Hey everyone! I'm here not with an Author's note, but an honest to goodness update! You all Can thank Ernest for letting me use his computer.
I like to dedicate these next two Parts to the memory of Cherie, who read this story and gave me FB and support. I miss her terribly.
Also I also like to thank everyone for your patience and support.
There's only the epilouge after this...hopefully I will get that finished ASAP.
Anywho, YOU GUYS ROCK!
Peace Carolyn
Chapter 24~Nobody Knows ~ By Carolyn Sawyers
Two hours ago, Serena, Felix and a few assistants, entered the granoliths chamber. Leaving strict instructions, that everyone else should wait outside in the pod chamber.
"I don't care if I'm in there for two hours, or two days! I want nothing, or no one screwing this test up!" She ordered. Glancing at everyone in the cave, daring them with her eyes, to defy her!
Max assured Serena, that her wishes would be fallowed.
So they've been anxiously waiting and hoping that soon they'll see Serena, or anyone else from her team, crawl out of the bottom pod with news.
Max was nervous, he really wanted this first try to work. Didn’t enough people die for the good of Antar already. It’s time his new friends got a second chance of life. There was no way back home once the granolith was used, to regenerate new husks for the surviving skins. They were stuck here, for god knows how long. Max suggested they use it to go back to Antar, but they wouldn't hear of it.
"We can't go back Max," Felix replied sadly, speaking for the group, "Antar is under Kivar's rule. We are as good as dead; if we show up there. No! Our home is earth, we will stay and protect you and hope one day we can go back to a peaceful Antar, just as I remember it when, I was a boy."
Max paced impatiently, dying from the wait. Michael strolled calmly up, with a Styrofoam cup of coffee and handed it to Max.
"It's terrible, but it's warm and it's got quite the kick.” Michael explain with a yawn. It’s been a long day, and it looks like it's going to be an even longer night. Maybe he should call Liz and cancel? There’s no way he's leaving this place until he knows the results of the granoliths first test.
"Thank you," Max said grabbing the Styrofoam cup, taking a sip, and making a face in disgust, "Yeow, you weren't kidding!"
Michael laughed and whapped him on the shoulder,” Just chug it Maxamillion, it's the only way to drink this stuff."
Max laughed, but the levitatey was short. He couldn't help but look at the pod, that leads to the granoliths chamber. Wondering what was taking so long. Did something go wrong? Is Felix dead? Will Serena be able to get the granolith working safely, if it failed? Max began to pace again, and Michael looked on, feeling Max's anxiousness.
"I'm sure everything will work out Max," Michael assured softly, knowing he too was having doubts of successfulness.
"I'm just trying to be positive here Michael," Max said softly, not wanting the rest of the skins to hear his doubtfulness, "I just can't help but think the worse. Everything always seems to go wrong whenever we think things are going our way, I need this test to work."
"Everyone does," Michael said with a smile, finishing off his coffee with a grimace, then he turned to Max and added,” Just be sure you don't blame yourself in case doesn’t. Everything is not always your fault you know.” He gave Max a wink, and walked away, before Max could rebuttal.
Michael could always read him well. Yeah he blamed himself, but it's hard not to. He’s king to a planet that's in a terrible war. He has a responsibility to these people to keep them alive. They were here because of him after all. It’s kind of humbling to know people actually die so you can live. It’s all still very new to him, and Max didn't want to let these people down. Just then his jacket began to ring. He reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out his cell phone. Liz’s number appeared on the window. Shit, she's probably wondering where he was. He kept telling himself he needed to call her, but of course he got distracted.
"Hey Liz," Max replied, wishing she was here with him.
"So, why do I have a sinking feeling you'll not be able to make our little rendezvous tonight?” Liz replied on the other end.
"Well you're right of course, I’m still at the cave. I’m sorry Liz, I've been meaning to call you forever, I totally lost track of time." Max said apologetically, walking towards a more private area of the cave.
"So, are you going to fill me in, or are you going to leave me here guessing?” Liz asked, making Max smile.
"Serena completed her work on the granolith, she's testing it right now." Max replied, making a chair out of a nearby boulder. Dying to sit down.
"Really,” Liz said excitedly, then a thought occurred and she said it out loud anxiously,” When you said she was testing it, do you mean it may-"
"Not be quite safe. Yeah. You're assumption is right." Max said, finishing Liz's sentence.
"So who's ah..."
"The guinea pig. Felix volunteered.” Max interrupted sadly, glancing a look at the pod chamber,” They’ve been secluded in there with the granolith for hours, I’m starting to feel a little nervous."
"I'm sure Everything will work out,” Liz assured him, sounding like Michael, a few minutes ago.
"Yeah. I hope so." Max said, wishing he could make him self sound a little bit more positive.
"Felix wasn't the first choice was he Max," Liz asked, wondering why she asked him that. The question just suddenly started echoing in her head.
"Yeah." He huffed not surprise. God it was like she was reading his mind, he was just thinking about how he was glad Simon didn't go first, and then she goes and asks him this question.
"Simon was demanding to go first wasn't he.” Liz asked, even though she knew the answer.
"Yes, that’s why I ran off suddenly, I was going to demand that he not act so hastily." Max replied.
"That's so like him, going off not thinking about himself,” Liz said, then asked,” So you went there to talk him out of it."
"Well I tried, but he pretty much told me, in not so many words, to screw myself, that he was going to anyway, I was standing my ground, next thing you know we were creating our own little WW 3, in the granoliths chamber, next thing I knew, Michael and Jacob were holding me back, while Jack and Felix took care of Simon." Max mused, shaking his head,” Felix wasn't too thrilled with us, I thought he was going to send us to our room without dinner."
Liz laughed as she listen to Max tell his story, "Well, I’m glad you interfered, I would hate to lose Simon again."
"Again?” Max asked confused, then added, Liz you just meet him.”
"Well, no I mean I-uh I sorry, it’s a bit hard to explain. Max, Lexianna's memories are still in my head, and sometimes you know.."
"Ah, no need to explain, it’s an alien thing, I know a couple." Max joked, deciding to take another sip of his coffee, made a face and wished he hadn't.
"Really.” Liz replied going along with the joke.
"Yes, nicest bunch you'll ever meet," Max said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, If you happen to run across the handsome dark haired one,” Liz quipped, “Could you tell him if things don't run too late, could he come by anyway, even if it's for a little while."
"No problem,” He laughed, grinning from ear to ear,” I’m sure he'll be glad to do that, but he's thinking about maybe breakfast, if visiting tonight isn't possible."
"Breakfast would be wonderful,” Liz said with a sigh, then added,” I love you Max."
"I love you too Liz." Max whispered, closing his eyes, longing to feel her lips.
Liz ended the phone call, and Max smiled hoping Serena will crawl out of that Pod chamber, cause there's a girl who he would love to be holding and kissing right now. No sooner did Max put away his cell, Serena came crawling out, fallowed by one of her assistants. A huge grin on her face.
Max immediately was by her side, fallowed by some really anxious skins.
"It worked?" Max asked hopefully.
"It worked!" Serena assured, causing gasps of relief to echo through out the cave.
"So Felix is?"
"Resting nicely.” Serena confirmed, standing upright,” He’ll be out for twenty four hours, when one is forced regeneration, it kind of takes a toll on the body."
"So when will the rest of the skins get a turn at the granolith." Courtney asked, clutching tightly to Jacob, overjoyness beamed from her face.
"Well the granolith had kind of created ten incubation tubes, for us to rest in, when the first stage of the regeneration is done,” Serena replied, grabbing a clip board from her assistant, Simone "So I'll be announcing nine more names, and in twenty four hours I'll announce ten more until everyone gets a turn."
"So the second stage of the process.."
"Occurs in the incubation tubes, yes," Serena answered Max, handing a bunch of papers to Simone, "Pass these out and then bring the first nine to the prep area." Simone nodded her head in understanding and went off to complete her task. Serena then turned to Max and continued," The granolith has done it's job regenerating our cells, the incubation pods contain and sterile the environment. It let's the new husks get use to it's new host, without the risk of infection, or foreign contact."
"Interesting," Max replied amazed by the whole process, then asked” So how long will it take to get everyone regenerated."
"I'm going to estimate about a week.” Serena answered, taking the Styrofoam cup Michael handed her, she gulped the hot, horrid, liquid ,and sighed when she finished.” It could be longer, but who knows."
"Maybe you should get some sleep Serena, you look ready to drop," Max suggested, concern filled his face.
"I'll rest when it's my turn for regeneration,” Serena replied, touching Max's arm, giving him a grin, "Until then I've got lots of work to do, and it's not going to get done with me talking to you,” She paused, linking her arm with his and started leading him towards the caves exit, and added,” Why don't you go and see Liz, take the rest of the royal four with you, I’ve got things here under control."
"I will be back tomorrow," Max proclaimed, unlinking their arms and gave her a hug, then asked,” Do you need me to bring anything?"
"Yes, some better coffee,” Serena joked, pulling away from the hug.
"You got it." Max replied with a laugh, then he got serious for a moment and added," Serena, I can't even begin to thank you for all that you're doing, I know you were hesitant at-"
"No thanks is needed Max," Serena interrupted, sheepishly,” I should've not even for once hesitated, they’re my people Max, this is the least I could do for them."
Max kissed her cheek, stared at her in appreciation, until Serena feeling kind of embarrassed, insisted that he leave.” Go to her Max, you're through here."
Max smiled at her one last time, then turned to leave the cave, dying to see Liz. Longing to hold her in his arms.
TBC
Chapter 25~Nobody Knows ~ By Carolyn Sawyers
Liz sat on her balcony for the first time in over a year. Everything was exactly as she left it. The lounge chairs, twinkle lights, the candles. Well except for the telescope, her parents kept it in her room. So it wouldn't get damaged in unpredictable weather. It’s now back in the spot where she usually kept it. By her window, right near her favorite full length lounge chair. Liz looked through the eyepiece, getting a closer view of the night
sky.
It was so good to be home again.
Even her parents constant suffocating was refreshing. However, saying goodnight to her parents and escaping into the sanctuary of her room, was heaven. To sleep in her old bed again. To walk around her room and embrace the familiarity, of her things. The pictures of her friends, the posters on her wall, to climb out of her window and enjoy the night air on her balcony.
To finally be with Max, and not have to worry about the End of the world.
With a sigh, Liz lifted her head up from the eyepiece of her telescope and plopped down on the lounge chair.
She then, grabbed her leather bound journal, from a beaten up side table, beside her, and open it up to where her favorite fountain pen bookmarked the last entry she made over a week ago. It was the day when, she left to meet Max at the gas station. It felt like ages ago. Pulling the pen's cap off with her teeth, she thought for a moment then began to write, letting the words flow onto the page. Liz had a lot of catching up to do and didn't want to forget a single moment. Especially the two days she and Max spent at the hotel right outside of town. A smile formed on her face, reliving his gentle caresses, his passionate kisses, the way he felt inside her and the words of love that he whispered in her ears.
"Liz,” whispered Max's barely audible voice, it came from the alley down below.
Liz bolted out of her chair, still clutching her journal, she ran to the edge of her balcony, placing her hands, and journal on the wall that came up to her waist, she looked down and smiled at the sight of Max.
"You made it,” Liz whispered a smile of happiness beamed form her face.
"Can I still come up for a little while?" Max asked hopefully.
"Are you crazy,” Liz exclaimed excitedly,” Get your butt up here mister!"
Max's smile beamed brighter as he ran to the ladder, that’ll take him to his soul mate, his eyes never leaving hers as he made the journey up the metal rungs. Placing his hand on the wall for leverage, Max jumped over the ledge with ease, landed on the roof balcony with a soft thud, and took Liz in her arms. Inhaling her scent, reeling in the feel of her body, feeling whole once again.” God I missed you,” He whispered into her hair.
"So did I" Liz sighed, resting her head on his hard chest,” I love my parents, but they were getting kind of...well clingy."
Max laughed and pulled away just enough to gaze into her eyes, "Well, I’m going to have to take their side on this, I may have to get clingy too."
"That's something, I’m counting on,” Liz quipped, leaning in on his descending mouth, and sighed in contentment, when their lips meet. They parted at the same time, their breath ragged, their foreheads touching, their eyes closed, enjoying the closeness of each other.
"I will never get enough of that," Max gasped, framing her face with his hands, placing a quick kiss on her lips. Her hands went over his, she turn her head and placed a kiss on his hand.
Neither will I,” She replied dreamily, then with a start, pulled away, taking his hands in hers and bringing them down between them. “If your here, that means..."
"Yes, the test was successful," Max answered, finishing her sentence. Fallowing Liz's lead as she brought him over to a lounge chair. She sat across from him, enjoying the feel of their still linked hands.
"I'm so glad," Liz sighed in relief, bringing his hands up to her mouth and kissed both of them.
"Yes, we all are," Max said, reeling in the feel of her lips, wanting to take Liz inside her room and make love to her all night long. "Serena said, that everyone should be regenerated in about a weeks time, Felix is.........."
Max's words slowly began to fade, as the familiar pain of a headache jolted through Liz's brain. They’ve been a fixture in her life since Future Max left her that night. She's learn to deal with them, knowing it was just related to stress, and her lack of sleep.
God, I can't wait for the pain to end,” She thought to herself, feeling her eyelids close.
"It really hurts, doesn't it Liz,” Replied a familiar voice in her head.
"Yes, I just want it to go away,” Liz thought, almost in tears.
"Soon Liz, soon," The voice assured her.
"Are you okay Liz?" Max asked, causing her to snap open her eyes, the headache ended as soon as it began, Max’s concern face, filled her view.
"Yes, I’m find,” she tried to assure him, deciding to not mention the headaches.” I’m just a little tired, it’s been quite overwhelming these days." That's what she needs to do, get a good nights rest. The worse is behind her, and so will also these headaches.
"Maybe you should go to the hospital,” He wondered, getting up from his chair, walking towards the open window to her room,” I’ll get your parents and-"
"No Max. please stop,” Liz demanded, grabbing his hand before he got to far, she made him face her and she assured him again," Max, please, I just really need to sleep okay."
He looked at her, not really assured at all, but nodded his head anyway, and announced, "Okay, but if you still feel this way I want you to go to the doctor's okay."
Liz shook her head, and got to her feet,” I’m tired Max, Really, I think it's time to call it a night.” She said reluctantly, hating to see Max go.
"Well,” He started to say, encircling her petite frame in his arms,” Maybe I should tuck you in?"
"I think that would be a splendid idea." Liz agreed, pulling away from his embrace, and fallowed Max towards her window. Max entered first, so he could help Liz Inside her room. Max sat on her bed, as Liz began to get undress, comfortable enough with Max, that she didn't ask him to turn around. Max looked on, enjoying this little strip tease show. She was in nothing but her black bra and panties. Liz gave him a smile, before she turned towards her dresser, but stopped when Max asked..
"Wait, uh can I do something?"
"What?" She asked, her eyebrow arched in curiosity.
Max got up from the bed, walked up to her, and with a wave of his hand; Liz was now dressed in a black lingerie slip gown, that barely touched the ground, it had thin spaghetti straps. Liz turned toward her mirror and smiled, admiring the transparent lingerie in the mirror.
"This is beautiful Max," Liz exclaimed, running her hands down her stomach, enjoying the silky feel of the cloth.
"I saw it in one of the Victoria Secret catalogs and well......"he paused for a moment and, with a gulp, went on,” I-I wanted to see how you would look in it."
"Really.” Liz said, turning around to face him, her arms gestured out at her sides, and then asked,” Well how do I look."
"Amazingly beautiful.” he whispered, willing himself to calm down, she was tired, now wasn't the time to be frisky.
Liz slowly made her way towards Max, draped her hands around his neck, and softly kissed his lips. His hands went to her hips, enjoying the feel of the cloth on his hands. What he would really like to do now is, take this night dress off and see how it looks on the floor. Instead, he buried his desires, pick Liz up, with her giggling excitedly, and gently placed her on the bed.” I think it'll be best if you sleep right now.” He suggested, pulling the covers up over her, kissed her lips and added,” I’ll see you tomorrow, I’ll take you out for breakfast."
Max turned to leave, but Liz took his hand and said,” Wait Max, please don't go."
"Liz, I think-"
"I-I just want you to lay with me Max, until I sleep,” Liz begged, pulling him down on the bed beside her.” I’m tired, but I don't think I could sleep very well if I didn't know you were beside me, I liked having you in my arms when I slept, back when we were in the hotel."
Max smiled as he took off his shoes, "Okay." Liz scooted over, as Max made himself comfortable, Sitting up and stretching out his legs, He sighed as Liz's head snuggled close to his chest.
"Thank you Max," She whispered softly, as a yawn escaped her lips.
"I'll do anything for you Liz." Max said softly, stroking her hair, suddenly feeling tired himself.” I love you Liz."
"I love you too Max." Liz replied, and immediately her breathing changed, she was fast asleep now. He kissed the top of her head, deciding to stay for a few minutes more, just to be sure Liz was okay. However, Max never left, he felt his eyelids slowly grow heavy, and five minutes later Max also was sleeping soundly.
********************************
Jeff Parker saw that his daughter's room light was still on. He could resist the urge to check in on her one last time before heading off to bed. The door was slightly ajar, tempting him to push it open slightly more, so he could fully see the room. The sight of Max and his daughter sleeping in each others arms, prevented him from entering the room further. You'd think he would be angry, but in fact, a smile spread on his face. They looked so peaceful, Jeff couldn't bring himself to wake them up. The past year has not only been hard on him and Nancy, but Max suffered a great deal also, investing any extra time in trying to find her. Jeff couldn't count the many leads that turned into nothing. Max kept them in the loop thought, telling them everything, even though Jeff could see he didn't want to, that he failed them every time he came back without Liz. The parkers didn't hold anything against him, knowing he was doing everything humanly possible. Max really loved his daughter, and that made him feel good. Then there was Liz. Where had she been living all this time? He never asked her, though the question ate away inside him. There was more to Liz leaving then a misunderstanding between an ex-girlfriend of Max’s. Liz was stronger than that. No, something else happen, and though Jeff knew Max would never hurt her daughter intentionally, Max was the reason for her disappearing in the middle of the night. Soon he'll get the answers to his questions. He prayed that he wouldn't have to hate Max. He made his daughter happy, and this made Jeff happy.
"Jeff, what-"Nancy Parker started to say, but she stopped when Jeff placed a finger over his lips, then pointed inside Liz's room. Nancy’s face soften at the sight, and leaned into her husbands arms.” They do look amazing together."
Jeff shook his head, then reached in and shut off the light, closed the door, and the two went off to bed, leaving Max and Liz, to sleep without the threat of anyone or anything to come between them.
******************************************
She floated above the sleeping couple, wishing she could touch his skin with her owns two hands. Yes, Liz is the home to her essence, but is this really living? This was the only time she could leave her hosts body, whenever Liz was in a deep sleep. It took a lot of energy, to leave, but it was worth it, to look at Zan with her own eyes. She floated down to Zan's side of the bed, taking her white glowy hand to make, yet an another attempt to touch his face, to push his bangs from his sleeping eyes. She sighed in frustration, as her hand past through him. His face remain the same. He didn't feel her, didn’t know she was there, didn’t realize she never stopped loving him.
Soon, my love, soon, we’ll truly be together.” she promised, staring longingly at Zan, her astral body, began to fade into nothingness, returning reluctantly back to her prison, Liz Parker.
TBC
See the uniform's we wear here are made of RosWool.That's wool made from sheep that have grazed on the crash site.People say it has powers and I belive it.I'd be dead if I was wearing polyester..." Liz from Rowell high~By Melinda Metz