Liz really feels no remorse for what almost happened to Bailey. who know where the kid will be right now, if she had swallowed the pill? i wish Maria would pay
attention to these uneasy feelings about Brody. he's never had any interest in knowing Bailey, then all of a sudden he interested. that's highly
suspicious. Michael will not be happy when he finds out she'll be spending the weekend with Brody. I'm proud of Michael for apologizing to his mom. He
did the right thing, so if his mom wants to be a bitch about everything that's her problem. loved the scene with Kyle and Tess. talk about hot.
6 Kudos
Complications (M&M,K&T, AU, Adult) 11/22/09
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 emadaps |
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Posts: 743 (10/28/09 07:29:58) |
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RhondaAnn |
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Posts: 784 (10/28/09 12:10:10) Sugar High |
I knew it wouldn't take Brody long...
Be on the alert Maria! Trust your intuition and it won't lead you wrong. Michael's mom is not going to be letting go of the "Maria issue" any time soon. Wish they'd to a toxicology test on Liz & find out she's a druggie.  Michael and Maria He stayed for her and she left for him. |
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augustdestiny |
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Posts: 220 (10/28/09 13:19:42) |
Nice to see Tess and Kyle getting on so well and to see their relationship growing from strength to strength.
Brody is an ass. He and Max are going to be such good friends, they have so much in common. At least Maria's eyes are open to his faults now and hopefully she won't be fooled by him again. I'm glad that Michael apologised to his mother. At least now he can be satisfied that he did the right thing and was the bigger person. It's up to her now. Hopefully Patty will be able to talk to her the way he did with Michael. |
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sarammlover |
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Posts: 1011 (10/28/09 13:53:48) Sugar High |
Well I hope Maria stays strong and does NOT get involved with Brody again. She has such a good thing going with Michael and it seems Brody can be very
manipulative. I also wish Maria would listen to that voice in the back of her head....she KNOWS something is off....go with that Maria!! Great update. hugs,
Sara
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Luluzita |
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Posts: 794 (10/28/09 14:38:42) |
brody bastard:( well michael's mom is really difficult
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jana1977.roswellheaven |
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Posts: 109 (10/28/09 15:48:08) |
Trouble will happen. Michael won't be understanding when Maria tells him she is going to spend time with Brody ): and It will be worst if she does that
before telling Michael.
Don't be naive Maria Brody didn't change. Michael is the best boyfriend and the best father to Bailey he already cares more about her than Brody ever did. Can you imagine how mad Michael will be when he finds out that he spend so much time projecting the house Brody wants to build to play happy family with Maria? 
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valentinebaby |
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Posts: 251 (10/28/09 22:35:21) |
God, if I was Maria I think I'd be asking Kyle to surprise visits with Brody and Bailey so I wouldn't have to put up with his crap.
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ItsMeSila |
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Posts: 125 (10/28/09 22:59:23) |
stupid mom...i have this feeling that when things start straining with maria and michael cuz of that dick brody, michael's mom will gladly be on the side
to discourage michael if he comes to them with his problems, it seems like he could since he's so close with his dad.
maria, trust ur gut!!!!...hell, bring michael along!! bailey likes him!! does michael and maria really live in the same apartment building? i didn't realize. maybe michael could put a play pen or something in there so maria and bailey could stay there when liz-bitch makes her unwanted return....i hope that doctor does give her a drug test. |
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chinkyeyes45 |
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Posts: 95 (10/29/09 10:03:37) |
Hello CID. Thanks for all the interesting and thoughtful feedback!!!!!!!!!!!!!
blxgyrl18: Michael's mother is a very stubborn woman. Maria really should listen to the little, but she really wants Brody in her daughter's life. emadaps: Maria spending time with Brody is gonna be an issue, definitely. His mom will come around. Thanks!! RhondaAnn: Funny you mentioned a toxicology screen... augustdestiny: Tess and Kyle are the established relationship. Someone has to have some balance. Maria may be letting her own abandonment issues cloud her judgement. sarammlover: Don't worry, Maria has no intention of getting involved with Brody. Luluzita: Michael's mom just doesn't want to be wrong. jana1977.roswellheaven: Michael is going to hit the roof. Maybe even the stratosphere. valentinebaby: Kyle wants to kill Brody, so asking him to come along may not be the best idea. Funny, but possibly dangerous. ItsMeSila: Michael isn't at all opened to his mother's opinion where his love life is concerned, so don't worry. Yeah they live in the same building, I actually thought of that too. And we are back on schedule. Thank you all for reading so far. It is insanely appreciated. Now, try to control your tempers, no ice cream neglect. See ya Sunday!! Liz was in her room waiting for Tess to pick her up so that she could leave. She would have just taken a cab, but she didn't have any money. She was startled when the doctor came into her room. She wasn't expecting to see him since she'd already signed the discharge papers.
"Ms. Parker, I wanted to have a word with you before you leave." He looked uncomfortable and Liz felt her stomach sink.
"Sure, Dr. Jacobs."
"I'm sure that you're aware that we ran several tests on your blood yesterday. I'm a little concerned about what some of those tests revealed."
"Concerned? Why would you be concerned?" Liz forced herself to stay calm.
"A drug screening showed traces of methamphetamine in your system. That would explain the dehydration. I doubt that you need to be given a lecture on the effects of drug use. This hospital does have a drug treatment facility on the premises if you're interested."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't take drugs." Liz was sure to keep her voice down. She didn't want Tess to be walking down the hall and overhear this conversation.
"I see that you aren't ready to admit you have a problem. I can't force you into treatment. You're an adult. Only a judge can do that, and you have to be proven a danger to yourself or others first. Ms. Parker, we would usually discharge a patient with a fracture such as yours with a painkiller of some sort to help them through the first few weeks. Unfortunately, due to your condition, I'm not doing that." He was speaking more firmly now. All traces of discomfort were gone.
"I already told you that I don't have a drug problem. I experimented once. That doesn't make me an addict. You're going to discharge me, in pain, because of traces of drugs in my system from a lack of judgment on Friday night?"
"Ms. Parker, I'm sure that as an intelligent person, you're aware that chemicals stay in your system for a set amount of time. It varies based on things like height, weight, and age. But there is a basic time table. Methamphetamine stays in the human body for two to four days if only taken once. The levels found in your blood indicate that the drug has been taken steadily. If you had taken it one time, on Friday, it would have cleared your system by the time we ran the test. I recommend that you take tylenol for the pain, and that you consider treatment options for your illness." He gave her one last pitying look before leaving her room.
What the hell did he know anyway? She wasn't an addict that needed any kind of treatment. She'd already started quitting. Without needing to be locked in some facility either. She was already taking less than she had been before she moved. Liz was furious. Who the hell did that doctor think he was? Maybe the painkillers would have helped get her through the next few days until she could be alone at Kyle and Tess's apartment. She wasn't an addict, he was an idiot.
Max had been sitting in front of his computer staring at his account balance for two hours. He should tell Michael. He should let him know exactly what Brody Davis was threatening to do. If he decided to choose a woman over the career that he'd wanted for his entire life that would be his own decision. Should he tell Michael? Would Michael believe him? Michael would believe him. He just needed to be up front about the situation. But, then again, he wasn't really being asked to break them up. Just to plant a few seeds of doubt. Michael claimed that Maria was important to him; he'd even threatened Max when he spoke negatively of her. If she really was that important to Michael, then it wouldn't matter what Max said. They'd stay together. He could keep the money that Davis had given him and hold up his end of the bargain without actuality hurting anyone. Besides, it wasn't really fair that everything had always come so easy for Michael. Max thought about the situation for a few more seconds before making his decision. Picking up his phone, he dialed a familiar number.
"Yeah?" the gruff voice came over the phone sounding distracted.
"Hey, Michael. Are you already at work?" Max checked the time on his computer; it was just eight in the morning.
"Yeah Max, I'm already at work. What can I do for you?"
"I have some free time today and I wanted to know if you wanted to catch lunch with me." Max held his breath.
"Maxwell, do you need money?" Michael's voice was weary.
"No. I told you that I had that under control." Max tamped down his annoyance. "I can't wanna have lunch with my best friend?"
"Right." The skepticism was there in Michael's voice. "Call me at twelve and I'll let you know. I'm really busy with this new design that I'm doing; it's got a very immediate due date, you know. I had planned on having something delivered and working through lunch, but depending on where I am with this, I'll probably be able to leave. Cool?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll call you at twelve then. Later."
"See ya."
Max hung up the phone and relaxed into his chair. He should really get ready for work himself. He needed to be there by nine, and the office wasn't as close to his apartment as he would've liked. He shut down the computer and went to take a quick shower before heading out. He had a busy day ahead of himself.
Maria was more surprised than anything when Pierce came into her office in a good mood. It was a sign of the apocalypse, she just knew it. The man had never been anywhere near pleasant in the time that she'd known him.
"Maria, how are you feeling today?" He was even smiling. He must have run over a small child or something.
Maria tried to match his enthusiasm, but her tone was more suspicious. "I'm good, and yourself?"
"I just ran into a rather unexpected visitor in the lobby downstairs. I overheard him asking the receptionist to direct him to your office."
Okaaay. This was getting weird. "If you overheard someone asking where my office was, and you were on your way to my office, why didn't you show them?"
"I hadn't been on my way here. This is a detour." There was that condescending tone that she knew so well. "I made this detour because of the identity of your visitor."
"Fine, I'll bite. Who is my visitor?"
"Mr. Brody Davis."
Maria was sure that she'd heard wrong. "What?"
"My reaction exactly. I'm impressed that you'd have a man like Mr. Davis seeking to work with you."
Maria ignored the backhanded compliment. "This isn't work related, sir."
At that, Pierce gave her a brief once over. "Of course it isn't. Trying your hand at being a mistress?"
Maria was so angry that she nearly swallowed her tongue. "Excuse me?"
"I'm sure I don't need to tell you what a client of his caliber could do for this company. Perhaps while you're weaving whatever seductive web you'll be attempting to entangle him in, you'll be trying to get him to sign on with us as well?" This man was such an ass.
"You are such a sleaze." Maria almost couldn't believe that she'd said it.
"I beg your pardon?" his tone held warning.
"You should beg for more, you pompous ass." She knew that she should stop, but she couldn't seem to.
"You are on very dangerous ground Ms. Deluca. Tread very carefully. As I've said before, you do have a review coming up."
"So do you, Mr. Pierce. I wonder what a harassment complaint in your file would do to that review."
Pierce's face was turning red. "Do you honestly think that anyone here would take it seriously?"
"Probably not. But, if I file a complaint and they ignore it, I'm sure that they'll fire you when the lawsuit that I file due to a hostile work environment gets news coverage. Or, I could just ask my acquaintance Mr. Davis to speak with your superiors on my behalf. Maybe we could exchange his patronage for your job. What do you think?" Maria's voice was deadly calm. She had no idea where the notion to use Brody against Pierce had come from, she didn't even think that she could do something like that, but Pierce didn't know that. It was good to see him sweat. For the first time, he didn't look so smug.
"Right. I'll just leave you to your work. I trust that you'll do what's best for us all, we wouldn't want the company to suffer due to any personal grievances." Maria couldn't help but notice the slight tremble in his voice. She didn't know if it was from anger or fear because he was looking everywhere but at her. She could see Brody standing at Leo's desk. Walking to the door, she gestured for him to come in. Pierce was still standing there when she turned around. He'd managed to regain his composure.
"I'm sorry. I should have called before I dropped in on you. Is this a bed time?" before Maria could answer, Pierce decided to include himself in the conversation.
"Nonsense, Mr. Davis. A man such as yourself is always welcome to drop in. I'm Daniel Pierce, Director of Acquisitions for Walsh and Rhys." Brody shook the extended hand and gave Maria a curious look.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Pierce. Perhaps I'll be seeing more of you?" Brody gave the man a smile that was all business.
"Brody…" Maria didn't like the way that this was going.
"No, Maria, really. I happen to be looking for a new Advertising Firm to handle my businesses on the west coast. I wanted to speak to you about that, among other things. I was hoping that we could have lunch together."
Pierce was quick to give his approval, as if it were needed. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. Maria, we'll see you at the meeting for the department in an hour and a half. Good afternoon Mr. Davis." With that, Pierce left her office. Maria wanted to throw a shoe at his retreating figure.
"He seems like a quality gentleman."
"You would think so. Where did you want to have lunch? Actually, why did you want to have lunch, aren't we having dinner later?"
"Yes, we are. But I wanted to speak to you beforehand. I thought that we could discuss the best way to introduce the girls, and I don't know what Bailey likes to eat. I also really am looking for a new firm. I was thinking that we could have lunch at Tiramisu, it really isn't that far away from here, and it's Italian. Your favorite."
"Alright, fine. Let me grab my things." Maria shut off her computer and grabbed her purse and coat. She really could use a rich client to hold over Pierce's head.
Michael met Max at a pizza place on California Street at 12:30. He was almost positive that Max was up to something. In the twenty odd years that they'd been friends, Michael had always had to be the one that suggested they hang out. Unless Max needed something. Help talking to a girl, help dealing with his parents, or money. The money thing was recent, but Michael was sure that whatever was going on with Max had something to do with money. He spotted Max at a corner table and went to join him.
"Maxwell." Sliding into the booth, Michael waited for the other shoe to drop.
"Hey, Michael, thanks for coming." A waitress deposited a large meat lover's pizza on their table with a pitcher of beer before walking away.
"I take it you ordered without me."
"I figured that it would save time. How have you been?"
"Fine. Max why are talking to me as if you haven't seen me in weeks? We just hung out on Saturday."
"I know. I guess this is about Saturday. You know, the things that I said about Maria. I'm sorry. I don't want to jeopardize our friendship because of some stupid comments."
Michael studied Max for a moment. "Don't worry about it man. You've already been forgiven."
"Good." Max really was relieved to hear that. Michael could hold a grudge better than anyone he knew. "So, how are things with you and Maria?"
"Good. Really good." Michael took a slice of the pizza and started to eat.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Do you ever worry that she'll get back together with her daughter's father? You know, because of their history and all." Max was barely touching his own food.
"I did at first, but not really that much lately. Maria doesn't really talk to him, and Bailey doesn't know him. He's a non-factor right now."
"But what if he moves here? I mean, the guy is loaded. You don't worry that he could swoop in and take her away from you. He could buy her pretty much anything that she wants."
"Maria isn't for sale Max. She's not a possession. Yeah, I feel like she's mine, but not that way. She's mine because she wants to be. Besides, I trust her." Max's questions were starting to bother him. They seemed like more than just curiosity. "Where is this coming from Max?"
"Nowhere. Michael, you're my best friend. Like I told you before, I just don't wanna see you get hurt. It isn't hard to see that you care about Maria and Bailey. And even though Maria's yours, Bailey isn't."
"Max…"
"No, Michael, I'm not trying to argue with you, or make you doubt your relationship or anything. I just want you to be okay if this doesn't turn out the way that you want it to turn out. I mean, Brody's always gonna be there. He has a door into Maria's life because of their daughter."
"That doesn't mean that they're gonna be in a relationship again Max." Michael's appetite was gone.
"They're already in a relationship. They share a kid. You've gotta know that." Max's voice was urgent, like he was trying to get Michael to see a picture that eluded him.
"What I know is that Maria and Bailey don't have any contact with Brody right now. I know that Maria wants him in Bailey's life, but that she doesn't want him in hers. That's all I need to know right now."
"Okay, so Maria doesn't want to date Brody. But does he want to date her?"
"What?" What did that have to do with anything?
"Think about it. Maybe she is done with the guy, but if he isn't done with her, then he isn't gonna just go away."
"He doesn't need to go away, because he isn't in the picture. He isn't here to go away."
"Does he still wanna be with her?"
"The guy is married with a kid."
"He was always married with a kid. It didn't stop him before."
"Maria wouldn't do that. She didn't know about his family before."
"What if he got a divorce? What if he got a divorce, moved to San Francisco, and pursued Maria? What then?"
"I'm not crossing a hypothetical bridge Max. Invisible structures tend to leave you flat."
Max was about to say something else when his attention was taken by something on the street. Michael turned to see what he was looking at and caught sight of Maria and the man that he recognized from the news as Brody Davis getting into a car.
"Looks like that structure might not be so invisible." Max's voice low, but Michael still heard it. What the hell was going on?
Chinkyeyes45 |
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RhondaAnn |
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Posts: 788 (10/29/09 10:53:27) Sugar High |
I will say it again...Max is a bastard. Oh and so are Brody and Pierce. Yes, yes, control my temper, control my temper.
Michael and Maria He stayed for her and she left for him. |
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sarammlover |
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Posts: 1013 (10/29/09 11:20:01) Sugar High |
UGH!!! That Brody is so irritating! And Pierce, shouldn't somebody shoot him???? I mean come on...what an annoyance. And come on max, buck up and tell
Michael the truth...be a man. I think maybe both Max and Liz need help with their respective addictions.....hmm, Recovering Romance!!! Hugs, SAra
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augustdestiny |
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Posts: 222 (10/29/09 12:28:36) |
I love that you update so often.
Max deserves to hang. Liz, for all her faults, has an illness. She's being a bitch because the drugs have addled her brain and made her paranoid and selfish. Max doesn't have that excuse. He was even smiling. He must have run over a small child or something. That line made me laugh so hard. |
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blxgyrl18 |
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Posts: 42 (10/29/09 12:35:32) |
Totally agree with RhondaAnn Max is a major bastard...and he should just tell him anyways b/c Brody gloat to Michael about it because he's a pompous
ass...and Max doing this is going to come back and bite him in the ass...and Maria is the one thats caught up in all this..I HATE PIERCE AND BRODY!!!!! I
can't wait to see what happens when Michael confronts Maria and then when Maria finds out what Brody's up to. Liz still needs her reality check..right
now she's getting on my nerves b/c she gets pissed over the little things. Looking forward to more ! ~CHRISTINA~
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emza |
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Posts: 66 (10/29/09 13:12:01) |
i agree with rhonda ann they are bastards and poor michael i hope he trusts maria enough and i hope michaels mum doesnt find out cos that will make everything
worse
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jana1977.roswellheaven |
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Posts: 112 (10/29/09 14:25:26) |
Max is a
 betraying someone you call a friend like this is unforgivable
I hope Michael and Maria can see the game Brody and Max are playing.
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Luluzita |
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Posts: 796 (10/29/09 15:21:06) |
great update!!!!!! god maxwell is such a dick!!!!
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valentinebaby |
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Posts: 253 (10/29/09 15:47:25) |
Okay everyone was being an idiot in this part, but I think Maria takes the cake. Sure a client like Brody Davis could make her career, but having a
professional relationship with someone you used to have an intimate one with is a big no no, and not telling Michael that Brody's going to be in town and
she's gonna be spending time with him is also a big no no. Max is such a self serving ass btw, Michael gives him money to get out of gambling debts and he
repays Michael by making him question his relationship. Ugh.
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emadaps |
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Posts: 747 (10/29/09 20:22:48) |
i keep chanting in my head "control your temper" over and over again. Brody is an ass, but that's already been established. and max... well
let's just leave him for now (see i can control my temper). I'll agree with valentinebaby's feedback. Maria is being incredibly stupid. she's
letting her anger at Pierce cloud her judgement. she knows how Michael feels about Brody. she should have told him about Brody coming to town at the very
least.
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April |
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Posts: 1033 (10/30/09 10:57:07) Candy Junkie |
Here I am, playing catch up as usual.
 Gotta censor myself or I'll get kicked
off the board. But God, Pierce makes my feminist blood boil.
Max's seeds of doubt were so obvious, but I love that Michael wasn't falling for them. Of course then he sees Maria and Brody getting into the car, and now those seeds of doubt are going to be a lot more plausible. Dammit. Even though I'm on the Max is an ass-hat train, I'm still on the loving the characterization of him train. Those of us who write Evil Max must stick together! lol Great stuff. -April
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chinkyeyes45 |
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Posts: 97 (11/01/09 14:54:04) |
Hello everyone. Thanks for all the anger management!!!!!
RhondaAnn: They really are, aren't they. sarammlover: LOL!!! Shooting him is a great idea. augustdestiny: I definitely think that Max deserves to have his ass kicked. Yeah, Liz's addiction is causing her behavior, but for Max...definitely a character flaw. blxgyrl18: Brody and Michael's confrontation will happen. Max needs to grow pair and act like a man. emza: Michael's mom is the least of the issues. jana1977.roswellheaven: Nice use of characters. Maria isn't ready to see it. Luluzita: Thanks!! valentinebaby: Maria was being an idiot, but she'll realize it soon. Max is a piece of work. emadaps: I'm proud of you. Maria didn't get a chance to tell Michael about Brody. April: Everyone is showing admirable restraint. Liz is approaching rock bottom. Max is trying to ease his own guilt by thinking that a few seeds of doubt aren't a betrayal if Michael and Maria are meant to be together. Evil Max writers, Unite! Lol! Okay, so here we go..... A/N: Future updates will be Sundays and Thursdays because I got a new job. Chapter twenty two:
Tess was worried. She had gotten to the hospital later than she had intended and Liz was in a really dark mood. She had snapped at Tess about needing a watch so that she could be where she was supposed to be, when she was supposed to be there. When Tess had asked her when she'd need to come back to have the cast removed, Liz had called the hospital a dump and said that she'd saw the cast off herself before letting one of the quacks there touch her again. When Tess asked her what had happened, she'd said it was nothing important. Now as they pulled up to the apartments, Tess wasn't sure what to say.
"Do you have Kyle's key to Maria's apartment?" Liz asked.
Tess wasn't expecting the question. She figured that Liz would hang around with her until Maria got home. "No. I didn't think to ask him for it before he left for work this morning."
Liz snorted. "Figures. So I guess I'll be spending the night at your place."
Tess took offense to the other girl's tone. "Well, I'm sorry if the company and accommodations aren't up to your lofty standards your highness."
"I just really wanna be alone right now." Liz didn't get why Tess was so upset.
"I understand that. And if you hadn't taken my key to Maria's with you the other day when you decided to go wandering around a strange city and got mugged, then you'd have the opportunity to be alone. Since that whole solitude thing is obviously not gonna happen now, how about you be a little less of a bitch?" Tess got out of the car slamming the door and walked toward the building's entrance.
Liz sat there in shock. She couldn't believe the way that Tess was acting. She had no clue what kind of day Liz was having. Talk about inconsiderate. First that doctor and his stupid theories and suggestions, and now this? What the hell? Is it really such a horrible thing to want a little space?
Getting out of the car, Liz walked into the building. She heard the car doors lock behind her and realized that it must be some security setting, because Tess was nowhere in sight. Liz contemplated trying her luck with Tom again; she was pretty certain that she could get to his apartment now that she'd been there, or near there. Only, she didn't have any money. She needed money. She'd called the bank using Tess's cell phone yesterday, so they were sending her a new ATM card, and she'd cancelled her credit cards. They were supposed to be sending her new ones too. But she needed cash now. She'd have to apologize to Tess, or to Maria. She needed to get one of them to give her some money. Her best bet was Maria. She knew that Brody sent money every month for their daughter, and that Maria never really touched it, she just deposited it, so she should be pretty flush. She'd wait for Maria to get home, and apologize for the things that she'd said. And for slapping her. In light of recent events, she may not even need to apologize. Maria had probably already forgiven her for their fight. She'd definitely need to apologize to Tess though. The other blonde wasn't half as forgiving as Maria was, and she needed Tess and Kyle's apartment while they were gone.
"Damn it!" Michael slammed the phone down. He had been calling Maria since he got back from his lunch with Max and she still wasn't in her office. First he was told that she was out to lunch, and then when he'd called back, he was told that she was in a meeting. He couldn't even remember how the rest of his lunch had gone. Max had changed the subject after he'd seen Maria with Brody. Michael couldn't really remember what they'd talked about after that. He'd been back from lunch for over almost two hours and he hadn't gotten any work done. He couldn't concentrate.
"Hey, Michael, do you have the specs for Kramer?" Kyle had just walked into the office.
"Do you understand the concept of knocking?" Michael knew that he probably shouldn't be taking his anger out on Kyle, but he couldn't seem to help himself.
Kyle was confused by Michael's attitude. "Dude, what's your problem? You walk into my office all the time."
"Whatever."
"What's goin' on?" Kyle closed the office door and took a seat.
"I'll bring you the specs in a few minutes. I'm busy right now." Michael sighed when Kyle didn't take the blatant hint and just kept sitting there.
"Okay. Now what's your problem?"
"I don't have a problem. I have a lot to do, beat it."
"Yeah, how's the house coming?"
Michael looked at his computer before answering. "It's coming. I'm trying to be finished by Friday."
"That's the deadline? Are they crazy?" Kyle was shocked.
"No, they gave me ten days. That's still not a lot of time, but apparently the client has too much money to be refused even the most ridiculous demands. Whatever, it isn't like the house has to be built in ten days or anything."
"So then why are you trying to finish so soon?"
"I promised Maria we'd do something on Friday. That may not be happening anymore though."
"Why? You don't think you'll be able to finish this?"
"Did Maria tell you that Brody's in town?"
Kyle was surprised at the subject change. "He's what?"
"So she didn't tell you?"
"What's he doing here?" Kyle hated Brody with a passion. That guy was such a dick. He knew that it was hypocritical of him to feel the way he did about the man, given his own behavior in the past, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to shove his foot down that guy's throat.
"I don't know what he's doing here. I don't think I'm supposed to know that he's here." Michael's voice was harsh.
"Maria didn't tell you that he was coming, huh?"
"What tipped you off McDuff? No, she didn't tell me."
"Then how did you know he was here?"
"I saw them together when I went out to lunch. They were getting in a car."
Kyle shook his head. That didn't sound right. "Are you sure? That it was Maria, I mean."
"I think I'd recognize my own girlfriend." Michael was pretty sure that he'd be able to spot Maria from any distance regardless of the size of the crowd she was in.
"Did you call her to find out what was going on?"
"She's not in her office. Apparently they're having some meeting."
"Michael, I'm sure that there's an explanation for this." Kyle understood that Michael was angry, but he didn't want the other man to jump to any conclusions about the situation. If Michael lost his temper with Maria, then she'd respond in kind, and nothing would get solved.
"I'd love to know what that explanation is. I get that she has to have some dealings with him because of Bailey, but she didn't even tell me that he was here. I talked to her yesterday, and she didn't even tell me that he was coming. Why wouldn't she tell me?" Michael was so frustrated.
"I don't know. Just try to be calm when you talk to her. If she loses her temper then this'll just end up getting stretched into something else."
Michael knew that. He knew that Maria's temper could rival his, and he knew that if they were both angry when they talked, then nothing would be resolved. He'd just end up even more pissed off than he already was. The question was, could Michael control his temper?
"I know. Thanks man."
Kyle nodded and turned to leave the office. At the door, he turned. "I'll be expecting those specs within the hour." With that, he left the office.
Maria had been home for less than five minutes when someone was knocking on the door. She figured that it was Liz, since she'd called Tess to let her know that she was on her way home from the car and found out that Liz was with her because she didn't have a key to Maria's apartment. When she opened the door to see Michael standing there, she was surprised. He'd said that he'd be busy until Friday. She had tried calling him that morning, but he hadn't answered so she'd left a message on his machine.
"Hi. This is a nice surprise, come in."
Michael walked into the apartment and took a deep breath. "Hey, did your assistant tell you that I called?"
Maria was confused by his tone. "Yeah. I meant to call you back before I left the office but I was in hurry and I figured I'd call you from here."
"Okay. I need to ask you something."
"Go ahead." They were still standing just inside the door. Bailey was in her bouncer watching them and trying to get Michael's attention.
"Why were you with Brody today?"
Maria hadn't been expecting that question and it took her a moment to answer. Michael read too much into her pause and began to lose what little control he had on his anger since seeing her earlier that day.
"We had lunch to talk about Bailey and he wanted to ask me some questions about the agency that I work for. He's considering using a new firm for the companies that he owns on the west coast."
"That's all?" Michael's voice was full of disbelief.
"Yes. What is your problem?"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I called your apartment this morning but you didn't answer so I left a message on your machine. I figured that I'd tell you when I got home. Brody called last night to discuss becoming more involved with Bailey and introducing her to Sydney. He's coming over in an hour to take us to dinner."
"Are you fucking serious? So, he's coming to take you two to dinner because he's suddenly a devoted father? And you had lunch with him because of Bailey?"
"Michael, she's his daughter. We've talked about this. I told you that if he wants to be a part of her life that I'm going to let him."
"You failed to mention that he'd be taking you out to lunches and dinners in an effort to be more involved with Bailey."
"It was one lunch. He showed up at my office unannounced! What was I supposed to do? I was standing there, arguing with my asshole boss, and Brody comes in asking to take me to lunch to discuss possibly hiring our company. I couldn't say no, Michael."
"Yes you could've. You know that you could've, but you were to busy trying to seem like an equal member of the god damned workforce to consider what you were actually doing." Both of their voices had risen by this point and Michael wanted to throw something.
"That isn't true!" It was true, and she knew it. She hated that she knew it, but he was yelling at her and so she refused to admit to it.
"It is a hundred and fucking fifty percent true. Maria, are you over Brody?"
She looked at Michael as if he were mental. "Of course I'm over him! I told you that."
"Is he over you?" This was said calmly, or as calmly as it could be said considering the topic.
Maria didn't answer. The fact that she didn't answer the question was enough. Michael went from angry to furious.
"So I'm supposed to be okay with my girlfriend having lunch with the ex that still wants to nail her?! Maria you are not this stupid."
"I'm not stupid at all. You are. What the hell do Brody's feelings for me have to do with anything? It's not like I'm about to return them."
"Everything! His feelings have everything to do with it. Has it crossed your mind at all that he could be using Bailey as a way to get to you?"
"He wouldn't do that." Even as she said it, she knew that it was a lie. Brody was capable of doing that, but would he? She had made herself very plain on the subject of any sort of relationship between them.
"Right. And he wouldn't fuck you for two years while he had a wife and sick kid either." Michael knew that he was being too harsh, but he'd had too much time to think about this. His mind had been conjuring up all sorts of scenarios that led to Maria sleeping with Brody again.
"This is different, Michael. This isn't about me and Brody. This is about Bailey. And Brody is Bailey's father. She deserves to have him in her life." Maria wished that Michael could understand what was going on. Maybe see things from her perspective.
"She deserves better than him and you know it. Are you even sure that this is really about Bailey?" There were warning bells going off in Michael's head, but he ignored them.
"What are you talking about?"
"You sure you're not just trying to get some kind of closure about your deadbeat dad by lying to yourself about Brody giving a damn about Bailey?"
"Screw you! You don't know anything about that. God, I can't believe you. You can be such an asshole sometimes." Maria pushed him and he stumbled back not expecting the attack. When she went to push him again, he grabbed her hands.
"I may be an asshole, but at least I don't pretend. I don't lie to myself, and I don't lie to the people that I care about. If you wanna convince yourself that Brody is suddenly noble and considerate, then fine. If you need that lie, you take it. I can handle him being a part of his daughter's life. I will not handle him being a part of yours."
"Michael…"
"No, Maria. I mean it. He wants to get to know Bailey, then fine. Zoo trips, and chuck-e-cheese dinners… whatever. But you going out to lunch with him or working with him? How is that about Bailey? I'm not gonna pretend to be okay with that."
"I'm not…what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to make a decision. I want you to open your eyes and make a decision. Look, I gotta get back to work. I promised that I'd finish this by Friday, and so I will. You can let me know what you've decided Friday night." He let her hands go and walked out of the apartment. When the door closed behind him, Bailey started to cry. He always picked her up and played with her when he came over and the little girl was upset at the change. Maria walked over to Bailey and picked her up. She started to walk around the living room with the baby, patting her back and making soothing noises. It was difficult when all she wanted to do was cry with her daughter.
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