Friday Night Poker Part 2

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

He came right on schedule, rapping on the door at precisely six o'
clock.

She took a deep breath and reached out, opening the door. He was
dressed

formally as well, black slacks, shiny black dress shoes, a crisp
baby blue

shirt and a black leather blazer. His eyes darkened when he saw
her, and she

shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"Damn," he breathed. "Where you been hiding that dress?" She
blushed and

shrugged. The baby blue halter dress had seemed appropriate, with
cute little

white sandals and a matching bag. Her hair was held back by a
blue headband

and her earring were simple diamond drops. Formal enough.

"It was in my closet," he nodded.

"You'll do just fine," he offered her his arm. "Shall we go?"

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

Maria felt very out of place in Grizolli, the restaurant Michael had

pulled up in front of. A huge golden Italian fountain spouted
champagne,

beautiful marble floors, a gold leaf ceiling and shiny cherry oak
tables

proclaimed the prominence of the restaurant. It was reservation
only, and

only the most important people could even thing of trying for one.

"Kaufman, party of 4," Michael said. "They should be expecting
us?"

"Michael Guerin?" the man looked at her. "Mr. Kaufman didn't
mention your

bring a *friend *," the man looked at her with distaste.

"I'm sure it will be okay," Michael glared at him teeth clenched.
The man

collected himself.

"This was sir," he said, leading them across the elegant restaurant
to a small table set in the corner.

It was hard not to instantly like Mr. Kaufman. The white bearded
pudgy

man reminded you of Santa Clause with his rosy cheeks and
infectious laugh.

Maria liked him the moment she set eyes on him. The e woman
beside Mr.

Kaufman however left Maria with a sick feeling in her stomach.
She was

supermodel gorgeous, blonde and blue eyed with curves
everywhere. She greeted

Michael with a predatory smile and held out a perfectly manicured
hand. He

kissed it, smiling at her.

"Stacy," he said, almost purring. "Always a pleasure."

'I'll bet," Maria muttered. Michael looked at her.

"Did you say something?" he asked. She shook her head.

"Mr. Kaufman, Stacy, let me introduce you to Maria DeLuca,"
Maria smiled at

the man, shaking his hand, and did the same for Stacy who sized
her up.

"She's smaller then the last one Michael," Stacy said. "Like a
fairy." She

gave Maria a cold smile. "How cute." Maria glared back at her,
resisting the

urge to rip her hair out by the roots. Maria DeLuca was not *cute*
. Michael

pulled a chair out for Stacy and then did the same for Maria.

"I took the liberty of ordering," Mr. Kaufman said. Michael
nodded.

"Let's get down to business," he said. Maria sat there, looking at
the

tablecloth, catching snatches of official sounding conversation.
She could

feel Stacy's eyes on her, but didn't look up until a plate of delicious

looking food was set in front of her. She wasn't sure what it was
but it

looked and smelled wonderful. Michael and Mr. Kaufman were
arguing about

something, she wasn't sure what but it had something to do with
whatever

Michael was trying to sell him.

"I understand your position Michael, I really do," Mr. Kaufman
was saying.

"But your company just seems..cold, not the ideal company for a
family

business." This coming from the guy who had Ice Queen herself as
his date.

"But when you look at the figures-" Michael tried again.

"Enough business talk," Mr. Kaufman ordered. "Eat." Michael
sighed and

nodded, grabbing his fork. Maria followed his example, taking a
bite out of

the food, which was just as wonderful as it looked, nice and rich.

"So, Maria," Stacy said her name with scorn, raising an eyebrow at
her. "How

do you know Michael?"

"Well I go to school with him," she said.

"Oh really? So that would make you what? 16?" Stacy asked,
making her feel

every bit as young as she was.

"17 next month."

"How cute! Mickey I thought you only liked older women," Stacy
turned her

attention to Michael, pointing her cleavage in his direction.
Michael shot

her a warning glare.

"So what do you do?" Maria asked changing the subject.

"She shops," Mr. Kaufman said.

"You mean she's a buyer?" Maria asked confused."No." he laughed
again. "She just uses up my credit cards." Stacy slapped his

arm laughing coyly.

"Daddy stop it," daddy? This was an interesting new development.

"Actually Stacy isn't much older then you Maria," Michael said.
"She's a

freshman at UCLA." Maria raised an eyebrow.

"Funny. She looks so much OLDER," Stacy glared at her, Maria
smiled

innocently back, taking a bite of her food. Stacy however was
doing nothing

more then chopping her food into smaller and smaller pieces and
pushing it

around her plate.

"How do you eat so much and stay so skinny?" Stacy asked,
looking genuinely

interested.

"High metabolism," Maria said, taking another bite of the rich food
just to

spite. Michael put down his napkin and stood up.

"Maria," he said. "May I have this dance?" she looked at his hand a
minute,

surprised.

"Sure," she took it, standing up. "If you'll excuse us." She gave a

triumphant smile to Stacy who sneered at her, and followed
Michael onto the

marble dance floor.

"Are you enjoying herself?" he wrapped an arm around her waist,
entwining her

fingers with his.

"Oh yeah, immensely," she rolled her eyes.

"I take it you don't like Stacy?" he smiled; all the while they
swayed gently

to the music.

"She's snobby," Maria concluded.

"I thought you didn't think people were snobby, you just thought
they were

shy and reserved," he said. She blinked at him in surprise. He
actually

remembered?

"There is nothing "shy or reserved" about that women," Maria said.
Michael

laughed.

"I see what you mean," he looked over at Stacey who was eyeing
them with

distaste, he pulled Maria closer. She didn't seem to mind so he
took that as

a good sign.

"Your good friends with her?" Maria asked. He ran his fingers up
and down the

small of her back as they danced.

"No," Michael said, resting his chin on her head. "I've only met her
twice.

Disliked her twice," Maria smiled. They continued to dance, until
the song

ended. Michael leaned down, lightly brushing his lips on hers
before he

pulled away, leading her back to the table.

"I'm convinced," Mr. Kaufman said the minute they got back to the
table.

"Excuse me?" Michael pulled her chair out for her.

"The deal. I'm convinced, any company whose leading man is as
sincere as

that-" he motioned to the dance floor, "-has to be caring enough for
a family

company. I'll sign." Michael's eyes opened wide.

"Really sir? I'll have Ms. Bancroft pull up the contracts and have
them sent

right over," they shook hands. "If you'll excuse us," Mr. Kaufman
said standing up. Michael nodded.

"Bye Mickey," Stacy pulled a piece of paper out from said
cleavage and

pressed it into Michael's hand. "Until next time." She gave Maria a
cursory

glare before taking her father's arm and sauntering out. Michael
slid her

chair back.

"Shall we go?" the minute they were outside the confines of the
restaurant he

picked her up by her waist spinning her around. She laughed
surprised.

"I knew it!" he kissed her hard on her mouth. "I knew you'd help
me."

"What did I do?" she put her hands to her lips. "I just sat there."

"Your cute, you have that nature, makes people want to buy
things," he kissed

her cheek. "Thank you."

"I didn't DO anything," she laughed, still a little dazed from the
kiss.

"It's late," Michael said. "I better get you home before your mom
starts to

worry."

"She's not here," Maria said. "She's at a Sci-Fi convention."

"Come on," he smiled, deciding to ignore that last little tid-bit..
Too much

temptation. He draped his arm across her shoulders, and when she
didn't shrug

it off he decided to take advantage of the liberty more often.

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

"I'll see you tomorrow," Michael said, walking her to her door.

"Yeah," she said and looked at him. "I actually had fun tonight.
Surprising

huh?"

"Yeah, surprising," Michael smiled. "So did I." He leaned down a
little bit.

"Surprising." He whispered, his breath hot on her cheek. Her eyes
fell

closed, and she felt the light brush of his lips on her skin, but
nothing

else. Her eyes snapped open, he was gone. Walking down the
street, hands

shoved in his pockets in that annoying way of his walking away
natural as

anything.

part 8

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

"We're going shopping," Maria looked at him confused.

"Shopping?" she leaned back in her seat. "Shopping for what?"

"Clothes," he said, shooting her a sideways grin as he maneuvered
the car

through traffic.

"Really?" Maria sat up, clapping her hands excited. "Can I pick
you out some

clothes? I know the perfect store for you, it in the mall and they
sell the

coolest-" she rambled on, and on about clothes what styles would
be perfect

and how they should check to see if they fit. He listened, not really
paying

as much attention to her words as he was her voice. Light and
lilting,

filling the dreary sports car with joy, something it had never
experienced.

It was a heady feeling being with this girl, to get a little of the
energy

she radiated. He had never been around anyone with her spirit.

"We're here," he said at last, breaking into her ramblings.
"Actually," he

said. "I wasn't shopping for me." She looked at him confused.

"Then whom were you shopping for?" she asked. He looked at her,
long and

hard, holding her gaze.

"You," she blinked, and he looked towards the mall.

"Better get shopping before the crowds arrive," he said. She
continued to

stare at him.

"For me? What do I need?" He shrugged.

"I have something to ask you," he said. "But not now." A light of
hope rose

in her chest, restricting her throat. He motioned for her to follow.
"Come

on." She nodded, complying.

"So," Michael said. "Where do you want to go first?" Maria
grabbed his arm.

"You're not buying anything for me," Maria said sternly. He
laughed.

"I'll buy you something whether you're here or not, at least if you're
here I

can get the right size," he said, reaching out and touching the
fabric of her

shirt, his finger lightly brushing the skin of her arm. "The right
color,"

his hand moved up, brushing her neck. "Style." He brushed her
cheek, tucking

a stray lock of short blonde hair behind her ear. She was frozen to
the spot,

holding her breath, staring at him with wide hazel eyes.

"Only a few outfits," Michael said. "Then we'll go shopping for
me." Maria

continued to stare at him. "What's wrong Motor mouth? Cat got
your tongue?"

She growled, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the mall.

"You want to buy me something Space Boy? Then by god you are
going to buy me

something."

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

"You like it?" she turned, modeling the simple black dress, it was a
halter

dress, stopping mid thigh and exposing a lot of leg. He nodded
vigorously,

eyes wide and dark. She could almost see the drool forming at the
corner of

his mouth. She smiled triumphantly and pouted. "I need shoes." He
nodded,

turning to the sales clerk

"We'll take it," he held out a credit card. Maria grinned, knowing
she had

him. Never underestimate the power of a sexy dress and a man
with a credit

card. She skipped off to the dressing room. This slave thing wasn't
so bad.

She got to model gorgeous outfits for an equally gorgeous guy. She
had taken

his hand at the start and he hadn't dropped it since, only to let her
change.

She looked at herself in the mirror. Could he really have feeling
for her? It

certainly appeared that way..kissing her, touching her, holding her
hand.

Like they were dating or something. It was weird, less then a week
ago he had

been tugging on her hair and calling her Motor mouth Maria and
Ditzy DeLuca,

making fun of her every chance he got. He still called her those
names of

course, but now it was...affectionate, like a pet name. She smiled
at her

reflection, admiring the dress. The dress Michael was buying her.
The dress

he SHOULDN'T be buying her. That too confused her, Michael
dressed in those

cheap Good Will looking clothes at school but at home he was a
totally

different person. Well-dressed, sweet, with good manners, a wallet
full of

credit cards and a car to kill. She reached down grabbing her shirt,
smiling

at the mere thought of her "master."

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

"I am NOT getting matching outfits," Michael shook his head
emphatically,

glaring at the salesclerk. Maria pouted, sticking out those
intoxicating lips

of hers.

"But Michaeeell," she whined softly. "It would be so cute!!!" He
eyed her.

"I don't want to be "cute"."

"Sure you do," Maria began to play with his hand, tracing her
initials into

his palm with his fingers. The walls were slowly crumbling, with
each stroke

of her finger he felt himself give a little.

"NO," he said, more to reassure himself that he was still in control
then to

deny her.

"Please?" Maria begged. "Just one." She pointed to a khaki skirt
and plaid

3/4 sleeve shirt, and the matching outfit beside it made for males,
khaki

pants a long sleeved plaid shirt of the same colors.

"NO WAY," Michael said. "You are not going to dress me up like
Yuppie Ken."

Maria tugged on his arm.

"Michael!" she trailed her finger down his shirt, again leading him
to

distraction. The muscles bunched, tensing under her touch.
"Please?" She

looked up at him, hazel eyes locking with brown like a small child
pleading

for a toy. He sighed, defeated. "We'll take it."

"Can we wear them now?" she asked.

"NO," Michael said. "I'm drawing the line."

"If you wear the outfit I'll..." she thought a second. "Do
something."

"Do what?" he whispered.

"What do you want me to do?" she said.

"I," he said. "I want you to go out with me." She blinked.

"Where?" Maria said.

"With me. On a� |" he coughed. "Date." She choked..

"A date?" he nodded.

"We'll wear the outfits," he said.

"A date," she repeated. He nodded.

"You don't have to say yes," Michael said. "This is strictly between
us,

forget the game for a second."

"Between us.."

"I can wait," Michael said. "I'm not in a hurry."

"Yes." Maria said. Michael blinked, unbelieving.

"Yes?" he choked in disbelief. "Did you� |you just said." She
smiled.

"Yes."

"WOOHOO!!" he picked her up spinning her around. She
squealed, laughing,

enjoying the feel of his hands on her waist, making her feel totally
free. He

leaned down, capturing his lips on hers in a hard, bruising, but
sweet kiss

that left her breathless. "Do you have ANY idea how long I've been
waiting to

ask that?" He practically shouted grinning at her.

"How long?" Maria laughed.

"Too long," Michael said. He grabbed the bag. "YEARS." Maria
looked at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked softly. He looked at her.

"Not even I know that one kiddo," he said, giving her a chuck
under her chin.

They stood like that for a moment, just grinning at each other.

"Can I do something� |for� |you?" the woman looked at the
couple, momentarily

confused. Michael looked at her.

"No, we we're just leaving," he grabbed Maria's hand again.

"Enough shopping," he said. "It's time to have some real fun.."

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

The scream tore from her mouth like something primal, mixed
with laughter

as the tears ran down her face.

"PUT YOUR ARMS UP!" Michael shouted over the roar, his own
arms pointed

towards the sky. It rose again, up up, and then it plummeted back
down

getting another scream out of her. Her arms shot up and then
grabbed hard

onto him as it rounded the corner, looping around a corkscrew,
turning her

end on end. They went down one more hill, slowing down to a
crawl and

pulling into the coasters station.

Michael laughed, pulling her to her feet and out of the
rollercoaster. She

fell into him, a little dizzy.

"Whoa," he grinned. "I see you are not roller coaster savvy." She
clutched at

him, desperately trying to fight gravity. Gravity won. She sank
down to her

knees, woozy, and Michael came down with her, though willingly.

"It's alright," Michael said. "Just stay here for a second." Michael

swallowed, pressing her head against his chest and breathing in the
sweet

smell of cologne and sweat that is Michael Guerin.

"I've never been on one of those," Maria said, trying to stand up..
Michael

helped her, standing her up and brushing her off.

"Never?" Michael said. "Blasphemy." She giggled, still a little
disoriented.

"I never wanted to go," Maria said. "Too scary."

"Scary? A roller coaster?" Michael shook his head. "Your just a
wuss." Maria

tried to look indignant.

"I am NOT a wuss!" she said playfully hitting him in the arm. "I
am simply

cautious."

"Wuss," she went to hit him again but he dodged it, backing up a
step and

almost crashing into an older woman carrying a handbag. Maria
giggled and

went after him again, trying to slap him. He dodged again.

"Hold still you little-" she lunged, and he ducked out of his way..

"Have to catch me first!" he yelled, sprinting off in the other
direction.

Maria shrieked in rage, chasing after him. They ducked through
ride lines and

pushed through food crowds, winding their way around the
amusement park,

until she lost him.

"Michael?" she called, slowing to a stop. "Michael?" She looked
around. It

was virtually deserted in this part of the park. "Michael this isn't
funny."

She whirled. "Michael!" He grabbed her by her waist, pulling her
against him.

"You rang?" he whispered, breathe hot against her ear. She
squirmed.

"You jerk!" she laughed, hitting his arm.

"You scared me half to death," she said. "I can't find my way out of
this

place alone."

"I'm glad your worry over my personal concern totally
overshadows your worry

for finding your way out of this place," Michael rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry but I like my house better then you," she stuck her
tongue out. He

eyed her.

"I see how it is," he said dramatically, feigning hurt. "I can take it."
He

swallowed, pretending to wipe away a tear. She laughed.

"Come on you big loser," she grabbed his shirt.

"Where are you taking me?" he yelled. "HELP! THIS WOMAN IS
NOT MY MOMMY!" he

yelled. Maria laughed.

"You still didn't tell me when our date is," Maria said.

"Friday," Michael said. "I'm going to take you to the carnival." She
looked

at him.

"I've never been to one of them," Maria said.

"Then this will be quite an experience," he smirked.

"Yeah," she said solemnly, looking at him. "It will." He kissed her
cheek.

"Come on," he said. "Let me get you home."

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

"I'll see you tomorrow?" he looked at her, studying her face in the
fading

daylight.

"Hospital remember?" Maria said.

"Oh," Michael said disappointed. "I forgot."

"You could� |come visit me," Maria suggested, hoisting the bags
up. He smiled.

"I think I might just do that," he kissed her cheek once more,
giving her

hand a squeeze. "Until tomorrow Ditzy." He whispered, backing
away from her,

his eyes never leaving hers.

"Don't call me Ditzy!"

PART 9

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

"Hey girl," Margie smiled at her when she entered; the large black
woman took up half the front desk, her white uniform stretched
taut over cocoa skin. She grinned at Maria. "You're looking mighty
happy." Maria grinned back. "Well I am," Maria adjusted her
candy striper outfit. "And why is that shuga?" Margie asked. "Got
yourself a man." Maria blushed. "Well it's about damn time."
Maria laughed. "So what's your fella's name?" "His name is
Michael and he's...he's not my fella," Maria blushed a deeper shade
of red. "Lookit you," Margie laughed. "Your redder then than my
apple here." She held up an apple. "Them children are in there to
see ya." Maria nodded. "But your going to give me all the juicy
details honey." Maria laughed and nodded, going towards the
playroom. "MARIA!!" the voices chorused, rushing up to greet her
a thousand little hands grasping onto the short skirt of her uniform.
"Maria! Maria!" They hopped up and down, grubby hands
clutching at her, and grabbing a hold of her legs. "Hey!" she
kneeled, letting them get a good grip on her, grabbing the new
nearest ones and hoisting them up. "Ria!!" a little girl, with brown
pigtails and yellow ribbons wrapped her arms around her neck
from the left, and a little boy, Timmy, wrapped his arms around
her neck from the right. "WE missed you THIS much," he spread
his arms wide, almost breaking his little back. "That much huh?"
she laughed, putting them both down. He watched her from the
safety of the door, cracking it just barely. "I made you sumthing,"
Wendy said, rushing to a table, and grabbing a piece of yellow
construction paper from the arts and crafts table. She ran back
over. "It's a rabbit. He has a carrot." "He's gorgeous," Maria said,
looking at the white ball of fluff. "I'll hang him on The Board
okay?" The girl nodded eyes wide as Maria grabbed a dormant tac
and carefully tacked up the picture. 'Thank you Wendy!" "I got you
something too!!" Tommy yelled angry that his fire had been stolen.
He kicked at Wendy and she kicked back, not about to give in to a
boy. He kicked her again and then she tackled him. "Guys!" Maria
said laughing, grabbing one kid and then the other, holding them
away from each other. "Calm down." They did, obeying whatever
she said. "You said you got me something?" He happily skipped to
the table, betraying a plastic rose. "Tommy!!" Maria admonished.
"Did you steal this from Mrs. Runic." Tommy blushed. "She was
sleeping," Tommy said. Maria sighed. "It's been my experience,
that girls like it better if you give them real flowers," Maria
gasped, whirling around. Thirty tiny eyes were on him. He brought
the roses out from behind his back, bestowing them to her. Maria
gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Michael," she whispered.
Instantly the questions started in. "Are you Maria's boyfriend?"
thirty little voices asked. "That's up to Maria," he looked at them,
smiling. "No," Maria said, not ready to admit it, not even to
herself. "He's not." He looked up, meeting her eyes. "He'd like to
be," he said softly. The children looked at her gauging her
reactions. She didn't have one, she was to shocked to have a facial
expression. He pressed the roses into her hands and they're they
stayed. "Well," Maria said finally, after a long, pregnant pause. "I
have to do my rounds." Michael nodded. She looked around the
room. "You'll behave while I'm gone right?" "RIGHT!" they yelled!
She laughed. "Okay," she opened the door, Michael following her
out, studying her. "What are your rounds?" he asked after a long
silence. "I go around visiting the other children," Maria said,
playing with the roses in her hand. "The ones who can't leave their
beds." "Girl!!!" Margie tromped down the hall, eyes on Michael.
"Is that your stud muffin? He's yummy." Margie had no scruples
that much was obvious. Michael smiled. "Good morning," he lifted
Margie's hand, kissing the top. "What a charmer this boy is,"
Margie said. "This the young man got you all in a fluster?"
Michael looked at her. "Oh really?" "No," Maria said. "That's
Keanu Reeves. See you Margie." She brushed past Margie going
towards a room. "If you'll excuse me lovely," Michael said,
following Maria. "Whoo," Margie fanned herself. "Boy gives me
heatstroke just looking at him."

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

"This is Willy," Maria said. The boy was adorable, about 12,
sitting prominently in his wheel chair, staring at Michael when he
entered. "Catch," Willy said instantly, tossing a ball at him.
Michael reacted with pure instinct catching the ball in his hand.
"Good arm," Michael said, shaking off the sting. "Willy this is
Michael," Maria said. "How are you doing today?" Willy shrugged.
"Not complaining," he said. "Mom got a new cable channel on the
TV for me, ESPN 2," he said. "Wow," Michael said. "Not even I
have ESPN 2, I'm lucky I have one." "Maria honey," Margie
popped her head into the window. "That 'lil Wendy is gonna throw
a fit if you don't say goodbye to her before she leaves." "Michael,
stay with Willy?" Maria asked. "No problem," Michael turned to
the boy. "So, what' s your favorite team?"

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

Maria smiled after the little girl, waving her finger as the girl's
parents carried her to the elevator. She waved vigorously
threatening to fall out of her father's arms. Maria sighed turning,
looking down at her roses. They were so beautiful. He wanted to
be her boyfriend he had said. How could she respond to that? They
hadn't been on one date yet, and she wasn't sure how she felt about
him. She wasn't sure if he really felt this way about her, or if it was
just part of the game. When you spend so long hating someone it's
hard to switch. She sighed, setting the roses down on the front
desk, leaving them there to pick up later. Turning she started to go
down the hall to check on Michael and make sure he and Willy
didn't break any windows with that stupid baseball. "LOOK
OUT!!!" she screamed, jumping out of the way just in time to feel
the whoosh of the wheelchair as it sped by, Michael pushing it for
all he was worth. She put a hand to her heart, willing herself to
breath. "Death by wheelchair. What a way to go." At least she
knew no windows were broken, legs and drive by patient crashes
she wasn't too sure about. She sighed, hoping Margie would find
them and put them in their places.

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

"Michael Guerin where are you!!" it had been two hours since she
had last seen him. She had been all over the floor looking for him
and hadn't found a thing. Willy was back in his place, telling her
Margie made Michael put him back. From there he wasn't sure. So
here she was, wondering the hall calling his name like she was
looking for a lost puppy. "My birthday is in two weeks," a girl
proudly declared. "Wow," there he was, Michael, hiding out in
Katy Marone's room. She was about to go in, to grab him up and
give him a proper scolding but she stopped, looking in the door
through the small crack. "How old are you going to be?" Michael
was asking. "10," Katy said, but she looked sad. "I get my tests
Friday." "I'm sure you'll do fine," Michael said smiling. "But what
if I don't?" her voice threatened to break. "I'm too young to die."
He chuckled, stroking her hair. "I doubt you'll die," he said softly.
"But what if I do? I've never done ANYTHING," Katy said. "I've
never done what they do in movies. I've never been kissed, I've
never seen Paris, and I've never owned a car." The girl's eyes were
wide, tears spilling down her puffy cheeks. "I don't want to die."
"You won't," Michael said. "I'll tell you what." He said. "I'll fix one
of those never's." He leaned over, kissing her on the corner of her
mouth. "There, now you've been kissed." She giggled. Maria
gasped, the touching scene bringing tears to her eyes. She leaned
against the wall, sliding down slowly and bringing her knees to her
chest. She was convinced. Now. Totally and utterly convinced. She
was in love with him. Maria DeLuca was in love with Michael
Guerin, Public Enemy Number 2.

PART 10

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

She looked critically in the mirror, taking in her appearance with
the scrutiny of a girl who wants everything to be perfect. Her outfit
was cute, but not dressy, the kind of out fit that was perfect for a
day out of doors, she wondered how Michael would look in his
outfit. Her hair was brushed out straight, no clips, no heads bands
just hair. She turned; looking at herself from the back, making sure
the skirt didn't make her ass look big. She wanted today to be
absolutely perfect.

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

"What!" Isabel glared at Michael from her perch on his kitchen
counter. "But you promised us you would go, WITH US." She
looked at Max, who looked sheepish. "Actually Isabel," he said. "I
made plans with Liz to go." Her mouth dropped open. "You too!!"
She jumped off the counter. "I cannot believe this. I'm being
dumped for the perky pixie and the science queen." She grabbed
her jacket, fuming. "We made these plans WEEKS ago, I have
barely spent any time with either of you lately because your off
pining for those...those..." she glared at them. "Ugh. Why do I even
bother?" Michael sighed. "Isabel we can go tomorrow, today is the
last day with Maria," Michael said. "And I'm going to make the
best of it." "I don't understand you at all Michael," Isabel snapped.
"A few days ago you were itching to get her back for all the crap
she put you through. Don't you remember? What did she do to
you?" She looked at him desperately. "I didn't want to get her
back," Michael said. "I just wanted to get her, and now I have the
chance.." He looked at her pleading. "Please Isabel," he said. Isabel
put her hand to her mouth, eyes wide. "Oh my god," Isabel said.
"This is how it's going to be isn't it?" She looked at Max. "You
trading coefficients with the Science Queen and you-" she turned
to Michael. "-you spending every waking moment with Ditzy
DeLuca." Michael sighed. "Isabel-" she cut him off. "No I get it, no
room for Isabel," Isabel backed towards the door. "Fine. But I have
one thing to say to both of you." She glared at them, all mighty
Queen Isabel in control now. "If I'm getting left out, then by god so
are you." She yanked the door open, not shooting them another
glance as she stalked out, head high.

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

"Wow," Michael said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "You look
amazing. It's just a day at a carnival." She grinned, taking his
offered arm. "I wanted to look nice," she said. "You're not looking
too shabby yourself their Ken." She reached up, brushing her hand
against a silky spike of hair. "Except Ken uses Barbie's gel
occasionally." He smiled. "I wouldn't be Michael without the
spikes," he said. "Which is why if you steal Barbie's gel I'll kill
you," she smirked as they walked. "We're not taking the car," he
said. "The carnival is in the park, only a few blocks." "I
remember," she said, thinking back to the ice cream, and the first
day she realized that something was extremely different between
her and one Michael Guerin. "Guess what." "What?" "Max is
taking Liz," she squealed. "Really! Oh it's about time!" she
bounced around, happily. He laughed. "I knew that'd make you
happy," he took her hand. "Come on, I'm going to introduce you to
the wonder that is cotton candy."

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

"I did not!" she laughed, picking another piece of the pink stringy
stuff off his stick. "Hey!" he said. "That's why I bought you your
own." Maria pouted. "It's all gone," she looked longingly that the
empty stick. "I told you to pace yourself, cotton candy is potent
stuff," he said. "You'll get a tummy ache." He ripped another piece
off his stick holding it out. "Open." She obeyed. He popped it in
her mouth, she nipped his finger playfully. "Hey!" he looked
critically at his finger. "I think you drew blood." "Oh you big baby
I did not," she gingerly took his finger kissing the tip. "Better?"
She looked up; his eyes were dark and burning into hers. "Oh
yeah," he leaned down slowly, her lips slightly parted in
anticipation and her eyes slid closed, their lips were mere
centimeters away. "Maria!" he jumped back guiltily and Maria's
eyes snapped open startled at the sing songy. (A.N. Such a tease...)
"Hey," Liz smiled at her friend, her arm entwined with one Max
Evans who couldn't be happier. "Hey," Maria bit out teeth
clenched. Dammit they had been so close. "How's it going?"
"Great! Max is mad because he can't win any of the games," Liz
poked her "date" in the stomach. "They're rigged, everyone knows
that," Max said. "Games? There are games?" Maria turned to
Michael accusatory. "You never mentioned games." "All in due
time my dear," he said. "All in due time." "Well come on," she
yanked on his arm. "Let's go!" She looked at Max and Liz. "Going
to come with?" Liz shrugged. "Sure," she looked at Max. "That
okay with you?" He shrugged as well. "I don't have a problem with
it," he said. Michael cursed, like he wanted to spend the day with
Max Evans and Liz Parker.

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

"You were so close," Maria squealed. Michael glared at the carnie,
his fist clenched around the little white balls. He tossed another
one; it bounced off the rim and then continued to bounce until it
reached the end. Another miss. He tossed the last ball; it bounced
off one rim, onto another and then sunk evenly into a bowl. Maria
squealed. "We have a WINNER," the carnie said, surprised, and
not a bit happy. He grabbed the bowl, dumping the contents into a
plastic baggie and expertly tying the top. "For the pretty young
lady," he said, handing it to Maria. "Ahh, it's so cute," Maria
looked into the bag, smiling at the startle goldfish inside of it. Liz
glared at Max. "See? There not all rigged," Max sighed, shooting
Michael a glare. Maria cooed at her fish, making a fish face at
him. Michael burst out laughing. "Come on, I'm starving," he said,
placing his hand possessively at the small of her back and leading
her to the food court. "What should I name him?" she said,
studying the fish. He shrugged. She looked at him. "I think I'll
name him Michael." She said finally, he reminds me of you.
Michael choked. "I remind you of a fish. Gee thanks," Maria
laughed. "No, look," she pointed to him. "He's the small, silent,
broody type." "I assure you madam there is nothing small about
me," he said meaningfully. Maria blushed, concentrating harder
then necessary on the fish. "Yeah," she said softly, looking at the
fish. "I think Michael will be perfect."

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

"These are so greasy," Maria laughed, her fish carefully hanging
from a branch that Michael had rigged up so she wouldn't have to
hold him. He leaned back, laying his head on her lap and looking
up at her. "Feed me Seymour," Maria laughed again, picking up a
greasy fry. "Open up," she smirked. He obeyed, opening his mouth
wide. She popped a fry in. "Think fish like fries?" she ate a fry of
her own, and then popped another into Michael's mouth. He
chewed and swallowed "Doubt it," Michael said. "I think you
should stick to flakes." She gave him another bite, he nipped her
finger. "Ow! I think you drew blood," she mimicked. He glared at
her, grabbing her hand and bringing it to his lips. "Poor baby," he
said, kissing each finger. "Just so I get the right one." "Of course,"
she laughed. "So tell me Maria DeLuca," Michael said, not
dropping her hand, rather tracing letters into the palm, sending
shivers down her spine. He seemed to do that a lot. "Why did you
decide to go on a date with me." "Well lets see," Maria said. "It
sure as hell wasn't your charm." Michael scoffed. "Hey! I can be
charming," Michael protested. She patted his head. "Keep
dreaming. It wasn't your movie star good looks," Michael smiled.
"You think I'm good looking?" "You can hold your own," she said.
"It's not your pleasant demeanor." She wrinkled her nose. Michael
growled. "I can be pleasant." "As a grizzly bear." "I resent that. If
I'm not charming, my looks aren't move star quality and I'm not
pleasant to be with then why did you decide to go on this date with
me?" He asked seriously, looking up. "Cause it was you," she
popped another fry into his mouth before he could say more. "Why
did you decide to ask me out?" Michael thought a moment. "That's
quite a complicated question," Michael said seriously. "Because
your beautiful," he reached up, lightly tracing her face. "And your
smart," he stroked her hair for a moment. "And your so sweet...and
caring..." he brushed his thumb across her lips. "And you're just the
person for me." She let out a shuddering breath. "Even if you have
an obnoxious laugh." He grinned. She swatted him squealing in
rage. "I do not have an obnoxious laugh!" she growled. He sat up
laughing. "Your right," he said. "You have the perfect laugh." TO
prove his point he grabbed her around her waist, spilling the
remains of their lunch on the ground. She squealed and tried to
squirm away, laughing uncontrollably as he tickled her. It was
turning out to be the perfect day after all.

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

"That is like, so disgusting," Tiffany Glenmoore raised an eyebrow
in the couple's direction, not risking wrinkling her nose in disgust
in fear of lines. "Tell me about it, could they be more sickening?"
Ashley Parkson tossed her all-but-natural honey blonde hair out
from her heavily made up face. "Are they always like that?"
Tiffany looked to Isabel. "No," Isabel said. "I've never actually
seen them together." "I KNOW! It's bizarre, I always thought they
like, couldn't stand each other or something," Ashley popped some
sugar-free Trident into her mouth. "We should like tell them how
utterly gross they are." "Don't worry," Isabel said standing up. "I'm
working on it."

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

"I'll be right back," Maria said. "All that soda's catching up with
me." Michael nodded, giving her hand a squeeze. "Watch
Michael." She handed him the fish. He rolled his eyes as she all
but skipped to the bathroom. He looked at the fish. "I feel really
bad for you bud," he said to the fish. "You have to live with her."
The fish blew him a few bubbles in response. "But I guess that
wouldn't be so bad." The fish blubbed again, swimming around in
the plastic bag. "You don't say much," Michael observed. "But I'm
sure she'll talk enough for the both of you." "Having fun talking to
a fish Michael," Max laughed, startling the boy. Michael spun
around. "Max!" he yelped. "Where's Maria?" Liz asked. Michael
look down at their clasped hands and resisted the urge to smile.
"Nature called," he pointed in the direction of the bathroom. Liz
nodded. She looked at the fish. "He's so cute," she glared at Max.
Max shrugged helplessly. "Still no luck man?" Michael asked.
Max shook his head. "I swear they're all rigged," he protested. Liz
shook her head. Michael looked at the large bear Max was
holding. "Then where did that come from?" Michael asked. Max
ducked his head sheepishly. "I won that at the water pistol race,"
Liz rolled her eyes. "So much for a knight in shining armor." She
poked Max's stomach playfully. "So what have you two been up
to?"

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

Maria looked critically in the mirror, glad she had gone with the
natural look in makeup instead of caking it on. Her hair was a little
messy but a finger comb fixed that. She washed her hands.
"Maria," she spun around, coming face to face with Isabel herself.
"Hey Isabel! I didn't know you were here! Why didn't you come
over and say hello?" Maria grabbed a paper towel. "Your not here
with Michael are you?" Isabel asked concerned. "Yeah, why?" "Oh
god, I told him not to do it," Isabel sighed. "Maria, listen to me
okay?" Maria nodded not sure what she was getting at. "Michael is
just playing with you," Isabel said, impressed at her own acting
abilities. "He cheated at that game and I-" she looked down
ashamed. "I helped him." She looked up quickly. "But I didn't
know at the time that he was actually going to go through with
this." "Go through with what?" Maria asked, anger rising. He had
cheated? "He's just using you," Isabel said softly. "I came here to
warn you about him. He wanted to get you back, for all the times
you've humiliated him so he decided...he decided." She took a
deep breath. "What did he decide Isabel!" patience had never been
a virtue of hers. "He decide to lead you on, so that you would like
him or something so he could dump you in front of everyone,"
Isabel said. "I'm so sorry." Her world crashed in on itself, anger
rising in her stomach and tears stinging her eyes. It made sense
now. The abrupt change from Michael the jerk to Michael the
sweetheart, the sudden crush signs he was exhibiting and how
suddenly it had happened. How could she have been so stupid?
"Thank you Isabel," Maria said softly, fearing that her voice would
break and betray her, that the tears would flow uncheck down her
cheeks and she would be humiliated. "I'm sorry Maria," Isabel said,
guilt rising in her chest. How could she do that? Michael had been
so happy and Maria, Maria hadn't done a thing to her. But no one
neglects Isabel Evans; no one blows her off to spend time with
someone else. "If you'll excuse me," she said, pushing past the
taller girl. Isabel watched her, wishing she could take it back.
"Maria!" she called but it was to late, the door slammed behind the
girl and Isabel was left alone, guilt filling her eyes with tears. She
stood there a second, wondering how she could be so horrible.

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

"And here she comes now," Michael smiled in greeting and then
he saw her face. Anger was written all over it, and tears, tears were
sliding down her cheeks. "Maria what hap-" and then his head was
snapped sideways, a searing pain on his left cheek. His jaw
clenched. He heard Liz gasp and Max take in a breath. "Are you
happy now?" she was shouting. "I fell it okay? The jokes on me. I
get it now." She shook her head. "What the hell-" she cut him off.
"Don't you dare," she said. "Don't you ever talk to me again? I
mean God," she looked to the sky, as if asking for strength, or the
words she wanted to say. "I fell for you and... and it was just a
game to you. To humiliate me. Well congratulations Michael you
succeeded." Maria took in a shuddering breath, the tears flowing
faster now. "And to think I trusted you." She hissed. "I trusted
you." She wiped her eyes. "I should have known, why would
Michael Guerin suddenly go from hating my guts to acting like I
was the only thing he ever thought about in a space of a week?"
She shook her head. "I hope you're happy. I hope you go home and
you laugh until your sides ache and you just can't take it anymore. I
hope you laugh until you cry." He watched her for a second, the
tears and he reached out to grab her but she was gone, taking off
across the park. "Maria! Maria wait!" "Michael," he whirled,
coming face to face with Isabel. "I'm sorry." Isabel said. "What did
you do?" Michael asked, teeth clenched, eyes burning into hers.
"I'm so sorry," she was crying, Isabel Evans was actually crying.
"WHAT DID YOU DO!" he yelled at her, one arm grabbing her
and shaking her. "I'm sorry..."

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

He couldn't find her anywhere. The clock on her nightstand read
11:00, and the darkness pressed in on him. Her fish was secured in
a large glass bowel he had found in her kitchen, sitting on her
dresser. She wasn't' at him. She hadn't been at home all night. He
had combed the town looking for her, dispatching Liz and Max to
help. He couldn't even look at Isabel without wanting to kill her,
without wanting to rip her hair out by the blonde roots. She had
gone home, not able to face him anymore, not able to deal with the
anger in his eyes that flashed whenever he saw her. So here he
was, waiting, waiting for Maria to come home. The carnival would
end at 12:00 and she had to come home eventually. The phone
rang, the shrill sound breaking into his thoughts. "Maria?" he asked
into the phone. "I found her," Liz said, out of breath. "She's at the
carnival, on the hill in front of the clock tower." He didn't even
wait for her to finish. He threw the phone down and raced out the
door, down the stairs and out the front door running for all he was
worth towards the park.

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

He stopped running when he saw her, sitting on the side of hill,
knees drawn up to her chest, staring blankly out at nothing. He
approached her slowly. "Maria?" he asked. She shot up, whirling.
"Go away," she said, voice broken. "I thought I told you I didn't
want to talk to you." "Maria please," he looked at her, pleading
with her to listen to him. "Just here me out." "There's nothing to
hear," Maria said. "It's all clear." "No it's not," Michael said.
"Isabel was lying." She laughed. "Yeah, right," Maria said. "Did
you cheat on the card game Michael?" She looked at him. He stood
there, silent. "DID YOU CHEAT AT THE CARD GAME??" He
nodded. She made a little noise in her throat, somewhere between
a scoff and a laugh. "But not because I wanted to humiliate you,"
Michael said. "Isabel suggested it but I told her no." "Right," Maria
said sarcastically. "Because your such a good person right
Michael?" She turned, starting to walk away. "No." Michael said.
"Because I'm in love with you." She froze, turning slowly, eyes
angry. "Stop it," she said. But he didn't stop. "I've been in love with
you since the day I met you," Michael said, walking up the hill
towards her. "In the diner. I was in love with you the minute you
came to take our orders." "And I suppose all these years of making
fun of me and generally making my life hell was just your way of
showing it?" she sneered. "Please." "No," Michael said. "I did that
because I wanted to get your attention." "Well you did, congrats."
"I cheated on the card game so that I would have a way to spend
some time with you," Michael said. "I didn't know you were going
to do the slave thing, but I figured you'd give me something
valuable or something and I could return it to you...and
maybe...and maybe be a nice guy in your eyes." He saw her falter
and he had a flicker of hope. "Isabel's been playing poker since she
was 5, her aunts a card shark or something. She decided to act like
she didn't know how to play so she could be the dealer and cheat
for me." Michael said, walking a little closer. "I told her the reason
why I wanted to win and she was only to happy to help." "Then
why rat you out now?" "She got jealous," Michael said. "I was
supposed to come to the carnival today with her and Max but me
and Max went with you and Liz instead and she felt left out."
Michael shrugged. "She doesn't like to play second." "Say I believe
you now," Maria said. "When this is all over how do I know your
not going to betray me? After I'm not your slave how do I know
you won't rub this in my face and humiliate me." Michael stepped
closer, now standing right in front of her. Close enough to kiss her.
"You don't," Michael said. "We'll just have to find out." Maria
shook her head. "I don't know..." Michael looked at her pleading.
"Maria please, I won't betray you, I'd never do that," he said.
"When I saw you crying today my heart broke, with every tear it
crumbled a little more. I waited in your room for 6 hours waiting
for you to return." He said. "And when Liz told me she saw you
here I ran here as fast as I could to get to you." Maria took in a
breath. "I believe you," she softly. "I don't know why, but I do." He
grabbed her, pulling her to his chest. "I won't betray you," he said
softly into her air. The chiming of the huge clock tower broke into
the moment. Twelve chimes, clear and concise. "That it then,"
Michael said. Maria held her breath. He reached into his pocket,
taking out the necklace. "Your free." He draped it around her neck,
clasping it in the back. "No," Maria shook her head. "I'm not."
"Yes you are, it's midnight," Michael said. "I know," Maria smiled.
"But I'm yours forever." His lips caught hers, the kiss gentle at
first, chaste, lips touching lips, but the sparks were there, coursing
through her body. There was a BANG and Maria gasped pulling
away from him. "Relax," he smiled. "It's just the fireworks show, it
was scheduled for midnight." She let out the breath. "Oh," she said.
"It startled me." He grinned. "Now," he said. "Where were we?"

THE END.