Title: Costumes

Author: Dontia

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.

Spoilers: Nothing, goes AU before 1947 in Season 2. Takes places during Season 2 so everything in Season 1 happened.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Tess and Michael discuss what Halloween means to them.

Notes: Nasedo left Tess a huge amount of money.

Feedback: It keeps me writing and thinking of new stories.

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At the Crashdown, Tess rolls her eyes as everyone talks about their costumes for the Halloween dance. She stands up. "I have some stuff to do. See you later."

Her exit’s barely acknowledged and she ignores the sliver of pain it causes.

"Wait up," says Michael from behind her. She stops until he gets even with her then keeps walking. "What’s so urgent Tess?"

"Nothin’, just had to get outta there."

"I take it you don’t like Halloween."

"I don’t dislike it," says Tess. "I just don’t think it has any meaning for our kind."

"Did you retrieve a memory saying it’s sacrilege for us to dress up and get free candy?"

"Very funny. I just don’t see the point. We pretend to be somethin’ we’re not every day. What’s the big deal about doin’ it the 31^st of October?"

"Maybe the deal is, one day a year we can pretend not to be the person who constantly pretends," says Michael quietly.

"It’s still pretending. The last thing I need is a special day to commemorate the illusion that is my life."

"Get an alien costume and tell everyone that’s what you are."

Tess smiles wistfully. "I actually wish I could. Unfortunately we’re bein’ watched too closely for that. I just wish…"

"What?"

"That there was someone in this universe I didn’t have to pretend with. Someone I could be myself with, alien and all. People like those are in short supply. Everyone who knows about us acts like it’s somethin’ to be ashamed of."

"I’m not ashamed," says Michael. "Trust me, before I board the space ship for home I’m gonna announce very loudly what I am."

Tess laughs. "You’re the only one besides me who doesn’t wish we were completely human."

"You can’t really blame the others. All this complicates their perfect lives. Me, I prayed for a greater purpose, a reason for being. Why should I be unhappy my dream came true?"

"Thanks Michael."

"For what?"

"For making me laugh, for making me feel not so alone."

"Anytime. So, you goin’ to this dance?"

"What should my costume be?"

"What have you always dreamed of being?"

Tess turns away from him. "Loved, but they apparently don’t make it in my size."

"Tess…"

"It’s a joke Michael. A sad, pathetic joke, but a joke. I never really dreamed of anything but our destiny so I have no idea what costume to get."

Michael points to a nearby shop window. "How about that?"

"There’s no way I’m goin’ as Catwoman. Besides, that’s more of an Isabel costume."

"Let’s go in and see what else they have."

They go inside and look around. Michael finds a costume and holds it up. "What do you think?"

"A waitress from Hooters is out."

"How ‘bout this one?"

"I’m not goin’ as a Playboy Bunny."

"What about this?"

"Why do all the costumes you pick barely have any cloth to ‘em?"

"I’m a hormonal teenage male. Come on Tess, this one is you."

"An ‘I Dream of Genie’ costume is me?"

"Sure, haven’t you seen the reruns? It’ll be fun."

"All right, fine. Now we hafta pick out yours."

"No, we don’t."

"You already have one?"

"Don’t need one."

"Explain why I needed one but you don’t."

"We needed to get you into the holiday spirit. I’m already in the spirit so I don’t need a costume to make me look stupid."

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"I can’t believe I let you talk me into this," says Michael.

"I didn’t talk you into anything. You had a choice."

"Yeah, pick a costume or die."

"Didn’t say it was a pleasant choice," says Tess. "Who are you goin’ to the dance with?"

"Why do you assume I’m goin’ with someone?"

"Isabel’s your destiny, Maria moons over you, and that girl Courtney has the hots for you."

"So?"

"So, you’re a guy with lots of options."

"Who would you suggest?"

"I’ve always been a fan of destiny myself. But no one around here likes that song so pick whoever you’ll have fun with."

"That would be none of the above."

"Why’s that?"

"Got the whole destiny thing with Isabel, it tends to kill the mood. If I ask Maria, it’ll get her hopes up about us gettin’ back together. Courtney doesn’t know about me so she wouldn’t be goin’ with the real me."

"Guess you’ll be flyin’ solo too."

"No one asked you?"

"I didn’t plan on goin’ until an hour ago. Besides, I have the same problem you have with Courtney. And let’s not get started on my destined mate."

"So go with me," says Michael.

"You and me?"

"Yeah, it’ll be fun. What do you say?"

Tess thinks about it a moment. "Pick me up at 7."

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THE END