Choices-Then & Now (M/L mature/adult) Ch 34 8/14/05 [WIP

[amy2344]

Title: Choices – Then & Now

Author: amy2344

Category: CC – mostly M/L

Rating: ADULT

Summary: Twist on End of the World…What if Future Max came back but not until after the Gomez concert when he and Liz ‘cemented’ their relationship. Everything up until that point has happened.

Disclaimer: I own nothing – the characters or concept of Roswell either from the book or television series. Wish I did, but I don’t

Author's Note: This is my first fan fic so feedback genuinely welcome. I hope to stop lurking and actually jump headfirst into the abyss.




Journal – Present Day Indian Reservation 2001
I’m Liz Parker and tonight I felt my son move for the first time. It was exciting and humbling at the same time. There’s also this underlying sense of sadness, not because of the baby but because I cannot share this with Max.

Soon, I will leave New Mexico – my home, my life, the place where all my dreams came true and now where those same dreams are dying. I’ll have to wait until after he is born and I am strong enough. I wish it could be sooner. I need to put as much distance between Max and myself as possible. It’s just too risky.

Being here on the Reservation, even in hiding is just too close but Max and I agreed this was the smartest way to handle things. Well, Future Max, that is. It is so confusing and complicated and so utterly far from normal that I want to scream sometimes. How do I even begin to explain what my life has become?

I haven’t written in my journal for so long now. I told myself I was afraid to have a written record of what has transpired, afraid it might fall into the wrong hands but that was a lie. I think most of all when I really look deep down at the reason why…I was afraid to face myself, confront my feelings and now MY DESTINY.

River Dog thought it would be good, release it onto the pages of this book. Help me move through it and also give me time to write about my son’s father so one day I can pass it onto him. So he will know, without question, the kind of man he is and that this was, in essence, our decision together, Max and I.

I have decided to name him Zan. Max (Future Max) never told me what we named him. He always just referred to him as ‘our son’. Every time he mentioned him I could hear a sadness and a pain in his voice. Maybe that’s why he would never say his given name. In all the chaos of what was my life, I never thought to even ask.

So Zan it is. I can feel him now inside…his presence, growing, becoming, existing. I couldn’t name him after Max in case by some strange twist of fate anyone ever sees us together or even him. From the flashes I got from Future Max, Zan looks just like him.

Zan…no one will know that name and what it means…except of course our enemies. But I cannot think about that. I have to believe that by leaving, by giving up Max, the Future won’t happen the way it did or does in less than 14 years from now. The world will not end and my son will not die.

Flashback – Late 2000 Roswell, New Mexico

“Mom, Dad, please. Look, it’s a group thing. Michael, Kyle, Maria, Alex,” Liz begged before being interrupted by her parents.

“And Max Evans, Liz. Max will be there too or are you forgetting to tell us that.”

“You didn’t let me finish, mom. We will all be together. It isn’t just Max and me. This is our favorite band. Please? I will not disappoint you. I can be trusted,” Liz held her breath silently willing them to say yes.

“Like we trusted you before with Max and look what happened…out all night,” countered Jeff.

“We’ve been through that. I am so sorry. I really learned my lesson. Please? It is one night. We drive to Arizona, go to the concert, stay with Alex’s aunt and uncle. Chaperoned, I might add and then back the next evening. Simple as that,” Liz sighed as she finished.

“No drugs, no alcohol, no overnight make out sessions or worse,” Nancy stated firmly as Alex entered the Parker’s living room.

“Uh-oh, am I interrupting?” Alex said wishing he had never walked in on this battle between Liz and her folks. He knew Liz expected this and deep down he even thought she kind of deserved it after the stunt she and Max pulled last year. It wasn’t just her parents that were worried about her. However, he did get a kiss from Isabel out of it.

“Alex, come on in. Can we trust that your aunt and uncle will chaperone you kids? Who’s driving? What time does the concert start? Do you have AAA Roadside Assistance in case of an emergency? We want ALL the details,” Jeff asked taking his turn as inquisitor.

Alex sat down next to Liz offering support. She shot him a look conveying a thousand silent thank you’s. “My aunt and uncle are totally cool and I mean cool by parental standards. They have a ranch just outside Flagstaff. We’ll leave Saturday morning. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and as for sleeping arrangements, they have spare bedrooms in the main house and then there’s the bunkhouse where the guys will crash since the girls are so delicate. The girls will sleep in the house probably having pillow fights and girl talk. Feel free to call my folks or my aunt and uncle. It’s all on the up and up.”

Liz sat on the couch with Alex in silence while her mom and dad mulled things over. Finally, they agreed. Liz ran over and hugged them both and then dashed to her room to call Max. She had fifteen minutes before her breakfast shift started.

“Hello, Max?” Liz asked realizing it was pretty early Sunday morning. She heard a garbled response on the other end of the phone.

“Liz? What time is it?” She suddenly felt bad that she had woken Max but she had to tell him the good news.

“I can go, Max. My parents just said yes. I can go to the Gomez concert next weekend,” Liz squealed. Max felt himself waking up realizing that they would be together more or less unchaperoned for virtually two days or so. “Max, did you hear me? I can go,” Liz said trying to calm down.

“Yeah Liz, I’m really glad. No, relieved actually and I guess I am still waking up so please don’t think that I am less than thrilled.”

“Sorry that I woke you. I was just so excited. I’ll call you later. I have to go to work in less than 10 minutes and I don’t want to give my parents any reason to change their mind,” she quickly said saying her good-byes.

As Max hung up the phone, he lay in bed with his mind racing of thoughts of he and Liz alone together…fantasizing. He couldn’t help it. It was Liz. His body was humming. He could feel the blood rushing through his veins. What has Liz Parker done to me, he thought as he got out of bed to take a shower.

One Week Later
Everyone was meeting at The Crashdown for breakfast before leaving for Arizona and the concert. Liz thought it would be best for her parents to see them all together as a group versus her leaving with Max. The conversations were light hearted and fun – the best time of their young lives. Even Tess seemed to be enjoying herself, joining in and joking with Kyle.

Tess had not wanted to go but Kyle begged. She wished it had been Max or even Michael or Isabel who had insisted she come with them, but they hadn’t. In fact, she felt as if they were none too pleased by Kyle inviting her.

She was part of the Four Square after all but they didn’t seem to care. Max was so wrapped up in Liz Parker, Michael and Maria - even though they were constantly at each other’s throats, were obviously a pair. She had hoped to develop a close relationship with Isabel but Alex was always following her around like a puppy.

And then there was Kyle…she was living in his house. No wonder he asked her to go to the Gomez concert. It was just convenient. He didn’t want to be the third wheel anymore than she did. In fact, she should be driving this whole situation instead of feeling helpless. She was starting to resent them all.

Walking out of The Crashdown, everyone said goodbye to the Parker’s. Max and Liz making an effort not to hang on one another knowing they would be alone together soon.

“I get shot gun,” Kyle said running toward the Jetta.

“Oh no you don’t Budda Boy, Michael’s driving the first leg of this little road trip and I’m sitting up front with him. It’s my car. Ride with Max,” Maria said.

“No way. I can’t deal with Max and the Love Bug over there,” Kyle whined pointing to Liz.

“Well, who is riding where?” Tess snapped knowing she was low man on the couple totem pole. She wondered why she had agreed to come at all. She was going to be miserable.

Max stepped forward and said, “Look, we have a long drive ahead so why don’t we switch every four hours or so. The way I see it, girls in the Jetta and guys in the Jeep.”

Liz’s heart sank and then she saw her parents both smile. She knew Max had done it for their benefit. She would suffer through four hours in a car with Tess. At least she had Maria and the promise of being with Max later.

“Okay, Max sounds like a plan. Let’s get this show on the road. I did not get up at the crack of dawn for nothing,” Isabel stated.

“Whatever,” Michael mumbled.

“The last to leave will not hear the rooster call or see the dew glisten on its wing,” Kyle waxed poetic.

“Shut up, Buddha Boy”.

All the girls piled into the Jetta. By some unspoken agreement everyone knew Tess and Liz would not be sitting next to one another. Liz and Maria were in the front with Isabel and Tess in the back. They agreed to follow the guys as the Jeep could only go so fast. Truth be told there was some doubt if it would actually make the ten-hour drive to Flagstaff.

Kyle and Michael were both fighting over the front seat when Max yelled at them. “Look, both of you take it. Michael, you drive. Alex and I will sit in the back. Let’s just go already.”

“Touchy aren’t we, Maxwell. What’s up? Missing your girlfriend already?” Michael said starting the Jeep.

“Nothing’s up. Can we just go and yes, Michael I would like to spend some time with Liz before the day is over”. Max climbed into the backseat. He was preoccupied with what he had decided to do.

He could not imagine his life without Liz in it. He felt inside his jacket pocket for the small box. It was there – the ring. He had saved all his money from working at the UFO Museum to buy it. To Max, it symbolized every hope and dream he had ever had. The ring was a promise of their life together with no Destiny message, no alien bride, no war, no enemies, no far away planet - just the two of them together forever, a normal life.
Max leaned his head against the inside of the Jeep as Michael pulled onto the highway. He dozed off instantly thinking of Liz.

They stopped for gas and switched seating arrangements. Max immediately jumped out and practically ran to Liz as the Jetta pulled in the gas station. His arms were waiting as she opened the car door.

“Hmmm, I missed you,” she moaned softly wrapping herself up in his arms.

“Me too. But I thought it would be good for your folks to see us drive away in separate cars.”

“I know but it’s been torture. Tess and Isabel are bickering. Maria wants to ride with Michael. Isabel keeps telling Maria to turn the air off or roll the window up because it’s messing up her hair. Argghhh. I just want to be with you.”

“Maybe I should make Issy ride in the Jeep. That’ll fix her hair,” Max teased.

“What, I hear my name, dear brother. Are you talking about me?”

“Isabel, Liz is riding with me the rest of the way. Can Alex tag along with you and the girls in the Jetta?”

“Yeah, but I’m sure Maria is demanding Michael ride with her so that leaves you with Tess and Kyle,” Isabel pointed out.

Ug, My ex and Max’s alien bride from hell, Liz thought. As if sensing this, Max held her tighter and said, “It’ll be okay. At least we’re together.”

Several Hours Later

They arrived at the concert venue one hour before the show. The last leg of the trip had been uneventful. Max and Liz tried to behave themselves in front of Kyle and Tess. It was enough that they were in the same car at least. As they walked toward their seats, Max grabbed Liz pulling her around the corner kissing her desperately. She quickly responded pressing her small body tightly against his.

“What was that for?” She asked as they both came up for air.

“I couldn’t help it. I have wanted to do that for hours. I felt like I was gonna explode.”

Liz felt her body temperature rise. She felt warm and flushed. She looked up into Max’s dark eyes and said, “I feel like we are going overboard Max. Trying to prove that we will behave while we’re here. Afraid to let my parents down, afraid of upsetting Tess. I just want to be with you. Just you and no one else. I want to break the rules. We deserve it. Just a little time together. No worrying. No thinking. Just feeling.”

“And touching,” Max reached out to pull her closer. He kissed her again with even more urgency than before. Liz heard herself moan; felt herself clutch Max’s shirt in her hands.

“Hey, get a room,” someone said walking by. Max and Liz pulled away from one another.

“Let’s go see the show and then later…later I promise we’ll sneak away. Just the two of us.”

As the music started, Max and Liz stood up to get a better view of the stage. Max stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her shoulders and waist. They started swaying to the sound of one of their favorite songs. Max began caressing her arms then her stomach, which was peeking through her cardigan. He leaned down and began lightly kissing her neck softly breathing in her ear.

Liz couldn’t stand it. She was on fire. She needed more than this. She needed to be closer to Max, needed to respond. Liz pushed back letting her body rub against his with a gentle rhythm. What am1 doing, she thought. It felt so right but so out of character from perfect Liz Parker.

Maria looked over at Max and Liz and gasped. She jabbed Michael in the ribs. “Jesus, what did I do now, Maria?”

Before she could respond, he saw them completely lost in one another…completely oblivious to what was happening. Neither Max nor Liz noticed that where his fingers touched her – a glowing trail proceeded. Liz was glowing.

“Maxwell! Maxwell! Hey, Liz.” They were both deaf to Michael’s call. At the sound of the commotion, the rest of the gang turned to see what was going on between Max and Liz. Michael walked over to them grabbing Max’s arm.

“Maxwell, you’re drawing attention. Look!” he gestured to Liz’s glowing neck and arm. Max looked at Liz seeing where his touch had branded her with a silvery-white, ghostly glow. He pulled back and looked at Liz who was visibly shaking, her cheeks pink and flushed.

“We need some air,” Max grabbed her hand and began climbing the stairs to the exit. They had to get out of there. Away from all the people. Away from their friends. Away.
As they made their way towards the parking lot to the Jeep Michael shouted to them.

“Look, I am the last person to even try and understand what is going on between you two, but this – he gestured to the glowing trail on Liz’s body – this is dangerous. We’re in a crowd of thousands. It’s not very normal. We need to be careful. Jesus, Max, you know better. ”

“Don’t lecture me Michael,” Max said as Alex, Isabel and Maria caught up to them.

“Enough, you guys. Why don’t you two just go back to my aunt’s. You won’t be alone but you won’t be here around all these people. At least most the people here are drunk or high. Just tell my aunt and uncle that you weren’t feeling like yourself if they ask why you left the concert early. Liz, you don’t look so good anyway.”

“I’m fine, Alex.”

Max was frustrated. They were right. He was supposed to be their leader. He was supposed to be the one who always kept his head. And now he was the one who was on the verge of losing control. Max was deep in thought when Michael spoke again.

“Hey, if you guys start getting any of those weird flashes like before…wait a minute do you think this might mean there’s another orb out there somewhere?”

Max hadn’t thought of this possibility. Neither had Liz. She pulled away from Max processing what Michael had said. What if there was another orb? What if everything they were feeling and doing was somehow under the influence of something alien? What if none of this was really how they felt? What if they couldn’t stop themselves? What if Max didn’t really want her? What if…? Max glanced down at Liz as if reading her thoughts.

“Stop it Liz. We’ll figure this out together. Let’s go back to the Whitman’s. We’ll talk on the way.” Max said softly reaching out to her. She smiled and moved back into his arms.

They walked towards the Jeep feeling more in control but neither Max nor Liz spoke for a while. As Max started to drive away, he paused looking deep into her brown eyes.

“I know you Liz. You’re questioning what happened in there. What I feel for you is real…true. I’m sorry that it causes us problems. I don’t feel like this is the same as the time you got the flashes and we found the orb. I want you to know… wait, have you gotten any flashes because I haven’t. It feels different. I feel you, your presence all around me, inside me.”

“Max,” Liz sighed, “I trust you. It does feel different but in a way I guess I’m sad that there weren’t any flashes and to be totally honest I can’t even remember what I was feeling at the concert except that when we were touching I felt like…like…I felt lost.”

Max frowned. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“No Max, I felt blissful. I felt like I was a part of you. I felt like whatever was happening was the most normal thing in this alien-human world, as we know it. Max, I wanted you and I wasn’t afraid. Before when we found the orb, I was afraid because I couldn’t stop myself. This was different. I didn’t want to stop myself.”

“Afraid of me?”

“No, afraid of what could happen…afraid of losing control. I could never be afraid of you. You are the kindest person I know. I guess the difference between then and now is that I am not afraid to lose control, Max.” She leaned over and gently kissed him on the cheek.

Max looked into her eyes, cradled her face with his hands and kissed her. As the kiss deepened, their breathing became ragged, their bodies becoming more entwined with a pressing need. Max pulled away. Liz caught sight of herself in the rearview mirror noting a glowing trail on her neck.

“Let’s just go. If we stay here any longer I cannot be held accountable for my actions.”

[amy2344]

Chapter 2

Journal Entry Indian Reservation
I’m not Liz Parker anymore. Liz Parker doesn’t exist anymore. She can’t.

Waiting. That’s what I do now. I wait for you to be born. I wait for you to be safe. I wait alone and I lose myself in dreams or were they memories of what was. It hasn’t been that long really but when you are in a self-imposed exile from love, life and I don’t know it seems like forever. Is that what it is like for you, little one, inside me?

I sound bitter but I’m not. I have days or moments when I do let out the scream that is always there deep down. I try to stay happy or even or sane maybe. It’s for you. All of this is for you. I sentenced myself to this just as much as Max did. We knew what was at stake. I don’t have to like I just have to live with it.

So, what does it feel like to have this being growing inside me? I don’t regret you, Zan. I just wish that I could be more present in this pregnancy. I wish I could have had that moment that every girl dreams of when she shares the wonderful news with the father-to-be. Even though I am young and unwed and all the statistics would have been against me. I still have that edge of knowing the future. Knowing that you were wanted and shared and loved by your mother and your father and family and friends. I hope that I can be enough for you, little one. I promise I’ll try.

Outside Flagstaff
They drove through the outskirts of Flagstaff to the Whitman’s ranch in silence. Pulling into the driveway, they noticed very few lights on. They got out of the Jeep and walked up the steps to the front porch and rang the bell hoping they weren’t waking anyone up. Ringing again, Max noticed a note on the screen door.

Alex and friends,
Bob had trouble with a calf at the Holcombe Farm.
Went to help. Make yourself at home. Not sure when
we’ll be back. Liz Parker’s mom called. Can you
let her know to give them a call if you get in before
midnight.
Love,
Aunt Sue

Max and Liz walked into the empty house feeling slightly uncomfortable being alone in someone else’s home even if it was Alex’s aunt and uncle. “I guess I should call my parents.” Liz said breaking the silence between them.

“Do you think that’s a good idea? I mean it’s early. They aren’t expecting us and the Whitman’s aren’t here. What if they want to talk with them or Alex or Maria? Maybe we should just go for a walk,” Max countered.

Liz took his hand and led him back out the front door and out into the chilly night. Max reached into his pocket with his free hand and felt the box in his pocket. He had actually forgotten about his plans because of everything that transpired between he and Liz tonight at the concert. Maybe I should wait. What if Liz is too freaked out after the incident tonight? What if she says no. Max thought to himself.

“Max, what’s wrong?” Liz said softly leaning into him as they walked behind the house towards a small pond. Liz remembered Alex reminiscing about an old tire swing that he used to jump off of into the water. There was a trail leading to a dock surrounded by trees. The air outside was cooler now then the water and steam was rising up creating a light mist all around them. The stars were out and the moon had just risen causing the mist to appear luminescent.

Max stopped and looked up at the “V” shaped constellation and then down into Liz’s brown eyes. “Nothing’s wrong, I just wanted tonight to be special…perfect. I’ve pictured it in my mind a thousand times.”

He looked away from her staring at his feet shyly. “I guess with the ‘glowing incident’ at the show tonight I realized again what I’ve always known. I’m not normal. Maybe I’ve just been living in this fantasy world thinking that you make me normal or at least more human.”

“Max…” Liz started to protest. He brought his finger up gently to her lips.

“Let me finish. I need to get this out. Being with you makes me feel like I can go on being what I am, being…different. I want to be with you, Liz. Really BE with you forever. You are my destiny; the only one I’ve ever known or wanted. I know I am asking a lot…asking you to leave normal for good. I can’t guarantee that what happened tonight won’t continue to happen. I don’t even know what that was…but I need you Liz. I need us. I want to love you without reservation…so if you need time to think about what I’m asking…I understand.”

“What are you asking me, Max?” She tentatively replied. Liz felt butterflies dancing in her stomach. Liz’s mind and stomach were still doing flips when she saw Max get down on one knee in front of her. He pulled a box out of his jacket pocket revealing a small, simple ring.

“Liz Parker, will you promise to spend the rest of your life with me?” Max said softly and full of hope.

Liz felt tears well up threatening to spill down her cheeks. All she could say was ‘Max’ very softly almost catching in her throat. Liz knelt down on the dock under the willow tree and faced him. She was gazing so deeply into his amber eyes that she barely felt him slip the ring on her finger.

“With this ring…I give you my heart…my soul…my body…everything I am and everything I will be,” Max whispered.

Liz’s heart was pounding. She felt dizzy. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. “Kiss me Max,” was all she could say.

As he leaned in to kiss her, the air around them became charged with static pops of light exploding all around. Liz felt like thousands of fireflies were dancing above her brushing their wings against her skin. As they kissed, all sound around them ceased. No crickets, no wind, no water lapping against the shore of the pond. Nothing, just the sound of her own heart beating and then softly at first, a second heart beating until they were perfectly synchronized.

Max was whispering something to her but she couldn’t seem to make out what he was saying. She felt like she was floating. She felt like she was disappearing but not in a frightening ‘loss of self’ sense. It felt right…normal…complete.

“Are you cold?” Max asked always worried about her well-being. He took his coat off and laid it on the dock behind her. Liz instinctively laid back on top of it. She reached up for Max to join her. As she pulled him down on top of her she whispered, “Yes, Max, I promise. I will.”

There was no return. There was no control left within either of them. Spheres of light popped and floated around their bodies as an aura of pure, white light enveloped them. Neither one noticed. All they could see was inside each other’s heart and into their very souls. Now it was time to take the next step. Heart, mind, soul and body.

Liz tentatively reached underneath Max’s sweater pulling up enough so that their exposed skin was touching. “Take this off for me, please, Max.” As Max pulled his sweater over his head, Liz quickly unbuttoned her cardigan. Max was surprised to see her removing her top leaving her in nothing but a rather revealing strappy tank.

“Aren’t I supposed to be doing that?” He said jokingly as he laid his naked chest on top of her feeling the thin layer of fabric still separating them. He had dreamed of being intimate with Liz…his Liz, but now he simply wanted to look at her and take in this moment.

“Touch me, Max.” If he doesn’t touch me right now I know I will die or explode. What’s happening to me? I can’t stop touching him. I don’t want to stop touching him.

Hearing her voice heavy with desire, desire for him, caused his body to react in ways he could only have dreamed. Feeling her small hands pulling him closer and touching him urgently was too much. It was time. It was their time.

Clothing removed; there was no longer any barrier between them.

“Are you afraid, Liz?” Max asked quietly.

“No, are you?” Liz replied shyly.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Max murmured as he kissed her gently on her lips.

“You won’t, Max. I trust you. I trust us,” Liz said pulling him closer against her body.

“I love you, Liz…always.”

“I love you,” with those words still hanging in the air, he entered her completing the union. Liz breathed in deeply at the new sensation of having Max inside her. Max was staring intently into her eyes and then placed his forehead against hers gently kissing her. A single tear fell from her eyes onto her cheek.

“Oh God, Liz. Are you alright?” Max whispered as his mind raced with thoughts of ‘what if’s’. What if I hurt her? What if we aren’t compatible because of what I am? What if I make her sick in some way?

“I’m fine, Max. Just don’t move yet,” Liz hoarsely replied. Out of reflex, thinking he was hurting her, he moved slightly causing Liz to whimper.

“Liz, I’m gonna…” Max started to pull away.

“No, don’t end this. Just kiss me,” Liz demanded afraid he wanted to stop. She just needed time to adjust.

“Are you sure? We can…I can…” he very gently kissed her lips then her nose and continued towards her neck. As he did, Liz started to move beneath him, experimenting.

Feeling her move, Max quickly found her lips. As the kiss deepened, Liz wrapped her arms around Max urging him to continue. A low moan escaped his lips delighting Liz that Max Evans was losing control because of her. Max began to move rhythmically meeting Liz’s motions. He reached out to caress her body...touching her in places he had only ever dreamed.

The white sphere of light encompassing them began to pulsate. Liz began to breathe raggedly quietly calling out his name as she clutched onto his back pushing him deeper into her. She felt herself opening up physically, emotionally and then…it hit them.

Flash
Max coming out of the pod.
Max standing next to Isabel seeing the Evans’ car approach in the desert.
Losing Michael in the desert.
Max seeing Liz for the first time on the playground.
Max watching her…always.
Max saving her life at the Crashdown.

Flash
Liz seeing Max as a lonely little boy and asking him to play.
Seeing him at school always quiet and reserved…hiding.
Liz confronting him and showing him the silver handprint on her stomach.
Liz devastated by Tess’s arrival…by the destiny message in the Pod Chamber.
Liz looking down from her balcony at Max standing in the alley.

Meanwhile…Back at the Ranch
As they drove up to the Whitman’s ranch Maria sighed, “Not soon enough. Ow, Michael, you’re poking me. Scoot!”

Everyone was extremely uncomfortable – six people in the Jetta. Kyle, however, sat in the backseat with a grin on his face with Tess sitting on his lap. The car stopped but not before the backdoor opened spilling Tess and Kyle onto the gravel.

“Tess, are you okay?” Kyle said as he jumped up rubbing his elbow.

“I’m fine Buddha Boy. Back off. I’ve been groped enough for one evening. Thank you,” Tess snapped dusting off her clothes. Kyle blushed. He could have sworn she actually was smiling when she said that.

“Maybe they’re all asleep,” Alex said looking at the semi-dark house. He walked up to the house and saw the note from Aunt Sue. Opening the door he called out for Max and Liz but there was no answer.

As the gang grabbed their belongings from the car, the phone rang. “Hi Aunt Sue… Yeah, we just got in…literally are just walking through the door…Okay, no problem. Yeah, I know where everything is…No worries…Sure, I’ll get the cats inside…I know coyotes…. Love you too…. See you in the morning.” Alex hung up the phone.

“So, where’s your Aunt?” Maria inquired with her arms folded over her chest.

“They are stuck at the Holcombe Farm an hour and a half north of here. They’re staying the night and will be back in the morning. We ‘re on our own kids,” Alex joked.

“Okay, so where’s Max and Liz? Great, you both made them leave so they wouldn’t make a scene and so they’d keep their hormones in check. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Great plan, Space Boy,” Maria yelled over at Michael as he opened the door to the deck.

“I think I found them,” He called from the back porch. Everyone piled outside to see a white-gold sphere glowing near the pond.

“At least we are in the middle of nowhere,” Isabel added. “What do you think they are doing?”

“I don’t even want to think about it. I’ve had enough. He’s supposed to be King? Whatever. They can take care of themselves. I’m done,” Michael said flippantly walking back into the house.

Tess was furious. She stormed off in the opposite direction towards the front door. Kyle ran after her.

Alex piped up to diffuse the situation, “So, does anyone want a tour because I am the host with most or should we just crash?”

“I’m beat. Just tell me where I’m sleeping,” Michael stated flatly.

Alex continued, “I guess someone should maybe stand guard over the glowworms out there.”

“Again, I’m done. Max is a big boy,” Michael said as he walked back inside.

“Just in case, I’ll sleep in the tree house outside. I used to do it all the time when I was a kid. I’ll keep an eye out,” Alex said taking charge of the situation.

“I’ll keep you company. If someone needs to keep an eye on my brother it should be me especially since his second in command is over it,” Isabel said throwing her voice louder so Michael could hear her. “Lead the way Alex.”

“Wait a minute you two, where do we sleep?” Maria asked impatiently. “I am not sleeping outside with any creepy crawleys. I need comfort.”

“There are two guest rooms down the hall and then there’s the bunkhouse just down the driveway within walking distance. Aunt Sue said she would have both ready. So whatever, it’s up to you. Tell Tess and Kyle if they ever…” Alex said before being interrupted by Kyle.

“I’m back. I heard. We already checked out the bunkhouse. We’ll stay there. It’s the farthest from you know…” Kyle gestured towards the glowing mass by the pond.

“Okay Michael, grab our stuff. We’re down the hall. Chop, chop,” Maria said walking towards one of the guestrooms.

Bunkhouse
Tess and Kyle walked to the bunkhouse in silence. Tess walked so fast with her arms folded up by her chest that Kyle had a hard time keeping up. Entering the main room, Kyle said, “I’ll build a fire. It’s chilly.” Tess waved her hand and instantly a fire was raging in the fireplace.

“I wish you’d tell me when you are gonna do stuff like that. You know, I was a boy scout. I could have handled it,” Kyle said defensively.

Tess sat down on the couch and quietly said, “Does it freak you out Kyle? What I am? What we are?”

Joining her on the couch he responded, “Sometimes but it’s more the whole ‘we are not alone’ concept and that one of them happens to be living in my house and she is about as far from a little green man as possible.”

Tess looked at Kyle wanting to continue but just smiled and said, “I get the top bunk and you get to keep the fire going, Boy Scout. Good night.”

Kyle went to sleep thinking about Tess being only a few feet above him. A beautiful, non-slimey alien from another planet. Life was strange.

[amy2344]

Chapter Three

The glow began to fade as Max and Liz laid together entwined on the dock by the pond.

“Liz?” Max whispered softly into her ear.

“Hmmm,” Liz mumbled incoherently.

“Are you alright?”

“Hmmm.”

“Say something. Really are you sure?”

“I love you Max Evans. You really have put a spell on me.”

“I love you too.”

“I guess we should…you know…get dressed. Face the music. Return to reality. I wish we could stay like this forever,” Liz said wistfully.

“I thought we were…forever. Or have you already forgotten?” Max teased kissing her again.

Liz touched the small ring on her finger that Max had given her just moments ago. The ring that had led to this. Things would never be the same. Max gently lifted her up stroking her hair and holding her shivering, naked body against his. Without the warmth of the glowing sphere they had generated, it was getting colder and colder. They dressed silently and walked hand in hand back to the house.

Tree House
Alex and Isabel climbed up the ladder to the tree house. As Alex lit the lantern he had carried up, he found a note from Aunt Sue.

Alex,
Thought you might end up staying up here.
I brought up some blankets and your trusted
Teddy Bear for company. Glad to see you.
Love,
Aunt Sue

Isabel laughed. “Teddy Bear, Alex?” she said sarcastically.

Alex looked around to see everything was already set up. Nice and cozy…except it was set up for one person not two. Alex blushed suddenly feeling nervous he stammered, “Look Is, I’ll sleep over here in the sleeping bag. You take the futon. It’s more comfortable.”

“Thanks, but until my brother comes to his senses, I’ll take the first watch. Okay?” Isabel replied.

“Well, that may not be too much longer. Look,” Alex stated pointing towards the now dissipating glow in the distance that they attributed to Max and Liz.

“Well, he’s gonna get it and better from me than Michael,” Isabel huffed.

“Is, let it go,” Alex said gently. “Put yourself in their shoes. What if it was you? Wouldn’t you be freaked out knowing that every time you made out something weird happened?”

Isabel looked at Alex feeling slightly embarrassed knowing he was right. She changed the subject. “So does that thing work?” pointing towards the telescope by the cut out window.

“Yeah, I used to sit up here at night as a kid and try and spot UFO’s,” Alex laughed.

“What? Isabel questioned.

“Well, it is kind of funny now that I am in my tree house with an alien princess.”

“Alex, I may be somewhat alien but I am not a princess,” Isabel said defensively.

“Is, I am only kidding. It just seems ironic don’t you think?” Alex began fiddling with the telescope. “It’s not great but, you gotta see.”

Isabel walked over to the telescope and peered through the viewfinder. “Is that…”

“Yeah, it’s the whirlwind galaxy. Your home.” The V-Shaped constellation starred back at her.

“Thanks, Alex. It’s beautiful. Hey, would you mind if we went back inside? I mean, Max and Liz don’t need us to guard them anymore and well…maybe I am a princess but I’m cold and there are bugs,” she said batting away a mosquito.

Alex felt a little bit disappointed. Not in a thousand years would he have expected to ‘spend the night’ with Isabel Evans even in a treehouse protecting her hormonally challenged brother. But tonight they both shared that common goal of protecting Max and Liz. It seemed as good as it was gonna get. “Sure, watch your step climbing down, your highness.”


Max and Liz walked quietly into the house. “I don’t see anyone but the Jetta’s here,” Max said quietly. Just then Isabel and Alex walked through the side door.

“Hey guys, where is everyone?” Liz asked nervously.

“Tess and Kyle are at the Bunkhouse, Michael and Maria went that way,” Alex gestured down the hall. “We were up in the treehouse keeping an eye out.”

“Oh…” Liz stuttered, “Did you…” she seemed afraid and embarrassed. What if they had seen them?

“Oh yeah, we saw the little light show by the water and thought it must be you,” Isabel said.

“You two really should get that fixed. I mean what’s gonna happen if you ever actually do it?” Alex said trying to lighten the mood. “I mean look what happens when you just kiss.”

Liz turned a thousand shades of red. Okay, they don’t know what we did. Liz thought relieved that her friends weren’t privy to everything. She still couldn’t believe it herself. She and Max had just made love. What would happen if they did it again? If they made out again? Would they still glow? Or had it fulfilled whatever it was that was happening to them so that indeed they were normal now? It had felt cathartic in so many ways but wasn’t that what your first time was supposed to be? Or at least making love to an alien-hybrid king of another planet.

Max spoke, “So where should we sleep?

“Well, I was bringing Isabel back before I crashed up in the treehouse,” Alex said.

Isabel felt a momentary pang of disappointment. She hadn’t really thought she and Alex would do anything except hang out up there waiting for Max and Liz but somehow she felt safer and so much more comfortable being herself with Alex.

“Well, I’ll take the other guestroom. Liz, do you want to join me?” Isabel asked knowing her brother had no intention of letting that happen.

Max squeezed Liz’s hand. “Alex, if it’s okay…Liz and I can just crash here. The couch is fine. I’ll build a fire. I don’t want to be near Tess and no offense…a treehouse with you or here with Liz…”

“Yeah, sure. Say no more. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Good night Isabel. Thanks for helping me with guard duty,” Alex said staring at Isabel as she turned towards the guestroom.

“Night, Alex.”

“So, Alex, how was the show?” Liz asked.

“Which one? Gomez or the light show by the pond?” Alex replied half-joking half-serious.

“Alex, you know what I mean.”

“It was great. Wish you guys had of been there. Look, I am beat. I’ll see you in the morning. There are blankets and pillows in the closet at the end of the hall. Take whatever you need.”

“Thanks Alex.” Max went to the fireplace and for the second time in one night, alien powers created a roaring fire.

“Thanks, I was getting cold. I’m gonna go change. I’ll be right back,” Liz said smiling at Max.

She grabbed her bag and walked to the bathroom. As she started to undress, her reflection startled her in the mirror. She looked different somehow. By taking the next step with Max, she had not only changed emotionally but she really looked different…older, maybe…more mature. Was this something only she could see? Or would everyone know. Had Max marked her in someway? Was she completely imagining this? The thought of what just transpired between her and Max made her stomach flip again. They were committed to one another. Forever. He loves me. Me, Liz Parker. It felt so indescribable. Being loved and loving someone. First and only love. She felt like they were hard-wired into each other’s system. She wasn’t a particularly religious person but felt as if some higher power had somehow intervened that day that Max saved her life. He chose me. Her mind raced thinking about people who stand up giving testimonials about finding God. Always approaching an issue with a scientific eye, she could never wrap her mind around something like that…that you couldn’t see or touch or prove for that matter. But now…now she could see. She could feel the untouchable. It was like the color of air. And it was more beautiful than she could have ever imagined.

The sparkle from the small diamond in her ring caught her attention. She smiled and then giggled out loud feeling big inside full of joy and love and happiness. She couldn’t ever remember feeling this fulfilled…this complete. Liz dressed quickly putting on her pajama bottoms and a tank top. Suddenly feeling self conscious, she threw on a sweater and walked back into the living room.

Max had created a ‘nest’ of blankets, quilts and pillows on the floor in front of the fireplace. The room was very toasty warm. He had changed into sweatpants and a tee shirt.

“Hey…” he said seeing her emerge from the hallway, quickly moving to close the distance between them. “I hope this isn’t too forward to expect you to spend the night next to me? But, I can’t stand the thought of not being with you tonight. If you want to go to Isabel’s room…I’ll understand though.”

“Max, we just made love. Something would be seriously wrong with me if I chose to spend the night of my undoing with your sister. Come here.”

They laid down together relishing the thought of waking up in eachothers’ arms. Agreeing to keep ‘it’ between them, to keep it pure and special before their friends eventually found out, was a relief. As they drifted off to sleep, Liz could hear Max’s heartbeat syncing up with her own and then very softly Liz could have sworn she heard a third . She drifted off to sleep.

[amy2344]

thanks to everyone for feedback. i truly appreciate it. future max is here now for awhile but it eventually gets better.

Chapter Four

One Month Later
Liz was exhausted. She was almost finished with her evening shift at the café and none too soon.

“Hey Chica, you don’t look so good. Go to bed, I’ll finish up. It’s not like you haven’t covered for me a million times,” Maria offered.

“Thanks. I don’t know what’s up but I am really tired and I’m really hungry. I think I’ll grab something and head up. You are the best, Maria.” Liz walked through the swinging door to the kitchen trying to figure out what she wanted to eat. She hadn’t really felt like eating for a couple weeks figuring she was just busy with school and work.

Since returning from the concert, she and Max hadn’t discussed what happened between them. They just knew that they were together…really together…forever. Something had changed between them and everyone could see. Liz did take the ring off and put it on a chain around her neck so her parents wouldn’t see it and ask a ton of questions.

Starting to climb the stairs to her family’s apartment, she turned around and grabbed a pint of ice cream from the freezer, looked for spoon and then without even thinking picked up a bottle of tobasco.

As she walked towards her room, she thought she saw movement beneath her door. Cautiously, opening the door to her room, half-expecting to find her mom inside snooping. Thinking to herself as she sat down on the edge of her bed, I must have imagined it.

Her stomach growled as she took the lid off the pint of ice cream ready to dig in. Without even thinking she doused it in tobasco and took a huge bite. She froze. Oh, God. Oh no, I’m…she thought and then heard name being whispered by her window.

“Liz, it’s me.”

Max, oh god. He’s here and I…the thought of being pregnant was still swirling around her mind and now he was here. She knew without a shadow of doubt that she, Liz Parker, was carrying Max’s child. She couldn’t move but she needed to let him in…they were in this together. They’d figure it out.

She forced herself to walk towards the window and open it. “Max, I can’t see you. Where are you?”

“Liz, can you come out here, please?” His voiced sounded strained.

“Okay, let me change really quick. It’s cold and I still have on my uniform. Why don’t you wait in here.”

“No, I’m fine. Just hurry.”

Liz threw on her pajamas and grabbed a jacket and crawled through the window to her balcony. She saw him with his back facing her staring straight ahead towards the empty alley. She slowly approached him feeling suddenly nervous and a little afraid of what she was about to share with him.

“Max, I have something to tell you. Are you alright?” Max continued to stare straight ahead into the darkness of the night.

“Max, I think I might be…ummmm…that we might be…” Liz stammered as Max lowered his head.

“You are,” he stated. “I know.” Liz was stunned and then he turned around to face her. It wasn’t her Max but it was. He looked older, hardened. He had gray flecks of hair mixed in with his dark brown locks and there was a scar…a terrible scar on his now weathered but beautiful face.

Liz stumbled back into the lounge chair. Max instinctively reached out and caught her in his arms. “Max…?” she lifted her hand up and touched the scar on his cheek. “How can this…wait a minute…you said that I am…that you know. That I’m what?” Her heart began to beat furiously inside her small frame.

“Liz…” he said gently as he brushed the hair out of her eyes. “You are carrying our son.”


She tried to pull away from him. Her mind was racing. She started to shake…felt like she was loosing control. Was this really Max…what is going on…she thought.

“You’re not Max,” she blurted out. “Who are you? You’re a shape shifter. What have you done with Max?”

Max smiled. “Liz, it’s me. I know it’s strange to say the least but it is me only me from 14 years from now. I’m from the future. I’ve come back to save our son.”

As Max finished speaking, the reality of the situation came crashing down on her and she lost consciousness fainting into the lounge chair.

Max rushed to her, cradling her in his arms until she woke. “Max…”

“Liz, honey, are you alright? You scared me.”

“No, I think I’m gonna be sick,” Liz spat out as she tried to stand.

“What?”

“No really, I’m going to get sick. I’ve gotta..” she ran towards her window clumsily climbed through sprinting to the bathroom and vomited.

Max followed her and hesitantly knocked on the door. “Liz, are you alright? You didn’t tell me you got sick.”

“What? What are you talking about?” Liz panted as she turned on the water to wash up.

“You called me tonight, present day me that is, when you figured out that you might be pregnant. You told me about the ice cream and the tobasco but not about getting sick. You said you felt fine,” Max finished still standing outside the door only now leaning his forehead against it.

Liz vomited again and then managed to say, “Get out. Max, she’s coming. I hear my mom…hurry.”

There was knock on the bedroom door. “Liz, are you alright dear?”

Max darted across the room to the window and had just climbed through when Mrs. Parker walked in heading straight for the bathroom. “Liz…” she asked again and then opened the door.

Seeing her daughter lying on the floor next to the toilet, Nancy knelt down and placed her hand on Liz’s forehead. “You’re burning up.”

“Mom, I’m fine. I just think I have the flu or something. I’ll be all right. I just need to rest. Thanks. I’ll clean up and then get in bed, okay?” Liz asked wishing she would leave.

“Okay baby, can I get you anything. Take some Tylenol and drink some water before you go to bed and call me if you need anything.”

“Thanks, mom. I’m good. Goodnight and will you shut the door on your way out please?”

“’Nite honey,” Mrs. Parker left the room leaving Liz alone in her bathroom.

Max reappeared but stayed outside the bathroom waiting until she was done. Liz stayed inside a few more minutes in order to compose herself. She looked in the mirror seeing someone entirely different now staring back at her. She looked pale and had dark circles under her eyes. Tears started to well up in her brown eyes but she quickly wiped her eyes. Get a hold of yourself. You need answers. This isn’t just about you anymore, she thought as she opened the bathroom door to see Max staring back at her looking almost as pale and almost as tired.

It was her Max and then again it wasn’t. His eyes were the same…deep and dark. He looked at her in the same way that her Max did but there was something else…a sadness there. Snapping herself out of her assessment she said firmly, “I need answers, Max. Tell me everything.” She then sat down on the bed as Future Max started to pace back and forth answering the barrage of questions coming from Liz, the scientist in her taking charge.

“How did you get here?”

“We modified the Granolith…you, me and Serena, she’s a good friend of yours in the future.”

“The Granolith is a time machine,” Liz asked incredulously.

“No, it’s complicated. It’s a relic from my planet that has enormous importance and power. It was sent with us, the four of us, as a symbol of what was and to protect the Royal Four...kind of an insurance policy.”

“Okay, so why are you here?”

“As I said, I’m here because you and I came up with this plan. It was the only way to try and change the future,” Max paused wanting to proceed slowly at this point because everything was about to change…forever. He sat down next to her and continued.

“Liz, fourteen years from now the world will end. Our enemies come to Earth. They come for us and for the Granolith. They killed everyone. They killed our son,” Max choked out the last statement.

Instinctively, she placed her hand on her still flat stomach. Max composed himself and continued.

“Isabel and Michael died right before I came back. We were all that was left…you, Serena and me. We made it to the Pod Chamber and that’s when we came up with the our only option…I had to come back to change things.”

“What do you mean we were all that was left?” Liz asked quietly not really wanting to know the truth wishing this was all just a bad dream…that none of this was really happening.

“The Granolith was protecting us. We figured that out when the first wave of attacks started. We were all trying to get to the pod Chamber when we were ambushed,” Max paused knowing this was beginning to sink in for Liz.

“Maria and Alex? Our parents? Kyle and the Sheriff and Tess? Everyone, Max.”

“Liz, everyone was already gone. The Skins were destroying the entire planet trying to get to us…to get to our son. He was key to the survival of Earth and Antar but they killed him.” Max paused again and this time stopped pacing. He stared off seemingly at nothing reliving the past again and again. “Maria was trying to protect him…she sacrificed herself to save him for a few more moments but there were too many. Tess was working with them. She turned against us.”

“Why Max? What happened?” Liz said becoming visibly distraught. Max began to worry about both her and the baby.

“Liz, this is too much, too soon. I should have told you differently…it’s too overwhelming…I mean in the past hour you have not only found out that you are pregnant but that Earth is invaded and…well, we should just slow down. You need to stay calm…breathe…” he couldn’t help it he actually cracked a smile remembering what it was like when Liz was in labor.

“Calm down…you’re joking right and why is this now funny?”

“I just remember telling you the same thing after 15 hours of labor.”

Liz stood up and walked away from an even more concerned Max. “I don’t know how to calm down. I am so freaked out right now. I need to call you…I mean the other you. My Max should know…he should be here. He needs to know about the baby. What if he freaks out…I mean did you…get upset,” Liz added suddenly very worried.

Max quickly walked over to Liz taking her face between his hands and looking deep within her eyes. “No, I was thrilled. Scared and nervous about being a father but it was you and we had a family. But that’s why I am here at this time. Liz, you can’t tell me.”

“What!” Liz shouted horrified at the thought of not including Max…of lying to the love of her life…of doing this alone.

“Listen, we – Future you and me went over this. We tried to decide when the most critical moment for me to come back in time to try and change the future. We thought about before the Gomez concert…before we conceived. But he has to be born. He has to exist. We thought that by present you knowing the future…well, you said you would understand that…to save him…to save the world…you would give us up. Give me up. Leave and raise our son away from the Alien Abyss.”

Liz stood still with the realization dawning on her of what was coming. She whispered, “So you will never know.”

“We have to treat Tess differently. She left because of us. We weren’t strong enough without her. We weren’t Four Square and we weren’t able to…”

“Fulfill your Destiny as mates because of me and the baby,” Liz finished his sentence.

“No, Tess is integral to the four of us as a complete unit. Nothing more. My heart is with you. My soul is with you and is growing now inside you,” Max placed his hand on Liz’s stomach before continuing to deliver more bad news. “Tess has to stay in order to fight to save the future and Alex too.”

“Alex, what about Alex?”

“This isn’t easy to say Liz but Tess kills him in less than a year from now.”

“What? Then let her go. Let her leave. Max, what were our future selves thinking.”

“She leaves after she kills Alex. We didn’t know…not until it was too late. I know this is hard. God, it’s so hard for me to tell you these things. Terrible things, I know but there were wonderful things too like we had fourteen years of joy and love and happiness together as a family. I know things now that will help you help our son. Liz, look at me. He was so amazing. He will be so amazing but we have to do this.” Max lifted her tear-streaked face up to look into his weary eyes before continuing.

“He had all the gifts that I have as well as Michael, Isabel and Tess. He also had your powers,” Max said before stopping wondering if this was the right way to proceed with Liz in such a fragile state. He noticed Liz’s skin pale and she just calmly sat on the bed and vacantly stared ahead as if lost.

“Liz, are you alright? Lay down and really try to breathe.”

“Max, just tell me what happens to me? Tell me.”

“Well, we never really figured out if it was my healing you or a combination of you becoming pregnant with an alien-hybrid,” Max paused before proceeding with the rest, “you changed…your DNA was altered and you started developing powers about 6 months after he was born. Basic things that Iz, Michael and I can do. Later though, we developed a way to communicate telepathically that the others couldn’t do but then that was always how you communicated with our son. It was something that the two of you shared. I could never do it” Max drifted off in thought.

“Was I okay with everything?” Liz said softly again trying to absorb everything as completely as possible.

“You had your ups and downs. But you accepted and always approached it with your scientist’s eye. I always worried that you resented me for I had done by entering your life. I mean it was about as far from ordinary as you can get.”

Liz kept firing questions at him because she knew she had to hear it all. Because if she stopped and actually had to think about all of this she would lose it completely. “What about Kyle?

“Kyle?”

“Did Kyle develop powers too? You healed him remember?” The thought struck Liz that for Max it was over a decade since that happened while to her it was only a few months ago.

“Yeah, you thought about that and much to his annoyance you tested and poked and prodded him. There were times when we thought he was starting to manifest powers after something strange would happen but his DNA remained the same. There was this one time about 5 years ago that you asked him to come into the lab for some more tests and he became so furious with you that the windows mysteriously burst in our car,” Max smiled at the memory and the once carefree past. “After that Kyle did whatever you wanted but still nothing conclusive. You always felt if there was any chance of Kyle undergoing a transformation that it would have happened sooner and that it may have been because the connection I made with him wasn’t as deep as the connection I made with you. I did connect with him but not in the same way I did with you. You always joked and said that Kyle just didn’t do it for me.”

Liz actually smiled for the first time tonight. It melted Max’s heart all over again. Then she spoke, “Why didn’t we teach our son about his powers?”

“They lulled us into a false sense of security. We thought the Skins had lost interest…moved on. We wanted him to be normal or as normal as possible.”

Max ventured on knowing he had to get it all out. “We just never really let him develop his powers. We focused on keeping them hidden…acting normal…fitting in. We never thought we would have to fight a war or that he would need them to survive...protect himself when I let him down. I couldn’t save him. I couldn’t even save my own son.” It was Max’s turn to break down.

Hearing his muffled cry broke her out of her self imposed trance. She reached out to him and just held him, gently rocking him and herself. She kissed him softly on the side of his face near the horrible scar wishing she could erase it all…all the pain and loss. She was getting lost in the comfort of his arms which felt like her Max only harder…more muscular. She pulled away slightly to look into his saddened eyes and as she did she knew immediately it was a mistake.

They kissed…passionately and full of a desperate need to absolve the other of the pain and guilt and misery they were feeling. Suddenly, Max felt overwhelmed…kissing a younger version of his Liz brought the memories of a lifetime flooding back. The kiss deepened.

Flash
Max and Liz getting married in Vegas.
Liz giving birth to their son.
Moving into their first apartment and then their first house.
Max and Liz working together at a hospital.
Liz doing research and Max training to be a doctor.
Liz overjoyed at being pregnant again and then miscarrying – the feeling of sadness and loss.
Liz seeing the Crashdown explode as the ships approached from all directions.
Maria grabbing her son and running towards the car…pushing him out of the way of a pulse of energy only to be struck herself and die.
Seeing Khivar take her son and kill him before her eyes.
Max, Liz and Serena running to the Pod Chamber after Michael had died trying to save Isabel.
Explosions everywhere and Isabel wounded and dying. Max unable to repair the damage fast enough.
Max and Liz formulating the plan to come back in time with Serena.
The last kiss good-bye. I love you.
I’m so sorry.
Max inside the Granolith seeing Liz crumple to the floor as the ceiling caved in around her.
Noooooo…

[amy2344]

Here's part 2 of the chapter. i was tweeking some stuff. hope you enjoy. and as always thanks so much for the feedback.

icequeen-i think the reason Zan wasn't able to do anything was because he just didn't know how. they never taught him to embrace his alien side or how to harness his powers so when the time came they were all powerless. thanks for your feedback. the story remains kinda angsty for awhile but rest assured...

Chapter 4B

Liz pulled away with tears free falling and her body trembling. “Oh God, Max. Oh God. I can’t let that happen. I can’t watch them die.” It was decided. Destiny descended upon her small bedroom. Nothing would ever be the same.

Future Max and Liz created a plan that they thought would reshape the future. Liz would go to River Dog until the baby came. Future Max explained that after she was strong enough, she would go East…Boston and attend school…become a scientist…protect their son and teach him about his gifts. Then, and only then when she was sure that nothing had happened, when she was sure…then she could tell Max.

“Because Liz, he’ll have to go to Antar. We have a responsibility to the people there and changing things, putting the future on the right path. Until, we defeat our enemies, we will never be safe…he will never be safe”, Max stated as he reached for Liz’s hands.

“How did they learn about our son?”

“Nicholas. Nicholas knew you were pregnant. He was told by Khivar to report back to him if I ever impregnated a hybrid or human. They assumed it would be Tess.”

“But it took 14 years for them to attack. Why not end it with me? Why didn’t they try anything sooner?” Liz questioned still trying to grasp the situation.

Max sighed. “Because according to Khivar, he is the only one who can kill him and vice versa. Their powers mirror one another. It took 14 years to amass the army, develop the strategy, travel here and destroy Earth. Liz, he wasn’t just gonna drop in and take our son. He wanted us to suffer. He wanted all humans to suffer. So, you see, if Nicholas never knows about your pregnancy, Khivar will never know and we should be safe. Like I said they lulled us into a false sense of security. It was part of their plan and we desperately wanted to feel secure that we fell for it.”

Liz continued to stare at this version of Max as he continued. “For 14 years we never practiced using our gifts or refining them. We never even attempted to know what Four Square meant. There was no reason. Tess was gone. We didn’t know she was helping Nicholas. We knew she was angry and that she blamed us for taking away her destiny…we never even tried to include her.”

“Max, she hasn’t exactly made an effort herself or welcomed any of us.”

“I know, but knowing what I know now…I have to believe she can change. I have to believe that Liz. I have felt like I have had Alex’s blood on my hands for so long. We have to try,” for the second time tonight Max’s hard veneer began to show signs of cracking. Liz saw the pain…felt the pain and anguish pouring off him in waves.

“So what happens now Max?”

Max leaned back on the bed. He was so exhausted. He felt so many regrets and memories flooding through him threatening to veer him off track but he couldn’t get the image of Liz being crushed by the crumbling dome of the Pod Chamber out of his head. To him, it had only just happened…yet here he was with another chance.

“Max, are you alright?”

Focus Max. Get it together. “First, I have to teach you how to block present day me from your mind. Max, your Max, can’t know about the baby. It will be challenging to block the connection between us. But you have to learn. We all learned as a way to protect ourselves against mind warps and Nicholas.”

“Liz, do you have to go to school tomorrow? Can you tell your parents you’re sick? We basically have a couple months before this happens.” Future Max gently, reverently placed his hand on Liz’s womb and very faint glow enveloped his palm.

Liz gasped. “Max, oh Max, it is really true isn’t it?” She felt tears well up again. She could not even imagine a time without them any longer.

“We should rest or you should. I’ve got to go back to the Pod Chamber and take care of some things before…”, Max trailed off in thought of what he knew must be done for this plan to work. “Well, the sooner the better. I’ll meet you here about 8 a.m. You’re folks get called away about that refrigeration unit they wanted. The call comes in before 8 tomorrow. So we will be alone.”

“How do you know all this?”

Max recounted the events that took place 14 years ago tonight starting with the phone call from her begging him to come over. The two of them snuck out and drove out to desert. That was when Liz told him about the baby or the suspicion of being pregnant. They both stayed home sick from school and took a pregnancy test then spent the day together digesting the positive result.

And now you’ll never know. You’ll never experience any of this and I’ll be alone. We won’t be married and be happy. Liz was lost in thought as Max finished and sensing what was going on her head.

“Liz, don’t. I don’t know any other way. If I could change things I would. This isn’t easy for me to ask you to do but I can’t let you both die. We cannot let the world end because a boy loved a girl too much. Did you ever wonder why I came back and not you, Liz?” Liz looked up into his eyes through her tears. “We had very little time to decide - maybe minutes. We both had powers to protect ourselves. It could have been either one of us. The Granolith would have recognized both our DNA as alien.”

“But you came Max. Why, to be cavalier and protect me?” Liz said hesitantly because she really wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.

“No, because I knew I couldn’t do it. I would have never and I mean never had the strength to walk away from you…from us and from our son if a future version of you asked me to. You knew it too. Look inside Liz. You know I am the weaker one of us. I would not have been strong enough.” Max said half-ashamed, half full of pride.

Liz felt anger rising as he spoke. She blurted out without thinking, “But you knew I would go along with it all Max. I’d have no problem leaving you. Abandoning our family, our happiness and our right to it. God, Max what kind of person do you think I am?”

“You are the strongest, most selfless person I know who would put the fate of the world on her shoulders without hesitation. Just like earlier tonight, it took seconds for you to agree to leave. It’s because you love me…because you love life…because of who you are…you knew I had to come and that you, Liz, wouldn’t hesitate. I would have. I would have failed us both and most of all I would have failed our son. You will always do the right thing Liz whether for this world, my world or our child. You knew and I knew you would carry this burden.”

“I am not a saint, Max. I make mistakes,” Liz said trying maintain her anger somewhat even as it started to dissipate. She knew he was right and it just wasn’t fair. None of this was fair. Life wasn’t fair. Get over it, Parker.

“Would you have forgiven me for abandoning you, Liz? You know you cannot be seen pregnant near me. He looks so much like me. You saw him in the flashes didn’t you?” Max ran his hand through his hair starting to have doubts real doubts about their plan. He was already beginning to weaken as Liz sat up suddenly realizing him torturing himself like this wasn’t the answer.

“Max, you’re right. We were right. Don’t doubt yourself. This will work. It has too.” Liz was really feeling quite fatigued and knew she needed to rest. “But can’t you stay here with me, with us,” she placed her hand on her stomach. “Just tonight. I need you. I need a glimpse of what I know I’ll never have.”

Max pulled her to himself tightly. “Love, I have to prepare some things that have to happen tonight before the trace pattern of future me in the Granolith starts to fade. We don’t have much time. I’d like nothing more than to stay right here. But I can’t, I’ll see you in the morning.”

Liz could only nod as Max pulled back the covers and tucked her in. Placing a lingering kiss upon her forehead he crept out the window to change the course of time.

[amy2344]

A huge heartfelt thanks to everyone who has given me feedback. I do appreciate it and it helps keep me motivated to continue. Here is the next part and I swear it does get happier but not for awhile.

Chapter 5A

Next Morning
The phone was ringing. This was all a dream. Just a dream, maybe. Liz sat up in bed seeing the container of melted ice cream next to the Tabasco bottle. She felt his presence…their child. It was real. She reached for the phone.

“Hello.”

“Hey, it’s me. Are you ready? I’ll be there in 15 minutes,” Max asked.

It was him. Her Max. Fear shot through her flooding her body with adrenaline, her mouth became dry and the feeling of vomiting again swept over her as she tried to answer but her voice was gone.

“Liz?”

“Umm, Max, I am coming down with the flu. I’m gonna stay home today. Can I call you later? She hated lying to him.

“Should I come over? Do you need anything? Maybe I could you know, make you better.”

“No, no, Max, that’s okay. I just need to sleep. I’ll call you later, I promise. Max, I love you,” I really do with all my heart and I wish so desperately you could know. I am so sorry for keeping this from you. Liz started to cry silently.

“Me too. I’ll miss you today.”

“Me too. Don’t be late for school.”

Liz hung up the phone and collapsed back on the bed. What time is it? She felt stiff and still extremely tired even though she must have fallen asleep right after Future Max left. She got up and padded slowly into the Parker’s living room.

“Mom…Dad?” No answer. The apartment was silent. Then she saw the note.


Liz,
Wanted to let you sleep. Hope you feel better. Stay in bed. Your dad and I have gone to Albuquerque to get the new refrigeration unit. Call us on the cell phone if you need us.
Love,
Mom

Future Max had been right. Liz had secretly been holding onto to a thread of hope that somehow he was mistaken. She wanted desperately to poke a hole in his theory but so far he was dead on. What else could she do? She took a shower and waited for her world to end and like clockwork…it did.

Future Max stepped through the unlocked window into Liz’s bedroom wearing an oversized jacket, hat and sunglasses right on schedule.

“How did you sleep?” He tentatively asked.

“Fine, considering. How about you? From the looks of it I’d say not at all.” The scar on his cheek looked deeper and somehow darker than last night. He looked exhausted and not at all rested but as if he was up all night. “Max, are you alright?”

“I told you I had things to do…I’m fine. Now let’s…”

“What things, Max? What aren’t you telling me now?” Liz questioned frantically.

“Liz, we can talk about that later…we really have a lot to cover today…a lot of important tasks to take care of that are not going to be easy for either of us so we really need to focus. You were a very quick study before so let’s see if you can learn this as fast without your powers in full swing,” Max quickly finished hoping it would be enough to distract her from his appearance and the obvious changes happening to him in this timeline.

“Okay, what do I need to do?”

“Just like before when we connected…let your mind go blank. Look at me and try not to think about anything,” Max said as he moved closer to touch her.

“Yeah, right…no baby…no end of the world and no future, Max. I got it. No problem here,” Liz said sarcastically.

“Liz, honey…” Max pleaded. “I know, but you have to try. This is crucial. You have to be able to keep this from me…from present day me.”

Liz relaxed a little by taking a deep breath and looked deeply into his eyes taking a second to first glance at the deep scar on his face wanting to ask how he got it and why he didn’t heal it. But also fearing the answer.
The connection opened between them. Softly at first like a light breeze fluttering through the edge of her consciousness and then flowing gently into her body. Suddenly, she was assailed with images of destruction, fire, explosions…death all around.

“No! No! Noooo…,” she screamed as she pulled away.

Future Max wouldn’t let her back away. He pulled her closer and placed his hands on both sides of her face forcing her to look at him through her tears. “I know Liz. I promise I will never show you the future again. But what did it feel like? What made you chose that thread? Each feeling, each memory we have has a distinct feeling…a pattern. What was it about that memory that attracted you?”

Liz was dumbfounded. She thought when they were connected that Max was always instigating it. That whatever she saw or felt came from him not some conscious choice of hers. “I don’t know, Max. I don’t know. It just happened. I just felt this strong urge to move towards it.”

“Did you see anything or feel anything different than this?” Before she could respond, the connection between them had flared to life again. Liz felt a warm sensation move through her body and she instantly saw…
She and Max in bed and then heard a sound…the sound of small feet…pitter pat shuffle shuffle…coming from down the hall. “Daddy, Momma? I’m scared. I had a bad dream…the little voice said peeking around the door. “Oh come here baby. It’s okay.”
Liz watched and felt the three of them wrapped tightly together as a family. But this time it was Max who pulled away and broke the connection. Liz didn’t want it to end and tried in vain to hold on but it was gone.

Liz looked at him longingly as he asked again, “Well, what was the difference between the two?”

Again, she was frustrated. “I don’t know Max. I really don’t. If you know then tell me, please.”

“I can’t, Liz. Only you know what your trigger is. We each have something that is unique that allows us access or deny us access. Now I’m gonna try and block your access to one of those memories. Those feelings you just experienced. Now that you have felt them…I want you to try and find them on your own. You can do it.” With that said and Liz still feeling completely in the dark…the connection opened again. She saw swirling galaxies, stars at first…then she felt the same fluttering in her mind as before. She moved her mind toward it but it was always just out of reach. She went on further but couldn’t quite touch it. Nothing. She pulled away.

“Max, I didn’t see anything.”

“I know because I wouldn’t let you. I kept it out of reach. I told you I would never show you what happens in the future again. We all have the ability to close off part of our mind. You and I never had a need to but after Alex’s death,” Max stammered, “and the fear of what Nicholas and Tess could do to our minds we figured out a way to protect ourselves. Actually, it was Isabel who figured it out. She was so distraught after Alex died that she pushed all that anguish down, deep inside. We all tried to reach her…tried talking to her. I even thought of telling mom about what we were to see if she could help Iz. She wouldn’t confide in anyone. So one day, I tried to invade her thoughts. I tried to connect with her. I knew it wasn’t right but I was so worried about my sister. When I did…when she felt me trying she slammed me out so fast and was absolutely furious with me.”

Liz was staring at Future Max waiting for him to continue. This seemed painful to recall, dredging up the past. The past I won’t experience. But Alex won’t die.

“We realized what had happened…that we could use it to our benefit. It became Isabel’s goal to teach us all…to keep us safe from mind warping or mind-rapes from the Skin’s. She was intent on protecting us like she felt she hadn’t protected Alex.”

“So even Maria and Kyle could do it?

“Yeah, it really isn’t anything alien. Except on the other end. An alien has to form the connection to get into your mind but we all can control what’s in there and who can access what or if we choose to grant access. Like I said, your DNA is changing. You will be able to access other’s thoughts too. Kyle and Maria were never able to do that.”

Liz sat down heavily on the bed rubbing her temples. “Okay, so the purpose of this…me learning to do this is to hide the fact that I am pregnant from present day you?” This is absurd. This is my life. I cannot believe this is happening to me. Me…Liz Parker. Small town girl from Small Town, USA.

Max sat gently beside her sensing her frustration. “Yes, Liz you have to be able to hide this from me and Isabel.”

Managing hiding the secret of all secrets from one person, the love of your life but now two people…Liz started to feel overwhelmed…like the world was beginning to spin out of control around her and there wasn’t anything she could to change it or slow it down. She was only along for the ride. “Why Isabel?”

“Well, I know myself and when you disappear…I will try and find you by having Iz dreamwalk you. We just need to buy a little time or alter a little fraction of time to try and undo any damage we will do to Tess. We just need to tip the scale in our favor,” Max pleaded.

“So my last month in Roswell will be spent lying to you…the man I love and better yet trying to sway your murderous, traitorous former alien bride to play nice? Great,” Liz sighed and then all of the sudden she caught her breath. Silently the tears began again but this time they weren’t for her. They weren’t for what she was sacrificing for she and Max.

Future Max was on her immediately sensing her immediate and profound sadness. “Liz, honey, what is it?”

“I just…(sob)…I just realized I’ll be leaving my parents. All of you. No explanation. Nothing. They…(sob)…will be…Max, how are we going to do this?”

Holding her gently, breathing in her essence, Max whispered, “We didn’t have much time when you and I were in the Pod Chamber before I came back…you just said that you would live each day to its fullest…leaving nothing unsaid. We do have a little more time before you start showing before it will become too difficult to hide the baby from your Max. I’m so sorry, Liz.” Max trailed off pulling her closer. “I don’t know what else to say.”

“My Max, Future Max…enough. I just don’t know…I don’t know anymore…I don’t know anything. I look at you…look into your eyes and I know, I feel you. You are my Max but you aren’t. I can feel our baby. A baby…a child you watched being born…you raised and you watched die but you, you didn’t make him. My Max did…not you, not this,” Liz said pointing to the scar on his face. “Max, I cannot just wrap my mind around this as easily as you can. I don’t have the 14 years of memories and experiences that you have…that you are in essence now going to deny yourself. Do you see what I mean? This is not happening. This is absurd.”

Max grabbed her forcing her to look at him as the connection flared. “Do you want to see? Do you want to feel what it was like having a family with the love of my life…with the woman who made me whole…do you want to know what it was like waking up every morning together…loving someone so completely that you could never imagine inflicting intentional pain by asking her to give it all up…do you want to see what normal felt like…what grieving for Alex felt like…what grieving for Michael, Iz, Maria, our parents and our son felt like…then look. And ask yourself Liz, if I really want to be here now doing this…one of the hardest things I know I will ever do…one of the hardest things you asked me to do as I watched you die under a mound of rubble. This was my reality…this will be reality if we don’t stop it.”

The connection was like a bolt of lightning striking her heart. In what seemed a lifetime, she saw it all…felt it all and then as abruptly as it started it was gone. She fell back on the bed sobbing. Max stood up backing away from her shaking his head. “Liz, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to…I just got angry and I shouldn’t have…are you alright?”

“You didn’t show me everything. There were gaps. I can feel them. What aren’t you showing me, Max?”

“It’s not important. It’s nothing. I shouldn’t have, Liz. I had no right. Let’s just start practicing again or do you need a break? You should eat.”

Liz stood up approaching a still pacing Max. “God, just stop it. Don’t do this. Don’t treat me like I am fragile or that I am not a part of this when it suits you. What aren’t you telling me, Max?”

“Your parents never fully accepted me even after we were married…even after they had a grandchild and we were in school supporting ourselves. They blamed me for stealing their little girl. It causes a rift between you and it never was the same. I know that it hurt you…every day. You told me not to worry about it that you wouldn’t change anything so when you said that about leaving your parents earlier…I just…I just didn’t want you to feel that pain. I know that once again I am the cause of this whole mess. Because of what I am. Because I love you.”

“Enough, Max. Let’s just practice some more.” Liz stated calmly. “We have tortured ourselves and each other enough past, present and future. If we can do this, Max, if we can change things then my mom and dad won’t die. No one will have to die because we love each other. I’m ready, let’s just start again.” Liz took a deep breath and held her small hand out to him.

For the next couple hours Max took turns blocking her access to his thoughts and Liz tried to learn how to conceal her condition from him. It slowly became easier and easier. Until Future Max said, “Here is the hard part. Kiss me. Try and block my access to the part of our connection representing the baby while we are kissing.”

Liz tentatively moved in to close the distance between them. Right before their lips met, she hesitated, “I feel like I am betraying you with you.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” With that, their lips met and as the kiss deepened so did their connection.

Liz tried desperately to conceal the fact that she was carrying their child…this miracle but she failed. Instantly, Future Max knew. He slowly stopped the kiss resting his forehead against hers. “You have to do it Liz. Or not kiss me for a month or two which I know is not a possibility.”

“Did we…umm…Max, did we make love again after you knew about the baby? I mean really Max, I can figure this out but I cannot handle trying to hide this while we…you know. What happens if we…”

“We did several more times until late in the pregnancy. I’m the one who was paranoid about hurting you or the baby but you insisted; very convincingly that it made you feel better. In fact, we made love today after we took the pregnancy test right here,” Max looked down at the bed remembering lost in thought. “Liz, you have to try and avoid that at all costs. It’s just too dangerous.”

They continued to practice until Liz could confidently keep Future Max from accessing her thoughts and feelings surrounding the baby. She was exhausted but pleased. They ate lunch together before moving onto phase two…Tess.

[amy2344]

Thanks again for your encouragement and feedback. Just a glimpse of what is to come...Liz does vanish but one of the pod squad finds out her secret...coming soon.

Chapter 5B

Max sat silently in the Parker’s living room while Liz made lunch. He was utterly lost in thought. How do I start? What are we supposed to do? There just wasn’t enough time to come up with a plan. I believed you, Liz. You said you would think of something. But looking at you now making sandwiches, carrying my child so unaware and pure and beautifully unscathed from what is to come…how can I hurt you anymore…how can I ask you to do this…

“Max, do you want mayo?” Liz yelled from the Parker’s kitchen.

Taking a deep breath before starting to discuss Tess and putting all the pieces of this plan into place, he simply said, “Sure, mayo is good.” Just prolong the inevitable. Prolong the pain that will come…the darkness…the grief. If this works and we are safe…if she is safe and she comes to me…will I forgive her…more importantly will I forgive myself? What am I doing here? Do I really think this will work and will I be able to keep them safe?

Liz walked back into the living room and placed a tray with sandwiches and chips and one really large glass of milk on the table in front of them. She picked up the glass and started drinking.

“Trying to take care of the baby even though I really don’t like milk…but I heard milk is good, good to drink you know for being pregnant. I guess it must be the calcium…” Liz began rambling uncomfortably.

“I know this isn’t easy. In fact it really sucks. I feel just as lost and confused right now as I expect you do. Future you and I had no plan of where to go from here…with Tess, I mean. And Liz, you didn’t drink milk while you were pregnant. You hated it. You drank soymilk. You took great care of yourself while you were pregnant. You did and will do a wonderful job,” Max said.

Liz simply smiled and took his hand. “So we had no plan. We have to make Tess feel wanted…a part of the group. So, I’ll be friendly and encourage her to join us. That to me seems easy considering I somehow have to encourage you and Michael and Isabel to buy into it too. Kyle and Alex won’t be a problem but god help us Max…Maria will be a pill,” Liz paused before running through her plan. “You, Max, you will do it begrudgingly because you love me and Isabel and Michael will do it because you will order them too – you are their leader after all.”

Future Max smiled. “You think this is funny.”

She felt good for the first time since this started. She felt a lessening inside of this huge weight and pressure that had been building and building threatening to consume her. Then her mind wandered to Alex. As if lying to him wasn’t going to be hard enough – just looking at him knowing what could, what will happen if this doesn’t work.
Sensing her change of mood Max asked, “What is it, what are you thinking about?”

“Alex. Max, this has to work.”

“It will work. We will make it happen. You will change things. I know it.” Max pulled her close reveling in the sensation of holding her again.

“So is it time to talk about my disappearance?” Liz tentatively asked. “I know I am going to the Reservation to see River Dog until the baby comes. But what happens? Do I just leave in the middle of the night?”

“My plan was that you leave a note saying you can’t deal with the Alien Abyss any longer and you needed out. Cut and dry.” Max said.

“Well, that plan doesn’t work for me. What about my parents? Dear Mom and Dad, I am not your little girl anymore in fact I am carrying an alien-hybrid child who happens to be the heir to the throne of another planet. I just can’t deal so I am bailing.” Liz said beginning to feel the pressure build again. “So, if that was your plan…what was my plan?”

“You thought it would be best if it looked like you were kidnapped by the Skins or the FBI or some crazed pervert stalking young girls in Roswell. You thought that would pull us together – unite us as a group. It would force the Four Square into existence,” Max stated but not really believing his words.

“That’s it Max. I can lay the groundwork before hand. You know, suggest we, or the four of you, really should start to organize, develop strategies and plan in case the Skins or the FBI comeback. This could work, Max.” Liz finished saying with her mind still racing creating the plan and putting all the puzzle pieces into play.

“It’s up to you, Liz, whatever you think is best. Future you thought it was worse to have your parents think you just walked away and left on your own accord versus being abducted – that’s beyond anyone’s control really even if it is staged.”

“Okay, so Option 2 it is. Unless we can come up with anything else.”

Max rubbed his eyes before glancing at the clock. “Your folks will be home soon. I should go. I have things to take care of.”

“What things, Max?”

“You don’t need to know, Liz. It’s just some things at the Pod Chamber.” Max stammered.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Liz probed.

Max sighed. I need to return to the Pod Chamber to ummm…in essence regenerate. I am not supposed to be here not in this time line in this form. I have to go back to the Granolith to absorb some of its power to continue to co-exist with present-day Max. Liz, it’s complicated.”

“Max, this whole thing is complicated. Will you be back later after you…regenerate? After my parents are asleep?” She asked hoping he would say yes.

“What I need to do will begin to take longer and longer the more time this version of me is here. I’m not sure how much time it will take but I doubt I will be able to come back here tonight. I’m sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow night and you need to just rest and try to relax.” What Future Max wasn’t telling her was that eventually he would cease to exist. Present day Max belonged here not him and he knew it was just a mattered of time…and time wasn’t on his side. Just let me get everything done that I need to before I disappear.

Liz was disappointed but said nothing. She had no one else but Future Max to share this with…her joy of carrying Max’s child, her fear of being the cause of the end of the world. She needed Max and if it was this version of him then fine.

“Now in bed. Rest. I love you, Liz. Always know that especially when you feel alone or afraid or doubt sets in. Remember when you see present day me, you have to keep the baby from him.” Max walked towards the window donning his disguise as it was still light outside.

“I will. Good-bye, Max.” I love you too. And then he was gone.

Chapter 6

Later That Night
Liz woke with a throbbing headache. She had slept the rest of the afternoon and into the night. She looked at the clock reading 2:34 a.m. Why hadn’t anyone checked on her? Then she noticed blankets on top of her where she had fallen asleep on top of the bed. Her mom and dad had been here and just let her sleep. She needed something for this headache. She slowly got up and was walking toward the bathroom when she stumbled as the pain shot throughout her entire body. Argghh. What is happening to me? Then she heard her name being screamed from inside her head but it was not her voice. An image of the Pod Chamber flashed through her mind’s eye. Max.

She dressed quickly only pausing when the pain surged once more through her tiny body. She climbed out the window and down the fire escape to her parent’s car. The drive through the desert to the Pod Chamber seemed as endless as the pain. As she pulled up closer to the familiar rock outcropping, she had not given a thought to how she would get in. She just knew she had to get in because something was horribly wrong with Max.

Stumbling in the darkness she found the entrance to the Chamber and began pounding in vain. “Max, I’m here. Let me in. Please.” Her voice echoed out into the darkness. “Max, can you hear me? Open the door please and let me in.” Still nothing but silence. In desperation she began searching for anything that might help her pry open the rock wall concealing the doorway. Running her hands up and down in some methodical search pattern, she stopped when her hand started to glowing. A silver handprint emerged from nowhere sliding the rock back.

She ran in ignoring the pain that was threatening to make her pass out or vomit. “Max! Max! Where are you? Answer me. I’m here.” Her voice again met silence except for a low pulsing from the four empty pods in front of her. Suddenly, a piercing scream came from behind the pods causing Liz to cover her ears. She got down on her hands and knees and crawled into the bottom pod emerging into another chamber containing a conical, gleaming object.

Max was inside it. Beams of cobalt blue light were striking him indiscriminately causing him to cry out in pain. “Max…”, Liz whispered. “Oh, Max. What have we done?” Liz slid to the floor crying softly wrapping her arms around her self feeling suddenly very cold. Slowly she rocked back and forth with tears still streaming down her cheeks.

She must have fallen asleep or was dreaming. Hands were touching her hair, caressing her cheek. She looked up with puffy eyes at Future Max kneeling before her. “Why didn’t you tell me? Oh Max, are you alright?”

“Liz, I’m fine. It has to be done. Like I said, I cannot survive in this timeline otherwise.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t I see it when we connected?” Liz questioned.

“Because I hid it from you. You have enough going on right now that…” Max stated before Liz interrupted him grabbing his tired and worn face with her small hands.

“This is wrong. We have to figure this out. There has to be another way.”

“There isn’t. I am okay, Liz. It’s over now. I have things to take care of before we run out of time.” Max suddenly looked at Liz before saying, “How did you know I was here?”

“I felt you. I felt your pain. My head felt like it was going to explode. I knew you were in trouble.”

“We have to get you home before you are missed.” And I have to meet with River Dog and contact Serena. I hope I have enough time left. Max helped her up off the floor and
they walked out of the Pod Chamber together noticing the faint glow on the horizon.

“Liz, what were you thinking? You shouldn’t have come here in the middle of night.”

“You called out to me, Max. I saw the Pod Chamber. You were reaching out to me. I had to come.” Liz pleaded.

Holding her close, Max whispered, “I didn’t mean to call out to you…I must’ve been crying out for my Liz. Future Liz. I know that sounds weird and strange but I never meant for you to see any of this. I don’t want to worry you and with all the stress you are under I just…”

“God, Max, your Liz, my Max. I may not be your Liz but you are still acting like my Max. I am not some fragile shrinking violet here. We are in this together. How many times do I have to tell you?”

Liz made it home before her parents woke. She climbed into bed knowing today was the day. She would have to face her Max. The thought made her sick to her stomach. Starting today, everything she did or said would be filled with lies and deceit. What choice did she have? The fate of the world depended on her and this tiny child growing within her deserved to live.

[amy2344]

Thanks to you all: emz80m, icequeen, youre my dreamgirl, isis7777, coley452, chione, kay_b, famers amers,cocopucks, ellie, hopeless romantic, lvb, shattered dreamer, sheisty23, roswell luver, behr stars and anyone i forgot

Chapter 7

She couldn’t sleep so she got dressed and went down to the café to have some breakfast before Max arrived to take her to school. She poked and pushed her food around on the plate. Today is the day.

“Liz, you still aren’t feeling well? Sweetie, why don’t you just stay in bed? School can wait another day. I tried to wake you after we got back from Albuquerque but you were so tired. I just let you sleep. Oh, Max called last night to check on you too. He should be here soon to see if you want a ride but maybe you should just stay home.” Nancy suggested as she continued working behind the counter..

I wish I could stay home forever and that none of this was happening. “I’m feeling better and should really go to school. I’m okay.” Liz said as convincingly as possible. Just then the bell rang as the doors opened to the Crashdown and there he was. He looks so young, so innocent, unchanged, my Max. I’m so sorry for breaking your heart. I wish you could know…maybe someday. Okay, Liz stay calm, focused. You can do this. This is all for the best. You are going to save the world, right? You can do this.

As Max moved toward her sitting at the empty counter, he smiled, “Liz, how are you feeling? I was really worried. I mean…ummm…you don’t think that what we did…ummm you know…made you sick in anyway?”

Liz’s heart was pounding. “Of, of course not Max. I’m fine just a bug or something I ate. I am really totally absolutely 100% fine. ‘THAT’ has nothing to do with this. Don’t worry. You can relax, Max.”

He kissed her softly on the head and whispered, “Good, because I don’t know what I would do without you, Liz.”

Taking her own advice from Future Liz – she was going to live these last few weeks to their fullest amongst her friends and family and the absolute love of her life. She wanted to savor them because she knew without a doubt that the loneliness and guilt to come would consume her if she didn’t. It had not been as hard as she anticipated…keeping her thoughts of the baby from her Max. There was too much at stake. In fact, she loaded every embrace, every kiss and connected thought with as much love as she could so Max would know. Always know.

Liz started taking to Tess. Really talking to her and including her in activities and outings with she and Maria much to Maria’s dismay and offensive protests. Slowly Maria stopped arguing and would only make a snide comment here or there. Maria actually gave Tess a ride home from school once.

Max questioned her regarding her newfound interest in Tess to which she responded, “I don’t know Max. It just feels like we all got off on the wrong foot. She has no one. Nascedo was all she knew and besides technically you are all family. It wouldn’t hurt and I think Kyle has it bad for her. Wouldn’t that make it easier for us all if she dropped this destiny talk?”

“Yeah, I know you’re right but it’s just strange. I really don’t trust her after everything that’s happened.” Max protested.

“You should try. Tess was just acting on what she was raised to believe was her right. You probably would have done the same thing but instead you grew up in a loving home with the Evans.” Liz pleaded until Max agreed to try.

Liz asked Tess to go shopping with her Saturday afternoon since she wasn’t working. After walking the mall being distracted by this shirt and those shoes they sat down at a restaurant to eat lunch. Being alone with Liz Parker made Tess feel uncomfortable especially now that they were just sipping sodas waiting for their food. The silence was deafening so Tess spoke ending the stalemate, “Okay Liz, so what gives? Why all this sugar and niceness wanting to be my friend now?”

Taking a deep breath knowing she had to proceed very carefully here or risk everything. She tried to rid her mind of the thoughts of Tess being a Benedict Arnold murderous psycho. “Tess, I just feel like we all got off on the wrong foot when you arrived in Roswell. I know I never really gave you a chance by not getting to know you. I feel like I owe you that. You are a part of what Maria and I like to call the Alien Abyss and I mean that in the most endearing way possible.”

“Oh,” Tess looked back at Liz trying to read her brown eyes. She didn’t believe her. She knew that Liz was motivated by Max…keeping her away from him.

“I mean, Tess, you are different from Michael, Isabel and Max. You have always embraced your Chechloslavakian side and never felt the need to deny it. You have always known who and what you were from the beginning. It only makes sense that you would pursue your destiny.” There, she said it. Tess’s destiny…Max.

I knew this was about him about keeping me from Max. Tess thought.

Liz saw Tess’s wheels turning and decided to push even more. “Tess, don’t you want to be loved…truly loved for who you are now versus what you have been told you were?”

“Liz, look if this is about Max…”

Liz interrupted her as quickly as possible. She had to make Tess see. “No Tess, this isn’t really about Max. I know it may be hard for you to hear but I love Max with all my heart and I want him to be happy and if that meant giving him up or if something happened and we couldn’t be together I would want the best for him. I would want him to move on and be happy with whoever that may be. I love him unconditionally. Even if he left tomorrow because he had to pursue his destiny as king – I would let him go. I want that for you Tess. I want you to know what being loved unconditionally feels like. You deserve that just like every one else does regardless of who you were or who Max was or even whom you both are now. If you feel that Max is the one for you then we have some hurdles in front of us but deep down, Tess, ask yourself, do you really love Max Evans for who he is today and who he is becoming living in a human home not knowing anything about his past but bits and pieces or do you love Zan? Because Max is not Zan. He never will be. Just as you are not Ava. Michael and Isabel are who they are because of the life they have built here on Earth. They are more human because that is what they’ve known. But they need you Tess – they need to learn from you and I hope you from them. I really believe that the four of you are family.”

Tess was dumbstruck. She just stared ahead at Liz and then looked down at her plate as the waiter delivered their food.

Sensing a good time to change the subject letting what she said sink in Liz said, “Speaking of families, how’s it going over at the Valenti’s?”

“Hmmm…” Tess mumbled still trying to take in everything Liz had offered up for thought.

“Sorry Tess, I think I was rambling but I asked how is it going living with the Valenti’s?”

“Oh well, other than they are both complete and utter slobs. It is an okay situation. I mean nothing’s permanent, right?” Tess stated matter of factly.

“Why would you say that Tess? Are you thinking of leaving because that would be a mistake.” Liz blurted out in a panic.

“What are talking about?” Tess asked confused.

“I mean,” Liz willed herself to calm down before proceeding, “We are all just getting to know each other. I just think it is important that we all stick together.”

“Why are you saying all this? Are you alright?”

Liz was starting to feel a little sick to her stomach. She tried to stand to go to the bathroom but her knees buckled as Tess went over to her side of the booth. “Liz, are you alright?”

A couple minutes later Liz opened her eyes to see the wait staff and Tess standing over her as she was laying down in the booth. “I’m sorry, I guess I just need to eat something. I’m fine, you know, low blood sugar.” Liz sat up slowly with Tess’s help. Tess moved back to her side of the booth as Liz started pushing her food around on her plate but didn’t feel like eating. Tess watched but said nothing.

“So where were we before I so dramatically interrupted…oh, Tess I really think Kyle likes you.” Liz said with a slight smile.

“Did he put you up to this? I mean I wouldn’t put it past him, I see the way he looks at me at home.”

“No, no, he didn’t say anything to me. It’s my own observation.” Liz countered.

“I mean look at you all…you and Max, Michael and Maria and then Alex puppy dogging after Isabel. It stands to reason that it is me and Kyle by default.” Tess snapped back.


“Tess, I don’t think it’s like that at all. Kyle has gotten to know you that’s all since you moved in. Really know you without any baggage from the past. Kyle is a good guy with a really big heart. He likes you and I know it is because of who you are. Period. Not because you are the only one left not paired up so to speak. Please, trust me, Kyle Valenti can have his pick around school. Vicky Delaney and Pam Troy practically throw themselves on him every day at school. He hasn’t even given them the time of day since you arrived. I tell you - it is you.” Liz finished hoping this would elicit some kind of response from Tess. What was it with these female hybrids anyway – cold as ice and hard to read.

Tess blushed. “This is too weird. I am having lunch with my alien husband’s mistress discussing her ex’s attraction to me.” Tess couldn’t help but laugh and so did Liz. Something was changing. Liz could feel it.

[amy2344]

Here you go...hope you like it.

Chapter 8

Later that evening
Liz was exhausted by the time she got home. At least I don’t have to work tonight. She thought. She laid down on the bed and closed her eyes and then in the stillness she heard her name being called from outside.

“Max, I was so worried. I haven’t seen you in a week and I didn’t know if you disappeared or…” Liz stammered as she approached her open window.

“What are you talking about Liz? A week since what? I saw you yesterday.” Max said as Liz suddenly realized her mistake. This wasn’t Future Max.

“Liz?” Max asked becoming worried at her erratic behavior of late. “Are you alright?”

“Ummm, yeah, I guess I must have fallen asleep and was dreaming. Sorry if I worried you.”

“You just seemed really afraid, are you sure? I felt your fear, Liz.” Max asked again.

“I’m fine. I am just really tired too.” She moved closer to her Max to kiss him reassuringly. He is so innocent. If only he knew but he can’t. She put her guard back up knowing she had to continue this game until it was done and she was gone.

The kiss became deeper and Max’s hands began to wander down her back to her side then her hips where they rested before slipping under her shirt to her stomach. Liz pulled away afraid to let him touch her there.

“Liz?” Max whispered.

“I’m sorry Max. It tickled.”

“Liz Parker, I am trying to arouse you not tickle you.”

“I know and I am truly sorry. Kiss me again, please and I promise to do better.” She replied teasing him as they fell back onto the bed entwined. Liz was savoring every kiss and touch knowing it would all end soon wanting to remember everything about Max. She began thinking of Future Max and if he still existed. There had been no contact in a week. She even went out to the Pod Chamber but found nothing. I’m on my own now.

“Liz, you seem distracted.” Max said kissing her neck softly.

“I’m just worried that my parents are in the next room and they could walk in at any second on our wonderful make out session.” She sat up noticing that half of her buttons were already undone. As she buttoned them, Max blushed knowing they were getting out of control.

“We should go somewhere more private. I can’t stop thinking about you…about Arizona…about making love to you again. I ache for you, Liz. Let’s go to the Pod Chamber. No one will find us there.” Max hoarsely whispered into her ear.

She wanted so desperately to be with him like that just one more time before she left but she didn’t know if she could risk it and what if Future Max was there. “Ohhhh, Max, I want to but it’s 9:30 p.m. My parents will not go for it.”

“Your parents don’t have to know.” Max grinned still trailing kisses along her neck.

“You are truly driving me mad, Max. We are doing so well rebuilding their trust. I just don’t want to blow it. Not now. If we got caught we would never get to see each other.”

“Don’t you want me Liz?” Max pouted.

Liz moaned deeply and climbed on top of him catching him off guard as she pressed her small body to his pinning his arms above his head for a moment. “I want you so badly that I burn. I ache. It’s as if the fate of the world depended on it. But not now Max, not here. Please, let’s go outside.”

Quietly they crept out the window onto the balcony and snuggled down on the lounge chair. Liz lay down between his legs lying onto his chest listening to his heart beating.

“Liz, you know I love you, right? I hope you don’t think that I was trying to pressure you into…well you know…I just wanted us to be…”

“Shhh. I’d never think that of you. I know you; Max and I trust you no matter what.” Liz sat up and turned to look at him, “So promise me that you will always know that I love you. That will never ever change. I love you with all my heart; my soul and I would do anything, anything if it meant that you would be safe. You need to know that no matter what. I am always with you.”

“I know and I feel exactly the same. You know that…you feel that don’t you. Are you okay? You sound like the world is gonna end.”

Before she could respond her father yelled in through her bedroom to come inside. “Goodnight Max, I’m sure your mom and dad are expecting you.” Jeff Parker added.

“Goodnight, Mr. Parker.” Max yelled back toward the window rising slowly from the chair. “Your were right as always, Liz. We could have been in some serious hot water. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.” Max slowly climbed down the ladder with Liz standing above him she said, “I love you too.”


Liz waited about an hour until her parents had turned in before sneaking out to the Pod Chamber again in search of Future Max. Where is he? Something is wrong, I know it. It has been too long. Approaching the rock outcropping her heart sunk when she saw no motorcycle parked in front but still she went in. Nothing. At least the Granolith was empty and he wasn’t trapped inside it – in pain. She raced back to car trying to figure out what to do when it hit her…River Dog.

She drove entirely too fast out to the reservation, realizing that Future Max may have disappeared entirely. He said it was complicated. Why didn’t he tell me everything? Why didn’t I pursue it more? She was going to have to do this alone with no more guidance or support. Leave everything behind with no one to reassure her that she was doing the right thing. What if I make a mistake? What if he had something to tell me, something I needed to know but couldn’t? He had to be here. She parked the car and opened the door to the sound of drumming and chanting. I know this…I have heard this before. Then it dawned on her that it was the same when Michael was sick. Max…

She made her way in the dark toward the unearthly chanting and jumped back as a shadow passed over her approach to the cave she and Max visited last year.

“He said you would come.” River Dog said startling her.

“Where is he?”

“He is here and not here. We are doing all we can but he must pass soon. He is not alone.” River Dog walked slowly up to her and gestured to enter the cave. “Come, I’ll take you.”

Torchlight flickered to both sides as she entered - casting strange shadows on the interior walls. When they were about to enter the large chamber River Dog stopped and said, “Do not be afraid of what you will see. I know what must be done. He knew you would come.”

Tears started to fall silently down her checks as she walked into the large chamber. She saw him lying on the ground. The scar on his face was black and scorched and peeling away from his flesh. There were others just like it on his arms and hands and anywhere she could see his exposed flesh. He was wrapped loosely in a blanket with a young woman kneeling beside him bathing his forehead in a cool compress. She looked up directly into Liz’s eyes.

“Who are you?” Liz demanded.

“I’m Serena. He needs you.”

Suddenly, Max’s chest rose off the ground, his body convulsing as he cried out for her. She rushed forward, “I’m here, Max. I’m here.” She couldn’t stop the tears and the sobs from escaping.

“Shhh, don’t cry. I’m so sorry. There isn’t much time left.” Max reached up slowly with his shaking burnt hand to touch her check. Liz collapsed onto his chest sobbing into his neck.

“What’s happening, Max?”

“Don’t get upset Liz. It’s not good for you or him.” Max trailed his weak hand down to her stomach where the glow slowly came to life much stronger than a month ago when he first showed her. “He’s growing, getting stronger every day. Listen to River Dog and Serena. They know what needs to do. I wanted to be here for you. I wanted to…” Another convulsion racked his body followed by a scream that finally subsided. “It’s up to you now, Liz. I believe in you. I love you. Tell our son that I love him with all my heart. Tell him about me, Liz, please. Help him with his gifts, teach him. Develop them and your own. You can do this. You know what’s at stake. Remember…I…love…you.” Max gasped and fell silent

Almost instantly, blue rays of light shone through the blackened scabs on his body. Liz and Serena backed away. Max was disappearing into a blue beam of pulsing light. He was gone - swirling dust into the air and then out into nothing-ness.

Liz fell to her knees sobbing. Serena went to her and pulled her up trying to comfort her in some way. “Liz, come on. I’ll drive you home.”

Liz pulled away from her. “What’s going on? You, who are you? You just can’t come here and replace him.” She looked at River Dog, “Neither of you can. He’s gone. He’s just gone. I can’t do this.” She stumbled toward the mouth of the cave.

“Liz, look I can empathize with you a little here. Three days ago I was a normal college co-ed when your boyfriend shows up at my door telling me the most insane things…things that would turn my world upside down. You know what that’s like. Then he showed me things, Liz, with his mind. Horrors all around and myself right in the middle of them. I saw you. I saw all three of us together. He knew stuff about me that no one knows. He told me that I was going to be moving East to attend Harvard and study Quantum Physics. Me, at Harvard, in my dreams. But then he had deferment papers…money...”

Liz was half listening to this person she had only met seconds ago. She was beginning to feel lightheaded again. The world was spinning or ending she really couldn’t tell and what difference did it make anyway. She stumbled into River Dog’s arms.

“I’ll carry her to the car. You must get her and the child home safely. We’ll meet again tomorrow. See that she rests and then she must trust us to set the future on its proper journey.” River Dog laid her gently in the backseat of the Parker’s car and returned up the side of the hill toward the cave.

[amy2344]

this will be short...but i may be able to post later in the day.

Chapter 9

She woke up feeling the car moving. What does it matter? I have no control over anything anymore. Max, Max is gone. She slowly sat up seeing Serena behind the wheel. “What are you doing?”

“I’m taking you home. It is the middle of the night. You need to rest. You are under way too much stress and you cannot lose that baby.” Serena ordered.

“So now you’re my doctor too.” Liz snapped. “Look, whoever you are, I need answers…answers that he wasn’t willing to give. So I guess you’ll have to do.”

“We can talk about this later. Like I said River Dog and I have this under control. You just need to rest.”

“Barefoot and pregnant, huh?” Liz was becoming increasingly angry. “I just watched Max die. Do you hear me? Dead. I have a right to…”

“He did not die Liz. He couldn’t because he didn’t even exist at least not in this timeline. That’s why time travel is not feasible at least not yet. I don’t expect you to understand this but we each have a path, a thread that we must follow to its conclusion. The end of the line so to speak. Two threads cannot co-exist. Timelines cannot be crossed. Somehow, we must have found someway around it though with the use of the Granolith. It is a miracle that he lasted as long as he did. Even though he never really existed at all.” Serena rambled.

Liz felt like crying again. Who do you think you are? You will never be my close friend. You don’t understand. Max is gone. They pulled into the outskirts of Roswell in silence. Liz didn’t want to talk to her at all.

“Liz, I need directions here.” Serena asked.

By rote Liz complied…turn right at the light now left and then right again. The car stopped but Liz made no move to get out. She sat silently thinking about Future Max and what now lay ahead. With Future Max gone so did their past…their future…their happiness. Serena could not possibly understand. All the wonderful time spent together for 14 years are gone…until the world ended. With that thought she sobered. “Serena, where are you staying?”

“I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about it. I guess I’ll find a hotel and then get a cab back to the reservation. Got any suggestions, preferably on the cheap?”

“Yeah, just come upstairs with me.” They climbed the ladder after depositing the family car safely in its trusty spot behind the café. After crawling through the window, Liz gathered her sleeping bag out of the hall closet as quietly as possible and handed it to Serena. Serena spread it out on the floor on the other side of the bed near the window in case her parents came in. Liz had already concocted a story in her mind about why this strange girl was asleep on her floor as a precaution. Her parents would believe it. Poor Serena, in a broken home with an abusive father. I’m always there to help. I’m always thinking of others. I am such a liar. What am I becoming? Lying was now becoming second nature to her. It made her feel sick to her stomach. She had to pull it together but in order to do that she needed answers and Serena was the only one now who could give them to her.

But before she did, she reached for the phone next to her bed and dialed Max’s number. It kept ringing and ringing until finally she heard a sleepy hello. Relief washed over her immediately. He’s not dead. He’s not gone.

“Max,” she whispered.

“Liz, are you alright?”

“Yeah, I just had a bad dream and needed to hear your voice. Are you okay? Is everything alright?”

“Sleepy, but fine. Do you want me to come over?”

“No, no. It’s just a dream. I love you, Max. You know that right? I love you so much. You are everything to me.”

“I love you too. Now get some sleep. I’ll be over in the morning for breakfast. Good night.”

Her heart felt a little lighter as she hung up the phone. She was tired. Really bone tired. Sleep had been a luxury she hadn’t afforded herself of late. If she could just sleep maybe it would all really just be a dream.

“Liz,” Serena whispered softly, “I’m sorry about all this. I can’t even imagine what it must be like for you. I mean my head is spinning and I’m just a player not the star of the show so to speak.”

This wasn’t a dream. It was real. “I’m sorry I blew up at you back there. I just didn’t expect him to leave especially not like that…in pain. I thought he’d be here for me through, you know, the rest. I have so many questions. Why didn’t I ask him? Now it’s too late. I’ll never know.”

“Liz, it’s going to be okay. Don’t worry about the details. The devil is in the details. I know what needs to be done. I’m here to help. I guess I was the wild card in all this, you know. You and I weren’t supposed to meet for a few more years at school. I was going to be your Physics TA. He said we became really close especially after I found out about your ‘not of this Earth’ status. Max just convinced me to intervene earlier due to circumstances now that we have to control. I really do hope we become close. I mean this whole thing is pretty phenomenal.” Serena sighed.

“What…what were you saying? I’m sorry, I guess I am a little self-absorbed right now considering…so how are you doing with all this? I remember when Max told me and I was a bit freaked out to say the least but also intrigued. I thought he had put some kind of alien spell on me, but then I don’t know we connected and I saw him…really saw him. Wait, you didn’t run screaming, did you? Maria did. Literally, ran out of my room screaming through the café and out into traffic.” Liz smiled remembering a time when what once seemed really complicated now seemed almost trivial.

Serena continued to explain her reactions first being shocked to thinking he had escaped from the loony bin. “But then he gave me this…my own little insurance policy against disbelief.” She handed Liz a letter. “I wrote it to myself 14 years from now. Crazy huh? No crazier than having the savior of the known world inside you I guess. So how is the bambino?”

Liz sighed. She really had not even thought about being with child…how it felt. Just what it meant. “I guess I feel okay. I haven’t had time to digest everything and I am not that far along maybe to even notice. That sounds terrible doesn’t it?”

“Not really, I mean this isn’t normal. Max said that when we do leave that you would start to develop a connection with the baby around your second trimester. You will start communicating telepathically and…” Serena continued but Liz had already begun to tune her out.

Interrupting her, Liz said, “Look, I can’t talk about this right now or hear anymore. I need some sleep. We can talk later.” Liz rolled over trying to stop her world from spinning out of control. Who else knows what’s going to happen to me? Why did he tell them and not me? This is still my life, my body. I should have some say. I should have some control over this. She put her hand on her stomach wondering how something that small could be so enormously important to the fate of two worlds. As she drifted off to sleep her hand began to glow and she felt a sense of warmth and peace wash over her.