Title: The Green Eyed Monster
Author: Lori R 1/02
Email: Gussywussy55@y...
Category: Michael and Isabel
Rating: 'R' boarding NC17
Disclaimer: These characters belong to UPN and JKatims
and no infringement is intended.
Feedback: Yes please, good or bad.
Summary: What happens when you love your friend and
they may not love you back?



**********


Party Central...Michael's Apartment...

Max walked around the room with his arms out in front
of him, legs locked, and eyes glazed. He felt like an
idiot.
"Frankenstien!" everyone yelled at once.
Max dropped his arms to his side and turned with a
mock wounded look.
"Why do I keep getting the easy ones?" he complained
good naturedly before moving to join Liz on the floor.
"Poor baby, be glad you didn't have the one I had,"
she laughed as she kissed him lightly on the nose.
He smiled as he put his arms around her and said, "I
thought you made a great Godzilla."
Liz made a pouty face as she said, "Then how come no
one got it?"
"Because you sucked at it and Max didn't want to tell
you," said Michael bluntly. He hated this game.
Everyone stared at him and shook their heads. Michael
was being Michael again. Honesty no matter what.
"Well gee thanks for the honesty Michael. I know I 
can always depend on you to tell me the truth when no
one else will," said Liz smiling slightly trying to
make light of Michael's words so the party wouldn't be
ruined.
Michael realized that what he said had come out
harsher than what he had intended and said with more
tact, "Yeah well I guess Godzilla is hard for anyone
to do."
"Wow! An apology of sorts from Michael! I'm so shocked
Spaceboy!" said Maria as she too sat on the floor and
passed the bowl of titles to Isabel.
"It's Isabel's turn!" she said grinning, her nose
scrunched up as she did a little shimmy shake of
excitement. She loved this game.
Michael gave Maria his annoyed look, as Isabel took
the bowl and drew a slip of paper. As she read it she
frowned. 
"Aren't there any current titles in there? These are
all so old." Then as if a thought had struck her she
said enthusiastically, "Hey! Let's make new ones with
current titles and start over!" 
Everyone smiled and then laughed at Isabel's look when
they all shook their heads no.
"We all agreed to put in titles Isabel. Did you put in
a current one?" asked Max.
Her face indicated she had not.
"Then don't complain!" said Michael. "Act out your
damn title already."
"Oh like you didn't complain when it was your turn?"
said Kyle laughing as he remembered Michael's charade
title.
"Hey! I had a legitimit complaint! And let me tell
you, when I find out who stuck, 'She's Having A Baby'
in there I'm going to let them have it!" groused
Michael still stinging by the title he drew and had
acted out.
"But Guerin, you look so cute pregnant!" teased Kyle.
Michael sat up and pointed his finger at Kyle.
"Hey! Stop that!" he said getting upset again.
"Well Michael, you did look cute having that baby,"
Maria continued to tease.
Michael glared at both of them and then stood up and
stomped to the kitchen.
"Michael! Come back! We're sorry!" called out Liz as
she too grinned and everyone stifled their laughter.

They had deliberately dragged out Michael's turn. 
Everyone had known Isabel was going to rig the title
when it was Michael's turn, but didn't know what she
was going to use. It was her pay back for Michael
having left her apartment a mess when he had used it
while his was being fumigated. 
She and Max had been with their parents at a family
party out of town, so Isabel had not minded letting
Michael stay there. But when she had returned she had
found her beautiful apartment a bachelor mess.

Now Isabel groaned as she slowly stood up and took a
breath. She couldn't believe this is what she had
drawn. Someone was going to be getting a good laugh
over this she was sure.
She smoothed her top and walked to the table and sat
down.
Placing her hands on the table and taking a deep
breath she pretended to eat and then calmly layed down
her imaginary fork. Then she rolled her head back and
closed her eyes as she began to moan. Her hands
flattened on the table, ever so slowly they began
creeping to her upper chest, her neck, and to her hair
as her moans got deeper, and she began to pant.
The rooms occupants watched Isabel in shocked silence.
It was clear to everyone in the room what Isabel was
doing, but they couldn't believe how well she was
doing it. It was effecting everyone there.

Michael peered out of the kitchen in curiosity at the
silence, and watched Isabel's performance as if in a
trance. Even if he hadn't seen what she was doing,
just hearing her was enough to make him have to adjust
himself. 
The girls were slightly amused that prim and proper
Isabel could pull this title off. 
The guys were all staring open mouthed and shocked at
Isabel's display.
After a long while, Isabel stopped and slapped her
hand down on the table as if nothing out of the
ordinary was going on. "Don't tell me you guys can't
guess what movie that is?" she asked in frustration.
She thought she had done a good job acting out her
movie. Looking at the group she was not amused by what
she saw.
The girls were covering there mouths to hide their
grins, while the guys were sweating for different
reasons.
"Well?" she asked piqued that they were staring
instead of guessing. Isabel's hands on her hips and
tapping toes seemed to bring the rooms occupants back
to the present.
"Um...um..." Liz cleared her throat to keep from
laughing aloud. "Is it, 'When Harry Met Sally?"
"Yes!" cried Isabel clapping her hands and jumping up
from the table to rejoin the group.
The girls high fived her and sat giggling over the
still dumb struck looks of the guys.
Kyle was the first to speak.
"You," he squeaked out. Clearing his throat he tried
again. "You looked like you were really ...really
...um...you know."
"What Kyle? Spit it out," said Maria not giving any
slack. 
Kyle blinked as he wiped the sweat on his brow and
moved ever so gently back into his seat.
"She looked like she was having an...an...orgasm!" he
finally got out as he squirmed uncomfortabley in his
seat. He hoped his turn wasn't next or he would be
embarrassed.
Max looked quickly to Isabel and frowned.
He didn't like seeing her do something like that or
thinking about her having sex even though she had been
married. He also didn't like the effect she had on
Kyle.
"How can you act something like that out and not get
turned on?" asked Kyle confused. It was apparent that
Isabel was not effected by her own performance at all.
"The same way actors do, she faked it," said Liz
getting up to get stretch.
"But women don't really...they can't really...when a
guy...I mean those are just actors who aren't really
doing it, but women can't really...can they?" asked
Kyle still trying to figure it out. Max and Michael
gave Liz and Maria looks that said they didn't believe
women could do that and not be effect. 
Maria burst out laughing at the guys faces.
"Of course women can do that. We do it all the time so
we don't hurt your sensitive egos. If you can't get us
there, then we have to make you believe you did," she
told them.
Michael did a double take.
"But you never did that with me," he said smuggly.
"She never did that with me," he quickly told the
others.
Maria didn't say anything as she looked at him.
"Maria?" Michael couldn't believe it.
"Damn!" said Kyle. "Okay, let me get this straight.
So a guy can lose it and a girl might not be there so
she fakes it so he won't feel bad ?" At the girls nods
he said again in wonder, "Damn!"
Michael sat down in stunned disbelief. 
She had lied to him and he had never known.
"So every time you faked it?" Michael finally asked
Maria.
"Michael, let's not do this here," said Maria not
wanting to talk about their past sex life.
"No, I want to know! Did you fake it?" Michael
demanded to know. There was no way she faked it, he
thought. She couldn't have.
Seeing that Michael was not going to leave this alone,
she said kindly, "Look, it was good most of the time.
I just didn't feel this mind blowing 'alien orgasm'
you and Max always talk about."
Kyle looked away as he mumbled into his hand, "That
had to hurt."
Everyone else sat in awkward silence as their two
friends argued.
Michael sat there staring at her in shock.
"I can't believe you would fake that with me!" He said
hurt and angry.
Maria was tired of always fighting with Michael, which
is why they had broke up.
"Michael look, I'm sorry, it's nothing personal so
please don't take it that way."
"How else am I supposed to take it Maria? You just
said I couldn't make you have an orgasm." He looked
around and said, "Everyone heard you so don't deny
it."
The silence was uncomfortable.
"I said sometimes Michael!" said Maria getting riled. 
"You heard what you wanted to hear."
"Wanted to hear? You think I wanted to hear that? That
any guy wants to hear he can't make the girl he's with
lose it every time?" yelled Michael standing up.
"Fine. You know what? I'm not doing this with you!
We're not even together anymore so why does it even
matter?" said Maria as she stood, grabbed her jacket
and headed out the door.
"Maria!" called Liz as she ran after her.
Max got up and looked at Michael.
"Michael, I don't think she meant it that way."
But they both knew she had.
Michael hadn't done it for her.
"Don't bother Max. Maria said what she meant to say.
Liz is leaving so you better go too."
Max gave his friend one last sympathetic look before
following Liz out.

Kyle looked around and stood up too.
"Guess the parties over so I'll be going too."
He looked at Isabel and then at Michael.
"Still can't believe girls do that. I need to talk to
Buddha about getting me one so I can find out for
myself."
Michael gave Kyle an annoyed look.
"Get out Valenti."
Kyle smiled and headed for the door.
Before he left he said, "At least no girl ever told me
I didn't do it for her."
And with that parting shot he left.

"Son of a bitch!" growled Michael as he raised his arm
in anger throwing a power burst at the door just as
Kyle shut it, leaving a scorched hole in the middle.
Isabel placed her hands on her hips as she surveyed
the damage.
"Nice Michael, really nice," she said dryly.
She peered into the hall and seeing no one around,
repaired the damage Michael had inflicted on door.
Turning around she asked, "So are you pissed at me for
that wonderful bit of acting or just at Maria?"
Michael flopped down on the couch and lay his head
back as he rubbed his eyes and sighed.
"I never figured Maria for faking it! I thought she
was enjoying it too," Michael said.
Isabel really didn't want to have this conversation
with Michael, but he was miserable and she couldn't
stand to see him hurt.
She joined Michael on the couch and said, "Michael, I
don't think she meant it to sound that way."
At his look she admitted, "Okay maybe she did, but at
sometime she did enjoy it. She said it wasn't every
time."
She could very easily vaporize Maria right now for
what she had said at the party.
Michael looked at Isabel and asked, "Do you fake it?"
"We're not talking about me," Isabel said too
casually, looking away and picking at the cushion she
placed on her lap.
Michael sat up straighter as he noticed the
carelessness of Isabel's answer.
"We talked about me, so why not you. Did you ever fake
it with Jesse when you were married?"
He was still stung she had married Jesse and he
couldn't really say why. He only knew he had felt a
great relief when he had found out Isabel was
divorcing him.
Isabel didn't like where this conversation was going
and wouldn't look at him as she tried to get up.
Michael reached out for her arm and pulled her back
down twisted across his lap, his arms holding her to
him.
"I asked you if you ever faked it?" Michael asked
again, but the bite of the question was not as sharp
when he looked down at Isabel. He hadn't been this
close to her like this in a long time and it felt
strange, yet comfortable. Familiar even.
Sighing, Isabel looked up at Michael and quietly said,
"I don't want to discuss Jesse with you or anyone else
Michael."
Michael frowned and tightened his hold on Isabel,
effectively pinning her under him with his legs as
well as his arms.
"Come on Isabel, you can tell me, owe it to me
actually after the way you threw that title in there
for me to do," said Michael not giving in to her.
Whatever had happened with Jesse, she had never shared
with any of them, not even Max.
Isabel sucked in her breath at Michael's words.
"You knew! And you didn't say anything?" 
Michael snorted and shook his head, his hair falling
about his face as he looked down at her.
"No one else likes that movie but you Iz, so it had to
be you. Besides," he added tightening his grip, " You
were still pissed at me for your apartment, so you
changed the title when it was my turn. Revenge I think
it is called."
Michael smirked down at her proud that he had put it
together....just not soon enough to get out of acting
it out. Maria had grabbed the paper out of his hand
before he could change the title on the damn thing.

A sudden urge to touch Michael's hair hit Isabel as
she looked up into his face that had matured over the
past few years. He was handsome in a careless sort of
way, and that was very attractive. In fact if Michael
had not been holding her down she might have reached
up and touched his hair to see if it was as soft as it
looked. As she realized where her thoughts had gone
Isabel did mental wake up call on herself. This was
Michael and he had made it clear before that they were
friends and nothing more, and she had agreed. Nothing
romantic would ever happen. She couldn't have these
thoughts about him.
"Michael, let me up," said Isabel trying not to panic
as she moved under him, her shirt riding up over her
belly.
Michael hissed as Isabel grazed his crotch with her
squirming body. The reaction from his body was
immediate and noticeable.
Isabel froze in her attempt to get away from Michael
as she felt his arousal through his jeans on her bare
belly.
Their eyes flew to one another and both began to blush
furiously.
Michael let go as if touching Isabel burned his skin.
He jumped up and faced away from her, his hands
running threw his hair as he took deep breaths to
control himself.
Isabel quickly sat up and smoothed down her shirt and
then stood on shaky legs and headed for the door.
Neither spoke. They didn't know what to say.
Michael turned and watched as Isabel went out the
door, and then blasted it again when she was gone.
"Damn!" he said in anger at himself.
Then as what had happened went back threw his mind,
Michael again said, "Damn!" 
But this time there was no anger just confusion.

********

Isabel stood in front of her mirror lost in thought as
she stripped off her shirt and jeans and tossed them
carelessly aside. She stood in her under garments
absently running her hands over her body, but paused
as her hand grazed her belly where Michael's arousal
had pressed. She gently touched the area and smiled
softly to herself at the memory. She had liked how it
had felt.
Then she frowned and shivered.
"Nooooo," she moaned as she lay back on her bed and
looked up at the ceiling. 
"I can't feel this way about Michael again, I just
can't!"
But part of her wanted to fill that way.
Was he still thinking about it too? Only one way to
find out.

Michael tossed in his sleep. Well sleep was not really
a good description. 'Cat nap' may have been a more
accurate term for what he was doing since his head was
full of conflicting images with feelings to go along
with them. That is why when Isabel entered his head he
was very aware she was there.
He watched from the recesses of his mind as she
wandered about the thoughts in his head searching out
his dream. 
Finally he crossed his arms and asked, "Looking for
something special, or just curious as to what I would
be dreaming after you left?"
Isabel jumped startled, and turned to the voice. 
"Michael!"
Seeing him standing there watching her...aware of her,
she had the grace to look guilty.
He walked towards her and then looking about said,
"I've asked you not to do this Isabel unless it was an
emergency."
"I thought it was," she said softly as she decided she
really didn't want to brave whatever was about to
come.
His brows knitted together at her words. "Why?"
Her silence and actions let him know she had felt
something too, and it wasn't just the arousal he had
had earlier. Something more had passed between them.
"So what do you think that was all about?" he asked
her seriously, curious to know how she felt about what
had happened earlier.
Isabel shook her head as she turned away from him. 
This was not supposed to be happening. This was
supposed to be a quick dream walk, and then
contemplation in her own bed, not confrontation with
Michael in his dreams.
Michael watched her back stiffen as he asked again his
question from earlier, "What happened with Jesse?"
He sensed that a lot hinged on what had happened
between Isabel and her ex.
Isabel felt chilled and rubbed at her arms to ward it
off.
She couldn't do this right now.
"Michael, I told you I don't want to talk about
Jesse."
He came up behind her saying, "That's crap Isabel! You
owe us an explanation! You marry him against our
wishes and advise and then not even a year later you
divorce him! Hell, you won't even talk to Max about
it! It can't be because you're an alien, he would have
turned you in on that one. Maybe it was the sex," he
said sarcasticly only to watch in surprise as her
shoulders began to shake, and her head hung down. The
sob confirmed his fear. She was crying.
He turned her to face him, and wrapped his arms around
her.
"Iz?" he asked worriedly as he mentally kicked himself
for giving her a hard time.
"How...could I have...been....been so wrong?" she
asked him as she cried into his shoulder.
His hand went to her hair and caressed it as he looked
heavenwards as if seeking answers.
"Tell me what happened Iz?" he said quietly, his tone
and touch soothing her.
"It wasn't what I thought it would be...he would be. I
wanted normalcy in my life. You and Max and I haven't
had that in a few years you know. After all that has
happened I just wanted to be normal...to have someone
love me. Jesse seemed like the answer. He was there
when no one else was."
Her words cut threw him like a knife as he hugged her
tighter to him.
She wanted someone to love her....because she thought
no one was there for her.
Were we all that selfish and unobservant as to not see
that she was lonely? He knew the answer to that
already...yes. He knew he had been.
"So what happened to make you change your mind? What
went wrong?" he had to ask even though he really
didn't expect her to tell him. 
He was wrong. She opened up and released all she had
pent up inside of her. She had been holding back for
so long it came flooding out of her from no where. 
"He's a young lawyer who needs a wife that can help in
his career. I'm barely 20 and a student in college. We
had nothing to talk about. I couldn't even tell him
about being an alien, couldn't share that part of me
with him. He said my friendships were to close with
all of you and I should break them off, that they
weren't normal. All we had left in common was sex,"
Isabel said as Michael gently made circles on her
back, and rocked her in a slow almost motionless
dance.
Sex was not what Michael wanted to hear Isabel had in
common with anyone, and he tried to push down the
green eyed monster that threatened to appear.
But Michael's anger did appear as Isabel's next pained
words reached his ears.
"He had an affair Michael," she said mortified to
admit it to anyone. Her husband had turned from her to
another woman.
Michael was furious! He would kill the bastard if he
ever saw him again!
He didn't realize it, but he kissed Isabel on the head
as he pulled her tighter to him causing her to gasp,
"Michael, I can't breathe!"
He immediately lessened his hold, but didn't release
her.
"Sorry...I just...damn it! I'll kill the son of a
bitch! Are you sure he fooled around?" Michael said as
he again wrapped his arms tighter around Isabel.
Nodding Isabel pulled out of Michael's arms and said,
"It was a woman he knew from law school. They had
things in common, had actually dated all through
school. So when they were up against one another in a
court case...well it rekindled something for them."
Michael watched Isabel as she continued to talk. She
alternated between defending Jesse's actions and
tears. 
"What the hell are you doing?" he asked her angrily.
Isabel sniffed and looked at Michael in surprise. 
He was upset with her and she didn't know why.
At her confused expression he said, "You're defending
him Isabel! Why are you defending him when he screwed
around on you? You should be angry! You should have
fried his ass! Where is the Isabel who wouldn't have
put up with that crap?"
She glared at him.
"Oh that's right! Get angry at me when it's his ass
that should be kicked not mine!" said Michael shaking
his head in disgust.
She slapped him and he stood there and took it. 
They were both surprised she had done it, but neither
backed away. 
"Feel better now?" he asked her without apparent
emotion, but secretly he was glad to see a spark of
the old Isabel.
"Michael, you know nothing about my feelings for Jesse
or what happened except what I told you, so keep your
opinions to yourself," said Isabel shaking with her
anger.
"You loved him that much?" Michael asked her still not
believing she had chosen Jesse to begin with.
She glanced away and bit her lip. After a moment he
could see her anger defuse. 
Then she whispered what he least expected, "I don't
know that I ever really loved him at all. Not that way
anyway."
"What?" he asked shocked, his insides turning over at
the news she had just imparted.
"I think after I realized I couldn't have the man I
wanted I needed something or someone to fill my life. 
Jesse was there to do that. I married him to feel
Michael, and what happened was we were both unhappy,"
she tried to explain. "Everyone was right and I was
wrong, and I made everyone miserable in the process."
Michael was still stuck on one part of her
explanation...the man she had wanted. Was that Alex?
That green eyed monster was looking over his shoulder
again and he didn't know why.

He pinched the area between his eyes as a headache
began. Great! Not only did he get them when he was
awake, but in his dreams too.
"I've got to go Michael," Isabel said as if she
realized she had revealed too much.
"Isabel, we need to talk more about this..." Michael
was saying when Isabel was suddenly gone.
"Great," he said as he closed his eyes and woke up in
his bed.
"Just great," he said as he turned over and a new
thought occurred to him. Why did he care that Isabel
had been in love with Alex or anyone else for that
matter?
Because you care what happens to her you idiot! You
would protect Isabel...and Max...with your life.
But somewhere deep inside he knew it was more than
that, he just wasn't ready to face it yet.

*******

"She told you that? That Jesse fooled around on her?"
asked Max with concern as he and Michael sat at the
bar in Michael's apartment talking and drinking
Snapples.
Michael took another drink and nodded. "Yep, said it
was some chick he dated in college." The news and his
encounter with Isabel in his dream still disturbed
him.
"Is that all she said?" asked Max as he digested this
piece of news. 
Michael hesitated, swallowing more drink before he
nodded. "Yeah, that's it."
Why didn't he tell Max that Isabel said she didn't
love Jesse or that she had married him to feel
something?
Because Isabel trusted you enough to tell you what she
had told no one else. She would be pissed enough that
he had told about Jesse's affair, but to tell more
would end any kind of relationship that they had for a
long time.
"I guess my Dad must have handled the divorce for her
so he must know the reason and just hasn't said. I
wonder if my Mom knows? I just can't believe that
Jesse would do that to her! She was head over heels in
love with him. If I ever get my hands on him..."
warned Max as his anger burst the bottle in his hands
sending glass and Snapple everywhere.
"Shit Max! Watch it!" said Michael as he protected his
eyes.
Max took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down
as he used his powers to clean up the mess.
"Sorry Michael, I was just..."
"Yeah, I know. Been there already myself. Look Max,
Isabel really didn't want anyone to...," said Michael
as he went to answer a knock at the door.
Opening it he found Isabel.
"Isabel!" he said a little too quickly as he stood
back to let her in.
The shit was going to hit the fan if Max said anything
to her.
Max stood up as Isabel entered the apartment.
"Iz," said Max with a sympathy in his voice.
Isabel looked between the two men and sensed they had
been discussing her. She turned to Michael upset. 
"You told him didn't you!"
"Not all of it," said Michael shrugging. He knew she
was mad that he had talked to Max, but he didn't trust
his own feelings on this. 
Max looked between the two and asked, "There's more?"
Isabel looked at Michael. "Just what did you tell
him?"
Michael sat at the bar again and popped the top on
another Snapple.
"Just that Jesse ran around on you," he said as he
took a long swig of a drink he didn't want.
"What else is there to tell?" asked Max feeling like
whatever it was the more important part of the story.
Isabel shook her head 'no' to Michael.
Michael glanced between her and Max and then said,
"It's not for me to tell Maxwell. Sorry."
Relief ran threw Isabel. He wasn't going to tell.
"Iz? What else is there?" Max asked again coming near
her.
"Nothing Max. Don't worry, it's all over now anyway,"
said Isabel moving away from him. She didn't want him
prying things, from her and maybe making her reveal
things she didn't want to like she did last night with
Michael.
Michael stared straight ahead. He still wanted to know
who the guy was that Isabel had loved and couldn't
have.
Who ever it was had been a damn fool for not
recognizing what a great person she was. Yeah she was
a beauty to look at, but it was what people didn't see
that made her special. Underneath all of that
bossiness was a woman who would give her life for
those she loved.
"What do you want Isabel?" asked Max seeing that
neither of them was going to fill him in on the story.
Isabel was caught off guard.
"Oh! Oh I--I came to ---to see if Michael...," she
trailed off not having an excuse come to mind.
Michael came to her rescue.
"If I was ready to go help her with some errands," he
said as he got up and grabbed his jacket. He headed
for the door and held it open. "Well let's go!"
Isabel hurried out the door before Max could question
her odd behavior or the story again.
"Thanks Michael," she said as they entered the parking
lot.
"No problem."
Looking around he asked, "So are you going to explain
last night?"
"No," she told him as she opened the door of her car
and got in. Before she could close it though Michael
grabbed it.
"At some point we are going to talk Isabel, you can
count on that." 
He shut her door and walked off leaving her to stare
at his retreating back.
Neither saw Max watching them from the window.

********

A few weeks later....

Isabel walked slowly in the cemetery, sitting down at
Alex's grave and lay her flowers down. 
"Hello Alex," she said softly as she pulled a weed
that had dared to grow up along the headstone.
I guess you know what today is don't you? You're the
only one I ever told and you kept my secret. I know
I've said it before, but I'm sorry it hurt you. I'm
glad you understood though, that's what made you such
a good friend."
"Isabel?" asked Kyle from behind her.
She turned her head slightly and then patted the
ground beside her for Kyle to join her.
"How long had you been there?" she asked him.
"Since you walked up. I didn't mean to listen, it just
seemed like you needed to talk to him," said Kyle
wanting her to know he wasn't spying on her.
Isabel nodded and pulled another weed up.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
Kyle looked around and then said, "I come here a lot
to think. Alex and I became friends and I now that my
friends are in short supply I still come here to talk
things out with him. Stupid huh?" He was embarrassed
to admit he talked to a dead guy.
Isabel shook her head. 
"No, not stupid Kyle. I do it to as you can see. He
was a good listener, a good friend...like you."
He smiled at that.
The silence between them grew as Isabel thought about
Kyle's words and then carefully said, "I think Alex
would be okay with your knowing our secret Kyle."
Kyle looked at her and nodded. He was pleased that she
trusted him with another secret besides the alien one.
Taking a breath Isabel said, "Kyle you knew about Max
and Tess and Michael and I being paired up, but you
never knew about the dreams did you?"
At his negative shake of his head she continued.
"Michael and I began having dreams about one
another...very graphic ones, about us
being...together."
"Both of you dreamed the same thing?" asked Kyle.
She nodded, "Yeah."
At Kyle's intrigued look she said, "We think Tess may
have caused us to have the dreams we aren't sure. She
may have been telling us the truth when she said the
planets aligned to make us feel the way we did and to
have the dreams. Anyway in the dreams we had a
baby...a son."
Kyle's eyes widened. "A baby?"
Isabel smiled and nodded at the memory. "Yeah, a son.
He was blond and beautiful, and Michael and I were
playing with him. We were so happy." She sighed as 
her smile turned sad and she said, " You see Michael
and I thought I was pregnant from the dreams. Being
alien we weren't sure how we conceived, but Max talked
to Tess who seemed to know more about us then we did,
and she said we had to do it in the human way. I
couldn't be pregnant from the dreams."
She paused before she added, "I never told Michael and
Max, but I really wanted that baby even though I knew
we were too young and people would talk. You see...it
was a part of the person I was in love with, but
couldn't have."
She glanced sideways at Kyle to gage his reaction to
her words. 
Kyle nodded as he listened and then his head came up
as her words really registered with him. He looked at
Isabel and said, "You love Michael don't you." It was
not even a question.
"Yeah, I do," she said quietly. "Today is the
anniversary of the day we found out I wasn't really
pregnant. I felt like I had lost something...my son.
So I come to the cemetery and grieve for him. Alex
knew and understood, though it hurt him because he
loved me. I never meant to hurt him, but I have no
control over my heart."
"That must have killed you watching Michael with Maria
all that time and knowing he was staying on Earth for
her," said Kyle. 
Tears sprang to her eyes. "Yeah it did. But then you
must have felt that when Liz started seeing Max."
Kyle nodded and then said, "Yeah, but the difference
is I'm not in love with her and you're still in love
with Michael."
Then he asked, "Then why did you marry Jesse?"
At her look he said, "Riiight...Guerin was taken so
you married Jesse. Is that why you divorced him? Cause
Michael and Maria spilt permanently?"
Isabel shook her head, "No."
"So why don't you just tell Michael you love him?
You're both free," asked Kyle confused.
"Because he doesn't love me in that way," said Isabel
standing up and dusting off her pants.
"How do you know his feelings haven't changed?" he
asked as he too stood.
"I'm not telling him Kyle, and I don't want you to
either." She was very adamant about this.
"Okay, okay, but I think it's a mistake," he said. He
didn't agree, but he gave his word as her friend.
Isabel turned to hug Kyle and kiss him on the cheek.
"I'm glad you're such a good friend Kyle."
Kyle smiled and put his arms around Isabel and hugged
her back. "Yeah, well since I'm such a good friend why
don't you see about fixing me up with a girl. A
redhead might be nice...good figure...not too many
brains though," he said jokingly with a huge grin.
They laughed as they walked from the cemetery with
their arms around one another.

Off to the side in the distance was Michael. He had
seen Isabel enter the cemetery, and was going to
follow her when he saw Kyle approach her. He had
watched as they kissed, and then left with their arms
around one another. He tossed down the grass he had
been tearing apart, and frowned before turning and
walking away.

********

Days later....

Michael was cleaning the grill in the Crashdown while
Max stacked chairs out front and Kyle washed the
dishes. Liz and Maria had wanted to go hear some
women's speaker at the University and Max and Kyle had
been roped into closing for them. 
"I'm going to have dish pan hands," said Kyle as he
stuck another pot into the sudsy water and began to
scrub. "Don't you guys have a dishwasher? I thought
all eating establishments had a dishwasher."
Michael looked at Kyle pissed off. 
"Yeah it's me and now it's you! So quit you're
bitchin' and wash so we can get the hell out of here!"
He scrubbed the grill harder until the brush snapped.
Kyle stared then laughed, "Why don't you just use your
powers to clean that? Might save another brush its
life."
Michael threw the parts down and headed at Kyle, "I'm
sick and tired of your advice Valenti! So why don't
you just shut up or better yet get out of here so I
don't have to look at you!"
Kyle was shocked at Michael's rage at him. He had only
been teasing him good naturedly as usual. 
"What's wrong with you Guerin? Did I do something to
piss you off?" Kyle asked as he flung water from his
hands.
"I don't like you Valenti! Don't trust you! In fact I
would like nothing better than to knock you on your
sorry ass!" said Michael as he again saw the image of
Isabel and Kyle kissing in the cemetery, and heard her
words saying she couldn't be with the man she loved.
Not Alex as he had thought, but Kyle.
The green eyed monster was growing even bigger.
"Buddha doesn't believe in violence Michael and as a
follower of Buddha neither do I," said Kyle calmly.
"Then this will be real easy!" said Michael as he
layed an upper cut to Kyle's chin knocking him to the
ground.
A stunned Kyle raised up and rubbed his chin.
Slowly raising up, he faced Michael and said, "I think
I will pray extra hard to Buddha tonight for
forgiveness after I kick your ass!" 
With that he lunged at Michael and tackled him, both
of them rolling and throwing punches.
Michael finally ended up on top pummeling Kyle with
all of his alien strength and jealousy when Max
hearing the commotion ran into the kitchen to stop
them.
"Michael! Michael stop it! Michael, you're going to
kill him!" yelled Max as he pulled Michael off of
Kyle.
Kyle lay there moaning with a broken jaw, nose, and
ribs, his blood covering him.
Michael looked down at him the anger still filling
him.
"You stay away from her you here me? Stay away from
Isabel! She's been hurt enough!"
Max rushed to Kyle and laying his hands on him began
to heal him. It also caused him to see things that
Kyle would never have told. Things he had promised to
never tell.
Max sat back after he was finished and covered his
face with his hands. He didn't know what it was
exactly Kyle was hiding for Isabel, but he knew it
wasn't whatever Michael thought it was.
"Tell him Kyle...tell him you and Isabel are not
together," said Max standing up.
Michael still stood there with his fists clinched as
he watched Max help Kyle stand up.
"What are you talking about? I saw them!" yelled
Michael ready to go at Kyle again.
"I don't have anything to tell Max," said Kyle moving 
away.
Max grabbed his arm and yelled, "Are you willing for
Michael to to this to you again or maybe kill you next
time? I might not be there to stop him next time Kyle!
Now I don't know what is going on or what he thinks he
saw, but you have to tell him! Now!"
Kyle turned back and said, "Look man, we aren't
together! I don't know what you saw, but all she is is
a good friend. That's it!"
"I saw you kissing in the cemetery Valenti! So don't
lie to me! She has been hurt enough!" Michael said low
and threatening as he advanced on Kyle again.
"Yeah she kissed me, but it was to thank me for
something! And you're right she has been hurt enough,
but not by me!" argued Kyle as he turned to leave.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Michael as some of
his anger left him.
Max too wanted to know what Kyle was keeping from them
for Isabel.
Kyle turned back and said, "Look, I promised her and I
will not break that promise. Beat me up...kill me...I
won't break my word to her."
Watching him leave Max turned to Michael and said, "I
think you need to tell me why you just went ballistic
on Kyle, and don't say it's because he hurt Isabel.
It's more than that, and I want to know what, and I
want to know now."
Michael leaned against the sink and his closed eyes,
rolling his head around to loosen his stiff neck.
When he finally looked at Max he sighed and said what
surprised them both.
"I think I love her Max."
Max's mouth opened and shut before he said, "You
what?"
Michael placed his hands on hips and then gestured
with them as he said, "I can't get her out of my head.
I get jealous just thinking about guys who dated her
all the way back to when we were kids and they stole
kisses from her. How insane is that?" He amazed at the
depth of his feelings for Isabel that he was finally
acknowledging.
"So when did you discover that you felt this way
towards Isabel?" asked Max trying to get used to the
idea of Michael with Isabel. 
Michael shrugged. "I think I always had them, but they
were friendship at first, and then one day I just woke
up and realized I loved her and wanted to be with her.
Knocked me on my ass that's for sure," Michael said
shaking his head, still not believing it himself.
"So I'm guessing you haven't told her," said Max
wondering how Isabel would feel about her friend being
in love with her.
"No and I don't know that I will," said Michael as the
stiffness in his neck spread to his shoulders and he
began to rub it.
Max shook his head, and then seeing Michael's
discomfort went and placed his hand on him to
alleviate the pain. " Michael, what if she feels the
same about you? Wouldn't you want the chance to be
with her?"
Michael knew Max was right. But then if he wasn't,
there was no way he could hang around here anymore and
not be with Isabel. He would have to leave then and
not be with her. And that very thought is what scared
him so badly.

******

Isabel was climbing into her bed when she heard a
knock on her door. Padding to the door she looked out
the peep hole and saw Max standing there. It was late
so this must be serious she thought as she unlocked
the door and let him in.
"Max, what is it?" she asked as she followed him to
the sofa.
"Michael beat the hell out of Kyle tonight!" said Max
without preamble.
Isabel sat in shock. "What? Why?" 
"Because of you," he said as he sat next to her. 
"Me?" she asked hesitantly as she bit her nail.
"Yeah, Michael saw you and Kyle at the cemetery. He
said you were kissing. He was like a crazy man Isabel!
If I hadn't of been there to stop him, he might of
killed Kyle. As it is he broke his jaw, his nose, and
his ribs," said Max. At her look of horror, he said,
"Don't worry, I healed him."
Isabel covered her face with her hands. 
"Poor Kyle! What was Michael thinking?" she cried as
she thought of the pain Kyle must have been in, and
just what had possessed Michael to attack him like
that.
Max stood up. "Talk to him Isabel."
At her silent nod Max left. 
As he walked to his car he hoped his plan worked. 
If Isabel felt the same way about Michael then it
should. He felt like they might have been together by
now if he himself had not been so big on saying that
Destiny was not to be followed. Maybe for them there
was an alien destiny and it needed to be helped along.
Isabel and Michael were both very stubborn so now it
was just wait and see.

After Max left, Isabel put on some clothes and headed
to Michael's. She pounded on the door until he opened
it pushing him aside to enter.
"How dare you! How dare you beat up Kyle like that!"
she stormed at him.
"Max," said Michael under his breath as he rubbed his
face.
"Why did you beat up Kyle?" she asked him. She was so
upset she could barely see straight.
"I--I shouldn't have done that. I...." he said, but
she interrupted him.
"NO! You think?" she asked sarcastically.
"Hey! I saw something and thought the wrong thing! I
made a mistake! I'm sorry," he said not liking how she
protected Kyle, but still sincere. 
He also knew he needed to apologize to Kyle for
beating the crap out of him. He really was a good guy
to keep Isabel's secret...whatever it was. That still
stung though that she trusted Kyle and not him.
"That still doesn't explain your beating up Kyle," she
reminded him.
Maybe Max was right. Maybe it was now or never.
Michael decided to bite the bullet and get it over
with. Tomorrow he would pack and find a new town to
live in after Isabel laughed in his face. 
Taking a breath and weighing his words, Michael said,
"I was jealous." There, I said it. 
"Jealous? Of Kyle? For what? Our friendship?" she
asked him trying to undertand how Michael could be so
jealous of Kyle as to beat him.
Michael scratched his head and squinted as he said,
"No that wasn't it." 
Isabel was confused. "So what was it?"
Michael shuffled his feet and wet his lips, looking
around and then at Isabel as he said, "I was jealous
because...I have ...feelings...for you."
"Oh....Ohhhhhh," she said softly as his words sunk in.
Her heart was beating so hard she knew he must hear
it.
Her palms grew damp and she rubbed them on the skirt
she had quickly grabbed and put on. 
"Oh," she said again.
Michael sat opposite her in the chair and said, "Would
you quit saying that." He felt like a fool just like
he knew he would. 
She didn't share the same feelings for him.

Isabel blinked. He had feelings for her! How long had
she wanted this to happen and now that it was she was
scared.
"I um...I..." she stammered as she stood up.
Michael closed his eyes and hung his head as he waited
for her to tell him they were friends and that was it.
"Look, I'm sorry. Apparently that was something I
should have kept to myself and now I've put you in
this situation where you try to spare my feelings
while you reject me. Well let me save you the trouble.
I understand you don't feel the same way I do so don't
worry about it. I won't bring it up again," he tried
to assure her.

But what happened next they never expected.


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

Isabel stood before Michael and looked down at him in
silence.
"What?" he asked her. Here comes the speech.
Silence.
That is when he noticed her breathing was coming
heavier, and that she was twisting her hands.
And her lips...those gorgeous lips...she kept wetting
them.
Michael's breathing matched hers as he slowly stood
up. They were so close they were almost touching.
She looked into his eyes.
Michael raised his hand to her hair and ran his
fingers threw it, cupping her face when he was done.
She closed her eyes and leaned into the palm caressing
her. A single tear fell from her eye.
He whispered her name, and she opened her eyes and
smiled ever so slightly at him.
She pressed her lips to the hand that still touched
her face, her own hand covering his.
Michael closed his eyes as she kissed his palm wishing
those lips were pressed against his own.
"Isabel," he breathed as he opened his eyes.
He took her face in his hands and gently pressed his
lips to hers, kissing her as if she might break.
When he pulled back he saw her eyes shining and a
smile that sparkled.
Taking her into his arms, he held her as he said
against her neck, "I hope this means you feel the same
way and it's not a kiss off."
Her shoulders shook with laughter as she held him
tighter. He could feel her sag with what he assumed
was relief against him.
"Yes, I've been jealous," she teased.
He frowned. Hadn't he told her he loved her?
He pulled back to look at her.
"Isabel, I love you," he told her, his emotions for
her running deeper than he thought possible.
Her laughter died as he expressed his feelings for
her.
She had never thought Michael would say those words to
her, and the tears started flowing down. She seemed to
do that a lot where Michael was concerned.
He gently rubbed his thumb over her cheek to wipe away
her tears. 
She sniffed and wiped her eyes before gazing into his
saying, "I love you too Michael."
Michael's eyes filled with tears of relief as he
kissed her again, and then placed his head against
hers, his hand caressing the back of her neck.
"Do you feel weird?" he asked her as he tried to calm
his beating heart.
"Yeah...but it's a good kind of weird," she sighed
happily still not believing he loved her.
"Isabel, I've never had feelings this strong in my
life," he told her as he began to kiss her again.
She pushed him away.
"What about Maria?" she asked him suddenly feeling a
chill.
He looked at her, choosing his words carefully.
"Isabel, I loved Maria because she wouldn't put up
with my crap. But you.." he said as he moved to touch
a wayward strand of hair, "you I'm in love with."
"You were jealous with her too Michael," Isabel said
as she moved away from him.
Feeling panic rising inside, Michael agreed, "Yeah,
but Isabel, I never almost killed a friend over her.
That should say something!"
"That only says that you're a jealous person and used
bad judgment," Isabel said feeling her new love begin
to slip away.
"Jealous? Yeah! Of every guy that ever looked at you,
touched you,...kissed you. I'm talking since we were
kids Isabel. When you smiled at them I wanted it to be
me. And when it was me, I was lost." He had to make
her understand. He was going to lose her if he didn't.
"Then why did you choose her over me when you had the
chance to choose me?" she cried, and then covered her
mouth at what she had said.
"What? When?" he asked confused.
Her heart broke. He didn't remember or it wasn't that
important to him.
"Isabel?" He didn't understand the look of pain and
sorrow on her face, all he knew was that he seemed to
be the cause...again.
She headed for the door in tears, leaving while he
stood there in stunned silence at the turn of events.
He sat with his head in his hands trying to figure out
what he had done wrong. Then he raised his head as he
knew where he had to go for answers.

********

Kyle rolled over and looked around as he tried to
identify the noise he was hearing. Centering on his
window he spied Michael knocking outside.
Picking up his bat, he carefully approached the window
and opened it.
"What do you want?" he asked suspiciously.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry man for what I did to you,"
said Michael honestly.
Kyle considered Michael's words, and the fact that
Michael didn't need to knock to enter. Kyle lowered
the bat to the floor. 
"Okay, yeah thanks," he said accepting the apology
that he knew Michael did not give out easily.
Michael began to climb threw the window and Kyle
stared at him asking, "What are you doing?"
"I need to talk to you," Michael said as he sat on
Kyle's chair.
"About what?" Kyle asked as he sat on his bed.
"What did Isabel tell you?" Michael asked getting
straight to the point.
Shaking his head Kyle said, "I told you I wouldn't
reveal what she said. I promised her and I'm sticking
to it."
Michael considered Kyle's words and then asked, "Tell
you what Kyle, I'll guess and you tell me if I'm
right?"
"Nope," said Kyle rubbing his eyes.
Michael knew if he was going to get Kyle's help he had
to be honest all the way so he said, "I told her I
love her man. She said loves me, but now she's
upset....something about me choosing Maria over her
again." Michael was embarrassed to be telling Kyle
about his feelings for Isabel.
Kyle came fully awake at Michael's admission.
"You love her?" he asked to make sure he had heard him
right. This put a whole new light on things.
"So much it hurts," said Michael leaning back in the
chair. 
He waited for Kyle to laugh, but it didn't happen.
Instead Kyle said, "Okay look, you need to think
really hard to the times you chose Maria over Isabel.
Like maybe a few years back." 
At Michael's perplexed look, Kyle said, "You had a
choice to make...a big one. Think about it. Now get
out of my room."
Michael's eyebrows knitted together as he searched his
brain for the small clue Kyle had given him without
revealing Isabel's secret. His heart gave a lurch as
he realized what Kyle was talking about.
"Noooo," he said shaking his head in disbelief. That
couldn't be it, but somehow he knew it was.
Kyle crawled back into his bed as he said, "Buddha, I
think he's got it." Punching his pillow he added,
"Close the window on your way out." 
As Michael was about to do just that, Kyle said,
"Michael! Good luck man...and don't hurt her."
Michael nodded and closed the window. 
He had one goal in mind as he got on his motorcycle.

********

Isabel pulled another tissue from the box and blew her
nose. She tossed the wet tissue on the growing pile on
the floor.
"I'm such an idiot! He's gone back to Maria before and
he will again the first time she calls him," Isabel
sobbed.
"No I won't," Michael said from behind her.
She jumped and turned at his voice.
"Oh my gawd! Michael, what are you doing here?" she
asked as she clutched her fist to her chest as if to
still the pounding of her heart underneath. 
Michael walked around to the front of her couch and
stopped at the sight of the tissues that littered the
floor.
"Are these because of me?" he asked as he bent and
used his powers to clean them up.
"No," she lied, as she watched him sit by her feet.
"Liar," he said as he placed her feet in his lap and
began to massage them. 
"Your feet are like ice."
His hands began to warm her, and Isabel suppressed a
sigh at his touch as she wondered what he was up to so
she asked, "What do you want Michael?"
"I want to talk to you," he answered her as he began
to move higher up to her calves.
"T-talk? About what?" she asked distracted as his
hands ran along her legs. She shivered with delight at
his touch on her skin until he said,
"About the dreams."
She pulled her legs from his hands and tucked them
under her suddenly very back in the moment.
"Why?" she asked guardedly, wondering why he would
choose that particular subject.
"You think I chose Maria over you then don't you?" he
said as he moved closer.
"You did Michael. Max said no baby and you all but ran
to her and never looked back," she said hurt.
"You said you it couldn't be! You were the one who
said it was a good thing there was no baby when Max
asked. I'm not taking all the blame in that Isabel. I
went back to Maria because you didn't want me!" he
reminded her.
"We were in High School Michael and maybe going to
have an alien baby together. We weren't even in a
relationship with each other! I was scared," Isabel
argued in her defense.
"And I wasn't?" he asked her. 
"You never even asked if I was okay or anything
Michael! You just left to go to her," she said sadly,
seeing it all in her mind like it was yesterday.
"You weren't okay?" he asked frowning. He had thought
she was fine. 
"Never mind Michael it's all over now and doesn't
matter," Isabel said as she drew her knees up, and
rested her arms and chin on them.
Michael shook his head and moved even closer.
"It does matter Isabel. If you've been thinking about
it all this time that bothers me. I assumed you were
okay, and were glad we weren't having a kid." Then
after a pause he added, "I kinda thought having a son
would have been nice even though I knew we were too
young...what? Why are you looking at me like that?" he
asked her when she raised her head and stared at him.
"You wanted him?" she asked softly.
He shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't have any family,
but you and Max. Having a kid of my own would have
been nice, but I know it wasn't realistic...you're
doing it again! What am I saying that...oh jeez," he
said as he realized what was wrong. "Isabel," he said
as he moved to hold her. "I didn't know you wanted him
too."
Isabel sniffed as she lay her head on his shoulder.
"It was a part of you. Maria couldn't have that part
no matter what happened. But then I didn't even have
that."
"Isabel, it's you I love. Not Maria or anyone else.
How can I get you to believe me?" he asked her in
frustration.
"You said that you were jealous all the way back to
when we were kids. How come you never let me know? You
always treated me like a sister," she asked as she
remembered his earlier words.
Michael ran his hand across his mouth before
answering.
"Isabel, I never figured I was good enough for you."
She went to deny it and Michael said, "It's true and
you know it. All those foster homes and the trailer
park with Hank. I had nothing to offer the beautiful
and popular Isabel Evans except my friendship and
protection. I was afraid you would laugh at me or pity
me and I didn't want that, so I worshiped you from
afar like all the others. Maria was someone I could
love who would put up with my crap, but I could never
be 'in love' with because my heart was somewhere
else."

"Could it be true?" she wondered. He seemed genuinely
sincere and she wanted to believe him.
Finally Isabel said, "Michael, I think I need to think
about all of this."
At his wounded look she hastened to add, "I know you
love me...I love you too, but I have to be sure of all
of this. I have to have time okay?"
No it wasn't okay, but he knew that would be the end
of everything for sure if he didn't give her the time
she needed so he nodded his head and said, "Okay."
Isabel leaned over and taking his face in her hands
kissed him. 
He wanted more and so did she, but both knew now was
not the time.
Michael got up and headed for the door. Turning he
looked back at her still sitting on the sofa, and
smiled at her before he left.
Isabel touched her lips and smiled.


*********

Isabel leaned over Michael's sleeping form and blew
gently in his ear. He waved at the bothersome feeling,
but didn't wake. Isabel again blew in his ear, smiling
when he frowned and made an annoyed noise as he waved
at his ear again. Sensing he wasn't alone, Michael
woke up fully and saw Isabel smiling down at him.
"Isabel!" he exclaimed sitting up.
She leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck
and kissed him, her tongue teasing his lips until he
opened his mouth to her. She kissed him like she had
always dreamed of doing, with all the love and passion
she had for him inside of her.
When they broke the kiss they gasped for air.
Michael layed her backwards and leaned over her. "I
guess this means you believe me."
Nodding, Isabel tucked some of Michael's hair behind
his ear. "I decided having time with you now is better
than no time at all. So if you choose Maria again or
someone else, I'll have real memories to hold onto
instead of just dreams."
Michael dropped his head down and then lay back,
throwing his arm over his face.
"Isabel, I'm not going to leave you. I love you!" he
said, his temper beginning to flare.
Isabel trailed her finger over Michael's chest.
"I know, and I love you so let's no argue," she said
as she kissed him again.
Michael's thoughts flew from his head as he returned
Isabel's kiss, one hand clutching her to him, while
the other trailed up her leg and followed the curve of
her hip. 
Isabel leaned closer to Michael, her hands running
over his back and to his waist, the sensation of her
light touch making him grow hard.
"Isabel," he whispered as his hand began to tentively
search out a breast. An ample globe filled his hand as
he cupped, and gently squeezed it.
"Michael," Isabel moaned as she tugged at the waist of
his boxers. "I want you...need you so badly."
Michael froze, and pulled away.
Isabel stared at him in confusion and asked, "Wh-what?
Did I say something wrong?" 
He hastened to assure her, "No! It's not you! I-I just
remembered I have to be at work early so I...can't...
do this...right now."
"Oh! Okay then," said Isabel moving off the bed
disappointed and fighting to calm her own need.
Seeing her dejected look Michael asked, "Isabel, you
know I love you and want you right?" He had to make
sure she knew that.
"Yeah, I know. I'm just going to go now," she said as
she got up.
"Isabel!," Michael said plaintively. He didn't believe
her. 
She gave him a quivering smile, "I believe you
Michael."

After she left Michael flopped back down with his arms
over his head.
"Shit! This can't be happening to me."

*******


"Max, I have a problem and I don't know what to do
about it," said Michael looking at his hands as they
drove down the highway. He had been sitting quietly
lost in thought for the past 20 miles.
"What is it?" asked Max. He had been waiting for a few
days for either Michael or Isabel to come to him and
talk about their feelings for the other and it hadn't
happened until now. Or so he hoped.
"I'm ...I'm having a...performance problem," Michael
reluctantly admitted.
That was not what Max expected or wanted to hear.
"Michael...I don't think I really want to hear about
this if it concerns Isabel," said Max uncomfortabley.
"And who am I supposed to talk to about this Max?
You're the only other alien male around," said Michael
none too pleased to be having the conversation either.
Max nodded in understanding and then taking a breath
and blowing it out asked, "What happened? I mean I
know what happened, but what happened?"
"I wanted her. Could have taken her right then, I was
ready, but..."
"Michael! I don't need to..." Max was changing his
mind. He didn't want to know the intimate details.
"Look, this is not something I'm thrilled about either
so just listen and let me get this over with!" said
Michael sharply.
Max gripped the steering wheel and said, "Okay, sorry.
Go ahead."
Michael looked at the passing scenery and began again.
"She said she wanted me and all I could think about
was Maria's words. That I didn't do it for her. I
don't want Isabel to have to fake with me, and so I
suddenly found myself unable to ...you know," he
admitted.
Max glanced at Michael and seeing his look of complete
agony said, "Michael, you know Isabel would not fake
it with you."
"How can you know that Maxwell? You can't!"
Max bit his lip before making a decision.
"Michael, when Tess and I did it, it was amazing. It
was my first time, and us being aliens it was ...well
amazing. But when Liz and I did it..." he smiled at
the memory.
Michael gave Max a surprised look, "You two finally
did it? I never heard the explosion."
Max gave Michael an annoyed look before continuing.
"The point I'm trying to make Michael is that with Liz
even though she isn't alien, the sex was beyond
amazing! It was so mind blowing I just knew I was
going to die from the pleasure. Liz said it was the
same and we had this...this connection that let us
both know we were experiencing something special. I
think it is because we're in love with one another. I
didn't have that with Tess."
Michael nodded slowly in understanding. 
"So you're saying if Isabel and I truly love one
another the sex is gonna be so cool it will totally
blow us away and she won't be faking it?"
"Yeah," said Max pulling up to Michael's apartment.
They got out and started inside, neither paying
attention to Isabel's car sitting in the street.

"Do you hear that?" asked Max slowing as they walked
to the door.
"Yeah," said Michael frowning.
They cautiously approached the door and opened it.
'Metallica' was playing on the stereo.
"Did you leave the CD playing?" whispered Max as he
glanced around the immediate area.
"You're kidding me right?" Michael whispered back,
giving Max a sideways look of disbelief. He would
never go off and leave his CD going, especially with
Metallica.
That's when they saw her.
Isabel was reclined on the bed wearing a short, slinky
nightie. She was asleep.
"Damn!" said Michael huskily when he saw her. She was
gorgeous.
Max blushed, and turned around shoving his hands in
his pockets. He was used to seeing Isabel in a T-shirt
and sweat bottoms, not dressed for seduction, and to
seduce their best friend at that.
"I think I'm...ah just going to go," he said and
quickly departed.
Michael slowly walked to the bed and knelt down beside
Isabel. The weight of his body on the bed woke her,
and she smiled up at him.
"I think you embarrassed Max," he said as he eyed her
body up and down. She was so voluptuous and beautiful
that he felt himself grow hard.
He touched a finger to her collar bone and traced it
around, his fingers dipping to her cleavage and across
the swells.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered to her as he
leaned in to kiss her.
Isabel wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him
down to her, seducing him with her mouth and hands.
"I love you Michael," she said in his ear as he
nibbled at her neck, and down her chest.
Her words reverberated in his head making him want her
even more. 
She loved him.
He pushed the thin strap of her top down exposing her
breast. He bent his head awed and suckled it while he
exposed the other, covering it with his hand.
Isabel whimpered and arched slightly as Michael
aroused her with his mouth and hands.
"Michael!" she moaned as his other hand slid down her
leg and up to her belly, caressing it before going
lower to her mound.
Her legs opened and he pressed his hand to her apex,
the material clinging to her wet from need.
Wordlessly Michael stopped and moved away to discard 
his own clothing. 
Isabel didn't understand and thought he was pulling
away from her again. She pulled her top back up and
moved to leave the bed. She couldn't handle the
rejection again after she had just made a fool of
herself by trying to seduce him, and then saying she
loved him.
Michael had already taken off his shirt and pants when
he looked up, and saw Isabel readjust her top and move
to leave the bed.
"Where are you going?" he asked her confused. He moved
over the bed to stop her.
Isabel stopped with her back to him said, "I'm sorry
to force myself on you Michael. It won't happen
again."
"What? What are you talking about?" he asked as he
took her arm and pulled her back to the bed.
Isabel sat stiffly as Michael sat behind her.
"I realized that loving me doesn't mean you want to
sleep with me. Jesse and I loved each other, just not
in 'that way'. I'm sorry you feel that way too."
Michael blew out his breath. "I thought you said the
sex was what you two had in common? And why would you
think I wouldn't want to make love with you? Did I say
that?"
Isabel shook her head unsure. "No, but you left that
first time and just now you..."
"I got up to take off my clothes Isabel, that's all,"
Michael told her as he began to kiss her shoulders.
Isabel was overwhelmed with emotion at his words and
actions.
Her head rolled back at the sensations Michael was
creating by trailing his tongue lightly along her
skin.
"MmmmmmMichael," she moaned as she turned and moved
into his arms.
"Hmmmm," Michael hummed as he breathed in her womanly
scent.
Isabel let her fingers trail along Michael's ribs,
going lower only to discover him totally naked.
"Michael," she whispered aroused as she took his
protruding member gently in her hand. The hard length
jumped at her touch, precum forming at the tip.
Michael gasped with pleasure.
"Ahhh...Isabel."
He removed her clothing, and his face showed his awe
when he revealed her body.
"Jesse was a fool," he whispered as he moved over her,
kissing her."
Parting her legs, Isabel moaned with pleasure as
Michael entered her, driving deeply inside until he
touched her core.
Their coming together was more powerful than either
could have imagined. 
Their blood tingled with an unfamiliar sensation and
seemed to rush in their bodies as their need for one
another built. Gasping and clutching one another, they
both screamed out in ecstasy when they came, blacking
out from the pure pleasure of giving of themselves to
the other.

When they regained a sense of reality, Michael
immediately checked to make sure Isabel was okay.
If he had been effected by something that strong, he
could only imagine what she had gone through.
Isabel arched her back, almost purring with lazy
contentment. She smiled at Michael.
"That was the most amazing thing I've ever felt in my
life!" she said as she lay her head on Michael's
chest.
Michael gathered her closer to him. He was still
rather amazed himself at what he had felt. Max was
right, it was better and stronger with someone you
loved deep from within your soul.
"You felt it all too, didn't you?" he asked her
wanting to make sure he wasn't alone in this.
He felt her nod on his chest. "I never knew anything
was that wonderful," Isabel sighed happily.
She looked up at him with love that made her glow.
"Your glowing," Michael said.
She smiled. "We just made love Michael. You're glowing
too."
Michael looked down. He was glowing. He frowned.
"Yeah, I am. Why are we glowing like this?" he asked
her. "I don't remember doing this with...I don't
remember this," he added hastily.
Isabel slowly sat up. She realized that it had never
happened to her before either.
"What do you think it means?" she asked him tensing.
The glow didn't seem to want to disappear.
Michael wrapped his arms around Isabel and said, "I
don't know, but something tells me we should find
Max."


*******

Max was sitting in a booth at the Crashdown when Liz
came and told him that Michael and Isabel were waiting
up in her room and needed to see him right away. The
look on her face was enough to let him know that what
ever the two upstairs wanted it was scaring Liz. Fear
was written all over her face.
When Max walked in to Liz's room the last thing he
expected to see was a pair of glowing aliens.
"What happened?" he asked concerned.
"We don't know. We were kinda hoping you could tell
us," said Michael as he and Isabel clutched hands.
Max approached them and sat down. He ran his hands
slowly over Michael and found nothing. He did the same
to Isabel and could only find a slight difference in
her. Dropping his hands he shook his head in
confusion.
"I don't know. Isabel's signs are off slightly, but
over all neither of you are showing signs of any harm.
When did this start?"
Michael and Isabel looked at one another and then at
Max.
"Uh...oh okay," said Max understanding.
"Have you and Liz ever....?" asked Michael looking at
Liz.
Isabel quickly glanced between Max and Liz. So they'd
finally done it.
Liz looked away embarrassed.
"Uh, no we haven't...glowed like that," said Max
clearing his throat uncomfortabley. Discussing all of
their intimate lives was not something he wanted to
do.
"So why are we?" asked Michael.
Liz spoke up. "Maybe it's because you are both aliens
and Max and I are a human/alien couple."
Everyone gave that consideration and agreed it had
made sense. 
"So why are we still glowing? It's been a bit now and
we're still doing it," asked Isabel.
Again Liz spoke, but her words left them very
apprehensive.
"Maybe it's to do with reproduction. You know..."
"...maybe their bodies are preparing to reproduce,"
finished Max.
"Or they may have already done so," said Liz looking
at the two.
Isabel glanced at Michael and sucked in her breath.
"I thought you said we were fine," said Michael trying
to read Isabel's thoughts.
"I did, but let me look again," said Max.
He again used his powers to 'see' their bodies.
"I still don't see anything. I don't see a baby."
Isabel looked away. Cheated again.
Michael read the dissapointment in her face before she
had turned away. He didn't know how he felt. Relief
maybe.
"So we still don't know if our bodies are preparing or
if it is something else entirely."
"No, I'm sorry," said Max. He felt helpless.
Michael stood up and pulled Isabel to her feet.
"Let's go Isabel, we aren't going to find out anything
sitting here."
"Michael, I'm sorry! I just don't know," said Max
wearily.
Michael turned back at the door. "I'm not pissed at
you Max, just at the situation."
Isabel looked back at Max and then followed Michael
out, her mind thinking ahead to what to do next.

*******

At her apartment, Isabel sat behind Michael and
rubbed his tense shoulders.
She broached the subject on her mind.
"Michael, what if our bodies are preparing for
reproduction? How would you feel about that?"
"I think it's kinda soon in our relationship," he
answered as he let himself relax under Isabel's touch.
"But what if that's what is happening? Like you said
it's too soon in our relationship, but what if it..."
she said to him a little nervously.
He turned around and took her hands in his. "You know 
we will be together until we die Isabel. I just want
more time for the two of us."
Nodding in relief Isabel said, "I know, I agree with
you, but if that is what's happening are we okay with
it?"
Pushing her hair behind her ear Michael told her,
"Yeah we're fine."
"That means if we make love again we could be making a
baby you know," said Isabel wanting to make sure he
understood.
Michael caressed the back of her neck, touching her
head with his. "I understand what you're saying
Isabel. The next time we make love we could be making
a kid. I get that, and... I'm okay with it."

Actually he was scared to death.
He felt like it was too soon. He was selfish enough to
want Isabel to himself a while longer now that he had
her.
Then there was also the fact he didn't know if he
would make a good Father, he didn't exactly have a
good example to follow in Hank.
They would just have to be very careful.

To prove his love to Isabel, he began to kiss her,
cupping her face in his hands, his lips pressing
against hers.
"Michael..." Isabel breathed tremulously.
"Would it make you mad if we used protection this
time?" he asked her between kisses.
Isabel's hands held on to Michael's as she searched
his eyes. He was scared and didn't want a child she
realized. Her own answer was in her eyes. It wouldn't
make her mad, but it did hurt.
"No, it won't make mad," she whispered with pain in
her voice. But she also understood this was Michael
and if he wasn't ready then so be it.

It began to storm outside as he made love to her
again, slowly relishing each moment as if it were the
last.
They came together as the storm reached a creshindo
just like their love making. It was something both
powerful and beautiful that left them in an even
greater wonderment of what had happend than before.
She turned to look at him.
"You're not glowing."
He looked at her.
"You either."
They sighed. She with disappointment, and him with
relief.
They spent the rest of the night listening to the rain
and making love with abandon until both were too
exhausted to do anything but sleep.
Wrapped in each others arms they never suspected that
things were about to change.

******


Max banged on the door the next morning and woke the
two lovers from their bed.
Michael opened the door to a glowing Max.
"What the hell?" he asked shocked at seeing Max the
way he himself was yesterday.
"Yeah I know! I started doing this last night. I'm
thinking it must be some kind of alien flu or
something. I got it from you two," he said as he stood
by Isabel's fireplace.
"But you said there was nothing wrong," said Michael
as he handed Max a cup of coffee.
"And look at you now. You're not glowing. What about
Isabel?" Max asked.
Michael shook his head. "Nope, she's fine too."
"Where is she?" asked Max looking around.
Michael scratched his head and looked down at his cup
of coffee before Max said, "I know you spent the night
Michael, so I can pretty well guess what you were
doing. Is Isabel still in bed?"
Michael nodded. "Yeah, I'll go get her."
Entering the bedroom he found the bed empty.
"Isabel?" he called out. Then he heard noise in the
bathroom. Opening the door he found her bent over the
toilet throwing up.
"Isabel!" chills ran threw his body as he rushed to
her.
Max heard the commotion and hurried to the door.
He wet a rag and handed it to Michael who wiped
Isabel's face with it.
Picking her up he carried her to the bed and placed
her in the middle of it.
"What's wrong with her Max?" asked Michael anxiously
as he climbed up to hold her.
Max shook with fear. None of them had ever been sick
like this. Sure Michael had gone through his illness
from the sweat lodge, but nothing like this.
He placed his hands over Isabel and focused on her.
After what seemed like an eternity, he dropped his
hands to the bed and hung his head.
"Max! What's wrong with her?" Michael demanded with
worry.
Max looked up and gulping some air said, "She's
...pregnant."
Michael froze, his mind in denial at Max's words.
"No...no you said she wasn't."
"I know. Yesterday she wasn't, but today she is. I
don't undresta...wait, you two...last night," said
Max.
Isabel lay in shock and fear. "So the glowing really
was preparing us."
"I guess so," said Michael quietly, still reeling by
the news. If he hadn't been sitting down he would have
fallen for sure.
Max slammed his hand on the bed and stood up.
"Liz!" and off he went leaving the other two to digest
the news.

Michael looked down at Isabel and hugged her to him,
his hand rubbing her arms as if he thought she was
cold and he needed to warm her.
Isabel's stomach was flopping with nerves and nausea.
"Isabel?" Michael hadn't heard how she felt about
this. They had said they would wait even though he
knew that maybe she didn't want to, but now that it
had actually happened maybe she wasn't ready after
all.
He didn't know how he felt. Scared that was for sure.
He placed a hand on her brow and soothed it as her
head lay back on his chest.
"I'm scared," she said quietly.
He nodded to himself. "Yeah I know. We said we were
going to wait, but now..."
"I know," she said fearfully.
Isabel was more afraid that she would lose Michael
than to have a baby. What if he left her?
Each was silent, lost in their own thought thinking
about what this child was going to mean.


********


Later that night at the Crashdown....

Max sat across the room eyeing Michael and Isabel.
Neither had spoken since arriving hours ago.
Liz sat down across from Max and followed his gaze to
the two in the booth.
"They haven't said a word Max," Liz said.
"I know. I don't know what to do," said Max shaking
his head.
"Why don't I take Isabel for some girl talk and you
take Michael. You know, kind of feel them out," Liz
suggested.
Max nodded. "Okay, but don't expect Isabel to be to
forth coming."
They approached Isabel and Michael, and Liz said a bit
to loudly, "Isabel, why don't we go up to my room.
I've got a great new sweater I would love to show
you."
Isabel looked at Liz and even though she didn't want
to go, one look at Max's face said she should. 
After the girls had left, Max slid into Isabel's place
and leaned across the table.
"So Michael, how are you two doing?" asked Max
bluntly.
"Don't beat around the bush Max, just spit out what
you want to say," said Michael shaking his head.
Max sat back and said, "Look I was just wondering how
you guys were doing. I'm kinda surprised to see you
here after the news you got."
Michael looked around. "Yeah well I needed some air
and this seemed like the place I guess."
"You don't want a baby do you?" said Max thinking he
understood.
Michael ran his hand threw his hair.
"I want a kid with Isabel, but I had hoped we would
wait. We said we would wait...but now. He shrugged his
shoulders.
"And Isabel?" asked Max.
"She wants I think," said Michael.
"You haven't asked her?" asked Max incredulously.
Michael shook his head.
"Don't you think you should?"
Michael looked at Max and nodded his head.

Isabel sat down on Liz's bed.
"There isn't any sweater is there?" she asked.
Liz turned towards Isabel and said, "No, there isn't.
I just thought you might want to talk. Max told me
what's happening."
"Good old Max," said Isabel, her eyes shinning
brightly with tears.
Liz went to Isabel and hesitantly put her arm around
her.
"Don't you want this baby? I mean I know it was a
surprise, but..."
"It's not me it's Michael! He doesn't want it," said
Isabel crying into Liz's shoulder.
"What? He said that?" asked Liz surprised. She
remembered Maria telling her how she had overheard
Michael years ago telling Isabel he would stand by her
when they thought she was pregnant, and this just
didn't seem like Michael.
"Well sort of. Before this happened he said we needed
to wait." Isabel looked for a kleenex.
"Here," said Liz as she handed her a box of tissues.
Isabel pulled one out and blew her nose.
"If I have to choose between Michael and this baby, I
don't know who to choose. I want them both. And then
what if I'm not a good mother? And do we even have the
right to bring a baby into all of this alien mess?"
she said sadly.
It was a relief to finally talk to someone even if it
was Liz.
"But I bet Michael really wants this baby Isabel. He's
probably just as scared as you are and has all the
same questions."

Michael stood outside the door and listened as Isabel
spilled out her heart about him and the baby. He
hadn't meant to make her think she had to choose
between him and the kid. He never even thought that
she might think she wouldn't be a good mother or that
bringing this kid into the world at all might not be
such a good idea.

He knocked on the door and pushed it open.
Liz stood up and headed to the door.
"I'll leave you two alone," she said as she went out
and closed the door behind her.
Michael went and squatted down before Isabel, taking
her hands in his he knew he had to be strong for her,
so he sucked in his breath and said, "I don't know
about you, but I'm scared."
Isabel looked up at him.
"I mean I've not had the greatest example to follow to
be a Dad."
She touched his face, her lips quivering.
"I love you Isabel. I would have liked to have waited
to have a kid, but it looks like that isn't going to
happen. We missed out on a kid once before, but now
it's real, and ready or not it's coming. I'm ready for
the challenge are you?"
Isabel hugged Michael in relief. He hadn't said he
didn't want it or that he would leave her, and he had
the same fear she did about being a parent. 
"I was afraid you wouldn't want it or me after you
said we should wait," she said.
"Hey, I'm going to be a Dad! You think I'm going to
let Max be the male figure in this kid's life?"
Michael teased her.
"Max would be a great male figure for our child to
follow," said Isabel smiling.
"Yeah, he would," agreed Michael seriously. "But I
want to do the job myself."
"Yeah I want that too," said Isabel softly.

Downstairs Max and Liz waited for Michael and Isabel
to come down, but it they had a long wait ahead of
them.


*******

One month later at the Crashdown...


Max watched as a pale Liz served the patrons of the
Crashdown. 
"She really looks sick," said Max to Michael and
Isabel as they sat in a booth waiting for Liz to join
them when she was through with her shift in a few
minutes.
Michael took a drink of his soda before saying
nonchalantly, "Maybe she's pregnant."
Isabel glanced at Liz as Max spewed his drink and
hurriedly followed her out to the kitchen.
"You think Liz is pregnant?" asked Isabel.
"Why not? Max glowed like we did and he's been
sleeping with Liz. Makes sense to me," said Michael as
he looked at Isabel's plate.
"You haven't eaten yet."
Isabel looked down and pushed the hamburger away. "I
don't really want it." She perked up as she said,
"What I would really like is wedding cake with Tobasco
and...ketchup!"
Michael groaned. Since the wedding Isabel had craved
their wedding cake with really weird stuff. When it
was gone Michael guessed he would have to buy more
from the bakery. 
They heard a crash from the kitchen followed by a
whoop from Max.
Michael and Isabel grinned as she said, "I guess we
won't be the only new parents."
Michael put his arm around her and kissed her cheek as
he said, "Yeah, but we'll be the best because we've
seen what kind of parents we'll be, and know we'll
will be great."
Isabel smiled and said, "I love you Michael."
Michael kissed her brow. "Yeah, I love you too."