Michael pulled away and looked deep into his girlfriend's eyes. He noticed how they sparkled, how brilliantly they shone in contrast to the darkness of the evening. He could see she too was struggling not to let her tears fall.
"Maria, I...." He started to say.
"No, it's my turn now Michael." Maria took a deep breath before continuing. "That night when we came up here to Buckley Point to meet Topolski I was so scared. I was scared because first of all we didn't know if it was a setup or not, then I was scared that if it was real that you'd be leaving me. I knew you cared about me even if you never really said anything or gave me any indication that you did. I could just feel it. I knew it would be selfish but I....I wanted to keep you all to myself. But I couldn't. It wouldn't have been fair. You needed to find out about your past, to find out who you, Max and Isabel really were."
"Even though she's my best friend, I could never really talk to Liz about my feelings. Whenever I'd start to say something that was about me I knew she wasn't really listening and whatever I did say she'd turn it around so she could talk about herself and Max. It made me doubt myself, made me think maybe I wasn't being a good friend because I'd feel angry listening to her go on and on about him and her own problems and I felt that maybe I was being selfish."
Michael shook his head. "You're not a selfish person, Maria. You're the most giving person I've ever known and the most loyal."
Maria smiled at him. "Uh uh, no interruptions. I haven't finished yet. But thank you for saying that." She said before continuing.
"When we arrived here and you followed me after I'd more or less jumped out of the car, you said you'd been waiting for this your whole life and I replied by saying so had I. It was strange how what we'd said meant two totally different things. I never meant to just blurt it out while we were arguing. Hell, I'd never meant to say it at all. I had always thought that if I just acted like we were just make-out buddies, then I'd get to be with you more often. That you wouldn't think I was getting intense as you put it. I don't think I was ever very convincing though, was I?"
Michael pulled Maria towards him so she was sitting in his lap and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I'm so sorry I pushed you away all those times. Especially all those times after the whole Destiny thing came up and then when I used to go on about being a soldier, needing to be alone. I only stayed away to keep you safe but I know now that I feel better when I'm with you. I'm happy being with you."
"Me too." Maria agreed hugging him back.
"Right, now we've each said our piece, let's get this date started." Michael said rubbing one of his hands up and down her back.
"What'cha got in mind, Spaceboy?" Maria asked snuggling her face into the crook of his neck and inhaling deeply. She loved the way Michael always had this unique scent that seemed to call to her whenever he was around.
"Well, I think we should eat first 'cos I don't know about you but all that talking has made me really hungry." Michael answered, turning slightly to grab the picnic basket and bringing it closer to them.
Maria laughed and asked, "When are you not hungry?"
Maria moved off Michael's lap and sat back across from him and opened the basket taking out the food he had brought. She noticed that Michael had brought her favourite sandwich, as well as his own, a few slices of pizza together with some bottles of water and cans of soda. She couldn't help smiling when she saw the bottle of tabasco sauce. Her eyes suddenly noticed the two pots of chocolate mousse which was one of her favourite desserts and she had a wicked idea. 'I think we can have some fun with those later.' Maria thought to herself.
Michael opened a can of cherry cola pouring it into one of the re-usable plastic cups he'd brought along and added a liberal amount of tabasco sauce to it before taking a long drink. He took a bottled water handing it to Maria as she passed him his sandwich before she unwrapped her own taking a bite.
"Sorry about the food, Maria. I know it's nothing special but......" Michael started to say.
"Michael, it's fine. I didn't come on this date because of the food. I came because I wanted to spend some time with you. Anyway, you brought my favourite sandwich and dessert which shows you were thinking of how to make it special." Maria stated.
'How lucky am I?' Michael questioned himself mentally giving his girlfriend a smile.
Michael and Maria continued to eat their food in a comfortable silence, occasionally talking about general stuff and keeping the conversation from getting heavy again.
"That was great, even if I do say so myself." Michael said having already finished his sandwich and a couple of slices of pizza which he had doused in tabasco.
"Be careful, Michael, we don't want your head getting any bigger now, do we?" Maria told him.
Michael looked down into his lap before raising his eyes to meet his girlfriend's and smirked suggestively replying, "Don't we?"
Maria burst out laughing. She started putting all the trash from their picnic back in the basket before moving it over to the side. She then crawled over and raised herself up on her knees in front of Michael so they were at eye level. "I was thinking we could maybe save the chocolate mousse for later, if you know what I mean."
Michael swallowed. "Uh.....yeah, that sounds........um......that sounds good."
"Cool." Maria said and then launched herself into her boyfriend's arms knocking him backwards. She kissed him hungrily savouring the taste of tabasco sauce that lingered on his lips and tongue. Maria pulled back slightly raining kisses all over Michael's face before moving to his earlobe and nibbling it. "God, Michael. I love the taste of tabasco on you." She sucked his earlobe into her mouth before moving down to his neck sucking furiously knowing she would be leaving her mark.
Michael was breathing heavily enjoying the feel of Maria's lips all over his face and neck, and the feel of her hands which were making quick work of unbuttoning his shirt. 'Am I glad I didn't wear an undershirt under this tonight. The less clothing the better.' Michael thought to himself smiling. He could feel her hands pushing the shirt of his shoulders and her hands touching his exposed chest. Suddenly Michael remembered there was something he'd forgotten.
"Maria....honey........" He started to say.
As soon as he started talking Maria started to kiss his lips again thrusting her tongue deep into his mouth.
"Honey, we have to stop........Maria......please.......just give me a minute....." Michael's words trailed off as he gently pushed Maria off of him and rolled her so they were now lying on their sides face to face.
"Michael......what is it? I thought you'd want this as much as I do." Maria said suddenly feeling a little vulnerable.
Michael, sensing how she was feeling, cupped her cheek rubbing his thumb back and forth over her cheekbone. "Baby, it is. It is what I want. It's just....um.......I remembered I forgot to say something to you and it can't wait. If I don't say it now, then......" He trailed off feeling unsure of himself.
"Michael, after everything we've talked about tonight I don't know what else is left to say. I mean, I thought we pretty much covered everything."
"Yeah, we have. But I just have this one thing left that I really need to ask you." He replied moving his hand softly from her cheek down to her mouth, slowly rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip.
Michael continued. "After that, it's pretty much up to you."
TBC