I Forgot To Tell You...(CC,A/I,TEEN) (Complete)

[StargazerUK]

A/N: Sorry for the delay.

Chapter 11


Alex sat quietly on the rock as he waited for Isabel. He was waiting for Isabel but he had no way of knowing if she was going to turn up so he busied himself by concentrating all of his efforts on tempering his eagerness. On one hand the thought of seeing Isabel again, even if it was only in a dream, was like manna from heaven after four long years of separation. On the other hand he already knew that if she didn’t show up, which was a distinct possibility considering what she had to go through with Max and Michael, he would spiral down into a fit of depression that he wasn’t convinced he could hide from Liz and Maria or that they could pull him out from once they knew of his troubles.

He wasn’t anyone’s fool so his bluff to Isabel with regards quitting school and going to look for the aliens was exactly that…a bluff. He knew it, Isabel knew it and he had absolutely no doubt that the second Max and Michael heard of his plan they would know it. However, that wasn’t the point of his bluff. If everyone and his wife would know that Alex’s threat had no validity then why make it? It was the final, desperate act of an overwhelmed man who had long since reached the end of his tether. Alex’s only hope in making such a gesture was that they would see what they had left behind. People, who cared about them, loved them and who would go to any lengths to get them back.

Alex was relying on the fact that neither Max, Michael nor Isabel would let him do something as stupid as wander the globe looking for something he wouldn’t find in a thousand lifetimes. If the three aliens were keeping themselves below the radar to hide from the FBI there was no chance of him being able to find them and both he and they knew it. They could create and change paperwork at a moments notice. Incredibly they could change their appearance beyond all recognition with minimal effort on their part as well as create wealth beyond even the greediest person’s wildest dreams but that didn’t mean that he didn’t know them better than almost anyone else. He may not have had the resources or manpower to look for them in the way that the FBI would have but he knew what type of people they were. The irony of that last thought was not lost on him. If the FBI did find them the last thing they would treat the three siblings as or think of them as was people. They would be subjects at best but more likely they would be treated and thought of as lab rats. That notion sent a shiver down Alex’s spine.

“Hi Sweetie.”

Alex spun round to see the vision that was Isabel stepping out from the undergrowth. “Hi.” Was all he managed as he stood up to greet his companion.

The two stepped towards each other and there was a momentary awkward pause when the two didn’t know how to greet one another after four years of separation. The previous nights meeting was all about the reunion so manners and personal conduct didn’t come into it but now the two of them had taken time to come to terms with seeing one another again they were back to their old ways, second guessing what the other one was thinking and feeling, trying to figure out what to do next.

It seemed four years had changed them both because after the spilt second of hesitation on both their parts they came together as one in a no holds barred embrace as the two eagerly clung to one another. Alex simply took this brief moment to gather his thoughts as the relief of Isabel’s return washed over him. Isabel on the other hand was fighting the tears that had been threatening to come all day. Her confrontation with Michael, and specifically Max, had gone better than she could have hoped for but it still didn’t mean that it wasn’t an arduous task that she was relieved to have out of the way.

After a short while they pulled back slightly but remained in one another’s grasp. “How did it go?” Alex asked tentatively. “The look on your face tells me that it wasn’t all bad but I know it can’t have been easy.”

Isabel managed a gentle smile. “That’s a slight understatement but you are right. It went better than expected, there wasn’t too much shouting and we’ve decided to come to New York.”

“That’s great!” Alex could barely contain his glee. “He pulled Isabel back into a hug but his happiness was short lived when he didn’t feeling Isabel joining his party of bliss. He released his hold on Isabel and stepped back. “Iz, what’s wrong? What aren’t you telling me?”

Isabel was back to fighting her tears. “I think we managed to get them to return to New York but I’m not sure we are going to get the happy ending we were looking for.”

“Why ever not?” Alex asked in confusion. “If we’ve got them coming back I’m sure a little time and close proximity will do the rest. It’s not like they don’t want to be with one another so I’m sure it will be fine.”

“I only hope you are right but as things stand Max only wants to speak to you.” Isabel explained.

“Me?” Alex frowned. “Why the hell would he come all the way to New York and only want to see me when Liz is usually found standing only a few feet away from me?”

“He said the main reason we are coming back is to see you and to make sure you don’t go through with your threat to quit college and come looking for us.” Isabel continued. “We naturally assumed that if we could get the two of them in the same city and within easy reach of one another then mutual attraction would do the rest.”

“And I’m sure it will.” Alex tried to reassure Isabel. “I can’t believe they will come all this way and then leave once they have spoken to me.”

“Under any other circumstances I would agree with you but these aren’t normal times Alex and my brother takes all of our safety very serious, it was obviously the reason we left in the first place. If he was capable of walking away from Liz once to keep her safe he will think nothing of doing it a second time.” Isabel finally lost her battle and tears slowly started to run down her cheeks.

Alex immediately stepped forward and pulled his erstwhile girlfriend into a clinch. “Please don’t cry Isabel. I know you’ve been through a lot and it can’t have been easy for you but you have to trust me when I tell you the hardest part is over.”

“I know.” Isabel nodded. “And I only hope and pray that you are right as the alternatives are too much to contemplate.”

Alex aped his actions from the previous night by taking hold of Isabel’s hand and leading her to the rock that they used for stargazing. Feeling now was not the time to be lowering the two of them to the floor like the night before Alex went the more conventional route and sat down on the rock with Isabel sitting beside him.

After a long but comfortable silence Isabel turned to look at Alex. “Did you tell the girl’s?”

Alex turned and looked at Isabel for a moment before replying. She was too beautiful and he loved her too much to allow her to carry such a burden of responsibility alone. He shook his head gently. “As we discussed I didn’t say anything to the girls and you’ve probably already guessed it wasn’t easy. Having said that my task was nothing in comparison to yours so despite feeling a little sorry for myself at having to withhold information from Liz and Maria I think I’m more interested in you and what you have to say.”

Isabel couldn’t help but smile. The thought of having Alex back in her life as someone to confide in and share things with was yet another aspect of their reunion that she could look forward to. She had spent the last four years trying to be the woman that Alex saw her as. She’d spent most of her school years being arrogant and aloof but when Alex came on the scene the things that she thought were so great and made up such a big part of who she was suddenly didn’t feel the same. She found that she had subconsciously started to judge her own actions by what Alex would think of her. That was why it had been so easy to leave behind her superficial friends and traits when it allowed her to be with Alex, someone who, for the first time in her life, she wanted to put first. She loved her brothers and would do anything to keep them safe but just being with Alex made her happy no matter what they were doing. She’d often heard the expression ‘It was like watching paint dry’ as a description for something that was boring or tedious. She finally knew how she truly felt about Alex when she realised she would like to do nothing more than watch paint dry as long as she could do it with Alex to keep her company.

The other thing that she had loved about finally confirming her feelings for Alex while they were in high school was that she wasn’t changing herself just so Alex would like her or want to spend time with her. She realised that what she was and how she was acting wasn’t who she really was and it took the love and understanding of someone who saw through the facade that she used to hide herself behind to know that she could finally show the real Isabel to the outside world. Of course by that she meant show her true self to Alex and if the rest of the world happened to be watching at the same time then so be it.

“When will you get here?” Alex asked tentatively after yet another prolonged silence.

Isabel sighed heavily and Alex couldn’t help but notice that she seemed to be having difficulty looking at him. “We’re going to catch the coach tomorrow. After a great deal of discussion we decided that travelling by road was the best option and we’ll end up in New York towards the end of next week. We don’t have the specifics yet but we are travelling an unconventional route.”

Alex continued to watch Isabel as she stared off into space, still avoiding his gaze. “Iz what aren’t you telling me? I can tell something’s wrong so what is it?”

Isabel finally turned to look at him and he could clearly see her force a smile onto her lips. “I’m fine Alex, really. It’s been a long day and I think things are catching up with me.”

“If this dream walk is getting too much for you I’ll understand if you need to leave.” Alex offered ruefully. “I don’t want you to go but I’m more concerned about you than my happy dreams.”

For the first time in several minutes Isabel looked at Alex…really looked at him. Out of the blue she leaned forward and gave him a gentle but passionate kiss. After several moments they broke apart but she continued to gaze deep into his eyes. Within a few short minutes she had gone from one end of the spectrum to the other. From being unable to look at Alex to being unable to take her eyes off of him.

Finally she leaned her head into his neck as the two sat silent for the next hour simply living and breathing ever second with one another.




The next morning Isabel was up and ready before the sun had risen. Yesterday’s early start was born out of worry and angst about what she had to tell her brothers. Today’s forced awakening was more out of guilt and regret. She’d sat silently as she waited patiently for the sound of movement on the other side of the connecting door. Finally, having heard the sounds of activity a few minutes before, she stepped to the door and knocked gently.

“Just a second.” The recognizable voice of Michael called. After a few moments the familiar sight of a low glow surrounding the door lock was followed by the door swinging open. The sight of Michael in boxer shorts and a t-shirt greeted Isabel.

“Hey.” Was all Isabel was able to mutter towards Michael as he ushered her into the boy’s room.

A moment later Max came out of the bathroom with his hair and upper body still wet from his shower, a towel tightly wrapped around his waist. Isabel was used to seeing her brothers in a near state of undress but she had an extra reason to avert her gaze this morning.

“How did it go?” Max asked softly, concern evident in his voice.

“It was fine.” Isabel stated dispassionately, her interested being held by a small glass ornament that she had picked up from a shelf. “I did as you asked.”

“I know you didn’t want to do it Iz but it had to be done. We have to be in control of the situation for our own good and theirs as well. By doing this we are back in charge so we can make sure nothing untoward happens to them.” Max recounted the reasons behind his instructions to Isabel the day before. “I know it can’t have been easy and I know you didn’t want to do it but I’m glad you did, it makes our task easier.”

Isabel finally turned to look at her brother. “I understand Max, I know why you asked me to do what you did but you are right…it wasn’t easy and I’m not happy. I don’t want to make a big thing about it but I need you to understand that after my recent actions I felt I owed you and Michael something so I did as you asked but please let me make one thing clear. I will never lie to Alex again…ever! In itself it isn’t such a big deal but I’m just letting you know I will never do it again, under any circumstances.”

“I’m sorry Iz.” Max replied as he dropped his direct gaze. “But it had to be done. When did you tell Alex we will be getting in?”

Isabel moved towards the adjoining door again and her room beyond. “I told him we were catching a coach today and taking an indirect route so we wouldn’t be getting into New York until later next week.”

Michael spoke for the first time since he had greeted Isabel when he opened the door. “And when do we really get there?”

Max glance at Isabel before looking at Michael, ready to reply to his question. “Our flight gets into JFK this evening.”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 12


Isabel sat looking out the side window as the plane taxied down the runway. She hadn’t made a great many plane journeys in her short lifetime but with her mind preoccupied elsewhere she wasn’t particularly enthralled by the wonders of modern aviation. She did, however, stop her musings long enough to catch her breath as the plane started to lift off. The thought of flying didn’t hold any concerns for her but as Michael always said, it was the crashing you had to worry about.

A glance across at Max and Michael made her realise that despite the three siblings unorthodox background there was no escaping the fact that her two brothers were definitely men. First there had been the argument about who would get the window seat on the flight to New York until Isabel gave them both an icy stare and suddenly the conversation became redundant. Then Isabel had to put up with the parallel conversations the two boys insisted on having which consisted of speaking about all the airplane movies they could think of, specifically the airplane disaster movies, and also how the acceleration down the runway was what it must be like if you drove a Porsche or Ferrari.

Isabel could see that both boys were deep in animated conversation so she tuned into what they were saying.

“…how can it not be?” Michael enthused. “Airport 75 is thee number one plane disaster movie of all time. It’s got everything. Mid-air explosions, a jet helicopter rescue mission and even the stewardess flying the plane.”

“I understand all of that.” Max agreed. “But what about more modern films like Air Force One or Executive Decision? And let’s not forget about Die Hard 2.”

“I can’t stand that film.” Michael said forcefully.

“Why ever not?” Max asked earnestly. “It’s a great film. It even has William Sadler in it as the bad guy.”

“That’s my point.” Michael countered. “What’s he ever done?”

Isabel smiled to herself as she tuned the boys back out. They were clearly happy and they weren’t fixated with what they were about to do and she was glad. It was just a pity she couldn’t say the same for herself. There was too much riding on this visit, too much which could go wrong. Since making herself known to Alex she had thought about nothing other than a possible reunion with the young man who consumed her ever waking thought but it was much more than that. What if Max and/or Michael didn’t want to see their counterparts? It was unlikely but what if? Also what if everyone had a get together, amicable or otherwise, and they decide to stay apart? To keep doing what they are doing. That would mean she would have a difficult choice to make. She loved her brothers more than almost anyone and there in lay the problem. That one person, she had finally realised, meant more to her than anyone else so if a decision had to be made she wasn’t sure it would be the one she always assumed she would make. If Alex wanted her…she knew which choice she would make.




Alex made his way down the stairs and out into the afternoon sunlight. The day had dragged beyond belief but he had made it to the end without going out of his mind, which hadn’t looked likely earlier on. He had lunch with Liz as he did ever day but he was conscious of not letting on about the arrival next week of the three aliens. That meant he had tried to analyze everything he would say and everything he would do before he acted so that Liz couldn’t read anything into it. Of course with all the over thinking and over analyzing that he was doing he couldn’t have looked more odd or behaved more suspiciously if he had tried.

What had started out as their usual amicable lunch had turned into some kind of farce as Liz became more and more confused by Alex’s odd behaviour and Alex had almost perspired right out of existence as he was interpreting even the most innocuous question as some kind of interrogation. With each successive question Alex became more agitated, causing Liz to become more concerned for her friend and therefore feeling the need to ask him more questions to check on his wellbeing.

While stuttering profusely, sweating uncontrollably and failing to casually avoid even the most innocent of questions Alex couldn’t have done more damage if he had been ringing a bell and wearing a sign proclaiming he had a secret.

He’d given a lot of thought about how he was going to keep the impending arrival of the three aliens a secret from his two closest friends and it seemed he had failed at the first hurdle. He had left Liz, after making a passable excuse about having eaten something that hadn’t agreed with him, and secreted himself in the library to come up with a better plan. It was while he was hidden away that he finally realised he had already been provided with the perfect cover.

He’d often spoken to both girls about the vivid dreams he had encountered over the last fours years. They had even discussed the possibility that Isabel might be effecting them some how but they had finally put it down to a combination of Alex’s overactive imagination and his former connection to Isabel. Of course, with the benefit of hindsight, Alex now knew it was Isabel who had entered his dreams and that he still had a connection to his dream girl. All of that meant if he did say something out of line or in error while trying to conceal the impending arrival of the aliens he could simply put it down to a dream. Both girls had shown obvious concern for their friend after the letter had arrived so it was only to be expected that Alex’s thoughts would turn to Isabel. If he let slip anything about his talks with Isabel or the arrival of their friends he could simply say he had dreamt it.

It finally dawned on Alex that he was over thinking things and in this instance…less was more. It was true to say that either girl could read him like a book so why try to hide something when he knew he couldn’t. These realisations over lunchtime had lifted the pressure of keeping his secret hidden from both girls and all he had to do now was try to live with the guilt of keeping something from his friends. Under any other circumstances he wouldn’t lie to his friends and if he could mange it he would try not to think of his actions as lying to his best friends but more like keeping them from getting hurt. He was sure that wasn’t how they would see it but this was what he had to tell himself to live with the deception.

“Hey Alex.” A familiar voice called.

Alex turned to find a grinning Liz slipping in beside him as he marched along. “Hey Parker.” He greeted his friend by snaking an arm out and pulling her in close to his side for a quick squeeze before letting go. “I know there is a first time for everything but I’ll admit this is a surprise. Don’t tell me my months of moaning and complaining have finally worn you down and you’re made it all the way over to the I.T. block.”

“Well, if the truth be told, the sound of your complaining does ring in my ears each afternoon but I must come clean and say I made a special point of getting out of class and down here to meet you after seeing how unwell you looked at lunch.” Liz confessed. “I was really worried about you and I can’t believe you didn’t go home like I suggested but having said all of that I must admit you look a million times better now than you did a couple of hours ago. I take it you are feeling better?”

“Better than you can ever imagine.” Alex admitted with a smile. Within the last few hours he had gone from one extreme to the other but now that he had settled on a plan of action that he actually felt he could achieve the relief was palpable. “I’m sorry if I had you worried at lunchtime but I had a feeling it was something that was going to pass so I just sat at the back of each class and kept my head down.”

“Well whatever you did it seems to have agreed with you.” Liz pointed out as the two friends stepped out onto the sidewalk. “It might be an idea to get yourself checked out if it reoccurs though.” She added with concern evident in her voice and apprehension etched on her face. “You can never be too careful, especially with all the junk food you eat.”

Alex looked down at his petite friend with a playful smile on his lips. “And that coming from Miss Roswell Diner 1998.” He let out a soft chuckle.

“Alex my dear...” Liz replied turning to look up at her tall escort. “…I may have served more than my fair share of burgers and fries but it doesn’t mean I have eaten them. Too much fat and grease would play havoc with my skin and my figure.”

“It’s never done me any harm.” Alex offered matter-of-factly.

Liz smiled but shook her head. “Alex you are that size after all the fast food you have eaten over the years. I would dread to think how thin you would be if you had eaten sensibly.”

“It was never going to happen, my petite chum.” Alex grinned. “With two best friends working in the best diner in town and serving me free drinks and free extra helpings of food I was never going to go hungry. It was all I could do to get home in time for my evening meal some nights.”

Liz stopped their walk down the street and turned to her friend. “Are you seriously telling me that over all those years when you were eating in the Crashdown that you were going home to eat as well?”

Alex started to fidget uncomfortably. “Well…most nights yes. I wanted to see you and Maria but I couldn’t stop my mom from cooking for me.”

“But you could have just come and visited us without eating.” Liz stated incredulously.

“That would have just been rude.” Alex shrugged. “Plus your dad would look at me funny if I wasn’t eating. He was always much happier if I had a plate full of food in front of me.”

Liz started to laugh. “That was probably because he thought you were paying for it.”

Alex wrapped an arm around Liz’s shoulders and turned them back in the direction they had been travelling. “Well I’m sure he can look upon it now as an investment. I would have never made it through my teenage years if it wasn’t for the four meals a day I was eating.”

“Now I really want you checked out.” Liz quipped. “You’ve probably got worms the amount you’ve been eating.”




Alex stood staring at the rows upon rows of lingerie. He was absolutely transfixed by the many different colours, varieties and materials that were laid before him and that was nothing compared to how small some of the pieces on show were. He was sure they couldn’t be comfortable or practical but still he couldn’t take his eyes off of them.

“Erm…can I help you sir?” A female voice enquired.

Alex felt himself flush furiously as he realised he had been approached by a female assistant while standing alone in the heart of the lingerie section. “I was…I was just waiting for a friend and got a little sidetracked.” He explained in a rush.

“Of course you were sir now if you would like to come with me.” The assistant asked firmly.

“No you don’t understand.” Alex tried to explain as he turned to look at his accuser. It didn’t help when he found himself looking at a tall and very beautiful young woman who was wearing a staff uniform. “My name is Alex and I’m here with my friend Liz to meet Maria Deluca. She’s our friend and she works here.”

“I can’t say I’ve heard of her.” The assistant stated while ushering Alex out of the department. “And to be honest I don’t really care. If you get your kicks out of hanging around ladies underwear who am I to judge you?”

“No please you must understand…” Suddenly Alex became aware of raucous laughter that was coming from just off to the side. He stopped his explanations to the young woman and turned to find both Liz and Maria doubled over in fits of hysterical laughter.

“He’s all yours Maria.” The young assistant called as she gave a final wink to Alex before turning to leave. As Alex watched the girl walk away she turned and looked back. “And you were right Maria…he is cute.” And with that, she was gone.


Alex didn’t know what to react to first, the fact that Maria and Liz had clearly set him up to embarrass him or the fact that the pretty shop girl had called him cute. “Very funny Maria.” Alex finally stated having decided which subject to attack first. “You could have given me a heart attack over there as well as tarnished my reputation forever.”

“Oh I’m sorry.” Maria feigned remorse. “I didn’t know she had picked you up and dragged you over to the lingerie section against your will. I didn’t want her to do that.”

Alex started to blush again. “Erm…she didn’t.”

“She didn’t.” Maria repeated in fake surprise. “Then what may I ask were you doing in the women’s clothing section without me or Liz by your side?”

Alex tried to think fast as he knew Maria was looking to complete her triumph. “I was looking for yours and Liz’s Christmas gifts.” He blurted out, suddenly feeling inspired.

“O.K.” Maria nodded. “I didn’t realise, forgive me.” Maria glanced quickly at Liz with a mischievous grin before looking back at Alex. “So we can expect thongs and stockings this Christmas can we?”

Alex quickly realised Maria was trying to back him into a corner. “They don’t only sell ladies underwear.” Alex countered. “I didn’t want to ruin the surprise but I was thinking about gloves and umbrellas.”

“For Christmas?” Maria exclaimed a little too loudly. “I think I’d rather the stockings.”

“Enough fun Maria.” Liz cut in. “I thought we were going for our postponed celebration meal for your promotion? If we’re going to go home and get changed we need to get a move on.”

Maria stepped forward and gave Alex a quick hug. “Sorry Honey, just having a little fun.”

“I know.” Alex gave his friend a quick squeeze. “Just try not to make your accomplice quite so attractive next time, I nearly fainted.”




At the same time not too many miles away.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. Please return to your seats, place your tray tables back in the upright position and fasten your seatbelts as we have just begun our descent into John F. Kennedy airport. We will be on the ground in fifteen minutes.”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 13


“You could have had more Alex.” Liz offered. “There was no way Maria and I were going to finish those huge servings of food.”

“I had enough thanks Liz.” Alex smiled contentedly. “And as we all know…enough is as good as a feast.”

“Really?” Liz questioned. “That one dinner was enough? I’d have thought all those years of training meant you could go to an Olympic eating contest and bring home the gold.” She gave her friend a mischievous smile.

Maria leaned forward slightly so she could look past Alex and at Liz. “Years of training?” She frowned in bewilderment. “I don’t get what you mean.”

“You mean he never told you either?” Liz released her grip on Alex and step towards Maria. Maria let go of where she had been holding onto Alex and linked arms with Liz, the two of them continuing their leisurely walk home as they discussed Alex’s previous eating habits. “Maria you won’t believe it but all through high school when Alex would come and visit us at the Crashdown he was also going home and eating an evening meal with his parents.”

Maria stopped abruptly and turned to look at Alex who was now dragging along slowly behind his two pals. “You’re that thin but you spent most of your teenage years eating two dinners each night? How the hell aren’t you 300lbs?”

Alex knew he had been spending too much of his time with women when his natural reaction to Maria’s comments about his weight was to throw his hands to his hips and give his friend a look of indignation. “What do you mean thin?” He barked. “I think you’ll find the term is lean with just the right amount of muscle.”

“I’m sorry sweetie. I didn’t mean to offend your self image. I never knew you were so sensitive about it.” Maria apologised.

“I’m not sensitive.” Alex smiled slightly to his friends. “I’m just a lean, mean fighting machine that’s all.”

“You’re not feeling a little muscle envy when it comes to those jerks down the gym are you?” Liz asked softly.

“Far from it.” Alex replied. “If our high school experiences taught me anything it is that people, no matter what their shape or size, can surprise you at every turn. You don’t need muscles to be brave or size to be courageous.”

Maria gave her friend an impish grin. “Alexander Whitman, are you giving me and Liz a veiled compliment in your little speech.”

“If the cap fits Maria.” He smiled. “But just so you know. I wouldn’t need to hide my admiration for the two of you in the middle of one of my soap box speeches. Placards, printed t-shirts and a bull-horn are more my style if I ever felt the need to proclaim how wonderful you both are.”

Maria turned to Liz with a broad grin. “Couldn’t you just eat him up?”

“I could,” Liz agreed. “But I’d keep that idea to yourself. If Alex gets to thinking about eating people we could all be in trouble.”

Both girls started to giggle as they moved off in the direction of home.

“Exactly how long will this round of jokes about my eating habits last?” Alex questioned as he continued to trail both girls. “It’s just you spent all evening, while getting ready, and all night during dinner ribbing me about my lingerie encounter and I was wondering when it is your turn to be mocked mercilessly?”

The two girls looked at one another before exchanging a silent nod. They then released their grip on one another and moved back to join Alex. They each linked an arm with their tall escort, returning them to their original positions prior to Liz telling Maria about Alex’s secret eating habits.

“We’re sorry Alex.” Liz offered. “We were just having a little fun but we weren’t trying to be mean. We’ll leave you alone and just enjoy our relaxing walk back after a wonderful meal.”

“You’re right Liz.” Maria agreed with her friend. “I’m sorry Alex. It’s been an amazing evening and I don’t want to spoil it by harping on about how much you eat.” Maria glanced at her watch. “And if we hurry we can get home in time for you to order a takeout pizza.”

“With dough sticks,” Liz started laughing at Maria’s joke. “Don’t forget the dough sticks.”

Alex glanced down at one girl and then the other, both were clearly enjoying themselves. “Now that you mention it,” Alex lifted a hand and patted his stomach. “I could go a deep pan pepperoni right now.”




The three siblings hadn’t said a word in the last twenty minutes. With each step they were one step closer to the address Alex had given Isabel in his dream the night before but more to the point with each step they were one step closer to their friends.

“If you two don’t stop dragging your feet we’re never going to get there.” Isabel moaned as she looked back at her two companions.

“Isabel, we’re not dragging our feet.” Max countered. “We’re just trying to be careful as the closer we get to their apartment the greater the risk of running into them. I know you don’t think us bumping into Liz, Maria and Alex would be a bad thing but we need to take our time. We need to be careful and approach this with our eyes wide open.”

“I understand all of that Max but things aren’t going to be a picnic for me just because I have dream walked Alex. The fact remains that we have been apart for more than four years and who knows how he’s going to react to seeing me again.” Isabel explained. “I know the same goes for you two guys and maybe even more so but we are all in the same boat so we just have to do our best.”

“Don’t forget Isabel, we walked away without saying goodbye.” Michael cut in. “And some of us had a slightly more volatile relationship with out erstwhile partner than others.” Michael looked from Isabel to Max with a knowing look. “In fact let’s cut the crap. We all know I’m talking about me and Maria. Whatever reception the two of you get it is unlikely to involve a kitchen knife or a baseball bat, which can’t be said for my possible reunion.”

“Oh I don’t think things will go that far.” Max reasoned. “Although it might be an idea for to you wear a cup.”

Isabel tried not to smile. “Despite that being a bit of information I could have done without I think Max might have a point. The threat of physical violence is a real possibility from Maria so I would watch myself and just be grateful for the size difference between the two of you.”

After the little banter between the three siblings they fell quiet, each thinking about what might occur when they are finally reunited with their former partner.

“She wouldn’t raise a finger to me.” Michael suddenly spoke, his voice barely audible.

“What?” Max asked his friend sympathetically, echoing Michael’s soft tones. “I didn’t quite catch that.”

He lifted his gaze and looked at Max. “We’re all going to have to pay for what we did and how but I think Maria will have a whole new kind of hell in store for me if we meet up.”

“We were only kidding about Maria being violent.” Isabel offered. “We know her better than that.”

“We do,” Michael nodded in agreement. “And that’s my point. Most people, who don’t know the real Maria, would probably think she will explode or act violently towards me because of the image she hides behind but we know different. I already know the welcome I can expect if I step out in front of Maria. She will look at me with her big beautiful eyes and in that one instance she will tell me that I abandoned her just like her father did. She’ll compare me to the one man she believes hurt and abandoned her mother, thinking I’ve done the same to her.”

“I’ve got a totally different reunion ahead of me.” Max began. “I have a feeling Liz will treat what we did with a logical mind and explain away all of what we did and why but hidden beneath the surface for no one else to see will be the feeling of betrayal. The one thing I understood, second only to my belief that we were meant for one another, was my unwavering respect for Liz and how she dealt with the whole alien thing. I mean she had this absolutely monumental thing just dropped into her lap and what did she do? Did she panic? Not on your life. She simply took it all in her stride and not only looked to protect us and our secret but also to help us at every opportunity. We both have to face a look of betrayal but for very different reasons.” Max looked to Michael specifically. “Maria will think you abandoned her but Liz will think I didn’t trust her or have enough belief in her.”

Both boys turned to look at Isabel. “I have the easy reunion?” Isabel spoke with a scornful smile. “I don’t have feelings of betrayal or abandonment to cope with so I can simply throw myself into Alex’s arms and everything will be fine, I will get the happy ending I desire.” Isabel’s words were dripping in sarcasm. “That is until we both start our usual feelings of insecurity. I think I know why Alex and I are so made for each other, because neither believes they are worthy of the other.”

Isabel shook her head gently. “Of course there might be a hint of sarcasm in what I am saying but what’s new?” She could feel tears welling up in her eyes but she was determined not to cry. “I can only imagine the harm I would have done to that boy if I had stayed. The way he looked at me and the way he acted towards me was all I ever wanted but I’m not sure it was enough for me back then. Despite clearly knowing what I wanted I was more than capable of ruining the best thing that was ever going to happen to me.” Isabel paused for a moment. “So all I need to do is have the courage of my convictions and tell Alex how I really feel, show him who I really am.”

“I think you’re missing the point of your connection with Alex.” Max cut in on his sister with a gentle smile. “It’s obvious to everyone else that he already knows the real you and I truly believe he knows how you feel about him. You just need to believe in yourself. Alex and the rest of us already do.”

Isabel returned Max’s warm smile and as she was about to lean in to give her brother a thank you hug she felt a heavy shove in her back pushing both her and then Max into a shop doorway.”

“What the hell…” Isabel cried.

“Shhhh!!” Michael hissed. He looked over his shoulder and gestured down the street to the opposite side. “They’re here!”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 14


Liz, Maria and Alex continued their slow walk home totally unaware they were being watched. Despite his inside knowledge Alex wasn’t anticipating a close encounter of any kind let alone the third variety until next week at the absolute earliest. Even then it was safe to say he was expecting a little warning from Isabel.

In this instance ignorance wasn’t bliss. Taking into account the undoubted turmoil and heartache a reunion between the two groups of friends would bring there was still no doubt that the three humans would rather the aliens stepped out from the shadows and made themselves known rather than continue their clandestine charade, bringing this tumultuous chapter of their lives to a most welcome end. Even if something is done for the right reason it doesn’t mean it won’t bring heartache or that it is welcomed by all parties. This had been one of those occasions.

The reason the three humans had never been truly upset with their erstwhile partners was they all knew that if the tables had been turned they would have done the same thing, walking away to keep them safe. Equally the aliens knew that although they were confident they had done the right thing in keeping their friends and family safe it would still have been a bitter pill to swallow if the situation had been reversed and the choice had been taken away from them, as they had done to their human friends.

Liz suddenly stopped, causing Alex and Maria to stop also, their arms still interlinked. She loosened her hold on Alex to enable herself to look over her shoulder and back down the near empty street.

“Liz, sweetie,” Maria called softly. “Is there something wrong?”

Liz remained silent for a moment and just continued to look down the darkened sidewalk. Finally she shook her head and pulled herself out of her self-induced haze. “I’m fine Maria, just a little…” She trailed off and started to stare down the street again, leaving herself and her two companions motionless for a further moment.

“Liz?” Alex tugged gently on Liz’s arm, causing her to look up at her tall friend. He then waved a hand in front of his friends staring eyes. “Earth to Liz, come in Liz.”

Liz suddenly let out a nervous laugh and visibly shook herself to break whatever spell she had been under. “I think I’m going out of my mind.” She joked. After turning back to continue their journey Liz tightened her hold on Alex’s arm as she felt a chill sweep over her. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened there.” She explained. “One minute I was happily walking along and the next I felt like someone had called out to me but I knew I hadn’t heard anything, which was what confused me so much.”

“Oh that’s just great!” Maria exclaimed. “I’ve not had a guy so much as look at me in the last four years and Liz ups and gets herself a stalker. I mean what’s wrong with me, aren’t I stalk-worthy?”

“Firstly, I’m not sure stalk-worthy is even English,” Alex began. “Secondly, Liz doesn’t have a stalker. It was probably just her mind playing tricks on her. New York is a very big city after all and there are millions of different sights and sounds every day so whatever caught her attention could have been just about anything so let’s not go thundering towards the idea of a stalker. Finally, as for your ‘No one even looks at me’ comment we all know the truth so stop deluding yourself. I’ve been introduced to so many guys as yours or Liz’s boyfriend over the last four years that I am beginning to get a complex. I really don’t mind you both using me as a shield to ward off unwanted attention but I’ve already told you that half the guys in the technology lab think I’m dating either one or both of you, which is good for my image but bad for my Karma as I don’t deny it outright.”

Maria looked up at her tall friend in surprise. “You let them geeks think you are dating one or both of us and you haven’t set them straight?”

“Hey!” Alex cried. “I’m one of those geeks so stop saying it like it’s a dirty word. As for the other stuff I got so fed up with denying that I was dating either of you that I gave up. It’s not like I encourage what they are saying but you can only repeat, ‘No it’s not true’, so may times. I discovered that once they thought I was dating you or Liz that they left it alone.”

Maria eyed Alex for a minute. She then gave his arm a comforting rub of reassurance. “That’s OK sweetie. If people are going to assume I’m dating anyone I’d want it to be you.”

“Really?” Alex could hardly contain his excitement or his surprise.

“Of course, who else did you think I would want to be associated with when it came to the subject of dating?” Maria asked, slightly annoyed Alex didn’t think of himself in such a role. “Of all the millions of men in New York you would be top of my list of one. Trust me when I tell you there would be no competition.”

Alex turned his attention to Liz and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling broadly when he saw her nodding in agreement.

Alex felt himself blush. “I won’t lie to you girl’s, I’m deeply touched at this moment and I feel like I’m ten feet tall.”

Both girls exchanged a silent look. They’d meant every word that had been said but it didn’t hurt that it had given their best friend’s ego a welcome boost. Calling on a much practiced routine they both pulled gently on Alex’s arms causing him to stoop slightly and like a well oiled machine they both leaned in and gave their best friend a chaste kiss on the cheek.

They continued their dwindling walk home, the front entrance to their building in sight. Both girls were smiling contentedly to themselves as they each tightened their grip on their escort. It would be a week before Alex would be able to wipe the smile off of his face. It didn’t change the fact that his one true love was on the other side of the country and he hadn’t seen her for over four years but to have two such loving and affectionate friends to lean on during these difficult years meant it was something he knew he could cope with and, more to the point, get through. He felt he was going to burst right out of his shirt the way his chest was expanding with pride as he strutted down the street with two of Roswell’s finest on his arms. New York may be home to millions of women but he was confident not many of the locals could hold a candle to his two girls.

They finally reached the front entrance and the trio broke apart as the girls started up the front stairs to the main street door.

“Alex, are you OK?” Liz questioned, looking back down the stairs at Alex who was leaning one hand on the guard rail that ran along the length of the stairs. He had one foot lifted and it appeared that he was trying to look at the sole of his shoe.

“I’m fine Liz. I’ve just got something caught on the sole of my shoe.” He smiled softly while fishing around in his pocket for something. The next moment he pulled out his door keys and started to dig around at the sole of his raised foot. “You girl’s go up. I won’t be a minute.” He reassured them. “I’ll be right up.”

Liz turned to where Maria was holding the large front door open. As soon as she stepped inside she heard Maria follow, allowing the door to close. The two girls made their way upstairs towards the apartment, each revelling in what a wonderful night it had been.

When he heard the heavy front door close with a padded thud Alex dropped his foot back to the floor, returned his keys to his pocket and spun round. He stood silently as he looked back down the street in the direction that Liz had been looking a few brief moments earlier.

He was unsure what exactly was happening but he had felt something similar to what Liz had described. He knew he was probably just being silly but if Liz hadn’t mentioned it he would have just put it down to the start of the build up of tension that he would no doubt go through in the next week as the anticipation at the arrival of the aliens began to climb.

What was freaking him out was that he saw something Liz didn’t. As he had been walking down the street with a petit friend on each arm it meant he was the only one who could see both Liz and Maria at the same time. If Liz had wanted to see Maria she would have had to let go of her hold on her escort and either step forward or step back to see beyond the tall figure of Alex. The same went for Maria.

As Alex was the only one who was able to see each girl he was the only one who noticed that Maria had reacted at the same time as Liz had, only to a much lesser degree…much as he had. With hands clenched by his side Alex continued to look down the sidewalk on the opposite side to where he was standing, concentrating his efforts on trying to peer into the shadows.

His rational side finally got the better of him and he let out a brief chuckle as he turned, shaking his head. What had he expected to happen? Where Isabel, Max and Michael suddenly going to step out to greet him?

“You silly man.” He chastised himself as he slowly climbed the stairs while he reached into his pockets for his keys. As the door closed behind him the tall, Amazonian figure of Isabel Evans stepped out from the doorway she had been concealed in. She was slowly followed by Max and Michael.

Surprisingly it was Michael who broke the silence with the most unexpected of words. “Wow!”

Isabel looked back over her shoulder at Michael as she wiped away at her unshed tears. “Wow?” She repeated with a questioning look on her beautiful features.

Michael shrugged sheepishly. “I’m not sure what else to say. They’ve changed so much and yet they haven’t changed at all.”

“Alex seemed taller.” Max stated softly.

“It looked like he’s filled out a bit as well.” Isabel added absentmindedly. She tried not to blush when she realised what she had said. “Both girls look stunning.” She offered quickly in a failed attempt to change the subject away from what she thought about Alex.

“Did you see the way Liz stopped and looked in this direction?” Michael asked, already knowing the answer. “It was a close run thing. We almost had an unwanted reunion right here in the street.”

Max nodded in agreement. “And it was noticeable that Alex let the girls go up before having a second look himself.” A smile slowly spread across Max’s face. “I’m glad the girls have Alex here to look out for them. I’m not sure what I would have done if we’d returned only to find they’d gone their separate ways. The only way I have been able to get beyond my feelings of guilt about what we did is with the thought that at least they had each other.”

“Say what you want about Whitman but he’d kill or die for those girls.” Michael stated. He slowly turned to look at Isabel. “And for you.” He added softly causing Isabel to suddenly look wistful. “So what now?” Michael questioned a little too loudly, almost causing all three to jump in surprise.

“If we head back to the hotel and try to get some sleep we can think about coming back tomorrow.” Max offered. “We can take a couple of days to see what sort of routine they are in before we decide on how to proceed from there.”

Michael shrugged again. “Seems like as good a plan as any.”

“I’ll catch up with you guys a little later.” Isabel started to slowly turn away. “I’m too wired to sleep right now or even to sit in another hotel room. If I never see another hotel room it will be too soon.”

“Would you like us to keep you company?” Max offered. “New York can be a dangerous place, especially at night.”

“Trust me Max I am the one person any delinquent would not want to run into tonight.” Isabel gave her brother a stern look. “We’re this close to what we all want and nothing and no one is going to get in my way.”

Max and Michael watched as Isabel folded her arms across her chest as she moved off down the sidewalk. Once she had opened a large distance between them the two boys turned and headed back to their hotel, thoughts of what to do next running through both their minds.



Alex pulled back the covers and was about to climb into bed when he heard a gentle tapping on his door. “Come in.” He called softly.

The door opened slowly and the small figure of Liz stepped into the room, partially closing the door behind her. “I’m sorry to disturb you. I can see you are ready for bed but I just needed a quick word and I’m afraid it can’t wait until morning.”

“Sure, no problem.” Alex gestured towards his bed. “Do you want to sit down?”

Liz moved silently to the bed and sat down. Alex moved within a foot or so of Liz and aped her movement by also sitting on the bed. “I won’t beat about the bush as I love you and I know you love me so we all have each others best interests at heart.” Liz let out a heavy sigh and continued. “I know you’ve been in touch with Isabel, Max and Michael.”

“What!” Alex was almost sent reeling backwards by Liz’s sudden disclosure. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” He lied, trying to stall for time as he tried to workout what to do next.

“Alex I have never lied to you apart from the time I made that promise to Max.” Liz stated softly. “To the best of my knowledge you have never lied to me…until now. I know you too well to think you would lie to me for any other reason than to protect the aliens, much as I did. I’m not accusing you and I’m not upset with you but one of the reasons people love you the way they do is because you’re not capable to lying…you’re too nice.”

Alex dropped his head for a moment as he let the relief at not having to hide this secret from Liz any more just leech out of his body. It had been eating away at him and he was glad to be rid of it. “It’s nothing untoward Liz and there are no ulterior motives. You already know I have been dreaming about Isabel but what you don’t know is she made herself known to me. I think the arrival of the letter from Diane Evans set things in motion. Without going over all the details now we decided we have all been apart for too long so we hatched a rather weak plan.” Alex eyed Liz for a second. “Am I really that easy to read? I thought I was doing a good job of it but obviously not. What gave me away?”

Liz smiled gently. “The fact that you can’t lie to save your life means it wasn’t too difficult to know something was up. My little incident downstairs was another big clue because it’s been a number of years since I felt the way I did when I thought I heard Max call to me.”

“Max?” Alex questioned wide-eyed. “It felt like Max was calling you?” He repeated.

Liz nodded. “It was definitely alien related. It’s difficult to describe but it was like my old connection was sparking back into life.” Liz paused for a moment, no doubt thinking about Max. “Then finally seeing them downstairs was the final hint.”

“WHAT!” Alex cried.

“Shhh!” Liz hissed. “You’ll wake Maria.”

Alex stood up causing Liz to follow. “What do you mean you saw them downstairs? They’re not supposed to be here until next week at the earliest.”

“Well I’m sorry Alex but I saw the three of them down the street not more than an hour ago, a few minutes after we came in.” Liz was shocked to find this was obviously news to Alex. “After you attempted to convince me you had something wrong with your shoe I came upstairs with Maria and we started to get changed. As I was suddenly convinced you were trying to hide something and keeping in mind I had just had my feeling of a connection of sorts I looked out the window to see what you were doing. Just as I heard the front door close, which must have been you coming upstairs, I turned to close the curtains when something caught my eye. It was then that I saw Isabel and then Max and Michael step out from a shop doorway on the other side of the street.”

“I can’t believe it.” Alex had started pacing. “They weren’t supposed to be here until next week at the earliest. Isabel explained they were coming by coach as it was safer and it was only last night when she told me so they couldn’t have gotten here from Seattle in that short space of time.”

“Then I suggest they took a flight instead.” Liz surmised. “No doubt Max has a plan to get a jump on us.”

“You think it was Max’s idea?” Alex stopped pacing and focused on Liz.

“Max is a born leader.” Liz stated with a certain amount of pride in her voice. “He doesn’t like it when things are out of his control, too much of a chance that someone might end up getting hurt.”

Alex frowned. “We’d never hurt him.”

“He knows that.” Liz couldn’t help but smile at Alex’s innocent comment. “But by telling you they will be here next week it gives them a chance to get to New York and check the place out and more to the point to check us out.”

Alex started to shake his head. “This is unbelievable. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to say.”

Liz pulled Alex into a brief hug. “As difficult as it will be I think we should try and get some sleep. There’s not a lot else we can do, not until tomorrow at the very least.”

“But what do I do about Isabel?” Realisation suddenly hitting Alex. “What if I dream about knowing they are in New York? I can’t control what I dream about. Maybe I should stay awake.”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Liz tried to reassure her best friend. “If Isabel tries to dream walk you and can’t she might get worried. If she discovers that we know they are already here the worst that will happen is that they will make themselves known to us sooner.”

“Liz,” Alex asked softly. “Can I ask you a question?” Before Liz could speak he added. “It’s private so I’ll understand if you don’t want to answer.”

“Anything.” She replied without hesitation. “I have no secrets from you Alex.”

“If you saw them downstairs earlier why didn’t you go down and confront them?” He questioned hesitantly. “It’s been over four years and I know you still have feels for Max.”

“You’re right.” Liz agreed. “I do have feelings for Max but I’m not sure he still has feelings for me. What’s more it was his decision to leave so it should be down to him to come back. I’ll admit it made my heart soar to see him standing there with Isabel and Michael but without wishing to appear stubborn he made his bed and now he can lie in it.”

“Oh no Liz.” Alex shook his head slowly, matching the slow speech pattern he was using as he replied to Liz’s comment. “That’s not stubborn at all.” He said sarcastically, taking the edge off of his mocking comment with a smile.

Liz smiled as she started to slowly make her way to the door. “Alex, things will be fine and I can assure you the best thing you can do right now is try to get some sleep. If it’s any incentive the sooner you get to sleep the sooner this will all be at an end, one way or another.”

Alex watched as Liz closed the door behind her. The comment about things coming to an end one way or another was not lost on Alex. He knew Liz was still unsure about how her relationship with Max stood so she was clearly not taking anything for granted. He couldn’t help feeling guilty for not pressing Isabel on what had gone on while they had been away. If he had he might have had some positive news to tell Liz about the relationship between Max and Tess but as he hadn’t questioned Isabel in any detail that was something that still had to be dealt with.

Leaning his body back and lifting his feet Alex lay himself back on his bed. He was in no mood for shadow games tonight and all he could think about was the fact that he had been standing within 100ft of Isabel tonight and not known about it.

Just as the thought that he was never going to get to sleep started to cement in his mind Alex slipped into the land of nod. The excitement of knowing they were so near was over taken by the tiredness of having to keep his guard up all day about not letting on to the girls about the alien’s arrival.



Liz woke with a start. She blindly reached out for the light switch and turned it on, bathing her bedroom in a low light. She reached for the glass of water that she religiously kept beside her bed each night and frowned when she realised it was empty. She turned off the light as she didn’t want to disturb either Maria or Alex as she was about to make a foray into the kitchen to refill her glass. They were all so paranoid about waking each other that they were all well versed in walking around the apartment in the dark.

She opened the door silently and started to move up the hallway. It was then that she noticed the door to Alex’s room was ajar. She sighed at the thought that Alex had been unable to sleep because he had so much to think about. As she approached the door she could already see the light from the street lights casting pretty patterns across the ceiling. She smiled at the thought of Alex playing his patented game with the shadows.

When she reached the threshold of the doorway she stopped, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the sight that fell before her. She silently stepped back, taking herself out of the line of sight of Alex’s room and she tried to concentrate all of her efforts on catching her breath without making a noise. She held her hand to her mouth as she fought back the tears that threatened as she came to terms with what she had just seen. She leaned forward and twisted her body for one last look, not trusting herself with what she had seen a moment before.

For the second time within a matter of moments she saw it again, the unmistakeable figure of Isabel Evans sitting on the edge of Alex’s bed while she watched him sleep.



To be continued…

[Sternbetrachter]

great part once again, David!

Liz felt something while walking down the streets? could that be her new powers kicking in or her "soulmate-connection" with Max? after all, she obviously felt it stronger than Alex or Maria
and very sweet of the girls to give Alex an ego boost
and damn! if Alex had noticed the others like Liz did, then he'd surely approached them, I think ... even though Liz is right: they made their bed and they are the ones to come back ... I hope ALex will be more excited than angry about the group already being angry and won't hold the lie Isabel was - more or less - forced to tell him against her
and Isabel watching Alex sleep? awww ... how cute is that?

More!

Trude

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 15


Liz reversed her actions from a moment before, rolling herself back out of the eye line of Alex’s doorway and returned her body to its previous state, pressed against the wall in the almost pitch black hall. She was thankful that her body had started to recover from the initial burst of exhilaration after seeing Isabel casually sitting on the edge of Alex’s bed as though it was the most natural thing in the world to be doing. She had finally managed to catch her breath and the overpowering rush of blood pumping through her veins began to subside.

Her reaction to seeing Isabel in Alex’s room was much the same as the reaction she had endured when she saw the three aliens step out from the shop doorway a few hours earlier. She was hit by several varying feelings at once and it was only the fact that she was in the room on her own that allowed her to recompose herself without letting on that she knew they were here.

By the time she had seen Alex, after his return to the apartment, she had already run through the different scenarios that would account for their three missing friends to suddenly reappear on their doorstep. Having already had her suspicions about how Alex had been acting recently it didn’t take much effort to deduce that he was in on their return. She didn’t mean that in a bad way, she wasn’t calling into question Alex’s actions in this matter, but knowing her best friend so well meant she could follow what probably had happened without too much difficulty.

She had decided that a full on confrontation with Alex wasn’t what was called for here because she was convinced he hadn’t done anything wrong. However, once she had decided that she wasn’t going to go chasing Max, Isabel and Michael down the street to find out what, exactly, was going on she knew she would simply need to find a quiet time to talk to her best friend to get to the bottom of what was happening. She didn’t want to hide anything from Maria but she was sure it would be easier for Alex to explain it to her and then Maria rather than both of them at the same time.

All of that brought her to where she found herself now…dumbstruck and motionless outside of Alex’s room while his returning girlfriend, of sorts, sat quietly watching him sleep. She quickly had to stop herself thinking about what was happening on the other side of the wall she was pressed against as she could feel herself welling up as the enormity of what was actually taking place began to sink in. It was so much more than just Isabel having her own private reunion with her slumbering counterpart, this was unequivocal proof that they were alive and well and more importantly…back in their lives.

Not only that but Liz couldn’t help but feel amazed at how beautiful and heart-warming it was to see Isabel take the remarkable steps of breaking into the apartment and risk being caught all simply because she had an unerring need to see Alex and to be with him. It was a measure of the lengths to which she was willing to go to show her love for the sleeping young man despite him being oblivious to what was going on.

Suddenly Liz was wrenched from her innermost thoughts when she felt a hand reach over and clasp itself gently but firmly to her mouth. Before she had a chance to react the stunned brunette heard a familiar voice whisper in her ear, defusing the situation before it had begun. “Is she still in there?”

As the hand dropped from her mouth Liz looked to her left and even in the very low light she was able to make out the slight form of Maria standing beside her. Not wishing to disturb Isabel or to let her know they were onto her Liz reached out and took hold of Maria’s hand while holding the index finger of her free hand to her lips, making it clear to Maria to stay quiet. The two girls moved silently up the hallway and into the living room before pulling the door closed, affording them both some privacy.

“You know she’s here?” Liz whispered in surprise to Maria. “How did you know?” Liz’s inquisitive mind was getting the better of her, as always.

Maria sat silently for a moment before beginning. “You know when we were walking back from the restaurant this evening and you thought you heard Max call your name?”

“Wait a minute.” Liz interrupted. “How do you know I thought Max called my name?”

Maria sighed but managed a smile towards Liz. “If you keep asking questions I will never get my explanation out.”

Despite the situation Liz blushed slightly with embarrassment. “Sorry Ria. Sometimes I can’t help myself.”

“That’s OK chica.” Maria reassured her friend and tightened the hold she had on Liz’s hand. “So anyway when you thought you heard Max call to you I felt something as well. From how you described it I don’t think mine was as strong as yours but I also felt that Alex had picked up on something too.”

“You felt it as well?” Liz asked incredulously before realising she was butting in again. She mouthed the word ‘Sorry’ to Maria and nodded for her to continue.

“I noticed that you excused yourself pretty quickly after we got back and headed to bed early, which made me think something was wrong. When Alex seemed to be in the same frame of mind, heading to bed not long after we got back in, I was then convinced something was going on.” Maria suddenly looked a little nervous and Liz could see this.

“Maria you know you have nothing to worry about with me so if you have something to tell me then just tell me.” She smiled, trying to reassure her clearly anxious friend.

“I know Liz but I wouldn’t want you to think I was spying on you.” When Maria saw that her comment had clearly peeked Liz’s interest she knew she had to press on regardless. “Anyway I lay in bed but couldn’t sleep so I got up to speak to you. I went into your bed room and you weren’t there. By the way…” Maria suddenly added, going off at a tangent. “You might want to refill your glass of water as I finished yours off when I went into your room.”

Liz lifted out the glass she had tucked into the pocket of her dressing gown when standing out in the hallway. Maria let out a stifled laugh as she held her hands to her mouth, not wishing to draw attention to them both. “When I came out of your room I could see the door to Alex’s room was open and so I thought either you were in there or at the very least that Alex was still up so I thought I could talk to him. As I approached the door I heard you and Alex talking. I thought, as the door was left open, you were just chatting so I was about to enter when I heard Alex yell ‘What’ and I heard the two of you discussing the fact that Michael, Max and Isabel were back. I quickly scurried back to my room when I heard you approaching the door to leave. I thought about coming in but I knew then wasn’t the time to bring this all out into the open. With you telling Alex the best thing to do was to sleep on it I thought I’d follow your instructions.”

“Needless to say the thought that the three of them had returned and that they were only a matter of yards from us earlier this evening was playing heavily on my mind. I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t want to just lie in bed all night so I got up and made myself a cup of herbal tea.” Maria could see Liz was trying not to laugh. “You know it helps me relax Liz so I thought it might aid my attempt to get to sleep.”

Liz held up her hands in mock surrender. “I’m not judging Maria it’s just I struggle with a tea that’s made from nettles.”

“And you call yourself a scientist.” Maria mocked with a smile. “Finally I decided to go back to bed but when I stepped out of the kitchen and into the hallway I could see a low glow coming from the door locks. I ran back into the kitchen and picked up a large knife.”

Liz’s eyes went wide with shock.

“It may have been a number of years since our adventures with the pod squad but I’m not letting just anyone break in here without suffering the consequences.” Maria stated firmly. “I must admit my first thought wasn’t that it was one of our aliens but someone or something else. I would have thought the least our aliens would have done was call first.” Maria couldn’t conceal her indignation, not that she was trying very hard to hide it.

“When I went back out into the hall I could just about make out a tall figure going into Alex’s room so I followed, fully prepared to leap on them when an appropriate opportunity presented itself but when I looked into the room I could get a much better look at our visitor because of the street lights that were coming in through the partially open blinds.” Maria paused a moment, tears becoming evident in her eyes. “When I saw how tall a figure it was, coupled with the long blond hair running down past her shoulders I knew it was Isabel and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know whether to throw myself at her and give her a big hug or to kick her in the ass for upping and leaving the way she did. How I didn’t drop the knife and give my presence away I’ll never know but I quickly stepped back, much like you did and finally I staggered up the hall and just sat at the kitchen table, not sure what to do next. I’ve been popping in and out for the last half hour or so to see if she was still there. As far as I can tell she is just sitting there...staring at him.”

“Which will always be enough for me.” A soft voice broke in.

Liz and Maria turned to see the towering figure of Isabel standing in the doorway. Isabel had always been head and shoulders taller than Liz and Maria but the fact that she was wearing a pair of high heeled boots while the other two girls were in slippers only exaggerated the size difference between them.

The three stood motionless and silent for a long moment. It wasn’t so much an uncomfortable silence as much as none of the three knew what they were supposed to do next. Unsurprisingly it was Maria who broke the deadlock by stepping forward and pulling the much taller girl into a hug. Liz watched as Isabel immediately broke down in tears as she clung to her petit friend. No longer standing on ceremony Liz followed Maria’s example and stepped forward and was met by an outstretched arm from both Maria and Isabel, welcoming her to their reunion hug. The sound of muffled crying and bodies shaking with sobs of relief surrounded the three girls as they did little more than cling to one another for comfort and support. After several minutes of abundant weeping the girls finally broke apart, each girl taking a moment to wipe at their eyes and gather their thoughts.

“I can’t believe you’re back.” Liz began. She glanced at Maria. “None of us can.”

Maria nodded in agreement. “Not least sleeping beauty down the hall and he doesn’t even know you’re here yet.”

Isabel eyed her two friends, relief at finally being back with her closest female companions was evident on her face but there was something she desperately needed to know. She suddenly dropped her gaze and started to pick at the nail varnish on her beautifully manicured nails. “How is he?” She asked nervously without even looking up.

“He’s Alex.” Liz replied firmly causing Isabel to lift her gaze.

When she heard Liz’s words without seeing her face Isabel thought her petit friend was annoyed with her after making such a short reply to her question but when she looked up and saw the smile on both Liz and Maria’s faces she knew she had misinterpreted what was being said. Liz’s brief words weren’t meant to be taken as her being curt with Isabel or abrupt. On the contrary the whole point to Liz’s concise comment was that Alex was Alex. There was no one else like him in the world and all Isabel would need to know was he hadn’t changed. He was still as loving, protective and loyal as he had always been…and would always be.

“I don’t know what you were able to glean from your visits with Alex in the dream world but he doesn’t blame you or judge you for what you did.” Liz tried to reassure her clearly anxious friend.

Those words sent floods of tears streaming down Isabel’s face. She almost seemed to lose her balance but managed to catch herself before lowering herself onto the nearby couch. Maria came and sat on the armrest and reached an arm around her tearful friend while Liz came and sat the other side, taking hold of Isabel’s hand in her own.

“All I’ve thought about…” Isabel spluttered through her sobs. “…for the last four years is seeing him again.” Maria rubbed her friends back in a comforting gesture. “But in all that time I’ve not been able to get beyond the thought that he might not want to have anything to do with me.” Isabel paused a moment while she tried to recompose herself before continuing. “I’m very aware that Alex can’t control what he dreams about so in spite of the fact that he has spent a lot of time dreaming about me I’ve never taken for granted that he would welcome me with open arms.”

“Well speaking as someone who has spent everyday of the last four years with Mr Whitman I can assure you that a frosty reception is not something you will be getting from him.” Maria said with a smile on her face. As Isabel looked up at her friend she could see her face change to one with a more serious look. “I’m not saying you can just go back and carrying on where you left off over four years ago, but the least I can tell you is that he will hear you out.”

“That’s all that I ask.” Isabel said solemnly.

The three girls sat silently for a moment. Each aware of what was not being said but none of them were feeling brave enough to broach the subject. Finally it was left to Maria, the breaker of taboo subjects, to ask the unthinkable and when she did it was like the most nonchalant question the world had ever heard.

“So how did the whole destiny thing workout for you guys?” Maria’s blunt question brought raised eye-brows from both Liz and Isabel who were now clearly in shock. Maria hadn’t finished yet. “Tell me…did you and Michael hook up or what?

“What?” Maria asked upon seeing the looks she was receiving from the two girls, her voice containing more than a hint of impatience. “You know we want to know the answer to these questions so we might as well get them out of the way.” Maria eyed Liz specifically. “Once you’re put me out of my misery you can then move on to Max and Tess, tell us how their love life is working out.”

Isabel sprang to her feet, more than a little taken aback and annoyed by Maria’s blasé attitude to the whole subject. “If you must know Maria there never was a me and Michael. I’ve never thought of Michael as anything other than a brother so any thoughts in that direction would be sick and downright unwelcome.”

“And Max and Tess?”

Isabel suddenly looked uncomfortable and she could barely bring herself to look at Liz. Finally she replied, still not able to face her friend. “Max and Tess? …that’s a little more complicated.”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 16


“Go on.” Maria pressed. “You can’t leave it there.”

It had become clear to Isabel that not only was this a difficult subject for her to speak about but it was also a difficult subject for Liz to listen to if her body language was anything to go by. After her initial shock at how blunt Maria had been it was apparent that she was beginning to shutdown.

She’d wrapped both arms around herself as though fighting a chill but Isabel knew it was more a defensive move to shield her from this unwanted conversation. Isabel understood what was happening with Liz as it was something she had been through a thousand times before over the last four years. She loved her brothers but their set up wasn’t conducive to open acts of emotion so whenever she felt the need to talk to someone about a particular subject or if she needed a hug of consolation she had gotten used to simply wrapping her arms around herself and keeping her emotions not only bottled up but well hidden as well.

That was why Isabel was so sure that she knew what was going on with Liz at this very moment. It wasn’t that Maria was being callous towards her best friend by going straight for the heart of the problem nor was she being oblivious to her friends needs by not knowing what was going on with her. It was just that she had a different way of dealing with things and, as in this instance, she wanted to meet it head on.

“Maria I’m not sure this is the right time or the right place.” Isabel explained softly, hoping to defuse the situation. “And more to the point I don’t think I am the right person to be discussing this with.”

“That’s fine.” Maria agreed readily with Isabel. “So why don’t you go off to wherever it is you are all staying and bring Max back here and we can get this all out into the open.”

Isabel let out a heavy sigh. “Maria you know I can’t do that. Do you really think I would be breaking into your apartment in the middle of the night if Max and Michael knew that I wanted to see Alex and they were OK with it? It’s bad enough that you guys caught me as I now have yet another Spanish inquisition to sit through when I get back. Max and Michael think I went for a walk. It’s only my impatience and my desire to see Alex that caused me to do what I have done. If you think I can go back and simply explain to them that you all know we are here and we can have one big happy reunion I’m afraid you are sadly mistaken.”

Maria was starting to get angry if the increasing tone and level of her voice was anything to go by. “So what? You think we are just going to let you walk out of here without explaining what has been going on for the last four years? If that is the case then I am sorry to tell you that you are wrong on so many levels I don’t know where to begin.” Maria stated firmly. “The last thing any of us knew about you guys you had just seen the message from your mother and we had many things to discuss and sort out as a group but as usual the aliens came first and you did what you thought was best for yourselves with little or no regard for who and what you left behind.”

Isabel’s first impulse was to go on the offensive after Maria’s outburst but she knew what her passionate friend was saying and why so despite it going against her old ways she calmed herself before replying. “Maria if you thought for one minute that we left for purely selfish reasons without any thought for you guys not only would you not have hugged me when I came into this room as you did a few minutes ago but you would have bitch-slapped me from here back to Roswell.” Isabel’s forthright comment seemed to be having its desired affect on Maria as she visibly appeared to calm down. “I didn’t say I won’t tell you what has been going on but what I did say was I wasn’t sure here and now was the best time for explanations. If Liz wants to hear Max’s side of the story then surely it should be coming from him and not me. The same goes for you and Michael, I know I wouldn’t want Max or Michael talking to Alex before I got a chance to.”

Maria began to realise that with each passing word and comment from her tall friend she was wrong to push for answers. Isabel was almost certainly correct to fend off their questions now as she wasn’t the right person to be asking. Her final comment about who was the best person for each of them to be talking to hit home. She knew she didn’t know what to think about Michael and what he did by leaving but she was sure that if anyone was going to tell her she wanted it to be him. She didn’t want him hiding behind Max or Isabel.

Maria turned to look at Liz who had sat down quietly and it nearly broke her heart. Her best friend had always been so strong and so in charge of every situation but now she simply sat with her arms wrapped around herself looking so small and so dejected. “Feel free to jump in at anytime.” Maria quipped, trying to break the mood and lighten the moment.

Liz couldn’t help but smile despite herself. She looked up at her friend and even with the sense of sadness that currently enveloped her she knew that this most recent chapter of their lives was coming to an end one way or another. She was suddenly lifted from her stupor when Isabel lowered herself down onto her knees beside Liz and took her hand. “Can I ask you a question?” Isabel asked softly.

Liz simply nodded.

“Without over-analyzing or giving yourself time to think of the various options available to you I want you to answer my next question without hesitation, that way we know it is coming from your heart and not your head.” Isabel explained. She paused for a moment before continuing. “Liz, you knew how Max felt about you before we left and you must know he loves you more than anything else in this or any other world so do you honestly believe that he would choose Tess over you?”

“No.” Liz answered instantly.

Just as Isabel began to smile at getting the answer she desired she was stopped as Liz continued. “But I also think Max would sacrifice his happiness if it meant an end to the torment and suffering of others.” Liz suddenly stood up causing Isabel to follow. “You see the thing about Max that you and I know better than anyone else…” Liz eyed Isabel specifically. “…is that the choices he makes aren’t about him but about others. Do I think Max would choose me over Tess? My answer is yes but this was never about just me and Tess…this was about me, Tess and destiny.”



Alex slowly began to wake up and he stifled a yawn as he stretched out his tired limbs. As he lay quietly in his bed he realised he was smiling, which confused him as he didn’t know why. Lifting himself up into a sitting position he thought he could smell some sort of perfume in the air. His bedroom door was closed so it didn’t appear to be wafting in from another room and it wasn’t a smell he associated with either Liz or Maria.

He scrubbed at his face with his hands as he stood up, the bright morning light pouring into his room. He grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and quickly pulled them on as he meandered towards his bedroom door and the hallway beyond. When he stepped into the hall a quick glance to his right told him that the doors to each of the girl’s rooms were open. Many years of sharing with girls told him not to just go stepping through an open door, especially if it was into a bedroom, so he turned and moved up the hall towards the kitchen.

As he turned the corner he was surprised to see both Liz and Maria sitting quietly at the table drinking hot drinks, no doubt Liz with her coffee and Maria with her herbal tea. A quick glance at the clock told him it was a little after eight. “Please don’t tell me I missed breakfast.”

“If you can find it in the cupboards you can eat it.” Maria replied without looking towards her friend. That aroused Alex’s suspicions.

“Is everything alright?” Alex began to worry. If Liz had told Maria about their conversation last night she would now know everything and he was in for a possible grilling.

“Everything is fine.” Liz tried to reassure her friend.

“Yeah…everything is peachy.” Maria added.

Now he knew something was wrong. Alex slipped past Maria and dropped into the seat beside her, opposite Liz. “I can tell by the looks on your faces I am not going to like this but I can also tell by the amount of sarcasm dripping off of the walls in here, left by your last comment, that everything is peachy might not be the whole truth.

Liz and Maria looked at one another silently for a moment and that simple action sent Alex’s blood cold…it was more than what he and Liz had discussed last night.

After a long pause Liz began. “Firstly Maria knows about last night. She knows about what we were talking about and she knows that Max, Michael and Isabel are back.”

Alex nodded mutely but he knew there was more.

“What you don’t know is that we had an unexpected but welcome visitor last night.”

Suddenly the smell of perfume from his bedroom filled his nostrils, over powering his senses. “Isabel!” He exclaimed. “But how did you know?” Alex asked quickly.

Liz paused again, looking for the right words.

“She came in to see you.” Maria cut in, causing Alex to turn his focus onto her. “She hadn’t intended to wake anyone or see anyone but Liz and I couldn’t sleep and we found her…”

“In my room?” Alex interjected.

Maria nodded. “Yes, in your room.”

“Why the hell didn’t someone wake me?” He exclaimed.

“Because as Maria said she hadn’t intended to meet any of us she just wanted to see you.” Liz explained. “We ended up in the living room and we talked for a couple of hours before she left.”

“But I can’t believe you didn’t wake me.” Alex repeated.

“You may have been ready to see her but I don’t think she was ready to see you.” Liz continued. “She said she needed to see you because she wanted to make sure you were OK but it was never her plan to have a reunion with you at four in the morning.”

Alex knew he could happily continue repeating the same question about no one waking him all day but he also knew it would get him nowhere so he forced himself to move on. “So what happens now?”

“Isabel has to go back and explain to the guys that she has been to see us, which by all accounts won’t go down well.” Maria explained. “Then she will call us later to arrange a meeting.”

“So we’re going to meet up with them later?” Alex was trying to set things straight in his mind but he appeared to be having difficulty.

Liz shrugged. “Probably but we won’t know for sure what is going to happen until Isabel has spoken to Max and Michael.”

“That’s assuming they will be still talking to her after her latest slip.”

Alex looked at Maria, unsure of her last comment. “What do you mean ‘latest slip’ and why wouldn’t they talk to her?”

“It seems firstly they weren’t too impressed to discover she had been dream walking you. Then she had to tell them about making herself known to you in your dream and now she was only supposed to go for a walk and she ends up breaking into our apartment simply to sit on your bed and look at you.” Maria finished.

Alex suddenly looked stunned. “She broke in just to sit on my bed and look at me?” He echoed.

“I know.” Maria sounded amazed. “If she wanted to see you sleep she could have just sat in on any of our history classes back in high school. It’s a wonder you learnt anything with the amount of time you spent with your feet up and eyes closed.”





An hour later a little further up town Max and Michael were sitting at a delicatessen across from their hotel eating breakfast. “Michael that’s your fifth.” Max stated. “If you eat many more you’ll explode.”

“Are you kidding me?” Michael asked incredulously. “This is New York Maxwell and these are New York bagels. You can’t get them anywhere else in the world.”

“Really?” Max asked sarcastically. “I’d better call the New York Post, I have tomorrow’s headline, ‘New York bagel’s only available in New York’, who’d have thought it.” He smirked. “Having just spent the last few weeks in Seattle I didn’t see you getting all teary-eyed over the coffee.”

“Coffee’s…coffee.” He retorted. “But bagels are food, need I say more?”

“I hope not.” Max grinned.

As Michael watched the smile on his brother’s face fell, causing him to look over his shoulder in the direction Max was looking. The approaching figure of Isabel told him all he needed to know.

Max watched as his sister sat down, a solemn look on her face matched his own. “Where have you been Iz? We’ve been worried.”

“I know and I’m sorry but my walk lasted longer than I expected.” She said ruefully. Isabel was surprised when Max didn’t say anymore. He simply sat staring at his sister with a knowing look. “What?”

“Oh nothing.” Max smiled softly. “I was just waiting for you to tell us the rest. You can’t honestly think that we believed you when you said you were just going to go off for a walk. It’s New York Isabel. We’ve never been here before, it was night time and we’re nowhere near the tourist haunts. Add to that you’ve just discovered where Alex is staying, you’ve been gone all night and finally reappear out of nowhere without an explanation and we are still to believe your earlier comment about simply going for a walk?”

“Alright.” Isabel nodded her agreement. “But you have to believe me when I tell you I didn’t intend for it to turnout the way it did.”

“So you’ve seen them.” Michael cut in rather nonchalantly.

“Well…yes and no.” Isabel stuttered. She was now more concerned by the boys casual approach to her news than the actually thought of explaining herself to them.

“Isabel it’s not only girl’s who can sit up all night chatting.” Max offered.

“Not that we are implying we had a male slumber party or anything.” Michael added hurriedly “We just couldn’t sleep so we ended up talking about most things including what you might be up to.”

Isabel frowned. “But how did you know I was talking to the girl’s?”

The boys exchanged a look. “We didn’t.” Max replied. “My comment about it not only being girl’s who can stay up all night chatting was a reference to slumber parties in general, not anything you did last night. So we can take it from your comment that you saw Liz, I mean Liz and Maria?” Max corrected himself.

“Yes.” Isabel nodded, unable to hide her smile.

“But didn’t you speak to Alex?” Michael asked.

“No.” A familiar male voice cut in causing the three to turn and look at where it had come from. The tall figure of Alex Whitman stood before them with a hint of amusement on his face. “It seems she didn’t want to interrupt my beauty sleep.”

Alex focused his attention on Isabel as he noticed the skin on her face flush with a slight red hue as she stood up to meet him. “Hello Isabel. It’s been a long time.”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Hi, I know I have been leaving a few cliff-hangers and that people want to know what has been going on with everyone over the last fours years. Hopefully this will start to answer some of your questions, as will the next chapter or so. cheers, David / StargazerUK


Chapter 17


Isabel stood motionless and silent. She could feel tears beginning to build as the sight of Alex standing a matter of feet away washed over her. She had dreamwalked him on a nightly basis for more than four years. She had sat and watched him sleep just a few short hours earlier but none of that had prepared her for the overwhelming emotions she was struggling with as she watched her beloved simply gaze back at her, a slight smile on his face.

“Aren’t you going to say hello?” Michael rather clumsily questioned Isabel.

Before Isabel had a chance to reply, having barely managed to hear Michael through her daze, Alex turned to his returning friend with a knowing smile. “So I take it by that comment you are fully prepared to see Maria today and you know what you are going to say to her?”

Upon hearing that question Michael suddenly found his feet very interesting. The realisation that he couldn’t have been less prepared for a reunion with Maria if he tried came crashing into his mind and the phrase ‘People in glass houses’ was not too far behind.

Alex turned his attention back to Isabel, the smile that had been on his face since his entrance into the delicatessen still evident. “Would you like to go for a walk with me?”

Isabel was still having difficulty formulating coherent thoughts let alone speaking them out loud but just as she was starting to panic one single moment of clarity cut through her stupor and screamed…’Just nod’.

Finally mastering some form of control over her body Isabel nodded her agreement to Alex’s simple question. She then began to panic all over again about whether or not she could actually force herself to move but that was all laid to rest when Alex reached out and took hold of her hand. The spark of connection was instant and her whole body kicked into life. It wasn’t something she needed to think about or fret over. The feeling of Alex’s hand in hers was all her subconscious needed to know. She was with who she was meant to be with and she would follow him through hell and high water so a walk wasn’t going to present any problems to her.

Isabel tightened her grip on Alex’s hand as the two of them moved towards the door. Alex had extended his free hand and given both boys a warm handshake at their return. Knowing both boys so well, especially Michael, Alex knew their wasn’t a need for an excess of emotion. A firm handshake and a nod of understanding was all that was required.

Alex stopped and looked back, beyond Isabel, at Max and Michael who were watching them leave. “In case you were wondering Liz is going to be at home all day today but Maria had to go into work this morning, she’ll be finished by lunchtime.”

Both boys offered what appeared to be almost smiles but they could also be taken as looks of condemned men. Alex understood they were both terrified of what lay before them as he felt the same, although holding Isabel’s hand seemed to be calming his fraught nerves. “Alex.” A voice called, turning him back towards the boys again. It had been Max who called him. “Sorry, I know you guys are looking to get out of here but I have to ask…how did you find us?”

A broad grin spread across Alex’s face as he glanced at Isabel and then back at Max. “A combination of inside knowledge and luck. We’ve been here over two years so we know the area pretty well. The fact that we live in a residential neighbourhood means there aren’t too many hotels in the vicinity and even fewer that are within easy reaching distance of us. I simply guessed you would pick one near to us as long as it was what you would deem a safe distance away. When Liz and Maria said Isabel had been to see me I knew I had to see her as soon as I possibly could so rather than sit in the apartment all day waiting for you guys to phone I decided I had nothing to lose by going out and checking the local hotels.”

“And the luck?” Max pressed but he was sure he already knew the answer.

“The luck was when I came looking here.” Alex nodded in the direction of the Skyline Hotel across the road from where they were standing. “It was the third one on my route and I was all set to go in and ask if anyone had seen you when I spotted Isabel crossing the street and coming into the deli.”

“Actually Isabel,” Michael unexpectedly spoke. “How did you know we were in here?”

Isabel was relieved when she suddenly realised she had the power of speech and coherent thought once again. “That required even less detective work than Alex needed.” She smiled softly. “I came back to the hotel and found you weren’t there so it didn’t take a genius to work out that you had gone for something to eat, knowing you both as well as I do and the time of day that it was. Or should I say knowing your eating habits as well as I do? When you step out of our hotel the first thing you see, directly across the street, is this deli so I knew that if you were anywhere it was going to be here.”

“Mystery solved.” Alex said nonchalantly. He then turned to Isabel. “Shall we?” He gestured towards the door.

“Oh God yes!” Isabel exclaimed with a broad smile. She turned to look back at her brothers. “Don’t wait up.” She said with a mischievous grin.

“Don’t wait up?” Michael frowned. “But it’s only just after nine in the morning.”

“Don’t even go there Michael.” Max said resolutely. He paused for a moment before turning his gaze from the closing door that Alex and Isabel had just stepped through and back to his confused sibling. “What are you going to do about Maria?”

Michael eyed his friend for a long moment, clearly thinking about something. “Is that a genuine question or a reference to the Sound of Music?”

“Wasn’t that, ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria?’, Max replied without thinking. All of a sudden he couldn’t stop himself from laughing out loud at that comment. Something he realised he hadn’t done in quite some time. He looked at Michael and realised he was still waiting for a reply from his earlier question. “Firstly, no it wasn’t a joke. I am genuinely interested in what you plan to do about Maria. Secondly, what do you know about the Sound of Music?”

“Nothing!” Michael said abruptly but then when he saw the amused look on Max’s face he knew he had better deal with this now or it might be brought up again in company. “Oh all right! Maria made me watch it with her once.”

“Only once?” Max teased.

Michael sighed heavily. “Three or four times…what’s the difference?”

“No difference.” Max said shaking his head “It just makes it easier for me when it comes to buying your Christmas present.”

“Oh I get it.” Michael nodded. “We’re going to do a whole string of Judy Garland jokes or you’re going to buy me a Village People CD for Christmas.”

“No…never.” Max said firmly before a smile began to break out on his stern face. “It’s just that I hear South Pacific has some great songs or maybe Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” As quickly as the smile had broken out on his face it was gone, replaced by a more solemn look. “Actually I don’t know why I’m feeling so happy, I have to go and see Liz.”

Michael raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I’d have though the idea of seeing Liz again would make you happy not sad.”

“Seeing Liz isn’t the problem. Talking about what I have to say to her is.” He said ruefully. Max decided a change of subject, away from Liz, was required. “Do you know where Maria works?”

Michael nodded. “Isabel found out from Alex one time while she was dreamwalking him.”

“So are you going to go over there now or wait until she finishes work at lunchtime like Alex said?” Max questioned.

“I’m not really sure.” He shrugged. “We might need some privacy but she is less likely to do me any physical harm if I speak to her where there are other people around…or witnesses as I like to call them. Plus if I go to speak to her now and Isabel is away with Alex it means you can go back to their apartment and see Liz.”

Max dropped some money onto the table to cover the copious amounts of bagels Michael had eaten and the two boys stepped out into the morning sunshine of New York. Michael seemed to be looking off into a specific direction that Max couldn’t help but notice. “I take it you know where to find the department store that Maria works in.”

“From the second I knew where she worked I made a point of finding it on a map via the Internet.” Michael confessed. “Alex always said I would find a use for it other than scantily clad women and sports results but I never believed him. Who’d of thought I would one day be using it to track down Maria? I never thought I would need it…” Michael smiled to himself. “…I mean aside from looking for us on the FBI’s website under their ten most wanted banner.”

Both boys smiled ruefully at how close a reality that could have become.

“So I take it you’re heading that way.” Michael nodded in the direction of their friend’s apartment.

Max simply nodded.

“Good luck man.” Michael extended a hand and met his brother’s in a firm handshake. “Whatever happens I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Good luck.” Max smiled at his sibling before turning and moving off in the direction Michael had indicated.


*************************************************************


“Nothing to say?” Alex asked softly as he walked slowly down the sidewalk, his hand still firmly held in Isabel’s.

Isabel glanced to the side to look at her companion and she found she was still fighting her earlier first reaction upon seeing Alex, which was to throw herself into his arms. “Lots to say.” She smiled. “Just not sure where to start.”

“Then don’t.” Alex stated resolutely. He could see she was surprised by his comment so he continued. “What are we going to say? In fact what is there to be said? I know why you left and you now know I understand. The fact that you are with me here and now is all that matters to me. The rest is just history. Sure we have a lot of catching up to do but I don’t think we have a lot of explaining to do, it’s in the past.”

“I’m not sure it is that easy.” Isabel said hesitantly.

“Well it should be.” Alex said firmly. “It should be as difficult as we want to make it and having had you out of my life for the last four years I don’t want to make it any harder than it has to be. I’m not saying it is going to be easy or that I am taking anything for granted but I need you to know I am starting out with a positive mindset and I hope you will do the same.”

“I will.” She nodded in agreement. “But what about the others?”

“I’m sure Maria and Michael will be fine.” Alex paused before continuing. “And I hope Max and Liz will be able to put things straight but only time will tell.”

“I’m sure they will.” Isabel agreed confidently. “I know Max still loves Liz and you tell me she still loves him so I am sure it will all turn out OK.”

Suddenly Alex stopped their stroll and turned Isabel towards him, an anxious look on his face. “It’s more complicated for them.”

“I understand.” Isabel nodded. “The whole Tess thing and destiny but I know the story from our side and I am sure it will be fine once Liz knows what has been going on.”

Isabel was concerned when her upbeat message didn’t appear to affect Alex. “That’s my point Isabel.” Alex paused while he let out a heavy sigh. “Things have been happening here too, things you don’t know about and probably couldn’t imagine.”

“Alex you’re beginning to scare me.” Isabel tightened her grip on his hand.

“I know and I’m sorry, I don’t mean to.” Alex suddenly glanced around, clearly looking for something. “I need somewhere for us to sit down…I need to tell you something.”

***********************************************************

“Maria, there’s a customer here to see you at the cashiers desk. That’s Maria to the cashier’s desk.” A voice called over the departments public address system.

Maria stood up and turned from where she had been secreted to see her friend Sarah gesturing for her to come towards her. She dropped the folder and note pad she had been carrying onto the counter top beside where she had been comparing stock lists and marched over to her friend. As she rounded a tall set of hanging rails that held various ladies full length coats she stopped dead in her tracks. The unmistakable figure of Michael Guerin was standing off to the side of Sarah on the far side of the cashier’s desk but he was busy looking in the opposite direction, apparently looking for her.

Slowly, as he scanned his surroundings, Michael turned and the petit figure of Maria Deluca came into view. Instantly he held his hands up in a submissive pose and Maria had to force herself to stay firm despite the look of abject remorse that adorned his face. “All that I ask is that you hear me out.”

Maria remained silent and simply looked at the tall young man for a moment. She was taking great comfort in leaving the remorseful returnee hanging…waiting for her reply. The fact that Sarah was clearly transfixed by this odd reunion only pleased Maria all the more. “I’m sorry do I know you?” She finally asked.

“Do you know me?” Michael echoed. “Oh I get it. That’s how you want to play this…making me suffer.” He gestured towards Sarah. “Embarrassing me in front of your friends…”

Maria waited for the explosion that would follow. She wanted to watch as the stonewall was erected in record breaking time. But then something happened…something she hadn’t counted on.

“OK…that’s fine. I guess that’s the least I deserve so if you want me to climb up onto this counter I will.” Michael offered. “In fact…” Michael leaned past Sarah, over the counter. He was clearly looking for something. The next moment he straightened himself up and to Maria’s horror he was holding the microphone for the public address system. “Now how exactly do you turn this thing on?” Michael questioned as he examined the microphone in minute detail.

“Give me that.” Maria glared at Michael as she snatched the microphone from out of his hands and handed it back to Sarah.

“I mean it Maria.” Michael continued. “I’ll climb into one of your display windows down on the ground floor if that is what it will take.”

“If that is what it will take?” She repeated. “What? To put things right?”

“No.” Michael shook his head solemnly. “If that is what it will take for you to just listen to me for a few minutes. If, after I have spoken to you, you want nothing to do with me then I will leave…no arguments.”

Maria dropped her gaze for a moment, pondering what to do next. When she looked up she almost burst out laughing. Unseen by Michael Sarah was standing behind the giant young man gesturing mutely for Maria to say yes. With encouragement like that what else could she say? “I’m working a half day today so I don’t finish until one.”

“In that case I will be back at one, by the main entrance.” Michael offered hesitantly. “If that’s alright with you.” He slowly added.

“No promises Michael.” Maria warned.

“I know.” He nodded.

“What will you do now?” Maria questioned. “Will you go back to the hotel or the apartment?”

“I’ll probably go for a walk, take a look around.” He replied gently but then he added. “I can’t go to the apartment…Max has gone to see Liz.”


*************************************************************


Max took two steps forward and then one step back. He’d been up and down the front steps that led to the entry door of his friend’s building so many times in the last five minutes that he felt like he was in a workout video. With each step forward his courage diminished and it was only when he took a step back that he realised what a coward he was being, which in turn drove him forward and then the whole cycle began again.

Suddenly the door swung open and all thoughts about how stupid he was being paled into insignificance when the small figure of Liz Parker stepped into the doorway. “If you’re enjoying yourself I can gladly come back but if you have finished you can come up if you would like.”

Max dropped his gaze as he felt himself blush, aware of how foolish he must have looked. “I take it I was making a spectacle of myself, no doubt much to your amusement.” He looked up with a slight smile adorning his face.

“Probably.” Liz agreed. “But I wasn’t the one that saw you. My neighbour came knocking at my door to tell me some strange young man was hoping up and down our front steps and she wondered if she should call the police.”

“The Police?” Max suddenly turned and looked down the street.

“It’s OK Max.” Liz tried to reassure her visitor. “I took a look myself and obviously once I saw it was you I told her you were here to see me and that I would take care of it.”

Max smirked. “She probably thinks I’m special.” He emphasised the word ‘special’ with air quotes.

“I don’t think so.” Liz shook her head. “But she will if you continue to stand on the steps like that.”

In a flash Max dashed up the stairs taking three at a time and he darted past Liz into the entrance hall. He watched as she closed the door behind them and then, without speaking, followed her up to the apartment. Again, once inside, she closed the door behind them and made her way to what turned out to be the living room.

“Would you like a drink?” She offered.

“No I’m fine thank you.” Max replied in his most polite voice. He was aware that neither of them knew how to act so they were both falling back on their good host good guest routine. “I had breakfast with Michael a short while ago and as long as I never see that guy eat another bagel I’ll be fine.”

“Take a seat.” Liz gestured towards the couch.

Max sat down but then felt what passed for a knife to the heart as Liz made a point of sitting in the chair across from him. It went against all the laws of nature for the two of them to sit apart from one another, especially as they had both just endured a four year forced separation but it was clear this was how Liz wanted it and until that changed this was how Max wanted it.

“If you’ll allow me I’d like the chance to explain what we did and why.” Max began. “More than that I want to tell you why I left you the way I did and what has happened since.”

“Max your return and the return of Isabel and Michael is a mixed blessing. I’m glad to see you, truly I am, but you made your choice and now we all have to live with it.” Liz stated unemotionally.

“But Liz I thought you of all people would understand what I did and why. Things were beginning to spiral out of control. The whole Pierce thing was more than I ever expected but exactly what I had always feared and the thought of something like that ever happening to you was more than I could stand.” Max explained. “You have to know that I would do anything to keep you safe and if it meant leaving so that you could live a long and happy life then that was something I was willing to do.”

“You don’t understand.” Liz quickly lifted herself to her feet and started pacing. Max followed but remained clear of her walkway, leaving her room to manoeuvre. “There’s so much I don’t know about what went on with you but also so much you don’t know about what went on with me.”

“And that is why we’re back…all of us.” Max pleaded, trying to make Liz understand. “Just give us a chance to explain and I will tell you all you want to know about us, about what happened to Tess and absolutely anything else you want to know.”

“You’re not listening to me.” Liz cried, raising her voice. “I’m trying to tell you that you left me when I needed you most and that is something I have always had trouble coming to terms with, it’s something I may never get beyond.”

“Is it Tess?” Max questioned, desperate to know what Liz was talking about. “If that is what this is all about I can tell you right here and right now not only is there not a Tess and me…there never was a Tess and me, it was only ever in her head. I can’t stress this enough…we didn’t leave to complete our destiny, we left to keep you safe…that was the only reason. We took Tess with us as it would have defeated the object of trying to keep you safe by leaving only to leave one of us behind.”

“I don’t care about Tess.” Liz countered. “I don’t care about destiny. I have other things on my mind that I have to deal with first. I’ve changed Max and it scares me.”

Max took a step towards Liz, who had stopped pacing. She looked so small and so fragile but he knew he was in no position to take her in his arms so he settled for trying to reassure her. “We’ve all changed Liz, it’s been four years and it’s only to be expected.”

Liz closed the gap between her and Max, her eyes fixed on his. “No Max you don’t understand…” Liz sent her hand darting out to the side and as Max glanced to his right he saw the chair that he been sitting in the centre of the room fly back and crash against the far wall.

“…I said I’ve changed!”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 18


Alex led Isabel to a nearby bench and allowed the anxious young woman to sit down before he sat alongside her. He could see by the look on her face that she was deeply concerned about what he had to say and the cryptic manner in which he was behaving wasn’t exactly helping to put her at her easy. However, the fact remained that it was only a matter of time before the returning aliens found out about Liz’s new abilities and he deemed it would be better coming from him now rather than walking into the middle of a Max and Liz reunion that could well blow up in all their faces.

“I know you’re worried...” Alex began as Isabel tightened her grip on him. “…but it’s not really a bad thing that has happened as much as a surprising thing...”

“God help me Alex, I love you but if you are about to go on one of your rambling explanations which take ten minutes to get to the point I don’t know what damage I will do to you.” Isabel cut in. “Please just say it and then we can deal with it, whatever it is!”

Alex sighed as he realised Isabel was right. He was just about to affirm his title of being the worlds leading procrastinator, which wasn’t really what was called for now. What was needed was…

“Alex, I swear I will hurt you! Now just tell me.” Isabel implored.

“Liz changed.” He managed to blurt out.

“Changed?” Isabel questioned. “Changed how? Oh God! She’s not seeing someone is she? Max told me before we got here that Liz being with someone else was the one thing he couldn’t cope with and as you never said anything to me I just assumed…”

“Isabel.” It was Alex’s turn to interrupt. “She isn’t seeing anyone else, I would have told you that before you got here out of respect for Max.”

“Then what is it?” She asked, her eyes pleading for Alex to put her out of her misery.

“Liz changed...” Alex repeated but this time he was allowed to continue. “…we can only assume that it had something to do with Max healing her way back in the Crashdown but she’s able to do things now, things that I’ve only seen you guys able to do.”

Isabel sat in stunned silence. She had lived her entire life with special powers. It wasn’t long after they had broken out of the pods that they realised that what they could do wasn’t common place amongst their fellow children in the orphanage or once they were placed with their new family. That had been the driving force behind their desire to keep their powers hidden, even from such an early age. It doesn’t take any child long to work out that being different leaves you open to ridicule and scrutiny, something they wanted to stay as far away from as possible.

The thought that Max had some how passed on or awakened powers within Liz was simply mind blowing and as Alex had mentioned earlier…something they simply couldn’t have imagined.

“What sort of things?” Isabel managed to whisper. “Is she a healer like Max?”

“Yes and no.” Alex began. He rushed to continue when he saw the look on Isabel’s face after she heard his non-committal answer. “She can heal cuts and the like but nothing too big. Having said that we thankfully haven’t had anything big to deal with and…” Alex tapped the back of the wooden bench they were sitting on. “…touch wood long may that continue.”

“Can she dreamwalk?” Isabel continued.

“No.” Alex stated firmly while shaking his head. “It took awhile after she discovered she had these powers to convince her that it was in her own best interest to see exactly how powerful she is and what, exactly, she can do.”

Isabel frowned slightly. “Why did you feel the need to test Liz?” Her own insecurities came flooding to the surface with that question.

Alex squeezed closer to his vulnerable counterpart, aping the tight grip that Isabel already had on his hand. “I wasn’t testing her Iz. God please don’t think I would ever treat her as some kind of freak just as I would never treat you or the guys as something to be monitored or experimented on.” Isabel could see she had hurt Alex’s feelings by her question, which was the last thing she had intended. She truly didn’t mean anything by it but she had to know every detail…everything that had gone on with Liz.

“Alex honey.” Isabel reached up and cupped Alex’s cheek with her free hand. “I would never believe in a thousand lifetimes that you would think such a thing and I don’t mean to imply to the contrary but I just want to know what has gone on.”

“I understand.” Alex nodded. “You’d think now would be the one time I would be able to place my insecurities to one side and concentrate on the matter at hand.” He laughed nervously before continuing. “My only concern was for Liz. I’m sorry if this sounds silly or if I offend you but we had no idea what was happening with Liz and more to the point we didn’t know what to expect. For all we knew a simple sneeze could blow out the windows of the apartment or an inadvertent wave of her hand could cause a car to crash. I realize that when I look back now it might seem like overkill but with all those stories you told me about Michael practicing his powers and blowing things up by mistake…we couldn’t take any chances. The old saying is ‘Knowledge is power’ and in this instance that was exactly what it was. The sooner Liz knew what she was capable of the sooner she could learn to control it. I appreciate I might sound like I was the driving force behind this but actually it was Liz who took the decision to find out all that she could. Maria and I simply helped where we could.”

“How did the tests go?” Isabel asked gently.

“Really well.” Alex tried to hide his natural enthusiasm when he thought back to how well Liz did. “Remember this is Liz we are talking about and she is a born scientist so experiments were what she was put on this earth to do. We had a rough idea what to imagine as we started with the thought that she would have something similar to what you guys had. We were soon able to discount dreamwalking and mindwarping as despite all her hours of trying nothing ever happened.” Alex let out a chuckle. “Other than Maria becoming convinced that Liz was controlling her freewill.”

“If Liz was trying mindwarping how do you know she wasn’t?” Isabel questioned.

Alex continued to smile. “It became pretty obvious when Maria claimed it was Liz who was forcing her to eat chocolate cookies and all the Ben & Jerry’s from the freezer.”

“Sounds like something Maria would do.” Isabel grinned. Then her smile was slowly replaced by a more serious look. “Anything else?”

“She can heal small wounds as I mentioned. She can also do some of the standard stuff you guys do like open locks, start cars without keys and manipulate objects.” Alex explained. “But it seems her biggest gift is sort of like telekinesis.” Alex released his hold on Isabel’s hand and threw both hands up in a submissive pose. “I’m not saying she can make things float or anything like that but she can close a door from the other side of the room or turn off a light switch while still sitting in a chair. I know telekinesis is the wrong word as she doesn’t do it simply with her mind, she needs to gesture towards the object. It’s sort of like she changes the air in between her and the object, causing some kind of cascade.”

“That’s amazing.” Isabel stated absent-mindedly. “It sounds like she has picked up a few of the basic things that we can all do like you said. I’ve always been able to move things but only to a small degree and it takes a lot of thought and energy on my part, which is why I don’t do it very often. Maybe it comes naturally to Liz just as dreamwalking comes to me or healing comes to Max.”

“Oh my god!” Isabel suddenly exclaimed. “What about Kyle Valenti?”

As Alex looked on Isabel’s beautiful features had creased in anguish and her skin had turned a pale white. “It’s OK Isabel.” Alex rushed to comfort his companion. “Don’t forget that there was a time difference between when Liz got shot and when Kyle got shot. We spoke about it six months ago and decided the best thing to do was forewarn him in case things started to happen.”

“And?” Isabel pressed.

“And…nothing.” Alex shrugged. “It was nearly three years after Liz got shot that she began to show signs of the special powers she would eventually have. Kyle’s three year limit passed a couple of months back and nothing happened.”

“So what do you think might have happened?” Isabel continued. Suddenly she dropped her gaze and started to shake her head.

“Are you OK Iz?” Alex asked softly. “We can stop if you would like?”

“I’m fine.” Isabel raised her head with a slender smile. “It’s just I forgot what a great guy you are…how you always try to help people and put them at their ease.”

Alex started to blush slightly. “What made you say that?” He shyly enquired.

“Well here I am…grilling you for information on all kinds of subject matter, most of which you can’t be expected to have answers for and yet rather than simply telling me to shut up you are trying your utmost to help me get things straight in my mind.”

“It works both ways Isabel.” He countered. “Having someone to talk to with a keen eye and a fresh perspective on things will help me as well.” He smiled broadly before continuing. “Anyway, getting back to your question we decided there were several possibilities. Either it is slower in Kyle and it is yet to happen. It could also be that it wasn’t simply that Max healed them both that would cause the change but that he had a special connection with Liz and that was what caused it. We don’t really know how your connections work but we have seen instances where a bond has been formed and that seems to effect the connection between those two people.”

“So you mean the connection between Max and Kyle when he healed him would have been different to the connection between Max and Liz?”

“Exactly.” Alex nodded.

“So a connection between me and Liz would be different than a connection between…” Suddenly Isabel dropped her gaze slightly and became a little coy and demure. “…me and you for instance?”

Alex could feel himself swallow hard. “Probably.” He managed to choke out.

“So who knows about Liz’s change?” Isabel decided a return to the subject at hand was required.

“Just us.” Alex stated firmly. “And now you of course. It’s not like we ever doubted your motives and actions but I must confess to having a new insight into your lives now that Liz has something to hide just as you have.”

“OK. This is turning into twenty questions but I have to ask one more. Are there any other physical changes?” Isabel wanted to stop bombarding Alex with questions but each time he answered one question it threw up two more.

“None that Liz can find.” Alex stated matter-of-factly. “Liz is so well known and respected at the university due to her work there that she has free reign when it comes to the equipment. Of course I have use of all the computer equipment as well as the ability to delete anything we create and hide what we have been doing and where we have been.”

“Even her blood work?” Isabel pressed.

Alex nodded in agreement. “Even her blood work.”

“Do you mind if we cut short our walk?” Isabel asked nervously. “I dearly want to spend time with you but I have to see Liz.”

Alex eyed Isabel for a moment and the instant a smile broke out on his face the apprehensive look that had adorned her face simply melted away. “Of course I don’t mind Iz. I understand your desire to see her, its only natural.”

As Alex and Isabel stood and turned back towards the apartment Isabel made a point of snaking an arm around his waste and pulled the young man close to her. Just because she had an overpowering urge to see Liz it didn’t mean she was letting her companion out of her sight…not for one second.




“Do you need a glass of water?” Liz asked softly.

Max had remained motionless and silent. He would remember this exact time and this exact place for the rest of his life as it was when and where he had been standing when Liz had sent his world spiralling out of control with an example of alien power that was the last thing he had ever expected.

“What have I done to you?” He whispered having forced himself to turn and look at Liz directly.

“You haven’t done anything to me.” Liz tried to reassure the stunned young man. “Unless you count saving my life and giving me a second chance to live a hopefully long and fruitful life. This isn’t a bad thing Max. It’s a surprising thing but not a bad thing. In fact it’s a good thing.” She forced a smile onto her face. “I’ll never get locked out of the apartment again now that I can open locks at will.”

Max continued to look at the petit form of Liz Parker. He knew she was only trying to make light of the situation for his sake but the truth of the matter was she had already made her true feelings known in her passionate statement a minute or so earlier. The words, ‘You left me when I needed you most’, now had more significance than he could have ever imagined.”

“Don’t do this Max.” Liz ordered as she broke into his silent thoughts. “I can’t be dealing with your return and your mistaken notion that you have perpetrated some hideous crime against me. You saved my life, there is no greater gift than that. If you had leapt over that counter and told me you could save me for another six months or a year do you think I would have said ‘No it’s not good enough’? Here we are over four years down the line and I am still alive, I’m still happy and I owe it all to you. I have Alex and Maria in my life. I’m here in New York, who would have thought it Max, little Lizzie Parker living the cosmopolitan life but I am and it is all down to what you did for me.”

“But you said it yourself.” Max stated slowly. “I left you when you need me most.”

Suddenly Liz allowed her gaze to drop. “You did Max but that was whole-heartedly with the benefit of hindsight. I know what you did and why. I can’t say I agree with your methods but I understand why.” Liz lifted her gaze again. “If I can recognize what you did for me that day in the Crashdown, what you risked for me, then surely you understand what went on well enough to know as well. Don’t doubt yourself Max, life’s too short especially when it is something that has absolutely no basis in fact.”

Liz eyed her companion. It seemed his resolve was weakening but she knew him well enough to know she wouldn’t completely clear him of the guilt he was feeling, even if it was unfounded guilt.

Suddenly Max furrowed his brow, clearly deep in thought. “I take it both Alex and Maria know so how come Isabel didn’t pick anything up from Alex?”

Liz smiled slightly and shrugged her shoulders. “I think a combination of loyalty to me and sheer terror. Sometimes he would just sit almost chanting to himself not to let it slip. I think it is in the dream world where our subconscious comes to life and I can only assume that Alex’s love and loyalty for me combined with his own intense desire to keep it from Isabel, at my request, meant he was able to hide it deep down where Isabel wouldn’t find it. I think also the fact that if Alex had dreamed about me having powers Isabel would have thought it was just that…a dream.”

“Makes sense I suppose.” Max agreed.

“How about you let me make us both a cup of coffee and I’ll take you through what has been going on exactly?” Liz offered, feeling they had come to some sort of understanding.

Max eyed the beautiful young woman for a moment. “I’d like that.” He smiled.




Maria stepped out onto the sidewalk and there, directly opposite, was Michael…waiting. She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting. It wasn’t like she thought he wouldn’t be there but she’d had time since their earlier encounter to think and the one thing that kept echoing around her mind was that he had changed. She watched as he approached his hands in his pockets but when he came within a few feet of her he quickly pulled them out but was clearly unsure what to do with them.

“You made it then.” He stated nervously.

“New York may not be Roswell but at least in New York you’re not likely to be hunted down by FBI agents or have your life put at risk on an almost daily basis, well not in the women’s section on the third floor anyway.” Maria countered. “You shouldn’t be surprised that I made it to lunchtime without finding my life in peril or the need to rush off to another state.”

As she watched Michael dropped his head. The instant the words had left her lips she knew she had made a mistake. She was ready for verbal sparring and quick retorts but this clearly wasn’t the time. As she looked at him she wanted to just stand and hurl abuse at him, tell him how much he had hurt her by leaving the way that he did and tell him she would never forgive him. But in that same moment she wanted to simply melt into his arms and tell him she would never let him leave again, she would always take care of him. She settled for something in the middle of those two camps. “I’m sorry. You know me as well as anyone so you know I get all adversarial when I’m nervous, just ignore me.”

“I know.” He replied while lifting his head. “I just didn’t know how I was supposed to reply to what you said. You have every right to be annoyed and angry at me…”

“Thanks for much.” She cut in sarcastically. When she saw his head drop again she realised she was doing it again. “Sorry.” She repeated.

“It’s OK.” He smiled softly at her. “I’m not normally this much of an easy target but I think if you had done to me what I have done to you I would be pretty pissed so I’m not really in a position to argue with you at the moment…but I will be.” He added with a slight grin.

“Do you know what is happening with the others?” Maria decided a little tact was called for to match Michael’s diplomatic demeanour.

“Haven’t a clue.” Michael stated honestly. “I just went for a walk and I haven’t heard from any of them. They’re probably back at the apartment by now.”

“Do you want to go and see?” Maria offered.

“I think a group reunion might be called for.” Michael countered.

“You don’t know how true that is.” Maria stated abstractly. “She could see the confused look on Michael’s face. “There’s a few things that have changed while you’re been gone. I’ll try and help you catch up but I’m sure Alex or Liz would do a much better job than me.”

The couple turned in the direction of the apartment and moved off down the street. “I’m not finished with you yet and you have a long way to go before I am even close to forgiving you.” Maria stated firmly.

“I know.” Michael replied, trying to hide his smile. She was back in his life and it was all that he cared about.



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

A/N: Hi, firstly I am off to Ireland for a few days in the morning and I can't risk not having time to post this then so I am breaking with tradition and posting a day early. Secondly, something occurs in this part that some people might not like. I'm sorry if that is the case but I feel it is simply part of the story and fits in with what I want so I hope I don't offend anyone. If you've had any dealings with me you know I am out for a quiet life, no stress . Finally, I'm not looking for sympathy but this quite simply isn't my best work but I've struggled with it and this is as good as it gets for this chapter. cheers, David / StargazerUK


Chapter 19


Alex placed his key in the lock and turned it to release the catch. He pushed open the apartment door and stepped back to allow Isabel to step through before following close behind. Once he had closed the door he removed his jacket and took Isabel’s coat before hanging them both on the hooks that had been fixed to the wall at the entrance of the hall.

He gestured up the hallway. “I’d normally point out to a new guest that it’s this way to the living room but I guess you already know that.” He joked with a smile.

“It certainly looks familiar but it also seems bigger in daylight.” She countered, returning Alex’s smile. “I must admit I’m not sure if I feel more or less nervous than I did in the early hours of this morning. Then I was running the risk of being caught but now I feel a whole new weight on my shoulders, worrying about how we are all going to be when it comes to interacting with one another.”

Isabel had been talking quietly to Alex over her shoulder as she walked up the passage and just as she had finished her comment she made it to the doorway that led into the living room. As she entered the first thing she saw was her brother sitting in a chair with a cup of coffee held firmly in his grasp.

Both Liz and Max turned towards the entering Isabel who was quickly followed by Alex. Liz had barely managed to put her cup down and stand up before she was enveloped by the much taller girl. After a brief hug Isabel leaned back but had not released her grip on her petit friend. “Liz why didn’t you say anything when I saw you this morning?”

Liz tried not to look embarrassed at still being engulfed by her Amazonian friend. “I would have Isabel but it wasn’t the right time. It was clear to me that you were here to see Alex and my telling you about what has been going on with me would have served no purpose and only confused the situation even more.”

“Isabel, I think you might be alright to let go of Liz now.” Max offered softly with a slight smile playing on his lips. “Despite our length of time away she is still quite capable of standing on her own, unaided.”

“Sorry.” Isabel quickly released her grip on her friend and stepped back. “I didn’t mean to be so clingy but I know what a big deal it was for me to come to terms with my powers and I can only imagine it was a whole lot harder for you as you were much older and you’ve had to go through this alone.”

Liz frowned. “I’ve not been alone. I’ve had Alex and Maria with me the whole time.”

Isabel flushed furiously. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant.” She quickly turned towards Alex. “Alex I didn’t mean to imply that you weren’t there for Liz.” Suddenly Isabel could feel tears building in her eyes, the emotion of the last couple of days had finally caught up with her and she made an attempt to turn away beyond Alex and leave the room.

Alex caught hold of Isabel’s arm, gently but firmly and pulled her to him. “Isabel it’s OK. You’ve done nothing wrong so don’t let yourself get so upset. Liz and I know exactly what you meant so you really have no need to leave. Maria and I did all that we could to help Liz through that troubling time but I’ve no doubt that it would have been made easier if you had been here to help and guide her.”

At hearing that comment Max allowed his head to drop, which drew Alex’s attention.

“Max if that head drop was anything other than you trying to hide some tears you and I are going to have words.” Max looked up at Alex after hearing that comment and was surprised to see a big smile on his friends face. “If you guys think we haven’t discussed the possibility of your return and what might happen if and when you did you are sadly mistaken. One of the things we did discuss was that despite all of your wondrous powers you do not have the gift of foresight, only hindsight like the rest of us. Liz found out this huge thing that was set to change her life and guess what? It didn’t.” Alex turned to Liz. “I’m sorry Liz as it looks like I am speaking on your behalf but we all know each other so well we all know what is coming and I’m determined to not let it happen.”

“Not let what happen?”

All four turned to see Maria standing in the doorway with the mountainous figure of Michael standing behind her.

“Alex was just saying how we all know each other so well that we are probably capable to pre-empting what the other is going to say, do and feel.” Liz explained.

“And you’re not going to let that happen?” Maria questioned stepping into the room as she looked at Alex specifically.

“Not if we are all going to just feel guilty about what we have each done over the last four years. Not if we are going to judge our actions with hindsight when we have no idea what we have changed over the last four years by splitting up.” Alex stated resolutely. “For all we know we could have been married with kids if we had stayed together back in Roswell but equally one or all of us could have been caught by the special unit or worse still dead! So what’s the use of self-doubt and recriminations?”

“Wow man what happened to you?” Michael asked, taken aback by Alex’s passionate stance.

“Life’s happened to me Michael.” Alex stated. “I watched you as 17-year-olds having to leave your family and friends and go into hiding for fear of being hunted down and experimented on and for what? Because you’re different? It was only sixty years ago that people were being tortured and killed because of the colour of their skin or the religion that they followed, we fought wars because of it. In fact in some parts of the world it is still going on. That persecution is no different to what you guys are suffering and it was the reason I was so adamant that Isabel and I should get us all back together. If we are all going to live crappy lives, living in fear of being found out than I want us to do it together, not spread halfway around the globe.”

“So you want us all to be together?” Max questioned, trying to fully understand Alex’s position.

“I don’t mean like we ‘have’ to be together. I just mean the choice was taken from us by your leaving.” Alex quickly held up a hand to prevent any misunderstanding. “I don’t mean anything by that comment other than that you were forced to leave whereas you might actually have preferred, given the choice, to stay. Liz getting shot might be seen as an accident but Kyle getting shot was down to the actions of a wayward agent who had become obsessed with the thought of capturing you guys. I hate to say it but I think it was probably the right thing to do, leaving when you did because God only knows what would have followed but things are quiet now and have been for years. All I’m saying is we should make our decisions, with regards our futures, with the things we know now and not with what we knew four years ago.”

Alex glanced around the room. “Someone else please talk now because I am running out of oxygen as well as things to say.” Having let go of where he had still been holding onto Isabel Alex stepped back and dropped onto the couch and scrubbed at his face with his hands, his long speech having clearly taken its toll.

First Liz and then Maria moved to the couch and sat either side of Alex. Max lowered himself back onto the chair he had been sitting on and Michael moved to the chair beside him and sat down. Isabel glanced around the room for the best place to sit but before she had made a decision it was made for her.

“Isabel if you are thinking of sitting anywhere other than next to me you have another thing coming.” Maria stated firmly. “With me, Liz and Alex sitting here I can’t have you sitting over with Max and Michael else it will create a ‘Them and Us’ situation which I think is the last thing we need now.”

Isabel smiled at her petit friend as she moved closer to her and sat down. She was surprised but pleased when Maria took her hand when she sat down and squeezed it tight.

The friends sat in silence for awhile as they allowed themselves a chance to try and relax and set things straight in their minds. After a short time it was left to Maria to get things rolling again and Maria being Maria she didn’t mess about with just some polite conversation, she went straight for the heart of the matter, the one question that was on all of their minds. “Where’s Tess?”

“What?” Max replied, his surprise at just how forthright Maria had been was evident and her question had clearly made all three aliens feel uncomfortable if their body language was anything to go by. All three had dropped their gaze and each was now fidgeting in their seats.

“It’s a very simple question.” Maria countered. “Where’s Tess? You know…kinda short, kinda blond curly hair and kinda annoying.”

“Maria!” Liz exclaimed.

“What?” She asked in surprise, a smile on her lips. “If I can’t bitch about her now when can I bitch about her?”

“There’s no other way to say this other than just saying it so I will.” Max whispered quietly. “She’s dead.”

All eyes quickly fixed on Max.

“What did you say?” Maria asked softly, the smile that had been on her lips a distant memory. “Please tell me you didn’t just say what I thought you said. Not after the comment I just made.”

Max lifted his gaze and looked at Maria before his eyes came to rest on Liz who was transfixed by what he had just said. “I’m sorry to be so brutal Maria but the truth of the matter is the three of us have been dreading this moment from the time it was clear that we were coming back.”

“What happened?” Alex tightened his grip on Maria who had started to shake. “I mean when…” He trailed off, unable to say the words.

“About a year ago.” Isabel joined in to help Max who was clearly struggling. “After we had left it was clear to us more than ever that Tess thought her sole purpose in life was to get Max and have the two of them return to Antar.”

“The only flaws in her plan were that she didn’t have me and she didn’t have a way back to her home world so she became more manic as each month went by.” Max continued. “Once she finally realised that I had no interest in her she became obsessive about finding a way back to Antar. I think she thought that if she did find a way that it would be enough to convince me to go back with her. Unfortunately her compulsion led her into more and more dangerous situations. While we had left to drop off the radar and basically go into hiding so the authorities couldn’t find us Tess was leading us to various parts of the country that it turned out had a variety of air force installations that she had become convinced were either holding the entire craft from the ’47 crash or at the very least technology that would help her in her quest to find a route home.”

“She would set out on a mission to one of these base’s knowing we would follow as we wouldn’t want her to go it alone but with each new base we encountered we were getting closer and closer to either being caught or worse, being killed.” Isabel explained. “Finally, despite all our best efforts, we noticed she had sneaked out one night. By the time we had caught up with her she was making her way out of a compound and she had been hit by several rounds from a guard’s rifle.” Isabel turned to look at her brother. “Max did all that he could but she was too badly injured, there was nothing any of us could have done. Michael carried her body to a secluded spot and we used our powers to cremate her body so as not to leave any trace of whom or what she was.”

“I’m truly sorry for your loss.” Alex said softly, looking from Max to Michael and then to Isabel. “We had no idea.”

Michael shook his head gently. “Neither did we man and we were there. Despite all the risks she took and how stupid we told her she was being she just kept going. Our only alternative would have been to tie her up but that wasn’t exactly practical. Plus we never thought she would go so far as to get herself shot.”

“I feel sorry for her.” Max said gently, his voice little more than a whisper. “She had been so brainwashed into thinking her sole purpose was to find me and take me back it was all she could think about, it consumed her. I wish we could have done more for her but we had done all we could for three years and I think we were just delaying the inevitable.” Max turned his attention to Maria who was clinging to Alex, her eyes lifeless. “Maria, please forgive me. We should have told you sooner and that way we wouldn’t have had any misunderstanding but you mustn’t blame yourself for a simple comment.”

“Max is right Maria.” Isabel turned in her seat and wrapped an arm around her distraught friend. “I should have told you when I saw you this morning but I was doing everything I could to put it off, I’m sorry.”

Maria lifted her gaze. “I’ll be alright. I just feel a complete bitch for being two faced and saying such a hurtful thing.”

“Would it help if I told a few examples of the dozens of times I’ve opened my mouth and put my foot in it?” Michael offered with a slight smile. “Max and Isabel are always telling me I say the wrong thing at the wrong time and even you guys have experienced it so if you feel like you need lessons just let me know, OK?”

Maria eyed the tall young man as he sat across from her. He was exactly the same and yet totally different at one and the same time. “I think I do pretty well on my own but if I need any pointers I’ll be sure to give you a call.”

“Is anyone hungry?” Liz asked standing up. At seeing a few nodding heads she continued. “We can get in a few pizzas or even a mixture of things as they do great takeout around here as you can imagine.”

“I’m up for a little bit of everything.” Michael offered raising a hand.

Liz turned to see Alex aping Michael’s actions and holding a hand up as though they were still in class waiting to be counted by the teacher. “OK, a mixture it is.” Liz picked up her purse from the coffee table and moved towards the door.

“Erm…Liz, do you need a hand?” Liz turned round to see Max, who had stood up and taken a step towards her. She silently nodded her agreement to his question but it was the smile that accompanied her nod that Max took the greatest notice off as she turned back for the door. “We won’t be long.” Max stated confidently even though he had no idea where they were going or what they were getting.”

After the two had left Maria released herself from where we was sandwiched between Alex and Isabel and stood up. “I just need to go and get changed as well as clean off the make up that must be running down my face before it sets.”

“Good idea.” Michael agreed, trying to make a positive comment. “You look a bit like Alice Cooper at the moment.”

Both Isabel and Alex held their breath after such a comment by Michael. The second he had opened his mouth Michael knew he had said the wrong thing. He dropped his head and closed his eyes, waiting for the onslaught. A moment later he felt a soft, delicate hand entwine with his. “You’d better come with me. You have shown you clearly can’t be trusted on your own and I want to give Alex and Isabel a little privacy.”

“Where are we going?” Michael asked as he was being led out of the room.

“To my bedroom.” Maria stated. “But don’t get any funny ideas. You’ll be facing the wall while I get changed else I will have to put you in the cupboard and we don’t want that now do we?”

“No…we don’t want that.” Michael agreed.

Alex and Isabel watched as the second couple left, leaving them alone. “It hasn’t taken those two long to fall back into their old ways.” Isabel commented.

“No it hasn’t.” Alex nodded. “But once we overcome the hurdle of getting to know one another again we have further hurdles to face.”

“You mean such as what happens next.” Isabel offered.

“Exactly.” Alex attempted a smile even though his face looked a little sad. “There are no guarantees in this life Isabel, not least for us so we simply have to see where we go from here.”

“And where do you want to go from here?” Isabel questioned.

“Me?” Alex pointed at himself to confirm Isabel was asking him specifically. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I have everything that I want right here on this couch.”

Isabel offered Alex a smile at that comment but inside she was doing her best to hide what she was truly feeling. Something was deeply wrong and she knew it.


To be continued…