CHAPTER TEN

Michael rocked Maria in his arms while she cried. Another half-hour and she was composed enough to make it to the bathroom. She picked her underwear up off the floor as she passed by it. Michael took a deep breath and lifted Leia out of her playpen; she was sopping wet.

"When was the last time you were changed?" He walked with her into the nursery and laid her on the changing table. He stripped off her clothes and disposed of the exceptionally soiled diaper. "Something happened today, Leia. Something's wrong with your mommy. Any ideas?"

She looked at him and seemed to want to tell him all of the day's events but just couldn't find the words. Once she was changed and dry Michael carried her to the kitchen and prepared her dinner. He heard the shower running and breath a sigh of relief. Maybe after the shower Maria would be able to tell him what the hell happened.

Maria stepped under the steaming shower before removing her nightshirt. She tossed the clinging, wet fabric to the floor and let the water stream into her face. She grabbed a loofah and doused it with scented body wash and began to scrub her skin. Salty tears mingled with the water as she scrubbed. Her arms became red, then spots of blood appeared. Her legs, chest and neck followed. She scrubbed inbetween her legs until it burned. She kept scrubbing her body until she couldn't take the pain mixed with scalding water any longer. Reaching for the faucet handle, she punched the fibreglass side of the shower and stifled a scream. She stepped from the shower stall and grabbed her bathrobe; blood mottled the thin fabric seeping through. She didn't care. Without emotion she looked in the steamed over mirror and saw horror. Her horror. Still trembling, she made her way to the bedroom and lay down, curling her knees under her chest.

Michael strapped his daughter into a bouncy chair on the floor with her stuffed monkey and went to find Maria. When he saw her, he ran to her side and knelt on the floor.

"Your skin..." he trailed off, looking at the abrasions. "What happened?"

Maria didn't answer him, she barely acknowledged him at all with a slight headache. She closed her eyes and started rocking again. She flinched when Michael put his hand on her shoulder.

"Baby, I have to know what's going on." His voice was hoarse. "You have to let me help you, I don't know what to do." Maria didn't answer. "Can I put something on your skin?"

He stood and went to the bathroom; he saw the loofah on the floor of the shower and picked it up. His heart broke when he saw bits of flesh and blood imbedded in its wiry surface. He tossed it back to the shower and rummaged through the medicine cabinet, finding some antibacterial cream. He carried the tube out to her and tried to pull back some of the length of her robe from her legs. She shook her head violently and kicked his hands away. He took a deep breath as Leia began crying in the other room. He needed help.

He went to the living room and picked his daughter up, instantly she was quiet and laid her head on his chest, utter contentment. He dialled Max's and got the disconnection message from a mechanical woman. He didn't know his new number, or if he had one, he had forgotten today was moving day. He dialled the Evans house, relieved when Isabel answered.

"I need you to help me," Michael stated.

"With what?"

"Do you have Max's new number?"

"Nope," she sighed.

"Something's happened to Maria and I don't know what. I really need you to come over and watch Leia or go get Max or something." Michael was pacing, his words coming breathlessly. "I just need help. I can't leave them alone and I have to have Max here. Do you know where the new place is? Can you go there?"

"I have no idea." Isabel seemed to be paying more attention now. "What do you want me to do?"

"Come here, please," Michael begged.

Isabel promised she'd be there in minutes and hung up. Michael continued to walk around the living room holding Leia. He kissed the top of her head and glanced back to the bedroom. He trod softly down the hall and looked around the corner. Maria was still in the same position, but her breathing was shallow now. She was asleep. He walked back to the living room and onto the front porch as dusk was settling in. Fireflies began to glow, American toads sang in the distance and Michael Guerin's world was falling apart.

As she promised, Isabel pulled up in front of his house just inside of ten minutes. She parked Mrs. Evans' car and got out. She tossed a cigarette into the street and walked towards Michael. She saw the pained expression and hastened her pace.

"What's going on?" she asked taking Leia from him. Leia looked up briefly and then cuddled her face in Isabel's hair. "What happened to Maria?"

"I don't know," Michael ran his hands through his hair and began pacing again. "I came home and she was on the floor, rocking back and forth. She didn't change Leia all day I think and she won't say anything."

"I don't believe it."

"I got her up and she took a shower and damn near scrubbed all the skin off her body. She's asleep now, but I have to have help."

"I can stay here, you go get Max." Isabel reached over and squeezed his arm. "I promise I'll take care of them both until you get back."

"I won't be long. If Max calls, tell him..." Michael went back inside and retrieved his keys from the table and walked back on to the porch. He kisesd his daughter's head then cast an appreciative glance to Isabel. She smiled and shooed him off the porch.

Isabel held Leia close to her and walked through the house. She peeked in the bedroom and covered her mouth when she saw Maria's exposed skin. She shook her head and went back outside. She kept Leia close and sat down to watch the remnants of a glorious sunset over the desert.

* * *

"This place is not near as nice as the other one." Kyle sat on the sofa, Morgan and Liz on either side of him. Morgan whacked him in the gut. "What? I didn't say it wasn't nice, just not as nice."

"I like it, you're also closer to everything, that's a good," Morgan nodded.

"Thanks," Max was ashamed and trying in vain not to let it show. He still felt like a failure. "It's not bad, it'll do for now."

"I like it," Liz stood and walked over to him. "There is an awesome little balcony with flower boxes and it's so close to everything. I like it better than the other place." She kissed his neck. "You picked out a great place."

"Well, you know Evans," Kyle was nodding, "I guess I should be the last to say anything since in about a week I'm moving into Maria's old room."

"Well, it could be worse," Max grinned. "However, I don't see how."

Kyle rolled his eyes. "I know. Man, I can't believe they're moving in together. It's like a moral sin."

"It's not a sin," Morgan shrugged. "They're in love and they want to be together. That's good. You should be happy for them."

"I am." Kyle finally smiled. "So, Liz, you were asking about my spring back, why?"

"Oh," she recalled an earlier interrupted conversation. "Because we set a date to be married." She smiled at Max. "March, spring break. The Saturday before the break. Can you be here?"

"Of course I'll be here," he laughed. "Like I would miss it?"

"Anyway," Max bit his bottom lip, "Kyle, can you help me with something in the other room?"

"What?" Kyle asked, not moving.

"Oh God," Morgan moaned. "He wants to talk to you alone, just get up and go!"

Kyle looked to Max who nodded. He followed Max into the bedroom. "So, what's up?"

"Okay, I know we haven't ever been the best of friends, but I do consider you a good friend now. When Liz and I get married we want our friends and family around. I was wondering if you would be my groomsman?" Max looked to the floor, red seeping up his neck.

"Seriously?" Kyle grinned. "Sure, I'd be honoured." He held out his hand and Max shook it. "Cool."

They walked back into the living room and Max nodded at Liz while Kyle told Morgan. A banging at the door caused both Max and Kyle to jump and turn to the noise.

"Max!" Michael called from the other side. "Tell me this is the right one!"

Max smirked and opened the door, Michael barged in and looked around the room. Surprised to see Morgan in their company he temporarily lost his train of thought.

"What's up Michael?" Max asked, stepping closer to him and sensing the urgency.

"Maria. Something's wrong with her and I need you to help her." He turned to Liz. "You too. Something happened and she won't talk. I don't know."

Liz looked to Max. "We have to go."

"Is she okay? Is Leia okay?" Kyle stepped up to him. "Leia?"

"Leia's fine, Isabel's with her." He looked to the door. "Please, she needs help. She's hurt."

The two couples followed Michael to the parking lot. Morgan and Kyle got in the dad's truck while Max and Liz piled in the Tempo.

"How did she get hurt?" Liz asked from the back seat.

"Her skin is raw, like she tried to scrub it off." Michael ran his hand through his hair as he pulled out into traffic. "She was on the floor when I got home, I don't think she fed or changed Leia at all. She was in her playpen and fine, but that's not like Maria. She won't talk to me, Liz, you have to get her to tell you what happened."

"I'll try, but you know Maria." She leaned back and sighed. When Maria didn't want to talk about something, sometimes it took months to get it out. They pulled up in the driveway and Kyle pulled in back of them. Isabel was still on the porch with Leia on her lap. She held up Leia's hand and waved it for her.

"She still asleep?" Michael asked as they approached the porch.

"I checked a few minutes ago and she was."

Michael motioned for Max to follow him inside and left the others standing on the porch. Leia was smiling at all the new people around. Her arms in the air, waving.

"Do you want cool Uncle Kyle to hold you?" He stretched out his arms to Leia. Isabel handed her over and walked out into the yard. She lit up a cigarette and inhaled deeply.

"Since when do you smoke?" Liz called from the porch. Isabel shrugged. "Oh, okay." Liz turned to Kyle who also shrugged. "I wonder what's going on in there."

Max stepped from behind Michael into the bedroom and looked at the sleeping form of Maria. The bleeding had stopped, but dried blood beleaguered almost every inch of her.

"What was she thinking?" Max whispered. Michael shook his head and ran his hands through his hair. Max walked noiselessly to the bed and sat down next to Maria. He brushed the hair back from her face and she stirred. He held his breath, but she did not wake up. His hands hovered over her body trying to find her true pain. Settling over her heart, he laids his hands on her and closed his eyes making a connection. Images of Maria growing up flashed in his mind: school, friends, Michael, Leia then Michael again. He caught his breath and stepped away unbalanced. Maria opened her eyes and looked at Max in surprise.

"Maria?" Michael stepped up next to his friend. "Are you okay?"

She looked down the length of her body and saw the cuts and scratches on her skin were gone. Blood was still evident on her robe and skin, though. She looked back to Max; a silent thank you reverberated in his skull. She closed her eyes, turning over to face the opposite wall.

Michael started to walk around, but Max grabbed his arm and shook his head. He walked out of the room still holding onto Michael's arm, although now it was for support. They met the rest on the porch.

"What's happening?" Kyle asked as Leia bumped her forehead into his chin and laughed. "Is she okay?"

"Max healed her," Michael said absently.

"She's in pain," Max said after sitting down in a wicker chair badly in need of a coat of paint. "Not physical, mental."

"Could you see what happened?" Michael asked anxiously.

"No, I saw childhood, you and Leia, friends. Nothing bad." Max shook his head. "She doesn't want to talk."

"Maybe she'll talk to me," Liz said and stepped forward. "We've been friends forever. We never can keep anything from the other for too long."

"Would you try?" Michael asked meekly.

Liz went into the house and straight to the bedroom. She sat next to Maria and stroked her hair. Maria kept her eyes shut, but tears leaked through the swollen lids.

"Maria, it's me." Liz rubbed her back. "You can talk to me about anything, you know I'll do anything in the world to help you, but you have to let me in." Maria reached out and clutched her friend's hand and squeezed, but still said nothing. "Everyone is here for you, we just want to help. But we can't help if we don't know what's wrong." Maria barely shook her head. "Please, you're my best friend. You're like a sister to me and I hate to see you like this. Can't you tell me?" Maria shook her head, this time a little more obvious. "Do you want me to stay with you?" Maria nodded. "I'll stay as long as you want." Liz scooted up on the bed and leaned against the headboard. Maria shifted and rested her head on Liz's thigh.

Michael leaned against the porch railing and finally looked at Morgan. "I guess the initial freak out is over?"

"For now," Morgan smiled. "A little warning before special alien powers are going to be used would be nice, though."

"We'll try to give you advanced notice," Michael smiled and then felt guilty for it. "I wish I knew what to do."

"We'll figure it out," Isabel rubbed his arm. "Don't we always?"

Michael nodded. "I have to work early in the morning, I'll need someone to stay here." He looked to Max. "Shit! I forgot to tell you!"

"What?"

Michael opened his mouth then closed it, looking over to Morgan.

"Oh, I get it. It's okay that I understand and welcome you Czechoslovakians into my life, but I'm still not a member of the club, right?" Morgan raised her eyebrow. "I'll go for a walk and you can just whistle for me when you're done talking, you know, like you would for a dog." She was smiling as she walked towards the steps.

"No, stay." Michael reached for her arm. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I understand the need for secrecy, I really will leave if you want me to, no hurt feelings."

Michael shook his head and turned back to Max. "This morning Valenti and I found a body. He was mangled, not pretty. However, the interesting part, he had silver handprints on his neck."

"What?" Max and Isabel exclaimed in unison.

"I didn't want to tell you over the phone and then I came home to find Maria." He shook his head. "He's in a safe place. The prints were faded, they should be gone by tomorrow and then Valenti and I will deal with it."

"There's a killer alien in town and you wait all day to tell us?" Isabel looked nervously around her. "Don't you consider this high priority?"

"I'm sorry. We have the situation under control," Michael said.

"You don't have anything under control!" Isabel snapped. "There is another alien here in town. We don't know who it is or what they want and they've killed. Nothing is under control!"

"I meant we have this one under control," Michael sighed. "Give me a fucking break Isabel! I have a lot of things on my mind right now!"

"I know Michael," Max stepped in closer to his sister and gave her a warning glance. "We're going to have to find out who's here and what they want. You keep your concentration on Maria and getting her better." He looked back to Kyle and Morgan. "Kyle, see what your dad knows and if he has any ideas."

"I want to stay here." Kyle looked at Leia. "I want to make sure Maria's okay."

"Liz is staying here," Max's authoritative tone took almost all by surprise, except Isabel. She had been wondering when the leader would come out and play again. "We have to find out what's going on and soon."

"Can I help?" Morgan asked.

"Yes." Isabel stepped closer to her. "You and Kyle can work together. Remember, if you see anything weird or unexplainable, don't try anything by yourselves. You're not strong enough."

"This is for real scary stuff, huh?" Morgan stood taller.

"Real scary," Michael nodded. "Don't feel obligated -"

"Please!" She held up her hand to him. "Look at the way you all came for Maria when she needed help, I've never had friends like that. Friends that would kill or die for you. Hell, I've never had family like that either. I want to be included, gives me a sense of belonging." She looked to the staring faces. "C'mon, even I have moments."

Michael and Isabel said goodbye to the rest and went back inside, Michael was cradling Leia in his arms. He sneaked a quick look in the bedroom and saw Maria was sleeping again. Her head on Liz's thigh, Liz shook her head at him and he walked back into the living room.

"Damn," he said quietly. "I feel utterly helpless."

"Don't. You don't even know what the hell is going on." Isabel motioned to the hallway leading to the bedroom. "Do you have any ideas? Was she okay this morning?"

"She was asleep when I went to work, but everything was cool last night." He looked at the clock. "I have to have someone stay here tomorrow, I have to go to work. I can't leave her alone with Leia."

"I'll stay," she reached out and touched his cheek. "We've always relied on each other, don't stop now. I'm here to save the day and change dirty diapers." She grinned. "I guess I can catch up on daytime TV, too."

Michael, somewhat surprised at the mood change of Isabel's, readily accepted her offer to stay. "Thank you."

"No problem. Do you want me to stay tonight so you can get some sleep? I guess Liz will stay with Maria."

"Would you mind?"

* * *

Max Evans lay on the bare mattresses in his new apartment. He wished desperately that Liz was there with him, but under the circumstances knew she was where she was needed the most. He had wanted to spend a quiet evening with her alone tonight. They had set a date. There was actually a date that they were to be married. March fifteenth. Seemed like a million years away. It wasn't even January yet.

He let his mind wander and thought about what Michael had said about a killer alien in town. Just what he didn't need right now, he had a wedding to plan! Maria, what could have happened to her, why would she hurt herself like that. He flipped over on his stomach, his arms resting on the pillow. He felt like a super hero without powers just laying there, getting ready to fall asleep. It was like the Commissioner had sent out the Max-Signal and he had ignored it. An alien was here, in town, and killing humans and Max Evans was lying in bed missing his fiancée.

"Pathetic," he mumbled and stood up. He picked up his discarded clothes from the floor and put them back on. Looking around at his new surroundings he smiled. This was going to be home for a while. The home he shared with his love. The home he was going to share with his wife in just a few months. He grabbed the keys and walked out into the dark night.

* * *

It was New Year's Eve and Michael looked over at his lifelong friend. Isabel was sitting on the couch with Leia on her lap playing some form of peek-a-boo. Leia devoted all of her attention to Isabel, occasionally reaching out and grabbing her hair and letting it fall across her face.

"I tried to switch with Hansen tonight," Michael was buttoning his shirt. "Of course he just laughed in my face. Not a very nice guy. Thank you for giving up your New Year's to stay with Maria."

"Michael, I told you I'd help however I could. I've been here when Liz hasn't and after a little while Kyle, Morgan and Max will be here. Liz is working until eleven, then everyone will be here."

"And I'll be out patrolling for wild teenagers," he laughed. "When did I get so old?"

Isabel rolled her eyes at him. "Anyway, how is she today? Talking yet?"

"Nope," he shook his head. "She's better, though, I think. Liz got her to eat and she took a shower, washed her hair. She looks better, but she still won't say anything. Every time I get near her she looks like she's forcing herself not to back away. It's like she's scared of me."

"She'll be fine, Michael. Just keep up the positive thoughts and all will work out okay." She pulled a few strands of hair from Leia's hand and grimaced. "She loves hair. Anyway, anything new on the silver handprint guy?"

"Mr. Miles Lefton was flown home to Santa Fe yesterday looking pretty rough, but with no prints. Nothing else has happened. Maybe the new alien was just passing through?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, that's it." She looked back to Leia. "Tell your daddy to be careful tonight. Make sure you tell him not to get harassed by all those crazy teenagers."

Michael shook his head and walked ut after kissing his daughter goodnight. Isabel turned on the TV and swivelled Leia around on her lap. The favourite stuffed monkey was suddenly inches in the air away from Leia. "Girl, we are going to have to work on that." Isabel snatched the monkey and put it in Leia's lap. "You can't go around doing that, you're going to get us all busted. We're going to have to spend some serious time with you to make sure we don't end up getting dissected."

She watched a made-for-TV movie about a battered woman who had her husband killed then went to jail for it. She thought about how sad that was and if anyone ever tried to lay a hand on her that she'd kill them. Her thoughts turned back to Bret momentarily, now all but a distant memory of non-existent love. The images of him now were filled with hate, betrayal and treachery. Isabel felt the emptiness inside her. She tried to put on a good show, but deep down she thought she'd spend the rest of her life alone. She didn't think she'd ever trust anyone else enough to give them her heart.

The door opening brought her back to the present; she smiled when Kyle came in with Morgan. "Hi!"

"Hi yourself," Kyle reached for Leia. "How is my very favourite little girl tonight?" Leia giggled and reached for his face.

"Thanks for hanging out here tonight," Isabel said to Morgan as she sat down next to her. "I know you guys probably wanted to do something more fun."

"What I said a few days ago, I meant," Morgan shrugged. "You don't know how happy I am to be a part of something, anything."

Isabel detected the sadness that lingered behind Morgan's eyes. She had never noticed it before, but it was definitely there. "What's your mom doing tonight?"

"I don't care, actually. She's probably got a date with some guy she just met and I'll get to meet him in the morning."

"I'm sorry," Isabel smiled and tried to think of a way to get her cheered up. "So, do you want to see what you'd look like as a redhead?"

"What?" Morgan looked quizzically at her.

"A redhead," Isabel repeated. "I can change your hair colour. Kind of like that computer program, but better."

"I can't believe you," Morgan laughed. "You've been able to play all these games the whole time and you never told me. I thought we were close!"

"We were, we are." Isabel looked at her hands in her lap. "I wanted to tell you, I really did. You're like the best friend I never had, but I couldn't. We made promises to each other when we were little that we'd never tell anyone."

"I'm just playing, Iz. I know why," Morgan flashed a smile at her. "I think I would love to start out the New Year as a redhead!"

Kyle looked over and his eyes grew wide. Morgan's pretty, shiny blonde hair was now a deep shade of auburn. She was holding a compact up to her face and smiling. "Oh my God!"

"You like?" She looked to the stunned Kyle.

"Uh...no." He shook his head. "I want my pretty blonde girl back."

Isabel rolled her eyes and waved her hand in front of Morgan, she was blonde again.

"This is so much fun!" Morgan laughed. "Do you do this all the time!"

"No, we're not supposed to use our powers in public or for silly things that might get us caught. But sometimes, you have to have fun."

Kyle agreed and told Morgan about the tricks that they used to play on Max.

"Okay, and Max is like this great King, right?" Morgan hated that she asked a lot of questions all the time, but she couldn't help it. If it were up to her she'd be asking non-stop.

"Can you believe that?" Kyle asked.

"No," she shook her head. "No offence Iz, but I can't see Max leading anything."

"Join the crowd," Isabel laughed.

When Max showed up minutes later they were still laughing; he smiled having no idea that the laughing was at his expense.

* * *

Michael looked at the dashboard clock in the cruiser, almost eleven-thirty and all was well on the streets of Roswell. He had given out two speeding tickets and one for indecent exposure. Almost midnight and he knew it would get busier soon.

He drove down the main drag and saw all the lights at the Crashdown were out, Liz was probably at his house by now; he wondered how Maria was doing. His shoulders sank.

He pulled into the parking lot of a motel and turned off his headlights. There were enough bars around there that he might be able to find a couple people ready to get behind the wheel when they could barely stand up straight. A figure crossing the lot about twenty feet in front of him caught his attention. It was so familiar. On instinct Michael got out of the cruiser and called to the figure. At the sound of his voice, the figure doubled over in what appeared to be a laugh. He approached cautiously, hand on gun.

Michael took a deep breath as the figure stepped underneath a streetlight. Rath was smiling at him. "Little Mikey's all grown up!"

Michael took another deep breath. "Oh shit."

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