Title: Heart 2 Heart

Author: HeavenlyVixen

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything, but if I owned Michael Guerin…

Description: Tag to Viva Las Vegas, Maria and someone unexpected had a heart to heart conversation leading to the dinner scene at the end of the episode.

 

~~**~~

 

Michael and Max walked off in their separate directions leaving Maria standing in the middle of the hotel suite. Sighing loudly in resignation she slumped down on the sofa.

 

“What’s wrong?” Maria’s head snapped up at the voice. She hadn’t even heard anyone come in, the last person she expected to be asking that question stood before her.

 

“Why do you care Tess?” Tess winced slightly but kept her airy demeanour.

 

“Hey I just thought you might want to talk to someone, that’s all. You seem upset.” Tess said softly.

 

“Thanks, sit down.” Maria replied just as softly. Tess moved slowly toward the blonde girl who always seemed such a mystery to her. She was the only one of the human girls that she could really see herself being friends with. Truth be known, she wished for it.

 

“What’s wrong Maria?” Maria sat surprised at how natural it felt to have a conversation with the girl she was supposed to hate.

 

“Michael and Max.” Tess nodded; she knew how much Michael cared for Maria. Hell she was all he didn’t talk about over the summer. He spent so much time trying not to talk about her, to think about her, that it came out in every word he said, that she was all he thought about.

 

“What about them?” Maria leaned her head back.

 

“They’re fighting. Max has left, Michael’s pissed and this fun little trip has gone to hell.” Tess looked at the girl who seemed so exhausted right now. She’d never seen her like that; she was always so full of life.

 

“Why do I get the feeling that this isn’t all about Michael and Max fighting?” Maria raised her head and her eyes to the alien girl.

 

“No it’s not… Every time I think I’ve broken down that stupid stone wall, he throws it back up again.” Tess nodded knowingly. She’d watched as Michael would cave slightly then as soon as Maria got closer he would put up a barrier and shut her out. She knew she wasn’t supposed to support their relationship but that stupid wall was really aggravating, to her as well.

 

“What happened?” She asked interested and sympathetically. Maria took a second to note that someone actually wanted to hear about her problems with Michael. Liz would usually gloss over it and turn the conversation on to her and Max. It was nice to have someone listen.

 

“I’ve had this dream since I was a little kid to be a singer, and my career would start in Vegas, in a smoky little club, just a piano and me. Today I had an audition, a chance for my dream to come true and when I went to him excited he blew me off. I had to pay Alex to go with me. Michael should have.” She lowered her head.

 

“How did you’re audition go?” Maria raised her head and laughed sarcastically.

 

“Turned out the audition was to be a stripper. The guy was a creep and poor Alex, as sweet as he is, is no help in a bad situation. Michael should have been there to protect me. But he was off getting arrested.” Tess winced before worry etched its way across her face.

 

“You didn’t get hurt did you?” Maria shook her head.

 

“No, no, that’s not even all of it. Michael rings from Jail. I didn’t know that at first, and when I told him what happened all he said was ‘Did you get the job’ that’s it. He didn’t even care. The creepy, disgusting club owner could have done, I don’t even want to think about what he could have done to me and he doesn’t even care.” Maria was on the verge of tears of frustration.

 

“Maria I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” Maria looked at Tess in surprise. She wasn’t so bad after all. Maria smiled and nodded her head.

 

“Ice cream, lots and lots of ice cream.” Tess smiled.

 

“Sure, I know where there’s a Baskin Robbins. I found it today.” Maria’s face lit up and Tess couldn’t help but smile wider. There was just something about Maria, she had a spark that could light up everyone around her and make them feel special to be in her presence. Pity Michael didn’t realize that.

 

“Sounds heavenly, let’s go.” Maria and Tess stood.

 

“First I have to take care of something, I’ll only be a second, I’ll meet you downstairs?” Tess smiled. Maria nodded and stepped towards the door but soon paused.

 

“Tess?” Tess turned to face her; Maria walked towards her and hugged her. Tess was caught a little off guard but quickly hugged back. “Thanks.” Maria whispered as she pulled away. Tess nodded and smiled at her.

 

“I’ll see you downstairs in five.” Tess called out as Maria opened the door. Tess turned toward the stairs leading to the bedrooms. She walked along until she reached Michael’s room. She knocked on the door and waited for a response.

 

“Maria, I’m not in the mood.” Was the gruff reply that came. Tess saw red. She burst into the room.

 

“I don’t care.” Michael sat up from the bed quickly.

 

“What’s your problem?”

 

Tess walked towards him and started poking him in the chest. “Just where do you get off huh?” she yelled at the stubborn alien.

 

“What are you talking about?” Tess pushed him one last time before continuing.

 

“Maria. Do you have any idea what happened to her tonight?” Michael rolled his eyes.

 

“Yeah I know. She auditioned to be a stripper.”

 

“No, Michael. She thought she was auditioning to be a club singer. She showed up with Alex, who she had to pay in the first place and the creep scared her.” Michael seemed to acknowledge that.

 

“What did he do?” Michael asked trying to keep his temper in check.

 

“Nothing luckily, but that’s not the point. He was sleazy and creepy and he could have done anything to her Michael. Thing’s I don’t even want to contemplate, and when she tells you, you tell her to shut up. You ignore her when she comes to you, when she needs you. It was her dream Michael. What she’s been searching for, and you know how disappointing it is to loose something you want so badly, something you’ve searched so long for.” Michael looked away. “She’s hurt Michael. If you cause the spark in her to die, I’ll kill you myself. She’s the best thing to ever happen to you and you don’t even realize what’s in front of you.”

 

“Why do you care? I though you wanted me to be with Isabel?” Tess shook her head.

 

“It’s not about what I want. She’s special Michael, you’re a fool if you let her go, and the rate you’re going you are going to loose her. For good.” Tess turned and walked away leaving Michael stunned into silence.

 

~~**~~

 

Michael sat in silence. Tess’ words cut through to his core and the fear set in. He’d never thought about what would happen if Maria weren’t there. She was the only constant in his life, this beautiful amazing person who actually loved him. Sometimes the reality of her feelings scared him and he ran, but Maria never ran. She was always there, and a part of him always thought she would be.

 

He should have been there with her when she went on her audition, he should have protected her, supported her, but he was of with Max, getting arrested, fighting with Max. Even then she still bailed him out, she still came and she didn’t have to. She always did that, gave up everything and jumped when he asked. She baffled him and excited him all at once and all he ever did was break her heart.

 

She deserved better; she deserved the dream, her dream, and he was going to give it to her.

 

~~**~~

 

Michael made his way toward the club Maria made reservations for dinner at. He’d heard that they had a stage with live music. The music Maria loved. He walked up to the bar.

 

“Hey, listen I was looking for the manager.” The bartender gestured toward the stage.

 

“He’s the one standing by the piano.” Michael looked up at the stage and had a ‘flash’. He saw Maria up there, standing in front of a microphone. Her beautiful blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back as her hips slowly swayed with the beat of the music. Her beautiful voice rang through the room softly as the spotlight illuminated her in the most angelic way.

 

“Thanks man.” Michael quickly snapped out of his thoughts as he realized the bartender was looking at him. He made his way over to the stage.

 

“Hey, you the manager?” Michael asked the tall man in a suit. The pianist and the manager both turned towards him.

 

“That would be me. What can I do for you?”

 

“Listen, I have this singer, she’s very talented and would love to perform here tonight.” The manager shook his head.

 

“Sorry buddy, we don’t take late bookings.” Michael wasn’t going to give up.

 

“Listen, this is her dream, and I’m going to make sure she gets it. One song? Come on man, have a heart.” The guy looked toward the pianist. It had been awhile since they’d had vocals accompanying the classical piano.

 

“She really any good?” Michael nodded his head.

 

“The best.” The manager nodded reluctantly.

 

“Alright fine, one song. But she doesn’t get paid.” Michael nodded.

 

“Fine, thanks man you’ve done a good thing.” The man waved him off.

 

“Yeah, just check in with me when she’s ready to go on.” Michael nodded.

 

“Alright, thanks man.” The Manager turned back to the pianist and resumed their earlier conversation. Michael couldn’t help but smile as he left the little club.

 

~~**~~

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight you're in for a rare treat--a dream coming true. You're gonna love listening to this performer, and even though she'll never believe it, I love listening to her too.

Please welcome to the stage... Miss Margarita Salt.”

 

Maria beamed as she walked off stage with Michael. The crowd was still applauding and she could hear her friends cheering. Tess was up front when the song ended and Maria felt slightly guilty for the new friendship they’d developed. It quickly faded away however when she saw Michael. The reality of the situation hadn’t hit. Michael had made her dream come true. She rejoined her friends and couldn’t help staring at Michael in awe. He leaned over and whispered in her ear.

 

“You looked so beautiful up there.” He brushed his lips over hers lightly and smiled. Right when she thought she’d figured him out, he always threw her a curve ball and left her reeling.

 

THE END