Chapter 34
Maria opened her eyes, feeling kind of dizzy, and she was surrounded by a sparkling fog which was slowly fading. She sensed, more than saw, Isabel standing beside her. She turned and Isabel was looking at her with total disbelief, her mouth open. Maria shrugged and turned to watch the scene disclosing in front of them. They could see Michael buck naked on what looked like a table, rather than a bed. They had a perfect ¾ view of him, part from the side, part from behind, as they stood by Michael’s leg. They now could see clearly, three doctors in white, one was Stuart, and they were standing across from them. They were busy talking and checking some files, and of course, right beside them, was the nurse, at a kind of table with a computer. She had her back to them so they couldn’t tell what she was doing. Then the doctors walked towards the prone boy, and one stood by Michael’s hip while the other stood opposite him by his other hip. Stuart went to the back of the table and seemed to walk through it between Michael’s legs. Isabel had a sickening déjà vu of Nicholas doing the same in her last nightmare. She stole a glance at Maria but she didn’t seem at all surprised, obviously noticing something she couldn’t, from where she stood. Isabel stood on tip toes and realized the table was missing an inverted U in the middle of the lower edge to enable the doctor to go all the way towards the patient. She breathed in relief, until Stuart activated something and the table jackknifed upwards about the middle, so Michael’s ass was higher than the rest of his body, kind of bent over the table. Then Stuart stretched his hand upwards and the nurse fitted a surgical glove on it. “Lubricant” he demanded, and tube with a nozzle for a cap materialized in his hand. He pushed it into Michael and squeezed about half the tube into him. Michael’s only reaction was a general tensing of his muscles and his breathing got a little heavy. “Sigmoidoscope” - and a long mean looking instrument was slapped into his hand. . “Scan” - and the nurse hooked the wire coming from the back of the instrument into the computer. A screen became visible on the wall right in front of his eyes. He worked it into Michael slowly and carefully, as he gasped and moaned several times during the penetration. The progress could be seen clearly magnified in the screen. He aimed the tip at the deepest damaged area and looked at it through the scope and then in the screen. Then the two other doctors did the same. Stuart proceeded to withdraw the instrument until he was viewing the next damaged area, and checked it as before, sharing it with his colleagues. He continued to the third damaged area repeating the whole process, and then withdrew it completely while the nurse kept trying to catch his attention without success. He handed the thing to the nurse, who placed it on the table. She addressed Stuart, begging his pardon, and showed him one of the files from the table. Stuart looked upset and apologized to the others saying he had forgotten another cut just over the prostate gland. One of them said they would just need a proctoscope to reach the depth of that area, so the nurse immediately materialized another similar instrument, not so long but somewhat thicker, and hooked it to the computer too. Stuart squeezed in more lubricant, to be safe, and inserted the other instrument. Michael grunted and shifted his hips, making Stuart stop and ask him to keep still. Then he went on until the screen showed it was deep enough to locate the damage. “How is the prostate?” asked the doctor on the right. “It suffered some damage though not critical, he has receive two infiltrations in the last 48 hours and a massage every 12 hours. The third one is due right now, so I’ll proceed, with the benefit of the scan, we will be able to see the effects.” He turned to the nurse, “Susan, have it brought over right away”. She nodded and spoke on a phone, as Stuart withdrew the second scope. As soon as it was out, Michael sighed ending in what sounded like a soft sob. They turned to the files on the table while they waited, and in just a couple of minutes, a young nurse, that Isabel identified as the one that had been with the other nurse last night, arrived with a tray. Isabel heard Maria scoff loudly and tried to pounce on the new arrival. She glared at her, but just like it had happened to her at the operating theatre, Maria’s feet were glued to the floor. She growled like a rabid dog in frustration, and Isabel warned: “If you can’t behave, we’re out of her in a sec!” Making Maria think she was in control, when she really didn’t know why it happened at all. Maria had no choice but to stay put, though she was shooting fire through her eyes. Stuart raised his hand, and the older nurse squeezed a big glob of lubricant on his finger. He slid it into Michael, twisting his hand left and right a few times spreading it inside him. The girl looked on, her eyes almost popping from her head. Then he picked up a large syringe from the tray with what looked like a long nozzle instead of a needle. He moved something and a needle shot out of the tip of the nozzle a few times: he was checking to make sure it was working correctly. He pushed it in and the others checked the procedure in the scan. Stuart jabbed the needle into the prostate through the intestine several times, injecting the contains of the syringe in different parts of the gland. Then he inserted his finger again and started massaging it to help it absorb the substance, as the screen showed it was spreading throughout the affected area. He went on for a while and then he called the older nurse and beckoned with his head. He withdrew from Michael and the nurse donned a glove and took his place. Maria was ready to kill, she looked red enough to start smoking though the ears any time now. Isabel thought it was enough when the older nurse instructed the young one to glove her hand and take her place for practice. Maria was now bouncing, ready to take flight, watching the girl enter Michael, as she looked about to pass out, being the first time she did this. The doctors were exiting the room, and one of them recommended another infiltration 12 hours from then just to make sure the progress continued, and that would ensure Stuart’s diagnosis and their approval for the patient’s release in the 72 hours he had forecasted. They left the nurses to finish up, so Isabel ended the session and in two blinks, they were back in the room. Maria was hyperventilating with rage.
- Did you see…what those…BITCHES!...were doing…to him? -
Isabel had to admit she was quiet grossed out too. They looked at each other and tears threatened to fall from both girls’ eyes. Isabel took Maria’s hands in hers, trying to make her feel better, but she was actually looking for some reassurance herself. They let go to hug each other and now the sobs unavoidably came in the next few seconds. They wept and hiccoughed into each others’ necks until they finally calmed down and just slumped on the couch, waiting with closed eyes. When the door clicked open, they sat up completely alert, watching Stuart pull a chair up to them and start his report. He told them an abridged version of what had gone on, to end up telling them everything had gone as he had expected, and Michael should be able to leave when he said he would. The girls just nodded and looked totally zoned out.
- Are you alright? - Stuart asked quite alarmed. He had expected to have them jumping in excited joy.
- Sorry, it’s just that we have been so tense, we just need to relax. Thank you so much, Stuart. - Isabel sounded completely wiped out. Maria was also unusually quiet. Stuart decided he better leave them alone to sort out their feelings.
- Will you join me for lunch, later on? - He asked doubtfully.
. Sure, - Isabel’s smile made her look alive again, - I’ll be waiting for you. -
- Maria, you’re included…-
- Thank you, but I think I will stay with him. -
Stuart nodded, respecting her decision and left them to receive Michael who was on the way back to his room.
The Martyr of Antar-COMPLETED
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
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- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
The Martyr of Antar
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 35
The second the orderlies left the room after getting Michael back in bed, Maria and Isabel literally pounced on him.
- You ok? -
- Does it hurt? -
- Ooowwwww! Of course it hurts! The damn nurses just stuck me on both sides, where you’re both leaning on…- They immediately lifted their elbows from his butt, not even realizing they were there. - Thanks, and your new boyfriend stuck about everything he could get his hands on, up my ass. And you ask me if it hurts?
- He’s not my new boyfriend, Michael. I’m sorry you had a hard time. I think you need to sleep. - Isabel started to turn away from him, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him.
- I’m sorry Iz, I’m very sore, I shouldn’t… - Isabel kissed his cheek, and smiled down at him and he kissed her hand before he let go of her wrist. Then he turned to Maria, and took her hand and kissed it too.
- I’m not ok. I’m hurting bad, I really need to feel you here with me. It makes it all worth it. -
Maria looked at Isabel, across from her, and noticed her eyes brimming with tears just like she knew hers were. Their eyes locked and they felt an incredible bond had formed between them over this boy, whom they somehow shared in two different lifetimes.
- We’re both here, love, try to sleep, or at least just rest. Ok? - Maria was so surprised by her lack of jealousy towards Isabel, and she somehow felt the alien girl was feeling the same. Isabel placed her hand on Michael’s butt.
- You want us to rub you down? Will it help? -
- Yeah, it sure will…thanks.-
Maria’s hand went to his butt too on the left side, Isabel having taken charge of the other side, and went to work thinking only of him and what he needed.
Liz sneaked out of school in Maria’s car after getting the keys from Max. It was lunchtime and she could skip next period easily. Max followed her in his car with Kyle. They found Isabel and Maria sleeping half on a chair and half on Michael, who was also passed out. They all looked so peaceful, the girls’ hair fanned out on Michael’s shoulders. The door clicking shut had their eyes open and looking up at the two guys. They sat up and quietly went to the couch, using also the arms to be close enough to speak softly but still be heard. Isabel told them what they had witnessed to the last disgusting detail. Max and Kyle were looking kind of greenish when she was done, understanding why she had forgotten to call them when it was over.
- And you’re just hearing it! If you had been there you would have probably barfed all over the place, glad that they couldn’t see, hear of smell you. - Maria giggled. - At least I didn’t…somehow. -
- You were there too? - Liz, Max and Kyle together, jaws dropping.
- She grabbed my hands as I zoned out and somehow came along for the ride. I didn’t want to miss anything, so I coped. -
- Well, now you know how I felt at the ambulance. - Liz said.
Stuart came in and had all their eyes on him, and he felt bad at what had gone on with the kid. After all they were his friends and family, at least they only knew part of the story. He turned to Isabel.
- I have about 45 minutes for lunch, are you still on? -
- Sure, let’s go. - She got up and took his hand.
- You guys want some lunch? I can send it over. -
- We need to have a girl’s talk, take Max and Kyle with you. - Liz said.
- Ok, c’mon guys. - Stuart beckoned to them, and they left.
Liz went to Michael, and watched him sleep. He shifted his body slightly and moaned. Maria hurried over. She put her hand on his shoulder and noticed his lashes were parting. He winced and gasped making them both jump.
- Michael? - Both girls together. His eyes opened slowly and he smirked as he managed to see the blonde and the brunette staring down at him totally focused on his face.
- Great way to wake up. Thanks for being here with me. Where’s Isabel? -
- She’s having lunch with Stuart, Max and Kyle. -
- I wish I could eat again…-
Their hands met in his hair and they laughed, relieved he was awake and apparently alright, after his nasty experience.
- I’ve been through hell lately but I’ve always had at least one of you with me. It means a lot to me, thanks, really. When I was at the ambulance, I truly thought that was it. - He squeezes Maria’s hand. - I’m sorry I put you through that, I tried to tell you about it that time I thought we were leaving the planet, and I let you see me but you didn’t let me go on. It shouldn’t have been like this, I should have let go of you but I needed to feel you with me. -
Maria suddenly went serious.
-Michael, there’s something you need to know. -
Liz realized what Maria was about to do and she signaled to her “NO” desperately, mouthing the word and shaking her head for emphasis. But it was useless, Maria was determined and she continued in spite of Liz’s protests.
- It wasn’t me in the ambulance. The stretcher was moving and you grabbed Liz’s hand instead and wouldn’t let go. -
- What? You mean you don’t know…-
- Michael, Liz told us, because we’re your friends. -
- She shouldn’t have…- he said, closing his eyes and wincing.
- It wasn’t like that. She wouldn’t say anything but we could tell she was quite shaken, so we made her tell us. We can be very convincing, you know? We actually forced her to. -
Liz covered Maria’s and Michael’s hand with both hers. Tears were falling down her cheeks.
- Michael, I’m sorry, you know I wouldn’t hurt you for anything in the world. I know how much Maria loves you, and I love you very much too, both of you. - She leant over and kissed his cheek. Maria reached over with her free hand and pulled Liz to her over Michael. They were both crying. The foursome coming back from lunch, thought something was wrong and rushed to them. Isabel arrived first.
- Oh my god, Michael! What’s wrong? - She demanded from the two weeping girls.
- I just found out it was Liz in the ambulance with me instead of Maria. - Michael answered her, and she sighed with relief.
- Michael Guerin! Don’t you ever scare me like that again! - She said and slapped him hard where it hurt him most. Michael grunted.
- Hey, lady, don’t mistreat my patient! - Exclaimed Stuart turning it effectively into a joke
- Iz, anywhere but there, please! - Michael whined making them all laugh. Maria’s cell phone rang and she saw it was her mother. She frowned and mouthed “mom” to them.
- Yes, mom, how’s your picnic going? - She sounded utterly disgusted. Her eyes popped open and Kyle was very alarmed. He went to her and tried to press his ear to her phone to listen too. She elbowed him away and kept him at arms length throughout the conversation. Her mouth started curving into a smile before she went “Yay!” and turned to them.
- Jim received a call from FBI Agent Duff, saying she hadn’t forgotten her promise to get him back into the police, and she said there was going to be an opening soon as just deputy but she would make sure he was promoted asap. - She turned to a pleasantly surprised Kyle. - He wants you to know right away. -
They all congratulated Kyle, who was beaming much like his father did that morning, but without freaking them out at all. They were all happy for Jim, he really deserved it. Stuart checked his watch.
- I’ve got to run, - Stuart said regretfully, - glad you’re better, kid.- Stuart squeezed Michael’s thigh, minding the IV needle. - Sorry about the ordeal, but it was the only way to get you out of here. -
- Yeah, well, at least the nurses had some fun at my expense. -
- I wouldn’t call it that, the rookie hurled her guts out just after you left the room. Susan’s still trying to convince her not to give it up.-
- Shit! I’m sorry! - Michael really looked concerned.
- Not your fault, kid, it happens to all of us one time or another. -
- Sorry too Liz, I never meant to get you upset over my lousy life, it’s not fair to you. - He took a big breath as Liz, who was still sniffling, couldn’t find her voice to reassure him. - So now you all know what Hank really did to me, no big deal. -
Now it was Isabel who started crying. She rushed to him pushing Liz aside and hugged him, placing her cheek on his shoulder.
- You’re such a tough guy outside, but inside, you’re just so sensitive, I love that side of you. - She sobbed against him, her hand softly scratching his back.
Max had a gruesome flash of Vilandra’s nails drawing blood from Rath Michael’s back in the heat of passion. He blinked and shook his head, forcing it away.
- We must leave now, we have also skipped the first class after lunch, and if we hurry, we’ll be in time for the next. Seligman’s! - Max said making the three students implicated, shudder at the mention of the said teacher’s name. Liz, Max and Kyle said “later”, and almost ran out of the room. Isabel walked Stuart to the door and closed it behind them, but Maria could make them kiss quickly through the distortion of the scalloped glass pane. When she reentered the room, she met Maria’s teasing gaze.
- Now, what was that, Mrs. Ramirez; may I ask? -
- C’mon, Maria, it’s just a friendly gesture! - She sounded rather uncomfortable.
- Shame on you! Not even a year married, and already an affair? That is great! - Maria nodded, smiling knowingly.
- Maria! -
- What? You’ve always been the loner, I never bought that “I’m too good for these jerks” act of yours. And now you’re married and a doctor’s coming on to you, and Kyle drools when he sees you…-
- Kyle! Oh please! - She grew pensive. - You really think Stuart…-
Maria tilted her head and gave her that obvious look. Isabel looked confused at first and then quite pleased.
- I guess you’re right - Sure of herself.
- And you like it. - Maria knew what she was talking about.
- Yes, oh my god! - She glanced guiltily over her shoulder at Michael, expecting him to protest or say something but he was thankfully sleeping again.
- Well, the team would be complete. - Isabel gives her a baffled look. - With “sheriff” Jim back soon, you’ll have the law again on your side, plus a doctor, for any emergencies like this, and of course, a lawyer. -
- I hope I’ll be able to still count on Jesse…-
- Who said anything about Jesse? I meant your dad! He’ll back you up no matter what, and you know it! -
- Well, he really was after us until Tess returned…-
- Isabel, that’s what parents do! They want to know everything about their kids because they don’t want them to get in trouble, and the way things have been going in the last couple of years, well, you just can’t blame him, right? -
Isabel shrugged and nodded. Maria reached out for her.
- Come here, - she hugs the taller girl, - My mom drives me nuts too, but I have to admit I drive her nuts having to be a mom and a dad at the same time, and it must be hard. I’m supposed to be a handful, huh? - Isabel hugs her back. They return to the chairs by the bed and again share Michael between them.
- Isabel, was it so bad for you when you were shot? -
- It was weird, I felt no actual pain, it was like having all the air pushed out your body at once. It felt like a big ball was pressed against my stomach making it hard to breathe. I thought I was dying and it scared the hell out of me. But I felt Michael with me all the time, and then Jesse’s friend put me to sleep. Next I heard Michael’s voice and I just followed it. I was completely numb, I didn’t feel anything until Max arrived and I was back to normal. -
- Wow! You’re lucky! Michael always seems to have the worst part. When he was shot in the back at Laurie’s, he was in pain until we returned to Roswell so Max could fix him, but he was sore for about a month, and now this! -
- Yes, it’s not fair. Jim said he really massacred him trying to get his blood for my transfusion, but he just took it without complains, it seems the doctor finally had to do it himself after Jim gave up. I think he also had to do it in his thigh, cause I noticed he limped for some days, though he tried to hide it from me, and when I held him around his thigh, as he stood by my bed, he went tight and winced. -
- He’d do anything for you, Isabel, he loves you very much. -
- Yes, I know. -
- I know how much you love him too, and it’s ok with me. If anyone should be jealous here, it’s definitely you. I’m sure you miss him. I understand. I would hate to lose him. He’s so special…- Isabel just nodded lost in the thoughts Maria’s words had awakened in her.
The second the orderlies left the room after getting Michael back in bed, Maria and Isabel literally pounced on him.
- You ok? -
- Does it hurt? -
- Ooowwwww! Of course it hurts! The damn nurses just stuck me on both sides, where you’re both leaning on…- They immediately lifted their elbows from his butt, not even realizing they were there. - Thanks, and your new boyfriend stuck about everything he could get his hands on, up my ass. And you ask me if it hurts?
- He’s not my new boyfriend, Michael. I’m sorry you had a hard time. I think you need to sleep. - Isabel started to turn away from him, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him.
- I’m sorry Iz, I’m very sore, I shouldn’t… - Isabel kissed his cheek, and smiled down at him and he kissed her hand before he let go of her wrist. Then he turned to Maria, and took her hand and kissed it too.
- I’m not ok. I’m hurting bad, I really need to feel you here with me. It makes it all worth it. -
Maria looked at Isabel, across from her, and noticed her eyes brimming with tears just like she knew hers were. Their eyes locked and they felt an incredible bond had formed between them over this boy, whom they somehow shared in two different lifetimes.
- We’re both here, love, try to sleep, or at least just rest. Ok? - Maria was so surprised by her lack of jealousy towards Isabel, and she somehow felt the alien girl was feeling the same. Isabel placed her hand on Michael’s butt.
- You want us to rub you down? Will it help? -
- Yeah, it sure will…thanks.-
Maria’s hand went to his butt too on the left side, Isabel having taken charge of the other side, and went to work thinking only of him and what he needed.
Liz sneaked out of school in Maria’s car after getting the keys from Max. It was lunchtime and she could skip next period easily. Max followed her in his car with Kyle. They found Isabel and Maria sleeping half on a chair and half on Michael, who was also passed out. They all looked so peaceful, the girls’ hair fanned out on Michael’s shoulders. The door clicking shut had their eyes open and looking up at the two guys. They sat up and quietly went to the couch, using also the arms to be close enough to speak softly but still be heard. Isabel told them what they had witnessed to the last disgusting detail. Max and Kyle were looking kind of greenish when she was done, understanding why she had forgotten to call them when it was over.
- And you’re just hearing it! If you had been there you would have probably barfed all over the place, glad that they couldn’t see, hear of smell you. - Maria giggled. - At least I didn’t…somehow. -
- You were there too? - Liz, Max and Kyle together, jaws dropping.
- She grabbed my hands as I zoned out and somehow came along for the ride. I didn’t want to miss anything, so I coped. -
- Well, now you know how I felt at the ambulance. - Liz said.
Stuart came in and had all their eyes on him, and he felt bad at what had gone on with the kid. After all they were his friends and family, at least they only knew part of the story. He turned to Isabel.
- I have about 45 minutes for lunch, are you still on? -
- Sure, let’s go. - She got up and took his hand.
- You guys want some lunch? I can send it over. -
- We need to have a girl’s talk, take Max and Kyle with you. - Liz said.
- Ok, c’mon guys. - Stuart beckoned to them, and they left.
Liz went to Michael, and watched him sleep. He shifted his body slightly and moaned. Maria hurried over. She put her hand on his shoulder and noticed his lashes were parting. He winced and gasped making them both jump.
- Michael? - Both girls together. His eyes opened slowly and he smirked as he managed to see the blonde and the brunette staring down at him totally focused on his face.
- Great way to wake up. Thanks for being here with me. Where’s Isabel? -
- She’s having lunch with Stuart, Max and Kyle. -
- I wish I could eat again…-
Their hands met in his hair and they laughed, relieved he was awake and apparently alright, after his nasty experience.
- I’ve been through hell lately but I’ve always had at least one of you with me. It means a lot to me, thanks, really. When I was at the ambulance, I truly thought that was it. - He squeezes Maria’s hand. - I’m sorry I put you through that, I tried to tell you about it that time I thought we were leaving the planet, and I let you see me but you didn’t let me go on. It shouldn’t have been like this, I should have let go of you but I needed to feel you with me. -
Maria suddenly went serious.
-Michael, there’s something you need to know. -
Liz realized what Maria was about to do and she signaled to her “NO” desperately, mouthing the word and shaking her head for emphasis. But it was useless, Maria was determined and she continued in spite of Liz’s protests.
- It wasn’t me in the ambulance. The stretcher was moving and you grabbed Liz’s hand instead and wouldn’t let go. -
- What? You mean you don’t know…-
- Michael, Liz told us, because we’re your friends. -
- She shouldn’t have…- he said, closing his eyes and wincing.
- It wasn’t like that. She wouldn’t say anything but we could tell she was quite shaken, so we made her tell us. We can be very convincing, you know? We actually forced her to. -
Liz covered Maria’s and Michael’s hand with both hers. Tears were falling down her cheeks.
- Michael, I’m sorry, you know I wouldn’t hurt you for anything in the world. I know how much Maria loves you, and I love you very much too, both of you. - She leant over and kissed his cheek. Maria reached over with her free hand and pulled Liz to her over Michael. They were both crying. The foursome coming back from lunch, thought something was wrong and rushed to them. Isabel arrived first.
- Oh my god, Michael! What’s wrong? - She demanded from the two weeping girls.
- I just found out it was Liz in the ambulance with me instead of Maria. - Michael answered her, and she sighed with relief.
- Michael Guerin! Don’t you ever scare me like that again! - She said and slapped him hard where it hurt him most. Michael grunted.
- Hey, lady, don’t mistreat my patient! - Exclaimed Stuart turning it effectively into a joke
- Iz, anywhere but there, please! - Michael whined making them all laugh. Maria’s cell phone rang and she saw it was her mother. She frowned and mouthed “mom” to them.
- Yes, mom, how’s your picnic going? - She sounded utterly disgusted. Her eyes popped open and Kyle was very alarmed. He went to her and tried to press his ear to her phone to listen too. She elbowed him away and kept him at arms length throughout the conversation. Her mouth started curving into a smile before she went “Yay!” and turned to them.
- Jim received a call from FBI Agent Duff, saying she hadn’t forgotten her promise to get him back into the police, and she said there was going to be an opening soon as just deputy but she would make sure he was promoted asap. - She turned to a pleasantly surprised Kyle. - He wants you to know right away. -
They all congratulated Kyle, who was beaming much like his father did that morning, but without freaking them out at all. They were all happy for Jim, he really deserved it. Stuart checked his watch.
- I’ve got to run, - Stuart said regretfully, - glad you’re better, kid.- Stuart squeezed Michael’s thigh, minding the IV needle. - Sorry about the ordeal, but it was the only way to get you out of here. -
- Yeah, well, at least the nurses had some fun at my expense. -
- I wouldn’t call it that, the rookie hurled her guts out just after you left the room. Susan’s still trying to convince her not to give it up.-
- Shit! I’m sorry! - Michael really looked concerned.
- Not your fault, kid, it happens to all of us one time or another. -
- Sorry too Liz, I never meant to get you upset over my lousy life, it’s not fair to you. - He took a big breath as Liz, who was still sniffling, couldn’t find her voice to reassure him. - So now you all know what Hank really did to me, no big deal. -
Now it was Isabel who started crying. She rushed to him pushing Liz aside and hugged him, placing her cheek on his shoulder.
- You’re such a tough guy outside, but inside, you’re just so sensitive, I love that side of you. - She sobbed against him, her hand softly scratching his back.
Max had a gruesome flash of Vilandra’s nails drawing blood from Rath Michael’s back in the heat of passion. He blinked and shook his head, forcing it away.
- We must leave now, we have also skipped the first class after lunch, and if we hurry, we’ll be in time for the next. Seligman’s! - Max said making the three students implicated, shudder at the mention of the said teacher’s name. Liz, Max and Kyle said “later”, and almost ran out of the room. Isabel walked Stuart to the door and closed it behind them, but Maria could make them kiss quickly through the distortion of the scalloped glass pane. When she reentered the room, she met Maria’s teasing gaze.
- Now, what was that, Mrs. Ramirez; may I ask? -
- C’mon, Maria, it’s just a friendly gesture! - She sounded rather uncomfortable.
- Shame on you! Not even a year married, and already an affair? That is great! - Maria nodded, smiling knowingly.
- Maria! -
- What? You’ve always been the loner, I never bought that “I’m too good for these jerks” act of yours. And now you’re married and a doctor’s coming on to you, and Kyle drools when he sees you…-
- Kyle! Oh please! - She grew pensive. - You really think Stuart…-
Maria tilted her head and gave her that obvious look. Isabel looked confused at first and then quite pleased.
- I guess you’re right - Sure of herself.
- And you like it. - Maria knew what she was talking about.
- Yes, oh my god! - She glanced guiltily over her shoulder at Michael, expecting him to protest or say something but he was thankfully sleeping again.
- Well, the team would be complete. - Isabel gives her a baffled look. - With “sheriff” Jim back soon, you’ll have the law again on your side, plus a doctor, for any emergencies like this, and of course, a lawyer. -
- I hope I’ll be able to still count on Jesse…-
- Who said anything about Jesse? I meant your dad! He’ll back you up no matter what, and you know it! -
- Well, he really was after us until Tess returned…-
- Isabel, that’s what parents do! They want to know everything about their kids because they don’t want them to get in trouble, and the way things have been going in the last couple of years, well, you just can’t blame him, right? -
Isabel shrugged and nodded. Maria reached out for her.
- Come here, - she hugs the taller girl, - My mom drives me nuts too, but I have to admit I drive her nuts having to be a mom and a dad at the same time, and it must be hard. I’m supposed to be a handful, huh? - Isabel hugs her back. They return to the chairs by the bed and again share Michael between them.
- Isabel, was it so bad for you when you were shot? -
- It was weird, I felt no actual pain, it was like having all the air pushed out your body at once. It felt like a big ball was pressed against my stomach making it hard to breathe. I thought I was dying and it scared the hell out of me. But I felt Michael with me all the time, and then Jesse’s friend put me to sleep. Next I heard Michael’s voice and I just followed it. I was completely numb, I didn’t feel anything until Max arrived and I was back to normal. -
- Wow! You’re lucky! Michael always seems to have the worst part. When he was shot in the back at Laurie’s, he was in pain until we returned to Roswell so Max could fix him, but he was sore for about a month, and now this! -
- Yes, it’s not fair. Jim said he really massacred him trying to get his blood for my transfusion, but he just took it without complains, it seems the doctor finally had to do it himself after Jim gave up. I think he also had to do it in his thigh, cause I noticed he limped for some days, though he tried to hide it from me, and when I held him around his thigh, as he stood by my bed, he went tight and winced. -
- He’d do anything for you, Isabel, he loves you very much. -
- Yes, I know. -
- I know how much you love him too, and it’s ok with me. If anyone should be jealous here, it’s definitely you. I’m sure you miss him. I understand. I would hate to lose him. He’s so special…- Isabel just nodded lost in the thoughts Maria’s words had awakened in her.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 36
As the school day ended, Max walked towards his car followed by Liz and Kyle. To their surprise, Jim Valenti was parked behind them waiting to tell them personally the good news. They ran to him and hugged him feeling so happy about the outcome of things.
- C’mon kids, I’ll buy you a drink, and tell you all about it, huh? -
- This is obviously a guy thing, so run along, and I’ll go to the hospital. Meet you there later? - Liz told them, and since no one insisted on her coming, she knew she was right in leaving them to their stuff.
- Here, Liz, take my car, Jim will drop me over in a while, ok? - Max tossed his keys to her and hopped in with the Valentis.
Liz arrived shortly after and found Maria and Isabel slumped on the couch, passed out. She tiptoed over to Michael and sat by him, holding his hand and rubbing his back. Michael snuggled on the bed turning his face towards her, and sighed. Liz smiled, she caressed his cheek and brushed the hair away from his face. Michael kissed her hand as it passed near his lips shifting his face up to it and slowly opened his eyes.
- I’ll get Maria…she’s snoozing on the couch…- She started pulling her hand away to get up but Michael held on smiling. -
- No, let her rest, I knew it was you…your cologne. - He said matter of factly. - Thanks again for putting up with me at the ambulance. - He squeezed her hand.
- Actually, I’m kind of glad it was me, Maria would’ve freaked out.-
Michael chuckled and winced.
- Yeah, they would’ve chucked her out in the middle of the street without as much as a second thought. -
Liz giggled but Michael didn’t dare try to chuckle again.
- Was it very bad? - Curiosity won him over.
- Well, you connected with me about a couple of times, each one worse than the other…it was…-
- Shit, Liz, I wasn’t trying to…-
- Michael, we suspected, no, we somehow knew, but actually seeing it…- she felt her tears beginning to fall without control. He looked at her realizing she was crying. He was confused about what she had really seen. He always effectively blocked out all the sexually involved parts, but he had been in such pain, that he wasn’t sure now what he had disclosed, probably Hank’s lashing foreplay and nothing more. That should be enough to get Liz so worked up, still he needed to know, to be completely sure what he had let out.
- Seeing what, Liz? -
- HANK, MICHAEL! - She screamed, - I SAW HANK BEATING AND RAPING YOU! -
He froze in shock. She slumped on him and cried openly on his shoulder. He could hear the other girls stirring behind Liz and soon they were running to them.
- Liz? Liz! What’s wrong? You ok? Michael? - Isabel and Maria spoke at the same time, shaking Liz to get some response from her. They glared at him thinking he had said something to upset her. She looked up, red eyed and wiping her nose on her sleeve.
- I’m sorry, Michael, none of this should have ever happened to you! You deserved a nice home with loving parents! Why do these things have to happen? It makes me sick! - She started sniffling again.
- Easy, chica, what was all that about? Calm down, ok? We’re all together in this mess and we’ll stay together until we’re out of here. We’ll be fine! -
- Oh my god, Maria! How could he? - And another bout of weeping shook her small body.
- What did you say to her, Michael? - Isabel was about to make sure Michael would stay another week in the hospital if it depended on her.
- I’m so sorry, Isabel, I didn’t know I had flashed her Hank fucking my guts out. I was hurting so much I must have lost all control. -
He looked so sorry at having upset Liz without meaning to, that she just knelt on the floor and hugged him to her, teary eyed too.
- No Michael, I’m apologizing, I can be such an idiot sometimes, and I’ve been quite a few with you. It’s so unfair, please forgive me. -
Michael pulled her to him and gave her a brotherly kiss on the lips, then pressed her cheek against his. Shivers ran through their bodies as a result of that innocent, well meaning kiss. Maria and Liz joined them and sat around the bed, quietly enjoying the unusual time together, without suspecting what Michael and Isabel were going through.
-SURPRISE! - Screamed three male voices, two of which showed a hint of liquor in them. The three girls jumped up in alarm to find Jim, Kyle and Max smiling broadly at the door.
- Damn, you almost gave us a heart attack! You’re in a hospital, you know! - Isabel was indignant, calming down to see Michael was unaffected, but apparently waking up at his own slow pace.
The girls rushed to Jim, Liz and Maria hugged him from both sides, as Isabel stopped in front of him and squeezed both his hands in hers.
- Well, am I lucky, here I stand in the hands of three beautiful girls. - They kissed his cheeks and he exclaimed:
- Now I can die happy. -
- No dying allowed in my presence! - said a strange voice, coming from just outside the room.
They noticed a shadow outside the door and Isabel’s heart skipped a beat as she thought of Jesse, but then she recognized the voice as definitely female. The door was pushed open and Agent Duff entered the room timidly.
- May I come in? -
She was met by a group of smiling teenagers making her feel quite welcome. Valenti took her hand and led her to Michael, who was just really waking up.
- How’s our boy? - He asked him, squeezing his shoulder.
- Sore, but happy for you, though, nobody told me but I overheard them. - Michael’s voice is slurred with sleep.
- Thanks kid, there’s someone here who wants to see you. - He stepped aside and Agent Duff approached him shyly, covering his hand with hers.
- Hey, hero, they got you again? - She smiled down at him.
- Yeah, and it keeps getting better. - He smirked at his twisted kind of joke.
- Get well, ok? And take care. I have to catch a plane but I just had to see you. I’m glad you’re healing. - She squeezed his hand and leant down to kiss his cheek. Valenti walked her to the door, and she turned and waved before leaving.
- Bye, guys, keep safe, for me, alright? - She almost ran into Stuart as he arrived at the door. Max introduced them to him. They shook hands and Valenti and Agent Duff left.
Stuart turned to Max, a surprised look on his face.
- What was that? FBI? -
- She’s a good friend. - Max informed him smiling.
- She knows too? -
- Well, she saw Michael in action after he was shot…-
- Michael was shot? -
- Yeah, he was shot in the shoulder from behind by a friend of Isabel’s who had been kind of possessed by this alien being. He saved them from an alien attack. -
- Them? -
- The Agent, Jim Valenti, Maria, Isabel and Michael’s “sister” Laurie. -
- Michael has a sister? -
- It’s getting complicated, right? Her grandfather’s DNA was used to create Michael’s human side, so they both descend from him, so they’re family, in a way. They’re about the same age. -
- And whose DNA was used for you and your sister? -
.
- We don’t know. Michael’s was discovered quite by accident. She freaked out when she saw him on a visit to Roswell, because of the close resemblance to her grandfather. -
- Wow! Don’t know what else to say! -
Max shrugged and smiled apologetically at Stuart.
Jim Valenti came back in and he was looking worried.
- I have some important information that Agent Duff came across accidentally, as she checked some files concerning you guys. You better sit now, it’s not good. - He said frowning.
As the school day ended, Max walked towards his car followed by Liz and Kyle. To their surprise, Jim Valenti was parked behind them waiting to tell them personally the good news. They ran to him and hugged him feeling so happy about the outcome of things.
- C’mon kids, I’ll buy you a drink, and tell you all about it, huh? -
- This is obviously a guy thing, so run along, and I’ll go to the hospital. Meet you there later? - Liz told them, and since no one insisted on her coming, she knew she was right in leaving them to their stuff.
- Here, Liz, take my car, Jim will drop me over in a while, ok? - Max tossed his keys to her and hopped in with the Valentis.
Liz arrived shortly after and found Maria and Isabel slumped on the couch, passed out. She tiptoed over to Michael and sat by him, holding his hand and rubbing his back. Michael snuggled on the bed turning his face towards her, and sighed. Liz smiled, she caressed his cheek and brushed the hair away from his face. Michael kissed her hand as it passed near his lips shifting his face up to it and slowly opened his eyes.
- I’ll get Maria…she’s snoozing on the couch…- She started pulling her hand away to get up but Michael held on smiling. -
- No, let her rest, I knew it was you…your cologne. - He said matter of factly. - Thanks again for putting up with me at the ambulance. - He squeezed her hand.
- Actually, I’m kind of glad it was me, Maria would’ve freaked out.-
Michael chuckled and winced.
- Yeah, they would’ve chucked her out in the middle of the street without as much as a second thought. -
Liz giggled but Michael didn’t dare try to chuckle again.
- Was it very bad? - Curiosity won him over.
- Well, you connected with me about a couple of times, each one worse than the other…it was…-
- Shit, Liz, I wasn’t trying to…-
- Michael, we suspected, no, we somehow knew, but actually seeing it…- she felt her tears beginning to fall without control. He looked at her realizing she was crying. He was confused about what she had really seen. He always effectively blocked out all the sexually involved parts, but he had been in such pain, that he wasn’t sure now what he had disclosed, probably Hank’s lashing foreplay and nothing more. That should be enough to get Liz so worked up, still he needed to know, to be completely sure what he had let out.
- Seeing what, Liz? -
- HANK, MICHAEL! - She screamed, - I SAW HANK BEATING AND RAPING YOU! -
He froze in shock. She slumped on him and cried openly on his shoulder. He could hear the other girls stirring behind Liz and soon they were running to them.
- Liz? Liz! What’s wrong? You ok? Michael? - Isabel and Maria spoke at the same time, shaking Liz to get some response from her. They glared at him thinking he had said something to upset her. She looked up, red eyed and wiping her nose on her sleeve.
- I’m sorry, Michael, none of this should have ever happened to you! You deserved a nice home with loving parents! Why do these things have to happen? It makes me sick! - She started sniffling again.
- Easy, chica, what was all that about? Calm down, ok? We’re all together in this mess and we’ll stay together until we’re out of here. We’ll be fine! -
- Oh my god, Maria! How could he? - And another bout of weeping shook her small body.
- What did you say to her, Michael? - Isabel was about to make sure Michael would stay another week in the hospital if it depended on her.
- I’m so sorry, Isabel, I didn’t know I had flashed her Hank fucking my guts out. I was hurting so much I must have lost all control. -
He looked so sorry at having upset Liz without meaning to, that she just knelt on the floor and hugged him to her, teary eyed too.
- No Michael, I’m apologizing, I can be such an idiot sometimes, and I’ve been quite a few with you. It’s so unfair, please forgive me. -
Michael pulled her to him and gave her a brotherly kiss on the lips, then pressed her cheek against his. Shivers ran through their bodies as a result of that innocent, well meaning kiss. Maria and Liz joined them and sat around the bed, quietly enjoying the unusual time together, without suspecting what Michael and Isabel were going through.
-SURPRISE! - Screamed three male voices, two of which showed a hint of liquor in them. The three girls jumped up in alarm to find Jim, Kyle and Max smiling broadly at the door.
- Damn, you almost gave us a heart attack! You’re in a hospital, you know! - Isabel was indignant, calming down to see Michael was unaffected, but apparently waking up at his own slow pace.
The girls rushed to Jim, Liz and Maria hugged him from both sides, as Isabel stopped in front of him and squeezed both his hands in hers.
- Well, am I lucky, here I stand in the hands of three beautiful girls. - They kissed his cheeks and he exclaimed:
- Now I can die happy. -
- No dying allowed in my presence! - said a strange voice, coming from just outside the room.
They noticed a shadow outside the door and Isabel’s heart skipped a beat as she thought of Jesse, but then she recognized the voice as definitely female. The door was pushed open and Agent Duff entered the room timidly.
- May I come in? -
She was met by a group of smiling teenagers making her feel quite welcome. Valenti took her hand and led her to Michael, who was just really waking up.
- How’s our boy? - He asked him, squeezing his shoulder.
- Sore, but happy for you, though, nobody told me but I overheard them. - Michael’s voice is slurred with sleep.
- Thanks kid, there’s someone here who wants to see you. - He stepped aside and Agent Duff approached him shyly, covering his hand with hers.
- Hey, hero, they got you again? - She smiled down at him.
- Yeah, and it keeps getting better. - He smirked at his twisted kind of joke.
- Get well, ok? And take care. I have to catch a plane but I just had to see you. I’m glad you’re healing. - She squeezed his hand and leant down to kiss his cheek. Valenti walked her to the door, and she turned and waved before leaving.
- Bye, guys, keep safe, for me, alright? - She almost ran into Stuart as he arrived at the door. Max introduced them to him. They shook hands and Valenti and Agent Duff left.
Stuart turned to Max, a surprised look on his face.
- What was that? FBI? -
- She’s a good friend. - Max informed him smiling.
- She knows too? -
- Well, she saw Michael in action after he was shot…-
- Michael was shot? -
- Yeah, he was shot in the shoulder from behind by a friend of Isabel’s who had been kind of possessed by this alien being. He saved them from an alien attack. -
- Them? -
- The Agent, Jim Valenti, Maria, Isabel and Michael’s “sister” Laurie. -
- Michael has a sister? -
- It’s getting complicated, right? Her grandfather’s DNA was used to create Michael’s human side, so they both descend from him, so they’re family, in a way. They’re about the same age. -
- And whose DNA was used for you and your sister? -
.
- We don’t know. Michael’s was discovered quite by accident. She freaked out when she saw him on a visit to Roswell, because of the close resemblance to her grandfather. -
- Wow! Don’t know what else to say! -
Max shrugged and smiled apologetically at Stuart.
Jim Valenti came back in and he was looking worried.
- I have some important information that Agent Duff came across accidentally, as she checked some files concerning you guys. You better sit now, it’s not good. - He said frowning.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
-
ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 37
Jim watched them with a mixture of worry and concern in his eyes. Then he started speaking.
- Agent Duff accidentally came across some suspicious looking files, showing disturbing stuff. She didn’t dare make a copy so she memorized it exactly: It was about a very undercover FBI alien recovery team. Then, information of a special undercover agent infiltrated in Roswell New Mexico, posing as a lawyer, because he was recruited from that area of the Bureau, and very reliable because of the data he constantly sends of the four alien subjects under investigation. Then the file itself: The first page showed a picture of Max with his full name written beside it. Then, it said, King, abilities: healing, manipulating molecular structures, Can materialize a shield to protect himself. On the next line: Harmless - Useful - Spare. At the bottom of the page, a small picture of Liz with no name or identification under the heading of Human Partner, then Totally Human - Harmless - Spare. The next page had a picture of Isabel, full name, Sister to the King, abilities: Entering people’s dreams to find information, manipulating molecular structures, next line: Harmless - Useful - Spare. At the bottom of the page, a picture of Alex, without name or id, Human Partner, and stamped across with the word DECEASED. The next page was a picture of Michael, with full name, Warrior, abilities, powerful blasts with his hands, manipulating molecular structures, no shield, next line, Very Dangerous, Spare, perfect for experimenting and studying. At the bottom of the page, a picture of Maria, no name or id, Human Partner Totally Human, Harmless, Spare. And the last page, a picture of Tess, full name, Wife of the King, manipulates minds to see and hear what she wants, and molecular structures too, She was also stamped across with the word DECEASED, and at the bottom of the page, a picture of Kyle, without name or id, Human Partner, Totally Human, Harmless, Spare. Then the worst, because it was followed by an encrypted file which she managed to access, which changed completely what the previous file showed as very humane. This one showed Max, Isabel, Michael and Liz, saying she was a newly converted alien, and the order to destroy with a bullet in the head all but Michael, instructing to only wound the last subject to disable, for experimenting and studying.- They remained silent for a full minute, digesting what they had heard, looks of disbelief in their eyes. Then Valenti spoke again.
- Agent Duff has prepared a fake letter in real FBI stationery in an unmarked envelope, with just the Bureau’s logo, using gloves not to leave prints, and has placed it in a plastic bag for easy and safe handling. - He turned to Isabel, his eyes full of pity, and continued, - She wants you to put it in your mail for Jesse, and observe his reactions when he reads it, because unfortunately, he fits the description of the undercover lawyer-agent in Roswell, perfectly, though there is no confirmation. -
Isabel flushed red with indignation. She had been expecting it since she heard the description and knew immediately it matched Jesse, but still, she couldn’t believe it.
- Oh no, not Jesse! It’s impossible, it can’t be him! -
- Agent Duff is not sure, Isabel, but the dates when he appeared in Roswell coincide with the file. She just needs to be sure it isn’t him and this is the only way she can do it. -
- But he killed an FBI Agent to protect us! I heard their conversation, he didn’t know Jesse! He would have it they worked in the same Institution! -
- That’s why he’s undercover, Isabel, no one at the Bureau apart from the very specialized elite know about him. He was forced to kill him before he exposed the whole thing! -
- NO! NO! I don’t believe it! It can’t be Jesse! It’s impossible! -
- Isabel, no one is sure it’s Jesse, that’s why we must make sure, I am only trying to protect you all, but we must know who is really on our side. I’m truly sorry to upset you, I don’t mean to doubt Jesse! -
- But you are doing it! I can’t believe it! I don’t know what to think right now, I’m so confused! - She covered her face with her hands and sobbed. Jim felt lousy, but they had to know what was going on, and he was the only one who could do it. After a few minutes of complete silence, as they thought about their current situation, Isabel finally snapped out of it.
- Alright, I’ll do it, if it clears Jesse. - She said, much calmer and determined. Somehow, after her outburst, she felt weird defending Jesse after the way he had been behaving, and she was beginning to feel doubts which she found hard to admit. She felt and arm around her shoulders and remembered Stuart was there with them. She knew it was him and she felt her confidence return. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she looked calmer and composed.
- Yes, you’re absolutely right, we need to know what’s going on. Our safety is top priority. I’ll do whatever’s necessary. -
Stuart took her hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly. She gave him an uncertain smile, but it was a smile anyway.
Jim went to Michael’s side, wondering how the boy was taking it.
- How are you doing, kid? - He asked him, squeezing his shoulder. - You ok? -
- Sure, nothing new. Torture has been part of my life, one way or another. - The rest of the group had surrounded the hurt boy’s bed and were visibly shaken by his words.
- No, Michael, that’s not going to happen. Agent Duff has assured me that she’s going to do anything in her hands to change the “Very Dangerous” evaluation into “Defensive” and the other…-
-NO! - They all jumped mostly in surprise at Michael’s totally unexpected outburst. - I won’t allow her to put herself at risk because of me! You must tell her not to do it! -
- Michael, the only way I can contact her is on her cell phone, and I don’t think it’s safe at all. -
- I’ll do it, I don’t want her in any danger either, she’s a nice person. - Isabel looked and sounded very determined. - I’ll dreamwalk her and give her your message. -
- Thank you Iz, but you must make her promise she won’t do anything! -
- Don’t worry, I can be very convincing. What flight was she taking? -
- She said a 9:30 to Chicago, I think. - Jim answered.
- I don’t care about the destination. I need to know when I can get her sleeping, so I can get into her dream. I’ll try at about 10 pm, perhaps a few minutes before 10, and keep trying until I make it. I assure you Michael, I’ll get your request through tonight no matter what. -
- Thank you Iz, just do it, please! - The angst in Michael’s voice was touching. He was really concerned for the woman’s safety, specially because she was trying to save his life. Isabel knelt by Michael’s bed and kissed him on the lips. It was gentle and quick, and then both her and Maria sat beside him, touching him and soothing him. Jim, Stuart, Max and Kyle went to stand near the door and start what looked like a strategy conversation.
Liz sat in the middle of the couch, Jim’s voice informing Agent Duff’s discovery ringing inside her head as she went through the whole thing. She was sorry about the Isabel and Jesse issues, but that was mostly their problem, their marital hang ups had nothing to do with her. But it had got worse by the second. At first, she had felt grateful that at least Max and Isabel would be given a humane treatment, because they were considered “useful”, but Michael’s destiny shook her into thinking if there was any justice in her world. Then the second part, where she was to be terminated along with Max and Isabel with a bullet in the head, was perhaps an easy way out, considering the accuracy and efficiency of the FBI snipers, it would be as fast as being unplugged. But then Michael would suffer for all of them, put through the excruciating agony of their experiments until he wouldn’t be able to stand it anymore and die in the hands of cruel people, just like he had been at the beginning of his earthly experience. It was so unfair! Suddenly she felt so alone, like everyone else had something more important than being with her, the guys were completely involved in their male conversation, and Maria and Isabel were all over Michael. She got up and went to the bathroom. Max and Kyle watched her go and when she closed the door, went back to whatever they were talking about without giving it much thought. Liz splashed her face with cold water, hoping to chase away her strange feelings, but it didn’t help much. She sat on the toilet and covered her face with her hands. Why did she react like that to Isabel’s kiss? If anyone should be jealous, it would be Maria, yet she just looked on with a smile! And her heart skipped a beat and did a weird flip when she saw it happen. Why should she feel something like…jealousy? It didn’t make sense. Then her brain was flooded with flashes in a strobe-like succession: Michael as a chunky kid with tight overgrown clothes the first day he came to school, Michael, the feisty kid who stood up to all the bullies fearlessly, not caring about his safety but protecting his friends. Michael, the spiky haired rebel, from the wrong side of town, the infamous Trailer Park, whom Alex said he saw in the showers with his back covered in bruises and cuts from his encounters with his just as rough neighbours, no wonder the bullies couldn’t scare him. Michael, the mysterious hunk, who didn’t seem to care about any girl, but had all the girls drooling over him, whether they admitted it of not, their eyes following him betrayed them. Michael, their classmate, stark naked and wincing as his foster father beat and raped him, until Max’s father helped him get emancipated. Michael, the friend who returned her diary and told him he had now another reason to envy Max Evans. Liz shook her head and successfully stopped the visions. “What the hell is wrong with me? Maria will kill me if she finds out what I’m feeling right now. Why do I care so much about him? He’s not mine. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
- Liz, you ok? - Kyle’s voice, worried. Where was Max? It should have been him.
- Yeah, coming…- She forced herself to sound nonchalant as she got up and opened the door, shaking her hands as if she had just washed them. She smiled at Kyle and saw Max coming her way from Michael’s bed, followed by Stuart and Jim. He smiled at her as he passed by without stopping and resumed his conversation by the door with the other men, Kyle in their wake. Then Maria and Isabel walked hand in hand to the couch where they slumped and sighed.
- I’m glad Max could make him go to sleep. - Maria said.
- Yes, he really needs it. - Isabel agreed. They started talking and Liz felt lonely again, turning towards Michael, who was alone as she was. She walked towards him and saw he was indeed asleep. His eyes were closed, his lips parted, and she couldn’t help noticing how full and soft they looked. Max’s thinner lips came to her mind and she shook them away, it wasn’t fair comparing them, they were so different physically. When she was two steps away from him, he turned his face away from her in his sleep, and at the same time, he shifted his hips in the opposite direction. She covered the distance and stood by him, covering his lower body with her own from the rest of the room. His leg near her, lay straight on the bed, but the other was bent at the knee, and she could see his foot resting against the shin of his other leg under the sheet, which reached right below his knees. She reached out and placed her hand on his hip, gliding it along the outside of his thigh slowly, all the way until she cupped his flexed knee. Then she slid it to the back of his thigh and started moving back upwards, gently squeezing it along the way, and spreading her fingers to overpass the IV sticking into him. She gave another squeeze into what was left of his upper thigh after the needle, and grabbed his ass, kneading it and enjoying his feelings as they shot up her arm straight into her brain, listening to him purring in pleasure. His warmth filled her sad loneliness, and reassured her, making her feel safe. Suddenly, a hard larger hand yanked hers rudely away and made her gasp in surprise and disgust at the invasion of her privacy. She turned and was shocked to see Max, looking angry, no, that was putting it too mildly, furious, spewing poison with his words.
- What are you doing to him?! -
Liz was frightened and confused. Max’s face was distorted with fury, and it seemed to melt away and materialize again as the obvious jealousy changed into confusion. “Oh my god!” She thought. “I have just seen Zan!” She immediately remembered the hints from…she wasn’t sure, was it Isabel’s dreams? Or where had she heard them lately? “Of course he had to choose that part of his body for the healing connection, because that’s where he liked to...” and “You don’t need to stay connected…” and Zan Max’s reluctance to withdraw from what he was so much enjoying… then “Rath Michael was mine first”…”Don’t go there Max, please”… She wasn’t sure those were the exact words, but the ideas were correct, of that she had no doubts. That was why Zan had looked so jealous, she was handling his lover, and the area where Zan got his pleasure, to make it worse. Something told her history was repeating itself with Max and Michael, that’s what had triggered that response in Max bringing out Zan from his brain, and she shuddered at the thought. Zan’s outraged face overlapped Max’s again and Liz was in a panic. This wasn’t Max, this person didn’t know her. She could see Maria and Isabel approaching them, over Max’s shoulder, they were talking but she couldn’t hear their words, and their progress was even slower than slow motion. Liz was afraid they wouldn’t make it in time to spare her from an attack from the stranger Zan. Maria’s high decibel voice came to the rescue and reached her ears, due to the unusual pitch it had reached with her concern.
- What’s wrong with Michael? - She shrieked, her concern not about Liz at all. The illusion was lost, and Max was back. He turned towards them, embarrassed finding no explanation to his out of place words.
- Sorry, just one of my stupid attempts at a joke. - He said, shaking his head, in regret.
- Please, Max! Your timing is as always lousy! You know how upset we are feeling and we can’t cope with your lack of tact! -
- I know, I’m truly sorry. - He turned to Liz. - I’m so sorry Liz, I don’t know what came over me. - He stepped back from her, and went to sit on the couch. Liz had recovered from her scary experience now that she saw it was Max all the way, and she went to sit beside him. She knew what had come over him was Zan, who had somehow managed to take the upper hand. She just hoped Max could control him so it would never happen again. How could it have happened at all? They knew Zan was dead! But a part of him seemed to go on living inside Max’s brain and that could be dangerous for all of them, Max included. The guys had been coming behind the girls, and were staring at Max expecting an explanation.
- I guess we’re all a little uptight, but it gives me no right to make a fool of myself. I really put my foot in my mouth this time. -
- Again. - Kyle muttered to himself, but Max’s keen hearing captured it easily. He felt bad, specially by the fact that he had to admit Kyle was absolutely right.
Jim watched them with a mixture of worry and concern in his eyes. Then he started speaking.
- Agent Duff accidentally came across some suspicious looking files, showing disturbing stuff. She didn’t dare make a copy so she memorized it exactly: It was about a very undercover FBI alien recovery team. Then, information of a special undercover agent infiltrated in Roswell New Mexico, posing as a lawyer, because he was recruited from that area of the Bureau, and very reliable because of the data he constantly sends of the four alien subjects under investigation. Then the file itself: The first page showed a picture of Max with his full name written beside it. Then, it said, King, abilities: healing, manipulating molecular structures, Can materialize a shield to protect himself. On the next line: Harmless - Useful - Spare. At the bottom of the page, a small picture of Liz with no name or identification under the heading of Human Partner, then Totally Human - Harmless - Spare. The next page had a picture of Isabel, full name, Sister to the King, abilities: Entering people’s dreams to find information, manipulating molecular structures, next line: Harmless - Useful - Spare. At the bottom of the page, a picture of Alex, without name or id, Human Partner, and stamped across with the word DECEASED. The next page was a picture of Michael, with full name, Warrior, abilities, powerful blasts with his hands, manipulating molecular structures, no shield, next line, Very Dangerous, Spare, perfect for experimenting and studying. At the bottom of the page, a picture of Maria, no name or id, Human Partner Totally Human, Harmless, Spare. And the last page, a picture of Tess, full name, Wife of the King, manipulates minds to see and hear what she wants, and molecular structures too, She was also stamped across with the word DECEASED, and at the bottom of the page, a picture of Kyle, without name or id, Human Partner, Totally Human, Harmless, Spare. Then the worst, because it was followed by an encrypted file which she managed to access, which changed completely what the previous file showed as very humane. This one showed Max, Isabel, Michael and Liz, saying she was a newly converted alien, and the order to destroy with a bullet in the head all but Michael, instructing to only wound the last subject to disable, for experimenting and studying.- They remained silent for a full minute, digesting what they had heard, looks of disbelief in their eyes. Then Valenti spoke again.
- Agent Duff has prepared a fake letter in real FBI stationery in an unmarked envelope, with just the Bureau’s logo, using gloves not to leave prints, and has placed it in a plastic bag for easy and safe handling. - He turned to Isabel, his eyes full of pity, and continued, - She wants you to put it in your mail for Jesse, and observe his reactions when he reads it, because unfortunately, he fits the description of the undercover lawyer-agent in Roswell, perfectly, though there is no confirmation. -
Isabel flushed red with indignation. She had been expecting it since she heard the description and knew immediately it matched Jesse, but still, she couldn’t believe it.
- Oh no, not Jesse! It’s impossible, it can’t be him! -
- Agent Duff is not sure, Isabel, but the dates when he appeared in Roswell coincide with the file. She just needs to be sure it isn’t him and this is the only way she can do it. -
- But he killed an FBI Agent to protect us! I heard their conversation, he didn’t know Jesse! He would have it they worked in the same Institution! -
- That’s why he’s undercover, Isabel, no one at the Bureau apart from the very specialized elite know about him. He was forced to kill him before he exposed the whole thing! -
- NO! NO! I don’t believe it! It can’t be Jesse! It’s impossible! -
- Isabel, no one is sure it’s Jesse, that’s why we must make sure, I am only trying to protect you all, but we must know who is really on our side. I’m truly sorry to upset you, I don’t mean to doubt Jesse! -
- But you are doing it! I can’t believe it! I don’t know what to think right now, I’m so confused! - She covered her face with her hands and sobbed. Jim felt lousy, but they had to know what was going on, and he was the only one who could do it. After a few minutes of complete silence, as they thought about their current situation, Isabel finally snapped out of it.
- Alright, I’ll do it, if it clears Jesse. - She said, much calmer and determined. Somehow, after her outburst, she felt weird defending Jesse after the way he had been behaving, and she was beginning to feel doubts which she found hard to admit. She felt and arm around her shoulders and remembered Stuart was there with them. She knew it was him and she felt her confidence return. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she looked calmer and composed.
- Yes, you’re absolutely right, we need to know what’s going on. Our safety is top priority. I’ll do whatever’s necessary. -
Stuart took her hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly. She gave him an uncertain smile, but it was a smile anyway.
Jim went to Michael’s side, wondering how the boy was taking it.
- How are you doing, kid? - He asked him, squeezing his shoulder. - You ok? -
- Sure, nothing new. Torture has been part of my life, one way or another. - The rest of the group had surrounded the hurt boy’s bed and were visibly shaken by his words.
- No, Michael, that’s not going to happen. Agent Duff has assured me that she’s going to do anything in her hands to change the “Very Dangerous” evaluation into “Defensive” and the other…-
-NO! - They all jumped mostly in surprise at Michael’s totally unexpected outburst. - I won’t allow her to put herself at risk because of me! You must tell her not to do it! -
- Michael, the only way I can contact her is on her cell phone, and I don’t think it’s safe at all. -
- I’ll do it, I don’t want her in any danger either, she’s a nice person. - Isabel looked and sounded very determined. - I’ll dreamwalk her and give her your message. -
- Thank you Iz, but you must make her promise she won’t do anything! -
- Don’t worry, I can be very convincing. What flight was she taking? -
- She said a 9:30 to Chicago, I think. - Jim answered.
- I don’t care about the destination. I need to know when I can get her sleeping, so I can get into her dream. I’ll try at about 10 pm, perhaps a few minutes before 10, and keep trying until I make it. I assure you Michael, I’ll get your request through tonight no matter what. -
- Thank you Iz, just do it, please! - The angst in Michael’s voice was touching. He was really concerned for the woman’s safety, specially because she was trying to save his life. Isabel knelt by Michael’s bed and kissed him on the lips. It was gentle and quick, and then both her and Maria sat beside him, touching him and soothing him. Jim, Stuart, Max and Kyle went to stand near the door and start what looked like a strategy conversation.
Liz sat in the middle of the couch, Jim’s voice informing Agent Duff’s discovery ringing inside her head as she went through the whole thing. She was sorry about the Isabel and Jesse issues, but that was mostly their problem, their marital hang ups had nothing to do with her. But it had got worse by the second. At first, she had felt grateful that at least Max and Isabel would be given a humane treatment, because they were considered “useful”, but Michael’s destiny shook her into thinking if there was any justice in her world. Then the second part, where she was to be terminated along with Max and Isabel with a bullet in the head, was perhaps an easy way out, considering the accuracy and efficiency of the FBI snipers, it would be as fast as being unplugged. But then Michael would suffer for all of them, put through the excruciating agony of their experiments until he wouldn’t be able to stand it anymore and die in the hands of cruel people, just like he had been at the beginning of his earthly experience. It was so unfair! Suddenly she felt so alone, like everyone else had something more important than being with her, the guys were completely involved in their male conversation, and Maria and Isabel were all over Michael. She got up and went to the bathroom. Max and Kyle watched her go and when she closed the door, went back to whatever they were talking about without giving it much thought. Liz splashed her face with cold water, hoping to chase away her strange feelings, but it didn’t help much. She sat on the toilet and covered her face with her hands. Why did she react like that to Isabel’s kiss? If anyone should be jealous, it would be Maria, yet she just looked on with a smile! And her heart skipped a beat and did a weird flip when she saw it happen. Why should she feel something like…jealousy? It didn’t make sense. Then her brain was flooded with flashes in a strobe-like succession: Michael as a chunky kid with tight overgrown clothes the first day he came to school, Michael, the feisty kid who stood up to all the bullies fearlessly, not caring about his safety but protecting his friends. Michael, the spiky haired rebel, from the wrong side of town, the infamous Trailer Park, whom Alex said he saw in the showers with his back covered in bruises and cuts from his encounters with his just as rough neighbours, no wonder the bullies couldn’t scare him. Michael, the mysterious hunk, who didn’t seem to care about any girl, but had all the girls drooling over him, whether they admitted it of not, their eyes following him betrayed them. Michael, their classmate, stark naked and wincing as his foster father beat and raped him, until Max’s father helped him get emancipated. Michael, the friend who returned her diary and told him he had now another reason to envy Max Evans. Liz shook her head and successfully stopped the visions. “What the hell is wrong with me? Maria will kill me if she finds out what I’m feeling right now. Why do I care so much about him? He’s not mine. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
- Liz, you ok? - Kyle’s voice, worried. Where was Max? It should have been him.
- Yeah, coming…- She forced herself to sound nonchalant as she got up and opened the door, shaking her hands as if she had just washed them. She smiled at Kyle and saw Max coming her way from Michael’s bed, followed by Stuart and Jim. He smiled at her as he passed by without stopping and resumed his conversation by the door with the other men, Kyle in their wake. Then Maria and Isabel walked hand in hand to the couch where they slumped and sighed.
- I’m glad Max could make him go to sleep. - Maria said.
- Yes, he really needs it. - Isabel agreed. They started talking and Liz felt lonely again, turning towards Michael, who was alone as she was. She walked towards him and saw he was indeed asleep. His eyes were closed, his lips parted, and she couldn’t help noticing how full and soft they looked. Max’s thinner lips came to her mind and she shook them away, it wasn’t fair comparing them, they were so different physically. When she was two steps away from him, he turned his face away from her in his sleep, and at the same time, he shifted his hips in the opposite direction. She covered the distance and stood by him, covering his lower body with her own from the rest of the room. His leg near her, lay straight on the bed, but the other was bent at the knee, and she could see his foot resting against the shin of his other leg under the sheet, which reached right below his knees. She reached out and placed her hand on his hip, gliding it along the outside of his thigh slowly, all the way until she cupped his flexed knee. Then she slid it to the back of his thigh and started moving back upwards, gently squeezing it along the way, and spreading her fingers to overpass the IV sticking into him. She gave another squeeze into what was left of his upper thigh after the needle, and grabbed his ass, kneading it and enjoying his feelings as they shot up her arm straight into her brain, listening to him purring in pleasure. His warmth filled her sad loneliness, and reassured her, making her feel safe. Suddenly, a hard larger hand yanked hers rudely away and made her gasp in surprise and disgust at the invasion of her privacy. She turned and was shocked to see Max, looking angry, no, that was putting it too mildly, furious, spewing poison with his words.
- What are you doing to him?! -
Liz was frightened and confused. Max’s face was distorted with fury, and it seemed to melt away and materialize again as the obvious jealousy changed into confusion. “Oh my god!” She thought. “I have just seen Zan!” She immediately remembered the hints from…she wasn’t sure, was it Isabel’s dreams? Or where had she heard them lately? “Of course he had to choose that part of his body for the healing connection, because that’s where he liked to...” and “You don’t need to stay connected…” and Zan Max’s reluctance to withdraw from what he was so much enjoying… then “Rath Michael was mine first”…”Don’t go there Max, please”… She wasn’t sure those were the exact words, but the ideas were correct, of that she had no doubts. That was why Zan had looked so jealous, she was handling his lover, and the area where Zan got his pleasure, to make it worse. Something told her history was repeating itself with Max and Michael, that’s what had triggered that response in Max bringing out Zan from his brain, and she shuddered at the thought. Zan’s outraged face overlapped Max’s again and Liz was in a panic. This wasn’t Max, this person didn’t know her. She could see Maria and Isabel approaching them, over Max’s shoulder, they were talking but she couldn’t hear their words, and their progress was even slower than slow motion. Liz was afraid they wouldn’t make it in time to spare her from an attack from the stranger Zan. Maria’s high decibel voice came to the rescue and reached her ears, due to the unusual pitch it had reached with her concern.
- What’s wrong with Michael? - She shrieked, her concern not about Liz at all. The illusion was lost, and Max was back. He turned towards them, embarrassed finding no explanation to his out of place words.
- Sorry, just one of my stupid attempts at a joke. - He said, shaking his head, in regret.
- Please, Max! Your timing is as always lousy! You know how upset we are feeling and we can’t cope with your lack of tact! -
- I know, I’m truly sorry. - He turned to Liz. - I’m so sorry Liz, I don’t know what came over me. - He stepped back from her, and went to sit on the couch. Liz had recovered from her scary experience now that she saw it was Max all the way, and she went to sit beside him. She knew what had come over him was Zan, who had somehow managed to take the upper hand. She just hoped Max could control him so it would never happen again. How could it have happened at all? They knew Zan was dead! But a part of him seemed to go on living inside Max’s brain and that could be dangerous for all of them, Max included. The guys had been coming behind the girls, and were staring at Max expecting an explanation.
- I guess we’re all a little uptight, but it gives me no right to make a fool of myself. I really put my foot in my mouth this time. -
- Again. - Kyle muttered to himself, but Max’s keen hearing captured it easily. He felt bad, specially by the fact that he had to admit Kyle was absolutely right.
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 38
But Isabel wasn’t fooled. She wasn’t buying Max’s lame excuse. She had noticed how pale and scared Liz had looked and that wasn’t a case of a bad joke, but something much more serious. This time, she was the one demanding an explanation from Liz, who felt cornered about this weird things happening to her lately.
- Please, Liz, it may be important, I don’t care right now how bad it may make me look, we need to know! - Max knew he could get Liz talking, if anyone else couldn’t. He was right, Liz sighed and looked very upset.
- It wasn’t you, Max. The person who screamed at me wasn’t you! He just looked like you! -
- I didn’t scream at you, Liz. - He was surprised by the unbelieving looks he got from the rest of them. - Did I? - He asked her doubtfully.
- What did you say to me? -
- I asked you to let go of him. -
- What were your exact words? -
The way Max hesitated before answering confirmed he was guessing.
- Let go of him, Liz. -
Liz smirked and shook her head.
- Why did you ask me that? -
- Because I felt uncomfortable to see you touching Michael knowing how jealous Maria is. -
Liz turned to the others.
- I’m sure he shouted: “What are you doing to him?”, am I right? -
They all confirmed it and Max stood there open mouthed.
- Max, when you were there, angry with me, your face kind of faded and came back again a couple of times, like with that old guy you were trying to make young again. Only this time it was your face all the time, but sort of different, the expression on the other one was rather cruel and aggressive. Max, it was Zan, or the part of him that is still hidden in your brain. Not the dead dupe but the real one, from Antar. And you were jealous of my touching Michael for very different reasons. Some strange words came to me right after it happened. -
She repeated the phrases from memory but admitted she wasn’t sure where or when she had heard them from. Isabel did know, though and told them what she knew. Liz took Max’s hand in one of hers and Isabel’s in the other. Electricity coursed through her body causing her only a mild tingling but the vision she got from it was conclusive.
- Did you see that? Now you know for sure. - Max and Isabel looked bewildered.
- There was a hint at a vision but it was blocked from us. - said Isabel disappointed. Liz nodded knowingly.
- Well, it was crystal clear for me. Isabel was lying on a bed with Michael over her and Max was kneeling behind Michael, so you were both having sex with him at the same time. - Liz was utterly shocked at what she was having to say, but it was the truth. She kept her eyes down, looking at her hands. The silence that followed her words made it clear they were as shocked as she was.
- That is so gross! - said Kyle, making a face.
- So alien. - Stuart added and they all turned to look at him, having forgotten completely how new he was to all of it. Isabel blushed beet red and covered her face with her hands.
- Oh my god, Stuart, you must think we are such perverts and freaks. - She just wanted to disappear, she was so embarrassed, and then she felt an arm around her shoulders, trying to console her, guessing it was either Kyle or Max, because they were definitely masculine. But it was Stuart’s voice that reached her ears.
- Isabel, you only need to travel to different continents and you will find that human behaviour varies completely according to the different customs of their cultures. What is perfectly normal to some people may be outrageous to another, so why should I be shocked? That may even repel you because you have been raised in an American environment, but maybe it was expected in your planet as absolutely normal. - His other hand squeezed her reassuringly. - From what you have been kind enough to trust me with, Max here, is the leader, was the king in your planet and is preparing to return and regain his kingdom. So far, he is very scared because he hasn’t the faintest idea of how or what to do about it. It’s one hell of a responsibility for a young man his age and he is trying to cope the best he can. Michael is the soldier, leader of his army, ready to protect Max as his king and friend and you as his mate, and will not hesitate to give his life for both of you… - Isabel gives a start and a gasp, interrupting him, and Stuart nods understanding, and continues, - as he surely has before. Right now he is worried at being too young and inexperienced for what is expected of him, but from what I’ve seen him deal with these last couple of days, there is no way he could let you down. And you, Isabel, are a beautiful woman, very mature for your age, but torn between these two gentlemen who really want the best for you, trying to protect you, not realizing how strong you are, because of the fact that you are female. This drives you out of your mind and makes you take wrong decisions am I right? -
Isabel lowered her hands from her face, smiling at him weakly.
- You’re totally right, you should be a psychiatrist. -
- Well, I qualify, I’ve taken several courses. I think the nexus in the whole problem is Michael, as he has been, excuse the bluntness, giving to you and receiving from Max. He has been literally “in the middle” of the situation. He might be able to get it all out with hypnosis. -
- There’s a better way, we can connect with him, but we will need help, our energy, Max’s and mine, will not be enough. There is obviously some kind of defense mechanism in all of us that doesn’t allow us to remember our previous lives, and Michael is very strong. He has always been able to block us out so with extra energy, we might manage to break into him. - She was about to continue but Stuart interrupted her with a look she understood, and knew he had a card up his sleeve but wanted to discuss it only with her first. She was amazed how, in the short time she had known him, she could tell what was going on in his mind, with just one look at his expressive eyes.
- Ok, I’m game. Let’s take a break, which I think we all need and spike up with caffeine, for what we’re about to do. We have to charge up with all the extra energy we can get, right? -
- Right! - Isabel agreed readily.
They got up and Stuart walked her to the door.
- Who wants coffee, cokes or whatever? - He asked. They got their requests and left for the beverage machines. Once around the first corner, Stuart went straight to the point.
- How will you do it? -
- As soon as he is medicated again and the drugs are in full effect, he won’t be able to block me. That’s when we’ll do it. -
- I need to ask you for a big favour. - Stuart looked serious.
- Sure, anything. - He checked his watch.
- It’s almost 9:30, the medication will be at 10pm and Susan will take about 10 to 15 minutes, but I have to infiltrate and massage him to make sure everything will be fine for the final check up tomorrow which will determine if he’s released or not. You said you would contact the FBI Agent before 10, right? - Isabel nodded. - I’ll give you the key to my office, when you insist you need a more private place to make sure your concentration is full focus, and you will ask Maria to go with you and help you. Do you think you can convince her? -
- Sure, no problem, what exactly is the reason? -
- There are only three more medication sessions, and Maria is getting a little over the edge with each one. I don’t want her to screw up Michael’s chance of leaving tomorrow, he has suffered enough already. -
- Yeah, you’re right! But that only covers one, what about the other two? -
- The third one will be right after the check up so it will not be in the room. I’m still trying to figure out something for the 4am one. -
- I might come up with one but I need to tell you something, please don’t freak out. -
Isabel told him quickly how she had been at the operating theatre and then at the check up, the last one, reluctantly, with Maria on board, so that would be her excuse to bring her along for the FBI connection, saying Maria’s energy had been so strong that time that she wanted her to help her make it go right for Michael’s sake. Stuart sighed, impressed, and smiled.
- You’ll never cease to astound me. - They went to the cafeteria and got the orders in a tray and went back. It was almost a quarter to 10 and Isabel quickly convinced Maria to go with her so they wouldn’t be there at 10 when Susan came to take care of Michael. 5 minutes later, they were leaving the room.
But Isabel wasn’t fooled. She wasn’t buying Max’s lame excuse. She had noticed how pale and scared Liz had looked and that wasn’t a case of a bad joke, but something much more serious. This time, she was the one demanding an explanation from Liz, who felt cornered about this weird things happening to her lately.
- Please, Liz, it may be important, I don’t care right now how bad it may make me look, we need to know! - Max knew he could get Liz talking, if anyone else couldn’t. He was right, Liz sighed and looked very upset.
- It wasn’t you, Max. The person who screamed at me wasn’t you! He just looked like you! -
- I didn’t scream at you, Liz. - He was surprised by the unbelieving looks he got from the rest of them. - Did I? - He asked her doubtfully.
- What did you say to me? -
- I asked you to let go of him. -
- What were your exact words? -
The way Max hesitated before answering confirmed he was guessing.
- Let go of him, Liz. -
Liz smirked and shook her head.
- Why did you ask me that? -
- Because I felt uncomfortable to see you touching Michael knowing how jealous Maria is. -
Liz turned to the others.
- I’m sure he shouted: “What are you doing to him?”, am I right? -
They all confirmed it and Max stood there open mouthed.
- Max, when you were there, angry with me, your face kind of faded and came back again a couple of times, like with that old guy you were trying to make young again. Only this time it was your face all the time, but sort of different, the expression on the other one was rather cruel and aggressive. Max, it was Zan, or the part of him that is still hidden in your brain. Not the dead dupe but the real one, from Antar. And you were jealous of my touching Michael for very different reasons. Some strange words came to me right after it happened. -
She repeated the phrases from memory but admitted she wasn’t sure where or when she had heard them from. Isabel did know, though and told them what she knew. Liz took Max’s hand in one of hers and Isabel’s in the other. Electricity coursed through her body causing her only a mild tingling but the vision she got from it was conclusive.
- Did you see that? Now you know for sure. - Max and Isabel looked bewildered.
- There was a hint at a vision but it was blocked from us. - said Isabel disappointed. Liz nodded knowingly.
- Well, it was crystal clear for me. Isabel was lying on a bed with Michael over her and Max was kneeling behind Michael, so you were both having sex with him at the same time. - Liz was utterly shocked at what she was having to say, but it was the truth. She kept her eyes down, looking at her hands. The silence that followed her words made it clear they were as shocked as she was.
- That is so gross! - said Kyle, making a face.
- So alien. - Stuart added and they all turned to look at him, having forgotten completely how new he was to all of it. Isabel blushed beet red and covered her face with her hands.
- Oh my god, Stuart, you must think we are such perverts and freaks. - She just wanted to disappear, she was so embarrassed, and then she felt an arm around her shoulders, trying to console her, guessing it was either Kyle or Max, because they were definitely masculine. But it was Stuart’s voice that reached her ears.
- Isabel, you only need to travel to different continents and you will find that human behaviour varies completely according to the different customs of their cultures. What is perfectly normal to some people may be outrageous to another, so why should I be shocked? That may even repel you because you have been raised in an American environment, but maybe it was expected in your planet as absolutely normal. - His other hand squeezed her reassuringly. - From what you have been kind enough to trust me with, Max here, is the leader, was the king in your planet and is preparing to return and regain his kingdom. So far, he is very scared because he hasn’t the faintest idea of how or what to do about it. It’s one hell of a responsibility for a young man his age and he is trying to cope the best he can. Michael is the soldier, leader of his army, ready to protect Max as his king and friend and you as his mate, and will not hesitate to give his life for both of you… - Isabel gives a start and a gasp, interrupting him, and Stuart nods understanding, and continues, - as he surely has before. Right now he is worried at being too young and inexperienced for what is expected of him, but from what I’ve seen him deal with these last couple of days, there is no way he could let you down. And you, Isabel, are a beautiful woman, very mature for your age, but torn between these two gentlemen who really want the best for you, trying to protect you, not realizing how strong you are, because of the fact that you are female. This drives you out of your mind and makes you take wrong decisions am I right? -
Isabel lowered her hands from her face, smiling at him weakly.
- You’re totally right, you should be a psychiatrist. -
- Well, I qualify, I’ve taken several courses. I think the nexus in the whole problem is Michael, as he has been, excuse the bluntness, giving to you and receiving from Max. He has been literally “in the middle” of the situation. He might be able to get it all out with hypnosis. -
- There’s a better way, we can connect with him, but we will need help, our energy, Max’s and mine, will not be enough. There is obviously some kind of defense mechanism in all of us that doesn’t allow us to remember our previous lives, and Michael is very strong. He has always been able to block us out so with extra energy, we might manage to break into him. - She was about to continue but Stuart interrupted her with a look she understood, and knew he had a card up his sleeve but wanted to discuss it only with her first. She was amazed how, in the short time she had known him, she could tell what was going on in his mind, with just one look at his expressive eyes.
- Ok, I’m game. Let’s take a break, which I think we all need and spike up with caffeine, for what we’re about to do. We have to charge up with all the extra energy we can get, right? -
- Right! - Isabel agreed readily.
They got up and Stuart walked her to the door.
- Who wants coffee, cokes or whatever? - He asked. They got their requests and left for the beverage machines. Once around the first corner, Stuart went straight to the point.
- How will you do it? -
- As soon as he is medicated again and the drugs are in full effect, he won’t be able to block me. That’s when we’ll do it. -
- I need to ask you for a big favour. - Stuart looked serious.
- Sure, anything. - He checked his watch.
- It’s almost 9:30, the medication will be at 10pm and Susan will take about 10 to 15 minutes, but I have to infiltrate and massage him to make sure everything will be fine for the final check up tomorrow which will determine if he’s released or not. You said you would contact the FBI Agent before 10, right? - Isabel nodded. - I’ll give you the key to my office, when you insist you need a more private place to make sure your concentration is full focus, and you will ask Maria to go with you and help you. Do you think you can convince her? -
- Sure, no problem, what exactly is the reason? -
- There are only three more medication sessions, and Maria is getting a little over the edge with each one. I don’t want her to screw up Michael’s chance of leaving tomorrow, he has suffered enough already. -
- Yeah, you’re right! But that only covers one, what about the other two? -
- The third one will be right after the check up so it will not be in the room. I’m still trying to figure out something for the 4am one. -
- I might come up with one but I need to tell you something, please don’t freak out. -
Isabel told him quickly how she had been at the operating theatre and then at the check up, the last one, reluctantly, with Maria on board, so that would be her excuse to bring her along for the FBI connection, saying Maria’s energy had been so strong that time that she wanted her to help her make it go right for Michael’s sake. Stuart sighed, impressed, and smiled.
- You’ll never cease to astound me. - They went to the cafeteria and got the orders in a tray and went back. It was almost a quarter to 10 and Isabel quickly convinced Maria to go with her so they wouldn’t be there at 10 when Susan came to take care of Michael. 5 minutes later, they were leaving the room.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 39
They arrived at Stuart’s office and Isabel locked the door with her powers to make sure Maria wouldn’t be able to leave without her consent. She went to sit on the leather couch and patted the cushion beside her. Maria sat down beside her.
- Please Maria, listen carefully: I’m going to try doing this by myself because if I take you along for the ride, and the FBI chooses to question Agent Duff, they can get all the information from her brain with drugs. They already know about me, but if they see you in my dreamwalk, they may think you’re alien too and put you in their termination list. And believe me, Michael would just die, he will get himself killed protecting you…-
- Then why did you bring me here? -
- Let me finish, if I need your extra energy, I will reach out for you. Only if I do, you take my hand and I will access your energy. If that should happen, you will concentrate on Michael, ok? That way you will not come into my dream and Agent Duff will not see you. If I see you materializing, I swear Maria, I will stop it immediately and all the effort will have been in vain. Got it? -
- Sure, don’t worry! -
Isabel knew she would not need Maria’s energy at all, but she needed an excuse to keep her away from the nurse. She closed her eyes and threw her head back.
- Don’t you need a picture to reach the person you’re dreamwalking? - Maria interrupted. Isabel sighed.
- I used to, but I guess my powers are getting stronger because lately I only need to focus on the person and create a mental image. I know what I’m doing. - She hadn’t even opened her eyes and kept trying to concentrate.
Agent Duff’s face started to appear in front of her slowly, until it was crystal clear and seemed to be staring back at her. Then it was covered by the usual haze and when it faded, Isabel found herself in a badly lit office. Agent Duff was standing at a desk going through piles of documents and files desperately looking for something. She raised her hands in despair and scoffed, walking around the now untidy desk to sit on her chair, her face in her hands. A few seconds later, she looked up with a strange look in her eyes and Isabel knew she had sensed her. Her eyes and mouth opened wide as she saw the alien girl and she was frozen in surprise.
- It’s ok, don’t be afraid. This is what I do, you know? The dreamwalk…-
- You mean I’m dreaming? This is not real? -
- You are dreaming but this is quite real. I have a very important message from Michael, but we thought your cell phone was not safe. Jim Valenti told us about the files you had found and what you were planning to do. Michael just freaked out, so he asked me to do this for him: he begs you not to change anything in the files or put yourself at risk any way possible…-
- But Isabel, they’re going to…-
- We know what they want to do, but Michael just couldn’t take it if anything happened to you because of him. You know, under that tough macho image, he’s amazingly sensitive and caring, he just doesn’t show it…
- He was an abused child, and that is his defense mechanism…-
- Yes, you seem to know him better than I thought…-
- I want to help him, I can’t let them…-
- Agent Duff…-
- Suzanne, please. -
- Suzanne, you have helped him and us very much by letting us know about their plans, believe me, knowledge is our best protection, because we can prevent it from happening. If you change the information, it will throw us off and put us in danger, especially Michael, according to their plans for him. You must promise him that you will not change anything, please. We need him to relax and have a natural healing sleep so his check up tomorrow will enable the doctors to release him. We need him out of the hospital as soon as possible. He is hurting so much because his body rejects the drugs they administer him so they barely have any effect on him. Outside, Max will be able to heal him and ease his pain. -
- Why doesn’t Max heal him? -
- It would be too suspicious, the doctor is helping all he can, because he knows about us and we don’t want to get him in trouble. -
- Why does he know? -
- He’s the godfather of one of the kids Max healed in Phoenix. She’s the daughter of Max’s boss, who is the doctor’s cousin. He recognized Michael from a picture from the surveillance camera, and told us what he knew and that he was so thankful about the little girl that he wanted to do everything he could to help us. -
- Why did you take Michael to a hospital? Why didn’t Max heal him? -
- He wasn’t in Roswell when it happened. -
- He wasn’t there for him either when he got shot that time at the Dupree’s. -
- I know, what can I say, Max can be such a jerk sometimes…-
- Alright, I’ll do what you’re asking. -
- But you must really promise and mean it. If you lie, Michael will know, and worry himself sick, on top of all. -
- Isabel, I promise I will not change anything on the files, ok? And I keep my promises, but if I’m questioned, I will just tell the truth, and that will be what I would say even if they use drugs on me: that he defended those girls with his life, and even got shot in the process, and then he saved us all, both Valenti and myself, too, without a second thought about his safety, even though he was wounded by the alien being. That’s something I can’t change, because that’s exactly the way it happened, and there are enough witnesses to prove it. -
- You must also promise you will not endanger yourself in any way because of us, for Michael’s sake, please. -
- I promise, Isabel. You can trust me. -
- I know, thank you. I must go now, he needs to know this as soon as possible to make him feel better. Thanks again. -
Isabel smiled and stopped the dream. She opened her eyes slowly searching for Maria, and saw her at some books by Stuart’s desk.
- Hey, that can be private! - She scolded her. Maria literally jumped with fright.
- Shit, Isabel! Don’t ever do that to me! I almost peed in my pants! Dammit! You obviously didn’t need me. How did it go? -
- Ok, she promised. Michael will be relieved when I tell him. C’mon, he needs to know this. -
Isabel let Maria out of the room and as she closed the door, she surreptitiously checked her watch. “Wow! That was quite long!” she thought, “It’s almost 10:30! Well, at least they must have finished with Michael by now.” Maria walked briskly towards Michael’s room and Isabel was right behind her. As they rounded the last corner, the nurse passed them with her tray and gave them her usual friendly smile. Maria went pale, and was about to go after her, but Isabel was ready for it and yanked her by the arm, dragging the out of control girl with her. Once she considered it safe, she simply couldn’t hold back anymore.
- Do you have anything against Stuart, or do you just gloat on Michael’s suffering? - Her voice wavered as she tried not to shout at her.
- Isabel! - Maria looked outraged at the alien girl’s offensive words.
- I want to think that we all want Michael out of here as soon as possible to end his torture, but I have my doubts if you are included in our feelings. The woman is doing her job, following Stuart’s orders, so if you are so angry with her, you are just lashing out, because you can’t take it out on Stuart, right? Grow up, Maria, because you are just being childish and immature, and it doesn’t become you or help Michael at all! A couple of days ago, before this nightmare began, he came to talk with me and asked me if he could love you and accept you as you are, why couldn’t you do the same for him? Why do you want him to be something he’s not? I answered I didn’t know, but I was honestly thinking that he had made a really bad choice with you, because your senseless attitude and stupid behaviour has been hurting him from the moment you started going together, and I don’t like to see him hurt. And if you don’t start behaving to him the way that you should, I’m not going to keep it to myself anymore and tell him exactly what I think, and I know he will listen to me. -
- You…you love him! - She accused Isabel.
- Yes I love him, of course I do, I have known him in two lives, do you have a problem with that? You haven’t seen me trying to take him away from you, have you? So don’t temp me to change the kind of love I feel for him in this life! - Isabel walked towards Michael room, leaving Maria speechless for the first time in her life. She had to admit her defeat, whether she liked it or not. She caught up with Isabel as she was about to open the door. Maria stopped her hand with hers and said contritely:
- I deserved that. You are absolutely right, I’ve been such a bitch. I’m truly sorry, he’s always deserved something better, and that includes me. - Isabel heard her shaky voice and saw her lips trembling as she was ready to cry. She nodded,
- I just hope you finally see him for what he really is, and not what you want him to be. - She walked into the room, not caring if Maria broke down and cried, or if she crumbled to the floor in a faint. Whatever she chose to do was ok with her as long as it didn’t hurt Michael in any way. They were all around the bed and turned to look at her with their eyes bulging with fright. She had been so pissed that she hadn’t realized that she had unlocked the door with her powers. Max was doing his thing on Michael and she almost slammed the door in Maria’s unsuspecting face in her haste to cover what was happening in the room. Maria scuttled into the room miraculously unscathed and they both went towards the bed, pale with the almost blunder.
- What’s wrong? - Isabel whispered in Stuart’s ear, with Maria right behind them, not to miss a word.
- The infiltrations are very painful, because the xylocaine has no effect on him, and though we’ve massaged him longer than it’s necessary, and the cortisone has spread out to cover the whole area, he’s blocking it too. Max is just concentrating in making it work so there will be as little inflammation as possible for the check up tomorrow. That should ease his pain some too, and deal with his fever. - Stuart whispered back, not to disturb Max’s concentration. Isabel noticed Maria’s simultaneous reaction to the “we” where the massage was concerned, and saw her open her mouth but one glare made Maria close it back again and regret doing just what she shouldn’t. “Will she ever learn?” Thought Isabel in frustration, “she is so hopeless!”
They arrived at Stuart’s office and Isabel locked the door with her powers to make sure Maria wouldn’t be able to leave without her consent. She went to sit on the leather couch and patted the cushion beside her. Maria sat down beside her.
- Please Maria, listen carefully: I’m going to try doing this by myself because if I take you along for the ride, and the FBI chooses to question Agent Duff, they can get all the information from her brain with drugs. They already know about me, but if they see you in my dreamwalk, they may think you’re alien too and put you in their termination list. And believe me, Michael would just die, he will get himself killed protecting you…-
- Then why did you bring me here? -
- Let me finish, if I need your extra energy, I will reach out for you. Only if I do, you take my hand and I will access your energy. If that should happen, you will concentrate on Michael, ok? That way you will not come into my dream and Agent Duff will not see you. If I see you materializing, I swear Maria, I will stop it immediately and all the effort will have been in vain. Got it? -
- Sure, don’t worry! -
Isabel knew she would not need Maria’s energy at all, but she needed an excuse to keep her away from the nurse. She closed her eyes and threw her head back.
- Don’t you need a picture to reach the person you’re dreamwalking? - Maria interrupted. Isabel sighed.
- I used to, but I guess my powers are getting stronger because lately I only need to focus on the person and create a mental image. I know what I’m doing. - She hadn’t even opened her eyes and kept trying to concentrate.
Agent Duff’s face started to appear in front of her slowly, until it was crystal clear and seemed to be staring back at her. Then it was covered by the usual haze and when it faded, Isabel found herself in a badly lit office. Agent Duff was standing at a desk going through piles of documents and files desperately looking for something. She raised her hands in despair and scoffed, walking around the now untidy desk to sit on her chair, her face in her hands. A few seconds later, she looked up with a strange look in her eyes and Isabel knew she had sensed her. Her eyes and mouth opened wide as she saw the alien girl and she was frozen in surprise.
- It’s ok, don’t be afraid. This is what I do, you know? The dreamwalk…-
- You mean I’m dreaming? This is not real? -
- You are dreaming but this is quite real. I have a very important message from Michael, but we thought your cell phone was not safe. Jim Valenti told us about the files you had found and what you were planning to do. Michael just freaked out, so he asked me to do this for him: he begs you not to change anything in the files or put yourself at risk any way possible…-
- But Isabel, they’re going to…-
- We know what they want to do, but Michael just couldn’t take it if anything happened to you because of him. You know, under that tough macho image, he’s amazingly sensitive and caring, he just doesn’t show it…
- He was an abused child, and that is his defense mechanism…-
- Yes, you seem to know him better than I thought…-
- I want to help him, I can’t let them…-
- Agent Duff…-
- Suzanne, please. -
- Suzanne, you have helped him and us very much by letting us know about their plans, believe me, knowledge is our best protection, because we can prevent it from happening. If you change the information, it will throw us off and put us in danger, especially Michael, according to their plans for him. You must promise him that you will not change anything, please. We need him to relax and have a natural healing sleep so his check up tomorrow will enable the doctors to release him. We need him out of the hospital as soon as possible. He is hurting so much because his body rejects the drugs they administer him so they barely have any effect on him. Outside, Max will be able to heal him and ease his pain. -
- Why doesn’t Max heal him? -
- It would be too suspicious, the doctor is helping all he can, because he knows about us and we don’t want to get him in trouble. -
- Why does he know? -
- He’s the godfather of one of the kids Max healed in Phoenix. She’s the daughter of Max’s boss, who is the doctor’s cousin. He recognized Michael from a picture from the surveillance camera, and told us what he knew and that he was so thankful about the little girl that he wanted to do everything he could to help us. -
- Why did you take Michael to a hospital? Why didn’t Max heal him? -
- He wasn’t in Roswell when it happened. -
- He wasn’t there for him either when he got shot that time at the Dupree’s. -
- I know, what can I say, Max can be such a jerk sometimes…-
- Alright, I’ll do what you’re asking. -
- But you must really promise and mean it. If you lie, Michael will know, and worry himself sick, on top of all. -
- Isabel, I promise I will not change anything on the files, ok? And I keep my promises, but if I’m questioned, I will just tell the truth, and that will be what I would say even if they use drugs on me: that he defended those girls with his life, and even got shot in the process, and then he saved us all, both Valenti and myself, too, without a second thought about his safety, even though he was wounded by the alien being. That’s something I can’t change, because that’s exactly the way it happened, and there are enough witnesses to prove it. -
- You must also promise you will not endanger yourself in any way because of us, for Michael’s sake, please. -
- I promise, Isabel. You can trust me. -
- I know, thank you. I must go now, he needs to know this as soon as possible to make him feel better. Thanks again. -
Isabel smiled and stopped the dream. She opened her eyes slowly searching for Maria, and saw her at some books by Stuart’s desk.
- Hey, that can be private! - She scolded her. Maria literally jumped with fright.
- Shit, Isabel! Don’t ever do that to me! I almost peed in my pants! Dammit! You obviously didn’t need me. How did it go? -
- Ok, she promised. Michael will be relieved when I tell him. C’mon, he needs to know this. -
Isabel let Maria out of the room and as she closed the door, she surreptitiously checked her watch. “Wow! That was quite long!” she thought, “It’s almost 10:30! Well, at least they must have finished with Michael by now.” Maria walked briskly towards Michael’s room and Isabel was right behind her. As they rounded the last corner, the nurse passed them with her tray and gave them her usual friendly smile. Maria went pale, and was about to go after her, but Isabel was ready for it and yanked her by the arm, dragging the out of control girl with her. Once she considered it safe, she simply couldn’t hold back anymore.
- Do you have anything against Stuart, or do you just gloat on Michael’s suffering? - Her voice wavered as she tried not to shout at her.
- Isabel! - Maria looked outraged at the alien girl’s offensive words.
- I want to think that we all want Michael out of here as soon as possible to end his torture, but I have my doubts if you are included in our feelings. The woman is doing her job, following Stuart’s orders, so if you are so angry with her, you are just lashing out, because you can’t take it out on Stuart, right? Grow up, Maria, because you are just being childish and immature, and it doesn’t become you or help Michael at all! A couple of days ago, before this nightmare began, he came to talk with me and asked me if he could love you and accept you as you are, why couldn’t you do the same for him? Why do you want him to be something he’s not? I answered I didn’t know, but I was honestly thinking that he had made a really bad choice with you, because your senseless attitude and stupid behaviour has been hurting him from the moment you started going together, and I don’t like to see him hurt. And if you don’t start behaving to him the way that you should, I’m not going to keep it to myself anymore and tell him exactly what I think, and I know he will listen to me. -
- You…you love him! - She accused Isabel.
- Yes I love him, of course I do, I have known him in two lives, do you have a problem with that? You haven’t seen me trying to take him away from you, have you? So don’t temp me to change the kind of love I feel for him in this life! - Isabel walked towards Michael room, leaving Maria speechless for the first time in her life. She had to admit her defeat, whether she liked it or not. She caught up with Isabel as she was about to open the door. Maria stopped her hand with hers and said contritely:
- I deserved that. You are absolutely right, I’ve been such a bitch. I’m truly sorry, he’s always deserved something better, and that includes me. - Isabel heard her shaky voice and saw her lips trembling as she was ready to cry. She nodded,
- I just hope you finally see him for what he really is, and not what you want him to be. - She walked into the room, not caring if Maria broke down and cried, or if she crumbled to the floor in a faint. Whatever she chose to do was ok with her as long as it didn’t hurt Michael in any way. They were all around the bed and turned to look at her with their eyes bulging with fright. She had been so pissed that she hadn’t realized that she had unlocked the door with her powers. Max was doing his thing on Michael and she almost slammed the door in Maria’s unsuspecting face in her haste to cover what was happening in the room. Maria scuttled into the room miraculously unscathed and they both went towards the bed, pale with the almost blunder.
- What’s wrong? - Isabel whispered in Stuart’s ear, with Maria right behind them, not to miss a word.
- The infiltrations are very painful, because the xylocaine has no effect on him, and though we’ve massaged him longer than it’s necessary, and the cortisone has spread out to cover the whole area, he’s blocking it too. Max is just concentrating in making it work so there will be as little inflammation as possible for the check up tomorrow. That should ease his pain some too, and deal with his fever. - Stuart whispered back, not to disturb Max’s concentration. Isabel noticed Maria’s simultaneous reaction to the “we” where the massage was concerned, and saw her open her mouth but one glare made Maria close it back again and regret doing just what she shouldn’t. “Will she ever learn?” Thought Isabel in frustration, “she is so hopeless!”
ALIENS FULL TILT!
-
ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Hey Grace52373, we agree in most points, rest assured, there's a lot of uc because there are some issues they have to straighten our, but it's M&M at the end as in the show. One thing, Michael gave Maria generic shampoo because he had such a lousy life that probably that was the best he ever got from his rat of a father and anyway, Max seemed to be coaching him into getting her that gift, why didn't he help him choose right? I've taught for some years so I know the kind of homes the kids have from the presents they sometimes bring you, and I've had my share of Michael's, believe me, he's much more insecure than Maria, because at least she has a mother that loves her. Check out Michael's conversation with Isabel in the first chapters, Max had a lot to do with his behaviour and treatment of Maria and the other times, it was definitely his fear of getting her in danger that made him keep her away. I understand him because I've seen this many times. Thanks for the feedback, enjoy.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
-
ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 40
Maria went to sit by Michael with Liz on the opposite side, in spite of Max’s looks, trying to get her back by his side. Liz ignored him so he decided to let her be for a while. He left with Kyle for some food for the crowd from the cafeteria, and Stuart and Isabel went after them to help bring it all over. Michael was in a drugged restless sleep, in a lot of pain, and both girls felt so helpless and so sorry for what he was going through. They were both holding his hands and Liz reached with her free hand and placed it over Maria’s which was caressing Michael’s hair. She had noticed her red eyes and knew something had happened with Isabel.
- Hey, you alright? - Liz smiled at her friend, and Maria sniffed.
- Yeah, it’s just that I just had some issues come back at me unexpectedly, but I admit I had them coming…-
- Ok, your turn to spill, Spaceboy’s out of hearing, and there’s just the two of us. What happened? -
Maria gave Liz an accurate briefing of the whole thing, and Liz tried to be totally impartial on her opinion.
- Maria, Isabel is right on your jealousy with the nurse thing, just let go, she was harsh to you, but remember she’s very jumpy with those nightmares she’s been having. Put yourself in her place, how would you feel after watching Michael die like that and having it almost come true again. They loved each other then, and they do now too though in a different way. The fact that he died for them plus the plans the FBI have for him are enough to freak anyone out. Even I have to admit that Max’s white room experience was a walk in the park compared to Michael’s ordeals. What did Pierce do to him? Physically, a shallow cut in the chest with a surgical scalpel that is so sharp that any doctor can tell you, you hardly feel it. It was mostly psychological, making him think I had been killed. Knowing Michael, if he had been in Max’s place, he wouldn’t have been crying and screaming, he would have gone so wild, that they probably would have been forced to kill him. Don’t tell me you don’t know yet how much he loves you. -
- Oh, I know. The vibes he sends to me when we make love are like WOW! He’s so gentle with me, he touches me like he has the most precious fragile treasure in his hands. The way he saw me in those flashes he gave me that night when he thought they were leaving, really, Liz, that was the greatest proof of love any woman could possibly have. -
- Yeah, no matter what, he has always been faithful to you, you are sooo lucky there, you can’t imagine what it feels like to be double crossed by someone who tells you you’re his soulmate! -
- C’mon! Remember the Courtney thing? She spanked his ass in front of me, the bitch! And when I went over to her place to find him there and hear he had kissed her, I’m glad I didn’t have a gun of a knife at hand, cause Max would’ve had a lot to heal on him. Ok, so he was just doing it to find out about her, but still I felt like killing him! Yet somehow I knew he wasn’t crossing me, the look in his eyes, he didn’t try to look away or act nervous, that’s what put me off. His behaviour wasn’t one of guilt. I could see his love for me all the time. -
- I could see hate in Max’s eyes during my Alex investigation, and a few times when he was with Tess. There’s no way he’s going to make me forget that. Once you’ve seen it there, you’re always expecting it to come back again. It’s very hard to trust that person again, no matter what he says or even if he has the best excuse in the world, he’s hated you once, and nothing will make that go away. -
- If I had known what they were doing to him at home, I would have been much more understanding, he has always needed so much love, and I truly feel bad about not giving him what he craved for. You should have seen him that night when he came crying and spent the night with me, he was like a little boy, so hurt, so much in need of love and understanding, and to think he had been like that all his human life, with no one there for him, just breaks my heart. He can be so sweet, you know, that’s the real him, underneath all his rough defensiveness. I love him so much, I can understand Isabel, she wants him safe and loved. -
- I know. - Liz squeezed her hand. Michael started moaning and they were both all over him.
- Michael, we’re here…-
- I love you, Spaceboy, I’m right here with you…-
- Maria…hurts too much…-
- Hang on, baby, Max will heal you tomorrow, ok? You’ll be fine then, we’re all here with you…-
- Thanks, I need you…don’t go, don’t leave me…please…-
Maria kissed his fevered lips and Liz could see him relaxing, and she was glad Maria was there for him. If she had been alone with him, she was sure she would have kissed him too. Because that’s what he needed. She kissed his shoulder instead and felt Michael squeeze her hand in his.
Of course they had to come in right then, and Max saw her kiss Michael’s shoulder, and his look was full of disapproval. Liz let go of Michael and went to sit down by Max. She locked eyes with him, daring him to say something to her, but he didn’t take the challenge. He handed her some food, and she started eating, hoping the hours would fly by so they could leave this place.
Kyle ate ravenously on the chair by the couch and Isabel and Stuart sat on the floor by the door, picking at their food.
- What are we going to do about the 4am “visit”? Have you thought of something? -
- I really gave her hell about the nurse but I still don’t trust her in front of her. I’ve an ace up my sleeve, though, I think it will work. Leave it to me, ok? -
- I hope so, cause she’s doing the infiltration and the massage. That takes a while, let’s hope her patience holds. -
- It will, don’t worry, I want him out tomorrow, Stuart, no matter what. Do you think it’s possible? -
- I’ll do my best, believe me. -
- I know. - She smiled at him and sighed. It was going to be a hell of a long night. She just hoped everything would work out for the best. She knew she could count of the rest of them to back her up and make it through the night in one piece, emotionally.
It was almost midnight and Stuart said goodnight and left the room. Then she gave Isabel a quick peck on the lips just outside the door. Isabel came back in and started tidying up for the night. Liz and Max would have the couch, Kyle in the sleeping bag, and no one was prying Maria away from Michael, so she took the other chair where Liz had been sitting, and made herself as comfy as she could. She clutched Michael’s hand and saw Maria had snuggled up in her chair much as she had, her cheek on Michael’s shoulder with one hand buried in his hair and the other holding his hand. Isabel made sure her free hand could easily reach Maria’s and the cell phone in her pocket was in vibe mode. Stuart would call her at 3.55 to wake her up and when she turned off the phone, he would know it had worked. She would immediately place her hand on Maria’s to make the connection, and proceed to dreamwalk her making sure she wouldn’t wake up until the nurse was gone. Of course they would witness the whole thing, but they would not be there physically, although their bodies would, but unresponding. The plan was simple, and she carried it on convincingly. Once they were all ready to sleep, she turned off the lights, and suggested:
- I don’t know about you guys, but there’s no way that nurse is going to make me leave the room. When she comes in, I’m pretending I’m fast asleep and won’t wake up for her at all, as far as she’s concerned. She will have to do her thing with me in the room, whether she likes it or not. Are you with me? -
Of course they all agreed as she knew they would. Stuart had filled his part of his plan telling Susan the kids were very uptight about Michael’s check up tomorrow so he had given them a mild sedative pill to help them have a deep relaxed sleep, which they badly needed, so if she couldn’t wake them up, just to ignore them and let them be. She had agreed with him, absolutely professional, and told him everything would be fine. She was qualified to do the infiltration, so Stuart had nothing to worry about and he needed his sleep too.
Maria went to sit by Michael with Liz on the opposite side, in spite of Max’s looks, trying to get her back by his side. Liz ignored him so he decided to let her be for a while. He left with Kyle for some food for the crowd from the cafeteria, and Stuart and Isabel went after them to help bring it all over. Michael was in a drugged restless sleep, in a lot of pain, and both girls felt so helpless and so sorry for what he was going through. They were both holding his hands and Liz reached with her free hand and placed it over Maria’s which was caressing Michael’s hair. She had noticed her red eyes and knew something had happened with Isabel.
- Hey, you alright? - Liz smiled at her friend, and Maria sniffed.
- Yeah, it’s just that I just had some issues come back at me unexpectedly, but I admit I had them coming…-
- Ok, your turn to spill, Spaceboy’s out of hearing, and there’s just the two of us. What happened? -
Maria gave Liz an accurate briefing of the whole thing, and Liz tried to be totally impartial on her opinion.
- Maria, Isabel is right on your jealousy with the nurse thing, just let go, she was harsh to you, but remember she’s very jumpy with those nightmares she’s been having. Put yourself in her place, how would you feel after watching Michael die like that and having it almost come true again. They loved each other then, and they do now too though in a different way. The fact that he died for them plus the plans the FBI have for him are enough to freak anyone out. Even I have to admit that Max’s white room experience was a walk in the park compared to Michael’s ordeals. What did Pierce do to him? Physically, a shallow cut in the chest with a surgical scalpel that is so sharp that any doctor can tell you, you hardly feel it. It was mostly psychological, making him think I had been killed. Knowing Michael, if he had been in Max’s place, he wouldn’t have been crying and screaming, he would have gone so wild, that they probably would have been forced to kill him. Don’t tell me you don’t know yet how much he loves you. -
- Oh, I know. The vibes he sends to me when we make love are like WOW! He’s so gentle with me, he touches me like he has the most precious fragile treasure in his hands. The way he saw me in those flashes he gave me that night when he thought they were leaving, really, Liz, that was the greatest proof of love any woman could possibly have. -
- Yeah, no matter what, he has always been faithful to you, you are sooo lucky there, you can’t imagine what it feels like to be double crossed by someone who tells you you’re his soulmate! -
- C’mon! Remember the Courtney thing? She spanked his ass in front of me, the bitch! And when I went over to her place to find him there and hear he had kissed her, I’m glad I didn’t have a gun of a knife at hand, cause Max would’ve had a lot to heal on him. Ok, so he was just doing it to find out about her, but still I felt like killing him! Yet somehow I knew he wasn’t crossing me, the look in his eyes, he didn’t try to look away or act nervous, that’s what put me off. His behaviour wasn’t one of guilt. I could see his love for me all the time. -
- I could see hate in Max’s eyes during my Alex investigation, and a few times when he was with Tess. There’s no way he’s going to make me forget that. Once you’ve seen it there, you’re always expecting it to come back again. It’s very hard to trust that person again, no matter what he says or even if he has the best excuse in the world, he’s hated you once, and nothing will make that go away. -
- If I had known what they were doing to him at home, I would have been much more understanding, he has always needed so much love, and I truly feel bad about not giving him what he craved for. You should have seen him that night when he came crying and spent the night with me, he was like a little boy, so hurt, so much in need of love and understanding, and to think he had been like that all his human life, with no one there for him, just breaks my heart. He can be so sweet, you know, that’s the real him, underneath all his rough defensiveness. I love him so much, I can understand Isabel, she wants him safe and loved. -
- I know. - Liz squeezed her hand. Michael started moaning and they were both all over him.
- Michael, we’re here…-
- I love you, Spaceboy, I’m right here with you…-
- Maria…hurts too much…-
- Hang on, baby, Max will heal you tomorrow, ok? You’ll be fine then, we’re all here with you…-
- Thanks, I need you…don’t go, don’t leave me…please…-
Maria kissed his fevered lips and Liz could see him relaxing, and she was glad Maria was there for him. If she had been alone with him, she was sure she would have kissed him too. Because that’s what he needed. She kissed his shoulder instead and felt Michael squeeze her hand in his.
Of course they had to come in right then, and Max saw her kiss Michael’s shoulder, and his look was full of disapproval. Liz let go of Michael and went to sit down by Max. She locked eyes with him, daring him to say something to her, but he didn’t take the challenge. He handed her some food, and she started eating, hoping the hours would fly by so they could leave this place.
Kyle ate ravenously on the chair by the couch and Isabel and Stuart sat on the floor by the door, picking at their food.
- What are we going to do about the 4am “visit”? Have you thought of something? -
- I really gave her hell about the nurse but I still don’t trust her in front of her. I’ve an ace up my sleeve, though, I think it will work. Leave it to me, ok? -
- I hope so, cause she’s doing the infiltration and the massage. That takes a while, let’s hope her patience holds. -
- It will, don’t worry, I want him out tomorrow, Stuart, no matter what. Do you think it’s possible? -
- I’ll do my best, believe me. -
- I know. - She smiled at him and sighed. It was going to be a hell of a long night. She just hoped everything would work out for the best. She knew she could count of the rest of them to back her up and make it through the night in one piece, emotionally.
It was almost midnight and Stuart said goodnight and left the room. Then she gave Isabel a quick peck on the lips just outside the door. Isabel came back in and started tidying up for the night. Liz and Max would have the couch, Kyle in the sleeping bag, and no one was prying Maria away from Michael, so she took the other chair where Liz had been sitting, and made herself as comfy as she could. She clutched Michael’s hand and saw Maria had snuggled up in her chair much as she had, her cheek on Michael’s shoulder with one hand buried in his hair and the other holding his hand. Isabel made sure her free hand could easily reach Maria’s and the cell phone in her pocket was in vibe mode. Stuart would call her at 3.55 to wake her up and when she turned off the phone, he would know it had worked. She would immediately place her hand on Maria’s to make the connection, and proceed to dreamwalk her making sure she wouldn’t wake up until the nurse was gone. Of course they would witness the whole thing, but they would not be there physically, although their bodies would, but unresponding. The plan was simple, and she carried it on convincingly. Once they were all ready to sleep, she turned off the lights, and suggested:
- I don’t know about you guys, but there’s no way that nurse is going to make me leave the room. When she comes in, I’m pretending I’m fast asleep and won’t wake up for her at all, as far as she’s concerned. She will have to do her thing with me in the room, whether she likes it or not. Are you with me? -
Of course they all agreed as she knew they would. Stuart had filled his part of his plan telling Susan the kids were very uptight about Michael’s check up tomorrow so he had given them a mild sedative pill to help them have a deep relaxed sleep, which they badly needed, so if she couldn’t wake them up, just to ignore them and let them be. She had agreed with him, absolutely professional, and told him everything would be fine. She was qualified to do the infiltration, so Stuart had nothing to worry about and he needed his sleep too.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 41
Stuart set his alarm at 3:55 as Isabel had asked him. He was very curious about the connection with Michael after the 4am medication left him drugged enough for Isabel to access him without rejection. He had not been told not to be there, but he hadn’t asked to do so either. When they hadn’t mentioned it again after Isabel returned with Maria, both looking kind of upset, he thought that maybe they felt uncomfortable doing it with him there. He guessed when he said good-night, they were relieved to see him leave and assumed he needed to rest and wasn’t interested in the outcome, because he knew Isabel would inform him of it. The problem is he couldn’t sleep thinking about it. He managed to snooze for a few hours thanks to a late old boring movie on the tube and woke up with a start when his alarm went off. He then called Isabel on schedule and decided he just had to be there. He went to his kitchen and fixed himself a quick cup of coffee courtesy of the microwave and went back to the hospital.
Isabel’s vibrating cell phone woke her up and she turned it off. She reached over and placed her hand on Maria’s, then sliding under it to hold her firmly and start the dreamwalk during the minutes it would take the nurse to arrive, so Maria wouldn’t suspect and try to get away from it. She focused on Michael, to make sure they would be there to watch the whole ordeal, but not physically, risking no interference. She didn’t need the mental picture because she had the physical contact with Michael, so they went through the haze period and saw themselves sleeping quietly by Michael’s side. Maria’s insistent gaze made Isabel turn to her.
- Why are you doing this, Isabel? -
- Do you really love Michael? -
- Of course I do! -
- Then you understand I’m just making sure nothing negative will happen between the nurse and you. I’m sorry, but I can’t trust you on this one. -
- Yes, ok, you’re absolutely right. You sure we can’t move? -
- Try…-
Maria attempted to reach out and put her hand over her own, but nothing happened, to Isabel’s relief and Maria’s too, whether she liked to admit it or not. They looked around and saw everyone’s slitted eyes, watching without giving themselves away. They guessed the nurse must have arrived when they were getting into the dreamwalk. They looked for her and saw her with her back to them getting her stuff ready on the cabinet by the bathroom door. She turned and approached Michael with a tray. They all watched her go about her business very professionally, even to Maria who looked on what she was doing to her Spaceboy with a look of disgust. Michael of course, had waken up at the first source of extra pain, and was taking it all with resignation, as he had promised Max and Stuart. Isabel watched on with a frown, and she remembers how Max and Kyle were cruelly teasing Michael a few hours ago just after the nurse left.
( - Max, please, you have to get me out of here! I can’t take it any longer! I’ve been here too long! -
- Michael, you’re just a few hours away from 3 days, that’s all! -
- What? No way man, I must have been here for at least a week!-
- Stuart has been dealing with everything so you’ll just stay 3 days without arousing suspicion, ok? Hang on, you’re almost there! -
- I’m going through hell, Max, really. That nurse…-
- You see? You’re missing her already! I think you have a thing for her, don’t worry, she’ll be back in a few hours…-
- Ok, so I haven’t seen the last of Lady de Sade…-
- Who? -
- The nurse! -
- Don’t worry, you’ll enjoy her twice again, I think, before you’re out of here…-
- Damn you Kyle, I’ll get you for this…-
- Hey, don’t stress yourself, man, you want to stay more days here? -
- Maybe he does…-
- You know what? If you were in my place, you wouldn’t have the guts to take it. You’re not man enough! -)
Isabel shuddered at Michael’s words. She had backed Michael up with that completely and sent Max and Kyle away with a glare that they didn’t dare challenge. Wuzzes! All mouths, was what they were! The nurse had now finished checking everything, emptying the syringes into Michael and taking the “thing” out of him. She started the infiltration, driving the hidden needle into him several times, like Stuart had, making him jerk, moan and grit his teeth, but Michael took it all. He was so right, he was the only one in the room with guts enough to take it, no doubts about it. Once it was out, the nurse donned a rubber glove and started the massage. Isabel was glad Maria couldn’t move, because she was sure this would have been just too much. She looked ready to pounce on the nurse. They were surprised to see the door open and Stuart come in.
- Dr Davis! It’s all going fine, you didn’t need to come, I can handle it. - She said smiling.
- I know Susan, it’s just that I couldn’t sleep and I wanted to make sure they were alright. Passed out, huh? - He looked around the room at the slumbering crowd.
- Just like you said, I didn’t even try to wake them up, it wasn’t necessary. Poor things, they’re so worried about their friend, I can understand them, he’s been through so much! - She shook her head and frowned. - I hope they release him tomorrow. He deserves it, he takes everything without complaining, and all this is so painful, poor angel! -
- Yeah, he’s really got a lot of guts, this one! Well, since I’m already here, just run along, I’ll finish up, thank you. -
- Alright, and thank you, but it’s ok, I’m used to staying awake for hours. I’ve had a hell of a day waiting for that baby to be born, to have her die before she could even come out. I think the worse was confirming it to the parents when they asked why she wasn’t crying. Sometimes I think I don’t know how I can take it here, But at least I feel I’m helping some of them, like this kid. -
While she spoke, she had taken off the glove and dumped it on the tray, helped Stuart don a fresh one, and stood by Michael’s side as she massaged his butt, on the injection site, first the left and then walked around the bed to the other side. Then she massaged his back and whispered soothing words to him every time he moaned or shifted his body trying uselessly to get away from the pain. Maria had to accept the fact that she was good, but still she wished she wouldn’t touch Michael, which was, of course, impossible. Once when she was near enough, Maria kicked out viciously, trying to strike her leg, even though she knew she couldn’t move. Isabel registered her intentions through their connection and glared at her disapprovingly. Maria could only shrug. When Stuart pulled out of Michael, Susan brought the dilator, already lubricated, and carefully pushed it back in, very slowly, trying to hurt him the least possible. She checked the boy’s temperature and wrote it on the chart. Then she got her tray and walked to the door.
- Do you want me to get you anything? -
- No thanks, I’m going to my office for a snooze, my cell phone is on, just in case. -
- Ok, Bye. -
As soon as she had closed the door behind her, Isabel started dissolving the connection allowing them to wake up. Getting out was much faster than getting there, and they all opened their eyes practically at the same time as the fake sleepers.
- Shit! I’ll never tease you again man, I didn’t know it was so bad! I’m totally grossed out! - Kyle exclaimed, squeezing Michael’s shoulder, apologetically.
- Yeah, man, sorry too! - Max looked definitely pale, and imitated Kyle’s gesture.
Michael sighed and opened his eyes to see all of them around the bed. He just nodded, winced and closed his eyes again, exhausted. Isabel brought the third chair and the cushions from the couch plus the sleeping bag just in case and arranged them around the bed. Then Isabel took Stuart’s hand and took him by the door. She looked worried.
- You don’t mind if we do it now? -
- What do you mean? -
- The connection, we didn’t do it before because we thought you would feel uncomfortable. When you left at midnight we guessed it was so we could do it now, I was glad you returned. I think it would be great to have you along. -
- We have our wires crossed here. I thought you didn’t do it because you felt uncomfortable with me there, that’s why I left, so you could do it. I returned because I thought you had already done it. -
Isabel turned to the rest smiling and explained the funny and silly misunderstandings on both sides. They all welcomed him and took their places around the bed. Isabel and Max took Michael’s hands.
- We’re going to need all your energy to be able to do this, so let’s form the circle. - Isabel starts calling them to fall in the correct places. Stuart takes her hand, then Maria, then Kyle, then Liz ending in Max. Michael is the catalyst, in the exact middle.
- Wait! - says Isabel, and she locks the door and turns out the light with her powers. She takes Michael’s hand again and tells them to concentrate on him.
Stuart set his alarm at 3:55 as Isabel had asked him. He was very curious about the connection with Michael after the 4am medication left him drugged enough for Isabel to access him without rejection. He had not been told not to be there, but he hadn’t asked to do so either. When they hadn’t mentioned it again after Isabel returned with Maria, both looking kind of upset, he thought that maybe they felt uncomfortable doing it with him there. He guessed when he said good-night, they were relieved to see him leave and assumed he needed to rest and wasn’t interested in the outcome, because he knew Isabel would inform him of it. The problem is he couldn’t sleep thinking about it. He managed to snooze for a few hours thanks to a late old boring movie on the tube and woke up with a start when his alarm went off. He then called Isabel on schedule and decided he just had to be there. He went to his kitchen and fixed himself a quick cup of coffee courtesy of the microwave and went back to the hospital.
Isabel’s vibrating cell phone woke her up and she turned it off. She reached over and placed her hand on Maria’s, then sliding under it to hold her firmly and start the dreamwalk during the minutes it would take the nurse to arrive, so Maria wouldn’t suspect and try to get away from it. She focused on Michael, to make sure they would be there to watch the whole ordeal, but not physically, risking no interference. She didn’t need the mental picture because she had the physical contact with Michael, so they went through the haze period and saw themselves sleeping quietly by Michael’s side. Maria’s insistent gaze made Isabel turn to her.
- Why are you doing this, Isabel? -
- Do you really love Michael? -
- Of course I do! -
- Then you understand I’m just making sure nothing negative will happen between the nurse and you. I’m sorry, but I can’t trust you on this one. -
- Yes, ok, you’re absolutely right. You sure we can’t move? -
- Try…-
Maria attempted to reach out and put her hand over her own, but nothing happened, to Isabel’s relief and Maria’s too, whether she liked to admit it or not. They looked around and saw everyone’s slitted eyes, watching without giving themselves away. They guessed the nurse must have arrived when they were getting into the dreamwalk. They looked for her and saw her with her back to them getting her stuff ready on the cabinet by the bathroom door. She turned and approached Michael with a tray. They all watched her go about her business very professionally, even to Maria who looked on what she was doing to her Spaceboy with a look of disgust. Michael of course, had waken up at the first source of extra pain, and was taking it all with resignation, as he had promised Max and Stuart. Isabel watched on with a frown, and she remembers how Max and Kyle were cruelly teasing Michael a few hours ago just after the nurse left.
( - Max, please, you have to get me out of here! I can’t take it any longer! I’ve been here too long! -
- Michael, you’re just a few hours away from 3 days, that’s all! -
- What? No way man, I must have been here for at least a week!-
- Stuart has been dealing with everything so you’ll just stay 3 days without arousing suspicion, ok? Hang on, you’re almost there! -
- I’m going through hell, Max, really. That nurse…-
- You see? You’re missing her already! I think you have a thing for her, don’t worry, she’ll be back in a few hours…-
- Ok, so I haven’t seen the last of Lady de Sade…-
- Who? -
- The nurse! -
- Don’t worry, you’ll enjoy her twice again, I think, before you’re out of here…-
- Damn you Kyle, I’ll get you for this…-
- Hey, don’t stress yourself, man, you want to stay more days here? -
- Maybe he does…-
- You know what? If you were in my place, you wouldn’t have the guts to take it. You’re not man enough! -)
Isabel shuddered at Michael’s words. She had backed Michael up with that completely and sent Max and Kyle away with a glare that they didn’t dare challenge. Wuzzes! All mouths, was what they were! The nurse had now finished checking everything, emptying the syringes into Michael and taking the “thing” out of him. She started the infiltration, driving the hidden needle into him several times, like Stuart had, making him jerk, moan and grit his teeth, but Michael took it all. He was so right, he was the only one in the room with guts enough to take it, no doubts about it. Once it was out, the nurse donned a rubber glove and started the massage. Isabel was glad Maria couldn’t move, because she was sure this would have been just too much. She looked ready to pounce on the nurse. They were surprised to see the door open and Stuart come in.
- Dr Davis! It’s all going fine, you didn’t need to come, I can handle it. - She said smiling.
- I know Susan, it’s just that I couldn’t sleep and I wanted to make sure they were alright. Passed out, huh? - He looked around the room at the slumbering crowd.
- Just like you said, I didn’t even try to wake them up, it wasn’t necessary. Poor things, they’re so worried about their friend, I can understand them, he’s been through so much! - She shook her head and frowned. - I hope they release him tomorrow. He deserves it, he takes everything without complaining, and all this is so painful, poor angel! -
- Yeah, he’s really got a lot of guts, this one! Well, since I’m already here, just run along, I’ll finish up, thank you. -
- Alright, and thank you, but it’s ok, I’m used to staying awake for hours. I’ve had a hell of a day waiting for that baby to be born, to have her die before she could even come out. I think the worse was confirming it to the parents when they asked why she wasn’t crying. Sometimes I think I don’t know how I can take it here, But at least I feel I’m helping some of them, like this kid. -
While she spoke, she had taken off the glove and dumped it on the tray, helped Stuart don a fresh one, and stood by Michael’s side as she massaged his butt, on the injection site, first the left and then walked around the bed to the other side. Then she massaged his back and whispered soothing words to him every time he moaned or shifted his body trying uselessly to get away from the pain. Maria had to accept the fact that she was good, but still she wished she wouldn’t touch Michael, which was, of course, impossible. Once when she was near enough, Maria kicked out viciously, trying to strike her leg, even though she knew she couldn’t move. Isabel registered her intentions through their connection and glared at her disapprovingly. Maria could only shrug. When Stuart pulled out of Michael, Susan brought the dilator, already lubricated, and carefully pushed it back in, very slowly, trying to hurt him the least possible. She checked the boy’s temperature and wrote it on the chart. Then she got her tray and walked to the door.
- Do you want me to get you anything? -
- No thanks, I’m going to my office for a snooze, my cell phone is on, just in case. -
- Ok, Bye. -
As soon as she had closed the door behind her, Isabel started dissolving the connection allowing them to wake up. Getting out was much faster than getting there, and they all opened their eyes practically at the same time as the fake sleepers.
- Shit! I’ll never tease you again man, I didn’t know it was so bad! I’m totally grossed out! - Kyle exclaimed, squeezing Michael’s shoulder, apologetically.
- Yeah, man, sorry too! - Max looked definitely pale, and imitated Kyle’s gesture.
Michael sighed and opened his eyes to see all of them around the bed. He just nodded, winced and closed his eyes again, exhausted. Isabel brought the third chair and the cushions from the couch plus the sleeping bag just in case and arranged them around the bed. Then Isabel took Stuart’s hand and took him by the door. She looked worried.
- You don’t mind if we do it now? -
- What do you mean? -
- The connection, we didn’t do it before because we thought you would feel uncomfortable. When you left at midnight we guessed it was so we could do it now, I was glad you returned. I think it would be great to have you along. -
- We have our wires crossed here. I thought you didn’t do it because you felt uncomfortable with me there, that’s why I left, so you could do it. I returned because I thought you had already done it. -
Isabel turned to the rest smiling and explained the funny and silly misunderstandings on both sides. They all welcomed him and took their places around the bed. Isabel and Max took Michael’s hands.
- We’re going to need all your energy to be able to do this, so let’s form the circle. - Isabel starts calling them to fall in the correct places. Stuart takes her hand, then Maria, then Kyle, then Liz ending in Max. Michael is the catalyst, in the exact middle.
- Wait! - says Isabel, and she locks the door and turns out the light with her powers. She takes Michael’s hand again and tells them to concentrate on him.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
-
ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 42
They all find themselves surrounded by the glowing haze so familiar to Isabel. As it clears out, they are looking at a fenced field, where Michael is riding a beautiful white horse with long mane and tail. He takes it through its paces ending in a canter. From a pavilion to their left, two men are watching. One is tall and thin, wearing a long black tunic with long sleeves too, and golden trimmings. He is holding Max and Isabel’s hands. The other man is just as tall but not so thin. His tunic is russet coloured and reaches halfway down his thighs with cuts on the sides. He is wearing leather trousers of the same colour and black knee high boots. He calls out to Michael:
- Alright, son, bring him over. -
Michael rides the horse to the pavilion and stops it gently in front of them. He slides down, holding the horse by the reins and rubbing its nose. His clothes match his father’s but his tunic is much shorter, barely reaching his hips. The thin man who is obviously Max and Isabel’s father pushes Max forwards.
- Go on, ride him. -
But Max ducks behind his father clutching his tunic.
- C’mon, you’ve seen Rath Michael riding him, he’s quite gentle, he won’t throw you. -
- Rath Michael is not afraid because he’s been riding all his life. I’m afraid and the horse will know. - Max says in a whining voice.
His father reluctantly agrees with him. Then Isabel jumps up.
- I’ll ride with Rath Michael, father, I’m not afraid to ride with him.-
She sounds so enthusiastic that both men laugh. Then their father looks at Max frowning.
- That’s enough Max, you must learn to ride. -
- I don’t need to ride to be a king. - He insists unpleasantly.
- Alright, you’re punished! Whipping boy! - He calls out.
Michael gives the reins to a black man who walks to him and goes towards the pavilion. A short older man walks to him rolling with his foot what looks like a thick piece of tree trunk about 3 ft long. Michael obediently lies bent over it. The man produces a whip and approaches him. Isabel snatches her hand away from her father’s and runs to Michael. She kneels by his face and holds both his hands in hers as the short man bares Michael’s ass and the whip starts falling on him. The two parents look at the couple on the ground and smile at each other. Max’s father says emphatically, grinning at the other man:
- Those two will marry.-
- Yes, just like I married your sister, may she rest in peace. -
- That she certainly is, She went peacefully, in her sleep, so proud to give you a son. -
- I see her in him, that’s how much I loved her. -
- Don’t be too hard on him, he’s a tough kid. -
- I have to, he will lead our army and protect us with his life. -
- It’s not right! You should be king, You shouldn’t have stepped down for me. -
- You know I love the army, not the throne, and Rath Michael takes after me. Can you imagine Zan Max leading an army? -
Max’s father shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
- You’re absolutely right, by the time he’s finally made up his mind what to do, the battle’s been over at least for two hours and there’s no army left at all. That’s not for my son, but it’s not fair to yours. We’re not royal blooded, you are. -
- It’s not a matter of blood, it’s for the best of our people. -
- They agree with me on this…-
- Then they will listen to me. Our sons will make a great team for the kingdom. Our kings by tradition are banned from battle, they just watch in safety from the distance, taken on their shielded throne. That’s not for me, and I know my boy couldn’t take it either. As the Second in Command I carry out the strategy we worked on, that’s my thing and Rath Michael is way over my head, he’ll be the best ever, trust me. He’s already much better than me in everything and he’s still a child. -
They turn behind them to see Max peering from behind his father at his friend taking his punishment, a wicked grin on his face. His father shouts:
- Enough! - And the whip falls one more time before stopping.
Michael has taken it all quietly. He pushes up from the log and Isabel rises by him and gives him a quick kiss on the lips before she runs back to take her father’s hand. The men nod and smile again. Michael’s fathers shouts to him:
- Rath Michael! The grey! -
Michael pulls his pants up wincing and receives the reins from the black man. He easily heaves himself on the big horse’s back, sliding his leg over to straddle it. This one is quite spirited, unlike the white one intended for Max, but Michael controls it effortlessly and sits him well, in spite of how sore the whipping has left him. Max’s father nods in appreciation.
- That’s a soldier, you’re right about him -
- Now the hard part is in controlling his temper. -
- I guess that’s what my daughter is good at…- They chuckle, good-naturedly. They stand there watching Michael take the horse over a high and wide hurdle making it fly over it, and they gradually start fading as the energy source starts to fail.
They found themselves back at the hospital room, totally winded and breathing as if they had just run hard, trying to break a world record. It took them easily over 5 minutes just to be able to talk. Stuart, unexpectedly, was the first to speak.
- WOW! That was really something! That was so vivid, as if we were really there! -
- We were, that wasn’t an illusion. It was real. It didn’t just come from Michael but from Max and myself, too. We lived that very moment, in our past lives. -
- Have you done it before? - Stuart’s curiosity was gaining over.
- No, because our powers were just developing and because we needed more energy than we had. I guess today was a turning point. I’m just as surprised, I honestly didn’t think we could do it. We should have needed our fourth alien, but somehow we did manage, I still don’t know how. Perhaps the four human energies made up for the alien one we were missing. - Isabel explained.
- It is exhausting! I feel absolutely drained! And I should know! That’s how you feel after a basketball game when you’ve given all you’ve got. - Kyle said, full enthusiasm.
They all nodded and stayed quiet while they digested what they had seen. Suddenly it dawned on them the importance of what they had witnessed, the astounding information that had reached them concerning who they really were and both Max’s and Isabel’s eyes opened wide as they gasped with shock and turned to look at Michael, who was sleeping fitfully, probably because he was experiencing in his sleep, what they were doing, wide awake. It was Stuart again, who took the lead.
- So he’s really your cousin? -
Max and Isabel could only nod, dreading the next question.
- And he’s the true heir, with the royal blood? -
This time there was no answer, not even a silent one. Max and Isabel were dramatically staring at each other, while Liz watched Max, Stuart watched Isabel, and Kyle and Maria concentrated on Michael. Max took a deep breath and scoffed.
- I can’t believe the way I’ve been treating him all these years, as if I had a right! Why didn’t Nasedo or Tess tell us? They must have known! -
- Maybe it wasn’t good for their scheming if we knew it… - Isabel reasoned. - Especially being the traitors that they turned out to be, and what they were planning to do to us. It’s too late now, there’s no way we can get that information. -
- Maybe we can, we still have Langley. - Max reminded her.
- Oh sure, he can’t stand the sight of you! What did you say he called you? -
- I can’t remember, something like selfish, ungrateful, I don’t recall exactly but it wasn’t good. -
- You must have really pissed him then. - Kyle observed.
- Yeah, I guess. I don’t know if he’ll help us, he hanged up on me the last time I tried to speak to him. -
- But you said he had to obey you when you ordered something from him. -
- He didn’t give me enough time… -
- Ok, forget him for the time being, we have something really important to deal with right now…Michael. He doesn’t know what has just happened. He will wake up thinking it’s a dream or a nightmare, considering the situation. We must tell him, he has to know. We just can’t keep this away from him. -
- Maybe that’s why it didn’t work out, because you’re cousins. That would be like me hooking up with Sean! Yech! - Maria was totally grossed out, and focused on her own thoughts.
- We were cousins there too, and it still happened. - Isabel answered her.
- Maybe it was alright there, who knows what your alien customs were like. - Maria wouldn’t give up.
- Cousins marry here on earth too, unusual but it happens. - Stuart told them.
Isabel shook her head in denial.
- Well I don’t love him like that, rather like a brother. I do love him, though, in a very special way. And it doesn’t feel like “yech” at all- She said, using Maria’s expression to explain herself.
Isabel reaches out blindly at Michael to emphasize what she just said, her hand touches him and she squeezes his butt without realizing where she’s at, since she’s not looking his way.
- Mmmmm…yes…hurt me good…- Michael moaned.
Isabel snatched her hand away, shocked at Michael’s words.
- Don’t stop, please…- He pleaded.
Maria grabbed his shoulder and shook him roughly.
- Michael! What’s wrong with you? - She screamed at him.
He opened his eyes, confused, and winced.
- Maria! What? -
- Hey, take it easy, he doesn’t know what’s going on! - Stuart protested.
- Oh hell, I’m going out of my mind. What are they giving me? - Michael sounded half asleep.
Max rushed to him, full of guilt. He glared at Maria.
- It’s ok man, just go back to sleep. -
- No! I’ve just had this crazy dream…-
- It wasn’t a dream, Michael. -
Everyone held their breath. The last person they would have expected to reveal it to Michael was Max, and yet…Michael stared back at Max, not fully understanding, his drugged state not helping him get the meaning of Max’s words. He patiently told him what they had done, and what had just been discovered hiding in their subconscious, a shocking truth.
- You mean they all know? - Max nods, answering his question.
- But what about you, we shouldn’t have…- Michael worried.
- It’s ok. The truth had to come out sometime. I want you to know that your father’s decision doesn’t have to be your own. -
- No Max. My father was absolutely right and I respect his decision completely. The throne is not for me, I can’t sit and watch, I need to take action. I’m definitely a soldier, I wouldn’t change that ever! -
- But you wanted to be king when you got that seal on your chest. - Kyle reminded him. -
- Yeah, it made me feel so different, but I don’t have it now and I don’t feel like that at all. Max, believe me, no matter what, I would never betray you. -
- No, he wouldn’t. Courtney confessed that her rebel skin group wanted Michael to take the lead and save the planet, which they knew he could. They knew the people would follow him because of who he was, but he wouldn’t betray you and it cost him his life and the whole tragedy. Courtney didn’t tell us about Michael’s true identity, probably to prevent any possible conflict, as she had no way of proving she was speaking the truth. She could feel we didn’t believe her, and she said we weren’t ready for it. - Maria knew that this information was only known by Michael and her, but she considered it useful right now, so they could appreciate the kind of person Michael was when it came to loyalty. They stared at her open mouthed.
- Maria…- Michael protested.
- No Michael, it’s only fair that they know it too. -
Max was so touched, he knelt on the floor and hugged Michael to him. Isabel shuddered, remembering a similar scene in the dungeons, as Michael was dying and Max held on to him, crying openly and without shame,
- Thanks, man, you’re the best. Your father was right about something else. We make a great team. That’s how it will be from now on. We stick together all the way. -
- Yeah, we must. - He now whispered in Max’s ear: - How’s Maria taking it with Isabel? -
- You won’t believe it, they’re closer that sisters, I’ll never understand women. - He shakes his head, whispering. - Now that Maria knows you’re cousins, she took it as if she had to marry Sean. - He laughed.
- Yech! - Michael shuddered exaggeratedly.
- That’s exactly what she said. -
- Isabel feels like that about me? - He asked looking hurt.
- No, Michael, she loves you very much, but as family. It was probably her human side that made her feel it wasn’t right. -
- Our sex life was great, I didn’t mind what she did to me. It turned me on. - He confessed.
- Well, I guess you are a masochist. I guess the nurse really saw through you, and made your day. - He teased him.
Michael took a swing at him but Max expected it and moved easily out of the way. Everyone turned to them looking worried, but relaxed when they say they were chuckling.
- Hey what was that about? - Asked Kyle.
- Our boy here is a masochist. - Said Max jokingly.
- Call the nurse! - Kyle teased too. They both turned to Maria, warily, hoping they hadn’t started another jealousy bout. They didn’t like the way she was looking at them. That was her typical look when she got funny ideas.
- Why did she take the used glove with her instead of throwing it in the trash can? Maybe she wants it for something kinky….-
- Maria! - They cried out all together, outraged.
- Kinkier than what she did to him? - Said Max, grinning mischievously and getting Kyle giggling along with him.
The 3 girls turned to them with a look that silenced them.
- Max! How gross! - Isabel threw at her brother.
Max raised his hands, closed his eyes and dipped his head apologetically. Maria and Liz looked at him frowning.
- Really, Max. - Said Liz, quite disgusted.
- Sorry. - Max said contritely.
Kyle started giggling again, but covered his mouth and pretended he was clearing his throat, fooling no one. He got the girls’ glare, and apologized like Max had. Max looked at his watch.
- It’s almost 6am! We better get some sleep. -
- Yeah, at least it’s Saturday. - They answered him and started yawning on reflex.
- Ok, sleep tight, Michael. - Max went to him and tousled his hair playfully.
- Hey, man, does the term “tight” can still apply to you? - Said Kyle, sending him and Max breaking into giggles again.
Isabel whacked Kyle upside the head and Liz did the same to Max, as they gave them angry looks.
- You’re behaving like idiots! - Maria tells them with contempt.
- You can’t imagine what the term “pain in the ass” really means until you get it! You should be thanking it’s me, not you! - Michael slurred as he was beginning to fall back asleep. - Hope you get nightmares with it! -
- Oh you bet we do, but it’s still you who has it in everyone. - Kyle thought he was being funny, and this time it was Maria who whacked him up the head.
- Hey, you’re right, sorry again, man, now let’s get some sleep. - Max apologized, and pushed Kyle towards Michael.
- Yeah, same here, man, that wasn’t funny. Sorry, Michael. - Kyle was really regretful.
- Ok, apologies accepted. I will at least try to sleep “tight” until this damn thing is out of my ass. - Michael said sleepily.
They laughed and started getting ready for a few hours of sleep. Isabel walked Stuart to the door so he could snooze in his office and openly kissed him on the mouth. A quick one, but still a kiss. If anyone actually saw it, they pretended not to and went on with their sleeping arrangements.
They all find themselves surrounded by the glowing haze so familiar to Isabel. As it clears out, they are looking at a fenced field, where Michael is riding a beautiful white horse with long mane and tail. He takes it through its paces ending in a canter. From a pavilion to their left, two men are watching. One is tall and thin, wearing a long black tunic with long sleeves too, and golden trimmings. He is holding Max and Isabel’s hands. The other man is just as tall but not so thin. His tunic is russet coloured and reaches halfway down his thighs with cuts on the sides. He is wearing leather trousers of the same colour and black knee high boots. He calls out to Michael:
- Alright, son, bring him over. -
Michael rides the horse to the pavilion and stops it gently in front of them. He slides down, holding the horse by the reins and rubbing its nose. His clothes match his father’s but his tunic is much shorter, barely reaching his hips. The thin man who is obviously Max and Isabel’s father pushes Max forwards.
- Go on, ride him. -
But Max ducks behind his father clutching his tunic.
- C’mon, you’ve seen Rath Michael riding him, he’s quite gentle, he won’t throw you. -
- Rath Michael is not afraid because he’s been riding all his life. I’m afraid and the horse will know. - Max says in a whining voice.
His father reluctantly agrees with him. Then Isabel jumps up.
- I’ll ride with Rath Michael, father, I’m not afraid to ride with him.-
She sounds so enthusiastic that both men laugh. Then their father looks at Max frowning.
- That’s enough Max, you must learn to ride. -
- I don’t need to ride to be a king. - He insists unpleasantly.
- Alright, you’re punished! Whipping boy! - He calls out.
Michael gives the reins to a black man who walks to him and goes towards the pavilion. A short older man walks to him rolling with his foot what looks like a thick piece of tree trunk about 3 ft long. Michael obediently lies bent over it. The man produces a whip and approaches him. Isabel snatches her hand away from her father’s and runs to Michael. She kneels by his face and holds both his hands in hers as the short man bares Michael’s ass and the whip starts falling on him. The two parents look at the couple on the ground and smile at each other. Max’s father says emphatically, grinning at the other man:
- Those two will marry.-
- Yes, just like I married your sister, may she rest in peace. -
- That she certainly is, She went peacefully, in her sleep, so proud to give you a son. -
- I see her in him, that’s how much I loved her. -
- Don’t be too hard on him, he’s a tough kid. -
- I have to, he will lead our army and protect us with his life. -
- It’s not right! You should be king, You shouldn’t have stepped down for me. -
- You know I love the army, not the throne, and Rath Michael takes after me. Can you imagine Zan Max leading an army? -
Max’s father shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
- You’re absolutely right, by the time he’s finally made up his mind what to do, the battle’s been over at least for two hours and there’s no army left at all. That’s not for my son, but it’s not fair to yours. We’re not royal blooded, you are. -
- It’s not a matter of blood, it’s for the best of our people. -
- They agree with me on this…-
- Then they will listen to me. Our sons will make a great team for the kingdom. Our kings by tradition are banned from battle, they just watch in safety from the distance, taken on their shielded throne. That’s not for me, and I know my boy couldn’t take it either. As the Second in Command I carry out the strategy we worked on, that’s my thing and Rath Michael is way over my head, he’ll be the best ever, trust me. He’s already much better than me in everything and he’s still a child. -
They turn behind them to see Max peering from behind his father at his friend taking his punishment, a wicked grin on his face. His father shouts:
- Enough! - And the whip falls one more time before stopping.
Michael has taken it all quietly. He pushes up from the log and Isabel rises by him and gives him a quick kiss on the lips before she runs back to take her father’s hand. The men nod and smile again. Michael’s fathers shouts to him:
- Rath Michael! The grey! -
Michael pulls his pants up wincing and receives the reins from the black man. He easily heaves himself on the big horse’s back, sliding his leg over to straddle it. This one is quite spirited, unlike the white one intended for Max, but Michael controls it effortlessly and sits him well, in spite of how sore the whipping has left him. Max’s father nods in appreciation.
- That’s a soldier, you’re right about him -
- Now the hard part is in controlling his temper. -
- I guess that’s what my daughter is good at…- They chuckle, good-naturedly. They stand there watching Michael take the horse over a high and wide hurdle making it fly over it, and they gradually start fading as the energy source starts to fail.
They found themselves back at the hospital room, totally winded and breathing as if they had just run hard, trying to break a world record. It took them easily over 5 minutes just to be able to talk. Stuart, unexpectedly, was the first to speak.
- WOW! That was really something! That was so vivid, as if we were really there! -
- We were, that wasn’t an illusion. It was real. It didn’t just come from Michael but from Max and myself, too. We lived that very moment, in our past lives. -
- Have you done it before? - Stuart’s curiosity was gaining over.
- No, because our powers were just developing and because we needed more energy than we had. I guess today was a turning point. I’m just as surprised, I honestly didn’t think we could do it. We should have needed our fourth alien, but somehow we did manage, I still don’t know how. Perhaps the four human energies made up for the alien one we were missing. - Isabel explained.
- It is exhausting! I feel absolutely drained! And I should know! That’s how you feel after a basketball game when you’ve given all you’ve got. - Kyle said, full enthusiasm.
They all nodded and stayed quiet while they digested what they had seen. Suddenly it dawned on them the importance of what they had witnessed, the astounding information that had reached them concerning who they really were and both Max’s and Isabel’s eyes opened wide as they gasped with shock and turned to look at Michael, who was sleeping fitfully, probably because he was experiencing in his sleep, what they were doing, wide awake. It was Stuart again, who took the lead.
- So he’s really your cousin? -
Max and Isabel could only nod, dreading the next question.
- And he’s the true heir, with the royal blood? -
This time there was no answer, not even a silent one. Max and Isabel were dramatically staring at each other, while Liz watched Max, Stuart watched Isabel, and Kyle and Maria concentrated on Michael. Max took a deep breath and scoffed.
- I can’t believe the way I’ve been treating him all these years, as if I had a right! Why didn’t Nasedo or Tess tell us? They must have known! -
- Maybe it wasn’t good for their scheming if we knew it… - Isabel reasoned. - Especially being the traitors that they turned out to be, and what they were planning to do to us. It’s too late now, there’s no way we can get that information. -
- Maybe we can, we still have Langley. - Max reminded her.
- Oh sure, he can’t stand the sight of you! What did you say he called you? -
- I can’t remember, something like selfish, ungrateful, I don’t recall exactly but it wasn’t good. -
- You must have really pissed him then. - Kyle observed.
- Yeah, I guess. I don’t know if he’ll help us, he hanged up on me the last time I tried to speak to him. -
- But you said he had to obey you when you ordered something from him. -
- He didn’t give me enough time… -
- Ok, forget him for the time being, we have something really important to deal with right now…Michael. He doesn’t know what has just happened. He will wake up thinking it’s a dream or a nightmare, considering the situation. We must tell him, he has to know. We just can’t keep this away from him. -
- Maybe that’s why it didn’t work out, because you’re cousins. That would be like me hooking up with Sean! Yech! - Maria was totally grossed out, and focused on her own thoughts.
- We were cousins there too, and it still happened. - Isabel answered her.
- Maybe it was alright there, who knows what your alien customs were like. - Maria wouldn’t give up.
- Cousins marry here on earth too, unusual but it happens. - Stuart told them.
Isabel shook her head in denial.
- Well I don’t love him like that, rather like a brother. I do love him, though, in a very special way. And it doesn’t feel like “yech” at all- She said, using Maria’s expression to explain herself.
Isabel reaches out blindly at Michael to emphasize what she just said, her hand touches him and she squeezes his butt without realizing where she’s at, since she’s not looking his way.
- Mmmmm…yes…hurt me good…- Michael moaned.
Isabel snatched her hand away, shocked at Michael’s words.
- Don’t stop, please…- He pleaded.
Maria grabbed his shoulder and shook him roughly.
- Michael! What’s wrong with you? - She screamed at him.
He opened his eyes, confused, and winced.
- Maria! What? -
- Hey, take it easy, he doesn’t know what’s going on! - Stuart protested.
- Oh hell, I’m going out of my mind. What are they giving me? - Michael sounded half asleep.
Max rushed to him, full of guilt. He glared at Maria.
- It’s ok man, just go back to sleep. -
- No! I’ve just had this crazy dream…-
- It wasn’t a dream, Michael. -
Everyone held their breath. The last person they would have expected to reveal it to Michael was Max, and yet…Michael stared back at Max, not fully understanding, his drugged state not helping him get the meaning of Max’s words. He patiently told him what they had done, and what had just been discovered hiding in their subconscious, a shocking truth.
- You mean they all know? - Max nods, answering his question.
- But what about you, we shouldn’t have…- Michael worried.
- It’s ok. The truth had to come out sometime. I want you to know that your father’s decision doesn’t have to be your own. -
- No Max. My father was absolutely right and I respect his decision completely. The throne is not for me, I can’t sit and watch, I need to take action. I’m definitely a soldier, I wouldn’t change that ever! -
- But you wanted to be king when you got that seal on your chest. - Kyle reminded him. -
- Yeah, it made me feel so different, but I don’t have it now and I don’t feel like that at all. Max, believe me, no matter what, I would never betray you. -
- No, he wouldn’t. Courtney confessed that her rebel skin group wanted Michael to take the lead and save the planet, which they knew he could. They knew the people would follow him because of who he was, but he wouldn’t betray you and it cost him his life and the whole tragedy. Courtney didn’t tell us about Michael’s true identity, probably to prevent any possible conflict, as she had no way of proving she was speaking the truth. She could feel we didn’t believe her, and she said we weren’t ready for it. - Maria knew that this information was only known by Michael and her, but she considered it useful right now, so they could appreciate the kind of person Michael was when it came to loyalty. They stared at her open mouthed.
- Maria…- Michael protested.
- No Michael, it’s only fair that they know it too. -
Max was so touched, he knelt on the floor and hugged Michael to him. Isabel shuddered, remembering a similar scene in the dungeons, as Michael was dying and Max held on to him, crying openly and without shame,
- Thanks, man, you’re the best. Your father was right about something else. We make a great team. That’s how it will be from now on. We stick together all the way. -
- Yeah, we must. - He now whispered in Max’s ear: - How’s Maria taking it with Isabel? -
- You won’t believe it, they’re closer that sisters, I’ll never understand women. - He shakes his head, whispering. - Now that Maria knows you’re cousins, she took it as if she had to marry Sean. - He laughed.
- Yech! - Michael shuddered exaggeratedly.
- That’s exactly what she said. -
- Isabel feels like that about me? - He asked looking hurt.
- No, Michael, she loves you very much, but as family. It was probably her human side that made her feel it wasn’t right. -
- Our sex life was great, I didn’t mind what she did to me. It turned me on. - He confessed.
- Well, I guess you are a masochist. I guess the nurse really saw through you, and made your day. - He teased him.
Michael took a swing at him but Max expected it and moved easily out of the way. Everyone turned to them looking worried, but relaxed when they say they were chuckling.
- Hey what was that about? - Asked Kyle.
- Our boy here is a masochist. - Said Max jokingly.
- Call the nurse! - Kyle teased too. They both turned to Maria, warily, hoping they hadn’t started another jealousy bout. They didn’t like the way she was looking at them. That was her typical look when she got funny ideas.
- Why did she take the used glove with her instead of throwing it in the trash can? Maybe she wants it for something kinky….-
- Maria! - They cried out all together, outraged.
- Kinkier than what she did to him? - Said Max, grinning mischievously and getting Kyle giggling along with him.
The 3 girls turned to them with a look that silenced them.
- Max! How gross! - Isabel threw at her brother.
Max raised his hands, closed his eyes and dipped his head apologetically. Maria and Liz looked at him frowning.
- Really, Max. - Said Liz, quite disgusted.
- Sorry. - Max said contritely.
Kyle started giggling again, but covered his mouth and pretended he was clearing his throat, fooling no one. He got the girls’ glare, and apologized like Max had. Max looked at his watch.
- It’s almost 6am! We better get some sleep. -
- Yeah, at least it’s Saturday. - They answered him and started yawning on reflex.
- Ok, sleep tight, Michael. - Max went to him and tousled his hair playfully.
- Hey, man, does the term “tight” can still apply to you? - Said Kyle, sending him and Max breaking into giggles again.
Isabel whacked Kyle upside the head and Liz did the same to Max, as they gave them angry looks.
- You’re behaving like idiots! - Maria tells them with contempt.
- You can’t imagine what the term “pain in the ass” really means until you get it! You should be thanking it’s me, not you! - Michael slurred as he was beginning to fall back asleep. - Hope you get nightmares with it! -
- Oh you bet we do, but it’s still you who has it in everyone. - Kyle thought he was being funny, and this time it was Maria who whacked him up the head.
- Hey, you’re right, sorry again, man, now let’s get some sleep. - Max apologized, and pushed Kyle towards Michael.
- Yeah, same here, man, that wasn’t funny. Sorry, Michael. - Kyle was really regretful.
- Ok, apologies accepted. I will at least try to sleep “tight” until this damn thing is out of my ass. - Michael said sleepily.
They laughed and started getting ready for a few hours of sleep. Isabel walked Stuart to the door so he could snooze in his office and openly kissed him on the mouth. A quick one, but still a kiss. If anyone actually saw it, they pretended not to and went on with their sleeping arrangements.
ALIENS FULL TILT!