Title: The Kiss
Author: Dontia
Email:
dontia22@yahoo.comDisclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.
Spoilers: Viva Las Vegas, this is set after it.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Michael and Tess kiss.
Notes: I issued a challenge, which I’m answering. The challenge is: Tess writes in a notebook that although she has destiny with Max and kinda has something going with Kyle, she fantasizes about sharing one perfect kiss with Michael because he’s the only one who actually sees her instead of the smoke and mirrors she projects. She accidentally leaves this notebook at the Crashdown and Michael sees it as he’s closing alone. Tess comes in after Michael’s read it and he gives her the kiss she wants.
Must have:
Optional
Feedback: It’s the circle of life. I love to write, you love to read. Tell me you love reading, I’ll continue to love writing.
Dedication: To Lisa, because it’s her birthday.
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At the Crashdown, Michael finishes cleaning the kitchen. As he makes his way to the front, he checks to make sure everything’s spotless. It’s the first time Mr. Parker’s trusted him to close alone and he wants to do a good job.
He’s about to leave when something in the seat of a booth catches his eye. He leans down and picks up a notebook. He absently remembers Tess sitting there just before closing. He flips through the notebook to make sure it’s hers and is surprised to see his name written in it. With no shame, he reads closer.
No one sees me, no one. They all see the façade I project and accept it at face value. All except him. Michael. He’s the only one who sees the truth about me. Maybe because he knows what it’s like to not have what the others take for granted. Maybe because, like me, he spent his life on this planet yearning for home. A place like Max and Isabel have, where you’re loved and you always have a place to belong.
I think that’s why I dream of kissing Michael. He’s the only one who understands. He’s the only one who CAN understand.
All my life, Nasedo drilled it into my head that I was to be Max’s queen. I had to help him lead, and my personal stuff always takes a back seat. So for Max, I AM things. I’m his confidante, I’m his friend, and if he’d yield to destiny, I’m his wife and lover. For Max, around Max, I’m not ever allowed to be Tess. Every time I try to just be, Max freaks out.
For Kyle, I AM things too. I’m family, and the line between friend and girlfriend is getting blurrier. But Kyle too freaks when I’m just Tess. Around him, I find myself refraining from using my powers because it makes him uncomfortable.
To all the others in our group, I AM things as well. Most of them not nice, most of them unwarranted. But I can’t change that. They’re suspicious of everything I do, every move I make. I admit it’s partially my fault, but none of them bother to look past the past to SEE me.
Michael though, he sees. He sees everything about me. The fear, the loneliness, the anger, the pain, he sees it all. I know because he does little things to ease them. Like the trip to Las Vegas. After I invited Kyle and myself, I realized Michael hadn’t intended for me to go. But he didn’t say that. Instead, he told me he was happy to have me along. And you’d have to know Michael to know how huge that is, that he did the opposite of what he wanted to make me feel included.
I think that’s why I dream of kissing Michael. In the past, I’ve kissed a few boys but they didn’t see me. How could they, they didn’t know about my alien heritage. I’ve also kissed two boys who did know I was an alien, Max and Kyle. Neither of them see me.
I just, a kiss is such an intimate thing. I want that intimacy with someone I’m not hiding from. And the only one I’m not truly hiding from is Michael. But I know I’m dreaming. I’ll never kiss Michael. Even if I could ignore his destiny with Isabel, there’s Maria’s presence in his life. So I guess I’ll keep dreaming and hope that one day I find someone else who sees me.
Michael finishes reading and closes the notebook stunned. He puts it on top of the table and stares at it. He looks up when he hears a frantic knocking on the window. His eyes meet Tess’. Michael slowly goes to open the front door.
"I’m glad you’re still here," says Tess, coming inside, the door swinging shut behind her. "I didn’t wanna risk unlocking the door myself."
"What’s up?"
"I left my notebook in one of the booths."
"Couldn’t wait until morning?"
"I know it’s stupid, but some of the stuff I wrote is compromising to us. Don’t worry, I’m gonna burn the pages after I finish working it out in my mind."
Tess walks to the booth. As she’s reaching for the notebook, her hand stills at Michael’s words.
"I thought it was yours, but opened it to be sure. I read what you wrote."
"What?" asks Tess, turning to face him.
"I read what you wrote about me."
"I see."
"Why did you write all that down?" asks Michael. "It’s dangerous, especially if Maria had been the one to read it."
"I needed to get it out, and who could I tell? So, um, I’m gonna go and we’re gonna forget this ever happened."
"Why did you change your hair?"
"Where did that come from?"
"Is it part of the façade you have?"
"It’s just hair."
"After reading that, I kinda wondered. I mean, Liz has straight hair."
"So?"
"So yours is naturally curly but you straightened it."
"Contrary to popular opinion, not everything I do is about Max."
"If you say so."
"I do. And you’re one to talk about hair. What’s up with yours?"
Michael runs a hand over his head. "There’s nothing wrong with my hair."
"Uh huh. I didn’t peg you as that much of a Beatles fan."
"Hey!"
Tess giggles at the offended look on his face. "I see you can dish it out but can’t take it."
"Come here," says Michael, a reluctant smile on his face.
"Why?"
"You wanted a kiss, right? Come here."
"Uh, you don’t have to."
"I know, I want to."
"What about Maria? I don’t think she meant anyone but her to take that apron literally."
Michael glances down at his ‘Kiss the Chef’ apron then shrugs. "We won’t tell her."
"I’m not sure this is a good idea."
"It’s just a kiss."
Tess takes a deep breath and moves toward him. "All right."
Michael leans down. "You’re shorter than usual. Did you shrink?"
"No I didn’t shrink. I’m wearing flats."
"Are you sure? Maybe we should get a tape measure."
"Shut up and kiss me."
"Now there’s an order a man likes to hear. Okay, this isn’t gonna work. Let’s try it another way."
Michael places his hands on Tess’ waist and lifts her, ignoring her yelp of surprise. He lowers her onto one of the barstools at the counter until she’s sitting. Then he places his hands on the counter and leans forward until his lips touch hers. After a tentative moment, Tess puts her arms around Michael’s neck, pulling them both deeper into the kiss.
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Isabel’s walking toward the Crashdown looking for Michael. She had another nightmare about Congresswoman Whitaker’s death and needs to talk. She smiles when she sees Michael’s motorcycle parked outside, grateful she caught up with him.
As she gets to the front door of the Crashdown, she looks inside as she raises her hand to knock. Her hand slowly lowers as she stares in shock at the sight before her. In the darkened restaurant, Michael and Tess are kissing.
Isabel’s not sure what to think. She backs away before turning and walking home, deep in thought.
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Inside, Michael finally pulls away from Tess’ lips. "That what you wanted?"
Her eyes still closed, Tess nods. "Thank you."
"It’s not like I didn’t get somethin’ out of it too. I gotta get home, you need a ride?"
"I think I’ll walk. Bye Michael."
"Bye Tess."
Michael watches Tess leave, humming under her breath. He shakes his head as he locks the door behind her. As he heads out the back, he licks his lips, still able to taste her. He whistles the entire ride home.
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THE END