Roswell Fanatics

Liz Parker

So much was going on around me. Michael roaring, Tess cowering, Max talking. I only had a couple questions...

"Doesn't anyone else wonder why she wants our children? ...I mean beside the fact she told us that she couldn't have her own physically. Doesn't it seem strange that with all her power she didn't just create a child out of a Petri dish or something to that effect? And why did she chose us? Why not movie stars or models? What do we have that is special?"


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ooc: random interjection into what is going on, but at least I'm involved. Let me know if there is a problem.

No worries Emmy! Angst makes things more fun - also I responded to your PM and check RTE- I gave up waiting

Sorry, it doesn't move things forward, but I wanted to give Tess's perspective.

Also, Serephinah- the *hints* were not directed at you, as I read it again I realised it might have seemed that way, they are more for the others that we haven't heard from in a while.


~*TESS*~

To say I'm surprised by Michaels outburst would be an understatement. I'm trying to come up with some other alternative to the one we've been offered and he just loses it. He stalks over and yells at me. I can see the veins in his neck and I can't help but cower back against Max at the onslaught.

MAYBE SHE’S LONELY?...AND JUST WANTS FRIENDS? The woman is a FUCKING LUNATIC TESS...one whose hell bent on DESTROYING US...she’s not lonely, she’s a SICK AND TWISTED BITCH

Max stands at this and tries to defend me but Michael won't give him a chance Don’t you understand? we can’t afford to be that fucking naive about this, Maxwell. We are dealing with a very powerful and very deranged woman....we...we just can’t afford to be that naive

Naive? I wasn't trying to be naive. I was trying to be positive in the face of overwhelming odds. I was trying not to be defeatist, but looking at it from Michaels perspective I realise that I am naive. I guess the question is whether you believe we have any chance to defeat this proposition or not.

I want to apologise, to say that I think we have a hope. I want to have a hope, but I don't know if I can, because I'm not sure I do. I just sit motionless, not responding, lost in my thoughts until Max leans over me, speaking gently Tess, I'm sorry, you can't imagine what's out there.
Then, like the king I know he is, he moves to Michael, putting a hand on his shoulder. We're not going to let her do it, Michael. I don't know how, but we'll find a way.

I'm glad Max has faith, I secretly pray that he has enough for both of us, but I know that I will have to find some somewhere if I really want to be the queen I say I want to be.

Then Liz chimes in, reminding me of all the others present who haven't said anything since it went dark. *Hint Hint* Doesn't anyone else wonder why she wants our children? ...I mean beside the fact she told us that she couldn't have her own physically. Doesn't it seem strange that with all her power she didn't just create a child out of a Petri dish or something to that effect? And why did she chose us? Why not movie stars or models? What do we have that is special? As I gaze around at the others I know the obvious answer that comes to mind, but I wonder why the humans have been included.

I might have responded, but one look at Michael still glowering and I bite my tongue, moving closer to Max's back and deciding maybe I'll just wait for someone else to respond.

Maria

I had been standing the in awe, watching as everything was going on. It seemed so unreal, all of it like a dream I was just sitting back and watching. I watched as Michael went out the door.

"Michael!, Michael!" I yelled, benting down towards Michael who was lying on the ground. "Michael, are you okay?" I look at Michael, wanting to know what happened. Michael grabs me in his arms and holds me close, and for a second everything felt okay.

Michael then pulls away as all the emotions from the day seem to explode on Tess. I still stand back, and I glance at the door. What was going on out there? What happened?

As Michael sat down on the couch, I could tell he was frustrated. We all were. I sat down beside him and grabbed his hand in mine. I curled up to him as close as I could. I knew when Michael was scared or worried then it was definately serious. "Please just tell me this is a dream..." I whispered. "Are you okay? What happened Michael...."

ooc: I used everyone a little bite here, hope its ok. For those of you who don't know what to post...why not try posting on what your feeling about the situation. Anxious, scared, angry, helpless....I doubt that if something like this were happening to you in real life, you'd be speachless, but then again...

Michael

Max apologizes to Tess for my outbursts, even though I'm not the least bite sorry. Tess had not clue what was out there...none of them did. If they had, they wouldn't be taking this so lightly.

Maria appears at my side and sits in my lap. Curling into me, she asks me about what about happend outside. The words get caught in my throat, I can't tell her...I'm to ashamed, to angry, too...

"Doesn't anyone else wonder why she wants our children? ...I mean beside the fact she told us that she couldn't have her own physically. Doesn't it seem strange that with all her power she didn't just create a child out of a Petri dish or something to that effect? And why did she chose us? Why not movie stars or models? What do we have that is special?" Liz asks nervously.

“The special part is easy enough to figure out... Michael, Max, Isabel and Tess are aliens from another planet...that’s pretty freaking special, wouldn’t you say?” Maria volunteers, semi-sarcastically.

“Fine, that explains us...” Isabel began, finally speaking up “...but what about you, Liz, Kyle and Alex?”

“Haven’t quite figured that one out, just yet...” Maria said, her voice trailing.

“Here’s a thought, why don’t we just ask her...she’s standing right over, OH...SHIT!” Alex said, rushing from where he was standing, over to the couch with the rest of us.

In a darkend corner, a hooded figure emerged, identical to the image seen on the parchment, only this time is was no miniscule model.

Maria jumps from my lap and runs over to Liz, as Max and I raise from the couch, hands outstretched, ready to attack the hooded figure.

“...I’ve already told you, your powers wont work against me...” the metallic sounding voice croaked.

“...Now, what is your answer?” The voice behind the hood asked.

“What?....its only been an hour...you said you’d give us 24....” Alex’s voice trailed off, as the hooded figure produced a shriveled hand from her robe and pointed to the clock on the wall.

In unison we all turned to look at the clock, which displayed not only the time, but also the date and day of the week. The clock should have said Thursday, 3:30pm. Instead it read Friday, 3:30pm.

“That can’t be right...” Kyle said, staring in amazement at the clock.

“Oh it is...it is...” Ulyssa said with a laugh, when she turned to face me.

“Now Maxwell, have you decided or do you require more time?” Ulyssa , what seemed like a loaded question.

Liz Parker

“Now Maxwell, have you decided or do you require more time?”

I took a step forward from behind Max and Michael and positioned myself in the small space between them.

"What the hell?! Why do you only talk to Max?! What if I told you I don't want to do this...I can't be paired with Max, let alone have his child. This isn't what's supposed to happen...Future Max never said anything about this..."

I had muttered the last sentence, not really realizing I had said anything about Future Max outloud.I was tired of Max always being the leader and being frustrated with the strange situation we were in. I tried to think of something else I could tell Ulyssa to give her other options than just us...maybe she would actually consider them.

"Ulyssa, why don't we be rational about this...I mean we could help you find any number of orphans in need of a parent or you could even get the best fertility doctors and become pregnant yourself. You don't really need us at all. I could even help you. What do you think?"

I wa grasping at straws with my plans because despite all my talk of different plans I had the sinking feeling that she was going to reject them...but I waited to see what she what she would say in reply.

Ulyssa

"What do you think?" the pretty little raven haired Elizabeth says, stepping forward. Not a very wise move on her part; I think, as I stretch out one of my fingers from my rob and with a simple flick, send her tiny body flying backwards into the wall, knocking down several wall hangings in the process.

"...that is what I think..." I say, as her body falls into a crummpeled heap onto the floor. She is dazed, perhaps even injured, but still very much alive.

"...I address Maxwell because he is your leader, wether you would have it or not, Michael..."

"...and as far as why I've chossen the eight of you as opposed to others...the answer is two fold, part of which I'm sure you've already figured out...the other reason I will keep to myself....sufficed to say, that today's events at school with your dearly departed friend Jason, should offer you some clues..."

*Max*

I stare at Ulyssa, afraid to speak as she makes her demand for a reply. Both replies were wrong. I couldn't agree and I couldn't refuse. What happened to our 24 hours to debate the issue? Gone in a blink. I didn't have any idea how the others felt. I really needed to hear their ideas, especially if they didn't agree with me -- if maybe they had other notions.

I have a feeling asking for more time wouldn't help much. We'd get another 10 minutes, I wonder?

So far, Liz has been good at coming up with other thoughts about the situation. I'm pleased and proud as she steps foward and starts voicing her questions directly to Ulyssa. So many orphans, as Liz said. And Ulyssa wouldn't have to wait.

Or would she wait on us? would she make time fly through those 9 months, too? What could we possibly tell our parents if suddenly we were all having babies?

How could we ever give our children away?

The thoughts race through my head as we wait for Ulyssa's response. When it comes, my heart stops beating for a moment. I'm moving in an instant, kneeling at her side as Ulyssa explains that she's talking to me only because I'm the leader.

I run my fingers through Liz's hair, pausing as my hand comes around the back of her head. I make a healing connection and repair the cracked bone and bruised tissue.

"...and as far as why I've chossen the eight of you as opposed to others...the answer is two fold, part of which I'm sure you've already figured out...the other reason I will keep to myself....sufficed to say, that today's events at school with your dearly departed friend Jason, should offer you some clues..." Ullyssa says.

Beside me, Liz stirs, blinking at me. I turn to face Ullyssa, noting Tess's look of disapproval. I have a feeling I know what she's thinking, but I didn't rush over hear just because it was Liz, but because she was hurt. I'd have done the same for Alex, or even Kyle, if they were hurt. Although I can't deny that being Liz makes it worse...

I get to my feet, glaring at her. It's clear she has been listening to our conversation. The first reason, she says, we already figured out. It's because we're aliens, I assume. Hybrids. And the humans because they're our friends -- maybe she wants them more human than hybrid. Why does she want alien babies?

The second reason has something to do with Jason? We saw how she could control him, but I don't understand how that becomes part of a reason for choosing us to parent her children. 'you will honor me,' he said. It's just some sort of power trip for her, isn't it?

"Ulyssa," I say to her. "If you expect us to do anything for you, you had best stop hurting my friends." Of course, I realize that 'making friends' has never been part of her plan. She didn't try to persuade us, or offer us encouragement or rewards. She's only issued threats. Terrible threats. And yet, she has asked.

"Why are you even asking us? We know you controlled Jason. Why wouldn't you just force us to do what you want?" I ask, wondering if this is a clue. Maybe she can only control boys -- or only humans -- or only one at a time. In any case, I would still think she could accomplish her goals without our consent, and yet she's asked. If I knew why, maybe it would help me figure out her weakness, or her true motives...

Ulyssa

...I could force you, but that wouldn't be any fun... I reply with a laugh.

Once I gather myself, I attempt to answer their questions in earnest.

...I've chosen...you, Michael, Isabel and Tess for obvious reasons...I've chosen your friends because of the strong friendship and caring you feel for each other.

...I may be a rather cruel and unusual witch, but I do want any children of mine to be conceived by caring and loving people....

...No harm will come to them...on this you have my word...I will love and care for them, as if they were my own...I will teach them the way of my people, and they will never want for anything, all the days of their lives

...Once you have all agreed, I will set things as they were and allow you to go on about your daily lives...you will be given a predetermined amount of time in which to conceive these children...real time, not abbreviated...If all of you have not conceived by said time...

...well, I think Max and Michael know what awaits them if you should all fail...however, should you succeed....life will be, as it will be...

...Now, I will give you one true hour to decide... I say, conjuring up a piece of parchment and a quill ...once you've decided, you must each sign your names on this parchment...once this is done, I will return to collect it...

...understood?...wonderful, tah tah for now...

*Max*

A pre-determined amount of time? She'll be expecting us to be doing it like bunnies to get what she wants, but I guess I knew that. Going on with our daily lives during this makes it sound like we will be in real life if this happens -- Our parents, friends, teachers, would all see us becoming parents, and then what? The babies disappear?

Dozens of questions continue to fight for dominance in my head as she blithely conjures up a blank paper for us to sign and then disappears.

"Wait!" I shout into the empty space where she was. I snatch up the paper and spin around with it in my hand. My father's a lawyer. I know better than to sign a document with blank spaces, nevermind the entire document is blank. There are so many details left unanswered. How can we know what we're agreeing to or refusing?

"How many?" I shout although I know she's gone. "One child per couple and that's it? Or is this open-ended?"

If she's planning on taking all our children forever, then -- we'd be no better than slaves. Or worse, some sort of breeding livestock...

ooc: fair warning.... this is my catch up post so.... it's long cause it goes over things that happened and has Isabel's thoughts and emotions bit.


~Isabel~

I was still trying to figure out what this crazy woman's game was. Pairing me up with Alex? Did she realize what this would do to him? I glanced over at him as everyone pretty much agreed that it was time to find out just what Ulyssa wanted. If I'd disagreed I would have spoken up, but I thought it was time too. This bitch was really beginning to wear on my already frazzled nerves.

"Ah...that's better..."

"Now...you wanted to know what it was I wanted.... well then you shall have your wish...."

“I will spare you the long winded and get right to the point. I myself, cannot bear children, and this I desire above all other things. If you will provide me with heirs and bestow them upon me, I will leave this Earth place in peace and leave you to your lives of mediocrity."

This madwoman wanted us to have children and give them to her?! We were to act like brood mare's with no say? What the hell was up with her? I felt myself shiver but it wasn't from cold, at least not the type having to do with the weather. I wanted children one day, but to have one forced on me and then have to give him/her up... That wasn't something I would be able to live with.

"However, should you choose not to act as my surrogates...well that will prove to be a rather unwise decision indeed, as I have it within my power to transform your lives of leisure into a unfathomable nightmare the likes of which you have never experienced, even in your worst nightmares.”

Leisure? How has our lives been that of leisure? Ever since my brother revealed our secret and saved Liz's life, we've had troubles. Some that I couldn't get out of my mind. I wanted to be able to just focus on normal stuff, like the prom coming up. Instead, here we are dealing with this bitch plus still having to worry about the alien hunters.

“I’ve watched you more closely than you can imagine. I realize that four of you have abilities, which you will attempt to use against me. Try if you will, but you will soon come to realize that your efforts were in vain, as I am not susceptible to other worldly influences.”

Okay, so she knew about us, that meant we would just need to figure out something that she wouldn't expect... then again, how? She was able to read our thoughts obviously. Damn it! This isn't right. I can feel tears wanting to threaten, but there is no way I am going to give into them again, especially not now.

“I realize that this is too much to be taken in all at once, and it is because of this that I will allow you a very brief period of time, exactly 24hours, to simmer on my proposition. But to stress the seriousness of what I am saying, I will leave you with a reminder of who I am and just what I am able to do, you need only step outside to see it...”

With this said, the woman vanishes and I simply step away from everyone and go to sit in the same chair I'd been sitting in earlier. I don't know what to say, to think. I only know that we can't let this happen. I know Alex has always wanted to be with me and in a way he'd be getting his wish, but I also know he wouldn't be happy with the way in which he get's it. Not to mention, I can't picture gentle Alex being any more willing to give up a child then I am. Neither of us would want to give up our child.

"Max?" I hear someone say but I don't look to see which one of them said it. I know that everyone always looks to my brother, I wish there was a way to ease his mind on this matter.

I look up to see my brother go to the door, opening it and stepping out. The thing that freaked me out was that one second he was right there and the next he was gone. Where's Max? I wanted to yell, but no sound would come out. I wanted to get up and go after him, but fear held me paralized.

Suddenly, after what seemed like hours but was only moments, Max simply appeared in the licing room. He seems to focus on Liz and cry out, "Oh God!"

"Tell us about it Max. what did you see?" I hear Tess say as she places a hand on him as if to offer comfort. I want to say she's a moron for asking. He obviously saw something very upsetting. It wasn't right to ask what.

"What the hell did she do to him?" I barely hear Michael as he says this, but looking at him I see him head towards the door himself.

Barely opening it, I hear Max shout, "Michael, NO!" Then the door shuts and I know Max had to of used his power.

Michael seems to stalk over to Max and question rather roughly, "What's out there Maxwell?"

My brother's response sends chills through me. "Hell," he begins and then a moment later he adds, "It was Hell."

Michael begins to look impatient and he asks Max what he meant but Max isn't able to answer. Whatever it was had upset my brother terribly and I was actually afraid to know. Before anything else can happen, Michael comments, “This is bullshit...”

Then he stalks out, probably wanting to see for himself what was out there.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” Michael is screaming as he appears shortly after. He's on his knees with his eyes closed.

“Michael, Michael are you alright?” Maria asks and I'm glad that she's there for him. I'm glad Tess thought to be there for Max.

Max places a hand on Michael's shoulder as he explains to us all, as best he can, "It was horrible, "Ice and death and everyone knew. We had no future, just endless pain..."

"We can't let her do this, but I don't know how we could possibly give her our children, either," He says a moment later.

Tess comments on Ulyssa's possible loneliness and begins talking about reasoning, but Michael interrupts cruelly and yet I can't help but understand.

“Don’t you understand? we can’t afford to be that fucking naive about this, Maxwell. We are dealing with a very powerful and very deranged woman....we...we just can’t afford to be that naive” Michael finishes and I nod, I can't help but think the same.

"Tess, I'm sorry," Max apologizes to her, "You can't imagine what's out there." Max moves to Michael and I wonder what he's going to say. "We're not going to let her do it, Michael. I don't know how, but we'll find a way."

"Doesn't anyone else wonder why she wants our children? ...I mean beside the fact she told us that she couldn't have her own physically. Doesn't it seem strange that with all her power she didn't just create a child out of a Petri dish or something to that effect? And why did she chose us? Why not movie stars or models? What do we have that is special?" Liz questions and I simply turn to look at her, my gaze narrowing. Is that all she can think about? A reason for being chosen? Was she not paying attention to what Jason said before he died?!

“The special part is easy enough to figure out... Michael, Max, Isabel and Tess are aliens from another planet...that’s pretty freaking special, wouldn’t you say?” Maria volunteers.

“Fine, that explains us...” I began, finally deciding to get into the conversation slightly, “...but what about you, Liz, Kyle and Alex?”

“Haven’t quite figured that one out, just yet...” Maria said, her voice trailing off.

“Here’s a thought, why don’t we just ask her...she’s standing right over, OH...SHIT!” Alex starts and moves quickly over closer to the rest of us, though it's much closer to the others then to me, which at that moment gave me a mixture of elation and sadness.

Suddenly, the woman seems to appear from the corner, identical to the image, yet normal size and in front of us rather then on paper. Maria jumps up and goes toward Liz. Max and Michael stand, and though I'm shaking like a leaf, I stand as well. Ready to defend my friends as much as I could.

“...I’ve already told you, your powers wont work against me...” A metallic sounding voice croaked.

“...Now, what is your answer?” The voice asked.

“What?....its only been an hour...you said you’d give us 24....” Alex’s voice trailed off as the hooded figure produced a shriveled hand from her robe and pointed to the clock on the wall. I glanced at the wall that she pointed toward and noted that it showed day and time. How had we gone through twenty-four hours so quickly?

“That can’t be right...” Kyle said, staring in amazement at the clock.

“Oh it is...it is...” Ulyssa said with a laugh, then she turned to face Max and I moved up to his side. I wasn't going to let this go on without showing some support, even when I was close to breaking down.

“Now Maxwell, have you decided or do you require more time?” Ulyssa questions.

Before Max can respond though, Liz is speaking up. "What the hell?! Why do you only talk to Max?! What if I told you I don't want to do this...I can't be paired with Max, let alone have his child. This isn't what's supposed to happen...Future Max never said anything about this..."

"Ulyssa, why don't we be rational about this...I mean we could help you find any number of orphans in need of a parent or you could even get the best fertility doctors and become pregnant yourself. You don't really need us at all. I could even help you. What do you think?" I wanted to tell her she was crazy as I peered around my brother to look at her.

With a flick of her fingers, Ulyssa sends Liz flying back and the woman simply responds, "...that is what I think..."

Liz is dazed, though I'm hoping that's it and she isn't injured. At least she's still alive.

"...I address Maxwell because he is your leader, wether you would have it or not, Michael..." Ulyssa continues, "...and as far as why I've chosen the eight of you as opposed to others...the answer is two fold, part of which I'm sure you've already figured out...the other reason I will keep to myself....sufficed to say, that today's events at school with your dearly departed friend Jason, should offer you some clues..."

Max glares at Ulyssa as he stands next to liz whom he'd rushed over to. "Ulyssa," Max begins, "If you expect us to do anything for you, you had best stop hurting my friends."

"Why are you even asking us? We know you controlled Jason. Why wouldn't you just force us to do what you want?" Max questions. I have to say that's a very good question.

"...I could force you, but that wouldn't be any fun..." Ulyssa responds with a laugh and then adds, "...I've chosen...you, Michael, Isabel and Tess for obvious reasons...I've chosen your friends because of the strong friendship and caring you feel for each other... I may be a rather cruel and unusual witch, but I do want any children of mine to be conceived by caring and loving people.... No harm will come to them...on this you have my word...I will love and care for them, as if they were my own...I will teach them the way of my people, and they will never want for anything, all the days of their lives... Once you have all agreed, I will set things as they were and allow you to go on about your daily lives...you will be given a predetermined amount of time in which to conceive these children...real time, not abbreviated...If all of you have not conceived by said time... She trails off for a longer time then she had been before. Then suddenly, she continues.

"...well, I think Max and Michael know what awaits them if you should all fail...however, should you succeed....life will be, as it will be... Now, I will give you one true hour to decide... I say, conjuring up a piece of parchment and a quill ...once you've decided, you must each sign your names on this parchment...once this is done, I will return to collect it... understood?...wonderful, tah tah for now... "

"Wait!" Max shouts but she's already gone. I watch him pick up the paper and spin around with it. What is he thinking? "How many?" He shouts again, "One child per couple and that's it? Or is this open-ended?"

My eyes widen at this thought and I start shaking my head. "No! No way! I'm not giving up a child! I'm not being someone's brood mare. No! There has to be another way. There just has to be." Forcing myself to shut up, I start rearranging things in the living room, one of my habits when I'm scared or nervous about something.

I stopped long enough to turn around and look at everyone, "Who here is ready to have a child and give it up? Who here agrees with the couples that she's chosen? I see only one true couple was paired up. Maria and Michael. So why did she pair us the way she did?" I hoped that what I was saying wouldn't hurt Alex, and turned to look at him a moment, "Could you accept things under these sorts of conditions?" I was looking at Alex, but my question was for everyone, though it was Alex's response that I was more concerned about at that moment.