all the way. One if worse than the other. She needs and angio plasty now and probably a full out replacement valve later on." He responded. Michael looked back at the family.

"OK, sweety, time for bed." Alex said as he helped Samantha off her chair. "Oh Isabel, why don't you get Samantha off to bed and I'll do the dishes for you." He said and kissed Isabel on the cheek. Isabel came over and hugged Alex.

"I couldn't ask for a better family." She whispered in his ear. She gave him a kiss then took Samantha upstairs to bed.

Part 6

Michael walked out of the house with the sheriff behind him. "Well, I can genuinely say that I'm glad she's happy." Michael stated.

"Yes, she is. She'd be happier if her daughter was well." Said the sheriff.

"Well, I guess I could *loan* her a couple thousand dollars."

"Michael, heart surgery costs around $45,000." The sheriff corrected. "I'll look into it. Can we get to Maria's now?" He asked. The sheriff smiled and answered by snapping his fingers.

They were in front of a small cottage. They stepped inside and Max and Liz were at a table calculating bills. "You said we were going to Maria's!" Michael growled.

"I never said that." The sheriff responded honestly. Michael huffed and then turned to watch the current scene.

"How are we doing?" Max asked Liz.

"We are doing fine. Luckily we put all that money in savings. I can get another job to pay for my tuition." Liz sighed. "I just...I just can't believe he fired us for no reason. I mean we are his best friends." Liz said to Max. Max came over and hugged him.

"I know. There is something going on with Michael. Hopefully, he'll come tonight so I can talk to him." Max answered. Liz threw her hands down on the table.

"Every year you invite him and every year he doesn't come. When are you going to learn, Max?" She asked with an exasperated sigh. Max shrugged.

"Well...never. He's my best friend, Liz." Liz smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"You're too nice." She said and hugged him.

Michael stood back and was insanely jealous of Max and Liz. He had wanted that kind of relationship with Maria. But, he had screwed everything up.

"Fine. I'll come to the damn party." He said trying to sound annoyed but it didn't work. The sheriff patted him on the back.

"Well, let's go to Maria's." He said and snapped his fingers.

Michael and the sheriff were in the hallway of an elementary school. "I thought school was out?" Michael said.

"DayCare." The sheriff replied and motioned for him to go into the classroom. Michael did so and saw Maria. She was dressed in black pants a white blouse and a black blazer. Her hair was longer, but it was pulled back into a bun. She was surrounded by kids playing, reading, and painting.

"She's beautiful." Michael breathed. He was amazed at the woman. He didn't realize how much he missed her till now. And the thought that she wasn't his anymore sent a pang through his heart.

Maria's gaze went to a little playhouse in the room. Her eyes widened as the door to the playhouse opened.

"MILLA!" She yelled. It was too late. The door Milla opened hit little Matthew right in the face and sent him on his butt.

"OUCH!" He yelled. He didn't cry though. Milla brought her hand to her mouth and her eyes widened.

"I'm sor--Oh it's just you." She said. Maria went over to Matthew and helped him get up.

"What do you mean it's only me?" He asked Milla. Milla put her hands on her hips.

"Because, I'd gladly hit you on the head any day!" She replied.

"Milla!" Maria scolded. But they didn't pay attention. They were too busy in their own fight.

"That's because you're stupid!" Matthew replied.

"Matthew don't call people stupid."

"But, Ms. DeLuca, she is stupid. She plays with those dumb barbies all day long!" He proclaimed.

"Well, you play with those dumb GI Joe's all day!" Milla hit back.

Maria sat back and watched the 6 year olds fight. They reminded her of herself and Michael.

"So, what!? GI Joe is cool!" Matthew said back at her.

"No, they are not! They are so......so 80's!" She yelled. Maria looked at the girl confused.

"Now, Milla how would you know, you weren't even alive in the 80's." She asked.

"I know, because I'm smart." She said still with her hands on her hips.

"No, you're not you're stupid!" Matthew said. "Shutup!"

"No, you shutup!"

"No you!"

"No you!"

Maria picked Milla up and brought her to the other side of the room. "That's it. Stay right here. Elizabeth!" She called for the little brown haired girl. She came over quickly.

"Yes, Ms. DeLuca?" She asked.

"Watch over your friend here, please." The little girl nodded and Maria left to take care of Matthew.

"Matthew, what did I say about calling people stupid?" She asked as she put some ice on his forehead.

"You said it isn't nice." He said with guilt dripping in his voice.

"Right, now don't call people stupid. It's not nice."

"But, she isn't nice at all." He replied.

"Well, you're not nice if you call people stupid." She answered.

"Oh, yeah I guess you're right. But, that stu-- non-smart girl gets on my what-do-you-call-them?"

"Nerves?"

"Yeah, nurves. Ms. DeLuca wasn't there ever anybody that got on your nurves?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, was it real bad?" He asked with curiousity.

"You have no idea." Maria answered.

Michael sat back and couldn't stop laughing. "What's so funny?" The sheriff asked.

"Well, those two. Milla and Matthew is basically me and Maria when we were kids. In fact I specifically remember her making fun of my GIJoe's." He said and then grew quiet. "Wait a second the secretary said there was no Maria DeLuca." Michael said. The sheriff started laughing.

"Actually, you're non-smart secretary spelled the name DiLooca." He said and continued laughing.

"And that's funny because..."

"Because this whole time you thought she might have gotten married or something." The sheriff said. Michael glared at him and then thought for a second as he continued to watch Maria.

"She's really happy though." Michael said a little disappointed that Maria was doing fine without him. He had hoped for some sign that she might want him again.

"Yes, she is." The sheriff answered.

"Well, I guess there is no point in staying here. Let's go." Michael answered. The sheriff snapped his fingers.

They were back in his office. The sheriff watched the depressed looking Michael sit in the chair moping.

"Michael." He said. Michael looked up at him.

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever had a banana split?" He asked him. Michael looked confused.

"Yeah."

"Close your eyes for a second." Michael looked at the sheriff suspiciously. "Just do it." The sheriff said. Michael did so and then the sheriff started talking. "Imagine biting into the split. You taste the banana and the chocolate mixed with vanilla ice cream. Their is a crunching sound because of the nuts in the split. Then you bite into the cherry and taste some of the sirrup. It tastes so good. You're pretty much in heaven. Now, even though this Banana split is wonderful, what is there that could make it better than words can describe?" The sheriff asked.

Michael thought for a few seconds still imagining the banana split. He smiled when it finally came.

"Tabasco sauce." He answered. The sheriff nodded his head and smiled. Michael opened his eyes and looked at the sheriff for his explanation.

"Well, you see that is how Maria feels. She is so happy. She is in heaven. Her life is wonderful, BUT it's not better than words can describe. All she needs is that tabasco sauce. Now, can you tell me what or *who* that Tabasco sauce might be?" he asked.

Michael smiled. "Me." He said. The sheriff nodded. Michael got up and hugged the sheriff. "Thank you so much." He said.

"No problem." He said and disappeared.

Chapter 7

Michael opened his eyes. He quickly stood up and looked around his office. A voice over the speaker startled him.

"Mr. Guerin?" Michael yelped and jumped behind his seat. "NO! LEAVE ME ALONE! I've seen enough!" He yelled crouching into a ball.

"Mr. Guerin? Is everything all right in there?" The voice said again. Michael looked up towards his phone and realized it was his secretary. -OH- he thought to himself. He got up and clicked the button.

"Ms. Ledger? What do you need?" He asked.

"The phone number sir, do you still want it?" She asked. Michael stared at the speakerphone. -Ohmigod! It was a dream! it was all a horrible hallucination brought on by alchohol!- He thought to himself.He thought for a second.

///flashback///You non smart secretary spelled her name DiLooca." The Sheriff said.///End Flashback///

"Ms. Ledger, how did you spell the last name?"

"Ummm..." Ms. Ledger was afraid he'd get angry at her if she had spelled it wrong. "D-i-l-o-o-c-a." She answered with much hesitation. Michael ran a hand through his spikey hair. He clicked the button.

"Try D-e-l-u-c-a." He said nicely.

A minute later, "Sir?"

"Yes?"

With more hesitation in her voice she said, "Are you sure you are all right?" Michael stared at the phone. -What does she mean am I sure I'm all right?- He contemplated the question.

"Uh, I got some medicine from the doctor. I was sick," Michael lied.

"For two years?"

"Excuse me?" He asked shocked at her remark.

"What year?" The secreatary made up quickly. The Michael realized that his secretary is nuts.

"Year for what?" Michaela sked.

"What year was Maria DeLuca born. I have three here."

"Oh, ummm.....1983." He waited for what seemed like ever.

"Would you like an address?" She asked.

"Yes. Print it out for me and bring it in here." A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Michael said. Ms. Ledger walked in and handed him the paper with Maria's address on it.

"Oh and sir, There is a Mr. Willis downstairs waiting to see you."

Michael and Ms. Ledger both waited for the elevator to open to go downstairs. It finally did and a man dressed up as the grim reaper appeared.

"AAAHHHHH" Michael screamed and kneeled to the ground. "AHHHHH!!!

AHHHHHH!!!! I'M READY! PLEASE I'LL DO ANYTHING JUST DON'T HURT ME!" He screamed. The reaper removed his hood and appeared a young canadian with ruffled hair. Michael looked at him then back at Ms. Ledger who was staring at him like he had grown a second head.

"This is Brendan Fehr, sir. He's an actor in the show Roswell. You know the show you are producing? He is playing the Ghost of Christmas future in an upcoming episode." She said still a little weirded out by Michaels display.

Michael looked up at Brendan who was also looking at him like he had grown a second head. Michael stood up and straighted his clothing. He looked at the actor and extended his hand out. Brendan shook his hand. "Sorry about the scare." Brendan apologized with a mischevious smile. Then walked out of the elevator. Michael watched him leave then looked back at Ms. Ledger. "That guys going to be a GREAT actor someday. I can feel it." He said and stepped into the elevator.

To Be Continued. . .