OOC: I know it sucks. But I am so behind in my school work and I feel like letting you all down from me not posting. I just hope this ok. If not let me know.
*Lexi*
I stood there pacing back and forth on my kitchen floor. I really didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what was going on or why those people are here. But at that moment all my worries disappeared. Ashton have grabbed me and kisses me right on the lips, at first I was surprised. I didn’t think he liked me in that way. But me, I have always liked him that way. I just won’t admit it because of Vega. She has liked him since she was 11 and I haven’t. Ashton and I grow up together. Aunt Maria and my mom were pregnant at the same time. But they didn’t give birth at the same time.
I kiss Ashton back as he pulled away slightly and speaks softly. “Are you still nervous or do you need more consoling?” he asks me smiling at me. I stood my head no. I pressed my lips against his one last time before smiling at him. “We can finish this later lover boy.” I said joking to him.
I step out into the living room when I heard my father starts to explain for the first time. I hoped I haven’t missed anything. “"As for your questions, Dylan and Dreakus, Tess did steal my children. You know we were married on Antar ... She said she wanted us to be married again, but she didn't mean it. She ... she tricked me. She hurt all of us, and our friends," I heard my father said but I don’t say a thing. I just listen.
"I was with her just once. When she left this world, she was pregnant with my children. You and Zan, Zaira. She stole you from me. That's why I've seen him in my visions. Zan is my son; I just didn't know who he was." My father said.
OH MY GOD. This can’t be true. This can’t be the secret my parents were keeping it a low key. I have always known my parents keeping something from me and Dylan but I never imagine it would be something like this, something this big. So what does this mean? Zaira and her twin is mine and Dylan half brother and sister?
"I know this is difficult honey, but it was a long time ago Dylan, and it doesn't change the fact that your father and I love you very much...okay...?" my mother said to Dyl and I don’t think anyone acknowledge my presence.
If this is true…I mean it is. I guess I have to accept what’s done is done. We can’t change the past. All I know is my mother and father wouldn’t change the choices they made. If they did, I nor Dylan would be here.
I looked at Ashton as he comes out from the kitchen. He is right beside me. I’m not sure if he even knows what going on. Bu I’m sure Uncle Michael would explain things to him. I turn my attention back to the events that is happening before me.
“I think you better wake her up.” Zaira said to my dad and I looked at her.
Shades Of Grey (TEEN)
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Dreamer_Dreaming
- Obsessed Roswellian
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Corina Star
- Addicted Roswellian
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~Ashton~
I’m awaiting her answer while I’m still smirking at her. She then replies jokingly, “We can finish this later lover boy.”
She then gracefully walks out of the kitchen with an extremely huge grin. I get it; she’s playing hard to get. Well Alexis honey two can play at that game. Who am I kidding? I can’t outlast her, but doesn’t mean I’m going down without a fight.
I stay in the kitchen pondering on what she said. “We can finish this later lover boy.”
That meant more making-out, which had to lead to dating. Wow, Alexis Claudia Evans with me, Ashton Maxwell Guerin, going out. How tripped out is that? Maybe all of this isn’t so bad after all. Who knows how much time we’ll spend together? That is after we find out what’s going on with her family, of course.
Finally, I walk out through the door in nice and smooth strides. I stand right beside Alexis, who confusion is from earlier seemed to clear up. I probably missed the important part of Max’s speech, but Dad can always fill me in later. All that matters now is Alexis and how she’s feeling. I can’t help but gawk every three or two minutes.
I’m awaiting her answer while I’m still smirking at her. She then replies jokingly, “We can finish this later lover boy.”
She then gracefully walks out of the kitchen with an extremely huge grin. I get it; she’s playing hard to get. Well Alexis honey two can play at that game. Who am I kidding? I can’t outlast her, but doesn’t mean I’m going down without a fight.
I stay in the kitchen pondering on what she said. “We can finish this later lover boy.”
That meant more making-out, which had to lead to dating. Wow, Alexis Claudia Evans with me, Ashton Maxwell Guerin, going out. How tripped out is that? Maybe all of this isn’t so bad after all. Who knows how much time we’ll spend together? That is after we find out what’s going on with her family, of course.
Finally, I walk out through the door in nice and smooth strides. I stand right beside Alexis, who confusion is from earlier seemed to clear up. I probably missed the important part of Max’s speech, but Dad can always fill me in later. All that matters now is Alexis and how she’s feeling. I can’t help but gawk every three or two minutes.
May the angels be with you
RIP Jambeth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Dylan*
I'm a little hurt when Dad answers Dreakus after he didn't answer me when I asked the same question, but I guess I understand it. There's a lot going on. I see his look of apology and I offer him a thin smile in response. I do forgive him, but this is confusing.
I'm so glad I'm here with Mom. Things are so crazy, I ... I need her. I fold myself up next to her. I need more than just holding her hand right now. Dad had two kids with that other woman? That crazy, mean, hateful person that he knocked unconcious on our living room floor?
"I know this is difficult honey, but it was a long time ago Dylan, and it doesn't change the fact that your father and I love you very much...okay...?" Mom says. Her voice is so soft and loving and yet so strong. How can she be so strong when she's lying on the recliner like she's sick?
"I thought ... I thought he loved you," I say softly, barely getting the words out. I've heard of other people having babies with lots of women, but they always seemed so ... untrustworthy. My dad isn't like them ... is he? He always seemed so perfect. Strong and loving. Now I don't know what to think.
I'm a little hurt when Dad answers Dreakus after he didn't answer me when I asked the same question, but I guess I understand it. There's a lot going on. I see his look of apology and I offer him a thin smile in response. I do forgive him, but this is confusing.
I'm so glad I'm here with Mom. Things are so crazy, I ... I need her. I fold myself up next to her. I need more than just holding her hand right now. Dad had two kids with that other woman? That crazy, mean, hateful person that he knocked unconcious on our living room floor?
"I know this is difficult honey, but it was a long time ago Dylan, and it doesn't change the fact that your father and I love you very much...okay...?" Mom says. Her voice is so soft and loving and yet so strong. How can she be so strong when she's lying on the recliner like she's sick?
"I thought ... I thought he loved you," I say softly, barely getting the words out. I've heard of other people having babies with lots of women, but they always seemed so ... untrustworthy. My dad isn't like them ... is he? He always seemed so perfect. Strong and loving. Now I don't know what to think.
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KatnotKath
- Roswell Fanatic
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~Liz~
As I try to reassure Dylan, I feel another burst of emotion, and turning round, I see Alexis standing with Ashton. From the look on her face, I'm guessing that she got to hear at least the important part of what Max was saying, and unsurprisingly, she looks... *Alexis...are you okay...?* I try to send reassuring thoughts towards her, to show her she isn't being ignored, and that I'm here for her if she needs me, but as Dylan presses himself closer to me, I have to turn my attention back to him.
"I thought...I thought he loved you..."
His words cause a lump to stick in my throat, as memories of that time so long ago come flooding through my mind. "Oh honey, he does...never doubt that...because I know I don't... We love each other, and you and Alexis, more than words can describe..." I draw in a shaky breath, and tighten my hold on Dylan's hand, trying to find the words to continue. "B-but some things happened in the past... It's a long story, and a difficult one at that. Your father and I both made mistakes..." I bite my lip as I think about the FutureMax incident, the things I did which put all of this in motion. Max might blame himself for what happened between he and Tess, but I blame myself too because it all started with that night of the Gomez concert... I'm not suggesting that his children are mistakes, I wouldn't do that, but we should never have got into that situation in the first place...that was the mistake, the mistake I made, of not trusting in our relationship... "Those mistakes are part of who we are today though, we worked through what happened, and we came out of it all the stronger...together..." I look at him and smile. "This doesn't change the fact that we love you, or each other sweetheart, nothing will change that okay...?"
As I try to reassure Dylan, I feel another burst of emotion, and turning round, I see Alexis standing with Ashton. From the look on her face, I'm guessing that she got to hear at least the important part of what Max was saying, and unsurprisingly, she looks... *Alexis...are you okay...?* I try to send reassuring thoughts towards her, to show her she isn't being ignored, and that I'm here for her if she needs me, but as Dylan presses himself closer to me, I have to turn my attention back to him.
"I thought...I thought he loved you..."
His words cause a lump to stick in my throat, as memories of that time so long ago come flooding through my mind. "Oh honey, he does...never doubt that...because I know I don't... We love each other, and you and Alexis, more than words can describe..." I draw in a shaky breath, and tighten my hold on Dylan's hand, trying to find the words to continue. "B-but some things happened in the past... It's a long story, and a difficult one at that. Your father and I both made mistakes..." I bite my lip as I think about the FutureMax incident, the things I did which put all of this in motion. Max might blame himself for what happened between he and Tess, but I blame myself too because it all started with that night of the Gomez concert... I'm not suggesting that his children are mistakes, I wouldn't do that, but we should never have got into that situation in the first place...that was the mistake, the mistake I made, of not trusting in our relationship... "Those mistakes are part of who we are today though, we worked through what happened, and we came out of it all the stronger...together..." I look at him and smile. "This doesn't change the fact that we love you, or each other sweetheart, nothing will change that okay...?"
Last edited by KatnotKath on Sun Mar 19, 2006 3:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
My fics:
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
*Max*
I'm watching Zaira's face closely and I can see her surprise. Oddly enough, there doesn't seem to be any anger and when she speaks, she doesn't say a word of 'I don't believe you' or 'that can't be true.' It's like she knows it is. Maybe she senses it, too, or maybe it's just that knowing this makes the other lies she's known make sense.
“I think you better wake her up.” Zaira says, not acknowledging my words at all. I wish I knew what was going on in her head. I smile at her, a bit wistfully, wondering what it might have been like to have known her and Zan. To have been able to protect them. Liz has told me that she would have supported my son if I'd ever had been able to find him -- although we never did and never knew there were two of them -- but would it really have been that easy? I wish I'd been given the chance to find out.
Looking up, I glance at Tess who hasn't moved at all. I notice that Alexis and Ashton have returned to the room. Michael, Isabel and Vega haven't said anything. I guess they figured this out already from what I said earlier.
"Okay," I tell Zaira, raising my hand to give her shoulder a squeeze. I want to hug her again and I watch her carefully, wondering if she'll allow it. "But I want you to know that what that monster did to you wasn't your fault. Not at all. Believe it. And I'm not going to let your mother hurt you even more with her words." I decide to risk it and I pull Zaira close for a quick but tight hug. I don't know this girl but I care for her. It hurts me so much to see the way she's been treated by Tess. To know how Khivar has hurt her.
Releasing Zaira, I look up at Alexis and Ashton. "I guess you heard what I said before?" I ask hopefully. "Zaira and Zan are my children, too. Your older brother and sister."
Glancing back at Dreakus, I can pretty much guess who his father is. I don't know how he feels about me and Khivar. He obviously cares for his sister Zaira and I don't need to create more enemies. "Don't worry. I am going to get Zan out of there, even if I have to do it alone," I tell him.
I'm watching Zaira's face closely and I can see her surprise. Oddly enough, there doesn't seem to be any anger and when she speaks, she doesn't say a word of 'I don't believe you' or 'that can't be true.' It's like she knows it is. Maybe she senses it, too, or maybe it's just that knowing this makes the other lies she's known make sense.
“I think you better wake her up.” Zaira says, not acknowledging my words at all. I wish I knew what was going on in her head. I smile at her, a bit wistfully, wondering what it might have been like to have known her and Zan. To have been able to protect them. Liz has told me that she would have supported my son if I'd ever had been able to find him -- although we never did and never knew there were two of them -- but would it really have been that easy? I wish I'd been given the chance to find out.
Looking up, I glance at Tess who hasn't moved at all. I notice that Alexis and Ashton have returned to the room. Michael, Isabel and Vega haven't said anything. I guess they figured this out already from what I said earlier.
"Okay," I tell Zaira, raising my hand to give her shoulder a squeeze. I want to hug her again and I watch her carefully, wondering if she'll allow it. "But I want you to know that what that monster did to you wasn't your fault. Not at all. Believe it. And I'm not going to let your mother hurt you even more with her words." I decide to risk it and I pull Zaira close for a quick but tight hug. I don't know this girl but I care for her. It hurts me so much to see the way she's been treated by Tess. To know how Khivar has hurt her.
Releasing Zaira, I look up at Alexis and Ashton. "I guess you heard what I said before?" I ask hopefully. "Zaira and Zan are my children, too. Your older brother and sister."
Glancing back at Dreakus, I can pretty much guess who his father is. I don't know how he feels about me and Khivar. He obviously cares for his sister Zaira and I don't need to create more enemies. "Don't worry. I am going to get Zan out of there, even if I have to do it alone," I tell him.
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Dreamer_Dreaming
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 829
- Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2002 2:54 pm
- Location: Dream Land Where I Belong
*Lexi*
*Alexis...are you okay...?* I heard my mother’s voice inside my head. I looked at her as she comforting Dylan. I guess this is too much to handle for a 12-year-old. I mean he must feel like his whole world is crushing down on him. I do feel like that too but I’m older. I have learned long time ago that my parents aren’t perfect. If they were perfect then I guess things around here would be different.
I didn’t answer my worried question because I don’t think she should be worrying about. I think she should be worried about her well being and my baby sibling inside of her. But she is and that makes her so special. She’s weak and strong at the same time and I think that’s one of the reasons why my father loves her so much.
"I guess you heard what I said before? Zaira and Zan are my children, too. Your older brother and sister." My dad looks at me and Ashton, but he was more talking to me.
"Don't worry. I am going to get Zan out of there, even if I have to do it alone," my father said to Zaira that is now known as my sister.
I took several steps as I walk up to him, “Dad…I am not angry at you or mom. I am not shame of anything you have done or mistakes you regret. The mistakes make us stronger and the person we are today. I just hope one day, I make you and mom proud of the person I will become.” I said looking at my father.
*Alexis...are you okay...?* I heard my mother’s voice inside my head. I looked at her as she comforting Dylan. I guess this is too much to handle for a 12-year-old. I mean he must feel like his whole world is crushing down on him. I do feel like that too but I’m older. I have learned long time ago that my parents aren’t perfect. If they were perfect then I guess things around here would be different.
I didn’t answer my worried question because I don’t think she should be worrying about. I think she should be worried about her well being and my baby sibling inside of her. But she is and that makes her so special. She’s weak and strong at the same time and I think that’s one of the reasons why my father loves her so much.
"I guess you heard what I said before? Zaira and Zan are my children, too. Your older brother and sister." My dad looks at me and Ashton, but he was more talking to me.
"Don't worry. I am going to get Zan out of there, even if I have to do it alone," my father said to Zaira that is now known as my sister.
I took several steps as I walk up to him, “Dad…I am not angry at you or mom. I am not shame of anything you have done or mistakes you regret. The mistakes make us stronger and the person we are today. I just hope one day, I make you and mom proud of the person I will become.” I said looking at my father.
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Athenea
- Obsessed Roswellian
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Zaira
I smile as Max hugs me, it’s a strange feeling to be shown affection like this when the only other people I get it from are my brothers. He lets go and then turns to speak to a girl younger than me and a boy about 12. These must be his children with his wife. "I guess you heard what I said before? Zaira and Zan are my children, too. Your older brother and sister."
Good God I have a half sister. Its odd to say the least. I’ve grown up the only girl and I’ve never really gotten along with other girls my age. Me and my brothers had always been very close and so we’ve never even really associated with other kids our age. We were tutored privately and me and Zan would have started school at a University for the upper class this year if things hadn’t all gone to hell. I wasn’t looking forward to it at all because I didn’t want to leave Dreakus by himself.
“Dad…I am not angry at you or mom. I am not shame of anything you have done or mistakes you regret. The mistakes make us stronger and the person we are today. I just hope one day, I make you and mom proud of the person I will become.” The girl tells him.
What is that supposed to mean. Mistake. What she thinks I and my brother were a mistake? I don’t say anything but I glare at her instead. Luckily Dreakus senses my mood change and says to Max. “You won’t have to break Zan out alone. We are perfectly capable of killing off a few simple human beings. Me and Zaira both have had combat training. We can help we’re not children.”
I smile as Max hugs me, it’s a strange feeling to be shown affection like this when the only other people I get it from are my brothers. He lets go and then turns to speak to a girl younger than me and a boy about 12. These must be his children with his wife. "I guess you heard what I said before? Zaira and Zan are my children, too. Your older brother and sister."
Good God I have a half sister. Its odd to say the least. I’ve grown up the only girl and I’ve never really gotten along with other girls my age. Me and my brothers had always been very close and so we’ve never even really associated with other kids our age. We were tutored privately and me and Zan would have started school at a University for the upper class this year if things hadn’t all gone to hell. I wasn’t looking forward to it at all because I didn’t want to leave Dreakus by himself.
“Dad…I am not angry at you or mom. I am not shame of anything you have done or mistakes you regret. The mistakes make us stronger and the person we are today. I just hope one day, I make you and mom proud of the person I will become.” The girl tells him.
What is that supposed to mean. Mistake. What she thinks I and my brother were a mistake? I don’t say anything but I glare at her instead. Luckily Dreakus senses my mood change and says to Max. “You won’t have to break Zan out alone. We are perfectly capable of killing off a few simple human beings. Me and Zaira both have had combat training. We can help we’re not children.”
*Dylan*
"Those mistakes are part of who we are today though, we worked through what happened, and we came out of it all the stronger...together..." Mom says with a warm smile.
Mom holds me tight and it feels almost all right, although I still am not sure what this is all going to mean. Mom says they made mistakes. Dad says he was tricked. He says they were all hurt by her. I wish I knew what happened. Why did that Tess person leave with them and take the babies away? How did Daddy let her do that? Where did she go?
I know about Antar. I know my Dad is supposed to be king there, but he doesn't have any way to go and he always said he was happy here. I thought that meant he didn't want to be king there but what if it didn't? This lady is here with his other kids and she said that she's the queen... But mommy says daddy doesn't love her. I don't know how he ever could.
"This doesn't change the fact that we love you, or each other sweetheart, nothing will change that okay...?" Mom says.
"Okay," I say, although I still have a lot of questions. I should wait and see what else they all say and maybe I could figure out some of it, but I don't want to wait. He's promising to rescue my big brother and the other boy says he's going to help. He's not my brother, I think. At least, Dad didn't say he was. I'm so scared I can hardly think. Mom and Dad don't talk about it when they think I can hear, but they've warned us about not letting anyone know that we're different. I've seen the movies ... And Dad's going to go in there? For my brother? I know he'd do it for me, but he doesn't even know Zan.
"What happened to Zaira? What kind of monster hurt her?" I'm not sure if it was a creature or if it was that blond lady. If it were an animal, then they'd have left it behind on Antar. If it's the lady ... Even if it's not, I wish dad would make her leave. "Was it her mommy? Daddy said he hurt you, too."
*Max*
Alexis' comments confuse me. Does she have any idea what she's talking about? She doesn't even know what happened but she's acting like she's over it all ready. Maybe she's just trying to make it all go away faster so she doesn't have to think about it.
"I'm always proud of you, honey," I tell Alexis and I am, even when, like now, I'm not sure what she's thinking. I'm glad that Liz has Dylan and it sounds like she's explaining things to him. I wish we'd had some warning. Some time to let them know what happened. Somehow, I'd allowed myself to believe that because I couldn't leave Earth, that this wouldn't be coming back to me. I'm glad I was wrong. I want my children. I'm just sorry they've both been so badly hurt, and that I didn't get a chance to explain it to the other children.
“You won’t have to break Zan out alone. We are perfectly capable of killing off a few simple human beings. Me and Zaira both have had combat training. We can help we’re not children.” Dreakus explains, defiantly.
I frown at that. He's young, probably only fifteen and Zaira can't be more than 17 and she's just gone through a horrific ordeal, too. Of course, I was the same age when I was captured by the FBI Special Unit. No wonder Sheriff Valenti stepped in. We must have seemed so young... He's the same age as Alexis and I know I can't let her do this. I don't know if I can forbid Dreakus but I also don't know how far I can trust him. He wants to save Zan, but will he, like his father, want to kill me, too? If he really has been trained in combat that might put him up a bit on us -- we've only had what training we could cobble together from practice, Sheriff Valenti, and our memories of Antar. We might really need him.
But I don't like the way Dreakus speaks so easily of killing humans just because they're humans. It sounds so much like what Peirce had said, hating aliens just because we're different. Dreakus seems ready to judge all humans the same way. Of course, anyone who's working in a place that kidnaps and tortures aliens is probably not an innocent by-stander just there just to pay the bills...
"Humans aren't simple and they're not all your enemies," I caution Dreakus, sternly. "Some have been very good friends." I look at Liz, thinking of Maria and Kyle and Jim -- Even Amy and the Parkers and my parents. And Alex. He paid a high price for being our friend. Tess owes me her life for that and for her plot to kill the rest of us, but I'll wait for just a little longer.
"Zaira might need to rest but I will need both of your help to find him. Can you tell me anything about the people who took him? What their uniforms looked like?" I ask. It would help to know if it was the AirForce or the FBI. Even if it was the USAF, Zan would probably have been transferred to the FBI by now, but we might be able to find witnesses or something...
I reach up to the shelf beside the sofa and bring down a photograph of Liz and me at last years' Christmas party. Pausing, I close my eyes and concentrate on remembering what I don't like to remember -- the nightmares that have been plaguing me. I shift my thoughts a little to my memories of the flashes I saw from Zaira. Merging them, I solidify an image and then I touch the photo. In an instant, it alters itself into an image of Zan. Opening my eyes, I look at the photo for a moment before holding it out to Isabel. "Do you think you can find him? The way you found me?"
.
"Those mistakes are part of who we are today though, we worked through what happened, and we came out of it all the stronger...together..." Mom says with a warm smile.
Mom holds me tight and it feels almost all right, although I still am not sure what this is all going to mean. Mom says they made mistakes. Dad says he was tricked. He says they were all hurt by her. I wish I knew what happened. Why did that Tess person leave with them and take the babies away? How did Daddy let her do that? Where did she go?
I know about Antar. I know my Dad is supposed to be king there, but he doesn't have any way to go and he always said he was happy here. I thought that meant he didn't want to be king there but what if it didn't? This lady is here with his other kids and she said that she's the queen... But mommy says daddy doesn't love her. I don't know how he ever could.
"This doesn't change the fact that we love you, or each other sweetheart, nothing will change that okay...?" Mom says.
"Okay," I say, although I still have a lot of questions. I should wait and see what else they all say and maybe I could figure out some of it, but I don't want to wait. He's promising to rescue my big brother and the other boy says he's going to help. He's not my brother, I think. At least, Dad didn't say he was. I'm so scared I can hardly think. Mom and Dad don't talk about it when they think I can hear, but they've warned us about not letting anyone know that we're different. I've seen the movies ... And Dad's going to go in there? For my brother? I know he'd do it for me, but he doesn't even know Zan.
"What happened to Zaira? What kind of monster hurt her?" I'm not sure if it was a creature or if it was that blond lady. If it were an animal, then they'd have left it behind on Antar. If it's the lady ... Even if it's not, I wish dad would make her leave. "Was it her mommy? Daddy said he hurt you, too."
*Max*
Alexis' comments confuse me. Does she have any idea what she's talking about? She doesn't even know what happened but she's acting like she's over it all ready. Maybe she's just trying to make it all go away faster so she doesn't have to think about it.
"I'm always proud of you, honey," I tell Alexis and I am, even when, like now, I'm not sure what she's thinking. I'm glad that Liz has Dylan and it sounds like she's explaining things to him. I wish we'd had some warning. Some time to let them know what happened. Somehow, I'd allowed myself to believe that because I couldn't leave Earth, that this wouldn't be coming back to me. I'm glad I was wrong. I want my children. I'm just sorry they've both been so badly hurt, and that I didn't get a chance to explain it to the other children.
“You won’t have to break Zan out alone. We are perfectly capable of killing off a few simple human beings. Me and Zaira both have had combat training. We can help we’re not children.” Dreakus explains, defiantly.
I frown at that. He's young, probably only fifteen and Zaira can't be more than 17 and she's just gone through a horrific ordeal, too. Of course, I was the same age when I was captured by the FBI Special Unit. No wonder Sheriff Valenti stepped in. We must have seemed so young... He's the same age as Alexis and I know I can't let her do this. I don't know if I can forbid Dreakus but I also don't know how far I can trust him. He wants to save Zan, but will he, like his father, want to kill me, too? If he really has been trained in combat that might put him up a bit on us -- we've only had what training we could cobble together from practice, Sheriff Valenti, and our memories of Antar. We might really need him.
But I don't like the way Dreakus speaks so easily of killing humans just because they're humans. It sounds so much like what Peirce had said, hating aliens just because we're different. Dreakus seems ready to judge all humans the same way. Of course, anyone who's working in a place that kidnaps and tortures aliens is probably not an innocent by-stander just there just to pay the bills...
"Humans aren't simple and they're not all your enemies," I caution Dreakus, sternly. "Some have been very good friends." I look at Liz, thinking of Maria and Kyle and Jim -- Even Amy and the Parkers and my parents. And Alex. He paid a high price for being our friend. Tess owes me her life for that and for her plot to kill the rest of us, but I'll wait for just a little longer.
"Zaira might need to rest but I will need both of your help to find him. Can you tell me anything about the people who took him? What their uniforms looked like?" I ask. It would help to know if it was the AirForce or the FBI. Even if it was the USAF, Zan would probably have been transferred to the FBI by now, but we might be able to find witnesses or something...
I reach up to the shelf beside the sofa and bring down a photograph of Liz and me at last years' Christmas party. Pausing, I close my eyes and concentrate on remembering what I don't like to remember -- the nightmares that have been plaguing me. I shift my thoughts a little to my memories of the flashes I saw from Zaira. Merging them, I solidify an image and then I touch the photo. In an instant, it alters itself into an image of Zan. Opening my eyes, I look at the photo for a moment before holding it out to Isabel. "Do you think you can find him? The way you found me?"
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