Name: Lori R 3/02
Title: "The Connection"
Category: Michael/Isabel (Cliffhanger)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: These characters belong to UPN and JKatims. No infringement is intended as I write about these characters for my own enjoyment. I've borrowed some scene quotes from CDB that were needed for this plot. Credit for those quotes go to the writers of 'Roswell'.
Summery: This occurs during/after 'Chant Down Babylon'.
Feedback: Yes please. I welcome your comments good or bad.
Dedication: To CG for encouragement, and to all the Cliffies who always knew that Michael and Isabel were meant for one another.
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Isabel walked through the swirling mist eager to reach her destination. Just a bit more and she could reach the light she saw shining up ahead. Then she paused as Michael's voice carried to her. He was reminding her of when they had first met. She smiled at the memory as she continued on towards the light. She regretted leaving him behind, but the light was beckoning to her as she was sure it had Max. She would be losing Michael which hurt her, but she knew she would see Max again and that gave her a measure of comfort. Then Michael's next words made her stop unsure. "I want you around... I want you around, please don't go," Michael's cry came to her through the mist, yet it grew stronger as it reached her causing her to turn. In that one moment of hesitation, that moment when she turned back, Isabel was thrown away from the light and back to reality. She opened her eyes, blinking at the light. She heard Michael crying next to her, and felt his tears wetting her hand as he cluthced it in his. She raised her other hand and touched his hair, the strands like silk between her fingers. "You still owe me for that lunch," she whispered hoarsely through dry lips. Michael raised his head at her words and touch. He wiped his tears and yelled, "Hey guys! Guys, come on get in here quick!" He stood up as the doctor rushed past him to check Isabel. Michael couldn't believe Isabel was alive and talking, the doctor telling them her temperature having dropped to a normal level. But his moment of joy was tinged with sadness at the thought of Max being dead, and then seeing Isabel smile at Jesse. Of course she would smile at Jesse, he was her husband. "I heard Michael. I heard you. I was somewhere else, but I followed your voice back," Isabel said in a tired voice, scratchy from the anestheisa. Michael still couldn't believe she had heard him and he smiled at her in awe that it was his voice that was able to bring her back. Jesse watched the exchange and his frown deepened. The doctor left for a badly needed smoke, and Kyle, Valenti, and Michael retreated out of the room so Isabel and Jesse could be alone.
Jesse sat next to Isabel, but he was not touching her. It as if he was afraid to touch her, disgusted almost. This small act or lack there of was not lost on Isabel. Here his wife had been shot and almost died and he wouldn't touch her. "Jesse?" asked Isabel fearfully. She had dreaded this moment and now that it was here she knew it was going to go badly. "What do you remember?" he asked her looking away. "Max is...dead," she said choking on a sob and looking away. "Yeah, yeah he is. I'm sorry about that. Sorry for you," said Jesse. Isabel began to twist her wedding ring nervously. "I remember...Michael...Michael telling you...telling you who we are," said Isabel looking at Jesse. She held her breath. She felt like everything she had ever been or would be rested on this moment. "Are we going to be okay?" she asked him with tears in her eyes. Jesse was all she had with Max gone, and Michael with Maria off and on. She needed love too, and Jesse seemed to be the one to give her that love...until now. "I don't know," said Jesse. "I look at you and I know I love you..." "But I lied to you," Isabel injected. "That's not it. I always knew in my heart you lied. I can get past that..." said Jesse. "Can you?" Isabel asked hopefully. "Yeah eventually!" Jesse looked at his hands and then at Isabel. "I mean I'm not perfect, I've told a lie or two. I know you had to lie growing up and it became second nature to you." "It as never about you," said Isabel wanting him to understand. "It's just that lying about who I am is a given." "And you were really good at it Isabel, really good," said Jesse sadly. "And that's what the real problem is isn't it? Not that I lied, but that I'm good at it," said Isabel, her eyes full of tears. "I believed you completely. I mean strange things would happen and I never doubted who my wife really was. I married Isabel Evans and there is no Isabel Evans. Isabel is a person you hide behind," said Jesse feeling hurt and betrayed. "You're right. You're right about everything. And even though I'm a really good liar, I want you to know that I'm telling you the truth when I say I love you and I love being your wife," said Isabel hoping Jesse would see that what she was telling him was the truth. Jesse nodded, "Okay." He didn't know what was true anymore. Isabel died a little inside at his response. He didn't believe her. "Where do we go from here?" she asked him, her throat burning from holding back her sobs. "I have no idea," said Jesse. And he didn't. It was over. He hadn't said it was, but she knew it to be true.
Michael sat with Kyle and Jim in the living room. "I honestly didn't think she would make it," said Kyle still wiping at tears. "I know, it's a miracle for sure," said Jim. "What happened Michael?" asked Jim looking at the silent alien. Michael shook his head. He didn't know himself actually. "I don't know. I was talking to her, you know telling her about when we first met and all and she just woke up," said Michael pushing his hair out of his eyes with a shaking hand. He knew it had to do with him though, but how he didn't know. Jim studied Michael and then asked, "Are you okay Michael?" "What? Oh yeah, sure. I'm just relieved Isabel is going to be okay, and then Max..." he trailed off. Jim nodded, but he wasn't buying it. Not all of it anyway. "Okay, but you let me know if you need to talk okay?" Michael nodded. Jim Valenti was like the Dad he never had, and Michael had gone to him before with his problems, but this one, well this one he wasn't so sure. "What do you think Jesse is going to do now that he knows about you guys?" asked Kyle crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't know. He loves Isabel, so it should be okay," said Michael. The words were bitter in his mouth and he didn't like the reason why.
Just then Jesse came out of Kyle's room where Isabel lay and said, "I'm going outside." He walked past and then closed the door. "He doesn't look happy," commented Kyle. "No he doesn't," agreed Jim concerned as he looked to Micahel. Michael frowned and stood up. "I'll be back," he told them heading after Jesse.
He found him in the back staring at the plants Michael had changed back and forth earlier at Jesse's request. "So, Isabel's going to be okay," said Michael standing behind Jesse. Jesse jumped and turned around. "Don't do that!" he said running his hand through his dark hair. Michael frowned. "Don't do what?" "Sneak up on me like that! Don't do it!" said Jesse nervously shoving his hands in his pockets and looking away then at Michael. "What's going on here man? Are you freaking out now that your wife needs you?" demanded Michael. "My wife...that's a good one," Jesse said with a nervous laugh. "Yeah, your wife! What's going on here Jesse?" asked Michael getting a bad feeling. "That is the body of the woman I thought was my wife, but the woman inside that I married doesn't exist! I married Isabel Evans, and what I got was a liar...a pretender," said Jesse getting agitated. Michael's anger was surfacing quickly just as his chills at Jesse's words made him feel sick. Jesse was reacting just as Isabel had said he would if he ever found out about them. "Isabel is the same as she always was Jesse! True, now you know more about her then before, but she is the same person," said Michael angrily. "No! No she isn't and neither are you! I believed you were one thing and you guys aren't! You all lied to me and now I have to decide what to do," said Jesse turning away. Michael went into protector mode at those words. "What you have to do? You have to do nothing but go on as you did before! Nothing has changed except your knowledge of the situation! You can't ever tell Jesse! Our lives are at stake or don't you realize that? If you tell anyone it could get Isabel and I killed, not to mention Kyle, Liz, and Valenti because Max healed them!" "Are you threatening me?" asked Jesse moving cautiously away from the alien. "No, of course not, all I'm saying is that you need..." Jesse wiped his mouth and shook his head, "I need to think! I need to be away from here." "You need to stay and take care of your wife!" Michael said, almost choking with anger on the words. Jesse looked at Michael and said, "I think you can handle that, you seem to be good at the job anyway." "What?" asked Michael taken aback. "I saw how you looked at her Michael. I saw how she looked at you before she saw me. You and Kyle have this thing for the woman I thought of as my wife." Michael shook his head to deny Jesse's words, but Jesse wasn't having it. "I saw Kyle try to heal Isabel and it didn't work, but you..." he laughed, "... you healed her or ...or something. She hears you calling her and she comes back. You. That says a lot right there about the lies that have gone on," said Jesse heading for the gate. He went out and left Michael standing speechlessly.
Michael stood there wanting to deny Jesse's words, but he couldn't. Since the moment Isabel had fallen from the gun shot and he had almost lost her, Michael had come to realize one very important thing. He loved Isabel. Oh he had always loved her, but this was not the friendly love he thought he had. No, he was in love with his friend and now he had to decide what to do about it if anything.
***********
Isabel lay looking at the ceiling, her fingers twisting her wedding ring round and round on her finger. Everything in her life had changed so fast. Max...Max was dead. She still couldn't belive it. She squeezed her eyes shut as hot tears coursed down her cheeks at the thought she would never see Max again. What was she going to tell her parents? Then there was Jesse. She had not exactly lied when she had told him she loved him and loved being his wife. She did love being a wife, and being Jesse's had been fun. He loved her, and she had loved him the best she could. She figured she would never have a chance to be happy in a relationship again, so she had married Jesse. It had been trying though keeping her secret from him. Maybe if she had told him earlier about being alien then the feelings she had for him would have grown into a deeper love, and not the one she had settled on. It definitely was not the love Jesse had felt for her and she should have felt for him as husband and wife. Isabel moved slightly and winced as pain shot through her. Max could have healed her quickly with no pain or scars to remember this nightmare by, but now she would forever carry this reminder of how her life had fallen apart.
Michael walked into the room and sat beside her. "How are you doing?" he asked her as he felt her forehead. "I'm fine," said Isabel. Physically she would mend, but inside in her heart she was dying. Michael knew she was lying. "Liar," he said. Michael didn't know how deeply the innocent remark wounded Isabel. It was in effect Jesse's words come back to haunt her. She turned her head away. Michael bit his lip at seeing her turn away. "Hey, I know you're in pain, so don't hide it from me. Don't forget I've been shot too, and I know it hurts like hell. I can't imagine being gut shot so cry if you want and say you hurt if you do," said Michael. Isabel nodded and then out of the blue said, "I can't believe he's dead Michael." Michael's breath caught in his throat. He had been so busy worrying about Isabel that he hadn't had time to think about Max being dead. "I know," he replied taking her hand in his, and rubbing it while tears gathered in his eyes. "Michael, what are we going to do?" she asked him as she turned back to him. "We'll go on. We have to Isabel. Max wouldn't want us to give up," said Michael knowing he needed to be strong for Isabel. "You're the King now Michael," Isabel said as she clutched his hand. Just touching him gave her strength and she wasn't sure why. "I don't want the job," said Michael swiping a hand at his nose. "Max didn't want it either, but he finally accepted it and now it's yours," reminded Isabel as she shifted again to get comfortable. She winced at the move. Michael put her hand down and asked, "You want me to fix your pillows or something?" "Just help me get more comfortable please," Isabel said. Michael gently held her against his own body with one hand and plumped her pillows with the other before helping her to lay back down. "Better?" he asked. His heart was beating quickly at having held Isabel against him. "Yeah thanks," Isabel smiled weakly at him. "I'm tired though." She closed her eyes. "I'll go and let you rest," said Michael preparing to stand. Isabel's eyes opened. "No...stay with me. Please just stay here with me." Michael nodded and sat back down. He ran his hand lightly over Isabel's hair and said, "Okay, I'm not going anywhere. Just rest." Isabel clung to his hand until she fell asleep, neither alien aware of Jesse watching from the door.
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The next day...
Isabel opened her eyes and saw Michael at the foot of the bed asleep. Jesse hadn't come back. Isabel sighed. It was over. The phone rang in the house waking Michael. "Hey, how do feel this morning?" he asked her as he sat up. "Sore," she replied. "Who is this?" yelled Valenti. "What's going on?" asked Isabel as she and Michael looked towards the door. "I don't know. I'll go find out," said Michael heading out the door.
"What's going on?" asked Michael as Valenti hung up the phone. "Uh, that...that was Max," said Jim, trying to grasp that the young man he had seen die was now alive. "Max is alive," said Jim stunned, as he turned to Michael. "What?! I thought you said you saw him turn to dust?" said Michael afraid to believe what he was hearing. "He did! I saw him change into an old man and turn to dust, but I swear I was just talking to Max! He said he was in his body, but so was the old man. Long story short, the old man is dead and Max now has his body back. They are all on their way back here now." Michael ran his hands over his face. Max was alive! "Did you tell him about Isabel?" Michael finally asked. "Maria told him, that's one reason he called. He's really upset about her being shot, and is going to get back here as quick as he can," Jim told him. Michael nodded and then he reentered Kyle's room, and found Isabel waiting to find out what was going on. "What happened?" asked Isabel anxiously. Michael looked like he had seen a ghost. He looked at Isabel and simply said, "Max is alive." Isabel paled and then her face broke in to a smile. "I knew it! I knew Max couldn't be dead," she said, tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks. Michael sat on her bed and told Isabel what Valenti had told him. "So now they are headed back here." He still couldn't believe it. He had come so close to losing both of his friends and now he had them both back again. Then a new thought occured to Michael. "I haven't seen Jesse since he left yesterday. He's coming later today I guess." It as more of a question than a statement that Michael asked as he looked at Isabel. Isabel looked away from Michael's inquiring eyes. She didn't want to discuss her failed marriage right now, not while the pain of it ending was so fresh. Everyone had been so against her marrying Jesse, but she had been determined to make it work so she wouldn't be alone, and now she was proving them all right. Romance and happiness didn't seem to be a destiny that would be hers. She would be the one to be alone. Michael saw the look that crossed Isabel's face before she turned away and asked, "Isabel, what is it? Is it Jesse? Did he say something to you?" Isabel shook her head, but didn't look at Michael. "No, it isn't Jesse. I'm just tired," said Isabel. Michael knew she was lying to him again, but didn't know why. He would give her some time and then he would push her for an answer about Jesse and where they all stood with him. As Jesse's wife, Isabel would have some pull with him. That thought alone was unsettling to Michael now that he had these new feelings for her. Standing up he said, "I'm going to go and rustle up some breakfast for us. You will eat!" he told her adamantly when she started to shake her head at the mention of breakfast. "You need your strength. Rest until I come back in with the food."
Isabel closed her eyes. Emotionally and physically she couldn't handle anymore. She just wanted to lose herself in sleep, and soon she was deep in a land of dreams....
.... "You lied to me!" said Jesse, his voice full of pain and anger. "Jesse, I was trying to protect you! I wanted to tell you, but my life is not that simple. No one can know about Michael, Max, or me! If someone finds out that you know about us then you could be killed! It's too dangerous! That's why I didn't tell you!" Isabel said, trying to make Jesse understand. Jesse shook his head. "No! You just wanted to use me as a cover in your little game! You really wanted Michael! Why didn't you just set up house with him since you love one another and were together in your other life?" "Jesse, I never used you! I love you, not Michael!" said Isabel, but her voice faltered over the words. "He's right Isabel," said a voice behind her. "Michael! He's not right! I didn't use him!" said Isabel turning to face Michael. "He's right that we love each other just as we did before," said Michael coming to stand before her. "No, no he's not!" said Isabel stepping away and shaking her head. But somewhere inside she knew it was true. A hand touched her shoulder and she turned to see Kivar smiling down at her. "Vilandra." Isabel screamed and jumped away. "Michael!" "See, you even call for him when you're in trouble! He even healed you," argued Jesse. "No, I..." Isabel looked about for Michael. "Where's Michael?" she called out as Kivar came towards her. "Michael!!!!" she screamed as Kivar descended upon her.
...."Isabel! Isabel, wake up!" called Michael, gently shaking her. "I'm here." Isabel opened her eyes and gasped. It had all been so real. She gazed wide eyed up at Michael who was looking down on her with concern in his eyes. "You okay? You must have been having a bad dream." Isabel licked her lips, her eyes closing a moment as her heartbeat began to slow. "Yeah, I....I was, but it's...it's over now." Why had she dreamed that dream? Michael nodded and then held up a bowl. "I have breakfast for you and I'm going to feed you to make sure you eat it," he told her, placing a spoon full at her mouth. Isabel thought she might choke if she ate, but she knew Michael wouldn't back down, so she opened her mouth and took the offered bite. One thing you could say about Michael, the guy could cook. Too bad she wasn't hungry. She forced a few more bites down then pleaded being full. Michael seemed satisfied that she had eaten something and took the dishes back to the kitchen while Isabel lay in the bed pondering her dream.
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A few days later....
The door to the Valenti's house burst open and Max rushed in followed close behind by Liz and Maria. "Where is she? Where's Isabel?" asked Max anxiously. "She's in Kyle's room," said Jim as he pointed down the hall. Max rushed down the hall and entered Kyle's room going straight to the bed and Isabel. He sat on the beside her and kissed her hand as he stroked her brow. "Gawd Isabel, I'm so sorry!" "Max!" Isabel was so happy to see him. "I'm okay now. Michael and Kyle and Jim have been taking very good care of me. Max, Jim said he saw you...that you...you turned to dust...you were dead!" Tears gathered in her eyes as she remembered how she had felt when Jim told them Max was dead. "Hey, I'm not dead. It was...I was...I was dead, but everything is okay now, so don't think about it anymore it isn't good for you," said Max gently trying to calm Isabel down. "We almost lost Isabel as well," said Kyle standing in the doorway. "I knew she had a high fever, but I didn't know she almost died!" said Max surprised. "Did you know this?" he asked Maria and Liz. At their nods he asked angrily, "Why didn't you tell me?" "Because their was nothing you could do," said Liz looking him in the eye. "That wasn't for you to decide! I should have been told," said Max. He turned back to Kyle. "The doctor must have been really good to have healed her. But can we trust him?" "Yeah Dad thinks we can trust him. Actually he was good, but not that good. Michael healed her," Kyle told Max. Max looked at Kyle. "Michael? How? What did he do?" He was a little confused because Isabel was still laying here healing from her wound. "Yeah. Well healing is not the right word I guess. I tried, you know thought maybe I might have some powers too, like Liz, but I didn't. But Michael, he goes in there when we were losing her and he brings her back from where ever she was at. It was amazing. He's barely left her side," said Kyle. "Where is Michael now?" asked Max looking around. "Here," came a voice behind the Valenti's. Max stood up and walked to Michael. He couldn't believe Michael had had that kind of power in him. He opened his arms and hugged him. "Thank you Michael. You and Isabel, I can't imagine losing either of you." Michael smiled softly and hugged Max back as he looked at Isabel. They knew exactly how Max felt having just gone through it themselves. Losing Max had been devestating, but to lose Isabel, well he would die if that were to ever happen. "Yeah well I would never let anything happen to Isabel if I could help it...or you either," said Michael. Maria gave Michael a hard look and then looked at Isabel. "So where's Jesse?" Isabel's face took on a sad expression and the others in the room familiar with what was going on looked away. All but Michael. "Jesse is off 'getting away'," he told the others disgustedly. "Jesse knows?" asked Max tensing. "We had to tell him Max. He wanted to call an ambulance when Isabel was shot. He's the one who found the doctor, and since he saw everything we had to tell him," said Jim. Max placed his hand over his mouth and then asked, "He's not taking this well?" "That would be an understatement," said Michael crossing his arms. "I need to talk to Max and Michael," said Isabel looking at the others. She knew she had to tell them about Jesse and her, but she wanted to do it alone. The others filed out and Michael closed the door after them. "What's wrong Isabel? Are you feeling okay?" asked Max sitting beside her again. "I'm feeling okay Max, I just need to tell you and Michael something," said Isabel playing with her ring. The two males looked at one another, then back at Isabel, waiting. "It's over between Jesse and me," Isabel said softly without preamble. Michael's stomach clenched and his heart jumped at her words. This fit with what Jesse had said to him. He just wondered if he accused Isabel of the same things he had Michael. Max lay his hand on Isabel's arm. "I'm sorry Isabel. Are you sure?" Inside he had a mixture of relief and anxiousness. He had never wanted Isabel to marry Jesse, but she had loved him so he had tolerated him, but now he wondered if Jesse would tell their secret. "What did he say Isabel?" asked Max. "He can't handle that I lied. I told you he wouldn't be able too. He says I'm not Isabel Evans, and he's right. I have no identity of my own because I've played a part so long to fit in," said Isabel wiping at a lone tear falling on her cheek. "You are Isabel. The cautious, strong part, the part willing to do anything to protect the ones she loves. But now you can show you can be the other part Michael and I know you to be...kind, loving, and caring of those around her," said Max hiding his anger at Jesse for destroying Isabel like this. "Do you think he will tell about us?" asked Michael. He was seething inside over Jesse hurting Isabel this way. He had confirmed all the insecurities Isabel had ever had about being a hybrid. Michael wanted to take her in his arms and tell her it was okay, but he couldn't do that. This wasn't like waking her from a nightmare. She wouldn't understand that he had fallen for her in one instant and didn't want to live without her. That he wanted to hold her forever. "Where did Jesse go?" asked Max. "I don't know. I guess his mother's," said Isabel sighing. "Okay. Look you just rest and we'll talk more later," said Max kissing her on the head. Max headed out of the room as Michael looked at Isabel. "Jesse's an idiot Isabel. I know you love him, but he's a damn idiot," he told her and then turned and left.
Isabel watched as Michael left. They had spent so much time together the last few days. He had taken care of every need she had no matter how personal. At first it had been embarrassing, but soon she realized if anyone had to help her she was glad it was Michael. She was feeling more comfortable with Michael than she ever had with Jesse and she didn't know why. Maybe it was because they had grown up together or were both alien. She had hidden so much from Jesse, so maybe that was part of it. All she did know was that she felt closer to Michael than anyone and she didn't want to lose that.
*********
The next day.....
Isabel lay in her own bed in her apartment watching Jesse pace the room. "I can't be a part of this Isabel. I...I can't handle this. I thought maybe I could, but I can't. No, I don't want to handle it," said Jesse. "So you want a divorce. That's what you're saying isn't it?" said Isabel more calmly than she felt. Jesse stopped and looked at her. "Yeah, that's what I'm saying." "Is it because I lied, or because of what I am?" she asked him. She needed to know. "Both, it's...it's both and more. You're not who I thought you were and you never will be. I never wanted all this 'alien stuff' and I don't want it now. I just want to put all of this behind me and to start over," said Jesse rubbing the back of his neck. "I thought you loved me," said Isabel softly. "I thought I did too, but then again you said you loved me and you don't so...." "I never said I don't love you!" said Isabel shocked. "No..no you didn't, but I watch you with him. You fuss at him, you complain about him, but you are more protective of him than you are of me," said Jesse bitterly. "Him? Who?" asked Isabel confused. Frustration showed on Jesse's face. "Michael! You love Michael! I see it and I know he does, because he doesn't deny he loves you!" Isabel was stunned. Michael loved her? Jesse must be mistaken. He was so angry, that must be where this was coming from. But a part of Isabel almost hoped it was true. Here her marriage had fallen apart and she was having these thoughts about Michael. What kind of a person did that make her? Jesse watched the emotions fly across Isabel's face and laughed bitterly. "You didn't even realize he loved you did you? Well now that you know I'm sure the two of you will be very happy in your little alien world. All I know is I want out!" "Jesse!" called Isabel as Jesse stormed out of the apartment carrying a suitcase. "Good-bye Jesse," Isabel said as she lay back and wondered what would happen to her now.
********
Several weeks later....
Michael and Max sat with Isabel on Michael's patio drinking the ever present Snapple. "I wonder if anyone ever OD'd on this stuff?" asked Michael tossing his bottle in the trash. "If you keep guzzling it we'll soon find out," commented Max setting down his own bottle. He looked at Isabel as she inspected her belly. "I'm sorry I couldn't heal your scars Isabel. If I had been here you wouldn't even have them." Isabel lowered her shirt bottom to cover up her scar. "It's just so aweful looking. A bullet hole and a scar," frowned Isabel. "I'll never be able to wear a bikni again." "I think it looks sexy," said Michael bouncing a basketball. Silence. He looked up and saw Max and Isabel looking at him. "What? It does!" Isabel smiled and said softly. "Thanks Michael, but you're prejuidice. I'm your friend, and it doesn't really matter to you if I have a scar or not." Michael forced a smile as he realized what he almost revealed. "Yeah, right...doesn't matter." Max looked between the two. Was that an undercurrent of something he was sensing here? "Huh, what's going on here?" he asked them. "What are you talking about Maxwell?" asked Michael as he resumed the ball bouncing. Anything to keep from staring at Isabel. "Is...is there something going on I should know about?" asked Max glancing between the two. Isabel and Michael both looked at Max. "Like what?" asked Michael. "I don't know. You two are acting realy skittish around one another...almost...well... flirty," said Max with a little laugh. Michael and Isabel gave each other a quick look before nervously looking away. It did not go unnoticed. "See, you're doing it again!" said Max pointing between the two. Michael quit bouncing the ball and held it under his arm as his head dropped backwards, his eyes closing in resignation. Isabel fiddled with her hair, something she did when she was nervous or attracted to someone. She never realized she did it, but Max always did. "You two?" he asked more than a little surprised. "I don't know what you're talking about," said Isabel, her fingers now twisting in her hair. Michael looked at Isabel. "I need to talk to you," he said. Then pointedly looking towards Max he added, "Alone." Max stood up. "I'll be inside." When Max was gone, Michael put the ball down and sat on the bench he used with his weights. Not looking at Isabel, he said, "So Max seems to think there is something between us." Isabel nodded. "Yeah he does. So does Jesse." Micheal nodded. "Yeah I know. So what do you think?" Isabel shrugged. "I don't know. What do you think?" She didn't want to say she hoped there was something if there wasn't. She would feel like a fool. Michael sat a moment trying to decide if he should lay his cards on the table or bluff. He chose to lay them out. "I think they're right." Isabel gasped softly. "So does that upset you?" he asked Isabel as he finally looked at her. Isabel shook her head. "No, it doesn't upset me. I just want to know it's not because I was shot." She looked uncertain then and said, "Does that upset you?" Michael gave a little laugh as he shook his head and said, "No, it doesn't upset me. I've gone over it in my head and I know that you being shot just opened my eyes." Isabel smiled. "So now what?" "How about this?" asked Michael as he hestiantly leaned over and kissed her softly on the mouth. Isabel touched her mouth when they pulled apart. "Too soon?" he asked, wondering if he had gone too far. Isabel shook her head. "No, not too soon. I would say it was just right."
Inside the apartment Max watched as Michael and Isabel kissed again, this time starting lightly and then going deeper into the kiss. "I don't believe it," he said amazed. After a moment he turned and walked away, a smile on his face.
End