When the girls arrived Alex informed them at the door that Max and Michael were looking at the weird-moving-humming-lighty-smooth thing with the weird-symbol-from-the-cave on it, and that they�d be down in a minute. He alsoinformed them that he quite liked Michael. Maria growled, it was just like Michael to offend Alex in the space of 20 minutes!
When the guys came down they looked irritated and mystified. �It�s doing absolutely nothing.� Max grumbled.
�Don�t tell me you guys were testing it, you two making out is a little drastic�� Maria trailed off as the others got her joke and started laughing.
�What did you just say?� Liz asked suddenly.
�I don�t think we need it repeated.� Michael said still glaring at Maria. �It wasn�t a useful comment and �.�
Liz cut him off. �It was.� Everyone silenced.
�What?� Michael said rubbing his forehead. <Girls, now they were the different species. >
�Making out. That�s how we�ll test it.� Liz was getting a little too excited and she blushed at the amused looks of her listener. �Listen.� She said quieter. �All I�m saying is that�s how we found it� and��
�Liz I really don�t think Alex and I made it work.� Isabel said. �We only really kissed for a while, and Max said it was nearly going all afternoon.�
�When did it stop?� Michael asked quietly.
�I don�t know, around 6 or so, we kept watching it in case it started again, but it didn�t, so at 9:30 when we knew you guys finished work and the place would be clear we hurried over to tell you guys.� Max said irritably. He wanted to know what it was so badly, what it meant?
�So it was buzzing between around 3:30 or so and 6?� Michael asked him.
�Yeah� Michael what is it?� Max said stepping forward.
�Oh God.� Maria exclaimed looking at Michael.
�What?� Isabel said aggravated.
Michael looked up at Maria who was staring at him in shock. �We did it.� He said softly.
�What?� Liz and Max said together.
�We were together then.� Maria continued for Michael. She didn�t want him to tell them everything.
Michael walked over and stroked Maria�s cheek � he saw fear. �You�re not hurt are you?�
�No.� she said rubbing her left cheek into his palm.
�We need you guys to explain.� Isabel said. She didn�t know why but oddly enough she felt this wasn�t any of her business. How could it involve the alien object and not concern her?
�Okay.� Michael said softly. Then whispering in Maria�s ear so only she could hear, �Don�t worry, they don�t have to know everything, this afternoon was still about you and me.� He saw the panic disappear in an instant. That was what she was afraid of � *him*
Sitting down on the couch Michael gripped her hand and stroked her fingers with his.
"So.� Max said uneasily.
�Well?� Isabel said less tactfully.
�We were together this afternoon between exactly those hours, um kissing� and well it was intense.� Michael said.
�Just kissing?� Max asked softly.
Michael glanced at Maria who had buried her head into his shoulder. �No.� He replied uneasily.
�What did you do?� Liz asked sternly. <Jeez, she�s worse then my mother. Maria thought.
�We�� Michael searched for the word.
�Touched.� Maria said softly into his shoulder. Michael smiled; That sounded really sexy, how she had said that and�
�Touched.� Max repeated stopping Michael�s replay of this afternoon�s events that were running through his head.
Alex sat back in his chair and smiled at Michael. �I don�t think we need to hear anymore, it was intense touching - I think we can use our own imaginations.�
�I can�t.� Liz said stubbornly. �Maria, look at me.�
�We didn�t do anything wrong Liz.� Michael said protectively, wrapping his arm around Maria.
�No wonder you guys were late for work.� Liz said angrily.
Why was Liz acting this way? Maria and Max knew why. She was jealous. Michael and Maria had obviously made the object do something she and Max couldn�t, something that sounded more important.
�What are we going to do?� Isabel asked.
�Well we can�t ask Michael and Maria �.� Max started.
�Yes.� Maria said softly. Everyone looked at her astonished, including the boy with his arms around her. �Were not going to do what we did this afternoon in front of you guys, but Michael and I can go and see if we do make the thing work on our own.�
�Are you sure?� Michael, Max and Alex said together.
�I trust Michael.� Maria declared. �I don�t feel sick or anything, and just how Liz could help Max, maybe I can help Michael.� Maria smiled and Liz smiled back.
*~*~*
�So what are we going to do while you guys are up in Max�s room.� Alex grinned.
�Max�s room?� Maria choked.
�If you�d be more comfortable in mine� it�s just probably best if you guys stay here.�
Maria smiled at Isabel. �It�s okay Iz, Max�s room is fine.�
�You sure?� Michael asked.
�Yeah, if it�s okay with Max�� Maria turned and looked at Max who had his fingers in his ears.
�It�s fine, just go, the thing�s on the desk, just go.� Michael eagerly pulled Maria to her feet. Pulling his fingers out of his ears Max said quickly. �Oh Michael, could I have a word? In the kitchen.� Michael shrugged and kissed Maria�s hand, an action that caused an �Aahh� from Liz. Michael cast them all a wiry look and then followed Max.
*~*~*
�If you want to stop, just do.� Alex said from behind Maria. �Don�t feel like you have to go further� then you would ah, normally go.�
�I trust him Alex.� Maria smiled. Alex was a really nice guy Isabel thought. So caring she could imagine him being really careful� �So Alex about what we should do.� Isabel grinned as she wandered over to him. Gripping his hand she continued. �We have a really nice garden, and a nice pool-recliner out back��
Alex beamed. �Sounds good� I�d, I�d like to see that recliner�� He stammered.
Pulling him towards the side doors she smiled at the two amused girls. �I swear I�ll answer your questions truthfully in the future��
Maria and Liz laughed at the look of confusion on Alex�s face as she dragged him from the room through the door. Alex was good for Isabel; he calmed and loved her. They would become an �us�, just like her and Michael � Maria gleamed at the new �official� notion.
Maria turned to Liz and grinned. �Well what will you and Max do?�
�Oh we�ll think of something.� Liz answered innocently.
TBC