Author: Kathryn
E-mail: [email protected]
Rating: I don't know, PG-13.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Distribution: my page http://www.geocities.com/myroswellpage
and whoever else wants it.
Feedback: Send
******************
They were on the street, walking down New York city. Maria had always wanted to be here, just not under these circumstances. This wasn't exactly the vacation in the Big Apple she had imagined.
Maria walked in the lead, helping Isabel carry her stuff. Liz and Alex walked with them as well. The other 3 aliens walked behind.
"They shouldn't be here," Maria heard Tess say behind her, under the guise of whispering, trying to be discreet. But, her whisper probably carried to people blocks away.
"For God's sake Tess, they were as good as dead, or at least destined for torture if we left them in Roswell. Besides, we've known them longer than you so stop it." Max said irritably. Maria wanted to cheer.
"There's a place," Maria said, pointing out her hand and pointing to a little place across the street. A big neon sign flashed '20$ per night'.
"There?" Isabel asked dubiously. "It looks like...."
"It looks perfect," Maria said firmly. "We're 7 teenagers on a very limited budget. It's not the Ritz-Carlton, but it will have to do."
******************
"We have a room," Max said, walking outside to where the other 6 were waiting. "I told him I didn't know how many nights we would be here for."
"Just one room?" Maria squeaked.
Max cast her an amused glance. "You were the one saying how we need to conserve money."
"But....but...." Maria stuttered helplessly, not being able to stop herself from casting a quick glance at the source of her problem, Michael. "bu......fine. Does the room at least have 2 beds?"
Max nodded, "And a pullout couch."
"Let's go inside," Michael said, shifting his pack on his back.
****************
It was only just after 6 PM when Max opened the door to the room. Maria walked inside and cast a quick glance around.
The room was very old. The wallpaper was faded and peeling. The bedspreads weren't new, and the couch was frayed. The TV was missing buttons. But, at least it looked reasonably clean. Besides, they only paid 20 bucks.
"I claim a bed," Maria said shortly, not really caring who she ticked off with the statement.
Isabel looked up, "I'll share with you."
"I've got the pullout couch," Michael said gruffly, tossing his backpack and duffel bag on it.
Max looked at Alex who shrugged, "I'm fine on the floor so long as someone gives me a blanket."
Max nodded, "I guess that leaves the last bed for Liz and Tess." The hesitation in his voice was obvious. The only thing that could have been worse was Maria getting to share a bed with Tess.
"So, what do we do now?" Maria asked. "I mean, do we just sit around here and wait for them to come to us?"
Isabel shook her head. "Not exactly. We brought the orbs. We are going to try to communicate with them again. Without them, we have no other way to get information about the other aliens, or ourselves."
Maria nodded, "I see."
"How can you see?" Tess asked, her voice heavy with sarcasm. "You have no clue what we are about and..."
Maria but her off, "Actually Tess, I have about as good an idea as you about what you are and where you come from. In some aspects, I have a better idea. So, unless you have something worthwhile to say, shut up." She honestly hadn't planned on saying that, it just slipped out.
"Why don't you go back to Roswell?" Tess said, her eyes narrowing.
"Even though it means sharing a room with you, I'd rather stay here than die back in Roswell." Maria replied snidely.
"You guys, if we're at each others throats the whole time, it'll be 5 times worse than it has to be," Michael said, even though secretly he sort of liked to see Maria shoot Tess down.
Maria shot him at angry glance at his patronizing words, but she didn't say anything else.
"Shall I go get us some supper?" Alex asked, trying to divert attention.
Isabel nodded, "Might as well. I'll come with you. We'll just go to that McDonalds we saw a few blocks back and bring food here for everyone."
As the two of them walked out, Maria sat up. She was in a pissy mood to put in lightly. She was here in New York in a cheap motel, with 4 aliens who didn't want her there. She was being hunted by evil aliens. Life was great. Since Tess had got up to go to the washroom, Maria turned to Michael. "Are you sure it's going to be safe for me here in the room with you Michael? I mean, you being so dangerous and all."
Michael ignored her. He believed with all he was that he had done the right thing. It didn't matter how he felt. He knew it was right to push her away, to keep her safe.
Maria wanted a fight, so when Michael didn't respond, she was frustrated. She flopped back on the pillow, wanting to punch it.
"Is it that time of month?" Tess asked Maria snidely.
Maria hopped off the bed, "I'm going for a walk."
"I'll go with you," Liz said, standing up, and following Maria out of the room.
They walked slowly down the street in front of the hotel. Maria just had to get out of that room before she would do something she'd regret.
"How can you not want to rip her head off?" Maria asked Liz, referring to Tess. "I mean, I can't stand her, and she didn't kiss my boyfriend while I watched. Don't you just want her to die?"
Liz shrugged, "I honestly don't know. It's not like it was like she was trying to make Max kiss her. She just doesn't trust us."
"No, you think?" Maria said sarcastically. "I swear, if she tries to disclude us one more time, the alien posse will be down to three."
"Just think Maria," Liz chided gently. "If something serious ever happened between you and Michael, she would be your sister-in-law."
Maria snorted. "There are so many things that would stop that scenario from happening. One of them is Michael. Plus, are we even sure they are really brother and sister?"
Liz shrugged, "That book Tess had seemed to indicate as much. But, even if it is true, I seriously doubt they are going to start to act like a real family any time soon."
Maria stopped and looked at the image of the Empire State Building far in the distance. "What are we doing here Liz?" she asked softly.
"Trying not to get killed," Liz said, "And trying to help the Czechoslovakians. Even though you, Michael, Max and I have problems, they are still our friends. Except for Tess of course," she added as an afterthought.
Maria sighed, and kicked a stone. "Let's go back to the room."
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