Dial-Up: Connection (CC,M/L,Teen) Pt 58; 25 march [WIP]

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AN: just a bit of fluff... i wrote this really quickly after posting the last part but then thought it needed more. i can’t figure out what that more might be anymore... thanks for reading.

<center>~*~Part 53~*~</center>

Max looked around the street again before he climbed the ladder to Liz’s balcony. She was waiting for him there. When he climbed over the balcony, he saw her lying on the lounge chair with a blanket pulled up around her all the way to the neck. She looked so peaceful. He almost hated to wake her up, but he knew she would be upset if he didn’t.

He curved his palm to cup her cheek. “Liz?” He whispered. His thumb stroked her cheek.

Her head moved up into his hand and she smiled. “Hi,” she murmured with sleep still in her voice.

“I’m sorry I woke you.”

She grinned and rolled over on her side. “I’m not. I like that you woke me up. I was worried about you.”

“You knew I was fine,” he smiled.

“But it’s not the same till I see you.” She sat up so she was sitting cross legged on the chair. “Everyone ok?”

“Yeah, for now.” He looked down.

“What’s wrong?”

“Are we doing the right thing, Liz?” He met her eyes. “I mean, I know we have to get rid of Tess and Nasedo, but are we doing it the right way? I know this is the best thing we could come up with but are we doing enough to keep everyone safe?”

“Max--”

“Kyle and the Sheriff are in a house with Tess alone! Who knows what Tess could do if she knew what we were planning? What about Maria and Alex? Can we really be sure that they’ll be safe? Can one of us be with them at all times? Are we covering all our bases?”

“Max--”

“I just don’t want to lose--”

“Max, calm down. We’re fine, all of us are fine. Michael is staying with Maria, no matter what her mother says. And Isabel is staying with Alex tonight. And Kyle and the Sheriff can take care of themselves. Tess doesn’t know what’s going on--”

“How can we know that for sure, Liz?”

She sighed. “Max, we don’t know anything for sure anymore. We can’t. But when you think about it, we haven’t really been absolutely sure of anything since all of this started, since you healed me. We’ve learned how to live with the uncertainty.”

He smiled. “That’s not true, Liz. I’ve always been absolutely sure about you.”

She grinned. “And you’ve not been wrong yet, have you?”

“Never.”

She kissed him. “How long are you going to stay tonight?”

“Until my parents call my cell phone.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she smiled.

<center>***</center>

Alex and Isabel curled up on the bed in the apartment. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her neck.

“I can’t believe we get to be like this finally.”

“Me, either,” she whispered. “Do you think we’re safe, Alex?”

“Of course.”

“Not just right now, but in general? Do you think we’re doing the right thing?”

“I do, Isabel. Stop worrying--”

“I have to worry, Alex. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Nothing will, Isabel. But you can’t be the only one to make sure of that. I can take care of myself, too. And we have a group of friends who will support us. I trust them, and more importantly, I trust us, Is. Nothing will happen to me.”

“Don’t say that, Alex!”

“What--”

“In the movies, whenever anyone says ‘nothing will happen to me’, that’s when something happens to them. Let’s not jinx this.”

Alex laughed. “No jinxing allowed. Let’s just get some rest, okay?”

“That I can do.” She snuggled into him. She turned her head and kissed him. “Good night, Alex.”

“Night, Is.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “Sweet dreams.”

“Always.”

<center>***</center>

“Spaceboy.” Maria lifted her window up to let him in.

“Is your mom still up?”

“No, I heard her shut her door and her breathing is constant. I think she’s been out for at least 30 minutes.”

“Good.” Michael went over to her bedroom door and sealed it shut. Then he went to each of her windows and sealed those as well.

“Are Alex and Isabel okay?”

He nodded. “Tess is back at the Valenti’s. Alex and Isabel are at his apartment. Max is undoubtedly with Liz. And I’m here now.”

Maria hugged him. “Good.” She kissed him and he started backing her towards the bed. She smiled. She loved that he had such a one track mind.

<center>***</center>

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<center>~*~Part 54~*~</center>

Tess slipped out of the Valenti house as quietly as she could. The sun had barely risen, but she had been wide awake for hours. There was something going on with this new boy and she had to figure out what it was. Isabel had been alone with him for hours, and she hadn’t been able to get a hold of her all night over the phone. She just hoped Isabel was okay.

Tess started her car and cringed at the noise. She knew she could have made it so Kyle and the Sheriff wouldn’t wake up at any noise, but she just didn’t feel right using her powers on them. They trusted her, and she didn’t want to give them any reason not to. It made her life so much easier if they didn’t question what she was doing.

Tess pulled out her cell phone while she drove towards Jackson’s apartment. She knew Nasedo would answer; he had probably been waiting since she called him the night before about Jackson. He’d been ready to go to the apartment and kill Jackson without asking any questions, but Tess knew how the others would react if Jackson just wound up dead. They would freak out, probably leave Roswell and if they did that, all the carefully constructed plans she and Nasedo had been working towards for so long would go up in smoke.

Tess climbed up to the roof she and Max had watched from the night before. Last night with Max, it just felt different, like something had changed. She thought about it for a moment and realized it was something about Max--something had changed in Max. Was he finally accepting his destiny? Was he finally putting his infatuation with Liz behind him in favor of what he was meant to be?

Tess scanned the windows of the apartment building trying to find the ones that belonged to Jackson. She quickly remembered which was which and focused on them. It was still really early so she didn’t expect movement, but what she saw shocked her even more.

What the hell was Isabel doing there? Sleeping in the same bed as Jackson? Something was going on and she was going to find out what that was.


<center>***</center>


Isabel stretched as she woke up. She smiled when she felt Alex’s arm still tightly around her. She loved waking up with him.

She turned around slowly, looking at him while he slept. She so rarely had the opportunity to watch him sleep. He always seemed to be awake first. She smiled as she found herself staring at her long eyelashes. Even in this disguise, he still had the same beautiful long eyelashes. She looked at him and realized that she knew him, so well that no matter what, she would always be able to find him. Maybe this was the same recognition that Max and Liz had--that soulmate realization that no matter what the circumstance was, she would always be able to recognize him. Isabel liked that idea. She had never imagined, never allowed herself to even think it would ever be possible, that she would be able to see someone as they truly were by allowing them to see her. But with Alex, she couldn’t help herself. From the very first dream she had invaded, she had seen who he was--and she would never lose that.

Alex opened his eyes and saw Isabel studying him. He smiled a little and pulled her closer. “Morning, Isabel.”

“Good morning,” she kissed him.

“You okay?”

“I’m wonderful.” She smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Alex looked over her head and looked at the time. “Wow, it’s almost 7. I guess we need to get ready for school.”

Isabel hugged him tightly. “I know.”

“You ready for today?”

“I’m working on that.” She said into his neck.


<center>***</center>


Tess pulled out her cell phone and called Max’s phone. He had to know that his sister was shacked up with Jackson! She was being so irresponsible. They had no idea who this guy was, and she was just spending the night at his house! Max was going to freak out. Tess hesitated before dialing the last number but figured he would rather hear it from her than to find out later.

“Hello?” Max said groggily. He’d just gotten home about an hour ago. He and Liz had fallen asleep on the balcony and had only woken up by the grace of an early delivery man.

“Max? It’s Tess.”

“What’s going on, Tess?”

“Do you know where your sister is?”

Max sat up straight. Shit! “Her room?” He started walking towards her room.

“Try again.”

“What are you talking about, Tess?”

“Isabel is still at Jackson’s.”

Max stopped dead in the hallway. “How do you know?”

“I woke up early and came over here to just check out what was going on with him. I trust my intuition on him, Max, and now it looks like there’s reason for me to.”

“Is Isabel okay?” He immediately started wondering how he was going to make all of this work. He couldn’t blame Isabel for staying with Alex, but how were they going to get past Tess? “I mean, was she forced to stay there?”

“It certainly doesn’t look like it,” Tess stared into the windows as Isabel kissed Jackson, pulling him closer tohim. “It looks like she’s very happy to be there with him. What is she doing, Max?”

“I don’t know, Tess. I’m not there!” He couldn’t believe she’d asked him that question. “Listen, I’m on my way. Don’t do anything until I get there.”

“Should I call Michael?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.” Max turned off his phone and went back to his room to get dressed.


<center>***</center>


‘Isabel?’

She rolled her eyes. Yes, it was 7:20 and she and Alex were still in bed, but they were fine. They’d make it on time. ‘Max, don’t worry. I’ll be at school on time. Both of us will.’

‘Is, that is the least of our worries.’

“What do you mean?’

‘Tess is watching you two right now?’

Isabel sat up and pulled out of Alex’s arms. ‘What?’

‘She’s on the rooftop we watched you from last night. She just called me to let me know that you had spent the night with him.’

‘Oh, God, Max, what are we going to do?’

‘We’re going to be careful and be smart,’ Michael said. ‘She just called me too.’

‘So what do I do? Alex and I have to leave this apartment and I don’t really feel like confronting Tess on this today.’

‘I’m on my way.’ Max said.

“Isabel,” Alex sat up next to her, “what is going?”

“Tess is watching us.”

“Right now?”

“From the roof.”

“Well, shit,” Alex pulled her back so they were lying down again.

“Alex, what are you doing?”

“Giving that bitch a show.” He kissed her.

She laughed.

‘I love what a one track mind Alex has,’ Michael said ironically. ‘Especially when it’s helping us so much.’

‘It could work, Michael,’ Liz finally entered the discussion. ‘I mean, Isabel has already been a bit rebellious against the future Tess has imagined. What better way to solidify that rebellion by ending any chance Tess has of getting you and Isabel together?’

‘So what are you saying, Liz?’

‘I’m saying, I think Isabel has herself a new boyfriend. And it’s very serious.’

‘Sounds like a plan to me,’ Isabel said happily.

Plans were quickly made.

15 minutes later, Max climbed up on to the roof with Tess.

“Max!” She said gratefully.

“Is she still in there with him?”

“Yes. It looks like they’re getting ready for school, Max. This is insane. I don’t understand what Isabel was thinking. She knows what needs to happen. She knows what her destiny is. And yet, she acts like this!”

“Tess--” Max started and then stopped himself. “I’ve got to go talk to her.”

“Well, I’m coming with you!” Tess jumped up from her seat on the ground. “We don’t know what this guy is capable of, and I don’t want him to hurt you while I sit here and watch.”

Max nodded. “Don’t say anything about your suspicions, Tess. We need to let him believe we’re just friends. I don’t want to put him on the defensive. I mean, we don’t know what his deal is. He could be a friend.”

“Max--”

“I know how you feel, Tess. Let’s just go talk to them.”

They walked over to the apartment, and Max knocked on the door.

Just as planned, Isabel answered the door with her hair in a towel and wearing one of Alex’s shirts. She feigned surprise admirably. “Max, Tess, what are you doing here?”

Tess looked at her. “I think the better question is what are you still doing here, Isabel.”

Isabel rolled her eyes. “If the two of you are here to give me a lecture, save it. I don’t really want to hear it right now.”

“Isabel, Mom and Dad are going to freak if they find out you spend the night here.”

“They’re not going to find out, Max. Maria is covering for me.”

“You’re having Maria cover for you???” Tess sounded hurt. “Why?”

“Because she is the only friend I have who i know wouldn’t be barging in on my life and telling me how to live it! She didn’t ask any questions; she just helped me out.”

“Isabel, we do not know who this guy is. Why did you spend the night with him?”

She sighed and walked into the hallway, shutting the doorway behind her. “Tess, let me explain something to you. I do not answer to you. And I certainly don’t answer to Max. I answer to myself. I spent the night here last night because I wanted to. And as far as your suspicions about Jackson go, I think you are completely misguided and uninformed. I have no reason to think he’s an alien--let alone an evil alien here to hurt me. For God’s sake, I spent all last night alone with him. He would have had plenty of opportunities to hurt me, but he didn’t.”

“Max!” Tess exclaimed.

“Isabel, I wish you would have told me to truth about this.”

“Max, I couldn’t. I mean, when I met Jackson, it was just...perfect. I felt so different than I have ever felt before around guys--well, other than Alex. I mean, I felt comfortable and normal! I felt like there was someone who would understand me no matter what. Even if I could never tell him the truth, I knew that he wouldn’t turn me away--he wouldn’t even think about it. I knew I could tell him the truth--”

“You told him?”

“No! My God, what do you think I am? Stupid?” Isabel sighed. “But I think I can. He won’t turn away from me. I trust him.”

“Isabel, you’ve known him for a few days.”

“I know! And I know it’s insane for me to just trust someone so simply, but Max, I feel like there is just something in Jackson I know. I feel like I’ve known him my entire life.” She smiled. “I figured you might be the only person to understand this, Max. I feel like I can now understand how you felt about Liz for all those years before you told her the truth. And look how well she adjusted.”

“Isabel, you know that Liz never should have found out the truth about us.”

Isabel swung around to look at her. “Tess, if Liz hadn’t found out, you never would have found us.”

The door opened and Jackson stood in the doorway with wet hair. “Whoa, what’s going on?”

“Jackson, you remember Max and Tess,” Isabel sounded like she was covering up all her anger.

“Yeah, hi,” he blushed. “Um, Max--”
He looked at his watch and then focused on Isabe.. “We really do not have time for this today, Isabel. Mom and Dad will know something is goign on if you’re not at school on time.” He turned around and walked away.

Tess stared at Isabel and Jackson for another minute and then turned around to chase after Max.

Isabel and Jackson went back into his apartment. “Oh, this should be an exciting day,” she smiled.

“Hell, I’ll make it exciting--”

“Alex--”

“No, Isabel. This is the first time I’ll be able to be with you at school and not have to hide.”

Isabel smiled. “I can’t argue with that.”

“And if it annoys the hell out of Tess, so be it.” He grinned wickedly.

She giggled. “Come on. We’d better get going.”

<center>***</center>

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AN: Finally an update. Sorry it took so long. The first half of this part was so easy to write...but the rest took a while.

thanks for remembering this story! There will be more soon.

<center>~*~Part 55~*~</center>

Jaws dropped and tongues wagged when all of West Roswell High saw the Isabel Evans walk into school holding on to and being held by new student, Jackson Truman. No one had ever seen her look so...attached to a person who wasn’t her brother or his best friend. It was painfully obvious to every student of West Roswell High that the Ice Princess who every boy between the ages of 15 and 23 wanted to date was involved with someone who hadn’t even been there long enough to be a victim in the games she and her friends played.

Isabel’s friends Grace Wiggins and Taylor Ulrich immediately started following after Isabel and Jackson.

“Who is this guy? I mean, he’s been here one day and Isabel is breaking all her rules?” Grace whispered.

“No kidding. I’ve never seen her hold on to any guy’s arm like that--”

“Well, there was that Alex geek--”

“But this is obviously much more serious. This guy is someone who could be one of us, Grace.”

“Isn’t he already? I mean, if Isabel is with him--”

Isabel looked over her shoulder. “I can hear you, you know that, right?”

“I’m sorry, Isabel. It’s just I’m shocked.”

“Nothing to be shocked about. This is Jackson Truman, and that’s all that you need to know.”

He led her towards his locker.

<center>***</center>

Maria watched the show Isabel and Alex were putting on and smiled. With one hand, Alex was holding Isabel’s hand and with the other, he was playing with her long hair. Isabel was giggling and it was obvious that there was a very real attraction there. “Aren’t they cute?” She looked at Michael. “Michael, aren’t they cute?’ He still didn’t answer. He was staring further down the hall at something. Maria smacked his chest. “Spaceboy, I asked you a question.” She knew she had his attention. Violence always worked. “Aren’t they cute?”

“If you would have noticed, I was watching Tess’ reaction to this, and it is way more than cute.” Michael nodded towards the other end of the hallway.

Maria swiveled around and immediately bit her lip to keep from laughing at the look on Tess’ face. The look of disgust on her face...it was too much. She was standing beside Max who looked like he was off in his own world which meant that he was undoubtedly talking to Liz and not paying attention to the scene before him.

Maria looked back at Alex and Isabel and wished there was some way she could tell them to keep on doing what they were doing. This was totally making up for every bad day Tess had caused her and her friends. Just the look on her face was enough to remind Maria that the world really was a good place no matter what drama they were facing that day.

Michael pulled Maria a bit closer to him; she turned and saw Tess was storming towards Isabel and Alex. Both she and Michael swiveled to watch.

“Isabel.” Tess stood a few feet away from her. “Isabel!”

Isabel turned away from looking at Alex/Jackson to look at Tess. “Yes, Tess?”

“What are you doing?”

Jackson groaned when he looked at her. “I think that’s a question I should be asking you. This is the second time today that you’ve shown up and acted like we were doing something wrong. I don’t even know your name, and you’ve got some ridiculous reason for wanting to make my life miserable!”

Isabel squeezed Jackson’s hand. She loved the confidence he had with her. “Tess,” her tone was icy cold, “I think we said enough this morning. Let’s just not do this.”

“Isabel, why don’t we just go some place and talk? This way you can understand where I am coming from.”

“Tess,” she said quietly, “I do not care where you are coming from. I am not going anywhere with you. Just leave it alone, okay?”

“Isabel, I’m just worried--”

“Tess, there’s no need to worry,” Jackson said. “We’re fine.” He led her away.

Tess walked back to where Max was now standing with Michael and Maria. “She just does not understand--”

“Tess, leave her alone,” Max said. “You heard her this morning. Let’s just leave her be.”

“And when he kills her? Then what, Max?”

“Tess-”

“We have to take this threat seriously. We have no idea what he is. He could be--” she lowered her voice-- “an alien. Or what if he’s just trying to make us think he is? What if he’s really a member of the Special Unit?”

Maria wanted to laugh at her hypothesizing. She wondered if she ever sounded this ridiculous when she was getting carried away with theories.

“How would you feel, Max, if your sister was put in the same white room you were tortured in?”

Max’s face went pale. “Tess, I will not allow that to happen. I will also not allow you to hurt Isabel by alienating her friends and the people she cares about.”

“Max--”

“Tess, you always say I’m the King. Well, maybe it’s time for you to start acting like it.” He stared her down. Tess’ face paled and she took a step back.

Maria was so excited hearing Max put her down that she dug her fingers into Michael’s back through his shirt. Michael turned to look at her and smiled, knowing the reason for her excitement. She relaxed her fingers.

“Now I need to get to class.” Max said. “I’ll see everyone at lunch.” He walked away towards class--towards Liz.

<center>***</center>


“God, Liz, I wish you could have seen Max! It was beautiful!” Maria gushed as they walked down the hall towards their second period class.

“I heard him, Maria. I listened to the entire thing through our connection.”

“But the look on her face! It was wonderful. If things keep going on like this, I have got to start keeping a camera on me at all times. Maybe I should trade my phone in for a camera phone!”

“Ria, calm down,” Liz laughed.

Isabel and Jackson walked up to them. “Good morning, Liz!” Isabel smiled.

“Morning. I hear you two had quite the interesting morning.”

Isabel’s face broke out in a righteous grin. “Liz, it was amazing. I only hate that I missed this so-called smack down that Max put down on her. I am so proud of him!”

“Isabel, it was beautiful!” Maria exclaimed. “I have never been so proud of Max in my life.”

Liz didn’t say anything for the rest of the walk to the class she shared with Isabel and Jackson. Alex noticed.

“What’s goign on in your head, Liz?”

“I’m just worried. I mean, I’m so proud of Max for doing that. She needed to be told, but what happens now? What if Tess gets tired of Max’s attitude and she and Nasedo decide to retaliate? What if they come up with some plan to hurt you? What if they hurt all of us?”

“Liz, why are you having these second thoughts? You know there are risks we are all taking.”

“I’m just worried, Jackson. I mean, honestly. What are we going to do if we’ve alienated Tess?”

“Liz, you know what? I don’t care. I just want to get this over with. I want our lives to go back to noraml. I’m tired of having to think about what Tess is going to do to us. We deserve better than that.”

“I know. I just--”

Isabel smiled. “It’s okay, Liz. We get it.”

‘Liz, I know what you’re thinking,’ Michael said in her head. ‘Let’s get everyone together this afternoon--excluding Tess,of course, and we’ll discuss what we need to do. Our plan needs to be a bit more...action and less waiting for something to happen.’

‘Thanks, Michael.’

Jackson changed the subject. “Anyway, did you do the homework?”

Liz looked at the man in front of her and immediately recognized him as Alex, no matter what he looked like. “Yeah, I did. Did you?”

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AN: Finally! thank you all for reading and remembering this story. It has meant a lot to me. And hopefully, there will be more soon, as now that I have finally started writing again, I remembered what i wanted to do with this story.

Jennifer

<center>~*~Part 56~*~</center>

“What are you doing after school today, Michael? I thought we could work on some powers,” Tess offered.

Michael looked at her. “Actually, I can’t. I promised Isabel I’d get to know Jackson this afternoon.”

“Michael--”

“He’s important to Isabel, Tess. She wants us to know him.”

“But--”

“And don’t worry, Tess. We will watch him and make sure there’s nothing suspicious about him.”

“I should come, too.”

Michael shook his head. “I don’t think so, Tess.”

“Why not?”

“Tess, you showed up at his door this morning and from what I understand, you were less than polite. I hardly think he would feel comfortable with you.”

“Michael, who cares what he feels comfortable with? He might be an alien here to hurt us! We cannot be so relaxed about this!”

Michael turned on her and looked down at her with his coldest eyes. “Tess, I have never been relaxed when it comes to the safety of my family. And I won’t be now. Believe it or not, there was a time before you were even aware of us, and we were just as safe then.”

Maria walked up to them. She’d just known that Michael needed her distracting abilities right then. “Hey, there, Spaceboy,” she wrapped her arm around his waist. “You ready?” She looked at Tess. “Hi, Tess.”

“Maria, I was talking to Michael.”

“No, our conversation is over. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned and looked at Maria with grateful eyes. “I’m ready.”

Michael and Maria walked towards the nearest exit.

“You okay?” Maria whispered.

“I am now,” he tightened his hold on her.

Maria grinned. She just loved this new, more expressive Michael. They left her car at the parking lot and took Michael’s motorcycle to Alex’s apartment.

Max, Liz, Alex, and Isabel were already at the apartment.

“What took you guys so long?” Isabel teased.

“Tess,” was all Michael said.

Liz laughed at his expression. “Need a drink?” She held out a cup from the CrashDown. “We stopped to get some food.”

“Excellent idea,” Maria gratefully grabbed a hamburger and an order of cheese fries from one of the bags. “I’m starving.”

“So we need a plan..a new one. A much more involved plan, I think,” Michael said.

Max nodded. “But I think we can make a much more involved plan out of what we’ve already decided.”

Liz spoke up, “I’ve been thinking that we may have missed an opportunity.”

“For what?”

“To really convince Tess that Alex’s an alien.”

“And how would we do that?”

Maria wasn’t paying attention to the conversation; she couldn’t help herself from looking out the windows in the living area. She knew why when she was Tess climbing up onto the roof of the other building--with Kyle climbing behind her. “Guys, we’ve got visitors.”

Michael stood up.

“SpaceBoy, go in the kitchen! We cannot let Tess know that we see her. And from now on, there will be more laughing through this conversation,” Maria smiled while she talked as if she were telling a story.

Michael came out of the kitchen with a plate and handed it to her. “Here you go.”

She smiled. “Thanks.”

“So what’s this opportunity we’ve missed, Liz?”

“We need to give Alex the ability to look like an alien without any of us present--”

“You want to give Alex powers?”

“How?” Alex immediately asked, trying to look jovial.

“We have the granolith; it will do whatever we want,” she reminded them.

Isabel scooted closer to Alex so that she could rest her head on his shoulder. “This sounds crazy. Can we just ask the granolith to give Alex powers?”

“I think so,” Max answered, following Liz’s thoughts.

“So I could really have powers?” Alex asked amazed. “How long would they last?”

“As long as you want them, I think,” Max said.

“Wait, if we give Alex powers,” Maria said, “I want them too.”

“Ria--,” Michael looked at her.

“I know I’m not in as much danger as Alex is right now, but I want to be able to help with all of this. I want to be able to do something of purpose rather than just walking around looking like the kooky best friend.”

“Maria, you do a lot--”

“I keep Tess distracted,”she sighed. “I want to do more.”

Michael nodded. “It only seems fair,” he said.

Maria smiled as happy as she could force herself to look. “Please let me do this.”

Max nodded. “What’re Tess and Kyle doing?”

Maria looked. “Tess is still staring at us; it’s like she’s trying to read lips or something. Kyle looks bored.”

Liz was turned with her back to the window. “So when do we try this?”

“Tonight,” Michael said. “I think we need to do this all as soon as possible. Once we’re all set on that, we can get rid of Tess.”

“Did we ever figure how we’re going to do that?” Isabel asked.

“I think once Alex has powers, he can become cocky and approach Tess. But when he does that, he approaches her as someone from Antar who knows who she is and who knows what the truth is.”

Alex nodded. “Then I lead her out to the podchamber, to confront her.”

“You could set up a meeting there. Tell her she needs to bring Nasedo; explain that you know he isn’t dead. And when they get there, we’ll be waiting for them,” Michael said.

They were all quiet for a moment.

Max looked at everyone. “So does this sound like a plan we can all deal with?”

One by one, they nodded.

“Good.”

“I think we should all go out to the granolith tonight--late,” Michael said. “And we’ll see if we can get the powers to work.”

“How are we going to keep Tess from following us?”

“The sheriff will help us,” Liz said.

“Then we’ll meet up around 11:30 out there? It might be easier if we have 3 different cars in case Tess does start following,” Michael said.

Maria looked at Tess and Kyle. Kyle was about to fall asleep. Tess was staring directly at Max...and Alex. “Guys, let’s make this look good,” she laughed.

Isabel grinned and reached up to hug Alex.

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AN: finally. i am finally starting to feel somewhat creative again...so hopefully more soon. thank you for the bumps and continuing to follow this little story... *hugs* Jennifer

Part 57

At 11:30 that night, 2 cars and a motorcycle parked at the rocks that led to the podchamber. They had all snuck out of their houses and rooms or made arrangements to spend the night with “friends”. They took care to make sure that the sheriff was aware of their need to keep Tess at his home.
Liz let everyone into the podchamber as it was still under her lock and they all filed straight through to the granolith.

“What do we do now?” Maria asked.

“I guess one of us needs to make a connection to the granolith to see if it’s possible to give you powers,” Max said.

“I think you should make the connection, Max,” Liz said.

Michael nodded.

“I figured you’d say that.”

“Just ask the granolith for what you want, Max,” Isabel said. “It
should just take that. I mean, when we appealed to the granolith, that was all it took to get our memories from back then.”

He nodded and looked at Liz for a second before turning towards the granolith and placing his hand on the cool glass. The connection formed almost immediately and Max’s hand began to glow. He quickly focused his thoughts about what he wanted to happen and felt that idea in the granolith. He pulled his hand away a moment later.

“Well?” Michael asked.

“Alex first. Just put your hand on the granolith and wait till you feel the connection.”

“That’s it?” He raised an eyebrow.

“That’s it.” He nodded.

“I just figured it would be more complicated; I mean, nothing is ever that easy for this group of people.”

Isabel smiled. “Just do it,” she pushed Alex towards the granolith.

Alex stood before the granolith and then put his hand on the granolith slowly, as if he were still unsure of what would happen. He closed his eyes and felt weird for a second as he realized he was connecting to the granolith. He held the connection for several minutes and could feel something changing. The others watched as his hand started glowing.

“I guess it’s working,” Michael watched carefully.

“Yeah.”

“What powers did you ask it to give Alex, Max?” Isabel asked.

He shrugged. “I wasn’t really that specific. I actually just thought that I wanted their powers to do what they could to help us...but still be safe for them.”

Michael nodded. “Well, if we go based on the 4 of us, they’ll both be able to manipulate things. And most likely, Alex will get a power that could be used as a weapon, and Maria will get something to do with her mind.”

Isabel nodded as Alex’s hand stopped glowing and he stepped away from the granolith.

“Wow.”

“Alex, what--”

“That was incredible,” he said. “I mean, I can’t believe that I just--”

“What power did it give you?” Michael asked.

He smiled. “It’s actually similar to yours, Michael, only it’s not just energy I use to defend myself. I think I can...throw fire.”

“How do you know?” Maria asked.

“I saw myself do it, while I was connected to the granolith. It showed me using my powers.”

“Maria, are you ready?” Liz asked.

She nodded. There was absolutely no hesitation even though she was a little nervous about what would happen. She walked up to the granolith. She looked between Liz and Michael once and then placed her hand on the granolith.

She felt the connection almost immediately. It was weird; she saw it. It was like the entire granolith was pulsing from yellow to pink to blue. Her entire body got warm as she knew the connection was solidifying and doing what it needed to do. She figured this must be the time when the person who connected started glowing, but it was a pleasant heat and she couldn’t believe this was all happening to her. Finally, through the connection she saw what power she would have. She would be able to mindwarp. Her blood ran cold as she realized it was just like Tess’ power. But the granolith flared warmer and she coudl feel all the good uses of that power--to protect herself and her friends from whatever might be coming next. Maria wondered how much else this granolith could do for her--what it could help her do. She wondered if she’d be able to have the same connection with Michael now that Liz and Max seemed to have. That would be incredible--

Michael pulled her away from the granolith. “Are you okay?”

“Michael, why did you do that?” She exclaimed. “I was just making some progress!”

“Did you get a power?” Liz asked.

She nodded. “I can mindwarp.”

Isabel nodded her head. “That makes sense.”

“So we’re ready then?” Michael said slowly. “I mean, we’ve all got powers and we have a plan. All we have to do now is do it.”

Max nodded. “When should we?” He looked at everyone.

“Starting tomorrow, I guess. From now on, Alex, you take any opportunity you can to make her think you’re an alien. I think if we give her another day or two of this, she’ll go crazy. Isabel, you stay attached to Jackson,” Michael said. “It’ll drive her crazy. And after she comes to Max, who won’t believe her, I think that’s the time for you to confront her, Alex. Then we’ll all meet her out here.”

“What about Nasedo?” Liz asked.

“Well,” Michael said slowly, “the way I figure it, Nasedo believes we think he’s dead. His whole plan depends on Tess getting pregnant. So he might come out here, too. And if he doesn’t, once she’s gone, any plans he had are gone, too.”

“I’m betting he’ll come, too, then,” Max said. “He wouldn’t want to risk that.”

Isabel nodded. “Alex and I will review everything we know about Tess’s past tonight so he’ll be able to really confront her and make her believe he is from that planet. What will his cover be?”

“Exactly what she’ll assume. He’s been sent to Earth by the Royal Family to try to find us, to keep us safe becuase they’ve found out about Khivar’s plans.”

“I can’t beleive this is all going to end so soon,” Maria said.

[Transparent Clear]

I've not abandoned you... I promise. I've just been beaten up by the real work and the world of writer's block. Hopefully, this will restart the creativity. Thanks for sticking around and remembering this one.

<center>Part 58</center>

The next day, Isabel and Jackson walked into school together, holding hands and whispering. Isabel had spent the night before at his apartment and they had stayed up all night plotting how to trap Tess and thinking of fun ways that Jackson could show off his powers so that only Tess would see them. Isabel’s favorite idea was to tease her where it would hurt the worst--make her see things that would horrify her: like zap a hickey onto Max’s neck during class.

Isabel squeezed Jackson’s hand. “I can’t believe how much fun it is to plot ways to infuriate Tess,” she whispered.

Jackson smiled. “Maria and Liz always seem to have fun thinking of this, too.”

“But they never got to carry any of it out. I do--vicariously, through you.” She smiled.

“I’ll try my best to live up to the expectations.” He smiled cheekily.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll do fine.” Isabel smiled and squeezed his hand. “After all, all those things you came up with in your dreams last night seemed pretty interesting.”

“Yeah, well, those things were easy.” He grinned.

“And now you can make all of those things happen.”

They stopped at Jackson’s locker and he pulled a couple books out. “I have to admit that all of this will be fun.” He raised his eyebrows wickedly.

Isabel turned serious for a second. “Just promise me that through all the fun, you’ll be careful. I don’t want her to have the opportunity to do anything that will hurt you.”

Jackson nodded. “That is why I will stay attached to your hip, Is. We’ll protect each other.”

“I just can’t wait till she’s gone so we can all go back to normal.”

He grinned. “Yeah, I know you’re missing my previous studly physique.”

Isabel laughed. “That’s it exactly.”



Across the school, Liz and Maria walked in together.

“My God, Liz, it was so easy! I mean, I knew what I wanted to wear, and I could make it all clean. My shoes perfectly match my clothes!” She held her hands out with the fingers outstretched. “And look at this nail polish, Liz! I mean, it’s perfect! I--I don’t even know what to say.”

Liz laughed. She was so pleased with her powers.

“We should have done this long long ago for me. I think this works perfectly for me.”

“I agree, Maria,” she smiled. “You’re quite the quasi-alien.”

Maria laughed. “Is that what I am now? God, we need to think of a much better name.”

“Czeck?”

“That will work for now.” Maria looked up and smiled. Max and Michael were standing by her locker. She led Liz towards them.

“Hi,” Liz whispered. Sometimes, even though they had a constant connection to each other, just being able to talk to each other in front of everyone else was special.

“Hey.” He grinned.

She wanted to reach out and touch him, but she settled to reach out with her mind and let him know how much she wished she could do that.

“Me, too.”

“So is Jackson ready to do his thing?” Michael asked.

“I talked to Isabel this morning,” Maria said. “She said that she and Jackson had thought of things all night to do.” She looked at Liz. “All they had to do was call us; me and Liz have come up with awesome ideas in the past couple years.”

“Like what?” Max laughed.

“Oh, you’d be surprised at the level of maniacal genius that can come out of your girlfriend’s mind when it comes to Tess.”

Liz blushed.

“One of these days you’ll have to show me some of those ideas,” Max said.

She grinned.



Tess walked into the school with Kyle. She needed to talk to Max. They needed to do something about this Jackson person, and she knew that if she could just get alone with Max for just a few minutes, she would be able to convince him of that as well. Then maybe he would work with her. It would make the rest of her plans so much easier if he would work with her.

She bowed up and stopped walking when she saw Max standing next to Liz, Michael, and Maria. He was smiling at Liz. God, she hated when she saw him looking at her like a little puppy dog. He was a King. No one should have the power to bring him to his knees in public like this. She smiled inwardly. Well, not till he was finally brought to his comeuppance.

She took a deep breath and walked over to them. “Good morning.” She tried to sound pleasant.

Liz immediately looked away from Max and reached into the locker for a book. Before she had to hear what Tess’ latest ideas were, she slid away from the group and walked towards her class.

Tess smiled when she saw Liz walking away like a lost puppy dog. At least, she was admitting defeat. If she wasn’t a barrier, that meant things would be so much easier for her future with Max. She was confident that she would be able to manipulate him easily.

“Max, we need to talk about Jackson Taylor. I still feel like he has issues.”

“What kind of issues, Tess?” Max asked. “I mean, I know you think he’s got an ulterior motive, but Michael and I have promised Isabel to get to know him before we judge him about anything.”

“You may agree to not judge him, but you have to still be suspicious around him! I mean, at least consider that he’s working against us. What if he’s with the government? What if he’s investigating us? What if he’s just the latest version of Pierce?”

Michael shook his head. “I highly doubt the US Government would still think that they could infiltrate us with another person in the school. Especially after what happened to Pierce. I don’t think they would risk another operative like that.”

“Or, they might do it becuase they think we aren’t prepared for it or expecting it. And that’s not to mention that there is always the chance that he is an alien!” She hissed.

“Tess, we’ll pay attention to whatever we see, but we can’t pay attention to something that’s not there. He’s never been at all suspicious around us, and I think that’s important to remember.”

She sighed. “Fine, but I also think we need to warn Isabel.”

“No, there’s no need to do that--”

Tess lost her cool. “Max, I know you’re thinking of her happiness or whatever, but we have to think of her safety. How would you feel if anything were to happen to Isabel?”

Michael spoke up. “Stop playing that card, Tess. I will not let anything happen to Isabel or anyone else involved in this situation. Yes, we’ll watch Jackson--but we will not incriminate someone for no reason.” He was getting tired of reminding her that he was able to take care of his family, and he was even more tired at her badly hidden threats. They all knew what the white room was like--they didn’t need the threats to do what it took to stay out of it.

“Well, that’s a new attitude for you, Michael.” Tess looked at him. “What’s brought about this change in you?”

Maria could feel that Michael was getting close to his breaking point with her. “Tess, Isabel has asked us to respect her choices and trust in her decisions, and we’re doing that. I’d suggest you do the same.”

“Or what?”

“Tess, why is everything a threat to you?” Maria exclaimed. “Isabel is our friend. Respect her.”

The first bell rang.

“Let’s just go to class,” Michael led Maria towards class.

“Max,” Tess grabbed his arm to stop him from walking away.

“We’ll pay attention, Tess. But that’s it.”

Isabel and Jackson walked past them, and Max hurried to join them on their way to class.

Tess watched them go by. She just knew something was up with Jackson Taylor; and she would not let him ruin her plans.



Tess watched as Jackson opened his locker door. He was on his way to lunch, and this was the first time he had been alone all day long. Isabel was permanently attached to him. She observed him putting away his book. He looked at himself in the mirror and ran his hand through his hair. He closed his locker and turned towards the cafeteria.

A group of students carrying drinks walked past Allex. He knew that Tess was standing further down the hall watching him. He used his powers so that the student closest to him spilled his coke down Jackson’s shirt.

“Whoa, dude, I’m sorry,” the jock said.

“No worries. I’m fine.” The jock hurried up to keep up with his friends.

Jackson looked up and down the hall quickly. He looked down at the wet stain and ran his hand over it, making it perfect again. He walked towards the cafeteria quickly.



Tess stared at Jackson’s shirt as he walked toward the cafeteria. He had just “fixed” that stain! She had seen it; she knew it! She knew she’d been right. He was an alien.

She just didn’t know what his goals were? Nasedo had never told her about any other aliens. She pulled out her cell phone. It was definitely time to talk to him about all this.