Like Father Like Son (CC/FF) Ch 8A-end 06/23/04 [COMPLETE]

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 3:03 pm

*New Author's Note*...The first seven chapters of this fic DO NOT BELONG TO ME! All feedback regarding the first seven chapters should be directed to Babylisou, the origional author! My writing picks up at PART 8A...please enjoy!

Disclaimer: The author of this fan fiction does not own any aspect of Roswell. Those rights belong to Melinda Metz, Jason Katims, WB, UPN, 20th Century Fox, etc. Disclaimer added by moderator.

Sorry it's been so long since a new part has been posted on. From now on this fic will be written by Safireskye26! The idea is totally from the imagination of Babylisou, I'm only taking it over because of her hectic schedule. I hope you enjoy!

Here is a link to the first seven chapters:

Author's Note**link currently not working but chapters 1-7 can be found on the Repost thread!

http://www.roswellfanatics.net/viewtopi ... 500#148500

PART 8A

Max stared at the phone in his hand, not quite sure what to do. He knew he needed to move, Liz needed him...his Liz was in trouble. He knew something had been going on with her lately but at this moment all of his worst fears were racing through his head. He threw the phone down not really caring where it landed. "Mikey, we have to go" he raced down the stairs and started searching for his keys!

"What's wrong, Dad?" Mikey looked a little lost. What had just happened? He followed Max down the stairs but Max seemed to be in a trance. He was pale white and looking around frantically. "Dad, are you OK?"

"Not right now Mikey! We have to go! Where are my keys? Have you seen my keys?" Max was the exact opposite of his usually composed self. This was Liz. His Liz and if something was wrong he should've done something sooner. Why had he let it get this far? He heard panic in Michael's voice, Michael never panicked like this so it had to be bad.

Mikey watched for a few more seconds at the father he had always felt was so in control, now falling apart before his eyes "Dad, it's OK. Your keys are right here" He picked up the keys and reached out to hand them to his Dad but it was like Max didn't even hear him. "Dad!"

At Mikey's raised voice Max finally looked at his son. He had been telling his son about the betrayal to his Mother years before and now he had failed her again. "Mikey, we have to go. It's your Mom." He was calmer now seeing the terror in his son's face. He had to keep it together, for all of them. "Hand me the keys, we have to go" With that Max headed for the door.

Mikey didn't pause. He was scared. He hadn't seen his Dad like this in years so he knew for once not to question anything. He ran out the door after Max and jumped in the front seat without a word.

Max was driving too fast, he knew that, but he had to get there. There was no time to waste. Whatever was wrong he had to fix it. He had to help Liz, that's all that mattered now. He knew he had scared Mikey but right now wasn't the time to discuss it, the fear in his voice would only scare his son more. So they drove in silence for what seemed like hours but had actually only been a few minutes.

"It'll be OK, Dad." Mikey sounded so sure, but inside he was terrified. "Whatever it is, Dad, you'll fix it."

How could he be so sure? For months now there had been a wall between Father and son that could not be broken and now Mikey was the calm, reassuring one. Telling him it would be all right. Max couldn't help but feel a small moment of pride...not only was the wall coming down, but he saw himself in his son for the first time in months. He was definitely his Father's son!

**********

"Lily honey, are you awake?" Dianne couldn't seem to reach her. She'd only left the room for a moment but Lily seemed to be in such a deep sleep she couldn't awaken her. This might be it she thought. Maybe this is the connection to Liz they had been waiting for. Maybe she would finally see her kids again! For so many years she had thought of little else and now it was a stranger, a young girl at that, who might be able to reunite their family. "Please let this work," she whispered to herself. It was their only hope. She sat down on the other couch a few feet away thinking about the last time she had seen her children and didn't even realize she was crying again.

**********

"Who are you?" Liz asked trying to look around but everything seemed to be in a fog. All she could see was the young girl again; her name was Lily wasn't it. "Is your name Lily?"

Lily looked at Liz for a moment, it was her...the girl from the picture the Evans' had showed her, but she was older now. She was still so beautiful and had eyes Lily knew she could trust. "Yes, my name is Lily. Are you Liz?"

Liz's eyes widened for a moment with shock, how did she know her name? "Yes, I am. Who are you? I know you need my help. I can feel it but I don't know who you are." Liz felt such a strong connection with this girl, how was this possible? Liz looked down at her rather large belly and felt sympathy for her. So young and pregnant. No wonder she needed help, but why Liz?

"I wasn't sure this would work again. I don't know how much time we have so I have no choice but to be honest. I know you're with Max." Lily looked down at her rapidly growing belly and then back up to Liz's eyes "I'm with Max's son, Alex. This is his child and he's searching for his Father"

Liz looked at her in disbelief. Could she really be with Zan? Was she with Max's son? Even if this was true how could she be contacting Liz like this? Is she an alien? Zan was completely human so how could this be happening? "How do you know about Max? Or his son? How do you know who I am?" Liz couldn't help but be fearful. What if this was a trick? Had Khivar found her?

Lily could see the mixed reactions in Liz's eyes, after all she had just told her she was with Alex, but how could she know who Alex really is. "I know you don't know if you can believe me, but we need your help. Mr. Evans says my baby may be an alien and that Max is the only one who can help us. Please."

**********

Suddenly Liz was awake with an entire crowd of her friends and family staring at her. She looked up and saw Max; it had been years since she had seen him so frightened. "Max, it's Zan. I mean Alexander, he needs your help!"

TBC

Please everyone, let me know what you think!
:smilecolros:

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 4:41 pm

PART 8B

To say that Max looked surprised would be an understatement. Right now he was looking at Liz like she was the alien here! She suddenly realized she shouldn't have blurted it out that way. Everyone was staring at her wanting answers and all she wanted to do was lie down and think about what just happened. She knew it was wishful thinking...she had no such luck. "Max, we need to talk."

"Wait Liz," Max looked so confused. Everything in the past twenty minutes had happened so fast that he was still trying to comprehend what was happening at all. "Are you all right?" Max knelt down to help his wife up. Once he had her vertical again he could figure out whether or not she had lost her mind.

"I'm fine Max, really." She looked around seeing the worried faces "I'm fine everyone, I promise." Now what was she supposed to do. She knew this was going to be a long night. If she had only kept the information about Zan to herself she could've tried to calmly speak to Max in private. Now it was an alien issue she knew the others would demand to be a part of. Why did this always happen to her?

"You said you saw Zan, I mean Alexander...Liz what are you talking about?" He had no idea how he was supposed to respond to this. There had never been a day that had gone by when he didn't think of Zan, but to hear Liz say his name out loud was different. She said he needed Max? How could she know that? "Liz, you have to tell me what just happened!" He didn't even realize he had Liz by the shoulders and was practically shaking her until he saw the look in her eyes. He let go and stepped back, he knew this was important but he couldn't interrogate Liz like some kind of criminal. "I'm sorry, Liz. I know you must be confused right now. Why don't we go talk about this outside?" He started to head for the door when he was stopped by Michael's usually irritated voice.

"Hey, wait a minute! What do you mean 'can we go talk about this outside'? What about the rest of us?" Michael's arms were folded across his chest angrily in a way Max was all too familiar with.

Max looked back at Liz and knew they were both thinking the same thing right now...how can we kill Michael? He smiled to himself as he heard a chuckle escape Liz. This was going to be a very long night. Oh well, we'd better get this over with!

**********

Lily woke up to find Dianne's tear streaked face staring at her. It wasn't too hard to guess what she was thinking. "How long have I been asleep?" Lily stretched her arms out hoping it might help her wake up. She felt like she was still half asleep, barely being out of a dream. Dianne would want to know what just happened, but she was still too confused to explain. What had just happened? She remembered lying down and then suddenly Liz was standing in front of her. It had worked! She had connected with Liz again, but was it enough? She had awakened before she could tell Liz everything. What if Liz hadn't believed her? What if she couldn't connect again? She knew they had to find Max. The sooner the better but she still had no clue as to where they were. Her heart was racing now, and she could feel the baby kicking. She had to calm down, but how? This was all happening so fast. She's only 17; this is too much for her to be forced to deal with. One thing was for sure...her baby must be an alien or she couldn't have connected with Liz. Could any of this be real?

Dianne saw the panic on Lily's face and immediately moved to her side. "Lily, what happened? Are you all right?" Dianne wanted answers but it was easy to see that Lily was frightened. She had to remember her motherly instincts and try to be patient. "It's Ok, honey. I'm right here. You have to be calm, this isn't good for either one of you." She said gently placing her hand on Lily's belly. Even after all of these years and all of the time she'd had to deal with her children being aliens it still shocked her constantly. She couldn't imagine how Lily must feel right now. It's hard enough being so young and pregnant and then to have to deal with everything Phillip had told the kids before...it surprised her Lily was handling it well at all.

"I'm Ok. I just don't understand everything that's happening. I know what Mr. Evans told us and I know it's true but after all of these years of being so close to Alex, how am I supposed to feel knowing now what we've gotten ourselves into?" Lily could feel herself about to cry and for once she didn't think she could stop herself. Is it all right for her to be scared? She's about to become a mother, shouldn't that make her stronger? "I just want to go home! I want to be a kid again! Why can't I just go home?" she leaned her full weight against Dianne and just sobbed.

"Honey, you're dealing with so many things right now that would be hard even if you weren't pregnant. As it stands you have all these hormones racing through your body. Anyone would fall apart. I think it's completely normal to want to go home." Dianne lifted Lily's chin up so she could look her in the eyes. She was so wise, well beyond her years but in many ways she was still just a child. "Just remember you're not alone here. You have us, all of us. Not just me and Phillip but Alex too. Knowing how strong my son was I'm sure Alex can help you through this. I see so much of Max in him. We'll all just take this one step at a time, Ok."

Lily started to relax a little. Dianne was right. She had Alex and she knew he would never let her down. She knew she should tell Dianne about her encounter with Liz but right now she just wanted to be held. Be held by a woman that understood exactly how she was feeling. Be held the way her mother would've held her.

**********

"Ok Michael. Let's hear it! I can already tell this is going to be an argument so go ahead." Max stood up straight and folded his arms across his chest to mirror Michael. Michael hated it when he did that.

Michael looked around...apparently it was up to him to get to the bottom of this since everyone else had backed away. "Fine Max, you want to know what I'm thinking, here it goes." Michael stood there for a moment...what exactly did he want to say? He could already feel Maria's emotions rising and was sure she was moments away from one of her usual breakdowns. "If this is about Zan, it involves all of us." There, he'd said it. He knew he was right. Everyone else had just been too scared to say what they were all thinking!

"Michael, if this is about my son why exactly is that your business?" Max was angry now he couldn't help it. Michael always had a way of making him angry.

"Maxwell, you can't be serious! why is this my business? How about the fact that I've put my neck on the line for you too many times because of your mistakes! If this is alien related...it involves all of us, period!" Michael was standing his ground on this one. He knew if he didn't Max would go ahead without telling any of them what was going on.

Liz looked around at everyone's faces. She'd seen these looks too many times. Max and Michael face to face angry; Maria on the verge of a meltdown; and Kyle smiling. How could he always do that? The world could be ending and Kyle would be smiling. Then it hit her...Mikey was there too. She looked at him but couldn't read his face the way she could read the others. They had been distant for so long...these days she barely knew her own son. "Mikey, are you Ok?"

Mikey was angry. He had seen what had happened . He might not know what all of it meant but he knew his Dad had been scared and that his Mom might be in danger and it was all because of Zan. He knew this wasn't the time to tell his Mom how he felt; everyone else was going to be doing enough of that so instead he lied. "I'm fine, we were just worried about you. I'm going to take Eli and Beth in the kitchen so they don't see you guys arguing." He reached over and took Beth out of Maria's arms. He knew he could still eavesdrop from the kitchen. "Come on Eli. Let's go look at your cake and let the grown ups talk, huh." Eli, being her Mother's daughter, was more than happy to have attention focused on her so she led the way to the kitchen.

Liz waited until she thought all of the children were out of earshout before attempting to speak. "Michael, odviously you're upset but can we all please try to talk about this calmly?" She was pleading with him; she just hoped he was listening. Michael could be so tough but with Liz he always tried to hold his temper... she was counting on that now.

"Ok Liz, I'll listen, but only if you convince our dear leader here that we all deserve to know what's going on." Michael's voice sounded slightly less angry but he was not going to back down. He had his own family to think of now. Maria and Eli were his life and anything that could risk putting them in any danger was a priority to him.

"Max." Not a single budge, "Max!" He finally dropped the death stare he had on Michael and looked at his wife. "Max, we all need to talk about this. Michael is right. If it involves anything alien we all made a pact to be honest with each other. We all protect each other...remember?" She reached out and touched Max's hand still fisted on his chest. "Please Max."

About that time the bell above the front door of the restaurant jingled which got everyone's attention. There stood Isabel, immaculately dressed and late for the party, as usual.

"Do I have something on my face?" Isabel turned around and there was no one behind her so obviously they were all looking at her. "I'm not that late, Michael." She crossed the room and put the presents for her niece on a table by the counter, then looked back. "What?"

It was Kyle's turn now. "Oh nothing...Liz is just tring to reach out and touch someone." Kyle stood there with a smile on his face. He thought it had been funny but apparently the others had all left their sense of humor at home.

"Excuse me?" Isabel looked at the face of her friends and realized she had definitely walked in on something. Unfortunately, it was too late to retreat.

"Yep, you know Liz...always the eager one. Now she's getting extraterrestrial text messages!" Kyle laughed out loud. Now he knew that one was funny!

"Kyle, please stop." Normally Liz found Kyle extremely funny but she knew it wasn't the time for it. She had some explaining to do and she wasn't really sure where to start. "This is serious and we all need to talk about it. Can we please sit down?"

They all walked slowly over to one of the largest booths. Liz could feel the tension but at least everyone was willing to try. It was actually Maria that spoke up first.

"Chica, what's going on here? Our lives are almost normal now...why are you doing this? Why would you pick now to find Zan? We agreed to forget about him and move on." She knew it sounded insensitive but it's how she feels.

"Maria, I didn't just go looking for him...his girlfriend came looking for me."

"What do you mean his girlfiend came looking for you? You can only connect with aliens...like Max over there." Her voice was shaky, hadn't they been through enough? " Are you telling us she's an alien?"

"No." Liz didn't know how to say this...it was more personal for Max and finding out about how Lily was able to connect with her might upset him. "I don't think she's an alien...I think she's carrying one; Max's grandchild."

**********

"Lily, are you sure you're ready to talk about this?" Dianne was still holding her close; still worried that being upset wasn't good for her or the baby.

Alex had come back inside and Phillip was home. It was time; she had no choice. "Yes, I'm sure. I did see Liz again." The room was so silent, she almost wished they would ask her questions and make it easier for her. Not a word, "I'm not sure if she believed me or not, but I told her I was with Alex and that we needed Max's help." She laid a hand on her belly thinking of her unborn child. "She saw that I was pregnant, and I told her Mr. Evans said we would need Max's help. Maybe that will be enough for her to take a chance and trust me." Lily glanced over at Alex, but for once she couldn't read his expression. Then suddenly his eyes opened wide with shock!

"Alex, what is it?" He was scarig her now.

There was no easy way to say this, "Your stomach is glowing!" What were they going to do now?

TBC

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:05 am

Hello everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! I’m sorry I didn’t get to post this yesterday but I was proofreading and ran out of time. I hope you enjoy this part. It’s a little short due to the holiday, but I will probably be posting again early in the week. Thank you for the feedback and keep it coming! Please enjoy!

CHAPTER 8C

“What’s happening?” Lily sat frozen in terror. She was staring at her glowing belly but it was too much to believe it was real. “Help me, please!”

This can’t be happening! What if it’s time? They weren’t ready; they didn’t know enough yet about anything. About Max; about being an alien, about having a baby! Alex didn’t know what they were going to do. What if something’s wrong with the baby? What’s he supposed to do? He doesn’t know anything about babies, especially if it’s part alien! He has to be strong! He kept repeating it over and over again in his mind, hoping he could will himself to be strong. He was going to be a father so right now his baby needed him, and Lily needed him too. Oh God Lily! He just realized she was screaming, tears streaming down her face…what had he done to her? This was his fault? “I’m so sorry, Lily, I’m sorry.” Instinctively he wrapped one arm around her small frame and placed his right hand on her stomach…suddenly he began to see flashes of his children! Yes, there were two! He could feel them…they appeared to be fine. His children! A boy and a girl; he could see them! They were so perfect, but they were ready to be born. He could feel it; so many emotions were coming from these two small bodies inside of Lily. Finally, his instincts took control; he had his family to protect! “We’re running out of time!”

“Alex, we don’t know what to do.” Phillip felt completely helpless. He was staring at the alarmed expressions on Lily and Diane’s faces but there was nothing he could do, this was beyond him. He needed his son! What if something happened to Lily and the baby? How would he ever be able to forgive himself if he failed Max? He had failed him so many years before by doubting him, he had to help Max’s son, he owed him that! One way or another he would not let them down. “We have to make arrangements. We have to be ready so that the next time Lily is able to connect with Liz, we can be ready to move!” Phillip crossed the room to the desk to find a notepad. He had to figure out what all they would need to get out of Roswell undetected. He knew the FBI was still watching them.

Alex saw Phillip scribbling furiously on the notepad he had just picked up. He’d seen the worried look on Phillip’s face a moment before but now it seemed to be replaced with determination. How was he going to tell them what he had just been able to see? How was he going to tell them all that the situation was more critical than they were already aware of? “I have something to tell you and I need you to stay calm. Something just happened.” He was barely speaking above a whisper but he had their attention. Lily knew something had happened; he could feel that much, but did she see it too? Alex took a deep breath before trying to speak again, “When I touched Lily’s stomach…I saw something…I saw my children.”

Astonishment covered the faces of everyone in the room. “Alex,” Phillip had to sit down, “did you just say children?”

“Yes. Lily’s carrying two babies and I don’t know how much longer they’re going to wait to make their debut.”

******

“My grandchild?” Max was confused, Zan couldn’t be more than seventeen, so it must be a mistake. “Liz that’s not possible.”

“Max, I know what you’re thinking…he’s only seventeen but I know what I saw. I know what I felt. Do you honestly think I can’t feel something that’s a part of you?” Liz touched Max’s hand and immediately he was able to see everything. The flashes came so quickly; it had been years since he had experienced anything like it! He’d always seen flashes with Liz but not since the night Mikey was born had they been so intense.

“Oh my God! Liz, he’s just a child.” This wasn’t what Max wanted for his son, he was too young. Max had let him go so he could live a normal life, but it had never occurred to him he would live a normal teenage existence.

“He’s not a child Max. He’s seventeen. Don’t you remember what you were doing when you were seventeen?”

Liz was right. He had been raised as a normal, human teenager with hormones running wild and now he was about to be a father. Max had to get to his son! Zan was with Max’s parents; oh what his parents must be going through right now. They’d had years to come to terms with him and Isabel being aliens but they had left Roswell so soon after telling them that they had no clue what would need to be done. Obviously they couldn’t take his girlfriend to a normal hospital, he just prayed his parents would remember that! How could he possibly get to them without tipping of the FBI? They would most likely still be watching his parents waiting for the day he would return. So going to Roswell was out of the question but how could he get them here without the FBI following them? He wouldn’t risk leading the FBI straight to all of them. It wasn’t fair to the others and it wasn’t safe. They’d had six years of peace and now all of that could come tumbling done. Unfortunately, Max had no choice…he had to help them. He could only hope that everyone else would be willing to help. Between them all, there had to be a way. “I know that all of you must be in shock right now but Liz is right. My son needs me. His girlfriend is pregnant and from the look of it due any day.” He turned to look at Isabel, “they’re with Mom and Dad.” He said it as gently as he possibly could. Even after all of these years he knew she still cried for their parents. Kyle had told him once that Isabel cried a lot at night and that no amount of comfort was ever able to replace that loss.

“Mom and Dad?” Isabel began to cry. She knew it was the last thing that Max needed right now, but she had wanted for so long to go home. “Do we have to go there?”

Max saw the glimmer of hope in Isabel’s eyes but he already knew there was no way they could go to Roswell safely. “No, Isabel. We can’t. Even after all of these years I think it’s safe to assume that they’re still being watched. The special unit would love nothing more than to find us…all of us. We can’t put everyone in danger.”

“But Max, if he needs you what else can we do? Sit here and just wait?” Isabel remembered what the FBI had done to Max; she may not know Zan but he is her nephew, she couldn’t bare the thought of what they would do to him or to his child.

“No, Isabel, but we can’t just run back to Roswell either! You know what could happen. We have to come up with a plan, but we have to do it together! I need all of you right now.” Max knew they wouldn’t let him down despite their obvious fear. They would all do what needed to be done; if he could trust anyone in this world it was the people in this room.

“So, you’re just going to do this? No vote…nothing?” Maria was terrified! They finally had everything they’d dreamed of…peace and a family and now Tess’s son could ruin that again and she wasn’t even alive.

“Maria, please. I would never do anything that would put any of us in immediate danger but I have to help him.” Max knew Maria would be the most difficult but he knew her intentions were good. They were a family and that meant everything to Maria. Of course anything that might jeopardize them would scare her. He had to admit, he was scared himself.

“But what if the FBI finds us? What if they take you or Michael or Isabel or one of the kids?” She was hysterical now. This wasn’t fair! They’d already had to leave their home behind, what if they weren’t so lucky this time? What if this was the time they would be caught?

Michael put both arms around Maria and tried to calm her down but it was useless, she was too upset. She got up and ran towards the storeroom. “I’ll go talk to her, Maxwell. You know she’s just scared, she’ll come around.” Michael started to stand up but Liz stopped him.

“Michael, let me go. I know you mean well but sometimes you don’t always say the right thing.” Liz touched his hand and winked at him. She could see the look of understanding in his eyes and almost a sense of relief. Maria was never easy on Michael.

“Thanks Liz. You’re probably right, well actually I know you are.” Michael shrugged his shoulders, it wasn’t his fault being sensitive didn’t come naturally to him. He’d let Liz help Maria anytime she offered.

The others watched Liz follow the path Maria had taken seconds before. None of them envied what she was about to deal with. Right now, however they had to come up with a plan.

“Well Maxwell, what do you have in mind and how much is Maria gonna want to kill me for it?”

*******

“Maria wait.” Liz caught up with a sobbing Maria. She understood why Maria was afraid but she had to make her understand. “You know we don’t have a choice here. We can’t just leave Zan alone to fend for himself. Can you imagine how scared he must be? He’s obviously more alien than we were aware of and that has to be scaring him, plus he’s about to become a father. Maria wouldn’t you want to help if it was your child?”

“That’s just it Liz, he’s Tess’s child, why help him?”

“Because Maria…he’s Max’s child too. You can’t expect him to ignore that.” Liz spoke calmly hoping it would ease some of Maria’s tension because right now the energy she was giving off was enough to cause a migraine.

“I’m sorry Liz.” Maria sniffled but the majority of her meltdown had passed. “Can you maybe touch all of us and see if were going to die?” It didn’t seem unreasonable to Maria but judging by the look on Liz’s face she was slightly irritated.

“Maria, we’re not going to die. Max knows how to be careful and between us all I think we can figure something out. You’re just going to have to trust me, we’ll be fine.” Liz hugged Maria knowing that it was the only thing that would reassure her at this point. “Just trust me. Come on, let’s go see what the others are planning.” Liz and Maria walked hand in hand back out front. They would all do this together.

*******

“You’ve got to be kidding…right?” Phillip would give anything to pretend he hadn’t heard what Alex had just said but he could tell by Alex’s expression he had meant it. He looked so much like Max right now. So strong, so proud, he had missed so many years with Max and Isabel and now his grandson was standing before him in a manner he had seen Max in so many times before. Usually having something to do with Liz Parker. He couldn’t believe it just hit him…she was probably Liz Evans now. They probably had children, his grandchildren and he was missing it all.

“No sir, I’m not. Lily’s having twins and I can tell they’re almost completely developed. I don’t know how I know that but I do. I saw them both. We have to figure out what to do and fast. I don’t think we have much time left.” Alex paused for a moment wondering what they would have to do next. He had to get them all out of Roswell and to Max but the only way to find Max would be through Lily. She had been so quiet this whole time. He couldn’t even begin to know what she was thinking. Not only was she going to become a mother, but there were two babies and it was going to be very soon. He was still holding her but she was so still. He looked down at her face and realized she was no longer conscious.

“Lily…Lily!” He was shaking her but there was no response.

*******

Liz started to take her seat again next to Max when suddenly she felt extremely dizzy. The room was spinning and she could hear Max’s concerned voice as she slipped away.

TBC

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:52 am

Hello Everyone! I just want you all to know I’ve been reading your feedback and I want to thank you for the wonderful compliments. I’m having a blast writing this story, although I’m sure my husband would appreciate it if I would stop calling him Max! Force of habit! I hope you enjoy this chapter and I can’t wait to see where my muse takes me!

CHAPTER 9A

Liz felt so dizzy. What had just happened? She was walking back to the booth with Maria then suddenly the room was spinning. She’d heard Max calling her name but all she saw was darkness. Blinking, she sat up wondering why she was sitting on the floor. That’s when she saw her…Lily. She was curled up in a ball a few feet away from her. Oh my God, Lily! Liz scrambled across the floor to reach her, Lily was crying uncontrollably so Liz just held her for a moment. What could have happened to put her in this state? She gently brushed her hair away from her tear soaked face, “Lily, shh. It’s okay.” Liz rocked her back and forth for a few minutes, she might not be a child but she knew the motion was soothing. She had to calm her down before she could find out what was wrong. “Lily, please…tell me what happened.”

“It’s getting worse!” Lily was crying so hard that Liz could barely understand her.

“What’s getting worse?” Liz suddenly began to panic. What if something was wrong with Zan? “Is Zan, I mean Alex. Is Alex all right? Lily, I can’t help you if you won’t tell me what happened. Whatever it is, you can tell me. Let me help. Lily?”

“Alex says we’re running out of time…he touched me and said he saw things. I don’t understand what’s happening! I don’t even know how I reached you this time. I wasn’t sleeping. I was sitting next to Alex and listening to him talk to Mr. Evans and then I was here.” Lily had calmed down slightly but she was still sniffling. She wished this made sense to her; she wished she could understand everything that was happening but she was just so scared. The Twins! She has to tell Liz about the babies. “There’s more. Alex said when he touched me he saw the baby, babies. He says there are two. He doesn’t think we have much time! I’m scared!” She leaned against Liz and continued to cry. Liz must think she’s a coward. They didn’t have time for this and yet she was just unable to control it.

“Lily, it’s ok to be scared. I remember being scared once too. Actually, I remember being scared a lot. It’s only natural. You didn’t ask for any of this but I promise you that I’ll get you through this. Nothing is going to happen to you or the babies.” The shock hit Liz. There were two babies! She had just said babies. Oh, how is she supposed to tell Max this? He was upset at the thought of one but now two. Max was strong. She just hoped he was strong enough to handle this. She could feel the connection between them fading, but she wasn’t ready she needed to know more. “Lily? Lily you have to talk to me. I need to know what Alex saw and what he and Mr. Evans were talking about. I can’t help you unless you tell me.”

Lily sat up. She could feel Liz drifting away but she wasn’t ready yet. She still needed her. “Liz, please tell me what to do! Tell me where you are. We need Max. Mr. Evans said we need Max. I don’t know what all Alex saw…he just said there were two babies and that it was almost time.”

Liz was thinking. She needed to be able to contact Lily but this was the only safe way she knew of. She couldn’t just pick up the phone and call Phillip and Dianne. She had no way of knowing whether or not the line was safe. “Lily, you have to listen to me,” she put a hand on each side of Lily’s face forcing her to look straight into her eyes. “You’re going to have to stay calm and concentrate. I don’t know how you were able to connect with me this time if you were awake but somehow you did. Your instincts probably took over which is good, it means you can connect with me at your will.”

“But I told you, I don’t know how I did that.”

“You were frightened, you knew you needed me and you connected. That means you can do this, but you’re going to have to concentrate. I need to get back to Max and the others. I need to tell them what’s happening.”

“No please, not yet!”

“Lily, listen to me. You need Max and if what Alex saw was true we need to hurry. You have to let go for now, but listen to me,” she could feel Lily pulling away to object but she had to make her listen. “I want you to wait until morning, so I’ll have some time to talk to Max. Then I want you to concentrate.”

“Concentrate on what?” She didn’t want Liz to go, what if she couldn’t reach her again?

“Listen to me…you can do this. I know you’re scared but you have to do this. Tomorrow morning I want you to concentrate, I want you to focus all of your energy on reaching me.” She saw the doubt on Lily’s face, “trust me you can do this. All you have to do is focus. Max will know what to do by then, and we’ll find a way to get you out of here. It’s going to be ok, I promise! You have to let go for now…you have to break the connection. Just relax. We’re in this together. Don’t forget, tomorrow morning.” Liz let go of Lily. “Relax Lily, just let go.”

Alex had Lily’s head in his lap stroking her hair when he saw her eyes open. “Thank God Lily. You scared me! What happened?”

“They’re going to help us. I have to connect with Liz again in the morning. They’re going to get us out of Roswell.” She closed her eyes again…she had to make it through tonight.

*******

“Liz.”

Max’s voice was strained. He always sounded like this when he was worried. She didn’t want Max to worry but he would anyway. “I’m all right, Max.” She sat up. She had hit the floor again. A few more connections like this and she would end up in the emergency room. “I spoke to Lily, Max, she’s so scared! We’re running out of time. Apparently Zan was able to connect with the babies and she’s due now.” Then she saw it, the look of horror she had expected. She knew Max too well.

“Babies. What do you mean babies?” Max was starting to sweat.

Men are so predictable…say the word baby and their usually ok, say the word babies and they lose all color. “Yes Max, babies. She’s pregnant with twins. I know you want to panic right now, but you don’t have time.” She looked at the others standing around her. They had all seen Max turn white and for the moment they were amused. Their beloved King was panicking over twins! “You guys this isn’t funny. We have to help them and fast. I told her to connect with me tomorrow morning. That doesn’t give us much time. Any ideas?” Silence. “Hello, are you all listening? We’re running out of time!”

“Maxwell, she’s right. We have to come up with something. Question is…do we go to them or bring them to us? And how?” Michael wasn’t sure what they could do. One thing Michael knew for sure…they couldn’t bring them here it would be too dangerous. He wouldn’t lead trouble straight to his family.

*******

Mikey’s ear was pressed up against the door. He’d heard everything. So his long lost brother was in trouble and now he would be bringing it to them. He couldn’t let that happen. If what he’d heard about Tess was true, her son could be evil too. He wasn’t about to let him destroy his family. They didn’t need him, he was obviously just trouble, but what could Mikey do? How could he stop them from going to Roswell?

*******

“How are they going to get you out of Roswell?” Phillip knew that it was too dangerous for his son to come back. Max couldn’t risk doing that; he had to know the FBI would be watching them. “Max can’t come back here. We have to find a way to get you out of Roswell without Max.”

“But how Phillip? You know that someone is always watching. I’m sure the FBI is already trying to figure out who Alex and Lily are and it’s only a matter of time before they do. If Alex was able to find us from the adoption papers, it won’t be long before they figure out who he is.” Dianne knew she was right. It hadn’t occurred to her until this moment that they could find out who Alex was. What would they do to him if they discovered his identity? “Phillip, you’re a criminal attorney. You would never handle an adoption case unless it was personal. What if they’ve already figured out who Alex is?”

“How could they possibly know? That was years ago and besides they didn’t know about Alex or they would’ve been searching for him for years. No, they can’t possibly know anything. They would’ve already been beating down the door.”

“Phillip,” sometimes her husband was too rational. He had to realize this was an abnormal situation. “Don’t you think it would be suspicious for two teenagers to just show up at our door? The FBI would want to know who they are and we both know they have resources to do it.” Dianne turned to look at Alex, “not to mention the obvious ways.” She saw the confusion in his eyes so she went on to explain what she meant, but this time to Alex. “Alex, do you think your parents or Lily’s parents have filed a missing persons report? You’re both minors and it’s been a few months…I’m sure they would be looking for you by now.”

“I don’t think so, Mrs. Evans. They were pretty angry. I doubt they would want to see me again.” Alex remembered the look in his father’s eyes the night he’d left. No, they wouldn’t want him back.

*******

Rebecca Thompson was looking at the pictures hanging on the mirror in Alex’s room. He looked so handsome in his tux from last years Spring formal. Lily was smiling adoringly up at him. There were so many things she wished she could take back. So many things she’d said the night the kids had disappeared. If only she could rewind to that one night and tell Alex how much she loved him, maybe he wouldn’t have felt the need to run away. She and Keith had been so upset and so angry that they hadn’t once stopped to think they could be driving them away. Until the next morning when Alex’s bed was empty and the Stevens had called to say Lily was gone too. At that moment, she had known what they had done. Rebecca could feel the tears coming on again. Every time she came into Alex’s room the regret poured over her. They had only been kids, scared kids and they had all frightened them away. She started to reach for the picture when she heard the doorbell. She stepped back and walked out of Alex’s room. At the door Keith was already talking to someone. “Keith, who is it?”

“It’s Agent Harris with the FBI, he has some information for us.”

Keith’s voice sounded almost happy so she ran down the stairs. “What is it?” She was out of breath from running.

“They think they’ve found them! They think they’ve found Alex and Lily!” He grabbed his wife and embraced her with every last ounce of strength he had. They had found their boy!

“Excuse me Mr. And Mrs. Thompson but just to be sure,” he held up a photo for them to see “Is the young man in this picture your son?”

Oh my God! It’s them! Shaking her head rapidly Rebecca turned to look at her husband’s face. “They found him!”

TBC

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 2:41 pm

CHAPTER 9B

“Mikey, what are you doing?” Eli was getting impatient! This was supposed to be her party and everyone was ignoring her! Even cousin Mikey wouldn’t play with her. “I’m gonna tell my Mommy that you were being mean!” Eli started to pout which made her features even more like her Mother’s.

“Eli, I promise if you sit down and behave for two seconds we’ll have your party, but you actually have to sit still.” Mikey was getting annoyed. He was trying to hear what his Mom and Dad were talking about and Eli kept whining.

“Mikey!” Eli screeched as loud as she could, if Mikey wouldn’t listen to her, Mommy would at least hear her.

Mikey put his hand over Eli’s mouth trying to make her be quiet…he didn’t want to interrupt yet because he needed more information. If Maria heard Eli screaming she’d come running for sure. He picked Eli up with his hand still covering her mouth and walked back to the kitchen door. Here comes Maria. Dammit! Mikey put Eli down and offered her a cookie to keep her mouth shut. Lucky for him she took the cookie and put her thumb up in agreement. He was dreading the day Beth learned to speak because Eli never did anything but whine! Why couldn’t he have had a little brother? He didn’t mean that. He didn’t want a brother!

Just then Maria came through the door. “What’s going on you guys?” She walked over to pick up a momentarily content Eli. “I heard you scream, what’s wrong sweetie?”

Mikey was standing behind Maria holding up the entire box of cookies with a finger held up to his lips. Eli decided the cookies were much more important than tattling…for now. “Nothing Mommy…we were just playing…promise!”

Maria stared into her daughter’s toothless grin and knew she was lying…she’d seen that look too many times. She’d made that look too many times! But Maria knew her daughter and she wouldn’t tell her if she asked her now. Better to wait and coax it out of her later when Mikey wasn’t holding up incentives. He was good…she’d give him that. “OK, well I need to go back in the other room. Can you behave here with cousin Mikey?”

“Mommy,” she was whining again, this wasn’t fair! “This is supposed to be my party…you promised.” Eli was summoning the tears…she needed tears to get her own way. This always worked on Daddy, but Mommy usually wasn’t so easy.

Maria felt guilty. She had forgotten all about the party with everything going on. Normally she would’ve put an end to one of Eli’s tantrums but she was right. Mommy had made a promise. “I’m sorry sweetie. The grown-ups just needed to talk for a few minutes…it’s still your party. Let me go tell Daddy that you’re ready and then I’ll be right back.” Maria turned around and shot Mikey a warning look. He had to watch the girls for a few more minutes…she needed some more time.

Mikey huffed under his breath. He knew what that meant. “Yes, Aunt Maria.” In defeat, he reached over and took Eli from Maria’s arms. “Come on Eli…let’s go find something to play with.” He watched as Maria headed back through the swinging door eyeing him over her left shoulder. He couldn’t stand at the door and listen now…Maria would be watching too closely. Now what was he supposed to do. He couldn’t let them bring Zan here but how was he going to know what they were planning. Eli reached up to grab the box of cookies but Mikey was holding it just above her reach…being older did have some advantages. “No way, you were supposed to keep your mouth shut and you didn’t.”

“Hey! I didn’t tell Mommy you were spying so I get the cookies.” Eli looked up at Mikey and then glanced at the door to the kitchen. Then she flashed Mikey her most mischievous grin, “If you don’t give me the cookies…I scream.” Eli folded her arms across her chest like Daddy always did when he was trying to get his way.

“Fine!” Mikey handed the cookies to her. He knew when he had lost. He’d just been conned by a six year old. “Just sit down and be quiet, ok.” He had to think. One way or another he had to find out what was going on?

~~~~~~~

Maria walked back to the booth only to find raised voices. Michael and Max were arguing…typical; and Liz, Isabel, and Kyle all looked annoyed. “Hey, this doesn’t sound productive.”

“They won’t quit fighting long enough to let any of us get a word in.” Kyle said as he stood up. “If you two are just going to keep this up I’m gonna take a walk.”

“Wait Kyle. You guys we all forgot what we were doing here in the first place tonight. Eli really wants her party, and I was only able to negotiate a couple more minutes. So, if you two could just shut up maybe we could get somewhere…got it!” Maria was angry now. Michael and Max could never have an important conversation without it sounding like two kids on a playground! “Now…Liz, what’s going on?” Maria knew Liz was the only one she could ask that wouldn’t start yelling.

“We’re just trying to figure out how to get the kids out of Roswell. Unfortunately, these two,” she pointed a finger at both Max and Michael, “can’t agree on anything.” Liz was massaging the sides of her temple now.

Poor Liz. She was obviously getting one of her headaches, which Maria was sure the guys had caused. “Ok, what is it you can’t agree on? We have to get them out…what’s there to argue about?”

In unison Max and Michael both spoke up to plead their case.

“Well Michael!”

“Well, Max!”

They stared at each other and knew they had to stop or Maria would kill them both. Max looked at Liz now holding her head and instantly felt sorry. This wasn’t getting them anywhere. “I’m sorry,” Max looked down. “This isn’t helping, Michael…we’re going to have to stop arguing and work together…before we run out of time.”

“So, what exactly did I miss then?” She held up a hand as both men started to jump in, “One at a time please…I don’t feel like hurting you right now. Max, do you have any ideas and Michael can you share without starting a fight?”

Max and Michael looked at each other and shook their heads. For once Maria was being the logical one. Michael nodded his head for Max to speak first.

“We don’t know how to get them out without them being followed. We know the FBI is most likely still watching my parents’ house and they had to have seen Zan and Lily…it’s just a matter of time before they put it all together. We can’t contact Sheriff Valenti,” Max gave a sympathetic look to Kyle knowing how much it still hurt him to think of his father, “he’s worked too many years to become the Sheriff again. I won’t drag him down with us. So, that leaves us with one option…I have to go.” Max took Liz’s hand in his; he knew she would protest.

“Max, no! You know what they’ll do to you…I’m sorry but we WILL find another way. I can’t let you go back to Roswell. I won’t” Liz was worried, she knew when Max got an idea in his head it was almost impossible to change his mind, but she had to. She wouldn’t risk Max’s life…there had to be some other way…they would think of it.

“Wait a minute…I’ve got it!” Maria looked so pleased with herself.

“What Maria?” Michael loved Maria but he was skeptical; her ideas were usually a little out there.

“Brody.” She waited but no one said anything, “hello, did you hear me? Brody! You remember Larek, don’t you?”

Isabel looked up with a slight smile…it could work! “She’s right! I can dreamwalk Brody to get to Larek! Maybe that way he can help us and answer some questions.”

“Questions?” Kyle was confused, “what kind of questions?”

“Well, we need to know if he has any information about Zan. I mean Tess said he was completely human but obviously that’s not true. Maybe Larek knows what happened. If Khivar finally had Max’s child...why would he let him go? Why would Tess come back here at all? If all she ever wanted was to go home, something had to happen to make her come back to Earth knowing we would regard her as the enemy. But what? He may have those answers.”

They could all tell by the sound of Isabel’s voice that she was sold on the idea…now it was just up to the rest of them. They didn’t have a better plan so it was worth a shot.

“Isabel, do you really think this could work? I know you can get in, but how are you going to contact Larek?”

“Max, if he’s sleeping it’s his subconscious. That’s no problem. He’ll be more receptive and triggering Larek should be easy. I know I can do it, Max and the FBI wouldn’t be watching him. They have no reason to.” For the first time since this situation started, Isabel was relieved. She didn’t want Max going anywhere near Roswell, but she knew he would do it to save his son.

It was time to put it to a vote, “Ok, what do you think? Do we try letting Isabel dreamwalk Brody or do we think of something else?” Max looked to each of them.

“It was my idea, so I say yes.” Maria looked to Michael.

“I have to admit it could work Maxwell and it would be a hell of a lot safer than us going. I say yes.”

Liz smiled in relief, “I say yes. Not only will it keep Max and Michael safe but it might be safer for Zan and Lily.”

“I know Isabel’s in agreement, so that just leaves you, Kyle? We have to all be in agreement since it does affect all of us.”

Kyle smiled, “I’m sensing a plan.”

“Ok,” Max nodded to everyone, “Isabel will dreamwalk Larek and try to get information about Zan and see if he will help us. Then what? From what Liz says Lily won’t be able to travel far so do we go to them?”

“Max, we already agreed, you can’t go back to Roswell.”

“I know, Liz, but she won’t make it all the way here.” Max turned to Michael and Kyle, “if you’re willing to help me, we could meet them somewhere safe. Make sure she delivers the babies out of sight and then bring them here when we’re sure they weren’t followed. It’s our only chance…it’s their only chance.” Max stood up and looked around, he hated the thought of leaving Liz and the kids but it was the only way.

“Max, there’s only one problem.” Liz didn’t know how to say this; she knew this was the only way but there was one thing they hadn’t thought of.

“What?” It was Michael who spoke.

“Who exactly is going to deliver the babies…Max?” Liz could tell by Max’s expression that the idea of delivering Lily’s babies scared him more than the FBI, but it had to be him. Michael and Kyle sure couldn’t do it, and at least Lily would be safe with Max if something went wrong. That was one thought she would keep to herself.

~~~~~~~

The next few hours were a total blur. Everyone was trying to think of Eli and her party but they were all distracted. They couldn’t help it. If this didn’t work the alternative was unbearable. It could get them all killed and each of them knew it. They all tried polite conversation but there were long periods of silence. Not even Mikey was talking. He stood over near the corner most of the night just watching them. Max was distracted but he could feel the tension coming off his son. Mikey wasn’t stupid, Max was well aware of that; which meant he knew they were up to something. Question was, did he tell Mikey or wait until he figured it out? Max quickly realized that wasn’t an option. He didn’t need Mikey going off half-cocked trying to play the hero and endangering all of them, but Mikey would be upset not to be included. He didn’t always accept the fact that he was still a child…but Max didn’t have time to argue with him. What could he say to make his son realize they didn’t have a choice here? Would Mikey listen?

~~~~~~~

Alex was lying awake staring at the ceiling. It was still early for him. He never went to bed this early but he could see the exhaustion in Lily’s eyes so he’d insisted she try to get some sleep. Alex lifted his head up off the pillow just enough to see the clock a few feet away. It was only a few minutes after eleven o’ clock…he just couldn’t sleep. There were so many things going through his mind that he realized sleeping was probably impossible. In a few hours he would find out where their lives stood. He wanted so much just to have faith in Max and know that he would get them out safely, but it wasn’t that easy. He didn’t even know Max…why would a father that had given him up help him now? Was it just out of a sense of obligation? Or was he happy that his first-born had come looking for him at all? He’d heard what the Evans’ had said about his mother, Tess, so why would Max want him back? He could tell there was more they didn’t want to tell him, but Max would have to. He had to know where he came from.

Lily was snoring lightly beside him…he was glad she was able to get some rest because after tomorrow morning he had a feeling things wouldn’t be normal for awhile. He was so scared! He couldn’t tell Lily that, he had to be strong for her but this was more than he could’ve ever imagined. He had done this to Lily…she could have a normal life without him but he had put her in a position where normal was no longer an option. If only he’d known. He’d always been vaguely aware that he was different but he’d never thought different meant another species. What he wouldn’t give to roll back the clock, to change the destiny he had placed before them, but would he have really done anything differently? He’d always been drawn to Lily…long before she’d even given him a chance. Lily had always made him feel so special. He remembered the first time he had ever kissed her…they were walking home from school when it began to rain. Lily had grabbed his hand and together they made a run for it. She was soaking wet but she was laughing! God how he loved her laugh, it made her entire face light up. He remembered when they finally reached her front door she had just grabbed him and kissed him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. No hesitation, just love…he’d known from that moment that he had to keep her in his life. Knowing what he did now did it make him selfish to want to keep her with him? He’d already thought about the possibility of sending her home after this was all over with. He knew she wouldn’t want to leave her babies, but what if it was the only way to guarantee she would stay safe. The thought of living his life without her made it hard to breathe. He didn’t want to let her go but he would if being with him meant a life of danger. After all, isn’t that why Max had run away from Roswell? The FBI had been chasing him so he had to run; is that what Alex’s life would be like now? Would he have to constantly be on the run? He couldn’t put Lily through that, he just couldn’t. He’d have to talk to Max and hopefully Max would tell him the truth. For once he would have to make a decision like the adult he had to be, even if it meant letting his heart leave him. Alex felt like he had done enough to Lily, he had to make this right even if it meant letting her go.

TBC

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 7:11 pm

CHAPTER 9C

“Are the girls asleep?” Max whispered to Liz as she came out of Beth’s room.

Liz pulled the door completely shut before responding. “Beth went out like a light but Maria’s still working on Eli. She keeps slipping in and out, she wants to play with her presents.”

Max smiled slightly, “I wish I could be young again, so carefree.”

“I know you’re worried Max, but it’s going to be all right. I have to believe that.” Liz put her arms around Max’s waist and cradled her head beneath his. “Promise me you’ll be careful, Max. I know this is important but I can’t lose you.”

Max cupped Liz’s chin in his hand, when she worried she looked like she was seventeen all over again. “Liz, I promise I’ll be careful…I have a family to come home to.”

Liz gently tugged her chin away, there was something else she needed to discuss with Max but she knew his mind was elsewhere. “Max…have you talked to Mikey at all tonight?” She could tell by his expression that he hadn’t, “Max, you have to. I can explain things a hundred times to him but you’re still the one leaving…he wants answers.”

“I know...I could see it all night. The way he kept distancing himself from me. He’s angry with me. He doesn’t understand why I have to do this…do you?” Max held his breath waiting for Liz’s response. How could he choose between the family he’d always had and the son he’d never forgotten?

“Max, how can you ask me that? I know what Zan means to you, I would never try to get in the way of that.”

“Liz, I know you would never intentionally get in the way but he is Tess’s son…I know you can’t ignore that.” Max’s eyes were full of sadness. Of all the women in the world, his first-born had been conceived with a monster.

“You’re right, I can’t ignore that, but Max Tess has been dead for a long time. He wasn’t raised by Tess so it’s not like he’s evil. I can’t hold that against him, Max…he never asked to be born. I’ll be good to him, after all he’s a part of you.” Liz looked adoringly up into her husband’s face. She’d loved him for half of her life, she was alive now because of him so how could she not love something that was a part of him.

“I don’t think Mikey shares your opinion. Maria said he was listening from the kitchen while we were at the restaurant, and then he avoided both of us for the rest of the evening. He’s obviously upset but I don’t have enough time to make things right. Everything is happening so fast and I can’t change that. How do I make him see that I have no choice?” Max turned away from Liz and then leaned against the opposite wall. “How do I tell my son that I have to leave to help a brother he doesn’t want?

Liz crossed over to Max and put a hand on each side of his face. “You go in there and tell him that you love him and that you WILL be coming home safely…and soon.”

“I wish it was that easy…it’s just not.” Max rubbed both hands through his hair, something he always did when he was nervous. “Liz, for months now he’s been so distant and for a moment tonight he was my son again. Now I have to potentially ruin our relationship all over again. How am I supposed to choose?”

Liz felt sorry for Max. She had been so caught up in everything going on that she hadn’t stopped to think of what this must really be doing to Max. She’d known for years that he dreamed about Zan but this was reality. Reality was never the pretty picture our subconscious created for us. “Max…you don’t choose. We’re your family and we’re not going anywhere. Mikey just needs time…and he needs to know that his father loves him. You show him that and the rest will fall into place…I promise.”

How did she do that? No matter how bad things were her faith in him never seemed to waiver. How had he gotten so lucky? “I love you, Liz. None of this would be possible without you. Not just because of your connection with Lily but because of who you are and who you make me.” Max bent down and kissed his wife. It hadn’t occurred to him that he hadn’t done so in two days. Normally the two of them were extremely affectionate. He deepened the kiss and that’s when the flashes came…

Liz was walking down the short aisle in the small chapel they’d found to be married in. He’d never seen her look more beautiful and the smile she carried was for him.

Liz giving birth to Mikey. He could see how frightened she was but when her eyes met Max’s there was nothing but love.

Liz squirting him with a water hose as she darted around the back of the house.

It never ceased to amaze him how much he loved her. She was the most pure form of love he’d ever encountered. He loved his children but Liz was his soul. “I’ll be coming home safe to all of you.”

When Liz glanced up there were tears in her eyes. She had shared the memories with him so he would know what he was coming home to. She just hoped he would come home so they could create an entire lifetime of more memories. As much as she wanted to hold onto this moment they had work to do. “Max, everyone is waiting downstairs…we’d better join them. It’s almost midnight already and we’re going to have to book you a flight if Isabel is able to get through to Larek.”

“I know, I just don’t want to forget what this moment feels like…I have the most wonderful family and friends and now I’m bringing Zan home where he belongs.” Max paused to catch his breath before he started crying himself. “I’ve waited so long for this…I just don’t want to take this for granted.” Max bent down to pick Liz up then twirled her around. “My son is coming home!”

~~~~~~~

Mikey watched through the crack in his door. Damn Zan! This was his family and he’d be damned if Zan was going to take it away! He might not be able to stop his father from going but he’d make sure Zan knew he wasn’t welcome here. He was the son his dad had raised and when it came down to a choice he knew his dad would choose him. Zan had won this time but only because he was in trouble…the next time he would make the choice much easier. Zan was Tess’s son…everyone already wanted to doubt him so he would just help them find a reason. Zan wouldn’t last here and then he would have his family back!

~~~~~~~

As Max and Liz walked down the stairs they could hear the voices of their friends, mostly Michael and Kyle debating over who was more of a hero. Liz couldn’t help but chuckle. Some things never changed. Michael and Kyle had been arguing since the day they’d met and would probably still be arguing the day they died.

“So, are we ready?” Everyone turned at Max’s voice except Isabel. Max could see she was uncomfortable but why? “Iz? You ok?” Max walked closer to her and could feel the nervous energy coming from her. “Iz, what’s wrong?”

Isabel knew how important this was to Max…what if she failed? “Max…I just feel like we should have another plan…incase.” She looked down at the over priced heels she’d kicked off. It was the closest focal point she could find.

Max knew Isabel way too well. She would scare herself away before anyone else ever had a chance. He knelt down so they could be face-to-face, “Iz, I have faith in you and I truly believe this will work. You’ve done it before…you just have to get to Larek and see what he knows. Once you do that just find out if he can help us. For you, Iz, this should be a piece of cake.” Max gave her his most reassuring smile. Isabel always seemed to be so cold but he knew differently. She’d never believed in herself as much as he and the others had.

“Ok, Max. I’ll try. I just hope this works. What all do I need to tell him if I get in?”

“First you need to find out what he knows about Zan. The more information we have the better. Obviously he’s not human so if I have to deliver these babies I need to know everything. Find out if he knows why Zan was brought back to Earth. Once you’ve done that see if he’ll be willing to help us. Tell him that Michael, Kyle, and I will be flying into El Paso and see if he’d be willing to get Zan and Lily out of town. My parents can meet him somewhere outside of Roswell but they need someone else to get Lily and Zan out. The FBI will be watching so it can’t be obvious. Tell him to be careful. Got it?” Max eyed his sister to see if her tension had eased, but it hadn’t.

“I’ll try, Max. Wish me luck.” She smiled at everyone knowing they were all pinning their hopes on her. This has to work. Kyle walked across the room and sat down next to Isabel. He knew she usually liked someone to stay close when she was dream walking incase it took her to dark places. Kyle had been unfortunate enough to see this with her many times. He was the only one that was aware she’d been dream-walking Jesse since they’d left Roswell. Isabel laid down on the couch and tried to let her mind wander. She just had to breathe and concentrate only on Brody. It wasn’t long before she was in.

“I know you. I remember you. You’re Max’s sister…Isabel. Am I right?” Brody looked confused, after all it had been fifteen years since they’d left Roswell. She was just thankful he remembered her at all.

“Yes, Brody, it’s me, Isabel. I need your help.” This has to work was all she could think about.

“Me? What could you possibly need from me?”

“Brody, I know you’ve been abducted several times…” Isabel felt ridiculous, just mentioning alien abductions made her lose dignity. “Do you remember the one who abducted you?”

“Why? I haven’t seen you in years and now you want to talk about aliens?”

“You’re not really seeing me now…you’re dreaming. Brody, please? Do you remember him?”

Brody looked around, nervous about who might be listening. They all thought he was crazy. Everyone in Roswell! Now the Evans’ girl wanted to talk about it. He couldn’t…no one was going to make a fool of him again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He stated plainly.

Isabel was getting frustrated…if she was there she could touch him and make a connection to Larek. Wait…she could still touch him. She was there at least in his dreams. Isabel approached him slowly. He looked like a deer frozen in headlights. She didn’t want to scare him or he would wake up. “Brody, it’s ok…no one wants to hurt you. I just need your help. I need to talk to Larek. Please!” Isabel watched closely as his eyes changed from a soft brown to black. It worked! “Larek?”

“This body is no longer communication ready. What is it that you want? You’re risking his life.”

“Larek, we need your help. There was no other way. Max’s first-born son has come back into his life and appears to have powers. Do you know anything about this child?”

“I know some but not much. I know he had powers but was denied the thrown by Khivar.”

“Why? If Khivar wanted Max’s heir he had him. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Just having powers was not what Khivar wanted. He wanted a child he could control. The child was willful and displayed characteristics too close to his father. Khivar couldn’t let the child stay. He knew the child’s goodness would be his downfall so he ordered him to be put to death. All I know after that is that he was gone. No one knew where…just gone. You say he’s come to the Earth?”

“Yes, many years ago. He was raised by humans because Tess convinced Max he was totally human. Max wanted him to have a normal existence but now he’s made contact.”

“What is it that you want from me?”

“Max’s son, Zan, is in Roswell…we need you to get him and the mother of his children to be out of Roswell safely. She’s due any day and the FBI is still watching. Will you help us?” She’d done her part…it was now up to Larek.

“You know what it is that you ask of me?”

“Yes, but we have no other options. Please?”

Larek considered the request…if Zan was not human and is starting to show powers it’s not safe for him in Roswell or anywhere for that matter. He needed to be taught control. “I will help. What must I do?”

Isabel relayed the plans to him as quickly as possible and everything was set. She’d done it! They were going to save Max’s son.

“Isabel?” Kyle slowly brushed the lock of hair away from Isabel’s eyes. “Are you all right? Did it work?”

Isabel smiled and saw the relief on everyone’s faces. “Boys pack your bags…Max has some babies to deliver!” Isabel had to say it. Watching Max turn pale white was a perk of the job description.

“So, he knows what to do? You’re sure?” Michael was forever the skeptical one.

“Yes, he does. Thanks for the confidence Michael.” Isabel huffed and stood up to go get a drink. This always made her thirsty. Kyle beat her to the kitchen and poured her a glass of iced tea before she could even ask. He picked up the bottle of Tabasco sauce and gave her a quick wink. He always seemed to know what she needed…what would she do without Kyle? Isabel kissed his cheek and headed back towards the living room. Max was sitting quietly. He should be happy. “Max? Didn’t you hear me? It worked.”

Max looked up at his sister’s smiling face…it had worked. He was going to see his son again. How was he supposed to react? Joy wasn’t nearly enough. He took Isabel in his arms and wept on her shoulder. His son was coming home.

~~~~~~~

Alex heard the soft knock on the door and raised his head. “Come in.” He whispered trying not to disturb Lily.

“I’m sorry.” Diane came in at night to check on them…he knew that but he didn’t point it out. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Alex sat up gently and swung his legs off the bed. “You didn’t. Too much running through my mind so I gave up trying to sleep an hour ago.”

Diane looked affectionately over at Lily, “I’m glad she was able to sleep…she needed it.”

Alex stared at the beautiful creature next to him and thought about how brave she must be to be sleeping so soundly. “I wish I had half her strength, then maybe I could get some rest but I’m worried.”

Diane reached out to hold his hand, “you are strong sweetie…she’s probably only able to sleep from pure exhaustion. Trust me…she’s scared too but it’s going to be all right. I know it is.”

“I wish I could believe that.” Alex stood up and began pacing back and forth. “I’ve been thinking about letting her go…” he waited to see if Diane would respond but he didn’t expect the reaction he received.

Diane was laughing to herself, “Max tried that once…tried to let Liz go for HER own good but sometimes the heart just wants what the heart wants. She won’t go anywhere she doesn’t want to.” Diane paused wondering if she had the right to say what she was saying. He was so much like Max, maybe knowing that would bring him some comfort. “I know you blame yourself…I can see it. Max blamed himself too for everything that happened to Liz…but you know something she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Sometimes your life doesn’t turn out the way you think it will but if you find that one person that completes who you are…the rest falls into place.”

“You think I’m like him?” Alex glanced over at Diane standing in the doorway. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer.

Tears started to form in Diane’s eyes. “You are so much like him…it’s like having my son back. He’s a good man, Alex. You’ll see. He never would’ve given you up if he thought there was another way. Giving you up was the hardest thing he ever had to do and he regretted it from the moment you were taken from his arms. Believe me…you’ll see nothing but love from Max…regardless of the situation that brought you together. You’re his son…that’s all that matters.” Diane embraced Alex for the first time since telling him the truth. She was holding her grandson and soon she would see her children again. This was a dream come true…no matter what the risk.

~~~~~~~

“Agent Harris, you’re sure they made a positive identification on the boy in the picture?” the man was leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up. He’d waited years for this and knew it had something to do with Max Evans.

“I’m sure sir. They said it was their son Alex. They even showed me a recent picture to prove it. Poor woman though, says she hasn’t been separated from him since the day the adoption was complete.” There was obvious sympathy for these people in his voice.

“Did you say adoption?” A smile pursed his lips. He knew it!

“Yes sir. They adopted him back in 2002.”

“Thank you agent. That will be all for now. Put surveillance on their house.”

“But sir.”

“Just do it! I have my reasons.” He slammed the receiver down. He was going to find Max Evans and now he just might have the person to lead him straight to him. It was time!

TBC

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:53 pm

CHAPTER 10A

“So everyone knows what the plan is right?” Max glanced around the room at his friends’ faces only to find a room full of worried expressions. “What’s wrong?” Total silence. “Anyone?”

Kyle looked at the others and realized no one was going to say a word. They’d all talked last night after Max and Liz had gone upstairs but now everyone was too frightened to mention what was on all of their minds. “Max, you know I don’t like to be the one to point out the obvious, but since no one else is going to say anything I have to.” Kyle shuffled nervously from one foot to the other, after all Max was supposed to be their King; the wise, all knowing, powerful Max…who was he to criticize? “Let me just play devil’s advocate here…what if something goes wrong, Max? I know this is important and it’s something we have to do, but we have to consider the possibility that everything won’t go as planned.” Kyle stopped to take a deep breath; he knew Max hated to be questioned. “We might make it there safely, but what if something goes wrong once we have Zan and Lily? I mean this isn’t only an alien pregnancy, but it’s twins. What if something goes wrong while we’re still visible to the public? What if everything doesn’t go down exactly as planned? I know that no one WANTS to consider this possibility but we all have. Babies don’t always wait until it’s safe to make an appearance,” Kyle winked at Liz, “look at when Mikey was born. We were on the run and being chased…it wasn’t the best timing. I just think we need to have a back up plan in case something goes wrong…that’s all.” Kyle sat down and prayed Max wouldn’t take offense to him speaking out…these things had to be said.

Max looked around again. He could tell Kyle was speaking for all of them. “Why didn’t any of you bring this up last night? I understand that you’re scared but we can’t panic over ever single what if…if we did we couldn’t live any kind of normal life. We’ve always known there was danger out there, but we’ve made it through together. I know what I’m asking all of you to do isn’t fair…I wish I could help that, but I can’t. Just remember, if Zan and Lily are discovered we all know what the FBI would do to them. Are any of you willing to let that happen?”

They all looked at each other and shook their heads. They owed Max this. How many times had he saved each of them?

“No Maxwell. We’re with you. We’ll just have to be careful and watch each other’s backs.”

“Evans, I’m with you…but there is one more thing we have to discuss.” This was the moment Kyle had dreaded but he knew this too needed to be said. “What if Zan is evil? I don’t want to think about it anymore than the rest of you but he’s Tess’s son. We can’t pretend he’s not.”

“I know, Kyle. I’ve thought about that too, but I have to believe he’s nothing like her. She’s been dead for a long time and he was raised as a human…I have to believe he’s good. Just the possibility that he’s anything like her is too much to bear. Besides, Kyle, that’s what you’ll be there for.” Max smiled at Kyle this time. He knew Kyle meant well. “Sometime after we get to them there will be an opportunity for you to touch Zan, for one reason or another, and you’ll be able to sense him. You’ll know if he’s good.”

“Or evil? Lucky me! So I get to be the one to tell you if your son is evil? Promise you won’t zap me regardless of the answer?”

Max smiled again, “I promise, Kyle. I just have to believe he’s MY son and nothing like his mother. We’ll make it through this,” Max stared lovingly over at Liz, “and we’ll be coming home safely.”

“Look…we can worry about this all day but it won’t help. Michael, you and Kyle both need to go pack. Lily will be connecting with me anytime now and you have to be ready to move. I’ll need Isabel here later to contact Larek again so he’ll know it’s a go. I’ve booked the three of you on a flight this evening…it’s the earliest one available. There’s a connecting flight out of Phoenix but it’s the best I could do. I want Max to call home from Phoenix just to be sure everything is going as planned…you don’t need any surprises when you land in El Paso. I reserved a SUV for you at the airport under Kyle’s alias, David Salyer. It’s about 50 miles to Las Cruces from there so hopefully you’ll be meeting up with them tonight. The bad news is it’s a one-way flight. You’re going to have to drive them here. There’s no other way. Max, make sure you change all of your licenses to your different names…the airline will want to see identification before you board. I think that’s it. Just be careful…all of you.”

Everyone gathered together for a hug, but no one spoke of what they were all thinking. Please don’t let this be the last time we’re all together. Soon after, each of them left and Max and Liz were left alone to wait. Liz had to be ready for Lily and Max needed to talk to Mikey. He couldn’t leave things the way they were. Unfortunately, he had no idea of what he was going to say. How do you make a thirteen year old understand something you can barely accept yourself? He couldn’t put it off any longer, slowly Max climbed the stairs to Mikey’s room.

~~~~~~~

“Lily,” Alex shook her gently, “Lily, it’s time to wake up.” Alex watched as her small frame started to rollover.

“Alex…what time is it?” She was blinking her eyes trying to make them focus. How long had she been asleep?

“It’s just shortly after eight. I tried to let you sleep as long as I could, but Diane has whipped up enough food for a small army and insisted you needed to eat to keep up your strength.” They both giggled. They had been on their own for a few months now, so it was hard to remember what it was like to have a mother.
“She’s so sweet. You’re lucky to have such a wonderful grandmother. She’s been nothing but kind since we first appeared on their doorstep.”

“I know…she hasn’t seen me in years, but you can hardly tell by the way she treats me.” Alex smiled again. “Earlier I was downstairs watching the news and she yelled at me to get my feet off the coffee table!” Together they laughed again. Alex couldn’t help but be comforted by Diane’s kindness…I mean if she’s this nice Max must be an Ok guy.

Lily could read his expression easily. “You’re thinking about Max, aren’t you?”

“I just can’t help but wonder what he’s like. Do you think he’ll like me?”

Lily sat up slowly, her belly made it difficult to do anything swiftly, and then she put a hand on each side of Alex’s face. “I think he’ll love you! I know I do!” Lily kissed him gently and them wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Kids!” Diane was calling from downstairs in the kitchen. “Your breakfast is going to get cold and I don’t even want to hear excuses about you not being hungry!”

Smiling to each other, Alex helped Lily put on some clothes to join Diane downstairs.

~~~~~~~

Across town Phillip Evans was on a mission…he just hoped he wouldn’t tip the FBI off to anything going on at home. He always went to the Crashdown on Saturday mornings…hopefully they wouldn’t notice anything different about today’s visit. Phillip opened the front door and could see Jeff Parker was already on the grill. Saturday mornings were always busy at the Crashdown. Phillip had counted on that.

“Good morning, Phillip. The usual?” Jeff called out to Phillip while handing the spatula he was holding over to his new cook. He smiled in Phillips direction and headed that way. “So, where’s Diane this morning? She’s not joining you?”

“Hi, Jeff. No, not this morning…she’s taking care of some…things. Jeff, would it be possible for us to talk…in private?” Phillip spoke quietly to assure no one else could hear their conversation.

“Sure, Phillip. Is everything all right? Do you want to come upstairs?” Jeff was worried by the seriousness of Phillip’s tone.

“Yes, that would be great. I don’t know if ANYONE is watching me so we need to be careful.”

Oh my God! Jeff knew immediately that it had something to do with his Lizzie. “Go on upstairs…I’ll wait a few minutes and then come up. The door’s unlocked.”

“Thanks, Jeff.” Phillip stood up and walked to the counter. He ordered a cup of coffee and made casual conversation with the young waitress behind the counter. He didn’t want to seem obvious so he waited a few minutes before heading back through the kitchen door. Jeff had said the door was unlocked but Phillip didn’t want to frighten Nancy by just walking in. He knocked on the door and a very surprised Nancy opened it a moment later.

“Phillip. It’s nice to see you. What brings you by?” Nancy set down the basket of laundry she had been carrying by the couch and gestured for Phillip to have a seat.

Still uneasy, Phillip sat down across from Nancy. “Jeff told me to come on up and he’d be here in a minute. I hope I’m not disturbing you.” Phillip said glancing down at the basket of folded clothes.

Nancy shook her head. “Of course not, Phillip. You know you’re welcome here anytime. I’ve just been catching up on some household chores I’ve let slide this week. Can I get you something to drink? Coffee?”

“No. I grabbed a cup before coming up. There’s something I need to talk to you and Jeff about…it’s about the kids.”

“About Liz? Max? Have you heard from them?” Her voice was now eager. She hadn’t heard from her daughter in fifteen years. Everyday without her was like reliving a nightmare.

“It’s complicated, Nancy. Maybe we should wait for Jeff. He’ll want to hear this too.”

As Phillip spoke Jeff came rushing through the door of the apartment. “Phillip, what is it? Is Lizzie ok?”

“Liz is fine. I just don’t know how to tell you this.” Phillip stood up and walked over to the small living room window. He wasn’t sure what he should tell them. Would he be putting them in danger by telling them at all? After a minute he realized they had a right to know no matter what the risk might be. Turning back around he saw that both of them were on the verge of tears. They’d all lost their children and he knew just like himself that a day didn’t go by when they didn’t pray for Liz to come home. “I guess I’ll just start from the beginning. A few days ago a young couple…well two teenagers…showed up on my front door step. They looked completely exhausted and the girl was pregnant. Diane invited them in and after a while we figured out who they were.” Phillip knew he was stalling but he hadn’t expected it to be this difficult. “The young boy was my grandson…Max’s son Zan.” He paused for a moment to see if Jeff would speak but he could tell they were both in shock. “How they ended up at my door is a long story and we’ll get into that later…the point is that Lily, Zan’s girlfriend, well actually his name is Alex now, has been communicating with Liz. It seems Tess lied when she told Max that Zan was human so the babies Lily is carrying are aliens. I know this is all a shock, I’m having a hard time just saying this, but it’s true. Somehow the babies are making it possible for Lily to connect with Liz. I’ve seen it myself…Lily says Liz is doing just fine.” Phillip waited again. He knew all too well how hard this must be for them so he decided to give them a few moments to absorb everything he had just told them.

“Liz? This girl, Lily, she saw Liz?” Nancy’s voice was shaky, but at least she was able to speak. Jeff was sitting next to her in a total state of shock.

“Yes, she saw Liz. Obviously since the pregnancy isn’t human she can’t go to a hospital…so Max is coming for them.”

“Wait! Here? Max is coming here? He can’t do that! Does he know the FBI is still watching the town? He has to know what they would do to him?” Jeff’s voice was frantic. If Max was in danger his Lizzie would be put in danger.

“No, Jeff. He’s not coming to Roswell…to tell you the truth I don’t have all the details yet, but somehow he’s going to meet up with us somewhere so he can help Lily. I don’t know when or where just yet, but I wanted you to know what’s going on. I doubt he would ever risk bringing Liz with him, but this could be our chance to find out where they’ve been. It might be our chance to see our children again.” Phillip had told them everything he knew. Now he could just sit and wait. He knew they would have questions and would want to be involved.

“Oh my God, Jeff! We might be able to see Liz!” Nancy was crying now. Her baby girl! She’d been gone for so many years this was like a dream.

“Nancy, wait. He said might. I know how badly we want to see Lizzie, but I won’t put my daughter in any danger. Wherever they’ve been they’ve obviously been safe. Seeing us could change that.” Jeff looked back up to Phillip. “Have you told Jim and Amy Valenti yet?”

“No, I came here first. Since I usually come in on Saturday mornings I figured it wouldn’t seem suspicious. I don’t know how to contact the Valentis without putting us all in danger. I figured it might be more natural for you to see them.”

“I can call Amy and Jim and invite them to dinner. We see them pretty frequently so it shouldn’t look obvious.” Nancy spoke but continued to look down almost in a trance.

“Thank you. I think they have a right to know.” Phillip stood up to leave but stopped at the door. “I don’t know if it will be safe to see our kids, but at least it’s something. After all of these years…it’s something.”

“Phillip wait. Did this girl…Lily, did she say whether or not Lizzie was a mother or if she was happy?”

Jeff’s pleading expression pulled at Phillip’s heart. “She said she looked beautiful and yes she and Max have children…we have grandchildren.” Phillip didn’t know anything more so he turned and left a sobbing Nancy in Jeff’ arms. He knew for the first time he had done the right thing.

~~~~~~~

After having a quick breakfast Lily knew it was time. Liz was probably waiting for her. It was time to find out if Max was going to be able to help her and Alex. She rested a hand on her belly; inside were her two precious babies and it was time to find out what was going to happen to their family. Lily walked over to the couch and sat down. Slowly she pulled her feet up and laid back to rest on the pillow Diane had placed there for her. Concentrate she told herself. Liz had told her to breathe and concentrate on only her. Lily almost immediately felt dizzy and then she was out.

“Lily? Are you ok?” Liz was standing in front of her. She’d obviously been expecting her.

“I’m fine…a little tired, but I was able to get some rest last night.”

“I’m glad, you need to save your strength. Lily, Max is coming to help you.”

Lily started crying. She realized she had been expecting Liz to tell her they couldn’t help, but instead Max was coming. “When? How? I know it’s not safe for him here so how can he help us?”

Liz felt sorry for Lily. She looked so small and so frightened. “We have a friend that’s going to get you out of Roswell. He can be trusted I promise. He’s going to drive you and Alex to Las Cruces…Max, Michael, and Kyle will be waiting there for you. I know this is scary but everything is going to be fine. They’re leaving this evening and before the night is over you should all be together.”

“Thank you, Liz. I don’t know how I can ever thank you for helping us.”

“Lily, you’re family. Max has waited years to be reunited with his son and now you’ve blessed us with two babies. We couldn’t be happier. Soon you won’t have to be afraid…Max won’t let anything happen to either one of you. We checked the weather in Roswell, it’s supposed to rain tonight, which is perfect. It will make it easier to get you out of Roswell. Larek, that’s Max’s friend, is going to drive up the alley behind the house so he won’ t be seen from the street. He’s going to be there at seven so you’ll have to be ready. It’s a little over 180 miles to Las Cruces so hopefully you will be there shortly after ten. Max will be waiting for you. There’s a Holiday Inn Express on South Valley Drive not far from the college, Larek knows where to go. The rooms open to the outside so you won’t have to worry about going through the hallways. Once you’ve checked in call the front desk and ask for David Salyer’s room, Ok?”

“I think I’ve got it. Will we be safe there?”

“We believe so. With the college being so close by you won’t stand out like you would in a small town. Now don’t forget…David Salyer.”
“David Salyer, got it. Wish me luck.”

“Lily, everything is going to be all right. Just make it through the day. Stay in the house and away from the windows and you’ll be fine.” Liz looked down at the ground and then back up at Lily. “Lily…could you do something for me?”

“Of course, anything.”

Liz began to cry for the first time. “Can you ask Diane to tell my parents that I love them very much and I miss them every day?”

Now Lily felt sympathy for Liz. She had asked Liz for help, but it hadn’t occurred to her that this would stir up feelings about her own parents. “Yes, Liz. I’ll make sure she tells them. Is there anything else?”

“Just tell Diane and Phillip that Max and Isabel miss them too.”

“I promise. Thank you, Liz. I’ll see you soon.” With that the connection faded and Liz was gone.

Lily opened her eyes and looked to Alex. “Max is coming for us tonight. He’s going to help us” Next she glanced over to Diane who was waiting patiently. “Diane, Liz wanted you and Phillip to know that Max and Isabel miss you and love you very much.”

“Are they all right?”

“Yes, Liz says they’re fine. Someone named Larek will be coming for us tonight around seven to take us to Max. He’s meeting us in Las Cruces? I’m not sure where that is.”

“It isn’t far. You’ll be in good hands…Max will keep you safe.” Diane had started crying so she immediately left the room. The last thing Lily needed right now was to see her cry.

Alex watched as Diane quickly ran out of the room. “Should I go talk to her?”

Lily shook her head. “I think she may want to be alone for a little while. This can’t be easy on any of them. She hasn’t seen her own children in 15 years. I could see it in Liz…she was hurting for her parents.” Lily suddenly wondered what her mother was doing right now. “Do you think my Mom misses me?”

“Yeah, Lily. I do. Maybe someday it will be safe enough to go home…we just have to make sure they wouldn’t turn us in. Well, turn me in.”

“Alex, they would never do that.” Lily was shocked Alex could even think such a thing.

“I remember the look on their faces the night we left…they’d turn me in” That was one thing Alex knew for sure.

TBC

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 8:21 pm

CHAPTER 10B

“Max, your sister’s here.” Liz walked slowly towards Max. He’d been staring out of the front window for almost an hour and hadn’t spoken a single word. “Max.” Still she received no response, “Max, please talk to me.” Liz gently touched his arm, which finally seemed to get his attention.

Max glanced down at his beautiful wife. He knew everything was changing. Liz was so strong, but how would she react once Tess’s son was under her roof? He knew her well enough to know she would make the best of the situation, but was it really fair to her? To Mikey? To the others who were all worried that Zan would turn out to be evil like his Mother? He was putting them all in danger, and for what? He’d prayed for years that he would someday be reunited with his son and now it was here. Why wasn’t he happy? He knew there was a possibility he would never come home again…there were so many things that could go wrong. How could he be willing to risk never looking into her eyes again? Never holding her and making love to her again? Was he being fair? “Liz, I’m so confused.” It was all he could think of to say.

Liz looked baffled. What was he talking about? “Confused about what, Max?”

Finally, Max walked away from the window and slumped down on the loveseat. “What am I doing, Liz? The more I think about this entire situation the more I realize how wrong this is.” Max looked so defeated.

“Max, I don’t understand. What’s wrong? What happened?” Liz bent down on her knees in front of Max. He had been fine an hour earlier. What could’ve changed so quickly?

Max rested his head in his hands. How is he supposed to choose between the family he’s always known and the son he’s always known was out there? “I talked to Mikey, Liz. He feels betrayed. He can’t understand why I’m willing to risk all of our lives for a son I don’t even know.” He lifted his head up to stare straight into Liz’s eyes. Liz had always been his rock. Now he was counting on her wisdom to help him make his choice. Some King; he thought to himself. “I’m endangering all of us…and for what? Really?”

Now it was clear to Liz. Mikey had a way of making Max feel guilty…it was a talent he had possessed since he was a small child. “Max, Mikey is only thirteen. You can’t expect him to understand everything, but you also can’t let him think he has the right to tell you, as his Father, what to do. Max,” Liz placed a hand on each side of Max’s face; when he was like this it was the only way to get through to him. “You know why you have to do this. Zan is your son too and he’s in trouble. I know you, Max. You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if you turned your back on him. There is no choice here. You have to do this. Mikey loves you and he’ll learn to understand.” Max attempted to pull his face out of Liz’s grasp but she wouldn’t budge. “We’ll make him understand together, but right now you have somewhere you need to be.” Liz stood up and extended a hand to her husband.
“There’s more, Liz. What if something goes wrong? What if I’m not able to come home to you?” Just the thought made it difficult to breath.

“Max, you will be coming home. I have faith and you’ll be home soon…with Alex and Lily.”

Alex. He kept forgetting his name is Alex now. “What if he hates me? What if he thinks I abandoned him?”

Liz was getting frustrated. Between him and Isabel they could guilt themselves out of everything! “Enough, Max. He’ll love you…we all do. Even Kyle! Which should really say something. Come on, Max. Your plane leaves in an hour.”

Max stood up and wrapped his arms around Liz. “I love you, Liz. Don’t ever forget that.”

His tone was serious now which made Liz a little uneasy. “I won’t. I can’t. You’ll be here for the rest of my life to remind me.” Liz stood up on her tiptoes and kissed Max passionately. She needed to make him remember what he was coming home for. “I love you too, Max! Always!”

Max reached down to cup Liz’s bottom in his hands, “You know I do have a few minutes.” He smiled mischievously at her.

“Max, if you get me into that bedroom, you’ll never leave.” Liz nibbled on his bottom lip. That always drove him crazy.

“Tease!” Max said playfully. “Once a tease, always a tease!” Max jerked away as her fist headed straight for his abdomen. “I don’t think so. I don’t need everyone to know my wife beats me!”

He was smiling again. Mission accomplished! “They already know, but they don’t want to tell their King he’s a wussy!” Liz turned away and headed for the foyer where Isabel was waiting impatiently.

“It’s about time!” Isabel snapped as Liz approached her.

“Hey, I know kittens have claws, but I just finally got your brother to calm down. You’re on your own.” Liz was petite but Isabel’s intimidation never worked on her. She’d seen her softer side too many times.

Isabel suddenly looked worried. “What’s wrong? Is he all right?”

Siblings! “Yes, he’s fine! Just paranoid much like yourself.”

Isabel displayed her famous pouty expression, “I’m not paranoid.”

“Whatever you say…who am I to argue? Go say good-bye to your brother…I think he could use you about now.” Liz walked off towards the kitchen. Beth was napping but would be up soon wanting to eat.

“Max.” Isabel walked into the room slowly. She could see Max positioned at the front window where he’d been when she arrived. “Max, didn’t you see me?”

“Yeah, Iz. I’m just distracted. How are you holding up?”

“Ok, I guess…” Her voice trailed off. She knew Max was nervous and she wasn’t exactly great at these kinds of moments. “When do you leave?”

Max turned away from the window again and sat down across from his sister. “About an hour. Michael and Kyle should be here any minute.”

“Max…what if I came with you?”

Max already knew what she wanted. “No, Iz. You need to stay here where it’s safe and make sure Liz, Maria, and the kids are ok. Besides, I won’t be seeing Mom and Dad.” Max was just as disappointed as Isabel was, but he wouldn’t dare put their parents in danger. “I’m sorry, Iz. I know this is hard, but we can’t. I know deep down you understand that. It’s just too dangerous.” Max flashed her a sympathetic look. He knew leaving their parents had broken her heart, but he couldn’t help that. He couldn’t even ease his own pain about having left home. It had been years but he’d never forgotten.

The doorbell rang and Max knew it was time. “Iz…I have to go.” He heard Michael and Kyle come in. They only used the doorbell as a warning of their arrival.

“Evans! Where are you?” Kyle sounded awfully chipper.

“In here!” Max called towards the other room. Then he saw Michael and Kyle come in.

“Hello, campers! Are we ready to have some fun?” Kyle knew he was the comic relief in this group…it was a position he took pride in. “Where’s my Lizzie? Got to go give her a smooch before we go.” Kyle clapped his hands together and grinned.

“Leave my wife alone, Valenti! Don’t make me hurt you before we’ve even left town.” Max said jokingly. He loved Kyle. He always knew how to lighten the mood and Max knew the situation was about to get very serious. He looked over to Michael who was just leaning against the wall with his usual scowl on his face. “What’s wrong, Michael?’

“Oh, Guerin is just pissed off because I refused to put the top up and it messed up his hair.” Kyle reached over to touch the top of Michael’s head, which was a few inches high for him. Michael smacked his hand away and turned to Max.

“Maxwell, please tell me you’re ready to go? Five more minutes alone with him and I’m gonna kill him!”

“Touchy! Poor Guerin has issues. Liz!” Kyle grabbed Liz before she could protest and gave her a quick, sloppy kiss on the cheek.

“Kyle! Yuck! My daughter slobbers less.” Liz said as she whipped the saliva off of her cheek. “No wonder you aren’t dating right now!” Liz winked at Kyle…she loved to give him a hard time.

“Ouch, Liz. That hurts! Remember it’s by choice.” Kyle said matter of factly.

Liz nodded. “Keep telling yourself that, Kyle.” She blew a kiss in his direction.

Liz noticed Max was actually laughing, but Michael just stood there. “What’s wrong, Michael? Where are Maria and Eli?”

Michael had to force himself to hold back the tears. He wasn’t normally the emotional one, but leaving Maria and Eli crying at home had taken every ounce of strength he had. “Maria was upset so I left her there to rest…She just needed some time. She’ll be fine.” He was trying to convince himself of this more than anyone else.

Liz knew Michael almost as well as she knew Maria. It was obvious he was hurting. She put her arms around him and was a little surprised when he didn’t hesitate to accept the affectionate gesture. “Michael, I’ll take good care of them and you WILL be coming home soon. You have to believe that.” Liz spoke gently…she could see he was on the verge of tears but she knew his pride was too important to him for the others to see him like this. “Why don’t you grab Max’s bags from our room so I can say good-bye…ok?”

Michael just nodded and went up the stairs. Liz had saved him from a moment of complete embarrassment.

“Mikey! Come down and say bye to your Dad…he’s leaving now!” Liz yelled up the stairs hoping to get some kind of response, but she heard nothing. “Mikey!” Just then Liz heard a high pitched squeal that sounded more like Beth than Mikey but it was Mikey that Michael was carrying down the stairs by the back of his shirt.

“Let me go!” Mikey tried to wrestle free of his Uncle’s grip but it was useless.

“I’m not letting go until you stop acting like a brat and say good bye to your Dad!” Michael was angry…that much was obvious to everyone.

Max just stared at Michael in disbelief. What was he doing?

“Go ahead, Mikey. Say it!” Michael was practically screaming at the boy in his grip.

Finally Mikey quit squirming so Michael put him down. He ran straight into Max’s arms and began to cry. “I’m sorry, Dad. I just don’t want you to go!”

Max tilted Mikey’s chin up so he could see his eyes. “I WILL be coming home…I promise. I need you to take care of your Mom and Beth for me. You’re the man of the house while I’m gone. Ok?”

Mikey stopped crying and shook his head.

Beth had heard the noise and was running down the stairs. “Daddy! Daddy!” She leaped into Max’s arms when she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Liz couldn’t help but smile. What a Daddy’s girl! She’d always been a Daddy’s girl herself so watching her entangle her fists in Max’s hair pulled at her heartstrings. “Come on, Beth.” Liz tried to pull her down but the toddlers grip was amazing. “Daddy has to go now. Say bye.”

Beth started pouting but stopped when Max pulled on her lip. “You’re gonna trip on that if you keep this up.” He hugged her close and then gently kissed her cheek.

Beth giggled as the scruff on Max’s chin rubbed her face. “That tickles, Daddy. You gonna bring me a present back right?” She looked innocently into her Father’s eyes. She was so pure like her Mother.

“I’ll try sweetie, but I don’t know if there will be anywhere to get you a special present.”

“But Uncle Kyle said you’re gonna go get aliens. Don’t they have presents there?”

Kyle tried to duck out of the room but wasn’t quick enough. “Kyle?” Max shot him a harsh look.

“I just thought it sounded cute. I didn’t think she’d repeat it.”

“Uncle Kyle was just being silly. Right Kyle?” This time is was Liz giving him the death stare.

Evans he could handle but when Liz looked at him like that he knew he was in trouble. “I was just playing, Beth…but I promise I’ll bring you back an extra special present ok.”

“Thanks Uncle Kyle. So I get two presents then?” She asked pointedly.

“You’re a little con-artist, you know that? We’ll see. I love you, baby girl.” Max kissed her again and then set her down.

“Eye, eye, Captain!” Beth said as she saluted him. This time they all turned to glare at Kyle, but this time he’d made it out of the room.
Liz smiled. It was just like Kyle. She looked at Max and had to force the tears back. Opening her arms for an embrace she leaned into him. “Just come back to me soon. I love you, Max.”

“I love you, too. We’ll hurry home.” He glanced over at his sister and then to his son. “I promise.” With that he let go and walked out the front door before he could no longer keep his composure.

Isabel, Liz, Mikey, and Beth just stood there as the men got into Kyle’s convertible and slowly pulled away from the curb. They would come home safely. Liz just had to remember that.

~~~~~~~

Jim, Amy, and their daughter Sidra walked into the apartment the Parkers owned above the Crashdown. “Something smells great!” Jim said as he extended his hand to shake Jeff’s. “It’s been too long since we’ve done this.” Jim walked over towards the couch still holding Amy’s hand. Even after all these years they still acted like newlyweds.

Nancy had seen all three of them come in; it was too late now, and there was no turning back. “I’m so happy to see you…can you believe this storm? It’s been over a year since Roswell has experienced one this badly.” The wind gave a menacing howl outside the window as it blew through town. “Thank you for braving it out in this weather to have dinner with us.”

“I know the roads were just terrible. We wouldn’t have missed it though. Lucky for us we didn’t have far to come.” Amy smiled sweetly at Nancy.

Since marrying Jim she had become very content with life and most of the time appeared to be chipper. Nancy hated knowing they would be the ones to bring that down. It had taken Amy years to get over Maria leaving Roswell, and she still had trouble speaking of her. Nancy knew this was going to bring it all back again. The pain and sorrow of losing her daughter, and there wasn’t even a guarantee they would be able to see the girls again. Still…they both had a right to know.

Jeff was nervous but he knew he needed to keep it together until the adults were alone. They all ate dinner and exchanged pleasant conversation about what they had all been up to. Jim told Jeff about Sidra’s new boyfriend and the two men both rubbed their hands through their thinning hair.

“I remember Lizzie’s first boyfriend. I don’t think I slept for a week.” He winked at Jim who smiled widely back. He could tell Jim was happy. He couldn’t help but wonder if he was doing the right thing by telling him? Amy and Nancy started clearing plates and Sidra excused herself to use the phone in Liz’s old room. Jeff knew if he didn’t mention it now…he never would. “Jim, there’s another reason we asked you to come over tonight.” Jeff looked up to see Nancy and Amy coming back into the room.

“What is it, Jeff? Is the restaurant doing ok?” There was genuine concern in Jim’s voice. He’d known Jeff for years and considered him a friend.

“Oh yeah. Yeah, the restaurant is fine. It’s just…um, well…it’s something else.”

Jim was looking at him curiously now. Jeff was usually a very straightforward guy. “What is it, Jeff? You know I can help whatever it is.”

“You see…that’s just the thing, you can’t this time. It’s more like something I, I mean we,” pointing towards Nancy, “think you should know.”

Jim was starting to get a little nervous now. He didn’t like the tone in Jeff’s voice; he was obviously worried about something. “Whatever it is, just say it.”

“Ok…it’s about Kyle. Well, Kyle, Maria, Lizzie…all of them.”

Now the panic was evident on Jim and Amy’s faces. “They’re ok, but something has happened or well is about to.” Jeff didn’t usually stutter but he couldn’t help it. “Phillip came to see me this morning and told me he’d heard from them. Not directly but kind of indirectly.”

“I don’t understand. What do you mean indirectly? Did he hear from them or not?”

“A few days ago two teenagers showed up at the Evans house, after talking to them for a while it turned out that it was Zan. Max’s son Zan and his extremely pregnant girlfriend.” He started to pause but realized he needed to get this out. “The point is the babies…yes babies, the girl is carrying aren’t human…meaning neither is Zan. The kids are in trouble and Max, Kyle, and Michael are coming to get them.” Jeff just blurted it out. Probably not the best way, but it was the only way he could.

“Kyle’s coming here?” Jim asked excitedly.

“Wait, what about Maria?” Amy jumped in now. They were both ecstatic at the thought of their kids coming home.

Nancy just looked at Jeff, but said nothing. Jeff realized he’d just gotten their hopes up…it wasn’t his intention, but he should have known. “No, they aren’t coming here. Maria isn’t coming at all. The boys are meeting Larek, well Brody! What ever you want to call him in Las Cruces. He should be picking the kids up from the Evans house any time now. I don’t know much more than that. We don’t know where they’ve been, but we do know they’re not coming to Roswell, it’s just too dangerous.”

It was clear to Jim now. Of course they couldn’t come here…it was too dangerous. That didn’t mean he couldn’t go to his son. “Where in Las Cruces, Jeff?” He waited for an answer, but didn’t get one. “Where?”

Jeff looked at him in sympathy. He understood how he felt. “Jim, you can’t go there. You could be followed. Do you really want to put the kids in any danger?”

“Jeff, with all due respect…I haven’t seen my son in 15 years and if he’s going to be this close I’ll find a way. I didn’t get to be the Sheriff without learning a few tricks. I’m going. Amy, I’m sorry but I have to go. I’ll find out everything I can about Maria, I love you!” He didn’t wait for a response before heading for the door.

“I love you, Jim! Be careful!” Amy was scared but she wanted to know about her daughter and she knew there was no way she could’ve stopped Jim regardless.

“Wait Jim!” Jeff turned to face Nancy, “I’m going with him. Please understand I have to.” Jeff grabbed his jacket and followed Jim to the door.

“Be careful…both of you.” It was all Nancy could manage. Both men nodded in agreement and then were gone.

~~~~~~~

“Michael, can you please just shut up! You haven’t stopped bitching for hours ok! Enough!” Finally, Max had lost patience shortly after leaving Phoenix. Michael had managed to complain about EVERYTHING since they had left Seattle. He was lucky the flight attendants hadn’t lynched him! “It’s about 50 miles to Las Cruces…why don’t you try to get some sleep? You’re almost peaceful when you’re unconscious.”

“Well excuse me for having an opinion, Maxwell! I didn’t realize it was a crime!” Michael was pissed off now. He had the right to have his own opinions!

“It’s one thing to have an opinion, Michael. It’s another to be a total ASS!

“What did I do?” Michael asked defensively.

“Michael, what didn’t you do would be an easier question to answer!”

“Fine, Maxwell! I’ll just be a stone cold jerk for the rest of the trip…like you.” Michael said angrily.

Kyle couldn’t help but join in on this little love fest. “I thought you were going to try to act different, Guerin?” Kyle’s smile was wide. He lived for picking on Michael. Kyle was so pleased with himself that he almost missed the flying fist from the back seat. “Hey! That was close.”

“You mean I missed? I could try harder.” Now Michael was the one with the devilish grin.

“Now children! Could we please have a peaceful ride? We have no idea what’s gonna happen in Las Cruces. A little peace and quiet would be nice. Ok! Just an hour! That’s all I’m asking for.” Max was losing control…they were driving him nuts!

“Fine, Maxwell.” Michael huffed.

“Sure, Evans.” Kyle said disappointed.

“Thank you. I’ll let you know when we’re almost there.” Finally…peace.

~~~~~~~

Special Agent Acquaviva was sitting in his car across the street from the Evans house when his cell phone began to ring. He fumbled quickly through his coat pocket trying to find it before he missed the call. Finally finding it in his front pocket he flipped up the screen to see Agt Sullivan calling… “Agent Acquaviva…”

“Hi Peter! It’s Agent Sullivan.”

Agent Acquaviva released an aggravated sigh to himself. He detested Agent Sullivan with a passion and now he had been placed on assignment with him. “I’d appreciate it if you would call me Agent Acquaviva…I believe I’ve earned it.” Just talking to Agent Sullivan irritated him.

“Touchy, aren’t we? Fine, Agent Acquaviva, we’ve been ordered to move on the subjects staying at the Evans house.”

“Why? They’re just kids.” He said pointedly.

“Not sure…boss’s orders. We’re supposed to move on them now. Wait…I have movement on my end. Mid-sized Sedan just pulled out onto the main street from behind the Evans house. Hold on…I need a clearer view.” The lightning was explosive as it lit up the night sky revealing two passengers in the back seat of the Sedan. “I have movement…the kids appear to be in the car. I’m going to follow them. Stay here and watch the house for further movement. I’m out.” Immediately the line disconnected.

What made Agent Sullivan think he was in charge? Angry now Special Agent Acquaviva reached for his crossword puzzles. He’d have given anything to be somewhere else tonight. The storm has been going on for hours now but it seemed to finally be subsiding. He sure as hell didn’t want to be driving right now so he was more than happy to let Agent Sullivan go on his witch hunt alone.

~~~~~~~

Alex had notice the winds dying down into a dead calm as they left the home of the Evans. An almost eerie silence fell over them that would later prove to be threatening.
Alex couldn’t help but shiver…he had a bad feeling about this. Something wasn’t right.

“Master Zan, we must get moving…your Father will be waiting for us.”

Reluctantly Alex climbed into the back seat with Lily. He was probably just being paranoid. They had been driving for what seemed like hours before anyone spoke again. He understood the tension level was high but no one even bothered to make small talk.
“The storm is picking up again.” Alex said desperate to break the silence. Above them the squalls grew in furious fashion as they poured down over the highway. Alex peered out the back window…the same car had been following them since they left Roswell. He was sure of it. This time it wasn’t paranoia.

“Larek, that car has been following us since we left Roswell and now it’s speeding up.” Alex was worried. Lily was upset, he could tell even if she was trying to keep up a brave front. She’d been practically mute since they had said good-bye to Diane and Phillip.

“I know, Master Zan, but we can’t stop.” Larek spoke almost like a robot.

“Alex, my name is Alex. Got it?”

“Your name is Zan. You are the heir to the thrown of Antar. The future King.”

It was useless to argue with him.” Whatever. I don’t care what you call me, but what about the car following us?”

“I’ll try to lose them. Sit back and hold on. I must get you to your Father safely.” Larek pressed harder on the gas and in no time was doing over ninety. The car following continued its pursuit and had increased speed along with them. Larek pushed harder on the gas…he had to lose them. If they hadn’t been following them, they wouldn’t have sped up but obviously they were coming for them. The car behind them increased its speed again and came up along side of the sedan Larek was driving. They motioned for him to pull over, but he knew he could not do that. He had to make it safely to Max. “Get down!”

“What?” Alex was really beginning to get worried.

“I said get down!” Larek quickened his pace behind the wheel. His only concern was for the safety of the King’s son. He felt the car begin to lurch forward; the tires were slipping. The car began to veer out of control. His hands gripped the wheel as the car careened sideways sending them into a ditch.

~~~~~~~

Agent Sullivan had been following the car for well over a hundred miles when suddenly the car had increased its speed. He’d sped up to almost ninety to keep them in his sight. As the water swelled over the road it made the pavement as slick as ice. The car swerved with reckless abandon across the road. Even though there appeared to be no break in the ominous storm above him, Agent Sullivan continued the relentless pursuit. The FBI had waited so long for this moment. If they were right this would be one of the final stepping stones in the journey to obtain Max Evans. “Oh Dammit!” Agent Sullivan slammed on his breaks causing him to skid off the road. The hazards of his quest had finally caught up with him.

~~~~~~~

“Oh my God, Phillip! Did you see that?” Diane’s voice was frantic. Lily and Alex were in that car.

“Yes, I saw it. When we get up there I want you to stay in the truck.” Phillip insisted.

“Phillip, no…I can’t just sit here.”

“Diane, just give me time to make sure they’re all right!” Phillip didn’t tell her he was afraid of the condition he would find them in. It had been a bad crash.

Pulling up on the side of the road Phillip jumped out of his SUV and ran down the hill into the ditch. There was no movement coming from the other vehicle. When he reached the car he carefully pulled the rear door open to check on Lily first. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Alex and Lily were ok…just a few scratches. “Are you guys ok?” He asked slightly panting.

“I think so, but I’m not sure about Larek.” Alex pointed towards the front seat where their driver was slumped over.

Phillip immediately ran around the door and pulled the front door open. Larek was conscious but just barely. “Larek. Larek, can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can hear you.” Larek answered plainly. “I must get Master Zan and Lily to Max.” He seemed to be completely in a trance.

“Larek, you’re injured. You need to get to a hospital.” Phillip pulled a clean handkerchief
from his pocket and placed it on the bleeding wound on Larek’s forehead.
“No! I have to get Master Zan and Lily safely to Max.” He was insistent.

Phillip glanced back at the SUV shocked to see Diane still sitting in it. He motioned for her to come to him. Diane quickly got out of the truck and ran to the car where she knew Alex and Lily were. “Larek is injured but he’s not listening to me…I don’t know what to do.” Phillip ran his hand through his hair. He knew it had been too easy to get them out of Roswell. He’d been expecting something like this but now he had no clue what to do.

“What are you guys doing here?” Alex called from the backseat.

“Later, Alex, not now. Just make sure Lily is all right.” Phillip spoke softly seeing the panic on Alex’s face.

Right now he needed to stay with Larek since the kids seemed to be fine. “Larek, how are you feeling?”

“I don’t know. I don’t feel pain in this body.”

“Do you think you can drive?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“Ok, listen. I’m going to make sure that the person in that car, probably an FBI agent, is still alive but unconscious. Then I want you to turn around and head slowly back to Roswell. They would be looking for your car. We’ll take the kids from here.”

“I can’t abandon my mission.”

“Larek, if you keep them with you they’re in more danger. You have to go.”

“All right.” Larek obeyed and turned to Alex and Lily. “You have to go with them. You have to make it safely to Max.”

“Ok, Larek. We’ll be fine. Thank you.” Alex spoke to him gently. He was hurt because of them. He didn’t have time to think about that right now. He turned to Phillip. “How much further is it to Las Cruces?”

“Only about 30 miles. You’re not far.” Sensing Alex’s fear he spoke again. “It will be fine, you’ll see.”

Phillip bent down to help Lily out of the car but noticed the frightened look on her face. “What’s wrong, Lily? Are you hurt?”

Lily didn’t know how to put this gently. “I’m not hurt…but my water just broke.”

TBC

I just want to say a BIG thank you to my sister krystalstorm24 for helping me with this chapter! It was flowing pretty smoothly but she gave me some tips that made it GREAT! She's a storm fanatic and I'm a Roswell fanatic so together we made a great team in this chapter. My sister, the crazy storm chaser!

:smilecolros:

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:02 pm

CHAPTER 10C

“Diane, I have to go…can’t you see that? I have to see Max!” As Phillip talked he put on his coat and began to search for his keys.

“Phillip, don’t you think I want to see him too? If you go you could endanger them all!” Diane pleaded with Phillip to reconsider. She knew the FBI was still watching and didn’t want to take the chance of leading them straight to Max.

“I’ll be careful, but I’m going. You just don’t understand…I have to.” Phillip couldn’t bear the look in Diane’s eyes. She didn’t understand the torment he had felt all these years and now she thought he was being selfish by going.

“What do you mean you have to? Phillip, Larek has the kids they’ll be fine. Don’t you trust him? Max does.”

Phillip sat down on the sofa. He didn’t have time to argue with Diane but he knew he couldn’t just leave like this. “I hurt him, Diane. All those years ago…I spied on my own son. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders and I made it worse.” Phillip was holding his head in his hands now. He was ashamed. “I never had the chance to make it up to him, but now…I have the chance to finally try to help him…to tell him I love him so much.” Phillip had always been a strong man, but at the thought of what he had done to his own son; he wept.

“Honey, he knows that. Max knows you love him and he knows you never meant to hurt him. You were being a father…you were worried. He understood that.” Diane had walked over and sat down beside her husband. She had no idea he was still blaming himself for things that had happened so many years ago.

“That’s just it, I don’t know that he understood that and I never had the chance to show him I was sorry.” Phillip was back on his feet now. He had to go. “Diane, you’re just going to have to understand why I have to go, because I’m going!” With that Phillip headed for the front door.

“Wait!” Diane wasn’t at all sure of what she was about to do, but she knew she had no choice. “I’m going with you. Don’t bother arguing…I’m going!” Diane reached into the closet to grab her raincoat. She’d be damned if Phillip got to see their son and she didn’t. She noticed Phillip just standing in the foyer not moving. He would try to talk her out of it if she gave him the chance. “Move, Phillip. They’re already fifteen minutes ahead of us.” She pushed against him as she opened the door and started out.

“Diane!”

“Phillip…WE’RE going! Come on.”

Phillip didn’t even have time to speak up. Diane was already halfway down the sidewalk. He closed the door behind him and locked it. He was scared but he knew he was finally going to see his son.

~~~~~~~

Special Agent Acquaviva had watched as the Evans got in their SUV. He didn’t like this assignment, but who was he to question orders? He had no choice but to follow. Slowly he pulled out behind them, but made sure he stayed a safe distance back. Dammit! Why couldn’t they have stayed where they were? He had a bad feeling about this.

~~~~~~~

“Phillip?” When Alex turned to face his grandfather he was pale white.

Seeing the loss of color in Alex, Phillip worried that maybe he had been hurt. “Alex, what is it? Are you hurt?”

Alex could only shake his head. This couldn’t be happening, not now! He tried to talk but couldn’t find the words. All he could manage was a single word, “Lily.”

Phillip immediately ran to the back door of the car. Oh God, something was wrong with Lily. As he approached he saw that Lily was conscious, but she was screaming. “Lily, honey. What’s wrong?” Phillip looked but he couldn’t see any obvious injuries. “Lily, where does it hurt?”

“My water broke! I’m in labor!” Lily was half screaming and half crying. The pain was unbearable. The moment her water had broken the pain had come quickly. All she could think about was not now. Please let my babies be okay.

Phillip was lost without Max. He had no clue what to do. He’d never witnessed childbirth, especially when the babies were…different. “Diane, help me!” She was a mother…she had to know what to do.

At the terrified sound in Phillips voice all of Diane’s worst fears came to mind. She ran to the rear door to see what was happening and suddenly she knew…one of her worst fears was coming true! “Oh my God, Phillip! Is she…?”

“Yes, she’s in labor. What do I do?”

“Why are you asking me? I have no idea.” All Diane wanted was Max. They needed Max. In the distance she saw headlights approaching. “Phillip…someone’s coming.”

Phillip stood up to see and about twenty yards away a vehicle was quickly coming upon them. “Diane, get in the backseat with Lily. Try to keep her calm. I’ll have to get rid of them.”

“But Phillip!”

“Diane, just do it!” Phillip closed the door gently after Diane climbed in. Alex was standing next to him obviously petrified. “Alex, just follow what I say. No one in his or her right mind would want to stand out here in this weather. Just stay calm and don’t speak unless you have to.” Phillip moved in front of Alex slowly, shielding him from the headlights facing them. He was ready to tell them to leave that they had already called for help when he felt a tremendous sense of relief. “What are you two doing here?”

Jim and Jeff had both jumped out of the truck the moment it had stopped. “I guess I could ask you the same question.” All three men smiled at each other. They all understood.

For a moment Phillip had forgotten all about Lily in the backseat but then it came flooding back to him. “We have a problem! Things didn’t exactly go as planned.” Phillip gestured for both men to come closer. “The FBI was following them; there was an accident…the kids don’t seem to be injured, but Larek is and…Lily’s in labor.”

The three men exchanged a horrified glance at one another. They all knew they needed Max for this. “What about the person in the other car? An agent?” Jim pointed to the vehicle about twenty feet away.

“Yep, looks like it. He’s unconscious for the moment, but if he wakes up and finds Lily and Alex we’re done!” Phillip didn’t want to scare anyone else but there was no reason to sugar coat it. They all knew what was at stake.

“Ok, do you think you can transfer Lily to my truck?” Jim looked through the back window…he could see from where he was standing that she was screaming, but he couldn’t hear anything over the howling winds.

Phillip looked at Jim and then back to Lily. He didn’t understand what Jim was suggesting. “Why?”

“Phillip, the FBI may be looking for your truck, but they wouldn’t be looking for mine. Let me take the girl…you can all follow a safe distance back, but it’s for the best. I’ll make sure she gets to Max safely.” Jim rubbed his hand through his hair, “I just pray we have time.”

“Oh no! Phillip, there’s more headlights!” Alex pointed in the direction of the approaching lights.

“Jim, what should we do? Can you get rid of them?” Phillip was beginning to panic. He knew they were short on time.

Jim nodded. When the car came to a stop behind his truck he walked towards the driver’s side door. When a man poked his head out the window he made sure to speak first. “Everything’s all right. Just a little fender bender. We’ve already called for help.” Jim hoped the gentlemen would accept his excuse and be on his way…no such luck.

Agent Acquaviva slowly stepped out of his car. He recognized the sheriff, and he knew the Evans’ SUV too. “Why don’t you let me have a look? I have some paramedic training…I could make sure everyone is all right.” He was careful not to make any sudden moves. He could see Agent Sullivan’s car ahead in the ditch.

“No thanks…we’re fine…really. It’s not a great night to be out in this weather so why don’t you just be on your way.” Jim stepped forward in a protective manner. He wasn’t going to let anyone hurt these kids.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Before anyone could blink he had his gun on them. “I know who you are. What did you do to the other agent?”

“We didn’t do anything…he ran us off the road!” Alex was almost hysterical. This was the moment he had been dreading.

“Alex, please.” Phillip held up his arm to keep Alex back. “It was an accident. He’s just unconscious. We didn’t hurt him.”

Agent Acquaviva moved closer to them trying to see into the back of the car they were all trying to protect. “What’s going on back there? Get them out. Now!”

“We can’t. The girl’s in labor…we’re not moving her until we have to.” Jim was standing his ground with this agent.

“Let me see her! Now!” Agent Acquaviva shouted!

“Not until you put the gun down. No one here wants any trouble. I’m not letting you near her until you drop the weapon.” Jim was talking calmly. Surely they could try to reason with him. He appeared to be as scared as they were.

Suddenly realizing he was holding his gun on these people he lowered it. Pulling his gun in the first place had been an instinct. He didn’t know why but he believed them. “Ok, now you have to tell me what happened and show me the girl.” He placed his gun back in its holster and walked to the car.

“First, promise me you won’t hurt these kids.” Jim wasn’t taking any chances. He’d seen first hand what the FBI had done to Max. He wouldn’t allow that to happen again. “I mean it…you hurt these kids and I’ll shoot you myself.”

Agent Acquaviva heard the threat but for some reason wasn’t scared. He had no intention of harming anyone. Is that what they thought? “I promise, but I can’t help unless you tell me what’s going on.”

“Yeah, like the FBI wants to help anybody.” Jim snickered to himself. He knew better.

“Look, I don’t know what you think, but I promise I only want to help. I’m nothing like him.” Agent Acquaviva pointed towards Agent Sullivan’s car. “I don’t agree with this assignment, so I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.”

Jim, Jeff, and Phillip all looked at each other and nodded in agreement. They didn’t have a choice. Phillip slowly opened the back door to reveal Diane and Lily. “She’s in labor…we have to get her help.”

“Fine, there’s a hospital about two exits up.”

“No. We have to get her to my son.” Phillip was praying that his judge of human nature was working here…he believed he might be able to help them.

“Your son? Max…Max Evans? He’s here?” Agent Acquaviva was nervous now. He’d heard stories about Max for years. Stories about people dying and six kids fleeing into the night.

“He’s not far. He’s the only one who can help her…please?” It was Diane who spoke now. They had to make him understand.

Agent Acquaviva looked at the woman standing before him. For a moment he thought he was seeing a ghost. She could easily be his mother’s twin. The hair, the easy smile, and the eyes. They were just like his mother’s. “Have we met before? You remind me…remind me of someone.” He gulped. He hadn’t seen his mother since he was six. She had been killed in an automobile accident. He’d never even been able to say good-bye. As he looked into this woman’s eyes he knew he was somehow seeing his mother. She wouldn’t want this. She wouldn’t want him to hurt these people he just knew it. They were all frightened but they didn’t appear at all dangerous. He glances over towards the back seat and sees the young girl and the young man who had climbed in beside her. They were just kids. He wouldn’t hurt these people, but would they allow him to help? “How can I help?”

“Do you mean that?” Diane sensing his sincerity walked closer to him.

“Yes, I’ll help, but you have to get out of here before he comes to.” Again he pointed to Agent Sullivan’s car.

“Thank you.” Diane spoke gently. “Your mother would be proud.” She had instincts too and hers told her that he was thinking about his own mother. The tortured look in his eyes was clear.

The group of them quickly transferred a barely conscious Lily to Jim’s truck. She was in so much pain that she was now going in and out of consciousness. They all agreed on where they were to meet but didn’t give Agent Acquaviva the location just in case he decided to betray them. Larek was the first to leave. He needed to get back to Roswell quickly since his car would be the one the FBI was searching for. Jim left next with a very frightened Alex and a screaming Lily. He knew they were running out of time. Phillip, Jeff, and Diane stayed behind with Agent Acquaviva until they were sure they had a good head start.

“What are you gonna tell him?” Phillip asked Agent Acquaviva while pointing to the other car.

“I’m just going to tell him I followed him for back up and I found him like this. I promise, I never saw you.” Peter smiled sheepishly at Diane. Standing before her he felt like a kid again.

“You did a good thing…thank you. Agent?” Diane realized they had never once asked his name.

“Acquaviva. Special Agent Acquaviva, but I think I’d feel better if you called me Pete.” Pete kicked at the puddle his feet were in. “I’m not too proud to be an agent tonight.”

“You should be. We’re not bad people and neither is our son. She needs him, she needs my son.” Diane put a gentle hand on Pete’s arm. “You probably saved her life…I don’t think your partner would have been as generous.”

“You’re right, he wouldn’t have been. He’s fanatical and a little crazy, but you’ll be safe if you leave now.” Pete reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card. Before handing it over he wrote something on the back of it. “This is my card…my personal number is on the back. It’s a secure line…just in case you need help again.” Pete smiled and turned to walk back to his car.

“Thank you, Pete.” Diane smiled and climbed into the SUV with Phillip and Jeff. They had to go. Diane watched in the rearview mirror as they drove away and there was Pete, standing alone in the pouring rain.

~~~~~~~

Mikey had heard the doorbell ring but he was hoping his mom would get it. When he heard it again he finally got up off the couch and answered it himself. “Hi, Aunt Maria. Hey, Eli.” Mikey closed the door behind them and started to retreat back to his comfortable position on the sofa, but Eli had other ideas.

“Mikey, will you play with me? I’m lonely and so you need to play with me.” Eli stuck out her bottom lip in a pout, which was usually how she got what she wanted.

Mikey leered over at Maria who was trying to stifle a giggle. Why did he always get stuck babysitting? “Aunt Maria, I was just.”

“Going to take Eli and Beth upstairs for me so I can talk to your mother in private.” Maria smirked at Mikey before he could even object. Maria truly believed that children were slaves and should do as they’re told. Besides, she loved irritating Mikey…he had the same wonderful personality as his Uncle Michael with whom she was forced to spend every day.

Purely out of defeat Mikey grunted to himself and directed both Eli and an extremely excited Beth up to his sister’s room. He knew better than to argue with Maria, he never won.

Maria could hear noises coming from the kitchen so it was pretty safe to assume that’s where she would find Liz. As she walked into the kitchen she could hear Liz singing ‘I Shall Believe’. She sounded so peaceful, Maria hated to disturb her.

“Hey chica.” Maria spoke softly trying not to startle Liz, but Liz jumped anyway.

“Maria…I didn’t hear you come in.” Liz continued to rinse off the plate she was holding and placed it on the drying rack. She didn’t want to meet Maria’s eyes because she knew Maria would see right through her cheery facade.

“It won’t work, Liz.” Maria walked over to the sink and stood next to Liz. “I know you too well, and this is not a positive vibe I’m feeling from you.”

“I’m fine, Maria. Everything is fine.” Liz stepped a few feet away still trying to avoid the inquisition she knew was coming. “Where’s Eli? Is she upstairs with Beth?” Liz started hand drying the bowl she was carrying and continued to inch further away from Maria.

“Liz! Do you hear me? It’s not gonna work. I know you too well and admit it you’re freaking out right now.” Maria was always persistent, especially with Liz and Max because they both had a tendency to clam up. “I see you biting your bottom lip…hello?”

Liz spun around quickly and shot Maria an irritated look. “I’m fine, Maria. You’re just overreacting.”

“Liz, it’s ok to be scared. I’m scared and I could really use you right now. Please don’t shut down on me.”

Liz looked up at Maria with tears glistening in her eyes. She wanted to be strong for everyone, but she was scared. She threw herself forward into Maria’s arms and for a minute they just stood there. Both crying, letting out the fear they were both feeling. Finally, Liz pulled away. “I’m sorry, Maria. I promised Michael I would be strong for you.” Liz always took too much on herself. “I know you need me and I’m not going to fall apart on you.” Liz wiped her eyes dry and then glanced up at Maria again.

“Forget about what Spaceboy said, we’ll cry to each other. He can’t always expect you to be the rational one.”

“Yeah, but he knows you’re the irrational one…shouldn’t one of us stay grounded?”

Maria smiled, “That’s what we have Isabel for. Speaking of my favorite ice princess, where is she?”

Liz pointed out the kitchen window to Isabel sitting on the porch swing. “She’s been out there for hours…she’s not even talking so I know she’s upset.”

“Well then…I guess this time we all lean on each other. I’ll go get Isabel and you can call and order a pizza.”

“Maria it’s almost ten o’ clock…I have to get Beth in bed.”

“Does she have some pressing engagement tomorrow than I’m not aware of?”

“No.” Liz smiled at Maria’s sarcasm, “but it’s way past her bedtime.”

“Well, I guess for once she’s gonna learn to be a night owl. Eli’s all wound up so I can guarantee you it’s gonna be a while before she lets her sleep. Anyway, I’m starving. So you, pizza. Me, Isabel…got it?”

“Sure Maria…come to think of it I haven’t eaten all day.” Liz watched Maria disappear out the door, but when she reached for the phone everything went black.

~~~~~~~

“Something’s wrong!” Alex was panicked again.

After twenty minutes in the truck Jim was getting used to the panic in Alex’s voice. Poor kid. Going through this so young…he remembered seeing Max the same way several times about Liz. “Alex, it’s going to be ok. We’re only about ten minutes from the hotel…I’m driving as fast as I can.”

“No, you don’t understand…Lily’s unconscious. She won’t wake up!”

Jim took a quick glance over the seat. Lily’s head was bobbing from side to side with each bump in the road. “Is she breathing?” Now Jim was worried. She had been in a lot of pain, but he was doing his best to get them to Max as quickly as possible.

Alex put his fingers on her wrist…she still had a pulse, so why wouldn’t she wake up? “She’s breathing and she has a pulse, but she won’t wake up!”

Jim knew he couldn’t let Alex see how afraid he was. He had to hold it together…in the old days they’d been through worse. “Alex…she was in a lot of pain…she’s probably just passed out from exhaustion. I’m sure she’s fine. We’ll be there soon.” The roads were still slick and Jim hated driving this fast under such conditions but he had to make it to Max…he had to! “So…Alex…did you know I knew you when you were a baby?” He had to get Alex’s mind off of Lily before he started hyperventilating.

“No…I didn’t know that.” Alex didn’t know much about how he came to be in this world, but apparently the sheriff knew about him. Maybe he would answer question no one else would answer. “Did you know my mother?”

“Yes.” Jim sighed to himself. He’d always had mixed emotions when it came to Tess. He understood that she had killed Alex and had done so many things wrong, but he also remembered the time she had spent with him and Kyle. For a short time they had been a family again. How much should he tell Alex? Should he tell him she was just a murderer like everyone else would? Or should he tell him what she was like while she lived with them? He decided in the end that the boy deserved to know the whole truth about Tess…not just the awful part. “I knew your mother very well. When their protector who had raised her died, Tess came to live with me. She was like a daughter to me.” It was painful to admit out loud. He knew how the others had felt, but as much as he hated what she had done…he couldn’t hate her.

~~~~~~~

This time Liz felt the pain from hitting her head on the floor. She slowly raised herself up and that’s when she saw her. Lily was lying on the floor a few feet away. Something was wrong. She’s crying! Liz scampered across the floor to Lily’s side. “Lily! Oh my God, Lily! What’s wrong? Is Max ok? Where are you?”

Lily was crying uncontrollably. She was in so much pain it was difficult to talk at all. “I’m in…” she paused when another contraction hit. “Aghh! Liz, help me! I’m in labor! The babies…they’re coming!” Lily was trying to breathe through the pain but it was impossible.

“Oh no! Lily, where are you? Lily! Tell me where you are!” Liz spoke forcefully hoping to get through to her.

Lily could hardly catch her breath but she tried to speak anyway. “…Don’t know…was an accident…with the Sheriff now…don’t know where…” It was all she could get out.

Liz was startled at the mention of Sheriff Valenti…what was he doing there? “Lily…where is Max? Do you know where you are?”

“…No…don’t know…almost there…I think…Aghh!” Another contraction came. They were getting much closer together.

“Lily…listen to me…you have to breathe ok. Just hold on. The sheriff will get you to Max.” Liz’s eyes began to water at the thought of Jim Valenti coming to their rescue again. She was quickly jerked back into reality as Lily kept screaming. “Lily, breathe…come on, breathe. You can do it. Focus on me and just breathe. I know it hurts but you’ll make it through this. Come on, breathe.” Liz didn’t know what to do. Lily was calming down slightly with her help, but she imagined whomever she was with was probably hysterical about her being unconscious. She said there had been an accident…oh no, Larek! Liz realized she had to get in touch with Max. She would have to let Lily go. “Lily…listen to me. You have to let go.”

Immediately Lily started shaking her head. “No…can’t…need you…help me, Liz.”

Liz’s heart was breaking inside for Lily, but she had to let Max know what was happening. “Lily. You have to let go. Max needs to be ready when you get there. I have to contact him.” She brushed the hair away from Lily’s face. “Lily. I promise you will be all right. Just stay calm and breathe. You have to, Lily. You have to let go.”

Lily looked frightened but obeyed. “Ok, Liz. Ok.”

~~~~~~~

“Oh my God, Liz! Liz, are you ok?” Maria was hovering over Liz when she opened her eyes. Liz could see Isabel standing on her other side.

“I’m fine. Help me up.” Liz slowly sat up and Maria and Isabel took it from there. They carefully dragged her over to one of the kitchen chairs. “We have to call Max!”

Isabel and Maria both looked at Liz oddly. What was she talking about? “Liz, you hit your head…what happened?” Maria asked.

“I didn’t just pass out, Maria. It was Lily. She’s in labor!” Liz grabbed the phone and began to dial Max’s cell phone number. “Dammit! Max doesn’t have a signal!”

Maria and Isabel were in shock. They just stood there doing nothing. Isabel finally spoke, but almost in a whisper. “Is Max with her?” She knew the answer before she even asked but she was hoping Liz would say yes.

“No. I don’t know what happened. She said there was an accident and now she’s with Sheriff Valenti and she’s in labor. That’s it!”

“Valenti? What’s she doing with Valenti?” Maria asked curiously.

“Maria! Think! It doesn’t matter now…we have to get in touch with Max!” She grabbed Maria by both shoulders to bring her back to the present moment.

“How Liz? If his cell isn’t working what can we do?” Isabel was starting to look as panicked as Lily had. “You can’t call the hotel! You just can’t! It’s traceable!” Isabel remembered Max telling her not to call there no matter what happened. It could endanger them all.

“Screw it, Isabel! I have to call him!” Liz picked the phone back up to dial, but Isabel grabbed it from her.

“Liz…I can’t let you do that. I promised Max…no calls. He said it could put us all in danger. He made me promise.” Isabel felt guilty, but she didn’t want to lead trouble straight to them. Or herself.

Liz glared at Isabel. Then she snatched the phone away from her. “Maybe you didn’t hear me, Isabel. I’m calling Max. I don’t care what promises you made…I didn’t!” Liz began to dial again.

“Liz!” Isabel had gone from worried to angry.

“Back off, Isabel.” Liz said coolly. “You’re not going to stop me, so back off.” Liz heard the phone ringing and waited for someone to answer.

“Holiday Inn Express. This is Erin.”

“Yes, um, I need David Salyer’s room please.” Liz wasn’t sure if what she was doing was right but she had to warn Max.

“Just one moment please while I connect you.”

“Thank you.” Liz could see the anger building in Isabel’s eyes. She was absolutely furious. She couldn’t pay attention to that now. She had to talk to Max.

“Hello?” Liz immediately recognized the voice on the other end. It was Kyle!

“Kyle, thank God! Are you guys ok?”

“Liz? Is that you?”

“Kyle, are you guys ok?”

“Yeah, of course, Liz. Unless you count Michael’s piss poor attitude?”

“Kyle, I don’t have time for jokes. Where’s Max?” Liz was almost hysterical now. Something had gone wrong. At least Max, Michael, and Kyle were safe. Liz held her hand over the phone while she waited for Max to pick up. “They’re fine.” She looked at Isabel. “All of them.” Liz could hear some commotion in the background. “Max?”

“Liz? Why are you calling here? Do you know how...”

“Max, shut up and listen! Something went wrong! I don’t know what, but Lily’s in labor! Hopefully they’ll be there any minute, but you have to be ready.’

“Liz? Liz are you there?” For some reason Max couldn’t hear her. “Liz?”

“Max, can you hear me?” Nothing. “Max, please!” The line went dead!

TBC

SAFIRESKYE26 · Post by **SAFIRESKYE26** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:44 pm

CHAPTER 11A

“Thank you for telling me about my mother. No one else would.” Alex looked down at Lily lying across his lap. Once again the guilt came. He had done this to her and after listening to Jim talk about Tess he didn’t feel much better. So she wasn’t completely evil…close enough. She had ripped Max and Liz apart and only conceived him to get her way. At least Max HAD wanted him. Wanted him completely and it had broken his heart to let him go. Alex was still worried about Lily screaming with pain. He knew the labor was hard on her and he could do nothing to help. Unfortunately, he was now scared of facing Max. His father. His real father. What if he couldn’t live up to Max’s expectations? Jim had told him everything, or at least close enough to it. Max seemed to be almost perfect…the one they all looked up to. Who was he? Just an irresponsible kid who had put them all in danger. Alex wanted to escape, but how do you escape yourself?

Jim didn’t have to be able to read minds to know what Alex was thinking. Max always tried to take the blame for everything and everyone and his son was no different. “You know, Max loves you. He won’t judge you. He’s wanted to be with you your entire life. Give him a chance before you start thinking you’re not good enough. Just remember…he was your age when you were conceived. He’s not perfect either.”

“Yeah, but he was tricked into having me.”

“No. He wasn’t. The choice he made to sleep with Tess was his own. Tess may have had her own plans but Max did make his own choice when it came to you. You may not have been in his plans…but you were his dream.” Jim smiled to himself remembering the night Tess had brought Zan back. Everything had been crashing down around them, but when Max looked at Zan…he saw nothing but pure joy. About that time Lily let out a piercing scream from the back seat. Jim had to focus just to stay on the road. They were almost there. Two more miles…she just had to hold out for two more miles. “Alex, listen to me. We’re almost there but she’s in a lot of pain. Do you know what powers you have?”

“No…not really. They’re new to me.” He looked down at Lily wanting nothing more than to ease her suffering.

“Alex, try placing your hand on her stomach. Concentrate on making the pain go away.” Jim wasn’t quite sure if this would work but they were out of options. “You’re Max’s son and he could do it...it might work. We’re almost there but she may not have to suffer like this. Just try.”

“Ok.” Alex’s hands were shaking but he placed one hand on her belly. Immediately he felt a connection. Lily’s stomach started to glow green and she stopped crying.

“Alex? Alex, what are you doing?” Lily was looking at her large glowing belly and her eyes grew wider. “Alex?”
“Hold on, Lily” Alex was concentrating. Concentrating on easing the pain. He could feel the children…he knew they were coming, but for the moment Lily’s tension had eased. “Lily, is it working? Does it hurt?”

“No.” Lily was frightened. What if he was hurting them? “Alex, stop! You could hurt them!”

Alex smiled. He could feel them and they were fine for the moment. “No, Lily. They’re fine. I can feel them. I can see them…they’re so beautiful.” He kept his hand positioned where it was. He didn’t know what he was doing, but it was working.

Jim took a quick glance over the back of the seat. He could see her glowing belly…it was amazing. She had calmed down and her breathing was almost even now. Suddenly he realized the glowing light might be noticeable outside the truck. “Alex, cover her up. We don’t want anyone to see.”

Alex used his other hand to grab Jim’s jacket but he didn’t remove his hand from Lily’s abdomen. He would hold it there until he was with his father. His father would be able to help her. He knew it now. If he could ease her pain…Max could save her.

~~~~~~~

“What happened Maxwell?” Michael stared at Max who was just standing between the beds holding the phone clutched in his hands.

“It was Liz…something’s wrong.” Max finally placed the receiver back on the hook.

“What do you mean? You don’t know that! Liz was fine!” Kyle had heard the concern in Liz’s voice but she was fine.

“I told Isabel no calls to the hotel…for Liz to call something has to be really wrong.” Max turned to face Kyle. “What did she say?”

“Not much. She just asked if we were ok.” Kyle stared at Max. He could tell Max was worried. This couldn’t be good.

“Maxwell, try to call the front desk to see if the phones are completely down.”

Max nodded and picked up the receiver but there was no dial tone. “It’s dead. How will they call us when they get here?” Max looked at Michael and Kyle. What could they do now?

“The room is registered to me…I’ll go to the front desk and see about the phones. It’ll be ok, Evans.” Kyle grabbed his jacket before Max could argue and headed out into the storm.

Michael watched as Kyle exited the room. “Maybe I should go with him?”

“No…we stay here. Kyle can handle it.” Max looked at the clock it was after ten. Where were they?

~~~~~~~

“Liz, what happened?” Isabel asked in a horrified tone.

Liz placed the phone back down. “I don’t know.” She stood there for a moment pondering the possibilities. “The weather…it has to be the weather down there. The line just went dead.”

“Oh my God!” Maria sat down in the closest chair. “What if it wasn’t the weather?”

Liz could tell that Isabel and Maria were both starting to panic, but she had to stay calm. It was the weather. “Maria, they’re fine. Kyle said so. Lily and Alex are almost there. It’s gonna be all right. Trust me.” Liz put an arm around Maria’s shoulder and gave Isabel a reassuring smile.

“Liz…what if it’s not all right?” Isabel spoke softly. Almost afraid to even say it out loud.

“Isabel, take Maria and go turn on the Weather channel…you’ll see it’s the weather. I’m gonna try Max’s cell again. Ok?”

Isabel nodded and took Maria’s hand. As she headed towards the living room she looked back at Liz. “I’m sorry, Liz.”

Liz just smiled and nodded. She knew Isabel’s intentions were good. Emotions were running high and she couldn’t blame Isabel for being cautious. She picked the phone up again and dialed Max’s number…voicemail. Dammit! Liz hated not knowing what was going on. “Call me, Max. Please call me.” She whispered it to herself.

~~~~~~~

Jim could finally see the hotel. He just prayed that Max was already there and ready for the trouble he was bringing. He hated to think of Alex and Lily as trouble but with the FBI now involved that’s what they appeared to be. As he approached the driveway leading into the parking lot he glanced back to check on the kids. Alex still had a hand placed on Lily’s stomach and she had slightly calmed down since he had reduced the pain she was experiencing.

Alex looked up relieved when Jim turned into the lot. “We’re here.” He sighed. They’d made it. “Do you think my father is here yet?”

Jim’s eyes gleamed with tears hearing the young boy refer to Max as his father. This was a reunion he was proud to be able to witness. “Let me just go check. I want you to wait here with Lily and I’ll get us a room.” Jim started to reach for the door handle when Alex spoke up.
“Wait! I have to go in. My father made it clear that the room should be in my name.”

“I know Alex, but right now the Feds are looking for you. No record of you anywhere would be best. Don’t worry…no one is looking for me.” Jim smiled at Alex and climbed out of the truck. As he walked towards the office he noticed another man walking down the pathway. Kyle. His son was not even fifteen feet away! He’d waited for this moment for so long that it took him a few seconds before he began to speak. “Kyle?”

Kyle heard the voice come from the man in front of him and immediately recognized it. Suddenly he felt eighteen again. “Dad!” Kyle practically ran him over as he jumped into his arms. “Oh my God, Dad! What are you doing here?” Kyle was crying now. All chances of holding back tears were gone.

Jim pulled away slowly but kept his hands on his son’s face. “Let me look at you…you’re all grown up. My son!” Jim grabbed him and they embraced again. After about a minute Jim came back to his senses and realized they had more important matters to deal with right now. He wasn’t going anywhere…they had all the time in the world to catch up later. “Kyle, I’m glad ya’ll made it here. I have Alex and Lily with me and Lily has been in labor for a while now. Where’s Max?”

Kyle’s eyes were almost popping out of their sockets…she was already in labor? So much for time. “He’s in our room 128. It’s down this corridor to the left.” Kyle pointed back behind him.

“Good! I’m not even going to check in then. I’ll pull my truck around. Go tell Max we need him NOW!” Jim and Kyle separated and Kyle ran for their room.

Jim smiled widely as he hopped back in the truck. “Everything’s gonna be ok, Alex. Max is here and they’ve been waiting for us. They’re in room 128 so I didn’t even have to register. I’m going to pull my truck right up to the door. Get ready to move Lily.” Jim drove through the parking lot and parked right outside the door barely giving Kyle enough time to warn Max and Michael.

Kyle slammed through the door like a tornado. “Max! They’re here! Lily’s already in labor!” Kyle was panting from running. He was normally in good shape but the lack of rest was finally wearing on him. “My Dad’s with them!”

Astonished both Max and Michael looked at each other speechless. Without saying a word they ran for the door. It was still pouring outside, which was lucky for them. It made them much less noticeable. When they reached the truck Max and Alex were finally face to face. Every emotion Max had ever felt was swirling around inside of him. His son! Zan! His firstborn! Max wanted so badly to just take him in his arms but he could see by the worried expression on Alex’s face that it wasn’t the time!

“Where is she?” was all Max could manage at this point.

Alex pointed towards the back seat and immediately Michael and Max were in motion. Kyle was in their room trying to find as many towels as he possibly could. Jim was standing out of the way. He knew his back was no longer in any condition to be lifting Lily. He couldn’t believe he was seeing his boys again. Max and Michael had long ago become like sons to him and here they were…all grown up. He knew it was no time to be emotional but his head and his heart were disagreeing about that. He wiped the falling tears from his cheek and finally moved in closer.

“What can I do?” He looked at Max and all he saw was gratitude.

“Nothing, Sheriff. We got it.” Max smiled but quickly moved around to get his arm beneath Lily. Michael had taken her other side. “You got her? Are we ready to move?”

“Yeah, Maxwell! Now!” The two men picked Lily up as gently as they possibly could knowing she was most likely in a lot of pain. They moved to the door of their room swiftly and within seconds had her propped up on the bed. After everyone was in the room Max called out to Zan.

“Zan, close the door and come here. Hurry!” He motioned for him to move to Lily’s left side.

“Alex. It’s actually Alex.” He said sheepishly.

Max nodded. “Forgive me. Alex, I need you on her other side. I know you’re probably scared, but she’s going to need you. You’re the only one here she knows.”

Alex followed Max’s instructions. “Lily, I’m here.” He took her hand in his and placed his other hand on her forehead. “Shh, it’s ok. I’m here. Everything’s going to be all right.” He kissed her hand gently. Thankful that they had made it in time.

Max checked Lily carefully. He felt almost as uncomfortable as she did. She was fully dilated. There were too many people in the room. He only needed Alex. “I need you all to leave. This is going to be hard enough without an audience.” He turned to Sheriff Valenti. “Have you checked in yet?”

“No, I saw Kyle before I had the chance.”

“Ok. Go check in and see if you can get a room that’s close by. After you’ve done that send someone here to let me know what room you’re all in. I’ll come to you. Give us some time.” Max looked at Michael when he spoke. Michael had been there when Liz had Mikey so he knew it could be five minutes or five hours and he could explain it to the others. He was more than happy to take on a supervisory role now…he didn’t want to be here for this.

Max waited for the room to clear before speaking to Alex again. “Ok, Alex. I’m gonna need your help here. I can deliver these babies, but I need you to keep the towels close by and try to keep Lily calm. I’m a good guy, but she doesn’t know me so I want you to stay by her side at all times.”

“Got it. Yes sir.” He smiled at Max. He was scared, but Max appeared to be completely calm. He handed out orders every few minutes, but he also whispered constantly to Lily to let her know everything that was going on.

“Her contractions are right on top of each other now. It won’t be long.” Max assured Alex never for a moment moving his hand from her stomach.

Alex looked at Max’s hand…it had been glowing for some time now. “What’s happening?” He looked at Max’s hand and then back to his eyes.

“Well…I’m easing her pain and keeping a close eye on the babies.” Max stalled for a moment. He was getting a strange feeling from within her body. Something wasn’t right. “Alex.” He moved away from Lily just a little so he could speak to Alex. “Something’s not right…don’t panic yet, but I’m only sensing one heart beat. We have to get them out. Now. We can’t wait any longer.” He placed a hand on Alex’s arm, but Alex didn’t notice. He didn’t move or even respond to Max now. “Alex?” About that time there was a knock on the door. “Go get that, Alex. Look out before you open the door.” Max turned to face Lily. He wasn’t sure if he should tell her there was only one heartbeat. At this point it could cause her to become hysterical, which was the last thing he needed. He took a quick glance around the room. There was nothing he could use that was sharp enough if he had to take the babies out. A million thoughts were going through his mind when he heard a familiar voice behind him. Turning he saw his mother crying just inside the door.

~~~~~~~

“Do you think they’re all right?” Kyle finally broke the silence. They were obviously panicked and the silence was making him even tenser.

“I don’t know.” Michael was pacing back and forth. He’d been lucky with Maria and Eli. It was quick and Maxwell had handled everything. This time he wasn’t so positive. Time was passing quickly. The Evans and Mr. Parker had arrived shortly after they checked in, but no one was in a celebrating mood. Too much time was passing. “I’m gonna go see what’s going on.” Michael went for the door, but Diane objected.

“Michael, if something’s wrong…can you help Max with this?”

“No…I can’t, but I can’t just sit here either.” Michael was getting more nervous with each passing minute.

“I know how you feel, but let me go. Lily may want another woman there. She’s just a girl and right now I’m the closest thing she has to a mother.”

“Ok.” Michael shook his head. He knew she was right. He couldn’t help and he certainly didn’t want to make things worse.

Diane got up slowly and kissed Phillip on the cheek as she passed by. He was trying to act cool and collected but she knew better. Inside he was terrified. “I’ll be back soon. Jim, will you take me to them?” She had asked Jim because she truly believed, out of everyone; he could probably stay calm if something was indeed wrong. As they left the room, Diane noticed there was nothing but silence again.

~~~~~~~

“Why hasn’t he called yet?” Isabel was pacing the Evan’s living room and had been for more than an hour. She was getting anxious.

Liz just sighed. She knew it was a rhetorical question. She had no more answers than Isabel did. Maria had gone up to check on the girls after successfully biting off all of her nails. It had been a bad habit of Maria’s when they were kids, but tonight it seemed to be back in full force. Liz finally saw Maria come marching down the stairs with a very angry teenager right on her heels.

“Mikey, I told you…we don’t know anything yet.” Maria was irritated…Liz could tell that much.

“You’re lying! You just think I’m a stupid kid!” Mikey yelled back in retaliation.

“No, I think you’re an annoying kid…I never said stupid!”

If they kept this up they would probably wake up the girls who had finally fallen asleep. Liz wasn’t in the mood to argue with either of them, but it beat fighting with a toddler and a spoiled six year old. “You two! Could you be any louder?”

Maria glared at Liz. “You call off the hound and I’ll lower my voice.” She jerked her thumb in Mikey’s direction.

Liz so did not need this right now. “Both of you, enough!”

“Mom! Why won’t you tell me what’s happening? I’m not a kid!”

“First of all…you are a kid and second we’re not sure at this point.” Liz stood up to stretch her legs. “Your Dad will call as soon as he can. Ok?”

“I still think you’re keeping something from me!” Mikey shot back.

“Mikey…do you want to be grounded…because I’m in no mood for this right now. I’m the parent. I choose what to tell you and when. Don’t you dare start barking orders at me.” Liz could feel a massive migraine coming on. “I know you probably can’t sleep, but go to your room anyway. I’ll come get you as soon as we know something. Now go!” Liz pointed towards the stairs and then walked into the kitchen.

“You’d better go, Mikey. I don’t think your mom can handle much more right now.” Isabel was actually coming to Liz’s defense. She must be losing it! At least Mikey had finally listened and was stomping back up the stairs. “Maria, what time is it?”

“Do I look like a clock?” Maria said sarcastically.

“No, but I figured you might be smart enough to wear a watch.” Isabel said in a snotty tone.

“I could say the same for you princess! Where’s yours?”

“I look better with gold bracelets around my arms. Besides, when I need the time I just ask the best-looking man around me. You’re the type to wear a watch!” Isabel knew she was being catty but it was her only defense against panic.

Maria was now standing nose to nose with her favorite ice princess. “Exactly what type would that be?”

“Tacky, of course.” Isabel said nonchalantly and finally sat down.

“You bitch!” Maria screamed lunging for her throat. Lucky for Isabel Liz had come back and caught Maria mid-air.

“Hey! What the hell is going on here?” Liz jerked her head from Maria to Isabel.

“I think Maria needs to go back on her leash.” Isabel had taken a file out of her purse and was now filing her nails like nothing had happened.

”Yeah…go ahead and sharpen those claws kitten! You’re gonna need them when I get loose.”

“Maria! Isabel! Don’t you think we have enough going on? Stop it! Both of you!” Maria was still struggling against her. “Come on, Champ. Go to your own corner.” Liz shoved back and caught Maria off guard sending her flying into Max’s recliner.

“Liz, I can’t believe you’re taking her side?”

“I’m not, Maria! I’m just not in the mood to deal with two fighting children right now!”

“Liz!”

“Maria! Enough! Stop fighting with Isabel or take it outside. As for you your majesty, cut it out! You’ve been bitchy long enough. We’re supposed to be supporting each other right now. Remember?” Maria and Isabel both huffed and looked away. Finally! Peace!

~~~~~~~

“Mom?” Max stared at his mother in total shock. What was she doing here? What in the hell had happened?

“Max, honey.” Diane ran to Max and kissed his cheek. She knew he was distracted but she couldn’t resist. She’d been away from him long enough. “I can’t believe it’s really you!” She was crying heavily now. It was all too much for her. Fifteen years!

“Mom, thank God you’re here. Hold on.” He turned back to face Alex again. “Alex, I need to tell them what’s happening. I’ll hurry, but I need you to place your hand on Lily’s stomach like I did.”

“But…”

“Alex, I need help.” Max looked directly into his eyes and when he knew he understood, he went to his mother. “Mom, Sheriff, something’s wrong. I can only detect one heartbeat now. I have to get them out before we lose them.”

“Max, you’re not a doctor.” Diane was whispering so she wouldn’t scare Lily but there was uncertainty in her voice.

“I know that, but whatever I have to do…I can heal. Please just help me?” Max was pleading with them now. He could save Lily, but every moment the babies’ chances were growing slim.

“Ok, Max. What do you need?” Diane trusted her son. She just hoped he really knew what he was doing.

“Sheriff, do you have a sharp knife of any kind? A hunting knife? Even a small pocket knife if it’s sharp enough?”

“I’m sure I do. Let me go check the truck.” Jim ran back out into the rain.

“Max, what can I do?” Diane spoke softly.

Max took in a deep breath. “Help me make Alex understand there’s no other way. I have to cut her open. It’s their only chance.” Max looked over at Alex holding tightly onto Lily’s hand and prayed he could save his son’s children.

TBC

Roswell Fanatics

Like Father Like Son (CC/FF) Ch 8A-end 06/23/04 [COMPLETE]

Like Father Like Son (CC/FF) Ch 8A-end 06/23/04 [COMPLETE]

CHAPTER 8C 2/15/04