2007- Los Angeles, Hospital­

Maria appeared inside L.A Hospital. Dozens of sick people of all ages sat in the waiting room. There were lots of coughing and sneezing from time to time. Shrill cries of children whining from the boredom and delay filled Maria's ears as she contemplated on how to approach the receptionist.

Finally, she mustered up the courage and headed towards the reception table.

"Give me the best doctor you have."

The nurse looked at her for a brief moment and shrugged. The keyboard made soft noises as she typed a few names.

"We have Dr. Conrad Mu–"

Even the first syllable of the doctor's name brought such fury within Maria. Unconsciously, she slammed her fist on the table.

"No!"

The nurse gasped. Her eyes widen in fear and then annoyance. The people at the waiting room turned to look at the commotion. Even the children stopped wailing and stared at Maria curiously.

"Madam, I'm just doing––"

"I'm sorry, Miss. I really am. I just want another doctor. I don't trust that guy."

"But you haven't even met him.'

"I've got psychic powers," Maria smirked. She doesn't care if people perceive her as foolish right now. She will do anything to save Michael.

The nurse shook her head. "We have Dr. Alyson Sanchez."

"Great. I need her number, please."

Maria punched the doctor's number on her phone quickly, almost breaking her phone screen.

"Hello? This is Dr. Sanchez. How may I help you?"

"Doctor, we've got an emergency at the address I'll be sending to you. The patient is a child with a flu. She's a very important person and she'll be mugged by the crowd the minute she steps outside the house."

"A celebrity, I assume?"

"She can't breathe, doctor. You need to hurry!"

"Oh, goodness! I'm on my way."

Maria felt a new sensation flowing through her body. She felt lethargic and hot at the same time. Her head ached for the millionth time and she knew at any moment, darkness would greet her. In pain, she forced her eyes shut.

"She'll be fine. I'll stay here until her temperature goes back to normal."

"How long will the medicine work?"

"Couple of hours. It's a small dosage but it's powerful for her age. No worries."

Maria found herself laying on a brown dusty carpet. There were voices engaged in conversation just above her. She stood up and realized she was inside Michael's mansion again. She made her way upstairs and searched for Paris' room. It wasn't all difficult since her door was slightly ajar. She knocked before revealing herself.

A young Paris laid on the bed. Her brown hair in a matted mess. Beads of sweat formed on her head and her clothes were drenched with the aforementioned liquid. Her chest rose and fell in rapid speed. A dextrose was attached to her hand.

"Michael?"

Michael turned and smiled at the sight of Maria. He engulfed her in a hug.

"Oh, you're an angel! You sent for the doctor, didn't you?"

Maria beamed and nodded. "Your family is in good hands, Michael. I promise you."

June 25, 2009

Maria wasn't in her room. Kathy wasn't present. But she's standing before an impressively large mansion, and she knocked furiously. A boy with blonde hair opened it.

Prince.

"Who are you?" he asked.

He looked cute and petite despite of being big for his age now. Maria wanted to stay and converse him but there was no time to waste. She's not exactly sure how long she can stay here before the Universe decides to put her back where she truly belongs.

"Is Michael around? I'm a friend of his."

Prince only scratched his head and bit his lip.

"Prince, I told you do not open the door without my permission."

It was Michael.

"Remember me?" asked Maria, breathless.

"Maria?" Michael squinted. "Of course. Of course. Come in."

Maria looked around the house and found Blanket sitting on the couch, frowning. He was looking intently at a picture of Paris smiling with her arms around him and Prince.

Oh no. Not this again.

"Where's Paris?" she asked, hoping her thoughts would be proven wrong.

But Michael turned away and began to cry.

"You haven't heard?"

Maria shook her head but knew what was coming next.

Please let me be wrong. Please let me be wrong. God, I'm so tired. Let me rest, please. Let me---

"My little Tinkerbell died."

Maria's heart sank. "What happened?"

"The doctor gave her a wrong prescription. It made her worse. At the night of June 25, 2007, Paris stopped breathing. No more pixie dust, I guess." His crying turned into a loud sob.

"I should've died in her place, Maria. Paris didn't deserve it! The Lord took my angel too early." He tightly clasped the pendant of his necklace. A half-heart.

Paris is wearing the other half, in her coffin. The roles have been switched.

"...a consequence for every action," Kathy's voice echoed in her head.

The past cannot truly change or be altered.

Maria embraced Michael tightly, never wanting to leave. She kissed him without hesitation. She could hear the two boys grumbling in disgust. Michael was too surprised to react. She knew she'll never see him again. Might as well take the one chance in a lifetime of kissing his soft plump lips.

But it was to Maria's surprise that Michael returned the kiss. His hand wrapped around Maria's waist as he pulled her closer against his body.

"Ew, daddy!" Blanket squealed.

"Dad, this is bad parenting!" Prince yelled.

Michael could hear footsteps retreating but it was too faint in his mind now. There was an inner force driving them both together. He could feel it, as if the Universe intertwined their destiny together. He heard Maria gasping for air but he seized her once more, kissing her passionately.

The kiss was something out of a fairytale. Maria felt she could reach the heavens and sore way up in the clouds. She felt reborn– invincible. Her knees were threatening to buckle but Michael pulled her against him tighter. Her heart would stop if he refused to retreat. And yet, it would be such a beautiful thing to die in the arms of your prince, would it not?

Finally, Michael slowly broke away and he heard Maria sigh. He cupped her face in his hands and tucked a stray hair behind her ears.

"Can't you stay?" he asked.

Maria was tempted by the opportunity. Here was the man of her dreams asking her if she wanted to stay with him. What would it be like to spend a lifetime with Michael? To wake up in his arms and be showered with his love? To have him against your skin each night? To hear his laughter and stories everyday?

But Maria could not bear to think Paris had to die for her to experience such extravagance. She will have this guilt for the rest of her life. Aside from this, she has a loving mother to go home to. Yes, she loved Michael but loved her family more. She is certain Michael feels the same way but he is too blinded by his sadness at the moment. To put things in perspective, Michael would surely pick Paris over her if asked at any time.

Maria tore away from his grip and paced the room.

"I can't do that, Michael."

"Why not?" Michael asked, hurt.

"I have to set things right. And plus, you barely know me. You met me way back in 1993 when I told you I can time travel and I'll be your personal guardian angel. So far, I've done nothing but cause havoc in your life!"

Michael shook his head in disbelief. "Maria, don't you see? We were meant together. Didn't you feel that enigma? That mysterious connection when we kissed?"

"I felt it, Michael. But I can't live with myself knowing I'm the one who sent that horrid doctor!"

Michael sighed. "I'm tired of losing people, you know? I'm tired of people betraying me. So far, you're the only one who stuck with me until the very end. Are you going to leave too, Maria?"

Maria slowly approached Michael and memorized every detail of his face knowing she'll never see him again. She embraced him for the final time.

"I'll make it right this time, Michael. Just give me one more chance."

Michael gently pushed her away and hugged himself. His curls hung loose, shielding the hurt and anger that was forming in his eyes.

"Why does everyone keep abandoning me?"

"I'm sorry, Michael."

"Go then. Just go."