Roswell Fanatics

Maria awoke with a start. She opened her eyes to find two heads hovering above her. She couldn’t identify the faces as they were backlit by the dim light filtering through the curtains. Panic set in.

“Maria, calm down. It’s just us.” Alex’s voice sounded.

“I’m trying to sleep here! Why don’t you and Kyle go and annoy the pod squad?” Maria complained.

“We’re here too.” Isabel called out from behind the guys. “Well, Max, Tess and I are here, Michael is missing.”

That caught Maria’s attention and the shroud of weariness that had enveloped her was thrown off.

“What happened?” Maria demanded as she grabbed her robe and they congregated on the couches.

“We really don’t know!” Tess contributed. “We put him on his cot, he was pretty out of it; as you saw, and we left!”

“The tower guards told us this morning when we found his room vacant that he had bolted last night for an unknown reason.” Max continued.

“What happened?” Maria asked. The guys remained silent having already heard the series of events from the night before.

“Michael ran out of his room and was halfway down the tower before the guards caught up with him.” Tess recalled for the third time that morning. “The guards restrained him but he managed to convince them to let him go.”

“What did he say to the guards, exactly?” Maria asked. The boys perked up, neither of them had though to ask that.

“The guards said that at first he struggled with them, and then he negotiated with them.” Max replied. “He told them that they couldn’t detain him because he was no longer Rath. The guards agreed and released him. That was the last they saw of him.”

Maria sat still, letting all of the information sink in. Something was pulling at her from the back of her mind. Michael could be anywhere by now. Knowing how hard he could be on himself; fear for his health and safety bubbled in her stomach.

A small flicker in her mind made her stop panicking. He said he was no longer Rath! That thought was startling. For Michael to have said it…

Maria suddenly realised where Michael was.

“He figured it out!” She whispered in awe.

The others had no idea what she was talking about. They all rose when she did and followed her. Maria walked across the foyer and into Liz’s room. All six of them froze when they saw Liz and Michael lying in bed together, wrapped in each other’s arms.

The group approached the bed in silence. They stood over the still figures for a few moments trying to comprehend the situation.

“Michael.” Isabel called out.

The group heard a groan. Isabel walked around the bed and stood next to Michael and called his name again.

“Shh. Five more minutes!” Liz groaned as she snuggled in closer to the warm body beside her.

“Oh my God!” Max cried out in shock. Liz was awake! Max reached over to pull Liz into his arms, mentally swearing never to let her go again!

He got as far as putting his hands around her shoulders before he found a glowing hand in his face. He looked passed the hand and saw a furious Michael practically smothering a newly awoken Liz in his arms.

Everybody froze!

Max released Liz’s shoulders and stepped back. The others in the room retreated too. Michael’s hand remained raised; his over protectiveness kicking in and numbing his senses.

A soft voice penetrated his mind.

“Michael. Lower your hand.” Liz spoke softly against his ear. “Nobody is going to harm me or the baby.”

Michael looked down at her and suddenly realised what was going on. He immediately lowered his hand; reigning in his powers.

The tense atmosphere in the room relaxed slightly. Michael unclenched his grip on Liz but didn’t release her. Liz spun around in his arms and smiled at her friends.

“Hey guys!” She stated weakly.

“Hey guys?” Kyle stated incredulously. “You figure out a plan to get our friends back, neglected to mention that you usurped their power and are now Queen; not to mention the tiny little bomb shell that you are pregnant! And all we get is a ‘hey guys?’”

“Amen!” Alex added.

Leaning back in Michael’s arms, Liz smiled ruefully. She laid her hands on top of Michael’s huge paw that rested over their child. She stroked his fingers gently trying to get him to relax his frame. His entire body was tense.

“I just didn’t want to get everybody’s hopes up.” Liz revealed. She noticed that the other hybrids were in the room. “Welcome back guys!”

“Hey Liz. How are you feeling?” Max asked with sorrow in his eyes.

“Pretty great now.” Liz replied with a smile. “Yesterday when Michael woke me up I felt really weak but after a night to recuperate I feel good.”

“Glad to hear it!” Tess chimed in with a smile.

“The sound of the door opening caught their attention. They all turned to see Larek enter. His eyes scanned the room; resting finally on the couple lying on the bed. The expression on his face changed from confusion to rapture in seconds.

“Your Highness!” He exclaimed. He walked purposefully over to the bed and bowed low, in respect of her presence.

“Hello Larek. How is everything?” Liz asked.

“As well as can be expected.” Larek replied. “Are you well enough for us to have a discussion? I believe I have some important news.”

“I hope it’s good news.” Liz teased. She rose from Michael’s arms and indicated that the others should sit down on the couches around the coffee table. Before she could stand, Michael had his arms around her and was carrying her the ten feet to the sofa. Rolling her eyes in mock frustration she wrapped her arms around his neck.

The others watched in interest as Michael sat down on the couch closest to the bed, giving Liz no other option than to sit on his lap and remain in his arms. Not that she seemed to mind in the slightest.

The hybrids sat together on another couch, displaying a united front. A front against what, they didn’t know, but there were going to face this news together. The humans spread out on the other couches. Larek remained standing.

“We know what went wrong with the process.” He revealed.

“We know what went wrong with the process.” Larek revealed.

The group sat in silence for a full minute trying to get to grips with what they were about to hear. The hybrids saw this as a double edged sword. On one hand they could be blameless, having had no control over the situation whatsoever. But that would mean that they had truly abandoned their friends. On the other hand it could have been entirely their fault and none of them wanted to contemplate being blamed for the situation.

The humans just wanted answers

Larek allowed them a moment and did not continue until all of them looked in his direction.

“As you may be aware, humans and Antarians communicate emotions very differently. Humans use body language and vocal nuances to indicate emotion. Antarians communicate this through our connection.”

Larek paused to make sure that all of them understood what he was saying.

“If I want someone to know how I feel about them I simply connect with them and allow them to feel what I feel. We can communicate love, hate, anger, distrust… all emotions. We are probably more open with our emotions than humans – often to our detriment. If you hate someone or distrust someone you are unable to hide that hate or distrust. As you can imagine; this can cause problems.”

“So, anyone who touches you can feel what you feel about them?” Liz asked curiously.

Larek nodded.

“When the Royal Four were processed the doctors attempted to reawaken this ability in them. As you can tell, it was unsuccessful, resulting in that area of their brains shutting down.”

“It didn’t shut down.” Isabel interrupted, quietly. The other hybrids nodded in agreement.

“What do you mean?” Kyle asked warily.

“It’s hard to explain…” Max stuttered.

“It didn’t shut down that part of our brain. I think it just changed its function.” Tess replied. “I didn’t feel anything, at all, after the process. No emotions of my own. Not happy or sad or remorseful. Nothing! The only time I felt anything was when I was…with…you guys.” She trailed off quietly at the end.

“I will let you discuss this in private.” Larek stated, bowing to Liz before he left.

“You felt emotions from us?” Alex asked.

“It was like a drug.” Michael added, speaking for the first time. “I couldn’t get enough!”

“Me either.” Isabel added. “I don’t know if this makes it better or worse.”

“Better!” Kyle stated immediately.

“How?” Alex queried.

“It means that Max didn’t want me for my sexy body!” Kyle replied with a wink at Max.

Liz snorted into her hands as she tried to hold back her laughter. Max flushed bright red as the others suppressed smiles.

“What did you feel from me?” Kyle asked Max directly.

“Anger, humiliation, pain…hatred.” Max replied staring at the carpet.

The girls exchanged glances. They all knew that the situation between the boys was worse than their situation. Whilst things may have been equally intimate thing for the boys had been more invasive.

“The four of us girls are going to Maria’s suite to talk.” Isabel stated looking poignantly at her brothers.

Michael tightened his grip on Liz as a panicked expression marred his features. Liz turned to him and placed a soft hand against his face.

“We need to talk things out!” She stated gently. “I’ll be fine!”

The girls rose and departed the room, leaving behind the boys, each sitting on a separate couch, the silence deafening.

A few minutes of subtle glances passed before Kyle got fed up.

“What else did you feel from me Max?” Kyle demanded.

Max looked up, startled. He exchanged pained glances with Michael before answering in a hoarse voice.

“Pleasure.”

“From me too, right?” Alex added.

Both males hybrids nodded.

“Obviously Kyle and I have had more time to process what we went through; so we have dealt with a lot of this crap!” He continued.

Michael squirmed in discomfort. He really, really did not want to talk about this.

“Yes, Kyle and I got pleasure from it.” Alex stated.

“Sometimes!” Kyle added sending a mock glare at Max and Michael.

“How can you joke about this?” Michael asked incredulously. He felt ill just thinking about it. The things he had done to them, with them and for them… He shuddered on horror.

“Liz and Maria made us make out!” Alex dead-panned.

“What?” Max demanded, in shock.

“Alex and I lived in fear for a long time that us getting any pleasure whatsoever from what happened made us… gay!” Kyle replied seriously. A small grin found its way onto his lips as he continued. “After a little orgy that we had…”

“A little what?” Max interrupted his voice breaking.

“Whenever we were left, unfinished, so to speak, we took it upon ourselves to complete the job!” Alex clarified. “There’s only so much one wrist can take!”

Max looked to Michael in astonishment but found only a knowing nod from his friend. When questioned about it, Michael revealed that Liz had already told him about it.

“It was a full kiss.” Kyle continued. “But there was nothing behind it.”

Michael and Max nodded in understanding.

“It’s going to take a long time and lots of work for us to become friends the way we were before. Who knows, we may become better friends because of it. But there is still a lot of anger and humiliation there, I can’t speak for Alex or the girls but for myself there are still a lot of issues to work out.” Kyle stated. “I forgive you, it wasn’t you and we know that for certain now, but some of those feelings won’t disappear over night.”

“I forgive you too.” Alex added. “We will work it out. Not that there’s much option not to work it out. We can’t go home in a huff so we’re stuck with each other!” He joked! “Why don’t we go and see the girls? I don’t think Michael is going to last much longer being unable to see Liz.”

Michael looked up in shock. He didn’t thing that he had been that obvious.

Kyle and Alex exchanged glances and proceeded to tell the hybrids about their new empathic powers that seemed to be growing if Alex could sense what Michael was feeling without even touching him.

Through in Maria’s suite the girls were talking through their issues. Liz and Maria were sitting on one sofa facing Isabel and Tess who were obviously uncomfortable. Liz and Maria smiled at each other and exchanged knowing glances.

“Is there anything you guys would like to say?” Liz asked trying to start the discussion.

“We are so sor…” Isabel stated before being interrupted by Maria.

“Except that! I don’t know it I can take one more apology!” She joked. “We know that it wasn’t your fault. None of us could have predicted this!”

“What did you sense from us?” Liz asked.

Tess and Isabel froze in shock. Neither of them was sure of how to answer.

“Good emotions or bad ones?” Maria probed.

“Good!” Tess replied with Isabel nodding in agreement.

“I found it quite stimulating at times!” Liz confessed.

“Me too!” Maria agreed.

“What?” Isabel cried out.

“At times you were quite generous.” Maria clarified. “At other times you were quite selfish and we had to finish each other off.”

“You four..?” Tess asked in wonderment.

“Yep, I’ve had sex with Alex, Kyle and Maria!” Liz mock bragged. She noticed the grin on Maria’s face and questioned her about it.

“Was it just me or is Alex surprisingly…”

“Well hung?” Liz finished for her. “Yup, he is packing!”

Isabel and Tess blushed at the open conversation between the friends, unaware of how their friendship had progressed during their time in captivity.

“You two didn’t think so?” Liz teased trying to draw them into the conversation. “Alex wasn’t the biggest but as far as I am aware all of our boys are well endowed.”

“Yeah! We all know who the biggest is!” Maria retorted. “Girl, you are lucky you can walk!”

“Maria!” Isabel called out in shock.

“He felt something powerful from you Liz.” Maria continued bringing a serious note to the conversation. “Do you know what it was?”

She was asking now because she wasn’t sure if Michael would ever leave her alone long enough again for her to have some quality girl time.

“What do you mean?” Liz asked trying to dodge the question.

“You know what I mean.” Maria retorted pointedly. “Did anything happen between you guys before we left Earth?”

“Almost!” Liz confessed.

This caught Isabel and Tess completely off guard. Neither had ever suspected that Michael or Liz felt anything for each other.

“Almost?” Maria asked as anger tinged her voice.

“Max and I were still dealing with him having slept with Tess.” Liz threw Tess an apologetic look for bringing it up. “You had just left for New York. Michael and I had just finished a shift at the Crashdown and were cleaning up. We were just sitting at the counter eating cake.”

“That’s it?” Isabel interjected.

“No.” Liz replied. “We started talking. I didn’t want to go upstairs to my journal and Michael didn’t want to go home to an empty apartment. We talked about everything and anything.”

Pausing to clear her throat, Liz braved a look at Maria who was listening intently.

“We got into more personal topics and started talking about our failed relationships. Let’s just say that we acknowledged a mutual attraction and made an unspoken agreement that nothing would ever happen about it”

“Anything else happen?” Maria asked. She wanted full disclosure.

“After that I walked him to the backdoor. Before he left he just brushed his lips gently against mine. He pulled away, looked me in the eye and said goodnight.” Liz finished.

Maria nodded, reaching for her friend’s hand. She squeezed it gently letting Liz know that she was not angry with her.

“You guys are amazing.” Tess blurted out.

“No, you know what’s amazing?” Maria retorted. “Liz’s boobs!”

Liz burst out laughing as she looked down at her ample bosom.

“They are impressive, aren’t they?” She laughed.

Tess and Isabel flushed scarlet and looked to the floor. Neither of them really knew why they had altered her breasts.

“I like them bigger but perhaps they are a little too big. Can you guys reduce them?” Liz asked. Isabel nodded and rose from the couch. Liz met her in the middle and opened the front of her dress so Isabel could touch her breasts directly.

Maria smothered a laugh at the highly uncomfortable look on Isabel’s face. It wasn’t like she hadn’t touched or seen them before. In mock exhaustion Maria rose and grabbed Isabel’s wrists placing her hands on Liz’s flesh.

Isabel gasped and Liz squeaked.

“You’re hands are cold.” Liz complained laughing.

Unable to look her in the eye, Isabel concentrated on the task of reducing the size of the breasts in her hands. Naturally the guys chose that moment to enter the room. They all froze!

Isabel quickly finished her task and pulled her hands away from Liz, as though she had been burned. Liz readjusted her dress around her smaller chest before sitting back on the couch with all the dignity she could muster.

Valiantly attempting to smother their own laughter, Isabel, Tess and Maria all returned to the couches. They looked at the guys, expectantly.

Alex and Kyle originally seemed confused but once they realised that Isabel was reducing the size of Liz’s chest; they both adopted comical disappointed expressions.

Max was uncomfortable having just seen his sister fondle Liz. After everything they had been through he couldn’t think about touching any of them in such an intimate way.

Michael looked slightly angry. He didn’t want anybody touching Liz. The others were too close to her and their baby. He was not happy about it.

“Did you guys discuss everything?” Maria asked with a smile.

After a moment’s pause the boys continued into the room. Michael immediately took the seat next to Liz. Max followed suit and sat down next to Maria. Being closest, Alex took the seat next to Tess whilst Kyle sat down next to Isabel.

“We talked!” Alex replied. “How about you guys?”

“Things were discussed!” Liz replied coyly. She had been pulled into Michael’s arms, his hands immediately moving to cover her stomach. She rested against him and relaxed until she heard her stomach growl. Grinning ruefully she asked Michael to call for a servant. They asked for food to be brought and sat in a relatively comfortable silence until the food arrived.

They sat on the couches in each other’s company for the first time in about six months. For the first time they felt safe and confident. They all hoped that it would last.

You guys are all so sweet with your feedback! I love getting it and knowing that people actually like what I am writing! Thank you!

Later on that evening the hybrids were settling into their old accommodation; their friends had insisted. Michael was clearing off his desk and reading war reports when someone knocked on his door.

“Hey man, what are you up to?” Max asked nervously. He and Michael had rarely been intimate but it was still uncomfortable being in the same room as his friend knowing what he looked like naked!

“Going over some field reports; seeing how things have progressed since we were out of commission.” Michael replied without looking up. “Let’s not do this, Max! We both know that we had no control so let’s just leave it at that.”

“That wasn’t what I wanted to talk to you about.” Max replied, finally getting Michael to look at him. “I want to talk about Liz.”

Michael froze.

“What about her?” He asked warily.

“When you were ‘out of it’ there was something about her that drew you to her.” Max stated as he took a seat on the other side of the desk.

“So?” Michael retorted.

“What do I not know?” Max questioned him. “I’m not stupid Michael; the fact that you were drawn to her, the fact that she is the only one who is pregnant and the way you are acting around her all add up to something. The question is…what?”

“What does Liz being pregnant have to do with anything?” Michael asked in avoidance.

“Four girls are engaged in multi-partner unprotected sex over a period of over six months and only one of them gets pregnant?” Max exclaimed. “Come on! Give me some credit!”

“What do you want to hear?” Michael asked.

“It’s not about what I want to hear.” Max nearly yelled. “It’s about the truth!”

Max rose from his seat and began to pace in front of Michael’s desk. Michael began to feel like he was watching a tennis match.

“Sit down, Max.” He requested. “What do you want to know?”

“What did you feel from her?” Max asked, preparing himself for the worst.

“There were so many emotions.” Michael stated trying to sort out his own emotions about the subject. “They ranged from betrayal, anger and humiliation to lust, desire and…”

“Love.” Max finished for him. Seeing Michael duck his head; Max knew that the feelings were reciprocated. “Since when?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Michael stated as he rose from his seat.

“Sit down.” Max ordered.

Michael complied.

“What happened?” Max demanded.

“Nothing happened.” Michael replied.

“Something did otherwise you wouldn’t be trying to avoid this conversation.” Max retorted.

“We talked.” Michael replied vaguely. He knew that that answer wasn’t going to do it. “We were talking about you and Maria one night after closing the Crashdown. You had slept with Tess and Maria had just left me for New York. Kind of a commiseration.”

“What did you talk about?” Max probed.

“I bitched about Maria being flaky and not knowing what she wanted and messing me around. To my shock Liz agreed with me.” Michael remembered.

“What?” Max asked.

“She said that Maria kept trying to change all of the things about me that made me unique.” Michael recalled. “Then she started complaining about you.”

“What did she say?” Max asked nervously, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to hear this stuff.

“I don’t want to break her confidence.” Michael replied but seeing the look of desperation on Max’s face he continued. “She complained about you putting her on a pedestal; making her out to be something that she wasn’t. She thinks that her not matching up to the perfect version you had of her in your head was what made you sleep with Tess.”

“Wow!” Max stated.

“I told her you were an idiot. That if I had her I would never treat her the way you did.” Michael revealed. “You heaped all of your crap on her. All of your doubts and fears became hers. There is only so much one person can take. Even one as strong as Liz.”

“What did she say in response to that?” Max asked, in realisation. Michael was right.

“She said that even though I wasn’t perfect she wouldn’t change a thing about me because then I wouldn’t be me anymore.” Michael said in a soft voice. “She said that there was no such thing as a perfect person. It is our imperfections that make people ‘perfect’ for each other.”

“Meaning what exactly?” Max asked in a thick voice.

“That the strengths of one person make up for the weaknesses of another. That’s why they say opposites attract. For example, Isabel’s confidence and Alex’s openness.” Michael clarified.

“Though it seems more Alex and Tess at the moment.” Max joked trying to lighten the situation.

“Yeah, Kyle and Issy too.” Michael added.

“What happened after you talked?” Max asked trying to continue the conversation.

“I got up to leave and she followed me to the backdoor so she could lock it.” Michael was unsure whether or not to tell Max about the kiss but in the end decided that full disclosure was probably best. “I kissed her.”

Max’s head shot up in shock.

“Not a full kiss but I just touched my lips to hers.” Michael revealed. “I said goodbye or something like that and then I left. We never spoke about it.”

”Why did you kiss her?” Max needed to know.

“It was a moment!” Michael replied. “Of courage or insanity I don’t know. Maybe I didn’t think I would ever get another opportunity.”

“Have the two of you discussed what you are going to do?” Max asked.

“About what?”

“Your relationship. Are you together or not? About the baby, how things are going to be for…” Max trailed off, not wanting to say ‘it’.

“Him.” Michael clarified, a grin fluttering across his lips.

“A boy?” Max asked in awe.

“Michael nodded in pride. He was certain that had the baby been a girl he would have been equally happy, but there was a sense of stupid male pride that came along with fathering a son.

“Liz and I have barely made a dent in the past.” Michael recounted. “All of the decisions are in her hands. I will go along with whatever she wants.”

“What if she doesn’t want to be with you?” Max queried.

“Then I will accept that.” Michael replied through clenched teeth.

“Do you want to be with her?” Max asked.

Michael nodded.

“Max, I know that you love her, I know that. But I need her. I can’t explain it; I just need her.” Michael pleaded. “I hope she won't, but if Liz tried to stop me from seeing my son, Max you have to help me!”

“I doubt that there would be anything I could do and judging by the way that Liz is acting right now, do you honestly believe she would ever try to separate you and your son?” Max replied.

“Please, just promise me.” Michael begged.

“I promise.” Max stated as he rose from his chair and exited the room. He needed to process everything her had heard.

Max walked back to his suite and sat down at his desk. Guilt and shame gnawed at his stomach and head until he felt quite ill. Taking a deep breath he tried to shake those feelings off. He feared that he would carry those emotions with his for the rest of his life. A knock at the door broke him from his melancholy.

“My Lord.” Larek stated as he entered the room. “May I have a moment of your time?”

“Of course.” Max replied. “Please have a seat.”

“I understand that it is not long since your return but the question of the succession remains.” Larek began. “The Elders voted unanimously to depose Zan and the other reconstituted Royals when they received proof that an heir was present.”

“Liz became Queen.” Max stated.

“In name only. She was not crowned. We have not spoken to her concerning her continuity as Monarch. She has a great deal to cope with at the moment.” Larek clarified.

“What is the position of the Elders?” Max asked.

“You have to understand that even thought they are the wisest of us; they are also the most traditional.” Larek was hesitant to continue.

“Meaning?” Max demanded.

“A human Monarch in their eyes is unacceptable.” Larek confessed.

“What?” Max asked in shock. “They are aware of everything she has done, right?”

“Yes they are aware.” Larek replied morosely. “They would consent to her as Consort but not as Monarch. For that they still support you.”

“They know what I did, right?” Max asked in anger. “They also know that I am half human?”

“You have the blood, powers and most importantly the lineage of King Zan.” Larek stated. “The way you were during the process is not how Zan was, at all!”

“This is unbelievable!” Max sat back wearily.” After all she has done they are just going to toss her aside? They are nuts! She would make a much better ruler than me!”

Larek did not disagree with him. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by Max.

Thank you to my loyal readers - your posts are lovely and sweet. I appreciate them all!

****

Isabel sat on the end of her bed in her old room, surrounded by all of her beautiful things, and felt miserable. A question burned in her and she was slowly driving herself crazy as whether or not she had the right to ask for an answer. Eventually, tiring of the headache she was giving herself, she rose to her full height and walked out of her suite and down the corridor.

A brief hesitation stalled her at the door but she recovered and knocked on the door. A voice called back asking who was there; she gave her name and was permitted to enter. She entered the room with her chin held high and her hands gently clasped in front of her stomach.

“The Ice Princess Cometh.” Kyle teased.

Isabel’s front immediately faltered and a look of uncertainty crossed her face. Her gaze fell to the floor and her lips moved as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the courage.

Kyle was stunned that one sentence from him had reduced Isabel Evans to a startled wreck. She looked highly uncomfortable.

“I should go.” She stated, lifting her long skirt an inch so she wouldn’t trip over it and turned to leave.

“You came here for a reason, Isabel.” Kyle stated. “Your entrance just screamed ‘woman on a mission’. What’s wrong?”

“I would like to talk to you…please.” Isabel mumbled.

Kyle walked over to her and took her gently by the elbow and led her to a couch. They sat or a moment in silence; Isabel gathering her thoughts and Kyle sensing her turmoil.

“I felt a lot of emotions from you.” Isabel states. “I don’t remember any bad feelings but there were a lot of good ones.”

“I found comfort in you, Isabel.” Kyle revealed. “The things that happened between the guys and me left me feeling very confused.”

“It confuses them…us too.” Isabel confessed, her complexion being tinged with pink.

“What good feelings did you sense from me?” Kyle questioned.

“Pleasure.” Isabel replied with an odd sense of satisfaction. “Joy, lust and not quite happy but…relieved, I guess.”

“What else?” Kyle probed. “You came here for a reason, Is. Now is your chance.”

“Love?” Isabel asked. Kyle nodded, confusing her even more. She couldn’t understand how Kyle could love her.

“Who couldn’t fall in love with you?” Kyle teased. “Not your beauty Isabel, you heart.”

“Since when?” Isabel asked as warmth spread through her body.

“I don’t know.” Kyle confessed. “I think it came to the surface when we had sex.”

Isabel’s eyebrows shot up and a hurt look appeared on her face.

“Not like that!” Kyle hurriedly reassured her. “It’s hard to explain; there has always been a physical attraction for me, but I didn’t really think anything of it.” Kyle paused to take her hand in his. “I think that I affected you when you were ‘processed’. You responded to my touches and I really don’t know how else to explain it. I found warmth and comfort in you, even in that state.”

Isabel melted at his kind words. Without thinking, she leaned in to kiss him. The kiss didn’t deepen but it was sweet and full of emotion. Her brain kicked in and she pulled back, horrified.

“Oh my God!” She cried. “I am so sorry. After all that we did to you for me to just throw myself…”

Her words died on her lips as Kyle pressed their bodies together and silenced her with another kiss. He lightly ran his lips over hers. Kyle pulled her bottom lip between his lips and sucked on it gently. Releasing her mouth he ran the tip of his tongue over her top lip eliciting a moan from her resulting in Kyle deepening the kiss.

Isabel had stiffened when Kyle touched his lips to hers but she soon melted under his tender ministrations.

Their tongues duelled, caressed and explored each other’s mouth. Isabel’s hands were pressed against his pectorals, remembering the lines of his chest. Kyle’s arms were wrapped around her body, his hands running up and down her back.

When the kiss ended, Isabel lowered her eyes to Kyle’s chest and fought to control her breathing. She had no clue what to do or say.

Kyle removed his right hand from her waist and ran his fingers through her long, soft golden locks. Isabel groaned in pleasure and looked him in the eyes. She saw the small smile on his lips as he lowered his face to hers, recapturing her lips in a searing kiss.

***

Tess sat out on her balcony and looked beyond the palace walls to the city. It was vast and beautiful and completely daunting. An unsettling realisation formed in her mind and she shuddered at the thoughts they evoked.

A noise to her right brought her out of her stupor. She looked over and saw Alex leaning out on his balcony. She knew that he wasn’t aware of her presence and she was unsure if she should talk to him or not. She was torn between staying still, speaking to him or quietly slipping back into her room.

As she was lost in thought, Alex turned and saw the looks of distress and confusion on her pretty face. His natural compassion prompted him to call out her name. He waited a moment for an answer but received none. His second attempt was successful and Tess was startled into looking at him.

“How are you doing?” Alex asked turning to lean against the stone railing.

“I’m ok.” Tess replied; her eyes remained fixed at a downward angle.

Alex, sensing her unease, climbed over the dividing wall between the balconies. Despite his size he was fairly stealthy and Tess was unaware of his presence until he laid a hand on her shoulder. Alex kneeled in front of her and tried to get her to look at him.

“Tess, please don’t do this to yourself.” Alex spoke in a soft voice. “What’s going on in your head?” He rose and sat beside her but refrained from touching her, wanting to give her some space.

“I feel lost.” Tess confessed. “I always believed that I would come back and everything would feel natural and comfortable and I would be home.”

“You’re made so much of it in your mind and heart that the reality could never match up to the fantasy.” Alex reasoned.

Tess began to cry.

“Tess?” Alex was confused. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her as he would with Liz or Maria.

“Part of me wishes that we hadn’t been de-processed.” Tess sobbed.

Alex was stunned but maintained his grip on her. His mind was attempting to compute any reason why she would want to stay that way but he was at a loss.

“Talk to me Tess. Why?” Alex pressed.

After taking a moment to calm down she gathered her thoughts.

“I don’t want to feel like this!” She hiccupped. “Before when we were processed it was easier. There was security in it; everything was instinctual and based on prior knowledge or experience. There was no guilt or shame. Now I just feel so lost.”

“No I don’t suppose there was.” Alex replied in realisation “There was freedom and no consequences.”

“I hate this!” Tess exclaimed.

“Everything is a two sided coin, though.” Alex continued; his eyes gazing into the distance. “There is no guilt certainly, but think of all that you lose.”

“Like what?” Tess asked, looking at him for the first time.

“You lose pain and sorrow bit you also lose happiness, joy and love.” Alex explained. “I would take all of the pain in the world just so I could receive love. Without one the other doesn’t exist.”

Tess looked him in the eye in shock. She remembered her encounters with him and when she got past the shame she remembered his gentle touches and soft lips. Her memories of his emotions were foggy and uncertain.

“I’ve never had love.” Tess revealed.

“Yet.” Alex relied softly.

Tess looked at him in confusion, but she felt a slight tingle in her hands and feet. Alex leaned back onto the stone the bench; his arm still wrapped around her shoulders. Tess instinctively leaned back against him. It took a moment or two to relax against him but when she did…she felt.

She felt comfortable and warm. She felt peaceful and relieved. She felt safe and protected.

Maybe one day in the near future she would feel love too.

***

Maria attempted to adopt a trait from her best friend. She sat on the floor in front of the doors that led out to her balcony; her empty journal sitting on her lap. Her skirts were pulled up, bunched around her thighs as she leaned on her crossed legs, her pen hovering over the blank pages.

She didn’t know how Liz did it. How do you pour your heart into something inanimate? You got no reactions, no responses. She had no clue how to start. She was relieved that someone interrupted her by entering her room.

“You busy?” Max’s voice called out. Maria replied in the negative. “Where are you?” Max asked as he stepped into the room.

“Over here!” Maria replied.

Max smiled when he saw her and joined her on the floor. He proceeded to tell her about his meeting with Larek.

“That’s unbelievable.” Maria gasped. Her anger rising on her best friends’ behalf. “After everything she has done…that’s it?”

“I know how you feel.” Max replied. “I know it would be better for me to be the one to tell her, but what the hell am I going to say to her?”

“How do you feel about the fact that they still support you?” Maria questioned.

“Surprised.” Max answered honestly. “When we were ‘processed’ we were pretty useless.”

“Didn’t you get anything done?” Maria asked.

“We were engaged in other…activities.” Max replied his ears turning pink.

“And now that you are back with clearer memories of who Zan was, they probably have more hope of a functioning Royal Court.” Maria reasoned.

“How do you think Liz will react?” Max asked, worriedly.

“I really don’t know. I think she will be quite relieved to relinquish power to you.” Maria hypothesised. “I mean, if she wants to retain power what is she going to do? Raise an army?”

“Probably not.” Max chuckled. He braved a few glances at Maria’s quizzical brow before venturing into a new conversation. “What do you think about Michael and Liz?”

“Ooo, fun topic.” Maria joked. “I think that it is very complicated.”

“So Liz told you about the tête-à-tête she had with Michael.” Max guessed.

“Michael told you?” Maria asked in shock.

“Yes, I didn’t give him much choice, I was pretty demanding.” Max replied ruefully. “I was put in my place, let me tell you.”

“What do you mean?” Maria asked,

“Michael told me that I put too much pressure on Liz during our relationship.” Max recounted. “He said that she thought I was disappointed in her that’s why I slept with Tess.”

“Disappointed?”

“That she didn’t live up to my image, my fantasy of her.” Max answered.

“Why did you sleep with Tess?” Maria asked.

Max’s eyes lifted in shock. Maria remembered the first time she ever saw Max. Max and Isabel were joining her and Liz’s second grade class. He was this pale little boy with huge glassy eyes. He looked so overwhelmed, sad and lost. Very much like he did now.

“There isn’t one answer to that question.” Max replied, dropping his gaze to the floor, his fingers picking at the hem of his shirt. “Liz was pulling away from me; at the time I thought she was backing off because of Tess; but now I think it was her attraction to Michael. Tess was always there for me. I knew that she had some plan to get us into a relationship but it was nice to have someone who genuinely cared about the problems I was having.”

“You think I didn’t care?” Maria asked in a hurt tone.

“I knew that you cared but you had to have been getting sick and tired of hearing me whine all the time.” Max replied gently. “With Tess I started to wonder about who we used to be. I have loved her in a previous life but was it possible to love her in this one?”

“The ‘what if’ factor.” Maria stated in understanding.

“Exactly. What if my feelings for Liz were suppressing my feelings for Tess? What it what Tess said was right and we were made for each other? The questions went round and round my head constantly. It started to drive me nuts.”

Max was relieved that Maria understood him. She always seemed to grasp exactly what he meant.

“So you gave into temptation?” Maria replied.

“Yeah I did.” Max answered. “And it wasn’t worth it.”

Noticing Maria’s raised eyebrow Max blushed in realisation of what he had just said.

“In that sense it was most definitely worth it.” Max quickly defended Tess’ performance. “But compared to what I lost…”

“What did you lose?” Maria asked. “Liz forgave you.”

“I don’t think that she ever really did.” Max revealed. “I lost her trust. I always wanted to have a relationship with her that was based on love, friendship and trust. By breaking her trust I destroyed the basis of our relationship.”

“Oh, I see.” Maria spoke softly.

“And how are you?” Max asked trying to change the topic of conversation to a less painful subject. “What are you writing?”

“I am trying to start a journal.” Maria replied sensing his need for a conversation change. “I have a lot of feelings and thoughts that I need to express.”

“But a journal isn’t you.” Max stated in confusion. “That’s Liz’s form of expression, you are more vocal. You and Liz are so different that at times it seems odd that you are so close. What works for her may not work for you.”

“I know. I’ve been sitting her for over an hour just staring at a blank page. I have no idea how she does it.” Maria tossed the book aside in annoyance.

“Talk to me.” Max suggested quietly. “If you feel comfortable doing that. Consider it me paying you back for all the times you were there for me.”

They sat together on the floor talking for over three hours. Maria spoke abut her experiences with all seven of her friends, how she felt about them and how she felt about Michael’s and Liz’s relationship.

She was surprised how easy it was to talk to Max and them having had sex. She wasn’t shy about it and found him an attentive listener who only occasionally interrupted to ask insightful questions or make revelations.

Max sat and listened to Maria with patience. He was surprised at how different she was from the girl he knew back on Earth. On Earth Maria had been known to go off on ranting tangents of thought but here she spoke calmly and rationally.

Max was mesmerised by the melodic sound of her voice.

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Liz sat on the couch staring out of the window. She felt strange being alone, without Michael hovering around her. She felt an odd sense of security when he was around. But then again, she always had.

She felt a sudden pang to see him. She wasn’t sure where it came from but it was overwhelming. Her hand drifted to her stomach where she felt another strong emotional pull. The baby wanted her to be near Michael.

Liz rose from the couch and made her way down the foyer to Michael’s suite. The pull was still as strong when she knocked on Michael’s door and was told to enter.

“Are you busy?” Liz asked as she walked towards the desk. She focused on every twitch on his face and every glimmer in his eyes trying to read him. He was surprised to see her and uncomfortable.

“Is everything ok?” Michael asked as he put the papers he was holding back on the desk. His hands lowered to his thighs where he discreetly wiped the sweat that had suddenly accumulated there.

Liz didn’t say a word as she rounded the desk and took hold of one of Michael’s hands and placed the palm on her belly. She felt Michael stiffen as she touched him and watched his expression change from confused to subtle joy the moment he felt his son’s need to be near him.

“It looked like we are going to have a Daddy’s boy!” Liz chuckled as she reached up with her hand to thread his hair between her fingers. Michael said nothing and Liz grew concerned. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to talk.” Michael stated softly, relishing in the physical contact with Liz. Her belly beneath his hand and her fingers dancing across his scalp. But it wasn’t enough. His free hand reached up to her hip and spun her round to sit on his lap.

As soon as he had done it he regretted it. Hadn’t he done enough to force her into situations that she didn’t want to be in? He automatically removed his hands from her body. To his surprise and shock she remained on his lap, merely turning to more comfortable position and returning her fingers to his hair.

“What do you want to talk about?” Liz asked in a soothing tone. She knew from discussions with Maria that Michael was not one to open these kind of relationship talks.

“I know that after everything I have done that I really don’t deserve to ask you for anything.” Michael began. His eyes were fixed on the papers on his desk. Liz gently placed her free hand under his chin to lift his gaze to hers. After a moments hesitation he swallowed hard and looked into her eyes. His eyes full of sorrow met her eyes full of compassion.

“What do you want?” Liz asked. “No matter how big or small I want you to tell me.”

“I want you.” Michael gasped. “I want our baby. I want you to marry me. I want you to not be afraid of me. I want to stop feeling guilty about touching you and thinking about you. I want you to want me as much as I want you…”

“Yes.” Liz replied.

“Yes?” Michael asked in confusion.

“I believe you just asked me to marry you and I am saying yes.” Liz replied with a small smile on her lips but with luminous eyes. “I told you before that I am not afraid of you. Don’t feel guilty about touching me because I want you to.”

Michael had glassy eyes and his lower lip trembled slightly. He had just done the thing he was most afraid of in the world. He had bared his soul. And gotten everything he wanted.

“You are going to be a wonderful father. I know it and so does our son.” Liz stated kissing Michael lightly on the lips. A playful grin was evident on her lips. “But let’s see how you do as a husband first.”

Michael raised his eyebrows in confusion. His mind was still reeling from the fact he had proposed and she had said yes. He felt her fingers pulling open the buttons on his shirt. His hands restrained her wrists gently.

“This isn’t about what you want.” Liz stated firmly. “This is about what I want.”

Michael immediately released her wrists and allowed her to strip him of his shirt. Liz kissed him gently again as her hands explored his torso. She felt feminine pride when he groaned and as she felt him harden beneath her.

Michael gave into the temptation to touch her. His hands ran up and down her sides. He became braver when he saw her relax under his touch. He groaned in ecstasy and self imposed agony when Liz lowered her head and licked his nipple.

Liz abruptly stood up and took Michael’s hand in hers and led him over to his bed. Michael followed her, allowing her to dictate everything that happened. She turned him so he sat on the bed and firmly placed her lips on his.

Michael responded.

He ignored the guilt, doubt and shame that lay entrenched in his soul, heart and skin. He ignored his deep seated self doubt and his flight instinct.

Instead he poured every ounce of emotion into that kiss. His desire, love, lust and fear. His fingers found the zip to her dress and he pulled it down slowly giving her every opportunity to stop him.

She didn’t.

He felt her hands over his body, soft and tender, her moist lips sucking on his and he felt her pulse hammering wildly beneath his hand that rested on her neck.

Her kisses were ardent and passionate. Michael felt her warmth and love. His hands pulled her dress off of her shoulders and let it pool at her feet. He felt her hands trail down his chest and pull at his trousers. She unbuttoned his trousers and tugged at them. Michael raised himself off of the bed and his trousers joined her dress on the floor.

Liz straddled his legs as he sat back down. Michael grew bolder, his hands roaming freely and his lips sucked her neck. Liz pressed against him and made him lie down on the bed. Liz remained sitting across him as she ran her hands across his chest, face and arms. She took his hand and sucked on his fingers. Michael groaned and shifted beneath her.

Their pseudo innocent touches and heightened emotional state had driven their desire sky high. The want was palpable. Liz reached behind her and removed her bra, revealing her breasts to him.

Michael lay still for a moment in awe of her beauty and courage. Liz towered above him; seemingly unperturbed by his stillness. She rose onto her knees and pulled his underwear down his legs leaving him bare and vulnerable. She removed her own underwear and slowly lay over Michael and resumed kissing him.

Michael’s touches became light and hesitant. The combined sweat of their bodies created an unbelievable friction. They became heady and their emotions caught up with their physical reactions to each other.

Michael gripped her hips and lifted her slightly off of him and impaled her on his throbbing cock. Liz moaned loudly in pleasure, tossing her head back and digging her nails into his pecs. Michael nearly lost it and fought against every urge he had to climax deep inside of her.

Liz rose into a sitting position and took control of the situation. She was comfortable with her body being entwined with his. She felt at ease and in control. She felt the power he was giving her. She was in charge and planned on using it to her advantage.

Liz squeezed his cock tightly as she rose off of him. Michael growled in pleasure as his hands gripped her hips then slid up to fondle her breasts. He looked up into her face as she rode him expertly. She knew his body and how to please him. He remembered every encounter with her and knew how to make her melt. He was close and knew that she needed more.

His fingers pinched her nipples, eliciting a sensual moan from her mouth, and then he slid his hands down her back to her bottom. He knew it was sensitive for her. He massaged her taut ass before sliding down to caress the juncture where her ass met her thighs. Liz’s moans became more rapid and vocal as he teasingly touched her.

“Michael, please don’t tease me.” Liz panted as her head rolled back in pleasurable agony.

“Tell me what you need, baby.” Michael’s voice was husky and soft.

“I need to come.” Liz cried. “I need you to make me come.”

Michael needed to further begging. He sat up and gripped her hips. He helped her rhythm and pushed himself into her as she came down on his cock. Liz leaned forwards to wrap her arms around his shoulders for support, her head buried in the crook of his neck. She whimpered in agony; part of her needed desperately to orgasm and the other part of her didn’t want this to end. She could feel through Michael’s taut muscles that he was close.

“Finish us, please.” Liz moaned into his neck.

Michael lowered one hand to her clit as the other rose to her breast. Michael pinched her nipple hard as his other hand used a tiny amount of power to shock her clit. Liz yelped in pleasure her orgasm taking over as her body convulsed. Her inner muscles clamped down on Michael’s cock and he came inside of her. Liz bit down on his shoulder hard as his body shaking triggered another orgasm.

After a few moments Michael lay back taking Liz with him. He was still buried inside of her and had no intention of moving any time soon. Liz was still panting and trembling in his arms.

There were times when he was jealous of the female sex. He had a strong suspicion that their orgasms were better, longer. Men felt pleasure externally whilst women felt it internally. It had to be better.

He looked down and saw Liz lying in his arms. He felt a peace he had never known.

“What are you thinking about?” Michael asked, noticing the far away look in Liz’s eyes.

“Just wondering if you were up for round two in the shower?” Liz grinned sexily.

Michael didn’t reply but looked away for a moment. Liz became concerned that she had hurt his feelings or something.

“What?”

“Thank you.” Michael whispered as he sniffed loudly. He turned to look at her and she could see the unshed tears in his eyes. “I have no idea what I have done to deserve you. I have no idea how you can forgive us so easily or trust us so readily.”

“Michael…” Liz stated.

“I am going to marry you.” Michael continued as though she hadn’t spoken. “I can’t promise you paradise or perfection but I can promise you love. My heart and my soul are yours.”

“I don’t want paradise or perfection.” Liz replied with tears stinging her eyes. “I want reality. I want love. I’ll take your heart and soul and I’ll put them with mine.”

Michael kissed her gently. It was soft and sweet. Full of promises of things to come.

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Michael was using his powers to dry Liz’s hair when he heard a knock at the door. He and Liz were both dressed in only towels but before Michael could call out to his visitor to wait, the door opened.

“Michael, have you seen Liz? We want to call a group meet…” Isabel froze when she saw them. “…ing.”

“Where?” Liz asked, unembarrassed.

“If you are going to knock Isabel.” Michael growled; his body tense. “I suggest you wait for a reply before you come barging in.”

“Sorry.” Isabel replied, disbelief evident in her voice. “In Max’s room in about thirty minutes.”

After staring for a moment; Isabel shook herself out of her stupor and left the room. Liz turned to face Michael, who sat on the edge of the bed. She smiled and leaned in to kiss him.

“Grouch.” She teased.

“What if we had been naked? Or making love?” Michael retorted, returning his fingers to her damp hair.

“You act like she’s never seen it before!” Liz snorted.

“Yeah, but from now on I am the only one who gets to see you naked.” Michael retorted. “Nude.”

He kissed her on the nose.

“Bare.” He kissed her lips.

“As sexy.” He licked her lower lip and pulled it between his teeth.

“As sensual.” His hands released her towel.

“As erotic.”

Liz moaned and gave into his ardent and passionate kisses. Michael pulled her onto his lap. She could feel his erection beneath the fabric of the towel; it was pleasurably rough against her pussy. She ground her hips against him causing them both to moan.

Michael rolled them over and pulled off his towel. Liz’s nails dug into his back as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Unlike their love making earlier their actions were rough and frantic.

They had need. They had passion. They had thirty minutes.

Over in Max’s suite the rest of the group were listening to Isabel as she related what she had seen.

“Any doubts about their current status have been clarified.” Isabel stated. “They are together.”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions.” Max reasoned. “They may still be in the process of working things out.”

“They were both in towels and Michael was using his powers to dry her hair.” Isabel retorted.

“She makes a good point!” Kyle joked. “So what is this meeting about anyway?”

“I think it would be better to talk about it when Liz and Michael get here.” Maria replied.

“You know?” Tess asked in surprise. She was curious about the connection between Maria and Max. She knew that as friends they were close and that their mutual loss of Michael and Liz would have bound them together, but this was something else. Max obviously relied on Maria more than any of them knew about.

“Yes, Max and I talked about it the other day.” Maria answered. She shot a look at Max underneath her lashes and found him looking at her. A feint blush painted her skin as she looked away. She saw Tess smirk. When the two made eye contact Tess’ smirk changed into a satisfied, knowing smile.

“What’s going on?” Kyle asked as he noticed the glances between Maria and Tess. He looked over at Max and found him gazing at Maria. Kyle looked over at Isabel in confusion only to find a mirrored expression on her face.

“You don’t know?” Alex stated with laughter in his voice.

“Know what?” Isabel demanded. She did not like being kept out of the loop.

“Max and Maria sitting in a tree. K.I.S.S.I.N.G.” Alex sang.

“What?” Kyle asked in a high pitched voice. He coughed and lowered his voice to a more masculine pitch. “What?”

“It seems that Max and Maria are in the process of discovering the realm of possibility.” Alex replied.

“Huh?” Isabel asked.

“I walked in on Max and Maria making out this morning.” Alex revealed.

Isabel looked over at her brother but found him staring at the floor. She knew it was true when she saw his ears turn bright red. Max rarely blushed but when he was embarrassed his ears turned pink. It was how she measured his moods.

The door opening gave Max and Maria a reprieve from the stares. They all turned to find Liz enter with Michael behind her, her wrist firmly clasped between his fingers. Isabel looked up at a clock on the wall and then back at the entering couple.

“Right on time!” She stated with a superior grin on her face. She received a death glare from Michael in return and the grin slipped off of her face.

“What’s going on?” Liz asked in a friendly tone as she sat down on the sofa, Michael immediately taking the seat next to her. His arm went around her waist and his palm was pressed against her stomach in constant connection to his son.

“Max and Maria were caught making out this morning.” Kyle revealed.

Liz smiled and turned to her friends who currently had their faces turned downwards in embarrassment. She turned to look at Michael who gave her a small smile and a shrug.

“Was it not good?” She inquired.

“What?” Max and Maria exclaimed together. “Yes!” They chimed together in outrage. Realising what they had said, Max and Maria looked at each other with stunned expressions.

“That is something you two need to figure out in private and not with all of us here.” Liz replied with a kind smile. “I am assuming that that wasn’t what the meeting was about.”

“No.” Max replied still looking at Maria. He really wanted to go and talk to Maria. Mainly just to avoid the conversation he was about to have with the group.

“Well?” Michael demanded in a gruff tone. Max would have believed that Michael was angry about something were it not for the amused smirk on Liz’s face as she turned to swat him on the arm.

“So what’s wrong?” Liz asked.

“Larek came to speak to me about the Royal succession.” Max began. “I am so sorry Liz but the Elders will not support any claim you have to the throne.” After a moment of stunned silence from the group; Max continued. “They chose to continue to support me.” His voice was quiet and timid.

“So you won’t mind if we talk to the Elders and ask them to confirm what you are telling us?” Michael retorted.

“Michael.” Isabel exclaimed in shock. “Max wouldn’t do that.”

“Really?” Michael ground out. “Liz saved all of us. She is the reason that we are all back to normal. They know that! Why the hell would they chose to support a guy who so far has done Jack-shit for this planet?”

“Because he is the heir.” Liz stated in a quiet voice. “Is this what you want Max?”

He shook his head.

“I think it’s unfair.” He replied. “I agree with Michael, I haven’t done anything here. The Elders support me but it was pretty clear when I spoke to Larek that he didn’t.”

“What do you want?” Liz pressed. She was unsurprised by the turn of events but to say that she wasn’t mildly hurt at being tossed aside so easily would be a lie. She never wanted to be Queen but it would have been nice to have had them come directly to her instead of going through Max.

“I don’t know.” Max let his head drop into his hands. Maria instinctively laid a hand on his shoulder and supported his as he leaned against her.

“I put some though into this when you guys were out of commission.” Liz rested against Michael and relaxed into his strong embrace. “Have any of you ever heard of a Triumvirate?”

“A what?” Tess asked.

“A Triumvirate was a form of government from the Roman era. It consisted of three leaders who would work together for the benefit of a colony or command post.” Liz looked around the group and saw that they all understood her. “My suggestion is that we form a sort of Triumvirate but with eight members.”

“So we would all have power and control?” Kyle asked.

“Ideally we would share everything.” Liz replied.

“What do we tell the Elders about a ruler?” Isabel asked.

“I think that Max should accept the throne.” Liz answered. “I think he should be the planetary figurehead of the group. He is who they know and he is who they have waited for.”

“I don’t understand.” Maria confessed.

“Neither do I.” Max added.

“Max would be King. In the eyes of the people he would be the ruler. He would be the one to sign all the decrees and make all of the public speeches.” Liz answered. “But the decisions would be made by the group. Majority wins. If there was a decision to be made about how to handle prisoners of war, for example, we would meet and all eight of us would discuss each side of the arguments and decide the outcome. Max would sign a decree and it would be made law.”

“So Max would, in the eyes of the public, be sole ruler with the Royal Four but in reality we would all have equal voting power?” Michael clarified.

“Exactly.” Liz turned to spontaneously kiss him.

“I like it!” Max stated gazing at Liz with appreciation.

“Me too.” Alex added.

“I think it will work.” Maria replied.

“I like it too.” Isabel said with a smile.

“Good plan, Lizzie.” Kyle stated.

“Majority wins. All those in favour?” Tess called out. She heard seven ‘yes’ votes. She added the eighth ‘yes’. “Motion passed.”

The group dispersed and left the room but not before they all heard Max speak.

“Maria, can you stay for a minute? I think we need to talk.”

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Maria froze at the door. She was unsure of what to say so she just nodded and returned to her seat beside Max. The others silently filtered out of the room and left the twosome in an uncomfortable silence. The pair at side by side exchanging subtle glances.

Just as Max found his tongue a knock sounded at the door and Larek entered. He bowed out of formality and requested Max’s presence for a meeting. Max promised to be as quick as possible and asked Maria to stay in his suite. She readily agreed and watched him leave.

All of the tension that had immediately set in when he asked her to stay evaporated. She knew that they had to talk but she was unsure of what her feelings were. She relaxed into the sofa and pulled her knees up to her body. She thought back to this morning with a small smile on her cupid bow lips.

She had been brushing her hair with the torturous monstrosity that the Antarians called a hair brush. The handle was a regular smooth shaft but the brush part looked like a deformed sea anemone. The bristles were like fibre optic cables and tangled very easily. Antarians had far thicker hair than humans and it was a nightmare to use.

Just like every morning Maria braved using the contraption and like every other morning she regretted it. This morning was worse than most. Normally she could disentangle it herself but the more she tried the worse it got and the more painful it became.

With tears of frustration ad pain she gave up and left her en-suite bathroom which was larger than her room in Roswell, and walked through to Max’s room. She found his sitting at his desk.

“Help.” She whimpered.

“Again?” Max chuckled. He rose from his seat and allowed her to sit in his chair. “I think you should stop using this thing.”

“All I want is to brush my hair.” Maria’s tears started in earnest. She was upset about more than the hair brush. “At home I could sit and brush my hair and I was relaxed and I could think…”

Max used his powers to dissolve the bristles and free Maria’s hair. He waved his hand over her tangles locks returning them to their shiny curls.

“Home sickness.” Max realised. “You miss your mum.”

“I miss everything.” Maria hiccupped. “I miss my mum. I miss my room. I miss the freedom that I used to have. I even miss those twelve hour shifts at the Crashdown.”

Max rested a hand on her shoulder and placed the brush on the desk. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out something and concealed it in his hands.

“It’s not exactly the same but it’s as close as I can get.” Max stated quietly looking at his hands. “It’s not everything but I hope that it is something and at the moment it is all I can do.”

“What is it?” Maria asked wiping some tears from her chin.

Max sat down on the edge of his desk and handed her a vial. She took it and examined it closely. She looked at Max in confusion but his eyes were fixed on the vial. Maria cautiously pulled the cap off and sniffed the liquid inside.

The familiar scent of Cedar oil sent warmth into her bones. Her stomach fluttered in joy as smile plastered itself across her face. She was touched by Max’s gesture and thoughtfulness.

She quickly capped the vial and rose to her feet, throwing her arms around Max. Max’s arms wrapped around her waist as they embraced.

“Thank you.” Maria gushed. “Oh Max, it’s perfect. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Max replied. “It was the least I could do after everything that has happened. Us taking you from home and then keeping you prisoner and doing everything that we did to you.”

“All of that has been forgiven.” Maria said as she pulled her shoulders back and looked Max in the eye.

Max gave her a small smile with sad eyes. He reached up with one hand and wiped away the tears on her face and brushed some stray hairs away. He leaned in and brushed her lips gently with his.

Maria felt a spark as his lips touched her. Her momentary hesitation caused Max to back off. Wanting to feel the spark again Maria closed the gap between then. Max tightened his arms around her body and gently stroked her lips with his.

She tasted so sweet. Her lips were soft and warm. Her fingers pressed into his shoulder blades pulling him tightly against her need. Max needed to taste more and using the tip of his tongue he traced her lower lip.

Maria moaned and opened her mouth allowing him to deepen the kiss. Their tongues touched and suddenly they were lost in the sensation of the kiss.

Neither of them heard Alex enter.

Maria wasn’t sure how long she had been sitting in Max’s suite. She could feel herself smiling and the familiar fluttering had returned to her stomach. She pulled the vial out of a hidden pocket in her dress and played with it.

A little while later Max returned to his suite apologising profusely. He sat down next to Maria and was about to start speaking when she leaned in and kissed him squarely on the mouth.

Max was tired and his mind was full of information about the meeting. He was sure that he should have paid more attention and taken a more active role in the meeting but his mind was focused on the blond sitting alone in his suite waiting for him.

And now she was kissing him.

It was all very confusing.

“Max.” Maria stated in a throaty voice. “I want this. I want you.”

Max’s jaw dropped an inch.

“The question is.” She continued. “Do you want me?”

“More than anything.” Max replied softly as he returned his lips to hers.

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The group sat down in a dining room down stairs from their suites to enjoy a nice meal. The only sounds were the clicking of cutlery and the occasional chewing noise. Maria and Max kept shooting each other bashful glances. The only person not eating was Michael.

“What’s wrong?” Liz asked him as she swallowed a mouthful of sweet fruit.

Michael just shrugged and picked up his fork. Instead of using it to spear some food he just tapped it quietly against his plate. This got everyone else’s attention.

“What’s going on?” Kyle asked.

“I didn’t want to spoil everyone’s dinner.” Michael stated. “But I am leaving for the front tomorrow.”

Cutlery dropped onto plates in a loud crash. Everyone froze in shock.

“What?” Liz gasped.

“I spoke with the current commanders of the army this morning.” Michael replied without looking at her. “Morale is low and things are going badly. Kivar has gained an important foot hold and I need to be there to lead this.”

“It’s too dangerous.” Isabel declared. “You can’t go!”

“I can and I will.” Michael retorted. “It is set. I leave at first light.”

Liz sat without moving. Her heart dropped to her toes and her lip started to tremble.

“You were going to go without discussing it with me first?” She whispered. She knew that this should probably be a private argument but it was just too much. “After everything you promised me you are going to leave and put yourself in a dangerous life threatening situation without even letting me know about it first?”

“It’s my job.” Michael replied firmly.

Liz rose from the table and walked out of the room. She walked out of the palace and into the small garden outside of the dining room. She needed air. She needed to think. Fear and panic swept over her as her over active imagination began to conjure up all of the horrible things that could happen to Michael when he was at the front. A lump formed in her throat and despite valiant attempts to not cry her tears won out.

After an hour out in the garden Liz walked up the steps into her suite. She just wanted to sleep and forget about what had happened at dinner. She pushed open the door to her room and found Michael sitting at her desk.

“I’m tired.” She stated hoping that he would just leave.

“We need to talk.” Michael replied softly.

“So talk.” Liz retorted as she undid her dress and started to get ready for bed. She would be damned if she was going to make this easy for him.

“I don’t think you understand why I have to do this.” Michael said in a pleading tone.

“I get it.” Liz snapped as she turned around with blazing eyes. “You need to prove that you are back. You need to prove that you aren’t Rath anymore because he didn’t give a rat’s ass about the army or the men in his command. You need to fulfil the goals you set for yourself on Earth by coming back and leading an army against the enemy and freeing that planet as you always believed you would.” Liz was short of breath but had no intention of slowing down. “But the one word in that… that…rant…that is the most important and is the most telling, is the word ‘you’.”

“What do you mean?” Michael asked.

“It’s all about you!” Liz cried. “It’s not about me or the baby or our friends who will go out of their minds with worry whilst you are gone. Where do you get off being so selfish?”

Liz crumpled to the floor in tears. Her heart ached and her panic was affecting her son. He did not want his father to go away either and he was taking it out on his mother. Liz felt sparks shooting in her abdomen.

Michael shot off of his seat and sat down next to Liz on the floor. He pulled her to him and placed a soothing hand on her stomach to calm their son. He placed gentle kisses on her forehead and neck as she calmed down.

“Why?” Liz cried. “Why are you leaving?”

“I have to.” Michael replied softly. “I’m no different from them. I’m not better than them. So I should be fighting with them.”

“I don’t understand.” Liz hiccupped.

“The men out there fighting.” Michael replied. “They have wives, girlfriends, children, parents and God knows what else. They have as much to lose as I do. But they fight. They have been fighting for so long and now they are losing faith in what they are doing.”

“Why didn’t you talk to me first?” Liz asked as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“I didn’t think that I had to run every aspect of my life by you.” Michael retorted defensively. His posture had shifted from comforting to aggressive.

“It’s not just about you.” Liz cried out in frustration. “It’s about you and me and our son. You don’t have the right to make all of the decisions by yourself.” She pulled herself out of his arms and stood up. “I need to go to sleep. Please leave.”

Michael seemed to sit for a moment then rose leaving the room in a bad mood. Liz sat down on the bed and tried to pull her emotions in. She changed into her bed clothes and climbed between the sheets. Her hands were placed over her abdomen as she tried to calm her feelings for the sake of her son who was deeply distressed. After twenty or so minutes both felt soothed, she turned on her side and tried to fall asleep.

She was floating in the sub conscious plane between asleep and awake. She felt light but could still tell what was going on around her. She felt a draft at her back as the covers lifted and Michael slid in behind her. He moved quietly and slowly obviously trying not to waken her. His arms slid around her as he cradled her body in his arms. She was comforted by his warmth. He always seemed to be so warm.

“I’m sorry.” Michael whispered.

“I understand that you have to go. I really do.” Liz replied softly as she turned to face him. “It was just a shock. I wish you had spoken to me first. I am here with you…for everything. You just have to trust me”

“I do trust you.” Michael replied. “I have just spent so much time making all of my own decisions without consulting anybody. It’s going to take some time but I will get there. I promise.”

He ran his fingers through her silken chocolate locks. His other arm pulled her body tightly against his as he lowered his lips to hers. He suckled on her lips as his hands ran up her legs and under her night shirt. Liz moaned in pleasure and started to pull off his t-shirt.

Michael pulled Liz on top of him and continued to remove her clothes from her body. Liz was in a state of ecstasy as she tasted Michael trying to memorise every muscle and taste for the coming months when he would be away.

None of their movements were clumsy or hesitant. They were practised and confident lovers. Liz knew how to touch Michael and delighted in the moans and whimpers from his swollen lips. His knowledge of her body ensured that he pleasured her completely.

They were naked and sweaty. Their senses heightened making everything sweeter. The friction was driving Liz crazy. She had intended to tease Michael and make him crazy with want. She couldn’t take anymore and needed to feel him inside of her.

She sat up keeping Michael on his back on the bed. She lowered herself slowly onto his aching cock. His hands gripped her hips as he tried to rein in his impulse to force her down on his cock. He needed to be inside of her. She looked so beautiful. Her face tinged pink with ecstasy as the blush crept over her body. Her eyes were luminous and had changed from brown to black. Her hair stuck to her body and to Michael’s artistic eye she looked like Venus on the shell emerging from the sea.

Liz looked into his eyes and saw his need and desire. She complied and began to ride him with a quick rhythm. They both needed to cum. They both needed to feel the explosion of pleasure in their veins. They both needed to connect on every level possible.

Michael helped her raise and lower her off of his cock. She squeezed his erection using her inner walls causing unbearable sensations to run through his body. Liz panted and gasped as her orgasm started to form inside of her. Her rhythm began to falter so Michael took over. He sat up but let her remain of top knowing that it was more pleasurable for her. Using a slight bounce against the mattress Michael helped Liz maintain her position and rhythm. He attached his lips to her nipples adding to her sensory overload. Liz’s head rolled back as her orgasm sparked and her body shuddered. It wasn’t until she calmed down that she realised that Michael was still hard, embedded in her body.

Michael rolled her over onto her back and began thrusting into her almost violently. Liz’s body welcomed the invasion. She knew that Michael had lost control but trusted himself not to hurt her. Liz wrapped her legs around him and moved with him, cuming when he came.

Their bodies sated and in need of rest Michael disengaged from Liz and lay back on the bed. He pulled her to him, spooning her from behind and stroked her hair until she fell asleep. He watched her sleep and memorised every eyelash and curve of her face. He memorised the scent of her shampoo and body lotion.

As light began to filter in through the curtains Michael kissed Liz on the temple, placed a loving hand over his son and left the bed. He showered and changed into his uniform before returning to her suite. He stood at the end of her bed watching her sleep for another moment before placing a letter on the pillow he had slept on. He took a deep breath, turned and walked out of the room.

Liz awoke a few hours later in an empty bed. Before she opened her eyes she knew that Michael wasn’t there. With trepidation she sat up and looked around the room. Glancing to her left she noticed the letter on the pillow. With trembling fingers she opened the folded piece of paper and read the contents.

My Liz,

I won’t say it.

Love Michael

Over come with sadness Liz slumped back into the bed and cried into her hands. She rolled over and buried her face in a pillow. After a moment or two she was soothed and able to control her emotions. Keeping a tight hold of the pillow she sat back against the headboard. It smelled of him. She took deep calming breaths.

After an hour or so she rose and dressed. She wasn’t hungry but she ate after she heard Michael’s voice in her head nagging her about the health of their son. After forcing herself to swallow every bite Liz left her room and ventured out to see her friends. She tried her fellow Earthlings first but none of them were in. Her last door was Max who called out for her to enter when she knocked.

“What is going on?” Liz asked as she noticed all of her friends sitting together. “Is there a meeting?”

“Liz I think you should join us.” Max stated quietly. Liz nodded and sat down next to Isabel who refused to look at her. Glancing round she noticed that none of her friends looked at her. All of their faced were hidden.

“What’s going on?” She demanded.

“I just received a wire from the front.” Max stated with a blank face. “Michael’s transport never made it. There was word that a transport had been shot down over Kivar’s territory and we believe that it was Michael’s.” Max was unable to continue talking as crushing despair prevented him from controlling his emotions.

Liz sat in shock for a moment and then suddenly rose from her seat and walked out of the room into her own suite. She calmly picked up the pillow she had been holding earlier and held it to her face and chest.

She inhaled deeply.

And broke.

Messing with time frame so all will be explained!

Liz felt herself being shaken awake gently. She turned over and found Max standing above her. Sitting up slowly she tried to remove the shroud of drowsiness but Max was already pulling her out of her bed.

“You need to come with me.” Max whispered hurriedly.
“What’s going on?” Liz mumbled as her feet hit the floor.
“I just need you to trust me right now.” Max pleaded. “Just come with me.”
“I’m not even dressed and what about Nate?” Liz queried.
“Nate can stay with the nanny.” Max answered impatiently. “Please!”

Liz acquiesced and grabbed her robe before Max pulled her out of her room. She insisted on checking in on her son sleeping in the next room. Peering into the crib she checked on his breathing and took a moment to look at his beautiful face. Feeling calmer she left the room quietly after informing the nanny of the change in routine.

She sat in the transport bundled in her robe watching the outline of mountains and trees whiz past in the dark. Max was not talking. He kept his focus on the floor or on his hands. His brow was furrowed and his jaw seemed to be clenched tightly.

They landed fifteen minutes later. It was pitch dark outside and Liz stumbled as Max pulled her out of the transport and up the steps of the palace. Without a word of explanation Max continued to lead her through a maze of passages until she pulled her arm out of his grasp in frustration.

“What the hell is going on?” Liz yelled.
“Liz I need you…” Max began.
“To trust you?” Liz retorted. “Tell me what is going on?”

Isabel approached them from behind Max. Her face was pale and her hands were trembling. She placed a tender hand on Max’s shoulder.

“Something has happened and we don’t know if it is a good thing or not.” Isabel answered. “It’s only down the next corridor, please just come with us and we will explain all that we know.”

Liz nodded in agreement and walked the rest of the way. She found her other friends standing outside of a room. They were huddled in a small group all of their expressions mirrored Max and Isabel’s.

They stood in front of a window looking into a room. This was a part of the palace she had never been to before but she could tell that it was some sort of a medical facility. She looked into the window and was stunned to find a figure sitting on a bed facing away from them. His body was bruised and battered. Blood was caked onto his shoulder blades and down his back in red and white lines.

It was Michael.

Liz turned to Max with joy shining from her eyes but the expressions of her friends’ faces were worrying her.

“Why could this be a bad thing?” Liz asked as her lips trembled.
“We don’t know if he is still in there.” Max replied in a thick voice.
“What do you mean?” Liz looked around the circle her hope diminishing.
“You can see how badly he was treated.” Kyle replied. “We can’t seem to get through to him. He won’t respond to us. It’s as though he can’t recognise us.”
“We didn’t want you to see him like this after everything else you have gone through.” Max stated cautiously.

Liz rolled her eyes in frustration. He needed to let that go. It didn’t matter anymore. Michael was back.

“We are hoping that you may be able to get through to him.” Maria finished.

Liz stood at the window looking into the room that housed her fiancé. Her lip was firmly gripped between her teeth as she tried to come up with a plan. After a few minutes she knew what she needed to do.

“I need some warm soapy water and a cloth, some bandages and some disinfectant.” Liz ordered as she gathered her courage and entered the room.

Taking a deep breath she pushed the door open. She hadn’t noticed the people in the room but they seemed to be trying to tend to him. She ordered them to leave. Michael hadn’t moved the entire time she was in the room and didn’t seem to respond to the sound of her voice at all.

She walked around the bed; it was high and reached up to her hips. Michael was sitting slumped and silent. She stood in front of him trying to stop her heart from pounding out of her chest and stop the tears that threatened to fall.

“Michael.” She called out softly.

She got no response. She raised her hands and gently touched his face. She tilted his chin to get him to look her in the eye. He seemed to just look through her. Her heart sank.

The sound of the door opening brought her out of her melancholy. Attendants had arrived with the supplies she had asked for. The water and bandages were placed on the bed beside Michael.

Liz nodded in thanks as the left the room. Strengthening her resolve she took one of the clothes and dipped it in the water. Wringing the excess water out of it she began to wash the blood and grime away from Michael’s body. She moved slowly and touched him very gently.

She started with his face. It was gaunt and pale. His eyes had none of the intensity she was used to. Those eyes that used to stare down with fire as they made love. She saw Michael’s brow crease in confusion but she kept quiet and continued cleansing him.

She moved to his shoulders and down his arms. Her movements were all slow and soothing. She didn’t make eye contact. Her aim was to comfort him and make him feel safe and looked after. She walked round the bed after cleaning his torso. She needed to take care of his wounds.

Gently washing away the dirt and grime in the cuts she found that his wounds were more extensive than she had previously thought. Michael had been beaten badly and often. She used the disinfectant to make sure that there would be no infection. Michael didn’t even flinch when the alcohol came in contact with his back. She knew that Max could heal him easily but she felt that it would be better for her to take care of Michael.

She wound the bandages around his chest and walked around to his front. She reached up and used her newly acquired powers to clean his hair and shorten the length. She froze when she felt Michael place his hand on her abdomen.

“The baby?” He mumbled.
“He was born three months ago.” Liz replied quietly her lip trembling.
“Liz?” Michael stuttered in confusion.
“It’s me.” Liz stated. “I’ve missed you so much.”

Michael pulled her tightly to his chest. He held her in his large arms. Liz felt herself relax in his embrace as she sobbed into his shoulder.

Outside the room the friends celebrated with hugs.

Little did they know that this would be harder times to come.

Liz nursed Michael for a couple of days then he was allowed to go home. It was now two months later and all communication had been cut off. Max was on a transport on his way to Michael and Liz’s home.

Liz had taken up residence in Michael’s family home after they had received news of his ‘death’. She had needed to be alone and have time with the baby. Their mansion was only twenty minutes away by transport on the other side of the walled city.

Max practically flew out of the transport and up the steps into the house. He called out for Liz but received no reply. He walked up the steps in the foyer to the second floor and walked purposefully to Liz’s bedroom. He passed the nursery, barely noticing the Michael was in there holding his son.

Max looked around Liz’s room but couldn’t see her. He walked out onto the balcony and found her sitting on the floor against the wall. Her knees were pressed against her chest and her head was resting on them.

Max knew he had made the right decision in coming, he only feared that he was too late.

He sat down next to her and without a word he pulled her arm away from her body and encircled it with his hand. His thumb reached round to his pinkie finger and he sighed deeply.

“You promised me that it would never get this bad again.” Max stated quietly.

A couple of tears lined her face as she turned to Max with sorrow etched into her eyes and face. Her lips trembled with emotion.

“You are going to pack some things and you and Nate are going to come and stay at the palace for a while.” Max stated, leaving no room for objection. Not that he expected any.

Liz nodded.

Max stood in the hallway on the upper level waiting for Liz to emerge from the nursery. Michael had moved into his office to work giving Liz and Max an opportunity to pack her things. Max had no clue what was going on but he knew that it was harming Liz.

Max turned to see two of his body guards ascending the stairs. He anticipated a confrontation with Michael when he found out that Liz and Nate were leaving. Liz walked out of the nursery with Nate in her arms and a pinched look on her face.

The commotion had drawn Michael’s attention from his office. He walked into the hallway and demanded to know what was going on.

“Liz and Nate are coming with me and are going to live in the palace for a while.” Max decreed.
“What?” Michael exploded. “Put him back in his room Max.”
“This isn’t up for discussion Michael.” Max retorted. He nodded to his bodyguards who stood in front of Liz and motioned for her to carry her son down to the transport. Michael surged forward to get to his son but Max’s bodyguards restrained him.

Max watched as Liz’s face crumpled briefly before she turned and practically ran down the stairs. Michael called out for his son.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” He bellowed at Max.
“What the hell is going on?” Max demanded.
“What?” Michael asked in confusion.
“You want to explain to me why none of us have heard from you or Liz in two months?” Max retorted.
“What?”
“You want to explain to me what’s wrong with Liz?” Max asked.
“What’s it to you?” Michael exploded.

Max’s eyes blazed in anger and frustration.

“What’s it to me?” He yelled. “When I have to make sure Liz is eating; then it’s important to me! When I have to put Liz in a coma, it’s important to me! When I have to pull Liz off a cliff, then it’s important to me!”

Without giving Michael a chance to reply Max spun on his heels and stormed out of the house. He entered the transport and sat down next to Liz who was struggling with her tears and her restless son.

“It’ll be ok.” Max promised.

Liz nodded. Nate continued to struggle in her arms as his cries became more frantic. Max watched in concern as he saw a small spark leave Nate and hit Liz. She winced in pain but continued to try and comfort her son.

“He’s started that again?” Max asked in reference to the spark.
“He never stopped.” Liz replied softly.
“Is it painful?” Max asked in concern.
“Yes.” Liz whispered.
“Do you know why he does it?” Max asked.
“He hates me.” Liz replied in tears.