Of Cabbages and Kings (CC,M/L,ADULT) (Complete)

[WR]

Oh my gosh! I am soooo sorry. Really! Real Life is very hectic right now, and the hours I'm putting in to that second job are rather insane. I know I should ease up a little, but this is important to me, not to mention, I need the money if I ever hope to visit the US (and as many of you fine people as possible) one day soon.

Thank you all so much for your comments. There's little point in responding individually tonight, because you've either guessed the truth (or as much of it as you can) or you're still a little confused. But tonights chapter lights up one part of the puzzle. (You can take your bow, now!)

Tonight ending is not so much as a cliff hanger, but as a 'groan'. LOL. You'll see what I mean when we get there. No one guessed this, so if you thought this in the back of your mind... should have spoken up! Wasn't it obvious? At all?



Part 31

With his head held low - his eyes fixed on the ground - Kivar moved backwards, away from a very angry and upset Liz, now being comforted by Maria. As he merged into his protective shield of men, he did not see that as angry as she was, she had not stopped looking at him. Like Max in her dream, Kivar saved her. He had taken a risk by stepping out from his protective shell and saved her; brought her back to life and exposed his innermost thoughts to her. As Kivar backed behind his second-in-command, she noticed Nikolas stiffen. His features - a mixture of annoyance and respect at his leader's selfless act - hardened. She knew why, too. At the edge of her peripheral vision, Denda had reappeared. There was no sign of Adaile. Denda looked like a disturbed man. His face was cloudy and he moved with an uncertainty Liz had never seen in him before. From the way he and others reacted, Liz formed the opinion that healing was an uncommon ability. In the entire room, only Nikolas and Ava did not look surprised. To his credit, however, Denda recovered his wits quickly.

"It would seem, Kivar," he sneered, "that even your little display of magic has done little to enamour you to Elizabeth's heart. Your stunt backfired. But thank you none the less for saving my young bride."
"I don't think there will be a ceremony, Denda," Kivar shook his head. "Even if she consented to marry you, which I doubt she has - or will - I will not allow the marriage to proceed."
"Not allow?" Denda started to chuckle.
There was a commotion at the main doors to the throne room. Expecting more enemy soldiers, Kivar's few men tightened their circle. It was not reinforcements that arrived, however, but a small group of nobles, attracted by the rumors that Denda and Kivar were about to fight a duel. Behind that small group came another. A few more followed them, urgently discussing the situation until they entered the room, whereupon they fell into a reverent silence.

"It seems we will have an audience," Denda grinned. "Years from now, when people discuss the beginning of great reign, my meteoric rise to... deity, these people can all say, 'I was there, the day that King Denda slew the mighty and dreadful Kivar.'" Denda drew his sword, an elegant rapier with a jewel encrusted hilt. Draw your weapon, Kivar. Defend yourself or be cut down like the dog you are."
While shaking his head, Kivar started to chuckle.
"No, Denda," he smiled. "It is not my sword that will kill you."
"I know that, you fool," Denda started to laugh.
"It's all joviality in here," Maria whispered to Liz.
"Shh," Liz, who had now recovered from her anger and was watching intently, ordered.
"There isn't a man alive that can defeat me in a contest," Denda continued. "I was taught by the greatest swordsman that ever lived."
"And then you murdered him," Kivar nodded.
"I deny such a malicious allegation," Denda yelled to the growing audience. He lowered his voice so that only Kivar and the few soldiers near them could hear. "I couldn't have him teaching that jackass of a brother of mine, now, could I?" he shrugged. "Thanks for disposing of him for me, by the way."
"Don't mention it," Kivar nodded.
"I really wanted to do it myself, you know. In front of Elizabeth. To show her how weak he really was. But..." he shrugged. "Now come on, you mangy cur! Put up your weapon!"

"Like I said," Kivar waved his hands in apology. "It's not my sword that will kill you. I promised Nikolas that he could have that pleasure."
Nikolas stepped forward. He no longer held his viscous looking barbed sword. Instead, he carried a plain, well worn rapier.
"Fine," Denda rolled his eyes. "And after I kill Nikolas, who else will fight me to try and save your hide? Ava, perhaps?"
"I don't think that will be necessary," Kivar shook his head. "Nikolas 'will' kill you, I'm afraid."
"Oh, please," Nikolas sighed. "Do pay attention, Kivar. No one can handle a sword like me. After I've cut Nikolas down, you and I 'will' dance."
"Don't count on it," Nikolas growled.
His eyes were filled with such dark and cold hatred that Liz shuddered.

As swift as a cobra's strike, Denda lunged with his sword. His aim was true, the tip heading right at Nikolas's heart. Nikolas would have died instantly had he not flicked the sword away with his own, an almost negligent flick of his wrist. The two swords rang out, indicating the start of the duel. While the throng of nobles watched, Denda and Nikolas started to move in a wide circle around one another, their swords held low to the ground. They both moved in an almost crouching position. Every few paces, Denda would feint, throwing his weight one way or another, testing Nikolas's reactions. For his part, Nikolas did not even flinch. Only when Denda's sword moved did Nikolas move his sword to parry.
"Didn't you learn how to attack?" Denda sneered after a dozen or more attempts to strike Nikolas. "Is that all you've got?"
"You worry about your own style," Nikolas grunted. "Let me worry about mine."
Denda lunged, again and again, his sword whipping around, almost as though he was striking a dozen different places at once. Everywhere that Denda's sword was, so too was Nikolas's, blocking the king's. Denda didn't let up. He kept on attacking, searching for an opening in Nikolas's defense, sure that sooner or later, his own superior skill would tell. Although he gave ground, Nikolas held Denda off, never once looking like he was in danger. Denda eased off and stepped back, studying his opponent.
"Is that it?" Nikolas frowned. "The most feared swordsman in your imagination, and you can't even come close to hitting me?"
"I'll show you close," Denda snarled and redoubled his efforts.
His sword swung at Nikolas's head, his arms, his legs. It speared toward his heart. Denda tried to come from the front, the back and both sides. All the time, Nikolas was defending himself, preventing Denda's sword from striking him. After one such parry, Nikolas snaked his sword out, a quick, but small movement. Denda started to laugh as he pushed Nikolas's blade away.
"Is that the best you can do?" he sneered.
"No," Nikolas shrugged. "If I did my best, the contest would have ended ages ago. I intend to drag this out."
"For whose benefit?"
"Not for yours," Nikolas nodded at Denda's arm.
A small trickle of blood started to seep through a minute puncture in his shirt. A puncture that Denda had not been aware of.
"How...?" Denda frowned.
"Like I said," Nikolas grinned. "You're in for a bad time."
Denda attacked again, and once again, he withdrew with another small nick. He was starting to look worried, now. If he needed proof that Kivar had spoken the truth when he said that Nikolas would kill him, this was it. Twice, Nikolas could have already finished him. As a contest, the fight ended at that first cut Nikolas delivered. It was apparent to anyone watching them, that Nikolas was a far superior swordsman to Denda.
"But... how?" Denda cried out after Nikolas left yet another small incision in one of his arms. His shirt sleeves were stained red with his blood, oozing from countless small nicks and cuts, left by Nikolas's sword.
"Did you really think that a father would never pass his skills down to his son?" Nikolas's voice was cold. "You may have murdered him, but his skills live on. And it's those skills that my father taught me that will avenge his death."
"But..." Denda face was pale. "He only had one son. That was Rath. He... Rath was a coward. I expected him to challenge me after I killed his father, but he didn't. He was..."

"He was prevented from challenging you," Kivar spoke up for the first time since the duel started. His voice sounded almost sympathetic. "When Rath found out that his father had been murdered, he knew who had done it. And why. He went searching for you. He planned to challenge you. But I found him, first. I stopped him."
"Why?" Denda narrowed his eyes.
"Because I knew that you would not take the risk that Rath was as good as you and face him. I knew that you would use your guards to do your dirty work for you, and cut him down, claiming he was an assassin. I stopped him from committing suicide, and made him a deal. I told him that if he helped me, if he became my eyes and ears around the palace, the day would come when he could face you, and exact his revenge, without the risk of arrest or retribution from the King. And that day has come."
"No!" Denda lunged again, trying to spear Nikolas and end his torture.
His torture was ended, all right. But not in the way he wanted. Nikolas flicked Denda's blade away, and ran his rapier straight through the young king's torso. The blade pierced upwards, spearing his heart. Denda grabbed the sword blade and tried to pull it out.
"No!" his final words came out as a croak.
With sickening finality, Nikolas twisted the blade. As he pulled the red stained sword from the dead King's body, he stared heavenwards, spoke a silent prayer, and bowed to Kivar.

A stillness descended upon the throne room. The royal guards shifted nervously, awaiting the command from their enemy's leader that would force them to fight for their lives. The nobles stared at the man who now held the power in the kingdom, the army outside notwithstanding, stunned that their royal line had come to an end. Whether they wanted it or not, Kivar was now their leader. The rebellion was over; the rebels had won. Maria, however, gave no thought to the change in the political situation. She was glaring at Nikolas. Her face was mottled with rage.
"You!" she spat, marching straight at him. Unlike the others in the room, she showed no fear of him. "So you were Rath all the time! Never mind the stupid games you played with us when you kidnapped us and brought us here. Never mind that you probably sold us to Kivar in the first place. And I'm not even going to mention the time we spent at your camp. But how... how could you do that to Zan? How could you have been betraying him all those years? You told me yourself, he was good to you. He was supposed to be your friend! And you... you 'murdered' him!"
"No, Maria," Liz shook her head and joined Maria. She held her back from doing something foolish. "Rath never betrayed Zan. He supported him. All the time."
"What are you talking about, Liz."
"No!" Kivar yelled. He had a look of panic on his face as he moved toward them. "Liz, no! Please! I beg of you!"
"Because Kivar 'is' Zan," Liz ignored his request.
The silence was deafening.
"Come again?" Maria looked puzzled.
"You might as well show her, 'Kivar'," Liz sneered. "Because she'll get it in a moment. They all will."
Kivar's head fell. His eyes closed and his face contorted with a look of unbearable pain. Considering that he had won, he looked miserable and defeated.
"Do you know what you've just done?" Nikolas... no, Rath asked, his eyes filled with fury. "Do you have any idea what you have just achieved?"
Kivar, meanwhile, waved his hand across his face and head. His long, flowing white locks were replaced with short, deep brown hair. His face lost all traces of age, and a pair of clear amber, but tortured eyes looked back from a youthful continence.
"Zan?" Maria's words echoed the whispers that filled the chamber.
"Zan! Zan. Zan?"
Both sets of soldiers shifted uncomfortably. No one knew what to do.
"But..." Maria continued. "How...? What...? Why?"
Kivar looked once at Liz, turned, and with a sweep of his cloak, left the room. Liz ran to follow him, but Ava grabbed her arm.
"Haven't you caused enough trouble?" she hissed. Ava waved her hand across her face and Vilondra glared back at Liz. "I knew you were trouble. Right from the start. You should have listened when I told you to go home." Vilondra followed her brother.

"As you were!" Rath shouted at the soldiers.
Trained to obey authority, and recognizing that Rath did indeed speak with it, both sets of armed men snapped to attention. "You!" He pointed to a soldier. "Go and tell the officers out in the field what has happened here. Tell them all to return to barracks. I want the officers in here as soon as they've returned. There will be no civil war this day." He then turned to the rebels. "You. Return to Kivar's men. Tell them the same. Only have the bivouac in the forest. We'll come out to see you as soon as we've spoken to the others."
"But, sir..." he spoke up. "Kivar..."
"Just do it," Rath, who still looked like Nikolas bellowed. "The rest of you, tidy up this mess. Prepare the throne room. I expect Kivar... I mean, Zan, will need to talk to a lot of people, now."
With another glare at Liz, he followed his friends.

"So what was that about?" Maria raised her eyebrows, watching Rath storm from the room.
"I don't know," Liz looked worried.
"Okay, Chica," Maria swatted her arm. "Spill. How have you known that Kivar and Zan were one in the same? And how long have you been holding out on me?"
"I think I've always known, Maria," Liz sighed. "At least, my heart has. And there were clues along the way. But when he healed me, I saw it. I saw it all."
"So, what were these clues?"
"Well, both Zan and Kivar had so many Max-like qualities. I mean, they both couldn't be Max. Unless they were one person, right? And then there was the order about seeing Zan. I had to clear it with him, first."
"So he could..."
"Get down to the cell and turn himself back into Zan," Liz finished with a nod. "Right. And sometimes, I would bump into someone on the way down. Like Ava. Obviously, buying Zan more time to get ready. You know," Liz passed her hand in front of her face. "And then there was the time he told me that I couldn't take Zan's body home for burial. Of course I couldn't, 'cause he wasn't dead. But that's not all. He told me he couldn't risk his family trying to clone him."
"That makes sense," Maria narrowed her eyes. "I mean, it's what they did in your dream."
"But Maria, Kivar told me that Zan never talked about our personal time together. And I never told Kivar about my dream. So how did he know about that, huh?"
"I guess," Maria nodded.
"But the biggest clue of all, and I can't believe I missed it." Liz shook her head.
"What?" Maria begged. "What?"
"I mean, it was such a defining point of his character."
"Whose?" Maria shook Liz. "What? What was the clue?"
"His numbers game, Maria," Liz laughed. "It was so obvious. And it kept on bugging me, you know? What was he doing?"
"I don't understand. What numbers game?"
"Remember how he would look at something, like up in the trees when things were a little... troubling? Like at that ambush? And he suddenly comes up with a number and says how it's a good omen?"
"Or a bad one," Maria. "Like this morning."
"Right," Liz nodded.
"Well?" Maria frowned. "What about it? How does that point to Kivar being Zan?"
"Because Zan is Max, right?"
"And?" Maria was shouting in frustration.
"Maria," Liz gave a sad smile. "He was counting crows."

* * *

[WR]

First of all, I do apologise for the lateness of this post. It was quite hard to write, making sure that I had all the bases covered. I still have this feeling that I have left something out.

Secondly, another apology. I mislead you a number of chaoters ago, but it was in error. When I created the old strange woman who Liz vaguely recognised, when they were searching for Zan, I told you that it was not Serena. That was because it wasn't. Howeverm she started out as Serena in my notes. And I forgot to change the notes for the chapter where I mention her name - the one where Liz overhears Kivat talking with the old woman. She said she had to take care of Serena. That name was supposed to change, but I missed it. So, I am so sorry, but it has not changed anything. I don't think anyone would have guess the connection, and you would have wasted time speculating,
I hope you can forgive me.

Thank you all so very much for sticking with me, and thank you for your kind words.


Now. This chapter... You all need to concentrate, okay?



Homeward Bound
Simon & Garfunkle

I'm sittin' in the railway station
Got a ticket for my destination
On a tour of one night stands
My suitcase and guitar in hand
And every stop is neatly planned
For a poet and a one man band

Homeward bound
I wish I was
Homeward bound
Home, where my thought's escaping
Home, where my music's playing
Home, where my love lies waiting
Silently for me

Everyday's an endless stream
Of cigarettes and magazines
And each town looks the same to me
The movies and the factories
And every stranger's face I see
Reminds me that I long to be

Homeward bound
I wish I was
Homeward bound
Home, where my thought's escaping
Home, where my music's playing
Home, where my love lies waiting
Silently for me

Tonight I'll sing my songs again
I'll play the game and pretend
But all my words come back to me
In shades of mediocrity
Like emptiness in harmony
I need someone to comfort me

Homeward bound
I wish I was
Homeward bound
Home, where my thought's escaping
Home, where my music's playing
Home, where my love lies waiting
Silently for me
Silently for me



Part 32

"Okay," Maria planted herself in a chair opposite Liz.
They had been escorted back to the apartment they had shared while the pandemonium that surrounded the amazing turn of events that morning settled down. Liz had sat down by the window and was staring out at the countryside, her face unreadable.
"Do you want to tell me what that was all about?"
"I don't know, Maria," Liz didn't move.
"I mean," Maria pressed, "Why did Zan have to pretend to be Kivar in the first place?"
"I don't know, Maria."
"And as for overthrowing the monarchy, when he was part of that monarchy... I mean, why?"
"I don't know, Maria."
"Liz," Maria huffed. "How can you not know? The man healed you, just like in your dream. You saw into his soul!"

Liz turned to face Maria and took a deep breath.
"It's not like it's a TV show," she sighed. "I don't see it like some drama or something, with everything all wrapped up with a neat little epilogue. All I see are these images and I get these..." she waved her hands, "vague feelings. Impressions. There's no dialogue or anything."
"Okay, so didn't you get 'any' impression about what is going on?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "It was all..." Liz shuffled her chair closer to Maria. "I already knew that he was in love with me," she confided with a small smile. "Even before he healed me, I could see that. But he was really afraid of me. He was especially afraid of me being with Denda,"
"As if," Maria smirked.
"No, Maria," Liz urged. "Really afraid. Terrified. And Maria. Remember that strange woman we met when we were searching for Zan?"
"The one that knew us? Yeah," Maria nodded. "I remember her."
"I saw her. In Zan's memory. And he was afraid of her, too."
"Afraid of you? And a crazy old woman?" Maria shook her head. "That doesn't make any sense."
"Nothing makes sense anymore," Liz grumbled.
"When did it ever?" Maria quipped. "Okay, okay. Let's back up a bit. Why would Zan be afraid of you?"
"It's more than being afraid 'of' me, Maria," Liz frowned. "It's almost... he was... he was afraid of what I would become."
"And that was?"
"I don't know," Liz groaned with frustration.
"Well, that makes even less sense."
"Yeah," Liz nodded. "Tell me about it."
"Soo..." Maria's voice dropped. It became tentative. "Are we still going home?"
"Uhm," Liz looked up. "Let's wait for all the commotion to die down. Kay?"
"Kay," Maria nodded with a smile.

* * *

It took two whole days for the shockwaves to reverberate throughout the kingdom. Hot on the heels of King Azande's death came the news that Denda had been slain by the rebel, Kivar who, it turned out, was really Prince Zan in disguise. Shock, dismay, fury, bewilderment and concern. Everyone displayed these emotions and more. It took another two days after that for things to calm down. Four days that Liz and Maria chose to wait, to help out in any way that they could. Zan sent out riders, messengers and diplomats to all corners of his country. He held meetings with village elders, Lords, Barons, Earls and heads of state from neighboring countries. He spoke to everyone he could, reassuring them all that he was not his father and that they had nothing to fear from his rule. He saw as many people as he could. But he did not come to see Liz. And neither did he send for her.

"He hates me," Liz groaned as she looked out through the window.
"I seriously doubt that," Maria shook her head. "Rath always asks me if you're okay and stuff. He says that Zan keeps asking him to check up on you. You know. Make sure you're all right?"
"So why doesn't he come himself?"
"I don't know," Maria sighed.
During the four days, Maria had spent a lot of time with Rath. At first, it was to try to find answers to what had been going on all the time. At least, that's what she told herself. But when it became apparent that he would not discuss the matter with her, she just enjoyed his company. That and the many arguments they seemed to constantly share.
Vilondra had appeared from time to time, to check on their comfort. She was no longer so hostile toward them, but like Rath, she would not discuss Zan's private matters with them. As friendly as she was, Liz knew that her presence was only because Zan had requested it.
"Are you seeing Rath this evening?" Liz ran a finger across her lip.
"Yeah," Maria nodded.
"Could you... could you ask Rath to tell Zan that... that I'm sorry."
Maria just nodded.

* * *

It was late. Maria had spent the evening having another 'argument' with Rath and had lost all track of time. Concerned that Liz might be worried for her, she was scurrying back to the room when a dark shape stepped out from the shadows, blocking her path, taking her by surprise. Maria emitted a scream.
"I had forgotten how highly strung you were," the strange old woman's voice chuckled.
"Well, if you leap out at people from dark corners," Maria growled, "what do you expect? And I am not highly strung."
"Really?" the woman's voice was dry.
"I'm not!"
"Okay," she nodded. "You're not. Does that make you feel better?"
"It would if I thought you meant it," Maria grumbled. "Anyway, what are you doing, skulking around here?"
"I was waiting for you."
"For me?" Maria squeaked. "Shouldn't you be talking to Liz? Or maybe trying to drum some sense into Zan? He's hurting her by staying away."
"Yes," she nodded. "They hurt each other with the smallest of things. That's the trouble when you love someone as much as they do."
"So if he loves her so much, why hasn't he gone to see her?"
"Probably for the same reason that she hasn't gone to see him."
"I see you still make as much sense as you ever did."
"It is not Liz I wish to speak to, Maria. It is you."
"Uh huh," Maria smirked. "So what now? Have I got to turn Rath into someone else, or what?"
"No," the woman chuckled. "I have come to discuss your future with you."
"My future?" Maria frowned. "Wait. Is this some half-brained scheme to try and marry me off or something?"
"Oh, no," the woman shook her head. "No. You needn't worry about that. I'm pretty sure you will end up marrying the most important man in the world."
"Yeah. But whose world?" Maria narrowed her eyes.
"Yours. Who else's?"
"I'm going to marry the President of the United States of America?" Maria widened her eyes.
"No," the head shook again. "At least, I don't think he becomes that."
"So who is it?"
"Some things we should keep secret," she chuckled. "While there are others that should be revealed."
"Like what?" Maria bristled with suspicion.
"Firstly, Maria, I have to know. Did you mean what you said, when you told Liz you would do anything to keep her dream alive?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "She's my best friend. Of course I will. But how can I help her if Zan..."
"Second," the woman interrupted. "You must swear that what I am about to reveal to you, you will never tell another living soul. Except your daughter."
"I don't..."
"When you have one," the woman rolled her eyes.
"Not even Liz?"
"Especially not Liz."
"But we're best friends. I tell her everything."
"Not this. I have to have your word Maria. You must swear on the lives of your future children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and so on, that you will only pass this information on to your daughter."
Maria paused while she considered this. Information that she had to keep from Liz. Could she do it? And would the old woman ever find out if she told Liz after all?
"I swear," Maria nodded.

"Your promise to Liz, Maria, is one that needs to be carried out not just in your lifetime, but for hundreds of years."
"How can..."
"This will be easier to understand if you listen to what I have to say, first, and then ask questions later. Okay?"
"Okay," Maria nodded.
"This isn't the easiest of stories to tell, because it's actually a paradox. Do you know what a paradox is, Maria?"
"Not really," she shook her head.
"A paradox is something that is self contradictory. Like, if I said, I always lie. That's a paradox because, because if that were true, then I have just contradicted myself by telling a truth."
"Uh huh," Maria nodded. "So what does this have to do with my promise to Liz again?"
"Okay" the old woman sighed. "This is what happened. There's this woman."
"You?"
"No," she shook her head. "Another woman. And she had some very famous ancestors. These ancestors were so famous, they were more well known than the eternal greats. Like Romeo and Juliet, Iolanthe and Tristan, Anthony and Cleopatra. You see, their amazing love for one another became legendary. And because of their love, they literally moved mountains. Their love was more remarkable because they spanned two different worlds to be together, and helped bring peace to both. Although neither held any official position... well, that's not true. One was a great leader for a time, but... I digress. Because of the way they were, they were treated like... royalty. Wherever they went. Everyone loved them. They could hardly move without receiving gifts and presents and praise. Especially praise. Sometimes they got quite embarrassed by it because they were so unassuming."
"Two worlds?" Maria's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that someone from Earth has already met and married someone from another planet? Like, an alien? How come I haven't heard about this? You said they were so famous..."
"Questions later," the woman reminded her.

"The stories of these two went down into folklore. They became bedtime stories for countless children, over countless generations. And that included their own descendants. Now, this woman was so in love with the idea of her famous great, great, great - I'm not really sure how many greats are involved. Anyway, she was so in love with the idea of her ultimate grandparents, that like many before her, she wished that she could have met them. And like the others, she had to content herself with reading her ultimate grandmother's journals, which were kept in a vault on their estate. So, she went into the vault, and read everything she could find. Everything. Then... one fateful day, she discovered this one particular book. It was unlike any of the other journals she had been reading; it was more like a spiral ring pad that school students use. So, because her... grandmother had written in it, she started to read it. But what she read... she could hardly believe what it was that she was reading. It was a whole series of notes. Scientific notes for the construction of a device that could be used for travel. Space travel in particular. Being a scientist herself, this woman soon deduced that this device, correctly modified, could also be used for... time travel."
"What?" Maria gasped. "You mean, this woman invented the Granolith?"
"No," the woman's head shook. "Not invented. Made."
"But..."
"Shall I continue?"
"Please," Maria nodded.
"She rewrote the notes, for the book was quite old, and the writing and drawings were fading. When she got to the end of the notes, she found this sheet of paper. It had torn loose sometime in the past, and had been folded in half and inserted between the pages. And upon this page was written the strangest piece of text. Shall I tell you what it said?"
"That might be a good idea," Maria rolled her eyes.
"Rejoice," the woman spoke. "A time shall come to pass when she from the new shall become one with he of the old, after they are brought together by the instrument of her mind. Then shall discord be counseled of its demise, for when dominion of the new is granted to the old shall one world be linked to the other. With this triumph shall old and new be united, totally and completely for all eternity. Immortality shall be their fate as they receive tribute and just dues till the end of the universe as befits their legendary status. I have seen this for it is so."
"That's the prophecy!" Maria exclaimed. "You mean it has nothing to do with Liz at all?"
"Oh, yes," the woman nodded. "It is all to do with Liz. This... prophecy is talking about Liz and her future husband."
"So you're saying that someone knew way back... whenever, who Liz was going to marry?"
"No, no. No one from before Liz's time knew anything about Liz. Or her future. And you might be surprised to know just who wrote this prophecy."
"Who?"
"Liz."
"Huh?" Maria's eyes bulged. "No, you have that wrong. Liz didn't write. She copied it."
"Once the Granolith was built, the woman set up the controls to go back in time, and to travel to the planet of Antar, so that she could be there when her ultimate grandmother would meet her ultimate grandfather."
"Liz and Zan?" Maria eyes widened. "You're telling me that one of Liz's descendants will invent the Granolith and go back in time, and what? Watch?" Realization dawned in Maria's eyes. "Wait, wait, wait. Is it you? That's it. It's you, isn't it! You're Liz's great, great whatever granddaughter."

"No, Maria," she smiled. "It is not Liz who is 'my' ultimate grandmother."
There was a stunned silence.
"Me?" Maria's voice was hushed.
"You will tell this story to your daughter," she nodded. "Who told her daughter, who told her daughter, and so on. Until it is finally told to me. And it fell to me to bring Liz her dream."
"So you gave Liz that dream?" Maria was starting to hyperventilate.
"Sort of. I'm getting ahead of myself. While you catch your breath and calm down, I will continue."
"Okay," Maria croaked.
"This woman..."
"Hold it," Maria called, holding up her hand. "You can't keep calling her 'this woman'. What was her name?" Maria was gaining control. "Wait. Her dream! Future Max told her... her name was Serena."
"Very good," the woman nodded. "Yes, so Serena..."
"What's your name?"
"Excuse me?"
"I mean," Maria's voice went bashful. It was low, and filled with affection. "You're my... granddaughter. I... I don't even know your name."
"It's Maria," she grinned. "It became this tradition. You see, Maria is always the Keeper of the Dream."
"Makes sense, I guess," Maria nodded.
Maria smiled at her grandmother.
"Okay, so Serena goes back to see her grandparents first meeting. Only she hadn't got the timing right. She arrived in the right place, Zan's room, but at the wrong time. Zan was only an infant."
"And she sort of kidnapped him, right?" Maria started bouncing. "Rath told me about that."
"Right. Putting into motion the events that changed Zan from the strong, confident man that he should have been, into the weak wastrel that everyone knew."
"But that was all an act."
"Yes. It was. But that was only after he became friends with Rath. It was Rath who secretly taught him how to be a man, though Zan has no stomach for fighting. So Zan grew up believing that a young girl from another world would come, and rule the heavens with his brother, like this strange woman had said."
"But surely, Serena must have realized that little Zan would grow up into big Zan."
"Except that her grandfather's name was not Zan."
"It was Max," Maria nodded with understanding.
"Yes," the other Maria grinned. "But to avoid the guards that were coming for young Zan, Serena moved the Granolith. She hoped to end up in the forest, but instead, wound up at the church. And she had made another miscalculation. She had no crystal to get home with. So, after her discussion with Zan, she left the safety of the Granolith to go and find one. After all, she knew exactly what she needed. But in the meantime, the Granolith was discovered by the priests. An ambitious young man called Syrus was given the task of discovering what it was. He discovered how to use some of the functions that Serena knew nothing about. He also found her notes, and the prophecy that had been in the ring pad."
"Liz wrote the prophecy!" Maria squealed. "She copied from the old sheet of paper Azande had in his drawer."
"That's right, Maria."
"And she invented the Granolith. She copied Serena's notes into her book..." Maria frowned. "Which Serena copied from Liz."
"Self contradictory."
"I have a headache," Maria groaned.
"Syrus discovered that the Granolith could be used to send... thought waves. To Earth. So, he used this to probe the minds of the people of Earth. Their emotions, really. And he guessed that on that planet, there was one who was somehow... attuned to this machine. The girl from the prophecy. Oh, I'm sure that there was a lot more to his reasoning than that but I never had the chance to discuss it with him. So anyway, he sent the dream. He really did believe that it went to millions of young ladies. But it only went to Liz. It was I who fed him the failures, so that he would never guess Liz's true importance. And it was I who added the extra's that Liz received, my attempt to give her the necessary clues to point her at Kivar and Zan being the same person."

"So, can you tell me why he did all that? I mean... he could have become the king..."
"Only if he defeated Denda in a duel," Maria reminded her. "And he was not the kind of man to do that. He promised Rath that particular pleasure, anyway. No, Zan had decided that this winner takes all system had to end. What if he had two sons? Would they have to fight one another to the death? But he also wanted to prevent his brother, who was showing signs of the megalomania his father had, from ruling any world, let alone his. So he decided to invent Kivar. He wanted to overthrow the Monarchy, and replace it with something else. He never got around to finding out what with."
"But now..." Maria tapped her chin, "Liz announced his secret and he's..."
"King."
"Bummer."

The two women remained silent for a moment.
"So how did you get here?" Maria wondered. "Did you come with Serena?"
"No," she shook her head. "I came in the other Granolith."
"The other one? You mean there's two?"
"I theory, there is only one. The one Serena made. But when she made that one, there was already the one that you and Liz used. So there are two. The Keepers of the dream have always known that someone goes back in time. So when Serena disappeared, I knew that I was the one destined to send Liz the dream we have been keeping for her. I used the other Granolith and followed Serena."
"And that was the strange woman in the woods, wasn't it?"
"Yes. She's quite disturbed now. But I'll take her home soon, and we have doctors who can help her. She'll be fine."
"Why didn't you take her back earlier?"
"Because I had to be here to make sure everything went correctly. I mean... what if Liz really did end up marrying Denda? Against her wishes, naturally. When I found out that Zan planned to stage his own kidnapping, I made sure Liz was with him. I knew that she would try to rescue him."
"His kidnapping," Maria snapped her fingers. "Someone knocked Liz out. When they were kissing."
"Zan, I'm afraid," she shrugged. "And it broke his heart. But he knew he had to do it and he would not trust his helpers, Rath and Vilondra to do it."
"Okay, so why did they have to go into that brothel?" Maria wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Wasn;t that taking their play acting a little too far?"
"To lose you, of course," Maria chuckled. "Of course, he didn't know it was you. You see, Zan knew that he would be followed from time to time. So whenever he and Rath wanted to sneak off and become Kivar and Nikolas, they would go into the seediest brothel they could find. Then, they would cover themselves in filthy rags and sneak out the back door. No one ever went in to look for them."
"So there was no..."
"None," Maria shook her head. "I do believe that in his entire life, Zan has only ever kissed one young lady, and that's Liz."
"So why won't he go to her?"
"Because she has to go home."
"Come again?"
"If Zan goes to Liz, then they will end up making up. And trust me. When they make up, the 'make up'. Liz will not be able to leave. She will stay here. Instead of becoming Max and Liz, it will be Zan and Liz. Serena will have no reason to make the Granolith, and Liz would have no means to travel to Antar to meet her soul mate, and.... Who knows what the future will bring then. No. It's better this way."
"So I need to get Liz home. Will she be all right?"
"You are the Keeper of the Dream, Maria. You know the prophecy. Return to Earth and keep your promise. You will make sure she is all right."
"I will," she nodded. Maria twisted her head and grinned. "Someone really important, huh?"
"The most important man in your world," Maria grinned.
Maria turned to leave. She paused. She turned around and threw herself at her great great... grandaughter.
"I'm so very proud of you," she wept.
"And I'm proud of you, Grandma. We all were. We have always been."
"Less of the Grandma," Maria sniffed. "I'm a hell of a lot younger than you."
"Not where I come from," the old woman grinned.

* * *

"Ready?" Maria broke away from her intimate good-byes with Rath and smiled at her friend.
Liz looked around the room one last time. Rath and Vilandra, along with a few other dignitaries had turned up to wish them farewell. There was no sign of Zan.
"Ready," she sighed.
Together, they stepped into the Granolith.
"This feels strange," Maria looked around the room.
"Yeah," Liz nodded as she started to remove her dress.
"Uh, Liz?" Maria raised a single eyebrow.
"I'm not going home in this," she shook her head.
Liz stripped naked and changed into her Earthly underwear. Nodding, Maria followed suit. They both pulled on their party dress, and their shoes.
"This seems like such a long time ago," Maria straightened her hemline.
"I wonder how everyone is," Liz nodded. "Poor Alex. I hope he's alright. I hope no one's accused him of our murder or something."
"They'll all flip," Maria looked at Liz. "We'll be grounded till we're in our hundreds."
"Suits me."
There was a strange tone to Liz's voice and when Maria looked up, she saw that Liz was crying.
"We didn't find him," she wailed. "All this was to find Max, and he wasn't there."
"You know," Maria pulled her into a hug. "Maybe he's back home, after all."
"Maybe," Liz nodded, though Maria knew she didn't believe it.
Liz broke away, and crossed to the strange hourglass device. She picked up the spare crystal and held it above the slot.
"Ready?" she wiped her eyes.
"Ready," Maria nodded, tears welling in her own eyes.
"Earth, here we come," Liz slid the crystal home.
"I wonder what the date is," Maria grinned as the whole room started to shake.
"I wonder how we'll get home from the chamber," Liz shrugged. "We should have programmed it to land closer to home."
"Do you even know how to do that?" Maria grinned.
"I could find out," she held up her notepad. "From this."
The shaking stopped.
"Never mind," Maria shrugged, "We're here now. Open the door."
"Wait," Liz paused.
She opened her ring book, flipped through the pages and stopped. Her eyes floated over the text before she tore the page out.
"Keep it," a panic started to rise in Maria. "Years from now, you'll wich you had. You know. When we look back and laugh about it."
Liz nodded, folded the page in half and tucked in between two pages.
"Maria," she turned to her friend. "Thank you. For everything. You've been such a good friend to me. You followed me and my dreams and you risked so much. So I'm gonna make it up to you, okay? I'll let you find my dream guy, okay? You can find my knight in shining armor."
"What about Max? What about your dream?"
"The dream's dead, Maria. Dead."
"Not if I can help it," Maria muttered.
"Excuse me?" Liz didn't hear her.
"I said, open the door, Chica. Let's face the music."
Liz waved her hand over the wall, and pressed it into the glowing handprint. The rock door slid inwards and then across allowing the bright sunlight to stream into the cave.
They stepped through the portal.

"Nothing happened, huh?" Alex shrugged. "Well, I'm not really surprised."
"Alex?" Liz and Maria blinked.
"Look, Liz," he thrust his hands into his pockets. He looked awkward for a moment. "Look, I'm really sorry. Okay? I'm sorry that I snapped at you. I'm sorry that I tried stopping you. And I'm sorry that this thing didn't take you to your Max Evans, okay? And I'm not going to hassle you anymore about dating you, because your friendship is more important to me. So even though, five minutes ago, I threw my toys from the pram... can we go back to just being friends?"
Liz and Maria exchanged astonished looks.
"Five minutes?"
"Yeah," he nodded, pointing at the chamber. "In there. When you wanted to put that thing in that... thing."
"Oh, Alex," Maria started to laugh. "Wait till you..."
"Already forgotten," Liz interrupted her with a glare as she gave Alex a hug. "Now come on. I'd better get my Dad's car home."

* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone.

Having had the week to digest last week's revelations, I hope that you understand the rather... interesting time line. If you are still confused, pm me and I will try to explain it.

Thank you for your feedback. Right now, things are so very hectic for me, but that's actually good. I know it;s not good in that my writing has suffered, but for my personal life, it is excellant. And it's about time I had some breaks. When things get tough, then it;s your words that help me.

MagickFantasy86 - Absolutely right. It starts with Liz, copying her own work, leaving it to be found and brought back for her to copy.

roswck - Well, Maria is the Keeper of the Dream. Then, she passes it on to her daughter, who is also named Maria. So it's MORE than her grandaughter. It's Maria.

AJK001 - Thank you.

paper - The paradox begins with Liz copying her own notes. Oh, wait. It begins when Serena makes the Granolith from the notes Liz copied from the book Serena wrote... uhm. And as for the Granolith.. you see, Serena made it, and went to Antar. Maria took the one that Liz and Maria had hidden in the chameber, which was the... uhm.. erm... I have a headache! I know nothing!

I am a dreamer - That's it exactly. Zan does not want to rule. He said it often enough. But Liz's revelation efectively trapped him, and prevented him from trying to patch things with Liz.

aurorasky - What did we just agree on?

Teresa - Well, laughing is good. I have some spare aspirin.

su-lyn - It was important that Maria understood. And of course, he descendants will know that one of them told MAria the truth, so they know that one day, on of them has to tell... uhm.. Aspirin?

Emz80m - Ah, Someone understands! Quick. Explain it to me.

Alma - Thank you for saying it was amazing. But what amazes me is your understanding of this when English probably isn't your first language. My hat is off to you.

VeronicaB - Sounds like your own paradox.

CherryFlavoredChica - Ah yes. Max. Forgot about him.

BehrObsession - Well, that would be a good solution. But Max doesn;t really understand how democracy would work. How long do you think it would take him to figure it ll out, see to elections and reside over the transitional government. Hmmm.... Maybe Liz doesn't meet Max for some time.

kissme4ever123 - Ah, but how often do we get what we want, or what we need? Liz rather upset the apple cart with her moment of pique.

smokie - Egad? Who says Egad? Do you imagine that the English say Egad? And as for What Ho????? That would be like me suggesting Americans begin their sentences with "You know what?" and say "Have a nice day." all the time. Oh, yes. I remember your time passing concern. And I couldnl;t say much because I wanted to keep this a surprise. That light in the tunnel... I hope it doesn't turn out to be an approaching train.

frenchkiss70 - Yup. Cliff hanging, Mind messing, all of it. And more. Just so long as you're entertained by it all.

roswellluver - Please dont mix up the crazy ladies. There's the mysterious lady, the one who was always talking to Zan, who wanred Liz about her heart in two thing, Maria's great great ( +++++ ) grandaughter. Then there's the crazy lady, who warned Liz that Max wasnl;t there, who was a little round the bend, who was Liz and Max's grest great (+++++ ) grandaughter. But yeah.

xmag - I hope you mean 'good' weird. And a 'good' twisted. I just wanted to be new, and ddifferent.

paper - and Liz is just waking up... methinks.

BelevnDreamsToo - You dpelled it wrong. That 'A' should be an 'I' Oh, I see. Oh my! I hope you mean that in a nice way.

Lilac Stardust - Thank you Well, as my mind is like a pretzel from writing this, too, it seems only fair.

Serephina - Thank you.


Okay - on with thenext part, Not too long, because I need to start setting up the next part. And this makes such a lovely ending.

I couldn't think of a track for this part. Sorry.



Part 33


"So," Maria called from the window that led from Liz's bedroom to her balcony. Her voice was gentle, filled with concern. "How are you doing?"
"I'm okay," Liz looked from the sky where she had been studying the stars to her friend who was now climbing through the window. "Just..." She shrugged.
"Yeah," Maria nodded. "Me too."
"Did we dream all that, Maria?" Liz looked lost and confused. "I mean, the King's court, the tournament, the..."
"No," Maria shook her head. Her heart went out to her friend and she wished she knew what she was supposed to do next. "No, it really happened."
"That's what I thought," Liz wiped her eyes. "I wish he had come to say goodbye."
"Me too, Chica," Maria pulled her into a hug. "Me too."
They sat together for a while, with Maria comforting Liz.
"What did your parents say," she spoke at last. "This morning when you got home?"
"Oh," Liz nodded. "They've been just... incredible. Really good, actually. I mean, I know they're worried about me and everything, but they just made sure I was okay and just let me sit quietly in my room."
"So you're not grounded?"
"No," Liz gave a half smile. "Not grounded."
"Good," Maria bounced up and down. "Cause there this big party over at Ufonics this coming weekend. Friday night. And I think it'll be just the tonic we need."
"Uhm..." Liz shook her head. "I don't think..."
"What happened to letting me find your knight in shining armor? So come on. You owe this to me. You owe this to yourself. And it's just a party, Liz. And that's all we'll do. We'll go, dance a little and just... have fun."
"No dates," Liz shook her head.
"Absolutely," Maria nodded. "No dates. I don't think you're ready for any dating action just yet."
"So..." Liz's voice was tentative. "Is it casual? Or formal?"
"Actually," Maria chuckled. "It's costumes."
"What?" Liz's eyes widened. "No, no, no, no, no. I'm not dressing up."
"You know what I thought?" Maria brushed aside Liz's objection. "I thought we could go out to the Granolith chamber, get our dresses we wore on Antar and like, go as these medieval princesses. We could make these tall pointy hats and drape some material from them, and... It'll be awesome!"
"Can't we go as something else?" Liz had a look of panic on her face.
Maria berated herself.
"Alright," Maria conceded. "Ixnay on the incessespray."

* * *

"Okay," Liz scribbled on her order pad as she stood next to a young couple from out of town. "So that's two Satellite Salads and a side order of Saturn Rings. Do you guys want any drinks to go with that?"
"Do you have any Fanta?" the young man asked.
"Uh huh," Liz nodded, glancing at the soda machine with the large Fanta logo.
"Two Fantas then," he added, with his partner nodding her head.
Liz headed for the soda machine by way of the order window. She left the food order clipped to the carousel and placed a large cardboard cup beneath the Fanta spout.
"This feels strange, huh?" Maria joined her.
"What does?" Liz held the button as the flow or orange liquid filled the cup.
"Being back at work," Maria shrugged. "Having to wait on other people, rather than having someone serve us. Having to tidy our own rooms. You know. Stuff." She looked around. "This."
"Yeah," Liz nodded with a sigh. "So what you're saying is that one day back and already you miss having a maid, huh?"
"Come on girls," Jeff stepped between the two of them. "I'm not paying you to stand around gossiping." The wide smile on his face told the girls that he was only joking.
"Dad," Liz rolled her eyes.

The bell above the door chimed its welcome tune. An automatic reflex, both girls glanced to see who was coming in and where they would sit. Maria heard Liz suck in her breath when she saw that the newcomer was her ex-boyfriend's father, Sheriff James Valenti. Wearing his well fitted uniform, his hat and his mirrored sunglasses, Valenti strode up to the counter, standing across from Liz and Maria.
"Ms. Parker," he touched the brim of his hat. "Ms. DeLuca."
"Can I help you, Sheriff," Liz greeted him with more nervousness than she should have felt.
"Yes you can," he nodded, placing his thermos on the work surface. He slid it closer to her. "You can fill that up with coffee for me, please."
"Sure," Liz took the flask to the coffee pots. She picked up the fullest pot and started to pour the coffee. "Do you need anything else?"
"Uh huh, there is," the Sheriff nodded. "Perhaps you would like to tell me why the FBI have taken such an interest in you?"
Liz froze. Only the hot coffee overflowing from the flask and burning her fingers roused her.
"Uhm" she turned, wiping her wet hands on her apron. Her face was neutral. She could see that Maria was looking worried. "The FBI?"
"What's this about the FBI?" Jeff had reappeared.
"I got a call yesterday morning," Valenti nodded. Seven o'clock in the morning. They wanted me to wire them everything I had on an Elizabeth Parker. They wanted to know if you ever had any trouble with the police, what kind of person you were, whether I considered you a troublemaker... I then got a call from the High School Principle. It seems that he was contacted too. They wanted your complete academic background and records."
"Can they do that?" Jeff frowned.
"I'm not sure," the Sheriff shook his head.
"Liz," Jeff looked down at his daughter. "Have you... have you been... Is there something, anything you'd like to tell us?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "This is as much a mystery to me as it is you, Dad."
"Why would the FBI be interested in my little girl, Jim?"
"They didn't tell me that," he shook his head.
"Should I contact a lawyer, do you think?"
"It couldn't hurt," Valenti nodded. "The new family that moved into Murray Lane last week. He's a lawyer. I could swing by and ask him to drop in, if you want."
"Murray Lane?" Liz squeaked. "A lawyer? Do they... do they have any kids?"
"I believe they do," he nodded. "I'm pretty sure I saw the mother at the elementary school. Probably signing them in."
"Oh," Liz's shoulders dropped.
"This lawyer," Jeff glared at Liz for her petty interruption. "Is he any good, do you know?"
"I don't know anything about him, Jeff," his head shook. "But if the FBI want to talk to Liz, you'd better get someone."

"Too late," Maria gurgled. She was pointing at the windows where three black vans pulled up in the streets outside.
Everyone turned to watch as half a dozen dark suited man wearing dark sunglasses emerged from each van, and started to moving in different directions. Four of the suited men entered the Crashdown. One of them held up a black leather wallet which showed a large cold badge next to an identification card.
"United States Secret Service," the man called. "I must ask everyone to leave the premises. Now."
"Now wait just a moment," Jeff started to move towards them. "This is a business I'm trying to run, and these are paying guests."
"Leave now or you will be arrested."
There was no waiting. As one, everyone in the café rose and headed for the door. They all looked fearful, as though they expected the building to explode. Liz and Maria exchanged nervous glances and headed for the back door.
"Hold it," the agent snapped.
The girls froze, looking back to Jeff and the Sheriff. The man brought his identification down and nodded to two of the men. They went through the doors into the back of the diner while the fourth stood by the main door.
"Hey, where do you think..."
"Are you Mr. Jeffery Parker," the agent interrupted Jeff's protest.
"Yes," he nodded. "Yes I am. And just what are you..."
"Please sit down," he indicated a booth against the wall, away from the window.
"Do you have a warrant, agent...?" the Sheriff paused, expecting a name, and an answer.
"Sheriff James Valenti?" the agent inquired. "Please leave."
"Now just a min..."
"Now, please Sheriff. This is not your concern."
"Yes, this is my concern," Valenti objected. "You see, this is my jurisdiction and these people..."
"This is a matter of National Security, Sheriff Valenti. If you wish to complain..." he reached into his pocket and produced a white card. "Call these people and they will investigate it for you. But in the meantime, please leave."
Valenti looked at Jeff who had grown visibly pale sitting in the booth and headed for the door.
"He buckled pretty quick," Maria murmured.
"Which one of you is Elizabeth Parker?" the agent turned to Liz and Maria.
"I am," Liz held up her hand. Her voice was shaking.
"Please sit down with your father," he motioned toward her. "You may leave now, ma'am," he nodded t Maria.
Maria looked at Liz, gave a weak smile, and ran after Sheriff Valenti.

"All clear," the two agents who had disappeared into the back room returned. "There's no one else in the house. Agents Carlson and Stevens are at the back door. The alleyway has been sealed."
Another agent came through the front door.
"Main street is closed and sealed to all traffic. We've diverted it two blocks away.
"What's going on here?" Jeff found his voice.
"Where is your wife, Mr. Parker?"
"What?"
"Your wife. Where is she?"
"She's ah..." Jeff looked confused. He suddenly grabbed Liz's hand. "Look, what's happened. Oh my god! Nancy. Something's happened to Nancy."
"Relax, please sir. Nothing has happened. We are just wondering where she is as we expected her to be on the premises."
"She's uh, she's gone to relatives. Over in Carlsbad."
"Are you expecting her home anytime soon?"
"No," he shook his head. "Not until late this evening. Look, do... do we need a lawyer or anything?"
"No sir," the agent shook his head. "You won't be needing a lawyer."
"Then can you please tell me what this is all about?"
"It's like I told the sheriff," he nodded. "This is all about National Security."

They sat in the diner in total silence for what seemed like ages. All the while, two black suited security agents stood careful watch over them while others searched through the café, hunting for goodness only knew.
"Do, uh," Liz spoke with a dry throat, "Do you guys want a drink or something?"
"No, thank you, Ma'am," the agent who appeared to be in charge shook his head. "That won't be necessary."
Liz couldn't look at him; his sunglasses made him appear even more intimidating than even Sheriff Valenti.
"Do you mind if we have one?" she continued.
"No," he nodded. "You go right ahead. But please do not try to leave this room."
"Dad?" she turned to her father. "Do you want anything?"
"Sure, honey," Jeff nodded. "But get me a coffee, huh?"
"Okay," Liz slid from her seat and headed for the counter.
"And Liz?"
"Yeah, Dad?"
"Make it strong, eh?"

Liz sipped her coke while her father stared into his full coffee cup. Silence descended once more, broken only by the calls on orders of various agents still outside. There was no sign of any other life out there, though Liz just knew that people were peering from behind blinds and curtains, wondering exactly what was going on.
"And so am I," Liz murmured out loud.
"What was that, honey?" Jeff, who had placed his arm around Liz's shoulder and pulled her closer.
"I was just wondering what was going on," Liz sighed.
"Perhaps you could answer that, agent?" Jeff barked. "How long do we have to sit here like this?"
The agent ignored him.
"Can you please find me someone who can answer my questions?"
The agent's head twitched. He seemed to be concentrating on something.
"Heads up," he called.
The agents conducting the search stopped what they were doing. One went to stand by the front door, while the other stood by the staff entrance. The fourth agent went to the blinds and turned them until they were closed. At the last moment of visibility, Liz saw some more black vans arriving, accompanied by a black limousine. The agent in charge lifted his hand to his face and talked quietly into his sleeve. From outside, there came a strange commotion. The café door burst open, ringing out its musical chime. A swarm of black suited agents ushered in a tall, stocky man in a gray suit.
"Mr. Parker," the lead agent turned to them. "Ms Parker. I have great pleasure in introducing you to the President of the United States of America."

* * *

[WR]

Hi Everyone

Now, why would you all worry, just because the President turns up to visit Liz, huh? Maybe because 'I' wrote it? What? It could be innocent. Maybe he just wanted to try the Men in Blackberry Pie?

Thank you, as always, for your feedback. Just lately, I have started to take notice of the location of everyone. I love it that so many people around the world read these stories (not just mine). Maybe the world will be a better place if everyone is made to read and respond to fanfiction.

Serephina - See, I knew you could wait. Hope the confusion ends.

roswellluver - hope you have stopped looping now. Maybe this part will help.

frenchkiss70 - What? How would Max get elected President? And wouldn't that make him 32+?? Uhm... NO. To wierd even by my standards Trick? No. Michael? Poor Maria!

Coley452 - Here's the explainin! Hope this clears it all up.

Kel1227 - Well, when ALL is explained, you will say, Of Course!

roswck - Maybe he heard about her sterling work for Whitaker.

Evans3 - What? Hey, I resent the accusation that I am losing my mind! I never had it to begin with! Hope this helps you get unlost.

I am a dreamer - Well, suddenly, it seems, Liz is no longer the smallest of small town girls. She has the Presidents attention.

su-lyn - Don't take it personally. I do my best to confuse EVERYONE. LOL

BelevnDreamsToo - Really? You thought that maybe Count Valerin would come all this way to get another dance with Liz?

cwm_ - Well, I am rather good at it, it just comes natural now.

BehrObsession - I don't know about "lots" but sertainly "some"

Emz80m - But how does he know about the Granolith? And even if he did, why wouldn't he just want the original?

aurorasky - At the last count another 47. Just call me Heinz.

polar vixen - Hmmmm.... the return of the prophecy. I thought Maria's explanation would have explained that.

kissme4ever123 - Lets see. Secret Service turn up, clear the Crashdown, block the streets, the President shows up to see the Parker family. That about sum it up? Oh, I see. You meant what the HELL for? Well...

YonkersMe - Did you resolve that explanation of the previous 32 chaprters? Nope. Same story. Just... well, you need to think about it.

RoswellLuver*16 - You're kidding, right? You mean I am predicatable? Oh my! I had better sharpen my deviousness! Not good enough, it seems. LOL

CherryFlavoredChica - Yup. TimeLine. Liz returns from Antar 5 minutes after she leaves, and less than 24 hours later, the President is in her diner. Ah, is the President (who by US Law has to be over a certain age) Max???

Alma - Ah, good one. The president's son. But his father was killed. And a bad King he was too.
PS. You are most welcome, and I wish I spoke Spanish (I speak a little) even half as good as you speak English.

VeronicaB - Well, I am trying to confuse you So mission accoplished.

SpiderGirl - What? Max.. er Kivar, no, Zan is in the hands of the FBI????? Ah, is Liz changed? Zan DID heal her.

AJK001 - LOL. Ah yes, The old hands just sit back and wait for the revalation in the sure knowledge that everything will be all right.

cherie - Well, if things changed in this timeline, that would suggest that something happened in the past to have made the change. So far, I have had no jaunts BACK in time, but you never know. Liz knows where the Granolith is and she knows how to use it, and she does make a rather remarkable statement tonight. So, who knows?

Realistic Dreamer - Well, Zan is certainly keed to get rid of the Monarchy, even now. Ah, but surely Zan would KNOW where Liz is. She told him everything.

Lilac Stardust - I'm not 'trying' so much as 'doing' Ah, yes. The details. BTW. I like pretzels.

paper - Ha ha - The Mad Hatter! Love it. But is the tea party about to startm or is the Mad Hatter really the Queen of Hearts! Off with her head!

Teresa - George W? Who is he? Someone important? No hostage release until the ransom is paid!

smokie - You know what? I got satisfaction anyway! *Smirk* I deliberately left the Prez nameless. LOL. I already made that joke. Me? Full of myself? As if! LOL. Tally ho, what?

tequathisy - A lot of people in loops. Does the president (any of them) even know what Subtle means? Liz telling MAria she will accept who she finds is her way of saying, I give up. Because she knows it's either take 'anyone' or she will be alone, becauise she has met, and lost, her soulmate.

I say, chaps. Rather spiffing, what?
Wonkernardly getynuffovthis, kanwon?



Men In Black
Will Smith

Here come the men in black
It’s the mib’s uh here come the mib’s
Here come the men in black men in black
They won’t let you remember

Nah nah nah
The good guys dress in black remember that
Just in case we ever face to face and make contact
The title held by me mib
Means what you think you saw you did not see
So don’t blink be what was there is now gone
The black suits with the black ray bans on
Walk in shadow move in silence
Guard against extra terrestrial violence
But yo we ain’t on no government list
We straight don’t exist no names and no fingerprints
Saw somethin’ strange watch your back
Cause you never quite now where the mib’s is at
Uh eh

Here come the men in black men in black
Galaxy defenders oho oho oho
Here come the men in black men in black
They won’t let you remember

Aha aha
Now from the deepest of the darkest night
On the horizon bright light enters sight tight
Camaras zoom on the impending doom
But then like boom black suits fill the room up
With the quickness talk with the witnesses
Hypnotizer neuralizer
Vivid memories turn to fantasies
Ain’t no mib’s can I please
Do what we say that’s the way we kick it
D’ya know what I mean
I see my noisy cricket get wicked on ya
We’re your first last and only line of defense
Against the worst scum of the universe
So don’t fear us cheer us
If you ever get near us don’t jeer us we’re fearless
Mib’s freezin’ up all the flack
What’s that stand for men in black
Uh eh

The men in black
The men in black

Let me see ya just bounce it with me
Just bounce with me
Just bounce it with me
Come on let me see ya just slide with me
Just slide with me
Just slide with me
Come on let me see ya take a walk with me
Just walk with me
Take a walk with me
Come on and make your neck work
Now freeze

Ohhhhhoh

Here come the men in black men in black
Galaxy defenders ohh ooohh
Here come the men in black men in black
They wont let you remember oh nohh

Alright check it
Let me tell you this in closing
I know we might seem imposing
But trust me if we ever show in your section
Believe me it’s for your own protection
Cause we see things that you need not see
And we be places that you need not be
So go on with your life
Forget that roswell crap
Show love to the black suit cause
That’s the men in
That’s the men in

Here come the men in black here they come
Galaxy defenders galaxy defenders
Here come the men in black oho here they come
They won’t let you remember won’t let you remember

Here come the men in black ohh here they come
Galaxy defenders oho oho oho
Here come the men in black
They won’t let you remember


Part 34


Liz looked at her father, who had turned to look at her. As the President of the United States of America walked toward them, both gaped in open-mouthed astonishment at one another. They turned to watch the man approach them.
"Should we stand?" Jeff whispered from the side of his mouth.
"No," Liz shook her head. Her mind was racing, wondering if this visit had anything to do with her trip to Antar, and if so, how the President had found out about it. "This is 'our' home and he's come to see us. So we sit." She felt proud of her defiance.
"Okay," Jeff nodded, though he neither looked or sounded particularly okay.

"Mr. Parker," the president stood at the end of the table and extended his hand across to Jeff.
Jeff accepted the hand and started to shake, his mouth opening and closing but remaining silent.
"Ms. Parker," he turned his attention to Liz.
"Mr. President," Liz inclined her head.
Once she had recovered from her initial shock, Liz, unlike her father, was not overwhelmed. Although many considered this man to be the most powerful man on the planet, Liz had stood before men with 'real' power. Men who would take another's life at the drop of a hat, and frequently did. Liz had also stood before a man who could heal.
"Do you mind if I sit down?" he indicated the bench seat opposite them.
"Please," Jeff nodded, waving his hand at the seat.
"So," the president reached for the menu. "What's good here?" His eyes ran down the card but Liz doubted he took anything in. His mind was on other things, just like Liz's.
"All of it," Liz informed him. "But the grill's cold now, so you'll have to come back another time."
"I might just do that," he chuckled, placing the menu down. "Nice place you have here. I expect you make a good living from it."
"We survive," Jeff nodded, his senses returning.
"So, how are you today?"
"Fine?" Jeff continued to bob his head up and down, exchanging glances with Liz. "Fine."

"Perhaps you could skip all the pleasantries and just get to the point?" Liz demanded. "At least, I'm assuming that there's a point as to why you're investigating. To why you've come all the way out to the Crashdown Café in Roswell, New Mexico."
The president gave Liz a long, cool look, one from which the young girl did not flinch.
"My advisors said that you would want to get straight to the point," he started to smile. "But they neglected to tell me that you had steel hidden among that beauty."
"And they probably didn't tell you that I'm not easily impressed," she shook her head. "Especially by patronization."
"I'm sorry if you took that as patronizing, Ms. Parker... may I call you Liz?"
"If it will make you get to the point any faster."
The President sucked in a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.
"Liz," he folded his arms on the table and leaned on his elbows. "Do you believe that there could be life out there? On another planet?"
Liz's hackles rose. Her heart started to pound and she found herself glad that she was not rigged up to a monitor of some sort. She hoped that she was hiding her feelings from the man.
"Sure," Liz gave a slow nod, controlling her nervous voice as best as she could. "I mean... it would be a little arrogant of us to assume that of all the planets in the universe, ours is the only one capable of sustaining at least 'some' form of life."
The president nodded, offering his silent agreement. He continued to watch her for a moment. Liz forced herself to remain calm under his scrutiny.

"As you are doubtless aware," the president looked around at the diner's décor. "The US Government has long been accused of the conduction of various cover ups and involvement in assorted conspiracies regarding the apparent existence of extra terrestrial contacts. And, of course, you are fully aware of the facts, as reported by practically anyone who cared to give their opinion, of the Roswell crash, back in forty-seven. Well, I would like to state, for the record, that any and all accusations that the government has had any contact at all with an extraterrestrial civilization are totally and completely false. We have never had any contact with any alien life form, alive or dead."
"Wait!" Jeff found his voice. "Do you mean to tell me that all of this..." he waved his hand at the agents and the elaborate security, "hullabaloo is so that you can tell me that our sales gimmick offends you?"
"Until now," the President finished.
The room went as quiet as a grave.
"Excuse me?" Liz was the first to recover.
Jeff's jaw was still somewhere on the floor. There were dollar signs in his eyes.
"You mean..." her voice went dry. "We've had actual... contact?" Who, Liz wondered. More importantly, why?

"Last week," the president nodded. "SETI started to pick up signals from a source that did not originate on Earth. Strong signals. So strong, in fact, they were initially ignored and classed as reflections of our own transmissions. Especially as the message was being transmitted in plain English, and not some... mathematical code as had been expected. And it was a low, earthly frequency. The scientists have long been predicting that contact would be made on some ultra high frequency."
"I guess they were wrong, then," Jeff smirked.
"So, uh," Liz was struggling to hide her excitement. "Where... where did it come from? The signal."
"We're not entirely sure of the exact location," the president shrugged. "But the best guess, based on the direction it came from, is a place called the Whirlwind Galaxy."
"Whirlwind," Liz spoke with a slow sigh.
"Do you know of it?"
"Yeah," Liz nodded.
"The planet appears to be called..." the president hesitated. "Antar."
"Antar?" Liz squeaked. "The planet?"
"Do you know it?" the president's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Liz wanted to smirk and tell the man how she had just come back from there, the day before. That it was actually just one country on that planet.
"No," she shook her head. "It's just... wow. Extraterrestrial life, huh?"
"What exactly did this message say?" Jeff leaned forward. "And how does this affect us? More importantly, what was in this message to make you investigate my daughter? To bring you all the way out here to tell us?"
Liz shifted uneasily in her seat.

"The message we received was a communication from the leader of this planet, Antar. Their King. King Zan."
"And, uh," Liz hoped that no one could hear her heart pounding. She repressed the urge to grab the president and force him to talk faster. "What did this... King Zan? Say?" Her stomach heaved when she said his name. Liz wished Maria were with her right now.
"Basically," the President glanced around as though there might be someone listening who shouldn't be. "King Zan has only recently ascended the throne of Antar, following the tragic but not unexpected death of his father who passed away in his bed, in the arms of his wife."
"Nice," Liz murmured with a roll of her eyes. She wondered if Zan had thought of that explanation, or if the President had misinterpreted the message.
"Now, apparently, King Zan is keen to abdicate, dissolve the monarchy, and install in its place, another form of government."
"I see," Liz nodded, hiding her smile. "However, they don't really know what to replace the monarchy with, seeing as that is all their people know. So he wishes to study our democracy, in the hopes of using us as his guide."
"So..." Liz's voice was almost a squeak, tight with the excitement she could hardly contain. "King Zan is coming here? To Earth? To the USA?"
"Not the king, no," the president shook his head.
Her soaring heart plummeted. She only just held her disappointment in check.
"Take it from me," he smirked. "Do you know how difficult it is for me to take a simple vacation? So I would imagine that for him, the ruler of an entire planet, it's no different. No, he's sending his representative's in his place."
"I see," Liz nodded.
"I still fail to see how this affects Liz," Jeff interrupted. "Why would the FBI be interested in Liz, because some... alien wants to come and study our democracy?"

"I'm coming to that," the president nodded. "Now, they didn't exactly tell us, but the messages received by SETI suggest that ours was not the only nation that Zan is speaking to. We intercepted messages in Chinese, Russian, French and Arabic. It appears that King Zan is studying more than Democracy. Russia and France certainly have a form of democracy, but neither are exactly friendly to the U.S. China, as you are aware, is still communist and while not openly hostile... And as for the Middle East..." He waved his hand in the air. "Clearly, it is in our best interests if King Zan chooses our form of government for Antar. I'm sure you can see both the long and the short term benefits in that."
"Oh, sure," Liz nodded, wondering if the president was trying to imagine the wealth of technology that Antar might possess. She had to work hard to suppress her giggles.
"I still fail to see where Liz fits into this," Jeff stared the president down. "And why the investigation?"

The president gave a nervous cough and shifted in his seat.
"I have to ask, Ms. Parker," he leaned back. "Liz. Can you explain to me how the King of a planet in a galaxy so distant, it would take a ship built with our technology, over three thousand eight hundred and forty years to get there, has heard of you?"
"Me?" Liz mimicked a stunned gape. "He knows my name?"
"During our initial discussions, we advised King Zan that we could put his representatives up in the White House. We explained that as Washington DC was the capitol, it was also the heart of our democracy. He said no."
"You spoke to him?" Liz hid her envy.
"Not to King Zan, no. To his, uh, chamberlain."
"What was his name?"
"It was, uhm, Rath."
"So what did he say? Rath. When you told him they should stay in Washington."
"Rath said that King Zan wanted his representatives to stay among ordinary citizens. He says that all the decisions that a government makes affects everyone, right down to the most insignificant of the population. He wanted the representatives to see everything, to feel everything. He said that King Zan had randomly chosen Roswell, New Mexico, as his representative's base."
"I see," Liz exchanged a look with her father. "And my name featured how?"
"Rath also said that they would need a guide... a translator of sorts. Someone who could explain the things that happen and the decisions that are made in plain and simple... and honest terms. Someone who could help them gain a complete understanding of the pros and cons of our democracy. Ms. Parker. King Zan has requested that you be this guide."

* * *

The three of them were by Maria's car, parked in the middle of the old quarry, above the huge, blue body of water. Alex threw a stone and watched as it descended into the water, sending out concentric rings across its surface. High above them, a bird of prey screeched.
"So, basically," Maria looked up from where she was leaning against the hood of her Jetta, to her friend who was staring into space. "Zan's sending some... representatives to Earth to learn what government is best suited to Antar, and he's asked for you to look after the one he's chosen for good ol' U.S. democracy."
"That's pretty much it," Liz nodded.
"But we got back from Antar yesterday," Maria narrowed her eyes. "How could the president have been in communication with 'King' Zan last week? And more importantly, how could Zan have known your name before you even left for his planet?"
"But you were only gone five minutes!" Alex threw another stone, aiming for the center of the first's rings. He held a stunned expression. "Five minutes!"
"And why involve the government. I mean, come on," Maria cast Alex a sympathetic smile. She knew he just need time to come to terms with the startling revelation they had told him. "We both know Mr. Prez is only in it for what he can get."
"I don't know," Liz frowned. "I can't work out why Zan would do something like this. I mean, I told him all about my dream, how the authorities would want their technology. I just don't understand why he went to the President."
"Yeah, but you and I both know that they don't have any," Maria smirked. "Technology, that is. None that we could use, leastwise."
"There's the Granolith," Liz shrugged.
"And you say this Granolith is..." Alex shook his head, "a space ship?" He turned to face Liz. "And you invented it?"
"Yes, Alex," Maria nodded. "Just like we told you." She turned to Liz. "Does he even know about that?"
"Who? The president?" Liz shook her head. "No. At least... I don't think so."
"But he's expecting this representative to arrive on Earth somehow, right?" Alex turned to face the two girls. "I bet that he's hoping that while Alf's learning Government one oh one with you, his experts can try to reverse engineer whatever he arrives in. Except I suspect that these representatives will arrive in the Granolith. Somewhere quiet."
"But we have the Granolith here, Alex," Liz looked over. "Remember?"
"Yeah," Maria nodded. "So I wonder what Zan's got planned? And I wonder why he can't come himself?" Her mind was racing.
"Too busy," Liz's voice went quiet. "Oh, and something else. I'm supposed to make nice with this guy."
"Guy? Might be a woman. In fact, knowing Zan, I bet it is. He won't want someone muscling in on his territory."
"I'm not 'his' territory, Maria," Liz glared. "And I doubt he even thinks of me."
"And you expect me to believe that? I saw the way you two looked at each other. I saw the way you two practically had sex on the dance floor."
"Maria!" Liz's eyes widened.
"What?" Maria defended. "It's true. The next time you two dance, you will burn the place down."
"There won't be a next time," Liz shook her head.
"Don't bet on it," Maria whispered with a grin. "Cause I know different."
"What exactly happened up there?" Alex frowned.
"Never mind," Maria smirked.
"Know what else he told me?" Liz continued.
"Who? Zan, or the President?"
"The president," Liz shook her head. "He wants me to tell his agent, who's going to stay here in Roswell, anytime I have to meet with this... representative. They want to brief me before I meet with him, and debrief me afterward. They want to know everything I say to him, and everything he says to me. I'm supposed," Liz drew imaginary quotation marks in the air, "to pump him for information."
"What did you say to that?" Maria shook her head.
"I told him no," Liz shrugged. "Unless he was prepared to tell me everything 'he' discusses when he meets representatives from other countries."

"This... guy. He's going to be an alien, right?" Alex walked over to the car and leaned against the door.
"It could be a she," Maria smirked. "But yeah. An alien."
"So, everyone will see. Everyone's going to know that this guys an alien."
"They look like us, Alex," Maria rolled her eyes.
"But if they live in this kind of feudal environment, all this is going to be strange to them. I mean, how will they react to say, a car?"
"I don't have to keep it a secret, Alex," Liz interrupted. "The president is going to address the nation on Saturday. He's telling everyone about it. And I'm meeting this... uh, representative on Saturday night. Formal introductions."
"Where?" Maria looked over, surprised at this new information.
"At dinner," Liz went quiet. "The, erm... Whitehouse. A welcome to Earth, sort of thing. It's ah... going to be on the news. A special report."
"Dinner, huh?" Maria shook her head. "As in a date?"
"Not in this lifetime," Liz rolled her eyes. "But the good news is that I can bring a friend. In fact," she grinned at Alex. "I can bring two. And my dad's coming, too."
"So I guess the party is out, Friday night," Maria was bouncing with excitement.
"We fly to Washington Saturday morning," Liz shook her head. "So we can still party."
"My Lizzy," Maria grinned. "Only sixteen and already an intergalactic heroine and TV star."

"And you say that this Vilondra is really Isabel and in your dream, I dated her?" Alex's face brightened. "Maybe she's going to be the representative Zan sends."
"I'd have to agree with him," Maria nodded. "If I was Zan, that's who I would send."
"Then she will have some interesting facts to report back to Zan then," Liz's eyes hardened.
"Oh, oh," Maria groaned. She looked Liz in the eye while she shook her head. "Tell me you are not going to do something stupid."
"Define stupid," Liz glared.

* * *

[WR]

Hokay,

I'm a bit rushed tonight. My eldest daughter was in a condensed version of Macbeth and I've just got back. So it's either post now and skip my little comments to you feedback, or post tomorrow with them.

I figured you prefer my story to my comments.

I would just like to say... BelevnDreamsToo, you have to be nice to me now. I have your picture!



Part 35

"Thank God that this week's over," Maria pulled her bobbing alien antennas from her head and collapsed backward onto Liz's bed.
"Yeah," Liz agreed with a nod as she sat on the seat by her vanity table. Her voice sounded distant. "It has been a little..."
"Weird?" Maria raised her eyebrows.
"Tell me about it," Liz sighed. "I mean, it's been bad enough that everywhere I turn, someone is making some sick gag about me and aliens, usually involving some... sexual innuendo... but the President's visit has really driven the rumor mill into overdrive. Pam Troy's been having a field day."
"All because of Kyle," Maria gave a derisive snort. "Telling his buddies about your dream and stuff. I bet he's been pretty vocal too."
"Uhm," Liz shook her head. "Actually, no. He hasn't said a word. In fact..." Liz looked around. "The way he looked at me yesterday... it was as if he was... apologizing."
"Kyle? Apologizing?" Maria blinked. "No way."
"Uh huh," Liz nodded.
"You're not... you're not thinking of getting back with him, are you?" Maria sat upright on the bed.
"No," Liz shook her head with a heavy sigh.

"Do you miss him?" Maria spoke in a soft, tentative voice. "Zan, I mean."
"Yeah," Liz nodded with a sad frown. "I just wish... I wish he'd come to say goodbye at least."
"I miss Rath too," Maria looked down.
"Oh, Maria," Liz scurried across to her friend. She sat down and wrapped her arms around her. "I got so wrapped up in my own misery, I forgot that you're hurting too."
"Well, at least I had some kind of closure," Maria shrugged. "Liz, you're not going to do something to try and make Zan jealous... or angry, are you?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "He's had enough of being treated badly. I don't want to be another name on a list of people who don't really care about him. If the president had brought Zan's ambassador with him last Sunday, I..." she bit her lip. "I might have done something stupid. You know, to hurt Zan. Because he hurt me. But I've been thinking... maybe if I hadn't told everyone about Kivar... maybe if he could have persuaded someone to rule in his place..." She paused, thinking. Tears welled in her eyes. "Oh, Maria. What am I going to do?"
"Well," Maria sighed. "I have this feeling, you know? Zan was in love with you. Correction, 'is' in love with you. And I bet that he will find some way to juggle his responsibilities toward his country and his feelings and desire to be with you, and do both. You wait and see."
"I wish I had your confidence," Liz whispered. "It's been a week."
"Just believe in your dream, Chica," Maria smiled. "The way I do. Maybe whoever Zan sends will have a personal message for you. Now, I better go and get changed if we still want to go to this party tonight."
"'Kay," Liz nodded. "But we're not staying late, right? We have a big day tomorrow. And I'm hoping to get a chance to talk to this ambassador alone."
"Liz," Maria frowned.
"Don't worry," Liz rolled her eyes. "I want to see if maybe he would let me talk to Zan. Alone. I mean, he's got to have some means of phoning home, right?"

* * *

Liz pulled her Lincoln green mini skirt up over her pale green pantyhose, and after tucking in her white blouse, she fastened the button at her waist and pulled up the zip. She pulled on her Lincoln green waistcoat, fastening the buttons. She stepped back to study her ensemble in her mirror. She nodded, liking what she saw. Although she had vetoed any suggestions pertaining to anything alien, or anything royal, she accepted the idea of Robin Hood, secretly because it gave her some kind of affinity with Zan. As Kivar, he had led the life that Robin Hood purportedly had led all those years ago. She wondered if Maria had made the connection.
"Lizzy?" her father called up the stairs. "Friends here."
"Just coming," she called with a roll of her eyes.
Normally, her father sent Maria and Alex straight up. Ever since the president had visited and informed them of Liz's rather amazing duties, however, he had become almost snobbish in his attitude. This was only slightly tempered by the fact that he was not allowed to say anything until the President's speech tomorrow, which was just before the rather unique state banquet. He even thought that this fancy dress rave was beneath his daughter and had suggested she not attend. Liz had simply just rolled her eyes at him.
Looking back at the mirror, Liz picked up the small, Lincoln green cap with the long, dark feather, and secured it to her hair with a couple of bobby pins. She stepped into a pair of high-heeled shoes and picked up her toy bow, complete with a rubber sucker tipped arrow. Grabbing her purse, she headed for the stairs.

Liz didn't really pay all that much attention as she stepped into the Crashdown Café's back room. She didn't see who was waiting for her.
"Sexiest damn Robin Hood I've ever seen," Wyatt Earp grinned from middle of the room.
"Kyle!" Liz exclaimed, startled into awareness.
Dressed as a wild west sheriff, complete with a shiny star pinned to his chest, Kyle stood clutching his Stetson in his hands, turning it nervously by the brim.
"Liz," Kyle nodded. "I uh..." He glanced over his shoulder at the door that led to the diner. "I asked your dad if I could have a quick word with you. I was afraid you wouldn't speak to me, so I asked him not to tell you it was me."
"Oh," Liz wasn't sure what else to say.
"It's just, uh," Kyle started to fidget from one leg to the other. "Look, Liz. I'm really, really sorry. About all this..." he raised his arm and dropped it. "What people have been saying about you. To you. I reacted badly to what you said... to our breaking up... And I should never have told Pauly and those others about your dream... and... you know. I... I wasn't thinking. And if there was any way I could take it all back, I would."
Liz remained silent, digesting Kyle's words.
"I liked you, Liz. A lot. I still do. You're not like the other girls... all superficial and... fake. You're... special. And you know, even if I can't see you as my girlfriend... I'd really like it if I could still count you as... my friend."
Liz studied Kyle, still not speaking.
"I understand if you don't want to be friends," his head dropped.
"Kyle," Liz spoke softly. "I'd like that. Being friends. But..."
"But?" Kyle's head raised. He looked hopeful.
"I don't think we could ever get back together or anything."
"I'm not looking to get back together, Liz," Kyle shook his head. He looked sincere. "Yeah, it would be great if we did and all, but I've always known that you were destined for greatness. One day, those morons from school will see an article about you and say, yeah, I knew her. But it would be far more amazing to be able to say, 'Yeah, she's my friend.'"

* * *

"Okay," Maria bubbled from behind the steering wheel of her Jetta. She was dressed identically to Liz, except that she wore a vivid red outfit. "Liz is Robin Hood. I'm Will Scarlet. I still think you should have come as Maid Marion, Alex. That would have been so funny."
Dressed as Friar Tuck, Alex glared at the rear view mirror from the middle of the back seat.
"I don't care what you think, Maria," he called. "I am not dressing up as a girl. Not for you. Not for anybody."
"What?" Maria suppressed the huge grin that was threatening to break out. "You're already wearing a dress."
"Robe, Maria," Alex rolled his eyes. "It's a robe. Tell her Liz."
"Hmm?"
Beside her, Maria thought that Liz looked like she was in another world. One where she danced with the man of her dreams and practically made love on the dance floor.
"Tell Maria it's a robe. Not a dress. A robe."
"It's a robe, Maria," Liz smiled. "Not a dress. A robe. And I think it's a cute one, too."
"You're as bad as she is," Alex fumed.
"Hey," Maria smirked. "What do you expect? You hang around someone long enough, some of them is bound to rub off on you."
"Yeah?" Alex grinned. "So how come you don't score any A's?"
"Shut up," Maria muttered to the sound of both Alex and Liz's laughter.

* * *

Ufonics was heaving to the steady, rhythmic beat that pulsated throughout the building. Everywhere, people were dancing in the darkness, illuminated by bright spot lights that swept in random patterns across the floor, and by an assortment of glow sticks, held by the dancers. Although it was heated by the bodies generating kilowatts of energy, there was a soothing chill to the dancer's feet as the floor was lined with a white cloud of 'smoke' billowing from a machine that blew the vapor from a block of frozen Carbon Dioxide. To a series of jokes, insults and cat calls, Liz made her way through the throng to a more quiet corner. Those people that weren't making some remark were watching her. The word had spread about how the President of the United States ground Roswell to a halt so that he could visit her and her Father.
"It makes you wonder if they will ever grow up," Alex shouted into the girl's ears.
"Probably not," Liz shook her head.
"I can't wait to see their faces on Monday morning," Maria smirked. "Man, you'll be the most famous person in the U.S."
"I wonder how those other countries are going to handle it," Liz nodded.
"How did he know?" Alex shouted above the noise.
"Know what?" Liz frowned.
"About those other countries. I mean, he knew that they were different to us, and that they spoke different languages. And if Liz didn't tell him..." He looked for confirmation. She shook her head. "Then how did he know?"
"Put that in the 'Things to Ask' book," Mara smirked. Her face fell. "Oh, oh, Trouble."

Liz and Alex followed Maria's line of sight. A group of about ten people were approaching them. Every one was dressed as an alien."
"Take me to you lea-der," one of them spoke the way cartoon aliens did.
"Better yet," another added. "Seeing as you're hot for aliens, how about you just lie back and spread 'em?"
Raucous laughter erupted from the gang. Alex stepped in front of Liz, but he was grabbed by two of the aliens and although he put up a struggle, he was held with his arms pinned behind his back. Liz's eyes widened with fear. Maria looked around, frantically searching for help. She spotted Kyle pushing through the crowd, his face a mask of anger. As the lead alien reached for Liz, Maria knew Kyle would be too late. Besides which, Kyle was only one.
"So, Liz," the first guy leered. "Which one of us can be first?"

"Take it easy, guys," someone spoke from the side. The voice was muffled. "A joke's a joke, but you seem to be taking this one too far. How about you leave the ladies alone?"
Everyone turned to face the newcomer. It was a knight, dressed from head to foot. He wasn't exactly shining, but any port in a storm.
"Now just a minute," the leader puffed himself up, approaching the knight with the confidence of twenty other guys behind him.
The knight's arm lashed out, grabbing the assailant's costume by the neck. He pulled the man right up to his visor.
"I asked if you would leave, nicely," the voice hissed. There was danger in that voice. "Now you can go peacefully, and leave the ladies alone. Or I can get really nasty and teach you some manners."
"There's a dozen of us," he tried to sound more confident than he was.
"You're only ten. And I'm encased in a metal suit. Ever tried hitting metal? And you are the one I'm holding right now, and you are the one who will suffer the most. Now you tell your friends to leave. Or I will..."
"What's going on, guys?" Kyle stepped next to the two men.
"Kyle," the alien spluttered. "This doesn't concern you."
Kyle looked around, noticing that Alex was still held in an armlock, and Liz and Maria's look of concern. He also glanced at the knight, trying to see who it was.
"Who are you?" Kyle asked.
"Sir Lancelot," the helmet nodded. "You are Wyatt Earp, I take it? Do you know these... uh, people?"
"Uh..." Kyle narrowed his eyes and turned to the aliens. "Pauly, you get your ass out of here. If you or any of the others try this shi..." he glanced back at the girls. "Stuff with Liz again, I'll kick your ass."
The aliens backed away, not because they were afraid of the knight, but because Kyle, their team captain, had told them to. They melted into the growing crowd.
"Thanks Kyle," Liz touched his arm, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, thanks," Alex was rubbing life back into his arms.
"So who's your friend?" Kyle looked from Liz to the knight.
"I have no idea," Liz shook her head as she turned to face her protector.
"He's heard the stories too," Maria had already rounded on him. She had to take her anger out on someone, and he was the most convenient. "Well you just saddle up your steed and chase some windmills or something. Got it, bub?"
"I just..." the voice sounded less sure of himself.
"Yeah, I bet you did," Maria growled. "Now push off!"
The knight beat a hasty retreat.
"You don't think that was... you know," Liz whispered conspiratorially. There was a look of excitement in her eyes. She mouthed the word, 'Zan.' "Do you?"
"I think you would have felt him," Maria sighed. "Don't you?"
"Yeah," Liz agreed, her shoulders slumping, looking where the knight had ust disappeared. "I guess I would have. I wonder who he was, though."


* * *

High above the American Midwest, the Lear Jet hung amid the wide expanse of blue while green brown tapestry rolled away beneath it.
"What are they doing back there?" Alex turned in his plush seat and looked at the compartment door behind which the stewardess whisked Maria and Liz shortly after takeoff.
"Well," Jeff looked up from his book and turned. "Considering you have practically grown up with those two, you don't know women very well. Do you?"
"I don't see why they can't join us. I mean, how many times are we going to fly in a private jet?"
"I get the feeling," Jeff turned back and relaxed. "That Lizzy is going to be doing a lot of this. Travelling. Know what I think? I think that one of these hot shot young diplomats is going to fall for Liz. Hard."
Alex looked at Jeff Parker, with a soft smile on his lips.
"There's only one guy for Liz," he sighed. "And somehow, I don't think anyone in Washington stands a chance. Especially if Liz ever meets him."
"Who are you talking about, Alex?" Jeff looked up from his book. "Is Liz back with Kyle, now?"
"No," Alex snorted. "No. What I meant was..."
"Wait. What do you mean, 'if' she meets him?"
"Liz has this... I don't know," Alex realized that he had talked himself into a corner. "She just has this ideal guy in mind, that's all. So, what are they doing back there anyway?"
"Dressing."
"But they were already dressed."
"For tonight," Jeff smirked. "They're having their dresses altered."
"Oh," Alex nodded.
"Liz is one of the Guests of Honor," he continued. "They said that they would provide a seamstress to make Liz's dress.
"And we have to make do with our Sears and Roebuck ninety nine buck specials," Alex rolled his eyes.
"You do, maybe," Jeff smirked. "I've already been fitted for my suit. What? I am her father, you know. And do you really think Nancy will let me introduce her to the President in a cheap suit?"
"I am gonna look so out of place," Alex groaned.

* * *

"So these rumors," the President looked at his aide from his ornate but comfortable leather seat. "About dreams of aliens and stuff. How reliable is the information the agents picked up?"
"Schoolyard rumor, innuendo..." the aide shrugged. "The breakup was certainly real. Everyone was talking about it."
"What do you make of them?"
"It's hard to tell," the thin, balding man shrugged. "She gets dumped by the most popular guy in high school because she apparently has some dream about having sex with an alien. It could be just some adolescent teenager's fantasy. On the other hand..."
"She's a very bright and intelligent young lady," the president nodded. "Forthright."
"She certainly didn't seem freaked out by the concept of getting close to an extra-terrestrial."
"She doesn't seem the type. Inquisitive, I'd say. She'd probably welcome the opportunity."
"Especially if she's had previous contact," the president scratched his temple. "So do you think that maybe this King Zan has somehow infiltrated her dreams?"
"I don't think so," he shook his head. "I think it's all a coincidence. If he had his pick of the entire population, don't you think he would have selected someone a bit higher profile? Like a film star, or a singer, or someone. And certainly not an small town girl from a small town whose very existence makes somewhat of a mockery of the possibility of extra-terrestrial life."
"You may be right. But these guys. The one who threatened Liz. Is there likely to be a repeat of this?"
"No," the aide stated with confidence. "He had some help, but the Sheriff's lad seemed to put a lid on it. I think he harbors hopes of re-uniting with the girl."
"I just hope he's not the jealous type then. I wonder if Liz realizes just how much time we want her to spend with King Zan's ambasador?

* * *

Next Week... The one you're all waiting for... Liz meets Zan's Ambasador.

[WR]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay. Things ae very hectic, what with one thing and another, so I apologise that mys posting has suffered.

Teresa - Don;t bang your head TOO hard against the monitor. Don't want to break it, do we?

BehrObsession - Well, I can't quite get the hang of writing a bad Kyle.

Evans3 - Well, I keep on writing... Not s ofte as you would like, I suspect... but I do it anyway.

Timelord31 - You think the representative will be a clone? NOT the REAL Zan? Hmmmm... Interesting.

paper - Well, Rath seemes more intent on protecting Zan. So I doubt he would accept a babysitting role. Probably NOT Rath.

Alma - Well, if it WAS Zan, how would Liz have not felt him? I don;t think Zan would deliberately block Liz. Max never could.

Kel1227 - Well, I hope this update was worth that wait.

isis7777 - 6 days instead of 7??? I'm harldy coping as it is!!!

Lilac Stardust - Well, I suppose it COULD have been who you think, but then, wouldn;t Liz have felt him?

AJK001 - Well, because of Maria's talk with Maria, we kow that something happens... EVENTUALLY. Maria never said when, did she?

su-lyn - Well, I hope your patience is replenishable.

katmcken - Hmm.. Well, you don;t find out tonight.

frenchkiss70 - Ah, but what blissful torture, right?

VeronicaB - I guess I meant tonight Sorry.

tequathisy - Oh, we will meet Zan's amabassador all right.

Emz80m - Hope the wait was worth it.

SpiderGirl - I guess as I would be the Cliihanger KING, you can still be my Cliffhanger Queen.


aurorasky - But everyone says how Zan CAN'T come, he has a country to run.

BelevnDreamsToo - It was okay. The only picture she showed me was the one with you dancing on the picnic table with the empty bottles of wine around your feet.

mareli - Well, fear not. All Liz's father wants for her is some major contacts. What father wouldn't?

roswellluver - Ah yes. Who indeed?

CherryFlavouredChica - ..... because I can?

Smokie - Yes, well, gladd to see that even the Flu can#t keep you away. As for Jeff, well, his little girl is mixing with elite. Who wouldn;t want the best for her?

LTL - Welcome back . Glad you go to grips with MAria/Maria. LOL. Maria guessed that as Liz made no 'signal' that the knight was Zan, he wasn't. After all, do you think Liz would just say, oh, it's Zan. Nuh uh. LOL.

Part 36

"I can't believe they're letting us sleep over in the actual White House," Alex shook his head as he stared through the tinted windows of the limousine at the buildings of Washington. "Our own bedrooms in the place. The actual friggen White House!"
"Alex," Nancy Parker gasped. "Language!"
"Sorry Mrs. P." Alex glanced at the two ever-present agents that were watching over them. Or, as Alex had whispered conspiratorially to Maria, who were just 'watching' them.
"I'm sure your parents brought you up with a much better vocabulary than that," Nancy continued to scold him. "And calm down. Don't draw so much attention to yourself. You don't want people thinking we're a party of hicks, do you? Look at Liz and Maria. They act as if staying in the White House is no big deal. Like they regularly stayed in castles or something."
Liz and Maria exchanged a short smile.

"You okay," Maria whispered to Liz.
Ever since they were an hour away from Dulles airport, in Washington, Liz had become strangely quiet. She seemed to be concentrating awfully hard on something. Like she was trying to remember some elusive fact.
"Yeah," Liz just nodded.
"Spill, Chica," Maria wouldn't let it go. She knew that there was something bothering her friend.
"I think..." Liz looked around, making sure that no one was listening in on them. She opened her mouth to speak, but then stopped. She looked around, remembering that this limousine belonged to the government.
"I was just thinking about that, uhm... film I was telling you about," Liz gave Maria the look. "You know. About that kinda dream thing?"
"Huh?" Maria frowned. Then realization dawned. "Oh, yeah. I remember." She nodded. "What about it."
"It's just... I was kind of thinking. It's like she could feel him. You know?" she conveyed the truth with her eyes. "Like she could feel his presence getting closer. At least, that's how I interpret it."
"So you mean, she wasn't sure? It was just... that's how it felt?" Maria glanced at the agents. "You feel Zan?" she mouthed in silence.
"I think so," Liz gave a slow nod. "I mean... I think that's it. It might just be nerves, or something."
"You go with it," Maria shrugged. "I've seen enough to make me believe. If you think that your explanation is right, that's good enough for me."
"What are you two talking about," Alex interrupted
"Films," the girls both replied at once.

* * *

The press conference was over. The president had stood behind his podium and had addressed the nation, confirming to the world, the presence of extra-terrestrial intelligent life. He told them how they had been contacted out of the blue, by an alien civilization keen to learn the democratic values of the west. He talked about this heralding in a new era, one in which travelling to distant planets might become science fact rather than fiction. He then explained how an Antarian ambassador and his retinue would spend some time on Earth, among the countries 'normal' citizens. That was when he pointed out that this made every U.S. citizen that came into contact with any of these Antarian representative, an ambassador for the United States of America. After he reminded everyone that their technology, being greater than our own, would give them unknown advantages over the human population, it might be wise to treat them with the same respect and peace in which they have approached us. Then, he told them about Liz. How, out of all the people in the country he could have chosen, King Zan had selected young Elizabeth Parker to become the go between for the two great peoples. As the president fielded questions, most of which were aimed at her, Liz knew that her life would never be normal again. Agents for every major chat show on the networks had already approached her father with a view to being the first one to put Liz on their show. Liz had already warned him that this might happen, and had told him rather bluntly that she was not going to appear on any television program unless the ambassador was happy for her to do so. An ambassador that so far, she had not met.

"Can you believe all of this?" Maria shook her head as she looked at the expression on her friend's face.
Maria and Alex had become Liz's unofficial minders. They stuck to her like glue, making sure that no one spoke to Liz unless she was accompanied. Many tried to engage her in a private conversation, including a couple of younger men who recognized a ticket to fame when they saw one. The fact that Liz was also rather attractive made the concept of attempting a seduction all the more palatable. She appeared more so in the elegant off white sleeveless gown that clung to her slight frame. She wore long off white gloves to match, and the First Lady had even loaned her some rather expensive looking jewelry. Maria had told her that she looked rather like Holly Golightly. As eager as the young vultures were, Maria was far too street smart, even in such lavish surrounding, to allow them their opportunity. She had a dream to protect. The hardest part, though, was making sure that Jeff Parker didn't whisk her away to be introduced to some Senator's son, or other well-positioned young man. In spite of their task, however this did not prevent them from taking note of the sheer opulence that surrounded them.
"Not really," Alex shook his head.
"It's okay, I suppose," Liz was looking around, her eyes scanning the faces of every young man, searching out the soulful eyes of someone whose presence she firmly believed that she could feel.
She wasn't interested in the architecture, or the décor, or anything else that had been pointed out to her by half a dozen men brought to her for introduction. She was interested only in the source of the strange feelings she had inside her. Feelings she had only dreamed about.
"Still feeling it, huh?"
"Feeling what?" Alex demanded.
"She can feel his presence, Alex," Maria informed him.
"But I can't see him anywhere," Liz groaned in frustration.
"As much as I don't really understand what you mean," Alex picked his words carefully, "I really don't think that Zan would come here himself. I mean, lets think logically about this. He's the King, right? Their leader. He has to run the planet, right?"
"Country, Alex," Liz corrected. "Antar is the country, not the planet."
"Okay, okay," he shrugged. "Country. He still has to rule it. If he could just take off a year or two to come here as an ambassador, he would have to leave someone else in charge, right? In his place, I mean."
"Right," Maria nodded. "And your point is?"
"My point is, if he found someone who was good enough to look after things in his absence, why would he bother with this ambassador thing? Why wouldn't he just come down here to be with Liz?"
"The thing about logic," Liz turned and glared at Alex. "It's only good for computers and nerds."
"Hey," Alex grinned. "I am not a nerd!" He paused for a moment. "I'm a geek!"

* * *

With her gloved arm resting over the President's, and with her parents behind her, they approached a small cluster of men. Liz's heart beat so loudly, she felt sure that every person in the room could hear it. They seemed to be heading for the tall, rather stocky man with the short, graying hair who stood with his back to them.
"Miss Elizabeth Parker," the President of the United States of America spoke formally. "I have great pleasure in introducing his Royal Excellency, Ambassador Fulpevance, from the court of His Majesty, King Zan of Antar. Excellancy," he turned and bowed to the ambassador who turned around. "Miss Elizabeth Parker."
Liz curtsied as she had been taught on the jet by the protocol officer. When she looked up, her heart fell. It was not Zan who was looking down on her, but still... he seemed so familiar.
"I am honored to make your acquaintance," he reached for her hand and lifted it to his mouth. He placed a light kiss on the back of her hand. "I have heard much about you, and I cannot tell you how much I have looked forward to this meeting."
Around them, hundreds of cameras flashed, capturing this front page moment for posterity.
"The pleasure is all mine," Liz hid her disappointment. "I cannot tell you how honored I am to have been chosen so randomly from all the other more worthy candidates."
The Ambassadors eyes were laughing at her choice of words. Randomly? They both knew why she was chosen.
"And these must be your parents," he noticed Nancy and Jeff Parker watching with a mixture of pride and apprehension.
"Uhm," Liz turned to look at them. "Yeah. This is my Mom..."
"I am charmed to meet you, Mrs. Parker," the ambassador gave a brief nod and placed a light kiss on the back of Nancy's offered hand.
"And my Dad."
"Mr. Parker," He shook hands. "You have raised a fine daughter. I would like to introduce you to my son, and my own daughter who have accompanied me. And my wife, also. But ..." he looked around the room. "They seem to have been spirited away. "My son seems to be a big hit with the young ladies," he winked at Liz who was standing at his side. "Come," he smiled as he lifted his arm out. "They are awaiting our entry."

Dinner was a maddening affair for Liz. She could feel Zan's presence, at least, she believed she could feel it, but she could not see him anywhere. Her eyes scanned every table, over and over. Those people whose faces she could not see did not have the right build, shape or hair color. He was nowhere to be seen. And the ambassador, Fulpevance, infuriated her. Not him, per se, but her recognition of him. Try as she might, she could not remember where she had seen him before. She cast her mind back to her time both at the palace and at Kivar's camp. She could not remember her ever having seen him before. But why was he so familiar? Coupled with her feelings, and her trying to sort out her recognition problem, Liz was also frustrated by the total lack of privacy with the ambassador she was being afforded. She wanted to ask him about Zan, while these governmental busy bodies wanted to talk about stupid things.
"So, what do you think of our democracy so far?" the man whose job Liz couldn't remember asked.
She wanted to scream at him, to tell him that the man had only been here a day or two and to give him a chance. The Ambassador was a bit more politic, smiling and nodding where appropriate.

There were many courses, most of which Liz tried a few bites of, many toasts, speeches galore and questions. Lots and a lot more tedious and inane questions. After the meal, they made their way to one end of the room where a small ensemble played muted waltzes and minuets. Still Liz had to stand by the side of the Ambassador, waiting for her moment to speak with him alone.
"So, your Excellency," a young man approached, trying to make Liz notice him. "I was wondering if you might have need of any advisors back on Antar. I mean, it's one thing to see democracy in action, but it's quite another to put it all into practice. Now, having qualified from Harvard at the top of my class..."
"Arrangements will be made for any advisors that may be required at the appropriate time," the Ambasador nodded at the man. "And in any case, it is my understanding that the King has already selected those he considers to be... suitable, to advise him, already."
"I see," the young man knitted his eyebrows together. "But I can..."
"I have no doubt that you can," he smiled. "But as I am guided by my king, and not by what other people consider prudent, I shall leave such decisions to him. Now, if you will excuse me, Miss Elizabeth and I have much to discuss."
"Perhaps I can assist Elizabeth?" the young man looked hopeful.
"Do you suppose your President would allow one of my retinue to sit in on his secret meetings?"
The young man stared in silence.
"No," Ambassador Fulpevance shook his head. "I didn't think so."

* * *

Liz had no concerns at being sequestered alone with this man whom she recognized from somewhere, but didn't know. Zan would never send someone who might be a threat to her. So she did not feel the slightest discomfort when the door closed behind her.
"Ambassador Fulpevance..." Liz began as the man turned back from closing the door.
He looked at her with a smile, raising his finger to his lips, requesting her silence. Liz blinked, but nodded. Fulpevance lifted a small pen-like device from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"There," he spoke at last. "I have no doubt that there are listening devices all over this room. It wouldn't surprise me to find a camera or two, also."
"You're probably right," Liz nodded. "So that... uhm, pen, thing. That stops it from hearing us?"
"And seeing us, correct," Fulpevance smiled.
"So, uh, what did you need to discuss with me?"
"At this moment," he sat down in an armchair, "nothing."
"But out there," Liz could not hide her surprise, "you said..."
"I have sensed that you have wanted to talk in private with me for some time. The opportune moment arose for a little privacy. So," he shrugged. "What was it you wished to talk to 'me' about?"
"How is Zan, I mean, King Zan?" she sat on the edge of a seat near to him.
"King Zan is fine," Fulpevance nodded. "He sends his heartfelt greeting, of course, and hopes that we find you in good health."
"Oh," Liz's heart fell. It was not him she could feel.
"Is there something wrong?" Fulpevance frowned at her. "Have I somehow caused offense?"
"No," Liz fought back her tears. "I was... I was hoping that Zan was going to... you know..."
"Come as the Ambassador?" Fulpenace raised an eye. "Would that he could. But you know as well as I that King Zan has to remain behind and rule Antar. There is much to do, and no matter how good he is, King Zan cannot be in two places at the same time." He stretched out an arm and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Forget Zan, my dear. He is lost to you, I'm afraid."
"I can't," Liz wiped the tears that were forming. "I love him."
"And I'm sure he returns that love, but he has more to think of than his own... or your happiness. He has to look after the entire population."
"Can I speak with him?" Liz blurted. "I mean, I know you have some means to communicate with him. To tell him what's going on down here. So, can... could I talk to him? Alone?"
"We can send messages to and from Antar, my dear," he spoke softly. "But they take weeks to get there."
"Oh," Liz sniffed.
"Come," Fulpevance rose, reaching out his hand. "The music has already started and we have been away too long.
Fulpevance retrieved his pen device and replaced it in his pocket. He then escorted Liz out into the crowd.
"I am led to believe that you love to dance," he spoke in her ear. "But sadly, I have two left feet. I cannot, and do not dance. Not even with someone as lovely as you. My son, however," He started to look around.
"Oh, no," Liz shook her head. "Since I had that dance with Zan... you know, I just don't..."
"Nonsense," he smiled. "I'm sure you will like my son. He is a fine young man with a great future ahead of him. And I believe that he dances just how you like it. Ah, here he is now."
Liz couldn't really see him. There was a crowd of young ladies who seemed to be barring his way. She could just make out a young man's shape trying to push through.
"Elizabeth Parker," Fulpevance started. "I have great pleasure in introducing..."
And then Liz saw him. His face appeared in a gap between two young ladies. And she knew that what she did next, what she said next would determine her entire future.
"Max," she breathed, her heart soaring, her face lighting up like the proverbial Christmas tree.
"...my son. Max Evans," Fulpevance finished.
Liz did not repeat the same mistake. This time, she kept Zan's secret.

* * *

[/img]

[WR]

Hi everyone.

First, some personal news. A few weeks ago, I thought I pulled a muscle in my groin. I was wrong. It turned out that I had developed a rather annoying affliction called a Hernia. In fact, I have a double Hernia. And... I go into hospital on Friday morning to have the things repaired. I do not make a good patient, so I am not looking forward to this, the first surgery I have ever had. But it has to be done. At some point between 13:00 and 17:00 GMT, please spare a thought for me. Thank you. I'll check in to let you know all went well.

Now, on to the thank yous. As always, I have truly appreciated your fine feedback, guesses, opinions and wotnot, especially on this story which was filloed with some many twists and turns. It was fun to see where you thought this was leading, and I had such a blast reading your 'hopes'.

Even though at times, I had to miss out responding to your feedback individually, I have read each and every one. And I always eagerly look forwrd to the next mail that tells me someone has left me a reply.

Can I take this opportunity to give a BIG thank you to BordersInsanity for being my beta reader. She has had to put up with a lot from this story. Thank you, Jen!

Now, with out further ado...





The Closest Thing To Crazy
Katie Melua

How can I think I'm standing strong,
Yet feel the air beneath my feet?
How can happiness feel so wrong?
How can misery feel so sweet?
How can you let me watch you sleep,
Then break my dreams the way you do?
How can I have got in so deep?
Why did I fall in love with you?

This is the closest thing to crazy I have ever been
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen,
This is the nearest thing to crazy I have ever known,
I was never crazy on my own...
And now I know that there's a link between the two,
Being close to craziness and being close to you.

How can you make me fall apart
Then break my fall with loving lies?
It's so easy to break a heart;
It's so easy to close your eyes.
How can you treat me like a child
Yet like a child I yearn FROM you?
How can anyone feel so wild?
How can anyone feel so blue?

This is the closest thing to crazy I have ever been
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen,
This is the nearest thing to crazy I have ever known,
I was never crazy on my own...
And now I know that there's a link between the two,
Being close to craziness and being close to you.

And being close to you.



Part 37

The whole world disappeared. Unconsciously holding both of the other's hands in theirs, Max Evans and Elizabeth Parker could only gaze upon one another, their eyes locked in a union of infinite possibilities.
"Max," Liz spoke the word with an almost reverence.
"Liz," Max breathed her name with a low, husky growl.
"I'm sure the two of you have much to discuss," Fulpevence shifted with a slight sense of intrusion. "Perhaps you should, ah..." he looked around. "Dance. That's it. Go to the dance floor where your, uh... you won't be quite so noticeable."
His words fell on deaf ears. Neither gave any indication that they heard.
"Or not," the ambassador shrugged. "Have you switched your 'pen' on, son?"
Silence greeted him. Max and Liz were too wrapped up in each other, though neither had spoken - in fact neither had moved, not even blinked.
"Tell you what," he shook his head. He pointed to some tables. "I'm just gonna..."
Fulpevence walked away, chuckling to himself. He cast a backward glance at the young couple and smiled. They would forgive each other, he knew. In fact, he had no doubt that they had already done so. A long time ago.

* * *

"We should, uhm... dance... or something," Max finally broke the silence.
"Or something," Liz nodded, still absorbed by his features.
"Can you forgive me?" his eyes widened with sincerity. "For the way I... treated you when we last... I mean, when I..."
Liz released a hand and placed her fingers over his lips, stopping his words.
"Only if you forgive me," Liz nodded. "For blowing your cover like that. I mean, you worked so hard and..."
"You were hurt, and angry," Max lowered his eyes. "Over my... over the way I tricked you. But I reacted badly to it. I should have known that I could not keep my subterfuge a secret. Especially around you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Liz lifted his chin so she could look at him again. "I mean... why didn't you let me in on what you were doing? I would have helped, you know."
"I was afraid." Max sighed. "I thought that you and... and Denda, that you would eventually..."
"Max," Liz groaned. "It was only ever you. I wouldn't even have married Denda if he was the last man..."
"He could have been the King."
"And you think I was attracted to you only because of your power?" Liz looked stunned. "Max, I love you. I always have. Didn't my dream tell you anything?"
"I was unsure," shame colored his face. "I had so many things going on, so much to plot and plan. And I couldn't see that you returned my love. I thought... I believed that it must have been Denda in your dream. That you would realize your mistake and... Even when the old woman told me, I was sure she was mistaken."
"Returned?" Liz smiled. "So, you do love me?"
"With all my heart," Max nodded, clasping her hands to the middle of his chest. "From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew that it was you who was the missing half of my heart."
"So now you're here..." Liz frowned. "Not that I'm complaining or anything, but... why are you here, anyway?"
"You have been told the truth, Liz," Max smiled. "I will never lie to you again. I... we are here to learn about democracy. I plan to introduce this concept to my people so that they can choose for themselves, their future leaders. I have put forward this proposal, and the people agree with one condition."
"What's that?"
"That I continue to rule, as King, until our first elections, and that I stand as a candidate in those same elections."
"And the others?" Liz raised an eyebrow.
"What others?" Max frowned. He turned to glance at a small cluster of young women giving Liz cutting glares. "Do you mean those ladies? No, they..."
"No," Liz shook her head with a smile that suggested THAT particular matter was not yet done with. "The other Ambassadors. To France, and the Middle East, and..."
"Ah," Max nodded. "Those others." He looked around the room, noticing how other people were now watching them. "Let's dance," he led Liz to the dance floor.
Liz followed, unable to help the little happy skip she performed along the way. Max was here, leading her to a dance floor, and he loved her. Could life get any better?
"There are no others," he whispered in her ear as he held her in the classic waltz pose. One hand was placed on each other's hip while Max held her other hand in his. They weren't as close as they would have liked, but they had a lot to talk about. Closeness would come soon enough.
"I suspected that," Liz nodded. "So... why?"
"I just wanted to make sure that I kept your President honest," Max grinned. "I remember the things you told me that happened in your dream. So I knew that I had to make sure he would do nothing to jeopardize the possibility of having a friendly relationship with our people."
"But why even tell him, Max?" Liz narrowed her eyes. "You could have come down, posed as a normal family, and learned about democracy that way. Why did you have to reveal yourself as coming from another planet?"
"In your dream, Liz, you did everything in your power to protect me and my secret. And it tore us apart. Even if only for a short while, I will not suffer that for anything, Liz. So it's like I said. No more lies."

"But what about him," Liz nodded at Fulpevance, talking to a woman who like the man, tugged at her memory. "Aren't you lying when you introduce him as your father? And I assume the woman is your mom? They're lies, Max."
"Not quite," Max nodded. "You remember what kind of a man Azande was, don't you?"
"Of course," Liz blanched.
"And Denda. You remember him, right?"
"How could I forget?" Liz shook her head.
"Have you never wondered how it was that I was so different from them?
"Well, no," Liz shook her head. Then she nodded. "Yes, actually."
"You see, Queen Nadanne... she..." Max sighed. "When she gave birth, she insisted upon the presence of her own medical staff. Not the ones Azande wanted. Anyway, something went wrong. Her son was stillborn."
"How awful," Liz raised a hand to her mouth. Then she blinked. Her eyes narrowed. "But you..."
"I was not Azande and Nadanne's son," Max shook his head. "You see, she was afraid of how her husband might react to the news that his son and heir had not survived childbirth, as a result of her own interfering. So Nadanne ordered that a new born boy be found, and taken to replace her own dead son, so that she may present an heir to Azande. So I was taken from my birth parents, and lived the life of a Prince. Her own servants were sworn to secrecy, plus the fact that they would hardly have survived Azande's wrath helped with their silence. I always knew that I did not belong with Azande, so when my real parents approached me, just after you left, I knew that they were telling the truth. And I also believe that Azande had always known of Nadanne's subterfuge, which was why he replaced her and sired Denda."
"So, Fulpevence..."
"You pronounce it funny, too," Max grinned. "Your President and his men do that. Perhaps it's the assumption that people from distant planets should have strange, far away names. His name is Philip Evans."
The teasing piece of missing memory fell into place.
"And the woman," Liz grinned. "Your mom. Diane Evans?"
"That's right," Max grinned.
"Wait," Liz frowned. "But that means... what about Vilondra?"
A look of sadness descended upon Max's face like a curtain.
"That's the one thing in all of this that truly hurts," Max nodded. "To have discovered that Vilondra... was not my real sister was almost as hard a blow as watching you step into the Granolith." Max started to nod. "Yes, I was there. I could not bear to stay away. Although I could not bring myself to speak, I let you go and felt my heart crumble. And then, to discover that Vilondra and I were not really related... That was what finally prompted me to take this gamble and come to find you."
"So..." Liz took his words in. "So Philip mentioned a sister. Is it..."
"Isabel? Yes. Of course, she was adopted into the family, given that she had done so much to help me. Even though we are not related by blood, we are by ties that perhaps only you could understand."
Liz nodded.
"And is she here?" she started to grin. "We'll have to introduce her to Alex."
"Time for that, later, Liz," Max smiled. "Tonight is about you and I."

* * *

Maria was worried. When she saw Fulpevence talking to one of the President's aides, she went into panic mode, fearful that Liz was on her own and at the mercy of any one of these vultures. She moved through the crowds around the dance floor, looking for her. She was nowhere to be found. Full of concern, she looked through the dancing melee and saw her. Her relief faded to chagrin. Her face was bright as she stared up at the man she was dancing with. A tall man with dark hair.
"No," Maria shook her head. "I'm not letting you give up on your dream for one of these social climbers," Maria started to march toward them with determination set upon her face.
Someone stepped in her way. The two of them collided.
"Why don't you watch..." she glared at the obstacle. And then her face lit up.
"Ra..." she started to exclaim, but he beat her to it.
"Michael," he held out his hand, talking loud enough to drown her own announcement. "Michael Guerin. Assistant to Ambassador Philip Evans."
"Philip..." Maria narrowed her eyes. They widened in an explosion of hope and she turned back to look at Liz again. Yes. Only one man could make her smile like that."
"Tell me that's Z..."
"Max," Michael nodded. "Max Evans. Philip's son. Have you met him?"
Maria nodded, a huge smile splitting her face.
"Couldn't keep away, huh?" she smirked.
"Max wanted to come," he shrugged. "He wanted to see Liz. I couldn't let him come alone. I'm still his bodyguard, his chief of security.
"You're more than that, Michael," Maria smiled. "You're his best friend."
"Thank you," he nodded. "But I, uh... think Liz might have that role now."
"No," Maria turned again to look at Liz. She was shining brighter that the brightest star. "She's his soul mate. He needs someone like you, just like she needs someone like me. Best friends who will tell them when they are being stupid. Who will always have their backs."
"I've done a lot of that," Michael nodded. "Both watching his back and telling him of his stupidity. It took me a whole month to persuade him to come."
"A month?" Maria frowned, looking up at him. "But we've only been back a week."
"I'll tell you about it some time," he shrugged. "As we'll be living in Roswell and attending your High School, I expect I'll be seeing a lot of you." He glanced at Max and Liz. "An awful lot."
"I think so," Maria nodded at the two lovers. "Hey, where are you going?"
Michael was starting to walk away.
"I should rejoin Mr. Evans."
"What? You aren't even going to ask me to dance?"
"Maria," he turned to her. "I'm just some guy who was lucky enough to have made friends with... Max. Someone who did what he could, used him, in a way, so I could get revenge on the man who killed my father. Look around you. All these fine young men would love to get to know you. They have rank. Position. And through Max and Liz, you will meet others. Me? I'm a nobody."
"That's where you are wrong, buster," Maria pulled him by his arm. "You are not a nobody. You just happen to be the most important man in the whole world." She started to drag him. "Now let's go dance." She looked back and smiled. "Earth style, of course."

* * *

"Okay, Max," Liz absorbed everything that Max had told her. "I have two questions."
"Then ask them," Max smiled. "Though I have to tell you, I suspect you know more about me now than I do."
Liz started to giggle.
"Your first question?" Max smiled.
"Everyone tells me that Zan couldn't leave Antar; that he had a country to rule, and everything. Yet, here you are. So, how...?"
"Well, let me say that King Zan is sitting on his throne even as we speak, making some new decrees that will help make Antar a better place to live. In fact. I suspect that at any moment, he's going to be talking to the ambassador from one of Antar's neighbors. I expect the ambassador has a proposal of marriage to his King's daughter to cement their relations."
"To which he will say...?" Liz's voice had a dangerous edge.
"That His Majesty, King Zan of Antar must reluctantly decline your King's fine offer, as his heart is set elsewhere."
"It is?" Liz smiled. "Wait. Max? Have you... Are you a clone or something?"
"Nope," Max grinned.
"So how is it that you are in two places at the same time?"
"The same way that you returned home only five minutes after you left, having spent months in Antar."
"How did you know about that?" Liz frowned.
"I..." Max closed his eyes and grimaced. "I arrived on Earth the day before your dream."
"What?" Liz gasped, pulling away slightly. "But how? Why? And how come you didn't say anything?"
"I needed to see what kind of life you led, Liz," Max sounded full of apology. "I wanted, no, I needed to see for myself what I would be taking you away from. I arrived on the same day you had that dream, so that I could see how happy your life was before you received it."
"And what did you decide?" Liz still looked angry.
"I decided to add my own little twist to your dream," he smiled. "To let you know that I would be here waiting for you, when you returned from Antar. I wanted you to know that after everything you endured in your dream, that you would find me and I would be right here for you. The 'how' is easy enough. I used the Granolith. And as to why I never said anything... the Zan you met in Antar didn't know anything about you yet. And if I came to you before you went, then our lives might have turned out different to how they're supposed to turn out."
"And how are they supposed to turn out?"
Max thought for a moment.
"I only know how I want them to turn out," he grinned.
"So you've been down here, all this time? In Roswell?"
"Until last night. We all flew down here after that party."
"You were the knight?" Liz gasped.
"I had to make sure you stayed safe," Max nodded. "I've been watching you since the night of your dream. And can I just say, that day you sat outside our house, so broken, and miserable...Michael and Isabel had to physically restrain me from coming out to you."
"You saw that, huh?"
"I'm so sorry, Liz," Max lowered his eyes again. "About what misery that dream caused you."
"So how come I never felt you?" Liz was trying to recall any feelings that might have warned her. "In Roswell, before I left, I mean. And how come I never felt you at the party last night?"
"Before you left for Antar, you probably were feeling me, which probably added to your... your distress. But you didn't recognize it for what it was. Not until you came back. And ever since you did come back, I've been wearing a special suit. The one I wore last night, in fact. You gave me the idea for it when you told me about your dream."
"It's not made of..."
"Depleted Uranium," Max nodded. "Very thin, of course. And very heavy."
Liz remained silent for a moment.
"So let me get this straight. You used the Granolith to come here. You spend some time here, then what? Zip back to Antar?"
"Arriving only moments after I left for Earth, and ruling Antar for a while. Then, I come back here, again, arriving moments after I leave."
"Two places at once?" she widened her eyes.
Again, there was silence between them.
"Max?" Liz's eyes narrowed with concern. "Is there any possibility that doing all that time travel might hurt you in some way?"
"It's only for a while, Liz," Max gazed into her eyes. "Until I can get a new government formed and officially abdicate.
"If you feel the slightest bit... If it affects you in any way, it stops. Okay?"
"Okay," Max nodded. "Now, you had a second question. Or have we covered it?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "It's not been covered yet."
"Okay," Max nodded. "So what is your second question?"
"When," Liz looked up and batted her eyelashes, "are you going to dance with me the way I taught you?"

* * *

The president stood to one side, next to the first lady. He was watching the couples on the dance floor.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" he asked his wife.
"In the movies," the First Lady snorted. "Why? What makes you ask that?"
"Those two," The President nodded at Antarian Ambassador's son and Elizabeth Parker. "They met, what, ten minutes ago? Look at them. It's as though no one else exists?"
"Infatuation," his wife shrugged. "I mean, think about it. He's from another planet, he's handsome... you saw how all the other young ladies were practically throwing himself at him. His friend, too."
"Yet he didn't give any of them the time of day. And they are a far better catch than this young girl from the sticks."
"Tell me this then," the First Lady returned from her scrutiny. "If you think there is something there, why is there a space between them, huh?"
"Perhaps they're talking," the President shrugged.
"Catching up on old times, I'd imagine," she rolled her eyes, heavy with sarcasm. "Trust me. If those two start to date, they wouldn't last a month. They're just too..."
"Different," the President nodded.

* * *

"I can correct that," Max smiled. "Not dancing, I mean."
His hand slid from her hip around her back, pulling her body close to his. He let go of her hand and placed this at the base of her neck. Smiling, Liz reached her arms around him, pulling his head down to hers as she reached up to meet him. Protocol be damned, Liz had waited so long... too long, to kiss Max Evans. The elegant strains from the small musical ensemble were drowned out by the sound of two hearts beating. Lips met, tentatively at first, but with more and more ardor as the owners realized that nothing would be denied. As lips mashed together, small pink tongues sneaked out to see what they might find. And the dam burst. The nibbles at first as their hands caressed; Max teasing the nape of Liz's neck while hers twiddled his strands of hair at his.
"Max," Liz groaned through her ecstasy.
"Oh, Liz," Max sighed into her mouth as their tongues entwined.
They danced. Or they stood still. Neither knew. Neither cared. They didn't even care what the surrounding dignitaries thought. Liz gave no thought to her parents, and Max certainly gave no thought to his. As far as the young couple was concerned, no one else existed. Nothing else existed. Only themselves, and their love for one another.

"Okay," the First Lady fanned herself with her hand as she watched the young pair. "I stand corrected. Maybe there is such a thing as love at first sight."
"What?" Maria smirked at her as she led Michael across the room to introduce to Alex. "You've never seen soul mates meeting before?"

* * *

"Alex," Maria tapped his shoulder.
Picking from the buffet table, Alex turned around.
"This is caviar," he frowned at the small heap of black on the square of dried toast. "Looks like frog spawn or something. Oh, hey, Maria. So, who's your friend?"
"Alex. This is Michael," she smiled. "Michael Guerin. He's here with the Antarian Ambassador. Michael, this is Alex. Mine and Liz's best friend."
"Uh huh," Alex put the caviar down and wiped his hand on the back of his slacks. He extended it to Michael. "Erm... How... are... you... doing?"
"He have a speech problem?" Michael frowned at Maria.
"No," Alex sighed. "I've just never met an alien before."
"Let me know when you meet one," Michael growled.
"Uhm..." Maria rolled her eyes. "Can you two be more dense?"
"What?" Michael glared. "He's the one calling me alien. And all that 'how... are...you...' Why doesn't he just say, take me to your leader and be done with it?"
"He's my friend," Maria glared back. "Outside of Liz, my 'best' friend." She turned to Alex. "And Alex. This is 'Michael.' You know? Mi-chael."
Alex stared blankly. His eyes widened.
"Oh, 'Michael!'" he nodded with understanding. "Wait. Aren't you like, the second in command to...? No!" His face widened with surprise. "Don't tell me King Zan actually came himself, did he?"
"Of course not," Michael stared Alex in the eye. "How could he?"
"No," Maria grinned. "Zan didn't come. He sent 'Max'. Look." She pointed out to the dance floor where Max and Liz were standing motionless in an all encompassing, passionate kiss.
"Oh... my... god..." Alex mumbled. "Should they be doing that here?"
"Isn't it beautiful?" Maria giggled. "Wait till you see her smile, Alex. You've never seen her smile like 'that' before."
"There'll be no living with him," a sarcastic voice droned beside her.
"Oh, Vil... uhm... Isabel?" Maria looked up at the statuesque blonde.
"Isabel Evans," Isabel nodded extending her hand to Maria. "Sister to that," she nodded at Max, "clown showing us all up."
"Pleased to meet you, Isabel," Maria grinned. "I'm Maria, and this... drooling idiot is Alex. He's our best friend. Mine and Liz's."
"Alex, right," Isabel nodded. "And no. Underneath this cold exterior isn't a warm and sensitive soul waiting for the right person to bring it out."
"Huh?" Alex gaped.
Isabel pressed her fingers under Alex's chin, closing his mouth.
"Kidding," she smiled. "I heard all about the dream, too."
"So, are you guys going to live in Roswell?" Maria looked from Isabel to Michael? And go to high school, too?"
"Yeah," Isabel chuckled. "Pathetic, isn't it?"
"Oh," Maria grinned. "I think you'll fit right in. So where abouts are you going to live? Wait, wait, wait. Murray Lane, right?"
"You didn't see us, did you?" Michael stared with suspicious eyes.
"Huh?" Maria frowned. "See you? No. It's where you, well, Isabel and Max... But I overheard the Sheriff say that the woman who lived there was at the elementary school. Does Max have a younger brother or something?"
"No," Isabel shook her head. "My Mom is going to teach the children about life in Antar, so that they aren't scared of us. You know, how we really gobble up little children and so on."
"Ah," Alex spoke. "You know, maybe you shouldn't make jokes like that.
"Whatever," Isabel shrugged. "Oh. Look. There's that cute Jesse Ramirez. I'm going to go and talk to him." She turned back to the small group. "I hope we'll all be friends. See you later, Alex."
Alex watched her go.
"You don't know how lucky you are, man," Michael placed a sympathetic hand on Alex's back.
"It would have been nice to find out for myself, though," Alex sighed.

* * *

"So tell me, Mr Fulpevence," Jeff Parker nodded at the ambassador.
"It's Philip," Philip interrupted. "Philip... Evans. And my wife here, is Diane. And my son... he's around somewhere. He's called Max. And my daughter who is right there with those others is Isabel. Oh, the spikey-haired guy is my son's best friend, Michael."
"So you have taken Earth names?" Nancy nodded.
"Not taken," Philip shook his head with a smile. "They've been our names since we were born."
"So you have the same names as us on your planet?" Jeff narrowed his eyes.
"It appears we do," Diane grinned.
"As I was saying, Philip," Jeff continued. There was more than a hint of worry in his voice. "How much time do you plan to spend with my Lizzie? I mean, I know how enthusiastic she is about performing this, uhm, duty, but she's a bright girl. There's every chance she'll go to Harvard, unless her studies start to suffer."
"Well," Philip took a deep breath. "'I' don't actually plan to spend very much time at all with Elizabeth. Liz. Other than when she comes to dinner, or to study, or..."
"I don't understand," Jeff frowned, exchanging glances with Diane. "I thought you were here to learn..."
"We are, Jeff," Philip nodded. "But we decided that the best course would be for Max to experience life as a normal teenager. He will finish high school, and then he has already been accepted to Harvard where he will study politics. He will have Liz to guide him through his turbulent first days, and naturally, as his guide, she too will be accepted into Harvard, to study whatever it is she wishes to study. Her fees will of course, be paid for by the Crown of Antar."
"That... that's most generous," Jeff was almost speechless. He looked from Philip to Nancy, then Diane. He broke into a huge smile. "My little girl. Going to Harvard."
"Talking of your little girl," Diane smiled. "Where is she? I would love to meet her at last."
"I believe she was dancing with Max," Philip turned to look to the dance floor. "They seem to be on their way to becoming... close."
Everyone copied him, turning to look through the crowds. They all saw them at the same time.
"Oh my!" Diane put her hand to her mouth. "That's close."
"What the..." Jeff was almost bursting with rage.
Jeff and Nancy were only stopped from hurtling at the still entwined couple by Philip and Diane's quick thinking. Each grabbed the arms of the enraged parents.
"I had hoped," Philip was shaking his head, "that they would be more... discreet about this. More natural." He sighed. "But I guess you can't hide a love like theirs. Especially when they..." He reached into his pocket and turned to the Parkers. "You had better come with us," he gave a weak smile as he 'clicked' his pen. "There is much that we should tell you, and it's best that you know the truth. Especially about Max and Liz, and their... closeness."

* * *

Neither Max nor Liz knew how long their kiss had lasted for. They only stopped when a slow realization reminded them that they were not alone.
"Max," Liz gasped. "That was..."
"Breathtaking," Max completed.
"Yeah," Liz nodded, placing her head against his chest and hugging him tight.
As she listened to his heart pounding inside him, her eyes widened. Their hearts were beating in perfect time.
"It's only natural," Max's voice whispered from above, instinct telling him what she was now hearing. "We're two halves of the same heart, you and I. United, we will be together for all eternity."
"Immortal?" She looked up with her eyes raised.
"Not like that," he smiled. "But now that I've found you, even death won't keep us apart."
Liz smiled and pressed her head against him again. She was content. Everything that she wanted was right here. In her arms. She leaned back and looked up to see Max gazing down at her, his eyes filled with love.

* * *

"So that was quite a surprise," Maria flopped back onto the bed in the room she shared with Liz. She lifted the pen Max had given her and looked at it. The small blue light was glowing. "I never dreamed Michael would come, too."
"Yeah," Liz nodded, her eyes glazed.
Unlike Maria, Liz could not relax. She was pacing around the room.
"Are you okay, Liz?" Maria frowned as she sat upright. "Has something upset you?"
"Yeah." Liz nodded. "Saying goodnight to Max."
"I don't understand," Maria frowned.
"I want to be with him, Maria," Liz's eyes had a wild look about them.
"I know, Chica," Maria patted the bed to invite Liz to sit. "You'll see him tomorrow, right? And then we'll all go home together."
"No," she shook her head. "I don't mean that. Maria, I want to be 'with' him."
"With?" Maria frowned. "As in... oh. 'With!'"
"Yeah," Liz nodded. "'With.'"
"Time was," Maria flopped back again, "when I would have said, Liz, think about what you're saying. This is you, and you don't say things like that, let alone do them. But after what I saw on Antar, after what I heard about your dream... This is it, Liz. The real deal. So, now... I would say, go for it, babe. But wait till we get home, huh? I mean, this is the friggen White..."
Maria realized that she was talking to an empty room. She sat up and saw their bedroom door was open.
"House," Maria finished with a shake of her head. She started to smirk. "That pen is so going to come in handy."
Maria stood up and crossed to the open portal. Just as she closed it, there was a knock at the door.
"Did you forget...?" she opened it. Her mouth dropped. "What are you doing here?"

* * *

Liz stood outside the room she knew that Max was in. She could feel him on the other side. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. It opened almost immediately.
"Max," she murmured, striding into the room and into his arms. "Do you remember, back in Antar... I asked you to make love to me? Twice."
"Only once, actually," Max grinned. "The other time, you offered yourself to Kivar in exchange for my life."
"Don't think I'll forgive you for THAT one," Liz smiled. "Ever."
"I, uh..." Max's face burned. "Yeah, about that...
"Well," Liz looked into his eyes. "I know you might think I'm too young. I know we're hardly in the right situation just now. And I know that you have this... fear that you're going to somehow ruin my life. But Max? Please? I'm ready."
"Are you sure, Liz?"
"Of course," she smiled from beneath lowered eyelashes. "You said no on Antar for all the right reason, Max. Because at the time, we believed that we could never be together. But earlier, you said that you would always be with me. Even death wouldn't keep us apart. So there's nothing to stop you now. I'm ready, Max. I want you. I have always wanted you. In my dream, I waited. But this isn't a dream. It's reality. And I really, really want to take this step. Make me yours, Max. In the same way that I will make you mine."
"Michael..."
"Forget Michael" Liz snapped. "Lock the door. Hang the sock over the handle or whatever it is you guys do. This is about you and me, Max."
"Actually, Liz," Max smiled as he caressed her shoulders. "I was going to say, Michael's not here. He's... with someone. He won't be back. I uhm... had a feeling you might come. So I kinda... sent him away.
"Oh," Liz blinked. "So... so you do want me?"
"I have always wanted you, Liz."

Tears rimmed Liz's eyes. She pulled herself closer to Max and reached up to initiate another passionate embrace. To her surprise, Max resisted her.
"No," he whispered with hot breath. "There is no need to rush this, Liz. I want to spend all night getting to know every little part of you. I want to hold you, kiss you... love you. I want this night to be the most special night of your life. I want you to know just how much I love you, and just what I will do to please you."
"Max," Liz sighed.
His hand moved across her back and over the fastening. With a soft, whispering sigh, the white cloth of her dress pooled at her feet. His hands caressed her, teased her. As he rained small kisses on her eyes, her nose, her lips. His fingers ran small rings around the hardening buds of her nipples. With Liz mewing with delight, Max led her to the bed. Laying her down, he helped her out of her shoes. Liz raised her hips and reached for the band of her lace panties.
"No," Max shook his head, gazing through half lidded eyes. "That's my job."
He slid of his jacket, and kicked of his own shoes.
"Max," Liz begged. She started to push his shirt from his shoulders. "Please... please hurry."
"There's no need to hurry, Liz," Max smiled as he started to inch her pants down to reveal the start of her silken curls. His finger played with her hairline. "The truth is, we have all the time in the world."

* * *

The End.


We Have All theTime in the World
Louis Armstrong

We have all, the time in the world
Time enough for life
To unfold
All the precious things
Love has in store

We have all the love in the world
If that's all we have
You will find
We need nothing more

Every step of the way
Will find us
With the cares of the world
Far behind us

We have all the time in the world
Just for love
Nothing more
Nothing less
Only love

Every step of the way
Will find us
With the cares of the world
Far behind us
Yes

We have all the time in the world
Just for love
Nothing more
Nothing less
Only love

Only love


Yes. That's it, I'm afraid.

Apologies to those of you who hoped for Alex and Isabel, but it didn't happen in the dream, either.

[WR]

Just a note to thank you all for your comments and you best wishes and to let you know that the operation went well.

I went to theatre at 16:30, was zonkoed by 17:00 and back on the ward ay approx 21:00.

I was up and about the following morning and came home after lunch where I am now recuperating.

I am also thinkong of what story to do next. The one I had planned has fizzled short of a good long story, so I might abondon that one. I *MIGHT* have to write an AU story, but I WILL write.

Take care,
Wayne.

[Kath7]

Congrats on winning a Round 9 award!