The Christmas lights on the houses lit up the street as Maria drove to Max and Isabel�s
house. The lights in themselves seemed out of place with the absence of snow on the
ground. Yet, year after year, people stuck them up in an attempt to look
festive.
Maria sighed heavily. Another year, another nothing to look forward to. She would be
spending Christmas Eve alone yet again while her mother worked. Liz would be with her
family, Max and Isabel with theirs.
She thought back to how she had told Michael of her dream that her father would come
and whisk her away in a limousine when she was a little child. Now, she knew it wasn�t
going to happen because she was older and wiser, but there was nothing to hope for. She
had to face the cold hard truth, she would be facing Christmas�s alone for quite
awhile.
She pulled up in front of the Evans place, and parked her car. Basically, this evening was
to discuss all that Liz and Max had found out at the Indian reservation. Liz had already
told Maria all about it, and basically Maria thought there wasn�t much to discuss. It told
them nothing useful. All in all, it would be just another excuse for Liz and Max to spend
the evening making eyes at each other.
Ever since Max had been released from the hospital after the accident, Liz had almost
never left his side. However, the two still refused to give in to their feelings for each
other. Maria flashed back briefly to a couple of nights ago when Michael had kissed her.
Intellectually, she knew that although her insides had melted, the kiss meant nothing to
him. She hadn�t spoken to him alone since that night, but she didn�t need to know
that.
Maria walked up to the front door of the house and rang the doorbell. Isabel
answered.
�Hello,� Maria said shortly.
Isabel just nodded and moved aside for Maria to come in. She was in a horrible mood.
Maria stepped into the house, Liz was already there, sitting close to Max on the couch
and smiling adoringly at him. Maria could see why Isabel was in such a bad
mood.
�Hey guys,� she said, walking over and sitting down on the loveseat across from the big
couch they were sitting in. Maria briefly considered shoving herself down between them
just to be annoying, but decided against it.
�Hi Maria,� Liz said brightly, not looking over, �How�s it going?�
Maria shrugged, �Finals are done. What can I say, I�m thrilled.�
Isabel came over and flopped down in the big armchair. �I�m glad they are finally done
to. I mean Christmas Eve is day after tomorrow and I still have shopping to do. There
are millions of gifts left to buy.�
Maria nodded understandingly, even though she had no idea how Isabel felt. She had
already bought the few gifts she was going to give out.
�Where�s Michael?� Max asked.
Isabel shrugged, �Who knows, who cares. I�m sure he�ll show up eventually.�
With her words there was a knock on the door, and then Michael let himself in. �Hey,�
he said gruffly, kicking off his shoes.
�I have news,� he said shortly, plopping down on the loveseat beside Maria.
�Do tell,� Is said dryly, reclining in her armchair.
Michael pulled a book from his pocket and held it out for everyone to see.
Chronicles of the Paranormal was on the cover, as well as a symbol. It was the
same design that was on the pendant Isabel had found at the dome.
�Where did you get that?� Max asked sharply, glancing up at Michael.
�The library,� Michael explained, pulling it back. �I also looked up on the guy who
wrote this book. His name�s Adam Granger. And, in fact, he�s still alive. The guy lives
in a city called Regina in Canada.�
�Does the book say anything interesting?� Liz asked.
Michael nodded, �Well, yeah. It doesn�t tell us anything, but the aliens he describes are
nearly identical in powers and such to us.�
�My God,� Max breathed, running his hand through his hair and leaning back against the
couch.
Michael leaned forward, �We�ve got to go find this guy. He could answer all our
questions.�
Max looked pained, �Michael, we can�t just......�
Michael hopped to his feet, �Listen to me Max. We can, and we will. To hell with being
overly careful. If we don�t go, the FBI or whoever they are will get there first. I want
answers, and so do you. You are not the boss of me or anyone else here. I�m leaving
tomorrow morning and I just came here to see who�s coming with me.�
�It�s a good idea,� Maria said quietly, �For all you know the sheriff might have already
found him or something. You�ve got to beat him there. I know my opinion and input
might not mean as much as Is�s or Max�s, but I�m in.�
�Me too,� Isabel said shortly, �But why don�t we wait until after Christmas?�
Michael shook his head, �I�m not waiting.�
Maria realized that, like her, Michael didn�t have much of a Christmas going for him
either. Isabel just sighed and leaned back in her chair, �What are we going to tell Mom
and Dad?�
Max shook his head, �We�re not going to..�
Liz interrupted him, �I�m in too Michael. But, we do need to come up with a story to tell
our parents.�
Max sighed audibly, �It really doesn�t matter that I�m against this does it?�
Michael shook his head, �No Max, it doesn�t. We�re all going. Are you in.�
Max shrugged and sighed, �I guess I don�t really have a choice. So, team leader Michael,
what do we tell our parents when they get home in a couple hours?�
Michael shrugged, �How should I know? I�m just telling me dad, �bye� and taking
off.�
Max shook his head, �Oh yeah, that will really pacify them. Not only are we taking off
for an extended period of time, but it�s right over Christmas, and we just tell them
�goodbye�?�
Maria sighed, �No Max, we tell our parents we are going on a ski trip for
Christmas.�
Michael shrugged, �That�ll work too.�
�How are we going to get up there?� Liz asked, looking around, �I mean, it�s a really
long drive.�
Isabel shrugged, �We can take the jeep and Maria and someone can go in her mom�s
car.�
Maria burst out laughing, �Sorry Isabel, but you can�t take the jeep. It�s Christmas time,
therefore winter. Places north of here do get snow in the winter. The jeep won�t be the
ideal vehicle for keeping out the cold weather and snow.�
Isabel�s face turned a bright red. She didn�t say anything.
Maria looked around, �I guess we could try and fit us all in the car, but it would be a tight
squeeze, especially with all our stuff.�
�Of course,� she added, �This is all provided my mom lets me take the car.�
Max shook his head, �We can�t do it like that. I�ll simply ask mom if we can take her car
instead of the jeep.�
Liz shook her head, �I can�t believe we are actually doing this.�
*******************************************
Maria pulled up in front of the Evan�s the next morning bright and early. It was where
they were all meeting. Her mom had been willing to let her take the car. In fact, she had
been ecstatic Maria was going to have a nice Christmas with her friends once Maria told
her she had enough money saved for the trip.
As Maria stepped out of the car, she saw Liz walking up. Liz carried a backpack filled
with stuff, and a small suitcase. Over her arm she carried a big ski jacket.
�My mom has it from when they went skiing in Vermont,� Liz explained, holding up the
jacket.
Maria nodded, �I have my moms old winter jacket too. Plus, I actually managed to find a
lot of old sweaters and stuff in our basement.�
�Think the others took the weather into consideration when packing?� Liz asked, staring
meaningfully up at Isabel�s bedroom window.
Maria laughed, �I hope so. We don�t want her catching pneumonia on the trip or
something. Did you have any trouble with your parents and going?�
Liz shrugged, �A little. They are disappointed we won�t be spending Christmas together.
Also, my dad was a little nervous that boys were going to be going
too.�
Maria laughed, �Yeah, I�m actually surprised he let you come at all.�
Liz shrugged, �Mom and I had to twist his arm.�
She saw Michael walking up behind Maria and said, �Good morning Michael.�
Maria turned to find Michael walking up behind them. All he carried was a
backpack.
�Do you have a jacket?� Maria asked.
Michael looked at her pointedly, �Yeah, it�s December yet 30 degrees Celsius and I was
able to dig up a winter parka from my dad who�s never left this town.�
Maria sighed, �I have extra sweaters for everyone, but you�ll have to check with Max and
Isabel to see if they have a jacket for you.�
Michael nodded. As if on cue, the siblings then came out of the front door. Max had a
big duffel bag and carried a ski jacket, Isabel on the other hand carried a bag, 2 suitcases
as well as her jacket.
They walked up to the waiting Maria Michael and Liz. �Enough stuff Isabel?� Michael
asked, staring at all her luggage.
�Just shut up,� Isabel set dryly, dropping it all on the ground with a thump.
�Do you guys have an extra jacket Michael can take?� Maria asked Max, when Michael
didn�t seem to be going to.
Max nodded, �Yeah, it�ll be in the garage. Surprisingly enough, my parents have gone
skiing lots and got new jackets for every trip.�
While Michael went with Max to grab a jacket, Maria turned to Isabel and Liz. �Who�s
riding with who?�
Liz shrugged, �Want to flip coins. You of course go in your car and Max can go in his.
Michael Isabel and I will flip to see who goes with who.�
Maria shrugged, �Whatever you want.�
Liz nodded and pulled a penny from her pocket. �Okay, heads I go with Max, tails I go
with Maria.�
She tossed it up and let it fall to the ground. They all peered at it. �Heads,� Maria said
dryly, unsurprised. Liz didn�t exactly look disappointed.
�Want to flip for Michael?� Liz asked, holding the penny out to Maria. Maria nodded
and tossed the penny in the air.
�Head with Max, tails with me,� Maria said as it landed on the ground. She looked over
at it. �Tails,� she said resignedly.
Isabel picked up the coin and stared at it for a moment, �Great,� she said sarcastically,
�Heads I get to listen to those two lovebirds, tails I get to listen to the other pair with
them switching between fighting and flirting. Such a great choice.�
She tossed it up in the air, and then stared at the fallen coin. �Tails,� she said sadly,
staring at the coin.
Maria shrugged, �This isn�t exactly going to be a picnic for me either,� she told
Isabel.
Liz, however, was making no such comments. She of course got to be alone in a car with
Max for days. The two boys walked back up.
�We figured out the car arrangements,� Isabel said gloomily.
�I go with you in your mom�s car and Isabel and Michael go with Maria in hers,� Liz said
cheerfully to Max
�Oh goody,� Michael said mockingly, �I get to spend hours upon hours in a car with 2
girls yakking.�
�Michael,� Maria said in a sweet voice while punching him on the shoulder, �I thought
we already covered the fact that is an offensive remark.�
�It�s going to be a long trip,� Isabel groaned.
*******************************
They had been driving for an hour when Michael determined that he needed to go to the
washroom.
�Already?� Isabel asked disbelievingly from her spot in the back seat.
Michael nodded, �It must be that huge slurpee I had for breakfast.�
Maria glanced over sharply at him, �Why didn�t you go before we left?�
�Well mother,� Michael said mockingly, �I didn�t have to go then, I do now.�
Maria gave a frustrated sigh and pulled into the rest stop that was alongside the road.
�Be quick,� she said menacingly to Michael, leaning back against her seat.
Max and Liz who had been following them pulled up beside the car. �What�s going on?�
Liz asked over the engine after they rolled down their windows.
�Michael had to take a whiz,� Maria said mockingly, waving towards the restrooms. She
shut off the engine so she could hear Liz better.
�Hey, where are we planning on stopping for the night?� Maria asked the two in the next
car.
�Let�s just keep driving all night tonight,� Max replied, �We want to get there as fast as
possible. We can take turns driving and sleeping.�
Maria shrugged, �Fine, if that�s what we have to do. But, tomorrow night we stop, even
if it is in some little town.�
�Deal,� Liz said back from the other car.
When Maria spotted Michael returning. she waved goodbye to Liz and rolled her window
back up.
He slid back into the car and reopened the map he was in charge of reading. �Let�s
go.�
Maria didn�t say anything, just restarted the car and drove off.
**********************************
Night approached slowly. Maria felt like she had been driving for years when the first
star appeared in the sky. Isabel had fallen fast asleep in the back seat. Michael himself
had been mercifully silent for the past 100 miles.
�When we get to the next town,� Maria yawned to Michael, �I�m going to pull over so
you can drive and I can sleep.�
�You�re actually letting me drive and risk your mother�s car and therefore your whole
relationship with her?� Michael asked mockingly.
Maria gave him a scathing look, �I don�t want to, but I don�t have a lot of choice. I can�t
make it all night, and Isabel is conked out in the backseat. Just give me 3 hours of
uninterrupted sleep, and I can drive again.�
�Hey, you can have as long as you need,� Michael said defensively, �I�m not tired at
all.�
�It must have been the 2 cups of coffee you had at the last stop we made.� Maria said
sarcastically.
Michael nodded, �Yeah, but something was missing. Normally, I love coffee but that
stuff just didn�t cut it.�
�No Tabasco sauce to add?� Maria said as she pulled into the parking lot of the gas
station in the town they just pulled into.
She got out of the car and stretched as Michael did the same on the other side. She
walked over to the passenger�s side, and he to the drivers and they both got in. Liz
noticed Max and Liz doing the same thing across the parking lot.
Before Maria could open her mouth as she buckled up her seatbelt, Michael said, �Now,
don�t bother saying anything. I�ll drive carefully, I�ll drive slowly and your mothers car
will stay in one piece.�
�I wasn�t going to say a word,� Maria said haughtily as Michael started to
drive.
�You? Not say a word?� Michael said sarcastically, �that�ll be the day.�
Maria gave him a deathly look, �Watch it Michael, or I�ll....I�ll....., well I don�t know
what I�ll do but it will be painful for you. I am perfectly capable of being
quiet.�
�Really?� Michael said, �I don�t think you�ve gone for 10 minutes of silence yet. I mean
before even when I wasn�t saying anything you were still blathering away.�
Maria was tempted to smack him, but didn�t want him to run the car off the road, �I�m
going to sleep now Michael, so if you would be so kind as to just shut up.�
Michael sneaked a glance at her a few minutes later. Sure enough, she was fast asleep
with her head leaning against the pillow on the window. He stared at her sleeping form
and smiled as he imagined how ticked off she�s be if he hit the brakes and woke her
up.
Since he didn�t have to worry about her catching him, Michael allowed himself to stare at
her closely as she slept. As much as he hated to admit he, he like Maria. A lot. he had
felt this way about her ever since their trip to the dome. He had told her things he had
never even mentioned to Isabel or Max, they didn�t even know he had read Ulysses.
When he had kissed her that day at the crashdown, he had been scared she would deck
him. Now, all he wanted to do was to kiss her again, and again, and again. He told
himself sharply he had to stop thinking this way, but his thoughts kept drifting back to
her soft lips.
Michael shook his head, trying to clear them of thoughts of Maria, and went back to
concentrating on the road.
He then glanced back over at her. He wondered if she was dreaming. Michael then
shook his head mentally. He couldn�t enter her dream. He would have to pull over and
then Max and Liz would as well and would want to know what was going on.
He glanced wistfully over at Maria. It sure would be nice to know what she dreamed
about.
********************************
Maria awoke to the sound of voices singing Christmas carols. The radio was on and they
were playing the rendition of Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer. Michael was
singing along enthusiastically.
�What time is it?� she asked groggily, rubbing the crink in her neck.
�8 AM,� Michael said glancing sideways, cutting off his singing, �You�ve been asleep
for 10 hours.�
�I can�t believe I slept that long in a car,� Maria mumbled.
Michael motioned his head towards the back, �Hey Is was asleep longer, and even now
my beautiful singing hasn�t woken her up.�
Maria glanced back at Isabel, still sound asleep, then put her hand on Michael�s arm,
�You must be exhausted.�
Michael ignored the tingling sensations where her hand was on his arm and replied, �No,
I�m not exhausted. Maybe a little tired, but I�m fine.�
Maria saw a town approaching fast in the distance, �Stop in at the gas station,� she said
to Michael. �I can wash up and make use of the facilities and then switch you
places.�
Michael nodded, �Sure, besides, it�ll give me a chance to grab some food, I�m
starved.�
He pulled into the Esso station. The car carrying Liz and Max pulled in beside them.
Maria got out of the car. She cold barely stand without grabbing the side of the car for
support. Her legs were so stiff. She reached back and opened the back door.
�Rise and shine Isabel,� she said and shook her shoulder.
Isabel just mumbled something incoherent in her sleep and did not wake up.
�Get up sleepyhead!� Maria screeched and shook Isabel�s shoulder hard.
�Who..waa....Maria!� Isabel said as she tried to rub the sleep from her eyes.
�It�s time to get up,� Maria said cheerfully. �It�s a beautiful morning and this will be
our last stop for who knows how long. So, it�s our chance to wash up and
everything.�
Liz walked up behind them, �Everything going okay?� she asked Maria.
Maria nodded, �Yeah, it�s all fine. How was your night?�
Liz shrugged, �Lonely. Max fell asleep and didn�t wake up until an hour ago.�
Maria nodded. �Uh huh. I just woke up myself, and so has Isabel. Now, I�m going to the
washroom and then I�m filling the car up with gas, so you convince her to wake
up.�
Maria grabbed her purse from the front seat and left Liz and Isabel together. She walked
into the restroom at the side of the station. She stood in front of the mirror in the
washroom.
She looked frightfully awful. Her hair was a mess. Maria pulled out her brush and tried
to run it through the strands of hair and make herself look halfway presentable. As she
looked at her reflection in the mirror, she also pulled out her makeup and applied it. Se
told herself she was not trying to look good for Michael Guerin, this was for herself.
Maria walked out of the restroom. She saw Michael leaning against the car. He had
already inserted the thing, so the car was filling up with gas. In his hand he held an ice
cream bar covered with hot sauce. Maria just grimaced and went into the station to pay
for the gas.
When she came out Max and Liz were standing there talking to Michael. Isabel was
nowhere to be found. Maria walked up to them. �We ready to go?�
Michael shrugged, �Yeah, as soon as Isabel gets back. She just went to the washroom as
you insisted.�
�How far do you think we�ll get today?� Liz asked Maria.
She shrugged, �If we keep making the same time as we are, we should reach the border
by about 11. I figure we stop there for the night and then cross over
tomorrow.�
Max nodded. They had been over this last night. The upside of telling their parents that
they were actually going to Canada was that their parents could write the necessary letter
for the border crossing because they were all under 18.
�Are you guys getting along allright,� Liz asked Maria quietly as Michael was getting in
the car and Isabel was walking up to them.
Maria shrugged, �Well enough. Let me tell you though, you got the better end of the
deal.�
Liz smiled, �Come on Maria, you know you�re happy to be stuck with
Michael.�
Maria shrugged but didn�t deny it, �Princess Issy though isn�t being as bad as I thought
she might, however, I�d rather have you riding with me.�
�Well no deal,� Liz said cheerfully, �I rather like the riding arrangements.�
Maria laughed and said to Liz, �No surprise there. How�s it going between you two?
Shall I count you out as a room mate for tonight at the hotel.�
Liz began blushing, �Maria!�
Maria just laughed as Isabel walked up. �We going?� Isabel asked shortly.
Maria nodded, �Yeah, we�re leaving. Bye Liz, see you at the next stop.�
Liz waved goodbye and walked over to the Evan�s car where Max had already gotten in.
Maria walked around to the drivers side of her car and slid in. She buckled up and pulled
out of the gas station.
�I can�t believe this,� Isabel grumbled from the backseat, �It�s Christmas Eve today and
I�m driving in a car with you two.�
Michael said nothing, he just leaned over and switched on the radio again. The strains of
Silent Night filled the air and he leaned back against his seat. The weather outside had
already begun to cool down and Maria had to turn on the heater in lieu of the normal air
conditioning.
She said nothing to Isabel, but she was happy this journey was taking place over
Christmas. It beat sitting at home by herself, singing Christmas carols to herself,
watching Christmas specials, by herself. At least with this she was with
people.
�Think of it this was Isabel,� she said cheerfully to the sullen girl in the backseat, �At
least we�ll be able to have a white Christmas.� she mentioned this as they reached the
first area where snowflakes actually fell.
******************************************
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