Genes of the King
Title: Genes of the King
Author: ken_r
Genera: AU with aliens
Couples: CC
Rating: Adult for themes
Disclaimer: These names and characters of the Rowell TV show. They do not belong to me. I am just using them as actors in a story. There will be some lines from canon. Fans should recognize them easily. I borrowed them for fun.
Summary: Max did not start out in Roswell. They are all about one year older than they were in the TV series. Liz is shot a year later than in the canon, but Michael and Isabel were not good enough healers. She is left in a wheelchair. When Max finally comes to Roswell, they find a very dark secret about their Antarian characters. This story is dark in the middle, as the middle class teens see the difference between idealized royalty and the actual austere, even cruel, reality of unbridled power and freedom. I pull bits and pieces out of canon just for fun, but unless it is mentioned in this story, don’t count on it happening here. This is definitely, an Alternate Universe.
Some of the idea did come from Melinda Metz as she had Max find out some not so pleasant things about his true people. A germ of an idea came from Tequathisy when it was suggested that Max come later and Tess start at the first of the story. There was more to the suggestion that would place Max, kind of, in the Tess roll. I did not follow that part. You can find this comment as the fifth comment down at http://www.roswellfanatics.net/viewtopi ... =8&t=18902
Author’s note: Speaking as one who, long ago passed maturity, let me say that Teenaged sex is fraught with dangers. There are unprepared for pregnancies, disease and maybe, difficulty later in forming long-lasting relationships. Teenage love is fleeting. Teens change and the girl of your dreams today might not be the one for tomorrow. But, if you find yourself with a naked alien in your arms, you might just go for it. That probably won’t happen very often in your life.
Genes of the King
Roswell is a nice place to live. At one time, it was the second largest town in New Mexico. At that time, it had been built around the Air Force. The airbase was the biggest employer in Roswell. Now, there were many more towns in the land of enchantment to challenge Albuquerque in size and Roswell had settled down as a pleasant place near what the natives called, “Little Texas.” The influence of that neighbor to the east could not be over looked, but Roswell was still able to contain its character. There was one thing that separated it from every other place. The UFO festival, Unidentified Flying Objects, for a time during the summer, occupied everyone’s mind. The actual crash or at least one of the crashes, (there were so many that one wonders about “not of this earth,” pilot training,) actually took place nearer the town of Carrizozo. This was a town about one hundred miles to the north of Roswell. The fame of Roswell was that if the crash existed at all, the debris had been taken and stored for a time at the air force base in Roswell. The rumors held that if there were any survivors of the crash, they also would have been stored at Roswell.
That was all the people needed for a party. They threw one with stories, innuendos, hacks, kooks and some truly real believers. For business, this was great. For the employees, the greatness would have to wait until swollen feet and throbbing headaches went down. Then, looking at the tips accumulated, even they could say that all had a good time.
Liz Parker and Maria DeLuca were teens, barely legal to work, when they started in the Parker restaurant/café. Liz had been given a job so she could earn college money and also “mad” money and her best friend came along. For Maria, the daughter of a single, slightly out there, mom, the money meant shoes that fit, clothes that were not hand-me-downs and an independence she would not have otherwise. Today almost two years later, they had perfected their craft. Sore feet and headaches subsiding, they would appreciate the opportunity for this job. Now, they were being run ragged by the tourist. Of course, Liz had her fun. She had pictures of dolls that had stayed out in the sun too long and she was passing them off as alien bodies. She had done this every year since she started with her father. The kooks who believed her were astounded and the other customers were amused. Tips always showed her enthusiasm was appreciated, as she told with wide-eyed innocence, different stories about finding the alien bodies. Mr. Parker watched carefully to make sure no one was insulted. His daughter’s scam added to the charm of the restaurant called, by the way, “Crashdown.” It was decorated with UFOs in all sorts of crash scenes. Aliens looked down on everyone as they ate the food, which was all named after cosmic happenings.
Men in Blackberry pie, Will Smith burgers with Saturn onion rings, were passed out by the young pair of waitresses along with a constant banter of stories and teasing as the customers learned to enjoy the two young people. Being a good waitress, especially to locals, was more than just handing out food. Mr. Parker was always careful about who he hired to work for him. Many locals started their day by the good humor they found along with their morning coffee.
Teenagers were always welcome at the Crashdown if they behaved. During most of the year they were a large part of the revenue. During the festival, they were encouraged to eat and vacate their booths to other paying customers. Isabel Evans, the adopted daughter of two prominent lawyers, and Michael Guerin, the ward of the state soon to approach his majority, (now, currently living with a drunken foster father that the child services had not checked out) were sitting, waiting for their order. As Maria DeLuca came up, you would have to be blind to not notice the look she gave Michael. Too much mushy affection shown during work hours would have been frowned upon by Jeff Parker. But, you couldn’t help but notice as Maria placed the menus before them that her hand lingered on Michael’s shoulder and the smile she dealt him was for more than implied tips. “Hi space boy,” Maria greeted in a subdued voice. She saw a frown on his companion’s face. “Come on, Isabel, no one really heard me,” Maria stated.
Isabel continued frowning. The three aliens, Isabel, Michael and Tess Hardin, were coming to terms with the fact that they were at the age where hormones kicked in and childhood friends just were no longer enough. Even by human standards, they were almost adults. “I will have a Martian smoothie, diet of course and a Will Smith by the sea,” indicating that the hamburger would be replaced by tuna,” Isabel stated.
“Where is Tess today?” Maria asked.
“She is out with some boyfriend or other.” This was a sore spot with Isabel. First Michael was starting to really get interested in Maria. Then Tess started to date several guys at school. Isabel was frightened that first one or the other would get in trouble. They had no idea what would happen if the dating got too hot. An alien-human mating was feared, by Isabel. Also, this was a change and Isabel did not like change. She liked to know what was expected. Growing up did not give her security as she watched everything change, including her own feelings.
Maria turned in their order and went about serving her other customers. Watching the two waitresses weave and bob through the crowd, barely missing each other, was a show in itself. The almost two years of practice had made Liz and Maria almost a dance team as they plied their way through the crowd.
There were two customers, Maria had already marked them for little or no tip, that, when approached, they just growled. “Get away from here. We are busy.”
Jeff Parker’s rule was always give the best service. Those who would leave no tip were considered to be training. Everyone was served with a smile. As Maria was approaching, she saw one of them draw a short snub-nosed revolver. “Liz, gun,” Maria called. That didn’t do much good since Mr. Parker had just stepped out to deposit the noon earnings. The hope of alerting him by yelling warning to Liz was nil. The rest of the restaurant though, being westerners, knew when to clear the area. Most of the patrons dropped to the floor.
“I want the money now!” screamed one of the men as he with a sweep of his hand he cleared the table before them. The second man made a leap for the hand with the weapon and twisted the shooter’s arm behind him. As he twisted the shooter’s wrist, the small revolver went off. Both men scrambled out the door. Their animosity was forgotten as now they both feared retribution from the law. Maria, her hand over her rapidly beating heart, delighted to see the evil men leave, looked for Liz. All she could see were bloody legs protruding from behind the counter. Maria was the first to get to Liz. Liz’s eyes were already getting that blank stare. Liz was rapidly dying. Michael and Isabel were right behind Maria. Michael turned to Maria, “Get the crowd out of here,” he ordered.
Maria whispered as she stood up, “Isabel, Michael try to do something. She is my best friend.” Then, Maria stood and moved people back. She assigned one couple who had a cell phone to call 911, the emergency number. She asked another local to run to the bank and fetch Mr. Parker. Several of the others, she asked to write down what they had seen. This was pretty good thinking for a 17 year-old girl whose best friend had just been shot.
Michael’s hands were glowing and he was trying to get into Liz’s mind, but as he looked into her eyes, it was like entering a house where every door he opened, the room was dark and no one was there. He might be an alien, but he had always had trouble with his powers. Michael, usually, would get mad and throw things when he couldn’t control powers. That was not an option here. Isabel pushed Michael over. She, finally, got into Liz’s mind and found a room where there was a scared little girl cowering in a darkened corner. “Liz, please come out. I need your help to do anything.”
The little girl looked out. Who were these people invading her one remaining space? The little girl had been frightened by the noise and the pain. She knew she was dying. She knew that she would remain curled up in that corner until the last vestige of light went out. Then, she would just slip away. There were many things she would miss, knowing true love, getting the education that was so important to her parents, having children of her own and seeing them repeat the cycle.
The Liz in the corner was forced to look at the invaders. She first, recognized the “Ice Queen.” Isabel was the friend of that boyfriend of Maria’s. Isabel seldom ever said anything to Liz at school. Isabel definitely ran in different circles. Here, there was something warm about her voice.
Michael was the boyfriend of Maria. What was he doing here? He had been a bit of contention between Maria and Liz. Many times when two girls were as close as Maria and Liz had been when they started dating, their boyfriends just came along. Michael had been Maria’s first boyfriend. Liz, as she worked her way through teen relationships, could never find a boy compatible with Michael. Most boys knew that you can get a lot further with a girl who feels secure, than you can with one who is always looking at everything you suggest as an assault on her person. Well, let’s say she recognizes, everything you suggest as an assault. Maria and Liz had never been able to double date. Even Kyle, the current boy Liz had been seeing who was a jock could not get along with Michael, who was an artist. Kyle wore the latest clothes that proclaimed him to be a jock by way of Sports Illustrated and Michael wore the earliest clothes that fit him. Kyle was a fashion statement for high school athletics. Michael looked up to the time when he could dress as well as the models in “High Times.” When either Maria or Liz had suggested a double date, their significant other vocally declined.
Now, Liz felt that her last memories were to be filled with the vision of two people who she did not feel at ease with.
“Liz, you have to help us. We are not that good, but there is a chance we can save you until the emergency crew arrives,” Isabel whispered.
If it would get rid of them and allow her to die in peace, Liz would cooperate. Suddenly, she was flooded with visions of a little girl walking naked across the desert. Liz felt the warmth when she saw the two adults who gathered up the little girl and carried her home. Liz, also, saw the despair of the little boy left behind who ended up in welfare. She saw the feeling he had for Maria. That was what allowed Liz to let down her guard and the two aliens entered her mind.
Stop the bleeding. Follow the wound. Clean up the blood. That was easy enough for Isabel and Michael. Then, they got to the bullet. It was lodged in something that both young people, instinctively knew, was dangerous. Michael looked at Isabel. “Michael, I don’t know enough. One mistake and Liz dies or is paralyzed, no matter what we do.” At that time, neither Michael nor Isabel had much experience at healing and neither had any idea of how to dissolve the bullet itself without causing more damage. They heard the sound of the ambulance and Isabel, taking a tablecloth, pressed it against the wound.
Both teens were gently moved aside as the paramedics took over. Liz was prepped and soon on her way. One paramedic turned to Jeff Parker who was standing tear streaked. “You are lucky. Those kids knew just what to do. She would have bleed out if they hadn’t used pressure on the wound. Smart kids. I wonder where they learned their first aid?”
The Crashdown was cleared out. Jeff and Nancy Parker were now at the hospital. Maria, along with Michael and Isabel were sitting at a table. “I am sorry Maria. We did the best we could. I just can’t help thinking that there is something more to us. There is a healer somewhere. This is just something I feel. It doesn’t make sense.”
“That is all right, Isabel. You did all you could do. Maybe, the hospital can help,” Maria said as she leaned against Michael.
Michael was looking at his hands. “Damn, the time I need skills most and I still can’t control them. What the hell are these powers good for if we can’t make them do what we want?”
Isabel reached across and put her hand on his. “Michael, that is why I keep insisting that all three of us start more practice. There are going to be times when we need these powers. They were a gift from someone and they deserved to be exercised and honed.”
There was a frantic knocking on the front window and the three teens looked up to see Tess looking inside. Maria went over to the door and let Tess inside. “What the hell happened?” Tess inquired.
Isabel’s eyes grew cold as they always did when talking to Tess. Tess was not known for having concern for anything that did not help Tess. “Liz was shot and it was more than Michael and I could heal,” Isabel explained.
Tess looked incredulous, “Why did you bother? You endangered us for someone who either will not live or who might turn against us if she understands.”
Maria did not like Tess. Michael, Maria loved. Isabel, Maria learned to love when she really understood her. Tess was one who Maria thought should have been kicked out of the ship somewhere around Orion. “Look, they tried to save my friend,” she said bitterly.
“Yes, and by trying to do such foolishness, they might have endangered all of us.” Tess turned to Michael. “These humans are fine to play with, but don’t ever forget who your real people are.” Tess was now looking at Isabel. “I am surprised that you would do such a thing. Michael is so pussy whipped, but you have no stake in what happens to that human Liz. How come you let him and the human Maria get you into this?”
Isabel continued to stare at Tess. Whoever designed them should have given her, at least, a freeze ray. One stare and Tess would have turned into a blonde icicle. Oh well, the creator wasn’t perfect. Maybe, he or she had no idea what a pain Tess and others like her, would be. Isabel was sure if that had been known, Isabel would have been able to freeze someone from at least at 50 yards.
At the hospital, the Parkers were anxiously waiting. Their only daughter had been in the operating room for a considerable time. Neither of them knew what they were to do. Finally, a gowned doctor came out to talk to them. “You have those kids at the café to thank for saving her life. She would have bleed to death long before the ambulance could have arrived. When they stopped the flow of blood, they allowed the body a chance to heal itself. Liz is a lot more resilient than I had expected.” The doctor took a deep breath. Why do they do that when they have bad news to give. It allows the parents to imagine the worst. Sometimes, they do not have to imagine. The worst is already on the way. “The bullet is lodged against a nerve. Liz will live for some time in great pain. We, just at this time, do not have the skill to operate and remove the bullet without causing more damage.”
Jeff looked at the doctor. “Is there nothing that can be done?” he asked.
The doctor shook his head. “Right now the skill just doesn’t exist. There are so many new discoveries all the time in nerve repair that I wouldn’t want to chance something that has such a poor chance of success. In five years, who knows? I will write up her case and consult with some of the people researching this sort of thing. We can always hope and if you believe, we can always pray.”