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Title: Falling Twilight
Author: Jessica L. AKA flyawayraven
Rating: Teen
Disclaimer: I don't own Roswell in any way shape or form. But Jason Behr owns my heart!
Summary: Max leaves to go to Antar after Liz kills Kivar. While he's away something is happening to Liz that only Max has the power to fix. Can the group work togeather in time to save Liz from death?
Authors notes: When I first got into Roswell, it drove me nuts that so many questions were left unanswered. During my writing, I've tried to put some on those ideas of mine on paper to answer the missing blanks.I've been writing this in my spare time. How you like it! Feed back please!!!
Liz:
I remember him leaving. As I lay asleep, it was a dream I desperately wanted to wake up from. But the fear of reality kept me settled in this alternate state of mind where the pain was just bearable. Reality, as it were, would have killed me. It is this way that Isabel found me. Curled up in a fetal position, whimpering in my sleep, next to the letters of goodbye.
By the time Max, Isabel and Michael's Uncle Jason came to help me, I kept myself locked in my dreams for a couple of days. I never wanted to leave. The pain of what was happening was unbearable. The odd thing was I could hear and feel those all around me. Isabel's pain and courage, along with her rage at why Max would leave without saying goodbye. Michael, my sweet protective big brother. I could almost see the steam coming out of his ears. His rage was enough to scare anyone who got to close, even Maria. Maria...by best friend for over eleven years. She never left my side. She was my strength in the end. My confident to whom I knew I could trust. A wedge was driven between her and Michael, and yet at the same time, worry for me is what brought them back togeather. When Jason arrived I could feel their distrust for him. I willed them to trust him, but in the end it took the whole story for them to finally give in. He stated how he could help. But without Max, he wasn't sure what could happen. He told them about how his siter and himself left Antar knkowing of the growing danger. How his sisters son, the future leader and king would be killed before he had a chance to live again. About the escape from Kivar. How he feared for his niece and nephews when he heard about the ship crashing. Her children, along with the other Royal Court children were still babies at the time. How they knew to put them in incubation pods until safely landing. They didn't know if anyone would try to follow them. Kivar wanted the whold Royal family dead. Jason knew it wouldn't be long before Kivar put two and two together and followed them. Jason's families ship landed fine, but when he learned of the crash he feared the worst. Michael didn't understand why Jason would wait so long and never come forward. I could feel this story hurting Michael, knowing why I felt sorry for my brother. But my logical self understood why Jason needed to protect them, the direct Royal family. All was forgiven though as Jason gave Michael the news he had always wanted to hear. Jason tried to explain...living in the community he had set up in Wisconsin would have been living in plain sight for Kivar. He even considered scattering the pods around the world. He knew however, that was out of the question. They would need eachother as they grew into adults, plus they were stronger togeather then they were apart. Besides this way, he knew he could keep an eye on their activities without bringing suspicion to any of them. If needed he could come to their aid when the time arose. He told them profusely that he wished he could have done more.
Jason:
If only I had acted more quickly, I could have done so much more. I didn't understand why Max would just leave, but reading the letters I understood. I should have come sooner. Just like his father, doing anything to protect those he loved. Not thinking about himself or the dangers ahead for him. If I had come to their aid during Kivar's attack, he would have known the dangers of leaving Liz alone without him. Did he even know about the child? Surely not, otherwise he would never have left...or would he?
"God! How could he do this?" Isabel sat hunched on the floor next to the bed where Liz's still form slept. Holding Max's letter crumpled in her fist, she cried tears she thought were all gone. Alex, noticing the pain she obviously was in sat beside her, pulling her trembling body into his arms.
"Isabel, you can't keep beating yourself up like this."
"Alex, I should have noticed something wasn't right. All those meeting with Lola, avoiding Liz...I saw it and didn't act on it!"
"The weight of two worlds are on his shoulders...that's alot to hold on your own." Maria commented *The last forty-eight hours have been a living hell* she thought to herself. "Why won't she wake up! God! This is scaring me! What if she never wakes up?!"
Isabel looked up at Maria hovering over Liz. Stroking her silky soft hair. Michael paced on Liz's balcony. *If I ever get my hands on him! How coul dhe do this to us...to Liz! God! Lizzie bear...my sweet sister, what has he done to you?!* He thought miserably. *She doesn't deserve to go through this. Maybe it's a good thing she won't wake up...*
"This isn't like Max." Maria said. "He would never leave Liz alone. Especially now that she's pregnant." she stumbled
"Wait..." Isabel visibly paled. "Liz is pregnant?" Michael hopped though Liz's window "Maria!"
"What! God I can't stand this." Maria started to cry softly. "My best friend is in a comatose sleep, she's pregnant and Max has literally dropped off the face of the earth!"
"No, not! I won't belive this!" Isabel started to cry all over again. Alex just sat there with shock written all over his face. "Well, I guess we can rule out Max knowing about this, cause he would never leave if he knew right? That's why she could kill Kivar all by herself isn't it?"
"Yeah." Michael sat down heavily. "She was going to tell Max the night he left. I don't know if she did or not, maybe she thought she could tell him in the morning. I could tell she was nervous about telling him. He wasn't exactly receptive toward her after she killed Kivar. But none of this explains why she won't wake up."
"Isabel, can't you dream walk her?" Maria stopped crying, hoping this could work. "If you did, then you could see what's wrong and...and you could heal her."
"I've already tried. She put up her shields. She won't let anyone in."
"Can't you tap into her powers? I mean with the help of her powers, can't you bi-pass her shields?" Michael said.
"Michael you have a good point, but I don't know how to..." Isabel stopped cold as her eyes rolled back and closed as she suddenly slumps against Alex. "Isabel! Isabel!" Alex was beyond frightened. Things were happening to his friends and he was powerless to stop them. He looked at Michael, clearly panicked.
"Wait!" Michael shouted. "Let her be." If anyone could recognize when Liz pulled someone into a connection, it was him. *Thank God!* he thought *We haven't lost her completely!
Last edited by flyawayraven on Tue Aug 02, 2005 12:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Liz:
I hear their conversation, I knew they were worried about me. But I couldn't wouldn't wake up. I knew he was gone. What would I do? I was so scared. But their teary voiced were more then I could bare. At Michael request I knew what I had to do.
"Hi Isabel." I started quietly. "God Liz! I'm so sorry!" Isabel rushed tward me and gave me a bone crushing hug. All signs of the ice queen she once was gone. "You already knew...didn't you?" I nodded mutely. Isabel looked around at her surroundings. The big bed with lots of pillows, the roaring fire and the soft rug under our feet. "This is were we meet in our dreams. I keep hoping he'll come back to me. This is where we were when he just left! Isabel, he didn't even say goodbye! But then I felt our connection get smaller and smaller. It was then I just knew." Isabel nodded in understanding. Although she never completely understood the connection between her brother and this small girl, she could see the pain evident on her face. "Isabel, I didn't tell him about the baby...I started to but he told me that I could tell him later." I started to cry, the pain of Max leaving still fresh in my heart. Realization flashed across her face. "So your waiting here so that you can tell him?" I nodded. My mind to scream as the pain was to hard to bare. I pushed Isabel our of my mind. Once again closing the shields around my little world. Isable fouhgt me, telling me they ould help. Begging me to let them help me. I couldn't do it. It let in to much pain. It was like pouring salt on an open wound. It was excurciating. I laid back on the bed and continued to wait for Max, letting the tears finally fall.
"Liz! Liz!" Isabel sat straight up screaming. Micahel was there to steady her as she grabbed at the air. "Let us help you! Please Liz, don't do this!" As Isabel came out of the connection she reached for Michael. "She's in so much pain Michael!"
"Tell us what happened Isabel!" Maria begged. "Please, why won't she wake up?!" Isabel looked around at the panicked faces around her. "She's waiting for Max." was all she said as she leaned into Alex trembling uncontrollably. Tears streaming down her face. "What do you mean she'd waiting for Max?" Alex asked gently rubbing her back to calm her down. "She knows he's gone. But he didn't say goodbye, so she thinks that he's comming back...she doesn't know when. But she knows, well thinks. She can hear us talking. She's been connecting with all of us even though her shields are up." she told them lamely. "She doesn't want help Micahel, He wouldn't let her tell him about the baby, he told her to tell him later. That's why she won't wake up. She's just waiting for him to come back. But GOD! Michael! her heart. She's in so much pain! *he didn't say goodbye* a haunted voice filled Isabel's mind. "Michael, read the letter! he did say goodbye, it's in the letters!" Maria stared at Isabel. "Is that such a good idea? I mean it may just make her cave further into herself, couldn't it?"
Michael frowned. They both had a good point. *God what do I do in a situation like this...what would Max do? Screw Max...why would I even ask myself that question...* No one had read their letters our loud. Liz's letter still lay untouched where it had been found. "Maria, it's worth a try, I can't just sit here anymore. I want my sister back!" Maria just sat there, stunned at Michael's show of emotion. "Well, I want my best friend back. I just can't lose her. Not after all the hell we have been through toeather!" Maria picked up the letter with the familiar scral accross it. 'Liz' is all that was written on the envelope. As she slid a finger under the flap and pulled out the letter she started to speak. "Liz, if you can hear me, Please come back to us. Max left a letter for you. I'm going to read it Ok."
My Sweetness,
I really can't think of what to say besides I love you with all my heart. I hope you can understand why I am doing what I think is right in my heart. I want a life with you. But we can't have that if our enemies are alway trying to take you so that they can use you agaist me. You are my greatest strength, but also my greatest weakness. I want a normal, danger free life that includes the cute house and the kids plauing behind the white picket fence that we talked about. None of this can happen though until this war is over, a war that I must go put an end to. God! I want to take you with me! But the thought of anything happening to you...I couldn't live with myself if you were to be in danger because of what I want. So I am going by myself, to keep you safe. I pray every moment of when I can return to you and once again feel you in my arms. Don't let hope fail you, one day I will return. This life and every life to come. Please wait for me, I love you sweetness...please stay safe and listen to Michael...
Yours always and forever,
Max
Please don't hate me for doing this, I love you.
Maria looked at her best friend. Reality of what they had just done hit home. It was obvious from Liz's sleeping face as her relazed expression crumpled into a silent cry of agony. Liz slowly slid into the fetal position. "Liz, no don't do this!" Maria whimpered "Michael do something!" Michael scrambled onto the bed, and gathered his sisters limp body into his lap. "Lizzie bear! please!" Michaels control was slipping. He was going to kill Max if he ever laid eyes on him again. As soon as the words left his mouth the connection was made. Michaels body slumped in response.
Liz:
Hearing the words come out of Maria's mouth really hit home for me. All I wanted was Max. I screamed his name over and over as my alternate dream world turned into a nightmare. I wasn't even aware on myself pulling Michael in. But at the time, I knew he would be the one person to pull me to safety. Michael, I'm afraid got a big blow as my pain washed over him in waves. I greabbed for him, falling further and further away from reality as the nightmare began. Michael quickly pulled himself togeather as rage entered his eyes. Blood lusting rage. I knew it wasn't for me, but for Max. I instantly felt my world still as Michael lifted me into the air, pulling me back from the tunnel that threatened to consume me. "I won't let you give up Lizzie Bear! YOu have to stay with me!" I looked at Michael, the tears threatening to fall. "I don't know how much longer I can hold on Michael, I need him like I need air! I'm siffovating without him!" Michael sat, pulling me into him, arms tightly around me. "That may be the case Liz, but we all need you! I need you. You can't let go. I won't let you! Maria, Isabel and Alex! They all need you!" Michael looked down at me. "Liz, the baby needs you..." In all that was happening I had completely forgotten about the child that grew in my womb. I looked at my brother...fear creeping into my voice. "Michael, what am I going to do? I can't do this all by myself...I need him, just like he needs me.
TBC...SORRY FOR ENDING IT SO SUDDENLY, I'VE RUN OUT OF TIME HERE AT WORK, PLUS I ONLY PRINTED THIS MUCH OFF MY COMPUTER TO TYPR UP HERE AT WORK. SEE YOU TONIGHT!
Hey everyone! Sorry it's taken me so long to post a new part...
This is a continuation of the last part. Picks up with Michael and Liz still talking...
Part 2a
Michael looked at me. "Liz, he left, you heard the letters, he didn't want to leave, but he felt that he had to in order to keep you safe. You know that was and will always be his number one priority, you. I never understood the connection you two had, and I never one hundred percent accepted the fact that you were his world. But since you became a part of me, my sister...I couldn't have picked out a better guy for you and I know that he would never intentionally hurt you. Even though I am going to kill him if I ever...when I see him again, I know him and I know that he will come back for you. You are meant for each other, and as sure as I know anything I know that he is in just as much pain as you for having to leave you. Please Lizzie...you need to snap out of this...you still have all of us that love you and need you. He'll be back, but in till then you have to think of this baby...Max's baby."
I looked around for the first time since Michael had started his little prep speech. I really didn't want to hear it, but I knew it was true...everything that he was saying to me made so much sense. But there was one this that kept me reluctant to leave this nightmare behind. "Michael, I can't leave knowing that maybe Max will return to me here, in this state of mind, and then I can tell him about the baby. He never would have gone about doing it this way if he only knew about the baby. Don't you see Michael. It isn't fair to him that he doesn't know. He may never return...and if he doesn't. He will never know about his child. Our child will never know his father. How am I going to raise an alien child on my own without Max by my side helping me through it all?" I could tell that this was already something Michael had thought about. Next to Maria, my well fair was the next closest thing on his mind. "Liz, I don't know what is going to happen. But all fo us are in this togeather. We will be here through the whole thing. You aren't going to go through this alone. You have to know that by now. After everything that had happened, I don't think Maria is going to let you out of her sight for a very long time." I couldn't help but smile. "Speaking of Maria, I think you should get back..."
Maria, by this time was frantic at how long this connection was taking. I knew Michael would be getting tired by now. So with a gentle kiss, I pushed him out of my mind whispering softly to him as he went.
Michael woke from the connection weary but feeling better then in days. He knew now that Liz would be Ok if only they could figure out how to get out of this nightmare. Opening his eyes, Maria instantly jumped into his arms, almost upsetting the now resting Liz off the bed. "Maria! What the hell!! Would you be careful please!" Maria looked at Michael with worried eyes. "What took so long? I've never seen Liz be in a connection with someone for so long. Is she Ok? What happened? Michael don't just sit there! Tell me what is happening to my best friend!" Michael grabbed Maria and gave her a long, hard kiss. It was all Maria could do not to pass out next to her best friend. "She's fine...She is going to be fine. Everyone can relax. The reason it took so long is because I had to stop her from caving in on herself. I don't think she even realized that she pulled me in until I was there holding her. There is only one slight problem...she doesn't know her way out of this...ummm...world that she's in." Alex paled "So in essence, she can't wake up." Michael looked around at his family...it was small, but it was all he had on this planet. "I guess you could put it that way. She told me as she was pushing me out that she would put down her shields, but other then that...it isn't like any connection she's ever been in. She can't wake up even if she wanted to. By the way, she doesn't want to and it took a lot of convincing that it was for the best. For her and the baby. So when she wakes up, there will be no mentioning on Max. We have to be here for her. She needs us more than anything."
It was at that moment, as I let down my shields, that I became aware of the new presence among my friends. But I could tell that no one else had noticed it. Not knowing if it were good or bad...I wanted so badly to warn someone, until it dawned on me that my shields were no longer up. *Michael!!!!* He wasn't listening to me. I knew I had to do something to get his attention...it had been awhile since I had opened the constant connection between us, and I was worried that he wouldn't hear me in the back of his mind. Then I remembered. I pulled him to the front of my mind and tried to slam him out...as hard as I could. It never worked to get the person out, but it caused them alot of pain. *Space Boy! This is no time to push me to the back of your thick head! Micahel! Earth to Michael!*
Michael grabbed his head as he felt Liz slam their connection...the pain hurt, and he hadn't felt it since they had experimented with blocking eachother out. He relaxed his mind and brought their connection to life. *Jesus Liz! That hurt! what? You got my attention...did you figure something out?*
*No! Someone is listening to you...I can feel them, but I can't tell if they are a threat or not!*
The others were shocked as Michael jumped up and was out the window without even a word. It was like he was struck by lightning. "Michael is everything Ok?" Isabel was worried. She watched as Michael's hands started to glow as he went on instant alert. "What's going on? What are you looking for?" "It's not a matter of what I'm looking for by whom..." *Oh God!* was all Isabel could think as she raced back to the bed where her and her friends formed a protective circle around their friend. No one even second guessed Michaels intuition anymore. It was obvious to them all that Liz had alerted him to whatever this was.
Jason:
I must admit, I was at first stunned at the fact that they knew I was there. When Michael came barreling out of the window, he almost ran right into me. Never meeting me before, they should never have even sensed that I was there. Knowing my cover was blown, I let down my invisibility shields, I waited for Michael to turn around, right away I became aware of my mistake.
Isabel watched with horror as right in front of her a shimmer occurred to reveal a man with blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. "Michael!" Michael turned tward Isabel's voice, palm raised letting a blast of energy release toward the man. Just in time, they saw him once again disappear. "Michael for gods sake calm down." The voice was soft, yet it rang with authority. "I'm only here to help the girl and the baby, I mean you no harm. I'm sorry I was so late in arriving to help!" Michael lowered his palm and immediately the man appeared to them surrounded by shimmering light. "How did you do that?! Wait, better yet, who are you!"
"My name is Jason, and your mother's are my sisters." Jason's eyes were filled with sorrow at this achnowledgement. "Give us one good reason why we should trust you!" Michael demanded as he placed himself between his sister and this stranger. Jason sighed wearily. "I have no solid proof for you, but if you wouldn't mind, I could show you that I mean you no harm. Michael stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. Then as if sensing that Liz had something to say, he brought her to the front of his mind. *Michael, he means us no harm...I can tell. But connect with him to see for youself. Max would have done it just to be sure.* Michael eyed the man and stepped forward. Jason put both of his hands on Michaels head. Immediately images entered his mind so fast that he didn't have time to register all of them. When Jason was finished, he removed his hands. "Do you believe me now?" Michael looked at his friends, then at his sister laying helplessly on her bed. "Well, Jason, you have alot to explain to us...so why don't we get started." With that he returned to Liz's bed and pulled her into his lap, opening the flood gates to their connection so that he could voice any of Liz's questions without having to concentrate to hard on her.
Jason:
For hours I explained to them all that I knew. "Kivar started his uprising when Zane's father was on the throne. Zane's mother, Kayla, knew she had to get her children out of there. Not wanting to leave her husband behind, I offered to take my family and her children and flee Antar. We knew the risk we were taking. But doing this gave the children a better chance of living. Kivar wanted the whole royal family dead, every single one of us. That included my family and my sister Jessabella's family. We didn't have that space to fit all of us on one ship. So we loaded all of the children into incubation pods on one ship. They were to enter into a deep slumber until we reached our destinaiton and landed safely. We did this also to throw Kivar off of our trail. Each ship was to take a different route to Earth, making it harder to chatch all the ships. This way, if he cought one ship, the other would make it safely to Earth. The incubation pods were set so that they could be shut down mannually or if it came down to it, and no one could get to them, they were set on a 'hatching time'. That's the closest translation I could find to help you understand. Sorry about that. Anyway, we also sent out decoy ships hopeing to throw off Kivar, this seemed to work out rather nicely, for Kivar thought the ships he destroyed were the ships carring the Royal Family. It didn't take long for him to kill the King...Kayla, had effectively gone into hiding among those who were still loyal to her husband and her family. When I arrived on Earth, I was devastated to hear of the crash. No one knew what had happened to the pods. But deep down, I knew that the protectors aboard the ship would put them into hiding. Not knowing were that would be, I knew I had to wait for the 'hatching time' to occur. In the mean time, thos who had come with me, helped to settle a community in Wisconsin. We found the climate there to be much like that on Antar. Cold half the year, while hot the other half....in between it had adjusting periods. It helped keep the balance of what our bodies were used to. My family had lived there in peace for many years. Along with the families that have since come to escape the wrath of Kivar."
"Wait!" Michael looked at Jason with disblief. "Are you trying to tell us that since 1947 there have been other ships that have landed?"
"Well yes, that's right. In fact we are all spread out pretty much all across Wisconsin. We all try to stay as close as possible to each other without making it obvious to the constant activity. We don't want to alert the human's that we were colonizing all around them..."
*Michael, you need to calm down...here's our chance to get answers, don't screw this up!* I desperately wished that I was awake for this conversation, but as hard as I tried there wasn't any way that I could figure our to wake myself up. *Michael, ask him about right now...what is happening right now...* Michael looked down at Liz with a odd expression. *I have better questions then that...you want me to ask that!* I groaned...Micahel never was very bright when in came to nessity over want. *Yes, please just do it!*
As Michael and Liz argued about what questions to ask Jason, Micahel was unaware of the look of amusement that flashed across Jasons face. Isabel saw this and looked back at Micahel with a look of annoyance. "Can you two please argue later! I'm trying to listen here!" Looking back at Jason, she waited for him to continue. "Can they always do that?" Jason asked. "What? Talk telepathically...yeahm I guess they have, well at least since Liz changed that is. It gets horrid when Liz sometimes pulls us into a connection though. Max and Liz were the worse though. That was until they leared to block and unblock one another though. Why? Isn't that common?" Isabel asked. "Well..." Jason knew he was going to have to to choose his words carefully. "No, it's not common. People from our planet only have on power each. It's uncommon for one body to possess more then one power. Some, those with no royal blood have no power at all." "Oh, Ok then, keep going with your story." Isabel figured they would get answers to all of that later. "Wait...Liz wants to know more about this and so do I!" Micahel insisted. Everyone in the small group agreed. "Isabel is right, let me continue and I can answer all of that when the time comes Ok?" All the teens agreed and Michael laughed softly as he heard Liz huff with frustration. *Just wait until I am awake Michael! No one is going to stop me from kicking your ass!* Michael refocused his attention on Jason, ignoring his sisters frustrations. "Anyway" Jason continued. "When I heard the storied about the children being picked up in the desert here in New Mexico, I knew that you had all 'hatched'. So I rushed from Wisconsin, thinking it would be best to manipulate where you were going to be placed so that it would be dager for all of you if you were harder to find. But then it dawned on me that you were stronger togeather and you would need eachother as you grew into adults. Plus, if you were alone, it would be hard to find you, but easy to pick you off one by one. I've watched you all grow, and I must say I am impressed with what I have seen of your powers." Looking at Liz he quietly added, "I am so sorry I wasn't here to help with Kivar, that must have been horrible for you." Alex frowned. "Yeah, well it's not every day that your best friend is kidnapped by a pyco killer, who in turn was going to plan to use her as a pawn to get the true king...but hey...she kicked his butt, end of story."
Michael was enraged at the fact that Jason had been watching over them all of these years and had never stepped forward. Playing with Liz's hair softly, he stared hard into Jason's eyes demanding. "How could you abandon us like that? How could you abandon ME like that. If you were watching then why the hell did you leave me in a place like HANKS!" Jason regarded Michael slowly, noting his control as he softly played with the girls hair. "Michael how do you think it would have looked if a gentlmen from Wisconsin came calling and wished to whisk all of you away to a far away state? I thought it was wise to watch from a distance as you grew into a man, watched as your friends were able to help yo ubecome the person you are today." Michael looked away...that fact that Jason was looking between himself and Maria, he couldn't help but get the message. Maria, also noticed this and blushed. This enraged Michael even more. "You know...I've heard enough of this. I'm going to get something to eat." With that he slowly laid Liz's body next to him, pausing as he listened to Liz's soft ranting. *Michael, this is no time to put up a stone wall! Listen to him, I'm glad he did what he did! Where would I be today if I didn't have you in my life?!" Slowly he blocked her out, but not before pausing to ponder her words. *She's right* he thought to himself. When he reached the door, Jason spoke so softly he had to pause to hear what he was saying. His words made him stop in his tracks. "Don't you want to know how to help Liz?"
Hey everyone...thanks for all the feed back...I am so glad you all are liking it so far. Anyway, here we go with the last of the second part...
Enjoy! Jess
Part 2b
Michael spun around. "You know, maybe none of this would have happened if you were here to help us to begin with..." he stopped, not caring how harsh his words sounded. He sighed, *now I understand why Max was Max* he thought to himself. Since Max's depaparture, everyone in their small group looked to him to lead. He didn't personally think her made a very good leader though. Turning back to Jason, Michael looked at him. "How can you help her?" He could put away his personal feelings for the time being if it meant this man could help him with Liz. Hason looked around the small group of eager faces. Amazed that his charges had allowed humans into the goup. "If we all work togeather, we can pull her out of this. Because she was alseep when the connection with Max was severed, it will take all of us to pull her out of this. " Only Maria looked skeptic. But she remembered the feelings of security that she had felt back at the cave when they had all worked togeather to heal Michael. "Does this 'all' included Alex and myself?" Jason looked at the human girl *Maria* he thought to himself *What an interesting choice Michael has made, but I can see why. Full of spunk, just like him...* "Yes, it will take all of us...everyone in this room. But I warn you...without Max, I don't know what could happen. It could be very painful for her to do this. Max was a part of her, with him gone...a part of her will be missing. Especially now that she is carrying his child. It adds twice as much danger for her. But with all of us, I think we can help her. We do however have to get her back to the community...it's the only chance of survival she has while she's with child." At these words, everyone started talking in a panic. "What do you mean only chance of survival?" demanded Alex. It was the first thing everyone thought, Jason could tell. Once again, they amazed him with their loyalty and protectiveness toward one another. "Let me explain. While asleep, her consicience took most of the blow when the connection was broken. Dulling the physical pain, compared to if she were awake. With our people, the baby can sense both it's mother and it's father. All children are bonded with there parents until it is time for them to marry and make family's of their own. While in the womb, it is feed energy through this bond. With Max gone...half of this energy source is not available. The baby needs both parents to get the right amount of energy to grow, or it could drain all of Liz's energy, trying to make up for Max, it's the only way it knows to stay alive. We've never had this happen exactly...Liz being human before the change could change everything..."
"Wait!" Maria suddenly hopped off the bed and walked toward the window, looking out at the balcony. "Are you telling us that this baby could kill Liz?" Jason looked around at the ground. He didn't want to have to tell them this, he nodded silently. Maria looked at the group...not wanting to to voice what was on her mind. Forgetting that Liz could hear everything being said she stated. "Maybe it would be best if Liz didn't have this baby..." Liz was furious...*how could she even suggest such a thing!* It was a good thing Liz wasn't awake, or she would have lunged at Maria with everything she had. Then, without thinking, she pulled Maria toward her, ready to attack.
As the words left Maria's mouth, she stood for only a few moments before she crumpled to the floor. Alex reacted, yelling for Michael. But Michael was already there. *SHIT* he thought *Liz is going to seriously hurt you for even suggesting that Maria* Without thinking he unblocked Liz from the back of his mind. He cringed at the screaming now in his head. They had to help Maria. Turning toward Jason he yelled "You have to do something! Liz will hurt her!" Jason, confused at what was just said, looked at the girl lying on the bed "what?..."
"One of Liz's powers it to pull people into a connection! Only it's more real! Kind of like a cross between dream-walking and a connection. Once Liz pulls you in...only Isabel, Max and I are able to leave on our own, not Alex or Maria...so she's stuck in there until Liz lets her go!"
"Wait...Liz has more powers?" Jason inquired. "YES!" they all shouted. "Ok, well then, can you or Isabel go in just as easily as you leave?" Michael and Isabel looked at eachother. Michael was the first to react. His connection to Liz already there. As Isabel reached across to touch Liz's head, she saw Michael fall to the floor with a loud thump. Not bothering to lay Maria down first. Maria's unconscious body landing on top of his.
Once in, Michael looked around frantically for Liz and Maria. When he saw them he raced toward them, not really aware that Isabel was right behind him doing the same thing. He grabbed Liz just as she leapt at Maria, screaming at the top of her lungs. "How could you even think like that!! t's not even YOUR decision! This is my child we are talking about! MINE AND MAX'S CHILD! Not some piece of scum that can be tossed out in the garbage. It's all I have left of him and now you want to take that AWAY from me too! I won't let you! I'll KILL anyone who tries!" By this point, tears were streaming down Maria's face. She had never seen her best friend so mad at her before, and it chilled her right down to her soul. Ever since Liz had killed Kivar, she hadn't been herself...moody, and very unlike her sweet even tempered self. "Liz, I'm sorry...I wasn't thinking...I...I just can't lose you..." Liz wasn't even listening. She was trying her hardest to escape from Michael and lunge for Maria. Suddenly, all fight gone. Liz fell to her knees sobbing. "It's all I have left, the only hope...If I can't have this baby then I don't want to live. I'll do anything. I don't care if this child kills me. At least then I won't have to like without either of them in my life." Michael knelt down next to her and pulled her into a hug. "We won't let that happen. You aren't going to die and nether is this baby. So we all need to just calm down and think this through. But first we have to find a way to help Liz join the world of the living again. Get her out of her own head...Ok? One thing at a time people..."
As this was going on, Jason watched as Alex paced muttering to himself. He couldn't help but be amazed, Liz had more than one power. How was this possible? Only Loriks have more then then the regular powers, and she obviously had unique powers...Lorik powers...Jason had only met one Lorik before...Zane's love Ariya. But she was dead...at least those were the rumors. He remembered how young Rath had reacted to his sisters death, and how he vowed to find her if it cost him his life...maybe he had. Not one of his people had ever changed a human before, so it amazed him that something of this magnitude could happen. What amazed him more was that Liz had Lorik potential, especially if she could consistently communicate with Michael and do this odd connection this with everyone else. Ariya had been able to do that. Maybe waking her up wasnt' going to be as hard as he thought. At least it sounded like everyone had often connected with her and so they wouldn't get lost in her head right along with her. He wondered aloud "I wonder what else she can do..."
Alex, hearing this started naming off the things that Liz could do almost absent mindedly. Jason...not catching what Alex was saying got his attention. "What else?" Alex stopped his pacing. "Well, she can connect with people, she can tak telepathically with Max and Michael, but not Isabel very easily. But she can read Isabel's emotions. She can do the basics that everyone can do...She can kind of mind warp, but it's more then that, she can make you feel things. Wet, cold, hot...attack of the senses she calls it. She can do slight shimmers. She's stronger then Tess was. Oh and recently, when she killed Kivar, she had al of Michael's powers...only they were times two...but we think she tapped into the baby or into Michael, we're not really sure. Things seem limitless with her around. Kind of scary when you think about it." Alex knew he was babbling enough to make Maria proud. But he couldn't stop. *When is this hell ever going to end!? Things just keep getting worse for her!* He sat down next to Isabel with a thud. Not even realizing it, he started to rub her arm trying to pull comfort out of her, as he sat there. He did this not for her, but for himself.
Soon Isabel started to stir. "Alex?" Alex pulled her up so that she was sitting next to him on the bed. Glancing over at Maria and Michael he asked "is everything Ok? What happened?" Maria sat there silent tears running down her face. "Liz on a rampage...that's what happened. Maria forgot about the fact that she's been connecting with all of us and Liz kind of flipped out when Maria said she should get rid of the baby." Isabel replied with a sigh. *God...when is this ever going to end...* she thought to herself. "Well, can you blame her? Jeeze Maria, I still can't believe that you would say something like that!" Michael stared hard at her, not expecting a response. "Look everyone...it's getting late, why don't we call it quits for today and we can contine in the morning. Ok?" Jason looked around at the fatigued faced surrounding him. Silently everyone agreed...to exhausted to continue. Jason got up to go back to his motel when Alex spoke up. "You know Jason, you could sleep in the guest room. Liz's parents are gone for the week and well, we've all been bunking here lately. It would make it easier in the morning." Jason glanced around him. "Your parents don't mind that you stay away from home like this?" Maria looked up at this man that held her best friends life in his hands. She was only used to Max and Michael being in that position. It made her kind of uncomfortable to say the least. "We've all been friends since the third grade...although our parents don't understand our 'special' friendship as they call it...they've gotten used to it over the years. When we don't go home...it's no big deal. They know we are all togeather. As long as we keep our grades up and don't get into documented troubel...they don't bother us." She stood up and stretched out on the bed. Liz was now in between Isabel and herself. They boys pulled out sleeping bags from Liz's closet and collapsed on the floor. Jason, with one last amused look turned toward the guest room. *How am I going to help her in Wisconsin when it's obvious all these teens have never been separated? This is going to be one eventful and amusing journey.* With these thoughts filling his mind, he got ready for bed...thinking about the possibility of Liz being a Lorik.
Sorry Guys! I know I haven't posted for awhile. But here I am, my internet is finally up and running here at home, so I can post the rest of the story. All questions are answered...I think. Thanks for the feed back. I really like it...JL
Part 3
The next morning, Michael was the first to awake. Only needing a couple of hours of sleep a night, he was usually the night watcher over his friends. He looked at his sleeping friends. Regret filled his mind at what Liz, Maria and Alex had been through because of them. Especially Liz. After the painful change that she went through…to losing Max. He admired his adoptive sisters courage. *No wonder Max loved you so, you have the courage and strength of a lioness, and the heart of a kitten.* With that, he headed to the kitchen to make them all breakfast. But he stopped short when he found Jason already up and ready to go. Jason smiled at him. “Not much of a sleeper, are you?” “No” Michael replied as he went about his routine of fixing each friend what they ate for breakfast. Before he could stop himself…he found himself pouring coco puffs in a bowl for Max. Jason noticed this and asked “That was Max’s favorite wasn’t it?” Michael nodded. “You know…everyday for as long as I can remember, I’ve done this routine for everyone. And now…I’m finding I do it just out of comfort.”
“Michael…do you realize why you do all of this?” Jason asked softly. He wasn’t sure how Michael would take this new. “No…I’ve never needed a lot of sleep…when we all became friends…I found it went faster if I set up everyone’s breakfast then everyone in the kitchen at once trying to do it. After awhile…it just became tradition.” Michael replied as he filled the coffee pot filled with sweet smelling coffee for Isabel and started heating Maria’s water for tea. “You remind me so much of you father…” Michael stopped short. *Jason knew his father…what about his mother…* Jason could see a hundred questions flash across Michaels face. Michael slowly stopped what he was doing. Grabbed a cup of coffee and a bottle of Tabasco Sauce and slowly sat across from Jason, indicating to him that he wanted to hear more.
Jason sat and studied Michael, not sure if he should go on or not. Finally he folded the paper he had been reading, poured himself some more juice and started. “Do you know why you are the way you are?” Michael looked confused. “No…well yes…because of my foster father…all my life I’ve learned to build this wall around myself. No one can really get through but my family.” Jason nodded. “And by family you mean Maria, Liz, Isabel, Alex and Max.?” Michael nodded mutely. “Well, I beg to differ…and please before you interrupt, let me just say that you…my boy, are just like your father. It’s the warrior in you. You see, your father was the kings first in command. The best of the best of protectors. Had all the best qualities when it came to a warrior.” Seeing the confused look on Michaels face he paused, then continued. “You see, where we come from…Not everybody can be a warrior. Sure they can fight in the armies under a warrior, but not be one. You see, warriors don’t need much sleep. Instead they would prefer to stay wake watching over those they have sworn to protect. Although they do have royal blood, it’s not uncommon for warriors to marry into the royal family. In fact it’s quite an honor. That’s how the royal blood get into their veins. But you my friend, are special. Your father was the Kings younger brother…and your mother…she was my sister, Jessabella. It’s wasn’t common for someone born into royalty to become a warrior, but it suited your father and he loved what he did. Your mother, however never got used to the idea. Being a royal herself, she preferred the laid back life and wished that your father would join her more then he did. When you came along though, he became even better at what he did. But in the end, he knew it would do no good though, and so it was with reluctance that he sent you along with the other royal children to earth, he had learned from his mistakes. He loved you so much. The King once told me that he could see the instant change in your father when he saw you for the first time. Jessabella always thought that your father loved you more then he loved her. But in fact, you were less of a fuss then she.” Jason chuckled. “I warned your father before he married her, but he wouldn’t hear of it. It was often the palace joke. She was the only one that could break down his stone wall until you came along. At the sight of you, his face would break into a smile that wasn’t often seen, he was always so serious. Jessabella will be so happy to see you…” Michael stared at him, tears threatened to fall. “You mean my mother is still alive?” Jason smiled at the boy who was so much like his father. “Yes, and she is waiting to meet you. She lives with me and my family up in Wisconsin. When we take Liz there, she will be waiting to see you will open arms. She has missed you very much these past years. I know it will do her heart good to see you again.” Michael started to say something, but then stopped looking away, not really sure how to ask what had been so close to his heart all these years. Looking back at Jason he finally asked “What about my father?” At this, Jason looked away. “Michael, he had to stay behind to help his King. No matter how much he loved you and your mother, he knew he had a duty to fulfill, and that was to protect his King and older brother. He knew in his heart that you two would be ok, and he prayed of the day that he would see you again, and you will. You just have to have faith.” Michael stood up and walked to the window, tears running down his face. “What was his name?” he asked softly. “His name was Rathirido. In our language that means strength.” Michael nodded and turned with a weepy smile. “I heard that was my name before I came here.” Jason looked at him stunned. “How did you know that?” Michael looked at him for a moment. *how is it he doesn’t know about Nesado?* “Nesado” was all he told Jason.
Before they could get any farther into the conversation, Maria walked in. Seeing Michael in tears she rushed over to him throwing a glare in Jason’s direction. “Michael! What’s wrong! Is everything Ok!?” Michael pulled Maria into a hug. Feeling her so close was such a comfort to him. Burying his face in her hair and smelling it’s sweet fragrance he composed himself. “Everything is just fine Maria. I just got some shocking news that’s all.” Maria pulled back looking into Michaels eyes questionably before turning to Jason looking for answers. Jason just stood there. “It’s not my news to tell.” he responded to her. *Maybe it‘s a good thing I don‘t tell him about Ariya* he thought to himself. “I have some errands to run before we continue this morning. I’ll be back soon.” With that, he walked out the door, down the back stairs and exited through the front of the Crashdown noting with yet more amusement the alien theme café. Smiling to himself, he set out along the streets of this quaint little town of Roswell, New Mexico. *If only they knew* he thought to himself with a chuckle.
Back up stairs, Maria once again focused her thoughts on Michael as he went about the routine of finishing her breakfast. Handing her the mug of Chamomile tea he looked at her. *oh, big mistake* he thought. He knew the questions were about to come flying and he knew Maria wasn’t going to leave him alone until she got the answers she wanted. But he wasn’t sure if he was ready to discuss the news that was still so new to him. “What?” he asked, knowing what she wanted. “Do you care to explain to me what ’news’ you got that was so shocking I find you in tears?” Michael looked from Maria to out the window, staring into space at the sky. “My mothers alive.” The sound of the mug crashing to the floor brought his thoughts back to the present. Looking back at Maria he smiled. “Wild huh?” He wasn’t ready for the shriek that flew out of Maria’s mouth, or for her throwing herself in his arms, planting kisses all over his face. “THAT IS SO GREAT MICHAEL!!! I’m so happy for you! Congratulations! God! Does Liz know already?” Michael nodded. Between Maria’s excited shrikes and Liz’s excited babble, he hardly had time to think. *One at a time please* he explained to his excited sister. With that he once again pushed her from his mind. Michael wasn’t really aware every morning as he unblocked Liz. It was always a comfort for him though as he heard her wake each morning and would join him. But since everything that had happened, he looked for the silent zzzzz’s that would disappear in his mind, letting him know she was Ok. The sound’s of Maria’s shrieks quickly brought the remaining group running to the kitchen. Alex and Isabel looked from Michael to Maria who had started to go on and on in her indiscernible babble. “This is so wonderful…I can’t believe this! This is GREAT!…..” “Maria!” Maria stopped and looked around her with a smile plastered to her face. “What is going on?” Isabel asked “What‘s going on? “Did you find Max?” Alex said with grin. At this Maria’s smile faltered as she looked at her friends. “No, but that doesn’t mean Michael doesn’t have exciting news.” Alex and Isabel looked at Michael waiting. Michael knew it would have to come out. “You might want to sit down for this.” Both of them reached for their breakfast. But as Isabel poured her coffee, Michael took it from her. Michael looked from Isabel to Maria’s tea mess on the floor. “I just don’t want anymore messes on the floor. You can have it have it in a sec.” Once everyone was seated around the table. Michael began to fill them in on everything that Jason had told him earlier. Tears once again slipping down his face. Isabel, stunned at the news. Got up and gave Michael a hug. “This is good news. Right Michael? I mean, you’ve always wanted to find your real family and now you have, in fact we‘ve always been here. Good morning cousin.” She smiled as Michael nodded and smiled. Isabel released him and he went to go stand behind Maria, wrapping his arms around her and sighing into her hair. Maria smiled, this is how things were supposed to be. Then she thought of Liz and all she was going through and hugged Michaels arms tighter around her. “Speaking of Jason, Michael where did he go?” Alex asked with raised eyebrows. “Oh, he said that he had some errands to do before we continue this morning. He should be back soon.” As the words left his mouth, Jason walked through the door followed by two guys not much older then them. They were wearing jeans and tee shirts that said ‘I know an Alien‘ on them. Michael smirked when he saw this. Both had dark brown hair and big soulful eyes. Maria noticed how much Adams eyes looked just like Max’s, while Bens were big and blue. With that thought, she uncomfortably pressed closer to Michael. Noticing the unease that fell quickly among the group he rushed to explain. “Everyone, these are my sons…Adam and Ben. Adam, Ben…these are your cousins The Princess Vilandra…or Isabel as she’s known here and Rath…also known as Michael.” The teens looked each other up and down. Adam and Ben shifted their gazes to Maria and Alex, who scooted closer to their other half uncomfortable with their stares. Jason, noticing how protective Michael and Isabel were getting of their friends rushed to explain. “Also, this is Maria and Alex. Their friends and know about them, as well as us.” Adam and Ben only nodded. “I’ve brought them along to help. If we’re going to do this to Liz, we need all the help we can get. It is going to be exhausting for Liz and well, she needs all the strength she can get right now. Michael, do you know if she is ‘conscious’ or not?” knowing that Liz didn’t really sleep where she was. Michael looked at Jason with an odd expression on his face. He wasn’t sure how Jason knew of his and Liz’s connection, but figured that Alex must have told him while he was connecting with her yesterday. “um….hold on,” Michael slowly unblocked Liz’s presence in his mind and grimpsed as Liz started going off on him about leaving her out ’in the cold’ and what the hell was going on. He silently has a conversation with his sister before turning back to Jason. “She wants to speak with you…she has some questions…and I think she is a little anxious to get out of there.” Jason nodded slowly. Adam and Ben were obviously confused at what was going on. Jason had not filled them in. Everyone turned and headed to Liz’s room. Leaving a confused Adam and Ben to follow. As they entered Liz’s room, Adam gasped. Laying on the bed was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her hair was laying across the pillows in a stream of chocolate. Almost like a waterfall. Jason looked at his son with a disapproving stare. “Well, I guess I should clue Adam and Ben into what’s going on. I really didn’t have time on the way here. Adam, Ben this is your Queen, her name is Liz. As you know, Zane, or Max, as he is known here, has disappeared, gone back with Manika and her team to stop what is going on back on Antar. He left without knowing the consequences, and well, your looking at them. She was asleep when their connection was broken, causing her to get lost in her own head.” Ben looked at his father “But she’s obviously a human, how can this be our queen?” Adam jabbed him with his elbow eyeing the glares they were getting wearily. This was going to be another long day. Jason looked at his son with disbelief. “How can you even say something like that. Max has chosen her as his life mate, and we will respect that. There will be no questions asked. And for your information, she’s not human.” At this his son’s eyes’ flew to him. “What do you mean she’s not human, then she’s one of the enemy…” Adam stared at the beautiful creature. He could understand why Zane had chosen her, but if she wasn’t human… “No, you two. Listen and don’t ask so many questions. She’s not human, in fact she has quite a few unique powers herself. She’s most likely connecting with you now, and I don’t think you want an angry alien Queen waking up if she‘s hearing you now, so just keep quiet. All of your questions will soon be answered. I still have quite a few myself.” Michael laughed, quite amused as Liz sputtered because she had indeed heard. Jason looked at him questionably. “Oh, she heard all right.” Everyone in his group laughed as they knew Liz wouldn’t like be spoken of like this. At this Adam and Ben blushed with new understanding. “Ok” Jason started. “This is what we have to do.” Everyone soon gathered to hear what he had planned.
For the next few hours they debated on what would be the best way for them to help Liz. They first had to find what was blocking Liz consciousness, keeping her unconscious. Then they all had to help her deal with the physical pain of the connection breaking. Jason hadn’t brought up the baby in front of Adam and Ben, not knowing if Liz wanted them to know. He was about to pull Michael aside to talk to him about his own suspicion when Michael spoke up. “Jason, Liz wants to talk to you now.” Nodding, they walked a little ways away from the group. Michael stared at the floor waiting for Liz to finish what she was saying. Finally he looked up at his Uncle. “She thinks it would be easier if she pulled everyone to her rather then having us all connect with her. She says that way it would save us all on energy.” Jason nodded. “You all have done this many times with her right?” “Yeah” Michael replied. “Oh, she says that if we do it that was, when she pulls you, Adam and Ben to her, you won’t get lost. All of us…we know how to get around in her mind. We’re familiar with it.” Jason smiled wondering if Liz could also read thoughts too. “There is something I want to mention, a theory that I didn’t want to speak of in front of Adam and Ben out of respect for Liz. We might have to also connect with the baby. It could just be the baby that is doing this. Has she thought about that?” Michael paused for a moment waiting for Liz. “yes, she wants to know if it’s possible for her just to connect with the baby and see if that’s true?” Jason thought for a moment. It was, but he didn’t think that she could do a connection like that with her in the state she was. “If this is the case, then it will be easy for just one person to help her rather than if it were something bigger. But I don’t think she could do it the way she is. If she wouldn’t mind I could come to help her. We could check it out together….” he trailed off, hoping Liz would go for this. Without waiting for a reply he continued. “That way, we could have everyone else ready to help take away the initial pain of coming out of this.” Michael nodded here and there and furrowed his brow in frustration. It was obvious he wasn’t agreeing to what she was saying. Finally he sighed an nodded. It was obvious he wanted to be there to help her. “She agrees that this would be the best PLAN of action. God Liz…she always has to have a plan…” Jason smiled. *Good* he thought. Out loud he turned to the rest of the group. “Ok, we have a plan.”
After telling everyone the plan. He laid on the bed next to Liz. Positioned Adam and Ben on either side of them. Adam had to reach across his father to reach Liz…Michael was at her head and everyone else filled in empty spots. Alex stood behind Isabel and Maria next to Michael. Both touching their other half, and not touching Liz directly. Jason explained that this was because he wasn’t sure they could take the pain right off, but was sure they could take the pain filtered through the aliens. Jason placed his hand on Liz’s arm and gave last minuet directions. Nodding to Michael he was all set….it was only a moment or two before Liz pulled him into a connection with her. Adam and Ben sat stunned. They had never seen a connection like this before. Alex and Maria looked at them. “Cool isn’t it?” Alex stared right at them. Adam and Ben looked from one face to another. “Is that how it always happen?” Ben looked down at his fathers seemingly unconscious body. “Yeah, pretty much. What’s really scary is when your taking to someone and she isn’t there with you and the person your talking to just crumples to the floor.” Maria laughed at their expressions. “you get used to it after awhile. She’s special our Lizzie.” “Very special…”Isabel spoke for the first time. Very worried of what could happen to Liz since her brother wasn’t here to help her through this.
Hey everyone! Here's the next part....it will be Max's turn soon so you will all know what is going on with him. I hope you all like it. Feed back is always welcome...JL
Part 4
Liz:
It didn’t take long for me to pull Jason in. But I could tell that he was surprised at how easy it was for me. Once in, Jason sat there and looked around at his surroundings. “Well, Liz…it’s nice to finally meet you.” I smiled at him. It was evident right off that this man was related to Max. They both had big soulful eyes. Maybe that was with all aliens. Kind of like a trademark. Seeing him brought all the pain I had buried deep inside all rushing back. “Ok” Jason began. “First I have to ask you…are you up to this? I mean, not like you have a choice…but it’s going to be a lot harder out there.” he said, waving his hands in no particular direction. I looked at him. I knew I would have to be honest with him. So I replied bluntly. “I’ll never be ready without Max.” Jason nodded in understanding. “I know Liz, but there are people out there that need you. Trust me, he’s suffering just as much as you are.” I had never thought of it in that way before. For a split second I wished he could be in more pain. But the thought of him in pain made me want to take it all away for him. “Ok, how are we going to do this?” I asked Jason. “Well, first, with my help…we are going to connect with the baby. Then, when we break the connection…the child should just let you go. So close your eyes and concentrate on how you feel about becoming a mother. Those feelings will help you find your way. I’ll be right here with you just in case you need help.” *Ok* I thought. This should be easy enough. I hadn’t really stopped to think about the baby let alone my feelings about becoming a mother. But I closed my eyes and thought about all my dreams I had about having a family with Max. Soon, I felt myself drift to a place full of feelings. I saw images of Me, Max and a little boy playing in a park. Feelings of security surrounded the image, along with feelings of love and joy. For the first time in days, I again opened my heart as I watched the child, a spitting image of Max, run toward his father as Max picked the child up and spun him around. Laughing all the time. I felt hope creep into my soul, but it wasn’t just hope I felt. I was rushed with the feeling of love. I once again felt complete sitting there watching the images flash across my mind. It amazed me. Soon, I felt the connection drift away. I knew I wasn’t going back to my own world. I could feel myself become conscious as tears streamed down my face, slowly I opened my eyes, surrounding me were my friends. Looks of relief and love in their eyes. I smiled at them. But that was short lived as pain ripped through my body, intensifying in my head. All I could do was scream, it felt like I was literally being ripped in two as a part of me slipped away. I knew that part of me was Max.
If Michael could run from the pain, he would have. He tried to block out Liz’s pain from his head, but he couldn’t. He fell to the floor screaming right along with Liz holding his head tightly in his hands as he physically felt all that she was going through. Maria, scared as she was for Liz couldn’t stand seeing her best friend and her boy friend in so much pain. She punched the bed next to Liz and held on, willing the pain to go away. Slowly the screaming stopped as everyone took in a bit of what Liz was feeling. Soon, there was nothing. But as they all looked around at each other, the pain still imprinted on their faces, their gazes fell on Liz. Panting heavily as sobs over took her body. Isabel was the first to react. Sitting next to Liz, she wrapped her arms around her friend and rocked her until her heart wrenching sobs subsided. No one said a word. By this time, Jason had slipped out of the room, pulling Adam and Ben with him. Adam had a hard time leaving as his heart went out to the fragile looking women rocking in his cousins arms.
As Jason, Adam and Ben sat around the living room. Jason looked at his sons. “Thank you for doing that. You took on a lot of her pain, but I think it is going to take a lot longer for her to really get over it. What we need to do is discuss the next part of the plan…” Ben looked at his father with a questioning look. “What do you mean the next part. We came here to help her wake up. What else is there to do?” Jason patiently looked at his son. He knew Ben was very untrustworthy of human’s and the fact that Liz used to be one was going to be a hard concept for him to accept. “We’re taking her back to Wisconsin with us…” he replied firmly. “WHAT!?” both Adam and Ben jumped up. Both for different reasons. “We can’t take a human back to the community!” Ben told his father angrily. “What are you thinking!” “Ben…” Adam began. “No…!” But that was as far as he got as Ben was thrown across the room and held up against the far wall. Jason, holding him there stared at him hard. “I will say this once and only once. So you had better listen up.” Unable to move. Ben only stared at his father. “Max, your King, chose her as his mate. She is no longer a human, and that makes her your queen. You will respect her and help her through this. There is a lot more going on then you know. She will need the community if she is to survive. Do you understand?” Ben just looked at his father. Jason knew that if Ben could nod, he would. Slowly he let him down. “What do you mean she is no longer a human?” Asked Adam. Jason looked away from Ben. “I’m not really sure. But that’s something that I plan on asking and discussing with them.” Adam wasn’t satisfied with this answer. So many things were going on in his head. “What is going on that you haven’t told us about Dad.?” Jason looked from one son to the other. “Liz will let you know when she is ready I’m sure. It’s not my business to discuss with you.” Turning away from them he added. “Oh, and from the time I’ve spent with this group. Don’t be surprised if all of them come along for the ride. They are really close.” Not wanting to discuss it any further, he headed back up the stairs to check on his charges. Leaving Adam and Ben stunned looking after him.
As he entered the bedroom. He noticed that Liz had calmed down, with the help of her four friends. They all sat on Liz’s bed surrounding her in a group hug. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. He smiled once again at his admiration for this group of teens. Taking a seat in the desk chair. He waited for them to acknowledge him as they all personally checked Liz head to toe to make sure she was ok. Except for the lost look in her eyes, they all seemed satisfied and turned toward him. Not leaving Liz’s side. “Well, I think you are all wondering what happens next?” he started them off. Michael took charge of the situation. “How are we going to protect Liz from the baby? Losing either her or the child are out of the question, so you better have an idea…” Jason smiled. So much like his father, how he reacted to Liz made him remember Rath‘s protectiveness of Ariya. Looking Michael in the eyes he replied. “I know, which is why we have to get her back to Wisconsin where I can help her. I can’t do anything for her here.” Michael looked around the group. Looks of determination was all he needed. “Then we are all going with.” Jason nodded, knowing that was going to happen. “Of course you can all come. There is plenty of room and I know Jessabella would have it no other way.” He noticed the look of joy enter Michael eyes at the mention of his mother. Liz spoke for the first time since waking up. “How will you be able to help me though?” Jason looked into her big doe brown eyes, shining with tears. He really wished he could make her pain go away. “We have a um…how do I explain it to you. A healing…well anyway. This mechanism will feed you energy so that the baby will have plenty to take. You won’t be able to regain all of you energy without some help. The further you get along in the pregnancy the harder it will be for you body to replenish this energy. Without it the baby would soon drain you of every last bit of energy, killing you. This thing will help your body keep it‘s energy, making up for the energy Max would be giving the baby.” “Oh, ok. What are we going to tell our parents though?” Alex asked. “I mean, mine won’t even know I’m missing, but Maria’s mom will flip if she doesn’t check in everyday and Isabel’s mom asks her to come home every couple of days for dinner since Max and her are never there. Unless we happen to be at there house at the time.” Isabel paled at the thought of leaving her mother and father behind. They didn’t even know about Max being gone yet, and now they were going to lose her too. But she knew that she wouldn’t let her friends go meet her biological family without her. Then a thought came to her. “Jason, why don’t you just go and explain to my parents that you’re my real family. My mom will see Max in you right away, and if not you then Adam for sure. Since it’s summer, I know she won’t have a problem with ‘us’ leaving.” Meaning a cover for Max as well. Jason looked around the group. “And if I do this, am I to assume that everyone else’s parents will just expect everyone to go?” He looked around the group. Everyone nodded. “All of our parents will get together and discuss it. It’s like we’re all related and everyone is raising us. Everyone gets a say in everyone’s else’s child. Since Mr. And Mrs. Evans have told everyone about how she thought it would been nice if they did find their family, no one else will have a problem with it. Especially if you go and discuss it with them.” Jason stared at Liz as she finished explaining how things worked with their families. “Ok, but what about after the summer?” reminding them all of the fact that Liz’s pregnancy would go longer then the summer. “When that time comes, call them and tell them how much we like it and wish to stay. We can go to school there right?” Maria asked. Jason nodded. “Of course, but we’ve never had humans in our schools before. It should be interesting and you’ll learn more.” Hey!” spoke up Alex “We’ll be flipping it around. Instead of them being the aliens it will be us!” Everyone laughed at Alex’s joke, but soon realized that it was true. They all looked at Jason with fear. “Hey, cool it!” he chuckled. “Your best friends with their Queen. They’ll be more scared of you then you should be of them!” The teens looked at Liz as she blushed. “I’m no queen.” she said softly. “Max and I weren’t even married yet…and I lost his ring in the fight.” New realization crossed her mind and she buried her head in Michaels arms as new sobs shook her tiny frame. Michael just held her and rubbed her back. Jason knew how hard it was going to be for her, so he quickly came up with a plan to help her accept this. He climbed through her window and picked up a piece of coal out of the grill on the balcony. He had seen the ring through their connection. Quickly and efficiently he turned the coal into a exact replica of the ring that Max had given her. Returning to Liz he quietly slipped the ring onto her finger. “There, now no one will know the difference.” Liz gasped as she looked at the diamond on her finger. “How did you know?” she asked breathlessly. Jason just smiled at her. Not wanting to admit to her that he had seen and felt everything she was feeling during her connection to the baby. “I just knew.” he said simply. “Everyone just try to relax for the rest of the day and make sure that Liz rests. I have to go and prepare for our journey and talk to your families. I’ll be back soon and let you know how it goes.” As he left her chuckled as Liz demanded. “Ok! Everybody off! I have to use the bathroom! Take a shower and EAT!” Adam and Ben were waiting for him. As they walked out the door, they could hear the sounds of laughter as everyone broke way from the group, eager to help Liz get comfortable.
Evan’s household:
It didn’t take long for Jason to get all the teens parents together. Mr. And Mrs. Parker, who were out of town, called in for the conference. On speaker phone, Mr. Parker voiced all of his concerns about the situation, along with all the other parents. Jason explained without to much detail how Michaels mother was looking forward to meeting them, and how they all wished to go. In the end, as Liz predicted, the excitement of finding Max and Isabel and Michael’s biological family took preference and it was decided that everyone could go. While at the Evans, Jason, Adam and Ben took the time to look at all of the family photo’s. Seeing pictures of Max, their leader and King was an truly wonderful experience for Jason and Ben. Adam on the other hand couldn’t help but hold a bit of distain for the teen who would leave someone as wonderful as Liz to go fight a war he knew nothing about. In fact, no one on this planet knew much about it. When Adam asked his father about it on the way to the Crashdown, Jason put it as simply as possible. “He knows more about it then you could ever imagine. Kivar brought the war to him and dropped it on his door step.” Ben, who had been staring out the window thinking about his new found family asked. “What do you mean?” Jason sighed. He really didn’t want to inform his sons on to much without checking with Liz first. Although much younger then himself, he had easily excepted her as his leaders mate, and admired her greatly for all of her strength. “I think that is something that you should ask Liz, or one of the others. But don’t push the subject. It’s all an open wound for them and I don’t want you upsetting anyone with your questions. Especially Liz.” Both seemed satisfied for the time being. As they arrived at the Crashdown, they noticed that everyone, including Liz had freshened up and was sitting at one of the booths in the café. Michael and Maria were just putting down everyone’s food and getting refills while Liz complained that she wasn’t an imbecile and wanted to help. No one would hear of it though, and she sat back with a frustrated sigh. She hated being treated like a three year old who couldn’t do anything by themselves. When the bells on the door jingled announcing the arrival of Jason. Everyone turned, disappointment showed clearly on their faces. New tears formed in Liz’s eyes and the once ice queen Isabel put her arms around her, understanding the pain. “I c…can’t believe he’s really gone. I mean I know it but every time that damn door opens I expect him to walk through. A big s…smile on his face saying ’gottch’!” Everyone sat in silence after this, their food forgotten. Everyone nodded in understanding, for they were all thinking the same thing. Jason looked around at the group. “Your parents said everything was fine. They would all like to see you before we leave. Liz, your parents have decided on finishing their trip and wanted me to relay a message.” This was not a surprise to Liz. Her parents had invested a lot in this businesses trip and she would rather they didn’t cut it short. She didn’t want them to see her as miserable as she was. She nodded and everyone gathered their stuff, ready to leave the memories behind, and start over new. As everyone got ready to leave to go their homes to pack, Jason let them know the plans. He had already gotten first class plane tickets for all of them and their plane left later that evening. As Liz drifted back up to the apartment to pack, Jason followed. He stood off to the side watching as Liz stood at her closet throwing cloths on to the bed. “You know Liz, he’ll be back. I don’t know when, because I don’t know how long it will take for everything to be settled. News will get back to him though, and from the love that I can see present in this group, he’ll come rushing back.” Liz paused, thinking about this. New hope seeped into her heart. She nodded. Continuing, Jason asked the question that had been on his mind since meeting her. “How is it that Max changed you?” Liz turned around and looked at Jason. “We don’t really know. About two years ago, I was working in the Crashdown and there was an argument. A gun was pulled and it went off. I would have died if Max hadn’t saved me. Then I got really sick last year, I passed out in the bathroom and my parents brought me to the hospital. The doctors told me they thought I had cancer. From my x-rays they could see a tumor in the exact place where Max healed me.” She paused as she lightly touched her stomach at the spot where Max had healed her. “I thought it might be cambium-x so the group broke me out of the hospital. I hid out with Max until we could figure out a way to see if it was.” She turned back to her closet, pulling out her suitcase. “It wasn’t” she ended lamely. Jason looked at her with confusion. “So if it wasn’t, what was it?” Folding her cloths and packing them, she glanced around thinking about what else she would need. “We never found out. It just went away. I went back to the hospital, but they told me it was gone. Soon after, Kivar showed up and I pretty much forgot about it.” Liz sighed as she pulled out her journal and lightly ran a finger across it’s cover. She was tired. So emotional drained all she wanted to do was sleep. Hoping when she woke up everything would be a bad dream. She glanced at Jason. “During the time I was sick, my powers kicked in I’ve been able to work on them since. We figured what ever it was that made me sick turned me into my ‘non-human’ status.” She smiled at her lame attempt to make a joke. Grabbing the picture of her and Max taken this summer, from the side of the bed, she turned. “I think I’m all set.” “Good” Jason said as he turned, thinking about what Liz had said. “Let’s go meet the others then.” With that, Liz looked around her room one last time and followed.
At the airport, Jason turned in their tickets and made sure everything was all set. Standing in line, Michael noticed how tired Liz looked. He took her bags from her and steered her to the stiff plastic seats facing the big window. Sitting down beside her, he took her hand. Lifting her chin so she would look at him, he saw all the pain that she was trying so hard to keep in check. “Are you really Ok with this?” he asked. Liz looked at her brother. “I think it would be good for me. There will be so much to learn, and I wouldn’t let you pass up an opportunity like this Michael.” Liz stared out the window. “Besides, if I stay in Roswell, there are just to many memories, and I wouldn’t be able to live…know what I mean?” Michael smiled softly at his little sister. Kissing her forehead he replied. “I know exactly what you mean.” Just then a voice announced over the loud speaker that it was time to board. Gathering his and Liz’s carry on bags in one arm, and taking her small trembling hand in the other. He walked with the group toward the boarding ramp. Pausing to kiss Maria lightly on the lips before moving on. Once everyone was seated in the plush seats of first class. Michael made his way to his seat next to Liz, determined to watch over her. As he reached her, he smiled. Liz had already fallen asleep, her journal clenched tightly in her arms, and a picture of Max in her hand. Taking his seat and fastening his seat belt, he asked for a pillow and blanket for Liz. Satisfied she was comfortable, he sat back and smiled. He was going home.
Hey everyone! I am going to keep this short so you all can keep going...
HERE'S MAX!
Part 5
Max:
I didn’t want to leave her. I could feel through our connection that she knew I was leaving. But there was something else there also present in our connection. Although small, it stayed with me as I walked out the door. It almost made me turn back. But I knew I had to deal with this if I were ever going to lead a normal life with the young woman I loved. I just stood there, staring at her as she slept. Trying to figure out what it was in our connection. She looked so helpless and fragile laying there. But she was nether of those things. That’s why I loved her so. Her hair shine in the moonlight and her skin glowed as the light kissed it. My heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces as I turned to walk away. I had to fix the evident problems on the ‘home front’. Manika was reluctant when I told her I was willing to return to Antar with her only until things were smoothed over. I wanted so badly to bring Liz with me. Almost refused to go without her. That was until Manika pointed out to me the danger I would be putting her in. How, like Kivar, my living enemies would use her against me in order to win. I couldn’t take that chance and let that happen. I need her to be safe. What…what could that presence have been? Begging me not to leave. But I walked out that door, not sure as to what would be waiting when I returned. If I had known I was putting Liz in more danger by leaving her, I would never have left or if I had only let her tell me about the baby. Nothing would have taken me away from her. Looking back I wonder if Manika knew all along of the child that grew in my loves womb. As I walked away, I was haunted by the presence that wouldn’t let go of me as I made my way toward a destiny I didn’t want. But I knew I had to deal with destiny to get to the one who lay asleep and terrified in my bed.
When I arrived on Antar with Manika and her remaining team of Loyalist, I was amazed at the cheering crowd that awaited my arrival. All of these people knew about me and had waited for this for fifty years, while I had only known about them and my role for a little more then a year. Although amazed, all I wanted to do was sleep. The pain of mine and Liz’s connection breaking was still evident in my head. After Manika introduced me to all the important leaders, she lead me to the palace. When we reached the gates I was amazed. It was beyond beautiful. It was built similar to those of the midevil time period of Earth, but was built out of the most amazing stone I had ever laid eyes on. It looked a lot like marble, but glowed with green, yellow, red, and orange with a slight whisper of blue, depending on how the light danced on the surface. I had noticed that there was no sun here, only the other four planets in the solar system. Columns rose up past the clouds all around the palace. I began to think how much I would have loved for Liz to be here to witness this with me. It wasn’t only her I wished to have with me, but Michael and Isabel also. Depression set in as we made our way to the throne room. Here I turned to Manika “Manika, I really need to just go lay down. I’m tired and need to rest. I don’t want to answer any questions right now, so could you show me where I’m to sleep please?” Manika looked at me with worry. “Yes you highness, right away. You rest and then we will start. But there is so much to do…” “Manika, please. The trip has been exhausting and overwhelming. Just…lets go!” my patients was wearing thin. I was now feeling that I had made a big mistake coming here without those that I loved. I knew no body and everyone knew me. We walked in silence as I was lead to huge double doors that lead to the most extravagant living quarters I had ever seen. Huge windows looked over the city in what I assumed to be the living area. A large table and chairs sat to the left of the windows, and what I assumed to be couches sat in around a large fire place. Everything was beautiful. More large doors lead into the bed room, where a very large bed sat. Another fireplace sat on one wall. As I walked into the room, an familiar feeling settled over me. As I stepped into the room, a flash hit me so hard, it took my breath away.
FLASH:
Zane was laughing and smiling as he tickled a young woman who struggled to get away from his grasp. “Zane please! Stop, we are going to alert someone, and then what would you do?!” Zane smiled “Ok love, but please, come here. Stay with me awhile. You can’t leave so soon.” The young woman smiled as she crawled over and lay in her lovers arms. Her soft brown hair spilled over his shoulder. He smelled in her sweet sent, almost giddy to have her in his arms. They lay there in silence. “Zane, you know we have to stop this.” Zane sat up and leaned over his love. “What ever do you mean Ariya?” The women, whom I now knew to be Ariya stared in his eyes, hers reflecting back what she say, love, trust and loyalty. She was so familiar to me. “Zane, you are to be married soon, and I can’t stand in your way to be a loving husband. I don’t want you to have to chose between her and me. We’ve talked about this before. It wouldn’t be fair to Avaina, you have to give your kingdom a heir.” Looking away with tears now in her big brown eyes. “Ariya, please love, don’t cry. I already told you. I don’t love her. I never will! It’s only you that I love. Please!” With this, he leaned down, pulling her close and kissed her with as much passion as he felt.
As the Flash ended, I collapsed on the bed. To exhausted to think about all that I had just seen, I feel into a peaceful, exhausted sleep. I don’t know how long that I had slept. When I awoke, it took me awhile to remember all of the events of the past few weeks. Groaning, I pulled myself out of bed. At the foot of the bed, what I assumed were cloths had been laid out for me. They looked like tan leather, with elegant embroidery around the neck. A beautifully embroidered picture of the five planets was over the place above my heart. I knew this to be the royal seal. Walking around the room, it was like I could remember. I remembered that the door on the far side of the room was the bathroom, and I knew how to work everything. Turning on the shower, I stepped in and made the water as hot as I could stand it. I don’t know how long I was in there, but I willed the tension to wash away with the spray of the water. Finally feeling relaxed enough to face everything, I stepped out and dressed in the royal cloths. I quietly made my way into the next room and was surprised to see a feast laid out on the table. Grabbing what I could only hope was fruit, I made my way to the big window that gave a breathtaking view of the city. Standing there, I didn’t hear Manika arrive at my side. “Beautiful isn’t it?” I jumped as her voice reached me. “Manika, you scared me! Next time, let me know your near. I don’t like to be surprised!” Manika looked around, embarrassed. “I’m sorry your highness, I didn’t mean to startle you…” “No, it’s Ok, Manika. I’m just not used to this place, and I don’t know anyone but you. So your just going to have to bare with me. Was there something you wanted?” Max stood there and watched the emotions flicker across Manika’s face. She didn’t know how to tell him what he needed to know, so finally she looked up into his face and bluntly said. “Your mother would like a word with you.” I couldn’t believe my ears. My mother was alive and well…I thought she would have died during everything I had heard about on the way here. “She’s here?!” Manika looked at me with growing interest. “Why yes your highness, she’s waiting for you in the throne room.” As if seeing the questions flash in my mind she answered the one question I couldn’t hide. “She’s been in hiding while Kivar ruled, upon hearing of your return, she’s come back to us.” “Oh” was all I could reply. My appetite gone, I dropped the remaining fruit on the table. Looking back at Manika, “I don’t really remember how to get back to the throne room. Could you show me?” I sensed that Manika knew that I did indeed remember how to get to the thrown room. But I wasn’t willing to give anyone the satisfaction that I did. As we walked to the thrown room, I couldn’t help at feel uneasy at all the people who stopped and bowed down to me as we passed. I could hear their whispers, and didn’t like it. Finally when we reached the thrown room. I heard my name being announced. Taking on my ‘in charge’ attitude, I walked in with as much confidence as my weary sole could muster. Standing at the foot of what I assumed was my thrown, stood a beautiful woman, a woman that reminded me exactly of Isabel. No mater how hard I braced myself, I couldn’t prepare myself for the emotions that flew at me.
“Zander! Oh my sweet boy!” My mother hugged me tight. As she hugged me, a sense of familiarity enveloped me. I hugged her back. “Mother, it is so good to see you! Well, meet you I should say.” She pulled back and looked at me. Searching my face, she glanced behind me. “Where is Vilandra? Did she not want to come see me?” Tears were evident in her eyes as she once again searched my face for some clue as to what the answer could be. As Isabel’s home name reached my ears, I cringed. How do I tell my mother that she isn’t with me. “um…she’s not here.” “What do you mean she’s not here? Did she not want to come home?” My mother let go of me and once again went and stood by my thrown. It was so hard for me to sit there and try to explain to this woman that I didn‘t even know that her daughter didn‘t know if she were alive or not. Hell I was surprised to find out that she was alive. Thinking of how close Isabel was to our mom, I realized I truly didn‘t know how Isabel would have felt meeting our birth mother for the first time. The thought of my mom, who was most likely worried sick right now, brought the moment down. How do you call a women you’ve never met, mother. Then, as if by magic, a name came to me, and as if it was a name I’ve known all my life, it rolled off my tongue. “Kayla, why don’t we go for a walk. I haven’t been out to see the gardens yet…” I looked at Manika to see if there were even gardens. She nodded. “then we can talk and I can answer all of your questions. How does that sound to you?” Kayla looked at me as I said her first name, obviously confused as to why I wasn’t calling her mother. She nodded as she took my arm and I let her lead me out to the gardens.
When we arrived at the gardens, I couldn’t help but gasp. *Liz would have loved it here.* I thought to myself sadly. There were flowers of every color. Some colors I had never seen before. As we walked I could sense that Kayla had a lot of questions, but didn’t know how to ask them, so I waited for her to find the right words. “I really don’t know where to begin.” Kayla started. “But I want you to know that the decision to send you and your sister to Earth was one of the hardest decision’s I’ve ever had to make. I wanted to keep you here with me, but I knew that was selfish. I knew that if you were ever going to have another life, you would have to be sent away so that you could grow and one day return to us and save us. Which, now I am glad that I did, for your killing Kivar was a dream come true for me. I knew you would be our savior.” Hearing the death of Kivar brought fresh memories straight to my heart. With sad eyes I turned to her. “I don’t know what it is you have heard, but I had nothing to do with Kivar’s death.” Upon hearing these words she gave me a questioning look. “How is that? Kivar was strong, only the four of you together possessed the strength to kill him.” I looked away from her, not wanting to tell her about Liz. But she persisted. “Well, then who killed him. He is dead right?” Kayla started to panic…thinking that maybe someone got the information wrong, and Kivar was still alive and well, and would be arriving soon to kill us all. Gently holding her flailing arms to her side, I looked her in the hazel eyes that were so much like Isabel‘s. “Kayla, Kivar is indeed dead, I was there, I just didn’t kill him myself.” “Well, then who did? If you, Rath, Vilandra and Ava didn’t kill him then who did?” Upon hearing Tess’s home name, I realized that this woman knew nothing of the events that happened at home. “My fiancée Elizabeth killed him, it’s a long story, and I don’t know if your ready to hear it.” Walking away, I admitted to myself that I wasn’t ready to talk about the events that had scared me so. “Your engaged to Ava?! This is wonderful! Where is she, we must have a glorious wedding! It is just what the people need to bring their spirits back up after so many years of war!” It had never dawned on me that this women wouldn’t know our Earth names. But hearing her think that I was engaged to Tess after all the pain that Tess had brought me and my family, my patients started to get weary, turning to her I simply replied “No, Ava is dead, Elizabeth was different from us. I’ve known her all my life, and before I left I asked her to marry me, she said yes.” Obviously confused, Kayla sat down. “Ava is dead? How is this possible. I don’t understand, Zane, please tell me what happened? I want to know everything of you time on Earth. Also, where are the others? Why are they not here with you?” Walking to the fountain that Kayla had sat on the edge of I took her smooth hand. “Mother, are you sure you want to hear this?” she nodded, smiling as I once again called her mother. I let go of her hand “I don’t know if I’m ready to talk about it though…” sensing the sadness that surrounded my heart, she pulled me into a hug. “Zane, you can’t keep this locked inside. You have so much to do here, and it will only weigh you down. Please tell me. It will help your sole soar again to get it out.” Finally I sighed. I knew she was right. Hearing her say those words reminded me of how Isabel talked to me, never letting me sit in my depression, but forced me to talk about it. “It started when we emerged from the pods. Isabel….or Vilandra, and I stuck together, but Michael…or Rath was somehow separated from us. We always thought it was just the three of us. Isabel and I were adopted by our mom and dad soon after then found us walking along an old highway. Michael however was placed with a horrible foster father who treated him badly. He grew up dependent and pig headed. Stubborn as all hell. Is and I, we had a wonderful life, parents that loved us…but it was hard. For so long we only had each other. Then, on September 18th of my Sophomore year of high school, Michael and I were sitting in the Crashdown…”realizing she didn’t understand anything that was being said, I explained. “The Crashdown is this public place were we used to hang out and eat. They call it a Café. Anyway, we were sitting there and a gun was pulled. It went off and Liz was shot.” Looking a Kayla, a single tear rolled down my cheek “I couldn’t let her die, I had loved her all of my life. Ever since I laid eyes on her the first day of school in the third grade. There had never been anyone else. When I saved her and she found out how much I loved her, I started to truly live. I never realized it before, but I had always wanted to tell her I loved her. But I didn’t because I thought it would ruin our friendship. I soon found out that Liz felt the same way about me and from that day on, we were together. Our group has been inseparable since we became friends in the third grade. She was there for me always, from the FBI catching me, to our enemies. She was my biggest weakness, but also my greatest strength. Everyone knew that about me. That didn’t stop us though. Then Ava came to town.” At the sound of Tess’s name, Kayla looked up from the spot she had been staring at. “Ava wasn’t with you the whole time?” “No, she didn’t exit the pods until much later. Nesado was there to get her, but Rath, Vilandra and I were long gone. She lived with him until they found us. That’s all they had done, move around the country looking for us. We hardly used our powers, but when I saved Liz, our cover was blown. It lead them, along with everyone else straight to us. Ava said that me and her were married and we were destined to be together, but I didn’t love her. I couldn’t, when Liz pushed me away, I tried to love Ava, but there was no way. Ava got really upset and betrayed us to Kivar. We didn’t realize it at the time, because Liz was changing, becoming one of us. She realized then that there was nothing keeping me and Liz apart. She went crazy. Kivar used her to get to the three of us and then killed her.” Kayla was crying by now. I could see the questions she was needing to ask, but I pressed on. “Kivar kidnapped Liz to get to me, and in the process tried to have me killed. Thank God Manika was using him to find us also. He told her to kill me, instead she saved me. Got me better and we went to find Liz. We got Liz out of there, but when Manika was reminding Kivar of all the horrible things that he had done to her, Liz lost it. I had never seen her so angry before. I thought it was because she had experienced all the same things that Manika had when Kivar had her. Liz had mental powers, she’s pretty strong too. But when she killed Kivar, she made it look so easy. All this physical energy just blasted him away as if he were nothing compared to us. All I could do was stand there. Liz had been through so much. I knew that she needed me, but to tell you the truth, she scared me. The gentle Liz that I had grown to love seemed to be gone. I knew that I would never have a normal life if our enemies kept coming for me, so for weeks I met with Manika to plan on coming here. I knew Rath and Vilandra wouldn’t allow it, so I didn’t tell them. Our best friends, Maria and Alex helped Liz as much as they could, but it was killing Liz and I when I stayed away. I was afraid that if I got to close I would lose my nerve and not want to finish what I knew I had to do…”I trailed off. Not sure what else to say. Soon, the questions were flowing. I answered them as honestly as I could. “So this, Elizabeth is a human, and you changed her? How?” I looked at Kayla. “I honestly don’t know. We always had this sort of connection. It was almost like she was a vessel for me. I could remember and see things when things got….intense.” I looked away blushing at this. I hardly knew this women and I was talking about the intensity of mine and Liz’s relationship with her. “And she saw things from me. ” How is this possible?” I looked at Kayla. “I thought you could tell me that…”Kayla looked over across the garden. “I guess it could be possible, it’s just never been done before.” “Rath told me once that our race was a lot like the humans. That our powers were all human. We’re just thousands of years advanced…Nesado told him this” Kayla nodded her head, “yeah, that’s true, it could be possible that when you healed her, you triggered the part of her brain that gives all of us our powers. So what exactly can she do?” By this time, I was getting tired, my headache had returned and talking about Liz was making it worse. I really didn’t know how to answer this, so I simply told her of the few things that Liz did on a regular basis. “She can connect with people in a way that Rath, Vilandra and I can’t. She can speak telepathically with Rath and I. She’s not as good at it with Vilandra, but then they were never as close as Rath and her. When she went through the hardest part of her change, Rath would often connect with her so that he could ease her pain.” Kayla’s head quickly turned in my direction. “That’s it…that’s why she can do so much…” I looked at her confused. So she explained more. “Every time Rath would connect with her in such a way, a little more of himself would enter her, kind of like feeding her his DNA. Do you understand? This is something that we need to talk to the scientists about. Where were you through all of this? Since you changed her, it should have been you to ease her pain, connecting you more.” I flinched, remembering how I was gone for those few weeks because our parents thought we needed a break. “I was out of town.” was all the information that I gave her. She seemed to accept this as she nodded, looking at me. “Zane, you look exhausted. Why don’t I walk you back to your rooms and you can rest. I’ll explain to the council that meeting with you will have to wait.” I nodded, not fighting the fact that my head ace was now throbbing in my head. I rubbed my temples as I stood, letting her take my arm, we walked back to the palace. As we walked, she kept glancing at me, finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Yes?” She stopped and looked at me. Then started to walk again. “You really love this human don’t you?” I couldn’t believe she was asking me this. “Yes, with all my heart and soul. It’s like I can’t breath without her. Even now, I’m starting to think I made a big mistake not bringing her with me. I have a hard time thinking about her, cause I start to panic. Is she Ok….all these questions. But most of all, is she safe? That’s why I knew I had to leave Rath and Vilandra behind. She needed them.” I could tell that there was more that Kayla wanted to say about my relationship with Liz, but she knew that this was not a good time. By this time, we were back at my ’living quarters’ and I stepped inside. Bidding her good bye. I walked into my bedroom. As I turned toward the fire place, I again got another intense flash.
FLASH:
Zane and the young woman lazily lay on a rug in front of a roaring fire. She is laying on her stomach while he is on his side gently drawing glowing circles on her back. I recognized that glow…it was the same glow that I could do with Liz. She turned her head and smiled gently at Zane. “Zane, do you ever think about the future?” Zane paused in his circle drawing. He looked at Ariya. “I know I want my future with you.” Ariya smiled at Zane. “You know that can’t happen. Your mother would never approve. You would lose everything if you were to have a future with me.” Zane kissed Ariya’s neck softly. “So I lose everything love, at least I’ll have you. That’s all I need to be happy.” Ariya flipped so that she was on her back. Zane took this opportunity to trail his kisses down her toward her breasts. Ariya moaned softly. Pulling Zane closer to her, he leaned into her. Pressing her soft body against his. As they made love, I was amazed at the feelings I felt from Zane and Ariya. I didn’t know who Ariya was, but the feelings I had were so familiar, they were the same feelings I had for Liz. When they finished, Ariya slept peacefully in Zane’s arms. Zane smiled softly at her. His thoughts flashed in my mind. *My mother will just have to accept you my sweet. I love you body and soul. I can’t live without you…I want to marry you.* With this, he drifted off to sleep.
As the flash ended, I knew I would have o find out who this Ariya was. I knew her, and it wasn’t from some former life. It was like I still knew her, and I still, to this day needed her. One thought came to my mind. Liz. I could feel it in my bones like I could feel it in Zane’s during the flashes. I went to go stand by the window in the living area. Looking out, I could see the lake that was close to the palace. I remembered meeting Ariya there for secret walks. Going and sitting by the fireplace, I waved my hand over the logs. Flames shot up in the air. I sat on one of the couches and leaned my head back. I missed Liz so much. A single tear rolled down my cheek and I did nothing to remove it. I wondered what she was doing, if she was Ok. With this, I feel asleep, entering a world that was filled with one thing. Liz.
After Kayla left Max at his quarters, she went in search of Manika. Finding her sitting out on the balcony outside the throne room. She sat beside her. Neither said anything for quite some time. Finally Kayla looked at Manika. “She’s human Manika.” Manika didn’t say anything for quite some time. She liked Liz, a lot. But she had known that the queen wouldn’t like the fact that Liz had once been a human. “No, Kayla, she’s not. Not anymore.” Kayla shook her head. “We can’t let him marry her. I feel like I am reliving everything again!” Manika stood and walked over to the ledge. “You’ve never seen them together, not that you would accept it. But if you try to take away the one thing that Max has to look forward to, he will pick up and leave. Just like that. Max is a different person then Zane was. He wasn’t raised in all of this.” She motioned her arms sweeping the capital city. “He doesn’t feel like if he disobeys he will lose everything, because by coming here, he left everything that meant anything to him behind. Coming here, well…he just wants to get it done and over with. Then he wants to go back to live a normal life with her.” Kayla was shocked at this. “He doesn’t want to stay?” Manika looked at her. “That‘s right, he told me he was willing to return until everything was settled, then he was going to go back to get her. Maybe they’ll come back here, and maybe they’ll stay there. He doesn’t know. All he does know is once the danger is over, he will be returning to her.” Tears threatened to fall as Kayla stood. “I don’t understand how this happened. We made sure that when we engineered them, that he would fall in love with Ava. What could have gone wrong?” Manika looked over the city. “You didn’t factor in the fact that if they were to be raised by humans, they’d become more human. They aren’t exactly in touch with this side of their heritage. He was raised by humans and he fell in love with one. There isn’t much we can do.” Kayla shook her head. “I got Zane to give up Ariya, I can do it again.” Manika looked at her shocked. “Kayla! This is not Zane we are talking about! This is a young man named Max! If you try to do what you pulled on Zane he will leave, ruining everything that we have worked to hard to achieve! I won’t let you do that!” Kayla paused for a moment…. “Ok, I won’t demand that he leaves the human, but it won’t hurt to try and do a little match making will it?” Manika sighed, Kayla was hopeless. “her name is Liz, and I couldn’t stop you from your trickery if I tried, but don’t underestimate Max, he knows who his heart belongs to.” Kayla smiled and stood. “You know I’m right Manika, and you also know that you could help by giving him a little encouragement if you know what I mean.” As she turned and walked back into the throne room, Manika turned to once again study the golden capital city. *I could, but what good would that do to have a mind warped King, who doesn’t remember who he is…besides, Max is right, he needs to get back to her, or she won’t make it…* She turned to follow her former queen into the throne room. She noticed all the people waiting to talk to her King. Sighing she headed to get him, thinking to herself, *This is going to be harder then I thought imaginable.*
For the next weeks, I talked peace with the neighboring planets, attended countless meetings and balls with important figures. Nothing was said about my returning to earth, but it was never far from my mind. Weeks turned to months, and the ace in my heart never weakened. Soon, I stopped counting the months that I was away. At night when I would return to my living quarters exhausted, welcoming sleep, whispering my love to Liz, I would fall into a peaceful sleep that was filled with only her. I missed the space that was now empty, the space that once contained our connection. I missed being able to talk to her without seeing her. I missed being able to hold her in my arms, and smelling her sweet fragrance. With each passing morning, I found it harder and harder to pull myself out of bed, but that morning it felt like I could sleep for a thousand years, and hurt no more.
The feeling was short lasted as Manika came barreling into my living quarters shouting for me. The activity that met me when I arrived in the living area immediately sent my head throbbing. “What’s the meaning of this!” I demanded. All activity ceased as all eyes turned toward me. Manika was first to speak. “I’m sorry to bother you your highness, but a ship has docked in the capital city, and it is unidentifiable. We need to know what our first order of action should be?” I groaned as I started barking out orders. “Send guards to make sure that know one enters or leaves that ship until I arrive, Someone get me some cloths, and for god sakes, everyone stay calm.” As I prepared to leave, everyone parted.
When I arrived at the ship, Lerek, a long time friend in both lives and his sister Serena were waiting for me. “Max, thank god you’re here.” Serena called to me as I walked up. Throwing herself into my arms, I gently pushed her away. Over the countless balls and outings, I became aware that Kayla was pushing us together, I wasn’t willing. But it was all to obvious that Serena was. I had tried to explain it to her, but she was relentless. I thanked the heavens that Lerek understood. I noticed Kayla standing off to one side, a look of disapproval flashed across her face as she witnessed me pushing Serena away. I walked up to Lerek, “Has anyone found a way to open this ship?” Lerek nodded his head to let me know that they had. *Ok then* I thought to myself. “Have security stand guard, we don’t know who’s in there…it could be anybody.” When everyone was set, I ordered the ship to be opened. As the steam from the engine hissed as the ship groaned from the long journey, I noticed a figure slowly and painfully making their way down toward me. As the guards grabbed the person and brought them forward, I gasped. Barely conscious in the arms of a guard was Isabel, “Let her go!!” I yelled. I ignored the looks of surprise as I rushed forward and grabbed her right before she collapsed in my arms. “Max?” She asked weakly “Yes, it’s me…What are you doing here? How?” I persisted as tears ran down her face. She wrapped weak arms around my neck. As I lifted her, her mouth close to my ears she whispered. “We need your help… it’s Liz…” That’s all she got out before she passed out. I couldn’t believe it. As the shock of what was happening calmed to a low roar in my mind I scooped her up, ignoring all questions I carried my sister back to my living quarters, closely followed by Kayla and Manika, who ordered the guards to keep everyone away. Manika was obviously surprised at Isabel’s appearance. Dread filled her soul, her worst fears became reality as she heard Isabel’s plea of help. A thousand thoughts ran through my head at once. *Liz, God is she Ok? What could have happened? If anything happened to her, no, I won’t think like that. Nothing bad had happened…she’s fine.* But deep down in my heart, I knew that I had felt the unease in my soul for a while, and I knew that something was terribly wrong.
Hey everyone! Thanks for reading! Just so you know, I know you all have alot of question about what is going on, but the more you read the more your questions will be answered! Just thought I would let you know that. Anyway, here goes nothin'!
Pat 6
By the second day of Isabel’s deep slumber, I was almost ripping my hair out in frustration. After I had the physicians look over her from head to toe for injury’s they assured me that she would be fine. She was just exhausted from the trip. I wanted answers, and with so many people demanding information on something I didn’t know anything about, I was ready to explode. Pacing had become a common past time of mine. Although Manika tried to keep me calm, I eventually locked her and Kayla out of my living quarters until further notice. Kayla had cried for hours on the arrival of her only daughter, and it didn’t take long for news of Princess Vilandra’s return to spread across the lands of the five planets. So many people wanted answers, but I had none to give them. One thing kept repeating in my mind. *We need your help, it’s Liz…* Thousands of horrible scenarios slowly crept into my mind. As I was about to go check on Isabel for the hundredth time in an hour the door opened to my bedroom. Isabel stood there for only a moment before rushing toward me. Throwing herself into my arms sobbing she started to hit me screaming things I couldn’t understand. As gently as I could, I pinned her flailing arms to her sides, I guided her near the fire place. “Isabel, Isabel! Calm down!” I sat her on one of the couches. Isabel’s furious shout brought Manika running, banging on the door, I reluctantly let her in. Returning to Isabel, who had calmed down a bit, but was still sobbing into her hands. I drew her into a hug. Manika stood awkwardly to one side. Finally Isabel calmed. Looking up at me with tear streaked eyes, she asked a question that startled me quite a bit. “How could you? How could you leave like that?” I stared down at her. “Didn’t you read my letters?” I asked her gently. She nodded. “It wasn’t right…you had no right.” Isabel slowly became aware of her surroundings. Noticing Manika for the first time, I saw anger flash in her eyes. Before she could ascend her attack on Manika, I restrained her. But it didn’t stop the words from flowing out of her mouth. “You did this! It’s because of you that this happened! I could kill you for all the pain you’ve caused!” Manika was obviously frightened at Isabel’s words as she instinctively stepped away from her. “I don’t know what you mean Princess, I didn’t do anything…” “Yes! Yes you did! If it weren’t for you, Max would never have left! It’s because of you that he left! You knew what could happen to Liz! Yet you didn‘t WARN him! You didn‘t care about us, you’re a SELFISH PIG!” I was stunned for a moment at Isabel’s harsh words. “Isabel, please, Manika had nothing to do with why I left. You should know that! What are you taking about! What did she know that I didn‘t?” I looked back and forth between them, Manika just looked mutely at the ground. Isabel stood suddenly before I could grab her. Manika must have thought she was going to attack her because she took another step back, instead, she walked to the large window. Looking over the city she asked me softly. “Do you know how long you’ve been gone?” I looked at Manika. “No, not really…time here is different then on earth.” She turned toward me. It was then that I noticed the pain and suffering in her eyes. “Two and a half years Max…that’s a long time. So much has happened. We needed you, we can’t do it anymore without you…” I was surprised that I had been gone that long. Although when I thought about it, time seemed never ending here. The day’s longer, while the nights grew shorter and shorter. Fear over took my body, crossing to Isabel I asked “Is, where are the others? Is everyone Ok? Is Liz Ok? Is please! What can‘t you do without me?” I was extremely puzzled but Isabel’s words. By this time Kayla had entered the room, seeing Isabel she raced over and gave her a hug. Isabel just glared at her. “Kayla, would you mind giving us a minuet?” I asked. She gave me a wide eyed look before returning, “I haven’t seen my daughter in years!” Turning back to Isabel, she smiled. “It is so good to see you Vilandra, so good…” Seeing Isabel’s panicked look at being called Vilandra, I pulled Isabel away from Kayla. “Please…both of you.” motioning to Manika as well. “Give us some time, she is still weak, Manika, please have some food sent up right away.” Manika nodded and pulled a reluctant Kayla from the room. Turning back to Isabel, I repeated my question. She stood looking out over the city. For awhile, I thought the worst had happened. Then she turned and walked to the couch, sitting heavily she started. “Everyone is fine…at least I think everyone is.” She sighed “Max, I don’t know how to tell you this…but do you remember the night you left?” I nodded “Liz told you she had something she had to say to you and you told her she could tell you later, remember?” I nodded again. It was a night I would never forget as long as I remembered. Isabel’s next words pulled me back. “She never told you what she needed to tell you.” I frowned. “Yes she did, she lost the engagement ring I bought her…” Isabel interrupted me as I pulled the ring from where it nestled around my neck. “No, there was more…remember?” I stood there and thought of that evening. Then I remembered that she told me that wasn’t all, and that’s when I had told her that it could wait until later. I looked at Isabel, worry creasing my brow. Isabel sighed again, staring off into space she glanced at me before saying the words that would change my life forever. “Max, she was pregnant with your child.”
As Kayla and Manika walked away from Max’s room, Kayla ranted. “How could he? My daughter is back and I couldn’t even give her a proper hello, I’m going back to speak with her!” But before she could turn Manika gently grabbed her arm. “Kayla, you have to understand something, Isabel knows what type of person Vilandra was, she isn’t proud of it and she’s scared everyday about what happened. Give her some time, and I would suggest you don’t call her by that name.” Kayla stopped in her tracks. She looked at Manika with sad eyes. “I don’t blame her for what she did. She thought she was in love with Kivar…” Manika nodded. “But you have to understand that everyday since her she found out about her betrayal, she has lived in fear of how Max would judge her. She must have come back for a good reason, and I think we need to give them some time, Max has kept his end of the bargain…” she paused “She may be here to take him back and we need to prepare for that.” Manika noticed the panicked look Kayla gave her. If Isabel were here for the reason that she thought, she knew it wouldn’t be long before Max announced his decision to return to earth. She also knew that Kayla would stop at nothing to keep Max here on Antar to continue being King. Kayla looked at Manika with an angry glare. “This has something to do with that human doesn’t it?” Manika looked away. “What is it your not telling me Manika? Why is it I get a feeling that you know more then you are letting on?” Manika started to walk again, regret entering her soul. Kayla called after her “I won’t let that happen, you know that right? Serena is good for him, proper…sooner or later he will forget about the human.” Anger pulsed through Manika’s body, turning back to Kayla she shouted “You don’t know what’s best for him anymore…all you want is what you want, what about what he wants huh? You ruined his life the first time, creating the downfall of this Kingdom by forcing him to marry Avaina…none of it would have happened if you had let him marry Ariya, but no…instead he turned ruthless. He could have been the best, and then your brilliant plan to have them engineered after they were killed! God! Does your scheming every end?!” It was more of a comment then a question. Knowing she was out of her place talking to her queen like this, she didn’t care. “Did you ever think that the human DNA you had to use would make them human? They were raised by humans, they have compassion, trust and loyalty not among our people. There, they are allowed to be with whom they love, not someone their parents chose out for them when the time is right! Give it up Kayla, this isn’t Zane we are talking about, this is Max! he loves her! I won’t be apart of anything that tries to break that bond! You’ve never seen them together, I have! He loves her and she loves him!“ she paused, glaring at Kayla “But wait! You wouldn’t know anything about love would you? No, it’s all a game of earth chess for you! Moving your pawns right were you want them so you get what you wish! If only Jessabella could see you now!” With that she turned on her heel and ran as fast as she could, leaving a very stunned Kayla standing there in her wake of fury.
I couldn’t believe the words that had come out of Isabel’s mouth. My legs started to give way underneath me and Isabel rushed to help me. Noticing my pale face she sighed. “I didn’t want to have to tell you this way. But things have gotten out of hand.” I looked at her. “No one knows you’re here do they?” I knew the answer before she even spoke “You know Liz wouldn’t allow me to come to you for help…even though she needs it.” “What do you mean? Is she Ok?” Isabel shook her head. The room started to spin, and as I jumped up, I barely made it to the bathroom before the contents of my stomach were emptied in the toilet. *This is all my fault! I shouldn’t have left her!* Isabel came to me, wetting a cloth, she helped me lie down, wiping my now throbbing head. I closed my eyes as I asked “Tell me what happened, please!” Isabel told me about our uncle and how he came to help wake Liz up. About their trip to Wisconsin, and settling in the community. “Liz was fine at the beginning. Everyone accepted her as the Queen. No one questioned why you left her while she was pregnant. And none of us talked about it out side the group. But as her pregnancy progressed, things got complicated. The ’water fall’ as we nicknamed the mechanism, helped her a lot. But soon it was evident that she would need a lot more. Adam and Michael spent a lot of time lending their energy when the ’water fall’ wasn’t enough.” I gave her a questioning look “Adam is our cousin, one of Jason’s sons.” I nodded for her to continue. “When she went into labor, everything just spun out of control. The FBI tricked mom and dad into telling them where we were. When they found out she was pregnant with your child, they took her.” Isabel’s eyes teared at the memory. “She hadn’t told anyone the contractions had started when they came. By the time we found out, it was to late. She was gone. Michael was at one of his classes when he knew she had gone into labor…God Max, we were so scared. The whole community pitched in to rescue her. When we got her back, we thought she was dead. We couldn’t find the baby, they cut her open to get to the baby, and then they took him away from her…they were going to raise him to fight for them. But he was sick, and they couldn’t figure out why, so they came to us. Michael almost killed them for what they did to Liz, but she wouldn’t let him.” She paused. I sat up and hugged her. “I have a son?” Isabel smiled for the first time since beginning the story. “Yes, and he’s beautiful.” she paused again, choosing her words carefully she began again. “ Max, Liz traded herself for Colin. She’s been doing their dirty work so that they would give Colin back.” I was shocked. I hated myself for not being their to protect Liz. I knew from living on Antar, that both parents needed to be present during the pregnancy, and the thought of what she went through because of me, it made me sick. They thought of Liz being used by the FBI caused an anger in me that hadn’t existed since Kivar had taken Liz. I stood up and began to pace. “So what your saying is that Liz is working for the FBI?” Isabel nodded. “There’s more though Max.” I stopped and looked at her “What else could be worse then this? I mean, first I almost kill the women I love because I did what I thought was best, but I didn’t listen to her. I should have known something was up when I felt that presence in our connection before it broke, and now she’s working for people who want to study our kind and dissect us…” Isabel looked away from me. I walked over to her and knelt. “Is, what is it?” Isabel looked at me with pain filled eyes. “The only way they would agree to the switch is if she signed a document saying that if anything happened to her or she was no longer useful, they got Colin.” “So what does this mean?” I was confused and angry that Liz would agree to something like that. Isabel continued. “Liz is all out of balance…everyone knew that things were limitless with her around, then Jason told us that she was a Zenith. She became more and more powerful, and her human side can’t take it. She tries so hard, but Max, she’s dying.” I sat back with a thud. My sweet Liz was dying and it was all my fault. “Jason said the only way to stop what is happening to her is for you to come back and help balance her out. We didn’t know when that would be so I snuck away and stole one of the ships. Max look at me!” I looked at her, tears streaming freely down my face. “If she dies, then they get Colin…and only you can stop them. Only you can stop her from dying! Do you understand what I am saying?! She needs you so she can balance out, other wise she will end up killing herself. She goes to them every time they need her and when she comes back, she’s already half dead. It takes every ounce of power for Jason to help her, but every time it gets harder, and soon, she’ll die, and they will come and take him. She may be a Zenith…but even they have their limitations.” I jumped up as I looked at her confused. No one her had mentioned anything about what a Zenith was. “Ok…I won’t let this happen. I love her to much. Isabel, come on…I have a few things I have to take care of and then we’ll go. Ok?” She stood from the bed and hugged me. “I knew if someone were to come and get you, you would stop it. Jason said you’d get the news eventually, but I wasn’t willing to wait. And after two and a half years, I began to wonder if our messages were getting lost.” I pulled her back and looked in her eyes. “What do you mean?” Isabel stared at me. “We sent along messages with the communicators. But when you didn’t come back or respond, I figured someone stopped you from getting them.” I immediately grabbed Isabel’s hand and pulled her toward the doors. Before entering the throne room, I turned to her. “Sometime soon, you are going to have to explain to me what a Zenith is. Ok?” Nodding, a little stunned that I didn’t know what that was, turning, we continued to the doors. Entering the throne room, I found Manika and Kayla talking heatedly over something, and I had a feeling I knew what it was about.
Manika and Kayla stopped their arguing as they noticed Max’s angry expression as he pulled a reluctant Isabel behind him. Stopping just short of them Max demanded angrily. “Why have their been communications from earth and I have heard nothing of them?” Manika was startled. “I knew nothing of this your Highness. But I will look into it right away…” “No need, it’s to late. Something has come up and I need to return to Earth.” Kayla was startled. “No, Zane, you can’t. There is still so much to do…what about Serena and all of your plans?” At Serena’s name Isabel looked at Max confused. “Max, who’s Serena?” Max was about to explain what Kayla had been doing but she beat him to it. “She is Lerek’s little sister, and some day soon Zane and her are to married.” Max was shocked at this, but not as shocked at Isabel, yanking her hand away from Max, she turned on him furious. “What!? Your getting married?” Max looked at his sister and begged with his eyes for her to listen, “Isabel, no…I’m not…” but she cut him off. “All this time, we have been trying to keep Liz and your son alive, while you’re here! Planning on marrying another women! How could you! How could you do this to Liz!?” Without waiting for an answer, she spun on her heals and fled. Max yelled for her to come back, but she ignored him. Turning to Kayla, rage filled his eyes. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you this! I AM NOT MARRYING SERNA! I AM IN LOVE WITH LIZ!” Turning to Manika he calmed, “Look, I never asked for this, but I went along willingly, if none of you can accept the fact that I love Liz and am going to marry her, then you can’t accept me.” Manika interrupted him before he could finish. “Max, it’s not that. It’s just that there are things that you don’t know about Zane…Your mother feels like she’s reliving your fantasies as Zane, she’s only doing what she thinks is best for you.” Glancing as a mute Kayla she added “Isn’t that right?” Max looked back and forth from between them. He had a vague feeling she was talking about Ariya. He hadn’t told anyone about remembering it all. “Your talking about Zane’s love for Ariya aren’t you?” Both women looked at him, shock on their faces. “How do you know about Ariya?” Manika asked. Kayla looked disgusted. “This infatuation with this human is the same as Zane’s infatuation with her.” Max looked at them. “I remember a lot more then I let on. Maybe if you had let him follow his heart, things wouldn’t have turned out the way they did. I’m not that person anymore…now if you don’t mind, I have to go find my sister and straighten this whole thing out. Manika, prepare a ship. I am going to get my family, all of them, including my son. Let’s just hope I’m not to late, or there will be hell to pay.” Not caring that Kayla mouth dropped open at the news he had a son, or Manika’s guilty looks, he turned to go find his sister.
I found Isabel sitting by the fountain in the gardens, crying like her whole life just ended. I sat beside her and pulled her into a hug. “Is, I am NOT marrying anyone but Liz, Our mother is just having a hard time accepting that. She doesn’t seem to accept that Liz isn’t human anymore. So she’s been setting me up with Serena over and over again.” Lifting her chin so she was forced to look into my eyes I added. “My love for Liz is the same as Zane’s was for another.” Isabel wiped the tears from her face. “So you remember loving Tess?” I shock my head “No, her name was Ariya. She was beautiful. In these memories, I could see that Zane loved her like I love Liz. I don’t know much more then that. I thought I would have more time to figure out more about her. She’s so familiar, Is, there are times when it scares me. Zane wanted to have a life with her, but Kayla threatened to take everything from him if he did. So he married Ava, I don’t know what happened to her, but with the most recent flashes, I feel like something bad happened, causing Zane to become ruthless in his grief. I can’t let that happen again. If Kayla can’t accept Liz, then I will walk away from all of this. I don’t want it if I can’t have Liz by my side.” Isabel nodded in understanding. “Max, I remember everything!” I held her as fresh tears flowed. I was afraid of this. “Is, your not Vilandra, you never could be her. You are gentle and kind and sweet. I love you and I know you would do nothing to hurt me.” She looked at me with sad eyes. “Max, can you ever forgive me?” I smiled at her “Of course Izzy, but there’s nothing to forgive, cause you haven’t done anything, but if it helps, then yes, I forgive Vilandra.” She gave me a weak smile. Looking sadly up at me, she added. “Jason told us things. Things that make me not trust Kayla anymore then I trust Vilandra. I nodded, “Yeah, I get that vibe off of her. But we don’t have time to discuss this now. You can tell me later. Right now, we have to go help Liz.” I helped her up and together we walked back to the palace.
“See what you have done! Now he’s leaving and he may never come back!” Kayla just smiled at Manika’s fury. “Of course he’s coming back, he said so himself, but not in so many words.” Her smile faltered at the memory of his words. Turning to Manika she asked “You knew about his child didn’t you? You knew and never said anything to me…why?” Manika looked at her. “Why?! Cause I knew you would do something drastic, plus, I wasn’t sure at the time. You’re the one who hide the communications, it’s not like I wasn’t telling you anything you didn’t already know.” Kayla shook her head. “All the communications said was that Liz was in danger and they need him to help them. I never heard anything about a child. Maybe it’s not his. This could all be a set up for her to win him back….that must be it. I’ll just have to take care of it, that’s all.” Manika looked at her with disbelief. “You wouldn’t! You would hurt an incessant child?!” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Jason would never let you hurt her or Max’s son.!” At the sound of her brothers name, Kayla spun on her. “Don’t bring him into this. They fled this world like sissy’s!” Manika couldn’t believe she was saying these things. “No, him and Jessa left to protect your children…your reborn, engineered children. He did that, just because they took their families with them to protect them also doesn’t make them sissy’s!” Kayla smiled sweetly at her. “You would know nothing of why they did what they did, now would you? You were just a child yourself, hiding under a table while you watched Kivar kill your whole family. I bet you liked becoming his little whore.” Furious, Manika went to go lunge at her, but she was already gone. Just then, Max and Isabel returned. Without looking at Max, she said “I’m coming with you.” Max was stunned, but he didn’t protest. “Ok, we leave at once. Then, maybe, while we wait during the ride, you can give me some answers I’ve been wondering about.” Manika nodded. “If this is about Ariya, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. But we have to hurry. I have a bad feeling that shortly, Liz will be in even more danger, and there will be nothing to stop it unless we get to her and the child first.” Max was stunned, “what are you talking about?” Manika shook her head. “I’ll fill you in on the way. We leave in half an hour. Be ready.” With that she ran from the room.
Max, Isabel and Manika boarded the ship that was waiting. Along with them, a few of Manika’s men were there. Max noticed a older man with Manika’s men. He’d seen him around Manika, helping her, training her lately. But he never talked to Max directly. When Max had asked Manika about him, she had only smiled and replied, ’an old friend who wished to be anonymous until the time is right.’ He had accepted this without anymore questions, but the familiar feeling for the older man were unsettling, considering he couldn’t quite place him. Isabel looked around, noticing, Manika stated “If your looking for Kayla, don’t bother.” Isabel looked at her “No, of course not. But why wouldn’t she?” Manika looked from her to Max. “The answers to that will have to wait. Let’s just say, she’s not to happy about this rescue and return.” Max looked at her. “Well, happy or not, she’ll have to get used to it.” Manika smiled at him, The older man took the controls they lifted off. Once Manika had instructed him for the ship to take over on auto pilot she turned to face them. “This baby will fly itself all the way there.”
Isabel sighed. Max walked over to her. “Are you alright?” She smiled up at him. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just don’t look forward to being on a ship for another trip.” He smiled at her. “It won’t take as long getting back. Manika told me that we’ll be taking a portal back. It shouldn’t take more then a few hours.” Isabel was amazed, “well if I had known that, then I would have used it getting here.” Max laughed at her expression. “Not many people know about it. I learned of it on the way to Antar” Taking her hand he continued. “Let’s go get some answers shall we?” Isabel nodded. As they walked into the back of the ship, he noticed that Manika was already there, waiting with three cups of synthesized coffee, which was becoming a fast favorite on Antar. “I guess you’d like to know many things. I assumed you were remembering more then you were letting on. But I wasn’t sure if you would want to know more then you were remembering. So where would you like me to start?” Max sat “At the beginning of course, I mean with Ariya.” Manika sighed and looked away. “I figured that’s were you would want to start.” Looking straight into his eyes she asked “Are you sure you’re ready to hear this?” Max nodded. “Ok…Ariya was born to Zane’s nanny when Zane were little. She and her older brother grew up with Zane and Vilandra. Ariya was always special, she was what we call a Zenith. A zenith is a being of superior power. They are rare and all that we know of them comes mostly from legend. It was always evident that Ariya and Zane were close. But the queen feared that as they grew older, they would grow even closer, so she was sent to a normal school in the city. When your nanny died, the king insisted that her older brother stay with you in the palace and be raised as one of the royal children. Not many people knew why this was, but there were rumors. It wasn’t until I worked with Kivar that I learned why this was. He was his little brothers child. See, most people thought that he was Jessa and Rath’s child. Jessa treated him as if he were hers. But he was really just Rath‘s child.” At this, Isabel gasped. “No, this can’t be….” Max looked at her. “What do you mean Isabel?” Isabel looked at Max. “Max, she’s talking about Michael!” Max paled. Isabel looked at Manika. “This can’t be right. I’ve met Jessa….she is Michael’s mother!” Manika looked at Isabel. “Yes, Michael is her child, but little Rath wasn’t. When you all died and were reborn, they added some of Jessa’s essence to his so that he would be her child.” Isabel nodded. Looking at Max she said. “Michael can’t find out about this. He would be devastated!” Max agreed, looking back at Manika he asked “Where was Ariya in all of this?” Manika sighed “No one really knew but Zane. Once again there were rumors that she and Zane were secretly meeting. I guess that could be right. As they grew, it was inevitable that they fell in love. Rath was more then happy to help his little sister secretly met Zane. Rath loved Ariya, and had tried on more then one occasion to convince his father and Jessa that she should come live with them. But everyone knew that the queen would never allow that, they feared her power, so he resorted to helping her with Zane. Rath and Zane were best friends. As they all grew, they were inseparable, going everywhere together. Vilandra and Rath soon became a figure, and they were soon engaged. Set up of course by there parents, but neither complained. Then one night the queen found out about the secret meeting between Zane and Ariya. She was furious, and insisted to the king that he find someone proper to marry their son. Avaina was a perfect choice. But even the engagement didn’t stop Zane from pursuing Ariya. He was willing to give up everything to be with her, but she wouldn’t allow it. She didn’t want him to have to chose, but he already had. He chose her. Ava was furious, and went to the queen. The queen in return threatened Ariya. But she wouldn’t budge on her love for Zane….” she rushed to finish the sentence. “something horrible happened and Zane became ruthless…” Max gave her a look. Isabel of course didn’t notice “What happened to her for Zane to become so ruthless?” Manika looked back at Max. “I don’t know” “ I think you do know…what did Kayla do to Ariya?” Manika sighed “Max, I really don’t know. The rumor was that Ariya killed herself so that Zane didn’t have to chose between his wife and her, but I think that Kayla did something to her. Zenith‘s are loyal to those they love, among other things. Which is why they are a superior race. They don‘t like confrontation.” Max looked down. “You think that Kayla killed Ariya, don’t you?” Manika nodded. “Ariya was as gentle as a kitten, but had courage and strength…she wouldn’t kill herself and leave her brother and Zane like that. Rath knew something had happened, and was relentless to find out what that was. Eventually, his quest pushed Vilandra into the arms of Kivar. All Kayla’s ever told me is that she got Zane to give up on Ariya and she could do it again. Max, I think she could resort to hurting Liz. She even went as far as to say that this child isn’t yours. That Liz is using is as a set up to get you back. Max was furious, to think that his own mother would go so far to get what she wanted. “Is this why you said before we left that we had to get to Liz first?” Manika nodded. “No one really knows what happened to Ariya but Kayla, and she’s very tight lipped about what happened back then. After Zane and everyone else was killed, Zane’s father was furious. He blamed Kayla for Zane’s ruthlessness. The King always did adore Ariya, he saw that she was harmless. But not all Zeniths are, which is why Ariya was special…she was loyal and sweet…did you know that Kivar was also a Zenith? It’s why he was so hard to defeat. Nothing can out do a Zeniths powers…at least nothing our people have. When Rath begged for Ariya to come live in the palace, the King agreed. But Kayla had a fit, it was her who stopped it from happening. Everyone always said that what happened was her fault. But then again, not many of the loyalists really know what happened. All I know, is that we need to get to Liz, I don’t think that Kayla will do anything to Liz, but with her, you can never be to careful, if you know what I mean…” Everyone nodded, to worried to say what was really on their minds.
As they neared their destination, Max remembered something that still weighed heavily on his mind. Looking at Isabel and Manika he asked. “What is a Zenith?” Manika looked at him. “A Zenith is the only superior being then our race. They are very powerful, and very rare. The percentage of someone in our universe to actually meet a Zenith is about one in ten hundred million.” Max nodded. “Ariya was a Zenith?” Manika nodded. Isabel looked at her. “What do you mean they are powerful?” Manika sipped her coffee, contemplating her question. “Not much is known about them, since they are so rare. Most of the information about them is found in legends. But supposedly, they are born powerless, and have to be awakened. No one really knows how they have to be awakened. Because of this, I guess you could say that that is one of the reasons they are so rare. Most of them, their power is never awakened. But I can tell you, those who had the pleasure of meeting Ariya would tell you that she had a power to make you feel alive. She would walk into a room, and everyone would notice. Once you have the love of a Zenith, it is unbreakable. They are like power chargers. Amplifying the powers of those around them. Some people say that things are limitless with them around.” When Manika said this, Isabel became lost in her own world. *Jason was right, Liz is a Zenith…*Glancing at Max she sighed. Looking at Manika she asked a question that had plagued her mind since hearing of Zane’s love. “Kayla felt threatened by Ariya’s power didn’t she?” Manika smiled a slight smile. “Some things never change. Kayla loves her family, Zenith’s may be powerful, but like I said. They can become power hungry, like Kivar, you never know which way they will go once they have the power, but Kayla didn’t want that blood to be mixed with the Royal blood lines. She lives in an illusion that your family blood line are the superior of all.” Max looked out the small windows that the ship possessed. “How did Ariya come into her powers?” Manika looked away from him, flushing slightly at her answer. “When Ariya and Zane finally admitted their love for one another and um…bonded.” Isabel was shocked. “But I thought she got her powers early on…” Noticing her mistake, Manika rushed to correct herself. “Not in the way that you are thinking. Bonding happens when two people souls met for the first time and bond together, creating one soul instead of two.” Accepting this, and thinking about Liz and Max’s connection, she noticed that Max had drifted into his own world, looking like a five year old at Christmas. She knew that he could sense Liz in his heart, and it made him feel giddy at the thought that he was so close.
Isabel’s departure really put a damper on everyone’s moods. At least this time, there was more of an explanation. Colin was playing happily in the back yard of the groups four bedroom home that everyone in the community had pitched together to build for them, when Adam came around the corner. Colin’s eyes lit up as he toddled over to his friend. “Hi” he said as he reached out his little arms for Adam to pick him up. Adam smiled, everyone in the community knew of his love for the little boy. Jason looked up from the table he was sitting at, he got up to walk over to his son. “Hey Adam, how are you?” Adam looked at his father. Over the years, Jason had taken in Liz and her group as if they were his own. “I’m fine, is Liz around?” At this, Colin’s eyes perked up. “Ma Ma?” The child squirmed in his arms. Adam sat him on the ground and watched as he ran toward the patio doors, which Maria was opening to bring the child a snack. “Hey there big boy, let’s go have a bite to eat…shall we?” Adam watched as Maria handed him a cup of juice. Tilting his head to one side he looked up at Maria with big soulful eyes. “Juice? Bite?” He asked as he pointed a finger at the plate that Maria was holding. “Yes sweetie, it’s juice. Where would you like to sit?” Adam chuckled as Colin sat on his diapered butt right were he was standing, taking a big swig from his toddler cup. Maria sat across from him Indian style he reached for the apple bites and cheese that Maria had cut up for him. Adam turned his attention back to his father. Jason wasn’t even looking at him, but was gazing out over the rolling hills that surrounded that plot of land that Liz and the group now owned. “Dad?” He asked. Jason glanced back at him. “Oh, what? Sorry, no Liz isn’t here. Agent Steven’s picked her up early this afternoon.” Adam looked at the ground. “I thought they were going to give her off this week so that she could recuperate from the last assignment?” Jason sighed “I know Adam, but he showed up unannounced. No one even knew he was here until we heard him yelling. Colin had him pinned up against the old oak over there. Scared the living hell out of him.” Adam smiled. “They thought they could handle him. Christ, all of us put together can hardly handle him…” Jason smiled at him. “Yeah…Colin was crying though, seems to me that Steven’s must have scared him. He wouldn’t calm down until Liz came out to get him. It even took her awhile to convince him to let him down. Michael had to step in even. Speaking of Michael, he said he wanted to talk to you, so you’d better stick around. He should be back from school soon. He’s not going to be to happy about Liz being late. He didn’t want her to go this time, but Steven’s threatened to take Colin. Of course after what Colin did to him, I would really like to see that happen.” They both laughed. Adam turned to hear Maria telling Colin that it was almost nap time as she wiped him off. He gave her a gentle shove with his powers and took off running down the hill toward the barn that held his many pets. All the while yelling “puppy, puppy.” Adam took off after him as Maria shot him a grateful smile as she stood and dusted herself off. Jason smiled as she came over. “You had it coming, you should know by now not to use that three letter word on him.” Maria laughed. “Yeah, I know…but he never hurts me when he does it. So I can’t be angry with him.” They sat at the table again as Jason once again picked up his paper. Maria watched as Colin played with the three month old puppies that Liz’s dog Sunny had given birth to. Michael often tried to pretend that he didn’t like the lab, but Maria and Liz often caught Michael scratching her ears and feeding her table scraps when he thought no one was looking. Finally she got up and went to join them in their play. She laughed as Colin fell and all the puppies rushed to see who could give him the most kisses, while Colin screeched in happiness at his little friends. Soon though, both puppies and child were exhausted and fell asleep in a pile under one of the apple trees. Sunny came over to inspect her sleeping brood and curled up next to Colin to watch over them all.
Adam and Maria sat not far away, talking. “Liz is late.” Maria started. “Yeah I noticed, you would think they’d have enough respect to give her some time off…after all she’s been though.” Maria nodded. “I don’t think they really care. They don’t see her as a person, just something that they can use to do their dirty work. And we all know if she doesn’t do it then…“ she couldn’t continue. It was Adam’s turn to nod. “I worry about her Maria. I mean, it’s like they are trying purposely to kill her indirectly so that they can get to Colin.” Maria looked at him. “I think that was their plan the whole time. Slowly kill her and then we have nothing to say because she’s the one that went back on their contract. They really think we’re stupid if they think that we don’t notice.”
At this time Michael black Ford 4x4 pulled up and Michael and Alex jumped out. Noticing Colin sleeping among the puppies, Michael silently walked over and scooped him up. Adam and Maria stood as Alex asked “She’s not back yet is she?” Both shook their heads. Alex sighed. “This is getting ridicules.” Everyone stood in silence, no one had to speak for everyone was thinking the same thing. Finally, Maria stated it was time to start dinner. When they all got to the door, Jason was just getting ready to leave. “Maria, I’ll see you tomorrow morning to pick up Colin. Jessa would do it herself, but the other kids are arriving early.” Maria nodded.
Jessa ran a day care for all the kids in the community. It was great cause she taught all the kids how to use their powers properly. Even though some of the kids didn’t have any at all. It was a day care where the secret of who they were didn’t have to be hid. Also it wasn’t like she did it alone. Maria often went along to help her, but being powerless herself, she was stuck doing everything the old fashioned way so she helped the kids who didn‘t have any power themselves.
Going back to start the dinner, she didn’t notice Michael come in behind her. Alex walked into the living room and flipped on the TV. Michael wrapped his arms around her waist, and snuggled into her neck. Sighing he gave her a kiss and went about helping her with the dinner. Michael had grown to become more relaxed since they all moved to Wisconsin with Jason. He had everything he ever wanted. He had found his family and no longer had to carry around his secret that once laid so heavily on his mind.
An hour later, Colin knocked on his door to alert everyone that he was awake. “I’ve got him!” Alex yelled from the living room. “Good!” Michael yelled back. “Cause dinner is ready!” Alex came into the dining room carrying a giggling Colin. As he sat him in his high chair, Colin suddenly stopped laughing. Everyone paused and looked at him. Colin and Liz’s connection was even stronger then Michael and Liz’s, and there was no blocking the other out when it came to them. Colin’s eyes light up as he struggled to get out of his high chair screaming at the top of his lungs. “MAMA! MAMA!” Alex finally gave in and let him down after the fifth time of Colin undoing his buckles with his powers.
Everyone rushed to the front door just in time to see the black town car pulling into the drive way. Michael rushed past everyone as Agent Steven’s stepped out of the car holding a crackling, unconscious Liz. Michael grabbed her demanding “What the hell did you do to her! You told us you were going to give her some time off so she could recuperate!” Agent Stevens’ just smiled coyly at him. “We had something that came up that needed Liz’s expertise. Anyway, she’s the one that agreed to do it.” Going to step back in the car, he stopped. “Anyway, we wouldn’t want anything happening to sweet Colin would we?” He eyed Michael as he noticed Michael’s glowing body. “You might want to calm down Michael, she’ll get her time off, now that she’s completed the last of the project. We won’t need her until the next one. That should take a few weeks of planning to get it underway, so do what ever you do and she’ll be good as new by morning. We’ll be in…” He didn’t get that far as he was hurled back twenty feet by an energy blast. Shouts were heard as men scrambled to his side. Turning to see where the blast came from, one Agent charged toward Colin, but didn’t get very far as he too was hurled away from the group. All eye’s turned toward the little boy who was now standing next to his mother, holding her hand.
Trying to stand Steven’s ordered everyone back into the car. Dusting himself off, he solemnly said to the group. “You had better get that child under control or we’ll be forced to deem him dangerous.” Walking up to the boy he knelt down. “Colin, she’s Ok, just really tired. She needs to go nigh night. Ok.” Maria grabbed Colin’s arm right as he was about to hit the Agent square across the cheek. Colin looked up at Maria. Turing his big brown, soulful eyes he telepathically spoke to Agent Steven. ’If you would not make her to do mean things, she could stay up and not go nigh night, then she could read me a story.’ Tears threatened to fall down his soft chubby cheeks. Agent Steven’s sighed. Once again standing he looked at the faces of the solemn group around him. Turning he got in his car. Colin turned and telepathically told everyone to head to the water falls. Holding onto on Liz’s hand he toddled silently with the group, everyone’s dinner long forgotten.
