Here's a strange sort of thing that popped into my head. It's sort of an on-the-road piece. There's not much to it but I hope you like it.

Missing Persons
by Blanca

Category: K/I post Graduation
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: The story's mine. The characters aren't.
Summary: A late-night motel room conversation


"Hey." Silence. "Hey. Pssst." Nudge. "You asleep?"

Groan. "If I am this is one lame dream."

"Do you want to come up here?"

"What?"

"You want to come up here?"

"Up there?" A beat. "With you?"

"It's a crappy mattress but I'm sure it's better than the floor."

"Where's Maria?"

"Bathroom. She and Michael had another fight. She's been in there a while. I think she's sleeping in the bathtub."

"And Michael?"

"Who knows. Left right after she did. He'll be back in the morning I'm sure." Silence. "So do you want to come up here or what?"

Sigh. "Yeah. Sure." Rustle. Squeak.

"You okay?"

"All you've got is this thin little sheet?"

"Maria took the blanket into the bathroom. And Max and Liz took the bedspread to wherever they went, but I'd really rather not think about that if that's okay with you."

"Gotcha." Silence. Rustle. "Aren't you cold?"

"I don't get cold."

"Something to look forward to I guess." Nervous laughter.

"Are you cold? Here." Glow. Warmth. "Better?"

"Um... yeah." Breathe in. Breathe out. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"So."

"So."

"Well, good night."

"G-good night."

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Rustle. "You might as well. I'm not getting any sleep tonight anyway."

"Do you miss home?"

Silence.

"A little. I guess I kinda miss my dad."

"Yeah. Yeah, I miss my parents too."

"Yeah."

"But--"

"But what?"

"But I don't--" Inward breath. "I don't miss--" Awkward pause. "Anyone else."

"Anyone else--"

"Not like I thought I would."

Realization. "Oh."

"I mean, I'm still with the people I care about." Lip bite. "Max." Swallow. "And Michael."

Beat. Beat. Beat.

"Max and Michael."

"And you."

Squeak. Rustle.

"I-- I care about you too."

"I know."

"No. I mean I really--."

"I know."

Silence.

"But we can't."

"Why not?"

"You're married."

"I'm separated."

"It's still legal."

"Not on my planet."

"Funny."

Lean in.

Pull away.

"What, does Buddha frown on this sort of thing or something?"

"You're making this really hard, you know."

"It doesn't have to be."

"It's not real."

"Is anything real?"

"You're just lonely. It's only natural. Everyone else is paired up. It's the same thing that happened with Alex. I won't let you play me like that."

Silence. Squeak. Tears.

"How dare you bring up Alex now."

"I'm sorry." Hand. Shoulder. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No. You shouldn't have."

Rustle.

"It's just that ... I understand how he felt now."

Squeak.

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind. Go to sleep."

"Fine."

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

"I can't sleep."

"Neither can I."

"I need you to know that this isn't about the situation."

"Please, let's not--"

"Let me finish." Deep breath. "This isn't about pairing up or loneliness or anything like that. It's about you. You've always been there for me. Through the good times and the bad times and everything in between. I feel like I can tell you anything. And you'll listen to me and you won't judge me. And you accept me for who and what I am. You've seen me at my best and at my worst and you're still here. You're the best friend I've ever had."

"But I--"

Smile. Tears. "Not finished yet."

Nod.

"I don't know when it happened but somewhere along the way I realized that I don't ever want to be without you. If you hadn't come with us I would have been completely lost. When we first left Roswell I thought I would miss my home and... everything. But I don't. I don't miss it because you're here. And you're all I need."

Sniff. Silence.

"Are you finished now?"

"Yes."

"Because I'd really like to kiss you."

"Okay."

Kiss. Kiss kiss.

"I take it back. This dream is definitely not lame."

"Shut up and kiss me again."

"Yes ma'am."

Kiss. Kiss. Kiss kiss. Kiss.

Silence.

"Isabel?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you." Pause. Hand. Cheek. "For a long time now. I just thought you should know that."

"I know."

Nod.

Nod.

"Kyle?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you too."


-End-