An Unwilling Match Not Made In Heaven 1/?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They are owned by the WB and whoever else.

Summary: Michael in trouble with the law again. And Maria saves his ass.

Rating: PG-13 Just for language.

Notes: This is going to be a series. This part is short. I usually write longer parts. I just have to get into it first. Also I do write NC-17 fic. So if one of the lists doesn't want me to let me know. I'll send out one without smut to for the ones who can't or wont read smut. As for the title. I couldn't think of one. It seemed like a fun ridiculous title so I went with it.

Feedback: Send it to me if you want more.

Distribution: Please take it. We need more fic out there. Just tell me the address to your site.

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Part 1

"How am I supposed to live off of this." Maria mumbled as she shoved the lousy tips into her pocket. She stopped walking when she reached the curb and dug her keys out of her purse. She walked across the street paying no attention to the absent traffic. No on was out this late. Or when it was this cold. She wrapped her jacket around her with one arm as the other preceded to unlock and open the door. Maria heard a faint motor coming from down the street and turned. "This police are really starting to freak me out." she said to herself as the police car passed her slowly and silently. She turned away from the police car and got into her car. She quickly closed the door to escape the night air and let out a sigh of relief. She thought she would never get to her car.

"Boo."

Maria screamed as she turned around to the back seat. "What the hell are you doing here!" she screamed at Michael. But he didn't answer her. He just climbed up into the front seat. She took that moment to extract herself from her huddled up position.

"I'm hiding." he stated. His face showed nothing. Except for that same expression saying 'Everyone's out to get me'

"From what?" she asked through the quickened pace of her breath.

"What do you think he was looking for?" Michael asked and motioned to the street.

Her eyes widened. "Are you crazy!" she said in a hushed tone now fearing for the police. "Why my car!"

"Could we stop this and just get out of here. I'm not in the mood to be going to jail." he said a little angrily. He didn't like this whole situation at all.

Maria glared back at him but started her car. She figured he didn't really want to go to jail for a second time. She drove off down he street and then turned her attention back to him. "So am I taking you home?"

"No." he answered.

"Why not?" of course he only answered her with a negative not telling her where to bring him.

"Because if they know it was me then they'll look for me there!" he yelled at her.

"Sorry!" she yelled back. The last thing he was going to do was yell at her when she was the one helping him. "So do I bring you to Max?"

"No." he answered right out.

"Why not?" she asked. Where the hell else was he supposed to go.

"Because I wasn't supposed to be-" he cut himself off. She didn't need to know his whole business. She knew enough as it was.

Maria angrily turned the corner. Her tires let out a little squeal to the fact that she didn't slow down. She chose to ignore the fact that he wasn't going to tell her what the hell was going on and find out how to get him out of her car. "So where the hell am I supposed to take you!"

"Just drop me at the corner." he said angrily.

Maria drove silently down the empty rode contemplating silently if he was worth helping or not. She really didn't want him to get caught. But she didn't know where to take him. She could-. Nonononono. That would not work.

But what else was there to do? Nothing.

Michael sat in the seat seething as she drove closer to the corner. He should have just taken her car. Michael watched as they neared the corner then passed it. He turned and looked at her. "You passed it up."

"I know that." she said a little more sarcastically then she had meant to.

"Then where are we going?" he questioned her.

She considered not answering him just like he wasn't giving her answers but she decided against it. "My house." She looked at him through the corner of her eye. He looked at her then turned away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria opened the front door quietly. She walked in alone and looked around to see if her parents where up and moving. To her relief all the lights where off and they where most likely in there room with the door closed, sleeping.

"Get in." she whispered. She closed the door as he stepped inside and eased the lock into place. She turned around and grabbed his hand pulling him up the stairs. It seemed to take forever to reach the top of the stairs. Her hand was hot and sweaty from nervousness which she knew must not be to attractive. When she reached her door she opened it slowly and yanked him in out of fear that her parent would come out of there room just then. She closed the door and flipped on the lamp as to not let to much light out. A relieved sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back against the door. Her eyes met Michael's as he stood there staring back at her. "Okay what is going on here. And you better tell me cause I just saved your ass. I deserve that much."

Michael took a minute to decide if he could get away with not telling her. He decided against it. "That sheriff. He knows something. I wanted to find out what."

"So to make a long story short you broke in. But got busted and ran. But your not sure if they know it was you right?" she asked and raised her eyebrows.

"Yea." he replied in his usual dull tone.

Maria frowned and walked to her closet. "You sleep on the floor." she said bluntly. "You know I think-"

"I don't care what you think." he cut her off. He didn't need another lecture.

She turned to him blankets in hand. She flung them at him. "Well to bad. You're going to hear what I think anyway. I think you have bad luck."

Now that was a new one on him. "Bad luck?"

"Yea. You're always getting caught or in trouble." she explained to him.

"Why don't we just cut this little enlightening talk short." he said and threw the blankets on her bed.

"Whatever." she said and sat on her bed. "I wouldn't make you sleep on the floor. But you know my parents can't find out." she offered.

"Doesn't matter." he said bluntly.

Maria shrugged and stood up. She pulled her bed a little further from the wall leaving more room and preceded to lay out blankets.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You know I never had an alien sleep in my room before." She stated into the darkness.

Michael almost felt the urge to smile. The way she acted about the whole situation was comical if you thought about it. Her curiosity was obvious. Liz was different. She acted more like she wanted to spare there feeling not hurt anyone. While Maria made her thoughts known. She was more honest. "There's a first time for everything" he answered back. He really hoped she wouldn't be talking the whole night.

"Yea but it isn't all that exciting." she said and propped herself up on her arm resting her head in her hand. "Cause when someone says alien you know people automatically think green or big black eyes. Or something funny. You don't look like that. Your not funny looking. You look good."

Like he thought before. Honest. "Would you rather me look ridiculous?" he asked.

"No. I like you better like this." she admitted. Silence claimed the room. She let out another sigh and dropped her head onto the pillow. After a few more moments of silence she spoke. "Goodnight."

It was weird. That one word confused him. He wasn't sure how to respond to it. If he did it almost made him feel like he was going soft. For some reason the thought of telling her goodnight. "Goodnight."

Maria smiled as he forced it out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 2

"So did anything weird happen last night?" Maria question her two friends casually.

"What do you mean?" Liz asked with genuine curiosity.

"When I was leaving work last night this police car drove by all freaky like." Maria explained in her own terms.

"Yea they where looking for someone. Actually more like chasing. I had seen a couple of police cars drive down my street." Alex told her oblivious to the look that came across her face.

"Who was it?" Maria asked at the same time trying not to make it sound suspicious.

He shrugged. "I don't even think the police know."

Maria nodded. "Well, I gotta go." she said and stood up from her stool.

"Me to. I need to get back to work." Liz said dully as she grabbed up a few dirty dishes and walked to the back.

"Bye." Alex said to both of the retreating figures.

~~~~~~~~~~

Maria stepped out of her car and winced as the sun shown in her eyes. She made her way to her door and unlocked it. After leaving the Crashdown she had asked a few other people about what happened the night before. But all responses where the same. That someone broke into the police station but the person was unknown. She ran up her steps quickly to tell Michael the news.

Unless he had left already. When she walked in she found him sitting against the wall in deep thought.

"Good news."

His head shot up. He hadn't even heard her come in, "What?"

"From what I have found out they don't even know it was you." she told him and threw her purse on the bed.

Michael stood up hurriedly. "Are you sure?"

"Well, that's what I found out. Also I think a couple of people are suspicious of your disappearance." She was helping him to much lately. When was it going to be his turn

"Max and Isabelle?" He guessed more then asked.

She nodded. "I ran into them once and I talked to Liz and she said they had asked her if she had seen you."

"Do you think you could drive me to there house?" he asked as he slid on his jacket.

"You're asking me for a favor?" she asked surprised.

"Yea. Got a problem with it?"

"Nope. But I think it will become handy in future use." she said and picked up her purse and walked out the door with him trailing behind her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Right here." Michael said and pointed to the corner.

"Here?" she asked confused as she stopped.

"Yea I don't want them knowing you dropped me off. That leads to more questions." he said. She just nodded at him. He sat for a moment knowing that she deserved something. "Thank you." he forced out.

Maria turned to him and smiled. "Hard was it?"

"You have no idea." he said and got out. He headed in the direction of Max's house without even looked back at her.

Maria let out a breath she felt she had been holding since last night. "That was NOT fun." she said to herself and drove off.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Her."

"Why her?"

"Because she knows something."

"How do you know that?"

"She has been in contact with all three of them. Plus the other girl we are suspecting of knowing something. She also helped him last night. And today she went around inquiring as to if anyone knew who the identity was of the person the police where chasing. She knows something. We just have to find out what that something is."

"So we grab her?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Tonight."

The other man nodded and started up the car and headed in the opposite direction the girl had went.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where is that girl!"

"I'm sure she has a reason. I'll go call her again but I'm sure she is on her way now." Liz reassured her manager. Maria was supposed to start her shift when Liz got off. But she was late. Maria was never late. Well, she was but never thirty minutes late. She once again called Maria house but no one answered. She called Marias cell phone and no one answered. That's what worried her the most. Maria always had her cell phone on her. She hung up the phone and squeezed her eyes shut trying her best to get control of her emotions. She picked up and dialed another number. The only other person she could trust.

"Hello?"

"Max?"

"Liz?"

"I can't find Maria." she said worriedly glad to share it with someone.

"What do you mean?" he asked concerned.

"She was supposed to come in for work when I got off. But that was thirty minutes ago. She hasn't shown up yet. No on is answering at her house. And worst of all no one is answering on her cell phone." she said hurriedly with tears starting to build up in her eyes.

"All right look I'm going to come over there then we'll drive to her house okay?" he asked her softly.

"Okay." she said a little relieved.

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

She told him good-bye and hurriedly went out the restraunt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"She didn't mention anything to you? Nothing weird earlier?" Isabelle questioned her for two reasons. The girl was on the edge and it was a good way to distract her and they needed to know what happened.

"No. Um I only saw her twice. Once to get her schedule and she had stopped by early this morning. She had um asked me and Alex if anything happened last night. And he had said something about cops looking for someone and she asked who. But he didn't know. Then she left." she hadn't thought about it before but ow that she did she couldn't understand why Maria would ask that question.

"Michael was missing last night." Isabelle said to Max.

Liz's heart pounded harder and faster as Max pushed the gas pedal harder.

~~~~~~~~~~

Liz jumped out the jeep and ran over to Marias house and began pounding on the door, ignoring the shots of pain that traveled through her hand.

Isabelle walked over to Marias car while Max walked over by Liz. She had known something would be right here. "Max! Liz!" she yelled as she stared down to the object.

They both turned to find Isabelle staring down at unknown object. Liz took off in a run with Max close behind her.

"Oh no." Liz said a kneeled down to pick up Marias phone.

Max walked over to the car and pulled the handle. "It's unlocked."

Liz was next to him a split second later. "Her coat is still in the car. Something happened. Oh god." she cried.

Max wrapped his arms around her as she cried into his chest.

"I think we should go see Michael." Isabelle told him.

He nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Michael! Those kids are here to see you!"

Michael groaned but pushed himself up off of his bed and made his way outside. The site he saw wasn't what he had expected. Three worried faces greeted him. One crying and the other two staring expectantly at him. "What is going on here?"

"Michael where you last night? And don't say home because you weren't" Isabelle demanded.

"What are you talking about?" he asked innocently.

"Michael I swear If you don't tell the truth. We know something happened last night." she threatened.

He sighed. "I broke into the sheriffs office."

"Again?" Max asked him unbelievably.

"Yes. He knows something. You know it to. But the I got caught so I ran. I saw Marias car so I unlocked it and hid there. When she got off of work she found me. I stayed at her house last night." he gave up. He was going to hear it from her later. But he'd just dismiss it with some stupid comment.

"She's missing." Liz told him.

"What?" he didn't understand what the hell was going on.

"She was late for work. Liz called me. We went to Marias house and found her phone laying on the street and her car unlocked with her jacket still in it." he explained.

Isabelle took the phone out of her purse walked up to Michael shoving the phone in his hand.

"What?" he asked and took the phone.

"What do you think?" she retorted back.

He nodded. He gripped the phone in his hand and closed his eyes. But nothing came. Note even a feeling. He shook his head silently.

Liz walked up to him. "Do it again. She ordered." her sweet quiet routine was gone and replaced by the worried friend. "She helped you. Now you help her."

Michael realized there was no room for argument. And he knew she was right. He did owe her. He tried again. This time results. Pictures flashed in from of him. A few moments later his eyes opened. "They took her."

"Who?" Max asked. At this point they could mean anyone.

"Those guys always following us. In the suits. But these where two different guys." What he didn't understand is why her. Why not one of them.

"Do you know where?" Liz asked hopefully.

"Not exactly. But I know how to get there." the hopeful look remained on her face. He just hoped he wouldn't wind up disappointing her by being wrong as he had been on numerous occasions.

"Lets go." Isabelle ordered and jumped into the jeep with Michael at the wheel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 3

"I don't get it. Why would they take her?" Liz asked still confused.

"She helped Michael. That leads to suspicion. They obviously know more about Michaels break in then the police do." Isabelle explained. "Also I'm sure they where already suspecting by the fact that she is around the three of us."

Liz nodded. "How much farther?" she knew she sounded like repetitive child but she was worried.

"I don't know. I won't know until I see it." he told her but stared strait ahead.

"Here." Michael said breaking the silence. He parked the car a safe distance away.

"You sure?" Isabelle questioned.

Michael turned to her and gave her a look.

Isabelle nodded and jumped out the jeep. "So what do we do?"

"We're going to have to break in." Max stated. "Liz you stay here." he saw her open her mouth to argue with him but he continued. "I know you want to help her but the less people breaking in the better. I don't want you to get caught. If something happens leave. Even if we aren't out." he told her softly.

Liz nodded. "Bring her back."

"We will." he promised. He turned away from her to face Isabelle "Isabelle. Find her."

She nodded. She went back over to the jeep followed by the others. She picked up the phone and closed her eyes.

Everyone waited patiently for Isabelle's sleeping form to wake up.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Tell us." the man ordered.

"Tell you what?" she played stupid again for the umpteenth time. Not only was she cold and scared but her nerves where on edge.

"Little girl we know you know something. We even know who broke into the police station. And that you hid him over night. In the morning you asked questions as to if anyone knew who it was. You where an accomplice Maria. Do you know how much trouble you could be in if we let this information out?" he said carefully letting every word sink into her worried mind.

Marias fear greatened in just a few moments. Not only where they wanting to know everything but they knew what happened last night and that could get her in serious trouble. "No." she grounded out.

"No you wont tell us?"

"No I don't know what your talking about." she forced out.

"I'll be back." he said almost as a threat and stood up and left the empty room.

Maria let out a shaky sigh and rested her head on the table. Soon she felt herself drift off and fall asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Maria! Maria!" Isabel yelled.

"Isabelle?"

Isabelle spun around to find Maria standing there. "Are you okay? What is going on?" Isabelle asked as she rushed up to her.

"They took me. When I was going to my car. They want to know what I know. They know I helped Michael." Maria explained.

"Did you...?" Isabelle trailed off.

"No." Maria shook her head.

"We're here. Where are you? What the-" Isabelle started.

"He's back. It's double doors. Really far from the entrance. Room 248." Maria said quickly.

The next thing Isabelle knew Maria was gone. Or more precisely awakened.

~~~~~~~~~~

Isabelle opened her eyes and found three other people staring expectantly at her. "She is far from the entrance. Double doors. Room 248."

"Is she okay?" Liz asked.

Isabelle nodded as she got out the jeep. "They know she helped Michael. I think there using that against her. They want to know what she knows. She hasn't told them. Yet. We need to hurry.

"Then lets go." Michael said and took off in the direction of the building.

Max glanced once more at Liz then followed the others to the entrance. When he arrived they where waiting patiently. He waved his hand over the knob and was followed by a soft click. He turned the knob and pulled the door open.

"Lets go."

"248. The 2's would be upstairs right?" Isabelle asked a while later as they stopped in front of some stairs. "All we've seen where 1's."

"There's only one way to find out." Max said and preceded up the stairs.

~~~~~~~~~

"We need to move her."

"Why?"

"Something is going on. Something was different about her when I walked in. I think there coming after her."

"All right I'll go ready the car. You get her."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael was the first to enter the hallway. "Oh shit." he jumped back and opened a door and pushed Max and Isabelle in. "They saw me. I'll distract them. Then you go find her." He closed the door not waiting for a response and took off.

"Get him!" the man yelled and hurried back to the room to get the girl.

Michael noticed the man hurry in an opposite direction and as he ran from the other man he noticed the numbers get smaller not bigger. That man was going to get Maria. He rounded a corner and stopped waiting for the two men in suits to follow. When he did Michael pushed him back into a wall and punched him with inhuman strength that he only found when angry. The man slid to the floor. He ran back in the direction he came from but saw no sign of Isabelle or Max. He thrust open the door he pushed them in. "Dammit." he cursed. The door led to another hallway.

"No!"

Michael spun around at the scream. It came from the direction he guessed Maria to be held.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"No!" Maria screamed. She knew why she was being taken. They where in the building and trying to get her. But that didn't seem to phase him he yanked her up from the chair but the foot holding her to the table caught and twisted causing pain to run up her leg. Which also gave him an opening to yank her out of her chair. Over taken by instinct she kicked him right between the legs. He leaned over and let out a curse but quickly recovered.

He grabbed her powerfully by the arm causing her to wince. She tried to kick him again but he anticipated it and pushed her down to the floor. He didn't have time to grab her again though.

Michael fueled by adrenaline and his on special forces pushed the doors open breaking the locks. When he came in he found Maria being pushed on the floor.

He grabbed the other man by his head and slammed him into the wall but paid little attention as he slumped to the floor. "Come on." he said and pulled her up. When he did she let out a strangled cry. "What's wrong?"

"My ankle. I think its twisted." she replied.

He wrapped an arm around her waste. "Come on."

Maria put her arm on his shoulder as he led her out the room. She winced with each step as the pain grew a grew till she couldn't stand it anymore and a painfilled wimper passed her lips.

Michael looked down at her when he heard the pitiful sound. Her face showed the pain she felt. Tears he hadn't noticed before where there now. He wasn't going to get anywhere like this. The leaned down and place his other arm under her knees and stood up with her in his arms.

"Michael!" Isabelle yelled as her and Max turned a corner. "Go! There after us!"

He didn't waste a minute and took off down the hall that led to the stairs.

Maria tightened her hold on his neck as he ran down the stairs. Relief finally flooded her for the first time in hours as they ran through the door and the cold air hit her body.

"Maria!" Liz yelled as they ran up to the jeep.

Marias head flew up at the familiar sound.

"Isabelle you drive!" Michael yelled. "Max you in the back seat!" he jumped into the jeep with Maria still in his arms.

Liz moved over to the passenger side as Isabelle took the drivers seat and started up the engine. Max soon followed Michael into the back seat.

"Go Isabelle!" Max yelled as soon as he stepped into the jeep.

She wasted no time. She pushed the gas and turned roughly and sped down he vacant road leaving only dust behind them.

Maria pulled herself up in Michaels arms that still held her firmly.

"Max. Her ankle." Michael said to him.

Max head shot up at him. This wasn't Michael. The Michael he knew wouldn't ask him to help a human. Even more heal them. But he didn't waste time. He placed his hand on her ankle. Moments later it was healed and he removed his hand. "Is it okay?"

Maria moved her ankle around slowly and to her surprise found no pain. "Yea. Thanks." She pulled herself up out of Michaels arms and say in-between him and Michael.

"Maria are you all right? When you didn't answer you phone I got worried." Liz said full of feeling.

"Yea I'll live." Maria assured her. Although she felt like she would pass out at the moment.

"What did they want to know?" Max asked.

"Pretty much everything I knew."

"Did you tell them?" Michael asked her.

She shook her head silently.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you sure Maria?" Liz asked her from inside the jeep.

"I'm sure. My ankle is better and my parents are home. I'll be okay." She said and gave her a small smile. She turned back to the others. "Thanks. You know for getting me out of there."

"We had to." Max told her.

"If it wasn't for us you wouldn't have been in that position." Isabelle told her. "So we couldn't have left you there."

Maria nodded. She glanced at Michael. He eyes bore into hers but he said nothing. She dismissed the look and walked to her house.

Michael felt nothing but self loathing. And he rarely did it. Especially not because of humans. But it had been his fault she had gotten taken. And most likely if she wouldn't have let him stay at her house she wouldn't have been taken.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 4

"Hey." Maria said when she looked up form the table she was clearing.

"Hey. How ya feeling?" Liz asked concerned.

"I'm fine. After getting some sleep I felt as good as new. Now I just have to make up the hours from yesterday." Maria said and frowned.

"Yea he was a little upset. But have you seen any of those guys?" Liz eyes widened with worry. "The ones that took you?"

"No. And I hope I don't any time soon." Maria said.

"Maria! Stocks! Now!"

Maria groaned. "If they do try to take me again they are going to pay for this." Maria said angrily and headed to the back with a stack of dishes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Michael waited patiently for the two girls to finish talking. But to his disappointment when they where through she went to the back. After Liz left he entered the restraunt and slowly walked toward the counter. He waited till no one was looking then entered the door that led to the back. He walked down a hallway, hurrying past the kitchen door, until he caught site of Maria. She was standing on a ladder facing a shelf. He walked in quietly not even drawing notice to himself. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

Maria spun around at the subtle sound. One thing's for sure he was the last person she expected to be there. "What are you doing here?" she asked surprised and stepped down off the ladder.

Michael waited till she stood on the ground before he spoke. "I came to apologize."

Maria was sure her face shown how confused she was. "Why?"

"If you wouldn't have helped me they wouldn't have taken you." he explained. He found it hard to believe she wasn't yelling at him for getting her into that mess.

"But you got me out of there. I'm sure that makes up for it." she reassured him.

"I wouldn't have had to save you in the first place if you hadn't been involved." he argued.

Something hit Maria. It was like a realization. It wasn't that he was sorry it was something else. She walked closer to him. "What is going on?"

"What?" he said and backed up. The closing space in-between them was making him nervous.

"You're acting weird. You would never apologize to me. And last night when my ankle was hurt. You had Max heal it. You where the one that didn't want to have a thing to do with us but there you where asking him to heal me. Why?" <Wow. Brave girl.>

Why? That's what he wanted to know. He had an idea why. He wasn't sure thought. But he was always a spontaneous guy. So why not found out? He closed the space between them and answered her question silently.

Maria barely had time to register what happened. Before she knew it she was pulled up against him with her lips touching his.

He initiated the kiss but then she started to respond. Which for some reason scared him. He hadn't expected that. She gave no hint of attraction. Like she had said before. He had been acting out of the ordinary towards her. But she hadn't.

Maria opened her mouth to him welcoming him in. She raised her hands to his neck pulling herself on her tippy-toes while his arms around her waste gave her support.

His instinct where telling him to pull away. But his body had different intentions. He entered her warm mouth and any other logical intention ran from his mind.

"Maria!"

Maria yanked away from Michael's mouth.

"Get out here!"

She looked up at Michael. Neither one moving and still as close as before. She pulled away from him slowly and started backing up. She slowly turned around and rushed out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~

He couldn't believe he was doing this. Checking up on her. But he was doing it anyway. This wasn't him. He was not supposed to care about humans. He should be concentrating on getting the hell out of there. But he couldn't help it. He had to. But the conflicting thoughts didn't last long as he noticed a familiar car parked across the street from her house. He frowned angrily and walked up to the car. "Excuse me." he said to the two men through the open window. "But do you make it your pass time to spy on and kidnap people?" he asked casually. The two men didn't respond. They started up there car and he immediately backed away allowing them to drive off. He turned to face Marias house. A few minutes later, once against his better judgment, he was climbing up her trelice and knocking on her window.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria turned to the tap that came from her window. She rose slowly and made her way carefully to the window. When she lifted away the curtain she almost screamed. She hurriedly unlocked her window and allowed him to step in. "What are you doing here! And why are you knocking at my window!"

"First of all don't yell at me! I came here to warn you. Second how was I supposed to know if anyone was home." he grounded out.

"You could have knocked! It would have made not difference. And what are you warning me against?" she asked.

"They where spying on you. I ran them off but I thought you should know." he said, his voice a little more gentler then earlier.

Maria sighed and let her shoulder slump. Was this how it was going to be from now on? Her life never her own she wondered as she stared at an object on her floor. She lifted her eyes back up to meet his. "Thank you."

Michael nodded. "Maria about earlier..." he started but was cut off.

"It's okay I know. You can't be attached to anything or anyone and it was a mistake. I know. You don't have to explain." she told him softly.

He took a moment to observe what she just said. If that had been true then she obviously wasn't happy about it and was hurt. Now he could tell how he felt. And for some reason seeing her emotions out in the open made him feel better. And more brave. He stepped forward and claimed her lips with his. After only a few moments he pulled away. "As I was saying. I liked it. I'm not promising you anything. But I don't regret it."

Hearing those words come from his mouth caused joy to fill her. And she wanted nothing more to feel his lips on her and his arms around her. She forcefully wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down. She let all the need she felt for him flow into that kiss making it more faster and more urgent then their previous two had been.

Michael responded quickly to her needy kiss. He pulled her against him and let his hands slide up under her shirt.

Maria didn't pull away when his hands made contact with her bare skin. If anything it made her more excited. Of course there was a logical part of her screaming this was wrong. Telling her that this would lead to something more. But it was only a small piece of her in the back of her mind. And she was ignoring it.

Michael never pulled away. His hands continued to softly run up and down her back until they got high enough that he realized that she had no bra on. At this point her hands had slid down to his chest and had began unbuttoning his shirt. Then realization of where this was leading hit him. He immediately pulled away. "Do you know what you are doing?" he asked her huskily.

Maria nodded. "Yes." she answered breathlessly.

"Remember I can't promise you anything. I don't know what will happen."

"Okay." she agreed.

His eyes lingered on hers a moment longer before he claimed her lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 5

Maria continued unbuttoning his shirt. When her shaky hands finally completed the task she slid her hands up his bare chest onto his arms and pushed the shirt off. She slid her hands up and down his chest reveling in the feel of his soft skin.

Michael's hands wrapped around her waste and slid up pulling her shirt with him. He pulled away from her and lifted the shirt over her head.

Maria shivered as the cool air enveloped her. She swallowed. "The window." she said through her erratic breathing.

Michael's head turned and he realized that the window was still gaping open. He walked over and shut it letting the curtain fall back over it. When her turned around there she stood. Her breast heaving with each deep intake of breath. Her face flushed and her lips swollen. He walked back over to her and picked her up by her thighs and wrapped them around his waste. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He walked over to her bed and laid her down gently never breaking the kiss. He laid on top of her only holding himself up with his arms. He pulled away and began placing light kisses down her jaw and down her neck.

Maria moaned and arched up into him as he sucked on her neck. She intook a deep breath as his hands slid up her sides to her breasts. A small whimper escaped her lips as he pinched one of the hardened nipples. Her eyes widened as his mouth traveled down her chest leaving feather light kisses along the way. Her breath caught in her throat as he took one of her nipples in his mouth. A small gasped emanated from her mouth and she arched her back. "Michael." she gasped.

Michael pulled away and crawled back up her body and looked down into her face. With just one glance she could tell that she wanted him. Needed him. And for some reason that he couldn't quite understand he liked it. It made him fell good that she needed him. He lowered himself and kissed her lips softly.

Maria met his lips urgently. In the mean time she began sliding her hands down his chest slowly until she reached his pants. She did his best to undo the button but the lack of space between them and the shaking of her hands made it impossible. She let out an angry pout at her distress. But she felt his hands move in-between them and remove her hands gently. She waited patiently as he unbuttoned his pants and unzipped them. She placed her hands on his waist and pushed his pants down along with his boxers. He succeeded her and pushed them down all the way off of his body. He quickly replaced his lips on her smothering them in an urgent kiss. She felt his arousal through her boxers and it sent a rush of heat through her body.

"One of us has to much clothes on." Michael said humorously.

Maria bit her lip and smiled as a blush creeped into her face.

Michael reached between them and link his thumbs around her boxers and panties and pulled them off in one moments. He took his place back on top of her. "Better." he said softly and kissed her. It started soft but his tongue slipped into between her lips and into her welcoming mouth. He felt her arch into him and he let out a soft moan as he felt the heat from her clit that caused him to harden. He wouldn't be able to wait much longer. He kissed her more urgently and with more need.

Maria whimpered into his mouth. She needed him so bad right now and if he wasn't going to hurry it along she was. She slid a hand in-between there sweat slicked bodys and took his length in her hand. She almost laughed as he jumped.

Michael hurriedly reached down and took her hand. "No Maria."

"Why?" she almost pouted.

"If you do that your going to have to five me time to recuperate. But as for you." he said an smirked and slowly slid down her body. "You don't" he added. He lowered his head a flicked her clit with his tongue. He was rewarded with a loud gasp from Maria. He next touch was less gentle as he lowered his head down. He slid two fingers into her wet core while his mouth began a slow torture on her. Small whimpers escaped her mouth and he entered a third finger in her core and starting pumping into her faster and faster while he still licked and sucked at her.

Maria felt like she was going to explode with all the unknown feelings running through her body. She had never felt anything so wonderful and exciting in her whole life and she hoped it wouldn't be the last time. Especially with Michael. Her thoughts flew out of her mind though as her walls clamped around his fingers an high pitched moans escaped her mouth. And through the whole orgasm he continued the torture on her riding her through the whole thing until she was spent and her body went limp.

Michael climbed up her body and stared down at the small girl. Each breath that entered and exited her body was shaky with the after effects of her orgasm. And he felt proud that he had taken her that far. He place a soft kiss on her lips and slowly she began to respond.

Marias hands went behind his head and she wrapped her fingers in his hair. She pulled away from him and smiled. "Your turn." she said and pressed herself against him.

Michael hissed as her warm wetness pressed against his almost painful erection. He found he couldn't hold out any longer and he slowly eased himself inside of her. Michael grounded his teeth together as he sunk deeper into her tight core. He was on the verge of pounding into her right there. Sure hed had sex before. But it never meant anything and most of the time he never saw the girl again after. But Maria was-<Oh shit.>-a vigin, he realized as a he it something and it caused a loud intake of breath from Maria. "I-I didn't know."

"You didn't?" she asked confused.

He shook his head. "I never really thought about it." he looked thoughtfully at her. "You wanted your first time to be with me?" he asked unbelievably as if he couldn't understand why.

Maria for the first moment took pity on him. He found it hard to believe that she would want to share that with him. And it upset her that he felt that way. "Why wouldn't I?" she asked him softly.

He opened his mouth to respond but closed it against and just shrugged.

"Michael I want you to take my virginity." she told him genuinely.

Michael looked at her a moment longer before he lowered his head and kissed her passionately for the first time. It had been soft and sweet, and urgent and needy. But never passionate. Now it was. He pulled away from her leaving him and her breathless. "You sure?"

Maria nodded.

Michael braced himself and thrust into her deeply. Maria threw her head back and a small cry left her mouth. He bent down and kissed her softly and lovingly trying his best to distract her. When she began to respond to his kiss and began thrusting softly up he joined her thrust meeting her all the way.

Maria gripped his shoulders tightly as her breath became shorter and faster and her walls started to clamp onto him.

Michael sensed as her nails dug into him but the pain quickly vanished as Maria threw her head back and screamed his name out. He pumped into her harder and followed only moments behind her.

Maria slowly became away of reality against. Or maybe reality was drawing her out. Or it could be the extra weight laying on top of her. Her hands rested on his back and bad slow strumming motions.

"Am I too heavy?" he asked her softly.

"No." she wanted to say more but that was about all she could get out. She let her eyes closed slowly and let sleep start to overtake her. But her eyes shot open moments later when he removed his body from hers. "Where are you going?" she asked alarmed.

Michael stopped himself and held himself up on his arms above her. "Maria I'm just moving off of you." he reassured her. He watched her curiously as she nodded. He knew she was scared of him leaving. But he didn't feel like addressing that subject at the moment since he didn't know where this was going himself. He rolled of her onto his side. "Come here." he said softly and pulled her against him, her back pressing against his chest. She scooted closer to him and he wrapped his arms securely around her stomach.

Maria let herself relax against him. She closed her eyes and just let herself sink into the warmness of his body pressed up against hers.

~~~~~~~~~

Part 6

Michael had been laying awake for what seemed like forever but he knew to only have been almost 20 minutes. But he was content on just laying behind her. He watched quietly as she began to awake. A low moan came from her throat and she pushed back against him.

Maria slowly turned to face him and found his eyes starting into her. He said nothing. Didn't move to get up and leave. Which surprised her she had to admit. She had expected him to be gone as soon as he awoke. A small smile played on her lips and she bit her lip.

Michael brought his hand up to her face. He softly slid his thumb over her cheek and leaned forward placing a light kiss on her lips then pulled away.

Maria brought her lips to his, this time for a longer kiss. She had never felt so complete in her life. She didn't feel alone. She felt like she had something. And here he was laying in bed next to her.

Michael rolled her onto her back and held himself above her continuing to kiss her. A shiver spread through his body as Maria hands softly ran over his chest. His mind slowly wondered and remembered how her hands had touched him last night and as if reading his thoughts she arched her back crushing her breasts to his chest. He slowly began contemplating starting again what they had done last night.

Maria slid her hands around to his back and let them slide down slowly pushing the sheet down at the same time. She shivered as Michael's hands slid up her sides. If they stopped here she would die.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's unlocked. She never leaves it unlocked." Liz said fearfully to Max. She wasn't prepared to be put through the same thing as before. Or worse. She walked in and spotted Maria phone on the sofa which explained why it wasn't being answered.

"You're right something is wrong. Michael isn't home either." Max said thoughtfully as they followed her in.

"We need to go check up stairs." Liz said and motioned toward them. Liz had to remind herself to breath in and out as the ascended the stairs. She walked past Max and led him to Marias room. She laid her hand on the knob and turned it slowly hoping with all her heart Maria was behind that door safe. But when she saw Maria she didn't feel any sense of relief. What she found was Michael laying on top of Maria in a passionate kiss. But it wasn't that which blew her away. It was the fact they had no clothes on.

Max could hardly contain his disbelief. Neither one of them where aware of their presence. Which wasn't surprising considering how deep into the kiss they where. His head flew around when he heard a thump. His eyes found Liz backed up against the wall. But that's was the last thing he was thinking about. It was the sudden gasp from the opposite direction which drew his attention.

"Oh shit." Michael said and pushed himself up quickly. But he didn't get far. A scream arose from Maria and he found himself flipped onto his side facing away from the two unwelcome guest and Maria using him to block the upper part of her body which had just recently become uncovered by her own doing.

"Michael the sheet!" Maria yelled at him.

Michael grabbed the sheet and pulled it up. He sat up himself and faced Liz and Max. "What are you doing here?"

"Wha-?" Max started. "Michael what is going on?" he asked as calmly as possible but he knew his tone must have been a little harsher then planned.

"None of your business." Michael said roughly. For some reason being caught in this position didn't sit well with him. He sat up with the sheet still covering his lower body and leaned over grabbing his boxers off the floor.

"None of my business? Michael do you realize what you just did? This whole time you have been discouraging me from any kind of relationship. Then you go back and do something worse!" Max was a little upset he had to admit. Max had though Michael right. That he should stay away from Liz. Max had never had sex with Liz though. And now Michael was just contradicting himself.

Maria stood up with the towel still wrapped around her. She couldn't believe this. In one moment Michael became cold and distant. It never really bothered her before. But now that she had seen another side of him she found it hard to accept the old Michael. And now in Max's words what her and Michael had done was worse.

Michael hurriedly pulled on the rest of his clothes. "Max I was stopping you from forming any kind of attachment. This was just sex." he threw out before he could hold it back. He had meant to say it to only Max. He hadn't taken into account what it would do to Maria. He turned around already knowing it was to late. Conflicting emotion flew across her face and she surprisingly held them back even as her head shook slowly. But she was unable to remain still. She soon took off to her bathroom. He heard a faint click and knew it would be know use in reasoning with her now. Then at that moment he felt something. It wasn't unfamiliar to him though. Loneliness. He had always felt lonely. But he had never had something then lost it. That felt even worse. "Lets go." Michael said to Max and took off out of the room. Max nodded at him but Liz stared at him. One that promised death.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Maria come out. Please." Liz pleaded as soon as Max left the room.

"No." a muffled voice responded from behind the door that was no doubt crying.

"They're gone. It's only you and me." There was a moment of silence and then the door opened. Maria was still wrapped in a sheet. Liz went to Maria's dresser and pulled her out clean clothes. "Here." she said softly and handed them to her.

"Thanks." Maria said quietly and took them from her. She began getting dressed quietly hoping that for some reason Liz wouldn't talk about it.

"Maria tell me." Liz said sincerely.

At that moment Maria knew she had to. She had to tell someone. "Last night. At the Crashdown." Maria started and took a seat on her bed. Liz followed her and sat down right next to her. "Michael came while I was in the back. We where alone. He apologized for getting my kidnapped saying if I wouldn't have helped him it wouldn't have happened. In the end we kissed." Maria said forcing the last word out. She sighed and began again. "I had to go right after that. But late last night he came here. And we you know." Maria said softly. She couldn't say it out loud. The thought now disgusted her. She felt used.

"Why though?" Liz asked. She knew Maria. Maria wouldn't have sex with just anyone. Something happened.

"He was different Liz. He didn't push me. I was the one who started. He stopped me he even made it known he didn't know what would happen. He-he was sweet." With the last word tears started to fall down her cheeks.

Liz was unsure of where the blame belonged. Maybe there was no blame. Maybe it was an unfortunate situation. Especially for Maria. Now she was unsure of which was the real Michael. She put her arms around Maria and held her as she continued to cry. Hopefully Max would have better luck.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Will you shut up!" Michael yelled.

"No! You knew what was going to happen after. Everyone knows how it is with you. Except she didn't. Maybe she's blind to the real you or you act so totally different around her that she bought into the act." Max was getting more upset every moment. Michael refused to take responsibility for what he had done.

"Max leave it alone. You don't know what the hell is going on here." Michael said through clenched teeth.

"Yea well I hope you do then." Max retorted but remained silent after that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you crazy!" Isabelle screamed at Michael.

Michael winced at her blow. He waited as Max quieted Liz down and was relieved when she finally took a seat.

"How could you do it Michael?" she asked more calmly but obviously upset.

"I had to." he admitted. And it was the truth. He couldn't stay away from her.

"No. Michael you've made mistakes but this is the worse of all." she said harshly.

Michael felt like he had been hurt physically. Isabelle telling him it was wrong almost made him feel like he had done something wrong even if it had felt so right.

"End it here." Isabelle said sternly.

"What?" Michael asked surprised. Even Max looked surprised.

"You cannot do this Michael." Isabelle said kindly. "You know the reasons Michael. They where your own reasons. You are just choosing to ignore them."

Michael paused for a moment then nodded silently to Isabelle at the same time not noticing the look of disappointment on Max's face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You shouldn't have done that." Max said quietly while he walked into Isabelle's room. "I think if anything she would have helped Michael."

"And when the time might have come when we would have to leave would it have helped Michael then?" she paused but Max reaming silent so she continued. "You are staying away for the same reasons Max. Michael should be the last person to get attached."

"Why?" If anything Max thought it would be better instead of Michael being along.

"Michael has no one. Sure there's you and me but you know he has always felt separated. If he gets attached to something or more specifically someone I don't see him letting go." she said solemnly

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael has always been a light sleeper. And most of the time he found he could hardly sleep. But now he couldn't. Not when he had found something that seemed to help him. He had touched her tasted her. How could he just let go of that? He dressed himself quickly and quietly and slipped out into the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria wished she could smell him on her pillow. But his scent had long ago disappeared. With everything else he had brought her. But in actuality he hadn't brought her anything. Only taken. She had thought him to be a little cold and kind of mean but never cruel. And he had been cruel. She sat upright in bed as her window was pushed open and a familiar figure stepped in. "What are you doing here?" she said as hatefully as she could as she stood up.

"I needed to talk to you." he said in the same cold and distant voice.

"Don't bother. Let me sum it up for you. Last night was it I'm guessing." she said. She paused waiting for him to deny it but it never came. A lump built up in her throat. "I can't believe you." she whispered with tears building in her eyes.

"I never promised you anything Maria." he reminded her.

"No, you didn't. But you never said that you would fuck me then leave." she said hatefully emphasizing a certain word.

"That's not it-" Michael started but was cut off.

"Isn't it? You told Max your self that all it was was sex." she reminded him

He knew that statement was going to come back at him. "Maria I didn't mean it. And I didn't just fuck you." the words sounded terrible coming out and he found he wanted to take them back but he continued "Isabelle and Max. I have told them forever not to become attached. And today they reminded me. But it's to late."

The last four words raised hope in Maria. But when she looked into he eyes she knew nothing would be all right.

"I went to sleep tonight alone. And I found it was impossible. I can't let you go. I can't give you what you want either. I can only be here with you right here, right now, at night." he told her. He realized before that he couldn't just severe of the emotional attachment that he had on her now.

"So what do you want to have-" Maria started in an unbelievable voice.

Michael hurried and cut her off. "No," he brought his hand to her face and felt a warm feeling flow through him as he came in contact with her skin. "I just want to hold you."

Maria wasn't sure if she should be depressed or happy. In the end she chose on taking what Michael could offer. He was right an 'us' wouldn't work. All they would have would be in an odd poetic sense 'a secret affair'. It was so corny, if she was feeling a little happier, she would have barfed.

Michaels heart began to drop as she walked to her door and reached for the knob. But nothing happened. All he heard was a soft click form the lock. He watched Maria walked back over to him and take him by the hand and pull him to the bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria stared at the clock. The minutes ticking by. Even though it read only 3:30 and she had a while before she had to wake she dreaded it. Dreaded Michael leaving. She let a tear slide down her face and let out a shaky breath. Michaels arms tightened around her. She wasn't sure if he was awake or if it was just an unnatural reaction in his sleep. She didn't care. She turned in his arm and curled up against him.

Michael heard the erratic breathing and the rough breaths of air that she released. He wouldn't say anything though. There was nothing to say. All he did was pull her closer to him. She slowly turned so that she was facing him except her head was near his chest. He just held her close and prayed for the next day to pass quickly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Liz I'm going home." Maria announced to the group who was assembled around the table discussing another evil stalker. "I'm tired and I want to go to bed." She bit her lip and looked at Michael. There eyes locked and an unspoken promise was made.

"Okay. I'll be heading home soon to. Call me in the morning." Liz told her.

Maria nodded and headed out quietly. Her life had become that lately. Quiet. It was like that when you where keeping a secret from three people and it was impossible to talk to the other in front of them. Nothing felt right anymore. She felt so sad during the day. It wasn't that she was depressed. It was more like she was lonely. Like she was missing something. At night, when Michael came, that hole in her filled. But not all the way. For she knew in the morning when she woke up he would be gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael waited impatiently for her to walk out wanting to get out quickly himself not that she had left. "I think I am going to leave." He said as normally as he could.

"No." Max said. "We need to talk." he said hinting that there was something at hand to discuss.

Michael knew he would stay but at the same time he wished to be with Maria. He nodded. A few minutes later Liz left leaving only Michael, Isabelle, and Max.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He wouldn't come. She knew it would happen t some point. One day he would lose the urge to be with her. To hold her. Unfortunately she hadn't. She needed him. The clock read 3:48 AM. He had never been this late. She couldn't sleep without him. It wasn't till now she realized how desperate she was. She knew what they shared now wasn't much. And she should probably let go. She would most likely only disappoint herself in the end. But she couldn't. Her heart wouldn't let her. So she clung to the few hours of closeness she had with him. It was just holding. They hadn't been together the same way since that first night. They hadn't even shared a kiss since then. She craved to be against him skin against skin. Him kissing her as patiently as before. But life wouldn't permit it. Friends wouldn't permit it. Human nature wouldn't permit it. She would though. But that didn't count.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael hurriedly ran through the street. The new information that was just brought to his attention had him torn between leaving and giving Maria the good-bye she deserved. Of course he wasn't supposed to go. But he would anyway. Max should have known that.

In the end he decided to give Maria her good-bye. Then leave. But time was running out and he feared he wouldn't have enough time with her. He quickly climbed up her house and entered her window.

"Michael?"

The tone in her voice surprised him. It was scared and hopeful. And he though he detected a little sadness in it. It couldn't be that she already knew. "Yea."

"What happened?" she asked. But didn't move. She didn't trust herself not to run into his arms.

Michael kicked off his shoes. "We had to talk." he said quickly. That was only part of the truth. "Why are you awake?"

"I-I couldn't sleep." she told him. He probably dismissed it to worry. Which was half true. The other half was because she couldn't be without him.

He nodded and moved to his side of the bed. The one closest to the window and farthest from the door. Somehow it felt safer that way. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

Maria looked up into his eyes. She needed something more. Just something. "Michael."

"What?" he asked softly.

"Take off your shirt." she told him. IT was an odd request. But she just wanted to feel him. No clothes blocking her hands from touching his bare chest.

Michael looked at her for a moment then he sat up removing his shirt. He wasn't sure where this was leading. But he complied. Thankfully it didn't lead anywhere. He laid on his back with Maria curled up against him half on him. But he did wonder if she knew. The way she clung to him and wrapped herself around him gave away that something was wrong. And he knew it for sure when he felt a drop on his chest. But once against he chose to ignore it. It wouldn't do neither of them any good.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To Be Continued