The Promise (CC,M/L,Mature), part 10, 17 jun [WIP]

[willowbv]

AN: Wasn't sure if I would manage to get this out today but got it done. I'm still recovering from a weekend of post graduation ball partying and a cold from getting caught out in the rain, so if anyone's interested Blink will be updated this weekend instead.

This next part is kind of a transition piece plus I thought I'd take it a bit easy since I'm working up to a pretty jaw dropping cliff hanger. Also just a note, look up for growing reprecussions to the way the humans were knocked out...I'm not planning to kill any of the gang but...things happen...

BULL SHIT ...nah nah they are so not dead. ok so ima give you the benifit of the doubt and say they just knocked them out for now, but so help me if it takes another 3months for you to update after that we are gonna have some serious words!!!!! its mid april u better not wait til june honey...fair warning now!!urrrrrrrrggggggg jesus u sure know how to keep a chick in suspence, well anyway great part cant wait to see what happens!!!!

Lol, thanks for the benefit of the doubt, I want to update this fic more often than not and I wouldn't be so cruel as to leave you all hanging for months on end...at least I hope not

I'm sorry I haven't left fb before but I totally forgot I was reading this, believe it or not. And now, I'm delurking because this is just too good of a fic not to respond to it.

Kay

You're forgiven, thanks for delurking

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youre my dreamgirl

I appreciate the feedback guys, your reactions are part of what spurs me to write on. Enjoy...

Previously

Nicholas answered the call he’d been waiting for.

“They’re all in position.”

“Good.” He turned to his men. “Turn it on.”

****

“Max, you with me?” Mac waved her hands in front of him.

“Get back to me on that,” he replied.

“I know it’s a lot to take in. I tried to give you time to sort things out with Liz and not have to deal with it because Zan was handling it but-”

“But what?” he asked.

She looked across at him sadly. “Time’s up.”

The door shattered open. Both heads snapped in the direction of the disturbance. A man stepped through, his hand already outstretched. They were both on their feet in an instant, raised their hands a second too late. There was the pulsating bright light that burst at them, its heat and crackling energy thrust them across the room and sucked their minds into nothingness.

****

Liz felt as if she was being violently ripped in two. It was a fleeting feeling but after it passed, he wasn’t there. She reached out but couldn’t connect with him.

“Liz.” Maria was by her side studying her with concern. Liz glanced at her friend, then past her at the empty spaces behind which had been populated with customers a few seconds ago.

“What…” The store was completely empty, everyone had just disappeared save for a blonde woman standing a few feet from them. Clarity about what was happening came too late, Liz could only shield her eyes from the bright light, her scream mingled with Maria’s until she couldn’t hear, feel or see anything anymore.

****

They had just pulled into the Valenti’s driveway to drop off Tess when Kyle stepped out of his house accompanied closely behind by a strange woman.

Isabel gasped as with a touch of her hand, Kyle crumpled to the ground.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by at least four people on Michael’s quick count. An ambush with fire power wasn’t something they could defeat without the strength of shield that Max had. Isabel and Tess could barely create one and he wasn’t as strong. His last thought before he succumbed to the void of pain was that he wished Max was here.

****

Alex was in the electronic store looking for a part for his lap top when it happened. One second he was talking to the sales person and the next he had vanished. Everyone had vanished and all the electronic items had turned off. It was complete silence.

“What?”. He ducked on reflex as a t.v. exploded behind them.

“Alien, definitely something alien,” he muttered as crouched down, he raced crouched along the aisle. He came to a halt at the shadow in front of him.

Standing up, he was prepared to try and talk his way out, but he didn’t get the chance. A hand pressed against his chest, there was sheering heat that burned an angry red behind his eyes, then numb darkness.

****

The Promise

Part 6 - The Strawberry and Cream of Development and Surprise

Roswell

His head jerked from side to side as if he was in a nightmare. Too bad what he would wake up to was worse than his nightmare, Mac mused sourly. She needed him to come round soon or they were definitely going to be toast.

“Max,” she whispered while keeping an eye on the two body guards Nicholas had assigned to them. They had contributed to the bruising of her face and her no doubt cracked ribs. She hoped she’d have a chance to get them back but to do that, she needed Max awake. Ignoring the pair of menacing eyes staring at her, Mac jerked her elbow into him. He jolted with a start.

“Mac.” Instinctively he struggled to move but found that he was restrained. Confusion clouded his features as he glanced over to her on his left side and Liz on his right, then probably deciding that she would have more answers, he turned back to her.

“Easy there, don’t panic,” she told him calmly. She had panicked, inwardly, after coming to but she’d got a grip. She was the experienced one here, Max would need her to be strong and act like she knew what she was doing. Apparently, her seemingly level attitude was working because his tense muscles relaxed slightly and level-headed Max was back.

She watched him check out the guards, watched the crease in his brow deepen as he looked around their holding area.

“Are we in-”

“The parlour in my house?” she supplied, “Yep. All of us as in: you, me, Liz, Maria, Michael, Isabel, Tess, Kyle and Alex are all strapped to this pillar. They’re all still knocked out, I came to first because I’m used to this, I don’t stay out for long,” she explained.

His frown deepened as he looked at her really looked at her. “Your face…”

“Wow, that bad huh? Good thing there aren’t any mirrors around.” She knew what he was going to say, he was Max, of course he would offer to help but he couldn‘t at least not yet. “Don’t try to use your powers. Our wrists are pinned together by an energy manacle, there’s a stream connecting us to each other.”
She lifted her feet encircled at her ankles by deep orange pulsating energy. “So are our feet. We try to use our active powers, this sends a charge through everyone. Three charges go through and we all die.”

The true weight of their situation hit him then, she could see it. His eyes grew wide and then receded, emotions - most prominently fear, horror and helpless anger- swept past his features. He rested his head against the pillar. She did the same knowing he needed time to think.

“How long have you been up?” he asked after a pregnant silence.

“Long enough to have damage done to my face and to have a heated conversation with little Nicky,” she replied.

“Tell me.”

She‘d been dreading this, but there was no running away from it. She just didn‘t want him to hold it against her at the end of it.

“This whole thing is kinda my fault. Khivar’s been taking hits from our side in New York and D.C. I came back not only to tell you what’s going on and prepare you, but to also take out skin central aka Copper Summit. Nick was there, he’s a little pissed. Khivar ordered him to kill us all but I think he wants to have a little fun first. He used this wipe-out device, it temporarily displaces a desired species save for any DNA coded into the machine. Basically, everyone’s gone. There’s no-one to save us but ourselves. This is quite a pickle.”

“Quite,” he echoed.

Beside her, she felt Alex rouse. Max already had his attention on Liz who was coming to at the same time.

“Looks like everyone’s coming to,” she commented.

“What happened?” asked Alex.

“I think a role call’s in order,” she suggested. “Max.” She had to elbow him to tear him away from the staring match he seemed to be having with Liz. Something was up with those two and if they got out of this alive, no more baby gloves would be employed. She would fix them up again.

****

Max did a role call and everyone was awake, the humans were nursing headaches but all were present save for Tess. Tess had been the second person to awake, which meant her powers were pretty strong. Nicholas had taken her into another room and in Mac’s opinion, had spent too long with her. She had to have given him something. She kept her thoughts to herself as she let Max explain the situation .
He explained her too; as “a friend who’s on our side” in a tone that left no room for argument. She supposed that as soon as they got free, she would be under interrogation which was fine with her, she wouldn‘t have expected anything less especially from Michael and Isabel.

“How are we supposed to get out this without using our powers?” asked a frustrated Michael. Before Max had a chance to reply, Tess, manhandled by two more guards and flanked by Nicholas, entered the room.

“Put her back in,” he sneered, “she’s useless,” his eyes perked up at seeing them all conscious. “Ah, you’re all up now.” He took centre stage before her and Max. “The boy King and his ill-fated follower.”

Max merely stared at him, she glared at him and looked away.

“What, nothing to say?” he taunted. “Well, I’ll say something, you should be proud of your wife there Max, she didn’t break. She’s a keeper.”

“Right,” Mac muttered under her breath. She winced when she rolled her eyes and guessed that her right eye must be swelling up.

She had come back from her interrogation with Nicholas having fended off his mind rapes and sporting wounds. Tess looked scared but she was still in pristine condition.

She definitely gave something up.

“Can’t you just kill us and get it over with?” Mac asked irritated by his presence.

“Speak for yourself,” Michael countered from the other side.

“By the time I’m done with you, you’ll all wish for death,” Nicholas advised them. He crouched down and turned to Max whose gaze on him never wavered.

“I’m gong to take your girlfriend there- no not Tess, I know you’re slumming it with a human. She dumped you but like a puppy dog used to being kicked, you still pine for her. Liz.”

****

Max clenched his jaw as Nicholas’ eyes slid over and gleefully locked on his wife.

“That deer caught in the headlights look is so attractive. She is delectable isn’t she?”

// Max. //

Her calming voice eased his anger, her love for him poured through their connection.

// I’ll kill him Liz. He harms you or the baby and I’ll find a way to kill him. //

“Stay away from her!” he said through gritted teeth.

Nicholas’ gloating gaze shifted back to him.

// We’ll get out of this Max, we have to. //

“I’ll have me and my men have some fun with her,” Nicholas told him, “We’ll do nasty things a good girl like her shouldn’t have done to her…in front of you. Then I’ll kill her...”

// I love you Max. We will get out of this. //

“…I’ll kill all your women in front of you. Tess, Isabel too.”

Max struggled against his restraints, he itched to blast Nicholas or turn him into dust but knew what the cost of that would be. A shock charge through Liz’s body could harm their child, he wasn’t willing to risk that.

“He’s baiting you Max, just calm it,” Mac advised him.

“Oh yes Max, listen to the too-little-too-late advice from your follower. Know what I’m going to do to you Serena?”.

Beside him, Max heard Liz gasp.

// Serena, as in Future Max’s Serena?// she asked.

There was so much to say, so much he hadn’t told her, so much he had to work out in his head and not enough time to do it all.

// I’ll explain everything once we get out of this Liz. //

****

[willowbv]

****

Mac stared at him defiantly, if only she could shoot energy through her eyes, he would be vapour by now.

“I’ll kill all of them, but your King”, Nicholas taunted her, “I’ll leave him until the end. I’ll torture him and let you watch. I’ll break him and then you’ll know… it’s over. You’ll never win.”

She bit her tongue to stop the slew of curse words she wanted to lash out at him. He was right though, there was a strong possibility that they wouldn’t win now, that they would all die here, that she would watch Max die.

“What, no comeback?” he asked.

“Not giving you that satisfaction,” she curtly replied.

“Lucky that’s not my source of entertainment.” He rose up. “I have business to take are of, gives you a little time to say your goodbyes.”

Guilt was not an emotion Mac enjoyed. She hated it especially now as she played the ‘if only’ game; if only she had told Max sooner, if only she had brought more back up and taken care of Nicholas in Copper Summit. She had known that the Skins would come looking for payback, she just hadn’t expected it to be so soon and so swift. Now she was responsible for causing Future Max’s plan to fail. He had depended on her.

I have had the honouring of fighting along side you and of being both your King and your friend. I believe in you and I trust you and so does my Liz.


She thought of him, the words of his letter, she thought of Max beside her and the time they’d had and she thought of Zan. He’d be beyond pissed if she got herself killed.

Fuck that, if she was going down, she would go knowing she had done the best she could. Which meant-

“Man,” she moaned. There was only one thing she could do.

I just hope I don’t die doing it.

****

// Max //

His heart jumped at the new voice in his head.

// It’s me, Mac. //

He glanced down and saw that she had her head rested against him, eyes closed and a pained expression on her face.

// Shuffle your feet if you can hear me. //

He shuffled.

// Good. We can’t converse telepathically, it’s not my power, it was hard enough to project to your mind. I can’t do this for long, but you can. I don’t know if you’ve ever done it before, but trust me, you can. You can project your thoughts and read minds to those you aren’t connected to, which is what we need. I need you to listen carefully, do exactly what I say and maybe we’ll have a chance okay? //

He shuffled again.

// Okay. So here’s the plan…//

****

“You okay?”. When he got no reply Michael nudged her. “Maria.”

She rested her head against him. “What?”.

“You okay?” he asked again.

“There’s a likelihood that we could die Michael, I can’t be okay about that.”

“We’ll get out of this,” he promised.

“Blind optimism isn’t your strong suit,” she responded with a dry smile, “but thanks.” She looked up at him and locked eyes with his. He saw her fear, connected with it, with her and somehow that was the link they needed. All that was unsaid between them, every whispered word, lonely moment, wish, desire and regret passed between them, washed over them, filled them. It was overwhelming and made his heart ache terribly for her. The flashes left them both struggling for breath.

“What was that?” asked Maria.

“Flashes.”

Her eyes grew orb wide. “Michael-” she sat up straighter, he took it as a chance to swoop in and captured her lips with his pouring everything he had into that one kiss.

Her eyes were closed when he pulled away but they flew open when he said the words etched in his soul. “I love you Maria.”

Her eyes were glazed, he wasn’t quite sure she heard him but when she made a few attempts to talk he knew she had. Her mouth was tempting him again but he waited because he wanted to hear her say the words. The longer he waited, the more he started to feel that she didn’t love him anymore- but the flashes, he had felt what she felt for him.
Why couldn’t she say the words?!

// Michael. //

His eyes nearly popped out of his head at the intrusion.

// Max? //

// Cough if you can hear me. //

Michael coughed.

// Good. You can hear me but I can’t hear you just yet. I need you to let me read your thoughts, that’s the only way we can communicate, so I can pick them up. Just let your mind go blank. //

A little unsure and completely freaked out, it took Michael a couple of tries to get his mind to go relax, but when he did, he felt a surge of energy, then a presence.

Did it work? He wondered.

// Yeah, I can read your thoughts. //

What the hell is this?

// Will explain later. I’m going to try this with everyone individually and then link us all up. //

Questions were whirling around in his head, so many that Michael wondered how Max could have picked up his reply. He obviously did because he felt the energy leave.

Wow, Max Evans mind reader. That was a power Michael didn’t want used on him without his permission.

He felt Maria tense beside him and in minutes heard her ask if Liz was okay. Liz replied that she was fine.
Then after a while Alex came out with an “I love you guys” spiel to which Kyle added to with Buddha references a few minutes later.
Tess told them she hadn’t told Nicholas anything to which Mac responded with a sarcastic “we believe you.” Michael wasn’t sure what her involvement in all this was but he would damn sure find out.
Isabel made a comment about their parents and then he felt the surge and the presence of the others- their minds - all around him.
It was beyond amazing, Max had them all linked in a multi-way mind reading conversation. Michael was impressed by how powerful Max had become and was a little envious. Then he groaned because Max probably picked up on that too.

// That’s not really my focus now Michael// he assured him at which Michael thought up a few choice expletives.

// Hey guys, I know this is weird and scary// Max told them, //but we have plan. It’s risky but we don‘t have a lot of choices... //

****

Mac stared at the two body guards, closed her eyes to focus their images in her mind and then relaxed letting her pheromones do their work. She hated this power, but it was the only one that could realistically get them out of this mess, she just had to turn it off as soon as she was free; she really didn’t want to be mauled by Max, Alex, Kyle and Michael.

She watched them for a change, beside her, she felt Max sniff her hair. “Behave,” she chided him. She turned her attention back to the guards hoping that they would fall soon, otherwise, the pheromones were potent enough to have Max and Alex struggling to get their hands on her.

She didn’t have to wait too long, they zeroed in on her like search dogs. She grinned.

Bingo.

“Hey guys, would you mind letting me out of these restraints, they really hurt,” she told them adding a little pout to her plea.

They stumbled all over themselves to get over to her and deactivated her restraints. She stood up, stretched her legs, arms and grinned at them while they drank in her every movement like starved men. “Thanks guys, you are such sweethearts,” then making sure she had the deactivator, she toasted them to oblivion with her powers.

Alex and Max were staring at her with desire in their eyes, she closed her eyes and concentrated on stopping her potent pheromone production. Not willing to risk it, she knelt in front of Max and slapped him out of the haze men always got into after an encounter with her.

His eyes were focused on her but the desire was gone to be replaced by worry; her Max was back. She deactivated their restraints and left Maria to slap the rest of the boys out it. Then they were free.

“What do we do now Max?” she asked. “That was as far as my plan went.”

It was a lot of pressure to put on him but they had no other choice, she had no other plans, he was their King and no matter how much she empathised with him, she needed him to step up to the plate.

“Remember the time we raced in the desert?” he looked at her meaningfully and she stared back desperately trying to decipher the code. With the aid of his newly exercised abilities, she finally got it and didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried.

“Max-”.

“Let’s rev up Mac,” he interrupted. “No arguments.”

“On it. This way,” she said leading them to her garage through the back way hoping that they could make it there undetected.

This plan was insane, crazy and wild enough to work. She had few doubts that he could pull it off but she wouldn’t bet against him. He could do this, he would do it. But even though there were two of him, even though Zan could take his place, Mac didn’t want to lose him.
It was petrifying and heartbreaking to realise that with this plan there was a very real possibility, probably about sixty percent, that she would lose Max.

****

TBC

[willowbv]

AN: Got it done today!! yay!! Hope you like...

Oh boy...is Mac starting to have "feelings" for Max?

She feels something for Max... but what? check out the lyrics I've included for a possible clue?

I do have one wish though....

If only I had Mac's power whenever the time came and I was around Jason.....i would exploit the HELL out of it.

You and me both sista!! lol

Thanks to:

begonia9508
behrluv32
Earth2Mama
Emz80m
Itzstacie
IzzyEvans2201_PuertoRico
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LoveIsForever
midnightstar29
Roswelllostcause
sylus27
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****

PREVIOUSLY

““What do we do now Max?”” she asked. ““That was as far as my plan went.””

It was a lot of pressure to put on him but they had no other choice, she had no other plans, he was their King and no matter how much she empathised with him, she needed him to step up to the plate.

““Remember the time we raced in the desert?”” he looked at her meaningfully and she stared back desperately trying to decipher the code. With the aid of his newly exercised abilities, she finally got it and didn’’t know whether to be relieved or worried.

““Max-””.

““Let’’s rev up Mac,”” he interrupted. ““No arguments.””

““On it. This way,”” she said leading them to her garage through the back way hoping that they could make it there undetected.

This plan was insane, crazy and wild enough to work. She had few doubts that he could pull it off but she wouldn’’t bet against him. He could do this, he would do it. But even though there were two of him, even though Zan could take his place, Mac didn’’t want to lose him.
It was petrifying and heartbreaking to realise that with this plan there was a very real possibility, probably about sixty percent, that she would lose Max.

****

Part 7 - The Strawberry and Cream of Development and Surprise

Roswell

While Max and Mac exchanged a look of understanding, the rest of the group were clueless and anxious to get out of their area of imprisonment, they restlessly shifted and when after minute felt seconds, Michael opened his mouth to suggest that they get the hell out, Max did it for him.

"Okay guys, let's go."

"Go where?" Michael asked, he didn't like being in the dark, he was Max's second in command, who the hell was Mac?!

"To get cars," Max answered cryptically.

Mac noted the furrowed brows all around and rolled her eyes in exasperation. Things were tense enough couldn't they cut Max a break?!

"Not exactly the time for a Q & A session," she advised them, then looked to Max, awaiting his order.

"You take the lead, I'll take the rear," he told her.

The group wasted no time in getting into formation despite the questions in all their minds. Max and Mac seemed to have it all in hand, so they would trust that.

****

Max was glad to take the rear, Mac was more of an asset up front than he was, plus, it gave him space away from everyone to think, to work past the stomach clenching fear and dread and take the next step into his leadership role.
Sensing his need for space, Liz didn't press anything through their connection, her constant understanding amazed him and if tonight didn't go as planned, he would make sure she and their child lived to continue living.

****

They made it to the garage in one piece, which was-

"Too easy," said Kyle aloud while the others nodded in agreement.

Gathered infront of the group, Mac and Max shared another one of those looks, which Michael was getting irritated by.

"Care to let us in on the great plan?" he asked.

Max's head snapped in his direction at the noted tone of his voice. "We're driving out," he simply replied.

A collection of jaws dropped but Max was ignorant of them, they'd wasted enough time already. He turned to Mac. "G.T.'s?" he asked.

Smirking, she made her way to the fastest cars she owned. "Pick a colour."

"Black."

"I'll be the lady in red then."

"Michael, Kyle and Liz, you're with Mac," Max ordered in a tone that left no room for discussion. He rounded to his assigned car, opened the driver's side while Mac did the same with hers. "The rest of you are with me," he finished.

The garage doors were raised open.

"Well, well, look who's trying a pitiful escape." Nicholas' casual drawl rang through the room. Startled eyes fixed on the door where he stood fanned by a crowd of his goons. The panicked eyes turned to Max for guidance and were awed to find his expression sturdy, tense but not at all filled with fear.

"Get in," he ordered and mindlessly driven by the authority in his voice, they rushed into their appointed cars, not thinking that Nicholas might shoot them.
Max said to get in, so they got in.

The young king knew Nicholas would let them drive out, give them a bit of a head start and then pursue them. He wanted to play with them and then crush them. That had always been his plan, only this time, Max determined to turn the tables on him.

****

The engines roared to life and two cars sped off into the desert, moments later, six cars drove out of the garage in pursuit of the alien-human group.

****

Dust was everywhere, Alex wondered how Max was driving...in tandem with Mac. Every move he made, Mac followed. Alex wasn't a racing pro but he could tell that these two were fluid. Fluidly driving them further and further into the desert while they were being chased by their alien enemies. They were way past any driving limit he had ever driven at, he was glad Maria was beside him gripping his hand, he needed someone to hold onto for dear life with.

****

Upfront, Max kept an eye on Nicholas' advance through his rear view mirror. They were close but not close enough. He lifted an eyebrow as Mac sped ahead of him. He leaned over and speed dialled her number on the car phone.

"Yo."

"Not playing escape and evade that far," he reminded her.

"Sorry, just wanted a bit of fun," came her reply.

Amused by her ability to have some fun in a situation like this, he grinned, "what, this isn't enough for you?".

"You know me, I like my fun supercharged, but you're the boss man." She pulled back alongside him and gave him a salute.

****

"They're gaining!" shouted Michael.

"Yep," Mac agreed as she watched their advance through her mirror. "We want them to gain."

Seconds later, she had to pull some evasive maneuveurs to dogde some energy bolts.

"They're shooting!", Michael yelled.

Mac shot him an exasperated look as the car swerved to miss one again. "You are here for a reason you know!", she retorted.

The last one had come pretty close, they'd had to break formation, Max was ahead of her now. She couldn't dodge another hit at this speed. She speed dialled his car number. "Max-"

"I'm bringing up a shield, we can shoot out, they can't shoot in," he responded.

"Thank you for that!". She didn't ask how he'd be able to create a shield to cover both cars or how long he could sustain it for. Max said he'd do it, she'd take him at his word. However long he could sustain it would have to be enough. He needed the rest for the finale.

Their windshield was hit by a surge of dust, then clarity. Mac looked around her in awe, desert dust no longer obstructed their view, a green shimmering dome surrounded them. She glanced over at Michael, pressed his window open, "Go on second in command, respond to enemy fire."

She saw fear before it was replaced by that impenetrable ungiving Guerin expression. Michael unfastened his seat belt, positioned himself with his back against the dash, then leaned out the window and went to work.

Mac glanced at the back to make sure her passengers were safe. "You guys holding?".

"Just rosy at this end," replied Kyle with a humourless smile.

Liz nodded and flashed her a small smile.

Mac turned back to concentrate on her driving. Liz was a precious charge, she wasn't exactly sure why Max had placed her with her instead of him, but she would fulfill her duty and make sure that Liz made it out relatively unscathed.

****

// How are you doing Liz? // asked Max.

// Okay. Straining, but okay // she replied.

When Max had connected to her and told her he needed her to create a shield, she'd been stumped. That wasn't her power...but it was his and together they had boosted it. Sustaining the link between them was draining and Liz didn't know how much longer they could keep it up.

// Not long. // he responded.

She heard his voice over the car phone telling Mac that it was time to break away.

// What's- // she never finished her question as it was swiftly answered by their increase in speed. Liz gripped onto her seatbelt.

// Max- //

// We can break the shield link // came his response.

Liz closed her eyes, concentrated and disengaged. She felt light headed as her energy rushed back to fill her and her only.

// You okay? //

// I'm fine Max, just a head rush //

// I love you //

// I love you too //

Before Liz could wonder what the sudden easiness she felt was, the car came to a sharp abrupt stop. The lack of motion brought back the fear pushed away by adrenaline.

"Is it over?" she asked.

"Just about," Mac replied in a sing-song voice.

****

Max didn't wait for the dust to settle, once he found the place, he turned off the ignition and got out. Seconds later, Mac followed his lead and came to a stop next to his car. He made his way over to her.

"We made it in one piece," she grinned.

He glanced around as the rest of the slightly shaken group got their bearings. "Seems we did," he grinned. His smile faded as he noted the rapidly approaching dust clouds.

He had one more thing to do and Nicholas' crew were close enough for him to do it. He turned back to Mac to find her studying him.

"You ready for this?" she asked.

Max exhaled a breath of fear and anticipation. "It's not a case of being ready," he replied. He didn't feel ready, but he'd been pushed. Too many things had happened- were going to happen, he had to push back, he had no choice but to be ready.

"Hey Max," after a group talk sans Max and Mac, Kyle approached him. "Dude, I bow to your driving skills, both of you, but they're still coming to kill us."

"I know Kyle."

The rest of the group gathered around them; his friends, all the people who depended on him, people he had to protect.

"But-"

"Back off Kyle," interrupted Mac. "Max knows what he's doing."

Max threw Mac a thankful smile. She returned a comforting one. "Go do your thing."

He nodded and walked past them; his loved ones. He didn't say a word to any of them. He blocked Liz out.
He couldn't say goodbye, he'd be back of course he would.
Step by trembling step, he walked away heading towards his duty.
He had a daughter to take care of and a life to live with his family and friends and a war to win.
And in war there were casualties weren't there?

He came to a halt not sure whether it was because of the question or because of her voice. He turned to see her running towards him, he could do nothing but catch her and steady them both as she launched herself into his arms. The rest of the group watched with gaping expressions of surprise.

****

"I thought they were just friends," commented a stunned Tess.

"Apparently with those two, you never know," muttered Maria frowning.

"And so continues the drama," Kyle quipped.

Everyone had something say while Liz looked on, with worry and hurt etched across her features.

****

Dreaming comes so easily
Cause it's all that i've known
True love is a fairytale
I'm damaged, so how would I know?

Mac had no idea what possessed her, but watching him go to face up Nicholas, she couldn't not make sure to touch him.

She feared for him, cared for him and so had just gone with her emotions which had led her flying into his arms.
And she hugged him, so tight, before letting him go.

I'm scared and i'm alone
I need for you to know...

She didn't know what to say, there was so much to say but words lodged midway up her throat.

"Kick ass." She blushed, embarrased to hear the cracks in her own voice. She had watched Zan go off to face danger and had never reacted like this. Everything was different with Max.

He cupped her face between his hands tenderly stroking her bruises. "What did they do to you?" he asked softly.

She shrugged. "They don't take too well to assertion."

She felt a tingle, then no pain and knew what he'd done. She took a step back, viciously shaking her head. "Finish it when you get back."

He nodded, but immediately stepped into her space and captured her face anyway, placing a deep kiss on her forehead. Her whole face tingled, then nothing.

He stepped back, smiled a ghostly humourless smile. "Just in case."

...I didn't say all the things that I wanted to say
And you can't take back what you've taken away
Cause I feel you, I feel you near me

Mac couldn't respond to that, she didn't want to, so she stood there staving off surprising tears as he walked past her and raced back to Liz.

****

She didn't fight when he pulled her into his arms in front of all their friends.
When he kissed her, she returned his passion and fire.
She didn't fight, didn't feel ashamed or anxious of what Tess would do.
She didn't need to do all that because a bitter fear already chilled her blood and threatened to shatter her heart.

When he pulled away, she protested desperately wanting the ticking timebombs of approaching desert dust to slow down. He studied her, forcing her to study him and finding out that she didn't like what she read in his eyes.

"Max-"

He turned and walked away.

// Max //

I didn't say all the things that I wanted to say
And you can't take back what you've taken away
Cause I feel you, I feel you near me

In their connection, he turned back to her and showed her his torment.

// This needs to end Liz. I won't have you giving birth to our daughter around this. We can't change all that's coming, but I can do something about this. //

She understood what he meant, but the selfish part of her wanted him safe and back with her. Outward appeareances showed her standing watching him with collected composure. Inside, she was a wreck, the feeling that something...not bad but...cruel was going to happen, grew the further he walked away.

// Remember Max, there are two very good reason for you to come back in one piece. //

// I'll remember. I love you both. //

// We love you too. //

Then he was gone from her completely. He blocked her connection to him and with that, something in her screamed in desperation at the loss of him. Outwardly, she kept her composure assessing the group's reaction to her and Max's display. The only two people who glared where Isabel and Tess.

Of course, she thought with a bitter laugh. But she would deal with them later. After Max came back.

****

"What's he doing?" asked Michael.

They were all either standing or leaning against her car watching the now stick figure of Max and the now visibile front end of the approaching cars.

Mac leaned into her car, retrieved her shades from the glove compartment and slipped them on. "You ever seen a wipeout?" she asked her eyes fixed on Max. He needed to start soon or Nicholas would run him over or kill him if he got a decent shot.

"No," Michael replied.

"Neither have I in real life," she confessed. "Read about it, seen it in sims."

"What is it?" asked Kyle.

"It wouldn't do much good for me to explain it now, it would be way cooler to see it in the flesh," she responded.

She watched Max's posture change, become more rigid. He stood up straighter, his arms slightly out on either side of him, fingers stretched by power pointing to the ground.

She gulped and tried to steady herself against the adrenaline that roared in her system for him.

He was doing it! He was really doing it!

Seconds later, Kyle's perplexed question brought a wide, proud grin to her face. "Is, um, is the ground...shaking?".

"Yes," she answered, steeling herself against the stinging whisps of violent energy gathering towards the epicenter, towards Max. "Yes, it is."

****

TBC

Disclaimer: Lyrics from Damaged by Plumb

****

[willowbv]

AN: Hi everyone!!!!! It's been a looong time I know, but I've finally cleared my schedule enough to get some time to restart and finish this fic. Thank you to everyone who pmed me and bumped me to update. I really appreciate the support and to any new readers out there. Welcome, I hope you like...

P.S. Lyrics by Tracy Chapman to the title of this fic.


Previously

Mac leaned into her car, retrieved her shades from the glove compartment and slipped them on. "You ever seen a wipeout?" she asked her eyes fixed on Max. He needed to start soon or Nicholas would run him over or kill him if he got a decent shot.

"No," Michael replied.

"Neither have I in real life," she confessed. "Read about it, seen it in sims."

"What is it?" asked Kyle.

"It wouldn't do much good for me to explain it now, it would be way cooler to see it in the flesh," she responded.

She watched Max's posture change, become more rigid. He stood up straighter, his arms slightly out on either side of him, fingers stretched by power pointing to the ground.

She gulped and tried to steady herself against the adrenaline that roared in her system for him.

He was doing it! He was really doing it!

Seconds later, Kyle's perplexed question brought a wide, proud grin to her face. "Is, um, is the ground...shaking?".

"Yes," she answered, steeling herself against the stinging wisps of violent energy gathering towards the epicentre, towards Max. "Yes, it is."

****


The Promise

Part 8 - The Strawberry and Cream of Development and Surprise

Roswell

The energy was a part of him. Surging pulsating life, it gloried and scorched his blood, his muscles, his entire essence. It was a power unlike he‘d felt before, his but only through tenuous control.

Its sheer force penetrated and dominated his senses, fear drenched his tongue. The barely controlled beast of energy yanked the leash of its inexperienced master in a surge so overwhelming that Max had to struggle for steadying breaths. He felt its greed to consume, dominate, destroy. Mindless, it was beyond dangerous. He struggled for control, for focus in a mind fragmented by fear, desire and primitive alien power.

A simple fight for breath quietened the rush of power.
A concentrated thought of Liz.
An image of their wedding night, of love, fuelled his spirit and with it he could at last wield the ancient power for his purpose, his need.
For freedom.
He was a part of the energy...the weapon, yet somehow detached…independent from it. In that moment, Max felt his whole identity to his bones. The boy, the man, the husband, the king. He recognised the power and knew exactly what to do with it.

****

Mac watched, mouth agape as glistening green energy erupted from Max. It grew into a wall in front of him and advanced towards the approaching cars which screeched to a halt, then reversed. The wall of power barrelled forward, the intensity of its offensive rumbling the earth, electrifying every hair on her body. It was an awesome sight, the climax as swift as a breath. There were no more cars, no enemies just a blinding light, unearthly dust and astounded silence.

"Wow, tha-"

A bright gold sphere appeared in replacement of the disintegrated skins and their cars. It danced with the air for a moment, then like a dart aimed at super speed, arrowed and imploded into the lone figure of her king.

****

Michael stared in horrified awe as Max glowed with power that from this distance heated his skin.

How can he hold all that energy?

He marvelled then worried as focused light cannoned out of Max into the sky. It exploded with brutal force that had him bracing against the car and shielding his eyes against the brightness that momentarily blinded and coloured the sky with hints of gold.

****

Relief washed over Max like a man redeemed from death, one given new life. He had done it.
Nicolas was gone, dead.

The last surge he sent out destroyed the effects of the wipe-out device as well as the device itself wherever it was. Given a direction, a mission, a goal, his power accomplished it.
Then it would come back home. To him. To his mind, to his body, to hibernate until he called upon it again.

It was when the concentrated light regrouped above him that Max felt the drain and exhaustion. He wondered if he was strong enough to do this, if he was prepared well enough to store such power.

I have to, I have no choice.

It was then he heard the pounding of his heart, felt the trepidation along his skin. Every sensation in his body was suddenly amplified. He tasted bitter fear, sweated it in his palms, he grappled for strength.
Taking a breath, he opened his connection and called out to his source of strength…Liz. He felt her love and support as the unstable force returned home. It glowered molten gold before his eyes, pulsating and searing his muscles, it drowned out his screams and indiscriminately found its way back home to the heart of him.

****

It was like watching someone get struck by lightening.

The random thought floated past Alex's mind before he asserted that it was watching someone get struck down by lightening. Sun bright lightening coursing into his friend's body with no discharge outlet. Then, the felled tree that was the alien king, crumpled to the desert floor.

They were roused of their horrified shock by a starter pistol of panic that had them all racing to save their fallen friend.

The rescue mission was halted cruelly within reaching distance of Max. He was cordoned off from them by the force of wipe-out aftershock. They stared in muted horror as his body twitched and eyes rolled strangely with energy residue.

****

Liz rapidly blinked back the rush of tears that threatened to blur her vision of her love. Heart in her throat, instinctively she stepped forward only to be jerked back to safety by Mac.

"Liz, no".

"Mac." Wrenching her arm away, she thrust it at Max's quivering body. "We can't just stand here and watch him. We have to do something!".

She had to do something.

"And we will…"

They faced off toe to toe, Mac holding her desperate pleading gaze with firm decision. "…after".

Power danced along her skin, she hated it; that power was preventing her from reaching Max. To step in the circle was dangerous for her and their baby. She recognised the logic yet struggled to accept it. The helplessness of watching Max suffer.

Blind hope had her searching her friends' faces for a hint of an idea but all she saw was frustrated helplessness. They all wanted to help but couldn't. Comfort, relief, was found with each other. Michael and Maria, Isabel and Alex, surprisingly Tess and Kyle.

Despondent, Liz allowed her vision to blur her from the person she most wanted to comfort.

****

"Can his heart take it?"

The broken voice boomed in the silence. The only panic Mac allowed herself to exhibit was the momentary widening of her eyes.

His heart, of course.

Biologically she hadn't though of that. Summoning the wipeout had been risky, she'd acknowledged death was an option but hadn't considered the details.

Such as his heart going out.

She glanced away from Max to Liz who stood beside her, her eyes glued on Max. "Can you do CPR?".

Liz nodded, the only sign of her trepidation showed in the gulping motion of her throat.

"Good." Mac bore down on the fear, on the what ifs and chose determined optimism. "You breathe him to life, I'll do the compressions."

Liz didn't get the chance to respond, she felt the energy protecting Max recede. With the barrier lifted and shot down to Max's side. Keen fingers search for a pulse on his neck, on his wrist…

Desolation swamped her.

"No pulse" she informed them.

By unspoken agreement, none of the others interfered as Mac positioned herself by Max’s upper body. Instead with each other to hold, they stepped back giving Mac and Liz the space they needed.

****

Hands trembling, Mac wiped her sweating palms on her jeans before placing them on Max's chest. Her eyes locked with Liz, in passing - both acknowledged their fear - panic and desperation to save a life.

With a nod and a silent promise to do her best, Mac began the compressions. Nothing mattered around her. Her senses and efforts were focused on the movement of her hands, the intervals of compressions, of rest while Liz blew breath and she compressed...rested...Liz blew...she compressed...all with no response from Max.

****

"Liz-"

"Why have you stopped?!" her wild eyes focused on Mac.

"We've been at this-"

"No". Desperate to protect him, to protect her hope, she cradled Max in her lap. Ignoring Mac's tortured look, she bent her lips to Max's ear. "Listen to me, you are going to wake up. You. Can't. Die."

She needed him too much. Their daughter needed him. A stark wasteland devoid of light and love stood before her without Max. Liz refused to walk into it.

I want my life back

Behind her, a tentative consoling hand approached. "Liz-"

She shrugged it away. "Back off". A rumbling of the earth and defensive electric charge followed her response forcing the others into a small retreat.

Oblivious to the surge, Liz cradled her husband to her, whispering what seemed like promises of long ago into his ear. A shocked gasp had her glancing over to Mac's...crackling, glowing hands...and eyes.

Astounded, Liz blinked her vision clear. "Mac-"

"One last time," she commanded.

Cautiously, Liz laid Max's head back on the ground, tilted his chin up, got him into position while keeping an amazed eye on Mac.

Was she going to heal him or shock him? Liz wondered. Could Mac heal?

Shaking away the questions, she watched as Mac's glowing hands rested on Max and she began to work.

A charge jerked Max’s body and had Liz blinking back in surprise.

Mac had shocked him!

Shimmering gold eyes clashed with hers. "Breathe" came the order.

Liz took a deep breath and filling it with the hope for a miracle breathed a desperate plea for life into Max for one last time…

Nothing happened.

Then something happened.

Mac's hands stopped glowing, her eyes turned to normal and Max...Max jerked upright and fought to live.

****

Second were frantic minutes, the few minutes drawn out to days. The relativity of time swept Mac off her knees. Her muscles and joints were a jelly of relief to see Max breathing, to hear him speaking. After an unsuccessful attempt to arise, she decided to stay down and enjoy the moment.

Nicholas and his cronies were dead.
Max was alive, he knew the whole truth.

Mac grinned. Things were more than looking up for her now.

****

7 Hours Later

Roswell - Liz’s bathroom


If you think of me, If you miss me once in awhile
Then I'll return to you…

Pushing away from the toilet seat, Liz pressed her hand against her mouth to suppress the dry heaving noises. There was nothing left for her stomach to dispense of, everything was gone, turned inside out and emptied.

…Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace.

Her trembling hand flushed for what she hoped was the last time. Feeling raw and bruised, she rustled up the energy to crawl over to the sink, to use it as support to lift her tired beaten body up, wishing she could do that for her spirit. She stared at the running tap, seeing nothing, blocking the memories out. The irony of that force her to splash cold water on her face to - a forceful slap - to reawaken her to her devastating reality.

That her husband had no memory of her and their child. That the last thing he remembered was her 'betrayal'.

The warmth of her tears sent her hand automatically across her abdomen to the life that grew inside her, to the life that fed her hope.

The feeling of dread she'd had as he'd walked away from her in the desert had manifested into this cruel twist. After everything she'd been through, after all the sadness, the happiness and promise, he'd been taken away from her.

“Max, we’re having a baby.”

He spun her around the desert floor. “We’re having a baby!”. He carefully placed her back on the ground and lowered his head to her stomach. “Hello baby,” he greeted his child.

“Max,” she laughed, but didn’t push him away.

“I’m your daddy and I love you already,” he continued.

She was left alone, scared, pregnant and desperately in need of her husband.

"Only he doesn't remember us," she whispered to their child.

****

TBC

[willowbv]

AN: Hey all, finally! a delay with the update but finally!!!! after a long absence I am back with a new part.

Thanks for all the bumps and encouragement guys! A big thanks to my regulars!!!! a big hello to everyone who just stumbled on this fic and liked it.

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L-J-L 76
broe

that's not good! okay so why doesnt she just tell or "show" him

she just let him go home after all that in the desert??? it's been months since that happened fill him in on the gap between oct and march (march i think anyway) i see this getting angsty quickly

It will get just a little bit angsty, but twill be bandage angst

great part, i love your fics, will you be updating " You've Got To Be Kidding" also?

I want to finish this one first by You've Got To Be Kidding is on my list


Unfortunately, I must leave you in suspense regarding what's going on with our dreamers for one part more. The next part will be all about Max/Liz & Tess (scheduled for update next saturday). For those of you who have read the challenge, I'm probably 3/4 of the way through now, so loose ends that need tying up are starting to be such as our Candy Kids...

Disclaimer: Quotes from 285 South

PREVIOUSLY

The warmth of her tears sent her hand automatically across her abdomen to the life that grew inside her, to the life that fed her hope.

The feeling of dread she'd had as he'd walked away from her in the desert had manifested into this cruel twist. After everything she'd been through, after all the sadness, the happiness and promise, he'd been taken away from her.

“Max, we’re having a baby.”

He spun her around the desert floor. “We’re having a baby!”. He carefully placed her back on the ground and lowered his head to her stomach. “Hello baby,” he greeted his child.

“Max,” she laughed, but didn’t push him away.

“I’m your daddy and I love you already,” he continued.

She was left alone, scared, pregnant and desperately in need of her husband.

"Only he doesn't remember us," she whispered to their child.

PREVIOUSLY MICHAEL & MARIA

And as for herself? Well she was trying to find the girl she once was. The one before aliens and Michael Guerin. The girl who had a girl’s night with her best friend with no concern over alien boyfriends or invasions.

“Hey, you wanna go on dates? Fine I just wish you’d have let me know when you were breaking up with me that that was the real reason instead of pining me as the problem!”.

She held up her hands palms outwards in that controlled way he knew so well. She wanted to smack him but was holding back.

“You know what? I’m not talking about this now. I need to go get ready,” she told him.

Get ready to go out on a date with another guy? For someone else to put his hands of her?!

“We need to talk now!”, he demanded…

****

He had spent a month hanging out with Max, mopping over the fact that both of them were now single. He had given Maria space like she’d asked, but they worked together and it’s not like they could ignore each other the way Max and Liz were failing at doing.
So for the past month, he and Maria had started rebuilding their friendship - one liners, a few arguments, the usual. He knew he was pushing their fragile friendship to its limit with his outburst, but she knew how he felt about her. They both couldn’t forget what they had together. He wouldn’t let her…

****

Maria smiled sadly. It was too late for words like that to win her back over. “You say that now that you don’t have me and because it’s all quiet on the Czechoslovakian front, but what happens when your past comes a knockin’ again with another Courtney in tow? What then Michael?”.

He couldn’t answer her. It wasn’t an easy question to answer to and he was desperate for it to be.

Despite the disappointment evident in her eyes, she smiled and patted his arm amicably. “You don’t know do you? It’d sting if you started dating again but I’d get over it. And I think you should…date I mean. I want to be enough for someone, for them to know that it’s me they want. You should find that too.”

Too affected by her words, Michael just stood there staring into her shining eyes.

“You’re a rebel looking for his cause Michael and I don’t want to be picked up and then dropped again every time you run into it.” She leaned in, stood on her toes and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

She left him standing there, looking after her ascension up the stair case and wanting so desperately to have her come back to him…

****
You okay?”. When he got no reply Michael nudged her. “Maria.”

She rested her head against him. “What?”.

“You okay?” he asked again.

“There’s a likelihood that we could die Michael, I can’t be okay about that.”

“We’ll get out of this,” he promised.

“Blind optimism isn’t your strong suit,” she responded with a dry smile, “but thanks.” She looked up at him and locked eyes with his. He saw her fear, connected with it, with her and somehow that was the link they needed. All that was unsaid between them, every whispered word, lonely moment, wish, desire and regret passed between them, washed over them, filled them. It was overwhelming and made his heart ache terribly for her. The flashes left them both struggling for breath.

“What was that?” asked Maria.

“Flashes.”

Her eyes grew orb wide. “Michael-” she sat up straighter, he took it as a chance to swoop in and captured her lips with his pouring everything he had into that one kiss.

Her eyes were closed when he pulled away but they flew open when he said the words etched in his soul. “I love you Maria.”

Her eyes were glazed, he wasn’t quite sure she heard him but when she made a few attempts to talk he knew she had. Her mouth was tempting him again but he waited because he wanted to hear her say the words. The longer he waited, the more he started to feel that she didn’t love him anymore- but the flashes, he had felt what she felt for him.
Why couldn’t she say the words?!

****

The Promise

Part 9 - The Strawberry and Cream of Development and Surprise

Roswell


Combating mental and emotional exhaustion, Maria dragged her feet to the door. Acting on the autopilot activated since she came home, she swung open the door forgetting to check who it was. She told herself it didn't matter anyway, nothing could top the day she'd had.

Despite being weary, her heart leapt into her throat at the sight of him. Then adrenaline swept in panic.

"Is it Max?", she managed fighting back worst case scenarios.

"No, Max is fine- well as fine as someone with amnesia can be."

"Oh." Relieved then confused as to the reason for his presence on her doorstep, Maria stood there. Waiting. Unsure of what to say.

Her hand gripped the door she was using to block entry to her house, back into her life.

Her brain was too tired to process. If Max was fine, then what was he doing here?

"Maria, who's at the door?!". Her mother's call broke through her failed attempts at reasoning out her puzzle.

"It's just Michael!" she called back.

"Oh...okay."

A rueful smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. Who would have thought that her mother sort of liked Michael? Her mother had been relieved for her when they broke up, but then she'd found out about Brody and Michael had suddenly looked a whole lot better.

Not that Brody was anything more than a friend now. Maria had dated around after him on and off for the past few months and to her surprise. always found that the next day her mother tried to work Michael into their conversation.

She didn't doubt that Michael would be shocked to find that Amy Deluca was a secret fan of his, pushing for their reconciliation...which now would never be.

Today Michael had found his destiny, his family...everything he had been looking for. Answers had been given to him - to all of them today.

Which was why she couldn't work out what he was doing on her doorstep at night.

Her brain finally kicked in the right direction and she asked.

"What are you doing here Michael?". The breathless quality to her voice surprised her. The sudden increase of her pulse irritated.

It's just Michael. Ex-boyfriend. Probably about to tell me that it's been a fun ride but he's got to get seriously into Antarian General mode in the war.

Not that we're even dating, she remembered.

Determinedly, she ignored the memory of them tied to a pillar about to die and Michael declaring his love for her.

"Can I come in?"

She almost shivered at the sensation his voice created in her. Her skin actually ached for his touch. And his eyes- they were roaming all over her as if starved for her and looking their fill-

Snap out of it. She mentally shook herself.
Obviously the days events were still affecting her in this random way.

"Maria."

It was the pleading in his tone, in the way he said her name that had her wordlessly dropping her hand from the door, pushing it open and stepping aside to let him in.

****

Closing and locking the door behind her, she turned to face him and was instantly alert and concerned. In the well-lit area, she could see what had stayed hidden on the porch.

He was tired, drained and there was almost a glassy look in his eyes. After everything he'd been through today; Nicholas, Max losing months of his life, Mac turning out to be an alien and all the answers they'd ever sought. It had been a day of shocks galore and then some.

Whatever they had been to each other, Michael was still her friend. Following that instinct, her hand laced with his and squeezed softly.

"Come on, we'll talk in my room."

****

Michael closed the door, pressed his palm against it, sealing them inside. He had things to say, a mate to get back and wasn't leaving until he did.

He noted the deep shuddering breath she tried to subtly pass off. Her eyes were tinged with sadness and puffed up with shed tears.

His lips itched to cover the bottom lip she nibbled on. Hands itched to feel the flesh beneath her tank top and shorts. Michael shook off the sensual haze blurring his vision and his focus.

"What do you want Michael? If nothings wrong with Max, why are you here?". Arms crossed protectively, Maria eyed him with sudden suspicion.

Something about the way he was looking at her unsettled every bone in her body. It made her feel...hunted and that made her angry. He had no right to make her feel anything anymore.

Riding on fear and honed in anger. She blazed on. "I never thought you'd have any contact with me- with any of us after today let alone show up on my doorstep!."

Confusion, tinted his features. How could she ask that after what they had been through today. Didn't she understand?

"Maria-"

"No". She stepped back. "You've found your answers, your life. No more wasting time fraternising with us disposable humans."

"What are you on?!"

"Why are you here?!", she clipped back.

Michael clenched down the frustration. "Because I want to be. Why does that surprise you?".

"Because your ride has come to take you to your real life."

At his puzzled expression she rolled her eyes. "285 South, that porno Aladdin motel. The one thing we bonded on..."

Comprehension dawned. Their conversation playing in his mind

“Why is it so important to you to find out where you come from?”

“Because there's gotta be something better out there for me than Roswell, New Mexico.”

“You think that's funny.”

“No, no. It's just, um...when i was a kid, I used to stay up at night and, um, make up stories about my father...you know, and who he was and...what he was doing. And they all ended exactly the same way. He would come in a limo and pick me and my mom up and take us off to some exotic place where we'd live like royalty. Because, you know...I thought to myself...there's got to be something better out there for me than Roswell, New Mexico.”

“Substitute a spaceship for a limo, and you know what i mean.”

He remembered and it made him angry because she was in Roswell. Nothing was better than Roswell if she was there and it incensed him that she didn’t see that. Still didn’t understand

"So you think just because I know who I am and have those answers, then that's it?,” he asked through gritted teeth.

"It's all you've ever wanted Michael." It was painful to admit but sometimes the truth was.

"We were nearly offed by Nicholas today. I told you I loved you," he added quietly.

"You're off the hook with that."

"What?" his voice a deathly whisper.

"Death bed confession get-out clause," she replied. "You thought we were gonna die and you said what you did but now we're not. You can't be held to that as it was a we're-gonna-die-so-what-the-hell confession and they don't hold up once the threat has passed."

Her logic frustrated and interested him beyond rationale, he didn't know whether to be amused or shake sense into her.

"I don't tell people I love them, only to escape in death. Do you know how many people I've said those words to? I don't give them up easily."

"I know."

"Do you?" he challenged.

"You love me but there was Courtney and the way you treated me- if that's you loving-"

"I was a jerk!. I didn't- it's hard for me to trust, to let someone have that power over me. Do you get that?!"

Her eyes flamed with violent hurt and bitterness. "Why are you telling me this? With your memory of your past life back shouldn't you be with Isabel?"

****

Michael bit back an oath. Why wasn't she getting it?!

"Iz and I, our relationship was platonic. We got married because our families thought it would be a good match, we weren't attached enough to marry other people and we liked each other enough. It wasn't what I feel for you."

She shook her head refusing, rejecting the truth she heard in his tone, saw on his face. He advanced towards her, she backed away. Too cautious to reach out.

"Maria."

"No, you can't." Confused eyes met his. He captured and held them. Determined.

"I can and I do," he vowed.

He had received all his answers today. Mac had driven them to a doctor - an Antarian doctor in Albuquerque.

Disbelief had transformed to amazement when Doc. Stevens was checking out Max. Mac told them everything and walked him and Isabel through getting their memories back. Everything he had ever wondered about, he now knew and it mattered. Because now he knew who he was and exactly what he needed. Maria.

She was the brilliant star in the middle of his world and without her, despite discovering his past, his world was in darkness. He had always been afraid that they were too different. Human and alien. He had pushed her away, hurt her because he'd known that one day he would have to fight.

His world was a dangerous one. The amazing thing was, with his memories back, with full knowledge of his alien side, both parts of him, human and alien were in congruence regarding Maria.

With his Antarian nature free to express itself, Michael had come to claim what every cell in his body screamed was rightfully his. His Maria.

****

The wall her back pressed into signalled the end of her retreat. Feeling distinctly like hunted prey, Maria blinked back unshed tears as the conditioned hunter caged her in his arms. Her breath came out in short gasps, her pulse raced, lips trembled.

The person before her was Michael...but somehow different. A controlled harnessed power seemed to come off him in waves. The way he stared at her, as if salaciously devouring her, swept away any defence she had with words.

Her mind was blank, she blinked back the shock of how much she wanted to draw him close and taste his lips. She had missed him, but like a tortured animal, she held back, staying away from her tormentor. And he had hurt her.

He had chipped away at her ability to give him affection and her feelings freely and not have them rebuffed. She wanted safety not more pain and neglect. He had reduced her to that, she had let him reduce her to that; a trembling puddle of destructive emotions, insecurities-

"You didn't want me." The words came out as a whisper, thick with pain and regret. "When you had me, you didn't want me."

He had to touch her. Her eyes closed against the attack his fingers waged with her hair.

"I was a jerk to you. I took you for granted. I didn't do the intimacy thing right. I hurt you but I always wanted you." His eyes unblinking held her captive. Forcing her to accept the truth of his words. "Always."

With those words, he sensed her relenting, felt it in the softening of her body language. She was nearly his but still she held back. He leashed the part of him that wanted to grab her and seduce her into saying yes. He took a breath. Let it out.

He couldn't do that. She had to come to him because she wanted to. He wouldn't have her any other way.

"What's changed now?" she asked.

"Everything. But most of all me. I want you in a long term kind of way, Maria. I want to protect you, to make you laugh, to piss you off," he laughed, "to love you for as long as you'll have me."

She struggled to breathe. Never in her life had she expected to hear those words from him. And he meant them, she knew that from the rigid way he held himself, from the uncertainty marring his features.

"What about you having me?" she asked following the leading of her heart.

Desire flashed in his eyes, burned into her.

His grin was almost wolfish. "That's a given." He leaned in, angled his lips merging their breaths as one.

"Will you Maria. Have me?".

Maria soundlessly nodded. How could she not? She had dated, she had time alone to be with herself and search for that girl beneath the insecurities and hurt. Her life had been threatened today and everything was in sharp focus.

She bit her lower lip anticipating the kiss that was sure to follow but none came.

Surprised, her eyes fluttered up to meet his, steadily watching her. Unblinking. He was waiting for something.

"Say yes Maria, I need to hear you say it."

Still nodding, under his watchful gaze, she licked her trembling lips and surrendered to him, to herself, to whatever the future held for them. "Yes."

*****

TBC

[willowbv]

ANHi guys,

It’s been a long long time since I last updated, but I finally found some time. So if anyone remembers this fic :waves: hi I’m back. Thanks to: Timelord31 and everyone who has continually supported this fic

And for any new readers. Welcome and enjoy.

PREVIOUSLY

Nicholas kidnapped the gang and nearly killed them. Tess was specifically taken out to be tortured or was she?
The Skins were defeated by Max in the desert.
While the residents of Roswell are back to normal, Max’s use of power resulted in him having temporary retrograde amnesia. So he’s forgotten everything since his break up with Liz, including the fact that she’s pregnant.
Michael and Maria got back together.

NOTE: block italics indicate a memory



The Promise

Part 10- The Strawberry and Cream of Development and Surprise

Roswell

After an afternoon of cluelessly making sure Roswell was back to normal, of being worried over and watched over by his friends and family. Max finally had the night for quiet. Quiet that brought blissfully soothing darkness. Absorbing it, his mind was weightless and blank, his muscles relaxed.

Looking up at the sky stopped his thoughts wandering, inhibited his imagination, stopped any hint of memories. Memories brought on a breathless pain and images that pierced his soul. Reality dragged him back from losing himself in the quietness of the star sprinkled night. Emotion forced him to face the jumbled pieces of his life.

Liz.

His mind always returned to her. And him.

Both of them. Together. In her bed. Naked. No clothing. Their guilt. Her guilt.

The pressure of his palms against his eyes brought him back. Gave him the strength to push the memories away. His mind would let him relive that night and the time before that but not the time he missed. The moments he needed to make sense of the world around him.

And to make sense of the fragrant, fleeting memories of passion and love.


“Liz," he began, I know what I saw, but what I saw couldn’t be true because..." Her eyes flooded with tears as his voice caught in his throat and his control wavered, "because, I know you".

“I’m sorry Max...but it’s true. What I said, it was all true and I did sleep with Kyle…Max, we’re over. Done.

*

No!

His inward scream shattered the images. Only to replace them with others.

I can't- Mac!

Mac.

He took a cleansing breath.

Think about Mac.

The memories came easy with her. At the doctor‘s office, when she had told him how they'd met, he remembered.


“Whoa, hold on there cowboy" came a female voice.

Max jolted out of his dark abyss of pain and realized that he nearly walked into the legs belonging to a raven haired beauty.

Struck immediately by her luxuriously chocolate brown eyes, he quickly mumbled. "Sorry."

"Don't sweat it," she shrugged, " no harm no foul."

She offered him her hand, "Name's Mackenzie, but my friends call me Mac."

Unsure of what to do, Max automatically shook it. "Max, Max Evans."

*

And from that memory he had been able to resurrect other Mac memories but he couldn't use them to remember what happened before that moment or after. Just Mac.


“Max Evans, this is your lucky day," she said suddenly.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because how often do you meet someone who knows exactly what you're going through and offers to show you how to navigate the ropes of heart break?" she finished with a smile.

*

He couldn't remember Isabel or Michael moments but the memories slowly returning to him, all seemed to centre around Mac. He couldn't understand why that was but he knew it had something to do with the way he felt around her, about her.

*

I'm here with you having fun..." he covered her hands with his, "you've saved me from extreme depression, Mac, from the dark hole I know I would be in for a very long time..." suddenly embarrassed by his intensity he trailed off.

Mac leaned in till their noses almost touched. "Don't fall for me Evans," she said.

"I didn't-"

*

There was something between them...

"You holding up?" she asked.

"Trying", he grimaced.

"You're an alien king who found out he has amnesia. Trying is good."

He laughed and found himself surprised that he could. The smile she beamed at him was warming. Their gazes held, something familiar passed between them. His smile slowly faded. "Are we just friends?"

"You're my king and I'm your subject but other than that. Yeah, we're friends."

"Just friends?"

"No offence Max, you're hot and all but we're still just good friends."

*

More than friendship.
That's what they had, it was something he knew with every fibre of his being. She was beautiful and he was comfortable with her.
Even before he'd remembered her, out in the desert, when her and Liz had brought him back, he had trusted her immediately.

And when the memories came, they were vivid, coated with laughter, fun and an emotion he couldn't decipher. But it was strong and it meant something. Something important. Maybe it had something to do with the flashes he'd been having of female laughter, husky voices, naked flesh, whispered kisses. It would make sense if the mystery woman was Mac.

He wasn't sure how he felt about that. He was a king in the midst of a war and he wasn't sure how he felt abut anything. He was wading through a past he didn't want to relive but had to because he had responsibilities.
And because he needed to understand the snapshot images and emotions, because he needed to feel stable and sane in his own body. He tried again.

Eyes closed.
Breathing deep.
Searching for that memory that would help him tag onto the next.
Ignoring the splintering pain, he fought and was rewarded with the convergence of fragments.


“…molten gold before his eyes, pulsating and searing his muscles…drowned out his screams…“

*

He remembered her voice. Liz.


"Listen to me, you are going to wake up. You. Can't. Die."

*

“You don't look like my Liz anymore...and it, um, hurts less to be around you,"

"I'm still the same girl who loves-who loved you,"

"But you're still the same girl who broke my heart...with your hair like that, it helps separate the two…every little bit helps Liz."

[willowbv]

Tess walking towards him on their wedding day.
She was beautiful.
She loved him.
He loved her.
They were going to spend their lives together.

Til the end of our days.


Tess?!

In his car...they were…friends?


He heard soft foot steps stop next to him.

"Can I sit down?" she asked softly.

With no coherent thought streaming through his mind, Max answered her question with a simple unemotional. "Sure".

“You know I’m not one for the Max and Liz fan club, but I really am sorry”.



He fought to hold onto the memory. Focused on the sensation of her hand over his. Squeezing...holding on…but still fading.

"Max!". The panic in her tone jolted him back. Back to find her shaking his shoulders, her eyes bright blue inches away from his.

****

"Are you okay?" she asked framing his face for closer observation. He looked shell shocked. Not what she was counting on but it would do. It was better than brain damage.

After his jerky nod Tess sat down beside him inwardly relieved. She had pushed him a bit with the mindwarp but how could she not take advantage of the fact that his mind was open to her again.

His amnesia was the second chance she had been hoping for. She had a new plan now. No more waiting in the background. This time she would give their relationship a much needed boost.

Testing the waters she cautiously placed her hand over his. She felt the tension, for a minute moment before he relaxed. She squeezed his hand gently and risked a glance up at him. She practically danced inside to find that he was already looking at her, studying her with intensity.

"I thought I'd find you here".

"Really?" he asked, eyebrows furrowed in surprise.

Laughing more to herself than with amusement at him. In truth, she had followed him here, but who was to know. With him like this, she could create the relationship they should have had.
By the time he remembered, he wouldn't care. He would understand that what she had done was for them. Their happiness.

"You seem surprised." She shifted and angled herself to be leaning against him.

Again the slight tension, then relaxation. Smiling to herself she continued. "I know you don't remember yet but after Liz, you and I got pretty close".

Now he shifted so he could face her. Schooling her features to what she needed, she looked up at him.

"How close?" he asked.

For a second, she felt sorry for the turmoil etched in his features but it passed and she went for the 'timid-hesitant-I'm-not-telling-you-everything’ look for her response. "Pretty close."

"I..I," he hesitated before going on. "I remembered things...about you...us."

She beamed at him. Overjoyed, hopeful.

"You did?!". She went for unrestrained happiness. "Oh Max." Forgetting herself she leaned up to him, cupped his face and lowered her lips to his. Almost like instinct but it couldn't be, she decided, he trapped her hands and moved away avoiding her kiss.

Cue awkward moment, she thought wryly. She pulled way. "I guess you don't remember that huh?".

Her disappointment was assuaged by the tentative pressure of his hand over hers.

"I don't remember that. Were we-"

"Let's not talk about that yet. I came to find you because I have an idea. You don't remember yet, but me and you. We've worked together doing mind retrieval stuff and I was thinking maybe I could help you get your memory back faster."

She trailed off letting the suggestion hang between them. She knew Max. He liked control. His world was so out of control now, he no doubt wanted a way to stabilize something...the very least his memories. Although he might need another push...

"Tess-"

"I know what the doctor said Max. That you're going to get them back in time. But look at us? our whole world is suddenly bigger then we thought and you need to be the best King you can be. That can't happen with your memories the way they are. We don't have the luxury of time. Nature needs a helping hand and you have me for that."

She could see him mulling over the words, no doubt seeing the logic, weighing the lives at stake. She went in for the clincher.

"I've been through your mind numerous times and you through mine. I know what I'm doing. You'll be safe with me. I have a vested interest in you getting your memories back. I wouldn't take that risk if I wasn't sure."

"Okay."

"Really?". The glee was overwhelming, she had to hold tight against the urge to clap her hands in near victory.

"Really," he confirmed strangely feeling much less certain of his decision.

But she did have a point. So much had happened that he couldn't remember and to make the right decisions, he needed those moments asap. He needed to figure out how he had gotten over Liz and exactly how he and Tess had happened. Nothing had been said to him, so did that mean no none knew?

"Does everyone know about us?" he asked.

Tess worried her bottom lip, an apology already in her eyes. "I didn't mean to be so obvious with you just now but when you said you remembered, I thought- but anyway, no one knows about us. It kind of took us by surprise, we were just friends and then became more. With the animosity between you and Liz and the group dynamics we thought to keep it between us until everything was calmer."

Her eyes glittered with unshed tears yet strangely he didn't feel the need to comfort her. Surely if they were together he would- but he had memories of them together in bed. It was all so confusing. How had his life got to this point?

He had to find out and fast. But not tonight, tonight, he wanted the oblivion of sleep in a big way.

"Let's do the mind retrieval tomorrow. When are you free?"

"After six. My place. Kyle and Valenti are out, we'll have privacy."

"Okay."

"Good," she beamed. Rising, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "I'll let you have some space. You probably need it."

You have no idea how much, he thought.

"Call me tomorrow?"

He nodded. "I'll call."

He watched her walk away. Noting the sway of her hips, the confidence with which she took each step. All of that he observed without his body responding in the way it should. With Liz, watching her had been a treat. With Tess, it was...just watching someone walk away. No impact, no nothing no-


"She's part of our group Tess, she shares our secret“.

"I get that. You're looking at the big picture. You can be nice to her Max, but don't expect the rest of us to be. I'm sorry if it's not what you want to hear," she added apologetically.

*

“I love you Max”.

*

“How are we doing your Majesty?”, she purred breathlessly as she rode him slow and hard.

*

“….I lied for you to my parents!”, screamed Liz, “ and this is how you betray me?! Letting go, moving on that fast and to her of all people?!”

*

Lifting his hips to meet her movements, he thrust himself against her.

*

“Time to come,” she whispered against his ears.

*

“Wake up Max! Love is the reason we’re here. Right now, in this moment“.


****

Max found himself on his knees, head resting on the grass by the park bench. Shaky, he got to his feet and plagued by fragmented scenes of times past, he made his way back home fervently hoping that by tomorrow evening, his life would be his again.

TBC