Author: Susan

e-mail: susanandtad@cs.com

Category: AU, FF, M/M with others

Rating: R at most

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don’t own anything about Roswell.

Distribution: Roswell Desert Skies, and anyone else that wants it all you have to do is ask.

Summary: In this universe Michael was adopted by the Amy Deluca and Jim Valenti and was raised as Maria’s brother. Michael never found Max or Isabel as the Evans’s left Roswell soon after adopting them.  Alex and Tess don’t exist in this story. Everyone is in their mid 20’s.

Maria was dead tired when she walked through the door of her apartment that she shared with her two brothers. It had been a very exhausting day at work. Not physically exhausting but emotionally. She was a social worker and today she had to let a little boy go back to living with his parents who she knew were abusing him however, she could not prove it. She knew that it was only a matter of time before he was back in her office and there was not a damn thing she could do about it. Sometimes she really hated her job but she knew that this was where she belonged. The children that she had been able to help far exceed all of the failures.

When Maria was a child she dreamt of being a singer. She knew she had a good voice and that she could write some pretty good songs but her career was set in front of her when her mom and step dad adopted Michael Guerin.

Maria’s mom had found Michael when he was just a little boy in the desert. He couldn’t talk and was scared to death. Amy of course fell in love with the little boy as soon as she laid eyes on him but Maria’s dad Brian Deluca would not allow Amy to bring the boy home. Michael was put into the foster care system and was taken in by Hank Guerin. Maria was the one who discovered that Michael’s foster dad was abusing him and told her Mom. Maria will never forget the look on her mom’s face when she brought a beaten and abused Michael home that day. Amy looked liked she could kill Hank with her bare hands and then she went into major mother mode and took care of the boy. With the help of the Sheriff Jim Valenti she was able to foster him herself. Normally that wouldn’t have happened because Amy was a single mother, as Brian Deluca had took off and left her to raise Maria by herself, but Jim Valenti had made it happen. Maria could tell the first time she saw them together that the Sheriff, who was also a single parent, had a major crush on her mom. Kyle, Jim Valenti’s son, and herself with a reluctant Michael worked their matchmaker magic and a year later Amy Deluca and Jim Valenti were married and soon after they officially adopted Michael. So they became the Deluca-Valenti family. A little bit of the Brady Bunch in Roswell, New Mexico.

Fifteen years later they were still all in Roswell and Maria, Michael and Kyle shared an amazing loft apartment. Michael and Kyle were Deputies in the Roswell Sheriffs Department following in their fathers’ foot steps. Michael had joined the Sheriff’s department right out of high school but Kyle who had always dreamed about being an athlete had gone to college to play baseball at the University of New Mexico. However, his athletic career was cut short after he blew out his knee his sophomore year. After a lot of serious thinking and months of mopping around the house he decided to drop out of school and join the sheriff’s department with his father and brother. Michael and Kyle were a team, they always worked together. Roswell was a relatively crime free town but whenever the police were called the Valenti brothers were sent out to investigate. Jim Valenti was exceedingly proud of both his sons.

Maria put her keys and purse on the table in the hallway went looking for her brothers. She knew they were home because Michael’s Bike and Kyle car were out front. She knew exactly were to find them, in front of the TV watching some sort of sports.

Maria threw herself on the couch next to Michael. “Who’s winning?”

“Damn Rangers. Bad day?” Michael asked putting her arm around her shoulder.

“Yeah. I had to let the Tompkins kid go back home.”

“Damn.” Both Michael and Kyle said at the same time. They knew Billy Tompkins’ story. They had been the ones to bring him to social services in the first place.

Michael started to curse below his breath. He hated to see this happen especially considering his past. The hell he had endured at the hands of Hank Guerin should never be felt by a young defenseless child. He had joined the sheriff’s department with his dad in hopes that he could see that nothing like what happened to him happened to anyone else and with Maria’s assistance they had helped a lot of kids but it would never be enough. He felt like he had to help them all.

“I know Michael. I know.” Maria rubbed her hand against Michael’s arm. As always Maria had a way of calming Michael down just by touching him. He used to have horrible dreams when he was younger. Maria would hear him and crawl into bed with him and rub his arms and back and whisper in his ear that everything would be ok that he was safe. Maria could always make things better for Michael.

“So we ready for dinner with the folks tonight?” Kyle asked changing the subject. He knew how this was affecting both Michael and Maria and he wanted for them to forget about it for awhile and nothing would do that better then mentioning their mid-week dinner at Home. It was always an adventure.

Michael groaned. Damn was it Wednesday already? God know he loved his parents but they could be too much sometimes.  “Do we have to go?”

Maria smacked Michael on the back of the head and then pulled him to his feet. “Yes we have to go. Of course you could always stay home. I’m sure Mom would understand that you didn’t feel like coming to dinner this time.”

A look of horror crossed Michael’s face.

Kyle tried to hide his smile. He knew as well as Maria, Michael wouldn’t dare miss dinner because sure as anything Amy Deluca-Valenti would come over here and drag Michael home by his ears.

“Ok, Ok. I'm coming.”

Maria just smiled at Michael and put her arm through his. “Well then lets go or we are going to be late. If we get in trouble I am blaming it on you. You know?”

“What else is new Blondie?” Michael smirked at Maria and gave Kyle a look letting him know he better keep his mouth shut.

-----

“So honey how was work today? You look tired.” Amy asked Maria.

Maria looked over at Michael and Kyle who were shaking there heads. She kicked them both in the leg underneath the table. They should know she wasn’t about to tell her mom about Billy Tompkins. The last time something like this happened there mom almost got arrested for harassment. She would have of course if her husband wasn’t sheriff and her sons deputies in the Roswell Sheriff Department.

“It was fine Mom. It was just a long day and I stayed up late last night working on a new song.”

“Are you performing at the Jazz club this week?” Jim asks.

“Yep. 8:00.”

“Oh that’s wonderful Honey. I wish I could see you but I have to go out of town for a Convention in Phoenix. Jim is going with me this time.”

Maria silently thanked the Alien Convention god. She loved her mom but she really hated when she came to hear her perform. She always made a scene.

“Don’t worry about it Mom. Kyle and I will be there to cheer her on.” Michael told her. 

“Of course you will Michael. You are such a good boy.” Amy jumped up and hugged her son. She then went over to Kyle and kissed him on the cheek. “And so are you. Are you bringing that lovely Liz Parker with you?”

“Uh no. I think she is busy.”  Kyle said not looking his mother in the eye.

“To busy to spend time with my beautiful boy? What could she have to do?”

“I don’t know Mom just stuff.”

“Ok Kyle. What is going on? You know I will find out eventually so you just as well tell me now.”

Maria and Michael gave Kyle sympathetic looks. They knew Kyle’s evening was shot now.

“We sort of broke up.”  Kyle looked to his dad for help but Jim just shook his head letting him know that he was on his own.

“What? You broke up. Oh my poor baby. Why didn’t you tell me? She broke your heart didn’t she? I always knew that was going to happen. She wasn’t good enough for my boy.”

“Mom.” Maria tries to stop her mother.

“Don’t Mom me Maria. I know you think Liz is your friend but frankly I don’t care at this moment. She broke my babies’ heart.”

“Mom it is ok. Really. It has been coming for a long time now. It was a mutual decision. We just weren’t right for each other. So please don’t think badly of Liz. It wasn’t anymore her fault as it was mine. We are better off as friends.”

“Ok, but Kyle you have been dating her since freshman year in high school. It still has to hurt.”

Kyle let Amy pull him into a hug. It actually surprised him that he did in fact need his mom’s comfort after all. He closed his eyes and let the love that only a mother could give sink in. He had dated Liz Parker for ten years and he knew that it was expected that they would eventually get married. Liz was getting her Masters in Molecular Biology at the University. She worked as a TA for the Head of the Biology Dept while she was researching her thesis. Things had been bad for awhile now. They had just grown apart from each other, each wanting different things. Kyle was ready to settle down and think about starting a family but Liz only was concerned with her career. It had been an ongoing battle between them for almost a year. After awhile he finally decided that Liz was never going to be ready to commit to him because she really wasn’t in love with him and if he had to be honest he wasn’t really in love with her any longer either. He still loved her very much but he didn’t feel that thing for her anymore. He hadn’t got those tingles that he used to get when she walked in the room in a long time. Kyle should have known then that something was wrong but he just let it go. It wasn’t until this whole marriage thing came up that he finally figured it all out. When he really sat down and thought about it he discovered that he really didn’t want to marry Liz. When Kyle got married he wanted it to be like it was with his parents, Amy and Dad that is not his real mom and his dad. If he had married Liz it would have ended badly. He wanted real true love with loads of passion. That is what he grew up with and that is what he wanted for himself and he decided that he wouldn’t settle for anything less. That is why he broke up with Liz and he thinks she was just as relieved as he that it was over.

“So what are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know. I guess start dating again.”

“Well normally I would say to ask your brother and sister about dating but obviously they don’t have a clue either since neither one of them have been on a date in forever.”

Michael and Maria look at each other both thinking the same thing. Oh no it is their turn.

“Mom don’t start.” Michael says.

Dating is a very sore subject to Michael. He tried the whole dating thing but he just couldn’t seem to find what he was looking for. Of course there was the whole sex thing to. Sure he had been close with girls but he had never had sex basically because he didn’t know what would happen. He was after all different, not exactly of this world. He doesn’t remember much about where he came from except that he crawled out of a cave when he was six and was found by Amy Deluca. He always knew he was different but it wasn’t until he realized he could do things with his mind and hands that he guessed where he really was from. Roswell after all was the site of the 1947 crash. He thinks he remembers that there were two other children in the cave with him but he isn’t positive. Michael doesn’t remember much of that time, only in his dreams or his nightmares in this case. Maria and Kyle are the only people that know he is different. Not even their parents know. Dating to him has just been too hard. He doesn’t want to get to close because he is afraid what will happen. Besides that, he has never found anyone he wanted to be that close with. At least anyone he could be with.

Michael knows that Kyle broke up Liz because what he felt for her wasn’t what their parents have. Growing up in the Deluca-Valenti household one thing was always evident, that they loved each other to distraction and often quite loudly. It was their family joke that the kids had to sleep with ear plugs so their parents wouldn’t warp their little minds. No matter how embarrassing it may have been to hear your parents having sex it was also comforting to know that they obviously loved each other very much. Michael also decided along time ago that he wanted what his parents had and that nothing else would be good enough. The only problem is that no matter how hard he looked or wanted other wise the only person he could imagine spending his life with, loving as much as his parents loved each other was the only person he could not have, his sister Maria.

Part 2

“Michael are you listening to me?” Amy shouted in her sons face.

“Um sorry mom. I guess I spaced out there for a moment.” 

“Obviously. Now Michael as I was saying we need to find you some nice girl. You haven’t been on a date is so long which is something I don’t understand you are such a nice looking man and no one could be sweeter.”

“Mom.” Michael could see Kyle and Maria in the corner laughing at him. Michael gave Maria a look that said just wait you turn is coming next. “Come on Mom I work hard. I don’t have time to date. Why don’t you give Maria a hard time? I mean she is going to end up a spinster and you may never become a Grandma.”

“Bite your tongue Michael. I am entirely too young to become a Grandma beside the point I am depending on you and Kyle to help me in that area as well as Maria. But now that you mentioned it…”

Maria looked at Michael with an obvious look on her face…Damn you Michael. I am going to get you back for this.

“Michael is right Maria. When was the last time you went on a date? High School. And you can’t tell me that you haven’t been asked because I know for a fact that you have.”

“Mom.” Maria groaned.

Maria was silently cursing Michael. Why couldn’t he keep his mouth shut? It wasn’t her fault that Mom was getting on him for not dating. Maria like Michael just couldn’t seem to find what she was looking for. She wanted what her parents had and knew that she would never find it with anyone. She knew that there was only one man for her and if she couldn’t have him than she wasn’t going to be with anyone. Not even to go out on a date.

“I have had it with you both and now I have to add Kyle to the bunch. I want the three of you to start dating and going out and having fun. You three do everything together. You even live together. I think it is time that you started to find other friends and go out without each other.”

“Mom” All three of them shouted at the same time.

“I know you three are close and I think that is wonderful but I think it is hindering you romantically. Maria is never going to find a young man with her two overprotective brothers hovering around her all the time. You two scare off all the men.”

“Mom that isn’t true.” Maria said in Kyle and Michael’s defense. Yeah they spent a lot of time together but Kyle and Michael had nothing to do with why she didn’t date. Well at least Kyle didn’t. But she wasn’t going to go there tonight. The less she thought about it the better.

“Uh-huh. Well it doesn’t help.” Amy was about to start again on Michael and Kyle when Jim interrupted.

“Now Honey. Leave the kids alone. They are still young. They have plenty of time. Plus you don’t want to force them into something they aren’t ready for. Let it just come naturally. Like with us.” Jim kissed his wife on the cheek.

Michael, Kyle and Maria looked at their father in thanks. Jim winked at them over Amy’s shoulder as she hugged him.

“Your right Jim. I’m sorry kids, I just worry about you. I love you three so much.”

Amy comes over and gives each one of them a hug and a kiss.

“We love you to Mom.” Maria says for the three of them.

---

Michael, Kyle and Maria head home to their apartment in silence.

“Well that was fun.” Maria finally says

“Oh yeah. Can’t wait till Sunday. Maria I love her but she could make a Priest curse like a sailor.” Kyle says.

“I think she has on occasion.” Michael piped in.

“Come on guys this is our mother you are complaining about. She means well. She just wants us to be happy.”

“I know Maria but she really just needs to get a clue. I am not going to start going out with mindless bimbo’s just to please her.” Michael tells them

“Well Michael I don’t think anything was said about you dating mindless bimbos. I think she said she wanted you to find a nice girl.”

“Maria don’t start on me. I don’t want to go out with anyone. I am perfectly happy with the way things are. I don’t need to find a nice girl.”

“Uh-huh. Whatever you say Spaceboy.”

“Ok you two, don’t start I think we have had enough tonight. Let’s just get home and enjoy what is left of our evening.”

Kyle was driving and really did not want to have to pull off to the side of the road to break up the two of them. They have been fighting a lot lately and things have been getting more and more heated. Kyle wonders how long before the two of them will admit their true feelings. Yeah it was weird and a little complicated but you can’t help whom you fall in love with, even if it is your sibling. It isn’t like they would be doing anything immoral. They aren’t blood related. It is only a matter of time. Kyle is sure of it.

“Movie?” Kyle asks Michael and Maria as they walk in the door.

“Not tonight. I am going to work on the new song and then go to bed. Good night you two.” Maria gives them both a kiss on the cheek and goes to her room.

Maria knew she couldn’t sit in the same room with Michael tonight. Her mother had got her worked up enough and then the two of them started fighting on the way home. Things have been really tense between Michael and her for awhile now. She didn’t know what his problem was but she did know hers. She wanted him, wanted him like she had never wanted anything before. She always knew that she loved Michael. From the very first time she saw him when her mom brought him home she has loved him. He was obviously scared and very confused. He wouldn’t or couldn’t speak and he clung to her as if she were his life line. After her father said Michael had to leave Maria still looked out for him and when she saw the bruises on his arm by accident one day she knew she had to bring him home and have her Mom take care of him. And that she did. Amy Deluca became a mother bear looking after her cub. She attacked anyone and everyone who dared to say that Michael couldn’t remain with her. Thanks to Jim he was allowed to stay this time. He became her brother a few years later but to Maria he has always been so much more. She has loved him like she could never love anyone else. It wasn’t until her senior year in high school that she realized the full extent of her feelings. She went on a double date with him and spent the entire evening watching him. Neither her date or Michael’s noticed but she’s sure that Michael did. It was the last time that they ever went on a double date together. In fact it is the last date she’s had. Maria knew that there was no use ever going out with anyone else because no one would ever be good enough. No one else would ever be Michael or take his place in her life. There was no use denying it to herself any longer.

Michael hasn’t been on a date in over a year himself and Maria suspected that is part of the problem they are having with each other. They spend all their time together. Her mom was right about one thing she did spend entirely too much time with Kyle and Michael. The past month or so they had spent every waking nonworking moment together. Kyle was her best friend as well as her brother and Michael was well Michael. Liz used to spend time with them too but since her and Kyle broke up it has just been the three of them. She really needed a break from them. 

Maria came out of her room and sat down on the couch between Michael and Kyle.

“Thought you were going to work on your song and go to bed.” Kyle asked.

“I am. I just wanted to talk to the two of you for a moment. I think Mom is right. I think maybe we have been spending too much time together. Maybe you guys shouldn’t come to the Jazz club on Saturday.”

“Maria.” Michael and Kyle both try to argue.

“Seriously guys. We are starting to get on each others nerves. We are arguing about stupid things and it is only a matter of time before we say something that is going to hurt. I don’t want that to happen. Not with us.” Maria leaned her head against Michael’s shoulder and held Kyle’s hand.

“Ok. We will stop spending so much time together but I’m still coming to here you sing on Saturday. Mom would kill me if I didn’t.” Michael said kissing Maria on the forehead.

“Michael is right. God I hate saying that.” Michael gave Kyle a dirty look “We will both come on Saturday for no other reason then Mom will expect it of us especially with her and Dad out of town. You aren’t going to get rid of us so easily Deluca.”

“Hey that is Deluca-Valenti.” Maria smacks Kyle on the side of the head.

“Ow that hurt Maria.” Kyle says as he rubs his head where Maria smacked him.

“Well get the name right next time buster.”

Both Kyle and Michael laugh at her. “Yes ma’am.”

“Ok now I think you both have enjoyed yourself enough at my expense tonight. I am going to bed.”

“What no kiss?” Michael asked as she ascended the stairs to her room. Maria just looked at both at them and stuck her tongue out at them.

Part 3

Michael, Kyle and Maria had spent the last two evenings avoiding each other and by the time Saturday came around they were all miserable. It just didn’t seem right for them to do things without the other two there. Maria had spent her time in her room working on her songs while Michael worked on his bike in the garage and Kyle took up reading about Buddhism. He needed something to give him clarity and thought Buddhism might be the ticket. He was up to trying anything at this point.

Tonight they were going to go watch Maria sing. It was one of Michael’s favorite things to do. He loved to hear her sing especially when she was up on a stage. She was amazing. She enthralled an audience with her very presence.

“Ok I am ready?”

Michael turned around and looked at Maria. She almost took his breath away. She looked gorgeous. She was wearing the short black number that he hates. He loved how she looked in the dress but he didn’t like the way others looked at her when she wore it. It fits her like a second skin and shows way to much skin. The last time she wore it they had a fight that lasted two hours. Of course, he lost. She went out in the dress anyway.

Maria gave Michael a defiant look that silently dared him to say a word. He just held his tongue and stuck out his hand for her. Maria smiled at him and took his offered hand.

“Not going to say anything?” Maria asked when they got in Maria’s car.

“No. I learned by lesson last time.”

“That’s right Spaceboy.”

Michael just laughed.

Kyle was already at the Club when Michael and Maria showed up. He took one look at what she was wearing and gave Michael a look. “Don’t say a word. I didn’t even try this time. I knew I didn’t stand a chance.”

Kyle laughed at Michael. He had to separate them the last time she wore that dress, which he agreed showed entirely too much skin. Michael had called him shouting that Maria wasn’t going to perform tonight because she was trying to walk out of the house with practically no clothes on. He could still remember the scene he walked in on. They were screaming in each other’s face mere inches from each other. He wondered what would have happened if he hadn’t walked into the house when he did.

“That was just mean Maria.” He whispered in Maria’s ear as he sat down beside her.

“I know.” She said back.

“Just so you know I plan on beating up any guy who looks funny at your tonight while you are up on the stage.”

“Kyle.”

“Hey you are the one who wore the dress. You have to pay the consequences.”

“I thought you were on my side.”

“Oh I am but I happen to agree with Michael. That dress just isn’t decent.”

“Fine be that way. But if you start a fight I will be forced to call the cops. Don’t think Dad would like to hear that his son who also is his Deputy started a fight at a club. Do you?”

“Damn Maria you just don’t play fair.”

“I know. Mom taught me well.”

Maria left the table to go talk to the bartender leaving Kyle and Michael to stare after her.

“She is going to be the death of both of us.” Kyle said.

“You got that right.” Michael agrees.

Michael silently swore as he say a guy at a table next to the bar check Maria out as she walked past. He saw the same guy get up and go stand by her at the bar a few minutes later and start talking to her. He started to get up and go over to the bar but Kyle held his arm.

“Don’t Michael. Let her be.” Kyle looked Michael in the eyes. Michael realized that Kyle knew how he felt about Maria and what he was about to do. Damn this wasn’t good.

----

As Maria walked to the bar she saw a dark haired guy staring at her out of the corner of her eye. He was cute, gorgeous actually, but that wasn’t what caught her attention. He had a certain air about him. He exuded power and a confidence that not many man have. She found herself drawn to it without knowing why. She made her way past him and even though she wanted to she didn’t look back at him.

Maria felt him come up beside him even before she saw him.

“Hi I’m Max Evans. I was wondering if I could buy you a drink.”

“Maria Deluca-Valenti and yes you can.”

Maria and Max talked until her set. She made a date with him after the set was over. Maria was actually going to go out on a date and with a guy she just met at a bar. Shocking. There was something different about him and she wanted to find out what it was. She had to. She just didn’t know why. Yet.

As she headed to the stage Michael stopped her when she walked by their table.

“What was all that about.” He asked pointing towards Max.

“He is nice. We are going out after my set.”

“What?” Both Kyle and Michael shouted at the same time.

“Maria you just met the guy. He is at a bar for Christ’s sake. What are you thinking?” Kyle asks.

“You aren’t going anywhere with him.” Michael says through gritted teeth.

“Oh I’m not am I? We will see about that.”

Maria tries to walk off but Michael grabs her arm. “Maria.”

“Let go of my arm Michael. I’m not kidding.”

Kyle gets up and stands in between the two. “Michael just let her go. And you Maria, can you do me a favor and stay in the club for your date. You can go out with him elsewhere another time. Please.”

Michael and Maria continued to stare each other down until finally Maria shook her head. “Ok. I will stay in the club.”

Michael let go of Maria’s arm and she walked over to her accompanist.

The manager came up to the stage and the lights dimmed in the club.

“Good evening ladies and gentleman it is my pleasure, as always, to introduce the lovely and very talented Maria Deluca-Valenti. Lets give her a warm welcome.”

The audience cheered loudly, the loudest cheers coming from the Valenti brothers. This did not go unnoticed by Max Evans who had watched the little interaction between Maria and the men in question earlier. He was about to go up to her and find out if she needed any help until the bartender said that they were her brothers. He was actually surprised when the bartender said that the big guy was Maria’s brother. He definitely didn’t get sibling vibes from him. The way he looked at her was not brotherly. He wondered what exactly their story was and he was determined to find out later.

“Hi everyone. I had planned to sing a new song tonight but I changed my mind and decided to sing an old favorite. I hope you like my choice.

The poets say that all who love are blind

But I'm in love and I know what time it is

The Good Book says "Go seek and ye shall find."

Well, I have sought and my what a climb it is

My life is just like the weather

It changes with the hours

When he's near I'm fair and warmer

When he's gone I'm cloudy with showers

In emotion, like the ocean it's either sink or swim

When a woman loves a man like I love him

Never treats me sweet and gentle the way he should

I got it bad and that ain't good

My poor heart is sentimental, not made of wood

I got it bad and that ain't good

But when the weekend's over and Monday rolls around

I end up like I start out, just cryin' my heart out

He don't love me like I love him, nobody could

I got it bad and that ain't good

Like a lonely weeping willow lost in the wood

I got it bad and that ain't good

And the things I tell my pillow, no woman should

I got it bad and that ain't good

Tho folks with good intentions tell me to save my tears

I'm glad I'm mad about him, I can't live without him

Lord above me, make him love me the way he should

I got it bad and that ain't good

At the end of the song the audience stood to their feet and gave her a standing ovation. Michael and Kyle whistled and cheered for her. Maria had never sung so good and looked as great as she did tonight. They were both amazed at her. 

At the other side of the club Max Evans was also applauding and cheering. Damn she was beautiful.

Maria could hear her brothers cheering and she thought she could also hear Max Evans above the rest of the crowd. She smiled as she got off the stage. She knew that she did good tonight. She was going to sing her new song but then after the whole fight with Michael this song seemed more appropriate. It was definitely her mantra.

Maria walked over to her brothers’ table. Kyle got to her first and gave her a big hug.

“You were great little sister.”

“Thanks.” Maria kissed him on the cheek.

Michael came up to her next and engulfed her in a huge bear hug. “You are amazing Blondie.” Michael whispered in her ear.

“Well of course. Did you actually expect less?” Maria looked up into Michael’s eyes giving him a look of complete innocence. He laughed pulling her into another hug. He kissed her on the forehead and then pushed her towards the bar. “Go. Your date is waiting. Just be careful. Ok? We will see you at home. Call us if you need anything. I mean it Maria.”

“Yes Michael. I promise.” Maria kissed him on the cheek and headed towards the bar. She glanced back at him one last time before heading towards Max.

Part 4

When Maria got over to Max he stood up and clapped.

“You were amazing Maria?”

“Thanks Max. That song is one of my favorites.”

Maria sat down next to Max and let him order her a drink. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Michael and Kyle were leaving. She could see Michael watching them the entire time he was walking out the door. The look on his face was one she had never seen before. If she didn’t know any better she would swear it was jealousy.

“So the bartender said those were your brothers. I have to say I wouldn’t have guessed that you three look nothing alike.”

“Well we wouldn’t. Kyle is actually my stepbrother and Michael is adopted. They are my brothers though, blood or not and also my best friends.”

“Yeah I could tell you were close. So which one was Kyle and which Michael.”

“Oh sorry about that the big menacing looking character was Michael Guerin-Valenti and the shorter yet menacing in his own way was Kyle Valenti. They really are sweet they are just a tad bit overprotective.” Ah. So Michael was the adopted one Max thought to himself.

“Well they do have to protect their sister. I am guilty of the same thing. I have been known to be overprotective of my sister to.”

“Well Max I think it is an wonderful quality in a man.”  Maria smiled at Max.

Maria and Max talked for hours until the club closed and he walked her to her car. Michael had drove home with Kyle.

“I had a very nice time Max.” Maria smiled but was also very nervous. She after all, hadn’t been on a date since high school. She was a little out of practice. She didn’t know exactly what to do now that it was over.

“I did to Maria. Can I see you again?”

“How about lunch tomorrow at the Crashdown?” Maria suggested. It was neutral ground, a place where she felt safe.

“The Crashdown. That is the alien themed restaurant right down the road. Right?” Max asked.

“Yep that is the one you can’t miss it. The atmosphere is a little tacky but the food is good.”

“Ok how about I meet you there at 1:00.” Max said.

“Sounds like a date. I’m glad you came to the club tonight Max Evans. I think knowing you is going to change my life.” Maria didn’t have a clue why she said that out loud. She hadn’t meant to but it was the truth. From the moment she set eyes on him she could feel that he was going to be important to her and that things would never be the same.

“You know Maria I think you are going to be the one that changes mine and in a good way.” Max leaned in a placed a gentle kiss on Maria’s lips.

They both smiled at each other and said goodnight.

On the drive home Maria thought about the evening she spent with Max and the gentle kiss that he gave her goodnight. Max Evans was someone special, she was sure of that, but she knew without a doubt that he wasn’t her someone special. There were times during the evening where she got Michael vibes from him. At times he did things and said things that just felt and seemed like him but in the end he just wasn’t him. Maria couldn’t help but think maybe if she had met Max in a different time or place or maybe if she had met him before Michael things could be different but as always she knew that Michael was the only one for her. Maria thought she must be cursed. Here is this nice guy who is gorgeous and sweet with a good career, he was going to be a doctor, but he still wasn’t good enough. The only guy in the world that she wanted and loved was the one she couldn’t have. The gods surely must be laughing at her.

By the time Maria got home she was mad. She hated her life and what she had to look forward to in the future, a lonely, miserable existence. She hated Michael for coming in to her life, for being the only one she could ever love and most of all for being her brother. She hated her Mom and Step dad for adopting him and most of all she hated herself for loving someone she shouldn’t.

Maria walked into the house and headed for her room but stops suddenly when she hears Michael shout at her.

“Where the hell have you been?” Michael shouted.

“Michael, if you know what is best you wont start with me tonight. I am so not in the mood. You know damn well where I was. I was at the club on a date.”

“What happened? Why are you so upset? Did he do something to you.” Michael jumped up off the couch and came in front of Maria. He could tell she was mad and it wasn’t from his question. Something had happened.

“Yes he did. He was a complete gentleman, the type of guy that any girl in her right mind would grab onto and never let go. Absolutely gorgeous, confidant but not overly confidant, knows what he wants and from talking to him I can tell he usually gets it. He doesn’t seem to have one single character flaw what so ever.”

“So what is the problem?” Michael looks at Maria confused. 

“I don’t want him.” Maria shouts and then bursts into tears.

Michael, who had been so furious he could barely see straight immediately calmed down. He pulled Maria into his arms and let her cry whispering soothing words into her ear. He saw Kyle over Maria’s shoulder he had obviously come to see what all the noise was about. He took one look at Maria and started to come forward but Michael shook his head. Kyle nodded and went back to his room and shut the door. He was sure that Kyle knew that Michael would take care of her. He would always take care of Maria, even if it killed him in the process. Michael wanted to make all of Maria’s pain go away but he just didn’t know how. He didn’t understand what was wrong other than she was obviously distraught.

Michael hadn’t said a word since he and Kyle had left the Club. He couldn’t get the look on Max Evans face out of his mind. The man knew how he felt about Maria. He had taken one look at Michael and could see that he loved and desired her more than anyone else in the world and with one look he had let Michael know it. Why he didn’t have a clue. Michael also had saw Max’s face when Maria was singing. He was as awestruck with her as the rest of us. Michael was more scared of Max Evans than he had been of anyone in his life. He could tell that if anyone were going to take Maria away it would be Max. There was something about the guy. He felt it as soon as he saw Maria talking to him. He almost felt that there was something familiar about him but he knew for a fact he had never met him before.

“Shh. It’s ok baby. Everything is fine.” Michael whispers in Maria’s ear.

“No Michael. Everything is not fine. I am going to be alone and miserable for the rest of my life. I am never going to have what Mom and Dad have.”

“You will never be alone Maria. You will always have me. I promise.”

“I know Michael. I know.” Maria leans her head on Michael’s chest letting his heartbeat soothe her.

Yes Maria would always have Michael but never the way she wanted him and the sooner she learned to accept that the better. There was no use her crying about what she couldn’t change.

Maria pulls away from Michael and goes to sit on the couch.

“I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to loose it like that.”

“It’s ok. What happened tonight Maria? What brought this all on?”

“Oh Michael I don’t know. I guess it just hit me that I am doomed. Max is a great guy, really great. I think I could like him a lot maybe even love him but I know without a doubt that I will never feel for him the way I want. You know what I mean Michael. I want what our parents have. I know you and Kyle do to.” Michael comes and sits down beside Maria putting his arm around her shoulder.

“Will any of us every be happy Michael?” Maria asks even though she already knows the answer, at least for herself.

“I don’t know Maria. You are right we all want the thing that Mom and Dad have. But to tell you the truth I don’t think what they have is the norm. I think a lot of people settle and never find that person who makes the world go round for them, someone who they worship body and soul. I think Mom and Dad are one of the lucky ones.”

“You may be right Michael. Damn I know the world is going to end soon, both Kyle and I agree that you are right in less than a week.” Maria stands up and smiles down at Michael who is giving her one of his legendary smirks.

“Laugh it up Blondie. You just wait until I tell Mom you went on a date the next time we see her. We will see who is laughing then.”

“Michael you wouldn’t dare.”

“You think not.” Michael got off the couch and ran for his room before Maria could throw the shoe she was holding in her hand at him. He no more than got the door shut before he heard a smack against the door. 

Maria laughed at Michael and then headed for her room. Kyle was waiting for her at her door.

“You ok?” Kyle asks.

“Yeah. Just lost it for a little bit.”

&nbs