Much thanks to KarenEvans for beta-ing for me. Much appreciated. It's great to have a sounding board for the mass of confusion in my head.
Larek sat down on Liz’s chair as she positioned herself of the end of her bed. He looked at her in expectation. She took a deep breath as she tried to formulate the words in her head. Her plan was nuts but it was all she had.
“Is there any way that the Royal Four could be deposed?” Liz asked looking Larek straight in the eye.
“You are talking about treason?” Larek asked, aghast. He rose to leave but Liz pushed him back into the chair.
“Have they accomplished anything of value during their reign?” Liz pressed. “Have they done anything to benefit Antar?”
“They are our leaders and we cannot speak ill of them!” Larek replied in a tired voice.
“So there has been talk of their incompetence.” Liz guessed. “Larek, what circumstances would be needed to place someone else in charge?”
Larek paled but he saw the determination in her eyes.
“The entire council of elders would have to vote unanimously to revoke the powers of the Royals. Why?”
“Is there anyway that that could be done?” Liz asked. Larek shook his head.
“Too many fear anarchy. You have no idea what it was like here before the Royals returned. They may not be all we hoped they would be but they are all we have!” Larek spoke in a passionate voice. “We would be leaderless and more vulnerable without a central government. An easy target for Kivar.”
Larek continued. “You have no idea the position we are in at the moment. The Royals make contrary decisions and there is no focus on their plans.” Larek began to rant. He had kept all of these feelings inside for the past six months and he knew that his rant would be kept secret by Elizabeth. He felt useless and impotent in his new position. “There is no way it can be done.”
He turned to Liz with a sad expression on his face expecting to see a similar one on her face. He was wrong, she wore a small smile.
“What if there was another potential ruler!” Liz asked. “Would it be possible then?”
“Who?” Larek returned in exasperation. “All members of the Royals families were rounded up by Kivar and executed after the Royals were killed. There is no one left with Royal blood to take the throne. This is why we reconstituted them.”
“There isn’t a being of Royal blood yet but there will be in about six months!” Liz replied confidently. She placed a hand on her abdomen indicating to Larek her current state. Larek was stunned.
“You are with child?” Hope began rising in his chest. If he could rally the elders behind this child then they could depose the Royals and free the humans. “Who is the father?” Larek was curious if she knew given her current life style.
“Rath.” She replied with sadness.
She had known for a while and had been in denial about her pregnancy. She couldn’t believe that she hadn’t thought of the possibility before. She was 100% sure it was Rath’s baby. She hadn’t been summoned to Zan in many weeks during the time of conception.
“It is not my intention to depose them.” Liz clarified. Larek froze, unsure of what she had in mind.
“Why not?” He was astounded. Given the Royals treatment of their ‘friends’, he expected her to order their imprisonment at least. As mother of the future ruler, Liz would have power until the child came of age.
“I want to have their royal rights stripped so we can force them to undergo the process in reverse.” Liz explained. “I understand your confusion but despite the anger and humiliation that I feel, that my friends also feel, this is not who they are. You heard them before the process. They didn’t want any harm to come to us and they did everything in their power to protect us; at least until their transformation. If the process is successful and they revert to their former selves… Nothing we can ever do will make them feel worse about this than they already will.” Liz paused as she looked at Larek.
He was staring at her in open admiration. He was awed by her heart and her ability to forgive. Liz blushed under his scrutiny. It was an odd sensation, having believed that she lost her innocence and girlish ways months ago.
“What do you need me to do?” Larek asked.
“I need you to approach the elders and explain the situation to them. My only concern will be that the baby won’t be seen as legitimate. But the Royals are hybrids so I don’t think they can be that fussy about it. Explain the plan and keep everything as secret as possible. I understand what you are doing is treason and you could be executed for it. If you don’t feel comfortable with this then I can try to contact someone else!” Liz stated.
Again, Larek was awed by her. She was in a horrific position and she was concerned about him and his welfare. Even after he had failed to protect her and her friends. Larek rose and bowed deeply before her.
“I will do everything in my power, your majesty!” Larek stated. Liz blushed.
“I am not a royal.” She protested.
“You carry the Royal line within you. But not only that, never before have I stood in the presence of such greatness and nobility. It is an honour to know you, Lady Elizabeth!” Larek bowed again and left the room.
Liz felt herself smile at his sweetness. But she also felt something far more dangerous. She felt hopeful!
A few hours later Liz was lying on her bed deep in thought when her door opened. It was Alex. At first she thought that he needed completion but when he lay down beside her without removing his robe she knew what he sought was comfort.
Liz turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders Alex opened the front of her robe to reveal her breasts and laid his head on them. He snuggled in closer to her and exhaled deeply.
She knew that after his session with Zan he needed to be near a female form. He was still very confused sexually and needed to be reassured by a feminine presence. As Liz ran her fingers through his hair she received a flash from him.
*********
She witnessed Alex walk down the stairs to Zan’s suite. Zan hadn’t had a haircut since he was last on Earth and his hair had developed a slight curl on the ends. It gave him an almost angelic halo around his still boyish face.
Alex knew what was expected of him and he walked over to Zan and disrobed. Zan instantly grabbed Alex’s cock and began a steady rhythm Alex moved his hips in response and performed the same action with Zan’s rock hard shaft.
Zan left him hard as he indicated what he wanted Alex to do. Alex lowered himself onto his knees and took Zan’s large erection into his mouth.
He teased the tip with his tongue before descending on it. His left hand fondled Zan’s balls as his right hand cupped Zan’s ass cheeks before dipping his fingers into his ass. Zan began thrusting into Alex’s mouth probing deeper and deeper down his throat until he came.
They had a routine; Alex would give Zan a blowjob then Zan would play with Alex’s body until he became hard again and then he would fuck him anally.
Alex was caught off guard when Zan finished cuming in his mouth then turned to lean against the bed, ordering Alex to fuck him. Alex was stunned and took a moment to realise what was happening and what was changing.
Zan grew impatient and reached around to grab Alex’s hand. He pulled it around his own body pressing against his chest. Alex positioned his cock at Zan’s tight ring and began to slowly push himself into the waiting King. Zan made no sound as Alex pushed himself up to the hilt into Zan’s body.
Alex soon found a pleasing rhythm and was slamming in and out of Zan. Zan took the hand of the arm pressed against his chest and placed it on his now rigid cock. Alex created a dual rhythm by thrusting into Zan from behind and caressing his cock at the front.
Alex felt his orgasm spark to life inside of him. He pushed Zan’s body down on the bed and placed both hands on his hips, driving in and out of Zan’s ass with quick, purposeful jabs. He came as he pulled out of Zan’s ass, ejecting his cum on Zan’s buttocks.
His body shook from his orgasm as Zan turned and pushed his still hard cock into Alex’s mouth and began to thrust into his throat again. He came quickly the second time, Alex still feeling the tremors in his body. He swallowed the semen in his mouth as Zan rose and redressed. He left the room and Alex in a state of chaos.
Alex rose to his feet, slightly unsteady, and retrieved his robe. He immediately went to his shower to wash away any residue on his cock.
He stared at himself in the mirror afterwards. He didn’t know what to expect. He wasn’t the same guy who had left Earth all those months ago, that was for damn sure.
His body had been used and abused by his former friends. He and Kyle often sat in companionable silence just reliving the memories of their humiliation.
Kyle had more difficulties than he did performing their duties. Part of him sought any pleasure he could find, but afterwards, when he sat on his own and cried, confusion caught up with him.
Was he gay? Was he bisexual? Were Rath and Zan controlling him so he would be erect for them?
So many questions but no answers, never any answers.
He had done it; he had really done it. He had fucked a guy. Was there any coming back from that?
He had reasoned before that since Zan and Rath were always the ones who fucked him he had no choice and any reaction his body had was not by his doing.
This scared him more than he cared to admit. He wasn’t homophobic by any means. He had never had an inkling that he would ever have any attraction for his own sex.
If he did now it meant that he had changed more than he thought he had. He needed to do something. He needed to be proactive against this. He pulled his robe around his shoulders and walked through to Liz’s room.
He appreciated her body now she was more voluptuous. He had never truly seen her as a girl before she had been physically altered by the alien females. He laid his head against her breasts and relaxed for the first time in a long time.
*****
It was the first flash she had received since she had arrived on Antar and it took her by surprise. She reasoned that it must be because of the baby. She had thought that Alex was dealing better with the situation than he really was.
She was reluctant to tell him of her plan because she didn’t want to get his hopes up in case it didn’t work. So she just gave him all the comfort he sought from her warm body.
“What happened?” She asked sensing that he needed to talk about it.
“I fucked Zan!” He stated bitterly. Rouge tainted his cheeks as he felt unwell at his admission.
“Did you enjoy it?” Liz asked knowing full well the answer. Alex nodded. “It’s amazing isn’t it?” She questioned.
“What is?” Alex asked perplexed.
“How the power feels. To have free reign over someone’s body. I wonder if that’s how they feel when they come to us.” Liz explained. “When Vilandra, Zan or Ava give me the power over them I take it without hesitation. When was the last time that you felt in control?”
“Today.” Alex admitted. “I don’t get it.”
“What?” Liz propped herself up on her elbow her breasts brushing against Alex’s face as he looked up at her from her horizontal position.
“They don’t seem to get much pleasure out of it.” Alex stated. “They cum, sure, but when they touch me I get a physical reaction to it. They don’t. He felt no pain when I fucked. How is that possible? Even with their relaxing powers I still felt some pain, so did you when Rath fucks you.”
“I know, I noticed that to. When they cum, it’s a short grunt. Not really an orgasm, just a completion of sorts.” Liz added. “I wonder if they feel pleasure. They must otherwise they wouldn’t do it, right?”
“I don’t know, Liz. There are so many questions.”
“They are emotionless, no pity, joy or remorse. I wonder why they do it.” Liz continued.
Alex didn’t answer; he couldn’t have even if he wanted to. He didn’t have the answers. He gave Liz a kiss on the mouth as he caressed her breasts. Liz leaned back and allowed Alex command of her body.
It was no longer a personal entity. It was a tool for pleasure. Alex opened his robe and lay on top of her. She instinctively spread her legs and allowed him entry into her body.
The door was opened again, this time Kyle came through it. He sat on the bed next to Liz and Alex and fondled her breasts as Alex stroked in and out of her.
Liz licked her lips and reached over to grope Kyle’s erection. He repositioned himself and teasingly placed his cock in her mouth. Alex’s ministrations caused Liz to moan, the vibrations running up the length of Kyle’s shaft. He moaned in turn which brought Maria in from her room.
She ran her fingers over Kyle’s shoulders as he removed his cock from Liz’s mouth and pulled Maria in front of him. He positioned her so she was on all fours as he slipped his cock into her wet pussy. He pulled her upright as he sat back on his heels, her back pressing into his front and made her work for him.
She rotated her hips lifting them off of his body. His hands cupped her breasts, pinching her nipples as she worked herself higher and higher. She was turned on watching Alex and Liz fuck in front of her and knew that Kyle felt the same way.
She had discovered a voyeuristic side of her personality. She got so turned on watching two people pleasuring each other. Her hands danced over Liz’s face as she lowered a finger into her own pussy and brought that finger to Liz’s lips.
The guys watched as Liz tasted Maria sucking on her finger. Kyle brought both of his hands to Maria’s hips and roughly pushed and pulled her on and off of his cock. Her breasts were squeezed by her own hands, her nipples, already bruised by Kyle, were clamped between her fore fingers and thumbs. Her body shook as she came, Kyle followed moments later.
They continued to watch Alex and Liz as their bodies calmed down. Alex had pulled Liz’s legs over his shoulders and continued to probe deeper into her sopping wet core. He hit her ‘G’ spot and she was constantly moaning and speaking in tongues. She came with a violent force as Alex spilled into her.
They disengaged and lay fully nude on the bed in a tangled foursome. Liz leaned back and brushed her lips over Alex’s and the over Kyle’s. Maria, feeling left out, pulled Liz into a brief kiss. Liz turned to Alex again and spoke softly in his ear.
“I want you to kiss Kyle.” She stated in a sultry voice. Alex froze in her arms. He pulled away from her in shock and confusion. “You need to know.”
She turned away from Alex and manoeuvred her way over to Kyle. “Kyle, I want you to kiss Alex.” Kyle had the same reaction that Alex had had. Maria nodded her head in agreement.
“It turned both of you on the watch Liz and me touch, we aren’t shy about it.” Maria added.
She pulled Kyle up to sit beside her as Liz pulled Alex closer to the group. Kyle and Alex exchanged furtive glances. They both grudgingly consented and tentatively approached one another.
Alex took a deep breath and placed a gentle hand on Kyle’s jaw. Kyle moved forwards and placed his closed lips on Alex’s closed lips. Neither one moved.
Maria reached down and caressed Alex’s cock with feather light touches. He moaned gently. Liz followed suit and ran her fingers over Kyle’s torso, her nailed scraping over his nipples.
Kyle moved his lips against Alex’s, running his tongue lightly over his surprisingly soft lips. Alex responded and opened his mouth slightly his tongue connecting with Kyle’s.
Both boys stiffened slightly but continued. Their kiss deepened until they were kissing fully. The sensations were different from kissing girls. It wasn’t unpleasant just different.
Kyle pulled Alex closer to him angling his mouth to gain better access. They moved closer and closer together until their torsos touched and their arms were wrapped around each other. They finally broke the kiss and gasped for breath. Liz and Maria smiled at each other knowing that the guys had made a break through.
“Something was missing wasn’t it?” Liz asked. Alex and Kyle turned to her in confusion. Liz turned to Maria and planted her lips on her friends beautiful pout. Maria responded enthusiastically and the girls were soon mimicking the boys’ actions.
“Kissing Liz is amazing.” Maria stated. “But when we’re fucking Ava or Vilandra something is missing. It’s pleasurable and everything but it’s just not the same as fucking Zan or Rath.” Liz nodded in agreement.
Alex and Kyle looked at the girls then each other and realised what they were saying was true. Alex had enjoyed kissing Kyle, it had been an experience and Kyle knew how to kiss. But something was missing. He felt better about his actions earlier with Zan. It had been pleasurable but something was missing.
Kyle was not as reassured as Alex but he was calmer about the whole situation. He had hated every ounce of feeling he had had during his encounters with the alien men. It felt as though a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.
He smirked slightly as he grabbed Alex and pinned him to the bed.
“I can’t deny it anymore!” He stated in jest. “Alex, I love you! Marry me!”
He announced as he lowered his overly puckered lips onto his friend. Alex burst out laughing as Liz and Maria followed suit. It was the first time in a long time that any of them had felt any joy.
The hope Liz had felt earlier returned even stronger. Something had changed. She didn’t know what it was yet but it had definitely changed!
The Universal Truth of All things... COMPLETE
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Three days later Liz was sitting in her room when a knock sounded at the door. None of her friends knocked so she correctly assumed it was Larek. He stood at the entrance to her room with a male companion.
“Your announcement and plans have been well received but the elders require evidential proof. This is Kavos, he is a doctor who can satisfactorily determine that you are pregnant, and who the father is, for the elders.” Larek explained, he looked slightly pained as he did not want her to think that he doubted her claim. “They are very exacting and are unwilling to proceed further without sold proof.” Liz nodded.
“I expected as much, please come in.” The two men entered the humble room as Liz closed the door behind them. “I haven’t told the others about this development because I don’t want to get their hopes up.” She explained. She turned to Kavos but found his eyes on the floor. “Does he speak English?”
“He does not. The reason for his behaviour is a sign of respect.” Larek explained in a paternal fashion. “He wishes to show you that he respects you and your position.”
“I wish he wouldn’t!” Liz confessed feeling self conscious enough. “Please, proceed with what needs to happen.”
Larek and Kavos spoke in soft tones as Kavos directed Liz through Larek’s translation.
“I need to learn this language!” Liz joked as she positioned her robe to reveal her abdomen but preserve some modesty as well. More for the gentlemen in the room than for her own sake.
Kavos opened his medical bag and produced a crystal and what looked like a wand made of glass. Liz lay on her back on the bed as he balanced the crystal on her stomach. At three months she was starting to round a little.
Kavos pointed the wand at the crystal and it began to glow brightly, emitting a white light. Liz noticed that Kavos’ hand trembled slightly and Larek’s seemed to relax.
“You are definitely with child and the child is Antarian.” He revealed in an awed tone.
He spoke a few words to Kavos who removed the crystal and wand and retrieved what appeared to be a sheet of glass. Liz raised her head to get a closer look.
The surface of the glass looked as though it had been covered in diesel; it had a shiny metallic quality but remained transparent.
With a reverent nod to Liz, Kavos placed it against her abdomen and it too emitted a white glow. Liz sat up further and saw what had the two men captivated.
On the small screen she could see her small baby, nestled in her body, protected and very real. Kavos looked at her and smiled slightly.
“Rath.” He stated in a gentle voice. Liz nodded in agreement. Kavos bowed his head in a sign of respect and gathered his belongings, leaving Larek and Liz alone in the room.
“How did he know about the baby being Rath’s?” Liz asked, curiously. Larek paused for a moment unsure of how to explain it to her. It was still something of a mystery to him.
“Any child born with Antarian blood from the father’s side is automatically given the lineage of his family.” Larek replied.
“Lineage?” Liz asked, curiously.
“Children here are defined by their fathers, not their mothers. Any child of Rath’s or Zan’s would have automatic royal status, no mater the status of the mother. A child born to Vilandra or Ava to a non royal male would not have royal status.” Larek explained. He noticed Liz’s raised eyebrow in disapproval.
“But that still doesn’t explain how he saw it on the scan.” Liz continued.
“Each person on this planet has a genetic tag, so to speak.” Larek attempted to clarify. “This tag is a combination of the tags of the mother and father which create a unique signature. The tag of the father is dominant producing this specific signature for every person. Even brothers and sisters have unique tags. Your child carries Rath’s tag.” Larek replied. “This tag is visible to the trained eyes of doctors. There really isn’t much else that I know.”
“Thank you.” Liz spoke softly. Her hand had somehow migrated to her stomach where it rested protectively over her baby. “What will happen now?”
“What ever it is it will happen quickly.” Larek stated with certainty. “Kavos will tell the elders of his findings and they will reach a decision today. I believe that the royals will be detained later on today when they sit in on the joint session to determine the progress of the war.”
He placed as fatherly kiss to her temple before standing tall and bowing before her. He left the room without a word, leaving Liz in a state of euphoric confusion.
Larek was correct in his assumption. He returned later that day to move Liz and the others to their old quarters. Maria, Alex and Kyle were all very confused by the proceedings but Liz was reluctant to tell them what was happening.
“I need you to trust me now.” She stated passionately. “Events have been put in motion but we are safe and free now. That much; I can tell you.”
“Where are the royals?” Kyle asked in apprehension. Despite all of his conflicting emotions he was worried about this sudden turnaround.
“In custody.” Larek replied taking attention away from Liz. “They were badly altered by the process, as you all know, and we are taking steps to rectify what went wrong.”
“They are going to be put back the way they were before?” Maria asked excitement audible in her voice. Larek nodded.
“Please, do everything you need to make yourselves comfortable here. Clothes have been provided in the wardrobes and food is being sent for.” Larek soothed. He turned to Liz. “There is something that I need to discuss with you.” Liz nodded and turned to her friends.
“I’ll be back later.” She stated in a tone that revealed to her friends that she knew what was going on and they needed to have faith.
Larek noticed the interaction between the friends and was warmed by it. He had seen many close friendships over the years; he had many friends who knew everything about him. But all of those friendships were based on flashes.
Antarian people could relate and communicate through a mental link. It was open and reciprocal. He was awed by the humans’ friendship. In his opinion they were unable to fully display their emotions and were unable to adequately express their thoughts.
They used facial expression, body language, intonation and eye contact. They were a far more physical race than the Antarians. It was fascinating to watch them communicate.
He led Liz towards the wardrobe where she selected a gown in her size and moved to the secluded changing rooms at the back. A few minutes later she re-emerged looking a radiant and regal.
Her gown was silver and her hair hung loose down her shoulders. The dress fit very snugly around her breasts and she moved as though she experience some discomfort. Her friends nodded in understanding. It had been a while since she had been fully clothed.
Larek led her down the corridor and through a series of passages that she recognised from six months ago. He was taking her to the laboratory. Instead of entering the main lab, Larek led her to a side door that led to a set of stairs.
Slightly confused Liz followed without saying a word. At the top of the stairs a door led into a viewing room. Liz recognised some of the men present as those is the great hall on their first day on Antar. They all rose and bowed as Liz entered the room.
A row of chairs all faced left. Liz looked in the direction they were pointing and saw the lab beneath her. She didn’t remember seeing the room before, but she had a feeling that it was hidden from view intentionally.
She took a seat and focused on the chair in the centre of the lab. The door of the lab opened and the royals were led in. Well, Zan, Ava and Vilandra were led in. Rath was forced into the room by three guards.
“Why don’t they use their powers to escape?” Liz asked Larek in a hushed voice.
“A device was injected into them when they were first seized.” He explained.
Liz remembered the device that Brody/Larek had used against them in Roswell and assumed it was a scaled down version.
Rath was first in the chair; he was tied down and struggled against his bonds. The diodes were placed on his body and the light was illuminated. When the light switched off he remained as Rath.
There didn’t seem to be any change in him.
He was released from the chair but kept under the control of the guards as the other three were de-processed.
Again there was no change in them. Liz felt her heart sink until she remembered that their initial transformation had not been immediate. It had been gradual. All of the men in the room turned to Liz in expectation.
“It is your decision highness, what shall we do with them?” Larek prompted gently. He could see that she was still very unsure in her position. He was about to answer for her when she spoke up.
“As long as they remain the way they are now I want them to be under guard.” Liz stated. “Find secure rooms, or cells, for them to be detained in.”
Larek conveyed her commands to the other men in the room who nodded in agreement. Liz took a deep breath and rose to the window. She placed her hand on the glass and watched as they led the royals from the lab.
“How much do they know?”
“They know that there is a contender to the throne and that the elders have elected to depose them.” Larek replied.
“Don’t tell them anymore!” Liz stated. “If anything should go wrong the less information they have the better!” Larek again conveyed her commands to the rest of the group.
“As you wish; highness.” Larek acquiesced.
“What now?” Liz asked in a forlorn voice. Her doubts were coming back to haunt her. What if they didn’t come back? She was going to be Queen. Her child was going to rule! She suddenly felt ill.
“Your announcement and plans have been well received but the elders require evidential proof. This is Kavos, he is a doctor who can satisfactorily determine that you are pregnant, and who the father is, for the elders.” Larek explained, he looked slightly pained as he did not want her to think that he doubted her claim. “They are very exacting and are unwilling to proceed further without sold proof.” Liz nodded.
“I expected as much, please come in.” The two men entered the humble room as Liz closed the door behind them. “I haven’t told the others about this development because I don’t want to get their hopes up.” She explained. She turned to Kavos but found his eyes on the floor. “Does he speak English?”
“He does not. The reason for his behaviour is a sign of respect.” Larek explained in a paternal fashion. “He wishes to show you that he respects you and your position.”
“I wish he wouldn’t!” Liz confessed feeling self conscious enough. “Please, proceed with what needs to happen.”
Larek and Kavos spoke in soft tones as Kavos directed Liz through Larek’s translation.
“I need to learn this language!” Liz joked as she positioned her robe to reveal her abdomen but preserve some modesty as well. More for the gentlemen in the room than for her own sake.
Kavos opened his medical bag and produced a crystal and what looked like a wand made of glass. Liz lay on her back on the bed as he balanced the crystal on her stomach. At three months she was starting to round a little.
Kavos pointed the wand at the crystal and it began to glow brightly, emitting a white light. Liz noticed that Kavos’ hand trembled slightly and Larek’s seemed to relax.
“You are definitely with child and the child is Antarian.” He revealed in an awed tone.
He spoke a few words to Kavos who removed the crystal and wand and retrieved what appeared to be a sheet of glass. Liz raised her head to get a closer look.
The surface of the glass looked as though it had been covered in diesel; it had a shiny metallic quality but remained transparent.
With a reverent nod to Liz, Kavos placed it against her abdomen and it too emitted a white glow. Liz sat up further and saw what had the two men captivated.
On the small screen she could see her small baby, nestled in her body, protected and very real. Kavos looked at her and smiled slightly.
“Rath.” He stated in a gentle voice. Liz nodded in agreement. Kavos bowed his head in a sign of respect and gathered his belongings, leaving Larek and Liz alone in the room.
“How did he know about the baby being Rath’s?” Liz asked, curiously. Larek paused for a moment unsure of how to explain it to her. It was still something of a mystery to him.
“Any child born with Antarian blood from the father’s side is automatically given the lineage of his family.” Larek replied.
“Lineage?” Liz asked, curiously.
“Children here are defined by their fathers, not their mothers. Any child of Rath’s or Zan’s would have automatic royal status, no mater the status of the mother. A child born to Vilandra or Ava to a non royal male would not have royal status.” Larek explained. He noticed Liz’s raised eyebrow in disapproval.
“But that still doesn’t explain how he saw it on the scan.” Liz continued.
“Each person on this planet has a genetic tag, so to speak.” Larek attempted to clarify. “This tag is a combination of the tags of the mother and father which create a unique signature. The tag of the father is dominant producing this specific signature for every person. Even brothers and sisters have unique tags. Your child carries Rath’s tag.” Larek replied. “This tag is visible to the trained eyes of doctors. There really isn’t much else that I know.”
“Thank you.” Liz spoke softly. Her hand had somehow migrated to her stomach where it rested protectively over her baby. “What will happen now?”
“What ever it is it will happen quickly.” Larek stated with certainty. “Kavos will tell the elders of his findings and they will reach a decision today. I believe that the royals will be detained later on today when they sit in on the joint session to determine the progress of the war.”
He placed as fatherly kiss to her temple before standing tall and bowing before her. He left the room without a word, leaving Liz in a state of euphoric confusion.
Larek was correct in his assumption. He returned later that day to move Liz and the others to their old quarters. Maria, Alex and Kyle were all very confused by the proceedings but Liz was reluctant to tell them what was happening.
“I need you to trust me now.” She stated passionately. “Events have been put in motion but we are safe and free now. That much; I can tell you.”
“Where are the royals?” Kyle asked in apprehension. Despite all of his conflicting emotions he was worried about this sudden turnaround.
“In custody.” Larek replied taking attention away from Liz. “They were badly altered by the process, as you all know, and we are taking steps to rectify what went wrong.”
“They are going to be put back the way they were before?” Maria asked excitement audible in her voice. Larek nodded.
“Please, do everything you need to make yourselves comfortable here. Clothes have been provided in the wardrobes and food is being sent for.” Larek soothed. He turned to Liz. “There is something that I need to discuss with you.” Liz nodded and turned to her friends.
“I’ll be back later.” She stated in a tone that revealed to her friends that she knew what was going on and they needed to have faith.
Larek noticed the interaction between the friends and was warmed by it. He had seen many close friendships over the years; he had many friends who knew everything about him. But all of those friendships were based on flashes.
Antarian people could relate and communicate through a mental link. It was open and reciprocal. He was awed by the humans’ friendship. In his opinion they were unable to fully display their emotions and were unable to adequately express their thoughts.
They used facial expression, body language, intonation and eye contact. They were a far more physical race than the Antarians. It was fascinating to watch them communicate.
He led Liz towards the wardrobe where she selected a gown in her size and moved to the secluded changing rooms at the back. A few minutes later she re-emerged looking a radiant and regal.
Her gown was silver and her hair hung loose down her shoulders. The dress fit very snugly around her breasts and she moved as though she experience some discomfort. Her friends nodded in understanding. It had been a while since she had been fully clothed.
Larek led her down the corridor and through a series of passages that she recognised from six months ago. He was taking her to the laboratory. Instead of entering the main lab, Larek led her to a side door that led to a set of stairs.
Slightly confused Liz followed without saying a word. At the top of the stairs a door led into a viewing room. Liz recognised some of the men present as those is the great hall on their first day on Antar. They all rose and bowed as Liz entered the room.
A row of chairs all faced left. Liz looked in the direction they were pointing and saw the lab beneath her. She didn’t remember seeing the room before, but she had a feeling that it was hidden from view intentionally.
She took a seat and focused on the chair in the centre of the lab. The door of the lab opened and the royals were led in. Well, Zan, Ava and Vilandra were led in. Rath was forced into the room by three guards.
“Why don’t they use their powers to escape?” Liz asked Larek in a hushed voice.
“A device was injected into them when they were first seized.” He explained.
Liz remembered the device that Brody/Larek had used against them in Roswell and assumed it was a scaled down version.
Rath was first in the chair; he was tied down and struggled against his bonds. The diodes were placed on his body and the light was illuminated. When the light switched off he remained as Rath.
There didn’t seem to be any change in him.
He was released from the chair but kept under the control of the guards as the other three were de-processed.
Again there was no change in them. Liz felt her heart sink until she remembered that their initial transformation had not been immediate. It had been gradual. All of the men in the room turned to Liz in expectation.
“It is your decision highness, what shall we do with them?” Larek prompted gently. He could see that she was still very unsure in her position. He was about to answer for her when she spoke up.
“As long as they remain the way they are now I want them to be under guard.” Liz stated. “Find secure rooms, or cells, for them to be detained in.”
Larek conveyed her commands to the other men in the room who nodded in agreement. Liz took a deep breath and rose to the window. She placed her hand on the glass and watched as they led the royals from the lab.
“How much do they know?”
“They know that there is a contender to the throne and that the elders have elected to depose them.” Larek replied.
“Don’t tell them anymore!” Liz stated. “If anything should go wrong the less information they have the better!” Larek again conveyed her commands to the rest of the group.
“As you wish; highness.” Larek acquiesced.
“What now?” Liz asked in a forlorn voice. Her doubts were coming back to haunt her. What if they didn’t come back? She was going to be Queen. Her child was going to rule! She suddenly felt ill.
Last edited by polar4eva on Sat Jul 08, 2006 12:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thank you for your patience. This is the first part of this section - the other part is still with my beta - the fab KarenEvans! Will post soon but here is a teaser!
Liz returned to her suite later on to find it empty. She quickly looked in on her friends to find them sleeping in their old beds. An aura of innocence enshrouded them as they seemed to relax for the first time in recent memory. Liz returned to her room, undressed and climbed into her bed.
She was shaken awake several hours later. A strong pair of hands shook her shoulders attempting to communicate with her. In shock, Liz attempted to free herself but was soon roused by Larek’s voice.
In a sleepy daze she rose and gathered her robe around her body. Larek led her out of her room and along the corridor. She heard him speaking to her but couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. Her mind was too shrouded in sleep. She had fallen into a peaceful and tranquil slumber in her old bed.
“I don’t understand.” Liz protested as she was pulled along a new corridor. She hadn’t seen this before.
Larek led her around a corner and up a flight of stairs that seemed to go on forever. By the time they reached the top Liz was exhausted.
“Larek!” Liz ordered in frustration.
“Michael has returned.” He whispered softly in her ear.
Liz froze in shock. She looked around the dim room and saw a handful of guards and four doors behind them. A strange noise was coming from two of them. Liz cautiously approached the room and peered through the barred window.
In the dark room she could see Michael standing up but couldn’t tell what he was doing. He was growling and grunting as the noise continued to sound through the door.
Liz ordered Larek to open the door. With a moment of hesitation, Larek was worn down by Liz’s commanding gaze. He relayed her order to a subordinate and the door was opened. And Liz stepped inside. Her blood froze.
Michael was punching the wall.
In the dim light she could see his hands were cut up and bleeding, probably broken. Yet he continued to assault the wall.
Liz took a step backwards and out of the cell. Michael hadn’t noticed her presence. After a few words were exchanged with Larek five of the soldiers were sent into the room to restrain Michael.
He fought them every step of the way but was soon shackled to the bed. As the soldiers left the room, Liz could hear Michael pant and cry as he struggled against his bonds.
Taking a moment to calm her heart, Liz entered the cell and approached the bed. It wasn’t until she sat down on the bed beside him that Michael noticed she was there.
His face turned from purple exhaustion to white terror. His struggles became more and more violent as he attempted to get away from her. Liz sat as still as she could, her hand concealed her belly, attempting to protect their child should anything happen.
Liz leaned over Michael and placed a hand on his chest in an effort to calm him. Michael became more and more distressed and confused. Liz saw blood on his wrists where he had been bound to the bed.
Taking a deep breath she rose from the bed and leaned over Michael, placing a kiss to his forehead before exiting the cell.
After another conversation with Larek, Kavos; who had been standing by, entered the cell and sedated Michael.
Liz felt a combination of disappointment and relief flood her vein. She was more confused than ever. She was relieved that the de-process had worked but she was disappointed that she hadn’t been able to talk to Michael.
She had no clue what she would have said but just to get tangible proof that he was back.
Liz moved to the other cell that emitted sound. Peering into the dark room Liz could make out a female figure sitting on a bed rocking back and forth as she sobbed.
Nodding to the guard, the door was unlocked and Liz entered. Upon closer inspection Liz found Tess in an equal state of despair as Michael albeit less destructive. Liz sat down beside Tess but refrained from touching her.
“Tess. Can you hear me?” Liz asked quietly.
A small wail from Tess informed Liz that she had an audience.
“A lot has happened. We all know that. We also know that it wasn’t your fault!”
Tess froze as Liz spoke to her. Her rocking stopped but she continued cry quietly.
“Alex, Maria, Kyle and I just want you four back. I know that things aren’t going to be easy! Too much has happened. But you are back, that’s all we care about right now.” Liz placed a tentative hand on Tess’ arm.
Her only response was Tess moving a fraction of an inch away from her.
“You four are going to stay here for a while until things are sorted out. Michael is back but he is sedated because he was hurting himself. As far as I know Isabel and Max are still the way they were.”
“I’m…” Tess stuttered.
“What?” Liz asked grateful for the verbal response.
“So.r..r..y.” Tess sobbed into her hands. Liz wrapped her arms around the girl who seemed to have shrunk before her very eyes.
“Would I be here if I hated you?” Liz asked. “Answer me Tess!” She ordered.
“N.n.n.no.” Tess replied.
“We don’t hate you. We may not like you a lot right now but we don’t hate you!” Liz replied. “Things will not be easy but they will get better eventually, I promise!” Liz whispered into her ear.
Tess looked at her in confusion and awe.
“How can you say that?” She asked with a hiccup.
“Despite our differences in the past, I know that you would never intentionally hurt me. We got past that a while ago.” Liz replied. “I was angry for a long time; so were the others, but we can’t hold onto the anger any more. It’s too self destructive. We have accepted what has happened and we are working through it.” Liz answered as honestly as she could. “It’s not easy and it will take time.” Tess nodded.
She relaxed in Liz’s hug and calmed down a little. After a few moments Liz rose and left the room. She turned and gave Tess a small smile as she exited.
Liz peered into the cells holding Max and Isabel and found both of them asleep. She felt as though a slight weight had been lifted from her shoulders as she turned to speak to Larek.
“I want them kept here. The cells are to be unlocked but this will be their quarters until we get all this sorted.”
“As you wish; your highness.” Larek bowed and led her down the tower.
With a forlorn gaze at Michael’s cell Liz descended the stairs and returned to her room knowing that sleep wouldn’t come easily.
Liz returned to her suite later on to find it empty. She quickly looked in on her friends to find them sleeping in their old beds. An aura of innocence enshrouded them as they seemed to relax for the first time in recent memory. Liz returned to her room, undressed and climbed into her bed.
She was shaken awake several hours later. A strong pair of hands shook her shoulders attempting to communicate with her. In shock, Liz attempted to free herself but was soon roused by Larek’s voice.
In a sleepy daze she rose and gathered her robe around her body. Larek led her out of her room and along the corridor. She heard him speaking to her but couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. Her mind was too shrouded in sleep. She had fallen into a peaceful and tranquil slumber in her old bed.
“I don’t understand.” Liz protested as she was pulled along a new corridor. She hadn’t seen this before.
Larek led her around a corner and up a flight of stairs that seemed to go on forever. By the time they reached the top Liz was exhausted.
“Larek!” Liz ordered in frustration.
“Michael has returned.” He whispered softly in her ear.
Liz froze in shock. She looked around the dim room and saw a handful of guards and four doors behind them. A strange noise was coming from two of them. Liz cautiously approached the room and peered through the barred window.
In the dark room she could see Michael standing up but couldn’t tell what he was doing. He was growling and grunting as the noise continued to sound through the door.
Liz ordered Larek to open the door. With a moment of hesitation, Larek was worn down by Liz’s commanding gaze. He relayed her order to a subordinate and the door was opened. And Liz stepped inside. Her blood froze.
Michael was punching the wall.
In the dim light she could see his hands were cut up and bleeding, probably broken. Yet he continued to assault the wall.
Liz took a step backwards and out of the cell. Michael hadn’t noticed her presence. After a few words were exchanged with Larek five of the soldiers were sent into the room to restrain Michael.
He fought them every step of the way but was soon shackled to the bed. As the soldiers left the room, Liz could hear Michael pant and cry as he struggled against his bonds.
Taking a moment to calm her heart, Liz entered the cell and approached the bed. It wasn’t until she sat down on the bed beside him that Michael noticed she was there.
His face turned from purple exhaustion to white terror. His struggles became more and more violent as he attempted to get away from her. Liz sat as still as she could, her hand concealed her belly, attempting to protect their child should anything happen.
Liz leaned over Michael and placed a hand on his chest in an effort to calm him. Michael became more and more distressed and confused. Liz saw blood on his wrists where he had been bound to the bed.
Taking a deep breath she rose from the bed and leaned over Michael, placing a kiss to his forehead before exiting the cell.
After another conversation with Larek, Kavos; who had been standing by, entered the cell and sedated Michael.
Liz felt a combination of disappointment and relief flood her vein. She was more confused than ever. She was relieved that the de-process had worked but she was disappointed that she hadn’t been able to talk to Michael.
She had no clue what she would have said but just to get tangible proof that he was back.
Liz moved to the other cell that emitted sound. Peering into the dark room Liz could make out a female figure sitting on a bed rocking back and forth as she sobbed.
Nodding to the guard, the door was unlocked and Liz entered. Upon closer inspection Liz found Tess in an equal state of despair as Michael albeit less destructive. Liz sat down beside Tess but refrained from touching her.
“Tess. Can you hear me?” Liz asked quietly.
A small wail from Tess informed Liz that she had an audience.
“A lot has happened. We all know that. We also know that it wasn’t your fault!”
Tess froze as Liz spoke to her. Her rocking stopped but she continued cry quietly.
“Alex, Maria, Kyle and I just want you four back. I know that things aren’t going to be easy! Too much has happened. But you are back, that’s all we care about right now.” Liz placed a tentative hand on Tess’ arm.
Her only response was Tess moving a fraction of an inch away from her.
“You four are going to stay here for a while until things are sorted out. Michael is back but he is sedated because he was hurting himself. As far as I know Isabel and Max are still the way they were.”
“I’m…” Tess stuttered.
“What?” Liz asked grateful for the verbal response.
“So.r..r..y.” Tess sobbed into her hands. Liz wrapped her arms around the girl who seemed to have shrunk before her very eyes.
“Would I be here if I hated you?” Liz asked. “Answer me Tess!” She ordered.
“N.n.n.no.” Tess replied.
“We don’t hate you. We may not like you a lot right now but we don’t hate you!” Liz replied. “Things will not be easy but they will get better eventually, I promise!” Liz whispered into her ear.
Tess looked at her in confusion and awe.
“How can you say that?” She asked with a hiccup.
“Despite our differences in the past, I know that you would never intentionally hurt me. We got past that a while ago.” Liz replied. “I was angry for a long time; so were the others, but we can’t hold onto the anger any more. It’s too self destructive. We have accepted what has happened and we are working through it.” Liz answered as honestly as she could. “It’s not easy and it will take time.” Tess nodded.
She relaxed in Liz’s hug and calmed down a little. After a few moments Liz rose and left the room. She turned and gave Tess a small smile as she exited.
Liz peered into the cells holding Max and Isabel and found both of them asleep. She felt as though a slight weight had been lifted from her shoulders as she turned to speak to Larek.
“I want them kept here. The cells are to be unlocked but this will be their quarters until we get all this sorted.”
“As you wish; your highness.” Larek bowed and led her down the tower.
With a forlorn gaze at Michael’s cell Liz descended the stairs and returned to her room knowing that sleep wouldn’t come easily.
Last edited by polar4eva on Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Next bit- thanks a bunch Karen. You're a star!
Kik
Maria awoke the next morning more rested than she had been in a long time. She surprised herself with her lack of hatred for the Royals. Mostly she felt pity, for all eight of them. She rose and dressed; finding clothes already laid out for her and a breakfast tray beside them.
The palace chefs had concocted some bland dishes for the Earthlings at Larek request.
As she ate Maria’s mind processed the events of the night before. She trusted Liz implicitly but she knew her best friend too well to doubt that her reasons were huge. Liz wouldn’t keep secrets from her and the boys unless it was a question of life or death.
Quickly finishing her breakfast she walked out of her room and towards Liz’s. She crept quietly into the dimly lit room and approached the bed.
She whispered Liz’s name but received no response. Maria tapped Liz’s arm gently in an attempt to rouse her, but not startle her. Again she received no response.
Fear began to sink in as she shook her friends hard. Liz remained unconscious. Maria checked her pulse and breathing before leaving the room to get the boys.
Neither of them had any luck in rousing Liz either. A serving girl entered the room with a tray of food for Liz. All three humans shouted the name ‘Larek’ until the girl finally understood and left the room in search of him.
Larek arrived ten minutes later, confused and worried.
“What is wrong?” He demanded.
“We can’t wake her.” Maria cried in fear. Tears slid down her cheeks as her shoulders shook.
Larek sat down next to Liz but he too, failed to wake her.
“I will send for Kavos.” He declared in a quiet voice full of fear. He had no idea what was going on and he knew too little of human physiology to guess.
“Who is Kavos?” Alex asked.
“He is a doctor.” Larek answered before conveying his command to the serving girl who stood cowering in the doorway. “He has met Liz before and is aware of her condition.”
“What condition?” Kyle demanded in an angry voice. Larek realised that he had said too much. Liz must not have revealed the presence of her child to her human friends.
“If her Majesty has chosen to hide her condition from you then I am in no position to betray her confidence.” Larek back tracked.
“That is the second time you have referred to her as Majesty. Why?” Kyle demanded. As the son of a sheriff he knew how to understand the subconscious choice of words of a suspect.
His head was spinning. Majesty? Why would Liz suddenly be a Majesty? Her condition? What could be wrong with her? Was it her health? The word condition triggered Kyle’s realisation of Liz’s current situation.
“She’s pregnant!” Kyle announced turning white.
“What?” Alex yelped.
“How do you know that?” Maria demanded.
“Liz is a ‘Majesty’ now. The Antarians would never risk the Royals unless they had a back up plan. They do now! Her condition is her pregnancy. That means that the father is Zan or Rath.” Kyle revealed. He looked to Larek with narrowed eyes.
“You are correct in your reasoning. Liz did not want to raise your hopes but she has been working with us to detain the Royals and have them de-processed.” Larek stated. He was impressed by Kyle’s reasoning.
“What is wrong with her then?” Alex asked. He was angry that Liz had concealed her condition but his main priority was to make sure she was safe.
“I do not know!” Larek answered truthfully. “I have sent for the doctor hoping that he can enlighten us.”
“Does she know who the father is?” Maria asked. She just needed to hear Larek say it. She, along with the others, had noticed Rath’s fascination with Liz and she knew that he was the father.
“Rath.” Larek answered.
He saw Alex and Kyle nod as though it made sense to them somehow.
He was about to question them about it when Kavos entered the suite. He saw Liz lying prone and immediately moved to her ignoring the others in the room.
Before he touched her he bowed slightly in a sign of respect and proceeded to examine her. He checked her pulse, breathing, brain functions and finally he used the tinted glass sheet to examine the baby.
All the Earthling gathered around him to watch the tiny life nestled inside of their friend. Larek rose and walked a few paces away from the group.
He motioned to Kavos to join him and the two were involved in a lengthy discussion before Kavos left the room, his shoulders slumped and his steps slow.
“What?” Alex asked in trepidation. Larek took a deep breath and led the three humans to the couch in Liz’s suite.
“Liz is ok. She is just low on energy.” Larek began.
“Why?” Maria demanded pouncing metaphorically on Larek. A stern look from Kyle quietened her.
“Last night I received word that two of the Royals were back. They had undergone de-processing and two of them had returned to their previous selves. Not knowing which ones I immediately retrieved Liz and we went to their cells.”
“Cells?” Alex asked.
“Liz was present with me when the Royals underwent the process for a second time. She ordered that whilst they remained in their current states they were to be guarded and kept apart. We followed her commands and they were placed in four cells in the tower.” Larek explained patiently.
“The first room she entered was Rath’s. Or Michael as we call him now. He was punching the walls and she ordered that he be restrained. He was bound to the bed to prevent him injuring himself further. Liz attempted to communicate with him but he was in too much shock and distress to talk to her. She ordered that he be sedated. He was.” Larek paused to allow the humans to process the information.
“Michael is back?” Maria asked in a small voice. Larek nodded.
“Who else has recovered?” Alex inquired.
“Tess has returned. Liz entered her room next and was able to elicit some response from her but not much. She was sitting on her bed rocking back and forth as she cried.” Larek explained. “Afterwards Liz returned to her suite and this is where you found her this morning.”
“Why can’t we wake her?” Kyle asked. His tone was strong and clear but his eyes were swimming.
“Last night in the presence of the father, Liz’s child attempted to create a connection with Michael. Why the baby has chosen not to do so before I can only speculate.” Larek confided.
“What do you think?” Alex probed.
“I think that Liz believes Michael to be the father of her baby, not Rath. So in Rath’s presence the baby did not recognise him as the father.”
“Smart kid!” Maria remarked wryly.
“A product of Michael and Liz?” Kyle joked. “This kid is going to be incredibly smart and stubborn!” The three of them chuckled.
Again Larek was amazed at their ability to change from a state of remorse and fear to one of laughter and jocularity in a moment. No matter how similar they looked on the outside Antarians and humans were very different inside.
Antarians had as many emotions and feelings as humans but time and evolution had allowed them to override their hearts in favour of their heads. The humans were ruled by their hearts. The Antarians had been fighting too long to have the luxury of strong feelings.
Maybe when the war was over they would learn once again how to express themselves the way the humans could.
“So what is happening to Liz now?” Kyle asked attempting to get the conversation back on track.
“The baby has sensed the father and is trying to forge a connection with him. Unfortunately the baby is using Liz’s energy to do it. If she were Antarian this would not be a problem but her human physiology is under great strain. She is in no pain or discomfort but she lacks the energy to awaken and move. She will remain like this until the baby forms a connection with the father or the baby is born.” Larek finished.
“So go get Michael.” Alex demanded.
“It isn’t that easy!” Kyle answered on Larek’s behalf. “Michael doesn’t know about the baby. If we waltz up there, rouse him, tell him that he is a father and demand that he connect with Liz; he wouldn’t be able to take that mentally or emotionally.”
Alex and Maria nodded in understanding.
“We have to do this slowly and carefully. Liz isn’t in any danger right now and provided that she is cared for and looked after then this is the way she would want it. You know that as well as I do.” Kyle looked meaningfully at his friends who nodded in agreement.
“What is it?” Larek asked in confusion.
“We want to see the Royals.” Alex revealed.
Kik
Maria awoke the next morning more rested than she had been in a long time. She surprised herself with her lack of hatred for the Royals. Mostly she felt pity, for all eight of them. She rose and dressed; finding clothes already laid out for her and a breakfast tray beside them.
The palace chefs had concocted some bland dishes for the Earthlings at Larek request.
As she ate Maria’s mind processed the events of the night before. She trusted Liz implicitly but she knew her best friend too well to doubt that her reasons were huge. Liz wouldn’t keep secrets from her and the boys unless it was a question of life or death.
Quickly finishing her breakfast she walked out of her room and towards Liz’s. She crept quietly into the dimly lit room and approached the bed.
She whispered Liz’s name but received no response. Maria tapped Liz’s arm gently in an attempt to rouse her, but not startle her. Again she received no response.
Fear began to sink in as she shook her friends hard. Liz remained unconscious. Maria checked her pulse and breathing before leaving the room to get the boys.
Neither of them had any luck in rousing Liz either. A serving girl entered the room with a tray of food for Liz. All three humans shouted the name ‘Larek’ until the girl finally understood and left the room in search of him.
Larek arrived ten minutes later, confused and worried.
“What is wrong?” He demanded.
“We can’t wake her.” Maria cried in fear. Tears slid down her cheeks as her shoulders shook.
Larek sat down next to Liz but he too, failed to wake her.
“I will send for Kavos.” He declared in a quiet voice full of fear. He had no idea what was going on and he knew too little of human physiology to guess.
“Who is Kavos?” Alex asked.
“He is a doctor.” Larek answered before conveying his command to the serving girl who stood cowering in the doorway. “He has met Liz before and is aware of her condition.”
“What condition?” Kyle demanded in an angry voice. Larek realised that he had said too much. Liz must not have revealed the presence of her child to her human friends.
“If her Majesty has chosen to hide her condition from you then I am in no position to betray her confidence.” Larek back tracked.
“That is the second time you have referred to her as Majesty. Why?” Kyle demanded. As the son of a sheriff he knew how to understand the subconscious choice of words of a suspect.
His head was spinning. Majesty? Why would Liz suddenly be a Majesty? Her condition? What could be wrong with her? Was it her health? The word condition triggered Kyle’s realisation of Liz’s current situation.
“She’s pregnant!” Kyle announced turning white.
“What?” Alex yelped.
“How do you know that?” Maria demanded.
“Liz is a ‘Majesty’ now. The Antarians would never risk the Royals unless they had a back up plan. They do now! Her condition is her pregnancy. That means that the father is Zan or Rath.” Kyle revealed. He looked to Larek with narrowed eyes.
“You are correct in your reasoning. Liz did not want to raise your hopes but she has been working with us to detain the Royals and have them de-processed.” Larek stated. He was impressed by Kyle’s reasoning.
“What is wrong with her then?” Alex asked. He was angry that Liz had concealed her condition but his main priority was to make sure she was safe.
“I do not know!” Larek answered truthfully. “I have sent for the doctor hoping that he can enlighten us.”
“Does she know who the father is?” Maria asked. She just needed to hear Larek say it. She, along with the others, had noticed Rath’s fascination with Liz and she knew that he was the father.
“Rath.” Larek answered.
He saw Alex and Kyle nod as though it made sense to them somehow.
He was about to question them about it when Kavos entered the suite. He saw Liz lying prone and immediately moved to her ignoring the others in the room.
Before he touched her he bowed slightly in a sign of respect and proceeded to examine her. He checked her pulse, breathing, brain functions and finally he used the tinted glass sheet to examine the baby.
All the Earthling gathered around him to watch the tiny life nestled inside of their friend. Larek rose and walked a few paces away from the group.
He motioned to Kavos to join him and the two were involved in a lengthy discussion before Kavos left the room, his shoulders slumped and his steps slow.
“What?” Alex asked in trepidation. Larek took a deep breath and led the three humans to the couch in Liz’s suite.
“Liz is ok. She is just low on energy.” Larek began.
“Why?” Maria demanded pouncing metaphorically on Larek. A stern look from Kyle quietened her.
“Last night I received word that two of the Royals were back. They had undergone de-processing and two of them had returned to their previous selves. Not knowing which ones I immediately retrieved Liz and we went to their cells.”
“Cells?” Alex asked.
“Liz was present with me when the Royals underwent the process for a second time. She ordered that whilst they remained in their current states they were to be guarded and kept apart. We followed her commands and they were placed in four cells in the tower.” Larek explained patiently.
“The first room she entered was Rath’s. Or Michael as we call him now. He was punching the walls and she ordered that he be restrained. He was bound to the bed to prevent him injuring himself further. Liz attempted to communicate with him but he was in too much shock and distress to talk to her. She ordered that he be sedated. He was.” Larek paused to allow the humans to process the information.
“Michael is back?” Maria asked in a small voice. Larek nodded.
“Who else has recovered?” Alex inquired.
“Tess has returned. Liz entered her room next and was able to elicit some response from her but not much. She was sitting on her bed rocking back and forth as she cried.” Larek explained. “Afterwards Liz returned to her suite and this is where you found her this morning.”
“Why can’t we wake her?” Kyle asked. His tone was strong and clear but his eyes were swimming.
“Last night in the presence of the father, Liz’s child attempted to create a connection with Michael. Why the baby has chosen not to do so before I can only speculate.” Larek confided.
“What do you think?” Alex probed.
“I think that Liz believes Michael to be the father of her baby, not Rath. So in Rath’s presence the baby did not recognise him as the father.”
“Smart kid!” Maria remarked wryly.
“A product of Michael and Liz?” Kyle joked. “This kid is going to be incredibly smart and stubborn!” The three of them chuckled.
Again Larek was amazed at their ability to change from a state of remorse and fear to one of laughter and jocularity in a moment. No matter how similar they looked on the outside Antarians and humans were very different inside.
Antarians had as many emotions and feelings as humans but time and evolution had allowed them to override their hearts in favour of their heads. The humans were ruled by their hearts. The Antarians had been fighting too long to have the luxury of strong feelings.
Maybe when the war was over they would learn once again how to express themselves the way the humans could.
“So what is happening to Liz now?” Kyle asked attempting to get the conversation back on track.
“The baby has sensed the father and is trying to forge a connection with him. Unfortunately the baby is using Liz’s energy to do it. If she were Antarian this would not be a problem but her human physiology is under great strain. She is in no pain or discomfort but she lacks the energy to awaken and move. She will remain like this until the baby forms a connection with the father or the baby is born.” Larek finished.
“So go get Michael.” Alex demanded.
“It isn’t that easy!” Kyle answered on Larek’s behalf. “Michael doesn’t know about the baby. If we waltz up there, rouse him, tell him that he is a father and demand that he connect with Liz; he wouldn’t be able to take that mentally or emotionally.”
Alex and Maria nodded in understanding.
“We have to do this slowly and carefully. Liz isn’t in any danger right now and provided that she is cared for and looked after then this is the way she would want it. You know that as well as I do.” Kyle looked meaningfully at his friends who nodded in agreement.
“What is it?” Larek asked in confusion.
“We want to see the Royals.” Alex revealed.
Last edited by polar4eva on Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:20 pm, edited 3 times in total.
In an attempt not to give too much away - I just want to clarify some points. The segment where Kyle and Alex kissed was intended to highlight that this story isn't an exploration of sexuality - it is more of betrayal and redemption.
Kyle and Alex discovered through their kiss that despite finding pleasure with members of their own sex it is not where their hearts or minds lay. As many people explore through their lives in trysts with the same sex. The story will continue with the Royals dealing with what happened and explaining what went wrong. It will of course deal with the humans as well and their issues regarding the Royals.
Traditional relationships and sexual confusion are not the main focus of this story. It is about losing your identity and taking it back! Hope this clears up some points. If you have any questions please feel free to email me or post a query.
Love Kik
Kyle and Alex discovered through their kiss that despite finding pleasure with members of their own sex it is not where their hearts or minds lay. As many people explore through their lives in trysts with the same sex. The story will continue with the Royals dealing with what happened and explaining what went wrong. It will of course deal with the humans as well and their issues regarding the Royals.
Traditional relationships and sexual confusion are not the main focus of this story. It is about losing your identity and taking it back! Hope this clears up some points. If you have any questions please feel free to email me or post a query.
Love Kik
I seem to be on a roll so here is the next bit! Kik xoxox
The three humans remained in Liz’s suite after Larek had been summoned by the Elders. The had been sitting in relative silence, only broken by them turning to check on Liz, for about forty minutes when Kyle exhaled heavily and stood up. He paced back and forth in front of the couch, Alex and Maria watched him for a minutes or two until Alex gave up.
“What are you thinking about?” He challenged.
An uncomfortable feeling had developed in his stomach over the past hour and he was frustrated.
“What the hell are we going to say to them?” Kyle whispered as he stopped pacing. “I know that we have to talk to them and that we have to get them all back. I just don’t know how to do it!”
“Liz would!” Maria stated ruefully.
Her friend was always the one with the answers. Well, Liz or Michael. The more she thought about it the stupider she felt. It was obvious that something had been going on and she hadn’t sniffed it out. She didn’t think that anything physical had happened between Michael and Liz before the process but there was an emotional something.
Perhaps just a mutual acknowledgement of feelings followed by a silent pact that nothing could happen. Liz would never betray her like that and Michael would rather suffer any torture than inflict harm on Max.
She felt saddened that her friends had suffered emotionally but at the same time she felt happy that she was blessed with that kind of friendship. Liz and Michael were bound now and she would do everything in her power to reunite Michael and Liz and their baby.
“Anybody have any ideas?” Alex asked. His leg bounced up and down as his mind wandered to all of the potential conversations he could end up having with Max and Michael.
“What do you want from them?” Maria asked curiously.
“I don’t know, really.” Kyle admitted. “I know deep down that it wasn’t really them but it felt like it was at the time.”
“You want an apology?” Alex queried. Kyle shook his head.
“I don’t know. I think we should just go and then take it as it comes.” Kyle rose and walked towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Maria asked as she stole a glance at Liz before following Kyle out. Alex trailed behind her.
“No time like the present!” Kyle replied in clipped tones.
He had heard Larek outside the door and marched up to him.
“Take us to the Royals!” Larek paused for a moment and then nodded. He turned and indicated that the humans should follow him.
After walking through the labyrinth of passageways the three Earthlings stood at the base of the tower steps.
Maria took a deep breath and led the ways.
Kyle and Alex seemed to have lost some of their courage the closer they got to the Royals.
At the top of the stairs they entered the foyer and found the guards at their posts.
“Isabel has awoken.” Larek informed them.
Maria nodded a slight smile of relief on her lips; the guys just stood frozen. Maria walked towards the closest door and opened it. Inside she saw a prone form lying on a cot against the far wall, underneath a small window.
It was Max.
She walked closer to the bed and sat down beside his unconscious form. Alex and Kyle stood in the doorway. Maria brushed her fingers over Max’s face and felt a wave of sadness.
At first, confused, she removed her fingers from his face. The sadness disappeared. Replacing her hand on his chest she again felt the overwhelming sadness. She gasped in shock. Alex rushed to her side.
“What?” He demanded.
“How do you feel right now?” Maria asked. Alex was thrown by the change in topic and stared at her for a moment.
“Numb, why?” Alex asked, his fear rising. Kyle moved closer to the pair using their bodies as a buffer between him and Max.
“Put your hand on him!” Maria insisted as she reached for Alex’s hand and pulled it towards the body on the bed. Alex froze and then stepped backwards.
“What?”
“Please, Alex. I need you to trust me!” Maria begged.
Taking a calming breath Alex approached the bed and placed a finger on his former captor. Kyle witnessed Alex stumble slightly as he touched Max.
“What’s going on?” Kyle asked in concern. He pulled Alex away from Max assuming that it was some kind of post traumatic stress.
“I think we are feeling what he feels!” Maria explained. “I really had no strong feelings when I touched him but then there was this suffocating sadness. When I removed my hand it went away.” Kyle straightened in shock.
“Did you feel it?” He asked Alex.
Alex nodded and rubbed his hands over his face. Kyle walked over to Max and placed his fingers on Max’s arm. He too felt the distraught sensations of the former King.
“Oh my God!”
A loud sob startled them from their confusion as they rushed out of the cell to find out who was crying.
The room next door was home to Isabel who was beating against the cell window bars; crying and talking unintelligibly. Kyle pulled the cell door open and entered the room, pulling Isabel away from the window.
Isabel seemed to relax for a moment as Kyle placed his arms around her, but as soon as she realised who it was she wrenched herself from Kyle’s arms and cowered in the corner farthest away from the door. Kyle was about to approach her when he felt a restraining hand on his arm.
Maria released his arm and walked around him towards Isabel.
“Is?” Maria called softly. “I know that you are confused right now. We all are. We would really like to talk to you though.”
Isabel shook her head vehemently in her hands and remained tucked into the corner.
“I’m really not sure how I feel right now.” Alex stated out of the blue. Kyle and Maria turned to him on confusion. “I’m going to admit that I was abused, humiliated and degraded.” Alex continued as though he was speaking to himself. “I just don’t feel the burning hatred that I expected to when this was all over.”
“Why not?” Isabel stuttered from behind her hands. Alex walked casually over to the bed and sat down. He picked at his nails as he contemplated her question.
“The only strong emotion I really feel right now is relief! Relieved, that it is over and that we can get on with our lives. It won’t be easy by a long shot but I refuse to live like this anymore!” Alex answered softly. “We have all forgiven you. It was too much anger to carry around and, truth be told, we don’t really blame you guys anyway. You would never do anything to hurt us!”
“Amen!” Kyle added.
Maria nodded in agreement. Isabel looked at them in the face for the first time since they entered her cell. Her shoulders shook as her body was wracked with sobs.
Maria reached down and pulled her out of her corner and towards the bed. Isabel sat of the bed with Alex on one side and Maria on the other. Kyle kneeled before her on the floor. Each of them had their hands on her, reassuringly.
They could sense her despair and shock.
“Where’s Liz?” Isabel asked after calming down. The humans exchanged glances that didn’t go unnoticed by Isabel. “Is she alright?”
“Liz is going through something at the moment and we’re not sure what exactly but she is ok. She has seen a doctor but at the moment she is in a coma of sorts!” Kyle answered as honestly as he could.
“Coma?” Isabel yelped. She started to hyperventilate and struggle to get away from the group.
“It has nothing to do with you Isabel!” Maria stated as she helped restrain the panicking blonde.
“We can guarantee that it has nothing to do with you!” Alex promised. “Calm down Is, there is nothing that you can do anyway. This will take time and energy but not yours!”
“Then whose?” Isabel demanded. More glances were exchanged between the humans. “Please trust me!” Isabel begged.
Kyle, Alex and Maria nodded to each other.
“Liz is pregnant!” Kyle revealed. Isabel’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “The baby is attempting to form a connection with the father but because Liz is human it is placing strain on her energy resources.”
“She is physically fine according to Kavos, her doctor.” Alex added.
“That is how the four of you were remanded. Liz used her position as mother of the heir to take control of the Elders and order that you be de-processed.” Maria continued.
“Who is the father?” Isabel asked in a tentative voice.
“Michael is the father!” Alex replied. Isabel paled further.
“Why not have him connect with her? Isn’t he awake yet?” Isabel asked.
“Michael was the first to come back. But he was in a bad way, mentally and emotionally.” Kyle answered.
Seeing Isabel’s confused look Maria continued.
“Michael was going one on one with a stone wall. He was hurting himself. Liz tried to talk to him but he wouldn’t respond to her. Liz ordered him sedated.”
“He doesn’t know about the baby?” Isabel clarified for herself. The others shook their heads. Isabel took a deep breath. “What about the others?”
“Tess is awake and back but we haven’t spoken to her yet. Max is still out of it.” Alex answered.
Isabel paled at the sound of her brother’s name.
“That’s going to be fun to deal with, huh?” Maria remarked in sympathy.
The boys looked confused and turned to Maria for clarification. Maria looked at Isabel with a compassionate look in her eyes.
“The fact that I had sex with my brother!” Isabel replied her voice tight and her face pained. Tears streamed down her eyes as she fought to control her emotions.
Kyle and Alex’s faces were pictures of horror.
“I think I am going to be sick!” Isabel murmured as she swallowed hard.
“We all have fun Freudian stories after this!” Maria remarked. Kyle laughed humourlessly.
“Tell me about it!” He snorted.
Alex chuckled behind him and seemed to dissolve into a giggling heap. Maria struggled to keep a straight face as Isabel and Kyle looked on in worry. Maria lost it and joined Alex’s insanity.
“What’s so funny?” Kyle demanded.
“I have no idea!” Maria replied through her chuckles.
“Me either!” Alex confessed through laughs.
Kyle’s face broke into a grin of amazement at his friends.
“Someone call the Psych ward!” He joked.
Maria and Alex laughed harder and Kyle had to struggle not to join them.
“I don’t understand!” Isabel confessed. Kyle shook his head.
“None of us do!” He replied. “You had sex with Max but you also had sex with Michael, Tess, Alex, Maria, Liz and me! The hardest one for you to deal with will be Max.” Kyle attempted to sort through the confused thought and theories in his head. “Alex and I have to deal with the fact we were fucked by Max and Michael.”
Isabel gasped in horror as she realised what he had just said.
“We each have our own nightmares to deal with. I think we are all relieved; no offence, that our situations aren’t as weird as yours!” Kyle finished.
Isabel smiled ruefully and nodded.
“We take the cake!” She retorted. “I’m so sorry!” She added in a whisper.
“I forgive you!” Kyle replied.
“I forgive you.” Maria stated looking Isabel directly in the eye.
“I forgive you.” Alex added as he held her hand.
Isabel collapsed on her bed in floods of tears. Sobbing for all the pain she had caused and was currently feeling. Each of the humans placed a loving kiss on her forehead before leaving the cell.
They took a moment in the foyer to centre themselves before they entered Tess’ cell, next door to Isabel’s.
Tess was asleep on her cot, her face peaceful and angelic. Her blonde curls created a halo around her face. Kyle stepped forwards to rouse her. Tess’ eyes fluttered open and focused on the face in front of her.
To Kyle’s shock she sat up quickly and wrapped her arms around him. She held on tightly and he could feel tears wetting his neck. His arms closed in around her and he felt his body relax. Tess released him first and looked up to Alex and Maria.
“Hi guys!” She said in a soft voice.
“Hi Tess.” Maria replied. “I see Liz got through to you.” Tess nodded.
“I know that she forgives me but I was anxious to talk to the three of you.” Tess replied. “Where is Liz?”
The humans exchanged glances and told Tess what had happened to her.
“She’s going to be ok?” Tess asked in concern.
“Larek told us that she just doesn’t have enough energy to be conscious but she isn’t in any real danger at the moment!” Alex replied as he sat down next to Tess on the cot.
“How are the three of you?” Tess asked as she focused her eyes on the ground.
“We’re ok.” Maria replied. “How are you?” Tess swallowed a sob as she controlled herself.
“I’m where I probably should be!” She stated sadly.
“In jail?” Kyle asked. “Why do you belong in jail?”
“Last time I checked, rape was a crime!” Tess spoke in a husky voice as tears clung to her eyelashes.
“Yeah, it is!” Alex answered. “I can’t explain it but we are all pretty much of the agreement that it wasn’t rape.” Tess’ head shot up in confusion.
“I know that according to the definition of rape, it was. But to us it wasn’t.” Kyle added. “It didn’t feel like rape!”
“We held you captive, we used you for our needs and then we discarded you.” Tess stated as she cried. “How is that not rape?”
“Ok, so it was!” Maria retorted. “I forgive you for it!”
Tess sat back in shock. It was the last thing that she had expected given the direction that the conversation had taken.
“I forgive you.” Alex added as he stroked her back gently.
Kyle placed a hand under her chin and tilted her head towards his face.
“I forgive you.” He stated in a soft voice before kissing her gently on the forehead.
He understood what Isabel was feeling. Tess was like a sister to him and he didn’t want anything further to jeopardise the relationship. The humans gathered her in between them and held on to each other in a group hug.
After a few more reassurances the humans left her cell and entered the foyer again. They leaned against the walls and gathered their emotions. They had sensed Tess’ anguish but also her awe. It took some getting used to.
Without a word being spoken the group entered the last cell in the tower.
Michael was lying prone on the bed, unnaturally still.
Again Kyle and Alex stood in the doorway as Maria approached the bed. She took note of his shackles and the bloodied and broken hands they restrained.
A frown creased Michael’s brow even in a state of sedation.
Maria remained standing but bent down to brush some hair away from Michael’s forehead. As she touched his skin she felt as though she had been electrocuted. She was forced backwards and yelped in pain.
Alex and Kyle rushed to her side.
“What happened?” Alex demanded checking his friend for wounds. Maria sobbed into Kyle’s shoulder.
“He’s in so much pain.” She stammered.
“You mean his hands?” Kyle questioned. Maria shook her head.
“It was emotional pain. He knows what he did and he is torturing himself with it. I know him, we all do. He knows what he did to Liz and all of us as Rath. It’s killing him.” She sobbed.
“What can we do?” Alex asked.
Kyle and Alex exchanged glances of confusion and panic.
Maria calmed her breathing and stood independently of the guys. As she was calming down Kyle walked towards Michael and before Maria could stop him, he placed a hand on Michael’s arm.
His reaction was instantaneous. Kyle’s face flushed in pain as his knees gave way. Kyle crashed to the floor groaning in agony.
Alex moved to pull Kyle away from Michael but he too felt Michael’s pain. Alex cried out and joined Kyle on the floor.
Maria dragged them away from Michael and they were soon congregated in the foyer again.
“What do we do?” Kyle asked as he recovered from the shock.
Alex shook his head as though trying to clear the confusion that had settled there.
“I don’t know!” He stuttered.
“I do!” Maria stated firmly.
The three humans remained in Liz’s suite after Larek had been summoned by the Elders. The had been sitting in relative silence, only broken by them turning to check on Liz, for about forty minutes when Kyle exhaled heavily and stood up. He paced back and forth in front of the couch, Alex and Maria watched him for a minutes or two until Alex gave up.
“What are you thinking about?” He challenged.
An uncomfortable feeling had developed in his stomach over the past hour and he was frustrated.
“What the hell are we going to say to them?” Kyle whispered as he stopped pacing. “I know that we have to talk to them and that we have to get them all back. I just don’t know how to do it!”
“Liz would!” Maria stated ruefully.
Her friend was always the one with the answers. Well, Liz or Michael. The more she thought about it the stupider she felt. It was obvious that something had been going on and she hadn’t sniffed it out. She didn’t think that anything physical had happened between Michael and Liz before the process but there was an emotional something.
Perhaps just a mutual acknowledgement of feelings followed by a silent pact that nothing could happen. Liz would never betray her like that and Michael would rather suffer any torture than inflict harm on Max.
She felt saddened that her friends had suffered emotionally but at the same time she felt happy that she was blessed with that kind of friendship. Liz and Michael were bound now and she would do everything in her power to reunite Michael and Liz and their baby.
“Anybody have any ideas?” Alex asked. His leg bounced up and down as his mind wandered to all of the potential conversations he could end up having with Max and Michael.
“What do you want from them?” Maria asked curiously.
“I don’t know, really.” Kyle admitted. “I know deep down that it wasn’t really them but it felt like it was at the time.”
“You want an apology?” Alex queried. Kyle shook his head.
“I don’t know. I think we should just go and then take it as it comes.” Kyle rose and walked towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Maria asked as she stole a glance at Liz before following Kyle out. Alex trailed behind her.
“No time like the present!” Kyle replied in clipped tones.
He had heard Larek outside the door and marched up to him.
“Take us to the Royals!” Larek paused for a moment and then nodded. He turned and indicated that the humans should follow him.
After walking through the labyrinth of passageways the three Earthlings stood at the base of the tower steps.
Maria took a deep breath and led the ways.
Kyle and Alex seemed to have lost some of their courage the closer they got to the Royals.
At the top of the stairs they entered the foyer and found the guards at their posts.
“Isabel has awoken.” Larek informed them.
Maria nodded a slight smile of relief on her lips; the guys just stood frozen. Maria walked towards the closest door and opened it. Inside she saw a prone form lying on a cot against the far wall, underneath a small window.
It was Max.
She walked closer to the bed and sat down beside his unconscious form. Alex and Kyle stood in the doorway. Maria brushed her fingers over Max’s face and felt a wave of sadness.
At first, confused, she removed her fingers from his face. The sadness disappeared. Replacing her hand on his chest she again felt the overwhelming sadness. She gasped in shock. Alex rushed to her side.
“What?” He demanded.
“How do you feel right now?” Maria asked. Alex was thrown by the change in topic and stared at her for a moment.
“Numb, why?” Alex asked, his fear rising. Kyle moved closer to the pair using their bodies as a buffer between him and Max.
“Put your hand on him!” Maria insisted as she reached for Alex’s hand and pulled it towards the body on the bed. Alex froze and then stepped backwards.
“What?”
“Please, Alex. I need you to trust me!” Maria begged.
Taking a calming breath Alex approached the bed and placed a finger on his former captor. Kyle witnessed Alex stumble slightly as he touched Max.
“What’s going on?” Kyle asked in concern. He pulled Alex away from Max assuming that it was some kind of post traumatic stress.
“I think we are feeling what he feels!” Maria explained. “I really had no strong feelings when I touched him but then there was this suffocating sadness. When I removed my hand it went away.” Kyle straightened in shock.
“Did you feel it?” He asked Alex.
Alex nodded and rubbed his hands over his face. Kyle walked over to Max and placed his fingers on Max’s arm. He too felt the distraught sensations of the former King.
“Oh my God!”
A loud sob startled them from their confusion as they rushed out of the cell to find out who was crying.
The room next door was home to Isabel who was beating against the cell window bars; crying and talking unintelligibly. Kyle pulled the cell door open and entered the room, pulling Isabel away from the window.
Isabel seemed to relax for a moment as Kyle placed his arms around her, but as soon as she realised who it was she wrenched herself from Kyle’s arms and cowered in the corner farthest away from the door. Kyle was about to approach her when he felt a restraining hand on his arm.
Maria released his arm and walked around him towards Isabel.
“Is?” Maria called softly. “I know that you are confused right now. We all are. We would really like to talk to you though.”
Isabel shook her head vehemently in her hands and remained tucked into the corner.
“I’m really not sure how I feel right now.” Alex stated out of the blue. Kyle and Maria turned to him on confusion. “I’m going to admit that I was abused, humiliated and degraded.” Alex continued as though he was speaking to himself. “I just don’t feel the burning hatred that I expected to when this was all over.”
“Why not?” Isabel stuttered from behind her hands. Alex walked casually over to the bed and sat down. He picked at his nails as he contemplated her question.
“The only strong emotion I really feel right now is relief! Relieved, that it is over and that we can get on with our lives. It won’t be easy by a long shot but I refuse to live like this anymore!” Alex answered softly. “We have all forgiven you. It was too much anger to carry around and, truth be told, we don’t really blame you guys anyway. You would never do anything to hurt us!”
“Amen!” Kyle added.
Maria nodded in agreement. Isabel looked at them in the face for the first time since they entered her cell. Her shoulders shook as her body was wracked with sobs.
Maria reached down and pulled her out of her corner and towards the bed. Isabel sat of the bed with Alex on one side and Maria on the other. Kyle kneeled before her on the floor. Each of them had their hands on her, reassuringly.
They could sense her despair and shock.
“Where’s Liz?” Isabel asked after calming down. The humans exchanged glances that didn’t go unnoticed by Isabel. “Is she alright?”
“Liz is going through something at the moment and we’re not sure what exactly but she is ok. She has seen a doctor but at the moment she is in a coma of sorts!” Kyle answered as honestly as he could.
“Coma?” Isabel yelped. She started to hyperventilate and struggle to get away from the group.
“It has nothing to do with you Isabel!” Maria stated as she helped restrain the panicking blonde.
“We can guarantee that it has nothing to do with you!” Alex promised. “Calm down Is, there is nothing that you can do anyway. This will take time and energy but not yours!”
“Then whose?” Isabel demanded. More glances were exchanged between the humans. “Please trust me!” Isabel begged.
Kyle, Alex and Maria nodded to each other.
“Liz is pregnant!” Kyle revealed. Isabel’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “The baby is attempting to form a connection with the father but because Liz is human it is placing strain on her energy resources.”
“She is physically fine according to Kavos, her doctor.” Alex added.
“That is how the four of you were remanded. Liz used her position as mother of the heir to take control of the Elders and order that you be de-processed.” Maria continued.
“Who is the father?” Isabel asked in a tentative voice.
“Michael is the father!” Alex replied. Isabel paled further.
“Why not have him connect with her? Isn’t he awake yet?” Isabel asked.
“Michael was the first to come back. But he was in a bad way, mentally and emotionally.” Kyle answered.
Seeing Isabel’s confused look Maria continued.
“Michael was going one on one with a stone wall. He was hurting himself. Liz tried to talk to him but he wouldn’t respond to her. Liz ordered him sedated.”
“He doesn’t know about the baby?” Isabel clarified for herself. The others shook their heads. Isabel took a deep breath. “What about the others?”
“Tess is awake and back but we haven’t spoken to her yet. Max is still out of it.” Alex answered.
Isabel paled at the sound of her brother’s name.
“That’s going to be fun to deal with, huh?” Maria remarked in sympathy.
The boys looked confused and turned to Maria for clarification. Maria looked at Isabel with a compassionate look in her eyes.
“The fact that I had sex with my brother!” Isabel replied her voice tight and her face pained. Tears streamed down her eyes as she fought to control her emotions.
Kyle and Alex’s faces were pictures of horror.
“I think I am going to be sick!” Isabel murmured as she swallowed hard.
“We all have fun Freudian stories after this!” Maria remarked. Kyle laughed humourlessly.
“Tell me about it!” He snorted.
Alex chuckled behind him and seemed to dissolve into a giggling heap. Maria struggled to keep a straight face as Isabel and Kyle looked on in worry. Maria lost it and joined Alex’s insanity.
“What’s so funny?” Kyle demanded.
“I have no idea!” Maria replied through her chuckles.
“Me either!” Alex confessed through laughs.
Kyle’s face broke into a grin of amazement at his friends.
“Someone call the Psych ward!” He joked.
Maria and Alex laughed harder and Kyle had to struggle not to join them.
“I don’t understand!” Isabel confessed. Kyle shook his head.
“None of us do!” He replied. “You had sex with Max but you also had sex with Michael, Tess, Alex, Maria, Liz and me! The hardest one for you to deal with will be Max.” Kyle attempted to sort through the confused thought and theories in his head. “Alex and I have to deal with the fact we were fucked by Max and Michael.”
Isabel gasped in horror as she realised what he had just said.
“We each have our own nightmares to deal with. I think we are all relieved; no offence, that our situations aren’t as weird as yours!” Kyle finished.
Isabel smiled ruefully and nodded.
“We take the cake!” She retorted. “I’m so sorry!” She added in a whisper.
“I forgive you!” Kyle replied.
“I forgive you.” Maria stated looking Isabel directly in the eye.
“I forgive you.” Alex added as he held her hand.
Isabel collapsed on her bed in floods of tears. Sobbing for all the pain she had caused and was currently feeling. Each of the humans placed a loving kiss on her forehead before leaving the cell.
They took a moment in the foyer to centre themselves before they entered Tess’ cell, next door to Isabel’s.
Tess was asleep on her cot, her face peaceful and angelic. Her blonde curls created a halo around her face. Kyle stepped forwards to rouse her. Tess’ eyes fluttered open and focused on the face in front of her.
To Kyle’s shock she sat up quickly and wrapped her arms around him. She held on tightly and he could feel tears wetting his neck. His arms closed in around her and he felt his body relax. Tess released him first and looked up to Alex and Maria.
“Hi guys!” She said in a soft voice.
“Hi Tess.” Maria replied. “I see Liz got through to you.” Tess nodded.
“I know that she forgives me but I was anxious to talk to the three of you.” Tess replied. “Where is Liz?”
The humans exchanged glances and told Tess what had happened to her.
“She’s going to be ok?” Tess asked in concern.
“Larek told us that she just doesn’t have enough energy to be conscious but she isn’t in any real danger at the moment!” Alex replied as he sat down next to Tess on the cot.
“How are the three of you?” Tess asked as she focused her eyes on the ground.
“We’re ok.” Maria replied. “How are you?” Tess swallowed a sob as she controlled herself.
“I’m where I probably should be!” She stated sadly.
“In jail?” Kyle asked. “Why do you belong in jail?”
“Last time I checked, rape was a crime!” Tess spoke in a husky voice as tears clung to her eyelashes.
“Yeah, it is!” Alex answered. “I can’t explain it but we are all pretty much of the agreement that it wasn’t rape.” Tess’ head shot up in confusion.
“I know that according to the definition of rape, it was. But to us it wasn’t.” Kyle added. “It didn’t feel like rape!”
“We held you captive, we used you for our needs and then we discarded you.” Tess stated as she cried. “How is that not rape?”
“Ok, so it was!” Maria retorted. “I forgive you for it!”
Tess sat back in shock. It was the last thing that she had expected given the direction that the conversation had taken.
“I forgive you.” Alex added as he stroked her back gently.
Kyle placed a hand under her chin and tilted her head towards his face.
“I forgive you.” He stated in a soft voice before kissing her gently on the forehead.
He understood what Isabel was feeling. Tess was like a sister to him and he didn’t want anything further to jeopardise the relationship. The humans gathered her in between them and held on to each other in a group hug.
After a few more reassurances the humans left her cell and entered the foyer again. They leaned against the walls and gathered their emotions. They had sensed Tess’ anguish but also her awe. It took some getting used to.
Without a word being spoken the group entered the last cell in the tower.
Michael was lying prone on the bed, unnaturally still.
Again Kyle and Alex stood in the doorway as Maria approached the bed. She took note of his shackles and the bloodied and broken hands they restrained.
A frown creased Michael’s brow even in a state of sedation.
Maria remained standing but bent down to brush some hair away from Michael’s forehead. As she touched his skin she felt as though she had been electrocuted. She was forced backwards and yelped in pain.
Alex and Kyle rushed to her side.
“What happened?” Alex demanded checking his friend for wounds. Maria sobbed into Kyle’s shoulder.
“He’s in so much pain.” She stammered.
“You mean his hands?” Kyle questioned. Maria shook her head.
“It was emotional pain. He knows what he did and he is torturing himself with it. I know him, we all do. He knows what he did to Liz and all of us as Rath. It’s killing him.” She sobbed.
“What can we do?” Alex asked.
Kyle and Alex exchanged glances of confusion and panic.
Maria calmed her breathing and stood independently of the guys. As she was calming down Kyle walked towards Michael and before Maria could stop him, he placed a hand on Michael’s arm.
His reaction was instantaneous. Kyle’s face flushed in pain as his knees gave way. Kyle crashed to the floor groaning in agony.
Alex moved to pull Kyle away from Michael but he too felt Michael’s pain. Alex cried out and joined Kyle on the floor.
Maria dragged them away from Michael and they were soon congregated in the foyer again.
“What do we do?” Kyle asked as he recovered from the shock.
Alex shook his head as though trying to clear the confusion that had settled there.
“I don’t know!” He stuttered.
“I do!” Maria stated firmly.
Last edited by polar4eva on Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Enjoy!
After giving Alex and Kyle a run down of her plan, Maria insisted that they return to their suites and rest. It was late and they needed to rest after the long day and emotional strain they had just endured. After bidding each other goodnight, Alex and Maria entered their own rooms.
Kyle waited until they were gone before changing course and entering Liz’s room. The second he opened the door three armed guards trained their weapons on him. Holding up his hands in surrender, Kyle stepped into the light to identify himself. The guards stood down and resumed their previous positions in the shadows of the room.
Kyle stood at the foot of Liz’s bed for a while. He hated seeing her so vulnerable. He wanted her to wake up. It was a selfish need but he felt more lost now than he ever remembered feeling before. Liz was his compass and always seemed to know what he needed to hear or feel. He sat down beside her and clasped her tiny hand in his.
“Hey Liz.” He whispered softly as he bent his head down, his face hovering inches from hers. He could feel her breath on his face, slow and steady. He had heard that even when a person is unconscious they can still hear you.
“Maria has a plan and I have a feeling you are going to hate it!” Kyle half joked. Sitting up slightly he centred himself before continuing. “They are all in so much pain.” His breath hitched in his throat as he forced down a sob.
Liz’s face blurred before his eyes as his emotions got the better of him. Blinking the tears back, Kyle nearly laughed at himself. He had turned into a wreak. Even in the depths of Buddha he had never felt as vulnerable or emotionally raw. Kyle was also aware of the Antarian guards in the room and didn’t want to embarrass himself. Taking a calming breath Kyle started a Buddhist mantra in his head, surprised how easily he remembered it, and focused on the need to be strong for the others.
“Maria thinks we should use Isabel’s ability to dream-walk on Michael.”
Kyle started a feeling of calm and peace flooded him. His mantra had worked.
“Michael needs to deal with what happened and we can do it in an environment where he can’t physically hurt himself. When he has gotten to a level of acceptance then we will bring him out of the sedation and wait a while before we tell him about you and the baby. Alex thinks that if we tell him too soon it could destroy any progress we may have made.”
Kyle, his fingers dancing over Liz’s face, attempted to use his new found power to sense her emotions. He sensed nothing. Disappointed he rose from the bed and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. His eyes never left her prone form as he walked away from the bed towards the door. Pausing for a moment at the door Kyle looked at the guards who all nodded. That was all he needed to know that they would protect her. Kyle walked out of the door and across the foyer to his room. Despite his reeling emotions and the mass of confusion in his head, Kyle immediately fell asleep.
Alex rose early the next morning. His food was not sitting in his room as it normally was when he rose, nor were his clothes laid out. Determined not to become used to being waited on hand and foot, Alex walked into his wardrobe and searched for an outfit. He chose a tailored pair of trousers and a loose fitting shirt. He showered and then dressed. Looking at himself in the mirror he thought that he looked like a poor man’s Mr Darcy. Shrugging his shoulders he exited his room and entered Liz’s. A huge hand clamped down on his shoulder as he crossed the threshold.
“Don’t shoot!” Alex called out in desperation; his mind quickly retorted that they wouldn’t be able to understand him.
He held his arms up as he was forced around to face the centre of the room. When he was recognised, the hand on his shoulder released him and the figure returned to the shadows. Despite his feeling of unease Alex approached Liz’s prone figure, lying on the bed in the middle of the room. He sat down on a chair beside the bed and placed a gentle hand on her abdomen.
“I can’t believe you are going to be a mum!” He whispered in awe combined with fear. “I always though that out of us it would either be Maria getting knocked up or Kyle forgetting to ‘cap his pen’ shall we say.” Alex joked trying to get a reaction out of Liz. She remained impassive. “You are going to be a great mum, Liz. I just know it. But you need to wake up for that to happen. I don’t want you to miss out on being pregnant. According to my mum it was the best part, then I arrived and it was a nightmare!” Alex felt a lump in his throat.
“We are going to do everything in our power to get them, and you, back. It’s not going to be easy but we will make you proud.” Alex choked out. “It’s just… I need you Liz. You are my best friend. I need to you be ok.” Alex stood up and removed his hand from Liz’s abdomen. He replaced it with her hands, shielding her baby from harm. “We have a plan and I think it’s a good plan. I’ll come back and see you later. I love you.” Alex leaned down and kissed her temple.
As Alex left the room he met up with Maria and Kyle in the foyer; they were just exiting his room.
“We were wondering where you were.” Kyle stated. “Did the commandos attack you too?”
“You’ve been to see her?” Alex asked as he nodded in answer to Kyle’s question. Kyle nodded.
“I just needed to check up that she was protected.” Kyle replied. “I told her about our plan.”
“She woke up?” Maria asked, startled. Kyle shook his head.
“Just because she’s unconscious doesn’t mean she can’t hear us.” He replied. Maria nodded in agreement.
“We should get this done as soon as possible.” Alex stated. “I haven’t eaten this morning, have you?” Kyle and Maria nodded.
After waiting for Alex to finish his breakfast in his suite, the three humans retraced the path they had taken the night before and entered Isabel’s cell. Isabel was still sleeping but awoke when her friends entered. Her eyes betrayed her underlying fear as she welcomed them into her cell. Kyle approached her first and hugged her tightly. He could feel her body relax.
“Did you think it was a dream?” Alex queried. Isabel blushed and nodded ruefully. “We have a proposition for you.” Isabel was intrigued and motioned for them to sit down on her bed.
“What’s going on?” Isabel asked.
“We figured that the only way to get through to Michael would be to dream walk him.” Maria stated. “Would you be willing to do that?”
“Of course!” Isabel replied immediately. “I don’t want him to hurt anymore.” A groan interrupted their thoughts. Kyle left the room to investigate. He returned moments later, his pallor was sickly.
“What’s wrong?” Alex asked in concern.
“Max is awake.” Kyle stated in a quiet voice. Alex stiffened as well. Maria noticed that Isabel, too, was not taking the news well.
“I’ll go.” Maria stated with ease. “Why don’t the three of you try to get through to Michael? We all know how stubborn he can be.” Maria added trying to lighten the mood.
The other people in the room shot her grateful looks as she vacated her place on the bed and entered the next cell.
As a preventative measure, the guards had shackled Max to his bed in an attempt to stop him hurting himself. Maria could see his head moving from side to side as though he was trying to clear an image from his mind. Maria silently entered the cell and walked towards the bed. Tears stained Max’s cheeks as his fists were clenched tightly in balls at his sides.
“Max?” Maria called out softly. She saw him tense up further and decided to sit down next to him on the bed. She placed a gentle hand on his arm but remained as distant as she could. She had a feeling that he didn’t want to be crowded. She ran her fingers down his arms to his hand. She gently prised his fist open and found in bloodied with small curved cuts in it. Maria gently rubbed his knuckles as she tried to calm him down.
Max was in a state of shock. He couldn’t believe the images running through his mind. He felt sick. It had to be a form of mind warp. It had to be! He would never do those things! His lungs were starved of oxygen as he fought to control himself. His body began to hyperventilate and he felt cold. A gentle hand rested on his arm and he could have sworn he heard a soft voice. Opening his eyes, Max gazed around the dark, dingy cell. His vision focused on a halo in front of his. Light shone from behind the figure and illuminated her hair. He heard her voice again.
“Max, it’s Maria. I need you to focus on me.” She saw his eyes look at her in confusion but at least they were looking at her. Part of her wished that Alex and Kyle could see how distraught Max was, but she knew that it was too soon for them. “Things are so mixed up right now. I need you to listen to me. Can you do that?” She elicited no response. “Max. Nod if you understand.”
Max nodded. Maria relaxed.
“What happened?” Max asked in a hoarse voice, a combination of dehydration and crying had left him parched.
“The process went wrong and we lost you guys for a while.” Maria answered.
“I see things in my head…” Max trailed off in fear.
“They all happened.” Maria replied honestly. Max’s face collapsed and dissolved into hysteria. “Max, Max please. I need you to listen to me. Please Max; you are going to hurt yourself.”
Before she realised what was happening two pairs of male hands were forcing Max back down against the mattress. Max struggled against them but it was in vain, they were stronger and had the higher position.
“Things were getting rowdy in here!” Kyle stated as he maintained his weight on Max’s torso.
“Need a hand?” Alex added in jest, his hands pinning Max’s legs. Maria breathed a sigh of relief. Max seemed to realise who was in the room; his body had stiffened. He eyes were closed and he was talking to himself, trying to convince himself that Alex, Maria and Kyle weren’t real.
“You still with us, buddy?” Kyle asked. Maria could read the confusion on Kyle’s face and she loved him all the more for being there and trying. Max was gasping for breath and was still in a state of shock. “Say something Max.” Kyle ordered.
“I’m sor… I didn’t mean… I would never…” Max seemed unable to finish a thought or a sentence. Kyle and Alex released him. Max tried to pull his body into a ball but his shackles prevented him. Kyle and Alex exchanged glances and released his bonds. Max pulled his body into the foetal position on the bed.
“Don’t talk, just listen.” Kyle ordered. He tried to channel back the calm he felt earlier as he spoke to the face of the man who had abused him. “Can you do that?”
Max nodded.
“A lot of shit has happened; I think we can all agree on that! What you remember happened and trust me when I say that you are not the only one who has issues to deal with.”
Max moaned at that statement.
“I don’t just mean me and Alex, but Isabel too. All of us in fact!” Max seemed to retch at the mention of Isabel. “Nothing is going to be resolved or fixed if you stay like this Max. Don’t run away from the issue. We need to face it and talk it out.” Kyle stated firmly.
“He’s right Max.” Alex added. “We know, deep down, that it wasn’t the four of you and we know that you would never do anything to hurt us. It is just a question of getting past the first few hurdles and then it will seem brighter. I promise.”
“We all just know each other a lot better now!” Maria added in a sincere tone. Kyle and Alex exchanged incredulous glances and burst out laughing. Maria seemed to realise what she had said was naïve and foolish and joined in the laughter. “Sorry!” She muttered in embarrassment.
Max looked at them as though they were all mad and it only made them laugh harder.
“We have forgiven the girls; Michael is in sedation at the moment, so we forgive you too.” Kyle stated. “It’s going to be hard for us guys, more than the girls I think.”
“We’ll get there Max, it will just take a lot of time!” Alex added in agreement. “I forgive you, Max.”
“I forgive you too.” Maria stated pushing Max’s hair away from his face.
Max’s face was a picture of astonishment. Internally he was even more in awe. He couldn’t believe the compassion and forgiveness of his friends. From what he remembered they had been treated appallingly.
“What’s wrong with Michael?” He asked eventually.
“Michael was apparently in worse shape than you when he woke up.” Alex replied. He felt an odd sensation returning. For the first time in a long time he saw Max as the boy he had been friends with. Not the man who had degraded him.
“Apparently?” Max inquired. He seemed to have regained some of his composure. He no longer lay on the bed but sat up right, still remaining a respectful distance from his friends.
“Liz was with him, we weren’t!” Maria replied. Max looked around.
“Where is Liz?” He asked in fear. He was afraid that they had done something to hurt her.
“Liz is in a coma!” Kyle replied softly. “She is pregnant with Michael’s baby and unless we get Michael to connect with the baby, the baby is going to continue to use Liz’s energy to try and connect with him. Liz’s human body can’t sustain both her and the baby if she is conscious.”
Max’s jaw dropped.
“Liz is Queen now!” Alex added with pride in his voice.
“She had the four of you deposed and de-processed.” Maria continued.
“That was a lot of information to receive all at once!” Max remarked, his head spinning. “How do we fix it?”
“Physically Liz is fine at the moment. We need Michael to be awake and connect with the baby. In order to do that we are going to use Isabel’s dream walking ability to bring him out slowly. We won’t tell him about the baby until he has been back for a while.” Maria replied.
“Seems like you guys have it under control.” Max remarked with a small smile. The humans exchanged glances.
“We are going to talk to Tess.” Kyle stated conspicuously. He looked straight at Max who seemed to miss the point.
“We think it would be a good idea if you went to speak to Isabel.” Maria clarified. Max froze and paled. He shook his head furiously.
“I can’t.”
“We can’t make you Max.” Alex replied. “Just trust us when we say that talking these things out makes them easier to handle.” That being said, the three Earthlings left the cell and moved on to Tess’ quarters.
Max rose and paced the floor. He couldn’t talk to Isabel! How could he face her? He paced for a few minutes before gathering his resolve. He walked out of his cell and was met by three guards. The guards were about to retrain him, when Alex popped his head out of Tess’ cell and shook his head at the guards. They released Max who continued on to Isabel’s cell. Without knocking he pushed the door open and walked into the room.
After giving Alex and Kyle a run down of her plan, Maria insisted that they return to their suites and rest. It was late and they needed to rest after the long day and emotional strain they had just endured. After bidding each other goodnight, Alex and Maria entered their own rooms.
Kyle waited until they were gone before changing course and entering Liz’s room. The second he opened the door three armed guards trained their weapons on him. Holding up his hands in surrender, Kyle stepped into the light to identify himself. The guards stood down and resumed their previous positions in the shadows of the room.
Kyle stood at the foot of Liz’s bed for a while. He hated seeing her so vulnerable. He wanted her to wake up. It was a selfish need but he felt more lost now than he ever remembered feeling before. Liz was his compass and always seemed to know what he needed to hear or feel. He sat down beside her and clasped her tiny hand in his.
“Hey Liz.” He whispered softly as he bent his head down, his face hovering inches from hers. He could feel her breath on his face, slow and steady. He had heard that even when a person is unconscious they can still hear you.
“Maria has a plan and I have a feeling you are going to hate it!” Kyle half joked. Sitting up slightly he centred himself before continuing. “They are all in so much pain.” His breath hitched in his throat as he forced down a sob.
Liz’s face blurred before his eyes as his emotions got the better of him. Blinking the tears back, Kyle nearly laughed at himself. He had turned into a wreak. Even in the depths of Buddha he had never felt as vulnerable or emotionally raw. Kyle was also aware of the Antarian guards in the room and didn’t want to embarrass himself. Taking a calming breath Kyle started a Buddhist mantra in his head, surprised how easily he remembered it, and focused on the need to be strong for the others.
“Maria thinks we should use Isabel’s ability to dream-walk on Michael.”
Kyle started a feeling of calm and peace flooded him. His mantra had worked.
“Michael needs to deal with what happened and we can do it in an environment where he can’t physically hurt himself. When he has gotten to a level of acceptance then we will bring him out of the sedation and wait a while before we tell him about you and the baby. Alex thinks that if we tell him too soon it could destroy any progress we may have made.”
Kyle, his fingers dancing over Liz’s face, attempted to use his new found power to sense her emotions. He sensed nothing. Disappointed he rose from the bed and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. His eyes never left her prone form as he walked away from the bed towards the door. Pausing for a moment at the door Kyle looked at the guards who all nodded. That was all he needed to know that they would protect her. Kyle walked out of the door and across the foyer to his room. Despite his reeling emotions and the mass of confusion in his head, Kyle immediately fell asleep.
Alex rose early the next morning. His food was not sitting in his room as it normally was when he rose, nor were his clothes laid out. Determined not to become used to being waited on hand and foot, Alex walked into his wardrobe and searched for an outfit. He chose a tailored pair of trousers and a loose fitting shirt. He showered and then dressed. Looking at himself in the mirror he thought that he looked like a poor man’s Mr Darcy. Shrugging his shoulders he exited his room and entered Liz’s. A huge hand clamped down on his shoulder as he crossed the threshold.
“Don’t shoot!” Alex called out in desperation; his mind quickly retorted that they wouldn’t be able to understand him.
He held his arms up as he was forced around to face the centre of the room. When he was recognised, the hand on his shoulder released him and the figure returned to the shadows. Despite his feeling of unease Alex approached Liz’s prone figure, lying on the bed in the middle of the room. He sat down on a chair beside the bed and placed a gentle hand on her abdomen.
“I can’t believe you are going to be a mum!” He whispered in awe combined with fear. “I always though that out of us it would either be Maria getting knocked up or Kyle forgetting to ‘cap his pen’ shall we say.” Alex joked trying to get a reaction out of Liz. She remained impassive. “You are going to be a great mum, Liz. I just know it. But you need to wake up for that to happen. I don’t want you to miss out on being pregnant. According to my mum it was the best part, then I arrived and it was a nightmare!” Alex felt a lump in his throat.
“We are going to do everything in our power to get them, and you, back. It’s not going to be easy but we will make you proud.” Alex choked out. “It’s just… I need you Liz. You are my best friend. I need to you be ok.” Alex stood up and removed his hand from Liz’s abdomen. He replaced it with her hands, shielding her baby from harm. “We have a plan and I think it’s a good plan. I’ll come back and see you later. I love you.” Alex leaned down and kissed her temple.
As Alex left the room he met up with Maria and Kyle in the foyer; they were just exiting his room.
“We were wondering where you were.” Kyle stated. “Did the commandos attack you too?”
“You’ve been to see her?” Alex asked as he nodded in answer to Kyle’s question. Kyle nodded.
“I just needed to check up that she was protected.” Kyle replied. “I told her about our plan.”
“She woke up?” Maria asked, startled. Kyle shook his head.
“Just because she’s unconscious doesn’t mean she can’t hear us.” He replied. Maria nodded in agreement.
“We should get this done as soon as possible.” Alex stated. “I haven’t eaten this morning, have you?” Kyle and Maria nodded.
After waiting for Alex to finish his breakfast in his suite, the three humans retraced the path they had taken the night before and entered Isabel’s cell. Isabel was still sleeping but awoke when her friends entered. Her eyes betrayed her underlying fear as she welcomed them into her cell. Kyle approached her first and hugged her tightly. He could feel her body relax.
“Did you think it was a dream?” Alex queried. Isabel blushed and nodded ruefully. “We have a proposition for you.” Isabel was intrigued and motioned for them to sit down on her bed.
“What’s going on?” Isabel asked.
“We figured that the only way to get through to Michael would be to dream walk him.” Maria stated. “Would you be willing to do that?”
“Of course!” Isabel replied immediately. “I don’t want him to hurt anymore.” A groan interrupted their thoughts. Kyle left the room to investigate. He returned moments later, his pallor was sickly.
“What’s wrong?” Alex asked in concern.
“Max is awake.” Kyle stated in a quiet voice. Alex stiffened as well. Maria noticed that Isabel, too, was not taking the news well.
“I’ll go.” Maria stated with ease. “Why don’t the three of you try to get through to Michael? We all know how stubborn he can be.” Maria added trying to lighten the mood.
The other people in the room shot her grateful looks as she vacated her place on the bed and entered the next cell.
As a preventative measure, the guards had shackled Max to his bed in an attempt to stop him hurting himself. Maria could see his head moving from side to side as though he was trying to clear an image from his mind. Maria silently entered the cell and walked towards the bed. Tears stained Max’s cheeks as his fists were clenched tightly in balls at his sides.
“Max?” Maria called out softly. She saw him tense up further and decided to sit down next to him on the bed. She placed a gentle hand on his arm but remained as distant as she could. She had a feeling that he didn’t want to be crowded. She ran her fingers down his arms to his hand. She gently prised his fist open and found in bloodied with small curved cuts in it. Maria gently rubbed his knuckles as she tried to calm him down.
Max was in a state of shock. He couldn’t believe the images running through his mind. He felt sick. It had to be a form of mind warp. It had to be! He would never do those things! His lungs were starved of oxygen as he fought to control himself. His body began to hyperventilate and he felt cold. A gentle hand rested on his arm and he could have sworn he heard a soft voice. Opening his eyes, Max gazed around the dark, dingy cell. His vision focused on a halo in front of his. Light shone from behind the figure and illuminated her hair. He heard her voice again.
“Max, it’s Maria. I need you to focus on me.” She saw his eyes look at her in confusion but at least they were looking at her. Part of her wished that Alex and Kyle could see how distraught Max was, but she knew that it was too soon for them. “Things are so mixed up right now. I need you to listen to me. Can you do that?” She elicited no response. “Max. Nod if you understand.”
Max nodded. Maria relaxed.
“What happened?” Max asked in a hoarse voice, a combination of dehydration and crying had left him parched.
“The process went wrong and we lost you guys for a while.” Maria answered.
“I see things in my head…” Max trailed off in fear.
“They all happened.” Maria replied honestly. Max’s face collapsed and dissolved into hysteria. “Max, Max please. I need you to listen to me. Please Max; you are going to hurt yourself.”
Before she realised what was happening two pairs of male hands were forcing Max back down against the mattress. Max struggled against them but it was in vain, they were stronger and had the higher position.
“Things were getting rowdy in here!” Kyle stated as he maintained his weight on Max’s torso.
“Need a hand?” Alex added in jest, his hands pinning Max’s legs. Maria breathed a sigh of relief. Max seemed to realise who was in the room; his body had stiffened. He eyes were closed and he was talking to himself, trying to convince himself that Alex, Maria and Kyle weren’t real.
“You still with us, buddy?” Kyle asked. Maria could read the confusion on Kyle’s face and she loved him all the more for being there and trying. Max was gasping for breath and was still in a state of shock. “Say something Max.” Kyle ordered.
“I’m sor… I didn’t mean… I would never…” Max seemed unable to finish a thought or a sentence. Kyle and Alex released him. Max tried to pull his body into a ball but his shackles prevented him. Kyle and Alex exchanged glances and released his bonds. Max pulled his body into the foetal position on the bed.
“Don’t talk, just listen.” Kyle ordered. He tried to channel back the calm he felt earlier as he spoke to the face of the man who had abused him. “Can you do that?”
Max nodded.
“A lot of shit has happened; I think we can all agree on that! What you remember happened and trust me when I say that you are not the only one who has issues to deal with.”
Max moaned at that statement.
“I don’t just mean me and Alex, but Isabel too. All of us in fact!” Max seemed to retch at the mention of Isabel. “Nothing is going to be resolved or fixed if you stay like this Max. Don’t run away from the issue. We need to face it and talk it out.” Kyle stated firmly.
“He’s right Max.” Alex added. “We know, deep down, that it wasn’t the four of you and we know that you would never do anything to hurt us. It is just a question of getting past the first few hurdles and then it will seem brighter. I promise.”
“We all just know each other a lot better now!” Maria added in a sincere tone. Kyle and Alex exchanged incredulous glances and burst out laughing. Maria seemed to realise what she had said was naïve and foolish and joined in the laughter. “Sorry!” She muttered in embarrassment.
Max looked at them as though they were all mad and it only made them laugh harder.
“We have forgiven the girls; Michael is in sedation at the moment, so we forgive you too.” Kyle stated. “It’s going to be hard for us guys, more than the girls I think.”
“We’ll get there Max, it will just take a lot of time!” Alex added in agreement. “I forgive you, Max.”
“I forgive you too.” Maria stated pushing Max’s hair away from his face.
Max’s face was a picture of astonishment. Internally he was even more in awe. He couldn’t believe the compassion and forgiveness of his friends. From what he remembered they had been treated appallingly.
“What’s wrong with Michael?” He asked eventually.
“Michael was apparently in worse shape than you when he woke up.” Alex replied. He felt an odd sensation returning. For the first time in a long time he saw Max as the boy he had been friends with. Not the man who had degraded him.
“Apparently?” Max inquired. He seemed to have regained some of his composure. He no longer lay on the bed but sat up right, still remaining a respectful distance from his friends.
“Liz was with him, we weren’t!” Maria replied. Max looked around.
“Where is Liz?” He asked in fear. He was afraid that they had done something to hurt her.
“Liz is in a coma!” Kyle replied softly. “She is pregnant with Michael’s baby and unless we get Michael to connect with the baby, the baby is going to continue to use Liz’s energy to try and connect with him. Liz’s human body can’t sustain both her and the baby if she is conscious.”
Max’s jaw dropped.
“Liz is Queen now!” Alex added with pride in his voice.
“She had the four of you deposed and de-processed.” Maria continued.
“That was a lot of information to receive all at once!” Max remarked, his head spinning. “How do we fix it?”
“Physically Liz is fine at the moment. We need Michael to be awake and connect with the baby. In order to do that we are going to use Isabel’s dream walking ability to bring him out slowly. We won’t tell him about the baby until he has been back for a while.” Maria replied.
“Seems like you guys have it under control.” Max remarked with a small smile. The humans exchanged glances.
“We are going to talk to Tess.” Kyle stated conspicuously. He looked straight at Max who seemed to miss the point.
“We think it would be a good idea if you went to speak to Isabel.” Maria clarified. Max froze and paled. He shook his head furiously.
“I can’t.”
“We can’t make you Max.” Alex replied. “Just trust us when we say that talking these things out makes them easier to handle.” That being said, the three Earthlings left the cell and moved on to Tess’ quarters.
Max rose and paced the floor. He couldn’t talk to Isabel! How could he face her? He paced for a few minutes before gathering his resolve. He walked out of his cell and was met by three guards. The guards were about to retrain him, when Alex popped his head out of Tess’ cell and shook his head at the guards. They released Max who continued on to Isabel’s cell. Without knocking he pushed the door open and walked into the room.
Isabel remained on her cot after her friends had left. The door opened again and the last person she wanted to see walked through the door. Before he could make eye contact she turned her head away.
Max walked over to the other side of the small cell and sat in the corner farthest from his sister. His mind was still reeling and tremors shook his shoulders. Taking a deep breath to calm down, Max searched his mind for something to say.
“You know what I hate most?”
Max’s head shot up, he hadn’t expected Isabel to be the one to start talking.
“What?” Max asked in a quiet voice.
“That there is no one to blame!” Isabel stated as she gazed beyond the bars on the window to the world outside. A world she was foreign from.
“What do you mean?” Max asked. He understood what she meant but wanted to keep the conversation flowing.
“If it was a mind warp or something then there would be someone to blame this all on. It wouldn’t be our fault!” Isabel stated in sorrow. “They warned us, Liz warned us but we didn’t really listen.”
“There is no way we could have ever predicted that this would happen!” Max countered. “No one could have.”
“Oh God, Max!” Isabel whimpered. “What did we do?”
Her body convulsed as sobs wracked her frame. Max fought the urge to comfort her, knowing that they needed the physical distance to re-establish their emotional connection.
“I have been going through it in my head.” Max answered. “As much fun as that is! Until we know exactly what went wrong I don’t think we will find out.”
Isabel nodded, her sobs subsiding but still crying. She valiantly tried to calm down but every time she stopped crying she would remember something else that she had done.
“Is, you are my sister!” Max stated in a thick voice. “I have never nor will I ever think of you like that!”
Isabel shuddered and wrapped herself into a tight ball on the middle of her cot.
“It makes me feel sick!” Isabel cried.
“Me too! But we didn’t know! We couldn’t have or we would never have done it!” Max stated firmly through his tears. “I would never do anything to hurt you Izzy! I love you as a sister and only a sister!”
“I love you too Max. But this changes things between us!” Isabel added.
“I don’t want it to. You are my best friend and I need you in my life. This is something that we have to get past with everybody, not just each other!” Max pleaded. “We have lost so much through this, please don’t add to it!”
“I can barely look at myself, Max. Let alone you!” Isabel ground out in frustration. He wasn’t listening to her. “We kissed! We groped each other and we had sex! I had sex with my brother! It’s disgusting!”
Max crouched further into the corner, placing his elbows on his knees he buried his head in the niche that they created. A low but resonant sob escaped his throat. His body shook violently as the dam that held back his emotions broke. His pain, sorrow, disgust and fear rose to the surface and threatened to engulf him.
Isabel saw this reaction and felt her heart break further. She knew the pain he was in, she felt it herself. Fighting every emotion within that told her to stay put, Isabel rose off of her cot and silently made her way over to her brother’s prone form. Every step she took she felt more confident in her actions.
Max seemed to be unaware of her movement and his body stiffened when Isabel placed a gentle hand on his arm.
Isabel cautiously enveloped her little brother in a maternal hug. Max’s arms were between his torso and hers, keeping a buffer of sorts between them. Isabel wrapped her arms around his shoulders, patting his back gently as she rocked from side to side as she had seen her mother do many times for him as a small boy.
Seeing him in the corner reminded Isabel of Max when they had just been adopted by the Evans’. He cried himself to sleep every night and wouldn’t speak. The only person who seemed able to reach him in the depths of his despair was their mother. She would rock him to sleep and tell him stories. When that stopped working she gave him the toy house.
“I blamed you for it!” Isabel stated quietly.
Max froze in her arms but Isabel kept rocking and holding him.
“I needed to blame somebody and you were the logical choice.” She continued. “Over the past couple of days I had built it up in my mind. It was your fault. You made me do it. You were the King and commanded me to do it.” She paused to rein in her emotions. “In my head you became somebody to fear.”
Max gasped; shocked by her confession.
Isabel sniffed loudly and took a sharp breath.
“But you’re not! You didn’t make me do anything. If it’s your fault then it’s mine too. I remember you when you were little and you were so scared all the time. I hated that for you. I wanted you to be happy like I was. You remind me of that little boy now. And I still just want you to be happy. I want us to all be happy.”
Isabel started to cry again. Brother and sister sat in the corner together, holding on to each there for dear life.
Later that evening the six conscious members of the group were congregated in Isabel’s cell. Despite being un-processed, Max, Isabel and Tess had chosen to remain in the cells for the time being. They weren’t ready to face the world yet.
“So we know what the plan is?” Kyle asked.
“I dream walk Michael, with our new power boost it shouldn’t be a problem I don’t think he will be able to block me. I try to talk him down…” Isabel stated.
“If that doesn’t work then I will join her in the dream walk.” Max added.
“And if it still doesn’t work then we are fucked!” Tess added. She received a lot of glares and shrugged. “Sorry, then I will go and we keep going until we run out of people.”
“And what do we not do?” Alex prompted.
“Tell Michael about Liz or the baby.” The three aliens droned together. The humans had pushed that point to death.
“How are you feeling Isabel?” Maria asked.
Isabel was unsure what she meant. Did she mean about invading Michael’s mind, her physical and mental health or about her conversation with Max. After a blank stare from Maria, Isabel deduced that she meant her health.
“I’m fine. Let’s get this show on the road.” She stated with as much enthusiasm as she dared. All of their hopes were resting on this. Isabel was feeling more in control since her talk with her brother. A demon had been exorcised, there were more to come but, for her at least, the worst was over.
Isabel led the group through to Michael’s cell. None of the Royals had seen Michael and were shocked by his condition. Silence fell over the group as Isabel sat down next to her ‘brother’ and laid a gentle hand on his chest.
Closing her eyes Isabel concentrated on the image of Michael and moved into his subconscious.
It was a nightmare. Michael’s mind was the epitome of pain and anger. Isabel walked around a jagged and contorted landscape. She was in a barren place; the only objects in sight were rocks and boulders. All sharp edged and precariously placed; as though they could tumble into an avalanche at any minute.
She wandered for a while, searching for Michael. It was cold and the wind was blasting her in the face. Isabel lowered her head to block the wind and keep an eye out for potential hazards on the footpath.
After a while she heard an odd thumping noise. The noise was distorted by the wind so she had trouble locating its origin. When she found it she wished she hadn’t.
Michael was on the ground, on his hands and knees, his wrists and ankles shackled to the razor sharp rocks around him; preventing him from rising. The noise was made by the whip that kept a steady rhythm against his back.
Isabel was horrified. Michael’s attacker was masked and didn’t seem to be tiring at all. Michael’s back was split and bloodied. Isabel rushed the attacker with her full height and weight and forced him backwards. He stumbled backwards and became impaled on the rocks behind him. He lay motionless and bleeding.
Isabel was about to turn and check on Michael when something caught her eye. The attacker wore a ring she had seen before. Pulling off the mask Isabel was stunned to find Michael’s face staring back at her. Taking a deep breath to suppress the confusion in her mind and the urge to vomit, Isabel turned to the Michael who was shackled and bleeding.
She took one of his wrist shackles in her hand and attempted to release him. Michael pulled his hand away, grimacing in pain.
“Don’t!” he commanded.
“Michael, I need to get you out of here.” Isabel stated in a calming tone.
“No!” Michael roared. “Why did it stop?”
“What stop?” Isabel asked in concern.
“It wasn’t supposed to stop. I’m here because I deserve to be here. Make it start again.” Michael demanded through anger and tears.
Isabel realised that he was talking about the flogging. Tears sprung to her eyes as she realised the depths of Michael’s despair. It should have dawned on her sooner, she berated herself, Michael was supposed to protect, never harm.
“Who says you deserve to be here?” Isabel asked. “Answer me Michael. Who says you deserve to be here?”
Michael remained silent and refused to look at her.
“I did everything you did. Shouldn’t I be shackled with you? Shouldn’t Max and Tess?” Isabel demanded. She knew that soft words and gestures wouldn’t work on Michael. They never really had. “Who decided you should be here?”
“He did?” Michael ground out as he indicated to his punisher over his shoulder. He couldn’t see him and didn’t know that he was dead. “Why did he stop?” Michael stuttered.
“I made him stop.” Isabel replied. “I’m going to release you.”
“No.” Michael demanded.
“You will just have to stop me!” Isabel retorted. She went over to Michael’s clone and removed the keys from his belt. She unlocked the chains from Michael’s wrists and ankles.
Michael fell to the ground; the shackles had been the only thing holding him up. He panted and whimpered as he tried in vain to find a comfortable position.
“You think that your attacker decided to put you here? He decided that you deserved to be here?” Isabel questioned.
Michael nodded.
“Sit up and take a look at him Michael.” Isabel commanded as she helped him rise to a sitting position. Michael resisted at first but soon relented in the face of Isabel’s concern.
He was stunned to see himself sitting impaled on a rock. He looked at Isabel in confusion and found a compassionate look on her face.
“The only person, who thinks you should be here, Michael, is you!” Isabel reasoned.
Michael glanced between his dead clone and his sister and started to hyperventilate. He pulled his legs to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. His face was buried in his knees but Isabel still heard the sobs. They were primal and desperate. And somehow cathartic.
Isabel heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Max approaching. She gave him a small smile and nodded for him to proceed.
Max had been unable to see Michael until he was within five feet of him. He was shocked at the state of his brother. His back was destroyed and he was sitting in utter agony – emotional and physical. Max joined Isabel on the ground next to Michael.
“Hey man.” Max greeted. He was anxious about seeing Michael. They, too, had been involved in carnal activity together. Max forced that thought out of his mind and concentrated on his brother’s emotional state.
Michael froze when he heard Max’s voice. All of the memories of what they had done together flooded his brain. His head shot up in shock and angst.
“Believe me when I say that I know how you feel.” Max replied, voicing Michael’s inner thoughts. “We have so much to deal with Michael. But we can’t do that if you are in here!”
“In where?” Michael asked in confusion.
“We’re in your subconscious, Michael.” Isabel explained as though she was talking to a three year old. Michael gave her an annoyed look and she giggled. “Sorry. That is why Max hasn’t healed you. There is physically nothing to heal. It’s all in your head!”
“It hurts!” Michael commented.
“Because you want it to hurt!” Max explained. “You feel a need to punish yourself and as per usual you take the term ‘self flagellation’ to a whole new level.”
“You are under sedation right now because when you woke up you were hurting yourself.” Isabel revealed. “The sedative should be wearing off within the next hour or so.”
Max and Isabel exchanged glances of concern.
“I want to take you out of here.” Max stated. “Isabel wants to take you out of here. But the question in, are you ready to come out yet?”
Michael looked around the barren and razor sharp landscape and nodded his head.
“I wanna get out of here!” He stated. Isabel caught the tremor in his voice.
“You don’t deserve to be here Michael.” Isabel tried to relieve his inner turmoil. “We need to make things right with our friends. They are so wonderful. They have forgiven us.”
Michael turned to Isabel in shock.
“They what?” He gasped.
“It’s true. Kyle, Maria and Alex have all forgiven us.” Max revealed.
“But not Liz.” Michael stuttered in pain.
“We haven’t really seen Liz.” Max answered. “She was working with Larek to have us de-processed and the only way they would agree to it was if Liz stepped up and ascended the throne.”
“Liz is Queen?” Michael asked in confusion. Things were moving too quickly for him. He was a man who processed everything through his head. He never really dealt with emotional influences before and they were leaving him dazed.
“Yeah. I always thought she would be a great one.” Max stated, sadly. He would never have Liz as his Queen. She was for Michael and his baby now.
“She’s really busy though.” Isabel added. “She was there when you were awake. Don’t you remember?”
Michael shook his head.
“Liz was called to your cell after you woke up and she found you going one on one with the wall.” Isabel revealed. “She ordered that you be restrained. She tried to talk to you but she couldn’t because you weren’t able to cope with her being there. So she ordered that you be sedated so you couldn’t hurt yourself anymore.”
The landscape around them was growing fuzzy and less defined.
“You guys should go. It looks like I’m waking up.” Michael stated, softly.
Max and Isabel rose from the ground and prepared to leave. Max disappeared but Isabel stayed for a moment.
“Michael, I know that a lot has happened between us. But I need you to know that you are a brother to me and I love you!” Isabel stated through tears.
Michael looked up at her from his position on the ground.
“I love you too Is.” He replied as the landscape melted away and they both regained consciousness.
Michael opened his eyes to find his small, dark cell filled with people. Closing his eyes he tried to halt the undertow of nausea that threatened to smother him. Max and Kyle were in the process of unbinding his hands and feet.
“Welcome back stranger.” Maria stated as she placed a warm hand on his arm.
Michael sat up and looked around the room at the six other occupants. They all seemed at ease with each other which Michael found astonishing after the events they had experienced. There was an underlying emotion that confused him. They all seemed relieved that he was awake.
Something told Michael it wasn’t for him.
Max walked over to the other side of the small cell and sat in the corner farthest from his sister. His mind was still reeling and tremors shook his shoulders. Taking a deep breath to calm down, Max searched his mind for something to say.
“You know what I hate most?”
Max’s head shot up, he hadn’t expected Isabel to be the one to start talking.
“What?” Max asked in a quiet voice.
“That there is no one to blame!” Isabel stated as she gazed beyond the bars on the window to the world outside. A world she was foreign from.
“What do you mean?” Max asked. He understood what she meant but wanted to keep the conversation flowing.
“If it was a mind warp or something then there would be someone to blame this all on. It wouldn’t be our fault!” Isabel stated in sorrow. “They warned us, Liz warned us but we didn’t really listen.”
“There is no way we could have ever predicted that this would happen!” Max countered. “No one could have.”
“Oh God, Max!” Isabel whimpered. “What did we do?”
Her body convulsed as sobs wracked her frame. Max fought the urge to comfort her, knowing that they needed the physical distance to re-establish their emotional connection.
“I have been going through it in my head.” Max answered. “As much fun as that is! Until we know exactly what went wrong I don’t think we will find out.”
Isabel nodded, her sobs subsiding but still crying. She valiantly tried to calm down but every time she stopped crying she would remember something else that she had done.
“Is, you are my sister!” Max stated in a thick voice. “I have never nor will I ever think of you like that!”
Isabel shuddered and wrapped herself into a tight ball on the middle of her cot.
“It makes me feel sick!” Isabel cried.
“Me too! But we didn’t know! We couldn’t have or we would never have done it!” Max stated firmly through his tears. “I would never do anything to hurt you Izzy! I love you as a sister and only a sister!”
“I love you too Max. But this changes things between us!” Isabel added.
“I don’t want it to. You are my best friend and I need you in my life. This is something that we have to get past with everybody, not just each other!” Max pleaded. “We have lost so much through this, please don’t add to it!”
“I can barely look at myself, Max. Let alone you!” Isabel ground out in frustration. He wasn’t listening to her. “We kissed! We groped each other and we had sex! I had sex with my brother! It’s disgusting!”
Max crouched further into the corner, placing his elbows on his knees he buried his head in the niche that they created. A low but resonant sob escaped his throat. His body shook violently as the dam that held back his emotions broke. His pain, sorrow, disgust and fear rose to the surface and threatened to engulf him.
Isabel saw this reaction and felt her heart break further. She knew the pain he was in, she felt it herself. Fighting every emotion within that told her to stay put, Isabel rose off of her cot and silently made her way over to her brother’s prone form. Every step she took she felt more confident in her actions.
Max seemed to be unaware of her movement and his body stiffened when Isabel placed a gentle hand on his arm.
Isabel cautiously enveloped her little brother in a maternal hug. Max’s arms were between his torso and hers, keeping a buffer of sorts between them. Isabel wrapped her arms around his shoulders, patting his back gently as she rocked from side to side as she had seen her mother do many times for him as a small boy.
Seeing him in the corner reminded Isabel of Max when they had just been adopted by the Evans’. He cried himself to sleep every night and wouldn’t speak. The only person who seemed able to reach him in the depths of his despair was their mother. She would rock him to sleep and tell him stories. When that stopped working she gave him the toy house.
“I blamed you for it!” Isabel stated quietly.
Max froze in her arms but Isabel kept rocking and holding him.
“I needed to blame somebody and you were the logical choice.” She continued. “Over the past couple of days I had built it up in my mind. It was your fault. You made me do it. You were the King and commanded me to do it.” She paused to rein in her emotions. “In my head you became somebody to fear.”
Max gasped; shocked by her confession.
Isabel sniffed loudly and took a sharp breath.
“But you’re not! You didn’t make me do anything. If it’s your fault then it’s mine too. I remember you when you were little and you were so scared all the time. I hated that for you. I wanted you to be happy like I was. You remind me of that little boy now. And I still just want you to be happy. I want us to all be happy.”
Isabel started to cry again. Brother and sister sat in the corner together, holding on to each there for dear life.
Later that evening the six conscious members of the group were congregated in Isabel’s cell. Despite being un-processed, Max, Isabel and Tess had chosen to remain in the cells for the time being. They weren’t ready to face the world yet.
“So we know what the plan is?” Kyle asked.
“I dream walk Michael, with our new power boost it shouldn’t be a problem I don’t think he will be able to block me. I try to talk him down…” Isabel stated.
“If that doesn’t work then I will join her in the dream walk.” Max added.
“And if it still doesn’t work then we are fucked!” Tess added. She received a lot of glares and shrugged. “Sorry, then I will go and we keep going until we run out of people.”
“And what do we not do?” Alex prompted.
“Tell Michael about Liz or the baby.” The three aliens droned together. The humans had pushed that point to death.
“How are you feeling Isabel?” Maria asked.
Isabel was unsure what she meant. Did she mean about invading Michael’s mind, her physical and mental health or about her conversation with Max. After a blank stare from Maria, Isabel deduced that she meant her health.
“I’m fine. Let’s get this show on the road.” She stated with as much enthusiasm as she dared. All of their hopes were resting on this. Isabel was feeling more in control since her talk with her brother. A demon had been exorcised, there were more to come but, for her at least, the worst was over.
Isabel led the group through to Michael’s cell. None of the Royals had seen Michael and were shocked by his condition. Silence fell over the group as Isabel sat down next to her ‘brother’ and laid a gentle hand on his chest.
Closing her eyes Isabel concentrated on the image of Michael and moved into his subconscious.
It was a nightmare. Michael’s mind was the epitome of pain and anger. Isabel walked around a jagged and contorted landscape. She was in a barren place; the only objects in sight were rocks and boulders. All sharp edged and precariously placed; as though they could tumble into an avalanche at any minute.
She wandered for a while, searching for Michael. It was cold and the wind was blasting her in the face. Isabel lowered her head to block the wind and keep an eye out for potential hazards on the footpath.
After a while she heard an odd thumping noise. The noise was distorted by the wind so she had trouble locating its origin. When she found it she wished she hadn’t.
Michael was on the ground, on his hands and knees, his wrists and ankles shackled to the razor sharp rocks around him; preventing him from rising. The noise was made by the whip that kept a steady rhythm against his back.
Isabel was horrified. Michael’s attacker was masked and didn’t seem to be tiring at all. Michael’s back was split and bloodied. Isabel rushed the attacker with her full height and weight and forced him backwards. He stumbled backwards and became impaled on the rocks behind him. He lay motionless and bleeding.
Isabel was about to turn and check on Michael when something caught her eye. The attacker wore a ring she had seen before. Pulling off the mask Isabel was stunned to find Michael’s face staring back at her. Taking a deep breath to suppress the confusion in her mind and the urge to vomit, Isabel turned to the Michael who was shackled and bleeding.
She took one of his wrist shackles in her hand and attempted to release him. Michael pulled his hand away, grimacing in pain.
“Don’t!” he commanded.
“Michael, I need to get you out of here.” Isabel stated in a calming tone.
“No!” Michael roared. “Why did it stop?”
“What stop?” Isabel asked in concern.
“It wasn’t supposed to stop. I’m here because I deserve to be here. Make it start again.” Michael demanded through anger and tears.
Isabel realised that he was talking about the flogging. Tears sprung to her eyes as she realised the depths of Michael’s despair. It should have dawned on her sooner, she berated herself, Michael was supposed to protect, never harm.
“Who says you deserve to be here?” Isabel asked. “Answer me Michael. Who says you deserve to be here?”
Michael remained silent and refused to look at her.
“I did everything you did. Shouldn’t I be shackled with you? Shouldn’t Max and Tess?” Isabel demanded. She knew that soft words and gestures wouldn’t work on Michael. They never really had. “Who decided you should be here?”
“He did?” Michael ground out as he indicated to his punisher over his shoulder. He couldn’t see him and didn’t know that he was dead. “Why did he stop?” Michael stuttered.
“I made him stop.” Isabel replied. “I’m going to release you.”
“No.” Michael demanded.
“You will just have to stop me!” Isabel retorted. She went over to Michael’s clone and removed the keys from his belt. She unlocked the chains from Michael’s wrists and ankles.
Michael fell to the ground; the shackles had been the only thing holding him up. He panted and whimpered as he tried in vain to find a comfortable position.
“You think that your attacker decided to put you here? He decided that you deserved to be here?” Isabel questioned.
Michael nodded.
“Sit up and take a look at him Michael.” Isabel commanded as she helped him rise to a sitting position. Michael resisted at first but soon relented in the face of Isabel’s concern.
He was stunned to see himself sitting impaled on a rock. He looked at Isabel in confusion and found a compassionate look on her face.
“The only person, who thinks you should be here, Michael, is you!” Isabel reasoned.
Michael glanced between his dead clone and his sister and started to hyperventilate. He pulled his legs to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. His face was buried in his knees but Isabel still heard the sobs. They were primal and desperate. And somehow cathartic.
Isabel heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Max approaching. She gave him a small smile and nodded for him to proceed.
Max had been unable to see Michael until he was within five feet of him. He was shocked at the state of his brother. His back was destroyed and he was sitting in utter agony – emotional and physical. Max joined Isabel on the ground next to Michael.
“Hey man.” Max greeted. He was anxious about seeing Michael. They, too, had been involved in carnal activity together. Max forced that thought out of his mind and concentrated on his brother’s emotional state.
Michael froze when he heard Max’s voice. All of the memories of what they had done together flooded his brain. His head shot up in shock and angst.
“Believe me when I say that I know how you feel.” Max replied, voicing Michael’s inner thoughts. “We have so much to deal with Michael. But we can’t do that if you are in here!”
“In where?” Michael asked in confusion.
“We’re in your subconscious, Michael.” Isabel explained as though she was talking to a three year old. Michael gave her an annoyed look and she giggled. “Sorry. That is why Max hasn’t healed you. There is physically nothing to heal. It’s all in your head!”
“It hurts!” Michael commented.
“Because you want it to hurt!” Max explained. “You feel a need to punish yourself and as per usual you take the term ‘self flagellation’ to a whole new level.”
“You are under sedation right now because when you woke up you were hurting yourself.” Isabel revealed. “The sedative should be wearing off within the next hour or so.”
Max and Isabel exchanged glances of concern.
“I want to take you out of here.” Max stated. “Isabel wants to take you out of here. But the question in, are you ready to come out yet?”
Michael looked around the barren and razor sharp landscape and nodded his head.
“I wanna get out of here!” He stated. Isabel caught the tremor in his voice.
“You don’t deserve to be here Michael.” Isabel tried to relieve his inner turmoil. “We need to make things right with our friends. They are so wonderful. They have forgiven us.”
Michael turned to Isabel in shock.
“They what?” He gasped.
“It’s true. Kyle, Maria and Alex have all forgiven us.” Max revealed.
“But not Liz.” Michael stuttered in pain.
“We haven’t really seen Liz.” Max answered. “She was working with Larek to have us de-processed and the only way they would agree to it was if Liz stepped up and ascended the throne.”
“Liz is Queen?” Michael asked in confusion. Things were moving too quickly for him. He was a man who processed everything through his head. He never really dealt with emotional influences before and they were leaving him dazed.
“Yeah. I always thought she would be a great one.” Max stated, sadly. He would never have Liz as his Queen. She was for Michael and his baby now.
“She’s really busy though.” Isabel added. “She was there when you were awake. Don’t you remember?”
Michael shook his head.
“Liz was called to your cell after you woke up and she found you going one on one with the wall.” Isabel revealed. “She ordered that you be restrained. She tried to talk to you but she couldn’t because you weren’t able to cope with her being there. So she ordered that you be sedated so you couldn’t hurt yourself anymore.”
The landscape around them was growing fuzzy and less defined.
“You guys should go. It looks like I’m waking up.” Michael stated, softly.
Max and Isabel rose from the ground and prepared to leave. Max disappeared but Isabel stayed for a moment.
“Michael, I know that a lot has happened between us. But I need you to know that you are a brother to me and I love you!” Isabel stated through tears.
Michael looked up at her from his position on the ground.
“I love you too Is.” He replied as the landscape melted away and they both regained consciousness.
Michael opened his eyes to find his small, dark cell filled with people. Closing his eyes he tried to halt the undertow of nausea that threatened to smother him. Max and Kyle were in the process of unbinding his hands and feet.
“Welcome back stranger.” Maria stated as she placed a warm hand on his arm.
Michael sat up and looked around the room at the six other occupants. They all seemed at ease with each other which Michael found astonishing after the events they had experienced. There was an underlying emotion that confused him. They all seemed relieved that he was awake.
Something told Michael it wasn’t for him.
After reassuring the others that he was ok, Michael seemed to lose focus. The group stood in a huddle by the door as Michael sat on the bed. His elbows rested on his knees with his fingers tips meeting just under his nose. His thumbs propped up his chin as his lips rested on his index fingers. His eyes stared at the floor, blank and unwavering.
“What now?” Max asked. He seemed to defer to the humans on everything now.
“Should we leave him?” Isabel asked.
“Is he going to be alright here?” Tess added.
The humans were beginning to get frustrated with the Royals. None of them had any answers either. They were just as lost as the hybrids.
“I didn’t think we would be able to talk him out this quickly.” Kyle confessed. “I thought we would have more time to plan what we were going to say to him.”
“Well, we have to think of something.” Maria stated.
“If it was you, what would you want to hear?” Alex queried.
“I would want to be left in a dark hole to die!” Kyle replied, curtly.
The hybrids looked at Kyle in shock. His understanding was more than they could have ever hoped for and once again they were relieved that their friends had forgiven them. A voice broke them out of their awe.
“I want to speak to Liz.” Michael stated quietly.
Never one to shy away from what he had to do, Michael needed to see her. He had no idea what he was going to say to her, or how he could even begin to apologise for all the things he had put her through, but there was a pull in his gut that told him he had to find her.
When he received no reply he looked away from his spot on the floor to the others in the doorway. They all looked uneasy.
His first thought was that Liz had told them that she never wanted to see him again and that’s why she wasn’t there. The look of sorrow on Kyle, Alex and Maria’s faces told him otherwise.
“What’s wrong with her?” Michael asked in fear. Tears clouded his vision as fear engulfed him. “You said she was working. Where is she?”
His friends avoided eye contact with him and his fear grew exponentially.
“Somebody tell me what is going on!” Michael half demanded half begged.
Kyle took a deep breath and stepped away from the group towards Michael. He crouched down in front of him balancing on the pads of his feet.
“Liz is in a coma.” Kyle stated gently.
“What happened?” Michael asked in horror. He watched as Kyle carefully worded his response.
“Liz is pregnant.” Kyle replied honestly. There was no other way to tell him. He was praying that Michael would be able to hold it together.
Michael swallowed hard. His chin dropped an inch and he felt dizzy.
“The baby is drawing on Liz’s energy to try and form a connection with the father. Liz, as a human, doesn’t have enough energy for that so she is in a coma. The doctor says that physically she is fine.”
Michael knew; things fell into place. It’s why his friends were so relieved that he was awake, so he could connect with the baby and rouse Liz. He knew but he needed to hear Kyle say it.
“Who is the father?”
“You are.” Kyle answered directly.
Michael buried his face in his hands He seemed to freeze. There was no movement and the others were panicked.
Michael suddenly drew in a long ragged breath as he sobbed into his hands. Isabel couldn’t take anymore and rushed to Michael’s side. She wrapped her arms around him and comforted him, as she had Max earlier that day. Michael continued to cry, gasping for breath and crying out to God.
The others in the room were deeply affected by Michael’s break down.
Isabel, Tess and Maria cried and openly joined Michael in his sorrow.
Max understood more than anyone what Michael was feeling at that moment. Still emotionally raw from earlier, he took a step back and sat down in a corner on the other side of the cell. He pulled his knees to his chest as silent tears marked his face.
Alex was stunned. He had expected fighting and anger from Michael. Not this, anything but this. He had always admired Michael’s strength and to see him fall so far was shocking. He moved over to the other side of the distraught man and sat down. He placed a consoling hand on his back.
Kyle was experiencing similar emotions to Alex but on a more diverse scale. Part of him was glad that Michael was so hurt. He should be, after everything he put Liz and the rest of them through. They all should. But seeing Michael so broken forced Kyle to realise that there was nothing he could ever do that would make Michael or the others feel worse than they already did.
When Michael finally calmed down about an hour later, the hybrids were led by the humans through the labyrinth back to their suites. Michael had a tight grip on Isabel’s hand as they walked together. Max and Tess remained close, bringing up the rear of the group.
The humans were anxious. They were afraid to put all of their hopes on Michael being able to waken Liz, but he was their only shot.
Kyle motioned for the others to stop outside the door as he entered. There was sound of a scuffle through the door as Kyle met with the commandos. A gasp drew their attention away from the door towards the direction they had just come from.
Larek stood frozen in shock. All four hybrids were awake and the process had been successfully reversed. Larek, being honest with himself, had not expected it to work. Yet here they stood, along with their friends. They seemed grouped together, as though bound by their similar actions and pains.
Kyle returned to the foyer and saw Larek. He gave him a nod with a small smile. Nothing was said between the seven of them as they all prepared themselves to enter Liz’s suite.
The room was dark, the curtains drawn. The only light in the room was on Liz’s bed side table and illuminated her prone form. It was warm in the room but everyone felt a slight chill. Kyle led them towards the bed where they stood beside it in silence. Nobody knew what to say.
Tess was biting her lip to hold back the tearful sob she knew rested in her throat. Liz was probably the best of them all. She was kind and caring. She had done everything in her power to bring her and the other hybrids back.
This had to work.
Max had always thought of Liz as Cinderella. He was the Prince Charming who would sweep her off her feet and take her away to his castle where they would live happily ever after. Now, she looked like Sleeping Beauty; lying in a deep coma waiting for a kiss to awaken her. But Max wouldn’t be the one to do it. Michael had to do it.
This had to work.
Isabel had always resented Liz. Not because of her relationship with her brother but by the way everybody perceived her. In Roswell she had been the popular bitch but Liz had been the personification of sweetness and kindness. It had made Isabel sick. But Liz was good and kind and sweet. She had proven it numerous times.
This had to work.
Alex looked around the group and gauged their reactions to the situation. Michael had retreated behind his stone wall. Alex was looking everywhere but at Liz. He wasn’t prepared for this; he needed more time to process what was going on. His nerves were shot and his mind felt as though it was full of cotton wool. He needed his balance and reason back, he needed Liz.
This had to work.
Maria placed her hand on Liz’s brow sweeping away the stray hairs that had landed there. She needed her best friend back. Things were too confusing and complicated. This wasn’t her, she was the side kick. She was the comic relief. She wasn’t supposed to be front and centre making decision over people’s freedom.
This had to work.
Kyle knew that they were looking to him now and he was playing the role for them. He had learned from each of them over the years. From Michael, how to hide your true emotions, from Max how to make statements with no real meaning, from Isabel how to lead by example and from Tess how to be quiet when you have nothing to say. This wasn’t the role for him.
This had to work.
Michael was in hell. Every emotion conceivable was running riot through his mind, body and soul. His mind screamed at him that this was his fault and he should be the one laying there, not her. His body remembered ever inch of hers and he found his palms sweating looking at her angelic face. His soul urged him to sit down next to her and pull her into his arms and never let her go.
Dear God, let this work!
Everyone turned to Michael with expectant looks on their faces. Michael took a deep breath, his wall cracking. So much pressure, his vision blacked out around the edges as his legs failed him. He slumped down on the bed next to Liz. Determined to keep it together he dug his finger nails into his palms and bit down hard on the inside of his cheek. He could taste blood, the metallic flavour filling his mouth.
Pulling his mind into focus Michael moved up the bed as the others stepped back and stayed at a discreet distance. Placing a hand at her cheek Michael felt a shiver run through him as he touched her. She was so warm and soft. Mentally berating himself for thinking anything like that Michael took a sharp breath in, in an attempt to cleanse that thought from his mind, memory and skin.
His other hand, slightly bloodied, slid under her neck and turned her face towards him. Calmness seemed to envelope him as he centred his powers and focused on the Sleeping Beauty before him.
He though back to days gone by. Before all of this happened. Before he had ever done anything to hurt her. Before he had become a monster.
His mind’s eye saw her in her Crashdown uniform.
Talking with Maria in school.
Giving a presentation in class.
Cleaning up after a shift in the Crashdown.
Getting shot.
Talking with her parents.
Coming to see him in the Trailer Park.
Channelling his powers into her Michael attempted to form a connection.
The others were standing still; it was as though they had all held their breaths, waiting for Liz to wake up. Their eyes all stared at the two figures on the bed. Michael gently coaxing Liz into consciousness. After a minute or two Michael’s eyes opened.
It hadn’t worked.
Liz’s eyes remained closed.
“What now?” Max asked. He seemed to defer to the humans on everything now.
“Should we leave him?” Isabel asked.
“Is he going to be alright here?” Tess added.
The humans were beginning to get frustrated with the Royals. None of them had any answers either. They were just as lost as the hybrids.
“I didn’t think we would be able to talk him out this quickly.” Kyle confessed. “I thought we would have more time to plan what we were going to say to him.”
“Well, we have to think of something.” Maria stated.
“If it was you, what would you want to hear?” Alex queried.
“I would want to be left in a dark hole to die!” Kyle replied, curtly.
The hybrids looked at Kyle in shock. His understanding was more than they could have ever hoped for and once again they were relieved that their friends had forgiven them. A voice broke them out of their awe.
“I want to speak to Liz.” Michael stated quietly.
Never one to shy away from what he had to do, Michael needed to see her. He had no idea what he was going to say to her, or how he could even begin to apologise for all the things he had put her through, but there was a pull in his gut that told him he had to find her.
When he received no reply he looked away from his spot on the floor to the others in the doorway. They all looked uneasy.
His first thought was that Liz had told them that she never wanted to see him again and that’s why she wasn’t there. The look of sorrow on Kyle, Alex and Maria’s faces told him otherwise.
“What’s wrong with her?” Michael asked in fear. Tears clouded his vision as fear engulfed him. “You said she was working. Where is she?”
His friends avoided eye contact with him and his fear grew exponentially.
“Somebody tell me what is going on!” Michael half demanded half begged.
Kyle took a deep breath and stepped away from the group towards Michael. He crouched down in front of him balancing on the pads of his feet.
“Liz is in a coma.” Kyle stated gently.
“What happened?” Michael asked in horror. He watched as Kyle carefully worded his response.
“Liz is pregnant.” Kyle replied honestly. There was no other way to tell him. He was praying that Michael would be able to hold it together.
Michael swallowed hard. His chin dropped an inch and he felt dizzy.
“The baby is drawing on Liz’s energy to try and form a connection with the father. Liz, as a human, doesn’t have enough energy for that so she is in a coma. The doctor says that physically she is fine.”
Michael knew; things fell into place. It’s why his friends were so relieved that he was awake, so he could connect with the baby and rouse Liz. He knew but he needed to hear Kyle say it.
“Who is the father?”
“You are.” Kyle answered directly.
Michael buried his face in his hands He seemed to freeze. There was no movement and the others were panicked.
Michael suddenly drew in a long ragged breath as he sobbed into his hands. Isabel couldn’t take anymore and rushed to Michael’s side. She wrapped her arms around him and comforted him, as she had Max earlier that day. Michael continued to cry, gasping for breath and crying out to God.
The others in the room were deeply affected by Michael’s break down.
Isabel, Tess and Maria cried and openly joined Michael in his sorrow.
Max understood more than anyone what Michael was feeling at that moment. Still emotionally raw from earlier, he took a step back and sat down in a corner on the other side of the cell. He pulled his knees to his chest as silent tears marked his face.
Alex was stunned. He had expected fighting and anger from Michael. Not this, anything but this. He had always admired Michael’s strength and to see him fall so far was shocking. He moved over to the other side of the distraught man and sat down. He placed a consoling hand on his back.
Kyle was experiencing similar emotions to Alex but on a more diverse scale. Part of him was glad that Michael was so hurt. He should be, after everything he put Liz and the rest of them through. They all should. But seeing Michael so broken forced Kyle to realise that there was nothing he could ever do that would make Michael or the others feel worse than they already did.
When Michael finally calmed down about an hour later, the hybrids were led by the humans through the labyrinth back to their suites. Michael had a tight grip on Isabel’s hand as they walked together. Max and Tess remained close, bringing up the rear of the group.
The humans were anxious. They were afraid to put all of their hopes on Michael being able to waken Liz, but he was their only shot.
Kyle motioned for the others to stop outside the door as he entered. There was sound of a scuffle through the door as Kyle met with the commandos. A gasp drew their attention away from the door towards the direction they had just come from.
Larek stood frozen in shock. All four hybrids were awake and the process had been successfully reversed. Larek, being honest with himself, had not expected it to work. Yet here they stood, along with their friends. They seemed grouped together, as though bound by their similar actions and pains.
Kyle returned to the foyer and saw Larek. He gave him a nod with a small smile. Nothing was said between the seven of them as they all prepared themselves to enter Liz’s suite.
The room was dark, the curtains drawn. The only light in the room was on Liz’s bed side table and illuminated her prone form. It was warm in the room but everyone felt a slight chill. Kyle led them towards the bed where they stood beside it in silence. Nobody knew what to say.
Tess was biting her lip to hold back the tearful sob she knew rested in her throat. Liz was probably the best of them all. She was kind and caring. She had done everything in her power to bring her and the other hybrids back.
This had to work.
Max had always thought of Liz as Cinderella. He was the Prince Charming who would sweep her off her feet and take her away to his castle where they would live happily ever after. Now, she looked like Sleeping Beauty; lying in a deep coma waiting for a kiss to awaken her. But Max wouldn’t be the one to do it. Michael had to do it.
This had to work.
Isabel had always resented Liz. Not because of her relationship with her brother but by the way everybody perceived her. In Roswell she had been the popular bitch but Liz had been the personification of sweetness and kindness. It had made Isabel sick. But Liz was good and kind and sweet. She had proven it numerous times.
This had to work.
Alex looked around the group and gauged their reactions to the situation. Michael had retreated behind his stone wall. Alex was looking everywhere but at Liz. He wasn’t prepared for this; he needed more time to process what was going on. His nerves were shot and his mind felt as though it was full of cotton wool. He needed his balance and reason back, he needed Liz.
This had to work.
Maria placed her hand on Liz’s brow sweeping away the stray hairs that had landed there. She needed her best friend back. Things were too confusing and complicated. This wasn’t her, she was the side kick. She was the comic relief. She wasn’t supposed to be front and centre making decision over people’s freedom.
This had to work.
Kyle knew that they were looking to him now and he was playing the role for them. He had learned from each of them over the years. From Michael, how to hide your true emotions, from Max how to make statements with no real meaning, from Isabel how to lead by example and from Tess how to be quiet when you have nothing to say. This wasn’t the role for him.
This had to work.
Michael was in hell. Every emotion conceivable was running riot through his mind, body and soul. His mind screamed at him that this was his fault and he should be the one laying there, not her. His body remembered ever inch of hers and he found his palms sweating looking at her angelic face. His soul urged him to sit down next to her and pull her into his arms and never let her go.
Dear God, let this work!
Everyone turned to Michael with expectant looks on their faces. Michael took a deep breath, his wall cracking. So much pressure, his vision blacked out around the edges as his legs failed him. He slumped down on the bed next to Liz. Determined to keep it together he dug his finger nails into his palms and bit down hard on the inside of his cheek. He could taste blood, the metallic flavour filling his mouth.
Pulling his mind into focus Michael moved up the bed as the others stepped back and stayed at a discreet distance. Placing a hand at her cheek Michael felt a shiver run through him as he touched her. She was so warm and soft. Mentally berating himself for thinking anything like that Michael took a sharp breath in, in an attempt to cleanse that thought from his mind, memory and skin.
His other hand, slightly bloodied, slid under her neck and turned her face towards him. Calmness seemed to envelope him as he centred his powers and focused on the Sleeping Beauty before him.
He though back to days gone by. Before all of this happened. Before he had ever done anything to hurt her. Before he had become a monster.
His mind’s eye saw her in her Crashdown uniform.
Talking with Maria in school.
Giving a presentation in class.
Cleaning up after a shift in the Crashdown.
Getting shot.
Talking with her parents.
Coming to see him in the Trailer Park.
Channelling his powers into her Michael attempted to form a connection.
The others were standing still; it was as though they had all held their breaths, waiting for Liz to wake up. Their eyes all stared at the two figures on the bed. Michael gently coaxing Liz into consciousness. After a minute or two Michael’s eyes opened.
It hadn’t worked.
Liz’s eyes remained closed.
Last edited by polar4eva on Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
*
Michael had slumped to the floor beside the bed in defeat, as the others retreated back into the room. He reached back and drew back her hand, nestled in his. His back pressed against the side of the bed, Michael gently stroked her little fingers trying to calm the mass of confusion in his mind and soul.
He was unsurprised to find his nerves unwind and his muscles relax. He intertwined his fingers with hers.
He had failed; he had been their only hope and he had failed. There was nothing he could do for Liz… or their child. The word ‘child’ sent him into a cold sweat. He was going to be a father! Maybe. He couldn’t bear to think of anything happening to the innocent soul buried inside of Liz.
Any sense of calm he had gained from Liz’s presence evaporated as he thought of all of the questions his child could ask. How they met? How they got together? How they decided to have a baby?
Michael’s veneer cracked and tears fell from his lashes, marking his cheeks and dropping onto their combined fingers. No sounds emitted from him as he broke.
The others had moved away to give Michael a moment of two to gather himself after his failed attempt to rouse Liz. Kyle was the first to sit down on the couch shortly followed by the others.
Kyle felt disappointment burning cold in his stomach as he collapsed onto the cushions. Tears burned behind his lids as he fought to control his emotions. It hadn’t worked! Why hadn’t it worked?
Tess had chosen the seat farthest away from Kyle. She was afraid that he didn’t want to be near the hybrids anymore. Huddled into a small ball on the sofa, Tess’ spirit sank deeper than ever before.
Alex, even in the depths of his despair noticed how Tess avoided Kyle. He sat down beside her and pulled her gently into his arms – both to comfort and include her. Tears of frustration marked his face.. His brow creased as he buried his face in Tess; soft curls.
Isabel sat next to Kyle in an almost robotic fashion. Her brain simply couldn’t compute what had gone wrong. She took Kyle’s hand in her own and rested her head against his shoulder. Blinking back tears and forcing down the lump in her throat, Isabel gently stroked Kyle’s arm in comfort.
Max and Maria sat huddled together on the third sofa. Their arms were wrapped round each other – both consumed by their grief. Max couldn’t understand what went wrong. His hand fisted in Maria’s hair as he clung to her. He desperately needed for this to have worked. What they had done was bad enough without adding this to it.
Maria sobbed into Max’s neck. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as she tried to draw any strength she could from him. This had been their only hope. Michael couldn’t do it so now nobody could.
After sitting for an hour or so; the hybrids, seated on the couches, decided to return to their cells. Without consulting Michael they just pulled him to his feet. He was half asleep and dead on his feet. Max and Isabel supported him between them as they walked back to their cells.
They deposited Michael on his cot and left for each of their cells in silence. Michael almost immediately slipped into the subconscious realm between asleep and awake. His mind, body and soul were beyond exhausted. The physical strain of today had been nothing compared to the mental and emotional strain that had left him drained. Sleep seemed to elude him as he remained in a semi-conscious state. Thoughts and images circled his mind as he processed the events of the day.
A jolt of adrenaline startled him awake. He practically leapt out of his bed and charged straight through the cell door. He managed to walk straight through the startled guards and was halfway down the tower steps before they caught up with him.
At first he attempted to fight them off but them he realised that he could understand what they were saying. His mind immediately switched into Antarian as he communicated his needs to them. He used their confusion of his states to his benefit and ordered them to release him.
The guards were unsure if his commands were to be obeyed or ignored. They had been ordered to guard and restrain Rath, but the man before them was the human, Michael. They released him and allowed him to continue to where ever he was going.
Michael practically ran all of the way to Liz’s suite. His footsteps echoed off of the empty walls, accompanied by the harsh pants that escaped his body. He reached the door to her room and stopped to catch his breath and calm himself down.
He was unsure if the sweat that caused his shirt to stick to his back was from his run or from his fear. Pushing the door open, Michael entered the room only to be forced to the floor. The knee in his back told him that the ever vigilant commandos had been warned about him.
After a few moments of negotiating and promises not to endanger their Queen, Michael was allowed to stand and approach the bed.
Taking another deep breath, Michael sat down next to her and gently removed her hands from her abdomen, where they rested above their child. Michael tentatively placed both of his hands over her slightly swollen belly and searched for his child.
His hands started to tingle as he formed a connection with the tiny life. A feeling of desperation swept over him as he felt the need of the baby, his son, to find his father. Michael felt love and a sense of security emanate from his son.
Connecting into the emotions that he felt, Michael sent his awe, love and protective instincts to his son. Not only would his son know how precious he was to his father but also learn something about him in the process.
The connection seemed to fade. Michael, out of fear, sought to strengthen it but it faded before he could establish a stronger link. Michael opened his eyes and found himself, once again, in the darkened room. Fear consumed him as he tried to understand why he had lost the connection. Taking a deep breath, Michael attempted to recreate the connection with his son.
Closing his eyes he replaced his large hands on Liz’s abdomen. Before he was able to start, a hand rested on his arm. Michael opened his eyes in shock. A pair of beautiful brown eyes gazed up at him from the bed. Relief flooded through him as he lost himself for a moment in the deep chocolate pools.
The relief waned and was replaced by fear and self loathing. Michael pulled his hands away from her and clenched them tightly on his lap, averting his eyes. Liz’s hand remained on his arm. Her other hand automatically returned to her abdomen. A slight smile played on her face.
“Hello Michael. Welcome back!” She whispered softly. She received no reply. Not that she had really expected any. She was unsure of how long she had been unconscious; she was aware that the baby had done something but was unsure of what. Michael was back and that was all she really cared about at that moment.
She felt weak and drained and planned on using it to her advantage. Even in the depths of his despair; Liz knew that Michael could be counted on to play the role of the over protective white knight.
Keeping her hand firmly placed on his arm, Liz attempted to sit up. She had underestimated her own weak state and nearly passed out. She felt Michael’s arms wrap around her body, supporting her small frame.
As her vision cleared and she regained some of her faculties, Liz rested her head in the crook of his neck and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She felt Michael stiffen as she experimentally brushed her lips against his neck.
Michael felt a surge of want as Liz rested in his arms. He wanted nothing more than to press her against the bed with a searing kiss. As soon as that thought entered his mind he forced it away. How dare he think of forcing himself on her? After all that he had done to her; how dare he even be in the same room with her, let alone have her wrapped in his arms?
Michael leaned into her in an attempt to return her to the bed and get her out of his arms. Liz reluctantly lay back on the bed but kept her arms around Michael, pulling him with her.
“Liz, please!” Michael practically begged. He hadn’t intended to speak aloud but his mind screamed at him to get away from her.
“Please what?” Liz asked.
“I can’t…” Michael cried. “I can’t be this close to you.”
“Why not?” Liz countered. “Don’t you trust yourself?”
Michael shook his head, his nose lightly brushing against hers. His face hovered above hers, displaying every emotions that he felt, in his eyes.
“I trust you.” Liz added softly.
For the second time that day, Michael broke. He collapsed against her, sobbing into her neck as she stroked his back gently.
Later that evening Michael and Liz lay on the bed together. Liz had dismissed her guards, leaving her and Michael alone. Liz remained in the position she been in, whilst Michael lay down on the other side of the bed, facing her.
The only part of them touching was their hands. Michael’s right hand clasped Liz’s to his chest, over his heart. No words had been spoken between them since Michael’s emotional collapse.
“How can you not hate me?” Michael whispered; his eyes focused on her stomach, avoiding her eyes. “All the things I did to you… the things the others did to you… how we treated the others…”
“I don’t hate you.” Liz revealed. “I don’t want to hate you. I don’t fear you either.” She added as she rolled onto her side, facing him. “How much do you remember? What was is like?”
“I remember everything.” Michael confessed in hushed tones. He braved a look at her and was confused by the lack of hostility or contempt.
“Were you controlled by Rath or was it like a personality switch in your brain had been turned over?” Liz had so many questions but she didn’t want to pressure Michael so soon. But she wanted answers.
“I don’t know.” Michael admitted after a dew moments of contemplation. “It wasn’t a physical thing. There was just this… force that drove me to do the things I did.”
“Kyle will be relieved to hear that.” Liz joked.
When she witnessed him pale she knew that it was probably too soon for that topic.
“That was what really told me it wasn’t you. Interludes with the guys just isn’t… compatible with what I know about you. It’s more difficult to say with Max… but not you!” She teased.
She caught the small smile that danced on Michael’s face.
“He does have the haircut and the dress sense for it!” He joked. It felt odd to be bantering with Liz about such a painful subject. It was cathartic at the same time. “How are they?”
“Kyle and Alex?” Liz continued when Michael nodded. “They were having a really tough time with it but that is something you will have to talk to them about!”
Michael nodded and any indication of good humour disappeared as his brow creased and he reached up with his left hand to scratch his eyebrow.
Liz tried to smother the grin on her lips. It was one of his most obvious quirks. Confusion, frustration and annoyance all prompted him to claw at his eyebrow.
“We found it strange.” Liz stated, regaining Michael’s attention. “none of you really seemed to get any pleasure from it.”
“Did you?” Michael asked before his brain could stop his mouth. He felt an odd sense of pride when she nodded. Her skin blushed and her lids lowered in feminine modesty.
“From you, always!” She confessed with a smile on her face. She noticed the glint of self satisfaction in his eyes. “From the others, rarely. We took it upon ourselves.” She revealed.
Michael didn’t understand her at first but then it dawned on him. His eyes widened in surprise. What surprised him most were the feelings of jealousy that accompanied it.
He was brought back to reality when he heard her yawn. He was in the process of sitting up to leave when Liz placed a restraining and on his chest.
“Don’t leave.” Liz begged through heavy lids.
“Are you sure?” Michael asked hesitantly.
“Please.”
Michael acquiesced and lay back down against again. This time on his back. Liz remained on her side as both fell asleep.
Michael awoke a few hours later, feeling cold. He was astonished to find Liz cradled in his arms. Her body was moulded along his length, her left hand resting on her chest.
Michael moved gently away from her doing his utmost not to rouse her. Stretching out his legs he rose from the bed. Picking up a blanket from the back of the sofa, he returned to the bed. As he lay down next to her he felt her automatically return to her previous position in his arms.
He wrapped his left arm around her and held her to him. He wrapped them in the blanket and made sure Liz was covered. Michael snaked an arm between them and rested his hand on her belly. Placing a feather light kiss on her temple, Michael lay back against the pillows and fell asleep.
Michael had slumped to the floor beside the bed in defeat, as the others retreated back into the room. He reached back and drew back her hand, nestled in his. His back pressed against the side of the bed, Michael gently stroked her little fingers trying to calm the mass of confusion in his mind and soul.
He was unsurprised to find his nerves unwind and his muscles relax. He intertwined his fingers with hers.
He had failed; he had been their only hope and he had failed. There was nothing he could do for Liz… or their child. The word ‘child’ sent him into a cold sweat. He was going to be a father! Maybe. He couldn’t bear to think of anything happening to the innocent soul buried inside of Liz.
Any sense of calm he had gained from Liz’s presence evaporated as he thought of all of the questions his child could ask. How they met? How they got together? How they decided to have a baby?
Michael’s veneer cracked and tears fell from his lashes, marking his cheeks and dropping onto their combined fingers. No sounds emitted from him as he broke.
The others had moved away to give Michael a moment of two to gather himself after his failed attempt to rouse Liz. Kyle was the first to sit down on the couch shortly followed by the others.
Kyle felt disappointment burning cold in his stomach as he collapsed onto the cushions. Tears burned behind his lids as he fought to control his emotions. It hadn’t worked! Why hadn’t it worked?
Tess had chosen the seat farthest away from Kyle. She was afraid that he didn’t want to be near the hybrids anymore. Huddled into a small ball on the sofa, Tess’ spirit sank deeper than ever before.
Alex, even in the depths of his despair noticed how Tess avoided Kyle. He sat down beside her and pulled her gently into his arms – both to comfort and include her. Tears of frustration marked his face.. His brow creased as he buried his face in Tess; soft curls.
Isabel sat next to Kyle in an almost robotic fashion. Her brain simply couldn’t compute what had gone wrong. She took Kyle’s hand in her own and rested her head against his shoulder. Blinking back tears and forcing down the lump in her throat, Isabel gently stroked Kyle’s arm in comfort.
Max and Maria sat huddled together on the third sofa. Their arms were wrapped round each other – both consumed by their grief. Max couldn’t understand what went wrong. His hand fisted in Maria’s hair as he clung to her. He desperately needed for this to have worked. What they had done was bad enough without adding this to it.
Maria sobbed into Max’s neck. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as she tried to draw any strength she could from him. This had been their only hope. Michael couldn’t do it so now nobody could.
After sitting for an hour or so; the hybrids, seated on the couches, decided to return to their cells. Without consulting Michael they just pulled him to his feet. He was half asleep and dead on his feet. Max and Isabel supported him between them as they walked back to their cells.
They deposited Michael on his cot and left for each of their cells in silence. Michael almost immediately slipped into the subconscious realm between asleep and awake. His mind, body and soul were beyond exhausted. The physical strain of today had been nothing compared to the mental and emotional strain that had left him drained. Sleep seemed to elude him as he remained in a semi-conscious state. Thoughts and images circled his mind as he processed the events of the day.
A jolt of adrenaline startled him awake. He practically leapt out of his bed and charged straight through the cell door. He managed to walk straight through the startled guards and was halfway down the tower steps before they caught up with him.
At first he attempted to fight them off but them he realised that he could understand what they were saying. His mind immediately switched into Antarian as he communicated his needs to them. He used their confusion of his states to his benefit and ordered them to release him.
The guards were unsure if his commands were to be obeyed or ignored. They had been ordered to guard and restrain Rath, but the man before them was the human, Michael. They released him and allowed him to continue to where ever he was going.
Michael practically ran all of the way to Liz’s suite. His footsteps echoed off of the empty walls, accompanied by the harsh pants that escaped his body. He reached the door to her room and stopped to catch his breath and calm himself down.
He was unsure if the sweat that caused his shirt to stick to his back was from his run or from his fear. Pushing the door open, Michael entered the room only to be forced to the floor. The knee in his back told him that the ever vigilant commandos had been warned about him.
After a few moments of negotiating and promises not to endanger their Queen, Michael was allowed to stand and approach the bed.
Taking another deep breath, Michael sat down next to her and gently removed her hands from her abdomen, where they rested above their child. Michael tentatively placed both of his hands over her slightly swollen belly and searched for his child.
His hands started to tingle as he formed a connection with the tiny life. A feeling of desperation swept over him as he felt the need of the baby, his son, to find his father. Michael felt love and a sense of security emanate from his son.
Connecting into the emotions that he felt, Michael sent his awe, love and protective instincts to his son. Not only would his son know how precious he was to his father but also learn something about him in the process.
The connection seemed to fade. Michael, out of fear, sought to strengthen it but it faded before he could establish a stronger link. Michael opened his eyes and found himself, once again, in the darkened room. Fear consumed him as he tried to understand why he had lost the connection. Taking a deep breath, Michael attempted to recreate the connection with his son.
Closing his eyes he replaced his large hands on Liz’s abdomen. Before he was able to start, a hand rested on his arm. Michael opened his eyes in shock. A pair of beautiful brown eyes gazed up at him from the bed. Relief flooded through him as he lost himself for a moment in the deep chocolate pools.
The relief waned and was replaced by fear and self loathing. Michael pulled his hands away from her and clenched them tightly on his lap, averting his eyes. Liz’s hand remained on his arm. Her other hand automatically returned to her abdomen. A slight smile played on her face.
“Hello Michael. Welcome back!” She whispered softly. She received no reply. Not that she had really expected any. She was unsure of how long she had been unconscious; she was aware that the baby had done something but was unsure of what. Michael was back and that was all she really cared about at that moment.
She felt weak and drained and planned on using it to her advantage. Even in the depths of his despair; Liz knew that Michael could be counted on to play the role of the over protective white knight.
Keeping her hand firmly placed on his arm, Liz attempted to sit up. She had underestimated her own weak state and nearly passed out. She felt Michael’s arms wrap around her body, supporting her small frame.
As her vision cleared and she regained some of her faculties, Liz rested her head in the crook of his neck and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She felt Michael stiffen as she experimentally brushed her lips against his neck.
Michael felt a surge of want as Liz rested in his arms. He wanted nothing more than to press her against the bed with a searing kiss. As soon as that thought entered his mind he forced it away. How dare he think of forcing himself on her? After all that he had done to her; how dare he even be in the same room with her, let alone have her wrapped in his arms?
Michael leaned into her in an attempt to return her to the bed and get her out of his arms. Liz reluctantly lay back on the bed but kept her arms around Michael, pulling him with her.
“Liz, please!” Michael practically begged. He hadn’t intended to speak aloud but his mind screamed at him to get away from her.
“Please what?” Liz asked.
“I can’t…” Michael cried. “I can’t be this close to you.”
“Why not?” Liz countered. “Don’t you trust yourself?”
Michael shook his head, his nose lightly brushing against hers. His face hovered above hers, displaying every emotions that he felt, in his eyes.
“I trust you.” Liz added softly.
For the second time that day, Michael broke. He collapsed against her, sobbing into her neck as she stroked his back gently.
Later that evening Michael and Liz lay on the bed together. Liz had dismissed her guards, leaving her and Michael alone. Liz remained in the position she been in, whilst Michael lay down on the other side of the bed, facing her.
The only part of them touching was their hands. Michael’s right hand clasped Liz’s to his chest, over his heart. No words had been spoken between them since Michael’s emotional collapse.
“How can you not hate me?” Michael whispered; his eyes focused on her stomach, avoiding her eyes. “All the things I did to you… the things the others did to you… how we treated the others…”
“I don’t hate you.” Liz revealed. “I don’t want to hate you. I don’t fear you either.” She added as she rolled onto her side, facing him. “How much do you remember? What was is like?”
“I remember everything.” Michael confessed in hushed tones. He braved a look at her and was confused by the lack of hostility or contempt.
“Were you controlled by Rath or was it like a personality switch in your brain had been turned over?” Liz had so many questions but she didn’t want to pressure Michael so soon. But she wanted answers.
“I don’t know.” Michael admitted after a dew moments of contemplation. “It wasn’t a physical thing. There was just this… force that drove me to do the things I did.”
“Kyle will be relieved to hear that.” Liz joked.
When she witnessed him pale she knew that it was probably too soon for that topic.
“That was what really told me it wasn’t you. Interludes with the guys just isn’t… compatible with what I know about you. It’s more difficult to say with Max… but not you!” She teased.
She caught the small smile that danced on Michael’s face.
“He does have the haircut and the dress sense for it!” He joked. It felt odd to be bantering with Liz about such a painful subject. It was cathartic at the same time. “How are they?”
“Kyle and Alex?” Liz continued when Michael nodded. “They were having a really tough time with it but that is something you will have to talk to them about!”
Michael nodded and any indication of good humour disappeared as his brow creased and he reached up with his left hand to scratch his eyebrow.
Liz tried to smother the grin on her lips. It was one of his most obvious quirks. Confusion, frustration and annoyance all prompted him to claw at his eyebrow.
“We found it strange.” Liz stated, regaining Michael’s attention. “none of you really seemed to get any pleasure from it.”
“Did you?” Michael asked before his brain could stop his mouth. He felt an odd sense of pride when she nodded. Her skin blushed and her lids lowered in feminine modesty.
“From you, always!” She confessed with a smile on her face. She noticed the glint of self satisfaction in his eyes. “From the others, rarely. We took it upon ourselves.” She revealed.
Michael didn’t understand her at first but then it dawned on him. His eyes widened in surprise. What surprised him most were the feelings of jealousy that accompanied it.
He was brought back to reality when he heard her yawn. He was in the process of sitting up to leave when Liz placed a restraining and on his chest.
“Don’t leave.” Liz begged through heavy lids.
“Are you sure?” Michael asked hesitantly.
“Please.”
Michael acquiesced and lay back down against again. This time on his back. Liz remained on her side as both fell asleep.
Michael awoke a few hours later, feeling cold. He was astonished to find Liz cradled in his arms. Her body was moulded along his length, her left hand resting on her chest.
Michael moved gently away from her doing his utmost not to rouse her. Stretching out his legs he rose from the bed. Picking up a blanket from the back of the sofa, he returned to the bed. As he lay down next to her he felt her automatically return to her previous position in his arms.
He wrapped his left arm around her and held her to him. He wrapped them in the blanket and made sure Liz was covered. Michael snaked an arm between them and rested his hand on her belly. Placing a feather light kiss on her temple, Michael lay back against the pillows and fell asleep.