The rain was pouring down. This was the first time it had stormed in months, and what an appropriate time for it to happen now. Miserable weather to compliment a miserable night.
Michael Guerin was fast asleep on his bed, not a care in the world. Despite the rain, the weather was still hot, so the covers were thrown back. He was oblivious to the world.
He was awakened by the sound of someone knocking on his window. Groggily, he stumbled over to the window to see who had the nerve to disturb his sleep.
Michael now lived in a little apartment above the bas station. He used it in return for his services of pumping gas a couple hours a week. Sheriff Valenti had arranged it for him. In addition to this, he worked at the convenience store a couple blocks away.
Michael pulled back the curtains covering his window to see who was there. Maria stared back at him.
Her hair was wet, and it was plastered around her head. Her clothes were soaked through and she looked miserable.
Let me in! she mouthed, motioning over to the door to the little apartment. She had climbed up the steps, and had figured that knocking on the window by his bed was her best chance to wake him up.
Michael walked over to the door and opened it to her. Maria didn't say anything, she just walked in and he shut the door behind her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, turning to her. Maria stood in the middle of the room, hugging herself with her arms. She shook her head, but didn't elaborate.
She stood there, dripping all over his rug, staring at the ground. Michael didn't force her to talk, just said, "I'll go get you some towels," and left the room.
When he came back, Maria still hadn't moved. She looked as if she had been crying, but it was hard to distinguish between tears and the rain.
All he could think about was that night when he had gone to her, needing support. She had given it to him, and she deserved at least that much in return. If she didn't want to tell him, she didn't have to.
"Here, let's dry you off," he said softly, pushing off her sweater, leaving her there in a tank top. He rubbed the fluffy towel over her arms, trying to get her dry.
In fact, Michael was doing something new to him. He was being tender.
Maria squeezed her eyes shut, but she couldn't stop the few tears that escaped. "She's dead." Maria said in a broken voice, "She's dead."
Michael halted, "Who?" he demanded, the possibilities running through his mind. Liz? Isabel? Mrs.Evans......?
Maria gulped, "My mother," she whispered hoarsely.
"I'm sorry Maria," Michael said gruffly. Even he knew the words were inadequate, but he didn't know what else to say. "I'm so sorry."
Maria hand her head and avoided his gaze. "She was walking the sheriff home from our house. A drugged up thief whom the sheriff had arrested last month approached them, looking for revenge. He had a gun."
Maria's voice was barely above a whisper, "He aimed it at them and pulled the trigger. My mom shoved the sheriff out of the way, taking the bullet meant for him. Sheriff Valenti subdued the guy, and called and ambulance, but by then it was too late. By the time they got to the hospital she was already dead."
Michael said nothing, just took her into his arms and held her as she released the sobs that she had held back till now.
"It'll be okay," he whispered in her ear, "Shh, it'll be okay."
Maria pulled back slightly, "I'm so sorry for coming here and bothering you," she hiccupped, "But I couldn't stick around. I had to get out of that house. I couldn't deal with Valenti at the moment either."
"You're not bothering me," Michael said quietly. Even though they were trying to stay apart, even though they had already gone through so much, he wasn't sorry she was here.
Maria didn't say anything, just gave a sad little smile and looked at him with such a haunted expression.
He felt her shiver violently, and he realized she was still soaking wet.
"I'll get you some dry things," he said softly, walking over to the chest of drawers. He pulled out a sweater he had gotten from Max for his birthday, and one of his pairs of sweats that had the least holes.
"Here, let me help you," he said gruffly as she didn't seem to have the energy to get undressed.
He helped her out of her top. And even though she was standing there with only a bra covering her top half, he was able to dry her off without feeling anything. He handed her the sweater and she pulled it on.
Michael helped her with her jeans. He wished for a moment that he was doing it for a different reason, but he pushed the thought aside. He handed her the towel, figuring that she should dry off her long legs by herself.
He handed her the sweats, which she pulled on as well.
Michael looked at her standing her. His clothes were surprisingly big on her and she looked lost in them. In fact, she just looked lost.
She looked vulnerable...and sad...and lonely...and he came to a realization. A realization that was a little late in coming.
There would be no life for him without her.
"Are you staying the entire night?" he asked, trying not to give her any reason to think that he didn't want her there. "Should I take you to Liz's or something."
She shook her head, "Please Michael. Please just let me stay here."
He just nodded, repressing that feel of happiness that she wanted to be here. He pulled back the covers on the bed for her, allowing her to slide in. He hesitated for a moment before crawling into the other side of the bed, but eventually got in.
He watched her lie there, not sleeping just staring out with unseeing eyes. She was keeping the pain locked inside her.
He watched as she tried to pretend that she was all right, that she could handle the pain. He watched as she tried desperately not to let him know exactly how much she hurt.
Even when he had hurt her, when they had decided to keep apart, when he witnessed everything in her life, he hadn't realized something about her. He hadn't realized she was capable of this much emotion.
The funny thing was, this didn't make her seem weak, or any less tough. It just made him see she wasn't invincible. It made him see so damn bad for any pain he had ever caused her.
Damn, he hated having a conscience.
Michael kept watch over her as she lay there. He couldn't keep away anymore. All he wanted to do was hold her close and make the pain go away. Shit, he was a changed man. Unfortunately, he couldn't think of any reason to go back.You're the bravest of hearts, you're the strongest of souls
You're my light in the dark, you're the place I call home
You can say it's all right, but I know that you're breaking up inside
I see it in your eyes
Even when you face the night afraid and alone
That's why I'll be there
Maria stared around the little apartment that was now Michael's home. She had never actually been here before. Her mom had forbidden it. Ever since that night she had walked in on them, she had been wary of Michael. Normally, Maria would have gladly disobeyed, but Michael had never given her a reason to. So, she had gone along with her mother's order.When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
Ironic, wasn't it? Her mom was dead so now she was here.
Maria started to cry. She felt Michael's arm encircle her and she turned around to bury her face in his neck.
Maria let the tears come. She had sworn to herself before that she wouldn't let Michael see her cry. But, when she had come here tonight she had known that she was coming to him for help.You can sleep in my arms, you don't have to explain
When your heart's crying out, baby, whisper my name
'Cause I've reached out for you when the thunder is crashing up above
You've given me your love
When your smile like the sun that shines through the pain
That's why I'll be there
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
I will stand like a rock, I will bend till I break
Till there's no more to give, if that's what it takes
I will risk everything, I will fight, I will bleed
I will lay down my life, if that's what you need
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
She was alone in the Goddamn world now. Her bastard of a father had abandoned her when she was young, and now her mom was gone. Not by her own choosing of course, but she was still parentless.
"I'm so scared Michael," she whispered to him in the dark, "She left me, and now I'm all alone. There's nobody to turn to."
"You have me," he said simply, hugging her tighter to him. Right now, he wasn't even annoyed that they were talking. "You can have me for always if you want."
Maria nearly started to cry again. Michael was being all those things she hadn't really expected of him. He was kind, he was gently, and dear God he was even chivalrous.Through the wind and the rain, through the smoke and the fire
When the fear rises up, when the wave's ever higher
I will lay down my heart, my body, my soul
I will hold on all night and never let go
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
Every day
If that's what it takes
Every day
"Do you mean that?" she asked softly, resting her hand on his chest.
She felt him nod, "Yeah, I do. It's too hard trying to stay away from you Maria. We need each other. Besides, who else could you find to put up with you?"
Maria gave a sad laugh, "Hah. Michael, don't feel obligated just because I've come here tonight. You don't have to care."
Michael cleared his throat, "Well, please don't tell me not to care because I already do."
Oh God, Maria was starting to hope. He was actually discussing some feelings. She shouldn't hope. Hell, she shouldn't even care. It was her decision to stay apart as much as it was his.
Unfortunately, her heart was already swelling. She was sad, but dear God she was happy.
Michael just lay there, holding her too him. He heard her breathing was level. It fell like she was sleeping. He closed his eyes and prepared to try and sleep himself.
That's why he was surprised when he felt a gentle kiss on his lips.
He opened his eyes to find Maria leaning over him. She had a smile on her face. "Michael," she said simply, "I want you."
He was about to question what the hell she meant when she leaned over and kissed him again. It wasn't like the first kiss. It was deep, it was involving, and her tongue was rolling inside his mouth.
Oh.
"Maria," he said breathlessly, pushing her away, "You don't want this. You're just hurting right now. You're vulnerable. I'd be taking advantage of your situation."
Maria shook her head. She looked deep into his eyes and ran her hand up his chest. "Michael," she said, kissing his neck, "Please make love to me."
Michael shook his head and tried to ignore the pleasurable sensations that were taking place in his body. "Maria," he said, in a voice he thought sounded firm, "You don't mean this."
She nodded, "Oh yes, I do. Trust me Michael, I've never wanted anything more." she ran her fingers through his hair, "Take me away from it all Michael. Let's get lost together."
Michael had learned kindness. Michael had learned a lot of things in the past months. Unfortunately he hadn't learned how to walk away from her when she wanted something.
Maria saw the acceptance in his eyes, and she smiled. She leaned over and kissed his mouth and Michael kissed her back this time with all the passion he felt.
Months of bottled up feelings and buried emotions came out as they lay there on the bed. Michael tore his mouth from hers to drag his lips down her neck. As he did so, his hand slipped under the sweatshirt.
Michael fumbled with the bra strip and finally got it undone. Then his hand was on her breast, and she jumped. The way he was massaging and caressing it, she hadn't known it could feel that could.
"Michael," she began breathlessly, as he continued the sweet torture. "Right now might be a good time to mention I've never done this before."
"Me neither," Michael said, pausing for a moment to look up at her.
Somehow that surprised Maria. Although, she didn't really know why. Michael wasn't exactly known for letting people get close to him.
Michael slid the sweatshirt up and over her head. Soon, she was sitting there before him half naked. He marveled at how beautiful she was. As far as he was concerned, there was absolutely no need for an aqua bra.
Maria started to feel self-conscious. He was sitting there fully clothed, staring at her. Maria leaned forward and pressed kisses along his neck and she removed his t-shirt.
She ran her hand over his chest, loving the feel of him. Her fingers played with his nipples and Michael began to breath heavily.
Maria's head feel back and she moaned as Michael started to caress her breasts again. First with his hands, and then making love to them with his mouth.
Michael heard her moans of pleasure, and grinned. He prayed to God he wouldn't screw this up. He should make their first time right.
Soon, they were both naked in Michael's bed. Their remaining clothes had been flung around his room. Maria stared at Michael and took a deep breath. He was magnificent. Damn magnificent.
Michael was having similar thoughts about her.
Right now, even thinking of mud wouldn't help.
"Are you sure Maria, about his?" he asked, placing his hands on her hips, "We can stop, we don't have to...."
Maria shook her head and placed her finger on his lips, "Michael, I'm incredibly sure."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. Soon she was lying on the bed and he was leaning over her.
Maria felt one of his arms leave her, but she was too wrapped up in kissing him to really notice. However, she didn't notice when his hand was on her inner thigh, and then drifted higher.
Maria nearly arched off the bed when she felt his fingers touch her. Never before had she felt any such acute sensations, anything more pleasurable.
His fingers then slid more deeply inside her and she cried out. Not in pain, but in pleasure. The feeling was building deep inside of her, and she wanted to scream.
Michael was hard as a rock. He was aroused simply from watching her gain pleasure. Heck, he got hard just from watching her. Right now, all he wanted to be was inside her.
He grabbed a condom from his nightstand. He didn't want her to think he had been planning this. He was just a little hopeful.
Maria clumsily helped him put it on, and he thought he would expire. He had to get inside her now. "You okay?" he asked, kissing her forehead.
She nodded quickly, kissing him. He just kissed her again, and with one thrust he was inside her.
Maria cried out. It hurt. And he was inside her. That was a completely new experience. Michael just held her and let her get used to the feeling of him inside her. He kissed her eyelids, which held back a couple tears.
Eventually, the pain went away. She got used to it. In fact, it felt good. Michael put his hands between their joined bodies and stroked her, getting her to relax. Maria felt a ripple of pleasure go through her.
Maria moved restlessly against him, and he couldn't hold back. He slid out of her and back in. They thrust together in unison.
They both reached their climaxes at the same time. Maria drifted back to earth and to the feeling of Michael's arms around her.
"Wow," was all she could say. She smiled gently and stroked her hand along his chest, "Wow."
"I second that," he said. He actually smiled and kissed her gently. "Wow."
Maria lay her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. Michael stared up at the ceiling and thanked God that Maria was here with him. Never mind the reason she was here, she was here and that was all that mattered.
He was scared at the prospect of being with her in the long term, and after tonight he was sure there would be a long term. She terrified him, but she made him whole.
Why couldn't he be in love with some bimbo who didn't know how to talk? Wait, hold the phone...love her? Damn. He had fallen in love with her.
Maria smiled as she snuggled closer to Michael. She didn't regret this night at all. Yeah, she missed her mom, yeah she was sad, but she wouldn't be with Michael if she hadn't come here. He was her rock now.
Honestly, she didn't think she would have gotten as good comfort from Liz.
She had discovered that she loved him. Yeah, it was true. But, she wished she were in love with some guy she could tell. Michael would probably use her love as an excuse to run.
THE END
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