Title: Love Notes

Author: Dontia

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

Spoilers: None

Rating: R

Summary: Michael and Tess do Valentine’s day.

Notes: Sequel to "Groundhog"

Feedback: It keeps me writing, so the choice is yours.

Dedication: To Mental Vibrators everywhere.

***************************************

On Valentine’s Day, Tess puts her books in her locker and grabs her lunch. She turns and finds Isabel with a smile on her face. "Hey Isabel."

"Hey," says Isabel as the girls walk to the quad.

They’re talking and laughing about gossip they heard as they reach the quad. Looking around, Tess spots Michael at a table with Kyle, Chuck, Dave, and Rick, the other guys from the Groundhog’s day prank. She and Isabel join them. When the girls sit down, Michael continues to listen to Dave’s story, though he puts his arm around Tess and pulls her close.

"…so I told her that wasn’t gonna happen," says Dave. "No way was I gonna sing karaoke to prove I loved her. She poured her soda over my head and walked out. I don’t know what the hell got into her."

"She heard about your makeout session with Amanda," says Isabel.

"How the hell did she hear about that?"

Tess laughs. "Last period women’s self-defense class. All the best gossip is dished there."

"Really?" asks Kyle. "Like what?"

"I don’t think so."

"Come on. At least tell me what’s being said about me."

Tess looks at Isabel and they both start laughing.

Michael smiles slightly. "Not a good sign Valenti."

"Definitely not," laughs Chuck.

"Shut up," says Kyle. "What are they saying?"

Isabel smiles innocently. "Not a thing Kyle, not a thing. So Tess, did you see what Melanie Edwards is wearing today?"

***************************************

At another table, Alex is sitting with Liz, Max, and Maria. "This just keeps getting weirder. Michael and Tess are part of the ‘in’ crowd. How did that happen?"

"Since when is Michael into being popular or hanging out with anyone?" asks Maria. "Max, did Isabel tell you what happened Groundhog’s Day?"

Max shakes his head. "She laughs when I bring it up but won’t say a word. Isabel’s right about one thing, Tess and Michael are part of our group. We need to know what’s actually going on with them instead of speculating."

"Have you tried talking to Michael?" asks Liz.

"We usually end up yelling."

"What about Tess?" asks Alex. "Maybe you should try her."

"Why would he wanna do that?" asks Maria.

"Because like it or not, Michael listens to Tess. She might be able to get him to mend fences."

"Alex is right," says Max. "I’ll catch up with Tess later."

***************************************

Later that day, Tess is walking to the gym for her self-defense class. She’s surprised when Max steps in front of her.

"We need to talk Tess," says Max.

"There’s only a couple minutes before the bell rings."

"It can’t wait, come on." He takes her arm and leads her to the eraser room.

Inside, Tess turns around as Max closes the door. "What do you want?"

"It’s about Michael."

"What about him?"

"The distance between us isn’t good. It leaves us vulnerable to the Skins."

"You guys created that distance."

"I was hoping you could help close the gap. Could you talk to Michael?"

"You hurt him Max, you’re the one that needs to talk to Michael. You owe him a big apology."

"Please Tess. Every time we try talking, things get worse."

"All right, I’ll talk to him. I gotta get to class."

Tess leaves the eraser room and runs toward the gym. A few seconds later, Max exits and heads in the same direction. Neither sees Michael watching them with a scowl on his face.

***************************************

In their self-defense class, Isabel turns as Tess joins her.

"I miss anything?" asks Tess.

"Nah, Ms. Deacon isn’t here yet," says Isabel. Liz and Maria stop talking and start listening to Tess’ conversation. "You were making out with Michael and lost track of time, huh?"

"I wish. I was talking to Max, he wants help fixing things with Michael."

The vice-principal enters the gym. "Attention everyone. Ms. Deacon had a family emergency and had to leave. You girls sit here and talk quietly. One of the other P.E. teachers will be keeping an eye on you."

Most of the girls sit on the bleachers and start talking. Tess doesn’t notice Liz and Maria sitting a few feet from her and Isabel.

"Tess, did you get Michael’s Valentine’s Day present?"

"Yeah. I don’t think it’s that romantic, but it’s perfect for him." Tess turns when she hears a snort. She rolls her eyes when she sees Maria glaring at her. "Somethin’ you wanna add?"

"You don’t know Michael," says Maria. "Whatever your gift is, its not anything he’d want."

"I suppose you know Michael better than I ever could?"

"Absolutely."

Many of the other girls get quiet to hear their exchange.

Tess laughs. "When you guys were dating, you tried to turn him into a carbon copy of Max."

"At least I wasn’t substituting him for Max like you."

"I’m with Michael because he’s who I want. He’s with me for the same reason, despite the way you keep throwing yourself at him."

"Michael Guerin loves me Tess, not you. It’s just a matter of time before he dumps you and we get back together."

"Time for a reality check. Michael had the option of being with you, he chose me. Not only are we dating, we share an apartment. How platonic do you think our relationship is? Face it, its over between the two of you."

"You slut."

"Better than being a pathetic bitch."

"Why don’t you go back to wherever the hell you came from? No one wants you here."

"Except Michael. He wants me."

Maria stands and steps toward Tess. Liz halts her and gestures to the teacher watching them from the doorway. "This isn’t over Tess." She runs toward the lockers. Liz follows glaring at Tess.

Isabel looks at Tess with wide eyes. "Are you and Michael…?"

"Not yet," says Tess.

"Why did you say you were?"

"Michael and I are together. If Maria doesn’t accept that, we’ll never be able to fix things between everyone."

***************************************

In the locker room, Liz finds Maria changing out of her gym clothes and crying angry tears. "Are you all right?"

"I hate her," says Maria. "I wish a hole would open up and swallow her."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No. I need to get outta here and think. I’ll call you later."

***************************************

That night, Tess smoothes her hot pink dress and tentatively exits the bedroom. She’s concerned because she’s getting a weird vibe from Michael. "I’m ready."

Michael, wearing a dark blue suit and a black dress shirt, turns away from the window he’s staring out of. "You look great."

"Thanks. We don’t hafta go out to dinner if you don’t want."

"You wanna go, we’ll go."

"Dammit Michael, you’ve been acting weird this afternoon. Tell me what’s wrong."

"I’m waiting for you to tell me."

"Tell you what?"

"About you and Max. I saw you."

"I don’t understand."

Michael shoves his hands in his pants pockets and narrows his eyes. "I saw you come outta the eraser room with him."

"Is that all? I was gonna tell you about that."

"Were you?"

"Yeah. Max wanted me to talk to you about your friendship."

"That’s all that happened?"

"Yeah, why?" Tess crosses her arms and glares at Michael. "What do you think happened?"

"I don’t know, that’s why I asked."

"I can’t believe you. You thought that I came onto Max? Dragged him into the eraser room to have my way with him?"

"You’ve always wanted Max. I thought you might have…"

"Yes I wanted Max. Then somewhere along the way I fell in love with you, you idiot."

"You love me?"

"Why the hell else would I be dealin’ with Maria?"

"You never said it."

Tess’ voice and expression softens. "I didn’t wanna scare you off, we haven’t been together that long."

"You’re not gonna scare me off," says Michael, a smile on his face. "I love you too."

Michael puts his arms around Tess’ waist and pulls her close. He lowers his head as she raises hers. Their lips meet.

Tess receives images of Michael’s childhood. She sees the loneliness he felt throughout the various foster homes he was in, his abusive time with Hank, finding Max and Isabel again, and the attraction he felt the first time he saw her.

At the same time, Michael sees Tess’ childhood. He sees her coming out of the pod alone and being afraid, her time with Nasedo, her pain when he and the others rejected her, and the way she felt the first time they kissed.

Slowly they pull apart and gaze into each other’s eyes.

"I’ve never…" starts Tess.

"Neither have I," says Michael.

Tess smiles seductively. "Let’s stay in tonight."

"I don’t think my willpower is up to that."

"That’s the idea."

"No. We’re waiting."

"For what?"

"Let’s go."

"You’re weakening," says Tess as she reluctantly lets Michael help her with her coat.

"Maybe, but I’m not giving in yet. Come on."

They leave for the dance.

***************************************

On her bedroom balcony, Max gives Liz white roses. "Happy Valentine’s Day."

"You too," says Liz, giving him a quick kiss before ducking back through her window. "Give me a couple minutes."

"How’s Maria doing?" asks Max. "I didn’t really get a chance to talk to her today."

"She’s really upset. She and Tess argued during our self-defense class."

"What about?"

"Michael, what else? Maria was devastated when Tess told her she and Michael are sleepin’ together."

"They’re what?"

"Sleeping together. Tess just threw it in her face." Liz steps back onto the balcony. "I’m ready."

Max takes a moment to wipe the anger from his face before turning to face Liz. "You look great, let’s go."

***************************************

At the town’s only Italian restaurant, Michael and Tess are waiting for their dinner.

"Here’s your present," says Tess, handing him the gift.

Michael opens the package to find sketchpads, charcoal, high-quality paints, and brushes.

"Do you like it?" asks Tess. "It’s not that romantic, but I wanted to get you something you’d really like."

"I love it," says Michael, leaning across the table and kissing her on the lips. "Thank you. Here’s yours."

Tess takes the small package from Michael. She opens it to find a gold heart locket. "It’s beautiful Michael."

"There’s an inscription on the back."

She flips it over and reads ‘T, Knowing you makes me happy. M.’ Tess looks up with tears in her eyes. "Help me put it on."

Michael gets up and rounds the table. He brushes the hair on her neck aside and fastens the locket.

Tess turns slightly and pulls him down for a kiss. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome," says Michael as he sits back down.

"We have to talk."

"About what?"

"Sex. I wanna be with you Michael. Why do you keep putting the brakes on?"

"Why are you in such a rush?"

"I love you, I wanna be with you in every way possible."

"I want that too Tess. But I don’t wanna take the risk yet."

"What risk?"

"Having a baby. Until we defeat the Skins and any other enemies we have, I don’t wanna risk bringing a kid into this."

"I understand that. I even agree now that I think about it. But I was reading this book, there are all sorts of ways for us to be together without risking a baby."

"You bought a sex book?"

"I wanted to be prepared. I’m not exactly experienced in this area."

"Neither am I."

"Then we’ll learn together. Until we get there, can we start sharing the bed again? I miss sleeping next to you."

"Okay, I think I can do that."

"Good. I love you Michael."

"I love you too."

***************************************

THE END