Roswell Fanatics

Author's Note: Welcome Luvya and Dream_walker! So glad you like the story. Hope you'll stick around! and as for the rest of my wonderful regular readers... well you'll have to wait and find out the answers you're all dying for!


Part 41

Max raised his hand hesitantly to knock on the door of the Valenti’s house. He had come straight here after his talk with Ava and though he hadn’t appreciated her lecturing him on how he should have acted, he knew she had been right. He had done it again; he had gone and hurt Tess.

Just like I kept hurting Liz. He thought to himself. God, I can’t keep hurting the people I care about!

Ava’s word kept ringing through his head. “Had it been Liz pregnant instead of Tess…would you have left her hangin’ like that?”

Would he have? He wondered. Would he have been this upset, would he have turned his back on her? He shook his head. Of course not. He would never do that to Liz.

Then why did I do it with Tess? He wondered.

Max realized that he was still standing in front of the door, his hand raised in mid-knock. He shook himself out of his thoughts and proceeded to knock on the door. The door swung open to reveal Kyle glaring at him.

“What are you doing here?” Kyle asked, his tone angry.

Max flinched slightly, knowing instantly by his tone that Kyle knew that he and Tess had an argument. He only hoped he didn’t know why.

“I’m here to see Tess.” Max replied.

Kyle still stood in the doorway, not letting Max enter as he scowled at him. “What the hell did you do to her this morning?” he asked. “She’s been upset since she came from meeting you.”

“We…we had a… disagreement…”Max told him, looking down at his shoes. “I really need to talk to her Kyle.”

“Why?” Kyle asked angrily. “So you can hurt her again? You just keep seeming to hurt people who care about you Evans…” Kyle said, voicing Max’s earlier thoughts.

Max looked away, pained by the truth. “I know…” he whispered.

“No, I don’t think you do!” Kyle told him, his voice loud and mad. “I don’t like you hurting the people I care about and expect them to forgive you! I don’t know if I should let you in or not.”

Max looked back up at Kyle pleadingly. “Please Kyle, I’m here to make things right.”

“Let him in Kyle.” Tess’s soft voice called from behind him.

Both Max and Kyle turned to look at her, surprised at her request. She stood in the hallway, staring at Max quietly, not really acknowledging him. She turned her gaze back to Kyle and nodded slightly.

“It’s okay.” She replied, turning around and heading back into her room, leaving the door open.

Kyle glared at Max before stepping aside to let him enter. Max stepped inside quickly before Kyle changed his mind and slammed the door in his face. Although Max had powers which he could use against Kyle should he ever find himself in a position to do so, Max really didn’t want to take the quarterback on. Remembering that he was Liz’s friend, maybe someone she had even once loved…he couldn’t seem to bring himself to hurt him. Even though he still felt angry at Kyle whenever he saw him and Liz’s image together, he couldn’t bring himself to do anything.

He was just walking towards Tess’s room when Kyle stopped him. “You hurt her too Max and you’ll have to answer to me!” Kyle told him coldly, before taking off to the kitchen.

Max stared after Kyle’s retreating back, silently grateful that Tess and Liz both had such a friend looking after their safety. When Max got to Tess’s room he stopped at the doorway, waiting hesitantly to see if Tess would call him in. She might have allowed Kyle to let him come in the house, but he wasn’t sure she wanted him in her room.

Tess sat with her back to the wall on the bed. She looked up from the spot she was staring at on the floor, her hands lying protectively around her stomach.

“Close the door behind you Max.” she said, looking at him briefly before continuing her staring at the spot on the floor.

Max closed the door behind him lightly and hesitantly sat on the bed next to her, his back also against the wall. But he couldn’t make himself relax, he was too tense. They both didn’t say anything; both avoided each other’s eyes.

Finally Max looked up at her to find her watching him quietly.

“I-I …I was just…what I wanted to say was…”Max stammered, not able to put his apology to words.

“If that was an attempt at apology Max.” Tess said evenly. “Then that really sucked!”

Max looked at her before quickly looking away. “I’m sorry.” He whispered. He looked back at her, his voice now talking softly. “I didn’t mean to say those…all the things I said in the pod chamber. That was a bad reaction…it just…surprised me.”

Tess let out a small, dry chuckle. “Of course it surprised you. I expected it to surprise you.” She looked at him, her eyes hurt as she tried to put on a brave face. “But you forgot that it took me by surprise too, and contrary to what you may think, this has changed my life too; put my life in more danger than yours.”

Max looked down at his hands to escape her hurt look. “I know…I realized too late…” he trailed off.

“No, I don’t think you realized it at all.” Tess told him bluntly. “It only struck you when I told you and walked out.”

Max didn’t reply, knowing she was right. He hated to admit it but she was right. He hadn’t realized the effect it could have on her until she had told him.

“I didn’t want this anymore than you did Max.” Tess told him, her voice now low. “And…I’m scared. For you, for me and for my baby…”

Tess’s voice cracked slightly and Max met her eyes which were pooling with tears. “What am I going to do Max?” she whispered. “What if the baby’s an alien? Where do I go? How do I go through this?”

Max reached out to hug her, trying to calm her. But even he was thinking these thoughts. Even he was trying to figure out what could be done to ensure the safety of the child.

Tess finally let go of Max, sniffling as she wiped her tears. She turned away from Max, not wanting him to see her like this. She was horrified that she had cried. No matter what happened she had promised herself that she wouldn’t cry.

Max tried to act inconspicuous as she wiped her eyes, knowing she hated to show weakness. When she finally had composed herself he took her hands in his.

“I-I don’t want you to go through this alone.” He told her. “This is my problem too and…well…we’ll figure it out.” He told her with a slight shrug. “We’ll figure it all out…together.”

Tess looked at him hopefully. “You sure Max?” she asked and her voice wavered a little.

Max swallowed the guilt and doubt as he nodded. “I’m sure.” He told her. He paused, looking down at her stomach then back up at her. She watched him, knowing he wanted to ask something. Finally Max cleared his throat nervously.

“Do you-do you want me to…help you connect with the baby? To see if everything’s all right?” he asked, almost embarrassed.

Tess smiled slightly. “I would like that.” She told him.

Max hesitantly pulled up her shirt to reveal her stomach a little and he put his hands on it. He concentrated, hoping he could do this right. He almost immediately felt a pull. He closed his eyes as he could feel his child, alive inside of her.

When he opened his eyes, he looked up at Tess, his awed eyes matching hers. “It’s a boy…” he whispered.

Tess nodded happily. “I know. I saw him too.” She told him.

Max sat back, a bit in shock and awe. “Wow…”he whispered to himself. “I have a son…”

But even as he said this he felt a small knot in his stomach, this slight longing that wished this could have been Liz sitting next to him. Max turned his head to look out the window, not letting Tess see the pain riddle through him as he thought of Liz.

This was something he had wanted to have with Liz. A family. Sure maybe not now when they were so young…but later on, when they were more settled. But then he remembered Kyle and Liz…together and he shook his head. He doubted that after that she even wanted to have anything to do with him. Not that he would ever find out anyway.

“Max…” Tess whispered, touching his arm lightly when she felt his body sag with defeat.

Max turned sad eyes at her. His smiled was strained. “I’m fine.” He told her, although she doubted that. He got up abruptly from the bed. “Let me go get something for you to drink.” He told her and rushed out.

As he walked past the den, he saw Kyle watching him cautiously. Ignoring him, Max went to the fridge and pulled out two Cherry Cokes. He was just heading back when he heard Tess scream his name in pain.

Kyle jumped up from the couch in panic as Max dropped the Cherry cokes and both ran to Tess’s room. Max rushed past Kyle and saw Tess lying on the floor, clutching her stomach as tears rolled down her face.

“Max!” Tess shouted in pain, rolling up into a ball as she cried. “Oh God, it hurts so bad!”

Max fell to his knees next to Tess. “What’s wrong Tess?” he asked in panic, not understanding why she was crying so hard.

“What did you do to her?” Kyle demanded angrily as he also got down and propped Tess up against him. She was still clutching her stomach and crying.

“I didn’t do anything!” Max replied angrily before turning back to Tess.

“Please, make it stop…” she cried.

“What’s wrong?” Max pleaded with her. “Tell me!”

Tess looked up at him in pain. “The baby…” she whispered. “Something is wrong…I feel it…”

Max sat back stunned, not understanding how this was possible since he had just checked him. He didn’t notice Kyle stiffen in anger and shock at Tess’s words.

“You got Tess pregnant?!” Kyle hissed at Max in rage.

Max looked up startled, for a minute forgetting Tess. “Kyle this is not the time…” Max ground out.

“Kyle…”Tess whispered from her place on the floor, her voice begging him to stop.

But Kyle glared, seething at Max and before Max could react Kyle had punched him in the face…hard.

“Kyle!” Tess screamed. She shifted on to the floor until she was lying next to Max, who was getting up groggily.

Kyle stood glaring at Max. “You asshole!” he shouted. “What the fuck were you thinking?!”

“Kyle…please…”Tess pleaded.

Kyle looked at her, all of a sudden realizing that she was still in pain. He fell beside her. “Oh god Tess…” he cried, picking her up. “I’m sorry…”

By now Max was up, holding his sore jaw. “Tess, let me try to heal you.” He told her, more concerned for her.

“No!” Kyle growled. “You will not touch her!”

Max looked angrily at Kyle. “You don’t have a choice.” He told him. “I’m the only one who can help!”

Kyle looked at him stonily, knowing he was right. He glanced down at Tess who was still curled up into a ball, her face pale and beaded with sweat. He gently picked her up and put her on her bed. He stood back and sighed as he looked from her to Max.

“Fine.” He replied, his voice cold and hard.

Max nodded gratefully and put his hands on Tess’s stomach, concentrating on healing her. Just a moment ago he had connected with the baby and everything seemed fine. He didn’t understand how in a matter of fifteen minutes things had changed and so drastically.

Kyle watched with his jaws clenched as Max’s hands glowed blue, spreading to Tess’s stomach. He saw Tess relax visibly and the pain being erased from her face and he breathed a sigh of relief. No matter how mad he was at their carelessness he was thankful that Max was here and that whatever he was doing seemed to be working.

After a minute or two Max fell back on the floor, panting hard and weak. Seeing Tess stir and get up slowly, sitting up, Kyle grabbed her into a fierce hug. Tess was a bit taken aback but then reached out to return the hug.

When he let her go, he moved back to look at her critically. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Tess nodded. “Much better.” She confirmed. By now Max had got his wind back and he got up, walking over to Kyle and Tess.

“You sure?” he asked, his voice also concerned.

Tess nodded. “I’m fine.” She told him. “Whatever you did worked…for now.”

Kyle nodded. “Good.” Then his gaze turned hard. “Now that I know you’re okay…what the hell were you thinking?” he yelled at them, acting as if Tess’s life had not been in danger a minute ago. He turned to Tess and glared at her. “What the hell were you doing with Evans and when?” he demanded. Tess flinched and turned her head slightly away. Kyle now turned to glare at Max, angrier than he had been before, now that he knew Tess was okay.

Max involuntarily took a step back. “You got her pregnant?!” he shouted at Max. He looked at Max with disgust. “It’s not been two months since Liz died and you could wait to claim your next conquest Evans?”

Max flinched at those words but was not able to defend himself because Kyle continued his tirade. “Was it all an act then?” Kyle demanded, stepping closer to Max. “All this…this so-called love for Liz? Was it just a way of tagging her or hell maybe getting back at me? Yeah, you thought it’ll be fun. Pull one on ol’ Kyle. First Liz then Tess…see how far you can push him.”

“Don’t you dare doubt my feelings for Liz.” Max growled.

“What the fuck am I supposed to think?” Kyle asked, now only inches away from Max, glaring up at the alien king. “What do you expect me to think? If you think I’m going to clap you on the back and congratulate you…well you’d be dead wrong!”

“Kyle…it wasn’t his fault alone…” Tess said.

Kyle whipped around, turning his angry gaze at her. “You should have known better!” he told her. “Max has always let his emotions control him…I would have thought you would have been more in control.”

“Leave her out of this Kyle!” Max warned.

“She’s part of this family Max, she’s my friend. I have to look out for her!” Kyle told Max fiercely.

“Maybe she can look out for herself!” Max shot back. “Maybe she doesn’t need your help! Or maybe you were just too darn busy to notice!”

“Max…”Tess whispered warningly, knowing he was pushing Kyle. But Max ignored her as he also got angry at Kyle. Right now all he could see was Kyle and Liz…together, laughing.

“Maybe you were too busy fooling around with Liz to notice that Tess needed you!” Max replied.

“Don’t you dare turn this around on me Evans!” Kyle hissed. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“Oh, believe me I think I do.” Max told him steely, their conversation now having unwittingly switched to Liz and that night. “I saw you Kyle. I saw you with her that night!”

Kyle suddenly went quiet, boiling at Max but not trusting himself to speak. Now was not the time to tell him.

“How long were you waiting to swoop down on her again?” Max taunted. “Or were you waiting at all? Was she with you before that night? Was that why she kept pushing me away? Were you the ‘normal’ boy she was talking about?” Then Max smirked, looking him up and down. “Oh that’s right…you’re not normal anymore. You’re just like us ‘freaks’.”

“Max, you better shut up now.” Kyle said, his voice low and menacing. “How can you doubt Liz? You should know better!”

“Should I?” Max questioned. “Because that sure doesn’t explain your being there with her!”

Kyle clenched and unclenched his fists, pushing back the urge to knock some sense into him.

“If you had any idea of what she did for you Max, you would regret ever even remotely thinking about Liz that way!” Kyle replied evenly before turning around and storming out of the house, knowing that if he was there a minute longer, he would spill all. And right now he didn’t think Max deserved to know anything about Liz Parker’s secret.


TBC....

Part 42

Serena’s small car zipped down the highway towards Roswell. Everyone in the car was nervous and tense. They had hurriedly packed all they thought they would need and scrambled to get to Roswell, not knowing when their help might be needed.

As the distance lessened, the tension thickened. No one spoke a word, each jittery, unsure of what to expect. Liz’s mind was filled with all sorts of horrible scenarios, all of which included Max dead by the time they got there. That was her greatest fear at the moment, her being too late. She silently cursed herself for not going when she had the first premonition but inwardly she knew that it would not have been possible anyway. Even now they were largely unprepared.

“We’ll have to stop on the way.” Serena said, finally breaking the silence.

“Why?” Alex asked from the backseat.

“We have to change the car and our appearances.” Liz told him, her mind already planning ahead and seeing what Serena was trying to do.

“That’s right.” Serena nodded. “You’ll be recognized instantly when you set a foot into that town. And we can’t take the chance of this car being traced. We have to be very cautious in our work.”

“How will we know if they need our help?” Alex asked. “It’s not like they would go announcing it.”

“We won’t” Serena told him. “That’s why we have to keep an extra close eye on them from the beginning.”

“It won’t be easy…”Liz said quietly. “Being this close to them…”

Alex squeezed her shoulder gently from behind, knowing exactly what Liz was talking about. He knew how tough it would be to watch everyone from afar, not able to talk to them. Serena gave her a sympathetic glance before turning her eyes back to the road.

“It won’t be easy.” She agreed. “And it will just get worse as time will pass but you have to be strong. We can’t afford any slip ups. I have placed a few clues around some places for them to help them, especially Maria. And if she’s managed to find some leads, she’ll find the clues I have set out. Hopefully it’ll make our job easier.”

Both Alex and Liz nodded.

“Serena, we didn’t get a chance to ask,” Alex began. “But the dream we had…that was your future wasn’t it?”

Liz looked over at Serena, also wondering that. They had just explained the dream to Serena as they hurriedly packed but hadn’t gotten a chance to really ask her about it. Serena paused before nodded slightly, not looking at either of them, her eyes straight on the road.

“Yes.” She replied. “That was what I was sent back to change.”

“But…everyone died in there…”Liz told her. “How did you survive?”

Serena glanced at Liz briefly, her pain showing in her eyes. “We had been working on the granolith for a long time and when it appeared that we might not make it Max made me stay in the pod chamber while they all distracted Kivar. He made me promise that no matter what happened to them, I would go back just like we had planned to try and change Earth’s future.”

"Was it...was your timeline very different from the one Max had originally tried to save?" Liz asked quietly.

"In a way, no..."Serena told her after considering her question. "A lot of things did happen this time around too, like the deaths, me, your wedding...betrayal…but details were of course different."

"Details..."Liz said dryly, turning her head to look out the window. “We have to pay attentions to details as well."

"Like they say," Alex put in from the backseat, his voice bright, trying to lighten the mood in the car, "Third times the charm."

But even he heard the shakiness in his voice.


* * * * * * * * * * *


They stopped on their way to check into a motel for a couple of hours, giving themselves time to plan and change their attire.

Serena, after booking one room under a pseudo-name, shuttled Alex and Liz inside, impatient to get to Roswell.

The sooner we get there, the sooner we can figure this out. She told herself.

“Okay, first and foremost a change in appearances.” Serena ordered. She looked at Liz. “Liz, I want you to give it a try first, see if you can handle it. You were a bit shaky in practices, but you have to be faultless at this just in case I’m not there.”

Liz nodded, biting her lip. She placed her hand in front of her face, closing her eyes and picturing the hair she wanted. Her hand glowed blue and she felt the surge of power shift through her. She slowly ran her hand all over her face. When she put down her hand she heard Alex gasp slightly. She turned to look at herself in the mirror hanging on the wall and was taken aback by the transformation. This was better than she imagined. She barely recognized herself with her waist length, sun-bleached blonde hair and green eyes. She turned to look at Alex and Serena, both who were smiling.

“Perfect.” Serena announced proudly. “Good job.”

“I think I finally understood how Isabel and Tess maintained their hairstyles so perfectly.” Alex chuckled, giving Liz a hug, which was more to reassure him than Liz. Because, after seeing Liz change herself he was suddenly struck by the reality of what they were about to do and that scared him.

“Alex, I want to do you next.” Serena told him. She motioned him over to her.

Alex looked at her nervously. “No punk right?” he asked. “‘Cuz I don’t really like punk…”

Serena laughed. “Anything you say Alex. Now let me concentrate.”

Within minutes, Alex’s brown hair was now jet black and was longer than he usually wore it. He self consciously looked in the mirror.

“I think I like my old self better.” He balked.

Liz threw him a smile. “Actually I kinda like this style…”she teased.

Alex threw her a pained and betrayed look. Serena having changed her appearance too was now rummaging into their bags. She called them to the bed and handed them their IDs. She briefly touched each of them, altering the pictures to match their new appearances.

“Please, let the names be believable.” Liz muttered under her breath as she glanced down at her ID. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw a nice, normal name. Alex heard her and chuckled.

“Normal?” he asked.

Liz nodded, holding up her ID for him to see. “Caitlin Hurst.” She announced.

“Nice.” He nodded before looking to check his name. He let out a squawk. “Serena!” he wailed. He held up his ID and Liz burst into laughter when she read it. “Not funny Liz.” He sighed, looking back down at his ID in dismay. “Oh man!”

Serena also grinned. “Sorry, that was the first name I thought off.” She told him.

“Drake LeMoore?” Liz choked out, finally able to control her laughter. “What kind of name is that?”

Serena grinned again. “I kinda like it.” She replied.

Alex shot her a mock withering look before tucking his ID inside. “I hope you plan on changing this…soon!”

“In two days.” She promised.

They had agreed that they would change their appearance and names every second or third day so as to avoid being noticed. After all, if they hung around the Crash Down for weeks they might begin to raise some suspicion.

After changing their clothes all three of them headed back to the car. After making sure no one was around in the empty garage they had parked the car in, next to the motel, Serena quickly changed the color from green to white and with a quick sweep of her hands, changed the number plate as well. Then they began their journey into Roswell.

TBC....

Note: A meeting coming up soon and various...erm...well you'll see...

A Small Author's Note

Luvya, Dream_Walker, i thought it was a cute name for Alex! Glad you thought so too! and Luvya yes Serena was in both timelines of Max

roswellluver, they have to keep changing thier appearance for obvious reasons, plus I get to have fun with thier appearances...

Itzstacie it's not only going to be interesting but frustrating!

Starlight count on Serena and Alex to protect her from the bad news

vegas312 I love you too! You are so fabulous with the FB! And i came up with Alex's name with a little help from 'FRIENDS'...remember Joey's name on 'All My Children'? As for Serena knowing a lot more...well I still don't know about that. Still working on what she knows and what she doesn't!



Part 43

“What’s up with the meeting?” Maria demanded as she stormed into Michael’s apartment with Ava in tow. She found Michael, Isabel and Kyle sitting there waiting for everyone to show up. Apparently Max had also called them up and told them about this meeting. Maria had been very surprised that he had asked Ava to be brought too and also a bit wary. She wasn’t sure she what the meeting was about and something told her that whatever it was, it was not good.

“Well apparently Kyle here knows.” Michael told her jerking his head to point to Kyle. Kyle was leaning against the counter, his face grim and angry. Maria was about to ask him what he knew, hell demand it when the look in Kyle’s eyes and his clenched jaw stopped her. If it had gotten Kyle that upset, something was horribly wrong.

“Yo, is he always like this?” Ava asked.

Isabel shook her head, glancing at Kyle before turning back to the dupe. “Not usually.” She admitted with some apprehension.

Ava shrugged and sat down on the couch, grabbing the chips lying in front of her and stuffing her mouth. Isabel winced delicately, watching in growing horror as she ate messily.

“So, what’s this shit ‘bout?” Ava asked, pointing to Michael’s blown up TV.

“Saturday night football.” Michael told her with a casual shrug. Ava grinned.

Seeing that all three were preoccupied Maria went to Kyle.

“Hey.”

Kyle looked up at her, giving her a strained smile briefly before he continued to stare stonily at the door. “Hey.” He mumbled.

“What’s going on Kyle?” Maria asked, a bit fearfully.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He answered darkly.

“Kyle, suspense is not good for health…my health!” she told him with a sigh.

Kyle looked at her, his gaze hard and upset. “Let’s just say I am reconsidering telling Evans about Liz…ever!”

Maria looked at him perplexed. Something must be really wrong if Kyle who was so gung-ho about it earlier was so adamantly against it now. But before she could ask what he meant Max and Tess arrived.

“Good, everyone is here.” Max replied, closing the door behind him and taking a look around. Almost immediately Maria felt the tension in the air increase.

Something is very, very wrong. She thought in a sudden grip of panic. Kyle’s gaze had suddenly turned very cold when he looked at Max, barely acknowledging him as she saw Max give Kyle a hesitant and apprehensive glance. She saw Kyle’s gaze flit over to Tess who was griping on to Max’s arm tightly, unusually pale and nervous. Maria thought she saw conflicting emotions raging in his eyes as he looked at Tess, she saw anger, hurt and…jealousy??

If all of this hadn’t rung the alarms bells in her head, Ava’s next words would have.

“It’s not the end of the world you know.” She said, giving a pointed look to Tess and Max. “This shit happens to a lot of people.”

“We’re not just ‘people’.” Tess told her.

Maria almost turned away from disgust by the way Tess was now openly gripping Max for support. She didn’t know what they were here to talk about but she had a sinking suspicion it was about Max…and Tess.

“Max, what’s going on?” Isabel asked, her voice wavering fearfully, noticing all that Maria was noticing.

Max cleared his throat nervously, shooting a quick side-glance at Tess. “Well…we have called you here to make an announcement…we have some news…” he began hesitantly.

“Spit it out Maxwell!” Michael burst out, impatient.

“It’s not that easy!” Max snapped. Then his shoulder’s sagged apologetically as he tried to calm down. “Sorry, it’s just not…easy…”

“Max, you’re scaring me!” Maria told him, sitting down next to Michael and griping his hand tightly. Kyle also pushed himself away from the wall and stood crossed arms, staring almost defiantly at the two.

“How about breaking it to them gently?” Kyle asked snidely. “Just like you broke it to me!”

“You weren’t supposed to hear that Kyle.” Tess said softly, her eyes downcast.

“Thank God I did!” Kyle spit out, anger flitting across his face. “Who knows if you would have even considered telling them if I didn’t know!”

“Yo!” Ava shouted, breaking the staring match that had begun between Max and Kyle. “They’re waiting!” she said, jerking her head to the others who were watching them with growing impatience and fear.

Max looked at the others, his face filled with apology at what he was about to tell them and reluctance to do so. He took a deep breath.

“Tess is pregnant with my child.”

The silence that filled the room after those words was deafening. Isabel stared wide-eyed at her brother, her eyes begging him to tell her he was joking but when Max looked away, unable to meet her eyes; she brought her hand up to her mouth in horror. She fell back against the couch, her hands trembling, too in shock to do or say anything.

Max saw her reaction and had to look away, he couldn’t bear the look on her face. But what hurt him the most was the look on Maria’s face. She looked at him with such utter betrayal and contempt that he felt he had to make her understand.

“I’m sorry Maria.” He began and noticed her tightening her grip on Michael, who was oddly sitting calmly, albeit stonily, staring at them both. “We never thought—”

Maria held up her hand. “Stop right there Max” she ordered, her voice so hard and cold that he winced. “Don’t you dare give me your excuses!”

“Maria, please, listen to him.” Tess said. “Try to understand…”

Maria let out a bark of bitter, angry laughter, standing up and facing her. “Try to understand?” she echoed incredulously. “That sounds incredibly insane coming from you! Did you ever try to understand what Max and Liz had when you came barging into town? Did you ever try to understand what you did to Liz when you kept trying to break her up with Max? Of course not!” she uttered with a contemptuous scoff. “You only cared about getting what you wanted…well congratulations! You got it.”

“Maria that is not what Tess is trying to do!” Max argued.

“Isn’t it?” Kyle spoke up, glaring at them.

“No Kyle.” Tess said softly, oddly very hurt that he would doubt her.

“Well please forgive me if I don’t believe a damn word you say!” Maria yelled angrily.

“Hear them out, will ya?” Ava told her, trying to calm her down.

“You stay out of this!” Isabel snapped suddenly, speaking up for the first time. “This is something between us! Why are you here anyway?”

“Because I called her!” Max told his sister.

Isabel looked at her brother. “What gives you the right to decide who to or who not to invite?” she demanded angrily.

“My heritage. I’m king!” Max told her.

“That’s just great Max! You’re right back to giving orders! You think you can control our lives for us, tell us what to do and what not to do!” Isabel yelled at him, jumping to her feet and glaring angrily at Max. Her voice rose louder with each word as she vented out her suppressed rage at Max’s behavior, the way he ordered her not to leave and now this. “When the truth is you can’t even control your own life right now! I think this little fiasco just proved it! You may have been the great King Zan on Antar Max but here, you are nothing but Max Evans, my younger brother and you have no control over me or any one of us! You do not get to choose what to do for us, we can decide for ourselves!”

“I have been trying to do what’s right for us!” Max yelled back. “I have been trying to save you all from what I know will happen if anyone finds out about us, including Kivar!”

Isabel clapped her hands sarcastically. “Well then, congratulations your Highness.” She mocked. “You’ve just managed to put our lives in jeopardy. Again. If you were trying to keep us safe from Kivar then you just failed miserably! Do you know what this could do? Do you know dangerous this could get? The FBI, Kivar…they all could get the upper hand!”

“We know that!” Tess cried out. “That’s why we called you here. To help!”

“What makes you think I’m going to help?” Maria asked coldly. “Why should I? I have more respect for Liz that you do!”

“I love Liz too Maria!” Max yelled at her, frustrated by her. “That’s why this hurts more. That’s why I need your help!”

“It sure doesn’t seem like it!” she flung back at him. She glared at Max. “You know Max; I used to nag Michael about being more like you…now I just thank God he isn’t!”

Then she grabbed her purse and without a second glance marched out the door, slamming it behind her. A few seconds later Kyle followed her out. Max glanced at the remaining people in the room, running a shaky hand through his hair.

Isabel, though still fuming and scared was sitting watching Max quietly, trying to see what he would want to do next. Ava came over and gently led Tess to the sofa, who was desperately trying to blink back tears.

“It’ll be all right. You’ll see.” She soothed. Tess nodded not really believing her. As she turned her face away from Ava’s sympathetic gaze, she didn’t see the slow, calculating smile touch Ava’s lips before being replaced by a neutral expression.

Max sat down wearily in a chair and look at Michael who was still watching him silently.

“Have you got anything to add to that Michael?” he asked, almost sharply.

Michael looked at him for a moment before shaking his head. “No.” he replied, getting up and heading to the kitchen. “It’s too late to do anything now.”



TBC...

Author's Note: Hehehe I love to keep you guys guesing...I am just evil that way.. and ccrswll maybe this update will help you understand the K/T relationship!



Part 44

After storming out of Michael’s apartment Maria had no clue what to do next. She just let her feet do the walking as she let her thoughts wander back to the revelation. Maria felt her anger bubbling up again as Max’s voice echoed in her head.

“Tess is pregnant with my child.”

She felt her self shake with the intensity of those words, words that had sent her reeling into shock and anger. She couldn’t believe him, how could he do that to Liz? Maria almost was thankful Liz wasn’t there to hear those words for they would have broken her. If she was feeling so betrayed she could only imagine what Liz would have gone through.

She had never thought that Max would be capable of such utter and irrevocable betrayal. She didn’t know how she would ever look at him the same way again. Now she understood why Kyle had been so suddenly adamant against ever telling Max about the ‘Future Max’ fiasco. She felt sick and revolted by the thought that she had almost blurted out Liz’s secret to a man who just proved he didn’t deserve to know anything about her in the first place.

She wasn’t being unfair or harsh, she was sure of that. It wasn’t like she hated Tess, at least not anymore. Fine, she had bad days but didn’t everybody? She hated to admit it but she had actually begun to like Tess and that even now she couldn’t really blame this all on Tess either, which she would have done only a year earlier.

She also knew that if Max had started to date Tess after a few months, she might have been hurt but would have accepted it and moved on. After all, she couldn’t expect Max to always yearn for Liz. Hadn’t she herself begged him to move on after Liz had dumped him the last summer? No, what had hurt the most and what she had objected the most too was that he hadn’t even waited more than six weeks before he jumped Tess.

Maria stopped for a moment. If Tess was aware of her pregnancy now…then when did they actually do the deed? It couldn’t be less than four weeks…. Suddenly Maria felt sick. Max had kissed Tess at the prom; he and Liz were fighting…could he have been cheating on her all this time?

Maria felt the seething anger surge in her as she thought that it was very much possible. She wanted to turn back and confront Max, demand and shake it out of him but then she stopped herself. She knew she would only knock him down if she went now. Laughing bitterly at how she was trying to stop herself from hurting Max, she finally looked up to see where she had landed up. She looked in only partial surprise when she saw she was at the cemetery.

She walked slowly down the small path to where she knew Alex and Liz lay, not far off from each other. As she got closer she was surprised to find Kyle already there. He didn’t notice her until she was almost next to him.

Maria didn’t say anything to him as she first bend down, placing her hand on Liz’s gravestone and whispering a soft hello. She straightened back up, and stared down at the tufts of grass growing on the grave. Kyle finally broke the silence.

“I kinda wished you would have punched him.” Kyle said with a slight smile in his voice. “I did…”

“I’m still thinking about it.” Maria replied with her own smile.

Maria turned and began to walk to the trees a distance off. Kyle followed her wordlessly, knowing she wanted to be with someone right now. They settled down with their back to the tree. Kyle sat crossed legged while Maria pulled her knees up to her chest, staring off towards Liz’s grave.

“I felt so betrayed for her….” Maria told him quietly. “I couldn’t believe what he had done. I still don’t.”

Kyle nodded. “It didn’t hit me how much this would change us until after I left the house yesterday after finding out.” Kyle replied. “I walked around for a while and it came crashing down how much this can change us.”

“Tess and Max are together now…I guess.” Maria said reluctantly. “We’ll have to get used to it.” Maria wrapped her arms tightly around her knees, leaning her head to look at Kyle. “I can’t blame Tess. As much as I want to hate her, I can’t. Not after all we’ve been through after the last year. And who knows, maybe this wouldn’t have happened if Liz hadn’t pushed her towards Max in the first place…”

“I’m scared for her Maria.” Kyle admitted, looking at her honestly. “I saw her yesterday when she collapsed because something was wrong with the baby – I was there and that’s how I found out.” He clarified for her. “When Max was healing her I had all of these scenario’s in my head, one worse than the other. I was really scared for her, I still am.”

Maria looked at him quietly, watching his emotions in his eyes before she smiled softly. “Why did you do that to her at the prom Kyle?” she asked. “Liz never asked you to do that.”

Kyle looked away, pretending he didn’t know what Maria was talking about but Maria knew better. She continued. “Why did you pretend you loved her like a sister, I know you love her differently.”

Kyle looked abruptly at Maria, startled at her voicing her implications. “I felt it was something I had to do for Liz.” He said.

Maria shook her head. “She never asked you to. Your part was done after Max saw you. Why did you sacrifice your happiness for her?”

Kyle sighed. “I had wanted to take Tess to the dance but I debated against it, holding out until the last minute, wondering if Max would ask her. I know that he should have because that’s what Liz had wanted, to let Tess be with Max. But when Liz couldn’t go through with it, when she felt determined to go with Max, if only one last time, I jumped in and took my first and last chance with Tess.” Kyle told Maria. “I thought that maybe things were meant to be this way, that maybe Max and Liz were meant to be together. But that changed the minute we arrived at the Crash Down. Seeing them both together, I was reminded of what and why Liz had to let Max go. Liz was just hanging on by a thread to Max, knowing she had to let go eventually but scared to do so. So I did it for her. I let Tess go so that she could go to Max. I told her I loved her like a sister and I reasoned with Liz…in the end it all worked exactly the way I thought it would. Expect this pregnancy…” he amended quickly.

“You talked Liz into doing this?” Maria asked curiously.

Kyle nodded. “I took her aside at the prom and told her. It took a while but she finally agreed. And seeing Tess and Max kiss…well I think that convinced her.

“You still love her don’t you?” Maria asked. “Tess I mean?”

Kyle nodded hesitantly. “Yes, I do.” He choked out. “That’s why this is killing me.”

Maria looked at him sadly, angry that he had to sacrifice his love for the aliens too. “You’re a great friend Kyle.” Maria finally told him softly.

Kyle looked at her in surprise, then he smiled in thanks. “So,” he said, pulling up a tuft of grass and trying to act nonchalant, “What do we do now?”

Maria shrugged. “I’m not sure.” She admitted. Just then her cell phone rang, making her jump. She quickly pulled it out.

“Hello?”

“Maria Deluca?” a guy’s voice came over the phone.

“Yes.” Maria said cautiously, not knowing who this was.

“This is Derek, you gave me that email to trace remember?” Derek asked.

Maria sat up straight, griping the phone tightly to her ear. She noticed Kyle watching her curiously so she turned inconspicuously and lowered her voice. “Did you find anything?” she asked eagerly and a bit nervous.

Derek paused. “Yes, I did.” He said hesitantly. “But it’s a bit weird…”

“Weird? What do you mean?” Maria asked frowning.

“Well…you said the emails were sent from Sweden right?” Derek confirmed. When Maria told him so, he went on. “But according to this…they were sent from a university in Las Cruses, not Sweden…”

“Are you sure?” Maria asked alarmed.

“Maria, what’s wrong?” Kyle asked, seeing her pale face. Maria waved him off, turning back to her phone. “Are you absolutely sure?”

“Perfectly sure.” Derek replied. “Alex Whitman sent these from New Mexico.”

Maria shut off her phone after telling him quickly that she’s call him back soon for more details. She sat back stunned. Kyle touched her lightly on the shoulder, trying to get her attention.

“Who was that Maria?” he asked.

“Just a friend…”she told him. Kyle, though perplexed didn’t question her further. Maria sat there quietly.

Alex never went to Sweden! She thought frantically. He never went to Sweden!


TBC...

Author's Note: Thanks for being so patient but I'm back!


Part 45

As the small white car entered Roswell, the occupants of the car sat up straighter, gripping the door tightly. Liz unconsciously let her hand fall backwards and felt an intense sense of relief when Alex’s hand clamped down on hers, squeezing it tightly. Alex and Liz kept holding hands this way, both nervous. Serena finally slowed down the car, pulling over to the side.

“Well, guys.” She said. “Here we are.” She looked at both Liz and Alex and asked with concern and sympathy. “Are you guys doing okay?”

They both nodded, albeit a bit unsurely. Serena bit her lip but didn’t say anything. After all what could she say to them? “Okay Alex, any idea where the others are?” she asked.

Alex tried to concentrate, honing his feelings into the connection he had with the others. After a moment he nodded.

“They’re scattered over town.” He told her. He frowned. “They seem…upset. Something’s wrong!” he said in alarm.

“Do you know what?” Liz asked.

Alex hesitated, shooting Liz a cautious look, almost as if debating something but then shook his head. “No, I can’t pick up what they’re upset about, just that it’s something…bad.”

“Okay,” Serena said taking charge. “We’ll try to see if we can pick up anything. We’re going to the Crash Down.”

That earned startled looks from both Liz and Alex. They weren’t sure they were ready to go there just yet.

“Already?” Liz whispered weakly.

Serena nodded apologetically. “It’s our best bet.” She looked at them, putting her hand on their clasped hands and squeezing them gently. “I know this is hard for you but you knew this would happen. There will be places you will go to and people you will meet that might upset you, but that’s what you have to do.”

Liz didn’t say anything, and just turned her head to look out the window and into the bookstore they had stopped in front of. She gripped Alex’s hand tighter, taking strength from him.

She heard Alex talking to Serena, but didn’t bother to say anything herself. She knew she had to do this but voicing her opinion wasn’t going to help accepting this any easier.

“We’re ready Serena.” Alex said.

Serena looked at him once, trying to judge if he really was but then, unable to read his closed off eyes she nodded and started the car again, this time heading towards the Crash Down.

* * * * * * * * * * *


Alex felt unease gnawing at him as they neared the Crash Down. The upsetting feeling he had felt when he had tried to trace the others just kept getting stronger as they neared the café. He wasn’t sure whether his lying to Liz and Serena had been a good idea. He had felt some really strong emotions when he had tried to trace the others but he had lied about one thing. He had felt the reason why he was picking up such emotions. It was coming through so strongly from both Maria and Max that he had been stunned. The depth of their feelings had shaken him and it had upset him even further when he had figured out why. Something about Max, Tess and Liz. A lot of anger, pain and betrayal. He couldn’t pinpoint the exact details but he knew that whatever it was, it was not good at all.

As the got out of the car Alex shot Liz a look and saw her biting her lip anxiously. Seeing her he knew this was not the time to tell her the reasons but he felt that he could tell Serena when they were alone.

His thoughts were abruptly cut off as they entered the café. The familiarity of the place made him stop in his tracks and he had to take a deep breath to calm himself down and remember to act normal. He and Liz walked slowly towards one of the booths, followed by Serena. Alex looked around quickly and saw who was in the café. He tried to see if Maria was working but he couldn’t see her. He could see Michael from where he was sitting though and from Liz’s whisper of an amused smile; he guessed she heard him cursing too. His eyes reluctantly fell to where they had always sat with their friends and his breath caught when he saw Isabel sitting there alone.

He gazed at her, taking her in. She looked so beautiful and perfect sitting there, reading a magazine and glancing up and around every now and then. He was a bit confused at why she was alone here but then shrugged it off. He wasn’t complaining. He was a bit surprised that he was so in control of his emotions right now. He was so sure he would not be able to keep this act up once he saw her. He saw her shifting uncomfortably and then finally looking up with a confused look on her face and carefully looking about the café and then straight at him.

Alex looked away quickly, his heart hammering. She had felt him. He had read it on her face. She had felt him near her. He chanced a peek again and found her staring at the door wistfully, a sadness etching her soft features. He had to stop himself from going over to her and giving her a long, slow kiss.

“It’s a bit weird.” He heard Liz whisper.

He tore his gaze away from Isabel and found Liz staring at the counter. She looked back at Serena and Alex and smiled bravely. “It just feels different…”

“Things are different now.” Serena told her gently.

Liz nodded. “I know. It’s just hard. It was so much easier to forget all of this while we were far away but now that we are here…it’s just hard.”

“And it’s gonna get harder.” Alex told her. He looked at her, lowering his voice. “You have to be strong Liz. We can’t afford to mess up and we’re all depending on you. You’re friends lives are also depending on you.”

Just then a waitress came to take their order and they abruptly stopped talking. Once the waitress was gone with their order, Liz let her gaze travel to Michael and Isabel. She turned to look back at Alex and Serena, biting her lip. She nodded, this time a bit more firmly, the sadness gone from her eyes, replaced by determination.

“You’re right Alex.” She replied. “And I’m not going to let them down!” She abruptly straightened up, her eyes now sparkling with fierce purpose. “Okay, so we have to figure out what’s going on with them. How can we do that?”

“Well, first I want you to scout the area.” Serena told Liz. “I know this is your home town but I need you to go around the Crash Down and the UFO Centre and see if you notice anyone odd around. If the skins are the people who you saw in your premonition then you’d find them in the crowd pretty easily. Also they would be shedding so keep an eye out.”

Liz looked a bit unsure about going by herself but then she nodded. “We’ll meet at the car in an hour.” She told them, getting up and hurrying away.

As soon as Liz was out of earshot Serena gave Alex a silent knowing look. “Well?” she asked.

“Well what?” Alex asked, avoiding her gaze. He had this sudden feeling that she knew he was not telling them something. Serena’s next words proved him correct.

“Look, I know you were hesitant to say something in front of Liz in the car and right now when you looked at Isabel.” Serena replied. “What is it?”

Alex looked at her in surprise. “You sent Liz out there by herself on purpose?” he asked incredulously.

Serena shrugged. “That and because she needs to learn to adjust here again, only this time not as Liz Parker.” She gave Alex a searching look. “Now, what is it that you didn’t tell us?”

Alex sighed, knowing he had to tell Serena. He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Something is happening…between Tess and Max.” he told her. “Something is changing between them.”

Serena looked puzzled. “I think Liz herself felt that. Why the need to hide it from her? I know she knows things are changing.”

“No, she doesn’t realize how far they’ve changed.” Alex told her. “It’s happened too fast and it’s too…forceful.” He paused, trying to bring his concern to words. “The progress is unnatural…like someone nudges it a notch faster.”

“What are you saying Alex?” Serena asked.

“Just that when Liz sees Max and Tess…she might be really upset.” Alex answered cryptically. Serena looked at him thoughtfully, not pressing the matter. She could see that even Alex was upset by whatever it was that he had felt.

“What about Isabel?” Serena asked.

Alex let his gaze wander to Isabel, who was still looking up every now and then with a confused look on her face.

“She can sense me here.” Alex told Serena softly. “When I entered, she looked right at me! It was like she knew I was here.”

Serena looked surprised by the news. “Did she recognize you? Even for an instant?”

Alex shook his head. “No, but it’s going to be tough watching her and Max. Liz’s connection has to be much stronger than what Isabel and I have.”

“Then we’ll have to switch duties.” Serena told him. “I also have to help you guys block any signal you might send them unintentionally. I think we should leave for now though. Liz is alone and if you’re right then I don’t want to take a chance on our identities being revealed. Anyway, I don’t want Liz to run into Tess and Max together, at least not today. I think she’s had enough for one day.”

Alex nodded, getting up and throwing some money on the table. “Let’s go.” He replied. And with a last look at Isabel he left the Crash Down with Serena.


TBC....

Author's Note: Alex's powers are just confined to sensing other people's emotions while Liz i still developing her powers. They play real important parts in the story! And as for Izzy and Alex...well I can't let Alex wanting now can I?



Part 46

Tess unlocked the door for herself and Ava and entered inside. She left the door open and didn’t bother to invite the other girl inside. She was in no mood for niceties. She was still irritated by the others reactions. She had expected them to be upset but Maria’s reaction had not only hurt her but made her furious. Who did she think she was? Maria didn’t need to have said Liz’s name out loud and still that word would have hung in the air like a thick, poisonous cloud straining the tension in the room. Didn’t she get the fact that right now Tess was more to be concerned about rather than someone who was dead? That she had an alien baby growing inside her who was sick and possibly dying!

All Maria could think about was how Max had betrayed Liz! Tess fumed as she plopped down on the couch and switched on the TV. She noticed that Ava was inside and sitting opposite her, watching her quietly but Tess ignored her.

Tess was also stung by Isabel and Kyle’s reaction. She had expected a whole lot more sympathy than Isabel had shown her. Isabel was like her, alien, she should have understood what she was going through, how much this scared her. Hell, she had been through this when she and Michael had the dreams! But the worst reaction was by Kyle. He had been angry when he had initially found out but she had hoped that that would have subsided and that he would be there for her. Boy, was she wrong! He wouldn’t even meet her eyes during the entire time he was there!

As if that wasn’t enough, Max had ordered her to go back to the house so he could talk with Michael and Isabel and come up with a plan. He had ordered her! She had wanted to stay, was adamant but he simply asked Ava to make sure she got home safe and to stay there with her until he got back!

He ordered me! Tess thought angrily, jabbing the throw pillow next to her. Ordered! Not requested but ordered like I was one of his subjects!

“Yo, breathe easy girl.” Ava said with a smirk, breaking through Tess’s angry thoughts.

Tess snapped her head up to look at her through narrowed eyes. Realizing that Ava was looking pointedly at her balled up fists, Tess relaxed her grip on the pillow, all the while throwing Ava a contemptuous look.

“I didn’t invite you inside.” Tess said rudely.

Ava didn’t appear offended as she smirked again. “I was told to stay here until Max got back.”

“I don’t need a baby sitter!” Tess snapped. “In fact I’m the last person who needs to be worried about self-protection!”

“Well…not the last.” Ava replied.

Tess glared at her but Ava’s gaze didn’t waver nor did she flinch.

“Why are you still here in Roswell?” Tess asked Ava bluntly. “You warned us about Kivar and the skins, you’re jobs done. So leave already!”

Ava actually looked a bit surprised by Tess’s vehement order but then she shrugged. “Thought that if he should attack, I’d be there, know? Could help or somethin’. And this town ain’t so bad once you get used to it.” Ava replied.

“We can take care of ourselves!” Tess replied coldly.

Ava looked her over once and let out a snort. “Yeah, I can see you’re doin’ just great!”

Tess sprang to her feet. “Get out!” she hissed, pointing to the door.

Ava also got to her feet, though her stance was more calm and casual than Tess’s. “I’m just sayin’ that you need someone to watch your backs for you.”

“We don’t need anyone to watch our backs. We can watch our backs just fine!” Tess replied. “We have been handling this so far; a few more months won’t make a difference!”

“You really think this shit is goin’ to end in a few months?” Ava asked disbelief, her voice humorous at the same time. “How blind can you be girl? This ain’t gonna end in a few months. Kivar will keep comin’ back until he has killed you all. So forgive me for trying to save your asses!”

“Not if we kill Kivar first!” Tess told her.

Ava let out a short laugh. “You have no idea what you’re playin’ up against girl!” Tess took an involuntary step back at Ava’s mocking voice. The cold glint in her eyes chilled Tess and she was suddenly terrified of the dupe. But just as suddenly as the expression had come it was gone. In its place was the same nonchalant look Ava had sported. Ava abruptly grabbed her jacket and headed towards the door.

“I ain’t leavin’ you alone until Max comes.” Ava replied over her shoulder. “But seein’ you don’t want me here, I’ll crash outside.”

Tess watched Ava’s retreating back; saw her prop herself on Valenti’s car’s hood. Tess watched her for a while, remembering the way Ava’s eyes had that cold look before suddenly being replaced by a casual smile. Tess automatically splayed her hands on her stomach protectively, suddenly feeling that she wasn’t very safe, even with Ava outside. And as mad as she was with Kyle and Max, she desperately wanted one of them to come walking through the door. She didn’t feel like being alone all of a sudden.

TBC...

Author's Note: Just a few more chapters until you guys finally find out where I am hading with this. I promise things will be a lot clearer and will begin to look up!


Part 47

It was an hour later when Max finally arrived at the Valenti house. Michael, Isabel and him had been talking and trying to come up with a plan but it had been no use. After an hour of listening to Isabel’s lectures and an hour of brain storming they were still no closer to a plan than they had been when they had started. As he walked up the driveway he noticed Ava sitting outside on the hood of the car, staring straight at the house, almost as if she could will anything wrong away. He smiled and stopped next to her.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked. “Where’s Tess?”

Ava snapped out of her trance and turned her ice blue eyes at him. Max felt a chill run down his spine at the scorn, laced with self satisfied, smugness he found in them. Ava jerked her head towards the house. “Inside and I’m here ‘cuz you asked me to be. Doesn’t mean I have to be inside.”

“Is she doing okay?” Max asked, forcing down his sudden chill.

Ava shrugged. “Guess so.”

Max frowned a little but didn’t say anything. “Thanks.” He replied, although a bit unsure if he should be thanking her. He didn’t know why but he suddenly felt very uneasy around Ava.

Ava jumped off the hood. “Whateva.” She replied, taking off down the driveway without a backward glance.

Max sighed and went inside. He found Tess sitting in her room on the bed, her knees pulled up to her chin. She didn’t acknowledge him as she continued to sit that way, almost as if in a daze.

“Tess?” he called, a bit worried by the look on her face.

Tess looked up at him, snapping out of her trance. “Max?” she asked unsurely. She looked at his face curiously as if trying to make sure if this was Max. Her eyes were confused and lost.

Max touched her face lightly, pushing back her hair from her face. “Hey.” He whispered.

“Max?” Tess asked again in that confused voice. As soon as he touched her face, her features relaxed and she leaned her face into his hand. “Max…” This time her voice held recognition and…relief?

Max frowned. “Tess, are you all right?” he asked with concern. She looked so dazed and confused.

Tess nodded, still leaning into his hands. “No….Yes…”she replied softly, looking at him with loving eyes. “Yes, I am now…now that you’re here…” She whispered as she leaned closer and brushed her lips against Max’s. Max’s body stiffened and he pulled back a little.

He looked searchingly into her eyes, wondering why she was acting like this. But Tess just smiled at him and leaned to kiss him again. For a split second Max let her do so then he pulled back abruptly.

“What are you doing?” he asked in alarm.

Tess leaned back against the wall and looked coyly at him. “Don’t you want to kiss me Max?” she asked almost petulantly.

“No—I mean yes…no, no Tess.” He replied. He held her shoulders gently and looked at her with concern. “What’s gotten into you?”

Tess let out a giggle. Then just as suddenly her demeanor changed. Her eyes became clouded and scared. She grasped Max’s shirt and pulled her to him, clutching at him like a scared child.

“Max, I’m scared.” She whispered, all trace of laughter gone from her voice. She pulled back a little and gazed at him with big, scared eyes. “I’m really scared…”

Max was alarmed by her sudden change in attitude. This was not the Tess he knew. “What are you scared off?” he asked her softly, rubbing her back in a comforting gesture.

“I-I…I don’t know…” she whispered in confusion, her brows knitted as she tried to think of what she was so scared. “I’m just so scared…”

“Okay, okay, there’s nothing to be scared of.” Max soothed as if to a five-year old because that’s how she was acting. “Why don’t you lie back down?”

Tess nodded, her hands relaxing her grip on Max as she smiled serenely. “Yes…”

She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. Max sat next to her, watching her with concern. He didn’t understand what had gotten into her. He had expected her to be angry with him but not this…

What’s going on? He wondered. Why is she acting this way?

“Max?” Tess called in a sleepy voice. Her eyes were closed and she looked like she was about to fall asleep.

“Yeah?”

“Can you stay here please?” Tess asked, searching for his hand. “I don’t want to be alone.” He took her hand and squeezed it gently, suddenly feeling very protective of her. He had never seen such a vulnerable side to her before.

He brushed her forehead lightly, almost lovingly. “I’m right here Tess.” He answered.

Tess smiled at him sleepily. “That’s good…” she murmured. “Oh and Max?”

“Hmmm?”

“I don’t like Ava very much…” Tess told him before drifting off to sleep still holding his hand.

Max smiled at her words. He figured as much but then something inside him felt unsettled. He didn’t know why but he suddenly had a feeling that Tess didn’t like Ava for reasons other than because they didn’t get along.

He was sitting like this, holding her hand and watching her sleep when Kyle came home. Kyle frowned angrily when he saw Max, but then relaxed when he saw Tess there asleep.

“What are you doing here?” Kyle asked gruffly.

“She’s not well…. She’s acting really strange.” Max told him, looking at Tess with concern and puzzlement. “She didn’t want to be alone.” Max told him. He looked at Kyle questioningly. “Could you take over? It’s just that I have work and I don’t want to leave her. She was really scared for some reason.”

Kyle hesitated but then his eyes softened as they landed on Tess. He nodded. “Fine.” He answered shortly, but took Max’s place anyway, pulling the blanket over Tess in the process.

Max watched this with a slight confused look but didn’t dwell on it. “Thanks.” He answered. “Listen Kyle…”Max began hesitantly, wanting to clear the air but Kyle waved it aside.

“Not now Max.” he answered, not looking up from Tess.

Max swallowed hard and nodded. “Okay.” He relented, backing away. He left Kyle to watch over Tess, knowing that he would take care of her.


TBC....

Author's Note: Okay, i think this is s chapter that has been eagerly waited for and in demand so enjoy! and Parker Evans...HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL! Have a blast!



Part 48

Max walked down to the UFO Center, wondering what was wrong with Tess and what had made her act that way. She had been so angry at him when he had sent her home with Ava and when he stopped to check on her, she had seemed so…well he didn’t know what. One minute she was kissing him, the next giggling and the next scared. He didn’t know what to think.

He entered the UFO Centre and quickly changed. As soon as he entered the display area he saw one that needed to be fixed. Some kid had pulled the plastic alien out. He sighed as he went to fix it.

“I really need another job.” He mumbled to himself.

When Max was done Brody came up to him and handed him some flyers.

“Hand these out will you?” he asked. “We’re having a convention soon. We need to attract more people.”

Max looked at the flyers in amusement. “An alien abductees’ convention?” he asked.

“Who else would do this but me?” Brody asked with a wink.

Max laughed as he began to hand out the flyers to the coming visitors. As he was handing them out, a little girl, not more than ten came up to him, looking at him curiously. Seeing her Max bent down and giving her a smile asked, “Can I help you?”

The girl just looked quietly at Max with her big doe eyes. She shook her head after a while, her long brown hair flying over her shoulders. Max was a bit taken aback by the resemblance this girl had with Liz.

“What’s your name?” Max asked, his mouth suddenly dry as images of Liz flashed before him.

“Beth.” The little girl answered, still looking at Max with curiosity. Max startled at her name. The coincidence was uncanny.

“Can I ask you something mister?” Beth asked.

Max smiled at her and nodded.

“You didn’t stop believing did you?” she asked.

“Wh-what?” Max asked surprised by the seriousness in her tone.

Beth shrugged, not looking away from his face. In fact her staring was making Max uneasy. “You didn’t stop believing?” she asked again.

“Believing in what?” Max asked her, suddenly being over taken by a feeling that this was no ordinary conversation.

Beth just smiled mysteriously at him, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “You know what.” She said simply. “Just don’t stop believing…”

Max stared at her, memories he had been trying to suppress fought their way back. Images of Liz flashed through his mind, breaking through the barrier he had created. He closed his eyes against the intensity of the flashes.

** Flash **

Liz and him sharing their first kiss

** Flash **

Max staring at Liz as he told her, “My life didn't even start until I told you the truth that day.”

** Flash **

Max telling Liz about the White Room and then telling him how she kept him alive. “Liz, when I was in that room, and they did what they did to me. You're what kept me alive. The thought of you!”

** Flash **

“Knowing you has made me human. Whether I die tomorrow or fifty years from now, my destiny is the same: it's you. I want to be with you, Liz. I love you.”

** Flash **

Liz looking at him with love in her eyes as she kissed him lightly. “Max, you're not making me do anything. We choose our own destinies, remember?”

** Flash **

Liz and him in the erasure room as she asked, “Why can’t you come with me?”

“Because I can’t.” he told her sadly. “But I’ll be waiting for you Liz Parker, wherever you’ll go… and I’ll be here when you get back.”

** Flash **

Liz’s eyes begging him as he was about to leave for New York and he had come to her room. “Please, Max. You have to trust me.”

** Flash **

“I believe in you…”

** End Flashes **

Max gasped slightly as the flashes finally stopped. He looked around him, stunned by the images.

“Beth?” he called out when he she wasn’t there. He stood up and looked around the room. “Beth?”

She’s gone! Max thought as he searched frantically through the sparse crowd. He had a feeling that she wasn’t just some kid. She had been here for a purpose. He was surprised by the flashes he had had. They never came so unannounced. He hadn’t even touched anything or anyone! And they all had been about Liz…and his love for her. Max slowly began to make his way to the back, he needed to sit down for a moment to clear his head after that. He had made it half way through when he felt a familiar warmth sweep through him. The gentle hum in his body whenever he was near Liz began again. Max whipped around, his eyes searching frantically for Liz in the crowd.

She was here. He could feel her! He hadn’t had this feeling since her death but it was so strong now. He took a step back to where he had been with Beth and the feeling got stronger.

“Liz!” Max whispered, his eyes wide as his gaze raked through the people there. He saw a petite blonde girl looking at him curiously, her eyes having an unreadable look. She looked about his age. He looked at her for a brief second, thinking he knew her but then pushed it aside. He didn’t know anyone who looked like that.

“Liz, Liz where are you?” Max muttered to himself as he searched the crowd. Then abruptly he stopped where he was.

What am I doing? Max thought. How can Liz be here? She’s dead!

She’s dead…she can’t be here. Max sagged against the wall as frustration and grief washed over him in waves. He was still feeling the gently hum in his body but it was more indistinct now. His mind was playing tricks on him; the flashes were having a weird reaction. He looked back up, this time in despair.

Liz… he thought, his heart beating in pain.

He noticed the blonde girl still looking at him and now beginning to walk closer, almost as if towards him. He glanced at her, wondering again if he knew her. The way she was looking at him, Max was sure she knew him. But before she reached him or he could go to ask her, a tall young man about his age came up to her, slipping his arm around her waist. He shot Max a look before he said something to her and the girl nodded hesitantly, pushing her hair behind her ear. Max froze at that gesture. That was something Liz would do, but then he shook his head. There were many people who pushed their hair back that way. He was being ridiculous. When he looked back towards the couple they were almost out, with the guy’s arm firmly around her waist, leading her back out. Before she disappeared out the door though, the girl turned to give Max one brief look, but it was enough to shake him. The look held recognition, despair…and love.


* * * * * * * * * * *


Liz knew she shouldn’t have come here inside. She was supposed to be outside, scouting the place. But she couldn’t help it. She knew Max was inside, she could feel him. So she had gone inside the UFO Centre, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. She had spotted him almost immediately. He was handing out flyers to people around him. As she saw him for the first time in weeks, she felt herself go blank for a while. She felt everything around her fade away until it was just her and Max. She saw herself walking up to him, begging him not to forget her. But then just as suddenly she snapped out of her trance. To her it had seemed like seconds since she blanked out but when she looked back at Max she frowned in puzzlement. He was crouched on the floor, looking startled and panicked. She wondered what had happened to him to make him so startled and how long had she stood there, spaced out. She saw Max looked slowly around the room and call someone’s name. It almost sounded like Beth. Frowning Liz stared at Max, taking him in after more than a month. He looked so tired and sad. She didn’t realize that she was staring at him until his gaze met hers. He locked eyes with her for a brief second and she couldn’t stop her heart from fluttering. She saw curiosity flicker across his face for a brief instance. She held her breath, cursing her self that he had noticed her. She waited to see if he would recognize her. She was oddly disappointed when he looked away.

Liz kept watching him, ignoring the warnings in her head. She saw him suddenly snap his head up, turn around and look frantically about. She felt her heart soar when she saw her name on his lips. She moved aside, partially blocking his view of her. She knew then that he had felt her presence in the room and she couldn’t quench the joy she felt in knowing that they still had their connection.

She saw him looking for her frantically before it struck him that she couldn’t be here. She saw the despair in his eyes and ached to soothe it, to tell him that she was here. She was almost about to turn and leave when Max again looked in her direction. This time he continued to look at her, a bit confused. Without her knowing it she took an involuntary step towards him. Liz saw the question in his eyes. He was wondering if he knew her. She wanted to tell him that he did. That she was the one he was looking for but she just kept walking slowly towards him. She knew she shouldn’t go near him but just turn away but she couldn’t make herself stop. She was so near…just a few more steps and she’d be in touching distance.

She saw Max straighten up, still staring at her, waiting for her. Then out of nowhere she felt Alex’s arm around her waist, stopping her in her tracks.

“Liz what are you doing?” he asked in alarm. He shot a quick look to where Liz was looking and he gripped her more tightly.

“You can’t Liz.” He told her softly. “You know you can’t.”

Liz looked at him, her eyes begging him, pleading with him but Alex was firm.

“I know you want to…so do I…”Alex told her, the frustration also apparent in his voice. “But-but we can’t…”

“I’m sorry Alex…” Liz whispered, sagging against him as she realized what she had been almost about to do.

“Do you want to leave?” Alex asked her gently.

Liz nodded, pushing back her hair. “Okay.”

Alex began to lead her back out, his arm still around her waist protectively. He knew she would stumble if he let go of her right now. Liz heart was crying out for Max but she ignored its cries, pushing aside the sadness she felt. She had almost blown it. She was going to make sure this didn’t happen again. But even then she couldn’t help shooting Max one last look before she left. When she looked back, he was still watching her and all she could do was give him one last sorrowful and loving look before Alex whisked her away.

TBC.....

Do I need to ask for feedback?

Author’s Note: sorry, RL got in the way I want to thank all of the people who nominated my story (or me) for the various categories. Thank you so much you guys! You people are the best! And your questions about Kivar, Nicholas and Ava are answered in the next part (part 50) so keep tuned.



Part 49

As soon as Maria got home that evening, she immediately ran into her room, locking the door behind her. She didn’t want anyone walking in on her while she was packing. She thankfully had found the house empty but she still didn’t want to take any chances. She briefly wondered where Ava was and whether she was still at Michael’s but she pushed that thought away just as quickly. Ava could take care of herself. She had more important matters to deal with.

Maria took out and looked over the piece of paper she had gotten from Derek. After managing to ditch Kyle she had hurried over to Derek’s house and gotten all the information and emails from him. She had been pleasantly surprised by the depth of information Derek had managed to dig out for her. Not only had he found the city Alex had sent these from but also a dorm room number from Las Cruses University. She wasn’t about to question how he found that out!

Now she was heading to Las Cruses. She was a bit apprehensive about going there alone but she didn’t have a choice. She couldn’t take Max for obvious reasons and she didn’t feel very comfortable with Isabel or Tess, not like they would be interested anyway. Kyle, though not exactly siding with the aliens was not a very willing participant in this cold war. Maria really doubted he believed Liz’s theory. Maria paused when her thoughts crossed Michael. She considered going over to ask him but then she sighed as she finished her packing.

Michael wouldn’t understand. He was Max’s second in command. He wouldn’t really back her up on this. She also didn’t want to drag him into this until she was sure that her hunches were right and she could prove Liz’s theory. She picked up her bag and slowly headed out to her Jetta. Just as she was about to get in the car Michael came roaring up to her house on his motorbike. Maria abruptly dropped her bag in the car, making sure it was out of sight. Michael stopped his bike next to the car and took of his helmet. Maria felt an irresistible urge to run her hands though his ruffled hair.

“Michael!” she squeaked. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see how you were doing. You kinda left in a hurry…” He told her getting off his bike and coming over to stand next to her. Maria’s heart melted when he looked at her with concern. He gently took her face in his hands. “Are you all right?” he asked.

Maria smiled at him, trying to act cheerful but just the reminder of what had happened that day made her once again feel angry and hurt. “I’m fine.” She told him.

Michael just stared at her with his know-it-all expression. Without another word he pulled her into his arms, resting his head on top of hers. Knowing she hadn’t managed to fool him Maria wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek against his chest. She closed her eyes trying to feel safe and normal once again in Michael’s arms. Just being near Michael, especially right now was soothing for her. She felt safe, as if everything would turn out all right. She once again debated about telling Michael where she was going but then again discarded the idea.

Michael kissed the top of her head and then her lips gently before letting her go. “I’m sorry.” He said.

Maria already missed the safety of his arms and wrapped her arms around herself, trying to recapture the feeling. She nodded sadly, her eyes thanking him.

“We’ll figure it out, you know.” Michael told her.

Maria sighed, letting her hands drop back down to her side. “I know.” She said quietly. “It’s just…it’s just that I feel so…angry at Max and Tess, but I can’t blame them. Not really anyway.” She looked at Michael with a small amused smile which didn’t quite reach her eyes. “How can I? I mean in a sick, demented sort of way Liz accomplished what she was supposed to do.”

“Are you going to tell him?” Michael asked suddenly.

Maria snapped her head to look at him. “I-I’m not sure…” she confessed. “I mean Kyle is so mad right now…I know he doesn’t want to and right now even I don’t” Maria told with a dry snort. She shrugged. “We’ll see I guess.”

Michael nodded but didn’t say anything. They stood there silently for a minute before Michael nonchalantly nodded his head towards the bag inside the car.

“Where’re you going?” he asked. Although his voice was neutral and uninterested Maria noticed his searching gaze.

“Just need to clear my head.” She lied.

“Planning on staying away long?” he asked her.

Maria paused before nodding. “Maybe.”

Michael looked at her in silence for a few seconds, almost as if trying to read her. Maria felt a little uneasy by the way he was looking at her but finally Michael’s dropped his gaze.

“I’m here for you, you know that right?” he asked.

Maria smiled softly at him. “I know.”

“Maria you don’t need to hide from me…”

Maria pulled him to her and kissed him lightly to shut him up. Pulling back, she gave him a teasing smile. “I know.” She replied, her smile turning grateful.

She let go of Michael and let him climb back on his bike. With a wave Michael took off back down the street. As soon as his bike was out of sight, Maria jumped in the car and headed to Las Cruses.


TBC........

Author's note: Well here are some of the answers all of you have so patiently waited for..but of course not all is revealed at once... Hope you like!


Part 50

As the day turned dark, Ava wandered slowly around town. Alone, lost in her thoughts she hadn’t even noticed it had gotten dark and that she should be heading back to the house. She was replaying all that had transpired in the day today and a small almost gleefully smile touched her lips. Everything was going just perfectly. Her smile grew wider, colder as she felt the plan falling into place.

They still had no idea whose side she really was on or who she was working for. There was only one ruler of Antar, the true king: Kivar. It had been so easy to win their trust the last time and it had just as easy, if not more, to make them trust her completely now. Nicholas had failed last time in getting the Granolith and in getting rid of the Royal Four, but this time she would make sure that the plan wouldn’t fail.

She had meant what she had told Kivar at the Crash Down that day. Kivar had been a fool to trust Nicholas. He had been too direct in his approach, and anyway that bastard had gone behind their backs to join forces with Rath and Lonnie. Ava’s eyes grew cold and angry as she thought about how Rath and Lonnie had nearly blown it when they had tried to kill Max in New York. That had not been a part of Kivar’s plan and if she hadn’t stepped in on time, Max would have been dead without their main objective being achieved. She wasn’t about to make the mistake of trusting Rath and Lonnie again. She still needed them, that was true, but she didn’t necessarily have to put up with them.

The granolith! Getting it is the only thing that matters! Ava thought fiercely. She knew that since Kivar had managed to come to the planet, things would go off better. She had more control over this operation than she had the last time and she was determined to do this right. She knew what happened to people who screwed up. She smirked when she thought of Nicholas and his untimely end.

Can’t really say I miss him. She thought.

Ava finally stopped to look at the time and realized dejectedly that she would have to head back before Maria began to worry. Right now she wanted to do nothing that might jeopardize her position. She had almost walked back half a block when she was grabbed from behind by rough hands and pulled into a darkened alley. Ava bit back a startled gasp and instead flipped her assaulter over her shoulder; holding her hand out in front of her, ready to attack. Even when she realized it was Rath she didn’t lower her hands, glaring at him in anger.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” she asked coldly.

Rath pushed himself off the ground, frowning in anger. “Yo, no need to be so rough.” He told her.

“I said, what are you doing here?” Ava asked coldly, ignoring his remark.

“I’ll tell you if you lower your hand. I don’t wanna get fried by you, okay?” Rath grumbled.

Ava reluctantly lowered her hand. She stared at him impatiently, waiting for him to tell her why he was here. “Well?” she snapped when he just stood there.

“Aren’t you goin’ to kiss me hello?” Rath asked with a leery grin.

Ava smiled back coldly and raised her hand again. She let a bolt of energy fly, almost hitting Rath if he hadn’t ducked down in time. “I have no time for games Rath. You were under strict orders to keep out of Roswell until I needed you.” Ava told him. “Now unless you give me a good reason I will not hesitate to kill you. You are expendable.”

Rath, now a bit jittered by Ava’s action and the emotionless face, stood up a bit straight and faced her with nervousness. “Kivar sent me.” Rath explained quickly. Ava frowned, lowering her hand and folding her arms across her chest.

“Explain.” She ordered curtly.

“You haven’t checked in with him since you came here.” Rath said, hurrying forth with his explanation. “He was worried about you. Wanted me to check out if you’re still okay.”

“As you can see I’m perfectly fine.” Ava replied. “Now leave immediately! I will not let this stupid mistake of you coming here cost me my entire mission!”

She turned around to move back out on to the streets but Rath’s voice stopped her.

“Can’t leave just yet.”

Ava turned around and looked icily at him. “What do you mean?” she snapped. “I just ordered you to leave and you will do as I say!”

“But I’ve got orders from someone above you to stay here until I know how far along the plan is.” Rath answered, almost gleeful at having to defy her.

“Kivar?” Ava asked with unconcealed distaste. Rath nodded.

“Fuck!” Ava shouted in frustration. “He’s going to mess up my plan if he keeps butting in like this!”

She looked back at Rath. “Tell him I’ll check in with him tomorrow.”

Rath again shook his head, now smirking at her. “Can’t do that. Order’s to find out today!” He was pushing her, he knew that. Kivar hadn’t been that strict on rules and he could leave with Ava’s message and Kivar would be satisfied but there was something totally enjoyable about infuriating Ava. But then he saw the fury in her eyes mixed with the deadly calm of her features and he swallowed hard, suddenly unsure about how far he should push her.

Ava came closer to him, her strut almost predatory and he unconsciously backed up one step. Ava noticed this and smiled a little. She liked it when her subordinates were wary of her.

“Rath,” she said almost sweetly. “Can you give Kivar a message for me?”

Rath didn’t really like the look in her eyes. Although her face was neutral and her voice almost sweet and soothing, he knew how deceitful she could be. Rath paused before nodding unsurely.

“Good.” Ava almost purred, now only a few feet away. “Tell him, I’m still working on it. My mind warps are working so far. They all believe there is a child and already there are fights starting…”

“That’s good news.” Rath said.

“Yes.” Ava agreed. Then without warning she knocked Rath off his feet with another power bolt. He lay groaning on the dirty alley floor. Ava stepped up to him, towering over him her face and voice now hard, so menacing and threatening that Rath had to force himself not to cower. “And tell him that if he so much as tries to mess up my plan by sending his useless cronies here, he’ll have to deal with me! He may be king but when it comes to the granolith and the Royals, I am in charge. Got it?”

Rath nodded for where he lay. “Got it.” He croaked.

Ava stepped back and without a backward glance walked back out on the streets. “Now get out of here.” She threw over her shoulder before she disappeared. Rath scrambled to his feet. Right now he wouldn’t dare defy Ava. He knew she was capable of things he didn’t even want to imagine.


TBC....