The Story of Wendy and Peter (CC/Teen) COMPLETE
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 2:06 am
Title: The Story of Wendy and Peter
Part 1
Category: Future Classic
Rating: PG
Author: At the time I was Queen Lea’, now I am Elle.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except what I created.
Notes: This was started around the second season of Roswell. It is only now that I am drudging it to completion. Note that I have taken liberties with certain facts among the Roswellians, bear with me. Second, gratitude towards Captain Average, RoswellNET list (long since gone), and of course, my cohort in every crime, Princess Nic, known simply now as Nic.
Musical Note: Quite a few of these songs were written by me in the context of the band, however some are from actual bands being they are actual songs.
Comments: Please.
Alex stared up at the stars. They were so beautiful and calm out here in the night sky. He admired their calmness amidst the bustle of Washington, D.C. He was always so amazed that the lights of D.C. didn't drown the stars into the black sky. Alex inhaled the cold November night air, and stepped back inside his warm high-rise corporate apartment. His apartment was the ideal post-modern living environment. When he walked in, he came face to face with the reality of his life. He was now 28 years old and far far away from the desert confines of Roswell, New Mexico that had been his home. He lived in a small West Virginian downtown suburban high rise. His apartment was furnished in the expensive colors of black, gray, and white. His walls were bare except for pictures of his closest friends and family. In the corner sat the most high tech computer America had to offer. He turned on the gas fire place and threw himself on the ivory Ethan Allen designer couch. His eyes focused in on the synthetic blaze and warmth of the fire. The fire danced about in the cage, pulling Alex Whitman into a deeper trance. He began going backwards, thinking about his past life in Roswell. He had only been back a handful of times since graduation. He went back further to the days of teenage American male geekdom, and pubescent male obsessions with the illusive Isabel Evans. Isabel, he thought. It had been quite some time since that name invaded his mind. He hadn't seen Isabel, or her brother, Max, or their friend Michael, or Tess, in quite some time. Every time he was home, he found some excuse to keep him from visiting them. It seemed long ago since he had really seen them. He remembered the quiet day he had set out to find the world, and left Roswell, for once and all. He had been offered a high paying, benefit stuffed, well-stock rounded position for a new business corporation in New York City. So he came into the city of lights and sounds, and he stayed and worked for Big Net for about three years. He was soon a "valuable" asset to them but Alex began to get restless, longing to experience life- as if New York were a gentle nurturing suburb in Pleasantville. He was at his apartment in the Upper West Side when he received an voice mail from an old friend with that chance to experience the life he had been waiting for. He took that offer and it had led him here--to Washington DC, home of the backstabber and little white lie. He had been to the White House, the Senate, the Pentagon. Hell, he'd even been to the Oval Office, but yet as Isabel's name danced in his mind, he wondered what it was like back in Roswell. He wondered what life might have been like if he took the other road and stayed with Isabel and Max and Michael. Where would he be? What would he be? What ifs and questions that could run endlessly plagued him. Life in Roswell had always been... interesting. Moving to the town known for alien crashes and secret government cover-ups had kept him "on his toes". There was never a dull moment, especially when three of your best friends happened to be alien hybrids from another planet. Alex could honestly say he had seen it all, and done it all, or at least been apart of it. All of this due to his obvious obsession with one simple girl. Although simple wasn't the right word for Isabel. Isabel Evans was anything but simple. She was extraordinary. Her long blonde flowed like rays of a sun, and her eyes penetrated him each time she use to look at him. She was soft, yet strong and cool. Yet Alex had seen her break and crumble, and he saw the scared little girl in her too. Alex had wanted nothing as badly as her love. And for awhile he possessed it, but it was gone quicker than it came. They remained good "friends" till he left, and today, silently he hoped, they still could consider each other friends. Alex thought of her name one more time before drifting off into a dream full of a life he used to live. And the fire slowly died as Alex dreamt away.
************************************************************
Maria slammed the door. God, she hated the male species. They were pigs, the whole lot of them. Maria walked over to the kitchen of her flat, and poured herself a glass of wine. She sipped it silently as she turned on her CD player. "Reflections of Silver" by WEB softly drifted through her body and the room.
Can you see me, Mr Man?
Can you see my eyes, dear?
Can you see my brok'n dreams,
It's you I fear...reflections of silver.
She loved this song. She held her glass tightly as she sank into her luxurious water bed. She really hated men. The latest 'boy" she had drug up with her turned out to be nothing more than a wanna-be act in her show. She hated her popularity now too. Everyone thought it was so easy to be a star, so easy to live her life. Well, no one had a clue about her LIFE. No one knew what life was actually like for the lead singer of "Hybrid".... no one. No one knew about her life in Roswell, none of these simpering wanna-bes. Maria closed her eyes. The wine and her fatigue brought her back to Roswell. She had only been back once. She couldn't bear going back to so many sources of pain in her life. She would be returning soon and it was killing her inside. What if she saw him again? What if she saw any of them again? She had only spoke to Alex since their disastrous departure six years ago. They had actually "hung out" when he was living in New York, but then he left for DC and she even hadn't seen him in about a year. They were all so broken, and a "happy" reunion was do them in a few days. Maria continued to sip her wine and think about the past, and listen to the song.
Reflections of silver, reflections of us,
reflections of ghosts and you.
Waiting for me on that memorial night,
wait for me and then leave me,
But I'll see you in the moon, I'll see you soon,
in reflections of silver.
She hated Michael. She hated that she left him. She hated she didn't fight for him. She hated that their lives weren't together. She hated that she hadn't spoken to Liz in six years. She hated it that they weren't friends. She hated Roswell. She hated aliens. She hated humans. And most of all she hated destiny and what she made of it. She hated it all. And slowly, she hated herself, as the wine pulled her into a deep sleep and dream.
*************************************************************
Liz stared at the piece of technological junk in front of her. She despised computers, especially ones that talked back. She had been sitting in her office all day programming reports and when she was ever so near to her destination the machine decides to revolt. Frustrated and tired she yanked the chord from the wall. Take that, she screamed. She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples, in effort to keep the oncoming headache from taking hold of her last piece of mind. This was all too much. Reports and papers due, agents in need of assignments, and the ever present trip to Roswell. Liz hated all the work that her position brought, but she earned it, and she loved it, and she asked for more. She was to be respected and feared, and trusted, because every day of her life was devoted to her work. And it had paid off. Liz Parker was now third in command of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Third. She was the first woman ever to accomplish such an honor. She had been entrusted with the Presidents' security, his family's security, and the security of a nation. Her walls were adorned with plagues and trophies of her hard work and dedication. Her walls were like a chest adorned with medals and Liz was proud. But everything must come at a cost, and Liz had paid highly. For this trophy room and station she had lost her friends and family, and she had denied part of her true self for the past six years. Liz Parker gave up her true identity and destiny to follow this path and course. And this wasn't even the beginning of what she had sacrificed and would continue to sacrifice to be number one. Liz Parker wasn't always a girl of ambition, she wasn't always this self-confident and reliant, she wasn't always this...alone. At one time Liz Parker had been a passionate, love struck young woman, who accepted her abnormality with open arms, and wouldn't have traded her unique situations or experiences for anything in the world. At one time Liz Parker had been in love and surrounded by that love, but that was a long time ago, such a long time ago. But its funny how memories are unforgettable, and the memory of the day she left, played like an old picture show in her worry beaten mind.
*************************************************************
Six years ago in the Crashdown. The scene was set for a large party--balloons and streamers and paper cut-outs hung festively around the room. Music from a large stereo system blasted the latest tunes, while eight close friends danced about the room to the beat. The music was turned down as a boy, stood on a chair. He cleared his throat as he announced his pride in seeing them graduate from college. What a accomplishment, he shouted. He was proud of them, all of them, including Michael. Now, they would seek the world in Roswell and make it a better place for all races. It was a kingly speech, deserving the honor and respect they gave him. The boy turned to Liz, and smiled and declared his love for her. Liz shrank back against the decorations, how was she going to tell them? The rest of the crowd booed and poked fun at the boy and his declaration, but he smiled his classic goofy love-struck smile, and headed for Liz. Any words form our honor grad, the boy asked. Liz's eyes fell to the ground, now was a better time than never she thought.
"I'm very proud of all of us as well. Who would have ever thought, we'd make it? We’ve been through so..." Liz paused. A lump, a large lump developed in her throat. This was it... this was the climax of her life. " I'm so happy...and I wish I could stay with you all here in Roswell but I can't...um... I guess...I'm leaving tomorrow for the FBI Academy... I've been accepted into their program, and this is...I need to do this." She had tried so hard to keep the tears from falling. So hard to keep her composure, but it hadn't worked and now she was in crying. Liz ran out of the Crashdown into the dark street. The boy followed her into the darkness and grabbed her arm, and turned her to him. She had known him for so long and never had he physically hurt her, but pain shot in her arm.
"What do you mean you're leaving?" The boy asked.
"Max...I have to..."
"I thought... I thought we'd all stay here and..."
"And what?" she interrupted. "Stay here and live in "Never-land" forever Max? I can't. Max... I need to have a normal life, I need to take this normal chance. I can't stay here in Roswell and play superheroes, Max. I have to grow-up."
"What about us?" Max asked as he looked into her eyes.
She hated his eyes. She hated the way he played them against her, but not this time. This time Liz was going to withstand Max Evans’ gazes and stares.
"What about us, Max? I could stay here the rest of my life and play the dutiful Wendy, always by Peter Pan’s side as he saves me and the Lost Boys from Captain Hook ... or I can go into the world and grow-up and let the real Liz Parker become who she needs to become. Max.... I can't play Wendy anymore. It's time for me to grow-up, don't you understand?"
"Yeah I understand. I understand its too tough and you're running away because you can't handle it."
"SHUT-UP Max! You don't understand what my life has been like the past few months, do you? You haven't understood me for awhile. I lost my parents Max. They died because of my destiny, because of our destiny. I can't take that Max, I can't. Maybe you're right, maybe I am running away, but Max, it's the first "normal" thing I've done. I'm going to be normal Max, and that way my destiny or whatever won't ever take away people I love."
"Is that what you think Liz? You're wrong... your parents died because evil exists in this world, not because of who you or me or who anyone else is...."
"Max...it doesn't matter. I'm leaving, and nothing you can say will stop me." Liz turned and headed back into the Crashdown preparing for the barrage of questions and threats she would face from her decision.
"I love you."
Liz turned and tears gently fell from her eyes.
"If you loved me, truly loved me Max, you wouldn't say that."
And she shut the door behind her leaving Peter Pan to fall.
*************************************************************
It wasn't much better inside. When she came back in, Michael had called her a traitor, stating it was the FBI who tortured Max in the White Room and threatened their race. Isabel walked out, and Maria threatened to never talk to her again. Only Alex stood by her, only Alex still held her as a friend. The others were lost in the distance of her memory, only to be drudged up again by her stress and forthcoming trip to Roswell for a Presidential visit. At least Alex would be by her side, as technological advisor on the trip. She was glad she had convinced him to come work for her, as her right-hand man in technology. He was good at what he did, and it was always a bonus to have a close friend by. They had talked little about the trip. It was going to be painful for both of them, for all of them. Pain ran through Liz's skull. Great, a migraine--she thought. Just what she needed. Liz turned her chair around and pressed play on the CD player on her desk. The CD was of Maria's band--"Hybrids". Liz loved the CD, but most of all, because it had Maria's voice, a voice she hadn't heard in six years.
It was my life, playgrounds, and jeeps,
it was our life, desert queen from far away,
it was the life we all had imagined, dreamed of,
but you couldn't come out to play.
Do you miss us Queen of the Sand?
Do you miss the sights and land?
Desert Queen do you miss your king so?
I miss my warrior, I thought I'd let you know.
This song... it was their story, and Liz knew it. The song became the soundtrack for her dream as she fell asleep.
*************************************************************
She was standing at the edge of the quarry next to Max Evans. Across from them stood Alex and Isabel. Maria and Michael stood to her left. They were all in their former selves. Liz was 17 again. They all were. The sun was setting and the memory became so clear, and Liz knew. This wasn't a dream...this was a message.
Max turned to Liz. "They're coming."
Maria turned to Max. "Who?"
Isabel replied. "The Skins."
Michael answered back. "We must fight them."
Alex questioned. "When?"
"Soon." Max replied.
"We're not strong enough." Isabel cried out.
"We need to be careful." Michael explained.
"It's going to take all of us." Max responded.
Everyone looked to Liz. She not once returned their eyes or looks but merely focused on the ground underneath her feet. "I coming." She spoke softly as she returned to the world of the awake.
*************************************************************
Alex, Maria, and Liz all woke-up at once from their corners of the earth. They had been back. It had been so real. It was a message. Alex called Maria. Maria called Alex. And Liz Parker, plugged her computer back-in, finished her work, and went home and began packing while drinking a much need chai tea. She was going back to Roswell sooner than she had hoped. She picked-up the phone and dialed a number. The other end picked-up, and answered. Liz responded.
“Yes, this Agent Liz Parker I need to speak President Roberts as soon as possible. Thank-you.”
*************************************************************
Max and Isabel sat quietly in the darkness of the Crashdown. It had been a very busy night. Everyone and everything was preparing for President Roberts’ visit to Roswell. Max didn’t like the idea of the President’s visit. The President brought the government, and that brought the agents, and that brought a lot of questioning that he nor did anyone else need. He didn’t need agents, secret service geeks, and such poking around here or Roswell, period. Last night had taken quite a bit out of him and the others. Isabel was the dream walker, and for all three of them to do such extreme dream walking had been a challenge, and an exhaustion.
“Do you think they’ll come Max?”
“Yes, I do. If I know Liz, she’ll come. She’ll hate every minute of it, she’ll argue and fight us all the way, but she’ll come. Besides last I heard she has to come to Roswell anyway, with the President’s visit. I’m guessing they’ll be looking to her to lead this entourage since she is from Roswell.”
Isabel stared at her brother. His dark brown hair always neatly cut sat upon his head in a fury of nervousness. His eyes had grown so dark and deep, and rarely did Isabel see that glimmer she had when they were younger. That glimmer had all but died when Liz Parker left him. Isabel turned the “mirror” on herself. She had changed too. Her hair was now short and streaked with brown about it. Her figure had tightened, as muscle replaced muscle on her body. And her eyes had sunken in as she had witnessed over and over again the horror that had fallen upon her race. They all had changed. Experiences had “made them over” into what they were now. She wondered about what Alex and Maria and Liz looked like. She hadn’t seen Alex nor Liz in nearly seven years. Maria’s image on the MTV Awards was the closest she’d come to actually seeing her. In the dream they had only been able to see the former versions of themselves. Did experience change them too? Did the paths they each took form them into something new? Would she even recognize them if they walked past her?
“Max, what if this doesn’t work? What if it’s not enough?” Isabel paused for the last question. It was the most dangerous of all. “What if... they don’t come?”
Max wasn’t sure how to answer Isabel. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure if they would come. At one time Liz’s word was the ultimate truth, and if she said it, she meant it. But that was six years ago, and now he wasn’t sure the value of any of their words. He was supposed to be a great leader, he was supposed to know what was going to happen and how to save his race, but now all that was in the hands of a girl he once loved. A girl he hadn’t seen in six years. A girl who broke his heart so she could be normal.
“I don’t know Isabel. We just have to hope.... just hope.”
*************************************************************
“Western Flight 235 to Albuquerque, New Mexico departing in fifteen minutes. Western Flight 235 is scheduled to leave in fifteen minutes, all passengers please board as soon as possible.”
The intercom screamed in Liz’s ear as she ran down the long corridor to reach her exit gate. She was late. Everything that could possibly go wrong that morning-- did. First her alarm clock broke and she was late for her meeting with Heartley. Second, it took an hour for her to explain why she was disrupting the carefully laid out plans-- to leave for Roswell early. An hour and a half later, she had finally convinced her superiors that it was to make sure final details were in place and that all was well before the President’s arrival. Then there was about 2 hours of traffic to sort through, before finally reaching the airport. She threw her badge at the metal security checkpoint. And ran as fast as she could for the plane. They were just about to close the door as Liz boarded first class seating. An peeved airline attendant ushered Liz to her seat. She noticed the tall figure from behind the chair next to her seat.
“Hello Alex.”
“Hey Liz. I didn’t think you’d make it.”
“Well... I didn’t think I’d make it either. It’s like everything bad that could possibly happen to me, has. You don’t think that’s a sign, do you?”
Alex smiled at the frustrated Liz. Her hair was cut in the latest medium style and her suit was neat and pressed. Alex’s suit was also FBI protocol, pressed and neat, but his hair was a mess. He looked at Liz again. Over the past few years they had become close. When Liz had called Alex offering him a job to work with her side by side, as her technological expert, Alex had agreed without a second thought. And the job had been all he had hoped for. He could understand why Liz pushed herself so hard, the paybacks that accompanied their positions were well worth it. He also knew Liz was in it for more than the cushy perks. He knew that this was a chance to redeem herself and amend the loss of her parents. It was also an easy way to forget the pain that awaited back home. Liz kept herself busy to forget their life in Roswell. It was her chance to runaway, and Alex never blamed her for it. He had been the first to know Liz had decided to apply to the Academy, and he had been the first to know that she had accepted their invitation. When the others, that night, rebuked her, Alex stood by Liz. He understood what she wanted, what she needed. Even if it wasn’t the right way, even if this would only cause more pain in the long run, Alex supported her. She deserved it, she had been the strong hold in their group for as long as he could remember, and she needed the normalness surrounded by running away. He had grown to admire Liz deeply over the past years, and he considered her his best friend. His relationship was so much different from his relationship with Maria or any other girl in his life. He knew that Liz had made a sacrifice greater than all of them could ever imagine. She had sacrificed her true self, something in her that she couldn’t deny to become normal. And he knew it killed her each day as she played her part so well.
“I talked to Maria last night.”
“Did you?” Liz responded coolly.
The two hadn’t talked since that night in the Crashdown. Alex almost considered it the greatest tragedy of that night. Maria had refused to support Liz in her choice, claiming it was just an excuse to runaway from their problems. Maria had given Liz and ultimatum. Leave and never talk to her again or stay. And Liz walked out the door, never looking back. And when she did, she walked out on a lifetime of friendship. Liz had told Alex that giving up her friendship with Maria was the worst surprising consequence in her life, ever. Liz hadn’t expected for Maria not to stand-by her. Maria always had, but not that time, and that time had cost them friendship.
“She’s coming. She got the “message” too.”
“I figured she had. That’s good....good.” Liz merely nodded.
“Okay...“ Alex looked around before asking the next question. “Liz what do you think they were talking about?
“ I don’t know Alex. I only saw what you saw, I only heard what you heard, but I have an instinct it has to do with the upcoming visit by the President.”
“I was thinking about the same thing.”
“Alex, whatever it is...we have to be careful. You and I, are in a different situation than the others. We know things they don’t. WE know people they don’t. I’m going to really need you to stand behind me on this.”
“Always Liz. Do you think we’re ready?”
“I’m not sure what we’re up against Alex...”
“No, Liz...ready to go home?”
Part 1
Category: Future Classic
Rating: PG
Author: At the time I was Queen Lea’, now I am Elle.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except what I created.
Notes: This was started around the second season of Roswell. It is only now that I am drudging it to completion. Note that I have taken liberties with certain facts among the Roswellians, bear with me. Second, gratitude towards Captain Average, RoswellNET list (long since gone), and of course, my cohort in every crime, Princess Nic, known simply now as Nic.
Musical Note: Quite a few of these songs were written by me in the context of the band, however some are from actual bands being they are actual songs.
Comments: Please.
Alex stared up at the stars. They were so beautiful and calm out here in the night sky. He admired their calmness amidst the bustle of Washington, D.C. He was always so amazed that the lights of D.C. didn't drown the stars into the black sky. Alex inhaled the cold November night air, and stepped back inside his warm high-rise corporate apartment. His apartment was the ideal post-modern living environment. When he walked in, he came face to face with the reality of his life. He was now 28 years old and far far away from the desert confines of Roswell, New Mexico that had been his home. He lived in a small West Virginian downtown suburban high rise. His apartment was furnished in the expensive colors of black, gray, and white. His walls were bare except for pictures of his closest friends and family. In the corner sat the most high tech computer America had to offer. He turned on the gas fire place and threw himself on the ivory Ethan Allen designer couch. His eyes focused in on the synthetic blaze and warmth of the fire. The fire danced about in the cage, pulling Alex Whitman into a deeper trance. He began going backwards, thinking about his past life in Roswell. He had only been back a handful of times since graduation. He went back further to the days of teenage American male geekdom, and pubescent male obsessions with the illusive Isabel Evans. Isabel, he thought. It had been quite some time since that name invaded his mind. He hadn't seen Isabel, or her brother, Max, or their friend Michael, or Tess, in quite some time. Every time he was home, he found some excuse to keep him from visiting them. It seemed long ago since he had really seen them. He remembered the quiet day he had set out to find the world, and left Roswell, for once and all. He had been offered a high paying, benefit stuffed, well-stock rounded position for a new business corporation in New York City. So he came into the city of lights and sounds, and he stayed and worked for Big Net for about three years. He was soon a "valuable" asset to them but Alex began to get restless, longing to experience life- as if New York were a gentle nurturing suburb in Pleasantville. He was at his apartment in the Upper West Side when he received an voice mail from an old friend with that chance to experience the life he had been waiting for. He took that offer and it had led him here--to Washington DC, home of the backstabber and little white lie. He had been to the White House, the Senate, the Pentagon. Hell, he'd even been to the Oval Office, but yet as Isabel's name danced in his mind, he wondered what it was like back in Roswell. He wondered what life might have been like if he took the other road and stayed with Isabel and Max and Michael. Where would he be? What would he be? What ifs and questions that could run endlessly plagued him. Life in Roswell had always been... interesting. Moving to the town known for alien crashes and secret government cover-ups had kept him "on his toes". There was never a dull moment, especially when three of your best friends happened to be alien hybrids from another planet. Alex could honestly say he had seen it all, and done it all, or at least been apart of it. All of this due to his obvious obsession with one simple girl. Although simple wasn't the right word for Isabel. Isabel Evans was anything but simple. She was extraordinary. Her long blonde flowed like rays of a sun, and her eyes penetrated him each time she use to look at him. She was soft, yet strong and cool. Yet Alex had seen her break and crumble, and he saw the scared little girl in her too. Alex had wanted nothing as badly as her love. And for awhile he possessed it, but it was gone quicker than it came. They remained good "friends" till he left, and today, silently he hoped, they still could consider each other friends. Alex thought of her name one more time before drifting off into a dream full of a life he used to live. And the fire slowly died as Alex dreamt away.
************************************************************
Maria slammed the door. God, she hated the male species. They were pigs, the whole lot of them. Maria walked over to the kitchen of her flat, and poured herself a glass of wine. She sipped it silently as she turned on her CD player. "Reflections of Silver" by WEB softly drifted through her body and the room.
Can you see me, Mr Man?
Can you see my eyes, dear?
Can you see my brok'n dreams,
It's you I fear...reflections of silver.
She loved this song. She held her glass tightly as she sank into her luxurious water bed. She really hated men. The latest 'boy" she had drug up with her turned out to be nothing more than a wanna-be act in her show. She hated her popularity now too. Everyone thought it was so easy to be a star, so easy to live her life. Well, no one had a clue about her LIFE. No one knew what life was actually like for the lead singer of "Hybrid".... no one. No one knew about her life in Roswell, none of these simpering wanna-bes. Maria closed her eyes. The wine and her fatigue brought her back to Roswell. She had only been back once. She couldn't bear going back to so many sources of pain in her life. She would be returning soon and it was killing her inside. What if she saw him again? What if she saw any of them again? She had only spoke to Alex since their disastrous departure six years ago. They had actually "hung out" when he was living in New York, but then he left for DC and she even hadn't seen him in about a year. They were all so broken, and a "happy" reunion was do them in a few days. Maria continued to sip her wine and think about the past, and listen to the song.
Reflections of silver, reflections of us,
reflections of ghosts and you.
Waiting for me on that memorial night,
wait for me and then leave me,
But I'll see you in the moon, I'll see you soon,
in reflections of silver.
She hated Michael. She hated that she left him. She hated she didn't fight for him. She hated that their lives weren't together. She hated that she hadn't spoken to Liz in six years. She hated it that they weren't friends. She hated Roswell. She hated aliens. She hated humans. And most of all she hated destiny and what she made of it. She hated it all. And slowly, she hated herself, as the wine pulled her into a deep sleep and dream.
*************************************************************
Liz stared at the piece of technological junk in front of her. She despised computers, especially ones that talked back. She had been sitting in her office all day programming reports and when she was ever so near to her destination the machine decides to revolt. Frustrated and tired she yanked the chord from the wall. Take that, she screamed. She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples, in effort to keep the oncoming headache from taking hold of her last piece of mind. This was all too much. Reports and papers due, agents in need of assignments, and the ever present trip to Roswell. Liz hated all the work that her position brought, but she earned it, and she loved it, and she asked for more. She was to be respected and feared, and trusted, because every day of her life was devoted to her work. And it had paid off. Liz Parker was now third in command of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Third. She was the first woman ever to accomplish such an honor. She had been entrusted with the Presidents' security, his family's security, and the security of a nation. Her walls were adorned with plagues and trophies of her hard work and dedication. Her walls were like a chest adorned with medals and Liz was proud. But everything must come at a cost, and Liz had paid highly. For this trophy room and station she had lost her friends and family, and she had denied part of her true self for the past six years. Liz Parker gave up her true identity and destiny to follow this path and course. And this wasn't even the beginning of what she had sacrificed and would continue to sacrifice to be number one. Liz Parker wasn't always a girl of ambition, she wasn't always this self-confident and reliant, she wasn't always this...alone. At one time Liz Parker had been a passionate, love struck young woman, who accepted her abnormality with open arms, and wouldn't have traded her unique situations or experiences for anything in the world. At one time Liz Parker had been in love and surrounded by that love, but that was a long time ago, such a long time ago. But its funny how memories are unforgettable, and the memory of the day she left, played like an old picture show in her worry beaten mind.
*************************************************************
Six years ago in the Crashdown. The scene was set for a large party--balloons and streamers and paper cut-outs hung festively around the room. Music from a large stereo system blasted the latest tunes, while eight close friends danced about the room to the beat. The music was turned down as a boy, stood on a chair. He cleared his throat as he announced his pride in seeing them graduate from college. What a accomplishment, he shouted. He was proud of them, all of them, including Michael. Now, they would seek the world in Roswell and make it a better place for all races. It was a kingly speech, deserving the honor and respect they gave him. The boy turned to Liz, and smiled and declared his love for her. Liz shrank back against the decorations, how was she going to tell them? The rest of the crowd booed and poked fun at the boy and his declaration, but he smiled his classic goofy love-struck smile, and headed for Liz. Any words form our honor grad, the boy asked. Liz's eyes fell to the ground, now was a better time than never she thought.
"I'm very proud of all of us as well. Who would have ever thought, we'd make it? We’ve been through so..." Liz paused. A lump, a large lump developed in her throat. This was it... this was the climax of her life. " I'm so happy...and I wish I could stay with you all here in Roswell but I can't...um... I guess...I'm leaving tomorrow for the FBI Academy... I've been accepted into their program, and this is...I need to do this." She had tried so hard to keep the tears from falling. So hard to keep her composure, but it hadn't worked and now she was in crying. Liz ran out of the Crashdown into the dark street. The boy followed her into the darkness and grabbed her arm, and turned her to him. She had known him for so long and never had he physically hurt her, but pain shot in her arm.
"What do you mean you're leaving?" The boy asked.
"Max...I have to..."
"I thought... I thought we'd all stay here and..."
"And what?" she interrupted. "Stay here and live in "Never-land" forever Max? I can't. Max... I need to have a normal life, I need to take this normal chance. I can't stay here in Roswell and play superheroes, Max. I have to grow-up."
"What about us?" Max asked as he looked into her eyes.
She hated his eyes. She hated the way he played them against her, but not this time. This time Liz was going to withstand Max Evans’ gazes and stares.
"What about us, Max? I could stay here the rest of my life and play the dutiful Wendy, always by Peter Pan’s side as he saves me and the Lost Boys from Captain Hook ... or I can go into the world and grow-up and let the real Liz Parker become who she needs to become. Max.... I can't play Wendy anymore. It's time for me to grow-up, don't you understand?"
"Yeah I understand. I understand its too tough and you're running away because you can't handle it."
"SHUT-UP Max! You don't understand what my life has been like the past few months, do you? You haven't understood me for awhile. I lost my parents Max. They died because of my destiny, because of our destiny. I can't take that Max, I can't. Maybe you're right, maybe I am running away, but Max, it's the first "normal" thing I've done. I'm going to be normal Max, and that way my destiny or whatever won't ever take away people I love."
"Is that what you think Liz? You're wrong... your parents died because evil exists in this world, not because of who you or me or who anyone else is...."
"Max...it doesn't matter. I'm leaving, and nothing you can say will stop me." Liz turned and headed back into the Crashdown preparing for the barrage of questions and threats she would face from her decision.
"I love you."
Liz turned and tears gently fell from her eyes.
"If you loved me, truly loved me Max, you wouldn't say that."
And she shut the door behind her leaving Peter Pan to fall.
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It wasn't much better inside. When she came back in, Michael had called her a traitor, stating it was the FBI who tortured Max in the White Room and threatened their race. Isabel walked out, and Maria threatened to never talk to her again. Only Alex stood by her, only Alex still held her as a friend. The others were lost in the distance of her memory, only to be drudged up again by her stress and forthcoming trip to Roswell for a Presidential visit. At least Alex would be by her side, as technological advisor on the trip. She was glad she had convinced him to come work for her, as her right-hand man in technology. He was good at what he did, and it was always a bonus to have a close friend by. They had talked little about the trip. It was going to be painful for both of them, for all of them. Pain ran through Liz's skull. Great, a migraine--she thought. Just what she needed. Liz turned her chair around and pressed play on the CD player on her desk. The CD was of Maria's band--"Hybrids". Liz loved the CD, but most of all, because it had Maria's voice, a voice she hadn't heard in six years.
It was my life, playgrounds, and jeeps,
it was our life, desert queen from far away,
it was the life we all had imagined, dreamed of,
but you couldn't come out to play.
Do you miss us Queen of the Sand?
Do you miss the sights and land?
Desert Queen do you miss your king so?
I miss my warrior, I thought I'd let you know.
This song... it was their story, and Liz knew it. The song became the soundtrack for her dream as she fell asleep.
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She was standing at the edge of the quarry next to Max Evans. Across from them stood Alex and Isabel. Maria and Michael stood to her left. They were all in their former selves. Liz was 17 again. They all were. The sun was setting and the memory became so clear, and Liz knew. This wasn't a dream...this was a message.
Max turned to Liz. "They're coming."
Maria turned to Max. "Who?"
Isabel replied. "The Skins."
Michael answered back. "We must fight them."
Alex questioned. "When?"
"Soon." Max replied.
"We're not strong enough." Isabel cried out.
"We need to be careful." Michael explained.
"It's going to take all of us." Max responded.
Everyone looked to Liz. She not once returned their eyes or looks but merely focused on the ground underneath her feet. "I coming." She spoke softly as she returned to the world of the awake.
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Alex, Maria, and Liz all woke-up at once from their corners of the earth. They had been back. It had been so real. It was a message. Alex called Maria. Maria called Alex. And Liz Parker, plugged her computer back-in, finished her work, and went home and began packing while drinking a much need chai tea. She was going back to Roswell sooner than she had hoped. She picked-up the phone and dialed a number. The other end picked-up, and answered. Liz responded.
“Yes, this Agent Liz Parker I need to speak President Roberts as soon as possible. Thank-you.”
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Max and Isabel sat quietly in the darkness of the Crashdown. It had been a very busy night. Everyone and everything was preparing for President Roberts’ visit to Roswell. Max didn’t like the idea of the President’s visit. The President brought the government, and that brought the agents, and that brought a lot of questioning that he nor did anyone else need. He didn’t need agents, secret service geeks, and such poking around here or Roswell, period. Last night had taken quite a bit out of him and the others. Isabel was the dream walker, and for all three of them to do such extreme dream walking had been a challenge, and an exhaustion.
“Do you think they’ll come Max?”
“Yes, I do. If I know Liz, she’ll come. She’ll hate every minute of it, she’ll argue and fight us all the way, but she’ll come. Besides last I heard she has to come to Roswell anyway, with the President’s visit. I’m guessing they’ll be looking to her to lead this entourage since she is from Roswell.”
Isabel stared at her brother. His dark brown hair always neatly cut sat upon his head in a fury of nervousness. His eyes had grown so dark and deep, and rarely did Isabel see that glimmer she had when they were younger. That glimmer had all but died when Liz Parker left him. Isabel turned the “mirror” on herself. She had changed too. Her hair was now short and streaked with brown about it. Her figure had tightened, as muscle replaced muscle on her body. And her eyes had sunken in as she had witnessed over and over again the horror that had fallen upon her race. They all had changed. Experiences had “made them over” into what they were now. She wondered about what Alex and Maria and Liz looked like. She hadn’t seen Alex nor Liz in nearly seven years. Maria’s image on the MTV Awards was the closest she’d come to actually seeing her. In the dream they had only been able to see the former versions of themselves. Did experience change them too? Did the paths they each took form them into something new? Would she even recognize them if they walked past her?
“Max, what if this doesn’t work? What if it’s not enough?” Isabel paused for the last question. It was the most dangerous of all. “What if... they don’t come?”
Max wasn’t sure how to answer Isabel. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure if they would come. At one time Liz’s word was the ultimate truth, and if she said it, she meant it. But that was six years ago, and now he wasn’t sure the value of any of their words. He was supposed to be a great leader, he was supposed to know what was going to happen and how to save his race, but now all that was in the hands of a girl he once loved. A girl he hadn’t seen in six years. A girl who broke his heart so she could be normal.
“I don’t know Isabel. We just have to hope.... just hope.”
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“Western Flight 235 to Albuquerque, New Mexico departing in fifteen minutes. Western Flight 235 is scheduled to leave in fifteen minutes, all passengers please board as soon as possible.”
The intercom screamed in Liz’s ear as she ran down the long corridor to reach her exit gate. She was late. Everything that could possibly go wrong that morning-- did. First her alarm clock broke and she was late for her meeting with Heartley. Second, it took an hour for her to explain why she was disrupting the carefully laid out plans-- to leave for Roswell early. An hour and a half later, she had finally convinced her superiors that it was to make sure final details were in place and that all was well before the President’s arrival. Then there was about 2 hours of traffic to sort through, before finally reaching the airport. She threw her badge at the metal security checkpoint. And ran as fast as she could for the plane. They were just about to close the door as Liz boarded first class seating. An peeved airline attendant ushered Liz to her seat. She noticed the tall figure from behind the chair next to her seat.
“Hello Alex.”
“Hey Liz. I didn’t think you’d make it.”
“Well... I didn’t think I’d make it either. It’s like everything bad that could possibly happen to me, has. You don’t think that’s a sign, do you?”
Alex smiled at the frustrated Liz. Her hair was cut in the latest medium style and her suit was neat and pressed. Alex’s suit was also FBI protocol, pressed and neat, but his hair was a mess. He looked at Liz again. Over the past few years they had become close. When Liz had called Alex offering him a job to work with her side by side, as her technological expert, Alex had agreed without a second thought. And the job had been all he had hoped for. He could understand why Liz pushed herself so hard, the paybacks that accompanied their positions were well worth it. He also knew Liz was in it for more than the cushy perks. He knew that this was a chance to redeem herself and amend the loss of her parents. It was also an easy way to forget the pain that awaited back home. Liz kept herself busy to forget their life in Roswell. It was her chance to runaway, and Alex never blamed her for it. He had been the first to know Liz had decided to apply to the Academy, and he had been the first to know that she had accepted their invitation. When the others, that night, rebuked her, Alex stood by Liz. He understood what she wanted, what she needed. Even if it wasn’t the right way, even if this would only cause more pain in the long run, Alex supported her. She deserved it, she had been the strong hold in their group for as long as he could remember, and she needed the normalness surrounded by running away. He had grown to admire Liz deeply over the past years, and he considered her his best friend. His relationship was so much different from his relationship with Maria or any other girl in his life. He knew that Liz had made a sacrifice greater than all of them could ever imagine. She had sacrificed her true self, something in her that she couldn’t deny to become normal. And he knew it killed her each day as she played her part so well.
“I talked to Maria last night.”
“Did you?” Liz responded coolly.
The two hadn’t talked since that night in the Crashdown. Alex almost considered it the greatest tragedy of that night. Maria had refused to support Liz in her choice, claiming it was just an excuse to runaway from their problems. Maria had given Liz and ultimatum. Leave and never talk to her again or stay. And Liz walked out the door, never looking back. And when she did, she walked out on a lifetime of friendship. Liz had told Alex that giving up her friendship with Maria was the worst surprising consequence in her life, ever. Liz hadn’t expected for Maria not to stand-by her. Maria always had, but not that time, and that time had cost them friendship.
“She’s coming. She got the “message” too.”
“I figured she had. That’s good....good.” Liz merely nodded.
“Okay...“ Alex looked around before asking the next question. “Liz what do you think they were talking about?
“ I don’t know Alex. I only saw what you saw, I only heard what you heard, but I have an instinct it has to do with the upcoming visit by the President.”
“I was thinking about the same thing.”
“Alex, whatever it is...we have to be careful. You and I, are in a different situation than the others. We know things they don’t. WE know people they don’t. I’m going to really need you to stand behind me on this.”
“Always Liz. Do you think we’re ready?”
“I’m not sure what we’re up against Alex...”
“No, Liz...ready to go home?”