Title: A Tale of Two Loves
Author: Lori R 10/01
Email: Gussywussy55@y...
Category/Rating: Michael/Isabel - Kyle/Isabel 'R'
Disclaimer: These characters are owned by UPN and
Jason Katims. I am borrowing these characters for my
own enjoyment.
Feedback: Yes, please good or bad! It helps me to
grow.
Summary: A fic challenge of having Isabel love two men
and wanting them both.

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

Michael walked into his apartment and threw his jacket
and hat on the couch, before heading to the kitchen
for a Snapple. Popping the lid, he was just about to
take a drink when his bathroom door opened and out
walked Isabel wearing Michael's robe.
Michael's mouth fell open in shock at the sight of the
girl he had thought of as a best friend for years
being what looked to be naked under his robe.
"Isabel! What the hell are you doing here?" questioned
Michael sharply as he tried to cover his unsettling
reaction at seeing Isabel in his apartment this way.
Isabel jumped at Michael's voice and immeditately her
hands flew to her throat and waist as she stammered
nervously, "M-M-Michael! You're--you're home!"
Looking behind her and shutting the door quickly,
Isabel replied vaguely, "I---I needed to use the
restroom and was close by ...so I used yours."
Michael looked at her dubiously and using the Snapple
bottle to gesture with, he motioned towards the robe
as he asked, "And you are wearing my robe because...?"
Isabel's mind was racing to try and come up with a
good answer. 
"I---I saw this bath soap you had and wanted to try it
out!" she replied daring him to call her a liar.
"You saw my cheepo brand of soap and couldn't wait to
buy your own, so you showered with mine here? Is that
what you are telling me?" Michael questioned her lie,
knowing it for what it was and wondered why she was
lying to begin with.
Just then the bathroom door opened and out walked Kyle
Valenti...wearing nothing but a towel, using another
to dry his hair.
"Isabel, how about ...oh shit!" said Kyle as he 
lowered the towel he was drying his hair with and 
noticed Michael standing there.
The towel fell quietly to the floor as Kyle's voice
rose an octive and he said, "I'm a dead man aren't I?"
"Oh, yeah! Definitely," said Michael with false
calmness as he headed towards Kyle, his shock at
seeing him with Isabel in this situation no where in
evidence.
"Now Michael, just stop it! Stop it right now!" said
Isabel as she placed her hands on Michael's chest to
hold him off of Kyle.
"Out of the way Isabel! I'm going to kill me a human!"
said Michael as he tried to reach around her to Kyle.
"Come here Valenti! Come here before I have to blast
you!" said Michael as he stretched out his hand
preparing to release his powers on Kyle.
"Michael! Michael, stop it!" repeated Isabel more
firmly.
"Hey man if you would just listen..." said Kyle as he
tried to reason with Michael who was having none of
it.
"Kyle, he isn't going to kill anyone...Michael! You
aren't going to kill anyone do you understand me?"
said Isabel as she released her hold on Michael and
pulled the robe that had come loose, closer together
at the top.

"So you and Valenti huh? I never would have figured it
Isabel" said Michael snidely as he backed off a
little, his eyes never leaving Kyle.
"Hey, why don't I just go and put some clothes on? I
mean if I'm going to die I want to do it with my
clothes on," said Kyle. "You okay for me to ...." Kyle
inquired of Isabel as he indicated the bathroom.
"Yeah, I'm okay Kyle. Go get dressed," said Isabel
quietly as she watched Michael.
Kyle looked between the two and then headed into the
bathroom.
"Yeah, that might be a good idea! Put on some clothes
so that when I kick your ass it won't be so bare!"
called out Michael as his gaze shifted to where Isabel
stood twisting the belt on his robe.
"What the hell are you doing sleeping with Kyle
Valenti, Isabel?" asked Michael, disappointment
written all over his face and in his voice.
Isabel straightened at his words and said, "There is
nothing wrong with Kyle, Michael! Why do you and Max
think that only you two can be happy and love someone
and not me? I have feelings and needs too you know!"

Michael shook his head as he tried to get the picture
of Isabel and Kyle out of his head.
"Did you have to pick my place to have your little
tryst? I have to sleep in that bed you know, and now I
have this mental picture of you and Kyle going at it
between my sheets and the picture ain't pretty," said
Michael sitting at the bar, his eyes shifting to the
bathroom door as it opened and Kyle emerged.
"Guerin, let me explain," began Kyle only to be
interrupted by Isabel.
"Michael, can Kyle and I please have a few minutes of
privacy? We will be gone shortly...please?" she asked
Michael when she saw he may not oblige her.
Michael looked between the two and then got up and
went to his door. Opening it he turned and said with
deadly calm, "You have 5 minutes...no more. I'm going
to be standing outside this door. Get your clothes on
Isabel...and Valenti you better not touch her or
nothing will stop me from killing you. Now say what
you have to say and get out."
Going out, Michael slammed the door after him and
waited by the door.

Kyle turned to Isabel and asked, "What was that all
about? Why didn't you tell him the truth instead of
letting him believe that we were here having sex? He
was going to kill me for touching you! He still
might!I kind of like living you know. I've done the
near death thing and I really don't want to relive
that again."
"Kyle...I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me.
Michael and Max are so protective of me, and Michael
is the worst. He doesn't want me, but he doesn't want
anyone else to have me either," said Isabel as she sat
down on the couch and put her hands over her face.
Kyle sat down next to her and hesitated before putting
his arm around Isabel.
Isabel lay her head on his shoulder as her eyes teared
up. 
"Why do I stay here Kyle? Why don't I leave and start
a life on my own?" asked Isabel wearily.
"Why do you keep asking me the same questions?" he
lightly teased her...anything to get her to smile.
When the smile didn't come forth, Kyle asked her
seriously, "Why don't you ask yourself why it bothers
you so much that Michael wants to be with Maria
instead of you? Why is it such a big deal to you? You
don't want him either."
"It doesn't bother me Kyle! In fact it's just totally
ridiculous!" said Isabel taken aback by his question.
Kyle shook his head and said, "It's not and you know
it Isabel. Just be honest with yourself for once on
this and really look at how you feel about Michael and
his seeing Maria."
Isabel chewed a thumb nail as she made a note to
herself to consider what Kyle suggested even though it
was ludicrous.

Standing up and looking down Kyle said, "I hate to ask
this especially now during this moment of bonding we
are having, but will you dry these off?"
Isabel looked at Kyle's wet clothes and said with a
small smile, "I thought you said you didn't want me to
use my powers on you?"
"Yeah well I don't, but if it's a choice between your
powers drying me off and Michael's killing me off,
then I choose yours. So dry...please," Kyle implored
her as the door opened and Michael came inside.
Isabel quickly dried Kyle's clothes and stood up as
well.
"Out Valenti!" said Michael as he held the door open
wide and motioned with his hand.
Throwing a look Isabel's way, Kyle headed out the door
and Michael slammed it behind him.
Turning towards Isabel, Michael said, "I'm not going
to tell Max about this...yet. If I find you with Kyle
again though I will."
"Is it just Kyle or guys in general that I am not
supposed to see Michael?" asked Isabel tightly as she
put her hands on her hips.
"What?" asked Michael giving her one of his looks.
Isabel reguarded him for a moment and then shook her
head as she headed for the bathroom.
"What?" Michael asked again as Isabel slammed the
bathroom door behind her.

Michael shook his head and then sat down at the bar
waiting for Isabel to come out.
Why the hell should it matter to him that Isabel and
Kyle were sleeping together? Why she was even seeing
Kyle or anyone for that matter. 
It didn't. He could care less.
Isabel could see whom ever she wanted as long as
Michael and Max approved of them first to see if they
were good enough for her, and so far there weren't any
in Michael's esstimation.

When the door opened again, Michael watched as Isabel
grabbed up her purse and headed to the door, stopping
to turn and say, "You know Michael, you may want to
think about why you and Max are allowed to be happy
and I'm not."
Then she closed the door and left with Michael staring
after her.

*******

Michael rolled over in the bed and lay on his back,
Maria rolling the other direction in her sleep.
He glanced her way and then threw his arm over his
head as he contemplated Isabel's words. What the hell
had she meant about not being happy? Why wasn't she
happy? She had a job, a good family, friends,
powers...what more could she want? And oh yeah, she
was getting it on the sly from Kyle.
That really burned him on that. Why take up with Kyle?

You know why you moron, Kyle is the only male who
knows about her, she has no choice. No one else to
pair up with...no one but you.
Michael flopped over on his other side and closed his
eyes, but everytime he did all he saw was Isabel and
Kyle coming out of his bathroom having enjoyed a
shower together after an afternoon in Michael's bed.
His bed.
This bed.
The bed he hadn't remembered to change the sheets on!
Michael threw back the sheets and jumped out of the
bed as if shot, running his hands along his body as if
trying to brush something terrible off.
Maria sat up and squinted at him.
"Michael what's wrong?" she asked still half asleep.
"Get up!" Michael told her.
"What?" she asked him.
"Get up! I said get up!" said Michael as he began to
pull the sheets from the bed.
Fully awake now, Maria jumped as the sheet was pulled
out from over and under her body.
"Michael! What the hell is going on? Why are you
changing sheets in the middle of the night?" demanded
Maria.
"They are itching me okay? Now just go and get a new
set so we can go back to bed!" said Michael as he
dumped the others on the floor.
"You only have one set space boy!" said Maria as she
took a blanket and went to the couch and curled up,
angry that she had been awakened so rudely and
practically tossed from the bed.
Michael rolled his eyes heaven ward as he belatedly
remembered that fact. Damn! He really needed two sets,
but had always figured why when you only slept on one
at a time? Now he knew why.
Taking a pillow and another blanket, he lay on the
floor and tried to sleep. When he couldn't he kept
telling himself it was because of the hard floor, not
because of Isabel sleeping with Kyle.


********


Several days later at the lake...

"Kyle, would you rub some of this lotion on me? I
can't reach that far," asked Isabel as she held out
the tanning lotion to Kyle.
"And risk the rath of the 'Alien Mafia'? No thanks,"
said Kyle as he shook his head.
"Kyle really, this has to stop! Max and Michael are
not going to kill you if you touch me. Michael has
forgotten all about that by now, so just help me
out...please?" Isabel smiled sweetly at Kyle and
flashed him her brightest smile as she again held out
the bottle to him.
Looking around and seeing they were alone while the
others walked in the shallow edge of the water, Kyle
took the bottle and tipped it. He turned to rub it on
Isabel's back when he saw her untie the back.
"Huh, what are you doing?" asked Kyle nervously.
"I'm making sure I don't get tan lines from the
strings," said Isabel as she settled down on her
elbows, her ample breasts bunched under her giving
Kyle an ample view of her charms.
"Oh," croaked Kyle as he smiled and moved to bend over
her back and began to rub in the lotion.
"Don't forget the sides Kyle," called back Isabel as
she moved her elbows so Kyle would have a better
access to her sides.
Kyle rubbed the cool lotion down Isabel's sides and up
to the curve of her breasts causing Isabel to shiver
and say, "Oh Kyle! That is so..."

"Valenti! I warned you, you son of a bitch!" yelled
Michael as his arm stretched out and he shot Kyle back
along the waters edge with a blast of his powers.
To Michael it looked as if Kyle and Isabel were having
a very intimate moment by the lake and he wasn't
having it.
"Michael!" shouted Isabel and Maria at the same time.
Isabel went scrambling to Kyle as she covered herself
with her towel.
"Michael, what the hell's wrong with you?" shouted
Maria as she too went to help Kyle.
Kyle rolled over on his side, the shock from the power
and the hard landing having knocked the wind from him.
"Kyle are you okay?" asked Isabel concerned as she and
Maria helped him up.
A semi dazed Kyle stood up and sluggishly nodded his
head.
"I'm just fine...never better," he said with a silly
grin as he stood on wobbley legs between the two
females.
Maria took Kyle's weight against her slight frame as
Isabel released him and walked over to Michael, and
looked at him before she slapped him hard in the face.
"Stop meddling in my life Michael! Just stay out of
it!" hissed Isabel to his stunned face.
Everyone stood in shock that Isabel had actually hit
Michael. 
Turning her back on him, Isabel went to pull on her
shirt.
Maria walked over to Michael and stood looking up at
him in shock and anger.
"What the hell was that all about Michael? What is
going on?" she asked him suspicously.
Michael ignored her question as he rubbed his face and
watched Isabel head back to Kyle and put her arms
around him and helped him to his car. 
"Isabel!" called out Michael as he started towards her
only to stop when she gave him a cold stare.
Getting in the car, Isabel started the motor and with
one last look at Michael, she drove away.
"You have a lot to explain Michael and you had better
start doing it right now," said Maria under her breath
as realized deep down in her heart that she might not
like what she was going to hear.

*******


Max opened Isabel's door and sat down on the bed
behind where she lay.
He stared at her back a moment and then placed his
hand on her shoulder as he quietly asked, "Isabel,
what's going on between you, Kyle, and Michael?"
Isabel's eyes opened and she stared at the wall as she
said, "Nothing. Who said anything was going on?"
Max sighed in frustration as he said, "Don't lie to me
Isabel. Maria said Michael attacked Kyle and that you
hit Michael. Now Michael is not talking and I haven't
seen Kyle, but Maria is all upset and says Michael
won't talk to her either, so I'm asking you tell me
the truth, what's going on between the three of you?"
"Stay out of it Max, just stay out of it," said Isabel
still not looking at him.
Max got up and stood watching Isabel as he said, "I
can't do that Isabel. I can't stand by and do nothing
while you guys fight."
Silence met his words so Max asked what he was afraid
to ask, "Are you sleeping with Kyle?"
Silence.
"What are you doing Isabel? Why are you taking chances
like this?" asked Max concerned.
Silence.
"Is this what you guys are fighting about? Is it about
you and Kyle? Michael found out didn't he?" Max
questioned her again.
Silence.
"Are...are you...pregnant?" he asked closing his eyes,
afraid to breath as he waited for an answer.
Silence.
Covering his face with his hands and feeling the
mantle of worry pushing him down more, Max took a deep
breath to calm his fears before saying, "Isabel, after
what I've been through with Tess, why? Why would you
do this? I love you, but I don't know how to help
you."
Silence.
Max felt like he was talking to a wall. Going to the
door he said, "At some point you are going to have to
deal with this just as I did. Talk to me when you are
ready, but just remember you can't wait too long."

As Max started to open the door he heard Isabel softly
say, "I'm not pregnant Max."
He let out a sigh of relief as his head fell against
the door. 
Turning back to her, he watched her roll to her back
and stare at the ceiling.
"You're sure?" he felt he had to ask.
"You have to have sex to get pregnant Max, and since I
haven't had sex then I'm fairly certain that I'm not
pregnant," Isabel said, hoping he would believe her
about her virgin status.
Max looked at her confused.
"I'm sorry Isabel," said Max embarassed and more
confused than before. "I thought that Michael had
found you and Kyle together or something, and that was
why you guys were fighting. I should have known
better."
Isabel ruefully admitted, "Well that is sort of why we
were fighting."
Max tensed up again at her words.
"I thought you said you havn't had sex?"
"I haven't Max. But Michael walked in and found Kyle
and I in a compromising situation and jumped to the
wrong conclusion and he wouldn't even listen to our
explanations. He threatened Kyle and then later at the
lake he saw something totally innocent and attacked
Kyle. I got mad and...I slapped him," said Isabel.
"I can't believe Michael would do that," said Max
shaking his head. Then looking back at Isabel, he
added, "I can't believe you of all people struck
Michael either."

Isabel closed her eyes and covered her head with her
pillow. When she withdrew the pillow she groaned, "I
know. But Max, Michael has gone all possessive and he
has no right! He wants Maria and not me, but he
doesn't want me to be with anyone else either. He
can't have it both ways."
Max's frowned at her words.
"Are you saying you want to be with Michael?" he asked
her a little shocked. "I thought you didn't want that
after the dream incident?"
"No, I'm not saying that...I don't think," said Isabel
slightly evading a committed answer.
"So are you saying you love Kyle?" he asked her.
"No, I'm not saying that. Kyle's my friend, nothing
more."
"Your sure? Because it sounds like maybe that is what
you are saying is there could be something more with
him."
"He's a good friend Max, nothing more...I think," said
Isabel as confused as Max.
Max rubbed his hand over his forehead which now had a
headache growing behind it.
"Okay, you do or you don't want Michael? Or was it
Kyle?" he asked again.
"Yes."
"Yes what? Isabel, I don't understand who it is you
want," said Max as he tried for a little
clarification.
"Exactly," sighed Isabel.
"Isabel, you are really trying my patience here," Max
said under his breath.
"Max, I have these feelings for Michael, like we are
supposed to be together, but Kyle is this really great
guy that I can see myself with also. What should I
do?" she asked him as she began to get a headache
herself.
"I don't know Isabel, but I do know that whatever you
decide should be soon, I don't know if any of us can
stand this fighting going on much longer," Max told
her as he again headed towards her door and opened it.
"But whichever one you choose, make sure that it is
for keeps, because once you give your heart, someone 
is going to get hurt."
And with that he went out and left Isabel alone to
search her heart.

******

Maria entered Michael's apartment without knocking as
usual and found Michael staring into space as he lay
on his couch.
"Michael, I want the truth and I want it now," said
Maria as she stood over him.
"What truth?" he asked without looking at her.
Biting her lip, Maria asked with some pain in her
voice, "Are you in love with Isabel?"
Michael blinked and then slowly turned his head
towards Maria and asked, "What the hell kind of
question is that? Of course I'm not in love with
Isabel!"
Maria shook her head as she turned to pace around the
room.
"No Michael, something is going on between you two and
I want to know what! You attacked Kyle for touching
her for God's sake! You act like a jealous boyfriend
when she is with him and treat her like she belongs to
you! Why is that? If you don't love her you could have
fooled me!" she finished between anger and tears of
pain.
Michael sat up and motioned for her to sit beside him.
"Please?" he said when she looked like she might not.
Maria finally gave in and sat beside Michael.
"I had a life with her on Antar, Maria, and she and
Max are my family here, that's all."
Maria didn't think that was all.
"I think that you have feelings for her Michael that
go beyond family. You say you don't remember your life
on Antar, so how can you claim that life with her?"
she asked as she got up.
"I want a boyfriend who fights for me and obsesses
over me Michael, not one who does that to someone he
claims is just family," said Maria tearfully.
When Michael didn't deny her words, she said, "Good
bye Michael," and she left.

Michael sat looking down at his hands.
Did he care for Isabel as more than family? Had his
feelings for her on Antar carried over to this planet
and he had been denying them?
Leaning his head back on the couch, Michael
contemplated the mess that would be if he pursued
Isabel and she rejected him to stay with Kyle.
Kyle.
Kyle had had Isabel.
That thought stayed with Michael constantly, the image
he had created in his own mind having burned itself
into his brain.
If Isabel was the one, then he was going to take it
slow and win her over. So far he wasn't scoring any
points with her and points was what he needed.
Michael stretched and looked longingly at his bed
before laying down on the couch. He missed his bed,
but he would be damned if he was sleeping in the bed
that Kyle and Isabel had made love in. 
Rolling over on his side on the cramped couch, Michael
decided that tomorrow he was going to win
Isabel...right after he bought a new bed.

*****

Kyle moaned with pleasure as Isabel massaged his
shoulders and back.
"That feels great Isabel," sighed Kyle as the aches
began to be soothed away from Michael's assault on
him.
"Turn over and I'll massage your thigh where that big
bruise is. You know you really should just let Max
heal it for you instead of staying in pain," she told
him as he turned over.
"No, no powers Isabel. You know how I feel about
that," said Kyle as he got comfortable.
"Well I will be gentle then," Isabel assured him.
"You don't have to do this you know," said Kyle as she
moved his shorts leg up high to reveal an ugly black
and purplish bruise that covered most of the thigh.
"Kyle! This is so horrible! I feel so terrible for
you," Isabel said as she gently touched the area.
Kyle hissed as her fingers touched the sensitive spot.
"I'm sorry!" she said as she jerked her fingers back.
Bending down she kissed the damaged spot on his thigh
causing him to place his hand on her head and say,
"Isabel, huh whatcha doin'?"
"Making it feel better. My mom always kissed our hurts
and it seemed to make them feel better," she said as
she kissed other places of the bruise.
"Well kiss away then," said Kyle laying his head back
and enjoying Isabel's mouth on his thigh and her
attention.

Michael had been knocking on the door at the Valenti
home and no one had answered even though he knew that
Kyle was home.
He was going to apologize for his actions even though
he didn't see that he had done anything wrong. That
should win points with Isabel.
Shielding his eyes with his hands and looking threw
the window, Michael saw Isabel crouched and bending
over Kyle's lap, Kyle's hand in her hair and his head
back on the couch as ....oh shit!
Michael burst threw the door and was immediately on
the two startled people.
"Michael! What ..." began Isabel, only to gasp as
Michael pushed her aside.
"Oh shit not agan!" said Kyle as Michael pulled him up
from the couch and flung him across the room over a
chair.
"Kyle!!!" screamed Isabel as she ran to Kyle and knelt
beside him.
Placing Kyle's head in her lap, Isabel looked up with
angry tears at Michael and said, "Get out! I don't
know what has gotten into you lately Michael, but I
don't like it! Just stay away from Kyle and stay away
from me!"
Michael felt his heart drop along with his anger when
he realized whatever it was Isabel had been doing,
going down on Kyle wasn't it.
"Isabel, if you will just let me explain," said
Michael as he approached her.
"NO!" shouted Isabel as she threw her hand up at him.
"I'll use my powers on you Michael if you come any
closer, I swear I will! Now get out!"
Michael stood still at her words and then backed up.
Going out the door, Michael heard Isabel began to cry
and that was all it took to bring on his own tears.

******

"You did what?" asked Max unbelievingly as he and
Michael sat at Michael's bar.
"You heard me," said Michael as he knocked back a
Snapple loaded with Tobasco.
"Why would you do that?" asked Max as he drank his own
drink.
"Because I thought she was going down on him," said
Michael disgustedly.
Max spewed his drink out of his mouth at Michael's
words.
"What?! She was doing what?!" he asked shocked as he
struggled with the image and not to choke.
Michael slapped Max on the back as he said, "Relax
Maxwell, she wasn't. I said I 'thought' she was."
"You must have had a reason Michael. What were they
doing?" asked Max.
"I think she was kissing the bruise he had on his leg
from the last time I hurled him," said Michael feeling
really bad about how he had left Isabel crying.
"This has gotten so out of hand Michael. You guys need
to sit and talk. I mean why are you so concerned with
her hooking up with Kyle?" asked Max.
"Aren't you?" asked Michael looking at Max out of the
corner of his eye.
"She's lonely Michael. She can't live her life alone,
and Kyle is good for her and she likes him. He's
turned out to be a good guy and she deserves that,"
said Max.
"Not good enough Mawell. She deserves the right guy
and Kyle ain't it," said Michael as he tossed the
Snapple bottle across the bar into the trash.
Max looked askew at Michael as he asked, "And just who
do you think is good enough for her? It's not like she
has a lot of choices ....you know guys who know her
secret. In fact only two choices are open to her."
Michael picked up an apple and bit into it as he asked
with caution, "Yeah? Who's the other? I wasn't aware
someone else knew."
Max looked away and then carefully at Michael as he
said, "Well you."
Michael choked on his apple.
Max slapped him on the back as Michael struggled to
get the offending bit down.
"Me?! Are you crazy?" asked Michael going for a drink
to get away from Max's intent scrutiny.
"Well I've been hearing that you have been acting
possessive of her," said Max.
"Protective Max, protective. There is a difference.
I'm just trying to make sure that our secret is kept
safe and that the guy deserves her," clarified Michael
turning around with a glass of water.
Max nodded.
"So if she's chosen to be with Kyle..." began Max,
only to be cut off by Michael breaking the glass at
Max's words.
Max jumped up.
"Michael! Are you okay?" asked Max as he surveyed the
cuts on Michael's hand. Running his hand over
Michael's, he healed the cuts from the glass.
"Thanks man," said Michael quietly as he sat down.
Max watched Michael thoughtfully and then asked,
"She's more than what you thought she was to you,
isn't she?"
Michael nodded as he ran his hand threw his hair.
"When did it happen Max? When did I see her as more
than my friend?"
Max tried to hide his shock at having Michael confirm
his feelings for Isabel. He had suspected, but knowing
for sure that Michael had feelings for Isabel and she
might have them for him as well was hard to adjust
too.
"I don't know Michael, but you two need to talk about
this and soon before Kyle ends up in worse shape,"
said Max.
"She hates me Max. She told me to stay away from her.
To stay out of her life. She will never listen to me
now," said Michael.
"And when has what Isbael told you ever stopped you
before?" asked Max.
"Never," Michael said with a slight grin.
"Then go and find her and talk to her. And Michael,
don't beat Kyle up if he is with her," ordered Max.
"Max..." Michael began to protest.
"I'll go with you. Maybe I can help if she won't
listen to you. We can check my house and if she isn't
there then she may still be at Kyle's. Besides maybe I
can heal the damage you did to him," said Max.
Michael took a deep breath and nodded.
"Let's go."

*******

Isabel played idley with Kyle's hair as he lay with 
his head in her lap sleeping.
"Kyle is a good guy and he's cute too," thought Isabel
to herself as she looked down on his pursed lips.
"He's a wonderful friend and willing to do anything
for me. And I do like him," she said as if trying
weigh Kyle's virutes. But in doing so, she couldn't
come up with any negatives aside from the fact that he
was human, and Max and Michael were not always
trusting of Kyle since he used to date Liz and had not
exactly been on there side at first. 
She gazed down at his pouting lips and then
impulsively leaning down, Isabel pressed her lips
against Kyle's.
Kyle opened his eyes as he felt her lips on his own.
Isabel was kissing him! It wasn't just a dream this
time, and it was really nice.
He placed his hands on the back of her head and back
to bring her closer to him as he deepend the kiss.
Isabel opened her mouth to Kyle's gently probing
tounge and found herself filling with warmth.
Breaking away Kyle asked, "What was that for?"
"I---I just wanted to kiss you," said Isabel as she
patted at her lips with her hand in embarrassment.
Kyle smiled gently and said, "It was nice...really
nice."
Looking at him and smiling back, Isabel said, "Yeah it
was. It was really nice."
They looked at each other for a minute before leaning
in and capturing the others eager mouth again, Kyle's
hands going to the sides of her face, her hands over
his.

Max and Michael stood at the door and watched as
Isabel and Kyle kissed.
"Son of a bitch," said Michael under his breath before
he turned and walked away, his heart feeling like it
had been torn into.
"Michael, wait!" called out Max, but no one was there.
"Damn!" said Max as he knocked on the door.

Kyle and Isabel broke apart and Isabel went to answer
the door.
"Max!" said Isabel surprised. "What are you doing
here?"
Max looked at her with a mixture of disappointment and
uncertainty.
"I--I thought I might heal Kyle's wounds," said Max as
he looked toward Kyle.
"No way Max, I'm not letting anyone do any voodoo
alien magic on me," said Kyle looking nervous.
"I'm taking care of Kyle, Max. He'll be fine," said
Isabel.
"Well it's time to come home right now Isabel. Family
meeting," said Max trying not to look directly at her
swollen lips and flushed face.
"Family meeting?" asked Isabel. "About what?"
Taking her arm, Max said, "A problem that's cropped
up. Later Kyle." 
He guided a confused and protesting Isabel out the
door as Kyle helplessly looked on.
"Max! Max stop! What is going on?" asked Isabel as she
pulled away.
"Get in the car Isabel and I'll tell you," said Max as
he started the motor.
"What's wrong? There isn't any family meeting is
there?" she asked as they drove off.
"Just us. So you decided on Kyle," he said flatly, his
eyes focused on the road.
"You saw," Isabel said as she watched the scenery pass
by.
"And Michael," said Max looking at her for a reaction
to that bit of news. He didn't have to wait long.
"Michael?" asked Isabel in a strangled voice. "What
was Michael doing there?"
"I convinced him to talk to you."
When Isabel looked his way in frustration at his
meddling, he said, "I know I said you seemed to like
Kyle, and he is a great guy, but I never really
thought you would pick him over Michael." Then he
added, "I never thought you would pick Michael either.
I really never thought this situation would come up,
and that was foolish of me...of all of us."
"Max, I really don't know what to what to do about
this. I want them both. I have memories of Michael
and--and those dreams, but Kyle likes me for me, even
knowing about the whole alien thing, and that means so
much to me. I just don't know what to do," Isabel said
as her head rolled back on the head rest.
"Well after what Michael saw you may not have to worry
about him any longer," said Max as they pulled up to
their house.
"Max, I need the car," Isabel said.
"Where are you going?" Max asked already knowing the
answer.
"Max..." Isabel said in a plaintive voice.
Max wordlessly got out and shut the door as Isabel
moved over in the seat.
"Thanks," she said as she started the car and headed
to Michael's.

*******

Isabel knocked on Michael's door, but he wasn't
answering. She could hear him inside, but he was being
stubborn.
Finally, Isabel used her powers and opened the door.
"I locked that for a reason you know," Michael said as
he pumped iron.
"It never stopped you from entering our rooms or
anyplace else," Isabel reminded him.
Michael chose to ignore that.
"So what do you want?" he asked her as he replaced the
bar bell on the bar.
"You know what I want Michael. Max told me you saw
Kyle and me," Isabel said, watching Michael for his
reaction.
Michael looked up from under hooded lashes at her.
"Max has a big mouth," said Michael picking up his
water bottle and draining it.
Isabel went to stand in front of the back door and
glanced outside.
"Michael...I don't know what to say to you," she began
wearily. "You made it clear you didn't want me, but
Maria. You get all bent out of shape when I act
interested in anyone, yet you can date."
When Michael looked like he would protest, Isabel held
up her hand.
"No it's true and you know it. Now Kyle and I have
just found this nice place to be at. It's new to both
of us...let me explore that and see where it is going.
Don't ruin it for me Michael, because you know you
don't really want me...you just don't want Kyle to
have me either."
Walking to the front door, Isabel turned and said,
"Michael, I don't know what happened between you and
Maria, but don't destroy what I have. I waited for
you, and you chose her. Right now I choose Kyle."
And then she was gone.

Michael threw the empty bottle and glared at the door.
"I'm not giving up Isabel. I may have been blind to
you before, but not now. Not now or ever again."

******

"So we really are going to do this? Try this couple
thing I mean," asked Kyle as he and Isabel sat in the
park under a shade tree.
"Yeah, I think so," said Isabel, her foot rocking back
and forth on the ground.
Kyle inched closer to her and hesitantly put his arm
around her. Then he relaxed as she sank in closer to
him.
"This feels sort of right," said Kyle as his fingers
began to caress Isabel's arm lightly.
Isabel smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder and
said, "I think it does."

Michael sat on his motorcycle up the street and
watched the two sitting under the tree.
He had been in the Crashdown when he saw the two of
them walking into the park. 
He hated the jealously that was building inside of
him.
She looked happy. He hadn't seen Isabel that happy in
so long. He sure hadn't made her smile like that.

Max and Liz walked up beside Michael and followed his
train of vision.
"Should have known," Max told Liz.
"Michael why don't you just tell Isabel how you feel?"
asked Liz.
"Max, who have you not told?" asked Michael, his eyes
never leaving the couple under the tree.
Max didn't take offense at his friends comment, but
said, "Michael, Liz and I think you should tell Isabel
flat out how you feel. If you are not going to do
that, then quit following her and let her and Kyle
alone."

Kyle and Isabel got up to leave the park and Michael
started his bike.
"Can't do that Max...not yet anyway," said Michael as
he rode off.
Max shook his head as he thought of Michael being
jealous of Kyle having Isabel.
"He loves her Max," Liz said knowing what Max was
thinking.
"Yeah, well then he better tell her soon or he may
never get the chance," said Max as he and Liz walked
to his car.


****** 

Several weeks later...

Kyle and Isabel had been sitting on the couch in
Kyle's house for a while kissing when Kyle's hand
slowly went up to Isabel's breast and began to fondle
it much to Isabel's surprise causing her to gasp.
Kyle pulled his hand back and said, "Sorry, I just...I
kinda thought we were to that stage now. Sorry."
Isabel shook her head as she said, "No Kyle, you don't
understand, I was just surprised...pleasantly though.
I'm not mad. I mean it's you."
Kyle gave her a sheepish grin as he asked, "Yeah?"
"But that doesn't mean that we are going all the way
Kyle. I mean a little touching..well that has to be
enough. Understand?" Isabel asked him, afraid that he
would tell her to get lost if she didn't put out.
Kyle saw the fear of rejection in Isabel's eyes and
nodded.
"I'm not pushing for anything else," he said as he
pulled her to him and kissed her again.
Relief went through Isabel as she leaned into him.
"Kyle, I have to go home now..." moaned Isabel through
a passionate kiss.
"Later...just a bit longer," Kyle breathed into her
ear as he clutched her voluptuous body to him.
"My...my parents...will be wondering," said Isabel as
she held tighter to Kyle, her heart pounding.
"Let them wait," Kyle said as he nibbled at her collar
bone and fondled her breast again.
"They'll send Max."
Kyle broke off what he was doing and stood up.
"So you want me to drive you?" he asked as he
struggled to get his desire under control.
"No, I can do it so you don't have to walk back," said
Isabel as she adjusted her blouse.
"Kyle, I'm sorry," she said as she stood and put her
arms around his neck.
"Yeah, well me too," said Kyle as he put his arm
around her and headed for the door.
"See you tomorrow?" she asked him.
"Of course," he told her.
Isabel went out the door, and Kyle fell back against
it when he closed it behind her.
"How did I get so lucky?" he asked himself as he went
whistling to his room.

*******

Later that night....

Isabel walked into her room and sat on the bed to
brush her hair.
A knock at the window alerted her to Michael outside.
Glancing at the window and then down as if in
indecision, Isabel lay her brush down and walked to
the window to open it.
Michael looked at her and then as she reluctuntly
stepped aside, he entered.
"What are you doing here Michael?" Isabel asked as she
walked back to her bed and sat down.
Michael rubbed his hands on his jeans. When had they
gotten so sweaty? 
"I just wanted to talk," said Michael as he sat on the
bed next to her, causing Isabel to get up quickly.
Looking up at her with an injured expression at her
action, Michael asked her, "Do I make you nervous
Isabel, or do you just hate being near me?"
Isabel gave Michael an embarrassed look as she said,
"I'm sorry Michael, I just don't know how to take you
any more...and I--I don't...hate you. I could never
hate you."
"So you're nervous," Michael stated as he watched her
pace around. "Why?"
"I don't know," Isabel told him.
"I thought we were friends Isabel? Friends shouldn't
make each other nervous," Michael told her.
"No they shouldn't...and we are...friends," agreed
Isabel quietly with a slight nod.
Michael picked up her brush and said, "Come here."
Walking over to him, Isabel sat beside Micahel on the
bed, her back to him as he began to brush her hair.
Closing her eyes, Isabel allowed the gentle strokes
that Michael gave her hair to relax her.

Michael studied Isabel as she began to relax. 
His heart seemed to skip a beat as he heard her sigh.
He had been a fool to ever think he could run from his
feelings for her. Instead of running he should have
told her years ago how he felt about her. But she had
treated him like a brother and he was not going to let
that happen anymore. They belonged together and he was
going to see that it happened. He would help her open
her eyes.

"Remember when I used to do this? I would sleep over
and watch you began to brush the tangles out of your
hair, and then ask to finish it," whispered Michael
close to her ear.
Isabel moaned in pleasure as her eyes closed. "I
remember that you put most of those tangles in my hair
when you wrestled me to the ground. You used to tickle
me until I thought I would pee my pants," said Isabel
with a smile.
"I was hiding the fact I wanted to kiss you," Michael
breathed next to her cheek before letting his lips
cover hers.
Isabel jumped up at the feel of Michael's lips on
hers.
"What are you doing?!" she asked paniced.
"I--I was showing you how much I care for you!" said
Michael feeling like an idiot. Isabel's reaction to
his kiss was clear. 
She was disgusted.
"Care? How much you care? You just sat there and said
you wanted to talk and be friends! Kissing me is not
talking!" Isabel said, her voice raising an octive at
the situation.
"Hell, I wasn't planning on kissing you!" Michael
yelled at her, just as upset that he had ruined
everything.
"Get out Michael," Isabel said low and sad.
"Isabel...please, just---just let me...." Michael
started to plead.
"Michael....please...just leave," Isabel said again as
she turned away hugging herself so he wouldn't see her
tears.
Michael knew she was crying, but knew he wouldn't be
welcome if he tried to comfort her, so he went to the
window, and with one last look at her, he left.

*******

Isabel's sleep was fitful. She tossed and turned, her
emotions and dreams finally taking over.

...Isabel and Michael were in a blue-green meadow
lying on a blanket. They were
kissing...touching...making love...
"I love you Rath," she sighed, her heart so full of
love for him as he kissed her deeply.
"Just a few more days until we are married
Vilandra...a few more days until everyone knows you
are mine forever," he breathed against her cheek.
"I'm glad it is soon, Zan wouldn't be happy if he knew
that I carried a child before we were wed," Vilandra
told him as her hand joined his on her belly.
"He won't be happy at first, but when he sees this
child and how happy we are, he will forget we didn't
wait," Rath said.
"A child created in love..." Vilandra agreed as Rath
moved over her again and began to make love to her.

Isabel woke up with a start.
Her skin was flushed and hot, her breathing was
labored.
She remembered her dream.
"Oh my gawd," she breathed heavily. "What am I going
to do?"

******

The knocking on the door grew louder until Michael
yelled, "I'm going to pound whoever is on the other
side of that door if you don't lay off the damn
noise!" 
Grabbing open the door, he was surprised to find
Isabel standing there.
"Isabel," he said baldly.
"Can--can I come in?" she asked him as she shifted her
feet and twisted her hands.
"Uh yeah, come in." He moved aside to let her in and
watched her back as he closed the door after her.
She was clearly upset.
"You come here to yell at me some more or is it
something else?"
Isabel whirrled around and said with urgency, "Kiss
me!"
He didn't think he had heard her right. "What?"
"Kiss me! Right now," she said moving closer to him.
"No."

No? He said no.
Isabel stopped stunned.
"No? But you have to Michael," said Isabel as she
again moved closer to him.
"I don't Isabel, I don't have to do anything," he said
to her, as he crossed his arms, deep down really
wanting to do just as she asked.
"Michael...please...I need you to...kiss me," Isabel
pleaded in a hushed voice.
"Why?" he asked heras he moved closer to her.
"Because of a dream," she told him lookiing away,
knowing that he needed the truth.
"A dream," said Michael as he released his arms. "What
happened in this dream?" 
He already knew, but he wanted to hear her say it.
Isabel looked away uncertain.
"Isabel...what was in the dream?" Michael insisted.
"You already know don't you?" she asked not looking at
him.
"Maybe," he said as he came closer to her. "You tell
me what you saw."
"You had the dream too," she said looking up into his
eyes.
"A blue-green meadow..." he said taking pity on her.
"You and me..." she added softly.
He touched her hair as he said, "Making love."
Closing her eyes and nodding, she lay her hand on her
abdomen.
Michael lowered his hand to hers and said, "And you
carried our baby."
"Michael, I'm so confused. I don't know what to do
anymore. I have something with Kyle now, but I can't
deny what feelings I have for you. And now this...this
dream," Isabel said with pain in her voice.
"You belong with me Isabel," Michael told her as he
lowered his lips to hers. 
Isabel opened her mouth hesitantly, and then willingly
to his, feeling the passion she had felt in the dream
kisses all over again.
"It's not a mindwarp is it? Or the planet alignment?"
she asked for reassurance as she fought to regain her
breathe against his chest.
"No, I think this is the real deal...and I think the
first time was too," he told her as he held her close
to him.
She pulled away to his confusion.
"I can't do this," she said quickly, moving across the
room and wiping a shaky hand across her mouth.
"What the hell are you talking about? Can't do what?"
demanded Michael, as he whirrled her around to face
him.
"I can't be with you," Isabel said as she looked at
Michael and then quickly away.
"The hell you say! What about our feelings, the
dreams...that kiss?" he asked her, his defenses going
up at being rejected by her.

She knew she had hurt him, it hurt her too. The
feelings he invoked in her were warm and wonderful.
She wanted that.
And Kyle. She loved Kyle...didn't she? 
How could she love two men at the same time?

"Isabel!" Michael called sharply to her as he noticed
her drift in thought.
Mentally shaking herself, Isabel looked down at the
floor and rubbed the aching area above her eyes.
"Michael, I am with Kyle now. I won't hurt him...I
can't hurt him...we've done that enough to him by his
knowing who we are," she told him in a strained voice.
Michael's anger built until he thought he would
explode.
"You're willing to give up on our happiness just so
Valenti won't be hurt? That's crap Isabel and you know
it! You are running scared! Scared to love me! Admit
it!" he yelled at her.
"I am not scared Michael! I love Kyle!" she yelled
back at him.
Michael rolled his head back and growled as he ran his
hands threw his hair in frustration.
"Damnit Isabel! How can you say that after what you
just told me and that kiss? You can't love Kyle and
kiss me that way," Michael argued.
"I can't be with you," she said in a firm, soft voice
so laced with pain he wanted to grab her and tell her
it was okay.
But it wasn't.
"Then why did you come here and ask me to kiss you if
you were going to stay with Kyle?" he asked her as he
reguarded her intently.
Confusion clouded her mind. She didn't know why.
Heading for the door, she was about to open it when
Michael's hand reached infront of her and held the
door shut.
Next to her ear he said, "You know that eventually you
will come to me. We belong together Isabel, and you
know it. Kyle may be who you think you want, but there
is no escaping the fact that we have strong feelings
for one another that can't be denied. All you are
going to do is hurt Kyle worse by dragging this
out...is that really fair to him?"
When she didn't reply, Michael opened the door and
watched her go, his heart breaking inside.

*******

Max heard the crying and headed to Isabel's room.
Opening the door he found her on her bed sobbing.
"Isabel," he sighed as he gathered her in his arms.
Her tears fell down on his shirt as he tried to
comfort her.
"What happened?" he asked as he handed her a tissue.
Blowing her nose and dabbing her eyes, Isabel said, "I
went to see Michael."
"And?"
"We kissed," she sniffed at him.
"Really?" Max asked trying not to sound too surprised.
He knew feelings were there for each of them, but to
kiss?
"Yes really. But it can't work, so I told him I love
Kyle and we argued and I left," she sobbed again.
Max's mouth fell open.
"Why can't it work?" he asked her before adding as an
after thought, "You love Kyle? Since when? I thought
you were just , you know, having a good time."
"He's good Max and sweet, he doesn't deserve to be
treated badly by us again," said Isabel.
"Again?" asked Max.
Isabel looked away.
"Isabel, you aren't trying to make what Tess did right
by being with Kyle are you?" Max asked her concerned.
Isabel sighed heavily, "No, I really do love him
Max..."
"You don't sound too convinced of it yourself," Max
noted. "Are you 'in love' with him or do you just love
him in that friend sort of way?"
Isabel looked up at Max from under her lashes.
"And Michael? How do you feel about him now that you
have kissed him?" asked Max.
She didn't know that a small telling smile had crept
about her lips at the memory of kissing him and the
dream.
"You are 'in love' with Michael though aren't you?"
Max asked her softly as he moved an errant lock of
hair to behind her ear.
She nodded as the tears began again and he gathered
her back to him, rubbing her back in comfort.
"Isabel, why didn't you tell Michael?" he asked her.
"I can't let Kyle be hurt by one of us again Max. It's
not fair to him," she answered him as she lay her head
on his shoulder.
"And lying to him about your feelings is? And what
does Michael say?"

"He probably said she was a damned fool," said a quiet
voice from the door.
Max and Isabel jumped as they turned towards Kyle.
He stood with his hand on the doorknob looking so sad.
"Your mom said to come on up...I just wanted to see if
you made it home okay. Guess that was stupid...you
being an alien and all you can take care of
yourself...you don't need me," he trailed off
uncomfortabley.
"Kyle..." Isabel said as she got up nervously and
faced him.
Max got up as well and went to the door.
"I'll be next door," he said as he gave them one last
look.

Kyle closed the door and gave Isabel a penetrating
look as he asked, "So you kissed Michael? You enjoyed
it."
"Kyle..." Isabel tried to say something, but Kyle held
up his hand to stop her.
"No! Don't even try Isabel. I can't believe that I
actually thought that you and I had something
together. I am such a schmuck. Falling for one alien
was not enough of me, I had to fall for two," he beat
himself up.
"Stop it Kyle...I can't help that I have feelings for
both of you. I never planned this...it just happened.
I never meant to hurt you...or anyone," Isabel tried
to explain to Kyle, but he was having none of it.
"I heard you say you were 'in love' with Michael...not
me. With me it is just 'love' and that could be
anything Isabel...and I won't settle for anything,"
Kyle told her.
Isabel began to cry as she realized that whatever she
had had with Kyle was now gone forever...friendship
and all. She felt like dying inside.
"Kyle, I do love you...please know that...please," she
whispered to him.
Kyle nodded to her. "I do believe it Isabel, I do
believe you love me, but not enough...not like you
love him."
He walked to the door and turned around and said, "I 
am in love with you...but I still hope you are happy
with him...that's all I ever wanted for you, to be
happy."
Opening the door, Kyle walked out and closed it behind
him.
Isabel collapsed on the floor and held herself,
rocking back and forth until she felt Max's arms come
around her from behind.
"I hurt him Max...I hurt him so badly," she sobbed,
her vision blurred by the never ending tears.
Max kissed the top of her head as his own tears for
her began. 
"He may be hurt now Isabel, but he will get over it in
time. If you had continued on with false pretensis he
would have been hurt. It's best this way," said Max.
"But will I get over it?" she cried.
"In time," he said hoping it was true.

********

Michael answered the knock at his door and found Kyle
looking up at him with a frown.
"Valenti," said Michael cautiously.
"Guerin," said Kyle evenly.
Michael stood aside and held open the door. 
"Coming in?" he asked.
Kyle reguarded Michael for a moment and then proceded
inside.
"What's up?" Michael asked as he sat at the bar and
picked up a Snapple, adding Tobasco to the flavored
drink before bringing it to his lips.
"You kissed Isabel," Kyle stated.
Michael froze as he looked at Kyle over the Snapple
bottle. He lowered it slowly.
"She tell you that?" he asked Kyle.
"I heard her telling Max about it and...and telling
him that she was in love with you," said Kyle looking
away with evident pain on his face.

Michael felt his heart leap at Kyle's words.
Isabel had told Max she was in love with him.
He looked at Kyle and his heart fell.
The guy really was in love with Isabel.
He felt for him.
Being in love with Isabel was a bitch.
"Man, I'm sorry. We didn't plan it. But you gotta
understand, we are the same Isabel and me...we come
from the same place. We were together up there,"
Michael indicated with his rolled eyes, " and we
belong together here."
Kyle shook his head as he said, "You never treated her
like a lover Michael, it was all about Maria, and how
you stayed here for her. Why is that now you think you
should be with Isabel? How do you know that you are
not going to get tired of her and leave here?" 
Michael put the bottle down and said, "Because the way
I feel about Isabel is like nothing I ever felt with
Maria. I dream of her...and she dreams of me...we need
each other. That's all I can say," Michael told him
knowing how lame it sounded even to his ears.
Kyle pursed his lips as he nodded.
"Well I want her happy so I'm standing aside. I can't
be like you and to be honest I don't want to be like
you, but hear me Guerin, if you hurt her...if you
leave her and hurt her, I will hunt you down and I
will kill you. If I have to give up your secret to do
it I will. Don't...hurt...her!" Kyle warned with quiet
promise.
Michael couldn't believe Kyle had just threatened him
knowing that Michael could kill Kyle in a blink.
It showed how much Kyle loved Isabel.
"I hear you man. I'm not going to hurt her," Michael
told Kyle sincerly.
Kyle nodded, turned, opened the door and left.

Michael blew out a breath as he ran his fingers
through his hair.
Time to find Isabel.

********

She sat on the rock above the cliff and watched the
sun begin to set.
Michael approached her from behind and watched the
setting sunlight hit her hair.
She was so beautiful, more so than in their old life,
and she had been the fairest then.
"Isabel?" 
Her head tilted slightly at her name, but she never
turned.
"He's gone Michael. I hurt him just like I didn't want
to do. Valenti said he packed his car and headed
off...wouldn't say where he was going," Isabel said,
her voice catching in her throat.
Michael closed his eyes and then opened them as he
looked back at Isabel, knowing her eyes were filled
with pain and tears.
"What did we do to him Michael? Why can't we just live
here and not hurt anyone? Are we cursed?" asked Isabel
trying to understand.
Michael sat down beside her and placed his arms on top
of his bent knees.
"We aren't cursed Isabel. We just aren't human. And as
for Kyle," he paused a minute before looking at her
and saying, "We didn't plan on falling in love Isabel.
Kyle just happened to love the one woman he couldn't
have. I feel for him, I really do, but I'm happy for
us and I am not going to let this ruin what we now
have. I love you and I'm not losing you. Not ever
again."
Isabel turned her tear stained face to his and softly
smiled.
"I want a normal life Michael. I'm tired of hiding and
running. With Kyle I could have an almost normal life.
Can we?" she asked him.
"We can try to make it as normal as we can Isabel, but
you know the score. We are and always will be aliens,
nothing is going to change that no matter how much you
or I may want it," Michael told her, wanting her to
face facts.
"Yeah," she said in resignation.
He put his arm around her and pulled her close, his
lips pressed to her brow.
"I love you Isabel, believe that and we will be okay,"
he told her.
"I do Michael, I believe it. I love you too," she
replied as she lay her head on his shoulder and
watched as the sun set on a page of her life and
another began.

End