Balancing

Balancing
During the end of "The Balance"


In the cave:


Michael couldn't seem to take his eyes off her. There was movement all around him -- questions, hugs, excited comments but he kept turning back to her.


Her relief was palpable. But that's not all he sensed when he looked into Maria's eyes. No, not all. There was something else there that he'd had trouble identifying until now, something that'd made him run. That had caused him to say those things to her at the rave, and hurt her.


But not anymore. He knew her place in his life now. He'd seen her for what she was, and he'd seen his own need. Acceptance was hao aco achieve, for him, but it was set in concrete.


"I went some place, Max. I saw things." How could he possibly convey the enormity of his visions?


Max was almost begging. "But you came back. For good this time."


He turned to look at Maria as he spoke. "Y I c I came back." Could she see it in his eyes?


Her face was full of emotions barely held in check, liquid eyes piercing him.


Back to Max, "Thanks Maxwell. No more running."


And directly to Maria, so there would be no mistake, "No matter what." The moment stretched. He replayed Issy's hug, and the funny twist Maria's face gave at his open display of affection. Even if it was for someone else.





He told them to give him their rocks, and then led them to the back wall of the cave. Placing the stones in their holes, he stood back to see what would happen. They lit up like beacons. Which they were, sort of.


"It's a map." He'd never been surer in his life. They all stood and just stared.


Issy made him ride with her and Max in the jeep. She was still a little jumpy, and needed him where she could see he was fine. It was a bit irritating, but understandable. Until just a short while ago they'd had no on e but the three of them, ever. And he HAD been close to death. Very close.
Which brought him back to what he could've missed experiencing. Maria. The strangely endearing human girl who had brought him the lost piece of himself. He hadn't even known it was missing, he'd so hardened himself to all things human. He'd foolishly thought that he had no need of emotional relationships. His motto had always been "No attachments." It had worked well until he'd met the little blonde with the beautiful light brown eyes, and softest pink lips


He drifted for a while in memories of Maria. Her hands creeping across his chest to slip up around his neck, holding him close while he gently ravaged her mouth. He'd never felt passion like that before.
He remembered the night he'd come to the Crashdown, drawn to her. She had sensed him outside, so heated were her own thoughts. Watching her approach across the diner had aroused the most amazing feelings in his body. Not to mention the fire in his heart. If she hadn't unlocked the doors, he was sure he would've just melted the glass with his thoughts!


When their lips touched, he'd gone a little crazy. His normally tightly controlled demeanor had been lost to the sweet pressure of Maria's body against his. Before he knew it, he had lifted her up to the diner's counter, knocking aside whatever was there, so that he could have her at eye-level. He kissed her over and over, knowing only that she was responding as ardently as he.


His hands roamed over her torso, drawing gasps from her lips. He reveled in each one, and moaned softly in return


"Michael, are you sure you're all right?" Isabel was nudging him out of his daze.





"Yes, Issy." He was getting a little tired of this. "You've asked a total of 25 times, and I've answered YES every time." Inserting a tiny sneer, he said, "Could you mind leaving me alone now?"


Max grinned. "Oh yeah. He's fine."


Isabel reached out to smack Michael's arm, but he dodged. She settled for glaring at him. "Don't you ever scare me like that again. You hear?"


"Yes, my queen." Michael wasn't the least bit repentant.


"Whatever." Isabel turned to stare out at the desert for the rest of the trip home.


Maria and Liz barely spoke on the way home. This left Alex to go on and on about alien anatomy and star maps. Maria tuned it all out and just thought about how grateful she was to whomever, for Michael's life.


It was a broken record, a mantra, in her head.
Maria looked down at the speedometer and noticed her glaringly white knuckles. Unfortunately, her fingers wouldn't obey. She was finding this interesting when Liz spoke.


"We're here, Mari."


They were in front of the Crashdown and she couldn't remember getting there.


"'Kay. Um, see ya tomorrow at school."


Liz looked at her strangely, and she realized she sounded a little disconnected.


"I'm fine, Lizzie. Just go get some sleep. New day tomorrow." She put on an encouraging face for her friend.


Alex piped up from the back, "I'll make sure she gets home, Liz."


"Well. All right." She stared again at Maria, and then shook her head a little to clear it. "Be safe, OK?" She turned and went up the steps.


She dropped Alex with as few words as possible, and then headed home. Which made it really weird when she found herself entering the trailer park. She wasn't even sure which one Michael lived in.



She drove slowly down the rows, looking carefully at each trailer. She was about to give up when he suddenly stepped in front of the car. She sat staring while he walked around and got in the passenger side.


For a moment he just sat there looking out the windshield. Maria shrugged, then continued driving on out of the trailer park. She made it to the first stop sign and then put her foot firmly on the brake.


"What did you see?" She surprised herself by sounding calm and in control.


Michael turned to look at her, but didn't answer. Instead, he leaned over and kissed her, lightly.


Against her lips, he whispered, "I saw you, for one thing." He kissed her again, and her eyes fluttered closed.


"You saw me?" Somehow, she was able to speak through a tight throat.


Michael opened his eyes and pulled back a little. When Maria opened hers, he looked into their liquid depths and marveled again at his luck.


"Yeah. I saw you, and I trusted you." He hadn't imagined how unbelievably hard it would be to tell her this. But she needed to know.


She looked at anything, anything but her for a moment, and settled on her right hand, still resting on the gear shift.


He whispered, knowing he couldn't say it out loud for fear of dying of embarrassment. "With our secret, not with my heart."


Slowly, almost reluctantly, he raised his eyes to hers.



It was that look again. The one from the cave, when Issy hugged him.


And then she was kissing him, her soft lips crushed against his as if she were hanging on for dear life. Her other hand slipped up to grip the back of his head and pull him even closer. He was OK until her tongue slid into his mouth.


He groaned and put his arms around her, lifting her half out of her seat. Her foot slipped off the brake and the car started rolling.


"Ack," she said, pulling away. "Are you trying to kill us?"


"This from the frenching queen." He snorted and leaned back against the headrest, watching her collect herself enough to drive.


She blushed prettily and then asked, "Where to, cap'n?"


He turned to her with an unreadable gaze. "Depends. What are you in the mood for?" He reached over and took her hand in his.


She stared down at her small hand in his, and thought for a moment.


"Conveniently, my mother's out of town tonight. Her daughter hasn't been too reliable on deliveries lately, so she's doing it all." Out of the corner of her eye she saw him wince. "So we go to my house if that's OK." She was a little nervous, so OK sounded more like a question.


"Alone is good." His voice was rough whisper.


"OK." She slowly pulled her hand from his loose grip, and put the car in first gear. It moved, a little jerkily at first, and they were on their way.


Maria pulled into the driveway, stopped, pulled her keys from ignition, and got out of the car, all by rote. Her brain wasn't in control at the moment. Other parts of her body were driving her, and she was focused on one thing. Getting herself and Michael into the house.


He didn't need any prompting, because he was right behind her. She knew, because something brushed her backside as she ascended the front steps. She didn't jump though, for she was too focused on that door. Which is where her habits failed her.


Her key was almost in the lock when his proximity suddenly registered. He was close. So close, in fact, that a tiny movement would have them touching. She felt his warm breath puff against the back of her neck. Her heart sped up and hands started shaking.


He watched her try to get the key in the lock several times, her hands shaking so badly that she could barely hold on to them. It was cute, and he smothered a chuckle before reaching out to help her.
When his warm, large hand enveloped hers, she stilled. Looking at him from the corner of her eye, she could see a tiny smile on his strong profile. She felt warm, but a little steadier being in actual contact with him. Her key slid into the lock and turned with no problems.


She opened the door and reached out to turn the hall light on. They took off their coats, and hung them on the coat rack on the wall. Maria waved him to follow her, and led them to the kitchen, where she began making tea. She needed a little calming, or she'd give Michael reason to thing she was looser than he thought already.


Michael wandered around the room, looking at the obvious signs of a health food lover. He wondered if it was Maria or her mother, or both. Gazing over at her, he decided she definitely looked healthy. A little thinner than he might've liked, but perfect.


Her back was to him. She'd been that way for a while, and he was growing a little concerned. He wanted to be alone with her, but not if she didn't want the same thing.


"Would you like some tea?" Her voice floated up, sounding much steadier.


"Tea? Uh, no thanks." At this point he was thinking bourbon.


She picked up her own cup, took a deep sip of the hot liquid, and turned to face him. He was staring at her intently from across the kitchen. Leaning back against the counter, she studied him in return.
It struck her that he was big. Tall, and broad shouldered, but not muscle bound. She liked it that he wasn't obviously strong. But he sure had thrown Kyle across the room when angered. A small part of her thrilled at the memory.


He was wearing his standard black, long-sleeved T-shirt, black jeans, and work boots. His hands were in his pockets. Those were one of his best features, his hands. Large, and strong, but surprisingly gentle when touching her. She loved it when he touched her face when he kissed her, or ran his fingers through her hair.


Looking up, she studied his face. He had strong, high, cheekbones, and the most amazing mouth. Those generous lips could go from arrogant smirk to sensuous lover in the same breath. Very expressive, and very soft.


Their eyes met, and she could see that he enjoyed her scrutiny. She blushed again.


Michael wondered if she knew how adorable she was when she blushed. Maybe he should tell her.
"Pink is a great color for you." He made sure to genuinely smile when he said it. He meant it.
Maria blushed an even deeper shade and then smiled. "You seem to bring it out in me." She sipped her tea.


Changing the subject, she went back to Michael's vision. "So tell me exactly what you saw?" She smiled again. "Not just about me, I mean all of it."


Michael looked thoughtful. "There was a lot of symbolism, but I'll try."


He described the visions from start to finish, giving a fairly dry rendition. He really needed to sit down and deal with all of the emotional ramifications later.


Somehow they'd wound up sitting at the table. He leaned back in his chair, caught up in the memory of seeing himself in the web-like death shroud. Strange how barely missing death could make you appreciate what you have.


He focused on Maria. She was staring at her cup, pensively. It looked like she had questions. Well, so did he. Nothing weird about that.


He smiled slightly, and spoke. "What do you want to ask?"


Without looking at him she asked, "How does what you saw about me make you trust me with...?" She took another quick sip of tea.


"I also felt things in the visions. Not all of which I've come to terms with." He reached to gently stroke her fingers. "At this point the only thing clear to me is that it's safe." The feelings welled up within him, and he wondered that she couldn'' hear his heartbeat.


Her head came up. "What's safe?" Shivers ran up her arm from his gentle stroking.


"To care about you. To be with you, if you still want to." Nothing like laying his heart out to be crushed.


Her response was just as quick as it had been earlier. She stood up and came around the table to throw herself into his lap. Than their arms were around each other, their lips crushed together, the both of them shivering at the emotions running through them.


They stayed like that until breathlessness forced them to part.


Breathing deeply, Michael pulled Maria closer against him, moving his lipsto her ear. "Is that a yes?"


Smiling to herself, Maria put her lips to Michael's ear. "That would be an affirmative, space boy." She sucked on his earlobe, reveling in the soft groan she invoked. She reached up to gather a handfull of his wild hair, and moved down to kiss the sesitive spot below his ear.


His head was spinning. Her answer had him more turned on even than her kisses. Although those were VERY stirring. She moved slightly in his lapd hed he gripped her a little bit tighter.


Maria was feeling it too. Every time she kissed him her breast tingled, and when he held her tightly she felt so cared for, so loved. She wished she could tell him that, but it might scare him off again. It was hard enough for him to trust her this much, she knew. So she would have to show how she felt.


Michael was a little astounded when Maria pushed away and slid off his lap. He didn't bother to try and hide his hardness from her, since he was sure she'd filt it against her. She stood for a moment, just gazing into his eyes, and then held out her hand. He stared at it, realizing his life was about to take a right turn. His mouth went dry, and he tried unsuccessfully to swallow. He looked up at her, nervously.
He took her hand and stood.


Maria turned and led him out of the kitchen and down the hall. Her bedroom was at the end, he could see a Sonic Youth poster on the wall beyond the door. Then he was standing at the foot of her bed. She let go of his hand, and he turned to her.


She was even more beautiful after being kissed. Her peach-colored lips were swollen, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes heavy-lidded. He leaned down and kissed first one eyelid, then the other. Her arms went around his waist, her hands running up and down his broad back. She pressed as close to him as she could get.


He cradled her head in one hand, and kissed her lips again. She made a little sound and opened up to him, drawing his tongue into the warm depths of her mouth. He softly moaned, overrun by feelings so intense he could barely breathe. He cupped her cheek with his other hand, stilling her so that he could slow down the kiss. His lips barely moved on hers, but it was deep, and sweet.


She nearly cried it was so tender. And she knew suddenly, that he loved her. It was a kiss that showed wverything he couldn't say. She was swept away, and clutched at his back with weak fin.
.
The kiss went on and on. Michael felt a terrible need to touch Maria, caress her, make her scream with need for him. Then he could love her body as he loved her mind and heart.


Maria felt his hand leave her face, sliding lightly down her soft throat and across her shoulder blade to her arm. She shivered at his touch, feeling the rippling deep in her belly that signaled strong arousal. Her breath caught as his fingers skimmed her breast, leaving a hardened nipple in it's wake.


He placed his hand, fingers splayed on her belly, feeling her abdominal muscles twitch in response. Her heartbeat was fast, her breathing quick. He claimed her lips once more and then pulled slightly back so that he could look at her. If he hadn't already been hard as stone, this would've done it.


She seemed barely conscious, she was so aroused. Her eyes stayed closed, but her luscious lips were open and she was panting in little gasps. There were tiny beads of sweat on her forehead and upper lip. She was beautiful, and he needed her badly.


Sweeping his arm behind her knees, he lifted her and carried her around the bed. He lay her down very gently, and lay down beside her. He gazed down her length, and back up, catching her eyes with his. Before he was completely lost, he needed to ask her something. He took a deep breath and croaked:


"Can I touch you?"


She stared at him, faintly amused. "I thought that's what you were doing." Her voice was faint, but steady.


The look in his eyes changed, and she almost went over the edge seeing that much need.


"Not like I want to," he breathed.


Her hand grasped the hair in the back of his head, and pulled him down to her. Against his lips she said, "Touch me, please Michael." And they were consumed, once more, in a searing kiss.


He was shaking with desire, and pain. He'd never been hard like this before, and it HURT. And having no prior experience with these matters, he wasn't sure what to do about it. So he asked the person he trusted most. Maria.


Breaking the kiss, he pulled back to nuzzle her ear. "Maria, I hurt."


Through the fog of her own desire, Maria heard and "What?" Her eyes opened wide and she tried to sit up. He let her, keeping his hand on her belly, lightly caressing.


"I hurt." And she could hear it in his voice, the pain.


She ran her hands over his face, arms, chest. "What hurts, baby?" She was so sweetly concerned, he hurt more.


He lifted one of her hands and placed it over his painful member, still in its tight confines. He grimaced at the slight weight.


Her face twisted again as she felt it twitch under her hand, and saw the truth of his words on his face. He wished he had words to desctive that look, because it was incredibly beautiful.


She leaned over to kiss him lightly, and then focused on the closure of his jeans. The buttons weren't normally hard to unfasten, but there was so much pressure on them that she had to work at it. He lay groaning under her attentions.


Finally, the last button popped free, and Michael's relief was plain in his face and voice.


"God, I thought I'd die there for a minute." He slid a hand up the back of her shirt, needing to touch her again. He almost came off the bed when she gripped him lightly through his boxers. He bit his lip to keep from yelling.


Maria was stunned. He was HUGE, and as hard as granite. But soft, like velvet over steel. She felt wetness between her legs, and knew her panties were probably soaked. She stroked it again, and then peeled the cotton away from it, watching in delight asjumpjumped to attention in her hand.


Michael found himself unable to control his own body, as it moved according to hiver\ver's demands. As she stroked him, it was as if a spring was coiling in his loins, waiting for something to set it free. The sensation of her soft hand gliding along his most private, personal, body part was downright mind blowing.


A little moisture seeped out of the tip, and she spread it judiciously along the shaft. As even more was exuded, she couldn't resist leaning over to taste him. Her tongue flicked over the head, taking a little liquid with it. She turned her head to see Michael's burning gaze directed at what she was doing to him. He was sweating heavily, and he held his bottom lip between his teeth. Trying in vain to control himself, she guessed.


She took the entire head of his shaft in her mouth, and sucked, running her tongue around the tip. Her hand ran slickly up and down it until suddenly his hips bucked, and he let loose a rough yell. Her mouth was quickly filled with his hot salty liquid, and she kept still until she had swallowed it all.


Maria slipped him out of her mouth and tuned back to observe him. He was flushed, and sweaty, and lay gasping for air. His eyes were tightly closed, as he waited for his clood pressure to return to normal.


Michael wondered if he had just died or something. No completely naïve, he knew what had just happened, but was it supposed to b ethat powerful? He slowed inched his eyelids up, a little uncharacteristically nervous. He found Maria sitting quietly at his hip, awaiting what?


"God, I love you Maria." He said it without thinking, surprising them both.


"I love you," she replied without hesitation, and climbed off the bed. She saw his sudden concern and laid his fears to rest. "Just finishing what I started." And with that she grabbed the waistback of his jeans, nudging him to raise his hips for her. He oblidged, and she slid jeans and boxer shorts down his legs and off.


She stodd admiring him for a moment, and then climbed up to set herself over his hips, and leg on either side. Feeling very uninhibited, she took one of his large hands and placed it over her breast. She closed her eyes and let a wave of desire pass over her.


Michael was already hard again, although the pain and raging need were clunted a little after his explosive release. It was time to end his selfishness and take care of Maria.


His eyes narrowed as he watched her. His other hand came up to grasp her other breast, and as one they squeezed lightly. Maria moaned, and her hips rocked slightly over him. She was beautiful in her need. He sat up and leaned her back to the ned beside him, kissing her sweet mouth for a moment.
He gripped the edge of her tshirt and worked it gently over her head. It was damp with perspiration. Seeing that her bra had a front latch, he studied it for a moment. Patience gone, he held his hand over it and it came unlatched. He slowly, reverently moved the cloth away to reveal her taut breasts. No small ones, these, an d softly rounded with light peach-colored nipples. He was overcome for a bit, and just sat in awe.


Maria squirmed beside him, pating softly, her eyes helf closed.


"Touch me, Michael," she whispered.


He was galvanized into action, and cupped her breasts in his hands. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples lightly, and she cooed with pleasure. Wondering what SHE tasted like, he leaned down a gently took a pebbled peak into his mouth. Sucking the bud tenderly, he took the other one gently between his fingers, rubbing it until she was tossing her head back and forth on the comforter.


Michael was ecstatic. He'd never in his wildest dreams imagined Maria, writhing in pleasure under his hands. Her voice had lowered a bit into a deep-seated moan that shook him to his bones. If this was her response, what would happen when he touched her core? He decided to find out.


A sense of emptiness came over Maria when Michael removed his hands and mouth from her body. She cracked open her eyes to see what he was up to.


He was crouched over her pants, confusion evident on his face. She grinned sexily. His sex bobbed into view, hard again, and she felt a rush of heat between her legs.
She decided to help him out.


"There's a zipper in the back." Was that HER voice? She'd never heard it so husky.


She suddenly found herself face down on the bed. Michael had flipped her over, and was in the process of peeling her now-unzipped slacks off. He lifted her hips and slid them off, throwing them heedlessly. He was excited about what was underneath.


Just as Maria suspected, her silk panties were soaked. Michael touched the wetness reverently, his nostrils rich with the smell of her desire. It was a potent odor, bringing a growl to his lips. He slipped a finger in the waistband and pulled down, exposing the soft round globes of her backside. He leaned down to kiss each in turn.


Maria gasped and squirmed again, exuding more wetness. She was aflame for him, and he'd barely touched her. He slipped the panties down her legs to be dropped, forgotten, on the floor.


Turning back to her now-naked form, he stood for a long moment just staring. Knowing she couldn't see him, he slipped a hand around himself and stroked a few times, imagining Maria's mouth encasing it. He groaned, in need of her tougaingain.


"Michael please" Maria was in need of him as well. He ran a hand up the inside of her thigh, until his thumb was lightly touching her moist flesh. She twisted and whimpered.


He flipped her back over, wanting to see her face when he touched her. She opened her eyes a little, and reached out to softly caress his VERY stiff member. He let himself enjoy it for a moment, and then gently disengaged her fingers.


Before she could question him, he pulled his shirt over his head, and was finally totally naked in front of her. She was so turned on it was impossible to see anything BUT him. And he was gloriously Michael. She grinned lustily up at him, and when he didn't respond, "Michael?"


Caught staring again, he swallowed. "Maria god, you're beautiful." He swallowed again, "My dreams can't possibly compete.nd hnd he was serious. There wasn't one dream that he could remember having that was anywhere near as beautiful as Maria, naked and waiting for him.


He leaned over her and took her lips in a long, deep, kiss. His mouth moved so slowly over hers, so gently, that she wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to jget get lost in it. So when his warm fingers found her sex, she was shocked right into her first orgasm.


His hand stilled, and he held her tightly as she shook in the throes of her pleasure. He loved it. He was so hard, the point of pain was fast approaching again. But who cared? He would bring Maria to the point over and over until he couldn't stand on his own.


She finally relaxed, panting in his arms. Her eyes were closed, but her hands continued touching him, almost as if she had to.


Michael's hand, now covered in her slick fluid, began slowly sliding over her heated flesh. He moved at a snail's pace, but steadily, until she was again squirming against him, moaning against his lips. And then he slipped a finger inside her soft folds, moving it in and out. She was so wet, and hot, and responsive to everything he did.


She raised her knees, sliding her heels up against her body, giving him all the access he could desire. Her hips moved in rhythm with his hand, and she came off the bed when he slipped another, and then a third, finger into her body. She was alternating cooing and moaning, and it was making his head spin.


He stared at the sight of his fingers disappearing and then reappearing in her sex. She moved as if his cock were moving there. It was dizzying. He wanted to taste her wetness.


Slowly, he bent down to kiss the little nub peeking out. Maria jumped. Oh god, yes Mi-Michael," she said shakily. He licked her, lapping up the silky liquid, tasting Maria as only he could. She thrashed on the bed, lost in the sensations of Michael's mouth and hands.


When his hardness was too painful to bear anymore, he reached over to the side table for the condom he'd left there. Already open, he placed it on the tips of his staff and rolled it down with one hand. He gritted his teeth, hurting in his need.


Maria was beyond coherent thought. She only knew one thing, only wanted one thing. She needed Michael inside of her, filling her, and release.


She was drenched in sweat, and trembled in every limb. She called him, weakly. "Mi-chael, please, I need you."


He pulled his fingers out of her warmth, and placed the top of his cock at her opening. She clutched at him, pulling him to her, into her. He pushed inside a little, feeling her stretch around his stiffness. She was moaning steadily as he worked his way in, and suddenly he was there. Totally sheathed in her body, in her tight heat.


He almost came right then, but gritted his teeth, determined to give her what she wanted.


He began moving his hips, sliding himself in and out of her softness. She began making little cried on every stroke, rocking with him, holding his shoulders tightly for leverage. Their movements sped faster, then even faster, until he was pumping deeply. His soft grunts were a couterpoint to her cries.


And suddenly she tipped over the edge, keening her pleasure. Right behind her, Michael came with a roar, slowly coming to a stop within her as they shuddered in reaction. Maria pulled him down on top of her, kissing him gently, and licking the saltiness from his lips.


He reluctantly rolled off of her, and removed the hated condom from his body. She whispered sweetly in his ear, "One day we won't need those. My mom's been tryign to get me on the pill for years." She chuckled warmly.


Michael gathered his lover, his love, into his arms cradling her against his chest. She stroked his belly lightly, placing an occasional kiss on his cooling skin. Happiness and contentment oozed from them both.


"Did you see this?" Maria was suddenly very serious. She leaned back to look up at him.


His eyes were clear, and he looked directly into hers. "If I had I would have run far and fast." She looked a little hurt, and he hugged her tightly.


"Maria, let's remember my motto for the last 16 years." He raised an eyebrow. "You got to me, and I'm stayin'" So saying, he lay back and closed his eyes.


They held each other and slept.


THE END