Roswell Fanatics

Part 10

Summer went by quickly, more quickly than any of them could have wished for.

The secret that stood between the Royals and the humans was put aside in favor of spending time together.

Alex and Isabel slowly worked their way through all the dating hunts of Roswell. Trying to keep it low key as possible because Alex wasn’t suppose to know about aliens and Max, Michael, and Tess knew Isabel would never date Alex unless he knew the truth.

Maria suspected that Alex knew whatever it was spikey head wouldn’t tell her. She was glad for him because even though they worked hard to hide it she could see the quick glances exchanged full of love and excitement.

The only looks she exchanged with her abnormal creature were scowls.

Max and Liz’s glances on the other hand were filled with shyness so sweet and sickening it made Maria want to hurl.

Danelea still watched from the outside. She watched as they ignored the secret and came together for one magnificent summer. She pondered why the Royals didn’t break and share the secret with the three humans left in the dark. They suspected enough and they knew enough to be in danger. But then she would remember how stubborn and foolish they were sometimes back on Antar. She would roll her eyes and assume some habits were harder to break then others.

Twice she caught Rath looking at her. She would duck her head and leave not realizing that he already knew she was there and her habit to raise her hand in farewell gave away who she was. Every time, no matter how many appearances she came in.

She could feel the Traitor. He was detained with something. Something that bothered him to no end. It put him off course for over six months afterwards his travel was much slower. It was only now that he was entering the eastern most border of Texas.

She did have to remember to thank Kal for all the resources he was providing her.

By the time the Traitor got here the Royals would be gone, scattered enough to confuse the hell out of the Traitor.

One day in the middle of summer so lost in her thoughts she didn’t notice him getting up and leaving the Crashdown where they were all gathered. She didn’t notice him approaching until his shadow blocked her sunlight.

“Who are you?”

Danelea stood frozen in fear, even knowing Rath could barely harm her with his limited abilities.

“I’m…I’m no one.”

Michael looked at her, not believing a word she uttered.

“Then why does this mean something to you?” He raised his hand to demonstrate. She raised her hand back and sighed in resignation.

“It’s from our planet. It’s the only thing the four of you remember from than, maybe your names too, I’m not sure.”

“Vialndra and Ava.”

She nodded, surprised and impressed.

“They ah…Max and I remembered them when Tess came to town.”

“I’m glad she has rejoined you.”

“You still didn’t tell me who you are…” then Michael answered his own question, “Protect the others. That was you wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I had to make sure…” she trailed off not really knowing how to explain it. “I’m Danelea, Royal Guard for the podlings, the Royals. You and the others.”

Michael was shocked. It took him a few minutes to clear all the thoughts demanding attention now.

“Can you tell me…our history. So we know it, I need to know the past to protect us in the future.”

Danelea looked at him, studying him to see if he was ready. Reaching a decision she spoke,

“Sure, but what about your friends?”

She watched him shrug and glance back across the street into the Crashdown to find they had started dancing.

“Only Pixie will notice my absences.”

“Maybe you should stay for her then.”

“Can I?”

The seriousness of his tone accompanied by the fierceness of his gaze told her the question implied more than just the here and now.

“No, I suppose not. Not yet, anyways.”

He nodded his eyes filled with a knowledge he claimed to lack.

She started to walk down the street only to find him staring intensely through the window.

Danelea was astonished when the laughter of the colorful young woman inside stopped and she looked up directly into Michael’s stare.

Movement in her peripheral vision had her turning to see him lift his hand to the so called pixie.

Danelea wiped her head back in time to see the girl lift her own hand and give a small nod.

She watched in bafflement as Michael smiled and then joined her.

It was two blocks later before she could speak.

“How does she know that?”

Her tone was quiet, filled with curiosity that had Michael glancing at her.

“She saw it in a flash, a long time ago.”

“A what?”

He looked at her in disbelief.

“You know, an image. Our fingertips touched and she saw that. I saw some stuff too.” Michael closed his mouth shut after that. He shared too much. In his haste to shut his mouth he failed to notice when Danelea stopped walking.

Finally seeing he was alone he turned back to find her mouth open and eyes as big as saucers.

“What?”

He responded defensively crossing his arms over his chest.

Her answer was whispered causing Michael to strain in order to hear it.

“You imprinted her.”

Michael gazed at her puzzled, having no idea what that meant.

They continued walking until they reached a small park. Michael could no longer take her silence and demanded, “What the hell does ‘imprinted her’ mean?”

“You marked her as yours.”

Michael gulped, “Mine?”

“Yeah, for all of eternity your souls will now be joined.”

She watched in slight fear as Michael began to appear queasy.

“What if she doesn’t want that?”

“It never would of happened then.”

Frustrated Michael got up to pace, Danelea only had to wait a moment before he began to yell.

“We were frickin’ eight years old. I didn’t know what I was doing! Now she’s stuck with me! Oh man. Pixie’s gonna kick my ass.”

Danelea couldn’t help but laugh.

Michael was ruffled by the reaction until he too was grinning at the thought.

~*~*~*~

Maria watched as Max stood up and walked away from Isabel approaching Tess, “Dance with my madam?”

She giggled, “Why I’d love to kind sir.”

Maria looked on as Serena and Liz laughed as they got more drinks out for everyone and cut pie slices.

“Why the long face pretty girl?”

Maria looked up into Alex’s eyes. Eyes that now held a dancing joy and the tension that used to line his back had lessened.

She gave a soft smile as he sat down across from her. “You know.”

Alex’s mouth dropped open and a minute passed before he responded, “Here I was thinking Liz was the observant one.”

Maria nodded, “Its different types of observation.”

Alex looked at her critically then suspiciously. “You’re not gonna pester me to tell you?”

“I dunno, but I do know. You know.”

Alex stared at her.

“Alex.”

Maria waved a hand in front of his face and called out louder, “Alex?” The others turned to look at them as Alex shook himself out of a daze.

“Sorry, had to use the Maria filter.”

“Yeah, that one kinda threw me too.”

After a pause she went on to explain, “They have to be the ones to tell us. Not you or Serena. And as much as I figured out I still don’t know everything and Liz and Kyle know less. Alex, I know their trying to protect us, but we’re a part of this. We ALWAYS will be.”

Alex gave her a sympathetic smile. “You have no idea Ria. No idea.”

“So she finally told you.”

Alex grinned, “Yeah I guess you could say that.” He laughed at a joke that went over Maria’s head.

“How much longer do you think they’ll hold out on us?”

“I don’t know. I am working on Isabel for you guys though. She’s a forced to be reckoned with so if we get her on our side…”

“Max and HIM will be running for the hills.”

Alex laughed, “Why don’t you say Michael’s name Ria?” He watched as she cringed when he said it.

“No, reason.”

“Yeah right and Max Evans isn’t head over heels in love with our Lizzie.”

Maria laughed.

“Much better. Now, no more pouting or I’ll have to bust out the big guns. You hear me pretty girl?”

Maria giggled and nodded as Alex got up and whisked Isabel onto the dance floor next to Max who was wildly spinning Tess.

Completely dizzy, Tess didn’t catch Max smile at Liz and Serena and then signal them with a glint in his amber eyes.

She did notice when he shoved her away and she went sailing into Kyle’s outstretched arms.

As Tess was sailing away from Max, he reached over and pulled Liz from her seat. Spinning her once, he pulled her close fitting her petite frame along his larger one. Together they watched in amusement as Tess landed in Kyle’s arms causing him to step back from the impact.

Years later, all that were there would still be laughing over Kyle’s stupefied expression saying he never knew what hit him when Tess Harding was dropped from the sky and into his arms…

TBC.

Part 11

“So…”

“It’s a long story Michael.”

“I’ve got time.”

She rolled her eyes and sighed sinking into the nearest park bench.

“Our planet…”

“Antar?”

“Yeah. It’s part of a star system. There are two other planets nearby with life on them; the other two are dead planets. All five together form the V shape. Zan adopted it as his Royal seal once Antar rose.”

“Rose?”

Danelea nodded and rubbed her forehead, trying to remember it all.

“Out of the three planets, Antar was the largest, but weakest. Years of warfare with the other two on our soil had depleted it of resources. Half the population was dead, the other half so bitter and hateful even members in the same family weren't safe from the hostile emotions.

It was your dad who finally ended the war. He was one of the greatest warriors Antar had ever seen, probably the greatest until Rath. Thar, your father took back the throne from a being named Khivar and returned it to the rightful Royal family, Zanos.

Zanos and Thar were a deadly pair. A match only ever rivaled by their sons, Zan and Rath. Most people thought it was such and unequal comparison because Zan and Rath were each part of a sibling set.

Rath was the same age as Zan and Vilandra who were twins and then a few years later Rath’s little sister was born. Ava.”

“The sparks? When Tess came to Roswell and our hands touched they sparked, red and dark yellow. Max and Isabel said it was familiar, but we don’t know what it is.”

Danelea smiled as he pieced part of the puzzle together for himself,

“It marks you as siblings. Max and Isabel probably saw it when they first hatched out of the pods, blue and purple. Those are the colors of the Royal family. Red and yellow, Tess and you, are the colors of the Warriors.”

She watched as Michael absorbed all this new information. When he looked up she continued, “The four of you, were The Royals. Together, with the help of The Royal’s trusted advisor, Larek you managed to bring Antar back until it was on the brink of a Golden Age.”

“I’m sensing a but here?”

“The other two planets allied against you. Before, they were always working as separate entities to attack, but now they were a joint force. That alone wouldn’t have mattered, Rath and Ava were perfectly adept at dealing with warfare. It was the Antarians that brought about their own fall and ultimately your untimely deaths.”

As she paused, Michael wasted no time shooting off the question that was forefront in his mind.

“What’s ‘destiny?’ When we all reunited, I guess you could say. We all saw these two…woman talking about our destiny.”

She waved a hand at him, “I’m getting there. As Antar began to return to the once great planet it had been the people got greedy. They wanted more from The Royals, more then the Royals wanted to give. Zan and Ava married hoping to settle the revolts, but the people wanted more. They wanted Rath and Vilandra wedded too. It would create a Four Square and then the people would be ensured powerful rulers in the generations to follow since you four were the most powerful on the planet.

Neither you or Vilandra felt that way about each other, but Zan begged you both. ‘For the people’ he said. Vilandra gave in and you did too eventually. You cared for each other and loved each other just like Zan and Ava did, but none of you were in love with each other and that was important to you.”

“Hold up I was married to Isabel?”

“Yes.”

“Oh that’s so gross.”

Danelea laughed,

“Not on Antar. You were close, but not sibling close like you are here. And she was the most lusted after woman on the planet. Rath was no different in thinking she was absolutely spectacular. He would brag quite often, knowing she was doing the same about him, having ‘tamed the untamable Warrior.’ You both allowed the people and Zan to force you into a marriage because you both knew it could have been a whole lot worse. There was no time for dating and falling in love. You both were too focused on the Antar’s well being. So you both settled for what the people were begging of you anyways.”

“But that wasn’t good enough for the people.”

“No, no I’m afraid it wasn’t. The people had convinced themselves that you four would be the Four Square. That it was your destiny to create a long prophesied relic.”

“Huh?”

“They called it a Granilith. Rumors spread like wild fires how powerful it would be. Powerful like the four of you were.”

“So we’re supposed to create this?”

“I’m not sure. Nobody really knows. The hope died when the Traitor managed to kill you all. The flash you saw about destiny was your mothers. They didn’t care what fate had planned out for you they just wanted you to live again. To live a life free of burdens and filled with love. The kind of life you couldn’t have as leaders of a planet.”

“A second chance.”

“Yes.”

“But the Traitor is here. I can feel him sometimes.”

Danelea was not surprised, it always had been a trait of Rath’s to have an uncanny sense of when danger was lurking.

“We’re shape shifters. There were four of us sent to protect you. Our friend, she died when the humans captured her. The Traitor was also captured, but escaped after three years. Kalei and I were able to secure the Pods, both sets, safely.”

Michael’s jaw dropped, “Both sets.” His jaw closed and he became more somber as he saw the sadness cross Danelea’s features.

“Yes, there were two sets made. But the others were lost to the Traitor. When the four of you passed out last year that was them dying.”

“That’s when he started working his way back here.”

“Yeah, something stopped him though I think it might have been Kalei, but he hasn’t checked in with me for a while so..”

She trailed off when she noticed Michael's befuddled expression amusing as it was,

“What kind of name is Kalei for a dude?”

Danelea grinned for the first time in a while, truly happy at the thought of Kal,

“It means ‘One who works for the King.’ I always thought it was appropriate, considering…”

Michael watched her, “You love him?”

“Yeah, it’s complicated though. Sort of like you and Ma…the pixie girl.”

“You’re trying to protect him?”

She laughed, “No, trust me Kal is more than capable of protecting himself. He trained besides you after all.”

“It’s because of us. You have to protect us.”

Off her silence he continued, “You don’t have to do that. I can protect them. All of them.”

She smiled gratefully, “I know you can. But whose gonna protect the protector? Somebody that knows what’s going on has to watch your back. The pixie can only do so much while she’s in the dark.”

“You want me to tell her?”

“I think you should, but that’s not up to me. All I know is your wasting time, passing up your second chance that your mother and the Queen worked so hard to provide for you.”

“Using guilt isn’t going to convince me to risk her life in this. It’s dangerous. I’m not going to risk her life by pulling her into this and living out my ‘second chance.’ It’s not safe.”

“No Michael it’s not safe. But it never will be. You’re an alien on a hostile planet. Believe me I’ve felt what they do when they capture one of us. But whether you like it or not she’s already in this Michael. She…Liz and Kyle, there all teetering on the edge waiting for the worst to happen to you guys and not knowing why.”

She paused hoping he wouldn't notice her exclusion of Alex, not knowing how much Isabel had told them. She quickly changed gears to something equally important, but something he wouldn’t likely question because he didn’t know to ask.

“You should know your have powers.”

He gave her a ‘no duh’ look and she furthered the explanation,

“No I mean specified powers more advanced then the stuff you can do now. Everyone on Antar can do that stuff, but individually you each have a more powerful ability. It was rare on our planet, also part of the reason the Antarians thought you would be the Four Square. The only problem is you don’t have access to them yet. Not until the King releases his. And until then you’re all very vulnerable to the Traitor.”

“That’s why you stick around here?”

“That’s the other reason yeah.”

“How does Max release them?”

She half shrugged, “Supposedly during a time of heighten emotion when the need for them arose they would be there for him. Then instantly Tess, Isabel, and you will be able to access your powers too.

“What would Max need his powers for? What is his power?”

“Max heals. Somebody he loves has to be on the edge of death.”

“Well whoever thought of that plan was a first rate idiot.”

Danelea nodded in agreement.

She stood up then and gazed up at the stars. Michael broke through her quiet musings,

“Home never had so many stars did it?”

Astounded she peered at him for a long time.

Then she gave a small, sad smile, “No, no it didn’t.”

Then she walked away. Half way through the park she turned and raised her hand. Michael nodded his head in thanks and raised his own hand knowing she would be around.

~*~*~*~

Michael didn’t tell the others what he learned. And Isabel kept her promise to Alex and never spoke of future Isabel or life as a Princess. It was the week before they would all be leaving for college when Isabel stomped up to Michael’s apartment for the meeting he had called. A meeting that would have all of them putting their cards on the table.

When the door flung open both Tess and Serena jumped, their laughter immediately ceased. Michael growled as his door slammed into the wall probably leaving a dent and Max raised an eyebrow in concern.

She wasted no time to speak, the words tumbling one after another the volume steadily rising.

“Why couldn’t Alex come? He knows. I’ve told you this. Serena knows and gets to be in on this why not Alex.

“She’s on our side Iz.”

Isabel turned to Max enraged, but before she could speak Michael spoke up, “He means Alex isn’t divided between loyalties. There’s us and our secret then there’s Liz and the loud one. It’s not fair to put him in the middle if we don’t have too.”

It was a good answer, but only served to upset Isabel more, “MARIA! Her name is MARIA!!!”

The little emotions that were on his face were shut off.

Isabel manages to shake her head in something close to abhorrence at Michael, “Why don’t you say her freakin’ name?”

Michael just shakes his head at her ignoring the question.

“Why Michael.”

It was the soft-spoken tone of Tess that had him gritting his teeth to keep the outburst in.

“Michael?”

The curious tone of Max had Michael mumbling under his breath. When it was met with silence he looked up to find them all staring at him in bewilderment.

Defiantly he speaks up, “Protect the others.”

Tess pales at the realization. Max looks guilty. Isabel if possible became even more upset.

Flinging her arm out a lamp goes crashing to the ground, which they all ignore as Isabel begins her lecture at an unnecessarily loud level.

“Serena and Alex already know. MARIA hardly needs confirmation to the fact. Liz is two steps behind her and by the time you two decide to tell even the moron Kyle will have figured it out.”

“HEY!” Tess’s cheeks turn pink as they all turn to look at her briefly before Isabel demands their attention again.

“WHY can’t we tell them!”

Max sighs, “Amazing how one summer in the arms of Alex Whitman changes your attitude.”

Isabel crossed her arms over her chest close to defeated she continues, “They’re already in danger and while I spend all summer in the arms of the guy I love before we’re separated by a country. What did you three do?" Pausing to cast each of them a glance she continues,

"Was mini-golf and water fights with Kyle good enough for you Tess? And how many biology reports did Liz have to fabricate to have a logical reason to hang out with you Max. And Michael my God! Just once don’t you want to stop holding HER back? Because you do, whether you acknowledge it or not. She would be a thousand times brighter, ten times louder, and less obnoxious to the rest of human kind if you would just tell HER what she already knows and say her freakin’ NAME!!!”

Exhausted she collapsed back on the couch.

“Isabel’s right.”

Isabel opened her mouth to disagree, but then the quiet words Michael spoke registered in her mind

“I am?”

Tess nodded as Max spoke, “Of course you are.”

Tess sighed, “It’s just too bad you didn’t push the issue two months ago, at least then we wouldn’t tell them and then go off our own ways for college.”

The silence after that statement was broken by Serena’s laughter.

“My god you’re all insane, advanced species my ass. You’re all complete morons.”

Tess smirked at her sister and soon joined in the giggling. Isabel and Max didn’t take well to the insult and managed to keep an offended look until Tess snorted. Then the too succumbed to their growing laughter.

Max brought them all to silence as he spoke his next thought.

“How do we tell them?”

It was Serena who spoke up, “The only one I see as having a real problem is Tess. No offense Tessie, but Kyle is kinda an idiot. Maybe you and Isabel could break the news to him. I’m sure Max could just stare into Liz’s eyes and she’d get the message.”

The others laughed at Max’s expense.

He grumbled out in very Michael like fashion, “I’m sure it will take a little bit more than that.”

Then they all turned towards Michael who looked like a combination of a kid at Christmas and a person facing their worst nightmare.

Max patted him on the back. “Good luck man.”

Tess and Serena nodded sympathetically. Isabel just laughed, “Serves you right for waiting so long.”

Michael growled and then Isabel spoke again, “Is that all because I told Alex I’d call him when we were done.”

“No, believe it or not Izzie I did call you over here for a reason besides you getting to scream and holler at us. And it wasn’t really necessary for you to break my lamp either you know.”

She blushed a little, and then realized what he had implied, “I did what?”

The others for the first time seem to take in the shattered lamp on the floor, “How’d you do that Iz?”

She looked up at Max just as perplexed as he was.

It was the smirk on Michael’s face that had them turning to face him.

“Well you see it goes like this. A long time ago and far, far away there was this planet…”

TBC.

AN: I saw that I was nominated for Round 12 which completely shocked me and I just had to thank everyone!! So Thank you so much Then I realized how long its been since I've updated this story and I felt so horrible. But my muse is functioning again, albeit not really for this story, but at least the other ones will be updated Hopefully this part can tide you wonderful readers over until I find the next part.

~*~*~*~

Part 12

“Alex you’re late…you’re definitely not Alex.”

Isabel’s hands twisted as she responded, “Nope we definitely aren’t.” Then she walked in allowing Kyle to see Tess bouncing behind her.

“Hey.”

“Hi Kyle.” Kyle had to stop the groan as she looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes.

She slipped past him and joined Isabel on the couch.

“Come on it. Make yourselves at home.”

Neither heard the muttered comment as he shut the door before walking over to sit in the recliner.

“So what’s up ladies? To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Kyle watched as Tess’s leg bounced up and down until Isabel put a hand on her arm and spoke.

“Kyle remember sophomore year when… when that thing happened. At lunch, it made you all kinds of stalkerish and ever since then you’ve been interrogating me for answers.”

“Yeah Isabel I remember. Tess and Serena got let in on the big secret and you, Max, and Michael got even more withdrawn for a little while.”

Tess smiled at the memory, thinking how it didn’t really last too long once Liz got that hair cut or when Maria was checking out Paulie in the hallway at school. Then there was Isabel’s new determination to get Alex to notice her.

“Anyways, we decided that it would be in your and our best interest if we told you the secret. We wanted to tell you…all of you for a while, but not until recently have we been able to overcome our stubbornness.”

Kyle, seeing how nervous they were, was polite and gave them his undivided attention. He watched as Tess opened her mouth three times, but nothing came out. Still he waited patiently. His attention turned to Isabel as she officially broke the pact.

“Kyle, we’re aliens. Well, human/alien hybrids.” Isabel stopped short and watched Kyle for a reaction.

“And I think I’m falling in love with you.”

Both Kyle and Isabel wiped around to stare at Tess, Isabel with her mouth hanging open.

“You’re what with me?” Isabel looked back at him. She didn’t think he was serious.

“Kyle did you hear what I said, about us being you know…aliens.”

Kyle was raised with manners so he naturally turned to Isabel to respond to the baffled girl.

“Yeah Isabel you’re an alien. That’s great. I’m really glad you were able to convince the two cavemen to let us in on the secret. But you know, for a while Liz has all these theories and us living in Roswell,naturally some of these theories involved aliens. When she shared these theories with Maria and Maria just got that knowing smirk in her eyes. Liz and I considered her theory pretty accurate at the very least. So Isabel I’m sorry but your big revelation doesn’t really come as that big of a shock. Although I’m very glad you told me. Tess’s revelation on the other hand…You’re in what with me?”

Isabel rolled her eyes and stood up, “Obviously I’m not needed here and I have a date with Alex later…” At that point neither was listening to her so she let herself out pulling out her cell phone.

“Alex you will not believe Kyle’s reaction.”

~*~*~*~

Michael watched from a distance as the pixie sat on her blanket under the tree reading her book. He looked up to the stars he couldn’t see and wished on them to have mercy on his very fragile human body before strutting over and plopping himself down next to her.

She looked up when she finished her chapter.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

Then they sat in silence watching the kids running around playing tag.

It was ten minutes before Michael could bring himself to look at her. It took another minute before she returned the gaze. Their eyes looked and emotions hit both of them like a tidal wave.

“Spaceboy.”

It was a sigh as it slipped past her lips, Michael closed his eyes at the pure pleasure her voice alone caused.

With his body only an inch from hers he leaned over. When his mouth was a centimeter from her ear he spoke, his whispered voice sending chills spiking through her entire being.

“Maria…”

Her reaction, as he should have expected, was not what he expected.

She pulled back as if hit and slapped him across the back of his head, “You bastard!”

Michael’s mouth dropped open in shock, but then his angry rose, “WHAT?”

“WHAT?! What…the imbecile wants to know what! Three days! Three freaking days. Are you cruel? No, you’re just not human. We go to college in three days. Three days and we’re separated the distance of practically the whole freakin’ country. Are you insane! You shouldn’t have told me yet. I’ve waited, I could have waited longer. Three days!!!”

Then the rambling changed into incoherent grunts and noises and he just watched in awe falling deeper and deeper.

He held up his hand.

When he spoke this time her reaction was more what he was hoping for.

“Maria.”

She stopped mid chant, saw his hand and possibly for the first time the full impact of what he was saying hit her. Tears sprang to her eyes and she was helpless to stop them. She began to notice that they were indeed only an inch away from each other.

Then she lifted her own hand and set it to his larger, stronger one. A sense of completeness filled both of them.

“Michael.” It escaped as a sigh just like spaceboy, but so much more.

Isabel was right. Well she was right about two of the three things. Her smile was a thousand times brighter and she was ten times louder. As for the less obnoxious to the rest of human kind part, well, Michael wasn’t going to hold his breath.

“We talked about it at the beginning of the week, I would have told you earlier, but I had to plan something out.”

Maria looked at him curiously, he grinned like a little kid in a candy store, “I have to prove that my girlfriend’s crazy.”

She smiled when he called her his girlfriend.

It would figure he wouldn’t ask and just assume that; she didn’t want it any other way. Then what he said registered, “What? I’m not crazy.”

Michael nodded smirking, “Well be that as it may, you’re still gonna be abducted by an alien.”

Her laughter was almost immediately cut off by Michael who couldn’t wait even a second more to cover her lips with his. As far as he was concerned he had already waited far too long. He would have to spend so much time catching up on missed kisses. Not that that was a real problem.

She was startled at first, not expecting it then, but she wanted it just as long and just as badly as he did.

It only took a minute before her shock faded and she melted into him. Her right hand still touching his as she placed her left hand on his chest. His free hand had wrapped around her back and was slowly, torturously making its way up to her blond hair. Still dazzling even if she did cut its length and the curls were gone.

They breathed each other in having years to take in oxygen and not nearly as long to take in each other.

When they finally did break away, it was because she had regained some thought process and the idea of being abducted by an alien hit her and she laughed.

And then Michael basked in the fullness that was Maria, was convinced that her laughter alone would be enough to fill the world with color and joy. At the very least it was enough for his world.

~*~*~*~

Max’s head popped over the balcony, “Knock, knock.”

“You know Max, I think climbing up the ladder defeats the purpose of knocking.”

He smiled sheepishly and looked back down, “Well I could leave and come through the front way I suppose. Like everyone else does.”

He had stopped pulling his leg over and was about to retreat when she grabbed his shirt and leaned in close,

“Don’t you dare.” At his smirk Liz, seemed to realize their closeness or at the very least her forceful behavior and blushed as she took a few steps back.

When Max finally looked up he caught Liz devouring him with her eyes. He gulped and had to stop the urge to pin her to the wall.

“Hi.”

She laughed at his greeting and brought her eyes to meet his. Max’s breath caught at the pure delight that danced in the pools of brown.

He scratched the back of his ear not really sure how to begin. Liz having picked up on the nervous habit ages ago was immediately at his side placing her hand on his forearm and asking, “What’s wrong Max? Is everyone okay.”

“What, oh no. Yes, everyone’s fine Liz. Well maybe, not Michael, but considering I’m sure that’s his own fault so.”

Seeing her confusion he started over, “Everyone is just fine.” She nodded her head and looked at him curiously, waiting.

Max looked into her eyes and somehow found the strength to begin, “Liz I need to tell you something.”

She nodded and gestured them to the lawn chairs.

“No I think I need to stand for this.”

“Okay.”

“I’ve wanted to tell you this for so long. Since I’ve stepped off the bus in third grade and saw you. The most beautiful girl in the whole universe.”

He smiled as she blushed and ducked her head.

“It wasn’t safe though. It’s still not safe, but the pact we made in third grade seems to make the situation even more dangerous. It leaves you all in the dark when clearly you’re very involved in this. In our lives. The desire to tell you changed into a need. For all our safety and because for a while now, we’ve all suspected that we can’t do this without you, without all you who’ve come to mean so much.”

Having an idea, but being a scientist, she needed her proof.

“What is this Max?”

“I’m not from around here Liz.” He watched her for a reaction, but her face remained blank.

“Where you from?”

Max pointed up. It took all of Liz’s will power not to grin as she asked,

“Canada?”

She watched as Max pointed higher, “Antar.”

Even though Liz knew, or at least was 98% sure that the guy she was falling more and more in love with ever day wasn’t exactly completely human, her mouth still opened a little in shock at the confirmation.

“Listen Liz I know this comes as a shock and it’s a lot to take in…” He trailed off as Liz furiously shook her head no, fearing that he had scared her away, that she wouldn’t be able to accept what he was his face froze.

Liz noticing Max step back and pale, reached forward grabbing his head, “No Max. It’s not that. Ah, I know, well I’ve suspected as much. So it’s not a huge shock.”

She grinned as Max gaped at her then rushed to defend herself, “Well I mean come on Max, with Maria as a best friend and growing up in Roswell. It was hard not to figure it out. Not when…”

He tried to catch her glance which she had effectively hidden behind her hair to hide the renewal of her blush.

“Not when what?”

She looked up, but not at him glancing everywhere as her cheeks fused with more red, “Not when I watch you almost as much as you watch me.”

It was Max’s turn to blush before he gently took her chin and raised her face to him. Their eyes locking and getting lost in each other.

Max’s eyes fell to her lips as her pink tongue shot out and licked them. He closed his eyes and sighed. Liz shivered as his breath hit her check, so close, but still so far. Max’s eyes open when Liz took a step closer to him and tilted her head up to his. Max eyes went wide as he saw the yearning in hers.

“Liz.” One word, her name filled with so much longing, so much need. It crossed his lips with reverence. His head was already descending slowly as she whispered back, “Max.” Their eyes closed at their lips came into contact both dissolving into each other with the first touch.

He brushed his lips across her's softly at first, and then she opened her mouth for him and was searching for his tongue with her small one.

They sighed into each other and Max wasn’t sure if the groan escaped from him or her. Then they saw stars.

Literally.

Both pulled back in shock, breathing heavily and flushed, but their smiles were reflected back to each other.

They reached back for the other and this time when their lips came into contact they each got a flash.

Liz saw Max stepping out of the bus, freezing as Isabel let his hand go and he saw her. Her breath caught at the depth of emotion eight year old Max had for her even then.

As for Max he saw Liz sitting with Alex and Maria almost yelling, passionately to them. About him… “Ms. Hardy put us together for lab partners and he was so close and I could smell him and see those eyes and Maria, my knees went weeks and I could barely stand and it was wonderful. Painfully wonderful.”

Max smiled against Liz’s lips; he knew the feeling.

~*~*~*~

A week after the teens left for college Danelea breathed a sigh of relief as she felt the Traitor enter the small town. She could tell by the coldness that traveled down the spine. Relief because the teens were gone. For now at least and if they weren't here and they Traitor was they were safe.

It had been too long since she’d last seen him so communicating mentally or formming any mental link was impossible. For that she was grateful.

She had no idea what form the Traitor would be in, but she would surely recognize the malice in his eyes if they crossed paths. It had probably grown through the years, but even so, if she ended up looking into the Traitors eyes it would most likely be too late for her.

Kal had called two days ago to tell her their charges were safe. She began to ask about the humans when he cut her off,

“I didn’t mean just the podlings.”

Danelea smiled to herself, Kal was becoming a regular softie as these Earth years ran him down. It was good to know she wasn’t alone in considering them all under her Royal Guard duties. Even if the closest the king came to a throne was a teacher’s desk in a room full of students.

The citizens of Roswell stared at the exotic woman as she walked by chuckling to herself. After all they had no way of knowing Danelea was seeing the former King of Antar hiding behind his desk as the kids revolted.

The imagination: what a wonderful thing.

People would continue to look strangely at her as the laughing persisted while she meandering around checking for the Traitor.

Despite the arrival of the Traitor, Danelea wore a smile on her face at the thought of second chances and all they entailed…

TBC.

Thank You once again so much

Part 13

Even as the Traitor came to the small town renowned for his masterful deceit aboard the spacecraft, he knew he was too late.

The Royals had scattered.

He growled in frustration, knowing they did not run in fear of him. They had yet to even know he existed, let alone to know such terror.

But what has caused them to flee? He walked the streets. While the citizens of Roswell admired Danelea’s beauty and laughter whenever she would pass them, as the Traitor passed by them they frowned and shivered as the coldness and darkness crept over them.

The blinking lights of a UFO caught his attention. He looked up to the Crashdown sign. He was drawn inside by the feel of it. The air tasted of something.

As he sat in the booth, unknowingly the Roayls’ booth, he identified the taste. It was a change, an occurrence caused only by something very, very powerful. The alteration he felt three years ago.

The Granilith.

His evil snarl grew at the thought.

~They have finally created it.~

If the Traitor was not so malicious the tone would have been said to be one of glee. The Traitor however, knew that could not really be the case, something so powerful he would have easily felt. He has after all waited a long time to get his hands on it.

It was a careless mistake to kill The Royals the last time, but he saw them turning from their true path as the people forced them to marry. He feared they would neglect their full potential and never create the powerful relic they were destined to make.

So in a fit of unthinking rage he had killed them. The mothers distracted by the gathered citizens yelling their concerns while their children laid in the throne room bleeding to death.

He smiled though as he thought of the fear in Vilandra’s eyes, the hatred in Ava’s, and the betrayal deep within Zan’s gaze.

Then he shivered almost in worry at what had filled Rath’s eyes. The Traitor was grateful that they did not have their full gifts, nor memories of their past lives. Rath’s eyes had filled with a promise. A promise of such pain and torture, even what the humans had done to him those three years in that white place would not compare to the horror Rath would bring him.

But then their eyes held nothing. Nothing but death.

It was then he realized his mistake. His plans never to be fulfilled without the relic. But the mothers had saved them. They saved their children and resurrected his plan.

Trusting fools that they were, he was one of the Royal Guards chosen to go to Earth. It was so much better than his original plan he felt the need to thank the Queen. He resisted though.

Kalei and Danelea though. They might be a problem. He had no idea where they were hiding. He knew they were out there somewhere. He could fell them lurking in the back of his mind, an old connection too weakened and closed off to access.

He noticed a waitress at the edge of his table fidgeting in nervousness. He smirked at her fear, but no emotions filled his gaze. He had no soul for them to see.

“Can I get you something to drink, to start off with sir?”

“Blood of Alien smoothie. And a warp wrap. Make it snappy.”

The waitress fled and he took in the Café.

He saw the dark haired man talking with what appeared to be the Sheriff.

“I can’t believe their in college now. It’s seems like just yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital, buying her a chemistry lab, watching her and Maria looking at those boys.”

“I know what you mean Jeff; I can still see Kyle in his little league uniform. Then I get home a little more than a week ago to see him and Tess on the couch being very friendly. Hell, I’d go back to that instead of them being so far away. Gosh and too think, Kyle’s so much closer than Lizzie I don’t know how you do it.”

After that the Traitor stopped listening. It wasn’t necessary, he was getting up tossing some money on the table. College. Of course. It was something he needed to investigate.

~*~*~*~

With the new knowledge of the existence of an enemy the podlings and their humans worked hard to blend in with others. They were careful never to gather together especially when they were all home for breaks. Such a large number of them would have drawn even more attention to them. It was hard.

Before the need to be together was easily overpowered by the need to keep each other safe by staying distant, but now the very need to protect each other by being together would lead to their discovery, their death.

Michael said he could feel him, feel the danger that followed him, the darkness that leaked from the Traitor. When they were all home the Traitor was lingering around just outside of town, but when they were scattered throughout their schools he was indecisive. The Traitor moved back and forth from the east coast where the others were and himself.

At numerous times they had all tried to access their powers, now that they knew they existed, but nothing ever happened. Not even when they were highly emotional.

Danelea sat down next to at the counter. It was risky, but so was what they were doing.

“It won’t work. No matter how hard you practice, they won’t come until her life is at stake.”

“What if that never happens?”

Unfortunately, Danelae had an answer. “If it doesn’t happen accidentally, the Traitor will force Max’s hand. He’s that desperate for the relic. And he knows more about it than perhaps anyone. He knows you’ll need you’re individual abilities if you’re ever to create it.”

“So I’m supposed to sit around waiting. Protecting everyone, but hoping something horrible happens to Liz from a thoughtless human so something worse doesn’t get her.”

“Yes.”

“That’s ridiculous. Why Liz. Why can’t it be me?”

“Because when eight year old Max stepped off the bus and saw her, she became his second chance. He’d give anything, risk it all for Liz. Wouldn’t you.”

Michael laughed, “Hardly, Miss Scientist grates on my nerves far too often.” Danelea laughed and smack him across the back of the head, “Not for her you duffus.”

Just then who she was referring to came spinning through back door, a whirl of color and laughter as Liz followed behind a second later.

Liz went to her newest customers, but Maria stopped next to Michael and stared at the woman.

Danelea peered back. When Maria smiled, her breath caught. Maria raised her hand and Danelea returned the gesture struggling for air.

Then Maria was off spreading her color to the unsuspecting customers. Michael grinned, “She’s something huh?”

Danelea could only nod as she looked at her. Liz ran across her field of vision and she gasped again.

“What?”

She turned to Michael; glancing around to be sure no one could hear.

“She’s imprinted too. By the King.”

“You’re surprised? You just said he’d risk it all for her.”

“What about the others are they…”

Michael nodded, “Alex is I know, I don’t think Kyle is yet though. He and Tess really haven’t seen each other this past year and we’ve only been on summer break for a week. If it has happen I don’t know about it.”

“But they know what it is. The risks?”

Michael sharply looked at her, “You never said anything about risks.”

“Oh, Michael that’s because they were already in danger I didn’t think it would matter, but then Liz. I could feel it. Maria has so much going on its hard to pick up, but Liz is more controlled. I can feel the mark. Alex is probably the same and Kyle will be like that too.”

Michael paled as the consequences of her words hit him, “You can sense them.”

She nodded gloomily, “So he will be able to…” He couldn’t finish the thought. Her lack of response answered his question.

He felt guilt at the relief he felt when he asked to double check, “But not pixie?”

She shook her head no, “Too many emotions and thoughts going on in her constantly. I only ever sensed her once.”

“When.”

Danelea looked up slightly in awe as she recalled the memory, certain that even if she hadn’t only been a block away she would have felt the imprint.

“It was in New York. It was that one time when you called in the middle of the afternoon. She had been having a really bad day woke up late, spilled her coffee, got lost on the way to class, forgot her purse after class, her shift was starting soon and she couldn’t get out of a meeting with a professor. It was when she was running to work that you called. She stopped, answered the phone and said your name. In that second everything else vanished as the thought of you enveloped her soul. I could sense the imprint then, but only for a second. It was…”

Even if she wanted for the rest of her life she would never be able to find the words to describe it.

Michael seemed to know this and didn’t press for details instead he glanced at the pixie as she laughed at a toddler trying to put a fry up his nose.

"Now it's even more important that we stay separated, in smaller groups. Those imprintings will make it so simple for the Traitor to find us."

“It certainly will," with nothing left to say about it Danelea switched gears quickly, "I should go. I’ve been here too long. I know Isabel is going to pick up Alex at the airport tomorrow, do you think she’d mind giving me a ride?”

Michael laughed, “Small spaces with Isabel are to be entered into at your own risk. I’m sure she’d love to grill you for information though.”

He raised his hand as she left out the front door her own hand lifted in farewell.

~*~*~*~

Kal approached the lanky teen slowly. His shadow fell across him as he sat at the picnic table.

“Mr. Whitman.” It wasn’t a question Kal knew exactly who he was talking to.

“Yes? Can I help you?”

Kal sat down across from him. Just observing, admiring that he looked right back, not flinching at all.

“What did they tell you?”

Alex’s brows rose together, “They who?”

Kal looked around carefully, “The person from the future.”

Alex’s jaw dropped open. It took him a minute of stuttering before he could even ask, “How do you…who are you?”

Kal offered his hand, “Kal Langely. Producer by day. Royal Guard always. I can feel that you’re marked. I could feel the other thing too. All three of us did. The change, I can only assume it was a time shift. Your reaction proves to me it was.”

By now Alex was completely overwhelmed, more so then when said future person was found in his room floating all his stuff around. But even with his overpowering emotions he clearly felt he could trust this man. He felt like that woman did, Danelea. Michael had pointed her out once to him from a distance when he had gone to visit Kyle and Michael at school.

“She told me to stop the shooting. Postpone Max from unlocking…” He trailed off as Kal nodded his head and waved a hand shushing him.

“What else. There’s something else that you know. Something you can’t tell the others because then this knowledge that none of us should have to begin with will be had by more than just five of us. We know about time travel, but the number of people who do should stay at five. Only more trouble can be caused by spreading the knowledge.”

Alex nodding having already come to that decision when he told Isabel about it.

“Tell me what the other thing is that she wanted so I can find a way to get it done. We can’t risk the other’s not trusting you because you won’t tell them how you know vital information to protect their lives. I don’t need them to trust me. They trust Danelea and you all trust each other. We have to keep it that way.”

“How do you know there’s more?”

Kal shrugged, tapping his head, “Mental links, it’s how we communicate for convenience purposes and after so long you just sort of mentally connected, if however briefly, to anyone you come across. You have two secrets you would die before revealing and an imprinting on you soul.”

Alex gulped at the intimated details Kal was able to gain with just a brief connection.

“The Granilith.”

Kal tensed all over, dreading whatever it was Alex would say next.

“She said that it wasn’t worth it. The Traitor would threaten us, kill some of us before the others gave in and finally made it. She said the damage it caused wasn’t worth our lives especially since most of us ended up dead anyway. She said her second chance became wasted the instant they gave into the Traitor, had they held to their refusal to make it, her second chance at life would have been full and lived to the fullest, but not if because of it, the two worlds that have given her so much ended, taking all life with them.”

Alex paused then collecting himself and trying to get rid of the lump in his throat,

“Isabel cried then, horrible shaking sobs, begging for forgiveness because by messing up her second chance, Antarians and Earthlings would never get one. She told me not to ever let the Granilith to come into existence because it would take out the rest of existence.”

Solemnly Kal nodded his head, “Danelea and I always thought so, and even the Queen and Lady Warrior believed the creation of such a relic with so much focused power could only be our downfall.”

“Lady Warrior?”

“Rath and Ava’s mother.”

“Oh.”

“Thank you Alex. For keeping this burden a secret. It is no longer only yours to bare.”

Alex nodded gratefully. “Will you tell Danelea?”

“Yes, Lea will have to know she has more interaction with you all. She will see the events falling into place before I get there.”

“Get where?”

“Wherever the confrontation is, probably wherever Max is when he heals Liz. It will be where he is the strongest.”

Although confused Alex didn’t ask questions he checked his watch and started gathering his stuff, “I have to go… I need to grab a cab to the airport.”

Kal smiled and stood, “I’ll drive you. I believe I’ll be having someone to pick up there shortly. When you get home do tell the podlings I said to be safe.”

Alex smiled as he climbed into the back of the limo with Kal, “Podlings, that’s great.”

~*~*~*~

As Alex went to Isabel’s outstretched arms, Danelea was settling into her seat getting comfortable for an extremely uncomfortable flight. She was looking most forward to when Earth would advance enough to have more spacious aircrafts.

It was as her plane touched down that she heard across her mind a soft curse from Michael. The small connection she retained with him these past few years making him able to reach her.

~Kalei?~

~Danelea what’s wrong?~

~Where are you?~

~Baggage claim.~

~Two tickets. Roswell.~

~Lea?~

~The Traitor found them…~

TBC.

~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~

...checking calendar...(gasp)...a month ...Sorry

chanks_girl: We'll being seeing more from the Traitor's perspective in the future. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing yet though
Natalie36: Thanks!
PML: I hope so too, but the thing about the Traitor...they won't really know who it is till it's almost too late
Timelord31: I'm glad you didn't. I'm sure it's my fault though for going so long between updates with this story
RhondAnn: Thank you.

Part 14

Usually they were so much more careful about being around each other. Yet with the excitement of Alex finally being back their guard was lowered, even Michael was distracted by how excited Maria was.

None of them actually planned to be in the same place at the same time and technically they weren’t, but they were close enough for the Traitor who was hiding out at the edge of down town to corner them.

Liz and Maria were sitting in Liz's room waiting for Isabel and Alex to show up.

“I can’t believe he’s home. I feel like I haven’t seen Alex in ages!”

“I know what you mean Chica. I hope they picked out good movies.”

Max was closing the door to the UFO center as he ran into Tess.

“Tess, what are you doing?”

“I’m supposed to meet Kyle, he had to drop something off for his dad at the Sheriff’s office, but after that we have a date at the video arcade.”

She waved over in the generally direction of the arcade Max knew to be three blocks further down. “I wasn’t ready yet so I told him I’d meet him there.”

Max nodded, “I could walk you the rest of the way, it’s getting kind of dark.” Tess shrugged as he finished locking up the door.

From one end of the street a motorcycle roared, Michael had forgotten his sketch book in his locker and he had this image he couldn’t get out of his head. He figured the girls and Alex would already be gone for the movies. He turned around the side of the Crashdown unseen by the others.

From the other end of the street came Isabel and Alex in the jeep. She parked in front of the Crashdown and jumped out. They saw Max and Tess and waved merrily.

The sound of the mustang being muffled by the roar of the motorcycle had them pausing.

Kyle idled his car in the middle of the street when he saw Max and Tess. “Look who I found wandering around.”

Tess and Max looked in to see Serena. “Hey sis!”

Tess smirked, “Trying to steal my boyfriend?”

“He’s soooo not my type.”

Max had looked up to find his sister and Alex frozen in place. Isabel in fear, Alex trying to distinguish the motorcycle and praying it wasn’t Michael’s.

Tess tensed next to Max who was suddenly looking around the street frantically. Serena and Kyle shivered.

The blood curtailing scream from the Crashdown had them all running.

When they got to the back stairs the group from the front of the Café collided with Michael, who had just rushed in from the back door.

He stopped seeing all of them together.

“Fuck.”

Max was about to run up the stairs when Michael pulled him back, Max’s rage was instantaneous. He voice was low, controlled, and deadly.

“Liz is up there Michael.”

Michael’s voice was just as low, not a bit as controlled, and far more deadly.

“So is Maria. And the Traitor.

Serena, I want you in a car with the engine running. Alex you get in another one.”

As they were about to protest he spoke,

“There’s no time and enough lives at stake do as I say. Kyle you wait at the top of the stairs, we’ll send Liz and Maria out to you, get in the car with Serena and get out of here.”

Serena spoke before he could stop her, “Michael what the hell are you guys going to do. You don’t have any powers to deal with this.”

Michael nodded remorsefully, “Yet.”

Max’s reaction was immediate, this time Michael followed him up the stairs. Isabel, Tess, and Kyle only a step behind.

The Parkers weren’t home and Michael wasted no time throwing his shoulder into the door busting it open.

Tess kissed Kyle briefly before following the other three inside.

They stood in the doorway frozen for a second; the apartment was in shambles. The whimpering had Michael moving towards Liz’s room. He held a hand to the others and they stayed behind him.

He paused before opening the door checking the danger in his head. He could feel the Traitor’s lingering presence, but he was moving away.

Quickly.

Michael kicked open the door and Maria screamed again.

He pulled her back covered in blood.

Liz’s blood.

Isabel paled at the sight, covering her mouth with her hand. She moved to the window and slammed it shut, pulling the curtain closed.

Tess stood next to Max who seemed immobile. She reached out her hand to touch his arm, to urge him into action, but the blue sparks had her pulling her hand away as he lunged forward to Liz’s side on the floor.

“Liz.” He tuned out the deep breathing of Isabel, the hysterically gulping of Maria, the hushing sounds from Tess, and the intense silence from Michael. He focused on Liz.

Only Liz.

“Liz, you have to look at me.” His hand was already on the gash in her stomach slick with her warm blood. He pulled her chin to focus her on him, “Liz please, you have to look at me.”

“Max.” Blood spluttered from her lips, but her eyes opened, and her gaze locked on to the warm safety his amber eyes provided.

If she was going to die she wanted it to be while she was encased in Max’s love for her.

Hope grew in Isabel and Tess features as Max took in a gulp of air as the connection hit him full force.

Kyle, noting the silence as he loitered in the doorway of the apartment had made his way into Liz’s room. He had paled upon seeing Liz. His whispered plea to Buddha had Tess finding her way to his arms.

Downstairs, outside Alex and Serena sat in two different cars watching each other in worry.

~Alex.~

Immediately Alex was jumping out of the car and running to the Crashdown, Isabel needed him. Serena followed a foot behind him.

They reached Liz’s room and Alex went straight to Isabel at the window, Serena stood by Tess and Kyle.

And still Max remained in a trace over Liz’s body. The hand on her stomach flicking with bright blue lines until it traveled over passing into Liz. The hands at her sides covered in blood, held a blue flickering to them.

As Liz gasped for breath, her life renewed; Isabel, Tess and Michael gulped for air as they clutched their heads with one hand, the other still clutching at the humans. Both hands covered in lines of purple, red, and yellow respectively.

The humans they held watched in awe as the bright purple, red, and yellow snaked over and into their hands, sparkling with the bright otherworldly colors.

When it was over nobody moved until Liz began to sit up. Isabel immediately rushed over repairing Liz’s shirt and eliminating all the blood.

Michael pulled away from Maria and ran a hand down the length of her also getting rid of any signs of the attack. He touched her jaw seeing the hand imprint contrasting bright red on her pale skin, his hand sparked with yellow and he raised it towards the wall.

They all turned in shock at the door sized hole in Liz’s wall.

“Wow.” Maria’s hushed response had them all shaking themselves out of the shock.

Then they watched in amazement as brick by brick the hole rebuilt itself that was until Tess wavered on her feet and Kyle caught her before she passed out on the floor. With Tess fainting the image dropped from their minds.

“Wow.” They all turned to Alex. “Well I think Maria covered it pretty good the first time soo…”

Max helped Liz move unto her bed then they all looked at each other, but still no one moved except Kyle who was trying to revive Tess.

Five minutes of tense silence passed, a hundred thoughts crossing the combined eight minds that were conscious and even a few from the unconscious mind of Tess. With a cough Tess sat up slowly with Kyle’s help. She leaned up against the bed next to Liz’s feet.

“Do you guys feel that too?”

Michael and Max nodded it was Isabel who spoke.

“The…power.”

She turned around suddenly startling them all. She marched over to the wall and stared at it as if it had personally offended her.

Then she reached out and touched the wall right next to where the damage began.

They all watched in amazement as brick by brick the wall was rebuilt, in reality this time.

Isabel stepped back, this time it was Serena who spoke, “Wow.”

Then the tension of the evening broke and the nine of them were laughing and crying and hugging and kissing and just being together like they were meant to be…

TBC.