Part 21
“I hope Tess and Kyle are having more luck on the inside,” Michael groaned from the perch he and Isabel shared on top of the hardware store, a pair of binoculars firmly attached to his face. “I can’t see anything from here.”
“We know Laurie is going to be transported, Michael,” Isabel replied as she adjusted her supine position to match Michael’s and took the binoculars from his hand. “We heard that on Valenti’s scanner. It’s just a matter of time now. They can’t keep her forever.”
“You’re right. I just want to talk to her without her screaming back at me.”
“I know. You want to talk to her as much as I want to talk to Grant.”
“Max asked you to stay away from Grant, Iz.”
“He didn’t ask, he ordered. There’s a difference, Michael. Besides, I think there’s more to Grant than any of us know.”
“Still, it’s dangerous.”
“What Max doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” Isabel replied with a shrug as she pulled the binoculars to her face once again. “Hopefully, he’ll be so involved with Liz that he won’t notice what I’m doing with Grant.”
“There’s something going on between them, Max and Liz, I mean. He seems to act really weird around her, like he’s doing and saying things he can’t control. But Liz is keeping some kind of secret from Max too. You don’t know anything, do you?”
“What if I did know something? Could I tell you then trust that you won’t say anything?”
“I’ve kept a lot of secrets, Iz,” Michael replied. “You have no idea the amount of secrets that are zooming around in my head right now. Of course you could trust me, and if Liz is keeping secrets, I think we’re all entitled to know them, especially if they affect all of us.”
Isabel turned her head toward Michael, wishing she could tell him everything she suspected about Liz and the secrets she kept based on the flashes she had seen when the ambulance parked in front of the sheriff’s department began to move. “Let’s go, Michael. They’re moving.”
“Promise me we’ll talk about this,” Michael said, grabbing Isabel’s arm as she turned to move past him toward the fire escape. “Promise me we’ll share our secrets, Iz.”
“I promise,” Isabel replied with a nod. “We’ll talk soon, Michael. We have to.”
* * *
“What the hell are you thinking,” she screeched as she walked into the dingy motel room, the air stale despite the cold temperature outside and inside the room. She slammed the door behind her, her hand atop her head, ready to remove the pink polar fleece hat. “It’s fucking freezing in here. What is wrong with you?” She flanked toward the thermostat and after moving several knobs and buttons, she removed her coat, hat, gloves and scarf and sat at the edge of the bed.
“I like it cold, my dear. You should know my likes and dislikes by now. How many of your lifetimes have we shared?”
“Stop it,” she cautioned with a low growl but her warning did nothing to stop him. “You could have ruined everything with that stunt.”
“I don’t think so,” he replied as he turned off the television, the room bathed in yellow light from the lamp to his right. “I think I’m even more intriguing, and I think Isabel will want to know the reasoning behind what she saw.”
“You’re taking risks I didn’t agree to.”
“You’re not the one in charge, Tess. You should remember who you serve.”
Tess snapped her head in his direction, her mouth pursed to form some kind of retort. Her glare would frighten anyone else and her shoulders sank as she realized just how correct Kivar was. It didn’t matter whose body he inhabited. He was in control of her, and she knew she would have to go along with whatever direction he gave her. “I still think it was a risky move,” she replied softly, turning her head away from Grant Sorenson’s face.
“I don’t care what you think.”
“Just stop it.”
“Oh, am I making you angry? Do my remarks cut you to the bone, or do they go straight to your cold, cold heart?” He brushed one of her curls away from her face and she recoiled from his touch. “That’s right. You don’t have a heart. It’s just an empty mass full of hatred and revenge.”
“I just want what I think I’m entitled to, and I will do whatever necessary to get it.”
“A woman scorned indeed,” he replied with a mechanical laugh, his hand expertly weaving around her wrist. With one swift tug, she was on top of him, their bodies stretched across the length of the bed. “Let me warm that cold heart of yours.”
“I should really get back,” she sighed while rolling out from underneath him. She straightened her blouse and grabbed her coat, hat and gloves from the floor. “Everyone will wonder where I am if I’m gone too long, especially since we’re supposed to be looking for Laurie.”
“Are you trying to avoid me because of this,” he questioned, pointing to his face. “It will be my heart that loves you, Tess, not this shell of a man I possess.”
“I know,” Tess replied as she stood from the bed and began to put on her coat and hat. “Eventually, all of this will have been worth every sacrifice.”
“Does that mean you’ve forgiven me for killing you?”
“You have your reasons for everything that you do. I understand the reasons, Kivar, but I don’t always agree with your methods. I just want you to be careful. We can’t afford to have any more surprises. I can’t mindwarp all of them.”
“I’ll contact you again when I’m able. Maintaining my hold on this body is quite a struggle, you know.”
“I have to get back,” Tess replied and left the motel room as quickly as she had arrived.
* * *
“This is the site,” Liz replied as she indicated the overturned earth with the tip of her shovel, Max, Maria, Alex and Tess joining her in a semi-circle around Laurie’s make-shift grave. “This is where we found her.”
“What exactly are we looking for,” Alex questioned as he dug his shovel into the soft earth, spooning the dirt to the side of the group.
“Anything unusual,” Max replied, he and Tess joining Alex in digging.
“I’d say that digging up a grave of a woman who wasn’t dead is pretty unusual,” Maria murmured loud enough so that only she and Liz heard. The five continued digging for several moments in silence until Max removed a glowing blue crystal from the ground.
The group stopped digging and Max held the crystal in his hand for their inspection. After several seconds, the crystal seemed to liquefy and attach itself to Max’s hand, taking the same contours.
“Max,” both Liz and Tess screamed, the two girls reaching Max’s side at the same time. Seconds after the crystal seemed to attack Max, it receded and returned to its original solid form, resting in the palm of Max’s hand.
“Okay, now that’s unusual,” Alex quipped, Liz leaning closer to inspect the crystal. Max jerked his hand back, the crystal falling to the ground and Liz couldn’t help herself as she bent close to inspect it further.
“Don’t,” Max cautioned, his hand firm on Liz’s shoulder. Liz jumped at the contact but stood up from the ground quickly, her eyes watching Max the entire time. “Let me touch it. We can take it to my house.” He bent at the waist and scooped the crystal into his hand, making a tight fist around it. “Can you drive back, Liz,” he questioned and Liz responded with a shallow nod, Tess already flanking Max’s left side. “I’ll just hold this until we get back.”
Intersection (CC,M/L,Mature) Outline and AN -- 6/21/06 [WIP]
Moderators: Anniepoo98, ISLANDGIRL5, truelovepooh, Forum Moderators
Part 22
Part 22
Michael and Isabel hid behind a series of neatly trimmed shrubs as they watched the ambulance that had brought Laurie Dupree to the Pinecrest Psychiatric Hospital drive away. Laurie had been inside the facility for several minutes while they watched for the police escort and the ambulance to leave. Michael took hold of Isabel’s upper arm and the two of them walked straight ahead toward the side of the facility. Isabel nervously glanced over her shoulder, expecting one of the orderlies dressed in white to apprehend them and escort them back into their rooms.
“We can get inside through that window,” Michael said, drawing Isabel’s attention to the small rectangular window at ground level.
“That’s a small window, Michael,” Isabel countered as she stepped closer to the window. “I don’t know if we could fit through that, and breaking into a psychiatric hospital isn’t the best way -” Before Isabel could finish her sentence, Michael kicked the window with the toe of his boot, and glass shattered onto the floor of the basement and onto the grass. “Great way to remain incognito,” Isabel replied, her head swiveling back and forth over her shoulders, hoping no one had seen them.
“I’ll climb in first then help you.”
“Michael,” Isabel said but Michael had already shimmied through the broken window, his hands waving Isabel to follow him. Groaning, she dropped to her knees and as she slid her legs through the window and felt Michael’s hands steady her, she glanced over her shoulder one final time.
“Let’s hope we didn’t trip any kind of silent alarm,” Isabel replied as her feet hit the basement floor, Michael’s arms comfortably around her waist.
“Then we’d better get started.”
“This is impossible, Michael. Look at all this stuff.” The entire basement was filled with filing cabinets and banker’s boxes, which Isabel imagined was full of information on past patients of the hospital. “What are we looking for?”
“Something that tells us who Laurie Dupree is,” Michael replied as he randomly selected a filing cabinet and pulled out the top drawer, his fingers expertly flipping through the files, “and maybe why Grant Sorenson would want to bury her alive.”
* * *
“Let’s put it down here,” Liz commanded as she, Max, Tess, Alex and Maria rushed into Brody’s private room of the UFO Museum. She swept her arms across the closest countertop, scattering unknown papers onto the floor. “I’ll need a microscope, slides, a culture dish if he has one and something to take notes with.”
“Maria, Alex, everything Liz needs should be in the metal cabinet to your left,” Max instructed as he placed himself into the rolling chair Tess pushed underneath him. “Should we get some latex gloves?”
“That might be a good idea,” Liz responded as Maria deposited the microscope and slides onto the countertop. “And something to maybe chisel a fragment of this crystal off so I can look at it underneath the microscope. I don’t think the entire thing will fit under the lens.”
“On the desk is a rock polishing kit. Will you get it for me Tess? It’s in a small leather bag.”
“Sure Max.”
Liz positioned the supplies as quickly as Maria and Alex brought them to her, Max at her side, the crystal still held captive in his fist. “Okay, let’s do this really slowly. Max, open your fist and let the crystal drop onto the counter. I’ll try to chip a fragment of it so I can examine it underneath the microscope.”
“Maybe I should chip it,” Max offered. “I don’t seem to be…affected by it.”
“It attached itself to your hand,” Tess reminded them as she presented the small rock hammer and a pair of tweezers to Liz. “Let Liz do it.”
Max turned from Tess to Liz, who offered him a small smile as she readied the rock hammer in her right hand. “I think it’s best if I do it.”
“Okay, but maybe everyone else should leave the room, just in case.”
“I’ll agree to that,” Liz replied with a short nod. Maria and Alex left almost immediately, while Tess lingered a bit. “We’ll be fine, Tess. If you hear screaming, then you can come back in and save us.” Tess scowled at Liz and spun around to leave the room but not before placing her hand on Max’s shoulder, giving it a tiny squeeze.
“Are you ready,” Max questioned once the door closed behind Tess and Liz nodded, despite the nausea threatening to wash over her. Max stared at her and cautiously opened his hand, allowing the crystal to fall onto the counter. Liz readied the rock hammer and expertly chopped a small fragment from the closest tip. She exhaled as the crystal maintained its solid form, and heard Max sigh in relief as well. Using the pair of tweezers, she placed the fragment on a slide and placed the slide underneath the microscope lens for better viewing.
“This is interesting,” she said as she adjusted the focus and height of the lens. She felt Max’s breath on her neck and closed her eyes for a moment as her right side grew heated from his presence.
“What is it?”
“This crystal, it looks like…it looks like it has cells, living cells.”
“That can’t be possible,” Max said and he delicately moved Liz away from the microscope to take a better look for himself. He adjusted the lens height, his eye resting on the viewer. “It’s…it’s pulsating.”
“That’s not possible. Let me see,” Liz moved against Max, pushing him out of the way of the microscope as she focused the lens once more. Underneath the scope, a series of blue amoeba-like shapes pulsated and moved in a circular motion. “I…wait, I…I’ve seen this before.”
“You have? Where?”
“In the back of my Biology II textbook.” She paused when she felt Max’s heavy stare on her. Turning over her shoulder, Liz couldn’t help the embarrassed blush that swept across her cheeks. “I was reading ahead.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and turned her attention back to the slide. “This looks like an…an alien version of, um, negleria filarae, a waterborne parasite found in the bloodstream of certain fish.”
“Parasites need organisms to feed off of so maybe that’s why it latched onto me, but I wasn’t affected by touching it.”
“It didn’t come into direct contact with my skin either. Then why didn’t it infest in you, if it’s looking for something to feed on.”
“Maybe there’s something I’m lacking.”
“Or something you have too much of, that maybe normal humans aren’t lacking.” Liz glanced at the slide again, furiously scribbling onto the notepad Maria had provided for her. “These crystals were found in Laurie’s grave. Maybe they were feeding on her, or are the result of something connected to why Laurie was buried in Frazier Woods. Did Isabel tell you where Grant’s dig site is located?” She spun away from the counter and stood in the middle of room, her eyes darting back and forth between the series of maps Brody kept on the wall behind his desk.
“No, she didn’t. What’s so important about the dig site?”
“It’s located almost on top of what once was Pohlman Ranch,” Liz replied as she pressed her index finger against one section of the map outlining water sources for Roswell and the surrounding areas. “See? The water sources are really close to the surface. Why didn’t I think of that before?”
“What, Liz?”
“Isabel and I were up to our knees in mud when we dug Laurie out of that grave. Her grave didn’t necessarily have to be deep in order for these parasitic crystals to infect her or feed on her or do whatever damage was intended. These parasites would have been accessible at least three feet below the surface.”
“But Pohlman Ranch,” Max interrupted, “that’s the crash site. Are you…are you saying that these crystals are from our ship? That we brought these crystals to Earth?”
“They’re called gandarium,” Brody replied, his voice almost mechanical as he entered the room, taking both Max and Liz by surprise.
“Brody?”
“No, I’m sorry. You’re speaking to Larek. The crystals are called gandarium and once they’ve inhabited the source, their spread is inevitable.”
“What do you mean ‘inevitable,’” Liz asked in a quiet voice. She had a feeling what Larek meant but she didn’t want to allow herself to believe that the end of the world was really upon them so soon.
“Once the gandarium spread, life as you know it will cease to exist.”
Liz’s shoulder sank forward as the implication of Larek’s words registered in her brain. If we succeed in changing history, a different version of the future will take place. All the events that led to who I am 14 years from now will be different. The man I am now will cease to exist. “We have to find Laurie,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion as tears began to stream down her face.
* * *
“I found it,” Isabel called and Michael stood from his position on the floor, stepping over stacks of files to join Isabel at the filing cabinet. “Here’s her file.” Isabel carefully pulled the legal-cut cream folder from the drawer and laid it on the most bare spot on the table behind her. She pulled the initial assessment from the file as Michael began to look through it. “This says she lives in Phoenix with an aunt and uncle. They are the ones that initially had her committed because she began talking about aliens. There’s no other family to speak of, and she’s been living here for almost four years.”
“There’s nothing else,” Michael groaned and slammed the file shut, scraps of paper flying from the bottom onto the floor.
“Michael, you can’t just go through a file like that and give up if you don’t find something within the first five minutes. You’ve got to dig and research a little bit. Having a lawyer for a father comes in handy sometimes.” Isabel stooped to pick up the papers and photographs that had fallen out of the file. “Oh my God, Michael. Look at this.”
Isabel present Michael with an old black and white photograph just as his cell phone began to ring. He heard very little of what Max said once he looked at what Isabel had given him. The photograph was dated ‘1947’ and depicted a man wearing overalls in front of what looked like an old barn. The most striking thing about this man wasn’t what he was wearing or where he was standing; it was his face, Michael’s face.
“Who was that,” Isabel questioned as Michael hung up the cell phone and returned it to his pocket, his eyes never leaving the old photograph. “What is Max?”
“This is me, my face, my hands. This, in this picture, that’s me.”
“Was that Max, Michael? What did he want?”
“He wants us to bring Laurie back to Roswell. He said we have to bring her back whether she wants to come or not.”
Michael and Isabel hid behind a series of neatly trimmed shrubs as they watched the ambulance that had brought Laurie Dupree to the Pinecrest Psychiatric Hospital drive away. Laurie had been inside the facility for several minutes while they watched for the police escort and the ambulance to leave. Michael took hold of Isabel’s upper arm and the two of them walked straight ahead toward the side of the facility. Isabel nervously glanced over her shoulder, expecting one of the orderlies dressed in white to apprehend them and escort them back into their rooms.
“We can get inside through that window,” Michael said, drawing Isabel’s attention to the small rectangular window at ground level.
“That’s a small window, Michael,” Isabel countered as she stepped closer to the window. “I don’t know if we could fit through that, and breaking into a psychiatric hospital isn’t the best way -” Before Isabel could finish her sentence, Michael kicked the window with the toe of his boot, and glass shattered onto the floor of the basement and onto the grass. “Great way to remain incognito,” Isabel replied, her head swiveling back and forth over her shoulders, hoping no one had seen them.
“I’ll climb in first then help you.”
“Michael,” Isabel said but Michael had already shimmied through the broken window, his hands waving Isabel to follow him. Groaning, she dropped to her knees and as she slid her legs through the window and felt Michael’s hands steady her, she glanced over her shoulder one final time.
“Let’s hope we didn’t trip any kind of silent alarm,” Isabel replied as her feet hit the basement floor, Michael’s arms comfortably around her waist.
“Then we’d better get started.”
“This is impossible, Michael. Look at all this stuff.” The entire basement was filled with filing cabinets and banker’s boxes, which Isabel imagined was full of information on past patients of the hospital. “What are we looking for?”
“Something that tells us who Laurie Dupree is,” Michael replied as he randomly selected a filing cabinet and pulled out the top drawer, his fingers expertly flipping through the files, “and maybe why Grant Sorenson would want to bury her alive.”
* * *
“Let’s put it down here,” Liz commanded as she, Max, Tess, Alex and Maria rushed into Brody’s private room of the UFO Museum. She swept her arms across the closest countertop, scattering unknown papers onto the floor. “I’ll need a microscope, slides, a culture dish if he has one and something to take notes with.”
“Maria, Alex, everything Liz needs should be in the metal cabinet to your left,” Max instructed as he placed himself into the rolling chair Tess pushed underneath him. “Should we get some latex gloves?”
“That might be a good idea,” Liz responded as Maria deposited the microscope and slides onto the countertop. “And something to maybe chisel a fragment of this crystal off so I can look at it underneath the microscope. I don’t think the entire thing will fit under the lens.”
“On the desk is a rock polishing kit. Will you get it for me Tess? It’s in a small leather bag.”
“Sure Max.”
Liz positioned the supplies as quickly as Maria and Alex brought them to her, Max at her side, the crystal still held captive in his fist. “Okay, let’s do this really slowly. Max, open your fist and let the crystal drop onto the counter. I’ll try to chip a fragment of it so I can examine it underneath the microscope.”
“Maybe I should chip it,” Max offered. “I don’t seem to be…affected by it.”
“It attached itself to your hand,” Tess reminded them as she presented the small rock hammer and a pair of tweezers to Liz. “Let Liz do it.”
Max turned from Tess to Liz, who offered him a small smile as she readied the rock hammer in her right hand. “I think it’s best if I do it.”
“Okay, but maybe everyone else should leave the room, just in case.”
“I’ll agree to that,” Liz replied with a short nod. Maria and Alex left almost immediately, while Tess lingered a bit. “We’ll be fine, Tess. If you hear screaming, then you can come back in and save us.” Tess scowled at Liz and spun around to leave the room but not before placing her hand on Max’s shoulder, giving it a tiny squeeze.
“Are you ready,” Max questioned once the door closed behind Tess and Liz nodded, despite the nausea threatening to wash over her. Max stared at her and cautiously opened his hand, allowing the crystal to fall onto the counter. Liz readied the rock hammer and expertly chopped a small fragment from the closest tip. She exhaled as the crystal maintained its solid form, and heard Max sigh in relief as well. Using the pair of tweezers, she placed the fragment on a slide and placed the slide underneath the microscope lens for better viewing.
“This is interesting,” she said as she adjusted the focus and height of the lens. She felt Max’s breath on her neck and closed her eyes for a moment as her right side grew heated from his presence.
“What is it?”
“This crystal, it looks like…it looks like it has cells, living cells.”
“That can’t be possible,” Max said and he delicately moved Liz away from the microscope to take a better look for himself. He adjusted the lens height, his eye resting on the viewer. “It’s…it’s pulsating.”
“That’s not possible. Let me see,” Liz moved against Max, pushing him out of the way of the microscope as she focused the lens once more. Underneath the scope, a series of blue amoeba-like shapes pulsated and moved in a circular motion. “I…wait, I…I’ve seen this before.”
“You have? Where?”
“In the back of my Biology II textbook.” She paused when she felt Max’s heavy stare on her. Turning over her shoulder, Liz couldn’t help the embarrassed blush that swept across her cheeks. “I was reading ahead.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and turned her attention back to the slide. “This looks like an…an alien version of, um, negleria filarae, a waterborne parasite found in the bloodstream of certain fish.”
“Parasites need organisms to feed off of so maybe that’s why it latched onto me, but I wasn’t affected by touching it.”
“It didn’t come into direct contact with my skin either. Then why didn’t it infest in you, if it’s looking for something to feed on.”
“Maybe there’s something I’m lacking.”
“Or something you have too much of, that maybe normal humans aren’t lacking.” Liz glanced at the slide again, furiously scribbling onto the notepad Maria had provided for her. “These crystals were found in Laurie’s grave. Maybe they were feeding on her, or are the result of something connected to why Laurie was buried in Frazier Woods. Did Isabel tell you where Grant’s dig site is located?” She spun away from the counter and stood in the middle of room, her eyes darting back and forth between the series of maps Brody kept on the wall behind his desk.
“No, she didn’t. What’s so important about the dig site?”
“It’s located almost on top of what once was Pohlman Ranch,” Liz replied as she pressed her index finger against one section of the map outlining water sources for Roswell and the surrounding areas. “See? The water sources are really close to the surface. Why didn’t I think of that before?”
“What, Liz?”
“Isabel and I were up to our knees in mud when we dug Laurie out of that grave. Her grave didn’t necessarily have to be deep in order for these parasitic crystals to infect her or feed on her or do whatever damage was intended. These parasites would have been accessible at least three feet below the surface.”
“But Pohlman Ranch,” Max interrupted, “that’s the crash site. Are you…are you saying that these crystals are from our ship? That we brought these crystals to Earth?”
“They’re called gandarium,” Brody replied, his voice almost mechanical as he entered the room, taking both Max and Liz by surprise.
“Brody?”
“No, I’m sorry. You’re speaking to Larek. The crystals are called gandarium and once they’ve inhabited the source, their spread is inevitable.”
“What do you mean ‘inevitable,’” Liz asked in a quiet voice. She had a feeling what Larek meant but she didn’t want to allow herself to believe that the end of the world was really upon them so soon.
“Once the gandarium spread, life as you know it will cease to exist.”
Liz’s shoulder sank forward as the implication of Larek’s words registered in her brain. If we succeed in changing history, a different version of the future will take place. All the events that led to who I am 14 years from now will be different. The man I am now will cease to exist. “We have to find Laurie,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion as tears began to stream down her face.
* * *
“I found it,” Isabel called and Michael stood from his position on the floor, stepping over stacks of files to join Isabel at the filing cabinet. “Here’s her file.” Isabel carefully pulled the legal-cut cream folder from the drawer and laid it on the most bare spot on the table behind her. She pulled the initial assessment from the file as Michael began to look through it. “This says she lives in Phoenix with an aunt and uncle. They are the ones that initially had her committed because she began talking about aliens. There’s no other family to speak of, and she’s been living here for almost four years.”
“There’s nothing else,” Michael groaned and slammed the file shut, scraps of paper flying from the bottom onto the floor.
“Michael, you can’t just go through a file like that and give up if you don’t find something within the first five minutes. You’ve got to dig and research a little bit. Having a lawyer for a father comes in handy sometimes.” Isabel stooped to pick up the papers and photographs that had fallen out of the file. “Oh my God, Michael. Look at this.”
Isabel present Michael with an old black and white photograph just as his cell phone began to ring. He heard very little of what Max said once he looked at what Isabel had given him. The photograph was dated ‘1947’ and depicted a man wearing overalls in front of what looked like an old barn. The most striking thing about this man wasn’t what he was wearing or where he was standing; it was his face, Michael’s face.
“Who was that,” Isabel questioned as Michael hung up the cell phone and returned it to his pocket, his eyes never leaving the old photograph. “What is Max?”
“This is me, my face, my hands. This, in this picture, that’s me.”
“Was that Max, Michael? What did he want?”
“He wants us to bring Laurie back to Roswell. He said we have to bring her back whether she wants to come or not.”
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:56 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Part 23
Part 23
“They’re bringing Laurie back from Phoenix,” Max replied as he ended the telephone call and returned his cell phone to his front pocket. Liz nodded her head but didn’t raise her eyes to look at him. She quickly wiped at her face, removing any trace of the tears from her cheeks.
Once the gandarium spread, life as you know it will cease to exist.
“Is Larek still here,” she questioned while she began to straighten the microscope and slides in an effort to keep her mind off the end of the world.
“Brody is asleep in his office but I think Larek is gone. There’s no way to tell until Brody wakes up.”
“How long could he sleep? What time is it?”
“It’s almost noon,” Max said, pushing his sleeve above his wrist to look at his watch. “I’m not sure how long he could sleep because -”
“It’s almost noon?” Liz’s eyes widened as she glanced around the room for a clock to verify the time. “Oh, my dad is going to kill me. I’m supposed to be at work at noon.” She grabbed her coat and quickly threw it across her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Max.”
“What time do you get off work?”
“Tonight. I can examine Laurie tonight. See you.” She ran out of the room without turning around to look at Max.
* * *
“Hello, Lizzie,” Jeff Parker said as Liz shot out of the swinging doors into the café which was already busy with Saturday customers. She hastily tied the apron around her waist and brushed back several stray hairs out of her face while she bent underneath the counter to retrieve her order pad. “I thought I’d have to send out the search party.”
“I’m sorry, Dad,” Liz replied, standing upright once again. She surveyed the café and walked past her father toward the end of the counter. “Hi, what can I get you?” She smiled at the elderly couple as they began to rattle off their order.
* * *
By eight, Liz was dead on her feet. The café had slowed considerably and it was a struggle for her to keep her eyes open. With only one hour left on her shift, she reminded herself that she couldn’t go straight to bed; she had told Max she would examine Laurie once her shift had ended. She sighed and turned her attention to the typical closing chores, deciding it would be best to have the café as clean as possible so that she could examine Laurie and hopefully have at least five hours of sleep before she began the Sunday morning shift. She had just begun cleaning the milkshake machine when the door chime rang and a petite brunette strolled into the café. “Hi,” Liz replied cheerfully.
“Can I sit down anywhere?”
“Sure,” Liz said as she fanned her arms outward toward the empty café. “The whole place is yours.”
“Thanks,” the brunette said with a laugh and chose a seat at the counter. “This place reminds me of my favorite drugstore in Lubbock. I always sat at the counter.”
“The counter’s my favorite seat too,” Liz said, her order pad at the ready, but her eyes drifted momentarily to Max’s favorite booth. “Do you need a minute to look over the menu?”
“Actually, I do. I’ve never eaten here before. What do you recommend?”
“The Will Smith burger is popular.” Liz pointed to its description on the menu. “Usually people get Orbit Fries with that, but you absolutely have to save room for the Men in Blackberry pie. The desserts are my favorite.”
“That sounds good to me,” the brunette replied as she closed the menu and placed it behind the napkin holder.
“And what would you like to drink?”
“Um, a Coke sounds great.”
“Sure thing.” Liz walked to the kitchen window and placed the order with Jose, then turned and filled a large glass with ice. “Are you originally from Lubbock?”
“Yes, I’ve lived there my whole life.”
“Are you just passing through Roswell,” Liz asked, placing the Coke-filled glass on the counter.
“I’m not sure. I’m just going to see what happens.”
“Order up!”
Liz returned to the kitchen window to retrieve the order, turning back toward the brunette when Michael and Isabel walked into the café. “Here you go,” Liz said as she sat the burger in front of the brunette. “Did you need anything else?”
“No, it looks great. Thanks.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back with your pie.”
The brunette picked up the burger and took a large mouthful before Liz had stepped from behind the counter. Glancing over her shoulder, she took her order pad from her apron pocket and stood at the end of the table. “Where’s Laurie?”
“She’s at Maria’s,” Michael offered, his eye glancing toward the counter for a split second, but it was long enough for both Liz and Isabel to notice. “Ms. DeLuca and Valenti went on a date. He promised he’d keep her out late. We didn’t ask for the details.”
“Am I going to examine Laurie at Maria’s house? Is Maria okay with that?”
“Everyone is fine with it,” Isabel said, absently fingering a menu. “Max is with Laurie now. The hospital gave her some powerful drugs because she didn’t make a sound the entire way back from Phoenix. He said we should come tell you we were back.”
“How much longer will you be here,” Michael questioned, nodding his head toward the lone customer, the brunette at the counter.
Liz glanced over her shoulder at the brunette, who was continuing to eat. “Not much longer,” Liz replied when she turned back to Michael and Isabel.
“Just give us a call and we’ll come pick you up,” Isabel replied, making a move to exit the booth. “Both Max and Maria have their cell phones. We need to get back to Maria’s house.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later then.” Liz stepped away from Michael and Isabel and walked back to the counter. Jose caught her attention before she could check on the brunette’s progress. “Sure, Jose. Go ahead and start cleaning the grill.”
Michael stared at the brunette for several more seconds once Isabel was on her feet. “Michael, come on.”
“Doesn’t that girl look familiar?”
“The girl at the counter?” Isabel stared at the girl for a moment as well. “No, Michael. I’ve never seen her before.”
“She reminds me of someone, Iz.”
“You’re just being paranoid,” Isabel said with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “Let’s get back to Laurie.”
“They’re bringing Laurie back from Phoenix,” Max replied as he ended the telephone call and returned his cell phone to his front pocket. Liz nodded her head but didn’t raise her eyes to look at him. She quickly wiped at her face, removing any trace of the tears from her cheeks.
Once the gandarium spread, life as you know it will cease to exist.
“Is Larek still here,” she questioned while she began to straighten the microscope and slides in an effort to keep her mind off the end of the world.
“Brody is asleep in his office but I think Larek is gone. There’s no way to tell until Brody wakes up.”
“How long could he sleep? What time is it?”
“It’s almost noon,” Max said, pushing his sleeve above his wrist to look at his watch. “I’m not sure how long he could sleep because -”
“It’s almost noon?” Liz’s eyes widened as she glanced around the room for a clock to verify the time. “Oh, my dad is going to kill me. I’m supposed to be at work at noon.” She grabbed her coat and quickly threw it across her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Max.”
“What time do you get off work?”
“Tonight. I can examine Laurie tonight. See you.” She ran out of the room without turning around to look at Max.
* * *
“Hello, Lizzie,” Jeff Parker said as Liz shot out of the swinging doors into the café which was already busy with Saturday customers. She hastily tied the apron around her waist and brushed back several stray hairs out of her face while she bent underneath the counter to retrieve her order pad. “I thought I’d have to send out the search party.”
“I’m sorry, Dad,” Liz replied, standing upright once again. She surveyed the café and walked past her father toward the end of the counter. “Hi, what can I get you?” She smiled at the elderly couple as they began to rattle off their order.
* * *
By eight, Liz was dead on her feet. The café had slowed considerably and it was a struggle for her to keep her eyes open. With only one hour left on her shift, she reminded herself that she couldn’t go straight to bed; she had told Max she would examine Laurie once her shift had ended. She sighed and turned her attention to the typical closing chores, deciding it would be best to have the café as clean as possible so that she could examine Laurie and hopefully have at least five hours of sleep before she began the Sunday morning shift. She had just begun cleaning the milkshake machine when the door chime rang and a petite brunette strolled into the café. “Hi,” Liz replied cheerfully.
“Can I sit down anywhere?”
“Sure,” Liz said as she fanned her arms outward toward the empty café. “The whole place is yours.”
“Thanks,” the brunette said with a laugh and chose a seat at the counter. “This place reminds me of my favorite drugstore in Lubbock. I always sat at the counter.”
“The counter’s my favorite seat too,” Liz said, her order pad at the ready, but her eyes drifted momentarily to Max’s favorite booth. “Do you need a minute to look over the menu?”
“Actually, I do. I’ve never eaten here before. What do you recommend?”
“The Will Smith burger is popular.” Liz pointed to its description on the menu. “Usually people get Orbit Fries with that, but you absolutely have to save room for the Men in Blackberry pie. The desserts are my favorite.”
“That sounds good to me,” the brunette replied as she closed the menu and placed it behind the napkin holder.
“And what would you like to drink?”
“Um, a Coke sounds great.”
“Sure thing.” Liz walked to the kitchen window and placed the order with Jose, then turned and filled a large glass with ice. “Are you originally from Lubbock?”
“Yes, I’ve lived there my whole life.”
“Are you just passing through Roswell,” Liz asked, placing the Coke-filled glass on the counter.
“I’m not sure. I’m just going to see what happens.”
“Order up!”
Liz returned to the kitchen window to retrieve the order, turning back toward the brunette when Michael and Isabel walked into the café. “Here you go,” Liz said as she sat the burger in front of the brunette. “Did you need anything else?”
“No, it looks great. Thanks.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back with your pie.”
The brunette picked up the burger and took a large mouthful before Liz had stepped from behind the counter. Glancing over her shoulder, she took her order pad from her apron pocket and stood at the end of the table. “Where’s Laurie?”
“She’s at Maria’s,” Michael offered, his eye glancing toward the counter for a split second, but it was long enough for both Liz and Isabel to notice. “Ms. DeLuca and Valenti went on a date. He promised he’d keep her out late. We didn’t ask for the details.”
“Am I going to examine Laurie at Maria’s house? Is Maria okay with that?”
“Everyone is fine with it,” Isabel said, absently fingering a menu. “Max is with Laurie now. The hospital gave her some powerful drugs because she didn’t make a sound the entire way back from Phoenix. He said we should come tell you we were back.”
“How much longer will you be here,” Michael questioned, nodding his head toward the lone customer, the brunette at the counter.
Liz glanced over her shoulder at the brunette, who was continuing to eat. “Not much longer,” Liz replied when she turned back to Michael and Isabel.
“Just give us a call and we’ll come pick you up,” Isabel replied, making a move to exit the booth. “Both Max and Maria have their cell phones. We need to get back to Maria’s house.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later then.” Liz stepped away from Michael and Isabel and walked back to the counter. Jose caught her attention before she could check on the brunette’s progress. “Sure, Jose. Go ahead and start cleaning the grill.”
Michael stared at the brunette for several more seconds once Isabel was on her feet. “Michael, come on.”
“Doesn’t that girl look familiar?”
“The girl at the counter?” Isabel stared at the girl for a moment as well. “No, Michael. I’ve never seen her before.”
“She reminds me of someone, Iz.”
“You’re just being paranoid,” Isabel said with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “Let’s get back to Laurie.”
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:57 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Part 24
Part 24
Michael and Isabel hopped into the Jeep outside the Crashdown, Michael’s eyes keenly watching the brunette at the counter. “I know her, Iz, and I’m not being paranoid. I know that girl.”
“How could you know her when I don’t recognize her at all?”
“I don’t know but -”
“Give it a rest, Michael,” Isabel muttered as she started the Jeep and dropped it into reverse. “We’ve got more important things to worry about.”
“Right,” Michael agreed as they drove away from the café, his gaze remaining on the brunette until he could no longer see her. “Maybe we should wait on Liz.”
“What? Why?”
“You know, we’re already here. Why drive all the way back to Maria’s house only to turn around and come back here to pick Liz up?”
“Do you really want to stay to wait on Liz or to watch the brunette,” Isabel mused as she made a u-turn on Main and circled back to a parking spot across from the café. “If you’re not careful, I’ll tell Maria you’ve been checking out another girl.” She gave a quick laugh as she cut off the engine and Michael glared at her out of the corner of his eye.
“Don’t you tell Maria anything or I’ll have to tell Max -”
“You wouldn’t,” Isabel shrieked, slapping Michael on the shoulder. “I was joking, Michael. I can’t believe you would even think of telling Max that I want to talk to Grant.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Iz,” Michael argued while absently rubbing his stinging shoulder. “I think Max is right to suggest you stay away from Grant.”
“And I think Max is overreacting and being controlling.” Isabel crossed her arms over her chest, her head turned toward the Crashdown. “There’s something going on with him. He’s acting more irrational than usual.”
“Isn’t it because of Liz? Didn’t you say you knew something?”
Isabel turned toward Michael and after staring at him for several seconds, she exhaled slowly. “I do know something. I…I don’t know the whole story and there are some gaps but I know that Liz and Kyle didn’t sleep together.”
Michael’s think laugh echoed through the empty streets. “I think you’d have to be a special kind of stupid to think they had slept together. It’s pretty obvious they aren’t hot and heavy. Even the other night when Laurie was at Valenti’s house, he seemed pretty cool towards Liz.”
“Well,” Isabel continued. “Max thinks it’s true. He thinks Liz is capable of hurting him like that.”
“But you’re not convinced.”
“Michael,” Isabel began, turning her upper torso toward Michael, tucking her right leg underneath her in an attempt to make herself more comfortable. “If there’s one thing I’m absolutely certain of, it’s that Liz would never do anything to hurt Max. She had a good reason for pretending to sleep with Kyle, and…she’s been a really good friend to me lately.”
“Just tell me what you know, Iz.”
“Okay. In October, someone came to visit Liz, someone from the future…”
* * *
“So basically what you’re saying is that you think Max from the future came to warn Liz she had to change future or else we’d be taken over by our enemies fourteen years from now.”
“That’s what I think, yes.”
“And Liz did that by pretending to sleep with Kyle.” Michael looked at Isabel for confirmation and when Isabel nodded her head, Michael allowed his head to fall backwards onto the seat. “You realize that sounds insane, don’t you?”
“Yes, and that if I told anyone other than you, I’d be Laurie’s roommate when she goes back to Pinecrest. But I also think that Liz changed the future. What if our enemies were the Skins? We destroyed them in Copper Summit.
“But what if our enemies are these damn crystals around Laurie’s grave?”
“Well, that just can’t be true,” Isabel replied with a shaky voice as the brunette left the café. “The future can’t already be here. I…I’m not ready to die, Michael.”
“No one’s going to die, Iz,” Michael said, wrapping his arm around Isabel’s shoulders in a comforting gesture as the café went dark. Seconds later, Liz emerged from the alley, her backpack across her shoulders.
“Don’t say anything,” Isabel quietly begged as she turned to face the steering column and turned the ignition. “Please, Michael.”
“I have kept secrets before,” Michael whispered, climbing past her to the back seat of the Jeep as Liz climbed into the now-vacant passenger seat. “Hey, Liz.”
“Hey Michael, Isabel.”
“Ready to go,” Isabel questioned as she shifted the transmission into first and released the clutch, heading past the Crashdown toward Maria’s house.
* * *
“Is that going to be enough,” Maria questioned as she dropped an armful of towels onto the couch beside Max. “Or should I get some more?”
“Enough for what?”
“Well, Liz is going to inspect Laurie, right, so I just assume things will get messy. I figure I’d better have some towels ready to clean up the mess when things explode.”
“Hopefully it won’t be that messy, Maria. Liz is going to draw some of Laurie’s blood and maybe talk to her for a few minutes.”
“It doesn’t hurt to be prepared,” Maria replied with a nod of her head. “I think we have some more towels in my mom’s bathroom.
Max stood to object to Maria’s need for more towels when the front door opened, revealing Michael, Isabel and Liz. Michael and Isabel walked past Max but Liz stayed close to the door and far away from Max. “Hey, Liz.”
“Hi, Max. Where’s Laurie? I guess I’d better get started.”
“She’s in my room,” Maria called from the hallway, motioning for Liz to follow her. “Let me get some more towels. Come on Liz.”
Liz smiled at Max, quickly stepping past him toward the hallway of Maria’s house. Michael and Isabel exchanged glances with each other as Max sat back down onto the couch and Liz disappeared down the hallway.
“She’s in here,” Maria whispered, her arms once again full of towels. Placing her hand on the doorknob, she slowly turned it and pushed the door to her bedroom open, a seemingly asleep Laurie lying on her bed. “Do you think this will be enough towels or should I get some more?”
“Why do you have all those towels?”
“It could get messy,” Maria replied as she and Liz stepped into Maria’s bedroom. “I mean, we are talking about blood and potential alien DNA. I’m expecting the absolute worse.”
Liz offered Maria a quick half-smile. “Don’t worry, Maria. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Okay,” Maria said with a shrug. “I’ll just leave you with her then. Scream if you need anything.” Before Liz could respond, Maria had exited the bedroom and closed the door behind her, leaving Liz alone with Laurie.
“Laurie? Laurie, can you hear me?” Liz gently shook the girl, surprised to find her skin cold. “Laurie?”
“I’m awake,” Laurie replied in a voice so meek and low Liz could barely hear it.
“Are you okay? Would you like something to eat?”
“No.” Laurie shifted her weight and turned to face Liz. “No, thank you.”
“My name is Liz Parker,” Liz said with a smile. She allowed her backpack to drop onto the floor beside Maria’s bed, but it was still within her reach. “Do you know where you are?”
“No. Where am I?”
“You’re in Roswell, New Mexico, my hometown. Do you know a man named Grant Sorenson?”
“No,” Laurie replied, shaking her head from side to side. “Did he bring he here?”
“Okay,” Liz said, a frown appearing on her brow. “Well, we found you where Grant Sorenson works. He’s a geologist, and he has a dig site in the woods.” Liz paused to see if what she was saying made any sense to Laurie. The girl looked like she understood what Liz said, but her face was almost blank. “You were buried in the ground.”
“With a box on my head. I remember now. He wanted them to infest.”
“He wanted what to infest?”
“The parasites. He said that I was a good candidate, that I was lacking something in my DNA. If they infected me, I wouldn’t see the aliens any more.”
“What aliens?”
“The same aliens that took my Grandpa. My aunt and uncle don’t believe me. They didn’t believe him either. They say we’re crazy.”
Liz nodded her head in understanding as she pulled a small needle from her purse. Laurie continued to talk about her grandfather, and Liz was thankful that Laurie hadn’t yet noticed the needle. “Laurie, I want to help you. I want to take some of your blood -”
“I need my blood,” Laurie argued, pulling her legs and arms close to her chest.
“I just want to take a little, just to see what your DNA looks like, to see why Grant Sorenson thought the parasites would infect you.”
“Will it hurt me?”
“It may hurt for just a second but then it will be over.”
“And I can go back home?”
“Of course,” Liz said as she smiled at Laurie. “Of course you can go back home.” Laurie smiled widely at Liz and offered her left arm for Liz’s inspection. As quickly as possible, Liz extracted a sample of Laurie’s DNA and placed one of the towels Maria had left over the tiny wound. “Keep that towel on your arm. It won’t bleed much longer. Do you want something to eat?”
“No,” Laurie replied as she sunk into the bed, almost in the same position she had been in when Liz and Maria entered the room. “I just want to go home.”
Michael and Isabel hopped into the Jeep outside the Crashdown, Michael’s eyes keenly watching the brunette at the counter. “I know her, Iz, and I’m not being paranoid. I know that girl.”
“How could you know her when I don’t recognize her at all?”
“I don’t know but -”
“Give it a rest, Michael,” Isabel muttered as she started the Jeep and dropped it into reverse. “We’ve got more important things to worry about.”
“Right,” Michael agreed as they drove away from the café, his gaze remaining on the brunette until he could no longer see her. “Maybe we should wait on Liz.”
“What? Why?”
“You know, we’re already here. Why drive all the way back to Maria’s house only to turn around and come back here to pick Liz up?”
“Do you really want to stay to wait on Liz or to watch the brunette,” Isabel mused as she made a u-turn on Main and circled back to a parking spot across from the café. “If you’re not careful, I’ll tell Maria you’ve been checking out another girl.” She gave a quick laugh as she cut off the engine and Michael glared at her out of the corner of his eye.
“Don’t you tell Maria anything or I’ll have to tell Max -”
“You wouldn’t,” Isabel shrieked, slapping Michael on the shoulder. “I was joking, Michael. I can’t believe you would even think of telling Max that I want to talk to Grant.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Iz,” Michael argued while absently rubbing his stinging shoulder. “I think Max is right to suggest you stay away from Grant.”
“And I think Max is overreacting and being controlling.” Isabel crossed her arms over her chest, her head turned toward the Crashdown. “There’s something going on with him. He’s acting more irrational than usual.”
“Isn’t it because of Liz? Didn’t you say you knew something?”
Isabel turned toward Michael and after staring at him for several seconds, she exhaled slowly. “I do know something. I…I don’t know the whole story and there are some gaps but I know that Liz and Kyle didn’t sleep together.”
Michael’s think laugh echoed through the empty streets. “I think you’d have to be a special kind of stupid to think they had slept together. It’s pretty obvious they aren’t hot and heavy. Even the other night when Laurie was at Valenti’s house, he seemed pretty cool towards Liz.”
“Well,” Isabel continued. “Max thinks it’s true. He thinks Liz is capable of hurting him like that.”
“But you’re not convinced.”
“Michael,” Isabel began, turning her upper torso toward Michael, tucking her right leg underneath her in an attempt to make herself more comfortable. “If there’s one thing I’m absolutely certain of, it’s that Liz would never do anything to hurt Max. She had a good reason for pretending to sleep with Kyle, and…she’s been a really good friend to me lately.”
“Just tell me what you know, Iz.”
“Okay. In October, someone came to visit Liz, someone from the future…”
* * *
“So basically what you’re saying is that you think Max from the future came to warn Liz she had to change future or else we’d be taken over by our enemies fourteen years from now.”
“That’s what I think, yes.”
“And Liz did that by pretending to sleep with Kyle.” Michael looked at Isabel for confirmation and when Isabel nodded her head, Michael allowed his head to fall backwards onto the seat. “You realize that sounds insane, don’t you?”
“Yes, and that if I told anyone other than you, I’d be Laurie’s roommate when she goes back to Pinecrest. But I also think that Liz changed the future. What if our enemies were the Skins? We destroyed them in Copper Summit.
“But what if our enemies are these damn crystals around Laurie’s grave?”
“Well, that just can’t be true,” Isabel replied with a shaky voice as the brunette left the café. “The future can’t already be here. I…I’m not ready to die, Michael.”
“No one’s going to die, Iz,” Michael said, wrapping his arm around Isabel’s shoulders in a comforting gesture as the café went dark. Seconds later, Liz emerged from the alley, her backpack across her shoulders.
“Don’t say anything,” Isabel quietly begged as she turned to face the steering column and turned the ignition. “Please, Michael.”
“I have kept secrets before,” Michael whispered, climbing past her to the back seat of the Jeep as Liz climbed into the now-vacant passenger seat. “Hey, Liz.”
“Hey Michael, Isabel.”
“Ready to go,” Isabel questioned as she shifted the transmission into first and released the clutch, heading past the Crashdown toward Maria’s house.
* * *
“Is that going to be enough,” Maria questioned as she dropped an armful of towels onto the couch beside Max. “Or should I get some more?”
“Enough for what?”
“Well, Liz is going to inspect Laurie, right, so I just assume things will get messy. I figure I’d better have some towels ready to clean up the mess when things explode.”
“Hopefully it won’t be that messy, Maria. Liz is going to draw some of Laurie’s blood and maybe talk to her for a few minutes.”
“It doesn’t hurt to be prepared,” Maria replied with a nod of her head. “I think we have some more towels in my mom’s bathroom.
Max stood to object to Maria’s need for more towels when the front door opened, revealing Michael, Isabel and Liz. Michael and Isabel walked past Max but Liz stayed close to the door and far away from Max. “Hey, Liz.”
“Hi, Max. Where’s Laurie? I guess I’d better get started.”
“She’s in my room,” Maria called from the hallway, motioning for Liz to follow her. “Let me get some more towels. Come on Liz.”
Liz smiled at Max, quickly stepping past him toward the hallway of Maria’s house. Michael and Isabel exchanged glances with each other as Max sat back down onto the couch and Liz disappeared down the hallway.
“She’s in here,” Maria whispered, her arms once again full of towels. Placing her hand on the doorknob, she slowly turned it and pushed the door to her bedroom open, a seemingly asleep Laurie lying on her bed. “Do you think this will be enough towels or should I get some more?”
“Why do you have all those towels?”
“It could get messy,” Maria replied as she and Liz stepped into Maria’s bedroom. “I mean, we are talking about blood and potential alien DNA. I’m expecting the absolute worse.”
Liz offered Maria a quick half-smile. “Don’t worry, Maria. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Okay,” Maria said with a shrug. “I’ll just leave you with her then. Scream if you need anything.” Before Liz could respond, Maria had exited the bedroom and closed the door behind her, leaving Liz alone with Laurie.
“Laurie? Laurie, can you hear me?” Liz gently shook the girl, surprised to find her skin cold. “Laurie?”
“I’m awake,” Laurie replied in a voice so meek and low Liz could barely hear it.
“Are you okay? Would you like something to eat?”
“No.” Laurie shifted her weight and turned to face Liz. “No, thank you.”
“My name is Liz Parker,” Liz said with a smile. She allowed her backpack to drop onto the floor beside Maria’s bed, but it was still within her reach. “Do you know where you are?”
“No. Where am I?”
“You’re in Roswell, New Mexico, my hometown. Do you know a man named Grant Sorenson?”
“No,” Laurie replied, shaking her head from side to side. “Did he bring he here?”
“Okay,” Liz said, a frown appearing on her brow. “Well, we found you where Grant Sorenson works. He’s a geologist, and he has a dig site in the woods.” Liz paused to see if what she was saying made any sense to Laurie. The girl looked like she understood what Liz said, but her face was almost blank. “You were buried in the ground.”
“With a box on my head. I remember now. He wanted them to infest.”
“He wanted what to infest?”
“The parasites. He said that I was a good candidate, that I was lacking something in my DNA. If they infected me, I wouldn’t see the aliens any more.”
“What aliens?”
“The same aliens that took my Grandpa. My aunt and uncle don’t believe me. They didn’t believe him either. They say we’re crazy.”
Liz nodded her head in understanding as she pulled a small needle from her purse. Laurie continued to talk about her grandfather, and Liz was thankful that Laurie hadn’t yet noticed the needle. “Laurie, I want to help you. I want to take some of your blood -”
“I need my blood,” Laurie argued, pulling her legs and arms close to her chest.
“I just want to take a little, just to see what your DNA looks like, to see why Grant Sorenson thought the parasites would infect you.”
“Will it hurt me?”
“It may hurt for just a second but then it will be over.”
“And I can go back home?”
“Of course,” Liz said as she smiled at Laurie. “Of course you can go back home.” Laurie smiled widely at Liz and offered her left arm for Liz’s inspection. As quickly as possible, Liz extracted a sample of Laurie’s DNA and placed one of the towels Maria had left over the tiny wound. “Keep that towel on your arm. It won’t bleed much longer. Do you want something to eat?”
“No,” Laurie replied as she sunk into the bed, almost in the same position she had been in when Liz and Maria entered the room. “I just want to go home.”
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:58 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Part 25
Finally, a new part!! Hope you all enjoy it! JO
Part 25
Liz closed Maria’s bedroom door and turned toward the hallway only to find Maria’s face inches away from hers. She blinked and tried to side-step her oldest friend but Maria wouldn’t allow her to pass.
“Did she spew?”
“What,” Liz questioned, Michael’s familiar voice echoing from the opposite end of the hallway. She glanced around Maria to see if Michael was talking to Max when Maria’s face blocked her view.
“Laurie. Did she spew? I didn’t hear screaming so I’m going to assume she’s still intact.”
“Maria,” Liz groaned with a roll of her eyes. She placed her hand on her best friend’s shoulder and gently eased her out of the way. Turning back, she saw Maria press her ear against the bedroom door. A small laugh came out of Liz’s throat, and she continued toward the living room.
“What did you find out, Liz,” Max questioned as soon as he saw her enter the living room. Liz glanced between he, Michael and Isabel, and it was obvious to her the three of them had been having a serious discussion. She didn’t know whether she had been glad she interrupted or if she should have been more careful in her approach so she could have eavesdropped on their conversation.
“Well,” she began, suddenly uncomfortable with the way Max, Michael and Isabel were staring at her. She tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and exhaled. “She let me take some of her blood.” She showed a small vial of blood, twisting it momentarily between her fingertips before pocketing it once again. “She’s scared, Max, and she really just wants to go home.”
“To Phoenix,” Michael questioned.
“Yes.”
“Well, we can’t let her go,” Michael replied and flopped onto the couch as if he believed his word was law.
“Michael.”
“She doesn’t have any family except for the aunt and uncle that locked her away in the first place. And,” Michael continued, raising his index finger at Isabel for an added effect, “what’s to say Grant won’t kidnap her again.”
Liz saw a momentary shadow glide across Isabel’s face and she glanced at Max to see if he had noticed. If he had seen it, he gave no acknowledgment.
“That would be pretty stupid on his part, Michael,” Isabel argued. “She was originally found on his dig site. Why would he kidnap her again, especially now that the police are watching him more closely.”
“Isabel’s right,” Liz offered and was rewarded by a slight smile from Isabel. “That would be stupid of Grant.”
“What do you think, Liz?”
Looking from Michael to Isabel to Max, Liz carefully weighed Laurie’s options. She questioned herself only because it seemed such an important decision, a decision that she didn’t feel comfortable making alone. But Liz knew, if she were in Laurie’s shoes, ruthless aunt and uncle or not, she would want to go home. “I think she should go home.”
“Then Laurie goes home,” Max agreed.
“I’m taking her,” Michael said, standing to his feet beside Isabel.
“Fine. Michael and Isabel will take Laurie back to Phoenix, and Liz and I will study Laurie’s blood and the crystals.”
“Great. Maria, I need your car.”
“Where the Jetta goes,” Maria said to Michael, her hands firmly on her hips. “I go.”
“Fine.” Michael scowled and rolled his eyes. He snapped his fingers and extended his hand out to Maria. “Gimme the keys. You and Isabel get Laurie.”
* * *
Liz sighed and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hand. The red digital clock on the wall behind Brody’s desk flashed 12:15. Liz tried to stifle her yawn in a feeble attempt to hide how tired she was from Max, but he noticed anyway.
“Do you need a break?”
“What,” Liz questioned, wiping at her eyes once more. “Oh no. No, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Liz glanced at Max. He smiled at her, the same sweet smile he used to give her when things between them were good. “Yes,” she replied with a smile of her own. “Thank you.”
She watched Max nod once then returned to the series of slides lying before her. Thus far, she had determined that Laurie’s blood was human. While the cells didn’t look as complete as hers, Liz knew Max had changed her when he had healed her. She still didn’t understand why the crystals would have attached to Max and most likely to Laurie had she and Isabel not removed her from her make-shift grave. Future Max’s words once again hung in her ears but Liz shook them away, determined that her world would not end until she could tell Max the truth and they could safely be together.
“About those flashes -”
“What?”
“The flashes, Liz.” Max moved toward her and Liz felt panic rise from her stomach. “The things I see aren’t things you and I have shared but I know my voice and my face. That’s me in those flashes.”
“Max -”
“Does it have something to do with you…what I saw…and Kyle?”
“I…I can’t talk to you about this now. We have more important things -”
“You’re hiding something important, Liz. I know it.” Max’s voice became angry, Liz watched as his face began to redden.
“Stop it, Max. You wouldn’t understand even if I tried to tell you.”
“You don’t know that,” Max screamed, slamming his fist onto the table crushing three slides underneath his knuckles. Liz jumped and almost stepped away from him. She stared at him, and could see that he was just as surprised by his behavior as she was. He raised his hand toward her, blood trickling from his knuckles.
“You’re bleeding,” Liz whispered, grabbing several paper towels from the edge of the table. She gingerly placed the paper towels on Max’s hand and looked at him. There was no trace of anger from his outburst on his face.
Isabel says you’re hiding something, something big. Something about Max.
“Please, Liz,” Max begged, clasping her wrist with his free hand. “Please tell me.”
“I’m sorry, Max.” Liz said as she removed her hand from Max’s grasp and turned her attention to the remaining slides on the table. “You’re just going to have to trust me."
Part 25
Liz closed Maria’s bedroom door and turned toward the hallway only to find Maria’s face inches away from hers. She blinked and tried to side-step her oldest friend but Maria wouldn’t allow her to pass.
“Did she spew?”
“What,” Liz questioned, Michael’s familiar voice echoing from the opposite end of the hallway. She glanced around Maria to see if Michael was talking to Max when Maria’s face blocked her view.
“Laurie. Did she spew? I didn’t hear screaming so I’m going to assume she’s still intact.”
“Maria,” Liz groaned with a roll of her eyes. She placed her hand on her best friend’s shoulder and gently eased her out of the way. Turning back, she saw Maria press her ear against the bedroom door. A small laugh came out of Liz’s throat, and she continued toward the living room.
“What did you find out, Liz,” Max questioned as soon as he saw her enter the living room. Liz glanced between he, Michael and Isabel, and it was obvious to her the three of them had been having a serious discussion. She didn’t know whether she had been glad she interrupted or if she should have been more careful in her approach so she could have eavesdropped on their conversation.
“Well,” she began, suddenly uncomfortable with the way Max, Michael and Isabel were staring at her. She tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and exhaled. “She let me take some of her blood.” She showed a small vial of blood, twisting it momentarily between her fingertips before pocketing it once again. “She’s scared, Max, and she really just wants to go home.”
“To Phoenix,” Michael questioned.
“Yes.”
“Well, we can’t let her go,” Michael replied and flopped onto the couch as if he believed his word was law.
“Michael.”
“She doesn’t have any family except for the aunt and uncle that locked her away in the first place. And,” Michael continued, raising his index finger at Isabel for an added effect, “what’s to say Grant won’t kidnap her again.”
Liz saw a momentary shadow glide across Isabel’s face and she glanced at Max to see if he had noticed. If he had seen it, he gave no acknowledgment.
“That would be pretty stupid on his part, Michael,” Isabel argued. “She was originally found on his dig site. Why would he kidnap her again, especially now that the police are watching him more closely.”
“Isabel’s right,” Liz offered and was rewarded by a slight smile from Isabel. “That would be stupid of Grant.”
“What do you think, Liz?”
Looking from Michael to Isabel to Max, Liz carefully weighed Laurie’s options. She questioned herself only because it seemed such an important decision, a decision that she didn’t feel comfortable making alone. But Liz knew, if she were in Laurie’s shoes, ruthless aunt and uncle or not, she would want to go home. “I think she should go home.”
“Then Laurie goes home,” Max agreed.
“I’m taking her,” Michael said, standing to his feet beside Isabel.
“Fine. Michael and Isabel will take Laurie back to Phoenix, and Liz and I will study Laurie’s blood and the crystals.”
“Great. Maria, I need your car.”
“Where the Jetta goes,” Maria said to Michael, her hands firmly on her hips. “I go.”
“Fine.” Michael scowled and rolled his eyes. He snapped his fingers and extended his hand out to Maria. “Gimme the keys. You and Isabel get Laurie.”
* * *
Liz sighed and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hand. The red digital clock on the wall behind Brody’s desk flashed 12:15. Liz tried to stifle her yawn in a feeble attempt to hide how tired she was from Max, but he noticed anyway.
“Do you need a break?”
“What,” Liz questioned, wiping at her eyes once more. “Oh no. No, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Liz glanced at Max. He smiled at her, the same sweet smile he used to give her when things between them were good. “Yes,” she replied with a smile of her own. “Thank you.”
She watched Max nod once then returned to the series of slides lying before her. Thus far, she had determined that Laurie’s blood was human. While the cells didn’t look as complete as hers, Liz knew Max had changed her when he had healed her. She still didn’t understand why the crystals would have attached to Max and most likely to Laurie had she and Isabel not removed her from her make-shift grave. Future Max’s words once again hung in her ears but Liz shook them away, determined that her world would not end until she could tell Max the truth and they could safely be together.
“About those flashes -”
“What?”
“The flashes, Liz.” Max moved toward her and Liz felt panic rise from her stomach. “The things I see aren’t things you and I have shared but I know my voice and my face. That’s me in those flashes.”
“Max -”
“Does it have something to do with you…what I saw…and Kyle?”
“I…I can’t talk to you about this now. We have more important things -”
“You’re hiding something important, Liz. I know it.” Max’s voice became angry, Liz watched as his face began to redden.
“Stop it, Max. You wouldn’t understand even if I tried to tell you.”
“You don’t know that,” Max screamed, slamming his fist onto the table crushing three slides underneath his knuckles. Liz jumped and almost stepped away from him. She stared at him, and could see that he was just as surprised by his behavior as she was. He raised his hand toward her, blood trickling from his knuckles.
“You’re bleeding,” Liz whispered, grabbing several paper towels from the edge of the table. She gingerly placed the paper towels on Max’s hand and looked at him. There was no trace of anger from his outburst on his face.
Isabel says you’re hiding something, something big. Something about Max.
“Please, Liz,” Max begged, clasping her wrist with his free hand. “Please tell me.”
“I’m sorry, Max.” Liz said as she removed her hand from Max’s grasp and turned her attention to the remaining slides on the table. “You’re just going to have to trust me."
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:58 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Part 26
Part 26
Liz stood at the counter, waiting to pick up an order of Orbit Rings. The back of her neck began to burn and she turned as nonchalantly as possible, knowing that Max was staring at her again. She instantly found his eyes, locked on her every movement, and she slowly turned back toward the counter, the heat on her neck and back rising.
She straightened her uniform, surprised to find the Orbit Rings waiting for her and Michael gone. Leaning forward, she glanced around the kitchen area until she realized that her uniform had ridden up slightly, but just enough for the backs of her thighs to begin to burn. Standing upright again with her heels firmly on the floor, she tugged at the waist of her uniform, pulling it down toward her knees. She exhaled and paused for a moment before placing the Orbit Rings on the tray with two Cherry Cokes and stepped toward Max’s table.
She and Max hadn’t spoken since that night in the UFO Center almost two weeks earlier. Liz had done an excellent job of avoiding him both at school and at work, despite the fact he insisted on sitting in her section every time he came to the café. She knew it was only a matter of time before he confronted her about the flashes he had seen, and she didn’t know how much longer she could lie to him.
“Here you go,” she said as s he placed the order in the center of the table between Max and Tess, her voice so syrupy and fake, she knew Max would be able to see through her attempt at normalcy.
“Thanks,” Tess replied, her voice just as fake as Liz’s had been as she grabbed a salt shaker and doused a liberal amount onto the onion ring before taking a bite.
Liz glanced toward Max for a split second, wondering if he was watching her, but her attempt at covert operations was interrupted by Maria’s groan as she plopped down into the booth beside Tess. “I give up.”
“What, Maria,” Max questioned, and Liz noticed that while Tess had begun eating the moment she had placed the food on their table, Max had barely touched the food or his drink.
“Michael. I…I just give up. He’s been impossible since we got back from Phoenix.”
“I can imagine,” Tess said in between bites. It was as though Tess hadn’t eaten in days, and that the onion rings were so good, she couldn’t get enough of them. Liz felt herself scowl as she continued to watch Tess inhale her food, then quickly remembered Max was probably watching her every move.
“You’re right, you know. He’s been through some pretty major stuff since we found Laurie. I mean, her grandfather was his human donor, for Pete’s sake. That means they are related, and then her aunt and uncle trying to buy him off.” Maria rolled her eyes, slamming her palms down onto the table. “But he’s putting up his walls again, and I just don’t know if I can get through them this time. Has he said anything to you, Max, or any of you?”
“You know Michael,” Max replied with a shrug.
“Well,” Maria continued, and Liz could hear the frustration in her voice. “Could you talk to him? Find out what’s really going on? He’s keeping secrets from me, Max, and I don’t like it. Michael may not be a talker but he’s never kept secrets from me.”
“I’m going to start cleaning up the grill, okay, Maria? Take out the trash, things like that.”
“Yeah, okay,” Maria grumbled in response, picking up one of the smaller onion rings and popping it into her mouth as Liz walked toward the swinging door that lead into the back room.
Once safely inside the back room, Liz released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She wondered if Michael knew anything about Future Max, if Isabel had told him what little information she knew. Replaying the previous two weeks in her mind, Liz decided there hadn’t been much time for Michael and Isabel to be alone together to have such a serious talk and felt her spirit lifting that Michael didn’t know her secret. She gathered the trash in one hand, twisting the bag closed with her other, and stepped into the alley behind the café. Unfamiliar voices echoed through the alley and just before she made her presence known, she heard Michael’s voice but she couldn’t understand what he was saying.
Glancing at the end of the alley as she threw the garbage into the dumpster, she saw Michael with a man and a woman. The woman looked oddly familiar, but she didn’t recognize the man. It was only when she placed her hand on the handle of the back door did she realize while she had been staring at them, the three of them had been staring at her.
* * *
“I think you should meet them,” Michael said again, he, Patrick and Maggie standing at the end of the alleyway behind the Crashdown. “If you and Maggie -”
“I’m not bringing Maggie into this, Michael. I’ve told you that before.”
“But -”
“I know you are anxious for me to meet Max, Isabel and Tess, but what you don’t realize is that this is bigger than just the four of you. Nicholas will come back to Roswell, Michael.”
“And we’ll beat him like we did last time.”
Patrick shook his head. “I don’t think you understand. Nicholas has an agenda. Kivar has an agenda. And neither one of them are going to stop coming after you until their agendas are complete. That means trouble for everyone in Roswell, especially Liz.”
“What’s so important about Liz,” Michael questioned as the steel door leading into the back room of the café opened. He watched as Liz threw a bag of garbage into the dumpster, hoping she hadn’t seen or heard their conversation. But as he continued to stare in her direction, he noticed she was staring directly at the three of them.
* * *
“You sure? You sure this chick’ll help us out. That she ain’t gonna turn or change that stupid little mind of hers?”
“I’m positive,” Nicholas purred, his hand inching from Lonnie’s knee upward toward her thigh.
“Good,” the brunette said, swatting Nicholas’s hand away from her as she continued on I-285 toward Roswell. “As long as we can control her. I ain’t fixin’ any more of the messes you make.”
“Yes, I’m sorry about Rath.”
She grunted, glancing at Nicholas out of the corner of her eyes. “Whatever. All I knows is that when the dust settles, little miss Tess better be on our side.”
Liz stood at the counter, waiting to pick up an order of Orbit Rings. The back of her neck began to burn and she turned as nonchalantly as possible, knowing that Max was staring at her again. She instantly found his eyes, locked on her every movement, and she slowly turned back toward the counter, the heat on her neck and back rising.
She straightened her uniform, surprised to find the Orbit Rings waiting for her and Michael gone. Leaning forward, she glanced around the kitchen area until she realized that her uniform had ridden up slightly, but just enough for the backs of her thighs to begin to burn. Standing upright again with her heels firmly on the floor, she tugged at the waist of her uniform, pulling it down toward her knees. She exhaled and paused for a moment before placing the Orbit Rings on the tray with two Cherry Cokes and stepped toward Max’s table.
She and Max hadn’t spoken since that night in the UFO Center almost two weeks earlier. Liz had done an excellent job of avoiding him both at school and at work, despite the fact he insisted on sitting in her section every time he came to the café. She knew it was only a matter of time before he confronted her about the flashes he had seen, and she didn’t know how much longer she could lie to him.
“Here you go,” she said as s he placed the order in the center of the table between Max and Tess, her voice so syrupy and fake, she knew Max would be able to see through her attempt at normalcy.
“Thanks,” Tess replied, her voice just as fake as Liz’s had been as she grabbed a salt shaker and doused a liberal amount onto the onion ring before taking a bite.
Liz glanced toward Max for a split second, wondering if he was watching her, but her attempt at covert operations was interrupted by Maria’s groan as she plopped down into the booth beside Tess. “I give up.”
“What, Maria,” Max questioned, and Liz noticed that while Tess had begun eating the moment she had placed the food on their table, Max had barely touched the food or his drink.
“Michael. I…I just give up. He’s been impossible since we got back from Phoenix.”
“I can imagine,” Tess said in between bites. It was as though Tess hadn’t eaten in days, and that the onion rings were so good, she couldn’t get enough of them. Liz felt herself scowl as she continued to watch Tess inhale her food, then quickly remembered Max was probably watching her every move.
“You’re right, you know. He’s been through some pretty major stuff since we found Laurie. I mean, her grandfather was his human donor, for Pete’s sake. That means they are related, and then her aunt and uncle trying to buy him off.” Maria rolled her eyes, slamming her palms down onto the table. “But he’s putting up his walls again, and I just don’t know if I can get through them this time. Has he said anything to you, Max, or any of you?”
“You know Michael,” Max replied with a shrug.
“Well,” Maria continued, and Liz could hear the frustration in her voice. “Could you talk to him? Find out what’s really going on? He’s keeping secrets from me, Max, and I don’t like it. Michael may not be a talker but he’s never kept secrets from me.”
“I’m going to start cleaning up the grill, okay, Maria? Take out the trash, things like that.”
“Yeah, okay,” Maria grumbled in response, picking up one of the smaller onion rings and popping it into her mouth as Liz walked toward the swinging door that lead into the back room.
Once safely inside the back room, Liz released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She wondered if Michael knew anything about Future Max, if Isabel had told him what little information she knew. Replaying the previous two weeks in her mind, Liz decided there hadn’t been much time for Michael and Isabel to be alone together to have such a serious talk and felt her spirit lifting that Michael didn’t know her secret. She gathered the trash in one hand, twisting the bag closed with her other, and stepped into the alley behind the café. Unfamiliar voices echoed through the alley and just before she made her presence known, she heard Michael’s voice but she couldn’t understand what he was saying.
Glancing at the end of the alley as she threw the garbage into the dumpster, she saw Michael with a man and a woman. The woman looked oddly familiar, but she didn’t recognize the man. It was only when she placed her hand on the handle of the back door did she realize while she had been staring at them, the three of them had been staring at her.
* * *
“I think you should meet them,” Michael said again, he, Patrick and Maggie standing at the end of the alleyway behind the Crashdown. “If you and Maggie -”
“I’m not bringing Maggie into this, Michael. I’ve told you that before.”
“But -”
“I know you are anxious for me to meet Max, Isabel and Tess, but what you don’t realize is that this is bigger than just the four of you. Nicholas will come back to Roswell, Michael.”
“And we’ll beat him like we did last time.”
Patrick shook his head. “I don’t think you understand. Nicholas has an agenda. Kivar has an agenda. And neither one of them are going to stop coming after you until their agendas are complete. That means trouble for everyone in Roswell, especially Liz.”
“What’s so important about Liz,” Michael questioned as the steel door leading into the back room of the café opened. He watched as Liz threw a bag of garbage into the dumpster, hoping she hadn’t seen or heard their conversation. But as he continued to stare in her direction, he noticed she was staring directly at the three of them.
* * *
“You sure? You sure this chick’ll help us out. That she ain’t gonna turn or change that stupid little mind of hers?”
“I’m positive,” Nicholas purred, his hand inching from Lonnie’s knee upward toward her thigh.
“Good,” the brunette said, swatting Nicholas’s hand away from her as she continued on I-285 toward Roswell. “As long as we can control her. I ain’t fixin’ any more of the messes you make.”
“Yes, I’m sorry about Rath.”
She grunted, glancing at Nicholas out of the corner of her eyes. “Whatever. All I knows is that when the dust settles, little miss Tess better be on our side.”
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:59 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Part 27
Part 27
That means trouble for everyone in Roswell, especially Liz.
Especially Liz.
A shot rang out, and Michael watched helplessly as Max crumbled to the ground. He felt himself move toward his fallen friend, his feet like lead weights in his shoes. He couldn’t get there. He couldn’t reach Max. Blood covered Max’s chest and throat, his skin a shade lighter than it had been previously. “No,” Michael screamed, his hand outstretched at Nicholas and a shadowy figure he assumed to be Kivar. Isabel and Maria screaming behind him, he turned for a split second, something moving on the fringes of his peripheral vision. He saw Liz, crouching down over Max’s body, her hand pressed tightly against his chest. A bright light engulfed both Liz and Max, another scream caught in his throat.
Michael sat up quickly, his face and neck wet with sweat. He ran his fingers down both sides of his face, unable to shake the nightmare away. Patrick’s words haunted his dreams, and since Patrick had alluded to a connection between Liz and Nicholas’s return to Roswell, Michael hadn’t been getting much sleep. The nightmares would begin the same, Patrick’s words echoing in his mind just as sleep began to claim him, and his imagination would conjure the rest. Sometimes Isabel would die, sometimes Max, but Liz would always be there.
Shoving the bedcovers to one side, Michael stood and gave a cat-like stretch. He knew there would be no more sleep for him tonight. He hoped he would be able to find a decent rerun on television before the morning sun greeted Roswell. He stomped into the kitchen and pulled the milk container from inside, then walked to the couch and sat down. He turned on the television but didn’t bother turning on any other lights in the apartment. ESPN was cued up as the screen flickered to life, a green circular poker table coming into view as Michael’s eyes adjusted to the harsh light. Taking a sip of milk, he slowly turned toward his kitchen then back toward the television set. He needed something to get his mind off of Patrick’s words, something to make him forget his nightmares for just a little while.
He sat the milk carton down in the floor, carefully standing to his feet so he didn’t knock the half-empty carton over. Returning to the kitchen, he opened the freezer door and stared inside. It was several seconds before he finally reached inside the freezer and removed a small brown paper bag. He scratched at his chin, the bag lying on the counter in front of him, and with a roll of his eyes, he opened it. He withdrew five small stacks of cash and placed them neatly in a row on top of the counter. His eyes fell back to the t.v. screen, a pile of red, blue and white chips in the center of the green card table. Shoving the money back into the bag, Michael all but ran into his bedroom. He was going to Las Vegas.
* * *
Liz sat in her favorite corner booth, Chemistry and History books splayed out in front of her. She still wore her uniform, but there hadn’t been any customers in the café in almost two hours, closing time less than an hour away. She had severely neglected her studies since Laurie Dupree’s unexpected arrival in Roswell, and knew that she had to readjust her focus now that Laurie was safely back in Phoenix.
“Do you know where he is,” Maria squealed as she burst through the café doors, bells tinkling her arrival. “Do you have any idea?”
“Who,” Liz questioned, removing the notebook from her lap and placing it on top of her Chemistry book.
“Michael,” Maria sighed, sliding into the seat across from Liz. “Do you know where he, Max, Isabel, Tess and Kyle are?”
“Where are they, Maria?”
“In Las Vegas. They are in Las Vegas. I called Michael to see where he was because I thought we had a date tonight, and he says he can’t talk to me cause he’s playing blackjack…in Las Vegas. I am so ticked off right now.”
“Why,” Liz questioned as she picked up her notebook and returned her attention to her Chemistry homework. She had assumed that Michael and by extension Max might be in danger, but being in Las Vegas didn’t sound too dangerous to her. It sounded like a vacation.
“Because I wanted to go too. Wouldn’t you want to go, Liz? You and I would have so much fun in Las Vegas.”
Liz raised her head and stared at her oldest friend. “I was married in Las Vegas in a future I’m never going to have so no, Maria, I wouldn’t want to go to Las Vegas.” She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, turning her attention back to Chemistry.
“I love you, Liz,” Maria began, stretching across the table to take both of Liz’s hands, pencil and all, into hers.
“But,” Liz continued, unable to stop rolling her eyes as Maria gently held onto her hands.
“But, you’ve got to let this Future Max thing go. Tell Max the truth about what happened with Kyle. We both know he’s been getting flashes from you like they were going out of style.”
“I can’t do that, Maria,” Liz replied, pulling her hands away from Maria, her eyes searching for her next Chemistry equation. “Things are still fragile, and if Tess leaves -”
“She’s not going to leave, Liz. She’s here and we’re stuck with her.”
“I don’t know that,” Liz admitted honestly. She placed her notebook and pencil into the Chemistry book and closed the cover. “I don’t know anything other than what Future Max told me, and given that the end of the world could have happened less than two weeks ago, I think I’m entitled to be a little cautious.” Liz stared at Maria pointedly and Maria shrugged in response.
“Fine,” Maria grunted as she pushed herself out of the booth and onto her feet. “It was just a friendly suggestion, you know.”
“I know, and I appreciate it. And I will tell Max, Maria. When the time is right.” She smiled at Maria, who nodded and smiled in return.
“Okay, Liz. Well, Mom made a Banana Crème Pie and I’m going home to help her eat it since we’re both dateless tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here,” Liz said, the tinkling of bells signaling a new customer. Maria blew her a kiss, passing a petite brunette on her way out of the café. Liz stood up from the booth as the brunette made her way to the counter and pulled out a menu from behind the napkin dispenser. Liz recognized the customer; it was the girl who has shown up just before closing the night she had examined Laurie. “Hi again,” Liz said, her pencil and order pad at the ready. “What can I get you?”
“Oh, hi,” the brunette responded, a wide smile across her face. “Um, something light, I think, maybe a salad.”
“The Tossed Alien Salad is pretty good,” Liz said as she indicated the item’s description on the menu with her pencil.
After reading for several seconds, the brunette agreed. “Sounds good. And can I get blue cheese dressing?”
“Sure. What would you like to drink?”
“Oh, a Coke is fine.” Liz smiled and began filling the drink order. She could hear Jose in the kitchen, scraping and cleaning the grill. “It’s not very busy here tonight, is it?”
“Tuesdays usually aren’t that busy.” Liz placed the Coke and a straw in front of the brunette. “It’s nice to have a quiet night at least one night of the week.”
“I’ll bet,” the brunette replied with a laugh. “I really like this diner. I should eat here more often.” Liz raised her head and smiled but the brunette didn’t notice, her back to Liz as she stared at the alien decor. “It’s funny how things turn out, you know. I…I’ve lived in West Texas my whole life, and if someone had told me two years ago, I’d be in Roswell, New Mexico, I’d have told them they were crazy.”
Liz smiled as she placed the salad and two cups of blue cheese dressing in front of the customer. She thought back to her life before the shooting, before Max had saved her life and how different her life could have been. “I know what you mean.”
“One day, I woke up and felt like something was telling me to leave Texas. I…I’ve never lived anywhere else. I’ve never been anywhere else.”
“I’ve lived in Roswell my whole life.”
“So,” the brunette continued between bites, “I pack my grandmother’s car and drive to New Orleans.”
“New Orleans, wow. What are you doing in Roswell?”
“Following my heart, I think. At least that’s what my grandmother used to call my institution. She said that if I always followed my heart, it wouldn’t lead me wrong.”
“My grandmother said something like that too.” Liz absently wiped the back counter as the brunette finished her salad.
“Does your grandmother live in Roswell?”
“Oh no,” Liz replied, unable to hide the sadness in her voice. She missed Grandma Claudia, more than she would have ever thought possible. “My grandmother died two years ago.”
“So did mine. She was the one who raised me. Hers was the only parental voice I remember. Her doctors said she had a stroke.”
“That’s what happened to my grandma.” Liz paused, remembering how Max had allowed her to say good-bye to her grandmother, even in the midst of the drama surrounding her break-up with Kyle. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I introduced myself. My name is Liz.”
The brunette smiled and hurriedly wiped her hand on a napkin before extending it to Liz. “Nice to meet you, Liz. My name is Serina.”
That means trouble for everyone in Roswell, especially Liz.
Especially Liz.
A shot rang out, and Michael watched helplessly as Max crumbled to the ground. He felt himself move toward his fallen friend, his feet like lead weights in his shoes. He couldn’t get there. He couldn’t reach Max. Blood covered Max’s chest and throat, his skin a shade lighter than it had been previously. “No,” Michael screamed, his hand outstretched at Nicholas and a shadowy figure he assumed to be Kivar. Isabel and Maria screaming behind him, he turned for a split second, something moving on the fringes of his peripheral vision. He saw Liz, crouching down over Max’s body, her hand pressed tightly against his chest. A bright light engulfed both Liz and Max, another scream caught in his throat.
Michael sat up quickly, his face and neck wet with sweat. He ran his fingers down both sides of his face, unable to shake the nightmare away. Patrick’s words haunted his dreams, and since Patrick had alluded to a connection between Liz and Nicholas’s return to Roswell, Michael hadn’t been getting much sleep. The nightmares would begin the same, Patrick’s words echoing in his mind just as sleep began to claim him, and his imagination would conjure the rest. Sometimes Isabel would die, sometimes Max, but Liz would always be there.
Shoving the bedcovers to one side, Michael stood and gave a cat-like stretch. He knew there would be no more sleep for him tonight. He hoped he would be able to find a decent rerun on television before the morning sun greeted Roswell. He stomped into the kitchen and pulled the milk container from inside, then walked to the couch and sat down. He turned on the television but didn’t bother turning on any other lights in the apartment. ESPN was cued up as the screen flickered to life, a green circular poker table coming into view as Michael’s eyes adjusted to the harsh light. Taking a sip of milk, he slowly turned toward his kitchen then back toward the television set. He needed something to get his mind off of Patrick’s words, something to make him forget his nightmares for just a little while.
He sat the milk carton down in the floor, carefully standing to his feet so he didn’t knock the half-empty carton over. Returning to the kitchen, he opened the freezer door and stared inside. It was several seconds before he finally reached inside the freezer and removed a small brown paper bag. He scratched at his chin, the bag lying on the counter in front of him, and with a roll of his eyes, he opened it. He withdrew five small stacks of cash and placed them neatly in a row on top of the counter. His eyes fell back to the t.v. screen, a pile of red, blue and white chips in the center of the green card table. Shoving the money back into the bag, Michael all but ran into his bedroom. He was going to Las Vegas.
* * *
Liz sat in her favorite corner booth, Chemistry and History books splayed out in front of her. She still wore her uniform, but there hadn’t been any customers in the café in almost two hours, closing time less than an hour away. She had severely neglected her studies since Laurie Dupree’s unexpected arrival in Roswell, and knew that she had to readjust her focus now that Laurie was safely back in Phoenix.
“Do you know where he is,” Maria squealed as she burst through the café doors, bells tinkling her arrival. “Do you have any idea?”
“Who,” Liz questioned, removing the notebook from her lap and placing it on top of her Chemistry book.
“Michael,” Maria sighed, sliding into the seat across from Liz. “Do you know where he, Max, Isabel, Tess and Kyle are?”
“Where are they, Maria?”
“In Las Vegas. They are in Las Vegas. I called Michael to see where he was because I thought we had a date tonight, and he says he can’t talk to me cause he’s playing blackjack…in Las Vegas. I am so ticked off right now.”
“Why,” Liz questioned as she picked up her notebook and returned her attention to her Chemistry homework. She had assumed that Michael and by extension Max might be in danger, but being in Las Vegas didn’t sound too dangerous to her. It sounded like a vacation.
“Because I wanted to go too. Wouldn’t you want to go, Liz? You and I would have so much fun in Las Vegas.”
Liz raised her head and stared at her oldest friend. “I was married in Las Vegas in a future I’m never going to have so no, Maria, I wouldn’t want to go to Las Vegas.” She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, turning her attention back to Chemistry.
“I love you, Liz,” Maria began, stretching across the table to take both of Liz’s hands, pencil and all, into hers.
“But,” Liz continued, unable to stop rolling her eyes as Maria gently held onto her hands.
“But, you’ve got to let this Future Max thing go. Tell Max the truth about what happened with Kyle. We both know he’s been getting flashes from you like they were going out of style.”
“I can’t do that, Maria,” Liz replied, pulling her hands away from Maria, her eyes searching for her next Chemistry equation. “Things are still fragile, and if Tess leaves -”
“She’s not going to leave, Liz. She’s here and we’re stuck with her.”
“I don’t know that,” Liz admitted honestly. She placed her notebook and pencil into the Chemistry book and closed the cover. “I don’t know anything other than what Future Max told me, and given that the end of the world could have happened less than two weeks ago, I think I’m entitled to be a little cautious.” Liz stared at Maria pointedly and Maria shrugged in response.
“Fine,” Maria grunted as she pushed herself out of the booth and onto her feet. “It was just a friendly suggestion, you know.”
“I know, and I appreciate it. And I will tell Max, Maria. When the time is right.” She smiled at Maria, who nodded and smiled in return.
“Okay, Liz. Well, Mom made a Banana Crème Pie and I’m going home to help her eat it since we’re both dateless tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here,” Liz said, the tinkling of bells signaling a new customer. Maria blew her a kiss, passing a petite brunette on her way out of the café. Liz stood up from the booth as the brunette made her way to the counter and pulled out a menu from behind the napkin dispenser. Liz recognized the customer; it was the girl who has shown up just before closing the night she had examined Laurie. “Hi again,” Liz said, her pencil and order pad at the ready. “What can I get you?”
“Oh, hi,” the brunette responded, a wide smile across her face. “Um, something light, I think, maybe a salad.”
“The Tossed Alien Salad is pretty good,” Liz said as she indicated the item’s description on the menu with her pencil.
After reading for several seconds, the brunette agreed. “Sounds good. And can I get blue cheese dressing?”
“Sure. What would you like to drink?”
“Oh, a Coke is fine.” Liz smiled and began filling the drink order. She could hear Jose in the kitchen, scraping and cleaning the grill. “It’s not very busy here tonight, is it?”
“Tuesdays usually aren’t that busy.” Liz placed the Coke and a straw in front of the brunette. “It’s nice to have a quiet night at least one night of the week.”
“I’ll bet,” the brunette replied with a laugh. “I really like this diner. I should eat here more often.” Liz raised her head and smiled but the brunette didn’t notice, her back to Liz as she stared at the alien decor. “It’s funny how things turn out, you know. I…I’ve lived in West Texas my whole life, and if someone had told me two years ago, I’d be in Roswell, New Mexico, I’d have told them they were crazy.”
Liz smiled as she placed the salad and two cups of blue cheese dressing in front of the customer. She thought back to her life before the shooting, before Max had saved her life and how different her life could have been. “I know what you mean.”
“One day, I woke up and felt like something was telling me to leave Texas. I…I’ve never lived anywhere else. I’ve never been anywhere else.”
“I’ve lived in Roswell my whole life.”
“So,” the brunette continued between bites, “I pack my grandmother’s car and drive to New Orleans.”
“New Orleans, wow. What are you doing in Roswell?”
“Following my heart, I think. At least that’s what my grandmother used to call my institution. She said that if I always followed my heart, it wouldn’t lead me wrong.”
“My grandmother said something like that too.” Liz absently wiped the back counter as the brunette finished her salad.
“Does your grandmother live in Roswell?”
“Oh no,” Liz replied, unable to hide the sadness in her voice. She missed Grandma Claudia, more than she would have ever thought possible. “My grandmother died two years ago.”
“So did mine. She was the one who raised me. Hers was the only parental voice I remember. Her doctors said she had a stroke.”
“That’s what happened to my grandma.” Liz paused, remembering how Max had allowed her to say good-bye to her grandmother, even in the midst of the drama surrounding her break-up with Kyle. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I introduced myself. My name is Liz.”
The brunette smiled and hurriedly wiped her hand on a napkin before extending it to Liz. “Nice to meet you, Liz. My name is Serina.”
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:00 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Part 28
Sorry for the extended delay. I've been working on some original material and that's been drawing my attention instead of Intersection (and my other fics).
Part 28
“Then what happened,” Maria questioned, her eyes widening as she imagined what Liz would say next. Liz, Alex and Maria sat huddled around the ceramic heater on Liz’s balcony, the clear sky full of stars. Chips and a bowl of salsa sat in front of the three friends but Alex seemed to be the most interested in the food.
“She finished her salad, paid and left the café.”
“But you think it’s too eerie to be a coincidence,” Alex offered before popping a tortilla chip full of salsa into his mouth.
“Well, yes, considering Future Max told me Serina would be a friend of mine someday. I know I changed the future, but all of these things that keep happening don’t make me feel any better about my decision.”
“I’ll bet,” Alex quipped, his remarking earning a shot to the arm from Liz and he feigned injury. “Ow. Alright. Marriage. Happiness. Destruction. Death. The end of the world. I’m with you, Liz, on the same page. No need to get violent.”
“Just,” Liz began, anger rising within her because of Alex’s mocking. “Just don’t make light of it, Alex. It was real. I saw it.”
“But who is Serina,” Maria questioned. “I mean, who is she really? We don’t know anything about her, Liz. She’s just a stranger.”
“Do you think it’s a coincidence, Maria? I don’t. Things seem to be falling into place, things I thought I had changed and I -”
“Liz?”
Turning around to face the edge of her balcony, she saw Max, wearing a black leather jacket zipped to his chin and blue jeans, an expression she couldn’t read on his face.
“Max,” she sighed and turning back to Maria and Alex, she questioned under her breath. “How long has he been standing there?”
“I don’t know,” Maria whispered, her teeth rigid, her lips barely moving as the three of them stood to their feet. “But tell him the truth. I guess this means Michael’s back,” she said aloud to Max, a fake smile plastered across her face. “Maybe we can go on our date now. Later, Liz.” She quickly rushed past Max and scurried down the ladder.
“Well, I’ll,” Alex began and pointed after Maria, lowering his head as he passed Max, following Maria down the ladder.
After Alex had disappeared, Max stepped toward Liz, helping her clean up the mess left behind. “You guys having a party?”
“Maria called it a ‘Who Needs Vegas’ party,” Liz admitted with a smile. “She was really mad at Michael.” She stepped through her window, a small trash bag and three empty Coke cans in her hands.
“You didn’t miss much,” Max replied as he followed Liz into her bedroom. “If I never go back to Vegas, it’ll be too soon.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I don’t understand why anyone would want to get married there.”
“Oh, yeah,” Liz said, taking the bag of tortilla chips and bowl of salsa from him. She had felt the same way when Future Max had told her about their wedding in Las Vegas, but now that it would be a future she’d never have, she thought it sounded somewhat romantic.
“Michael and I got into a fight and we ended up in jail.”
“What,” Liz asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice. “When did that happen?”
“Yesterday. Isabel had to bail us out, and I was going to come back last night. I made it all the way to the cab when I had this…flash, this memory of you and I. You were wearing a wedding dress and I think we’d just been married.”
Max raised his eyes to her face, while Liz tried to gather her composure. She spun away from Max, frantically wiping at her eyes while she placed the bag of chips and the salsa the small table beside her bedroom door.
“How did you know…know about the granolith? You’ve never seen it, Liz. How could you know about it?”
“I thought you were going to trust me, Max,” Liz said, turning around to face him. She felt herself go on the defensive, her anger rising, but quickly gathered herself. “You said it didn’t matter, that we were going to try to be friends again.”
“It does matter. If you know things, Liz, I’m begging you to tell me. Please, tell me.”
Liz could easily recognize the hurt in his eyes. If he touched her, he’d learn the truth. If he asked her again, she wouldn’t be able to lie to him. She’d tell him the truth about everything and beg him to forgive her for her secrecy. But she couldn’t do that, not yet. Not with Serina’s arrival in Roswell. Not when she didn’t yet know what that meant. “I’m not sure what’s going on, Max.” She saw surprise flash across his features. “But I promise I’ll tell you soon. I’m just asking you to trust me a little bit longer.”
* * *
“He’s here,” Nicholas purred, he and Lonnie stepping from the stolen car onto Roswell’s main street. "I can smell his stench."
“Like here, in the area?”
“Here in Roswell. I should have known Patrick would come for them.”
“Then we best act quick,” Lonnie replied. “When’s K comin’ to town?”
“He’s working on it.”
* * *
Alex bounced onto the landing in front of his back door, his hand deep into his pockets, fishing for his house keys. Successfully finding them, he jingled them for a second before pushing the correct key into the knob.
“Hi, Alex,” Isabel said, startling Alex so much, he dropped the keys just as he opened the back door to enter.
“Isabel. I uh. I thought you had other plans.”
“I did, but now I’m here.” She stared at him through hooded eyes, unable to make out his expression in the darkness. “I met a guy, Alex, in Las Vegas. He was exactly what I was looking for from someone in Vegas. A good-looking smartass, that I could just chew up and spit back out, you know?”
“But?”
“But, here I am, waiting for you. Good-night, Alex.” She gave him a half smile and disappeared around the corner of the Whitman home.
* * *
“Nicholas is here,” Patrick cried, sitting straight up in bed, the sheets falling off his chest. Maggie sat up beside him, drawing the sheets across her as Patrick stood from the bed and began dressing himself.
“That means Kivar will be here soon.”
“I have to tell Michael.”
* * *
“This makes up for you going to Vegas without me,” Maria whispered, her lips red and swollen as she and Michael lay on his couch, their limbs intertwined, Maria’s hands running through Michael’s hair and down his back while Michael pressed his mouth to Maria’s neck and throat.
“You would have hated it anyway.”
“Doubtful.” They began kissing again, Michael’s telephone ring slicing through the otherwise silent apartment. “Don’t answer that.”
Without stopping his assault on Maria’s mouth, Michael reached over the back of the couch and picked up his cordless telephone. He pressed the talk button while Maria nibbled at his ear. “Yeah?” Groaning, Maria gingerly slapped his cheek and pushed him off of her. “Okay.” He dropped the telephone onto the couch where Maria had been then stood up and began walking to the door. “I gotta go.”
“Wh-what,” Maria shrieked, her eyes wide. “Aren’t we in the middle of something here?”
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Michael replied, a wide grin on his face as he left the apartment and closed the door behind him. Maria scowled and picked up a pillow from the couch, hurling it at the door as it closed.
-----
lines of dialogue taken from Viva Las Vegas
Part 28
“Then what happened,” Maria questioned, her eyes widening as she imagined what Liz would say next. Liz, Alex and Maria sat huddled around the ceramic heater on Liz’s balcony, the clear sky full of stars. Chips and a bowl of salsa sat in front of the three friends but Alex seemed to be the most interested in the food.
“She finished her salad, paid and left the café.”
“But you think it’s too eerie to be a coincidence,” Alex offered before popping a tortilla chip full of salsa into his mouth.
“Well, yes, considering Future Max told me Serina would be a friend of mine someday. I know I changed the future, but all of these things that keep happening don’t make me feel any better about my decision.”
“I’ll bet,” Alex quipped, his remarking earning a shot to the arm from Liz and he feigned injury. “Ow. Alright. Marriage. Happiness. Destruction. Death. The end of the world. I’m with you, Liz, on the same page. No need to get violent.”
“Just,” Liz began, anger rising within her because of Alex’s mocking. “Just don’t make light of it, Alex. It was real. I saw it.”
“But who is Serina,” Maria questioned. “I mean, who is she really? We don’t know anything about her, Liz. She’s just a stranger.”
“Do you think it’s a coincidence, Maria? I don’t. Things seem to be falling into place, things I thought I had changed and I -”
“Liz?”
Turning around to face the edge of her balcony, she saw Max, wearing a black leather jacket zipped to his chin and blue jeans, an expression she couldn’t read on his face.
“Max,” she sighed and turning back to Maria and Alex, she questioned under her breath. “How long has he been standing there?”
“I don’t know,” Maria whispered, her teeth rigid, her lips barely moving as the three of them stood to their feet. “But tell him the truth. I guess this means Michael’s back,” she said aloud to Max, a fake smile plastered across her face. “Maybe we can go on our date now. Later, Liz.” She quickly rushed past Max and scurried down the ladder.
“Well, I’ll,” Alex began and pointed after Maria, lowering his head as he passed Max, following Maria down the ladder.
After Alex had disappeared, Max stepped toward Liz, helping her clean up the mess left behind. “You guys having a party?”
“Maria called it a ‘Who Needs Vegas’ party,” Liz admitted with a smile. “She was really mad at Michael.” She stepped through her window, a small trash bag and three empty Coke cans in her hands.
“You didn’t miss much,” Max replied as he followed Liz into her bedroom. “If I never go back to Vegas, it’ll be too soon.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I don’t understand why anyone would want to get married there.”
“Oh, yeah,” Liz said, taking the bag of tortilla chips and bowl of salsa from him. She had felt the same way when Future Max had told her about their wedding in Las Vegas, but now that it would be a future she’d never have, she thought it sounded somewhat romantic.
“Michael and I got into a fight and we ended up in jail.”
“What,” Liz asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice. “When did that happen?”
“Yesterday. Isabel had to bail us out, and I was going to come back last night. I made it all the way to the cab when I had this…flash, this memory of you and I. You were wearing a wedding dress and I think we’d just been married.”
Max raised his eyes to her face, while Liz tried to gather her composure. She spun away from Max, frantically wiping at her eyes while she placed the bag of chips and the salsa the small table beside her bedroom door.
“How did you know…know about the granolith? You’ve never seen it, Liz. How could you know about it?”
“I thought you were going to trust me, Max,” Liz said, turning around to face him. She felt herself go on the defensive, her anger rising, but quickly gathered herself. “You said it didn’t matter, that we were going to try to be friends again.”
“It does matter. If you know things, Liz, I’m begging you to tell me. Please, tell me.”
Liz could easily recognize the hurt in his eyes. If he touched her, he’d learn the truth. If he asked her again, she wouldn’t be able to lie to him. She’d tell him the truth about everything and beg him to forgive her for her secrecy. But she couldn’t do that, not yet. Not with Serina’s arrival in Roswell. Not when she didn’t yet know what that meant. “I’m not sure what’s going on, Max.” She saw surprise flash across his features. “But I promise I’ll tell you soon. I’m just asking you to trust me a little bit longer.”
* * *
“He’s here,” Nicholas purred, he and Lonnie stepping from the stolen car onto Roswell’s main street. "I can smell his stench."
“Like here, in the area?”
“Here in Roswell. I should have known Patrick would come for them.”
“Then we best act quick,” Lonnie replied. “When’s K comin’ to town?”
“He’s working on it.”
* * *
Alex bounced onto the landing in front of his back door, his hand deep into his pockets, fishing for his house keys. Successfully finding them, he jingled them for a second before pushing the correct key into the knob.
“Hi, Alex,” Isabel said, startling Alex so much, he dropped the keys just as he opened the back door to enter.
“Isabel. I uh. I thought you had other plans.”
“I did, but now I’m here.” She stared at him through hooded eyes, unable to make out his expression in the darkness. “I met a guy, Alex, in Las Vegas. He was exactly what I was looking for from someone in Vegas. A good-looking smartass, that I could just chew up and spit back out, you know?”
“But?”
“But, here I am, waiting for you. Good-night, Alex.” She gave him a half smile and disappeared around the corner of the Whitman home.
* * *
“Nicholas is here,” Patrick cried, sitting straight up in bed, the sheets falling off his chest. Maggie sat up beside him, drawing the sheets across her as Patrick stood from the bed and began dressing himself.
“That means Kivar will be here soon.”
“I have to tell Michael.”
* * *
“This makes up for you going to Vegas without me,” Maria whispered, her lips red and swollen as she and Michael lay on his couch, their limbs intertwined, Maria’s hands running through Michael’s hair and down his back while Michael pressed his mouth to Maria’s neck and throat.
“You would have hated it anyway.”
“Doubtful.” They began kissing again, Michael’s telephone ring slicing through the otherwise silent apartment. “Don’t answer that.”
Without stopping his assault on Maria’s mouth, Michael reached over the back of the couch and picked up his cordless telephone. He pressed the talk button while Maria nibbled at his ear. “Yeah?” Groaning, Maria gingerly slapped his cheek and pushed him off of her. “Okay.” He dropped the telephone onto the couch where Maria had been then stood up and began walking to the door. “I gotta go.”
“Wh-what,” Maria shrieked, her eyes wide. “Aren’t we in the middle of something here?”
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Michael replied, a wide grin on his face as he left the apartment and closed the door behind him. Maria scowled and picked up a pillow from the couch, hurling it at the door as it closed.
-----
lines of dialogue taken from Viva Las Vegas
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:02 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Part 29
Part 29
Michael scratched on the outside pane of Max's bedroom window, his eyes prowling the seemingly deserted Murray Lane for suspicious activity. When he turned back to the window, Isabel's reflection startled him and he jumped, much to Isabel's amusement.
"You need to stop watching so many scary movies, Michael," Isabel joked as she unlocked the window and opened it, stepping away to allow Michael entrance into Max's room.
Michael scowled as he swung his legs through the sill, his feet firmly planted on Max's carpeted floor, and he continued to glare at Isabel once he stood firm. "It never hurts to be cautious."
"Yet you're the one suggesting we meet this Patrick person," Max added, his voice just above a whisper. "We don't know anything about him."
"What better reason to meet him?"
"Don't Michael, " Isabel countered when it because obvious to her that Max and Michael were not going to see eye-to-eye on the situation. "We agreed we'd meet and hear what he has to say, right, Max?" She turned toward her brother seated on the edge of his bed. Max raised his eyes to her and nodded twice. "So, let's go get Tess and meet him before Mom and Dad find out we're not asleep in our beds."
* * *
"And this guy is meeting us here," Tess whined as she stepped through a doorway in the old soap factor behind Michael. Michael rolled his eyes at the sound of her voice and the attitude she gave him. If it were Liz doing the talking, he could understand Tess' reluctance but he was not Liz. Her reaction was almost enough to make Michael regret he had included her in this meeting -- almost.
"If he said he'll be here, he'll be here," Michael grunted.
"He's here," an unknown voice boomed from the darkness, causing Max to instinctively throw his shield and for Tess to cower beside him. "Very good, Zan," Patrick said as he stepped from the shadows and Michael relaxed. He hadn't realized his body had become so rigid.
"My name is Max," Max replied, his green shield lowering while he and Isabel relaxed their stances. Michael noticed Tess still clung to Max's arm but shook the thought away to focus on Patrick.
"I'm sorry," Patrick continued with a slight nod. Snapping his fingers, several lights came on in the large room, revealing it to be the same room that had housed the rave where Michael and Maria had first kissed.
"Too bright," Max growled and with a wave of his hand overhead, the lights dimmed. Michael shot a glance at Isabel, who shrugged her shoulders as if she understood his unspoken thought about how strange Max was acting. "Who are you?"
"I'm Michael's brother, a scout for the King's Army."
"That's who you were," Max said. "I asked who you are now."
"I'm still Michael's brother, Max, just as I was before our deaths. Only now, I've found you in time to protect you from the traitors once again in your midst."
"What do you mean," Isabel asked, stepping away from Max and toward Michael. "What traitors?"
"Nicholas and Kivar will come for you," Patrick replied, almost as if he hadn't heard Isabel's questions, or had chosen to ignore them. "I believe Nicholas is in Roswell now."
"That can't be true," Tess argued. "Nicholas wouldn't come back to Roswell. Besides, most of the Skins should be dead by now with no husks to keep them alive."
"Armies have a way of being reborn."
"This can't be happening," Isabel whispered. "It...it isn't possible."
"I'm not going to listen to this," Max said, his voice seething with anger. Michael watched as Max stared at Patrick, his hopes of a peaceful meeting between his brother and his best friend taking a drastic turn for the worse. "Nicholas won't come after us again."
"I've issued the warning, Max. It's up to you if you choose to heed it."
Max narrowed his eyes, his glare focused solely on Patrick. "Let's go." He turned on his heels and quickly vanished into the darkness, Tess hot on his trail. Isabel opened her mouth to speak as she looked between Michael and Patrick and, even in the darkness, Michael could see unshed tears in her eyes. Without saying a word, she followed Max and Tess.
Michael stared at Patrick, silently pleading with him for guidance, support, anything. When Patrick's stoic face gave no response, not even the slightest lip quiver, Michael turned away from him, defeated.
"Michael," Patrick said, grabbing Michael's arm before he was completely out of reach. "Nicholas is here, and Kivar will soon follow. Protect youself and Max and Isabel."
"What about Tess?"
"Make sure your trust in her is well-placed but be on your guard, especially where Liz is concerned."
Michael sighed as Patrick released him. "If you know something -"
"If Tess is anything like Avarea was, she will have her own agenda. Protect those you love, and I will do the same."
"But what about Liz," Michael pleaded, Isabel calling to him from outside the soap factory. "You keep talking about Liz but you don't tell me what's so important about her."
"Protect her, Michael. Protect her with your life."
* * *
Tess slowly walked down the flight of stairs to the bottom of the UFO Museum. She wasn't certain but she hoped Max would be working today. Their meeting with Patrick two days earlier had left her uneasy, and she wanted to talk things over with Max, to see what he thought of Patrick's warning. "Max? Are you down here?"
"Tess," Max questioned, standing up from behind the information desk in the center of the room. His arms were full of papers and brochures which he placed on the counter before stepping out of the cubicle. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to you...about Patrick."
"I can't talk about that right now," Max said, dismissing her with a shake of his head as he picked up the papers and brochures. "I've got filing and reorganizing to do, and I haven't started on the crop circle files."
"I just think," Tess began, following Max toward the set of stairs leading to Brody's office when the power flickered and faded, leaving the museum in total blackness. "Max?"
"Stay where you are, Tess. I'll turn on the generator."
After several moments, the generator roared to life and Tess exhaled as several lights came on over her head. "It works," she called aloud and Max appeared from underneath the stairs, closing a gray metal door behind him. He stepped toward Tess, a small smile on his face.
"Why did you lie to me," Brody questioned from the bottom of the staircase, almost directly in front of Max.
"What," Max questioned, continuing on this path toward Tess.
"You're an alien," Brody continued. "We were all there. You and me and her. We were there with the other aliens."
"Larek?"
"That's an alien name," Brody said, his eyes wide, and in the dim light Max could see an unnatural, wild expression written across his face. "I read it. I know what it says." He flashed a copy of a book but neither Max nor Tess could read the title.
"I'm sorry but I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do!"
Before Max could diffuse Brody, he heard Maria and her mother at the top of the main staircase, the sounds of their heels indicating they were coming closer.
"I want you to tell me who I am," Brody whispered, pulling a gun from the back of his waistband. "Am I Brody? Am I Larek?" He pointed the gun first at Max then immediately at Tess.
"We'll come back later," Amy DeLuca deadpanned as she and Maria stepped onto the museum floor, Brody's gun still pointed at Max and Tess.
"No one's going anywhere," Brody shouted, and a gunshot echoed through the museum.
----------
dialogue taken from Off The Menu
Michael scratched on the outside pane of Max's bedroom window, his eyes prowling the seemingly deserted Murray Lane for suspicious activity. When he turned back to the window, Isabel's reflection startled him and he jumped, much to Isabel's amusement.
"You need to stop watching so many scary movies, Michael," Isabel joked as she unlocked the window and opened it, stepping away to allow Michael entrance into Max's room.
Michael scowled as he swung his legs through the sill, his feet firmly planted on Max's carpeted floor, and he continued to glare at Isabel once he stood firm. "It never hurts to be cautious."
"Yet you're the one suggesting we meet this Patrick person," Max added, his voice just above a whisper. "We don't know anything about him."
"What better reason to meet him?"
"Don't Michael, " Isabel countered when it because obvious to her that Max and Michael were not going to see eye-to-eye on the situation. "We agreed we'd meet and hear what he has to say, right, Max?" She turned toward her brother seated on the edge of his bed. Max raised his eyes to her and nodded twice. "So, let's go get Tess and meet him before Mom and Dad find out we're not asleep in our beds."
* * *
"And this guy is meeting us here," Tess whined as she stepped through a doorway in the old soap factor behind Michael. Michael rolled his eyes at the sound of her voice and the attitude she gave him. If it were Liz doing the talking, he could understand Tess' reluctance but he was not Liz. Her reaction was almost enough to make Michael regret he had included her in this meeting -- almost.
"If he said he'll be here, he'll be here," Michael grunted.
"He's here," an unknown voice boomed from the darkness, causing Max to instinctively throw his shield and for Tess to cower beside him. "Very good, Zan," Patrick said as he stepped from the shadows and Michael relaxed. He hadn't realized his body had become so rigid.
"My name is Max," Max replied, his green shield lowering while he and Isabel relaxed their stances. Michael noticed Tess still clung to Max's arm but shook the thought away to focus on Patrick.
"I'm sorry," Patrick continued with a slight nod. Snapping his fingers, several lights came on in the large room, revealing it to be the same room that had housed the rave where Michael and Maria had first kissed.
"Too bright," Max growled and with a wave of his hand overhead, the lights dimmed. Michael shot a glance at Isabel, who shrugged her shoulders as if she understood his unspoken thought about how strange Max was acting. "Who are you?"
"I'm Michael's brother, a scout for the King's Army."
"That's who you were," Max said. "I asked who you are now."
"I'm still Michael's brother, Max, just as I was before our deaths. Only now, I've found you in time to protect you from the traitors once again in your midst."
"What do you mean," Isabel asked, stepping away from Max and toward Michael. "What traitors?"
"Nicholas and Kivar will come for you," Patrick replied, almost as if he hadn't heard Isabel's questions, or had chosen to ignore them. "I believe Nicholas is in Roswell now."
"That can't be true," Tess argued. "Nicholas wouldn't come back to Roswell. Besides, most of the Skins should be dead by now with no husks to keep them alive."
"Armies have a way of being reborn."
"This can't be happening," Isabel whispered. "It...it isn't possible."
"I'm not going to listen to this," Max said, his voice seething with anger. Michael watched as Max stared at Patrick, his hopes of a peaceful meeting between his brother and his best friend taking a drastic turn for the worse. "Nicholas won't come after us again."
"I've issued the warning, Max. It's up to you if you choose to heed it."
Max narrowed his eyes, his glare focused solely on Patrick. "Let's go." He turned on his heels and quickly vanished into the darkness, Tess hot on his trail. Isabel opened her mouth to speak as she looked between Michael and Patrick and, even in the darkness, Michael could see unshed tears in her eyes. Without saying a word, she followed Max and Tess.
Michael stared at Patrick, silently pleading with him for guidance, support, anything. When Patrick's stoic face gave no response, not even the slightest lip quiver, Michael turned away from him, defeated.
"Michael," Patrick said, grabbing Michael's arm before he was completely out of reach. "Nicholas is here, and Kivar will soon follow. Protect youself and Max and Isabel."
"What about Tess?"
"Make sure your trust in her is well-placed but be on your guard, especially where Liz is concerned."
Michael sighed as Patrick released him. "If you know something -"
"If Tess is anything like Avarea was, she will have her own agenda. Protect those you love, and I will do the same."
"But what about Liz," Michael pleaded, Isabel calling to him from outside the soap factory. "You keep talking about Liz but you don't tell me what's so important about her."
"Protect her, Michael. Protect her with your life."
* * *
Tess slowly walked down the flight of stairs to the bottom of the UFO Museum. She wasn't certain but she hoped Max would be working today. Their meeting with Patrick two days earlier had left her uneasy, and she wanted to talk things over with Max, to see what he thought of Patrick's warning. "Max? Are you down here?"
"Tess," Max questioned, standing up from behind the information desk in the center of the room. His arms were full of papers and brochures which he placed on the counter before stepping out of the cubicle. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to you...about Patrick."
"I can't talk about that right now," Max said, dismissing her with a shake of his head as he picked up the papers and brochures. "I've got filing and reorganizing to do, and I haven't started on the crop circle files."
"I just think," Tess began, following Max toward the set of stairs leading to Brody's office when the power flickered and faded, leaving the museum in total blackness. "Max?"
"Stay where you are, Tess. I'll turn on the generator."
After several moments, the generator roared to life and Tess exhaled as several lights came on over her head. "It works," she called aloud and Max appeared from underneath the stairs, closing a gray metal door behind him. He stepped toward Tess, a small smile on his face.
"Why did you lie to me," Brody questioned from the bottom of the staircase, almost directly in front of Max.
"What," Max questioned, continuing on this path toward Tess.
"You're an alien," Brody continued. "We were all there. You and me and her. We were there with the other aliens."
"Larek?"
"That's an alien name," Brody said, his eyes wide, and in the dim light Max could see an unnatural, wild expression written across his face. "I read it. I know what it says." He flashed a copy of a book but neither Max nor Tess could read the title.
"I'm sorry but I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do!"
Before Max could diffuse Brody, he heard Maria and her mother at the top of the main staircase, the sounds of their heels indicating they were coming closer.
"I want you to tell me who I am," Brody whispered, pulling a gun from the back of his waistband. "Am I Brody? Am I Larek?" He pointed the gun first at Max then immediately at Tess.
"We'll come back later," Amy DeLuca deadpanned as she and Maria stepped onto the museum floor, Brody's gun still pointed at Max and Tess.
"No one's going anywhere," Brody shouted, and a gunshot echoed through the museum.
----------
dialogue taken from Off The Menu
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:02 pm, edited 6 times in total.
Part 30
Part 30
“Is everyone okay,” Max questioned, his eyes never once leaving Brody’s gun, still pointed at the ceiling. He glanced slightly at Tess, satisfied with her unsteady nod, and to Maria and Ms. DeLuca, both women looking just as shaken as Tess. “Okay. Brody, give me the gun.”
“I have memories of things I’m not supposed to know,” Brody replied, ignoring Max’s request. With the gun firmly in one hand and the unknown book in the other, he began to pace between where Maria and Amy sat at the foot of the stairs and where Tess and Max stood. “None of it makes any sense. I know you’re Max Evans, and I also know you’re Zan.” He paused and stared directly at Max. “I want these aliens out of my head.”
“Maybe it would be better if we left you aliens alone,” Amy said, her hand wrapped tightly around Maria’s wrist, as the two women slowly stood to their feet. Brody spun toward them, his gun raised when Maria’s cell phone rang. “Don’t point that gun at my daughter,” Amy cried, her arms going around Maria’s shoulders as if to offer some sort of protective barrier between Maria and Brody’s gun.
“Turn that off!”
“I always answer my phone,” Maria said, her voice shaky. “If…if I don’t answer it, whoever is calling me will worry and they’ll come looking for me.”
“Fine,” Brody agreed, “but be quick about it.”
“Where are you, Maria,” Liz began, the urgency in her voice undeniable. “Serina’s in the café, and I want you to come talk to her, to see what you think -”
“I’m a little busy right now,” Maria said, her eyes on Brody. “And I don’t think I’m going to make my shift. Sorry.”
“Is something wrong?”
“You could say that.” Brody thrust the gun at Maria, and she quickly disconnected the call without saying good-bye to Liz.
* * *
“She hung up on me,” Liz said as she stared into the telephone receiver before slamming it down. “Maria hung up on me.”
“She hangs up on me all the time,” Michael replied without raising his eyes from the magazine he had found wedged in between the couch cushions. “Don’t let it hurt your feelings.”
“No,” Liz continued. “Something’s not right.” She stood on her tiptoes and stared out in the café. Serina had been sitting at the counter before the power outage but now, she was nowhere to be seen. Another lost opportunity to let Maria talk to Serina, and for Liz to discover if the unnatural connection she felt to the stranger was something more. Exhaling slowly, she turned back to Michael. “No, Maria doesn’t hang up on me. There was something about her voice -”
“Irritating?”
“No.”
“Whiny?”
“No.”
“Judgmental?”
“I’m trying to think, Michael, and you’re not helping.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Michael, who shrugged and returned to the magazine. “No, Maria sounded….afraid.”
“Afraid? What do you mean ‘afraid?’ How did she sound? What did she say?” Michael jumped to his feet, the magazine falling onto the floor between he and Liz, Patrick’s warning ringing in his ears. “Was she okay?”
“I don’t know, Michael. That’s what I keep telling you. Something weird is going on.”
* * *
“I think I should try to mindwarp him,” Tess whispered, she and Max seated in the center of the floor, Maria and Amy still huddled together at the foot of the main staircase.
“I don’t know,” Max countered, his voice hushed but uncertain. “I don’t want any of us to get hurt.”
“I’ll be careful.” Tess closed her eyes in concentration, attempting to penetrate Brody’s mind. After several moments, she opened her eyes, and touched Max’s arm. Her chest rose and fell at varying intervals, her voice shook when she spoke. “I…I couldn’t ….” She slumped against Max’s shoulder.
“Tess?”
“Don’t try your mind tricks on me,” Brody warned, his voice low, a menacing tone erupting from his throat.
“She didn’t do anything to you,” Max argued, his arms around Tess’ shoulders, attempting to wake her. “She’s sick and needs a doctor.”
“Aliens don’t need doctors,” Brody said, crossing the floor to where Max sat, Tess pulled protectively against his chest. He tore a strip of duct tape and grabbed Tess’ wrist, the contact causing her to scream. Max struggled to keep Tess in his grasp but with a flash of the gun Brody pulled from the back of his blue jeans, Max released Tess, and Brody taped Tess’ wrists together. Soon thereafter, Max, Maria and Amy were added to the list of Brody’s hostages.
* * *
“Doesn’t it look like the UFO Museum is running on full power,” Liz questioned, she and Michael sitting on their knees on the balcony outside her bedroom window staring across the street at the UFO Museum. “But none of the street lamps have come back on.”
“Max told me once that Milton kept a generator and other supplies for emergencies. Did you try Maria again?”
“It just rings and rings then I get a recorded message telling me the customer is not in service.”
“Max is working tonight. I’ll go get him and we’ll meet back here to go look for Maria.”
* * *
Michael cautiously stepped onto the main staircase. While the UFO Museum looked well-lit from the outside, inside, however, it was dark, emergency power illuminating the staircase and specific light fixtures. He proceeded down the staircase with caution, surprised to find Maria and her mother huddled together at the bottom of the stairs. “Maria?”
“Michael, get out of here,” Maria said in a frenzied whisper.
“What? Why?”
Before Maria could answer, several gun shots rang through the museum and Michael scrambled to the top of the stairs and out the side door.
* * *
Gun shots.
Liz stood up from her balcony in time to see Michael crawling on all fours into the alleyway beside the UFO Museum. She pulled her cell phone from the pocket of her sweater and dialed Jim Valenti’s home telephone number.
* * *
Maria’s cell phone ring cut through the silence of the museum less than thirty minutes after Michael’s exit. With the gun still in his hand, Brody dumped the contents of Maria’s purse onto the floor, picked up the cell phone and answered it.
“Brody Davis?”
“Yeah.”
“This is Jim Valenti. I understand you’re having a bit of a problem down there tonight.”
“And you’re going to solve it,” Brody questioned, his eyes focused on Max and Tess.
“I’m going to try,” Valenti offered, his voice calm while Liz paled the longer she stood beside him and Michael looked nauseated. “Why don’t you tell me what you’re after?”
“What I’m after?”
“Well, I understand you’re holding some people hostage.” Liz made a noise and both Valenti and Michael reached for her. She waved their hands away, wrapping her arms over her chest, turning toward the UFO Museum. “And there’s usually a reason for that, you know. A list of demands.”
“He wants my demands,” Brody said to the other four occupants of the museum. “A list of demands.”
“Food,” Maria said, prompting Amy to poke her with a hard elbow to the ribs. “We’re all hungry, and we need food.”
“We need food,” Brody said into Maria’s cell phone.
“Food we can handle,” Valenti said with a nod. “And when I bring the food over, we can talk - ”
“No,” Brody shouted, Maria and Amy flinching in response. “No cops. Just food. Then we’ll see.” He ended the call quickly and dropped the cell phone onto the floor beside the other items from Maria’s purse. He stared at Max and Tess for several moments, his brow furrowing like he was struggling to remember something. “Dimaras Rock.”
“What?”
“Dimaras Rock,” Brody begins again, stepping closer to Max and Tess. “That’s where you two met. I can see it so clearly. It…it juts out over the water, remember, and the water….the water is crimson red. You and I were swimming and you looked up and saw her on the rock.” He stooped to Max’s level, his eyes closed in remembrance. “You said she was the most beautiful girl you’d ever seen.”
“That’s a nice story,” Max replied.
“It’s not a story,” Brody continued, his eyes springing open. “I…I met her and introduced the two of you that same night.”
“At a party,” Tess whispered, tilting her eyes upward to look at Max. “We met at a party.”
“I’m sorry, Brody. But none of that is real. None of that happened.” Max glanced at Tess and recognized that look of hurt on her face.
“But you love her. I know you do.”
“We’re not in love. We never have been.”
Brody opened his mouth to argue with Max but looked at Tess instead. With tears in her eyes, Tess turned her face away while Brody stood slowly, his eyes still watching Max. “Please, Zan, I have to know what’s in my head is real.”
“I’m sorry,” Max said again as Liz appeared at the top of the stairs, a bag of food in her arms.
-----
lines of dialogue taken from Off the Menu
“Is everyone okay,” Max questioned, his eyes never once leaving Brody’s gun, still pointed at the ceiling. He glanced slightly at Tess, satisfied with her unsteady nod, and to Maria and Ms. DeLuca, both women looking just as shaken as Tess. “Okay. Brody, give me the gun.”
“I have memories of things I’m not supposed to know,” Brody replied, ignoring Max’s request. With the gun firmly in one hand and the unknown book in the other, he began to pace between where Maria and Amy sat at the foot of the stairs and where Tess and Max stood. “None of it makes any sense. I know you’re Max Evans, and I also know you’re Zan.” He paused and stared directly at Max. “I want these aliens out of my head.”
“Maybe it would be better if we left you aliens alone,” Amy said, her hand wrapped tightly around Maria’s wrist, as the two women slowly stood to their feet. Brody spun toward them, his gun raised when Maria’s cell phone rang. “Don’t point that gun at my daughter,” Amy cried, her arms going around Maria’s shoulders as if to offer some sort of protective barrier between Maria and Brody’s gun.
“Turn that off!”
“I always answer my phone,” Maria said, her voice shaky. “If…if I don’t answer it, whoever is calling me will worry and they’ll come looking for me.”
“Fine,” Brody agreed, “but be quick about it.”
“Where are you, Maria,” Liz began, the urgency in her voice undeniable. “Serina’s in the café, and I want you to come talk to her, to see what you think -”
“I’m a little busy right now,” Maria said, her eyes on Brody. “And I don’t think I’m going to make my shift. Sorry.”
“Is something wrong?”
“You could say that.” Brody thrust the gun at Maria, and she quickly disconnected the call without saying good-bye to Liz.
* * *
“She hung up on me,” Liz said as she stared into the telephone receiver before slamming it down. “Maria hung up on me.”
“She hangs up on me all the time,” Michael replied without raising his eyes from the magazine he had found wedged in between the couch cushions. “Don’t let it hurt your feelings.”
“No,” Liz continued. “Something’s not right.” She stood on her tiptoes and stared out in the café. Serina had been sitting at the counter before the power outage but now, she was nowhere to be seen. Another lost opportunity to let Maria talk to Serina, and for Liz to discover if the unnatural connection she felt to the stranger was something more. Exhaling slowly, she turned back to Michael. “No, Maria doesn’t hang up on me. There was something about her voice -”
“Irritating?”
“No.”
“Whiny?”
“No.”
“Judgmental?”
“I’m trying to think, Michael, and you’re not helping.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Michael, who shrugged and returned to the magazine. “No, Maria sounded….afraid.”
“Afraid? What do you mean ‘afraid?’ How did she sound? What did she say?” Michael jumped to his feet, the magazine falling onto the floor between he and Liz, Patrick’s warning ringing in his ears. “Was she okay?”
“I don’t know, Michael. That’s what I keep telling you. Something weird is going on.”
* * *
“I think I should try to mindwarp him,” Tess whispered, she and Max seated in the center of the floor, Maria and Amy still huddled together at the foot of the main staircase.
“I don’t know,” Max countered, his voice hushed but uncertain. “I don’t want any of us to get hurt.”
“I’ll be careful.” Tess closed her eyes in concentration, attempting to penetrate Brody’s mind. After several moments, she opened her eyes, and touched Max’s arm. Her chest rose and fell at varying intervals, her voice shook when she spoke. “I…I couldn’t ….” She slumped against Max’s shoulder.
“Tess?”
“Don’t try your mind tricks on me,” Brody warned, his voice low, a menacing tone erupting from his throat.
“She didn’t do anything to you,” Max argued, his arms around Tess’ shoulders, attempting to wake her. “She’s sick and needs a doctor.”
“Aliens don’t need doctors,” Brody said, crossing the floor to where Max sat, Tess pulled protectively against his chest. He tore a strip of duct tape and grabbed Tess’ wrist, the contact causing her to scream. Max struggled to keep Tess in his grasp but with a flash of the gun Brody pulled from the back of his blue jeans, Max released Tess, and Brody taped Tess’ wrists together. Soon thereafter, Max, Maria and Amy were added to the list of Brody’s hostages.
* * *
“Doesn’t it look like the UFO Museum is running on full power,” Liz questioned, she and Michael sitting on their knees on the balcony outside her bedroom window staring across the street at the UFO Museum. “But none of the street lamps have come back on.”
“Max told me once that Milton kept a generator and other supplies for emergencies. Did you try Maria again?”
“It just rings and rings then I get a recorded message telling me the customer is not in service.”
“Max is working tonight. I’ll go get him and we’ll meet back here to go look for Maria.”
* * *
Michael cautiously stepped onto the main staircase. While the UFO Museum looked well-lit from the outside, inside, however, it was dark, emergency power illuminating the staircase and specific light fixtures. He proceeded down the staircase with caution, surprised to find Maria and her mother huddled together at the bottom of the stairs. “Maria?”
“Michael, get out of here,” Maria said in a frenzied whisper.
“What? Why?”
Before Maria could answer, several gun shots rang through the museum and Michael scrambled to the top of the stairs and out the side door.
* * *
Gun shots.
Liz stood up from her balcony in time to see Michael crawling on all fours into the alleyway beside the UFO Museum. She pulled her cell phone from the pocket of her sweater and dialed Jim Valenti’s home telephone number.
* * *
Maria’s cell phone ring cut through the silence of the museum less than thirty minutes after Michael’s exit. With the gun still in his hand, Brody dumped the contents of Maria’s purse onto the floor, picked up the cell phone and answered it.
“Brody Davis?”
“Yeah.”
“This is Jim Valenti. I understand you’re having a bit of a problem down there tonight.”
“And you’re going to solve it,” Brody questioned, his eyes focused on Max and Tess.
“I’m going to try,” Valenti offered, his voice calm while Liz paled the longer she stood beside him and Michael looked nauseated. “Why don’t you tell me what you’re after?”
“What I’m after?”
“Well, I understand you’re holding some people hostage.” Liz made a noise and both Valenti and Michael reached for her. She waved their hands away, wrapping her arms over her chest, turning toward the UFO Museum. “And there’s usually a reason for that, you know. A list of demands.”
“He wants my demands,” Brody said to the other four occupants of the museum. “A list of demands.”
“Food,” Maria said, prompting Amy to poke her with a hard elbow to the ribs. “We’re all hungry, and we need food.”
“We need food,” Brody said into Maria’s cell phone.
“Food we can handle,” Valenti said with a nod. “And when I bring the food over, we can talk - ”
“No,” Brody shouted, Maria and Amy flinching in response. “No cops. Just food. Then we’ll see.” He ended the call quickly and dropped the cell phone onto the floor beside the other items from Maria’s purse. He stared at Max and Tess for several moments, his brow furrowing like he was struggling to remember something. “Dimaras Rock.”
“What?”
“Dimaras Rock,” Brody begins again, stepping closer to Max and Tess. “That’s where you two met. I can see it so clearly. It…it juts out over the water, remember, and the water….the water is crimson red. You and I were swimming and you looked up and saw her on the rock.” He stooped to Max’s level, his eyes closed in remembrance. “You said she was the most beautiful girl you’d ever seen.”
“That’s a nice story,” Max replied.
“It’s not a story,” Brody continued, his eyes springing open. “I…I met her and introduced the two of you that same night.”
“At a party,” Tess whispered, tilting her eyes upward to look at Max. “We met at a party.”
“I’m sorry, Brody. But none of that is real. None of that happened.” Max glanced at Tess and recognized that look of hurt on her face.
“But you love her. I know you do.”
“We’re not in love. We never have been.”
Brody opened his mouth to argue with Max but looked at Tess instead. With tears in her eyes, Tess turned her face away while Brody stood slowly, his eyes still watching Max. “Please, Zan, I have to know what’s in my head is real.”
“I’m sorry,” Max said again as Liz appeared at the top of the stairs, a bag of food in her arms.
-----
lines of dialogue taken from Off the Menu
Last edited by JO on Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.