Roswell Fanatics

Title: Restoration.
Couple: CC ALL, but mainly M&M
Rating: Mature/Adult
Disclaimer: The characters of Roswell belong to the Powers That Be. They are not mine and no infringement is intended.
Summary: Set after Season 2. My version of season 3!! I had many issue with season 3 so I started to write this and it kinda took a life of its own. Nothing that happened in Season 3 happens here. Isabel did not graduate early so she is still at school.

A/N : Another of the stories I recently found in my attic. Please be aware that I wrote this 10 years ago!!!!
A/N 2: Writing in italics indicates situations on Antar.


Restoration. Chapter 1.

Restoration: the return of something that was removed or abolished.

Starlina City. Royal Seat of Antar.

There was a hush in the room. All eyes were upon the same thing. The small bundle held in a mother’s arms.
‘Your Royal Highness,’ a voice said softly, ‘may I announce to the people the birth of their future King?’
Queen Lyarna smiled at her son, then up into the deep brown eyes of her husband, King Kwane.
King Kwane was so intently watching over his wife and son, he didn’t register the voice until Lyarna smiled at him.
‘Yes,’ he said, with pride in his voice, ‘let the people know their prince has arrived.’
Quilton, the chief advisor bowed deeply and exited the room. He crossed the small corridor which led from the private Royal Quarters and emerged onto a small balcony overlooking the main courtyard below. There, countless numbers of loyal subjects were waiting patiently to hear news of their beloved Royal Family. The crowd looked up expectantly. He cleared his thoughts and said clearly.
‘Queen Lyarna has safely delivered of a boy. Your Prince has been born. All hail Prince Zan and the royal family.
Cheers erupted from the crowds below.
‘Long Live King Kwane.’
‘Long Live Queen Lyarna.’
Long Live Princess Vilondra.’
Long Live Prince Zan.’
Quilton left the balcony with a smile. The people of Antar would be happy. The Prince had been born. He briefly wondered if this prince would become the king of the legends and bring forth the Golden Reign. He got a slight thrill that he might live long enough to see the ancient prophecy fulfilled. He sent a silent prayer of thanks to the Seven Stars, By the Stars, Prince Zan would be this great King.


Elsewhere in the palace, a secret meeting was in progress.
‘So,’ said Boone, looking at the woman who sat beside him at the small table, ‘he has been born. This should not have happened.’
‘My Lord,’ Rayna said contritely, looking down in shame, ‘I tried everything so the queen would miscarry. I cannot believe she actually delivered him. What are we to do? All is lost.’
‘No it’s not!’ Klaygon said, striding across to them. ‘I have a second plan. If this child is to be the savior of our planet, which is not what we want for Pallium’s plans to succeed, the solution is simple.’
Rayna audibly took a breath. ‘We cannot kill the child. That would be impossible.’
Klaygon looked sharply at her. ‘I know that,’ he spat out angrily. ‘I’m not suggesting that.’
He took a deep breath and looked around the room. ‘What I suggest is that we switch the baby.’
His two companions looked oddly at him.
‘Think,’ he said to them. ‘This new prince is prophesized to become some great leader, to hold the greatest powers. If we swap him with some other child, then those powers won’t be there.
‘Then the prophecy will not come about.’ Boone said.
‘Exactly.’ Klaygon replied.
Boone stood. ‘I know which child we could use.’
There was silence for a couple of minutes while each of the conspirators thought through their plans.
Rayna looked up suddenly. ‘What about the other one?’
‘Which other one?’ Klaygon asked.
‘The prophecy states ‘Two will rule as one’ so there must be another.’
‘His Queen!’ Boone said with a snarl. ‘He will rule with his queen.’
Klaygon snapped his head up. ‘We can’t let that happen. Even if we get rid of the real king, with this queen by his side, our changeling may still fulfil the prophecy.’ He thought for a moment. ‘As soon as King Kwane announces Prince Zan’s betrothal, he will have signed her death warrant.’


Three hours later the impossible deed was done. Prince Zan was kidnapped out of his state cradle and replaced with a small weak baby who was not expected to survive long. The real prince was then taken and left with a woman with strict instructions to kill the child in a day or two. The trio agreed never to speak again until Prince Zan’s betrothal was announced.

In a small cottage on the outskirts of the city, a baby was placed in the arms of a young girl.
‘Look to this young one while I go and meet Tilan, Kelina.’ Morgine said as she moved to leave the cottage.
‘But, Momma, I don’t know how.’ Kelina said. She was only 12 and, not having any younger siblings, was unused to holding such a small child.
‘Not to worry Kelina,’ Morgine replied from the door, ‘this child is not long for this world.’
‘Why, Momma?’ Kelina asked. ‘He looks healthy enough.’
‘Yours is not to question why.’ Morgine said in a harsh voice. ‘Yours is to do. Now hush or I’ll be late to meet your father.’
‘He’s not my father.’ Kellina said with disgust.
‘He is this week.’ Morgine said with a wicked smile. ‘Now be a good girl and look to the child for me.’ Morgine picked at the money bag she had attached to her dress belt. ‘Tilan will be happy with me today.’ Putting her hand in the bag she pulled a few of the coins out. ‘This will be for a new dress for you.’ She placed the coins on the table for Kelina to see.
‘Momma, where did you get so much money?’ Kelina asked her eyes wide.
‘I told you,’ Morgine snapped, her eyes dropping to the child in her daughters arms. ‘That child is not long for this world.’ At that she walked through the door and pulled it closed.
Kelina looked down to the bundle in her arms. ‘They mean to kill you,’ she said in shock. The baby gurgled happily to her, his brown eyes sparkling. Her mother and whoever was her father this
If you were to ask her a few days later, Kelina would say she was unsure what made her do what she did. Resolvedly she gently placed the baby on her mother’s bed and gathered a few of her belongings together, along with some food supplies from the larder. With her bag over her shoulder, she gently picked up the baby. ‘I’ll not let them kill you,’ she said softly, holding him tightly against her. As she passed the table, she looked at the coins her mother had placed there. She thought for a minute then quickly picked them up and left. Never to return.


Roswell, New Mexico, Earth.

Maria had a sense of joy and frivolity. She was running. Looking back she saw a young boy chasing her and she laughed, a high pitched sound that was slightly wrong. She flew down the marble corridor, holding the skirt of her long dress up slightly. As she passed the ornate mirror, she caught a glimpse of herself.
‘That’s wrong,’ she thought to herself, ‘I’m too young.’ The figure that had passed the mirror could only be about 9 or 10 years old. As she burst through the double doors into the sunlight a sudden sense of well-being flooded her. She was happy. For that moment in time, she was happy. She stopped when she reached the middle of the small green garden, and tipped her head to the sun and basked in its glory.
The boy come exploded out of the doors moments later and joined her on the grass. ‘I think we outran them,’ he said, bending over and gulping in air.
Maria turned to look at the boy. Ok so he wasn’t as young as her, maybe 12, then she lowered her eyes, modestly. Hey, what’s that, I don’t do things like that, Maria thought.
‘You shouldn’t have done that,’ she whispered, in a voice she remembered from her childhood.
‘Hey, it was their idea to play this stupid game,’ came his tart reply.
Maria lifted her large eyes to look at him, and she smiled. ‘Yeah, but did you see their faces?’
The young boy laughed, a great big carefree laugh and Maria couldn’t help but join in.
The wide doors burst open again and a tall man marched purposefully over to them.
‘Master Rath,’ a stern voiced called out. The young boy spun round and Maria hid her small frame behind him. ‘Your conduct leaves much to be desired.’ The man said, walking over to the children. ‘I don’t think the Queen will be too happy.’
‘Lord Pallium, It was Zan’s idea,’ Rath said, staring up at the formidable man.
‘I don’t think so.’ Pallium replied. ‘I don’t think Prince Zan would willingly join in a game with a servant.’ With that, he reached and grabbed Maria from behind Rath and pulled her to his side. ‘What do you think you were doing in their majesties presence, girl.’
‘I…….I……,’ Maria stammered.
‘Answer me.’ Pallium said, as he raised his hand to strike the young girl.
‘No!’ Rath screamed as he propelled himself forward, pushing Pallium’s arm away from Maria. He stood in front of her and held his hand out to Pallium and a green simmering shield erupted, separating them from Pallium.
‘Well,’ Pallium smirked, ‘it seems as if Master Rath is coming into some powers.’ He studied Rath, ‘who are you boy?’
‘Just leave Maya alone,’ Rath said as he lowered the shield.
‘Maya.’ A female voiced called from over the garden. ‘What are you doing, girl.’ Running over the woman clasped the young girls arm and, seeing Pallium, bowed low whilst pulling Maria away. ‘I’m sorry, my Lord.’
Rath turned as Maria was pulled away by the elder servant. ‘I’m sorry, Maya,’ he said sadly.
Maria just smiled at him, her big green eyes shining. ‘It’s ok Rath. I had fun.’ Then she scurried off, following the elder woman.

Maria sat up quickly in bed, taking deep breaths. ‘What the hell was that?’

Looking around her, slightly bewildered, Maria realized she was in her own bed, in her own room. She glanced at the clock, 3.47 am. She groaned. Still plenty of time before she had to get up. She lay back down and tried to burrow back into the warmth of the sheets. Her mind drifted back to her dream. This one was a new one. She had had other like it though. Always slightly not comprehending the meaning. She was usually quite young, between 9 or 11 and the surroundings were always very grand, almost palatial. She was always dressed in a long brown wool dress that itched terribly. She seemed to sense in her dream that she was a servant of some sort but she always held herself almost regally. The world of her dreams, to her daytime mind, seemed almost medieval, like it had jumped out of some old fairy-tale book that she had read when she was younger. The thing that confused her most was the fact that the other people in her dreams were 3 of her favorite ‘ not of this earth’ friends, but they went by their ‘other world’ names instead of their ‘down to earth’ names. Zan, Rath and Vilondra. They too were young, Zan and Rath about 11 or 12 and Vilondra about 14. The strangest thing was they were all friends, despite Maria’s servant status and the other’s more majestic callings. And they never called her Maria, she had another name.... but she couldn’t remember….’

She’s been having these dreams now for over 3 months, ever since the Pod Squad had aborted their decision to fly back to their planet. Despite the all-encompassing pain she felt, thinking of them leaving, she also couldn’t help smiling. After spending almost two years harping on about finding a way to go ‘home’, Michael had decided not to go. He had come to the conclusion that his home was on Earth. With her. Maria was his home. It gave her a warming feeling in the pit of her stomach. He really did love her.

Some weeks later Michael had discussed his options with Maria and had come to the conclusion that to get a decent job he needed his high school diploma so he was determined to make up for his lack of school discipline. That decided they then proceeded to have a great summer together. Their relationship (yes Michael had finally admitted to a relationship) had deepened and after they had first slept together, just before the ill-fated departure, they had spent hours mapping out each other’s bodies and simply enjoying the next level of their relationship. Maria believed it was this new deeper level that had brought about the dreams and the other thing that had started at the same time. She and Michael could now ‘hear’ each other. That is they could talk to each other in their minds. Michael passed it off with a shrug and a wiggling of his eyebrows, saying it was his burgeoning alien powers. Maria put it down to their physical and emotional connection. They only had to think about each other in their minds and the connection was activated. At first Michael has been concerned that he would never know a moment’s piece now and Maria would know all his thoughts but after experimenting they had found out that the connection only opened when they wanted it to. They also knew where the other was, like they could feel each other’s presence. They had decided not to tell the other yet, especially since she had not had ‘the talk’ with Liz about the whole sex thing. She had tried. After the first time, there was no time, with the whole ‘Tess killed Alex’ thing and then Michael had stayed, so she had had to thank him for that! Then Liz was off with Max somewhere and then Michael had had to thank Maria! Needless to say, ‘the talk’ had eluded them and now it was 3 months later and she wasn’t sure how to bring the conversation up.

She looked again at her clock 4.19 and she wondered if Michael was awake. Closing her eyes she pictured him and stretched out her mind. *Michael* she thought, softly. No reply. *Michael, are you awake?* She sensed him pulling out of sleep *Mmmmmmm* She smiled as she felt his confusion. *Maria* She imagined him looking around his bedroom, probably expecting her to be beside him in bed. He had wanted her to stay over but her mom was home and with it being the first day of school tomorrow she had reluctantly declined his very tempting offer. She could almost see him coming to the realization that she wasn’t there with him and smiled to herself. He missed her. *Its 4 in the morning Blondie* she felt his irritation now, then suddenly louder in her mind *Are you ok?* She sent him a smile *Calm down, Spaceboy, I’m fine. I just wanted you to know I had one of those dreams again.* No reply, just a slow intake of breath. Maria waited patiently. *Ria, go back to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning at school*

*Ok Spaceboy* Maria had wanted more of a reaction but she obviously wasn’t gonna get anything tonight. Turning on her side, she snuggled into the blankets again and let her mind go blank. *I love you Maria* she heard in her mind and she smiled. He rarely said it out loud but in their more private conversations he was more open with his feelings. *I love you too Spaceboy* she sent back with a mental kiss. With that she slipped back into blissful sleep.

Chapter 2.

Maria was pleased to see Michael waiting for her in the school parking lot. He was leaning against his bike as she had driven passed and he slowed followed her as she parked the jetta. As she climbed out the car she looked at her watch in mock shock. ‘Michael, its 7.45 and you’re on school grounds. Don’t you have a rep to protect or something?’

‘Ha ha, Maria, that’s so funny,’ he said as she grabbed her bag and locked the car. She turned back to face him. ‘Well it’s just I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here this early is all.’

‘Remember it’s called turning over a new leaf,’ came his dry reply.

‘Oh yeah.’ She smiled at him as he pulled her into his arms.

‘I missed you last night,’ he said, looking into her eyes.

‘Yeah!’ she smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips. ‘I missed you too.’

Pulling back slightly she watched as his eyes dipped to her lips and then darken slightly.
Oh boy, she thought. She knew that look; she was very intimate with that look. ‘Michael,’ she whispered as he closed the gap between them again and kissed her again, this time more deeply. Maria dropped her bag as she snaked her arms around his shoulders and drew him even closer. Maria was the first to pull away, she needed air, but Michael continued to trace kisses along her jawline, down her neck and attacked, with passion, the point where her neck and shoulder met. As Maria tipped her head for better access, Michael pressed her back against the car. Maria sighed with pleasure as she felt the hardness of Michael’s body press against hers and almost lost herself in the sensation. In fact, who knew what would have happened if she hadn’t have heard Kyle’s voice.

‘Ehm.’ Kyle said, clearing his throat to get their attention. ‘Didn’t think PDA’s were your thing, Guerin.’

Michael pulled back from Maria slightly and held his arm up, palm out to Kyle. Maria giggled *Easy Spaceboy* as she turned away from him and picked up her bag. Kyle held up his hands and echoed Maria.

‘Ease up Michael,’ he said with a slight quiver in his voice.

‘Well,’ Michael said, turning to put an arm around Maria’s shoulders as they walked toward Kyle, ‘you shouldn’t sneak up on people.’

Kyle fell in step beside Maria as they walked toward the school building. ’Hey I was in shock. Don’t think you’ve ever made it to school on time before.’ Kyle stated.

Michael just snorted as they entered the building. ‘Well things change.’ He turned to Maria, ‘wish me luck!’ he said then he quickly kissed her and disappeared down a corridor.

*Good luck* she sent after him and he waved his hand in the air in acknowledgement. She turned back to Kyle and they continued down a different corridor.

‘Luck with what?’ Kyle asked.

‘Michael has a meeting with Mr Forrester,’ Maria said.

Kyle looked shocked. ‘Already! School hasn’t even officially started and he’s already in the Principals office…’

‘Who’s in the Principals office?’ Isabel asked as she joined her friends.

‘Michael!’ Kyle said with a smirk.

‘What!’ she exclaimed, looking passed him to Maria. ‘What’s he done now?’

‘Nothing,’ Maria said, bewildered that her two friends believed Michael had gotten into trouble in so little time.

‘So why is he in the Principals office?’ Isabel’s voice rose slightly.

‘Who’s in the Principals office?’ Max asked, sliding up next to Maria, his arm around Liz.

‘Michael!’ Isabel answered in disgust.

‘What?’ Max said, echoing Isabel’s response.

As they entered the auditorium the conversation died while they found seats together. Kyle shooed some freshmen out of the way, smiled and pumped his hands in the air ‘Seniors at last’ he gloated. Once they were settled, with the aisle seat vacant for Michael, they turned as one to look at Maria, waiting for an explanation.

‘Michael just had to see Mr Forrester to find out what was needed from him to actually graduate this year,’
Maria explained. She was graced with 4 shocked faces and she smiled.

‘Maria,’ Liz started, tentatively, ‘that’s gonna take a lot of work. I’m not sure Michael will be able to complete all the work.’

Maria sighed deeply, a little hurt that her best friend had no faith in Michael. ‘Well he might need his friend’s to help him,’ she said, maybe a little too tartly.

At that she turned her head to the stage as Mr Forrester walked on and signalled for the students to be quiet.

‘Welcome students to another exciting year at West Roswell High.’ There was a collective moan.

Michael slid into his seat as Mr Forrester droned on with his opening speech.

‘Well?’ Maria asked.

*I’ve got two weeks to make up the tests and work that I missed last year!* Michael used their private connection. *To prove I can do the work*

*Two Weeks!*

Michael smirked, without taking his eyes from the stage. For all intense and purpose he looked with rapt attention at the Principal, listening to his lecture.

*Don’t yell, Ria. Yes two weeks and he given me a couple of free periods to use each day*

*Well that’s big of him* Maria said sarcastically.

*Yeah, then I have to make up the two weeks that I’ll have missed doing catch up. Of course, then there’s the small part where I have to convince some of my teachers to actually allow me into their class.* He laughed to himself. *Apparently, I’m a ‘liability’ to the education of others.*

Maria huffed at that, earning her a sideways glance from Isabel sat next to her.

*Well we’ll all help with the work,* she sent, enthusiastically. *Liz can help with science and math, Max can do US history and government. Isabel is good at English and stuff. You’ve got art covered. Kyle can…….. well I’m sure we’ll think of something for him and I will……* She stopped and tried to think. * I will…..’

* You can keep me sane! All that help’s gonna drive me insane. You can be my distraction* Maria looked at Michael out of the corner of her eye and saw him wiggling his eyebrows. *Cos I’m gonna need a LOT of distraction* he continued.

She chuckled low in her throat and shook her head. *One track mind* Again her reactions caused Isabel to glance at her.

*You know it babe* came Michael’s reply. He took hold of Maria’s hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it.

*Don’t worry, Ria. It will be fine. I can do this.*

*I’m not worried, Spaceboy. I have complete faith in you.*

They turned their heads to look at each other.

*I love you Maria.*

*Ditto, Spaceboy.*

‘OK!’ Isabel leaned over slightly to Maria and whispered, ‘What’s going on with you two?’

Maria spun her head round to Isabel. ‘No….what…. nothing…..’ she stammered.

Isabel squinted her eyes at Maria, ‘Something is going on and I’m going to find out what it is,’ she huffed.

With that the assembly had blissfully ended and the students were dispersing to their various classrooms.

The six of them mingled in with the rest of the student, with the agreement to meet at lunch.



Michael was leaning against the wall as he waited for Maria to finally leave her English class. Seeing her come through the door, he pushed off the wall and pushed through the other students to get to her.

She smiled warmly at him, ‘Hey. You loitering again?’

‘Me!’ he said in mock surprise, ‘Never.’ He took her hand as they walked down the corridor toward the quad for lunch. Maria smiled. She liked this new side to Michael. He was never really a ‘touchy feely’ kind of a guy, well not in public anyway, but since they had taken that final step he always surprised her by doing the little things in public like holding her hand, putting his arm around her and even kissing her in front of other people. And sometimes those kisses weren’t just sweet little kisses to show affection; sometimes they were soul searching, passionate kisses and they had to remind themselves that other people were around. Then there were the kisses when no-one was around and things would escalate so much it made her blush just thinking of the situations that they had found themselves in, in public.
Michael glanced sideways to look at his adorable girlfriend to see her smiling slightly, with the first flush of a blush on her face. ‘What you thinking about?’ he asked.

Maria shook her head. ‘Nothing,’ she said, but not quite looking him in the eye.

‘Really,’ Michael said, raising an eyebrow.

*You know I can sense what you’re thinking about* she heard in her mind. Maria shifted her eyes to Michael and took a deep breath when she noticed the mischievous gleam in his own eyes. Oh boy, she thought, just as he pulled her roughly to him and crushed his lips against hers. The sparks began to fly as he pushed her back against a set of lockers, maybe a little too hard, and Maria dropped her books in surprise. She quickly recovered though and wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer. A soft moan escaped her as she felt his hands slide down her sides to the hem of her shirt and then the soft brush of his fingers on her bare skin around her sides then across her lower back. Maria began to feel dizzy, though she couldn’t be sure if it from the need for air or the feeling of his hands on her skin.

‘Mr Guerin,’ a voiced called.

Michael was so lost in ‘Maria sensations’ that the voice didn’t register. He snaked one hand down and grasp a cheek of Maria’s ass, to press her against him more, so she could ‘really’ feel him. This time they both moaned at the feeling.

‘Mr Guerin.’ This time the voice was louder, bringing him out of his ‘Maria haze’ and he tore his lips away from Marias’s to glare at the offender. Seeing Mr Forrester he abruptly pulled away from Maria, smirking as she whimpered and stumbled slightly at the loss of his body holding her up. That was until she saw the Principal. She giggled nervously and unconsciously pulled her top back into place.

‘Mr Forrester,’ Michael said, as though he’d been doing nothing but innocently looking in his locker.

‘Not really the right way to go about being the model student,’ Mr Forrester said, raising his eyebrows.

Michael shrugged. ‘Hey I never said I’d be the perfect student, Mr Forrester.’

Mr Forrester shook his head. ‘One step at a time I guess, Mr Guerin.’ He nodded to Maria, ‘Miss Deluca, try and keep him on the straight and narrow.’ He went to move off then he looked back to her, ‘Don’t jump off with him.’

‘Yes, Sir…….. No, Sir.’ Maria stammered, deeply embarrassed about the crowd that had developed around them.

Mr Forrester walked away as Michael bent to pick up Maria’s books. Maria hit him playfully on the back. ’Don’t do that Michael.’

‘What?’ he asked, trying to act innocent. ‘OK, shows over,’ he called to the crowd as he led Maria on again to the quad. He did catch someone say ‘Wish I could get me some Deluca action’. He looked back with a scowl but couldn’t make out who had said it.


‘Finally.’ Isabel said, with annoyance as Michael and Maria approached their table. ‘Thought we’d have to send out the search party for you two.’ She knew that these two had gotten closer since their failed attempt to return ‘home’ but she didn’t say anything to them. They obviously wanted to keep the knowledge to themselves for a while longer so she kept her lips sealed. Though it did kill her; she was missing out on some great one liners that would really embarrass Maria. Not Michael he never got embarrassed. She did make sure she ‘interrupted’ them a few times, after all she had to have some fun and the reaction she got from them never disappointed.

‘Sorry,’ Michael smirked, ‘we got distracted.’

‘I’ll bet,’ Isabel said with her own smirk and she took a bite of her wrap.

Maria eyed her suspiciously as she handed Michael the lunch she had made for him.

‘Ok, so tell us what happened this morning with Mr Forrester?’ Max said to Michael.

Michael looked around the table at his friends. The whole gang was there so at least he wouldn’t have to repeat himself. He explained what he had ‘told’ Maria earlier about having to make up lessons from last year. Isabel noted that Maria was acting like she already knew, but they hadn’t had any classes together and their ‘distraction’ was definitely not talk related. Something to store away and ask about later, she thought to herself.

‘So are you guys all ready to lend a hand,’ Maria asked, looking around the table, daring her friends to say no.

‘Sure.’

‘Of course.’

‘Yes.’

‘Anything to help with the de-delinquencing of Michael Guerin.’ Kyle said.

Maria looked at Michael with concern, ‘Michael, don’t let Kyle help you with English. I don’t think he gets the concept of the English vocabulary. He has his own complete language.’

‘Hey!’ Kyle said. ‘I might take offense to the remark! What are you gonna help with Deluca? How to apply lip gloss?’

Maria grinned at him. ‘I’m gonna be the pep squad obviously.’

That caused a ripple of laughter around the table.

‘Didn’t realise Cheerleaders did it for you Michael,’ Isabel said cheekily.

Michael was lost as a picture of Maria dressed in the West Roswell High cheerleading uniform popped into his mind. This he projected in Maria’s mind, which caused her to smack his arm.

Oh, yes, Isabel thought, definitely need to talk to these two.

‘Well,’ Max said, standing up, ‘Liz and I have a ….. thing that we need….’

‘Yeah,’ Liz interjected, standing up too, ‘we should…..’

The others smiled at their lame excuse to try and spend a couple of minutes together alone.

‘Hey, Maxwell,’ Michael called to the two retreating figures, ‘watch out for Mr Forrester. He’s on the prowl.’ Michael laughed at Liz’s embarrassed face.

‘Hey Michael,’ Kyle said, ‘I could probably talk to coach about you getting on a team or something.’

‘Michael. In a team.’ Isabel shook her head. ‘No, just can’t see it.’

‘Unless it requires a hockey stick.’ Maria said, in mock seriousness.

‘And a patch or ice.’ Isabel agreed. She smiled with mischievousness, ‘or possibly a very limited occupancy
team.’

‘Huh,’ Maria asked, puzzled.

‘Yeah, as in maybe only 2 members! Isabel giggled when she saw Maria’s eyes widen when she caught on to what Isabel was implying.

Kyle quickly latched on to Isabel’s suggestions. ‘Yeah, or maybe 3. Hey Maria, do you need me to be your third?’ he said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

‘Kyle!’ Maria practically shouted, shocked.

Isabel caught the glare in Michael’s eyes, aimed for Kyle.

‘Jeez Kyle,’ she said, trying to break the tension, ‘you had to go and lower the tone.’

‘What?’ Kyle said his hands spread before him. ‘It was a joke.’ He looked at Michael and saw the glare there. Kyle swallowed nervously. ‘Hey, it was a joke man. She’s practically my sister!’ Kyle said quickly.
Michael relaxed slightly.

*It’s ok, Spaceboy* Maria sent him as she placed her hand on his thigh. *You’re all the man I need or want.*
Not taking his eyes away from Kyle, Michael returned *Let’s keep it that way, Deluca.*

*Always* She smiled as the tension slipped from him and she turned to Isabel as Michael and Kyle talked about sports, but she left her hand where it was, idly tracing patterns on his thigh, just to make sure he’s temper didn’t rise again. Sure Deluca, she thought to herself, don’t delude yourself, you just can’t keep your hands off him.

‘Anyway, Isabel I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something.’ Maria said, munching on a carrot stick.

‘Yeah, me too.’ Isabel returned.

‘Huh. About what?’ Maria asked, slightly nervous.

‘No, you go first. What’s wrong?’ Isabel was intrigued. She liked that Maria would come to her and talk to her about problems. She felt she was getting closer to the small human and she liked that. She’d never really had a close girlfriend and though she had sort of bonded with Liz she never felt like she would fulfil the position. She did feel as though Maria could be that friend to her. Strange considering the first few months when Maria first knew about them, she had been terrified of them all. Things do change though, after all, Maria was now sleeping with one of them.

‘Well it’s not that something’s wrong really – just concerning.’ Maria said, as Isabel looked almost puzzled, waiting for her to continue.

‘Well, I’ve been having these very strange dreams for the last 3 months…’

‘Wait,’ Isabel put her hand up scrunching her nose slightly, ‘this isn’t gonna be some deranged sex thing is it?’

‘What! No,’ Maria said quickly.

‘OK then, you may continue.’ Isabel said in true Ice Princess mode.

‘Thanks,’ Maria said, sarcastically. ‘Anyway, these dreams, they seem to me almost….’ She looked around her and leaned closer across the table toward Isabel, holding her hand to her mouth as in whisper…. ‘Czechoslovakian related.’

‘Oh,’ Isabel said quietly, ‘when did they start?’

‘About the time of the almost departure,’ Maria said.

‘Okay. Anything unusual had around that time?’ Isabel probed.

Maria’s eye shifted nervously to Michael, ‘well….’

The bell rang to end lunch. Damn, Isabel thought.

‘Okay,’ Isabel said. ‘We’ll talk about this later ok.’

Maria nodded. She collected her bag and books as Michael took their lunch garbage and threw it in the trash.


If any of them would have glanced back as they left for class, they would have seen a group of students sitting at the next table, watching them with interest. The small group of friends had been through their school years together, echoing Liz, Maria, Alex and Kyle. They had been to the same assemblies, same field trips and same dances but their two groups had never collided. Kelly Green, Dylan Andrews, Cameron Jacobs and Jackson Black made almost an unlikely group as the ‘I know an alien club’

‘Did you hear, Jack,’ Kelly said, excited. ‘I think the dreams have started.’ She smiled.

‘Yeah,’ Jackson agreed. ‘They must have made the connection over the summer.’

Dylan smiled. ‘Our time is nearly upon us.’

Cameron grunted. ‘About time.’

‘Patience, Cameron.’ Kelly soothed.

’Nearly 18 years of patience.’ Cameron stated. ‘I’m itching for some actually activity.’

Jack scowled at Cameron. ‘You’re so eager for it to begin, Cameron. We have to remain careful. Everything is going to change and we have to protect them.’




It wasn’t until later at the CrashDown when Maria and Isabel were able to talk again. Liz, Maria and Alex had started the tradition of meeting at the CrashDown after the first day of school in the 8th grade. This, of course, equally the end of summer get together that they had the night before school started. Now in their senior year, this meeting was bittersweet. It was their last ‘first day back’ meeting, and the 1st that Alex had not attended.

They were all sat in the back booth as usual, Kyle, Maria and Michael one side, Liz, Max and Isabel the other. They were discussing ‘Operation de-delinquencing’ as Kyle had dubbed their attempt to help Michael, although at present the top subject was ‘we need a better title.’

‘All I’m saying is, as titles go, it sucks!’ Maria said, looking at Kyle beside her, trapped next to the wall. Michael had refused to sit there, saying his legs were too long.

‘But it came to me in a flash during Spanish,’ Kyle argued back.

‘Can’t we have something a little more masculine?’ Michael moaned.

‘Why do we even need a title?’ Isabel said, snatching one of Michael’s liberally tabasco drenched fries.

‘Get your own,’ Michael said, pulling his plate away from her, nearer to Maria’s plate, and leaning over the drape his arm along the back of the booth.

‘How about ‘Operation Alien Boost,’ Max said, with a slight smirk.

‘Can’t exactly say that in public though,’ Liz said.

‘I still think mines the best,’ Kyle said, around mouthful of his Will Smith Burger.

‘God Kyle, that’s so gross,’ Liz screeched.

‘Girls, I think we need a better class of friends,’ Isabel said, with disgust.

‘Wait til the armpit fart competition starts,’ Maria said, wrinkling her nose, ‘then we know the fun had really started.’

‘Hey, I resemble that remark,’ Michael said, slurping his cherry coke.

Maria looked at Michael then at Kyle. ‘Does anyone wanna trade seats with me,’ Maria asked the three opposite her.

‘Jeez Maria,’ Kyle said, still munching his burger, ‘where has the love gone.’

‘Hey,’ Michael lifted his hand and swatted Kyle’s head. ‘I told you. No Maria love for you.’

Kyle spluttered his half eaten burger out of his mouth, coughing. He grabbed his drink.

‘How about ‘Operation get Michael up’,’ Liz said, innocently.

This earned her 4 glaring looks and her t-shirt dowsing with Kyle’s cherry coke as he spluttered out his mouthful at her.

‘I’m sorry Liz,’ Kyle said, grabbing a napkin and bringing it to his lips. He looked at the rest of them, ‘I can’t miss that one!’

‘Don’t say it Kyle,’ Isabel said.

‘Really Kyle,’ Maria said.

Kyle flashed his eyes at Max. Max sighed. ‘Isn’t that Maria’s job,’ he said, straight-faced.

‘Max.’ Liz shrieked, trying to dry her top. ‘Ok you guys, let me out.’ She sent daggers at Kyle. ‘I need to change.’

Isabel stood up and Max let Liz out, saying, ‘I think I’ll go…..’ he pointed to Liz and followed her through the door that led to the break room and that stairs to the Parker’s apartment.

Isabel settled back into the booth.

‘Guy’s, I need to take a leak,’ Kyle said the Michael and Maria. They too let him out and then slid back in, with Michael in the corner but stretched out, practically taking the whole booth.

‘Now that the children have gone, shall we get down to business,’ Isabel said to the two across from her.

‘What?’ Michael and Maria said in unison

Isabel shook her head. ‘What’s going on with you two?’ Isabel looked to Maria. ‘Tell me about these dreams.’

Maria looked sideways to Michael, he just scratched his eyebrow.

Maria took a deep breath. ‘Well, they are centered around a palace, it kinda sparkles,’ Maria smiled. ‘It’s like a whole world with all the players, like really real.’

*Just tell her, Ria.* Michael interrupted in her mind.

‘I’m getting to it, Spaceboy,’ Maria turned to him, irritated.

‘See,’ Isabel sat up straighter, ‘that’s what I’m talking about. You two are getting weird with the half conversations.’

‘We’ll get to that in a minute, Iz,’ Michael said.

‘Anyway,’ Maria said, exasperated. ‘The thing is you…,’ she glanced at Michael again, for some unknown reason nervous, ‘…you, Max and Michael are there.’

‘Ok,’ Isabel said. ‘Well we are all friends and occasionally I do have dreams that you are in.’

‘Really,’ Michael raised his eyebrows.

‘You can’t control your dreams, Michael. Well most people can’t. We are a close knit group and it would surprise me if we didn’t dream about each other.’

‘Hey, I do NOT dream about Liz Parker,’ Michael said.

‘Michael,’ Maria sounded annoyed.

‘I’m just saying,’ Michael responded.

‘So you dream about Kyle?’ Isabel said with her eyebrows raised.

‘No! Do you?’ Michael retorted.

Isabel looked slightly uncomfortable.

‘So Spaceboy, do you dream about me?’ Maria asked, trying to take his attention from Isabel.

*Only when I’m asleep* he sent with a smile *one day my more wilder dreams might come true*

*Wild dreams, eh * Maria sent with a laugh.

*You wouldn’t believe it* Michael eyes grew a shade darker.

Maria just looked at Michael, and then sent a flash of the two of them, almost at the point of climax, against the wall, out behind her mother’s store.

*OK, maybe you would* now with a huge grin on his face.

‘Ok Stop it,’ Isabel raised her voice slightly. ‘Back to the dreams. Maria’s dreams.’ She paused. ‘Maria’s clean dreams.’

‘Well,’ Maria smiled, sheepishly, ‘sometimes these dreams aren’t exactly PG-13.’

Isabel wrinkled her nose.

‘Back on track,’ Maria said. ‘So you, Max and Michael are there but you’re Vilondra, Zan and Rath.’

‘Oh,’ Isabel finally understood. ‘So you’re having dreams about us in our past lifes. That does complicate things.

‘Exactly.’ Maria concluded.

‘And these dreams started after we didn’t leave?’ Isabel asked.

Maria nodded.

‘Why then?’ Isabel asked quizzically, though she had a pretty good idea, she just wanted them to squirm. ‘Did something else happen that night?’

‘Well….,’ Maria looked down at her hands.

Michael let out a sigh. ‘We were together,’ he said, nonchalantly. He looked at Isabel. ‘For the first time.’

‘What,’ Isabel laughed. ‘You’re always together; you don’t see one without the other.’

‘No Isabel,’ Maria said. ‘He means together as in …..’ Maria had hoped she didn’t have to spell it out. She knew Isabel wasn’t that dumb.

Isabel just continued to look at her, loving the uncomfortable look on her face.

‘We had sex, Isabel,’ Maria said.

Isabel laughed.

‘What are you laughing for?’ Michael said. ‘It ain’t no laughing matter.’

Isabel giggled into her hand. ‘I’m sorry. You should see your faces. Maria, if you can’t talk about sex you shouldn’t be having sex.’

‘Hey, I have no problem talking about sex, it’s just,’ again she looked at Michael, ‘we just didn’t want anyone to get all angsty about it. You know what Max is like. ‘Oh we shouldn’t do anything that we don’t know anything about without properly talking about it as a group and dissecting every little detail’. What we do alone together has nothing to do with the group. It wasn’t planned but I’ll never regret it, and before anyone says it, Michael didn’t tell me about leaving until after so it wasn’t a last ditch attempt to get him to stay.’

‘Ok Ria, please,’ Isabel interrupted her. ‘I’m fine with this. I’ve had a suspicion for the last two months that you two were bumping uglies. I just didn’t want to say anything until you were ready.’ She smiled at them both. ‘I think it’s great. You two have something very special and don’t let anyone tell you any different.’

Michael, who had been quite all through Maria rant, reached over for Maria’s hand and kissed it. ‘Thanks Isabel. That means a lot to us.’

Isabel nodded and smiled to him. Then she looked at Maria, ‘I take it you haven’t told Liz yet?’

Maria looked dismayed. ‘Never really been the right time, she said. ‘She’s gonna hate that you knew before her.’

‘I know how to keep a secret,’ Isabel said, her eyes twinkling. ‘So this weird internal talking thing, it started at the same time?’

‘Almost. How did you know?’ Maria asked.

‘Oh come on. You are always looking at each other as though you’re having a conversation. You laugh when no-one has said anything. You always know where each other is. Is that about it?’

They both nodded, amazed that Isabel noticed. That Isabel actually took an interest in what they did.

‘So this new ‘connection’ can be put down to YOUR new ‘connection’.’ Isabel hypothesized.

Again the couple across from her just nodded.

‘And the dreams……’ she looked at Maria, ‘do you get any flashes from Michael when you….’ She waved her hand between them.

Maria laughed. ‘If you can’t talk about sex you shouldn’t be having sex.’

Isabel huffed. ‘I’m not having sex’

‘Yes.’ Maria said, answering her question.

‘So maybe these ‘dreams’ are actually coming from Michael but you’re only registering them through your dreams.’

‘Hey guys, what did I miss?’ Kyle asked, sliding back into the booth next to Isabel.

‘Nothing,’ Maria said, quickly.

‘We’ll talk more later,’ Isabel said, contradicting what Maria had said.

‘Romeo and Juliet still AWOL?’ Kyle asked.

‘Yeah, maybe Liz is getting her own flashes,’ Michael said. *I know if we’d been gone for this long, we’d definitely be in a compromising position by now* he sent to Maria.

‘What about flashes?’ Kyle said.

‘Nothing,’ Maria said, again.

Isabel raised her eyebrow, as if saying, ‘why not tell him’

‘Isabel, come to the bathroom with me?’ Maria asked, sweetly.

Kyle grinned at the two as he let Isabel out the booth.

‘Gutter Kyle, get out of it.’ Maria said.

‘Why do they always have to go in pairs?’ Kyle said to Michael.

Michael just shrugged. *No threesomes with Isabel, Babe. She’s my sister*

*I don’t play well with others, Spaceboy* came her tart reply.


Once they were in the small bathroom Isabel said, ‘You’re gonna have to tell him. He’s probably already guessed like me.’

‘I know but I really need to talk to Liz first, and what if Kyle says something to his dad by mistake.’

Isabel shrugged. ‘So.’

‘I mean, he’s dating my mom!’ Maria moaned.

‘Oh,’ Isabel realized what Maria meant.

There was a knock at the door, ‘Maria, Isabel, are you in there?’

Maria opened the door to Liz and pulled her in.

‘What are you guys doing in here?’ Liz asked.

‘Nothing,’ Maria answered. Geez she thought to herself, I need some new vocabulary.

Isabel looked at Maria and Maria shook her head slightly, her eyes wide.

‘Ah, we were just making plans,’ Isabel covered.

‘Plans?’ Liz asked.

‘Yeah you know, a schedule for Michael and his tutoring,’ Isabel said.

‘In the bathroom,’ Liz said, suspiciously.

‘Yeah, Michael and Kyle are too gross,’ Maria jumped on board, ‘and the restaurants pretty full. Michael
doesn’t want too many people to know so the break room wasn’t private enough.’

‘Oh,’ Liz said, unsure.

‘So maybe we should…’ Isabel gestured back to the restaurant.

‘Yeah,’ Maria agreed.

So the girls returned to the guys, back at their booth, Isabel indicating that she would call Maria later.

Thank you for your feedback.

Ginger: In my mind Maria is concerned that she and Liz share everything and the fact that she hasn’t told her that she is having sex is upsetting her. Best friends tell each other everything and after Liz didn’t tell her about ‘sleeping’ with Kyle in season 2 and that fact that it hurt her, she doesn’t want to upset Liz like that. I hope that makes sense! Regarding the others, it has nothing to do with them but we all know how Max can get !!!!

Anyway thanks for taking the time to read my dribble, and keep reading…..

Chapter 3.



Five years after the birth of Prince Zan.
Starlina City, Antar.

Queen Lyarna swept gracefully down the corridor toward her children’s school room. She could feel the anticipation in the air. Something was about to happen. She smiled softly to herself. Of course something was going to happen. The whole palace was preparing for it. Tonight King Kwane would announce Prince Zan’s betrothal. She smiled again at the thought of the young girl she and her husband had chosen for their only son and future king. Good fortune and Starlina had truly smiled on them and their planet kingdom, for the High King and Queen of Plantgesia had agreed for their daughter to marry the future king of Antar. The young girl was classed, along with her brother, the greatest heiress of all the five planets and would have been a catch for any of the ruling families. A great friendship between Kwane of Antar and B’Oren of Plantgesia had secured her for Zan and Antar. It was also a bonus that these two could eventually rule 2 of the 5 planets in their system. Of course there were a small faction out there that thought this would be a bad idea but Kwane and Lyarna were delighted with the outcome. The child, Mia, was truly an angel, with golden curls and expressive green bright eyes. She was two years younger than Zan but that was probably for the best anyway.

A small sniff brought her from her pleasant thought and she looked back at the small boy hurrying along behind her.

‘Come along Rath,’ she said with a smile, ‘lessons will have already begun and I want you to start learning as soon as possible.’

The young child looked up at his Queen and mumbled, ‘I already know stuff.’

Queen Lyarna smiled at him.

‘I know that Rath but you’re going to be Prince Zan’s companion you need to know more stuff.’

The child just shrugged and followed.

As they continued in silence, Lyarna let her mind wander again to a couple of days earlier when she had first met this young boy. He had been running across the palace gardens with several stolen apples in a bag over his shoulder. The guards had caught him but he had put up a good fight and Lyarna had called the guards and the boy over.

She had looked at the boy’s dirty face and something had stirred in her heart. She couldn’t understand it. So she smiled and asked the boy, ‘Where are you taking those apples?’

Rath had stood up to the full height his five year old body would let him. ‘I’m taking them to eat.’ He looked at the lady. She was beautiful. He knew she was a great lady and he should bow or something but he didn’t.

‘Why?’ she asked.

‘Because I’m hungry and they look good.’ Came the obvious reply.

Lyarna looked over the boy. He was underweight, unkempt and uncared for. Yet there was something vaguely familiar about him.

‘What does your mother do? Does she work here at the palace?’

Rath looked down at his feet and shrugged.

‘What do you mean by shrugging boy?’ Lyarna asked. ‘Do you not know where your mother works?’

Rath looked up and locked eyes with the Queen. ‘She went out one day and never came back.’

Lyarna looked at the child with sadness. He had the deepest brown eyes. Familiar. She had spent the rest of the day trying to find out about the boy’s parents but nobody knew anything about him.

That night Lyarna had spoken to her husband about this young boy who had stolen the apples. How she had felt an impossible bond to him and how she wanted, no needed, somehow to help him. They decided to bring him into the palace as a companion to their son. They were about the same age. It would be good for Zan who was developing into a somewhat selfish child. This rough young boy may help Zan settle and become a great king.

So that is why Queen Lyarna now stood outside her children’s school room with a freshly scrubbed, newly clothed, sweet smelling Rath.

She entered the room and Caan, the tutor, stopped talking and bowed low to his queen. Princess Vilondra and Prince Zan stood at their mother’s presence.

‘Good morning children,’ she greeted them with a soft voice.

‘Good morning momma.’ They both answered in unison as they usually did.

Queen Lyarna turned to Caan.

‘I have a new pupil for you. His name is Rath.’

At the mention of his name Rath, stepped out from behind Lyarna.

‘Good Morning.’ Caan said to Rath and pulled up a tabled and chair for him.

As Rath walked to the chair, Lyarna wondered if the children would get along. All thoughts disappeared when she saw a smile pass between the three children.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


‘It’s been done,’ Boone said. ‘King Kwane has announced the betrothal.’

‘Who?’ asked Rayna.

‘Mia of Plantgesia.’

‘He had to go for the best didn’t he,’ Klaygon said.

‘Mia of Plantgesia,’ Rayna said, shaking her head. ‘That’s going to be difficult. The child is heavily guarded.’

‘The plan stays the same,’ Klaygon said. ‘It will just need a little more working out.’

‘But…..’ Rayna stammered.

‘No!’ Klaygon shouted. ‘Mia must die or all is lost.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


2 years later
Galina Plains, Antar.

The smoke was blinding as a slim dark haired woman pulled the frightened child out of the crashed aircraft. ‘I must get you to safety,’ she whispered hoarsely to the child. The young girl looked up at her protector with big green, watery eyes.

‘Jessina, are you hurt?’ she asked, nervously eyeing the dark splodge spreading rapidly on Jessina’s white linen dress.

‘No, Your Highness. I’m fine,’ she answered, pulling in a deep breath. ‘I just have to find someone….’ She trailed off.

Jessina managed to pull Mia away from the craft to the safety of the tress surrounding their doomed vehicle. In the distance, she could faintly hear crushing; signalling who ever had shot them from the sky was going to arrive soon. She looked alarmingly at her young charge as an overwhelming piecing pain seared through her body. She knew she was dying, she knew she wouldn’t be able to fulfil her mission; she knew she had to protect and save Mia. She pulled the young girl to her, making her face her and looked directly into her frightened eyes.

‘Your Highness, you have to run,’ she quickly whispered. ‘You have to run and not look back. If you meet anyone, do not tell them who you are. Are you listening, Mia, do you understand, you have to be brave.’

‘I can be brave,’ Mia whispered back.

Jessina nodded. ‘Yes, you can be very brave.’ Jessina swallowed a scream of pain. ‘You are no longer Princess Mia from Plantgesia. You have no mother, no father, and no brother. Do not tell anyone who you are….’ Jessina paused, and listened, as if someone was talking in her ear. ‘Do not tell anyone who you are unless you meet someone called Toman. He will wear the scared seal of Starlina. Then you can tell him, he will know what to do.’

Jessina looked over the young girl and noticed her amulet. ‘Hide your amulet. Do not let anyone see it. No one.’

‘But Jessina…,’ Mia was crying now, tears streaking down her smoked stained face. ‘Can’t I stay with you?’

‘No!’ Jessina almost shouted. She could hear them getting closer. ‘Go! Now, Mia. Go and don’t look back.’ She gently pushed the child away.

Mia stumbled back slightly. ‘Jessina?’ She whispered.

‘Go!’ Jessina did shout this time and Mia, sensing her urgency, turned and ran into the forest.

Jessina slumped down to the ground. ‘Oh please,’ she whispered, ‘May Starlina look out for her, help her find her way. Don’t let Pallium find her. She is our only hope.’ With that last silent prayer, Jessina gave in to the darkness surrounding her.



Roswell, New Mexico.

Maria put her book back on the bedside table and settled down to try and sleep. After they had finished at the CrashDown they had each gone their separate ways. Ok, not entirely separate, Maria had gone back to Michael’s to ‘help’ with his biology homework. She hadn’t helped that much, in fact, Michael had done his homework and then helped Maria with hers. When he actually applied himself he found he was quite good at the academic thing. Maria had said it must be an alien thing, after all Max and Isabel had no problem with school and she theorized that it Michael actually went to class, he too would have no problems. In fact she had laughed and told him he would have to be her personal tutor once his probation period was over. They then spent the next two hours making up for not being able to be ‘together’ yesterday and the many stop and start scenarios they had had during the day.
After a long goodbye Maria had found herself at home, talking about her day to her mom, her mom clearly impressed with Michael’s new outlook. Amy had told her about a new line that she was introducing at Deluca Alien Collectibles. Isabel had called with plans to dreamwalk Maria that night, so Maria had decided to take a bath to try and relax before Isabel invaded her dreams. Maria wasn’t sure how she felt about Isabel walking into her dreams, although it had been her idea in the first place. She just hoped that if Isabel saw anything she shouldn’t she would just leave. Isabel had assured her that she didn’t want to see anything that Michael and Maria could do in polite company. Maria had laughed and told her she’d be surprised what they could do in polite company if they were quite enough. To which Isabel had replied with ‘EWH’. They had agreed on a time for Isabel to try but Maria as finding it hard to ‘sleep on command’. So she had tried to read her book, but found she couldn’t concentrate.

*Michael* she sent out.

*Yeah, Ria.* Michael’s rich voice entered her mind.

*You not asleep?*

*No I’m still up*

Maria giggled *Still!*

She felt him laugh. *looking over my trig work for tomorrow* he sent with a smile.

*Studious Michael, I think I like him.*

*Only like.* he felt her chuckle. *Babe, I’ll do anything I can to make you happy*

*You do make me happy, Spaceboy* she smiled.

*Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?* he asked.

*I can’t sleep* she moaned.

*Why not?*

*You’re not here* she whined.

Michael smiled, *your mom home?* he asked.

*Yeah*

*Well I’m not gonna risk a newspaper bashing just for you to sleep. I’ve made too much progress with your mom to risk it*

*If you loved me you’d risk it* she pouted.

*Ria, baby, you know I love you but….*

*I know Spaceboy and I know you don’t want to ruin it with my mom. I’m just lonely without you*

*Baby, you’re never lonely. We have this thing remember. We are never far apart and I can do this..* He sent her a mental picture of him holding her as she slept beside him and a gentle kiss. He felt Maria smile at the image.

*Thank you* she sent back to him.

*Now try and sleep* he told her *Isabel gets cranky if she has to wait around*

*What if she sees us* Maria asked, sheepishly.

*Well isn’t that the point?* he quizzed.

*No as in more erotic us*

Michael laughed *Then she’ll run screaming for the hills*

Maria laughed too.

*Go to sleep Ria*

*Ok Michael. Goodnight baby.*

*Night*

*I love you*

*I love you more.

Maria sent him an image of a very passionate kiss, then drifted off to sleep.



Isabel opened her eyes to find herself in a green garden courtyard, with trees lining the edge. To her left was a high wall with a wooden door in it and to her right was what she pursued was the palace.

‘Huh,’ she whispered. ‘It does glitter.’ Instinctively she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It smells like home, she thought. Her eyes snapped open. It smells like home, home! How! Why!

There were a few people moving about the courtyard but over in the corner she saw a young girl, with golden curls, dressed in an ugly brown dress, talking to a boy slightly older, in more expensive clothes. She wandered over to them, drawn to them.

‘Maya, don’t cry. He doesn’t mean to be so cruel,’ the boy said, comforting the girl.

‘But he does. Why does nobody see it,’ the young girl, Maya, cried.

The boy shifted his eyes nervously around the courtyard, ‘He’s the Prince. They let him do anything he wants.’

‘Rath, he shouldn’t get away with it just because of his status,’ Maya whined.

Rath just shrugged. ‘So,’ he said, with a smile, ‘you wanna come climb the old tree with me?’

‘No Rath,’ she said, scared, ‘I might fall.’

Rath took her small hand in his. ‘I’ll never let you fall Maya.’

Maya smiled at him. ‘No Rath, you go. I have things I have to do for Sadine. I can’t play today.’

Rath looked down hearted.

Maya’s eyes shifted over to something behind Rath and Isabel turned to look the same time that young
Rath did. She sucked in a big breath when she saw herself and Max come out of the Palace doors. They walked half way over to the two in the corner, and then stopped when young Vilondra, because she knew that’s who she was, whispered something in young Zan’s ear.

Zan called out. ‘Rath, come on,’ his eyes on Maya.

Isabel spun back to Rath and Maya. He let go of Maya’s hand. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow though,’ he asked hopefully.

‘Yes Rath.’ She gave him a dazzling smile.

Rath turned to go, hesitantly, until Maya pushed him gleefully. He laughed at her then ran off to the other two.

Maya turned to go through the door until she looked straight into Isabel’s eyes. Isabel took a breath. The people in dreamscape didn’t usually see her, only the person whose dream it was. In fact, she looked around her, where was Maria. Isabel stood stock still as the young girl walked over to her.

The girl stood in front of her.

‘Who are you?’ Isabel asked her.

‘You shouldn’t be here,’ the small girl said.

‘Where am I?’ Isabel asked.

The young girl looked around her, then back up at the tall girl.

‘You shouldn’t be here,’ she repeated, ‘you’re not ready.’

Isabel was taken aback by the cryptic talk of the young girl. Isabel looked closely at the girl again, something was pricking at her mind.

‘Maria?’

The girl shook her head and walked nearer to her, until she reached out with her hand and held it up over I
Isabel’s heart. ‘You know who I am, in here,’ the girl nodded to her hand, ‘you know who I am. You just need to remember. You shouldn’t be here yet’

With that she gave a gently push against Isabel and Isabel was sitting up in her own bed.




Isabel sat in her bed, too stunned to move, for about 3 minutes. At first she tried to analyse Maria’s dream, the strangeness of it.

First of all, it was Maria’s dream but Maria wasn’t there, but the little girl did look like Maria had at that age, from what she could remember anyway. And young Rath, he actually did look like a young Michael. She jumped out of her bed and ran to her closet to grab her photo albums. After looking through some she found some pictures of the three of them when they were younger. Yep, young Rath was definitely young Michael. She then went into the living room and started looking through some drawers until she found the picture she was looking for. Smiling she pulled the big picture out. Class Picture, 5th Grade. Yep there she was standing with Max and there was Michael standing sullenly at the end of the row. Her eyes were drawn to the giggling girl with golden curls, yep that was Maria, sitting between a shy Liz and a beaming Alex.
Why was Maria dreaming of herself being young with a young Michael who was actually a young Rath. The only conclusion she could come to was that through the connection Michael had with Maria, he was projecting his own memories through Maria’s dreams. She just couldn’t work out why Maria was portraying herself as a young girl too. Unless it was the only way Maria’s mind could converse with a young Rath, or maybe it was just Michael trying to involve Maria in his past life. After all, he did love the girl beyond belief. But why a servant? Isabel could hardly think that Maria would see herself as a servant, surrounded by royalty. After all didn’t all little girls want to be a princess. But then the young Maria/ servant had touched Isabel and thrown her out of the dream. She had never had that happen. She had never been forced out of someone’s dream. She also had an unsettling feeling that this girl, this Maria lookalike was important. Very important.

God, her head hurt.

‘What you doing?’

Isabel spun round to see Max, wiping the sleep put of his eyes.

‘What you doing up?’ she asked, almost accusingly.

‘I needed a glass of water,’ he answered, walking toward her and looking over her shoulder. ‘A little late for taking a trip down memory lane isn’t it?’

‘What?’ she looked at the photo again, ‘Oh yeah.’

‘Isabel is everything ok?’ he asked concerned.

‘Yeah, everything’s fine,’ she said, plastering a grin on her face. What else could see say. She couldn’t mention the dreams until Michael and Maria told him about their very active physical relationship. She understood their hesitancy. Max hadn’t exactly been thrilled when he found out that they had first kissed, even though it had paved the way forward for him to have his own first kiss. Then when he had slept with Tess he had admonished himself but still reasoned that she was an alien like himself. She couldn’t help thinking that Max would self-destruct when he found out that Michael had slept with Maria. Of course, she did understand on some level were Max’s logic would come from. What if Michael had hurt her? What if it hadn’t have been safe. How could Michael have been so careless when it came to Maria’s life? But on the flip side, it was only a matter of time before Maria and Michael had taken that final step. They had what she liked to call a very explosive and passionate relationship; she was surprised that they hadn’t crossed the line earlier in their crazy relationship. No she couldn’t tell Max about Maria’s dreams or their crazy connection just yet.

‘Isabel?’ Max said.

Isabel shook herself. ‘Max,’ she started, turning to look at him, ‘what do you remember….. about before?’

Max searched her eyes. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Well you were working with……’ she couldn’t say the name out loud, not yet, ‘..you know about retrieving your memories.’

Max swallowed. ‘I don’t remember much really. Mainly sounds, smells, landscapes. I remember you and Michael …… and Tess.’

Isabel closed her eyes at the sound of her name. ‘Do you remember a serving girl?’

‘Why?’ Max asked.

‘Just, do you remember her?’

Max thought for a while, searching his memory. He saw a flash of blonde hair but put that down to Tess. ‘No, I don’t think so. Why would I remember a serving girl,’ he smiled at her, ‘I was a King remember.’

Isabel smirked, ‘I can hardly forget!’ She turned and looked at the photo again. ‘I think it’s important. I think she’s important. Will you try and remember?’

‘Ok,’ Max said, worried about his sister’s urgency. ‘Do you remember something?’

‘Yes, I think so,’ she lied.

‘That’s good,’ he said, clearly happy.

‘Will you help me Max?’ she asked urgently.

Max laughed slightly, bewildered. ‘Yes Isabel, I’ll help you.’

Isabel smiled and went in for a hug. ‘Thanks Max.’

Hey Guys, thanks for reading.

All answers will eventually be revealed!!

Here's the next Chapter.


Chapter 4.


Maria didn’t have chance to speak to Isabel before class the next day, and because he had dropped her notes from algebra, the gang, except Michael, were already at their lunch table, so she couldn’t talk to Isabel. She raised an eyebrow at Isabel in question as she took a seat, which Isabel nodded to in acknowledgment, hoping that Maria’s raised eyebrow meant, ‘did you get in?’

‘Where’s Michael?’ she asked the group, although she could feel him not too far away. 4 pairs of shoulders shrugged in response.

*Michael* she sent out, taking a bite from her bagel.

*I’m coming* came his reply, to which she raised an eyebrow at him. She then saw him striding across the quad. She also noticed several female eyes following him. She smiled to herself, Yeah keep dreaming girls, she thought.

When he got nearer she smiled to him. ‘Hey Spaceboy, where ya been?’

‘I got you this,’ he answered as he leaned down to her, kissed her lips briefly, then sat down at the other end of the table, the only available seat.

Maria opened the small bag he had handed her. ‘Ooh,’ she smiled, ‘chocolate cookie and a kiss.’ She put the cookie back in the bag and on the table, for when she had finished her bagel.

‘So,’ Liz asked, ‘how’s it going Michael?’

‘Huh,’ he grunted, not really looking at her.

‘With the studying?’ she clarified.

‘It’s going,’ he said, noncommittal.

‘Mr Forrester said anything else?’ Max asked.

‘Maxwell, it’s only the second day of school,’ Michael answered.

‘Do you know when your first make up test is?’ Isabel enquired.

‘Thursday, Biology,’ Michael answered around a bite of his pizza slice.

‘Will you be ready?’ Max asked, ‘I can help if you want?’

‘Nah, I’ve got it covered.’ Michael polished off his slice. He looked over to Max who looked
dejected. ‘Really Max. I’ve got it sorted.’

Max smiled at his friend. ‘OK.’

Maria took her cookie from the bag and took a bite, savouring the chocolate. She looked over to Michael who was watching her intently.

She raised her eyebrow at him, ‘do you want some of my cookie?’

She watched his eyes darken slightly. ‘Oh, I want all of your cookie,’ he answered, he voice thick with desire.

The others looked at Michael in shock, but Maria was held captive by his eyes. When she saw them flash, she audibly gulped.

‘Michael,’ Maria warned, her hand held in front of her. ‘No!’

With a shriek she was up as Michael jumped from his seat and over the table toward her. Maria giggled as she playfully ran as he advanced on her. He chased her around the tables in the quad, Maria ‘trying’ to elude him with a smile on her face, Michael hot on her trail, with a wicked gleam in his eye. Eventually Michael caught her and he kissed her zealously, to which the crowd of students watching cheered.

At their own table Max shook his head with a slight smile on his face. Liz wondered to herself, why isn’t Max like that with me? Why can’t he keep his hands off me? Isabel smiled at the antics of her friends, she couldn’t remember seeing Michael like this, so care-free and unabashed with his feelings towards Maria. Kyle whispered, ‘I gotta get me some of that,’ and raised his eyebrows at Isabel.



Because of Michael, Maria was now running late for P.E. ‘Why do we even need this class?’ she said to herself as she pushed her way into the locker room.

‘Deluca, you’re late,’ Ms Watkins called.

‘Sorry I ……’ Maria stammered, how do you explain being pleasantly mauled by your boyfriend without it
sounding really wrong, she wondered.

‘Just hurry up and meet us on the field,’ Ms Watkins’s replied.

Oh great, Maria thought, going to her locker, on the field today.

Out on the field, Maria caught up with the class as Ms Watkins cheerfully announced a 3 lap run around the track. ‘Somebodies not getting any,’ she said to herself.

They set off as a group but all too quickly Maria slowed her pace. She noticed Liz in the middle of the group and smiled to her friend. Maria also saw Isabel slow her pace to match Maria’s. Soon the two girls were just walking at a distance behind the group.

Ms Watkins turned, running backwards, to say something to the group.

‘Evans, Deluca,’ she called out to them, ‘I wouldn’t exactly call that running.’

‘I don’t run!’ Maria called back, though not really loud enough for the teacher to hear.

‘Oh you’ve been known to run a little,’ Isabel giggled.

‘Yeah well, there’s usually a reward at the end,’ Maria said with a smile.

‘EWH!’ Isabel cried out, scrunching her nose. ‘Thanks for the visual. That’s my brother you’re talking about.’

Maria just grinned at her.

Isabel shook her head, trying to erase the thought. ‘Anyway, we need to talk,’ she said.

Maria looked sideways at Isabel, ‘What about?’ she asked, nervously.

‘Your dreams,’ Isabel answered.

‘Oh. Did you get in?’ Maria asked excitedly.

‘Yes and I ………..’ Isabel looked passed Maria, her attention drawn away to something in the distance. ‘I don’t believe it!’

‘They’re pretty strange,’ Maria admitted.

‘No,’ Isabel said, pointing at something behind Maria. ‘I don’t believe it.’

Maria turned to see what Isabel was pointing to, and she saw Michael Guerin, walking out onto the field with Kyle and Max, wearing a phys.ed t-shirt and track bottoms, actually participating in the class.

‘I don’t believe it,’ she echoed Isabel’s statement.

Some of the girls from the group in front had stopped when the guys class had come onto the field, though Ms Watkins was still running with the few girls left.

Liz walked over to where Isabel and Maria were stood. ‘He’s really taking this whole graduation thing serious,’ she said in shock.

‘Of course he is,’ Maria said, slightly wounded that Liz had no faith in Michael. She looked back at the group of guys and saw Michael looking around himself, self-consciously.

‘I don’t think he knows what he’s supposed to do,’ Isabel said, upset for Michael. Maria could feel Michael’s unease. Isabel nudged Maria with her elbow. ‘Do you secret thing,’ she whispered, so Liz couldn’t hear.

Maria smiled and instead of using their private connection, she called out ‘Looking good, Guerin.’

Michael‘s head snapped up at her voice and, looking over to her, he smiled. ‘Right back at ya, Deluca’ he hollered back. Unfortunately, this got the attention of both their teachers.

‘Back to the activity in hand, girls,’ Ms Watkins called to them.

Maria just rolled her eyes, sending it to Michael, but joined the rest at a slow jog.

*I can think of better activities for your hands* she heard Michael’s voice in her head. Looking back over
her shoulder at him, she winked, knowing he’ll catch the gesture. *I’m sure you can*

‘Stop talking dirty to my brother,’ Isabel huffed.

Maria whirled her head back to Isabel, her eyes narrowing in question.

‘Oh please,’ Isabel countered, ‘I can tell by the twinkle in your eyes.’

‘My eyes don’t twinkle,’ Maria said indignantly.

Isabel looked at her with her patented, ‘you’re kidding me’ stare.

Maria waved her hand, dismissing whatever Isabel was going to say. ‘Anyway, can we get back to my dreams?’

‘Ok,’ Isabel said, as they continued to jog around the field. Isabel told Maria about her dreamwalking experience, including the part about her being thrown from the dream.

‘So you think that little girl is me,’ Maria asked.

‘Uh huh,’ Isabel panted.

‘How can that be? I was never there,’ Maria said, only slightly hysterically.

Isabel explained to Maria her theory that Michael was passing along his memories of their past life and that somehow Maria had become integrated into them through Maya a servant of the palace.

‘So in effect you’re telling me that Michael had a thing for a servant girl,’ Maria asked.

Isabel shrugged, ‘I don’t know Maria, and I’m just as lost as you are. And it wasn’t Michael it was Rath.’

‘No,’ Maria said, stopping them, ‘It’s definitely Michael. I can’t explain it. Even in the dreams when we are young, he’s still Michael. It’s still Michael’s vibes that I can feel’

Isabel shook her head. ‘Maria, I think this is beyond me. I’ve asked Max to help me with some techniques
that…….that…..’

‘When I have to, I tend to think of her as ‘alien skank’,’ Maria provided.

Isabel rolled her eyes but finished her sentence, ‘ …showed him.’

‘Max doesn’t know why, does he?’ Maria asked, panicking.

‘Relax, I told him, I was having the dreams,’ Isabel said.

Maria breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thanks. I’m gonna tell Liz this weekend.’

‘Good,’ Isabel said, as they started jogging again.

Maria looked sideways at Isabel. ‘Maybe you could come over too, for moral support or something.’

Isabel looked at Maria unsure.

‘Please,’ Maria begged, ‘I might need a Czechoslovakian perspective.’

Isabel considered this.

‘It’ll be fun,’ Maria said, ‘ice-cream and teen drama. What could be better?’

‘Maybe a lobotomy,’ Isabel laughed.

‘Come on Iz, when did you last have a girly night?’ Maria asked.

‘Mmmmmm, never!’ Isabel said.

‘Never!’ Maria asked, shocked.

Isabel shook her head.

‘Girl, you’re well overdue,’ Maria said with an infectious grin.





The rest of the week flew by. Michael passed his make-up Biology test and even aced an English pop quiz.
Maria noted that both she and Liz were not working Saturday so she arranged with Liz their ‘girls only’ night. She managed to persuade her mom to stay with the Sheriff for the night, assuring her that it was only Liz and Isabel staying over, ‘No Boys Allowed’



Maria spent Saturday afternoon with Michael in his apartment, fretting over her impending conversation with Liz.

‘You don’t understand Michael, girls tell each other everything,’ she lamented, falling next to him on his couch.

‘Everything?’ he asked, with a raised eyebrow,

‘Everything!’ she reiterated.

‘So you’re gonna tell her how we have sex and everything,’ he asked bewildered.

‘No Michael, I’m not gonna tell her how and I’m not gonna go into everything detail, that’s just wrong,’ she said with a furrow of her brow.

He moved closer to her. ‘Are you gonna tell her how I do this,’ he said, as he kissed her neck softly, causing ripples of pleasure to coarse through her body with anticipation, her body immediately reacting to his touch.

‘Michael,’ she said softly, as he pulled her top over her head, then he leaned over her, causing her to fall back against the couch, her head against the couch arm.

‘Or how, when I do this,’ Michael continued as he kissed the top of her breast, just above the lace of her bra and his hand trailed down her thigh, softly, his touch feather light, and then back up the inside of her thigh until he reached the apex of her jeans, ‘that happens,’ he indicated to her hardened nipples.

Maria giggled at him. ‘No,’ she said breathlessly, ‘nor am I gonna tell her that when you do that, this also happens,’ she said as she scraped her hand along his hardening length.

‘Good,’ Michael smiled as he pulled Maria closer to him so he could unclasp her bra, ‘the less Liz knows about that the better.’

Maria sighed contently when Michael pulled her nipple into his mouth. ‘I don’t think Liz will ever be ready to know about the ‘little commander’,’ Maria said with a laugh.

*Hey* Michael sent, not wanting to remove his lips from her breast. It’s times like this that he had a whole new appreciation for their connection. *he’s not little. Don’t upset the Commander*

‘You’re right,’ Maria said, as she slipped her hand into his jeans, taking him into her hand. ‘He’s never little,’ she laughed. ‘No boxers Michael!’

*I’m saving time* he sent, quickly switching to the other breast as his hand rubbed her gently through her jeans.

Maria again moaned contently at his touch. ‘And you’re gonna tell Max right?’ Maria asked, wanting confirmation before she lost all logical thought, her legs opening more for him seemingly by themselves.

Michael lifted his head from her and stilled his hand. ‘I’ll tell him we have sex and that’s all.’

‘Ok,’ Maria said, pushing her chest up to Michael’s lips again. Michael took the hint, lapping and nipping again at one nipple whilst his other hand trailed up her body to mould over her other breast, rubbing his thumb over her sensitive nipple. He grinned against her breast at the sounds Maria made.

*Can we stop talking about Max and Liz now Blondie. We don’t want the Commander to get shy now do we*

‘Absolutely not,’ she laughed.




‘I still don’t see why you can’t watch Braveheart,’ Michael grumbled as he grabbed a handful of M&Ms from the bowl that Maria had just placed on the coffee table in the Deluca’s living room, on which Michael was sitting. They had finally left his apartment half an hour ago and Maria was worried she wouldn’t be ready in time now as he had kept her at his longer than she had expected. Though she couldn’t be totally angry with him, she’d been equally reluctant to leave his bed. She swatted at his hand, ‘Because it’s a girls night and Braveheart isn’t a girls movie.’

‘It’s got some romance and shit in it,’ he said indignantly.

Maria raised her eyebrow at him. ‘Romance and shit,’ she repeated.

‘Yeah,’ he said, smiling at her as he pulled her between his legs. ‘Shit that you chicks like.’

‘Yeah and I’ve told you before. We don’t like to be called chicks,’ she said as she rested her hands on his shoulders.

‘Babes!’

‘Only slightly better,’ she laughed.

‘How about ‘Hot Babe’ but of course that only applies to you,’ he said, purposely gazing at her body.

‘You’re such a smooth talker,’ she giggled, blushing slightly under his intense gaze.

‘I call ‘em as I see ‘em, Blondie,’ he said with a gentle kiss, which intensified all too easily.

Maria was faintly aware of a knock on the door but as Michael drew her closer she dismissed it as her imagination, until the door swung open.

‘Told you Michael was here,’ she heard Isabel voice.

Maria pulled away from Michael to see Liz and Isabel standing at the front door. Liz’s eyes wide and a huge grin on Isabel’s face. Maria hadn’t even realized that Michael had removed her top. Again.

She hit his shoulder at his grin as she bent to pick up her top.

*I’m just giving you an opening* he sent with a smile.

*Thanks* She sent back, condescendingly, as she pulled her top back on.

‘OK,’ she said to her two friends, ‘Michael was just leaving.’

‘Are you sure,’ Isabel said with a knowing smile, ‘because it looks like we interrupted something.’

‘Yeah Isabel,’ Michael agreed.

‘Goodbye Michael,’ Maria said, grabbing his arm and pushing him toward the front door.

‘But Maria,’ he said, in a playful whining voice.

‘Go be manly with Max,’ Maria said. ‘Wait, that sounded better in my head,’ she laughed.

*I’d rather be manly with you* he sent her.

*Come back later, Spaceboy. You can be manly with me then*

Michael pulled her in for a kiss, a slow sensual kiss, which could have gone on if Isabel hadn’t have separated them.

‘Go Michael, I want to start my first ever girl bonding night,’ Isabel said.

‘OK,’ he said, ‘later Blondie,’ and with one last swift kiss he walked out the door.

‘OK,’ Maria said, as she turned back to the others, ‘I have ice-cream, chocolate and Serendipity and City of Angels.’

‘I’ve got pie from the CrashDown,’ provided Liz.

‘And I’ve got my excellent talent for changing molecular structure.’ Isabel said, and they all laughed.

*I love you Maria* Maria heard in her head. She smiled and turned her head slightly, hearing Michael roar down the street on his bike. *I love you too, Spaceboy* she sent after him.

‘Ok lets get started,’ she said as she turned back to her friends.



Two hours later Maria wiped the tears away that had made tracks down her cheeks. ‘No matter how many times I see this movie I always end up in tears.’

‘I know how you feel,’ Isabel said, grabbing a tissue off an end table.

‘Can you imagine,’ Liz started, ‘someone making the ultimate sacrifice for you. To give up his whole existence for the woman he loved. Twice.’

‘Hey Maria,’ Isabel looked at her intently, ‘you’re not gonna die on Michael are you?’

‘Well it’s not something I’ve booked in,’ she said with a laugh.

‘Because if you do, I’ll kill you,’ Isabel said seriously.

‘Why me and not Liz?’ Maria asked seriously.

Isabel looked between her two friends, and then took Maria’s hands in her own. ‘Michael gave up his home for you,’ she said sincerely. ‘Gave up what he had been searching for his whole life for. For you, a human girl from Roswell. I’m sure you remember what he was like last year. How obsessed he was.’

‘Yeah ,’ she giggled, ‘he abducted me.’

The other two laughed with her. Maria didn’t notice the tear that had escaped her eyes at Isabel’s words.

‘I’ll never hurt him, Isabel,’ Maria said softly.

‘I know,’ Isabel said, solemnly, ‘I trust you with his heart.’

Liz found herself sniffling at that.

‘OK,’ Maria said, ‘emotions overload. I say we get ready for bed and eat ice cream?’



10 minutes later they were all in various nightwear, Isabel wore a silk pyjama short set, Liz had her trusty full trouser bottoms with a tank top, and Maria wore a vest top and extremely short shorts, as they each tucked into a carton of cold sweetness.

‘I mean, it’s not like I don’t want my mom to be happy and I guess Jim is ok as middle aged men go but can you imagine me having to live with Kyle. It was bad enough having Sean here.’

‘Yeah but if that’s what it takes for your mom to be happy, are you gonna get in the way?’ Liz asked.

‘I guess not,’ Maria answered. She looked sideways at Isabel and thought, it’s now or never. She dug for another spoonful of ice-cream.

‘So, Liz,’ she started, her voice halted slightly, ‘I guess we haven’t caught up in a long time.’

‘Yeah,’ Liz agreed. ‘I’ve been kinda busy. You know trying to reconnect with Max. After everything that happened….. we’ve needed some alone time to work things out.’

‘Yeah, I know,’ Maria said digging again into her ice cream. ‘So, ehm, Michael and I have slept together, hey Isabel can I try some of your sorbet?’

Isabel looked at her with shock, playing her part perfectly. ‘Wait, you’ve slept with my brother?’

Maria looked at Isabel, don’t ham it up too much, she thought. Maria just nodded.

Liz gulped. ‘When?’ she asked.

Maria looked between the two, remembering to include Isabel. ‘The night they didn’t leave,’ she answered.

‘What?’ Liz shrieked, ‘that’s over 3 months ago.’

‘I know,’ Maria nodded.

‘And you’re just telling me?’

Maria looked at Liz, her eyes showing her emotions. ‘I’m sorry Liz. I tried to, but you’ve been busy with Max and I’m not using that as an excuse but,’ she shrugged, ‘I guess I just wanted it to be just me and Michael for a while without the whole alien abyss dragging us down.’

‘But we tell each other everything!’ Liz cried.

‘Which is why I’m telling you now.’ Maria ate another spoonful of ice cream, her eyes flickering to Isabel.

‘So was it before or after?’ Liz asked.

‘Before or after what?’ Maria countered.

‘He told you he was leaving, or didn’t leave.’

Maria sighed, knowing someone was going to ask this, but not believing it would be Liz. ‘Before.’

‘So it wasn’t a thank you lay for staying, then,’ Liz said bluntly.

‘What! No. I slept with Michael because I wanted to, we both wanted it.’

‘I’m just saying,’ Liz said incredulous.

They were silent, Maria and Isabel not quite believing Liz’s attitude.

‘So, I’m guessing it was good.’

‘Liz,’ Isabel shrieked, ‘I do not need to know how my brother performs between the sheets.’

Thank god for Isabel, Maria thought.

‘Well I’m just saying, he stayed here so I’m guessing it was good,’ Liz said nonchalantly.

Maria looked at Liz and then calmly stood and took her nearly empty ice cream carton to the kitchen. They could hear her throw the carton in the trash and her spoon in the sink.

‘What?’ Liz said to Isabel.

Isabel shook her head at Liz. ‘You don’t think he stayed just for Maria, without sex being involved.’

Liz shrugged. ‘I guess we’ll never know. Come on Isabel, they’re apart almost as much as they’re together.’

‘And now they’re together,’ Isabel said simply.

Maria walked back into the room with tears in her eyes, which pricked at Liz’s conscience.

‘I’m sorry Maria. I guess I’m just shocked. You never said anything. I mean after all the crap you gave me about Kyle. I thought you would have told me straight away,’ Liz said honestly.

‘I’m sorry too, Liz,’ Maria didn’t want to fight with her friends over this. She knew how Michael felt about
her, she knew what was in his heart and that’s all that mattered.

‘So,’ Isabel said, ‘alien sex, eh,’

‘Yeah,’ Maria said with a sly smile.

Liz sat closer to her, ‘So honestly, how was it?’

Maria smiled. ‘Remember when we talked about kissing Michael and Max?’

Liz nodded.

‘And I said what if they’ve ruined it for us with anyone else?’

‘Yeah,’ Liz said, smiling at the memory.

‘Well, obviously I can’t say anything about sex with a non-Czechoslovakian but, yeah, judging from the gossip I’ve overheard in the locker room and all, I think, definitely ruined it for anyone else. Not that I want anyone else.’ Maria finished with a laugh.

‘Wow,’ Isabel breathed out, trying hard it ignore that fact that Maria was talking about her brother.

‘Hey, you’ll be ok,’ Maria said to her with a smile, ‘seen as you’re a lifetime member of the pod squad. No matter who you do it with it will always be explosive.’

Isabel actually grinned at that thought.

‘Maria,’ Liz looked nervous, ‘did it hurt?’ asking the question that all virgins ask, forgetting in that moment that Isabel hadn’t been told the truth about the fact that she hadn’t actually slept with Kyle.

Maria smiled at her. ‘Well, yeah, a little at first but then……then…..wow. It was…’ She smiled at them both, ‘out of this world.’

They looked at each other, and then fell into a fit of giggles.



Across town, Max and Michael sat across from each other at the Evans’ kitchen table.

‘So Max,’ Michael said, ‘I’m having sex.’

‘What?’ Max looked at him.

‘Maria and I are having hot alien sex,’ Michael said more slowly.

Max looked at Michael like he was, like he was an ‘alien’. ‘Are you joking?’ he asked.

‘Nope.’

Max jumped up. ‘Are you incredibly stupid Michael?’

‘Eh No,’ Michael answered.

‘Well you must be. Don’t you realize how dangerous that could be,’ Max cried, heatedly.

‘No more dangerous than you diddling Tess,’ Michael stood up too. ‘At least we’re careful and use projection.’

‘That’s not what I mean, although that’s good to know, but didn’t you stop to think that you might have
hurt Maria. We don’t know how safe it is for us to be like that with humans,’ Max fumed.

‘Maxwell, obviously it’s safe. It’s been three months,’ Michael told him.

‘Three months and this is the first I hear about it,’ Max was heatedly.

‘Well I hate to tell you Max but what I do with Maria has nothing to do with you. You’ve gotta get off your ass Max and act not just think. Sometimes I think if I hadn’t had kissed Maria in the first place, you would
never have kissed Liz. Well I can assure you Max it’s safe for more than kissing.’

Max looked at Michael, too shocked to reply. Maybe he did over analyse things but it was only for the safety of the others.

‘Hey, hello,’ a voice called through the back door.

‘Come in, Kyle,’ Max called, his eyes never leaving Michael.

‘Hey guys,’ Kyle entered the kitchen, ‘sorry to just drop by but Amy’s at mine and she said Maria’s have some slumber party or something and as much I wanted to take a look, I also appreciate my family jewels staying in prime condition, so I thought….’ He stopped noticing the standoff between Max and Michael. ‘Am I interrupting something?’

‘No,’ Michael said.

‘Yes,’ Max said at the same time.

‘Okay,’ Kyle said as he stood next to Max in front of Michael.

‘So, Kyle,’ Max turned to him, ‘did you know Michael is having sex with your almost sister,’ Max turned back to Michael, ‘I mean I’m guessing you’re still sleeping with her.’

Michael looked at Max disbelieving, so he didn’t see Kyle swing but he felt the punch as he fell back against the wall with the force.

Kyle shook his hand, trying to relieve the pain, ‘shit,’ he said.

‘What is it with you guys and hitting me over Maria,’ Michael said, rubbing his jaw.

Kyle and Max looked at each other and then back to Michael.

‘Alex hit me when I upset Maria and he thought I was….you know… with Courtney,’ he confessed.

Kyle gave him his death stare. ‘That should tell you how much Maria means to us.’ He lifted his finger, ‘you do anything to hurt her and, alien powers or not, I will kill you,’ he said honestly.

‘If I do anything to hurt her, I will help you,’ Michael replied, equally honest.

‘That’s it,’ Max said disbelieving. ‘That’s all you’ve got to say.’

Kyle shrugged. ‘It was bound to happen.’ He turned to Michael. ‘How was it?’

‘I’m not discussing it with you or anyone. That’s between me and Maria and no one else,’ Michael said, dismissing the matter.

Max looked suddenly shyly at Michael. ‘So the whole hour thing, did that happen or is it just an alien to alien thing,’ he smiled, ‘because that would really suck.’

‘Oh that happened,’ Michael provided with a gratifying smile.

‘What hour thing?’ Kyle asked intrigued.

‘Can’t tell you Buddha Boy, don’t want you to feel inadequate or anything. Let’s just say there’s no way it can be faked for an hour,’ Michael said again with a big smile.

‘An……hour….’ Kyle stammered. ‘For her …….’ Michael nodded, ‘and for you….’ Kyle asked. Michael nodded again. ‘Shit man’ was all Kyle could say to that.

*Hey Spaceboy* Maria’s voice echoed in his head.

*Yes, Blondie* he returned, walking away from the others to the fridge to disguise the fact that he was
talking to Maria in his head.

*Mission accomplished on this end* he could hear her smile and the relief in her voice.

*Same here* he sent back.

*Maybe it would be better if you came over here so we can tell them both together about the dreams* Maria sent.

Michael closed the fridge without taking a drink. *Kyle’s here* he sent back, rubbing his chin that was beginning to bruise. He’ll get Max to heal it later; he just wanted to get back to Maria.

*Bring him along* she sent with a smile.

Michael turned to Max and Kyle. ‘You guys wanna check on the girls?’ he asked.

‘Sure,’ Kyle said with a smile.

‘OK,’ Max added with his own smile.

‘I wonder if they’ve got their pj’s on yet?’ Kyle said out loud.

*We’re on our way babe and Kyle wants to know if you’ve got your pj’s on yet?* Michael sent Maria with a
smile.

*You can tell Kyle he’s a pervert* came her tart reply.

Michael laughed.

‘What’s so funny?’ Kyle asked.

‘I’ll tell you later,’ Michael said as they left the Evans’ house.

Keep reading guys.

Thanks to all that do and please feel free to leave feedback

I feel I need to explain something before you read this chapter.
I was utterly disappointed in Season 3 that apart from breaking them up the writers didn’t give Michael and Maria any real time on screen, and breaking them up what was all that about!!!!

Anyway that is why my opinion of Max and Liz fell, it was always about them in my mind, they came across as selfish and the others were easily forgotten so I’ll just point out that these two are not portrayed very well in this fic. Hope that doesn’t put off readers. Of course these are just my opinions.

OK so with that off my chest on to chapter 5.


Chapter 5.





City of Antar.

‘Hurry up Maya.’

Maya quicken her step as she followed Sadine down the marble corridor. She had very vague memories of a palace as big as this, if not grander, but, as always, whenever those memories threaten to surface, she beat them down. She knew the other servants looked at her funny sometimes, some saying that she was too good for this life of servitude. Some of the nicer servants even called her the ‘little empress’. Others called her names that were far worse but she always turned her back on them, never letting the hurt she felt show on the outside. She’d been living and working in the palace for 7 years now, ever since Sadine had found her in the market square trying to steal some bread. Sadine had taken pity on the poor child and took her to work with her. She had been 8, one of the younger servants who didn’t have much hope of ever escaping their position in the world. She was now 15 and her dreams of a different world, a different palace, were growing dimmer.

She had some close friends here in the palace complex. There was Xavier, her very first friend, and he was 17. He was an apprentice to Mattius, some sort of high level advisor to the Drigin. The Drigin was an order that dealt with science and technology, looking to advance the people of Antar and maybe the whole star system.

Then there was Cali, he was also 17 and an acolyte to the Holy Order of the Seven Stars. An ancient religion that up held their society. Cali was extremely unsuited for his ‘calling’ as he was always goofing off and making her laugh.

And then there was Betina. She was 16 and also connected to the Drigin but her role was much lower down then Xavier’s. The Drigin, the Holy Dome, and the Palace, were all in close proximity in what was known as the Palace Complex.

These four made an unlikely alliance but they tried to spend as much time together as they could.

But Maya’s most favorite person in this world was Rath. Lord Rath, who was a member of the royal family she was bound to serve. They were close in age, Rath being 2 years older and, when she wasn’t doing her various chores, they spent a lot of time together. Though with Maya being a servant some looked at this as improper, others, who knew Rath was not of noble birth, thought nothing about it.

Through Rath she had also had the opportunity to come into contact with Prince Zan and Princess Vilondra as Rath was companion to Zan. Rath wasn’t noble born but they gave him the title out of honor of his position in the household. That and the Queen was deeply attached to him.

Maya was very wary of Zan and Vilondra. She always got a bad vibe when she was near them. Like something bad was going to happen. Zan was selfish, arrogant and devious. Vilondra was vain, regal and condescending. Whenever Rath brought them all together, Zan seemed to be under the impression that Maya was there to entertain him personally.

‘Maya,’ Sadine called again, ‘snap out of it. Did you finish cleaning Lord Rath’s grate?’

‘Yes.’ Maya answered.

‘Good.’ Sadine looked at Maya with tenderness. ‘Maya, I think you should stay out of Lord Pallium’s way.
He’s been complaining to the steward again about you.’

‘It’s not my fault.’ Maya said quietly. ‘I’ve told Rath that I’m not supposed to be in their majesties presence.’

Sadine chuckled. ‘I know sweetling,’ she said soothingly. ‘And, it’s Lord Rath to you.’

Maya looked at her with a dazzling smile. ‘I know that too. Maybe you should tell him.’

Sadine shook her head at her. Seeing Maya’s friends she said, ‘Hey look aren’t your friends waiting for you?’

Again Maya smiled at her. ‘Yes.’

‘Then go,’ the elder woman said.

Maya didn’t need telling twice as she picked up her skirts slightly and ran over to her friends.
Xavier, Cali and Betina were waiting for her in the quad. ‘Finally,’ Cali said as he watched Maya run up to them.

‘Sorry,’ she said with a shrug, ‘took longer than I thought.’

‘So what shall we do?’ Betina asked.

‘We could sneak into the laundry and dye all the underwear yellow,’ Cali said with a grin.

‘We could,’ said Xavier, ‘but that would mean more work for Maya dyeing it all back.’ They all nodded
their heads.

‘We could each make up stories about what our life will be like in the future.’ Betina said.

‘Yeah but…….BORING!’ Cali yawned.

‘We could go to the lake.’ Maya suggested. This was greeted by two cheers and a half-hearted nod.



The water at the small lake near the palace was not quite the same texture as by the ocean, not quite as dense and not as red, more a deep purple. There were several rocks and boulders that jutted out into the lake and it was on one of these boulders that the four friends sat discussing their day.

‘Mattius doesn’t think it will be long now before he has a break through,’ Xavier was saying, ‘then the hybrid technology will be complete.’

‘Then what will happen?’ Betina asked, all too interested.

‘I heard that General Finth wants to experiment on other species with the hybrid stuff.’ Cali said.

‘Yeah I think so,’ Xavier agreed, ‘but he’s very cautious about experimenting on any of the planets in our star system.’ He lowered his voice. ‘I think there are going to try a different galaxy.’

‘How can they do that?’ Maya interjected. ‘It’s not right testing on living things.’

‘Maya,’ Betina said, aspirated, ‘sacrifices have to be made for advancement.’

‘Hey,’ Xavier said, quickly, ‘don’t tell anyone about this. It’s top secret.’ He looked ashamed. ‘I shouldn’t have told you.’

‘Hey, if you can’t trust us, who can you trust?’ Cali said, slapping Xavier on the back.

‘Yeah,’ Maya smiled, ‘your secret’s safe with us.’

‘Well, well. What do we have here?’ A loud voice called from behind them.

They quickly looked over to see Prince Zan emerging from the small cluster of trees. The four on the boulder quickly stood, then dropped onto one knee in reverence to their Prince.

Zan strolled over to them with the arrogance of a 17 year old prince and climbed up in the boulder with them, so he could look down on them.

‘You.’ He pointed to Xavier. ‘Who are you?’

‘Xavier, Your Highness.’ Xavier answered. ‘From the Drigin, Your Highness.’

‘And you?’ Zan pointed to Cali.

‘Cali, Your Highness. Apprentice from the Holy Order of the Seven Stars.’

‘What about you?’ Zan looked down at Betina. She looked, gulped and hung her head again.

‘That’s Betina, Your Highness, also from the Drigin.’ Xavier answered for the suddenly shy girl.
Zan walked over to Maya.

‘Maya, Maya. Haven’t seen you in a while.’ Zan leered at her. He put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to look at her. ‘Where has Rath been hiding you?’

Maya swallowed and tried not to show any fear in her face. She’d always been slightly scared of Zan. He always looked at her differently than other people. Almost like he was a hunter and she was his prey. She had tried to tell Rath once that Zan scared her, that she ‘felt’ something ‘off’ with him. Rath had laughed at her and told her not to be so dramatic, but he had tried to keep her away from Zan after that. Zan put more pressure on her chin, forcing her stand before him.

Zan removed his finger and looked down her body and then back to her face. ‘Beautiful,’ he said, his fingers touched her hair. ‘And, such seductive eyes.’ He pulled his hand away. ‘How old are you now
Maya?’

’15, Your Highness.’ She whispered.

’15.’ He said. ‘If you weren’t an orphan and a servant you would be married by now.’ He circled round her.
Maya thought, almost like a vulture. But she didn’t answer him.

From behind her, he leaned forward to whisper in her ear. ‘I bet you’re an exquisite fuck!’

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Xavier’s eyes flicker up to her, with concern. Unfortunately, so did Zan. He clasped Xavier on the back, comradely. ‘What do you think Xavier?’

Xavier glanced again at Maya, then back to Zan. He had heard rumors about Zan and the way he treated women, they all had. Some of these women didn’t survive an encounter with their future king. He wondered if he and Cali would be able to restraint him if he tried anything with his best friend. ‘I……I…….’ he stammered.

‘Leave her alone Zan!’

Maya let out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding at the sound.

Rath walked over to the boulder with Vilondra following him.

‘Rath, Vilondra, what were you two doing in the trees?’ Zan said with a smirk but he did take a step away from Maya

‘Nothing Zan.’ Vilondra said, regally. ‘And don’t be crude. It doesn’t become you.’

By this time Rath had climbed the boulder and moving Maya, had positioned himself between her and Zan.

‘Want to keep the goodies for yourself, Rath.’ Zan said and moved over to Betina. ‘You girl, how old are you?’

‘16’ Betina squeaked out.

Vilondra pulled Zan over to her. ‘Come on Zan. Let’s just go home. It’s getting late and I need to prepare for this evening.’

‘Yeah, it’s a big night for me.’ Zan said. ‘Isn’t it Rath’

‘If you say so.’ Rath said, not really interested. He was checking Maya, to see if she was ok, that Zan hadn’t hurt her. He had finally seen what she had been trying to tell him the last year or so, Zan did look at her with pure hunger in his eyes.

‘Well I say it is important.’ Zan said, puffing his chest out in self-importance.

‘You would.’ Vilondra said.

‘My new betrothal is to be announced.’ He told them all. Not that he needed to. Of course they all knew what was going to happen tonight.

‘You.’ Zan snapped his fingers at Cali. ‘Do you know who my betrothed is?’

‘Yes, Your Highness.’ Cali said. Zan obvious wanted more for an answer. ‘Ava, daughter of Lord Pallium.’

‘Yes.’ Zan smiled. ‘That’s right. Ava. Pretty little blonde haired girl. Young maybe 15,’ he looked over to
Maya. ‘Though, I might get her to change the color of her eyes.’ He looked down at Xavier. ‘You work at the Drigin. They can do that can’t they?’

Xavier swallowed. ‘We’re still working on that technology, Your Highness.’

Zan smirked at Rath. ‘Pity.’

Zan continued, looked at Vilondra. ‘You should be happy, Lonnie. Now they have finally decided for me they might start looking for a husband for you. 19 is way too old to be still unmarried.’

‘Well that’s hardly my fault is it?’ She scoffed. ‘If your stupid first betrothed hadn’t gotten herself lost, you’d be married by now and maybe I would be too.’

Maya gave an involuntary shuddered.

‘Doesn’t stop you from practising for the wedding night though, does it.’ Zan smirked, wickedly.

‘Zan.’ Rath said, calming. ‘Leave her alone.’

‘Rath, Rath, Rath,’ Zan said, ‘Protector of all females.’ He looked at Maya and licked his lips. He leaned over to Rath, menacingly. ‘You can’t protect her all the time.’

With that, he turned. ‘Come Vilondra. Let’s get you back to the palace so you can ‘Prepare’.’

Vilondra shook her head at Rath and he gave her a slight smile as she followed her brother.

When they had disappeared, Rath turned to Maya, holding her face in his hands. ‘Are you ok?’
Maya just nodded. Xavier, Cali and Betina finally stood, after kneeling all that time.

‘He’s such a cretin.’ Cali said, rubbing his knees.

‘Are you ok, Maya?’ Xavier echoed Rath concern.

‘I’m fine,’ she said, finally finding her voice. She looked Rath in the eye, ‘I told you,’ she said sternly.

‘Yeah ok,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry. I believe you. I will not let him hurt you.’ He pulled her toward him into his arms and she went freely. Xavier raised his eyebrows pointedly at Cali. Rath held Maya in his arms for the first time in front of other people and it felt good. It felt better than good, it felt right. He reluctantly pulled back. ‘I have to get back to the palace,’ he said to her. Maya just nodded.

Rath turned to Xavier and Cali. ‘Can you make sure she gets back to her room safely?’

‘Of course, Lord Rath.’ Xavier said with a slight incline of his head.

‘Rath,’ Rath said. ‘It’s just Rath.’ He turned back to Maya. ‘I’ll try and see you later, ok’ and he kissed her on her forehead. ‘Ok’

‘Ok,’ she said, quietly, nodding her head.

Rath pointed at Xavier. ‘Take care of her.’ Then with one last look at Maya, he jumped from the boulder and ran off the way the others had gone.

The group was silent for a few moments. Then Betina let out a deep sigh, breaking the silence.

‘Maya,’ Xavier said, warning in his voice. ‘What’s going on with you and Lord Rath?’

‘Nothing,’ she said, looking at Xavier, then Cali. ‘Absolutely nothing.’

‘Didn’t look like nothing from where I was kneeling.’ Cali smirked. ‘They were practically having a pissing contest over you.’

Maya slapped his playfully on the shoulder, ‘don’t be crass.’

‘We’d better be heading back anyway,’ she said, looking at the second moon raising. ‘It’s getting late.’
Xavier and Cali jumped down from the boulder then turned to help Maya down. They turned back to help
Betina, but she hadn’t moved.

‘Betina….’ Xavier said.

Betina looked at the three below her. ‘Isn’t Prince Zan glorious? He’ll make a magnificent King one day,’ she said dreamily. The three friends below her looked at each other disbelieving.

Betina didn’t notice the look. She was imaging herself as Queen, beside King Zan, looking down on her loyal subjects.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roswell, New Mexico.



‘It’s ok ladies,’ Kyle’s voice called as he walked through the Deluca’s back door, ‘I’m here, the party can start.’

‘Oh, I hope you brought you’re pj’s,’ Isabel’s voice called back as the 3 guys entered the living room.

Kyle grinned at her, ‘I sleep naked baby,’ he said wriggling his eyebrows.

‘Well you’re not sleeping here then,’ she replied.

Michael’s eyes automatically sort out Maria and when he saw her sprawled comfortably in an armchair, he gasped.

‘Maria,’ he called out, ‘go put some clothes on.’

‘I’ve got clothes on, Spaceboy,’ she said, rolling off the armchair to stand before him in her ridiculously
short shorts and small vest top.

‘Barely,’ he huffed.

*You’ve seen me in worse* she sent as she walked over to him.

*Yeah* he grinned, *but I don’t want Kyle and Max to get a look at the goods* he sent, pulling her into his arms and a gentle kiss.

‘Oh great,’ Kyle said, ‘the floor shows about to start,’ and he grabbed a bowl of popcorn and flopped down next to Isabel on the couch.

Max gravitated to Liz. ‘Did she tell you?’ he asked her quietly.

Liz nodded. ‘Guess Michael told you too. At least I wasn’t the last to know.’

Max put his arm around her and pulled her closer, brushing a kiss to her forehead.

Michael broke from Maria and pointed to the direction of her bedroom that was just off the living room. ‘Go!’

‘Ok, I’m going,’ she mumbled as she turned to go to her room. *This has got to be a first* she sent as she disappeared into her room.

*What do you mean, Blondie* Michael sent as he took the popcorn away from Kyle.

*You, actually telling me to put clothes ON* he could hear her chuckle through his mind.

*One time only* he projected back, with a wicked smile.

‘Has Maria always had those legs?’ Kyle asked, his head tipping slightly to the side as though to look into her bedroom.

‘No Jackass, she got them for her birthday,’ Isabel quipped as she smacked him upside his head. She looked over at her brother and was mildly surprised to see him too trying to sneak a glimpse at Maria through her open bedroom door. Luckily Michael seemed again to be having an internal conversation with Maria and had missed Kyle’s remark and their leering after his girlfriend, unfortunately Liz didn’t miss Max’s lingering gaze.

‘Max,’ she called.

‘Huh,’ he said, absentmindedly, still looking in the direction of Maria’s room.

‘Max,’ Liz called again.

Max turned his head to her.

‘Do you want some pie?’ she asked, indicating to the pie on the coffee table.

‘Sure,’ he said with a smile.

Liz went to slice a piece of the pie as Maria remerged, wearing what seemed to be a pair of Michael’s boxers.

‘Better?’ she asked him.

‘Mildly,’ he replied as he pulled her to sit in his lap. They settled easily together and Isabel found herself smiling.

‘So,’ Kyle started, ‘you two are getting it on Alien style.’

‘Kyle!’ 3 female voices called.

‘What? I just wanted to know more about this hour long orgasm thing they have going on and if, when my
powers come online, I will reap the benefits!’ he said matter of factly.

Liz and Isabel both looked at Maria with shock.

‘An hour!’ Liz shrieked.

‘See, I knew there were more details you weren’t sharing,’ Isabel said to Maria.

‘What do you mean, ‘when your powers come online?’ Maria asked Kyle, pointedly ignoring her friends.

*I thought you said no details* she sent to Michael.

*Max asked about it. Remember he’s had sex, he was wondering if it was only an alien to alien thing*

Maria smiled. *Well that settles it*

*Settles what?* he asked.

*There is a God* she laughed.

Michael looked at her with his classic ‘I don’t understand’ look.

*There must be a God to gran that I benefit from your alien sex perks* she sent with a smile.

*Don’t thank God babe that’s all down to my incredible talent* Michael grinned back with that glint in his eye. He closed the gap between them with a passion-filled promising kiss. *That’s just to remind you of what’s coming later* he sent as his tongue delved into her mouth.

They pulled away quickly when a pillow landed on their heads.

‘Maria if you’re asking a question, at least have the decency to listen to the answer,’ Liz huffed.

‘What?’ Maria asked, slightly dazed.

‘You asked me what I meant, about my powers coming online,’ Kyle supplied.

‘Oh right,’ Maria said, her mind clearing. It was kinds scary how she could lose herself in Michael so quickly.

‘Where were you?’ Max asked.

‘What?’ Maria said.

‘You looked like your mind was somewhere else,’ Max said with a slight smile.

Maria waved her hand. ‘Later. Right Kyle, what do you mean?’ she asked again.

‘Well as I’ve already told the room. The other day I remembered what you guys told Maria and I what Ava said about Max changing Liz when he saved her. That’s she’s different now. I take that to mean she’s gonna have some alien powers or something. So it goes to stand that I will too. So I’m really rooting for the hour long orgasm thing,’ Kyle repeated.

Maria shook her head, unbelieving.

‘What, I’ve got to have some benefit or something and that hour long thing, that’s got to be an alien thing because I know about human sex and that definitely does not happen,’ Kyle concluded.

Maria held her hands up. ‘Ok, no more talking about hour long orgasms. It happened let’s get over it and move on!’

*Well babe, it sometimes takes you a while to get over it* Maria heard Michael in her head, to which he received a smack to his chest by the back of her hand.

‘So, anymore benefits we should now about?’ Liz asked in a voice Maria couldn’t quite understand.

Maria and Michael looked at each other.

*This night just gets better and better* Michael quipped in her mind.

‘Well….’ Maria proceeded to inform the group about the dreams that she’d been having, just as they had told Isabel at the beginning of the week.

Max shifted his eyes to Isabel in question, to which she shook her head and he understood. They would talk about it later.

‘So,’ Michael said, ‘we were thinking of asking Isabel to dreamwalk Maria to see if she could get an idea of what is happening.’

Then Max understood. Isabel had already been told about the dreams and that’s why she had asked him for help. He looked to Isabel again, his message clear; we will talk about this later.

Again, Isabel explained her theory as to why Maria was having the dreams, though making it seem like she had just come to this conclusion and hadn’t had a few days to think about it. She didn’t want to tip the balance of friendship that was emerging between the three girls and judging by Liz’s reaction to this evenings news, she would be bitterly disappointed if she learned that Isabel had known before her about Michael and Maria’s sleeping habits.

‘So maybe we should try tonight,’ Liz suggested, and then looked up alarmingly at Maria, ‘you don’t need to have sex for you to have these dreams do you?’

‘No,’ Maria answered, ‘they just happen now. It like a door opened and it won’t close now. Though I can’t predict when I have one, it’s not like I have one every night.’

‘So, sex isn’t a trigger then?’ Max asked.

‘No, at first it was but not now,’ Maria answered honestly.

‘Hey, don’t rule it out, Blondie. I mean I’m willing to sacrifice my body if I have to,’ Michael said, with an exaggerated sigh.

‘Yeah, like it’s a chore,’ Kyle mocked.

‘You just want to get laid,’ Isabel said, irately.

Michael grinned at her before he nuzzled into Maria’s neck.

*They know me so well* he sent to which she giggled softly.

‘Right, hour long orgasms, strange alien dreams, anything else we should know about?’ Liz asked.

Michael and Maria once again looked at each other, and then Maria looked back at Liz.

‘Remember that one time when you told me you could almost feel Max’s presence, even when he wasn’t in the room, like you knew he would be there soon,’ Maria said to her.

‘Yeah,’ Liz said with a smile. ‘You called me my ‘spider sense’.

Maria smiled with her. ‘Yeah that, well we get that only more intense, more accurate. I know where he is,
what he’s doing, what he’s feeling.’

‘And me with her,’ Michael added.

‘And we can hear each other.’

‘In our minds.’

‘Like we are in the same room.’

‘Sometimes we ARE in the same room.’

Sometimes we can be across town.’

‘Like telepathy?’ Max asked.

Maria shrugged, ‘Yeah, I guess.’

‘But more like, to the extreme telepathy, sensory telepathy as well as verbal,’ Michael added.

‘Wow,’ Isabel said, now fully understanding how deep their connection really went.

‘Michael, don’t you get headaches with all that Maria chatter going on in your mind?’ Kyle asked, seriously.

‘Hey,’ Maria said, throwing a pillow at him.

‘Actually we do have some control of it. It’s not like she’s always nattering in my head. We can close it off if we want,’ Michael told him.

*Spaceboy, do you ignore me sometimes?* she asked silently.

*No babe. I love to hear your voice in my head and you know it*

*Yeah, you just love to hear me scream!*

*All the time babe* he smirked at her.

Maria stroked her hand against his cheek. She suddenly noted the darkening of his skin. *What happened here?* she asked him concerned, her touch tender against his bruising flesh.

*Kyle hit me when Max told him we are sleeping together*

Maria swung her head to Kyle. ‘You hit Michael,’ she shrieked at him.

‘Guess they can talk telepathically,’ Kyle answered with a laugh.

Liz sat back as she watched Michael and Maria, suddenly remembering many occasions over the last 3 months when she had caught them with strange looks on their faces. Now she realized they had been having silent conversations with each other.

Her eyes shifted to Max. This wasn’t right, she thought, Michael and Maria aren’t the ones who were supposed to have the deep connection. That was for her and Max. If Max had never have healed her, Maria wouldn’t have looked twice at Michael. At least even before that fated day, Max and Liz had some feelings toward each other. Her and Max had the soul mate love, Michael and Maria were just two horn dogs who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Max and Liz never fought like Michael and Maria did. Michael and Maria were always breaking up, and finding their way back to each other a smaller voice reasoned in her internal tirade. Michael and Maria couldn’t stare longingly into each other’s eyes for hours on end, her firmer voice countered. No, they just locked into each other’s gaze and the sparks would fly and they’d be clinging to each other passionately. Liz shook her head. This was wrong, all wrong. When did the focus of their little group shift from her and Max, to the two sidekicks, Michael and Maria. Something wasn’t right. Max is the king!

‘Liz’

She heard Max’s voice break into her internal rant and she turned her head and smiled at him.

‘So what are your thoughts,’ he continued.

Liz just shrugged.

‘No ideas,’ Maria asked cautiously.

‘No,’ Liz answered. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll come up with some logical explanation soon.’

‘OK,’ Maria said, but looked at her guardedly.

‘So Maria,’ Isabel said, picking up on the slight tension between the two best friends, ‘do you feel sleep?’

‘I’ve told you. I can’t sleep on demand,’ she said, feeling uneasy about Liz but not really knowing why.

*I can make you sleepy* Michael sent her.

*Yeah but I don’t think our friends want to sit here while we get it on in the next room* she sent back with
a cheeky smile. *You’re not exactly quiet Michael*

*Neither are you, Blondie*

*Yeah* she couldn’t help smile. *Definitely not then, Kyle might enjoy it too much*

Michael glared at her.

‘Hey you two stop it right now,’ Kyle cried out. ‘It’s starting to freak me out.’

‘So if Maria refuses to ‘sleep on demand’, Liz said, ‘maybe Max could help.’

‘How?’ Max asked, looking lovingly at her.

‘Like when you get flashes from me,’ Liz said simply.

‘Nuh huh, no way,’ Michael stood quickly almost dropping Maria who had been settled in his lap.

‘Michael,’ Liz said slowly, ‘I’m not talking about him getting the flashes the same way he gets them from me or the way Maria gets them from you. Maybe he could just connect with her like he does when he heals someone.’

‘But I’m not hurt,’ Maria stated.

‘Yeah and can you really control what flashes happen when you connect like that,’ Kyle added intrigued.
‘I don’t know,’ Liz answered.

‘Well it is possible to get the flashes through just touching because that’s how Michael did it to me,’ Maria said.

Michael turned to Maria and smiled, remembering back to their first time and how he had merely taken her hands and given her his soul.

‘Ok so if Max touches Maria…’ Isabel started.

‘Hands only,’ Michael interrupted with a snarl.

‘If Max holds Maria’s hand,’ Isabel continued, ‘then tries to open a connection and if Maria concentrates on
her dreams of Antar, then maybe he will see what she sees.’

‘Hopefully,’ Liz concluded.

‘Hopefully!’ Michael bellowed. ‘This is all speculation. We don’t know if it could hurt Maria.’

‘Didn’t stop you from fucking her though did it,’ Max barked at him.

‘Maybe Michael could connect then,’ Kyle interceded, noting Michael’s jealousy of Max touching his girlfriend, even if it was only her hands and not quite believing how Max was reacting.

‘Well, Max does have some memories of Antar,’ Liz said reluctantly, not wanting to remember who those memories were of. ‘And he had more control.’

Michael took a step toward Liz, then stopped as he heard Maria in his head and felt her hand on his arm.
Isabel smiled as she watched Maria calm Michael down again, happy that at least one of them could control Michael’s anger.

After looking at Maria intently he swung his head back to Max. ‘OK, but the first sign that Maria’s in any distress and I’m breaking the connection.’

‘Ok,’ Max said with a nod of his head.

Michael turned quickly back to Maria and pulled her to him, wrapping his hands around her.

*First sign Babe and I’m pulling the plug* he sent her, his voice steady in her mind.

*Understood Spaceboy* she sent back with an understanding smile.

*I wish I could do this for you* he sent her, miserable that he couldn’t control his powers enough to help
her.

*We’ll try by ourselves later* she sent with a grin.

*Not by ourselves Blondie* not trusting himself to hurt her. His eyes flickered to Isabel. *Isabel will be with us in case we need her.*

*OK, but I trust you, you know that Michael*

*I know, you’re a fool you know that right*

Maria laughed at him.

‘OK, Maria,’ Kyle interrupted them, ‘any time soon.’

Maria kissed Michael gently then pulled out of his arms.

‘OK Max, where do you want me?’ she said flippantly.

Michael growled at her choice of words to which Maria rolled her eyes at him. *Not everything is about sex Michael* she sent him.

*To me, everything about you has to do with sex* he sent, his eyes still fixed menacingly on Max.

*Only between you and me Michael, I’ve told you that*

Michael only nodded his head as the others could only watch the silent communication between the two of them.

Maria moved again over to max and raised her eyebrow, ‘Well’

‘Maybe we could just sit on the floor,’ he offered.

Maria grabbed some throw pillows and tossed them down then sat on them with her legs crossed. Max sat opposite her on the floor, adopting the same position. Michael sat on one side, effectively making a
triangle, and instinctively, Isabel sat on the other side, opposite Michael.

Kyle tipped his head. If they shifted their bodies slightly, Michael and Maria would be sat opposite Max and Isabel. He had a fleeting sensation, an image flying across his consciousness, one that he couldn’t quite grasp, then a thought exploded in his head; The True Royal Four, united as one. He shook his head, the image and thought disappeared as quickly as he had arrived.

Max held his hands out to Maria, and she smiled as she gently placed hers in his. Max marvelled at the softness of her hands. Had he ever really touched Maria before? Was her skin always this soft? Was her skin this soft everywhere? Max blinked those thoughts away.

‘OK Maria,’ he said, quietly, ‘just looked at me and think about your dreams of Antar.’

‘Your clean dreams of Antar,’ Michael interjected.

Maria rolled her eyes at Michael but didn’t miss Max’s eyes flicker to Michael in question.

‘OK, I’m ready,’ she said, looking back at Max.

Max nodded and looked deeply into her eyes. They were intoxicating, he thought before he could stop himself. Why had he never noticed them before? Why had he never noticed the many depths of her eyes before?

Maria felt herself drifting as she locked her eyes with Max. They’re a lot darker than Michael’s, she thought, almost sinister, menacing. Have they always been like that? They’re not trustworthy like Michael’s. They don’t make her feel safe. She mentally shook herself. Concentrate on Antar, she berated herself. She wanted to close her eyes but knew that she couldn’t, so she brought the image of the sparkling palace to her mind.

Max smiled when he saw from her mind the palace that he had once lived in as a king and a ruler and he too concentrated on his freshly remembered images of his old world.

He saw flashes of a girl – Maria? – dressed in a drab brown gown, maybe about 16 years old. She was smiling and singing to herself as she swept the floor of an elaborate bed chamber.

He saw her sat with others on an outcrop against a purple lake, laughing and carefree.

He saw her running, gleefully form an exquisitely dressed Michael, or should that be Rath, as he chased her around a bed chamber before catching her and collapsing with her into the bed.

Then she was sat on a small bed in a tiny stark room, barely furnished, such a contrast from the earlier vision. She had her back to the stone wall, her knees pulled up in front of her. Tears were streaming down her face. An immense feeling of loneliness and heart wrenching loss radiating from her, a shiny purple and gold jewel clasped tightly in one hand.

Maria’s mind was bombarded with images from Max.

She saw a young Max, playing in a garden with Isabel and Michael, laughing in merriment.

She saw Max swimming with Tess in a red glutinous sea.

She saw Max dancing with Isabel in what looked like a very formal setting in magnificent clothing.

She saw Max sitting regally on a gilded throne next to Tess, with Isabel and Michael on either side.

He saw Maria cowering away from a man as he leaned into her aggressively, demanding.

She watched as Max hovered over a shaking girl, gleeful at capturing his most sort after obsession.

Then Max was himself, forcing the girl in front of him closer to him, pulling her violently in a demanding violating kiss.

Maria struggled against the man’s hands and body, as he thrust his tongue into her mouth, grabbing her bottom painfully.

Maria fearfully recognized Max the same time that Max joyously realized the struggling girl he was holding against him was Maria.


Maria gasped, her eyes widening in shock and she pulled away from Max’s hands and quickly stood, stumbling away from Max Evans in front of her, her eyes fearful.

Isabel, Michael, Liz and Kyle looked at her quizzically. They all missed the gleam in Max’s eyes and the menacing smile on his face.

Thanks for all the feedback guys

Carolyn : I agree that the writers spent a lot of time with Isabel in Season 3. And I agree that Liz and Max were the main characters of the show but M&M had a lot of screen time in Season 2 and storylines that didn’t stay true to their characters in season 3. But hey it was still an amazing show right and that’s why we are all here 10 years later!!

Grace52373: Thanks for reading. And yes all the couples are just great. Alex should have lived!!

Anyway onto Chapter 6 and as always feedback is appreciated.

Chapter 6.

Maria’s eyes flared with a fear she couldn’t quite understand as she looked at Max, his own eyes flashing with malice.

‘What’s wrong?’ Michael asked concern evident in his voice. He could feel her fear through their connection. Something had terrified her. An image had raced across his mind, one that had his heart pounding fiercely but just as quick it had left and it couldn’t recall the image again.

‘I……..’ Maria’s mouth moved silently but the words wouldn’t come out.

Michael looked at Isabel, his own eyes wide but not in fear, in panic.

‘Maria?’ Isabel said, also concerned. She looked across to Michael and they turned as one to Max, just missing the cruel smirk as he schooled his expression.

‘What happened, Maria?’ Max asked the quaking girl, his voice full with anxiety, supposedly for his friend.

Maria continued to look at Max. She watched as his features soften and the menacing gleam leave his eyes.
Then he was Max Evans again. Dependable Max Evans; her girlfriend; easy going Max. She closed her mouth and shook her head slightly.

‘I…… I don’t know,’ she stammered, unconsciously leaning into Michael. ‘I thought I saw….’

‘What? Liz asked, slightly impatient. Maria was being over dramatic again.

Maria looked back at Max. He took a step toward her and before she could stop herself she took a step back, pulling Michael with her.

‘Maria?’ Max asked, his voice steady, ‘What did you see?’

‘You,’ she said defiance suddenly in her voice. ‘I saw you.’ Her eyes flickered between Michael and Isabel and she could see the hope in their eyes. Hope that she might have some answers for them. She softened.

‘I saw you on Antar, with Michael and Isabel and…..’ she stopped.

‘Alien skank,’ Isabel offered.

Maria gave a slight laugh, feeling the nervous strain slip from her muscles. It was only then she realized that her body had been coiled as if ready to flee.

The tension seemed to seep from the room when she relaxed.

‘What did you see Max?’ Kyle asked.

‘I’m not sure, it’s confusing,’ he said. He didn’t want to share the fact that he was sure it had been Maria he had seen on Antar. ‘I think it was a servant I saw,’ he admitted.

‘That ties with your dreams, right Maria,’ Michael said, turning back to his girlfriend.

She nodded.

Michael turned back to the group. ‘In her dreams, she’s always a servant.’

‘Well that explains why Max saw that,’ Liz said, sitting back down on the couch.

‘It was more than seeing, I felt her,’ Max added sitting next to Liz. Michael sat back in the armchair and
Maria crawled into his lap, needing to feel his strong arms around her. Isabel sat next to Max and Kyle flopped onto the cushions left on the floor.

‘She was so lonely, so incredibly lonely,’ Max continue when everyone was settled again, his voice wavering slightly remembering the emotions that had rolled off the girl crying on her small bed.

‘I sometimes get that from my dreams,’ Maria said softly, her head resting on Michael’s shoulder, ‘but other times,’ she smiled wistfully, ‘other times she’s so happy she feels like she’s gonna burst.’

Michael’s arm had fallen naturally around her back, holding her to him and his hand had wound under her vest top and was tenderly stroking the soft flesh of her stomach.

Max’s eyes involuntarily were drawn to the slight movement and there was a flash of resentment in his eyes, which left as quickly as it had appeared.

‘So really, we know nothing more than what we did earlier,’ Liz said, clearly agitated that they hadn’t learnt more.

For a brief moment Max and Maria’s eyes clashed as they each held their own similar thoughts

I know Max is not who I thought he was.

I know I want Maria.

‘Maybe I can work on the memory retrieval techniques that Tess showed me,’ Max said. ‘To see if I can get anything about this servant girl.’

Isabel nodded, that had pretty much been her plan when she had spoken to Max about ‘her dreams’.

‘You can do that,’ Michael asked intrigued.

Max nodded. ‘I did it with Tess,’ he said innocently.

Kyle choked on some popcorn and Liz sat frigid.

‘Memory retrieval,’ Max added.

Michael looked sheepishly at Max. ‘Could you show me?’ he asked.

‘Me too,’ Isabel said quickly, to cover for Michael’s embarrassment at asking for help. It was something he very rarely did, but if it helped his Maria he was willing to try.

‘Sure,’ Max nodded, actually smiling genuinely at his best friend. ‘How about we try tomorrow?’

‘OK,’ Michael said, and then turned his head back to Maria, to nuzzle into her neck. Maria sighed against him as the familiar tingling swept her body.

‘You guys wanna watch our other movie?’ Isabel asked turning away from Michael and Maria.

‘Sure,’ Max said, leaning back against the couch, his arm wrapping around Liz. He smiled when she relaxed against him, glad the tension had left her body after he had mentioned Tess.

Kyle said, ‘Sure, why not,’ but the tone of his voice told a different story. ‘It’s gonna be a girly flick isn’t it?’ he whined.

‘Of course,’ Isabel laughed. ‘We were having a girly night until you guys crashed.’

‘Just put it on, woman,’ Kyle said.

Maria giggled turning her head from Michael. ‘Not a smart move, Buddha Boy,’ she laughed.

Kyle flashed his eyes up to Isabel and she smiled at the apprehension she saw there.

‘Oh don’t look so worried, Kyle,’ Isabel smiled as she stood to start the film. ‘Half the fun is the suspense.’
Michael laughed. ‘I’d sleep with one eye open, Valenti’

Kyle’s eyes just shifted from Isabel, to Maria, to Michael and then he just nodded.



Two hours later and Maria was asleep in Michael’s arms as he sat in the armchair.

‘Well that’s 2 hours of my life that I’ll never get back,’ he said quietly so not to disturb her.

Liz sat up form Max, yawned and stretched. ‘I think it’s time to call it a night,’ she said sleepily.

‘OK,’ Kyle said, slapping his hands together, ‘who gets to sleep with who?’

Michael held a sleeping Maria against him and stood. ‘You guys can fight it out between yourselves,’ he said simply and then disappeared into Maria’s room, kicking the door closed behind him.



He gently placed her on the bed and smiled at her and he trailed his fingers across her serene face, she was so beautiful. He pulled his t-shirt over his head and sat gingerly on the edge of the bed to untie and remove his boots. As he popped the button of his jeans he remembered that he still didn’t have his boxers on. He walked over the drawer he kept a few articles of clothing. After rummaging for a few minutes he realized that Maria was wearing his clean boxers. He walked back to the bed and started to gently remove them from her body.

‘Michael?’ she asked, sleepily.

‘Just need my boxers, Blondie,’ he said with a smile. ‘Unless you want me to sleep naked in your bed, with our friends just next door!’

She lazily opened an eye to him, smiled slyly, and then she lifted her hips slightly for him to ease the material down.

‘Jesus Maria,’ he whispered low, that simple movement hitting him right between his legs. She opened her legs an inch or two, reasoning with herself that it was for ease of movement, and watched as he removed his boxers from her, leaving her in her shorts. She found it oddly arousing, even though he hadn’t actually removed a piece of clothing that covered her, her eyes twinkling at Michael’s groan.

‘What’s the matter, Spaceboy?’ she asked seductively.

‘You’re doing this on purpose,’ he said with a low growl that shot through her, as he removed his jeans and pulled his boxers on, well aware of her eyes on him.

‘Doing what?’ she asked feinting innocence.

He leaned over and begun to crawl his way up her body, switching to their connection just in case Kyle had his ear to her door.

*You’re alluring. You’re delectable. You’re ravishing* he reached her lips, * and so very,* he kissed one side of her face, *very* he kissed her other side, *fuckable.* He kissed her deeply, sensually and passionately, a kiss that Maria felt all the way down to her toes. A rough hand found its way to her breast and she leaned eagerly into his touch as she moaned into his man.

*Michael* she sent him. *We can’t so this with a house full of our friends*

*We’ll be quiet* he reasoned, vaguely thinking they’d already had this conversation this evening.

He pulled his lips from hers and quickly latched onto the pulse point in her neck. He heard her laugh low in her throat, a sexy laugh that again had ‘the Commander’ jumping.

*We’ve tried that, remember?* she sent him with an image of them almost being caught by her mother. It had taken Michael hiding under her bed and Maria’s impressive acting skills; she told her mom she had tripped and that’s why she had screamed out. They had barely escaped that. Personally Michael didn’t think Amy was that dense. Maria had been naked and flushed from her orgasm and it was quite obvious what had been going on before her mom had arrived home early.

*Yeah, that was really close* he sent as he slid down, bringing the shoulder strap of her vest top with him and exposing a creamy white breast to him. His fingertips traced over her nipple, watching it harden more at his feather light touch.

‘Michael,’ she moaned out loud.

He nibbled at her nipple gently with his teeth, knowing how much she like that. *shush baby* he sent her as he took the nipple into his mouth.

Michael brought his other hand into play by placing it over her other breast and softly caressed the plumpness. Maria arched up into his mouth and his hand and Michael grinned against her breast when another loud moan escaped her lips, then she actually giggled.

*We can’t do this baby, not with them here*

*You need to learn to be quiet*

*You need to stop making me moan so loudly*

He pulled off her, straightening her top and then rolled off her. He turned her so she was on her side and
settled in behind her, holding her close to him.

*Go to sleep babe. We’ll pick this up tomorrow* he sent as he kissed the back of her neck.

Maria yawned and settled back against his broad chest.

‘Quit moving, Ria,’ Michael hissed when she brushed against his erection for the second time.

Maria giggled again.

‘I love you Michael.’

‘I love you too Maria.’



The sunlight streaming through the curtains woke Maria. She blinked as she opened her eyes. She felt she’d hardly slept but then she remembered she had woken in the middle of the night, disturbed by a dream in which Max was chasing her down long marble corridors, a lush green wood and oddly, through the halls at school. She had lain awake, willing her heart to return to its normal beating pattern, praying that Michael wouldn’t wake and demand answers from her. So instead she had watched him sleep peacefully, snoring softly. She was so grateful he wasn’t a loud snorer. There had been one of her mother’s past boyfriends who sounded like a bloated warthog when he snored. She hardly had any sleep whenever he stayed over and was thankful when she could go and stay with Liz.

So she had watched him sleep, her hand grazing over his forehead to brush away stray hairs and eventually his rhythmic breathing had lured her back to sleep, her head pillowed on his chest.

Now she was awake again and Michael was still asleep. She traced an unidentified pattern in his chest, just happy to be lying in his arms, safe and secure. She debated against waking him, it did seem pretty quiet out in the living room, but her head won over her body. No matter how quiet it was now, if she and Michael finished what they had started last night, the house wouldn’t be quiet for long. She squirmed a little in the bed, thinking of him doing unrespectable things to her willing body. Michael moved a little. Ok, not a good thing, she thought. It would be better if she was up and fully clothed before Michael woke up; to hold off temptation. Though with the ease Michael seemed to rid her of her clothes these days, she didn’t think it would achieve much. They had to get control over their raging hormones and lust, for want of a better word. There were only so many drug stores they could go to to buy condoms without her mom learning about it; the downside to living in a small town, everybody knew everyone’s business. Michael had ridden over to Dexter to replenish their supply last time. She knew it wouldn’t be long until she had to have ‘the talk’ with her mom. Again.

She began to ease herself slightly out of Michael’s arms; this resulted in Michael holding her tighter and mumbling something incoherent, something about Snapple and chocolate sauce! She laughed slightly at him and waited for him to settle again. It wasn’t long before his breathing evened out again and Maria moved slightly again. This time Michael didn’t move but her thigh brushed up against erection.
Maria groaned and dropped her head to Michael’s chest, her body really putting up a good argument against her head. She knew he absolutely loved it when he woke with ‘the Commander’ hard and in her mouth, which in turn leads to extremely mind blowing sex for them both. But again, surprisingly, her head won out. She silently promised herself to tie him down later to get her revenge for this morning’s torture.

She moved again and slowly, and careful, extracted herself from Michael. She crept around her room, gathering items so she could shower and clothes so she didn’t have to return in just a towel and risk a hormone raging alien hybrid with an incredible erection. She gently placed a kiss on Michael’s chest, just above his heart and then crept from the room.

The living room was darker than her bedroom. Her bedroom always caught the morning sun and the curtains were darker in here. She could make out Kyle sprawled on the floor and Max lay casually on the couch. That meant Liz and Isabel had shared her mom’s bed. She chuckled at that thought; The Ice Princess sharing with Perfect Parker. She inched her way passed Kyle in the direction of the bathroom and then decided to start a pot of coffee before she showered. That way it would be done when she had showered. Not that she drank much coffee, she preferred tea but Michael was a real grouch without a morning cup of coffee. She left her stuff on the counter in the bathroom and walked down the hallway to the kitchen.

After setting the pot going she returned to the bathroom and stopped short when she Max waiting outside the bathroom. She swallowed nervously, her mouth suddenly dry.

She smiled weakly at him. ‘Did someone beat me to it?’ she said, indicating to the bathroom.

‘No,’ he said simply.

She couldn’t help herself laugh nervously. ‘So what are you doing here Max?’ she asked.

Max took a step toward her and she took a quick involuntary step back, her hand moving in front of her as if warding him off.

‘What’s wrong Maria?’ Max asked, the look in his eyes contradicting the concern in his voice. ‘You’re not scared of me are you?’

Maria shook her head, words for once failing her, and she again took a step back, needing some distance between them and not fully understanding why.

‘We need to talk about what we saw last night,’ he said gently as if he couldn’t see how uncomfortable she was. Or maybe he did know and he liked it.

‘There’s…..nothing…….to talk……about,’ she stammered out, not quiet believing how she sounded. She wasn’t this person. She wasn’t timid and nervous. Apart from when she had first found out about them, then she’d been a nervous wreck, until she had gotten control of her fears.

‘I think there is,’ Max continued, still advancing on her. ‘I think we have a lot to talk about.’

She stopped when her back hit the side wall beside the kitchen door. ‘That wasn’t me,’ she said in hopefully a strong voice. ‘That wasn’t us.’

Max leaned into her. ‘But I think it was, Maria,’ he said and he swept his fingers against her arm. He was right, ‘so soft,’ he whispered.

‘Max,’ a sleepy voice called and Max whipped round to see Liz standing in the hall just outside Amy’s room.

Max stepped back from Maria quickly and his sneer turned into a smile as he walked away from Maria toward Liz.

‘Good morning Liz,’ he said, bright and cheerful before he enveloped her in a hug and a sweet kiss.

‘Max,’ Liz laughed. ‘I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.’

‘That’s ok Liz,’ he said, ‘I think Maria was just about to have a shower so you’ll have to wait.’

He turned her to lead her into the living room but not before looking back and leering at Maria one more time.

Maria shivered at Max’s look and unconsciously pulled on her shorts, trying to lengthen them, her eye’s wide and glistening with unshed tears.

‘Maria?’

Isabel’s voice jolted her out of her trance and she locked eyes with the taller girl. Had she seen? Had she seen Max?

Isabel’s head turned in the direction that her brother had gone and Maria swallowed thickly again, her own eyes intent on Isabel.

‘Are you ok?’ Isabel asked gently, taking a step forward.

‘Yeah,’ Maria said automatically, and then she relaxed. ‘Of course I’m fine.’

‘You sure,’ Isabel probed. ‘You look kinda freaked.’

‘No,’ Maria forced a laugh from her mouth, ‘I’m fine.’ She rushed back to the bathroom door. ‘I’m just gonna take a quick shower,’ and before Isabel could say anything else she shut the door, leaning on it and breathing quickly. Maria stood there for a couple of minutes taking deep breaths, wishing she had some cedar oil. Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud banging on the door.

‘Maria!’ Michael shouted through the shut door.

Maria took another deep breath.

‘Maria?’ he called again.

‘Yes,’ she croaked out.

‘You ok?’ Michael asked and she could hear the concern in his voice.

Shit, she thought. Of course he would know something was wrong. Their connection conveyed feelings as well as thoughts so he would have known something had scared her.

‘I’m fine Michael,’ her mind busy thinking of what she could say to him. ‘I……I saw a spider,’ she lied and felt her heart dip. She’d never lied to him before. Well she had once, about those stupid flashes and she had told him the thruth in the end anyway. She didn’t want to lie to him, not ever, but what should she say.

‘A spider,’ he laughed.

‘Yeah,’ she said quietly, a tear rolling down her cheek, ‘in the bath.’

‘Let me in Princess,’ he said, chuckling at her for being such a girl.

She debated saying no but knew it was useless, he’d just let himself in if he thought she needed him. She wiped the tear away and turned to unlock the door. She opened it to see him standing there in just his jeans, obviously hastily put on as he hadn’t fastened the buttons and a silly smile on his face.

‘A spider eh?’ he grinned.

‘Yeah,’ she said weakly.

He walked her back into the bathroom and peered into the tub.

‘I got rid of it,’ she said shakily. ‘Sorry I worried you.’

‘Hey,’ he said as he gathered her into his arms, ‘it’s ok.’

‘Yeah, but it’s so stupid.’ She forced a laugh.

‘I will admit Blondie,’ he said as he held her head to him, ‘you had me worried there.’

‘Was you asleep?’ Maria asked.

‘Yeah, and when I woke I was a little disorientated for a while. I think it was because of your fear.’

Maria hugged him tightly to her. ‘I’m sorry Michael.’

‘Hey,’ he turned her and tilted her face up, ‘I said it was ok.’ He saw the glistening in her eyes and gave a short laugh. ‘That must have been some huge spider.’

‘Yeah,’ she smiled at him, ‘it’s probably got its own entourage around here somewhere.’

‘Maybe I should stay with you. Keep you safe and all.’

A thought exploded in her mind; Please keep me safe, Michael.

‘Nice try, Spaceboy,’ she laughed, burying that thought.

‘But babe,’ he whined.

‘I can shower alone,’ she smiled.

‘Yeah but where’s the fun in that,’ he smirked at her.

She couldn’t resist leaning into him and kissing him. His arms circled her slim waist as he pulled her tighter, deepening the kiss. He lifted her easily and turning, sat her on the counter next to the sink, standing between her legs, his hands on her bare thighs. God he loved it when she wore shorts.

Maria’s arms around his shoulders held him close to her, her fingers in his hair at the nape of his neck as she fought with the need to breath, not wanting to break their kiss. She saw a flash of Michael waking in bed, fearful for her as he felt her own fear and she reluctantly pulled back. Since Michael had opened up fully to her, she could now get flashes from a kiss, the very thing she had lied about when they had first started on this journey together.

Now she had a new worry. Would he see what she had seen when she had connected to Max? Would he see how Max had scared her earlier? Would he get her unreasonable fear of Max now? Unreasonable because Max was Max. All round good guy, wouldn’t hurt a fly Max. Whatever had happened on Antar to that poor girl, it had not been Max, it was Zan and it definitely wasn’t her; Whatever Max said.

Michael caught her lips again, one hand climbing higher on her body.

‘Hey guys,’ Kyle’s voice interrupted and they both turned their heads to look at him standing in the doorway. They hadn’t even closed the door!

‘Other people need to use the bathroom ya know,’ he said with a grin and then his face got serious. ‘And Guerin, remove your hand from my sisters boob,’ he said with a scowl.

Michael glared back at him and didn’t remove his hand.

Kyle swallowed. ‘Just hurry up. I need to take a leak,’ he said as he walked away.

Michael moved his hand back to her thigh with a sigh. ‘Guess you’d better shower alone, Blondie.’

‘Probably,’ she smiled at him.

He kissed her once more then moved away to the door.

‘Coffee should be ready,’ Maria said as she hopped down from the counter.

‘You know I love you right,’ he said simply.

‘Yes Spaceboy,’ she said with a smile.

‘Good,’ then he left her.

Maria continued with her morning routine, a million things flying around in her head.



For the rest of the morning, Maria made it her mission to never be alone with Max. She caught him starring at her a few times, and she had also seen Isabel giving her sideways glances.

They had all split at lunchtime, with Liz, Michael and Maria heading to the CrashDown for their shifts, Maria taking her homework with her, hoping that Liz and Michael would help her during their breaks.

Maria served a group of kids she recognized from school and they seemed to be watching her intently and despite the creepiness of that she oddly felt a sense of ease and well-being from them; like she was safe and protected.

‘She looks pre-occupied,’ Kelly said concern on her face.

‘Maybe the dreams are intensifying,’ Jackson added with a nod.

They watched as Maria scuttled around the diner.

‘Why does she work here?’ Cameron growled out. ‘It isn’t right. She shouldn’t wait on others, they should crawl on their knees to serve her.’

‘Cameron, hold your tongue,’ Jackson reprimanded.

‘It seems in both of her lives she’s destined to serve those she should not,’ Kelly said sadly, her own eye flickering to the dark haired girl as she too served a table. ‘I’m going to try next week to get closer to Liz,
but I doubt I’ll get anything from her.’

‘Just be careful,’ Jackson instructed, ‘and make sure Zan is not with her.’

‘I will. We have trig together this year,’ Kelly confirmed.

Jackson knew this. He had made certain that they each had lessons with their charges, that way they were never unprotected. Outside of school was harder. It was ok when the girls worked, that was easy, and
Dylan had joined the Basketball and Wrestling teams. The hardest was when they were at home, though thankfully Rath made it easier for their most precious charge. She was hardly alone these days and when she was; Jackson wasn’t far. He had made a fatal mistake when they had lost Alex. That wasn’t going to happen again. Who would have guessed that Ava would have turned traitor. But then again look who her brother was.

‘Are we sure the dreams have started,’ Cameron asked.

‘Absolutely,’ Jackson said. ‘Don’t you see it, feel it. Whenever they are together the energy flies around them, just like it did on Antar.’

His companions were silent as they each remembered a life that seemed so long ago and so far away.

Dylan rushed in to greet his friends.

‘Kyle’s on his way, with Zan and Vilondra,’ as his eyes wandered the diner. He watched as Maria walked over to them.

‘Why are we in her section,’ he asked nervously, out the side of his mouth.

‘No other booths available,’ Kelly said quickly, before Maria reached them.

‘Hey,’ she called friendly to Dylan. ‘Can I get you anything?’

‘Ummm,’ he stuttered out, his eyes wide at the girl in front of him.

‘He’ll have a coke,’ Jackson ordered for him.

‘OK,’ Maria said with a slight laugh, as she turned to get his drink.

‘What is wrong with you?’ Jackson demanded.

‘I can’t help it. She talked to me. ME! I should be on my knees in front of her; Begging for her forgiveness.’ Dylan said.

Jackson knew he blamed himself for Alex’s death but in truth they were all the blame. They had all failed.

‘Take a chill pill,’ Cameron hissed, ‘or the games up.’

‘Maybe the game should be up,’ Dylan countered. ‘It would be easier to protect them if they knew.’
Jackson had also thought this, but he had his orders.

Maria returned with Dylan’s coke the same time that Kyle entered the diner. Maria looked up with a smile at Kyle and then shivered at Max’s penetrating look of her and she spilt Dylan’s coke on him.

‘Oh God. I’m so sorry,’ she said, grabbing some napkins and patting his coke covered arm.

‘No please don’t,’ Dylan stammered, trying to push her hands away. Having her talk to him was one thing but to touch her; that was treason wasn’t it.

Maria looked nervously at Max and again he was watching her, his eyes hungry.

Jackson’s own eyes flickered over to his former king and seeing his look, stood quickly and placed himself between Zan and Maria.

‘It’s ok Maria,’ he said gently. ‘It was probably Dylan’s fault anyway.’

‘I doubt that,’ Maria laughed. ‘I can be a bit of a klutz at times.’

‘Everything ok here,’ Michael said as he joined them.

‘Yeah, I just spilt Dylan’s coke all over him,’ she explained.

‘It’s on the house,’ Michael said, pulling Maria away from them and into the back room.

‘He’s very protective, isn’t he,’ Kelly said, wistfully.

‘That just proves that they have connected,’ Jackson said with a smile. ‘He knew she was in danger.’

‘Danger,’ Cameron huffed, ‘what danger could she possibly be in at the CrashDown.’

Jackson’s eyes wandered over to Zan, sat in a booth and now talking to Liz.
‘I have a feeling Zan remembers who Maria is,’ he said, sitting back in their booth, his eyes on the door that separated the diner to the backroom, knowing that his charge was safe with Rath. At least for the moment.

Hi guys, hope you all are having a good day

Thanks for the feedback.

CandyliciousLovah : trust those instincts!!

Carolyn : We are waiting for that conversation.

and straight on to Chapter 7.



Chapter 7.

2 years later.

Rath paced up and down in his chambers. He was worried. He didn’t know how to tell her. He didn’t want to have to tell her. How do you tell the person you love that you are to marry someone else?

It had been announced at one of the private dinners the family had had to celebrate Zan and Ava’s marriage which had just taken place. Rath hoped that now Zan was married he would leave Maya alone. He was angry with Zan and his treatment of Maya. She was terrified of Zan and Rath could now understand why. He was tired of finding her cornered by an overbearing Zan threatening her menacingly. He was terrified that there were times when he wasn’t there to help her, but Maya was adamant that Zan never did anything too harsh. Maybe a forced kiss and a hard touch but she swore he never went further than that.

When they had told him about his upcoming betrothal, he’d been speechless. They had all said how lucky he was; now he truly belonged in the family. How he finally had the family he’d always craved. He’d been given a high position within the Antar Army to go along with the proposal with the promise that he would one day be General of the entire Army, Second in Command to Zan, when he became King. For all intent and purpose he had everything he could have wished for ; Except the girl that he truly loved with all his heart.

He had dreamed for years about making her his. He knew it would cause a scandal and maybe they would have been banished, but he didn’t care and he knew she wouldn’t either. Now that dream had vanished. He couldn’t embarrass Vilondra like that. He did care for her, even love her, but only as a sister. He could never feel for Vilondra what he felt for Maya and he knew Vilondra didn’t love him either. Ironically, he thought, if he hadn’t have stolen the apples from the Queens garden all those years ago, he would be free to marry Maya. But then if he hadn’t have stolen the apples he wouldn’t have been living in the palace and he may never have met her. Was it Fate or Destiny?

So now he was waiting to tell Maya that he had been betrothed to Vilondra without any knowledge of how he was going to say it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maya stood outside of Rath’s chambers, eyes closed, taking deep breaths, steadying her nerves. She knew why she had been called here. At least she had a good idea. She had heard other servants talking since yesterday. Horten, who was serving at last night’s dinner, had told them. Princess Vilondra was to marry Lord Rath. She had felt the other’s eyes on her at the news, all waiting for her reaction and she had brushed it off. Of course Rath would someday marry. She wasn’t a fool to think he would marry her. Still, deep down, it hurt, to think of him with someone else, touching someone else, loving someone else.

Opening her eyes, she knocked gently on the ornate door.

It opened quickly and Rath smiled at her, pulling her into the room. ‘I’m glad you could come,’ he said, tenderly, walking her further into the room.

‘I haven’t got long,’ she whispered, refusing to meet his eyes.

‘Maya,’ Rath said, lovingly, catching her head in his hands, forcing her to look at him. His heart crumbled when he saw her green eyes water and he knew that she knew. He pulled her toward him, softly brushing her lips with his own. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered against her lips.

Maya shock her head as a lone tear fell unconsciously down her cheek.

‘Please don’t cry, my love,’ Rath said and kissed her again, more passionately, trying to convey how he felt, trying to let his emotions pour into her. Maya unwillingly melted into his kissed knowing that she would never have more than this, that Rath would never truly be hers and she would never feel this way about another person her whole life.

Maya pulled away from Rath’s kisses and laid her head against his chest as her arms wrapped around his waist and he held her close. ‘When?’ she whispered.

‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘With King Kwane’s recent illness, I don’t think it will be any time soon.’

Maya didn’t answer.

Rath led her over to the bed and sat down on it, in front of her, bringing her to stand between his legs. ‘I will not leave you, Maya. No matter what,’ he said, holding her hands.

‘Yes you will,’ she answered sadly.

‘Never!’ he said, pulling her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. Maya held his head to her, her fingers running through his hair.

‘Rath,’ she whispered, ‘do you love her?’

He pulled back slightly and locked eyes with her. ‘No, I could never love her.’ Maya smiled at him. ‘You know I love you, Maya.’

Maya smiled, wistfully. ‘I know.’ She swallowed, nervously. ‘Rath,’ she whispered again, still staring intently into his eyes.

‘Yes,’ he said.

Will you make love to me?’ she asked in a shaky voice.

Rath was surprised by this. Sure their relationship had progressed over the years, they had explored each other’s bodies but they had never actually made that finally step. ‘Is that what you want?’

‘Yes,’ she smiled at him. ‘We don’t know how long we have and I want, I need something of you before you give it to her.’ She looked quizzically at him. ‘Does that make sense?’

‘I think so,’ he said laughing softly, pulling her toward him, to claim her as his own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

City of Antar.

Six Months Later.

It was six months later when King Kwane succumbed to his recent illness and died. Six months of pure bliss for Rath and Maya as they spent as much time together as they possibly could, loving each other as if they would die the next day. He had been as surprised as her when, after their first time, a connection had developed between them. They could feel each other, where they were and what they were feeling. Rath had been concerned that his marriage to Vilondra would have been rushed due to the King’s illness, but for some unknown reason, Pallium, the King’s chief advisor, had said it would put too much stress on the King. Now he was dead, and despite being upset for the loss of his king, Rath was jubilant. With the constraints of mourning, he would not have to marry Vilondra for another year; another year to be with Maya.

The coronation of their new king had gone quite smoothly. Now King Zan and Queen Ava ruled Antar. The only thing that Rath was really concerned for was now he would not be able to keep Maya safe from Zan. King Kwane had always disagreed with Zan over his ‘extra activities’. Ava didn’t seem to mind that Zan slept with as many as the serving women as he could, as long as she was still Queen-to-be.

Now Zan was King, Ava was Queen and there was only Rath to protect Maya. He would have to talk to her friends, to make sure she was never left alone.


Maya sat on the boulder jutting out into the lake, listening to Betina talk excitedly.

‘…… and he says it won’t be too long before he takes over his father’s position.’ Betina paused, ‘Maya are you listening to me?’

‘Huh,’ Maya looked at her friend. ‘Yes, yes I was.’

Betina smiled at her friend. ‘No you weren’t. You were thinking about Rath again weren’t you?’

Maya giggled. ‘I can’t help it. He’s just ….. he’s so……’ she searched for the right words. ‘He consumes me. In a good way,’

Betina sighed blissfully, ‘Oh Maya, you’re hopeless.’ Betina looked around, nervously. ‘Maya, can I ask you something?’

Maya shrugged her shoulders. ‘Sure,’ she said.

‘Have you…….. Has Rath…….?’ Betina blushed deeply. ‘Have you had sex with Rath?’ she rushed out.

Now it was Maya’s turn to blush. ‘Betina! I will not talk about that with you.’

‘So you have.’ Betina concluded.

‘Betina!’ Maya looked sternly at her friend.

‘Ok ok,’ Betina relented.

‘Why do you ask?’ Maya studied her friend.

Betina looked sheepishly at her. ‘Zan asked me if you and Rath had…’

‘Zan!’ Maya said. ‘Betina you’re not sleeping with the king are you?’ Maya was shocked at her friend.

‘He’s the King.’ Betina said. ‘No one can refuse him.’

‘Yes you can,’ Maya said. ‘It’s called dignity!’

‘Hey,’ Betina stood up quickly looking down on her friend. ‘You’re sleeping with Rath’

‘He’s not married,’ Maya said standing to face Betina, inadvertently admitting it.

‘He’s betrothed,’ Betina spat back. ‘To the king’s sister. He’s the Kings Second-in-Command.’

‘And he’s not sleeping with the rest of the female population.’ Maya said. Maya was slightly stunned when she felt Betina’s hand slap against her cheek. She looked at her friend in shocked, her own hand instinctively covering her cheek.

Betina looked down sadly. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘It’s like he has this pull over me and I can’t help it. Maybe in a different life time we could be together. Really together,’ Betina reasoned.

‘Do you love him?’ Maya asked, tenderly.

‘Yes,’ Betina answered honestly.

‘But what about …?’ Maya started.

‘Kivar,’ Betina smiled.

‘Yes.’ Maya shivered with unconscious fear.

‘He’s………magnetic.’ Betina answered, dreamily. She giggled. ‘I can’t help it. Isn’t he just so handsome?’

‘So you’re sleeping with the King and Lord Kivar?’ Maya asked her, incredulous.

‘Not at the same time,’ Betina said with a laugh.

‘No,’ Maya said expressionless, ‘’cause that would just be wrong!’

‘And exhausting,’ Betina retorted.

Maya shock her head. ‘You know that there are rumors that Kivar is…….’

‘That he’s sleeping with Vilondra. What do you care? There are rumors that Rath is sleeping with you. Oh right, they’re not rumors now I know the truth.’

Maya sighed deeply, beaten.

Betina smiled at her. ‘Maybe Kivar can change Zan’s mind and revoke Rath and Vilondra’s betrothal.’

Maya smiled at the thought of Rath being free to marry whom he pleased. ‘But where would that leave
you?’ she said sadly, knowing that it was just a daydream.

Betina giggled. ‘Still in Zan’s bed.’

‘It wouldn’t make a difference anyway.’ Maya say with frustration. ‘Rath still wouldn’t be able to marry me, and Zan would never be able to marry you. What, the king of Antar and his Second, married to an apprentice of the Drigin and a servant of the palace. Wake up Betina; it’s never going to happen.’

With tears in her eyes, Maya turned and jumped, almost falling, of the boulder, and ran as the tears fell freely.

Betina stood and watched her go. ‘It could happen,’ she whispered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Betina walked back to the Drigin, dreaming of her life as Queen of Antar. She was so caught up in her own world that she didn’t notice the figure behind her until he grabbed her. Betina screamed as she felt strong arms wrap around her waist and spin her around. Then she heard his voice, ‘Shush,’ and she giggled. ‘Kivar, you frightened me.’

He placed her back on her feet. ‘Sorry sweetling. I just had to see you.’ He looked back toward the lake. ‘Who were you talking to?’ he asked, trying to sound innocent.

‘My friend, Maya,’ she said.

Kivar took her hand in his as they slowly walked back toward the Drigin. ‘She works at the palace doesn’t she?’ he asked.

‘Maya,’ she looked surprised, ‘yes she does,’ slightly upset. What was it about Maya that made the men in her life talk about her all the time? She definitely couldn’t see anything special about her. Whenever she was with Zan he always managed to turn what little conversation they had to the subject of Maya. Zan had even changed her hair color when they were together and, a couple of times, called out Maya’s name when they were making love. It was never sex to Betina, always making love.

‘She’s a servant.’ Betina said to Kivar, with disgust, trying to elevate her own position to something better than a common servant. After all, she was an apprentice of the Drigin, learning about science and technology. It didn’t matter that she was so far down the hierarchy of the Drigin that she was practically a servant too.

Kivar smiled at her, sensing her jealously. ‘She is beautiful,’ he teased.

Betina huffed at him.

‘There is definitely something about her that draws the attention of those around her,’ he continued. ‘Who is she, what’s her background?’

Betina shook her shoulders. ‘She’s been working at the palace since she was about 8, I think. She never speaks about her life before the palace. If anyone asks she always says she can’t remember’

‘So how did she find work at the palace?’ Kivar quizzed. ‘Someone must know something about her.’

‘I don’t know.’ Betina said

Kivar kissed her softly on her lips. ‘Find out for me,’ he said, commanding.

‘But……’ Betina was interrupted by another kiss.

‘I want to know everything about her.’

Betina just nodded as Kivar pulled her to the ground.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Roswell,New Mexico

Maria was worried. Worried and upset. She had lied to Michael. And not just about a small thing, this was a huge thing. Max was scaring her, seriously. The look she had seen in his eye; that was something she would have sworn she would never see in Max. That had been Zan in the flash and they all knew Zan wasn’t Max. He would never force himself on anybody, would he? And if he would and that was really a giant if, he would never try anything with her. She was Maria, plain old Maria, best friend and wacky sidekick of his girlfriend, girlfriend to his best friend. Surely he wouldn’t do that to Liz, to her and to Michael. Michael would kill him, plain and simple. No, she was reading way too much into this, being over dramatic as usual; Being Maria.

So why had she lied to Michael? When she had broken the connection with Max, Michael had asked what she had seen, and after her initial reaction she had said that she had seen Max. She was all for telling them what she had seen but then she had looked at Michael and Isabel. Their eyes held such hope. Hope that she had learnt something of their past life. For Isabel, she thought, Isabel needed to know that as Vilondra she hadn’t been as bad as the skins had portrayed her, that she had some redeeming qualities. Maybe they had lied and she hadn’t betrayed and killed her family. And for Michael, well she knew what Michael hoped for. He hoped she would learn something of his family, that he belonged to someone, and that he had people who cared for him, that wanted happiness for him. Maria knew, no matter how much she loved him, and she did, she really did, she couldn’t make up for the years of neglect he had suffered. He had been alone for so long, alone and a stonewall, not wanting to let anyone in. He had hoped for, needed, someone to have cared for him on Antar.

And that’s why she never said anything about Zan attacking whoever she was in those flashes, ‘cause that wasn’t her. She wasn’t an alien. She had been born on Earth with a mom and a piss poor excuse of a dad. She had records of that fact, had heard the horror stories of her mom’s 32 hour labor with her, she knew that she had almost died and almost killed her mom too. She had photos of every year of her life. She had no powers. She was not ‘not of this earth’ despite her wackiness and kookiness and all the other ‘nesses’ that sometimes accompanied her name.

But now, because she hadn’t said anything initially she felt she couldn’t just bring it up. Now Max was
looking at her strange and scaring her, probably completely unintentionally, which brought her back to; why she was so worried.

This connection that she shared with Michael, this wonderful thing that only these two shared, how was she supposed to keep her fear from Michael? She had decided that she just needed to convince herself that she had no reason to fear Max and then the fear would disappear.

The flashes would be harder. They shared the flashes so easily now, anything from a simple kiss to heart stopping sex brought these flashes out, and they couldn’t control what the other saw. Michael could very well see what she had seen and what Max had done outside her bathroom. But then again he hadn’t actually DONE anything, not really. It was all in the eyes. He had touched her but that was gentle, not at all intrusive. Had Max ever touched her before, she couldn’t recall. Maybe just a friendly hand placement, nothing that she was uncomfortable with. But the way his fingers had lingered in her arm, that slight touch had sent shivers through her and not the good kind.

At this moment Max, Isabel and Michael were in Michael’s living room and Max was showing them some techniques that ‘alien skank’ had taught him. Maria was on Michael’s bed, unsuccessfully trying to write a history paper, her mind totally not on the subject.

Michael and Maria had gotten to Michael’s apartment before the other two so Maria had taken a quick shower to rid herself of the CrashDown, so she had scrambled into a t-shirt of Michaels and an old pair of her sweat bottoms that had found their way into one of his drawers. She heard laughter coming from the other room and climbed off the bed to sneak a peek through the window between the living room and the bedroom. She was in the process of trying to get Michael to cover it up; she had finally managed to get him to hang a curtain in place of a door when they had started having sex.

They were sat on the floor cross legged around a group of candles, each with their eyes closed. They were talking softly to each other and Maria couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. She watched as a slow smile spread across Michael’s face. Why had they never tried this before? she wondered. Tess – gag - had begun to show these techniques to Max just after Alex had died. Then Michael had been busy with taking care of her and Isabel had been intent on graduating early and leaving; Thank god she had changed her mind before it had been too late. She guessed both of them had been preoccupied, so it had only been Max that she had taught, but then again Tess had only been interested in Max, once she lost Isabel and Michael when they refused to follow ‘Destiny’.

Were they remembering something? Maria thought. Were they remembering the girl in her dreams, the girl in the flashes, the girl who feared her king?

Maria stepped back from the window and looked at her homework spread across the bed. Math; she was stuck and needed help. Biology; she had finally finished. English lit; one chapter left. Shaking her head she picked up her books and notepad and placed them on top of her bookbag. She was tired, she hadn’t slept that much the night before and her head was pounding. She climbed between the sheets, she wasn’t worried about going home her mom had left that afternoon for a convention in Phoenix. She tried to clear her mind, to relax, but she always returned to the same thing. How to keep the flashes from Michael? There was only one sure way to keep them to herself. No kissing, no sex and even, maybe, no hand holding. Yeah like that was going to happen. There were only a certain number of days each month when they didn’t have sex and if she started saying no now then that will definitely send up warning signals to Michael. She got just as much out of it as he did. And it was always 50/50 about who initiates things between them. No, she absolutely could not go without sex, she would just have to tell him. She settled down against his pillow, deeply inhaling his scent, falling into her secure place of Michael. Her eyes drifted closed to the sound of Isabel’s gentle laughter next door.



Maria smiled as gentle hands turned her around and around, her eyes obscured by the silk bindings covering them. Eventually she was stopped and a regal voice said, ‘Now count to ten Maya, you can count can’t you?’

‘Of course,’ Maria said, indignantly, her voice childish.

‘Sorry,’ the girls voice said. ‘Count to ten and come and find us.’

Maria counted slowly, 1, 2, 3, she could hear the scurry of feet as her three playmates scattered around the small room. 7, 8, 9, 10. She cautiously held her hands out in front of her and stepped forward carefully, her eyebrows pushed together in concentration. ‘I hope you didn’t leave,’ she said quietly.

‘We’re still here,’ a strong voice called towards her left and she turned with a smile. She knew someone would answer and she knew it would be Rath.

‘You’re supposed to keep quiet,’ the girl called sternly, further over to her right.

‘Like you are Vilondra,’ another voice said.

Maria turned in a circle, wondering who to go for first now she had a basic understanding of their positions.
She stood still and breathed deeply, calming herself and opening her mind. She hadn’t done this for a few years but it wasn’t cheating really. She felt her mind stretch and she opened her eyes, though she still couldn’t see anything. Then the colors began to appear. Warming brown, deep blood red, regal purple, vibrant green and darkest black. The colors danced around for a second and then separated and flew around the room. The red settled in the right hand corner in front of her, and the black far behind her. The brown, green and purple danced frantically around each other, undecided, and then the purple split in two, one half mingling with the brown and the other with the green. The two colors remained separate but danced around each other, intertwining but never becoming one color. The brown/purple finally settled over to her left and the green/purple around her. She smiled as she raced over quickly to the brown and purple.

‘Got you Rath,’ she sang.

‘Oh Maya,’ he laughed.

Maria turned quickly, watching the red zip across the room. She waited until it settled again and then she moved just as quickly until she clasped an arm.

‘Vilondra,’ Maria laughed.

‘You’re too good at this,’ the older girl whined as black whizzed behind Maria, making her turn quickly.

She tentatively took a step toward the un-captured color. It moved slightly to her right, so she feinted left. She felt his body relax and the she sprung at him, catching his hand and laughing.

‘I’ve caught you Zan,’ Maria cried out as she pulled the blind-fold from her eyes.

‘Yes you did Maya,’ Zan said with a smile.

‘It’s not fair,’ Vilondra said, walking over to them, eyeing Maria suspiciously. ‘You’re too good at this game. Have you played it before?’

Maria shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’

‘Of course,’ Vilondra said, pulling herself to the full height her 13 years would allow. ‘You don’t remember your past do you?’

Maria looked sadly at Rath as she shook her head.

‘Vilondra, she’s a servant,’ Zan said, ‘she probably never has time to play any game before, let alone this one.’

Maria looked at the floor at this statement; suddenly remember her place in this palace. In another palace it would have been different and she had long ago memories of playing games like this with another boy, her brother. She looked at Rath again, wishing she had refused to join him in his games with the royal children. She knew she could get into trouble. But she found it hard to refuse him. She would do anything to see him smile; he didn’t smile enough.

‘Ah come on you guys,’ Rath said, joining them, ‘this is way better than when it’s just the three of us. Four is always a better the number.’

‘Yeah, Maya can play with us whenever she wants,’ Zan said with a smile to Maria. Maria returned his smile wearily. His eyes always seemed to tell a different story from the rest of his features, always a look way beyond his years. The colors that surrounded him also made her uneasy, black was a bad color and bad colors were usually attached to bad people, like the ones who had chased her years earlier. But Zan wasn’t bad. He was destined to be a great king and Great Kings are never bad.

‘So what shall we play next?’ Rath asked, smiling openly to Maria.

There was a knock at the door to the school room where they were playing during a break in the older childrens lessons.

‘Enter,’ Zan commanded.

The door opened slightly and a tall serving woman barely entered the room.

‘Your Highnesses,’ she said, bending her knee, ‘Master Rath.’

The three older children all nodded their heads in acknowledgment. The woman took a careful step into the room. ‘I’m sorry, Your Highnesses,’ she said her voice low, ‘Maya, you shouldn’t be here.’

‘I’m sorry Sadine,’ Maria said, her own eyes lowering to the floor.

‘It’s my fault, Sadine,’ Rath said, stepping forward. ‘I insisted Maya join us.’

‘At our request,’ Zan added, graciously.

‘I’m sorry. Prince Zan, but Maya has work to be done,’ Sadine said, her head bent slightly.

‘I’m sure there are others that can do Maya’s work so she can play with me,’ Zan said evenly.

Sadine looked shocked. How can she answer that?

‘It’s ok, Zan,’ Maria said. She turned to Rath, ‘I have to go.’

Rath smiled sadly and walked her over to Sadine. ‘I’m sorry Maya.’

‘Not your fault. I could have said no,’ Maria said with her own smile.

‘Like you can say no to me,’ Rath laughed.

‘You’re such a pig, Rath,’ Maria said, pushing him slightly.

‘Maya!’ Sadine said, barely above a whisper.

‘I’m coming Sadine,’ Maria called and followed her to the door. She turned once to wave to Prince Zan and
Princess Vilondra, Zan’s colors seeming even darker in that moment. Maria quickly looked at Rath and his infectious smile worked on her as she returned it. ‘Bye Rath,’ she called.

Once the door closed Sadine turned to Maria. ‘Maya, you must stop this.’

‘You want me to disobey Master Rath?’ she asked.

‘No of course not,’ Sadine said, leading her away and toward the kitchen.

‘But if he orders me to play with him and I say no, isn’t that disobeying him,’ Maria said with a smile.

‘Maya, you are too clever for your own good,’ Sadine said as she marched the young girl down the corridor.




Maria woke when the three in the other room laughed out loud. She sat up sleepily, rubbing at one eye slightly. Climbing out of the bed she walked over to the door and pulled the curtain aside.

‘Are you back yet?’ she asked softly, not wanting to disturb them is they were busy.

‘Yes,’ Isabel said, a smile on her face.

‘Did you learn anything,’ Maria asked as she walked over to Michael, sitting on the couch behind him, keeping her eyes from Max.

‘Yeah, we remembered something,’ Michael said, leaning back against her legs, relaxing when her hands touched his shoulders, kneading softly.

‘What?’ asked Maria.

‘We were young, playing a game,’ Max said, knowing that Maria had purposely ignored him and watching her small hands on Michael’s shoulders.

Maria’s hands stopped. ‘With the young serving girl? ’Maria asked.

‘Yeah,’ Isabel said, her eyebrows knotting. ‘How did you guess.’

‘Because I fell asleep in the other room and I had one of my dreams and I,’ she paused, ‘she was playing a game with you three.’

‘Blindmans Bluff,’ Max asked.

Maria nodded her eyes on the back of Michael’s head. Max is not scaring me, Max is not scaring me, she repeated to herself.

‘Who was the blindman?’ Isabel asked.

‘I was,’ Maria shook her head. ‘She was.’ She refused to acknowledge that the girl in the dreams was her.

‘Who did you catch first?’ Michael asked turning to face her.

‘You, then Isabel and then Max,’ Maria said.

‘You dreamt the same thing we were remembering,’ Isabel said in wonder.

Maria shrugged. ‘I guess so.’

‘Don’t you find that a little strange,’ Max said, trying to disregard the way her fingers ran mindlessly through Michael’s hair.

‘Max, I’m sitting here with 3 aliens from a distant planet. Two are really good friends and I have an amazing loving relationship with the other. I’ve being dreaming of said distant planet for the last 3 months and you ask me if sharing a dream with your mediated remembering is strange. Max my whole life is strange, this is just the icing on the cake.’

Isabel laughed, ‘Wow Maria, how long have you been saving that rant?’

Maria smiled and leaned forward, her arms wrapping around Michael’s shoulders. ‘Ever since Rebel without a Planet here first pulled me into his crazy memories.’

Max and Isabel smiled at her.

‘I mean,’ Maria continued, ‘I love how I got pulled in and all that but can’t we just go a few months without all the alien drama.’

Michael brought his hands to cover her across his chest, rubbing them.

‘I’m sorry, babe,’ he said quietly.

‘Hey,’ Maria said. She climbed off the couch and sat down beside him, turning him to face her. She held his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. ‘I wouldn’t change anything Michael. If the price of knowing you, of loving you is a few strange dreams and weirdness I can deal with that. Every minute I spend with you is worth is baby, even the minutes I don’t ‘cause I know I’ll be with you soon and I know that you’re waiting for me too.’

Isabel and Max watched as Maria leaned forward and gently placed her lips over Michael’s in a sweet gentle kiss.

Michael pulled back, looking deep into the eyes of the girl in front of him.

‘I love you, Maria.’

Maria’s eye’s glistened with tears. Sure he’d told her he loved her plenty of times since that first time just over 3 months ago but never in front of anyone else, never actually verbally in front of anyone else. If other people were there, he switched to their connection. She leaned into him again pulling his head to her and capturing his lips in a more passionate kiss. Michael wrapped his arms around her slim body and leaned back, bringing her with him as he laid down, her body covering his.

‘Maybe we should leave,’ Isabel said, looking at her brother. Her eyes narrowed at him as she watched his eyes darken several shades. He was watching Michael and Maria intently. Unfortunately, they had all had that experience at some point. Isabel watched as Max’s eyes roamed Maria’s body, his fingers twitching as he watched Michael’s hands slide down Maria’s back to grasp her ass, pulling her closer to him.

‘Max,’ Isabel called, snapping him from his heated scrutiny.

Max swung his head to Isabel, his eyes burning with something that she couldn’t define. She gasped at that look and shrunk back a little, remembering the way Maria had looked that morning at the Deluca’s when Max had walked away from Maria. She knew something had happened. She blinked and when she looked back at Max, the look was gone.

‘Let’s go Isabel,’ he said, standing and holding out a hand to her.

Isabel looked up at her brother and for the first time wondered who her brother was. He hadn’t just been watching Michael and Maria, as perverted as that was, he had been watching with want and jealousy and something she couldn’t put a name to. She grasped his hand and let him pull her up. Max looked down once more at the two on the floor and then he turned and stomped out.

‘I’ll lock up after us,’ Isabel said distractedly to Michael, not sure if he heard her, as she followed Max through the door and locked it behind her.

Hey guys.

Hope you all had a good week.

Candyliciouslovah: Yes Max is being totally creepy and I'm sorry but it will get worst before he snaps ouot of it. I hope

Carolyn: I do like to keep people on their toes


Chapter 8.


Maria faintly heard the door lock and she turned her head from Michael’s to see they were finally alone. Works every time, she thought with a smile. She moaned as Michael latched his lips onto her neck. She vaguely remembered she needed to talk to him about something, something very important.

“Michael,” she said, half-heartedly.

*Yes* he said in her mind.

*I need to talk to you*

*Now! *

She pulled away from him, sitting up, and smiled when he groaned as their lower bodies made closer contact.

“Yes now,” she said, climbing off him and sitting back on the couch.

“Ah, come on Ria,” Michael cried, sitting up himself. “It’s been over 24 hours since I had you naked.”

Maria smiled at him, he really liked her naked! “I’m sorry Michael but if I don’t do this now it’s gonna get worse.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” he said as he stood, eyeing his girlfriend suspiciously.

“Michael please,” she said, “I need you to sit down and keep calm.”

“Keep calm,” he said his voice rising. “Fuck Maria.” He looked at her and his heart stopped. “Are you breaking up with me?”

“What?” she cried. “No Michael, don’t be crazy.”

He looked nervously at her as he sat down on the other end of the couch.

“Shit Maria, are you pregnant? Cause if you are, it’ll be ok babe, you know I’ll never leave you,” he said, though his voice caught a little.

“No Michael,” she said dead panned, “and that’s not even remotely funny.”

Michael scratched his eyebrow, his eyes low, as he let out a breath.

“I wasn’t trying to be funny Maria.” He again looked up at his girlfriend.

“Then what’s wrong?” he asked, fearful of the answer.

Maria looked steadily at Michael. “OK just promise me you won’t say or do anything crazy or Michaelish.”

“About what Maria?”

“Just promise me,” she insisted.

“I can’t promise you until I know what you’re gonna say,” he answered shortly.

“And I can’t tell you until you promise,” she said stubbornly.

He eyed her again. He loved this girl, if she wasn’t gonna leave him and she wasn’t pregnant, was there anything she could say that would send him off the deep end. No, he decided. There wasn’t.

“I promise.”

“Absolutely promise,” she asked, her eyebrow rising slightly.

“Absolutely promise,” he said with a small smile.

Maria took a deep breath. “I lied to you,” she said quietly and she watched as he took this information in, his face firm.

“When?” he asked, stoically.

“Yesterday and this morning,” she answered.

Michael ran his hand through his hair. “What about?”

Maria took another deep breath. “Ok, so when you asked me yesterday, what I saw when I connected with Max,”

Michael huffed but Maria continued, “and I said I saw you all on Antar.”

Michael nodded.

“I saw more than what I told you.”

Michael looked at her. “So why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because what I saw scared me Michael,” she answered her voice wavering a little.

“What did I do?” Michael asked and then shook his head, “what did Rath do?”

“It wasn’t Rath Michael. Rath doesn’t scare me at all, quite the opposite and you know that,” Maria said with a knowing smile.

“Wait,” Michael said looking up sharply at his girlfriend. “We are talking about Rath on Antar and not Rath in New York.”

“Ewww Michael, of course Rath on Antar,” Maria said, scrunching her nose. “You know piercings don’t do it for me.”

Michael shook his head. “So what scared you?”

Maria swallowed. “Max did, no Zan did.”

“Zan, what did he do?” he asked his eyes narrowing.

Maria looked down and picked at the fabric on the couch. “He was… he was forcing himself on that girl.”

“What?”

“He was pulling her towards him, he was kissing her and she didn’t want him to.”

Michael sat up straighter, “and that scared you.”

“Yeah Michael, it was like it was me in those flashes and Max… Max seemed to recognize that girl as me,”
Maria said.

“What!” Michael stood up.

“Michael, please sit down,” Maria said looking up at him.

Michael walked into the kitchen and put his hands on the counter. He leaned into the counter slightly for a minute or so and then turned around to face her, his face stormy, and then he walked back to the couch and sat down again.

“Why didn’t you say anything yesterday?” he asked evenly.

“I don’t know,” Maria said dismally. “You and Isabel were so hopeful and Liz was there and Kyle, well Kyle,” she waved her hand, dismissing him, and then looked into Michael’s eyes. “I just couldn’t say what Zan had done or tried to do.”

Michael nodded silently. “And this morning?” he asked.

“When I told you a spider had scared me.” She wasn’t looking at him.

“I knew you weren’t that scared of a spider. Did you get another flash?” He looked up at her serious face.
Then he thought about how she got the flashes. “Did Max touch you?”

Maria lifted her face to his and he could see the tears in her eyes.

“I’m gonna kill him,” he said as he stood.

“No Michael,” Maria standing quickly and placing a hand on his arm. “He didn’t touch me like that.”

“But he did touch you,” he said, his face devoid of expression.

“Not in a sexual way,” she admitted.

Michael relaxed by a fraction. “And he frightened you.”

She nodded. “His eyes Michael, they were different, predatory. He said he thought it was me in the flashes and he touched my arm, that’s all, but I was afraid, Michael. I can’t explain it. It was his eyes. He looked at me like he was starving and I was 1st, 2nd and 3rd course.”

Michael didn’t know how to process that information. His best friend was crushing on his girlfriend! He turned and headed for the door.

“Michael,” Maria called, rushing after him, “where are you going?”

“I’m going to have a word with our fearless leader, and then I’m gonna kill him,” Michael said simply.

“Michael just listen to yourself for a moment,” Maria said, “Max didn’t do anything to me.”

“Yeah but he could have and he did scare you.” Michael looked at her. “I was right there Maria, in the other room. Why didn’t you call for me?”

Maria huffed. “And have the whole house know.”

“You could have called me in your mind” he said.

“I didn’t think Michael. It was like I was paralyzed or something, I couldn’t move,” Maria told him.

Michael narrowed his eyes at her. “Did you like it Maria?”

Maria’s jaw hung open, shocked at his words.

“I know you like it rough sometimes, maybe you liked Max coming on to you, maybe you want...”

Maria didn’t wait for him to finish. She turned and walked away from him, heading to the bedroom.

“So you’re not gonna deny it then,” he shouted as he followed her.

She looked up at him as he entered the bedroom. “I’m not even gonna dignify that with an answer Michael,” she said as she pulled his t-shirt from her body.

“Won’t or can’t,” he said, unable to stop the words from falling from his lips.

Maria shot her death glare at him as she pulled her uniform back on, wrinkling her nose at the smell of grease and not bothering to look for her bra.

“This is why I didn’t tell you. You get all jealous and make stupid comments.”

“So I’m stupid now,” he growled. “My best friend is making you feel uncomfortable, I want to confront him about it and I’m the stupid one.”

“No Michael. What you said to me makes you stupid, you ass.” She stopped and looked at him, the snaps of her uniform still undone and her sweats still on.

“I can’t believe you said that,” she said the fight almost gone from her voice. “What I like between you and me…”she stopped. “Do you really think I’d want that with Max?”

Michael threw up his hands. “I don’t know Maria,” he yelled. “If you didn’t, you would have told me. We spent all morning with him and all evening. If he’s upsetting you that much, you would have said something. I know you Maria, you don’t mince your words, you tell it like it is.”

“How about I didn’t tell you ‘cause I’m trying to work it out in my own head. Max doesn’t look at me like that, he never has and he never will. This is all because of something that happened to another person in another time. And how about I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want this,” she waved her hand between the two of them. “I knew you would blow up and I know you’re desperate to know about Antar.”

“I don’t give a shit about Antar,” he yelled back at her. “I gave that up remember, I stayed here for you.”

“That doesn’t mean you don’t want to know Michael. Know about you and who you were,” she said fastening her uniform.

Michael stood still, how did she know him so well? He watched as she dragged her sweats off and threw them on the bed.

“What are you doing?” he asked, finally noticing that she was dressing.

“I’m going home,” she said as she pushed passed him, back into the living room.

“What? Why?” he asked.

“Are you kidding me? You stand there and accuse me of liking how Max is looking at me, of what Zan did to that poor girl and you wonder why I’m going home?”

“But you’re mom’s not there. You never go home when you’re mom’s not there.”

“Yeah well I don’t want to stay here with you at the moment.”

“Maria,” he turned to her.

“Just stop Michael,” she said, holding her hand up to him.

“No Maria, you’re not going out there by yourself with a deranged Max running around.”

“Max isn’t deranged Michael, he’s your best friend.”

“Yeah and he’s never shown you more than a passing glance before,” he snapped.

Maria pulled her sneakers from under the small coffee table and slipped them on.

“Maria, you’re not going home.”

“I’ll see you at school tomorrow,” and she walked out the door.

“Maria,” Michael called after her, but she didn’t stop and he watched as she climbed into the Jetta and drove off.


Michael walked back into the apartment and slammed the door shut, muttering obscenities under his breath with Max’s name thrown in for good measure. He sat down on the bed and picked up Maria’s discarded sweat pants.

‘How could he have gone from rolling around on the floor with her to sitting alone in such a short time?’

He mindlessly folded her pants and put them back into her drawer along with the t-shirt she had been wearing. He looked at the bed, their bed, and walked back into the living room. He wouldn’t be able to sleep in his bed tonight, not when he had been all set to share it with her.

He could kick himself for what he had said to her. He didn’t mean it but he couldn’t stop the words from falling out of his mouth, like verbal diarrhea.

He knew she never felt that way about Max but his old insecurities had risen. He was nobody, a nothing from the wrong side of town. A nothing alien that nobody wanted or cared about. Always in trouble, hated school, no future and no past.

Max is everything; a good guy that is caring, giving, friendly. He has a good family; good prospects, and is an honor student. In his past life he had been a king. He had people who loved him and cared for him. Max is someone who Maria should be with; someone who could give her a chance to get out of Roswell.

That’s what her dream is, exactly like his. Only he had had his chance to leave; to find his better than Roswell, New Mexico and he had turned it down. Why? Because he loved that small, crazy, energetic earth girl. He still didn’t understand her, didn’t understand what she saw in him. Even when she had been brought into all this drama, right from the first he had been intrigued with her. And right from the very moment he had kissed her, he had known deep down that he would, could, never leave her. He had been waiting for that one opportunity to kiss her and it had surprised him beyond words. It was everything he had thought it would be and more but even stranger was the fact that she hadn’t pushed him away, disgusted and screaming; she had leaned into him and kissed him back. And she wanted to do it again and again. No matter how many times he had pushed her away, scared at what she make him feel, scared that he was losing himself in her touch, she had never let him go, not completely.

All those times he had broken her heart and pushed her away she could have dated someone else, God knows there were plenty of guys at school who wanted her. He knew because he had seen her name on the bathroom wall on the lists that had been made up and he sure as hell hadn’t put her name there. But she hadn’t dated anyone else; she had waited, not so patiently at times, for him to get his head in gear and had taken him back every time.

When he was faced with the ultimate question; home and answers or Maria, it had been a surprisingly easy answer. And of course she had been waiting for him, outside the chamber, waiting for him with her warmth and her touch. She was his home and always would be. She brought the best out in him and put up with the worst. He knew he was gonna marry her one day. She was his future, she was all he could see when he thought about where he was going and where he would be in 10 years’ time. He would be with her and their children. He could comprehend nothing else.

And she loved him too; he knew that. They couldn’t hide it not from the others and not from each other. What the fuck was he thinking when he had accused her of liking Max and wanting Max like that? This was Maria for Christ sake, his Maria.

He jumped up from the couch, grabbed his keys and left.

*I’m coming over, Blondie*




Maria was waiting for him when he finally pulled up on the small drive. It hadn’t taken him that long; she had only just arrived home when he had sent his message. So she had made them some hot chocolate, changed into some pj’s and was sitting on the couch when he had entered the house.

“Look Maria,” he said, straight away, “I’m sorry for what I said. I should never have said that.”

“You’re right,” Maria said simply, “you shouldn’t have.” She indicated for him to sit down and to the hot chocolate.

Michael smiled gently at her as he took his seat beside her. She took a sip of her hot drink and waited patiently for him to continue.

“No marshmallow’s?” he asked taking his drink, to which Maria raised one immaculate eyebrow.

Michael swallowed and said, “ok.” And he smiled as the hot chocolate taste mingled with Tabasco slid down his throat. At least she wasn’t trying to kill him by giving him the sweet without the spicy; that had to be a plus, right.

They sat there in silence for a while, each enjoying the hot drink.

After a while Michael turned to Maria.

“Maria,” Michael said, taking a deep breath, “look me in the eye and tell me you’re not in the slightest bit worried over Max.”

Maria looked into his eyes and felt her body begin to melt into the warmth of his golden brown orbs. She sighed.

“Michael, when he’s near me, he terrifies me and I really can’t explain why, but when he’s gone and my brain begins to work again; I can’t imagine him doing anything wrong.”

“Maria,” Michael said, his voice steady, “do you think the girl in your dreams is you?”

Maria laughed nervously. “Of course not, Michael, that’s just crazy talk and impossible.”

“But Max thinks you are.” Maria nodded.

“And Isabel?” he asked.

Maria shrugged.

“Do you think Max is capable of doing that,” he swallowed hard, “to you?”

“Come on Michael,” Maria said with a laugh, “we both know Max wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s been dating Liz almost 2 years on and off and if he hasn’t got the guts to sleep with her he’s not gonna try anything with me. I mean Liz is there, ready and willing… maybe. I’m totally off limits and he knows that.”

“But he still frightens you,” Michael repeated.

Maria looked at him and nodded. “He seems to be watching me more but it’s only been 1 day, maybe he’s just as confused as I am, that could be why he’s looking at me, trying to figure it all out. Maybe it’s just me, ya know, reading too much into it, my imagination going into overdrive as usual,” Maria shrugged. “Just me being Maria.”

Michael pulled her into his arms. “Blondie over the years I’ve developed a good sense to trust your instincts, they are usually right. If he ever touches you again, you tell me, if he so much as looks at you for one second too long or in a way you don’t like, you tell me. No more keeping it to yourself.”

“Michael, I wouldn’t be able to keep it to myself for very long. Unless you’re willing to go through a dry spell,” she laughed.

“Not a chance in hell babe,” he said pulling her closer. “Just promise me you’ll tell me Maria.”

“I promise Michael,” Maria said, smiling against his chest. “I must say, Spaceboy, you have surprised me.
Apart from your initial moment of madness, and your insane words, you’ve handled this pretty well.”

“I’m not really,” he admitted, “but I’m trying to remain calm like you asked. Inside is a different story Maria. I’m not happy about Max looking at you like that and scaring you and shit, but I can’t change what happened years ago on Antar. But if Max tries that on with you, we’ll be looking for a new king.”

“Thank you Michael,” Maria said looking up at him.

“What for?”

She leaned into him and kissed him. “For not blowing anything up.”

“The temptation is there Blondie but I think I’ll put my energy in something more mutually beneficial,” he said with a smirk.

“What do you have in mind, Spaceboy,” she asked with her own smile.

“Well I think it’s my turn to be in charge,” he said his eyes twinkling.

“Really,” she said with a disbelieving look.

“Yeah and if my memory serves me right, YOU really turned on the torture last time you were in charge.”

“Hu huh,” she said, her hand dipping under his t-shirt and running up his chest.

Michael stood them up and then picked her up and her legs automatically wrapped around him. “Come on wench, we need to rid you of those clothes and find something to tie you down with, I’ve got a lot of energy to blow.”

“I’ll bet you do,” she said with a smile as he carried her to the bedroom, pausing to press her against the doorframe and stripping her pj top from her body, throwing it over his shoulder back into the room.


It was hours later when a hand lingered on the lock of Maria’s front door and the locked popped open with a soft click. He had first gone to Michael’s apartment thinking she would be there as she usually was when her mother was out of town, but finding the place empty he had gone to Maria’s house and swore silently when he spied Michael’s motorbike on the drive. He stole into the house quietly. He looked around, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. As the dark lumps gradually shifted and formed identifiable objects, he crept through the house to the door that led to the Maria’s bedroom, stepping over clothes obviously hastily removed. The door had been left open slightly so he pushed it open more and stepped soundlessly through.

On the bed were two figures bathed in the moonlight shining through the barely covered window. Michael lay on his back, one hand behind his head the other lying beside the girl resting on him.

His legs were visible beneath the bunched up sheet discreetly covering him. Maria lay on her front, her head pillowed on Michael’s chest, one hand out of view her other resting just below her face on Michael, her legs entwined with Michael’s, her bare back completely visible as again the bunched up sheet obscured anything too personal to their unexpected visitor.

The room smelled of sex and sure enough as the figure took a step forward toward the bed he saw two silk scarfs hanging from the bed. He swallowed hard, imagining Maria fastened tight and unable to escape him as he inched closer.

He knelt down on her side of the bed and tentatively held a hand out. His fingers lightly skimmed across the soft skin of her back and he couldn’t stop the groan that escaped his lips. So soft, he thought. His fingers traced higher and when Maria shifted slightly against Michael, he pulled his hand back quickly, holding his breath. When she settled again he brought his fingers back to her back this time lower, softly stroking her alabaster skin. His fingers swept lower, almost dipping below the thin sheet that barely covered her. Maria moved again and mumbled sleepily, “Need to sleep Spaceboy.”

He snatched his fingers away and looked cautiously to Michael. Michael moved slightly, his hand lifting to hold Maria closer to him, his hand on her bottom. He wondered if they were talking internally even in their sleep. He inched forward again and dared to brush his lips against Maria’s shoulder and fleetingly tangled a finger into her soft hair. It felt so different from Liz’s, softer, smoother, like spun gold. Maria sighed deeply in her sleep and Max watched as her fingers caressed Michael’s chest.

Max stood and walked soundlessly backward toward the door. “Soon,” he whispered, “soon Maria” and then he left as silently as he had arrived.

Hello everyone. Hope your day is ok so far.

Thanks as always for your feedback.

I think the general consenus is that the last chapter was creepy! Yes I know but he needed to be done. It is creepy but you have to remember Max isn’t exactly thinking like Max at the moment. His memories of Zan have been awakened and that is what is guiding him at the moment. We all know Max would never act like that.

You are all very good with your instincts and I was always told to trust my instincts

OK Warning fro this chapter; there is a part that some might find upsetting. Sorry

Thanks as always to my Beta Ginger.



Chapter: 9

City of Antar.

Maya sighed as she rushed through the palace, she was running late; she shouldn’t have stayed as long as she did with Betina.

Now she really had to hustle if she wanted to get her chores done in the royal chambers before their majesties returned from their various appointments.

When King Zan had come to the throne he had forced the palace steward to place more work on Maya, to include in her orders the cleaning of his own chambers. Rath had been furious but there was nothing he could do about it.

The guards outside the chambers smiled as she rushed through the doors. Once she was inside she quickly got to work, singing softly to herself. She was so intent in her work that the sudden sense of a presence behind her scared her. She hadn’t heard anyone enter the room but she knew who it was without turning round.

“Alone at last” came the silky voice.

Maya knew she should kneel, bow her head or at least acknowledge her king but she stood still, fear gripping her. Rath was out in the country today rounding up new recruits for the army; he wouldn’t be able to save her this time.

Zan walked around to stand in front of her.

“You have a beautiful voice,” he said, trailing a hand lovingly along her cheek. At his touch, Maya lowered her eyes, “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said quietly. Zan continued walking so he again stood behind her. He leaned forward and whispered. “You are beautiful.”


Maya shivered from his voice; Zan took that as a shiver of pleasure. Again he walked around, now to stand in front of her. His hand shot out, grasping the back of her head and he pulled her to him.

“You know what I want,” he said, and forcefully crushed his lips against hers. He forced his tongue through her lips and into her mouth. Maya struggled to pull away from him but this made him wrap his other hand round her waist, pulling her closer. Reluctantly he released her mouth to breathe, and then he attacked the skin just above the low neckline of her work dress.

“Stop!” she cried, but Zan didn’t listen as he pulled on the shoulder of her dress, trying to pull it down, ripping the material as it fell, exposing her breast.

Maya tried again to pull away. “No … Stop … Please,” she cried.

Zan looked at her. “You dare to say no to your King,” and he brutally hit her across her face with his hand, sending her flying to the floor.

He stood over her. “Don’t worry, Maya,” he said with a sneer. “Rath won’t mind.”

Bending down he roughly pulled her back to her feet, pulling her back in for another vicious kiss. Maya squirmed in his arms, trying to escape, unconsciously screaming for Rath, not knowing if he could hear her from where he was.

“Quite the little mover aren’t you,” he said, menacingly as he forcibly walked her backward toward the big bed in the middle of the chamber. He smiled at her, “I like that.”

He pushed her onto the bed and forcing her legs apart, bunching the skirts of her dress up, he climbed on top of her, swatting away Maya’s small hands as she tried to stop him. Grasping her hands he held them over her head.

“Such small hands, bet they can work wonders. We’ll leave that for next time though.” He moved so he could hold both of her hands in one of his, the other hand trailed down her side, stopping briefly to roughly fondle her exposed breast and then up under the skirt of her dress that was now pushed high onto the tops of her thighs, feeling the softness of her skin as his mouth bit down around her nipple.

“No……. please ………. Stop,” Maya cried again, knowing her pleas were going unnoticed. Nobody said no to the king. She closed her eyes, almost giving in, willing the ordeal to be over.

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” he said, huskily, lifting his head from her breast, “but I’m sure you’ll be worth the wait.” Tears fell from Maya’s closed eyes as she felt his fingers on her inner thigh, pushing her thighs further apart. There was a brief moment when his fingers left her and she idly thought he’d changed his mind, until she realized he was undoing the leather laces of his pants. She felt his hand against her again, ripping her simple cotton underwear and then his fingers against her most intimate area and her eye’s snapped open.

“Please,” she cried out in fear.

“That’s right, Maya,” Zan said, his fingers plunging into her, “beg me for it.”

“NO….. stop,” Maya cried again, struggling to release her hands. For the first time since he had touched her, she looked into his eye, and what she saw there terrified her. “Please stop, Zan.”

She didn’t know where she found the strength to actually say his name; it was treason, a lowly person like her to call him by his given name, but when they had been younger, when they had played childish games together, she had called him by his name. Maybe if she reminded him of that, he would stop.

Zan stared into her luminous green eyes, shining with tears. Even now with tears streaking her face and fear in her eyes she was still beautiful. Something pulled at him and he almost regretted what he was doing. That thought fled just as quickly as it had entered his mind; his dick twitching with eagerness.

“Yes baby,” he leered at her, “I want you to scream my name. I knew you’d have the nerve to say my name where no one else will.”

He pulled his fingers away and again Maya had the fleeting thought that he had changed his mind. But then he inched forward slightly, roughly clasping the soft skin of her thigh holding her open for him and she knew that this was going to happen, that he was going to take from her what she had only given in love. She felt his member brush against her opening and the pain as the head of his hard dick entered her. She heard Zan groan at the sensation and again closed her eyes and closed her mind. She would not let Rath see this.

“What’s going on here?” A demanding voice called.

Maya’s relief was immeasurable as Zan turned his upper body to look over his shoulder. He sighed deeply as he removed his hand from her thigh, though he didn’t release her hands or pull out of her.

“Ava,” he said. “I thought your meeting would last all afternoon.”

“Obviously.” She said. She saw the passion in his eyes and silently wished he looked like that at her.

“Really Zan, in our bed.” Ava sounded disgusted. “The Royal Bed!”

Zan finally let go of Maya, removing his still erect dick from her. He stood and moved from between her legs, stuffing himself back in his pants but not retying the leather strip, Maya remained where she was but straightened her dress, covering her exposed flesh as best as she could.

Ava, noticing the movement, said, “You girl, get up.”

Maya sat up and when Zan moved away from the bed, she stood up, her hand keeping the torn material in place, the scrap of cotton that had been her underwear falling to the ground.

“Zan,” Ava said, pleading, “with her.”

Zan just looked at her, shrugged and lazily stroked himself in his pants.

Ava turned back to Maya. “Is that how you act in my presence, girl?” she said regally.

Maya sank into a curtsey. “Your Majesty,” she said softly.

Ava looked at Zan smugly. “Rath will not be happy,” she said in a sing song voice.

Zan crossed the room in a flash, “Rath won’t know,” he said menacingly. He turned to look at Maya. “Will he Maya?”

“No, Your Majesty,” Maya said, her eyes fixed on the floor.

“Go.” Ava said to Maya.

Maya didn’t wait for a second command. She bent quickly and picked up her scrap of underwear and she fled the room, her hand holding her torn dress, knowing that Rath already knew.

Zan looked at his wife as the object of his desire fled the room. Smiling he said, “Come here, my Queen.”

Ava smiled as she walked into his arms. Sex was always great after Zan had a ‘dalliance’ with one of his whores, but Ava suspected this time was going to be extraordinary.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rath paced around the Council Chamber. The group of advisors had been called together by Zan. Zan had new ideas for his kingdom and he had been on the throne now for 6 months. He decided now was the time for change.

“This new venture will benefit the whole kingdom,” Zan addressed the room, “and when we are successful, the other 4 kingdoms will follow. Antar will lead. I will lead.”

“Your Majesty,” Pallium said, “Your plans are magnificent. The golden age will begin at last.”

Rath, from the corner of his eye, saw Kivar snigger at his father’s words. He looked back at Zan. He was furious with his King twice fold.

For what he had done to Maya; he had wanted to kill him, only Maya had managed to calm him down, making him see reason. She had begged him when Rath had threatened to confront the king, fearful that her job would be in jeopardy and having no other place to go to. Rath had tried to ease her fears, saying she would always have a place with him. He now vowed never to leave her alone, though they both knew that was impossible. Zan ruled, not Rath, and if Zan wished it Maya could be sent anywhere within his kingdom. Vilondra had tried when the rumors first started to circulate regarding him and Maya, to have Maya sent to a distant cousin in the wasteland but Zan had refused.

There was a very small part of Rath’s mind that was almost grateful of Zan’s obsession with Maya. He would never send her away if there was a slight chance he could have her. He did have a private word with his loyal guards that roamed the palace complex to keep her safe and also with Maya’s friends Xavier and Cali.
And, he was furious for blatantly ignoring his advice regarding the kingdom.

“Your Majesty,” Rath said calmly, “first we must flush out our enemies. They are out there; the factions are getting stronger, braver in their actions. To have a golden age, you must secure the throne.”

“Your Majesty,” Kivar interjected, “General Rath is too eager to see enemies where there are none.”

“No enemies” Rath interrupted, “No enemies! Lord Kivar did you not hear about the attack on our forces at Dimaras Rock? Are you so blind you don’t see the discontent amongst the people?”

“Enough Rath,” Zan’s voiced echoed around the chamber. “Once my plans come to fruition, the people will relax and rejoice, the disputes will end and the violence will cease.”

“But Your Majesty……” Rath tried again.

“NO RATH. I will continue with my plans. Antar will rise. Ava and I will fulfill the prophecy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I can’t believe he won’t listen to me.” Rath complained. “I’m supposed to be his Second-in-Command but he’d rather listen to old Pallium and his cretin son, Kivar.”

Maya snuggled closer into his embrace as they lay together in his bed, still basking in the afterglow of their love making.

“He’s still young Rath,” she said sleepily.

“We are the same age,” he retorted.

“He wants to assert his authority.”

Rath looked at Maya, cradled securely under his arm. “Since when did you join Zan’s cheering team?”

“I didn’t and I wouldn’t,” she answered deadpan. “I’m just ……” she tried to search for the right words.

“Helping me talk through this?”

“Yes,” she said, looking up at him.

Rath was in awe of the woman he held to him. After what Zan had tried to do to her, after all the times he made her feel uncomfortable with his innuendos and unwanted advances, she still couldn’t find it in her heart to hate her king, she remembered when she had first arrived at the palace and she had been a playmate of the royal children, unofficially of course.

Rath berated himself for bringing Maya into their circle, Zan may have never noticed her if he hadn’t. Who was he kidding; Maya was beautiful of course he would notice her. Rath thought she was too forgiving for her own good. But Rath didn’t trust Zan; he couldn’t, not when it came to Maya, not when it came to his heart. She was the only one in his life that made it worth living. He was in the process of moving her out of the palace. He had acquired a small holding by a beautiful purple lake far from the city. She didn’t know this yet, but he couldn’t bear the hours away from her when he was constantly worried for her safety. It was also for his own benefit. If Zan did that again, if he succeeded, then Rath would be dead because he would kill his King.

Rath looked into her eyes. “Maya, he won’t listen to me. He will be the death of us all,” he said, only part in jest.

Maya reached up to stroke his cheek lovingly. “Then we’d better enjoy ourselves until then,” she said with a cheeky grin and kissed him passionately.

Eventually they pulled apart. “I’ve changed my mind,” Rath said, feathering his fingers down her glistening body, “You will be the death of me.”

She laughed at him, a flash of desire and need gleaming in her green eyes, as she rolled on top of him. “But what a way to go”



Vilondra too lay in the arms of her lover. Kivar smiled at her. He knew the time to act was close, now he just had to clinch the deal.

“The people are not happy, Lonnie,” he said.

“Why?” she asked.

“Zan,” came his simple reply.

“What has he done now?” she asked, exasperated.

Kivar smiled, she was so gullible. “It’s more what he hasn’t done.”

Vilondra sat up, not in the least embarrassed enough to cover her naked body. “The people are never satisfied. They should be appreciative for what Zan does for them. They are all ungrateful.”

“Lonnie,” Kivar pulled her back into his arms, “the people will never be grateful for Zan. They need a strong leader. Zan is weak and selfish.”

Vilondra huffed. “He was spoiled as a child. He still is a child, always wanting what he can’t have, what other people have.”

Kivar knew what Vilondra was really pissed about, and he used it to his advantage. “Are you talking about that servant girl?”

Again Vilondra huffed. “What does he see in her, what do they all see in her?” she whined. “Rath is making a fool of the both of us.”

“What do you care, Vilondra? He has his ‘plaything’ and you have me.”

“She’s all blond hair and green eyes. She’s too skinny and …..” Vilondra fought for the perfect words.

“She’s beautiful.” Kivar said, trying to hide the wistfulness in his voice.

Vilondra rolled her eyes. “Not you too.”

'I just hide it well,' he thought. “Don’t worry, my love. You are all the woman I want or need,” hoping she couldn’t feel his erection grow at the thought of Maya.

He paused, wondering if this was the time for this conversation. He decided to risk it. He just hoped all the effort he had put into seducing Vilondra was worth it. If not, everything he had worked for could end tonight.

“Vilondra,” he started carefully, “the people would follow you.”

Vilondra was silent.

“They like you, love you, respect you.”

“Even though my betrothed is screwing the help!”

“Maybe because your betrothed is fucking the help.”

Vilondra’s heart pumped loudly.

Kivar went in for the plunge. “If Zan should die……”

“Die,” Vilondra whispered.

“An accident. Accidents happen,” Kivar said.

Vilondra audibly swallowed.

“Ava hasn’t given him an heir. You could be Queen. You could rule the five planets.”

Vilondra looked at Kivar. “Zan does not have accidents. Rath would not allow that.”

“General Rath would not be there.” Kivar soothed.

“And he’s Zan’s Second, surely the people would follow him,” Vilondra said thoughtfully. Was she really thinking about this!

Kivar took a deep breath, not really sure about her feelings toward the man she was supposed to marry, but surely if she was willing to sacrifice her brother….. “Not if he was dead.”

Vilondra thought for a moment, and then she smiled. “Queen Vilondra. I like it. It has a great ring to it.”

Kivar let out his breath slowly and smiled, pulling her into a kiss. “It sounds as it should be, my Queen.”



“We’ve done it, Maya.” Xavier said, excitedly as he picked her up and swung her around.

Maya laughed at him. “Done what, Xavier? And put me down you’re making me feel ill.”

Xavier placed her back on her feet and smiled at her. “We have successfully created a hybrid.”

“Really,” Maya genuinely smiled at him, “and which species did you use?”

“A human being,” Xavier said with awe. “Can you image it, a different race than ours? From a planet, millions of light years away. They’re not as advanced as us but Mattius thinks that is why the technology works.”

“So how do you know that this works? Is this human being here on Antar?” she asked, intrigued.

“No, it’s on its home planet,” he thought for a second, “Earth it’s called. We just needed to use gandarium to bridge the gap between our genetics.”

“Gandarium, isn’t that stuff dangerous?” she asked, with a slight frown.

“No not really, when it’s contained properly.” He smiled at her again. “A person’s lifetime work is now complete. Wonder what we are going to develop next?”

Maya smiled at her friend’s happiness. “That’s really amazing Xavier.”

“So how come your smile does not reach your eyes?” Xavier asked with concern in his voice.

Maya looked down, “It’s nothing, Xavier.”

Xavier pulled her over to the stone bench. “Maya, you’re my best friend; I’ve known you for a long time. I know when you’re unhappy.” He looked at her intently. “Is it Rath?”

She looked up at his shocked. “What? Rath, no. He’s great.”

“Maya....” Again concern was in his voice.

“I am happy” and her eyes did sparkle this time, “truly I am.”

“Maya,” this time sternly.

Maya sighed deeply, and looked up to Xavier and he was shocked to see her eyes now glisten with tears. Women, he thought fleetingly.

“Xavier,” she quivered, “I’m pregnant.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roswell, New Mexico.

Max looked at himself in the mirror of the bathroom he shared with his sister and he stared hard at the reflection looking back at him.

He didn’t know who he was anymore. Was he Max Evans; all round good guy, honor student, and alien hybrid. Or was he Zan; King of a faraway world, fully alien and someone who took advantage of others.

When he had started with this memory retrieval thing with Tess he had been happy. He was learning good things about Zan, things which contradicted what Nicholas and the other skins had said about him. But ever since that night, that night he had connected with Maria, he didn’t know what to believe. Should he believe the good memories that Tess had shown him, or should he believe the things he had seen Zan do when he had connected to Maria.

And how the hell had he gotten those flashes from her? Maria wasn’t a hybrid like them; she wasn’t alien or other worldly. Of all of the members of their little group she was the only one that was still completely human, but he couldn’t stop himself. He couldn’t stop the way he looked at her whenever she was in the same room. It was like he was on auto-pilot or something. If she wasn’t there he could think straight and act normal but as soon as she appeared he seemed to lose control of himself and something else took over.

It had been a week since he had found himself in her bedroom and as soon as he had stepped back outside her house he had been disgusted with himself.

He had touched her; touched her like no ordinary friend should have without her permission. And even worse was that Michael had been right there. What would he have done if Michael had woken up and seen him? One thing he knew for certain was that he would have been dead. And he wouldn’t have blamed Michael one iota.

He had to fight so hard against himself not to touch her when they were in the same room now. He battled with himself constantly not to return to her house every night and not always winning.

He took a step away from the mirror. He needed to talk to someone about this, but it’s not like he could just walk up to his best friend and say ‘hey I’ve got a major hard on for your girlfriend, do you mind if I fuck her,’ no that was definitely not the way to go.

Nor could he talk to Liz about this, not after what he had done to her with Tess.

Kyle was also out of the picture. Kyle and Maria were practically related these days.
So the only one left was his sister and he wasn’t entirely sure how she would handle it either. She and Maria had become pretty close lately and he didn’t want to ruin her first real friendship with a girl. But on the other hand, Isabel out of all of them knew what it was like to have an evil alter ego. She would be able to relate to him more than Michael, who knew hardly anything about his former life.
He closed his eyes and left the bathroom and went to knock on Isabel’s door.

“Come in,” she called.

Max opened the door and stepped into the room. “Hey, Iz, do you have a minute to talk?”

Isabel looked up to her brother from where she sat on her bed doing her homework.

“Sure,” she said, and moved her books over so he could sit down.

Isabel watched as Max seemed to have an internal conversation with himself.

“It helps if you move your lips, Max,” she joked.

Max smiled shyly at her. “Yeah I know that.”

Isabel sensed the unease in him and asked, “Is this about Maria?”

Max’s head snapped up to her. “What?”

“Max,” she said soothingly. “I’ve seen the way you’ve been looking at her. What is it? Are you getting tired of Liz and want to sample another blond. Michael will kill you, you do realize this.” She didn’t notice her voice getting harsher.

"No Isabel,” Max said, “it’s not like that at all.”

Isabel watched her brother, waiting for him to continue.

“It’s Zan,” he said simply. “It’s like Zan is alive in me and I can’t control him.”

“Max,” Isabel said, looking intently at him, “who we were on Antar, that is not who we are now.”

“I know that, but it’s like I have no control over it.”

“But it’s Maria, Maria wasn’t on Antar. I mean I guess I can understand your insane connection to Tess. You were once married to her.”

“Zan was married to Ava,” Max corrected.

“But I don’t understand this connection to Maria,” Isabel finished.

She looked at Max. “When Michael and Maria asked me to help them and I entered Maria’s dream, it was so real,” she said. “The smells; the vivid colors. I saw us as children through Maria’s dream. And the young girl, she was just like Maria was at age.”

“That’s why you were looking at the old school photo.”

Isabel nodded. “The thing is, the girl, that young girl, she saw me and she threw me out of Maria’s dream.”

“Really,” Max asked shocked. “Has that ever happened before?”

Isabel shook her head. “And I asked her who she was and she said I already knew who she was. In my heart I knew who she was.”

“And do you know who she was?” Max asked.

Isabel shook her head. “No, but it’s like the answer is out there, just slightly out of reach and I can’t grasp it."

“Do you think I should try to connect with Maria again?”

“NO!” Isabel said quickly. “In your present predicament I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

They sat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.

“I think I’ll ask her if I can try and connect,” Isabel said. “I don’t think she completely trusts you anymore.”

“I think your right,” Max said. “And to be truthful with you, I think she has every right to not trust me.” He swallowed hard. “I don’t trust me.”

“Maybe you should talk to Michael and Maria about this,” Isabel said.

“I can’t, I don’t want to scare her, and I don’t want Michael to blast me into the next millennium,”

“Max, she’s already scared,” Isabel said, her eyes soft with concern. “I can see it in her eyes.”

Max looked at his sister. “Now I know how you felt when Vanessa Whitaker told you about Vilondra and her betrayal and how you didn’t want anyone to know.”

Isabel looked away from Max, not wanting to be reminded of her own history and the hand she might have had in all their deaths.

“I’m disgusted,” Max continued. “I’m disgusted at what I might have done on Antar. Of what I could be capable of doing here if I can’t keep it together. And it’s getting harder Isabel, to hold it together I mean.”

He couldn’t tell her about his night visit to Maria’s bedroom and the other times he had found himself on her street before he had forced himself to turn around and go somewhere else.

“I want you to help me Isabel,” he pleaded. “Help me to keep her safe. Safe from me.”

“Max, you would never hurt Maria, I know that.”

Max stood up and crossed the room to the door where he turned back to her. “I’m glad you have that faith in me Isabel, because I don’t.”

Isabel nodded. “I’ll keep her safe, Max.”

Max just nodded and then left her room.



Across town, another figure sat outside the Deluca House, hidden well by the trees of their neighbor as he watched the tall figure of Lord Rath, no, of Michael, as he stealthily walked over to Maria’s bedroom window. He watched as Michael turned once, as if he knew someone was out there in the dark, his instincts and forgotten training kicking in. And then he turned when the silhouette of Maria appeared.

Jackson smiled as Maria’s window was opened and a few seconds later Michael was inside and closing the window behind.

Jackson stood from his cramped position and turned to leave. Now Michael was there his charge would be safe. His feet hit the sidewalk, hardly making any sound as he walked back to the house he shared with his fellow protectors.

They had been here on Earth for 19 years now and he actually liked the place.

They might not be as advanced as his own civilization but these human beings had many things going for them. Like Coca Cola and those little chocolate candies with the peanut butter in them, he loved them and Country Music!

He knew his mission would soon be coming to an end and as much as he eagerly anticipated that end and the chance to return home, a hero no less, he would still miss things about this planet.

He wondered how they would all react to the news that their world was ready for them. That the citizens were waiting for their return. Yes there had been problems when Ava had returned with Zan’s child but that was under Kivar.

Now that the true Royalty were coming to understand their importance, the Royalist forces were doubling their campaigns on Antar and were beating the traitors back.

His last communication with Antar was most promising. The world was waiting, waiting for what he was protecting. He just prayed to the Seven Stars that he could keep her safe until the Awakening.

Three times this week he had seen King Zan on this street heading toward her house and three times he had held his breath, hoping beyond hope that he wouldn’t have to intervene and blow his cover. Not yet, the Awakening must come gradually, not something he needed to force. And until he felt they were all prepared for what he needed them to know, he and the others needed to maintain their cover.

But Jackson knew that if King Zan made the wrong move, he would do all that was needed to save her, be that tell them the truth, or lose his life. Thankfully King Zan had turned his back and ran away from the girl as if in mortal danger for his soul. That he put down to his human side, to Max. Max was keeping Zan back, he was doing what he could to protect Maria too, but Jackson had the sinking feeling that his human side, Max, was losing his battle.

Jackson stood at the corner for a while, looking back at the small house and he would swear upon every holy relic he could find that the house glowed. Like it was bathed in a shimmering of silver with purple, brown and green colors swirling excitedly around each other. And he smiled.

He knew more than then other three did. He had had the honor of a private audience with Tomen, the most holy and noble person on their planet and the elder had told him such things that made his head dizzy and the burning need to kill, no obliterate, the entire clan of Pallium. And his awe and admiration for the soul that he was guarding, and that of her mate, had quadrupled.

They had overcome all obstacles that had been put before them and had found each other, twice now. The second time they had even overcome time and space. If there were truly two beings that belonged together it was these two.

The Golden Age of Antar may still come to pass.

Hi, it's me again.

Thanks for the great feedback from the last chapter.

Grace52373: I never liked Destiny either and Tess was an idiot.The reason I have for Ava not caring about Zan chesting on her is the fact that throughout history Kings and the such have had mistresses and this is never frowned upon. I hope MAx can keep Zan in check too!!!! Liz seemed to me a little selfish sometimes in the show which is why I made her selfish here.

Carolyn: I always got the feeling that Max as Zan was a bit of a tyrant and selfish which is the side that I chose to expand on.

Ginger: What's wrong with Jackson? I guess that character didn't come across as I meant him too.

Candyliciouslavah: I wanted to make sure people didn't think Max was bad like Zan and that he doesn't want to be the person that Zan was. And again, what's wrong with Jackson?

Anyway this chapter is pretty much a filler with not alot happening. Sorry.


Chapter 10.

“Hey Mom, I’m home,” Maria called as she walked into the kitchen. Dropping her bag by the table she headed over to the refrigerator.

“In here, honey,” her mother’s voice filtered through to where Maria had her head inside the refrigerator, looking for a tasty snack.

“You’re home early,” Maria called back as she closed the door dejectedly and took an apple from the bowl on the table.

“I know,” her mother said, as Maria wandered through into the living room.

She stopped short when she saw the worried look on her mother’s face.

“Maria,” Amy said, “honey, sit down we need to talk.”

‘Oh God,’ Maria thought, ‘she knows I’m having sex. I’m gonna have the sex talk……..again.’

“Ms. Flescher called me today,” Amy said.

“Who?” Maria asked, her eyebrows wrinkling in question.

“Ms. Flescher, your guidance counselor.”

“Oh,” Maria answered low. ‘At least it’s not the sex talk,’ she thought happily.

“Why are you flunking Music, Maria?” Amy asked, concerned, “Come on, it’s music.”

“Mom,” Maria sighed, “how can I be flunking a class 3 weeks into the school year?”

“Maria, Ms. Flescher told me you haven’t attended any of the classes so far.”

“Can’t I just drop that class, Mom?” Maria asked, her voice slightly whiny.

“What!” Amy cried. “You love that class. And more importantly you need that class to graduate.”

“I just don’t…..”

“No, Maria, you can’t drop the class and I’m not above blackmail to get you to that class.”

“Mom, we don’t have enough cash for blackmail,” Maria said with a laugh.

“Who said anything about money?” Amy swallowed, “If you don’t start making an effort in school, you won’t be allowed to see Michael.”

“MOM! You can’t do that,” Maria cried, “that’s so unfair.”

“Oh, I can do that,” Amy said sternly, “and I will if I have too.”

“But Mom…..” Maria tried.

“Maria,” Amy started, more gently, “why….? You love your music. You and Alex were alw…….” Amy stopped when she saw the tears build in her daughter clear green eyes.

“Oh honey,” she said, pulling her toward her, enveloping her in her arms.

“I just can’t,” Maria sobbed. “I miss him so much. I really try not to, but every time I enter the music class I look for him and he’s not there.”

Amy held her daughter and stroked her hair, lovingly. “Maria, I’m saying you need to forget him, you’ll…….we’ll never forget him, but you have to let him go.

“No,” Maria cried stubbornly and childlike.

Amy pulled away from Maria and looked her straight in the eyes. “What would Alex say to you if he was here?”

Maria smiled at the image in her mind and she could almost see him standing before him, “Snap out of it Deluca,” she said with a smile. “What are you doing moping about when there’s music to be made. Music is our declaration of our feelings.”

Amy smiled with her as she imagined Alex saying just that. “There you go then honey,” she said.

Maria smiled shakily at her mom; both women jumped as a figure came barreling through the front door.

“Maria!” Michael shouted, panic evident in his voice. Seeing her sitting on the couch with her mom, he visibly relaxed. “You’re ok.”

Maria smiled at her crazed boyfriend. “Yes, Michael,” she said.

*I could feel your sadness* he sent her by way of an explanation.

“Michael, why don’t you come in,” Amy said sarcastically.

Michael looked at her, “Sorry,” he said meekly.

Amy nodded and then, turning back to Maria she smiled. “Blackmail would never work.”

Maria gave a short laugh, her eyes flickering to Michael.

“No more missing class, Maria,” Amy said sternly as she stood from the couch to walk into the kitchen. “I’m starting dinner, Michael you are welcome to join us.”

She turned back when she didn’t get an response.

Michael had sat in her vacated seat and she watched as he tenderly wiped Maria’s tears away and moved a piece of her hair back behind her eat. She watched them for a minute; they almost seemed to be talking to each other, silently. She was in awe.

That man truly loved her daughter. She continued into the kitchen, happy and sad. Happy that her daughter had found her soul mate and sad that she was slowly losing her to the man she loved.

Once Amy had left the room, Michael smirked at Maria. “So, you’ve been cutting classes, Blondie,” he said, “isn’t that my job.”

“No, Spaceboy," she said with a smile, “you’re a good boy now, remember.”

“Hey, you take that back,” Michael cried sternly, “I’m not a good guy.”

“Oh, no that’s right,” Maria said, with a coy smile as she stroked his cheek tenderly. “You’re a bad boy, a very bad boy.”

“And you’ve missed classes; that means you’re a bad girl,” he said with a wicked smile, “and bad girls need punishing.”

“Ohhh, what do you have in mind, Michael,” Maria asked.

“Someone needs a good spanking,” he said with a full on smile.

“Really,” Maria said, her eyes glistening mischievously. “You promise?”

Michael pulled her toward him and kissed her with his promise.

*You gonna come over later?* he asked her silently.

*God yeah* she answered as she leaned further into him, causing him to fall back against the couch.


Amy looked back into the living room to see her daughter practically laid out on Michael. They weren’t kissing but they obviously had been and now Michael was just holding her against him, his hand idly stroking her back as they talked softly.

‘Oh my God,’ she thought, ‘my teenage daughter is having sex’. They just looked too intimate with each other for them not to be.

She almost barrelled back into the room to tear that mangy dog from her precious daughter until she got a flashback to her own youth, when her own mother had done just that. Which in turn made her all the more determined to go against her mother’s wishes and caused her to sneak around and the product of that was out there on the couch with her own boyfriend.

‘That wasn’t going to happen to Maria,’ Amy thought determinedly, and she sighed as she returned to the kitchen and her dinner preparations, scheduling in her mind a time to have a serious talk with Maria. She knew what she had to do and as much as she hated the notion she knew it would be for the best.



The sun filtered through the odd piece of material that hung at the dingy window in Michael’s bedroom. Michael stirred as the sunlight danced across his face and he moved slightly in the bed, causing his partner to stir a little, mumble something incoherent and then settle back against his chest.

He opened one eye to look at the girl nestled in his arms, her blond hair spilled over her shoulders and onto him all messy from sleep and their activities .

He lifted a hand and pulled her hair away from her face so he could look at her better. She was so beautiful and it never ceased to amaze him that she was his. She could have any of the guys at their school and many of the other high schools in Roswell as well. He had given her plenty of reasons and time to walk away and into the arms of the countless who were waiting. But she never did, no matter how many times he had fucked up and caused her misery and made her cry, she had stuck by him. He thanked every God he didn’t believe in everyday for that.

His hand swept soft trails up and down her back and Maria sleepily opened her eyes.

“Hey,” he said softly when her green orbs focused on him.

“Hey,” she said sleepily, “is it time to get up?”

“No, it’s still early,” he answered. They were both scheduled to work a long shift at the CrashDown, starting with the lunchtime rush, but that meant they didn’t have to be there until 11.45 at the latest.

“Then why did you wake me?” Maria grumbled as she shifted slightly against Michael’s hard body.

“Because I love sleepy morning Maria and I don’t get to see her enough,” he said as he rolled them so he was looming above her. “I love her smell,” and he inhaled deeply in the crook of her neck, causing Maria to giggle, “her taste,” and he kissed her deeply and passionately.

They never bothered anymore with the whole morning breath issue. Not when they couldn’t wait for their lips to meet. And, considering all the things they had done to each other’s bodies, morning breath just paled in significance.

When Michael finally let Maria breathe again, she smiled up at him, her fingers curling into his soft hair. “Yeah, well you can blame my mother for that,” she said with a smile.

“Damn Amy Deluca,” he said in mock seriousness. Maria just smiled at him and he swallowed at the sight of her laid out beneath him.

“You know what else I love about sleepy morning Maria?” he asked as his free hand stroked her cheek.

“What?” she asked, though she was fully aware of what his answer would be.

“Sleepy morning sex,” he answered with the grin that made her melt.

Maria rolled her eyes when he confirmed her suspicions, but she smiled none the less.

“Lazy,” Michael said as he kissed her cheek, “sleepy,” he kissed her other cheek, “morning,” he kissed her neck, sucking faintly and Maria moaned, lifting her leg to rub her thigh against his, “sex,” was his final word as his lips closed around her already pert nipple.

“Oh yeah,” Maria moaned, as she held his head against her breast, squirming under his torture and the glorious wet mouth that surrounded her nipple.



Maria rushed through the back door of the CrashDown Café with Michael behind her to see Liz standing by her locker.

“Hey, you guys only just made it on time,” Liz said, closing her locker door, “it’s crazy out there.”

“Just tell me Isabel is out there?” Maria asked, slightly agitated, as she walked over to her own locker as Michael fell onto the comfy couch.

Liz shook her head as she said, “No, why?” then she really looked at Maria. “Why is your hair wet?”

“I didn’t have time to dry it. Which is why I need Isabel,” Maria said annoyed.

“Isabel is not your personal hair genie, Maria,” Michael said with a smirk.

“I wouldn’t need her if it wasn’t for you, Spaceboy,” Maria said as she spun around to face him and saw him smiling at her, his eyes shining.

“Why?” Liz asked looking between them both.

Maria blushed slightly as she looked at Liz. “He kept distracting me.”

“Oh,” Liz said raising an eyebrow. “Oh!” she repeated when she realized just what that ‘distraction’ was.

She turned back to her locker so Maria and Michael couldn’t see her own blush. Sometimes it still amazed her that her best friend was having sex with her alien boyfriend. Max had never and would never put pressure on her to take that final step and she often wondered why. It wasn’t that he was concerned about losing his virginity because he had already done it with Tess and Michael and Maria had proved beyond all doubt that sex was safe for humans and alien hybrids, but still Max held back, or maybe it was her.

“Hey,” Michael cried, indignantly, bringing Liz’s head back into the room, “it’s not my fault,” he concluded.

“Oh yes it is,” Maria huffed. “You need to control yourself, buddy.”

Liz blushed deeper.

*You need to not look so damn hot all the time* came Michael’s reply in her head.

She turned to him and smiled brightly. *I look hot?* she sent him.

*All the time* he replied. *And that uniform doesn’t help* and he visibly adjusted himself in his pants.

Maria threw herself on him with a passionate kiss, which Michael whole heartedly reciprocated.

Liz turned when she didn’t hear them talking anymore and watched as Maria flew into Michael’s arms, kissing him with abandonment.

“Ewww,” she said, “Could you two just keep your hands off each other for like 5 minutes.”

When she saw she wasn’t going to get a reply, she stormed out into the main room of the diner.


Their shift was busy and Maria gave bountiful thanks for her three tables of tourists on a bus tour. After Liz had left them in the break room and José had separated them with a wet cloth to Michael’s head, Maria had dashed upstairs to use Liz’s hair dryer. Technically she was in the building so she wasn’t late for her shift she reasoned.

She smiled at Liz when she pushed back into the diner 10 minutes later and immediately had taken a busy table in her thanks to her best friend.

It was nearly 8 when Kyle, Max and Isabel pushed into the diner and took their usual booth. Liz automatically brought Max his usual Cherry coke, whilst Maria brought drinks for Kyle and Isabel.

The bell above the door rang again and Liz looked up to see a slim brown haired girl enter the diner. She gave Liz a shy smile and a wave and then slipped onto a stool at the counter.

“Who’s that?” Max asked, ever suspicious of new comers.

“That’s Kelly,” Liz answered, “she’s in my trig class and I’ve been giving her a little help in some areas where she is struggling.”

“Do I know her?” Max questioned.

“Shouldn’t you know that yourself,” Maria said with a laugh, pushing down all unnatural feelings of fear that rose in her when she looked at him, determined that they would not rule her.

Max looked at her and Maria stepped back involuntary at the look that flashed in his eyes, and then just as quickly it was gone and she relaxed a little.

“I meant,” he smiled at her, his genuine Max smile, “do we know who she is?”

Isabel looked over at the girl on question. “Max, that’s Kelly Green. She’s been in our class longer than we have.”

Max seemed to visibly relax at that. Since Tess, Courtney and the other skins, Max didn’t trust strangers, but obviously this girl held no threat. She’d been living in Roswell longer than him, officially.

Michael came out from the kitchens and he pushed Maria into the seat next to Isabel at the booth and placed a plate down in front of her. He sat next to Kyle opposite her as Liz went to see what Kelly wanted.

“Hey, Spaceboy,” Maria said looking at the plate of burger and fries that he had put in front of her, “what’s this?”

“You had a wrap about 2 o’clock and I know you didn’t have a breakfast,” he said. “You need to eat, Ria.”

“I’m not eating that, Michael,” Maria said in disgust, pushing the plate away from her.

“Just eat it Maria,” he said, and then he wriggled his eyebrows at her, “you’ll need the calories.”

Maria shook her head at him. “I’m staying at home tonight; I need to recoup my energy,” she laughed.

“Aw babe,” he grumbled, “don’t be like that. Just eat your burger. It’ll help.”

“Can’t you get me a salad,” she asked sweetly.

“Maria, that’s not gonna sustain you,” Michael said shaking his head.

“I won’t eat that,” Maria said, pointing to the plate.

“I’ll eat it,” Kyle offered, reminding Maria and Michael that they weren’t the only ones there.

“Get ya own,” Michael growled.

“Michael, please,” Maria said sweetly, smiling at her boyfriend.

“Geez Maria,” Michael grumbled but he stood and walked back to the kitchen.

“How do you get him to do that?” Isabel laughed.

“It’s all down to training and conditioning,” Maria laughed.

“Conditioning?” Kyle asked as he sneaked a handful of the fries from the plate in front of Maria.

“When he’s good, he’s rewarded,” Maria said with a smile.

Kyle shot an eyebrow up, “how?”

“I’m not gonna tell you that, Kyle,” Maria laughed.

Isabel laughed with her and they watched as Kyle choked slightly on his stolen fries.

“It’s a woman thing,” Isabel said patting his arm gently, “and done in such a way that the guy doesn’t even realize what’s happening.”

Michael reappeared and placed a salad in front of Maria. “Nebula Salad, no
onions,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you, Michael,” she said sweetly, before pulling him to her for a short but tantalizing kiss.

Michael sat back down opposite her and pulled the burger toward him with a satisfied smirk, and Isabel and Maria both chuckled at Kyle’s expression.

Kyle flashed his hand out and grabbed the back of Michael’s t-shirt. He pulled the neck back and peered down his back.

“Hey,” Michael said, swatting Kyle’s hand away, “what the hell do you think you’re doing, Valenti?”

Kyle shrugged looking innocent, “Just looking.”

“For what?” Michael asked disgusted.

“The tattoo that says ‘Property of Maria Deluca’,” he answered simply with a shrug.

Maria and Isabel laughed, though Max wore a slight scowl.

“Hey, that’s not a bad idea, Spaceboy,” Maria laughed.

Michael looked at her seriously , “Only if you get a matching one, Blondie,” he said.

“Well, I already own my own body,” she chuckled.

Michael stared intently at her for a moment. *No, I own that, you’re mine* he sent her.

Maria smiled, though she didn’t like him claiming her as his, she found his possessiveness a major turn on. “OK,” she said simply.

“OK what?” Kyle asked, “oh God, you’re doing it again aren’t you?”

“Doing what?” Maria asked, though her eyes still held Michael’s.

“The internal talking thing,” Kyle said and again reached for a handful of Michael’s fries, hoping the half-alien was distracted enough by Maria. Unfortunately, food came a close second to the fiery blond and Michael slapped his hand, hard.

“Max, can’t you control your second?” Kyle asked, rubbing his slapped hand.

Michael looked over to Max, his eyes daring him to say something.

Max looked at Michael and his eyes involuntarily flicked to Maria and back to Michael. He had wondered if Maria had said anything to Michael and judging from the death stare that Michael sent him, he figured she had.

“Michael’s his own man, Kyle,” Max said simply.

“No he’s not, he’s Maria’s,” Kyle said and then laughed at his own lame joke.

“You really need some new material,” Isabel said.

Kyle looked around the table at the 4 blank faces. “Guess I do,” he said quietly.

Liz walked back to the booth. “Hey Max, do you want anything from the kitchen?” she asked him.

They all looked at her and then to Michael, who was obviously on a break and eating.

“No, I’m good, thanks,” Max said, to which Michael smirked around his mouthful of burger.

“I’m ok too thanks for asking,” Kyle said, with a wave of his hand.

“So, any plans for after work?” Isabel asked the three workers.

“Homework,” Liz said.

“Sleep,” Maria replied.

‘Hot, dirty, alien sex,” Michael grinned.

“Better find some other willing human, Spaceboy because I’m sleeping,” Maria said, finishing her salad.

“Come on Maria,” Michael whined.

“Sleeping, Spaceboy,” Maria reiterated, “and I mean it this time.”

Michael just grinned at her, his devilish grin that he knew she couldn’t resist. “Whatever you say, Blondie.”

“What did Kelly want?” Max asked Liz.

“It’s ok,” Liz said with a smile to Max, “she just wanted me to check her trig homework.”

“So what plans do you have tonight, Isabel?” Maria asked.

“Nothing,” Isabel shrugged, even her voiced sounded board.

“Guys,” Maria said with a slight whine, “we need to do something about our dull boring lives.”

“Maria,” Isabel said, “we’ve had three months of relative peace. Only three months and you’re begging for excitement again.”

“Oh no, none of that 'fight for our lives' stuff, just some normal teenage drama,” Maria said.

“Isn’t the whole dreaming about another planet excitement enough for you,” Liz said, a little disdainfully.

“Does one of us need to be dying to keep you entertained,” Kyle added.

“Not even remotely funny, Buddha Boy,” Maria said, straight faced. She turned to the others, "Don’t you just want to be normal teenagers and do the normal teenage stuff, no saving the planet, any planet?”

“Like what?” Max asked timidly.

‘Yeah, we have the whole teenage rebellion thing down pat,” Kyle said

“And staying out all night with a parents permission,” Liz added.

"And teenage sex,” Michael said with a smile to his girlfriend.

“What else do you want?” Isabel concluded.

Maria threw her hands in the air, “I don’t know. I want,” she thought for a moment and then smiled. “I want to get drunk.”

“You want to get drunk?” Kyle asked, just to make sure he had heard her right.

“Yeah,” Maria smiled. “I had one beer at a party in the 8th grade and that’s it. I want to know what it’s like to be drunk.”

“Over-rated,” Kyle said simply.

“I don’t recommend it,” Max added.

“But I wanna try for myself, Ohhh, we could go to that new club that’s just opened with fake ID’s al la Michael,”

“We can’t drink alcohol, remember,” Max said, indicating to the three aliens.

“I don’t want to get drunk,” Liz said seriously.

“But if we go to that club, we can dance as well as drink,” Maria said with a smile to her friend, she knew Liz loved to dance as much as she did.

“Good point,” Liz said with a smile.

“Ok,” Isabel said sitting taller. “Next Saturday, we’ll all go to that club so we can dance and watch Maria and Kyle get drunk!”

“I don’t dance,” Michael said straight-faced.

“I think you move pretty well, Spaceboy,” Maria said with a smile.

“Ok,” Isabel said again interrupting the looks between Michael and Maria before they got out of hand.

“Next Saturday we’ll go to that club so all of us, except Michael, can dance and watch Kyle and Maria get drunk!”

“Sounds like a plan,” Max said with a smile.