The Martyr of Antar-COMPLETED

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Sorry, there are a few mistakes but I noticed them after I had already posted. The computer has been acting funny, but it's still my fault for not checking before posting as I usually go. Apologies.

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Chapter 139


- What’s he protecting us from? Ghosts? - Maria was now hysterical.

- I don’t know, Maria! I don’t know! - Liz was shivering.

- I’m so sorry! - Maria rushed to Liz and hugged her tight, sobbing together.

Max called Isabel and told her what was going on, and that he was picking her up right away.


Michael couldn’t understand why he had that urge to get away. It was like he physically needed it, like a drug, an irresistible compulsion. He had never felt such a need in his life. His instincts told him he had to face it alone, no one could help him there without being at risk, and that’s the last thing he wanted. He felt Liz probing him, trying to find out what he was up to, and he received the explicit order to block her out. His common sense told him he shouldn’t, she was his only link to safety and…reality? What did that mean? He arrived at the pod chamber still struggling whether to block her out or not to do it. He found it wide open, but somehow it didn’t surprise him: he was expecting it. He stepped inside and felt a familiar sense of being among his own.It was dark, but he caught glimpses of shadows gliding, just beyond his range of sight. Then he started hearing muffled giggles and protesting scowls but it wasn’t clear, like they came from somewhere else and yet they were there at the same time. From another life? It didn’t make sense at all. The cave lit with a sudden burst of light and he had to close his eyes. When he opened them, there was Zan and Lonnie in all their tattooed and pierced splendour, and wrapping up the group stood Rath, taller and frowning. Michael felt no threat from him in spite of his menacing stance, as he did from the other two.

- Michael! So nice to have you here! - Lonnie reached out and caressed his cheek, chuckling when Michael pulled away from her.

She had felt so real, but Isabel had told them Ava said they were dead. Then, as if they read his thoughts, Lonnie and Zan turned around and he could see the gaping holes at the back of their heads, the hair matted with blood and brain matter. Michael turned to Rath, and he pulled up his black t-shirt to show the equally gaping wound in his stomach, with the bloody intestines poking out of it. Then Zan spoke.

- We demanded our last wish, according to Antares customs, because it wasn’t our fault the way we were, but theirs. We were the result of their experiments so they are responsible for our outcome. It was the least they could do in atonement for their mistakes. They had to accept, we had them against the wall… - He chuckled. - Like you now. But we could only have one joint request, so we chose our dupes. Then the jerks said we could only have one of you, and you were the unanimous winner! - He grinned.

- Why me? - Michael wondered, surprised at the choice. He thought they would have chosen Max after the fiasco at the summit.

- We didn’t want Max or Isabel crapping in their pants, you are the only one with the guts to face us and take our shit. We can’t stand blubbering and begging and specially loathe weepers, just hate them! Because they force us to finish them off on the spot not to listen to them. We enjoy the feisty ones, those who stand up to us, so we can take our time to play with them. That’s fun, huh? - Lonnie gave him a toothy smile, licking her lips in anticipation.

As Lonnie spoke, grinning like a hyena, Zan kept nodding, agreeing with her completely, while Rath looked on with a constant scowl, totally disagreeing. Michael could read Zan and Lonnie’s intentions like an open book, but he wasn’t getting through to Rath. Why couldn’t he? He was his dupe! He should be the easiest one to read..

- Let’s play then. - Michael shrugged, wanting to get it over with.

Lonnie and Zan pounced on him with such speed, that before he could figure out what they were up to exactly, he found himself flat on his belly on Lonnie, with Zan sandwiching him from behind. Lonnie was bucking up, rubbing herself against him, and Zan was pushing his huge erection against his ass. Michael realized the clothes were gone so the dupes could find no restrain whatsoever.

- No! I said you weren’t touching him! - Yelled Rath, and zapped Zan away from Michael pinning him to the wall, but he didn’t use his full strength, sparing Michael.

He didn’t give a shit about Lonnie, she was already dead, but not his dupe.
Zan slid to the floor and sent Rath a full blast from where he had ended sitting, sending him crashing against the wall behind him. Lonnie raised her arm over Michael’s body and held Rath where he was, cackling like a witch. Zan got up, sounding just like Lonnie, and went back to Michael.

- I knew he would back down, his dupe is his soft spot. - They giggled together as Rath struggled against her hold.

Michael reached back to pull Lonnie’s arm down and free Rath, but his hand went clean through it. Lonnie laughed hysterically at Michael’s confused look.

- We call the shots, baby, we’re solid where we want to. - She snapped.

- Like here! - Zan growled and rammed into Michael just like that. Michael grunted as the pain transfixed his body, leaving him shuddering: Zan was dry as a bone.

- Hey baby, aren’t you hot for me? - Lonnie whined with mock disappointment, feeling her rubbing had got Michael at the most, halfway there.
- Damn you Zan! I said no! - Rath screamed with fury, tossing and shaking as he desperately fought to break his mate’s restriction.

- Enjoy, Rath! I’ve always wanted to fuck you, but I was scared shitless because you would surely beat the crap out of me! I’ve always fantasized with a boy’s tight ass, but not any boy’s: yours! And since I can’t have that, this is the closest, and it sure is tight! - Zan’s laughter echoed through the cave. Michael felt the pain was making his own cock start bloating. “Dammit Hank, this is your fault!” He thought. “You made me a masochist. Shit!”

- Hey, bro! He likes it! Ungh! - She grunted as she used her free hand to get Michael into her. - And he’s so slick! Not dry like we corpses! -

Zan was humping Michael hard, his insides now slicking up with his blood. Lonnie was so dry that Michael’s cock also hurt, he felt he was riding a sandpaper doll. Rath was howling in frustration, but Lonnie had complete control over him. He was totally screwed, because he wasn’t hurting Michael no matter what and the boy was in the worst position possible.

- Get away from him, you bastards! - Rath screamed, closing his eyes not to see, but Lonnie pulled her claws off Michael to wave her other hand towards him.

Rath’s eyes flew open and try as he might, he just couldn’t close them. He shook his head from side to side in protest and her next wave kept it fixed. When Rath started yelling again, she was about to shut him up too, but Zan whispered “No, don’t. His frustration turns me on! It’s music to my ears.” Rath heard him though, and ground his teeth with rage, but kept quiet just to piss Zan off. He had to admit his dupe was even tougher than he had expected him to be. He was fighting Zan’s monster like no one had been able to so far. Zan finally came and his sperm was like grated glass left in the hot midday sun during a heat wave, Michael bit his lower lip to shreds not to give them the pleasure of crying out.

- Switch? - Asked Zan with a wicked grin, knowing that was just what Lonnie had been waiting for.

- Awesome! - Breathed Lonnie and Michael ended on all fours, with Zan’s gritty mouth giving him a painful blow job. Lonnie was on him with all she had, using hands and mouth everyway she could. Her teeth were pointed, like a shark’s plunging deep into his flesh. Her nails were curved, like claws, and he felt she was gutting him each time she pulled out of him. Her tongue rasped like a cat’s, even her lips grated him raw. Then one of her talon-like nails hooked on his prostrate and started vibrating. It was just too much. He could swear he was shooting blood instead of sperm.

- Ok, I’m back there. - Zan grabbed Lonnie’s hair and pulled her away from Michael.

- Shit Zan! I want to stay there! - She protested.

- Tough luck sis, we switch again. Try blowing him, you’ll love it. I’m eating him out now. Drive him wild, you’ll see. - Zan’s chuckle sounded like he was choking.

Michael was sure Zan’s tongue didn’t feel like a snake, it was a real live one.. It was just as scaly and long. It kept going in and in endlessly. Lonnie’s mouth was so hot, it was scalding him, burning, scorching, blistering him. He had been cruelly tortured during his life, but this was…there was no way to describe it. It was hell! He was shuddering uncontrollably and it just added to their sick pleasure. Then Rath simply lost it. He sent out a mental scream of such magnitude, that both Lonnie and Zan covered their ears with both hands, their eyes shut tight and their mouths wide open in a scream just as silent. Michael heard it too, but in a much lower frequency, at first it was only a loud yell, but then two words formed, one after the other, chasing each other, feeding on the echo of the preceeding one, making silence unexisting.

- ANTARES!…JUSTICE! -

And just as it started, it stopped, taking Zan and Lonnie away with it.
Michael dropped to the floor. The sand felt like silky sheets on his chest.
He couldn’t believe they were gone! Then he heard a soft whisper…

- Michael? - He knew it was Rath, but he was too weak to answer. He didn’t even try to push up because he knew it was useless. He was completely enveloped in pain. It hurt even to breath.

- Do you trust me? - Rath asked gently.

Michael managed to nod.

Rath screamed again, mentally, communicating directly with their creators.

- I DEMAND COMPLETE JUSTICE! GIVE ME ZAN’S HEALING POWERS JUST TO HEAL THE SUFFERING OF MICHAEL’S TORTURED BODY. IT’S ALL I WANT IT FOR! -

There was another blinding light, and a dull drone which lasted about half a minute. Then the light concentrated on one spot which moved towards him.

- Yo, bro…- Michael opened his eyes and turned to the source of light.

Rath stood there, shining like a star. He knelt beside him and placed his hand on his back, over his heart. Michael felt this soothing warmth, spreading all over his body, taking all the pain away, regenerating every cell of his broken body. When the light went out, he felt brand new, reborn, and grateful to this healer, so different from Max.

- Rath? - He called experimenting with his voice, and it came out in a husky rasp, but when no answer came back, he started worrying.

- Rath! - His voice stronger now, almost normal.

- Yo, hold it, I’m getting there too. - The voice was as husky as his had been.

It took Michael a superhuman effort to look over his shoulder and saw Rath slumped on the floor just within reach. It was as if he was learning to move, his body responded but so slowly, that when his hand finally made contact with Rath, the achievement was sublime. Rath’s hand grabbed his and sparks flew in a multicoloured shower. Both boys chuckled together.

- You ok, bro? - Rath sounded doubtful.

- Yeah, just so…- Michael tried to describe what he was going through.

- Totally slow motion mode? -Rath finished for him.

- You got it, bro. - Michael chuckled. - Come here. -

Rath stretched out completely on his back and slithered towards Michael, perpendicular to him, laying his head on his back. Their hands were still clasped together.

- What happened? Where did they go? - Michael whispered. Rath being so close made it needless to speak any louder.

- To their own private hell, I guess. - Rath answered.

- How come you’re still here? - Michael was trying to work that one out.

- They burned themselves out raping you. They did me a favour keeping me still. I have most of my energy yet to last a while. - Rath explained.

- But you healed me…-

- With Zan’s powers. I only used mine for screaming and protesting. Those bastards swore they wouldn’t hurt you to get me to choose you. It had to be a pack deal. If we didn’t all agree, it wouldn’t happen at all. That how it had to be. We were two against one, so there wasn’t much I could do. And I really wanted to be with you, like this, just the two of us. -

- Mmm. - Michael hummed, making Rath smile. They were at home with each other. Like the twins they really were. There was so much they wanted to talk about and this was the perfect chance.

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Chapter 140


- Ok bro, you go first, cause if my time runs out, I want to make sure I know all about you. - Rath said.

- That’s not fair! I also want to know all about you! - Michael protested.

- I know, but it is fair cause I’m already dead and this is my only chance. - Rath insisted.

- Ok then, let’s not loose time. You just let me send it to you and save all your energy. - Michael ordered and tightened his hold on his twin’s hand. Sparks flew at the powerful connection the identical boys made.

In 7 minutes tops, Michael had briefed Rath of every single detail of his tortured life. He felt Rath shudder as they returned to their present reality.

- Shit bro! And I thought we had a hard time! I beginning to think it’s better to be alone than with a family of weirdo freaks! Your Zan and Lonnie sure were lucky, of course, and your Ava didn’t have it that bad. At least she knew some of what we did. - Rath exclaimed.

- What do you mean? - Asked Michael.

- Ok, bro, hang on cause here I go! - Rath tightened his grip and sparks flew again.

And this is what Michael saw:

Just like his dupe, Rath woke up and felt the eyes of Zan and Lonnie shifting left and right, afraid of moving, so he broke his pod, and the others followed him, seeing he was alright. Zan turned to Ava and looked scared, as the little girl kept her eyes closed. Rath ripped her pod open and she opened her eyes wide with fright. It was Lonnie who lured her out in the end cause she didn’t want to come out, she was so afraid of us. We had one advantage: our protector had spilled his guts out that night he left us to be blown apart, and at least we knew who we were, why we were there, and what we could do. Before he left us to be destroyed, he rearranged the bend in the tunnel to look like a solid wall, in case someone decided to come snooping before the blast to make sure no one had had the brilliant idea to wander into the condemned tunnels. He didn’t want us to be discovered and end as lab rats. Our senses told us the solid wall was not as solid as it looked, and we chose the darkest corner to abilitate a trapdoor big enough for us to crawl through but invisible from the outside. That first day we wandered around, finding out what that fucking noise we heard zillions of times a day, was: the subway trains. We watched from our side, in the shadows, and saw the people. Their faces and hands looked like ours, but their bodies didn’t. We realized they were wearing this stuff over them when we saw them take part of it off and put some on. We saw them getting these packets from a transparent box and stuff their mouths with it. Our stomachs rumbled and we knew we needed to get that. We waited patiently until hours later, the crowds of people thinned out and there was just a woman sitting on a bench with two small children, a boy and a girl about our size. She had many bags with her, so we approached them, Ava mindwarping them into seeing us dressed just like her kids. She looked at us surprised at the coincidence of dress and then Ava convinced her we just passed by and didn’t even realize we had taken her bags. We raced back to our crib and found they were full of clothes for her kids that fit us, and packets of food. By then the protective gel we had come out of the pods in, had dried and fallen totally off our bodies during our wait, so the clothes were perfect. Next day, looking like normal children we mixed with the humans. Lonnie had Ava tight by the hand so she wouldn’t take off, and we observed. We saw people give paper and small metal disks in exchange for food and stuff, so we had Ava mindwarp the humans into thinking we had paid them and we had everything we wanted. When the crowds thinned out, we would go and get all we wanted from the dispensers, two on the lookout so we wouldn’t be discovered. When the clothes got dirty or scruffy, we fixed them with a wipe of our hands, or went shopping using Ava. When someone threatened us in any way, we would lure them into a deserted alley making them think they were trapping us, and they woud get behind me with Zan’s shield, just in case, and I would zap them to oblivion, always on the head to make sure it was fast and effective. That way they had no time to scream and give us away. Sometimes I did get hurt protecting them or the others got scratched as we had fun at the playgrounds and we would hide and Zan would do his healing thing. Lonnie was our classroom: at night, she would dreamwalk people, using a mental image of their faces, and we would learn about the way they lived through their dreams. We would lie together holding hands so we could all lock into Lonnie’s head. One day we discovered TV as we ventured to a better area and passed by a store that sold them. We went nuts and had to get one. Lonnie and Ava got all the information about it, how it worked and all we needed to know from the clerk, thinking he was going to make a sure sell. We could buy one with Ava’s trick but it would be hard to get the damn thing to our crib cause of course, we wanted the largest one. So we did it at the time all stores were closed and the streets were deserted. We broke in and were surprised by the alams, so we took off closing the door again and hid. The cops came and when they left, we made sure to find the source of the noise and deactivated it. I felt the electricity just by touching the wall. Lonnie got a cab with Ava’s help, the idiot human carried the thing all the way to the crib and left with his stupid grin. I traced the electricity and took it all the way to our crib, then I stole the gadget from the subway station, and we plugged it in and Presto! We had TV at home! We were hooked for hours, absorbing everything we could from the human culture we were forced to live in. We used the first part of our names, the alien ones, because we were better than humans, so we discarded the human ones. We filled our crib with all the stuff we wanted, using our powers. By the time we turned 13, Lonnie started coming onto me and Ava onto Zan. He was scared shitless, but I wasn’t. We had seen it on TV so we took it like fish to water. Zan would put his shield up and keep Ava off, while we fucked like bunnies and laughed our heads off at Zan. He would come as near as he could and watch us and I got these weird vibes from him, like the gay thing we knew of. Something told me he had bullied me that way in Antar so I kept him away. Then one day I got a bad snag on my arm and Zan couldn’t heal me. Zan said he had to be with me that way to heal me, cause he had dreamt it had been that way in Antar, when we were ready to do it. I had dreamt it too but I said I would rather let it heal by itself. That night Lonnie had a chat with Ava and then they grabbed our hands making a connection and said that would fix it. So we went to sleep that way, and Lonnie dreamwalked us and made us do it in the dreamworld, and when we woke up, Ava mindwarped Zan into believing he had really done it, and he healed me with no problems. We did it that way when it was necessary, but never in real life, and Zan knew how it was. The dreams were upsetting to me, because I constantly saw gay guys get laughed at in TV and I couldn’t understand it, why it had to be that way for me when I was doing Lonnie, so that made me not gay. Ava was miserable because of Zan’s neglect and asked him to let her do it with me, partly because she wanted me, and partly to force him. It worked, cause Zan went nuts and asked her for some time. So finally they did it, as far away from us as possible so we couldn’t see them. Fine, cause Lonnie and I knew we would puke for a week if we saw them and though Zan said it had been ok, he kept giving me the looks. I guess that’s why he was constantly pissed at me and wouldn’t let me be. Maybe if I had given in, things would have been different with us. He became so controlling and impossible that Lonnie took me for a walk one day and told me we just had to get rid of him. Then she met Nicholas, who had been stalking her for months, and we just thought he was a snotty kid with a crush, just that. But he had really been studying us very closely before he made his move. He told Lonnie that he could get us back in Antar and that Zan would be a major crimp in his plans cause he was in direct contact with Khivar and he knew for certain that the outcome, when we returned, would be totally different that the original one, that’s why we had been given a second chance. It had been Zan’s mistakes that had got us here, and so we didn’t need him.
Lonnie tried to force me though sex, to side with her and kill Zan. He had me meet Nicholas, but I saw through the guy, though he looked like a kid, I could see his much older alien face behind it and just didn’t buy it. So when the summit thing came up and Zan of course, decided on a big NO as we had suspected, I pretended to agree with Lonnie, not to lose the great sex, but I made sure, that though it looked like I had, I hadn’t really killed him. They all bought it, Ava was crying and hating me, knowing I hadn’t really killed him but sent him away which pissed her off just the same, cause in spite of everything, she wanted to be the queen again and I wanted to be the warrior. But we knew Zan was alive and kicking and Lonnie had to believe he was dead if we wanted things to come out the way we wanted. We knew Lonnie had betrayed us once, and though she had been tricked, we weren’t planning of having her do it again, even if it was against her will. Something kept telling us history would repeat itself, no matter how much we knew and tried to prevent it, and I had a lot to suffer. We went to get Max, and of course he was the laid back version of Zan, but I convinced him real good, and they went to NY with us, hoping to sent them off to Antar to take the brunt of the whole thing so we could go right after and make things right. Ava was being difficult and getting on my nerves, but I couldn’t tell her my plans, cause if Lonnie as much as suspected it, she would have Ava singing like Madonna, and I would pay for it. So I kept roughing her up so Lonnie wouldn’t suspect. No way we would fall into the alien mess we did in Antar, I was never attracted to Ava, and she was scared to death of being attracted to me, so she kept away. Then when Lonnie was about to bash Max’s brains out, and I was about to do something about it, that chick I smooched at school, Max’s human bitch, shows up and helps me out by warning him so I didn’t have to blow my cover in front of Lonnie as I was going to be forced to do. Ava was definitely behind it, and I thanked her for it. Lonnie dragged me to try to mind rape your Ava, Tess, right? and she was so bossy that I just let her do her thing butting in just enough so she wouldn’t suspect, but she didn’t get anything from her, cause she kept fighting back until Lonnie backed down, just about frying her own brain in the process. Lonnie was furious, but I knew we had been spared from some real bad shit, I didn’t trust that Nicholas, and I just loved pretending to be stupid because he totally fell for it. I started feeling Zan’s vibes, weak at first as he was slowly regenerating, and one day out of the blue, Lonnie told me confidentially that she was getting them too, but she knew it was Nicholas trying to fool her. So I agreed with her completely. She was cooking up this stupid plan of luring Nicholas to her and making him our prisoner to force Khivar to take us back, as if he wanted us! Khivar would use Lonnie until he tired and toss her like a soiled rag, but she was so in the power thing, that I thought it was much safer to play along. I was waiting for Zan to be back, to tell him my plan,and by the vibes, I was sure it would be soon. Your Lonnie with us and our Ava would be a great team. I still was trying to figure out about you, but you were coming with us no matter what, I swear! He surprised us both by showing up at the warehouse, bitter and pissed, absolutely fucked in the head, worse than ever. He didn’t believe I had saved him, and he killed us both. I wasn’t as lucky as Lonnie, who died instantly, so he was able to see I had told him the truth, but he was out of his mind, and didn’t give a shit about me. It took me hours to die, alone, knowing no one gave a damn about me. I tried calling Ava in my mind, but she shut me off. Just like that! She knew what had happened, she knew what I had been up to exactly, that she was included in my plans, but it didn’t make a difference, and she didn’t come to me. She was trying to lure Zan back to her and do it her way, so I fucked up her plans by killing Zan. The way he was, he would never get to her before getting himself killed before, and ending like a dead lab rat wasn’t in my plans either cause it woud backfire on you guys. I did call to you, when there was no one else left for me, and you were the only one there with me in the end. I know you were. You merged with me, you died with me. I’ll never forget that, bro. Looky here! My whole life just went through. Whadd’ya know! And that’s all. Fucking shit, huh? - Their eyes opened and now they felt they were even.

- Sorry, bro, but your Zan…Max? I don’t know…you gave him your body and as far as I have been able to see, it didn’t make things any easier for you. I just hope he doesn’t kill you and leave you to die alone too. -

- No, Max wouldn’t…- Michael was fighting back any doubts threatening to come through when Rath interrupted him.

- They’re here for you, you feel her? At least your family has grown, never thought I could interact with humans like you guys do, but maybe that’s what did the trick and where we failed. She’s the one who found you…-

The door of the Pod Chamber opened and they all burst into the room. They froze at what they saw, and for a few seconds they saw Rath turn to them and smile, a warm smile, a beautiful smile, just like the ones Michael managed once in a while. It left them open mouthed and thinking. Then he was gone.

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Chapter 141


Michael felt Rath’s hand give him a final squeeze right before he was gone, leaving the boy with a terrible loneliness, as a part of him had been lost for good. A surprising surge of strength had coursed up his hand and spread out all over his body in that last touch. Michael flexed his arm, his hand still in a tight fist, not wanting to let go off his twin, yet knowing he was already gone. He shoved his fist under his shoulder and under his chin, his eyes shut tight. They approached him tentatively, sensing how sensitive he was feeling, and watching him shuddering or sobbing, they were not sure. Maria sat beside him, easing his face into her lap as Liz and Isabel sat by his shoulders, placing their hands on them. Kyle and Max knelt at his sides, Kyle took his right hand in both his, holding it tight in his. Max reached for his left, sliding his hand upwards along Michael’s bent arm, straightening it and pulling it back towards him. He took his hand and rubbed it between his. Michael took a deep breath and sighed.

- Rath…- He whispered.

His perplexed friends exchanged just as perplexed looks. Michael turned his face in Maria’s lap and she saw his other cheek smudged where the moisture of his tears had interacted with the ground. He used the hem of her skirt to try to wipe it clean but just made it worse. It brought tears to her eyes and Isabel reached into her pocket and brought out a clean tissue. She wet it in her mouth and finished the job. Then she gave Maria a weak smile, thinking she should have let the other girl do what she just did. Maria’s smile was thankful, and Isabel nodded. Michael felt many hands rubbing his back reassuringly and began to relax.

- Michael, baby, you can’t stay here, we need to take you home…- Maria’s voice was quite shaky.

- He wasn’t like that…like we thought he was…- Michael whispered again.

- Rath…- Sighed Isabel, and scoffed. - C’mon, Michael, let’s get you in bed. You need to sleep. -

He let them get him up, and trudged along with them, Max and Kyle had his arms over their shoulders and the girls walked behind them. They were in Max’s car so the arrangements emulated the ones after the hospital, with Michael sprawled over the girls, their hands keeping him relaxed as he tried to deal with this loss, that had never really been close to him, though they had been the same person. Not a sound was made until they put Michael on his bed, and stayed just as quietly around him. They were desperate to know what had happened between those two, Liz had been very efficiently and unexpectedly blocked out, so they weren’t getting it from her.

- Rath…- Michael moaned.

- Sorry baby, he’s not here…- Maria whispered against his hair.

- I know…
- What happened, Michael? Why did you block me out? We were so worried! - Liz asked him.

- I didn’t…Rath didn’t either…He felt you when you arrived at the Pod Chamber, he said you had found me. -

- Michael, I don’t…- Liz began.

- Lonnie and Zan did. They controlled us completely. -

- Us? - They all asked together.

- Rath and me. - Michael answered.

- Where did they come from? We thought they were dead…- Maria said.

- They are…I’m tired…- Michael groaned.

Isabel waved them closer and made the connection.

- Just rest, Michael, we’ll find out without bothering you. - Isabel kissed his cheek and he smirked, knowing it would be the easiest way.

Michael was sleeping fitfully as they discussed what had happened.

- So Rath was planning in going back to Antar with the regenerated Zan and me and Ava after Max Tess and Lonnie went before on a suicide mission. - Isabel thought aloud.

- He didn’t seem to know Tess was already dead. Or he already knew what had happened to her and she was totally out of the picture. - Maria said.
- And how was he going to fit Michael into it? I don’t think there could be two Raths…- Maria wondered.

- Do you think he would have sacrificed Michael? - Asked Kyle.

- No, he didn’t sound like it at all, he was very in sync with him, he was trying to protect him from Lonnie and Zan all the time. I felt it. - Liz assured them. - He would merge with him! He already has! That’s what he did before he left -

- No Liz, that’s impossible because he was already dead. - Max said.

- Max, I’m sure, Rath’s essence is inside Michael! It’s not bad, believe me. His powers were in control, and he was a better source than Tess was on the Antar story, cause their protector told them all about it! - Liz exclaimed.

- Oh my god, you’re right, if it’s true! - Isabel was all enthusiasm. - But does he know what Rath has done to him? -

- I don’t think we can just go out and ask him. Rath is an open wound in him, he’ll have to tell us when he is ready.

- I’m ready. - Michael said though his eyes were still closed.

- Shit, Spaceboy! Don’t scare us like that! - Screeched Maria.

- Sorry, but there are things you need to know. - His eyes still closed.

- How was he going to get Lonnie to go to Antar without him? - Kyle shot at him.

- She had already dumped Rath, at the summit. Nicholas told her he would only take her and she accepted to ditch him. He didn’t tell me, I guess he was really pissed about it, but I saw it through our connection. - Michael chuckled.

- Kyle, please! - Protested Isabel.

- What did Rath do to you, Spaceboy? - Maria asked him.

- He gave me his essence, just like Liz guessed. So now we should have the advantage of knowing what the dupes knew. The problem is I don’t know how to access that information. About my powers, I’m not about to put them to test here. I will do it in the dessert, as soon as I can. -

- He was ready to send me to be killed...- Max whined.

- He didn’t know you. I never would. - Michael loked eyes with him.

- But you were ready to stay and let us go to Antar to our deaths! - Max sounded ready to cry.

- Max, I had no way of knowing Tess’ plans, and I don’t know how to explain this, but I kept seeing Maria and I felt I had to go to her. That she needed me. That it was for our own good. Not just Maria and me, but for all of us. And it was true. If I hadn’t gone to her, you would have left. But going to her worked out fine. You were saved and I could stay with Maria. - Michael squeezed Maria’s hand and smirked. - And Tess, remember? She didn’t want to have to watch me die again. I found it real weird that it didn’t surprise you when she didn’t seem to give a shit about my decision. But she didn’t know she had been discovered. She had you two warped into that “I am your home” shit, but she knew she couldn’t do it to me, so I was one big problem, and apart from the death thing, she didn’t want to have to clash with me. - Michael explained. - You need to trust me Max, my instincts do work, whether you want to admit it or not. -

Max just nodded, not ready yet to admit anything to Michael.

- I’m glad Rath, the dupe that is, wasn’t the monster we had made him to be. He was smarter than they all were, had everyone fooled, even Langley. Are you fooling us too, Spaceboy? - Maria nuzzled his cheek, playfully.

- What you see is what you get, you should know that by now. If you take me for granted, that’s your problem. You all know what I’m capable of, when I’m not held back. - He winked at Max suggestively and they couldn’t help laughing out loud at Max’s guilty expression. - Liz? Can you do something about it through your empathy with me? -

Liz nodded and held both his hands in hers. Her forehead wrinkled with concentration as she shut her eyes tight. Soon after, she opened them back and shook her head in frustration.

- I feel it’s there, all the information, but not exactly where, and how to bring it to the surface. I’m sorry. - She squeezed Michael’s hands and let go.

- Guess they’ll do it on their own when they feel like it. - Michael sighed.

- Coming from Rath what else could you expect? - Max said not nicely.

- Hey! What do you mean by that? - Michael reacted.

- You’re both impulsive, that’s all I meant. - Said Max, taken aback.

Liz’s cell phone started ringing and after a quick look, Liz turned to Maria before answering it.

- Maria! We’re late! It’s my dad probably going nuts! -

- Tell him we’re on our way! - Maria jumped up gathering all their stuff as Liz calmed her father down and told him what Maria had suggested and to tell Jose to take Michael’s turn cause he wouldn’t make it. At his worried question she told him he was running a fever, and cut off the communication.

After quick kisses to Michael, both girls rushed out of the apartment. Max tossed the keys to Isabel, and she raced after them knowing they only had Max’s car. They heard the car start and take off, and when Isabel wasn’t right back, they realized she had decided to drive them over.

- Well, just us guys here now…- Said Kyle throwing his head back on the bed, his hair grazing Michael’s ribs.

- Yeah…- Sighed Max.

- Sooo…Zan and Rath never had the real thing, huh? - Kyle commented.

- Seemed Rath wasn’t into it, though Zan definitely was. - Max said.

- So why did it work with you guys and not with them? I don’t get it! -

- Rath wasn’t exposed to that kind of thing like Michael was. - Max considered what the influence had done to the other alien boy.

- So you have Hank and the other nuts to thank for…- Kyle chuckled. - What Zan would have given for that! -

- I’m not asleep yet, you know? - Growled Michael, making them jump.

- Shit, man! Sorry! - Kyle apologized.

- Why? You had nothing to do with it. I don’t know, but I don’t think it would have made a difference. - Michael told him.

- The way Isabel came at you, I don’t think you had a choice, even if you had been a virgin. - Max scoffed.

- Oh, so she corrupted you into doing what you did to me? Sure, man! - Michael scoffed as Max gave a choking cough.

- Well, Zan had it too…- Max used that as an excuse.

- But he was scared of Rath! - Kyle rubbed it in. - You were lucky Isabel was the dominating one and could control him. And didn’t mind either. -

- He wanted it too! He knew I was behind them in the bedroom and was mooning me on purpose. - Max scoffed.

- Drove you nuts, huh? I knew you were drooling! - Michael and Kyle started laughing together.

- I can imagine Zan watching Rath with Lonnie and not daring to do anything! He must’ve gone nuts! - Max said.

- No, man, he must’ve been jacking himself like crazy! - Kyle giggled and clapped his hands.

- No wonder he got back at Michael, after all those years! That’s why he was so violent! - Max shuddered.

Michael shuddered too, recalling the excruciating pain.

- He had no right to hurt you. - Max placed his hand on Michael’s thigh.
- You don’t belong to his group or him. -

- No, I belong to you. - Michael’s husky voice and the way his eyes locked with Max’s gave them an instant hard on.

Kyle was sitting on the opposide side of the bed, so Max could only see the back of his head, and was sure he couldn’t see anything, but the sexual tension in the room was so strong, that Kyle turned to look at them and he could’ve sworn sparks were shooting out of their eyes. Kyle knew this was an alien thing and hated to admit it, but he wasn’t included.

- Hey guys, I think I’ll be going home, if you don’t mind. It’s been one hell of a day and I…- He gave a fake yawn, and got up talking as he backed out of the room. He was interrupted by the sound of Isabel arriving, and he somehow knew she wasn’t anymore welcome here that he was, just by the fact that she was a girl. This was not only alien, but pure male. - You just go ahead, I’ll take care of Isabel…you’re welcome…see you tomorrow. -

Kyle ran out of the apartment closing the door behind him and grabbed Isabel’s arm guiding her back to the car.

- Kyle! Is something wrong? - She looked at him in alarm.

- No, I just need a ride, and they need to be alone, trust me, it’s just some Zan-Rath issues, but not the dangerous kind, I assure you. They’re already working it out, but they won’t appreciate interruptions, not even from you. Specially not from a female source, or human. Let’s go to the Crashdown to make sure Maria doesn’t decide to come for more consolation, cause she won’t be welcome and another fight will fuck everything up. Sorry for that. -

Kyle was quite explicit and was surprised to see Isabel nod meekly and leave with him. Her alien side must have sensed the need for Michael and Max to be left alone, and she thought being near Liz was the best way to make sure Kyle was right and there was no danger involved. Lonnie and Zan weren’t there anymore to block her away from Michael.

[ñusta]

Chapter 142


Kyle’s words barely registered but the closing door and the car taking off certainly did. Max reached out from where he was now slumped by the bed, and placed his hand on Michael’s cheek. Michael turned his face and kissed his palm.

- Zan hurt you. - Max said, his eyes full of concern.

- So did you Max, many times. -

- I know, I’m sorry…- Max eyes started filling with tears.

- Don’t be, you had to do it, you had to stay in control. - Michael whispered.

- It didn’t have to be like that! - Max shook his head.

Michael sighed and scoffed.

- That’s the way you always do it, Max. - Max detected a hint of insolence in his voice and his eyes turned cold and his expression hardened.

- Are you taunting me Michael? -

Michael smirked, knowing what he was doing.

- Must I hurt you to submit you? Is that what you want? - Max’s voice got louder.

- Is there any other way? - He kept smirking, challenging.

Max’s eyes widened with realization.

- You want it! You need it! You need me to do it! No one else can do it how you want me to! Why? - Max couldn’t take his eyes of Michael’s.

Their left hands were clasped together, and Max’s right was roaming all over his back, drawing sparks with the contact, making Michael squirm with pleasure.

- Because you’re my king. - Michael’s eyes burned into him.

- And? -

- You’re my healer. -

- What else? - Max screamed.

- You’re my lover! - Michael growled.

Max knew he was squeezing out Rath’s memories by drops from Michael, and didn’t want him to stop.

- When you were crowned, I was sworn in front of all our people, as your protector, your warrior, and I gave you my body. I belong to you. And you made it very obvious, the way you couldn’t take your eyes off my ass, and how your hand would grope me there anytime you wanted. I had to wear the retainer all the time…- Michael went on.

- The retainer? - Max interrupted and Michael chuckled.

- It was kind of like a protection for the genitals I had to wear with my transparent armour, for decency too. The day I went to have it fitted, you came with me. Once the armour was ready, the tailor had to get the measures for it. It had to lie upwards against my lower abdomen, and the size had to be exact. - Michael chuckled again, as the memories entered Max’s brain through the physical contact.

Max droned on, remembering.

- No one expects a warrior to get a hard on during a battle, but there was always the “What if?” and they weren’t messing with a Royal Blooded, so he had to measure it fully erect. The man was smallish, and he was nervously stuttering, trying to get the message through and not knowing how to say it. So I laughed and said: “You need him with a hard on, right?” And as he nodded, very embarrassed, I told him: “I can get him there.” As you stood stark naked, and I was trying hard to behave, I ordered you to spread your thighs and bend a little. You placed your hands your knees and did as I asked you to. You turned your face to look at me as I stood behind you to your left so you could watch me stick my index and middle fingers into my mouth. The little man’s eyes were popping out of his head when I brought my wet fingers towards you. He rushed to stand beside me when I shoved first my index into you, making me moan, and then pulled it out and shoved both in together. - Max remembered.

- You had me hissing and grunting, and I looked under my arm and saw the guy’s jaw hit the floor as you reamed me all you wanted and I was almost coming. Then you pulled out and grabbed me around the chest so I could straighten up and show the tailor my hard on. - Michael took up where Max had left of.

- Yeah, and you told him: “Hurry up before I loose it.” The guy’s hands were so shaky that he almost made you come, he was sure we were going to do it right there in front of him. I could see how he couldn’t wait for us to give him the porno show. Come to think of it, we almost did. We hardly made to the back room he showed us to so I could fill you up and drive you wild. - Max felt his cock bloating. - We knew he was watching. -

- Well, you had the advantage of always wearing loose robes so no one could tell, but my outfits were always snug, that ‘s why I always wore the restrainer. It kept it glued to my belly no matter what, my short robe hardly covered it. You had to stand between your sister and me everytime you addressed our people on the palace yard, with everyone looking, and your arms around our shoulders. But your arm would soon be snaking down my back for all the guards behind us to see, cause your cape, of course, would move aside with it, and leave me all exposed in the back. - Michael shook his head and smirked.

- I couldn’t control myself when you stood beside me, I felt your heat calling to me, and I slid my hand down your back until I grabbed your butt, then your thigh as far down as I could without stooping. You were taller too, so I managed almost halfway down, and up again to push it into the back of your pants. I would glance back at the guards every now and then and laugh at their eyes racing up to the front, pretending they weren’t watching us. I gloated in the way they all envied me, and fantasized getting in your pants! - Max laughed in this life too.

- You were killing me there, trying to push into me, but your finger was dry and you were hurting me. I had no problems holding back the pain, but when you forced it in, I had to to turn away cause I could feel my eyes were glazing and my breath was coming in gasps. You had to finish the speech in a very suspicious hurried way to drag me away with you, your hand inside my pants in plain view of everyone. But they loved it! They knew what went on with us, and probably expected me to go down on all fours while you fucked me right in front of them! Another second and we would have indulged them! - Michael bucked up against Max’s caressing hand.

- Antarian morals are quite different than the Earth ones! Yet humans do enjoy the antics of what is left of royalty around the planet, don’t they? Even if they pretend to be outraged! - Max knew he was right.

- Michael, I don’t know whether to hate or thank Zan for the ritual, it was so cruel…- Max shivered.

- It was necessary, it consolidated your claim to my body, and at least you and Vilandra Isabel spent a week getting along, while I healed. - Michael felt both of Max’s hands kneading his buttocks provocatively.

- She hated me! - Max exclaimed.

- I know, but only you could heal me, and she loved the way I moved inside her when you were inside me. She wasn’t losing that, no matter what you did to me! - Michael was finding it hard not to beg for more. - I need to relive it. Here, now, do it Max! -

- No Michael, I don’t want to hurt you! - Max pleaded, but Michael was adamant, in spite of knowing what he was getting himself into. The Antarian Rath was spurring him on, and he couldn’t resist him like the Dupe Rath had. The need for the savage act was worse than the pain itself, and one look at Max told him he was finding it hard to resist the temptation to perform it once again, though he had no doubts that Michael’s body was his. What he did with others, like Maria, or…he didn’t want to remember, were the little normal infidelities which made him relish in punishing him for, when he had him all to himself.
Oh yes! He needed his blood! And he was begging him for it! Could he be any luckier? What was he waiting for? His fingers were digging so hard into Michael’s flesh, he knew he was bruising him. He felt the strong muscles working under the skin, and craved to make them spasm with pain and pleasure.

- We don’t have…- Max started.

- We do. There’s a penknife at the back of the top kitchen drawer. One edged like you need, and that ceramic bowl Maria brought from her mother’s shop, looks very much like the sacrificial one, so you’ll need to do very little changes to it. Isabel’s new bedspread can act like the blanket. Ok? - Michael’s eyes were almost like liquid gandarium, just like in Antar, and Max was getting lost in them.

- Shouldn’t I be asking you that? You’re the one that’s going to suffer! - Max didn’t know how Michael could take it.

- You know I can take it, Max. - He said, reading his thoughts. - No one else can. -

- It’s not fair, Michael! - Max whined.

- I know, but that’s the way things are. If I can deal with it, then so can you. Come here, Max. - Michael pushed up to his knees and reached out for the other alien.

Max hugged him tight to him and felt Michael shudder in anticipation. Max didn’t want to let him go. He wanted to keep him in his arms forever. Safe from pain and suffering as long as he was with him. The irony laughed back at him, knowing he would be the source of what he dreaded to do to him.

- I’m ready Max. We need to do it right away. We both do. - Michael winced, already feeling the knife cutting into his flesh and Zan’s primal drive taking Max into his grasp.

[ñusta]

Chapter 143


- Michael, I don’t think I can…- Max whined.

- Max! Max! Hey! Listen to me! You must get your shit together, man! You can’t hesitate now! See what your doubts did to us in our previous life! We have been given another chance to make things right, so you need to be strong, take all the strength you need from me, cause I have enough for both of us and I’m ready for you. I’ve been through one hell of a lot of pain in these last couple of months, reliving every time I’ve been hurt in my life, this and the other one. Believe me, I would go through it a thousand times if I can spare you from any harm at all. I’m sworn to protect you and there is no way I’ll let anyone lay a finger on you. - Michael pulling away from Max and shaking him.

- I know, Michael, but you almost choked me to death…- Max began to remind him.

- No! No! That wasn’t me! It wasn’t Rath the dupe or Rath-Michael from Antar either! - Michael exploded.

- But Langley said…- Max tried to go on.

- Langley didn’t know what had really happened! He was actually asking us, and guessing why and what the outcome had been! I’m sure it was whatever Nasedo did to me when I was in the pod. Anyway it’s over and gone, I would never do anything against you, Max, no matter what you do to me. Whatever aggressiveness I had in Antar was saved for the battles, and the one I may have here, is to protect you and all our friends, because I consider them my family now, never against any of you! I simply couldn’t, it would just kill me! - His eyes had this tortured look, thinking Max might have any doubts about him. - Please Max, believe me, trust me. You guys are my life! -

Max couldn’t take it and pulled Michael into another tight hug.

- What will this do to us, Michael? Will it change things? - Max was definitely afraid and was quite clear about it.

- I don’t know Max, but I know it will consolidate my oaths to you as your protector and warrior, and yours as my king and healer. - Michael said.

- What about our other commitments? Liz, Maria? - Max wondered.

- That’s another aspect of our lives. In Antar we did the ritual, yet you were still married to Ava and I was still betrothed to Vilandra. Our private devotion didn’t interfere with our everyday lives. This was between the king and his warrior, to confirm that we were on the same side and after the same goals. Kind of like a contract sealed with blood, so there was no way it could be broken, that’s the idea. I would never betray you, Max, you know that. - Michael assured him.

- I know. - Max confirmed him and gave Michael an extra squeeze with his arms. - Alright, I’m ready too. -

Very slowly, they slumped down on the blanket, Max on his back and Michael over him. They were very drowsy, as if drugged, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Michael felt Max’s hands gently pushing him away and ease him back on the blanket. Max’s hands were all over him, pulling his hips up to meet his, as he rubbed his erect cock against him. He opened his eyes and saw Max placing the bowl below him, high up under his thighs.Then he felt him spreading him and placing the head to him, as he felt the cold blade just above the place where they were joined. The tip of the blade slid into him, and he worried about Max’s safety, but then remembered it was a penknife, and sharp only on one side. He felt Max push it a little bit deeper and slice upwards, into the upper part of his opening. The pain was quick but sharp, and left him throbbing and burning. He shut his eyes tight and could see Max pressing the tip of the bloody penknife to the upper part of the front of his cock. He shut his eyes and stabbed shortly, so that there were thick dark drops of blood sliding down his erect organ. Then Max smiled, satisfied with the results. He rubbed the under side in Michael’s blood and slowly, using their blood as lubricant, pushed it deep, unstopping, until the two small wounds were kissing each other. Each time Max pulled back, Michael’s blood coated the whole length. Then he raised his body so that his blood dripped down over him, along with Michael’s so that when he pushed in, he took their blood into him, mixing them inside him. Max felt this wild urge to rough Michael up, show his dominance, and rammed him hard, pinching and spanking his buttocks viciously, very much like Hank had done. Michael felt his soul melting with Max’s and then splitting in two perfect halves each returning to their bodies, one disappeared into the middle of Max’s chest, straight into his heart, and the other did the same into the centre of Michael’s back, straight into his heart too. Michael bucked back hard, riding Max’s cock as hard as he could as he gave his body to him. Max’s body moved into him in every way he could, making Michael wild with pleasure, he knew he was being violent but Michael was expecting it and his body language was begging for it. Max started stabbing shortly against Michael’s prostate and he felt him gripping his cock hard as a strong orgasm hit him. Max forced himself deep into Michael’s tight insides and kept pumping him, until the last drop was squeezed out of him. Michael half knelt half lay under Max, shuddering, gasping and holding his codk inside him so hard, that Max didn’t dare even try to pull out, because it would tear him to shreds. He stayed kneeling behind him, holding him around the stomach an laying his head on his back. Soon after, Michael moaned and although he didn’t let go at all, he used his body weight to roll them on their sides so they could enjoy the alien aftermath comfortably. Max knew all his seed was safely deep inside Michael and with that grip, not a drop would be lost out of the bowl As Michael started coming, Max had held his cock in one hand and the bowl with the other making sure all his seed had been effectively collected with whatever blood had dripped there during the violent act. Max felt Michael beginning to relax and he immediately maneuvered him back onto his knees holding the bowl under him as he slowly pulled out of him. He waited patiently as the ritual required, while receiving all the bloody cum that leaked out of Michael’s ass. When the flow stopped, he looked at Michael, and said several words before drinking half the blood and cum from the bowl. Michael then did the same, finishing off the rest of the bloody cum.

Michael reached back to Max and pulled his King under him, into his arms. They shared a heated kiss. As their embrace and touches became more passionate, the blood that still seeped from their wounds, mixed once more when Max took Michael’s hips in his hands. Encouraging his warrior to turn around, straddling him and facing his feet, he found the correct angle to enter his body again, pressing the cuts together, with the advantage of having a perfect view to watch it happen.

“You’re mine.” Max whispered raggedly before impaling Michael to the hilt.

“Forever.” Michael answered in a gasp, feeling Max’s burning length fill him up.

Max loved the way he could watch himself sliding in and out of Michael, watch his muscles working with the pain and pleasure he was giving him and grab Michael’s perfectly round buttocks,spreading them for a deeper penetration. They knew from Langley that Antares mated for life, so the ritual had stopped being used, after Khivar’s reign had brought forced marriages, because to join two souls that had been forced together, for eternity, was a fate worse than death.

Michael woke up next morning, knowing exactly what had happened He remembered vividly everything Max had done to him, waking up sore but satisfied.

- How is my warrior? - Max’s voice made him realize Max was still under him.

- Was that real? Did we do it? - Michael raised his body from Max’s and winced ashe felt the sharp pain where the new cut was.

- Here, let me heal you. - He slid from under him and leaned down spreading him with both hands and kissing the still bleeding wound. He licked the blood away and It healed leaving a small scar.

- What about you? - Michael asked. Max’s tongue had left him writhing.

- I already have, as soon as we finished. You know I’m not into pain at all, though I hardly felt it. - He smiled, apologizing.

Michael smirked and wrapped his arms around Max as the king held his warrior in his own arms, meeting his lips in a kiss that expressed all their feelings.

- We need our women with us. - Said Michael.

- That is our problem now, I want Liz but…- Max shook his head.

- I have no doubts about my Maria. - Michael said, and I’m sure Liz will come aound. - Michael winked, feeling Liz’s empathy right there with him.

[ñusta]

Chapter 144


Max felt his cock stirring and poking against Michael’s stomach.

- Michael…- He whispered.

Michael got his message loud and clear. He smirked and turned his back to Max, whose left arm slid under Michael’s neck and grasped his left hand in his, their arms bent together towards Michael’s body. Max used his other arm to pull the boy back against him, holding him around his stomach. Michael pushed his hips back into Max and flexed his upper leg, bracing his knee on the bed, in front of the other, to open himself to him. Max was now fully erect and the head of his cock easily found his target. His precum was abundant and eased his way in. Max felt Michael resisting him and knew what he was doing.

- Michael, no! - Max begged, knowing Michael was making himself extra tight for Max’s enjoyment.

- Oh yesss! Make it hurt! - He bucked back hard and felt Max tearing into him.

Max heard Michael hiss and grunt. He knew Michael was suffering a lot of pain to give him all the pleasure he could. Max felt he was forcefully opening Michael’s insides and there was nothing he could do but indulge him. He rammed in until their bodies were glued together. Then he just held him until he felt him beginning to relax.

- Michael, I don’t like to hurt you. - Max protested, kissing his baby soft hair, and caressing his thigh.

- It’s ok, it’s better for you…- He whispered, wincing.

- Please, relax, or I swear I will pull out and jerk myself off! - Max ordered his warrior.

- No Max, you wouldn’t do that to me. - Michael said huskily.

- Try me! I can’t enjoy it if you’re not. - Max was serious.

- But I am, you know I like it rough! - Michael insisted.

- Ok, but I’m not up to it now, please? - He pleaded, unashamed.

- Sure Max, anything you want. - Michael turned his face over his shoulder and met Max’s lips.

The kiss got them both relaxed. Max knew Michael had relaxed, but still he was as tight as they came. He was so used to tightening up to give his partner the fuck of his life, that his muscle tone in that area was like a virgin’s each time. “The boy’s a treasure!” Max thought, and carefully slid out and back in. Michael moaned with pleasure.

- Don’t stop, Max! - Now he was begging and Max shivered to hear his voice raspy with desire as he shoved deep to pull out and thrust back in again. The fit was so snug, that Max wanted to cover Michael’s body with kisses for what he was making him feel. He tentatively nudged Michael’s prostate and felt him grip him like a vice. He did it twice more and went back deep. He didn’t want him to come yet. He was enjoying him too much. They continued pleasuring each other with long deep strokes, Max loved to feel the way Michael shuddered when their bodies met, with the deepest penetration possible, as he ground his round ass against him, as if he could get him any deeper. Max would then tease him, deeply buried, moving his body from side to side, up and down, in circles in both directions, driving Michael wild, moving with him in exactly the opposite direction, to feel it better and stronger, “I can’t find anyone better than him, he is amazing!” Max thought as he felt his orgasm building. When he felt it was imminent, he concentrated in making Michael come with him, so he found the spot and pounded mercilessly into him until he had him right where he wanted , gasping and growling as he contracted hard against him, so Max again had to force himself deep as Michael squeezed him until he shot his load into him.

- Oh shit! You are amazing! - Max breathed on Michael’s shoulder.

- So are you! - Michael whispered.


Liz had had a terrible night, feeling Max and Michael’s bonding. She had been bouncing on her bed, unable to sleep until they fell asleep, at least when Michael did, which was sooner that Max. Then she had felt Michael waking up again and Max was right on him, as she was trying to cope with the breakfast crowd at the Crashdown. Maria noticed that something was definitely going on with her, and of course, she immediately suspected her Spaceboy, who else?

- Liz, what is it with you? It’s the third glass of water that almost jumped out of your hand! It’s Michael, right? Don’t lie to me! -

- Maria, he’s fine, believe me, we’ll go to take them breakfast right away, ok? -

Liz knew Maria had just half bought it cause she kept staring at her each chance she had. When Michael came, she had to sit down pretending she had tripped. “Oh my god! That was…WOW!” Liz thought. “What did Max do to him?” Since the first time she had felt Michael coming with Max inside him during the time her empathy had kicked in, she had been trying to convince herself to get her shit together and go back to Max, but things kept happening to make her change her mind in the last minute. This time, though, it had been so overwhelming, that although she was sure Michael had a lot to do with it, she was ready to give it a try. There was nothing to lose, Michael had her virginity, and Max seemed ok with it, so what was she waiting for? Maria was right, she was just missing a lot because of her stubbornness. Tess was gone, she had made her peace with her, Ava apparently felt no attraction at all for Max, not for Michael, thanks to Langley who had scared the shit out of her with what had happened back in Antar, so she was no threat to either of them. Maria shook her out of her thoughts when she shoved two bags ready and packed with their boyfriend’s breakfast.

- Ok, we’re out of here! - She said, pushing her out to the Jetta.

During the drive, Liz felt Michael was sleeping as he managed to feel Max’s hand caressing him, so she knew Max was awake. Maria had turned the radio on, expecting no conversation, so she had some extra time for herself. They arrived and Maria opened the door with her key. Liz raised her hand with a reassuring smile signaling for silence. Maria nodded and tip-toed behind Liz. The arrived at the bedroom door to find them still on their sides, the aftermath barely over. Michael’s eyes were closed in sleep, his lips parted as they watched Max’s hand gently caressing Michael’s ribs, hip and thigh on the way down and moving from his hip to his stomach and chest on the way up. He couldn’t see them cause Michael was blocking the way. Liz padded quietly into the room and slid on the floor by the bed, holding Michael’s free hand in one of hers and taking hold of Max’s, from Michael’s body, with the other one. Max raised his head over Michael’s shoulder and smiled at Liz. He was completely relaxed and satisfied. No need to ask about Michael because he was sleeping so peacefully. Maria was right by Liz kissing his cheek and brushing the hair away from his face.

- He’s ok. - Max informed them.

- I know. - Liz smiled at Max and nodded.

He knew some positive change had come over Liz, and he kept on smiling at her. Even Maria felt it too, and was glad for them. So she didn’t mind or feel left out when they began their soul-mate googly eyed thing that hadn’t happened in such a long time. She totally concentrated in Michael, kissing him and when her finger traced his lips, he took it into his mouth and sucked at it making her shiver.

- Michael, Michael…- She whispered as he moaned, half wincing, half smiling.

- Sorry…- Said Max, blushing guiltily and Liz giggled.

- I’m missing something here? - Maria sounded a little bit pissed.

- Max has just slid out of him - Liz leaned over and whispered in her ear.

Then Liz decided to give her a little help. Using her empathy, she whispered: “Michael, Maria is here with you.”

- Maria…- Michael whispered and slowly opened his eyes.

- C’mon Spaceboy, let’s take you to the shower. - Maria reached out for him as he lazily stretched rolling on his belly and just as lazily pushed up from the bed.

- C’mon! Don’t keep “girlfriend” waiting! - Max spanked him hard and chuckled.

- Owww! - Michael growled smirking sleepily and was received in Maria’s waiting arms.

- Liz, we need to talk. - Max said locking his eyes on hers as soon as they were alone.

- I know. - Liz answered, her eyes unwavering, finally sure of her decision.

[ñusta]

Chapter 145


Liz lay back beside Max, and Michael’s warmth, still on his bed, made her feel so safe and protected, like she had never felt with Max. Of course, he had his shield, and hers would eventually develop, but they were no fighters like Michael was. He would fight to his death to protect them. She shivered as she saw him defeating 6 of Khivar’s armed guards though he started with his bare hands, and badly wounded in the process. As his black slave carried him to the…she found it so hard to say the words…torture chamber, she was distracted by a feather touch to her forehead. She opened her eyes and saw Max siting up and looking at her full of concern.

- Liz, you ok? - He asked.

Liz just nodded and shushed him closing her eyes again. She simply couldn’t witness Michael’s death, she wasn’t Vilandra. Even Zan had been devastated when he saw his dying warrior. As soon as he was allowed, he ran to him whining, falling on his knees by him, wrapping his arms around his torn body and weeping into his wounds, regardless of the blood or of the pain he was causing. But then Vilandra was already dead, and though she consciously didn’t realize it, her subconscious awareness did, and gave her the serenity to cope with it, knowing he would soon be with her, where no one would be able to hurt him again. She had no way of knowing that they would be cloned, and what Michael would have to go through in his new life. A soft warm breeze made her open her eyes again and she saw Max was blowing in her face, still worried.

- Just dozing, I didn’t sleep much last night. - She arched her eyebrows to make her point.

- Ohhh! - Max’s eyes opened wide. - Your empathy, I completely forgot! -

- So everything went as planned, huh? - Liz smiled knowingly.

- Well, there was some pain, I couldn’t help it. - Max shook his head in regret.

- Michael seemed to have no problems dealing with it. He enjoyed it. - Liz giggled. - So, everything’s ok with you guys now? How did it turn out? -

- He consolidated his status as my warrior and protector, and I, mine as his healer and king. - Max was dreading any more questions at the moment so he changed the subject not so subtly but effectively. - Liz, I know Michael blocks his pain to protect you, but do you think you could actually feel it? -

- No, I don’t know exactly how he does it, but It’s like this scale flashes in my mind, and the red line rises with the amount of pain, so I know how much he is hurting, though I feel nothing. It doesn’t work with his feelings and emotions, those I do feel kind of in jolts, not constantly. - Liz frowned.

Max knew Liz was about to go back to the ritual thing, when Maria’s voice saved him just in time.


Maria had given Michael a very relaxing shower, lathering every inch of his body in the slowest motion possible, enjoying the feeling of his skin under her hands, taking extra time in the scars marring his otherwise flawless skin and kissing him anywhere every chance she had. He jerked uncontrollably when she encountered sore spots from the night before, which were many, most of them where she suspected they would be. When she finally got him rinsed, she wrapped him lovingly in a large towel and took her time drying him too. She hoped she was giving Max and Liz all the time they needed. She led Michael to the couch, not to interrupt them, and fed him breakfast. He was absolutely passive, lying on his side, letting her do to him everything she wanted. When she finished his glass of milk, she kissed him again, smiling at the fact he tasted like a baby, and his lips were so soft and caressing, that she was sure it was the sweetest kiss he had ever given her.

- Thank you…I love you. - He whispered as he closed his eyes and Maria couldn’t help kissing him again. Halfway through the kiss, she realized he had fallen asleep. “Oh shit!” thought Maria. “What has Max done to him? Spike his semen with a sedative?” She checked her watch and they were already running late, so she went to the bedroom and took a peek before speaking. Liz and Max were lying on their backs side by side, holding hands and talking softly.

- Sorry guys, but we have to leave right away if we hope to make it on time, and I’m having a problem with Michael.

Max and Liz jumped out of the bed and raced out of the room to find Michael sleeping on the couch with the towel still partially on him.

- Maria, what’s wrong with him? - Liz felt only peaceful feelings so she didn’t get it.

- I’ve never seen him so relaxed in his life except on sedatives. - She said.

Liz and Max knelt by the couch and Liz took Michael’s hand in hers.

- Michael? Wake up! - She felt him struggling to obey her.

- Michael? Hey man, c’mon! - Max’s hand patted Michael’s cheek gently and he opened his eyes.

There were gandarium blue streaks in his honey coloured irises but they faded away when he blinked.

- Max! What’s wrong? - He was on his feet so quickly that they all had to move back to give him space, as he gazed around the room.

- Nothing man, we have to go to school, we’ll barely make it on time. - Max reassured him.

- Oh, ok, let’s go then. - He started heading for the door stepping on the towel that had fallen to the floor when he got up.

- Hey, aren’t you forgetting something? - Max chuckled and Liz and Maria giggled.

- Huh? - Michael turned over his shoulder, his hand reaching up to open it with his powers.

- Like clothes, Spaceboy! I’m not about to spend the day fighting off groping hands away from you! - She walked to the bedroom and came back with his jeans, t-shirt and his boots.

Liz, Max and Maria had him dressed and ready in seconds, and they were off. Michael snoozed all the way to school with his face in Maria’s lap, that that was normal in him They rode in an unusual silence. Maria started shaking Michael, but the second Max reached back and touched him, his eyes flew open and they exited the car. Liz was registering the response Michael was getting from Max’s touch, and was sure it had something to do with their bonding last night. Michael snoozed as usual through his classes and then the boys had gym. Michael walked with Kyle and Max to the gym lockers and has just pulled his t-shirt over his head when he heard his name in Mr. Reynolds loud voice. He sighed expecting the worst and turned to face him. He was surprised at his shocked white face.

- Guerin! That wasn’t buckshot! Those were real bullets! I should know, and if Forrester bought it then he hasn’t seen the scars or doesn’t know shit about this stuff, which he probably doesn’t! - He shouted, as he usually did.

“Dammit! “ Michael thought, “why can’t he talk without screaming! Now everyone’s attention is on me!” He pulled the teacher aside.

- It was bad, I admit, but I’m tough, sir, I’m managing fairly well with the treatment I’m still receiving. I need to graduate and I’m struggling with it. -

Reynolds nodded and gave him this funny look. Then he shook his head.

- What are they giving you to keep you on your feet? - He asked.

- I don’t know but it’s one hell of a lot of needles. - Michael winced and rubbed his butt suggestively, remembering his real recent experiences.

Reynolds patted his shoulder and smiled full of sympathy.

- Ok, just change and hang around ok? Where I can see you. I don’t want another eraser room scene and a memo from Forrester with my name, Clear? - He was back to yelling.

Michael nodded and went on changing. Then as the rest went on with the class out in the field, Michael headed for the bleachers and stretched out on the lowest one, hooking his insteps over the edge as he did in bed. The plank barely held his frame and it was damn hard, but the front of his body was practically unscathed, except for the angry red scar where Max had burned out the Antar seal, and just above it, also in the upper left side of his chest, almost in his shoulder, the faint scar where Grant Sorenson’s bullet had torn through. He laid his cheek on the hard surface, facing the field, and let his arms hang down over the sides, enjoying the still gentle sun.
His genitals started protesting and he raised himself just enough on his knees, doing a little swiveling hip dance and eased them back down, squirming as he adjusted to the unyielding surface he was lying on. He could almost hear Liz’s giggle though their empathy, and wondered where she was checking him out from.

Liz had chosen an easel in a spot by the window where she could see the field. She watched Michael lazily slumping on the bleachers and giggled when he accommodated his balls. She knew he had sensed her and could almost see his wicked grin too. She decided she needed to get out of there. She walked up to the teacher and asked him for a bathroom pass. He looked at her suspiciously, not wanting to get another memo from Forrester like Reynolds had, for the eraser room incident. She scrunched up her face and told him convincingly it was a girl thing and got her pass, probably because Maria was not involved this time. As she passed by Maria, Liz gave her a wink and Maria just had to trust her. She knew it was something Liz had seen through the window, and she changed to Liz’s now empty easel. She watched Michael loafing on the bleachers and smiled, as she watched him beginning to pull his gym t-shirt up, and then changing his mind. “Shit!” she thought, “why didn’t he? Oh well, I would have needed a bathroom pass if he had, and I sure as hell won’t get one now that Liz beat me to it dammit!” Then she noticed Liz crawling under the bleachers and approaching her unsuspecting boyfriend. “She must have raced out of the building to get there so fast! Why didn’t I think of it first?” Maria frowned.


Michael had started to get rid of his t-shirt but decided not to risk it with Reynolds and desisted. He was almost falling asleep as he felt Liz approaching him. Then he felt her grab his hand and whisper his name. It was coming from under the bleachers, so he turned his face that way and met Liz’s smiling one as she crouched by him.

- Hey…- She whispered.

- Liz? What are you doing here? - He whispered back as she sat down and made herself comfortable.

- Guess I could ask the same. I saw you from the window of the art room and decided to join you. - Liz had turned to her normal voice knowing no one could hear them there.

- You skipping classes? I can’t believe it! - Michael teased.

- Piece of cake! I asked for a bathroom pass and got one immediately when I mentioned it was a girl thing. That’s a sure thing with you guys! - She giggled.

- Yeah, you really have us by the balls there and you know it. - He smirked.

- Speaking of balls, I saw your sexy hip moves, something to do with balls and perhaps the whole set of jewels, I presume? - She arched her eyebrows.

- I knew you were checking me out.. - He grinned.

- How come you’re not taking part and Reynold’s not barking up your ass? - She wondered.

Michael told her his chat with Reynolds and Liz sighed.

- Ewww, I guess needles are a weak spot with everyone! - She agreed.

- Yeah, well I don’t like them but I’m not scared of them. Guess cause I’ve had plenty…- Michael winced.

- What are you scared of, Michael? - Liz teased him, shaking her head.

- Not being able to protect you guys…- Michael had taken it seriously.

- Ok, ok, change of subject. I really wanted to ask you about…sex…- Liz whispered the last word.

- What? - Michael half laughed, thinking she was teasing him again, but she was quite serious.

- Tell me about sex, Michael, I’m sick of hearing a girl’s point of view, I want yours, what does it mean to you? - She almost regretted it when she saw the pain in his eyes.

- What can I say? I’ll have to start from the beginning. Honestly? One hell of a pain in the ass. It hurt like hell! I was left shuddering and hurting not daring to move much, cause the pain would shoot up and spread out worse. It took years of torture, and then one night, as I lay there sore and even breathing carefully, I fell asleep and had this weird dream. It was obviously from my previous life, where I was undergoing the same experience, and something whoever was doing it to me did, gave me this strange kind of pleasure. I woke up with a hushed voice whispering to me: “You must learn to enjoy it, or it will kill you.” And I realized it was true. Each time, at some point, during the torture, something was touched inside me that gave me that kind of nice feeling, so the next time it happened, must’ve been the next night, cause I was already with Hank, I waited for it, and it felt damn good, so I held on to that feeling and moved to keep it up, to keep the ramming focused there, I must’ve been squeezing like crazy, cause he was soon coming, and his sperm shooting into me felt even better this time. It usually just meant he was ready for the next, cause he could get it up right away, sometimes even before he got it all out. I don’t know how he did it, cause they say with alcohol you can’t, but it was my freaking luck that he was the exception to the rule, and boozed as he was, he always forgot the lube. That was for most of the first year, until Hank hurt me realbad and his doctor friend started hanging out with him. Then Hank came and “Doc” was right in, until he came and Hank was just waiting for him to be out, but at least “Doc” made sure to fix whatever damage they had caused, which was just as painful. Only this time after the dream, it was different, it felt good just because. I can’t explain it. Then when “Doc” went away and left Sarah, It would still be the same cause she would be at me with her vibrator thing right after Hank, and to patch me up when it was over. Then when she noticed she started getting some responses from me when she played with me as Hank fucked me, she started with the hormone injections, and before I knew it, I was getting sandwiched between them. The first time I did it with her, I was scared to hurt her, and she just laughed her head off, and gave me a long and very illuminating chat about what sex was like with a woman, telling me about the hymen thing and that once it was gone, that was it, it never hurt again. She assured me hers had been gone a long time ago, and if it hurt, she didn’t know cause she had been cock-eyed drunk. Unfortunately, what alcohol Hank shot into me on his first cum, just made it worse for the next, you know, because of the extra sensitivity I got from it, so I thought she didn’t know how lucky she had been. Of course, no broken hymen could come any close to the pain I had gone through, so Isabel’s trick gave me the confidence of being with girls, knowing I could spare them the bad experience, which I wouldn’t put them through even if it meant having to keep getting my ass ripped for the rest of my life. The pleasure I got from being in a woman, eased the pain of the man behind me, it actually enhanced the pleasure of the ass-fuck, driving me wild. Trust me, it’s the best, but you’d have to turn into a guy to know what I’m talking about…- Michael smirked and saw Liz smirking back at him.

- I know how it feels, you may block out the pain, but not the pleasure, believe me, and by the way, thanks for the awesome orgasms and wet dreams I’ve been getting since. - Liz giggled, specially when Michael shut his eyes tight and blushed!

“Oh my god!” Liz thought, “wish I had a camera! Michael’s blushing! I can’t believe it!” She reached over and kissed his cheek.

- Hey, it’s ok, it’s me! - She giggled again and he opened his eyes.

His cheeks were now down to pink, and he looked back at her with a guilty look in his eyes. She saw the greenish gold flecks in them,as the sunlight bounced back from the metal frame of the bleachers. “Oh god, he’s so gorgeous, why couldn’t he be the healer, and mine?” Liz couldn’t help the thought that crossed her mind and she was now the one blushing when she saw the expression on his face as he got it from her. She closed her eyes, embarrassed, and felt his soft lips giving hers a sweet kiss.

- I’m sorry…- He whispered against Liz’s mouth and kissed her again just as gently.

He didn’t need words to finish the sentence. Liz got it through her empathy: “I love Maria, but I love you too, only in a different way.” She knew, he couldn’t hide anything from her. He hugged her close to him and Liz cherished the moment, burying her face in his hair and hugging his arm to her breast, clasping his hand in both of hers.

- Hey! You guys cheating on me? - Whispered Maria against Michael’s hair, her mouth almost against Liz’s ear, smiling widely at Liz’s “caught!” look. Oh, she’d have her spilling out in a minute.

- Bad boy, bad boy. - Sing songed Kyle, straddling Michael’s thighs along with the bleacher plank and spanking his ass soundly with both hands.

The lunch crowd wasn’t missing anything for their gossip line.

- Hey! - Max protested and Kyle jumped away giving Max a mocking bow.

- My apologies, Señor Presidente, or should I say, my king? - Kyle giggled.

- C’mon, Kyle, we have to hit the showers. - He stepped up to where Michael was lying and whacked him one too, not being.able to resist, crowd or no crowd.

- Mmm…- Michael purred, enjoying the attentions, and making them all laugh. - I’ve been real bad, is that all I’m getting? -

- Wait till I get my hands on you later! - Threatened Maria.

- What the hell’s going on there? - Reynolds bellowed. - Guerin, you ok? -

- Yes sir! - Michael yelled back as Max and Kyle started back to the building.

He knew they would go there as slowly as possible so that they would be the last ones in the showers and the others would leave them alone.

- Maria, could you get us some lunch?- Liz asked Maria, giving her the second wink that day, so Maria knew she would be totally briefed later over ice cream.

- Be right back. - She said and headed for the cafeteria.

- What else? - Michael asked when they were alone again.

- I’ve decided to have another chance with Max, a real one, this time.- She said.

- Great! If I had anything to do with your decision, whatever I did, I’m glad! - Michael meant every word.

- Yes you did. You know, the pleasure I got from you when you were with Max. That has really got me thinking. I hope I’m not wrong. - Liz frowned.

- You’re not, and I’ll always be there for you…you know…- He smirked.

- Yes, Michael, I know. Thank you. Shouldn’t you be changing too? - She wondered.

- Nah…I have art right after, so I can be late, and the sun feels great. - Michael snuggled and Liz had to stop herself from pouncing on him.

- I felt that! - He warned.

- Shit, Michael! - Liz whined as he chuckled, quite amused by the way they could read each other. Being a guy, and specially him, he didn’t mind it, but to Liz, it was very hard at times. Maria came rushing, balancing three trays, one on top of the other one, so Liz hurried to help her.

[ñusta]

Chapter 146


Maria and Liz sat side by side while Michael was holding his upper body up on his crossed forearms, as Maria fed him as she fed herself: one for him, one for her. Then suddenly he turned his face away, and the expression on his eyes was one of full alert. Maria stared at Liz, totally confused, but she seemed to be paying attention to Michael, her eyes locked on his face. Maria opened her mouth to say something but just gasped, as Michael pushed up on his hands and knees and in one fluid move, he was racing towards the boy’s bathroom where Max and Kyle had gone to just a few minutes ago.

- Nature’s Call? - Maria shrugged giggling.

She watched Liz frown and shake her head no, so her gaze returned to Michael. She was fascinated by the way he moved. It was like a Cheetah, in agility and speed, he was moving in this unusual kind of glide, that looked effortless, like an ice skater, skimming over the ice. Maria turned to Liz, matching the worried look in her eyes.

- Oh my god, Liz, that completely spells alien to me! They’re all watching him, how can he move like that? - Maria was shocked.

- No, Maria, that spells just human anger! That’s what I’m getting from him, and it has to do with Max! -

- Max! What has he done to make Michael want to kill him, they have empathy between them now? - Maria asked. -

- No, no, it’s this protégé - protector connection they have developed through last night’s bonding, Max is scared or stressed and Michael must be there for him! I wouldn’t be so calm if he were going to attack him! - Liz’s face looked frightened.

- We must go there to see what’s going on! They’ll get in trouble, Liz! Hurry up! - Maria was already pulling at her hand, on her feet, ready to go.

- We can’t go into the boy’s area, Maria, we’d be kept outside just the same, it’s better here, let me get Michael’s vibes to see what’s going on! - Liz remained sitting, her eyes closed in concentration.

Maria was going out of her mind, watching how the students were crowding around the door of the bathroom and locker room, mostly girls, cause the boys were either inside, or right in front of them.


Michael felt Max’s strained vibes and knew something was wrong, so he took off as fast as he could. When he arrived at the building, everything looked and sounded normal, so he cautiously went in, still in feline mode, unheard by the ones he was stalking. He went towards the lockers and there they were! Max’s and Kyle’s backs were pressed against the lockers, two big jocks in front of each of them. Max and Kyle had their arms raised and their hands were beside their ears, palms out. Two of the jocks had baseball bats, and were pinning one of Max’s and Kyle’s hands against the metal wall behind them, as the other ones were holding lit lighters against their other raised hands. Michael knew them, but their names simply didn’t register in the cloud of fury he was in.

- When we say you don’t touch, that’s just what we expect, and when you don’t obey, we have to make sure you won’t be able to touch anything in some time, to teach you the lesson. - He chuckled, making them cringe, as the bats were ground into their open palms and the lighters got nearer to make them feel the heat.

- We were just helping them as the coach asked, man, nothing more! - Whined Kyle, and yelped as the lighter burned enough to raise a blister. Max also yelped, getting the same treatment, to keep it even.

That was all Michael could take, and he was spurred into action. The Gandarium glinted in his eyes for a fraction of a second, and he just let go. Michael kicked the back of the jock’s knee, the one nearer to the center of the group to his right, who was on to Max, sending his kneecap against the metal locker door. Then as soon as his foot was back on the ground, he did the same with his other foot to the other jock near his left, who was on to Kyle. Those were the ones with the bats. They bounced back to end up sitting on the ground holding their knees with bulging eyes and wide open screaming mouths. The other two holding the lighters turned towards the center to see what was going on and met Michael’s hands which flipped them over to take their victims’ places as Max and Kyle scurried away to safety. Before they could fathom what was going on, Michael’s forearms were pinning their throats to the lockers, holding them up and cutting off their air supply. Their hands tried uselessly to pry Michael’s steel hard arms off them. The screams of the jocks on the floor had brought the other students running, and staring at the scene before their eyes, but not daring to interfere. It had all happened in seconds, the weapons they had been wielding had fallen to the floor during the attack. One of the jocks on the floor, who had been the luckier one, as his kneecap had not hit the frame between the locker doors, as the other one’s had, managed to get up and grab a bat on the way using it to straighten up, then skipping on one foot, he swung the weapon as hard as he could against Michael’s ribs. A cruel smile curved his lips and he heard them crack under the blow, but he wasn’t counting on Michael’s reaction: he winced and gasped at the pain of the blow, but let go of the guy on his left just long enough to ram his elbow back into his attacker’s nose, before returning it to its original position. The jock could barely get a wisp of air in and he was choking again. The other jock fell back to the floor holding his knee with one hand and his bleeding broken nose with the other. His front teeth were also loose. Max had been taking Kyle around the corner to heal their blistered palms when he heard Michael gasp. They hadn’t seen the jock with the bat, but now they knew what had just happened as the jock dropped the bat and his hand went to his face, as he fell back again. Max knew Michael wanted no help when he had heard him growl inside his head to stay away, so he was obeying his warrior on this. Now he regretted it, seeing he was hurt and he could have prevented it by warning him if they had stayed long enough, but Michael growled again that he was fine. Max didn’t believe him, but in the aggressive state Michael was in, he thought it was safer to do as he said. Kyle opened his mouth to protest, but Max shook his head no, and took care of his hand just before he did his. They could hear Mr. Reynolds yelling as they returned to Michael’s side, pretending they had been hiding.

- Alright Guerin, let go! They’re turning blue! I’ll take it from here! LET GO! -
Reynolds was now afraid for the choking jocks, though the witnesses had told him they were the attackers

- Michael, let them go! - Max ordered his warrior, and Michael immediately let go.

The jocks slumped to the floor, where they sat wheezing and getting their colour back. A chorus of voices could be heard in the room, some were female, from the oness that had managed to slip in, taking advantage of the situation.

- Michael’s hurt! - Liz shouted, jumping to her feet, and they ran, slipping in almost unnoticed.

Both girls found Michael leaning forwards on the lockers, his face on his raised arms, with Max and Kyle on either side of him, holding him up.

- Michael, Michael! - Both girls shouted almost colliding with him.

Liz saw blood seeping between Max’s fingers where he was holding him with his hand on his lower ribs, on the left side of his back.

- Max! - She whispered, drawing his eyes to where she was looking, covering Michael’s red staining t-shirt to get him to a bathroom stall where Max could heal him in private, before anyone noticed. But unfortunately, neither Maria nor Kyle got it.

- Michael! - They both screamed together, drawing Mr. Reynolds’ unwanted attention.

- Hey kid? You…oh shit! - Reynolds paled but got it together right away. - Smith! Take these two clowns who seem to be breathing alright now straight to Forrester’s for attacking Evans, Valenti and Guerin. -

- We didn’t attack Guerin, he almost killed us! - One of the jocks screamed, outraged.

- Shut up or I’ll choke you to silence again, even if I lose my job! - Reynolds barked back, watching the gym area janitor pushing them in front of him.

- Withers! You make sure these jerks will be able to walk again, and get that one’s face decent before you take them to Forrester too! - Reynolds told one of the typical geek students, he was smoking through the ears.

- My knee’s busted! I can’t even get to the infirmary! - One of the other jocks whined.

- From what I hear, you had no problems hopping on one foot and swinging a bat at Guerin here, so you will hop all the way there, and to the principal’s if you need to! Get out of here, now! - Reynolds was finding it difficult not to shove them out the door as he watched some of their friends come to their rescue, helping them hobble out of the place.

His hands were itching to, but things were bad enough already. He turned to the five kids by the lockers. Max had managed through the distraction and the cover of Liz’s body with Kyle and Maria’s coming to the rescue, to stop the bleeding to a reasonable flow, since they had all seen it, so when Reynolds pushed the girls aside and pulled Michael’s t-shirt up, there was some blood of course, but the bleeding was controlled, just enough to justify the stain on the cloth. The problem was that three shattered edges of the broken ribs were poking out of Michael’s torn flesh, and Max hadn’t been able to do anything about them because there was no other excuse for the bleeding. Reynolds noticed the looks that Max and Liz were giving Maria and Kyle and didn’t understand it. The kid was hurt and something had to be done about it, Valenti and DeLuca had had nothing to do with it! What was it with those kids? They should be worried about their friend, not glaring at each other! These modern kids! He just didn’t get them!

- Ok, let me help you lie down. - Reynolds took Michael’s hips and very gently maneuvered him to the bench and eased him down on his stomach.
- Valenti, call 911. -

- Sir I don’t…-

- Well then, who has a cell phone? I hate the damn things…- Reynolds grumbled.Then he shouted: - Are you deaf? Do you know how much broken ribs hurt specially if they’re sticking out of you? You girls, make yourselves useful, bring the nurse with something for the pain, GO! -

Max called 911 and then Isabel, informing her what had happened as Maria and Liz scuttled out to the main building, not daring to say a word. Once outside though, things were different.

- Maria! How could you do that? Are you stupid or what? - Liz snapped with all her rage at the frustration she was feeling. She kept running waiting for Maria to say something in her defense, but the other girl was keeping up not so silently. Liz glared at her to find she was sniffling and trying hard not to, and felt bad for her outburst. She reached out and grabbed her hand, as they went on running.

- Hey, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you, it’s just that I’m so nervous, we don’t have Stuart now, what are we going to do? … Liz began sniffling too.

- I’m such an idiot! - Maria wailed. - What was I thinking? -

- Ok, now, we can’t lose it Maria, or we won’t be of much help. Just hurry up, I’ll think of something. -

When they arrived at the infirmary, they found the nurse had just finished bandaging one of the jocks’ knees as the other one was already taken care of. She saw an empty glass and the empty blisters of at least 4 pills. They were lucky they could take them thought Liz, thinking of Michael. Liz glared at the jerks and took aside the nurse to quickly explain what she was needed to do and told her she would fill her in on the way. She called Isabel while the nurse got her stuff, and found out Max had already talked to her. She told Liz she was calling Stuart right away and see what he could do about it. Then she asked for Maria. Liz had her doubts about getting them in communication, and she looked at her sidekick apprehensively, but Maria guessed what was going on and took the phone from Liz’s hands. To Liz’s surprise, Maria stopped crying and a weak smile appeared on her lips, and again, Liz was totally taken aback by isabel’s sympathy and care for Maria. How could they have ever called her “Ice Princess” when she was proving to be absolutely the opposite? She could now easily understand how much she and Maria had learned to love and appreciate the alien girl whose life was as hard and complicated as they would dread theirs to be. Maria gave the phone back to Liz as the nurse also glared at the two bandaged jocks and walked out of the room with a big syringe and some other stuff sticking out of her pockets.

- This should be strong enough. - She said, frowning and shaking her head as the two girls couldn’t help shuddering.

[ñusta]

Chapter 147


Max and Kyle sat on the floor by the bench, each with one of Michael’s hands in theirs, as they watched Reynolds pacing nervously up and down the next locker aisle to the right.

- Max can I have your cell phone? One call to dad? - Kyle asked.

- Sure. - Max handed it over to Kyle but Reynolds snatched it away.

- I’ll pay you back! What the hell is wrong with the ambulance? 911? I called you about an emergency in West Roswell High! I’m still waiting! What’s going on? - He barked into the phone. -Oh, well hurry! -

He handed the phone back to Kyle as he realized they were also waiting for an explanation.

- She said there was a fire on the old Woodridge farm house and the 4 families living there have been found in the cellar alive but with their lungs full of smoke, and all the ambulances are already on the way to the hospitals with the casualties so they will send the first one available. -

The boys nodded, noticing Michael was just taking shallow breaths, because the normal or deep ones put him in excruciating pain due to his broken ribs. Kyle dialed his home number. As Jim answered, Kyle could hear the TV in the background.

- Hello? - Jim was munching on something.

- Hey dad, we’re having a little problem here. - Kyle said cupping his mouth with his hand to allow what privacy he could without letting go of Michael’s hand or straying away from him.

- Kyle! You’re not in school? Don’t tell me you went to see the fire! - Jim was quite alarmed now.

- No dad, I’m in school, Michael got hurt in a fight with some jocks…-

- Not your stupid friends…-

- No dad, the four goons that are always after us, they attacked me and Max in the gym lockers and Michael beat the shit out of them but they got him good with a bat and he has some broken ribs. - Kyle informed him.

- Max…-

- Yes, he’s here, but we were never alone…you know…Coach Reynolds has called 911, and we’re waiting for the ambulance because of the fire. -

- Shit! I’ll be right over! - Jim snapped back.

- Dad! Get in touch with Isabel! - He managed before he hanged up.

- Done! -

Kyle handed the phone back to Max, nodding, and Max nodded back, getting his message.


Liz and Maria took the nurse’s arms in theirs and half jogged her hurriedly to Michael.

- That was fast…- Liz told her as they rushed along.

- What? - Asked the nurse, confused.

- Taking care of the jocks…- Liz explained.

- Oh, there was nothing much I could do but bandage them to immobilize the joint and sent them to a specialist. Harris’ nose is broken and I’m sure he will lose his teeth too. Serves them right from what you told me they had done! - She giggled like a girl. - Ok we’re here, let us in! -

The girls led her through the crowd, who were only whispering not to miss the show, having had a similar experience with the eraser room thing.

Nurse Kelly approached the hurt boy and they could see her press her lips together into a thin line as she checked out his patient, kneeling beside him. She caressed his cheek and Michael opened his eyes and smirked at her, ending in a wince.

- Alright, just keep still, ok? - And felt stupid because she didn’t think the boy could move at all.

She pulled some cotton wool from a plastic bag and a little bottle of alcohol from one pocket. She decided trying to pull down his shorts would be too painful so she hiked up the leg making it ride high. She wiped him and took the syringe from her other pocket. She stared at the boy shaking her head.

- How can I get a vein in this kid…- She thought aloud, obviously aware of Michael’s problematic blood vessels.

- Dr. Davis managed to find them during the im, pulling on the plunger on the way out and maybe you’re lucky once you’re in. - Liz told her.

- Let’s hope for.- Nurse Kelly nodded and scoffed. - Or it’s about 20 more minutes of pain…- She sighed and proceeded to stab the needle in. Maria was kneeling between Kyle and Max at the upper edge of the bench, her hands on Michael’s shoulders as she buried her face in his hair.

- I’m here, Spaceboy, I’m right here with you. - She whispered and heard Michael grunt as he felt the needle going in.

Liz’s hand was on the small of Michael’s back not expecting him to move, but just in case. Nurse Kelly tried, but no blood entered the syringe so she slowly started shooting in the drug. She turned to Liz gesturing towards Michael’s scars which were all now visible..

- Those look like a bullet wounds…- She whispered to the girl.

- Yes, he got shot when we went camping for the spring break. It was an accident, and it was just buckshot, but still, you know…- Liz could see she wasn’t totally convinced by the way she rolled her eyes and sighed.

As the nurse finished injecting Michael, the ambulance’ syren was heard all over the school. She started withdrawing the needle pulling at the plunger, but it just didn’t happen. The ambulance backed against the door of the boy’s bathroom and the students moved aside to let it though. Some of them had been grossed out staring at the needle in Michael’s butt, but not being able to turn away, while others simply weren’t up to it and just stared at Michael’s face, his eyes shut tight and his lips parted and moaning. Hardly anyone could keep their eyes on the bloody wound for more than a few seconds before gasping and looking away or running off to throw up. Reynolds went to meet the ambulance and started yelling at the crowd whom he thought he had already dispersed.

- What are you still doing here? Want a detention? Get out of here, out! -

Of course, they just moved aside out of his view, but returned the second his back was turned. Jim Valenti and Isabel burst into the room before the ambulance crew and Isabel looked ready to lose her breakfast, but got hold of herself just in time. Kyle let go of Michael and rose to meet his father as Isabel slumped on the floor to take his place. Two men and a woman in whites came down from the back door of the ambulance talking among themselves, and her voice was familiar to them. Isabel turned to recognize Nurse Susan, Maria’s nightmare, and reached out to get hold of her before she got herself in trouble, but Maria had been much faster. Isabel watched her in horror as she rushed towards the nurse, and then to her surprise, Maria’s arms went around the woman’s neck, not her hands to strangle her as Isabel had presumed, and Maria was weeping on the equally surprised woman’s shoulder. Susan, gave them a weak smile over the crying girl’s shoulder and patted her head as she gently pushed her away with her other hand.

- There, there, it’s ok, we’ll take good care of him, he’ll be alright…- Her mother’s instincts kicked in, calming Maria the best she could and handing her over to Liz’s arms. One of the men in white smiled at Liz.

- Stay away from your boyfriend this time huh? - He said jokingly.

- Sure, but it’s her boyfriend. - She grinned at him, recognizing him from that traumatic last time, as she pointed to Maria.

- Whatever…- The man shrugged, giving her a funny look and bringing over the stretcher with his partner.

Susan was speaking with Nurse Kelly who informed her what she had administered and handed the syringe over to her to take care of giving him the rest iv. Susan took just the needle, as Nurse Kelly provided her with another alcohol soaked cotton wool swab, and started digging for a vein in his thigh. She found one on the second jab, and asked one of the men to bring her a bag of plasma, which would help him anyway, not to lose the vein. She injected the rest of the drug and hooked the plasma bag, starting the drip. She held the bag high while the two guys slid Michael on the stretcher and they got him in the ambulance. Max and Isabel went to Susan with a request.

- Please, can we go with him? We’re his cousins and his only family. - Max asked politely.

Susan smiled, and waved them in. Once inside, she started shooting Michael up with antibiotics and whatever she considered necessary for the kind of injury he had sustained. Jim and Kyle and the girls followed them to the hospital. Max and Isabel sat quietly as if they weren’t there. They heard them commenting that Dr. Erikson wouldn’t want them interfering until he saw the patient himself. They arrived right away since the hospital was quite near the school. As Michael was taken away, and as the rest joined them, they had this terrible sense of déjà vu. They sat at the waiting room and Isabel took them all to check on Michael. Susan was showing the Dr. who was much older than Stuart, easily in his fifties, Michael’s file of his previous “accident”. The man was shaking his head, as Susan told him the way they had had to solve the anesthetics problem. The anesthetist looked dismayed until the black guy from the last time came in. He took one look at the boy and his eyes doubled their size. He nodded and proceeded to inject Michael all around the wounds with the same local he had used the other time, so he couldn’t move the injured area. Then he shrugged and gestured towards the boy. They positioned him on his forearms and knees, holding him up as what looked like pieces of mesh were placed over the torn skin. The Dr. placed his hands on the protruding ribs, and gently pushed them back in. Michael shuddered and growled with pain but was held still. Then the whole thing was bandaged tightly, keeping the ribs in the correct position. Michael was carefully eased down back on the bed and taken to a room. It had been rather fast, and when the Dr. and Susan came back to them, the Dr. explained what to expect.

- Well, we have used the sterile lubricated mesh we use for burns so it won’t stick to the wounds or interfere with the healing. The good news is that the ribs came out through the skin instead of going inside and puncturing the lung, so we were able to push them back in. Unfortunately the only way to keep them in place, is with a tight bandage, which isn’t the ideal thing with an open wound that needs to breathe to heal, so he’ll have to be in a lot of antibiotics to prevent infection. In a young person, the ribs should take hold real fast, so I’m boosting him up with calcium and trying to think of a way of keeping him on a bandage that will allow the wound to breathe at the same time. Let’s wait 24 hours and see how he’s doing, ok? Even the slightest movement is very painful so we’re having him on Versed, which sedates and makes it hard for him to move. From what I’m seeing, from the last time he was here, he is a fast healer, so I think he will be fine. -

They all thanked him and now it was Susan’s turn.

- I forgot to tell you Dr. Davis called me to ask me to take personal care of Michael, that’s why I went with the ambulance, and he wants you to know that the bill will be covered by him, so don’t worry about a thing. He asked me to call him as soon as Michael was taken care of to know how he was doing, so I’ll do it right away, and yes, here, you can have passes just like the last time, Dr. Erikson was Dr. Davis’ teacher, so it’s a favour to one of his favourite students. - She smiled at them.

- Can we see him? - Maria asked shyly, smiling at Susan.

- Sure, dear, he’s just about next door to the room he had, 205, it’s a little smaller, but just as comfortable, you’ll see. - She smiled again and left.


Chapter 148


As they arrived at Michael’s room, they found him awake but dazed.

- Michael, you’re alright? - Maria asked him.

- I don’t know, it hurts, but I can take it, I can’t move, it hurts even if I blink. - He slurred.

- Michael, I can’t feel you, I was so worried, I didn’t dare say anything until I saw you were alright! - Liz sniffled and went over to kiss his cheek.

- All I feel is pain Liz, so that’s why you’re blocked out. I’m in complete arrest otherwise, since they’ve shot into me everything they could think of…- He sounded sleepy.

- Stuart sent Susan with the ambulance and the Dr. who took care of you was his teacher. He spoke to him, briefed him on your problems very discreetly, and is covering all your expenses. I just spoke to him and he is planning something but he wouldn’t say until he was sure. He’s calling me back. You just rest, ok? - Isabel caressed his hair and he smiled.

Maria’s cell phone rang and it was her mother.

- Maria, where’s the car? I told you to come straight home from school cause I need to go to my manicurist and…-

- Mom, I’m at the hospital…- she sobbed.

- Oh my god, Maria, are you alright? -

- I’m fine, mom, Michael was hurt in school and we’re here with him. Could you take a taxi and get the car from the parking lot? - She asked.

- I’ll be there right away. -

Maria gave her all the information she needed and put her phone away.

She went to Michael and saw he had fallen asleep though he moaned and winced when she rubbed his butt.

- Great, he’s sleeping, not peacefully, but still…- She frowned.

Liz’s father called her because she should start working in 10 minutes and he was starting to get worried. She told him what had happened and told him she’d be right over. She looked at Maria and saw her shaking her head. Isabel came to the rescue.

- It’s ok, Maria, you stay here with him and wait for your mother, I’ll cover for you. -

- Could you guys give a hand in the kitchen? - Liz asked tentatively, in the direction of Max and Kyle.

- It’s the least we can do, right man? - Max answered for both but asked for Kyle’s
confirmation, anyway.

- Sure thing, count me in. - Kyle assured Liz and Max.

They took off in a hurry, and Isabel reassured Maria that she would be the first to call if she had any news of Stuart and what he was planning to do. She told Maria to call her immediately about anything going on with Michael. The girls exchanged a quick hug and Isabel ran out of the room to catch up with the rest. Maria wasn’t alone for long, because Susan walked into the room when she saw the others leave.

- How’s he doing? - She brushed Michael’s hair off his face and touched his cheek with the back of her fingers. - He seems ok, I’m glad he’s sleeping. -

- He’s still in pain, he moans and winces every now and then. - Maria said, her eyes shining with tears.

Susan went to the couch to sit by Maria. She squeezed her hand.

- He’s tough, he’ll pull through before you know it, you’ll see. - She whispered.

Maria reached over and took her other hand.

- Thank you…for what you did for him…- Maria whispered too.

- It’s my job honey, you don’t need to thank me. - Susan nodded.

- No, that time, when he came to you for the hormone injection…-

- He told you? - Susan frowned. - He made me promise I wouldn’t tell anyone. He must really trust you. -

- Yes, he does. All of us, he’s all he has, oh, and his sister in Tucson. -

- He has a sister? - Susan was surprised.

- A half sister, a few years older than him. He just found out when he met her last year. -

Maria decided not to go into detail of the gruesome way he had met her, because it would be suspicious to Susan the weird things both Michael and Laurie had gone through. Susan surely must have seen Laurie or heard about her case the days she had been in this very hospital, but had no way to link her to Michael, and it was better this way, for the time being. Amy burst into the room making them both jump up in fright.

- Maria! How is he? - She rushed to Michael’s side.

- Mom, this is Susan, she is a nurse here. - Maria introduced them.

- Hi. - She told her, but her full attention was on Michael.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek, brushing his hair with her fingers as she frowned looking down at his body.

- Maria, what happened to him? - She asked her daughter, her eyes locked on hers.

- Max and Kyle got attacked by these stupid bully jocks, and Michael beat the crap out of them and saved them. - She explained, looking smug.

- You mean the others are worse than him? - She asked sounding doubtful.

- You should see them…- Michael voice was very low and slurred.

- You ok, honey? - Amy smiled down at him, seeing his eyes were half open, taking his hand in both of hers.

Michael was touched by the endearing word she used for him. He nodded and when he tried to speak again, he winced.

- Well, two have smashed knees plus a broken nose, the other two were almost strangled to death. They were blue in the face and choking when coach Reynolds begged Michael to let them go. - Maria answered for him, walking up to the bed and grabbing his hand.

- They were four? - Amy’s eyes were popping out of her head as Maria nodded.

- Who did this to him? -

- One of the smashed knees, and got his nose creamed right after. -

- How could he punch him in this condition? -

- He didn’t, he used his elbow and then went on strangling the jerk with his left arm.

Amy shook her head, thinking how could she possibly think her daughter was safe at school when these things could happen. At least she was sure Michael wouldn’t let anyone lay a finger on her if he was around. But now he was hurt defending his two friends. She wondered how Jim was feeling about this, since his son had been involved too.

- Ok, but that wasn’t what I meant…- Amy was interrupted by a nurse with a tray.

Susan went to take the tray and thanked the girl, taking over. She lowered the sheet down to Michael’s thighs and wiped his left buttock.

- Hurts too much there…- Michael moaned.

- I know dear, it’s because of the calcium injection, they’re very painful but they will help your ribs mend fast. I’m saving the other side for the one you’ll get tomorrow. - She rubbed his butt sympathetically.

- Ok, then…- Michael surrendered, and braced himself.

Susan was very careful, but Amy and Maria knew his pain as he squeezed their hands, although she was doing it very slowly. There was a small knock on the door, and three men entered the room. Maria recognized coach Reynolds, Mr. Forrester, and Mr. Seligman? Now, that was a surprise! “The three stooges in person!” Maria thought. Susan looked up and when the men saw what was going on, their eyes and mouths opened wide.

- Sorry, sorry, we’ll wait outside…- One of them said.

- It’s ok, come in…- Michael told them.

The three men approached Michael, looking anywhere but at the needle.

- How are you feeling kid? - The principal asked.

- As if some jerk whacked me with a bat and left three broken ribs sticking out. - Michael whispered, taking his time, hearing them scoff.

- I’m sure you’ll love to know that Harris and Born are out for the rest of the season because of their knees, and Horton and Levington are still unable to speak louder than a croak. They’re just writing down. Oh, and Harris’s four front upper teeth will have to become falsies for life. - Forrester chuckled, he was really fed up with the bullying those guys were responsible for, during the years he had been the principal. - I’m having their parents with Philip Evans in my office first time tomorrow. -

- Why Mr. Evans? - Michael asked, wincing as Susan pulled the needle out and started rubbing him.

- He was furious when Max told him what had happened and wants to scare them with the possibility of a law suit if you decide to file for one. - Seligman was gloating. He obviously hated the four jerks too.

- Nah, they’re not worth the trouble. - Michael said.

- That’s what Max said you would say, but still Philip wants to give them something to think about tomorrow. - Forrester said.

- They deserve it! - Maria exclaimed, and Amy nodded, agreeing with her daughter.

- Ok, kid, get well, we just wanted to make sure you were alright. We’ll let you rest. - One of them squeezed his shoulder, another one patted his cheek and the other one tousled his hair. Michael didn’t know which did which but it felt good to feel them on his side.

- Thanks for coming. - Michael whispered.

- Our pleasure, kid. - They said goodbye to the three women on the couch and left.

- I just can’t believe Seligman actually came! - Maria grinned.

- Oh, he’s a nice man. - Amy said.

- Sure, cause you don’t have to take his sh…classes! - Maria corrected herself just in time, and Amy frowned at her.

Susan chuckled as she massaged Michael a little longer and returned to the couch to join Maria and Amy.

- Dr. Davis insisted on not giving him the calcium intravenous, although it would spare him the pain, because he had experienced negative reactions in several patients, but they could take it orally as an alternative. - Susan explained. -

- Why can’t Michael? - Amy was confused.

- He doesn’t tolerate oral medicine, it makes him sick. -

- What do you…oh, he throws it up…- Amy got it and Susan and Maria nodded frowning.

- Maria, what are those scars on Michael’s right side from his shoulder to his thigh? That’s what I was really asking you when the nurse came in. - Amy remembered.

- Yeah, I was about to ask you about them too. - Susan joined Amy.

Maria remembered what Liz had told Nurse Kelly and used it, changing the camping to the road trip to Tucson, so it would make sense to Amy.

The door opened again and Max, Liz and Isabel came in, saving Maria from further explanations. Deciding the room was too crowded, Susan excused herself and after telling Michael to call her if he needed anything, making sure the button was just under his thumb, she left the room. Amy nudged Maria, but she frowned and was reluctant to leave. Amy locked her arm in hers and pulled her up. She dragged her to Michael and nudged her again.

Maria leaned over and kissed Michael’s mouth until she knew her mother was about to explode, laughing inside at her revenge.

- See you tomorrow, Spaceboy. - She told him, whispering the last word so her mother wouldn’t hear it, or at least, understand it.

- Maria,,,- He protested, but Amy was adamant.

- She’ll be here tomorrow after school, Michael, you need to rest and get well soon. - Amy kissed his cheek and Michael closed his eyes and moaned.

Amy dragged Maria out of the room but when they were almost at the door, Maria broke loose.

- Forgot my bag! - And she took off running back to the room.

She burst in, got her bag from the couch, and gave Michael another searing kiss.

- Any news from Stuart? - She asked Isabel.

- No, he hasn’t called yet. -

- Call me if he does, ok? - She asked Isabel before she left as fast as she had returned.