Shifting Realities (AU,A/I,MATURE) [WIP]

[Mt Gazer]

Disclaimer: I in no way own the rights to Roswell or anything related to it. All rights belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox, Regency Entertainment, etc… I am borrowing their awesome characters, and including my own.

Perhaps in this part and in parts to come I am or will be borrowing some scenes, and I will borrow direct dialog and use altered dialog at times.

Title: Shifting Realities
Author: Mt Gazer/Velvet Skye
Category: CC/ AU?
Rating: MATURE- …
Spoilers: This is my version of Sexual Healing. Have fun


I dedicate this chapter and all its parts to my friends Pooh and Tharos, who have a wish list from me, that I don’t quite fulfill most of the time. LOL Pooh loves her smut and freely admits it and Tharos, well shall I say as I quote him, “well, here's to an original scene...some day soon i hope”

Thanks Guys. I hope this part does justice to the story. And I hope it pleases you. (I know its not EVERYTHING you want, but we all gotta start somewhere right?) So I will end this babbling dedication once again.

Thanks POOH and THAROS for hanging with me and waiting SOOO patiently.

Rhonda

I also now add a dedication to IslandBreeze-Gerry, besides assisting me with the writing of this chapter, he also beta read it for me. So thanks for all the wonderful help. I hope our next part will not take this long to pull off. LOL But I love what your ideas mingled with mine have become. Thanks again, and again, and again.


And finally I will attempt to recap where we’ve been.

RECAP: This is sexual healing, and Alex and Isabel have seemingly now become the “new Max and Liz” They are the ones being affected by flashes and Alien hormones. Earlier in this day (storywise obviously) They had an embarrassing “Soul Gazing” episode in 3rd period, English class. At Lunch the whole situation was being discussed by most of the group. And a plan was made to accost and retrieve answers from the guilty parties by whomever had class with them.

So now we shall see what transpires with this....

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Shifting Realities

Chapter 27:G

Loosing Control

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Isabel was headed to her 6th period class, past the eraser room, when all of a sudden a hand reached out and snatched her from the hallway, a finger touched her lips in a silencing gesture and she was rapidly shoved against the wall of the tiny enclosure, lips attached themselves to hers, as the eraser room door clicked shut. There was no chance to process what had happened before she found herself eagerly responding to the kiss. But when ever was Alex the aggressor? OK, he had been rather forward most of this relationship, but, to actually PULL her into the room and to actually initiate, especially here at school! She rather liked it… and did not protest. She really couldn’t, anyway, as her mouth and tongue were otherwise occupied. Instead, she hummed softly, as his warm hand held the side of her face and the other entangled itself in her cool damp golden strands.

When breathing finally became a necessity they parted and watched each other momentarily, apprehensively. A huge subject needed to be broached, like ‘what in the world happened during English class?’ but she did not know how to begin, neither did he. She finally worked up the nerve to speak, at the same time as Alex, neither knowing that they were thinking the exact same thoughts.

"What are you doing to me today?" They asked each other in unison, with a matched groan. Not one word was even a fraction of a second delayed.

But they did not expect their question to be directed back at them, and it put them both on the defensive. “Me?? What about you?” They accused simultaneously.

"What about me?" She threw out. "Everything was perfectly normal until you walked into class."

"Right!” he chided, “So the alleged lightshow at the Crashdown last night was perfectly NORMAL huh? Or the fact that you were… well… in my arms and I wasn’t even touching ANYTHING I shouldn’t.” He glared at her. “For the record, I’ve still never touched anything I shouldn’t."

"Ok, maybe last night isn’t the best example,” she conceded, “but it wasn’t until I looked at you today that anything of that sort happened."

"Right.” He threw out yet again as he twisted his mouth in irritation, “It can’t be me! It’s because you’re the one who has the weird genes, that something of that sort happened."

This was like their first fight--a disagreement--and she wasn’t liking it at all. She got silent, as did he, both becoming contemplative. And then they were back to sharing a singularity of mind. Accusing one another they both resumed, “I couldn’t leave today because of you! Because YOU were here!”

"What?” She was truly caught off guard with that, “You can’t go home?" Isabel asked in bewilderment. "Why?"

"I don’t know.” He haughtily answered, “Maybe it has to do with that buzzing in my brain or tingling of my skin that says you are nearby. No matter, you are here, and unless you leave, I’m stuck."

Isabel couldn’t contain it. She tried, but a giggle escaped.

"It's not that funny!" he answered her crossly.

Trying to rein in the laughter but still giggling, she added, “It is funny. You see, I can’t leave either. I actually tried, and failed. And it’s all because YOU are here.” She ducked her head and snickered.

"Ok.” He smirked, contemplating the thought, “Maybe its a little funny. Un poquito, he added in Spanish, while holding his thumb and forefinger out making an indication of something tiny.. Sighing, and now scratching behind his head, he added, “But I think we really need to talk about what happened in class, don’t you?"

Fighting impulses now, she added with a nod, "I agree, we do need to discuss it, but is that what you really want to do right now?"

Alex stared at her, taking in the way the water from her moist hair had dampened the top of her shirt and the fabric was still somewhat clinging to her skin. He forced himself to answer properly, never mind what he really wished to be doing. “Yes.” He moved his head in agreement, slowly.

Alex’s mind was articulating ’yes’ very well. Unfortunately, his mind seemed to be disconnected from his mouth, and he actually heard himself voicing his own inner desire, as he mumbled, "NO. Not really." And he realized that he was also slowly shaking his head. 'If I can’t control head movement and words, what else won’t I be able to control?’ He thought dolefully, knowing the answer to that question was a loaded one.

Flirtatiously, she then asked, “So what would you rather be doing?” She was staring at his lips, all this time refraining from letting her eyes rise that extra inch lest a repeat of 3rd period ensue.

"If I answer that, truthfully, it's going to get me into a lot of trouble."

Isabel snickered uncharacteristically with his response, “Yeah, lots and lots of trou-ble.” She tried unsuccessfully to stop her intermittent giggling.

Alex listened as the bolt clicked softly, locking them in. Isabel gave Alex a quick coquettish look and flipped the light switch off. “We won’t need this, and now I don’t have to worry about looking at you anymore."

"You have cat eyes, you can see in the dark, I can’t.” he bemoaned. “I won’t be able to see where you are now.”

“Then I guess you’ll have to find me. Use your hands.”

“What if I touch, you know, somewhere I shouldn’t… in the dark… without realizing it? My reputation as a gentleman is at stake here,” Alex teased.

"I don’t care about that. Come and find me," she sang out, as his hands began to grope in the dark.

Of course, being the one who could actually see in the dark, she stayed just out of his reach. They danced around the tiny space for a couple of minutes while she teased him with the cold/hot game that children know so well.

You’re getting warmer… warmer… hotter. Then, deciding to play fairly, she closed her eyes, too, and listened to the sounds of his footfalls, or used her other senses to determine his locale, as she stayed in one place, a tight corner. The very air was vibrating, pulsing, reacting to the presence of the other. She could feel him in her space; he really was getting warmer. It was time to give him his victory; he’d played very well. Isabel giggled yet again, sensing his nearness and knowing that all she would have to do is… Unwilling to wait any longer, she stepped forward stealthily and grabbed Alex by the collar on both sides with a very strong grip and pulled him to herself. Opening her eyes, she stared deeply into his face, his eyes.

His eyes met hers in the dark, and he finished off their little game by declaring, “Sss-mokin” in much the same manner as Jim Carrey’s character in 'The Mask.'

Alex didn’t need to be coaxed at this point. His arms and hands found their way around her, sensually exploring every lower curve and detail in the process. It all seemed so natural… so meant to be… so perfect. His lips found hers unerringly in the darkness, and they entered into a very passionate open-mouthed kiss, bordering on erotic.

Isabel moaned, just loudly enough for Alex to hear, hoping that he might feel some of the depth of her passion as they kissed. She could hardly have known the passions he was feeling at this moment himself.


FLASH…

Spinning… once again… spinning through space, as if out of control. Earth was visible as though from high above… the continent of North America.


At first, Alex thought his body had exploded… like a thermometer that had gotten too hot and had burst out over the top, unable to be contained any longer. The way he was feeling, he would be far more surprised if something didn’t burst.

He smiled and kissed Isabel again.


And at that moment, in every room on both floors, there was a surge of wind. It gathered in the corners and blew with tremendous force through the center, across all the students or staff, then it forced open the windows. Papers were hurled into the air as the immense wind blew past. In the Science labs, beakers were overturned and contents spilled, small fires erupted from the now improper mixture of chemicals, and had to be extinguished. In the art department, paintbrushes were hurled into the air, spattering a riotous rainbow in the air as they flew. In every class or room, papers or other paraphernalia were ejected through the open windows.


FLASH…

A younger Alex, aged around nine years, comes sliding sideways into the kitchen, white briefs, stocking clad, and wearing his yellow button up pajama top without pants. “Da-Da-Da-Rock n' roll," he sang into his spoon, which was, for all intents and purposes, now a microphone.

In the eraser room, Isabel laughed out loud at that sight, then, in another brief flash, she caught the final bit from that incident. She saw his older brothers sitting around the table, eating breakfast, and Mom reached over and gave a classic palmed slap to Harry’s temple as she implored, “Risky Business? I thought you were watching him last night.” She ruffled her youngest’s hair while removing his mic. “Put your pants on, Alex.”

He dutifully ran off.

Isabel slurred, “Ta’ the-m o-ff.”

“Huh?” He echoed.


FLASH…

The North American continent dissolved into a specific region, and he saw New Mexico from the air. The image was spinning wildly and seemingly lurching, as the lower southeast region came into view. Knowing his state geography, he quickly calculated that it was likely Roswell, or rather the area surrounding Roswell where the ship had crashed. And then there was a sickening thud as he felt the ground shake beneath his feet.


In every room, simultaneously, just as the windows had previously blown open, they now slammed shut of their own volition, and locked fast. The resulting boom sounded like an explosion, and the school rocked on its foundations as if it had experienced one. In every classroom, the law of gravity being what it is, as anything up must come down; the airborne objects began landing haphazardly in a scattered mess all over the desks, and floors. Students tried to duck as the objects dropped. In the art department, the paintbrushes, upon landing, created an interesting display of varied streaks and colors across students, walls, and desks alike. The word 'chaotic' would be a perfect description.


Alex thought about breaking the connection, but something kept him from doing it. It could have been the fact that Isabel seemed to want him to see these glimpses into her past… and possibly into her soul. But it could just as well have been because he did not want Isabel’s lips to leave his own. If he could keep her there forever, he would gladly do it.

Her hands were roaming… outwardly over his clothing, but wandering nonetheless, as they danced about in the tiny space. He forced her against the nearest wall, knee between her legs, and let his wandering hands slide beneath her blouse to memorize the swells of her sheathed breasts. Their mouths were still suctioned at the lips.


Entire classrooms ran to the windows, which would not release nor open, teachers were calling into the office, which couldn’t handle the volume of calls, and the vice principal rushed outside to determine if a plane had crashed. It was one of the three things that any of the bewildered staff could imagine that might create a school-wide catastrophe. The other two were the obvious earthquake, which didn’t account for the wind, and lastly an explosion or bomb of some sort. The vice principal was puzzled to find, when he stepped outside, that nothing at all was out of the ordinary. NOTHING! He wandered around for sometime, especially checking the foundation and walls for cracks. Totally perplexed, he then returned inside with his report. The school had, unbeknownst, entered The Calm… the calm before the storm… the calm in the midst of the storm as it gains momentum. Everyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Although teaching resumed, or tried to, the entire population at WRH was on edge and nervously awaiting the next blow.


FLASH…

Stars! Alex saw stars. This might have been no surprise in and of itself. He had seen stars before when they had kissed. He had even seen stars just like these, but these were surprisingly realistic… and some of them seemed to form a pattern. Instinctively, he understood that he was seeing through Isabel’s memories… And it enraptured him.

FLASH…

The sound of heavy breathing, as of someone running, as in a chase… Military soldiers gaining momentum and ground as the individual continues to flee.


Breathing heavily, feeding off of each other’s passions, they spent long minutes making out. Her lips attached to the soft skin at his collarbone as she sucked from it. Flashes were passing between them at a rapid rate. Her alien energy was off the charts.

An uncontainable burst of energy traveled through them, through the outlet that her calf was pressed against, and into the wall that was supporting her. Giggling erratically, she grabbed Alex’s shirt even tighter as they spun against a shelf that was against a wall. Things clattered to the ground in the dark. He placed his mouth tightly against hers, trying to quiet her intoxicated laughter, as they stumbled over some of the fallen items and landed hapzardly sprawled against the the door of the Eraser Room.


Bedlam ensued.


Outside the Eraser Room, the first disaster struck… POP!!! It sounded as if a gun had fired, as one of the fluorescent lights burst. POP!!! POP!!! POP!!! Three more followed in rapid succession. After a literal five seconds of silence. POP!!! POP!!!! Six lights had shattered in the space of less than 15 seconds. The hall went ominously dark. In the rooms closest to the Eraser Room, the effect traveled like dominoes. Glass rained down from the ceiling, as more lights exploded without a cause. Students covered their heads with textbooks to protect themselves. Others ran for the doorways, or climbed into nearby cupboards, waiting for the aftershocks, assuming at best it was a freak earthquake. The principal raced outside and threw the manual override switch, cutting off power to his school. The generator and alternate power supplies were disabled as well. West Roswell High was now effectively without power, and he raced back into the building to discover that it had done no good. The electrical system was fried, affecting all the lights that remained undamaged, and there were quite a few, as only the ones closet to the Eraser Room had shattered. Throughout the building, on every floor, lights dimmed and then blazed repeatedly, neon ballasts hummed and buzzed as though they also might explode at any minute…


Alex did not know why, but the longer they kissed, the less he felt willing to separate from Isabel. Their connection had flared to life, and it was truly bonding them together. He could feel it. It made him giddy with love… and with joy. But whatever it was doing to him it was doing tenfold to Isabel. The flashes were coming now like lightning in a storm, but her only response was to chortle incoherently… and to kiss Alex even more sloppily and stuporously with each succeeding flash. Her inhibitions were dropping faster than the pressure inside a category five hurricane, faster than a crashing alien spaceship, faster than… his clothes? Maybe not!

Where was his shirt? One minute he was wearing it, and now it seemed to have dissolved under her alien hands. SHIT!!! What was she doing? Did she even know? He was unable to control his movements or she hers; they were at the mercy of whatever resulted from this encounter.


FLASH…

Dirt was flying, as an unseen object was being buried in the ground.


Tumult erupted. Air conditioner vents blew out, and Arctic-like air gushed out, knocking over nearby desks and students in more than one classroom. They ran and ducked beneath their desks as if it were an earthquake drill. And as if that weren’t bad enough, in other rooms, the heating went haywire and tropic-like heat poured into the room. Students were wilting from the heat, as sweat poured from them. Already, moments even before the fire alarms went off, the entire student body was in a frenzy. And the teachers were little better composed.


Alex’s hands ran down Isabel’s blouse, though only as far as her sternum, releasing buttons as they traveled downwards, his fingers wandering between the fabric. She reached for his belt and laughed in a rather inebriated fashion as she unlatched it… or attempted to, of its own accord it seemed that it dissolved under her touch, making her laugh all the harder at her lack of control. She licked her lower lip as her eyes glinted with wicked seductive abandon. Biting her lower lip, she started to slide to the ground, this caused her to guffaw loudly. Alex steadied her and pushed her back up against the eraser room door, insisting that she hush… all the while laughing himself… trying to get both of them back into control.

“Shhh,” he whispered loudly while forcefully holding her there.

Throwing her head back, in a fit of tickled hysterics, she squealed, as he bit the space on her neck, leaving a matching mark…


FLASH…

Younger Isabel, aged nineish, wearing her long blonde hair in a side ponytail, tied with a pure white Chiffon scarf, a white camisole, tights, and short ruffly white skirt, while rolling on her bed imitating Madonna’s 'Like A Virgin' as she sang off-key.


Alex smirked. He knew that he probably should object, especially as he was now shirtless and beltless; what else-less would he be soon? But he couldn’t remember why… and besides, he wasn’t at all sure that he wanted to remember or even cared to remember why. Isabel was laughing uncontrollably now, and Alex felt himself falling even more deeply into the same condition. Whatever it was that was making her so happy and carefree, Alex felt it too… he was feeling just a bit carefree himself at the moment. Perhaps not as wildly as Isabel seemed to be feeling it just yet, but affected nonetheless. Ditching class to be with Isabel in the eraser room seemed totally right… maybe even more than right… It was perfect. He just couldn’t bring himself to feel as if there were a thing wrong with what they were doing or where they were doing it. Too bad he wasn’t in any more control of his faculties than his alien girlfriend, for there were a great many things wrong with it!!!!


Their little escapade although loud by any standards, was unheard by any in the school due to the loud and blaring fire alarms that had eventually gone off in reponse to the resulting mayhem. Although unknown to either Alex or Isabel, their tryst in the eraser room was not exactly going unnoticed in the school, as we’ve already learned. The harried principal ran up and down the hallways, checking each room and vacating it, certain in his mind that the world was about to end… or at the very least, that the building was about to collapse. Although a lot of lip service was given to order and to remaining calm, pandemonium and panic reined everywhere. In the school corridor, electrical arcs shot across the hallway from the metallic door of the eraser room, forcing students and teachers who had been headed for the main entrance to evacuate from a different exit.


And as all this was going on, Isabel and Alex, in the eraser room, were oblivious and in their own little world. By now, whatever inhibitions or sense of reason Isabel had once maintained were gone. She was, as the patrons of the bar several blocks down the road would have gladly pointed out, “smashed,” “wasted,” “bombed.” And Alex seemed to be well on his way to the same fate.

It wasn’t alcohol, though, that had brought Isabel and Alex to this point; it was something far more insidious… kissing. Isabel was suffering from an acute emotional reaction to Alex that was heightened every time they kissed, although “suffering” was not the word she would have chosen to use herself. “Enjoying” would have been her choice. Alex was literally getting “drunk,” emotionally, from Isabel’s reaction. It was spreading from her to him with every kiss and every touch. His emotional centers were so in tune with hers that he was actually feeling what she felt… and reacting to it accordingly.

Isabel kissed Alex again, holding his head in her hands, laughing as playfully and as innocently as a two-year-old. The only thing holding her up anymore was the door of the eraser room… and Alex… but mostly the door of the eraser room, which she had been leaning on for some time now. Alex was doing the best he could to stand there himself.


FLASH…

An adorable blonde and bare, curly haired toddler gleefully escapes his mother’s grasp as he is fished from a dip in the river. With a mischievous squeal, he looks up as if into a camera on zoom, and we see his emerald green eyes… Alex's eyes.


Isabel breathed in sharply as she uttered his name… “A-yex.”

And the making out continues…


TBC….

[Mt Gazer]

Disclaimer: I in no way own the rights to Roswell or anything related to it. All rights belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox, Regency Entertainment, Melinda Metz, WB and UPN. No infringement is intended. I am borrowing their awesome characters, and including my own.

Perhaps in this part and in parts to come I am or will be borrowing some scenes, and I will borrow direct dialog and use altered dialog at times.

Title: Shifting Realities
Author: Mt Gazer/Velvet Skye
Category: CC/ AU?
Rating: MATURE- ADULT
Spoilers: This is my version of Sexual Healing. There is one line from The Morning After.


I dedicate this chapter and all its parts to my friends Pooh and Tharos, who have a wish list from me, that I don’t quite fulfill most of the time. LOL Pooh loves her smut and freely admits it and Tharos, shall I say as I quote him, “Well, here's to an original scene...some day soon I hope.”

Thanks Guys. I hope this part does justice to the story. And I hope it pleases you. (I know its not EVERYTHING you want, but we all gotta start somewhere right?) So I will end this babbling dedication once again.

Thanks POOH and THAROS for hanging with me and waiting SOOO patiently.

Rhonda

I also now add a dedication to IslandBreeze-Gerry, for assisting me with the writing of this chapter. So thanks for all the wonderful help. I hope our next part will not take this long to pull off. LOL But I love what your ideas mingled with mine have become. Thanks again, and again, and again.


And finally I will attempt to recap where we’ve been.

RECAP: This is sexual healing, and Alex and Isabel have seemingly now become the “new Max and Liz” They are the ones being affected by flashes and Alien hormones. Earlier in this day (storywise obviously) they had an embarrassing “Soul Gazing” episode in 3rd period, English class. At Lunch the whole situation was being discussed by most of the group, and a plan was made to accost and retrieve answers from the guilty parties by whomever had class with them. Unfortunately they never made it to class, they had a mind-blowing session in the Eraser Room instead... This is where we left them.

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Shifting Realities

Chapter 27: H

Loosing Control

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Outside the school, the teachers, guidance counselors, and principal were busy corralling the students and counting them, trying to regroup them into homeroom groups. Through two-way radios and lots of communicating with various staff and teachers still on the inside, they were finalizing a list of who was officially absent from 6th period. The exodus from the building had been so chaotic that no two students could be found with their assigned classes anymore. But persistence paid off, and eventually, those in charge managed to get a decent percentage of the students back with their proper homeroom units. A quick count, double-checked against the list of absentees revealed who were still missing. Kids were still inside somewhere, students who had been in their 6th period classes but somehow got separated from the herd when the school started the evacuation., they also were not currently able to be located...

Mrs. Jatzman collected her homeroom students, “Jordan Banes - here.” “Max Evans, Isabel Evans?” Max volunteered his whereabouts and she checked him off the list. “Isabel? She with you?”

“No.”

Another teacher was marking down her attendees, “Michael Guerin? Alex Whitman? Ashley Slaton?” None responded.

The teachers were frazzled and marking off students, as they appeared from whichever way they came. “ Liz Parker?-- here.” “Maria DeLuca? - here.”

As soon as their names were checked off the list, the girls headed over to where Max was standing. “Isabel out here?” Liz asked.

“Nope.”

“Don’t doubt that.” Maria intoned, while Max stared at her.


The art department was released from the building, they had to take an alternative route through the grounds and then the students were checked off with homeroom teachers. Michael Guerin ambled up to his group, his spiky hair more pronounced than usual, a riotous rainbow of various colors splashed all over him, water dripping from everywhere, his class had been evacuated after the sprinklers had gone off.

Maria took one look and nearly started laughing... “What happened to you Spaceboy?”

In as little words as possible, with a weary sigh, “Wind, paintbrushes.” Glancing at the main hallway of the school he rubbed a wet paint spot on his cheek making the hot pink line turn into an exaggerated smear. Crossing his arms on his chest he asked, “Isabel here?”

“Nope.” Max dolefully shook his head and turned furtively to look at the school. They all started to walk to a more private location to discuss the Czechoslovakian kissing theory. As they walked towards the bleacher, Max finished Michael’s next question before he had a chance to ask it, “And before you ask, neither is Alex.”

Michael nodded, “Riight.”



“Has anyone seen Alex Whitman?” the principal asked.

“No. He didn’t come to class today. One girl volunteered, and her friend beside her added, “Neither did Isabel Evans. She’s in my class.

The Principal was still trying to track down the Evans girl and the Whitman boy; he looked at his list and nodded. “She’s the other one who appears to be actually missing.” He sighed and turned to the guidance counselor as they walked among the dispersed and disorganized crowds of kids. …


It appeared that two seemed to have disappeared entirely, and others were still noticeably absent from the melee, but whereabouts were known. A classroom in the building had sealed as if there had been an airlock, sequestering the occupants inside. And other students, as mentioned already, were just stuck in the catastrophic conditions of classrooms gone awry, or hiding where they could, until it seemed safe to exit.... which currently it was not.

”Looks like Alex was in 2nd period?” He checked his attendance sheet for the day. ... “Call their parents. See if they left early?”

“What do I tell them… about why we’re calling. They’ll want to know.” Mrs. Rykesdale prepared to talk to the Whitmans and Evans to inform them that their children hadn’t been in attendance at 6th period. The principal thought for a moment. “Tell them that they didn’t show up for class, and… and… Just start with that.”

“Yes, sir… Uh… Do I… have to go back inside?” Mrs. Rykesdale pointed to the school.

The principal looked at the school. The lights were dimming and surging in every window; in fact, the whole school seemed to be pulsing as though it had a heartbeat; flashes of electricity arced across the main hallway and could occasionally be seen through the open main doors, the fire alarms were blaring, and the sprinklers were all going off. On top of that, the malfunctioning air conditioners were actually creating small ice eddies or tornadoes in several of the classrooms now, hurling papers and other items against the sealed windows. It looked more like something possessed than the school he knew. It was the Amityville Horror in Roswell. He sighed and swallowed hard, shaking his head…

“Here… use my cell phone. I just hope to God those poor kids aren’t inside there right now. Do you have their home phone numbers on any of those papers?” Mrs. Rykesdale rifled through her clipboard and realized that she didn’t have contact information for the children; it was on their emergency cards, which were safely filed in the office cabinet, inaccessible at that time.

“No.”

The principal looked around and spied Maria DeLuca at the bleachers with her group. “Ask her. I’ve seen her and Whitman talking to each other. She may have his home number. If she doesn’t, see if she knows who might. Ask around for the Evans girl’s too. Somebody has to know it.”

“She has a brother who goes here.” Looking through her papers, which were arranged by homerooms, she saw Max’s name. “His name is Max.”

“Find him. Get the number from him.”



While this was going on, the remaining members of IKAAC were in another impromptu meeting.

“And just what do you suppose she’s doing?” Max somberly alluded to the thought that was on everyone’s mind.

Liz stood beside him, and said, to her own chagrin, “Oh that’s easy Max. She’s making out with Alex.”



As Maria was about to jump in they were interrupted, Mrs. Rykesdale walked up to them and gathered her needed information, then she walked to the front of the school to make some very unpleasant phone calls...



“Making out.” she shrugged one hand, “Making It.” She singsonged while gesturing with her other hand. “Who’s to say?” Maria launched in unceremoniously as always, while shrugging her shoulders and raising her palms in a questioning gesture.

Max groaned and stared at her all the more disconcertedly.


She looked inside the doors at the electrical arcing coming from a metal door midway down the hall as realization struck... ‘Eraser Room.’ “Take a good look at where those sparks are flying from....” she turned everyone’s attention to the main hall.

Liz nodded in her understanding. “The Eraser Room. Do you know what’s so important about the eraser room guys?” Liz added looking at them intently.

“Make out room.” Michael gruffly answered.

“Legendary make out room!” Maria launched in.... “Its not just kissing that goes on in there.... that room takes our innocence; it’s taken some of the best of us.”

Max knew Maria filters were needed to process what she was saying, but to talk about the taking of innocence, and the eraser room and his sister in one breath was a little much for the guy. “Do you honestly think that Isabel and Alex are... losing innocence in there!?” he ground out through clenched teeth.

She shrugged again. “Could be. Who knows?” “But, if they caused light shows a couple days ago, and they were only making out at first base, as she so desperately needs us to believe...” she was nodding to herself in understanding that was known only to her. ‘I suppose?’ She interrupted herself, “...Second base could do that!” She said while forcefully pointing to the arcing electricity, while being met with incredulous looks from the other members. “Ma-ri-a,” dragged out Liz, as she was cut off. “I mean,” Maria clarified her logic, “if second base destroys a school,” she shrugged her hands, “when they have sex, they’re going to leave a town in ashes...” She was satisfied that she had made her point...

She turned to her best friend and added, “Liz, If you guys haven’t kissed yet. I’m not so sure it would be a good idea to start now. This Czechoslovakian libido thing is crazy.... “

Max rubbed his hand over one half of his face very slowly as he groaned yet again in an idea of what his sister might be up to, and no brother wants to think of that. “Why here? Doesn’t she have any self-control anymore?”

“Not today.” Maria added. “She told me in third period after “it” happened, that I needed to keep him away from her today.”

“Really?” Liz laughed questioning, “Why?”

“Because she felt something else might happen and she was trying really hard to avoid him.”

Michael mumbled, “Doesn’t look like she succeeded.”

“No Spaceboy, it doesn’t.” They stood in couples, Max with Liz to his side, and Michael with his arm around Maria’s shoulder, their attention glued to the possessed school. One couple was noticeably absent from their gathering; the one getting into trouble in the Eraser Room.


TBC.....

[Tharos]

Welcome back. And you returned with a great chapter. I can just imagine all their faces when Maria guessed what was going on.

Hope to see you back with more real soon.

[Mt Gazer]

Disclaimer: I in no way own the rights to Roswell or anything related to it. All rights belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox, Regency Entertainment, Melinda Metz, WB and UPN. No infringement is intended. I am borrowing their awesome characters, and including my own.

Perhaps in this part and in parts to come I am or will be borrowing some scenes, and I will borrow direct dialog and use altered dialog at times.

Title: Shifting Realities
Author: Mt Gazer/Velvet Skye
Category: CC/ AU
Rating: MATURE- ADULT
Spoilers: This is my version of Sexual Healing.

I dedicate this chapter and all its parts to my friends Pooh and Tharos, who have a wish list from me, that I don’t quite fulfill most of the time. LOL Pooh loves her smut and freely admits it and Tharos, shall I say as I quote him, “Well, here's to an original scene...some day soon I hope.”

Thanks Guys. I hope this part does justice to the story. And I hope it pleases you. (I know its not EVERYTHING you want, but we all gotta start somewhere right?) Thanks POOH and THAROS for hanging with me and waiting SOOO patiently.

Rhonda

I also now add a dedication to IslandBreeze-Gerry, for assisting me with the writing of this chapter. So thanks for all the wonderful help. I hope our next part will not take this long to pull off. LOL But I love what your ideas mingled with mine have become. Thanks again, and again, and again. Sci-fi just needs you...

And yet another shout-out and recognition I MUST add to this: 3-1-10

PML: WOW!!! New friend, and longtime reader. Thanks for all the help on this. I couldn’t have done it without you, and I think you know exactly what I mean by that. We’ve been working on this for a couple weeks already. So thanks forever. You are a Godsend and a lifesaver in your own way.

And lastly, I will introduce a cameo, Randy the electrician in this part is my husband. He is an electrician by trade, and he helped with the “electrical parts.”

Thanks Randy, I love you. And I couldn’t have done this without you.



And finally I will attempt to recap where we’ve been.

RECAP: This is sexual healing, and Alex and Isabel have seemingly now become the “new Max and Liz” They are the ones being affected by flashes and Alien hormones. Earlier in this day (storywise obviously) they had an embarrassing “Soul Gazing” episode in 3rd period, English class. At lunch the whole situation was being discussed by most of the group, and a plan was made to accost and retrieve answers from the guilty parties by whomever had class with them. Unfortunately they never made it to class, they had a mind-blowing session in the Eraser Room instead... This is where we left them. And is where they still are, but the gang is aware of their location... and parents are being called... (With our last post)

So now we shall see what transpires with this....

******************************************
Shifting Realities

Chapter 27: I

Loosing Control

******************************************

Gloria Whitman and Diane Evans both had received an urgent phone call while they were busy in their respective professions, forcing them to take an immediate leave, and to clear their schedules…

A few minutes earlier…

Diane Evans was looking over a case file and preparing for her next meeting with a client which would occur in a few minutes, when she got a buzz from her secretary with an urgent message. She walked out to the front lobby where she picked up the phone, …

“Hello.”

“Hello. Mrs. Evans?”

“Speaking.”

“Mrs. Evans, this is Jeannine Rykesdale, a guidance counselor at West Roswell High School. We need to know if Isabel came to school today.”

“Isabel? My daughter, Isabel? Yes, of course. She and Max are both at school. Is something wrong?”

“Well, it’s just that we haven’t been able to find her… yet.”

Diane put up a warning hand at the look of interest plaguing her secretary’s face as a look of deep concern crossed her own…

“What do you mean… ‘yet?’ Is my daughter in class or not? Are you saying that she can’t be found?”

“Yes, Ma’am, she can’t be found. Well, she hasn’t been, I mean… yet. We’re still looking, of course.” The counselor stumbled over her words.

Knowing of her daughter’s otherworldly status, her worries were on high alert when she learned that Isabel just disappeared in the middle of the day, seemingly without a trace. She pressed the counselor for more information. “Ms. Rykesdale, what is going on? Is something wrong there… besides my daughter being missing? Because it’s not protocol to call the parents, especially at work, telling them that a child has missed a class. What’s going on?”

“We are having a little bit of a problem, Mrs. Evans. The school has been evacuated. There are still some students… that we haven’t found, though. Your daughter, Isabel, happens to be one of them.”

“Right. I’m on my way down.”

“Mrs. Evans, you won’t be able to go into the building…” Jeannine Rykesdale realized that she was speaking to dead air; Diane had already hung up.

Turning to the secretary she ordered, “Clear my schedule for the day, and reschedule for Monday. There’s an emergency at the high school. I’ve gotta go.”

“What is it?” The secretary asked with concern.

“I don’t know. But apparently they’ve been evacuated for some reason and Isabel has disappeared!!! I’ll see you.”


A similar event was taking place, with Gloria Whitman…

She too had been questioned concerning whether or not her son had made it to school, and with her affirmation she was being given an answer to the contrary.

“Have you looked in the gym… and the band room? Alex is musically inclined, you know. He tends to spend a lot of time in the band room.”

“Yes, Ma’am, we’ve checked...He’s not there. Actually, the school has been evacuated, Mrs. Whitman, so there are no classes in progress at this moment. We’re trying to account for all the students, and a few are still missing… your son, Alex, among them.”

Gloria gasped. “Is the school on fire?”

“No Ma’am… well, not yet.”

“NOT YE… ! WHAT!!? WHAT is going on down there? Never mind, I’ll be there in a few minutes. You are you still looking for my son?”

“Yes Ma’am, we are…” The line went dead, and Jeannine Rykesdale looked back at the school again and shook her head, feeling a sort of morbid awe… “A fire is about the only thing that HASN’T happened in there yet.”


Gloria Whitman too, cleared her schedule, and flew out of the lobby of the building…


Each arrived from different locations in Roswell, and each with the same singular thought on her mind… “Where is my kid?”


There had been a definite edge of panic to the guidance counselor’s voice, and Diane detected it immediately, even though the counselor had tried to hide it. Because of her years as a lawyer, Diane had become somewhat accomplished at "reading" people. And Gloria as a counselor had to know when people needed to be pressed, and when to back down. Well now was not the time to back down. Now was the time to gather information and answers. She hadn’t had to detect the guidance counselor’s hidden fear; the lady had said the school wasn’t on fire YET. Talk about a cryptic omen…


*** *** ***

Diane arrived first, albeit with only a marginal lead over Gloria. She shook her head dismally when she saw the melee of students on the lawn, the disorganized chaos, and the total pandemonium. Students were everywhere, but their attention seemed to be glued to the school. The building itself appeared to be more alive than anything else. It was the only way Diane could describe it. ‘And Isabel is missing? Dare I even wonder if Alex is too?’ She just couldn’t help but wonder in dismay that there might be an otherworldly explanation for this whole episode. She stood there taking in the sight with a weary sigh. ‘Oh God Isabel, what have you done!?’


Sirens blaring and loud air horns blasting, the first response team rolled onto the scene; a rescue vehicle carrying paramedics, fire trucks, and the local law enforcement. Immediately behind them another car screeched to a halt in the crowded driveway, the first response team was unloading and gathering gear. It was an absolute mess…


Diane’s thoughts were rudely interrupted as a woman’s voice spoke over the ruckus, “Holy. Mary. Mother of God!!! And then she noticed out of the corner of her eye that the woman proceeded to cross herself, as she took off at a dead run for the lawn, where all the staff and students were.

Diane followed; her first official meeting with Gloria Whitman was about to occur. They’d spoken on the phone often enough, with the kid’s disappearances and everything. But one thing about keeping the kids safe was the need to talk to as few people as possible about them, lest they inadvertently let anything slip. And they were still navigating the uncharted waters of absolute secrecy themselves. They hadn’t yet found--or made-- the time to involve themselves deeply in the Whitman’s lives. Isabel had done so with Alex, but that was the extent of it.


Diane made an immediate beeline for the Principal, who was trying to field a million questions from what seemed like as many sources all at once.

He referred both of the mothers temporarily to the Guidance Counselor who had called them, while he filled the rescue units in on the events and directed them to the pulsating hallway.


Alex was her baby, the gentle one of all her kids, and dare she say it, her favorite. That put her motherly fears and instincts on high alert, even before she was spoken too, and it was with this fear that she uttered the question first. “Where is Alex? Where’s my son? You called and said he wasn’t in class? So where is he??” It looks like you’ve got a fire or something going on?” She was in no way calm; her words tumbled out fast and almost incoherently.

Diane listened and then added her own, “You called me too and said that my daughter is likewise missing?”

“Ok.. both of you, we are doing everything we can to find them. I’m going to have to ask you both to calm down. We’ve had some stragglers come out of the building sporadically, kids are still missing here and there, kids who were in attendance at last class... We’ve got an entire class locked in the building, their classroom sealed with them inside…” She shook her head in puzzlement. “ Your children probably got sidelined or something and are finding other ways out, the main exit is obviously inaccessible at this moment.” She pointed at the firefighters, who were entering through a side hallway, dressed for a catastrophe, axes and hydraulic gear at the ready.

The Primary Search team entered the building, looking for any trapped survivors, and giving the building a thorough investigation. One team broke down the door of the sealed room and started to pull the kids to safety one at a time.

Others rushed through, finding straggling children and helping them to evacuate the building. They did a thorough search of all the nooks and crannies, children were displaced everywhere. Some were found hiding behind desks, or in the cupboards. They also got a look at the strange tornados, and ice eddies in the isolated classrooms. They rescued some of the kids who were too scared to move from there as well, but not all could be rescued at the moment due to odd electrical fluctuations throughout the school.

*** *** ***

“So Alex is ok?” Gloria Whitman asked yet again.

“So far Alex is unaccounted for.”

“Whoa. When you called my office I was told that Isabel never made it to her class. “ Diane also added worried, and leaning in closely.

“At last count she wasn’t,” The counselor sighed and pointed to the grounds, “mind you it’s a zoo out here...

Diane spoke slowly, enunciating every word, “So where is she?”

“That’s just it. We don’t know.” The woman answered aggrieved. We honestly don’t know. We’ve looked everywhere Mrs. Evans believe me.”

Gloria didn’t feel like waiting around for answers when there weren’t any, “But you said they might still find other ways out?” She looked at the counselor carefully and added, “Mind if we check around the grounds?”

“Help yourself.” Mrs. Rykesdale said, sensing that it wasn't going to do any good to say otherwise, she then turned and took her leave.

One thing kids do know is their parent’s voice… Diane started to holler Isabel’s name repeatedly as she walked among the surging sea of students. Gloria Whitman joined her. “ALEX!!!.... ISABEL!!!” They found no trace of the wayward kids.


*** *** ***

Isabel and Alex were still in their own little world....

Alex had nearly unbuttoned the whole of Isabel’s top now and the water that was raining down on them from the fire sprinklers, only served to heighten the pleasure. Her white, silky, Christian Dior, blouse, now clung to her very provocatively; he ran his hands along her curves, stroking every nuance of skin that peeked through the drenched material. Alex let her hands explore. Isabel’s hands were sliding along his waist and back and roaming where they wished, all the while aided by the water. He was so soft and silky... the word was sexy. Alex was sexy; and lean, and beginning to get a physique. Their runs had started to do wonders for him she realized as her hands slid along his abdomen; touching, feeling the definition of strength. She knew his physique in the dream realm, but this was her first time really exploring it. She yanked him in even tighter, hoisting him to herself while grabbing at the loops of his jeans for leverage; they tore, of course, under the force, as she wrapped her leg around his for more support, and pressed their bodies together as closely as she could, needing the closeness, all the while kissing him intently...

The two teens, still at the mercy of Isabel’s alien hormones, were unaware of the ever-burgeoning catastrophe that lay just outside the door, beyond the confines of their little liaison. For with every increase in heart rate, pulse, and action, the school building responded in kind. Wind and lightning both were crawling down the hallways visibly in tandem with each other now, as if partners in a wild atmospheric dance. The moves and pulses seemed to mimic something....

*** *** ***

Hearing their names being shouted; Max, Michael and the girls rushed over to the two mothers, not that they could be of much help, or that they knew anything with any certainty at all, but Max made a kind–of discreet motion with his head toward the pulsating school as if to indicate Isabel might be involved. Diane’s eyes followed furtively and she widened her eyes carefully in understanding, with a very shallow nod of recognition.


Not finding the teen-age couple, Diane and Gloria, rushed over to the Principal, they wanted answers, and they wanted them Yesterday!!! The members of IKAAC followed at a short distance, but stayed out of the parent’s way. It just looked like the smarter option at that point. They weren’t so far away that they couldn’t hear the conversations between the mothers and the staff however... Eavesdropping a very useful skill.


“Principal Forrester, I’m Diane Evans, Isabel’s mom. Have you found Isabel or Alex yet?”

Principal Forrester turned his attention to the two women in front of him for a moment and shook his head grievously. “I’m afraid not. But we’re still looking. We haven’t given up...”

“You have someone looking in THERE… right now?” Gloria asked, incredulous, staring at the pulsing walls of the school and the impressive flashing arcs of electricity in the hallway. The lightning effect was traveling through the school’s hallway aided by a blowing wind that accompanied it.

“Well, no Ma’am… not IN that building. But that’s going to change now that the firemen and paramedics are here. We have staff searching the grounds and annex buildings however.”

“Why don’t you just shut off the electricity and all the power to the school?” Diane suggested.

Principal Forrester shrugged. “We did that already. At the first sign of trouble we shut off the main breaker, and manually overrode the back-up generator. I was told that this would shut off power to the entire school, but as you can see apparently there is still power coming in from another source. I put a call in to building maintenance, and the electrician is on his way.

*** *** ***

Not too long afterwards, a middle-aged man with dark hair, a soft expression, possessing a strong knowledge about his field of expertise; and wearing an electrician’s tool belt with every imaginable type of tool, appeared. The name on his badge read, “Randy”. “The electrical system is shut down.” He added, “There is one main breaker, (which you turned off), that feeds the distribution panel, which feeds the individual buildings. I’ve shut them all down, but… “ He motioned at the building, shaking his head in morbid wonderment. “I’ll call the utility company and have them shut it off at the street.” He wandered off to work on the situation...

Gloria turned back to the principal, after hearing that little bit of information, “You can’t shut the power off? That’s crazy!!” She ruffled the back of her hair for a moment in a nervous mannerism, as she looked at the school and then back at the principal. Pointing at it she demanded, “If you tell me my son is in that building, look at it... it’s... it’s... It should be condemned. You find my son and find him now, or I am going to go in there and find him myself!!!”

Principal Forrester’s eyes opened wide, and he shook his head… “Mrs. Whitman, you can’t! Just look at the fireworks inside that hallway there. You would get electrocuted before you got half way down the hall. Let the firemen handle it. It’s going to be a few more minutes I fear.”


Diane took advantage of the waiting period to actually introduce herself, by name, to Mrs. Whitman. They’d been a forceful team demanding information together, but they really had never met one another. “You must be Gloria Whitman.” She nervously chuckled as she gave an arch of her eyebrow in question as the other mother turned to her, with irritation written all over her face. Gloria sighed exhaustedly. “Yeah.”

“Diane Evans. Never really got a chance to introduce myself yet with all this going on.” She chuckled tensely, “I’ve heard a lot about you. And boy do I wish we were actually meeting under better circumstances. I certainly never expected it would be like this...”

“Isabel’s mother?” Gloria blew out a long breath. “I’m wondering if they tried the locker rooms yet, or the gym.” She sighed, “Kids do sneak off and make out in the showers sometimes...” ‘Why did I say that of all things?’ She tried to backpedal, “I’m not saying mine would, just that it’s happened...” Diane raised her brow questioningly at that statement. Gloria caught the look and realized that she was sinking fast, with a sigh she addressed herself. ‘First meeting with Diane and that’s what I have to offer? I make Alex sound like a horn dog, and myself, an idiot. Neither of which is remotely accurate.’ She shook her head to herself, as she thought darkly, ‘Alex better not or I’ll kill him.’ … She knew what she was trying to say, and she knew what she was thinking, its just she had never been in a situation like this before and she was overwhelmed to say the least. It brought out her flaws, and apparently an inability to articulate rational thought. She found herself babbling, not making any sense, and not realizing what was coming out of her mouth, until it escaped. She chided herself with one last thought, ‘And you wonder where your youngest son gets it? Nah. It’s genetic.’ Diane questioningly watched the other woman wrestle with unspoken thoughts, belied by the flummoxed expression on the other mother’s face. Gloria gathered her composure, she wasn’t going to sound like an idiot one second longer, she made her living by listening and speaking. Gloria challenged Diane again; it would have to go smoother than trying to deduce Alex’s non-existent whereabouts, “Aren’t you worried about your daughter? I didn’t hear you threaten to go in or anything?” she added, provoking the other mother.

“Of course I am.” Diane cautioned curtly, “I want to find Isabel, too, but let’s let the firemen lead the way, okay? Everyone is doing everything they can to locate them, or get the electricity shut off, and my panicking and stressing isn’t going to help. If anything it will hamper the professionals. If we get ourselves killed it’s not going to do our children any good. I know how you feel, believe me.” She groaned.

Gloria closed her eyes and nodded reluctantly, knowing that Diane was right. Diane had probably said the one thing that could have made Gloria pause… that getting killed wouldn’t do their children any good. Gloria was ready to rush into the conflagration, but she wasn’t ready to leave Alex without a mother.


*** *** ***

A few minutes later, after being shut down at street level, the principal received word that nothing they were doing was having any effect on getting the power to go off. It had been shut down at school level, at the street level, and it was still as “live” as ever, as evidenced by the pulsating windows, and the obvious fireworks in the hall; the one situation that concerned everyone the most... The firemen, conferring with the electrician, made a judgment call to alert the utility company to shut down the electrical power grid, which services the school and surrounding area. It seemed to have malfunctioned. It was the only recourse that any of them had left.


The mothers were still hovering near the principal, as every conceivable idea was planned and executed. They were still nearby when shutting down the grid became the next order of business. Gloria was done waiting, she stated impatiently, “You’re telling me that my son is still in there… in that… that… conflagration!?” She demanded pointing at the school.

“We don’t know that, Mrs. Whitman. We only know that he’s not accounted for yet.”

“I can’t handle this!. I can’t keep waiting around for you to do NOTHING... He’s supposed to be safe… I am going to sue you, the city, and the entire school board for negligence, for having kids attend in an unsafe environment…” She turned to Diane, having only just met her and said, “You’re a lawyer right?” And then shaking her head and changing course she added, “…. Never mind! I’m done waiting! I’m going in...” Gloria said resolutely, as she started to walk purposefully towards the main entrance.

Diane took the moment to hopefully change the woman’s course. Walking briskly to catch up with her, she used disarmament as she reached out a hand and put it on the woman’s shoulder, stopping her midstride. She smiled tightly at her new friend and offered a hug. Mrs. Whitman nodded and accepted, as Diane drew her into an embrace. Gloria, the professional counselor, was in need of more than she could give herself at this moment, irony at its best...

Diane knew that this was, at best, only a brief respite, though. If the electricians and firemen didn’t get somewhere soon, Gloria WOULD go in… and she wouldn’t be alone, because Diane would be right there alongside her.

*** *** ***

At the same time another little scene was occurring...

The members of IKAAC had followed along behind the increasingly harried principal and the two parents. Just out of reach, not out of earshot, as mentioned before.

‘Mrs. Whitman was about to enter that?’ Liz thought to herself. It was way too dangerous. The heat was radiating in the air outside the school. The fire alarms were blaring, because somewhere inside they had registered the temperature change, or detected smoke, or something had triggered them. Same with the sprinklers, there had been fire or smoke somewhere...

But maybe what one alien started.... another could end... She looked at Max and shook her head to herself. ‘Not him.’ She thought.

Max stood motionless, processing, everything, he was observing. His arm was still around Liz’s shoulder. They had heard that the grid was about to be shut down, and Liz started to think, what if this was alien energy and it was caused by Isabel? She might not be using the school’s electricity, but she might be generating her own? And they were turning off the main power grid? Which would mean... TROUBLE. She pulled his arm from her, leaned into Max, got his attention, and said, “I’ve got to get Michael to stop this.”

“What?” He asked but she had stepped away already taking Michael with her. Maria naturally followed, curious as always.


Quietly, Liz said, “Michael, you need to stop that lightning.” Liz pointed silently at the school. “If it’s Isabel, shutting down the grid is going to do nothing. And if that happens, we’ve got a lot bigger fish to fry...”

“Me? Why me?” Michael groaned.

“Because it has to be done. And Max… Max can’t stop it. He’s too worried about Isabel. Look at him...” She pointed to the motionless Max just standing there frozen to the spot, in much the same manner as all the other students who were just watching with morbid fascination.

Max, worried about Isabel, and wondering what he had done wrong, seemed to be unable to react to the situation in front of him. Maybe letting them date wasn’t such a good idea. But they’d already been down that road. She didn’t listen to him, and went out with Alex anyways. Oh, yeah, there was no stopping this one. His body language screamed tense. He just stood there helpless, powerless to react at all.

“And I’m not worried about her?” Michael threw back at Liz

“Of course you are, Michael…But Liz is right. We’ve got to help Isabel. I’m sure she doesn’t even know what’s happening. And Alex definitely doesn’t. If either of them knew they would have stopped it already. And you know we’re right.”

“Please, Michael…. unless you all want to be exposed today, there isn’t another option.” Liz pleaded.

Michael glared at them both and at the parents who now were being held back by the principal and fire department. “I know I’m going to regret this…..” He caught Max’s attention silently and whispered pointedly, “I’m going in.” Then Michael slipped away.

*** *** ***

At the same time as this was happening, Gloria turned to her new friend-in-crisis and pointed at the main entrance. A fireman who had braved the hallway was escorting a disheveled girl from the catastrophe. Behind him was an impressive electrical light show. It was eerily reminiscent of a scene out of a movie; the firefighter hero racing out of the burning building with a rescued survivor, while behind him the building is in ruins and crumbling to the ground. The school for all intents and purposes should not still be standing, not with the power surges, and sparking electricity. It should have been a burning, smoldering, wreck… But it wasn’t.

“Look through the front door, Diane.” Gloria pointed, “There is a crazy electrical storm in there, and arcs flying from that door through the hallways. That is a fire waiting to happen. Why it hasn’t already, I have no idea. But I do not want to find out that my son is still in that building.”

Diane nodded her understanding as she let a very weary sigh escape.

The fireman with the lone student hollered to the principal. “Principal Forrester... Here is a student who was caught in the sprinkler system. Found her behind some desks in a deserted classroom. Looks like she’s had quite a fright.” The petite, terrified, blue-eyed girl came out whining and dripping wet. She had been in one of the ice eddy rooms. Mascara was crystallized to her cheeks, where it had rained down before freezing. And her dark brunette hair seemed to be stringing down her back as if made of brittle icicles. Wailing dramatically she was escorted out of the building supported by a firefighter. "The students' safety is our number one concern," the fireman continued, "And as soon as the grid is closed, we’re going back into that hallway, with the EMT’s; I heard some moaning as I rescued this one, it’s coming from behind that door.” He indicated the sparking door at the end of the hallway.

EMT’s had littered the yard and placed out the triage tarps to divide the injured into categories of severity. The worst injuries were very minor cuts or scrapes from the raining glass. No one in the whole of the school was seriously hurt, although good portions of the students were soaking wet, wilting hot, or freezing cold. They were examined for heat stroke or hypothermia as well.

As each student was removed from the school the tally continued, some were still inside, their rooms were unsafe for retrieval at the moment, but their names were checked off against the principal’s main list.

Diane and Gloria stood nearby, as the principal realized only two still were actually missing, the same two who had been missing the entire time so far. “They’ve got to be in that room then...”

*** *** ***

Michael’s heroics continued ... When he had stepped quietly in to the back of the school, wondering just what he was supposed to do with this situation, he spied a large green box, hidden in plain sight, buried among some bushes. The warning read: Caution: High Voltage. An idea formed...

Michael entered into the school by way of a back service entrance, a well placed glowing hand unlocked the door. He could feel the electrified air as he wandered silently through the halls, His hair started to rise, and stand on end from the increased static. Wind, electricity... whatever was going on was of an alien nature. Of this he was certain. These types of atmospheric conditions were not known to occur indoors.

A finger of lightening shot right past him as he stealthily entered the hall nearest to the Eraser Room. It wasn’t contained anymore; the errant wind was pushing it erratically down the halls. So far it hadn’t ignited anything, but he wasn’t going to take any more chances. It was time to take control. Isabel. Wind. The two words were synonymous, he thought darkly. Whirlwind. Hurricane. Tornado. Storm. That’s what was going on in the school. A storm. A lightning storm. INSIDE the school. Another bolt passed by rapidly, he felt that one, and it nearly singed him. He had to get this controlled, now, before the school really did catch fire... The weather was only increasing...

The things he would do for love and family.


Michael looked around furtively. No one was watching, but he could see the arcs of electricity flying very close to him.

Damn, this was going to HURT.

He pulled on his own energy, and held out his hand as he started to advance on the electrical power, pushing it back, step by step, channeling it through the wall and through the school’s wiring system and out into the large green electrical transformer parked indiscriminately outside. Grimacing from the immense charges coursing through him now, ‘This had better work,’ he thought. ‘I don’t know how long I can hold this…’ When he was sure he had transferred all the energy outside, he snuck back through the school, and resumed his duty at the outside box. This piece of equipment bypassed the switches, and worked with the voltage directly. At this point, he gathered all the extra power Isabel had created inadvertently, and forced it back onto the downed power grid, it overloaded the school’s circuitry momentarily as the electronics in each room sizzled and burst. Computers would need to be repaired or replaced, but it had to be done. Isabel had to be protected. From here the electricity made its way back onto the electrical power grid, not sufficient to light up the surrounding community, but enough to throw suspicion away from the school.

Damn, this did HURT.

BUT

A few moments later the sparking began to subside. The school entered another calm. The lightning storm died out, and Michael just breathed a quick sigh of relief. His hands were tingling, and he felt buzzing in his fingertips, traveling through his arms. All the hairs on his body felt charged, and standing on ends. Isabel had been generating some serious power. ‘Too bad I couldn’t have sent it back into her, but then they’d probably explode.’ He thought momentarily to himself, as he plopped onto the ground and tried to regain his strength.

*** *** ***

When the fireworks died down, presumably from the shut down grid, a cheer went through the air.

The firemen shrugged, and Randy the electrician just scratched his head, scrunching his eyes in concentration. You can’t watch an electrical grid be shut down, only in the fact that there is no power to said locations. This was just weird...

The pulsating in the windows, stopped. The school was more normal now, and the final rescues could commence. Firemen entered and rushed in multiple directions. Paramedics were heading for the formerly sparking door near the end of the hall.

The girls too cheered but for totally different reasons. It had worked. Michael was an unsung hero... Maria laughed and threw her arms around Liz’s shoulders. Max gave a hesitant smile, and went to find Michael.

*** *** ***

Gloria and Diane caught up to the unit who were entering via the main hallway, and for a moment… a brief moment… one of the firemen attempted to keep Gloria and Diane from following, he turned and ordered them to stay back as he entered the school.

But they either did not hear him or, more likely, simply ignored the order. Looking back again as he made his way down the hall, he saw that they were still behind him.

There were children to rescue, and every moment spent on anything else was lost time. And he just didn’t have it to waste precious time on lost causes, or anything else.

If these mothers got in his way, or in the way of the other firemen, he would reconsider. But at the moment, it was mostly a decision of convenience. Too much time had already been lost, getting kids out of the school was of the utmost priority and he continued running down the hall, with two concerned and very determined mothers trailing him. Water was splashing with every stride; the floors were standing in water from the sprinklers.

Randy, the electrician, completely befuddled by the occurrences he had observed, went in with his tools at the same time as the firemen. He knew electricity well, and this had not conformed to its proper rules, and so with way too many people relying on his expertise and the heavy sense of responsibility weighing on him, he carefully used all the tools at his disposal. He started with the voltage meter; its readout screen did not indicate any electricity in that area. Next he used the circuit tracer, a fat pencil sized tool; running it along the wall and outlet plate, it normally would chirp happily in the presence of a current while the red tip lit up, but now it remained silent in his hands. Not sure if he could trust his equipment, for he certainly couldn’t trust his eyes, and he was taking no chances with anyone’s safety, he used the final tool in this arsenal, a Wiggy. He inserted the two wires into the outlet and waited for it to buzz or vibrate in his hands. Again silence. Nothing. The best he could determine, they were finally without current and so he gave his thumbs up to the firemen. The day still felt off to him... nothing was acting properly, but he edged his way throughout the school testing every outlet or switch he encountered....


With the final go ahead, the firefighters quickly made their way to the suspect room. It wasn’t sparking anymore. One touched the door with gloved hands to feel for heat, or to see if it was buzzing in any sense. Grid was down, power was off, and the room wasn’t on fire. Rescue could finally commence.

“Step back Ma’am,” one of the firefighters ordered brusquely, noticing the two mothers standing nearby. He pushed them further back down the hall, as other firefighters prepared to use the Halligan tool on the door. About to take swing, poised midstroke, suddenly, unexpectedly, the door creaked of its own accord...

Wringing their hands and hoping that all was well with their teens, who somehow were sealed inside that room, Diane and Gloria edged forward again and peered around the rescue team, being very careful to stay out of the way.

A firefighter checked the hinges and felt the door giving way to pressure; it was moving beneath his hands and it was about to fall. “Ok… It’s coming!! ...” the firefighter called out forcefully, as they all moved from the path of the falling object... A second later--maybe Isabel and Alex caught the knob inside, or maybe it was the force they were exhibiting-- the door dislodged itself. Then, with a crash of metal against a hard floor, the door slammed to the ground, (SPLASH: into a puddle of water), bringing its two occupants with it. Whoever was standing nearby got a little bit wet. Out fell two drunken, soaking wet, half undressed teens, completely oblivious to the scene around them. They crashed to the floor, still in their embrace. He now was lying atop her, his mouth attached to hers, his hand high inside her mostly unbuttoned blouse. And this was the scene that their mothers first witnessed.

Gloria and Diane’s mouths dropped open. “OH MY GOD!!!” They said in a shocked unison, eyes wide in dismay. Gloria proceeded to cross herself for the second time that day.

Maria and Liz had silently followed the mothers halfway down the hall. They were not obtrusive or noticed. Max was outside checking on Michael to make sure he was alright, as he hadn’t rejoined the group yet when they all rushed in. And as the alien make-out duo, fell out, Maria and Liz grimaced. Oh, this was not going to be good. Bad in fact. Very, very bad... They were glad the boys weren’t around to catch this sight. Talk about the expressions, ‘they were about to catch hell’, or ‘there would be hell to pay’.... Isabel and Alex were in big trouble... All capital letters T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Isabel looked up and saw everyone staring down at them, mothers, firemen, and paramedics, and started to cackle even more vigorously. In her drunken, euphoric state, everything was funny. She was completely not in control, completely not herself. Not anymore...

TBC....

[Mt Gazer]

Disclaimer: I in no way own the rights to Roswell or anything related to it. All rights belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox, Regency Entertainment, Melinda Metz, WB and UPN. No infringement is intended. I am borrowing their awesome characters, and including my own.

Perhaps in this part and in parts to come I am or will be borrowing some scenes, and I will borrow direct dialog and use altered dialog at times.

Title: Shifting Realities
Author: Mt Gazer/Velvet Skye
Category: CC/ AU
Rating: MATURE- ADULT
Spoilers: This is my version of Sexual Healing.

I dedicate this chapter and all its parts to my friends Pooh and Tharos.

And to Randy, my dear husband, I thank him again for all the assistance in this part. It was he who pointed out that the toxin idea was not going to work, who gave some suggestions as to what i might do to repair, and supplied some raw material for certain scenes... Randy is always behind the scenes, and always an assitant in this. I tell him practically every idea that goes through my head. I love you, and thank you. As always. Shifting lives becasue of your support.

An important cameo in this part was played by Sarah Dykes. She goes by SarahWhitman online here, and is an EMT student in training. All medical information was supplied by her, and if there are any errors, she and I both are sorry.

PML: WOW!!! Peter. This is a permanent spot in recognition of all your assistance. THANK-YOU!!! Shifting Realities is doing well with your attention to details. So thanks forever. You are a Godsend and a lifesaver.

And finally I will attempt to recap where we’ve been.

RECAP: This is sexual healing, and Alex and Isabel have seemingly now become the “new Max and Liz” They are the ones being affected by flashes and Alien hormones. Earlier in this day (storywise obviously) they had an embarrassing “Soul Gazing” episode in 3rd period, English class. At lunch the whole situation was being discussed by most of the group, and a plan was made to accost and retrieve answers from the guilty parties by whomever had class with them. Unfortunately they never made it to class, they had a mind-blowing session in the Eraser Room instead... At last mention they had just fallen out at the feet of their mothers and other city officials, Isabel was totally plastered, and Alex, well his hands were not where a mom wants to see them...

So now we shall see what transpires with this....

******************************************
Shifting Realities

Chapter 27: J

Loosing Control

******************************************

A continuation of the final scene...

....His mother was vacillating between various emotions, “Oh My God!, she added in shock as she crossed herself while he tumbled out of the eraser room. Fear for her son’s safety was at the top of the list. Then relief that he was uninjured followed immediately on fear’s heels, “I thought that something bad had happened to you Alex!!” And in a split second another emotion, “And believe me, NOW it WILL.” Anger divided its time with the other reigning emotions; she was livid. Gloria rushed forward and severed his contact with Isabel. Shooting a withering look at her son’s soaking wet, intoxicated girlfriend, she yanked him off of Isabel by the arm that was inside her shirt, so fast, that he had no time to process the separation. “Young Man. You nearly scared me to death!! ... “We’re going home this instant!!!!” She felt him stumbling in her arms, as another more important problem presented itself. “Wait? Are you drunk Alex? Oh my God!!! Drinking at school!?” Something just wasn’t right about any of this. “What’s gotten into you?” She turned her son’s face to hers and saw the wandering eyes and the inability to focus. She was determined to gather answers. “Where did you get it?”

And at the very same moment Diane was removing her suit jacket. She just had a feeling she might need to use it.

Gloria Whitman had grabbed her son’s arm and yanked him away so quickly, that Isabel hardly had time to process it before her mother did the same with her. “Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing, Young Lady!” She demanded, and noticing her partially clothed state, her almost completely unbuttoned blouse, Diane immediately threw her suit jacket over the front of her daughter to cover her using one hand, and with the other pulled her from the floor. And the alcohol question was instantly raised with her too. She was teetering badly. Diane assisted her into placing the jacket on backwards.

“You can’t do that Mrs. Whitman; we need to talk to the kids...” The guidance counselor had stepped into the fray. She was right beside Gloria as she hauled Alex from the floor. She began to interrogate Alex... At the same time the paramedic and EMT were asking to examine the kids as well.... everyone now would have to wait their turn...

Gloria advanced into the guidance counselor’s space, dragging Alex with her, “No. I need to get him out of here, I now know he’s alive at least. Can’t tell you how long he’ll remain in that state however when we get home and I get my hands on him... I don’t know what’s gotten into him today.”

“Of course. But we still have to speak with him...” The counselor demanded, as she pointed to a nearby wall, in a silent gesture of wait right there. His mother pinned Alex upright against the wall; he was teetering badly. Her foot was pressed against the side of his, and he was leaning over onto her side, arm draped around his mother’s shoulder. Giggling erratically.

They didn’t need an audience of the entire school, and so to retain as much grace, dignity and privacy as they could afford, the principal sealed the main door with the stoppers down, and locked it after the school officials, and the Sheriff’s Deputy, Owen Blackwood, entered into the building. Whomever else wished to enter would have to knock.

Principal Forrester and Vice Principal Hughes, ran over to Alex, interrogating and demanding answers... one of them being where had the alcohol come from?

Alex mumbled out something to the effect of “She ma’ me zhrun-kkk, ah er” (She made me drunk, on her...) and with that the Vice Principal turned on Isabel, the supposed source... Alex was still giggling erratically.

“Isabel...” Vice Principal Hughes ran over to her, after hearing Alex’s admonition that she supplied the perceived liquor... “What are you doing drinking on school property? We could bring charges on you and Alex for having alcohol on the premises. It is an illegal act that you committed, not to mention that you are an underage minor? Did you know that by drinking or doing drugs here that you were breaking the law? Where did you get it?”

“Isabel?” her mother demanded of her, shaking her arms and trying to look into her face. “Is this true? Did you get Alex drunk?”

Isabel shook her head vehemently, slurring profoundly, .... “I don’ zhrink. I oh no what a-pen,” She shoved her loose hair behind her ear “... Din oo nyzing.” (I don’t drink. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t do anything.) She added laughing sloppily, trying to walk... “I feel... ‘eir-d.” (I feel...weird) She started to stumble with that statement, causing her to laugh more erratically... Diane tried to steady her unbalanced daughter, as she found a nearby wall and shoved her staggering daughter against it, forcefully trying to hold her there.

Diane, at Gloria’s insistence that the kids were examined, had no choice but to comply as she also handed her daughter over to be examined by the medics... Diane realized that Gloria couldn’t know that this might be disastrous... and well she just had to hope for the best. She stood by extremely worried. This was the closest to an alien misadventure that she was directly involved in. Maybe Isabel had been drinking, but that was truly unlikely, for she’d already stated to her mother over the course of her knowing the secret, that they had practically a zero tolerance for alcohol. There had to be another cause for this behavior, a cause that unfortunately was in the hands of an EMT at the moment. All Diane could gather was that the answers to this little escapade lay with her daughter.


The medics took over, one on each of the teens... The experienced paramedic stated that they needed to examine the teen’s mental states and to search for trauma. Their health was of the utmost priority at this moment and they might have been injured when they were locked inside that room.

*** ***

In the meanwhile Isabel was watching Alex as if he were prey, and the same look was plastered upon his face,, neither could stand upright of their own strength and were still being forced to nearby walls by their mother’s strong grips. And if their mothers weren’t holding them a few feet from each other, there is no telling what they’d be doing at this particular moment.


“Hi I’m Ian,” the dark-blonde haired, paramedic said to Alex.... “I’ll be taking care of you and asking you some questions....”

He did his initial evaluation, examining for signs of Trauma, or shock... His initial assessment was that Alex was flushed, his pulse was racing, his temperature was average to high, and his pupils were dilated... and he seemed to be a bit altered.

“Follow the light,” he said, as he shone the little pen light trauma teams carry. Alex tracked somewhat ok. His eyes were responsive; constricting, as they should while the light shone in them, both pupils were reactive... No sign of a neurological trauma. The light was shone side to side and up and down, and he was supposed to follow it and to track with his eyes... however he was having trouble complying with the task, for his eyes wished to wander to Isabel. “Keep your eyes on me here son,” he grabbed Alex’s chin and brought his eyes back to center...

Alex knew Isabel too was being examined. That worried him more, and that’s why he wasn’t tracking as well as he should, he was trying to look beside himself peripherally to see how she was doing. Anything off with her could spell trouble, and although they were in plenty of that already, and he was rather intoxicated, and giggling hysterically, he still knew of Isabel and her special- needs. Actually whatever this thing was that had happened to them gave a heightened awareness of the other. Alex and Isabel were both very attentive to each other; it’s just to everything and everyone else that they appeared less cognizant.

Both teens were being asked similar questions to assess their condition. They were definitely in some state of altered... "Hi my name is Sarah and I'm an EMT. Can you please tell me your name?" The happy, dark curly haired, technician, asked Isabel, looking her over for obvious injuries.

“Izhbwl” The inebriated teen answered.

“Was that Isabel?” the medic questioned.

“ Hm-mm.” The teen tried to agree.

“Ok. How many fingers am I holding up, Isabel?” she started to assess for obvious signs of trauma.

Isabel rocked haltingly on her feet, and she laughed stuporously as she imitated the motion of holding up three fingers.

“ Ok...” Sarah nodded. She then began to take Isabel's blood pressure and pulse. “Do you know what time it is?” she asked.

“Ummm....” Isabel couldn’t answer this question... her eyes were wandering as well as her wobbling stance...

Alex however did know it was 6th period at last he knew...

*** ***

As the medics had began their assessments... Liz and Maria stood by and observed the discourse. They were discussing it while it played out.

“Uh Oh...” Maria added, pointing at the drunken teens. “Girl’s Night?” Reminding Liz of when they made-out and became seemingly intoxicated from each other’s presence...

“Multiplied exponentially.” Liz added, understanding what Maria was saying.
“But they do that to each other.” Liz cautioned.

“Meaning, they’re drunk off their ass right now with one thing on their mind...” Maria countered.


Max and Michael entered the back hallways after Max had ascertained that Michael was fine. Fried and frazzled, but fine... and they crept over to where the girls were standing, conversing the current state of the couple.
Max couldn’t wait to get his hands on Alex.

Michael’s hair was far more spiked than usual and he still seemed to be a little static-y, he looked and acted as though he had stuck his hand in an electrical socket... Oh wait. He basically had.

Maria took one look at him and teased, “Like what you’ve done with the hair. New hairstyle?”

Michael stared at her and dryly uttered, “Funny, oh so very funny…
So what’s next on the rescuing Isabel’s ass agenda.” He quipped.

“That?” Liz questioned and pointed.

“So they’re drunk? As long as they aren’t arrested or she’s taken to the hospital for any reason we should be good.” Max stated in authority. Liz was giving him an incredulous look. “Right?” He asked in confusion, knowing that by her look he was missing something.

“Well, I think that’s our problem. I don’t think they had any alcohol, per se...”

Michael looked down at her impatiently, “What does that mean Liz? Is there something you’ve neglected to share with the class?”

“Well not neglected necessarily, it just didn’t seem that important.”

Michael continued, “Everything about us is important. When are you going to get that?”

“No we do get that.” Liz acquiesced. “It was just at the time you weren’t letting any humans close Max, or talking to your sister. And we figured it was a one-time thing. We just kind of forgot about it by the time you had made back up and well, apparently we made a mistake. Sorry. Basically they got a bit drunk; I’d more call them tipsy that day now however, because today they are wasted...”

“Today is that day, times a million, ” Maria stated emphatically. “I mean the electricity, the drunkenness, everything.”

“Any other secrets, any other information that might get us hauled away? I’ve already had my hand in an electrical current today? What else can we add to the dossier?” Michael intoned with quirked eyebrow while scratching it.

They stood there discussing how somehow Isabel effects her physical surroundings and apparently at random times also gets wasted from the act of kissing.

**** ****

“What year is it?” Sarah asked Isabel trying to determine her mental status, asking her the time hadn’t worked, but maybe she really had no idea how long she’d been trapped in the room...

“Shou-san... “ Isabel mumbled.

“2000. Close enough ok.” Sarah accepted the year.

“Are you taking any type of medication Isabel?” Sarah asked to be met with the teen forcefully shaking her head no...”What about any other substance?” Again Isabel forcefully shook her head... Sarah discreetly calculated her respiratory rate, it was a bit high at the moment.

Alex started to hum an unknown tune, it just fit his feelings and, like all musicians or writers he starting stringing words together.

He was by this point quite slurred, his speech was hard to decipher...

“May-e a reater hing will happ-en”
(Maybe a greater thing will happen)
”May-e all il seee”
(Maybe all will see)
”May-e au lo’ will catch li fy r
(Maybe our love will catch like fire)
”As i’ burs truogh me
(As it burns through me)
La-la-la-la-la
Song is: Beautiful Love by the Afters

He repeated the words and tune again... gesturing as if in concert.
Isabel turned to look at him, smiling broadly, and singing along merrily, and drunkenly, “la-la-la...” The song came to an abrupt ending. Everyone clapped, rather sarcastically, but clapped nonetheless for the off key, slurred, duet...

The gang shook their heads, while they clapped, this was embarrassing for them to watch. Isabel and Alex had to be drunk. There’s no way they’d do this normally. Especially Isabel. She was staring at Alex right now with less than chaste thoughts... However his eyes mirrored hers, and the thoughts were transmitted in reverse... And their eyes locked again. Locked tight.

*** ***
On this particular day letting their eyes lock was a bad thing, that’s how the Soul Gaze in class had started.

Ian, once again was forcing Alex to be attentive to his exam... “Eyes right here, young man.” He said forcing his attention away from the beautiful Blonde.

“Isabel look at me,” the paramedic shone the light in her eyes, they were dilated and her pupils did not constrict when the light was shown in them... the paramedic turned her face to make contact again. And as luck would have it, Sarah, just by doing her job, averted disaster without even knowing it.

“Do you know where you are, Isabel?” Sarah could not get the girl’s eyes to focus on her, she was still wandering.

Isabel tried to say the word Eraser Room, but it was not working with her drunken speech so she mumbled out, “Lezhenady ma’ ou’ oom...”

Across the way was heard a slurred, “ You o i’ ba-by’ ( You know it baby). She was not easy for Sarah to work with, for the moment he uttered that, her head was turning in his direction, as she coquettishly bit her lower lip and gave him a seductive wink. He responded in kind with his classic head nod and a wink, as they burst out laughing timorously..

She’d have to reevaluate in a few minutes to see if there was any change... her non reactive state was worrisome... it could signify a hidden injury... She continued in her assessment. She resumed her conversation with Isabel... “What was that again? I couldn’t understand you?”

*** ***
At the exact same time as the exams, the gang was in hushed conversation...

“So you need to say this, that Isabel is the source of the alcohol. That she brought it to school or something.”

“No way... I think my sister has been though enough today.” Max countered, “Let Alex take that hit, he can say he got it from his dad’s liquor cabinet.”

“They’d be great if they had one.” Maria argued, “But they don’t. They don’t drink. And you could try that, aside from the fact that his mother is right over there and would deny it.” Maria pointed to Mrs. Whitman. “We’ve got a bit of a parent problem today don’t you think?”

“What’s wrong with them?... Even our dad has a liquor cabinet...” Max finished in annoyance.

“Alcoholism is a very real disease, Max!!” Maria forced out imperiously, her hand on her hips. “It runs in families and it ruins lives. Just look at where Michael came from.” Throwing out in defense of her lifetime friend, “So the Whitmans just don’t drink! OK! Got a problem with it?”

Max held his hands in surrender, “Well is there anything else we need to know? About Isabel? Kissing? Alex? Isabel kissing Alex? His family? Anything else?”

Liz blurted out, “We need blood.”

“What?” Max looked at her curiously

Liz thinking rapidly added, “Code for: Short of an alien intervention..” “We’re screwed right?” Michael finished her thought.

“Yeah exactly.” Liz nodded in quiet agreement.

“You’re right...” Michael consented. “We need blood”

“What’s the plan?” Max asked...

They started to discuss options while all the while the teens were being examined. They didn’t have one yet while Isabel was slurring a response to where she was, when Maria had to run to do some quick interference...

“Legendary make-out room.” Maria rushed over and translated, looking closely at Isabel. “She knows where she is.” Maria stared at her face. She was not herself... Unguarded would be a word to describe it. Where Isabel usually wears a facade of confidence, and is always guarded; now she wasn’t. She appeared so carefree. “You do know where you are? Don’t you?” She asked her friend.

The EMT turned to her, “Where did you come from? And back up please... I need to keep working here.”

“Uh down the hall.” Maria pointed over her shoulder, “Look they are two of my best friends. Are they ok?”

“We’re still trying to determine that...”

Sarah and Ian started a conversation... “He’s flushed and slightly disoriented, A and O times 3. Pupils equal and reactive.... no evident signs of trauma.... Vitals a little high.... Non-evidence of alcohol on his breath..” Sarah responded with similar jargon, “She looks a bit flushed and is slightly disoriented as well, A and O times 3, pupils dilated and non-reactive.... Vitals also on the high side... Also non-evidence of alcohol....” Sarah observed Isabel very closely and moved her head around checking for any obvious injuries, yet again...

Diane sure hoped Isabel passed this medical test, no telling how much more trouble the day could hold if this didn’t test right. It didn’t sound good that she and Alex didn’t match in the pupil response.... Although Diane didn’t know if that was because something might be wrong with Isabel or if because of her alien status she was just responding differently, and there was really nothing “wrong.” The one and only thing she could attest to at this moment was that Isabel and Alex both looked altered and wasted. Diane would definitely agree that they were not exactly “here” right now. She stood to the side wringing her hands nervously, and sucking in her lips. The discordant laughter coming from the two was just disconcerting at best.

Sarah and Ian continued their questions.... "Are you allergic to anything?"

Alex shook his head no and Isabel’s mother answered for her... “Nothing that we are aware of...” (She thought to herself alcohol, a very low tolerance for alcohol. But that’s a bit ironic, because she definitely wouldn’t have touched it, and is totally drunk.)

Isabel was unable to respond to Maria’s question of if she knew where she was and instead said whatever came to her inebriated mind... Isabel slurred out, “Ayx , sho ho-t” (Alex is so hot)

“I bur fer u Bab-..” He added, as his cheeks rose in the smile, (I’m burning for you babe) He couldn’t help himself... every time she made a suggestive remark he had to respond with one of his own... They just kept coming... he started to snort drunkenly... if he wasn’t responding to innuendoes, than he was drunkenly laughing...

Responding to Alex’s innuendo, Isabel started to laugh in a very inebriated fashion as she ran her hands backwards through her hair and added, “I sho hot. (I’m so hot)” She tugged at the hem of her mother’s jacket, as though it was in her way, or offending her, as if she wished to remove it, while she pulled it upwards.... “Lets leave that on, honey.” The EMT pulled Isabel’s hand from the jacket and smoothed it back down to her waist. She kept hold of her wrist and took the moment to feel her pulse, again... The inebriated laughter continued, with drunken uncoordinated gesturing... Isabel’s pupils altered a tiny bit. Maria, who was staring at her at this moment, caught it.

“Yes darling, you are a little hot.” The EMT condescendingly teased as she attested to that fact while she registered Isabel’s temperature at around 102. “No doubt with what you were doing you’re bound to get a little bit warm.”

“She’s shmokin’ Ho-ot.” The drunken Alex added... “She’s m-ine.” He said growling possessively...

And Isabel stared, “Ho d’ya wan’ me?” She questioned coyly, seductively raising her eyebrow and smirking at him. The flirt was on. (How do you want me?) ... Diane was staring at her daughter... she’d never seen her like this before, she was so open... it was scary.

“Righ’ heer. Righ’ ow. Babe...” Alex nodded. (Right here. Right now. Babe)

Gloria choked, walked over to her son, “Not here Alex. And definitely not NOW.” She countermanded his flirting attempts with a palmed slap on the side of his head. “Continue with the exam.” She added to the medic, “and I’m terribly sorry for my son’s behavior...” She added, blushing.


"When was the last time you ate or drank anything?" The medics tried to continue their evaluations; the teens were not easy to work with... between drunken laughter or volleying suggestive comments, they were making it hard to give them a thorough examination, however it is exactly what they were getting.

Maria filled in the medic... “She drank three bottled waters a little while ago... and she didn’t eat lunch to my knowledge...”

“Three waters? Are you sure?”

“Yes... Well I thought it was water... But no, I can’t verify that it was actually water.”

“What was her state of mind when she was drinking this water?” She looked up.

“Um,” Maria stated thinking back a few hours, “She was pretty stressed out, and acting kind of nervous... frenetic... pacing, talkative...”

“Any of this her normal behavior?”

“No. Isabel is always in control of everything...”

“Ok... So there’s a possibility she snuck in alcohol instead of actually drinking water?” The EMT was taking what report she could, to assess the girl’s condition.

“Yeah I guess so. But I can’t believe she’d do that. I mean these are good kids, top students and all.”

“Well you said she was acting differently, when she was drinking it, and there has to be something to substantiate this behavior... if we can’t find any other evidence to support this, I think we’re going to have to assume she brought it with her. I hate to say this, but alcoholics become very adept at hiding their drinks, sometimes in plain sight.” Sarah raised her eyebrow.

*** ***

Ian called over the deputy and principals... “We need some help here. Could you please search their personal property, the room they were trapped in, lockers, that sort of thing? We need to see if we can find some hidden alcohol... We’re going to speak with the mothers and friends to see if we can’t get a clearer picture.”

Deputy Blackwood had been gathering information inside, taking reports and asking questions about the entire incident, while outside Sheriff Valenti was questioning and gathering information from eyewitnesses to the disaster.

The team set off on a search. It took some time while the parents and friends were questioned, but the end results were that it turned up nothing... It had started in the Eraser Room. Isabel’s purse was found on a shelf in the room, it didn’t contain anything of an incriminating nature...just the regular things one might find in a teen girl’s purse. It was returned to her mother. The Eraser Room was then thoroughly searched... no bottles of alcohol or anything else. The room just had the odds and ends of things it normally had in it, but nothing to indicate alcohol use... The lockers were ransacked and then thrown back together, nothing. Pockets were outturned... again nothing.

*** ***

Liz still didn’t quite know what their plan was, Maria had disappeared in the planning stages, but interferences must be run, this scenario was playing out with or without them, Isabel and Alex were totally smashed. And they had to find a way to “fix” it. Liz rushed in to Alex. “Alex. Look at me. Me. Liz, your best friend? What’s going on with you Alex?”

He poked himself in the chest with his index finger, “I zhsa shtu-d. She wansh me...” (I the stud. She wants me.) He started to chortle, much in the same manner as Isabel...

His mother’s mouth dropped as her eyes widened more than thought possible, shaking her head in disbelief, she swallowed heavily while fanning herself, as she watched this drunken flirting or was it a mating dance. She didn’t care to know. She thought back to his last reply, “Right here, right now? The stud?” This was way too much... her face was burning, and she really wanted to drag him out of here, there were so many things she had to say to him... But right now she had to bite her tongue and let everyone else have his or her turn...

Isabel was staring at him, he was right, she did want him, and to get away from these people. She started to pull away from the wall, and Sarah... but Maria carefully analyzing her every move used this moment to assert her self again, rushing between the medic and Isabel, Maria grabbed her friend’s arms and shook her. “Don’t answer that, if you know what’s good for you.” She forced her back against the wall. Maria knew only that an extremely suggestive comment would follow that, reading the overt expression on Isabel’s face, and she was trying to get Isabel back to any form of reality. Isabel startled momentarily, and then Maria shook her harder till she had eye contact. Isabel blinked at her, finally a hint of recognition flashed through her... “Isabel, you need to get your head in the game and get it off Alex. Cause right now that’s not helping anyone, and it’s causing a scene....”

Oh it sure was, the type of scene that leaves mothers in a state of panic. Diane realized where all of the questions were landing, and the state she’d found them in, led her to believe that they were about to get themselves into even more trouble than the trouble they were already facing. This was heading sexual, very fast... Diane incredulously shook her head with a huge weary sigh. And Gloria was internally panicking, had been for a few moments already ...

“Look! Can we hurry this up?” Maria turned to the paramedics, “They’re good... She knows where she is and she knows who she’s with. I think that’s all she knows, but she knows that much very well....” Maria and now Liz were trying to keep them from breaking free of their medics and jumping each other... this whole day was crazy... they wanted to get them safely out of there. Maria in her state of stress grabbed a bottle of cypress oil from her back pocket, ‘never leave home without it,’ and started to sniff it. The medic watched curiously... and kept assessing... Drunken laughter punctuated the air... from both parties...

“Ayz s..”. Isabel swallowed and sniggered, “ We...” shaking her head and drunkenly slurring she added, “Wo- Woa...” like she was surprised herself at what had transpired. (Alex is. We. Whoa.) She doubled over in her drunken laughter.

Maria demanded, “Shut up. Isabel. Ok. Just shut up! Just don’t say anything else. Cause you’re not on Planet Earth right now.” She shoved the vial under Isabel’s nose... Isabel crunched her nose and shoved the vial away, clumsily with her left hand...

“N-o..” Isabel agreed. “We,” Tracing a drunken circle with her left index finger in the air... Maria shot a quick look to Alex and found him making the same gesture... while cackling. “ Ga-zxy...” Isabel added as she giggled erratically, while Alex was pointing to the sky, his finger wobbling over his head. ...

“Circle, in air, galaxy?” Maria tried to piece together what she was saying... ‘Oh Crap....’ she figured it out. ‘Beyond the galaxy?’ Maria thought back to the conversation after the Soul Gaze in third period when Isabel had said its like they went “Beyond the Galaxy” without touching... ‘Oh Crap’....

“Isabel shut the hell up. Right now, before you say too much, or do anything else stupid...” she hissed into her friend’s ear. “Just let the medics do their job now ok?”

“Same goes for you Alex.” Liz hissed in his ear...


“Ok,, seeing that you have the appearance of a drunken state we’re going to give you a breathalyzer test to assess your BAC” (Blood Alcohol Content) Ian told Alex...

Sarah told Isabel the same... She was shaking her head; she knew they hadn’t taken or drank anything. “If you refuse, that is fine. But you will be taken into the Sheriff’s office and we will administer a blood test to determine levels.” That was unacceptable, and since Isabel is legally underage, and currently incapable of making rational decisions, Diane ordered them to do the test...

It was administered, their BAC was 0.0 % there wasn’t a trace of alcohol in their systems...

And the confused medics began another dialog; “What’s his status?” Sarah asked Ian. Ian replied, “Same as before. But his BAC is 0% and behavior and outward signs suggest drinking. How about the girl?” Sarah nodded from where she was still examining Isabel, “Yeah. Same. Her pupils are sluggish to respond but reactive now... lets question the friends, and mothers... and lets find some clues about what happened to these kids...

*** ***

The girls headed back to Max for a moment... Maria informed them of the water slip, and how it was now the hidden source of the booze. How she had lied about her drinking it... and the Breathalyzer had tested negative... That was where they needed to focus, on that test. If somehow they could get it administered again, Max was going to rig the test to detect alcohol. It was definitely a “we need blood” situation...

Michael quipped before they all went to their new stations, “Just what level of geek do you have to be, to have a Breathalyzer rigged to actually detect alcohol?”

*** ***

Each of the medics left the mothers holding a teen, and questioned the friends.


Sarah started a discussion with Maria, concerning her oil. “So what were you sniffing?”

“This?” Maria questioned. “Cypress oil. Reduces Stress. Want some?” She held out the vial and let the EMT sniff it. Sarah sniffed it and found it to be an aromatic oil of some sort, it smelled tree-ey but it definitely seemed harmless.

“Why do you have it with you?” Sarah questioned again.

“That’s a good question?” Maria stated nodding. “Never know when I’m going to need it.”

“Ok? Sarah thought that to be a strange answer, “Is your life that stressful? I mean if you’re their best friend, and your life is so stressful you carry that around with you, what is theirs like? Is it stressful as well and would they need to take anything to counteract the stress?” She questioned, maybe these kids had bad home lives... although that seemed highly unlikely with the way the parents were protectively hovering.

“I guess. I don’t know... I can’t believe that my friends would do this you know? I mean why didn’t they talk to us if things were getting so bad...”

*** ***

Max gave his mother a hug in support and whispered the plan into her ear discreetly, right before she had to go speak with the medic and Deputy Blackwood, while the principal listened in....


Ian followed suit, pulling Gloria away at a distance... The teens were open, the moms weren’t hovering anymore, Max and Michael stepped in and picked up the slack. Michael went to Alex, of course, while Max rushed to Isabel’s side. Michael reached out his hand, sending a rather strong “accidental” static shock through Alex and inversely himself as he shoved Alex down to the ground by the shoulder. “Have a seat.” He said gruffly, and stood towering over him, arms crossed on his chest, staring at him with death glares.

Alex looked up at the paint splatters on his cheeks and his abnormally spiky hair, not knowing the cause for any of it and fell over laughing...

Isabel pointed to him and murmured something to the effect that it looks like he got in a fight with a toaster, and the toaster won.... she giggled at her own little joke... Michael was not amused. Isabel drunk was something he hoped to never see again. He was worried to say the least.

Max let Isabel slide to the ground and stood somewhere in the middle proximity of the two watching their overtly drunken behavior, which wasn’t calming down in the least. And he was glaring at Alex. What had he done to Isabel? Or worse yet even, what had her alien-ness done period? ...

The medics started to ask questions about the kids to their mothers.
One of the things they asked was if they had any medical or psychological conditions that could affect their behavior... Of course the answer was to the negative. They were asked plenty of other personal questions as well, about their home lives, about the kid’s schooling and grades, and anything else they could think of that might be pertinent.

*** ***

The medics decided to do one more run through with each of the teens after the friends and parents were questioned, and so they gave them one more final examination, including another round with the Breathalyzer, it just couldn’t be accurate, they didn’t really trust their equipment at the moment but would have to... The first machine that they had used, from Ian’s bag, was discarded as being faulty and they decided to use the only other one they had at their disposal, the one from Sarah’s gear.


Time for Max to step it up... he thought for a moment. How could he make it so that the machine read enough to send them home, but not enough to get them arrested or sent to the hospital? If he could touch it, if he had time to study it he could make it give whatever reading he wanted. But it was a do or die situation and the time was NOW. He had to think fast. He quickly asked how the machine worked, and what exactly it was registering. Sarah was a personable medic, she wanted to give this brother what reassurances she could that his sister was going to be okay and so she explained its main function. The machine’s main purpose was to oxidize ethanol into acetic acid and water. He asked to see it, and was momentarily granted access. So for Isabel a slight placement of his hand changed the air in the machine into a concentrated form of acetic acid and water, indicating the presence of ethanol alcohol in her blood, when she blew into it. Sarah looked down at the instrument and said, “That’s more like it. Reading is still low though. But yeah, she’s drunk....” Sarah placed a new guard over the mouthpiece, to not cross contaminate the germs.

Max felt so tempted to not do this for Alex, to just let him suffer. But... He was part of the group. And worse, Isabel would never let him hear the end of it, if he didn’t. However getting Alex “drunk” would be a little trickier. He had to get the air into the machine before Alex blew on it, and to keep its integrity while it crossed the small divide that held the two teens separate. Max worked out a little chemical equation in his head to change the nearby carbon and other molecules added with the water to make a small ball of air; air with the right amount of ethanol alcohol in it to make the machine work. Enough to trick the machine into converting it into acetic acid and water, when exposed to Alex’s breath. So his job was to manipulate the environment into giving the reading he wished.

Michael watching what Max did for Isabel, realized that he would have to get his hands on or at least near the machine again, so using what electrical charges were still coursing through his body, he reached down and gave the floor a static charge; just enough for Sarah to jolt and drop the instrument and for Max to retrieve it and hand it to her. Max quickly sent the ball of air into the tube, suspended in just enough moisture to hold its integrity a few moments longer. Long enough to get it to Alex... This would incriminate Alex as well. Oh Well. You save one, you save them all. And just like that it was done. They both had “alcohol” in their blood, registering through their “breath.”

The reading was low, lower than it should be for the level of drunk that they seemed to be. But Max didn’t want to get them arrested, he couldn’t, or his sister would be enduring a blood test, and she couldn’t do that. So the reading forced the medics to determine that these kids had a low tolerance for alcohol. And they informed their parents to keep them away from the stuff.

The medics were done with their assessments, the results were written up, and they started to clean their stations. Just sign these release forms that they’ve been remanded into your care and that they have been examined and they are free to leave...” They stated to the mothers.

“Ok... Well then, I guess that we’re done.” Diane looked at Max and nodded, with a hand held up of wait a few more minutes... She pulled Sarah aside, as she scrawled her signature on the form. “She’s really ok?”

“Well, she appears to be...” Sarah added, “but her pupils are reacting a bit slowly.” She looked at the concerned mother and added, “I don’t see any other cause for alarm, she seems okay, her vitals are within normal parameters...*ahem* all things being considered...slightly high, of course, but nothing to be too concerned about. She doesn't seem to have any physical evidence of trauma, and otherwise seems good.”

Diane nodded gratefully... and headed over to her daughter’s side.

The principal was not done in the slightest however and he landed on both the teens severely scolding them. He decided to make a few more points of reprimanding them as he laid into the kids, letting them know that their behavior was inexcusable, and had gotten everyone in a load of trouble, and that they would be spending their first classes, or possibly all of Monday, or the next day school was actually in session in the principal’s office...

But when he spoke with Diane, Isabel’s mother, a lawyer, he decided to forgo pressing charges. These were generally good kids, who apparently had made some serious errors in judgment and logic... but he was willing to grant them another chance. He let them off with a very stern warning... And with that they were remanded into their parents care, on the school’s end of things.... Finally everyone who wanted a piece of the children was done, and they could be taken home....

*** ***

Max and Michael stood before the mom’s demanding keys, as they chose to bring the cars around to the back of the building and to get Isabel and Alex outside as discreetly as possible... Gloria rattled off her license plate number so that Michael could identify it and turned on her son...

The Vice Principal let them through the front door and a few minutes later they were entering in through the back, the principal opening the door to let them through... They tossed keys to the proper mothers and went to assist with the removal of the drunken teens. “We’ve got to go now.” Michael ordered, “It’s a madhouse out there... and a news crew is on the way around to the back, they saw us...” As they were preparing to leave, Sheriff Valenti entered into the main building. “Sheriff.” Diane nodded curtly.

The medics wrapped each of them in a blanket, and sent them off... Max and Diane supported Isabel, and the girls helped Gloria Whitman maneuver Alex through the halls. Gloria was giving Alex an earful as she dragged him out, it could be heard echoing down the halls as they left.

*** ***

The paramedics tried hard to stifle the laughter that was building, as they watched the way in which the families were leaving... drunken teens, who had been in the heat of the moment, being dragged by their mothers out to waiting cars....

When the families were out of range the paramedics and firemen burst out laughing, no it wasn’t very professional, but it couldn’t be helped. It broke up the tension of the hallway. Everyone still was in a state of shock over what they’d just witnessed. “Oh My God. I thought we’d have to do some resuscitation right here in the hall.” Sarah said. “Those mothers were on the verge of a heart attack.”

“I thought the boy’s mother was going to faint...” Mentioned Ian.

“Can you imagine being those kids? Oh, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes right now...” one of the firefighters added.

“No,” Sarah snickered, “I wouldn’t either.” But Ian burst out laughing, “They were definitely drunk on SOMETHING! ...”

“Yeah.” Everyone who had been in the hall burst out laughing at the wording that statement.

TBC

Musical interlude: Beautiful Love by The Afters

[Mt Gazer]

Disclaimer: I in no way own the rights to Roswell or anything related to it. All rights belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox, Regency Entertainment, Melinda Metz, WB and UPN. No infringement is intended. I am borrowing their awesome characters, and including my own.

Perhaps in this part and in parts to come I am or will be borrowing some scenes, and I will borrow direct dialog and use altered dialog at times.

Title: Shifting Realities
Author: Mt Gazer/Velvet Skye
Category: CC/ AU
Rating: MATURE- ADULT
Spoilers: This is my version of Sexual Healing.

I dedicate this chapter and all its parts to my friends Pooh and Tharos.

And to Randy, my dear husband always behind the scenes, and always an assistant in this. I tell him practically every idea that goes through my head. I love you, and thank you. As always. Shifting lives because of your support.

PML: WOW!!! Peter. This is a permanent spot in recognition of all your assistance. THANK-YOU!!! Shifting Realities is doing well with your attention to details. So thanks forever. You are a Godsend and a lifesaver. The RP made this work. Thanks so much.

And finally I will attempt to recap where we’ve been.

RECAP: This is sexual healing, and Alex and Isabel are the ones being affected by flashes and Alien hormones. They had a mind-blowing session in the Eraser Room... They have been checked over by paramedics, and Max has had to rescue them creating a “level” on the Breathalyzer test. When technically there was none. They were pretty wasted last we saw...

So now we shall see what transpires with this....

******************************************
Shifting Realities

Chapter 27: K

Loosing Control

******************************************

The drunken teens were shrouded in blankets to get them safely and discreetly out of the building. Family members dragged them through the back halls of the school. The Whitmans stepped through the door first, not only into bright sunlight, but also into the prying eyes of the local news.

Cameras were shoved into their faces, as the reporter stated, “Live on the scene at West Roswell High. It looks like here are a couple of kids who were trapped inside the chaos. Could you tell us what it was like?” The camera zoomed into Alex’s face.

“No Comment.” Gloria stated as she forced her son to continue walking.

Michael, acting as a buffer between both families, growled while holding up his hand, “Get that thing out of here. He’s fine ok!”

“What happened? How did you get trapped? Where were you?” The reporter asked a barrage of questions as the crew followed the caravan to the cars.

“Look.” Gloria turned to the camera. “My son is fine. He’s had a trying day, we all have. I would like to get him home in one piece right now if you don’t mind... We have nothing further to add.” She shoved Alex into the car, and moved around to the other side.

The crew ran over to the Evans next.

*** ***

The scene leaving the school was not lost on any of the Czechoslovakian club. They dolefully shook their heads, all four of them. Maria had also taken stock of the fact that Alex was missing clothing; his shirt, but it was missing nonetheless. And was that a hickey? Of course it was. Isabel had plainly left her mark on Alex.

*** ***

Simultaneously, very similar events were taking place three blocks apart.
“Inside. Now!” Each of their mothers ordered her less than coherent teen through the front door of their residence. “Go. Sit. Down!” They were ordered into the living room, to the couch.


Gloria Whitman walked over to Alex and gave him a cursory exam. His eyes were unfocused and he was still giggling in an uninhibited manner. She ran her finger over his collarbone, closely examining the mark that was marring his perfect skin as she let out a long protracted sigh. “God! Alex!” She muttered shaking her head in dismay. He seemed to be feverish, very feverish, and it left her worried.

“You’re hot Alex. You’re burning up.” She said worriedly as she again placed the back of her hand against his cheek.

“Ihzbewl, shinks I’m hott!” He slurred giggling, shoving mom’s hand off his face with an exaggerated palm first push. . “She wansh me.”

That was her last resolve. Her son was not in control of himself. He was drunk, had a rather large hickey on his collarbone, and was unconcerned for his welfare. She was bewildered as to what had led to all this.

Gloria Whitman always tried love first; then strike if necessary. In her current state of agitation, she was in a mode of more strike, than love at this particular moment. She launched into her son.

“She Wants You?” She looked at him with raised eyebrows. “And just what exactly do you mean by that Alex?” staring at him, hands on her thighs, “How does she want you?” A pause. “Sexually?” She tilted her head slightly, “My baby boy’s having sex?” she asked worriedly.

“Nooo,” he drew out the word and shook his head. “ No Sess.”

“Really?” Gloria turned to him in disbelief. “Then what do you call what you were doing in the Eraser Room, Alex, because it certainly wasn’t cleaning erasers?”

“Ummm” he smacked the saliva in his mouth as the inebriated teen stared at his mom. “K-K-i-ss-ing?” he finally answered as a question.

“You were more than kissing Alex. You were Touching.... ” His mother picked up where he left off. “Where are your clothes? I know I sent you to school dressed today. In fact, I know that I have sent you to school dressed in a shirt and pants, ever since I first sent you to Kindergarten.” She shook her head staring at this teen who was so unlike her strait laced son. “Yet, when I picked you up, I picked you up half undressed. Where’s your shirt? Alex? And your belt?”

He smacked his lips again, as he tried to answer the question. “Ummm .... Izh-bel?”

She hadn’t finished her other thought and steamrolled over her son and his perceived less than honest answers, “And. Drunk. I picked you up drunk. Alex.” She sighed heavily, “With our family history? Really? I don’t know which I’m more worried about now, the drinking or the getting undressed.” She sighed heavily again, “Actually I’m extremely concerned about both.” She paused and shook her head, “But Drinking? At School!? That’s an issue of it’s own entirely. Do you know how much trouble you’re already in? Do you drink often? It could account for some of your unusual behavior the past couple months.”

Gloria looked worriedly at her still tipsy son, “Alex? I thought I knew you. I thought I could trust you. I thought I was a good judge of character. Warning signs should be obvious to me... how did I miss them? Just how messed up is this girl of yours? And even if she does drink, why would you? Alex? Explain yourself.”

“I don’ rink, ‘om...” .... (I don’t drink. Mom.)

“You had to today. The Breathalyzer test indicated low levels of alcohol in your blood, but alcohol was detected.

“Is ah rong....(It’s all wrong.)”

“What is wrong Alex? Are you telling me the test lied? That you weren’t drunk? There is nothing else to explain how I found you is there?” She wanted answers. “Well? What is going on then? I’m waiting!!!”

“Ummm....” intoxicated laughter punctuated the pause, “Izhbewl?”

That was it. “If this Isabel is your answer for every question, you mark my words young man, this relationship is over!!! I forbid you from seeing that girl!! You have not been acting yourself lately. If she is the reason...” Another long protracted sigh, as Gloria ruffled her hands through the back of her short auburn hair.

In a no nonsense tone, she began again. “Alex!! I’m begging you to listen to me right now using whatever faculties of your brain that you have available. WE DON’T DRINK! She leaned firmly into his space, hands on her hips, staring into his eyes, making sure the point was driven home as forcefully as she could. WE CAN’T! You know this!” She gave him a palmed slap on the side of his head. “You know that in our family drinking is a problem, and can lead to so much trouble. Alex!! We just don’t drink, to protect ourselves from ever going down that road! You have been raised better than to even try it.” She clipped him on the side of the head again.

She turned and began pacing the room.

“Do you know how much trouble you are in right now? With us? The school? Might as well throw Grandpa into the mix, ... Might have to start thinking of military school because you will be lucky if you still have a school to attend. You are lucky the principal didn’t press charges and have you arrested ... You could still be suspended or expelled. This is by no means over. Do we need to go to counseling???

Alex‘s face was pained. He couldn’t really remember the bulk of the events at the school, but his mother was laying into him relentlessly. He knew he was at fault for well, feeling Isabel up, if not drinking... But he couldn’t state anything without incriminating her... without divulging her secrets... He knew they hadn’t had anything to drink, but he couldn’t defend that position...

Sighing she released the tension from her voice for a moment. “You’re a kid Alex... you’re my last kid. But I never had to remove your brothers from school in the state I removed you in today.” She scoffed. “That was a first, even for me, Alex.” A small sigh, “Let’s see. Drunk. Undressed. Completely out of control... Totally wasted. I just don’t know who you are right now....””

He wasn’t giggling so erratically anymore,

“Which brings me to my next point. Still listening?” She turned to her son and realized he was following her circuitous motions around the room with his eyes. He was more sober; he could definitely handle a little more. “Good.” She walked over to the credenza table in the hallway and made an exaggerated show of retrieving an item from the drawer. Alex.Not Harry, Robert, or Jesse, her other sons; but Alex, of all people, had driven her to this. Driven her back to her faith, back to a desire for the comfort and solace of belief, to a need for prayer. She removed a long string of beads, and showed it to him from across the room, as she wrapped it around her right hand while she rubbed the first bead with her left. She needed both hands on it at this moment. She was trying to stay as calm as the situation would allow her.

Alex’s eyes grew wide. He hadn’t seen mom’s rosary out in a long time. So long in fact that he almost forgot she had one. He was in TROUBLE if mom was invoking it. And she was probably going to say something about the virtue of chastity, or how he’d upset God and was going to hell. He swallowed and waited; he was going to have to endure whatever she dished out. But it didn’t mean he was going to agree, actually he knew he wasn’t....

Gloria silently thought to herself while she rubbed about five of the beads as she formulated her next topic, she didn’t want to go into it, but she had no choice...

She launched in full force, “Sex!” She scoffed again. “Lets talk about it... You are not ready to go down that road.”

“Mo-m?” His stupor was wearing off.

“There is only one first time, Alex.” She held up her index finger, in the hand that was encircled by the rosary. ”ONE!” The beads dangling, and reminding him that she was talking about chastity, emphasizing her point. “And you’ll remember for it for the rest of your life. After that you are no longer a virgin. Sex is amazing. Fun. Intoxicating. Euphoric. And impossible to control.” She blinked and smiled tightly at her son. “You are bombarded with messages that you can, and should. These messages have an agenda; they are salacious, and meant to sell. Sex. But the stronger person is the one who can refrain from giving in, from bowing to the pressures of the times, the one to keep himself chaste. And I understand, Alex, I really do, how hard it is to refrain once you’ve started.” She raised an eyebrow and just looked at her son. “You weren’t intending on undressing Isabel at school today, were you?”

“Nooo...” he shook his head.

“Exactly Alexander.” Gloria used her son’s full name. “You have to be in control before you ever start down that path. Something you definitely weren’t today. Because once you enter into that realm, once you’ve given in; you’ve given a piece of your heart to another person FOREVER.” She muttered sadly while shaking her head, “Oh God Alex!” A swallow, “... Sex is reserved for marriage.” She sighed again, and grabbed her son’s hand in her left. Her wedding rings prominently displayed. “And the piece of your heart that you’ve given; belongs to your mate, and you hold theirs as well. Marriage! Alex!” She chuckled solemnly; she was talking to her 16 year old son after all. “Is Isabel wearing your ring?” She flashed her rings before him. “Last I checked. NO. She is your girlfriend only. And I expect you to have more respect for her than you showed her today!”

“Hu-uhh?” Alex in his opinion had nothing but the utmost respect for Isabel, for any girl for that matter.

“Safety Alex?” she pulled her hand free and started on the next topic while he was coherent enough to absorb it. “You sure weren’t thinking of any! The fire alarms were blaring. The room you were in was sparking. And you? Making out with your girlfriend!. Did her safety, or yours even, ever cross your mind? Did you even hear the fire alarms?” She asked incredulously.

“Uhhh.... Nooo...”

She troubled a few more of the beads. “How could you have not heard them, or felt the sprinklers, how were you completely oblivious to anything around you?”

“Ummmm....”

Gloria could just hear that this was going to get answered like all his other “umms” of the day and she cut him off. “Don’t answer with Isabel.”

“This is on you Alex. You have to be alert. You have to stay in control. You can’t let it get out of hand again, or you’re going to go too far. You are expected to show restraint and respect for the girl, waiting until marriage. OK? Respect her. And keep her safe.” She shook her head incredulously while stroking yet another couple beads, shaking the rosary in front of him.

She turned back to him, “And don’t ever let me catch you cutting class again to have a little tryst. Clear?”

“Mmmm Hmm.”

“There are so many more things, so many more questions I have. The night in the woods, receipts from Clovis and your weekend out, Isabel’s nightmares, sleeping arrangements, how or why did we ever agree to those? .... Ahh so many.” She ruffled the back of her hair in frustration. “So many things that just don’t make sense. But I said the most important things; I said the things that needed attention now.”

She pulled him to standing. “We’ll talk later today. Go sleep it off. And know this, you are grounded. Your date of release will be determined later. Wait till your father hears about this...” After he left the room, she sat down on the couch and started to pray through the rosary, diligently. It wouldn’t be her last time that day.

*** ***

Alex went to his room; he observed the hickey on his collarbone, stroking it with his finger. ‘Wow!’ He relived the memories in his mind, with a smile.

Alex then got dressed, and sat down on his bed to think. He pulled out his acoustic bass and played a few measures... He could hear his mother praying relentlessly in the living room, and he was trying to drown out the sound. He didn’t like her in so much agony. But he still couldn’t see how being with Isabel was wrong. And what was he to do with his mother? He had done this. He had driven her to this brink, her good kid... He plugged in his amp, changed his instrument to his silver electric bass and let the music wash away any other noise in the house... (bum, bum, bum, the notes deeply sounded...) When he found himself echoing, “duh, duh, DUNNN” (the ominous warning) with it... he knew he better try to talk to mom again... he gathered it up and placed everything away.

*** ***

Later Alex reappeared in the living room. He didn’t know what to do with his mom in this form, he wasn’t used to Mom in this form. He knew she had been raised Catholic, and that she had taught her family the precepts of faith, but no-one in the house went to church anymore.

Alex realized morosely that he was interrupting her prayers; And Gloria wasn’t exactly being silent and meditative at this point. She wanted him to hear her; she wanted him to KNOW he was being prayed for. But at the same time he needed to talk to her if that were even possible and so he interrupted her thoughts, her prayers, as she had her eyes closed. He touched her hand, and looked at her, nervously.

She opened her eyes, he couldn’t read the emotion in them, but she offered him a seat next to her. “Sit down son.” She said tightly, guarded.

“Right.” He nodded as he sat beside his mother.

“Talk.” She insisted. “Because I haven’t got words right now. I am still trying to sort out everything that happened today. And I’m trying to keep my anger at a low simmer. I am a mix of emotions now, and calm is not one of them. Anger however... Talk. Because I don’t know what to say to you right now.”

“I love you mom.” Alex looked right at his mom, hands folded on his lap. “You know that. And I love Isabel. You know that too.” He nodded, moistening his lips momentarily.

Mom watched him silently. Waiting.

“I didn’t mean to do anything with her like that at school. We needed to talk. And it’s a private place, and I took her into there. But when we kissed something happened. I don’t know what it was... we just had to be together. Once there we couldn’t pull apart.”

Gloria listening, nodded, “Your school was in chaos. Your private room had electrical currents running right up to the door and traveling down the hall, from what I could observe on my end. Maybe it was even sparking inside, I don’t know. But one spark could have ignited the building at any moment! You could have died in there, you and Isabel both! Has this not crossed your mind?“ She shook her head in annoyance, “If you can’t even hear the alarm, you are FAR too involved! You were caught in a veritable Maelstrom, Alex”

“Mom, the room is metal lined.” He argued arrogantly. “We were safe. It is probably the safest place in the school. It acts as a faraday cage. Nothing could have happened to us in there.”

Gloria clenched her fists, eyes, and jaw. A couple of deep cleansing breaths, she addressed him again. “Ok….You were lucky then! You managed to find the safest room in the school.”

“Not luck.” He shook his head, “I don’t believe in luck. Things happen for a reason.”

“Really? Can you tell me exactly what was the reason then for you undressing that young lady while inebriated? Well?”

“I'm not sure that’s of your concern.” Alex added defiantly.

“Alex…. How old are you?” Gloria demanded.

“Sixteen.”

“Then I am still legally your guardian and it IS my concern so please. Enlighten me …” She crossed her arms. “I'm waiting!” she scowled.

“We were having a little harmless fun.” He defended.

“Harmless fun? Is that what they call it these days? You were treating that young woman as if you were married to her. You know, till death do us part type thing? So did you by chance elope, or something when I wasn’t looking? I mean, I would have had to sign the papers to make it legal and all.” Gloria added sarcastically.

“What?” Alex was confused, “Mom. Kids make out. It’s normal and harmless.”

“Explain your intoxication then... when you know our family’s history?! ... You were much too on fire to understand that you really faced being on fire!! .…” She shook her head, “The reason... you were drunk. You didn’t know about it because you were too hammered to pay attention to what was going on! Sometimes people don’t act rationally, you sure weren’t!”

“Do you want me to say that I love her? And that I intend to be with her forever?” Alex added.

“That’s wonderful, but it’s not enough.” Gloria finished.

“Not enough?” he added in consternation, “It should be for the ages we are. I’m already in a committed relationship... And we’re not having sex.... So... ”

Gloria cut him off. “That’s just ducky, hopefully it stays that way... How far were you going today? I don’t want to see you going through things before their proper time. But,” she sighed, “lets say for the sake of argument that we got delayed by say, oh five, maybe, ten minutes?” She stopped. “I am certain that if it were twenty you would have been halfway through the gate, and broken her barrier,” she raised an understanding eyebrow as she stared directly at him. “And if it were thirty you'd probably already be done, and little miss Isabel potentially a mother.” She patted his leg. “With your level of inebriation your inhibitions were messed with; you probably wouldn’t even know what you had done until it would be over. Maybe not even until she showed up at our door in tears, with a positive pregnancy test. You are not ready for this level of a relationship or trouble! That’s why sex is for marriage. Alex.”

“But Mom... we haven’t…”

“Yet. You haven’t YET.” She stroked the rosary on her lap for a measure of comfort. “If the school hadn’t “exploded,” you would have consummated your relationship in the Eraser Room of your high school! Not exactly classy.”

“And Alex. It was terrifying Alex, when we couldn’t find you. But in a way it saved you, if only to keep you from going too far and too fast. And for that I’m grateful. Otherwise we might already have had a grandchild on the way.” She was wringing her hands on the rosary in her lap.

“I don’t think so... “ He turned to his mom and looked at her. His disagreement painted on his frowning shaking face.

“Only because you’ve never been in this type of relationship can you even look at me and say that.” She grabbed his hand in hers for emphasis. “Ignorance, or in this case, Innocence, is bliss. If you’d been even a bit further down that road you wouldn’t be able to look me in the eyes right now. You would be guilty, and you would know it. And you definitely wouldn’t be telling me it couldn’t happen. The only safest truest option is abstinence Alex. Chastity.”

“I’ve heard that before school throws that in for good measure too you know.”

“I do know. “... Trust me.” Gloria sadly shook her head. “But for them it’s a throw away line. They have already given up.” She sighed heavily.

“It was a weird day mom, I admit that. I admit we did get carried away, maybe even went a little far... but we’re not going to do that again.. We won’t get out of control again.”

Gloria laughed scoffing, “Please. Don’t even start with that. Do you have any idea how often I hear that? That it wasn’t planned? That things went too far? You say you love her, then it will in time go there my boy. It could easily have gone there today.“

Alex again shook his head, and looked at his mother while rolling his eyes at the thought.

“Don’t give me that look Alexander Charles. I am still your mother and I do know more than you.”

He glared at her.

She smiled knowingly, “What you were doing felt good didn’t it? You wanted more? You were still so deeply involved when you fell out; you had no idea we were even there. Without the added complication of alcohol, sex is intoxicating enough... Trust me, I KNOW. I know how good sex is, ALEX. You’re dad is an awesome lover... And we still get carried away sometimes...” She smirked at him. She could talk about this confidently, but she knew he was an uncomfortable teen and she was making him squirm.

“Mom! What you and Dad do is personal.” Alex turned his head away, a look of dismay on his face “I do not want to think about that.”

“Why? Does it embarrass you? Well what you were doing today was rather mortifying for me as well…”

Gloria patted him on the arm gently, “The human body knows what feels good and wants to feel that way again. Your body wants the now, and you will feel what you feel, and it is a powerful force that is unstoppable. And it will take over and propel you... And it leads to one place, centered between your legs and hers.”

“HELLO? Son sitting right here?!” He gave a nervous shake of his head.

“If I thought that both of you were sitting there rationally thinking this through we wouldn’t even be having this discussion... And I am assuming, since you are my child and a good kid that all of this was totally consensual?”

“Of course... So? What? We’re supposed to sit down, talk, and decide to wait till our wedding night or something?” Alex reasoned sarcastically.

“That would be best. It really would. If you fail, you fail; but you need at least to try. And this would be a fine conversation to have with her family as well.”

“You know what?” He hopped off the couch and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “If we rationally discussed it and decided it was time... You would not be consulted. I’ve got news for you mom. None of your other perfect sons are so perfect either.”

“Sure... I know that.” Gloria acknowledged with a slight nod. “My failure with them is not at issue here ... I was hoping to get at least one of you to the right spot...”

“Waiting until the wedding is impossible... and unrealistic.” He retorted.

“And apparently I am failing once more...” Gloria looked briefly sorrowful, as she turned her attention back to her son. “But I still must try, try to make you understand... And it is my obligation to try my hardest to succeed with you at least.”

“You’re not failing mom.”

“And how am I not failing? Look at you! Look at her! Both of you undressed. And nowhere near ready for marriage.”

“But Mom, people are live together all the time?”

“That’s true Alex, but that doesn’t make it right. Right is not based on popular opinion...or on what people want. There is only one way to assure what is right. A marriage commitment.”

“They get married too.” He agreed.

“Yes, but they come to break up all to easily as well. Divorce is more common in the couples that cohabited, than the ones who committed first. You wouldn’t want to set yourself up for a doomed marriage would you? You know what. I really must discuss this with her mother. You know that I met her today? Sharp woman. She was as dismayed at Isabel as I was at you... Its time to talk to her and her family. Lets set this up... right now. We need to lay our cards on the table, and get it all out there.”

Alex moaned, “You are going to talk to Isabel? Trust me mom, she’s good. We’re both still virgins, with no inclination to change that status anytime soon.” He nodded assuredly.

Gloria raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Its every mother’s prerogative to know her future daughter in law. To know the girl her son is taken with... therefore I can’t wait to discuss this with her in detail.”

“You’re not talking about today I hope?” He looked at his mother indignantly.

“Oh, that will be the start... But I want to know everything about her if she is important to you, she is important to me. And if you love her, I need to know her.”

“Mom... Isabel doesn’t need interrogated. You can talk to her, but, but not about sex.”

“Why not?”

“Because that’s not where you get to start knowing my girlfriend!”

Gloria stood to her feet as well, and reached for her son, her hands holding either of his arms. “But my dear, you set this situation up, I have to know her because if you truly love her, like you say you do, she will be part of this family, one of us. And I need to find out all I can about this poor girl.”

“And, well, I do want handsome grandchildren.” Gloria stroked her last baby’s cheek, smiling, “And your kids would be absolutely adorable.”

“We Whitman’s are a good-looking bunch, so that I can provide you for sure. Is there a particular order you request, girl or boy first? This is something I’d be more than willing to do for you. When would you like me to start?” Alex wryly grinned at his mother.

Gloria rolled her eyes in response, “Preferably in a few more years?”

“Of course.” He agreed. “Kind of got school right now.”

“Very important, school, college. So you agree that sex should wait? Good boy, I knew that I could trust you.” Gloria stated confidently.

Alex was confused, “Mom? When did I say I was waiting? I said I’m not having kids now.”

“You agreed that having children in the future would be wisest.” She pointed out.

“But I didn't say I wasn’t going to have sex.” He countered.

“If Isabel got pregnant?”

He glared at her. “Not the ideal situation to be sure. But I’d take care of my family. You don’t have to worry about that. I would do whatever was necessary.”

“So how do you plan on guaranteeing that children do not happen?” Gloria looked at him seriously.

“Ever heard of this thing called Protection? A little pill. A sheath. Works for people you know?” Alex stated demonstratively.

“Ah, yes. I have ... but what if it fails?” She waited for that thought to sink in, “It does happen.” She watched his face scrunch, and revealed a bit more, “My second I was on it. Didn’t know that, did you?”

His mouth worked the words, “Robbie?”

And Gloria nodded to her youngest, “The chance is small, but... But there is no perfect foolproof way to prevent them. Children are miracles, gifts from God and they are all special. But they don’t always come when we wish. So you see, I do understand what you are talking about. Without your grandpa’s aid, I don’t think we would have made it. We were having some financial troubles at the time ... And your grandpa was a godsend.”

“Let me guess Gramps get told about today too?” Alex returned his thoughts to the day at hand.”

“Yes, he will. But what he hears will depend on the level of trust. You listen to him, more so than you listen to us. Maybe he could drive some sense into that rock you call a brain.” Gloria went for the kill. “So you will abide by our rules? You do not have to agree, merely abide.…”

Alex was weighing out his options.

“Well, my son?”

Alex moistened his lips again “What if I don’t or can’t?”

“Well, I will have to use everything I can to persuade you of its necessity. I will not stoop to blackmail, if that is why you are asking... But you know as well as I do that Gramps is sharp, he will know something happened and he will ask questions, and he will learn about this day. But I will not need to have him persuade you if you abide by my rules, if I can trust you. So I can trust you?” She watched him carefully.

Alex bitterly nodded, “Lay them out. Which ones exactly am I abiding by?” he added disgruntled.

Gloria was all too happy to oblige his request. “Stay in school of course, that’s important. No sex until marriage. No alcohol or other mind-altering drugs. You have a wonderful mind and I'd hate to see you lose it.”

“I’m not gonna drink mom, no drugs…” Alex shook his head.

“I certainly hope so ... and if had been yesterday I would have agreed. But today has shaken my faith in you.... I don’t like that, Alexander, not one bit. But there it is. This conversation, that is so adversarial,” she sighed, “It hurts.” She added somberly.

“Hurts me too, you know?” he made an open show of pouting for effect.

“I am sure it does Son. I’m sure it does.” Gloria‘s face was a mix of determination and sorrow.

He groaned almost inaudibly to make his mother back down, using the logic of give her what she wants to hear and he might be in the clear. “Fine no intercourse.” He breathed.

She heard him, and brightened. “Ok. And the rest?” They stared at each other momentarily. “Well I can’t say I am happy about it, but intercourse yes, of course that needs to be avoided and I guess I’ll allow you the other bases... as long as you are careful. But I’ll need you to tell me what exactly you are doing and be sure I will ask the young lady as well.”

“Mom, just like what you and Dad do is personal. So is what Isabel and I do.” He thundered.

“Well then that limits you even more. To things that don’t embarrass you. If they embarrass you there is a reason... you are not ready for them.”

“Fine, if they don’t embarrass me and I am brazen about them what then does that mean? That I’m ready?” He was looking for leverage, loopholes, anything...

“No that means you’re rebellious.” Gloria groaned. “I so hope that is not the road you choose. So many families are destroyed by rebellion.” She looked directly at him and made a decision, “And we will not be one of them, so it’s time to promise. Promise me that you won’t have intercourse till marriage.” She forced.

“I can’t.” Alex moaned.

“Why? Why cant you? You don’t think you can stop? Well the same rules apply, if you can’t stop, if you can not control yourself then you are not ready! You will be just another animal rutting and not a human making love and I think I raised a human being! A God fearing human being!”

“I will make love to Isabel mom. Not animalistic but worshipful... I just can’t promise that I can wait till I’m married.” Alex shook his head, he wasn’t escaping this argument.

“Then you will not truly be making love to her. The Spirit is willing, Alex. But the flesh is weak. And that is what you will be listening to, your carnal nature; your animal desire, your flesh, your body. Worshipping your animal selves; falling to your baser instincts, two lovely animals moving as one.”

He loudly sighed. The picture she was conjuring wasn’t pretty and he knew that was her point. So he just attacked with his next thought, “You were raised with chastity, dad was raised as a gentlemen. Together it worked for the two of you ... I know that you and dad were chaste until your wedding. But why?”

“Values we’ve given to this family, and you question their validity?” Gloria realized that he was going to fight with anything he thought he could use, so she’d better do the same. “If you’d rather abide by your father’s desires than mine? .... You may cut me out of your life... my opinion apparently doesn’t matter.”

‘Oh no ... Set up for certain now.’ Alex was thinking.

“We will discuss this at length when he returns... All I can do now is pray.” Gloria softly shook her head.

“Dad can’t even talk to me... I make him nervous. He makes me nervous.” Alex stammered.

“Oh but Alex... he will.” Gloria sighed. “Know this. He takes the sex issue very seriously. And you might be surprised at what he thinks about it and your having it right now, my dear. This day will be discussed with your father, regardless. You are not off the hook here at all.”

“Fine I’ll talk to him.” Alex nodded, “Maybe I can get him to see that Isabel and I are the real thing and that we are truly in love. I’m not saying that we’re having sex now, just saying that it’s impractical to wait until marriage.”

“Hmmph.” Gloria snorted... “My dear husband, your dad, would have done anything for me. So he didn’t mind our waiting. It’s a true gentleman who never pressures. He was a little odd yes, not heavily into dating, school and his future career were far more important to him. Drove your grandfather nuts... Dad just calmly waited for the right girl to come along. And we meshed so wonderfully together... But you know our story Alex. So...”

Alex couldn’t help seeing the similarity between him and his father for the first time ever. Waiting for the right girl, not relating to his own father... Sigh ... Another thing to think about.

“Do you love this girl? You claim you do. And you claim that you are the real thing, as if I didn’t understand the concept of soul mates... I understand Alex, and it’s a very blessed person indeed who finds theirs. But I need to know if you are just having fun with her right now in the moment, or do you plan to marry her? If this is what you do with your first girlfriend, what are you going to do with the next one?”

“Seriously? Is that what you think of me? That I am with her just to, to use her as a sex toy? How can I even make you understand a bit of this mom? I have shared so much of me with her, and I know her better than anyone else. I know we're going to get married. And she is the only one; I would NEVER do this with any other girl, that would be WRONG.”

“So Isabel makes it all right?” Gloria questioned curiously.

He nodded.

“How do you know that my dear? How do you know that she is THE ONE? You are young, and still foolish... I am sorry to say, but you are. Too little experience to base your choices on. How can you be sure that you won't find someone else that fires you up more in college or at some future time? You have been together for such a short time. I know it seems long to you, but trust me Alex in light of the length of time you will spend together if you are right, the time you two have spent together is but a tiny episode.”

“I just know Mom.” Alex stated confidently. “I've known from the moment I first saw her.”

“You just know?” She skeptically raised an eyebrow again. “So this would be divine revelation?”

“Maybe.” He nodded.

“And this is the will of heaven?” Gloria pressed.

‘Heaven. Another world. Another time. Lets go with...,’ “Sure why not?” He nodded.

She watched him pause as he stopped to think before his last answer and she added, “Ok so I will talk to Isabel’s folks and if she is amenable, we will get you married right away then... This is what you want? She’s 16 or older right?”

“Yes she’s 17.”

“Good I’ll just need their signatures then.”

“I don’t think you’ll get them.”

“Oh, but I will my dear boy, I will. You might be surprised.”

“Really? A counselor against 2 lawyers?” He was thinking that her parents wouldn’t let her get married right away. He wasn’t trying to insult his mother, yet that was what he had done.

Gloria’s smile was angelic, “My dear, I am not as dense as you might think I am and my job is as much about convincing people as theirs.”

Alex stared at her in shock... battle wasn’t over he feared

She drove home the ramifications of marrying now... “You don’t have a job currently, and you don’t support yourself either. Because, that’s our role right now... you really want it? We can arrange it, you know. Get you emancipated and married? But I thought you loved being a kid. We let you explore that freedom, you have your little band...” She was patronizing him, and he knew it... “Kiss it goodbye.” She said forcefully, “You won’t have time for that anymore ... And let us know when you have a good job, and are settled into your own place. Let us know when the baby is due. It will be up to you to care for your family now.... We will be here, but we will not continue to raise you, because if you have kids too young, we won’t be able to send them home to their parents. Because their parents will still be living with their parents... I’ve seen it plenty Alex. Sex too young can change the course of entire families’ lives. We’ve done our time, and raised four pretty good sons. Sons we’re proud of. Now its time for us to enjoy grandkids Alex, not to raise them.”

“Alex, you know what? Go to your room.” She stopped and ordered.

“My room?” he asked, startled.

“Yes. We are at an impasse and I need to talk to some people, to get some more information... The Evans. I must really meet with them... Let’s see your dad really needs to be informed of this, hmm... Gramps. Lets see is there anyone else I need to query?” She grabbed the phone.

Alex watched, cautiously. He heard the beeping as she started to dial a number... trouble was, he wasn’t sure which number she was dialing. There were a few options that had been thrown out. The beeping ended and the phone started to ring as she held the handset out on speaker mode, so he could hear it... She wasn’t calling his bluff, she really had dialed someone. He tensed.

The voice on the other end answered? “Hello?” And Gloria switched it to regular mode, as she held it to her ear and started to speak ...

“Hello Diane... This is Gloria Whitman. I think we need to discuss the events of today don’t you? ....”

Alex gulped... and realizing that she had actually dialed Isabel’s house he found himself giving in.... under duress. “No intercourse!” He threw out bitterly.

“Excuse me Diane. I need to put you on hold.” Gloria tilted her head towards her son.
“What was that? Because if I didn’t hear you correctly, I will invite the Evans right over.”

“Can’t we leave them out of this?” He groaned.

“No son, we cannot. Not unless you promise me.” She forced her point.

“God! If I have too.” Alex muttered under his breath.

“You DO. And yes God is involved in this decision... So do you swear before me and before God that you will not have intercourse with Isabel before marriage?” She kept the phone next to her ear.

“Promise,” he hissed, staring at the floor.

“Eyes right here Alex.” She forced him to look right at her, using the two-finger look at me motion, mothers use. “Now what was that promise? Mrs. Evans might wish to hear it too; all I have to do is release this hold button.” She twitched her finger over the key, and watched his reaction.

“I promise.” He threw out hastily, “if you leave her family out of this, that I wont have intercourse with Isabel.” Done. Said. Against his will.

“We need to get together and talk still Diane.” Gloria spoke into the handset again. “But I’m still dealing with Alex... Yeah.... Sorry. I had to put the fear of God into him to drive home a point. I’m sorry I had to put you on the spot like that... Yeah tomorrow afternoon sounds good. Charles will be back too. We’ll all sit down with the kids and have a very long discussion ... Yes you too. Bye.”

She won. She completely set him up and won.... he wasn’t sure how he’d gotten to blurting out his answer, twice no less, and that she forced him to declare it before God even was worse. Because he already knew that he and Isabel weren’t going to make it to their wedding, not if his dreams and her knowledge had anything to do with it. They were destined to become young parents. His mother would NEVER understand... NEVER...

He sighed deeply and licked at his lips as he asked the inevitable. “What happens now if we don’t make it? Am I getting kicked out?”

“No son. Failure is an option.” Gloria swallowed against the lump in her throat. “It is to be avoided at all costs, but I’ll still love you, and if it happens I want to know. I need to know. It will hurt, but I don’t want you to lie to me. I will pray that you can hold yourself to it, since the rest you will not.”

Alex could tell his mother was on the verge of tears, again his fault. He looked at her and shook his head sadly, “OK. This I will promise you of my own doing and not under any duress. I will be honest if we mess up.”

“Very well. I see where you draw the line.” She regarded him one second more before she turned right to him. “We’re done!! You are determined to fail and be damned.” She wiped a couple escaped stray tears from her cheeks. “You need to go to your room right now, because I need to pray for guidance.”

He stood there looking at her. Hurting with her. “I'm sorry Mom... that I'm not your little boy anymore.” He reached out to lay a comforting hand on her arm.

She removed it, and rebuffed his attempt, while looking at him firmly. “Alexander Charles Whitman, don’t just stand there; go to your room! I love you but right now you are hurting me. Your flagrant disregard for our family’s values, the realization that I can’t sway your thinking and the fact that you gave yourself no boundaries but one.” She shakily added. “You are going to cross that line so quickly.” She kissed his cheek. “I still love you, but go now. We’ll talk later.”

Alex walked out of the living room solemnly, head low.

And Gloria, after one of the most painful discussions of her life, crossed herself yet again in that miserable day and began to pray silently

And that’s what she did, for a while, but she still didn’t have peace about her son’s attitude. She resorted to cleaning for a time. The monotony of dusting and vacuuming, and even a little organizing made her feel a little more settled. Its one of the things she liked to do to calm herself when she was overwrought.

*** ***

Alex decided to take a nap for a while, the session in the eraser room having caught up to him... and he slept until his cell phone rang and woke him up. Max was calling a meeting over at Michael’s. Of course he was... But Alex had to get out of his house; there was the whole sneaking out his window concept. He could do that, but that would lead to more trouble when his mother would discover that he wasn’t home...especially the way she was acting now. Or there was the more unlikely event that she’d let him go with a semi-good reason.

That was the choice he decided. Tell her, as much as he could, while leaving out whatever he had to. Yeah not much could he add to that. But he had to get to that meeting.

He stepped out. His mother was dusting the living room; “Hey Mom?” he asked hesitantly.

“Alex? Have you thought about it? What we talked about?” She turned briefly from the mantle to look at him. The tension in the air was thick. She hadn’t swayed him. She could tell by the way he approached that he wanted something, what could he possibly want now?

“Uh, yeah. Hey look.” The stumbling teen was back. “Um... Mom. I’m a good kid you know. I do what I’m told. I don’t get in trouble. I stay out of your guy’s way and I never cause problems. Right?” He scratched the back of his head. He knew he was reaching, but he had to get out.

“Until today, I’d agree to that so... yeah.” She smiled tightly at him, “you’re generally a good kid Alex.” She turned back and dusted the marble urn, and the treasured family photos. She couldn’t look at him right now. ‘Good kid.’ She only wished she could still think that.

“Ok. So. We agree I’m a good kid. We know I’m responsible. I promise, even with Isabel and me; I’ll be responsible mom. You don’t have to worry about me. I don’t think we see eye to eye on this and I don’t want to hurt you, or break your heart, but... we’re not... we haven’t, but we will at some point and ... ”

“Spit it out Alex.” Gloria chuckled nervously, as she turned to him. A lot of their conversations went like this. A hurt look marred her countenance.

Alex, as much as he loved his parents, they made him nervous. Especially now that he and Isabel were keeping secrets. He faltered over his thoughts, a lot, in their presence.

“Um. This thing with Isabel, to-day? I-I-I don’t know what happened exactly. I-I promise I’ll be careful with her o-k.... You know she has a brother r-right?”

Gloria was a bit perplexed, “Yeah. Max. Why?”

“Well actually she has like two... of... them.” He held up two fingers facing backward, “Any-ways... Michael maybe not her brother, but they call him one, he was not found with them, but he also was abandoned... and well, they are rather protective of Isabel.” He swallowed, “He wants to know what happened too.” Alex licked his lips. Gloria liked having her son back to his more normal self. Nervous. “They want to talk with me. I-I kind of need to go to that.” He pointed his index finger backwards over his shoulder nervously. “They want an accounting from me as well.” He held up his hands in a manner of surrender.

“Alex?”

“Please mom. I understand that I messed up....” he stood there, hands in pockets.

“You sure did.” Gloria agreed, “Is Isabel going to be there?”

“I-I d-don’t know. Probably at some point... Brothers you-you know? They’ll want to talk to her too.” He ruffled the back of his head. “Mom? Please?” he pleaded, “Can you trust me to be the kid you raised? ... I-I wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t important. And I’ll come home. I’ll honor the grounding when I get back.”

“It’s going to be a long one.” She stated authoritatively. “I’m glad you wish to do the right thing, because you do need to give an accounting and an apology to the girl’s brother/s and her family.”

“I kinda figured.” He chuckled.

“You will come right home? After talking to them?’ Ground rules, laid.

“Yes Ma’am.” He respectfully accepted the conditions. “But I might want to throw myself on the mercy of the court and ask for an appeal later?”

“Oh why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?” Gloria moaned, as she reached out to hug her son. “I am not happy with this decision Alexander.” She swallowed thickly. “But I want you to know I’m on your side and you can always come to me; so, against my better judgment, I’m going to trust you.” Her voice hitched. “You begged me for this, so please be worthy of it. Please. Alex. Don’t break this trust.... Because that would break my heart.” She held him tightly before releasing him.

“I know, if I do...” He raised his hands in surrender as he rolled his eyes. “Forbidden.” His hands still up he chuckled and jerkily shook his head nervously.

A catch was in her voice, as her eyes misted with tears, while she stated sadly, “And I don’t want to have to do that, Alex. I liked Isabel. I just can’t believe what either of you were doing at school today....”

Alex grabbed his keys and headed for the door. His mother gave him one last engulfing hug, the kind someone gives you if you’re leaving for a long time and might not ever be seen again. Alex left.

*** ***

Panic was overtaking her when he departed. Gloria’s knees hit the floor. She yanked the Rosary off her neck, clutched it staring at the ceiling, or rather beyond, toward the sky, Heaven. Alex might be leaving the house as her little boy, but she was extremely worried that he wouldn’t be returning the same. Neither had any control when she found them that afternoon, and if left alone long enough... she shuddered to think... she muttered what sounded like prayers, “Forgive Alex, because right now he doesn’t know what he’s doing, he’s about to get into a heap of trouble. Help him to see the light before he goes too far, or send intervention if he is going to end up too far. And if he does go too far, forgive me also when I choose to kill him....” The tears were finally flowing. She wrapped the rosary around her hand grabbed a large bead and started her fervent prayers... “Our Father. Who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name....”


TBC....

[Mt Gazer]

Disclaimer: I in no way own the rights to Roswell or anything related to it. All rights belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox, Regency Entertainment, Melinda Metz, WB and UPN. No infringement is intended. I am borrowing their awesome characters, and including my own.

Perhaps in this part and in parts to come I am or will be borrowing some scenes, and I will borrow direct dialog and use altered dialog at times.

Title: Shifting Realities
Author: Mt Gazer/Velvet Skye
Category: CC/ AU
Rating: MATURE- ADULT
Spoilers: This is my version of Sexual Healing.

I dedicate this chapter and all its parts to my friends Pooh and Tharos.

And to Randy, my dear husband always behind the scenes, and always an assistant in this. I tell him practically every idea that goes through my head. I love you, and thank you. As always. Shifting lives because of your support.

PML: WOW!!! Peter. This is a permanent spot in recognition of all your assistance. THANK-YOU!!! Shifting Realities is doing well with your attention to details. So thanks forever. You are a Godsend and a lifesaver.

chrystalkay Another insertion of my faithful readers. This time I added long time reader Chrystal into the story. Thanks for all the years of frindship and reading. Glad I could finally find you a place.



And finally I will attempt to recap where we’ve been.

RECAP: You were all a little surprised with Alex’s mom. She played hardball to get Alex to bend to her demands. And currently he has agreed to no sex...

How is Isabel faring with Diane?

******************************************
Shifting Realities

Chapter 27: L

Loosing Control

******************************************

The TV crew ran over to the Evans next.

Cameras were shoved into their faces, as the reporter stated, “Here is the other teen who was trapped inside the chaos. Could you tell us what it was like?” The camera zoomed into Isabel’s face.

Diane forced Isabel into her seat, and turned to the local news with a wearied sigh. “Look. My daughter was trapped inside that building. She’s fine. She hasn’t suffered any trauma, and I really would like to get her home now. I have nothing further to add.”

At the cars, the two mothers exchanged mirrored anxious looks over the roofs after they had forced their teenagers inside. The cameras zoomed in on their faces.

The Whitman’s sped off, leaving the Evans.


Diane, try as she might, could not get the engine to turn over, it spluttered and coughed but it would not engage. Isabel’s inebriated laughter did nothing to calm the situation. An incensed Diane turned in her seat to grip her daughter’s face, forcing eye contact, as much as Isabel was able to focus; as she ordered, “Isabel! Either use your powers to start this car! Or tamp them down this very instant! Do I make myself clear!?”

Isabel, still giggling erratically, placed her glowing hand upon her mother’s keys in the ignition and forced the engine to turn over and to roar to life. Diane shot her daughter an exasperated look, donned her sunglasses, and shot out of the parking lot.


Isabel was so plastered, or in a euphoric state, when they first arrived home that Diane could not speak to her with any clarity. She sent her to room to sleep it off.


And she was firmly planted on the sofa watching the television. The episode at the school had been a hot topic on the local news all afternoon. They kept showing clips of the “possessed” school, interviews with students who’d been trapped inside, Sheriff Valenti and the local police investigations. Morbid curiosity kept her glued to the set.


The phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Hey Mom. Isabel available?”

“Sorry, Max. She’s sleeping.”

“Are you watching the news?”

“Yeah.”

“We’re going to need to talk to her when she gets up?”

“Of course. How’s Michael doing?”

“He was a little fried, literally. Rather than touch anything and potentially short it out, he went for a nap. That power surge really wiped him out mom. I don’t know how Isabel was generating that much power or electricity. He really saved her big time.”

“Max. You both did. You both used your god -given gifts expertly. And the Breathalyzer? Max that was amazing! I wish I could hug my boys right now. And although she isn’t around to thank you. Thank you Max.”

“I don’t think the credit goes to God mom. Kind of just the side effect of who we are.”

“I still don’t believe it was an accident in my finding you kids. So as far as I am concerned, your natural abilities are from God. I’ll get Isabel over to you guys when I’m done talking to her, so it’s going to be a little while.”


The conversation ended and Diane settled in to view the news again.


And awhile later the phone rang again; interrupting her rapt attention. It was Gloria Whitman who through a halted conversation had planned for them all to sit down the following day and discuss everything.

*** ***

After a couple of hours of sleeping, Isabel appeared in the living room. She didn’t know how to talk to her mother, and nervously bit her lower lip. She stood there silent.

Diane looked up. “Have a seat here honey,” she pointed to a space beside her on the couch. “Watch this with me if you don’t mind.”

Isabel sat down and stared at the TV. She looked at her mother through her peripheral vision as she sucked in her lips again. For there on the screen was today’s nightmare, in living color.

As Diane watched her daughter catch up the events of the afternoon. The TV held their collective interest.

Welcome back. We will cover the weather in just a few minutes, but first let us tune into the strange events that happened today in Roswell.

The screen split and showed the reporter on the scene. Chrystal Kay, a long dark haired beauty with her hair held up by a headband, stood among the grounds of the high school.

The anchor, Lisa Ramirez asked, “So Chrystal? Any updates on what people are already calling the New Roswell Incident?”

Isabel sucked in her lips at the mention of its title.

“No Lisa, things are still pretty much in the dark. We've interviewed several of the eyewitnesses and they say it was nearly complete chaos here today.”

”So were they able to recover all the students?”

”Chrystal paused a moment, tapping her earpiece, "Yes, Lisa, there were only a few minor injuries, but a lot of scared teenagers today. No one is quite sure how the electricity was arcing so much in the building, let alone the odd wind that was supposedly racing through the halls.”

Lisa Ramirez said, “In case you have just tuned in, we are covering events at West Roswell High School. Wind and lightning were occurring indoors, inside the high school this afternoon. This event is being called the New Roswell Incident. We’re going to a feed of some scenes shot earlier this afternoon.”

On the screen was a demonstration of Isabel’s powers. She hadn’t even known what was happening. The wind and lightning weren’t shown in the halls, but the effect of the rest of her make-out session was on display.

The School was pulsing as if it had a heartbeat, she could see the papers being whirled against the sealed windows by something akin to indoor tornadoes?

There were interviews with the local law enforcement.

Isabel swallowed when she realized that again she was on Valenti’s radar. He hadn’t mentioned her name or given any indication thereof, but it was an unusual event and she had been missing during it. How long would it take to put her name and perhaps even Alex’s with the disaster?

There were interviews with several students and staff. Some had been examined for minor heat exhaustion and others for potential hypothermia. But no one was seriously injured in the whole of the school.

The scene with the firefighter hero rescuing the poor girl, who appeared to have been turned into a human icicle. Isabel raised an eyebrow at the scene and sucked in her lips again, this time to not snicker. Ashley Slaton was acting so dramatic.

“Lets go back to Chrystal. So? Any word on the damage that the school has taken?”

”Yes, Lisa. It looks like its going to take at least a week to do repairs, and the cost is going to run several million dollars. The damage to the electrical system is extensive, not to mention the water damage from the sprinklers.”

Are they going to take a recess on classes? Lisa asked.

“No Lisa,” Chrystal replied, “the local school board is trying to find a way to use local facilities to continue the school week but it is going to be tricky. The school took a pretty hard hit this afternoon. We’re not exactly sure from what.

Are there any guesses, short of an alien invasion, that might have caused this?

“Well Lisa, No one is really sure what happened here yet, but the electricians and maintenance personnel, as well as the authorities, believe that the local grid somehow built up an excess charge over the entire school. There is no current theory as to exactly how this could happen. Several prominent local scientists are enroute to study the problem.”

We’re going to go to our local weather...

***

“In less than an afternoon, honey, you managed to destroy the entire school.” Diane sighed shaking her head as she imposed upon her daughter the seriousness of the situation.

And Isabel nodded solemnly.

“Well. Isabel? Now you’ve seen it? Have any explaining to do?” Diane turned to face her daughter. “About everything?” Not only was her mother’s face on, but her lawyer face was too.

Isabel bit her lip in concentration again as she sorted out her thoughts. What was her mother thinking?

Diane was silent. Waiting for an answer.

Isabel blurted out the first thing that came to her mind, “I didn’t meet him in there. It wasn’t deliberate.”

“So?” her mother stared at her. “What does that mean?”

“I was going to class. He pulled me in there. And kissed me.” Keep it to the facts. It had helped Isabel before.

Diane pointed out the error in Isabel’s reasoning. “You could have walked out.”

“Yeah.” Isabel paused to think. “That... didn’t cross my mind.” She bit her lip again. She was definitely in trouble, alien trouble. Trouble she didn’t even know she had created when it happened.

“Well.” Diane shook her head, “I know you don’t drink. You can’t. Max had to make the both of you appear drunk to the medics. So that they wouldn’t take you to the hospital for blood tests. Or so you couldn’t be arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s, for yet again, more blood tests.”

Isabel gave her a puzzled look.

“You don’t remember the medics at all, do you, Isabel?

A completely befuddled look marked Isabel’s countenance. Isabel couldn’t even remember all the events at the school.

Diane had been worried about this possibility. “I didn’t think so. You acted high, or drunk, or somehow altered. You were not yourself today that is for certain. And I know that you also wouldn’t take drugs. So care to explain the state I found you in?” Diane shook her head dismally again, thinking back a few hours to when the kids fell out of the Eraser Room door.

“I ...get... drunk off... of ... Alex?” Isabel asked in a halted, questioning manner, her eyebrow raised.

“What!?” Diane was staring at her daughter now. “Care to enlighten me?”

Isabel once again rushed to defend, “Not every time. Actually rarely. Only a couple of times it’s happened.” She snorted, “Today being the second.” She let out a protracted sigh, and raked her hand trough her hair. “And today was also something I’ve never experienced before. Ever.” The look she sent her mother; indicated she was serious, this was something NEW. “It was a bad day to go to school.” Isabel continued explaining, twisting her hair around her index finger. “Once he got there,” (she conveniently did not tell her mother of the Soul Gaze event in 3rd period. She wished to forget that particular memory altogether.) “I was sort of stuck.”

Diane nonverbally asked with raised questioning eyebrows.

“I could feel him.” Isabel stopped to pause, “In my head.” She touched the back surface where she got a distinct tingling when she and Alex had some sort of bonding experience. “I even thought of calling you and coming home. But I got stuck at school. I had to be where he was, even if we weren’t near each other. And when he snatched me into the eraser room, I don’t know. It just felt right.” She bit her lip nervously again.

“It wasn’t right.” Diane looked at her intently.

Isabel in retrospect could look back and answer honestly that, “No it wasn’t. But, at the time, I just couldn’t help it.” ‘What’s wrong with me?’ she wondered to herself silently.

“Where was Alex’s shirt?”

“I don’t know. I think I dissolved it.” She giggled nervously.

“And his belt? Did you dissolve that too?”

“Ummm.... Yeah. I think so.” Isabel was listening to this conversation and she herself was confused. This didn’t sound like her at all.

Diane got up and started to pace.

“I trusted you, with Alex. With yourself. But, was I wrong? Did I make a mistake?” Diane sighed as she came to stand before her daughter. “OK. .... I’m going to ask, and I think I know how you’re going to respond, but ... how long have you been sexually active with Alex, Isabel?”

“WHAT?” Isabel sat there blinking in shock at her mother‘s accusation.

Diane downplayed her daughter’s distress, “I asked you how long you ...”

And Isabel cut her off, “I heard you. I don’t understand the question...”

“What’s not to understand? Unless?” Diane blinked in process, and changed her query.
“How long have you been undressing with or by Alex?”

“MOM!” She glared at her mother for even bringing it up. Shaking her head in stunned disbelief.

“NO!” Diane insisted, “I know you hate discussing this with me. You’ll shut me down. Not today Isabel. Not after what I witnessed.” Diane paused as she thought of what her daughter’s discomfort might actually mean, and raised her eyebrows again. “Was this your first time?”

Isabel sighed. “First time?” She shook her head in confusion. “We haven’t even had a first time.”

“So you don’t consider yourself sexually active?” Diane pressed her daughter for answers.

“NO!” Isabel shook her head forcefully, distastefully.

“Here goes “The Talk” Isabel.” Diane sighed.... “You don’t see yourself as sexually active, but what I saw changes definitions for me, so,” Diane paused and thought of how to speak with her hopefully inexperienced daughter. “So exactly at what state would you consider yourself as being sexually active? As a lawyer, I know how terms can be parsed. When you tell me you have not have had sex with Alex, what exactly do you mean?”

“Mom...” Isabel whined... “I think you know...”

”I do?” Diane continued, “Well then I guess you would say that you haven’t had intercourse?”

Isabel did the jerked head, annoyed stare.

“What about Oral sex?” Diane pressured.

“MOTHER!” Isabel’s cheeks heated up.

”What about manual sex? You know a hand-job?”

“I am not discussing this....”

“You have really heavy make-outs? Involving touching and stimulation? What exactly do you mean when you say that you aren’t sexually active? Because to me, daughter of mine, what I saw, was, a sexual situation just moments from getting very, very serious. What do you mean? Clarify your terms!” She demanded.

“MOM!” Isabel groaned, “This is not a conversation I’m having with you... We haven’t done ANYTHING... Anything of what you were just asking. When I woke up this morning, I was still at first base ok? French Kissing first base...”

Diane gave her a dubious look, as she scoffed, “Really? Then what is going on!? Because I’m assuming you just destroyed the school through a make-out session?” She raised her eyebrows. “Can you give me something to help with the events of today?? Anything at all??? ...”

“Ok.” Isabel sighed, tossing her head for emphasis, and crossing her arms on her chest, tightly. “Max and Liz, where I came from, had a day kind of like this. The human in the equation, gets images from kissing the alien in the equation. And they all lead to something buried in the desert.”

“So do you know where this thing is?” Diane paced as she spoke.

“No.”

“Is Alex getting these clues?” Diane nodded. She was desperate to find some sort of sense in all of it.

“Yes.” Isabel nodded.

Diane shook her head, and paused in front of her daughter. “And making out is how you get this information? Is somehow important?”

Isabel cringed a bit. “Yeah.”

“So what is this all-important elusive object?”

“It’s a black rock with a symbol from our home world on it. And when we all got together it revealed our history to us. Its one of the things the Special Unit, was interested in... Back in my time. So we need it.” Isabel nodded.

“I see ....” Diane paused to think, “Well what about letting Max and Liz find it then? They aren’t at the same level as you and Alex.”

“MOM.” Isabel said forcefully, “They aren’t at any level.” She whined. “They haven’t even kissed yet. And it’s March. This happened to Max and Liz in February. I never know what is going to happen, what will be the same and what will change, or why. But I think because I’m the dominant alien now because of having returned, that now it’s finding us.”

“What is? What’s finding you? ” Diane questioned.

“The thing,” Isabel threw out a gestured hand, “the rock that’s buried.” Isabel stopped short. “It’s the reason for the PDA.” She shrugged. “When they found it, they weren’t like that anymore. It drives you together to derive information. Alex and I are getting the same information. It’s a one-day thing. It’ll be over by the end of tonight.” She stated assuredly.

“So might your virginity.” Diane dryly stated.

“MOM!” Isabel indignantly glared again.

“I’m serious Isabel! I don’t know how long you were in the Eraser Room, but you were way out of control. And I can honestly say that I don’t like this. Anything that would force teenagers to have sex just to get information sounds fishy to me. But since you seem to feel it is important I’m going to have to trust you. I promised to back you up when the timelines converged...

“I never thought we’d be in this situation. I’ve been so proud of how level headed you are, even with Alex you seem to be in control of yourself.” Diane swallowed. “It’s so good and it makes me so happy that you have found a young man. And I know you and Alex love each other and will naturally get closer.” She stopped in front of Isabel.

She sighed for the umpteenth time that day, “You know Isabel, I am not sure how much I can do here...there is too much you don’t know, and the Good Lord knows there is way too much I do not understand... ” She stared at her daughter for a few minutes while coming to a decision. She held out her hand for Isabel to grasp. “Grab your purse, we’ll be right back.”

She led her bewildered daughter out the front door, “I think we need to go for a little ride... make things a little more... real to you.” In the car she informed her daughter of the nature of the trip.... They took a short drive to a nearby convenience store.

*** ***

When they got out, you could see the mortification on her daughter’s face as Diane marched her inside. “Now honey, if you ever find yourself in a situation where sex is imminent, this is what you’ll need to do...”

Isabel dragged her feet, and stared at the sky as they wandered down a couple aisles until they found the proper item.

Diane continued, “You’re going to need to know where to find them, and how...” She forced Isabel to the display and made her examine the shelf. “So look them over and grab what you want. I presume you don't know what size would fit him best?” Diane arched her eyebrows.

Isabel was blushing multiple shades of red by this point. She snatched, without thinking or looking at, the nearest box.

“Ok... Good. Now this is what you have an emergency credit card for, emergencies. And if the need should arise,” Diane punned, “well, this would qualify as one.” She added, “Eventually you’ll be reading the box to find the one that sounds right,” Isabel stared at her dumbfounded, “but for now, let’s check out.”

She dragged her daughter with her box to the front, and then forced her forward to the counter. At this point Diane left her side and went to wait by the front door.

Isabel had to pay for her purchase with the card. Alone.

“Hey Isabel. What can I do for you?” The clerk asked.

Isabel looked up to see one of her classmates, Rick Garcia, behind the register.

She plunked the box down and shot her mother a death glare..

“So. I take it Alex is the lucky guy, huh?” He said with a tiny smirk.

“Just hurry it up!” She mumbled, her cheeks heating up like a furnace.

Rick just laughed and added as she left the counter, “Have a good time Isabel.”

She tensed her jaw and ground her teeth, while hurrying to get to her mother.

Diane stood by waiting. She knew this was the ultimate in embarrassment, but maybe Isabel would think, before acting next time. And if not, well she wouldn’t be caught off guard, not if Diane could help it. This was Isabel’s situation. She was just arming her with information, and real world skills, but she wasn’t bailing her out.

Isabel wanted to be silent in the car, she was so humiliated, but instead, she argued, “I can’t believe you made me do that. Mom, that was every kind of embarrassing. Not only did I have to buy protection, but I had to do it with my mother. Not to mention the clerk was a schoolmate. That’s right, you just murdered my reputation... Are you trying to kill me?”

“Nope. I’m trying to keep you safe. And if you could make it through that mortification, it won’t be so bad when you have to get it next time, right? You might even be with Alex.”

Isabel was vehemently shaking her head no.

“That wouldn’t be so bad now would it?” Diane responded to her motion.

“There’s not going to be a next time.” Isabel informed her seriously.

“I’m pretty sure there will,” Diane stated knowingly, “and eventually you’ll need a new box. A dozen isn’t all that much.”

Isabel defended, “But Mom we aren’t having sex, of any type.”

“So you’ve said,” Diane just knowingly nodded, “But that’s about to change honey.”

“What?” Isabel stared at her while they drove away.

“Today, exploring, undressing, its all sexual behavior. It all leads to intercourse, eventually. You might not have consummated yet, but you have started to travel the road of intimacy. It’s going to happen Isabel. You love Alex.” Diane patted her daughter’s thigh.

“I’m not sure I trust your judgment and reasoning. I mean your behavior at school was definitely out of line. But I’m helping you to be prepared, so should you ever find yourself in this position again, you are set.

“But we still have to discuss the school, don’t we?” Diane questioned, “Why don’t we drive by and see what it looks like?”

“You’re one of those mothers, huh?” Isabel accused.

Perplexed, Diane asked, “What do you mean?”

“The kind that shows you your mistake and rubs it in ...” Isabel accused again.

“No. Honey. I’m the kind that loves you enough to guide you and to show you your mistake to help keep you from repeating it.”

*** ***

West Roswell High didn’t look any different from the outside, except for the caution tape stretched across the front and the closed for repair sign at the entrance, and the odd assortment of people milling around the grounds.

There were every manner of people there, city authorities and government insurance adjusters, the electricians and tradesmen, the news crew, and Sheriff Valenti and his team trying to keep them all contained. UFOLogists, including Milton Ross were also swarming the area. Tomorrow it was certain to be a mad-house. Today only held a few lookie-loos.

A dark van drove in, and a few gentlemen in white lab coats hopped out and went to discuss matters with one of the staff.

Diane and Isabel sat in the security of Diane’s car, observing the scene.

“Isabel. This can’t happen again....” Diane added.

“Yeah I know.” Isabel added incautiously, her attention elsewhere. Isabel’s eyes went wide when she saw the scientists step out and head to the school. A tall man in a dark suit with dark glasses appeared to head the team. A momentary fear struck her heart as she remembered Max’s ordeal in the White Room. She licked her lips.

“NO!!” You are not hearing me!... ISABEL....” The look on Diane’s face was one she had never worn before. She was still in dismay from the day’s events. Abject shock, horror, and confusion were only some of the emotions in this one expression. It was a myriad of emotions all wrapped into one. In a word, Diane was poleaxed. Isabel turned slowly to stare at her mother’s new expression.

“This... can’t.... happen.... again.” She added slowly, deliberately. Diane pointed to the darkened building. “How do you intend to fix or even explain this? Because you’re going to have to do something.” She pointed at the scene before them. “The principal is going to tear you guys a new one when you return. I think I see suspension or possible long-term detention in your future. And he only is going to land on you for alcohol or illicit substance on school property. The grid currently is getting blamed for the electrical problems. Convenient don’t you think?”

Isabel with her lower lip sucked in, just nodded her agreement.

“But we know what happened to the school really, don’t we?” Diane pressed.

“Yeah... I guess.” Isabel whispered.

“But right now, right now, I’m wishing for the same thing every mother dreams of, an instruction manual to her child. But why did they not send something with you hybrids, anything at all to inform us of what to expect? Because I don’t quite know what to do about this situation, or even how this happened. This. Disaster. Shall we get out and walk around too?”

Isabel shook her head forcefully...

They sat in Diane’s car discussing this disaster in a safe environment then. “Some things you couldn’t help and might be relative to your genetics... but making out at school, getting undressed at same, and having your parents called. These are inexcusable crimes. Essentially destroying the school... yeah... You are also looking at long term grounding at our house. LONG TERM...”

“I had no idea mom. Honest.” Isabel pleaded.

Diane continued to talk to her daughter... “I know. And that truly worries me. But because this was your first venture into a sexual foray, there were probably a lot of new feelings going on and things you aren’t sure how they should feel. And maybe if there were any that particularly stood out, you can take note of them? Because if you feel that way again, this might happen? But now that you have felt those feelings and you do have a baseline, next time you might be able to pull out? “ She asked hopefully.

“Yeah. I hope there was something as a warning too.” Isabel agreed. ... “Because, I don’t want to repeat this ever either. I don’t mean the Alex part, of course. But, destruction of property on a massive scale. NO.” She shook her head in disbelief. “Max, Michael and I will take care of it. Tomorrow.” Isabel stated confidently.


Isabel kept watching as the group of scientists including the dark-suited gentleman talked with one of the school staff.

An average height, pretty, blonde woman was leading them around, explaining the situation to them as it was currently. They were taking notes on clipboards and one had a device for measuring electrical activity, he was monitoring the fluctuation in the atmosphere surrounding the school, if there was anything different and detectable.


“I’m not so sure they will Isabel.” Diane chuckled mirthlessly. “You didn’t see their faces, when you were missing. Max looked worried.” Her mother added with a slow shake. “And Michael stopped that electricity, and sent it back onto the grid...”

“They might not like what happened, but we take care of each other. They wouldn’t throw me to the wolves, especially with everyone watching me.” Isabel continued to appear confident. It was a facade. She was confused as to how to explain or fix this either.

As Isabel kept on surveying the scene, Diane kept speaking... “Isabel. You guys are smart and can do a lot of things, but this needs professionally repaired. You don’t know how to repair everything, and the water damage alone is extensive.

“I’ve never seen your powers on that level Isabel. And I know your prime directive is safety.” Diane stopped to look at her daughter closely. “What happened to that? Your safety? The secrets safety? Alex’s safety? Any safety?”

The group of scientific experts had been informed that the girl in that car was a first hand witness to the events, and maybe she’d like to shed more light on the matter. The woman smiled and waved to the Evans, “Mrs. Evans, we’d like to speak with Isabel.” ... The team was heading toward the car...

The news crew had just realized the girl they had wished to speak to earlier was sitting in the car with her mother, they too were heading towards the parking lot.

“Mom! Speaking of safety, just go!!!” Isabel demanded, as she watched everyone converging upon the parking lot, from different directions.

“Honey isn’t that your guidance counselor?”

“Not today.” Isabel stated assuredly, cryptically. “We need to leave! Now! Please!” The last word nearly a whimper of desperation.

Diane kicked the car back into drive and pulled away from the parking lot, shouting out her window to the crews, “ Sorry. She’s camera shy!” And she exited the lot of the damaged high school.

Isabel truthfully stated while once again troubling her lip, “I really do try to keep us safe... But everything just sort-of happened today. I don’t even remember dissolving Alex’s shirt. It just... happened... too.” She sighed and turned to look at her mother, “And that electricity? I don’t know where that came from.” Shaking her head. “All of it just happened... without warning that I can tell.”

“You’re in trouble Isabel. I don’t know how to fix this one either. Unless you are able to erase the minds of everyone in the entire town?” Diane wistfully ventured... as she quickly looked at her daughter for a brief second, while she steered the car around a corner.

“Yeah. Mind-warping. I don’t have that skill.” She shook her head forcefully, and then shrugged her shoulders. “Another thing for the Valenti file I guess.” She added with a sigh.

Diane pulled up in front of their residence, and turned to look carefully at her daughter once more. “You don’t seem that concerned. This is a big thing Isabel. A thing that can get you noticed by the wrong people. The people you’re trying to avoid! The reason we left the school in such a hurry?” She queried. Diane was so concerned for her daughter, who didn’t seem worried. And that in itself was troubling, because Isabel is nothing if not careful about using her powers. What was wrong with Isabel?

Isabel looked over. “Don’t you think I don’t know that?” She started to act more agitated, “I didn’t know anything was happening at school today, honest, or I’d never.... I know this is bad.” She started to slightly rock in her seat. “Really bad.” She shook out her hands frustratedly. “But I don’t want to panic until I have to... ok? ... Max and Liz didn’t destroy a school. It wasn’t like this for them. I’ve never seen this before, or done anything like this, I don’t have an answer... Ok it’s bigger than me I do admit.” She swallowed. “And we’re just going to have to fix the school the best we can. Then it’ll probably be off for a few days for other repairs we can’t do, and then we’ll just survive to the best of our ability.” She sighed, as she continued to rock slightly, arms crossed on her chest.

“I know Alex and I are in deep trouble. I know that after today we can’t see each other again for a very long time. I know I disappointed you. I know I ruined your image of me as your perfect little girl and I know I messed up about as badly as possible.”

Diane gave her a look of compassion.

Isabel kept talking, raking both hands through her now. “The worst part is... how do you pull out? When you don’t even know that you are having an effect? Like I said. He took me in there to talk. He kissed me, and this happened as a result... of what?” She shrugged, arms thrown in a questioning gesture. “The kiss? The hidden orb? The level of our relationship? The fact that I came back in time? What? What caused this? Because I didn’t know I could do this.” She whined while shaking her head yet again. This day held so much confusion. “Never in my past... Never when Max kissed Liz. Mom. I don’t know what happened. I have never seen this. Never!! ... But I still have to finish it... we still have to find the hidden rock. I’m so sorry. I never expected to be in this situation either.” Isabel moaned, as she twisted the ends of her hair.

Diane patted her leg and said directly, “And this is where I reiterate I don’t like this. Why would a rock respond to the hormone level of two teens, or worse yet, as seems to be case, create the hormone level of the two teens? Anything, anything that would force teens into a sexual relationship worries me. Worries me greatly. I want to say no. I want to ground you right now. I don’t want you to find this thing. Not if in finding it you have to lose something precious, in exchange. I want you to stay my little girl. I don’t want you to have sex yet, because neither of you is ready... But I know.... I know that if Max and Liz were getting the clues instead of you they’d act on them. Michael most definitely would... Now tell me about the past. Max and Liz, how far did they go under this things influence?”

Isabel nodded, her mother was on her side, and she was trying to help in sorting out the mess. “That’s a fair question. Something happened at the school for them too, heavy make-out, (no electricity) they got detention. And later that day they were starting to get into it at Michael’s before Maria walked in. Max’s shirt was off, and well some alien effects were in play. Maria took an already grounded Liz home. Liz snuck into her room and had a confrontation with her mom. Later they both snuck out and went into the desert to find the thing. They would have gotten a lot closer, but the thing alerted them to its presence and after they found it they went to sleep. They stayed out all night. And were missing the next morning. They came back to a grilling from both sets of parents. Speaking of interrogating, Max and Michael are going to want to question me too, I’m sure.” Isabel looked at her mom in question.

Diane tightly smiled, “Yeah they called. Meeting at Michael’s after we’re done here. And from us, a grounding when you return home.”

“I knew it. I just got ungrounded. I think I’m going to live in that state aren’t I?” Isabel teased slightly.

Diane nodded, “So sorry, but yeah, it appears that way.... Now a few more things. You get to use this car. Because Max is not home and you have to get to Michael’s.”

“Now if Alex ends up there, and I certainly hope he doesn’t... I hope you make good decisions. I believe you can. I’m going to give you a few options based on today...”

“You can leave, as stated, you’ve got a car. Keep yourself away from temptation... that’s the smartest choice of course.”

“That drunk/high thing, or mass destruction scale.... pay attention to whatever signals that seem remotely familiar from earlier. Diane opened her purse and pulled out her wallet, placing some cash into Isabel’s hand. “Cab fare.” Get yourself a ride a home if you are too inebriated to drive. Make sure Alex is safe too.”

“Use your cell phone. You can call me if things start to get out of hand. I won’t judge and I will pick you up no questions asked. I’ll take Alex home as well...”

“And lastly, since you have started down that road, and it can be impossible to control, If for some reason, you end up beyond a point of no return. Well you’ve got protection if it starts to get too far. I remind you. USE IT! Use good judgment and common sense please? Honey?”

Isabel nodded.

“You are not spending the night in the desert; you get that rock and get back home. Because I know if that happens, you will have gone too far. You can stay at Michael’s if for any reason you go there on your way home, and you will inform me of your whereabouts... And take a shovel from here since you’re going to need it.”

“Isabel.” Diane impressed upon her daughter with a serious tone, “I’m treating you with way more responsibility than a teen should be allowed, today. Only because I promised to keep your two lives separate. But if anything like this happens again. I might force your hand. I might insist that you tell your brother about the past. OK. First and foremost I need to keep you safe.” She squeezed her daughter’s hand tightly.

Isabel sighed and nodded again.

“I’ll tell you also why I make this decision, if Max and Liz had gone all the way, you would not be leaving this house right now. Period. Somehow, they didn’t. So I trust that neither will you. Based on the fact that you are the most controlled of the three of you and I’m going to have to trust you....”

“So why don’t you leave the condoms here, in the car, and go get ready. Whatever you feel you might need to take or whatever... and don’t forget the shovel.” With that Diane stepped out of the car, leaving Isabel to be responsible for herself and any subsequent decisions she’d be making for the evening.

*** ***


After retrieving the shovel from the garage, and placing it into the trunk of her mother’s car, Isabel walked back into the house.

She went into her room and decided to change. The blouse she had been wearing all day had a silky sheen to it, but she was going to wear her lambskin jacket from Alex, and as such needed a different blouse. She chose a button down white cotton blouse, which hugged all her curves properly. She let the top buttons rest open to her bust, modest but still tantalizing. And to accent, she wore her skin hugging black leather pants with the new black leather jacket.

She sat down at her vanity and proceeded to brush her long blonde hair, leaving it loose and flowing, secured with a black leather headband to finish the look. She smiled and nodded at the vision of beauty before her, giving her hair a toss. She refrained herself from curling it as well.

Reaching into her drawer she pulled out a tube of lipstick and applied the color. Then she touched up her blush again. That would suffice. But with another look in the mirror she decided that she might as well finish. She touched up all her remaining makeup, reapplying mascara and eye shadow. A wave of her hand, over her fingers and a new color of polish was also applied. She wanted to look good for him. If her evening was like Liz and Max of last timeline, she WOULD be seeing Alex, and they would resume gathering clues, wherever and however that led them. A trip into the desert wasn’t her only concern.

She glanced up to the corner of the tall mirror on her vanity as a dangling object caught her eye. Puzzled she reached out to grab it, holding the long black cord in her fingers she let it sway for a second watching it with her eyes, mesmerizing her. She then placed it around her neck. She reached again into the drawer, pulled out a little pouch and emptied the object into her palm. Satisfied it was still there, she nodded, placed it back inside and stuffed the pouch into her right pocket. She shrugged to herself again.

She looked into the mirror, deeply, and liked what she saw. Isabel Evans looked Hot. She gave her reflection a self-assured kiss and a wink then turned to head out of her room. Stopping at her doorway she realized that she couldn’t leave like this, how could she complete her little seduction if she didn’t pull out all the stops?

‘What seduction? Alex certainly doesn’t need seduced.’ She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

She walked back over to her vanity, sat on the seat and reached for her bottle of Longing. She smiled thinking, ‘He’ll love this.’ She gave herself another coy smile as she applied the perfume in strategic spots, including areas that she would want to lead him to tonight if they decided to look for some more information.

Isabel recoiled slightly to herself; this was exactly what got her in trouble in the first place. She couldn’t turn up like this; Alex would never know what hit him. She needed to be in control. She didn’t know had what hit her. She thought about washing off the perfume, but instead dulled the scent, no one would notice, unless she really needed it.

She gave herself one last self-approving look and headed out of her room and then left the house with, “Bye Mom.” As she headed off to Michael’s.

TBC....

[Mt Gazer]

Disclaimer: I in no way own the rights to Roswell or anything related to it. All rights belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox, Regency Entertainment, Melinda Metz, WB and UPN. No infringement is intended. I am borrowing their awesome characters, and including my own.

Perhaps in this part and in parts to come I am or will be borrowing some scenes, and I will borrow direct dialog and use altered dialog at times.

Title: Shifting Realities
Author: Mt Gazer/Velvet Skye
Category: CC/ AU
Rating: MATURE- ADULT
Spoilers: This is my version of Sexual Healing.

I dedicate this chapter and all its parts to my friends Pooh and Tharos.

And to Randy, my dear husband always behind the scenes, and always an assistant in this. I tell him practically every idea that goes through my head. I love you, and thank you. As always. Shifting lives because of your support.

PML: WOW!!! Peter. This is a permanent spot in recognition of all your assistance. THANK-YOU!!! Shifting Realities is doing well with your attention to details. So thanks forever. You are a Godsend and a lifesaver. You are now an AMAZING Beta too!!!


And finally I will attempt to recap where we’ve been.

RECAP: Isabel and her mother had a long conversation about sex... and Diane took her to a convenience store to buy protection. We have to meet with the boys next, what do they think about everything that is going on?

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Shifting Realities

Chapter 27: M

Loosing Control

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Both of the boys, Max and Michael had gotten permission to start their work shifts later, citing emergencies. Considering the fiasco at the school had been broadcast on the local news, and knowing of Michael’s relationship with the Evan’s family, Jeff Parker had allowed him to start his shift later. Max just claimed something was wrong with his sister, and somehow got out of time at the UFO Center.

Alex arrived for the meeting first; hoping Isabel wasn’t there, because it would be far easier talking to Max and Michael without her, than trying to explain the unexplainable in her presence.

His mother had let him come, and although he was grateful for that, really grateful and owing her so big, he was also not knowing how to communicate with her either, and he wasn’t at all looking forward to talking to Isabel’s alien family. Nor did he have any answers, concrete or otherwise.

Michael left the door open for Max who had stepped out to the Taco Shack to grab some food, and in the meanwhile Alex appeared. Michael saw him park and decided to wait just inside his front door. Arms crossed on his chest, he issued him in the door. “Getting a little heavy with Isabel?”

Alex nervous as ever, answered truthfully, “Not intentionally.”

Michael stepped aside to let him enter, giving him a puzzled look while arching an eyebrow in response to Alex’s strange answer. “So if it were intentional, would we need a pregnancy test?”

“What is it with you people? We aren't going to need to find out because that’s never going to happen until we are both ready and have discussed it fully in depth. It would be by mutual consent I assure you.” Alex stared.

"Well you both seemed pretty ready and willing to consent today. If you want to know what I think; I think that if you hadn’t been stopped when you did that this would already be set in motion, and we would be wondering what color to paint the nursery.” Michael returned the glare.

He continued, “Alien pregnancy is just what we need right about now. Schools nearly been blown to smithereens by you two. Can’t imagine FBI, or Valenti didn’t notice that. Can you imagine if you’d gone any further? You two might blow up the town or worse yet, state. You two were gone, wasted, totally drunk and far past the point of rational anything... Discussion? ... That was never gonna happen.”

“I was trying to avoid her.... Really I was... because, well, something happened last night.” Alex tried to explain.

“Something happened?” Michael stared at him again, “What do you mean, something happened?” He crossed his arms on his chest and leaned in closer to the other boy.

Alex paused to catch his breath, “Well it started then, something that has to do with you people and your planet.” Alex explained, ineffectively. He caught Michael’s intense look and then stumbled out, “Nothing like you’re thinking,,, nothing that has to do with nursery colors anyways...” Shaking his head.

“That’s good, because crimson is looking awfully tempting right now.” Michael ground out.

”Yeah I’m sure...” Alex scoffed, while agreeing, nodding. “But when we, I mean last night during...” His hands were gesturing, trying to add to the conversation. This didn’t sound good.

“We? During?...” Michael smirked.

Alex gulped. “We kissed, ok. But it was well not like a normal kiss. I saw things inside her, mind I suppose, spirit maybe... I-I don’t quite know.”

Michael’s glare was intense. “Fine so far we've got you hallucinating while making out with Isabel... you really expect me to believe that? .... Oh come on Whitman, you can not tell me that you of all people have found some wonder that I have not myself beheld?”

“Maybe I have...” Alex answered haughtily.

“And this has been an ongoing issue? For how long? And you didn't decide to warn us that something strange was going on?” Michael accused.

Alex shook his head and let out a sigh, “I didn't know something strange was going on.... or lots of strange as the case might be.”

“Go on.” Michael waited.

Alex wet his lips, “Maria called us in the middle of the night to warn us about electricity.”

Michael smirked again. Alex was easy to keep in line. “She called “us.” he pointed out Alex’s choice of wording, “Where were you?”

Alex realizing what he was insinuating tossed out, “Separate. At our own houses. Maria made us conference call. OK. But she called to say that when we kissed it affected electricity or something....”

Michael snickered. “Funny that she should mention that.”

Alex was confused, “Huh? What do you mean?” It lasted for brief moment as realization dawned on him as he stared at Michael... “Oh never mind you all saw the school.” Shaking his head, “Well yeah.... Maria was onto something obviously....” he scratched the back of his head.

Michael snorted... “Yeah... you can call me sparky. Is it even safe to have you here? I'm not exactly current on my renter’s insurance.” He stared at Alex.

Alex was truly confused this time, “Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?”

Michael just chuckled amused as he started to list, “Oh, lets see, you shorted out the Crashdown, blew up the school, thanks by the way. My poor house can only take so much.”

Alex licked his lips again and tossed up both hands in frustration. “Isabel is the alien not me... that’s why it was weird when I got an image of space or something, when we were kissing last night. The thing I’ve been trying to tell you.”

“Space huh?” Michael was actually interested now, “Ok! Hmm. So what exactly did you see?”

Alex ignored the question and kept explaining, “Today we got more of that.”

“Really? Anything useful?”

Alex shrugged. “Maybe. I think so.”

Michael sighed in annoyance, “Then spill, your getting to be worse than Maria. Just get to the damn point.”

Alex nodded, “That’s our problem. I’m not quite sure what the point is, but while we got some things, I don’t think we got it all yet.”

This boy was talking himself in circles, Michael shook his head. “So far as I can tell you don't have jack... You haven’t said anything important... now what did you see?”

”I,” (he dragged out the word) “saw planets.”

“O-k?” Michael shook his head.

Alex stood confidently, “But I saw. NO. I FELT the crash. Your crash.”

”You felt the crash!?” Michael had no idea what Alex would utter next, but it would likely be amusing. “What the hell does that mean?”

“Its like I was on the ship.” Alex shrugged.

Michael needed info, “Were there any survivors? Our parents, anything!”

Alex quirked his mouth sideways, “I didn't see anyone... I felt it.... I saw New Mexico from the air.”

”Something useful, maybe?” Michael got up and grabbed a map, “So show me, where? Where, where did it land? Maybe something was left, something we can use?”

Alex sighed. “I didn't see it land... I don't know where it was exactly... I just briefly saw the lower southeast region, and I felt the ground shake after that... I just know it was headed to Roswell area, Corona County.”

“So, like landing here wasn't a mistake?” Michael asked in confusion. “Why would they want to come here? There is nothing here.”

Alex continued. “All I know is I felt like soldiers chasing me and the me in the vision was burying something in the ground...” What Michael had just asked registered, “I don’t know why you’re here? Of course it was a crash. But they still left you some kind of message on the cave wall, and they buried something in the ground. But where...I don’t know.”

Michael in a moment of excitement, stated, “We need to find it.”

“No kidding” Alex raised his eyebrows. “That’s what Isabel and I are doing, we’re getting clues to the place, each kiss brings us closer...”

Michael raised yet another arched eyebrow....

Alex sighed. “Closer to finding the thing... Not for us, necessarily...”

Michael scanned the map of New Mexico. “Well my dear Alex you are the luckiest bastard alive.” He shook his head and made a couple of motions on the map. Places he and Max had been to, looking for something, anything their parents might have left them. So many of them had been very secluded, “One lucky man..... So the thing is we need to find a place where you can do it, and not destroy us all... preferably someplace where they won't think of looking here in Roswell.... We have some camping gear, and well it’s not much but air mattresses are better than nothing.”

He couldn‘t be implying that he and Isabel…. “Wait?” Alex paused. “What are you thinking? Exactly?”

Michael smirked, “Isn’t it obvious? The more intimate you get, the more you see??”

Alex sighed, “What??? No!” We’re ... just kissing.... we’re not there, I assure you.” And he shook his head, “... Not that I wouldn't want to.”

Michael stared, “Uh huh.... and tell me, did you see more details this afternoon in your little, um, journey of discovery in the Eraser Room?”

”The crash, and most of that was from the Eraser Room.... last night we only saw stars and planets.”

Michael smoothed out the map on his table and dragged Alex to it, “Ok. Lets see here...” he looked at the map trying to find a secluded area, “a little careful planning, a quick stop by the drug store for some condoms, and a couple hour drive and you could go here.” He landed his finger on the map... “Secluded enough...” He looked at Alex to check his reaction.

Alex scratched his head as he threw out, “You’re serious?” Shaking his head he added, “You’re crazier than I thought.”

Michael rolled up the map, and shook it, “Oh come on Whitman.... I know your best friends are girls, but you sure as hell aren't...” he forced the map into Alex’s chest, “so man up bucko, and take the prize.”

Alex shook the map in front of him. “Seriously crazy Michael!! If you think I’m going for anything, half cocked like this,” he forced the map back into Michael’s hands against his chest. “Girls aren't objects to be used.... and I don't intend nor want to use Isabel...” He stated assuredly.

“That’s good to hear...” Michael nodded, “but well, she's obviously got a thing for you.... If you hurt Isabel, however, you've got another thing coming.”

“I’m not going to hurt Isabel... honestly here, what do you think my intentions are?”

Michael assessed him, the way he was defending the proper treatment of a girl, and his stance of confidence. “I think you want to do the honorable thing.”

Alex pursed his lips crookedly, “Damn right.”

“I want to be honest and say that that is all well and good, if it wasn’t so important, but we need to know, Alex.”

”Know what?”

Michael continued, “We need to know and it’s right there, inside both of you...this is too good an opportunity to miss.”

“What is? Now you sound like Maria.” Alex shook his head. “Now you’re not making any sense. Michael?”

”Its not like you’re not going to enjoy the experience too, I'm sure.” Michael smirked.

Alex realized Michael was still on his little mission, “Whoa hold on.... Isabel is not a thing to be used... and wait wouldn't she be using me anyways? I’m the one who when kissed by her gets her information... It’s not in me I guarantee it...”

“You’d be using each other actually, but for a noble purpose, really. Finding our planet, or information about it ... So its ok you know?”

*** ***

The door knocked. “It’s the food.” Michael stated as he headed towards his living room.

Alex just stated, “I’m getting it.” And moved to answer Michael’s door.. He needed the break from the conversation.... this was a saved by the door type thing...

Only it was Max. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

“Hi Max.” Alex said tightly, as he swung open the door.

They stood there eyeing each other, a momentary hush of stillness over the entire room... Max’s jaw set in a tight line, as his teeth connected in alignment in his mouth... his eyes narrowed and he glared at Alex as he dropped the bag of tacos he’d been holding. His right hand clenched into a fist and without conscious thought raised and slugged Alex sending him flying into the living room. The mildly added power sent him flying farther than a normal punch would, but it actually defused the blow, reducing the damage to his jaw.

The door was closed to the outside world....

Alex threw out standing to his feet, “What the hell was that for? Did I detect alien power added to that?” He rubbed his smarting jaw, staring at Isabel’s brother.

Max levelly asked, “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“What?” Alex remarked.

“I said, ‘who the hell do you think you are?’” Max moved closer, trying to intimidate Alex.

Alex raised an eyebrow, “I’m not sure what answer you’re looking for here.”

Max looked at him directly, “You ARE?”... He insisted.

Alex shook his head, and started a list, “Alex. Alexander Charles Whitman. Best friend to Maria and Liz...son of Gloria and Charles Whitman, youngest brother of four, lead band member of the Whits, Boyfriend to Isabel, um secret keeper of your little club...” he swallowed.

Max glared silently.

“Not sure what answer you are looking for here, I’m sure I could think of other things. Double jointed and called a freak by all the girls... uh... Grandson of Lt. Col. Charles Robert Whitman of the USAF (Ret.) and his wife Emma Whitman... Who do you want me to be?”

“As to being the secret keeper, well I guess thanks are in order... but it kind of saves your hide as well as ours. Wait!!! ... WHO is your grandfather?” Max was taken aback with the news that Alex’s grandfather was in the military... “Are you a threat to us Alex? Is he a threat? Do you report to him? Are you spying on us?”

“We’re a longstanding career military family. My dad and me are the only ones who aren’t... he’s my granddad and I doubt he’s a threat.... And I know I’m not...”

Michael, having removed the tacos from the floor was munching on one as the boys faced off... speaking with a crunching mouthful he asked, “Career military... so was he here in ‘47 with the Roswell Crash?”

“Yes he was.”

Max jumped back in... “Than he could be dangerous... Have you seen the wall at the UFO center... we, the others of us in the crash, were taken by your air force and held at Eagle Rock Base.... Your grandfather could have been a part of that.... we all know that anything alien is immediately covered up by the government... You wouldn’t know... it would be top secret... I can’t believe that you’ve withheld this very important piece of information from us...”

Michael was part of Max’s thought.... “Just by being a military family, you could expose us... you know... not intentionally.“

Alex chuckled. “You’ve been hanging out at the Center too long. You are starting to sound exactly like your mentor.”

Max raised a questioned brow.

“You know Milton? Curator of the UFO Center?.. Everything’s a conspiracy.”

Max went to speak but didn’t know how to retort, and so he changed direction again. “I can’t believe Isabel has fallen for you.... You had better not hurt her, or even breathe a word of her to your family.... His head was still spinning from learning that Alex’s family might have military knowledge of the crash and indirectly them. He was on attack mode... And Alex was his target, anything at this point seemed fair game, and so he launched in...

“You can’t be her boyfriend, because... knowing you might be dangerous... My sister has chewed up and spit out better boys than you...”

Alex snorted in derision. “You really believe that? ... I beg to differ. Better dressed, yes. More money, usually. Better than ME. No.” He stated confidently.

Max argued, “Way better than you....they at least knew how to respect her, weren't rolling around in the Eraser Room for gods sake!”

Alex laughed derisively, “Oh what is it with you? ... Isabel respects herself.... the guys she’s dated are asses, she knows this... I assure you that any of them would have had a roll in the Eraser Room and would have gone a lot farther than us if they had half a chance.... So yes. Me personally. I AM BETTER THAN THEM.”

He stared at Isabel’s brother. “Actually I don’t want to fight you Max, but I would today...” Shaking his head in confused thought, “I beat up Josh Malamud, a jock, this morning.... you know one of those better than mes that Isabel dates.... he had her pinned to the ground and was looking down her shirt. After she made short work of him, I had a turn. Protecting her just took over like an instinct...” he scratched the top of his head, “So don’t think I can’t take you on or that I wouldn’t.” Alex advanced a little into Max’s space...

Max bristled and looked away, a flash of rage escaping his control but still to be seen in the set of his teeth, despite his calm even tone. "So you defended her in the morning only to ruin her reputation in the afternoon?" He worked his jaw a little more before hissing, "And in the ERASER ROOM of all places!!!! The place is almost a cliche..."

Alex was rigid, his body language was screaming, None of this is your business. Raised to his full height, every nerve and muscle in his body tensed for battle, leaning in toward Max in a stance of returned intimidation... But the words he spoke belied the palpable thickness in the atmosphere... “The Eraser Room today? ACCIDENT.... purely an accident I assure you...”

“An accident?” Threw out Max... “You publicly molest my sister and now you have the nerve to call it an accident! To my face.”

“Molest her!?" Alex was quivering with suppressed anger at the very idea….. Max was not the only one with anger barely under leash now. “It was an unforeseen and unplanned event... the very definition of an accident... I didn't molest Isabel...and I just wanted to talk with her... The Eraser Room was empty and quiet.“ Alex took a second to catch his breath, “I love Isabel, I would do anything for her, and I certainly wouldn’t do anything without her consent.”

Max sneered. “Interesting form of talking... her shirt was practically off, and with the water...”

Alex licked his lips again and sighed, “And mine was missing and my belt was dissolved, by her mind you... your point?” he glared at the other boy. “She is as much a part of this, or all of it, as I am, ‘cause I’m not an alien.... I can't do what she did.”

“Prove it!” Max ordered.

“How?” Alex’s eyes rolled. This was utterly ridiculous!

Alex smiled. He knew just the thing.

“Make something move or change something...”

Max and Michel nodded in agreement. They aimed a chair from in the kitchen, at Alex, using their powers. He was supposed to deflect it or do nothing, either would show them what he had, or didn’t. They turned away their focus for the moment. The kitchen chair hovered in midair as it was moved from its previous location.

When they turned back to the tall boy he was in some weird contorted position, not noticing the moving object at all. His arms were stretched weirdly in front of him and he was sticking out his tongue trying to ...? He changed positions and tried again.

“What the...?” Michael dropped the chair, scratching his brow in confusion but amused at the tall boy’s antics, he turned to his compatriot and said, “Max, I think this time you broke him.”

Alex smirked then straightened his arm out, all the way, bending it inward, using his double jointedness for extra contortion and tried to bring his head down to meet his elbow. Trying yet again.

Max was getting more annoyed, “What on earth are you doing?” He asked in utter bewilderment.

Alex stared at him. “Proving that I’m from here, that I’m human.” He shrugged. “Humans can’t lick their own elbows.” He grinned. And tried once more in another weird contortion.

Michael snickered. Had to hand it to the boy, he had to give Alex credit for having moxie if for nothing else. He mumbled, “Hadn’t really tried that before.”

Alex wasn’t done. “Want more proof? I gave my blood for yours at the hospital, if it had been odd like yours don’t you think we’d have found that out somehow by now? So my blood is human.” He stared at Max.

Max nodded, “Cheek swab on a q-tip and I’ll have Liz examine it while I observe....”

“Don’t you have a probe for that?” Alex quipped while he covered his chest with his arms crossed in an X fashion in front of him, and his body hunched into a protective stance, imaging samples being taken from everywhere. “I don’t need to justify your curiosity with a sample... Try my medical records... There’s your proof.”

Max looked at Isabel’s boyfriend. “You are aware that you’re completely crazy Alex?”

“No Max.” He straightened up and crossed his arms on his chest, in shock really, as he shook his head, he wasn’t quite sure which way to take this conversation, rational thought didn’t seem to be being used on their side anymore... “You are!! And Michael over there,” he tossed his head in indication of the other boy, “he wants Isabel and I to get it on to get him some information.... (throwing the boys against each other) and you want me to prove I’m not an alien. You’re both nuts...” He nodded assuredly.


“What does Michael want?” Max turned to Michael for a moment and Alex just breathed out a short sigh of release....

“Michael, care to elaborate?”

”Well it seems the more intense they get, the better the info, so I was just thinking...”

“What kind of info? What are you talking about? This sounds like another of your disastrous plans and no way am I going to let Alex near Isabel like that....if today is anything to judge by.”

Michael added, “They’ll go the desert or the woods or something, obviously nothing here in town.... “Look I’ve already come up with a spot on the map,” he carried the chair back into the kitchen, grabbed the map and began walking toward Max...

“Michael!!! No...” Alex and Max both echoed in unison... They caught each other’s inflection.

“I still need to talk to you about keeping Isabel safe, before I even think of letting you near her again...”

“You should at least have the grace to keep my sister’s reputation clean. I thought you were different Alex... but you’re obviously not.... and don’t think I won't be talking to Miss Reckless either. Because I’ve told you before, around you she is, reckless, and if she keeps up she will get us all caught.” Max ran his hand over his face, “Might be real easy with your family, now.... but she’ll be held accountable for her part in all this trust me...”

Alex was more than a little miffed by this point; Max wasn’t even trying to be reasonable, “As to that crack about her reputation.... I don't know what happened. But she’s still intact.” He raised his eyebrows defying Max to contradict him. “As to calling her Miss Reckless. Leave her alone.” Alex growled out, now defending Isabel, as he stepped closer into Max’s space... “This isn't her fault... Its actually no ones fault... hence why its an accident...”

”So this is no big deal to you? You don't think that rumors of a drunken Isabel aren't making the rounds right now? That and the fact that you were both found half dressed!”

Alex sighed in exasperation. First his mother. Then it was Isabel’s family, first Michael, and now Max.” Alex was getting exhausted of getting nowhere. “I know it’s all over the rumor mill by now.... but it still isn't what you’re thinking...”

“I’m thinking that you could have gotten her pregnant if you hadn’t been stopped, provided we even have normal human functioning in that department. You might still have done her damage and we don’t know yet... so how do I know you didn't drug her or get her drunk just so you could lay your sleazy hands on my sister, and do things to her... given our unique status and all.”

That was it, Alex let his annoyance be heard in his tone. “If you even dare to ask that than you don’t KNOW me the way you think you do.” Alex was matching him in the intimidation stakes.... “I would never take advantage of Isabel or any other girl for that matter.... I was raised to be better than most of the guys out there, and I am better than any Isabel has ever dated before. Girls are not objects to be used but are to be respected...” he growled out, “I didn’t get her drunk.... and if I had, would I have gotten myself that drunk too?” His hands were frantically gesturing in emphasis to the point he was making.

“You know, Rufees only work when you don’t take one yourself...” He quipped. “So... The best I can explain of this is that we got drunk off each other...”

“Right. Sure.” Max was now snorting derisively... “That’s believable, even for us ... that you got drunk off your sweet, sweet love.... Come here baby, I’ll help you find your planet baby,,,” (he then used Alex’s lines from earlier) “I’m burning for you babe... I’ll take you right here, right now ... I’m such a stud... REALLY? You can’t get drunk off another being... how naive do you think I am human?”

“And yet we did...” ‘Human,,,, here we go again... we’ve had this dance before...’


He’d had enough! Max had just called him a human and insulted his species and so he countered.... “You know Max, I honestly don’t understand how your species developed interstellar travel, or any of their other scientific advancements if you are a prime representation of their ability to use logic and reasoning....”

They moved closer together and shared a momentary glance, as they together advanced on Alex... Michael joined in the intimidation; amused internally at the turn the conversation had taken.... “You know Maxwell,” he said while standing straight looking only at Alex.... “I always knew it was good to have my own pad...” he leaned in tighter and said softly, “never know when we’ll have to dispose of a body...”

Alex gulped and he realized quickly that he wasn’t making any headway with his logic or anything else and he was now at the mercy of two angry aliens that he’d just called stupid in a roundabout way.... Realizing he was outnumbered and outgunned, his survival instincts developed over the years from having older brothers, kicked in. How many times had he faced down his older brothers or had been in fights with them ...He started to stammer out whatever explanation he could...

“What I’m trying to say is that I’ve looked at the various angles of this situation... and if we just consider this...” he motioned with his right hand, and licked his lips.

“You know I’d never do anything to hurt y-your sister Max. I was just as much a victim of this a-a-as she was.”

“Victim.” Max snorted... “Of what?”

“O-ok. Maybe that’s the wrong word...” he thought for a moment, “not a victim necessarily. So.” He tried to formulate his thoughts, “But well, yeah um, a victim.” It was the word he chose. “Of circumstance... we had no idea... I appear to be as much a part of this as she is...”

Max now glaring at him.... “Part of what, exactly?”

“I-I-I mean I was getting this information from her when she was kissing me.”

“Think about this from my perspective guys... I’ve been like crazy about her forever, and um now it seems like we have a lot more than human problems to deal with when kissing one of your kind apparently... If I were kissing a normal girl I definitely wouldn’t be dealing with a school imploding upon itself... I mean...”

“In normal human terms, right now I should be facing off angry brothers, for impropriety shown to a sister. Check...” He gave thumbs up with his right hand.

“And I should be dealing with death threats and knowledge that my lifeless carcass will be dumped in the desert and left as coyote food.... check again...” His left thumb mimicked the gesture of the right, he now had double thumbs up...

He felt a familiar tingling buzz starting at the base of his skull, and added to it, a tingling, energizing of the nerve endings of his skin... he knew he’d have reinforcement very soon, so he continued... “Although the methods for bringing about my demise might be a little unconventional here, and the method of disposal too maybe.”

The boys watched him, and the way he seemed to be straightening up and getting more confident, yet again.

“You have to believe that I’d never do anything to hurt Isabel... " Alex shrugged, “As for pregnancy, um...” Scratching the back of his head again, “barring anything of a, um,,, sci-fi nature here, and if hopefully saliva alone isn’t like a DNA catalyst or anything, in human terms we’re good.” He made another double thumbs up motion, and gave a crooked quirked smile.

*** ***

Before Max or Michael could throw out another thought. Isabel blew in through the door... She walked in and surveyed the scene.

Everyone was tensely standing, Alex appeared to be facing down both of the boys, who were standing rather close to him in an intimidating stance... Both of her brothers instinctively backed up and appeared a little guilty....

Alex crossed further into the living room, no doubt they’d been grilling Alex... of course they were guilty... Alex breathed a huge sigh of relief and visibly relaxed, while shaking out the adrenaline in his fingers... she caught that too, although his relaxing was to be expected.... She darted her eyes to each member of the trio and tried to read the nondescript expressions on their faces, Max and Michael had been caught in the act and were trying to appear innocent, she smirked. She could read in their subtle tells everything they’d been up to in the previous conversation and their apprehension of the inevitable tongue-lashing that they were about to receive....

Now why would she be grilling them? She thought through this, she was the one found in a compromising situation today and they would no doubt want her take on it... The only reason she’d be lashing them would have to do with....

She crossed the room, where Alex was staying as far from the alien males reach as he could and she placed her hand on his cheek, looking him in the eyes with question. He tensed at the touch... not quite a wince, but noticeable....

She turned to Michael, “You didn’t... Did you?” She spoke pointedly but out of the corner of her eye she caught Max instinctively backing up and swallowing forcefully, guiltily.... She turned from Michael and faced Max.... “Ohhh” she said knowingly,,, “you did.” Then she ordered, “Fix it!”

Alex was shaking his head no, “No I’m good.... It’s to be expected... I made the moves on a sister of a boy and he beat me up... that’s normal.... we don’t have to get the um.... unique genetic circumstances involved in this...” He crossed into the kitchen He didn’t want Max anywhere near him right now, Michael had just threatened to kill him and dispose of his body moments before... and Max was in agreement as far as he could tell...

Isabel watched as Alex issued a mea culpa and her brother stood in one place not making a move towards Alex.

She glared at Max and at his unwillingness to budge and followed to where Alex was hiding in the kitchen, the wall blocking them from view... “I don’t want him to touch me.” Alex whispered.

“Are you scared of him? She tenderly asked, “because I can handle my brother.”

Alex smiled, “No it’s not that Isabel... I mean, yes they did threaten to kill me and well leave my body but it ... its you... I need to keep you safe, remember my most important job?” She looked at him in confusion.

He continued, “Its just well, there are things in my head, and yours too I suppose, that wouldn’t be too good for Max to get hold of right now... and you might have this certain type of genetic flaw or trait or whatever, and are able to block Max from seeing things, or let him see only certain things, but I’m not like that ... I don’t know what would filter out first, there are things in here that would not be good for him to have, you know... monumental, life shattering type things? Max can’t heal me... as per our arrangement of my protection of you. Ok? Ok...” he finished.

“Ok.” She whispered, “but we do have to get one thing straight first.” She looked at him very seriously.

“That would be?” he answered nervously.

“Your insistence on closing the top button of every shirt.” She raised her eyes as a fleeting seductive look crossed. She reached up and opened his button, smoothing it down into place, and giving him a small peck on the lips.

He grinned. Isabel finally flirted with him properly today. This was the first time she reached for his button, but what was with hers? She was showing an ample amount of ‘skin.’ Alex tried to keep his eyes from wandering lower, they did like what they saw, but there were probably still more things to discuss, and it was not a time to be ogling Isabel’s chest.

Lucky for him Isabel liked to be in charge, she pulled him out to the living room by his hand, amazed that he would retain on purpose the bruised cheek to protect their secrets... “Alex refuses to be healed Max.” She looked at him as he did a double take.

Then she gushed, “Rather noble don’t you think? He knows he acted improperly today and that you acted like an ass.” Upon Alex’s penetrating stare, “Fine... like a dutiful, protective, brother.” Isabel said while rolling her eyes, “but he’d rather retain the mark than letting you touch him again... I think he’s a little scared of you.” She gave each of the boys a cold, hard, stare... “but I think when it could all be gone, he’s noble... because everyone is going to see it... and he no doubt got it defending me. So, very noble indeed is MY ALEX.” She stared at them again. “And you will not touch him again, if you have any idea whatsoever is good for either of you...”

The room was still tense.... it was up to her to break up the testosterone fest now... Maybe a little emotion, a little estrogen to cool the situation... She rolled her eyes... “So what were we discussing?” She smirked... as she pulled Alex down to sit next to her on the couch.

Max crossed his arms, “Today. Your out of control behavior. Your drunken display. I don’t know. Choose one.” Max ordered. “Tell me why you’re dressed like that!” He pointed to her risqué top and the whole leather attire.

Isabel looked down and quickly closed her buttons to a much more modest level. She really couldn’t remember why she had opened them so far.

“I’ll choose one.” Alex stated forcefully. “When Isabel and I were kissing, I felt and got flashes of what I presume to be your crash. But it had a side effect, she became drunk in my arms, and as I kissed her I got drunk too... it passed from her to me.” He was sitting very close to Isabel, thighs touching.

Way too close for Max’s comfort.

Alex placed his hand on Isabel's back. Entirely by accident, just to comfort her. And himself.

Max stood up. "Let's not get started with that. You already destroyed a school, lets try to keep Michael's place in one piece." He walked over and grabbed Alex up by his arm. A soft and light delicate fragrance wafted to his nose. Isabel was wearing perfume? "Michael get a chair for my sister’s boy-friend." He added choking on the word.

Isabel stood up and placed her hand on Max's arm. "What gives you the right, Max!"

Michael grabbed a chair from the kitchen. A smirk on his face as he was shaking his head slightly and set the chair down for Alex. "Well, I think Max is right in this case, don't you Alex? I mean if it only took one kiss to get her drunk. Let's not take chances."

"Uh, Isabel, its okay." Alex brushed off Max's hand on his arm. "No need to provoke the inquisition. I’ll just take this seat right over here."

Max and Isabel just glared at each other.

“OK. We start at the beginning. Flashes of the crash? Explain what you mean, and did this happen at school? You know the catastrophe?” Max demanded.

“Quite possibly yes. This started last night. When Isabel kisses me, I seem to get information from inside her.”

Max shook his head, “And you will tell us this information. It’s as simple as that.”

Isabel and her brother continued the glaring game.

“Well last night it was images of space, and galaxies. Today, it was definitely the crash. It was like I was leaving or moving away from the planets, and heading towards Earth, New Mexico. The ground shook under my feet as the earth met the sky, and the dizzying lurching and spinning just halted... Military personnel were chasing me, (the person I am in the vision)... and I (that person again) was burying something in the ground.”

Michael bemused at how Alex gathered information from inside of Isabel, added, “If he was seeing things from you, things about our past or the crash, what were you getting from him, or do you get anything?” He asked the girl he thought of as a sister. Although this day he didn’t feel particularly brotherly. Protective. That’s how he felt towards Isabel.

“They’re personal Michael...” Isabel watched him.

Alex had his sideways smirk, “Go ahead...”

“I saw his childhood, ok. No long buried secrets there.” They both snickered.

Max asked pointedly, “Are you sharing images, do you get the same ones?”

“I don’t think so.” Alex shrugged. “I didn’t see my childhood today. Isabel did you see your crash?”

“Nope. Well one of the flashes was of whirling through space, so that’s obviously related ... but that was what I got of that.”

“We don’t share the same ones.” Alex turned to them.

Michael smirked, “You’ve got one of the top three seduction lines in the history of the Universe with its going to help me find my home planet.” Michael teased, “But it’s wasted, on you.” He looked directly at Isabel.

She laughed. It had been a while since she’d heard Michael so witty. Certainly not in this timeline, no he was brooding Michael again, or with the hell of the last one. Alex who loves a good dry remark, laughed too while he smirked. “Good one.”

Michael turned to the two of them. “Oh that’s funny, huh?”

“Yes it is Michael. Wasted on me is it?” Isabel teased.

“You’re aware that you are the one she’s seducing here?” He turned to Alex.

“Fully aware, and more than willing to avail my services.” Alex grinned.

“Right. No you’re not.” Max coughed out.

“Unlocking hidden information is apparently my specialty.” Alex quipped and waggled his brows suggestively.

“That’s why it’s wasted. Cause you are not going to unlock anything else with her today.” Max ordered glaring at the seated boy.

“You’re going to have to rethink that.” A feminine voice answered.

“Isabel?” The two alien boys turned to her.

“Its our one and only chance to get any information from our home. Something we all want and need desperately. I have to do this, sacrifice myself for the good of our planet, to get some information.” She grinned wryly at Michael, while blatantly ignoring Max.

“The two of you destroyed the school already!” Max protested to no avail.

She continued, “We need to finish what we started at school. The flashes, there have to be more; we got the start of some kind of information. I’m not planning on a repeat of the Eraser Room. I don’t know what that was. Truly.”

“NO you don’t.” Max agreed, “and I don’t think you need to finish anything you started there.” Max enjoined.

Michael continued, Isabel was ignoring Max outright, so that left him. “The two of you were getting undressed, finishing anything could be a very bad idea indeed. But the more intense equals the more information so, if you have to... Just don’t do anything to hurt her...” he turned to look directly at Alex.

Max turned on Michael... “You want THEM to go GATHER more of this information? Are any of you listening to me?”

Michael pleaded, “They are the only ones getting any information from our HOME Max...”

“Yeah maybe... but no.” Max shook his head, “Not with Isabel.... this is not going to happen.... not today. We don’t know anything about ourselves really, and we don’t know if there is a reason for this, or if she can be hurt or made sick, by being with a human. Or if this can happen to us. What we do know is that they tend to explode their environment.”

Michael heard him and looked at Isabel’s choice of accessories and asked, “Were you trying to advertise the fact that you are different today?” Michael asked pointedly.

Isabel just looked him strangely

He pointed to her necklace. “Is that why you’re wearing the necklace? Hoping it will jog memories of home?”

She looked down at it and shrugged. “I don’t know, I just felt like wearing it, is there a problem with that?”

Max stepped in. “There is if you were planning on meeting him here. Is there more to this than we are seeing? Because you certainly appear to have gotten ready for a date...”

”No.” Isabel shook her head. “I knew he might turn up. You no doubt would talk to both of us. But we didn't plan it.” She was playing with the pendant, running the emblem back and forth on its cord.

Alex found himself standing and walking toward Isabel. “Yeah Max.” Isabel’s pendant was holding his interest. “After things today,” He pulled her to her feet. “Do you really think we'd plan a clandestine meeting??” He reached out to touch her necklace.

He held it in his hand. “It’s broken.” He whispered sadly, as if there was more to it.

”It’s fixable,” she whispered, staring into him, as she guided his hand to her right pocket, “with the right piece.”

Alex reached in, his hand searching until he found something. Eyes locked.

Max and Michael watched the display with raised eyebrows, Michael scratching with his middle finger.

The closeness between the couple was deepening.

He pulled out a little leather pouch and emptied it into her hand.

She smiled and fitted the two pieces together in the air.

“Hold it,” She whispered to Alex, softly placing it into his opened palm.

Alex quirked a grin. There was just something about this moment. He didn’t know why this seemed so important or special. But the warmth of the pendant, of both parts, was the warmth of Isabel. It was as if it was forged from her body’s own special internal fire. And he could feel it in the very material as it lay there quiescent on his hand.

Isabel touched the two parts together and Alex felt an electric current surge through him as they were rejoined and mended on his palm. Fused together and now completely whole, as if it had never been broken in the first place. It just felt so right. As did staring into her eyes, where he was now. Getting lost. Their lips found the other’s and fell into a deeper kiss, sharing their warmth. A connection flared immediately to life, their hands reaching to hold the other possessively.

The very atmosphere seemed to be changing…..

Max and Michael did witness this, and they knew they had to remove them from each other. They nodded to each other.

Max walked over and physically pulled Alex from Isabel. “We will talk more after work Isabel.” He stated ever in authority “ Alex. You’re coming with us. Say goodbye...”

Shaking his head, he followed the boys to the jeep, and got into his Corolla, closing the door and starting the engine. They made sure he drove first, in front of them, all the way into town, where he turned towards his house.

They were satisfied that he wasn’t with their sister and continued off to work for a few hours.

*** *** ***

Alex drove. He needed to get home. The meeting was over and he had promised his mother.

But, he also needed her. Needed to feel her warmth, he couldn’t just leave her, as he had.

No! He was heading home. It was the right thing to do. He really needed to sever this connection somehow. Anyhow.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly, as he tried to get a handle on himself... He had to drive away. Had to flee. Had to flee temptation.

But he needed that bonding. He could physically feel the separation from her.

As he drove he battled within himself, her presence growing and weakening while he drove randomly around Roswell.

Why did life have to be so complicated? Why weren’t the right choices ever easy to make?

Alex’s tension increased with each mile and turn as his slippery hands gripped the wheel, his emotions a little ragged. He made up his conflicted mind. It was the right choice, but in so doing, it would mean hurting someone he deeply loved.

It was what he simply HAD to do. He HAD to.

His eyes misty, he sat in the car for a moment gathering his composure, as he drew in a few deep cleansing breaths.

Alex shook his head and swallowed, stepping from the interior of his car as he walked to the door...

TBC....

[Mt Gazer]

MODS DON'T DELETE!!!! THANK YOU!!!!
The author with a very intense life:


My mother passed away yesterday at 6:30 pm PDT

We need love, and prayers.

She leaves behind a widower and three daughters.

My dad and her were married for almost 41 and half years. Stayed faithful to the very end.

He lost his everything yesterday.. his wife and his best friend.

Now we pick up the peices...

please uphold us once again.

Rhonda

Velvet Skye/Mt Gazer

RIP: Ute Rosalinde (Linda) Bindner
You are so loved and so missed!!!!
You are an inspiration...
And you were loved for a lifetime.


Bye MOM

[Mt Gazer]

Disclaimer: I in no way own the rights to Roswell or anything related to it. All rights belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox, Regency Entertainment, Melinda Metz, WB and UPN. No infringement is intended. I am borrowing their awesome characters, and including my own.

Perhaps in this part and in parts to come I am or will be borrowing some scenes, and I will borrow direct dialog and use altered dialog at times.

Title: Shifting Realities
Author: Mt Gazer/Velvet Skye
Category: CC/ AU
Rating: MATURE- ADULT - With a Warning. Sexual Content, Heavy makeout
Spoilers: This is my version of Sexual Healing.

I dedicate this chapter and all its parts to my friends Pooh and Tharos. Especially Tharos, this was where that conversation we had in chat went... I hope you enjoy.

And to Randy, my dear husband always behind the scenes, and always an assistant in this. I tell him practically every idea that goes through my head. And sometimes, we act them out. I really appreciate your willingness to experiment with me. I LOVE YOU!!! And THANK YOU! As always. Shifting lives because of your support.

PML: WOW!!! Peter. This is a permanent spot in recognition of all your assistance. THANK-YOU!!! Shifting Realities is doing well with your attention to details.


And finally I will attempt to recap where we’ve been.

RECAP: The boys have talked to Alex about his treatment of Isabel. Max is not thrilled. And at the end Alex was driving... Where? Who will be hurt with his decision? Because one person will.

******************************************
Shifting Realities

Chapter 27: N

Loosing Control

******************************************

She could feel him, again, that tingling of their bond, it hadn’t disappeared completely. Which could only mean one thing, Alex was here. He was returning... She started to breathe a little heavier.

She opened the door before he could knock and pulled him quickly in, closing it with her foot. With a snap and wave of her hand, all the windows were covered, the curtains or blinds sealing themselves tight against the outside world. No-one would witness their actions this time.

Shaking her head, trying to regain control of her rapidly deteriorating thoughts, she coyly asked, as she watched him with interest, “So? Want to discuss the flashes you got today. At school?” A hint of embarrassment colored her face. “We sure haven’t had any time to discuss them now have we? What with blowing the school up and our parents and everything.” She darkened in blush as she rolled her eyes...

Alex’s embarrassment met her own as he chuckled. “Yeah. Yeah we should.”

“Do you know what they’re about? What they are leading to?” Isabel asked him, staring hard into his eyes.

“Not a clue. You?” He was feeling a strange chemical energy.

‘Yeah.... I do know.” She was feeling it too.

“So? What’s the answer?” Alex asked, but not really caring at the moment.

“Huh-uh. Looking for clues is far more fun.” She tried to recover her breathing. “What have you got?”


“Um... Like I told Max and Michael, Likely the crash...” The back of Alex’s hand ever so lightly caressed the right side of Isabel’s face, leaving a tingly feeling as it traveled on its course. He then reached out his fingers to stroke her hair, which for today was free and loose, secured only by a black headband. As his hand made contact, a tiny spark glittered from her gorgeous blonde hair and sent a shock throughout his body.

Isabel’s sudden gasp of surprise indicated that she had felt it too. She looked up to stare directly into his eyes. And her breathing reflexively changed with a swallow, a Soul Gaze was beginning once more. Every part of her body was again affected by just being in his presence. A burning liquid electrical fire, replaced the blood coursing through her veins. A fiery hot Soul Gaze...

Alex stared back, amazed that he had this effect on her, but trying to keep to the task at hand, for his body had other thoughts it was asserting... he added, “Soldiers running.” He gave her a quick peck on her lips. Lips made contact, he felt the heat begin, as if his blood was turning to fire... He’d never felt quite like this before. His eyes dilating, breathing changing to match hers, a reflexive swallow. “A chase.” He panted out. “Not much after - that. You?” Trying to hold together was going to be impossible. His entire body was reacting once again to the spell. Only this time they were in private.

The mercury started to rise as the temperature began to increase. The teens were on fire in more ways than one and everything in their immediate surroundings seemed to be aware of that fact.

The perfume she had dulled before she came over to Michael’s was now manifest. The fire burning within her caused the fragrance to be emitted as it enveloped Isabel and wrapped her in its delicious essence.

The necklace Isabel was wearing also seemed to mirror that radiating heat.... The dark obsidian lavaliere, started to glow with an inner fire, changing the intensity to a transparent black... It looked more like the silver edging and swirl now rested on the colors of an approaching storm...

“Nothing rel-e-vant.” She panted out. (She thought back to how adorable Alex was as a kid..) “Wanna look for more clues?” She asked seductively as she sashayed into his space....

He clumsily added, “Clues. Yeah. I can’t say the idea definitely hasn’t got merit,” while he tried to shift his hips and make himself more comfortable. Clothes off sounded far more comfortable at this moment. He couldn’t let his brain go there, much less give into that desire. Their hands resting in the center, palms touching, thin filaments of whitish colored electricity flowing in rhythm once again. And after a time, the Soul Gaze took them over as they both released. And when they came down from that fully clothed high, they just stared at each other, bewildered, abashed, and enflamed with desire; an odd combination... She quickly ran her glowing hand between them for a little covert clean up. No one would be the wiser.

Alex shook his head, embarrassed as his face colored, his mouth wearing its quirked smirk. ‘Ok? Does this qualify as having sex?’ he thought to himself, because now he really didn’t have an answer as to what level or base they had reached...

He felt a sense of bonded-ness, warm happiness, satisfaction, completion and of being one with Isabel... His spirit was sublimely content, but his body, whose needs had not yet been addressed, was demanding more... Something was missing. He needed Isabel... to hold her, to kiss her, to touch and caress her, and (God forgive his brain for going here) to make love with her... Tonight. Something was going to happen tonight, of that he was certain.

The Soul Gaze had been spectacular, even better than at school. Maybe because this time Alex hadn’t run away but got to enjoy it fully too. It had created so many wonderful feelings and they were each were trying to process the sensations and emotions that were flowing through them, the feelings of warmth that the other produced deep inside each of their souls...

The demure Isabel also resurfaced for just a moment. “Oh my God! My mom would kill me, if she knew what just happened.” For the second time that day she realized that she had uttered the same thing. She bit her lip and looked down.

Shaking her head, embarrassed, she turned a pretty shade of red all over. Alex tilted it back up and said, “No mothers. Not right now. Weren’t we looking for something?” He added huskily against her ear. Her embarrassment erased with the breath of his whisper. She couldn’t stop her next action...

“Uh Huh... Lets....” She said as she pulled him by the collar directly to herself with an impenetrable gaze. Leading off with an open mouthed kiss, she suctioned his mouth into her own. His hands grabbing her head, the kiss frenzied, as their tongues wrestled for dominion, each trying to pin the other down as it would slide and caress and reclaim control.

There was no preamble, no time spared, as one of Isabel’s hands started to climb up his arm, (the other still clutching his collar), stroking the skin above his elbow as it met the resistance of his sleeve. With a flick, they (his sleeves) were gone. Alex swallowed reflexively. Everywhere Isabel touched his exposed skin it was left with a glowing trail. He watched, mesmerized, as the coalescing phosphorescent fireflies pranced across his exposed skin and rose higher with every pass. She was dancing her fingertips up his arm, and then across his other shoulder, and down the other arm. She had a need to touch him, at this moment she couldn’t keep her hands off; she reached for the side of his neck, the firelight danced there. Her eyes darkening with passion as she watched also in fascination that she had this affect on him. Her right hand stroked the side of his neck, next his cheek, and then she ran her thumb over his lips, the glowing, inviting. Her exploring hands, wandering under his shirt, as she memorized the every feel of him and her tongue once again plundered the inside of his mouth.


The silver on the edges of the transparent black necklace started to imperceptibly glow brighter...


He moaned softly as his hands too met with her skin and mimicked her actions. This was what was missing with the Soul Gaze, the physical touch and closeness, the bonding of their bodies to match the bonding of their souls... when and where this would end he had no idea. The flashes earlier had been leading to somewhere or something; but so far there hadn’t been anymore and he couldn’t take his hands off of this girl.


***FLASH***
Alex felt waves of love pouring over him, rolling in succession, one after the other. It made standing rather difficult as he watched the images...

Prom, last timeline: Isabel was pouring love into Alex as she opened her heart to him fully as she kissed him with abandon on the gym floor. He saw her in that gorgeous red dress, and his tux, and the close dancing, as they were lost in each other. He saw the love passing between them, he felt it. The dance lasted moments in his mind as it morphed into a later scene of the same night....

***FLASH***
Alex leaned in and whispered, “I can think of something a lot more fun than this...” and with a glint in his eyes he raised a suggestive eyebrow. When they were outside he started to kiss the tender spot beneath her ear making her giggle. “Is-a-bel.” He whispered huskily, “I need you.” He hissed into her ear, his desire was so strong. “I want to make love to you tonight. I don’t want this night to end...”

With heavy breaths savoring the flash he had just received, for he felt the passion from that scene, he knew where that closeness would lead and it magnified his physical desire. He pulled away from the kiss, his hands pushing her lambskin jacket hurriedly off her shoulders and over her back while it pooled behind her.

Alex stood staring deeply into her eyes, or beyond, into the infinite depths of Isabel Evans and the immense universes all wrapped up in one. “Beautiful,” he murmured, as he reached out to touch her once again, stroking her face, as he smiled remembering the flash he’d just seen. Had he found that image or did she want to share it? It was highly suggestive.

It was more than that, it was his thoughts of the moment exactly; mirrored and echoed. Why was that the flash she shared? Were those also her thoughts at this moment? Or was it just something he had culled from the recesses of her mind in the momentary passion? No matter the reason, it took him to new regions, his hands wrapped around her stroking her back, as his fingers were playing under her bra, the clasp scraping across the tops of his hands. He was fighting the desire to just release it...


The edges and design of the necklace, once silver, were now starting to change to a very light amber hue.


“See something?” She asked.

He nodded as he swallowed, he didn’t know how to explain it. “You. Him. “Absholutely gor-geous.” The stupor was returning, speech was becoming difficult. “Yur-yiyes, sho beuful.” (Your eyes, so beautiful) He added as he stared at her.

Alex was in sensory heaven as a tangy, spicy, floral scent assaulted his olfactory nerves, driving him crazy and his senses wild; Longing for more of Isabel. More of the delicious Goddess he held in his arms.

Her arms were draped on his shoulders, hands clasping softly behind his neck pressing his mouth to hers in a deeply abiding kiss as she played with the ends of his hair.

Alex drew apart for a breath as the powerful, heated scent spurred him on. Turning his head to detect the pleasant aroma he discovered it started at her wrist, at her pulse point, which was thumping wildly beneath his searching lips.
He held her wrist to his mouth and kissed it with tender, soft, pursed lips. His tongue darted out slightly, to circle the vein that ran down the center of her forearm, licking it in circular motion. Taking his time. His eyes were closed as he just enjoyed the moment.


***FLASH***
A repeat of the chase, panting heavily...

***FLASH***
A slanted rock formation out in the desert.


Isabel stood there reveling in the feel of his touch, her eyes closed.

Alex’s soft, pursed kisses turned sensual as he explored her arm further and pushing her sleeve higher he followed the aromatic trail, finding another fragrant hit at her elbow.

Isabel was delighting in his touch as he softly kneaded the crook of her arm with his lips. Little moans punctuated the silence as her entire body reacted to the innocent onslaught as he licked and nipped at the inside of her elbow. Her legs started to buckle.

Her shirt impeded his hunt, so he bypassed her upper arm to land at her delicate neck; a huge hit of the warm, spicy, intoxicating fragrance met his senses there.


***FLASH***
A football shaped metallic object with an odd swirled design


Alex’s hand reached out to touch the necklace, the same design; he felt its warmth in his palm... Eyes still closed, he buried his nose and mouth into the fold as he bit down at the spot where he was drawn.

His hands caressed her curvaceous rounded backside. He pressed their bodies closely together, the passion of the moment, intense. Alex shoved her backwards forcefully against the wall, sending a framed poster crashing to the floor. His searching lips attacked her neck; nipping, sucking, and savoring every ounce of her that he could. Her leg wrapped around him, pressing them tightly together.

***FLASH***
The chase resumed, sounds of pursuit behind. Heavy footsteps gaining, dogs barking, and pulling their masters at a fast clip.

“I can’t let them find it.” He panted. “THEY will need it.” The view pans around a nearby rock formation, and a radio tower also nearby. A huge boulder is also spotted.

“Yes. Its close! Close enough that THEY will find. But not close enough for the others to find it; they already have the other one. Must keep this safe. Can’t lead them to it.”

The man points his hand at the ground and a hole begins to form….


Like a man possessed, he continued to follow the aromatic trail as it turned down her neck and began to travel down her sternum. He bent down to follow it. Overload. Alex was feeling overload. He couldn’t stop.

A couple buttons slipped open as he kissed his way south, his hand reaching inside...

Alex was kissing his way lower, past her manubrium, (uppermost part of the sternum) and still traveling. She didn’t know anymore how smart it was starting this game... he was playing well... Too well...

Another hit of the aroma was found at the dip in her chest, as he knelt to find the fragrance.

Isabel was weakly leaning against the wall trying to hold herself upright, giggling erratically, her palms pressed flatly against the wall. Her eyes were still blissfully closed, drinking in these new sensations that Alex was causing as his hands found a new area to explore. Her breasts.

And that’s where to his utter surprise and shock he found his nose and mouth, in between, her breasts, still encased in their silky and lacy wrapping...

Awe and wonder filled the boy, as “never seen a boob” Alex, was happily fondling them as he kissed the area between.


***FLASH***

A person digging for alien artifacts...He tripped getting out of his hole. And found a small metallic orb.

‘Huh. My lucky day.’ He reached inside and picked it up. Then dusted himself off and walked towards a little girl. A non-descript balding man appeared before him.

“Is this your little girl?”


Isabel had never felt like this before, and was having a very hard time controlling herself. But she had to; Alex was not in control anymore. The real question, was she?

Holding on to her chest and still playing sensory dot-to-dot, he lowered himself to the floor, in between her legs, as he found the last legal hit of Longing. Anything lower, and they would defiantly be in forbidden territory.

The burning electrical fire flowing through her veins was intensifying and all Alex was doing really was kissing her exposed skin, which was increasing with every passing second. It started at her wrist and now landed at her navel.

Alex, smiling, darted out his tongue and licked in an upward motion, from her navel to her sternum. That affected her. He opened his eyes to watch, as he righted his position to somewhat standing as he again licked her sternum, upwards, from her chest to her neck.


***FLASH***
A beeping sound repeated over and over... A radio tower is seen with a sign on it: “Restricted. Keep out. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.”


Little punctuated incoherent sounds were being emitted as she scrunched her eyes even more tightly, gritting her teeth, trying to regain a modicum of control, now gripping at Michael’s wall with her long manicured fingernails, her hands leaving imprints in the paint.

He watched as he licked her sternum again in a random pattern and the glowing trails once again followed the course of his tongue.

He then blew on the moist path watching the trail disappear as she shivered from the slight wind. Her hands dug into the drywall more deeply.


***FLASH***
The same beeping sound repeated over and over... a broken radio tower was visible


He pulled her forward to himself, she was not well balanced anymore, and he supported her weight as he kissed her intently, feeling every part of her body in his wandering hands. ‘All it would take would be a tiny push and it’d be off, just like her jacket,’ he was thinking as his hands slipped her blouse from her shoulders to land on the floor.

Coaxing her in his drunken state to open her eyes he had her watch as he proceeded to play the licking, glowing, disappearing trail game on various parts of her exposed skin.

She was so affected. SO affected. He didn’t need to add how much he was too, the bulge in his jeans pressing against her.... He was just enjoying watching her pleasure.

They stood staring passionately, as they made each other glow, with varied forms of contact.

Not able to listen to her need to be in control anymore and with the slightest of hint in her eyes, she reached out and clumsily started to open his buttons, which were rather tight, and stuck, and had to be forced. His hands joined hers; the intensity of her gaze mirrored in his own as they slowly and sensuously snapped open the remaining buttons. Glowing trails following her fingers, where she stroked him.

Staring ever so briefly into each other’s passion-clouded eyes, before they hungrily devoured each other again.

Alex struggled out of his shoes, his hands on her shoulders for support while remaining standing, and kicked them to the side, as Isabel struggled his belt open and pulled it from his pants with a swooshing sound, as it hit the floor with a thud. Then she clumsily unzipped his fly, as his pants fell to his ankles. He kicked them off as well. Alex stood before Isabel, her hands on his chest. She could do anything she wished to him at this moment.

She forced him against the wall and reversed the licking, blowing game, and turned it onto Alex. Wrapping her leg around his for support, she attacked his neck with abandon as she bit down, and savored every ounce of Alex that she could. Giving him as good as she had got.


***FLASH***
The setting is a gentlemen’s club. The pulsing music drowns out their conversation far past their table. Nothing they say can be heard. Thus the whole reason for the venue.

One of the members of this conversation fished an odd football shaped metallic orb out of his overcoat’s pocket and placed it between them. “Third time this decade I had to go fetch it. Hide it better next time!”


Restraining himself no longer, and twisting from that position, Alex forcefully shoved her back and dove into her mouth with a powerful kiss like none other as he literally left her swaying on her feet, and moaning in pleasure, ripping the breath from her lungs. He grinned sensuously, as his wandering eyes delicately sampled and surveyed every bit of her exposed skin. His hands followed suit, leaving nothing untouched. They were past the point of coherency and were just going with the flow, with the overwhelming passions. Their bodies moving to a primal beat as their tongues danced the Tango.


***FLASH***
“Trust me. The programming will affect them.” He nodded as he puffed on a cigar and blew it out slowly. “Mentally; they will see where it is. The orb will call to them. I’ve adjusted it so that it is tied into their mating cycle...”

“So we are going have horny glowing beings running amok then? Just great, there goes the planet. Don’t exactly blend in you know? What precisely is the tip off?” He mumbled sarcastically”

“The mates will find it together.”


The dim light with which to savor each other by was coming from none other than Isabel herself by this point. As the flashes had intensified so had the lightshow. Instead of trailing fireflies, now everywhere Isabel touched Alex the glowing remained longer and brighter, and she herself had turned luminous, as if her aura had turned inside out and now radiated from within her rather than as an invisible force about her.

I am not sure if Alex, under the influence, of Isabel’s alien hormones and libido, even noticed. Nor do I know if either noticed that the necklace had changed again to match the intensity of the girl. The hue of the amber designs had become bright burning gold and matched Isabel’s fire.

Which by this point had become a raging inferno. Isabel Evans was hot in every literal sense of the word. Every single cell in her body felt as if it had been ignited. She had no idea that Alex was similarly affected.

As she was still rather intoxicated by being in his presence; Isabel started to giggle, uncontrollably. Something that could unnerve him most definitely, and would if it were not for the confidence he had in this relationship. But they had been down this road recently, today in fact, in the Eraser Room, when just the mere kissing of him made her intoxicated beyond reason.

And with nothing left to hold them up, lips locked and not releasing, they clumsily kissed as they made their way across the room, tripping over each other, his shoes or his pants, and falling as one body over the couch, landing on the cushions and never losing their timing. Their questing hands roaming, her entire being on fire and demanding merging.

Alex continued to take her in with his eyes... The intoxication drove him further, heeding the call, answering the need. He couldn’t quite remember what inhibitions were or what they were for, and he was long past the point of caring as his mother’s warning about how far he might go, was swallowed whole by Isabel’s need. Her legs were wrapped around his waist like a vice as she drew him in even tighter to herself.


***FLASH***
A road sign: Highway 42...


Her head thrown back, allowing him access, he invaded her neck and bit down on it with abandon, just as forcefully as she had to him. His straying fingers wandering into forbidden territory as they crept between them and into the waistband of her pants, sliding them forward until he reached the clasp. His fingers trembling he popped the button free, brushing against her skin and causing her to shiver as the metal zipper slid in its track while he undid her pants. He then sensuously grazed down her inner thigh with his palm, on the outer surface of her leather slacks when she shoved him off backwards and both of them into an upright position, as she turned aggressor and forced his shirt off, sending it flying haphazardly over her shoulder with an unwitting surge of alien power. He slipped her pants a bit lower on her hips...

She never did admire his form, or his features the same way he was drinking her in, for she dove into a full-scale assault of his neck once again. Alex just needed to be tasted and sampled... They rolled off the couch, together giggling like naughty children, their bodies dancing against the other’s. Staccato.

The now glowing hickey from that afternoon’s session in the eraser room pulsing, throbbing with every beat of his wildly racing heart. Every pulse matching hers. Cadence.

They had marked each other, their duet was blending into a solo. A perfect rhythmic bond was flowing in orchestrated concert as their hearts beat as one. Synchronicity.

Something altogether different was happening, something instinctive, something definitely alien. Straddling his waist, in a state of delirium, her mouth came down hard on his, and together they followed the primal drive, their symphonic need to merge. Crescendo.


***Simultaneous Flash***
The inky dark sky hung low on the horizon, stars twinkled brightly against this backdrop illuminating two glistening lovers fully intertwined and in the throes of passion. They each experienced it through their own eyes, and sensations and emotions. It was quite appropriately a love-making scene; although at this moment it was quite inappropriately timed. Moaning his name, hers was swallowed by another kiss…. The passion flamed ever hotter and brighter, as his hand reached lower... This was quickly getting out of hand…

TBC...