Title: Miracle
Author: Caroline
Email: caroline_114@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: No money is being made, don't sue!
Category: Michael/Maria mostly, but a tad M/L
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Michael realizes he could have been wrong about his relationship with Maria, but does she still want him?

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Chapter One
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Max and Michael sat in one of the booths at the Crashdown. Max was waiting for Liz to get off work and Michael was just dawdling, having nothing else to do.

Michael was gnawing on his lip, looking around the cafe, with a mild worried expression on his face.

"Michael, is there something wrong?" Max asked as he tried to read the expression on his face.

Michael stopping gazing and looked at Max. "What? Huh? Oh, um no, well Max be honest, do you think I made the wrong decision with Maria, you know breaking off all attachments? Because for some reason I just have this feeling like maybe I shouldn't have done that".

Max turned around in his seat to steal a glance at Liz who was taking orders from another customer. "Well, I'll tell you think Michael. For now, we're stuck here, which may not be a bad thing, for me. I have never been happier than I am now with Liz. If for some reason we do get the chance to go home, sure, I will have to say good-bye. For now though, why deprive myself or Liz the chance of happiness? I say go for it with Maria if she makes you happy. Just make sure you and her know the consequences." Max turned around again to look at Liz, only this time she caught his gaze and they both smiled at each other. "It can be a very good thing though, why don't you go talk to Maria now?"

Michael raised his eyebrows. "Max, I don't know, I mean if I go talk to her, she'll go and get all defensive, like I'm the enemy! Then she'll go get madder that I bothered her and it could turn out to be one big mess. I don't think it's a good idea." He looked up to see Maria at the soda machine flirting with one of the boys in their grade. "I'll be right back." He said as he jumped out of his seat to go to her.

Maria was in the middle of a conversation with Kirk when she saw Michael approaching. "Oh great." She mumbled.

Kirk looked at her funny. "What did you say Maria?"

Reality hit her. "Oh nothing, here's your burger and soda, I'll see you in school Kirk." She handed him his burger and watched him wave as he exited the cafe. "Michael, to what do I owe the pleasure of this gracious visit? Come to wreak more havoc on my life?"

She turned away from him but he caught her arm. "Look I want to talk to you, about what I said." He kept his nonchalant attitude though; he didn't want to seem to weak towards her, even if he was.

"About what you said? What that you don't want to see me, or that you want more of my help for some damn problem you guys have now encountered, because I realize that I don't want to be part of your little scheme's anymore, they don't help me at all. Ok Michael, so whatever you wanted to ask me, or tell me, you can save it, because I don't care!" With that she walked into the back room.

Michael closed his eyes, his whole body stung from the words that she just said to him. "It's going to take a miracle to get through to her." He said aloud.

He walked back over to where Max was still eating. "So how'd it go?" He asked taking another bite.

"Good, it went pretty good." He saw Max's head nod in encouragement while his mouth was still full of burger.

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