Life Is No Fairy Tale (DA,XO,UC,Adult) Pt 12, 05/09[WIP]

[demonyte]

Title: Life Is No Fairy Tale
Author: Demonyte
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Pairing: UC, not sure Mi/L or A/L
Rating: Mature
Summary: Fairy tales are just that, tales.
A/N: Timeline happens in DA. This fic is set up after Destiny in Roswell and before Pollo Loco in DA.
~




PART ONE


Fairy tales are just that, tales. In real life, there is no happily ever after.


Once upon a time, there was a girl running from her past. For months, she ran, crossing rivers, states and borders, it was never fast or far enough in her opinion. She headed South, tired from the cold running through her bones and fell in love with the desert.

When people look at her, all they see is Little Miss Perfect. Baby face, big doe eyes, pure and all vanilla, nobody suspects Snow White's soul to be as dark as coal. No one can imagine the demons haunting her or the things she faced. For years, she performs her act, careful, until she meets three persons who change her life. They're not like her, but their fears and the looking over their shoulder she shares. That's why she helps them instead of listening the alarms bells ringing in her brain.

The closeness the three shares reminds her of what she lost. The price for her freedom. They won't ever replace her family but protect and caring are two things she's missed. She learns to know them, what makes them laugh and cry and hope. She really connects with them and that's her mistake because she always cared too much. So when reality, under the disguise of destiny, comes crashing down, her whole world shatters. She falls hard and her heart, like Humpty Dumpty, ends up broken.


As the cab stopped in front of the Crash Down, Liz Parker emerged from it, luggage in hands. She smiled as her father opened the door, hugging her before taking her bags.

"Hey Lizzie, how was Florida?"

"I didn't find what I was looking for but I met an old friend." she replied honestly, her hand clutching unconsciously the piece of paper in her pocket.

The voicemail's number on it was long memorized but having it comforted her.

"Let's get you inside. It's going to rain soon." observed her father.

The dinner due to the late hour was nearly empty, excepted for one or two regulars. Liz, after telling her father she could manage to lift her luggage upstairs passed by the kitchen door. She came to a halt when she noticed Michael behind the grill. She hadn't expected to find him working so soon after Pierce's death. She chastised herself, of course he would be working, Michael was emancipated and had bills to pay.

"Hey," she greeted, not really knowing what to say but wanting to break the silent staring.

"Parker," he replied in his usual gruffy tone, "didn't expect you before the end of the month."

Well, that showed he still talked to Maria. Though Liz suspected it was more the other way around. During her absence, Maria constantly updated her about what was happening in Roswell, and the problems Maria had with Michael were part of it. Since the death of the FBI agent, Michael had withdrawn from everyone, Max and Isabel included, and Maria took his rejection very hard.

"Change of plans." she replied, fingering the strap of her shoulder bag. "I'll appreciate if you didn't mention my return to Max."

"I assume you haven't change your mind since your departure then."

"You'll be assuming well."

"Alright, I never saw you then." he said as he began to clean the plates.

"Thank you," she told him as she climbed the stairs before stopping herself. "Michael, are you ok?"

And maybe it wasn't subtle and maybe Michael would just bite her head off and tell her to mind her own business but she couldn't help but ask. She had to know, Michael had been so shell shocked after killing Pierce than Liz couldn't drop the subject. Even if it had been self defense, Michael felt guilty and probably obsessed too much about it if she read the dark bags under his eyes right. She knew this type of behavior too well. Repress, obsess, deny, guilt, repress, obsess, deny, guilt, that was a vicious circle. A circle in which she didn't want Michael to fall.

"I'm good." he said after few seconds of silence.

She nodded, not believing him but letting it slide. If she pressured him, Michael would just shut her out and it wouldn't do any good.

"Good." she stated. "Good night then, I'll see you around."

She threw her bags on her bed as soon as she was in her room. Closing the door quietly, she leaned against it, sighing deeply. Few minutes later, she was standing under the shower spray, the boiling water scorching her skin but relaxing her tensed muscles. Head down, palms pressed flat against the cool tiles, a vivid contrast with the temperature in the bathroom, she finally allowed the mask to slip. Her shoulders shook, and if tears were mixed with the water, she ignored them. At this moment, she did what she did the best.

Repress, obsess, deny, guilt.

-TBC-

[demonyte]

A/N: Just wanted to say not every event set in the season 2 of Roswell will be happening and I might strech the time of the events too (i.e. Nasedo's murder, the Skins' arrival, etc...). And in DA, I forgot to say the action is set before The Kids Are Aiight, Blah Blah, Woof Woof just happened during the length of time between part one and part two of this fic. I know it's a little confusing since there is no real interaction between Roswell and Seattle yet but it will come I promise.

A/N II: If someone wants to make me a banner for my fic, I'll be very happy. The only request I have is that Michael, Liz and Alec must be on it. In this order if it's not too much to ask, and please use an Alec picture, not a Dean Winchester. That's all, thanks.

A/N III: Thanks for the reviews guys, it means a lot. I still haven't picked a pairing, all I can say is there will be some Liz/Ben interaction. Just a little spoiler, hope you'll like. My muse for this story is very prolific, I might even post 2 or 3 parts during the following days.
~

PART TWO

ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO
CRASH DOWN, 10.30 AP

"Do you even know how to use this damn thing? I've left you at least 25 messages since the beginning of the summer and you never replied, not even once." spat out Maria, "You can't keep ignoring me like that, Michael! I deserve more."

Michael sighed heavily, looking at the blonde wearily. "I thought we agreed that it was over between us."

"You agreed, and then you avoided me the entire summer." accused Maria, hands on her hips.

"Well, it is." replied Michael, shrugging.

"Why? 'Cause you're destined to be with Isabel?"

"No, I don't buy that. Because I'm destined to be the soldier, and a soldier can't have some chick at home waiting for him."

"Michael, half the movies ever made are about soldiers with chicks waiting at home for them."

"Well, be that as it may..."

"I miss you, Michael."

"I know but you're wasting your time. Truth is I don't."

"You're a heartless bastard, Guerin." spat out the waitress hatefully. "I stupidly thought you could express some emotions but I guess I was wrong. Thank you for making me see the light, I won't bother you anymore. I hope you have fun with the stonewall you put between you and the rest of mankind."

She slammed the door angrily, going home and leaving Michael alone to close the dinner. The teenager watched her go, rubbing his forehead. Well, at least one good thing done. He turned his head at a sound in the stairs, finding Liz sitting there, watching him calmly.

"I heard hurricane Maria and decided to see the destruction she left in her wrath." said Liz, glancing at the plates spilled everywhere on the table and in the sink. A good thing Maria hadn't them when Michael made his tactless comment. "Don't you think it would be easier if you talked to her? You know, honestly, without being mean."

"Says the girl who's been holed up in her room for the last two weeks."

"Your point is?"

"Don't lecture me, Parker. You're avoiding Max and even your best friend."

"It's not the same thing. I just want some space without having Maria pressing me to return with Max. I've made my choice but she seems to think Max and me are the poster couple for soulmates. I get she's a sucker for true love and all but I need some time alone." the brunette explained as she took the mop from the closet and began to clean the floor.

"So there is really no chance you'll cave when he's going to come groveling at your feet?" asked Michael, raising an eyebrow. "Max and Maria bonded over the summer, you know. Kind of cheered the other up, funny how Max managed to mention Maria each time I saw him."

"Oh, peculiar, the same happened to me." said Liz, laughing, "Last time I heard Max was ready to hurt himself if it got him to see me."

Michael raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Really?"

"That's what she said." affirmed Liz. "It's time for Maria to stop living her fantasies of true romance through me. My relationship with Max was great the time it lasted but it wouldn't have been the stuff of legend."

"How so? Because if I believe Maria, Max and you can't stay separated from each other. It's like you two share the same organs or something, you can't live without each other."

"Well, let me assure you I can. Max is a sweet guy but he's in love with someone who doesn't exist. For years, he admired me from afar and put me on a pedestal I don't deserve."

Liz's voice was so serious that Michael couldn't help but glanced at her. He frowned, suddenly uneasy in front of the brunette's expression but before he could question her, she changed of subject.

"Alright, sweeping's over." she stated. "What do you say about some food? I think there is still some apple pie somewhere."

He hadn't the time to reply that Michael found himself sitting in a booth with a slice of pie, Liz sitting in front of him. He watched her eat as he played with his fork.

"It's not poisoned, I swear. Now eat your pie."

After a few bites, Liz stopped, sighing.

"It wasn't your fault."

Funny how four little words could anger him so much.

"Then you weren't there because I clearly recall raising my hand and blasting him to hell."

"You were protecting us, it was self-defense." countered Liz. "Pierce died, alright, but he was the bad guy, he tortured Max and wanted to study you like lab rats. The guilt you feel he doesn't deserve it, he doesn't deserve you stopping eating or sleeping. Michael, you can't keep blaming yourself like that, it's going to kill you."

"And how could you possibly know that?" he asked with a sneer.

"I... I just do." she replied, grabbing his lax fingers in hers, squeezing gently. "Believe me the guy isn't worth it. Sometimes to protect your family you need to take drastic measures."

Michael stood up, dropping the napkin on the table. "Thanks for the pie."

Liz watched him sadly, kicking herself for not finding the right words to relieve his conscience. She felt helpless, knowing too well what he was passing through but being unable to help him at facing his demons. They shared the same but there was no way Michael would ever know. As much as she cared about him, she wasn't going to risk exposure to make him sleep better at night. She managed to drop off Lydecker's radars by being extremely careful and she planned on staying that way.

~

The day after, Liz told Maria she was back in town. And then the time seemed to flee, she managed to get an intern's job at Whitaker's office, Pierce's body was discovered by a geologist. Michael was arrested and they passed a hair’s breadth away from exposure. She saw Max and remembered why she had been attracted to him in first place. He was so sweet and trusting and caring, like some kind of big puppy only asking to be loved. He was safe and predictable, unlike Michael whose behavior reminded her Zack, that's why Liz, in the beginning, avoided close contact with him as much as she could. It hurt too much to see Michael and being forced to wonder if the rest of her siblings made it. Not knowing if the others escaped was the hardest part.

Ironically Michael had been the first alien she really liked, his way of living on the edge, ready to leave at any second reflected so much hers that Liz couldn't help it. At first, Liz had been weary of the group, not really believing their story, suspecting it might be a trap from Manticore. That's why she got close to Max, the guy's crush on her was easy to use and soon she found herself liking the way he saw her. Even if it was only an illusion, it felt nice being loved, it didn't matter if it was for the wrong reasons. But then she was forced to wake up, the dream had been good the time it lasted but it would never work. Tess' arrival and the message of Max and Isabel's mother showed her the truth, the pseudo relationship she had with Max was destined to failure. Tess was like him, she was the best for him, she was even his past wife and the bonus was she had no dark secret. Liz Parker had been very fond of Max Evans, sometimes she had even loved him but truth was she wasn't real.

~

Sleeping Beauty wakes up in cold sweat, a scream stuck inside her throat. She's shaking, flashes of memories best forgotten assaulting her. A green forest where the big bad wolf is running away from the little pigs hunting him. He loses the game and limbs torn, choking in his own blood, dies lying on a rock. The disgust, the shame are so strong she can taste them on the tip of her tongue. She can't seem to stop shaking, tremors racking her whole body. And God, she wanted to ask for Snow White's apple.

Liz woke up, drenched in cold sweat, shaking uncontrollably, watching with blurred vision her clock indicating 1:46AM. She dragged herself out of bed with great difficulty. Shit, she prayed she still had tryptophan in her bathroom. After Max healed her, a year ago, the seizures had disappeared and now they were back, worst than ever. Leaning against the wall, her legs feeling like jello, she managed to reach the bathroom shelf. Her heart sank as she grabbed the empty bottle. Fuck fuckity fuck. The trip downstairs seemed to take all her strength, it was a bad thing her parents had just picked this week to go to a convention. She opened the fridge, grabbing the bottle of milk before sliding on the floor. She swallowed heavily, her hands shaking so much she spilled some milk on her t-shirt. The seizures were bad, the milk would help but it wasn't strong enough, she needed tryptophan and she needed it now.

She kept drinking until the bottle was empty and prayed for the shaking to lessen. Long minutes passed before the Blessed Virgin heard her prayer, not losing one second Liz went upstairs where she threw on some black clothes, taking a black bagpack she left by her balcony's ladder. Despite the night was pitch black and the roads deserted, Liz knew she couldn't afford being seen, Liz Parker outside at this hour would raise too many questions. Using her speed and a bunch of dark alleys, she arrived in front of Roswell Hospital. A good thing the facility was small because they had no surveillance system at the entrance, Liz noticed it when they took Grandma Claudia there.

After making sure the street was empty, Liz ran toward the building. The brunette, standing on the tip of her toes, looked through the window's entrance door, using her enhanced vision she observed the nurse behind the counter engrossed in a conversation on the phone. She opened the door soundlessly, staying near the wall linked to the counter, crouching to the point she was nearly crawling on the floor, heading toward the door with MEDICAL SUPPLY written on it. Asides from the nurse, no one seemed to be around but there was certainly night guard shift and doctors so Liz needed to hurry. Suddenly the nurse hung up and Liz plastered herself against the counter, hoping the woman wouldn't lower her head and notice her. Heart beating loudly in her chest, Liz closed her eyes, biting her lip, she thanked every deity she knew when the phone rang.

"Greg," giggled the nurse, "I already told you this phone was used for emergencies. You can't keep calling me here."

At this moment, Liz could have kissed the nurse's boyfriend. Profiting of the nurse's inattention, Liz passed the counter without getting caught. She opened the storage room, giving a last glance to the nurse before slipping inside. There, Liz let a relieved sigh and headed toward the shelves, night vision was definitely something she hadn't to complain about she thought as she opened her bagpack and began to put few bottles of tryptophan inside. So far her little intrusion hadn't been spotted but of course, Liz Parker's life had to suck and she realized that when she heard a snore behind her back. Great. Not even two feet of her was a doctor napping and by the sounds he was making he was waking up. She looked for a way out but the guy was between her and the door. The window but she would have to pick the lock. Doable. Doable in five seconds before the doctor's screams were heard? Not so sure.

"Hey you!"

Acting on instinct, Liz grabbed the guy's arm and threw him over her shoulder. She took the fire extinguisher fixed on the wall and slammed it in the window, glass shattered and Liz jumped through it, already able to hear the nurse calls and the running footsteps of the guards. She ran without turning back, as fast as she could, she hid between Roswell UFO Center, waiting to be sure no one was following her. Well, that was a close call. But in spite of that, she couldn't help but grin as adrenaline was rushing through her bloodstream. She's missed the rush, being able to use her abilities, she still trained but it wasn't the same thing. Hitting a punching ball wasn't as exciting as taking down guys twice your size or being chased by guards.

She went back to the Crash Down by using her fire ladder, just in time to be hit by another wave of seizures. She entered in her room where she proceeded to swallow four pills and waited for the shaking to stop. She couldn't say she missed those sons of a bitch. She was worried, she never recalled having crisis so strong before Max healed her. Her brain was already screwed in first place and now Liz had a feeling the little alien healing she received hadn't been a so great idea after all.

~

Few hours later, the Crash Down was filled with morning customers, there was still two days before the beginning of school. In the meantime, Liz was charged to manage the Crash Down until her parents' return and three days a week she would be working for Whitaker. Talking about the congresswoman, Nasedo finally opted for not killing her, this decision came after four hours of arguing with the rest of the aliens but it was still the result which counted. Liz had to admit she wasn't looking for another job and being Whitaker's intern was a good position. That way she would know if the Special Unit was up to something since the congresswoman was linked with them and it also would warn her of Lydecker's presence.

Liz yawned, tired, the seizures hadn't stopped before 5:00 AM, she watched Tess, Isabel, Alex and Max eating at a booth during Michael was behind the grill and Maria was taking an order at a corner of the room. A couple passed the front door and headed toward the counter, sitting on the stools and reading the menu. Liz went toward them, her smile faltering a little when she saw who it was. She had never seen the guy before but the blonde standing next to him was all too familiar.

"Hello, my name is Liz and I'll be your waitress for today. Have you chosen?" she asked, smiling so hard her cheeks hurt.

"Two Saturn rings and two black coffees."

"Coming right up." the brunette assured, giving the order to Michael and going to the kitchen where she filled two glasses with orange juice.

She came back near the couple and put the glasses in front of them.

"For the wait," said Liz, "it's on the house."

She dismissed Michael's inquiring expression and focused her attention on the couple.

"Oh, thank you, that's so nice." noticed the blonde, smiling. "Don't you think so, Greg?"

"Yes, it is. We'll need to come here more often."

"I hope so."

She headed toward the kitchen where she retrieved their plates.

"What's that, Parker?" asked Michael. "Since when are we doing things on the house?"

"Since now, Michael. I'm trying to attract new customers and your grouchy attitude isn't really helping."

She went back to the couple and gave them their food, doing small talk with them as she was filling the sugar basins.

"So what are you doing?"

"I'm a mechanic and Ellen right here is a night nurse."

"Really?" asked Liz. "It must be so gratifying to help sick people to get better. Is the atmosphere like in this pre-pulse show called ER or is it just normal -in a boring kind of way-?"

"Well," replied Ellen with a little laugh, "there are sometimes medical emergencies but they're few and far between, yet there is still action. Listen, today, just a few hours ago, there's been a breaking in the hospital. I was on desk duty and I saw and heard everything."

Liz leaned, putting an earnest look on her face.

"What happened?" she asked. "Were you scared?"

Ellen shook her head. "No, I'm a tough girl. No one knows, not even the police, how the thief entered but she managed to slip into the medical supply closet and took drugs. Only problem was the doctor Benfield napping there, you imagine the scene. Believe me or not but the girl managed to take him down before escaping by the window. You may not know it but Dr.Benfield is a big man, 6'5, 230 pounds of muscles, he's a health freak and she took him down without breaking a sweat."

"Can he recognize her?"

"No, it was pitched black in the supply closet, all he could say was she was very short."

"Wow, the drugs she took must be very strong."

"Not really, we made an inventory after the break in, she took pills called tryptophan. And the weird thing is it's just food complement."

"Yeah, that's weird. Well, I hope you'll find your meal satisfying. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything." said Liz as she welcomed other customers.

Shit, the doc might not be able to recognize but if this incident reached Lydecker's ears, he would know right away one of his little X5 was staying in Roswell.

Fuck, she was screwed, really screwed.

-TBC-

[demonyte]

A/N: I'm back again, I think it's the first fic where I write so fast. I have writing spurts, that's weird, well I only hope it continues. The Kids Are Aiight is finally happening in this part, that's one of my favorite episodes of DA.

Taniapretender: I'm happy to have you interested. I love when people leave long comment, it's nice. I won't reply to your questions because it would spoil the surprise, but I'm impressed because you're the first one to wonder about that. As for Liz's liking for Michael, I think it's possible, i.e in season 1 she warns him about Topolsky, there is also the secret they shared with the journal, you know, Liz saying to Max a friend (that is to say Michael) returned the journal. And for Liz's relationship with Max, yes, at first she played Max but everything wasn't fake, I thought it was clear enough but maybe not.

Kitten, alexceasar, orphyfets: Thanks, glad to see you're enjoying it.

*shiri&jensen4ever*: Hmm, maybe, maybe not. *grin*

pandas2001: I'm really mean but I'm so enjoying taunting you. *snicker* Your question is answered in this part, hope you'll like it.

WomanofMystery: Thank you for the feedback, hon, that's exactly what I wanted people to see when I tried to explain Liz's relationship with Max.

Remember guys, feedbacks make me happy. I won't say I live for them but it's damn close.
~


PART THREE


There is something extremely exasperating with question with multiple choices.


Her little exploit didn't go unnoticed, and even it's been three weeks since the break in, the police was still searching and the town still talking. The worst was her friends believed it might be alien related so they decided to learn who was the culprit, a decision which didn't make Liz very happy. C'mon, the guy was only beaten by a girl, no need to see immediate conspiracy but try to tell them that without sounding suspicious.

So here she was, facing her problem.

What was she going to do?

A) She could call Zack and inform him of the situation.
B) She could not call Zack and try to see what happen.
C) She could listen her instincts and get the hell out of Roswell before Lydecker heard about the Tryptophan's theft.
D) She could tell her friends the truth.

If she picked A), Liz was sure she would have to face a lecture and no mention of unwanted and embarrassing questions like "How come you didn't use tryptophan for a year?". She might have found her brother during the summer and told him where she was staying but she deliberately omitted to mention anything about little green men. If Zack knew, he would have a fit and order her to leave Roswell immediately and Liz hadn't work her ass off during ten years for nothing. She had created a good life for herself, she had loving parents, good friends and she liked Roswell, aside from alien problems it was a nice town, one of the rare which managed to stay wealthy after the pulse.

But somehow Liz didn't believe Zack would care about her desire of staying in Roswell, he would say something about feelings clouding her judgment and phony sentimentality which would get her killed. Besides, after what happened when they ran into each other, he wasn't going to be easy on her. And maybe... maybe she deserved it.

Anyway, option B) was what she was currently doing. So far no sign of Lydecker though it didn't stop her to be a nervous wreck. Always looking over her shoulder, well more than usual, wary of every stranger and monitoring every phone call of Whitaker with her enhanced hearing were becoming a habit. Needless to say Whitaker's files were all very well organized, and if she happened to find files she wasn't supposed to see she didn't mention it.

Option C) would be the most logical to take. Too bad she listened her desires instead of her brain. Ruled by her emotions, that's what Zack said, he also mentioned she shared this flaw with their sister Max. And she was getting pissed again because she remembered he refused to tell where their sister was. Hmm, but she was drifting from the subject there.

And last, option D). Big snort, how could she even think about it was beyond her. The truth? Ah, she emphasized on the big Ah! She was never going to reveal them her secret even though it might seem kind of hypocrite. Alright, it was hypocrite but guess what? She didn't care. It was for their own safety, they barely managed to deal with the FBI, so Manticore? They wouldn't last a day. It was her past, her mess, her responsibilities.

Anyhow Max, Isabel and Tess had other problems, Nasedo has disappeared since twenty-four hours. Well, in fact, not really, the guy said he was going to do some research. About what? No idea but Tess said he didn't come back home last night and the blonde ran to Max as if it was the end of the world. Liz didn't mind Tess... much, she's annoying, trying to compete with her for Max's attention when the only thing she hadn't seem to grasp was that there was no competition. But where was she? Oh yeah, so the Alien Squad without their protector was nervous, they didn't got the memo that getting Intel took time. Liz bet that during the four teenagers were angsting over Nasedo's absence, the alien was probably busy fucking Whitaker and eww, it wasn't a visual she wanted to have in her head.

~

Another day where nothing happened which was a good thing in Liz's book. School, lunch, more classes where she learned things she already knew and then her job at Whitaker's office. Public calls but nothing related to Manticore, the brunette was beginning to remember how to breathe without the constant lump in her stomach. Nasedo was still MIA, it made two days he was gone now but Liz wasn't worried. Duh, the alien was a serial killer, she doubted he would have any trouble defending himself.

It was dark when Liz finally came back from Whitaker's office. The Crash Down was empty and it was nice because Liz really didn't want to serve customers right now. She was tired, she kept having seizures at least once a week and they were physically draining her. Right now, she just wanted to close the restaurant, fall on her bed and sleep for the next two decades. Passing in the backroom, she found Maria in her usual clothes sitting on the sofa, watching the small TV which began to screech.

"Hey, there is Eyes Only." said Maria as a pair on blue eyes appeared on the screen. "Ah, what I wouldn't give to see the guy's face. With eyes like that, I bet he's a hottie."

She glanced at Michael who was finishing to clean the grill, disappointed when her statement didn't make him jealous.

"This is a Streaming Freedom Video bulletin. This cable hack is being beamed to you across America. It cannot be traced. It cannot be stopped. This is a message to those known as X5. You've been compromised. You're in danger. You know what to do. I repeat, your locations have been compromised. You know what to do. This message will repeat every hour on the hour until each of you has checked in."

Liz blanched, her worst fear came true. All trace of sleepiness had vanished as she watched the different barcodes on the screen, noticing hers wasn't among them. Still, it wasn't a reason not to be nervous. Who was this guy? How had he learnt their existence? Was he friend or foe? Did he work for Manticore? She had to call Zack. She had to call him now. Panic was bubbling down her throat, she couldn't breathe, oh, and what a surprise, the lump in her stomach was back.

"Weird." stated Maria, scrunching her eyebrows. "Right, Liz? Liz!"

The brunette flinched, turning her attention toward her friend.

"Sorry, you were saying?"

"Hello? I was talking about the message." reminded the blonde, rolling her eyes. "Usually the guy is denouncing crimes and bribery, not making warnings. What's X5 anyway?"

"No idea." replied Liz, hoping the shaking of her voice went unnoticed.

"Well since it's the end of my shift, I'm heading home. I'll see you tomorrow, chica."

"Sure. Bye Maria." said Liz on autopilot.

Maria purposely ignored Michael and left the Crash Down.

Liz turned the TV off before finishing to clean the restaurant with Michael. Right now the only thing she wanted to do was ushered the guy out but knowing Michael alias Mr. Suspicious, it wouldn't do any good and only lead to unwanted questions. That's why for the last forty-five minutes, Liz tried to stay calm and composed. She felt sick with worry, the barcodes had been Jondy's, Zane's and Tinga's and the only one who could know their locations was Zack so it meant Zack had been compromised. But if Zack had been compromised then she was also in danger and the fact her barcode wasn't in the cyber flash didn't mean anything.

After too many minutes, the room was finally clean and Michael went in the backroom to change. Liz sat on a booth, wiping the sweat on her forehead, concentrating on her breathing. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. She sighed as her pulse stopped racing and slowly came back to normal. The backdoor opened and Liz immediately plastered a small smile on her face.

"Goodnight Michael, see you tomorrow."

"Night Parker." he said, heading toward the main street.

Liz locked the door, waiting until Michael was out of sight to race to the backroom. There she climbed the stairs, making sure her parents were asleep before going back to the kitchen and using the phone there. She dialed the well-known number, biting her nails nervously.

"C'mon Zack, answer. C'mon." She muttered, letting a sigh of relief when someone picked up immediately. "Hey, it's me. I saw the flash, is it true? Am I compromised?"

"No, stay where you are."

"What's happening? Can I help?"

"You need to free the line. The others have to check in."

"Wait a minute, you can't just keep me in the dark."

"Listen, Roswell is the safest place for you right now. You lay low and keep your cover."

"About that, you see, er..."

"Lux, the line."

"Alright, forget it, it's not important." stated Liz, running a hand in her hair. "At least tell me where you are, you can't just drop a bombshell like that and expect me to do nothing."

"I'll contact you later."

"Zack, don't you dare hang up on me!" she growled. "Zack!"

And the line went dead.

"You damned control freak!" she hissed, slamming the phone down.

Cursing under her breath, she turned and stopped dead in her tracks as she came face to face with Michael. Shit. Since how long had he been here? What had he exactly heard?

"Michael? What are you doing here?" she asked. "I thought you went home."

"Forgot my keys." he replied heading toward his locker, raising his hand in a silent explanation for him forcing the entry door.

"Oh. Alright."

She watched him retrieve his keys from his locker, her heart in her throat. It really wasn't her day, nothing was happening the way she wanted. The seizures, the risks of her cover being blown, her brother's temper and cryptic messages. She crossed her arms, sitting on a stool near the kitchen's table, waiting for his departure to call Zack back. This time, her sibling was going to receive a piece of her mind. Yeah, Zack was going to regret it.

"Are we going to pretend nothing happened?" questionned Michael, his back still turned.

Shit, life couldn't give her a break. Alright, time to lie through her teeth.

"I think you've lost me." she said, her tone perfectly innocent. "I have no idea of what you're talking about."

"Spare me the bullshit, Liz." he told her, closing his locker forcefully, his brown eyes focused on her. "I've heard your conversation. Who's Zack?"

"I thought you had lowered down your stalking tendencies." she shot back icily. "Haven't you ever heard of something called privacy?"

"Don't try to change of subject, Parker. I'm not moving until you tell me."

"Fine." she replied, gritting her teeth together. "He's a friend of Florida, no one you know. Now interrogation time is over, I have to close the restaurant so if you could leave."

"What were you talking about?"

"None of your business. Go home, Michael, and in the future if you want to stalk someone, choose Maria, it's all she desires."

"But it wasn't Maria who was as white as a sheet when the cyber flash came on." he announced, rising an eyebrow as he dared her to deny it.

As his words sank in, Liz realized she was royally and totally screwed. Damn Michael and his paranoid behavior, always noticing the smallest details everyone else was only too happy to ignore. Confronted to a secret, the guy was like a dog with a bone, he wasn't going to drop it until he was finished with it. The incident with her journal was proof enough. There was no way to stop him, Zack was going to have a coronary if he knew she was about to reveal her cover. Anyway it was her sibling's fault, if he had answered then she wouldn't have had to scream and she would have heard Michael arrive.

It was a big fat lie but she was too exhausted to guilt over her mistake. Better blame Zack for this messy situation. She sighed, putting her head in her hands, defeated. Few seconds passed before she heard Michael sitting next to her, rubbing her shoulder gently.

"Hey, c'mon Parker, it can't be so bad."

She gave a humorless laugh.

"Believe me Michael, you won't say that when you'll know." she told him, meeting his steady gaze. "For your own safety, it would be better if you just forgot what you've heard."

"No way, I'm not one of the 'curiosity kill the cat' believers." he replied. "You know you can trust me, right?"

"I know. It's just complicated and... dangerous." she admitted. "This knowledge could kill you, it makes the white room pales in comparison. Do you really want to be exposed to this kind of situation?"

"I'm not going anywhere, Liz."

"Alright but remember you asked for it."

She stood up and took two cokes and slices of pizza.

"If I'm spilling my guts then you're going to eat Guerin, your anorexia phase is over." she told him as she put the plate in front of him, waiting for him to eat before talking. "I have no idea where to begin."

"What's an X5?" asked Michael, munching a piece of his pizza.

"X5 are advanced infantry soldiers, they've been created by a secret governmental agency called Manticore. A bunch of scientists decided to play God, they recombined DNA to produce superior humans. They pulled it off and in the end got children with great abilities, faster, cleverer and stronger than average people. They raised them to be the perfect soldiers. But in 2009, a few months before the pulse, one unit of them escaped." Liz explained. "They've been on the run ever since, I was eight."

That was it, her biggest secret finally revealed. She looked at Michael, trying to gauge his reaction, waiting for fear or horror to appear on his face. He stayed silent for a long time, staring at her with awe and respect, the slice of pizza forgotten on the plate. He swallowed heavily, blinking.

"Well... Fuck."

"You said it."

"Fuck." he repeated, shocked. "I would have never guessed."

"That's the main goal, Michael." she replied with a small smile. "You're going to be okay with this?"

"Give me some time to wrap my head around the idea and I will be." he assured.

"It's a given this stays between you and me."

"No one knows?" he wondered in surprise.

"Not even my parents. I only told you because I had no other choice."

Michael studied the brunette next to him, Liz Parker had much depths he had originally thought. The goody two shoes was just a cover, she was some sort of super soldier, talk about surprises. And now he thought about it, it wasn't so demented, there had been many times where he admired the calm Liz possessed during stressful situations, where her insight amazed him.

"Michael, you can't keep blaming yourself like that, it's going to kill you."

"And how could you possibly know that?" he asked with a sneer.

"I... I just do."

...

"Believe me the guy isn't worth it. Sometimes to protect your family you need to take drastic measures."

...

At that time, he had believed she was only sprouting bullshit coming from some psycho book, talking about something she couldn't even understand. He was too lost into his guilt for murdering Pierce to see she was just being honest. The things she said, no one who never had taken a life could have know them.

"That's why you never said anything about me being a jerk after Max told you our secret, right?"

"I understood too well. Max risked exposure for saving me and even if I'm grateful he did, it was a mistake." she admitted. "Compromising three lives for one was reckless and stupid."

"Glad to see I wasn't the only one thinking that. But enough talk about me, aren't you in danger?"

"No, my barcode wasn't on the list of the compromised. I talked to Zack, one of my siblings, he told me to stay here."

"Barcode?"

"Manticore's property tattoo. They put in every one of their soldiers, just in case." Liz said as she raised her hair, revealing the barcode on her neck. "No matter how far we run, with that they'll always be able to track us down."

"Why don't you erase it?"

"Tried once. It hurt like a bitch and came back after few weeks, it's written in our genetic code."

"I never saw it before."

"I use special stage powder to hide it but most of the time I just let my hair down. Easier."

"Hmm, it does have a certain style."

The statement was so unexpected it made Liz laugh. She glanced at Michael, seeing him smiling at her with understanding and acceptance and she kept laughing. Kept laughing until her chuckling laced with a hint of hysteria morphed into furious sobs. Tears were rolling on her cheeks and she couldn't stop and then there was a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. It felt warm and safe, Michael's presence was soothing as he murmured comforting words in her hair. It should be humiliating, breaking down in front of someone like that but strangely it wasn't. Liz Parker was flawless, perfect, it was scary to let someone see what was behind this mask and Michael... Michael was the second non transgenic person meeting Lux aka X5-861.

A long time ago, a little girl who had lost brothers and sisters found herself in the desert. Alone, tired, and dirty, she spotted a stranded vehicle, there was food, water and warm covers. Hunger aching her belly, she ate everything, some food was too salty or too sweet but she didn't complain. She grabbed the cover, wrapping it around her little body, tensing when one old lady appeared. Wrinkles marred her face and there was silver lacing her golden hair, she had deep blue eyes which weren't icy but gentle and understanding. The older woman urged the child to take the cover back because she had dropped it when she realized the adult was there.

That night the child and the woman observed each other for a long time before the child realized the woman wasn't an evil witch but a fairy. The fairy explained things, people and the colorful world to the little girl whose world had always been gray. That night was pure magic and the little girl was gifted with a new name and beginning.

-TBC-

A/N: If you didn't realize who was the old woman in the story, well it's too bad, because I have no idea how describe her without telling her name.

[demonyte]

A/N: So do you like Liz's X5 name? Anybody recognized from which movie it came? A little hint, it begins by a V.
Little reminder: X5-452: Max, X5-656: Tinga, X5-861: Lux, X5-734: Brin, X5-701: Jondy

*shiri&jensen4ever*: Yeah, I'm a huge Zack fan too so don't worry he's going to appear again. *grin* Good guessing by the way.

orphyfets Thanks for the support.

bluebear01: We share the same issues, girl.

pandas2001: You're the winner. Hmm, still toying with the definition of their relationship. You've certainly noticed I've set the action in the season 1 of DA, which means that if I finally decide to put Liz with Alec it isn't going to be before a lot of chapters.

Kitten: Happy you still love it.

taniapretender: Do you know I kind of apprehend your comments now, lol? Oh my god, I'm mortified in front of my mistakes, though I disagree with you with the voicemail's error, true it's a voicemailbox but I believe they can talk with each other because in Cold Comfort, Brin calls Zack and we clearly hear they're having a conversation. For my defense I'd say it makes a very long time I saw this episode and only remembered Zack revealing the locations of Jondy, Zane and tinga. For Eye's Only broadcast I honestly admit before you pointed it out I always thought the cyberflash was broadcast across America and now I think about it, it would be too hard to pull off. Oh and for Zack remembering Liz's location, just imagine the phonecall with Liz happened after Zack talked to Max. There he's calm and remembered her location. Easy and possible.

alizaleven: You can't believe how happy I am to hear this.

aussietrueblue: You're going to be happy then, I have the main lines of the next two chapters.

polarvixen: Thank you.
~


PART FOUR


Sleeping for a X5 isn't a necessity but it's still nice to turn your brain off once in awhile.

There is always a moment of disorientation when you wake up, soldier or not everyone experience it.

Slowly Liz opened her eyes, slightly lost when she found herself pressed against an unfamiliar male body. She blinked, raising her head to see the sleeping face of Michael. She watched him as she remembered what happened last night, the forced confession and her break down. She ignored for how long she had cried, she didn't even remember when they managed to reach the couch and fall asleep on it. She observed the other teenager, noticing his features were relaxed and calm in his sleep, the worry lines were gone and Michael looked a lot younger, innocent. The brunette untangled herself from his embrace, her eyes falling on the cover which was covering them.

Great, it meant her parents were awake. She stood up and went in the dinner room, seeing her father arranging napkins.

"Hey Dad." she greeted, trying to tame her unruly hair.

"Hey Lizzie, slept well?"

"Fine. Dad, for Michael I can explain..." she began.

"It's ok, you two seemed so cozy together I didn't want to wake you up. Michael is a good kid."

The brunette blinked, watching her father with surprise during her brain processed what she just heard. Once again she remembered subtlety wasn't her Dad's middle name.

"One, we're just friends, two, we're so not having this conversation and three, please tell me Mom didn't see us."

"I'm afraid it's too late for that, kiddo."

"Just shoot me now." murmured Liz, rubbing her face tiredly. Knowing how much her mother loved Michael, Liz was certainly going to be stuck with her mother's hints all week. How embarrassing.

She went back to the kitchen, deciding to prepare breakfast. Few minutes later, Michael was roused from sleep by the delicious scent of cooking meat.

"Hey," she said, not turning her attention from the frying pan, "I hope scrambled eggs and bacon are okay with you."

"Just fine." replied Michael, yawning as he left the couch. During Liz was preparing the food, he set the table and filled two glasses with orange juice.

Then the two of them were eating.

"Slept well?" inquired Michael cutting through the tensed silence. And Liz nearly smiled because watching Michael trying to do small talk was really a sight to behold.

"Good," she replied, licking her dry lips. "Listen Michael, sorry about the... you know."

"It's forgotten Parker." he answered in a rough tone, his eyes not leaving his plate.

"Fine."

"Fine."

Second uncomfortable silence, this kind of things were definitely getting tedious so Liz decided to say the first thing which came to her mind.

"My parents are hoping we're an item." she dropped lightly.

Hmm, maybe it hadn't been a good idea to say that when Michael was drinking because he spat his juice at her statement. He was currently coughing violently, having clearly swallowed the wrong way and Liz couldn't hold back a snicker.

"What?" he gasped, forcing the tears back in his eyes as he cleared his throat. "Really?"

She nodded with a smile.

"Aren't they worried I'm going to corrupt you?" he wondered, waving his eyebrows in a supposed badass expression.

"As if." she replied, snorting, sipping her orange juice.

"I would have expected them to like Max."

"He kind of spooked my mom with his stalking from afar. And my Dad, well, let's just say, he hasn't forgotten the time where Max drove me in the desert." she admitted, "He keeps seeing me like a girl needing protection, and though it's sweet, let me assure you that if Max had done something I didn't want he wouldn't be here today."

"I bet."

And just like that the tension had vanished and they found themselves chatting easily.

Few minutes later, her parents appeared, heading toward the door. There was going to be a conference in Santa Fe and her mother had decided it would be a good idea to go.

"Liz, are you going to be okay with the restaurant this week-end? It's really short notice and..."

"It's okay, Dad, just go." she replied as she ushered them to the door.

Michael and Liz opened the Crash Down as customers began to arrive. Courtney and Maria showed up for their shifts, those two didn't seem to like each other. Liz took a short break in the backroom, trying to call Zack again.

"The number you have reached is not in service at this time and there is no new number. Please be sure you have checked the telephone directory for the right number and you are dialing correctly..."

"You're an inconsiderate son of a bitch, Zack." she murmured staring at the phone helplessly.

"Something's wrong?"

She looked up to see Michael's concerned gaze.

"No."

"Liz."

"Don't take it the wrong way, I'm very grateful you took my little revelation so well. I also want to thank you for offering your help, it's very kind of you but it won't be necessary. I've been handling my problems alone for ten years, I believe I can still manage."

"Hey, you've helped me countless of times in the past, it's only fair I return the favor."

"It wasn't the same."

"Really? You put your life in danger to help us and now you expect me to cross my arms and do nothing when I know you're in trouble? Right, Parker, dream on. I don't care if you want my help or not, I'm in."

"Is it some kind of guy/testosterone thing? What's wrong with you? I'm not helpless and... fine, I give up, oh please Michael, I beg you be my knight in shining armor." she finished, rolling her eyes.

"So what's going on?"

"Nothing asides the fact Zack's number has been disconnected, which means I have no way of contacting him. No way of knowing what's happening and it's really frustrating."

"It does suck."

~

Lunch was always an intensive period at the dinner. Liz was busy with the cash register when a tingling sensation at the base of her spine made her turn toward the entrance of the Crash Down, just in time to see a brunette with a blonde guy coming in. Courtney, who was next to her doing one sided conversation with Michael, whistled.

"Oh my, watch this hot stuff," she stated, grinning in appreciation, "I'd better go back to work."

In a flash, Liz had seized her wrist in a painful hold.

"Back off Courtney, they're in my section." she growled before releasing her.

"Hey, no need to be brutal," said the blonde massaging her bruised wrist, "For someone so short you've got one hell of a grip."

But Liz wasn't listening, already headed toward the couple. She gave her usual waitress speech, her heart leaping in her chest when she recognized the soulful dark eyes which were observing her. Tinga. She wanted to hug her sister right now but it would be the worst timing ever since the Alien Squad and Co was right there. Somehow she doubted they wouldn't ask why she suddenly talked to two strangers.

Morse was really a good way of communication.

' 05:00AP. Here. Emergency ladder going to bedroom. '

~

The last four hours had been the longest of her life, Liz decided as the restaurant was finally empty. Maria's shift had ended and she left with Max, Isabel and Tess to see an old movie dating from 2006 at the roswell theater. A remake from a horror movie called The Omen. Anyway, it was a good thing because the blonde had forced Michael to join them, saying she missed his company. Also pointing out it wasn't because they didn't date that they should renounce to do things together.

The invitation was a gift from heaven because Liz didn't want to tell Zack she entrusted someone with her secret. Knowing her brother he would try to eliminate Michael to make sure the security of her location remained intact.

Racing up the stairs, she entered in her room finding her siblings waiting for her.

"Tinga." greeted Liz, hugging her sister tightly.

"Hey Baby Sister, it's been way too long since we saw each other."

"I totally agree."

"There is no time for sentimentality." reminded Zack.

However his interruption wasn't one of his smartest moves because it reminded the brunette she was still pissed at him.

"You jackass, I was worried sick." she hissed, poking him in the chest with her finger. "Why the hell did you cancelled your voicemail number?!"

"Needed to."

"And how was I sensed to contact you?"

"You weren't. I told you what to do." he reminded her. "You have ammo?"

"Of course, Uzi alright with you?"

"Perfect." replied Tinga.

Liz removed the wood board forming the bottom of her closet, retrieving the weapons and bullets. Suddenly Zack opened the door of her bedroom and grabbed something, no, someone outside by the collar before slamming him in the wall. Liz recognized immediately the brown hair and was on her feet instantly. Michael always had to stick his nose in other people's business.

"Wait!" shouted Liz as she grabbed her sibling's arm. "It's okay, he's a friend."

The two males were into a staring contest, Michael didn't seem to be bothered by the tight grip Zack had on the hem of his shirt. His reaction seemed to annoy the soldier, Zack always intimated other guys by one look but clearly it wasn't working with the alien.

"Let him go, Zack. You can trust Michael, he knows."

The blonde immediately released Michael, turning toward Liz so fast he should have gotten a whiplash. His blue eyes were burning fiercely with anger, pinning her down. Yeah, she had expected him not to take the news very well.

"Are you kidding me?" he asked in disbelief, "Fantastic, fucking fantastic!"

Zack began to pace. "Alright, pack a bag, we're gone."

"What?"

"We need to cross the Mexican border as fast as possible."

"Wait a minute, I'm not leaving."

"I'm not giving you a choice, it's an order."

Liz stared at Zack in disbelief. She loved her brother to death, she's missed him after the escape but his ordering her around had to stop. They weren't in Manticore anymore, she had the right to make her own choices, she had been independent for ten years, she wasn't going to stop because Zack still thought of himself as her CO.

"I don't..."

"Do you want to repeat the mistake you made during this summer?"

Liz flinched, her face ashen and looked down, unable to reply. It was a low blow, she never thought he would use it against her. True, he hadn't approve but throwing the fact back in her face was tactless, humiliating and hurtful.

"Hey, she said she didn't want to go." interjected Michael.

"You stay out of this," warned Zack, "It's none of your business."

"You got it wrong, Blondie," shot back Michael, glaring. "If Liz..."

"Her name is Lux." cut Zack in a sharp tone.

"Stop it!" shouted Liz, exasperated. She took a deep breathe, looking at Tinga and then Zack. "I'm sorry Zack but I'm going to say no."

Roswell was safe, it made a month since her breaking into the hospital. Lydecker would have already been here if he had heard about it, Liz just had to thank Eva and Jack for watching over her from the Good Place.

"Fine, stay here but when Lydecker will catch you you won't be able to say I didn't warn you."

"You're not going to give me a new contact number?"

"I know where you are, it won't be necessary." he spat out, condescending, clearly not liking her choice.

"So that's it? That's your way of punishing me, leaving me alone?"

"I'm only trying to protect you." countered Zack. "If you weren't so stubborn, you'll see it. You should have move long ago."

"I know but surprise, emotional blackmail doesn't work well with me."

The blonde soldier shook his head and sighed in defeat.

"Take care of yourself." he grumbled as he let her hug him.

"I will." Liz promised before she said goodbye to her sister as well. "Zack, did you...never mind."

Liz walked them to the door. Tinga and Zack got into the vehicle, leaving in a cloud of dirt in their wake. The brunette watched the car disappear, praying time wouldn't make her regret her decision.

"Coffee?" asked Michael who at one point left her alone with her siblings.

"Thank you," she murmured as she took the mug from Michael's hand, sipping it slowly.

The two friends stayed silent, staring at the sunset.

"So that was Zack."

"Yup. And Tinga."

"No offense but I don't see the family resemblance between you and him."

"There isn't, we were conceived in vitro but Zack is my sibling noneless. We grew up together."

"And to say I thought Max giving orders was a pain in the ass. Your bro is ten times worse."

"You noticed, huh?" she shot back with a smile. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"Being there." replied Liz, "It means a lot, without you I would probably be in this car."

"I didn't recognize you there, Parker. Usually you don't back down so easily."

"You have to understand Michael that during the first eight years of my life, the only protector I knew was Zack. He was our CO, he gave us orders, but those orders kept us alive. The only problem is Zack's way of thinking hasn't changed since the escape. In his book, emotions make us weak. Staying in Roswell shouldn't be a necessity for me, I should be able to leave at every instant. No strings attached, no emotional involvement but I have some. I like this town, I have everything a teenager deserves, a home, parents, great friends." She finished, looking at him with a smile.

He slid her little hand in his, squeezing lightly.

"I'm glad you're staying Parker." he mumbled.

Liz didn't reply but squeezed back, enjoying the comfortable silence between them.

"What did he mean when he mentioned this summer? You weren't really in Florida, were you?"

"I might have trust you with my transgenic status but there are some things I've got to keep to myself. And Florida is one of them, it's not you, I just don't want to talk about it, okay?"

"Alright. Tell me about your siblings then. How many do you have?"

"Fifteen. Well, I should say thirteen now and I ignore how many managed to escape. I only know Zack, Tinga, Zane, Ben, Jondy and Max made it."

She saw Michael's surprise at the last name, certainly wondering if that's one of the reasons why she dated Max Evans.

"She's a girl Michael."

"And no clue about the others?"

"Zack might know where they are but he won't tell me. Too dangerous, it's safer if I don't know where they are, just in case I got recaptured."

"It's not fair."

"Life never is."

Michael stared at his friend, having never realized how much a cynic Liz was. In fact, a lot of things changed since yesterday night. Sometimes you think you know people but then things happen and you realize you're wrong. The only thing you can see is what people want you to see. Since learning about Liz's transgenic status, Michael observed some changes in her attitude. Small changes, she was more relaxed, the usual impressionable aura around her had vanished. Liz Parker was the poster child every parent wished to have, calm, good tempered and sweet, during Lux was far from shy, cursing like a sailor and more mature. Sadder too. She had suffered and it showed and Michael couldn't believe he was the first one knowing. Sure, he forced her hand but she could have bullshit him, with her brain it would have been easy. Yet, she didn't, he never had someone trusting him so much before. Max and Isabel didn't count since they shared the same secret, they never had to confess anything.

Watching the brunette, Michael vowed to be here for her. Days passed, it might be stupid but he felt relieved at having Liz/Lux with him, killing Pierce had been hard to deal with. To be honest he wasn't out of the woods yet, nightmares still plagued his nights, but it was comforting she understood what he needed without needing him to talk. It was great 'cause he's never been good with words.

~

Gillette, Whyoming
Manticore

"Why wasn't I informed of this?" asked Lydecker as he stared at the report.

The younger man bearing his wrath was sweating profusely, nervous as he tried to explain himself. "Sir, you were busy with X5-599. It seemed irrelevant to bother you with such weak information when you were on the verge of breaking X5-599 who would have given you every location of the other escapees."

"Irrelevant?" shouted Lydecker, his face dark with fury. "An intrusion in a medical facility where the thief only stole Tryptophan? Witness told the culprit was a short girl which took him down without breaking a sweat. That's one of my kids and with your stupidity we lost a month."

The General stood up, looking through the window of his office. "This incident happened before this damned cyber flash so it means it can't be 452, 210 or 656. It's either 701 or 861."

Rubbing his chin pensively for few seconds, he turned toward the younger man.

"Prepare vehicles, alpha teams, I want 734 on this." he ordered. "And if you don't want to lose your head, Higgins, I strongly suggest you to make sure everything is ready in one hour. I want us to be in New Mexico as soon as possible. If this X5 is still in Roswell, we'll find her."

"Sir. Yes, sir." replied Higgins as he hurried outside.

Lydecker glanced at the pictures of the X5 on the wall, his eyes stopping on the shots of Syl and Lux.

~

During the evil man was plotting her demise, Rapunzel, million miles away, was laughing, unaware of the impending danger. For the first time since she escaped her horrible prison, she felt free and happy, knowing someone accepted her for who she was. There were no lies, no secrets, no need to hide under perfect masks. Honesty, she could learn to like this concept.

-TBC-

[demonyte]

A/N: My computer messed up, what the hell? There were parts missing in the post, sorry, repost done. Arggh, stupid thing!

Orphyfets, Rachelg224: Thanks.

Aussietrueblue: Am I going to get lynched if I say no? *use sammy puppy emo eyes* C'mon, you can't do that, right?

Taniapretender: Hey, I was kidding, Sweety. It's a good thing you point out my mistakes, keep me on my toes, you know.

Zans Angel: Great, I'm happy you like them.

WomanofMystery: It's good to know you like it. For Tinga, sorry, I can't promise anything. She's one of my favorite X5, I think she's beautiful. It broke my heart when they made her die. *sniff*

Pandas2001: Yeah, since Zack and Michael have similar personalities, I thought it wuld be good if I made them clash.

*shiri&jensen4ever*: Yeah, me too. *snicker*

Liz2infinity: Well, I don't know. I'm still hesitating. Besides if I finally choose X-tremer pairing you're going to have to wait a long time before we see something happening between the two.
~



EDITThanks to *shiri&jensen4ever* for the wonderful banner. Final banner absolutly beautiful. Me do a little happy dance, thank you, honey! Thank you. So what do you think?



PART FIVE


Closing time before had always been a chore but not anymore when Michael picked the habit to help her every night. They talked easily about nothing and everything, often Liz forced him to eat with her, trying to make him regain the pounds he lost over the summer. C'mon, free food, broke teenager, you do the math. Hanging out with Michael was nice, comfortable and the brunette often found herself longing for the night to come.

"You're a bottomless pit. How come with everything you eat you look on the verge of anorexia?" wondered Michael as he watched Liz eating her second pizza. If he hadn't seen it he would never have believe someone so small could eat so much.

"It's in the genes. And I do not look like an anorexic." she replied in a clipped tone, glaring.

"Hold your horses, I was just making an observation. The genes, huh? Talking about that, I've never asked you but what can you do?"

"Let's see, I'm fast, have night vision, enhanced hearing, thanks to feline DNA, I can stay under water for five minutes and don't need sleep because of my shark DNA."

"Impressive. I was wondering if you could show one move or two."

"You want me to teach hand to hand?"

"Why not? It would be better than me blasting people off." he stated bitterly as images of Pierce flashed through his mind.

"Alright. But don't cry when it will be too hard for you."

"Never."

~

New Mexico, Roswell
ROSWELL HIGH
8AM, First Period, French

She likes French, writing and talking in another language is easier. Somehow she doesn't feel stupid saying things in a language which isn't hers.

"Class, pay attention please, we have a new student. Welcome Claire Ford among us." said Mrs.Reynolds.

Liz watched the new comer, she was Asian, black hair, fancy clothes, cute. She took a seat next to the window and listened the rest of the lesson. With amusement, Liz watched Kyle eying the new girl, someone seemed to have a little crush.

Lunch came rapidly and the gang with the exception of Kyle went at a table to eat.

"Anyone talked to the new girl?" asked Tess. "Don't you think it's weird she shows up just after Nasedo's disappearance?"

"You can't see enemies everywhere." countered Liz. "It makes only one week Nasedo left, I'm sure he's fine."

"To reply to your question, Tess, yes. Kyle is currently investigating to see if she's a Czechoslovakian." added Maria with a grin as she observed Kyle talking to Claire at the othe side of the cafeteria.

"Yeah, I bet." replied Michael, snorting. "And next when they'll be in the eraser room, you'll say he's just checking if she doesn't have two tongues or something."

Things seemed to be better between Michael and Maria, the blonde finally realized Michael wasn't going to change his mind and even if it hurt, she understood. Her relationship with the alien had never been easy, they screamed at each other, made up, kissed, fought, broke up, kissed again, ripped each other throat. Maybe in the end it was better if they just remained friends, Michael was a great guy but he wasn't the one, at first the only thing they had was just sexual attraction, later it had turned into something more and Maria had really liked him, learnt to love the scared and vulnerable boy who hid himself behind the bitter and scathing retorts.

During all their on/off dating she always wished to be closer to Michael, had wanted them to have something more than arguments or make out sessions. Funny that for her wish to be fulfilled, Michael and her had just to stop dating. They bantered with each other now and it felt good. Michael was still depressed about what happened this summer, and of course since he was a guy, he had to play tough but she saw it. Maria Deluca saw everything. She also noticed the new closeness between her ex and her best friend, she wasn't blind. And alright, she might have been jealous, might have also asked Liz flat out if she was seeing Michael but she immediately realized she was being stupid... Fine, it might have been Liz laughing at her face for half hour which made her realize she was being paranoid and stupid. Michael seemed to be better since he talked to Liz so Maria was just thankful the two became real friends.

"Hm, we should still be careful." stated Max, watching disapprovingly Kyle.

"Maybe Liz is right," said Isabel, "after all, what could possibly happen?"

You should never say things like that because it's just an invitation for trouble.

~
New Mexico, Roswell
7:30AP, Whitaker's Office

"Honestly Colonel, I miss the point of your visit." said Whitaker. "This case is the resort of Roswell PD, you should go see Sheriff Valenti and his adjoin Hanson."

"We have strong reasons to believe the thief who made intrusion in the town's hospital is a dangerous criminal." explained the middle aged man. "You're a strong and wise woman, I'm sure you don't want to put the lives of your citizens in jeopardy."

"It's a given but cut the chase. What do you want?"

The door of her office was suddenly open.

"I have the files you were asking... Oh, excuse me I ignored you had a visitor." said Liz as she stared at the two adults in the room, freezing in the doorframe during few seconds.

"It's ok. Colonel Lydecker, my intern Elizabeth Parker."

"It's nice to meet young people so interested by the politics of our country. Nowadays the only thing youth seems to seek is wasting its time in frivolity."

Liz nodded, smiling despite the knot in her stomach as she shook the offered hand.

"Thank you, Sir." she said before turning toward the congresswoman. "I've put the urgent mail in your right folder and confirmed your appointment with the mayor tomorrow."

"Thank you, Parker, you can go home."

"I'll see you tomorrow then." she replied as she put the files on the desk. "Colonel."

Lydecker nodded and watched her go, waiting until she closed the door to resume his conversation with the congresswoman.

"It's simple, I want to be granted total liberty of movement, that means no police stopping my actions asking about paperwork. Don't mistake the situation, this isn't just some teenage prank, this girl is really dangerous. Time is of essence."

"Alright, I'll do what I can."

Outside of the building Liz stopped listening, ordering her legs to stop shaking. She nearly had a panic attack when she opened the door and saw Lydecker. After all those years he hadn't changed, the cold calculating look still marred his stern face. His icy blue eyes still scared the shit out of her, she had thought he would recognize her right away. Oh God, what was she gonna do? Lydecker was here, on her tracks, she could feel him breathing down her neck. He was too close for her comfort, being in the same room than him had been unbearable.

Liz headed toward the Crash Down at a normal pace, watching her surroundings carefully, trying to spot anything out of place such as soldiers under covers doing surveillance. So far she hadn't detect anything, her priority was to plan her next move. She wanted to leave Roswell but if she didn't go to Whitaker's office tomorrow it would be suspicious and then Lydecker would know it's her. Worse, he would know her face, hiding from Manticore was hard enough but if they knew how she looked like it would be impossible. She would be constantly on the run with no chance of normal life. Besides she was ready to bet there were barricades outside of the town. She reached the restaurant, cursing herself for not listening Zack. She was on her own on this one. Shit.

~
That night she didn't feel like hanging out with Michael, it was only too bad she allowed the guy past her defenses because he noticed right away something wasn't quite right. It made her wonder if he hadn't some sort of canine bloodhound DNA mixed between his human and alien ones. It might be possible after all. She was cleaning one of the tables when she noticed her hand shaking. Oh no, not tonight. She couldn't handle them tonight, not with Michael in the same room than her, not with knowing Lydecker was there. It was just too much.

She went in the restroom and splashed some water on her face, she dug into her uniform pocket retrieving the bottle of pills. Empty. Great. It meant she would have to go to her bedroom for the other ones. Michael was mopping the diner room so no chance to run into him when she was giving an epileptic a run for his money. Taking a deep breathe, she pushed the door and headed upstairs, the only thing she hadn't planned was the seizures hitting her at full force in the middle of the kitchen. She felt her legs gave up under her and tried to steady herself by grabbing the table but she didn't manage it. Just took the plates down and proceeded to kiss the floor.

It hurt, it fucking hurt. Far away she heard the sound of running footsteps and suddenly Michael was in her face, talking to her. Liz frowned trying to focus on his words.

"- wrong? ---Liz. ---hospital."

That was that word which did it, she grabbed his wrist and shook her head.

"No hospital." she said, gritting her teeth. "Pills. Upstairs, bathroom, first shelf."

And Michael was gone, it only took him one second to come back. He knelt beside her and raised her head against his lap, making her swallow few pills. The seizures continued for several minutes and Liz thanked God when they stopped.

"What the hell was that?" asked Michael, pale as a sheet. "God Liz, I thought you were dying."

"It's alright Michael, neurological condition, Manticore's scientists kind of screwed up with my brain." she admitted, head still lying in his lap, squeezing his hand. "Sorry for scaring you. It's not exactly something I like to advertise."

Michael passed a hand in his hair, breathing again. When he heard the sound of plates falling on the floor, he ran to see what happened and seeing Liz on the floor, her body shaking with violent tremors had been a horrible sight. Trying to do something to take his mind off the terrible vision, he read the label on the bottle of pills.

"Tryptophan." he read out loud and then froze before glancing at the pale brunette. "That was you."

She gave a tired smile and nodded. "Give E.T. a cookie."

Alright, having his friend telling her she was a soldier was one thing, knowing she took a guy twice her size looking like Schwarzeneger was entirely something else. Wow, he suddenly understood why she hadn't seem so eager at helping them to find the culprit.

"And Max? Can't he...?"

"No." she cut him, "When he healed me, they disappeared. I thought they were gone but they came back last month, the tryptophan is the only thing which stop them. It gives me the amine acids my brain can't product. I had no pills, I was forced to steal them." she confessed. "The thing is me stealing them was probably noticed by Manticore. Fuck...no."

She shouldn't do that, she shouldn't include Michael in her mess. She looked up at Michael and hoped she was making the right choice.

"Michael, the truth is... I know they're here, they noticed it. The guy who trained us... he's in Roswell, I saw him at Whitaker's office. He's going to search the whole town to find me." she confessed her voice breaking and she hated herself for it.

"Hey, it’s going to be okay. We’ll find something I promise."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you but you and the Alien Squad have to be careful. Don't talk about any alien activity." she said as she stand up. "Manticore might be searching me but they won't say no to studying other forms of lives."

~
The night had been tough, Michael forced her to explain who was Lydecker, which means he would use, anything useful. She hadn't wanted to remember her past, Lydecker, this man made her sick and was the major roleplayer of her nightmares but she hadn't any other option.

School didn't matter, she couldn't focus on any of her classes, too worried about Lydecker. Later, at the Crash Down, one of the waitresses Brenda was ill so she had to take her shift.

Liz saw Kyle and Claire arrive and went to serve them. When she took the menu from Claire's hands, their fingers brushed in the process and her day suddenly turned worse.

Flashes

"I don't want to die. Please... don't let me die."
- - -
"Brin, you're going to be all right. And someday, no matter what happens I'm going to come for you. That's a promise." said a beautiful girl with dark curly hair.

"Max..."

Max and Zack kissed Brin on the forehead before leaving.
- - -
"Welcome home, X5-734." said Lydecker.
- - -
ESCAPEES ARE TRAITORS.
- - -
"You're going to Roswell, 701 or 861 has been spotted in the area. Your mission is to find if she's still there, understood?"

"Sir. Yes, sir."
End of flashes

"Are you ok?" Claire/Brin asked.

"Yes, just got a little dizzy for one second. Sorry. Your order is going to be ready in a minute."

"You're sure, Liz?" questioned Kyle, concerned.

"Yeah, I think I got a stomach bug."

Liz headed toward the kitchen, catching Maria's arm.

"Can you replace me? I don't feel so good."

"Sure chica, go upstairs, lie down."

"I will, thanks."

Liz went to her room and immediately ran to her closet, throwing her bag on the bed and filling it with weapons, clothes and money.

"What are you doing?"

Fuck Michael. She forgot Jose was also working today.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she shot back curtly. "Getting the hell out of here. I was stupid, I should have move long ago."

"Hey, wait a minute. What's the matter?"

"My problem is Lydecker is here, looking for his precious little X5. Took the big guns too, brought here one of my siblings." she hissed. "Tess was for once right, Claire isn't who she appears to be. Her name is Brin and she's here to take me back."

"You can't leave town, you've told me yourself there are going to be barrings."

"You don't get it, do you?" she asked. "Michael, she's my sibling. She knows me, sooner or later I'm going to slip and she'll recognize me. I can't stay here."

She closed her bag, her hands shaking with frustration. She ignored Michael until he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Hey Liz, look at me." he admonished. "It's going to be alright."

"No, it's not. You don't understand, I have no back up, Zack was clear. I'm on my own, I can't contact him."

"Hey. Hey." he said, taking her face between his hands. "You've got me."

Liz inhaled sharply at the declaration. It was new, she had always rely on herself or her siblings but never on someone else. She didn't want to put Michael in danger but she realized she had already done it when she revealed him her identity. She had known he wouldn't walk away, earning Michael's trust was hard but when you had it he was loyal to death. Him murdering Pierce to save Max showed it. Knowing he was here for her and held her at the same place than Max and Isabel warmed her heart.

"Now, you're going to calm down and promise me not to run away when I'll have my back turned."

"Michael..."

"Promise." he said adamantly.

"I promise."

"Good, now put your things back and rest."

There was no arguing when Michael was like this and God, he acted like Zack. She watched him leave her room and decided to obey, leaving the town now would be a failure. She would only be recaptured, no, she needed time to think.

The dragon was there, ready to take her back to her cage and then he would throw away the key. She was going to fight, fight to death because there was no way she was ever going back.


-TBC-

[demonyte]

A/N: Thank you for the reviews guys. Finally I'm explaining what she did during the summer, alright, I'm throwing a big hint there, hope you'll like it.

Taniapretender: There, I updated and thought to your health. Maybe I should post slower, one update a week? What do you think? :p By the way, just wanted to let you know I knew it was Colonel Lydecker! Really, I swear, guess I shouldn't listen Stargate when I'm writing, lol.

*shiri&jensen4ever*: This part is dedicated to you, honey. A thank you for the final banner, I'm always squealing when I see it. It's beautiful, everyone should check it. I'm glad you think Lydecker isn't OOC.

orphyfet, pandas2001,aussietrueblue, kitten: Thanks guys.

jezebel jinx: It's explained there. Happy to see you like this story since I enjoy so much yours.

jamy21: You don't like Zack? Well, that's a first. Too bad because he's going to be in this fic again. Alec isn't going to appear for a long time, I'm using doing things chronologically with DA episodes, you'll have to wait until I reach the end of season DA 1. Alex was there but I didn't give him anything to do. Don't worry, it's changing in this chapter.

bluebear01: So happy you like the interaction between Liz/Michael, hon.

Roswell Slayer: Your sense of smell is quite good.

Vampiricheart: Thank you, Sweety, you just sum up my state of mind. I was a true polarist before I got sucked into the whole X-tremer business. Now it makes a long time since I wrote Roswell fics and my heart hesitates between Mi/L (c'mon they're so cute together) and A/L (perfect couple). *Look at the poll helplessly and shakes her head*. No, still haven't make up my mind. Sorry.

~


PART SIX


It was close, realized Michael checking the clock as he remembered what happened in his friend's room few hours ago. He knew something was wrong when he heard Liz saying to Maria she felt sick. His ex girlfriend might have bought the lie but not him because he knew Liz, seizures aside, didn't get sick. Since he discovered Liz's real identity, he learned few things about the brunette such as her compulsive lying habit. In a way he realized the two of them had similar behaviors, they relied on themselves and didn't trust anyone. Michael believed that was why they hanged out so easily without getting at each other throat. Maxwell and Isabel might be his family but sometimes, they just didn't understand him or his point or view. So smelling pure bullshit he decided to check what was wrong and it had been a brilliant idea because few minutes later and the only thing he would have had would have been Liz making a remake of Dust In The Wind.

Finally it was the closing time, Jose and the waitresses left and Michael didn’t waste a second before going upstairs. If Liz left, he was going to hunt her down and lecture her to death. He pushed her door without knocking, after all she possessed enhanced hearing it wasn't as if he was intruding her privacy. He would deny the sigh of relief which left him when he saw her. She didn't acknowledged his presence, focused on her task. He watched she Liz put on a black pullover fastening a black backpack on her back, completing her dark outfit.

"I thought you said you weren't going to leave." he said, lips pinched a scowl, arms crossed on his chest.

"I'm not." she replied, tying her long dark hair in a tight bun.

"Could have fool me."

"It's only going to be a question of time before he finds out it's me if I do nothing."

"How can you be so sure? It's been a month, he has no way of knowing you're still here."

"The problem is my father bought tryptophan for me. For this kind of drug you don't need a doctor's prescription but there is still the pharmacy's records. I only hope Lydecker hasn't already taken them."

"So we just have to destroy them."'

"It's going to be hard to break in since the whole town is being searched but I'll manage. Besides... wait a minute, what's with this 'we' business?"

"I watch your back, Parker."

"You don't watch anything." shot back Liz, "I've never agreed to that."

"Well tough because you have no say in this." he told her. "Listen, I'll just use my powers and destroy every files, that way Lydecker won't be able to know which one was important."

"Are you out of your mind?" she asked in disbelief. "Using your powers? Hello, Manticore. They see you doing your little alien mojo and you can be certain you'll end up in the cage next to mine."

"I don't care, I'm going with you."

"God, you're so pig headed."

"As if you weren't."

"Fine. Go home and take some dark clothes."

"You think I'm going to fall for it?" he questioned, snorting. He knew the first second his back was turned she would try to go alone. "No need to go so far, I have some in my locker. Come downstairs, I want to keep an eye on you."

The brunette sighed but followed him. Michael changed rapidly.

"Alright, we're leaving by my ladder, nobody should see us by that way." explained Liz. "There are some rules, follow me, stay quiet and avoid street lamps. The pharmacy is only three blocks away, there are no video camera and luckily for us no alarm. M.Bell never had one thief since he moved to Roswell and it makes fifty years he's here. It shouldn't be too hard."

Michael stared at Liz for few seconds, wondering since when she possessed a firm voice leaving no room for arguments. He remembered after Max saved her how he tried to intimidate her at the Crashdown, she had seemed nervous and yes, very intimidated but now Michael realized he had been played. His pride hurt but he admired her acting talents. He nodded and the two of them headed toward Liz's balcony. No chance to fall on her parents, they were eating at one of their college friends in Las Cruces.

Finally they were outside, heading toward the pharmacy. Michael was amazed by Liz's stealth, he felt like an elephant next to her. She moved soundlessly, seeming to be swallowed by the darkness. She really knew the town, they didn't meet anybody, from time to time, the brunette stopped, raising a gloved hand in silence as she scanned the streets. After few seconds she nodded and they found themselves at the side of the pharmacy. Michael moved to the door, using his powers to unlock it during Liz was on watch.

They entered in the shop and Michael put the gloves Liz gave him, certainly her father's, and proceeded to check the files in the shelves. Few minutes later, he found the file noted PARKER, opening it he scanned it quickly, retrieving the pages where there were mentions of tryptophan. Then he emptied several other files, putting them in Liz's backpag, at least fifty to make sure Lydecker didn't realize the important information had been in Parkers file.

During Michael was busy with the written records, Liz had powered the computer and was tapping frantically.

"Done." whispered Michael. "You?"

"Erasing everything. Computer so clean even Manticore's informaticians won't be able to find the files back. There... done."

The two teens left as silently as they came, taking care of locking back the door behind them.

Few minutes later, they were back to the Crashdown where they burned the files in the sink's kitchen, erasing the last proof of their intrusion in the pharmacy.

"C'mon, let's celebrate." said Liz, a smile gracing her lips. She could cross this thing from her worry list, now she would have to watch herself around Brin.

She took two cokes from the freezer and sat at a booth next to Michael.

"To us."

"We make one hell of a team, right?" replied Michael with a grin as he tipped his bottle against hers.

"Yeah."

"Didn't know you were also a computer whiz."

"Basic. Besides that's not Manticore which taught me how to crash a computer properly." she confessed with a relaxed grin. "Can you keep a secret?"

Michael found himself intrigued by the twinkling of her eyes.

"Course, you should know it."

She leaned toward him with a smirk. "Well, what if I told you one of the best hackers is living in Roswell? And that you talked to him?"

"Huh, who...?" began Michael, the wheels turning slowly in his head. "No way..."

"Yes, way. Alex Whitman. Impressed, huh?"

"I shouldn't be. The guy managed to hack into the FBI, it should have tip me off."

"But you didn't think about it." She taunted, smug. "Alex is a genius, he taught me one thing or two. When we hang out, we often wander on the net for hours."

Too bad last time wasn't so great.

Flashback
Roswell, New Mexico
Whitman's House, three months and half ago

"C'mon Liz, breaking up with Max isn't the end of the world." said Alex, jumping on the bed where Liz was lying.

"I'm fine, Alex." she replied, bored.

"Funny, you don't seem very convinced." shot back Alex. "But don't worry, Alex Whitman has an idea to make you feel better."

He stood up and went to his computer. "What do you say if we look at UFO sites and laugh our asses off on aliens rumors? C'mon, it will be fun."

"Hmm hm."

The dark-haired man clicked on a link, laughing. "Oh, wait, I've got a good one. Listen. 'Aliens are among US' 'Nobody knows it yet but we're invaded as we speak. I won't tell you my name because I fear for my life but I have to share the knowledge I possess. I work at a morgue in Miami and saw an alien with my own eyes. I couldn't study him very long because the men in black arrived almost immediately. He looked human, strong, muscular but he possessed a barcode at the base of his neck.' What a bunch of crap, the guy is clearly crazy."

Liz immediately raised from the bed. "No, it looks interesting. Let me see."

She read the article, her heart beating loudly in her chest and turned toward her friend.

"Alex, thank you for comforting me." she said. "You're right, I shouldn't mop on Max Evans. I think I'm going to leave town for the summer."

She kissed him on the cheek and snagged her backpack. Alex raised an eyebrow at the behavior of his friend. Really, women. He would never understand them.

"Glad I could help!" he yelled, still sitting on his chair, wondering what just happened.

End of flashback

"Hey, where did you go?" asked Michael, cutting through her musing.

"Oh, just thinking to the last program Alex showed me." she replied, taking a long sip of her drink.

~

The day after, Michael and I were doing the closing like usual, the only thing which changed was Alex, Isabel, Tess and Maria were still there. It looked like Isabel and Alex were doing one of those 'date-not-a-date' things, that is to say flirting with each other in the presence of a third person, Tess. Maria, well, she decided to help us for once and Max, Max wasn't there. He didn't take my decision to not to be an item very well so he took some distance, to lick his wounds I guessed. However him avoiding me was cut short when he ran in the Crashdown, slumping to the ground, breathing heavily.

"Max!" shouted Tess, helping him to stand up.

"Nasedo is dead."

"What?"

"He came to me, injured. Said...said it was another alien and that we're all in danger. He died...in my arms. He...he died in my arms."

"Oh, my God."

"We have to get Nasedo to the pod chamber...use the healing stones to revive him. Max, where is he? Where's Nasedo?"

"In my room."

"In your room?"

"Where's the jeep?"

"Out back, Michael. I'll get the keys." replied Isabel.

"Max, you're okay?" I asked, noticing the dark bruise on his face. I watched as Tess removed it by using her powers. I wasn't jealous but just thinking it was too bad Manticore didn't manage to give us this kind of abilities. I could have use them back in... don't ever go there.

"What should we do?" wondered Alex.

"Nothing. Just go home." replied Michael.

"Wait. What about this other alien?" questioned Maria. "Shouldn't we at least try and go..."

"I'll handle it." cut Michael.

Michael could be a real ass when he wanted to.

"You're not in charge here, Michael." said Tess, frowning.

"Well, somebody has to be. Maxwell, let's go. Come on."

~

Turned out they couldn't relive Nasedo with the orbs. Perfect, Lydecker was on my back, Brin watching for the tiny slip and now there was another alien menace. Great, just great. I wouldn't spit on one Valium or two. Too bad it didn't work unless I ingested three or four bottles, little gift from Lydecker, he always thought his kids shouldn't be weak, that's also why I can't get drunk. Bastard took all my fun away. I hadn't seen him since our meeting at Whitaker's office. Still it didn't mean he wasn't here.

I worried for Kyle, he seemed to be quite smitten with Brin, right, Claire. Shit, I need to watch myself, if I let her true name slip I'm dead. I'm sure that's why Lydecker chose her for this mission, because he knew it would torture me to see her like that. But let's get back to Br... Claire, Brin, whatever, so far she didn't try to integrate herself in our group. She's talking to Kyle, pumping him for information but I can't say anything, only be sad for Kyle because he's just being used. At first Michael watched Brin but I told him to stop because he wasn't exactly M.Subtle. Oh and Tess was living with the Valentis now.

One month passed since Michael and I went at the pharmacy, it seemed no one noticed the break in which was a good thing. We still had no idea of who were the Skins. And geez, what a dumb name. Anyway, something told me Maria might be moving on, crushing on Kyle because let's face it she's jealous of Brin. Which was a very bad thing because guess what? She hinted she might be the Skin, arriving in same time of Nasedo's disappearance which led to my current problem. Maria was good at convincing people, she convinced the group, conclusion Isabel went to dreamwalk her.

And if she saw her dreams, Isabel's going to know Claire wasn't just the next door kind of girl. I imagined it only too well, barracks, hand to hand lessons, brainwashing. And shit what if Brin dreamt of me, what if Isabel recognized the younger me? Fuck, fuck, fuck. Before I met Max Evans, I've never cursed so much in my life. I watched Isabel entering in the Crashdown, time for the truth, I'm a complete wreck, currently biting my nails.

"Wait, how come you managed to get a picture of Claire in first place?" I asked, everything to delay the inevitable.

Maria raised her camera cellphone.

"Alright, Iz, what did you got?" asked Max.

The dreamwalker would say she saw a dark castle where she could hear cries coming from beasts and other monsters. There were children trapped there, being forced to learn dark magic which would blacken their souls. No love, only pain, loneliness and despair. Some walls were dark, others red like blood. And there would be in a dark cell two little girls being beaten by the bad sorcerer. One little girl would stand up and receive a punch which would split her brow and leave a scar for anyone to see.

The blonde sat next to Alex, a frown marring her beautiful features.

"I tried to dreamwalk her for several nights, I couldn't." told them Isabel, "It's as if this girl doesn't sleep."

Oh.

"Maybe she has insomnia." dropped Alex.

Oh Lux, you're so stupid. Thank you Brin for never taking naps. Shark DNA, right, I forgot, I was nervous for nothing.

I nearly laughed out loud. Maybe there was a God in the end.

~

"Report 734. Any suspect?"

"Nothing conclusive yet, Sir." replied Brin. "My source didn't say anything about kids having seizures as long as he remembered and the kid lived here his whole life. I checked the adopted girls, Evans, Mortimer, Griffin but none fitted the description. Permission to speak freely Sir?"

"Go on."

"The X5 staying there seemed to have left."

"You're not here to make assumptions, 734. Are we clear?"

"Sir. Yes, Sir." the soldier replied emotionlessly.

"Good, the pharmacy's record were erased which means she stayed here for a long time. I want to know who she is. I don't care which means you use, I want her face." growled Lydecker. "You really have no idea of who she could be?"

"Well, Sir, I heard there was a girl, not adopted, who's now living with my source. No sign of family. She's short, blonde, blue eyes and could fit the description of the witness. It could be 701 but I'm not sure."

"Her name?"

"Tess Harding."

-TBC-

[demonyte]

A/N: I'm back with a huge chapter, hope you're not going to get bored with all the flashbacks. I can't believe all the replies the poll got, 62 (me excluded) ! Wow, knowing so many persons read my fic makes me happy. Alright guys, truth is I'm so squealing right now. Pretty childish for a 19 years old, right?

A/N II: The written report is completely fictional so I'm pretty sure there are few things which shouldn't be mentionned but let's just pretend it's alright, ok?

Announcement: Alec's fans you're going to be happy, in six chapters max, our hot little X5 is going to show up. *grins at the visuals in my head of their first meeting and I'm super mean because I won't spoil it, bwahahaha* *evil laugh*

Orphyfets: Thanks again for the help, hon.

Aussietrueblue: Alright girl, you're downright EVIL. You know I can't resist to the sad and crying smileys, and you used 12!!! Mean, that's so mean though the begging made me laugh, lol.

Pandas2001: You'll see.

Alizaleven: Hope you'll like this part as much as the others.

Taniapretender: I wanted Maria over Michael and well Kyle isn't too bad on the eyes, is he? Don't worry Tess isn't going to be killed. By the way, good suggestion but it won't be necessary. *read your questions* You're going to be happy the answers are in this chapter. By the way, in Pollo Loco we learn that Ben killed 4 persons in Miami.

*shiri&jensen4ever*: I absolutely love when you're quoting your favorite passages, makes me grin like a loon.

Roswell Slayer: I see you're a Tess hater, usually me too but I don't think I'm going to make her evil in this fic. I don't want to kill Alex.

Jamy21: Well in fact I think Zack is more similar to Michael than Max. I bought the season 3 of Roswell a week ago, why did I? No idea because it's crap, still at the end, I think Michael acts like Zack saying they should separate to have a better chance of escape. And yeah, I put Alex for you, he's cool in hacker, right? I really think I'm not going to kill him.

Force: Don't worry, just read.

Bluebear01: You might be surprised by the turn of events.

~



PART SEVEN


November, 28th, 2019
X5-734 REPORT TO COL.LYDECKER

Name: Harding
Forename: Tess
Age: 17 (on high school record)
Hair: Blonde
Eye color: Blue
Heigt: 5'2
Weight: 120 pounds

Suspect for 701, match for eye color.
Also suspect for the break in Roswell Hospital, match the height given by the eyewitness.

Facts:
No apparent barecode, possibility it was lasered off.
Tess Harding arrived at Roswell High School in the middle of last year.
Father, Ed Harding, currently MIA.
Passes most of her time with Isabel Evans, Maxwell Evans, Michael Guerin.
Interacts also with Kyle Valenti, Maria DeLuca and Elizabeth Parker.
Currently living with the Valentis.

Observations:
No sign of nervousness in my presence, either means cover not blown or she isn't the suspect.
No apparent sign of abilities.
No sign of her taking tryptophan (search of her school, gym locker inconclusive) or of seizures.
Average grades, average student.
C in Ph.Ed.
Harding seemed to have a crush on Maxwell Evans.

Intensive shadowing for the last past month and half. Nothing suspect.
Schedule: School, Crashdown (popular dinner for teens), Valentis home.
Week-end: shopping with Isabel Evans (mall) or Valentis (grocery store), pass time at the Crashdown with friends.
Subjects of conversation: school, boys, Maxwell Evans, clothes, a band called the Skins.
Watch during night of November, 27th, 1:00AM (28th), showed Maxwell Evans entering through Harding's window. Suspect was meditating. Conversation lasted fifteen minutes where Evans said he remembered her. Seemed the two teens were a former item. The boy also mentioned they met when they were 6 or 7, if Harding was a X5 it would be impossible because the youngest escapees of 2009 were 8.

Conclusion:
All signs indicate that Tess Harding isn't X5-701. It would also appear that the X5 at the origin of the break in at Roswell Hospital is long gone. Nothing conclusive on the other adopted girls.

Brin finished her report frowning. Nearly two months she was in this town and all this time wasted for nothing. She pursed her lips, rereading her work, Lydecker was going to be disappointed by her lack of result. But at one time she had really thought Harding was her sister. She fitted the description of the eyewitness, had been a possible match for Jondy and without Max Evans, she would still believe Harding was the X5.

Flashback

Roswell, Valentis House
Night November, 27th, 2019, 1:00AM (28th)
Brin was at her usual spot, in the tree facing Harding's window. A good thing the girl never used her curtain, it made her job easier. The blonde was meditating, she did that four nights a week. Her attention was broken by a knock on her window. Brin had heard Maxwell Evans arrive minutes ago, the guy though he tried to be silent wasn't really stealthy. He never noticed Brin watching him from the tree.

"Max?" asked Harding opening her window and letting him in. "What's wrong?"

"I needed to see you." he replied, closing the window and forcing Brin to use her enhanced hearing.

"In the middle of the night?" Harding wondered. "I'm glad but what would say Liz?"

"Nothing, we're over. She was quite clear." he recalled with a hint of bitterness. "But I'm not here for that. I think... no, I'm pretty sure I remember you."

The blonde stared at him, flabbergasted.

"I remember the night of the dance..."

"Our first kiss." she added, tears in her eyes. Maxwell nodded and grabbed her hand in his.

"But not the first time we met." he told her with a grin. "My mother was a friend of yours and came for a visit. I was 6 or 7 and you were wearing this fluffy green dress."

"I hated it." she remembered. "No child should wear such abomination and worse, you made fun of it."

"And since you didn't appreciate you put sand in my hair."

The two teens laughed, careful not to be too loud not to wake up the Valentis. Harding smiled and hugged Evans.

"Oh Max, you can't believe how happy I am." she whispered against his neck.

End of Flashback

After that the two teens talked some more before Evans went back to his house. When Harding turned the lights of her room off, Brin left her hiding place and headed toward the house she was currently occupying. There she wrote her report for Lydecker. She decided not to send it right away, today she was going to search Harding's room and if she found nothing then she'll send the report to Lydecker.

~

A long time ago, Hansel, Gretel and the rest of their family managed to escape from the Bad Place. They ran through the wood, chased by the dark guards obeying to the evil Sorcerer. At the skirt of the woods their big brother told them to separate and they did. So Gretel ran, ran as fast as she could, uncaring of the branches scratching her face and arms, not bothered by the cold biting her bare feet. Her heart raced when she heard a loud roar behind her, she glanced over her shoulder seeing one guard on one of those monstrous machines. She had been spotted. Too busy dodging the bullets aimed her way she noticed the root too late and fell in the snow. Gasping for breath, she raised her head to see the guard not even two feet from her, his finger ready to press the trigger. She nearly cried in defeat, she had failed and had been caught. She prepared herself to be hit by the tazzer of the guard when a sharp cry caught the attention of the man.

In a flash Hansel appeared and threw himself on the soldier, taking him down and rendering him unconscious by a well placed punch. The motor of the snow bike was still running so the two children climbed on the machine. It was a good idea, they were faster than on foot. Gretel hold on Hansel's waist tight, checking over her shoulder for any sign of the guards, she couldn't see them but she heard them. Just behind them. Finally the fence appeared, they stopped the machine, knowing it wouldn't be heavy enough to destroy the fence and began to climb the last wall keeping them in Manticore. Not even half a minute later they were at the other side of the fence, outside, Gretel glanced at Hansel and she knew they had to separate. After a curt nod, they split, one going left, the other right.

It's unfair, Gretel thought, as she raced through the chilly night, the trees being only a dark green blur around her. Far away, she could hear the dogs barking, the noise of motors running and the bullets flying. It was hours before she stopped, and then it was only to retch in the snow because of her burning lungs. After being done, she grabbed a handful of snow and swallowed it before spitting it, getting her mouth rid of the sour taste.

After taking few minutes to rest, she began to run again thinking to her siblings. She had made it, she was outside, free thanks to her brother. Hansel saved her life and she swore to herself that someday they shall meet again.

~

Roswell, New Mexico
November, 28th, 2019

It made nearly two months Brin was here. Liz had more than once eavesdropped on her conversations with Kyle and so far she just seemed to collect information. The brunette tried to avoid Brin at all cost, she didn't go in the other direction when she saw the girl, it would be too suspicious but since Brin's arrival at Roswell, Liz managed to never find herself alone with her. It was hard to be with Brin, she knew her sister was only here to take her back to Manticore but it didn't stop the need Liz had to talk to her. For years, she didn't stop to think to her siblings and now one was here she couldn't even approach her. It hurt and she cursed Lydecker for using Brin to blow her cover. She was sure the bastard was enjoying this.

It had been a good move to listen Michael about not leaving town because the roads had been indeed controlled. One week-end, Maria and Liz had to deliver some cakes in Santa Fe and when they were in the desert the brunette, thanks to her enhanced vision, noticed the alpha teams hidden but watching them. If she had tried to leave Roswell that night, she would have been caught.

The day passed quickly and Liz headed to Kyle's to take back the notes he had borrowed from her. Simpson was preparing a test this week and even though she had no problem with it, Michael did. They were going to study tonight so she needed her stuff back. After getting a lift from Maria, Liz arrived at the Valentis house and opened the unlocked door.

"Kyle!" called Liz. "I need my English notes back."

The brunette closed the door and entered the room of her friend, finding Claire/Brin there.

"Oh Claire, sorry, I didn't know you were there." she apologized with a light smile, congratulating herself for not panicking. "I'm looking for..."

"Your notes, I heard."

"Right." said Liz looking around, noticing a half closed drawer as if someone had been digging there before she interrupted.

"Kyle and you seem really close? Are you two dating?" asked Liz as she tried to look busy searching for her notes, avoiding the dark eyes studying her.

"We're just friends." replied Brin.

"That's good. So how do you find Roswell so far?" questioned Liz.

"It's a change from Boston." replied Brin just when Kyle came back in the house.

"Hey sorry for the delay, I was hold up by... Hey Liz, what are you doing here?" asked Kyle.

"My notes maybe?"

"Oh, right." said Kyle as he went in the living room, heading toward the sofa, the two girls on his heels.

He retrieved Liz's notes from the coffee table. "Sorry for the mess, with Tess camping in my room you know."

"It's no bother. Hope they helped you." she replied as she put them in her backpag. "Well, I'm going to leave you two to... whatever you're doing."

Kyle raised an eyebrow at her insinuation, surprised by the behavior of his friend.

"Sciences project, Liz." he added helpfully.

"Right, I gotta go. The Crashdown, you know. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, bye." replied Kyle as he watched the brunette leave his house.

He turned toward Claire with a big smile.

"Want a snack before studying?" he asked.

"Sure."

~

Outside the Valentis house, Liz was cursing herself. Smooth, Lux, really smooth. Like an elephant in a porcelain shop. It was worse than she thought, Brin was suspecting Tess to be the X5. As if she hadn't enough problems already, now she had to worry about the possibility of Brin discovering the existence of aliens. Perfect.

She should have followed Zack's order, she wouldn't be in this mess if she had listened to him. Why each time she made her own decisions, they came back to bite her in the ass? If her brother recontacted her, she swore to herself she would do what he'll say. She was the one to blame for this situation, her stubborn behavior might put in danger Michael and the rest of the alien squad. If something happened to them, she would never forgive herself.

And the worse was yet to come, she would have to tell Michael. It was definitely a conversation she didn't want to have.

~

CRASHDOWN
CLOSING TIME

The restaurant was clean, their chores were done so Michael and Liz sat at their usual booth, eating some of the unconsumed leftovers. It had become a ritual, eating and studying together after the closing. Once Michael even accepted Jeff Parker's invitation to dinner. He had been surprised by how eating with the Parkers was different from eating with the Evans. It hadn't been stressful, he hadn't been nervous for not knowing which fork he should use. The just ordered Chinese takeouts. The conversation had been easy going, no heavy silence nor discussion about interesting painting expositions he would never see because he couldn't afford to go and the best no never ending monopoly game. They chatted about movies and music and Michael even learnt M.Parker liked Metallica. Nancy Parker was funny, kind and the best was she never looked at him with pity, something he hated, a thing Mrs.Evans did constantly.

The studying session went smoothly until the brunette decided it was time to drop the bomb.

"I have some good news and some bad news. Which one do you want first?" asked Liz as she sipped her coke, books in her lap forgotten.

"The good one."

"Optimistic today, Guerin? Surprising." commented the brunette. "Well, Brin doesn't suspect me."

Michael nodded as he finished his slice of cake. "That's good news indeed. The bad one?" he asked between two mouthfuls.

"She thinks it's Tess."

Michael swallowed with difficulty.

"Come again?" he asked, hoping he heard wrong.

"She's suspecting Tess."

"Shit." cursed Michael. "And how do you know that?"

"I went to Kyle's today and she was there, searching his room which is currently occupied by Tess."

"Fuck, maybe we should tell the others." proposed Michael, rubbing his chin pensively.

"No way." cut Liz, shaking her head. Letting Michael in had already been a big concession and a breach in her code of conduct. Besides the teenager was in danger just by knowing her real identity, Manticore would never allow someone outside of the project to know about the X5, she wasn't going to put Maria, Alex and the rest of the band in danger. Too bad Michael couldn't see that.

"Be reasonable, Liz."

"I am. Besides the second you tell them I'm out of here and never coming back." she threatened. "I'm serious Michael, just watch me."

The alien stared at the tiny brunette who had her arms crossed and was looking at him defiantly, he felt the anger heat his blood at the outrageous blackmail.

"Don't be stupid!" shouted back Michael. "What if Tess talks about something alien related during your sister is eavesdropping, huh? Then we're screwed. It's not only about you, Liz, we're all concerned. They need to know they have to be careful about what they say."

"Michael, she's been suspecting Tess for a long time, why do you think she got close to Kyle?" she shot back. "If Tess talked about the Skins, then it's already too late. However if Brin knew you were aliens it would make a long time Manticore would have kidnapped you. Trust me."

"You're just guessing, that's not good enough for me."

"Fine, give me 24 hours before telling them." she countered. "I'll take care of it. 24 hours is all I ask, with no intervention from you."

"What are you planning to do?" he questioned. "Because if you're planning on doing something stupid like..."

"I'm not planning on giving myself in." she cut him. "Since you've known me have I ever let you down?"

"No." he replied gruffly. "Fine, Parker, 24 hours."

The atmosphere was rather strained after their little shouting match so Michael grabbed his things and went home. After locking the door behind him, Liz went upstairs and fell on her bed, sighing warily as she passed her hands through her hair, frustrated. She passed a long time staring at the ceiling, glancing at her clock currently showing 4:45AM. She shouldn't have tried to give an ultimatum to Michael, it had been a bad move. She should have tried to give him her reasons but she had been too frustrated and worried to do so. And now she had less than one day to learn if Brin knew anything about the aliens and if she did... sadly, in that case, the brunette only saw one option to make sure Brin didn't say anything to Manticore. Her emotions were conflicted but deep down, she knew four lives were more important than one. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time she took a life, though killing someone she loved, that was a new one.

Her somber musings were cut by the beeping of her computer. She left her comfy bed and sat on the chair, taking the screen saver off.

'You've got one message.'

She clicked on the mail, feeling dread invade her gut as she began to read.

Memo: Urgent
Re: RosGirl64@hotmail.com
From: TheyRAmongUs@yahoo.com

Hey Kate,

I just wanted to let you know since you seemed as interested as me about you know what. Two bodies turned up here, it's only a question of time before the Army takes them back. I talked to the M.E.Chief, he said it was a Colonel Lydecker who retrieved the bodies before, not the men in black but THE Army. It's huge, I can't believe I know a governmental secret.

Listen, I did some research on my own and fell on a gold mine. Turns out the dead aliens in Miami aren't the only one, before there were two murders in Chicago fitting the profile, three in New York. In each case this Lydecker guy swooped in and shut down the investigation. It's too much to be a coincidence.

I'll email you if I receive other information.

Be careful and take care of yourself,
Marvin

Liz stared at the email for several minutes, unblinking. He did it again. She had hoped so much he would stop, after all he stayed nearly four months without killing anyone. She really thought he would listen to her in the end. She shouldn't have let him leave. She was as much responsible than him for the death of those two men.

~

After awhile Gretel stopped running, she got herself friends and family and was happy. She missed her siblings dearly and often wondered where they were, if they were alright and as lucky as she was. She searched them with no success until years later, surfing on the net with one friend, she fell on an interesting article and went to Miami.

~

Flashback
Florida, Miami,
High Hope Morgue
July, 14th, 2019

Liz entered in the morgue, looking around and spotting a guy behind the counter. He was in his twenties, dark-haired, tall, lanky, the nerdish type, the perfect stereotype of UFO fan. She bet he possessed all the episodes of X-Files on tape, it had been a popular pre-pulse TV show. She smiled and headed toward him.

"Hey," she greeted, catching immediately his attention. Understandable, the guy stayed with corpses for Christ's sake, if he was hetero the perspective of talking to an attractive girl (and she was) would make him very helpful. "You are TheyRAmongUs, right?"

His eyes widened comically as he stared at her before understanding. "RosGirl64?" he whispered back.

"Yes, I'm the one who contacted you. We need to talk."

"Sure," he replied eagerly, "but not here. Let's talk somewhere more private. You're lucky it's the end of my shift."

***
Few minutes later, they were in a bar. After one beer, the guy, Marvin, became extremely talkative, Liz did the alien speech she fed to tourists and became Marvin's best friend when she gave him the faked alien picture. Well, Kate became Marvin's best friend, with his tendency to talk easily it was best to use an alias.

"I took some picture of the barcode." He confessed, digging into his pocket. "There."

She took the picture, her fingers slightly shaking as she stared at the barcode. She knew that one of her brothers was dead after having read the article but she never thought it would be him. Ben. What happened to you? She tuned out the guy babbling excitedly next to her, trying hard not to burst in tears. She couldn't believe he was gone, he was the one she had wanted to see the most and she never got the chance to thank him for saving her.

" --I could show you."

The end of the sentence caught her attention.

"What?"

"I said if you want to see an alien I could show you."

"But you said they took the body."

"This one yes but we just received another today. I've taken more pictures this time, no doubt they're going to show up again."

The brunette frowned, two X5 dead in the same place and within a short amount of time. It wasn't right, something was definitely up. She grabbed the pictures from Marvin's hands and stopped to breath as she stared at the other barcode.

"It's impossible." she murmured, her stomach churning.

"You noticed, huh?" Marvin asked, obviously pleased. "They're the same."

"Do you... Do you remember their injuries?" she asked.

"Of course, they were the same on both bodies." explained Marvin as Liz kept looking at the pictures. "Both had their neck snapped at the second vertebra. Their face and arms were covered with cuts and abrasions that indicate they were moving fast through the brush. The bodies were found displayed on a rock outcropping. Their left arm was twisted around behind their back, broken at the elbow. Their shoulder was dislocated. No bruising, so it was done postmortem. Ah and their teeth were pulled out. You know sometimes killers do it to ensure the victim can't be identified through dental records but they usually smash them. However, this was done very precisely, surgically. You see, the barcode, the surgical removal of their teeth, it screams men in black. They're erasing all proof of their existence."

"Wait a minute, Marvin. What did you say about brush?"

"Oh right, both bodies were found in parks. The first one was in Indian Creek, on Bay Harbour Island, and the second was found in Gratigny regional park."

"In the wood."

"Yes, in forest."

Ben, what are you doing? Why are you renacting this day?

And that was with those questions in mind she left Marvin to investigate.
End of Flashback

~

Turned out it was Hansel. But Gretel didn't recognize her sweet and kind brother, he seemed to think everyone was a dark guard. She went to the places of the murders but found nothing which could tell her where was Hansel. She searched through the city, searched until she was tired. Searched until her body began to ignore her mind, driven only by her primitive instincts. She went into a club and she found him or maybe it was the other way around, she didn't remember well. The only thing she knew was that for one moment, she forgot everything. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other! Together, in every meaning of the word until the dream faded like snow in the sun.

~

Roswell, New Mexico,
Ford's residence,
November, 29th, 2019, 5AM

"I have read your report 734. Due to the lack of progress, I'm pulling you out of this assignment. You're going to Miami, 493's presence has been spotted there again."

Brin's jaw twitched of an imperceptible manner at the news.

"Another one, Sir?"

"Two."

"Should I leave immediately?"

"In the afternoon, I plan on sending you back here after 493's capture." said Lydecker. "Best for you not to make any wave, get a notice at your school, say goodbye to your little friends. I want you out of Roswell before nightfall."

"Sir. Yes Sir."

~

Whitaker's office, 11:45AM

Saturdays by principle suck, especially when you're an intern working for a congresswoman who's never in her office. Results, you're turned into a secretary and it sucks even more when you're stuck behind your desk, having a super soldier on your ass and a deadline to discover if said super soldier knows the truth about the little green men. Oh, you forgot to mention you have absolutely no plan.

Talk about pressure. Very far away, you remember a lesson of Manticore, something about 'success comes with discipline and control'. Too bad it's foggy because you could clearly use it now. Your stomach is tied into knots and at that point you're even ready to sniff Maria's cedar oil if it calms you.

"Congresswoman Whitaker isn't here for the moment." explained Liz on the phone as she scribbled furiously on one article. "Do you want to leave a message? Yes. Thank you. Goodbye."

She turned at the sudden knock on the door, feeling like all the oxygen left her lungs at the sight greeting her.

"Colonel?" she asked, swallowing with difficulty. "I'm sorry but..."

"Yes, I heard." cut Lydecker. "Once again I must say I'm impressed by how mature you are. How old are you?"

"Seventeen." Eighteen but it's not like you're aware I'm lying.

"And what do you want to do later?"

"Molecular biologist." You know like that I might understand what Manticore's scientists did to us.

"Good choice, very interesting field. You should give me a call in a few years, Miss Parker, I'm sure we could work well together." he said as he gave her his card.

"Thank you." she replied. Smile, Lux. Smile, it suppresses the gag reflex, remember? "Is there anything I can do for you?" Like put a bullet in your head, jackass.

"Tell Whitaker it appears the problem left Roswell."

"Anything more specific?"

"No, that will be all." said Lydecker, turning his heels to leave when someone entered in the office.

Liz nearly groaned when she saw it was no one else than Michael. Maybe you should just give up and turn yourself in. It would save you from a lot of trouble.

"Hey Liz about last night," he began before stopping when he noticed the older man at the desk studying him.

The brunette stood up and used her best fake smile, hoping Michael wouldn't give her away when she'll introduce them.

"Colonel Lydecker, my friend Michael Guerin." she said succinctly.

She caught the slight tensing of Michael's shoulders as he nodded to Lydecker but the colonel didn't notice it. A true miracle, since Lydecker usually noticed anything about everything. She wondered what could make Lydecker lose such focus but then she thought she already had a good idea of why. An email would certainly arrived from Marvin tonight, she realized.

"Sorry." apologized Michael. "I thought I could pass since it's lunch hour."

That's when Liz noticed the sandwiches boxes he had in his hands.

"I was just leaving." said Lydecker. "I hope we see each other again in the future, Miss Parker."

"Same for me, Colonel. Goodbye."

She watched him leave the office, using her enhanced hearing to make sure he was really gone before turning to Michael and glaring at him.

"I still have twelve hours." she growled.

He raised his hands in surrender. "Hey calm down, Parker. I brought food as truce."

She eyed the sandwich box, frowning.

"Salad chicken?" she asked.

"With mayo."

She opened the box, studying the sandwich during one minute, knowing it came from the Crashdown. Michael was really beginning to know her too well, that or her mom told the guy she couldn't hold a grudge if salad chicken sandwich was used as peace offering.

"Fine, let me just close the office. I'm only working here the morning on Saturdays." said Liz as she locked the office.

The two teenagers walked to the nearest park where they sat on a bench and began to eat.

"I imagined him taller." stated Michael out of the blue.

Liz snorted, raising an eyebrow. "Believe me he doesn't need few more inches to be scary." she commented, biting in her sandwich viciously. "What are you doing here Michael?"

She wasn't going to make it easy for him, realized the alien. He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Listen, I'm sorry about last night." he said. "I shouldn't have lost my temper, let's just forget about this stupid deadline and do something together. We'll find a way to control this mess without telling the others, okay?"

Michael looked at Liz, hoping it would be enough and that she would accept his proposition. Last night after his fight with her he realized he hadn't acted well. He was also worried by the way the brunette would deal with Brin, her "I'll take care of it." left him uneasy. And he didn't like it, he hadn't like it at all. With her harmless appearance, it was easy to forget Liz was a soldier and back in his apartment, the more he thought like a soldier, the more he hated having given her 24 hours of free actions. Because every time he thought at how taking care of the problem, he hadn't like where it led him.

Needless to say he hadn't sleep well, one hour, maybe two. At 8AM, he went straight to the Crashdown to talk to Liz but she had already gone to Whitaker's office. He took his shift at the restaurant, Maria said he was being a jerk more than usual. At his break, Liz's mom cornered him in the kitchen and made him spill the beans. This woman was definitely too intuitive for her own good. Anyway after knowing he had some sort of fight with Liz, she told him about Liz's weird sandwich thing. Since he had no option he did it and well, it worked well so far.

The thing he hadn't planned was meeting Lydecker. He was the sort of guy you knew at first glance you shouldn't mess up with, older than Pierce but possessing the same calculating look. He was more composed than the deceased FBI agent, wiser, more in control of his emotions. Maybe he should rephrase that, Lydecker was as warm as a Popsicle.

"I don't think it will be necessary." she murmured.

Michael's head snapped at the whisper. Shit, he was too late. "Did you..."

She shook her head. "Lydecker is leaving Roswell."

"But why?"

She shrugged. "Who knows?" she replied, standing up and throwing the rest of her sandwich in a garbage can. "Maybe he's got a better trail to follow."

She stared intently at a rock outcropping and Michael had the impression he was clearly missing something important.

"Liz..." he began.

"Let's go to the Crashdown, it's time for my shift. Today Maria and me need to deliver some cakes in Las Cruces." she stated, a smile stretched across her face.

But Michael saw it didn't quite reach her eyes and even if he asked, he knew she wouldn't give him a straight answer. His friend was really a master at half truths.

"Alright." he said, following her.

"Try to stay with Tess." told him Liz. "I'll watch Brin tonight."

Back at the Crashdown, Liz immediately went in Maria's jetta and they drove toward Las Cruces. It made thirty minutes they were gone when there was a loud detonation, Maria screamed and the car swerved.

"Oh my God!" she babbled. "Oh my God! What the hell was that?"

The brunette went outside and saw the loud detonation wasn't from a gun but from the left tire at the front of the jetta. The tire was pierced and totally flat. Maria left the car at her turn, cursing a blue streak when she realized they were in the desert with a flat tire with no man to change it and a dozen of cakes to deliver. And the cakes didn't handle the desert's heat very well.

"I can't believe this stupid tire blew up!" growled Maria as she dug into the hood of the car searching for the spare.

Liz was staring at the road when a SUV crossed them. Liz didn't have to use her enhanced vision to see who was leaving town.

"Liz, a little help here." called Maria as she proceeded to roll the tire toward the flattened one.

The brunette stopped staring at the disappearing car. When her gaze had met Brin's she thought she saw a flash of recognition in her sister's eyes, but Brin didn't stop and drove away.

Once again, Gretel nearly got caught and Hansel saved her. The evil Sorcerer left because Hansel kept murdering men he thought were dark guards. Gretel hated Hansel killing people but it was the only reason why she remained free. The irony of the situation wasn't lost to her and left a bitter taste in her mouth.

-TBC-

[demonyte]

A/N: Thank you for the reviews guys. Just wanted to remind you the time events have been stretched and yes, I know normally Isabel's birthday is in October but here it's in November. Just in case, you don't read the individual answers, yes, I've decided it's going to be an X-Tremer.

A/NII: This part was too long so I was forced to cut it in half, that's why there is no fairy tale in it and also no Ben's flashbacks. It's in the second half, sorry, I'll try to post it tomorrow.

Jamy21: Thank you for your kind words. Answer is yes.

Taniapretender: Lol, funny I would have never guessed. *glance pointedly at your iconbar* I think I'm not going to be able to pass door if you keep stroking my ego like that but do continue. You're going to be happy more Ben for your guilty pleasure.

funkeldunkel: your username seems familiar but I can't manage to find where I saw it. Does it mean something? Anyway, glad to see you enjoying this fic.

bluebear01: Yes, I've finally decided with who pair Liz. *very proud of myself* Guess you just have to keep reading to know who it is. *sadistic grin*

pandas2001: I'm letting you guess, honey. Though if you read the little tale well, you know she did and why.

If she and Ben were together, that would be kinda interesting and weird.

Yes, but very interesting indeed.

*shiri&jensen4ever*: I'm so happy you like the fairytale & Ben they were a real pain in the ass to write.

Brin's report on Tess made me laugh... a band called the Skins! LOL! ...it's like something Sketchy would say! ...I keep forgetting that even Manticore's finest can screw up!

Yeah, I know but I didn't want Brin to discover the alien's secret, honestly if you weren't a Roswelian and heard 'The Skins' would you think to aliens? C'mon, it makes me think at a name for a cheesy rock band, lol. I'm not going to explain why Brin understood the Skins in that way, just picture her eavesdropping Tess and the blonde saying 'The Skins are here.' Out of context the band idea can work.

aussietrueblue: Ah Lisa, I'm happy you think so. Yeah, same opinion, guess the cat is out of the paperbag, huh? X-tremers are going to be thrilled. I might indulge myself with a mild Mi/L before Alec comes in the picture, not sure though.

WomanofMystery: So happy you like the fairytales. The escape is my favorite too.

rachelg224, orphyfets: Thanks girls.

RoswellSlayer: Hmm, maybe, maybe not.

~




PART EIGHT



After delivering the cakes in Santa Fe, Maria and Liz headed back to Roswell. During the rest of their shift, Maria proceeded to bitch about the flat tire and how the universe plotted against her to make her life miserable. Kyle, well Kyle sat dejectedly in front of a burger and the brunette believed she knew why he was so glum. Closing time, in Liz's opinion didn't arrive soon enough. She just wanted the day to be over already.

"What are you doing?" asked Michael entering in the kitchen after having passed the mop in the restaurant.

"Isabel's cake for tomorrow." replied Liz as she put the icing on the cake. "I know you're doing one but not everybody like Tabasco."

"Maria said you crossed Brin earlier." he stated straight to the point.

"Yeah, she left town."

"That's good news."

She shrugged. "Chocolate cake is good for everyone, right?"

"Perfect." replied the alien clearly seeing his friend wanted to change of subject. "When is your birthday by the way?"

"February, 16th. Though it should be December, 1st. It's the date of the escape but I couldn't use it, too obvious." she confessed, her eyes focused on her task.

"Not so bad for a first try, huh?" she wondered as she ended her pastry. "Max is going to be pleased, he's been fretting over Isabel's party for the last three days."

"Everything is good between you two?"

"As much as it can be. He's still bitter about the break-up but we decided to stay friends so it could be worse."

Michael was right, Lydecker and Brin left, she should be relieved but it felt like a failure. Brin was gone, back to Manticore. That made two, two siblings she met after the escape and lost again and sadly she had a feeling it was only the beginning.

~

Roswell, New Mexico
November, 30th, 7:35AP
Whitaker's Office

Liz glanced at the clock, the party had certainly already begun. She classed few files, she could have left already but she didn't feel particularly in mood to party and smile tonight. She just wanted lock herself in her room and brood, oh she was perfectly aware it wouldn't change a thing but the need was still there. She was humming the soundtrack of Run, Lola, Run under her breath when Whitaker entered in her office. The brunette explained the party and was surprised to see Whitaker inviting herself in.

During Whitaker was in the bathroom for a quick freshen up, Liz headed toward the CDs. She didn't miss Whitaker's startled heartbeat when she saw the CDs lying around the CD player. Liz during her files search never checked there since it was only music but the behavior of the congresswoman told her she missed something. Opening the drawer she searched through the pile, her eyes falling on a CD stuck between Savage Garden and Coldplay. The CD was labeled Liz Parker, Date Sep 6-19, Liz listened to it with the earphones, feeling her blood heating up when she realized Whitaker taped her phone conversations at the office. Shit, what a bitch. Maria often called her here and talked about Max and everything. So it meant the congresswoman knew everything or at least who were the aliens. Maria hadn't been exactly subtle. Liz had been so obsessed by Lydecker and Brin being in town and searching her, that she kind of forgot to check about alien problems. It had been her ass in the line of fire so she had put herself before the group.

She needed to warn them and quickly. Perfect, Isabel was going to love this birthday present.

Few minutes later, Whitaker was ready and they headed toward the Crashdown. Once there, Liz learnt since the beginning of the birthday Isabel had flashes from Tess and that she was missing and hurt. The brunette told the others about Whitaker taping her and they decided to make Michael search her office. Liz wasn't sure it would give any results but she kept her mouth shut on the subject. Max went with Valenti, Michael left for Whitaker's office and Isabel had another vision.

This time, since Max and Michael weren't there to hold her down, she decided to follow her vision and asked for Maria's keys. But Maria refused, worried about the sake of her car. Isabel after saying Maria would drive then, explained her vision of Tess' location.

"There's no "RED'S" in Roswell." countered Liz, frowning.

"Yes, there is. Remember Fred's dinner at the outskirt of the town? The F neon sign isn't working anymore." explained Maria.

"Alright, let's go." said Isabel.

"Don't you think it would be safer to wait for Max and Michael to come back?" questioned Maria. "Let's face it, we're just 3 girls and I don't think you're going to hurt whoever has Tess by dreamwalking him."

"Well, we don't have time. Max isn't here, nor is Michael."

"Ok. Fine. I'll go with you." stated Liz.

"No. No. You have to cover for me." cut Isabel.

"Out of question." said Liz. "Maria, give me your keys, I promise to bring back your car in one piece. You're the best at giving excuses, you'll stay here and cover for us."

"I don't like it." replied Maria even though she gave the keys to Liz.

"We don't have a choice." said Liz grabbing her black leather jacket and following Isabel by the back door.

~

Meanwhile Max and Valenti went through Tess' stuff and discovered Grant Sorenson called Tess, so they went to his house to find he was the one who kidnapped her. During that time, Michael had break in and started to look around when he fell on a file concerning Courtney. He headed toward the Crashdown, decided to know what the hell was going on.

~

Liz drove Isabel to a rundown restaurant called Fred's, turned out it was the one in Isabel's vision. They stopped when they saw Tess' car which had been damaged. It was abandonned so Liz offered the possibility Tess might have been taken by the paramedics. The taller blonde shook her head and showed Liz a piece of skin she found on Tess' car.

"I see some tracks. 2 sets of tires, see? But look here. They swerve near Tess' car...then go out in that direction."

"Straight into nowhere."

"Nowhere's where we're going."

"Great and we've got no signal." stated Liz looking at her useless cellphone dejectedly.

Liz and Isabel arrived at Chavez County Electric Power Facility - Plant #2.
"She's in there."

"Let's not jump to conclusions. You don't know that, for all we know it could be just a trap."

"I feel it."

"We need to get Max and Michael."

"Then go get them."

"What? And leave you alone? No. You're not going in there by yourself."

"I have to."

"No. I'm going with you."

"Look. Go get Max and Michael, all right? Just go. But I can't wait. I have to go in."

"No, Maria will tell them when they'll go back to the Crashdown and they'll just have to follow the same tracks we did. There is no way you're getting in here without me. That's final, here, take the flashlight."

"Ok."

"And for God's sake, be quiet." admonished Liz as they climbed through the fence.

Isabel ripped her dress in the process, then she took off her shoes to avoid making any sound.
Together the girls inspected the power plant.

~

Meanwhile Michael had just questioned Courtney about the fact she was being investigated by Whitaker and received an explanation with a slap. He entered in the Crashdown finding no sign of Isabel but spotting Maria explaining why the blonde wasn't here. The 'spilled punch on her dress' explanation didn't convince him so as soon as Mrs.Evans left, he dragged Maria in the backroom and she told him the truth.

"I can't believe you let her go after Tess alone."

"That's not really true, Liz is with her."

Ok, he felt slightly better knowing Liz was with Isabel. Though when Michael would find them, it wouldn't stop him to yell at the two girls for not warning him first.

The two teenagers passed through the backdoor just in time to see Valenti and Max return from investigating Grant. After a quick explanation, they were driving toward the rundown restaurant at top speed.

~

Isabel and Liz searched through the power plant for a long time, passing through a labyrinth of tunnels before Liz heard faint sobbing noises far away. Liz took the head, accelerating, using her enhanced hearing to localize Tess. Both girls were now able to hear Tess crying out in pain.
"The cries are coming from here." said Liz, entering in a room and finding Tess battered and bruised on the floor.

"Oh, Tess." cried out Isabel, kneeling beside her. "Oh, God. Tess. Oh, God. Wake up. Oh, wake up."

"Wait, let me look at her." ordered Liz, kneeling at her turn and checking the damages. "I think she's got a concussion. She's lucky though, she's got some bruised ribs but nothing broken."

"How do you know?" asked Isabel, dumfounded by the efficiency of the brunette.

"I took first-aid training lessons last year." she replied. "Now let's get her up. We need to get the hell out of here before the Skin who put her in this state comes back."

Together Liz and Isabel moved Tess to an empty room and bolted the door.

"There. Tess. Tess, stay with me. Stay with me, Tess. Damn it. Don't die on me now."

"Calm down Isabel. Tess isn't going to die." admonished Liz, trying to calm the the blonde.

"Tess. Tess." she called. "I know you're hurt but you need to stay awake, okay? Squeeze my hand if you understood what I said."

The squeezing was weak but it was there. At this instant the bolts on the door slid over by themselves. Someone was opening the door from the other side by using alien power. The door swang open and Isabel gasped in disbelief.

"It's you." she murmured as she stared at Whitaker.

Liz was equally shocked. Whitaker, a Skin, talk about surprises.

"Impressive." stated the congresswoman.

"What?" asked Isabel.

"You. Coming here like this. I see my mistake. It wasn't her I was looking for." said the older woman. "I didn't expect to see you here too, Parker."

"So sorry to disappoint." spat out sarcastically Liz, her eyes narrowing as she looked around for a possible way out. The window was the only option, it might be possible if Tess stayed conscious. If not, she would be forced to use her abilities in front of Isabel, it wasn't something she was looking for but if it was the only way to escape she would do it.

"Then why did you take her?" asked Isabel.

"Thought she was you. But neither of you looks like you did in the other life. I knew I needed one of the female hybrids. It was a 50/50 chance."

"Oh, God. What is it you want from us?"

"Where's the granilith?"

"The what?"

"The granilith. Don't pretend you don't know. We've been looking for it. We can't exist here like you...not in our natural state. We don't have the DNA. All we have are these...uh, skins. Our limit is 50 years. My time is almost up. I need to find the granilith if it's the last thing I do."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're hiding it. The four of you. The royalty they tried to save by sending you here. You're gonna help us."

"Never."

"You did before. You will again."

"You killed Nasedo, didn't you?"

"To save you."

"From what?"

"The other 3. You belong with us, our race. We're in charge now. Your kind doesn't rule
anymore."

"I'm not one of you."

"You don't remember, do you? Let me give you a piece of history about your planet. Your name was Vilandra, and you were beautiful...even more beautiful than you are now. You had a great love...and for him...for us...you betrayed your brother, your race."

"No."

"You sacrificed him. You sacrificed everyone...even yourself. And history, my dear, always
repeats itself."

"God, you liar. We're leaving. Tess, come on. Come on."

"Not until you tell me where you're hiding the granilith."

"I told you before, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well, maybe this will help jog your memory."

Whitaker raised her hand and an invisible force knocked Tess into the air. She landed with a loud thud and Liz knelt beside her, face grim as she felt the rapid heartbeat of Tess who was desperately gasping for breath.

"Stop it! Stop hurting her!"

"I'll stop when you tell me what I want to know."

Isabel glanced at Liz and saw the slight nod she did toward the window. Simultaneously both girls helped Tess to her feet and then jumped with her through the window to the platform below.

They started making their way to the exit and Whitaker gave chase.

"Come on." said Isabel.

"She's right Tess. We're nearly out, just hang on a little longer." told her Liz.

In the end they made it to the outside but Tess lost her grip on Liz and stumbled against Isabel just when Whitaker left the facility. The Skin raised her hand and sent a blast knocking down both blondes and rendering them unconscious.

"Isabel!" called Liz as she watched both blondes going down.

Accessing the situation quickly, Liz decided to use her abilities. Moving in a flash Liz avoided the alien's blasts and launched herself on Whitaker, making both of them fall on the ground.


"Enough." she growled as she pinned the older woman down.

Whitaker stared at her with bewilderment before realization dawned into her calculating eyes.

"You're the one Lydecker is looking for. Under my nose all this time." the congresswoman stated. "When I'm done here, you can be sure I'll give the kind colonel a call."

"You don't want to mess with me." warned the brunette, glaring at Whitaker. "Trust me."

The sudden groan of pain coming from Isabel made Liz lose focus on Whitaker during one second, and that's just what the Skin needed. The congresswoman managed to free one of her hand and a powerful force send Liz off the ground. The brunette screamed as she felt a burning pain hitting her chest, the wave was so strong she flew several meters through the air before crashing down into the forest of leaden bars. Under the shockwave some of them bent and even fell on Liz.

Whitaker stood up with a smirk, appreciating her handy work before turning back to a Isabel rising herself on wobbly feet.

"Now Supergirl is out of commission, let's continue our conversation Princess." stated the older woman as she tore off an electric cable. "Where's the granilith?"

"Get away from us!" screamed Isabel in panic as she couldn't hear any sound coming from where Liz crashed.

"I'll destroy you. I'll destroy you all if I have to." warned Whitaker before using her power to start sending a stream of electrical sparks through the cable towards Isabel and Tess.

"No. No! Get away from us!"

Isabel hold out her hand and an invisible force reflected the electricity back at Whitaker. The Skin screamed and blew up in a hail of shedded skin.

Max, Valenti, Michael and Maria who just got there, rushed in to help.

"Isabel, you're alright?" asked Michael, grabbing her by the shoulders and checking for any sign of injuries.

"I'm okay."

"Where is Liz?" asked urgently Michael as he saw Tess on the ground but no sign of the brunette.

The blonde blanched and turned toward the other end of the building, remembering the sharp cry Liz gave out when she was thrown flying through the air by Whitaker's invisible force. She remembered the loud crash which followed. Oh God, Liz.

"Isabel!" called Michael harshly, his brown eyes franctic, wide with worry and frustration.

"Hold your horses, Michael. I'm here." shouted Liz as she found her way through the metal bars and headed toward the group.

"Are you okay?" asked Max, concerned, watching the bleeding lip of Liz during Valenti carried Tess to his car.

"I'm fine."

"What happened?" asked Max turning toward Isabel.

"It was Whitaker. She killed Nasedo."

"It's ok."

"No, it's not. It's not ok."

"I guess you were right about Grant. I'm gonna have to trust your instincts."

"I didn't know I was capable of this."

"You're getting stronger."

"We all are. Nasedo said we would."

"We have to protect each other. What you did for Tess, I know you would do for me, and I would do for you. No one can come between us."

"Max, she said things." began Isabel, unsure about telling the whole truth.

"What kind of things?"

"Something about a granilith." said the blonde, glancing at Liz to see if the brunette was going to add something at her statement. Isabel found herself grateful and relieved when it seemed Liz wasn't going to. Maria was fuzing around her, giving a hankerchief for her bleeding lip.

"I know how I...after I used my powers on Pierce...so, uh, if you want to talk or something..." offered Michael, uneasy.

"I think I just need to be alone."

"Alright." said Max before going toward Liz. "Liz, do you want me to..."

She shook her head. "It's okay you better keep your energy for healing Tess. This would just have to heal the traditionnal way."

"If you're sure." replied Max disappointed.

Max and Isabel went to Valenti's car during Maria, Michael and Liz headed toward the Jetta.

"I'm driving." said Liz.

"You're sure?" asked Maria.

"Yeah, it will stop me from thinking my ex employer tried to kill me." stated calmly the brunette.

The drive was made in silence. After several minutes, they stopped at the Crashdown and Michael said to Maria it was useless to drive him back to his place because he wanted to check on liz. Since Maria was worried about Liz, she was only too happy to oblige.

"I told you I'm fine." said Liz opening the door of the dinner. She stared at the empty place, drinks were discarded across the dining area. The party seemed to be over, she spotted Courtney sitting in one of the booth, finishing her drink. Sometimes Liz wondered why her father hired the blonde, she was so lazy she barely got any work done.

"Courtney." she called. "You can go home, I'll clean up."

The blonde hadn't to be told twice.

"Good to know. What happened to your lip?" she wondered as she stood up.

"A little accident. Listen, I just want to close so get changed please and go home."

"Alright." said the blonde, passing in the backroom to change.

Michael waited until Courtney was out of window to resume their conversation.

"You're lying you were favoring your left side when you were driving and..."

"Not now, Michael. Wait until Courtney is out of here." cut Liz warily, sitting in a booth, leaning on her elbows rubbing her temples tiredly.

Michael sat next to her, watching her worriedly. He cupped her cheek, his thumb massaging slowly her temple. Liz leaned against his shoulder, sighing quietly as the headache drumming inside her skull lessened a little. She was pretty sure she got herself a nice concussion, damn those leaden bars were hard. She barely paid attention to the door opening.

"Well, well, I can see why you want me out of here." stated Courtney with a naughty grin as she took the picture Michael and Liz made.

Michael glared at her. "Go home Courtney."

"Fine." said the blonde sighing and leaving the dinner.

Michael passed an arm around Liz's shoulder, raising an eyebrow when she jerked away when his hand touched her left shoulder.

"Alright Parker, stop bullshitting me."

"You caught me." admitted Liz. "Since you're there, you're going to help me, my shoulder is dislocated."

She took off her leather jacket and headed to the backroom, an exasperated Michael on her heels.

"What? Why the hell didn't you let Max heal you?"

"Because last time wasn't so great." She spat out. "I ignore what the fuck his little alien healing did to my metabolism but what I know is my seizures have never been that strong so excuse me for not wanting to pass the whole night shaking like a junkie!"

She huffed loudly, feeling her headache coming back in full force. "So are you going to help me or not?"

"Alright. Just tell me what to do."

Liz took off her blue sweatshirt, being only clad into a white tank top and Michael could see a massive bruise already forming on her left shoulder. Damn, it had to hurt like a bitch.

"It's easy." she explained as she put her back toward him. "Put your right hand on my left upper arm and hold it steady. You've got it?"

"Yeah."

"Good." stated Liz as she reached up with her right hand and grabbed a holt of his shirt for leverage. Then taking a deep breath, she pulled her left shoulder back and jerked it forward. Her shoulder audibly snapped back into place and she heaved a sigh, rotating her shoulder in different positions.

"Aah, thanks. Much better."

"You're welcome." replied Michael, trying not to gape in front of her lack of pain. It was pretty impressive.

"Well, I think I'm going to call it a night."

"You'll be alright? I can stay if you want."

The brunette shook her head. "Won't be necessary, though I won't spit for a little help to clean that mess tomorrow."

"I'm a masochist so I guess I'll be there."

"Good."

~

Liz closed behind Michael and went upstairs. There, she took a long hot shower to relax her battered body. Not to herself: never piss off a Skin again because their power blasts were quite good.

She passed the rest of the night lying on her bed, unable to sleep despite her exhaustion. Isabel got to be shaken up, that's not everyday you learnt you're responsible for the destruction of your whole planet. And she thought her life was bad, tonight she really didn't want to be in the blonde's shoes.

~

CRASHDOWN
December, Saturday 1st

Michael showed up early to help her with the cleaning and after they were finished they eat breakfast in the kitchen. They finished the chocolate cake of Isabel.

"You like?" asked Liz.

"It's good. Oh I nearly forgot," said Michael searching through his backpag and retrieved a wrapped box. "Here."

"Huh, what is it?"

"It's a gift, Parker, you're sensed to open it."

The brunette blinked and slowly unwrapped the small box. She opened it and her eyes widened when she saw the leather wristband with some strange symbols on it.

"Wow. It's for me?"

"Yeah, it's a birthday gift. You know about last time, when you said it should be December, 1st. I wanted to give you something to remember this day. You're not forced to wear it if you don't like it, I kind of made it so..."

"No, it's beautiful. Thank you." she replied smiling brightly, her eyes glowing with happiness as she put it on.

~

Few minutes later, they were opening the Crashdown and waitresses and regulars began to arrive. Saturday morning was one of the busiest days. Few hours passed and Liz longed for her lost intern's job, but she wasn't really in the mood to go there and classify files when she knew their owner was dead. The brunette was on her break when she noticed Isabel was there. The blonde saw her watching her and designed the empty seat next to her, telling Liz silently she wanted to talk.

"Hey Isabel," greeted Liz as she sat in front of her. "How are you?"

"It could be better." replied honestly the alien. "About last night..."

"Desperate people say stupid things sometimes. Besides the past is the past, Isabel, let's just leave it at that."

The blonde observed the shorter girl for a long moment, it was tacit, but Liz hinted she wasn't going to tell what Whitaker revealed if Isabel also forgot what happened in the power plant. Like how Liz, a mere human, managed to prevent Whitaker to kill them all or the 'Supergirl' comment. Isabel had questions, tons but she wasn't ready to tell Max and Michael the truth. Not so soon. She needed time to process those information so she was only too happy to accept Liz's deal.

"You're right."

"Glad you feel the same way." said the brunette standing up. "Your cherry coke is on the house. Enjoy."

Isabel watched Liz heading toward the kitchen. She would respect their agreement, she wasn't going to talk or ask about it, she wouldn't forget though.

~

[demonyte]

A/N: I'm kinda disappointed because I think cutting chapter 8 in half disrupts the flow of the story, guess I'll just have to deal with it. Oh, nearly forgot the song used is Voodoo Baby by Hypnogaya, a band I just discovered thanks to one of my LJ friends.

A/NII: WARNING: Adult/Nc-17 part. I'm a little anxious I don't write those kind of scenes often, so I hope you won't think it's crap.

kittens: Your point of view is interesting even though I don't share it. Let's being honest, I'm not a Max fan, I've got a whole 'He's an ass' issue so there is no way I'm going to give him a huge role so he's got crappy healing powers. I liked involving the Skins but I admit I enjoy more playing with the DA's universe than Roswell's.

~


PART 8 b)


Liz entered in the kitchen, a satisfied smile on her lips, finally the consequences of using her abilities last night weren't too bad. Whitaker's revelations had been a gift from the Gods since it would secure the silence of Isabel. A good thing the Skin died, if she hadn't the rest of the gang (minus Michael) would certainly be playing twenty questions with her. Once again, her eyes fell on the wristband, it was really beautiful and she was really moved by Michael's gesture. She never thought he would get her something or remember their conversation after what happened during Isabel's party.

The rest of the day was rather uneventful, her parents headed to another convention in Las Cruces and she was charged of managing the restaurant during their absence. Everything was going just fine until Courtney's break, Liz had just entered the break room, bringing some empty plates in the sinks when she saw the blonde slouching on the sofa, listening to the radio. There was absolutely nothing wrong with this picture until the brunette registered the song playing.

Should have been more careful when the black cat cross my path
Cause just one look in your eyes and there'll be no turning back
Now I get dizzy everytime you come around

The room is smoky, colorful neon lightening a mass of writhing bodies on the dancefloor. Her skin is tingling and her mouth waters at the crowd of male bodies, she breathes the scent of sweat, testosterone and arousal in the air. She's burning, her mind clouded by the imperatives of her body. She shouldn't be here, she should be searching the city for her brother but she can't stop herself. Her heart is hammering in her chest and she knows what she would see if she checked herself in a mirror. Flushed cheeks, panting breath and glistening eyes.

The room is spinning no faster but my feet are off the ground
No chains around me, but I can't seem to break free
You must have cast some kind of spell on me

A moan escapes her throat when she begins to dance with several guys, her skin is hypersensitive and the slightest touch makes her blood boil. She stares at the group of guys devouring her with their eyes, wondering which one she's going to pick. She knows she's going to hate herself in the morning for what she's going to do, usually she always fight the heat but this time she won't. Her time in Miami is limited and she can't lose days fighting against her feline urges.

You know you can make me do anything you want me to
No request is too taboo, must be voodoo baby

She climbs on an empty podium, moving her hips on the maddened beat. One guy joins her and she finds herself nodding her appreciation, tall, muscular, dirty blonde hair and pouty lips which could make a girl jealous. He grins at her, his eyes glowing under the red lights as they begin to dance together, or maybe sex with their clothes on would be a more fitting term. His strong hands slide across her back, bringing her closer to him and all she can do is visualizing how he'll look when they'll be fucking.

You know all the things to say, to make sure that I always stay
You know how to get your way, must be voodoo baby

She links her arms around his neck, plastering herself against his hard body as her fingers slide into his short hair. He leans down and she expects him to kiss her, surprised when he ignores her lips to rub his cheek against hers, nearly purring in satisfaction. The sense of familiarity is so strong she doesn't need another minute to realize the guy in front of her is no one else than Ben. And that's when she opens her mouth to say something that the bastard kisses her.

When Liz came out of it, she found herself screaming obscenities at Courtney.
"Turn that fucking thing off!" she shouted, but the blonde, too dumbfounded by Liz's outburst, was unable to move.

Now in the midnight hour darkness falls across the land
You tame the beast within and you turn a monster in the man...

The brunette stalked toward her, grabbed the radio and threw it against the wall making the machine shatter into pieces. Minutes passed, the room was completely silent expected for Liz's ragged breathing. The waitress didn't have to turn to know Michael was like Courtney, that is to say staring at her in shock.

The kitchen's door slammed open and Maria appeared.

"Guys," she said, "customers remember? And who...?"

She cut herself when she spotted Liz, red faced, and the rest of the broken radio at her feet.

"Oh-kay," Maria stated, looking at her friend worriedly. Since Maria knew her, Liz Parker never ever lost her temper. "Someone can explain me what just happened?"

"Well, I think it's safe to say Liz doesn't like Hypnogaja." replied Courtney before turning toward the brunette. "And wow, I admit I'm impressed I never knew a goodie two shoes like you could curse so well. Though one advice, you might want to check the school's anger management sessions, all this pent up anger it can't be good for you."

And after this last statement, the blonde went back to work. Liz watched the retreating back of the waitress, biting the 'bitch' comment threatening to fall from her lips. She glanced at the radio dejectedly then at Michael and Maria, having no idea what to say.

"I'm taking my break." she blutered out before locking herself in the lavatories.

There, she sighed deeply, chastising herself for losing her composure. The day had begun so well and then this song making her remembering memories best forgotten. Miami. Ben. The scanned pictures Marvin sent her kept flashing through her mind and it was killing her inside to know there would be others. But could she condemn him when her hands were also coated with blood?

~

Guilt is anger directed at ourselves -- at what we did or did not do. Peter McWilliams

~

A knock on the door cut through her dark musings.

"Liz, are you ok?" asked Maria.

The brunette unlocked the door, knowing she would have to face her friend.

"I think so." she replied, splashing some water on her face. "I don't know what happened, I
guess the events of last night took their toll on me."

"Besides, Courtney has the gift to bring the worst inside people." commented Maria.

The brunette smiled at that and the two girls chuckled.

"Want to have an ice cream night?" proposed Maria. "I could sleep over."

"Thanks but I think I'm just going to sleep. Could you close with Michael?" asked Liz.

"No problem, Chica." assured her friend.

"You're a lifesaver Maria." said the brunette as they left the lavatories, then Liz headed straight upstairs after a brief 'Night Michael'. She didn't wait for a reply before getting in her bedroom, there she changed into comfy clothes instead of her green waitress uniform, brushed her teeth and checked her email, dreading at the idea of finding another one from Marvin.
Downstairs she could hear the last customers leaving and Michael and Maria closing the place. Sitting on her bed, Liz stared dejectedly at the growing pile of sheets and pictures concerning Ben's killings.

~

How can you help someone who doesn't want to be saved?

~

She ignored how long she kept staring at the pile, only regaining her senses when she heard Michael's familiar footsteps in the stairs and heading toward her room. Rapidly she undone her bed, slid inside and tugged the papers under the covers. She decided to feign sleep as he was opening the door but he was stopped by an annoyed Maria. Though she was whispering, Liz was able to hear the whole conversation, even through the door.

"What do you think you're doing, Michael?" whispered lowly an aggravated Maria.

"I just wanted to check..."

"You're checking nothhing, Liz is tired, stressed. She needs rest, a good night of sleep so don't you dare waking her up."

"But..."

"No, leave her alone. She's just destroyed a radio, she doesn't need to see you to know she's lost it. We'll see her tomorrow, now let's get going."

And the footsteps went away, few seconds later, she could hear Maria and Michael leaving. She kept listening for some time, knowing she did the right choice when Michael told Maria he was walking home. As soon as the Jetta left, Liz heard Michael return to the Crashdown, using her fire escape to climb on her balcony. She stayed on the same position, her eyes closed as she felt Michael's gaze on her. She had explained to him that even though sleep wasn't needed by her metabolism she sometimes allowed herself to nap.

After few minutes, she heard him leaving the balcony as silently as he could. She fooled him then, good. Opening her covers, she retrieved the pieces of paper lying in her bed, rereading them once again.

~

Little Thumb and her were always paired up during duo-team assignments, he was the best at following trails. Now it's him who's easy to follow because he's leaving bodies everywhere he goes. She didn't understand so she followed. Wanting to know why and when Little Thumb became Blue Beard. She's scared by the amount of skeletons she found in his closet and she tried to make him stop. Tried to make him see the light. But he sent her arguments back in her face, designed the first skeleton and reminded she was also there, that she took a part in his death.

~

Flashback

She slowly woke up, feeling the thin cotton sheet against her naked skin. It took her few seconds to remember the events of last night. Her heat. The club. Ben. The furious make out in the back alley of the club, her legs wrapped around his waist, his tongue inside her throat drowning her cries of pleasure as he fingered her, fast and rough. Then the quick walk, no, run to his motel's room where they crashed on the bed, tearing at each other clothes as fast as they could, driven only by desire and the need for release.

She remembered how his pupils were dilated by arousal, the moth green of his eyes nearly gone, when he entered her. The sharp pain at his intrusion. And the understanding which dawned on his face when he realized it was her first time. How he leaned down and captured her lips in a gentle, almost chaste kiss as he let her getting used to the feeling of being filled before moving slowly inside of her. How she moaned as waves of pleasure coursed through her whole body, forcing him to go deeper, faster by digging her nails into his broad shoulders.

He spent the whole night worshipping every inch of her body, whispering praises in her ear and the simple fact of thinking about it made her wet. She felt her cheeks heating up, forced to admit it had been very pleasurable and that she couldn't forced herself to regret it happening.

She rolled on her other side, finding Ben propped on an elbow staring at her, for one second she lost focus of the situation, her eyes wandering over his muscular chest and her mouth going dry. She missed him moving until he leaning over her, caressing her cheek.

"Look at you, so beautiful." he murmured in awe. "Baby Doll."

She grabbed the hand on her cheek, squeezing it.

"Ben..." she began, resolved at bringing up the reason of her coming to Miami. Though maybe trying to talk about it in bed, naked, had been a strategical mistake.

"Shh." he hushed, as his mouth covered hers, his tongue playing with hers. He bit and nibbled at her lips until they were puffy and wet with saliva, the brunette blinked through the heated kiss, trying to find her vocabulary back and the force to push Ben away. She finally managed it and pushed on his shoulder.

"Stop, enough." she told him as she sat up, bringing the sheet to cover her naked chest. "We need to talk."

He sighed, lying back on the bed, covering his face with an arm. During that time, the brunette tried to localize her clothes discarded everywhere across the floor. She spotted her bra and panties and quickly grabbed them before putting them on. She was just finished when she noticed Ben watching her silently and God, if felt awkward. She put the rest of her clothes on and threw his boxers to Ben, waiting impatiently he did the same. Then she rubbed her tensed neck, staring at her brother with worry as she bit her lips.

"You've got to stop killing people." she dropped. "You're being careless and it's... it's not right and I don't understand what you're trying to do."

"Right." he snorted as he stood up. "You know perfectly what I'm trying to do. I'm doing what we were designed to do."

"What? Hunt people down in forests after giving them necklaces of the Blessed Virgin before taking their teeth?" she spat out angrily as she stared at the silver chain hanging around his neck.

"You know quite a lot about what I've been up to."

"I have my own sources but that's not the point. If I could find you, Lydecker can too." the brunette countered as Ben walked toward her until they were face to face. "Just stop."

"How could I?" he asked, putting his hand on her bare shoulder. "Look at ourselves Lux, thanks to Her we've been reunited."

She shook herself from his grip.

"Wake up you stupid idiot. I came here because of the trail of bodies you leave in your wake, there is nothing magical or divine at the reasons of my presence." she stated. "Do you hear me, your silly icon did nothing. It's worthless."

"Don't talk about Her like that." he growled, seizing her by the shoulders and pushing her against the wall.

"Or what?" she shot back. "Are you going to kill me for badmouthing the tale we created? Are you going to offer her my teeth too?"

"Don't be silly, I could never hurt you. I saved you, remember?"

"I do. That's why I'm here today, it's my turn." she replied honestly. "Let's just forget this whole thing, okay? Come with me, I have a place, it's safe and you'll like it. We won't have to separate, we'll be together this time."

She could hear the despair breaking through her voice but hoped her brother wouldn't, she was ready to give him the moon if it stopped him to relive one of the worst days of their lives again and again. He smiled, caressing her cheek tenderly.

"As tempting as it may sound I have to decline."

"Why?"

"Because for protecting us the Blue Lady needs my offerings."

And he looked so convinced that she wanted to shake him until he saw the truth, that's when she lost her temper.

"Open your eyes, Ben, she's never been real. You..."

"No, she's real!" he cut her. "Because I asked her to look out for you, Lux, among the whole unit that's you I wanted to see the most. And you're here, she did it."

"You're wrong. You can't keep doing that, it's not you, Ben."

"Yes, it is." he affirmed. "And that who you are too. C'mon Lux, don't tell me you forgot that day."

"Believe me I tried."

"But you couldn't. You know why? Because it was the most exhilarating day of your life."

"No, it was my worst nightmare."

Ben ignored her reply. "For one brief moment, you were what you were meant to be -- a predator."

"Stop it."

"What's the matter, Lux? You afraid to remember?" he wondered, looking in her haunted dark eyes as she remembered the hunt which happened so many years ago. "I remember watching him run off into the woods . . . how long it seemed for Lydecker to count down the seconds. He never had a chance. Don't tell me you don't wake up with the sound of your heart pounding in your ears. Or the taste of blood in your mouth."

"Shut up!"
"You're like a wolf in sheep's clothing, Lux! You're hiding your instincts, every minute of every day, so no one will know what you really are. A soldier . . . a hunter . . . a killer."

"Shut up!"

"And you love it, you can lecture me all you want." he whispered in her ear. "Truth is if killing repulsed you so much, heat or not, you would never have slept with me. Who knows? It might explain why you were so wild under my touch."

She punched him in the mouth, her whole body shaking with fury at his insinuation. She glared at him as he ran a finger over his bloody lip and smiled.

"See? Just proved my point."

End of Flashback

And as she kept reading the files again and watching the pictures of all those dead men, she couldn't help but feel responsible. If only she had found the right words or if... it could have... it should have... But it was too late and the only thing she could do was wait for another murder. She clamped a hand over her mouth, muffling the sobs wracking her body and trying to stop remembering.

~

The days which followed were fogged, she was on autopilot. Sunday had been unpleasant and she had felt her friends' worried glances constantly. During the week, at school, it was easier to deal, they hadn't the same classes, she got to her classes, listened absently the teachers, and among other things thought to Brin and Ben. The time which sucked though was lunch, Maria and Alex weren't stupid and recognized the aura of 'Go away' emanating from her.

Only problem was... Michael didn't, or chose to ignore it.

So during Maria and Alex warned the rest of the group it would be better to let the brunette some breathing room, Michael sat down next to her.

"Chill, Brin's gone. What's the matter Parker?" asked tactlessly Michael.

The brunette kept pushing her vegetables with her fork for awhile before glancing up.

"You know, I think I preferred the time where you kept to yourself." she snapped. "I'm getting sick of your questions. Get off my back Michael, you're not my mother."

The alien watched Liz stand up, drop her untouched tray on a shelf and storm out of the cafeteria. That went well, noticed Michael with irony. What was her problem? PMS? But since he valued his life, he wasn't going to ask her that, it's just his friend had been mopping those last few days (when she wasn't destroying defenseless radios). He had just wanted to make sure everything was alright, meaning nothing life threatening was going on.

~

It took Liz the rest of the day to admit to herself she's been a total asshole. Michael had just been trying to look out for her and yes, he made a tactless comment but he always had been like that. Throwing back to his face the fact he was asocial and cut off had been a Pam Troy's move and if there was one person she hated asides Lydecker it was really Pam Troy. Condescending little bitch and that's exactly how the brunette acted. Even though insults and mean comments seemed to roll off Michael like nothing, it wasn't true. The guy took some matters at heart, and this one was one of them so she needed to say she was sorry for her behavior.

She waited until closing time, relieved to know that despite what she said Michael still helped her, to corner him in the kitchen.

"Listen Michael, I'm sorry for blowing your head off." apologized Liz. "And I'm sorry for what I said, I was angry and I took it out on you."

"It's ok."

"No it's not." she replied, frowning. "It's just... I'm not used to sharing stuff, my other life's stuff. Don't get me wrong, you knowing is good. I like that. Being able to relax around you and you being here for me means a lot. To me. What I'm trying to say with a lot of babbling and when exactly did I turned into Maria, I have no idea but the thing is sometimes I just need space. I can't talk about everything, that's not me."

She glanced at Michael, biting her lower lip.

"So if I understand right, you're telling me sometimes I have to butt out."

"That's it."

"Fine, I don't like it but I'll do it, on one condition though."

"Which is?"

"I want you to warn me if you have problems, you or your family. I want to be warned because I'm the only one who knows about your soldier status and Manticore, because I'll be the only one worried sick. This condition isn't negotiable."

"Nonnegotiable? You have quite a nerve."

He shrugged. "I'm Michael Guerin, aren't I? So, deal?"

She looked at his raised hand before shaking it.

"Deal."

And after making sure every machine was turn off, the brunette headed upstairs.

"Hey Liz," called Michael making her turned in the middle of the stairs. "I know I'm not good with words but if you need someone to talk to, or even just listen. I'm here."

"I know." she replied with a smile. "Goodnight Michael, lock the door on your way out, please."

"Sure."

~

If your brother was a murderer, would you want people to know?

~

~TBC~

[demonyte]

A/N: Thank you for the reviews, guys. I'm so happy you liked you liked the last part, I was really nervous about how the sex scene would be taken so I was surprised in front of all your praises.

jamy21: I admit it's a little confusing. Ben and Liz were 'raised' together so it's normal they share a sibling relationship, however they're not related by blood so it's not incest if they sleep with each other. True, Liz slept with Ben but she was in heat, so in my opinion her actions weren't completely rational. Like when you're drunk and you do (stupid) things you wouldn't normally do because you're inhibited. Besides it's the same scenario with Zack and Maxie, though they grew up together and shared a sibling relationship Zack loves Max in a non brotherly way.

And for how it will affect her relationship with Alec, Dear, you'll just have to wait. :p

pandas2001, orphyfets, polar vixen, Brook: Happy you like it.

*shiri&jensen4ever*: Thanks, I admit it's not really a song I'll see passing in a nightclub but I found the lyrics worked well for Liz's heat so I pimped it. Usually I don't like fics where there are lyrics, after too many of them I think it gets boring so I'm happy you like it. You don't know how relieved I am to know you found their meeting hot.

Aussietrueblue: My ego is so hugging you. More? Hmm, you'll have to wait for Alec.

Rachelg224:

Omg, that was so hot and great! Your very talented. I am just so speechless here.

You're my first speechless, thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate.

funkeldunkel: That's it, maybe I saw you on Polar attraction or something like that. Glad, happy, ecstatic you like Ben and Liz's meeting.

Roswell Slayer: She'll find out but not before several parts, though she's going to dig around. I'm going to stop before spoiling the whole thing. By the way, just one question. Are you ever going to continue your fics? I admit your Xover Fast&Furious/DA/Roswell has always been one of my favorite xovers. *puppy dog eyes* I'm happy you like the growing friendship between them.

Mrsjbehr: Thanks, happy to have you reading it.

WomanofMystery: Happy to see you enjoying it. *smiles*

~



PART NINE



Whitaker's disappearance had been easy to cover, Liz kept doing her intern job and told people who called the congresswoman was on vacation. Nothing big happened asides the fact Michael discovered Courtney was also a Skin. Then came a news program announcing Vanessa Whitaker's death in a car accident at her hometown, Copper Summit, Arizona, funny to learn that when you watched the woman flesh flying through the air two weeks ago. And yeah, aliens were strong and had cool powers but ubiquity gift? She just didn't buy it.

So Isabel, Max, Tess and herself went to Copper Summit during Michael and Maria stayed in Roswell to find Courtney. Liz went with the group because she was the only person having a reason to show up to the funeral since she had worked with Whitaker. Besides, she admitted she was curious about the whole 'Vilandra' project. In the end, the only thing they discovered at Copper Summit were the Skins, they got nearly killed and managed to destroy the only way of survival of the aliens. It should have been a good thing and it was, the only problem was they hadn't calculated the Skins would be pissed off and plant a weapon wiping off humans in Roswell. The brunette had been bitter to discover that her feline and shark DNA hadn't prevented her to disappear. Finally everything went back to normal, thanks to Maria and Tess who saved the day.

Now December was gone, January came on and Liz only hoped they wouldn't have an alien disaster. She had her fill for the year and she had her own problems. The seizures were still there and she was worried by their intensity. No news from Marvin which was a good thing concerning the particularly sensitive topic they talked about.

***

The Little Red Riding Hood (and yes, the image is sadly quite fitting) went to see her sick brother and tried to heal him. They argued, his words cut and she hit him. He laughed and wiped the blood off his mouth, gloating but she didn't let him. She yelled at him, tore him a new one and he was startled because she never did before. She used to believe the tales about the Blue Lady, used to love listening his stories but now she argued. She could see he felt her arguments sounded true but when she was on the verge to convince him to go with her, Hell broke loose and they had to flee.

***

Flashback

"I was in heat, you or someone else it would have been the same. You can insinuate everything you want but it's just bullshit." she spat out bitterly. "But let's talk about the Almigthy Lady, you offer her teeth to make her stronger, to make her protect us, right? What about Jack, huh? Did she protect him when he had seizures and they took him away? Do you remember Maxie coming back and telling us what they did to him? And what about Eva? Lydecker shot her only because she tried to protect us. So no, sorry but I don't believe in The Lady."

"Don't..."

"Let me finish." she cut him. "You want to know something funny, Ben? You told me you asked her to look out for me, because you wanted to see me again after the escape. Well, where was she nine months ago when I got shot? That's right, bullet in the abdomen and let me tell you it hurt like hell."

He blanched.

"No. It can't be..."

"True? Yes, it was. I've never lied to you and you know it. So I'm asking you where was she when I was losing my blood all over the floor? I could have use her help then."

She sighed.

"Look I'm not here to fight. Can't you at least give me a chance to make you change of opinion?" the brunette wondered, grabbing his arm and squeezing lightly. "Please, Ben, just pass a couple of days with me, that's all I'm asking. I missed you."

"I missed you too." he murmured.

She smiled at his admission and hugged him tightly, he smelled like wood and she also detected a faint coppery smell clinging on him. She knew perfectly what it was and it made her heart clench but she couldn't let it go to her, if she played her cards right Ben would follow her in Roswell and then she'll be able to convince him.

"So?" she whispered against his neck, "What do you say?"

"Okay."

She released her hold, grinning happily. "You won't be disappointed," she assured. "Alright, put the rest of your clothes on, let's take your bag and we're gone."

During Ben dressed himself, she rattled what they were going to do.

"I thought I would come back home with planes but since you've no legal ID it's not an option. I've got money, I'll rent a car." the brunette decided as Ben grabbed his bag and they headed outside the room. Lux was beginning to descend the stairs leading toward the counter and the exit when she stopped in mid-step.

"We've got company." she stated, frowning as she watched two soldiers talking to the old landlord behind the counter. "How could they know you're here?"

During their conversation, they began to go back on their steps quietly, staying unnoticed by the three men downstairs.

"Might be because the last guy I chose was staying in the room next to mine."

The brunette stared at him in disbelief.

"Terrific." she muttered under her breath as she ushered him back in his room. "Please, tell me you've got ammo."

"Of course." he replied, digging into his bag. "Here."

He gave her a 9 mm and few magazines.

"We're leaving by the emergency stairs," stated the brunette, listening for the arrival of the soldiers at their door. So far they were still talking to the guy, they didn't seem to know Ben was here, only that the victim stayed there. Though it didn't hurt to be cautious and leave before the so sweet men of Lydecker decided to check around. "Open the window."

"And nobody talked to Mr.Mayers?"

"Well, know you're asking me... I think the guy in the room next to him did. A nice young man, always pays his rent in time, never loud."

"Shit, Ben, we've been spotted. We need to go now." said Liz as her sibling managed to open the old stuck window and went outside.

"Can you describe him? What is his name?"

"Hmm, blonde hair, early twenties, tall. Doesn't talk a lot. Hmm, I think I have his name somewhere... ah! here, Benjamin Brooks."

Lux stared at her brother as she slipped at her turn on the emergency stairs.

"You stupid idiot, 'Benjamin'? Couldn't you use an alias?" she whispered as they descended as quietly and as fast as possible.

"I was planning to leave this motel last night."

"So now you're blaming me?" she hissed, glaring and wanting to hit him really really hard.

"I didn't say that." he replied, scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.

He jumped on the ground, raising his head to see the soldiers sticking their heads through his window and yelling into their radio.

"C'mon Lux." he called as he watched her jump from the ladder at her turn.

Bullets began to fly around them and the brunette ran toward her brother, careful not to let the soldiers see her face.

"Shit!" cursed Lux as a bullet passed near her ear. "You know that's not like this I pictured us finding each other again."

End of flashback

***
During weeks, Liz stared at her computer dreadfully, waiting for the next news from Marvin. And one monday, after closing time she went to her room to see an icon blinking on her computer.
'You've got one message.

She sat on her chair, sighing and knowing already what was going to be in it.

Memo: Two More
Re: RosGirl4@hotmail.com
From: TheyRAmongUs@yahoo.com

Hey Kate,

Two bodies have been discovered near Seattle, same M.O, same location, woods. It took me awhile to find about them, I've got a friend working there. Anyway, like the other times Lydecker showed up, but quicker than before that's why I nearly didn't find them. I have sent you the autopsy report with pictures in the linked file there. The amount of time between the killing is becoming shorter, I think it means something is going to happen soon.

Hope everything is fine for you,
Marvin

She clicked on the file, printing it before reading.

~
Autopsy Report

M.E: Dr. Shankar.

Date: DEC 19/2019

Name: Unknown
Forename: Unknown
Assigned name: John Doe 20-514

Sex: Male

Age: early 20's

Height: 6'2

Weight: 160 pounds

Origin: Asian

Cause of death: Broken neck.

Statement: The killer snapped the neck at the second vertebra with one hand which shows he's incredibly strong. The victim's face and arms were covered with cuts and abrasions that indicate he was moving fast through the brush, the body of the victim was found displayed on a rock outcropping.

His left arm was twisted around behind his back, broken at the elbow. His shoulder was dislocated. No bruising which means it was postmortem. His teeth were pulled out surgically. The work was done very precisely, we might suppose the killed kept them as some kind of souvenir. A tattoo has been found at the base of his neck, still fresh, so it's been done within the last two weeks. Sign of abrasion around his neck, could be a failed attempt at strangulation. Or possibly he was wearing some kind of necklace that was torn off at some point.

Fingernails scrapings currently analized.
~

Liz stopped reading since the rest of the report was talking about tests made on the guy to see if there was any drug in his blood. She watched the pictures, there wasn't even a report for the other John Doe 20-515 because Lydecker showed up immediately, however there were still pictures which showed he was also one of Ben's victims. Same M.O. She took the report and the pictures, opening her closet before retrieving its floor. There was her weapon stash and the file where she put everything concerning Ben, she added the report and the pictures and closed it back. She had to hide it, if her mother went to search something in her room and found gruesome pictures of deceased men it would lead to a big problem and a discussion with her parents she didn't want to have.

***

The Little Red Riding Hood went in the garage and retrieved the black Ninja her grandmother gave her for her fourteen birthday. When she drove it, she always remembered this cold night of December when her brother and her were leaving the dark and frightening woods. She drove in the night, toward the desert, her mind haunted by the pictures she just saw. She felt defeated, angry, helpless and sad at the same time. In the middle of the desert, she stopped the engine and ran. Ran as fast as she could, uncaring of the direction, just wanting to numb the pain shredding her heart. Even if it only lasted one second. For one moment, she just wanted to be someone else, someone normal.

She didn't want to contemplate the fact her brother became the Big Bad Wolf and that she should have let him die when she had the occasion. Didn't want to feel guilty for all the men he killed, all the men she could have saved if she had stopped him. But she owed him her freedom, it was him who gave her the chance to have a normal life so she let the boy, the lover of one night, the brother go.

How she wished to have magic powers. Erase the past with a wave of her wand or go back in time. She'll go back after the escape and she would find him, together they would go to the desert, meet Grandma Claudia and be welcomed by the Parkers. Then they would move to Roswell and her Dad would open the Crashdown. They would live there, happy, Ben would become friends with Michael, she was sure of it, and he wouldn't get consumed by the terrible lessons of the Evil Sorcerer. He wouldn't get lost.

It was her castle in the sky, her beautiful, inaccessible, impossible castle in the sky.

Her lungs were burning and threatening to burst out of her chest when she finally stopped running. The night was pitch black and the wind was making the sand twirl in the sky and not so far away she could hear the cry of the coyotes. She stared at the desert for a long time, feeling drained and furious altogether, she wanted to kick something or hurt someone. She wanted to make the rage bleed out of her fists until nothing remains. She wanted to cry but her eyes were dry and besides, she was sick of bawling like a baby. She didn't do tears, it wasn't her thing, however since she discovered Ben's murders it seemed she became a fucking fountain.

So she cursed him, cursed her brother for getting lost, for being so stupid, for keeping up this morbid charade. She hated him, she wanted him here to beat some sense into his head. She hated what he was doing to himself and to her by the same occasion. She cursed herself for caring so much, though she knew she always would, cursed the blinding pain spreading through her whole body more each day. Despair tasted like silver and wood and blood. She tilted her head, feeling the sudden change in the wind announcing the rain, and opened her mouth.

The sound which fell from her lips was everything but human. It was the scream of a wounded beast hidden for years under layers of human flesh, it went on and on, echoing through the desert and making the animal world fall silent. The raw pain and sadness sipping through the wordless scream was deafening. It scared the coyotes and scarred every living being to the day of their death. It went on and on and when it finally ended, droplets of water fell, the sky was crying.


***

Michael Guerin was awoken by the sound of someone knocking at his door, he glanced blurrily at his alarm clock, groaning when he saw it was 3:00 AM. Who the hell was here at this hour? And with this weather? He wondered as he heard the rain falling hard against his windows, he left his warm bed cursing when his toe stumbled against his nightstand.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." he growled as the person knocked again. Unlocking the door rapidly, he opened it and the ass chewing he had prepared died on his lips as he saw his visitor.

"Liz?"

The brunette was on his doorstep, bearing many similarities with a drown rat, her hair was plastered against her face and her red tank top was completely soaked, like the rest of her clothes. She didn't seem to be bothered by that, it was the naked anguish written on her face which rendered Michael mute. She seemed... broken.

"Your offer is still standing?" she murmured, and Michael nearly didn't hear her because of the rain.

He ushered Liz inside, now wide awake as he hunted down some clean towels for her. Few minutes later, he was back in the living room finding her standing exactly at the same spot, dripping water on his carpet.

"Hey, here, take some to dry you up." he said as he draped one towel around her shoulders.

"I don't get cold Michael, I told you that." she replied, making no move to take the other towel.

"Well, do me a favor then." he shot back. "You're drowning my carpet here, Parker."

Frowning in front of her lack of reactions, he used the towel still in his hand to wipe the water off her face. Then he proceeded to dry her hair, he put the towel on her head and rubbed it slowly, making it absorb the water. In the process his hand brushed her cheek and his worry crept up a notch when he noticed her skin was ice cold.

"Alright, that's it." he said. "You're frozen, so I'm going to pass you some clothes and you're going to put them on. Super soldier or not I don't give a flying fuck, I'll dress you myself if I have to but you're going out of those soaked things."

He went in his room and came back with a t-shirt and an old pair of sweatpants.

"You're certainly going to swim in those but they're the smaller size I've got." he told her as he put the clothes in her arms. "Bathroom is the door on your left, you have five minutes."

She sighed but nodded and went into the bathroom.

Michael sat in his sofa, rubbing his forehead tiredly and turned on the lamp, realizing only now he forgot to do it when she arrived. Nervous, he stood up and went to the kitchen deciding to make her something hot to drink. He opened several shelves, hoping he still had some Maria's energizing tea. Finally, he found one packet and mentally thanked the blonde for it. He took a mug, put some water and the packet of tea in it and warmed it with his powers. The tea was just ready when Liz left the bathroom.

Michael turned, satisfied when he saw her wearing the Metallica T-shirt and the pants he gave her. Maybe he should just have given her the t-shirt since it nearly went to her shins, well, at least she should be warm with them. She sat in the sofa and Michael joined her, giving her the mug.

"Drink." he ordered.

"No need to boss me around." she stated with a hint of annoyance.

"Tell me that when you're not turning into a Popsicle." he answered, watching her sip the tea slowly.

The silence lasted during several minutes until Michael decided to break it.

"So?" he asked. "You want to talk about it?"

"Not really." She replied, staring at her tea as if it contained all the secrets of the universe.

"Okay."

"Am I bothering you?"

"Of course not, I thought I told you last time. If I'm here, it means I'm here." he repeated. "You want something to eat?"

"Not really."

"Good conversation skills." he noticed sarcastically. "And you're hoping to go to Harvard with that?"

"Stop making fun of me." she said, punching him lightly on the arm, the corners of her lips twitching slightly.

She sighed, taking another sip from her mug.

"What's wrong, Liz?" he asked.

"Everything, I guess." replied vaguely the brunette, wanting to stay honest. "I hate the fact Brin's gone."

"But she was here to track you down."

"True but she's my sister. Let's imagine years ago the FBI kidnapped Isabel, brainwashed her and send her to hunt you down. How would you feel if she was in the same room than you and that there was no way you could talk to her without the threat of ending straddled on a slab?" asked Liz, staring straight at Michael, her brown eyes burning with despair. "Then she leaves and you know she's going back to a place where they'll force her to do terrible things. And you know that if she was in her right state of mind she would prefer receive a bullet than go back there."

She finished the mug. "The worst is I was a selfish coward. I didn't even try to do something, too worried about being recaptured."

"And what could you do? She was brainwashed and her only goal was to drag you back to Manticore. Everything you would have said would have fallen into deaf ears."

"You don't know that. Maybe..."

"Liz, she was here undercover, the whole town was being searched, Lydecker was there with marines." countered Michael. "Alone against them, there was nothing you could have done for her. If you had tried anything, you would have just gotten recaptured. It must have been hard for you not to say anything, it must have hurt like a bitch but you had no choice. See it that way, now you're still free, maybe later you can try to find a way to get her out of Manticore."

"You're right." she said firmly. "I swear that even if I get killed in the process, I'll get her out of this place."

"Woah, woah, I didn't ask for so much."

"She's my sister, Michael, I'll die for her like you'll die for Max or Isabel." she shot back.

"Oh, and Tess." she added a little sheepishly after few seconds.

Her stomach decided to growl and Michael left the couch to look in his shelves.

"Cheetos?"

"Bring them on!" yelled back Liz.

They ate slowly, the silence now comfortable and tension free.

"What would you do if you knew someone you cared about did bad things?" she dropped out of the blue.

"Bad things? A little information there, anything more specific?"

"No."

"Fine. You're sure?"

"Yes."

"So by bad you mean 'I've cheated for a test I'm suspended for a few days' bad or 'I've killed a federal agent and they've discovered my knife next to his body' bad?"

She glared at him for forcing the issue.

"More like 'I beat men to death and play dentist surgery on them because I keep their teeth as trophy' bad." she shot back.

In front of Michael's frozen and horrified expression, Liz's good sense came back on line.

"Chill, I'm kidding." she lied.

She replaced one lock of her hair behind her ear. "He hurts people." she whispered, realizing too late she let out the pronoun.

"He?" repeated Michael. "Zack?"

"Oh no!" replied the brunette shaking her head. "Zack's just... Zack, tends to overreact sometimes."

"I've noticed." recalled Michael. "So who is 'he'?"

Liz contemplates her options for few minutes and decided she could give him this answer.

"Ben." the brunette replied. "But it's not his fault, if you knew him you would know it. Something went wrong with his programming, he keeps doing an exercise Lydecker made us do at Manticore."

"No! Please! Please, stop it!" begged the guy, blood gushing out of his nose, eyes wide with terror.

"He's a Nomlie, look at his heart." said Ben looking at his siblings solemnly before the group of children fell on the prisoner and beat him to death.

"It's not his fault." Liz repeated, maybe trying to convince herself more than Michael. "He doesn't realize what he's doing is wrong."

"What kind of exercise?"

"It's just...bad." she said.

"Well bad or not, you can't feel responsible for him. You're his sister, not his mother. You don't force him to do whatever he's doing, it's his own choice." stated Michael, trying to reply honestly even though he was walking in the dark. "He's the only one who can decide to stop, not you or anyone else but him."

The brunette stared at her friend for few minutes before nodding.

"You're right. Doesn't mean I have to like it though."

Michael passed a hand through his hair.

"Good, let's catch few hours of sleep before going to school then. Couch is okay for you? Let me just grab you a pillow and a blanket."

"It's unnecessary, I don't need sleep."

"I see." said Michael as he went in his room for an extra pillow and blanket. "Nightmares?"

She shrugged. "Sometimes."

"Scoot over." he said as he sat next to her, putting the pillow in her back and wrapping them with the blanket.

"Michael, it's ok really. You should go to your room and sleep, you're going to be exhausted."

"Won't be my first sleepless night Parker." he said as he grabbed the remote and turn the TV on.

They watched an old football match, eating and talking from time to time. It was 5:00AM when the rain finally stopped.

"I'd better leave," said Liz, "I need to go back to the Crashdown before all Roswell learns Goodie Two Shoes Liz Parker is driving a Ninja. Doesn't fit with my image."

"You're shitting me."

She shook her head, a little grin on her lips. "She's parked outside." she informed Michael, watching him with amusement as he went to the window to drool openly on her bike.

"Holy shit!" he cursed. "How come you never told me you had one?"

"Never came in the conversation."

"You've got to let me drive it. At least once."

"I'll think about it. If you're good." she teased. "Hum, for your clothes, is it alright if I give them back later? I don't think mine are dry already."

"Sure, no problem."

He gave her a bag for her wet clothes and she headed toward the door.

"Thanks again for listening me, I really needed that."

"Anytime." he said, opening the door as he watched her drive away. Damn, he thought gazing at the engine with envy, he needed to drive this bike.

***

Few weeks passed and Liz felt better. Finally talking to Michael had been a good idea, it was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She didn't know how to decipher the fact there hadn't been any other body found but she decided to be optimistic and see it as a good sign.

Michael tried her Ninja and fell in love with it. Liz also began to teach him hand to hand, the lessons were fun and Michael was a fast learner, it was good to have a partner for sparing.

Today was the end of the week and they were at the Crashdown, finishing their shift. For once the night was really slow that is to say one customer asking for his coffee and the check, Liz proposed to Michael and Maria to have a movie night after preparing some cookies, she had a weakness for hot crunchy chocolate cookies. As Liz was baking, helped by Michael, she listened to Maria's gossip.

"Please, Maria, stop it." she said laughing. "Spare us the gory details."

"What? It's the truth. Why would you want me not to tell you the day where Karma hit Pam Troy? I swear it was the best day of my life." the blonde stated with a satisfied smile and a sigh of pleasure. "Serves the slut right."

"Touchy." noticed Michael with a smirk. "C'mon Maria, what's your story with Pam?"

"Asides the fact she's a class A bitch who always spread dirt on me and my mother and that she made my life a living hell in middle school? Nothing. Well the school councilor says deep down I don't hate her, I'm just jealous. Jealous." she repeated with a snort.

"School councilor? Do I really want to know?" he ventured.

"Trust me, you don't." replied Liz with a grin. "Give me the milk."

"I'm not your slave, Parker."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"And what's that supposed to mean? My body isn't hot enough for you?"

"Not at all Michael, I drool over your body, I even have a shrine in my room dedicated to you." she shot back with irony.

"Careful Michael, soon she'll tell you she waited fifty years for you and that she needs to use your bathtub." warned Maria and the two girls chuckled.

"Har har, very funny." muttered the guy, shaking his head at the teasing of his friends.

He grabbed the carton of milk, his smile fading when he noticed the picture on it.

"Maria, can you go upstairs and choose a movie?" he asked.

"Sure." she said, leaving the sofa and climbing the stairs.

"And no chick flick!" he called after her, waiting until she disappeared in Liz's room to turn toward the brunette.

"You know I think I should be upset you believe my choice in movies sucks." stated Liz.

"Forget it, you better watch this." he said as he pointed the bottle.

She frowned and turned the bottle, her eyes falling on the picture. Her good mood evaporated as she read the inscription.

HAVE YOU SEEN MY MOMMY?
MISSING
PENNY SMITH AGE 22
MISSING SINCE SEP 02/2019

"I'm not blind?" asked Michael. "That's your sister, right?"

"Yes," she whispered, unable to tear her gaze away from the picture. "Oh God, she has a child. Oh God."

-TBC- *cliffhanger*

A/N: I'm going MIA for the next month and half. I'm going to Nice, sunbathing and everything. Sadly, I won't be able to go on internet so I was wondering if you wanted me to post the next chapter before I leave that is to say before friday morning. But then the chapter is going to be shorter though or I can post a larger chapter after vacations. Your choice.