Roswell Fanatics

A/N ~ One day I was checking out all of the great cut scenes at Shapeshifter's site. In a cut scene from Max in the City, Ava told Liz of a prophecy. I don't know if anyone has heard it or not, but it was such a shame to have it cut from the show...it would have told so much. This prophecy will prove to be important in the next few parts. I make no claim to have written this prophecy, it was part of a cut Roswell scene. It's just too bad TPTB didn't see fit to include it.




Taking It Back
Part Twelve



Max was sitting at his usual booth waiting for Liz, someone had called off sick so her father had asked her to fill in for a few hours. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone approach.
“Sorry to disturb you Max, but something has come up. It’s Kyle.”

Max looked up to see both Kyle and Jim standing there. “Sit down, maybe we can figure out what the problem is. What happened?”

“I went to see my grandfather; while I was there something really ticked me off. The angrier I got the more I noticed things happening, the curtains started to blow and the pictures on the dresser started to float. Then as I started to cool down, so did everything else. So what’s happening to me?”

“Have you tried doing simple things, you know, moving things?”

“Yea, but nothing happened. Well when I was talking to dad in the file room, I made some file drawers come open and some of the files started to come out…”

“It’s only happening when you get mad, right? Try to keep a hold on to your temper for now, at least until I can try to think of something. Think of Buddha, wasn’t he a peace loving guy?”

“That’s it? You can’t think of anything else?” The salt and pepper shakers start to rattle. “See!”

“Kyle, all of this is new to me too. Maybe I can find out something in the book translation. I’ll get Michael and we’ll head out to the pod chamber and pick it up. I wanted to go there and get the scroll that Liz found anyway. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know right away. Just try to stay calm.”

“Thanks, I know you’ll do everything you can.”

“Jim, what about Hanson? Any ideas yet?”

“He was asking some questions today, I want to wait and see where he goes with that…I’ll try to let you know as soon as possible.”

While they were talking, no one noticed an elderly woman watching them. She was following every move Max made. Then she turned her attention to Liz. Yes, this would most certainly do, all of their plans came through exactly as they had hoped…it had been a perfect collaboration. When the door opened, she saw one of the other ones, this one, she worried about. He had so much anger in him, maybe after their little talk, when the truth all came out, he would be able to relax.

“Hey Michael, want to take a little ride? We need to go pick something up.”

“Sure, where we going?” Michael was ready to get out of town for a little while. “Maria is at her mother’s store helping with inventory, at least until we start back here tomorrow. I see Liz couldn’t wait to jump into her favorite uniform.”

“She’s helping out her dad, some one called off. Well, if you’re ready, I’d like to get out there before dark.” Max started to stand up, looking at Liz, he saw her come their way.

“Are you running out on your check, sir?”

“Will this cover the tab?” He leans down and takes her face in his hands, giving her a big kiss. “And if you’re real good I’ll give you a big tip later.” He winks at her as he picks up his jacket.

“Promises, promises…” She starts to laugh as she picks up what was left of his drink. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Michael and I have to go pick up something…you know.”

“Oh, okay, just be careful…Could you pick up that thing I found the other day?”

“I already planned on it.” He gives her another quick kiss; then walks out the door with Michael and the Valentis.

“Bye guys!” Looking at the table, she sees the elderly lady watching her. “Can I get you something? I’m sorry I didn’t notice you before.”

“No thank you, I’m fine…you could say I’m a people watcher and you and that young man certainly have kept me occupied.” She grinned at Liz.

Liz starts to blush “That’s my husband, we haven’t been married very long.”

“Really? I hardly noticed. On second thought, I changed my mind, could you bring me some lemonade if you have it. Oh, and I would like a few lemons on the side, if possible.”

“Sure what ever you’d like, is that all?”

“That will be just fine.” She watched as Liz headed for the kitchen. This should prove to be interesting.


He looked around the airport; he was glad that he had his own plane, the public transportation in this country left a lot to be desired. Checking at the car rental booth, he picked up the keys and headed to the parking lot. Just what he was looking forward to, a two hour drive. I wonder if they still roll up the sidewalks after dark. He started laughing.


Things had started to slow down, but it was still a few hours until closing. Liz noticed the lady was still sitting in the booth. “Can I get you anything else? More lemonade?” Although she didn’t know how she could stand drinking another one…she had never seen anyone add so much lemon before. “If you’d like something to eat…” Then she realized, maybe the woman didn’t have any money. Leaning down she whispered to her “If you’re a little short on money, that’s okay. We’ve got you covered.” She gave her a big smile.

Taking Liz’s hand, she gives it a pat. “My dear, you are such a delight. No, I’m quite fine, thank you.” She smiles back at Liz. Yes, they defiantly made the right decision.

Liz is standing by the counter looking at the woman; suddenly she realizes that she has seen her somewhere before…but where? Then she remembered! Grandma Claudia’s book! “Dad, I’ll be right back, there’s something I have to check on.” Running upstairs she starts looking on her bookshelf for the book. “There it is!” Opening the book, she starts looking through the pictures. Finally she finds the one she is looking for, taking the book she goes back downstairs.

“Excuse me, ma’am? Did you know my grandmother, Claudia Parker?”

“Yes, dear, I did. How did you know?” Just as she asks the question, she sees the book in Liz’s hand.

“Your picture is in here, see.” When Liz shows her the picture she couldn’t believe her eyes, even though the picture was at least twenty-five years old, the woman looked the same. Liz turns to look at her, “Oh.” Then she starts to back up.

“It’s not what you think dear, it’s perfectly alright!” Now she did it, she had frightened the child.

Liz goes back over to the counter, Geoff looks at her questionably. “Lizzie what’s wrong, you’re awfully pale.”

“I think that woman is a shapeshifter…I wish Max was here.”

“She doesn’t look dangerous to me. Here, you get this drink and I’ll go talk to her…”

“No! Just let it be, Max will be back soon. What was the drink you needed?” Liz turns around and starts to fill the order with the fountain drink. As she was finishing the drink, the bell jingles telling her that someone has just come in. Maybe it’s Max, she thinks.

“Excuse me, your highness; may I have a word with you?” Hearing that Liz let’s the drink overflow unto the floor.

“What! What are you talking about?” Liz spins around to face a man that she had never seen before. “Why did you call me that?”

“You are the Queen of Antar aren’t you?” He stood there with a smirk on his face.

“I think you’re crazy, go away!” Liz turns around to clean up the mess from the drink.

“Kal Langley, whatever are you doing here?”

Kal turns to see who had talked to him, seeing the elderly woman, he smiles. “Why Miranda, had I known you’d be here, I would have stayed home.”

Everyone had become so involved in the conversation that they hadn’t noticed that the door had opened again.

“Langley, what are you doing here?”

Turning around he glares at Max. “I’m not here by choice, you ought to know that. I had to come.”

“You aren’t listening to my question, let me rephrase it. Tell me why you’re here.” Max stared right into Kal’s eyes, daring him to try something.

“I came because of what you found the other day, you need it translated.”

“Come with me, Liz, I need you to come too.” Max turns to look at Michael, giving him a nod, they go into the break room. “Liz, tell him to give you his watch.”

“Max, what are you talking about? This is cra…oh my god, it’s him, isn’t it?”

“That won’t be necessary, you don’t need him. I will answer all of your questions. But I need to have everyone, I mean everyone that knows present for this. It is a one time deal; once I leave I won’t be able to return to this planet. That scroll you found is only the beginning…it will explain it all.” Miranda said as she stood in the doorway.

“Could you tell us what it says, now?” Liz looked at her; her heart was pounding a hundred miles an hour.

Miranda held out her hand for the scroll. Max, Liz and Michael came in closer; they wanted to hear all that she had to say.

As she opens it, she remembers the day it was written…the destinies that it would start. “This was written by your mother, sealed away so that only one person could find it…” Looking at Liz, she touches her cheek. “The true queen. This is the prophecy of what we worked so hard to bring about…after you hear this you will know what was meant to be. Then this evening I will tell you how it came to be. The prophecy reads ‘A once fallen king shall rise again and bring his bride back to life.’” Looking from Max to Liz and back again, she smiles, touching both of them on the cheek, she finishes. “The day you saved her life was the day the prophecy truly began.”


To Be Continued…

I'm going to do this part early tonight...I'm trying to get the next part of the sequel written and it might take awhile.




Taking It Back
Part Thirteen


They had all gathered in the UFO Center, it was a place big enough for everyone to fit comfortably; it could be a long night.

Miranda stood and watched as they all came into the room. Such a diverse group, but they were all here because of love, well all but one. She saw loving parents, best friends, husbands and wives and good friends…yes these people were all blessed.

Looking around she decided it was time to start. “Excuse me; I think we can start now. First let me introduce myself, my name is Miranda. I am the advisor and confidante of the Queen Mother of Antar…”

“You’re more like a royal busybody…” Langley was not happy to still be here, he wanted to go home.

“Kal, I will ask you politely this time, do not interrupt me again. If you do, you know what I can do to you.”

“Since there is much to cover, please try to hold your questions, but if you feel that you really need an answer, I will be happy to do so. Many years ago the King and Queen of Antar had two beautiful children.” She looks at Max and Isabel. “Of course, their every whim was indulged. Kal, don’t say a word.” They all turn and look at him. “Zan had a best friend named Kivar; yes you were friends at one time. Kivar had a younger sister that he loved more than anything. Unfortunately, her health was not the best; she had been sick most of her life. Kivar would do anything for her. She had fallen deeply in love with Zan, but he only saw her like a sister, and could not return her affection, this angered Kivar greatly. One day his sister took a turn for the worse and lay dying. Kivar went to his friend Zan, begging for his help, begging for him to save his sister. Zan refused, he grew up knowing that if he should ever save someone’s life, they would be changed. He didn’t want to take the responsibility for changing someone, for he didn’t know how they would be changed. Kivar stayed with his sister all through the night, holding her in his arms until the end. Unknown to anyone, he had arranged to have her essence saved until the time came to return it to a body. Kivar became angry and bitter towards Zan, pledging to take revenge on him for the lose of his sister.” Reaching over, she picks up a glass of lemonade and takes a sip. “It has always been the practice on Antar for the daughters of royalty to have an arranged marriage…the King and Queen were always kind when making these plans for their daughters, never pledging them to unknown people or to kingdoms far away. Zan also had another friend, Rath, who had fought along side of him in many battles. It was Rath that they chose for Vilandra to marry. They liked each other and had much in common, but they were not in love. Kivar took advantage of this and of Vilandra, convincing her to help him. She was madly in love with Kivar and would blindly follow him. It was during the party to announce the marriage of Rath and Vilandra that Kivar made his move. The battle was swift and deadly, the three lay dead in minutes. The Queen was broken hearted and quickly called for them to be taken away from the battle ground. She ordered that their essences be prepared to be sent away to a safe place.
Taking advantage of this, Kivar called on a trusted member of the royal court, one that would be entrusted to protect the royal three.”

Max, Isabel and Michael exchange looks. Liz reaches over and takes his hand; she wonders what is going through his mind right now. Even though she could normally read his thoughts, right now, these were his private thoughts, ones she felt she shouldn’t invade; he would tell her what he wanted her to know.

“You knew this man as Nesado. Nesado was to have a pod made for Kivar’s sister, saying that it was ordered by the Queen. Nesado was to protect Kivar’s sister, teach her the ways of Antar, and when she was ready, take her to seduce the man that she loved. When she was pregnant with his child she was to bring the other three back with her to Antar, turning them and the child over to Kivar. In exchange for his loyalty, Nesado would be come second in command of Antar, he would help rule the planet. Now the Queen knew that this would be a hard life for her children, they would be brought up on a strange planet, they would have no memories of this life. She wanted to make sure that her son had the best, some one that would be loyal and true. Someone who was a leader. She would be smart and have a pure heart.” She stopped and looked at Liz and smiled. “She sent me to Earth; I was to find some one here that would help me. I did. I found Claudia Parker.” Nancy and Geoff sucked in their breath…what did she do? “Claudia found me in the desert. I had had a bad landing and was quite shaken; she was just starting her studies and didn’t find anything wrong that I was from somewhere else. That was when I knew she would be the one. I explained about what I was doing, she listened. But there was nothing she could do then, but we made arrangements for when the time came she would let me know. The pods were transported to Earth, and I guess you know that story. They incubated for many years, that was when I received word that we could start our plan. I came back to Earth, and met you Nancy. You suffered unbearable morning sickness, and I gave you herbs to help.”

“Yes, I remember, after about two days it went away and never came back. Did this do something to the baby?” She looked at Liz.

“Oh no, I would never take a chance on harming the chosen one, her life was too precious. These herbs gave off a hormone, something to stimulate the pods. As your daughter grew in you, so did the ones in the pods. The day she was born, the royal three were more or less born too. Only they stayed safe in their pods until it was time for them to emerge. Oh, silly me, I forgot something.”

“I think it’s time for you to retire Miranda, you can’t even tell a simple story.” Kal smirked at her.

“I warned you Kal.” With a flip of her hand his mouth was closed as if by an invisible zipper. “If you behave, I just might remove it before I leave. Now, where was I, oh I remember now. In order to keep anyone from claiming that they were the chosen one, the Queen wrote down the prophecy and sealed it into Zan’s pod before he was placed inside. The only one that could find it would be the true chosen one. When the royal three reached the age of approximately six Earth years, they came out of the pods. Kivar’s sister stayed locked in her’s because she had not been affected by the hormone as the other’s did. What happened after they emerged, you know. Max, I can see you have a question.”

Max let’s out a soft laugh, “One, that’s an understatement. But the one for now is, is that how I knew Liz when I first saw her in third grade? Is that why I was always drawn to her?” Liz was still holding his hand. He picks it up and gently kisses it.

“Yes, it was a reaction to the hormone, only you could sense it. Now, let’s jump to some recent times…the pod chamber and the message from your mother. The orbs were for communication, but it was to Kivar. Nesado knew you had many questions, so the temptation to use them, especially since he told you not to, would only lead to one thing, their activation. This alerted Kivar that their plan had started; unfortunately it also notified the skins where you were. The message from your mother never existed. I’m sorry; I know that you clung to it for so long Isabel, but it was a trick, Tess mindwarped you. Kivar and Nesado assumed that you would go willingly to Tess if you thought it was what was wanted, destined to be. They did not know that a stronger plan was in effect. Now, comes that part that broke many hearts, there had to be a test. A strong test to see if the chosen one would and could live up what would be needed of her.”

“Future Max?” Liz looked at Miranda, tears forming in her eyes. “That was a test? I wanted to die that day. I hurt Max so very much…”

“But it hurt you more…I know. You passed the test with a far greater response than we ever thought you would.” Miranda came and crouched beside Liz. “You knew in your heart that to keep the love of your life, to be selfish would also bring on the end of everyone’s life. You gave up your complete happiness to save all.” She runs her hand down Liz’s hair. “No truer queen had ever passed this test.” Going back up in front of the group she continues her story. “Now we had to let this play out, you two had to find your way back to each other. When Tess killed Alex we feared that this would be the end…especially once she got her way.”

“I’m sorry, what about my memories of Antar, were they real?” Max had to know.

“There were times you had small memories of the planet, yes. But the ones with Tess only happened in her presence, because of course they never happened. She planted a few small ones to work their way in with the ones you were really having.”

“But Larek remembered how we met.”

“Where was Larek when he told you this? Who was also present? For a small person, she had much strength, more than you will ever know. For being so sick in her other life, she more than made up for it in this one. Liz, after you passed the test, and we saw that Max could get passed Tess to find his way back home to you, we knew that it was time for your change to begin, it is a slow process…for good reason, as you found out.” She turns to look at Kyle “Sometimes, when powers are first starting, it will take a strong emotion to make them work, as with the anger about your grandfather, Kyle. It is the strong love and the anger that made you do what you did. They will pass to a point that you will be able to handle them, but for now, please try to keep your temper under control. Liz, you have another question?”

Liz nods yes “When Grandma Claudia was here the last time, I was talking to her about Kyle and she was saying something about soulmates…then Maria mentioned Max, and she lit up and told me that if things come too easy then you probably aren’t soulmates…she knew about Max, didn’t she. She knew what would happen?”

“Yes, she knew about him. It was your love for Max, for wanting to know all that you could about him that led you to discover the prophecy. Because you want to understand everything that made him who he is, needing to touch what was important to him, it gave you ability to find the gift from his mother, once again passing the test.” Again she walks over to Liz, gently she removes the amulet that Max had placed there. “You were right Max, this was her key. Your true destiny is on the back, to be worn near her heart so she will always remember. But I have a feeling she doesn’t need any reminders. For a few days, Liz, some noticed a change in your eyes, the warrior that might one day be called on to fight beside your husband, showed itself…with the holding of the amulet, it returned the warrior spirit to where it belongs, just under the surface, to come out only when needed. If you are ever tested as Max was in New York, you will show the royal seal of the Whirlwind Galaxy, you are the balance to your husband. You have found your destiny, now it is up to you to fulfill it.”


To Be Continued…

A/N I became hooked on Sarah McLaughlin's music while watching Roswell, so when I heard her 'Afterglow' cd I fell in love with two of the songs...one was 'Push' and the other one was 'Answer'. To me they are true Dreamer songs if you listen to the words. 'Push' was written as a thank-you song to her husband, but before I knew that, I saw it as a thank-you song from Max to Liz...I have included lyrics from the song 'Push' in this part. Thank you Sarah McLaughlin for music that touches a Dreamer's soul.




Taking It Back
Part Fourteen



The room became quiet, everyone sat there absorbing what they just heard. Finally, Michael couldn't wait any longer.

“So, does that mean Isabel and I aren’t really supposed to be together?”

“According to the wishes of the king and queen you are…but, according to your heart, no. In the old life, you felt more like brother and sister, much like you do in this one.” Miranda turns and looks from Maria to Isabel then back to Michael, she continues, “You both have chosen wisely, you have listened to your heart…continue to follow your heart and you won’t be disappointed. However, I think you both will have your hands full; these two do not always like to cooperate.” She grins as she watches Michael look at Maria, nodding his head.

“You got that right!”

“Be nice, Spaceboy!”

“What about Jesse, do you think he’ll ever be back?” Isabel hadn’t heard from him since she called him.

“He loves you; he’ll find a way.” Miranda lifts Isabel’s chin to have her look at her face. Isabel looks up, and what she saw made her realize that everything would be alright.

Isabel hesitates trying to get her nerve up; finally she asks the question that she had longed to have answered. “Was Vilandra really responsible for everyone’s death? Did she really betray them?” She looks over at Max, afraid to hear the answer.

Miranda looks at Isabel, the anguish she must have felt since she heard that twisted story. “The ones that told you that were callous people. They only wanted to cause you unnecessary pain. You followed you’re heart then too. Only that time your heart was innocent, Kivar was older than you, he had lived a wilder life. Since you were the Princess, you lived a sheltered life away from the evils of the world. You had accepted the fact that you would marry Rath…you had no knowledge of the ways of worldly men like Kivar. Of course you knew him because of Zan, but he only let you see the polite side, he wanted to be able to take your heart as part of his revenge against your brother for the lose of his sister. He would take Zan’s sister, making him suffer. He made Zan and Rath watch as he killed you…he wanted to break Zan’s heart as his was broken. Then he allowed the one you know as Nicholas to kill Rath. Kivar has a vengeful heart. If you meet again, and I’m afraid you may, always keep your guard up, no matter what he tells you, no matter what he promises you, he is never ever to be trusted. He has a cold heart now, his main goal in life to make all people suffer.”

Isabel let a tear roll down her cheek; at last she could look a Max and not feel like she had let everyone down, even if it was in life that she didn’t remember. Max stood up, walking over to Isabel he opens his arms, she looks at him and accepts what he was offering. “I never have doubted you Isabel…no matter what anyone said. Even if the story had been true, you are still my sister, that was a different life. This is now and we will always stick together for our greater good.”

Phillip and Diane Evans watch their children; Diane tried to fight the tears. What they must have felt hiding this secret all these years, how strong they must have been, how strong they still are. She reaches over and takes Phillip’s hand and gives it a squeeze. Miranda started looking at the group; she didn’t see a dry eye, well, except for Langley.

Geoff clears his throat, he was afraid to speak after hearing about their children. “Is anyone up for pie and coffee across the street? We can finish our talks there. If that’s okay.”

A group sigh was heard, at last they could let go of some of the emotion of the past hour. “Sounds great, do you have any coconut cream?” Everyone laughed at Jim, the tension had been broken.

As they filed out the door and headed across the street, Miranda signaled for Max and Liz to stay behind. “I am truly sorry for the pain of that test…we had to know.”

It was Liz’s turn to touch the elderly woman’s face. “You did what you had to do…you made us stronger for going through that. Now we know that we will never be apart. He is the love of my life, you know. And I would gladly die for him, but I think you already know that.” She smiles at her.

“Oh Max, you will have your hands full with this one. She will always keep you on your toes.” Miranda reaches over and pats Max’s arm.

“Yes, ma’am, I already figured that out.” He smiles at her and offers his arm. “May we offer you some pie?”

“Well maybe some lemonade, with extra lemon.” She says winking as she takes his offered arm.

As they head for the door, they hear a muffled yell. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Miranda waves her hand behind her back, freeing Langley.

“Kal, do us both a favor, go back to California…I don’t want to see your face again either.” Max watches as Kal walks quickly passed them, dialing his cell phone. By the time they got across the street next his rental car, they heard him talking to his pilot telling him to get the plane ready, he was on his way.


As they were all getting their pie, Liz and Maria start fixing the coffee pots. Liz looked over just in time to see Max and her father whispering. “What’s going on with them, Liz?”

“I don’t know…looks like a conspiracy.” As she watched, her father puts his arm around Max’s shoulder and they head into the storage room. “Should I start getting paranoid?” They both laugh. Next thing Liz knows, her father comes out alone. “Dad, where’s Max?”

He looks at her grinning. “Oh, he had a little errand to run, he’ll be back soon.” All of this was not lost on Miranda, she too smiled.

Maria walks over to the booth with Michael, Kyle and Isabel; she sits down next to Michael. Geoff brings a tray of pie for them to pick from, as they make their selections he looks at Kyle. “Please keep a hold of you temper, okay Kyle. I think I’m still trying to pay off some Michael’s damage.”
Looking at Michael’s shocked face, he grins at him. “Kidding.”

Isabel picks up the Tabasco sauce and pours it on her pie, and then she passes it to Michael. Michael gives Kyle a skeptical look, then hands him the bottle. They watch as he too dumps it on his pie. “What?” They all just grin.

Maria sits and watches as they dive into the Tabasco covered pie. Shaking her head, she picks up the bottle, pouring some on her pie too. “What the hell!” Picking up her fork, she takes a bite, suddenly her face starts to twist at the taste. Reaching for a napkin, she spits it out. “How do you do that?”

Miranda watches them; oh this is a good life for them all. They have such accepting friends, they have done well. As she looks up, she sees Max return, looking for Liz. “Hi Miranda, have you seen Liz?”

“I believe she is in the kitchen. You have a wonderful life, my son. You be happy.” She pats his hand.

“I’ll see you again before you leave, won’t I?”

“No, by the time you get back, I will have left to go back home. It has been an honor to have been a part of your life, both of them. Take care of each other.” She indicates that Liz had returned to the room. “Now go, be with your wonderful wife.” As Max walks towards Liz, he sees Miranda wipe a tear from her eyes.

“Come on Liz.” He reaches for her hand.

“Where are we going?”

“Do you trust me?” She just smiles and answers, “Always.” They head out the door.


After they leave, Miranda approaches Nancy and Geoff at their table. “Geoff, may I have a word with Nancy, I won’t keep her long.” Geoff goes over to talk to Jim and Phillip. “Nancy I am sorry for what Claudia and I did to you. You should have been told, but we had no idea how you would feel about this, and we had to do what was necessary.”

“There was no harm done, as a matter of fact, it was a good thing.” Nancy liked this woman; she felt she could talk to her, like a mother.

“How do you figure?” For once she had the question.

“If Max never existed, our daughter would be dead right now. So for that one thing I will be forever in your debut.” She reaches over and kisses the woman on the cheek. “Thank you.”

Miranda pats her hand, and then reaches in her pocket. “You take this; I think it will be needed soon.”

Nancy looks at the pile of herbs. “What is this…oh.”

“It’s not quite the same, but it serves the same purpose. I think after tonight, Liz may need it in a month or so.” She winks at Nancy, then Nancy smiles back, knowingly.


As they drove on through the night, Max thinks of his surprise. “Liz, there is so much I have to say to you, but I don’t know how. So many things to thank you for.”

“Max, no…” He puts his finger to her lips. Reaching over, he puts in a cd. She picks up the case to see which one it is. “I love this concert cd.”

“I want you to listen to a song.” She looks at him, not knowing what he means.

“I’ve heard this one a lot of times…”

Again he puts his fingers on her lips…”Just listen to it, then you’ll understand…” Pushing the play button, he sees her listening to the words.

“Every time I look at you the world just melts away
All my troubles, all my fears dissolve in your affections
You’ve seen me at my weakest but you take me as I am
And when I fall you offer me a softer place to land.

You stay the course you hold the line, you keep it all together
You’re the one true thing I know I can believe in
You’re all the things that I desire, you save me, you complete me.
You’re the one true thing I know I can believe.”

As the song continued, Liz looks at Max, finally she got it, that was his way of saying thank you for standing by him for all that he had put her through. The look that he gave her said more than the song. His love and thanks poured from his eyes…as he stopped the car he leans across the seat, pulling her to him. “After tonight, there will be no doubt, you are my queen.”


As they continued laughing and trading stories with Miranda about the growing up years here and on Antar, there came a knock on the restaurant door. They all look at each other, it would be apparent that they were closed, all of the blinds were drawn. The knock came again. Michael stands, walking to the door. Kyle follows him, if he got mad enough he should be able to do some damage if necessary. The knock came a third time. Then a voice.

“Come on guys let me in, I’ve been driving for two days!”

“Jesse!”


Liz looked around; they were at the pod chamber. “Max what’s going on?”

As he puts his hand on the rock that would unlock the “door” he looks at her. “Stay here.”

She grins, thinking back to a time she said that to him. “Staying.”

He disappeared into the chamber for a minute, and then he comes out and carries her inside. “Oh Max.” Looking around, she sees that the room is filled with strawberry scented candles. At the base of the pods was her parents’ inflatable bed, covered in the new linens from their room. On the bed were white rose petals. Something didn’t seem quite right, then she realized what it was, Tess’ pod was gone. “Where is…”

“Gone, it had no place here, it’s been destroyed. I did it when I came to fix things here.” Looking around, there was something he was forgetting. “Oh, I almost forgot, I want to give you the stars, your highness.” Waving his hand at the ceiling of the pod chamber, he turned it into a giant sky light. All of the stars in the sky were their ceiling.

Liz leans her head back to see it all. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful…”

Max turns her to him, taking her in his arms, kissing her thoroughly, he smiles. “I have.”


To Be Continued…

Taking It Back
Part Fifteen


Miranda sat and watched the fun unfold; she would miss this place dearly. She knew her time was slowly coming to an end, but she would try to make what time she had left last. Laughing, she watched Geoff go to get the key to the front door, but by the time he turned around, Isabel had already unlocked the door and pulled Jesse inside. They didn’t seem to notice that all eyes were on them; to them the world had disappeared.

Kyle still sat with Michael and Maria, suddenly he had an idea. Passing around napkins, he took out a pen and wrote the number ten on it. Passing the pen to Michael, he motioned for him to write down a number, too. Michael catching on, writes down eight and a half; then he hands the pen to Maria, she decided on a nine. They stood up and motioned to the others, then they started applauding and then they each held up their score.

Isabel broke away from Jesse, turning around to see what all the commotion was about. When she turned toward the booth, she saw the numbers, then she blushed.

“Very funny, Michael!”

“Don’t look at me! Kyle started it!”

Isabel narrowed her eyes and looked at Kyle. He just grinned and gave her a little wave. “Hey, everybody told me to keep my temper cool, so I just couldn’t help myself.”

Phillip walks over to Jesse, offering him his hand. “Welcome home, son.”

Jesse had one arm around Isabel, the other he extended to his father-in-law. “Glad to be back.” As he turned back to look at Isabel, he thought something was different, it was her hair. It was now down to her shoulders and blonde. “Did you do this?”

“No, it’s the real me. I can change it back if you want.”

“No, I like it…it’ll just take some getting used to, but I like it.”

“So how long do you have until you have to go back to Boston?” Isabel didn’t want to hear the answer.

Jesse hesitated; he didn’t want her to be disappointed in him. “Well, I asked them for some time off for some personal reasons, and they said it would have to wait until this latest case was done, and I told them it couldn’t wait…they told me to enjoy myself because I now had all the time in the world.”

“Oh, Jesse, they fired you?” Thinking, she started to smile. “Oh Jesse! They fired you!!” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think I know of a law firm that might be able to help you.”
She turns and looks at her father.

“Yes, I do remember an opening in the mail room, it’s been backing up for awhile. Are you interested?” Phillip was trying hard to keep a straight face.

“Sir, if it meant that I could be near Isabel, I’d lick every stamp going out the door, too.” He looks at Isabel, his eyes full of love.

Phillip grins, “Right answer. Welcome back, we’ll have to see about getting you an office.”

Everyone was standing around talking, Miranda could feel herself starting to get weaker, she would have to leave soon. Looking at Isabel, she caught her attention. Giving her a slight wave good bye, she starts heading towards the backdoor. When she felt a light touch on her shoulder, she turns around. “You can’t leave yet, we haven’t had a chance to talk.” Isabel looked broken hearted at the thought of Miranda leaving.

“Dear, I must leave very soon…I’m afraid that I have spent what energy I had left to come here. I haven’t got long; I feel I am getting weaker every second.”

“We can get Max, he’ll help you. Do you know where he is?”

“He can’t help me, it’s my time. Besides he’s off with Liz, they have much to discuss after what they heard tonight.” Reaching up she softly touches Isabel’s cheek. “I will greatly miss you both.”

Isabel looks at her with tears in her eyes, “If Jesse and I ever have a daughter, we’re going to call her Miranda, it’s such a beautiful name.”

“Well, I don’t think that will be possible, I think your brother just beat you to it.” Isabel gives her a funny look, like she couldn’t figure out what she meant. “You’ll figure it out in a few minutes, but if you don’t, you will in a few months.” Smiling, she gives Isabel a kiss on the cheek, and then she turns to leave. As Isabel heads back to Jesse, she realizes what Miranda meant, turning back, she sees that the older woman could barely walk, but she does turn back for one last look at them all. She sees Isabel give her a small wave. She slowly, painfully made it through the kitchen, she needed to be outside, soon. Nancy was just coming in with some dirty dishes,”Miranda, where are you going! Sit down and rest.” Setting down the dishes, she puts her arm around her.

“I must leave dear, if I don’t go soon, I’m afraid I’ll make a dusty mess on your floor. It’s my time to go, maybe I can find Claudia and we can discuss old times.” Nancy didn’t know what to say.

“Can I do anything for you?”

“I am very weak, please could you just open the back door, I really must go.”

Opening the door for her, Nancy reaches down to give her a hug, but to her amazement there was almost nothing there, it was like she disappearing in front of her eyes. “Thank you for my daughter’s life…you saved her, even if you didn’t know it.”

“Yes I did know, it was in the prophecy. Good by…” Suddenly she was gone; just dust floating on the air.

At the same moment in the pod chamber, Max sits up in bed. Looking up to the stars, he sees a red shooting star fly over head. “Good bye Miranda and thank you.”

Liz rolls over, her eyes full of sleep, “Did you say something?”

Lying back down, he reaches down to get the sheet and covers them. “No, I was just thinking out loud.” Kissing her on the forehead, he pulls her close. “Go back to sleep.” Sighing, she snuggles back into his arms. Max lays awake, watching the stars overhead.


The next thing he knew, the sun was pouring into the pod chamber. Liz opens her eyes then shuts them quickly. “Whoa! Who opened the blinds?”

Max looks down at her. “Sorry.” Waving his hand, the ceiling goes back to normal.

“Thank you. Did I hear you talking to someone last night?” She opens her eyes back up, rubbing them, she tries to figure out what time it is.

Running his hand down her hair, he looks at her, hating to tell her the news.” I was saying good bye to Miranda. She told me last night before we left, that it would be her last night. She was a great friend in what little time we knew her. At last we know our past.” Kissing her good morning, he gets up. Offering Liz his hand, she stands up too. “Well, I guess it’s home for a quick shower, then back to real life.”

Liz grins, “Yea, ain’t it great!”

They sneak in the back door of the Crashdown, Michael peeks around the corner. “It’s about time you two got back. Maria’s been yelling all morning about being swamped. Sure beats living in a van…not.”

“Give me ten minutes; I’ll be right back down.” Running up the stairs, Max follows her. They both head for the bathroom.
“Too bad you only told him ten minutes…”


Max walks into the UFO Center, looking around, he sees Brody checking on a display. “Morning, Brody. What can I do to help?”

“Max, I’m glad you’re here. Come with me, I have something to show you!” He heads to a set of stairs that seems to lead to nowhere. At the top, they stand on a balcony, facing a brick wall. Brody takes a “brick” and slides it to the side, revealing a control panel. “Now all we have to do is figure how to open it.”

“Where does it go? Milton didn’t know about this, did he?” Max studies the panel, pushing buttons.

“There is supposed to be a room back there, a big room. I think it has something to do with this being an old air raid shelter. I don’t think he could have known. It was on some old top secret plans that I had to pay dearly for…Max I think this building was used for more than they said. I just wish we could figure out how to make that panel work.”

Max looks down to the floor below, not seeing any of the employees walking around, he takes his hand and places it over the panel. They hear a double click, then the door slides open. Brody just looks at him. “I guess it helps to have the right friends. Come on Max, I want to see what’s in here.” When he tries to turn on the lights, nothing happens, again Max lays his hand on the switch, the lights come on, surprising them both.


“So, did you and Max have a good time last night?” Maria was waiting for Michael to finish her order.

“I’ll never tell…” She looks at Maria, she’s giving Liz her best pouty face. Liz starts to whisper. “Okay, if you were taken to the pod chamber, and it was fixed up like the most romantic hotel suite that you’d ever seen in a magazine, what would you say? Oh, plus Max took Tess’s pod out and destroyed it, and then used the rest of them for the headboard, after that…”

“What, there’s more?” She turns and gives Michael a dirty look. Michael looks back. “What?”
“Never mind, Spaceboy, we’ll discuss it later. What else?”

“With a wave of his hand, he turned the ceiling of the pod chamber into a giant sky light…it was the greatest thing I’ve ever seen. Well, almost the greatest…” She adds, blushing.

Michael just rolls his eyes “Oh, brother.”


Max and Brody walk into the room. Not believing the size of it…how could this room fit on top of the Center, it was way too big. One wall contained row after row of files, they looked very old, and were covered in dust. One of the other walls contained something that looked like an old computer…the kind that used to take up almost a whole room. They walk over and look at it.

“This is amazing, I wonder if we could figure out if there is any information in it. And if there is, how do we get it out…” As Brody starts to run his hand over the control panel, he accidentally pushes a button. There comes a slight humming, then a door opens, behind that door was some of the most modern equipment that they had ever seen. “Even I could never imagine that this kind of thing could be possible…”


To Be Continued…

Taking It Back
Part Sixteen


Kyle sat in his father's truck in the nursing home’s parking lot; he was trying to get up the nerve to go in. Hopefully things would be better this time. Walking in the front door, he passes the nurses station, barely giving them a look. The two nurses saw him pass, looking at each other, they knew that one of them would have to approach him. Helen, the one that handled things the last time decided it should be her. “Mr. Valenti! Mr. Valenti…”

Kyle turned around; he still wasn’t accustomed to being called Mister. “You wanted to talk to me?”

“Yes, it’s about your grandfather.”

”Don’t tell me he’s tied up again.” He noticed the curtains starting to blow. Taking a few deep breaths, he felt himself relax.

“No, of course not. But he has been a little agitated today, so please, if he shows any sign of aggression, you’ll have to leave.”

“Sure, anything to keep him happy.” Walking into his grandfather’s room he finds him sitting, staring out the window. “Hi Grandpa, how are you feeling today?” Kyle walks over and crouches down next to him. Seeing that the blanket he had over his lap had slipped, he reaches down to fix it. “There, that’s better.” Then his hand brushes his grandfather’s knee. Suddenly he turns to look at Kyle, his eyes wide open, staring at him. “They are here! They are here! Get out of here! I want you to get out of here…!”

“Grandpa, it’s okay, it’s me Kyle, you know your grandson.” Placing his hand on the elder Valenti’s back, he feels his muscles tense.

“Get out of here! Get out of here!” He starts pointing to the door. Then he starts rocking in the seat. “They are here…They are here…They are here…”

“Grandpa?” Just then Helen walks in.

“What’s going on here? What did you do?”

“Nothing, I just covered him up with the blanket…” Kyle watches his grandfather rock in the chair.

“I think you better leave, maybe you should stay away for awhile.” She starts pushing Kyle out the door.

Kyle sat in his father’s truck in the nursing home’s parking lot. “How does he know?”


Jim Valenti stood in the hall trying to hear what Hanson was saying to the man in his office. He hoped he wasn’t being paranoid, but that guy looked like all the other FBI agents he’d seen. Only this was something different, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he jumped about a foot. Turning around he sees Kyle. “Hey son, you scared me half to death…what’s wrong?”

“Its grandpa, he knows. Somehow he knows.”

“Knows what? Oh, no way, there is just no way he can tell. Can he?” Jim didn’t know what to think.

“He kept saying ‘They are here’ and then he kept telling me to get out…this isn’t good.”

Jim grabs Kyle’s arm and pulls him away from the door. “I think Hanson is in there with someone from the FBI. We have to be careful what we’re saying.”

“FBI, gees dad, has it started already?”

“Let’s hope not son.”



Max and Brody continued to look at the computer; Brody had never seen one like it before. “I just don’t know what to make of this, can you figure it out, Max?”

“I don’t know much about this stuff, Liz is the one we need. I’ll call her to see when her shift ends. I think we need to have a meeting. As long as it’s okay with you, that is.” Max was taking his cell phone out of his pocket.

“Of course, bring them all, the more heads we have, the more likely we’ll figure something out.” He keeps looking at the computer, not knowing if he should touch any of the buttons.

“Okay, the three of you, in an hour. I’ll call Isabel and Jesse; I don’t think he’s starting work until tomorrow. Plus, I’ll get in touch with the Valentis. Love you too.” He closes the cover on his phone. “They’ll be here in an hour. Oh, Maria said she’d bring your lunch.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to eat, there is just too much going on.” He starts walking around, looking to see if there was more, something they missed. He noticed that Max had started to dial the phone again; hopefully they all would be able to make it.

“Isabel, pick up. Isabel…pick up the phone!”

“This better be important, Max, I’m rather busy right now. You know, I haven’t seen my husband in like eight months, and mom and dad aren’t home…so somebody better be dying.” Max hears a moan.

“Sorry Is. But it is important, very important…I can’t even tell you. Can you be here in an hour?”

“Maaaax…come on!” He hears a sigh. “Jesse too?”

“Of course, he’s involved now, so no more secrets, at least from him; the parents are a different story.” He hears some muffled talking, then another sigh.

“All right, we’ll be there, but it better be good.”

“Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Bye.” After he hangs up, he decides he better make the other call.




One hour…then they would get to see what they found. Michael didn’t think he could wait. Liz picked up her latest order. “Hang in there Michael…we’ll be over there in no time.” Taking the order to the table, she sits it down in front of a red haired girl; she looked to be about Liz’s age. “Here you go. Are you new in town?”

The girl nods, yes. “Oh, could I have a cherry coke too. And maybe a small piece of that chocolate cake? I was on the bus for a long time, and the food leaves a lot to be desired at those rest stops.”

Liz grinned, “Sure, what ever you want.” She turns around and goes to get the drink and cake. After she gives it to her, she goes back by Michael and Maria. Maria seems to be watching the girl with some interest.

“Look familiar?” She points at the girl as she starts to pour Tabasco sauce into her drink, then starts to dump it on her cake.

“Oh my god.” Liz whispers. Michael comes out of the kitchen, Liz follows him, signaling to Maria to stay where she was.

Michael slides into the booth seat across from the girl. “Okay, who the hell are you?”

The girl looks over at him, “I beg your par…” Liz lays the amulet on the table. “Oh…how did you get that? History told us that belongs to the royal couple…did you steal it?” Just as she looks up at Liz, she sees Liz’s eye start to change to the warrior look. “Oh, oh…” Liz reaches down and picks up the amulet and puts it back around her neck.

“Now…what’s you’re story?” Suddenly the red haired girl points behind them.

“Look FBI!” As Michael and Liz turn to look, the girl climbs out of the booth and runs out the door. Michael tries to catch her, but she seems to have disappeared.

“I think I’m starting to prefer being on the road…at least there, we could do the running.”


Isabel and Jesse met Michael and the girls as they walked in. Max comes out to get them, showing them the way to the back room. They see that the Valentis are already there.
Michael starts to rub his hands together. “Let’s get this show on the road.” Looking around, he doesn’t see anything. “Well, where is it?’

Max points towards the stairs, “Up there.”

They all follow him to the top. Then they watch in amazement as Max activates the panel, opening the door. “Come on, you aren’t going to believe this.” They walk into the room. “Didn’t I tell you it would be worth it, Isabel?”

“I can’t even talk right now.” Isabel walks over to the computer “Where is this from?”

Brody walks over by Isabel. “We don’t know, we have no idea what it all means.”

Kyle had picked up one of the files. “I can’t believe this! This is a file from 1959, it’s about grandpa!” Jim goes over by Kyle and looks to see for himself.
“It is, it’s about dad!” Turning around, he reaches for a more recent file. “This is about Agent Stephens!” Looking at another one, “Here’s Kathleen Topolsky! What the hell is going on?”

Maria starts to look at some of the others, “Seems like some one was mighty interested in the local law enforcement…Oh, here’s one that says Jim Valenti, Jr. I feel like I just fell into the Twilight Zone…these files go back to 1947!”

Liz starts to wander away from the rest of them, something was pulling her. Then she stops in front of another wall. “You guys, I think there is something in this wall. I have a really weird feeling.”

They all come running, just as Liz places her hand on the wall. The humming sound starts again, then two of the bricks slide open, revealing another panel. It had an oval cut into the center.

“How do we get this open?” Max leans over and puts his hand on the panel, nothing happens. “It must take something. Maybe something like a key…but what?”

Liz had been studying it, then she smiles, “I know…” Taking the amulet from around her neck, she places it with the galaxy symbol facing the wall. Suddenly the wall slides away, showing them another panel…this one has a place for four hands. Two large and two small. Looking at each other, Max, Liz, Isabel and Michael walk over and place their hands on the panel…the door slides open.

“Oh my God…” Was all they could say.

To Be Continued…

Here's a little Mother's Day gift ~ 2 parts!



Taking It Back
Part Seventeen



He stood in the hallway, looking in every direction, the last thing he wanted was to get caught. Once he saw it was clear, he held his hand over the lock, hearing it click, he walks in. The first thing he saw was her red hair flipping around as she put it in a ponytail.

“It’s about time you got back, how did it go?” She was laying out some pictures on the table.

“At least give me a minute to change out of these clothes.”

“Sure take your time.” She keeps her back to him to avoid the bright light as he “changed”. After he was done, he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the little clear box of mints. Opening the box he shakes out two of the candies then puts the box back in his pocket. “Do you feel better now?”

He goes over to the mirror, running his hand down his face. “Much, I don’t know how they can stand to wear those suits, they make me feel like I’m chocking. Hopefully my days of being that FBI guy are limited.” Looking at the pictures she had laid out on the table, he picks one up. It was a picture of Max. “Did you see this one?”

“No, just these two.” She points at pictures of Michael and Liz, then at Maria’s. “She was there too, but they were at work, so it’s to be expected. Now, what did you find out?”

He takes out the little box of mints again, seeing that they were almost gone, he makes a mental note to get some more. “Well, that so called sheriff doesn’t know too much, it’s his deputy that knows things. We need to get into that building and find those files, too bad there isn’t a way into the other chamber.”

“I saw the key, she has it.” The red haired girl points at Liz. “It looks like the prophecy has begun. She’s nice enough, she was very kind to me. I think she’ll be good for us.”

“She let you see the key? Why would she expose herself that way?” He looked at her as if she was mistaken.

“It was my fault, I couldn’t stand to eat anything without that sauce and they saw me. Sorry.”

“They? Who else saw you? Amanda, you have to be more careful, we can’t risk getting caught. We have an important job to do and we can’t let anyone stop us.” He starts pacing the room. If she were to get them caught, it might be the end of them all.

“It was just the three. It wasn’t busy when I was in there. Relax Skylar, I won’t let it happen again.”



As the second door slid open, they saw a frosted glass panel, the sign of the orb was in the center. Behind the door was a chair. A large silver gray chair, it looked like an egg with part of the shell cut away. The seat was covered in a dark blue, metallic material. The arms extended slightly outside of the “shell”, they could see a place to put the hands of whoever sat it on each arm.

“It looks just like a chair…what could be so important about a chair?” Maria stood behind Michael, looking over his shoulder.

“It must mean something, why else would it be locked up like this.” Max reaches for the handle on the glass door. Liz reaches over and stops him.

“Wait, we don’t know what it will do…” Max takes her hand, then he pulls her over to him.

“It must be safe, no one would be able to get in and do anything to it.” Looking at the rest of them, he points out the obvious. “We had the key, no we are the key. We can’t open it without each other…it must be a safe guard.” He goes back to open the door. As they step inside they feel the electricity swirling around the room.

“Wow, you could run a city on the stuff that’s flying around in here.” Kyle was looking around the room. Once inside, they see the blue light bathing it. Max starts to look at the chair; Michael is walking around the other side. They look up at each other, trying to decide what to do.

“I think I should try it out. I just wish I knew what it did.” As Max laid his hand on the outside shell, the electric charge in the room intensifies. He pulls it back quickly. “Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. I think we should get out of here, at least until we can figure out what it means.” Taking Liz’s hand, he turns to go.

“Max, I want to try it…how else are we ever going to find out exactly what it does.” Michael was intent of sitting in the chair.

“Michael, I said no. We don’t know if it’s safe. We can’t take a chance on anything happening to you. We need you here.” Max had that determined look on his face. Michael was just as determined…he would sit in that chair, no matter what Max said. “That’s that. Come on, everyone outside. Let’s go check out those files; I want to know why they’re so important.” They turn to leave the room, everyone but Michael. As soon as the last person was out of the room, he jumps into the seat.

“Michael!!” Maria was the first to see him sit down.

Max tries to open the door, but it has locked itself.

“It must lock as soon as the chair is activated. I’m afraid there is nothing we can do until he gets through whatever it holds for him.” Brody watched, with the rest, as the blue light began to flash brighter.

As Michael looks through the frosted glass of the door, he sees them start to fade…



“How hard do you think it will be to approach them? I’m sure they’re suspicious of strangers, especially after what happened to them at graduation. Sometimes I wonder what they were thinking when they sent them here.” Amanda was putting the pictures back in their hiding place for safe keeping.

“It might have been easier before that little stunt you pulled this afternoon. Whatever were you thinking?” He got up and looked out the window. If she has jeopardized their assignment, everything and everyone could be at risk…



They watch waiting for something to happen, but Michael just sits in the chair, the blue light flying around the room. Brody listens, he thinks he hears something. Walking to the other side of the room, he hears a humming from the computer.

“Max, there is something happening, look!” He points at a screen appearing on the wall. “What is that?”



Michael looks around, where did everyone go? The blue light seems to have settled down. Taking a chance, he stands up and opens the door. As he steps out of the door he realizes he wasn’t where he was when he left. Looking down at his hand, he can see right through it. “What’s going on, where am I?” Suddenly he hears someone talking, before he can hide, they pass right by him, like he wasn’t there…


They watch in amazement as the screen comes to life…they are seeing everything that Michael sees.

“How can Michael be there, when he’s right in there in that chair…the chair did this!” Isabel starts to panic. “Max, how will get him back?”

“I know that place, I’ve seen it before.” Max stares at the screen. “That’s Antar…Michael is on Antar!”

“Michael is right there.” Kyle points at the room, Michael is still sitting there, but he appears to be asleep.

“It’s a virtual trip, it’s like what I was working on that time it short circuited and turned me into Larek. Only we get to see everything he experiences. It’s amazing!” Brody stares at the screen. They see Michael walking around, but no one sees him. “He will be able to experience what ever is around him, but he will go unobserved because his body is still here.”

“How long will he be gone? He won’t be stuck there will he?” Maria wanted her Spaceboy back.

“No, I think he will be able to pull away or maybe the chair is on a timer, then it will bring him back when a set time is up. Let’s look at the computer and see if we can find out anything.” As he looks at the control panel he sees a timer. “There! It shows another forty five seconds…hopefully he will be back then.”

As they watch the timer click down, Michael has just walked passed Kivar, unknown to either one of them…


To Be Continued…




Taking It Back
Part Eighteen



As they were watching, the picture slowly started to fade to black then the screen disappeared.

"What happened?" Maria started to panic.

"It's okay Maria, see the timer has stopped. Michael should be back." Brody reaches out his hand and places it on her shoulder.

They all go back to the room with the chair, as they get there, Michael is walking out of door. As soon as Max got into range of him, he makes a fist and knocks Michael on the ground. "What the hell were you thinking? I told you, no. You could have put everyone in danger!” Then he reaches down to offer Michael a hand up. Michael takes it, looking at Max like he couldn’t believe that he did that.

“Maxwell, that’s only the second time that you’ve done that…well, I’m not counting the time I kind of lost it when I thought I was king, that I deserved.”

“Kind of lost it? Michael you wanted to kill every human in sight…” Maria was shocked that he still thought of it as just some little thing that he did.

Max looks at her. “That’s over and done with. It’s the present we need to worry about. Michael, do you know where you were?”

“I think I have an idea. How do you know where I was?”

“We saw it all, everything you saw, everything you did. The chair sent back images and we saw it all on a screen that just appeared. Did you know you were on Antar?”

“I kind of had a suspicion that’s where I was. How did you know it was Antar?” Michael was rubbing his jaw; Max could pack a wallop if he wanted to.

“That was some of my memories that Tess didn’t mess with. I think we used to live near there. I think there must be a hidden chamber there too. One that only we can find.” He looks through the door at the chair. The room looked back to normal, no more flashing blue lights.

“Max. I want to go back. Maybe we can find out what’s going on with our enemies.”

“No, and I mean no this time. We don’t know how many times this thing will work. Maybe it’s like the Granolith, maybe it only works one time. Maybe every time someone uses it, the timer is set longer, until you never come back and you’re just stuck, you know, not here, not there.” He walks over and puts his hand on the panel, the doors start to slide shut.

“What are you doing? We should leave it unlocked, no one will be able to get in here.”

“That way you won’t pull anymore disappearing tricks on us. When we all decide that it’s safe enough, then and only then will we open it back up. Discussion over.” Max turns, takes Liz’s hand and walks back to the other end of the room.




Skylar was looking over an old set of blueprints, trying to figure out a way in. But from the looks of what he saw, there was only one way in. This would defiantly make their job a bit harder. But it could be done.

“Did you find anything? Maybe they haven’t found the room yet and we can get in and out without anyone being the wiser.”

“I never underestimate anything where they’re concerned; they seem to have a pretty good network of friends. I still want to know what that deputy knows. I mean, the man used to be sheriff…what did he do to lose his job. How his connected to the others? I need his file.”

“We need to start their training, it could already be too late. From what I saw, Zan…I mean Max is in pretty good shape…but I’m not sure about the others.” Amanda starts to lay out some strange looking knives. Picking one up she practices punching her arm into the air, the blade making a swish sound as it cuts into the air.

“You love that don’t you, the thrill of the hands on battle.” He watched her practicing kicks and punches as she swung the knife with every move.

“It’s what I do best, it’s my job.” Looking in the mirror, she runs her hand down her body. “In this form, no one will ever suspect my strength…I like it.” Spinning around, her ponytail flipping in the air, she punches an invisible enemy.

“I’m just glad you’re on my side.” He laughs at her. There is no way he would ever want to tangle with her…he has seen her pull the heart out of an enemy, then she would stand there and watch it until it made it’s last beat. But yet, she was the kindest person he knew…just never turn on her or make her your enemy, it could be deadly.



Max was looking at the door into the hidden room, since they didn’t have a code to get in, they would have to use their powers…he began to wonder about the others, how would they get in if there was an emergency. “Kyle, come here. I want to see if your powers have developed enough to open this door when it’s locked.” Stepping out on the catwalk that was by the door, Max shuts and locks it, waiting for Kyle to try. “Concentrate, put all you energy on the lock.”

Kyle places his hand on the lock, like he had seen them do. After a few seconds, nothing happened. “Sorry, I guess I’m not quite ready for the easy stuff…maybe I’m just destined to make curtains blow and pictures float.”

Max puts his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, it will come in it’s own good time. Let me try something, put your hand back on the lock, let me see if I can imprint you to it’s memory, then maybe you can open it on your own. If it works for you, then I’ll try it with the others, then we won’t have to worry about anyone but us getting in.” Kyle puts his hand on the lock, Max holds his over Kyle’s, sending a green glow over both hands and the lock. Then they hear a click.
Max relocks the door. “Now try.”

Kyle puts his hand back on the lock, this time it unlocks. “Hey, that worked! Cool.”

“Go get the others, we’ll get this set up, then we won’t have to worry about any unwanted visitors.” Max looked below, they needed to set up some sort of alarm system; he needed to get with Brody about it.

Jesse was the last person that Max programmed the door to recognize. “Sorry you had to come back to all this craziness. I wonder if it was such a good thing, our coming back…”

“Max, I think that it was probably for the best. If you hadn’t, you never would have met Miranda and found out the answers to your questions. Besides, it let me come home, back to Isabel.”
He smiled at his brother-in-law, their relationship was gradually improving, something he had his doubts about in the past.

Lifting his hand away from Jesse’s and the door he looks at him. “Go ahead, try.” Jesse takes his hand and unlocks the door. He gets a look of amazement on his face. “Welcome to our world.”

Going back in the room, they see everyone looking through the files. Liz and Kyle were going through the one about his grandfather. Jim had is own, he was wondering what these people had written about him. Kyle looks over at Liz, noticing that she had become a little pale. “Are you feeling okay, you don’t look so good.”

“I’m okay, maybe it’s because I haven’t eaten today…we’ve been so busy.” She starts to sway a little, she seemed to be looking for a place to sit.

Kyle puts down the file. “Liz, what’s the matter?” He reaches out to catch her as she falls on the ground. “Max, come here!”

Max runs over, he hadn’t seen her this way since she got so sick during the time she was changing. “Liz, Liz look at me! Are you alright?” He runs his hand over her body, trying to find out what had caused her to pass out. Suddenly he stops, he found the problem. He looks over at Isabel, she’s grinning. “You know?”

“Someone gave me a hint…congratulations, Daddy.”


To Be Continued…

Taking It Back
Part Nineteen


Max was holding Liz in his arms when her eyes started to flutter open. "Hi” her voice was barely a whisper.

“Hi yourself.” He smiles down at her, worry all over his face. “How do you feel?”

“Okay I guess. What happened?” When she looked up at his worried face, she began to fear the worse.

“You kind of passed out…but I think you’re okay now.” He takes his hand and runs it down her hair, not looking away from her eyes. Jim looks at the others, then signals for them to come with him to the other side of the room…Max and Liz needed their privacy.

“Max, what’s wrong with me? This isn’t because I didn’t eat, is it?” She saw his eyes start to light up, he had a secret, she could tell. “Will I be alright?”

Leaning down to give her a kiss, he holds her face in his hands. “In about one to nine months, it just depends on whose schedule you go by.” She starts to feel relieved by the look on his face, then she realizes what he meant.

“No, Max I can’t be…can I?”

“From what I saw, you can.” Leaning down he whispers in her ear. “Thank you Liz, thank you for my beautiful daughter.” He looked at her with tears in his eyes. This time it would be different, this child would be born out of love and he would see her grow into the beautiful woman he knew she would be.

Liz sat up, touching her forehead to Max’s, she whispers back. “Thank you. I love you for giving me this wonderful gift.” One tear of happiness ran down her face, then her stomach began to rumble. “I guess she’s wanting fed. But I don’t think I can eat anything.”

“I’ll take you home, then I can fix you some tea and maybe a little toast. That should stay down.”
Standing up, he carefully helps Liz stand. “Are you okay, not dizzy or anything?”

“I think I’m okay. I feel like I just want to lie down and take a nap…is that normal?” Liz was beginning to worry, what will their baby be?

“I don’t know…you’ll have to ask your mother.” He saw a funny look on her face. “What?”

“My mother, what will we tell her if the baby decides to follow the Antar ways? Oh, yea mom, by the way, you should be a grandmother in about one month. I can see her face now!” She starts to giggle.

The rest of the group walks back over. “Are you okay now?” Jim was acting fatherly, but he didn’t care, these were his kids too. “You look better.”

“Yes, I feel a little better, thanks.” Her stomach starts to rumble again. “I guess that’s my cue. I think I better go eat something.”

“Do you guys want to stay here, I can come back later. Or do you want to wait and check out things again tomorrow?” Max was hoping for the latter, he really wanted to stay with Liz.

“I think we’ve all had enough excitement for one day. Why don’t we just meet back here tomorrow? Besides, there are some things I have to check in.” Brody looked around at the rest of them. “Is that alright with everyone?”

“I really want to go back in that chair. Why do I need everyone here for that?” Michael had that determined look on his face. “What about all those files. What if there is something in them?”

“Michael, the chair stays locked up for now. No one is going to use it, especially when there is no one around. Right now, my main job is to get Liz home, she needs something to eat. Brody’s right, we’ll meet back here tomorrow.” He takes Liz’s hand and heads for the door; looking back he sees that they aren’t moving. “I know those files are bothering you, but they have sat here for all those years, one more night won’t hurt anything…come on let’s go.” He hears grumbling from the group, but he also hears them gather their things. “I wish I could say take the files home to read them, but it would be too dangerous. Once that door is locked, no one can get in, not even someone with Kivar’s powers can get it open. Brody, I forgot, thank you for doing this…for giving up your normal life to have it turned into alien chaos. Also, thank you for all this.” He waves his hand around the room.

“It was nothing Max, besides now that I know that I’m not being abducted, I feel like being more involved. This is going to be a great adventure.” Brody smiled, at last he would be accepted.



Skylar and Amanda stood across the street, in front of the Crashdown. They were studying the building, planning. “I don’t know…wonder if they already found it.”

“Skylar, you worry too much. I don’t think they even know the room exists. It’s just an old storeroom. We’ll find a way in, get the files and be gone. Easy as that.” She was optimistic, she always was, nothing or no one would stop her.

“You don’t know what else is in there do you? They never told you what else that room held. Well, well how about that.” He was getting an attitude and she didn’t like it.

“Are you talking about what’s stored in the upper loft, the one locked out of sight? I know. But we’ll never get in, only they can.” As she starts to look around, she sees them crossing the street. “Come on, they’re coming. I don’t want them to see us yet. What’s going on, she looks sick…this can’t happen, they all need to be in top shape.” Amanda wanted to go check out Liz, but she didn’t dare go near them.

“Don’t let your imagination run away with you. She looks a little tired, but she doesn’t look that bad. Whatever it is I’m sure he can handle it.” Stepping off the curb, he heads to the store across the street, he needs more of those mints. As he walked, he almost bumped into Max. He saw concern on Max’s face. Now he was starting to worry, what could be wrong that had him so concerned.

“Let’s go around back. That way they won’t even know we’re back. You can go upstairs and change into your favorite pajamas and I’ll fix you something to eat.” He can’t seem to get enough of her glowing face. “What about the rest of you? Any plans?”

I think I’ll take Spaceboy home and we can talk about his bad behavior today.” She gives him a dirty look.

“What? We all wanted to know what that chair was for, and don’t say other wise.” He gives her a dirty look right back.

“Well,” Isabel looked at her watch. “We have about two hours before mom and dad come home, so I think our afternoon is planned.” She winks at Jesse, it was so great to have him back.

Jim clears his throat, “I think I might stop in and check on dad. Maybe if he sees me, he’ll be able to keep calm…or not.” Kyle looked at him, he was shocked that his father would actually go see his grandfather.

“Thanks dad. I’m sorry that I got him so upset.”

“It’s not your fault Kyle. These days they can never tell what will set him off.” Jim didn’t want to think about what he would find. “Let us know what the plans are for tomorrow.”

As they all went their separate ways, Max and Liz go to the backdoor. Just as Max opens it, the smell from the kitchen hits Liz’s nose. “Oh, this isn’t good.” Running for the stairs, she heads to the bathroom. While she was trying to keep from being sick, she hears someone come into the bathroom. “I’m okay, I think it passed.”

“You think what passed? Liz, what’s wrong?” Nancy had come into the bathroom to put away their towels, not expecting her daughter to be in there.

Oh great, it’s mom, now what? She thinks. “Oh, hi. I just felt a little sick to my stomach, I forgot to eat anything today.” Hopefully that would keep her happy, and she wouldn’t ask anymore questions. She just wasn’t ready to share their news, because she knew what her mother would say. As she was standing up, she hears Max coming in the room.

“Liz, come get this tea while it’s warm, I fixed you some of that cinnamon toast that you like, I hope it stays down.” As he walks into the room he sees Nancy. “Hi Mrs. Park…Mom.” He looks over at Liz; she’s shaking her head ‘No’.

“Okay, what’s going on here, Liz?” Her mother looks from Liz to Max and back again, then she saw it. “You aren’t pregnant, are you? It’s too soon.”

“Too soon, what are you talking about?”

“Miranda, said that the night you went to stay wherever you went, that something would happen. So if that’s true, then this is way too early to know.”

Max looks at Liz, it couldn’t have happened then, could it? If it had, then that could only mean one thing…they might be on the Antar time frame. Now what?

“You still need to go see a doctor, Liz. For both of your sakes. I’ll go make an appointment to confirm everything.”

“Mom, it’s not like I can go to a doctor. I mean what am I supposed to say, ‘Oh doctor, by the way, when my baby grows up, it might be three feet tall, green and slimy. Everything is confirmed, Max saw the baby, and she’s fine.” Liz looked at her mother, she didn’t expect to see such a confused look. Realizing that her mother didn’t know all the things that Max could do, she tries to explain them to her.

“I’ll get out of your way, you two need to have a talk.” Looking at Liz’s mother Max turns to her. “Please, make sure she eats this, she hasn’t eaten all day.” He sets a tray of tea and toast on the desk, feeling the tea cup, he sees it has gone cold, he holds his hand over it, instantly making it hot again. Turning to Liz, he gives her a kiss just before he walks out the door. Liz watches him as he goes.

“Where do I begin…” Reaching for the tray, she picks up the tea.



Since Liz would be busy with her mother for awhile, Max decided to go back over to the UFO Center, he did have a few things to finish from this morning. As he walks in, he sees a red haired girl and a man walk in ahead of him. Following them as close as he can without them seeing him, he listens to their conversation.

“I wonder how we get into the back room. It looks pretty much closed off.”

“Come on Skylar, I’ve never seen you like this…is it because you know what they are that you’re so nervous?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, I was their protector long before you were even born.” Reaching in his pocket, he pulls out a new box of TicTacs. That was one good thing about this planet. “I’m just afraid what will happen if they catch us.”

Max reached in his pocket, dialing Maria’s cell phone, he waits for her to answer. “It’s your nickel, speak at me.”

“Maria, I need you and Michael over at the UFO Center as soon as you can get here. We may have some trouble brewing. Didn’t you say something about a red haired girl? Well, she’s here right now and she’s showing a lot of interest in the back room.”

Max continues to follow them until he sees Maria and Michael walk in. Walking over to them, he starts to say something until Maria interrupts him. Maria points out the red haired girl to Max. “That’s her, Michael tired to chase her before, but she like disappeared.”

Max looks at Michael “Are you ready to see if you can catch her this time?”

“Let’s go!” They walk over behind them, just as Michael was getting ready to tap the girl on the shoulder, a foot comes within an inch of his head. “What the hell are you doing? You almost killed me!”

“Sorry, I don’t like it when people sneak up on me.” Turning around she signals to Skylar to be ready to run. “I must be going, excuse me please.”

“Don’t think so…we need to talk to you.” Out of the corner of his eye, Max sees their protector try to leave. “Stop, tell me why you’re here.”

“We’ve come for the files and the ship.”


To Be Continued…

Taking It Back
Part Twenty



Max looked at Michael, then they each grabbed one of them, pulling them into the back room. Max lays his hand on the door and seals the lock, no one could come in and no one could go out.

“What are you talking about? What ship?”

“There is a ship; it’s stored away in case of an emergency.”

“Shut up, Skylar! You damn protectors can’t keep your mouths shut.” She starts to glare at Michael, “Let me go if you know what’s good for you. You thought that little kick was something, then you haven’t seen anything yet.” She jerks her arm away, turning, she looks at Max. “He’s a fool, there is no ship. Now, let us go.”

“I don’t think so. What files are you looking for? Where are they?” Max plays innocent, who is this woman, why doesn’t she respond like the other one? “I asked you a question, I expect an answer.”

“Your Highness, you have no idea who I am, but you will, you all will. He’s been here too long. He keeps thinking that there is a ship waiting to take us home, we lost that chance when the Granolith left.”

Max turns his attentions back to Skylar. “Is this true? Tell me about the ship.”

“It is hidden away, we have no key for the lock, it can only be opened by the royal four.” He looks from Max to Michael.

Suddenly the secret door comes open, Brody walks out. “Max, I was looking at...who are they?”

Amanda looks at Max. “You’ve found the room? We must have access to those files.” She starts to run for the stairs, Max throws a green energy field at her, sending her to the floor. Almost immediately she stands back up. “Don’t waste your energy…that will never keep me down.” She heads for the steps again. Brody stands next to Michael, watching her.

“It’s locked, she’ll never get in.”

Amanda puts her hand on the lock, nothing happens. She tries again, still nothing. Looking down at Max, she sees the smile on his face. “You changed it, we can’t get in? I should have known.” She walks to the railing, putting one leg over it, she jumps the twenty feet to the floor. Walking over to Max, she looks into his eyes. “You have what we want, we know where the ship is…when you want to talk, we’ll be back.”

“What ship Max? Do you mean the chair?” Brody realizes that maybe he just said the wrong thing.

“I don’t want a stupid chair, what good will that do?” Amanda had no idea what he was talking about. Brody looked at Max, relieved that he didn’t give anything away. “Can we go now?”

“I’m not done.” Looking at Skylar, he would get as many answers as he could “Tell me what’s in the files.”

“They contain the names of Kivar’s people. They are encoded among the files, that way we can find them and destroy them.”

“But they’re files of the FBI and police. Why would there be Kivar’s people encoded in them?”

“Because, they are among the worst of their men. I believe you knew an Agent Pierce…he was one of the worst.”

Michael and Max exchange looks. “Pierce was one of Kivar’s men? How? Why?”

“Pierce was human, captured by Kivar’s people. They did to him what Pierce did to you. Only he was not rescued like you were, he was put through unmentionable torture, turning him into what he became. He would capture and torture you, then kill you for Kivar if necessary. The torture made Pierce quite crazy.”

“Crazy like a fox. We thought he was only getting his jollies for himself…we had no idea that Kivar was getting his at the same time.” Michael began to feel better about killing Pierce.

“But some of the files contain the names of our friends, people that have helped us. We trust them with our lives.”

“We know this, they are there so that others like us will know who to trust. If you scan the files with this,” Skylar hands Max a small back box, it’s about the size of a matchbox; when Max pushes a button on the side a light appears. “When you hold this over the file, it will show a color. Green means they are trustworthy, red means they are not to be trusted, kill them if necessary. Or, some have been given an implant, one that will render them obsessed with aliens and UFO’s to the point of having to be locked up, there by making them unreliable witnesses. Their files will be blue.” Max looks at the little box again, and then puts it in his pocket. Amanda glares at him.

“Now, the ship.”

“What was wrong with your wife this morning…she looked ill.” Amanda wanted him off the subject of the ship.

“I’m asking the questions…now the ship.”

“The ceiling of the hidden room, it’s false. If you have the key, you can open it. It will only hold two people. But it can take us home again.”

“The key, what is it? Does the ship require the stone, we called it a diamond.”

“No, it takes the amulet. Amanda said the queen has it. It is most important, it will open many things. How did you get it, your mother was the only one that knew where it was.”

“That’s none of your concern. It’s safe and will stay where it belongs.” Max looks at Michael to see if he had any questions. Amanda was still glaring at them, she hated not having the upper hand and now she knew there were things going on that she needed to know. “You can go now. But before you do anything, you’ll come to Michael or me. No one is to be harmed unless I know who and why.”

As Max unlocks the door, Amanda turns to him. “We will see that room, no matter what you say.”

“I never said you wouldn’t, I’m just going to be the one that decides when.” He holds the door open for her. “Have a nice day and I hope you had a good time on your tour of the UFO Center.”



Nancy Parker looked at her daughter, what would their baby be? It’s hard enough having a baby, but the pressure of not knowing if it would be human or alien would be unbearable. “Are you sure that Max will be able to take care of you? I’d feel better knowing a real doctor was keeping track of everything.”

“Mom, Max will do just fine…I trust him. I can never go to a doctor, how would I explain anything unusual that might happen?” She nibbled at the toast, not sure if it would stay down. “I just wish he had a magic pill for this awful feeling.”

“I know what that’s like; you gave me quite a time. But I didn’t think it could happen so fast…if Miranda was right, that means it happened, what two days ago? It usually takes the body a month or so…does that mean that…?”

Liz looked at her mother wide eyed, if she was advancing that fast, was the baby on an Antar schedule? She started to feel sick to her stomach again, getting up she headed to the bathroom.
“Do you think I could have some more tea…it helped.”

Then Nancy remembered the herbs that Miranda gave her. “I have something that Miranda left here for you, she said you’d need it soon. It’s the same herbs she gave me…well almost the same.” She heads for the kitchen to make the tea.

Max came in the back door, seeing Nancy making more tea told him that Liz wasn’t much better. “How is she doing…did she eat anything?”

“Oh, hi Max. She did but it doesn’t seem like it wants to stay down. Miranda left these herbs, she knew this would happen and she knew that Liz would need them. How are you doing, this must be a big shock for you too.”

“I’m fine, I just worry about Liz. Have you told her dad yet? I wonder how he’ll take it. Did Liz tell you what the baby was?”

“I thought maybe you two would like to surprise him, I think he’ll be thrilled. But be prepared, he’ll spoil the baby rotten. Do you know what it is? How?” She couldn’t believe her ears, they knew already, it wasn’t possible. Then she smiled, this was a whole new world, things would never be the same again. “Will you tell me?”

Max watches as she poured the water over the crushed herbs in the cup. “Can I take it to her? There have been some things come up I need to discuss with her. Important things.”

She hands him the cup. “Please don’t put a lot of pressure on her; this will be a very difficult time for her.”

Max reaches for the cup. “Don’t worry, the last thing I would do is cause her harm, I love her more than you will ever know. She has gone through so much to protect Isabel, Michael and me. She has sacrificed so much; I will protect her with my life. But these are things that she must know about so she can protect herself if I’m not here.” Leaning over, he kisses Nancy’s cheek. “It’s a girl.” He smiles as he turns and heads for the stairs.


Max watched as Liz ate plate of Saturn Rings smothered with Tabasco sauce. Whatever those herbs were, they did the trick…he had never seen her eat like that before. “Do you think you’ll be able to sleep after eating all that?” He just laughed and shook his head.

“I am ready to go to bed, this has been such a strange day.” She swung her feet up on the bed. Max reached over and got the plate and set it on the dresser. “So, who is this mysterious red haired girl?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t think I want to fight her…” He stretches out on the bed next to Liz. She slides over close to him, picking up his hand she places it on her stomach.

“How is she doing? What did your parents say?” She leans over and starts nibbling on his neck.

“How can I answer your questions when you distract me this way?” He looks down at her smiling. Suddenly he feels the baby move, looking at Liz with amazement in his eyes. He never felt like this with Tess, he loved his son, but this was totally new. “Did you feel that?”

Snuggling down, falling asleep she started to mumble. “Um…yea, she must be happy. I love you Max.” Then she was asleep. After kissing the top of her head Max closes his eyes to sleep. “I love you too, Liz.

Rolling over, Max noticed the sun shining through the window. Looking at the clock he saw it was after eight. He would have to hustle to get to work on time. Looking over at Liz, he couldn’t believe what he saw. “Liz wake up.” He gently shook her. “Liz wake up, I think we might be in trouble.”

Liz struggled to open her eyes. “What, what happened?” Looking down she knew. Overnight the baby had grown; she was now at least five months along. “Oh my god, what’s happening?”


To Be Continued…

Taking It Back
Part Twenty-one


"Max, what's going on? I thought you said it took a month...I can't go outside like this."

Max sat on the edge of the bed, placing his hand on Liz's stomach, he made a connection with the baby.
"She seems fine, she's breathing okay and is really active." He grins as he feels another kick.

"No kidding. I can't even get dressed, I don't have anything I can wear!” Then she looks down and puts her hand on top of Max’s, maybe she could connect too. Then she saw what Max saw.
Oh Max, she’s beautiful…” She turns to look at him, they both had tears in their eyes.

“Knock, knock!” Nancy sticks her head into the bedroom, “Hope I didn’t come in at a bad moment…Liz, what happened?”

“We don’t know…something’s not right.” Seeing the panic on her mother’s face, Liz hurries up to add. “Oh, we’re fine; we just don’t know why things are going so fast.” She looks at Max, he just grins and nods. “Mom come here.” Nancy walks over to the bed, wondering what she wanted.
Liz takes her mother’s hand then places it on top of Max’s, letting her see and feel everything with the baby. “See, she’s just fine.”

Nancy gives them a look of amazement. What a wonderful thing to be able to experience all the time. She reaches down and touches Liz’s face. “You were right, he will take care of you both. Thank you, Max.” It was her turn to kiss Max on the cheek. “Could I get your father? Would it be okay?”

“Sure. Of course you know, we’ll have to go through this all over again with my parents. Of course I guess I should tell them first, huh?” He grinned at Liz again.

“I think that would be a good idea.” She just laughed. “If she keeps growing like this, we’ll probably wake up tomorrow with her in the bed between us.”

“I’m going to try to find Skylar, he’s a protector, he might have some answers.”

“Can I come in, your mother said there was something you wanted to show me…Lizzie, you better go on a diet.”

“I don’t think so dad. Just come here for a minute.” Liz and Max just look at each other, trying to keep from laughing. “Now don’t take this the wrong way, but you I want you to hold hands with Max.” She starts to laugh.

“What?” Liz grabs her dads hand and puts it on top of Max’s; the expression on her father’s face was beyond priceless. “Meet your granddaughter.”

“I’ve never seen your father speechless before.” Max hated to break the connection with her father, but he had to leave. “I hate to leave, but I have to try to find Skylar, we need some answers.” Leaning down, he kisses Liz good-bye. Rubbing her stomach he adds “Bye baby, we love you.” As he goes out of the bedroom door, he turns and gives her a wave.

“You just stay up here and relax, we won’t need you down there until the lunch rush” He was on his way out of the door. Looking back at her horrified face, he couldn’t resist. “Kidding.” She throws a pillow at him.


“Okay Dad, you never said what happened with Grandpa yesterday. Is he doing better?” Kyle was pouring them both some coffee. It had become their morning routine.

“Well, I didn’t get over there. I got busy.” Jim turns to the stove, stirring the eggs.

“Busy, you got busy! You promised to go see him. I’m really worried that they are going to want to start shooting him up with stuff to keep him quiet. We have to take care of him, Dad.”

“Kyle, if you only knew what this does to me…I keep thinking about what it would be like if it was me there and you didn’t come to visit, it would really bite.” He puts the eggs and biscuits on the table.

“Dad I know why you don’t go. You feel guilty. You know the truth, and you can’t tell him. It’s okay, you don’t need to feel that way. He would understand. I understand.”

“Hey, when did you get so smart?”

“I traveled in a van for eight months; I didn’t have much to do, so I had a lot of time to think.”
He puts his hand on Jim’s shoulder “It’ll be alright, Dad.”


Max looked around the Center hoping to see Skylar. Brody comes over to him wondering what was going on. “Max, is Liz okay?”

“Yes and no. Yes she’s fine, but she’s now five months pregnant. Antarian pregnancies are only one month. The way she’s going she won’t last a week.” He takes some postcards out of a box and starts to fill the rack. Brody takes the box from him.

“You go find whoever it is you need to find. I think we can take care of things here. Liz is more important. Oh, Max, I forgot to tell you, today is Sydney’s birthday.”

Max turns to look at him, he’s thinking about his own daughter. “That’s great Brody. Bet she’s getting big.”

“Yes she is. She is so strong now. Thank you.”

Max just smiled “It was my pleasure.”


Max ran across the street, he wanted to check on Liz. Just as he was ready to open the door he saw him. Skylar saw him too. He turned and walked the other way. “Stop!”

Skylar hated this, he would never be able to deny the king anything. “What do you want? There isn’t much more about the ship that I can tell you.”

“I don’t care about the ship. It’s Liz. We need your help.”

“What’s wrong? Amanda said she thought she didn’t look right yesterday.”

“She’s pregnant.”

“Women are pregnant everywhere, why does she need my help?”

“I think you know why. Besides it’s not everyday a woman goes from two days to five months over night. Come with me, we need to figure this out.”

Maria sees them walk in. “Hey Max, Liz sure is popping.”

Max starts to panic “What! Don’t tell me…”

“Oh, no! Not that! She’s just the same. I just meant the whole overnight thing.” She picks up some ketchup bottles to refill.

Upstairs, they walk into the bedroom. Liz is sitting on the balcony wearing her favorite pajamas. Opening the window, Max and Skylar go out to see how she is. “Any change?”

“No, I’m just still semi-big. My mother and Maria are going shopping to see if they can find me something to wear. Hello, I don’t think I know you.”

“No your Highness, it’s a great pleasure. My name is Skylar.”

“Oh, it’s you. Please, call me Liz, we don’t go by that here.” She tries to find a comfortable spot. Max goes into the bedroom and gets her a pillow. Putting it behind her back, he makes sure she’s comfortable. Then he turns to Skylar.

“What can you tell me about this? Do you know why she’d get to five months so fast?” Max looks at him, Skylar could see the fear on his face.

“Sometimes on Antar women have been known to progress quickly in the first week, then they level off for the rest of the month. I know this doesn’t happen here. But with your situation, this is all unknown territory.” Walking over to Liz, he looks into her eyes. “I don’t see anything, at least, that’s good. Have you had anything different to eat?”

“Are you saying that if I ate something different, that it could make my baby grow faster? That doesn’t make sense.” She looks at Max, he reaches down and takes her hand. “I haven’t been able to eat anything, the morning sickness…well it was more like morning, afternoon and evening sickness just about did me in. The only thing I had that helped was that herbal tea. I had two cups and felt back to normal.”

“Herbal tea? Did you buy it in the store?” He is beginning to think he was onto something.

“No, Miranda gave it to my mother. Somehow she knew this would happen. She left the herbs with her.”

He starts to laugh, “Miranda gave them to her? Well that answers that question.”

Max looks at him, “Did she give her something bad? Will it hurt the baby?”

“On the contrary, Miranda would never hurt a soul. Her intentions were good, she just should have warned your mother of the consequences. She has or should say had an herbal treatment for everything. She had the cure for morning sickness and the women loved her for it. But with Liz being human, this would definitely make changes in her.”

“But she isn’t human any more…well she is, but she’s more alien than human now, would she still be affected?”

“Her body is still essentially human; it’s the powers that are alien. I think the herbs jump started her body to get her past the early trimester. That’s when the morning sickness is most common. Therefore, if she is passed that point, the morning sickness would be gone. Also, Miranda felt that there would be trouble brewing soon, the baby’s chances would be better if it had grown. If I figure right, you should have leveled off and things should go back to normal. Whether that is Antarian normal or human normal, I don’t know.”

“Trouble, what kind of trouble?” Max looked at Liz, could they be on the verge of some kind of battle?

“That’s why we need the files, we need to know who we’re up against. I’m sorry Amanda is so rough. She was sent here to train you. As you could see, she is the best and she will teach you to be the same.” Looking at Liz, he smiles. “But you, I think will have to wait.”


To Be Continued…

Taking It Back
Part Twenty-Two


Max watched as Skylar headed to the window to leave. "Skylar"

Skylar turns to face him, "Sir?"

"We'll be having a meeting at 6:30 this evening at the UFO Center...bring Amanda and we’ll start going through the files"

Skylar smiles at Max. "Thank you, sir."

Max smiles back at him. “Please, don’t call me sir. I want to thank you for your help today.”

“It was my pleasure si…Max.” Once again he turns to leave.

“Oh, Skylar, one more thing.” He reaches into his pocket and throws something to him. Skylar reaches up to catch it; opening his hand he sees it’s the little back box to read the encoded files. He looks at Max, smiles then nods. Then he’s gone.


Liz looked at her watch, it was almost six, if her mother and Maria didn’t get back soon, she wouldn’t have time to change for the meeting. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she rubs the towel over her hair, hoping it would hurry up and dry, then she heard them, giggling like a couple of little kids. Maria sticks her head into the room.

“Hey Little Mama! We had a really good time, I think we bought out the store!” Nancy walks in behind Maria, laying bags all over the bed.

“Mom, what did you do? We can’t afford all of this.” She starts looking at the things as Maria and her mother pull the stuff out of the bags. “Oh…they’re so cute. But no, a lot of it has to go back!”

“This is a gift from your father and I. You can keep it all.” She kisses Liz’s forehead.

“Thanks, Mom.” She picks up an outfit and heads to the bathroom. She hears more giggling. After she gets dressed she peeks around the corner. On the bed sits a stuffed green alien doll dressed in a baby outfit with a ufo on the front.

“We couldn’t resist.” Maria was grinning at her.

“The next time I’m shot and brought back to life by an alien, I’m not telling you my secret.” She puts on a pouty face, then starts to giggle too as she picks up the doll. “I just hope this isn’t accurate.”

Max was in the kitchen waiting for the girls. Leaning on the railing he yells upstairs. “Are you guys about ready? They’ll start without us.”

Nancy and Maria come down the stairs. “Fat chance of that one.” Looking around and not seeing anyone in ear range, she whispers. “Your Highness.”

“Ready or not here I come!” Liz comes around the corner. Walking down the second step, she catches herself off balance and starts to fall. Max was talking to Nancy and Maria and didn’t see her, until she screamed. “Max!” As she starts to fall, she feels like someone had grabbed the back of her shirt to steady her. Max rushes up the stairs to help her. “Thank you, I thought I was falling for sure.”

“I didn’t do that, you had already started to go down when I realized what was happening.”

“I didn’t do it either…what happened?” Suddenly she felt a hard kick. “No, no way…she couldn’t could she?”

Max places his hand over the baby, then he got a sharp kick too. “I think she did.”

Maria just looks at them, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Come on you guys, this getting really weird. That baby didn’t do that, Liz just caught her balance that’s all, right?”

Max takes Liz’s hand, then heads for the door. “Come on, we’ll be late for the meeting.” Max didn’t want to think about what happened…


When they walk into the back room, they see that everyone was already there. Kyle was the first one to notice them come in. “Liz! What happened?”

“It’s a long story…everything is okay and we hope that she is slowing down a little bit.”

“She?” Isabel looks at her brother and smiles. “Have you told Mom and Dad yet?” She sees a guilty look on Max’s face. “Max, they’re never going to forgive you!”

Max sighs, “If it’s not too late when we get done here, we’ll go tonight.” She was right, their parents would be hurt to be the last ones to find out. “Well, are we ready to get started?” As the make their way up the stairs, Maria and Max watch Liz, they didn’t want another close call.

Kyle was the first one to the top, placing his hand on the lock, it comes open. Amanda gives him a dirty look, she didn’t think it was fair that this alien wanna be had the way in and she didn’t. As the door slides open, the lights came on. “Hey Brody, that’s new.”

“I did it last night, it makes things a lot easier.” He looks around, making sure everything was where it should be.

Skylar and Amanda see the stacks of files, looking at each other, they realize that they will have their work cut out for them. When Amanda sees the old computer she starts to laugh. “What in the world is this?” As she touches the front of the computer, the door comes open, revealing what’s inside. “I’ve seen something like this before. It’s from home, isn’t it?”

Skylar walks over to look at it. Running his hand over it, he tries to figure it out. “Yes, but I don’t know anything about it.”

“Then you really don’t know about the chair?”

“Again with the chair. What’s so important about it?” Amanda couldn’t get over their obsession about a chair.

“Maxwell?” Michael’s eyes get big…this was his chance. He had to go back.

“Michael, no! We said no more until we have a chance to figure it out.” Max didn’t want to show it to the others just yet.

“This chair, what does it do? It seems very important to you.” Skylar’s curiosity was now piqued.

Max looks at Michael. Then he sighs. “All right, they can see it, but you can’t use it. If you do what you did the last time, you won’t wake up for a week.”

Looking at Liz, they take the others to show them where the chair is kept. Liz takes the amulet from around her neck, then places it in the “lock”. Amanda and Skylar couldn’t believe what they saw. Then the other door is ready for them to activate it. As they watch, the royal four place their hands on the door, causing it to slide open. “What is that? What does it do?”

Michael looks at Max again, “Just for one minute, what will it hurt? Maybe they’ll see something that could help.”

“You don’t know if it will only last a minute, we can’t set the timer…what if you go and can’t come back?”

“Go where, it’s a chair, how does it go anywhere?” Amanda was going crazy listening to this chair talk, she wanted to work on the files.

“Max, I don’t think the settings have changed, it probably resets itself after each trip.”

“Gee Brody, thanks a lot. No Michael, you can’t go. Final answer.” Maria was worried, she didn’t want Michael to get addicted to the thrill of the adventure.

“Well I for one am going to work on the files, this is all just crazy! Skylar, give me the box.”

“Alright Michael, but this is the last time. They should see this, it might be important to them.”

“Yes!” With the opening of the door, the electrical force begins, surrounding the room in blue light. Amanda and Skylar watch in amazement, they have never seen anything like this. As soon as Michael sat in the chair, they hear the humming of the control center.

“Come with us, you have to see this.” Max leads the way to the other side of the room, just as the screen appears on the wall. Brody checks on the timer.
“It’s still set for one minute, he should be alright.” Then he points at the screen, Michael starts on his walk again.

“That’s Antar, how did he get there?”

“He’s still in the other room, he can’t be seen, it’s like a virtual tour. There see, they don’t see him, yet he can see and hear everything around him.”

Skylar watches intently, this is the first time he has seen his home since the crash, almost sixty years ago. “I can’t believe this…look over there. My sister used to live there…her house is gone now. I wonder where she is.” His voice becomes sad, this causes him to remember all that he lost all those years ago.

“That’s not all, look. Kivar.” They all look; they need to know what their enemy looks like. Isabel glares at him, she remembers her threat to him on her honeymoon.

“If he comes anywhere near this place, he is a dead man.” She would not stand by and let this man hurt her family again.

As they watch, the screen starts to fade. “Time is up. Michael will be back soon.”

Michael comes around the corner “Well, did you see anything?”

“We saw Kivar, but we couldn’t tell what he was doing.”

“Maybe I should go again.” Max looks at Maria and together they say “NO!”


They have pulled some of the files out, not knowing where to start. “Maybe if we start scanning them, then separate them by colors. Start with the new ones first, that would be our biggest threat.” Liz reached down and picked up a file, it’s was Kyle’s grandfathers.

“I was wondering what Hanson told you. It was you the other day, wasn’t it?” Jim was looking at Skylar.

“Yes it was. How did you know?”

“I’ve been around this long enough to be able to pick up on things…besides, Max brought me back, too.”

“Gee Max, did you save all of Roswell?” Amanda was amazed that he hadn’t been caught if he went around saving everybody in sight.

He ignored her question; there were more important things to discuss. “What about Hanson, good guy or bad guy?”

“From what I could tell he doesn’t know much. I think he should be safe, we can run his file. Why, what’s so important about him?”

Jim looks at Skylar, then at Max. “Max wants to bring him in…we may need him. I can’t do them much good as a Deputy, but losing my job was worth it.”

Kyle and Liz were still going through the files. “Hey! Here’s Hanson’s file. What do we have to do?” Skylar hands Kyle the little box. “Scan over it with this, then tell me what color it shows.”
Kyle holds the box over the file, pushing the button, the file begins to glow green.
”It’s green.”

“Good he’s safe. Yes Max, I think it would be a good idea to bring him in. Just don’t tell him anymore than he needs to know for now.” Max nods his head in agreement.

Kyle picks up his grandfather’s file, then runs the box over it. “What’s it mean if a file is blue? Grandpa’s is blue…is that good?”

Max, Skylar and Amanda exchange looks…


To Be Continued…