"Izzy, why do *I* have to be here? Couldn't you have asked one of your Isabel-wannabes?" Michael grumbled, following her to a table in the front. Like no one noticed how obvious Isabel was being.

"Because, you're the only one who'd understand," Isabel threw back at him.

"Understand what?" he muttered, sitting next to her.

"Wanting to be with someone, and not being able to. Besides, they'd never understand why I have to comment about Alex looking really good in those leather pants," Isabel said, suddenly, her eyes trained on the stage.

"Maria's idea?"

"Yeah. She compromised. They'd let her dress them, and she'd sing their songs," Michael said, noticing that Maria finally had come on stage. He looked over at Isabel when she laughed bitterly. "What?"

"Nothing." Isabel tried to stop laughing as the band began to play. Michael was about to pursue the matter when a smoky, sultry voice filled the room.

How can I just let you walk away,
Just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath
With you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all

Maria. She was singing. He looked straight at her for once, knowing with all these people, she'd never notice him. He was wrong. She looked straight at him as she sang the next verse.

How can you just walk away from me,
When all I can do is watch you leave?
Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all

Her words sounded full of pain. Either she was really good at this, or she'd picked this song for a reason. He suddenly remembered every moment they'd ever shared together.So take a look at me now,

//Arguing in the car.//

//In the motel, when he felt she was the first to understand him.//

Oh there's just an empty space

//In the Crashdown. Kissing her. Trying to calm her down, when all it did was screw both their lives up.//

And there's nothing left here to remind me,

//Avoiding each other in the halls.//

Just the memory of your face.

//At the dome, when he was able to see vision only when she was near.//

Ooh take a look at me now,

//At the Crashdown, where they'd shared that steamy make out session. He'd felt his heart on fire, and knew it was getting intense, even then.//

Well there's just an empty space

//Her face at the soap factory.//

And you coming back to me is against all odds

//Her voice at the soap factory.//

And that's what I've got to face

//Her kiss in the dream plane.//

I wish I could just make you turn around,

//Her face as he recovered from the sickness in the cave. The relief.//

Turn around and see me cry

//Her tears when he told her it was getting too intense.//

There's so much I need to say to you,

//Her annoyance at explaining why she wanted an apology.//

So many reasons why

//After their kiss at the Convention. Her face when he said 'mud.'//

You're the only one who really knew me at all

//Drying him from the rain. Comforting him. Not asking questions.//

So take a look at me now,
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face
Now take a look at me now,
Cause there's just an empty space
But to wait for you, is all I can do
And that's what I've got to face

Michael felt the emotions rising in his throat, threatening to cut off his breathing. Her eyes stayed locked on his, as she continued singing.

Take a good look at me now,
Cause I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance I've gotta take

"Michael? Are you okay?" Isabel's voice sounded far away. And it was, because this was a moment that only he and Maria were in.

Take a look at me now