Love Changes Everything ~M/L CC~ {COMPLETED}

[majiklmoon]

Don't ask me how this happened, but here is another update for you all. Hope you like it

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them

Author’s Note: I promise, I’ll try really hard not to steal any more lousy dialogue from the show :lol

Chapter Sixty – Six Conflict and Chaos

“This is killing me, Maria,” Liz said through clenched teeth.

“Try not to think about it Liz,” said Maria. “Try to pretend it isn’t really happening, because when you think about it, it really isn’t.”


“What?” said Liz. “Maria, I so don’t get you some times.” She turned her back and reached into her locker and pulled out her chemistry book.

“It’s simple, Liz. What we’re seeing; it isn’t real. Max isn’t really with Tess. It’s like he’s an actor, playing a part. We all are.”

“Yeah, well, Max is making his part seem a little too realistic if you ask me,” Liz said darkly. “Look at them over there. God, if she were any closer to him, she’d be inside his jeans.”

“Liz!” Maria cried. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

“Why not, it’s true. Anyhow, I’ve got to go do my thing. I’ll see you later.” She slammed the locker door shut and walked towards Max and Tess.

“Hi Liz,” said Tess, with a smirk on her face. She reached down and slipped her hand into Max’s.

“Yeah, hi, Tess,” said Liz. “Look, Max. I need to talk to you. It’s about Alex.”

“Liz, there’s nothing left to talk about. He killed himself. I know you don’t want to accept it, but it’s the truth. All the evidence points to it.”

“Yeah, well, all the evidence was wrong!” shouted Liz. “Why can’t you see that?”

“And why can’t you accept the fact that Alex killed himself!” Max shouted back. “I hate it Liz, I really do, but we have to face the facts. Alex committed suicide.”

“You’re wrong, Max. Alex is dead, but he didn’t kill himself, he was killed, and it was by one of your kind.”

“Liz!” shouted Max. He dropped Tess’ hand and grabbed Liz by the arm and yanked her into an empty classroom.

“Great job,” he whispered.

“Thanks,” Liz whispered back. “Ready for some more?”

Max nodded, and Liz started yelling at the top of her lungs about Alex and being murdered.

“Liz, you’re hysterical,” said Max. “You need to calm down. You’re not helping anybody acting this way.”

“I’m not going to calm down!” shouted Liz. “What I’m going to do is find the proof that Alex was killed by aliens!” She pulled away from Max and stormed out of the room into the crowded hallway.

Tess peeked into the room and looked at Max. “Well that went well,” she said.

“She’s crazy,” said Max. “She thinks that Alex was killed by aliens. None of us did it, and Nascedo is dead, so who else could it possibly be?”

“Ignore her Max. If we’re lucky, she’ll start to get over her grief, and accept the fact that Alex killed himself,” said Tess. “Come on, let’s go to class.”

Liz watched from the partially opened doorway of the girl’s room until Max and Tess were out of sight. She abruptly turned and ran into an unoccupied stall and began to vomit violently. She moaned in pain as a sharp cramp shot through her abdomen.
“Max,” she whispered softly. “Help me.”

Several minutes later, she heard the sound of footsteps pounding down the hall. Someone banged on the bathroom door.

“Liz! Liz, are you in here?” she heard Max call.

“Max,” she answered, her voice weak. “I’m here.”

The stall door opened, and Liz looked up, to see Max staring down at her.

“Liz, what happened?” he asked, as he knelt down beside her. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I watched you and Tess walk down the hall, and then I felt so sick. I started throwing up, and then, ohhhhh!” she cried out in pain. “It hurts so bad. Max, I’m afraid. What if there’s something wrong with the baby?”

Tears streamed down Liz’s face as Max looked at her with concern. Without a word, he scooped her up into his arms, and carried her out into the hall. He rushed down the empty corridor to the nurse’s office. He placed her gently on one of the cots, and turned to the nurse.

“Her name is Liz Parker. She’s nauseous, and complaining of stomach pains.”

The nurse walked toward Liz, and pulled out a thermometer. Liz blanched, and Max quickly found a bucket and passed it to her. She threw up again, and at the same time held her stomach.

“Maybe we’ll just pass on the temperature,” said the nurse. “Last name is Parker, you say?” she asked Max. When he nodded, she went to her computer and typed in the name. “Got it, she said. “I’ll just call her family to come and get her.”

The nurse turned her back and reached for the phone. As she did, Max placed his hand on Liz’s abdomen and concentrated. After a few moments, he smiled at Liz.

“The baby’s okay,” he said. “At least I’m pretty sure he is. We should get you to the Granolith to make sure, but I can’t sense anything wrong.”

“Okay, Ms. Parker,” said the nurse, hanging up the phone. “Your mother will be down right away. You can leave now,” she added, looking at Max. “I’m sure you’re supposed to be in class.”

“Liz, you’ll be okay?” he asked, ignoring the nurse, and looking at Liz.

“Yeah,” Liz answered weakly. “I’m sure it’s just a stomach virus or something. You go back to class.”

“I love you,” he whispered softly, as he reached down to squeeze her hand.

Nancy Parker brought Liz home, and tucked her into bed. She placed a cool hand against her daughter’s warm forehead, and smoothed her long dark hair away from her pale face.

“I wish you’d let me call the doctor, Liz,” she said.

“No, Mom, really, I think it’s just a 24 hour bug. If I’m not better tomorrow morning, I won’t argue, but give it a chance to get out of my system.”

“All right,” said Nancy, doubtfully. “But if you get any worse, I’m not going to wait.”

“Fine, Mom, listen, I really just want to get some sleep.”

“Okay, Sweetie, that’s probably the best thing for you, anyhow. I’ll be up in a while to check on you.”

After Nancy left the room, Liz dropped off into an uneasy doze. Disquieting images filled her dreams. Michael and Isabelle were there, but they kept transforming into Rath and Lonnie. There was a sudden burst of light, and Rath and Lonnie lay on the floor, in a pool of blood. Max and Tess stood over them laughing. Liz looked from Max and Tess, then back to Rath and Lonnie. She felt herself begin to scream. Rath and Lonnie were no longer lying on the floor, it was Michael and Isabelle, and Max and Tess laughed all the harder.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Sixty – Seven Just a Dream

“Liz, Liz, wake up, Sweetie. It’s just a dream.” Liz heard her mother’s voice through a fog.

“Liz, come on wake up,” Nancy said, gently shaking Liz’s shoulder.

“Mom?” Liz cried, sitting up in the bed. “Michael and Isabelle. I have to warn them, I have to let them know!”

“Michael and Isabelle, what?” asked Nancy. “Liz, honey, everything’s fine. You had a dream, a bad one, but it was just a dream.”

“Oh, God, Mom, it was horrible. I saw Michael and Isabelle, and they were dead.”

“Liz, calm down. Isabelle and Michael are in school, where they belong. Well, I’m sure Isabelle is anyhow,” amended Nancy. “You never can tell with Michael.”

Liz forced herself to take a deep breath and relax. “You’re right mom, it was a dream. It just seemed really vivid, that’s all.”

“You seem much cooler,” said Nancy, pressing her hand against Liz’s forehead. “How are you feeling?”

Liz sat for a minute and waited for the terrible nausea of earlier in the day to return, but her stomach remained calm. “Actually, I’m feeling much better,” Liz admitted. “See, I knew it must have been a 24 hour thing.”

“Do you want me to bring you some soup?” Nancy asked. Liz looked over at the clock on her nightstand, and saw that it read 12:30.

“No, I’ll come down and get some,” she said. “I’m really feeling much better. Let me get changed, and I’ll be right down.”

“Are you sure, Liz? Because I don’t mind bringing it up to you.”

“No, really, Mom, I’m fine. Just give me a few minutes to clean up, and I’ll be right down.”

“Oh to have the recuperative powers of the young,” laughed Nancy as she left Liz’s bedroom.

As soon as her mother left Liz reached for the phone and dialed Isabelle’s cell. The phone rang, and rang, then went to voice mail.

“Damn,” said Liz. “Isabelle, it’s me. Listen, I can’t go into details, because I don’t have any, but watch your back today.” She disconnected the call, and tried Maria’s cell phone. After three rings, Maria answered.

“Maria, it’s me, have you seen Michael?”

“No, I haven’t seen Michael, mostly because Max has him guarding you. What happened to you today?”

“Max has him guarding me? What are you talking about? Michael’s not here.”

“Look Liz, I don’t know anything. Max came and told us you were really sick, and then he told Michael to watch over you. That’s the last time I saw him, and that’s all I know,” said Maria.

“What about Isabelle? Have you seen Isabelle?” questioned Liz.

“Liz, what is your problem today?” snapped Maria. “Isabelle is right here, eating her lunch. Do you want to talk to her?”

“No, no, that’s fine,” said Liz. “I- I just, never mind. I’ll see you later.” Liz ended the call, and went to her window to look outside. She couldn’t see Michael anywhere, and she was concerned. She knew if he were anywhere in the vicinity, he would have come running when she screamed earlier.

Feeling slightly panicked, Liz quickly changed clothes and went downstairs to join her mother. She made short work of a bowl of soup, and some crackers, to appease her mother.

“Mom, would it be okay if I just went for a short walk?” asked Liz. “I mean, I know I came home sick and everything, but I just can’t seem to get those images from my dream out of my head. I was hoping maybe some fresh air would help.”

“You know what, Liz, that may be a good idea, but do me a favor,” said her mother. “Bring your cell with you. If you start feeling unwell again, just call, and your Dad or I will come and get you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” said Liz. She checked to make sure she had her cell phone with her, and walked out of the CrashDown. She looked around, trying to see if she could see anything suspicious, and then walked to the back of the building, to look for Michael.

“Michael, Michael, are you here?” she whispered. She looked around, and waited, but got no response. “Something’s not right,” she said to the empty alley. She started to walk away, but paused when she heard a noise. “Michael?” she called.

“Liz,” she heard a voice groan. She ran down the alley towards the voice. “Where are you?”

“Liz? Help me,” the voice called. “Liz, they’re killing me! Help!” Panicked, Liz searched everywhere for the voice.

”Where are you?” cried Liz. “I can’t find you, please keep calling.” Liz ran up and down the alley, trying to locate the voice.

“Liz, I need you. Liz, help me,” the disembodied voice called out.

“I can’t find you,” Liz cried, the tears streaming down her face. “I’m trying. Please keep calling.”

“Liz. Liz. Liz Parker, are you alright?”

“What?” whispered Liz.

“Liz, are you alright?” said Jim Valenti.

“Sheriff, thank God. You’ve got to help me find him.” Liz cried, her voice filled with panic. “He’s been calling out to me, but I can’t find him. He’s in danger, I know he is.”

“Liz, who is it; who is in danger?” shouted Jim. “There’s no one here. The alley is deserted.”

“Oh, God, it was so real,” said Liz. “Just like before.”

“What was just like before?” asked the Sheriff. “Liz you are staring to scare me. Who’s in danger?”

Liz leaned against the side of the CrashDown, and slid down so that she was seated on the pavement. She hung her head between her knees and began to sob.

“I think I’m going insane,” she cried. “First I saw Rath and Lonnie dead, but they changed into Michael and Isabelle. Then Maria told me that Michael was here guarding me, but I can’t find him anywhere, and now I’m hearing voices, begging me for help.”

“Okay,” said the Sheriff. “Let’s take this one step at a time. Where did you see Rath and Lonnie?”

”I don’t know. I came home sick today, and I was sleeping, and I had this dream, but it wasn’t a dream,” said Liz.

“Like a vision,” said the Sheriff.

“Yeah, I guess, anyhow, I saw Rath and Lonnie on the ground in a pool of blood. I looked up, and Max and Tess were there, laughing. When I looked back at down at Rath and Lonnie, they had changed to Michael and Isabelle.”

“So then you spoke to Maria,” prompted Jim.

“Yeah, and she said Max had sent Michael to guard me, but that can’t be, because when I saw him and Isabelle dead, I screamed. Sheriff, I know if Michael were anywhere around, and he heard me scream like that, he would have come running.”

“You’re right, Liz. Why did Max have Michael guarding you, anyhow?”

“I don’t know. Maria wasn’t sure why. But I was feeling better, and I convinced my mother to let me come for a walk. I thought I could find Michael, and he could help me figure out what’s going on. But when I got down here, he wasn’t anywhere, and I kept hearing these voices, begging me for help.”

“Liz, when I saw you down here, I must have called your name at least ten times, and you never heard me. It was like you were in a trance,” said the Sheriff. “You were really starting to worry me.”

“I don’t know what to do,” admitted Liz. “I’m scared.”

“The first thing we are going to do, is get you inside,” said the Sheriff. “And get you a cold drink. Then we’ll sit down and figure this thing out.”

The Sheriff put his hand on Liz’s shoulder and began to lead her towards the CrashDown. Once inside, he sat her down at a booth, and went to the counter and ordered them a couple of drinks.

“Hey, Nancy, I bumped into Liz outside. I know she came home from school early today, but she and I got to talking, and she came up with some great ideas for a surprise party for Kyle. Do you mind if she and I run out to the house and go over some things?”

“Um, Jim, wasn’t Kyle’s birthday a week or so ago?”

“Yeah, that’s what makes it such a great surprise. He won’t suspect a thing.”

“Liz, are you feeling up to it?” Nancy asked from across the relatively empty café.

“Yeah, Mom. I’m actually feeling pretty great,” said Liz. “That walk did wonders for me.”

“Okay, Sweetie, you go ahead, but take it easy, and if you start to not feel well,” she paused.

“I’ll bring her right home, Nancy, I promise,” said Jim with a laugh. “Even though they don’t come with instructions, Kyle has managed to survive, you know.”

“I’m sorry, Jim,” laughed Nancy. “I’m just a big worrywart.”

“I understand,” Jim said softly. “She’s you’re baby.” He picked up the two drinks and smiled across the café at Liz. “Are you ready, Ms. Party Planner?”

“Yeah, and thanks Mom. I shouldn’t be too late.” She stood up from the booth and met the sheriff in the middle of the floor, and the two walked out into the hot Roswell sun.

“You do realize you are going to have to throw a party after this,” Liz said with a small chuckle.

“Yeah, I know,” said Jim. “I guess we can make it a combination birthday party, wedding reception baby shower,” he added with a pointed look at Liz.

“Oh, Kyle told you?” she asked. “Yeah, and when this is all over, all of you have some explaining to do. Now come on. Let’s go track down Michael and Isabelle.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Sixty – Eight - Enough

Jim drove to West Roswell High, and parked his vehicle. “You wait here,” he said. “I’m going to go get Kyle.” He climbed out of the car, and ran inside, and Liz closed her eyes, and leaned her head back against the headrest of the car. Within several minutes, Jim and Kyle were back.

“Hey Liz,” said Kyle. “Thanks.”

“Thanks for what, Kyle,” she answered.

“For whatever it is that happened that got me out of Spanish. We were about to have a vocabulary exam.”

“Spanish!” cried Liz, sitting up straight in her seat. “Was Michael there?”

“No, in fact, he’s been acting kind of weird today. I saw him in the hall earlier, and he just blew me off completely.”

“How about Isabelle, how was she acting?”

“I didn’t see her at all today either, which was kind of peculiar.”

“Why is that peculiar?” asked Liz.

“Well, normally, it wouldn’t be, but she was going to bring Ava to school today as a ‘guest’, but she never picked her up, ” explained Kyle.

“Do you know where she is now, Son?” asked Jim as he started the truck.

“Yeah, I talked to her on her cell not too long ago, and she was hanging out over at Michael’s.

“Okay, we’ll swing by his apartment and pick her up. Damn, I wish there was some way I could get in touch with Max, Alex and Maria,” said Jim.

“Maybe there is,” said Liz. She closed her eyes, and concentrated deeply on both her child and her husband.

Little baby of mine, if there ever was a time I needed to be in touch with your Daddy, it’s now. Max, Max, can you hear me? Liz thought to herself

Liz? The voice echoed in her mind.

Max, I think we have a problem. I can’t go into it now, but try and find Maria and Alex and meet us at the old soap factory.

“Max is going to try and get the others and meet us at the old soap factory,” explained Liz.

“How did you do that? Wait, what did you do?” asked Jim.

“According to Che’koth, the baby will allow us to communicate with each other when there is danger to either us, or the baby.”

“The baby can sense a dangerous situation?” the Sheriff asked incredulously.

“No but he can read our emotions and feelings, so if he senses a rush of adrenalin, I guess he opens up the channels of communication,” explained Liz.

“Look, can we quit gabbing and go get Ava?” asked Kyle. “I’m really starting to get worried.”

“Don’t worry, Son. Ava’s a smart girl; she can take care of herself. Besides, we’re almost there.” Jim turned his truck onto Michael’s street and pulled up outside of his apartment. Kyle jumped out and ran up the steps and banged on the door.

Liz watched silently from the truck as Kyle banged repeatedly on the door.

“Wait here,” said the Sheriff. “I’m going to go see what’s wrong.” He climbed out of the truck and met Kyle who was walking back towards the truck. Together, the two men walked back towards the apartment and began peering into the windows.

Liz, help us! a voice echoed in Liz’s head. We’re trapped, Liz. It was a set up.

“Oh, God, Max!” Liz screamed. “Where are you?”

No! No, not Maria. Leave her alone. Maria! the voice in her head screamed. No, not Maria, too,” sobbed the voice in her head.

Liz looked around frantically, unaware of the tears streaming down her face. She reached for the door handle, and opened the door, filling the car with the warmth of the Roswell sun. She climbed out of the car, and tried to call out to Kyle and the Sheriff, but when she opened her mouth, nothing happened. Fear coursed through her body, and she tried to run up to the Sheriff and Kyle, but each step was like walking through a pool of molasses.

Liz forced her feet to move, using all her strength with each step. Halfway up the walkway, she looked up, and saw the door to Michael’s apartment swing open, and the Sheriff and Kyle walk inside. She waved her arms frantically, and called out to them, but again, she was speechless. Suddenly, there was a loud explosion, and a bright flash of light. Liz threw up her hands, instinctively, shielding her eyes. When she lowered them, she realized that Michael’s apartment was gone, and all that remained was a heap of burning rubble.

“No!” she screamed, falling to the ground sobbing. “No!”

Over her tears, she became aware of another sound, the sound of laughter. She looked up and saw Isabelle across the street laughing.

“Isabelle,” she called weakly. “Isabelle, help.”

“They’re gone, Liz,” Isabelle called from across the street. “They’re all gone, and it’s you’re fault. You could have saved them if you wanted to, but you didn’t. You didn’t care. All you cared about was your baby. You don’t deserve that baby. If you’re not careful, the baby will be gone too.”

“No!” screamed Liz, her voice echoing down the street. “No!”

“Liz, Liz, sweetie, wake up. Wake up, Liz,” a voice whispered softly.

“Mom?”

“Liz, honey, you were having a bad dream,” said Nancy. “Do you want to talk about it, sweetie?”

“Um,” Liz thought as quick as her sleep-fogged brain would allow. “It was weird. Aliens from outer space attacked. They captured Max, and Maria, and I saw them kill Kyle and his Dad.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t spend so much time in the café, Sweetie,” said Nancy with a laugh. “I don’t know why you had that dream, but I do know that Alex, Max, Maria, Kyle and Isabelle are downstairs right now. Michael’s on the grill right now, but he asked about you as soon as he got here. They came over as soon as school got out to make sure you were all right. And, they all took turns calling all afternoon, to make sure you were okay.”

“Can they come up, Mom?” asked Liz. “I know I’m sick and everything, but I really just need to see them and make sure they’re okay.”

“Relax, Liz, they’re fine, but yes, they can come up. Actually,” she added, putting her hand on Liz’s forehead. “You feel much cooler, and you look one hundred percent better. It must have been a little bug. How about if I send some food up with your friends? Do you think you could eat something?”

“Um, yeah, that would be great, Mom. I’d love some Saturn Rings, and a burger.”

A short time later, there was a knock on Liz’s door, and in walked Max, Isabelle, Alex, Maria, Kyle, and Ava, each of them carrying a tray of food.”

“Hey,” said Liz, feeling a bit foolish at the rush of emotion she felt when she saw them walk through her door.

“You okay, Chica?” asked Maria, plopping down on the bed next to Liz.

“Yes, no, I don’t know,” Liz said, her voice full of misery.

“Well, that clears everything up for me,” said Kyle. “Can I have some fries please?”

“What’s the matter, Liz?” Max asked, stroking her hair gently.

“Isabelle,” said Liz, ignoring Max’s question. “Did you try and dream walk me today for any reason.

“No, why would I do that?” Isabelle asked, reasonably. “And when? I was in school all day.”

“Well, after I came home today, I fell asleep, and I had this horrible dream,” began Liz. “I saw Isabelle and Michael, and they were lying in a pool of blood, dead. I looked again, and they had changed to Rath and Lonnie, and then they were Isabelle and Michael again.”

“And you thought I dream walked you and made you see that?” asked Isabelle, her voice angry.

“No, wait, I’m not done,” said Liz. “After I woke up, I was feeling better and I went downstairs to eat, and I bumped into the Sheriff. I told him what was going on, and he took me to get Kyle, and then we went to Michael’s apartment to get Ava.”

“That’s not possible,” said Kyle. “Dad’s out of town today. He won’t be back until late tonight.”

“Just let me finish,” said Liz. “On our way to Michael’s, I contacted Max, and we agreed to all meet at the old soap factory. We got to Michael’s, and Kyle went to get Ava, but nobody answered the door. The Sheriff went with him to see if they could find a way into the apartment. While I was waiting in the truck, I heard Max calling me.” She turned to Max and looked at him, her eyes expressing the pain she felt at recalling her memories.

“Max, it was terrible, you were screaming, you sounded like you were in so much pain. I couldn’t stand it, then all of a sudden you started screaming and crying about Maria, and saying it was too late. I didn’t know what to do, so I got out of the car to warn Kyle and his Dad, but when I tried to call out to them, nothing happened. I couldn’t speak. Then I tried to run up the walk to warn them, but it was like I was walking through quicksand. Just as I was about to reach them, they went inside the apartment and it blew up.”

“Well, it was all just a dream,” said Max, reasonably. “Nobody’s dead, we’re all here, and we’re safe.”

“I’m not done,” said Liz. “Right after the explosion, I saw Isabelle across the street. She told me they were all dead, and it was my fault, and to watch out, because the baby could be next.”

“What!” cried Isabelle. “Liz, you have to believe me, I would never do anything like that!”

“You wouldn’t,” said Maria. “But can you think of anyone who can do it, and once more, would do it?”

“Lonnie,” said Ava. “That sounds like just the sick scenario she’d come up with.

“But how did she know Liz would be home, sleeping at that time of day?” asked Maria. “Normally, she’d be in school.”

“Oh, my God,” Liz said softly. “Tess engineered this whole thing. This morning, when I left you Max, after our ‘fight’ she purposely bumped into me in the hallway. Do you think she could have somehow done something to make me sick?”

“It’s possible,” admitted Max. “Her powers are so much more advanced than ours. So, she set you up to get sick, knowing you’d go home and try and sleep it off, and then Lonnie took over. This is not good.”

“Not good!” shouted Maria. “It’s worse than not good. It’s horrible.”

“But what about the first part of my dream, where I say Michael and Isabelle, and then it was Lonnie and Rath?” asked Liz.

“I don’t know, maybe it was a warning of some sort,” said Max. “Something to let you know that Rath and Lonnie were a part of the mix.”

“I’m not sure,” said Liz. “But I do know this, things have got to change, starting now. We keep saying that, but nobody is doing anything. Well, I’m going to. I’m going to kill that bitch if it’s the last thing I do.”

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Sixty-Nine Until Forever

“So, that’s it,” said the voice. “Does everybody understand what they have to do?”

One by one, each person in the room nodded.

“I’m not sure I can do this,” said one of them.

“You can. You have to. Your role is crucial to the success of the plan.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all anybody can ask. It’s late, we should all get home,” the voice continued.

They said their goodnights, and filed one by one out of the pod chamber into the dark desert night.

“Your home is up there,” said the first voice, looking up to a sky filled with dazzling stars.

“My home is with you. You are my world.

“And I love you, Max, until forever.”



“Max,” we need to talk,” Tess said to Max early the next morning after he picked her up for school.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Well, we kind of have a problem,” Tess said. “I’m, well, Max, I’m pregnant.”

“You are? Are you sure, I mean, how can you know already?”

“I guess an Antarian pregnancy progresses differently than those on Earth. I can fell this baby already. He’s growing inside of me.”

“He?” said Max. “You can tell that it’s a boy?”

“It’s like he’s communicating with me,” said Tess. “I can sense his feelings and thoughts. It’s amazing. But, Max, what are we going to do?”

“Whatever you want to do,” said Max. “I’ll stand by you, Tess. You’re not in this alone. We’ll get through it together.”

“Oh, Max,” said Tess, her face shining with happiness. “Do you really mean it? I thought you’d just tell me to deal with it.”

Max pulled the Jeep over to the side of the road, and gathered Tess in his arms.

“Tess, we got into this situation together, we’ll get through it together.”

“But what about Liz?” Tess asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“What about her?” Max asked, clearly puzzled. “We’re not together, and we haven’t been for a very long time.

“I know,” said Tess. “I just wanted to make sure, I mean, she came to Las Vegas with us, and you guys were, well, it seemed like you two were getting close again.”

“Not even close, Tess. You and I are together; we’re a couple, not Liz and I, that’s ancient history. Now, we need to get to school. We’ll talk more, later on.”

Max pulled the Jeep back onto the road, and quickly drove to West Roswell High School. He parked the Jeep and climbed out and rushed to the passenger side and helped Tess out. Together the two walked into school, and met Michael and Isabelle in the hall.

“Hey,” said Michael. “What’s up?”

“Tess and I have some news,” said Max, looking pointedly at Michael and Isabelle.

“What’s wrong, Max?” said Isabelle, her voice tinged with panic.

“Nothing’s wrong,” said Max. “In fact, it could even be considered right. Like a destiny fulfilled even. Tess and I are having a baby.”

“What!” shouted Michael. “You can’t be.”

“We can, and are,” said Max, calmly.

“But Max, what if it comes out with green skin or something?” Michael said in a panic.

“Michael, will you relax,” said Isabelle, trying to be the voice of reason. “Nothing has to be decided now, and especially, not here.”

“There’s nothing to decide,” said Max. “Tess and I are together now, she’s pregnant, and we’re having this baby. That’s all there is to it.”

Max took Tess by the hand, and led her down the hallway, while Michael and Isabelle watched the walk away.

“A baby, huh?” said Michael.

“Don’t look at me,” said Isabelle. “You’re sister is the one who mind warped her. The baby thing was her idea.”

“Yeah, and it’s working great,” said Michael, his voice tinged with pride at Ava’s accomplishment. “Except for the part where we have to watch Max drool all over her. That part is rather disgusting.”

“If you think it’s disgusting for us, how do you think Liz feels about the whole thing,” said Isabelle, motioning across the hall. Michael looked up, and saw Liz standing by a locker, with tears spilling out of her eyes.

The two Antarians crossed the hallway and stood protectively on either side of Liz.

“You okay?” Michael asked.

“It’s just harder than I thought, that’s all,” sniffed Liz. “Seeing them walking through the hall together, and she’s glowing like she’s a Madonna or something. It’s not like she’s really pregnant or anything.”

“Yeah, but she thinks she is, Liz, and the mind is a powerful thing. She’s convinced that she’s pregnant and her body is going to start providing her with psychosomatic symptoms,” said Isabelle. “But we all know better. She’s not pregnant with Max’s baby, and she never will be. He loves you Liz, and don’t you forget it.”

“I won’t, Isabelle,” Liz said, wiping her eyes. “Thank you for reminding me.”

“Come on, we need to get to class. The threesome walked down the halls, and paused outside of Isabelle’s classroom.

“You’ll be okay?” she asked Liz, uncertainly.

“Yeah, I will be,” said Liz, her voice strong with resolve. “I have to be, I have a war to win.”

Michael took Liz by the arm, and they continued to walk down the now deserted hallway.

“You don’t have to escort me, Michael,” Liz said with a small smile. “I’ll be okay.”

“I know you will,” he replied. “Did you ever think that maybe I just want to walk you to class?”

“No,” Liz said, bluntly. “You want something, what is it?”

“This think, I don’t think we’re all going to make it out of this alive. Just make sure Maria knows how much I love her.”

“Tell her yourself, Guerin,” said Liz. “Nobody is going to die, at least not anybody I care about.”

“Liz, I’m serious,” said Michael.

“So am I, so just drop it. Now, is everything set for tonight?”

“Yeah, it’s going to be great. I wish I could see it happen,” said Michael, shaken by the vehemence in Liz’s voice.

“We can’t, none of us can be there, it’s too much of a risk. Alex will be able to pull it off without us,” said Liz. “Now, I’m going to class, I’ll see you later.”

Michael watched as Liz walked down the hall, her head held high. “Maybe if she had been with us on Antar, we would have won the war. She sure makes one hell of a general,” he said in admiration to the empty hall.

[majiklmoon]

Sorry for te delay I know I promised it would be up late last night, or early today. Better late than never

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Seventy The Haunting of Tess Harding


Phase 1

Tess stared dreamily out the classroom door, her mind on the life that she would have on Antar, with Max, and their baby. Suddenly, she sat up, and looked intently out the window of the classroom door. Someone was out there watching her. She could feel their eyes bearing down on her. It was unnerving.

It’s probably Liz, she thought to herself. “Mr. Seligman,” she called, raising her hand in the air.

“Yes, Miss Harding? And what fine bit of scientific wisdom do you have to add to our discussion?”

“Um, I don’t, that is, could I have a bathroom pass please?”

“As you wish, Miss Harding,” said the much maligned science teacher.

He scribbled out a pass, and Tess grabbed her books, and the pass and stepped out into the halls. She looked up the hall in time to see a shadowy figure turn the corner.

“Hey, wait!” she called, running down the hall. “Liz Parker, is that you?”

She rushed down the hall after the shadowy figure. Tess turned the corner and stopped in shock. The normally well lit hallway was shrouded in a misty fog. Peering through the mist, she saw the shadowy figure beckoning her closer.

“What kind of a trick is this, Liz?” she called. “I don’t feel like playing your stupid games, bitch. I don’t have time for this. You lost, why don’t you just accept it?”

“Tess,” the voice at the end of the hallway called out. “Tess, come closer.”

Almost unwillingly, Tess moved closer to the voice. “Liz?” she called out. “You can stop the freak show, it isn’t going to work.”

“You killed me,” the shadowy figure whispered to her. “Why did you kill me, Tess? I thought we were friends!”

“Wha?” Tess said softly. “Alex?” She peered through the fog, trying to focus on the shape at the end of the hallway. “It can’t be you, you’re dead.”

“I am dead,” said the voice. “And you’re the reason why. You must pay for what you did, Tess. You and you’re baby. You’re not safe here any longer, Tess. I’m going to make you pay.”

Tess closed her eyes, and opened her mouth and started to scream, but the noise was drowned out by the ringing of the bell. She opened her eyes to find the mist was gone, and the hall filled with hundreds of students pushing past her to get to their next class.

“Tess, are you okay?” said Isabelle, appearing out of nowhere to stand next to her. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

“I did, I mean, no, I’m fine. I just need to find Max, right away.” Tess rushed off down the hall, and Isabelle smiled and pulled out her cell phone. She punched in a number and waited a second before saying.

“It worked. Start phase two, immediately.”

Phase 2

Max walked down the hall towards Tess, and slid his cell phone into his pocket.

“Hi,” he said, sliding his arm around Tess’ waist. “How are you doing? Are you okay, you’re looking a little pale.”

“Actually,” said Tess, “I’m not feeling all that great, do you want to drive me home.”

“I can’t,” said Max, trying to make his voice sound regretful. “I have an exam this period, and I can’t afford to miss it. Don’t you have you’re car here?”

“Yeah, I do,” said Tess, almost absentmindedly. “That’s a good idea. I’ll take my car and go home.”

She started to walk down the hall, and stopped when Max called out to her.

“And Tess!” he shouted to her retreating figure.

“Yes, Max,” Tess answered, turning around to smile hopefully at him.

“Don’t forget to sign out at the office,” he said, smothering a grin as her expression fell.

Tess scowled and turned in the direction of the office. Max waited until her retreating figure was out of sight, and pulled out his cell phone.

“You’re on,” he said into the mouthpiece.

Phase 3

Tess climbed into her SUV and pulled out of the school parking lot. She turned the air conditioner on full blast, and turned up the radio, in an attempt to drown out her thoughts.

As she drove, she tried to get a handle on what she had seen in school.

”I must be sick,” she said aloud to the empty car. “Yeah, that’s it. I’m sick, I have a fever or something, and I’m having delusions. Or, maybe it’s the baby. That could be it! The baby could be making me see things. I mean, even Nescedo had no idea of how our bodies would adapt to pregnancy down here. The baby could be making me see things that aren’t there!”

Satisfied with her conclusion, she hummed along with the radio as she drove along.

“The baby isn’t making you sick, Tess,” said a voice beside her. “The baby is sick.”

Tess looked over into the passenger seat and saw Alex, sitting next to her and screamed.

“Scream all you want, Tess. There isn’t anybody to help you. You need to listen to me.”

“Why should I listen to you?” she shouted. “You don’t want to help me, you want to hurt me, you said so yourself.”

“Tess, listen to me, your baby is very sick.”

“I don’t believe you,” she sobbed, trying to control the vehicle as the tears streamed down her face.

“Believe me, Tess,” said the entity sitting next to her. “I’d like nothing more than to see you dead, but your baby is an innocent in all of this, and he’s going to die unless you leave this planet.”

“Why are you doing this to me?” she sobbed. “Why?”

“Tess, you have to listen to me, it’s going to get worse. Soon, you’ll start to experience terrible pains in your stomach. Your baby can’t survive in this atmosphere. It’s killing him. You must leave, immediately.”

Dimly, Tess became aware of a car honking. She looked back to the road, and saw that her SUV had swerved into oncoming traffic. Yanking on the wheel, she swerved back into her own lane.

“Alex, how? How can I go home?” she looked over to the passenger seat, but it was empty.

Phase 4

Tess lay on the couch in the Valenti’s living room, her face bathed in sweat. Sheriff Valenti wiped her head with a cool cloth, and looked at her with concern.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“How did I get here?” she asked.

“The office notified me that you were on your way home. When you didn’t get here, I took my car out and went to look for you. I found you in your car, on the side of the road, unconscious, and I brought you home.”

“Thank you,” whispered Tess.”

“Oh, and I called Max,” continued the Sheriff. “He’s been frantic about you. He heard you weren’t feeling well, but had no idea what was wrong. He said you were fine when he saw you before school this morning. He said if he’d had any idea you weren’t feeling well, he’d never have left you alone. Anyhow, he’s on his way out here.”

“That makes no sense,” said Tess. “Max saw me just before I left school. He said he had a test and couldn’t drive me home.”

“Are you sure?” asked the Sheriff. “He told me he didn’t have anything big going on at school today, and he’d be over as quick as he could.”

“Maybe I misunderstood,” said Tess, her voice puzzled.

“Maybe,” agreed Jim. “Why don’t you close your eyes and rest for a while. I’ll wake you as soon as he gets here.

Tess closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

Phase 5

“Tess, can you hear me?” a voice whispered. “Tess”

“Max, is that you?” Tess asked, opening he eyes and looking around the room. Her eyes landed on a figure sitting in a chair across the room.

“You’re still here, Tess. Why? Don’t you care about your baby?”

“Of course I care about my baby. I’d do anything for him.”

“You need to leave this planet,” said the voice. “If you don’t, your baby will die.”

As the voice spoke, the room seemed to fill with light. Tess strained to see the figure in the chair. Slowly it came into focus, and she screamed. It was Alex sitting in the chair, his body slowly decomposing, with maggots crawling over his body.

Phase 6

“Tess, wake up, it’s me, it’s Max.”

“Max, is it really you?” cried Tess, clinging to the arms that held her.

“Tess, why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well today?” asked Max.

“I did, in the hall, just before lunch,” said Tess. “I asked you to take me home, and you told me to drive myself, that you had a test you couldn’t miss.”

“Tess, I would never do that,” said Max. “I could never let you put yourself in jeopardy that way. Now, tell me, what’s wrong?”

“Wait, I need to get up,” said Tess. “I want to go get a drink.”

“Are you sure you should be moving around?” asked Max. “Sheriff Valenti said he found you unconscious in your car earlier. I was so worried, Tess.”

“I’ll be okay,” said Tess, struggling to stand up. Slowly she walked out to the kitchen and got herself a glass of water. Max watched as she crossed the kitchen floor, the glass in her hand. Suddenly, Tess screamed, and slumped to the floor clutching her stomach, while broken pieces of glass sat in a spreading puddle of water.

“Tess, are you okay!” shouted Max, springing from the chair, and running to the kitchen.

“Max, the baby,” cried Tess. “Something’s wrong, he’s dying. He can’t survive here on Earth. The atmosphere is poisoning him. Oh Max, our baby’s going to die.”

“No he won’t,” said Max, his voice grim. “If he can’t live here, then we’ll take him back to Antar.”

[majiklmoon]

Okay, I have to be honest with all of you, this chapter ended up in a whole different place from where I was sending it when I started writing. I really thought this was going to be the end, but as usual, I was wrong Anyhow, I hope you like it

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Seventy-One Two Down, One to Go

“How can we go back to Antar?” Tess asked, while clutching her stomach.

“I’ll find a way,” said Max. “I want you to stay here and rest. The Sheriff is a phone call away if you need anything. I’m going to go get everything organized and tell the others. We’ll leave tomorrow.”


“Oh, Max, this is wonderful. We can go home, and our baby will be safe. We’ll be so happy, Max, I just feel it.”

Max smiled briefly and walked out the door and got into his Jeep and drove away. As soon as he was out of sight, Tess sprang from the couch and ran outside to her own car. She was in such a hurry to get to the Tumbleweed Motel, that she didn’t notice Maria’s Jetta following several car lengths behind.

Tess quickly climbed from her car, and made her way to the room where she pounded on the door to Lonnie and Rath’s room.

“I’m comin, I’m comin, chill, will ya?” came Rath’s voice from behind the door.

“Yeah, Queenie, what the frig do you want?” he asked, lounging against the door, wrapped only in a towel.

“Shut up and let me in, Rath,” demanded Tess pushing past him. “Where’s Lonnie? We have to talk.”

“I’m right her, Queenie,” answered Lonnie, from the bed. She sat up and pulled the covers tighter around her naked body. “Rath and me were busy. So, hurry up and say what you gotta say, so me and my man can get back to business. Unless you’se are here to join us or sumptin?”

“Please,” said Tess, her voice heavy with disgust. “As if. But if you two would rather screw than hear my news, that’s fine. I’ll just leave, and then you and Rath can spend the rest of your worthless lives stuck here on this God forsaken planet.

Wait a second, Queenie, what are you talking about?” asked Rath.

“It’s time, you moron, that’s what I mean. We’re going home. Tomorrow. That is, if you can get rid of Michael and Isabelle between now and then,” answered Tess.

“Don’t worry, Tess. We’ll do our part,” snarled Rath. “You just make sure you don’t screw everything up.”

“Watch it, Rath,” said Tess. “I don’t have to bring you with us. So just back off, or you’ll find yourself stuck on this frigging hell hole for the rest of your life.”

“Relax, Queenie,” said Rath, holding up his hands in a placating manner. “It’ll be taken care of. Just chill, and go take care of Maxie boy.”

Tess glared at Rath, with venom filled eyes, then turned and walked out the door.

“I’m glad that bitch is gone,” said Rath as he threw himself across the room, and landed on the bed next to Lonnie. She is startin to get me really pissed.”

“So why dontcha just off her already. I’m sick of hearin about her,” said Lonnie, pulling the towel off of Rath’s body.

“You know why,” growled Rath. “Jesus, don’t you start actin as friggin stupid as that bitch. “Our protector cut a deal with Kivar, that’s why. He still wants her. She betrayed her man, and let Kivar’s armies enter the city undetected. “

“Cause she’s his connection to the Royal family babe. He knew he didn’t stand chance with you, so he’ll settle for Queenie. Especially if she’s knocked up with Zan’s brat.”

“Yeah, but who says he won’t whack us, as soon as we bring Queenie home to him,” said Lonnie, pressing kisses against Rath’s flat stomach.

“Cause I’m gonna kill the bastard first,” groaned Rath, as Lonnie’s mouth slid lower down his body.

“Ah, shit!” Rath exploded when someone began to pound on the door. “Who the frig is at the door now?” he shouted, over the pounding on the door. “Queenie, if that’s you, get the hell outta here. I’m busy.”

The pounding continued, until Rath pushed Lonnie away, and climbed off the bed and walked across the stained motel carpet to the door.

“What the hell do you want now, we’re busy!” he shouted.

“Rath, open up,” came the muffled voice from the other side of the door. “It’s important. I have to talk to you right away!”

“Jesus Christ, Queenie, this better be good!” he shouted as he opened the door. “What the hell,” his voice trailed off. “Wait, you’re dead,” Rath said, his voice hoarse.

“Wrong,” said Alex, pushing his way into the room. “But now, you are!” Maria ducked under Alex’s arm and pressed her hand against Rath’s chest, and concentrated, sending a short fast burst of energy directly to his heart.

“Bastard, I killed you once!” said Maria. “You should have stayed dead.”

“Rath!” screamed Lonnie, jumping from the bed “You’re gonna die, bitch.”

“No, she isn’t,” said Alex, aiming a bolt of energy at her. Lonnie’s naked body flew back across the bed, and then fell to the floor.

Alex stood looking down at Rath’s dead body, and then glanced across the room to where Lonnie’s body had fallen.

“We just killed two people,” he said, his voice hollow. “And I don’t feel any different, do you?”

“No, but why should I,” snapped Maria. “I already killed Rath once, like I said. If Max had just let him stay dead, maybe things wouldn’t have gone this far.”

“But if Max had let him stay dead, we may have never learned that it wasn’t Isabelle that betrayed them on Antar, it was Tess. Isabelle deserves to know that. No, she needs to know that,’ said Alex.

“Come on,” said Maria, tugging at his arm. “I need to get out of here, and find Michael. I also need to take a shower, and maybe sniff some cedar oil, and not necessarily in that order. God, I feel so dirty.” She looked around the room. “Did they ever let housekeeping in here?” she asked, not expecting an answer. “It’s disgusting in here.”

“Maria, snap out of it,” said Alex.” “You’re rambling about the state of the room. Let’s get you to Michael, I think you need to be with him, more than you need anything else.”

“It’s just that he looks so much like Michael,” Maria whispered, looking down at Rath’s body. “I mean, consciously, I know that it isn’t Michael. Michael could never ever act like that. It’s just that sometimes, it’s hard to get past the physical differences.”

“Maria, look at me,” said Alex, turning Maria away from the bodies lying on the floor. “When you look at Ava, who do you see?”

“Ava, of course,” said Maria. “What is this, some kind of geek brain teaser of yours?”

“No, just listen for a minute. Kyle said it one time. When he looks at Ava, he doesn’t see the resemblance to Tess. For him, it isn’t there. Ava is herself, a unique individual, and the person she is on the inside is what shows through. If you spent more time with those two things in there, you wouldn’t see any resemblance at all to either Michael, or Isabelle. Those two were completely evil inside. There wasn’t any good in them anywhere, and that’s what would have shown through. Just keep reminding yourself of that.”

“How’d you get so smart?” Maria sniffed.

“I hang around with a couple of really smart ladies,” said Alex, pulling her close. “Now come on, lets get out of here. Kyle, Ava and his dad are going to take care of removing, well, getting rid of,” he stopped.

“I know what you mean,” said Maria. “You’re right, let’s get out of here.” She turned and gave one last look at the Michael doppelganger that lay on the floor. “You know, you’re right,” she added as they walked out the door into the warm Roswell evening. “He doesn’t look anything at all like Michael.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Seventy-Two – Farewell Bob – Rust in Pieces


“Do we have to do this?” Max whispered to the Sheriff and Michael. “I love my Jeep.”

“You don’t have any choice, Max,” said Jim Valenti. “Tess really has to think that you’re going to Antar. You’re the one who concocted the cover story about all you going over the edge in the Jeep. Besides, according to Kyle, all of you have enough money hidden away to buy a fleet of Jeeps.”

“Yeah, but,” began Max.

“No buts, Maxwell,” Michael said, his voice firm. “The Jeep goes.” Michael held out his hand, in the direction of the Jeep, and shot a burst of energy towards it. The Jeep began to roll towards the rim of the canyon, slowly at first, but gaining speed. It flew off the edge, and Michael shot another burst of energy at it, causing it to explode into flames.

“Max, are you sure this is the only way?” Isabelle whispered to Max.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Max whispered back. “And even if I wasn’t, it wouldn’t matter. The Jeep’s gone now.”

“Max, will you forget about the stupid Jeep!” snapped Isabelle. “This is the most dangerous phase of your stupid plan, don’t you realize that!”

“Isabelle, will you calm down,” Max whispered in an angry tone. “Tess is going to suspect something.”

“Tess! She’s busy playing invalid for Sheriff Valenti,” Isabelle said contemptuously.

Max turned and hugged his sister. “Don’t worry Isabelle, everything’s going to be fine.”

“How can you say that?” she demanded. “I haven’t heard from Alex in hours. Something could be wrong.”

“Alex is fine, Isabelle,” said Max. “I promise you that.”

“How can you say that,” she sobbed. “You don’t know that.”

“Actually, I do,” said Max. He turned Isabelle slightly, and pointed to where Alex and Maria were hiding behind an outcropping of rocks. “They showed up a few minutes ago. Now come on. We have to make this last performance for Tess very convincing.”

Max and Isabelle turned and began to walk towards Michael who had retreated slightly when Max and Isabelle had begun to argue.

“Are we ready?” Michael said softly.

“As we’ll ever be,” said Max. “Maria’s over there with Alex, so I’m going to bring Tess home, and hook up with the four of you later.”

“Where are Kyle and Ava?” asked Isabelle.

”They’re with Liz. We didn’t know what Rath and Lonnie might pull, so they figured it might be safer to stay with her.”

“Let’s do this,” said Isabelle, suddenly purposeful again. “I want this over so I can get on with my life!”


Alex and Maria watched while the Sheriff led Tess to his car. Max took one last look over his shoulder at the area that hid Alex and Maria before he climbed into the truck beside Tess. Michael and Isabelle watched in silence as the truck started and headed off down the dark road.

As soon as the taillights faded from view, Maria came rushing out, pulling Alex along behind her.

“Did it work?” Maria cried as she fell into Michael’s arms. “Did she believe it?”

“Yeah, she did,” said Michael, looking closely at her. “Maria, are you okay?”

“No, she’s not, and neither am I for that matter,” said Alex. “But we don’t have time for that right now. We have to turn the two of you into Lonnie and Rath, and get you back to the Tumbleweed before Tess gets there.”

“Turn us into Lonnie and Rath?” asked Isabelle. “Why?”

“Because they’re dead, and chances are, Tess is going to head right over there as soon as she can get away from Max and the Sheriff,” explained Alex.

“What? How?” stammered Isabelle.

“We killed them,” said Maria. “But not before we learned some very interesting information. Come on, get in the Jetta, we have to hurry. Kyle is on his way over to the Tumbleweed to get rid of the bodies. He may need some help.”

“I thought Kyle and Ava were staying with Liz?” said Michael.

“They were, and Ava still is,” explained Alex. “We figured we might need some back up, so we called Kyle. He said he’d get his dad to help him get rid of, um, dispose of,” he stopped.

“The BODIES!” shouted Maria. “Just say it Alex, the bodies. We killed to people tonight, and that’s never going to go away, so you might as well get used to it.”

“Maria, calm down!” shouted Michael, pulling her close to him. “Don’t freak now. You need to focus. Let’s sort this out. You two killed Lonnie and Rath, and now Jim and Kyle are supposed to go in and do clean up?”

“Yeah,” said Maria. “Tess came and told them they were going home, provided they could kill you and Isabelle before tomorrow.”

“Call Kyle and stop him,” commanded Michael. “When Tess gets there, she’s going to expect to see Lonnie and Rath, but she’s also going to want proof that Isabelle and I are dead. We have to get over there, and turn those two into us, and us into them.”

“Damn,” said Alex, as they raced towards the Jetta “I never even thought of that. Where the hell was my mind?”

“You were busy wrapping your mind around that very important information we overheard,” Maria said, looking at him pointedly.

“What? Oh, wait, that’s right. Isabelle, I have to tell you what we overheard.”

Michael threw the Jetta into gear and sped off into the night, while Alex explained to Isabelle.

“So Vilondra didn’t betray her world, it was Tess,” finished Alex. “Tess came up with that fractured fairy tale to help drive a wedge between you, Max and Michael. She probably figured that if she drove you apart, it would be easier for her to work her way in closer to Max and comfort him.”

“Over Liz’s dead body,” laughed Maria, darkly. “But then again, that’s one of the things we are trying to prevent, isn’t it?”

“Among other things,” said Michael softly. “Call Kyle, will you and stop him before he gets to the Tumbleweed. Tell him to get his ass back to Ava and Liz, and not to leave her side until he hears from me or Max.”

Maria shot him an angry look, but picked up the cell phone and placed the call, as the Jetta sped off towards Roswell.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Seventy-Three – On a Mission

Liz waited until Ava stepped into the bathroom before she made her move. Without a look back, she climbed out her window, onto her rooftop patio, and then down the fire escape to the ground below. She looked around, and began to walk down the street. As soon as she was out of site of the CrashDown, she looked around once more and then stuck out her thumb.

“Yes, I know hitch hiking is stupid, especially at night,” she said out loud to herself and her unborn child. “But I have to get there somehow, and I figure I can pretty much handle anybody that tries to give me a hard time.”

Liz didn’t have long to wait before a car slowed down and pulled off the side of the road just ahead of her. She approached the car cautiously, and waited until the driver rolled down the passenger side window.

“Did you need a ride, Miss?” asked the elderly gentleman from the driver’s seat.

“Yes, please,” said Liz.

“Where are you headed?”

“Well, it’s kind of a scavenger hunt for school. There is a large sandstone outcropping out in the desert, and I’m supposed to go there and find the next clue.”

“It sounds like fun,” said the man. Why don’t you climb in, and I’ll give you a ride.” He leaned across the seat and opened the passenger door for Liz.

“Um, if it’s all the same with you, sir, I’d rather ride in the back,” Liz said.

“You’re a smart young lady,” said the man with a chuckle. “Makes no difference to me. Climb in, and we’ll get you going on your scavenger hunt.”

“Thank you,” said Liz, climbing into the back seat. “I really appreciate this.”

“So, what kind of scavenger hunt is this?” asked the man as he drove Liz out into the desert. “Seems kind of peculiar, if you ask me. Sending young kids out into the desert alone. It’s just pure crazy.”

“No, really, it’s a well organized school activity,” said Liz, improvising. “See, we’re supposed to work in teams, but my partner was being a real jerk, and trying to take all the credit for herself, so I just thought I’d beat her at her own game, and get to the next meeting place ahead of her.”

“Well, it surely does sound as if you’re showing some initiative,” said the man. “I’m Jake Cartwell, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Liz. “I’m Liz Smythe. Oh, Mr. Cartwell, pull over right over there. That’s where the next clue is hidden.”

“I wish you much luck on your little scavenger hunt, Miss Smythe,” said Mr. Cartwell. And please, don’t make a habit out of accepting rides from strangers. It isn’t safe you know.”

“Thank you very much, sir,” said Liz as she slid out of the car. “And I promise, no more hitch hiking. You’re right, it isn’t safe at all.”

Liz stepped away from the car and watched while the blue sedan sped off down the road. As soon as it was out of site, she climbed the path to the sandstone outcropping, and activated the door.

She stepped into the cool chamber, and the door slid close behind her she climbed into the chamber that housed the Granolith and stared at it. She pulled her backpack off of her back and opened it, and pulled out a translation of the destiny book.

“May I help you, Your Majesty,” said Che’koth, stepping from the shadows of the Granolith.

“Can you activate this thing?” asked Liz, motioning towards the Granolith.

“Yes, it is recharged enough to be activated,” answered Che’koth. “May I inquire as to why you wish for it to be activated?”

“No,” said Liz.

“Your Majesty, I must urge you not to do anything rash.”

“I’m not doing anything rash, and don’t call me Your Majesty. My name is Liz,” cried Liz.

“I’m sorry Your Maj - Liz,” Che’koth said. “I do not mean to make you angry, but I do not think it is wise for you to activate the Granolith at this time.”

“Oh, and why is that?” demanded Liz.

“For one reason,” began Che’koth. “I am unsure of the harm it may cause your unborn child.”

Liz thought for a moment started to speak, and reconsidered. “Fine, she said finally. “You’re probably right, but now what? I’m stuck out here with no way to get back to town.”

“May I suggest, Majesty – Liz,” he amended. “That you just wait here. I believe the king plans on arriving sometime tonight.”

“Yeah, fine, whatever,” snapped Liz. “I just wanted to end this thing, now.”

“How?” asked Che’koth.

“I don’t know, really,” admitted Liz. “I had some grandiose plan to go to Antar, and blast the hell out of Kivar.”

“Admirable,” said Che’koth. “But not entirely practical, as you are not familiar with Antar.”

“Yeah, well, I wasn’t thinking rationally,” said Liz. “Let’s just blame this on pregnancy hormones and never mention it again.”

“As you wish,” said Che’koth with a slight bow.


“What do you mean, she’s missing?” Michael shouted into his cell phone. “How could she be missing?”

He listened for a few minutes, disconnected the call, and looked at the others in the car.

“Liz is missing,” he said. “Ava said she only left her alone for a minute, and when she came back, Liz was gone.

“Oh my God!” cried Maria. “How could Ava let that happen? Where was she, why did she leave Liz alone like that? What was she thinking?”

“She was thinking she had to go to the bathroom, Maria, now calm down,” said Michael. “Ava said there wasn’t any sign of a struggle, and she didn’t hear anything either, so that leads me to believe that Liz left by herself. Now we just have to figure out where she would have gone.”

Maria, Alex and Isabelle all stared at Michael as if he had two heads.

“You’re kidding, right?” asked Isabelle. “She went to go kill Tess of course.”

“We just have to figure out where she went,” said Maria. “But first, we have to get you and Isabelle to the Tumbleweed so you can do the presto chango with Rath and Lonnie.”

“Then Maria, Kyle, Ava and I can try and track down Liz,” continued Alex. “We need to find her before she tries to take Tess down.”

Michael pulled out his phone and tossed it to Maria. “Call Ava,” he said. “Tell her you’ll meet her in thirty minutes, and see if she can get a hold of Kyle too.”

“Should we tell Max?” asked Isabelle, as Maria rapidly dialed Ava’s phone.

“Hell no,” said Michael. “One of them on a rampage is enough. Max would go ballistic if he found out what Liz was doing.”

“And, knowing my brother, he’d totally blow off this stupid plan of his to go and rescue Liz,” interjected Isabelle.

“Not that Liz needs any rescuing,” added Alex. “My money’s on Liz. If she comes across Tess before Max does, she’ll kill her.”

“But what if Tess kills – “ began Michael.

“Don’t even say it, Space Boy. Don’t say it, don’t think it, just drive,” said Maria, her voice trembling as she stared out into the darkness.

[majiklmoon]

*sniff* it's almost over ;(

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Seventy-Four – Nondeparture

Liz awoke, and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. She yawned, as her sleep fogged mind struggled to remember where she was. Finally, she remembered. She was in the pod chamber. Che’koth had helped her calm down, and not do anything stupid. After she had calmed down, he suggested that she try and get some rest, while he went to town and told Max where she was. She’d lain down in the chamber, which used to house her husband, and drifted off to sleep.

She slid out of the chamber, and folded the blanket that Che’koth had covered her with while she slept. Liz began to wander aimlessly around the pod chamber when she began to worry.

“Something doesn’t feel right,” she said to the empty room. She looked around the room for a place to hid, and remembered Maria telling her that she once hid behind the pods. Quickly Liz crossed the room, and wedged herself in behind the pods, and held her breath. The door to the pod chamber slid open, and Tess walked in, followed by Lonnie.

“Will you hurry up!” Tess said. “The last thing we need is for some stupid hick driving down the road to see you carrying in the bodies.”

At the word bodies, Liz exhaled with a loud whoosh of air. She covered her mouth with her hands, and hopped that they hadn’t heard her. She watched as Rath walked in and unceremoniously dumped Michael’s dead body on the ground. Liz shoved her hand in her mouth to smother the scream that threatened to explode.

“Go get the other one,” Tess demanded as she looked around the chamber. Without a word, Lonnie and Rath went outside, and came back. This time Michael carried Isabelle’s lifeless body in his arms. He dumped it on the ground next to Rath’s body.

“Anything else, Queenie?” Rath spat out contemptuously.

Tess ignored him for a moment, and made her way over to the pod chamber where Liz had slept. She picked up the blanket that Liz had folded so carefully and looked at it.

“Yeah, she said, after several minutes had passed. “Go move the car behind the rocks. I don’t want anybody to know we’re here right now.”

“Your wish is my command, Queenie,” said Rath. “C’mon Lonnie, let’s go move the car for her majesty.

Tess waited until the left, then went to the control panel beside the door and passed her hand over it.

“You can come out now,” she said to the room. I know you’re here, and I’m not leaving. There’s no way out, and those two idiots can’t get back in.”

Liz tried to move further back behind the pod chambers, but her burgeoning stomach wouldn’t allow it.

“I know you’re here,” taunted Tess. “So come out come out wherever you are.’ As she spoke, she walked around the room, trying to find the place that hid the intruder. She didn’t know WHO was here, but she knew they didn’t belong here. This was her chamber, and in it was the secret to getting home. Max had promised her they were going home, and she wasn’t going to let some intruder stop it from happening. She just needed to find where they were hiding, and then kill them.

“Yoo hoo,” she called in a singsong voice. “Ally ally oxen free! Oh, come on, if you’re not going to come out when I call home free, will you at least give me a clue?” As she spoke the word clue, she pointed her hand at the pod chambers and used her powers to push it away from the wall, revealing Liz hiding behind it.

“Well, well, well,” said Tess. “What do we have here?”

“Oh, Please,” said Liz. “Spare me the dramatics. Theater obviously isn’t your strong suit.”

“Stand up bitch,” snarled Tess. “I want the pleasure of watching your body crumple to the ground when I kill you.”

Liz stood up, her hands placed protectively over her protruding stomach.

“You bitch!” screamed Tess. “You really are pregnant. Who is the father, Kyle?”

“Tess, how can you be so stupid?” said Liz. “You know whose baby this is. Max is the father, and my husband.”

“You lie!” screamed Tess. “Max loves me, not you! I made sure of it. He doesn’t want you; he wants me. We’re going home, to Antar.”

“God, you sicken me, Tess,” said Liz. “You are so warped, you don’t know which of your lies to believe. You got so caught up in the world you created that you don’t know what’s real any more. Well, I’ll tell you what is real. I’m real, and Max is real, and our love is real. Do you get it yet?”

“No, you dumped Max, for Kyle, and I was there to comfort him,” said Tess.

“Don’t you mean, you created a mind warp to convince me to dump Max?” said Liz. “Well news flash you stupid jerk, it didn’t work. None of it did.”

“How, why?” said Tess.

“How, why?” snapped Liz. “God, you really are pathetic, aren’t you,” said Liz. “Do you really need it all spelled out for you, well fine, I’ll do it. We figured out how to break through your mind warps, AND we figured out how to mind warp you. All those time you thought you were with Max, well it was just a fantasy in your feeble little mind.”

“No, Max loves me,” said Tess. “He does, and we’re having a baby, not you.”

“Wrong Tess,” said Liz. “You’re grand night of passion at the observatory, well it never happened. It was a mind warp.”

“No, it happened, it did!” insisted Tess.

“Fine, if that’s the way you want it,” said Liz. She closed her eyes and concentrated.

“Max,” said Tess. “Tell her, tell her you love me, and not her!”

“Love you?” said Max. “I never loved you, kissing you made me want to puke. You are disgusting.”

“Max, why are you saying these things to me?” Tess cried. “You love me.”

“I don’t love you, Tess, in fact, I don’t do anything, because I don’t really exist,” said the image of Max as he began to fade away.

“How the hell did you do that?” Tess yelled. “What did you do to Max?”

“I didn’t do anything, Tess. He isn’t real. Don’t you get ityet?” said Liz. “It wasn’t real. It was all a mind warp.”

“You can’t mind warp,” said Tess. “Your stupid human brains can’t do it.”

“Well, you see, Tess, that’s where you’re wrong. Very very wrong,” said Liz. She backed away from Tess, slowly, but never allowed her eyes to leave Tess’ face. “See, the thing is, you are just as human as I am. Yes, you do use more of your brain than the average human. Well, I’m not too sure that you do, but your average Antarian does. The funny thing is, when Max healed me, it speeded up the development of my brain or something. So you see, I have powers too, and the Max you just saw was a mind warp. I’m not as adept as mind warping as you, but I’m getting better. See, the thing is, Tess, I would never ever use a power like that for evil, like you did. You’ve done nothing but try and destroy people that wanted to help you. We wanted to be your friend, Tess, but all you had to have it your way.”

“You’re lying,” said Tess. “You don’t have any powers. You’re nothing, Liz Parker, just some weak worthless human. I’m going to kill you now, and you can rot in hell with Michael and Isabelle.”

Tess raised her hand and shot a bolt of energy at Liz, but Liz was able to raise a shield, and the bolt of energy deflected off of her, and hit the bodies on the floor.

“I told you,” said Liz, her voice smug. “Oh, and by the way, it’s Liz Parker Evans now. I told you, Max is my husband.”

“You – you did this. You mind warped Max to make him love you,” said Tess. “Max and I are destined to be together, or we were, until you came along.”

“God, you really are sick, Tess,” said Liz. “You just don’t get it. Max and I loved each other long before you came along. What happened on Antar was another time, another life. Maybe Zan and Ava belonged together, but you and Max don’t. He doesn’t love you Tess, and he never did. Now why don’t you just leave? Leave Roswell, and leave all of us alone.”

“I’m leaving Roswell,” said Tess. “I’m going back to Antar, with Max, Rath and Lonnie.”

“Fine, leave, go back to Antar, just leave Max and I alone!” yelled Liz. She closed her eyes again, concentrating as hard as she could.

“Tess, I was your friend,” said Isabelle. “Why did you kill me?”

“Tess, you helped me learn about my powers,” said Michael. “How could you do this to me?”

“Stop it!” cried Tess. “Just stop it!” She closed her eyes and scrunched up her nose and concentrated. Smiling triumphantly, she opened her eyes and looked at Liz.

“It’s not working,” Tess. “You’re mind warps can’t touch me any longer. We figured out how to stop them a long time ago. For some reason, platinum blocks the mind warps. We all wear platinum jewelry all the time. In fact, my wedding band is made of platinum,” said Liz, holding up her left hand.”

“I took all of those away,” said Tess. “I replaced them with duplicate pieces of jewelry.”

“Yeah, and as usual, you were really inefficient,” said Liz, backing slowly towards the entrance of the Granolith Chamber. “You screwed up with Michael’s ring. Maria figured it out. How about that, Tess, another of us ‘lowly humans’ figured out what you were up to. One thing we all wondered about, though, was how YOU knew about it.”

“Nescado told me a long time ago,” said Tess. “He thought it might be useful someday. How did you figure it out?”

“Oh, we all have to have our little secrets, don’t we,” said Liz. She threw up a shield to deflect the blast that Tess aimed at her, and dove into the Granolith Chamber. She tried to activate the panel to lock Tess out, but she wasn’t quick enough, and Tess followed her into the chamber.

“The Granolith,” said Tess, her voice filled with awe. “It really exists. Nescado told me it did.”

“But he never told you where it was,” said Liz. “Why do you think that is?”

“He didn’t know,” said Tess. “He was my protector, but the Queen had doubts about his loyalty, and never told him.”

“The Queen is smart,” said Liz. “Oh, and speaking of the Queen, Max knows that the whole hologram thing you created is false, but back to the Granolith. Do you know what it does? Never mind, don’t tax your little brain, I’ll tell you. One of the things it does is help the members of the Royal Family find their soul mates. Oh, and do I need to tell you who it picked for Max?”

“SHUT UP! screamed Tess. “I don’t want to hear any more of your lies.”

“My lies?” asked Liz, incredulously. “My lies? Tess, will you come out of the dream world now. Real life is calling. Max doesn’t love you, he never did. Wake up and smell the Tabasco Sauce, will you?”

“He loves me!” shouted Tess.

“No, I don’t,” said Max entering the Granolith Chamber behind Tess.

“Max,” said Liz, moving forward.

“Stop it!” shouted Tess, hitting Liz with a bolt of energy.

Liz, distracted by the appearance of Max, didn’t put up her energy shield, and got hit by the bolt. With a scream she flew back against the Granolith, which began to hum.

“Liz!” shouted Max. “You bitch, why did you do that to her?”

“You don’t love her, you love me. We belong together. It’s our destiny.”

“I don’t love you, Tess, you need to accept that,” said Max.

“No, you need to accept that you’re going back to Antar, with ME, Max. With me, Rath and Lonnie.”

“Rath and Lonnie are dead, Tess,” said Max. Those are their bodies out there.”

“You idiot, that’s Isabelle and Michael.”

“I’m afraid not,” said Michael, walking into the chamber, followed closely by Isabelle.

“You are just too gullible, Queenie,” said Isabelle, sounding like Lonnie.

“No, it isn’t possible,” cried Tess. “Lonnie and Rath killed you.”

“No, Alex and I killed Lonnie and Rath,” said Maria, walking into the chamber with Alex. “Keep up, will ya Tess?”

“You-you’re dead,” said Tess, pointing at Alex. “I know you’re dead. I didn’t mean to kill you. Really I didn’t, it just happened. His mind was weakened by the mind warps.” She turned to Max. “You have to believe me, Max. I didn’t mean to kill Alex.”

“The only mind that’s been weakened by mind warps is yours, Tess,” said Kyle, walking in with Ava. “It’s a funny thing, Ava has all the same powers as you. Smile, you’re on mind warp camera.”

“No, this can’t be happening,” said Tess.

“It is,” said Max. He looked behind Tess to Liz, watching as she pulled herself up off of the floor. “I don’t love you, I never have, and I never will. Accept it, will you?”

“If I can’t have you, then nobody can,” said Tess, pointing her hand at Max.

“Wrong again, bitch,” said Liz. “Say goodbye!” she pointed her hand at Tess and blasted her with a bolt of energy. At the sound of Liz’s voice, Tess spun around, and the bolt of energy caught her directly in the chest. Without a word, she collapsed on the floor, her sightless eyes staring at the Granolith.

“Liz!” cried Max, stepping over Tess’ lifeless body. “Are you alright? She hit you, didn’t she?”

“Yeah, but junior here, threw up his own shield. Can we get rid of her body please? I never want to see her disgusting face again.”

Ava gave a small cry, and ran from the Granolith Chamber back into the chamber that housed the incubation pods.

“Ava wait!” Liz cried, running after her. She knelt down next to where Ava knelt on the floor. “Ava, stop, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t you understand, you don’t look anything like Tess. You have an inner beauty that shines through and lights up. She didn’t have that. All you could see in her was the darkness that lived inside of her.”

“I- its just so hard,” said Ava. “I know how all of you feel about her, and every time I look in the mirror, I see her face.”

“That’s funny,” said Liz. “Because every time I look at you, I see your heart. Ava, you have become one of my dearest friends, and I hate to think that my careless remarks hurt you. Will you forgive me?”

The two girls hugged awkwardly on the floor. Ava pulled away first and stood up and held out a hand to help Liz up.

”Come on,” she said. “Let’s get the others and figure out what to do next.”

They began to walk towards the Granolith chamber when suddenly; Liz clutched her stomach, and sank back down on the floor.

“Get Max,” she gasped.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren’t mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT’S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that’s mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I’m just borrowing them.

Chapter Seventy-Five The End

“Oh, it hurts so bad,” moaned Liz. She curled her body up into a fetal position on the floor of the pod chamber and moaned again. “Max!” she screamed.

Max ran into the pod chamber and fell to the floor next to Liz. Behind him, Michael, Maria and the others filed in silently.

“It’s all right, Liz. Don’t worry, everything’s going to be all right.” He cradled her head in his lap and brushed the hair from her eyes.

“It’s not going to be all right,” cried Liz, her eyes glazed with pain. “Something’s wrong, Max. I think it may be too late.”

Liz cried out again, and tried to pull her knees in closer to her body. Without a word, Max slid his arms underneath her and lifted her up.

“Oh, God!” he shouted when he saw the pool of blood on the floor where Liz had been lying.”

”Max?” Liz said faintly. “It’s the baby, isn’t it?”

“No, it can’t be,” said Max. He rushed over to the incubation pods and laid her out, and covered her with the blanket. He put his hands on her stomach, closed his eyes and concentrated deeply. When he opened them, and looked at the others, they could see the anguish that filled his soul.

“Max?” Liz whispered. “It’s too late, isn’t it?”

Max didn’t say anything; he simply nodded as tears of sorrow streamed down his face.

“He saved me, Max, our baby saved me. I didn’t deflect Tess’ energy bolt in time, and he stopped it, and he died because of it,” cried Liz.

“Liz, he – he would have died anyhow,” Max said, softly. “If the bolt had hit you and killed you, he would have died. He gave you a chance to live.”

“I don’t want to live,” cried Liz. “Not without our baby. I- I.” Liz’s body stiffened, and suddenly, she began to shave violently. Behind him, Max heard Maria’s scream of terror.

“Do something, damn it!” yelled Kyle. “She’s having a seizure or something.”

The sound of Maria’s scream, and Kyle’s angry voice snapped Max out of anguish. He placed his hands on Liz and focused as he had never focused before. He saw the area inside of her that was torn and bleeding. His hands heated up as he sent a healing light, and love into the dying body of his wife, urging her to fight, to live.

Several minutes passed, and Liz’s convulsions slowly ended, and she opened her eyes and looked up to see her husband’s worried visage above her.

“Maybe this time, you shouldn’t have saved me,” she said to him.

“Liz, we’ve lost something,” said Max. “I know that I hurt so bad inside, and I also know that it can’t begin to come close to the way you must be feeling inside. I couldn’t lose you, too. Our baby is gone, and there isn’t anything that can bring him back. But Liz, if you had died too, I don’t know what I would have done.”

“It hurts Max, I hurt so bad inside right now,” cried Liz. “I didn’t know anybody could ever feel this bad before. I don’t want to feel this way, I want it to stop.”

“It will Liz, in time it will. I don’t know that it will ever completely go away, but it won’t always hurt this bad.”

“Liz, chica?” said a tentative Maria from across the chamber. “Can I hug you?”

Liz didn’t say anything; she just nodded and opened her arms to her best friend. Maria ran across the chamber and held her friend tightly.

“Oh chica, I’m so sorry,” Maria cried.

“I know,” whispered Liz.

Maria’s actions seemed to set off a reaction in the others and within moments, both Isabelle and Ava were kneeling on the floor beside Liz, while Kyle, Alex and Michael stood helplessly behind them.

Liz sobbed brokenly, cradled in Max’s arms, while Maria rubbed her back. Slowly, the sobs began to subside, as Liz struggled to compose herself.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t know why I acted that way. I’m okay now.”

“Liz, sweetie, you don’t have to be okay. Not for us,” said Maria.

“Majesty?” Che’koth said quietly from across the chamber. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but the Granolith is ready. It is time.”

“Time, time for what?” asked Liz, her eyes filled with fear. “You’re not leaving? Not now. God, I couldn’t stand it if you left, Max.”

“Liz. Liz, calm down,” Max said, holding her tightly. “I’m not going anywhere. None of us are. Not now, anyhow. Che’koth is going back, and he’s going to take Tess, Rath and Lonnie’s bodies back to Kivar.”

“Oh,” said Liz, quietly. She pulled away from Max, and stood up carefully, and started to walk towards the Granolith chamber.

“Liz? Do you want to wait out here with me?” Ava asked.

“No,” said Liz, her voice resolute. “Tess took something very precious from me today. I think I need to see this, so that I can really know that it’s over.”

The group moved silently into the Granolith chamber. Max nodded to Kyle, Michael and Alex, and the four moved to Rath’s body.

“Wait,” said Maria. She knelt down beside Rath and pressed her hand to his face, and immediately his appearance changed from being an exact duplicate of Michael back to its original look. “I couldn’t stand the thought of Michael’s face going back there,” she admitted sheepishly, looking at her friends.

“I’m right there with you, Maria,” said Alex, kneeling down beside her. Within seconds, Lonnie’s body no longer resembled Isabelle, and instead resembled the street hardened woman that she was. When he was finished, Alex stepped back and looked at his friends. “Let’s do this,” he said.

Max turned to Che’koth and nodded and Che’koth stepped up to the Granolith. He passed his hand over what looked like a piece of sheet metal on a pedestal next to the Granolith. The metal panel began to vibrate and slid back to reveal a control panel. Che’koth pressed several buttons on the panel, and the lights inside the Granolith changed from a glowing purple to a bright green, and an opening appeared in the Granolith itself.

Che’koth stepped away from the panel and went to stand in front of Max.

“Majesty,” he said, bowing low over Max’s hand. “It was an honor to assist you here on Earth.”

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that,” joked Max.

“Max, you are a true ruler,” said Che’koth. “Antar is lucky to call you king. Take care of yourself, and your warrior wife. Your losses are great, but love will see you through them.”

Che’koth took Liz’s hand in his, and knelt down before her. He didn’t say anything, but as he stood back up, he looked deeply into Liz’s eyes, and smiled ever so slightly. Liz smiled back, and Che’koth released her hand and stepped back.

“I am pleased and honored to know you all,” Che’koth said as he climbed into the Granolith. Michael and Kyle followed behind, carrying Rath’s body. Max and Alex followed behind them, laying Lonnie’s body next to Rath’s. When they stepped out of the Granolith, Michael and Kyle took Tess’ body and laid it on the floor next to Rath.

Max stepped over to the control panel and pressed a series of buttons. The door disappeared, and the green light turned to silver, then to a white so bright that they had to close their eyes. When the light subsided, Che’koth and the bodies were gone.

“Well, she got what she always wanted,” said Liz.

“What?” asked Kyle.

“Tess. She always wanted to go back to Antar. Now she has,” said Liz.

They began to file out of the Granolith Chamber, one by one. Max waited until everyone had left and turned to Liz.

“What was that between you and Che’koth?” he asked.

Nothing, really,” said Liz. “Apparently, Che’koth has a gift that he never shared with us. He can communicate nonverbally.”

“And he did this with you, just now?” asked Max. “What did he say?”

“That at first he wondered if I was strong enough to be the wife of a king. Now, he wonders if you’re strong enough to be my husband,” she said with a small laugh.

Max smiled as he led his wife out of the Granolith chamber, though the pod chamber and out into the desert night. They stood with their friends, staring up into the starry sky.

“What do we do now, Max?” asked Isabelle.

“Live,” he said, hugging Liz tightly. “Just live.”

~ The End ~