The Bodyguard

By: LovinGuerin2Much aka-Frances

Rating: Mature

Couplings: Michael/Maria- CC

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything or any of the Roswell characters.

Summary: How should you feel, when you’re on top of the world and all your dreams have come true?

Uncontrollable fear...at least for singer, Maria Deluca, that is.

Driven to use private protection, she finds out she hired more than what she bargained for. A dangerous man who brought upon her an even greater danger....love.

Music: Mazzy Star, Fade into you.

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~~~ Chapter 1 ~~~

As she waited nervously behind the curtain all Maria Deluca could hear was the roar coming from the excited crowd behind the red velvet curtains. The sold out auditorium of 15 thousand people was packed to full seating capacity, waiting for her. She looked into a mirror that was positioned by the humongous stage; she stood there alone examining her reflection.

She thought, “It’s the same face, im the same person.” The long lashed emerald colored eyes looked back at her, the shoulder length dirty blonde hair , the full lips that she had been made fun of constantly since before she could even remember. She could hear it now. Remember hearing the kids in her third grade class chanting…

“Fish lips, Fish lips, Maria has fish lips.” She turned her face slightly as she looked at the face that had landed her on the cover of “Peoples Sexiest Women Alive” magazine just 3 months ago.

“Ms. Deluca, your on in five minutes.” the concert promoters voice broke through her thoughts, she watched as he hurriedly rushed around the stage, perfecting light settings, placing icy Evian spring waters on a round wrought iron table next to her baby grand piano.

Maria still felt nervous before a show, she had been a pianist since before she could even talk properly, and it wasn’t until a few years later that one day she began to sing a song that she had written in her diary, that anyone even knew that she could sing, that she had the voice of what almost all the critics declared “the voice of an angel”, and as she read in reviews, the voice, the hauntingly beautiful use of the piano and of course the looks, had made her America’s pride and joy.

She stepped back from the full length mirror and took one last look at her out fit. Brown corduroy hip huggers with a white men’s size small sleeveless undershirt. A rhinestone strapped encrusted black bra peeked through at her shoulders. Her Favorite red cowboy boots incased her small feet.


Critics asked her all the time about her fashion style,
“Where did it come from?” as they jabbed microphones into her face, “Who are your favorite designers?” as the TV cameras hot lights warmed her skin.

What they didn’t know is that, she didn’t care for dressing up and being put on a pedestal. She was and would always remain just a simple person. The clothes, the money, the fame, the adoration of her fans would never change her. She considered herself just an average 24 year old woman that loved creating music that made people laugh and cry. the same women who’s music people choose to be the first dance for there wedding receptions, that her music helped people cope with loss, frustration, heart ache. That’s what she had dreamed of and now her dreams had come true.

Maria walked over to her piano and closed her eyes, her slender unpolished finger nails glided over the piano, her head cocked slightly to the side trying to catch any notes that were out of tune before the curtains would part and she would be flip the switch, and become the Maria Deluca that her fans had came here to see. Energetic, smiling, confident.

What the world didn’t know is that inside, she was just as scared sitting up her as she was the first time she performed. She was 9 years old and on a tiny stage in the cafeteria of her elementary school.

 In front of her schools audience, a skinny, unsure, blonde haired little girl sat behind a piano, wanting to feel loved, wanting to make her mother proud of her. Hoping that she could bring a smile to the face of the only family she had. Her mother and her best friend.

Maria felt her stomach roll as she thought her mother would never again be waiting for her just off stage, never see her clapping and smiling. She had passed away 3 years ago of breast cancer, it still seemed like yesterday to Maria.

“Ms. Deluca curtains open if 5….4…..3….2……1.” The promoter once again brought her back to the present time.

She nodded and began to slowly press the ivory keys of her piano; she brought her mouth to within inches of the microphone and began to sing with every ounce of passion in her soul. She sang.

I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath that's true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth
You live your life
You go in shadows.


The crowd was screaming, crying, chanting her name; Maria turned her head slightly and smiled as she continued playing the piano while looking into the faces of the thousands of people in the audience. Young, old, teenagers all stared back at her. She closed her eyes and sang,

You'll come apart and you'll go black
some kind of night into your darkness
Colors your eyes with what's not there.

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew


She could feel there energy pump though her blood, through her heart. She could hear the crowd singing with her. She let go and sang her heart out for the next 2 hours.

As the lights began to dim signaling that the concert was coming to its end she stood up, waved and thanked the audience, blowing kisses to them as she ran off the stage. Waiting there for her was her personal assistant and long time friend, Isabel Evans.

‘I’m so sorry I was late Maria, I got caught up in a traffic jam from hell and was stuck on the highway for at least an hour.” Isabel said as she handed Maria a towel.

As Maria began to pat the perspiration off her face she looked at her best friend. Isabel had been running late but of course still appeared perfectly groomed and fresh as a daisy.

Her short brown hair was curled and flipped out at the ends and her white long sleeve button up shirt was wrinkle free and immaculate. Her dark denim pants were ironed and her black high heeled boots shiny as a new penny.

“It’s ok Iz, I pulled out the first clean set of clothes I could find out of my suitcase, besides you know that I don’t like to get all glammed up.” Maria said as they made there way to the back of the building and into a silver stretched limo that would be waiting for her.

As they approached the heavy steel doors, Maria grabbed Isabel’s arm and ran out the door towards the limo as fast as she could. Even thought the limo was parked in the back of the auditorium, some how the fans always figured it out and waited for her along with the paparazzi and there blinding cameras.

As Maria was about to get in she felt someone pull on the back of her shirt, it felt as if she was being pulled right into the crowd of her fans. She quickly looked around trying to see if she could see the driver of the limo but he was stuck behind a crowd of screaming adults unable to reach her in time to help. Maria did the only thing she could think of and ducked down to he knees and let the shirt slid off of her and jumped into the limo with only her bra left on.

‘Maria are you ok?” Isabel asked as she reached into her carry on size Gucci purse and pulled out a plain black t-shirt for Maria to put on.

Maria laid her head against the soft black leather seats and grinned as the limo began its way to her hotel room. “I did the old duck and slide routine, works every time.”

Isabel threw the shirt at Maria, covering her whole face as she said in an exasperated tone of voice. “Only you would laugh at getting your clothes ripped off your body by a fan.”

Maria said as she poked her head through the top of the shirt.” They don’t mean it in a bad way, there just fans, without them we’d still be stuck in Roswell New Mexico.”

“Well I’m going to talk to Max again and suggest we get you a body guard, this is not the first time that you have barely gotten out of a scary situation.” Isabel said as she pulled her cell phone out of her purse.

Maria reached over and plucked the phone out of Isabel’s hand. Maria thought that sometimes her relationship with Isabel was like having a sister. They had know each other since they were in the third grade and Isabel had pushed Adam Larkin off the swing set in the playground for taunting Maria by saying, “You don’t have a daddy”, and pulling on her blonde pig tail. They had been inseparable since.

“No, we have gone over this already, I am not getting some beef headed guy to watch over me as if I was a child, I’m not going to budge and neither my Manager who happens to be your brother or you are going to change my mind on this.” Maria said as she handed Isabel the cell phone.

At hearing this Isabel turned her face and looked at the window.

“Don’t be mad.” Maria said softly.

“I’m not mad.” Isabel replied still not turning her head to face Maria.

“Isabel, ohhhhh Isabel look at me.” Maria began to chant.

“No Maria.” Isabel said in a stern voice as she continued to stare out the window.

“Come on seriously look at me for a second.” Maria said trying not to laugh.
.
Isabel could feel the beginnings of a smile on her face, she knew that Maria hated fighting about anything, she had never met anyone before that was as caring and sensitive as Maria.

Isabel turned her face to look at her and saw that Maria had used her fingers to upturn her nose and pull down her lower eyelids. She looked like an idiot.

The sounds of Isabel’s laughter filled the limo.

“You look like you’re insane, stop that Maria.” Isabel said trying to keep a straight face.

At hearing Isabel laugh, Maria then stuck out her tongue and began to cross her eyes.

Isabel began to laugh so hard that she had to hold her stomach.

“Ok ok, fine I will leave you alone for now, about this whole body guard thing but im not giving up.” Isabel said as she wiped tears of laughter off of her cheeks.

Maria slowly dropped her hands from her face and said. “We’ll see, ok? No promises but I really really don’t want and don’t need a bodyguard ok. I can take care of myself.”

She then leaned forward and opened the sun roof and looked up at the beautiful New York skyline. She laid down across the plush leather seat and closed her eyes, exhaustion was setting in and she began to doze off while Isabel was going over the plans for tomorrow.



As they pulled up to a private entrance for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Isabel shook Maria’s shoulder lightly and whispered, “were here, wake up.”

Maria opened one eye and at that moment a very young faced teenage bell hop opened the door to the limo.

He was almost jumping with excitement. THE MARIA DELUCA was standing right in front of him. “Wait till I tell my friends, there gonna freak out!” he said as Maria got out of the car and smiled at him.

“I’m going to die right now he thought.” His mouth began to move but no sounds were coming out.

Maria looked at him and felt bad. “Hi how are you?” she asked she bit her bottom lip.

He was just standing there looking at her and moving his lips, he finally managed to mumble out.

“I really lo-love your music, I –I think your great.” He stuttered nervously.

Maria still felt a little uncomfortable with this kind of reaction from her fans. She called out to Isabel that was speaking to the limo driver about what time to be here tomorrow morning.

“Hey Iz, do you have a pen?” she asked as she tore a piece of paper out of her journal she was holding.

Isabel walked over and handed her a pen out of her purse.

“What’s your name?” Maria asked as she went and stood behind him and used his as a back as a surface to write on the paper.

“Umm my name is ahh Brendan my name is Brendan.” He said as he tried not to pass out. “She’s touching my back!, I cant wait to tell everyone” was all that was going through his mind.

“Ok Brendan, nice name by the way, here you go,” She said as she stood in front of him and handed him the paper.

He looked down at it and saw that she had written “To Brendan thanks for thinking that my music doesn’t suck, Love Maria D.” along with several hearts and little smiley faces.

Isabel then politely cleared her throat and said, “Maria we really need to go.”

“Ok Brendan see you later.” She said as she patted his shoulder and headed towards the entrance of the hotel.

He stood there and brought the piece of paper to his heart and sighed.




: Inside Maria’s hotel room:

“Did you use the name I asked you to check in with?” Maria asked as she unpacked her suitcase and pulled out her favorite Sponge Bob Square Pants pajamas.

“Yes you are now officially Bambi White.” Isabel said as she placed a beautiful arrangement of yellow roses on the night stand next to Maria’s bed. “I still don’t get the using Disney characters names thing but ok?” she said.

Maria grinned, for the last four years she had been making up names in order to check in and not have the press or very determined fans knocking oh her door. Or having to deal with the paparazzi setting up a sea of cameras to catch her trying to do something is simple as getting a coffee from the bakery down the street.

“Well hello Bambi as in the little dear and Snow White two of my favorite movies ever.” She said as she walked over to the mahogany dresser and looked at another bouquet of flowers that someone had sent.

“Izzy who sent these?” She asked as she looked through the huge flower arrangement trying to locate a card.

Isabel walked over to her and nudged Maria’s ribs.

“Maybe its from Collin Ferill again , you know he’s had his publicist harassing Liz to set up a date with you.” Isabel said as she began to search for a card.

Maria rolled her eyes and snorted. “Whatever, I have no desires what so ever to go out on a date with him, he’s a playboy, great actor but no thanks I pass, AHA I found it.” Maria said as she opened the little white envelope and unfolded the piece of paper.

Maria stood there not making a sound, her hands were trembling.

“Ok so tell me who there from.” as she bent over and inhaled the sweet smelling roses. “Hello, Maria?!” Isabel said as she looked over at her.

She saw that Maria had turned deathly pale, her body was trembling, and tears were slowly running down her cheeks. Maria then looked up at Isabel and handed her the piece of paper with out saying a word.

Isabel took it out of Maria’s outstretched hand, her eyes widened in shock as she read the letter that was made up of different magazine clippings, it read “Your time here is getting shorter, I see you, I want to be with you, and soon I will be.”

Isabel threw the letter down as if it were on fire and ran to the phone that was sitting on the nightstand and yelled into the receiver at the front desk person.

“I need a police officer here now!” as she then went back and found Maria sitting on the floor hugging her knees and looking at the letter again which was now laying at her feet.


“Calm down, everything will be fine; nothing is going to happen to you.” Isabel said as she tried to fight the tears that she felt like shedding.

Maria was mumbling under breathe. “Its not the first time Isabel, its not, he found me. He had stopped sending them.” She said as she barely could suck in enough air to keep breathing.

“What are you talking about Maria? Who found you?’ Isabel asked as she heard someone knocking forcefully on the hotel bedroom door.

Maria looked up and said “This isn’t the first letter Isabel, I have been getting them on and off for the last 7 months. I just didn’t want to say anything.” Maria said as she held her head in both hands and cried.

Chapter 2:
Isabel closed the door, and wearily leaned her back against it. The group of police officers had just left. They had been here questioning Maria and herself for the last 2 hours. They asked all the questions that you hear police officers ask in movies.

“Do you have anyone that would want to hurt you?”

“Is it an ex-boyfriend or a love affair gone wrong?”

And of course “do you have any idea who it could be?”



Isabel was exhausted, she closed her eyes and immediately opened them, she kept seeing the letter and Maria’s terrified face. As she used both hands to push herself off of the door, she went and once again checked on her best friend.

She saw that Maria had fallen asleep in the fetal position. Isabel slowly pulled the covers over her. She then went and got her cell phone out of her purse. She had to call Max and also Liz to let them know what was going.

She hit the speed dial and soon heard her brother’s voice say. “Hi you have reached Max Evans, leave a brief message after the beep.” She hung up and immediately re-dialed the number.

This time she heard Max’s very sleepy voice mumble “Hello.”

“Max it’s me, listen some- “Isabel said before Max cut her off.

Max had sleepily turned his head and started at the digital clock on his nightstand and said “It’s 2:30 in the morning Isabel!”

“Max listen to me please, its Maria she received this letter in one of the flower arrangements after her concert tonight.” Isabel said in a near yell.

Max immediately got out of bed as slowly and quietly as he could muster. He didn’t want to wake Liz who was currently sleeping as soundly as a baby next to him.

He went to the kitchen and grabbed a note pad and a pen and began firing questions about what time they had gotten in, to what did the police say?, to Isabel as he made notes.

“Ok Isabel, I don’t want Maria to be alone, make up any excuse that you have to, but don’t let her out of your sight.” Max said as he tried to remain calm for Isabel.

“I won’t Max but what are we going to do?” Isabel asked as she tried not to cry. Talking to Max about what happened made it seem so much more real she thought.

Max said in a very firm voice “I’m going to hire a body guard.”




Michael Guerin was just getting into his F-150 Ford truck and headed to do some fishing when he heard his cell phone going off in his pocket. He looked at the caller ID. It read J.V.

He answered the phone “What?” in a very annoyed tone of voice.

“Hello to you to Michael, I need you to come to the office now.” Jim Valenti owner of Worldwide Protection agency said as he ignored Michael’s gruff hello.

Michael sighed as he asked”Oh yeah why is that?”

Jim replied “Just be here in the next hour or I’m going to put you personally in charge of the handling the Backstreet Boys account and we both know how fond you are of there music.” Jim leaned back and put his cowboy boots on the corner of his desk and grinned.

“Your evil plain and simple. I’ll be there in 20 minutes” Michael said then snapped the cell phone shut.

20 minutes later Michael passed right by the secretary who was yelling “He’s on the phone Mr. Guerin you can’t go in there” and into Jim’s office without knocking slammed the door and sat down in a chair across from. He was forced to come here but he didn’t have to be happy about it he thought.

“Ok he’s here, ill call you back with the details later on this afternoon.” Jim said as he hung up the phone and looked over at Michaels scowling face.


”Ok where’s the fire?” Michael said as he crossed both arms over his chest.

Jim then stood up and came around his desk and leaned on the corner facing Michael directly.

“Well it appears that your personal time off request will need to be delayed.” Jim said while he waited for Michael’s temper to blow up.

“Bullshit, why? What’s going on that you are changing my time off request on the first fucking day?” Michael asked. What the hell does Jim have up his sleeve this time? He thought.

“Well it appears that we are going to have a very important new accountant to add to our roster, the most famous to date as a matter of fact.” Jim said with a silly grin on his face.

“Ok great for the company but what does this have to do with me?” Michael asked.

“Well seeing as how you are going to be my top man in charge for this it’s going to have to deal a lot with you.” Jim said.

Michael didn’t want to admit it but he was intrigued as to who it could be, but he’d be damned if he’s ask.

Jim started at him waiting to see if Michael was going to ask who. The minutes kept rolling by and Michael kept a very bored expression on his face.

“Since I can see that you are dieing to know, I’ll just go ahead and save you the trouble of asking, it’s for Maria Deluca the singer.” Jim said as his chest puffed out.

“I know who Maria Deluca is, and I’m not going to do it.” Michael said as he uncrossed his arms and began to get up out of his seat.

“Why the hell not Michael?” Jim asked as he grabbed his arm and prevented him from leaving.

“I told you Jim I need a break from this, I’m stressed and tired, I don’t want to do this right now. I’m not at my best, give the accountant to someone else. I’m leaving.” Michael said as pointedly looked at Jim’s hand holding his forearm.


“Michael listen to me son, you can’t blame what happened on your last accountant on yourself anymore. There’s nothing else you could have done.” Jim said as he looked into Michael’s eyes and could still see the pain there.


Michael looked down and closed his eyes. He said in a defeated voice.” Tell that to her parents, I was supposed to guard her, and because her daddy is a famous politician she paid the consequences.”

“Listen to me Michael you know that I don’t ask a lot of you, and I see myself as a father figure to you, but I’m asking you to please take this accountant, you need to get out of this mood that you have been in and get back to work” Jim said as he released his arm.

Michael had to admit to himself that he hated to make Jim unhappy in anyway, Jim was one of few adults that gave a shit about him, and actually went and testified on the day of his emancipation from Hank Guerin. He owed him a lot and I have to pay him back for it.

“Ok ill do the stupid account but I’m telling you here and now, that when this is done I am taking time off and I don’t care if Elvis Presley came back from the living dead and needed me, my answer will be no, deal?” Michael said.

“Deal Michael, thank you and despite what you think I know that you are the best person for the job.” Jim said as he patted his shoulder.

“Allright so tell me everything” Michael asked as he sat back down across from Jim’s desk.

Jim had once again sat behind the desk and began looking for something in the mountains of paperwork on his desk. He opened a manila folder and began to take out police reports and Polaroid pictures and handed them to Michael.

Michael let out a slow whistle through his teeth as he looked at the letter. He said “Interesting, allright, when do I start?”

“Well your flight is leaving at 5:00, so go pack your bags my boy you’re heading to New York.” Jim said as he buzzed the secretary and said through the intercom “Get Max Evans on the phone for me.”



New York City:

Maria was in a fine mood as she paced her hotel bedroom feeling like a caged animal. Isabel had not let her so much as go to the bathroom by herself since she had received that stupid letter.

Just then Isabel walked into the room. She had her hand outstretched and was holding her cell phone.

“It’s Max “Isabel said as she handed the phone to Maria.

“Hello Max what’s up?” Maria asked as she pensively stared out the window of her penthouse suite. The people down on the street looked like ants from this height she thought

“Hey Maria, just wanted to let you know that we are having a meeting at 8:15 tonight.” Max said.

“Ok and what is this meeting about?” Maria asked as she leaned her forehead against the window pane.

“We are meeting your new body guard and before you start telling me no Maria, you know that I wouldn’t have just done this if it weren’t because of the letter.” Max said in one breathe as he continued to list all the reasons why this would be the best thing for her.

“Max.” Maria said.

“Maria just listen to me for a second.” Max replied.

“But Max.” Maria said again. Max just kept on talking. Finally Maria said “Hey Maxwell!” in a near yell.

“I’m listening.” Max said as he scrunched up his face waiting for Maria to start refusing once again.

“I know, your right and I’ll see you tonight.” Maria said as she hung up the phone and continued to look out the window.



Across Town:

As Max made his way into the bedroom he came upon a very pissed off Liz.

“I don’t care! If those police reports show up on tomorrows newspapers I’m going to sue your asses from here to kingdom come.” Liz said angrily as she hung up her cell phone.

“That went well.” Liz said in a forced cheerful tone of voice as she walked across there bedroom and wrapped her arms around Max’s waist.

“Want to talk about it?” Max asked as he caressed Liz’s arms.

“It was The Daily Times, requesting an interview with Maria to run along side a copy of the police report they managed to obtain.” Liz said as she looked up at Max’s face.

“I just don’t want this to become some head liner on every paper and TV entertainment show, that’s only going to cause more attention to this physco that is after Maria.” Liz said as she took a deep breathe in.

“Well hopefully this physco won’t be around for too much longer. I hired a bodyguard for her and actually we need to go pick him up from the airport in about 1 hour.” Max said as he caressed Liz’s long dark brown hair.

“Oh yeah she finally gave in huh?” Liz asked as she stepped out of Max’s arms and walked over to the closet to slip on her black high heels.

“Well giving in wouldn’t be exactly the right words, but she’s getting one.” Max said as he admired Liz’s sexy legs.

“Ok I’m ready.” Liz said as she ran her fingers through her hair.

“All right lets go.” Max said as they made there way out of there apartment and to the elevator hand in hand.



Flight 625 non stop to New York:

‘Mikey let’s play Candy land when we get home tonight” Annie said as she hugged his leg.

“I can’t tonight Annie I have to talk to your Dad about some things.” Michael said as he stared down into the big blue eyes of Annie Johnson daughter of a very prominent Senator for the United States Government.

“Awww ok, I hate it when you have to talk to Daddy all the time, and we cant play, you’re my best friend.” 6 year old Annie said to a smiling Michael as they headed to the limousine that would take them back to the heavily guarded mansion she called home.

Michael then turned his head as he heard the squeal of tires taking the corner way to fast. What happened next would haunt him for the rest of his life. He saw the barrel of a gun come out of the passenger side window of a speeding car and point directly to Annie who had ran ahead of him to get into the limo.

Moments later he screamed “Oh god someone help us!” as he knelt on the ground holding Annie’s little body bleeding in his arms.

‘BINGGG BINGGG BINGGG” he heard through his nightmare as the flight attendants voice saying to please return your trays to there upright positions startled him awake.

Michael opened his eyes and shook off the tremors that were running through his body. He felt ice cold sweat dripping down his back. He brought his hands up to his face and rubbed his eyes with his palms and sighed.

“We will be touching down in 15 minutes thanks again for flying with us” he heard through the intercom as he leaned his head against the seat and thought for the 25th time today “ What the fuck am I doing?”



Outside La Guardia Airport:

“So what does he look like?” Liz asked as she scanned the crowd of people coming through one of many exit doors of the airport.

Max was also scanning the crowd as he said to Liz. “Well Jim told me that he will be wearing a leather jacket, he’s about 6’1 and he usually has a pissed off expression on his face.” Max said as he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned around and was staring at a tall blonde haired man wearing a leather jacket.

The man said “Hi, I’m the pissed off guy but most people call me Michael, and you must be Max Evans.” He said as he pulled out a black skull cap out of his carry on back pack and put it on.

Max cleared his throat as he said “Yes I’m Max Evans Maria’s manager and this is Liz Parker, her publicists.”

“Ok then, can we leave now I hate airports.” Michael said as he shifted his backpack from one shoulder to the other.

Max and Liz exchanged questioning looks as they started heading towards the parking garage.

Michael followed them at a distance not making any small talk on the way there.

They reached Max’s silver Land Rover and Max opened the back door so that Michael could put his luggage inside.


As they pulled out of the airport there was a very awkward silence as they drove to the hotel. Michael had pulled out a portable CD player out of his back pack and was listening to what sounded like hard rock music.

As Max was driving he kept thinking,”Ok so no small talk, no questions, I hope that Jim was sure that this is the right person for the job.”

Michael was trying his best to ignore them both. He wasn’t here to make friends, shit he didn’t even want to be here if truth were to be told. They could deal with his attitude and if they didn’t like it then, he could get fired and Jim couldn’t blame him for that.” he thought with a small grin on his face.

Michael saw that they were slowing down and turning into the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Great here goes, now I get to meet the temperamental diva and my nightmare begins.” He thought as the car pulled up to a group of valets waiting by the curb.

As he went around to the back of the car to get his luggage Max called out “Michael don’t worry about the luggage, they’ll bring it up.” As he grabbed the Liz’s hand.

Michael shrugged his shoulders and followed them into the hotel. They got into the elevator and Max pulled what looked like a hotel room key out of his pocket and slid it through a scanner before hitting the button for the penthouse suite button.

Max then said “Ok so now you can meet Maria, and we can discuss what plans you have on protecting her. I do have to warn you though that Maria is not too happy about having to get a bodyguard in the first place so.” Max said as he shrugged his shoulders not finishing the rest of the sentence.

Michael fought the urge to laugh, great now that makes two people that don’t want the same thing. ”We’ll that’s what I got hired for so I guess she will have to deal with it.” He said as the elevator doors opened and the three of them stepped out.

Max and Liz walked ahead of him and he noticed that there were no other rooms on this floor. Well that would make it easier to protect her” he thought.

Max softly knocked on the door. A tall brown haired women opened the door and wrapped her arms around Max and then Liz.

Michael stuck his hands in his pocket and kept an expressionless look on his face.

“Come inside Maria is taking a shower.” Isabel said as she locked the door behind the group that had just entered.

“Isabel this is Michael Guerin, Michael this is my sister and also Maria’s personal assistant Isabel Evans.” Max said as he sat down on one of the plush feather down sofas in the living room like room of the hotel room.

Just then Liz got a phone call on her cell and excused herself into another of what appeared to be many rooms of the suite.

“Have a seat Michael; would you like something to drink?” Isabel asked as she walked over to the min-bar.

“I’ll take a Coke if you got it.” He said as he sat down in a single chair across from Max and looked around the room.

Isabel was getting his drink when Maria walked into the room. She was wearing a pink sweat suit with a white tank top under the jacket that was not zipped up. Her hair was still wet and wavy and her feet were bear.

Michael had sat in a chair that was facing away from the hall that Maria was coming through and didn’t see her coming in.

As Maria walked down the hall she saw a man sitting with his back to her. He was wearing a skull cap and she noticed how broad his shoulders were. They hardly fit in the small Victorian style chair he was sitting in.

“Yup just like I thought, a meat head big macho guy.” She thought as she walked fully into the room.

Michael was sitting there thinking when the hell can I get shown to my room and get some sleep when Maria walked right in front of him and sat down next to Max.

“WOW.” Michael thought as he stared at the face that he had seen in countless magazines, TV shows and CD covers. She really is just as beautiful as all the pictures he had seen of her. He even owned every CD that she had ever came out with. He decided to leave that bit of information out when he was talking to Jim earlier though. Michael then remembered what he was here for and it sure as hell wasn’t to be ogling his client.

Maria then looked directly at him and said “You must be the Body guard, I’m Maria.” As she crossed her legs Indian style on the couch.

~~Chapter 3~~
Michael let out a long breathe and leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his knees.

Maria had grabbed a pillow off the sofa and was holding it to her body so tightly that he knuckles were turning white.

Max watched them both just staring at each other, neither one saying a word. He looked over and saw that Isabel and Liz were practically holding there breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

Michael then spoke up, he said looking directly into Maria’s eyes “So I heard through the grapevine that you really don’t want me here.”

Maria raised one eyebrow and lifted her chin ever so slightly as she said “As a matter of fact, no I don’t.”

Michael smiled but it was a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “ Well either do I, but the way I see it we are both fucked, your friends hired me, my boss made me come, so lets try to make this as painless as possible.” He said.

Maria’s mouth had opened and her lips were forming a small o. “Is this guy for real?” She thought.

“And how do you suppose we keep this painless, if correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t you supposed to be basically my shadow until we either find this person that’s harassing me or I get the best security setup ever.” Maria said as she unfolded her long legs and looked at Michael through slightly closed eyes.

Michael had to give it to her, she didn’t back down, and he had purposely cursed to see if he could get a reaction out of her. She hadn’t even flinched.

“Well Maria this is what I was thinking, from this moment on I will be just like you said a shadow, I’m here to protect you, make sure that not a hair on your head is harmed, but there will be rules and ..” Michael managed to say until Maria interrupted him.

Maria had let out a very loud laugh and said “Wait a second I think that I just heard the word rules, and I’m not going for that.”

“Ok Maria lets just hear what he has to say.” Max said as he patted her knee, he was feeling the tension in the room so thick that you could cut through it with a knife.

“Back to what I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, rules a wonderful thing that is going to make both of our lives easier.” Michael said as he lifted his right hand with his thumb up and the rest of his fingers curled in.

“Rule # 1, no going out alone anywhere. Point, blank period.” Michael said as he then lifted his pointer finger.

“Ruler # 2, when we are out in public and I feel that the situation is unsafe, we do as I say I’m not here to argue, bicker, whatever, I know what I’m saying and why I’m saying it.” Michael said before Maria once again cut him off.

“So your saying then that I cant go out alone, and when we go out I have to” she held up both her hands pointer and middle fingers up “ do as you say is that correct.?” Maria asked in such a mild even tempered voice that Max, Liz and Isabel all looked at each other in surprise.

“Yes Princess that’s exactly what I’m saying.” Michael said as he leaned back into the chair and ran a hand through his hair.

“I don’t think so Mr. Guerin I don’t need a babysitter and I won’t be treated like a child, I apologize that my friends here wasted your time but your services will not be needed.” Maria said as she got up and walked out of the room without so much as a glance back into the room.

Everyone was left in the living room thinking what the hell just happened. Michael then got up and walked over to the door and picked up his back pack up from he had left it when he came in. He had his hand on the door knob before Max came running up to him.

“Michael I’m really sorry about that, I told you that she is really set against this hiring protection thing, its hitting her really hard.” Max said as he ran both hands through his hair.

“Hey I did what I had to do, I came here, she wants me gone trust me its no skin off my back.” Michael said even though he did feel a little twinge in his stomach and not being able to see that beautiful face up close again.

“Listen there’s another bedroom down the hall from Maria’s suite, why don’t you go get some rest and we can discuss this some more in the morning.” Max asked as he tried to keep his role as the peace maker going.

Michael was tired, the nightmare on the plane had taken a lot out of him and he didn’t want to hear Jim giving him shit about leaving here on the first day that he arrived, and a nice cozy bed seemed like heaven at the moment.

“Fine, just show me where, but I was and am serious about what I told Maria, there are going to rules, and things that will have to go my way or no way.” Michael said as he slowly crossed the humongous living room and walked by what he could only assume was Maria’s room.



Maria threw herself face down on the bed, she felt her heart beating frantically against here chest. Rules… ha, that will be the day. She turned over on her back and let out a deep breathe, and closed her eyes. Michael Guerin, god he was hot, the tight black shirt, the leather jacket, the skull cap pulled low over his eyes. The wide shoulders. The second that she saw him, she felt her stomach jump. Just my luck to be attracted to the guy that I am supposed to be despising.

She sighed again as she got up and looked out the window. At times like these she asked her self why she is even doing this in the first place. Maybe she could take a break and get out of the public eye for awhile.


She could go to China or something, but she knew that that was impossible. She was booked solid for the next 7 months. As Maria stood there and looked out the window she heard a soft knock at the door.

She turned slightly and called out “Come in”.

Liz saw Maria staring out the window, looking absolutely miserable. She felt so bad for her friend.

Liz slowly approached her and asked “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Maria pressed her lips together and shrugged her shoulders. She then said in a low whisper, Liz had to lean forward just to be able to hear her say “I’m scared Liz, I just want to wake up and this all was just a really bad nightmare.” As a tear slowly crept down her cheek.

Liz wrapper an arm around her shoulders, and leaned her head against Maria’s. “Give this guy a chance Ria, what do you have to lose?” Liz said, “And think of it this way this isn’t forever the sooner you get someone watching out for you, this stalker will see that and then you can go back to running to the corner store in a really bad wig and huge sunglasses.”

Maria let out a little laugh and said “Yea maybe your right, fine I’ll give it a chance, did Michael leave after I fired him?” Maria asked as she bit her bottom lip nervously.

Liz shook her head and began to walk towards the door “He’s here; he took one of the extra rooms.” She said.

“Okie dokie. I’ll talk to him tomorrow then, but I think I’m going to hit the sack now, I’m kinda tired.” Maria said as she gave Liz a hug and thanked her for coming and jumped into bed and closed her eyes.





Michael was lying down in bed with both hands behind his head. “Maybe I was a little too harsh.” He thought. He was just pissed that he was even here. Annie kept coming in to his mind, seeing her bleeding, feeling that it was all his fault. If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t have felt a bullet pierce through her abdomen. She wouldn’t have been laying in a hospital bed for a month and come close to dieing.

Michael sighed as he remembered the feeling of guilt wash over him again for the millionth time. Here he was again only this time, his client was THE Maria Deluca. He got up and grabbed his back pack and pulled out his black leather organizer and quickly found the number he was looking for.

He picked up the hotel room phone and dialed the number pinching the bridge of his nose as he waited to hear his best friend’s voice.

He then heard “What’s up loser? bored outta your mind already on your trip into exile?” Alex Whitman said as he laughed.

Michael grinned and replied “Yeah who would have thought that patience is needed for fishing.”

They both laughed for a second then Michael said “But actually I’m calling cause I need you to come out here.”

Alex put down is coffee and got up from his mahogany computer desk and rolled his shoulders.

“And where exactly are you?” He asked.

“Have you talked to Jim?” Michael asked.

“No I been super busy with the Tom Hanks account you know they bought a new house and they wanted the security system set up like yesterday.” Alex said as he placed his coffee cup on the granite counter top in his state of the art bachelor pad.

“Well to make it simple I was heading out for my time off and Jim called me to the office and said that I had to take a new account.” Michael said as he slipped off his black lather biker boots off his feet.

“Ok so who is the account?” Alex asked intrigued that Jim would call Michael back from his time off.


Michael said in quick mumble “Maria Deluca.”

Alex’s blue eyes widened in surprise and said “Your shitting me?!, the Maria Deluca?”

“Yes asshole the Maria Deluca, I know that she owns a home in Philly and I want you to come down there and do your magic.” Michael said in an exasperated tone of voice.

“Ok I’ll let you know when I finish this up, and I’ll go right over, so is she as beautiful in person?” Alex asked.

“It’s even worse my friend, she’s fucking gorgeous, but anyways I’ll be calling you, talk to you later man.” Michael said as he hung up the phone with out saying another word.

As Alex listened to the dial tone he let out a small laugh. “So Michael took another case, go Jim” He thought. Michael had changed so much since everything happened to him, no matter how much everyone told him that he wasn’t at fault, Michael didn’t let anyone say otherwise. He took the blame and placed it right on his shoulders.

Alex shook his head as he went back to his computer and continued the virtual layout of cameras, alarms and other do hickeys and quickly was once again lost in his work.



The Next Morning:


As Maria tied the laces of her pink Nikes, she heard a door inside the hotel room open then shut, she looked at her watch and saw that it was 6:30 in the morning; Isabel never wakes up this early she thought.

She then saw Michael come out of the hall wearing grey sweat pants with a white sleeveless tight tank top on. Maria had to force herself to swallow as she looked down quickly and pretended to tie her shoes.

Michael walked into the living room and saw Maria sitting on the couch. He cleared his throat not wanting to startle her as he walked in. She lifted her read and looked directly into his brown caramel colored eyes.

Michael was the first to break the awkward silence in the room. He said “Listen about last night, maybe I was a little too harsh, I was pissed.”

Maria couldn’t help but smile a little bit as she got up from the sofa and walked towards the full size kitchen as she said over her shoulder “I take it that’s an apology?”

Michael watched her walk away and couldn’t help but check her out.

What the hell is wrong with me?” He thought as he tried to think of anything besides Maria’s long legs that seemed to go on for miles, incased in white tight jogging pants.

He followed her into the kitchen and sat on a bar stool across from the counter where she was pouring out some orange juice into two cups.

“Yes don’t get used to it.” He said as he reached out and grabbed the glass she was offering.

‘Thank you” He said

“No problem, don’t get used to it.” She said as she took a sip out of her glass and looked at him over the rim of the cup.

Michael felt that her piercing green eyes could see right though him, he broke eye contact as he asked “And may I ask what you are doing up at this un-godly hour?”

Maria set her glass in the sink and replied’ Actually I was on my way to wake you up, I want to go for my morning jog through Central Park, can you handle that?” She asked almost daring him with her tone of voice.

Michael actually enjoyed jogging it was one of the few times that he could forget everything and just concentrate on breathing and also take out his stress on the hard asphalt.

“Gimme 15 minutes, and we can go, wait for me here ok?” he asked trying to keep the peaceful moment going.”

“Got it.” Maria said as she grabbed his empty cup and placed it in the sink.

Michael then turned around and came out exactly 15 minutes later wearing his skull cap again and with a gray sweat shirt the same pants and beat up black and gray Adidas on.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yup” Maria said as she put a white baseball cap on and slipped a pair of big sunglasses on as they both headed in silence to the elevator.






Outside Waldorf Astoria Hotel:


“What the hell do you want?” the drunken homeless man asked as he felt someone poking his ribs with the tip of there shoe.

“I got a job for you, how would you like a nice bottle of Johnny Walker and 20 bucks to go along with it?” The person asked as they crotched down to eye level to the homeless man who had been sleeping on the floor covered by old newspapers in a dark alley near the hotel.

“Oh yeah” he said as he stared at the person wearing sunglasses and a black trench coat.

“What do I gotta do?” he asked in a weary voice as he stared at the 20 dollar bill and felt his mouth go dry as he stared at the bottle of Johnny Walker.

“It’s simple really, you see that hotel over there, I want you to give this package to the bellhop and tell him that its for Maria Deluca, she’s staying at that hotel, tell him that someone asked you to give this to her.” the person said laid the small shoe size box down in front of him.

“That’s all I gotta do?” he asked as he smiled thinking that this was the easiest thing I have ever done.

“Yes that’s it and of course if anyone ever asked you who told you to take that package you were in a drunken stupor and don’t remember a thing, got it?” they asked.

The homeless man got up and grabbed the package and quickly ran across the street and did as he was instructed.

He went back his make shift card board home and saw that the person had left the bottle of Johnny and the 20 bucks tucked under one of the newspapers.

He whistled as he opened the bottle and took a huge gulp, feeling as happy as a child.




Back at the Hotel:

“That felt great didn’t it?” Maria asked as she threw herself down on the carpet smiling feeling refreshed after the hour jog through the park.

“Yeah it did.” Michael said as he sat on the sofa staring at Maria lying down on the carpet. He thought” she seems so down to Earth totally not what I was expecting” He stayed staring at her for a moment to long.

“What?” Maria asked as she stared up at him thinking why is he looking at me like that?”

“Nothing” he said in a almost bark as he got up from the sofa and headed back to the room.

“He’s a strange one.” She thought as she got up and happily went to the kitchen.

Isabel was sitting on a stool looking at a small box on the countertop.

“Hey Iz” Maria said as she sat next to her. “What’s that?” she asked.

“A bell hop came up a little while ago and said that it was for you, from a fan.” Isabel said as she tucked a piece of her behind her ear.

“Ok let’s see what it is.” Maria said as she grabbed the package and began to unwrap the plain brown box.

As Maria opened the box she fought the tremors she felt running through her body. “It’s just a gift; it’s not anything bad” she told herself.

What Maria saw made her stomach turn and bile rise up her throat as she felt everything around her start to swim and blackness close over her.

~~~Chapter 4~~~

World Wide Protection Inc. 10:15 PM

Jim Valenti was tired; he had been at the office now for 12 hours. It wasn’t easy running such a successful protection agency but the pay out was worth it. He had a team of 21 bodyguards and 5 technical specialists that were the best that money could buy. He got up from his desk and grabbed his black blazer off the coat rack and thought, “Enough is enough I’m going home.”

“Haven’t heard from Michael since he left, I wonder how he’s doing”, he thought as he made his way to the parking garage and into his Green Jeep Grand Cherokee.

He then got an idea and hit the speed dial on his cell phone.

“Hey, what’s up Jim?” Alex said as he lowered the TV and placed the remote back down next to him on the sofa.

“Hey there, how’s the Tom Hanks account going?” Jim asked.

“Great, I’m flying over there tomorrow to start setting everything up.” Alex said as he wondered why Jim would call him after 10 at night to ask him this.

“Great, ahhh I was wondering if you had heard from Michael lately.” Jim asked trying to act very nonchalant.

Alex smiled Jim cared about Michael as if her were his son and he but hated showing it he thought.

“Actually I spoke to him last night briefly, he’s doing fine and asked me to go down to Deluca’s house in Philadelphia to set it up.” He said as he cruised through 400 cable channels trying to find something to watch.

Jim let out a sigh of relief on hearing that Michael was there and making plans for future protection. “Wonderful, then I’ll let you get back to work.” Jim said then hung up the phone.

Alex placed the phone next to him on the sofa and crossed his long legs on the coffee table as he settled on a music video channel. He leaned his head against the wall and began to think about his life as he looked around his 3 bedroom loft. The wood floors shown, the tasteful artwork that hung on the walls was beautiful, but it all seemed empty. I’m 26 years old, I’m successful yet something is missing” He thought.

He got up from the cream colored leather sofa and turned the TV and surround sound stereo system off and walked barefoot to his room. He threw himself face down on the bed and placed both hands under his face. “There’s gotta be more to life then work, work and more work” he thought as he closed his eyes and let out a deep breathe.




Michael was just getting into the shower when he heard Isabel scream out his name. Michael grabbed the hotel courtesy robe from behind the bathroom door and hurriedly put it on as he ran out of the room. He saw Isabel with both arms wrapped around Maria’s waist holding her as she almost fell out of the stool she had been sitting in.

“What the hell is going on?” Michael asked as he scooped Maria up and laid her tenderly down on the sofa.

Isabel had followed them and was now standing behind Michael wringing her hands.

‘Isabel, hello what’s going?” Michael asked again as he saw Isabel looking back towards the kitchen every few seconds.

Michael turned his head, and noticed that she was looking at a small box that was on top of the kitchen counter.

Michael bent down and caressed Maria’s hair with his hand before he walked over to the kitchen and stared down at the box. The lid had been removed and he could see what appeared to be a book.

“Have you touched what’s inside this box at all?” Michael asked Isabel who had came to stand beside him.

“No Maria opened it but then passed out before taking it out of the box.” Isabel said as she crossed both arms tight in front of her chest.

“Ok” Michael said as he grabbed a napkin off the counter and proceeded to take the book out of the box while only touching it with the napkin. It was a black leather bound book, on the cover were different pictures of Maria cut up and made into one, it looked grotesque and creepy as hell he thought as he leafed through it he saw that it appeared to be a diary of sorts. With dates and times and pictures of Maria doing every thing from performing on stage, to grabbing some coffee from the coffee shop. The pictures ranged from just shots of her eyes to her hands to full body shots that must have been taken at a very close range.

There were several pictures that certain body parts had been cut out and red letters written all over Maria’s face. He read the words slut, whore, soon, among other things. Michael sighed as he once again placed the book down inside the box. He looked over at Isabel who was pacing behind him.

“So what do you think?” Isabel asked him.

“I think that this person, is most definitely not stable, they have been following her for a while, and correct me if I’m wrong these pictures go back a little bit, there not all recent which leads me to believe that they have been following her for a while.” Michael said as he went to check on Maria again.

He crouched down to his knees and slowly began to call Maria’s name.

“Maria,” Michael whispered softly.

“Yeah, yeah I’m up” She said as she opened her eyes and immediately remembered the package. She scrambled up scooted back to the corner of sofa looking like a scared little girl.

“Did you open it?” she asked Michael in a whisper.

“Yeah I did.” Michael responded as he got up and sat down in the corner of the sofa facing Maria. Her face had gone pale, and her eyes were misted over with tears. He felt the urge to grab her and place her on his lap and comfort her. Michael had to cross both arms over his chest in order to not reach out for her. “She’s a client, she’s a client” he kept chanting in his head.


Maria closed her eyes and sighed. She had honestly thought that what was in the box was just a gift from a fan. She had hoped that the stalker had forgotten about her and hopefully given up. No such luck she thought. Looking at pictures of her was one thing the ones that the press took she was used to, but the ones that were on the cover of the book scared her, they were up close, there were personal pictures that she had no idea were being taken. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t feel Isabel place her hand on her shoulder, or hear her calling her name.

“Maria Michael just said that he’s going to call the police over, to see if maybe they can get some fingerprints off the book.” Isabel said to Maria in a low soothing voice.

“Ok I’m umm going to take a shower” Maria said as she got up from the sofa and looked over to where the box was laying.

Michael immediately grabbed the phone and called the front desk and asked them to send the police over.

Isabel had gone to her room and Michael was left alone in the living room. A million thoughts were going through his head. Different ways to protect Maria, he needed to keep her safe. The feelings that ran through his body were alien to him. He couldn’t care about her; he couldn’t comfort here and take care of her the way he wanted to. She was a client, his client and he’d be damned if one day the feelings that she made him feel would distract him and the same thing that happened to Annie would happen again. He had promised himself before that he wouldn’t ever get attached that way again as the knocking on the door broke his train of thought.


Michael let in two burly cops that seemed to take this not seriously at all which was pissing him off. He suggested that they go down and talk to the bellhop that received the package. They looked at the book and called the forensics team in. They picked the book up and placed it in a Ziploc bag. They said that they’d have an answer by tomorrow on wither or not they had gotten any fingerprints. Michael doubted it. That would make things to easy. They asked more questions to Isabel then they did to Maria. Isabel told them that the box had been brought up by one of the bellhops and that was about all she knew about the box. They left saying there were going to question the front desk to see if they could get any more answers.

To which Michael replied “Yeah you guys do that. “As he closed the door with a little more force then necessary.


When they finally left Michael could see that both Isabel and Maria were once again shaken up. Maria had sat in a chair facing the window and hadn’t said much at all. Michael could not take his eyes off of her. She needed to do something to get her mind off all this bullshit” he thought.

He made eye contact with Isabel and motioned for her to follow him to the kitchen.

“Yes?” Isabel asked as she wondered why he called her to the kitchen to talk to her.

“Does Maria have anything lined up work wise I mean?” Michael asked as he grabbed 2 bottles of water out of the mini-fridge.

“Well she has a small performance at a local club tomorrow night but that’s about it.” Isabel said as she took one of the water bottles that Michael offered.

“Ok got it, can you give me the directions and name of the club? “He asked as he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen off the counter.

“Sure 125 Park Ave. It’s called the Trocadero.” Isabel said as she ran a hand through her short brown hair.

“Can you stay with Maria a little while?” Michael asked as he headed towards the living room.

“Sure I’ll be here.” Isabel called out as she watched Michael grab his leather jacket off the couch and head right out the door. He hadn’t been gone for 5 seconds when he once again opened the door and popped his head in looked right at Isabel and said “LOCK THE DOOR” in a exasperated tone of voice.

Isabel jumped and shook her head as she made her way over to the door and turned the dead bolt style lock in place.

Michael waited a second to make sure that the door was indeed locked and then preceded to the elevator.

As Michael stepped out of the taxi he looked up at the neon lights of the club. The Tocadero. He read, He made his way to the front doors and began to knock on one of the glass doors. He could see people inside moving around. A Chinese woman stuck her head out the door of the neighboring building and began to yell at him in Chinese.

Michael waved at her and didn’t let up on the pounding of the glass door. All of a sudden the door opened and Michael was staring at the biggest guy he had ever seen. He looked Native American and had a long black braid hanging over his shoulder he had to stand at least 6’5. Several tattoos covered his arms and neck.

“Were closed buddy” He said and began to close the door in Michael’s face.

Michael put his foot in the door jamb and said “I’m here on business, I’m Maria Deluca’s bodyguard, I need to check the club out before her performance tomorrow” He said in a I’m not taking No for a answer tone of voice and walked right by the man and stepped into the club.

There were several posters of Maria on the wall. As soon as you stepped in it was like a huge dance floor where people could stand and watch the performance. He turned around and saw a balcony with rows and rows of seats. On the left and right of the stage were two private boxes. Michael then walked around the club and made mental notes as to how many exits and entrances where in the club. He also spoke to all the bouncers that were going to be letting the crowd in and requested that no one that wasn’t supposed to be behind stage could get access.

Michael made one more stop before going back to the hotel. He felt much better after doing his homework.






Inside the hotel room:


“Isabel please stop treating me like a invalid, I know that your doing it for a good reason but please, go back to cursing at me and calling me a brat or something” Maria said as she threw another piece of clothes onto the mountain that was currently on top of her bed.

“Fine don’t wear that color it makes you look like a corpse.” Isabel said to Maria who was holding a purple silk shirt in front of her chest and staring into the mirror.

Maria let out a loud laugh and threw that shirt on top of the pile. “That’s more like it, thank you.” She said as she smiled and continued her ransack of the closet.

“Still have no clue on what you’re wearing?” Isabel asked as she skimmed through her organizer and jotted down notes or highlighted certain sections.

“I was thinking that maybe we could go shopping, before the show.”
Maria said as she looked at Isabel out of the corner of her eye.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea Maria.” Isabel said as she closed her organizer and sat down on the corner of the bed.

“What Bebe is 2 blocks down from here, I’m sure that Michael won’t mind.” Maria said as she slipped on a pair of suede caramel colored boots on her feet.

“Sure Michael won’t mind what?” Michael asked as he placed one hand on the door jam and the other hand in his back pocket, his black t-shirt was riding up on his stomach and exposing his flat toned tummy.

“Oh well I was just telling Isabel that I needed to run to the store, I need to pick up something for the show tomorrow” Maria said as she licked her lips and thought “OK stare at anything besides his stomach “and hurriedly grabbed her pursue off a chair near the door and walked right by Michael and went and stood by the front door.

“Ok let’s go” Michael said as he grabbed his jacket off the couch and once again put it on exposing some more of his stomach in the process.

Maria quickly turned her head and opened the door.

Michael then tapped Maria on the shoulder and said “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Maria looked up at him and tried not to notice that his eyes had specks of green and gold in them and said “No I don’t think so.”

Michael then pulled out a baby blue baseball cap and dark sunglasses out of his jacket pocket and handed them over to Maria.

“We don’t need to alert every person on the street that the Maria Deluca is doing some shopping.” He said as he zipped up his jacket.

“Oh right thanks, I forgot.” Maria said as she slipped her hair through the hole in the back of the hat and slid the glasses on.

Michael ran a hand through his hair and got into protection mode again. He did that when they had gone for there run earlier this morning. It had taken him almost half an hour for him to speak to her, she assumed that the same thing would repeat it self now.

Isabel and Maria hurriedly walked the few blocks to the store as Michael held Maria’s elbow closely to his chest and never spoke a single word as he constantly looked around and not for a second let go of her arm.

Once they were inside Bebe Michael let Maria go and let Isabel and her do there thing. Michael noticed that several employees asked Maria for her autograph and she smiled and signed one for every employee in the store. She kept doing little things that surprised him. She wasn’t at all what he thought she would be. He didn’t want to like her; he didn’t want to admit that she wasn’t the super star diva that he had made her out to be. Well at least she’s not going to know what I really think about her he thought as he glanced at his watch and realized that they had been here for over an hour already.

God I hate shopping he thought as he counted the minutes and cursed Jim for the 27th time today. He leaned against one of the registers where he could see who was coming in and out and waited for them to finish. Michael was looking forward to going to Maria’s home in Philadelphia, he had gone there one time for a concert and had fallen in love with the city, and had actually contemplated moving there quite a few times. He’d get Alex out there ASAP to set up security and hopefully everything would fall into place he thought as he saw Maria walking towards the cash register with her hands full of clothes and shoes and hats.

“I can see you’re a shopaholic” Michael said sarcastically as he grabbed some of the stuff out of Maria’s hand. He placed it on the counter and then bent down to pick up something that had fallen out of his hands as Maria said “Everyone has to have a vice.” And laughed.

Michael then got up and was holding with the tip of his index finger a black pair of thong underwear with the words “Lucky” cut out right above the thong part of the underwear.

Maria’s eyes widened and her face turned red as she snatched the underwear out of his hand and threw it on top of the pile of clothes that the cashier was ringing up.

Michael had to bite his bottom lip to hold back the laughter that wanted so desperately to come out. Maria’s face was priceless he thought as he turned his head and looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

She was still red. Just then Isabel threw some more clothes on to the growing piles and said to the manager who had the biggest smile plastered on her face as the commission kept adding up. “Please have this sent to the Waldorf.”


As the three of them once again began the walk towards the hotel Maria couldn’t help but remember Michael’s sexy grin when he stood up and was holding her panties on the tip of his finger. She could feel his warm fingers through the thick sweater she had on and wished that for a second she could feel that heat on her body. It had been so long since she had been with anyone; she craved the feeling of touching and being touched in return.

She was so lost in thought that she didn’t see the group of people pointing at her, or the crowd that had quickly crossed the street and where making a line straight for her.

Michael had seen everything, from the moment where one girl had whispered to the other girl next to her to when they had crossed the street. Michael did the first thing he could think and grabbed Maria’s hand and ran into the hotel which thankfully was only a few feet away.

Isabel was right behind them. They stopped in front of the check in desk and looked back at a group of fans that were trying to get past the bellhops who were ushering them away.

“That was a close one.” Maria said as she caught her breathe.

“Exactly, that’s why I’m not for sporadic outings like that.” Michael said in an I told you so tone of voice.

Isabel had gone over to one of the wall length mirrors and was patting her hair in place and straitening her clothes out. Michael looked at Maria and then pointed at Isabel with his thumb with a grin oh his face as he thought we almost got mobbed and she’s applying lipstick.

Maria had to hold back a laugh, she knew exactly what he was thinking, since she used to wonder the same thing herself about Isabel.

Isabel then went over to the reception desk and alerted them to the fact that several things were going to be arriving for Maria later on today.


“I’m hungry.” Where the first words that Maria let out as they walked back into there suite.

“Me too” Michael said as he threw himself down on the sofa and began to watch a hockey game on TV.

Isabel then said “Room service?” To which Maria happily nodded her head.

“What are you having Michael?” she asked as a loud whistle started her into jumping.

Michael was staring at the TV and appeared to look almost catatonic. She laughed and thought so he has a vice to I see.

“Hey what do you want to eat?” Maria asked as she picked up the phone and began dialing for room service.

“Um just get me a burger and fries.” Michael called out never breaking eye contact with the TV.

As the night came to an end, and everyone ate, watched TV or painted there nails they decided it was time for bed and said there good nights and headed to there rooms.

As Isabel pulled the covers up to her chin she thought about Michael and Maria. She had caught them both staring at each other several times through out the night. She smiled and thought “I so have to do something about this” as she closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.

Michael laid down and waited for everything to go quiet. He had some things that he wanted to do and not be interrupted. He laid there thinking about what an interesting day it had been. He really enjoyed the run that Maria and he had shared this morning. He smiled as he thought she had given him a run for him money. He didn’t admit that to her though.

Michael waited another half hour after all the sounds in the hotel room faded and got up and grabbed a plastic bag from inside his back pack. He was wearing gray PJ pants and a white tank top; he thought about putting on his robe and shrugged the idea off. Everyone was sleeping so who cares what he was wearing. He made his way back to the living room and began taking out several maps and post it notes along with a black sharpie marker and some pencils.

He turned on a lamp and started tracing different ways to leave and to get to the club, and also the airport. He wasn’t familiar with New York streets and was feeling a bit anxious about that. He didn’t want anything to happen and he not be prepared for it. He was there for over 2 hours with a pencil behind his ears and several post it notes stuck to various parts of his body.

Maria was standing just inside the hall and had been watching him, he was so lost in thought. She noticed that several times he had scratched his right eyebrow and ran a hand through his short spiky hair. God he’s so hot she thought again. She gave her self a mental shrug and walked into the room.

Michael heard footsteps and looked up into Maria’s beautiful green eyes. He quickly looked away when he caught himself looking at her flat smooth stomach peeking out from the tight white t-shirt she was wearing.

“What’s up are your all right?” he asked as he folded up his maps and began clearing up the mess on the coffee table.

“Yeah I’m fine, just getting something to drink” she said as she nervously squeezed her hands together.

“Ok then well I’m going to head to bed, long day tomorrow.” Michael said as he got up and walked out of the room with out saying another word.

Maria crossed her arms over her chest and thought “This is stupid, I need to stop staring at him like a lost little puppy dog.” but she couldn’t help feeling lonely. She went back to her room and laid down again and tried not to think about anything other then her performance tomorrow at least that was something to look forward to.

~~~Chapter 5~~~
As Michael got behind the drivers seat he tried to keep his eyes from drifting towards the rear view mirror, Maria looked absolutely beautiful he thought again for the 20 th time. They were on there way to the club where Maria would be performing tonight

“Isabel are you sure this looks all right?” Maria said as she tugged down her shirt that kept riding up on her stomach.

“Yes Maria, you look great.” Isabel said as she admired the outfit that she had picked out for Maria. It was a long loose white skirt, with a royal blue very sheer long sleeve sweater and a white tank top underneath. It screamed classy but causal. She loved it.

Maria was wearing her hair long blond hair in a pony tail with loosed tendrils framing her face.

She looked forward and caught Michael looking at her through the rear view mirror before he quickly turned his eyes away.

She felt her stomach flutter a little bit and told herself “It’s just my nerves about the concert.” When she knew that it was because she had caught him looking at her.

“Were here.” Michael said as Maria looked out the window and saw a long line forming outside of the club.

“Were going to enter around the back, I want you to stay in the car until I come around and open the door for you, and once I open we are going to make a bee line straight for the door.” Michael said as he turned around in his seat and stared directly at Maria.

“Got it.” Maria said as she folded her hands in her lap and batted her eye lashes dramatically at Michael.

Michael grinned at her as he thought “I know she hates it when I tell her what to do.”

Michael got out of the car and saw that there was a barricade set up along with security from the club holding back a throng of fans that were all screaming and jumping around trying to get past security.

Michael walked around the car and opened Maria’s door, she slipped out one beautifully shaped leg, and Michael grabbed her outstretched hand.

Maria felt Michaels hand wrap around her whole hand as he quickly ushered Maria into the club.

Once inside Isabel came up behind Maria and pointed to where her dressing room was. Michael followed them into a room that had Maria’s name on the door.

His eyes opened in surprise as he saw that the room was stocked with enough food to feed an Army. Flowers and candles seemed to be on every available place.

Maria went up to one of the tables and opened up a bottle of Evian water as she sat down on the Blue velvet couch and thought “ I don’t even want to get near the flowers.”

Michael was still standing by the door when Maria said “Michael you can sit down you know.”

“Na that’s ok I’d rather be here.” Michael said as he crossed his arms over his chest and thought “Damn it’s going to be a long night.” He could hear the waiting fans from inside her dressing room. It was going to be packed out there. He would have to be in top form tonight he thought as a knock on the door interpreted his thoughts.

Maria went to open the door and was stopped by Michael who had held out his arm and said” I got it.”

He opened the door and saw a short bald middle age man standing there.” What do you want?” He asked.

Isabel then rushed forward and said “That’s the owner of the club Michael.” As she gently pushed him aside and said “Come in.”

The manager began talking to both Maria and Isabel and before they knew it, it was time to go out on stage.

Michael watched Maria as she got up and took one last look in the mirror, her face looked a little pale, and she was mumbling something under her breathe.

When she walked towards the door her heard that she was chanting “I hope I don’t suck, I hope I don’t suck.” He looked at her questiongly and couldn’t believe that she was nervous. She was an awsome singer.

He walked out of the room and looked both ways, as he made sure that Maria was safe to walk out into the dark hallway.

Maria rolled her eyes as she tried to be patient and not push Michael out of the way, “I hate this; I don’t want to have a bodyguard, who is going to do anything to me when there’s so many people here?” she thought.

Maria watched as Michael nodded and proceeded to walk down the hallway and towards the stage.

Maria brushed past Michael as she went and sat down on the piano bench. She took one last look at Michael and Isabel that were standing just off the stage and signaled for the curtain to part.

For the next hour, Maria sang her heart out; she looked absolutely amazing Michael thought as she played her piano and song in her husky singing voice. When he heard her songs, they always touched him, made him feel like whatever it was she was singing about.

Isabel’s eyes widened as she looked over at Michael and saw his lips moving to the words of one Maria’s song. “I can’t wait to tell Maria.” She thought with a smile as the song ended and the crowd began to clap and scream for more.

Maria performed two more songs then got up and waved to her fans as she walked off stage.

Isabel engulfed her in a huge hug, as she said “That was great!”

Maria shrugged and looked through the corner of her eyes at Michael who had come to stand right next to her.

“Thanks, I had a lot of fun, the crowd was great.” Maria said as she went to grab a towel from a table not far from the stage.

Michael’s hand came out of no where and clamped down on her wrist.

Maria stopped walking and looked down at his hand that was still circled around her wrist.

“Can I help you with something?” she said enouncing every word as she spoke.

“Where are you going?” Michael asked feeling her heartbeat in her wrist as he held her.

“I was just going to grab a towel to wipe the sweat off my face is that all right?” She asked sarcastically.

Michael felt stupid, plain and simple, but he had thought that she was going to pull a Maria and go crowd surfing or something. He said “Yea sure, I just thought that you were going to….. well never mind.” He said as he let her hand go and watched as she went and grabbed a towel.

“I need to get a grip here.” He thought as he noticed the way that Maria patted her face, something that he found so fucking sexy at the moment.

Isabel then patted Michael on the shoulder and said “Michael did you hear me?”

Michael turned to Isabel and said “Huh?”

Isabel tried to hide her smile as she realized that Michael was in la la land staring at Maria.

“I was saying that Maria wants to fly home tomorrow and I wanted to know if you wanted to know before time.” Isabel said.

“So uhh you aren’t going with us to Philly?” he asked trying to act like it was no big deal.

“No I have to stay behind, some last minute Maria things that I have to take care of I’ll he there in a week or so.” Isabel said as she Maria came back and with a huge smile on her face.

“So Isabel, when does our flight leave again?” Maria asked excitedly.

“Well just let me know when you want to leave and I’ll call the record company and tell them when you’re leaving.” Isabel said.

“Why do you need to call the record company?” Michael asked a bit confused.

“Well they like for us to give them some time in advance before we request the private jet.” Isabel said as they began walking towards the back of the club.

“Oh private jet, right I knew that.” Michael said as he followed behind Isabel and Maria.

“I want to leave fist thing tomorrow morning.” Maria said as they reached the back door.

Maria waited for Michael to stand beside her before opening the door.

“Ok on 3, run to the car got it? “ Michael asked Maria as he grabbed her hand once more.

“Got it.” Maria said as she wrapped her fingers through his hand.

“1, 2, 3. “ Michael said as he open the door and began to pull Maria behind him, towards the car that had been brought to the back by an employee at the club.

Michael saw everything in those seconds before they got into the car. A man pushing one of the smaller security guards down to the ground, him reaching into his pocket, the look of determination on his face, as he ran towards Maria who was looking straight forward to where the car was parked.

Michael felt his body go cold, and the day that Annie got shot replayed through his mind at that moment. He grabbed Maria and pushed her behind his back as he grabbed the guy by the shirt and placed him in a headlock bringing the man down to his knees facing away from Maria.

“Hey, what the fuck man? Let me go.” The man yelled.

“What the hell do you think you were doing?” Michael asked as he held the man on his knees squeezing him a little bit tighter as the man fidgeted and tried to get out of Michaels hold.

The man was grabbing Michael’s arm and trying to get him to release him.

Just then another security guard stepped forward and said “Need any help bro?”

“No I got it.” Michael said as he then asked the man,

“What’s in your pocket huh? Empty them out now.” Michael said in a growl next to the mans ear.

“Ok ok, just don’t squeeze me anymore.” he said.

Maria and Isabel were watching everything from inside the SUV.

“What the hell happened?” Maria asked Isabel who had been a few feet behind them when they had walked out of the club.

“That guy pushed a security guard over and was running straight towards you.” Isabel said as she held Maria’s hand tightly.

“Take it out slowly, don’t make any sudden movements or I’m going to squeeze your neck so fucking hard that you’re going to speaking in a soprano tone for a month.” Michael said as the man reached into his pocket.

“There man are you happy, want to let me fucking go now?” he said angrily as Michael leaned forward and saw that the man had placed a magazine with Maria on the cover and a black sharpie marker down on the asphalt in front of him.

Michael felt his face go red, as he said “Get up slowly.” the man complied and Michael patted him down while stilling holding on to his neck with one arm.

The man had nothing else in his pockets.

Michael turned the man around and with his face inches from his own said “ Don’t break through the barricades dickhead and this won’t happen.” And pushed him towards a security guard that was still standing just a few feet away.

Michael made his way to the driver side of the car got in and slammed the door.

Maria then spoke up and said “Are you ok Michael?”

“Yeah I’m just peachy.” Michael said as he sped away a little too fast for Maria’s taste from the club.

Michael was angry, Maria could see the way his shoulders were hunched forward a little bit and his forehead was scrunched up in anger Maria observed through the rear view mirror.

Isabel just looked out the window at the buildings flying by.

Michael felt a hand on his arm, and then a gentle squeeze and caress as he looked down and saw that Maria had leaned forward and was trying to comfort him. He turned his head as he stopped at the red light to say thank you. Maria’s face was inches away from his own. Her eyes were so beautiful and deep you could get lost in them he thought.

Maria felt as if those few seconds that they were face to face were actually a eternity, time was standing still as she saw Michael lean forward a little bit then the sound of a car horn blasting made them both realize that there lips were inches away from each others.

Michael turned around quickly saw that the light had turned green he began to drive as Maria slowly leaned back into her seat and saw that Isabel had her eyes closed and was leaning her head against the back of the seat.

Maria felt her heart beating erratically in her chest and thought “Did we almost just kiss?”

~~~~ Chapter 6 ~~~~
“Ok I’m beat I’m going to hit the sack guys, I’m exhausted.” Isabel said as she yawned and entered the hotel suite.

“Ok Hun, see you tomorrow.” Maria said as she took off her shoes and went and turned the TV on in the living room.

Maria saw Michael out of the corner of her eye, he had came in and sat down in one of the bar stools across the room and hadn’t said a single word since they had left the club over half an hour ago.

Michael couldn’t help but stare at Maria, she had looked amazing tonight, he could still hear he singing, and picture her with her eyes closed singing into the microphone. She had given him goose bumps tonight, and he didn’t like it, if truth were to be told he was pissed about it.

Maria tried not to appear affected by what had almost happened in the car. “They weren’t going to kiss,” she kept telling herself “It just seemed that way.”

Michael waited until Isabel left the room and walked over to the sofa sitting down in a chair facing the sofa that Maria was sitting on.

“We need to talk.” He said as he waited for a response from Maria.

“Really about what?” she asked as she turned the TV off and looked directly into his eyes. Michael felt as if he was being laser beamed by her eyes or something, when she gave him that look, he wasn’t able to function to think, or even get a sentence out. It took him a few moments before he realized she had responded to what he said.

“This can’t happen.” He said as she leaned forward in the chair and placed both his hands under his chin and stared at her.

“What can’t happen?” Maria asked as she folded both legs under her body and kept the eye contact going.

“You, me, us, what ever you want to call it.” Michael said as he thought. “I wish that was true, I wish that I could not give a shit about you.”

Maria then looked down for a second, when she looked back up Michael could see that she had tears in her eyes.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I know there isn’t any how did you put it? Oh yes, you, me, us.” As she got up and went to grab her shoes.

That was the last thing Michael had expected, for her to just get up and not even talk to him about this.

“Maria wait.” Michael said as he got up and stood in front of her.

Maria was at eye level with his chest now. “Michael I’m tired I really want to go to bed.” She said as she thought. “Yeah I’m an idiot for thinking that something almost happened between us for fantasizing about you and thinking that maybe once in my life someone liked me for me, not for being Ms. Deluca.”

But she didn’t say that she just looked up at him and tried to keep her expression neutral.

“I am here to do a job and I can’t let anything distract me from that I’m not here to be your friend. “ Michael said as she fought the urge to kiss her.

“I got it I’m going to bed now.” Maria said as she stepped around him and went to her bedroom.

He fought the urge to follow her, to tell her that he wished that he could kiss her and that something could happen between them, but he couldn’t do it. He put his head down and closed his eyes, trying to not see her behind his eyelids, see her singing, laughing, and being herself.

He lifted his head and let out a deep sigh, as he went to his room and laid down. It was going to be hell from this point on, he knew that he and Maria were going to be alone for at least one week before Isabel would get there.

“God help me.” He thought as he closed his eyes.





“Up and at them.” Maria heard Isabel singing as she opened the curtains of her room letting in the brightest sunlight she had ever seen.

Isabel watched as Maria lifted the covers over her head, and snuggled deeper into the bed.

“Come on sleepy head its time to get you ready for your flight.” Isabel said as she held out a cup of coffee and used her other hand to fan the smell into what she assumed was Maria’s face.

Maria smelled coffee; she slowly peered out from underneath the blanket and saw Isabel holding a mug.

She sat up in bed, and placed her back against the head board of the bed.

“Thank you and good morning to you too.” Maria said as she sipped the hot coffee.

Isabel smiled and sat down in the corner of the bed. She noticed that Maria had dark circles under her eyes.

“Did you sleep ok?” Isabel asked.

“I slept ok.” Maria said as she looked away, she hadn’t slept well at all, she had replayed the conversation that Michael and she had all night long. Nothing could happen between them and that’s that, she had decided that the best way to deal with this is to be as distant as she could be with him.

“Ok well I called the record label, told them we needed the plane I told them around 11 o’clock, so that leaves about 2 hours to pack.” Isabel said as she opened one of the closets and began taking things off the hanger and placing them on the bed.

Maria set her coffee cup down and went to the bathroom. She got undressed and stood under the shower head for 15 minutes, just letting the water pour down her body.

Maria got dressed in blue denim hip hugger jeans with a button up long sleeve pink and purple cowboy style shirt she loved, with her beige high heeled boots.

She was applying her make up when she heard her cell phone ringing, Isabel then called “Maria can you get that?”

Maria went over to the dresser and picked up the phone, a huge smile appearing on her face as she heard her friend’s voice.

“Hey how are you, it’s been ages since we have spoken!” Maria said as Isabel mouthed “Who is it?”

“Yes I’m in New York now but I’m going home to Philadelphia today.” Maria said as she mouthed Tess.

“Yeah we should get together do something, I know yea….” Maria laughed at whatever it was that Tess was saying.

“How’s Kyle by the way?” Maria asked.

“Tell him I said hello, that’s great will I’m getting ready for my flight back home now, but we need to arrange something it’s been to long since we have seen each other.”

“Ok Tess it was great talking to you, bye bye.” Maria said as she hung up the phone.

“What did she say?” Isabel asked as she sat down on top of one of the suitcases fighting to get the zipper closed.

Maria walked over and zipped the zipper and helped Isabel get up as she said “She was just calling to say hi, see how things were going.”

“Oh that’s nice” Isabel said as she handed Maria the last packed suitcase and began grabbing another one to take them to the living room.

“Ok so I think that’s everything.” Isabel said as she looked through the closet and drawers one more time.

“Great have you seen Michael today?” Maria asked as she applied some lip gloss.

“Yeah he went to get some breakfast; he said that he would be right back.” Isabel said as she walked out of the room.

Just then they heard the front door open and close. Maria walked out of the room and saw Michael coming in with several bags of McDonalds.

“I got some McDonalds I was sick of room service food, didn’t know what you guys liked so I got a little of everything.” He said as he placed the bags on the coffee table.

“Great I’m starved thanks Michael.” Isabel said as she began digging through the bags.

As Isabel was bent over the table, Maria and Michael made eye contact; they stared at each other for a few seconds before Maria began walking by him towards the kitchen.

“I’m not hungry thanks.” She said over her shoulder.

Michael felt his blood pressure going up. He followed her into the kitchen.

“Just cause your pissed off doesn’t mean you don’t have to eat.” He said as he stood behind her.

“Who said I was pissed? I’m just not hungry.” Maria said as she turned around and realized that they were inches apart.

“Whatever.” Michael said as he stared down at her face, he noticed how long her lashes were and how her eyes were the most piercing green he had ever seen.

Maria held her breathe as she watched Michael taking in all the features of her face, she then remembered his little speech last night and a frown appeared on her face.

“Can you please move, I have to finish packing.” Maria said as she stepped back from him.

Michael wanted to grab her throw her on top of the counter and kiss her senseless, but he couldn’t do that so he stepped back and watched her go back to her room.





~~~ 3 Hours Later ~~~


As Maria sat back in her seat she looked around the plane and like always still felt a little bit giddy. She loved flying, and there was something about being on a plane and there not being anyone else there still amazed her.

“Would you like something to drink Ms. Deluca?” the stewardess asked.

“No thank you, I’m fine.” Maria said as she looked out the window and admired the puffy white clouds that looked like pieces of cotton floating in the wind.

“Would you like something Sir?” the stewardess asked Michael.

“Yeah a raspberry Snapple if have any.” He said as he looked across at the other aisle at Maria who was doing her very best to ignore him. She hadn’t said a single word to him since they had been inside the hotel.

“Of course Mr. Guerin would you like a cup?” She asked

“No that’s ok.” He said as he leaned back in his chair

They had taken off about one hour ago and she had acted like she was the only one on the plane. He wanted to talk to her; he didn’t want to be sitting alone on the other side of the plane.

He undid his seat belt and went to stand next to her seat. Maria heard him getting up and looked up at him.

“Yes?” she said.

“Can I sit with you? I wanted to ask you a few things about your home for security purposes.” He said, that was a good one he thought he could make it seem he just wanted to talk to her about business issues.


“Sure ask away.” She said as she placed both hands on her lap and watched him take the seat across from her.

“Ok soo umm do you have a security system in place now?” He asked.

“No I didn’t think I needed one.” Maria said as she tried to not notice how freaking sexy he looked at that moment. He was wearing khaki colored pants with a white long sleeve shirt.

“Well I have a very good friend named Alex Whitman who is a genius at security systems, I asked him if he would come and take a look at your house and set something up.” Michael said.

“Sure that’s fine, what choice do I have right?” Maria said a little annoyed at thinking that now her house was going to be monitored and she’d have to be setting and unsetting the alarm at all hours.

Michael raised his eyebrows at her last comment and thought “So this isn’t going to be easy.”

“What?” Maria asked as she saw him do that.

Michael held up both hands and said “Nothing.”

“Well you lifted your eyebrows?” Maria said annoyed that he was not telling her why he had done that.

“Nothing I just lifted by eyebrows, what’s the big deal?” He asked annoyed right back at her.

“Ugh whatever, forget it.” Maria said as she began to turn her head to look out the window again.

Michael lean forward and grabbed her by the shoulders, Maria opened her mouth to ask him “What the hell he was doing?” when she felt his lips on hers.

Maria placed both hands on his chest and was about to push him, when she began responding back to his kiss, he slid his tongue slowly into her mouth. His lips were softly caressing hers now; he heard a small moan escape through her lips as he slid his hands deep into the hair at the nape of her neck.

She brought up her own hands up and placed them on his shoulders as he lifted her off the seat.

Michael was in heaven, the taste of Maria was addictive, when he felt her responding back to his kiss he had to fight the urge to lay her down right there on the floor and kiss every inch of her skin. Her hands caressing his chest made him suck in his breathe and his vision go blurry.

She was sitting on his lap facing him; he could feel the hotness coming from her core that was now rubbing against the front of his pants.

He then tore his mouth from hers and began to kiss and softly bite her neck as his hands caressed her bottom.

Michael had his eyes closed and was caressing every part of her body that he could reach. There mouths tore at each other not to gently as they both were being consumed by the kiss.

She placed his right hand on her breast as she began to slowly grind her lower body against his.

Michael cupped her breast in his palm and gently kneaded it until he could feel her tiny rock hard nipple straining through her shirt as he continued to kiss and trace her lips with the tip of his tongue.

“Excuse me, I said here is your drink.” the stewardess said as she tapped Michael on the shoulder.

“What huh?” Michael said as he opened his eyes and quickly whipped his head around to see where Maria had gone.

He saw that she had her laptop open and was typing away in her seat across the aisle. He closed his eyes and shifted in his seat as he felt the evidence of his arousal staring against his pants.

“Thanks.” He barked out as she grabbed the drink and took a huge swallow as he took in deep breathes and tried to calm down his racing heart.

Maria looked over at him and stopped typing she asked “Are you all right?”

“Yeah I’m fine; I just don’t like flying that’s all.” Michael said as he closed his eyes and laid his head against the head rest.

“That’s it I’m insane, it’s official” he thought as he willed the little day dream he had just had to come back as the pilot announced that they would be touching down in 20 minutes.

~~** Chapter 7 **~~
As the plane touched down Maria couldn’t feel any happier.

“I’m home.” She thought as she opened her back pack and slipped her lap top into one of the folds.

Michael hadn’t missed the moment when they touched down, her face had lit up her body almost shook with excitement.

Once the plane stopped Maria and Michael both got up and walked past the stewardess, Michael brought his jacket up closer to his neck while Maria walked past him with her jacket wide open, seemingly unaffected by the cold weather.

“God I hate being cold.” He thought as an undercover police officer stepped up to him and Maria.

He pulled out his badge and proceeded to lead them through a private corridor leading to an awaiting limo.

Michael couldn’t help but feel anxious, airports were full of people, which means that the stalker could be lurking at any corner, the need to protect Maria overwhelmed him, as his mind drifted back to the day where he had been only a few shorts steps away from helping Annie.

“That’s not going to happen again” he thought as he reached out and softly grabbed Maria’s elbow as he got closer to her and was basically pressing her body into the side of his.

Maria felt the moment that his hand touched her, “Breathe Chick, I hope we are almost to the damn limo.” She thought as she tried to get loose from his grasp, she didn’t like that just a mere touch from him distracted her and made her stomach feel as if a million butterflies were playing tag.

As the stepped outside of the terminal Michael was relieved to see that there was in fact a limo parked at the curb, as soon as Maria stepped into view, the door was held open by the chauffeur and Maria and Michael slipped inside.

Michael leaned back in the plush leather seat and watched as Maria had her face pressed up into the glass, a small smile playing on her face.

Michael felt his chest contract as he watched her, the way the sun coming through the window shone on her face, the curve of her cheek as she smiled, the way she had her hands folder together on her lap, she looked so perfect it hit him right then.

“I’m falling in love with her.”

What the hell is wrong with me, I can’t want to be with her, I can’t feel this way, but Jesus Guerin when the hell have you ever noticed things like the sun shining on someone’s face. He didn’t realize that a small scowl had started playing out on his face.

As Maria turned away from the window, she looked over at Michael and saw that he didn’t look to happy.

She sighed as she sat back and brought both of her longs legs under her and sat Indian style on the seat.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

Michael was just staring at her; it took him a few moments before he realized that she had asked him something.

“Oh yeah …I mean no I’m fine.” He said before turning his face to look out the window.

“Well we should be home in about 15 minutes.” Maria said with a smile as she thought of home, it had been over 6 months since she had been there, she had been touring for too long and also promoting for her new album.

“Great.” Michael said still not turning to look at her.

They both sat in silence, Michael noticed that they had pulled off from the highway and were now going through the heart of Philadelphia’s downtown.

He smiled as they drove by the “Rocky steps” which was really the Metropolitan Museum Of art. He’d have to make it a priority to go there, he loved art, even attempted it every now and then.

“So you’ve never been in Philly before right?” Maria asked as she noticed that his gaze had been on the museum since they had passed by it.

“Right, never been here before.” Michael said as looked back at her and locked his gaze with hers.

“Well maybe we can go sight seeing sometime.” Maria said.

“We’ll see, I don’t want to parade you all over town, remember that there is someone out there that is after you, and we cant let our guard down just because your home now.” Michael said a serious expression on his face as he leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees.

“I know, I know.” Maria said as she broke eye contact with him.

The next sound Michael heard made him want to cover his ears, Maria had let out a high pitched screech, and he guessed that the gated entrance that they had just pulled up to was her home.

Michael’s eyes widened as the doors swung open and he laid eyes on Maria’s home.

They drove up a very long straight driveway, rose bushes adorned the entire path, and he observed every color rose imaginable on the ride up to the main house.

The limo came to a stop in front of the double door entrance of Maria’s home.

Maria leapt out and ran into the house, leaving her back pack in the car.
Michael picked it up and threw it over one shoulder as he got out and looked up.

Her home was amazing it was a two story home, the front doors were white French doors, “Not good we are going to have to replace those with solid wood he thought, all someone has to do is break one glass and open the door.” He thought.

A long porch stretched out to the corner of the house, a swing hung at the very end.

Long rectangular shaped windows adorned the front of the house that was a soft brick color; the car garage was at the other end of the house.

Michael let out a low whistle as he walked through the front doors.

It was beautiful, was the only thought going through his head, the living room was the center of the house, he saw a long white couch, a huge fireplace sat off to the left, there were all kinds of paintings on the walls.

It felt peaceful and serene, it felt like a home.

Michael stuck both hands in his pocket as he walked over to the coffee table and saw a framed picture of Maria and Isabel as children.

He smiled as he picked it up and studied Maria’s face, she looked like a little pixie, she had her hair in two long pigtails and was wearing pink overalls, she looked adorable.

He heard Maria coming and quickly put down the picture and turned around.

“Hi.” Maria said as she walked into the living room a huge smile on her face.

“Your home is beautiful.” He said.

“Thanks do you want me to show you around?” Maria asked.

“Yea, I was going to ask you that, I need to know the layout of the house, and I also wanted to check out your alarm.” Michael said as he followed her around, she showed him the entire house, including her own recording studio and the 3 guest bedrooms, one of them being down stairs and the other two upstairs.

“So what bedroom would you like?” Maria asked as they were once again in the living room.

“I’ll take the one downstairs by the kitchen.” Michael said as he picked his back up and his suitcase that was by the front door.

“Ok well if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to my room for a little while, make yourself at home, the kitchen is fully stocked.” Maria said as she watched him bend over to get his bags.

“Wow he has a nice ass.” She thought as she watched him, she felt her cheeks growing warm as he turned around and nodded at her and walked out of the room.

“Well off to unpack.” she thought as she walked upstairs to her room.



~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile Michael was in the garage inspecting the alarm system, he chuckled as he thought “A child could disassemble this alarm system, I need to call Alex as soon as possible."

~*~*~*~*~*



Meanwhile back in New York.


Isabel was walking down Madison Ave when her cell phone went off, she knew with out even looking at the phone that it was Maria, since she had her own special ring tone.

She answered it before the third ring, “Hey Chica.”

“Isabel hi, how are you?” Maria asked as she flopped down on her bed.

“I’m good I was just doing some shopping.” Isabel said as she stopped at a window front to examine a pair of beautiful Jimmy Choo high healed sandals.

“Cool, well umm I was calling to find out exactly when you’re coming.”

“Oh well, I was thinking in a few days I have some things that I need to tie up here then I’ll go, why what’s up though?”


“Well Iz, Michael just told me that a friend of his is going to be coming in to install a new alarm system and some cameras, and I wanted you to be here for moral support.”

“Wait Maria what’s wrong with the alarm system you have now?” Isabel asked.

“I would rather not even talk about it, Michael and I just had a few words about that he said that quote “A moron could get past that alarm.” Maria said as she rolled her eyes.

“Oh I bet that didn’t go well considering that you picked that alarm out yourself.” Isabel said with a laugh.

“Like I said, I don’t want to talk about it but I would really like is for you to be here.”

“Ok Maria I’ll try to get there as soon as I can, ok Hun?” Isabel said as she fought a personal war, the shoes in the window were calling her name.

“Thanks and Isabel stay away from the Choo’s ok, I know how you get with shoes.” Maria said before she hung up.

Isabel couldn’t catch her breathe, she was laughing so hard, as she hung up the phone and lost her personal war as she walked into the shoe store.




~*~*~*~*~*~


"She’s home now, I cant wait to see her, its been so long, maybe I should send her a present so that she knows that I have forgotten about her.” Someone thought as they laid down in bed, plotting, waiting, for the right moment that she would be there’s.

~~* Part 8 *~~
Alex let out a long whistle as the taxi pulled up to the black Iron Gate. “This is some place.” he thought as he pressed the button for the intercom and waited.

There was a bit of static and then a mumbled “Yeah?” Alex grinned as he leaned out the window and said. “Open the gate loser.”

He heard a grunt, and then the gates began to open.

Michael opened the front doors and stepped outside onto the patio as he watched Alex pulling up.

He crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Alex step out of the taxi suitcase in hand and began to walk towards him.

“Did you just come from a fashion show or something pretty boy?” Michael asked with a smirk on his face.

Alex looked down at his dark blue washed jeans, with a polo style shirt and black leather jacket and said “This jacket is Armani Exchange and besides first impressions are very important.”

“A huh.” Michael said as he grabbed Alex’s suitcase and walked into the house.

“So let me show you around so that you get the feeling of the place and then see what you come up with.” Michael said.

“Where’s Maria?” Alex asked as he looked at a shelf full of different musical awards that Maria had won.

“Upstairs somewhere, I dunno.” Michael said as he continued walking.

“You aren’t being your usual charming self is something wrong?” Alex asked, Michael seemed to be in worse mood the usual.

“Nothing at all.” He said as he steeped aside and pointed to the corner of the garage where the heart of the alarm system was set up.

Alex took off his jacket and opened the briefcase he had brought with him, he pulled out a small black rectangular shaped object that has several wires hanging from it.

“What is that?” Michael asked as he watched Alex open the panel and plug something into the main alarm box.

“Basically it will find the code for me and then we can go from there, it takes a few minutes though, it’s searching for the code as we speak.” Alex said.

Almost immediately the thing in Alex’s hand began buzzing.

Alex let out a small chuckle as the alarm de-activated.

“Whats so funny?” Michael asked.

“Umm well, the code was 1111.” Alex said as he tried to keep a straight face.

Michael could feel the vein running along side his temple throbbing.

“You’re joking; please tell me that you are joking.” Michael said as he placed a hand on his throbbing temple.

“Nope, dead serious almost all alarms come with the standard 1111 alarm code; it’s a number that people won’t forget.” Alex said as he scratched his chin, he looked over at Michael and saw that he was about to lose it.

“I can’t believe that she never changed it, of all the dumb things that a person could do, she was basically sitting bait for who ever wanted to do something to her.” Michael said as he tried to bite down the anger he was feeling.

“Excuse did you just call me dumb?” Maria asked as she stepped into the garage both arms crossed in front of her chest.

Alex turned around and looked from a very angry Michael to a pissed off Maria.

“So much for first impressions.” Alex thought.

Michael turned around and slowly walked over to Maria and asked in a very low tone of voice, almost a whisper.

“What’s the security code Maria for your alarm system?” Michael asked.

“1111” Maria said as she looked from Michael to the man standing in her garage.

Michael turned around with out saying another word and left the garage.

Michael knew that if he stayed in there for one more minute he was going to blow up.

Maria watched as Michael left with out even introducing her to the man standing there.

“HI, I’m Alex Whitman, I’m the friend of Michael’s that’s here to set you up with a more extensive alarm system.” Alex said in a rush as he approached Maria.

Maria shook her head and placed her hand in his ‘Hi, Alex I’m Maria thanks for coming out here to do this.” She said as she looked down at there hands that were still joined.

Alex laughed and let go, “Excuse Michael he could be a tad rude at times.” Alex said apologetically as he and Maria headed back into the house.

Maria let out a small laugh and said “At times, more like all the time.”

“So I see that you two have gotten to know each other then, but don’t let that attitude fool you, he acts tough, but he’s a great guy, would do anything for his friends.” Alex said as he followed Maria into the kitchen.

Maria nodded but didn’t say anything. She opened the fridge and took 2 bottles of water out and handed one to Alex.

“So do you mind if I walk around a bit, Id like to get started with the planning of where I’m going to put cameras and sensors up” Alex said as he took a swig of water.

“Camera’s and sensors?” Maria asked.

Alex nodded and placed both hands in his lap.

Alex almost fell off the stool as Maria yelled out “Michaelllll!”

He watched as Maria began to pace the kitchen, talking to herself under her breathe every now and then he would hear her say “camera and sensor’s am I going to be jailed in my own home.” Followed with “I have to call Isabel and Max they need to know about this.”

Just then Michael walked into the kitchen and leaned against the door frame and said “What?”

Maria turned around at the sound of his voice and walked right up to him.

“Alex said that your planning to put sensors and cameras up, is that true?” She asked.

“Yes it is.” Michael said not taking a step back as Maria came to stand right in front of him.

“No.” Maria said simply and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Yes.” Michael said and did the same.

Alex was at a loss for words, he got up and slowly began to walk back towards the garage door backwards.

“Where do you think you are going?” Maria asked as she turned to look at Alex.

“Umm I was just going to ahhh” Alex said before Michael spoke up.

“Maria I don’t understand why you are making such a big deal out of this, it’s an alarm and some fancy cameras.’ Michael said as he tried to keep his voice at an even tone.

“Well it’s more then an alarm really.” Alex began to say before Michael began glaring at him with his death ray look.

Alex put his hands up and closed his mouth.

“See it’s more then that, I don’t want to live like that Michael, I don’t want to have this high maintenance thing going on its not me.” Maria said as she ran both hands through her hair.

“Ok hello, news flash you have someone after you, my job is to make sure that nothing happens to you till we find out who this person is.’ Michael said as his voice grew higher.

“So what I don’t care, I don’t want any of this and hello news flash to you I never even wanted you here.” Maria yelled at him.

“Since we are deciding to be so open and honest here Princess, I never wanted this assignment in the first place, I was forced to be here, but I’ll be damned if you are going to keep freaking out on me.” Michael said as he began to walk out of the kitchen.

“Whatever.” Maria said.

“Yeah whatever.’ Michael said and walked out of the kitchen.

Maria growled in frustration as she went over to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of wine grabbed a glass and walked out of the kitchen.

Alex let out a long deep breathe as he wondered what the hell had just happened.

Chapter 9:
“He thinks that he can just come in and change everything.” Maria mumbled to herself as she brought the champagne flute to her lips and took a mouth full.

“I mean seriously this is my house, I should have a say in what’s going to be installed and what’s going to be monitored!” She went over to her bedroom window and looked out.

She saw Michael and Alex walking around the property; Alex was taking pictures every now and then.

Maria stepped back from the window and sat on the corner of her bed. She felt miserable, she was alone, getting drunk and she had called Isabel 3 times already with no answer.

As she refilled her champagne glass she couldn’t help but think how the hell things ended up like this.

She was on tour; everything was back to normal the stalker hadn’t been heard of for a couple of months then that bouquet of flowers she received started all of this.

She polished off another cup of champagne and was feeling better. She got up from the bed and the room began to spin.

“Whoa” Maria spoke out loud to herself as she walked very carefully to the bathroom.

“I think that I’m a little bit drunk here.” She said and then began to giggle as she closed her eyes and felt herself spinning.

~*~*~

“I need to call a Taxi; I’m beet I want to hit my hotel room bed.” Alex said as Michael and he entered the house.

“Ok, thanks for coming Alex I know that you got a lot going on right now.” Michael said as he walked into the living room and back out to the hallway and handed Alex his suitcase.

“No problem, but Michael are you sure that you are all right? I mean you have been acting weirder then usual here and frankly I’m concerned.” Alex said the last part with a smile on his face and humor in his voice.

“Yeah I’m fine, it’s just that Maria really…... never mind let’s call that Taxi.” Michael said as he picked up the cordless phone and called a Taxi company.


Alex and Michael continued talking about plans for the house, and certain spots to put up the most important cameras, and sooner then expected the cab pulled up to the iron gates and buzzed.

“Ah there is my ride; I’ll see your tomorrow.” Alex said as he grabbed his suitcase and walked out.

Michael sat down on the sofa and placed both of his hands on the side of his temple.

It had been a long day, the code for the alarm had