The Promise

Author: Susan

Category: CC/UC, AU

Rating: R at most

Summary: Michael dies instead of Alex, Liz and Max get back together and Tess leaves town. Alex was never mindwarped by Tess he actually did go to Sweden.

Author’s note: This idea belongs to Ella aka BuddaBoylover@aol.com

Prologue…

Six months ago the lives of many residents of Roswell, New Mexico were changed forever. On a night in early May Michael Guerin, driving Maria Deluca’s Jetta was involved in a car accident where he was pronounced dead at the scene. Former Sheriff Jim Valenti came upon the accident scene on his way home and felt it was his obligation to inform Michael’s friends of his death. Michael Guerin had no blood relatives but was blessed with a group of friends who were his family in every way except for blood. Max and Isabel Evans, Tess Harding, Liz Parker, Alex Whitman, Kyle and Jim Valenti and Maria Deluca held a private ceremony to honor their fallen friend.

Part 1(Kyle’s POV)

I don’t know why I come here. I hate this place. I always have but every week my car heads in this direction and I end up back here staring at this cold piece of granite. It isn’t real but for some reason I feel the need to come here.

Michael Guerin

Died May 2001

He will always be remembered.

Beloved brother and friend

Mr. Evans had insisted on buying it even though Michael had been cremated and his ashes had been spread out in the Desert. Well actually by the Podchamber but only eight people know that. Every time I come here there are fresh flowers by the gravestone. I sit and stare at the stone for about an hour, sometimes talking to it other times I am quiet and then I go home. Every week on Friday afternoon I follow the same routine.

I don’t know exactly why his death has affected me so but it has. It just feels wrong. He was an alien for Christ’s sake he wasn’t supposed to be able to die and especially not in some stupid car accident. Max tried to save Michael but it was impossible. With all Max’s power he was unable to heal the dead. Max and Isabel investigated his death with my father’s help but they were unable to find evidence that it was anything but an accident. Michael’s death hit all of us really hard but no one harder than Maria. For awhile Liz and Alex were afraid to leave her side, afraid of what she might do to herself. I don’t think any of us knew just how much she loved Michael until he was gone. I mean they were the couple that didn’t really make since. Liz and Max as much as I hate to admit were obviously meant to be together but Michael and Maria weren’t so obvious. She was quirky and free spirited whereas Michael was brooding and temperamental. I never really understood why they were together but together they had been.

It was now six months later and things still were off. Max and Isabel were clearly grief stricken. They had lost someone who they had considered a brother for as long as they could remember. The Evans put both of them back in therapy and with the help of Liz and Alex they were starting to come around a little. After Michael’s death Max and Liz got back together sinking all of Tess’s hopes that she was finally going to be with Max. I guess she realized that she never could compete with Liz and she decided to leave Roswell. No one really tried to stop her except for my dad and I. She told us that she couldn’t stay here knowing that what she had dreamed about her entire life was never going to happen. Maybe someday she would come back but for now she had to go. I miss her. For the first time in along time my house had felt like a real home with a real family.

Speaking of family it looks like mine is about to change once again. Dad and Amy Deluca have been seeing each other pretty seriously since Dad lost his job. Dad was really there for Maria after Michael’s death and it has won over Amy Deluca’s heart completely. The last I heard they were talking about moving in together. Amy feels that Maria needs a father figure around, especially now, and my dad is more than willing to fill the job. Having Tess around the house I think has made Dad realize that he really likes being someone’s Dad even if she isn’t his by blood. At first the idea really freaked me out but now I think it would be nice. We spend a lot of time at the Deluca’s. My dad and Amy stay in the kitchen for hours, doing lord knows what while Maria and I sit in the living room watching TV or a movie. Maria doesn’t talk much these days and she never laughs or smiles even when we are watching hilarious movies. I try my best to make her laugh or even to smile but my efforts are done in vain. Maria simply is a ghost of the person she used to be.

When I come to Michael’s grave sometimes I talk to him and tell him what has been going on since he has been gone. For the most part I have avoided the topic of Maria. I don’t know why but I have. I just felt like I needed to. But today I have an overwhelming urge to tell him about her.

“Well Max and Isabel are doing better. Max no longer looks like the walking dead. The shadows underneath his eyes are starting to fade and I actually saw him laugh at something Alex said the other day. Alex is taking good care of Isabel so don’t worry about her. They have become official by the way and Max and Liz are also back together. I guess we all knew that was inevitable. Well I guess I have avoided her long enough it is time to tell you about Maria. She isn’t doing so hot my alien friend. After you died Alex and Liz didn’t leave her side for almost a week. They were afraid of what she was going to do. They caught her with a knife to her wrist the day after your funeral. It was really pretty crazy for awhile. I sat with her also to give them a break or to let them go check up on Max and Isabel. She really scared me at times man. The look in her eyes is something I will never forget. It gets me the chills to even think about it now. I wish I could say that she is better now but I can’t. I don’t think she is a danger to herself any longer but she isn’t living either. She acts as if she is as dead as you. She just goes through the motions for her mom and for Liz and Alex but she isn’t really there. Her eyes are dead Michael. There is nothing there.”

“I told you that Dad and Amy have been seeing each other right well now they are talking about moving into together. Amy thinks Dad is a good influence on Maria. He is trying I have to give him that but I don’t know if anyone will ever be able to truly reach her again. I have been spending a lot of time with her and I have been trying my damnedest to get her to laugh or even to smile just a bit but it hasn’t happened yet. A couple of times I swear I saw a little flicker in her eyes but it is gone so quickly that I don’t know if it was just wishful thinking or not. I don’t know what to do Michael. I don’t know what any of us can do but if we don’t do something soon I just don’t know what is going to happen to her.”

Why don’t you tell her that you love her?

I turn around to see who is talking but no one is there. Huh? What was that? I must be going crazy because I swear I heard someone say something.

“Man I need to stop coming here because I swear I just heard someone talking to me.”

That is because you did Valenti.

I turn around again and this time I see Michael standing right behind me. I step away from him quickly and run into his head stone.

“What the hell? Who are you?”

“You obviously know who I am Kyle because you been coming here every week for six months.”

“What? What is going on?”

“Ok I guess I have to spell this out to you. I am Michael Guerin and I am dead. You are standing next to my tombstone, which by the way is pretty nice wish I could thank Mr. Evans personally for it.”

“You can’t be Michael. He is dead.”

“Yes I am dead wasn’t that was already established. I am a ghost.”

“There is no such thing as ghosts.”

“Yeah and aliens don’t exist either.”

“This is crazy.” I tell him as I run my hands through my hair. It can’t be Michael this has to be some kind of evil alien. Ghosts don’t exist.

“Ok if you are Michael Guerin then prove it.”

“We all went to Vegas in the spring. I was Dr. Love your host for the trip.”

“Yeah well anyone could have found that out.”

“Ok back in the fall of 1999 you found Max, Isabel, Liz, Maria and myself at this cheesy motel on rte 285S and I knocked you on your ass.”

“Oh shit it is you.” My legs suddenly don’t feel very stable and I sit down on the ground next to the tombstone. HIS damn tombstone. I look up at him and can see that he is amused by my reaction.

“I’m glad you think this is so damn funny Michael because I sure don’t.”

“Sorry Kyle but the look on your face was just priceless.”

“So what do you want? Why are you here? Will the others be able to see you? Can Maria see you?”

“Calm down Valenti. Jeez give a man a minute before you bombard him with questions.”

“Sorry.”

“Ok now lets start at the beginning. I am here because of Maria. I heard what you said about her and I need you to help me take care of her. You will be the only one to see me so no Maria won’t be able to nor should you tell her that can. Does that answer all your questions?”

“Why me?”

“I think that you can help her for no other reason then that you are in love with her.”

“What? I am not. Your crazy. What am I saying I am crazy because here I am in a cemetery talking to a ghost.” I stand up and start pacing. Was he right was I in love with Maria. I cared about her a lot. But she is my friend and almost my sister. Just because I care about her doesn’t mean I am in love with her.

“You may not realize it yet but you are in love with her. I could hear it in your voice when you talked about her. You know her Kyle, the real Maria and you can see that she isn’t alright even if the others think she is.”

“How do you know what the others think?”

“Do you think you’re the only one who comes to visit me? Well your aren’t. Who do you think puts the flowers on my grave every week? Liz. She says she does it for Maria and Max but I think she is lying. I think she actually misses me. It is pretty cool.”

“Only you would think so. So Liz thinks Maria is doing ok. Man hasn’t she looked in her eyes. Can’t she see that there is nothing there?”

“No she can’t because she doesn’t love her like you do. Listen Kyle Maria is good at putting on an act for people. She can make a person see whatever she wants. I always was able to see through her act and that was because I was in love with her. I was able to look into her eyes and really see her. Just like you are able to because you are in love with her.”

I think about what Michael is saying and know that he is right. I do see Maria Deluca and I am in love with her.

“So what can I do?”

“You are going to get her to fall in love with you.”

Part 2

“What! Did dying totally make you loose your mind? Maria is never going to fall in love with me. You were the love of her life. I don’t know if she will ever be able to love again.”

“Your wrong Kyle. Maria is lost right now but you can bring her back all she needs is to know that someone loves her and that you wont leave her.”

“And since when have you become such an authority on woman. I have heard Maria talk about how clueless you are many times.”

“Lets just say that dying had some good side effects, besides which, I know why Maria is acting the way she is. I made her a promise, one I wasn’t able to keep, I promised her that I would always be with her and if someday I did have to leave I would come back to her. She opened up her heart and soul to me and I broke my promise. I need you to keep it for me. Please.”

I know it took a lot for him to ask me to do this. I do love Maria and I want her to be happy but I just don’t know if I would be able to bring her back and I definitely didn’t know if Maria would ever love me like I love her. But I guess I had to try for both our sakes.

“Ok but I still don’t know if it will work. You are right about one thing I do love her and even if she never loves me back I will still be there for her. I will make sure that she is never alone. I make that promise to you.”

“Thank you Kyle.”

“So what now?”

“Now we have to figure out a way to get her to open up to you. I guess the first plan of attack would be to make sure that you are always with her. Maybe if you bug her enough she might get mad and mad is good because that means she is finally starting to feel again. Also I think you should tell her that she isn’t fooling you like she is the others. Let her know that you see right through her act.”

“Will you be there why I am doing this?” I ask him.

Michael shakes his head. “No. I can’t leave here and even if I could I don’t know if I would want to see Maria how you describe her. It would be to hard.”

I am relieved that he wont be there. I don’t think I could do any of it with Michael looking over my shoulder. He may be dead but it still would feel wrong to make a move on his girl while he is watching.

“I’ll come by tomorrow to tell you how it is going?”

Again Michael shakes his head. “No come by Friday as you usually do. I can’t do this everyday.”

By this I am assuming he means appearing to me.

“Ok then I will see you next week.” Michael fades in front of my eyes. I turn around and look at his tombstone and make a silent promise that I will not let him down. I will do this for him, for myself and most importantly for Maria.

I drive away from the cemetery feeling strangely revived, which is much different then I usually feel after visiting Michael’s grave. I usually feel depressed but not today. Today I have a purpose and I feel that I finally might be able to do something to help someone I care about. I hope that Michael is right and that I will be able to make Maria better, to make her live again even if I can’t get her to love me back. I just want to see her happy. I want to see that Deluca spirit again.

Tonight Dad is going out with Amy and he has asked me to go over to the Deluca’s to keep Maria company. Maria, of course isn’t going out, and Amy would feel better if someone was with her. I guess there was no better time to start my campaign then tonight. Michael first referred to this as a battle when he told me what my first plan of attack would be and it strangely fits this situation. I am waging a war to save Maria Deluca. I just hope I am victorious.

We get to the Deluca’s a little early and Amy still isn’t ready. Maria lets us in and Dad tries to talk with her about school. She answers his questions but again she seems like she is only working on autopilot. It is like she isn’t really there. I remember seeing a commercial when I was younger; Is it real or is it Memorex? That is what it is like with Maria. It is like we are seeing a recorded version of her and not the real thing. Dad doesn’t seem to notice and seems pleased that she is talking with him. He can’t see her. He can’t see that it is all a front and that she has no spirit and that she is dead inside.

Amy finally is ready and they leave. Dad tells us to call on his cell phone if we need anything and I tell him we will. After they leave I ask Maria what she wants to do. She tells me she doesn’t care. It doesn’t matter. It wasn’t so much her words but the way she said it that finally got me started.

“Dammit Maria this has got to stop. I have been watching you for six months walking around like you are dead. Well you aren’t. Michael died and I’m sorry but you have to move on. You have to live. He wouldn’t want you to be this way.”

For a minute I thought I saw something flicker in her eyes but then it was gone so I went on. “You think you have everyone fooled well you don’t. I see right through you Maria. You have no spirit and your eyes are completely dead. You have given up because someone you loved died, because he left you and isn’t coming back. Well I am telling you now to get over it and I’m not going to leave you alone until you do.”

Bingo. I that did it. The moment I mentioned Michael leaving her and not coming back I saw her anger bubble to the surface.

“You don’t know anything Kyle Valenti. Damn you, damn you to hell for bringing Michael up to me. You don’t know anything about either of us. I hate you and I want you to leave now and never come back.”

Anger. Michael sad anger was good but from my position right now it didn’t look so hot. An angry Maria Deluca actually scared me but I kept my ground.

“You know what Maria. I will leave now but I will be back. Count on it.”

I walked out the door leaving it open, which Maria promptly slammed behind me. I smile feeling for the first time that this plan might actually work.

When I wake up the next morning I feel refreshed and ready to resume my attack on Maria’s defenses. She won’t know what hit her. I go to her door ready for whatever Maria throws my way. I am hoping she will be still pissed at me and will not have reverted to how she was before. Of course her being mad means she will be totally unpredictable. Maria opens the doors and tries to shut it on me but I push it open and walk past her and sit on the couch.

“Kyle Valenti get your Buddha but out of here now. You are not welcome here.”

Amy Deluca hears the commotion and comes into the room.

“Maria what’s going on here?” She looks at me and I just smile and shrug my shoulders.

“Mom he is being impossible. I told him to leave and he won’t.”

“Well Maria what has he done that you want him to leave?” Amy asks Maria.

“He is an insensitive jerk.” Maria shouts and storms off to her room slamming the door.

“Well Kyle you want to explain why my daughter is so mad at you?”

Oh no. Not only one Deluca but now two Deluca women mad at me. This can’t be good.

“Ms. Deluca it is for her own good. I bet that is the most you have heard her say since Michael died and I’m sure that is the first time you have seen her show any emotion besides grief.”

Her mom sits down on the sofa. She closes her eyes for a moment and then looks at me. “Your absolutely right Kyle.”

“She needs to get mad Ms. Deluca. If she is mad then she is feeling and if she is feeling she can start to heal. She makes everyone believe that she is fine but she really isn’t. I am just trying to help her.”

She nods her head and then stands up and calls for Maria. Maria comes out of her room but stops when she sees that I am still sitting there.

“What is he still doing here?”

Amy ignores Maria’s question. “Honey I need you to deliver a package over in Hondo for me. Why don’t you take Kyle with you it is awfully heavy?”

“Mom” Maria tries to argue but Ms. Deluca stops her. “Maria you will go to Hondo and Kyle is going with you. Understood?”

“Yes mom.” Maria gets her purse and starts out the door. She turns to me and says, “Well you coming or not. I don’t have all day.”

I share a smile with Ms. Deluca and follow a very furious Maria Deluca out the door. Boy was this going to be an interesting ride.

Part 3

We have been sitting in silence since we got in the car 20 minutes ago. The trip to Hondo only takes about 45 minutes and that is on a bad day. Maria is speeding so I am guessing we will be there within minutes. She obviously is trying to get this trip over with as soon as possible.

“You know Maria. If you wanted to fly to Hondo you should have let me know.”

Maria just turns her head and gives me a look. I am glad she isn’t an alien because I would certainly be dead by now. I just smile at her.

“Come on Maria. You know you want to yell at me so just go right ahead.”

“Shut up Kyle. I am not talking to you.”

“Well if I’m not mistaken that was just words that came out of your mouth.”

This was actually fun. I remember how it used to be when we were kids. We could argue for hours over absolutely nothing. Until today I had actually forgotten that we were once friends. We were friends even before she was friends with Liz and Alex. There was no one better at verbal fighting then Maria Deluca and if given the opportunity she could also whip my ass physically. Well at least she could when we were six.

“Kyle I am warning you.” I can tell she is really getting mad now.

“And what are you going to do Deluca. Try to kick my ass.”

“That’s it. I have had it.” Maria pulls the Jetta off to the side of the road and storms out of the car over to the passenger side flinging my door open.

“Get out Valenti. Now. I have had it with you. I don’t know what you are trying to pull but it is over with. I don’t have to put up with it.”

I just sit in the car smirking at her. God she is beautiful when she is angry. Now I know what Michael meant that Maria being mad is good.

“Stop smiling at me Kyle and get out of my damn car. I mean it.”

“Nope. If you want me out of the car you are going to have to make me.”

Oops, Wrong thing to say. Maria came at me fists a flying. I had to pull her into the car on my lap to control her. She was shaking with anger and I could feel her heart beating rapidly against my chest. She looked at me in the eyes for a moment and then she completely lost it. She was fighting me with a vengeance only I don’t think it was me that she was fighting. I think it was Michael. I think she wanted to hurt him for leaving her. Her anger soon turned to grief and she cried like I hadn’t seen her do since Michael died. I pulled her completely in my lap and held her as she cried against my chest. I whispered soothing things in her ear hoping that it would comfort her and let her know she wasn’t alone. Her sobs quieted and soon she seemed to calm done a bit yet she remained in my arms. I held her even tighter. I wanted her to feel how much I cared for her through my hug. After awhile she lifted her head and looked me in the eyes. I couldn’t believe that anyone could look so beautiful after crying so much but Maria did. I wanted to kiss her but I knew I could not. Maria had to feel as if she could trust me and me making a move on her was not the way to do it.

“Thank you. I think I needed that.”

I brushed the tears away from her cheeks and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Your welcome Mara.”

I let her out of my arms then. I didn’t want to but I knew I had to. Maria got up and headed back to her side of the car and got in without a word. She did smile at me a little before she pulled the car back onto the road. We delivered her mom’s package and headed back to Roswell.

On the way back we talked a little and argued a lot, especially about what to listen to on the radio. But it was fun and by the time we got back to Roswell Maria was openly smiling and I could see the life coming back to her eyes. We stopped at the Crashdown and I was not surprised to see everyone hanging around. I think they could see the difference in Maria. She was on her way back. Not quite there but almost.

The next Friday I came back to Michael’s grave as I promised I would.

“Well Guerin. I think your plan worked.”

“Did you make her mad?” I jumped as I heard his voice from behind me. I don’t think I will get used to that.

“Yeah. She was fuming and then she finally broke down and let it all out.”

“Good. How about the other?”

“Listen Michael. I think you are asking for too much. She is getting better everyday. The fire is back in her eyes but as for her falling in love with me I don’t see that ever happening.”

“Just give it time Kyle. Trust me. She will fall in love with you. After all you are a very lovable guy.” Michael gave me one of his legendary smirks.

“Very funny Guerin. Seriously, even if she never loves me like that I will make sure that she is never alone. I promise.”

“I know Kyle. I trust you. Listen Kyle, I don’t know if you will ever be able to see me again but know that I am still listening. I am entrusting you with the woman I love. Make her happy, one way or another.”

“I will Michael.” And Michael once again fades in front of my eyes.

“I will be back next week.”

As I leave I see the Jetta pull up behind my car.

“Hey. What are you doing here?” Maria asks.

“I come here every Friday. You know to talk and tell him about everybody.”

Maria gives me a hug. “You know Kyle. You really are a great guy.”

I smile at her. “I bet you say that to all the guys.”

She laughs at me and then turns to look at Michael’s grave. I see the tears well up in her eyes.

“I’ll leave you alone.” I turn and head over to my car.

Maria shouts after me. “Your still coming over tonight for watch movies. Right?”

“As long as you let me choose the movie this time.”

“I guess I can deal with blood and guts for one night.” I smile and wave at her.

I sit in the car and watch her lovingly touch Michael’s tombstone. I think this is the first time she has been here since he died. I can tell that she is crying. Her shoulders are shaking. I want to go to her and comfort her but I know she has to let it out and say goodbye to Michael so I start the car and pull away.

I plan on keeping my promise to Michael and if by some miracle Maria falls in love with me I will truly be a lucky guy.

Prologue….

Six months later

“Well Guerin I guess you knew what you were talking about after all. Who would have known? I asked her to marry me last night and you know what she actually said yes. I don’t know who was more surprised. I really hadn’t meant to do it. I mean we have only been officially dating for a month but I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I had bought her a ring for her birthday. Not a diamond or anything just a nice pearl ring. I know how much she loves pearls. So I gave her the present and before I knew it the words will you marry me slipped out of my mouth. She said yes immediately and then we looked at each other like we were crazy. I told her that I never meant for the ring to be an engagement ring. I had just bought it for her birthday but when I saw her put it on her finger I knew what I wanted.”

“Man you should have seen the look on our parent’s face when we told them. They were just getting used to the fact that we were dating and now we dropped this bombshell on them. I mean they are still newlyweds themselves. Kind of freaking when you think about it. I am marrying my stepsister. Talk about a dysfunctional family. It is all good though.”

“Seriously Michael, I made you a promise six months ago and I swear I wont let you down. I am going to make sure she is happy and she will never be alone again. I love her more than I ever knew it was possible. Well I guess I will talk to you next week. Bye Michael.”

As I pull away from the cemetery I catch a glimpse of a figure in my rear view mirror watching me drive away and he is smiling.

The End