Reclaiming the Past(CC/teen-Adult) pg.18 5/19/06[WIP]

[Syke]

Hey there faithful readers, just dropping off a new part. Thanks for the FB kiddies.

Keep on Truckin'
Syke

********************************


“Larek!” Liz cried as she enveloped his barrowed body in a tight hug. “I’ve missed you.”

“I haven’t missed you one bit,” he replied and was met with a sound smack on the shoulder.

“You jerk,” Liz muttered never losing her smile. The three climbed into the Jeep heading back towards town.

“Okay, so, a deal with Kivar? Liz, no,” Max shook his head sharply. “I know Tess isn’t perfect….but a deal with Kivar?”

Liz rolled her eyes, “Max, listen to me. I’m serious Nasedo made a deal with Kivar in order to gain some power for himself.”

Max looked towards Larek who nodded. “No way, Liz, Nasedo is dead…he died months ago in my room, I saw it.”

“Yeah right,” Liz snorted. “I strangled that little roach with my own two ha…” She stopped at Max’s shocked expression, “What I mean is, that that wasn’t real it was a mindwarp or something to get Tess into the group while he was on Antar…with Kivar.”

“How do you know it was him?”

Liz gave a spiteful laugh, “Same old dog, same old tricks…he posed as Zan. He came to me telling me to give up on you, that you weren’t worth all the pain.”

Max winced, “How did you know it wasn’t Zan?”

She smiled, a genuine, 1000 watt smile, “He told me that Tess was your destiny just as Ava was his.” Max was obviously confused.

“Max, Zan always believed that Ava was not his destiny…but his choice, just like I was yours. That’s how he knew I would fight because you felt for me what he felt for Aves and he would go to the grave loving her.” Liz shouted as her hair fluttered in the wind “So, I attacked. I’d heard rumors about the two of them being traitors but I didn’t really believe it until then.”

“So, what was the plan?”

“To have Tess conceive and hand you, Michael, Isabel and your heir over to Kivar,” Liz drew in a sharp breath waiting for his response.

Max scratched the back of his head as if it would help process the information. He turned to Liz with narrowed eyes, “We need to get everyone together and figure out how to take care of Tess.”

“Max you can’t just kill her,” her brow wrinkled.

“Liz, she lied, spied, and used us. She’s not just getting away with it!” Max yelled over the wind.

“Pull over Max!” When Max didn’t comply she yelled again. “I said pull the FUCK over Max!”

The Jeep screeched to a halt on the shoulder, Liz jumped out before it stopped. Max growled, following her a few feet into the desert while Larek watched wearily.

“What do you want us to do Liz? Just let her go about her business betraying us?!?! We have to tell the others!” He ran a hand angrily through his hair.

“No,” Liz stated eerily calm, her brown eyes glistening in the moonlight. “They would want revenge…or worse.”

“And they should have it!”

“Damnit Max, I have enough blood on my hands,” Liz spat, her eyes darkening again. “And I refuse to have another life on my conscious,” she whispered. “Nasedo is dead, so is Kivar, Tess isn’t welcome on Antar…there is no deal now.”

Larek walked up behind Liz placing a hand on her shoulder, “Liz, he has a point, Tess was in on it the whole time…she’s a traitor.”

She shrugged Lareks hand off her shoulder moving away from both of the men before her. A sigh escaped her quivering lips; “I have to believe there’s some good in her, that she has a chance to become more that what she is now. Don’t look at me like that, Maxwell. We’re all she has now…maybe that will be enough.”

“Why are you doing this Liz? She’s hurt you more than anyone,” her love whispered with questioning eyes.

Liz lifted her head and squared her shoulders, “Because I’m not her, I may be a soldier but I am not a killer, Max. I won’t take her life if there’s a chance we could save it.”

“You would have been a great queen Elizabeth,” there was absolute admiration in Larek’s voice.

Liz laughed at this, “No Larek, I’m no queen, just a girl who’s tired of fighting. Max, please, just give it some time. Let it sink in for her that we’re all she’s got and we’ll see where it leads, yeah?”

“When did you get so mature?” Max asked, genuinely surprised by her compassion towards Tess.

“Well one of us has to be in this relationship,” she teased.

“So we’re in a relationship?”

Liz gave him a small shove, “Max stop stalling, will you give her a chance?”

“I still think we should tell the others…just for the record,” Max conceded.

“Dually noted,” Liz said pretending to jot it down.

“Very funny Parker,” Max said rolling his eyes.

Larek cleared his throat, “Well now that this matter has been resolved, not in the way I expected, but resolved none the less…I need to get this body back to it’s home so I can get back to work up there,” he finished pointing skyward.

Liz glanced towards Max before heading back to the Jeep.

******************************

Shaka Kahn came softly through the stereo as two drifting figures lay cuddled on the couch. Maria lazily ran her fingers across her boyfriends t-shirt clad chest humming along.

“Michael, I need to ask you something,” Maria whispered shifting slightly so she could she his face in the dim light. “Why are you being so calm about all this?”

A small frown formed on his lips as he contemplated Maria’s question. Slowly he sat up pulling her up to meet his gaze. “You.”

Her green eyes went wide, “What?”

Maria could feel the vibration as a deep chuckled rumbled through the alien before her. “I’ve always been looking for home, I thought it was millions of miles away…I thought that’s where I would belong.”

“And now?” Hope was hanging on every letter.

“You, home is you. Wherever you are that’s where I want to be,” he sighed heavily. “After seeing Rath and Ava…even Liz, seeing what they had to do. I don’t want this whole alien fiasco anymore…I want normal.” Michael relaxed back into the couch gripping his girlfriend tightly.

For once in her life Maria DeLuca was speechless, but she had one more question to ask him, “Max and Liz are really screwed up aren’t they Spaceboy?”

“Hmmm…as long as Max can pull his head out of his ass long enough to keep her here they’ll be fine…”

************************************

After dropping Brody’s body off Max turned the Jeep around heading towards the Crashdown.

“Wait, Max,” she placed a soft hand on his knee, “Can I stay at your house tonight?”

Max slowly turned his head towards her, eyes wide, “Huh?”

She couldn’t help but giggle at the look on his face, “Rath and Aves are staying at my place and if I know Rath he’s all up in my bed right now. I’m sure Ava took my parents bed due to the volume at which Rath snores. I really don’t feel like sleeping in a booth downstairs.”

“Oh,” disappointment was evident in his voice, “Uh, yeah, if those are you’re choices, you can stay with me.”

“Thanks.”

They pulled up to the Evan’s house a few minutes later moving quietly to Max’s bedroom. A soft glow illuminated the room as Max switched on the bedside lamp. He quickly moved to his closet grabbing the longest T-shirt he had, “Do you want some shorts too?”

“No, the shirts fine, thanks” Liz whispered, taking it from his hands.

“I…I’ll just um, turn this way now,” he stuttered inspecting his closet. Max used every ounce of self-control not to glance behind him but he couldn’t stop the groan that escaped when the sound of her clothes being shed filled the room.

“You can turn around now,” she giggled, as he looked her over. The shirt barely hit mid thigh and the way it fell over her breasts made it obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra.

“Do you wanna take a picture?” Her voice broke through the lusty haze he’d been lost to.

“God, sorry…I.”

“Maxwell, just get in the bed.” Liz pulled back the covers slipping between the sheets. She snuggled down into the bed and looked over to see Max still standing at his closet eyes closed, whispering something to himself.

“So, this is new…when did you start to sleep standing up?” Liz asked trying to stifle a laugh.

His eyes snapped open as he offered her a weak smile. She patted the open side of the bed and was rewarded with a few steps forward. Max grabbed the collar of his shirt pulling it over his head; her dark brown eyes greedily took in the sight of him as he slipped out of his pants too. The floorboards creaked as he made his way to the other side of the bed climbing in behind her. She could hear him swallow hard as she shifted her small frame into his body. One large hand made it’s way around her waist.

“Liz,” he hissed as she pushed back into him. “You’re gonna be the death of me.”

Before he had a chance to react Max was on his back with Liz straddling his hips, she bracing herself with tiny hands on his chest. Her eyes were dark and glistening as she looked upon him.

“Make love to me Max.”

His eyes went wide, “Woah, Liz I…I didn’t mean to make you think that’s what I wanted.”

“Oh,” her eyes dropped down to his chest as she drew in a shuddering breath. “I…I need to…go.” Liz jumped off him and began grabbing her clothes off his floor. “I am so stupid,” she muttered under her breath. “Should have gone blonde.”

“That is NOT why I stopped you!” Max whimpered as he grabbed Liz around the waist pulling her onto his lap. She struggled against him but he refused to let her go. “I want you so badly, I do Liz. I just wanted to take it slow with all that’s happened.”

“I don’t want to take it slow Max. I want you, I need you,” Liz whispered resting her forehead on his. “I don’t want to wake up one more day without knowing how it feels to be loved by you completely, I don’t want Tess to have that part of you anymore, I want it for myself. ”

The boy sat there dumbfounded for a second before sealing his lips to hers. “I don’t want Tess to own any part of me, I belong to you…only you Liz…only you.”

“Then show me Max.”

[Syke]

Wow FB is great, love you guys. By the way Whitman you rock, all of your questions will be answered...just not in this part This section is a little short but the next part (hopefully up next week will be much more information filled.

Keep on Truckin'
Syke

P.S. I didn't see Darklight (I know it's a mortal sin right?) so um...maybe




"Then show me Max"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“God Liz, you have no idea how much I want to but,” Max pulled her closer placing a soft kiss on her temple. “I’m not ready yet.”

Liz’s brow furrowed, “I don’t…I don’t understand Max.”

His chest rumbled as Max let out a soft chuckle at her confused face, “I love you, I do but Liz…we’ve both changed over the last few months, or years,” he amended with a crooked smile, “I want to know who you are now, I never want you to question whether I’m with you or the girl you used to be…and I don’t want to wonder the same thing.” He ran a hand slowly up her arm relishing in the soft feel of it. He wanted nothing more than to take her right now, to feel her surrounding him with all that she is, but he knew it wasn’t the right time they were both too fragile for the repercussions that might follow.

Tears were pooling in her eyes for the thousandth time that night, “So, you want a clean slate?”

“Yeah, basically, I guess,” Max conceded scrunching his nose. “I mean, I know that we can’t forget about everything that’s happened and I wouldn’t want to…not if it meant forgetting one moment I spent with you. But at the same time I don’t want us to end up where we left off ya know? I want to see the real you Liz.”

Liz stilled in his lap, staring off into space. Tiny fingers were idly playing with the hem of her shirt and Max would later swear he could see the wheels turning. She bit down softly on her lip as it started to tremble; her answer was so soft he barely heard it. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Liz?” This time the look of confusion was clear on his features as he watched her bright brown eyes begin to cloud over with vacant green depths.

“I don’t want to be her anymore…the things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen…I want to leave those on Antar,” Liz whispered as she turned to look at the boy beside her. Max once again lost himself in her eyes. As she spoke the storm inside came to life. “I want to go back. I don’t want to know the things I know. I just want to be normal again.”

Max shook his head pulling away slightly, “I know Liz, I know but you can’t. It doesn’t work that way. And what about Rath and Ava, I saw the way you were with them…would you really want to give that up?”

“Yes,” her voice was flat, emotionless. Liz slipped out of his grasp making her way to his window. The moon was full and bright against the night sky. A slight breeze tickled the trees causing their leaves to tremble. Liz shivered against the cold that was threatening to engulf her soul. Rath and Ava meant everything to her, but would she give them up to be normal again? In a heartbeat and Liz hated herself for it. Slowly strong arms wrapped around Liz’s waist pulling her from the hell she was presently in. Taking a deep breath Liz relaxed into his embrace surrounding herself with Max Evans, surrounding herself with love, a love that she could never regret and never forget.

“What if you get to know the real me Max,” her voice caught momentarily. “What if you don’t love me anymore?”

Max’s grip tightened, he lowered his head and peppered her neck with kisses, “Never happen.”

“You can’t know that,” she whispered turning to face him.

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in any of my lives,” Max whispered back with a smirk. Liz couldn’t help but smile back.

“I’m gonna hold you to that Max Evans.”

“We’ll get it notarized in the morning.” Liz giggled as she nuzzled into his hard chest, he kissed the top of her head before leading her back to his bed. Tonight they were safe and they would deal with tomorrow when it came.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bang! Bang! Bang! Tess’ blonde curls bounced as she lightly beat her forehead against the bedroom wall. “Damnit, damnit, damnit!” Tess flopped back on her bed letting out a frustrated sigh, “Where are you Nasedo?”

“Everything okay…in…here…or not,” Kyle paused taking in the mess before him. “Redecorating, huh, I like it…I think.” Her blue eyes shot him an I-am-not-amused look.

“Do ya need something Kyle or can you get the hell out,” Tess asked with a sugary sweet smile.

Kyle cringed, “Gee, Lemme guess…Max? Why do you let him get you so riled up-“

“Liz is back.”

“I mean I know he’s cute and all-what?- did you say Liz is back?” Kyle began to pace slowly, “Is she okay? What happened?”

Tess threw her hands into the air, “I should have guessed that you’d be falling all over little Miss Perfect as soon as she came back…argh!…why didn’t she just stay on Antar!” the blonde spat angrily.

“Antar? Why was she on Antar?”

“Ask her! I’m sick of talking about it!” Kyle gave a loud snort as he regarded Tess’ disheveled appearance.

“I take it Max and Liz are back together.”

Tess scrunched her nose and cocked her head to the side, “Well, no…I don’t think so, not yet anyway. They sort of got in a fight at the Crashdown and Liz ran off.”

“Ran off where?” Tess shrugged in response. “Do you ever think about anyone but yourself?”

Her head snapped up at his accusation. “I mean, God, Tess, Liz is on your planet doing who knows what, finally comes back to EARTH obviously with some issues and all you care about is how it messes up your plans to seduce Evans,” Kyle’s nostrils flared as he spoke. “You know you didn’t mention Max once during our vacation and I’m pretty sure you lived through it. Have you ever, I don’t know, thought about moving on so you can stop being so psychotic and obsessive!”

“Kyle, I…I,” Tess narrowed her blue eyes but with the confusion, pain, and guilt pooling there…they just didn’t seem menacing anymore.

“Just leave me alone,” her whispered words almost broke his heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Rath…pssst…Rath!” Ava shook the snoring beast before her. “RATH!!!!”

“Wha?” Rath sat up quickly wiping at the drool marring the side of his face. As his eye slowly adjusted to the darkness he cocked a weary brow at the pink haired demon before him. “Aves it’s…” Rath paused looking for the clock but couldn’t locate it, “it’s…it’s fuckin’ late,” Ava giggled as Rathe whined. “Why can’t you just let me sleep?!?!”

“Cuz, I need to talk to you Spaceboy,” she smirked climbing onto the bed next to him.

Rath sank back down into the blankets covering his head mumbling something about reminding him to kill Maria for using that stupid nickname on his dupe but Ava wouldn’t be deterred, she climbed onto of the moving mound tickling whatever body part was under her fingers.

“Stop, Aves stop it…please!” Rath was gasping for air and successfully out from under the covers.

“Knew that would get you up,” the small girl laughed.

“Fuck you Aves, what’s so damn important?” Rath spat as he sunk into Liz’s desk chair.

Now that he was awake Ava was suddenly nervous…she didn’t know how he was gonna take the news. “I…I don’t…Idontwannagoback.” She spit it out so fast it took Rath a few minutes just to process what she said let alone come up with some sort of response.

“You don’t want to go back to Antar?” He’s quick huh.

The smaller alien swallowed hard, “Naw, I want to stay here. I wanna stay with Liz.”

“You want to stay here with Liz.”

“Polly want a cracker,” Ava asked giving him an annoyed look.

“Ava, I-“

Bam! The door swung open suddenly casting a harsh glare into the room. Alex stood awkwardly in the doorway glancing between the two aliens before him, “We have a problem…”

[Syke]

Hey kiddies, sorry it's taken so long...I mean geez I'm on the 4th page in this forum. And I go and top it off with a short update... sorry.

Anyway, here it is...I promise to be back soon.

Syke

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bam! The door swung open suddenly casting a harsh glare into the room. Alex stood awkwardly in the doorway glancing between the two aliens before him, “We have a problem…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What kinda problem Beanpole?” Rath questioned looking towards the boy before him.

Alex shifted uncomfortably, “Uh, well y-you see, uh, it s-s-seems th-that-“

“T-t-t-today Junior,” Ava giggled despite the looming seriousness of the situation.

“Right,” Alex swallowed harshly. “My Dad got a call from Jeff Parker, he said they were back in New Mexico and about twenty minutes away from Roswell.”

“Aw shit,” Rath spat jumping up from Liz’s chair and moving past Alex into the living room with Ava hot on his heels. “When did they call?”

Alex pulled at his shirt collar, “Oh, about twenty minutes ago.”

Click! The three teens stared at the door in horror. Ava smiled nervously, this should be interesting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tomorrow came a lot sooner than expected as Max and Liz threw on whatever they could reach before sprinting out to the Jeep. The two had been sound asleep when Alex’s call came.

“What are they gonna think? My mother, my poor mother is going to have a heart attack. I’m going to be responsible for killing my only mother-“

“Breathe, Liz, just breathe,” Max offered gripping his girlfriends hand. Liz pulled in a deep breath, counted to 10 and released it.

The Crashdown was fast approaching but for Liz they couldn’t get there fast enough. Her brow creased in anxiety as she thought about her parents coming home to Rath and Ava, what would they think? Would they call the cops? Maybe everything would be fine…as long as Rath didn’t speak. Max’s calm voice pulled her back to the present.

“You know I probably should’ve asked this sooner but…what did you tell your parents?”

“I didn’t really tell them anything…”

At the moment Max was he epitome of confusion.

“I kinda, sorta had Ava mindwarp them and my aunt into thinking that I’d, um, decided to do a foreign exchange in Sweden,” Liz tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and waited unsure what reaction his majesty would have.

“Oh, that’s all.” Max’s voice was neutral but Liz noticed as his knuckles began to grow white on the steering wheel.

“Max,” she warned. “It’s not like I could tell them the truth…or anything remotely close to it. ‘Oh gee, sorry Mom and Dad I have to go fight a war in a galaxy far, far away with Max’s duplicate acting as my personal Yoda.’ Yup, that would have gone over real well.”

Max turned slightly sizing up the girl beside him, “Do they make straight jackets your size?”

“Exactly,” Liz laughed throwing a light punch to his shoulder.

“So why did your parents got to Florida?”

Liz’s smile faded as she turned to stare out the windshield, “When I knew we would win I had Larek send my parents a letter saying that I wanted to spend some time with my aunt and the two of them in Florida before coming back to Roswell, which I fully intended to do…”

“But?” Max persisted.

“But, after Zan I just…I don’t know…I guess I freaked. I just wanted to get home. I couldn't face Rath and Avs, so I just ran and left Larek to take care of the situation. Apparently that didn’t work so well.”

“Apparently.” Max sighed running a hand through his already sleep-tousled hair, “We need a plan.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“We need a plan,” Rath hissed as the front door began to open. “Aves! Mindwarp them so we can scram.”

“I can’t”

Rath stared at the smaller alien in disbelief, “What?!?!”

“I promised Liz I wouldn’t, not without her permission,” Ava stated with an apologetic smile

“Fuckin’ Liz,” Rath mumbled as he turned around coming face to face with Jeff Parker. “Uh, Hey…”

Jeff looked the boy from head to toe, “Michael?”

Rath grinned nervously. The scene reminded Alex of a National Geographic special in which a chimpanzee came face to face with a lion…and Rath was the chimp. “Not exactly.”

“Not exactly: you can explain? Or not exactly,” Mr. Parker narrowed his eyes. “I need to call the cops?”

Ava quickly stepped in between the two men trying to diffuse the situation, “Hey Mr. and Mrs. P, um, remember me?”

Jeff looked thoughfully at the pink haired girl before replying, “Oh, yes, Allie, right? You went to Sweden with Lizzie. Your Tess’ sister from New York?” Alex and Rath looked quizzically at Ava.

“It’s Ava, Jeff,” Nancy corrected pushing past her husband. “Where is Liz?”

“Oh you know…she just had to see Maria,” Ava lied. “Can’t keep those two apart.”

“We should have figured as much,” Nancy offered a polite smile to the teens. “Can I get all of you something to drink?”

“Yes!” they blurted in unison before laughing nervously. Jeff was still staring at Rath’s war torn features as Nancy went into the kitchen.

“Ava, what’s going on here?”

“Going on Mr. P, nothings going on…oh you mean Rath,” the little alien swallowed hard.

“Why don’t we all have a seat?” Nancy asked passing out drinks to the children “And what’s a Rath?”

“Thanks,” they chirped all three sitting stiffly in the nearest seat.

“Uh, that’s Rath. He’s Michael’s…brother.” It came out sounding more like a question than a statement but Ava continued. “Uh, I, uh, met him in New York at one of those, uh, support group thingies for…separated twins. We started talking and wouldn’t you know, his twin is right here in Roswell, small world huh? When Liz met him…in Sweden…we realized she knew Michael and could introduce them.”

Rath gave a disbelieving snort earning him glares from Ava and Alex but the Parkers didn’t seem to notice.

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here…in my house,” Jeff said slowly seeming a bit confused.

“Riiiight, we wanted to surprise Michael so Liz said he could stay here, Alex and I decided to keep him company since he’s never been here and all.” Ava cringed at the lameness of it all, they’d never believe it…

“Isn’t that just so sweet Jeff?” Nancy asked offering Ava a smile. “Well you guys can stay as long as you need, I’ll grab some blankets for the boys. Ava, you can just take Liz’s bed I’m sure she won’t mind. I really wish that travel agency would have let us know about you kids flying into New Mexico sooner. Jeff you should get them to rembuse us for that trip to Florida...”

Rath almost choked on his drink as Nancy rambled. The Parkers really bought Ava’s story. Maybe her mindwarp had permanently damaged their brain activity; they couldn’t really be that clueless, right?

[Syke]

Hey Kiddies, here's the latest part. Enjoy
Keep on truckin'
Syke

The Jeep pulled up outside the Crahdown and Liz was running towards her apartment with Max on her heels. She quickly threw open the door and was surprised at the scene before her.

“-oh I heard Sweden is such beautiful country-Liz! You’re home…with Max. I thought you went to Maria’s,” Nancy said looking questioningly at her daughter.

Liz rushed into the room jumping into her mother’s arms. In all the time she spent on Antar she tried to push her parents out of her thoughts, there had been so many nights when she wished for her mother’s comfort. Now, being so close to that which she’d longed for, the damn broke and Liz found herself sobbing into her mother’s lap. Nancy quickly wrapped her arms around her daughter, whispering soothing words in her ear.

The other teens glanced worriedly at each other unsure of what was going on. Rath squirmed uncomfortably in his chair while Max stepped inside the living room and shut the door behind him. Jeff Parker looked between his daughter and Max before clearing his throat. The young alien slowly met the older man’s gaze.

“Hey Mr. Parker,” Max said and then swallowed nervously.

Jeff motioned to the other teens, ‘They said Liz was with Maria.” His tone made it clear he didn’t want to be messed with.

“She was, we were…um, me, her and Michael were at Maria’s watching movies,” Max hoped he didn’t sound as lame as he thought he did.

“Was Amy there?”

“The whole time Mr. Parker,” Max concluded with a placating smile.

Jeff ran a hand through his hair, “Well, if you’re staying here tonight too I better not catch you in Liz’s room.”

“Yes sir,” Max said and added a mock salute. Jeff just chuckled before walking over to his wife and daughter. Liz had calmed but was still wrapped in her mother’s arms as she looked up at her father.

“Hi Daddy,” Liz whispered softly wiping at her tears.

“We missed you Lizzie,” he told her crouching down and smoothing her hair.

“I missed you guys too,” she pulled herself up and threw her arms around Jeff’s neck.

“Elizabeth, what did you do to your hair?” Nancy laughed trying to lighten the mood.

Liz pulled away and straightened up. “I thought it made me look more sophisticated,” she answered with mock seriousness but her giggles gave her away.

“You look beautiful honey.”

“Thanks Mom, but I’m exhausted. Can we continue this whole reunion thing in the morning?”

Nancy hugged her daughter briefly, “Of course. We’ll see you kids in the morning.”

With that Nancy grabbed Jeff’s hand and pulled him towards their bedroom. Before the teens had a chance to relax Mr. Parker’s head popped back into the room.

“Couch Max, couch.”

When Jeff disappeared again Ava began to giggle. Soon the other’s joined in letting their laughter rid the tension surrounding them. As the laughter died Liz spoke up.

“What did you guys tell them?”

Ava smirked, “Oh, I just said that we came back early and brought Michael’s twin brother but we were staying here to surprise him.”

“And they bought it,” Max asked incredulously.

“Yeah, I know, right?” Alex jumped in.

Rath pulled in a deep breath, “What now, Max?”

The amber-eyed alien glanced at Rath, did this war-weary alien see him as a leader? “um, I think we should all get some sleep and talk it over in the morning.”

“Sounds good Duke,” Rath agreed as he snuggled into the blankets on the couch. Ava stood up making her way towards Liz’s room.

“Well, I think my job is done here,” Alex yawned. “I’m headed home kiddies.”

Liz pulled Alex into a tight hug as she whispered her thanks. With that Whitman was out the door leaving Liz and Max standing in the living room.

“I guess I better hit the couch,” Max said as he reached out pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yeah,” Liz whispered nuzzling his hand.

Max moved closer brushing his lips against hers. A soft moan escaped her as Max deepened the kiss.

“Couch Max!”

Liz could only roll her eyes as her father’s voice broke the moment. “Goodnight Max,” she sighed before going into her room.

“So, you guys made up I see,” Rath smirked.

Max just gave a goofy grin as he laid down pulling the covers over himself, “How long are you and Ava staying?” There was no malice in his voice just curiosity.

“I dunno Duke, as long as Ava wants.”

Max nodded using his powers to turn off the lights, “I glad you guys are here. Night Rath”

Rath smiled though Max couldn’t see, “Night Zan.”

Max didn’t comment he just stared into the darkeness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liz and Ava were snuggled under the covers curled on their sides to face each other talking softly. It felt good to be together again, it had been odd being apart after nine years of constant togetherness.

“So, what’s up with you and Max,” Ava asked wiggling her eyebrows.

Liz blushed slightly, “Um, we’re giving it another try.”

“Uh huh, spill it sistah,” the pink haired girl demanded giving Liz a poke to the chest.

“Fine, fine. We talked, we made out, blah, blah, blah, Alex called, end of story.”

“Did you two…”

Liz laughed, “No, he put the kibosh on that one.”

“He did!” Ava’s eyes went wide, “No!”

“Max didn’t want us to rush anything. He thought we should get to know each other again,” Liz couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips.

“Eh, maybe he’s right. Still for a guy to turn down an offer like that,” Ava shook her head dramatically with a shameful expression.

“That’s Max the Saint for ya,” the brunette giggled.

“Except for that slut Tess,” a small hand reached out and made contact with Ava’s forehead.

“Way to kill the mood Aves,” Liz scolded but she was still smiling.

Ava grinned apologetically, “Sorry, I may be an alien but I still have blonde moments.”

Liz laughed, “You mean pink moments?”

“Your so cornball.”

“I’m sorry I ran out earlier,” Liz apologized scrunching her nose slightly.

Ava scoffed, “Don’t worry about it, Rath and I just napped in your bed anyway-“

“I meant on Antar.”

“Oh,” Ava just swallowed before offering Liz a small grin.

“I never got a chance to explain. It just hurt so much knowing that I betrayed you-“

Ava clapped her hand over Liz’s mouth, “Hold on there missy. You didn’t betray me! I knew the prophecy and I knew what needed to happen. I sent him after you that night Liz. I knew what was going to happen and I made the choice…and if I had it to do over again I wouldn’t change a thing.”

When Ava pulled her hand away Liz was wearing a huge smile. “Thanks Aves.”

“I love ya, Liz.”

“I love you too, Aves” Liz grinned.

“Are you two gonna kiss? Cuz that would be awesome.”

“Max!” The two girls shouted in unison.

Max looked at them sheepishly, “Sorry, I just needed to talk to Liz for a second…on the balcony.”

“I guess, you’ve got five minutes before I come and get my woman,” Ava stated with a sly grin.

“Ohhhhh-Kaaaay then, shall we?” Max laughed holding out his hand.

“Is everything OK Max?” Liz asked looking worried.

“I’ll tell you outside.”

[Syke]

Hey there my wonderful kiddies, thought I'd throw in the next part...um...I'll get around to editing the previous chapter when i get a chance...it was supposed to be Max poking his head in the door but wanting to talk to Liz on the balcony. Sorry for the confusion.

Keep on truckin'
Syke

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What’s up Max?” Liz questioned placing her small hand on his arm.

“You’re not okay Liz,” she tried to turn away but he slipped his hand under her chin forcing her to look at him. “What happened with your parents, the things you said out in the desert and in my room tonight…Liz I want you to talk to me, really talk to me…please just let me in.”

Her shoulders slumped as she pulled away from the alien in front of her, “Max, there are a lot of things that I don’t want you to know, things I’ve done-“

“Liz, stop. I don’t care what happened up there I just want to help you,” his voice was soft and pleading making Liz tear up.

“I missed them Max, when I was up there I just wanted to curl up in my mother’s arms and let her take all the death and pain away. It was a nightmare being there and I didn’t really realize how much until I saw her sitting there and, I don’t know, I just…broke.” Liz blew out a breath through puffed cheeks as she played with the worn ledge of her balcony. “I’m sorry I left that way.”

It took Max a moment to catch on to Liz’s change in subject. Suddenly he was hit with flashes of that night when he tried to get her to stay, “You did what you thought was right.” He shrugged emphasizing his neutrality, or at least trying to.

She laughed, “We both know it was more about me running from us than doing what was right.”

“Liz-“

“Part of me was relieved when he came, telling me that we couldn’t be together, that way I never had to go through watching you realize that you really loved Tess and what you felt for me was just a shadow of what you felt for her. I never fully forgave you for kissing Tess that night in the rain.” She held up her hand keeping him silent, “Watching Zan and Ava actually made it worse and after the vision of you and Tess…Every day I walked onto that battlefield wishing that I wouldn’t come back.”

Max stared at her blankly, “What changed?”

“Zan,” Liz gave a small smile at his confused expression. “Whenever we connected I felt how much he loved Ava but because of his connection with you, I also knew what you felt for Tess…and me. I could feel how much you loved me, missed me and how disgusted you were with yourself for sleeping with Tess. It was in those moments that I found my faith again, my faith in us, my faith in you. I stopped thinking that you were only with me out of fear that I wouldn’t keep your secret if you weren’t.”

“I was never with you for that reason,” Max gripped her hand tightly.

“I know, babe, I know. Jealousy doesn’t exactly breed intelligent actions,” she grinned sheepishly at her boyfriend.

Max just pulled her into his arms shaking his head softly, “I know what you mean.”

She giggled against his chest. They stood there silently for a long moment before Max spoke again, “Rath called me Zan tonight.”

Liz pulled back and looked up at Max, “What?”

“Before he fell asleep, he called me Zan and earlier he asked me what we should do,” Max sounded pained which confused Liz and he seemed to notice. “I’m not Zan, Liz, and I’m just scared that they’ll expect me to be like him…I’m not the man he was.”

“Oh Max,” Liz stroked his cheek softly. “It’s just gonna take them some time to adjust. And don’t you dare compare yourself to Zan, he was thrown into a shitty situation and he just did what he had to do, he wasn’t perfect…especially before he went to Antar. Even if Ava wasn’t in the equation I never would have chosen him instead of you. You’re an amazing person Max don’t ever forget that.”

Max sighed before nodding sullenly, “I just don’t want to disappoint them.”

“Don’t worry you won’t,” Liz gave Max a wry smile. “They like shiny objects and they’re easily impressed, you’ll do fine.”

“Ha ha, geez, you’d think nine years on a distant planet would’ve helped your sense of humor.” Max’s comment was met with a sound punch to the shoulder before Liz pulled him into a passionate kiss.

“Ahem.”

Liz quickly pushed Max away, “I swear I didn’t want to…it was all Max’s fault.”

Max stood there staring at Liz with mouth agape, “I can’t believe you’d sell me out! And you said you loved me.” Liz just shrugged apologetically.

“Sorry stud, what can I say? The girl’s mine,” Ava smirked throwing her arms around Liz’s shoulders.

The boy shook his head sadly, “So stupid, should’ve gone pink.”

Liz stuck her tongue out at his mocking words, “Jerk. What’s up Aves?”

“Well, I didn’t mean to interrupt your little moment but I wanted to talk to the two of you,” Ava smiled nervously. “I was wondering what you thought about me staying in Roswell.”

Liz flashed Ava a huge smile, “Serious? Cause that would be incredible. What about Rath?”

“He hasn’t answered me yet but I’m hoping that he’ll stay too.”

Max looked between the two girls, “I don’t mean anything by this but…what about Antar?”

The smaller alien sighed, “There are others who can lead much better than us. If Zan was still here…things might be different. We haven’t got anything up there but we have everything down here.”

Liz hugged her pink haired friend tightly, “We’ll find a way to make it work, don’t worry.”

Ava smiled at Liz before glancing behind her, “Max?”

“Yeah, of course.” Well this was going to be interesting to try and explain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Max…Max…wake up Maxwell,” Jeff Parker whispered shaking the young man’s shoulder.

Finally Max’s eyes began to open. When he realized who was shaking him he glanced around frantically, “I’m on the couch, aren’t I?”

Jeff couldn’t help but chuckle, glad he’d put the fear of god in this boy, “Yes you are, but could I talk to you downstairs for a moment?”

Before Max could answer Mr. parker was out of the room leaving Max to quickly follow. When Max entered the empty café he drew in a nervous breath. He may be a powerful alien-human hybrid but this man scared him more than any enemy he’d faced.

“Coffee?”

“Uh, yes, sir. Thank you,” Max mumbled taking a seat at the counter.

Jeff shook his head and poured two cups of coffee. An awkward silence settled between the two men as they sat at the counter sipping from their coffee cups.

Jeff glanced at the boy beside him, “I don’t know the whole story Max but I do know that you’re part of the reason why Liz left last summer. She wouldn’t talk about it. I want you to tell me what happened.”

Max nearly choked on the mouthful of coffee he was trying to swallow, “Um, I really don’t know if I should-“

“Maxwell, if you want any chance of seeing my daughter again, you better start talking young man,” Jeff’s voice was calm and controlled, which made Max increasingly nervous.

“We were together, but I had a lot on my shoulders.” Max swallowed thickly, “Liz thought that I was focusing too much on her instead of doing what I was meant to do, what I needed to do. Plus, she thought that there was something between me and Tess. That’s why she went to Florida, I never even imagined that she wouldn’t come back.”

Jeff looked sympathetically at the boy, “And now?”

“Mr. Parker, I love Liz and I’ll be with her as long as she wants me. Our relationship still has problems but we’re working them out,” Max said looking at her father. "I'm trying to balance everything that's going on and dragging Liz down is the last thing I want to do."

“I’m not going to lie to you Max, you make me nervous,” Jeff ran a hand roughly through his hair. “Last year you had Sheriff Valenti poking around, something weird always seems to be going on with the entire group, that Tess girl is a little strange…I just want what’s best for my daughter and lately I’m not sure what that is, even Maria hasn’t been herself.”

Max offered the older man a smile, “I’m not perfect Mr. Parker but I will do everything I can to make sure Liz has the life she deserves…even if it’s with me as just a friend.”

“Such a smooth talker, no wonder Liz likes you so much,” Jeff smirked. “You can keep seeing her for now but if you hurt my little girl Maxwell-“

“Mr. Parker, I hope you never have to finish that threat,” Max laughed causing Jeff to chuckle as well.

“I hope not too Mr. Evans, for your sake…breakfast?”

The two men exchanged a smile, “I’ll go wake up everybody else.”

[Syke]

Thanks for all the FB, and sorry to hear about the Mello Yello incident...I'll try to tone it down

Keep on truckin'
Syke
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Wake-y, wake-y, little Rathy,” Ava giggled poking the snoring beast. Rath gave a grunt and tried to sink farther into the couch cushions. “You know Liz, no matter how many times I do this it never gets tiring.”

“That’s cause you’re a sadistic little alien Aves,” Liz laughed as she watched Ava from Max’s former spot.

Ava shrugged and went back to poking Rath but he seemed unaffected. The pink haired girl frowned and furrowed her brow, what else could she do? Liz rose up off the couch wrapped in Max’s blanket and made her way towards the stairs.

“I’m going to make some coffee…just remember Aves, it’s a small world after all,” with that Liz started own the stairs but couldn’t hide her smirk as she heard Ava squeal and begin singing that most hated song to Rath’s sleeping form.

“Liz!” The brunette’s head snapped up as she came face to face with her boyfriend.

“Hey, I thought you’d left already,” Liz whispered laying a tiny hand on his chest.

Max couldn’t help himself as he leaned in softly brushing his lips against hers, “And miss seeing you, not a chance…you’re dad already made coffee, I’ll be right back down.”

Liz cocked her brow, “You were hanging out with my dad?”

“Oh yeah, we had a lot to talk about.” Max stated as he began to move past her up the stairs, “That photo album, priceless. You’ve always had the cutest ass…”

“Max!” Liz squealed but he was already gone so the small girl let out a sigh and made her way into the café. The grill was already on and she could smell bacon and eggs, Liz smiled at the thought of a home cooked meal it’d been ages since she’d had one. To her surprise the dining area was empty except for Jeff Parker.

“Morning Dad, I thought this place would be packed by now,” Liz queried slipping into a chair at the counter.

“Morning Lizzie,” Mr. Parker greeted kissing his daughter on the cheek. “Your Mom and I decided to stay closed one more day so we could get everything together.”

“Ah, I see,” Liz said glancing around the restaurant, a relieved sigh escaped her when she didn’t find the dreaded baby album.

“How are your new friends liking Roswell?” Mr. Parker asked scooping some more coffee into the filter.

“Well, they really haven’t gotten much of a chance to check it out yet,” Liz answered. “I figure I’ll show them around today.”

Jeff nodded absently before glancing at his daughter again, “I didn’t want to be rude and bring it up last night but Rath looks…a little rough. How did he happen to get all those scars?”

Suddenly the sounds of distant explosions and images of bloodbaths entered Liz’s mind and she shuddered involuntarily. Jeff noticed the vacant look in her brown eyes. “Lizzie? You okay?”

Liz snapped back to the Crashdown, offering her father a soft smile, “Yeah, I just…jetlag you know how it is. Um, Rath’s had kind of a hard life, he doesn’t talk about it much but all that’s in the past.”

A weighty silence fell over Liz as she hoped those words were true. All those things that had happened, all the things she’d done, they were in the past now…weren’t they? Mr. Parker didn’t see the sorrowful look that washed over Liz’s features as he poured a cup of coffee and turned back towards her.

“Max seems like a pretty good kid,” Jeff commented while setting a cup of coffee in front of Liz. She looked up at her father with questioning eyes. Did he seriously just say that or had the explosions done more hearing damage than she thought.

“Um…what?”

Mr. Parker laughed at his daughter’s shocked expression, “I know I wasn’t his biggest fan when you left for Florida, you weren’t either as I recall. But after sitting down with him this morning…he really cares about you Lizzie and I think he is trying to make things right”

Liz smiled, “Aw…Dad-“

“Just because I like him Liz doesn’t mean you need to run off to Vegas and get married or start sleeping with him, is that clear?” Jeff interrupted with a pointed stare.

The girl bit down on her lip trying to contain the laughter, “Crystal, no marriage and no napping, got it.”

Jeff just rolled his eyes in response and went back to the grill.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“It’s a small world after all, it’s a small-oof,” Ava suddenly found herself pinned to the floor with Rath looming over her.

The bigger alien growled and when he spoke his voice was rough and sleep laden, “I was willing to ignore, even forgive, the first couple verses…but that dancing…you went too far Aves. Just remember: payback’s a bitch.”

“Is now a bad time?” Max asked as he watched the scene before him.

Rath growled again, “Only if you don’t want to get Ava guts on that nice T-shirt you’re wearing.”

Ava began to squirm. “Max, help me!” She yelped trying to get out from beneath Rath.

Max gave her an apologetic smile, “Oh Ava, I would but…this is my favorite shirt.” His comment elicited a laugh from Rath and a glare from the struggling girl.

“You kids sure have energy in the morning,” Nancy Parker mused as she walked out into the living room.

Rath scrambled to his feet quickly brining Ava with him, “Hey Mrs. P.”

Nancy smiled at the three teens, “Is Liz up yet?”

“She’s downstairs with Mr. Parker getting breakfast ready,” Max supplied.

“Shall we join them?” Nancy asked receiving nods from the aliens. “Oh, and after breakfast I’ll get you some fresh towels so you kids can clean yourselves up.”

As they began to make their way downstairs Rath looked himself over in the hall mirror, “I don’t look that bad…do I duke?”

Max laughed, “Naw, you look way better than Michael usually does.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Breakfast was thankfully uneventful. Liz kept asking her parents questions about what she missed not really allowing them to ask any questions of their own. As the Parkers began the clean-up Liz, Max, Rath, and Ava made their way back upstairs.

“I call first shower,” Ava yelled rushing into Liz’s room. Rath groaned and sank onto the couch.

“Um…there is another bathroom Rath. I’ll just wait for Ava,” Liz commented pointing down the hall.

“You sure babes?” The brunette didn’t bother answering as Rath was already closing the door behind him.

“Alone at last,” Max pulled the beautiful girl in front of him up to his lips. She tasted sweet, like maple syrup, he couldn’t help but ravage her. The moment grew as Liz wrapped her arms around Max’s neck urging him on. A soft moan escaped Liz as his large hand grazed the exposed flesh of her stomach. Her reaction snapped something inside Max and he lifted Liz allowing her slender legs to wrap around his waist. There was a need inside him like nothing he’d ever felt before.

“Max,” that breathless whisper, suddenly he pulled back breathing hard.

RING!!!

“Fuck,” Max sighed as he set Liz down and pulled the cell phone from his pocket. “Shouldn’t you be in school Iz?”

His sister laughed, “I am and shouldn’t you be? Why do you sound so out of breath? Ewwww your not with Tess are you because-”

“No! I’m not with,” Max glanced at Liz’s nonplussed expression. “I’m with Liz right now Isabel, what’s up?”

“Really? So are you guys back together? Is she OK? Have you had a chance to talk to Rath and A-“

“Isabel! I think you need to cut back on the coffee,” He ran a large hand over his face.

He heard Isabel sigh on the other end, “Sorry, I just wanted to remind you about that biology test today that you absolutely can’t miss Max.”

It was Max’s turn to sigh, “Shit, yeah I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Max said a quick goodbye and hung up the phone turning back to Liz, “I’ve got a test to take but can I get a rain check?”

Liz furrowed her brow in mock concentration, “I don’t know Max, maybe we are better off just being friends.”

Max growled and pulled her to him for another searing kiss, “You still just want to be friends Parker?”

Liz stared ahead with a completely dazed expression and could only shake her head in reply. Max chuckled softly, “I’ll call you when I’m done?”

“Yeah,” she whispered hugging him tightly. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

As soon as Max was out the door Liz slid down to the floor and buried her head in her small hands.

“Liz, you OK?” Rath asked crouching down in front of her.

Liz lifted her head and gave Rath a shaky smile, “Yeah, yeah…I’m fine…just fine.” Her last words came out in a soft whisper as Liz’s brown eyes turned dark green.

[Syke]

Sorry it's a little short but I just wanted to frustrate the masses

Thanks for the FB
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Liz showered quickly and walked into her room only to find Ava staring at her worriedly, “What?”

Ava cocked her head to the side inspecting Liz, “You okay? Rath said you freaked out in the hall way.”

“You know Rath,” the brunette said as she rolled her eyes. “He’s always overreacting.”

“Uh huh. You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Liz walked over to her dresser pulling out a pair of kaki cargos and a dark gray t-shirt. The pink haired girl nodded sharply before leaving Liz to get dressed.
After throwing on her clothes Liz stood in front of her mirror staring at her reflection. Liz let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through her short hair. Maria, she needed Maria.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After telling Ava and Rath she needed to run a quick errand Liz made her way to the DeLuca apartment. Liz bit her lip nervously before knocking on the door.

“Liz?” Maria rubbed at her tired eyes, “Is everything okay?”

“Shouldn’t you be in school?” Liz asked not really wanting to get into the real reason she came over.

Maria smirked at her best friend, “I took a mental health day. Things have been a little strange lately.”

Liz couldn’t help but smile, “Oh really? I hadn’t noticed.”

Maria just laughed and moved aside so Liz could enter. The girl before her looked nervous and a little stressed. She ushered Liz inside and flopped down on the bed beside her.

“Okay, spill it girlfriend.”

Liz sighed, “Did they tell you about my premonitions?”

“Yeah, when you start crackling and one of them touches you all of you can see the future,” Deluca said eyeing her friend. “What’s going on Liz?”

“Well, those are the big flashes but I get other ones too,” Liz bit her lip again staring up at the ceiling.

Maria scrunched her nose, “You need to elaborate, babe.”

“Sometimes, when I touch things or people I get flashes of the future that only I can see.”

Maria’s eyebrows went up, “And just who were you touching Liz Parker?”

Liz blushed slightly, “Max kissed me…I saw something.”

“What did you see Liz?” Maria was starting to worry.

The pretty burette sat up and covered her face in her hands. She didn’t know what to say. Maria sat up too wrapping her arms around Liz as she started to shake, “I’m sorry that I’m dragging you into this Maria.”

“No, pumpkin…shhh…You’re my best friend Liz, whatever’s going on with you I want to be a part of it. Good, bad, or indifferent…I’m here for you,” Maria whispered into her best friends ear. “But you need to tell me what you saw.”

Liz pulled back slightly and wiped her eyes, “I saw…I saw Zan.”

“What do you mean you saw Zan? Like you saw his body?” Maria was incredibly confused the others had said that Zan was dead.

There were tears shining in her eyes as they met Maria’s green depths, “No, he was alive and he was…he was with Max.”

“Liz, are you sure?” Maria questioned, “Why didn’t you tell Rath or Ava maybe they could help-“

“Because what if I’m wrong,” Liz sounded so pained. “They’ve been through so much. I don’t want to put them through this if he’s not really alive.”

Maria nodded, “So where was he in this vision?”

“I’m not sure it was kind of impressionistic,” Liz sounded frustrated.

“Okay, what happened the last time you saw Zan?”

Liz frowned, “We were on the battlefield, he was dying…Larek pulled me away before I could try to heal him. I saw him…I saw him fall…I saw him die as Larek dragged me away.”

“What if something happened? What if he didn’t die out there? What if, God, I don’t know…what if somebody else saved him?” Liz’s head snapped up.

“No Maria, Larek would have told me-“

“Liz, maybe Larek didn’t know.” The firey blonde’s eyes lit up, “You said it was on a battlefield, right? If Larek was just trying to get you out of there maybe someone else got to Zan.”

Her brown eyes went wide, “But he would have contacted me-“

“Liz you said he was dying there’s a good chance he wasn’t in any condition to contact anybody,” Maria watched as Liz seemed to be struggling with what to say. She kept opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water. “Liz, if you don’t want to tell the Pod Squad then I think we should get a hold of Larek.”

Liz gave her best friend a small smile, “When did you become the calm, rational one?”

“When you left and called me two months later to say you weren’t coming back for a long, long, long time,” Maria said with a sigh.

“I’m sorry about that Maria,” Liz started but was silenced by her friend’s hand.

“Don’t worry about it, babe. I forgave you the second you walked back in the Crashdown doors,” she wrapped her arms around Liz once again. “I’m just glad your back.”

“Do you think he’s really alive?” Liz sounded more like a little girl instead of a battle-hardened soldier.

“I don’t know babe,” Maria said with a slight shake of her head. “What happens if he is?”

Liz stared off into the distance, “He loves Ava.”

The petite brunette didn’t notice the shock coloring her best friends features at her last comment. Maria stared wide-eyed at the girl before her, why did that last sentence sound more like a question than a statement?

[Syke]

Hey there my darlings, long time no see. I just want to say thank you all so much for the feedback it is greatly appreciated.

Sorry it's taken me so long with the update but it's crazy livin' here in the Land of Enchantment.

Keep on truckin'
Syke

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Max!”

Startled Max turned sharply running straight into his sister, “Jesus Isabel, are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

The beautiful blonde just smiled grabbing Max’s arm and began leading him through the halls, “How’d the test go?”

“Um, good. I think, I seem to be a little distracted lately,” Max answered with a sheepish smile.

Isabel cocked a brow as she regarded the boy next to her, “So, what’s the deal with you and Liz anyway?”

“We’re gonna give it another shot,” Max sighed.

“You don’t sound to thrilled,” Isabel questioned clearly baffled.

The two siblings stepped outside into the bright, New Mexico sun. Isabel immediately turned her face into the sunlight reveling in the warmth of spring. At the same time Max dropped his head moving quickly towards the Jeep.

“Not so fast Max,” Isabel shouted running after his retreating form. “What’s wrong?”

Max threw his backpack into the rear of the Jeep and turned to face his sister, “Nothings wrong wrong, it’s just that…I don’t know…I just have all of these questions about Antar, the war, our people, Liz’s powers…Zan.”

“So why don’t you just ask Liz or Rath or Ava? I’m sure-“

Max ran a hand through his black hair, “You don’t get it Iz. The three of them, they’re so closed up. I just feel bad reopening old wounds, the way Liz looks at me when I bring it up…it kills me.”

Isabel wrapped her arms around him before whispering softly in his ear, “Then I guess just give her time little brother, give her time.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Okay, so you’re telling me that Tabitha is a witch, Theresa is trying to seduce Ethan while helping Gwen plan the wedding and there’s a portal to Hell in the Bennett house?” Liz said sounding completely confused.

“That’s about it,” Maria giggled.

Liz rolled her eyes before curling back on her side to face Maria, “God, that’s bad even for daytime television.”

“I truly believe it’s to deter kids from ditching school,” the blonde said before looking over at Liz sternly. “Okay, I let you watch Passions now let’s go contact Larek.”

“Aw Mom, do I have to?” Liz whined fixing Maria with a pout but she remained unmoved. “Fine. Wanna give me a ride?’

“Where to?”

Liz sat up widening her eyes dramatically and speaking in an eerie, booming voice, “The Pod Chamber.”

“Wow,” Maria laughed. “I didn’t realize one of your powers was to be super nerdy.”

“I hate you,” Liz grunted crossing her arms over her chest.

Maria just smiled smugly, “No you don’t, cuz I’ve got the keys.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Within moments the two best friends were speeding out of town towards the desert. The radio was blasting Janet Jackson’s “If” and the two girls were belting it out like American Idol rejects.

Maria reached over turning down the volume as the song ended, “God, I really missed this…I missed you.”

“I missed you too Ria,” Liz laughed gripping her friends hand.

Maria snuck a glance at her best friend, “I thought you’d be different.”

The petite brunette fixed Maria with an odd look, “Different how?” Liz’s voice came out somewhat strangled.

With a shrug the blonde began, “I dunno, I guess when Ava told us that you guys were on Antar for nine years I just…I mean you still look and act like you’re seventeen.”

“I’ll just take that as a compliment,” Liz said cocking her brow. “Up there time is all screwy. They have these different planes and whatnot so while I didn’t physically age nine years with the way we move through time there it was nine years…I’m really not crazy it just sounds that way,” Liz gave a self conscious laugh. “And as for my maturity level, I’d rather go back to being seventeen than act like I had to on Antar.”

Maria gave a curt nod, “Okay, I think I get it…screwy time planes. Eh, works for me.”

The Jetta pulled up in front of the rock formation that held the famed Pod Chamber and Granolith. Both girls climbed from the car and Liz began the trek towards it but stopped when she realized her friend wasn’t following. Maria was just standing there staring at the rocks wearily.

“Ria,” Liz shouted rousing her from the trance. “Are you staying here?”

Maria glance at Liz giving a shy smile, “I wasn’t sure if I could come along…I’ve never been out here before.”

Liz furrowed her brow, “They haven’t shown you the Granolith?”

The green eyed girl shook her head, “They never offered so I just figured it was an ‘Aliens Only’ thing.” Her head dropped obviously hurt by the situation.

“Maria,” Liz whispered walking back towards her friend and laying a soft hand on her shoulder. “You have just as much right to be here as any of us. You’ve protected them, loved them, and looked out for them…for us…through the best of times and the worst. Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you don’t belong right by our side every step of the way.”

Liz reached out pulling up Maria’s chin and found her green eyes shimmering, “Thank you for saying that.”

“It’s the whole truth,” Liz smiled telling Maria the same words she’d said to Max so long ago. “Now let’s go babe.”

They made it up to the chamber quickly and Liz worked her MoJo and got them inside. Maria let out a small gasp as she looked around the room. The four pods stood against one wall casting a faint green glow into the room.

“So,” Maria whispered running her hand over one of the pods. “This is where they were born? It’s amazing, why wouldn’t Michael want me to see this?” She asked still gawking.

Liz smirked, “Maybe he’s afraid you’d see him differently if you saw it…I mean really saw that he wasn’t human.”

Maria scoffed, “I already knew he was hatched-“

“Ria,” Liz sighed giving a sympathetic smile. “There’s a big difference between knowing and seeing…trust me”

“Like how you saw Max differently after the message from his mother,” Maria took in a quick breath not sure what reaction Liz would have.

The brunette just nodded jerkily, “I knew that he had a destiny but until I heard it straight from the camels mouth I just ignored it.”

“You know he’s still angry with you right?” Maria asked and Liz frowned. “He doesn’t say anything because he’s afraid of losing you again but…he’s still upset that you left him after everything that happened in the White Room and not letting him in on this whole Antar fiasco.”

Liz dropped her head, “I know. I can see it in his eyes but I don’t bring it up because I’m afraid of losing him too.”

“And what about Zan? I know there’s something going on,” Maria was just full of all the good questions today.

Liz sighed, “Zan and I have a lot, I mean a lot of issues but when it comes right down to it I know in my heart that Max is it for me.”

Maria smiled, “Well with that settled, where’s this Granolith thingy?”

“Right this way DeLuca my dear,” Liz laughed gesturing past one of the pods.

[Syke]

Once again, thanks for all of the wonderful feedback.

On with the show...


Keep on Truckin'
Syke

******************************************************

“So, that’s it?” Maria asked as they climbed back down to the Jetta. “Larek will get the message?”

Liz nodded, “Yup.”

Maria gave Liz a sidelong glance, “Nervous?”

“Extremely,” the brunette gigged linking arms with her best friend.

As they finally made it back to the car both girls leaned lazily against the hood. Liz pulled herself up onto the hood hugging her knees to her chest.

“How long does it usually take for him to contact you?” Maria asked mimicking her friend’s actions.

Liz shrugged, “An hour or so. Why?”

“Wanna go get some ice cream?”

“Oh yeah,” Liz laughed hopping from the car and climbing inside with Maria following her lead.

A cloud of dust rose into the air as the Jetta sped down the dirt roads leading away from the Pod Chamber.

******************************************************

School was out an hour ago and Liz wasn’t answering her cell, so Max slipped on his headphones trying to tune out the jumbled thoughts flowing through his head. As the soothing sounds of the Counting Crows filled the silence Max’s eyes drifted shut. All of his worries faded away until his only thoughts were of Liz. Her soft hair, glowing eyes, and scarred lips…despite the changes she was still as beautiful as ever. If he could only chase away the sadness that always lingered behind her smile. Max could feel himself slipping and considered fighting it for a moment but soon gave into the pull of sleep.

A slight breeze ran through the desolated area here Max was standing. It wasn’t warm, it wasn’t cold, it was…electric. He looked around baffled he knew that he’d never been here before but it was so familiar. He knew every inch of the broken buildings and scarred ground he just couldn’t place how.

“She’s the key.”

Max’s head snapped up at the whispered words. He tried to locate the source but it seemed to come from all directions. The wind picked up, it was almost howling now.

“The key to what?” Max shouted above the hum surrounding him.

There was no reply. Max glanced around trying to find something…someone. Suddenly a large hand grasped his shoulder. Max whipped around raising his arm ready to blast the intruder.

“Whoa there Bro. Just put the hand down, I’m not here for a fight.”

Max swallowed thickly, brows furrowing as he examined the man before him. A flash of red lightning struck in the distance illuminating his face…Max’s face.

Zan. “They said you were dead.”

“I was…for a while,” he said throwing Max a smirk.

“How…”

Zan shook his head, “It’s long, boring story. Not worth tellin’…now anyway.”

“What is she the key to?” Max shouted again as the wind rose once more.

His reflection shrugged with a lopsided smile, “Whatever you want her to be.”

Max cocked his brow towards his dupe, “Just chock full of information aren’t we?”

“I’m not as good at this as Lonnie was,” Zan chuckled. “It’s harder to…finish the thoughts.”

“You’re dreamwalking me? Why?”

Zan nodded, “I figured if you were… like me…didn’t want to catch you off guard…non-deceased status.”

Max smirked, “So, you’re coming back?”

“As soon as I...find a ride,” he laughed.

A vision of Liz and Zan flashed before Max. His face fell suddenly as his insecurities came back full force.

“What about Liz?” Max whispered staring off into the distance.

The wind howled but Zan still heard him. He knew exactly what Max was asking and wanted to assure his brother that Liz had chosen, that he was no threat but…

“I don’t know,” Zan’s voice was thick with emotion.

Max’s head snapped up as amber eyes locked and red bolts flashed in the distance.

“Max!”

A hand was shaking him harshly pulling Max back from the abyss. Tess stared down at him with worried eyes. As Max became fully awake he pushed away from her quickly.

“Tess? What, what are you doing here?” Max asked tossing off his headphones.

The blonde furrowed her brow, “I just came to see if you wanted to hang out, do some homework.”

Traitor

The word hit Max like a ton of bricks. He shook his head trying to shake off the anger that was bubbling up in him. Liz, he’d promised that he’d give Tess a chance.

A chance to betray us, the voice snorted.

Max let out a heavy sigh, “I’m really not in the mood right now Tess.”

“Oh, okay. Well call me later if you want to study,” she said, a frown marring her pink lips.

Max watched as she slipped out of his room. Max ran a shaky hand through his dark hair. He couldn’t do anything about Tess, the traitor, and now he was having weird dreams about his murdered dupe. His insecurities about Zan and Liz were suffocating him. He always thought that when Liz came back everything would just fall into place. Well, they were falling alright...just not where they were supposed to it seemed.

“Isn’t life grand,” Max whispered to an empty room.

[Syke]

Okay, sorry it's taken so long but life got in the way.

So, on to the main event....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Yo Aves, wanna bring me a Snapple?”

With a loud groan Ava turned back towards the living room. She and Rath had moved into Michael’s apartment until they could find something more permanent…so far Ava was not impressed with her current living situation. She stood staring at the two brothers, they were sprawled on the couch in mirrored positions, leaned back, one arm on the arm rest the other idly rubbing their stomachs, mouth slightly open, eyes darting back and forth as they followed the action on the TV screen. Ava wasn’t even sure which lazy bastard had made the Snapple request. A small smirk formed on her pretty, pink lips while they may have been royal pains in her ass Ava wouldn’t have changed it for the world. The pink haired girl grabbed the bottle and a bag of chips and made her way back into the living room. Rath gave an irritated grunt as Ava passed in front of the screen temporarily blocking his view. The couch gave a little as she sat down between the two dupes and held the Snapple out in front of her. Michael quickly snatched it from her outstretched hand and mumbled some sort of thanks…she assumed that’s what it was anyway.

“You guys do realize we’re supposed to be at the Crashdown in like fifteen minutes?” Ava asked as soon as a commercial came on.

Rath reached over and grabbed a handful of chips, “It’s the Rangers Aves. The games almost over and-”

“Max’ll be here soon,” Michael finished between sips.

Ava just rolled her eyes, “You guys are just creepy together. Oh, and Rath don’t forget your glasses…that glowing eye really freaks the costumers out.”

“Whatever,” Rath snorted, his attention drifting to the hockey game once gain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So, you still haven’t heard from Larek?” Maria asked as she wiped down the counter.

Liz shook her head and gave a heavy sigh as she looked around the nearly empty café. It had been two days since she’d contacted the alien emissary and she hadn’t heard a thing. She was starting to worry that something had happened, that Larek might be in trouble or worse. A part of her was tempted to go back out to the Pod Chamber and try again maybe he hadn’t received her message.

Maria noticed the worry that crossed her friends features, “I’m sure he’s fine Liz. Larek’s probably just trying to figure out what’s going on before he contacts you.”

“Yeah, I’m sure your right Maria,” Liz said pulling her hair back into a short ponytail. “I guess with the visions and everything I’ve just turned into a bit of a control freak…I don’t like not knowing.”

Maria couldn’t help the laughter that spilled from her lips at Liz’s confession. The brunette began to chuckle too. On Antar she was the girl with all the answers here the visions had lessened and she was finally starting to realize how much she’d relied on them.

“Here,” Maria said tossing Liz a small bottle. “Sniff some cedar oil and enjoy being semi-normal for a minute.”

Ding!

Maria and Liz both looked up at the sound of the bell. The brunette’s stomach dropped as she watched Tess and Kyle walk into the Crashdown. Those blonde curls were perfectly done, her lips were plump and shiny pink, her make-up was flawless, and her icy blue eyes met Liz’s churning green depth’s instantly. Liz forced herself to politely smile at the traitor before walking over to greet the pair. She couldn’t be completely evil, right?

“Kyle, Tess,” Liz smiled. “Can I grab you guys anything before we turn off the grill?”

“You can get me a hug,” Kyle pouted opening his arms. “I haven’t seen you in forever and you act like I’m just another costumer.”

Liz laughed as she threw herself into Kyle’s embrace, “I’m sorry Kyle. It’s just been one of those weeks.”

“Trust me, I get what you’re saying,” Kyle said wiggling his eyebrows. ‘So…Antar for a vacation, huh? Good surfing?”

“Oh, it was just…fantastic,” Liz giggled lightly punching him in the shoulder.

Tess cleared her throat, “Where’s everybody else?”

“Max is supposed to pick up Spaceboy and the dupes,” Maria offered suddenly appearing behind Liz. “And Alex and Isabel were coming form a late movie. Jose just closed the grill and left so let’s get these stragglers out of here so I can change.”

The two friends worked quickly to get the rest of the paying costumers out and did a swift wipe down of the countertops before slipping into the back room to change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Alex, man, next time you have to come watch the game with us,” Rath said clapping Whitman on the back as the walked through the doors of the Crashdown.

Alex shook his head fervently, “I’m not really into watching a bunch of goons beating the stuffing out of each other.”

Michael grabbed the lanky boy by the shoulders, “Hockey is so much more than that Whitman. It’s grace and speed and skill-“

“And some good right hooks,” Rath finished with a smirk.

“Whatever,” Isabel snorted grabbing Alex’s hand and leading him to the booth Kyle and Tess were sharing.

The group exchanged greeting and began talking quietly amongst themselves. Maria and Liz finished getting changed and walked through the backroom door and into the dining room. Max stood up immediately moving towards the petite brunette before him. He knew he was staring but he couldn’t help himself, it was Liz. She self-consciously pushed a strand of hair behind her ear before stepping up to him. Maria giggled at the look of sheer pleasure on Max’s face and the look of annoyance on Tess’ after he leaned in gently kissing Liz’s lips.

“Hey,” Liz whispered smiling up at her boyfriend.

“Hey,” he whispered back. “How was work?”

Liz rolled her eyes, “Other that wanting to rip my hair out it was fine.”

“Sounds like fun,” he chuckled softly before kissing her again.

Isabel bit her lip, “I don’t mean to interrupt your little make out session…but have you had anymore premonitions?”

“Um,” Liz shook her head blushing slightly. “No, no I haven’t seen anything lately.”

“So you think we’re safe?” The tall blonde asked squeezing Alex’s hand.

Liz reached up and pulled her hair loose. She absently stretched and played with the hair tie as she formulated an answer. The whole room was silent.

“I think,” Liz started cautiously. “I think that right now we are relatively safe…at least from alien invaders. I haven’t heard anything from-“

“Larek!” Maria shouted a little startled as she saw Brody’s body in the doorway.

Larek smirked, “Good to see you again too, Maria.”

“What are you doing here?” Ava asked fearing the worst.

Larek suddenly looked nervous. He began fiddling with the keys in his hands, “I brought you a little surprise.”

Body’s body stepped out of the doorway allowing the gang to see the person behind him. A collective gasp went up in the café. There he stood, a little worse for wear, in a smudged white t-shirt and black cargo pants. His hair was still buzzed short but he had a few new scars on his face and neck. All eyes were on the man who stood in the doorway but none of them moved a muscle. A scarred thin hand reached up and nervously scratched behind his ear.

“What’s the matter?” He asked innocently as the corners of his lips twitched. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Ava was out of her seat in a second, arms wrapped tightly wrapped around Zan’s neck. He pulled her up against his chest breathing in the scent of her hair. Ava’s sobs could be heard muffled against his shirt. Zan swallowed thickly as he brought his eyes up meeting Liz’s dark green gaze. There was an emotion he couldn’t read there in her eyes, but Zan was sure it was reflected in his own. Ava finally pulled away staring up at him.

“How-“ Ava’s voice was soft, filled with wonder.

Zan smiled down at her before addressing the group, “Up on Antar we have these little guys, they’re like priests and pretty much neutral in the war. When I..died...they came and uh, took me away…”

Zan looked around at the blank stares of the group, “It was like Yogurt's little sand Dinks in Spaceballs.”

“Oh, I get it,” Michael said. “They dragged you off the battlefield and nursed you back to health...brought you back to life...or something.”

“Yeah,” Zan laughed. “I thought I was a goner for sure and then all the sudden I wake up and I’m surrounded by all these little, glowing freaks trying to feed me things. I didn’t have to make any galaxy altering decisions for weeks. It was a very enlightening experience.”

“So…you’re Zan, the real Zan?” Isabel asked glancing between Zan and Max.

The scarred dupe cocked his brow with a smirk, “Hi, I’m Zan.” He gave a little wave, “And I’m an alien king and control freak. I’ve been control free for five weeks now, it’s been hard but with the help of some little glowing guys I think I finally have it under control.”

A cricket could be heard chirping in the night.

“Good to know dying didn’t mess with your fucked up sense of humor,” Rath snorted before walking over and pulling Zan into a tight but manly hug. “I’ll have to have Squib send the priests a bottle of wine of something.”

“You do that,” Zan laughed. “I think they’re all big drinkers.”

Zan pulled away from Rath and made his way across the dining room floor. He stopped a few feet in front of Max and the two stood staring at one another for a moment.

“It’s good to see you again Bro,” Zan said quietly offering his hand.

Max shook his dupes hand, “I wasn’t sure if it was real.”

Liz suddenly broke her gaze away from Zan and looked up at the boy beside her, “You knew?”

Max glance down at her, “I thought it was just a dream. Zan showed up while I was on this deserted battlefield, I didn’t think it was real.”

Liz nodded dumbly, Zan and Max had been together…her premonition was Zan dream walking Max. She gazed back at Zan’s intense amber stare and couldn’t help but shiver as she looked away. It happened so fast Max hadn’t even noticed. Zan suddenly tensed as he glanced behind him locking eyes with Tess.

“What the fuck is she doing here!” He spat starting to move toward the icy blonde.

Liz lept forward grabbing his arm, “Zan don’t!”

The scarred dupe grabbed Liz by the shoulders seething. She could see the anger in his eyes but she also saw the fear. It was Nasedo’s betrayal that forced Zan’s hand, Nasedo’s treachery that killed the man in front of her and he was afraid Tess would do it again.

Kyle had pushed Tess farther behind him as they both looked at Zan in confusion and fear. Tess peaked out trying to get Max's attention but his ees were firmly fixed on Liz and Zan.

“Zan don’t,” Liz said again so softly that only he could hear. Zan let go of Liz but his body began to waiver. The pink haired girl who had stood silent during the exchange was suddenly wrapped around Zan’s waist helping him stand.

“Zan, what’s wrong?” Ava’s voice was laced with worry.

“I’m still a little weak that’s all,” Zan said giving her a small smile. “I could use some sleep after the plane ride.”

Ava nodded, “Max, could you give us a ride back to Michael’s?”

Max looked at Liz who was staring at his dupe apprehensively, “Yeah I can do that.”

The group got up and dispersed quickly leaving Liz sitting alone on a stool in the empty diner. Zan had almost given up Tess' traitor status to the rest of the group. There could have been a major controversy tonight. But when she saw the look in Zan's eyes she almost wondered if she'd made the wrong decision when it came to Tess. Liz didn't want another body on her conscious though she didn't want to end a life of someone who could be their worst enemy, or...if Future Max was right...their saving grace. Liz still worried that something could happen even with Kivar gone. They might still need the little blonde gerbil and Liz didn't want to lose her unless it became absolutely nexessary. But the look in Zan's eyes...The petite brunette tried to shake off the feeling that were coursing through her, their connection was strong but that’s all it was. Zan loved Ava and she loved Max. It was simple. She gave a heavy sigh before making her way upstairs to change into her pajamas.