Title: Holiday Weekend

Author: Dontia

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

Spoilers: Bits and pieces from Season 2 but you’d only recognize it if you’ve seen the ep.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: We join Michael and Tess at the end of their practice date the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Notes: Sequel to "Talking Turkey".

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

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Tess pulls Michael’s motorcycle to a rough stop in front of his apartment and takes off her helmet. "That was fun."

"Only if you were driving," says Michael, unlocking his arms from Tess’ waist. "I didn’t think you’d avoid that convertible."

"I had the right-of-way."

"Lot of good it’d have done when we were dead."

"Ha ha. It turned out all right, didn’t it?"

"Remind me to never let you drive."

They enter Michael’s apartment and sit on the sofa.

"How’d I do?" asks Tess.

"With driving? Thought I told you."

"Funny. How’d the dry run for the date go?"

"It was fine Tess. Just remember to relax."

"I’ll try."

"Have you thought about who you’d like to date?"

"Not really. I thought I’d let Isabel set me up."

"Didn’t know you and Isabel were getting along."

"It’s been better since her birthday. Besides, she knows everyone at school, she’ll know who to avoid."

"Have you asked her yet?"

"I thought I’d see how tonight went first. Your light’s blinking."

"Huh?"

"The light on your answering machine’s flashing."

Michael gets up and plays the messages.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

"It must be important," says Tess as Michael dials the phone.

"It’s me," says Michael. "What happened?…Tess is with me, we’re at my apartment…All right."

"What’s goin’ on?" asks Tess after Michael hangs up.

"Max didn’t say. They’ll be here in a few minutes."

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Ten minutes later, Max, Liz, Maria, Isabel, Alex, Kyle, and Sheriff Valenti arrive at Michael’s apartment.

"Where were you two?" asks Max.

"Dinner," says Michael.

"Together?" asks Maria.

Tess nods. "What happened?"

"Why were you having dinner together?" asks Isabel.

"I thought you said there was an emergency," says Michael.

"A colony of Skins is living outside of town," says the Sheriff.

"Where?" asks Tess.

"Between Roswell and the pod chamber," says Liz.

"So we avoid the pod chamber," says Michael. "Anything else?"

Max frowns at him. "We need to come up with a plan to deal with them."

"I thought your plan was to ignore them until they go away."

"You have a problem with the way I’m handling things Michael?"

"That’s the problem, you aren’t handling anything."

"You wanna be leader?"

"Couldn’t do worse than you."

"That’s enough, both of you," says Isabel. "We need to stick together."

"Isabel’s right," says Tess. "Do you have a plan Max?"

"Not yet." He ignores Michael’s unsurprised snort. "I thought we’d pair off at all times until we see what they’re after."

"We know what they’re after," says Michael. "They want the granolith. The question is, what are we gonna do about it?"

"First we need to see if they know who we are. Then we decide what to do. Each team checks in with the Sheriff every four hours. If you miss a call, we assume somethin’ happened and come looking."

"Who am I paired with?" asks Tess.

"You’re with me," says Michael before Max can answer.

"I put together human alien teams," says Max.

"I want Tess with me."

"Why?" asks Maria.

"I want someone who can protect herself, someone I don’t hafta worry about."

"Human alien pairings mean every group can defend themselves," says Max.

"I don’t care if it’s an order Maxwell, I’m not budgin’ on this."

Max and Michael stare at each other, neither giving an inch.

Finally, Max nods. "You’re with Tess. Either you stay at the Sheriff’s or Tess’ll have to stay here."

Michael turns to Tess. "You cool with stayin’ here?"

"Yeah."

"Then it’s settled."

Max nods. "A minute alone Michael?"

"Fine."

They walk outside.

Maria turns to Tess. "What goin’ on between you and Michael?"

"We’re friends."

"You went out to dinner together."

"Do human friends not eat together?"

"He insisted on being paired with you."

"You heard him, he wants a partner who can take care of herself."

"Don’t turn this into a human versus alien thing."

"You’re the one doin’ that. Michael’s my friend, we shared a meal. We share lots of meals."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"All right, time to calm down," says Kyle.

"Maria, you’re blowing this outta proportion," says Alex. "You know Michael’s worried about putting us humans in danger. This is his way of protecting you."

"You really think so?" asks Maria as she glares at Tess.

"Alex is right," says Liz. "Michael cares about you too much to put you at risk by being partnered with you."

"Then I guess we know how he feels about Tess."

Tess rolls her eyes but doesn’t say anything. Michael staggers through the door clutching his side, his clothes dirty.

"What happened?" asks Tess, reaching him first. With the Sheriff’s help, she gets him to the sofa.

"Max had somethin’ to say, I disagreed."

"Where’s Max?" asks Liz.

Michael motions outside. Liz runs out, followed by Isabel and Alex.

"What’d you fight about?" asks the Sheriff.

"It was about Tess, wasn’t it?" asks Maria.

"It was about my unwillingness to blindly follow his orders. Could you heal me Tess?"

Tess nods. "Hold still."

"Kyle, Maria, let’s go," says the Sheriff. "Tess, you have your key. Come get your stuff anytime, just make sure Michael’s with you."

"I will."

They file out.

"Is Maria right?" asks Tess. "Did you and Max fight about me?"

"It doesn’t matter."

"What did Max say? Tell me."

Michael sighs. "He asked if we’re sleeping together."

"What else?"

"Isn’t that enough?"

"Not for the damage you apparently did to each other. What else?"

"He didn’t exactly believe me and made some comments about you manipulating me."

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Sit up so I can check your back."

"Aren’t you upset?"

"Why should I be? I know how Max feels about me, what they all think of me. While you were gone Maria pretty much came to the same conclusion."

"What’d you tell her?"

"That we’re friends. She didn’t buy it from me, but Liz and Alex bent over backwards convincing her. Why’d you insist on us being paired up?"

"I know a setup when I see it. They’re tryin’ to get me and Maria to spend time together so we’ll hook up again."

"You think they’re lying about the Skins?"

"No, but I think they’re tryin’ to use it to their advantage."

"You sure you’re okay with me livin’ here?"

"Yeah, although Kyle mentioned you like to keep your underwear all over the bathroom."

"He what?"

"Don’t worry, I’ll learn to live with it."

"You’re lucky you’re hurt."

"And if I wasn’t?"

"I’d hurt you."

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THE END