You Can Never Go Back

Author: Sunnycouger (foolofatook_@hotmail.com)

Rating: R

Disclaimer: You all don't honestly think that I own any of this do you? Roswell and all its characters are property of Melinda Metz and Jason Katims..I just take them out to play sometimes...

Category: CC

Summary: This is a future fic when the aliens get a chance to go “home” and the story follows each of their reactions to the news and their final decision.

Authors Notes: Follow up to When It's Time To Leave Home and The War.

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24 Hours of Oblivion Chapter 2

The seconds on the clock seemed to be in slow motion. The dark haired man sat staring at it, willing it to go faster as he drummed his pen against the book that he was pretending to read. He had always hated study hall even as a student, and now here he was 11 years later and he still hated it. He knew why he always got scheduled it. He was too much of a smart mouth with the principle and she knew he hated it so she kept scheduling it for him. He didn't even have the option of skiving off because she kept checking in on him.."to measure the attendance" apparently.

"C'mon, c'mon..give me a break and ring." He silently asked the clock. He was running late. He was supposed to meet his wife and their friend at 4pm yet here it was 3.55pm and he wasn't even out of the school yet. Heads were bound to roll once Maria got her hands on him. He smiled as a pupil waved goodbye to him as she left, for all he hated the school, he loved his job. He was a great teacher who somehow managed to get the best out of the kids he taught. They found his dry wit refreshing and they appreciated that he would help even the most difficult pupil to grasp the subject. He smiled as he thought that this was one more thing he had to thank Isabel for. If it wasn't for her he would be a has-been musician living in loneliness in LA, she had saved him from that and she didn't even know. She had saved him from a lot of stuff. Isabel. He couldn't help but feel that there was something wrong with her today, she seemed fine but he could just tell that there was something wrong. He knew her like that. That was partly why he was taking her out tonight. To give her the opportunity to tell him what was wrong, to let her know that it was ok if she didn't tell him but let her know that she could still lean on him. To make sure she knew how much he loved her. Always.

The shrill bell interrupted his thoughts as he quickly jumped out his seat and ran towards the door. He was going to be so dead if Maria wasn't in a good mood.

Maria De Luca smiled as she opened the door. She had been so happy today that she hadn't been able to keep the smile of her face.

"Isabel...where's Alex?"

"Umm, I think he might be on his way. I think he got stuck on study hall again."

"You see? That is why I only work with 5 to 8 year olds, their version of study hall is hearing a rendition of "sleeping beauty" or watching a Disney movie. He chose the wrong age."

"You're telling me, he got three anonymous Valentines cards a couple of months ago, most likely from some 13 year old who thinks he's the greatest.."

"Or from some 18 year old senior hoping to get it on with an older man, did that happen in our class...let me think, can you remember anyone Iz? Anyway isn't he the greatest?"

"Maria! I was much more mature than the girls are now, besides Grant was a stopgap for Alex. Of course he is great but some kid doesn't need to know that..besides, I inflate his ego enough."

"Why, Ms Whitman, we aren't jealous are we?" Maria's eyes twinkled as she saw the deep pink her friend was turning.

"This conversation has ended, Guerin!" Isabel faked anger at Maria as she sat down on the sofa waiting on her to come back in from the kitchen. As her colour returned to normal she got up and walked towards the kitchen.

"Maria? Are you all right? I haven't seen you in a few weeks and well, you weren't calling me back when I left a message. I was worried."

"You shouldn't have been, I was staying at my moms for a few days last week. It...it sometimes gets lonely when you're on your own, you know? I just..needed to be with people and well, for as much as it's just two people that are there you'd think it was an army that was staying. I just needed to get out of the house.." Her smile began to cloud over to be replaced with tear filled eyes.

"Too many memories?"

"..Something like that."

"You do know that you can stay at ours anytime? We'd be there for you."

As Isabel began to reach out for her Maria pulls away and wipes her tears.

"I know you would but, the pair of you are together and I think that would hurt more; you have what I want...more than anything, you have a family."

"I'm..sorry..Maria"

Isabel pulled back as though she's just been slapped and Maria began to heat the tea just as Alex walked in. He see's his wife almost in tears and his best friend quickly wiping them away from her own cheeks. As Isabel see's him she walks over to him and gives him a quick hug before walking outside.

"Maria? What happened here? Is everything ok? Why are you both crying?" His tone is harsher than he means it to be, the worry is etched on his expression. Maria turns and runs to him. He gently embraces her as she talks.

"I..I was horrible to her Alex, she was concerned and was trying to help and I..I..I'm sorry."

"What did you say?"

"That staying..with you two would hurt more than being on my own because she stayed and ...and has a family."

"Oh..Maria! Ohh, I need to go to her. You should apologise, we know how you feel but... it wasn't Isabel's fault that he left you. You will have to stop blaming her eventually."

With that he walked towards the door and sat down with his wife. Maria observed the two of them as she leaned her head on his shoulder and he made slow circular movements on her back. They belonged together anyone could see it, but they had nearly been separated many times yet always found their way back to each other. Just like her and Michael would. She took a deep breath as she wiped the remaining tears away and began to walk outside. She had to apologise; she had to make things right somehow. It was no ones fault how this happened. It was fate. And she was destined to find Michael again.

"Maybe even today." she gently whispered to herself.

An hour later and everyone was back to their normal selves, with all thoughts of the earlier argument beginning to be forgotten. As the three friends sat outside Isabel asked why Maria said she had to speak to them.

"Actually I have two things that’s really important. First it's about Diane and it's really serious. You have to have a talk to her about her powers. She keeps offering to do "magic" for the kids if they give her money..stop giggling Alex, it's serious. She offered to make the class fish speak to everyone if they all gave her a dollar."

Alex looked quizzically at Isabel. "Mind warp?"

"I think so but I didn't know she had that capability yet.."

"I had to give her detention for changing the grade on her friends papers..it's getting out of control."

"I'll speak to her, don't worry. Things will be better. No more magic..."

Alex was staring straight at the ground and hadn't uttered a sound, Isabel asked him what he thought and he nodded his head. The two women exchanged glances at each other and peeked to see his face. Sure enough there was tears streaming down his face as he bit his lip to keep from laughing.

"Alex Whitman! You are not laughing at that!"

"Oh Maria, of cou..course I am. Talking goldfish and..and "magic"...she is one sma...smart cookie, she'd make a killing in Vegas." With that he began to laugh hysterically.

"I don't know why I bother. Iz? You'll talk to her won't you?"

"Consider it done, you won't have any more problems and thank you Maria. We're both grateful."

"Yes..we're both really grateful. I'm sorry I laughed Maria, it's not funny..at all...really." With that he put on a deadly serious face and both Maria and Isabel began to giggle at him.

"So that’s 1, what’s the second thing?"

"It's probably nothing but earlier this morning I had this weird feeling and it hasn't really left me. It's, it's hard to explain but it's.."

"like a feeling of anticipation or expectancy? I've been having it too. All day."

"Re..really?"

"What do you both think it means?" Alex asked with a little apprehension in his voice.

"I don't know..what about you Maria?"

"I have no idea..but it feels good, it feels safe."

"It feels like Michael.." she added silently.

"Well, we'll all be a little vigilante for the next few days, see if anything is in the news or if there's any "activity" up there." Alex gestured with his finger upward as he grabbed his wife’s hand and gave it a slight squeeze.

"Ok, Alex." Isabel smiled proudly at him as he looked at her.

"Good idea." Maria smiled but felt a little pang of jealousy before she remembered that he was coming back to her, he was coming back soon. She knew it.

As she was thinking both Alex and Isabel stood and looked at her expectantly.
"Maria? Are you there?"

"Whoa, sorry. I think I was a million miles away there. What were you saying?"

"We're going to go, but, if you can get away from the school for lunch I'd love to meet you. If that’s ok?" Isabel's voice was calm but her choice of unthreatening, unassuming words made her vulnerability show. Maria would have smiled if she wasn't so ashamed, Isabel had offered her close friendship repeatedly over 4 years and had often had the offer rejected abruptly.

"That would be great, lunch is at 1pm if you want to meet me."

"Yeah, I’d like that."

Alex smiled and reached to enclose the two of them in a hug.

"There, see that wasn't so bad was it? Both my girls bonding again."

"C'mon Alex, we've got to go. I have a date at 8 o'clock and I expect him to look good because I'm going to be stunning."

"Oh really..." He smiled suggestively before offering his arm as they walked through the house and out. As they called goodbye Maria smiled. It wouldn't be long now she could almost feel him beside her. As she walked in the house she smiled broadly and began to sing to herself gently. Things were going to be better soon. As she closed the door on the cool night sky she missed the shooting star that left a stream across the sky that started far away and would soon rest mere miles away. She missed the thing that would answer all her questions. She'd find out the answers...today.

TBC

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