Hellloooooooooooooo people!!!!
Guess what? Don't get scared now ... I UPDATED !!!!
Wow I know ... are you as amazed as me?
So sorry it took forever ...
Thanks so much for your bumps and stuff ... I really don't deserve
you guys ... *teary smile* ...
Anyway ... I'll shuddup now and let you get on with the show ...
Thanks again ... and I hope you enjoy ...
~Nat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Face and Ghost" Part 23
by NafX
Disclaimer: The characters and lyrics used in this story do not belong to me, and no infringement
of any kind is implied or intended.
Summary: The Saga continues ...
Category: Michael/Maria
Rating: PG
Authors Note: Feedback is of course greatly appreciated.
"… the truth it begins,
we're breathing it in,
with shadows of doubt ..."
Max studied the face of their enemy and was surprised that he didn't seem terribly
frightening. He was an ordinary looking man, nothing about him indicated that
he was an evil alien responsible for the ill health of their friend, and he continued
searching his face for signs of the monster he expected him to be.
He was fairly tall, of average weight and thick dark hair settled unevenly on a broad
forehead above equally thick straight brows. He had very ordinary features, nothing
about his face invited a second look and Max looked sideways at his friend to confirm
that this was indeed their adversary.
Michael hadn't moved a muscle, he was rigid and still, staring through the glass and
his expression brooked no argument. Max knew that as far as Michael was concerned,
this ordinary, everyday guy was the one responsible for their current predicament.
"Michael, are you sure?" Liz whispered the words into the silence of the room and
everyone glanced in his direction.
He remained frozen in place for a moment before physically shifting his focus to the slim
brunette beside him. "Yeah, I'm sure. The question is what does he want." He looked
at Max beside him, "I suggest we find out. You ready for this?"
Max met his eyes and read his friend's determination and strength shine through the
overwhelming weariness in his gaze. He knew he was about ready to drop and
knowing he was no where near full strength added additional worry to the huge
unknown that awaited them.
"I am if you are Michael, are you sure you're up for it?"
Michael nodded then turned to regard the others standing around them, "All of you
need to get out of here." He looked specifically at Liz, "Can you take everyone
upstairs?"
Isabel frowned, "What are you going to do Michael?" At his hard look she continued,
"Oh no, no way, if you think I'm going to leave you two down here to face him on your
own you're crazy."
Alex moved to stand beside Isabel and glanced at Michael, "I think Michael's right
Isabel, you're exhausted, you need rest."
Isabel felt the concern behind his words and her expression softened. "I know you're
worried Alex, but I'm ok. Michael is just as worn out as I am and besides, I can't let
them face him alone, what if something happens and they need me?"
"Is, I don't think anything's going to happen to us, if he wanted us dead this instant I
imagine he'd not be waiting patiently outside for us. It's going to be fine, we'll handle it.
Trust me." Max tried to sound reassured but was well aware that he was not.
"Well if there's no danger then why can't we all stay?" Liz crossed her arms across her
chest and glared at him.
Max sighed almost inaudibly and took a step toward her, "Liz, there isn't time for this,
we really don't know what he's about and I'd feel better if you were well away from the
confrontation..."
"This isn't just an alien issue Max, Maria is my best friend." Liz glanced at Alex, "We
deserve to know as much about what's going on as you do."
Max frowned at her, he'd not seen this side of her and was somewhat surprised. He
hadn't realised how stubborn she could be, the thought almost made him smile. "Liz,
this has nothing to do with being alien or not, we don't know what he's planning and
it's just not safe. We're not going to keep anything from you, we're going to go out
there and see what he wants, that's all."
Liz scowled, she wasn't ready to concede just yet, "No Max, we ..."
Michael turned and interrupted her, his voice harsh and uncompromising. "No. He
already has more then enough leverage to get what he wants, whatever that is. I'm
not willing to give him any more."
His clipped words silenced any other protests. It brought to mind the reason why they
were there in the first place. Maria was near death and this was the best chance
they'd had of finding out why.
"Alright, but I don't like this Max, not at all." Isabel gave her brother a hard look then
reluctantly turned and headed towards the back of the restaurant.
Liz looked from Max to Michael, her posture stiff. "You get us if you need us." It wasn't
a question and Michael didn't bother responding. She turned away and followed the
taller girl, a silent Alex fell into step beside her.
Max looked down at Tess who stood beside him, "You need to go too Tess."
Tess opened her mouth to argue but was silenced as he continued, "Isabel is
exhausted, she's got hardly any power left and if something does happen to us you'll
be the only one that has any chance of protecting the others. Do you understand? If
we fall, it'll be up to you."
Tess looked at him with complete confidence, "You won't." At Max's narrowed look
she sighed, "Ok Max, but be careful."
Max nodded and watched as she turned and walked away. He returned his attention
to Michael and saw that he was once again watching Lysus through the front doors of
the restaurant.
"Ok, let's do this." Michael's voice was low and gravely, he took a breath and
straightened his shoulders, mentally preparing himself for the task ahead. Max watched
him stride towards the doors and followed close behind.
Once outside the pair moved beyond the circle of light produced by the interior lights of
the restaurant and came to stand a few metres in front of their dark haired nemesis.
They regarded each other in silence for several minutes before the alien spoke, breaking
the quiet of the night.
"You know who I am." The words were a statement of fact and his deep voice sounded
a little surprised.
Michael forcibly reigned in his temper and despite his weariness felt an impressive
amount of energy pool in his stomach. He wanted nothing more then to crush his face
into dust, but knew that giving in to the urge would mean certain death for Maria, so
he calmed himself and replied. "Yeah we know who you are. We also know what you've
done."
Lysus did not look overly concerned. "So, you've got it all figured out have you? I
must say that is impressive, Maria did seem rather confident that you'd rescue her,
perhaps your hybridisation has improved your intelligence." He paused for a moment
to study them up close and smiled, "How strange you look, although I suppose it has
been a while since our paths crossed. You're little more then children aren't you?"
Max frowned, "You might be surprised."
"What do you want?" Michael ignored the useless chitchat and got straight to the point.
Lysus looked at him intently, "Ah the direct approach, why doesn't that surprise me?
You were always quick to strike Rath, nice to see that trait was not bred out of you."
Michael scowled and folded his arms defensively across his chest. "The name's Michael."
Lysus raised an eyebrow but did not respond. Instead, he wandered over to lean
against the outside wall of the restaurant, taking a long moment to settle himself
comfortably.
Michael watched him with growing agitation and unable to help himself spoke out, his
voice clipped and direct. "Why?"
Lysus glanced in his direction and did not pretend to misunderstand his question, his thin
lips curled into a cold smile and Michael felt an involuntary shiver shoot down his spine.
"Why? Why do you think?"
Max took a deep breath and forced himself to calm. It was difficult to ignore the angry
vibes emanating from Michael, he was projecting them so clearly that he almost felt they
belonged to himself. He was somewhat surprised at the loss of control Michael was
exhibiting and realised again just how exhausted he must be, he wasn't normally so free
with his emotions.
"I don't know why, she's innocent in this, whatever 'this' is." Michael replied.
Lysus' expression hardened and his eyes glittered dangerously, "Innocent? Since when
did innocence hold any weight with you?"
Max looked at Michael in confusion then addressed the alien, "What are you talking
about?"
Lysus laughed bitterly, "Like you don't know."
Michael and Max shared a look, "I don't know what you think this is about, but believe me
when I say we don't have a clue. We don't remember much from out past lives."
Lysus gave them a disbelieving look, "Then how is it you know me?"
Max glanced at Michael before responding, "We have our ways."
Lysus grunted and stood away from the wall, "Well, that is neither here nor there. I
haven't got time to chit chat, I'm a busy man. Let's cut to the chase. I've got
something you want, and you've go something I need. I propose an exchange."
Michael blinked in surprise. This wasn't what he'd expected at all. The guy wanted to
ransom Maria, but for what, and for God's sake why? He glanced at Max and saw him
look back at him in question. This was certainly not at all what they'd imagined, besides,
Maria had told him that Lysus had said he'd wanted them all dead and that she was going
to be the first to go. If that was true, then why all of a sudden was he trying to make
a deal? He'd known there was more to this then petty revenge, although for what he had
no idea.
At his silence Max took the initiative. "What is it you want?"
Lysus took a couple of steps forward and looked from one to the other, "I have spent my
entire life studying the Ancient's of our world and I have searched for the key to all their
knowledge and power. I have suffered and sacrificed much, including my life, to obtain it
and I will not be denied. I am almost done and have collected all but one tiny piece of
the puzzle. That piece was the most difficult to find, but find it I have." He paused and
allowed his gaze to fall to Michael, "It was sent far away from our lands, to a tiny blue
planet in another solar system. It was sent here, with you."
Michael held his gaze and saw for the first time something in his eyes that seemed familiar.
Some small spark that resonated with his alien self and he suddenly felt uneasy.
Max looked from one to the other and interrupted, "What are you talking about? What
piece?"
Lysus tore his gaze away from Michael and focused on the man who would be King. "It is
an ancient artefact that the ruling house of Antar has secretly had in its possession for
centuries. I did not know at the time that the very thing I hungered for was underneath
my very nose. It is ironic that I never thought to find it there, but then, why would I?
I was stripped of my position, title and ultimately my life because of my search, why would
I have thought the King who'd banished me would possess such a relic?"
Michael blinked and tried to fathom what he was talking about. An ancient artefact?
He switched his gaze to Michael, "It is the last element needed to complete my life's work,
and you have it. Of course, I hold your lover's life in my hands so I suppose one could
say we're even."
Michael's expression grew fierce and he unfolded his arms and clenched his fists. "We
don't know anything about any ancient relic."
"Then you'd better find out quickly, your girlfriend's life is almost at an end. I am the only
thing holding her here and I am not a patient man."
Max felt Michael's anger spike and knew his control had snapped, he grabbed his arm in an
effort to stop him lashing out. "Michael don't, remember, he's got Maria."
Lysus took an involuntary step back at Max's words and Michael took sadistic pleasure in
the fact.
"Yes, you kill me and she dies Michael, never forget that."
Michael grunted but remained silent as he struggled for control. When Max was satisfied
that he wasn't going to vaporise the other alien, he released his arm and steered the
conversation in a more useful direction. "What does this artefact look like?"
Lysus narrowed his eyes at Michael briefly before focusing on the question, "It is a small
metallic like disk, only two inches in diameter. A small, insignificant thing really."
"If it's so insignificant then why do you want it? What does it do?" Max searched his
mind but with growing despair could not remember anything remotely like what he was
describing.
"It is of no concern of yours what it does. Know only that I want it and will do anything
to have it."
Michael took a menacing step towards Lysus and their eyes met, "Whatever if is, if you
don't let Maria go you'll never get your hands on it, I'll make sure of that." Lysus glared
at him and something ferocious and primal passed between them.
Max stood apart from them and observed their interaction. It was as Maria had said,
there seemed to be something personal going on here. When Lysus looked at Michael
his eyes burned with a fanatical light of barely suppressed rage. There was history here,
something had happened between them in their past life, perhaps something related to
his capture and subsequent death. Max wasn't sure what but he intended to find out.
"You can try but remember this, there are plenty more where she came from." His voice
was low and dangerous and Max swallowed the sudden lump of fear that crawled its way
up his throat. Against his will an image came to him of Maria's hospital room, but instead
of his blonde haired friend, he saw spread out across the sterile sheets the long silky
brown hair and fine gentle features of Liz.
He suppressed a shudder and looked over at Michael. He was standing there silently, and
Max knew as well as he did that there was nothing more they could say. He had them well
and truly over a barrel.
At their silence Lysus smiled cruelly and turned to take a step away, "Now that that is
settled I suggest you get busy. I will give you two days to find the disk. I'll be in
touch to arrange the exchange."
Michael and Max stood and watched him turn and disappear into the darkness. They both
remained where they were for several minutes, neither sure what to do now that the initial
confrontation was over.
Max glanced at his friend and surrogate brother, "I suppose we'd better go and fill the
others in on what happened."
Michael seemed not to hear him at first but after a moments hesitation he turned without
a word and headed back towards the front doors of the cafe.
Max stood there in the dark and watched him wrench open the doors and stride inside, his
pain abundant and clear. It was difficult to take and he wondered not for the first time
if Michael would survive this. If they couldn't find this disk ... Max let that thought fall
away. He sighed tiredly and he feared.
He feared for them all.
TBC
