2023 (CC, Mature) Part 55, 4/23 [WIP]

[starcrazed]

Part 11

The day Future Isabel arrived in Copper Summit was dark. Lightening jumped from one cloud to the next as thunder boomed overhead. Isabel crept from one building to the next on her way to the Stage Coach museum, trying not to be seen by any Skins.

Just in case though, she had managed to rearrange her molecules enough to look like Lonnie, her New York duplicate.

The closer she go to her goal, assuming Nicholas was with the maturing Husks, the more she felt her grasp in this time line slipping.

It was something that concerned her.

Not because she was afraid of death, quite the opposite really. She was looking forward to it. No, her concern was that she wouldn’t be able to do this one last thing for her younger self.

For all the younger versions.

Finally, reaching the proper building she slipped inside and made her way quietly down the stairs. Isabel didn’t see Nicolas as she reached the basement, so she figured at the very least she could destroy their Harvest.

As she was about to raise her hand, Nicolas came out from the very back room startled by her appearance,

“Lonnie? What are you doing here?”

It took all of Isabel’s will power not to reveal her shock that the other set, at the very least Lonnie, had contact with Nicholas this far back. More importantly she used all her efforts to not raise her hand and blast him.

Years of dealing with Nicholas taught her he wouldn’t die that way and the momentary pain would cost Iz her element of surprise and then she’d never get close enough.

“Lon?”

“I’m sick of dealin’ with that reject king and Rath was bein’ a pain in the ass too duke. I’m in need of a real man…if yo knows what I’m sayin’.”

Isabel raised her eyebrows and allowed her eyes to wander over his small form in apparent appreciation. She bit her lip to keep the disgust off her face as she tried to determine his reaction.

Nicholas looked pissed, but not at all surprised by her advance.

“Lonnie, you’re breaking with the plan. You are supposed to wait a few more months till after we take care of the shifter before leaving New York.”

Even as he said it with his voice laced with reprimand he closed in on her, seeming to tower over her larger frame.

Isabel was backed into a wall and fisted her hands to her side as she felt herself starting to leave.

Nicolas put one hand on her waist the other on her neck forcing her down to him.

Just like Isabel knew he would; like he had done in the past to violate her.

The last few inches Isabel crashed her lips down painfully. Nicholas mistook this as passion as he forced his tongue into her mouth.

Isabel ran her hands through his short hair then gripped his head closer to her as she forced open a one way connection.

She fried his brain in an instant, rendering him powerless.

Nicholas realized what was going on and attempted to pull back, but Isabel held his head tighter as she stared into his terror filled eyes and made him experience the pain of those he killed. Of all those she had loved that he and Khivar took from her. The parents, Kyle, Max, Liz and lastly Maria.

As Nicholas died, Isabel turned the body away form her and sent a blast to the seal of the Husk destroying the body as his essence broke apart in the air around her.

Isabel returned to her own form as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

As she felt her grasp on this time line waver again a new memory flooded into her mind.

Alex bringing her sterling roses and telling her no matter what she did or said he was always going to be there. Always going to be her friend whether she liked it or not. Then he kisses her on the forehead and bounces away with a little hop to his step.

Alex will live.

Future Isabel smiles as her younger self stares open mouthed at the lanky teen who just strolled off with her heart before Isabel disappears from the time line and luckily for her ceases to exist.

TBC…

[starcrazed]

Part 12

Future Isabel accomplished what she set out to do hours ahead of schedule, leaving Serena, Ava, and Zan laying around the motel. They waited needlessly and restlessly to meet the others later in the day.

Ava acutely aware of Tess’s whereabouts as Zan and Serena argued over what to watch on the TV. Needless to say they were both shocked when Ava screeched.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Alex left Isabel’s and went straight to the Crashdown where only Michael and Maria were working today.

Michael was able to tell them about Future Isabel’s letter only this morning so they were all anxious for the day to be over so they could finally meet Serena.

Maria had managed to convince Liz to come home with Alex’s help and a little white lie. Liz would be back tomorrow morning just in time for the big meeting at lunch time.

Maria knew Liz was going to be very upset with her. Probably wouldn’t forgive her for a while, but Maria reasoned the threat of the end of the world would be enough to get her best friend back. That plus the justification that Tess is an evil, robot tramp and Max is suppose to be with a human, which Maria took to mean Liz.

Maria was pulled form her thoughts by the ding of the kitchen bell. She looked up curiously at Michael since Alex was their only customer.

“Where you at Blondie?”

She smiled sheepishly at him.

“Florida.”

He sighed, “Ria, she’ll get over it.”

She nodded in agreement.

“Not for a while though. I told her Max went to some sort of science camp to be closer to Nasedo. She’s gonna flip when we go to your apartment and there he is.”

Alex chuckled.

“She’ll be more upset at me. I’m the one who informed her Tess was vacationing with the Evans clan since Izzie didn’t want to go alone. She’ll be glad to see Max deep down no matter what she says. She will not be happy with the sight of the Gerbil in town.”

Michael interrupted their argument of who Liz would be more pissed at.

“Tess isn’t going to the meeting. We can’t trust her remember?”

Both Alex and Maria gave him a look.

“What?”

“We don’t.”

Alex continued as Maria ran off to take the order of a group of teens that entered.

“You’re the ones that forgot how she manipulated each of you with her powers and hung out with her since ‘Destiny’...”

Alex put air quotes around the word.

“Just because she’s like you, all of you trusted her in half the time it took you to trust Liz, Maria, and me.”

Seeing the distress on Michael's features Maria correct part of Alex’s statement as she filled the drink order.

“She not like them Alex, you’re wrong there. Just because they have the same genetic makeup and hatched from pods doesn’t make them the same.”

She wandered off to give the customer’s their drinks. Alex and Michael were left to their thoughts until she returned with the food order and more wise words for them.

“Tess is… well like Isabel said the other day, for lack of a better term…alien. Sorry Spaceboy, but you three are more human then a lot of people I’ve met. Whether you want to be or not. She’ll never be like you. It’s not possible.

“She’s got that right.”

The three turned to find Tess staring directly at them.

TBC…

[starcrazed]

Part 13

Not wanting to make a completely horrible first impression Ava giggled.

“Chill yo. I’m Ava.” As she said this she allowed her own face, piercings and all too briefly be seen by the three of them.

“Didn’t mean to freak yous out like that. Well, I did but not that much.”

Alex had sunk into the nearest chair at the counter while Maria had pulled out her cedar oil and was sniffing it frantically.

Michael actually smirked at the New York punk

“Neat trick.”

Ava burst into laughter. A move that soften all of her feature and lit her eyes up even more. The crystal blue eyes becoming radiant and drastically different from the malicious filled gaze of Tess.

Maria calmed instantly recognizing that this girl wasn’t set out to hurt them and in fact could become a very good friend in time.

Alex too managed to join in with the laughter after a moment realizing how hilarious he would have found the situation for anyone other than himself.

“Rena sent me to tell yo that Izzie’s gone. Ah… Future Iz. We’ll be at your crib when yous done workin’. Just wanted give yous a heads up. Tessie booked too.”

Maria’s mouth dropped open in shock while Alex’s eyes popped open.

“She’s gone?”

Ava turned to the furious Michael.

“Chill duke. She took a hike. I felt her leave town, but she’ll be back. Count on it. Sides’ Zan’s followin’ her to sees what she’s up to. I gotta jet, but Rena says we'll bring some pizza to this shindig tonight.”

Ava was out the door before the others were able to form a coherent thought let alone respond to the girl.

Maria was the first to regain normal thought processes, “Well she sure is an interesting character.”

“I’ll say.”

Michael turned back to the grill ignoring the other two as they started chatting again about Liz’s return and Alex’s visit to Isabel earlier today.

When Max and Isabel walked into the Café twenty minutes later they were none the wiser as to the current on-goings of their friends.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As promised when Michael got back to his apartment when his shift ended Serena, Zan, and Ava were all scattered around munching on pizza.

He saw the boxes on his counter top and went to help himself as they waited for Alex and Maria to show up.

They decided to drive separately since Max and Isabel where at the Crashdown until they finished closing.

It was as Michael started his second piece that Alex knocked on the door, which was quickly opened by Maria not bothering to wait for it to be opened.

Maria stopped at the sight of Ava tucked into Zan’s side as he stuffed half a slice of pizza into his mouth, and she flipped through the TV channels.

“That is just so creepy.”

Alex who had managed to make it over to the pizza while still gawking at them nodded his head in agreement.

“Shut the door will you Blondie.”

Michael softened the harsh comment with a smirk as he got Maria some pizza and a drink.

Ava began to shift uncomfortably under Maria’s gaze. Zan scowled at Maria who was not scared rather turned her gaze more directly on him as she drank her ice tea.

Serena stepped in front of Maria and snapped her fingers.

“You’re gonna scare them back to New York with your staring girl.”

Maria looked up for the first time noticing Serena. Again she was blown away with how much the young woman resembled her two friends

Maria stood, “It’s nice to properly meet you Serena. That’s Michael and this is Alex.” Maria pointed towards Michael who was still in the kitchen and then waved in the general direction of Alex.

Serena smiled at Alex and then frowned when she turned to greet Michael only to see him half way in his fridge looking for more food.

“Don’t mind him. He lacks manners and most other forms of polite socializing skills.”

Hearing Maria talking about him Michael grunted as he stood up and turned to meet Serena.

“Hey cuz.”

Serena grinned from ear to ear never having been able to reestablish the close relationship she had on Antar with her cousin because of Rath’s tendency for evil in New York. Now she had the chance to regain what has been missing in her life for a long time.

“Hi Michael.” She gestured towards the couch, “That’s Ava and Zan as I’m sure you figured out.” She turned towards Alex, “And I’m Serena.”

Zan stood up jostling Ava from his side. He stuck out his hand for Michael in greeting. Michael looked at the hand and then gave the punk’d out version of his best friend a hesitant look.

“Chill duke. I come in peace.”

Maria let out a giggle and Alex grinned goofily.

Zan looked over at Maria and smirked at her. He took in her long legs and curly blonde hair trailing down her back.

Michael shook Zan’s hand drawing his attention back to him and away from his girlfriend.

“Welcome to Alien capital of the world. Feel free to wander around our small town all you want, just make sure you never look at Maria like that again.”

Zan looked at Michael for the first time appreciated how different he was from Rath. Rath may certainly be playing on the bad guys side, but the look Michael got in his eyes just now was much more frightening then anything Rath had ever sent his way. Zan nodded his head at Michael for peace, besides she wasn’t really his type.

Anxious to get this over with so tomorrow would come quicker and the rest of their group would be made aware of the situation Alex drew them all back to the point of this gathering.

“So what’s on the agenda for tonight?”

Serena took the lead.

“Basically just meeting you guys so tomorrow we can get work done and not be loaded down with introductions and explanations. Have you told Max and Isabel anything about what’s going on?”

Maria and Alex turned with the other towards Michael for an answer.

“I asked then to stop by tomorrow because I want to tell them something. I hinted that it was about dealing with our enemies.”

Serena nodded her head, “What about the other two?”

Off of their blank looks she continued, “Ah the girl who was shot earlier in the year and the boy, both of whom Max saved?”

Maria rushed on. “Oh. Kyle’s still at football camp. Liz is under the impression Max, Isabel and Tess are out of town for the rest of the summer. She wanted to leave them to their ‘destiny.’ Besides she can’t stand the blonde gerbil.”

“Speaking of which,” Zan stopped as all the attention suddenly was on him.

“When I followed her today, I got as far as Artesia before turning around to get back here in time for the meeting.”

“Not that I disagree, but why exactly is it that we are following Tess?”

Serena turned to Michael, Isabel didn’t tell you?” Answering her own question she continued, “Of course not she took me to A… oh… the guardians house and then left for Copper Summit.”

She looked at the three of them noticing that they were definitely aware of her almost slip up. She was surprised when they didn’t push it.

Alex waited patiently as Michael crossed his arms over his chest. It was Maria who asked, “So what did Isabel not tell us about the blonde hussy?”

Ava laughed from her spot on the couch. Zan raised an eyebrow in question.

“I know I really shouldn’t laugh. I mean, we are identically looking, but when I was shadowing her mind that is exactly what I thought. A cheap, blonde hussy.”

Zan shoved Ava's shoulder as he finally retook his seat and shared with the others what Serena had told him and Ava earlier.

“Tess is a puppet for Nasedo. He’s pulling all her strings. The person who was Tess Harding doesn’t really exist anymore. Nasedo tweaked her genes enough to kill off Ava’s essence. Now he has his very own robot who does whatever he wants. She’s probably been like that since right after she hatched and he found her.”

“I figured a flaw in the bastard’s great plan of get Tess pregnant and go home. The baby wouldn’t be the true heir. Besides that fact that Max already picked Liz,” Ava glanced at Maria to make sure she had the right name before continuing, “Tess would only be like a walkin’ breathin’ incubation pod.”

Before they got to far side tracked Serena brought them all back to the point, “All of this comes down to the fact that we have to deal with Tess, before Nasedo gets back from Washington, from this far his control is minimal and she’s just running on preset triggers…”

“That explains all the destiny speeches. Ha, meant to be, my ass.” Maria huffed as Serena went on un-phased by the interruptions.

“…So we have about a week and a half to get two things done before Nasedo returns bringing with him probably the Congresswoman.”

She waved off their questions, “I’ll explain that tomorrow when the others are all here.”

Serena glanced at Michael hesitantly before continuing.

“We have to go out to the desert to Pierce’s bones and dig them back up to age them before the geologist finds them.” Glancing at Zan she added, “Make sure we remember the knife.”

“What knife?”

She turned to Michael to answer, “When you, Max, and the Sheriff buried Pierce you dropped your pocket knife. A geologist comes to town shortly, digs up the bones and then a deputy finds the knife. We have to prevent all that. That could be taken care of probably the day after tomorrow once everyone is caught up.”

Ava stood up yawning and stretching as she said,

“Then we get to deal with my wacko clone.”

The others laughed as Zan and Serena stood and headed to the door with Ava.

“See you here tomorrow at 11.”

“Later cuz.”

Serena smiled as she shut the door behind her. Silence enveloped the other three as they absorbed everything they had been thrown at them tonight.

“At least we don’t have to worry about Liz running into Tess tomorrow.”

Maria frowned at Alex’s observation having been reminded with how upset Liz would be when she got here.

Michael added a comment of his own,

“True, now we just have to figure out a way to keep Max from sensing that Liz is back in town.”

He was rewarded with looks of dismay as Alex cursed under his breath.

“Oh Shit.”

Maria nodded, “That about covers it. Maybe we could just pick her up from the airport and then go to breakfast of something before heading over here?”

Alex and Michael didn’t want to kill her hopeful tone so both agreed instantly knowing it would only buy them a little time before Liz Parker met her destiny.

TBC…

[starcrazed]

Part 14

Liz Parker stepped out of the air terminal and into the arms of her two bestest friends in the world. She sighed in relief at being reunited with them. The never-ending days of summer would now be bearable that she didn’t have to deal with it completely alone.

“Chica, I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Me too Liz.”

She smiled at them. Glad to be with them, but not necessarily in this town. Home held too many painful memories now that she couldn’t be with Max. Everything she saw was bound to remind her of something that would inevitable send a bolt of pain through her heart.

“I missed you guys. I’m happy to be back with you.”

“Breakfast? How bout we get some breakfast?”

Alex rolled his eyes at Maria’s nervousness. At this rate Liz would know what was up before they even got out of the airport.

“Ah… sure breakfast sounds good.”

Maria smiled and then started to ramble at the nerve of Michael to ignore her many phone calls. Alex sighed as he picked up Liz’s bags counting the hours until Isabel and the rest of them would be told the truth. Hopefully then they could get back to working together. After all they functioned best when they worked as a team.

Alex grimaced as he heard Maria steer the conversation away from alien boyfriends towards the outrageous behavior of her mother and the Sheriff. Alex couldn’t wait till Kyle got home. He was still hopping to be the one to share with Kyle the good news of his dad’s growing relationship with Ms. DeLuca.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Michael what are we waiting for?”

Isabel had better things to do then sit in his gloomy apartment all day while Max was brooding and he watched the hockey game. They were having a sale at the mall after all and she was hopping to swing by the Crashdown in hopes that a certain lanky fellow would be there. Not that she would ever admit that last part.

“We’re waiting.”

“For what?”

“The others.”

This drew Max’s attention out of his own dark thoughts.

“What?”

Isabel just gapped at Michael.

Michael glanced at the siblings and cringed at their reactions. He knew he shouldn’t have dropped the news like that, but how else was he suppose to tell them a Future version of Isabel stopped in to save the world, that they have an older sister, that the love of his life was coming back from Florida, oh yeah and that there is another set of aliens out their identical to them.

“Look, there has been a lot going on this past week. Stuff I couldn’t tell you about for safety reasons and because then it would… the plan wouldn’t have worked. But I can tell you now; we just have to wait for everyone else to get here.”

“And who exactly would that be Michael.”

He was saved from answering by the knock at the door.

Michael practically ran from Max and Isabel to get to the door.

He found Serena, Ava, and Zan on the other side very startled as he abruptly pulled open the door before yanking them inside and then shoving the door closed.

Michael turned around to see Max with his hand raised and Isabel’s mouth hanging open in a way that was very un-lady like.

“Michael you better explain this pretty quickly or I’m gonna blast them.”

“Go head duke.” Zan dared his look alike raising his own hand to put up a shield to protect Ava and Serena if necessary.

“Would you both just calm down.”

“Max, Isabel, this is Zan, Ava, and Serena. Your mother and the scientists, made two sets of pods hence why they look like us.”

Isabel pointed to Serena, “And her?” Zan dropped his shield

Serena offered her hand for Isabel, “I’m your older sister. Nice to meet you Isabel.”

Isabel took the older girls hand still in a state of shock as Michael was pushed forward by his door swinging open to reveal a grinning Alex, an anxious Maria, and a very shocked Liz.

“Hey guys. You started without us?”

Maria and Alex made their way into the apartment hoping the shock of seeing two Max’s would have Liz following them. But Liz still stood in the door way looking between Max and Zan.

She took a step back but then shook her head and took a step into the apartment. She only made in another step before she fell right into the arms of Michael who was watching her as the color drained from her face and she wavered with each step.

Michael scooped up Liz and set her on the couch. He stepped back putting an arm around Maria.

“Now everyone’s here we can get started.”

TBC…

[starcrazed]

Part 15

Maria was sitting next to Liz trying to get her to wake up when suddenly, she shot up looking around the room frantically.

Liz took in the two different Max’s with hesitation. She looked at Tess warily then confusion as she realized it wasn’t Tess. Then she looked at the last stranger who had Isabel’s eyes and Max’s shy smile which was currently directed at her.

She felt someone rubbing comforting circles on the back of her hand and looked down to find her best friend now kneeling on the floor next to the couch.

“Chica, I know I lied to you.” Liz’s eyes darkened in hurt at the betrayal.

Maria gripped her hand harder so Liz couldn’t pull away. “I know I did a horrible thing. I’m so sorry that I lied to you and I regret the hostility that’s gonna be between us and the lack of trust you’ll have for me now, but I had too.”

Liz tore her gaze away from the pleading eyes of her best friend to see Max and Isabel who were both supposed to be elsewhere. Then she looked at Alex and Maria noticing for the first time, they looked anything, but devastated as Maria claimed on the phone.

She pulled her hand back to herself and crossed her arms looking at Maria again.

“Lizzy, please. Just listen okay?”

Quieter, knowing that they where being intently observed by an audience she continued,

“I swear, the super secret best friends promise that what they have to say isn’t going to hurt you. That ache you feel in your heart because you’re in love with an alien who’s meant for bigger things then you, I promise if you listen it will go away.”

Hopefully, but still doubtful Liz looked up to Alex he nodded his head at her in agreement. Then she looked at Isabel and Max finding them just as confused as she was.

Finally she turned back to Maria and slowly nodded her head.

Not wasting a minute Serena jumped in,

“Awesome, now Michael if you don’t mind, I’ll explain?”

He grunted leaning against the kitchen counter next to the stool that Maria had grabbed after leaving Liz’s side.

“I love a man who has a way with words.”

Despite their concern both Max and Isabel grinned even Liz let out a small chuckle.

“My name is Serena, in this lifetime I’m your older sister.” She looked at Max and Isabel as she said this.

“In that other lifetime on Antar, I was your younger sister which is why I was chosen to be sent with you for teaching and protecting.”

Isabel interrupted the taller girl. “Why should we believe you? We know we have enemies out there. This could be a trap.”

“You should believe her because you called her here.”

Michael smirked as Isabel turned to him quickly causing her to stumble a second until Alex reached out and steadied her with a hand.

Max looked at her with such betrayal it broke her heart. “I did no such thing.”

Alex pulled her towards him as she went to charge Michael for his unfounded accusation.

“Yes, you did Izzie. Just not this version of you.”

Michael seeing her bafflement crossed the distance between them and turned her around to face him, “Iz, just listen okay. Everything will be explained. I know you don’t trust them right now. But trust me. Trust me.”

Isabel pulled away from both of them nodding her head nevertheless.

Serena continued as if she had never been interrupted. As she told the story of their lives on Antar, to the prophecy of the Royal Four, to the devastating loss of the world in two other timelines and the subsequent trips to the past, to the traitorous Nasedo, and lastly to the Ava clone he had manipulated so much only a puppet remained behind. The last three Roswellians expressions hit a spectrum of emotions: enthrallment and awe, relief and joy, grief and anger. As Serena wrapped up with the first steps of Future Isabel’s plan the expressions of everyone became set in hopeful determination.

Future Isabel had told Serena and Amy all the events that occurred from now until they had fled at graduation. Then she briefly covered the start of the war. If two years worth of circumstances weren’t enough to change the future Isabel didn’t want them to know all the horrors of her life. She had given them a general outline of things they had to change.

They were gathered this afternoon to make a more concert plan.

Isabel suddenly looked at Michael pained, “You told Maria and Alex, but not us?”

The realization that neither Alex nor Maria had been surprised by Zan, Ava, or Serena plus the fact that Alex knew about Future Isabel suddenly making it through all the information she was told.

Maria rolled her eyes, “Look Princess,” It was said loudly, but not unkindly. “Michael didn’t tell us anything. Me being the wonderful self I am, ignored his ‘gotta be a stonewall’ attitude and was over here to bother him. I over heard him and you…her…you…ah you know what I mean. I heard them talking.”

Alex cut her off to explain how he became involved. “And then after I saw Maria’s reaction the other day at the Crashdown, remember?”

When she nodded he continued, “I went looking for these two and demanding they tell me what was going on. Imagine my surprise when I found you…her…damn it Maria now you have me confused. Anyway when I found Future Iz in the bathroom sobbing her heart out.”

Their explanations were met with silence. Isabel no longer annoyed with Michael, she too had noticed the secretiveness going on with him, but was to wrapped up in her own agony over destiny to bother him.

Max just accepted it all in. It was already over with at least that part of it. They knew now, that’s what was important. Max didn’t think he would have been able to handle all that knowledge on top of Liz being gone, the message from his mother, his experience in the white room, and Tess’s constant pestering. But now Liz was back so Max was ready to take on the world. Any world for her.

As the minutes of silence dragged on forgiveness was asked for without words and acceptance was granted just as wordlessly.

“So how do we want to take care of the bones?”

Zan’s head shot up and he stepped forward, “I had an ideas we could try out.”

Everyone turned their attention towards him, not necessarily trusting him yet, but willing to give him a chance.

“Max, Ava, and me could go out there. Since Max knows where it is he could take us. Aves could keep us invisible so nobody sees us. Then Max and I can dig up the bones, age 'em, and then bury 'em back up with our powers. Then we just gotta snatch the knife before we heads back.”

“I want to go with.”

Max turned to Michael, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea Michael.”

“Why not, because I killed him.”

He didn’t want to be left behind while they did all the work to protect them.

To cover his ass.

“God, Michael. You know that’s not what he meant.”

In a softer tone Isabel continued, “You’ve barely dealt with this Michael. Continuing to bury your feelings about it isn’t helping you. Maybe you should talk to one of us.”

She glanced at Maria clearly indicated who that person should be. “I hardly think you should be back out in the desert digging up the bones of that monster when the very thought of what you did for us still tears you up inside.”

“Michael, Future Isabel didn’t think it was a good idea for you to go out there either.”

Serena declared as if this ended the debate.

Michael huffed, “Whatever, I have to work tomorrow morning anyways.”

Maria rolled her eyes at his aloofness and watched as he built up a wall. She nudged him in the gut startling him.

“Stop that Spaceboy. They’re just trying to protect you. You can’t always be the one protecting us.”

She cuddling into his chest and rubbed his back soothing him and trying to prove her point.

Michael looked up to catch Max’s eyes. Understanding exchanged between them before Michael tilted his head in acceptance and moving them to the next matter of business.

“That still leaves us with Tess.” Michael swore he heard Maria growling into his chest, but he ignored it as he wrapped an arm around her and looked to Serena.

“Tess will require the four of you.”

She waved at the hybrids excluding Zan.

“We’ll have to find a way to get her here and then deal with her. Don’t worry I know what you guys have to do. I’ll explain it to you after we deal with the bones.”

“Is that everything then?” It was Max who asked the question, but all of them were starting to get a bit hungry.

Serena thoughtfully nodded her head not being able to recall anything that was of too much importance to deal with at present time.

“No.”

Everyone who began shuffling their way to the door stopped.

They turned back towards Michael curiously especially Serena.

“Isabel said,” glancing at a confused Izzie he amended himself, “Future Iz, said that you were sent with us to teach us, but more importantly to unlock our stronger powers and guide us in harnessing them.”

Michael, Max and Isabel as well as Zan and Ava looked at Serena expectedly none of them besides Michael having ever heard anything about stronger powers. The scientist in Liz also had her gazing at Serena in wonderment. Alex watched Isabel in concern briefly glancing at Serena for the awaited answer. Maria who was still cuddled into Michael’s chest turned her heard to settle her eyes on Serena too in question.

Serena gulped at the attention of all of them turned to her demandingly.

“Oh, those.”

TBC…

[starcrazed]

Part 16

"I don't think we have to actually worry about those until we deal with Tess."

Stalling, trying to find more excuses Serena rubbed the back of her neck very much like Max was seen to do when struggling for control.

"We're kind of on a tight schedule right now and dealing with Tess when you have these new unpracticed powers isn't wise."

"Yeah, but what are they. And how come yous been with us all this time and haven't brought da up."

Serena gave a sheepish look at Zan's hurt features, "I didn't mention it before because I couldn't unleash yours and Ava's without Rath and Lonnie getting suspicious so I just shoved it away."

Max prodded her again noticing for the third time her avoidance on what these actual powers were, "Serena what can we do that was so dangerous they had to be locked away in our minds."

Ava in a moment of understanding answered at least part of the question, "They're not necessarily dangerous are they? They would've just been too obvious and hard to control or hide when we were younger with no idea who we were and whys we are here."

Serena nodded, "Can we please just discuss them later, we're all hungry and you've all been told a huge amount of knowledge. I don't want to overwhelm you all further with the details of your advanced powers."

None we're pleased with the idea, but they saw the truth behind it. Any more new information right now could send them over the edge. They could wait until after Tess was dealt with. It would only be a few more days anyway.

"Fine, Crashdown?" Everyone began to gather their stuff and head towards the door when Maria stopped them.

"Ah guys what about those three." She pointed towards Zan, Ava, and Serena.

Blushing slightly at her bluntness, "No offense, it's just if Tess gets back in town. Plus trying to explain...twins? And then this person who looks way to much like Max and Isabel. Maybe we should just order in?"

Zan shrugged them off, "Nah, yous go ahead, we'll just order some Chinese back at the inn."

Max frowned, "Are you sure?"

Serena nodded for the three of them, "Yeah, Maria's right it would cause way to many problems right now. How bout Zan and Ava meet you at the Crashdown tomorrow morning when it opens and then you can head out?"

Max nodded and said good bye as he followed the others out of the apartment.

Michael stopped abruptly at the door seeing the other three had not moved. When they seemed to ignore him Maria came to his assistance pushing him out the door in front of her. Holding the door handle she turn back, "So you guys just stick around make yourselves feel like home. Once we're gone you can head back to the motel. See you later!" And with that she shut the door bouncing off after her friends with Michael following her hesitantly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Max pulled the jeep to a stop in front of the Crashdown the next morning. He saw Zan and Ava leaning up against their car waiting for him.

"Sorry I'm late, mom made me and Iz have breakfast."

Zan shrugged holding his hand out to Ava who climbed into the back seat before jumping into the front himself. There was a brief awkward silence as Max pulled the jeep back onto the main street heading towards Pierce's bones until Ava held up her head and the radio flicker to life.

"There's no need to make small talk now."

She settled deeper into the back seat and closed her eyes, catching some more sleep for the long drive out to the desert.

Since her eyes were closed she missed the identical smiles passing over Max and Zan's face as they both turned back to their own internal dialogue.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just as they finished digging up the bones Ava called out, "Yo dukes, we got the Sheriff headed this way."

Immediately Zan paled, Max rushed to reassure him.

"It's okay he knows."

However that knowledge had the opposite effect.

"Geeze, you tell every freakin’ human you meet your an alien?"

"I trust him."

Zan huffed at this naive remark, "Yeah well growing up on the streets isn't so cozy as dis town. I don’t trust nobody but me, Ava and Serena."

Max stared at him for a moment mentally arguing with himself how much to share. Finally, he decided that they would have to trust each other at some point, he tried to start them out on the right foot.

"He saved me. He helped Michael and the others get me out of the...the White Room."

It was the tone that had Zan pausing as his hand traveled over the bones aging them back to when radioactive testing was done in the area. He looked up and saw Max's drawn face, pale in the desert heat.

"White room?"

Max nodded his eyes glazing over taking him back to a memory, "The FBI has a Special Unit of Alien hunters."

Pointing to the bones that were now being recovered with sand Max went on, "Pierce was in charge of it. They captured me, Nasedo's plan backfiring. Although, maybe it was his intention all along for me to get captured..."

Max shook his head returning to the present.

"Anyway, Valenti was there and helped get me out. His son, Kyle was shot in the process and I healed him. You don't have to worry about the Sheriff. He's on our side."

Zan studied Max's identical amber eyes, a haunted look Zan never saw in his own stared back at him. It was his greatest fear. It was the greatest fear for all of them. Zan called Ava off.

"Ava, he's cool. Let him see us."

Ava dropped her mind-warp on the approaching vehicle. It suddenly slowed and pulled to a stop.

"Tess? Max? Whose... What's going on Max?"

Max sighed as he and Zan finished covering the bones and Max went over and picked up Michael's pocket knife.

"It's a long story Sheriff."

He tossed Zan his keys.

"I'll tell you on the way back into town."

Jim looked over at the other two cautiously and slowly nodded his head.

"Sure Max."

Max looked over the area making sure it didn't look recently disturbed for when the geologist showed up. He turned to Zan with a question on his face.

"Looks good to me bro."

Max gave a small smile, "See you back at Michael's then tomorrow for the big show down. Just leave the jeep at the Crashdown."

Zan nodded in agreement. Ava waved as they climbed into the jeep and drove off.

Max turned to the Sheriff, "You got a few hours to spare?"

TBC...

[starcrazed]

Part 17

The Sheriff pulled up in front of the Crashdown and Max jumped out. He took brief notice of his jeep before strolling inside. He saw Michael still in the kitchen. Isabel and Alex were in one booth whispering to each other. Max took a closer, second look, was his sister blushing?

Weird.

He smiled as Maria ran past him yelling out a “Hey, how’s it going.” Then she gave a dirty look to Courtney who as it turns out was more then just a new waitress.

He walked over to the counter a sat down still scanning the Cafe for his favorite waitress.

"She's not here Romeo."

Max turned to Maria, not surprised that his obviousness was picked up on. Her eyes sparkled with knowledge.

"Where is she?"

Maria's smile grew and then she pursed her lips together and shook her head no before wandering off to get him a Cherry Coke. She dropped it in front of him then took out her order pad.

"Please Maria."

She furiously shook her head back and forth, her blonde hair catching the sunlight.

"What happen to us being girl-friends huh?"

"Max, no. Okay, I lied to Liz to get her back here. She told me not to tell you were she was today so it's that simple. It's not going to happen. Give her some time Max she has to absorb all that stuff we unloaded onto her last night..."

"And you think I don't?"

"No, no Max. I know it's a lot for all of us but...Hi Tess."

Max placed a careful smile on his face before turning to greet her, "Hey Tess how's it going."

Maria ran off not catching Max cursing her under his breath. Tess smiled at him.

"Hi Max. I've been looking for you all morning. I thought we could do something today. It figures I would find you here. Liz isn't even here Max, you should get over her already. She obviously has moved on...or not."

Max turned to find Liz waltzing into the Crashdown with a reflective, happy look on her face. That was until she looked up to find Max and Tess together at the counter. She faltered briefly but kept moving.

Max failed to notice the look in Tess's eyes. He didn't see her change from happy girl with a crush, to angry, desperate maniac at the sight of Liz.

"Liz, wait!"

Michael looked up from the grill, Alex and Isabel turned in their seats, Maria was standing nearby ready for anything. Liz stopped a foot in front of them.

"Hi Tess. Max." She plastered a fake smile on her face before continuing on her way through the back door and up the stairs to the safety of her room and balcony.

"Max, forget about her. She's not your destiny." Max looked into the desperate blue eyes of Tess. He thought about all they had to do tomorrow. It would be no good to rile Tess up. "I know Tess, but it's going to take time."

She beamed, it wasn't outright rejection. The plan was working. It would take time, but it was working.

"So maybe we could hang out later today."

"I think I'd like that Tess, but I got to work at the UFO Center, Milton's going crazy preparing for the Crash Festival."

She nodded disappointed, but she wouldn't show that. She was stronger then to let such a weak emotion show. "Well, maybe tomorrow night? I'm busy in the afternoon."

"Sounds, good." She gave him a shy smile before jumping of the stool and bouncing out the front door.

Max waited ten whole minutes before he cornered Maria in the back.

"You have to get her to talk to me. I have to explain that. I have to talk to her Maria. It's imperative." As Max reached out a hand to grab Maria's arm Michael intercepted him.

"Calm down Maxwell. Liz is a smart girl. You two can have your chat and soul mate stares after we deal with Tess." In a gentler tone, not common for Michael he continued, "Give her some time to adjust Max. It hasn't even been a day."

Max nodded his head resigned. "I’m going to work. We still hanging out later?"

Maria nodded, "Yup, movies at my place, don't forget the snacks." He forced a smile before walking off across the street for work.

"I sure hope Liz gets over her stuff otherwise our King is gonna be a mess."

Maria slap Michael in the shoulder, "It was some pretty heavy stuff, past lives as royalty, skanky wives coming back to haunt you. I'm surprised she handling it so well."

"Yeah blondie, whatever you say. I gotta get back to the grill."

Michael spun back around as Maria went back out the customers.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Poor Liz."

Alex looked up from his orange soda surprise.

"What? You think I don't know how much this sucks. Liz doesn't have the benefit of Max and Tess have pure sibling feelings towards each other like me and Michael do. She knows Tess wants Max. Despite how much Max keeps rejecting her. And now she's been given all this new information. Nobody should have to deal with all that."

"You do."

Isabel rolled her eyes, "That's because it's my life Alex. I couldn't escape it if I wanted. Believe me I tried." He nodded slowly, knowingly.

"Doesn't it seem odd then that of those of us that could escape, that is Liz, Maria, and myself, we fight so hard to stay in it."

Isabel melted, her soft brown eyes lighting up as she smiled, "Not odd. Stupid."

Alex's mouth dropped open as Isabel began to laugh. "Incredibly stupid, but I think that's part of what makes us love you each so much. You fight for us. Our whole lives we grew up thinking the world was out to get us, would do anything to get us. Never did it cross our minds that there would be people out there that would do anything FOR us. But you do. Time after time after time you give up so much for us."

Alex gently took Isabel's hand in his own, "I'd give up a hundred times more stuff if I could see you smile like that everyday. Too see you not stressed over evil aliens and looking over your shoulder for the FBI. I'd give anything for that Iz."

"Thank you." The moment was broken as Maria ran past dropping off two more drinks for them. They smiled at each other and went back to mindless chatter about summer break.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Maria dropped off their drinks and then saw Courtney going back into the kitchen to bother her boyfriend! The nerve of that girl, well not really girl.

Maria stomped back there and waited until Courtney was leaving the kitchen with a smile planted on her face. It quickly faded when she saw Maria standing there tapping her foot angrily.

“What’s up Maria?”

“I’ll tell you wants up, you boyfriend stealing tramp!” As she said this she backed Courtney into a corner, not the least bit worried that the girl had alien powers on her side.

“If you take one more look at MY boyfriend like he’s your next meal, I’ll spin you around so fast and break that seal on your husk you’ll have no idea it’s happening until your nothing more than a pile of dust. Are we clear?”

Maria basked at the shock on Courtney faces.

Courtney was shocked into silence. She knew? That meant they all knew.

“I said are we clear?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh don’t plan games Court. I don’t care if you’re an evil Skin or a Michael-worshipper who is completely harmless, if you look at Michael like that one more time you’re a goner. No alien power in the universe will save you from me. Got that?”

Courtney just nodded she was too dazed to do anything else.

“Good, you have customers waiting.”

Courtney left and for the rest of the day worked on automatic.

Maria was breathing heavily when she turned around and saw Michael smirking at her.

“I just love it when you defend my honor like that.”

“Can it Spaceboy.” But she smiled anyway as she walked passed him to get back to work.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Max was mindlessly arranging things in the UFO Center pondering ways he could get Maria to let him talk to Liz during his dinner break.

It was quite a shock to look up and find the object of his thoughts approaching him.

"Liz."

She smiled, loving the way he said her name. As if she was the most precious thing on Earth. And she knew to him she was, that was the problem. Well, that WAS the problem. With the newfound knowledge of last night maybe it wasn't such a horrible thing.

"Hi, Max."

Then their eyes were drawn together and they were lost. Even with five feet between them the connection was tangible. A few flashes raced across their minds. The yell of a child broke the spell and Liz looked away first, blushing.

"Max, I just wanted to tell you that I'm, I'm sorry that I ran away. It was just a lot to deal with you know. It was so overwhelming, I felt like I couldn't breathe. So I ran, I know it was wrong and the last thing you wanted, but I couldn't bear to sit here all summer and watch you with her. Even if you weren’t with her like that. She just represented this huge part of you that it seemed like I could never really be a part of. So I'm sorry."

"Liz."

She laughed that she rambled on like a fool and still all he managed was her name.

"I was hoping that after we deal with Tess tomorrow. We could start again, Max. Would that be okay with you?"

His lips covering hers was all the answer she needed.

TBC...

[starcrazed]

Part 18

At the knock on the door Michael glanced to his two lifelong friends, siblings in every way that counted. He sighed before going to the door and answering it.

"Hi Tess."

She looked up at the towering figure of Michael her blue eyes icy. Momentarily she wondered where he suddenly gained manners but shrugged it off as she continued inside his apartment to stand in front of Max and Isabel.

Hands on her hips she demanded, "And what was so important that I was ordered here immediately when I was clearly in the middle of something important!”

"Tess, I would think nothing would be more important for you than the four of us being together to work to save our people."

Isabel looked down on the smaller girl snottily as Michael stepped into position locking her in place.

Tess waved her hands in the air in a frustrated manner and then attempted to turn around, only to find she couldn't.

"What the hell?"

Glancing around she finally noticed Ava who had dropped the mind-warp to hide herself and the others.

"What's going on? Who is that?"

Max shook his head almost regretfully, "I'm sorry Tess. If there was any Ava left in you... I'm so sorry we can't save you. That you ended up with that...that"

"Monster."

Tess's head wiped towards the other Max. Confusion marring her anger for a moment. She looked first to Michael for help who didn't even acknowledge her and then towards Isabel whose glare radiated pure hatred because of all that Tess was capable of taking from her. Sorrow too, briefly crossed Isabel's features for what could have been, but obviously wasn't meant to be.

Michael raised his hand beginning the ritual Serena had patiently instructed them on previously all night long after the movie.

Max spoke, "Granilith, rid us of this imposter, this puppet, Nasedo, the traitor, has left in our mists."

As he finished he raised his right arm directing it at Tess before Isabel passively recited her lines as she too raised her arm like Max's,

"Lay our beloved Ava's body to rest. Her essence is no longer with us in Tess Harding’s form."

Ava brought up her own hand before she began, "We have uncovered her plan to destroy us and all that we hold dear."

It was true she thought briefly, even in the short amount of time she had known the others she knew she would fight to the death for them. "Now we leave it to the powers of the Granilith for her final judgment. May Tess's soul find peace." A single tear dropped from her crystal blue gaze as she unwaveringly stared at the clone who looked so much like her, but was so very different.

Michael raised his left arm aiming it at Tess drawing forth the full potential of the Granilith as Serena had taught him. Full potential as far as they were able at least. The undiluted power flowed through his veins, filling him up until he felt like he was being ripped apart. Michael threw his head back and opened his mouth to scream but as suddenly as the surging pain filled him he felt it channeled into the others becoming more tolerable. First his eyes and then the others turned black.

From behind Zan's shield the three humans watched. Maria had already pulled out her cedar oil and was breathing it in very deeply. Liz's mouth was open her eyes wide with wonderment. She didn't tear her gaze away as she heard Maria breathing in her cedar oil or when Alex whispered a quiet "Wow," before falling to the floor in a dead faint. Zan chuckled at the reactions of the three humans and he looked forward to getting to spend even more time with them in the coming months, possibly even years.

Energy suddenly filled the room expanding out from the Four Square until it began to swirl around Tess. Everyone could almost see the energy gaining speed as it spun around her. The hybrids would later swear that the energy actually shimmered with colors: electric blues, exotic greens, and bright purple. The humans would recall the sound, the sound the energy made as it crackled through the air.

If any of them had blinked in the next moment they would have missed it. Suddenly the energy froze and then with a sonic boom that shattered all the glass in the apartment and down in the streets below Tess was gone. Slowly, the hybrids blinked bringing their natural eyes back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Max and Isabel collapsed onto the couch, Serena opened the door of Michael's room coming out from hiding. Ava had slid down to the floor too. Her head collapsed onto the top of her bent knees. Michael was still standing despite the tremors that shook his body.

Zan walked over and pushed him down onto the couch, "Thanks."

Zan nodded and scooped up Ava, sitting in the recliner with her gentling resting in his lap.

Serena smiled as Liz and Maria tried to get Alex to wake up.

"I don't like the green vegetables."

When Alex finally regained consciousness, he sat up and with Liz and Maria's help they made their way over to the others.

"Ah, what happen to Tess?"

Serena watched as everyone slowly turned to her for an answer.

She half shrugged, "The best I could guess, is that the Granilith released Nasedo's hold on her. That being done Tess died, the Granilith probably buried her somewhere or recycled her body."

Silence descended upon the group once again.

Serena held her breath waiting for the question she knew was coming. Wondering who it would be to ask this time.

"So our powers?" She turned to Ava noticing the eager looks from the others, even the humans.

"Right. So I'll have to connect to each of you and use my small foothold with the Granilith to unblock that part of your minds, then you'll have access to the power and we can start training. Who wants to go first?"

The five aliens looked around at each other hesitantly. Finally it was Michael who stepped forward beating Max and Zan by a second.

"Me."

Alex and Liz smiled; Maria rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath, "Figures."

Serena stepped up to Michael and placed her hand on the side of his head. He pulled back, "That's it?"

"No. It will hurt. Less then what just happen with the Granilith, but it will be the same type of sensation."

"What is it?"

Off of Serena’s stare he clarified, "My power what is it."

"Oh. Your power is a bit unusual because it’s a mental ability and usually females have the stronger mental gifts, but on our planet your mom had one of the strongest mental powers and your father had very strong defensive powers. So it’s not surprise that you, being their only child are a perfect combination of both. All the powers you’ve already tapped into have been inherited from your father. It’s your advanced powers that come from your mother. The ability to know and control. You'll see what I mean after I'm done."

For the second time Serena raised her right hand to the side of Michael's head. He felt her slide into his mind smooth as silk. Serena treaded carefully ignoring the flashes that flew past her eyelids. When she got to the wall she knocked on it. Then she sent a short burst of telekinetic energy at it. It threw her back. She smiled having found the correct block. Then she focused on the small part of her that was linked to the Granilith and flooded the wall with it's energy. She watched in awe as it crumpled.

She could feel the immediate difference in Michael. Felt the new found control on the surface. She glided out of his mind. When she opened her eyes she found him staring at her with newfound clarity and a bit of confusion.

“I can sense their powers, everyone’s. What they can do already, what they will be able to do. I fell like I could pick them up too, like their energy patterns.

Serena smile and nodded, “Your mother’s gift was known as absorption. You have a variation of it. Whereas she could encounter somebody once and gain their abilities forever just by their mental energy patterns, you have mimicking. So you can copy a power of somebody who is close to you, physically. You can pick up on their mental signature so to say.”

Michael stared at her in shock. She stepped back.

"Next?"

Both Max and Zan stepped forward at once.

They stared at each other. Serena waited patiently as they silently held a battle of the wills. It was Max who stepped back allowing Zan to go first. Serena continued the process with Zan and then Max. Ava went after them finishing with Isabel. Each time explaining the power before unleashing it.

As Serena pulled back from Isabel she wavered on her feet but Zan and Max were there to catch her.

"Guess I over did it today. Michael do you mind if I take a nap in your room." Michael waved his hand in the general direction.

"You guys could practice a little bit now. Tomorrow we can head out and do some real practice though."

As the door shut behind her the five hybrids turned towards each other anxious.

Maria stepped up, "Okay, whose first?"

Liz ever the logical one answered, "I think Zan should show Max how to do that shield thing first. It seems to be related to the electrokinesis."

For the next twenty minutes Max worked at bringing forth the shield. All the while unknowingly to the rest, Isabel was working on her telepathy.

Unknowingly that was until in frustration at not being able to reach out to any of them individual she mentally yelled, *HELLO CAN ANY OF YOU HEAR ME!!!* Only to have the entire room flinch and brace their heads.

In Ava's case a small burst of flame flew from her hand before harmlessly diminishing itself a foot away.

Then they all turned to stare at Isabel, "Opps. Sorry."

Then the room burst into laughter.

Michael’s face was drawn in concentration as first he brought up a bluish green shield, when they all turned to look at him impressed they heard his voice whispered across their minds, *That’s nothing, check this out.* Then he lowered his hand holding his palm up and a small fire ball appeared.

Everyone clapped for Michael and Maria squealed in delight for him. Practicing powers was forgotten as they crashed in front of the T.V. and relaxed. At some point Liz and Max ran out to get food from the Crashdown. Serena woke up and joined them in the video game tournament that had started.

Maria having a flair for the dramatic managed to retell Isabel screeching into their minds in perfect detail to Serena who laughed along with them again.

Had future Isabel been able to see the scene of them all lying around Michael's apartment she would have been happy. Knowing that they were armed with all they would need for the years to come.

TBC...

[starcrazed]

AN: Thank you for all the amazing feedback. I’m glad you’re all really into this and willing to take this journey with me to figure out the past. Sorry it's been so long since the last update.

Having the Granilith take care of Tess may seem heartless, but we have to keep in mind it wasn’t really Tess. It wasn’t a person at all. Michael was torn up about Pierce because he took a human life. There was no humanity or alienness left to this Tess. She was just a tool of Nascedo which is why the Podsquad doesn’t feel too bad about it. As for Ava, Tess looks like her so that’s bound to effect her even if the Tess-shell is just a instrument of Nascedo.


Part 19

For the next week they held training sessions out in the desert. Only once did they all actually end up out there though. There were many conflicting schedules with Max, Liz, Maria, and Michael all working. And by the end of the week Serena too had started her new job at Amy’s store.

It was Maria who made the suggestion and Serena jumped at the idea to work with the guardian without any of the kids getting suspicious of it. Although, she was beginning to wonder when they would tell the kids about Amy.

Serena was on her way to work thinking about all the progress the kids had made in just a weeks time.

Once Max was able to bring forth his shield, it took very little time for him and Zan to get the hang of their electrokinesis. Zan would walk around giving small electric shocks to everyone, expect Michael of course who could have returned the favor, much more powerfully too probably.

Max on the other hand was using the electricity towards the sand making beautiful glass sculptures like when lightening hits sand during a thunderstorm. All the girls were very impressed with it.

Ava was having a little trouble putting out the fires that she started, but getting a fireball going and her aim was impeccable.

There were no more incidents of Isabel shouting into everyone’s mind, surprisingly enough it was Michael who helped her figure out how to talk more gently and to each of them individually.

For Michael, his advance powers gave him immediate control over his other gifts of power blasting and telekinesis that he struggled with for so long. And just as the others began to master their gifts he too was using them as if he had years of practice.

It was Michael who told Liz her brain was forming newer neurological pathways. Pathways that would give her an edge over the rest of humanity. Liz immediately had a bunch of questions for him that naturally frustrated him to no end. Until he shoved her off on Max to deal with.

The only time Serena doubted what they were doing was when Michael paused once while they were in the middle of a practice session and stared hard at Maria.

She didn’t doubt in their abilities rather she doubted the plan to keep the guardian from them. Michael staring at Maria trying to figure something out proved to her they were very capable of dealing with their advanced gifts.

Maybe even too capable.

Serena could feel it too. Whatever Maria was doing. After all her and Michael were cousins so they were bound to share some gifts. In her case Serena could sense other’s powers when they were being used.

Serena knew Maria was human and didn’t have any powers so that led her to the conclusion that Amy’s advanced intuition thanks to Kal had been inherited by Maria.

Michael though didn’t know that part so for the rest of the day he only half heartedly worked with Isabel, Ava, Serena, and Zan while he remained focused on Maria as she laughed with Alex.

When the bell overhead rang she was pulled out of her thoughts. Without even realizing it she had made it all the way to Amy’s Aromatherapy shop.

She saw Amy bending over a shelf helping a customer and she went to the back to drop off her purse and pull on her apron. When she was through she took her place behind the register. By then Amy had rung up the only customer and they were now alone.

“So how’s the training going.”

Serena actually smiled. “Good. Really good. Better than I expected in such a short time. When Nasedo gets here we should be in pretty good shape. It’s after that I’m worried about.”

Amy gave a soft smile, “I know what you mean. So many things are going to happen this year. It’s seems impossible that they’ll get through it all. And school’s only just started. OH. How’s Ava liking school?”

“Eh, she’s says it’s okay. Everyone thinks she’s Tess though and they’re calling her that because we haven’t gotten around to changing her records. But all the others know she’s Ava and I’m sure the students will pick up on the name change soon enough.”

“And Zan?”

“Oh Zan is having a grand time. Every girl in the school with the exception of Maria, Liz, Izzie, and Ava stare at him like he was sent by God as a personal gift to them. Izzie was telling me Ava’s not to happy about it and Liz has had a few words said to her to make sure she wasn’t going to take up the time of both the Adonis’s. It should be very interesting when the other girls put together he’s with Ava.”

Amy shared a laugh with Serena, “Yeah I’m sure that will start up all kinds of gossip relating back to the Liz-Max-Tess debacle last Spring.”

“Although Maria and Izzie are getting quite a kick out of it. They think it’s absolutely hilarious.”

“Oh speaking of Maria and Iz, Maria told me that a certain geologist showed up at the Crashdown yesterday and after Isabel mindlessly dismissed him in the direction of the Sheriff’s office Alex was left in quite a stupor.”

“Yeah his face, priceless. We don’t have to be too worried about Grant though, not yet anyway, Zan and Max already took care of the bones. It’s the Congresswoman I’m worried about. I saw her office being set up on my way here.”

“True, we don’t have very long before she’ll attempt to kidnap Isabel. No telling which girl she’ll snatch in the hopes of getting to Vilandra.”

“Oh that kind of indirectly reminds me. Michael was studying Maria two days ago at training.”

“I swear if that boy ends up in my daughter’s bed again…”

“No Amy calm down. It’s nothing like that. Although I don’t think you should stop worry about that. His advanced power, mimicking, he can sense others gifts with it. I think Maria has inherited you intuitive skills about people or at least something.”

“Oh, yeah I figured as much, Kal did warn me if I had children that could happen, especially since he gave me a boast on the evolutionary scale. Maria always has been very insightful about people and their characters and with those she’s close with she’s very sensitive to their feelings almost like she can actually feel what they are going through.”

“Wow, empathic. That’s crazy I’ve haven’t heard of that in ages. Amy…I know I said I’d leave the decision to you, but I really think it would help if you told the kids about you. They deserve to know that you’re on their side backing them. So few people of this world care about them and there are so many more out to get them. Every person who is on their side helps them. And if they know it helps even more.”

“I know. I know I have to tell them, I should tell them, I want to tell them. But I’m so scared. I’m terrified Maria will look at me betrayed and hurt and never speak to me again. All I see is her face when I tell her I know all about the Pod Children and their purpose.”

“Of course she’ll be hurt Amy. Anyone would be, but she’ll understand. She’ll forgive you because if you’re places were reversed you would forgive her. She’s keeping this from you too, thinking you’re clueless to everything going on. She needs you though Amy. Her gifts will get stronger and their different from what we can do so only her mother will be able to help her.”

Amy just nodded her head and became silent for a while. Serena was concerned she had pushed her too far.

“Amy…”

“No, you’re right absolutely of course you’re right. I’ll tell her tonight. We have mother-daughter dinner night once she gets off of work so… I'll tell her tonight. After Maria knows we can set up a meeting to tell the others.”

“You’re sure Amy I don’t want you to feel rushed in all this. We still have time.”

“No I’m sure. It will be good for me. For all of us. Oh, can you make sure Jim is there. I don’t really want to explain this a hundred times and I’m sure there will be tons of questions to get out of the way.”

Serena smiled and the rest of their work day went on as usual.

Neither one of them noticed when Maria slipped out the back as quietly as she entered deciding she wouldn’t cancel her night with mom after all. Michael could wait another night to see that movie.

She had a lot to talk about with her mom. Amy was right she already had a hundred questions.

TBC…

[starcrazed]

Part 20

Maria sat at the kitchen table with her tea when Amy walked in the side door.

“Oh, hi Maria, I wasn’t expecting you home for another hour. I thought you had closing shift?”

“Yeah, um I got Isabel to cover for me.”

“Really?”

Maria was shocked too when Isabel said she could cover for her, but then Alex walked in through the doors of the Café and everything made a little bit more sense.

“Yeah, Alex was there to keep her company so…”

An awkward silence followed. Awkward because neither woman was ever to quiet. Amy fell silent only when she was sad, and Maria was left speechless only in times of great anger. So it was a surprisingly awkward silence especially since the two usual chatterboxes had no words to exchange. At least not words that weren’t loaded with consequences or lies.

Amy was struggling to find the words. Maria was struggling not to say the words Amy was looking for.

That was until her mom’s eyes filled with tears. Maria pulled her down in the chair next to her and gripped her hand.

“It’s okay mom. I know.”

“Know what? How?”

So Maria explained and Amy was relieved she didn’t have to find the words. When Maria finished she apologized for keeping such a large part of her life hidden from her mom. This only served to set Amy off who felt more responsible and guilty for having left Maria out of her secret for so long, especially as Amy watched when Maria got directly pulled into the world of aliens.

The Deluca kitchen was a crying, laughing, hugging mess for the next hour as Amy told Maria about the truth of Shelia Hubble and how she got involved with aliens. Then Maria took her turn and caught Amy up on all the details she wasn’t completely aware of the past year.

It was a good night filled with delicious pie to satisfy their appetite while their bonding and reconciliation fed their relationship which had been strained with all the lies and half truths between them.

“Michael’s going to love this!”

When her mom just looked at her confused she tried to rein in her laughter to explain, “He’s so scared of you. Now, he’ll be scared of you and indebted to you. It will make him very pleasant to deal with.”

Maria rolled her eyes as the sarcastic comment left her mouth. Passed all that though, Amy could see how much Maria cared for him by the way her eyes soften and the smiled tugged at her lips. As what Maria actually said registered Amy frowned ignoring the fact that her daughter also looked giddy at the idea of dealing with a difficult Michael,

“He’s not indebted to me. Why would he think that?”

Maria shrugged, “That’s just how Michael is. It’s who he is..." Maria trailed off not really knowing how to explain the inner workings of Michael to her mom.

"Ah man Liz and Alex are going to be so thrilled that you know. And maybe with you knowing Max and Michael will lighten up on Isabel and let her tell her mom. She’s been craving to do that for soooo long.”

“Well from what I know of Max and Michael I don’t see that happening soon. And with Zan here there will be an extra controlling king trying to stop Isabel in hopes of protecting her.”

“The Evans’ would never do anything to hurt Max or Izzie.”

“Maria honey, I know that, you know that, and Isabel knows that. Boys aren’t always so intelligent though now are they?”

Maria giggled and agreed. Lord knows how many times she was put up against Michael’s lack of intelligence as far as the two of them were concerned.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As it would happen the next day was moving day.

Serena had been looking and finally found an apartment in Michael’s building for Ava, Zan, and herself. It was a bit larger than Michael’s place having two bedrooms and a full kitchen.

Serena had her belongings as well as the meager amount Zan and Ava had, shipped to Roswell for their new place since they planned on sticking around for quite a long time. The motel was nice, but after a week and a half they were all ready for a bigger space.

When Maria showed up with her mom to help out with the moving nobody was all the curious or surprised because Serena was working with Amy at the store now.

The morning was filled with chatter from the girls, a few curses as the boys tried to get the couch up the stairs, and grand story telling about twins separated at birth. Amy had to control her laughter as Zan very theatrically told the devastating tale of how Max was lost to him until recently when his own adoptive parents died informing him he had a brother out there. Maria didn’t have such a problem she laughed through the whole thing. Granted she was working with Serena in the kitchen so everyone else thought Serena was entertaining her.

Right after lunch Jim Valenti showed up with Kyle, back from football camp.

Immediately Kyle was drawn to Ava, his dad had told him all about the ongoings in the past few days so he greeted Ava as if he had known her since last Spring. But when Zan walked back inside Kyle couldn’t help the expletive that flew from his mouth. Their resemblance honestly was just plain freaky.

When the majority of the stuff was unloaded and the truck gone the others became antsy waiting to start a meeting Serena had called, but it seemed Amy DeLuca wasn’t in the mood to leave just yet.

Needless to say when Serena began they were all a bit shocked.

“Everyone I’d like you to meet someone.”

She watched as instantly Michael’s alert went up and he pulled Maria behind him, both Zan and Max turned cautious too, Zan moving next to Ava, Max stepping next to Liz just in case they needed protecting.

It was Alex who spoke, “Who’s that Serena?”

“Everyone this is Amy DeLuca,”

If it wasn’t so serious of a situation she would have burst into laughter at their faces. Unsurprisingly, they all thought they knew Ms. DeLuca.

“Your Guardian.”

Serena wished she had a camera. As they said a picture was worth a thousand words and never had she seen an instant where that was more true.

Alex and Michael looked shocked and a little bit excited.

Maria was smiling broadly.

Zan and Ava were hesitant, growing up with Kal and never having heard much about the Guardian except she existed.

Max, Liz, and Isabel were all just confused as was Valenti. They figured out that she was connected to them, but now they needed to know how.

It was Kyle who broke the silence.

“Huh?”

So Amy began her story. She told them about her friend Shelia, how Nasedo killed her, how Kal came to visit her, how she watched the Evans picking up Max and Isabel that night in the desert, how she sensed the man who found Michael to be a genuinely nice person, but failed to realize he would put Michael into the system where he’d end up with Hank, which she still felt incredibly sorry for.

She told them all about being deeply involved with Maria’s school life in order to keep an eye on them. How more than once a shady character would come to town looking for their kids they abandoned years ago, and she would end up getting rid of them some way or another.

By the end of her explanation there was very left to be said by anyone.

It was what it was and now they all knew. She apologized for not telling them sooner, but she was worried about how Maria would take it, especially after Liz was shot.

Then she looked at Jim and the waves of guilt hit her again. Amy didn’t know a person could hold so much guilt, but she would have to talk to Jim privately.

Serena managed to refocus their attention though because they did have other important things to discuss.

“Okay, so I saw that Congresswoman Whitaker was setting up her office the other day so we have to start to get ready for the next part.”

Everyone besides Amy stared at her like she was insane, that was until she remembered the kids new very little about the bigger plan.

“Right, so Whitaker’s a Skin.”

“A Michael-worshipper?”

Most just hearing the term for the first time laughed, which caused Michael to scowl. Serena chuckled at Maria.

“No she’s the bad kind, well worse then the Rathists. Whitaker ends up killing Nasedo…”

“That seems like a pretty good thing to me.” Isabel interrupted; some of the others nodded their heads in agreement.

Serena had to agree with them, but there was more to it then that, “True, but she also tries to kidnap you.”

Isabel paled at that point.

“Tried?”

Trust Liz to pick up such a detail most others would oversee.

“Yeah, last time she ended up with Tess. So basically all the girls need to be on the look out for her.”

Michael brought up a valid point, “Speaking of Nasedo shouldn’t somebody make a phone call and get him back here?”

Valenti added to it, “That’s right, Mr. Grant Sorenson was in earlier this week and already Congresswoman Whitaker has phoned saying she was confiscating the bones to test the melted and fused side of the rib cage, well she didn’t say that part but…”

Worried glances were exchanged throughout the room until Max spoke, “It’s fine, we already dealt with that. Now we have to focus on Whitaker. Michael’s right we need to get Nasedo back here too. How did we do that last time?”

Both Amy and Serena shrugged it was Alex who provided them with a possible answer, “Maybe it was the bones. I mean with the bones found, being tested for the Cadmium-X and Michael being arrested I’m sure we all panicked and called Nasedo to bail us out thinking he was on our side.”

“I’m not in jail this time though.”

“Tess.”

The other’s looked at Ava.

“We could use Tess, Max can call and say she’s missin’ has been for a week and a half. He didn’t calls before cuz Tess is known for goin’ off a couple days, but its been a while since any of you have seen da chick so…”

“…so we think that one of our ‘enemies’ has somehow found us and taken Tess.”

Isabel finished the rest of Ava’s idea.

“Only one problem with that.”

“God Michael, what now?”

Zan smirked at Maria, but had to agree with Michael, “No, dukes’ right. The shifter probably has a connection or somethin’ with Tess. Hiz probably knows she’s been gone a while.”

“Fine so he knows Tess is gone. He still has to come here though anyway.” Liz blushed as everyone turned to her.

“If he doesn’t come out here and at least pretend to search for her, he gives away his true colors. His act is ruined if he appears indifferent to the fact that Tess is ‘missing.’ So he’ll come down here a put on a show of looking for her even if he does know she’s dead. In fact he’ll probably get suspicious if we don’t call soon.”

Taking what she said quite literally Maria picked up the phone off the counter and tossed it at Max who barely caught it since he was too busy staring at Liz, enthralled by her yet again.

“Max while you do that how about the rest of us go out and get some snacks and somehow we need an inside with the Congresswoman.”

It was Maria who spoke, “We have one. Lizzie is ditching me, our aqua uniforms, and greasy burgers in favor of phone answering, skirt wearing, and a skin peeling career. Leaving me all alone at the Crashdown with Agnes and “Mr. Order’s up!”

Michael took the insult and easily gave it back,

“Hey, it’s not my fault you too are always yakking away ignoring the paying customers. If it was up to me I’d fire you. I don’t know what Mr. Parker is thinking.”

Liz stepped in the middle before they got to far into it, “Ria, please. I’m not leaving you high and dry. Ava is taking over my job you know this. And I’m sure I’ll end up covering for Agnes more often then not.”

Isabel added her own thoughts, “Yeah and what with Courtney being a…Michael worshiper and us knowing about her, I’m sure she’ll be hitting the road soon. Then Mr. Parker will soon be begging for Liz to come back to work.”

“Well that’s settled then. How about some of us get snacks and the rest can go rent some movies? Maybe Ava, Zan and me can finish setting up our rooms.”

Liz settled into the couch next to Max for moral support while he made the phone call. Amy said she had to get going and open the store up for the rest of the evening.

Alex and Isabel left to get some movies and just as Kyle and his dad were about to step out to get food Jim caught sight of Zan and Ava going into the same room.

His shock and disapproval was instantaneous.

It wasn’t long before they were moving Ava’s stuff again this time to the Valenti’s. Through the entire argument and the moving that followed Maria was laughing hysterically as Kyle would check out Ava and Zan would send an electrical zap to him.

Michael complained the whole time because Max and Alex got out of moving since Alex was already gone for the movies and Max had to make a phone call. Michael was convinced Max was just stalling to save himself the trips up and down the stairs again.

And that is how two weeks later Jim Valenti started the process to adopt Ava and have the records of Tess Harding officially changed so they read Ava Valenti.

TBC...