The Evil Within (M/L CC, ADULT) (Complete)

[Devil Kitty]

AN: A reminder about something that is mentioned in this chapter. I have chosen not to bring in the Dupes, so in this story they never existed. As mentioned in an earlier chapter, Michael's recount of his meeting with Hal Carver only involves the mention of their four pods.

Chapter 48


When Kyle and Sera arrived at his house, they entered to find Valenti sitting in front of the television. Valenti seemed surprised to see Sera with Kyle as he hopped up, tucking in his shirt and slipping his shoes back on. After exchanging pleasantries, Sera excused herself to ‘powder her nose’, and nodded to Kyle.

“Dad, you’d better sit down.” Kyle told him. As Valenti looked at him apprehensively, he asked, “What’s happened now?” He was even more surprised when Kyle filled him in on Sera and Tyler’s secret. Valenti looked at Kyle with concern on his face, “Son, I know you and Sera had been getting closer, but you’ve just gone through a very traumatic experience. Shouldn’t you take a step back, especially now?”

“You didn’t see my reaction last night, I freaked. I even accused her of being one of the enemy.” Kyle shook his head with a smile, “I know that what Tess did wasn’t my fault, that I was manipulated. But I still had sex with her, Dad, and now she might even be pregnant.” Kyle looked towards the hallway, “If anyone should be wanting to back off, it’s Sera.”

“But, Kyle…” Valenti started, only to be interrupted, “Dad, she and I talked a lot last night. I can’t explain it, but when I’m with Sera, it just feels right. Please don’t make her feel weird or unwelcome.”

Valenti looked at Kyle and realized he was seeing his son on the verge of manhood. Sighing he nodded, “Okay, son. It’s just that after Tess, I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

After Sera returned to the living room, Valenti offered to make some coffee. When he went to the kitchen, Kyle said, “I guess we should look for that picture.” He and Sera went to Tess’s room. Looking around at the mess she left behind, he said, “I gave my room to Tess when she moved in, but I don’t know if I can ever sleep in here again.” Sera slipped her hand into his and with a comforting smile. “Maybe we could paint and you could get some different furniture in here – that is, after we fumigate.” Kyle laughed, “Yeah, maybe.”

Over hearing Kyle laugh, Valenti thought to himself, “Maybe Sera is just the medicine Kyle needs after all.” He called out, “Coffee’s ready.”

As they sat at the table, Kyle told his dad, “We need a picture of Tess so Isabel can try and dreamwalk her, but she must have taken that Christmas album with her.” Valenti told him, “I have a framed picture of the three of us at my office. I need to drop by the station anyway, so you can come by and get it.” Looking at Sera he asked her, “What about you, Sera, can you do the dreamwalk like Isabel, or heal like Max?”

Sera shook her head, “No, I have all the standard abilities that the four of them have, their normal powers like manipulating molecular structures,” she reached over and touched the salt shaker, turning it form white to red and then back again, “but while they had special gifts encoded into their makeup, I didn’t.”

She blushed prettily when Kyle told her, “Don’t sell yourself short, I think you’re very special.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A couple hours later, Max and Liz were side by side on Michael’s couch, feet propped on the coffee table, as Max read through the translation Alex had printed out earlier. Alex’s computer skills with the ‘borrowed programs” from Las Cruces had not only rendered a readable translation, but some of the symbols in the book had translated into diagrams; one being the Granolith itself.

Max discussed what he was reading. “Most of what we learned from Sera and Tyler is included here. They were right, it seems that our main purpose in being created was so the Royal House of Antar could continue its vigilance in guarding and defending the Granolith.” He looked over at Michael sympathetically, “I’m sorry, Michael, it doesn’t look like we were ever supposed to go back there.”

Michael just shrugged, as he looked over at Maria. “I had kind of let go of that notion anyway, Maxwell.” Earning him a big hug and smack on the lips from Maria.

Max smiled at Liz and put his arm around her, “I have to admit, I actually feel relieved. I know the only home I want is here with you.” Liz leaned in bestowing a sweet kiss on him.

As Alex looked up from where he was packing up his equipment, he noticed Isabel wore a pensive look as she looked at the floor, he felt a pang that she seemed to be disappointed. Did she still want to go back there, to leave him? He walked over to lay his hand on her shoulder, quietly telling her, “I’m sorry, Isabel. I know that you had hopes of someday going back, seeing your real mother.”

At his words she shook her head, “What? Oh, Alex.” She stood up to wrap her arms around his neck. “I’m happy here, with you, and my family and friends. I was just realizing that somehow Tess must have faked that orb message.” She looked at Max with a look of sorrow, “In fact, I don’t think that was our real mother at all.”

Max nodded solemnly, “I think you may be right. Her image indicated that the four of us were to be paired off, like Tess and Nasedo kept claiming, and that we were to go back and save them, but that conflicts with the translation and what Sera and Tyler told us.”

Maria spoke up, “I bet that creepy Nasedo told Tess to do it and gave her the information. As a so-called protector, he’d have known your backstory. But I’m betting he never knew what that book said, thus the contradiction.”

Liz looked over at Isabel with sympathy, “I know you’re disappointed, Isabel, but you do have a real mother, one who loves both of you very much. I’ve heard her tell my mom how the two of you were her little miracles.”

Isabel nodded. “I know, and I love her and Daddy very much, it’s just …,” as she began to tear up, she shook her head, “I’m sorry.”

Alex wrapped his arms around Isabel as she leaned in to him, “Shhhh, Isabel, it’s alright to be sad.”

Michael cleared his throat, uncomfortable with all the talk of families. “Maxwell, what else does the translation say?”

Max continued, “There are some passages here regarding the possibility that in order to defend the Granolith, we might actually have to use it as a weapon. I’ll have to study up on that. Because I have the DNA of the king, I’m the only member of the royals who can operate the Granolith.”

Michael rolled his eyes, “Figures.”

“Wait,” Max said in surprise, “according to this, I’m supposed to have some kind of seal in my brain.” He instinctively reached up to touch his head.

“A seal?” Liz asked, “What kind of seal?”

“Here’s a diagram.” Max pointed, “It looks like the V formation made up of five small circles.” Michael walked over to look, “Yeah, that looks like the cave map after I put the healing stones into it.”

“It looks like we all have this seal, only mine’s active and the other three are dormant.” Max looked around, “I guess if I died, then one of you would become active.”

A rush of fear stabbed Liz, and she grabbed Max’s arm, “Max! Don’t even think that.”

“Honey, it’s okay.” He assured her, “I don’t plan on going anywhere without a hell of a fight.”

Isabel looked alarmed, “So if something happened to all three of us, that would leave Tess in charge of the Granolith?”

Michael shook his head, “I’ll kill her myself, before I let that happen.”

“But first we have to find her.” Isabel reminded him.

Flipping the page, Max did a double-take at the small object shown along side the Granolith, he asked, “Alex, did you happen to see this illustration of the Granolith?” “Yeah, Max, why?”

“Um, did you see this thing that’s supposed to be the key? Looks like a piece of crystal or quartz.” Max pointed out with his finger.

“Key?” Michael asked, “You mean we just crank the thing up?”

Isabel smiled, “Somehow, I don’t think it’s that simple, Michael.”

Maria wandered behind the couch and leaned over Max’s shoulder looking at the drawing. “Omigod!” she began to laugh, “that’s not a Crystal Key, that’s a Crystal Dildo!”

As everyone took a look, Isabel rolled her eyes, “Why is it that regardless of species, men are always obsessed by phallic symbols?”

Maria walked over and removed her keychain from her purse, the one with a little green alien figure. As she held it up, she pointed and said, “I’m guessing the Antarians just had penis envy, seeing as they don’t seem to have any of their own.”

Liz, Maria and Alex all laughed, and Isabel joined in while Max and Michael wore offended faces. Liz leaned over to kiss Max’s frown and whispered, “Awww, baby, you know you have nothing to worry about.”

While Maria continued to giggle, Michael glared. “Stop – Stop – My sides are splitting.” Looking back at Max, he asked, “So does it tell where this ‘key’ is at?”

Max flipped through the pages, “I don’t think so, maybe it’s hidden there in the pod chamber. We should ride out there later and look around.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After everyone met up at Michael’s, they were soon on their way out to the pod chamber. Max led the way in the jeep with Liz, Isabel and Alex, followed by the Sheriff, Kyle, Sera and Tyler in the Sheriff’s SUV, while Michael and Maria brought up the rear on Michael’s motorcycle.

Isabel looked back at the others, then she looked at Max, “Gee, Max, do you think we could be more conspicuous? We’re a convoy for crying out loud.”

Max just shrugged, “Hey, everyone wanted to come.”

Alex chimed in, “I admit I’m curious. Unlike Liz and Maria, I’ve never seen the pod chamber.” He took Isabel’s hand in his and with a smile, “I’d like to see where you were born.” She smiled back and squeezed his hand.

Everyone trudged up the mountain path to the pod chamber entrance. Max waved his hand across the rock face, and the silver handprint appeared. Just as he was about to open the cave, he stopped and waved his hand again and the handprint disappeared.

“Max, what are you doing?” Michael asked.

“I just want to test something.” He then had each of them wave their hand over the rock face. Nothing happened when Maria, Alex, and Valenti tried. Sera and Tyler, as expected were able to gain access, as were Isabel and Michael.

“Kyle”, Max said, “Since you have been healed, let’s see what happens with you.” Kyle waved his hand, but nothing. Max nodded, “I’m not surprised, Kyle. Even though I’ve healed you, you haven’t experienced the high fever that Liz did.”

Then it was Liz’s turn. She waved her hand and felt a tingle of surprise when the silver hand print appeared. She looked uncertainly at Max, he gave her a smile and nodded. She pressed her hand against the print on the rock face, and the cave opened. Max took her hand and led her inside as the others followed.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 49


As they entered the pod chamber, they all looked around. Affixed to the wall, hung the tattered remains of the pods. Those seeing them for the first time looked at them in awe. “Wow” whispered Sheriff Valenti as he removed his hat from his head. “Ditto,” said Kyle.

Isabel and Alex walked to stand before the pods, “So this is where you were born,” he murmured. As Isabel took his hand, she pointed an upper pod, “This one was mine, with Michael’s beside me. Max and Tess were in the bottom two.”

Tyler and Sera inspected the pod remains. “Interesting, they look so primitive,” Tyler observed. Then he looked embarrassed, “Oh, I just meant that you had to fight your way out. I didn’t mean to…” Max waved him off with a smile, “I’m guessing that Sera’s pod was a bit more sophisticated?” Tyler nodded. Then he bent over to look at the two lower pods. “This is a bit odd.”

“What is it?” Max asked, Michael and Isabel moved closer to look at the pods.

“It’s just that this lower pod looks a bit out of place. See how these three are tightly joined?” And he pointed out the tightness of the upper pods and where the lower right pod joined the one above it. “But there is some separation with this one.” Tyler pointed to the small gap between the left pod and the one beside it and the one above it. “Max, which is yours?”

“The one on the right is mine. The left one is Tess’s.”

Liz walked up to Max and touched his shoulder, “Max, remember how you guys had different memories of hatching, then Tess came along and you all remembered it differently?”

Max then relayed the two different memories to Tyler and Sera. Sera just shook her head, “Curiouser and curiouser.”

“Nasedo!” Maria declared, as the others gathered around the pods. “He must have planted her here after the three of you hatched, and Tess warped you all into having a false memory. She’s a fake!”

As Isabel shook her head, her blond ponytail swayed. “But Tess’s picture is in the alien book. That proves she’s definitely one of us.”

“Oh, yeah,” Maria said with disappointment.

“Wait a minute.” Alex said, “Maybe you’re both right.” As all eyes turned to him, he continued, “Tess’s story was that the three of you were already gone when she hatched, but that Nasedo was waiting here for her. Now, let’s suppose that is true. But what if Nasedo put her pod here after the three of you left? That would explain your first memories and the not quite correct placement here.”

“The leaky pod.” Michael stated. “I told you I bet she was the leaky pod.” He explained to the others about Hal Carver, his experience as part of the ’47 investigation, seeing the small aliens who were there to retrieve the pods. “There were three pods still in the pod sack, but the fourth one had been removed and he saw that it was leaking.”

Liz picked up the speculation, “So if Tess was in the damaged pod, maybe she was taken elsewhere, while the three of you were placed here.”

Isabel questioned the pod placement, “But if only the three of us were brought here, why place Max’s pod below Michael’s, why not place them in a row?”

Liz nodded. “You’re right, Isabel. So all four of you must have been put here to begin with,” Liz pointed at each pod, “forming the foursquare. Then when Nasedo escaped from Eagle Rock he probably came here and discovered that Tess’s pod was damaged. So he took it with him, to watch over it, repair it, whatever. Then he returned it later only to find that the three of you were already gone.”

Maria finished up, “And then Tess fed you guys false memories of the three of you leaving her here alone, probably to put you guys on a guilt trip so you would accept her.”

“Works for me.” Max stated, “Unfortunately, Tess probably wouldn’t tell us the truth if she knew it, and with Nasedo dead, I doubt we’ll ever know the full story.”

Kyle looked around, “So what about this Holy Grail of yours?”

Max smiled at Tyler and Sera, “I’m guessing you are both ready to see the Granolith, too.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Max led the way through the opening behind his pod, and soon everyone had crawled through to stand in a large circle staring at the Granolith. Sheriff Valenti asked softly, “How did you guys discover that this thing was in here?”

Isabel spoke up, “Actually, it was me. After Whitaker told me about ‘Vilandra’, I came out here to the pod chamber to yell at our real mother for, well, everything. I picked up a rock and tossed it towards the pods. It went through Max’s and this light came on. I crawled in here and found this.” She indicated the Granolith.

“Don’t take offense, but I was expecting something more… more religious looking.” Kyle said.

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Agreed Sera. “Are we sure this is the Granolith?”

“It matches the diagrams from the alien book translation.” Alex stated.

“This is it.” Tyler said reverently. “A galaxy’s worth of knowledge is contained herein.”

Max reached up and started to lay his hand on the side of the inverted cone, when Liz grabbed his arm, “Max, no!” Startled, he turned to her, “Liz. What’s wrong?”

Seeing that everyone was looking at her, she flushed in embarrassment. “I’m sorry.” She stepped closer to the Granolith and gazed up at it, “It’s just that this is what took you away from me, I mean Future Max from Future Liz.”

Max moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, “Ahh, Liz.” She turned in his arms and looked up at him, “When I saw your hand reach out, I just knew how she felt.” Liz couldn’t help the tears that slid down her cheeks, “She knew that she would never see him again.”

Max held her tight and kissed her temple. “Liz, honey, I’m not going to let anything take me away from you.” With one arm around her waist and the other gently holding the back of Liz’s head, Max slowly rocked Liz back and forth.

Maria and Isabel looked at each other with compassion in their eyes. “But, Lizzie, you changed the future.” Maria soothed, “That timeline doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Maria’s right, Liz,” Isabel assured her, “those versions of ‘Max and Liz’ no longer exist, so he never had to leave her.”

Those members of the group who had never heard the story of Future Max looked on in obvious confusion. Kyle looked over at Sera, “Am I the only one confused here?” She shook her head, “No.” Kyle wiggled his hand in the air, “Um, excuse me, but Future Who?”

Tyler looked over at Max and Liz, “Liz, last night you mentioned FutureMax said the Granolith was powerful, but we all started discussing the Granolith, and I never got around to asking what you meant.”

As Liz looked up at Max, he smiled at her. Then looking over at Maria. “Maria, would you do the honors, please?”

Maria grinned, “Story time, boys and girls.” She gave Tyler, Sera, Kyle and the Sheriff the cliffnotes version of the FutureMax story.

Kyle looked at Liz in surprise, “So that’s why you came to me and asked me to help you that night? So you could save the world?”

With her eyes downcast, Liz gave a bashful nod.

“But how did this FutureMax travel back in time?” Sera wondered. “Time travel is against all the laws of science and nature. You’d have to devise a way to create a rip in the time-space continuum, and then you’d have to build a time machine, which is completely out of the realm of possibility.”

Liz grinned at her, “Don’t ask me, you’re the one who modified the Granolith.”

“Me! Modify the Granolith?” Sera was shocked.

Liz nodded, “FutureMax said that ‘Serena’, who would one day be my friend, modified the Granolith which allowed it to be used to time travel.”

Sera looked at the Granolith in amazed disbelief, “Wow.” She whispered.

Maria brought them back to the task at hand, “Okay, gang, now that we’ve all been brought up to date, let’s find that dildo.”

Michael gave her a look, “Would you please not call the Granolith Key that?”

Completely unrepentant, Maria just grinned, “Hey, I’m like an umpire, I call ‘em like I see ‘em.”

The group looked around the Granolith Chamber’s completely smooth walls; however, there did not appear to be a hiding place. Neither the walls nor the Granolith itself had any nooks or crannies. There were no knobs or pulls that might open a drawer, nothing to indicate the key was hidden there.

As Max looked around in disappointment, Sera told him. “Max, maybe you should go ahead and touch it.” She then looked over at Liz and assured her. “Since I haven’t done anything to it, we shouldn’t have to worry about Max going anywhere.”

From the time they had entered the chamber, they all had heard the slight humming sound in the room, like the buzzing of a florescent bulb. When Liz nodded at Max, he slowly reached out and as his fingertips touched the surface, the humming increased.

“Hey, Max, I think it recognizes you.” Alex observed.

A nervous Liz couldn’t help but reach out to touch Max, as though she could keep anything from happening to him. When Liz touched Max, the humming changed, it became louder almost musical.

“Wow,” Maria said, “Pretty.”

As Max pressed his hand firmly against the side of the cone, his face wore an expression of concentration. As Liz held tightly to his hand, she felt a surge of energy flow from Max. Suddenly lights around the base of the cone began to pulsate and a panel slid open. Max removed his hand and opened his eyes, to see what appeared to be a control panel with various lights and buttons, including a small blank keypad.

“Max?” Isabel asked in amazement, “How did you do that?”

Max just stared in surprise, “I’m not sure, I was just trying to concentrate and this is what happened.”

Liz softly spoke, “I felt energy flow from Max. I think it obeyed him.”

Everyone crowded around looking at the exposed panel. “Damn, no key.” Stated Michael. “But there are several slots here,” Alex observed, “so I’m guessing depending on what this thing does, you’d insert the key in one of these.”

“So, we’re still on the hunt for the Crystal…” Maria started, cut off by a glare from Michael, “Key.” She finished.

Valenti looked at his watch, “Guys, it’s starting to get late, maybe we better call it a day.”

Max nodded, then still holding Liz’s hand, reached out and once again touched the Granolith. As he concentrated, the panel slid shut.

“Amazing,” Alex declared. “There is nothing to indicate that a panel even exists. No seams, no fastenings, nothing.”

Tyler suggested that Max study the alien book translation more closely before coming back out to check out the Granolith more carefully.

One by one, they crawled back into the main pod chamber.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC


Chapter 50


As they were all preparing to leave the pod chamber, Liz noticed something small lying on the floor near a ledge of rock. She walked over and leaned down, picking up what appeared to be a small syringe.

Everything went black as Liz felt the world slip away ~~

As the group began to make its way out of the pod chamber, Max noticed that Liz had wandered over near the rock ledge, and that she stood motionless, eyes staring vacantly. “Liz?” He quickly stepped over to her side and gently took her arm. She remained stiff and unmoving. “Liz!” He stated louder.

Hearing him, Isabel turned, “Max? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. It’s like she’s in some kind of trance.” He looked from Liz’s face back to Alex and Isabel, with fear in his voice, “What should I do? Do you think I should try and pull her out of it?”

“No, don’t.” Alex answered, “It might be like waking a sleepwalker, and I think that’s dangerous.”

By this time, Maria and Michael had turned back. “What’s going on?”

Isabel answered, “It’s Liz, she’s in some kind of trance.”

Maria stood in front of Liz, “Lizzie?” She waved her hand in front of Liz’s face, but there was no response.

Michael noticed Liz’s hand, “What’s that thing clutched in her hand?”

As the others filed back into the chamber, Kyle took one look at Liz and groaned, “Oh, Buddha, what now?”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


***Liz felt as if she were floating in midair, unable to move because she had no body. Suddenly she was aware that she was looking around the pod chamber, but she had no control over what she looked at. She saw a box with what appeared to be smoke coming out of it. No, it was a cooler filled with dry ice, and some vials in it. Then she saw Tess lying on the rock ledge, naked from the waist down. Liz was moving directly towards Tess, and she saw Tess close her eyes and turn her face away. She was horrified as she saw hands, male hands pushing Tess’s knees apart and inserting the syringe into Tess.***


“Liz?” She heard her name being called from a great distance, “Lizzie? Are you alright?”

Suddenly she was free. As she swayed, she looked down at the object in her hand, “Auggghhhhh!” she screamed and tossed it away, shaking her hand. “Omigod, omigod.” She recognized Max’s worried face, as he called her name, and she threw her arms around him, hiding her face in his chest.

Max held Liz close as she trembled, “Liz! Baby, what happened? Did you get a flash?”

“I don’t know what it was,” She looked at him and whispered hoarsely, “It was something different than our flashes.”

“Here, Liz.” Sera offered a bottle of water. Liz eased away from Max, “Thank you, Sera.” She took the bottle with her left hand and tilted the bottle to take a few sips, then surprisingly poured some of the water on her right hand. Looking at Isabel, she asked, “Isabel? Could you sterilize my hand, please?”

Max reached for her hand, “Liz, I can do that for…”

“No!” Liz backed away. At his startled look she apologized, “I’m sorry.” Reaching for Max’s hand with her left, she looked at Isabel, “Isabel, now, please? But don’t touch my hand.”

“Um, sure.” Glancing at Max in confusion, Isabel reached over to lay her hand above Liz’s. Liz felt a soothing warmth flow through her hand.

Liz whispered, “Thank you.” Then noticed that everyone looked at her with expressions of confused concern. “Max, I’m sorry, it’s just that,” she pointed to the syringe now lying across the chamber against the wall and stated. “That’s the syringe they used to put your samples in Tess.”

“Ewwwww!” cried Maria, as the others stared at the syringe with equally disgusted looks on their faces.

“Wait a minute, did you say they?” asked Alex.

Liz squeezed Max’s hand. “Max! Tess has an accomplice!” She then explained what she had seen, and the way she saw it. “It was like I was inside someone else’s body . ‘Someone’ was here with Tess, and he’s the one who put that sample in her.”

“But you couldn’t see who it was?” Alex asked. Liz shook her head, “All I could tell was that it was a man’s hands, that’s all I could see. It was like I was seeing what he saw.”

“Eyes of Lara Mars!” Maria exclaimed. As eyes turned towards her and stared, she said in exasperation, “Don’t any of you ever watch the movie channel? Lara Mars is one of my mom’s favorites, and this is just like it.” Looking at Liz, she said, “Faye Dunaway plays Lara Mars, a fashion photographer who develops psychic abilities when a serial killer starts a killing spree. But the twist is – she can only see out of the killer’s eyes as he is committing the murders.” Maria pointed at her own eyes.

Isabel looked at Maria, “But Liz didn’t see it when it happened, she saw it now when she picked up the syringe.”

“Mere technicality,” Maria insisted with a wave of her hand, “she still saw out of someone else’s eyes.”

“I think I’ve read about something similar.” Michael stated. This brought about even more surprised looks. “What? You guys think I can’t read?” an offended Michael glared.

“Go ahead, Michael,” Maria encouraged.

“There was this documentary on cable about historical weapons. I found it interesting, so I started reading some articles. Anyway, I read about this phenomenon where someone with psychic ability picks up an old weapon, and actually sees an image from the past. They actually saw a scene of the past involving that weapon or some other old object. It’s called ‘psychometry’.”

Isabel pondered out loud, “So maybe what we have here is a psychic combination – Liz picked up the syringe and experienced this psycho meter thing…”

“Psychometry.” Michael reiterated.

“Whatever.” Isabel shrugged, “but the vision she got was a view out of the other someone’s vision.” Suddenly Isabel looked at Liz in horror, “His vision…out of his eyes! Omigod, Liz, that means you saw…you saw…”

“Naked Tess?” Michael smirked.

Liz slowly nodded, as Maria gave an exaggerated shudder. “Oh, gross. That is just wrong in so many ways.”

Kyle held up his hands, “Please, I never want to hear the words ‘naked’ and ‘Tess’ in the same sentence ever again.”

With his arm around Liz, Max looked down at her face, “Liz, are you sure you feel alright?”

She shrugged, “I do feel a little dizzy. I just need to sit down for a minute.” She sank down to sit on the floor. Soon the others had all pulled up a piece of floor.

Max sat behind Liz pulling her to sit between his legs, wrapping his arms around her. Leaning back against Max, Liz admitted, “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. First, there was the lightning bug stuff, then being able to open the chamber door, and now this. Even though I knew you had changed me,” she turned her head to look at Max with a troubled smile, “I never imagined that I would actually turn into one of you.”

At Liz’s alarmed expression, Tyler spoke up, “Liz, you are not turning into an alien. You do not have any alien DNA. The powers you are developing are human in nature.” He looked at Max, “In fact all of your powers are human.”

“That’s what Nasedo told me, when we rescued Max from the White Room.” Michael told Tyler. “He said that we were engineered to do everything the human brain is capable of doing, just programmed several thousand years ahead of mankind.”

Valenti looked a bit alarmed, “Max has healed Kyle twice, does this mean that Kyle will develop powers, too?”

Kyle looked around, “You mean I might start crackling like tinfoil in a microwave someday?”

Tyler shrugged, “I don’t know, Kyle. Perhaps Liz’s change was because she had such a high fever, or maybe it’s directly linked with her bond to Max, but you should be aware that Max’s healing could lead to some changes in you some day.”

Sera slipped her hand into Kyle’s and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Kyle, if anything ever happens, I know you can handle it. And I’ll be here.”

Tyler reminded them, “Let’s not forget the information that Liz’s vision gives us, and that’s the fact that someone else was involved with Tess in finding and using those samples. We need to find out who it is and why they wanted Tess pregnant with Max’s child. One thing is for sure, whoever he is, he knows everything about the three of you, maybe all of us.”

“What about that other alien?” Maria asked, “The one who saved Liz?”

“But why would he save Liz if he’s in cahoots with Tess?” Michael wondered.

“Because he had no choice.” Tyler answered. “From his actions and what Maria heard him say, I would assume that he is a protector.” Tyler turned to Max, “Even though it’s true that the four of you are not the same people as your Antarian donors, you do all have their genetic DNA and some Antarian characteristics are a natural part of your genetic makeup, such as you bonding with Liz. Your original protectors were programmed to protect the Royal 4, and Liz is now considered a part of that.”

“But you said I don’t have any alien DNA.” Liz reminded Tyler.

Tyler smiled, “But Max does, he has the DNA of the King, and as such he has chosen you as his Queen.”

“Hey, how did he do that, anyway?” Alex asked, “Doesn’t Tess have the alien DNA of the Queen?”

“Yes, she does.” Tyler looked at Max and Liz, “But although Max and Tess were created from the DNA of King Zan and Queen Avarina, they are not connected to each other. After all, the four of you were created as new beings, genetically engineered from both human and alien DNA.”

“I get it,” Maria looked at Liz, “Max is not Zan, he just has a part of Zan inside him. And that part of Zan, the alien characteristic, is what prompted Max to declare you, his sweetiepatootie, as his Queen.”

Max smiled down at Liz, pressing a light kiss on her temple.

Isabel speculated, “So this other alien is obligated to protect us, including Liz, even though he may be Tess’s partner in crime.”

“It would appear so.” Tyler concurred.

“Damn,” Michael groused, as he rubbed at his temples, “this has been a hell of a weekend. I think my brain is on overload.”

“Michael’s right,” Max agreed, “We’ve had had a lot to absorb. Let’s just all go home, try and relax this evening. Besides we have school tomorrow.”

Kyle began to laugh, “Unknown aliens, betraying bitches, Holy Grails and a psychic Liz, and His Highness is worried about being late for school?”

Alex grinned, “Ironic, ain’t it?”


~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 51


After retrieving their belongings from Michael’s apartment, everyone went their separate ways, leaving just Michael and Maria behind.

Maria stepped up to encircle her arms around Michael’s neck. “Hey, Spaceboy, I left the Jetta at home earlier. Think you could give me ride?”

“Sure. Do you have to go right now?” He asked sliding his arms around her waist.

“Actually, I was hoping I could take a shower first,” Maria answered running her fingers along his ear. “I feel kind of grungy from that trek to the desert.”

“Sh...shower?” Michael swallowed hard as he envisioned Maria, in the shower… naked, with water sliding over her body… naked and wet. “Um, yeah, okay.”

Feeling his reaction pressing into her stomach, Maria slid her hand down to cup his hardness. At Michael’s quick intake of breath, she whispered against his lips, “Besides, I thought you could disprove my theory that aliens have penis envy.”

She darted to the bathroom laughing, with a grinning Michael hot on her heels. Soon a very naked and wet Maria was moaning in the shower as Michael proved he had no reason to be envious at all.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Alex sat propped up on his bed playing his guitar when from the corner of his eye, he saw a shadow cross over his window. Setting the guitar aside, he rose just as he heard a tap on the window glass. Pulling back the curtain, he saw Isabel. Opening the window and helping her inside, he grinned as he shook his head, “What is it with you Evanses and windows? Were you frightened by a doorbell as a child?”

Isabel grinned as she sat on the side of the bed, “We do have a tendency to avoid parental units whenever possible.” Pointing at his guitar, “What were you playing?” Alex shrugged, “Nothing special, just fooling around.” As Alex sat beside her, “I thought you were going to take it easy tonight? Just stay home and rest?”

Shrugging she said, “I did lay down, but I couldn’t rest, what with everything we learned this weekend swirling through my brain.”

Alex nodded, “I know what you mean. Learning what Tess did to Kyle, and what Pierce did to Max was boggling enough, but toss in Sera and Tyler, the Granolith and LizzieVision, and it’s mind blowing.”

With a look of ewwww, Isabel replied, “Poor Liz, of all things to get a vision of, I’m sure she wishes she could forget that part.”

“Yep, it’s right up there on the Yuck-o-Meter.” Alex agreed.

Isabel reached over for the guitar, “Would you play something for me?”

Taking the guitar, Alex lightly strummed, “Any requests?” She shook her head, “Anything’s fine with me.”

Isabel smiled as she recognized the opening strains, “Will you sing it to me?”

As he continued to play, he raised an eyebrow, “Now, you know Maria’s the one with the voice, not me.” But when she looked at him with puppy dog eyes, “Okay, but you’ve been warned.”


Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way You Love Me All The Time
Maybe I'm Afraid Of The Way I Love You
Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way You Pulled Me Out Of Time
And Hung Me On A Line
Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way I Really Need You


He sang softly, his voice was husky and little coarse, but to Isabel it was beautiful ~


Maybe I'm A Man And Maybe I'm A Lonely Man
Who's In The Middle Of Something
That He Doesn't Really Understand

Maybe I'm A Man And Maybe You're The Only Woman
Who Could Ever Help Me
Baby Won't You Help Me Understand
* (Paul McCartney)


The words Alex sang struck a chord in Isabel. She gave him a bittersweet smile as she put her hand over his, stopping his playing. “That was wonderful, Alex.” As he sat the guitar aside, he said, “But…?”

Isabel stood and walked over to stand in front of his desk, idly pushing items around. “When Max healed Liz that day in the Crashdown, a connection formed between them. I know she loves Max, but Liz never really had a choice, she was sucked into the alien abyss that day. And now she’s changing.” Looking down at her hands, she told him, “But you…you and Maria do have a choice. You can still leave here, Alex, go to MIT or some other university.” As she turned to face him, Alex just looked at her. She swallowed hard, and managed to say, “Why, with your skills you could easily be the next Bill Gates.”

As Alex looked at her shaky smile and the tears in her eyes, he softly asked, “Isabel, are you asking me to leave Roswell? To leave you?”

“I just… I just want you to be safe… and happy. It’s not too late for you.”

Alex rose to brush the tears from her cheeks, “I can’t speak for Maria, but,” he whispered. “It’s way too late for me. It was too late for me the day we stood in the Christmas village and you told me that you loved me. I couldn’t believe my ears, until I noticed that you had missed three burnt out bulbs. Then I knew it had to be love.” As a grinning Alex wrapped his arms around her, Isabel declared, “Oh, Alex,” laughing and crying at the same time, “I do love you. But I don’t ever want you to wake up and feel that you’re caught in a trap.”

Pressing a kiss to her temple, “If loving you is being caught in a trap, then I hope to God that I never escape.” Turning her face to his, their lips met and Alex proceeded to show her just how much he loved her.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After a long warm soak in the tub, Liz padded into the Parker’s kitchen dressed in pink plaid flannel sleep shorts and a pink baby tee with an unbuttoned knee length sleep shirt worn as a cover-up. Her hair was piled up on her head, loose tendrils falling around her face and neck.

“Liz?” She pulled her head from the fridge to see her dad standing in the doorway. “Oh, Dad. Did I wake you?”

“No, honey, I was just about to turn in. Are you hungry? I can fix something.” Mr. Parker offered.

“No, I’m not very hungry, I just wanted some milk, but thanks anyway.” She poured some milk in a glass, “Actually, I was about to turn in myself. I’m sort of tired out from our hiking trip in the desert today.” She smiled at over her shoulder, “Beautiful scenery, but sore legs.”

As she walked past him, headed back to her room, he pulled her close and gave her a kiss on the forehead, “Sweet dreams, Lizzie.” “Thanks, Daddy.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After closing her bedroom door, she sat the glass of milk down on the bureau, and removing her cover-up, looked at herself in the mirror. Contemplatively, she reached up and touched her cheek.

A tap, tap, tap interrupted her ruminations. She turned to the window to see Max looking in from the balcony. He slid the window open and eased into her room. Walking up behind her, he slipped his arms around her waist and nodded at her in the mirror. “Nice looking couple, don’t you think?” Their reflections smiled at each other.

“You looked pretty serious when I came up, are you sure you feel okay?” He worried.

“Yeah,” She shrugged, “I know it sounds stupid, but it just seems that I should be able to see a difference.”

With a smile Max raised his fingers up behind her head in a V mimicking antennae, “like this?”

Brushing her hand across her blushing cheek, Liz turned to face him with a chagrined smile, “Something like that.”

Max’s smile faded and his expression turned serious as he took Liz by the hand and led her over to sit beside him on the foot of the bed. “Liz, that’s not stupid at all. Changes have been happening to you, to your body, and it’s my fault.” Liz shook her head, and softly said, “Max, no.”

He looked at the little diamond on her finger and rubbed his thumb across it, “I’m serious, Liz. I never meant for your life to be turned upside down. All I’ve ever wanted was to be normal and have a chance for a normal life with you, instead I’ve taken all normalcy from your life.”

She smiled and echoed his words from the past, “What’s so great about normal?”

Max shook his head, “Liz, don’t… I…” She pressed her fingers to his lips, “No, Max, you ‘don’t.’ Liz slipped her arm around his waist, and he wrapped his around her as she rubbed her face against his shoulder. “Don’t you understand by now how special you are? If you had been ‘normal’, I’d have died that day in the Crashdown. You didn’t take anything away from my life, Max, you gave it to me.”

She looked up at him with those beautiful doe eyes, “Max, by all rights, not only should I have died that day in the Crashdown, but there was the bus accident and then being hit by that car. There have been times when I’ve felt that I’m living on borrowed time, that fate is out to get me.” Then a bit of abashedly, she smiled, “But then again, maybe fate is trying to tell me that I’m special, too. That I’m meant to be here – here with you.”

Max cupped her face, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. With a voice husky with emotion, he whispered, “You are an amazing woman, Liz Parker, and I promise, I’ll do everything I can to make sure you never regret choosing me.” Leaning over, he caught her lips with his. As their kisses grew more passionate, they fell backward on the bed. Liz ran her hands down his chest, and with a sexy glint in her eyes, “You know, I can actually think of a few ways you could show me your gratitude.”

“Is that a fact?” With a grin, Max waved his hand towards Liz’s dresser and several candles caught flame. Snapping his fingers the other lights went out, and he stretched out over her pressing his body against hers. As she felt his hardness against her thigh, she wrapped her arms around him and sighed against his mouth, “I love you.” As he kissed her deeply, his tongue swirling with hers, his hands were busy as they ran up the back of her tee pushing it up. He broke off their kiss to pull her tee over her head. Her dark eyes sparkled in the candlelight, and her skin glowed soft and supple. “I love you, too, Liz.”

He caressed her body, cupping a plump little breast, its hardened nipple pressing into his palm. Moving his lips down her jaw, “and want you,” down her neck, “and need you,” and down further to lick her other nipple, “and worship you,” he rolled the delicious little berry with his tongue as his thumb flicked its twin. Liz moaned her approval as he sucked it into his mouth.

Moving his mouth over to give equal attention to her other breast, he slipped a hand down her stomach, sliding inside her sleep shorts, his breath hitching as he discovered that she wasn’t wearing any panties. Max kissed his way from her breasts down her flat stomach, circling his tongue around her navel, sliding off the bed and onto his knees, pulling her shorts off. Liz fisted her hands in the sheets as Max gave her the most intimate of kisses. Through a haze of pleasure, Liz’s head thrashed from side to side, her hips undulating as Max dipped his tongue inside her. As the pressure built, “Max, oh God, Max,” she whimpered. Max inserted his fingers inside her passage, massaging her inner walls as he licked and nipped at her. When he felt the first tremors begin, he gave his fingers a slight alien boost as he sucked hard on her little bundle of nerves. Liz grit her teeth as her orgasm rushed through her, trying to stay silent, knowing her parents were just on the other side of the apartment.

As Liz lay on the bed, her body still shuddering, Max rose to tear off his own clothing. When Max kissed her, Liz could taste her essence on his lips. She ran her hands across his chest, around his back and down to clasp his firm butt as he lay cradled between her thighs. “Max, please,” Liz pleaded as she reached down to try and guide him into her still throbbing core. “Just a minute, baby,” he reached for his pants. As he sank to the hilt, he stilled his body, savoring the feel of Liz wrapped around him, inside and out.

Bracing his weight, he looked down at Liz, taking in her hair spread on the pillows, her lips puffy from his kisses, and her eyes almost black with passion as she gazed back at him. He smoothed her hair back and pressed his forehead against hers as their connection flowed between them. Feeling her love flow through him, he knew without a doubt that he was indeed the love of her life, just as she was his. He slowly began moving within her, long slow strokes, building rapidly faster and harder until their passion reached a crescendo that rocked them both. When Liz would have cried out, Max smothered her cries with his kisses as their bodies shook together in their climax.

As night gave way to the beginnings of dawn, Liz Parker gazed at the sleeping form lying beside her. As a smile crossed face she thought, “Who knew that the shy boy who was afraid to step out from behind the tree would be such an incredible lover?” Unable to resist, she ran a finger down his nose.

Lashes lifted as sleepy amber eyes looked at her, “Hi,” he whispered. “Hi, yourself,” she pushed his ruffled hair off his forehead. He asked her, “What are you smiling about?”

“I was just thinking, it’s always the quiet ones.” At his look of confusion, she laughed softly as she leaned over to place a sweet kiss on his lips.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC
Chapter 52


The following day at school, the gang met at their usual table for lunch in the quad. Liz had brought a mini-cooler from the diner filled with subs to share with her friends. Alex and Isabel had made a run for fries at the school cafeteria, while Maria and Michael hit the vending machines for sodas.

Kyle walked up to the table, good naturedly grumbling, “Isn’t it bad enough that my girl isn’t even at this school, but I have to watch you guys canoodling, too?”

Looking up from feeding Alex some of her fries, and indignant Isabel responded, “We are not canoodling.”

“Actually, Isabel,” Maria grinned as she and Liz split a turkey sub, “I believe hand feeding is a first cousin of the canoodle.”

Rolling his eyes, Kyle sat down, to immediately be interrogated by the girls. “Sooo, tell Auntie Maria, any canoodling with Sera last night?”

As Liz handed him a sandwich, he said, “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” immediately taking a big bite.

Isabel gave him a disbelieving look, “Are you telling me that you and Serena didn’t see each other last night?”

Shaking his head as he swallowed, “Actually, she and Tyler joined Dad and me for dinner and we grilled steaks. Sera made this garlic mayo salad dressing, and it was damn good, and I don’t even like salad.” As Maria and Isabel shared a look, an oblivious Kyle looked around at the guys, “Hey, did you guys know that Tyler is a Colorado Rockies fan? Anyway, it was nice.”

“Nice?” Maria exclaimed, “Dinner with your dad and her ‘cousin’, talking baseball, and you made her cook?”

Alex, Max and Michael having decided that silence was the better part of valor, quietly munched on their subs.

“Maria, it wasn’t like that.” Kyle retorted, “She offered.”

“Kyle Valenti, Sera has probably already scoped out new guys over on campus.” Maria grumbled, “and after all my hard work getting the two of you together.”

Kyle defended himself, “Sitting down to dinner last night was the first feeling of normal I’ve had in ages, Maria. No headaches, no weird images of Tess in my head, no alien voodoo, just good food and conversation. And yes, damn it, it was nice.”

As silence fell, Isabel softly said, “Oh, Kyle.” Maria looked down and whispered, “I’m sorry, Kyle. I didn’t think...” Kyle reached over and awkwardly patted her hand, “No, Maria, I know you just care about us, but Sera and I have to do things our own way.”

Feeling bad for snapping at Maria, Kyle told her, “Look, the evening wasn’t a total fam-fest. Tyler left not long after dinner, then Dad turned in early, so Sera and I caught some television and then I drove her home later.”

Liz propped her chin in her hand, and with a grin asked, “So, what did you watch?”

“Watch?”

“Yeah, Valenti, what show did you guys watch?” Max joined in the teasing.

Shifting on the bench, Kyle mumbled, “Uh, just that show, the one on cable. You know, those chicks always talking about their love lives?”

“Sex in the City?” Isabel grinned, “You watched Sex in the City with Sera?”

Alex wiggled his eyebrows, “Did you learn anything new?”

As Kyle made a face and stuck his tongue out at Alex and Isabel, Liz teased, “And after watching that show you just drove her home?”

Kyle grinned and as he snitched one of Liz’s fries, admitted, “Well, there might have been a canoodle or two.”

“Oooh,” Maria gushed, “come ‘on, girlfriend, spill.”

Exaggeratingly batting his eyelashes, Kyle simpered in a falsetto voice, “A lady never kisses and tells.”

Across the quad a nondescript young man watched the group at the table as they shared lunch, talking and laughing. Although he was unable to hear their words, it was plain that camaraderie existed in the group. He turned and left the area.

Back at the table, Max grinned, “As much as I would love to continue to torment Kyle,” he looked over at Isabel, “last night Isabel and Alex teamed up to dreamwalk Tess.”

As the group became serious, all eyes turned to Isabel. “Any luck?” Liz asked.

Isabel nodded and took a sip of cola. “It was weird. I found her, but she wasn’t asleep. She seemed to be hiding out in some ratty motel room.”

“Could you tell where she was?” Kyle asked with a touch of fear in his voice.

“No, there was nothing to designate a location, but there were red and blue lights flashing around the edge or the curtains into the room, like from a neon sign, but I didn’t see the actual sign.” Isabel answered.

“I don’t recall any motels around Roswell with a red and blue neon sign,” Max stated, “but I’ll ask the Sheriff if he can find out if there are any nearby.”

Isabel she looked over at Liz and Maria, “You wouldn’t believe how awful Tess looks. She’s cut her hair off short and dyed it black, and she was wearing these ugly glasses and baggy clothes. She looked so haggard, that I don’t think she’s slept at all. The room was trashed with empty pizza boxes and take out containers.”

“Sounds like she’s more scared of us finding her, than we are of her coming back.” Liz surmised.

“What about her accomplice, any sign of him?” Michael asked, Isabel shook her head, “No. She was the only one there. What was strange is that I knew she wasn’t asleep, but she didn’t seem to realize that I was even there.”

“Your dreamwalking abilities must be evolving.” Liz speculated, “You must be able to enter a person’s subconscious state even though the person isn’t asleep.”

Maria looked between Liz and Isabel, “You know what, Isabel? You should try again, with Liz. Maybe she can boost your abilities.”

Liz smiled at Isabel and shrugged, “I still can’t turn it on and off, but we can try.”

“That’s an ability that could come in handy.” Alex squeezed Isabel’s hand.

Max looked over at Kyle, “Kyle, did the Sheriff take care of Tess being gone from school?”

“Yeah, Dad called the school this morning to say that Tess’ father was back in the country, and that she had gone to Albuquerque to visit with him. Later, he’ll just say that she decided to leave the country with him.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Michael commented.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As Max sat in English class that afternoon, he was supposed to be reading an assignment given out by the substitute teacher. Instead, he was staring at the back of Liz’ head as she sat a few rows in front of him. Dressed in a beige skirt, brown suede boots and a white button down oxford shirt, with her hair twisted at the back of her neck, Liz looked downright prim and proper, but Max knew just how improper she could be when they were alone. After all, he grinned, he still had the scratch marks on his back to prove it. Sure, he could have easily healed them, but he liked having the proof of her passion on his body. Max drifted off into Lizland, remembering how she had looked the night before.

Max had been lying back on Liz’s bed with her straddled over him, his hands guiding her hips, her breasts bobbing slightly as she rode him. Candlelight reflected off her glistening skin as she tossed her head back and forth, her long dark locks hanging down. He had watched her face as she closed her eyes while she moaned with pleasure, and he had never wanted it to end. Then she had opened her eyes, a picture of wanton beauty, smiling as she had rubbed her hands up his chest, leaning over to press her mouth to his. It had taken all his control not to explode inside her before she reached her own peak. God, was there anything on this earth or any other better than being buried deep inside of Liz Parker?

Kyle sat at his desk beside Max, bored with their reading assignment. He looked over and rolled his eyes at the glazed expression on Max’s face as he stared at Liz. “Damn,” he thought, “Goner doesn’t even begin to describe Evans.” Then his eyes widened and he hid a smile behind his hand as he noticed a certain effect Max’s thoughts were having on him.

Max was rudely startled out of his memories when Kyle punched him in the arm and passed him a note. Max’s face blushed flame red when he read, “Don’t look now, but there’s a party in your pants.”

Shifting uncomfortably, Max avoided looking at a grinning Kyle. Finally, the bell rang, and Max grabbed Liz’s hand and headed straight for the Eraser Eoom. As they left the classroom, Liz half running to match Max’s steps, Kyle’s laughter rang out.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Max pulled a surprised Liz along, pushing their way around the students the hall, “Max, where are we going?” Max reached for the door to the Eraser Room and pulled, but nothing happened. As he twisted the door handle, he heard a rough, “Get Lost!” followed by a muffled feminine giggle.

Liz looked at Max and grinned, “Is that Michael and Maria?”

But Max was looking around, then they were off down the corridor, “Max, what in the world?” Max jerked the door to the janitor’s closet open, and locked it behind them. “Max, what is go…upmph” Liz found her mouth suddenly occupied by Max’s lips and tongue, as he devoured her. Max clutched her to him grasping her behind as he ground his hardness against her.

As he pulled her skirt up Liz tore her mouth from his, “Max,” she gasped, “we’re in school.” “I know,” he answered sliding his lips down her jaw. Her head fell back when he began to suck on her neck. “We…we can’t do this.” Liz whispered, but Max’s desires fired her own, and she tugged at the fastening of his pants. They fell around his ankles to be joined by his boxers. Max ripped off Liz’s panties and lifted her up to pin her against the wall as he sank into her welcoming depths. “Oh, God, Max,” Liz panted, “we’re going to get caught,” she clung to Max. “Ummhmm” he murmured. Their mouths and tongues dueled as he grabbed her bottom pumping up and down, as she wrapped her legs around him, her suede boots caressing his backside. Their blood seemed to pulse through their bodies in rhythm to their thrusts. It was hot, fast and wild and they both quickly reached explosive climaxes. Max’s knees gave out and he sank to the floor holding Liz close, his body still joined with hers.

Shuddering as small tremors still shook their bodies, Liz was the first to regain the ability speak. Still draped around Max, feeling disconcerted as she whispered, “My God, Max. What was that?”

“I don’t know.” He pressed his forehead against hers, “I was sitting in class, remembering last night, and it just swept over me, it was almost uncontrollable.”

“Almost?” she grinned with a raised eyebrow. Max looked her with concern, “Liz, are you okay? I mean, I wasn’t too rough, was I?” At Max’s reddened cheeks and flustered look, Liz cupped his face in her hands, “Max, no. That was incredible.” She looked around the room added, “Totally unexpected, but incredible all the same.”

As they struggled up off the floor, Liz began to giggle. “Max, look at your pants.” Max glanced down to see his pants and boxers wound around his ankles.” Joining her in laughter, he pulled his pants up. Then he grinned and pointed upwards. Liz looked up to see her torn panties dangling from the light fixture. Max retrieved and repaired them, and once they were both presentable, they slipped out of the janitor’s closet. As they walked hand in hand down the hallway, the only evidence of their recent activity was the smiles on their faces.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Devil Kitty]

Chapter 53

Max dropped Liz off at the Crashdown after school and headed over to work at the UFO Center, but not before several goodbye kisses. As a flushed Liz entered through the backdoor, it was to see Michael and Maria in the break area, embraced in a rather heated clinch of their own. “Didn’t you two get enough of that in the Eraser Room today?” She teased.

As they broke apart, Michael glared at the interruption while Maria struck an innocent look, “What Eraser Room?” Liz grinned and asked, “Does the phrase ‘get lost’ ring a bell?”

“That was you?” Michael blurted, causing Maria to elbow him in the ribs as she rolled her eyes.

Liz laughed out loud, as she headed to change into her uniform, “Okay, you slackers, get back to work.”

After changing, Liz walked out front adjusting the antennae on her head. Seeing Isabel and Alex come through the front door, she called out, “Hey, guys, your usual drinks?”

As Liz approached their table, carrying a Cherry Coke and an Orange Crush, Isabel quietly asked, “Liz, when do you think we can get together to try and reach Tess?”

“I’m working a full shift this evening, but I’m just working a half shift tomorrow, so I’ll get off at 6:00, but I’m supposed to go out with Max tomorrow night.”

Isabel smiled, “How about a double date? Alex and I will fix dinner tomorrow over at Michael’s.”

Alex frowned at Isabel, “Uh, I don’t know how to cook.”

Isabel tilted her head and smiling sweetly gave him a look, “How are you at toting and fetching?”

“I’m your man.” He grinned. “You certainly are.” Isabel agreed leaning over to grant him a kiss. Then looking back at Liz, “You and Max just show up at Michael’s tomorrow at 7:00.”

“Great,” Liz smiled, “Oh, can I bring anything?”

Isabel nodded, “How about something for dessert?”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As Michael and Maria worked through their shift, Maria was split her time between her homework and customers. “Michael?” She stuck her head into the kitchen, “I left my History book at school. Do you have yours?”

He looked up from the grill and shrugged, “Check my locker.” “Thanks.” Just as Maria turned away, Michael got a panicked look on his face and he pushed the burgers to the side of the grill to dart after her, but it was too late. Maria stood at his locker holding a familiar folder.

“Michael? This is the college application folder I made for you weeks ago. You haven’t filled out anything.”

Looking at the floor, he replied, “I’m not going to either. I’m not going to college.”

“Michael!” She looked perplexed, “We were all going to apply to the same places.”

“Maria, I have to get back to the kitchen.” He returned to the grill with Maria right behind him. “Can’t we talk about this later?”

“Michael, I know you don’t really care about school, but what about our plans?” We were all going to try and get into Las Cruces.”

Flipping the burgers over, he turned to her and rubbed his eyebrow, “Maria, colleges expect their applicants to have high school diplomas. I guess they’re just funny that way.”

“Huh?” Maria was confused.

Michael turned his attention back to fixing plates of burgers and fries, “I’m not graduating, Maria. I don’t have enough credits. Ms. Gresham called me into the guidance office last week. I have two incompletes and my other grades suck anyway.” He shrugged, “Besides, it takes almost everything I make just to keep up the payments for the apartment and my bike. I couldn’t afford college anyway.”

As she began to speak with sympathy, “Oh, Michael…”

Turning into a stonewall, he groused, “It’s not like I care. Now, can we get back to work? These orders are getting cold.”

As a quiet Maria carried out the orders, her brain was already churning.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Maria arrived at school early the next morning and was waiting at the Guidance Office when Ms. Gresham arrived.

Sitting in the chair in front of Ms. Gresham’s desk, Maria pleaded Michael’s case, “I know that Michael has had terrible attendance, he’s blown off assignments, but you know from Michael’s records that he had a horrible home life. He was bounced from home to home, until he ended up with that horrible Hank. Did you know that he used to beat Michael? It was so awful that Michael finally had to apply for emancipation.”

Ms. Gresham looked at Maria with compassion, “Maria, I understand your concern for your boyfriend, and I’m sorry for Michael’s home life, maybe if I’d been here years ago I could have helped, but Michael has waited too late. There is not time for him to complete his courses in order to graduate. But he can always take the GED.”

“Ms. Gresham, Michael could take a GED today and ace it, he is one of the smartest people I know. He can read an article and weeks later quote it almost verbatim. Maybe a GED would get him into community college if he wanted, but he wouldn’t get to walk across the stage and pick up his diploma.” She leaned forward to speak earnestly, “I’m not excusing Michael, just trying to explain. He grew up in a trashy trailer park and no one has ever expected him to be better than that. He acts tough and says he doesn’t care, but I saw his face when he told me he wasn’t going to graduate. He’s ashamed of who he is, and that is just wrong.”

Looking at Maria’s pleading face, Ms. Gresham relented, “Okay, Maria, let me look through his records, and speak with the principal and the teachers for these incomplete classes. If you can get Michael to stop by here this afternoon, I’ll also give him a practice GED, and we’ll see from there.”

A beaming Maria, thanked her, “Oh, he’ll be here, if I have to drag him myself.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~


That evening Maria was on break when Michael joined her on the couch and took her hand in his. “Maria, I know I acted like a ungrateful jerk this afternoon when you dragged me to Ms. Gresham’s office,” he looked down at her hand avoiding her eyes, “but I do appreciate it, even if nothing comes of it.”

“Michael, I don’t care if you don’t want to go to college, but you should have a choice.” She tilted his face towards hers and gazed at him, “I just want you to be happy, and you’ve had some really lousy breaks since you guys hatched, I just thought it was time you had a good one.”

Leaning over to press a kiss against her cheek, he whispered, “I love you, Blondie.”

“Ditto, Spaceboy.” She whispered as she reached up to brush her lips against his.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Liz came downstairs to see Michael working the grill and Maria garnishing platters. As Maria looked up and saw Liz approaching with her dark locks slightly curled and wearing Max’s favorite red sweater and a pair of hip hugging black jeans, she smiled. “So, what’s tonight’s game plan?”

“Isabel wanted to fix dinner at Michael’s apartment. That’s why I put dibs on one of the cheesecakes, I’m to bring dessert.”

Maria raised an eyebrow, “The four of you are going to eat a whole cheesecake?”

“No, but I thought Michael might like what’s left over.” Liz grinned at Michael who gave her a wink. “And after dinner, I guess we will try our experiment.”

Maria sat the bowl of curly parsley down and with a touch of worry on her face, “Liz, I know I’m the one who suggested this, but…” Liz smiled at her, “Don’t worry, ’ria, we’ll be careful. Besides, we don’t even know if this will work.”

Michael sat two platters down in front of Maria for garnishing, “Damn, I wish we could be there, but after being off all weekend, I need all the shifts I can get this week.”

“That’s alright, Michael. We’ll come back here before you guys finish your shifts.” Liz assured them as she left to go out front just in time to watch Max walk in. She smiled as she watched him approach her in the dark green shirt she had given him for this birthday and khakis. As he gave her that half grin, her heart raced. After greeting each other with a kiss, Liz handed Max the cheesecake while she grabbed the bowl of strawberry sauce, and they were on their way.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As Max and Liz entered Michael’s apartment, they found that Isabel and Alex had slid the furniture back and that Isabel had set up a round card table and chairs in the middle of the room. With the lovely tablecloth and centerpiece of flowers and candles, you’d never guess it was usually used for their mom’s bridge games. Currently Alex, also dressed in khakis partnered with a navy sweater, was setting the table with napkins and silverware as Isabel, casually dressed in a blue jean skirt, black boots and pale blue sweater with her hair up in an attractive twist, was removing a bubbling pan of lasagna from the oven.

“Oh, Isabel,” Liz took a deep breath, “that smells wonderful.” Max smiled, “Izzy makes the best lasagna.”

“Thanks,” Isabel smiled shyly, “but the proof’s in the tasting.” She sat the pan down on a trivet on the breakfast bar beside stacked dinner plates. “I thought we could just set everything out on the bar, fix our plates and then sit at the table.”

Max sat the box with the cheesecake on the counter and walked over to join Alex. Still holding the bowl of strawberry sauce, Liz said, “I’ll just put the cheesecake and sauce in the fridge.” Isabel nodded, “If you take out the salad bowl, you’ll have room, and could you hand me that small carafe? It’s the salad dressing I made earlier.”

As Liz pulled it from the fridge, she sniffed before handing it over to Isabel. “Yum, garlicky.” Isabel grinned, “I called Sera and told her that Kyle was bragging on her salad dressing and asked for the recipe.”

Liz laughed, “So, yummy goodness for us and brownie points for Kyle.”

As Isabel tossed the salad, she asked Liz to pop the garlic bread into the oven. Max dialed KROZ on the stereo and before long the two couples were sitting down to lasagna, salad, garlic bread and iced tea. By silent agreement, there was no discussion as to their real purpose in meeting at Michael’s. For a short while, they were just two couples, four friends, family, enjoying each other’s company and a delicious meal.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Max and Liz insisted on clearing the table since Isabel had worked so hard on their meal. As Max set the dishes to soak, Liz plated slices of cheesecake spooning strawberry sauce on them, which she and Max then carried to the table. As they ate their desserts, Liz scooped up a large berry on her spoon. Just before she slipped it into her mouth, she noticed Max looking at her lips. His eyes rose to hers and she felt a warmth flow through her, she knew he was remembering another time and other strawberries.

After finishing dessert, Max brought the discussion around to Tess and asked Isabel how she wanted to proceed.

“We don’t know what affect, if any, Liz will have on my dreamwalking, but I think we should both be anchored. It might be best if Liz and I sit beside each other on the couch.” She looked over at Alex, “You and Max should sit on either side of us. If I’m under longer than 10 minutes or so, pull us apart, and it should break the dreamwalk.” As Max and Alex nodded their understanding, Isabel smiled at Liz, “Are you ready, Liz?” Biting her lip Liz nodded.

Isabel retrieved the photo of Tess that she received from the Valentis, and the foursome took their places on the couch. Isabel reached to take Liz’s hand in hers, and taking a deep cleansing breath she closed her eyes. Liz also closed her eyes. Max and Alex shared a concerned glance when a few minutes later they saw Liz’s hand and fingers almost immediately begin to flash with tiny lightening streaks that gradually spread to Isabel’s hand.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC Devil Kitty


Chapter 54

Isabel found herself once again standing in Tess’ tacky motel room. Tess sat propped up on the bed, eating potato chips out of a bag while watching the television. The room was still cluttered with take-out containers. Isabel thought, “Damn, what a slob.” She jumped when she heard “Tell me about it.”

She whirled to see Liz standing beside her, and that they were still holding hands. “Liz! I didn’t know you would come in with me, I just thought you’d boost my powers.” Liz looked around and smiled, “Yeah, kinda wild isn’t it?”

“Omigod,” Isabel looked at Liz with widened eyes, “I’m hearing you in my mind!”

“You’re right. We’re communicating telepathically.” Liz thought back to her in excitement. “This feels so weird.” Liz then pointed at Tess, “So, she doesn’t know we’re here?”

“No, because we are in her subconscious, but once again I can tell that she’s awake.” Isabel explained, “I think we are seeing her in actual time, not just something she’s thinking about.”

They watched as Tess sat up, crumpled the empty snack sack, and tossing it in the general direction of the trashcan. She stood to peek out through the faded curtains, then turning back she walking up to the scarred dresser and poured a cup of coffee from a cheap coffee maker. Taking a few sips of black coffee, she looked into the mirror as she ran her hands through her messy dyed hair.

Liz grimaced, “God, she does look awful.” Isabel nodded, “Told ‘ya.”

When Tess walked into the bathroom, Isabel and Liz immediately found themselves transported into the bathroom with her. She reached under the cabinet and removed what appeared to be a make-up case, but when Tess opened it, she lifted out the top tray of make-up to reveal a box of tampons hidden underneath. Liz turned her head and looked away in disgust, “No way I’m watching this, once was enough.”

“Liz, wait.” Isabel squeezed Liz’s hand, “Tampons! Don’t you see what this means?”

“Of course,” Liz realized, “Tess isn’t pregnant!” They each felt a rush of relief surge through the other. “Kyle and the Sheriff will be so relieved.”

“And Sera, too.” Isabel stated. “No matter how much she cares for Kyle, believing Tess could be pregnant with his baby must have been devastating.”

Remembering those few hours she and Max had believed it, Liz whispered, “I know.”

Hearing a knock at the door, they were suddenly thrust back in the main room as Tess hurried over to the door. “Who is it?” she called. “Who else?” Came a sardonic answer. As Tess opened the door, a familiar pudgy man entered. Liz gasped, “Isabel! That’s him, the alien who caught me at the Crashdown.”

They watched as he put a couple of grocery bags on the dresser and looked around the room. “Damn, Tess, this place is a pig sty.” Unabashed, she just shrugged, “A dump this cheap doesn’t have maid service.”

“And I suppose the Queen is too good to put out the trash?” Looking around, he said, “It’s about time we moved on anyway. I scoped out our little pod people during lunch at their school today.” Liz and Isabel looked at each other in alarm, both wondering how much he had overheard.

Tess asked worriedly, “Did any of them see you?” With a look of disappointment, he said, “Please, of course not. I was just another pimply teen in the crowd. I didn’t get quite close enough to hear them, but the way there were laughing with each other, I’d say it didn’t appear they were looking for you, but we can’t take any chances.” Giving her a smirk, “After all, we must protect the little royal heir. I trust he’s fine?”

Tess rubbed her stomach, she smiled, “Yeah, he’s just fine.”

Isabel looked at Liz in outrage, “That big… fat… liar.” Liz gave Isabel a look, “Uh, remember just who we’re talking about here.”

The man pointed to the bag on the dresser, “I brought enough supplies to last you a couple of days.”

Tess looked dismayed, “You’re leaving again? I’m going stir crazy in this place.”

“No, I’m not going anywhere. What I’m going to do is sleep. You know that shapeshifting takes a lot of energy and thanks to you, I’ve been having to shift a lot the last few days.” He then walked over and jerked all the covers off the bed shaking them out.

Tess watched with indignation, “What are you doing?”

Looking around the room and snerling his nose, he replied, “I have no intention of sleeping in your trash.”

“Oh no you don’t. You are not sleeping in my bed.”

As the alien smirked at her, he said, “Puh-leese, your virtue is always safe with me. Once I revert to my base shape, it’ll take anywhere from 36 to 48 hours to fully recharge. Now, you can either sleep on your side of the bed, or sit up and watch the boob tube, just do not leave this room and do not wake me up unless the Podsquad themselves burst through the door.”

Ignoring her indignant face, he held his hand up and a bright, blinding flash caused not only Tess, but also Liz and Isabel to shield their eyes.

When they looked back, they could not believe their eyes. There stood Ed Harding, and looking at each other, they simultaneously cried out in each other’s minds, “Nasedo!”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Feeling the air around them shimmer, Liz felt as if she were falling. The next thing she was aware of was that she and Isabel were back in Michael’s apartment, an anxious Max and Alex holding them. “Liz!” Max cupped her face, “Are you alright?” She nodded and he looked over at Isabel who was getting the same attention from Alex.

Max looked from one girl to the other, “We had to pull you guys apart.”

Alex nodded, “Yeah, after about 15 minutes we were starting to get worried. But when we saw Liz’s lightening streaks spreading to cover both of your bodies and faces…”

“We were afraid not to pull you out,” Max stated as he wrapped his arms around Liz and lifted her onto his lap, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

Isabel looked from Alex to Max, “We’re fine, just a little spent.” Leaning into Alex’s body as he draped his arm across her shoulder, she smiled at Liz. “I had no idea that Liz would be there with me, but I’m glad she was.”

“Omigod, Max!” Liz pulled back and clutched his arm, “You won’t believe what we saw.” She looked over at Isabel, “Isabel, tell them what happened.”

“Okay, Cliff notes version…” Isabel stated excitedly, “Tess’s partner is… Nasedo!”

“Nasedo!” Max blurted out, “That’s impossible.”

Then both girls filled the guys in on everything they saw and heard, and the amazing way they had communicated with each other, finishing up with the startling news that when Tess’ accomplice had shapeshifted it was into none other than Nasedo.

“How can that be?” Max shook his head, “I saw him die. I held him in my arms. Isabel, we saw him turn to dust!”

“Max,” Isabel said, “I know what we saw, but remember who else was there with us? Queen Mindwarp herself.”

“Isabel and I both saw him, Max. He said he had to shift into his base form to rest, then he shifted into Ed Harding.” Liz told him. “He faked his death and Tess helped him.”

“But when Nasedo ‘died’ in Max’s room, Tess was at the Crashdown with us.” Alex reminded them.

Liz looked at Alex, “Remember when she warped Pierce’s men? She and I were in the jeep outside the Crashdown where one agent was, while the other agent was out at Kyle’s house. She was able to warp them both at the same time.”

“I’m not sure what’s worse, believing there was an unknown alien out there against us, or learning that our so-called protector betrayed us.” Isabel lamented.

Taking a deep breath, Max stated, “We need to get everyone over here and fill them in. Since we know that Nasedo is out of commission for a day or two, we should meet tonight.”

“Max, it’s a school night.” Isabel reminded him. “Mom and Dad will have a fit if we all stay out late again tonight after being gone all weekend.”

“Maybe we should just meet early in the morning, before school.” Alex suggested.

Max shrugged, “I guess you’re right.”

Liz suggested, “Why don’t we go back to the Crashdown and fill Michael and Maria in tonight. We can call the others to meet here before school.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Jim Valenti and Amy Deluca sat in a darkened living room ostensibly watching television. As Jim’s cell phone rang, Amy Deluca broke off their kiss and groaned, “Not again.” Jim shrugged in apology as he answered recognizing the caller ID. After listening to the first few words, Jim addressed his caller using a code to indicate he wasn’t alone. “Sure, I’ll radio him, it’s no problem.” Putting up his phone, he gave Amy a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be right back, I just have to go out to the truck and radio some instructions to one of my deputies.”

After getting into his truck, Valenti pulled out his cell phone and dialed Max back. After a quick briefing, Valenti said he would pass the word on to Kyle, who could notify Sera and Tyler of the meeting. As Jim returned to the house, he felt a pang of guilt at keeping more secrets from Amy.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Maria unlocked the front door of the Crashdown to let the last customers of the night leave. “Goodnight. Please come again.” She smiled. After relocking the door and making sure the closed sign was turned in the correct position, she lowered the blind on the door, then did the same to the windows.

As she carried the last of the dirty dishes to the kitchen, Michael complained as he cleaned the grill, “Where the hell are they? It’s after 10:00. I knew I should have taken the night off.”

Michael had been driving her crazy the last half hour, but she too was beginning to become concerned. “They will be here, Michael.” Maria assured him, “They are probably just waiting until the Crash closes. You know, for privacy.” Hoping she was right and that nothing had gone wrong.

Soon only Michael and Maria were left as the dining area and kitchen had been cleaned and the rest of the staff had left. Michael grabbed up the phone and dialed his apartment for the third time in five minutes, but there was no answer. Just as he hung up with a “Damn,” the back door opened and the foursome walked in.

Maria ran to hug Liz, “Liz, are you okay?” Michael pounced on Max and Isabel, “Where the hell have you been? Maria’s been worried to death.”

Pulling back from Liz, Maria just shook her head at Michael, “I’m not the one who’s been whining ‘where are they’ the last hour.”

“Whatever.” Michael pinned Max with a look, “So what happened, Maxwell? Did you guys learn anything?”

Liz grinned, “Oh lots, like I’m thinking of hiring Isabel to supply lasagna to the diner from now on.”

As Isabel looked in surprise, “Really? Do you think I could?” Max realized that Michael was about to pop his cork, “Take a seat guys, here’s what we learned.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~

TBC Devil Kitty


Chapter 55

About an hour before the start of school, everyone had arrived at Michael’s. Liz brought Danish and croissants from the diner and placed them on the breakfast bar where Isabel and Maria had set up coffee, milk and juice. Isabel had left the card table up, and everyone grabbed some breakfast and found seats around the apartment.

Kyle sat nervously picking apart his breakfast and looked at Isabel, “Dad said you guys were able to dreamwalk Tess again last night?”

Isabel smiled first at Liz then at Kyle, “Yes, and I was able to bring Liz into the dream plane with me.”

Aware of Kyle’s nervousness, Sera gave him a slight smile and reached for his hand. Liz smiled at them both, “Kyle, there’s good news. We discovered that Tess is not pregnant.” The whole room could almost feel the release of tension as Kyle sagged against his seat. He looked at Isabel and Liz and as he squeezed Sera’s hand he whispered, “Thanks.” The Sheriff offered his own thanks as he reached over to clasp Kyle’s shoulder.

As Liz and Isabel smiled at the couple, Tyler looked over at Max, “I agree that’s great news, but somehow I don’t think that’s why we are all here so early in the morning.”

“No.” Max agreed, “While Liz and Isabel were in Tess’ subconscious, the other alien came to her room. He’s a shapeshifter. He told Tess that because he had been doing a lot of shifting lately, he had to get some rest. When he reverted to his base form, his identity was revealed.” His eyes glanced around, “It was Nasedo.”

“Nasedo?” Valenti sat his coffee cup down as he raised his eyebrows, “As in Dead Nasedo?”

“The one and only.” Maria stated in disgust, popping a bite of croissant in her mouth.

“But you said your protector died.” Tyler looked at the group in confusion.

“He got better.” Michael deadpanned.

“How the hell do you get better from being dust?” Kyle looked from Michael to Max.

Isabel explained, “Tess used her mindwarping powers to make Max believe that Nasedo died in his room, then she made the three of us believe that he turned to dust when we tried to revive him in the podchamber.”

Max picked up, “But actually, he is very much alive. He’s been working with Tess all this time, staying in the background.”

“Actually,” Liz noted, “It looked more like Nasedo was the one in charge. He was certainly bossing Tess around.”

“And apparently there is no honor among thieves,” Isabel noted, “because Tess is lying through her teeth. Nasedo really believes that she’s pregnant. He seemed very concerned with the “royal heir.” She made quote marks with her fingers.

“Guess we know now where those samples came from.” Alex looked over at Max, “You had him posing as Pierce in order to destroy evidence from the Special Unit, but instead he took your samples.”

Tyler shook his head in confusion, “I don’t understand how this happened. The protectors were chosen because their loyalty was unquestionable, and even then they were still encoded to ensure that they protect you.” He stood and paced. “How could he have turned against you?”

Sera looked at Tyler, concerned with his visible distress. “We know that Nasedo had no choice but to help Liz when she was hurt, probably because he was close enough that his encoding kicked in.” Looking to Max, “So, I can only guess that the faked death was so he could stay away and keep you in the dark about your true heritage.”

“And so he wouldn’t have to answer any of our questions.” Isabel added.

Maria snorted, “Wouldn’t you have to ask some first?” Michael glared at Maria as Isabel sat up straight, “I beg your pardon?”

“Please, you don’t have to beg me, we’re friends.” Maria retorted with a grin, “And you can just take that look off your face, Michael Guerin. You know darn good and well that you guys have asked Tyler 90% more than you ever asked Nasedo.”

As Isabel began to sputter, Alex squeezed her hand, “Sorry, sweetie, but she’s got you there.”

Max rubbed his forehead, “You’re both right. We may have been suspicious of Tess at first, but after… after the White Room we just took them at face value.”

Michael stated defensively, “If you will remember, Maxwell, Nasedo died to rescue you, we had no reason to doubt him.”

“He also knew that Tess would have him revived with the healing stones.” Liz reminded him. “What better way to earn your trust?”

“Okay, fine, Maria’s right and we were too trusting.” Isabel grudgingly conceded. “But what if we had asked more? It’s not like he would have told us the truth anyway.”

Maria looked around, “True. All he and Tess ever cared about was the ‘Royal 4’ and trying to pair you off with each other like in those dreams you all had last year.”

Liz looked at Max, “Max, I think the goal of those dreams was not just to try and convince you to pair off, but specifically to get you with Tess so she’d get pregnant.”

“But why?” Isabel wondered, “What good is a ‘royal heir’ here on Earth?”

“Ah, but you have to remember,” Alex held up his finger, “although they had the book, neither Tess nor Nasedo knew how to read it. They didn’t know you weren’t meant to return to Antar.”

Isabel nodded, “And the illustrations did show me and Tess being pregnant, so with Nasedo’s knowledge of our past lives,” Isabel looked at Michael then Max, “maybe they really thought the four of us were supposed to be together, to return to rule or something.”

“No.” Tyler shook his head. “Like me, your protectors should have known that none of us were meant to return. This Nasedo must have some other agenda.”

Michael shrugged, “Who the hell knows, I doubt we’ll ever find out for sure.” He looked over at Max, “But one thing we know now is that they are the enemy and we have to protect the Granolith from them. We need to find that key, Maxwell.” Michael reminded him.

Nodding, Max agreed. “I know, Michael, and you’re right, but I’ve reviewed the alien book translation, and I haven’t found any clues to the location of the key.”

“What about the cave, Max?” Liz asked. “You guys haven’t been back since we went there when Michael got sick. Maybe there’s something, a clue in the map you might recognize now that you didn’t back then.”

“What cave, what map?” Sera asked.

Max gave a brief explanation about Atherton, Marathon, the alien necklace, Riverdog and his connection to Nasedo, the map on the cave wall, how they carried Michael there when he became ill, using the healing stones to balance Michael in order to heal him.

“Liz is right, we should check out that cave. We need to work fast, while Nasedo is still recharging his batteries. Let’s ride out there this morning.”

“Michael, we can’t just ditch school, besides I don’t even know exactly where the cave is. Both times we were out there it was dark and either Eddie or Riverdog led us.”

“Who cares about school? We go out to the reservation and talk to the Dog himself.” Michael seemed ready to run out the door.

“Michael.” Maria laid her hand on his arm, “Did you forget that special project we’re working on in school?”

Michael opened his mouth as if to argue, but seeing Maria’s face and remembering how she went to bat for him, he gritted his teeth and closed his mouth.

“We’ll go this afternoon, Michael,” Max assured him, “right after last period.”

The Sheriff brought up, “Wait, who all is going to go?”

Max looked around as he saw everyone was looking to him, the reluctant leader of their small group. “I think that Tyler and Sera should probably continue to keep a low profile, at least for now, so I think that Liz, Michael, Isabel and I should be the ones to go.”

Liz frowned, “Max, I’m supposed to work a full shift this afternoon. It might raise questions if I ask my Dad to be off again after taking off last night.”

“And Alex and I have Prom committee this afternoon,” Isabel shrugged her shoulders, “so we’ll have to wait until after that.”

“Prom!” Michael exclaimed, “We’re searching for the key to the Granolith, we need to protect it from our enemies, and you’re worried about the Prom?”

“Cool your jets, Spaceboy.” Maria tried to calm Michael who was looking rather apoplectic. “Yes, the Granolith is very important and we are going to work on it, but this is also our Senior Year and Prom is a big deal to us mere mortals.”

“Maria…” Michael began only for Maria to continue as if he had not spoken, “So here’s the plan, I will go with Alex to the Prom meeting, and afterward I’ll cover for Liz at the Crash. That way the four of you can go out to the reservation. You can fill the rest of us in this evening.”

“Okay,” Isabel agreed, “but don’t let anyone take any votes without me there.” She insisted.

As Michael rolled his eyes, Max grinned, “Thanks, Maria, good plan.” He looked to Valenti, “In the meantime, can you work on tracking down those motels with red and blue neon signs?”

“Already working on it, Max, I should have something by this evening.” Valenti looked at his watch, “Now, you kids better get to school now.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC Devil Kitty

Chapter 56


It was a still sullen Michael who strode through the school hallway after lunch with Maria by his side. As they rounded the corner, they heard a voice, “Michael! Michael Guerin!”

Turning they saw plump Ms. Gresham hurrying towards them, a smile on her face. “I have good news, can you both come to my office? I’ll write you tardy slips for class.”

Minutes later sitting before Ms. Gresham’s desk, Maria anxiously asked. “Good news, right? You said good news?”

Although he was quiet, Ms. Gresham could see the nervousness in Michael’s face. As she adjusted her glasses, she gave him a reassuring smile. “Yes, Maria, it seems that our Mr. Guerin did indeed ace the practice GED test I gave him.” Then turning more serious, she continued. “Michael, the family services system certainly let you down when they placed you with your foster father and the lack of concern on the part of your teachers just added to the problem. You were labeled a troublemaker, but I believe that your poor attitude towards school and education was not due to any lack of intelligence, but rather a result of boredom. In fact, if you had been properly encouraged in your studies, you could very well be making a run for class valedictorian.”

Michael seemed surprised. Until Maria, no one had ever really thought him more than just trailer park trash. Hank had only seen him as a source of extra money and a punching bag. His teachers had looked down on him, thinking he was a dumb slacker. Even Max and Isabel had never expected more of him. He didn’t know what to say.

Luckily, Ms. Gresham continued saving him from having to respond. “After talking with the principal and your teachers, and pulling in some favors, I have arranged for you to do some extra credit work to make up the incomplete classes. Basically, you will be writing term papers and taking makeup tests. Also you have to attend classes regularly from here on out, and bring up your current grades. If we can accomplish all that by the end of May, then Maria and I will get to watch you walk across that stage at Graduation.”

“Oh, Michael, I know you can do it.” Reaching over to grab Michael’s hand Maria bubbled, “And I’ll help you, and you’ll be all caught up in no time.” She was practically bouncing in her seat.

Ms. Gresham smiled at Maria’s exuberance and Michael’s stunned face. She felt a pang of sadness that she and Maria were probably the only ones who had ever encouraged him or shown faith in him. Clearing the lump from her throat, she stated, “Now, Mr. Seligman was a tough sell, so you’d better be on your toes for him. Why don’t you come by here before First Period in the morning, and I’ll have your assignments ready.”

After receiving their tardy slips, Michael and Maria stood to leave. Ms. Gresham moved around her desk and Maria impulsively hugged her before heading out the door. Michael stood awkwardly, rubbing his eyebrow, “Um, thanks.” And then he was gone. Returning to her desk, Ms. Gresham was determined to see that Michael Guerin graduate with the rest of his class.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As Max and Liz approached the jeep that afternoon, they found Michael and Isabel already waiting. Smiling at them, Michael said, “Ready to get this show on the road?”

Climbing into the jeep, Isabel looked over, “Are you feeling alright, Michael? I mean, earlier you were Mr. Grumpy and now – Smiley Face. It’s kind of spooky.”

He barked out a laugh. “Just enjoy it while it lasts, Isabel.”

Once they were on their way, Isabel leaned forward. “Max, exactly what are we going to tell Riverdog? I mean, about why we want to go to the cave?”

Michael shrugged, “Why should we have to say anything? It’s our cave.”

Giving Michael a look in the rearview mirror, Max just shook his head, “It’s not our cave, Michael. The cave is on the reservation, Nasedo just happened to vandalize it.”

Liz turned in her seat so she could look back at Michael and Isabel, “Seriously, don’t you think Riverdog and Eddie deserve to know what’s going on? They’ve both done so much to help us. Riverdog showed us the cave drawing, then he knew how to save Michael, and it was Eddie who found me and carried me to Riverdog. Besides, what if Nasedo were to go back there?”

Isabel looked at Liz, “You think they could be in danger? That Nasedo might hurt them?”

“I don’t know,” Liz admitted, “but in the past Nasedo has been more of ‘shoot now and forget asking questions’ kind of guy. Remember that agent he killed and dumped on the side of the road? Just as a message for Pierce?”

Michael nodded, “Yeah, and when we went in to rescue Max, one of those agents walked in the room while I was transferring the fingerprint, and Nasedo killed him without blinking an eye.”

Isabel leaned forward, “Max? What do you think?”

He squeezed Liz’s hand as he looked back at Isabel, “I guess they should have some kind of warning. It’s not like they don’t already know we’re different.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Before long, Max pulled into the reservation and stopped the jeep near the trading post where Liz had first come out with the whirlwind necklace and met Riverdog. Michael practically jumped out before the jeep had stopped rolling. Looking around, he asked, “So where’s Riverdog’s house?”

Several young men were lounging about the porch of the trading post. They turned to look when the jeep pulled up nearby. Recognizing a familiar face, Liz hopped from the jeep and called out, “Eddie!” Eddie smiled as his friends looked on in curiosity.

“How are you? How is Riverdog?” Liz beamed a smile. As he looked down at her pretty smiling face, Eddie couldn’t help the way his heart leapt, after all he was only human. “I’m fine,” he smiled, “and Riverdog is also well.” Max walked up and slid his arm around her waist, causing Eddie to grin at the not so subtle proprietary claim. Nodding his head at Michael and Isabel, he looked back at Max and asked, “What brings you out to the reservation?”

“We need to see Riverdog, Eddie.” Liz stated softly.

Eddie looked at the serious looks on their faces and deliberately stepped several feet away from his curious buddies, who couldn’t take their eyes off of tall, blond Isabel. “This is more than just a friendly visit, isn’t it?”

Max nodded and quietly told him, “We need to go out to the cave again, Eddie. If Riverdog is home, it would probably be easier to explain to both of you at the same time.”

A surprised Riverdog opened his door to find himself being hugged by Liz Parker. He smiled, “Welcome, little one.” As he led them all inside, he told them, “This is unexpected.”

Once everyone took seats in the small living room, Max explained that they were searching for an object, something from their past, and that they needed to visit the cave again to see if there were any clues. “We think that perhaps there may be something at the cave that we didn’t know to look for before.”

Michael looked at Riverdog, “We were hoping either you or Eddie could show us how to find the cave.”

“But first,” Isabel started, “we’ve learned some things that you should probably know, about Nasedo.”

“Nasedo.” Riverdog tilted his head and slowly nodded, “So he lives.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Yes.” Max nodded and then told them about Nasedo and Tess, and how they had turned against them. How Nasedo had faked his death with Tess assistance, how she had used their friends, the Valentis, and that they wanted them to be aware in case Nasedo came back to the cave and the reservation.

Max continued, “We don’t know if the object we’re looking for is in the cave, or if there is even a clue…” and Michael finished, “but if Nasedo did leave something, we need to find it before he comes back.”

“If he hasn’t already taken it.” Liz reminded them. “Since it takes a couple of hours to reach the cave, we were hoping we could go soon.”

“We’ll take the shortcut.” Riverdog told them as he stood.

“Shortcut?” Max asked with a raised eyebrow. Riverdog just smiled, “Before, you were being tested and needed to prove your sincerity, the same when we healed Michael. You had to prove your dedication to his healing. But there is an old trail that I believe your jeep will traverse, leaving only a short way to walk.”

As they headed out the door, Max looked at Liz in disbelief, “Sincerity?” he grumbled, causing Liz to hide a grin behind her hand.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Carrying flashlights, the group arrived at the cave entrance. As the others made their way towards the yawning opening, Liz stood and stared, lost in the memory of the last time she was here.

“Liz? Are you alright?” Max touched her arm. Startled, she turned and gave him a sad smile, “Yeah, it’s just that, you know, the last time we were here, I …” she looked down at the ground, “I let you down, I disappointed you.”

“Liz, no.” He reached to pull her into his arms, tucking her head under his chin. “I was never disappointed in you. Confused at first, but when Riverdog said you weren’t scared of the ritual, but your fear was for someone else, someone you cared for, I knew you were afraid for me.” He nuzzled her temple. “When I came to your balcony that night, and said we needed to take a step back, it wasn’t because I didn’t love you or trust you. I was just so scared and felt so guilty that Michael had gotten sick, and what we had was so new that I let myself think that it was because of us, that being with you had thrown me off balance.”

He tilted her face up and pressed his forehead to hers, “But I was wrong, because you are my balance, Liz. So no more doubts, no more guilt, promise?” Smiling, she whispered, “I promise.” He bent to seal their promise with a kiss. Holding hands, they turned and began walking towards the entrance.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As they neared the area with the map drawing, Riverdog lit several torches and they were able to cut off their flashlights as they stepped into the map chamber.

“Eddie and I will leave you now.” Riverdog said. When Max told them they were welcome to stay, Riverdog just shook his head. “This is your path, Max Evans. We’ll be just outside the cave when you are ready to leave.”

Max thanked him. “We won’t be long.”

When the four were alone, they spent several minutes looking around the chamber but there did not appear to be any gaps in the walls or cracks to indicate any hiding places. They turned to gaze at the map.

“Michael, how did you figure out that these symbols were locations in Roswell?” Liz asked.

He shrugged, “When I was healed, I saw visions. There was this constellation, Aries. I don’t know why, but I just instinctively knew to place a map of Roswell over the drawing and when positioned properly when Aries is overhead, the symbols represent locations.” He pointed to a symbol, “This is the library where Isabel and I left the burning rope symbol, and here’s the foursquare for the Pulman Ranch.”

“What about the other symbols? Do you know what they represent?” Max asked as he moved up to stand beside Michael.

Michael looked at the cave drawing and pointed to a symbol, “I’m pretty sure this one is where the Crashdown is, and I think this is in Frazier Woods, but,” he shook his head, “I can’t remember the others.”

“Michael, you chose the library to leave Nasedo the sign. That symbol must have subconsciously meant something to you.” Isabel noted.

“And we know now that the alien book was hidden in the library.” Max pointed to the library symbol. “Is there any other symbol that stands out?”

Michael stared at the map, but nothing felt familiar. Liz stood slightly behind the other three and when she heard Michael state with frustration that nothing stood out, she stepped up beside him and reached for his hand.

Michael jumped when he felt a mild electric tingle, and looked to see that Liz had taken his hand, her fingers entwined with his. “Try again, Michael. This time, touch the symbols.”

Michael held Liz’s hand in his left and reached out with his right to run his fingers over the symbols. As Max and Isabel looked on, they saw Liz’s hand begin to spark with the familiar green streaks. There was one symbol that when Michael touched it, he felt a slight vibration in his fingers. “This one, it’s vibrating. It must mean something, but I can’t remember where it is.”

“That’s alright, Michael.” Liz squeezed his hand. “We know which symbol it is, so you can just use the map drawing like you did before.”

Michael looked down where he and Liz’s hands were joined, then looking at her face, he grinned, “Yeah, you’re right, I can do that.” When Liz lifted her hand from his, he felt a momentary sensation of loss.

“Wow, Liz, you really are a power booster.” Isabel said in awe.

Max pulled her into an embrace, “That’s my girl,” and kissed her on the temple. “Let’s head back into town, I have the cave map hidden with the healing stones in one of the storage rooms at the UFO Center.”

“The UFO Center?” Isabel looked at him, “Are you crazy?” But Max wasn’t offended, he just grinned, “Can you think of a better place for alien memorabilia? If anyone comes across it, they’ll just think it’s more tourist junk.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC Devil Kitty

Note: Remember ARCC never happened, so Brody’s child is perfectly healthy in this story.

Chapter 57


As the jeep headed back into town, Michael was chomping at the bit to rush to the UFO Center and navigate the cave drawing.

“Michael, Maria’s already covered for me all afternoon and your shift was supposed to start ten minutes ago.” Liz pointed out. “Right now, we need to work on a cover story for my dad.”

Max looked back at Michael in the rearview mirror, “Besides, Michael, the UFO Center is at its busiest around this time every afternoon. It’s best to wait until after it closes. That way everyone can meet at the same time.”

After arriving at the Crashdown, Liz and Michael both headed to the back to get ready to finish out their shifts. Alex and Kyle were sitting at a booth and waved Max and Isabel over, meanwhile Maria followed Liz into the changing area to be filled in on the cave outing.

When Max left for the UFO Center, Kyle also left to get word to his dad, Sera and Tyler about the meeting at the UFO Center later that night. Isabel turned to Alex with a grin, “I thought they’d never leave.” After leaning over to give him a kiss, she sat up and pining him with a look asked, “Now, what happened at Prom Committee?”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A few minutes after clocking in at the UFO Center, Max approached Brody in his office, and told him that since he knew that Brody’s little daughter, Sydney was visiting, he’d be glad to stay late and close up for him.

“Thank you, Max.” Brody smiled, “With Sydney’s mum living in England, I only get to bring her over a couple times a year.” Looking at his desk, “In fact, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go ahead and leave. There’s nothing here that can’t wait until tomorrow.”

Max spent the next few hours anxiously watching the clock, willing it to move faster. Finally, closing time rolled around and the last stragglers were ushered out of the building. After the other employees left, Max made a final walk through to make sure no one had hidden out, which had been known to happen. Once he was sure the building was empty, he slipped around to the back door and unlocked it, peeking out. Seeing the Sheriff’s SUV parked across the street, Max blinked the light over the door off and back on twice, signaling that the coast was clear to come in.

Valenti, Kyle, Sera and Tyler gathered in the main area of the UFO Center waiting for the others to arrive. As Sera and Tyler walked around, quietly observing the exhibits, Max walked up to them and somewhat sheepishly smiled. “I guess you’re were sort of surprised to learn that I’d choose to work at a place like this?”

Tyler smiled back at him, “Not really. Sort of fits in with the idea of hiding in plain site, don’t you think?”

“The original owner, Milton, was a bona fide UFO nut.” Max said, “Well, maybe nut is a bit harsh, he was really just a nice man who wanted to know the truth. Anyway, I thought this would be a good place to work, I had all sorts of UFO information at hand, access to his computer, and if any UFO sightings happened, Milton would be the first to know.”

“And Brody Davis?” Sera asked.

“Brody is a bit different.” Max explained. “He’s a nice enough guy, but believes that he is an alien abductee. He made a fortune in computers, retiring while still in his 20’s. I was surprised that Milton sold the place out, but I guess money talks. Anyway, Brody came in, purchased a bunch of alien hunting gizmos and pretty much just uses the Center as a front for his search for signs of life in the cosmos.”

“Hey, Evans.” Kyle was looking at some of the hieroglyphic exhibits, “Do you suppose any of this stuff has merit? I mean, couldn’t some of this stuff actually be true?”

“Kyle!” Sera exclaimed, a little bit hurt in her voice.

Kyle walked over to wrap his arm around her shoulder and smiled, “Sera, sweetie, you’re very existence proves that there is life out there. Who’s to say that Earth hasn’t been visited by other species from other solar systems? I’ve read Chariot of the Gods, you know.”

“Well, Kyle.” Max shrugged and rubbed his eyebrow, “I’d guess that about 99% of this stuff is nothing but tourist trappings, but who knows? Maybe somewhere in the other 1% there might be something real.”

While waiting for the others to arrive, Valenti informed Max that he had managed to locate several motels with red and blue neon signs that were within a couple hours drive from Roswell, but the closest one was just outside Hondo. “It’s called ‘The Old Glory’ and from what I could discern, it’s a real dump.”

“That sounds like the kind of place Isabel and Liz saw during their dreamwalk.” Max began, only to turn when he heard “Max!” being called out. He smiled as Liz bounded down the steps, followed closely by the others. She and Maria had changed out of their uniforms into comfortable jeans and sweaters. He gave Liz a quick welcoming kiss, “You guys are here earlier than I expected.”

Liz grinned, “Well, Michael developed a sudden stomachache and had to leave.” She looked over and winked at Michael, who just grinned back at her. “Then Maria and I had to leave early so we could go to Maria’s, where I am spending the night helping work on her science project.” Maria walked up and slung her arm around Liz, “Meanwhile, I am spending the night at Liz’s working on the same said science project.”

With everyone there, Max told them what Valenti had learned about the motels. Isabel nodded, “That sounds about right.” She turned to Liz, “Do you feel up to a little dreamwalking later?” Liz nodded.

Max went to retrieve the cave map from it’s hiding place while Michael filled the others in on what had happened earlier out at the cave. When Max returned he laid the cave map drawing out on a table as Sera and Tyler looked on in interest. When asked if the symbols meant anything to them, they both shook their heads. Although the symbols seemed familiar, they couldn’t read them.

Michael then took the map of Roswell he had retrieved from his apartment and positioned it over the drawing. After a few calculations, he froze as he realized just where the vibrating symbol was in relation to the Roswell map. Looking over at Max, he simply stated, “Oh, shit.”

Hearing Michael’s epithet and seeing Max’s face go pale as he backed away from the table, Liz grabbed his arm, “Max? What’s wrong?” Anxiety quickly spread around the room.

“Michael?” Maria asked.

“Eagle Rock.” Michael stated flatly, “It’s Eagle Rock.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


There were several gasps as that name sent chills through the majority of the group. Liz wrapped her arms around Max, whispering “Oh, Max,” she could feel the slight trembling in his body.

Tyler looked first at Max and Liz, and noticing the frowning concern displayed by the others he turned to Valenti, “I take it that Eagle Rock is not an actual rock?” The Sheriff shook his head, “No. Eagle Rock is an old military base, it was used by the FBI Special Unit, and it’s where…” his voice dwindled off.

Sera nodded in understanding, “Where they took Max… the White Room.”

Liz felt Max stiffen at Sera’s words, but he took a deep breath and slightly loosening his hold on Liz, he stated. “I guess we’d better check it out.”

“Max, no, you can’t go back there.” Liz looked up at Max in concern. Looking down at her worried face, he gave her a shaky smile. “It’s okay, Liz. I wish it were anywhere else, but Michael sensed that symbol for a reason. We have to find out if the crystal is there. Besides,” he assured her, “I won’t be alone.”

Kyle spoke up, “Well, at least this time you guys know the layout and how to get in.”

Michael nodded, “That’s true. So Max, what’s the plan? Remember Nasedo may be on the move by tomorrow, so when do we go out there?”

Rubbing his eyebrow, Max answered, “We certainly don’t need to delay, so we’ll go out there tonight.”

“Max, wait.” Valenti spoke up, “I know that it’s supposedly abandoned, but no one knew that the Special Unit had set up there before. You shouldn’t go out there blind. Let me ride out there, do a little reconnaissance.”

“Not alone, Dad.” Kyle insisted. “I’ll go with you, that way if anyone sees us, we’ll just act like we’re coming home from some father/son outing.”

Max nodded, “Okay, you two check it out, but be careful. Don’t take any unnecessary chances.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Isabel suggested that while the Valentis checked out Eagle Rock, she and Liz should try and dreamwalk Tess again. “Too bad you don’t have picture of Nasedo,” Maria stated, “maybe you guys could learn more about their plans through him.”

“Um, actually…” Valenti started. As all eyes turned to him, he admitted, “After Hubble and Topolsky, I was feeling more protective towards you kids. When Harding brought me that little spy camera, I was afraid you were getting in too deep. So when Max took off for the Hardings’ house that night, I followed. I was hiding in the back of a borrowed car and saw Max meet the others and then go the door. When he and Liz were leaving, I took some pictures and one clearly shows Ed Harding and Tess standing in their doorway.”

Michael glared, “You spied on us, took pictures of us, and just now thought to mention this?”

“After learning the truth, after Max saved Kyle’s life, a handful of pictures just didn’t seem that important. Plus, I admit I was a bit ashamed.” Valenti admitted.

Knowing how Valenti had shown his support for them many times over since the night he helped save Max from the White Room, it was easy to forgive. “It’s okay, Sheriff.” Max shrugged giving him a half smile, “after all, if you hadn’t taken those photos, we wouldn’t have one for Isabel to use now, would we?”

Isabel asked, “You do still have the pictures, don’t you?”

“Yes, they are in a hidden safe in my house.” Valenti assured them. Kyle looked at his dad in surprise, “We have a hidden safe?”

“No, Kyle, I do.” Valenti grinned at him. Looking back at Max, he said, “I’ll go and retrieve the photos and bring them back here, then Kyle and I will ride out to Eagle Rock.”

After the Sheriff left, Alex asked Max if he could use one of the UFO Center computers so he could hack in to see if there were any utilities turned on out at Eagle Rock. While Max, Alex and Liz went to Brody’s office, Michael and Isabel worked on sketching out the floor plan of the base as best they could remember.

First Alex hacked into the local government records to locate their mapping of the area where the base was located to get a physical address. Then he turned to the power company, and while the power was not turned on, he stated that it was almost certain that the base would have generators for back up power. He next learned that there was no phone service, but as he told Max, “nowadays they would probably use satellites for their communications.” Hacking into the gas company, he found that no gas lines ran out there, so the base would have to use propane.

His fingers flew over the keyboard. “There are three propane companies in that delivery area, but I can’t find any record of deliveries out to Eagle Rock.” Then Alex smiled, “No water service. Hard to operate any kind of facility without water.”

“What about a well, or trucking water in?” Liz asked. Alex nodded, “That’s certainly a possibility, the same with propane.” Alex looked up at Max, “The only way Eagle Rock is up and running is by generators and trucking in propane, and possibly water. Generators are fairly noisy so the Sheriff and Kyle should be able to tell if any are running, if they can get close enough.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


When the Sheriff returned with the photo of Tess and ‘Ed Harding’, he also brought along a couple of large fast food sacks full of burgers and fries. “I figured that if we’re going to be up most the night, we would probably need some fuel.”

As everyone grabbed a burger, Max retrieved a key from Brody’s office and opened up the soda machines. Max smiled over at Valenti, “Don’t worry, I’ll put some money in later for the drinks.” Then he informed Valenti what Alex had learned about the utilities. Valenti gave Alex a look, “I’m sure I do not want to know how you accessed that information.” “Probably not.” Alex agreed with a grin as he bit into a burger.

The Sheriff looked at his watch and turned to Kyle, “Grab us a couple of burgers, son, and we’ll head on out and do our ride by.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC
Happy Weekend everyone. Araxie RHS, I want to thank you and give you kudos. Your comment on the picture of “Ed Harding” gave me an idea for changing the Nasedo dreamwalk part.

Chapter 58


Once all the food had been consumed and the trash disposed of, Isabel took the photo that Valenti had brought. “Liz, shall we try and reach Nasedo?” Nodding, Liz walked over intending to sit beside Isabel on the steps. “Wait,” Max stopped Liz. “Why don’t you guys use the couch in Brody’s office? You’ll be more comfortable.” Once settled on the couch, with Max and Alex sitting on either side of them as anchors, Isabel took Liz’s hand and began the dreamwalk.

Isabel found herself in what looked like an arid desert, but icy cold. The view was blurred, distorted. She felt like she was trying to stand on a waterbed. “Liz?” she called out. “I’m here.” Liz held fast to Isabel’s hand. “What is this place? I feel like I’m about to fall. Is this Nasedo’s dream?”

Isabel felt a coldness seep into her bones, “I’m not sure, but I don’t think so. Whatever it is,” she looked at Liz, “there’s nothing here to see. I don’t see any point in staying. Besides, I’m starting to feel seasick”

Liz agreed, “Me too, let’s get out of here.”

Isabel opened her eyes and looked over at Liz as she opened hers. “Are you alright?” she asked. “Yeah, I’m fine, just a little queasy.” Liz responded.

Max pulled Liz close and looked over at his sister. “You were only out a couple of minutes, Isabel, what happened?”

“Nothing.” Isabel told him. “It was all blurry, but nothing was happening. We didn’t see anything.”

Liz looked at the others standing around the room. “It was sort of like standing in the middle of the Sahara desert in the dark of night. No sign of life, no sound…” Isabel continued, “just a vast wasteland.”

“And cold.” Liz shivered, “very cold.”

Isabel looked at Tyler, “What about you, Tyler? Do you have dreams? Or is what we saw with Nasedo normal for aliens?”

“Yes, we dream.” Tyler answered, “I have no explanation for what you saw, or rather did not see, with Nasedo.”

“Maybe he wasn’t asleep, maybe he’s already awake.” Sera speculated.

“But they were able to get through to Tess, and she was awake.” Maria reminded her.

Liz sat up from where had been leaning back against Max, and reached for the photo Isabel held, “Isabel, this is a picture of ‘Ed Harding’, and while that is Nasedo’s base form, it is not who Nasedo really is.”

Isabel looked from the picture to Liz, “So you think I could only dreamwalk Nasedo if he were to revert to his alien form?” Liz shrugged, “It’s a theory.”

“You could try with me.” Tyler offered quietly, indicating his own blond appearance. “I mean, then you’d know if it’s our base forms that’s the hindrance.”

Isabel smiled at the shapeshifter. “You wouldn’t mind?” When he shrugged with a shy smile, Isabel turned to Liz. “Shall we?” In response, Liz just held her hand out to Isabel.

As Liz closed her eyes she found herself standing in a lush field of vibrant colors. Although the view was slightly distorted she could discern strange plants and what appeared to be flying birds. “Isabel, it’s beautiful, like a watercolor.” Isabel nodded, “and look at these flowers.” Looking around she asked Liz, “but do you see anything of Tyler?” Liz shook her head, “No, like with Nasedo, there isn’t anything to show that he’s dreaming or what he’s thinking about.”

Isabel waved a hand at their view, “You know what I think? I think what we are able to see is their characters, their personalities.”

Liz nodded, “Yes, only where this is warm and beautiful, Nasedo’s was ugly and cold.”

As the girls came out of the dreamwalk, Tyler anxiously asked, “Did it work? Could you see me?”

Isabel shook her head, “It was the same as with Nasedo, we couldn’t reach your subconscious.” Then she smiled and looked over at Liz, “but we did discover one thing.”

“What’s that?” He asked hesitantly.

Isabel reached over to grasp his hand, “That while Nasedo is cold and unfeeling, in contrast you are warm and caring. You have a beautiful soul, Tyler.”

Sera smiled up at her blushing protector, “I could have told you that.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


While Tyler endured some good natured teasing from the guys, Max’s cell phone rang. It was Kyle calling to say they were on their way back and that they couldn’t find any signs of inhabitation at Eagle Rock. “Man, it was so dark out there, if it hadn’t been for the moonlight, you wouldn’t even know the base was there.”

After Max hung up, Michael glanced over at the sketch and asked, “So, what’s the plan, Max?”

Max looked around the room, “I think the safest thing would be for Michael, Tyler and I to check out the facility, maybe take Valenti along as backup.” He looked down at Liz, “The rest of you should just go on home. We’ll let you know what we find out.”

“Max, no!” Liz looked at him at disbelief. Clutching his arm, she declared. “There is no way you are going out there without me.”

“Oh, I don’t think so, Max.” Isabel was also adamant. “I have as much right to go as you and Michael!”

Maria and Alex chimed in with their own objections, they were a part of this and neither was willing to be left behind. “Besides,” Maria pointed out, “you need Isabel and Liz for the Foursquare, and where Lizzie goes, I go.”

“Oh, for crying out loud, we can’t all go.” Michael thrust his hands through his hair, “We might as well just rent a bus and paint Eagle Rock or Bust on it.”

Tyler spoke up, “Actually, Michael, I believe the saying ‘safety in numbers’ would apply in this situation. Max, perhaps you should devise a plan that includes all of us.”

Looking at the determined looks on their faces, not to mention the stubbornness on Liz and Isabel, he capitulated. “Alright, we all go.” Looking over at Michael, who did not look happy with this change in plans, Max grinned, “But we’ll leave the Eagle Rock or Bust sign behind.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The Sheriff and Kyle returned with a box containing flashlights, some battery-operated lanterns, a set of walkie-talkies and even some bottles of water. “I brought a couple of my old backpacks,” Kyle pulled one out, “thought it would be easier to carry everything in these.”

Max thanked them, “Good thinking.” Kyle began packing the provisions while Max sent Isabel and Sera to gas up the jeep.

Max asked the Sheriff to join him as they looked at Michael’s rough sketch of the base, the Sheriff and Michael discussed how they got Max out before and how best to proceed g

[Devil Kitty]

Max asked the Sheriff to join him as they looked at Michael’s rough sketch of the base, the Sheriff and Michael discussed how they got Max out before and how best to proceed getting onto the base and into the facility. Max asked Alex if he could search the county building records to see if they had any blueprints of the base on file.

Sitting on the steps with Maria, Liz watched as Max took charge, he didn’t even realize just how naturally he had stepped into the role. Liz gave Maria a half smile and excused herself. She stood before the sink in the Ladies Room, water running over her hands. Slowly the door opened and Maria peeked in. “Lizzie? You okay?” Liz gave her a shaky smile as Maria came on into the restroom. “Sure, I’m fine.” She turned off the water and reached for a paper towel. “Just feeling a little nervous.”

Maria propped herself against the counter, “Let me guess, right now you are worried about Max going back out to Eagle Rock. It’s understandable you’d feel that way, chica.”

Liz nodded, “I am, but I’m also proud of him, Maria. Look at the way he’s stepped up and taken charge. Even without his alien side, Max is a born leader. It’s just the White Room… Pierce… his recent memories, I can’t help it, I’m just…”

“Worried?” Came a voice from the doorway. Isabel slipped in. “I’m worried about him, too, Liz. But maybe this is what Max needs, to return to that place.”

“Yeah, Liz, like exorcising his demons.” Maria assured her, “Besides, you’ll be with him, and that’s all he really needs.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Acting on the plan made before leaving, they pulled up as close to the base as they felt safe leaving their vehicles, then prepared to walk the rest of the way. Kyle stopped Max. “Max, wait a minute. I have a better idea on the cars. Let’s go ahead and leave the jeep hidden here in the brush, but since the four of us,” he indicted himself, Valenti, Sera and Tyler, “are going to wait out here and play backup, I think we should move the SUV closer. After all, we might have to haul ass in a hurry, not to mention it will be warmer.”

Michael looked at Kyle, “And if someone comes up and finds you guys sitting there?”

Kyle grinned, “I thought of that. Dad and Tyler can wait in the back seat and the cargo area. Any sign of someone coming and Dad and Tyler can hunker down under some blankets. Sera and I will just pretend to be a couple parking in the moonlight.”

“In the Sheriff’s car?” Michael asked in disbelief.

Kyle grinned, “I’ll just say I didn’t think anyone would bother us in my dad’s car.” He held up his hand, stopping Michael’s next words. “And if that doesn’t work, we’ll just haul ass and double back.”

Everyone piled into the SUV for the final short drive. It was a cramped fit with the Sheriff driving, Tyler riding shotgun with Liz, Sera and Maria sitting on their boyfriend’s laps. Alex and Isabel crawled into the cargo area. Arriving at the fence that surrounded the base, they all piled out. The Sheriff handed Max one of the walkie-talkies and double-checked that Max knew how to work it. Max told him, “I don’t know how long this is going to take, but just to be safe don’t call us unless you’re discovered here. If we find anything, we’ll call you.”

Max handed Michael one of the backpacks while slinging the other over his shoulder. Taking hold of Liz’s hand, he looked to his second in command, “Okay, Michael, lead us in.” Michael used his powers to cut an opening in the chain link fence. Slipping through they left the other four to bundle up and wait. Following Michael, they crept to the entrance of the building.


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Entering the facility, Michael shined his flashlight around as they started down a corridor. Winding their way through the building, he grumbled, “I don’t sense anything. I don’t even know where we should begin to look.”

Maria grabbed him arm, “You need to form that foursquare thingy.” Handing Alex her flashlight, she then moved Michael and Isabel to stand side by side. She then positioned Max and Liz to face Michael and Isabel. “Now, join hands and concentrate.” As Maria moved off to the side to join Alex, he slipped his arm around her waist as they watched.

Holding Liz’s hand beside him, Max reached over to take Michael’s, as Liz reached out to take Isabel’s. As they stood linked together, eyes closed in concentration, Max felt energy flooding through him, as if his body were humming in tune with something just out of sight. A sense of awareness that he had never experienced before settled over him and suddenly, inexplicably, he just knew. Opening his eyes, he looked where his hand was joined with Liz’s. Not unexpectedly, their hands were flashing with the green streaks.

“Did you feel that?” Michael asked in surprise. “If you mean a humming sensation, yeah.” Isabel answered, “but I don’t know what it meant.”

“I do.” Max spoke. Although they all dropped hands, he kept a tight hold on Liz’s. “There’s a room, a hidden room.”

“Do you know where, Max?” Isabel asked. He slowly nodded, “Under the White Room.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC
Chapter 59


They turned down hallways, navigated stairwells and finally reached the corridor that lead to the White Room. Michael led the way with Maria sticking close, then came Max and Liz with Isabel and Alex bringing up the rear. As they got closer to the White Room, Liz could feel the trembling in Max’s hand increase. “Max, are you sure you are alright?” He squeezed her hand tighter and whispered, “I’m okay, Liz. I have to be.”

Michael opened a door and they entered the room where he and Nasedo had first seen Max with Pierce through the two-way mirror. The glass that Nasedo had blasted was gone, leaving just the opening. Liz held Max’s hand tightly as they carefully stepped through the opening into the White Room. Thankfully, the room was empty. The table that Max had been strapped to and the cart with the surgical tools were gone. Liz could sense his relief as he let out the breath he had been holding.

Michael looked down, “If there’s a room under here, Maxwell, the entrance must be under this floor covering.” Max squeezed Liz’s hand, and let go of her to wave his hands over the floor. “Here.” He said as he moved to the corner. “There’s something under here. Let’s peel this off.” Michael and Isabel joined him in stretching out their hands and the floor covering began to peel back. After a few minutes a metal trap door was revealed. Max and Michael bent down to pull on the iron ring to lift the door, but it wouldn’t budge. “It’s been welded shut.” Michael pointed out.

“We’ll just have to unweld it then.” Isabel stated. “Shall we?” The three hybrids then used their powers to manipulate the door. Before long, they were able to lift it and there was a rush of stale air. Holding their flashlights and sticking close, the six slowly eased down the narrow stairway.

Reaching the bottom of the steps, they all swept their lights around what appeared to be a small laboratory with a couple of tables, some shelving and wall cabinets. As his light glanced off glass, Alex called out, “Max!” Turning their lights in his direction, they stared in disbelief. “Omigod.” Isabel blurted. She turned to look at Max, “Pods!”

There affixed to the wall were four glass cases, and inside were three pods.

“They’re empty,” Liz stepped behind Max and tugged at his backpack to remove a battery operated lantern. Turning it on, she set it on a table. As Michael shrugged off his own pack, Alex took it from him to remove another lantern. “There were more of you.” Alex stated, “and the Army found them.”

Michael gazed at the pods. “Hal Carver.” he spoke. “I told you guys about him finding the sack with our pods, and how he helped the aliens retrieve them.” He shook his head, “So there was another sack, but they weren’t able to save these.”

Isabel just stared, “But what happened to them?” Alex pulled her close, offering silent comfort.

Liz crossed over to where the pods were affixed in a line, “Four cases, but only three pods.” Looking over her shoulder, she wondered, “So, where’s the fourth?”

Maria spoke up, “Uh, guys? I hate to sound all CSI, but those little doors under the cases look kind of like those morgue things.” She pointed to the little doors underneath each pod unit.

Max looked around at his friends, “I guess there’s only one way to find out.” He cautiously approached the doors. “Max, start with the empty one.” Liz advised, pointing to one on the far left. “Okay.” He reached out a shaky hand to open the small metal door.

Opening the door to reveal a pull out tray, Max slid out an empty tray. Looking back at the anxious faces, he reached for the second door, hesitating slightly when Liz whispered, “Be careful, Max.” He slowly pulled out the tray.

Their expressions turned to horror when they looked upon the preserved corpse of a small baby boy. “Omigod.” Liz exclaimed with her hand over her mouth.

Maria hid her face against Michael, who just stared at the tiny body. As they gathered around the tray, Alex speculated, “Maybe he was just born too soon. After all, you guys were like six when you came out of your pods.”

Liz looked up at the pod stored in the glass case above the drawer and shook her head, “He wasn’t born. He was cut out.” She pointed to each pod. “These pods aren’t torn the way yours were. They’ve been sliced open.” Looking down at the baby, her voice quivered with emotion, “And so was he. Max, these markings,” she looked up with saddened eyes, “they’re incisions, from an autopsy.”

“Oh, God,” Isabel held her hands to her face, “I think I’m going to be sick.” A shaky Alex wrapped his arms around her.

As Max stared at the pitiful little body, Liz’s words echoed in his brain, “from an autopsy… an autopsy… autopsy.” He was once again strapped down to the table while Pierce taunted and threatened him ‘you will tell me what I want to know… take you apart piece by piece... feel every second…’ The doctor began slicing his chest with the scalpel.[/] Fear and pain overwhelmed him, he began hyperventilating, he thought he heard Liz’s voice, “Max! Max!” He felt arms grab at him as the room turned black.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


He heard voices, voices that called his name. “Max, Max, can you hear me?” “Is he alright?” “What the hell happened?”

Opening his eyes, he saw the face of an angel, his angel. “Liz?” he whispered. “Oh, Max, you scared me half to death.” He could see the traces of tear tracks on her cheeks. As he reached up to brush her face, he realized he was lying on the floor, his head in her lap as she dabbed his face with a wet cloth. The others hovered around them. “What happened?” he asked.

“You tell us, Maxwell.” Michael’s voice was gruff with worry. “You started huffing and puffing and then just hit the floor.”

Easing up into a sitting position, Max rubbed his face, “Oh, damn, I’m sorry. It was seeing the autopsy cuts, they reminded me of… when…” Liz brushed his bangs back and whispered, “Pierce.” Max nodded, keeping his eyes downcast. “I’m sorry, I’m okay now.”

Maria knelt down beside him, offering him a drink of water from one of the bottles they had brought along. “Here, Max, drink some of this.” Taking the bottle, he smiled his thanks to her. After taking a few sips, he handed the bottle back and stood up with Liz and Michael’s assistance.

On shaky knees Max looked at the two remaining doors with dread, “I’d better check the last two doors.” With his heart pounding he took a deep breath and stepped towards the door. “Max, wait.” Michael stopped him by grabbing his arm. “Let me. After all, I am your second.”

When Max nodded, Michael reached for the next door and pulled out the tray. Lying on the tray was a little girl with blond hair, somewhere between the ages two and three years old, preserved like that of the baby, the little body also showing signs of an autopsy.

“Oh, Isabel,” Maria spoke softly with sorrow in her voice, “she favors you.” At her words, Isabel turned into Alex and began to cry.

As Michael looked at the last door, he felt nauseous. He looked to Max as if waiting for instruction. Liz wrapped her arm around Max’s waist, “We have to know.” He nodded to Michael who reached for the last door and slid the tray out. Liz took one look and her knees buckled. Max caught her, holding her close as they gazed at the little body on the tray. A perfect copy of a six year old Max Evans.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The four left sitting in the SUV were growing anxious as the wait dragged on. “If I’d realized how boring this would be, I’d have brought some cards.” Kyle grumbled. “Or games,” Sera smiled at him, “I like games.” Kyle smiled, “That’s because you always win.” Fixing her with a look, he added, “I’m beginning to suspect that you cheat.” Affecting an innocent face, “Moi?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah, you.” Then he leaned over to catch her mouth with his. As the kiss began to linger, Valenti groaned in the back seat, and leaned forward. “Hrmmph, hello. Father sitting right here, feeling uncomfortable.”

Pulling back, Kyle laughed, “Sorry, Dad.”

Just then the walkie-talkie crackled and they all jumped when they heard, “Sheriff?” Grabbing up his unit, he replied, “Valenti here, go ahead.” They recognized Alex’s shaky voice as he said, “Max wants you guys to come on in. We found something.” With apprehension, Valenti asked, “Alex? Is everyone okay?” “Not really, but we are all safe. We’ll meet you at the entrance.”

Exchanging worried looks, they climbed out of the car and headed through the fence and hurried to meet the others.

As Valenti and the others reached the entrance to the building, they found Michael and Alex waiting. All they would say was that Max had discovered a secret room and that they had found something. As they were led them through the corridors, Valenti recognized the area where he had found Michael half carrying Max out from the White Room.

As they entered they saw Isabel sitting on the floor, knees drawn up and her head in her hands. Maria sat beside her rubbing Isabel’s back in an effort to comfort her. Max leaned against a wall with Liz wrapped around him, her cheek pressed against his chest. Valenti approached him, “Max? What’s going on? What the hell did you find?”

Looking at him with sad eyes, Max tilted his head towards the open trap door and answered, “Us.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Devil Kitty]

Chapter 60


It was a solemn group that gathered in the underground room. Sera, Kyle, Tyler and Valenti had viewed the bodies, and the trays had been pushed back into their drawers and the doors closed. The sorrow that filled the room was almost palpable as they all stared at the empty pods.

Sera spoke up, almost in a whisper, “Those poor little things. What did they do to them?”

Michael spoke bitterly, as he waved his hand at the pods. “Isn’t it obvious? The Special Unit studied them, and tested them and killed them. Just like they would have with us. Just like Pierce would have to Max.”

Max and Liz shared a look, and knowing the truth of Michael’s words Liz wrapped her arms Max’s waist, just a little bit tighter.

“But they were just babies.” Isabel leaned into Alex, seeking his warmth.

Kyle stared at the pods in disbelief, then turned his father. “Dad, why would the government do this? How could they do this?” With distress in his voice, he stated, “We’re supposed to be the damn good guys!”

Valenti stared at the pods and shook his head, misery in his face. “Fear… ignorance… I guess in a way, the same things that drove your grandfather… and me,” his voice laden with guilt.

“No, Sheriff.” Max said, shaking his head, “You wanted to know the truth, and yeah, you scared the hell out of us to begin with, but even before you learned the truth you helped us.” Max assured him, “You saved my life that night with Hubble, and you risked your own to help Michael get me out Eagle Rock.”

The Sheriff gave Max a grateful smile, “Thanks, Max.” Then clasping Max by the shoulder he asked, “And don’t you think it’s about time you just called me Jim?”


~~~~~~~~~~~


Tyler gazed at the wall before turning to look at Max. “I’m sorry, Max. I didn’t know about them. You were supposed to be the only set sent here.”

“What do you mean the ‘only set’? You knew there were more of us?” Michael demanded.

“Michael, inventing the procedure for creating an alien/human hybrid was a very complicated process. It took a lot of trial and error.” Tyler looked around at his rapt audience. “There were many failures.” He turned to Max, “The next to last set created appeared to be a success, but it was discovered that there was an overabundance of alien DNA. Basically, they were determined to be unfit for survival on Earth and were rejected. They were supposed to have been destroyed.”

“But she couldn’t do it.” Sera said, “Serena, I mean. She just couldn’t stand by and let them kill those little lives.”

Tyler nodded, “Obviously, she somehow managed to get the second sack onto the ship.”

“But how did they know which set was which?” Isabel looked at Tyler, nervousness on her face. “Isn’t it possible that we were the defective ones?” Tyler gave her a smile, “No, Isabel. There is no doubt that you were the successful set.” Looking at the pods, he stated, “These poor souls were the defects. If they had survived, I don’t know how they would have fit into society.”

“But there are only three here.” Liz walked up to the empty case, “This should have held the pod for Tess’s duplicate.” Liz reached up and as her fingers touched the handle of the glass unit, the world fell away…


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Max was the first to notice that Liz had stopped speaking and was frozen in place, staring unblinkingly straight ahead at the glass unit. “Liz?” He lay his hand on her shoulder, “Liz?” Turning to the others, “I think she’s gone into another trance.”

“Damn,” Kyle said as he looked at a still Liz, “is she having another one of those psycho things?”

“Psychic, Kyle, not psycho.” Isabel admonished him.

“It’s called psychometry.” Michael stated, “Why can’t anyone remember that?”

“Whatever, Spaceboy.” Maria walked to stand on the other side of Liz, “Lizzie?” She called softly, “Can you hear me?”

“Maria don’t try to pull her out of it.” Alex warned, “It could be harmful. She’ll come out when she’s ready.”

Liz never heard their words nor saw them gather around to stare at her. She was completely unaware of her surroundings. She felt as if she were floating outside of her body as she once again saw the past through another’s eyes. She recognized the podchamber as the person she was seeing out of stared at the four pods affixed to the wall, three of which contained small children, floating in a thick gelatinous fluid. However, something had happened to the fourth pod. The liquid had drained away, leaving the pod shrunken and dried and inside was a tiny desiccated body. She saw hands reaching out to grasp the pod from where it barely clung to the wall… She found herself once again in the underground lab, where she saw the four pods in their glass cases. Two of the pods had been cut open and were empty, but she recognized the duplicate of young Max floating in one pod, while the other held a little girl with pale blond curls. She realized that it was Tess. Hands reached to open the case…

Liz jerked as she came out of the trance. Swaying as she let go of the handle, Max clutched her in his arms, “Liz, are you alright?” Shaky, she nodded, “I think so. Just a little dizzy.”

In a flash, Max scooped her up and plopped her down on one of the lab tables. “There, is that better?” When she nodded, he cupped his hand around her cheek. “Do you want some water?”

“She’d be fine if you’d stop hovering like a damn mother hen.” Michael groused. While Max sent a glare in Michael’s direction, Alex laughed, “Like you wouldn’t be flipping out if it were Maria.” When Michael just shrugged, “Well…”

Alex opened a fresh bottle of water before handing it to Liz. She smiled at him. “Thanks, Alex, and Max, I’m fine.”

Maria hopped up on the table beside Liz. “So was it like before? Did you see things again?” Liz nodded as she took a few sips of water. Leaning against the table, Max took Liz’s hand while cutting his eyes at Michael, just daring him to say a word. While Michael just rolled his eyes, Max asked her, “What did you see, Liz?”

“I’m pretty sure it was through Nasedo’s vision again.” She looked up at the pods, “That empty case didn’t hold Tess’s duplicate. It was Tess, and Nasedo took her.”

“Tess? Here?” Isabel looked confused. “But why would he take her and leave the others.”

“He needed her.” Liz looked at Isabel, “The first thing I saw was the podchamber. The four pods were on the wall with you, Max and Michael floating inside. But the fourth pod had withered and the child inside was dead. I saw him reach to remove the damaged pod.” She looked over at Max, “Then I saw this place and he was reaching for the pod that used to be here,” indicating the empty glass case.

“Tyler,” Alex turned to the shapeshifter, “Remember in the pod chamber when you noticed that Tess’s pod didn’t fit quite right?” When Tyler nodded, Isabel commented, “Of course, Nasedo switched them. Tess isn’t our fourth, she was theirs,” pointing to the other pods.

Michael spoke up, “So the leaky pod that Hal Carver saw was our fourth, only it wasn’t Tess. When our fourth didn’t make it, Nasedo took Tess’s pod when he escaped.”

“No,” Tyler told Michael. “He wouldn’t have known at the time of his escape that your fourth’s pod was damaged. He would have had to come back here for Tess.”

Liz looked at Max, “Max, that fourth pod was already gone when you three came out of the pods. That’s why you had no memory of her when we were out at the reservation and you told me about how you were born.”

“You guys must have hatched between the time he took the dead pod away and when he was able to bring Tess back.” Sera speculated.

“So Tess was telling the truth about us being gone when she hatched and Nasedo being there,” Isabel said, “but Maria was right in that Tess mindwarped us with a false memory of us leaving her behind.” Isabel looked at Maria, who nodded adding, “And since she was in the defective set, that explains Little Miss Sociopath.”

“And her complete disregard for humans.” Liz added.

“So why was Tess even still here?” Michael wondered, “Why hadn’t they done the same to her that they did to the others?”

“I don’t know the time frame of anything I saw,” Liz said, “But Max’s duplicate was still in his pod when Nasedo came for Tess, but the other two were already empty.”

Kyle walked up to look at the pods. “Well, I can hazard a guess.” He looked at Max, “Didn’t Pierce tell you that they had one of the surviving aliens in captivity, besides Nasedo, I mean?” When Max nodded, Kyle continued, “So perhaps they tortured that captive into setting up the pods. Then as time passed, they grew impatient. Guess they didn’t want to wait 40 years, so first, they cut out the baby boy, but he probably died because he was just too young.”

Alex picked up the speculation, “So they waited however long, then when they thought Isabel’s look alike was old enough, they cut her out.”

Kyle nodded, “Then Nasedo managed to break in and steal Tess. They were probably afraid to wait any longer for the Max look alike to hatch on his own, so they cut him out.”

Liz looked around the room, taking in the empty shelves and bare counters. “Everything has been cleared out. There would have been medical records, journals, something that detailed their procedures, experiments, whatever they did.” She hopped off the table and began opening drawers in the lab table. “Maybe something was left behind.”

The others also began looking around. Maria and Isabel checked out a wall desk unit while Alex and Michael opened cabinet doors. Michael slammed a door, “Damn, nothing.”

Liz wondered, “Why would they clear this place out, remove all the records, and yet leave the pods and the bodies here? Why didn’t they just bury them?”

“I think in a way they did.” Maria looked at the pods. “After they took everything else away, they sealed the door and covered it up.” She looked over at Max, “I think this was like, their tomb.”

“So what do we about them now?” Michael asked. “We can’t just leave them here.” As they all nodded, Max agreed, “The least we can do is give them a proper burial. But where?”

Valenti looked at his watch, “Well, we can’t do anything about them tonight, it’ll be sunup in a couple of hours.”

Isabel looked startled, “But…” Tyler laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, “Isabel, they’ve been here a long time, another day won’t hurt. We can seal them in again for safekeeping, just in case.”

Valenti looked to Max, “Max, I’ll scope out some areas out in the desert later today that would make a nice place, then after dark we’ll come back and get them.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter 61


Michael opened the door of his apartment and stood back to allow Liz and Maria to enter. Since they were supposed to be spending the night at each other’s houses, they (along with Max) went back to Michael’s apartment while everyone else went home.

“Are you sure Isabel’s going to be alright, Maxwell?” Michael looked at him as he tiredly rubbed the back of his neck. “She should have come here with us, I don’t like the idea of her being alone.” Maria grinned at Michael, “I know that Max probably doesn’t want to hear this about his sister, but I doubt that she’ll be alone. Remember, Max isn’t the only Evans with convenient window access.”

“Maria’s right, Michael.” Max wore a slightly pained look on his face as he replied. “While I’m glad that Isabel has Alex with her, I really don’t want to think about it.”

After several quick trips to the bathroom, they were all ready to catch a few hours sleep. Michael and Maria closed the door to his room while Max rolled out his sleeping bag on the living room floor. Liz added pillows and blankets and they curled up together under the nest of covers. Soon they were both sound asleep.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Max awoke to find Liz gone from their bedding, “Liz?” As he looked around he saw her standing at the window as the first streaks of dawn began to color the sky. As she turned, he scrambled to his feet, “Liz? What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, “I’m sorry I woke you.” He turned her face up to his, “Liz, honey, what is it?”

She looked back at the window, and lifting a hand towards it, she spoke softly, “It’s just… I was just thinking about what happened to them.” Looking back at him, she reached to stroke his face. “I keep seeing that little boy floating in his pod, and then knowing what they did to him.” Tears began falling down her face as she pressed her face against his chest. “It could have… just as easily… been you.”

He scooped her up and sat down on the couch with her cuddled in his lap. “Shhhh.” He whispered as she buried her face in his neck, her tears soaking his t-shirt. “What if those little aliens hadn’t …found you. I’d have lost you… never even… knowing you existed.”

Seeing her cry broke his heart and his own eyes filled with tears. “I know, Liz, but I’m here, baby.” He gently rocked her back and forth pressing little kisses on her temple.

After a few minutes her sobs began to cease and she wiped at her face. “I didn’t mean to fall apart like that.”

“Liz, don’t you think I’ve thought the same thing since we found them?” He shifted her to look into her face. “I am so sorry for what happened to them. I think what happened to me with Pierce is just a taste of what they must have gone through, but I’m so grateful that Michael, Isabel and I survived.” He cupped her face in his hand, and gazed at her with those soulful eyes, “Because the very thought of never knowing you terrifies me. I can’t imagine never looking into your eyes,” he kissed each damp eyelid, “of never seeing your beautiful smile,” he ran his thumb over her lips, “or feeling how your soul wraps around mine.” He captured her mouth with his in a deep kiss.

He stood up still holding her in his arms and carried her over to their nest of blankets. As he eased her down, he whispered, “Tess and Nasedo were right about one thing though, I do have a destiny. But what they could never accept is that it’s with you, Liz.”

“Oh, Max.” Liz whispered. “I love you, so.” She pulled him down to her wrapping her arms around his neck as their lips meet in a soft, gentle kiss. As their lips moved together and their hands caressed, their bodies craved more as their hearts, minds and souls sought a reaffirmation of their lives and their love for each other.

Max trailed kisses down her throat, her shoulder, slowly unbuttoning her nightshirt, she shrugged her shoulders helping him to ease the garment from her, then pushed at his t-shirt until it, too, was removed. Max lightly sucked on her neck while he palmed a breast, the little nipple hardening under his touch. When his mouth replaced his hand, she moaned and clutched his head, pressing him closer. She felt that familiar rush run through her as he rolled his tongue around the little nipple. When he gave her other breast equal attention, her body twisted against the hand that slipped between her legs. “Oh, Max.” she whispered. His hand and fingers worked their magic on her and before long Max felt the first tremors of her climax begin.

As he leaned over her, she slid her hands down his back and inside his boxers to clasp his behind while the bulge in front grew even harder as it pressed against her thigh. “Liz, ah, Liz.” He whispered in her ear, “I need you, Liz.” “Yes, Max.” He quickly slid her panties off and shed his boxers. Immediately she grasped his length, guiding him to her. Nestled in the cradle of her thighs, he pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you, Liz, forever.” Tilting her body to rub against his hardness, she whispered, “Forever,” and he slid into her welcoming depths. “Home,” he thought, “It’s like coming home,” and he began the rhythmic pumping that brought little whimpers of pleasure from Liz, her body already tightening around him. Lips nibbled and tongues swirled as their mouths mimicked the mating of their bodies. As they moved together, Max pulled his mouth from her to gasp, “Liz… baby, look at me.” When she lifted passion heavy eyes to look into his, their connection opened and Max concentrated to send a small burst of energy from the end of his manhood straight into her sweet spot. Her eyes opened wide, “Omigod, Maaaxxxxxx!” she cried out as her body arched up against his. “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!” The fierce orgasm caused her body to jerked convulsively as she clung to him. Max felt everything Liz felt and that, coupled with the clenching of her inner walls around his near bursting shaft, sent Max into his own powerful climax as he roughly called out her name. “Lizzzzzzzz!”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Maria rolled over, aware that something had awakened her. Hearing the cries from the other room, she thought, “you’ve gotta be kidding me.” Looking over at Michael, still sound asleep, she shook her head, “thank God, Michael’s too exhausted to hear that.” Then yawning, she snuggled against Michael’s back, and drifted back to sleep.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


In the living room, Max and Liz had collapsed into a boneless pile of arms and legs. “Oh, God,” Liz breathed heavily, “Max, that was…that was…” Max managed to raise his head and smiled “Yeah.”

As they snuggled sleepily together, Liz whispered, “Max?” “Hmmmm?” “Remind me in the morning to send flowers to Madam Vivian.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Michael’s alarm clock went off and Maria groaned. “Damn”, she thought, “if it weren’t for having to meet with Ms. Gresham, I would sleep all day.”

Easing out from under Michael’s arm, she gave Michael a shove, “Come on, Spaceboy. Rise and shine.” The only response being a muffled “Ummmummmm.” As she slipped from the bed, she grinned. “You can sleep until I get through with my shower, then it’s up and at ‘em.”

Easing out of the bedroom, she peeked into the living room. Her eyebrows rose as she saw Max and Liz sound asleep. Max lay on his back with Liz partially draped over his chest, the low slung blankets barely covering up the good parts. She hated to wake them, but knew how embarrassed they would be if Michael found them like this.

Tiptoeing to the couch, she retrieved a throw pillow. Stepping back near the bathroom door, she tossed the pillow, which landed against Liz’s back. “Oommpf.” She heard as she darted into the bathroom.

Liz sat up groggy and tousled, feeling the effects of sleeping on the floor. Her stirring woke Max. “Morning,” he smiled, “how do you feel?” She stretched, “Umm, I’m fine, a little stiff though.” As she raised her arms, Max’s eyes were drawn to the puckering of her nipples in the cool morning air. Leaning over to press a kiss on one perky nipple, he murmured, “Yeah, me, too.” He managed to pull his eyes up to her face when she giggled, “So I see.” Following her stare, he blushed a bit as she reached over to give his morning erection a tweak. “Awww, look Max, he’s happy to see me.”

Laughing, he coaxed her with a glint in his eye, “Come a little closer and he’ll show you just how happy he is.”

She jumped to her feet wrapping a blanket around her, then with a regretful smile, “Sorry, Mr. Happy, no time. We have to get dressed before Michael and Maria see more of us that we want them to.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Walking out of Ms. Gresham’s office, Michael looked at the assignments she had just handed him. He looked at Maria in dismay. “This is impossible, Maria. How am I supposed to do all these assignments with everything else that is going on? I can’t finish all this work in time.”

Taking the sheets from his hand, she grimaced. “Well, it is daunting, for someone like me. But Michael, you can breeze through this stuff with no problems.”

“The problem is time, Maria. This History report is due on Monday, and we have to go back out to Eagle Rock tonight and by the time we get back to town, it’ll be as late as last night.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you have me.” When Michael raised his eyebrow, she continued, “Typing, Michael, we just need to borrow a laptop from Alex this weekend. You dictate and I’ll type your reports. I have very nimble fingers.”

As Michael leaned down to nuzzle her neck, she blushed when he whispered, “Now that’s something I’m very aware of.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Alex and Isabel walked down the school hallway, hand in hand. Alex had become accustomed of the stares they received, those looks that said, “How did that geek end up with her?” But rather than be offended, he was proud to know that of all the guys in school, Isabel Evans had chosen him.

Stopping at her locker, she smiled, “Thanks again, Alex. For staying with me last night, for listening to me talk about them.” She nuzzled his nose with hers, “For taking care of me.”

He kissed the tip of her nose, “As if I’d have left you alone after everything we learned last night. I know it’s old fashioned and maybe even sexist, but I like taking care of you.” Grinning he leaned over to softly tell her, “Besides, how many guys can say they know that Isabel Evans drools in her sleep?”

“OH!” An indignant Isabel slapped at him, “I do not drool.” Laughing out loud, Alex draped his arm over her shoulder as they walked to class, “Okay, I was just teasing.” “That’s better.” Isabel smiled. Then Alex dropped his bomb, “but you do snore,” quickly darting into his classroom.

“Alex Whitman!” Isabel was left standing in the hall, trying to look offended while also trying not to laugh. She called out, “I’m going to get you for that!”

As he took his seat, with a big grin on his face as he murmured, “Lord, I hope so.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Liz and Max were not the only ones who woke up from spending the night on the floor. Tess Harding slowly stood up and bent over to work the kinks out. She made her way to the bathroom. Reaching for the makeup case, she removed the hidden tampon box. Only two left. Using one and hiding the other, she went back into the main room.

Using her powers she reheated the coffee from last night. She opened the last box of donuts and quickly ate one, washing it down with the bitter coffee. She made a face. “Damn,” she thought, “I want some real breakfast.”

Knowing she had to make a run to a drug store, she looked over at the lump on the bed that still remained motionless. “Hope you sleep for next few hours,” she whispered.

Tess drove to a nearby Waffle House and happily consumed waffles with Tabasco liberally doused over her syrup. After warping the cashier into believing a $1.00 was a $20.00, Tess took the change and made her way to a local drugstore. Climbing back into the SUV with her purchases she was loath to return the dismal dirty motel room. She grinned as she cranked up, and popping a CD into the player headed out in the opposite direction of the motel. With the windows down, she turned up the sound and began singing along off key. “I’m your ladieeeeeeeee, and you are my maaaaaaaan, whenever you reach for meeeeeeeeeee...” *(Ouch, somewhere, Celine Dion is crying)

After a while, she decided she’d better get back to Nasedo before he woke up. As she flew down the highway near the outskirts of Hondo, she didn’t notice the police car parked behind a billboard. Hearing a siren, she looked in the rearview mirror. “Oh, shit.” She pulled off on the side of the road. As the officer approached the car, she tapped her fingers on the wheel, she didn’t care about getting a ticket, but she was aggravated to be delayed. Maybe she should just warp him. Nah, what the hell, she’d let him write his ticket, it wasn’t like she’d pay it anyway.

“License and registration, ma’am.” The officer made his no-nonsense request. As she reached into the glovebox, he asked, “Were you aware of you were going 85 in a 60 mile an hour zone?” She smiled sweetly, “No, Officer. I’m sorry, I’m late returning my dad’s car.”

He did not return her smile as he merely stated, “This license doesn’t exactly look like you.” Remembering her dyed hair, she slid off the ugly glasses off and batted her blue eyes while she fluffed her hair. “Just trying out a new ‘do.” After staring at her for a few seconds, he stated, “I’ll be right back,” and returned to his car.

As she waited for him to bring her license back, and almost assuredly a ticket, her eyes widened, “Oh, fuck!” She had forgotten to change the information on the registration when she changed the tag and the color of the SUV. Peeking up at the rearview mirror she wondered, should she warp him and make a run for it? No, he’d only report it and then she’d have the whole police force on her tail. As she watched him walk back towards her window, she knew there was only one thing to do.

The officer came back up to the car, “Would you please step out of your vehicle?”

Her eyes filled with tears, “What’s the problem, Officer? I need to get home. My father is going to be furious if he finds out that I took his car without permission.”

“There seems to be a discrepancy with your tag registration, Miss Harding.” He gave her a stern look, “Now, please, exit the vehicle.”

Opening the door, Tess stepped out and pretended to lose her balance. “Oh!” she cried as she fell into the officer. “Careful, miss.” He grabbed her arms, as she continued to stumble. “Ma’am, have you been drinking?” Placing her hand on his chest, she concentrated on his heart, pictured it in her mind, imagining that it was speeding up. His eyes widened in surprise, he tried to pull her hand away. “Aughhhhhhhh.” He cried out in pain as his heart beat faster, and faster, and faster until it just exploded.

Tess stood back as his body fell to the ground. She began to pace, real tears forming in her eyes. “Look what you made me do!” She told his fallen form. “This is all your fault. I couldn’t just let you catch me. You should have just given me a warning.” She looked around and seeing no cars approaching, she quickly searched the ground for her license and registration. She jumped into the SUV and fled the scene.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter 62

After driving several miles down the roadway, Tess pulled the SUV into a remote area. Looking around to make sure there was no one around, she quickly changed the color of the vehicle to red and transposed several of the tag numbers. Getting back behind the wheel, she touched her hair, turning it curly and red. She then drove cautiously back to the motel, pulling around to park in the rear. As she quietly entered the room, she was grateful to see that Nasedo had not moved.

Grabbing up her duffle bag, Tess began stuffing it with her few possessions. When she had everything packed she turned the television set on and with the sound down low, she sat on the floor to wait for Nasedo to wake up.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The day seemed to drag on endlessly as they all waited anxiously for the time when they could retrieve the little hybrid bodies. Max had made an excuse to Brody about having to work on a school project so that after school he could ride out with the Sheriff and Kyle to view the few spots Valenti had found suitable for the burials.

Michael, Maria and Liz passed the afternoon by working their shifts at the Crashdown while keeping a watch on the clock. Maria apologized to a table of customers and turned to carry a plate to kitchen window, she noticed Liz staring into space in front of the blender. “Lizzie?” She turned, “Oh, Maria, sorry my mind wandered. Did you say something.” Maria just smiled and shook her head. Placing the platter up on the kitchen ledge, she called into the kitchen. “Michael? Honey, this order had Saturn Rings, not Space Fries.” “Damn,” he said grabbing the plate, “that’s the third order I’ve mixed up this afternoon.”

When he placed the correct order up on the shelf, Maria grasped his hand and smiled, “It’s alright, Spaceboy. I know your mind isn’t on work today. Neither is mine. I’ve put in several wrong orders and received some crappy tips for it.”

“Thanks, Maria, I’m just glad Mr. Parker isn’t around here today, he’d be asking what is wrong with all of us.”

Just then they both heard a squeal. Maria whirled and there stood Liz, her face, hair and uniform splattered with green glop. “Lizzie!” Marie looked at her, “What happened to you?”

Liz wiped at her face, “Oh, I forgot to put the lid on the blender. Blood of Alien Smoothie went everywhere.”

As Michael and Maria laughed, Liz stuck her tongue out at them. Then with a chagrined smile, she went to retrieve a clean uniform. As she headed upstairs for a quick shower to wash the sticky treat out of her hair, Maria followed. “Be right back, Michael. Get Agnes to cover for my tables.”

His only response was a snort as she dashed up the stairs.

Entering Liz’s room, she looked at Liz’s bedraggled appearance with amusement. “We’re all a sad bunch today, aren’t we? None of us seems to be able to concentrate.”

Liz gave her a sad smile, “Tell me about it, I just keep thinking about them.” Walking into the bathroom, she adjusted the water temperature, shucked the soiled clothing and hopped into the shower. Maria followed and sat on the bathroom vanity chair. “Yeah, me, too. Liz, don’t take this the wrong way, and I’d never say this to the others, but maybe it’s best that they didn’t survive.”

Liz peeked out the shower curtain, Maria shrugged, “I just mean… I wouldn’t wish what happened to them on my worst enemy, but look at Tess. Who, by the way, is our worst enemy, and she’s a complete psychopath. No morals, no sense of right or wrong, and everything in her life is oriented to please her. Her wants, her needs and to hell with anyone else. Face it, Tess is an evil, mindwarping hellbeast, and there is no reason to believe the other three would have been any better than her. Man, talk about your evil twins.”

“I know, Maria.” Liz’s face twisted with a little grimace. Ducking back under the water flow, she rinsed off. “It’s just inconceivable to imagine a version of Max as selfish as Tess, like some pompous alien king ordering everyone around.”

Maria nodded, “Exactly, babe. That’s why tonight we’ll be there as moral support for the podsters we love. We’ll give those little lost souls a decent burial, and pray that they’ve found peace.” Standing up, she said, “I’d better get back downstairs, I’m sure Agnes is completely ignoring my tables.”

“Maria, wait.” Liz turned off the water, “Uh, actually, there is something else that’s sort of bothering me.” Wrapping herself in a towel, she stepped out of the tub. Retrieving the bathrobe from the hook on the door, she slipped it on. “All day long, I’ve been wondering about, you know… her.”

“Wondering what?” Maria asked.

Liz looked down as she fingered the tie on her robe, “Like, what would Max’s life have been like if their fourth had lived?” Raising her eyes to look at Maria, “Like, would Max have felt a connection from his former life with her that he never did with Tess?”

Maria reached for a towel and motioned for Liz to sit down. She began to towel dry her hair and looked at Liz in the mirror. “Liz, babe, we’ve been through this before, and just as it was with Tess, she and Max would not have been the same people. I think it probably would have been the same between them as it is with Michael and Isabel. You know the Alien Book said they were meant to find human mates.”

Liz nodded, “I know… it’s just that she was the one who was meant to be with them, so maybe… maybe Max would have remembered enough to love her,” Liz looked at Maria in the mirror, “and not me?” a look of uncertainty on her face.

“Chica’ where is this coming from?” Maria asked in surprise, “You know that Max loves you more than anything or anyone.” She raised her eyebrow, “and if the moans I heard coming from the living room this morning were any indication, I’d say he proved it very well.” When Liz looked away with blushing cheeks and a guilty smile, Maria laughed softly, “Max Evans has loved you since he was eight years old, and a dozen different versions of Tess will never change that.”

“I know that, Maria, I do. I don’t know why I keep thinking about it, it’s just so confusing to know that there were more of them, and that Tess was switched.”

Maria handed Liz the towel, “I guess it’s only natural to have some confused feelings. I can’t tell you the awful things I thought when Michael and Isabel thought they were supposed to be together and that those dreams made her pregnant. Look at us now, Michael and I have never been happier and Isabel is one of my best buds.” She squeezed Liz’s shoulders. “Now, you finish up here and get yourself downstairs.”

Liz smiled, “Yes, ma’am,” reaching to clasp Maria’s hand, “and thanks, ‘ria.” “Anytime, babe.” Then dropping a kiss on top of Liz’s damp head, Maria grinned and left the room.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Max, Kyle and the Sheriff sat on a large rock out in the desert. “I looked at several spots, Max, but I think this one is best.” Valenti stated. “It’s the farthest from both town and the reservation, so no one should be poking about out here.”

“Yeah,” Max nodded, “It is peaceful here, and the rock here serves as a nice marker.”

Max looked at Valenti, “Thanks, Sheriff, for look…” he stopped when Valenti raised an eyebrow. “Uh, Jim.” As Kyle commented, “Man, that sounded weird.” Looking at Kyle, Max said “Yeah, kind of.” Then to Valenti, “How about I call you Sheriff, but think of you as Jim?” Valenti laughed and patted Max’s shoulder, “Okay, son, whatever makes you comfortable.”

**Squawk** “Sheriff Valenti? You there?” The voice of Deputy Hanson came over the Sheriff’s radio, and Valenti dashed over to the SUV to answer. “Valenti, here.”

Sitting on the rock, Kyle looked at Max. “Hey, Evans, can I ask you something?” When Max nodded, “Sure, Kyle.” Kyle ran his hand through his hair, “It’s just, have you thought about… you know, the one that didn’t make it, your fourth?”

“Some. Why?” Max wondered what was bothering Kyle.

“I keep wondering about her. I mean, she would have looked just like Tess, only I’m guessing she’d have been like you, one of the good guys.” When Max smiled, Kyle’s cheeks pinkened. “I guess I just wonder what things would have been like if she had lived, with you guys and even with me and my dad. Like maybe we would have been a real family.”

“I understand, Kyle, but we’ll never know. We don’t know if Nasedo would have been there when we hatched if he hadn’t had to switch. If he had been, then we wouldn’t have found mom and dad. If she’d hatched later than us, and we found her, I’d like to think that she’d have been family, like Isabel and Michael.”

Kyle nodded. “So you don’t think it would have changed things with Liz?” When Max looked at him in surprise, he held up a hand, “Don’t get me wrong, Max. Liz is one of my best friends now, and I’m crazy about Sera and I wouldn’t want anything to change that. I just meant, do you think you’d still be with Liz, and I’d have still met Sera?”

Max nodded, “I don’t know why, but when I stepped off that bus the first day of third grade, I felt something. I looked around the schoolyard, and I saw this little girl playing. And I just knew. Maybe its fate, or karma, or even destiny, but regardless, I’d have found Liz. We belong together.” Then feeling embarrassed for revealing so much, Max shrugged, “Maybe it’s the same for you and Sera. What would Buddha say about something like this?”

Before Kyle could comment, they heard, “Max! Kyle!” They turned as the Sheriff hurried back to them. “We’ve got trouble.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Just before 5:00 p.m., Isabel and Alex entered the Crashdown to wait for Max to get back. Liz carried their drinks to them, when Maria dashed out. “Liz!” She ran up to the table, “you guys better come to the back, there’s a news report coming up, and they showed a picture of Tess.”

Exchanging looks, they quickly converged in the back, where Michael was watching the TV. “You’re not going to believe this.” He looked at them pulling the kerchief off his head.

Returning from commercial, a news anchor came on camera and in the corner of the screen was a picture of a police officer, “And now we go to Tiffany Green, just outside of Hondo for this report.”

A young reporter began speaking, “Late this morning just outside of Hondo, Officer Tony Hendrix was found dead just mere feet from his patrol cruiser. Pending the results of an autopsy, it appears that Officer Hendrix suffered a fatal heart attack while in the midst of a routine traffic stop, a traffic stop that was caught on his police cruiser’s video camera.”

The quality of the tape was poor and the picture was blurry, however it showed a petite woman with short black hair exit her vehicle and stumble into the officer, his back to the camera. Suddenly he fell to the ground, and the woman looked around and paced in an agitated manner for a few seconds. Then reaching down to the ground, she hopped into her car and drove away.

The reporter continued, “Since Officer Hendrix had already called in the traffic stop, the young woman in this video has been identified by her license as a Tess Harding of Roswell, New Mexico.” A picture of Tess’s driver’s license photo appeared in the corner of the screen. “The Hondo City Police Department has issued a statement that they would like to interview Miss Harding, and authorities are asking that she contact them at…”

Liz looked at Isabel and Michael, who both looked like they were going to either pass out or throw up. Michael continued to stare at the television, even though they had moved on to another story. “She did something… she must have done something.” He looked around, “And when they do that autopsy, they’ll find something.”

“Oh, God, she killed him?” Isabel whispered, “This is bad. What if they want to talk to us?”

“Us?” Maria asked, “Why would they want to talk to us?”

“Maria,” Liz spoke softly, “When the police aren’t able to locate Tess, they are probably going to want to talk with the people who knew her, and unfortunately, we’re it.”

“Guys, don’t panic.” Alex stated as he reached for Isabel. “There is nothing here that is other wordly. They probably think that Tess just panicked when the officer had a heart attack. At most, they are probably thinking ‘failure to render aid’ or ‘fleeing the scene’.” Giving Isabel an assuring squeeze. “There is no reason to be afraid. We just tell them that Tess left to visit her father a couple of weeks ago and we haven’t heard from her since.”

“Won’t they think that’s odd, if we’re supposed to be her friends? And what about the Valentis? She was living with them.” Michael worried.

Just then the back door opened, and Max eased in. “Max!” Liz ran to him. “Max, the TV…” As he held her close, “Yeah, I know. Hanson radioed the Sheriff and we came straight back.”

Looking around to make sure none of the other staff could overhear him, Max spoke softly. “The Sheriff and Kyle have gone to the station to see what they can find out.” He looked around at their worried faces, “The rest of us go about our normal business.”

“What if we’re questioned? What do we say?” Isabel asked.

“I think it’s too soon for that.” Max answered as he ran his hand through his hair. “Valenti is going to contact the police in Hondo, and he’ll use our story about Tess leaving to visit with her dad, and how no one’s heard from her. We’ll know more by tonight.”

“Maxwell,” Michael asked him, “Speaking of tonight, what are we going to do about Eagle Rock?”

Before Max could respond, his cell phone rang. “Hello? Tyler, hi.” He listened, “Yeah, we just saw and I was with Valenti when he found out.” More listening. “Michael just asked me that. We all need to meet. Somewhere that is completely private.” Max nodded, “Good idea, see you then.”

He hung up and looked back at the others, “We meet at Tyler and Sera’s apartment at midnight. We’ll see what Valenti learns by then and then we can decide what to do about Eagle Rock. Can everyone sneak out by then?” When he received several nods, he told them “Until then normal is the word.”

The swinging door opened and Agnes stepped through, “I’m taking my break,” she brusquely said as she stepped to the back door, a cigarette already in her hand. She looked back at Liz and Maria, “Those orders are stacking up.”

After she left, Maria looked over at Liz with a grimace, “Hard to believe she’s still single, isn’t it?”

Max gave her a smile, then looked down into Liz’s worried face. “I know it’s hard, but let’s try and be calm until we know more.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Nasedo immediately became wide awake, no grogginess or stretching needed for him. He turned and sat up on the side of the bed. The first thing he noticed was Tess, sitting on the floor now sporting curly red hair with her bags packed beside her as she watched the television.

“Tess?” He looked at her, noticing that although she looked in his direction, she avoided his eyes. “You seem to be raring to go, and with a new look. Is there any reason you are anxious to depart from this paradise?”

“I just felt like a change,” she stammered, “and you’re the one who said we need to be moving on.”

“So I did.” He rose and glanced around the room. “Is everything packed?”

When she nodded, he said. “Well, then, I guess we should be on our way. I’ll just go and check us out.”

“No!” she exclaimed. Standing up, she grabbed her duffle. “I mean, we can just leave the key and some money on the dresser.”

As he looked at her with suspicion, the commercials ended and the news returned. Nasedo’s attention was caught when he heard the words, “A special report from Hondo.”

Minutes later, he turned to an anxious Tess and very quietly said, “Where’s the car?”

“I… I didn’t mean to… it was an accident…” She stammered.

He looked at her coldly, “I said, where’s the car?”

“I parked it behind the motel,” she said with a quiver in her voice, “but I changed the color and the tag.”

“Go get in, make sure no one sees you.” Picking up the rest of her things, she hurried outside.

Looking around the room, Nasedo picked up the coffee pot and sat it on the beside table, very close to the bedding and window curtain. He then held out his hand and the pot began to smoke.

As the red SUV left the City of Hondo with its silent passengers, the Hondo Fire Department responded to a call at the Old Glory Motel.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Devil Kitty]

Chapter 63


Late that evening Kyle was sitting alone in the living room of the Valenti home, curtains pulled closed, dim lights and the television turned down low. His dad was still at the station, but had insisted that Kyle come on home. He was beginning to wish he’d just stayed with his dad. He’d already had to turn off the phone. Who knew his jock buddies were such gossips? After all, they hadn’t cared anything about Tess when she was here. Well, maybe that wasn’t entirely true; every one of them would have jumped in the sack with her if given the opportunity. Buddha knows, they had all razzed him about his living in the same household with her, but still...

When a knock sounded at the door he groaned inwardly, debating for a moment or two whether to even get up to look and see who was there. After a second knock, he had just started to rise, when he heard the lock click open and the door began to eased open. He stared in frozen fear. Was it Tess? Had she snuck back to town? Was Nasedo with her?

As a pretty little redhead peeked around the doorway, he fell back on the couch with a whoosh of relief. “Damn, Sera, you scared the shit out of me!”

“Sorry,” she gave him a chagrined look as she shut and relocked the door. “When you didn’t answer the door, I got a little worried.”

After she joined him on the couch, he took her hand in his asking her, “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to meet Max and the others soon.”

“I know, but after you called, I just couldn’t sit there. I was concerned about you – so here I am.” She gave him a bright smile.

“As much as I appreciate you coming over, I don’t need a baby-sitter, you know.” He smiled at her. She took his arm and placed it around her shoulders and snuggling in close she responded softly, “I’m well aware of that, Kyle, but maybe I just feel like babying you.” With a sweet smile she asked, “Any objections?” With a grin, he shook his head, “None at all,” then leaned over for a kiss.

The late news had been playing softly on the television, and they both sprang apart and sat up straight when they caught the words ‘Old Glory Motel’ and ‘fire’ on the news report. After the report, Sera looked at Kyle and said, “Isn’t that…” He nodded, “where we figured Tess was hiding out. Do you think she set that fire?” Sera shrugged, “If not her, then probably Nasedo. At least they announced that there were no injuries.” She leaned over, reaching for the phone, “I should call Tyler so he can let Max know.”

Kyle stopped her, “Wait, they have enough to deal with tonight. If they don’t hear it for themselves, I think that tomorrow’s soon enough.” She nodded in agreement. Kyle reached for the remote and turned off the set, leaving the room bathed in the glow of the single dim lamp on the end table. “I just don’t understand how they can be so… so… evil.” He looked over at Sera, “I was never around Nasedo, but I know he never hesitated to kill people if he thought they were in his way, and now Tess. She seemed to really care about us. I just don’t…” He tiredly rubbed his face.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Sera offered. “I know you cared about her, Kyle, I won’t be upset at whatever you tell me.”

“Have I ever told you just how incredible you are?” He asked. “Not many girls want their boyfriends talking about another girl, you know.”

She smiled with a blush, “Well, I don’t have much experience in the boyfriend department, but I think the situation with Tess falls under ‘extenuating circumstances’, so if you need to talk, I’m here to listen.”

He shrugged, “When Tess first showed up in Roswell, I was still smarting over losing Liz to Max. Liz and I were pretty different, she was into studies and science, while I was into sports, but she was cute and we got along and I liked her a lot.” He looked at Sera and whispered, “I know now that it wasn’t enough.” She rewarded him with a small kiss, “Good boy, now continue.”

“So Tess arrives and out of the blue she starts flirting with me, makes a study date, and everyone begins acting weird. Liz tried to warn me off of Tess, because they thought she was Nasedo at that time. Now me, not knowing I was about to fall head first into the alien abyss, just thought Liz was jealous. You know, she didn’t want me, but didn’t want me with anyone else.” He shifted in embarrassment. “Turns out that Tess was just using me to get Max to follow her to show him the alien book, or something like that.”

Sera looked up at him, “Then Nasedo kidnapped Liz, the Special Unit captured Max and your dad helped rescue him?”

“Yeah, which led to the FBI coming to our house, Max knocking the guy out and locking him in a closet. He told me to stay out of it, that Dad didn’t want me involved. But I was worried about my dad, so I followed, messed everything up, and got shot for it. After Max healed me, I was definitely freaked out. I was never so glad for football camp, ‘cause I couldn’t wait to get out of Roswell for a while. At camp, this guy had these books on Buddha, so I began reading them. I thought it would help me center myself, and it did for a while I guess.” He gave her a grin, “Dad didn’t know what to make of me spouting out these Buddhist sayings,” he laughed, “you should have seen his face.”

Sera grinned back at him, “Soooo, moving right along, you came back from camp, tried to avoid the alien abyss, only to have it move right into your own house.”

“And how. Suddenly, Tess had taken over my room, she had her girly stuff all over the bathroom, and …”

Sera gave him an understanding look, “And you found yourself attracted to her.”

He nodded, “One afternoon I caught Tess using her voodoo to test colors on the bedroom wall and we got in an argument about my room, then Tess gets all riled up complaining about Max ignoring her and their destiny, and things seemed to be heating up between us. I don’t know what would have happened if Liz hadn’t shown up that afternoon to talk with Tess. But after that, Tess showed no interest in me at all, suddenly her entire focus was on Evans again. Gradually I just began to look at her as more like family than a potential love interest.”

“You came to think of her as sort of a sister?” Sera asked.

He nodded, “And she knew that. At Christmas she even gave me a ‘brother’ card and gave Dad a ‘father, one with our Christmas presents. New Year’s rolled around she asked me to take her to the New Year’s party and when she asked me to kiss her at midnight, it just felt so wrong and weird. Now I know why, the whole time she was… damn…,” his face twisted as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Sera wrapped her arms around him, “Shhhh, it’s okay, Kyle.” Sera’s heart ached for him. “She can’t hurt you anymore. And if she tries, it’ll be over my dead body.” She murmured vehemently.

Hugging her back, Kyle gave her a soft laugh, “My own personal little firecracker.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


At midnight Max, Liz, Michael and Maria arrived at Tyler and Sera’s apartment to find Alex and Isabel already there, but Sera gone. As they found seats in the small living room, Tyler explained. “Kyle called Sera earlier. He said that Valenti was still down at the station, but he sent Kyle home. He’s had to turn the ringer off their home phone because so many people have been calling there asking about Tess. They thought it best not to try and join us tonight. Sera went to join Kyle, but she said to just call her if we need her.”

Maria spoke up, “That’s probably a good idea, that they lay low, I mean. The entire town is buzzing about this. It took over an hour after the kitchen closed to get everyone out of the Crash tonight.”

Isabel tiredly ran her hands through her hair as she agreed, “Yeah, our phone’s rang all evening as my ‘so called friends’ from school want to gossip about her. Mom finally had to turn the answering machine on, although I’m sure it was filled up in no time.”

Tyler addressed Max, “Kyle wanted me to let you know that the Sheriff was able to find out that Officer Hendrix initially pulled Tess over for speeding, but when he called in her license and registration, he discovered that Tess’s registration didn’t match her tag or her vehicle. He was instructed to hold her until they could check to see if it was a stolen vehicle.”

Max nodded, then sat with his body leaning forward, rubbing his forehead as he looked at the floor. From her spot beside him, Liz reached over to placed her hand on his arm. “Max? Are you okay?”

He turned, “Not really.” He looked into her eyes, his own sad and filled with guilt. “If I’d only…”

Liz whispered, “Max, it’s not your fault.” He leaned back, “But it is.” He looked around the room, “Tess was my responsibility. If I hadn’t fallen apart that day at Michael’s apartment, then that officer would be alive and his family wouldn’t be mourning tonight.”

Liz took Max’s hand in hers, “Max, you can’t do this to yourself. Ultimately, only Tess is responsible for her actions.”

“She’s right, Max.” Maria agreed, “We don’t even know for sure what happened today”

Max looked at her, “Maria, he was about to arrest her. We all know that there is no way that Tess would let him take her in. There’s no doubt in my mind that whatever happened to him, she caused it.”

“You’re right, Maxwell, Tess did do something to him, but Liz is also right. You can’t beat yourself up about this.” Michael told him, “I’m your second, and yet she was able to mindwarp me into letting her escape. So that makes me just as responsible, but we can’t do anything about it right now. And we have other responsibilities – Eagle Rock.”

“Max, tonight may be the only chance we have to recover the bodies.” Alex told him, “Tomorrow, we’ll have to give statements about Tess and who knows when we can risk sneaking back out there.”

Max nodded, “Agreed. We’ll go on out tonight and recover them.” He looked around the room, “But when we do find Tess and Nasedo we go on the offensive, and this time, we eliminate them.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


When Nasedo had joined Tess in the SUV, he had ordered her to get in the back and to keep quiet. After leaving the city limits of Hondo behind, they had driven for hours in silence before he finally pulled over at a rest stop and looked at her in the rear view mirror. “What the hell were you thinking? I specifically told you to stay put in the room and what do you do?” His voice rose with his agitation. “You kill a police officer, and on video tape!”

She fidgeted, “I told you, it was an accident. I didn’t…” Nasedo cut her off. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. You can bet our podsters are trying to find you as we speak. I have to get you somewhere safe and out of the way until I can come up with a plan to get us off of this rock.”

She affected a look of contrition, “Can’t we still force Max to send us home in the Granolith? The baby…”

“Is the only thing that will keep Max Evans from killing you.” At her wide-eyed look, he shook his head, “Even if Max believes that the child cannot survive here, he is not going to just hand us the Granolith and wave bye-bye. We’re going to need something else for leverage.”

“Liz.” Tess said in disgust. “Just threaten his precious Liz and he’ll do anything to protect her.”

“Don’t you think that’s the first thing I thought of? But you forget that I’m programmed to protect her.” Nasedo reminded her. “I can’t do anything to harm her.”

“No one said you had to, we just have to make Max believe that we will.”

Nasedo looked off in the distance as he slowly nodded, “Yes. That could work.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Several hours later, the group gathered around the large grave they had all worked on digging using a combination of alien abilities and old fashioned manpower. Earlier the retrieval of the little bodies had gone smoothly, though not without several tears being shed. Tyler had produced duffle bags to transport the bodies in. It had been decided to bury them together in one grave so that they could be together in death, as they had never had the chance to experience life together.

As they opened the duffles to remove the bodies, they discovered that they were beginning to show signs of decomposition. “Omigod,” Isabel exclaimed, “what’s happening to them?”

“It must be the exposure to the air.” Liz speculated, “All these years, they were in an airtight environment, but now…” her voice trailed off.

Alex spoke softly, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”

Tyler nodded, “This is for the best, now we know that they will react the same as human bodies.”

After Max and Michael carefully laid the little bodies together in the grave, Isabel and Tyler joined them as they carefully used their powers to cover them, then smoothed out the dirt so that there was no sign that the earth had ever been disturbed.

Grief swept over them all, as sadness for the little lives that never were and the loss of the officer in Hondo took its toll. Clearing his throat, Max choked out, “I feel like we should say something over them, but I don’t…I can’t…” They stood in silence for several minutes clinging to each other. Then a voice started low, but grew stronger as Maria’s pure voice rang out over the desert.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 64

In the late night hours, Sheriff Valenti entered his house, yawning and dead tired. After shutting and locking the door he moved into the living room to turn off the lamp Kyle had left on for him, stopping suddenly when he saw that Kyle was stretched out on the couch - and not alone. He had Sera wrapped around him, and both were sound asleep. Slowly shaking his head, Valenti exited the room only to return minutes later with a soft yellow blanket. After draping it across the sleeping couple, he rubbed his face and went to his own room for a few hours sleep.

Early the following morning, Valenti stumbled out of his room, noticing that the couch was empty. Entering the kitchen, he found Kyle in the process of fixing a pot of coffee. "Kyle, morning son." Kyle turned and smiled, "I figured you'd need some of this," indicating the coffee pot.

Valenti smiled as he sat at the table, "Thanks." He looked around, "Is Sera still here?"

"No, she left not long after we woke up." He gave his dad a shy smile, "And, uh, thanks for the blanket."

"I just didn't have the heart to wake the two of you up." Valenti admitted, then he fixed a look on Kyle. "But I don't expect sleepovers to become a habit."

"Dad!" Kyle wore an affronted look. He came over to sit at the table. "Last night was different, Sera was just worried about me." Then looking away, "besides, Sera and I aren't… we haven't…you know."

Valenti looked at a blushing Kyle, "I know we had the sex talk a long time ago, Kyle, but it never involved otherworldly scenarios." As Kyle let his head hit the table with a groan, Valenti couldn't help but laugh. Kyle lifted his head, "I can't believe I'm talking to you about this." He cast his eyes down, looking ashamed, "Okay, I guess the thing is that after remembering what Tess did, and what I did with her…"

"Kyle…"

"Dad, let me get this out while I can." Kyle spoke while still avoiding looking at his father. "Sera is so innocent, she's never even had a boyfriend before, but if we…get to the point… when we… you know." Kyle sighed, "What if we're together and she gets a flash like Max and Liz do?" He lifted his eyes, "I couldn't stand it if she saw flashes of me with Tess."

"Son, first of all there's no need to rush. In fact, it would suit me fine if you and Sera wait until you're in your 30's, but somehow I doubt you'll make it that long."

"Daaaddd." Kyle hid his face in his hands.

Valenti placed his had on Kyle’s shoulder, “Seriously, Kyle, Sera already knows all about what Tess did, so when you and she get closer to that point, I think you should just be honest and talk to her about it. And if she does get flashes, you'll just have to show her how much more important she is."

As Kyle sat with his hand cupping his chin, he groused, "I don't think Buddha has a saying for this one."


~~~~~~~~~~


After his talk with Kyle, the Sheriff made several phone calls. It was an emotionally exhausted group that met up at Michael's apartment before school. "I wanted to bring you up to date with the situation in Hondo, but first, I'm sorry that Kyle and I weren't able to help you guys last night. I take it that everything went alright?"

Max nodded, "Yes, Tyler went out with the six of us, and we were able to take care of it."

Valenti told them, "I spoke this morning with the department over in Hondo, and the initial autopsy appears to indicate a massive heart attack. While toxicology tests and such are still pending, no one suspects any foul play. Although their check on the registration of Tess's vehicle raised an eyebrow, there's no report of any similar stolen vehicles. Therefore, I doubt that they will pursue looking for Tess over a mere speeding ticket matter."

The Sheriff took in the relief on all their tired faces and hated to give them more bad news. "There's one more thing, last night a portion of the Old Glory Motel burned down."

"Burned down!" Isabel exclaimed, "Was anyone hurt?"

Valenti shook his head, "Thankfully, no. The section that caught fire was on the end, not many rooms were rented out, and the occupants in the ones that were all got out safely."

"Do they know what happened?" Max asked.

"It looks like the renter who vacated the room on the end left a coffee pot behind still plugged in. They're blaming the fire on a defective plug and the old wiring in the motel."

"And the renter was?" Maria prompted him.

"The clerk could only described her as a tall brunette in flashy clothes who registered as Jane Smith, so no link to Tess was made."

"Little Miss Mindwarp strikes again." Maria said in disgust.

"Well, there goes my idea." Liz said with a grimace. When she received questioning looks, she looked over at Max, "I had thought maybe we could ride over to Hondo and check out the motel. See if they left any clues behind, or if I could pick up something with my psychic thingy."

"But now, there's nothing to get any clues from," Maria frowned, "thanks to Bonnie and Clod."

"I could try and dreamwalk Tess," Isabel offered, "but I'm so tired, even with Liz's help, I'm not sure I could pull myself out it." She looked over at Max, "Can't we just ditch school and get some sleep?"

Valenti smiled at them in sympathy, "I know you guys are exhausted, and attending school is up to you. Since it's Friday, I'm letting Kyle stay home and maybe by Monday most of the talk will have died down." He stood up and reached for his hat, "The Hondo PD has asked that we take statements of Tess's friends to see if anyone has heard from her. Why don't the six of you come on down to the station this morning? It shouldn't take long, and it will keep you from having to go to school first thing and face everyone."

It didn't take long for the teens to give their statements and before the end of school's second period, they were all finished at the station. As they stood outside the station, Michael looked at Maria, "I know we need to go on to school, but I just can't do it, Blondie. I'm about to fall over here, I have to get some sleep." She nodded, "I know, me too." As the others agreed, it was decided that they would all claim stomach flu, food poisoning, something and just go home.

Liz's mother was surprised to see her coming through the door, Liz groaned and told her mom that they had all met at Michael's for breakfast before going by the police station, and something she ate just didn't agree with her. After changing into her 'jammies, she crawled into the bed, and was soon fast asleep.

A similar scene took place in the Whitman, Evans and Deluca households, as the exhausted teens were finally able to catch upon their sleep.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Liz slept until her mom woke her around supper time. Liz was starving, but her mom insisted she eat light because of her 'illness', which was just as well because as soon as Liz finished her chicken noodle soup and saltines, she returned to bed and slept through the night.

It was early Saturday morning when Liz began to stir, glancing at the bedside clock she noticed it was only 6:00 a.m., so she automatically snuggled closer to the familiar warm body tucked in close behind her. Huh? Warm body? Her eyes popped open and she turned her head to see Max sound asleep behind her. Now where did he come from? She wondered with a smile.

As she turned over to face him, her movements woke him. As he gazed at her with sleepy eyes, he smiled, "Hi." "Hi, yourself." She smiled, "Now this is a nice little present to wake up to." Then as she slid her leg between his and felt his hardness against her, she corrected herself, "Mmmm, make that a nice big present."

Max laughed softly, "I woke up a few hours ago, and just couldn't stay away." Pressing his forehead to her, "It seems I've developed an addiction to waking up with you, Miss Parker."

"Ummm, me too." Nuzzling her nose around his, she whispered, "How are we ever going to wait until next winter to get married?"

"Well, we could always sneak off to Vegas." He teased. When she gave him a stern look, he said, "At least when we go to Las Cruces, we can arrange to stay together all the time."

"Max, that's not for another six months." She pouted, "Maybe Vegas isn't such a bad idea, after all."

Pulling her as close to him as possible, he kissed her pouting mouth, "Liz, you know I'd marry you today if possible, but I want it perfect for you. The church, the dress, our families and friends there."

"I know, Max. I want that, too. But lately, it's like I just need to be with you. I'm not talking about just making love, but… "

"Just being together, I know. I feel like I just need to touch you, even if it's just to hold your hand. That's why I couldn't stay away."

Liz glanced over at the clock, and with regret told him, "My folks will be up soon, and I know my mom will come in here to check on me."

"I know, I'd better get home, before my own mom discovers I snuck off last night." After sharing several deep kisses, he smiled, "Guess that will just have to hold me 'til later."


~~~~~~~~~~~


Maria juggled the laptop case and fast food bag in her arms as she unlocked Michael's apartment with the key he had given her as one of her Valentine's presents. Sitting the breakfast she'd bought when she looped through McDonald's on the counter, she eased down the hall and opened Michael's bedroom door. She smiled as there lay her Spaceboy, sprawled face down across the bed. As she gazed upon him, her heart began beating faster as her pulse raced.

Michael felt something brushing his face, and he swiped at it. When he felt the brushing again, he heard a definite feminine giggle. He rolled over on his back slowly opening his eyes. At the sight before him, his eyes opened wide. Because standing beside his bed was Maria Deluca, wearing nothing but a smile. As she climbed up on the bed and stretched out beside him, she ran a finger down his nose as she whispered, "Ready for some breakfast, Spaceboy?" He reached out and pulled her close, his voice husky with sleep, "That depends, Blondie, is it all I can eat?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Much later, Michael and Maria sat at the kitchen counter with their reheated Egg McMuffins. "I brought Alex's notebook computer, Michael. As soon as we finish eating, we need to go to the library and check out some books to get started on your History paper."

Reaching for another breakfast sandwich, Michael gave her a look. "Maria, you know Max and Company are going to be showing up here before too long. We have to try and figure out a way to locate Nasedo and Tess."

"Agreed, but since Liz and Isabel will be trying the dreamwalk thing, they won't need us for that, so we will be working on your History paper."

Michael thought about arguing, but seeing Maria’s face, he softened his approach, “You know I appreciate your help, and I do want to graduate. But we don’t know what’s going to happen with Tess and Nasedo. We may have a bigger battle approaching than trying to get me on the stage for Graduation.”

Maria looked at him with stern determination, “I don’t care if we had to drag your books out across some battlefield, we are going to complete this work and I am going to watch you walk across that stage. I am going to stand and clap and cheer, and if I have to do it over Tess and Nasedo’s dead bodies, then so be it.” She brushed her hand over his cheek, “Because you deserve this Michael. This is your world now, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some alien hootchiemama and her trained buttmonkey stand in your way.”

Michael began to laugh as he reached to pull her against him, “Awww, Blondie, if they’d only had you on Antar.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 65


Max and Liz sat with Alex and Isabel in the Crashdown eating a late brunch before heading over to Michael’s. When Kyle came through the doors, Alex motioned him over and they all slid their chairs around to make room for him at their table.

“Kyle, where’s Sera?” Liz asked as she dipped a forkful of pancake in some syrup. Kyle shrugged, “She and Tyler were both scheduled to work out at the spa today.” He looked over at Max, “She said if we needed them, to just call on her cell and they’d meet us.” Max nodded, “ummhmm,” his attention mainly focused on that little drop of syrup clinging to Liz’s lower lip. His eyes glazed over as her little pink tongue dipped out to catch it.

Kyle glanced over at Alex with a grin as Isabel rolled her eyes. Meanwhile an oblivious Liz wiped her mouth and hands with her napkin as she asked, “Do you want some breakfast, Kyle? Or I guess it’s almost lunchtime. I can put an order in for you.”

“Whatever’s quick is fine with me. How about a breakfast platter?” Kyle answered.

As she darted back to the kitchen to put in a rush order for Kyle, Max’s eyes followed her cute bottom swaying in her tight jeans. Isabel kicked Max under the table. “Ow! What was that for?” Max rubbed his shin. Isabel glared, “Max, could you try and focus here for a moment instead of acting like a… like a…”

“Horndog?” Kyle supplied, grinning ear to ear, just as Liz returned to the table.

“Corndog? I thought you wanted the breakfast platter?” She wore a confused look as Kyle, Isabel and Alex burst out laughing while Max turned beet red.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As Nasedo pulled into long-term parking, Tess grumbled, “I still don’t see why we have to do this.”

“I’ve already told you, Tess, because we need to lay low for a while, that’s why. Also, I’m not sure how far Isabel’s dreamwalking abilities range.” Giving her a smirk, he said, “Besides, doesn’t every young girl want a European vacation?”

“Oh, some vacation, on the run with you.” Tess looked off rolling her eyes.

“You have no one to blame but yourself.” He responded unsympathetically. “If you’d stayed put like I told you, we’d be finalizing our plans about now.” Stepping out of the car and removing luggage from the trunk, he started towards the shuttle bus with Tess tagging along behind with her carryon bag.

After entering the airport, Nasedo headed for the ticket counter while Tess found a place to sit.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Max and Liz arrived at Michael’s a few minutes ahead of Alex and Isabel, who had decided to ride over with Kyle. Entering the apartment, they found the living room empty and neither the TV nor the stereo on, they looked around in quiet stillness. Max looked uncomfortable, “Uh, you don’t think…” he tilted his head towards the bedroom. Liz shrugged her shoulders, “It’s awful quiet,” just as the others arrived.

“What’s going on?” Isabel asked, “Where’s Michael and Maria?”

“Actually,” Max admitted, “we were just wondering that ourselves. Hey, why don’t you check out the bedroom, Iz?”

As Isabel looked at him in wide-eyed revulsion, Liz laughed. “Relax, guys,” as she picked up the folded paper she found on the counter, “they left us a note.” She began to read, “Dear Max and Company, Spaceboy and I are at the library.” Liz hesitated as Kyle said, “The library?” Looking back down she laughed as she read, “Yes, I said the library, so take those looks off your faces. Michael has a history paper due on Monday and I’m not letting the alien abyss keep him from getting a passing grade. Besides, Liz and Isabel don’t need us to do their dreamwalky thing. We’ll be back before you know it. Hugs and Kisses, Maria.”

Alex grinned, “Well, I guess she told us.” He slung his arm around Isabel, “You’d better get to work on that dreamwalky thing.” Isabel gave him a goodnatured elbow to the ribs. Then grinning at Liz, “Well, he does have a point. I guess there’s no reason to wait.”

A few minutes later, Isabel and Liz took their preferred seats on the sofa with Max and Alex on either side of them. Kyle sat close by. Isabel held one of the photos that Valenti had snapped at the Harding house of Nasedo and Tess standing in their doorway. With her other hand she reached for Liz’s hand and closing her eyes, Isabel entered the dream plane. She found herself in an unfamiliar location. “Liz?” she whispered in her mind. “I’m here, Isabel. Where are we?”

Turning to see Liz standing beside her, she answered, “It looks like some kind of terminal.” Looking to the windows, she surmised, “An airport, but I’m not sure where.” Isabel looked around, “There she is, over by the wall.” Liz turned to see a small girl with curly red hair sitting alone in a chair. “At least it’s a better looking disguise than that ugly black ‘do she had.” Following Tess’s gaze, they saw her staring at Ed Harding as he spoke with the man behind the ticket counter. Shortly he turned to walk back towards Tess. Liz shivered, “Are you sure he can’t see us?”

“Don’t worry, Liz. We’re in Tess’s subconscious. I don’t believe that Nasedo can sense us.”

Nasedo stopped before Tess, “Our flight isn’t for another couple of hours, and we’ll have to change planes in Atlanta, but this time tomorrow we’ll be in Merry Olde England.”

“England!” Isabel looked at Liz, “Why are they going there?”

Liz shrugged, “Nasedo probably wants to get Tess out of the way until talk of that officer’s death dies down.”

“Wonderful,” Tess said crinkling her nose in distaste, “the land of foggy skies and kidney pies. They didn’t have any tickets to Tahiti?” Nasedo sat down beside a disgruntled Tess, “Cheer up, your highness, perhaps we can get you an audience with Queen Elizabeth.” He smirked, “The two of you can discuss the futility of being a queen in name only.”

Tess glared at him, “You know? When we get back home, I just might have to put you to work scrubbing the royal toilets.” Nasedo just laughed, not at all threatened by her words.

Liz and Isabel looked to each other, “Home?” they mouthed.

Their attention was brought back to Nasedo when he looked at Tess, “I forgot, is it safe for you to fly?”

“What? We’ve flown lots of times.” At her look of confusion, he sighed, “The baby, Tess. Is it safe for you to fly?”

“Oh, um, yeah.” With her eyes downcast, she rubbed her tummy, “he’ll fine.”

Liz looked at Tess in disgust, “Just how long is she going to be able to keep that up? Sooner or later Nasedo is going to notice that her stomach isn’t growing.”

“What I’d like to know is why is Tess talking about going home and why is Nasedo so concerned about this so called ‘pregnancy’. What are they up to?” Isabel wondered.

Nasedo gave her a firm look, “Tess, we can’t take any chances, Kivar is expecting…”

Tess stood up angrily, “I said he’s fine. Now, if we’re going to be here a while, I’m going to hit the magazine stand.”

“Kivar?” Liz looked at Isabel with touch of alarm on her face, “What the hell is going on?”

Without warning, they found themselves suddenly back in Michael’s apartment. Feeling disoriented, they saw that Michael and Maria had returned carrying grocery bags and realized that the slamming of the front door had pulled them out of the dreamwalk. Also realizing what had happened, Maria was very apologetic.

“Oh, chicca,” she looked at Liz, “I’m so sorry. We didn’t think.” Liz pushed her hand through her hair. “That’s okay, Maria, I think we got about all we were going to for now anyway. We can try again later.”

Sitting a bag on the counter, Michael asked, “What did you guys see?”

“They’re on the run, at least for now.” Isabel told them what they had seen, that Tess and Nasedo were in an airport somewhere and apparently leaving the country, and that Tess was still pretending to be pregnant.

“Well, that’s good, isn’t it?” Kyle asked. “The leaving part, I mean.”

Max shrugged, “If only they were gone for good. There’s a reason Nasedo wanted Tess to get pregnant, a reason strong enough that Tess is faking it.”

“Home.” Isabel said, bringing all eyes to her as she looked over at Liz. Liz nodded, “Tess was squabbling with Nasedo, who was being his usual obnoxious self, and she mentioned them going ‘home’.” She pointed her finger upwards.

“And she seems to think she will be sitting on the throne.” Isabel added.

“Did she forget the throne is already occupied?” Michael asked as he sat a bag containing onions and bell peppers beside the sink.

“If Kivar killed ‘Queen Avarina’,” Maria made quote marks, “why would Nasedo want to return with Tess? Wouldn’t Kivar just kill her again?” She looked up with her finger against her cheek, “Hmmm, maybe we should all chip in to buy their tickets?”

Isabel made a moue, “Or maybe not.” Isabel informed them, “They have something up their sleeves, because Nasedo mentioned that Kivar was expecting something, only Tess cut him off.”

“Kivar?” Max exclaimed, “What the hell?”

“My words exactly.” Liz squeezed Max’s hand. “Michael? Do you have some paper I could make some notes on?” “Sure,” as he walked over to open a closet and pulled out a school notebook. “Knock yourself out.”

Liz rose to take a seat at the breakfast counter. Maria went back to unpacking the grocery bags. “Oh, if no one has plans, we thought you guys might want to just hang out here, maybe watch a movie. The store had chicken on special, so we bought plenty. Michael can fire up the grill and we could have fajitas.”

“Sounds good to me. Liz?” Max asking her opinion. “Sounds good to me, too,” she responded, and looking up from her notes she added, “and I just might be able to sweet talk my dad into letting me filch some steak from the diner for the grill.”

As the others indicated their agreement, Alex asked, “Hey, Isabel, think you could make that Mexican rice your mom served at your birthday dinner?”

“Sure,” Isabel answered, pleased to be asked, “I just need to check Michael’s pantry.”

“My what?” Michael asked with a puzzled look.

“Your cabinets, Michael. Do you have any rice?” Isabel asked, not expecting an answer as she began opening the cabinets to see for herself.

Michael reached into a bag and pulled out several cans of refried beans and put them on the counter. Maria and Isabel shared a look. “Uhuh, Michael, I don’t think so.” Isabel picked the cans up and put them on a shelf. “Hey!” Michael argued, “I like those.”

“Yeah, too much.” Maria gave him a smirk, “No way we ladies are spending close confines with a bunch of guys who just filled up on beans.”

“Oh, and I guess you ‘ladies’ never have to…” Isabel stopped his words with the raise of her hand, “No, Michael, we don’t. Never, ever.”

A laughing Maria looked over at Kyle, “Okay, changing the subject… What about you, Sport? Will you be here or do you have hot plans with Sera that I should know about?”

“Actually, unlike the rest of you horndogs,” he grinned at several affronted faces, “we haven’t exactly gotten to the ‘hot’ stage, yet.”

Maria laughed, “Well, then tonight will be perfect. We’ll all enjoy a nice meal, turn down the lights for movie time,” she looked at Michael, “and no Braveheart, thank you,” turning back to Kyle just as Michael silently mouthed “nah, nah, nah” to the back of her head. “Then you and Sera can hold hands and whisper sweet nothings.” Fixing Michael with a look, “Don’t think I didn’t see that.”

At Michael’s surprised look, everyone just laughed.

Liz had written two names on the top of a sheet of paper. “Nasedo” and “Tess” to form two columns. She looked at the notes she had made, “We know that Nasedo wants Tess to be pregnant. And we know that although Tess is not pregnant, Nasedo thinks that she is with Max’s ‘heir’, and Tess expects to resume the throne somehow.” Max looked over Liz’s shoulder, “put down that Nasedo risked going back to Eagle Rock to steal Tess’s pod.” Liz nodded as she wrote. Liz looked back down at her notes, “I know we’re missing something. Why would Nasedo want this child so badly, and why would Tess risk his anger to lie about it?”

“Maybe she’s still working on it.” Kyle said with disgust. “Lying to Nasedo because she expects it to be true soon.”

“Ewwwww, and England will be full of unsuspecting sperm donors.” Maria grimaced.

“But what is the point?” Alex grabbed a bag of taco chips out of one of the grocery bags. “Hey, did you guys get any cheese dip?”

“Oh My God!” All eyes turned to Liz as she looked at Max. “A Regency, they plan to set up a Regency.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Devil Kitty]

A bit of a disclaimer, the dream sequence in this chapter was inspired by my recent viewing of a "Buffy" rerun involving VampWillow, if you’ve seen the episode, you’ll understand, and if not, it won’t matter.

-----------
Chapter 66

There was a few seconds of silence following Liz's exclamation, until Michael looked around in confusion. "What the hell is a Regency?"

"A Regent is someone who rules in place of another." Maria told him. When everyone looked her way, she admitted with some chagrin, "I used to read those Regency romances in my younger days." She shrugged, "So sue me."

"We both did," Liz confessed as she smiled at Maria, “Remember we use to read the kissy parts out loud?” prompting Maria to give Liz a look, "Sure, when you weren’t running to the encyclopedia to make sure the historical facts were correct."

"Well, yeah,” Liz’s cheeks turned pink, “but that’s why I know that those romances were set in the time period when the Prince of Wales had to assume the throne of his father, who was nutty as a fruitcake. He ruled as Prince Regent for years before he eventually became King when his father died. So, if for some reason a king can't rule, then someone else acts as ruler on his behalf."

"Are you're saying that Nasedo wants Tess to have Max's kid so he can set himself up as one of these Regent guys?" Michael asked.

"Not Nasedo," Liz said shaking her head. Looking at Isabel she said with emphasis, "Kivar."

Isabel moved around the counter to stand beside Liz, "That's it! That’s what Nasedo was about to say when Tess cut him off - that Kivar expected them to deliver Max's child."

"Wait a minute." Max looked to Liz, "Why would Kivar go to all that trouble to set himself up as a Regent? He already has the throne."

"True," Alex popped up, "but not without problems. Remember, he’s been fighting with his whole solar system for decades, and even those on the winning end grow tired over time. The rebellion on his own planet must be a thorn in his side."

Liz tapped her fingers against the notepad. "Look at it this way - if Tess, as the reborn Queen of Antar, returns and is pregnant with the King's child, with some sad story about your deaths, then Kivar could say that he wanted to put the true heir back on the throne when he comes of age and use the 'child' to reunite the planet. It would be the perfect excuse for a weary rebellion to give up the fight.”

“And a united Antar would be very beneficial to Kivar with regard to the other planets in the system." Alex noted.

Isabel nodded, "And he'd have all that time to raise a child in his image with Tess posing as the Queen Mum. The poor little thing would just a little puppet king with Kivar pulling the strings."

Max picked up Liz's notes, "Nasedo risked recapture in order to steal Tess's pod from Eagle Rock. He must have been on Kivar's side all along, even when he became a protector."

"And once he had Tess," Liz noted, "he just raised her with the notion of returning to Antar to rule beside Kivar. Who knows, maybe Kivar even promised to marry her."

"But guys, isn't this all a moot point now." Kyle reminded them. "Tess doesn't have Max's child, she doesn't have any child."

"It's not a moot point to Nasedo, so I'd say Miss Tessie has a problem." Maria leaned on her elbows on the counter. "She's going to have one pissed off shapeshifter on her hands when he finds out that the bun in her oven is just phony baloney."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Soon everyone dispersed to take care of errands before their cookout. A couple hours later, everyone had returned to Michael's, including Sera and Tyler who had received invitations when Kyle had called Sera. Max and Liz had run over to the Crashdown where Liz did manage to finagle a couple of nice sirloin steaks, while Isabel and Alex had made a trip to the store for the ingredients to make Isabel's Mexican rice. Thinking they would all be best served with a simple desert, Isabel picked up vanilla ice cream and a variety of toppings.

Also while out, Alex and Isabel had gone by her house to once again borrow her mom's card table and chairs, and Tyler and Sera had borrowed a set from the Spa. Upon their arrival, Sera and Tyler had been brought up to speed on the "regency" theory.

Max and Alex rearranged the furniture and sat up the tables and chairs, Sera arranged a stack of dishes, napkins and gathered various utensils placing them in a glass. Maria and Liz worked on preparing the fajita ingredients for grilling, while Isabel assembled her rice dish. Outside on the small patio, Michael and Kyle argued over the best grilling techniques, as Tyler sat back in a lawn chair and watched with a grin.

Isabel turned to Liz, "Before we start on the grilling, do you think we should try and reach Tess again?" Liz agreed, but it wasn't long before Isabel opened her eyes and looked at Liz in frustration. "Damn it, their plane must already be in the air."

Alex rubbed Isabel's neck, "You couldn't get in?" Isabel shook her head. "It was all blurry and out of focus, like she was just out of my reach." She looked over at Max, "I'm sorry, I should have done this when we first got back.""

"May I make a suggestion?" Sera asked from where she was chopping vegetables for the Pico de Gallo. "Perhaps you just need more power. Why don't you try again as the FourSquare?"

"That's an excellent idea, Sera." Maria gave her a big smile, "I'll get Spaceboy." Maria darted to the doorway before anyone else could speak. Max and Isabel looked at Liz, who shrugged with a grin, "Sometimes its best to just stay out of the way." Maria slid the patio door open and called out, "Kyle? You're in charge of the grill." As Michael turned and gave her a 'what the hell' look, she merely crooked her finger, "You're needed in here, Michael, it's FourSquare time."

Once Michael, closely followed by Kyle and Tyler, came in with a "What's up?" Isabel explained that they were going to try and use the FourSquare to reach Tess. They decided to sit at one of the card tables with Michael and Isabel sitting across from Max and Liz. Isabel wondered, "Do we do like we did out at Eagle Rock? After all, Michael is the one who sensed the cave symbol, but Max is the one who sensed the secret room. Maybe the FourSquare is only for his benefit. What if Max ends up there in Tess's subconscious alone?"

"We'll just have to experiment." Liz said. "Isabel, whenever you start the dreamwalk with me, I just focus my concentration on you, like I'm sending you my energy." Liz looked at Max and Michael, "So, why don't the three of us do that, focus on Isabel while she does her thing?"

Isabel shrugged, "Let's give it a shot."

"Wait!" Maria said, "Why don't Alex and I stay here as your anchors, just in case, while the others go on out to the grill and get supper started."

Max smiled at Maria, "That's a good idea, no point in everyone having to sit around while we sit here with our eyes closed." Tyler and Kyle grabbed the food for grilling and headed outside, while Sera picked up a clean platter and the cooking tongs. She looked back at Alex and told him, "You need us, just holler." Then she too, headed out the back.

After Alex and Maria took seats nearby on the sofa, the four reached for one another's hands and closed their eyes in concentration.

"Woah!" Michael said as he found himself standing alongside the other three inside a large ornate room. "This is wild, Isabel, but it doesn't look much like an airplane."

From beside him Isabel answered, "No, it's not. This is Tess's dream, she's asleep."

"It's a dream alright, look at her." Liz pointed out Tess sitting on a golden throne, dressed in a rich blue robe trimmed in white fur with a bejeweled crown upon her head, her long blond curls flowing around her shoulders.

Max looked around nervously, whispering "And she has no idea that we are here?" "No." Isabel shook her head, "and you may not have noticed, Max, but although we're talking to each other, our mouths aren't moving. You don't have to whisper."

Max looked down at Liz, who just smiled and he heard her words in his mind, "I love you, Max." "Hey," from Michael, "before you guys get all mushy, don't forget, we can all hear that."

Liz just grinned at Michael before Tess's words drew their attention back to her. "Nasedo, where are you? I'm bored." Tess pouted prettily. Suddenly, Nasedo appeared before her, "And what would your majesty like?" as he bowed before her. With a mischievous smile, she said, "Can I go down and play with the puppy?"

In a blink, the four found themselves in what appeared to be a dungeon. As a guard opened a cell, Tess reached for a long stick and waltzed in.

Michael noted, "Hey, that guard is human. And Nasedo still looks like Ed Harding."

Isabel pointed out, "It's her dream, Michael. This is how her subconscious is seeing things, not what it would really be like."

Tess strode over to what appeared to be a filthy pile of rags with long dark greasy hair chained to the corner. "Wake up, Puppy," poking it with the stick. Then in a sing-song voice, "I brought you something to eat." As the pile turned towards Tess, the four gasped, because there before them was Liz, almost unrecognizable under the filth.

"Omigod." Isabel looked at Liz in sympathy and squeezed her hand, "This is sick."

As they watched the dream unfold, Tess laughed out loud as she tossed a chunk of bread just out of reach of the pathetic creature huddled against the wall. "Fetch, Puppy. Go on, fetch."

Liz whispered, "I knew she hated me, but…" Liz could almost feel the fear coursing through her dream self. They watched as DreamLiz tentatively reached out a hand that was covered in cuts and bruises for the bread, only to be struck at with the stick. That's when Max lost it. "That Bitch!" He tried to lunge towards Tess's image only to find he was unable to move more than a couple of feet, as if he hit an invisible wall. "Max," Liz called in his mind as she grasped his arm. "Max, it's okay, I know it's not real." But in spite of her words, Liz felt a combination of fright and anger begin to grow inside, and she could feel a familiar tingle begin in her hands as she watched the image of herself shrink back against the wall as Tess laughed out loud.

Tess turned her head as they heard Nasedo's voice calling out her name, and with a shimmer, they were back at Michael's apartment.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The four opened their eyes and looked at each other, disturbed by the visit inside Tess's foul mind. Liz stood on trembling legs and pushed her hands against the table, still visibly shaken by Tess's dream, the green streaks crackling along her hands to the end of her fingers. Max immediately jumped up to take her by the arm, "Come here." As he just held her close, making little nonsense 'shhhhh' sounds, the green pulses gradually faded. Max looked down at her face, "Are you alright?"

Michael and Isabel sat in silence, giving Max and Liz a moment.

Liz nodded, "It's just…" She let her forehead rest on Max's shoulder, "as much as I have resented Tess, and God knows I wish she'd never come here, I've never… never even imagined…"

"That's because Tess is inhuman, Liz." Isabel broke in sympathetically. "I know it was hard to see yourself like that, but you can't let it get you down. If you do, then on some level, it's like she's won."

Alex sat silently on the sofa, trying to figure out what they were talking about when Maria blurted, "What the hell happened to you in there?"

Liz gave Maria a shaky smile, "Why don't you let Isabel explain, while I splash some water on my face."

Liz spent several minutes in the bathroom as she rinsed her face and composed herself. She returned to the living room to find that everyone had gathered together. Maria immediately gave her a tight hug, "Oh, chicca, that witch, that absolute deranged witch." Alex leaned over to give Liz a kiss on the cheek, "I think you mispronounced that, Maria." Liz smiled at her two best buds, "Guys, I'm fine. I shouldn't have let it get to me." Feeling embarrassed, she tried to divert attention away from herself, "Now, let's check on that supper."

Pushing the disturbing dreamwalk aside for the moment, it was an affable bunch that enjoyed dinner as they bantered back and forth, and if Max was even more attentive to Liz than usual, no one teased him or commented on it.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After dinner had been consumed and the cleanup behind them, they dimmed the lights and all settled down to watch a couple of movies. Max and Liz had picked out a spot back against the wall and were presently snuggled together on Max's sleeping bag. They spoke softly so as not to disturb the others. "Liz, I know how much that dream upset you, because it upset me, too." Pulling their clasped hands up to press a kiss on the back of her hand, "But you know I'd never let that happen. I'd die before I'd let anyone take you from me."

She peeked up through her lashes at him, "I know, Max, I feel the same. But we have no idea what Tess and Nasedo may try, and I can’t let myself depend on you or Michael or Isabel always being there. I need to learn how to protect myself. What good is it for me to develop these powers if I can’t defend myself?"

Max nodded, knowing it was true. "We do need to work on your powers. See if we can channel them into a defensive ability. We should go out to the desert, see what we can do." He looked over where Michael and Maria were sharing the recliner. "I think we need Michael's help."

A short while later Michael and Maria got up to put some popcorn in the microwave, and Liz joined them in the kitchen. Knowing that Max had his eyes on them, she smiled at him before softly saying to Michael. "Michael, Max and I were talking, and I don't ever want what happened in that dream to come true."

Michael looked over to catch Max's eye, as Maria assured Liz, "Chicca, you know that’s not going to happen. Max would kill anyone who tried to hurt you."

"I know that, ‘ria, I do. But Max can't be with me all the time and I can't depend on someone else to always be there to look out for me, I need to be able to protect myself.” She smiled up at Michael, “Will you help me, Michael? Will you help me learn how to blast rocks into smithereens?"

He slung an arm over her shoulder as he replied with a grin, "I thought you'd never ask."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter 67


Maria placed yet another set of dirty dishes into a plastic bin and wiped down the table before heading back into the kitchen. Looking over as Liz scrubbed vigorously at the counter, “Lizzie, that counter’s clean enough, sweetie.” Liz looked down, “Oh, okay, thanks,” then turned her attention to the milkshake machine.

Maria continued into the back and dumped the dirty dishes beside the sink. As she passed by Michael on her way back out front, he glanced over from his spot in front of the grill, “Liz still cleaning everything in sight?”

“Yeah,” Maria looked back towards her friend, “between the fact that you guys haven’t been able to dreamwalk Tess again and her inability to break a single rock, I’m afraid our girl is going to implode.”

Michael nodded, “Gotta give her props, she’s been trying, but we’ve gone out twice now and nothing. I’m beginning to think that boosting our powers may be her main ability." He flipped a couple of burgers over, “Hey, could you take up that batch of Space Fries?”

Maria lifted the basket out of the hot oil, hanging it to drain for a moment, “But Michael, remember that she zapped that snake that day. Has she tried anything else? Besides rocks, I mean.” She dumped the fries into a bin and shook salt over them.

“That’s about all there is in the desert. Besides, I figure if she can bust a rock, she should be able to take out an enemy.” Michael slid the burgers onto buns waiting on plates.

“When are you guys going back out?”

Michael shrugged as he added fried to the platters, “Probably tomorrow after school, why?”

“I’m going with you, I have an idea.”

To which Michael just raised an eyebrow as he handed her the two platters. "Order's up."


~~~~~~~~~~~~


In addition to cleaning counters, Liz had found another way to work off her frustrations. One that was much more enjoyable, and the lucky beneficiary was Max Evans. At school the day before Max had been headed for his fifth period class when Liz had dragged him into the Eraser Room, then earlier tonight she had shown up for Max’s evening break where they spent a half hour involved in an enthusiastic session of touchy/feely in the UFO storeroom.

And now, Max was stretched out shirtless on Liz’s bed with Liz draped across him. As Liz’s lips nibbled at his, Max’s brain was bombarded by sensual stimuli – the feel of Liz’s lips and tongue as they mated with his, Liz’s hair falling around him, teasing his bare skin, Liz’s hands as she slid them up and over his chest. When she reached for the fastening of his pants, he gasped out, “Liz …we can’t… your folks…” She leaned over and pressed her mouth against his, “are asleep,” she whispered.

She sat up, and crossing her arms pulled her sweater up over her head, the movement lifting her small breasts. She straddled him and leaned over, one firm little lace covered breast just centimeters from his mouth, “Don’t you want me?” A completely rhetorical question, taking into consideration that she was presently sitting on the large bulge in his jeans. “With every breath I take.” Max whispered, just before he tugged the cup down and latched his mouth onto the delicious little berry. Quickly removing her bra, his mouth and hands worshipped her breasts. Max tugged and when he gently bit down, she felt the pull straight to her throbbing crotch. Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she rocked against his hardness.

Suddenly, Max rolled her over on her back and she whimpered when he lifted his weight off of her and stood up beside the bed. She opened her eyes to watch as he stripped off his pants and boxers in a single motion. She sat up and reached out to stroke his length, Max closed his eyes savoring the feel of Liz’s small hand upon him. After a moment, he pulled her up off the bed and removed the remainder of Liz’s clothing.

He spun her around, holding her backside tightly against him, “Look.” He spoke softly into her ear. She saw their reflections in the full-length mirror, candlelight dancing off their skin. She blushed to see her own naked body, which blocked the majority of Max’s from her view, but as Max began to caress her, she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Watching his hands moving across her body was incredibly erotic. Her head fell to the side as his mouth kissed her neck, her jaw and nibbled at her ear. While his left hand cupped her breast, his right hand moved down her stomach to slide through the crisp curls at the juncture of her thighs. Her knees began to tremble as she responded to the magic touch of his hands on her body. Max whispered as he gazed at her in the mirror, “You are so beautiful.”

“Max…please…” her head lolled on his shoulder. He swept her up and turned to lay her across the bed, crawing up to position himself in the cradle of her thighs. He slid his erection along her slick folds, “Look at me, baby.” She opened desire laden eyes and Max looked deep, opening their connection. With a soft, “I love you,” he plunged into her welcoming depths. “Ahh, Max,” she sighed and immediately he felt the quivering that indicated the beginning of her climax, so he slid his hand down to manipulate her little hidden bud. He was always amazed at the fierce climaxes that rushed through her body, and knowing that he was the only one who would ever bring about this response, that she was the only one who could bring it out in him, he seemed to grow even harder, longer. He took her mouth with his swallowing her moans as he pumped his body against hers.

Liz was awash in sensations, she didn’t know where her body ended and Max’s began. As the pleasure of their joint climaxes swept over them in waves, she truly felt as if their hearts and souls had shattered only for the particles to find one another and join into one entity.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The following afternoon, Maria met Liz in the ladies room before they went out to meet up with Michael. Washing her hands at the sink, Maria looked over, “You’ve certainly been in a good mood today, Liz. Walking around with that big smile on your face all day.”

Liz applied a touched of lip gloss to her smiling lips, “I’m just feeling good today, Maria.”

“Hmmm,” tossing her paper towel into the trash, Maria leaned back against the counter and crossed her arms, “Seems like I saw Max wearing a similar smile. Now, that wouldn’t be because the Evans Express recently pulled into Parkerville now, would it.”

“Maria!” Liz cried out in faux shock, “You should be ashamed.” Then with a smug smile, “Besides, I’ll have you know there was nothing ‘express’ about it.”

Just then they heard a groan as the door to a stall opened and Isabel walked out. As she headed over to the sink, “Please, isn’t it bad enough that I even know that my brother has a sex life without having to hear the disturbing details.” She grinned at a blushing Liz.

“Moving right along,” A pink cheeked Liz reached for her hairbrush, “Isabel, are you coming out with us to practice blasting?”

“Gee, as much fun as that sounds, I’m afraid I already have plans.” Isabel waved a hand across her face to freshen up her makeup. She headed to the door and turned back to give them a wink, “I have a hot date with a guitar man.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Isabel’s hot date consisted of sitting in Alex’s garage during a practice session for The Whit’s. Alex had landed an actual paying gig for the band to play at the grand opening of the new Teen Center that weekend. Even though she was more into pop music than the alternative stuff that Alex’s band preferred, she loved watching Alex play the guitar. As she watched his fingers strum, she mind wandered as she began to think about how those fingers felt when it was her that he was strumming. Oh yeah, she inwardly sighed, Alex had great fingers.

When the band took a break, Alex came over to where she was sitting at an old picnic table in the corner of the garage. As he leaned over to give her a kiss, she whispered, “Did you know that the only thing sexier than a computer geek is a computer geek with a guitar?”

“Is that right, Miss Evans?” he grinned as he gave her another kiss. “Is that what you were sitting here thinking about?”

“Actually I was thinking about how the guitar is a great instrument for exercising the fingers,” she reached her own fingers up to run around his collar popping open a couple of buttons, “and then I started to think of other things those fingers could be,” looking up through her lashes, “playing with…”

Alex blinked, then swallowed hard, “Um…” He turned to the other guys in the band, “You know, guys, I think that’s enough practice for today.”

“What?” the drummer asked, “We’ve only been here an hour.”

“Uh, yeah…” Alex stammered, “but um…” Unseen by the band members, Isabel had slid her hand around the back of Alex’s pants and was lightly squeezing his butt. “Maria!” he squeaked. “Um, she couldn’t be here today.”

He grabbed Isabel’s hand and tugged her towards the back door, “Tomorrow guys, same time, we’ll practice Maria’s songs then.” Then leaving several bewildered faces behind, he pushed Isabel into the house. He had barely slammed the door before he and Isabel were kissing. Tearing her mouth from his, Isabel asked, “Where are your parents?”

“Not here,” as he led her to the bedroom. “Good.” She smiled, finishing unbuttoning his shirt as they entered the room, and Alex spent the next hour showing her just how dexterous his fingers were.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Michael, Maria and Liz pulled up at the old quarry. As Michael and Liz took up their usual positions to practice, Maria got a grocery sack out of the car. Walking over to a group of boulders, she lined up a row of cans and bottles. “Okay, Liz. We know you blasted that snake, and you were able to blast that tomato sauce can that time, so my theory is that the rocks are just too dense. You need to build up your abilities, so let’s see what you can do with these bottles and cans.”

Following Michael’s instructions, Liz did her best to concentrate on the targets, but try as she might, the bottles and cans remained intact. Finally, giving Michael a sad smile, “That’s it Michael, we’ve tried enough. I guess I just don’t have the ability like you guys do. I’m sorry.”

As Michael and Maria watched a dejected Liz walk back towards the jetta, Maria called out, “Liz, wait.” She dashed over and took Liz by the arm. “Maria..” Liz shook her head, “It’s no use.”

Michael walked over to them and putting his hands on Liz’s shoulders, he turned her around, “Just one more try, Parker, I have an idea.” Positioning Liz back in front of the targets and standing behind her, Michael instructed. “Liz, I want you to look at that can of peaches on the far right. See it?” Liz nodded to where he pointed. “Now, I want you to remember when we were in Tess’s dream, think about how she looked – sitting on that golden throne, the fancy dress, lording it over everyone and imagine that the can is Tess’s face.” Liz stared intently as Michael leaned down and softly spoke into her ear, “Did you hear that? Did that bitch just call you a puppy?” Maria noticed that Liz’s fingers were clinched and her hands beginning to crackle with the green streaks. Michael whispered, “She thinks that you are useless, that Max belongs to her.” In a flash Liz threw her hand up in the air and a burst of energy split the air. The can exploded, sending peaches and juice flying into the air.

Liz stared stunned, then whirled to look at Michael, “Omigod, Michael! I did it!” She threw her arms around him and smiling, Michael lifted her up and spun her around, “You sure did, Shortstuff.” Setting Liz back on the ground, Liz turned to Maria, a wide smile of excitement on her face, “Maria! I did it, I did it.” Maria hugged her, “Congratulations, chicca. And you,” fixing a look on Michael, “nice work, Spaceboy.”

Michael stood beside them, shrugging as he rubbed at his eyebrow. “I just figured that Liz needed the right motivation.” Grinning down at Liz, “Okay, Annie Oakley, let’s try the rest of the bottles and cans.”

Before long, the area was littered with the remains of tin cans, bottles and various food products.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tess waltzed into the hotel that she and Nasedo had chosen for their stay. Even though she’d cut out her own tongue before admitting it, she had enjoyed the last few days and playing tourist. But the best part was the nights, after Nasedo believed she had turned in for the evening, for Tess had discovered - room service.

After taking a quick shower and donning a short silk robe, she answered the discreet knock at the door. She stood back as the young man rolled a cart into her room and shut the door. When he lifted the cover off the tray to reveal Belgian waffles, strawberries, thick whipped cream and an extra bowl of sugar, she murmured, “Thank you, Ian.” He smiled with a knowing glint in his eyes, “And may I be of any further service?”

Dropping the robe on the floor to stand naked before him, she returned his smile, “Why, I believe you may.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Devil Kitty]

Chapter 68

Sheriff Valenti arrived home to find several familiar vehicles parked around his house. Entering through the front door, he found Max, Michael, Alex and Tyler sitting around his living room watching television.

"Well, good evening," he smiled in curiosity, "What are you guys doing hanging out here on a Friday night?"

"Because our women dumped us to have a hen party out at the Mall." Kyle responded as he came from the kitchen juggling several sodas, a bag of pretzels and a bowl of popcorn. "And we, being manly men, are handling it by watching baseball and pretending like we don't care."

Alex jumped up to take a couple of sodas, handing off one to Max while Tyler reached for the popcorn.

"Look at it this way," Michael grinned as he scooped up some nachos, "Tonight we can burp, fart and scratch to our heart's content."

"Uh, not unless you want to watch the game through the window," Valenti informed him as he hung his hat near the door, "because you will be standing out on the front porch."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Liz, Maria, and Sera were doing their best to keep up with Isabel as they moved from shop to shop in search of new outfits to wear to the Teen Center opening. Popping into one shop to try on different skirts, pants and blouses, then on to another for shoes.

They walked through the Victoria's Secret, giggling as they perused the merchandise. Walking past a table piled high with lacy thongs, Sera picked one up and blushed, "I'm beginning to think Victoria doesn't have any secrets at all." Maria gave her a wicked smile, "I bet I know a certain jock who'd go wild to see you in one of those."

Sera's pink cheeks flamed, "Oh no! I mean, Kyle and I aren't…uh, we haven't…"

Taking pity on Sera's embarrassment, Maria gave her a quick hug, "Don't worry, sweetie. When the time's right, he won't care if you're wearing burlap."

Maria noticed Liz and looked over at Isabel, "Pssst." When Isabel looked at her, Maria pointed out Liz who held up a pink satin strapless bustier with matching panties, gazing at it with a far away look in her eyes. Isabel sidled up to Liz, "Please tell me you are not imagining my brother wearing that."

"What!" Liz startled, then looking at the lingerie in her hands, "Oh, Isabel."

"Hey, I'd pay money to see that." Maria said with a wiggle of her eyebrows. Liz joined them in laughter, but still carried the sexy undergarment to the cashier.

As they finished up shopping and started walking down the corridor towards the exit something caught Maria's eye in a store window. "Isabel, look. Aren't those shirts wild? Can't you see Alex's band in these?"

The four girls looked at the display. Liz and Sera first looked at the lame' shirts in psychedelic colors, then at each other and shook their heads. Isabel gave Maria a look, "Sure, Maria, those are perfect if we want everyone to think that The Whit's are a gay band and I'm Alex's drag queen."

Liz and Sera giggled while Isabel ignored Maria's offended "Ohhh!" Then Isabel grabbed Maria by the arm, "But look over there, against the wall, those could work." Liz and Sera followed as Isabel dragged Maria into the store.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The guys booed when the Rockies were robbed of a homerun ending the inning. Max got up to go into the kitchen for more soda. As he opened the fridge, he noticed that Tyler had followed him. "Another soda, Tyler?"

"No, thanks. I was just wondering, I take it you still haven't been able to reach Tess for another dreamwalk?"

Max shook his head, "No, we figure that even with the FourSquare, we just can't reach all the way to England, if they are even still there. We'll keep trying every day or so, hopefully we'll be able to determine when they get back near Roswell."

Tyler pulled out a chair and sat at the kitchen table, "I've been thinking about Liz's theory that Nasedo and Tess made a deal with Kivar, and I agree it sounds plausible." Tyler looked a bit uncomfortable, "Please do not be offended, but Tess returning to set Kivar up as Regent just doesn't seem practical. While Nasedo would be able to resume a normal life if he returned to Antar, Tess and a child would be the only humans on the planet."

"Could they even survive there? Being mostly human?" Max leaned against the counter, opening the bottle of soda.

"Yes, just as you could survive. Your alien DNA would allow you to adapt to the environment there, but your appearances are totally unique. They would stick out like sore thumbs. I've thought about this, Max, and that's why I don't understand why Kivar would want Tess to return with a child. There must be more to it than that."

Max nodded, "I see what you mean. I guess we'll just have to wait until we can either reach Tess or until they return to Roswell to try and figure it out." He walked over and also sat at the table, "Tess told us that Nasedo's natural form was nothing like ours, that's why he could shapeshift and we couldn't. When Liz first found out the truth about us, she said Maria had wondered if we were three feet tall, green and slimy when we hatched. I laughed then, but … can you tell me what you looked like? Before, I mean."

Tyler smiled, "Actually, those hokey alien souvenirs you sell at the UFO Center aren't too far off the mark."

At Max's look of surprise, Tyler laughed. "Well, we aren't green or slimy, Antarians have a more grayish tone to the skin, probably because our sun is weaker than yours, and we do have rather large eyes and our average height is about 5 feet to 5 ½ feet tall. Oh, and we do actually wear clothing because we are not sexless." He grinned.

Max was fascinated. "And everyone can shapeshift?"

Tyler shook his head, "No, the average Antarian cannot shapeshift at all. The ability to change our outward appearance was something that was created for our purpose in coming to Earth to be protectors. We went through a procedure that introduced a chemical into our brains that gives us the ability to manipulate our muscles and skin into that of a human form. It's gives us a covering not only for a disguise, but also to protect us. While Earth is similar in makeup to Antar, it is still a harsher environment. Strangely, while we can easily shift from human form to human form, it's difficult and painful to revert to our Antarian forms. But, if you need… well, I could show you my true form, Max."

"No!" Max exclaimed, "I don't want you to do anything that would hurt you." He then looked at Tyler with a questioning look, "Why did you become a protector? You had to undergo drastic changes, leave your home to take on a life of isolation on a strange world. Why would you do that, Tyler?"

Tyler smiled, "I told you that my family had served the royal house for many generations, and when it's all said and done, Max Evans, you are still my King."

Max was humbled by his simple words, and over the lump in his throat, whispered, "Thank you, Tyler."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The girls were spending Saturday at the Eldorado, thanks to Sera and Tyler providing them with passes. So, Saturday afternoon found Max and Michael at the Teen Center helping Alex's band set up their equipment. "When did we become roadies, Maxwell?" Michael groused as he and Max hauled in an amplifier.

"Because Alex is our friend and he asked us?" Max answered.

"Well, yeah." Michael grunted, "And just where is our friend and his band while we do the heavy lifting?"

Max laughed, "He and the other band members are probably hiding. Seems that Isabel and Maria picked out some 'new outfits' for them last night."

"Oh, man, that boy is so whipped."

"And we're not?" Max raised an eyebrow, to which Michael just grinned at they went out to bring in more equipment.


~~~~~~~~~~~~


A couple of hours later, the Teen Center was open and patrons were beginning to arrive. A DJ sat at a stereo system pumping out popular music, while the band area had all of The Whit's equipment ready for their performance. Max and Michael had commandeered a couple of tables for their group to sit at. As they sat with Alex, Michael looked at his watch. "What time are the others getting here? The place is starting to fill up."

"Yeah," Alex agreed, "I hope Maria's not late for our first set."

"Don't worry, I spoke with Liz earlier. Kyle was going to borrow the Sheriff's SUV and pick the girls up at 7:00." Max assured them, "They'll be here soon."

Within minutes, Max sensed Liz's arrival and turned to see her and the other girls entering the club. She caught his eye and smiled as she started across the floor. As she approached, his gaze took in her tight black hipster jeans and red halter with her hair falling in soft curls around her shoulders, and his heart rate increased. He rose to greet her, "Hi, Beautiful." With a kiss to the cheek he whispered, "Ummm, don't you look good enough to eat?" She wore a pleased look at his words and he could see her pink cheeks in the dim light. Pulling out a chair for her, he dropped a kiss on the top of her head. As he pulled his seat close to hers, he couldn't help but smile as he thought of the things they had done to and with each other in private, and yet she still had an air of sweet innocence about her. Yes, indeed, he was a lucky man.

With Tess and Nasedo gone, the eight friends were able to relax and enjoy each other's company. They sat together talking, laughing and dancing to the music. Even though the club had a strict 'no alcohol' policy, the humans still tasted their alien significant other's drinks, just to be safe. After a while, Alex excused himself to get the band ready reminding Maria that she was to join them shortly.

The next song the DJ played was a slow one, so Maria grabbed Michael who groaned as he let himself be pulled onto the dance floor. Kyle held his hand out the Sera, who took it and they headed for the dance floor. Isabel smiled at Max and Liz, "It's okay. You two don't have to babysit me." She flipped a hand in the air, "such is the life when you date a musician."

Max and Liz had their chairs as close together as possible, Max's arm wrapped around her with her head on his shoulder and her hand on his leg. She smiled up at Max, "I'm fine right where I am." Max leaned over to plant a kiss on her lips. When the kiss began to linger, Isabel sat with her hand in her chin, "Uh, guys, I think I'd just as soon you go dance." Max and Liz broke apart with guilty looks, "Sorry." Max shrugged at his sister.

"No you are not." Isabel grinned, "You're just sorry that I stopped you." When he made a face at her, she laughed as she stood up. "Very mature, Max, I think I'll go check on how the new shirts fit the guys anyway."

As she walked away, Max pulled Liz closer, "I thought she'd never leave. Now where were we?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Isabel walked back stage just in time to hear the guys grumbling about their new shirts. She overheard Jonathan, the drummer, "What was wrong with our own clothes, Whitman? Do you let your girlfriend dress you everyday?" She rushed up before Alex could respond and an argument broke out, pretending like she had not heard.

"Oh, my," she gushed, "look at you guys, you look terrific." Several surprised and guilty faces turned to her as she came closer. "Jonathan, I just knew that shirt would look good on you." "Uh, re-really?" the young man stammered. Isabel smoothed down his collar, "Stripes are very slimming, you know."

She turned to the other guitar player and smiled, "That really brings out the blue in your eyes. I didn't even realize you had blue eyes." Batting her own eyes at him.

Alex stood back watching Isabel work her magic on his band members and inwardly rolled his eyes thinking, "Oh, brother."

He was startled when she turned to him, "And you." His eyes widened, as she stepped close enough to press her body against his, "You look good fabulous." She caught his lips with hers and just as he began to return the kiss to the groans of his buddies, he heard Maria's voice, "Alex! It's time to go on. Isabel let go of him." Breaking the kiss, Isabel smiled, "Later." Taking a shaky breath, he whispered, "Oh, yeah."

As The Whit's performed their set, with Maria singing along on a few songs, the others sat at the table applauding enthusiastically at the end of each number. The Whit's and Maria were a hit.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


It was very early in the morning when Nasedo knocked on Tess's door. He ignored her sleepy grumbling as he entered holding several brochures. "Where to next, my little Queen? Paris? Rome? Madrid?"

Tess pushed the messy hair out of her eyes and glanced at the brochures, "We're leaving? Why?" She wasn't ready to give up Ian. He was no Kyle in the sack, but he wasn't bad either.

"I figured you were getting bored here. If you aren't interested in traveling, I suppose we could begin planning our return to Roswell. I'd sure like to know what's going on with our little pod people. Maybe I should pop back over there."

Tess shrugged as if she didn't care. "I'm sure Max and Liz are busy holding hands at the Crashdown, making googly eyes at each other while Liz plans what to wear to the Prom."

"The Prom." Nasedo asked, "That's a big deal for them, isn't it?"

"Sure, if you are a boring high schooler." Tess would die before admitting that she wished she were going to the prom, and with Kyle.

Nasedo rubbed chin, "When is this Prom?"

"In a couple of weeks, why?" Tess looked at Nasedo suspiciously.

"I'm thinking we should plan our return when they are involved in something other than wondering about us." Nasedo smiled, "Yes, it should be an exciting evening."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter 69


When The Whit's took a break, Liz hopped up to give both Alex and Maria hugs of congratulations. "You guys were terrific." As Alex and Maria took seats beside Michael and Isabel, Liz remained standing. "I hate to be a party pooper,” she grimaced, “but I have to get back in time to close up the Crash."

"Where are your folks?" Kyle asked as he looked at the congealing cheese on his nachos with distaste. Sera leaned over and unobtrusively eased her hand over his plate warming it up. Kyle rewarded her with a kiss to the cheek.

Smiling at them, Liz answered, "Albuquerque. They drove up this morning for a trade show. Dad's thinking of getting one of those soft-serve ice cream dispensers."

"So, who's minding the store?" Alex asked, stealing one of Kyle’s now hot nachos.

"Jose has the kitchen, and Kathy and Susan are in charge of the front, but neither has ever closed up, so I have to do it."

Alex gave Liz a look of exaggerated surprise, "But, Liz, if your folks are out of town, won't you be all alone tonight?"

"Gee, Alex, thanks for your concern." She made a face at him, "But not to worry, I told my mom that Maria was staying with me." Then grabbing Max by the hand, she tugged him to his feet, "Come on, Maria, let's go."

As the others laughed and groaned at them, they said their goodnights and made their way to the exit.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After locking up and cleaning for the night, Liz sent the staff home and she and Max made their way upstairs. After entering Liz's room, Liz excused herself and went into the bathroom. Max toed off his shoes and pulled off his socks. After removing his shirt, he lit some candles, dimmed the lights and dialed Liz's stereo to one of those light romantic radio stations. He had just turned down the covers on the bed when the bathroom door opened, and mere feet away stood his Liz framed in the darkened doorway. He froze as he took in the candlelight dancing along her skin. She still wore the red halter, but the jeans had been removed to reveal a pair of tiny lacy red panties. His eyes slid along the length of her tanned legs… hot damn, she was wearing those red high heels. He felt his manhood twitch in anticipation.

Max wasn't the only one enjoying the view. Liz's heart began to race as she took in Max's muscled chest, biceps and the low slung jeans that fit snugly to him. Hmmmm, a little too snugly in front she noticed with a smile. She took a step forward and Max moved to meet her, cupping her face, "God, you're beautiful." He whispered. As she stroked her fingers over his pecs, she gave him a shy smile, "So are you." She wrapped her arms around his neck as he bent to kiss her, their tongues tangled together. Liz drew her hands down to unfasten Max's jeans, while Max's fingers tangled with the strings that criss-crossed her back holding the halter together. In seconds, the halter floated to the floor and Max's hands slid down to cup her bottom pulling her tightly against him as his mouth slid down her neck.

"Have I… mentioned," Max whispered against her skin, "that I really… like… your shoes?" Liz giggled, "Maybe once or twice." But her giggles caught in her throat when he bent her backward to capture her pebbled nipple in his mouth. As he tugged, she grasped the back of his head, "Oh, Max," she sighed. After paying homage to both breasts, Max sank to his knees as he lightly nipped at her stomach, dipping his tongue in to her bellybutton. As his nose nuzzled the top band of lace, he found the scent of her arousal intoxicating.

Feeling Liz's legs tremble, Max gently pushed her to sit on the bed as he knelt before her. He hooked his fingers in the damp scrap covering the treasure he sought, and pulled it down her legs, being careful not to disturb those sexy red heels. Planting kisses on her knees, he pushed them apart, dragging his lips along her inner thighs. Liz’s breath hitched, as his lips neared her core. "Max, please…" Liz leaned up, intending to pull his face to where she wanted, but he grabbed her hand and kissed her palm, "Soon, baby." He lifted her legs to place them over his shoulders and finally, gave her the kisses she was whimpering for. She fell back on the bed when he stroked his tongue over her throbbing flesh, and he slid his hands under her bottom to hold her steady. As his lips and tongue worked her fevered flesh, she grasped the sheets, holding on for dear life. He eased a finger inside her, then another as his lips caught the bundle of nerves and tugged. As he felt her body begin to climax, he sucked hard on the little nub and gave his fingers a slight vibration. "Maaaaaaaaxxxxxxxxx!" Liz flew apart, her hips bucking wildly as she cried out, "yesssssss, oh God, Max."

As she lay back in a sated stupor, Max rose to drop kisses up her body until he reached her mouth. As he leaned over her, his erection strained against his boxers and his loosened pants hung from his body. After several kisses, he stood up to strip off his pants and crawled up to lay naked against Liz's body. She reached down to grasp him and her eyes widened, damn, he seemed even larger than normal. The thought sent fresh waves of desire rushing through her. Max positioned himself between her thighs, rubbing his engorged member along her quivering folds. With his hands braced on either side of her shoulders, he bent to kiss her breasts. Liz tugged his face up to hers, and looked into his eyes, "Now, Max, please, now." He slid home, burying himself deeply. He slowly began to move, settling into a rhythm that Liz matched. They rocked together until they both reached shattering climaxes.

They lay wrapped in each other's arms as the afterglow slowly faded. Liz whispered, rubbing her cheek on his shoulder, "I'm so glad you don't have to sneak out, that I can hold you close all night."

Max stroked his fingers through her tousled hair, "Me, too. I wish I could fall asleep like this every night and wake up with you every morning."

She fell silent for a moment, as she lightly drew her fingers along his arm, then she spoke in a husky voice, "Do you… do you think we'll make it, Max?"

Surprised, he glanced down at her, "Liz?"

"I just mean…" She gave him a shaky smile, "It's just that I love you so much, and I know that… that she had to have loved him just as much, but it all went wrong for them. What's to stop that from happening with us?"

His heart clutched as tears filled her chocolate eyes, "Awww, baby." He shifted so they lay facing each other and pulled the covers up over them. "I don't know what this new timeline will bring us, Liz, but I know that we are much better informed than they were. We have the translation, we have the knowledge that Tess leaving was not the reason for their failure, that she and Nasedo betrayed us. And don't forget, we have Tyler and Sera with us much sooner, and we have a firm foundation with our friends. Most important, we have each other.” He rubbed his thumb across her cheek, “Remember?” he whispered, “We create our own destinies."

She gave him a watery smile, “Don't think that I doubt us, Max, not at all. But talking about when we won't have to part at night, just made me feel… a little scared that something will ruin it for us."

"Liz, I'm just as scared as you." He admitted, "but whether we have fourteen years, or more or even less, I know I want to spend everyday of it with you. But I promise, I'll do everything in my power to make sure we have long happy lives, with Isabel driving us crazy with her organizing, and Michael and Maria happily bickering with each other, and someday sitting in rockers with our grandkids playing at our feet."

She leaned up and brushed his bangs back, "Grandchildren? I think you left out a step there, Max." He widened his eyes, "You're right, you can't have grandkids without children now, can you?" He rolled her over and settled between her thighs, "We don't want to get that part wrong, so I think we need practice." As he kissed her smiling lips, she whispered, "Lots and lots of practice."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Late Sunday morning, Liz and Maria were waiting on customers as Michael worked the kitchen. Max was helping out here and there. The bell over the door jingled, and Max looked up from busing a table to see Isabel come in with their parents. As the trio settled at a nearby table, Isabel teased him, "Taking on a second job, Max?"

His father grinned, "First the UFO Center and now the Crashdown? I'm beginning to think you have a thing for aliens, Max."

His mom saved him from having to respond with, "Oh, I think it's a certain dark haired waitress that he has a thing for, honey."

"Mommmm." Max blushed, just as Liz walked up, antennae bobbing on her head. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Isabel." She grinned and said perkily, "My name is Liz, and I'll be your server today." They exchanged pleasantries and Liz told Max, "Max, I appreciate your help, but why don't you take a break and have some breakfast with your folks?"

"Thank you, Liz." Diane Evans smiled at her, as Max sat down beside his dad. "It seems like we never get a chance to see Max and Isabel. They are always off somewhere. But can't you join us?"

"Wish I could," she said with regret, "but Agnes didn't show up again this morning, that's why Max was helping out.”

Isabel shook her head, “Again? Why doesn’t your dad just fire her?”

Liz shrugged, “Sometimes I think she’s been here since the building was built. I know she was already a waitress here when Mom and Dad bought the place. Lousy as she is, he just doesn’t have the heart to let her go. Usually we can manage, but with Dad not here this morning…” she grinned, “as soon as Max came through the door, I shanghaied him.”

Max teased, “The pay isn’t great,” he pulled Liz down onto his lap and gave her a quick kiss, “but you can’t beat the fringe benefits.”


~~~~~~~~~~~


The breakfast and brunch customers had thinned out, including Mr. and Mrs. Evans, so Liz and Maria were taking advantage of the slow time before the after church crowd arrived to hang out with Max, Isabel and Alex. The door opened and Kyle and Sera walked in, hand in hand. Maria gave them a grin, "Hey, guys, can I get you something to drink?"

Kyle shook his head as he pulled out a chair for Sera, "Nope, but you can take a to go order for a couple of Galaxy Subs. We're headed out to the lake for a little hiking, a little fishing and a picnic."

As Maria made her way to the back, Isabel snerled her nose, "Fishing? Don't you have to get up at dawn to go fishing? Max and Dad always did."

"Ugh," Liz shuddered as she looked at Kyle, "I hated it when you would take me fishing."

Kyle fixed her with a disbelieving look, "Uh, Liz, I only took you once. You wouldn't even touch the bait, much less put it on a hook."

"Well, no, it was slimy and stinky." Liz defended herself. "Sera, are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into?"

Sera gave Kyle a guilty smile, before answering. "Actually, I was hoping to tire him out with hiking and then filling him full of Galaxy Subs, so maybe he'd forget all about the fishing part."

“Hey!” But before Kyle could protest further, the bell over the door rang and everyone went silent as Eddie walked through the door.

"Eddie!" Liz walked over to him with a smile, "Are you meeting anyone, or are you here by yourself?"

Noticing several patrons in the dining area looking their way, he leaned over and spoke softly, "I need to speak to you and Max, Riverdog sent me."

She looked startled, "Oh." She motioned for Max to join them, "let's go into the back."


~~~~~~~~~~~


When Michael looked up to see Max and Liz enter the back with Eddie, he pushed the burgers on the grill to the back and he and Maria walked around to meet them, "Eddie. What's up, man?"

By this time, Isabel, Alex, Kyle and Sera had made their way to the back area. Seeing Eddie glance over at Kyle and Sera, Liz smiled, "It's okay, Eddie, they're with us."

Maria popped up, “Yeah, we’re like Max’s ‘Scooby Gang’.”

Alex grinned, “So, does that make Max our ‘Buffy’?”

Kyle sardonically replied, “If only Tess and Nasedo were vamps, we could just put a stake through their lying hearts.” He mimicked a staking motion.

Max rolled his eyes at his friends and looked back at Eddie, “And moving right along…”

Eddie just shook his head at this strange bunch of allies. "Remember those severe storms that rolled through last week?" Max nodded.

"Apparently those storms caused a rockslide a mile or so from the map cave. I noticed it yesterday while out riding. The slide revealed a small cave. I started to explore it a bit, but after only a few feet into the cave, I noticed strange drawings."

"Drawings?" Michael asked, "You mean like in our cave?"

Eddie nodded, "Yes, similar. I went to Riverdog and he said to come tell you, Max."

Kyle looked at Sera, "Looks like our hiking trip just changed to a cave hunt."

Max asked Eddie, "Will you show us this new cave?" Eddie nodded, "Yes, but if all of you are coming out, you probably shouldn't all come through the reservation. Take the back way and Riverdog and I can meet you at the original cave."

"But when, Max?" Liz indicated herself, Michael and Maria, "We can't just leave the Crashdown. We don't have anyone to cover for us, and my parents will home any time."

“When do you guys get off?”

“Not until 2:00.”

Max looked at his watch, "It's not even noon yet, so we'll just wait until you get off.” He told Eddie, “We’ll plan to meet you at the cave around 3:00.”

As Eddie turned to leave, Liz stopped him, “Eddie, wait.” She handed him a to go bag, “Here are some Galaxy Subs for you and Riverdog, on the house.”

Thanking her, Eddie went out the back way, Kyle gave Liz a look, “Did you just give away my sandwiches?”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Devil Kitty]

nusacme, thanks for reading the story. Hope you are enjoying it. I am finally posting the remainder of the story.

Chapter 70

While Liz, Michael and Maria finished out their shifts, Max, Isabel and Alex went by the Evans house. After telling their parents that they were spending the afternoon hiking with their friends, Max and Isabel went to change clothes, while Alex went through their camping gear to fill a couple of backpacks with some battery lanterns, flashlights and extra batteries.

The three met in the garage and were headed out when the kitchen door opened and Mrs. Evans stopped them. "Max?” He turned and she offered, “Honey, I could make some sandwiches to take with you. I just bought a roll of liverwurst earlier today."

With a hard swallow, Max shook his head, "Uh, thanks, Mom, but I think that Liz was going to pack some stuff from the café."

As Isabel and Alex walked hand in hand out to the jeep, Alex looked over at Max, "What is liverwurst?"

Isabel shuddered as Max replied, "Believe me, the name says it all."


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Just after 2:00 o'clock, the gang met back at the Crashdown. Everyone had changed into hiking clothes. Alex and Isabel hopped into the back of the jeep while Max assisted Liz into the front. Max thought Liz looked adorable in her khaki shorts and hiking boots with her long hair pulled back in a ponytail, the end hanging through the back of a baseball cap. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear, “Do you know just how cute you are?” as he ran his finger up her bare leg. With a slight shiver, she grabbed his roving hand. “Behave, Max.” Turning her head, she nipped at his lip and whispered, “At least until later.”

Alex just shook his head while Isabel let hers fall back as she groaned, “Maaaxx. Let’s go.”

As Max made his way around to the driver’s seat he noticed that Sera, Michael and Maria were all settled in Kyle's car.

Following the jeep, Kyle was concerned when they turned down what appeared to be an old abandoned dirt road. While the Jeep bounced merrily along the narrow track, the Mustang was taking a beating. “Damn, this isn’t a road, it’s a footpath.”

"Ouch!" Sera's head hit the side window. She rubbed the spot, "I think your Mustang has turned into a bucking bronco." As the seatbelt once again saved Maria from pitching forward, she stated, "I knew I should have beat Isabel to the jeep."

"Don't blame me," Kyle groused as he fought the steering wheel. "I didn't pick this route." They brushed against scrubby bushes, "Damn," he threatened, "I’m going to kick El Presidente’s kingly butt for every scratch on my car."

Michael just braced himself and listened to their complaints in silence, but was secretly planning how to force Isabel and Alex into the backseat for the return ride.

Finally, Max pulled the jeep off into a small clearing. Kyle parked beside him, and when the occupants of the Mustang crawled out, Max called out, "We'll have to walk from here, I don't think the cars will make it much further."

"You mean the road gets worse?" Maria asked in disbelief.

"Evans!" Kyle cried out after getting a look at the damage to his car. “Look at my car!”

Max rubbed at his forehead, "Uh, sorry, Kyle." Looking at the multitude of scratches, "Eddie didn't mention just how bad the road would be."

Popping the trunk to take out the backpacks, Kyle glared, "There had better not be a single scratch on this baby when we back to the main road."

Sera slipped her hand in Kyle's and smiled, "Don't worry, Kyle, I can fix it for you."

Looking down into her bright green eyes, he smiled back suddenly feeling better. "Thank you, sweetie," giving her a kiss.

Michael rolled his eyes, "We will fix the car, Kyle. Can we just go now? Riverdog's waiting."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Arriving at the map cave, they found Riverdog and Eddie waiting just outside. Max apologized and explained why they were late.

"It's fine, Max." Riverdog told him. "We've haven't been waiting long." He smiled at Liz, "How have you been, little one?" She gave him a bright smile, "I'm fine. Michael's been working with me, I pretty much have things under control now."

Michael grinned, "She packs quite a whallup, definitely hell on a can of peaches."

Liz punched his arm as they laughed. Riverdog then noticed Kyle and Sera. Max pulled Sera over, "Riverdog, I'd like you to meet Serena, but we call her Sera. She's like us. She and her protector were sent here to find out what happened to us." Sera gave Riverdog a shy smile and a quiet "nice to meet you."

When Kyle stepped up beside Sera, Riverdog spoke, "You are the Sheriff's son. The other one Max healed." Kyle nodded, "But so far I haven't started crackling like Liz."

Riverdog smiled at Max and Liz, "I think Liz and Max are a special circumstance.” He looked back at Kyle for several long seconds, until Kyle shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. Riverdog spoke, "You may never be affected as Liz has, but even so I see an inner strength in you." He nodded his head, "You will serve your friends well, young Valenti." Kyle blushed and Sera squeezed his hand.

Smiling at the group of young people, Riverdog said, “Are you ready to visit the new cave?”

Max asked Riverdog, "Have you examined it? Seen the symbols?"

Riverdog shook his head, "We decided to wait for you."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Eddie led the way as they hiked approximately a mile from the map cave. As they neared the area, they saw the evidence of the rockslide. Looking around, Liz walked up to where several boulders with scorch marks had come to rest. She pointed out an area of scorched rock just above the now revealed cave, she surmised, "It looks like lightening struck up there and knocked these boulders loose. As they came crashing down, they must have knocked against the rocks that hid the entrance."

As they all reached for flashlights and lanterns, Maria looked at the opening nervously, "It looks kind of small, how big is this cave?"

Max shrugged, "Only one way to find out." Taking Liz by the hand, they led the way into the opening. Although they all had to crouch to enter the cave, they discovered after a few feet that it was larger inside. Soon they were all able to stand up straight as they found themselves in a small cave about ten to twelve feet in size.

"I hope no one has claustrophobia." Isabel noted the tight quarters.

"I just hope everyone remembered to wear deodorant." Alex joked.

They shined the beams of their flashlights on the drawing that had been painted on one wall. Max noted, "This drawing is of some kind of figures, there aren’t any symbols at all."

Liz noted, "It looks like a pictograph."

Riverdog examined the drawing. "Yes, it is, and appears to be very old." He pointed out the figures and plants included in the rather crude drawing. "See, these figures seem to represent the people in a village praying for good crops."

"So it has nothing to do with us." Max said in disappointment.

Eddie spoke up, "I’m sorry, Max. I should have come inside and looked closer, but I didn't want to risk disturbing anything. Looks like I lead you all on a wild goose chase."

Maria had maneuvered her way to stand in front of Michael. "Maybe not." She pointed out the oval shape the villagers were looking at. "I don’t think this is the sun, it’s not round at all."

"She's right." Michael agreed.

Liz took Max's arm, "Maybe the original pictograph was altered." She then turned to Michael, "Michael, why don't you see if you get any vibrations from the picture, the way you did on the cave map?" He rubbed his right hand over the drawing on the cave wall, but nothing. He silently held out his left hand to Liz, and she placed hers in his, but still nothing. "Damn." He whispered. He stepped back to stand beside Maria.

Liz continued to look at the drawing, "Max, look." She pointed to the edge of the pictograph and a drawing of a mountain with a sharp slanted peak. "This looks like rock formation where the PodChamber is."

”It does.” Max placed his hand over the drawing and the outline of the rock formation began to glow. As Max pulled his hand back a tiny inverted cone appeared inside the mountain drawing. There were several exclamations that drowned out a slight scraping sound.

Max smiled at Liz, excitement on his face, "It's the Granolith." Turning to Michael and Isabel, "This is for us."

"For you, Max." Michael observed, "Nothing happened when I touched it.”

“Max has the seal.” Liz stated, “So it must have been programmed to only react to whoever has that seal in their brain."

Kyle looked at Max, “You have a seal in your brain?” Liz told him, “It was in the translation. I think they all have a sort of tattoo of the Royal Seal programmed in their brains. Max’s is apparently active because he was the king. If anything happened to him, then one of the others would probably become activated.”

“Brain tattoos?” Kyle looked perplexed.

Maria gave Kyle a sympathetic look, “Don’t try to figure out the alien abyss, Kyle. It’ll just give you a headache. Wouldn’t Buddha tell you to just go with the flow?”

Alex grinned, “Yes, young grasshopper, we shall show you the Zen of Alienation.”

Michael glared at them, “If you three are quite through, we have a drawing to figure out.”

The trio shrugged their apologies, but Alex winked at Maria as she stuck her tongue out at the back of Michael’s head.

"But who did this?" Isabel asked as she indicated the drawing, "And why was it hidden away? If Eddie hadn't just happened by, we wouldn't know anything about this."

“The cave was probably open after the drawing was made for you.” Liz looked at Isabel. “I’m guessing that there was probably another rockslide at some point, which hid the cave from view.

"The Why, I don't now, but I'm guessing the Who would be the ones who came before." All eyes turned to Kyle, who shrugged, "After all, you weren't the first ones here."

Isabel nodded, "He's right, Max. There had to be someone who collected the DNA from our human donors."

"And someone had to create those chambers and set up the Granolith." Liz agreed, "Remember when I got the flashes of the crash? The army was there fast and those aliens that survived were busy rescuing your pods. They wouldn’t have had time to create the PodChamber, must less move and install the Granolith. It had to have already been here."

Sera spoke, "I wish Tyler were here, he knows more of the history of the Granolith than I do."

Alex spoke up, "Okay, I’m just speculating here. We know the Royal House on Antar was in charge of guarding the Granolith for like, oh, a millennia, give or take a hundred years. So what better way to hide it from their enemies than in another solar system?"

Eddie spoke up, “There are many old stories in our culture about the Sky People.”

Max passed his hand back over the drawing and it ceased to glow and the image of the Granolith disappeared. As it did, he thought he heard a faint sound. "Did anyone hear that?" Liz nodded, "Like a scraping sound?"

She moved her light around the small cave, but didn't notice anything. "Everyone be very quiet," she spoke softly, "Max, light it up again." As he did, they all heard the scraping sound. Everyone flashed their lights around the small cave, and Alex called out, "Max, look behind you." Turning Max saw that there was a crack in the back wall that wasn't there before. It ran from top to bottom, only a couple of inches wide.

As he reached to examine it, Kyle called out, "Max, wait. It could be a booby trap, like in Indiana Jones."

Max turned to Kyle, "But it only appeared when I lit up the drawing of the peak."

"Hey, they're your fingers," Kyle shrugged.

"He's got a point, Maxwell." Michael turned to Eddie, who was closest to the entrance, "Eddie, could you see if there are any sticks out there we can test with?"

Minutes later, Max took the stick Eddie found and ran it along the opening from top to bottom. Nothing happened, so taking a deep breath, he eased his hand into the opening at eye level and ran it up as far as he could reach, feeling nothing he then ran his hand downward. Feeling a notch near the bottom, he knelt and pressed on it, but nothing happened. Resting his forehead against the wall, he asked in frustration, "Damn, how does this thing open?"

Liz kneeled down beside him, "Max, use your powers. Maybe it's waiting for an alien boost." Max smiled at her and he once again pressed the notch and his hand began to glow.

He and Liz fell back on their bottoms in surprise, when a section of the back wall slid sideways with a "whoosh" revealing a small alcove. Max helped Liz to her feet, and there resting on a small rock ledge was a rectangular shaped box. It appeared to be made of the same metallic material as the alien book. Max reached for it and brought it out, turning to face his friends. “Max,” Liz whispered, “Your symbol.” The cover of the box had the whirlwind symbol etched into it. As he and Liz moved away from the opening, it suddenly slid shut, leaving no sign it had ever been there.

After a few seconds, Kyle blurted out, "Well, don't just stand there, Max, open the damn thing."

Max raised the lid to reveal a clear cylindrical crystal. "It's the Granolith Key." He stated.

As Kyle took a peek, he looked around, "That’s the key? Maria was right, it does look like a…"

"Don't even go there, Valenti." Michael interrupted him. "That is an important piece of alien technology, the key to the Granolith, and I won’t have everyone ridicul…" Maria grabbed Max's hand and shoved the box under Michael's nose. "Oh, hell," he murmured as he took a good look.

"Told you," she grinned, "penis envy."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 71

Michael looked at the crystal in Max's hand, "So, now that we have it, what do we do with it?"

"I think we should put it back." Isabel suggested. "It's been safely hidden all this time. Then we can move the rocks back in front of the entrance."

"But what if Nasedo knows about this place?" Alex asked her.

"I don't think he does, or he would have already been here." Max told him, "Besides if I'm the only one who can open the alcove, it won't matter if he does know."

So after they all agreed to replace the crystal, Max turned back to the pictograph and placed his hand on the drawing of the mountain peak.

---Nothing happened---

"Uh, Maxwell?" Michael looked at him, "Shouldn't it start glowing?"

"It should, but it's not." Max looked around, confusion on his face, "I don't understand. This is what I did before." He pressed his hand against the drawing.

Liz looked up at him, "Max, I think this means that you are in charge of the Key now."

Alex agreed. "Could be. The translation said you guys were sent here to guard the Granolith. Since you were the only one who could reveal the hiding place, Max, I'm guessing that when you took the crystal, you accepted responsibility."

Liz waved her hand towards the now solid back wall, "And now their responsibility has ended."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tess and Nasedo had plane reservations to Paris for the following morning. They planned to stay there until time for their return to Roswell. Telling Nasedo that she wanted to pack and turn in early, Tess went to her room. About an hour later, however, she eased the door open. After looking up and down the hall, she scooted down the stairs to meet Ian at the employee's lounge.

"Wow," Ian grinned, looking at her from head to toe and back up, as she stood dressed in a hot pink spaghetti strapped tank top, short black leather skirt and strappy sandals, "You look hot."

A pleased Tess smiled back, "Come on, it's my last night in London, and you promised to show me the town."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Realizing there was nothing else for them to learn in the cave, Max placed the crystal box into his backpack and they all turned to leave. Even thought the crystal would no longer be there, they decided to replace the rocks that had fallen from the front of the cave to protect the drawing.

Riverdog and Eddie were amazed at the demonstration of powers as Max, Michael, Isabel and Sera not only combined their powers to lift and move large rocks and heavy boulders, but also changed the landscape so that when they were through, there was no evidence of the cave opening at all. Now they just had to come up with a new safe hiding place for the crystal.

After Max and his "scoobies" thanked Riverdog and Eddie for all their help, and after Liz gave them both hugs, the gang began hiking back to the cars.

Max looked over at Kyle as he and Sera walked hand in hand. "Kyle, would it be alright if we all meet at your house later this evening? That way we can bring the Sheriff and Tyler up to speed on the crystal."

"That's fine," Kyle nodded. "Sera can call Tyler and I'll let Dad know."

As they neared the cars, Michael grabbed Maria's hand and rushed ahead. "Dibs on the jeep." He called back over his shoulder.

Arriving at the cars, the rest found Michael and Maria already ensconced in the back of the jeep. Kyle looked over at Sera and winked at her before saying, "Hey, Max, why don't you and Liz ride with me and Sera, since you have some body work to do on my car when we get out of here."

Max shrugged, "Sure." He tossed Isabel the keys to the jeep, and taking Liz's hand moved to Kyle's car.

When Isabel opened the door to the jeep, Michael just shook his head. "Sorry, Isabel, you and Alex will have to ride back with Kyle."

She rolled her eyes and held up the keys, "I'm here to drive the jeep, Michael. Kyle wanted Max to ride with him."

Looking back to see Max climbing into the back of Kyle's car, Michael began laughing.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




After navigating the dirt track, Kyle pulled his Mustang over for its repair job. As the occupants of the jeep exited, Kyle ran around to open Sera's door, then assisted Liz out of the back, leaving Max to climb out on his own.

Michael and Maria strolled over, both wearing grins. "Enjoy the ride?" Michael asked.

Max shook his head as he stretched out the kinks, "Man, I just hope we never have to take that road again." Liz bent over and stretched out her own muscles, "Amen."

Within minutes, the PodSquad had repaired the car, leaving it in better condition than when Kyle started out that afternoon.

With Kyle happy once again, he offered, "Why don't you guys come on over to the house? We can grill out, and Max can fill my dad and Tyler in on that key thing."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tess and Ian entered a London discotheque, lights flashing and music thumping. Ian pulled her along as they came up on a table with another couple and over the noise loudly spoke, "Tess, this is my pal, Miles and his girlfriend, Wendy." Tess smiled, "Nice to meet you," but was a bit taken aback as she looked at Miles. He was taller and a bit heavier and his hair was lighter, but the resemblance to Kyle was striking.

Tess knew about Max's experience with alcohol, but her own experiments with it had not resulted in anything overtly unusual, as long as she drank in moderation. As she consumed several beverages, her inhibitions slid even further away. While dancing with Miles as Ian danced with Wendy, Tess slipped a piece of paper into Miles' shirt pocket.

As short while later Tess came out of the ladies room and was waylaid by Miles. "I read your note." He pulled it from his pocket and held it up. The slip of paper only bore the name of a hotel and a room number. "What about Ian?" he asked. The crush of people pressed them close together.

"Ian is sweet, but I'm leaving London tomorrow, so after tonight, I'll never see him again." She looked deep into his eyes as she pushed her hand down between them and squeezed the front of his pants, feeling him harden, "but I'd like to see much more of you before morning." At his quick intake, she turned and walked back to their table.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After arriving back in Roswell, everyone briefly split up to change clothes, (and after making a grocery run since Kyle admitted that he didn't actually have anything at home to grill) they all met back up at Casa Valenti.

The teens took on various chores to get the cookout started. Kyle and Alex took the charcoal outside to fire up the grill. Liz and Maria were getting the hamburger patties and wieners ready for grilling. Sera turned to setting out paper plates, napkins, plastic cups and cutlery plus various condiments, while Isabel was using her powers to rapidly boil then cool potatoes to make potato salad.

Max and Michael sat with the Sheriff and Tyler at the kitchen table while the opened alien box sat before them with the crystal nestled within. After describing their experiences that afternoon, Max looked to Tyler, "Tyler, all we know about the crystal is what we read in the translation. Now that we have this 'key', we have no idea how to use it."

"Max, I don't believe you are supposed to use it at all." Tyler told him. "Well, not unless there comes a time when it's necessary to protect the Granolith, and in that case, then I believe the Granolith itself would probably instruct you on what to do. I think in the meantime, your job is to protect the location of the Granolith and keep that crystal safe."

"So we just do nothing?" Michael asked in disappointment.

"Of course not, Spaceboy." Maria plopped a platter of raw burgers down in front of him and with a grin instructed. "You can carry this out to Alex and Kyle."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After the first batch of burgers and hotdogs came off the grill and were brought into the kitchen, Sera fixed a plate and carried it outside. As Kyle saw her approach with a full plate, he grinned. "Hungry?" Sera blushed, "I thought you might like something while you finish up the rest." Kyle took the plate from her hands and sat it on the wooden ledge attached to the grill. He pulled her into his arms with a "thanks" as he kissed her. "Mmmmm," he whispered, "I always did like dessert first." As he pulled a chair close to his for Sera to sit in, they began to share the plate of food.

As Liz and Maria peeked out the kitchen window they grinned at each other. With a sigh, Maria declared, "I should go into business." She waved her hand across the air. "Matchmaking by Maria. What do you think, 'chica?"

"I know what I think," Michael called out, "I think you should get over here and fix your man some food."

Maria whirled with her hands on her hips and a 'what the hell' look on her face to find Michael sitting at the table, his full plate in front of him and a grin on his face and he munched down on a burger.

Before too long they were all consuming mass quantities of food and acting like any group of normal rowdy teens with the Sheriff and Tyler taking on the role of indulgent parents. After Kyle and Sera brought in the rest of the grilled meats, Sera and Maria shared a look of consternation as Kyle challenged Michael to a hot dog eating contest.

After clearing the remains of their meal away, the teens were milling around seemingly in no hurry to leave. Tyler mentioned seeing some poker chips on the bookcase, so the Sheriff brought out a deck of playing cards and soon a poker game was taking place around the kitchen table. The players consisted of Valenti, Tyler, Max, Alex and Kyle.

The girls and Michael were sitting in the living room as Isabel flipped the channel around on the television, settling on MTV. When a video of Christina Aguilera came on, Michael groaned. "Ugh!" He walked over to the stereo cabinet, "There's got to be something better here than that." He began looking through the CD's in the storage unit. He turned and gave Kyle a disgusted look, "Damn, Valenti, you got Sluttany Spears and N'Suck in here." Shaking his head, "I thought better of you."

Kyle glared, "Hey, that crap isn't mine - Tess left those behind."

At Kyle's words, Michael lifted the offending CD's out of the carrier and with a shudder, tossed them in the trash.

The Sheriff laughed, "Michael, if you want to listen to some good music, look in that wood case on the shelf above the stereo."

Michael took the case down and lifted the lid up, and flipped through several CD's calling out the names of the artists. "ZZ Top, Nazareth, Foghat, Mountain, Led Zeplin, Lynyrd Skynyrd…" He grinned at the Sheriff. "I'm impressed, didn't have you pegged for a closet rocker, more like Garth Brooks."

Jim rubbed his face and smiled, "I guess I am more into country styles nowadays, but I had my moments back in the 70's."

Liz walked over to join Michael and pulled out one CD and laughed. "I think my dad still has a box of 8-tracks with some of these."

"Enough with memory lane, Dad." Kyle told his father, "Come on, either ante up or fold."

As the card game progressed, the girls danced around in the living room as Michael manned the stereo and song choices.

As Maria harassed Michael about playing something slower, Max's attention was torn between the poker hand he held and watching the sensuous swaying of Liz's hips to the beat of the music. Hmmm, winning hand or Sexy Liz – winning hand or Sexy Liz?

Maria won out and placed a CD in the stereo. Mountain's slow, haunting "Nantucket Sleighride" began to play. "I fold," Max exclaimed as he dropped his cards face down and made a beeline for Liz. She turned her head and smiled up at him as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Kyle flipped Max's cards over, "Damn, he had four of a kind!"

Alex grinned as Liz turned in Max's arms and raised her arms up around his neck. "Guess he exchanged it for a Royal Flush. Think I'll get one of my own." He laid his own cards down and headed over to Isabel.

Seeing Sera standing alone in the dimly lit living room, Kyle shrugged at his dad with a grin of his own, "Sorry, Dad, but she's prettier than you are."

Tyler gave Jim a look of chagrin, and stood up. "Guess that leaves us as odd men out. Think I'll just head on home and catch the end of the Rockies game on ESPN."

Jim looked at his watch, "And I think I'll give Amy a call. See if she wants to get some coffee or something."

Tyler bid the teens goodnight and headed home, feeling a twinge of loneliness. Even though he was proud to have been chosen as a Protector and was usually perfectly content with his role in this life, sometimes he longed for a companion of his own, preferably of the feminine persuasion.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


It was late when Tess and Ian returned to her hotel. After convincing Ian that she had to return to her room alone before her 'dad' found out that she had snuck out, she gave him a phony address and phone number in the States and a passionate goodbye kiss. Entering her room, she looked around but saw no sign that Nasedo had been in there. She stripped off her clothes and walked into the bathroom.

A short while later, there was a light tap on her door. Walking up to look out the peephole, she smiled. As the door opened, Miles stepped through, but didn't see anyone, until the door closed behind him to reveal Tess leaning up against it, stark naked. At his startled look, she grinned, "Oh, come on, you know you didn't come here to talk."

He smiled as she approached to help him remove his own clothes. Kissing her, Miles slid his hands down to cup her ass, his erection pressing against her. She pushed him to sit on the foot of the bed and straddled his hips as they kissed. Stretching out on the bed, their bodies writhed and she stroked his forehead, implanting a suggestion in his mind. He flipped her over and pounded into her welcoming body. They rocked together and as they reached completion, Miles cried out, "I love you, Tess." As his climax burst within her, her body shuddered under his, she answered - "I love you, too, Kyle."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Devil Kitty]

Chapter 72

Once the Sheriff left to meet Amy, the teens continued to play music and dance in the low light of the living room. Maria coaxed Michael into swaying along with her to a few slow tunes, but when Foghat's faster paced "Slow Ride" came on, Maria allowed Michael to bow out. As he plopped down in the Sheriff's easy chair, she draped herself across his lap. Michael held her close, both laughing as Isabel tried to teach Kyle, Sera and Alex some dance steps.

Over in a dimly lit corner, Max and Liz ignoring the faster music continued to dance slowly, arms tightly wound completely engrossed in each other. "Max…" Liz whispered, "We're not being very sociable." Max slid his hands down to grasp her hips, his lips nuzzling her ear, "Do you want to stop? Join the others?" She shifted her head to brush her lips against his, "I was thinking more of us dancing somewhere else, somewhere more… private." She gave him a devilish grin when she felt his reaction press against her.

They quickly made their goodbyes to the catcalls and teasing of their friends, Max barely remembering to grab his backpack as they headed out the door.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Shortly after Max and Liz left, Maria looked at Michael with regret. "We've got to be going, too, Spaceboy." She said, "I know you have a biology assignment due tomorrow, and I'm betting you haven't even started." Even though he groaned, he allowed Maria to pull him up from the chair.

"You guys leaving?" Kyle asked. When they answered in the affirmative, Isabel gave Alex a nudge and tilted her head towards the door. Alex remarked, "Yeah, we should be going, too."

As Alex and Isabel left to head over to Isabel's house, Michael fastened his helmet and hopped on his bike. He looked at Maria who was putting on her own helmet, "By the way, Blondie, I finished that report this morning."

She looked at him in surprise, "Then why did you let me drag you off?"

He reached to pull her close, "Because for once everyone is somewhere else, and my apartment is actually empty."

Settling behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist, she asked, "Soooo, Spaceboy, just what did you have in mind?"

He turned his head and with a mischievous grin replied, "I thought I'd show you what I learned in Biology."


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Kyle turned after closing the door. Looking over to where Sera stood placing the CDs back into their cases, he walked up behind her. When she turned to smile at him he wrapped his arms around her, giving her a sound kiss. Before long, they had maneuvered their way over to the couch, reclining as their kisses grew more passionate.

Kyle's mouth moved down her neck and Sera shifted her legs feeling his hardness pressing against her thigh. She mentally took a deep breath and breathily suggested, "Maybe… we should move to your room." To her surprise, Kyle froze and she nervously continued, "You know, in case… your dad were to come home… early."

Kyle sat up, avoiding her eyes and not responding.

"Kyle?" Feeling confused, she whispered as she too sat up, "Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just…my room's a mess and I think… maybe we should slow down a bit."

"Slow down? I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, it's not you." Kyle rubbed his face, "It's me. I'm just afraid of what will happen if we…"

His words faded as one word lodged in her mind. "Afraid? You're afraid of me?" Tears began to fill her eyes as her worst fear began to course through her. "I thought… I thought that you cared… I mean, in spite of…" She started to rise on shaky legs.

Seeing her rise, Kyle reached out, "Sera, wait," he pulled her back down beside him. Seeing the tears and confusion on her face, he felt like a heel. "Sera, I do care. It's just…Damn, I suck at this."

She could sense his own confusion and looked at him, "Kyle, please, just tell me."

He took her hand in his, "Okay, here goes. I have never felt about anyone the way I do you. Not Liz, and certainly not…" he paused. “After Max healed Liz, but before I knew there was something happening between them, Liz asked me if I “felt things” when I was with her. I said yes, but now…now I think I understand what she meant,” he looked her in the eye, “because I feel things …with you.”

Her heart began to race, but she proceeded cautiously, “And that’s what you’re afraid of? These feelings…with me?”

”Not exactly,” with a shrug, he looked down, avoiding her eyes. "I know that Max and Liz have these flashes when things between them get intense and they see things from each other. I'm not sure but I would guess that maybe Maria and Michael, Isabel and Alex do, too. I'm just afraid that if things get 'intense' that you might see…things." He stared at a spot on the carpet.

"Things?" Realization dawned. "Tess. You're afraid if we become 'intense', that I'll get flashes of you and Tess. Is that why you always back off when you get to second base?" He nodded and she grasped his chin to turn his face to hers. "Kyle, I already know what Tess did, and that you had no real free will in what happened. But even if I did get a flash, I'd know it wasn't your fault. If Tyler and I had been more observant, then maybe she wouldn't have had the opportunity…"

"Sera," he interrupted, "don't think that. You couldn't have known what she was capable of anymore than the rest of us. She fooled Dad and me into thinking that she cared about us." She could hear the pain in his voice at Tess's betrayal of not only him, but his dad, too.

After they sat quietly for a few minutes, she whispered, "So, you and I are okay?" "Yeah." Kyle nodded against her forehead. They shared a kiss and Sera snuggled against him and shyly asked, "And… you're saying that you do care about me?" Kyle grinned, "A lot."

This time the tears that formed in her eyes were happy ones. Their lips met in a long slow kiss and when they came up for air, Sera smiled, "Now about these flashes - I know that Liz is the scientist in our little group, but…" Sera took his hand in hers and stood up, "I think we should conduct some experiments."

Kyle blinked as he looked at her, "Uh…experiments?"

She smiled as he allowed her to pull him up, "Let's see what happens when you round third."


~~~~~~~~~~~~


In what had become a familiar scene, the old army jeep was parked at the abandoned rock quarry. Presently, the moon was reflecting off the rippling water as the two young lovers were stretched out on a sleeping bag laid out on the ground.

"It's kind of cool out tonight, are you sure you won't get too cold?" Max asked solicitously, running his hand up and down Liz's arm. Liz smiled up at him as she brushed his bangs back, "Won't you keep me warm?" He leaned over and just before his smiling lips touched hers, he whispered, "Always."

With deep kisses, soft caresses and muted whisperings, their clothing slowly fell away. Max pulled back and gazed at Liz's naked beauty gleaming in the moonlight. "You are so beautiful," he whispered as he leaned over to take her rigid nipple into his mouth. She gasped with pleasure as she managed to respond, "So are you," grasping his biceps. With her eyes half closed, she gazed up at the sky. She loved it here, lying with Max under the stars, nothing between them but the night air.

She clutched the back of his head as his lips and tongue worked at her breasts while his hand slid down through the crisp curls at the juncture of her thighs. As his mouth and fingers worked their magic, her head fell back as her body twisted, instinctively searching for something just out of reach.

She whimpered in protest when in just a few minutes he removed his hand, but Max quickly moved to rest between her creamy thighs. As he rubbed his erection along her slick folds, he whispered against her lips, "I can't wait, Liz, I need you."

She was more than ready. Her hands roamed down his back to lightly drag her fingernails along his bare backside as she uttered, "Now, Max." With a groan and a shiver he plunged home. As his thickness stretched her inner walls, Liz brought her legs around his waist and began to shift her hips to meet his thrusts. As they pumped faster and harder, Liz felt the beginning quivers that indicated her impending climax. With one arm braced beside her head, Max reached down to slide his hand under her bottom, tilting her hips to bring him even further inside her. She clung to him for dear life. "Oh, God," Liz thought, it was as if he was thrusting into her very soul. Max felt his balls tighten, but managed to hold onto his concentration just long enough to send a burst of alien energy against her sweet spot, and she flew apart. Liz's scream of ecstasy echoed across the water, echoed by Max's course cry of completion as he followed her over the edge.

Liz began to shiver as the night air wafted over her cooling body. "Come on, sweetheart," Max whispered as he shifted them to pull the sleeping bag open, and eased Liz into it. Pulling the bag tightly around their intertwined bodies, they both drifted on the continuing afterglow.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tess woke from a short sleep to turn and see Miles snoring beside her. His resemblance to Kyle didn't seem as strong now. With a grimace, she rose from the bed and used the bathroom. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and seeing the smeared makeup waved her hand across her face to remove the makeup. Slipping on the robe hanging on the back of the door, she returned to the room and shook Miles awake, "Wake up, you have to get out of here."

Bleary-eyed he turned over and gave her a grin, "What's the rush? How about another go?"

"I have an early plane, and my father will be over here anytime. If he finds you here, there won't be enough of you left to fill a steak and kidney pie." That got him moving and soon she managed to get him out of the room.

Standing in the middle of the room, Tess looked at the stained bed and thought of what her life had become. On the run with Nasedo, planning a trip back to a planet that she didn't remember, pretending to be pregnant while sleeping with strangers trying to make it so. She began to pace as she fretted - What if this didn't work, what would happen if she returned to Antar without being pregnant? Would delivering the other royals be enough to save her own skin? She sat on the edge of the bed and began to cry, she missed Kyle and the Sheriff, she even missed her stupid life in Roswell. With a rapid mood swing, her tears turned from sad and fearful to angry. She did not deserve this, she didn't. She stood and she looked into the mirror. Damn Max Evans. He was supposed to be her mate, they were supposed to be together. If he hadn't rejected their destiny for that mousy bitch, then she never would have had to live with the Valentis and she wouldn't be missing Kyle right now.

An inner rage built and the mirror shattered, while the items in her room began to swirl around as if caught up in a mini tornado. She looked into the cracked shards of glass at her distorted reflection and vowed. "You will be sorry, Max Evans. I'll see you on your knees begging for mercy, but not before your precious slut pays for getting in my way."


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 73

The days passed uneventfully and soon time for prom neared. Isabel, head of the Prom Committee, was bound and determined that nothing would be allowed to ruin their evening. For the past week they had formed the Foursquare daily and attempted to dreamwalk Tess, but had been unable to do so.

After their latest attempt, Max, Isabel and Alex sat together in a booth at the Crashdown as Maria leaned against the edge of the booth, order book in hand. Liz was in back changing into her uniform, and Michael in his kerchief and apron was manning the grill. Isabel told Maria and Alex that they still were unable to locate Tess on the dream plane.

“Well, that’s good isn’t it?” Maria asked. “That old saw, ‘no news’, etc.?”

“It would be great news, if we only knew that they had both fallen off the face of the Earth.” Isabel groused.

“Yeah,” Max agreed, “It’s the not knowing where they are or what they are up to that is so nerve wracking.”

Liz came in from the back, ponytail and antennae bobbing. She overheard Max as she approached the booth. She nudged him with her hip and he slid over to allow her to sit beside him, she stated, “As irritating as it is not knowing where they are, at least we know that they are nowhere close to Roswell.” She reached over to squeeze Max’s hand. “I think we should just be grateful they are still gone and enjoy Prom tomorrow night.”

“Liz is right,” Isabel agreed, “it’s our Senior Prom and we deserve to have a good time. Besides, how would it look if the head of the Prom Committee didn’t attend.”

Maria gave Isabel a look, “And that stand wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that you were nominated for Prom Queen?”

“Well, maybe,” Isabel flipped her hair back with a saucy wink.

As they all laughed, a customer barked out, “Hey, could someone take my order, like maybe today?”

Maria looked at Liz, “Oh, great. Mr. Crankypants is sitting in my station.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Saturday morning dawned sunny with the promise of a beautiful day and night. Thanks to some assistance from Sera and Tyler, the Prom Committee had arranged for the dance to be held in the ballroom at the Eldorado. Alex dropped by to pick Isabel up to head over to supervise the completion of the decorations for the night’s event.

They arrived to find Kyle and Sera already in the Ballroom where Kyle and another volunteer were operating air tanks to fill balloons in their school colors. Sera helped tied them off and other prom committee members helped to fill a couple of large nets with the balloons. They would be dropped onto the dance floor after the Queen and King had their honorary dance.

After they had been working a couple of hours, Sera noticed Alex rubbing his forehead. “Headache?” She asked. When he nodded, she offered to get him some aspirin. When she returned she also brought back a box containing bottles of cold juice. “These headache powders were all I could find.”

“These are fine, thanks, Sera.” Alex smiled at her as she darted off to carry some juice to Kyle. Then he took a couple of the extra strength powders and poured them into a bottle, he shook it up, but before he could drink it, his attention was called away. He sat the bottle down on the table separate from the other bottles.

Isabel had been rushing around the facility making sure that everything was in order, and she was parched. Seeing the bottles of juice, she checked out the flavors. “Grape, orange, strawberry kiwi, more grape, orange.” Spying the full bottle on the table, “ooh, apple.” She picked it up and quickly downed half of the bottle. “Isabel! No!” Alex rushed over and snatched it from her hand, juice splashing over her blouse. Shocked she cried, “Alex! What in the world?”

Alex took her shoulders and looked into her face, “Isabel, do you feel alright?”

“Of course, I’m fine.” She looked confused. “Why wouldn’t I be? Maybe I should be asking you that question.”

He looked around to make sure no one could overhear, “That bottle had my headache medicine in it. You know, a drug - like Max and the alcohol.”

Understanding, she smiled, “Alex, while we don’t get sick, we do get the occasional headache, I think you’ve met him - his name is Michael.” Alex grinned and she continued, “Seriously, I have taken headache medicine before.”

Alex blushed, “Sorry, I was just…” “Being a wonderful, sweet, caring boyfriend?” She finished.

“Well, now that you mention it…” he replied with a pleased smile. Then he looked at her soiled blouse, “but…”

She looked to make sure no one was paying them any attention, and did a quick swipe to swish away all evidence of the spilt juice. “What about your headache?” She asked, “Want me to get you some more medicine.” He shook his head, and drank the rest of the medicated juice, “It’s already easing off.”


~~~~~~~~~~~


After finishing up at the Eldorado and before heading home to get ready for the dance, Alex and Isabel went to meet the others at Michael’s apartment. Michael, Maria and Liz had taken the day off since it was prom, but Max had to work a half shift at the UFO Center. While waiting for Max to arrive, Alex and Michael watched some sports channel on the TV, while the girls discussed their upcoming evening.

Max walked in and smiled at a sight that at one time he never thought he’d see. Isabel, Liz and Maria were laughing together at the breakfast counter as Isabel swiped her hands over Liz and Maria’s to experiment with polish colors. Meanwhile, Alex and Michael sat on the couch sharing a bowl of popcorn yelling good natured insults at some apparently blind umpire.

Thinking how alone the three of them had been before that fateful day in the Crashdown set events in motion to bring them together with the other three – Isabel the ice princess, Michael the lone wolf, and himself hiding behind that tree, he felt a lump in his throat. Turning to close the door, he blinked his eyes and cleared his throat.

“Max!” Liz jumped up and met him halfway. Gazing into her smiling face, he pulled her into a extra tight hug and whispered, “I missed you today.” She pulled back, “I missed you, too.” Max cupped her face and pressed a thorough kiss on her lips. Just as their lips parted and he laid his forehead on her, he heard …

“Awww, ain’t they sweet?” From Alex, and Maria’s response, “Yep, kind of makes you want to puke, don’t it?”

Liz just stuck her tongue out at her two bestest friends, as Max turned to them with a raised eyebrow, “As your King, I demand your respect.” Only to find himself pelted with popcorn.

Isabel laughed, “Come on, guys. Let’s get started, I want to get home soon.”

Alex and Maria sat together on the couch while the foursome stood in a square and joined hands and Isabel began the dreamwalk. Suddenly, they found themselves off balance, as if they were on a rolling boat deck surrounded by gray fog.

“Woah, Isabel. Where the hell are we?” Michael blurted out. “I don’t know,” she answered, “I’ve never had this happen before. Everything is so foggy, and I’m beginning to feel nauseous.”

“It’s like being seasick.” Liz exclaimed as she wavered.

“Pull us out, Isabel.” Max told her.

Coming back to themselves in the apartment, they grabbed for something to hold on to, still filling the effects of the dreamwalk. Liz sank to her knees followed by Max, as Isabel reached out to grab the arm of the couch making her way to sit beside Alex.

“Michael!” Maria jumped up to grab him and steered him to a chair. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure. Everything was distorted, kind of wavy.” He answered as he pulled her into his lap.

Isabel leaned her head back against the couch, “I’m afraid I have an idea.” She turned to her head towards Alex. “Guess I was wrong about that headache medicine not affecting my powers.”

Max sat on the floor, his arm around Liz as she leaned against him. “Headache medicine?”

Isabel explained, “I accidentally drank part of Alex’s doctored juice earlier in the day.” She shrugged, “I guess I never tried using my powers whenever I had taken something before.”

“But you were able to change our nails.” Maria reminded her. Isabel nodded, “That’s right. I guess I can still do little things, but trying to reach wherever Tess is on the dream plane must take more… power, concentration, I'm not sure.”

“Maybe not. What if what we experienced did have something to do with Tess and Nasedo.” Liz speculated, “It was foggy and rolling. Perhaps they are out on a boat somewhere, just too far for us to see clearly.”

Isabel nodded, “I guess that’s possible.”

“And if we’re lucky they’ll drown, but hey, as long as they aren’t here, I’m happy.” Maria stated, then smiled, “So, let’s get ready for prom night.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~


In the air near Dallas, Texas, an airliner circled waiting out a raging thunderstorm before being cleared for landing. As the storm raged, turbulence buffeted the plane and the passengers buckled in their seats felt queasy and seasick.


~~~~~~~~~~~~


In a scenario that was taking place in many a household all over Roswell, young men rang doorbells and suffered in silence as proud parents snapped pictures of their darlings in their finery. It was no different at the Evan’s home. Mr. Evans opened the door to reveal Alex in his tux holding a corsage box. Grinning, he motioned Alex into the house. Thankfully, before Alex had time to get nervous sitting in the living room with the Evans parents, Isabel entered the room, with her hair up in a smooth bun. “Wow.” He smiled, “You look beautiful.”

Isabel smiled and turned in a slow pirouette showing off her red satin strapless ball gown.

Mrs. Evans pulled out her camera and the couple began posing for picture after picture.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Max slowly stopped his mom’s car, and let Michael out. Grinning he said, “We’ll be back as soon as I can get Liz away from her mom’s camera.”

When Michael rang the Deluca doorbell, it was opened by Sheriff Valenti. Michael nodded at him, “Nice tux.” Valenti grinned, “You, too.” Michael entered to find Amy Deluca dressed in a black sheath, as she and the Sheriff were once again serving as chaperones.

“Oh, Michael.” Amy gushed, “Just look at you, all dressed up and so handsome.” She smoothed his lapel. Michael blushed and shifted uncomfortably. “Amy,” Valenti gently admonished, “leave the boy alone.”

“What?” She looked confused, “I just said he was handsome.”

“And that he is.” Michael turned at Maria’s voice, and gave her a big smile. Maria looked lovely in pastel pink, her hair was a mass of curls with decorative clips courtesy of Isabel’s ‘help’. “You clean up pretty good yourself, Blondie.” He bent to kiss her cheek, “In fact, you look beautiful.”

“Ooh,” Amy cried out, “Let me get my camera.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


At the Parker home, Max climbed the outside steps that led to the Parker’s front door. He knocked and Mr. Parker opened the door. “Max, come on in. Liz is almost ready.”

Entering the living room area, Max sat on the sofa as Mr. Parker made small talk. While discussing the Arizona Diamondbacks season so far, Max heard his name called out softly.

He turned his head as Liz entered the room and his heart raced. Liz was dressed in a pale gold gown with her hair piled up in an elegant twist, tiny silk flowers woven about. As Max rose to his feet, Mr. Parker stated, “Oh, honey, you look like a princess.” Max moved to her and slightly shook his head. “A Queen.” As he reached to kiss her cheek, he whispered, “My Queen.” With pink cheeks, Liz whispered shyly, “Really?” He nodded, “You’re beautiful.” Liz smiled, “So are you.” Then her cheeks flamed as her parents began to laugh. “I mean handsome, very handsome.”

After Nancy took numerous pictures, Max told Liz, “We have to go by and pick up Michael and Maria, and I promised my mom we’d stop back by the house on the way. She must have bought a half dozen rolls of film.” And with that they left the apartment.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Devil Kitty]

Chapter 74


After Max, Liz, Michael, Maria, Alex and Isabel posed for enough pictures for Mrs. Evans to fill an entire album, they made their escape and headed out to The Eldorado to meet Kyle and Sera for dinner before the dance.

After turning their vehicles over to valets, they entered the lobby to find Kyle and Sera waiting. “Oh, Sera, you look lovely.” Isabel told her.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Kyle asked the group at large, while Sera blushed prettily in a pale mint satin gown. Her red hair fell around her shoulders in waves.

Kyle grinned at the other girls, “I must say, you ladies cleaned up pretty good.” He looked at his watch, “But where have you guys been? Our reservations are for, oh ten minutes ago.” Michael shrugged, “Mothers with cameras, ‘nuff said.”

After enjoying a delicious meal, the group made their way to the Ballroom located on the opposite side of the resort. As they entered, Liz and Maria complimented Isabel on the decorations. “Isabel, the room looks fantastic.” Liz looked around, “Yeah,” Maria agreed, “Our blue and gold colors look great with the room’s gold décor.”

Isabel still fretted, “You don’t think the flowers on the tables are too simple? Maybe I should have had more streamers, or more balloons. Oh, I should have brought in more of those potted palm trees.”

“More?” Kyle asked, “Any more and we’d be too tired to dance. Do you know how many times I climbed up and down ladders this morning?”

“Isabel, it’s perfect.” Liz assured her. “More would have looked too busy and less would have been too stark.”

“Liz is right, you did a great job. Now come on,” Alex took Isabel’s hand, “Let’s get our pictures taken.”


~~~~~~~~~~~


Isabel had marked “Reserved” on two tables close together so the four couples could sit with each other between dancing. The girls admired and commented on the other prom dresses while the guys drank punch and talked about anything but fashion.

“Oh. My. God!” Maria grabbed Liz’s arm. “Pam Troy just got here, and look at what she’s wearing.” Everyone turned to look as Pam and her date stood in the entryway of the ballroom.

“I’m guessing that’s from the ‘Genie in a Bottle’ collection?” Isabel grinned.

Maria rolled her eyes, “Christina Aguilara, she ain’t.”

“What did she do to her hair?” Liz asked, “It that a hairpiece?”

Michael observed, “Looks like a dead French poodle is sitting on her head.”

As the girls giggled, Max wondered, “Who’s the guy? He doesn’t go here.”

Kyle answered, “Well, she’s been through the entire Varsity Squad, guess she had to branch out.”

Sera fixed him with a smile and an enquiring look, “The entire Varsity Squad?”

Deer caught in the headlights. Kyle stammered, with a sickly smile, “Well, not all. I’m sure that was an exaggeration.” Tugging at his collar, he tried to divert attention away from himself, “Wow, that is one bad hair do.”

As they all laughed at his expense, Sera included, Maria motioned her hand towards them, “Shhhhhh, she’s headed this way.”

As Pam pranced in their direction, Isabel called out to her, “That’s an interesting dress, Pam.” Pam fluffed the tight frizzy curls and looked down her nose at their dresses, “Everything else just seemed so … predictably conventional.” She gave them a condescending smile, “but you all look… nice.”

“Well, no one will call you that.” Maria managed to say without laughing. Pam’s eyes widened, “I beg your pardon?” Maria grinned, “Predicable, conventional. No one will say that about you, Pam.” As Pam preened, Maria turned to whisper at Liz, “More like - tramp, hussy, hootchie-mama.” she looked at Liz who whispered back, “choose your SAT word.”

Isabel smiled at Pam’ uncomfortable looking date, “Hi, I’m Isabel,” and then pointing, “Alex, Max, Liz, Maria, Michael, Kyle and Sera.” He nodded, “I’m David.”

Pam clutched his arm and gushed, “David is a Senior at Roosevelt High. Our fathers are business associates, and that’s how we met.”

With a smile, Pam dragged her date across the room to meet up with her clique. Maria leaned over with a grin and addressed the group, “Translation – Nobody asked me, so my Daddy had to buy me a date.”

“Meowww.” Alex teased. “May I get you a bowl of cream?”

“Oh, please,” Maria shrugged, “You know you were all thinking it.”

Soon they were all dancing, laughing and having a wonderful time.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


James Baldwin was the best player in the Chess Club and Treasurer of the Future Business Leaders of America, and he was also the Senior Class President. It was just after 10:00 p.m. when he took the stage at one end of the room and tapped on the microphone, “May I have your attention, please? It’s time to announce our award winners.”

As everyone gathered around, Liz leaned over to tell Isabel, “Good luck.” Isabel smiled, “Thanks, but I don’t really expect to win. After all, I’ve had more important things to worry about this year than what the popular kids are up to, and I don’t hang out that much with most of my old friends. I think I was just nominated out of habit.” But she looked nervous all the same.

Before the announcement of the King and Queen, there were other awards given out, some serious and some humorous. Winners came up to accept their awards for Most Popular, Best Athlete, etc.

Liz hugged Maria when she won Most Talented. “I knew those nights at the Pizza Pan would pay off.”

Alex just shook his head that Lisa Gillespie won Class Clown. As she mugged for the crowd in a joker’s cap, he complained. “Can you believe that? I’m much funnier than Gillespie. Her elbows aren’t double jointed at all.” Maria commiserated with him. “No one can twist like a human pretzel any better than you.”

Max and Liz blushed to catcalls and whistles when they won, Most Likely to be Caught in the Eraser Room.

Finally - “And now it’s time for the announcement you’ve all been waiting for - this year’s Prom King and Queen.” As the crowd cheered and clapped, the Class Treasurer came forward holding the King’s crown and Class Secretary held the Queen’s tiara.

James held up a card, “I’m proud to announce that this year’s Prom Queen is …” he paused a moment, “Isabel Evans!”

Liz, Maria and Sera all squealed as they hugged Isabel, who gave them all a big smile. Max and Michael called out their congratulations as Alex kissed her cheek, and she made her way to the front of the stage to have the tiara placed on her head.

James continued, “For the first time in West Roswell prom history, we have a write in winner for Prom King.” A buzz filled the room as the crowd wondered who it was.

With a big smile, “Perhaps because he has shown us that even we computer geeks can win the girl of our dreams, your Prom King is… Alex Whitman!”

Liz and Maria both screamed as they jumped and hugged a stunned Alex. Max, Michael and Kyle grinned and slapped him on his back, and he moved slowly to stand with a beaming Isabel. She reached to hug him, he whispered shakily, “You didn’t ‘hocus pocus’ this, did you?” With a big smile, she shook her head, “No, it’s all you.”

The lights dimmed, and with a glittery gold cardboard crown, King Alex felt like he had fallen down a rabbit hole as he led his Prom Queen out on the floor for their honorary dance.

As Alex and Isabel danced close, a teary eyed Maria laid her arm around Liz’s shoulder, “Oh, Lizzie, our Alex.” Liz’s eyes filled with tears as she hugged Maria around the waist, “I know, ‘ria. I know.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~


It was near midnight and Max and Liz were taking a slow turn on the dance floor, when Max whispered something in her ear. Liz smiled and asked, “A surprise? What is it?” With a grin he told her, “It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you, now would it?”

Max found Michael to ask if he and Maria were about ready to leave. The four couples gathered back at their tables to bid each other good night. Soon everyone had left the ballroom except Alex and Isabel. When Alex asked Isabel if she was ready to go, she smiled and said, “I’m ready to leave the prom, but I’m not ready to leave the Eldorado.” When Alex gave her a confused look, she reached for her evening purse and held up a key card. “I arranged for Sera to reserve us a room.” With a grin and a kiss, Alex told her, “You are the best girlfriend ever.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Kyle walked Sera to her door, which she opened and invited him inside. The apartment was dark and silent. “I guess Tyler’s already turned in.” She said. As they settled on the couch, she told him, “Tonight was wonderful, Kyle. It meant a lot to me, especially since I never had my own prom, or went to high school, or anything else normal teens do.”

Kyle tenderly kissed her, “It was my pleasure, I was proud to have you on my arm.”

As they kissed, Sera whispered, “I know that it’s traditional for couples to, you know,” she blushed, “on Prom night, and…”

Kyle interrupted, “Sera, you know I didn’t expect…”

Sera kept talking, “I even reserved a room at the spa, but…”

Kyle stopped, “A room? For us?”

She looked down and nodded as she confessed, “but I chickened out.”

He tilted her head up to look in her eyes, “Sera, a lot of couples do - you know - on Prom night, but we talked about this, when it’s right for us, we’ll know it.”

She looked at him, “You’re not disappointed?”

“In you? Never. Although,” he teased, “I wouldn’t mind practicing a few triples.” Her emerald eyes sparkled when she laughed softly, and Kyle’s breath caught in his throat. He blurted out the first thought that popped in his mind and in his heart, “I love you, Sera.” Her pretty mouth formed a surprised “oh”, then she threw her arms around him, “Oh, Kyle, I love you, too.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As soon as they entered his apartment, Michael swept Maria up in his arms and marched straight to his room not even bothering with turning on the lights. “Michael!” She protested, but wrapped her arms around his neck. When he sat her down on her feet beside the bed, she kept her arms around him. “And just what did you have in mind, Spaceboy?” She asked saucily. “Something like this.” And then he showed her.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After dropping Michael and Maria out front of Michael’s apartment, Liz was bewildered when Max merely pulled around the corner and parked. “Max, why are we still at Michael’s apartment?” Liz asked. “We’re not.” Max said as he got out of the car to come around and open Liz’s door. He just grinned at her confused look, “I told you, I have a surprise.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his excited face. “I’m beginning to wonder about this surprise.”

“Do you love me?” He asked as he held his hand out to assist her from the car. “Of course, with all my heart.” She replied taking his hand and standing up.

“Do you trust me?” He asked, kissing her palm. “With my life.” She raised the same palm to stroke his face.

“Then,” he softly spoke, “Come away with me.” With his arm around her waist, he led her into the set of apartments opposite from Michael’s. As they entered the hallway, Max removed a silky scarf from his pocket and wrapped it across Liz’s eyes, tying it in the back. “Max!”

“Shhhh, remember? Surprise?” As they approached a door, Max took out a key. Before opening the door, he spoke softly. “Tyler never gave up the lease on this apartment, so I asked him to extend it, for us.” Liz heard the sound of the key turning and the swish of the door opening. “For us?” She bemusedly echoed.

Max led her slowly through the apartment and she heard another door open. She heard the snap of Max’s fingers, and low music began to play. Just before Max removed the blindfold, she caught the scent of vanilla.

Liz blinked a few times and then caught her breath as she stood in the most romantic boudoir she could imagine. The room was filled with numerous scented candles, their flickering flames lighting several vases of white roses. Sitting on a nearby table was a covered glass dish full of chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of nonalcoholic champagne, with two flutes. But the main attraction was – a canopy bed, with white sheets and a white eyelet cover folded down.

“Oh, Max.” She turned in his arms. “You did all this?” He nodded, feeling a bit uncertain all the sudden. “I snitched a couple of Iz’s bride magazines and saw something similar.” As she just looked at him, he fumbled, “I thought maybe this could be our special place. No more sneaking around one of our houses, or having to go parking.” When she smiled and reached up to kiss him, all worry flew away. “It’s wonderful Max, I love it.”

“And I love you, Liz, you’re everything to me.” He cupped her face with both of his hands and looked deep into her eyes, “I wanted this night to be special for you.” She teared up, “It already is.” And he smiled.


~~~~~~~~~~~


Max waved his hand at the stereo and Liz recognized Norah Jones’ “Come Away with Me”.
Max stroked her cheek and tenderly caught her lips with his. As they kissed, Liz pushed at his tux jacket, and it fell to the floor. She then worked on the buttons of his shirt, nibbling at his neck while running her hands over the hard muscles of Max’s chest. “Ah, Liz,” he shrugged the shirt off.

Come away with me in the night
Come away with me
And I will write you a song

As she pressed kisses on his chest, he reached behind her neck to unfasten the halter, and slid his hand down to unzip her dress. Liz took a step back to allow the dress to fall to the floor. Max breathed deeply as Liz stood before him clad only in miniscule silky panties and gold strappy sandals. He scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the bed. Bending over to kiss her, he slipped her shoes off.

Come away with me on a bus
Come away where they can't tempt us
With their lies

He reached down and carefully laid her dress over a chair, then turned to see her watching him, propped up on the pillows. He took in her toned legs, her flat stomach and those perky breasts that beckoned to him. Quickly removing his pants, shoes and socks, he crawled up beside her on the bed. “Nice.” She grinned, running her fingers around the waistband of his black silk boxers. “They were a gift.” He grinned at her, but his grin slipped when she whispered against his mouth. “I meant what’s inside.” Then she cupped him.

I want to walk with you
On a cloudy day
In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high
So won't you try to come

“Liz,” he groaned. Pressing his forehead to hers, he caressed her breasts, plucking at her hardened nipples. He nibbled at her lips, before sliding his mouth down to suck at her throat. Liz’s fingers slid over his chest, her nails scraping his copper nipples. He shifted to lay stretched out beside her, his mouth capturing the little berry of her nipple in his mouth, his hands roaming her body. As he sucked and nipped, her legs shifted and she lifted a leg over his hip. Max slid his a hand down inside the back of her tiny panties to caress her bottom, pressing her against his hardness. “Ah,” she whimpered, “More, Max.” and the little mewling sounds drove Max wild. He needed her, now.

Come away with me and we'll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I'll never stop loving you

Pulling the tiny panties off of her, she helped him remove his boxers, and Max moved into position between her thighs. “I love you, Liz.” He gazed into her eyes as his erection slid along her folds. “I love you, too, Max.” Their connection wide, he slid his tongue into her warm mouth as his manhood slid into her hidden depths.

And I want to wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I'm safe there in your arms
So all I ask is for you
To come away with me in the night
Come away with me

He brought her to completion time and time again before he finally sought his own. Collapsing onto the sheets, they clung to each other as tiny aftershocks rocked through them.


~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 75

Liz woke and smiled with contentment as she felt Max's breath puffing against the back of her head as they lay spooned together. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to savor the feeling of his arm around her as the sparkling grape juice she shared with Max earlier gave her a pressing need to find the bathroom. She carefully lifted his arm off of her and slid from the bed. As Max mumbled in his sleep, she whispered, "shhhhh," not wanting to wake him.

Even though they were alone in the apartment, she didn't feel comfortable walking around naked, so she slipped her panties back on and pulled Max's formal shirt around her, buttoning it as she reached for one of the remaining strawberries. As she bit down on the berry, she blushed as she remembered how inventive Max had been with that fruit. Opening the door, she found the bathroom.

She came back out and peeked in to see Max still sound asleep. Max had mentioned bringing something for breakfast, so she eased down the hall to the small kitchen area. On the counter sat a small toaster oven, a coffeemaker along with a bag of coffee and a container of sugar sitting on a tray. She opened the refrigerator to find a small carton of creamer, bagels, cream cheese, and more strawberries. She could see behind the glass cabinet doors a couple of plates, mugs and some silverware. Liz smiled as she thought, "Max thought of everything."

She started a pot of coffee, intending to surprise Max with breakfast in bed. She was reaching into the fridge, when she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise as she sensed another presence. But just as she straightened, a hand holding a cold clammy cloth pressed against her face. She struggled and gasped for breath for a moment, and then nothing.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As Max woke, he stretched and reached out for Liz, only to find empty space. Rising up on his elbow, he rubbed his face and looked around and thought he smelled coffee. Liz must have found the breakfast items he had stored in the kitchen. Smiling, he stretched and thought, "Oh yeah, I could wake this way every morning." He got out of bed and noticed that while Liz's dress was still draped across a chair, his shirt was missing. His smile grew as he pictured Liz in his shirt and he pulled on his boxers.

Although anxious to see Liz, he had to make a pit-stop by the bathroom first. After using the toilet, he used his powers to clean his teeth and smooth his hair. Glancing at the shower and the towels he'd placed there, he grinned anticipating an early morning shower with Liz.

Entering the kitchen, he took a smiling breath ready to wish Liz a good morning, but he frowned when he saw the small living room/kitchen area was empty. He looked around, "Liz?" It was then he noticed the envelope with his name on it, propped up by the automatic coffeemaker, which was full.

With a confused frown, he pulled the paper from the envelope and the blood drained from his face when he read the words.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Maria groaned as Michael's phone rang. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was after 4:00 a.m. Michael reached for the beside phone, and muttered to the caller, "This better be good."

Maria could hear Max's panicked voice through the phone. "Michael! She's gone, they took her."

Sitting up and rubbing at his eyes, Michael asked, "What? Who?"

"Liz! Tess and Nasedo took her."

Michael and Maria threw on some clothes and within minutes ran across to the other apartment. Max was pacing, cell phone to his ear, his hair standing on end from running his hand over his head. "Isabel, just… just get here as fast as you can."

As Max hung up his cell phone, Michael barked out. "Max, what the hell happened here?"

Max sank down on a barstool, "I woke up and she was gone. I smelled the coffee and… and I thought she was out here, but all I found was this." He gave the note to Michael, who read out loud.

"Dear Max: Have you missed me? I've missed you. I can’t wait to see you. So, unless you want your precious Liz returned to you piece by piece, bring Isabel and Michael with you to the Podchamber. Bring no one else. Liz and I will be waiting. Your loving wife, Tess."

Michael slapped the note against his leg, "Fuck."

Maria took slow deep breaths, trying not to hyperventilate as she mumbled, "Oh, God."

Max held his stomach looking like he was about to vomit. "I never heard a thing. What if they've hurt her? What if she's in pain?"

"Maxwell, we'll get her back," Michael assured him, "but we need a plan. You can't fall apart here."

Max nodded, "You're right, I have to think, I have to help Liz."

Maria gathered her wits and moved over to the counter to pour a cup of coffee, then adding the sugar that she knew Max liked. "Here, Max. Drink this, and um, perhaps you should get dressed."

Max looked puzzled, and then realized he was only in his boxers. "Oh."

Max took the coffee and returned to the bedroom. Maria just looked at Michael and felt a panic attack coming on, "Oh, God, Michael. What are we going to do?" He pulled her into the circle of his arms, "I don't know, Blondie. But we’ll think of something."


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Maria looked up to see Max walk back into the living room wearing the pants to his tux and holding a small pair of gold sandals, "She doesn't have any shoes." He said in a dull monotone. Looking at Maria he asked, "How can she walk up the path to the pod chamber without any shoes?"

Exchanging a look with Michael, Maria softly asked, "Uh, Max, honey, where's your shirt?" He looked at her, "I think Liz was wearing it. Liz's dress is still here, so she must have put it on."

She picked up Max's cell phone and dialed Isabel's cell.

Within the hour, Alex and Isabel arrived both in jeans and tee shirts with a change of clothes for Max that she had snuck into Max's room to retrieve. Isabel hugged Max, who looked completely at a loss.

Alex looked around, "We called Kyle, Sera and Tyler. They should be here soon. Kyle said the Sheriff wasn't home yet." He looked at Maria who just grimaced. "I guess that means he's still at my house."

After Max went to change, Alex wondered, "How the hell did they know that Max and Liz were even here?" He looked around the room, "I certainly didn't know."

Isabel sank down on one of the bar stools, "This is my fault. If I hadn't drank that juice, then maybe we'd have known they were back in Roswell, instead of thinking they were out on some boat."

”Isabel.” Alex rubbed her shoulders, “By that line of thinking, then it's my fault for having a headache and putting medicine in the bottle in the first place."

Maria shook her head, "Its no one's fault, except Tess and Nasedo."

By the time Max returned from changing, the others had arrived. Max seemed calmer, already making plans. "We can't just go barreling out there blind. Isabel, we need for you to see if you can reach Liz." She nodded, and as she turned in her seat at the bar, something behind the counter caught her eye. "Max, what is that?"

Kyle walked over and reached for the cloth on the floor. As he picked it up, he smelled a mildly sweet odor, "Ugh, I think this has chloroform on it." He moved over to the sink and dropped the cloth into it.

Michael nodded, "That's why you didn't hear anything, Max. Liz was probably grabbed from behind and chloroformed before she knew what hit her."


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Liz slowly came to and was aware of a heavy pounding in her head. She carefully opened her eyes and tried to focus, but her vision was blurry and nausea rolled in her stomach. Lifting her head, she couldn't hold back a whimper as pain shot through her.

"Well, well, look who's awake." Liz froze as she recognized the voice, and cringed inside when it said, "Good morning, Lizzie."

Liz tried to sit up, but realized that her hands were tied behind her, throwing her off balance. Working through the pain in her head, she managed to twist to a sitting position.

"Too bad you didn't wake up sooner," Tess taunted, "You were certainly heavy enough lugging you up that mountain."

Liz tried to stay calm, even as anxiety rushed through her. "Where's Nasedo?" Liz croaked, her dry throat making her voice husky. Looking around, her vision began to clear and she saw that she was in the room with the Granolith.

Tess's eyes widened, "What do you mean?" she asked innocently. "Nasedo is dead. You must still be under the effect of the chloroform."

"Cut the crap, Tess." Liz glared at her. "Isabel dreamwalked you. We know that Nasedo is alive and the two of you are working together. We know everything, Tess."

She heard a familiar smarmy voice, "Well, now, isn't that disappointing." Turning her head she saw Nasedo/Ed Harding off to the side. "That just ruins my surprise of coming back from the dead."

He walked over to stand near Liz, "And just what is it that you think you know?"

"That you are both working for Kivar, that Tess is supposed to return with Max's heir, that you betrayed Max."

Nasedo blinked, then raised his eyebrows and grinned at Tess, "I guess she does know."

Liz glowered at Nasedo, "What I don't understand is why."

"Why?" He shrugged, "Oh, my dear, that is such a big question. Why - am I working with Kivar? Why - does he want Max's heir? Why - did we bring you here? Or how about, why - do I despise those royal pains in the ass?"

Liz fixed a look on him and stated much more calmly than she felt, "You were supposed to be their protector, to teach them, to keep them safe, but you turned on them."

Nasedo snarled his nose at Liz and spoke with sarcasm, "Oh yes, and it was such an honor to be forced to undergo medical treatments to alter my brain, sent to an unknown world where I was forced to abandon my natural form, all to ensure the survival of a pack of reconstituted Royal brats."

Even Tess seemed surprised at the animosity in his voice.

Liz shifted, trying to ease the pain in her wrists. "So why didn't you just say no?"

Nasedo barked a humorless laugh. "Say no? My family was intensely loyal to the Royal House and were thrilled that I had been chosen. Refusal was never an option."

"Somehow I doubt your family would be thrilled with you now." Liz tossed out.

"True, but who cares what they think. After Kivar sees to the execution of the other royals, I'll be the one rewarded when Queen Ava marries Kivar and her child is declared to be his lawful heir to the throne."

Liz's heart thumped, "You plan to take Max, Michael and Isabel with you? To be executed?"

With a gleeful grin, Nasedo drew his finger across his neck. “Ackkkkkk.”

Then she began to shake her head, "That will never happen. It doesn't matter what you've planned, Max will never allow you to take the Granolith."

Nasedo knelt down beside her gave her a smile while he stroked her hair, "Oh, he will. If he wants you to live, that is."

With an air of bravado she held her head up, "You can't hurt me, you saved my life when that car struck me."

He nodded his head, "Yes, thanks to Max's obsession with you, I am unfortunately obligated to keep you alive." He grabbed her face in his hand, "but that doesn't mean I have to keep you in one piece."

"Let me go." Liz demanded as fear shot through her, and was surprised when Nasedo immediately released his hold on her and stood up. She continued, "Max will never give up the Granolith to Kivar, he will kill you first." She looked at Tess. "And if somehow you did make it back, Kivar would kill you himself when you failed to…"

Tess quickly backhanded her, and her head banged against the wall, sending a pain rushing through her head. As she fell over into a semiconscious state, she felt a kick to her ribs and groaned in pain.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Liz felt a shimmer in the air, and slowly opening her eyes, she saw Isabel in front of her. Isabel rushed to her side, "Liz. Liz, are you alright?" Liz looked at her and Isabel couldn't hold back a gasp as she saw the bruising on Liz's face. "Is this a dreamwalk?" Liz whispered.

"Yes, but I don't think you are quite asleep. Everything is a bit wavy, sort of like when Max was drugged, so it must be the residual effect of the chloroform."

Liz looked at her, eye wide, "Max. Is Max okay?" Isabel shook her head, "He's worried sick about you. It was all I could do to convince him to let me do this dreamwalk alone. Tess left Max a note for the three of us to meet them here. They threatened to hurt you if Max didn't come."

"No!" Liz's shook her head and felt like someone was bashing it with a hammer. "Isabel, they don't just want the Granolith to go home. They want to take the three of you back with them, to be executed! You can't let Max come here."

"Executed!" Isabel exclaimed, shock on her face. Liz nodded, "That was part of their deal, to deliver you three to Kivar."

Feeling and looking disconcerted, Isabel tried to reassure her, "Don't you worry about that, Max and Michael are already working on a plan to take care of them and get you out safely."

"Isabel, Nasedo has no choice but to keep me alive, so they can't kill me. I'll be alright, but Max has to protect the Granolith." She paused, "At all costs."

"But they can hurt you.” Isabel reached out and gently touched Liz's bruised face, “And as for Max not coming here?” Isabel gently shook her head, “You know that Max would never abandon you, Liz, none of us will. And when Max sees what they've done to you, Tess and Nasedo will never leave this chamber alive."

Before she could respond, Liz felt a sudden painful pull on her hair, and DreamIsabel shimmered away.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~