Friday Night Poker

Written by: Dizzy

Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. I just abuse 'em.

Author's Notes: Argh! I did it again! I hate it when I do this! I keep starting new fics when I have like 402 old ones to finish! But this was just too good to pass up. It's influenced by a Sailor Moon fanfic I read a LONG time ago by a wonderful fanfic writer Alicia Blade who wrote a fanfic entitled Royal Flush. If you're a fan of Sailor Moon and a fan of fanfic I highly suggest looking up this fic. It can probably be found at www.usamamo.com though I'm not sure. So here it is. A new fluffy multi-part fanfic! It's alternate reality. Michael lives alone, his parents are dead, he holds a job at a big office building and has a super car (plays a big part later) Max and Isabel are still pretty much the same minus the super powers, as are Liz and Maria.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria DeLuca giggled, hoisting the stack of notebooks, papers and
other school supplies higher into her arms. Her best friend Liz
Parker stood beside her, carefully balancing a similar stack. "I can't
believe he let us help out!" Maria squealed, the papers tipping
dangerously. "He is so hot." "Maria!" Liz said sharply. "He's like
10 years older then you?" "So? Maybe I like older men." Liz
sighed, shaking her head. "Admit it Liz for a teacher the guy is
scrumptious. Like...Antonio Sabato Junior or something." Liz
nodded. Mr. Kispen did have a Sabato air about him. "Those lips,
those eyes..." Maria was saying, dancing around the hall, the
papers tipping dangerously from side to side. "That hair..." Liz
rolled her eyes. Maria was so absorbed in her daydreams of the
godlike Mr. Kispen she didn't notice when Michael Guerin raced
around the corner, bumping headlong into Maria. She screamed,
crashing backwards, the papers scattering the halls. "I'm sorry,"
Michael was saying, scrambling to grab the papers. "I'm really
sor-oh." He let the papers drop, the apologetic expression on his
face turning fiery. "It's you." Maria glared back. "And it's you."
They growled at each other for a second. "Are you okay?" Liz
asked breaking the anger induced trance. "I was just fine until
jerkoff here decided to collide into people," Maria snapped
shooting another dagger like look at Michael who stood up,
brushing himself off. "I don't wanna hear it DeLuca you're the one
whose always bumping into me," Michael glared, reaching down
to pick up his own book and notebook. "Thanks for your help,"
Maria said, gathering up the papers. "You welcome," he sneered
jogging off in the direction of his next class, which Liz assumed he
was late for. Maria began to grumble, several four-letter
obscenities about the departing male as she picked up the papers
and notebooks. "He is such a jerk," Maria finished the string of
insults, picking up the last notebook and straighting. "Yeah," Liz
said. "But his friend is pretty cool." Maria wrinkled her nose.
"Isabel? The Ice Queen? Yeah right," Maria said. "No, his other
friend. Max," Maria eyed her friend for a moment. "He's so
BORING," Maria said. Liz shrugged. "I think he's...interesting."
"Yeah right. You just think he's cute," Maria teased. "Those lips,
those eyes, that hair..." she started again, dancing around the hall
for good measure. Liz sighed. She wasn't surprised. This was
normal behavior for her quirky friend. "So," Liz said, desperate for
a subject change. "You going to Alex's poker game this Friday?"
"Of course!" Maria squealed. "I think it's the coolest idea!" Maria
laughed. "A poker party. A party with poker." She continued to
skip down the hall, the papers tipping from left to right but never
quite building up the energy to fall completely. Liz sighed,
following her friend down the hall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So," Isabel Evan's brushed a lock of perfect blonde hair behind
her ear. "Did you guys hear about Alex's poker game this Friday?
Could be fun." She popped a fry into her mouth. "Whitman?"
Michael scoffed. "Like anything he does has the potential for fun."
Max looked up. "Could be cool," Max agreed ignoring Michael's
all out protest, knowing it didn't have anything to do with Alex
Whitman personally but rather the company he kept. Namely
Maria DeLuca. "I think we should go," Isabel said finally. "For
appearances sake." "Why? We already do all sorts of stupid stuff
"for appearances sake"," Michael growled. "This is different,"
Isabel said. "By blessing the poor social miscreants of our society
with our presence we are shaping their future as human beings."
"That's a lot of work for one poker game," Max said. "Are we
feeling a little bit high and mighty Queen Isabel?" "Shutup," she
snapped, ice cold blue eyes snapping in Michael's direction. "I'm
simply doing West Roswell a favor." "And dragging the rest of us
poor schmucks down with you?" "Just consider it a personal favor
to me," Isabel said teeth clenched. "Why do we have to go
anyway?" Michael asked. "Why can't you go by yourself." Isabel
pouted, putting on her
I-better-get-what-I-want-ASAP-or-there-will-be-hell-to-pay face.
"Because. Your there for moral support." "Can morally support a
person who lacks morals." "What if I told you it was the perfect
way to get back at little Miss DeLuca?" Isabel raised an eyebrow.
Michael leaned forward interested. "How?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey Maria! Oh Maria!" Isabel called, waving her hand. Maria
looked up, deer in headlights style, crushing her poor chicken
sandwhich in her hand. Liz looked at her friend quizzically and
Alex melted on the spot. "Hey!" Isabel plopped down on the
concrete beside them, almost wrinkling her baby blue skirt and
matching sweater. "Uh, hi," Maria looked at Liz who shrugged,
and then to Alex who was too busy admiring to notice his friend's
distress. "I was just talking to Max," Isabel said, purposely leaving
out Michael's name. No need to set off the fireworks too soon.
"And he thinks it would be a WONDERFUL idea if we," she
motioned around the semi circle. "Went to Alex's-" she winked at
Alex. "-little poker game together." Maria eyed her warily. "The
catch being?" Maria asked. "No catch! Your so silly!" Isabel
winced inwardly. A few more minutes of this and her face would
crack. "We just thought it would a good idea to get to know you."
She winked consipratorily at Liz. "I think Max has a hidden
agenda." Liz ducked blushing. "So we'll pick you two up at the
Crashdown around 6ish? Then we'll head over to Alex's," she
turned that 100 watt smile on Alex, who looked like he was going
to combust any second. She stood up. "Then it's settled. See you at
six." She turned, tossing that honey blonde hair of hers behind her
back and flouncing off. "That was..." Liz began. "Weird as hell?"
Maria provided helpfully. "We're not really going with the Ice
Queen are we?" Maria asked fearfully. "Because I think I'm
coming down with something...terminal." "She's not THAT bad,"
Alex said, taking a bite of turkey on Rye. "Yeah, but sadly I'm not
attracted to her," Maria said. "Thank GOD," Liz almost choked on
her own sandwich. "Anyway," Alex broke in. "Wait a second,"
Maria broke in. "I thought this was a group thing. Just us." She
motioned to the group. "I might have mentioned something
Isabel.." Alex looked at the ground sheepishly. "Dammit Alex,"
Maria said. "Can't you control those boyish impulses and raging
hormones for a second?" Alex looked at her, deadpan. "No." Maria
hmmphed, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting. "I cannot
believe I'm going to be forced to spend Friday night with the
weirdo Max Evan's and his witchy sister Isabel." Maria said. "Like
you had other plans," a voice said sarcastically from behind. Liz
could see the anger rise, and Maria spun around, standing up at the
same time which was quite a feat. "Or I could follow in your social
footsteps by staying home alone, by myself with only nighttime
dramas to keep me company." Maria glared, standing on tiptoes to
give herself a little height, almost nose to nose with him. "Who
needs nighttime drama when I have the queen of slapstick comedy
standing right in front of me," Michael asked. Maria stuck out her
tounge, crossing her eyes. "Very mature DeLuca," he said crossing
his arms. "Very mature." "Thought I'd do you a favor by sinking
down to a mentality you could understand," she smiled sweetly. "I
could do the same for you, but sadly I can't go that far back," he
returned the smile. "What are you doing here anyway," she
growled. "I came by to say hi, maybe catch up on old times," he
shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to look innocent. "Yeah,
right," Maria glared at him. "Leave." She pointed across the quad.
"Why?" he slung an arm around her shoulder. "When I can spend
lunch with the love of my life." "Sorry, the kennel is on Markson
Street," she shrugged off his shoulders. "They finally let you out
huh?" he laughed, walking off. Maria growled. "I hate HIM," she
shrieked, drawing stares. "Yeah, about that," Alex said. "You never
told us why exactly." "I don't want to talk about it," Maria huffed,
plopping back onto the concrete. "Ahh, come on Maria. Why do
you hate him so much?" Liz prodded. "Because he is such a jerk!"
Maria growled. "He thinks he's right all the time!" "Or maybe you
think your right all the time?" Alex suggested. She shot daggers
in his direction. "I DO NOT THINK I'M RIGHT ALL THE TIME!"
She yelled, again drawing stares. "Maria!" Liz hissed. "It's okay!"
"I just don't like him okay?" she stood up, tossing her lunch bag
into the dumpster. "I'll see you later." "What's wrong with her?"
Alex asked bewildered. "I don't know but whatever it is it's
serious," Liz said solemnly. "She just threw away an entire chicken
sandwhich."

PART 2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The interesting thing about Rasputin was how utterly
misunderstood he was," Mr. Kispen went on, pacing the front of
the room. Maria watched in awe, eyes starry, her chin cupped in
the palm of her hand. "And his death was so tragic." Mr. Kispen
went on. Michael sat behind her, glaring at the back of her head.
"Which brings me too your next project." There were collective
groans throughout the class, mostly from the male side who didn't
care if their teacher was supermodel material. Mr. Kispen smiled,
a smile that could peel paint right off the wall. "I am going to put
you in pairs of two, and am going to give you a packet with your
assignment on it. Each packet will have the name of one key figure
in the Russian Empire around the time that Rasputin was
ingratiated in the government. You will be responsible for
collecting enough information to write me a 10 page biographical
account of this persons life, including the smallest details." He
smiled again at the groans. "You will be give the rest of the term to
complete the assignment, and it will be due two days before final
exams." The groans subsided some. That was plenty of time,
unless you were like some people and put things off until the very
last minute. "Okay," he picked up a stack of papers, neatly stapled
and arranged. "When I call your name come up to the front and
collect your packets." "Marissa Marks and Gregory Bensons." He
slowly went down the list, people getting up as they were called.
"Isabel Evans and Alex Whitman." Alex resisted the urge to do a
happy dance in the aisle; instead he exchanged a shy smile with
Isabel and slowly went to front. Maria rolled her eyes, a pained
expression on her pretty face. "Max Evans and Elizabeth Parker,"
they smiled at each other, shyly making their way to the front of
the aisle. Again Maria groaned inwardly. "Kyle Valenti and Krista
Mallory," Kyle slapped hands with some jock friends and winked
at Krista. Krista blushed, tucking a strand of honey blonde hair
behind her ear. Maria rolled her eyes. "Maria DeLuca and Michael
Guerin." "No." they both answered in unison, automatically. Mr.
Kispen blinked. "Well I'm afraid that you're the last two students
on the list. I don't really think you have a choice," he smiled. Maria
melted. "Fine, I'll work with dog breath," she said sweetly. Michael
snorted. "You have a little drool, right there," he brushed the side
of his lip. Maria shrieked in rage, raising her arm and giving him a
satisfying whack on the arm. He winced, rubbing it. Maria turned
around in her chair, flashing Mr. Kispen a smile. Michael glared at
the back of her head again. "Now that that is...settled," Mr. Kispen
cleared his throat. "Let me begin by telling you that you will have
little to no library time in my class which means you will have to
work outside of class on this assignment." "Oh no no no," Maria
said, once again drawing attention to herself. "There is no way I'm
spending ANY time with that... that THING." "Very original,"
Michael said. "Yet another brilliant comeback by Ditzy DeLuca,
herself." "DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Maria whirled on him, her
hands going for his throat but Liz thought fast, grabbing her friend
and yanking her back into her seat, shoving a vial of Kisme into
her hand. "Maria," she hissed red faced. "Calm down." Maria shot
one last cursory glare at him before she uncapped the vial and
began to smell. Michael grinned smugly, ignoring the glare Max
gave him. "Yes well.." Mr. Kispen tugged at his collar. He was
spared further commentary by the bell. Whatever he was going to
say next was drowned out by the loud whoops and cheers of the
end of the day and the slamming of lockers. "See ya later Ditzy,"
Michael pushed past her, jogging out of the room. Maria fumed,
gathering her books. "He is such a JERK!" she said. Liz shook her
head. "I just don't understand you two..." Liz said. "What is it that
makes you so angry at each other at the time?" Maria took a deep
breath. "Fine," she said as they began the trek to her locker. "You
remember when Michael first moved here?" Liz nodded her head.
"And you remember when Alex brought him in to the diner to
meet us?" Liz nodded again. Maria took another breath. "Well, it
all started like this..."
*Cue Cheesy Flashback *
Maria flashed a
smile at the couple, setting down their order, praying that she had
gotten it right. She had only been working for Liz's dad for a few
days and she supposed she was finally getting the hang of this
waitress thing. "Will that be all?" Maria said, making sure to keep
her smile in check. Not to big, not to forced, just right for a big tip.
Enough smile to suggest a friendly demeanor. "For now, thank you
so much," the woman drew her attention away from her husband,
returning the smile. Maria nodded, flouncing away. The door to
the Crashdown jingled and in came Alex, here for his usual
discount lunch. "Maria!" behind him there was a boy, handsome,
taller then Alex but guarded. His hair was the most startling
attribute, sticking up every which way like the aftermath of an
electrical accident. "Hey Alex!" she smiled. "The usual?" The
"usual" was a large Chocolate Saturn Shake, some Freon Fries and
a Predator, which was just a fancy name for a double decker
cheeseburger. He nodded. "This is Michael Guerin," Alex said.
"My dad just sold him an apartment." The boy looked a little
young for an apartment, but appearances weren't everything.
"Hey!" she said, turning her brilliant smile on the boy. "I'm Maria."
She held out a hand. He hesitated, but shook it firmly. "Dad asked
me to show him around town," Alex said. "He's going to be starting
West Roswell with us." "That's great!" she said. "I mean, I feel
sorry for you and all, this town is totally lame, but I'm sure you'll
have a blast. Unless you're the type of person whose all work and
no play. Lizzie's like that, but she does have fun sometimes when
she's not working on math or science or some other dull boring
subject I can't seem to get the hang off.." realizing she was
rambling Maria cut herself off, blushing a bright crimson and
looking at her toes. Michael chuckled. "She always talk this
much?" he asked, looking at Alex. "That's why we love her," Alex
said. "So what can I get you," Maria said, slightly offended that
they thought she talked too much. She did of course but it still hurt
to say it. "I'll have whatever he's having," Michael shrugged. "One
Saturn Shake, Freon Fries and Predator coming right up," she
turned, almost knocking over a stack of cups. Michael chuckled
again. She blushed bright red but went on, towards the kitchen.
After she brought them their shakes she watched the boy,
intrigued, he had seemed very stoic, only laughing when he
realized just how much she talked, and it hadn't even been a laugh,
more like a snort or a chuckle. He talked with Alex, but only when
asked a direct question, she could tell it was flustering Alex who
liked every side and opinion to every situation. Alex liked details,
he liked to ask questions and he liked to have people answer those
questions as detailed as they could. Michael wasn't playing ball.
He was cute though, hell he was damn gorgeous, she blushed.
Tomboy Maria DeLuca actually thinking a member of the opposite
sex was cute. The closest she came to a dress was the Crashdown
uniform. "Here you go cutie," Jose winked at her, sliding the
orders to her. She giggled, blushing again, grabbing the orders and
whisking them over to the counter, careful not to spill an ounce of
food. "Here you go," she smiled the Give-Me-A-Big-Tip smile and
turned to go. "Hey wait," Alex said. "Your not going to keep me
company today?" "Well, you have Michael for that," she looked
around the restaurant. It was virtually deserted, save for Alex,
Michael, and the couple across the way. "Come on," Alex said.
"There's plenty of room." She smiled, leaning across the counter.
Wasting no time in attacking the new guy. "So where'd you move
from?" she asked. "Where ya from?" Michael blinked looking at
her. "Come on! Details!" Maria said. "Have any deep dark secrets?
I'm good at keeping secrets you know. Cross my heart and hope to
die," she made a crisscross over her chest and rolled her eyes back
in her head, falling backwards a bit. Michael blinked again.
"Animated," he finally said. She blushed again, wondering why he could get
her so flustered. "You betcha! So what's the dirt? What
brings you to Roswell?" She asked. "I have friends here," he said,
satisfied with that question. "Ooh who? Do I know them? I might
know them. I've lived here all my life, never gone anywhere
before." "Max and Isabel Evans," Michael said. "Ooh! They were
in like 8 of my classes last year! Max is super duper smart and
Isabel is way pretty. Everyone says she's snobby though, I don't
think she's snobby I just think she's shy, or maybe she's reserved.
She's been that way since I've known her and I don't think you can
be born snobby. I think it's just something that sneaks up on you
like a cat," she made a paw with her fingers and struck at the air.
Michael blinked again. "Motormouth Maria," he said finally. "I
believe that's what I'll call you." "What?" Maria looked at him,
eyes angry. "Uh-oh," Alex said. Michael smirked. "Listen here you
spiky haired electrical storm victim jerk!" she said. "I do NOT
have a motormouth!" "You have a 16 horse power motor mouth,"
Michael said. She shrieked, drawing the surprised stares of the couple.
The girl had been so sweet earlier. "I AM NOT A
MOTORMOUTH! KYLE CALL'S ME THAT!" she yelled.
Michael looked at Alex for help. "Who's Kyle?" "Kyle Valenti.
Public Enemy Numero Uno," Alex provided. Michael nodded.
"Motormouth Maria," Michael said smugly. "I think I like that."
Maria growled, the tips of her ears turning red. "I do not have a
motormouth, I just like to fill in the empty silent spaces," she said
huffing. "It's awfully silent in your world," Michael observed.
"Why are you so mean? You don't even KNOW me," Maria said.
"You just met me!" Michael shrugged. "Your just easy to get to,"
he said. "I am not easy to get to!" Maria prided herself on her
ability to counter insults. "See? You're getting all flustered over a
little name," Michael said. "A little name? A little name!" her
voice rose an octave. "Motormouth Maria is almost as bad as Ditzy
DeLuca." This time she got a real laugh. Michael burst out
laughing, almost knocking over his milkshake. "I stand corrected,"
he said sucking in a breath. "That is much better." Maria shrieked,
flouncing away. *Cheesy Flash forward to the present * "That's
why you can't stand each other? Over a little name?" Liz said
incredulous. "No, there was that time he tripped me in the awards
ceremony line in ninth grade and showed my flowered Monday
underwear to the entire school...there was the time where I tried to
run over him with my car because he stole my Kit Kat bar, the way
he keeps pulling my hair even though that went out of style in
kindergarten, the fact that he keeps leaving that icky Gak stuff in
my locker, just because he had it in ninth grade and knows the
combination, that time he poured water over my head on Field Day
and got me soaked, while I was wearing a white t-shirt, the fact
that he feels the need to humiliate me at least twice a day, he keeps
calling me stupid names, the time he-" Liz cut in, fearing for her
sanity. "I get it," Liz said. "Bad relations between the two of you."
"He's just so infuriating," Maria said, giving her locker a slam just
despite him. "Okay," Liz said. "I vote for a subject change."
"Okay," Maria said, grinning mischievously. "You looking forward
to working with your dream hunk Max Evans." Liz blushed. "He is
NOT my dream hunk, Max and I are just friends," Liz said.
"Friends. Nothing more." "Sure you are Lizzie," Maria rolled her
eyes. "Which is why you blushed and get all flustered whenever
his name is mentioned in casual conversation?" "I do NOT," Liz
said. "You do too!" "Not!" "Too!" "Not!" "Too!" "Not! Not! Not!"
"See? You even get into childish arguments over the love of your
life." Maria said, skipping off, leaving Liz to stare at her surprised.

Part 3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Days past quickly, moving from Tuesday to Friday in a blink of an
eye and before she knew it Maria was looking fearfully at the door
of the Crashdown as Isabel Evan's entered in all of her Queenlike
glory, beside her Liz forced a smile. "Hey!" Isabel waved, crossing
the diner to meet them, drawing the stares of gun-toting rednecks
and camera-snapping tourists alike. "Hey," Liz said, trying to be
chipper. Maria offered a halfhearted wave. "We'll take your car if
that's okay?" Isabel asked. "Max needed it to run a last minute
errand." "But he'll be there right?" Maria asked, hoping that her
friend would finally see how attracted she was to the tall serious
guy. Isabel looked at her curious. "Why Maria? Got a little crush
on Max," she put on her best teasing smile. "I could put in a good
word for you." Isabel almost gagged at the thought. "Not for me!"
Maria laughed. "For Liz! Like I could ever seriously date Max.
He's too serious." Isabel nodded, actually understanding. Her
brother and the very quite Liz Parker would make a cute couple,
both were science geeks, thinking that the way to a successful life
was through careful planning and formulas. Liz blushed, trying for
all the world to melt into the counter. "Yeah we can take my car,"
Maria said holding up her keys. "But I must insist that I drive."
Isabel nodded. "Of course," she said. And they were off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Alex!" Maria squealed, jumping at the boy and wrapping her
arms around his neck like she hadn't seen him in years. He smiled,
hugging her back, a practiced gesture. "Hey Maria," he said. "You
got Doritos right? You know I can't live without Doritos." She
said. "Of course I got Doritos," Alex said, feigning hurt. "Yay!" she
skipped off into his house, which was devoid of parents. They
were out of town on business as they usually were. "Hey Alex," Liz
gave him a much calmer, composed hug. "Hiya," Alex said. "I got
the donuts for you." She smiled a thank you and went to grab
Maria before she broke anything. "Hi Alex," Isabel smiled shyly at
him for a moment and he did the same. "Hey Isabel," he said. "I-I
wasn't sure what snack food you liked..." Isabel broke in. "Oh that's
okay," Isabel said. "I'm not much of a snacker." He looked
relieved. "Your brother and Michael are in the kitchen," he said.
"Thanks, I really appreciate you inviting us." "No problem," Alex
tried to appear casual. "I better go stop Maria from killing
Michael..." she said. He nodded, entranced, she smiled again,
moving away. There was a shriek from the kitchen. "Too late."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You invited Spaceboy!" Maria glared at Alex, hurt in her eyes.
Michael shoved his hands into his pockets once more, leaning
back slightly, a smirk on his face. "Not happy to see me Ditzy?" he
asked jovially. "Never," she growled. "Ahh," Michael pretended to
look hurt. "You're killing me." "Not yet," Maria countered.
Michael actually looked scared for a moment. Never
underestimate the power of a DeLuca gone mad. "Can we PLEASE
get along?" Isabel said stepping between the two. "Look, Michael
behave yourself." "Me?" Michael said. "What about her." Isabel
looked pleadingly at Maria. "Please? Just be civil," Isabel said.
"Fine," Maria sniffed, crossing her arms over her chest and turning
her face away. "Fine," Michael growled, glaring at the girl. "Now
shake." Michael stuck out his hand, and Maria reluctantly gave up
hers. He grabbed it shaking it, she gripped it hard and he gripped it
back. "Oh god," Liz said. "They're playing mercy..." Maria wasn't
giving up. She bent his hand backwards, twisting it just slightly,
but Michael was stronger and he countered, bending her own wrist
back. She cried out. "Mercy! Mercy!" He didn't let up. "Not until
you say Michael is the coolest." She winced, still squirming from
the pain. "Michael is the coolest!" she said finally after a moment's
hesitation. He let her go. She glared at him. "It's really sad when
the only thing that boosts your ego is that." "Dammit," Isabel said.
"Can't you at least act like grownups?" "How? Nothing on Michael
has ever grown," she looked meaningfully down at his crotch. He
growled and made a move to lunge at her but Max grabbed him.
"We're playing poker," Max said. "Now."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Five games later everyone was tapped but Michael, Maria, and
Alex. Liz and Max sat across the room, talking about some science
or the other, and Isabel watched the game with an avid interest,
concentrating more on Alex then the game itself. "Jesus DeLuca
you better lay off those Doritos," Michael said, looking at his cards.
"They'll go straight to your hips." Just to spite she took a
handful, shoving one in her mouth and biting down hard. He rolled
his eyes. Maria smiled at her cards, not really caring about the
value of a good bluff. Michael however remained stoic and Alex
looked kind of impassive. "I see your 10 dollars," Maria said,
shoving some chips into the middle of the table. "And raise you
20." Maria looked at him. "Fine," he said teeth clenched. "I see
your twenty." He shoved his remaining chips into the pile. Instead
of stopping, like he was supposed to when he ran out chips
Michael reached into his pocket. "And raise you, my car." He
tossed the keys onto the middle of the table. The room fell silent,
Liz and Max's conversation halted and they snapped their gazes to
the table, Isabel's mouth fell open and Alex tried to breath. Maria
gasped. "That's not fair!" she wailed. "My car isn't worth nearly as
much as yours!" Maria brooded. Hell her house wasn't worth that
much. Michael's Dodge Viper was the shit. Black with a white racing stripe,
a spoiler in the back to give it that sports car edge,
leather seating, air conditioning and a killer sound system "Fine,"
Michael said. "I guess you lose." "Oh no I don't," Maria said. She
looked at Liz for help. Isabel's eyes lit up. "Ooh!" she scurried
around the table, cupping her hand to Maria's ear whispering.
Maria's eyes lit up. "I bet myself," she reached around her neck,
taking off her gold necklace that proclaimed her name Maria in
curvy cursive letters and set it down in the middle of the table.
Michael scoffed. "Like YOU would ever be worth my car," he
laughed. She actually looked hurt by that one, he regretted it
instantly but his pride refused to apologize. "She'll be your slave
for a week," Isabel said. "Two," Michael said. "Deal," Maria said
they shook, sparks flying between their hands and giving them
pause. "Let's see your hand first," Isabel said to Maria. Maria laid
her cards down. Three aces and two kings, a high Full House.
Michael didn't smile, he didn't frown, he just calmly laid down his
cards. "Holy shit," Alex breathed. Liz jumped up. "What he get?"
she asked. "I have never in my life actually seen one of those,"
Isabel said awed. "What he get?" Liz asked again. Maria looked
up, eyes wide, lip trembling. "A Royal Flush.."

PART 4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No," Maria shook her head. "No way." Michael grinned.

"You promised," he snatched up her necklace. "Now you belong to
me." All that

was missing was the maniacal evil villain laugh.

"I will NOT be your slave," Maria growled. "Not in a million
years.""Maria," Liz said softly. "You have to."

"I DO NOT!" she yelled. "It was a stupid game anyway." She
glared at him,

eyes burning with unshed tears. Michael blinked, was she actually
crying? Was

the thought of spending even a little time with him that revolting?
"I hope

you're happy." She whirled, grabbing her jacket and her purse. The
door

slammed hard behind her and Michael winced, looking down at
the golden

necklace in his hand.

"I'll talk to her," Liz said sighing.

"Dammit," Isabel growled. "My purse was in her car."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Half of Saturday passed without incident, and Maria took it as a
sign.

Perhaps Michael had given up on the entire slave thing. Her
mother had left

for a week long sci-fi con called GlobaCon in Nevada, packing
enough alien

merchandise to fill a small third world country with happiness. It
was

always something, some kind of Convention in some stupid city
that was far

away from home, or some kind of business or craft class.

She sat there watching cartoons on the Cartoon Network, in her
cotton pajamas

with the pixies on them, a bowl of Reese's Puffs in her lap. She
was

peaceful, her hair neatly combed down, her teeth brushed, but
nothing else

had much changed between sleep and her Saturday morning ritual.
She was

enjoying the ninth rerun of Scooby Do when she heard a sharp rap
at the door..

She grunted, setting her bowl down on the coffee table mentally
hearing her

mother's sharp voice "Don't do that it scratches the wood" and she
padded

across the room in Rainbow Brite slippers. The knock came again.

"I'm coming!" she huffed, unlatching the three locks, her mother
was super

paranoid. "Keep you pants on!" The door swung up, and
immediately slammed.

Michael Guerin stood outside her door, leaning against the railing
of her

front porch. The knock came again.

"Go away," Maria growled through the wood, leaning back against
the door.

"You can't tell me what to do," Michael said good-naturedly.
"That's my job."

"Shut up!" Maria snapped. "It was a stupid game anyway."

"A stupid game that you lost!" Michael replied. "So fine. If you
want to be a

sore loser.." that was it, that was the last straw, no one called her a
sore

loser. She ripped open the door, coming nose to nose with Satan
himself.

"I am NOT a sore loser," she snapped. He held up her necklace,
she reached

for it but he snapped it back.

"See that? That means you belong to me," he said, stepping past
her into her

house. "Nice." She glared at him.

"This is trespassing." He shrugged. "That would be just like you."
She

glared. "Breaking a law just to spite me."

"I don't think I would go that far," Michael said. "If I was going to
break a

law to spite you, I'd do something big," he leaned closer, breath hot
on her

ear. "I'd probably have to kill you." She stepped back startled. He
looked at her, from head to toe.

"Cute," his eyes went to the Reese's Puffs. "Got any more of
those?" He

didn't give her time to answer; he just scooped up the box, digging
his hand

in.

"You might want to get dressed," he popped some cereal into his
mouth. She

growled, whirling.

"Don't touch ANYTHING," she said storming down the hall to her
room. He

grabbed the remote, plopping down on the couch.

"Hey, Gundam Wing..." he settled down, eating Reese's Pieces and
watching the

wonder that is Japanese Anime.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria paced in her room, wondering how to get rid of him. She
could climb out

the window...but the bushes might tear her pajamas. She could
sneak out the

back door, but knowing him he'd probably catch her and rub her
face into it.

Lizzie had called her last night, giving her a comprehensive list of
all the

reasons why she should go through with this bet. The only one that
actually

seemed like it might work had been "You'll have the chance to get
him back."

And that had been said out of desperation on Liz's part she was
sure. Maria

shrugged, pulling on her khaki skirt and a baby blue button down
3\4 sleeve.

Fine, she could play his little game; maybe pull some pranks on
him. She

shoved a Ziploc bag full of Gak, gotten from her locker into her
black

messenger back, then some super glue, not sure what she would
need that for,

and a pair of handcuffs, commandeered from the police station
when her mom

was dating the Sheriff, and pulled on a pair of white shoes sans
socks. A

brush through her hair, two baby blue clips on each side, a dab of
mascara

and some lip gloss later and she was ready to go. She stepped out
of the

room, glaring at the back of his spiky head.

"I'm dressed *master *," she sneered. He turned around.

"Master," he rubbed his chin. "I like that." She sighed.

"Come on," he said putting the Reese's down on the table. "I have
stuff for

you to do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Wait out here," he commanded, pointing to the hallway.

"What?" Maria huffed. "But I want to see your apartment."

"Not yet," he said. "I just need to change and then we'll go."

"Go where?"

"Work." She looked at him a moment before he stepped inside,
quickly closing

the door before she could see inside.

The reason he didn't want to invite her in was not to be rude as
Maria

imagined, but rather the fact that his apartment was neat. We're not
just

talking clean were talking borderline obsessive-compulsive neat.
He didn't want her to see how clean his apartment was, because
tomorrow he would be

dirtying it up just for her. He changed quickly into his business
suit, tying

the tie expertly and slipping into shiny designer shoes.

"Jesus," Maria whispered, mouth dropping open when she saw
him. "Your

so..so.."

"Devastatingly handsome?" he smirked.

"I was going for different," she rolled her eyes. "What's the
occasion?"

"Like I said. I have to go to work," he motioned for her to follow.

"Well then I guess you won't be needing me," she tried to walk past him; he

grabbed her wrist sending sparks up their arms.

"We had a deal," he said. She huffed.

"Fine," she growled. "Lead on."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She had seen Intercorp thousands of times from the outside, a huge
black

shiny skyscraper that took her breath away whenever she passed it.
She had

never been inside it however and it was just as breathtaking inside
as out.

Black marble, gray desks, computer terminals, all totally spotless
and shiny,

cavernous. If it wasn't for Michael she surely would have been lost,
never to

see the outdoors again. He led her down a million halls, taking her
into a

million elevators, until finally he opened a large oak door with the
words M..

Guerin written in gold lettering.

"You have your own office!" she squealed. "But you're my age."

"What does that tell you about yourself?" Michael raised an
eyebrow. She

glared at him.

"Good afternoon Mr. Guerin," Maria jumped, whirling around. The
woman was

seated at a cherry oak desk, a computer to her left, files stacked
miles high

to her right, a few simple pictures of a Brady Bunch family. She
was pretty,

mid-40's, with chestnut brown hair and flashing green eyes, a
wonderful smile

that she turned on Maria instantly.

"And who is this?" she said. "A girlfriend perhaps." The only thing
missing

was a very loud HINT HINT. Michael smiled.

"No, Ms. Bancroft, I doubt Maria would do me the pleasure,"
Maria looked at

him surprised, but he wasn't looking at her, he was taking files
from Ms.

Bancroft. He was like a whole different person here.

"I was wondering," Michael said. "Do you have any tedious office
work she

could amuse herself with?" This Michael talked differently too. It
was very

disturbing.

"Always! I'll bring it right in," Ms. Bancroft looked more then
happy to give

up some of her work; from the looks of her desk she had enough of
it. Michael

motioned for Maria to follow.

"I am not a dog," she hissed, closing the door behind her.

"That's debatable," Michael said, not looking up from the files.
Maria huffed, crossing her arms across her chest and glared at him.
He didn't seem

to notice, or care.

"Here they are!" Ms. Bancroft entered, three stacks of paper
balancing

amazingly enough in only two hands, a stapler on top of that.

"Get her started," Michael said. "I have things to do." He laid the
filed on

his desk, shrugging out of his jacket and hanging it on the back of
his very

professional looking office chair. He pushed the sleeves of his shirt
up to

his forearms and sat down, switching the computer on. Maria
stared at him for

a second. He was so natural here, composed, tedious and utterly
boring. She

didn't like this Michael very much, not that she liked the other
Michael

either.

"All you have to do it put them together like this," Ms. Bancroft
said,

showing her the order in which the papers were to go. "Then
staple. Put them

in a pile and you can give them to me when you're done." She
smiled. "I can't

thank you enough dear." Maria smiled.

"It's no problem. Really," she said. Michael looked up, staring at
her a

moment. Why couldn't she just look at him that way? With
genuine sincerity?

Perhaps she did. Sincere anger anyway. Ms. Bancroft left, shutting
the door

behind her and leaving the two alone. Maria arranged herself on
the floor,

laying out on her stomach, facing Michael, feet bent at the knees
and

pointing straight up, rocking back and forth. Michael looked up
again. She

was so cute. She chewed on her lower lip in concentration, as if
the little

busy work he had given her could hold the cure for cancer, with
her legs

kicking back and forth like that she reminded him of a three year
old. He

smiled, shaking his head. He didn't hate her, he had never hated
her, not in

the million years they had been fighting. It was like in fourth
grade. You

see a girl you like; you pull her hair, or insult her as the case may
be. It

was sad really, this harbored crush, and the defenses he put up, the
way he

KEPT insulting her, even though he was pretty sure the 4th graders
grew out

of it and started actually DATING the girls they insulted. He
turned to the

screen. It was official. Michael Guerin was in love with Maria
DeLuca, if

only she would realize it??

PART 5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Here you are," he leaned against her porch again. "See you same
time tomorrow? My apartment? Around 11?" She eyed him. "I
have to work," she said. "Crashdown. Remember?" "No you don't,"
he smiled. "I talked to Mr. Parker." She looked at him. Eyes wide.
"What did you say to him!" she asked. "If you got me fired so help
me GOD..." he laughed. "Relax!" he shook his head. "You have the
worst temper you know that?" "I DO NOT HAVE A TEMPER!" he
looked at her. "I simply told Mr. Parker you'd be taking the week
off," he shrugged. "YOU DID WHAT!" Maria said. "I don't have
that kind of vacation time!" "Cool it, I said you'd make it up by
working on your days off for two weeks," he shrugged. "This was
more important." "I cannot believe you!" Maria said, pushing his
chest. "You think you can just waltz into my life and mold it to
shape YOUR schedule? I'm working tomorrow whether YOU like
it or not. You may have won that stupid poker game but you will
NEVER get me to follow through with it. Keep the stupid
necklace, see if I care," she turned. "I thought we had a deal," he
said, softly. "Screw the deal, and get off of my property!" she
slammed the door behind her, throwing the three bolts. "Stupid
jerk.." she grumbled. Michael sighed. He had blown it. Again.
Though this time he wasn't really sure HOW he had blown it, he
had just blown it. He looked at her door, debating whether he
should knock of not, and deciding against it. With his luck she
might throw some kind of sharp object at him. He shoved his
hands into his pockets once more, walking down the stairs,
thinking fondly of the peaceful Maria from his office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He paced his apartment angry. She hadn't shown. Sure she had said
she wouldn't come but dammit they had had a deal. She had lost
the game fair and square. No cheating whatsoever on his part.
Didn't that mean anything to her? Anything at all? Probably not.
She hated him with a fiery passion, like a stupid little game a few
days in his company meant anything to her. He growled, grabbing
his leather jacket and his keys. If she wasn't going to come to him,
then he would go to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liz gave him a questioning smile when he entered. He waved,
looking around the diner for Maria. She wasn't serving customers,
Liz had that handled, she wasn't manning the register, Mr. Parker
was working on that, and she wasn't with Jose. That left on place.
He stormed across the restaurant, towards the employees lounge.
Recently Mr. Parker had installed a brand-new Pac-Man game,
gotten on discount. It was the only way the employees could relax
on the two 20 minute breaks they got each work day, not to
mention he knew it to be fact Maria was addicted to the game, all
of this info thanks to his frequent visits to the Crashdown. Sure
enough there she was, bent over the controls, biting her lip in
concentration as she steered Pac Man around the level, avoiding
multi-colored ghosts and rushing for cherries. He smiled evilly,
and slowly crept into the back room. He leaned down, and in one
fluid motion wrapped his arms around her waist. She gasped and
straightened up. "I thought we had an arrangement," he whispered
softly into her hair. She shivered. Unfortunately Pac was left
stranded and was attacked by a red ghost. GAME OVER, flashed
onto the screen. "YOU MADE ME LOSE MY GAME!" she yelled
angrily. But she didn't pull away. He chuckled, reaching into his
pocket he withdrew a quarter, bring it around to her face. "Here,
play again, on me," she hit is hand, knocking the quarter away; it
rolled under the machine, never to be seen again. "What are you
doing here?" she squirmed in his grasp, but froze when his fingers
began to play with the fabric of her shirt at her tiny waist. "Like I
said, I thought we had a deal," he said. She pulled away, turning
around, unconsciously stepping closer. "The deals off," she
snapped. "Hmm...I suppose we could forget about the deal," his
hand reached out, rubbing up her arm. "But I'd need some kind of
compensation...a family heirloom perhaps? Something that's been
in your family for years..." he smiled inwardly when she gasped.
His fingers continued their trek up her arms, brushing lightly
against the skin and sending shivers down her spine. "You
wouldn't," she said, fighting to keep her eyes open. He stepped
closer, their bodies almost molded together. "No, I don't suppose I
would," he whispered into her hair, fingers moving to the small of
her back. Her eyes won the battle, falling closed. He reached into
his pocket, drawing something out and pressing it into her hand,
closing her fingers around it. Leaning down he put his lips to her
ear. "Your free," he couldn't take it anymore. He was too close. He

leaned down, capturing his lips on the soft skin of her neck, tasting
the salty flesh and smelling in the sweet flower scent of her skin.
His eyes snapped open, he couldn't do this, she wasn't his. He
pulled back, quickly bolting from the room. Maria's eyes snapped
open. What the hell was that? She looked around. Michael was
gone; she went to the door, pushing it open. He wasn't in the main
restaurant either. She looked down into her hand. Her necklace, he
had given her back her necklace. She stormed up front, grabbing
her friend and whirling her around. "Liz," she said. "I need the rest
of the day off.."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I am such a moron!" Michael said. Max jumped, startled. Michael
had never entered through the actual door. "Huh?" Max said. "Why
are you a moron this time?" "Maria," Michael said. Max nodded
understanding. He had known for some time about his friend's
harbored crush on the girl. Sure he was hiding it well, but if you
looked really close, if you looked at his eyes when he was glaring
at her you could see a flicker of something more. "What did you do
to Maria?" Max asked. "Oh god Michael tell me you didn't. Sexual
assault is against the law." "I didn't sexually assault her," Michael
plopped down on the bed thinking a minute. "Well not a lot

anyway." "What did you do?" Max asked. "Nothing much, kissed
her neck..." Michael said. "Jesus, what did I tell you about
self-control?" Max said. "I don't have any?" Michael asked
confused, sitting up slightly. "So I guess the master/slave thing
didn't work out to well?" Max asked, tossing the notebook he was
writing in for the project onto his desk. "Let's just say it's not like
the porno flick," Michael muttered. "Too bad for you," Max rolled
his eyes. "I made a complete fool of myself," Michael said. Max
shrugged. "Oh well," Michael sat up part way again, looking at
him. "You're not going to offer any words of encouragement?" "Go
get 'em champ?" Max tried helplessly. Michael sighed, falling back
on the bed. "I tried to be nice to her, but it's just so HARD."
"Funny, doesn't seem like it could be too much of a challenge,"
Max rolled his eyes. "You haven't spent the last 4 years being
mean to her," Michael said. "I mean you just completely ignore the
girl your in love with." Max turned red. "And who is that?" he
asked slowly. "Liz Parker, duh," Michael rolled his eyes. "You've
been after that girl since time began. I don't see why you don't just
go for it I mean, she'll date you." "How do you know?" Max asked.
"You talk to her?" "No," Michael shrugged. "It's just obvious."
"Not as obvious as necking with her..." Max muttered. "That only
happened one time! And it won't happen again.." Michael said
gruffly. "Maria probably won't talk to me." "She might yell at you,"
Max said brightly. Michael made a woohoo motion with his hand.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. "Michael?" he shot up. Max
swiveled to the door. There she stood, looking around the room
uncertainly. "Thought I'd find you here," she said offering a small
smile. "Did you want something?" he asked, hoping it didn't come
out sounding as gruff as it had in his head. It did but who noticed?
"Yeah," she motioned for him to follow her. "Hey Max. Cool
poster. Liz has one just like it." She pointed to Einstein. Max
waved and ducked his head to hide the blush and Michael gave
him a "See-I-Told-You-So look before following her out. He
closed the door behind him and leaned against the wall. "So what's
up?" he asked carefully, hoping she would start in with the verbal
abuse right away. "You were right," he blinked startled, he hadn't
been expecting THAT. "A deal is a deal, and I lost. Simple as that.
I'll still be your slave, that is-" she looked up meekly. "-if you want
me to be?" Michael resisted the urge to yell HELL YES, and kiss
her. "Okay," he shrugged. Way to play it cool. "Cool," she smiled.
"I'll talk to Mr. Parker and see if we can arrange something." He
nodded. "Oh, and here," she reached into the pocket of her rather
odd looking parka and pressed the object into his palm. "I'll see
you at school tomorrow." She fled down the stairs, the door
slamming behind her with a quick "Bye Mrs. Evans!" He looked
down at his hand amazed; resting there was the necklace, Maria
written in bright gold script.

PART 6

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael paced back and forth, treading a deep trench in his
perfectly clean white carpet. That was the problem. CLEAN. How
was Maria supposed to have a reason for being here today if his
apartment was already CLEAN. He looked at it, biting down on his
lip and gingerly reached out towards a potted plant. He flinched
back, as if it burned him. "Don't be a wuss Michael," he said to
himself. "It's either your apartment or 12 hours with Maria
DeLuca." His inner struggle lasted a good ten minutes before his
hand gingerly reached out again. It flinched back. "Dammit!" he
snapped. "Gotta start small." He looked around the room, and
slowly edged towards the bookshelf. He reached the hand gingerly
out again, grabbed the binding of a book and tipped back,
watching it fall to the floor amaze. Even he could make a mess. He
grabbed a stack of books, revved with messy courage and began to
put them in different places around the room. He then went to his
"Supply" bag and extracted the pizza box, gotten from the garbage
disposal, courtesy of the college roommates down the hall, he set it
at an angle on the table and reached into the bag again. Using his
thumb and pointer he quickly tossed the crusty bag of old
McDonalds foot onto the floor, followed by a half-eaten carton of
Chinese. He then went to the bathroom, scattering his toothbrush,
aftershave, cologne, and other odds and ends around it. He couldn't
help the immaculately clean toilet and shower, unless he wanted to
go to the bathroom 20 times and take 20 showers, which he didn't.
He then moved to his bedroom, dumping out his hamper and
tossing the clothes around the room, he put a few books around the
place and tipped over a flowerpot, spilling soil onto his clean
carpet. He went to the kitchen, glad he hadn't done the dishes
yesterday or this morning. He spread a few breadcrumbs, cheese
shreds, and other tiny food items on the floor. He stopped then,
don't want to make it too hard. He looked around his apartment
and groaned. It was filthy. His hand itched to pick up the books
and his gag reflex was getting overtime with the Chinese carton,
McDonalds and pizza box. There was a knock and he breathed a
sigh of relief, he wouldn't have to live with it much longer.
"Housekeeping," Maria said, holding up a broom, bucket and other
cleaning supplies. He smiled letting her in. "Jeez, no wonder you
wouldn't let me in here yesterday," Maria said setting down her
stuff. "I'd be embarrassed with this place too." Michael somehow
resisted the urge to deny the mess. Instead he shrugged, clenching
his teeth. "I'll start with the living room," she finally decided. "I'm
afraid to ask if you have trash bags?" He nodded, walking to the
kitchen. "This place actually has the potential to be a pretty good
apartment," she called back. Michael clenched his teeth harder,
afraid they would break. "Got the trash bags," he said trying to be
chipper. "Coolness," she grabbed them, opening one up and
stuffing in the trash on his floor, picking up books and setting them
into stacks on the coffee table as she did. "It's dirty, but it's not
dusty," she shrugged. "At least I won't sneeze." Michael had to bite
his lip to keep from laughing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What are you doing?" Maria snapped. Michael jumped startled
and dropped the stack of books. He hid his hands behind his back,
trying hard as he might to look innocent. "Nothing," he said
quickly. "Nothing at all." Maria eyed the stack of book at his feet.
"What were you doing with those?" she asked. "Putting them on
the shelf." He looked at her, trying to see if she was buying it. She
wasn't. "I already put them on the shelf," Maria said. "I repeat.
What were you doing?" "Organizing them," he said sheepishly.
"But I already alphabetized them," her brow wrinkled in confusion.
"You did it by Title. It has to be done by author," Michael blushed.
"Or so I've heard." She looked at him. "You are a non-human," she
shook her head, continuing to take out the trash, leaving Michael
standing there with his stack of books.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Whew!" Maria plopped down onto the couch, taking off her
bright yellow cleaning gloves as she did so. "Done?" Michael
looked up his book. "Already?" "Yeah, it wasn't that hard," Maria
said. "Just put things in piles, put the piles where they need to go
and BAM, your apartments clean," she said. "You should try that
sometime." "I'll consider it," Michael said clenching his teeth once
more. "What's next? I don't think your car needs washing. The way
you protect that thing I bet it gets washed every day," she said.
"Once a week," Michael said. "But professionally." "How did you
afford that thing anyway?" Maria asked. "Company perk," Michael
shrugged. "Well that cars damn perky," Maria said. "That car is the
shit." Michael nodded smiling. "So what do you want me to do
next." Michael thought a minute. "I want you to follow me," he
stood up, grabbing his keys.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The park?" Maria said confused. "Why are we in the park?" "For
ice-cream, duh," Michael rolled his eyes, leading her over to the
ice-cream vendor. "Hey Mickey!" Eddie smiled at him when he
walked up. "Whose the chick?" "Eddie, this is Maria. Maria, this is
Eddie," Maria gave a little wave, still not sure what was going on.
"The usual man?" Eddie asked. Michael nodded and looked over at
Maria. "What do you want?" Maria shrugged. "Give her the same."
"Tabasco Sauce?" he asked. "Just for me," Maria looked at him
bewildered. Eddie gave him a packet of Taco Bell Tabasco sauce,
and then handed them two large waffle cones of moose tracks ice
cream. "So what. You want me to pay or something?" Maria said.
"Of course not," Michael said, giving Eddie a 5. "Come on." "Still
not getting why we're here," Maria said licking up some ice cream.
Michael took a bite of his cone. "I told you already," Michael said.
"For ice-cream." Maria stopped and looked at him, he kept
walking, heading towards the man-made pond. She watched him
for a minute and then jogged to catch up. "You brought me here
for ice-cream? What's the catch?" she asked. "No catch," Michael
said. "I wanted ice-cream." She decided to drop it, what was the
point? Michael sat down on the end of the large wooden dock,
taking off his shoes, and setting them to the side. Maria followed
his example, dipping her feet into the water. "So," Maria said.
"What am I going to do during this entire slave deal." A duck
swam near her feet, she kicked some water at it smiling. "I mean
your apartments clean, and your car is ALWAYS clean. What else
is there? Carry your books? Wear my underwear on my head?" Her
eyes went wide with horror. "Oh dear God I'm giving you ideas."
He smiled. The duckling swam close again, nipping at her toe. She
kicked water at it once more, laughing. "That," Michael said
looking at her. "Huh?" she looked up. "That?" "That's what I want
you to do. I want you to be happy," he took a bite out of his ice
cream as if it was the most normal statement in the world. "Why?"
she asked confused. He shrugged. "Because when you're happy, I'm
happy," he took a bite out of his ice cream again, turning his head
towards the water casually. Maria blinked and stared at him. Not
sure how to respond. "Then I'll do that," she finally said softly. "I
can be happy." "I know," Michael said. "I've watched you." Again
she blinked, looking at him. "It's getting late," Michael said.
"Come on. I'll walk you home." He began to put his shoes back on.
Maria followed his example again. He stood up, helping her to her
feet. "Walk?" Maria looked confused. "But what about your car?"
"Your house is just a few blocks away, I'll just walk back and get
it," he shrugged. "It's not a problem." She nodded and they began
to walk. "You have a free day tomorrow," he said after a long
silence. "Huh?" she looked up surprised. "I have meetings all day
tomorrow after school." "Oh!" Maria said. "I forgot! I'll need
Thursday off." Michael raised an eyebrow smiling. "Oh? Trying to
sucker me?" he said. "No!" she said. "It's just I volunteer at West
Roswell Hospital every Thursday, and I can't get out of it. Not that
I want to, I love working with the children." He nodded, eyes
softening. It seemed like something she would do, volunteering for
kids, because she loved it. "Okay," he said. "Then you shall have
Thursday off," he looked at her a moment. "Actually," he said. "I
might be able to get some use out of you tomorrow. You have a
formal dress?" Confused she nodded. "Well, I'll pick you up 6."
"What help could I possibly be?" she asked. "You'll see," he looked
up at her door. "We're here." "Thanks," she said. "For walking me
home. You didn't have to you know." "I know," he looked down at
her. "So I'll see you tomorrow at 6? You won't flake out this time?"
"I won't flake out," Maria sighed rolling her eyes. "Good slave," he
laughed, leaning down and brushing his lips lightly against her
cheek. "See you tomorrow at school." He shoved his hands into his
pockets sauntering away, leaving Maria to stare open-mouthed at
his back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Liz?" Maria asked softly, stirring her milkshake with a straw. Liz
looked up. "Yeah?" "Do you think I'm crush-worthy?" Liz dropped
the plate startled, it clattered but didn't break. "Huh?" she turned
around. "What are you talking about?" "Am I crush-worthy? Is it
feasible that a guy could have a crush on me?" Maria asked. "Of
course it's feasible!" Liz said. "Your gorgeous Maria! And smart,
and funny, and sweet. I'm surprised have the junior class doesn't
have a crush on you!" Liz laughed. "What brought this on?" Maria
ignored the question. "Then is it also feasible that this guy, who
thinks I'm crush worthy, could pretend to hate me for years?"
Maria asked. "What is this about?" Liz said leaning over the
counter towards her friend. "Nothing," Maria tossed a 5 onto the
counter, not bothering to finish her milkshake. "I have to go," she
said. "Gotta get ready for something.