Roswell Fanatics

Okay ~ here we go

-----------------------

Previously on “Evil Takes a Holiday” ~ As the others carried on their discussion, Courtney’s eyes widened as she noticed the blue crystal that Liz was moving around in her hand. "Uh, Liz, what’s that you’ve got there?"

Liz looked at her hand, "Oh, it’s just some quartz or something. There was a bunch of these down in that little cave. Maria was collecting some for her mom’s shop when the floor caved in."

"I've seen those before." Michael looked over at Liz, “Maria had some in a plastic bag in the tent.”

“So have I." Courtney reached out her hand. "May I?" As soon as Liz placed it in Courtney’s hand, it began to glow and pulse.

“Omigod!” Isabel cried out. “What is that thing?”

Courtney glanced over at Tyler, and saw that he too recognized it. She looked over at Isabel. “It’s a Kathanian Crystal. And this one is alive.”
---------------------------------


Chapter 20


"A Katha . . . what?" Alex asked in bewilderment.

"A Kathanian Crystal." Courtney held it up, looking over at Tyler. "I haven't seen one of these in over fifty years."

Tyler reached to take the crystal from Courtney, watching it pulse in his hand. He looked around the group, "I think we've found our culprit."

"Are you telling me that rock is making Maria sick?" Michael stared at Tyler, looking as astounded as the rest of them.

"Not the crystal itself, but what's inside."

Courtney pointed at the crystal glowing in Tyler's hand. "Those crystals grow in the caves of Kathania, a small mining planet in our star system." She shook her head, "It's a cold, desolate, hell hole of a planet, but it's rich in precious metals.”

"On Kathania there are these microscopic organisms that live off the minerals in the caves there." Tyler explained, "It's the secretions from the organisms that form the crystals and cause them to glow. The mining companies harvest the crystals for use in jewelry, like you use rubies or emeralds here."

“They’re valued because of the way they glow against our skin.” Courtney added.

"Wait…" Kyle frowned, "You mean that’s made out of some kind of bug poop? And people pay money for it?" A look of disgust crossed his face.

Courtney grinned, "He said ‘secretions', Kyle, not ‘excretions'."

"Secretions," Alex nodded, "Like an oyster makes a pearl."

"But with oysters, you just take out the pearl and it lives to secrete another day." Tyler continued, "Before you can market a Kathanian crystal, you have to kill the organisms inside. This one is pulsing because the organisms are still in there."

"Why didn't they glow when Maria and I handled them?" Liz wondered.

Courtney shrugged, "Just guessing, but it must be our alien DNA or something in our skin."

Max held out his hand, "Let's see what happens with me." Just as with Courtney and Tyler, the crystal glowed and pulsed, as it did with Isabel and Michael. But when Alex and Kyle tried, it just lay still.

Alex looked at Courtney, "No offense, but if you're wearing a ‘skin' how come it reacted to you?"

She smiled, "None taken, although, we prefer to call them ‘husks’. My race can't tolerate living here, so the husks are a genetic life form technology. Basically, the husk and I have a parasitic relationship. It's skin is my skin."

"That's amazing." A bemused Alex looked at Courtney's face, as if he could see the ‘alien' inside.

"Okay… so now we know that somehow these organism things got inside Maria." Isabel concluded.

"But how?" Michael asked in frustration, "She had those things sealed in plastic bags."

"Just the ones she collected," Liz looked over at Michael, "When Maria fell, she landed on a cluster of those crystals and they broke apart, cutting her leg." Liz looked at Max as she reasoned, "That's got to be how they got in, through the cut."

"…and then I healed the cut and trapped the damn things inside her." Max rubbed a hand over his face, his voice full of blame.

"Max, no," Liz grabbed his hand, "You couldn't have known."

"Now we know what they are, but how did they get here?" Kyle wanted to know.

Tyler shrugged, "On the ship somehow; but I certainly didn't have any. I couldn't have afforded it."

Courtney shook her head, "Even if you could have, they wouldn’t have been live ones. Somehow the organisms themselves must have gotten onboard."

"Sabotage, maybe?" Isabel pondered, "These things made Maria sick in a matter of hours."

"I guess someone could have been looking to ruin our mission, hoping that’s Sera’s human DNA would be affected.” Tyler speculated, “Back home, the organisms can make us sick, like having the flu here, but to humans…” his voice trailed off as he looked over at the tent where Maria lay. “Max, if those crystals aren’t contained, they could eventually spread over the planet." There was a general wave of fear through the group as they thought of the consequences.

"Look, can't we worry about that later?" Michael declared, "Maria’s not getting any better while we sit here yammering. How do we cure her?"

His question was met with silence.


~~~~~~~~~~


Liz, Alex and Kyle had made a run in the Rover down to the where the RV remained parked in the woods. While Alex and Liz gathered up her microscope and his computer, Kyle had gathered several things in a box and stored it in the back of the Rover. Liz remembered how Michael and Kyle had made fun of her for bringing her microscope, but no one was laughing now.

In the last few hours Max had twice boosted Maria's immune system increasing the antibodies that were laboriously fighting the organisms that had taken up in her blood stream. She was holding her own, but had not regained consciousness. Testing Maria's blood before and after Max's ‘boosts’, showed that the organisms had slowed down somewhat in their growth, but Maria's blood was anemic. Liz speculated that it was caused by the organisms consuming the iron in Maria’s blood. Alex had offered his own blood for a transfusion since he was type O, a universal donor, but Max told him that the organisms would just contaminate the new blood, so it was best to wait for now.

Courtney and Tyler had informed them that the Antarian method of choice to clean the crystals was to heat them, thereby ‘cooking' the organisms, but that was just too risky to use with Maria. They had learned that it took a temperature near the boiling point to kill the organisms in the crystals they retrieved from the cave. Now, they just needed to find an alternative way to kill the organisms before... well, before.

Now Liz looked on with concern as Max slowly rose to his feet having just given Maria another 'boost'. "Max," Liz reached for his hand, "Come on, you need to rest." Max looked at her, "What about you? You and Alex have been doing research on the internet, checking slides, experimenting with the crystals...” She shrugged, "The others have helped, too. Isabel used her powers to charge up Alex's laptop and cellphone.” When he just raised an eyebrow, she agreed, “Okay, just for a few minutes."

Max reached out to clasp Michael's shoulder, "I increased both her white and red blood cells," he assured him, "she should be stable for a while." Taking Liz by the hand, they promised to return soon and went back to their tent.


~~~~~~~~~~


Isabel watched as Max and Liz crawled into their tent, they were all exhausted, but she knew none as much as Michael. She ducked into the ‘mess tent' and her heart broke as she watched Michael as he leaned over Maria, holding her hand and whispering to her.

"Michael, you're exhausted, why don't you try and get some rest?" He just shook his head, "She might wake up, she might need me."

Isabel grinned, "If she wakes up right now and gets a good look at you; she'll run for the hills."

"Huh?" Michael looked at her. "Michael, you need a nap, and a bath, and not necessarily in that order." She smiled motioning for him to stand, "Go. I'll sit with her." What she didn't tell him was that she was going to try and dream walk Maria.


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


Isabel took Maria's hand in her, and closing her eyes, entered the dream plane. She found herself standing in a beautiful garden, and in the middle of a lush green arbor, she saw Maria, lying on a floral chaise lounge. She was dressed in a flowing silky blue gown; her suddenly longer hair flowed around her. Isabel shook her head with a fond smile, even sick and unconscious, Maria was still a drama queen. Isabel approached her, whispering, "Maria? Can you hear me?" There was no response, so Isabel crept closer kneeling down beside her. "Maria, it's Isabel. Can you hear me?" She tentatively reached out to touch Maria's hand when without warning Maria turned her head and opened her eyelids to reveal a vacant cloudy stare, her eyes solid white with no pupils. Isabel gasped and fell on her behind as she scrambled backwards. Although Maria’s mouth never moved, Isabel heard her whisper, "Cold... so cold."


~~~~~~~~~~


Max looked at Liz as she lay staring at the tent ceiling. "You aren't resting." She rolled over on her stomach and propped up on her elbows, "I can't. My brain won't stop thinking about those damn bugs roaming around inside of Maria."

"I know. I should be able to just nuke the little bastards, but I’m afraid to heat them. I can’t dissolve them, nothing I've tried affects them." Max sighed, "I think I'm just annoying them."

"If there was only a way to heat those darn organisms without causing any damage to Maria." Liz sat up, "I'm going to get some more of those crystals and run a few experiments. See if I can find another way of killing - what was it? The little bastards."

"I'll come with you, I'm not going to get any sleep anyways."

As Max and Liz joined those gathered in the center of the camp, Liz asked about Isabel's whereabouts. "She talked Michael into taking a break, so she's sitting with Maria." Sera told them.

Kyle looked at Liz, "Uh, Liz, I was wondering, how much blood can you take out of a body and still, uh, live?"

She shrugged, "The human body contains about 5 or 6 liters of blood, and you can survive losing about a liter, although that's quite a bit... why do you ask?"

"I was thinking about how to heat the blood high enough to kill those things, that maybe we could you know, siphon off some and Medicine Man there could heat it up, then once it was clean, just put it back. I even brought some stuff from the RV we could use..." As the rest of the group just stared, he shrugged, feeling embarrassed, "I know... stupid idea."

"No, it’s not, Kyle," Liz looked at Kyle and smiled, "I think you’ve given me an idea."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC ~

Okay... it wasn't as soon as I'd hoped, LOL Thanks again for the feedback and for checking out the story.

So here we go, ready to take on those little buggers
--------------


Previously on “Evil Takes a Holiday” ~ Kyle looked at Liz, "Uh, Liz, I was wondering, how much blood can you take out of a body and still, uh, live?"

She shrugged, "The human body contains about 5 or 6 liters of blood, and you can survive losing about a liter, although that's quite a bit... why do you ask?"

"I was thinking about how to heat the blood high enough to kill those things, that maybe we could you know, siphon off some and Medicine Man there could heat it up, then once it was clean, just put it back. I even brought some stuff from the RV we could use..." As the rest of the group just stared, he shrugged, feeling embarrassed, "I know... stupid idea."

"No, it’s not, Kyle," Liz looked at Kyle and smiled, "I think you’ve given me an idea."
----------------


Chapter 21

"Excuse me,” Kyle held up his hand, “But, I gave you an idea?" As Kyle looked quizzically at Liz, Alex grinned and twirled his forefinger, "Does anyone else hear that whirring sound? Oh, wait, that's just Einstein spinning in his grave." Kyle glared, as there were a few smiles and grins at his expense.

Liz soon became serious again. "You mentioned that you brought some things from the RV. What did you bring?" She asked Kyle.

"Just some tubing I took from the air conditioning system and a couple of those plastic water jugs.” He shrugged self-consciously, “I just thought that with a little alien hocus-pocus we could sorta...siphon her blood like gas from a car."

"Or,” Liz held up a finger, “like a dialysis machine." But before she could expand on her idea, Isabel stepped out of the mess tent and called for Max.

"Isabel," Max and the others jumped up, "What's wrong? Maria… is she..."

"She’s still out of it." Isabel told them as she approached the group, "I was able to briefly dream walk her, and she's cold, Max. Can't we do something to warm her up?"

"Must be the fever." Liz looked from Isabel to Max, "The chills are making her cold."

Alex grabbed Isabel's hand, "What else did she say, does she know what's happening to her?" Isabel shook her head, "No, I don't think so. I was only in for a minute. I kinda freaked and got tossed, but she said that she was cold."

“What do you mean you freaked?” Alex asked. Looking troubled, Isabel added, “She turned her head towards me and her eyes were blank, just like Michael's were when he got sick. She didn't have any pupils. I was startled and fell back and out of the dream walk."

"You mean she's blind?" Kyle blurted out. Max dashed into the tent, Liz right behind him. As they knelt beside Maria's cot, and Max raised Maria's eyelids to reveal normal appearing eyeballs. With a sigh of relief, he looked up at the others who had followed. "It must have just been her dream, Isabel. Her eyes look normal."

"Perhaps she appeared that way because she's unconscious and can't ‘see' what is happening to her, or what's around her?" Sera speculated. Liz shrugged, "That's as good an explanation as any."

Courtney entered the tent, "I brought another sleeping bag." Liz took the bag, "Thanks," and unzipping it she laid it across Maria like a blanket. She leaned over and whispered, “You’re going to be fine, Maria. I promise.” Then Max ran his hands just above Maria's body, infusing a mild heat. "Maybe that will help." He looked to Liz, "Now, how about that idea?"


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


They left the tent and everyone sat just outside so they could be close if Maria's condition changed. "Okay," Liz said, "When Kyle mentioned siphoning off some of Maria's blood, an image of a dialysis machine popped in my head, and how it's used to clean the blood of patients with kidney failure."

"And you think we can ‘McGyver' ourselves one of these machines?" Kyle looked confused.

"Actually, I think we could, I just need to do a little research on the ‘net.” Alex rubbed his chin, “I’m guessing we’ll need a little more than tubing and plastic jugs."

“You figure out what we need, Alex,” Tyler told him, “and we’ll take another trip to the RV and take whatever else we need.”

Courtney looked around, feeling a little embarrassed, "Sorry, but I'm not familiar with this machine. Are you going to use it to remove Maria's blood from her body?"

"Yes," Liz nodded. "A dialysis machine filters a patient’s blood and removes the impurities that the kidneys would normally do. Then the cleansed blood is returned to the patient. With Maria, we’ll remove her blood and heat it high enough to kill the organisms. Then Max can dissolve them and we put the clean blood back, all without doing any damage to Maria."

“But won’t a heat high enough to kill the Kathanian bugs also damage other components of her blood?” Isabel wondered.

“That’s where Alex comes in.” Liz glanced over at him, “Just to be sure, we’ll give Maria a transfusion to bulk up her blood.” Alex smiled and nodded.


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


After a few hours of sleep, Michael woke and rolling over he automatically reached for Maria. When he felt the empty space beside him, he opened his eyes and reality came crashing back down on him, and his heart sank. He sat up and grabbed his clothes, still buttoning up as he exited the tent and headed back to Maria. Looking up, he came to a halt at the sight before him.

He frowned as he saw Alex, Liz, Max, Isabel and Kyle working on some contraption set up in front of the mess tent. They were surrounded by plastic jugs, metal pans, some rubber tubing, and a small cooler - and did Tyler just hand Alex a coffee pot?

Stopping in front of them, he looked inside the tent asking, “Maria?" Liz looked up giving him a twisted smile, "About the same - Sera and Courtney are sitting with her."

He nodded, and with hands on his hips, "Okay, I’ll bite - what the hell is that thing?"

Alex and Kyle looked up from assembling their creation to Michael and back again. "It's a dialysis machine for Maria." Kyle informed him. "It was my idea."

Alex rolled his eyes, "Well, more or less."

Liz stood up and took him by the arm, "Come on, let's check on Maria and I'll explain everything - to both of you."


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


Alex stood up and dusted his hands off, "Alright, I think that about does it. I just wish we had a way to test this thing first." He glanced at Kyle.

"Uh, Uh," Kyle held up his hands as he shook his head, "I ain't no guinea pig."

"Chicken." Isabel grinned at him.

"It looks great." Turning they saw Liz emerging from the tent to look over their ‘machine'. "Primitive... yes. Crude... yes, but great." Pointing at the different sections, she explained, "See, we'll use the hypodermics from the First Aid kit that Isabel altered to draw out Maria's blood sending it through the tubing into this area," she indicated two metal pans that had been fused together to form a sort of enclosed boiler, "where it will be heated to kill the little buggers. Then it'll travel into the cooler to be cooled down before going through the filtration system Alex rigged up in the coffee maker down into this plastic jug. Max dissolves the little bug skeletons and then it goes back into Maria. Once all the blood has been cleaned and put back into Maria, we’ll do Alex’s transfusion."

"Are you sure this will work, Liz? This is a complicated medical procedure,” Alex looked at the machine, "and all we’ve got is a contraption made up of pots and pans. What if this thing actually does more harm than good?"

Liz stepped up to wrap her arm around his waist, and as he dropped an arm around her shoulder, she looked up at him, "I know we're flying by the seat of our pants here, Alex, but she's just slowly getting worse. If we don't do something soon... well, she's not going to make it." Liz looked down at their machine, and closed her eyes in a silent prayer. "I really think this is our best chance.” Alex hugged her tight, “Then let's run some water through this thing to make sure all the seals hold."


~~~~~~~~~~~


The time had arrived for them to put their theory and machine into practice. Maria’s cot had been moved closer to the center of the tent with the machine set up beside her. “Okay,” Liz looked around at the group that was gathered in the now close quarters, “let’s all take our places.”

Isabel was in charge of drawing the blood out of Maria and regulating the flow; Tyler and Sera were to heat the blood in the ‘boiler’ and keep it consistent. Once the blood flowed to the cooler, Courtney would cool it down before it was filtered and sent to Max for final cleaning before flowing back into Maria.

Michael was unhappy with his assignment of just sitting on the other side of the cot and holding Maria’s hand. “Michael, I’m sorry, but you know we discussed this earlier.” Liz was afraid that with his emotions at such a high level, she was concerned that he might accidentally cause something to explode.

Alex and Kyle stood back out of the way. “What are you going to be doing Liz?” Kyle asked.

With a shaky smile, she responded, “Every project needs a supervisor.” Seeing that everyone was in place, Liz took a deep breath, “Alright, Isabel, let’s start.”


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


Several tiring hours later, it was over. Their homemade machine had done exactly as they expected, but then again it was really just a vehicle for the alien contingent to be able to do their work. Once the blood had circulated enough to kill all of the microorganisms and Max dissolved their remains, Alex had stretched out beside Maria for a blood transfusion. Once that was accomplished, Max boosted the components in Alex’s blood to give Maria’s blood a chance to recover more quickly. Finally, he checked Maria out and found no remaining trace of the organisms.

“Thank, God.” Isabel murmured. They were all emotionally and physically drained and everyone was sitting on the floor of the tent.

Michael looked worriedly at a still unconscious Maria, “Maxwell, shouldn’t she be waking up now?”

Max shrugged, “Everything looks good, Michael, let’s just give her body a while to adjust.”

Slipping an arm around Max, Liz looked at the others, “Why don’t you all get some rest. I know everyone must be exhausted.”

“Actually, I’m more hungry than tired.” Kyle walked over to the boxes containing their provisions, “In case you didn’t notice, we missed breakfast... and lunch.”

Michael rubbed his hands over his face, and walked over to join Kyle. “Yeah, I could rustle up something. What’s everybody want?”

A small weak voiced murmured, “Ummmmm, pancakes.”

Everyone whirled to see Maria lying on the cot staring back at them. With a smile she added, “With maple syrup.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC ~

Ooh, sorry to be so long in posting - major writer's block But I've tweaked about all I can

-------------
Previously on "Evil Takes a Holiday" ~ Michael looked worriedly at a still unconscious Maria, "Maxwell, shouldn't she be waking up now?"

Max shrugged, "Everything looks good, Michael, let's just give her body a while to adjust."

Slipping an arm around Max, Liz looked at the others, "Why don't you all get some rest. I know everyone must be exhausted."

"Actually, I'm more hungry than tired." Kyle walked over to the boxes containing their provisions, "In case you didn't notice, we missed breakfast... and lunch."

Michael rubbed his hands over his face, and walked over to join Kyle. "Yeah, I could rustle up something. What's everybody want?"

A small weak voiced murmured, "Ummmmm, pancakes."

Everyone whirled to see Maria lying on the cot staring back at them. With a smile she added, "With maple syrup."


Chapter 22

"Maria!" Michael stumbled over his big feet in his haste to get back to her, knocking Kyle sideways in the process. “Ouch”. Falling to his knees beside her, Michael gathered her in his arms hugging her tight. She whispered, "Hi, there, Spaceboy." As the others crowded around the cot, Liz grabbed one of Maria's hands, and tearfully smiled at her friend, "Oh, Maria." Alex reached out to touch her shoulder, “Welcome back.”

Maria felt a wetness on her neck and pulled back to raise her hand to Michael's face. Seeing the silent tears on his face, she murmured, her own eyes a little damp, "Awww, Michael," she brushed his lips with hers, " you know you can't get rid of me that easy."

With a voice husky with emotion, he shook his head, "Don't... don't joke." Their lips met in a deeper kiss. As the couple kissed, Isabel touched Liz's arm, "Come on, let's give them some privacy," and she proceeded to herd everyone out of the tent. Liz was the last to leave and when she looked back, Maria smiled at her over Michael's shoulder. Liz blew her a kiss and allowed Max to pull her out of the tent.


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


"Uh, Michael." Maria gasped at how tight he was holding her, "I can't breathe." He leaned back grasping her shoulders, "You can't breathe? Oh, God! I'll get Max." She stopped him from rising, and laughed, "No, you were just holding me too tight."

"Oh." Michael blushed, “Well.” Then giving her a fierce look. "Don't ever do that again! You scared the crap out of me!"

"I'm sorry," she leaned up to give him a kiss on the cheek, then swung her legs over the side of the cot.

"Hey," Michael objected, "You need to rest."

She shook her head, "I think I've rested enough. I don't exactly know what you guys did, but I've never felt better." She stood up and swayed, "Oops, well, maybe I'm a little shaky." Michael caught her up in his arms and eased her back onto the cot.

"Damnit, Maria, will you just sit still? You almost died, ya know." He admonished her.

She looked sheepish, "I know, Michael, but I do feel just fine." She looked over at the pile of tubing and containers and curiously asked, “What is that thing?” Michael gave he a quizzical look, “You don’t know?” When she shook her head, he told her, "Liz and Alex came up with it after Kyle mentioned siphoning your blood and..."

"Uh, siphoning?" Maria cocked an eye.

"You didn't understand Liz's explanations, then?"

Maria shrugged, "I could hear voices, but I couldn't understand them. It was like I was underwater."

Michael then explained everything to her, the crystals, the organisms, the dialysis-like machine, and how the others worked to kill the things that were inside her. "Not to mention that Max kept boosting your immune system to keep you alive long enough for them to build it."

"Wow," she whispered, slowly shaking her head, "I guess Liz's vision came true. I can't believe how much everyone did for me."

"Except for me," with derision in his voice, "guess I wasn't any help. Liz was afraid I might blow something up - you know,” he shrugged, “like you."

Maria gave him a sweet smile, "No, Michael, you did do something.” She clasped one of his big hands between both of hers. “Even though I couldn't understand the words, I could sense you, I knew you were there holding on to me. It was you that kept me grounded."

His voice husky with emotion, he enclosed her in another tight hug, "I was so scared, Maria. If I had lost you...I couldn’t…" He lifted her face up to stare at her, "I love you, Maria."

"And I love you, Spaceboy."


~~~~~~~~~~~


"I hate to interrupt your canoodling, but we can't start supper without the pots from the machine. And I'm starving."

Michael and Maria looked up to see Kyle standing in the opening of the tent, hands covering his eyes. Maria laughed at Michael's frown and sat back up. "It’s safe to look, Kyle. And you're not the only one hungry, I think I could eat the proverbial horse." She looked down at herself with a grimace, "although, maybe a sponge bath first wouldn't hurt." Michael stood and helped Maria to her feet. As they headed over to their tent, Liz and Isabel joined them. The girls stayed with Maria while she cleaned up and Michael joined the others around the campfire.

Once the cooking pots were restored to their previous condition, Michael enlisted Kyle's help to start supper. Soon they had put together two pots of beef stew from their freeze-dried provisions and they were bubbling away. Using biscuit mix, Michael stirred up some dumplings to put on top of the stew.

While supper cooked everyone made themselves busy; Tyler and Courtney gathered more firewood and Max and Sera fetched more water from the nearby creek. Alex worked on packing up the items they had brought from the RV for their machine.

Once supper was ready, Kyle rang the dinner bell, which consisted of him screaming at the top of his lungs, "COME AND GET IT!!"

As the group gathered around the cooking pots, dishes in hand, Maria sidled up beside Alex. He dropped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “You feeling alright?”

She nodded, “Yeah, must be that Whitman blood flowing through my veins.” With a grin she said, “Guess that makes you my blood brother.”

Grinning back, he said, “I guess it does, at that.”

As everyone hungrily dug into their bowls, Maria grinned over at Michael, "Well, it's not pancakes, but it tastes pretty darn good." As he bit into his dumpling, he mumbled, "Breakfast... pancakes... I promise." Maria rewarded him with a kiss to the cheek.

"Aughh," Kyle groaned. "Now that you've been all life and death, you two aren't going to be goopy all the time like those two, are you?" Pointing his spoon towards Max and Liz, who objected, "Hey!" "We're not goopy." Which brought mocking laughter from all.

"Oh, please," Kyle rolled his eyes, "You two are the goopiest."

As the good-natured teasing quieted down, Tyler looked over at Max. "I hate to bring down the conversation, but we're going to have to figure out what to do about those crystals, Max."

"Tyler, we sealed them back up. Don't you think..."

"Max, they were sealed up before, and yet they continued to grow. If they find a way out... we won't be able to control them. Eventually they could wipe out human life on this planet."

Fear coursed through them all at that thought. "Uh," Alex raised a hand, "As a member of the human race - I vote we stop that from happening."

Max nodded, "Right, we can't risk them spreading." He looked at Michael, "We'll have to go back, find out how far back they grow in that cave, see if there is another exit - and we have to figure out how to destroy them."

"Can't we just heat them up? Like we did to Maria's blood?" Michael asked.

"Depending how many there are, that will take a lot of heat." Tyler told him. "It will probably take all of us with powers to combine in order generate enough firepower."

Maria looked at Michael, "Maybe you can use the Four-Square."

Liz slipped her hand in Max's, "Max, I think that Alex, Maria and Kyle should stay here in camp. We don't want to risk one of them getting infected."

Maria held her hands up in a surrender position, "No argument from me."

"Hey, I don't want infected either, but are you sure we can't help in some way?" Alex looked displeased with the notion of being left behind.

"Look, we're all tired right now." Max clasped Alex on the shoulder, "Let's all get some rest and we'll discuss it in the morning."

After Liz and Alex had given Maria extra good night hugs, the campers retired to their respective tents.


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


Max laid on his back in their tent, lightly stroking his fingers through Liz's hair as she lay stretched out beside him, her head on his chest. Feeling content, he gently whispered, "Do you know how proud I am of you?"

"Me?" She cocked her head up at him.

"Yes, you. That contraption was pretty impressive."

She shook her head and lay it back down on his chest. "It was a joint effort, Max. Alex researched dialysis machines, and everyone contributed."

"I know,” he nodded, “and if I didn't - Kyle would certainly remind me." Liz giggled at face Max made. Tilting her face up toward his, "But you were the cog turning our wheel, Liz. The driving force." He smiled at her blush, "We make a great team, don't we?"

She raised her eyebrows in a puzzled look. "I mean," he clarified, "all of us. We did good. We came up with a plan, executed it, saved the day. Gives me hope for the future."

She leaned up on an elbow, "I think you're right, we're... we're like..." She gave him a big grin, "The A-Team."

Max laughed out loud, "Does that make Michael ‘Mr. T'?"

Liz lowered her voice, "I pity de fool." Then burst into giggles.

Max rolled her over and settled between her legs, "You're silly." She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Just very happy. We have Maria back, we changed my vision."

Just as he started to kiss her again, he heard his name softly called from outside, "Maxwell?"

Recognizing Michael's voice, he briefly rested his forehead against Liz's. "Remember where we were." Then he pulled on his cargo pants and crawled out of the tent to see Michael pacing. "What's wrong? Is it Maria?"

Michael shook his head, "No, um... I was just wondering... well, she wants to...” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I'm wondering whether it would be safe for us to... um, you know." Michael avoided eye contact.

Max just stared, "You pulled me out here to ask if it's okay for you to have sex with Maria?" and began to laugh. With his face flaming, Michael hushed him. “Not so loud, do you want the whole camp to hear?” Then he mumbled, "Never mind, forget you ever saw me." But Max caught his arm before he could stomp off, "Sorry, really. Look Michael, Maria is fine, she's completely healed, so to answer your question - yes."

Still smiling at Michael's expense, Max crawled back into the tent, but stopped when his gaze fell on Liz. She lay on her stomach, her hair falling over to obscure her face, which was buried in a small pillow, her breathing made little snuffling sounds indicating that she had fallen asleep. As his gaze drifted down to take in her slender bare legs then slid back up to where her tee shirt rose to expose lacy underwear covering her hip, he quickly slipped off his outer clothes and eased down beside Liz pulling her into his arms. When he gently pressed tiny kisses on her face, she mumbled in her sleep, but did not wake. Glancing down at the front of his boxers, he sighed ruefully, "Not now, boy. Guess our girl needs her rest." Staring at the ceiling, he began to count, “1000, 999, 998, 997…”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC

Sorry this chapter is so short, just think of it as an interlude before they set out to destroy those crystals
-----------

Previously on Evil Takes a Holiday ~ Still smiling at Michael's expense, Max crawled back into the tent, but stopped when his gaze fell on Liz. She lay on her stomach, her hair falling over to obscure her face, which was buried in a small pillow, her breathing made little snuffling sounds indicating that she had fallen asleep. As his gaze drifted down to take in her slender bare legs then slid back up to where her tee shirt rose to expose lacy underwear covering her hip, he quickly slipped off his outer clothes and eased down beside Liz pulling her into his arms. When he gently pressed tiny kisses on her face, she mumbled in her sleep, but did not wake. Glancing down at the front of his boxers, he sighed ruefully, "Not now, boy. Guess our girl needs her rest." Staring at the ceiling, he began to count, “1000, 999, 998, 997…”

~~~~~~~~


Chapter 23

Kyle turned the lamp down low in their tent and Sera joined him in their joined sleeping bags. As they lay close together, Sera told him, “I wish you were coming with us tomorrow.”

“Yeah, me too. After all, you guys might need my expertise.” He grinned, giving her a wink.

Sera gave him a kiss on the cheek, “You know that I’m very proud of you, Kyle. ” He lay back with a self-satisfied smirk. “But,” she continued, “No one likes a braggart.”

Now wearing an offended look, he informed her, “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to get something, anything, over those two? I’ve come to love ‘em like brothers, but Max is the leader and Michael is the brawn. Heck, even Alex is the brains. I’m just... there.”

“That is not true!” She assured him, “No one knew what to do until you came up with your siphoning suggestion. I’m just saying, take it easy.”

Hugging her close to him, he grinned, “I should probably give Guerin partial credit anyway, considering how many times he’s siphoned gas out of my car for his bike.”

“Well, he had a lot on his mind.” Sera cut Michael some slack, then frowned, “Wait a minute, he steals your gas?”

Kyle shrugged, “Not sure if it’s really stealing if he does it in front of you. And it’s not really all that often, but that’s Michael for you.”

Sera asked softly, “So you’re okay about staying here tomorrow?”

“I’d like to be there, but I’d rather be around to go home.” He leaned over to nibble at her mouth.

“Yeah, I’d like that, too.” Sera wiggled around to stretch out on top of him. “Cause I got long term plans for you.” Kyle grinned and slid his hands down to grasp her hips. “Plans, huh? What kind of plans?” She leaned down to whisper as she slid her hand down his stomach to tug on the prize she found below, “Maybe I should just show you.”


~~~~~~~


Isabel lay on her stomach reading a fashion magazine by the light of the battery operated lamp while Alex played around on his computer. When he tossed it aside, with a heavy sigh, she looked over as he lay back and stared up at the roof of their tent.

“Alex, you still upset about not going with us tomorrow?” She asked sympathetically. When he shrugged, she eased over closer, “I know you don’t want to stay behind, I don’t like going without you, either. But we don’t know how many of those organisms we’re going to find in those caves.” She reached out to brush her hand on his cheek, “I couldn’t bear it if you got infected like Maria did.”

“I know, Izzy,” He reached to clasp her hand in his. “I’m just feeling bummed.” He admitted, “Like a superfluous human who’s just in the way.”

“Superfluous?” She looked at him in disbelief and rose up on her knees. “You cannot be serious. I mean, did you see any aliens coming up with a dialysis machine? No, it was you and Liz... oh, and Kyle.”

He had the grace to look chagrined, “Well, yeah...”

She gave him a pointed look, “And I don’t recall any aliens who have created their own supercomputer and decoded a secret alien text?”

With a pleased nod, he smiled, “Yeah, that was pretty cool. Geeky, but cool.”

“The coolest.” She stretched out beside him, “Besides, didn’t you know that it’s chic to be geek? Very stylish.” She winked.

“Chic, huh?” He raised an arm and flexed his muscle.

Laughing, she snuggled up closer, “Seriously, do you have any idea how lucky we are to have you with us?”

“Yeah, now that you mention it.” He gave her a mischievous grin, “Especially you. After all, if it wasn’t for me, you’d have been doomed to be just another pretty Barbie doll dating the captain of the football team.”

She cut her eyes over, “You do remember that Kyle was our football captain?”

His eyes widened, “Oh, wow - now you really owe me.”

She fixed him with a stern look, “What I owe you for is that ‘Barbie’ remark.”

He gave her an innocent smile, and she gave him a coy look, “But I’m going to forgive you, because geeks really turn me on.”

He rolled over against her, “Well, Princess, you’re in luck - cause I’m the geekiest.” Isabel giggled and just as they began to kiss, they heard a high pitched yowl.

Startled, Isabel sat up, “What the... was that a mountain lion?”

But then they heard Isabel’s ‘mountain lion’ cry out, “Oh, God, Michael!” Alex began to laugh, “Unless I’m mistaken, that would be species Mariaus Climaxus”.

With a look of disgust, Isabel sank back down onto the sleeping bag, “Ewww, as if Max and Liz weren’t bad enough.”


~~~~~~~~~


Michael flopped over on his back, wincing at the raw score marks from Maria’s fingernails. He gasped out, “Damn, woman, you trying to kill me?”

Once Maria’s breathing evened out, she stretched like a cat and practically purred in satisfaction. “Least you’d go with a smile on your face.”

“Yah,” Michael agreed with big grin, ”specially since that was... really... really... hot,” pulling her close as his heavy lidded eyes closed.

She twisted to face Michael, dragging a hand down his chest, “Guess there’s nothing like a near death experience to get your juices flowing.” Her hand dropped lower. "In fact...”

Michael’s eyes blared open as she grasped him, “You’ve got to be kidding.”


~~~~~~~~~


Max looked towards the tent opening and groaned at the sounds coming from Michael and Maria’s tent. “Damn, now I’ve lost count - again.” Giving up, he turned over to spoon behind Liz, at least he could hold her close. Wrapping one arm under her and sliding his other hand up under her shirt, he snuggled in tightly against her, his nose finding it’s favorite spot behind Liz’s ear.

Liz was having one of her favorite dreams ~ it was after hours and the Crashdown was closed. The lights were off, yet there was a warm glow in the room. She was wiping the tables and counter wearing a short white uniform, barelegged and barefooted. Turning, she saw Max standing in the middle of the floor also dressed in white. “Sorry, sir, but the grill is closed.” She demurely informed him, and with a wicked grin he responded, “That’s okay, what I want isn’t on the menu.”

In an instant the scene shifted and she was stretched out on a table, as Max leaned over and kissed her, his mouth moving lower as he popped opened her uniform to reveal nothing underneath. As he nibbled on her breasts, she asked, “Would you like fries with that?”

Max pulled Liz closer gently cupping her breast in his hand. Hearing Liz mumble, “...fries...umm... that?” he smiled as he realized Liz was having one of her favorite dream fantasies. He began to nuzzle her throat as he slid his hand down slip beneath her panties. Liz moaned, and still caught up in her dream she shifted to open her legs to his ministrations. She slowly awakened feeling Max’s hardness pressing against the back of her thigh and turned her head, whispering “Oh, Max, that feels so good.” Max captured her mouth, his lips and tongue mating with her mouth as she twisted her lower body against his hand as it continued to manipulate her swollen flesh.

She wriggled to turn underneath him, and he removed his hand to quickly peel off her panties before tugging off her tee-shirt. As she lay naked beneath him, his mouth laved her breasts, nibbling on the tiny buds of her nipples. His hands and mouth worked her into a frenzy of need and she reached out to touch the bulge in his boxers. He shrugged out of them before moving between her thighs to plunge into Liz’s quivering depths, immediately triggering an electrical rush through her body. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he pumped in and out of her body. When Liz’s body began to convulse around him once again, his mouth smothered her cries as he joined her in fierce orgasm that shook them both.

Their bodies collapsed in a satisfied heap. Max rolled over pulling Liz to lay stretched out over him. Breathing heavily, Max gasped, “God, Liz, I love you.” “Ummmm, love you, too.” She managed to get out, pressing small kisses on his chest as he slowly dragged his hands up and down her back.

As the afterglow faded, and sleep was just seconds away, Max whispered, “Liz?” “Ummm?” With a smile in his voice he asked, “What about my fries?”


~~~~~~~~
TBC

Previously on Evil Takes a Holiday ~ ummmm, I think you guys already know that

Chapter 24


In those few seconds between sleep and waking, Liz listened to the steady thump of the heart beating under her cheek. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw the early morning glow of the dawning day. Seeing that it was too early to get up, she snuggled against Max, tightening her arm around his waist, turning her head to press a kiss to his chest as she slid her leg along his.

Max opened his eyes and smiled as he became aware of his dreamgirl moving against him, felt her lips press to his body, and when she slid her leg along his, his eyes weren't the only thing waking up. He shifted to pull her up across his body, their faces meeting in a sweet, slow kiss. "Ummmm, morning." She whispered, and he whispered back, "Morning, love." Running his hand through her tousled hair, he murmured, "It's still early, you should get some more sleep." Feeling his hardness pressing against her, she slid her hand down to grasp him, "I'm not feeling all that sleepy right now." As her hand moved in slow strokes, Max gasped. Peeking up through her lashes at him, she grinned, "Somehow, I don't think you are either." She turned her attention to dropping kisses on his chest, switching from one copper nipple to the other as her lips tugged on the hard pebbles.

"Ahhh, Liz." He shifted as she moved down his body, pushing the sleeping bag back out of her way. Her hair caressed him as her lips slowly slid down his stomach, nibbling on his skin. "Liz, please..."

"Please what?" She teased, "Kiss you here?" Her little tongue dipped into his navel. "Or here?" She nipped his hipbone dragging her fingernails along his inner thigh. Damn, she was driving him crazy. Just when he thought he'd go mad, he felt her breath, "Or here?" And she slipped her lips over the head of his shaft, circling with her tongue. He clutched his hands in her hair as her mouth worked him into a frenzy. "Oh, God, Liz." His hips moved in rhythm with her hands and mouth, and he raised his head to look down and seeing his body sliding in and out of the warm cavern of her mouth, he felt the tension build to a fever pitch. Suddenly he pulled her up on his chest and plundered her mouth with his, tasting himself on her lips. He grasped her rounded bottom and rubbed her wetness along his erection. From the little whimpers in her throat, he knew she was ready and grasping her hips, he arched his hips and impaled her in one hard thrust. She moaned, "Oh, God! Max!" She rocked against him. His tongue thrust in her mouth, as his body thrust into hers. They feasted on each other. Tearing her mouth away from his, she pushed herself up, clinging to his shoulders as he captured a breast with his mouth, rolling his tongue around her perfect little nipple. As he suckled, she felt the rush flow and she rode him faster, harder.

Max held onto her hips, and bending his knees he changed their angle just enough for every thrust to bump her sweet spot. The sound of her whimpers urged him on, and knowing he was close to exploding, he reached his hand down to manipulate her bud with a burst of power. She called out his name as her climax rushed through her, her body clamping so tightly around Max that he lost his control. He cried out hoarsely as he burst within Liz's sweet body.

Their breathing returned to normal as they floated in the euphoria. Holding her close, lightly stroking her hair, her back, he pressed tiny kisses on her forehead and temple. "I love you, Liz. You're my everything." Her heart swelled with the love she felt for this man. She smiled as she gazed into his earnest amber flecked eyes, "And I love you, Max. Always."


~~~~~~~~


Tyler rubbed his sleepy eyes with one hand as he waved the other to start the fire in the middle of the campsite before heading over to gather up more firewood. Noticing that the pile was depleted, he glanced in the direction of the woods and saw Courtney come over the hill lugging an armload of sticks and limbs. He rushed over, "Here, let me help you."

"Thanks." She smiled as he took the heavy load. When he commented, "You're up early this morning." She gave an embarrassed shrug, "Yeah, well, I sort of had a restless night."

He nodded in understanding, "I guess it was a little... um, noisy around here last night." Courtney cut her eyes over and grinned, "A little noisy? It was like being caught in an rerun of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom."

Tyler laughed out loud. "My charges can be rather enthusiastic. I just hope you weren't too uncomfortable." But he was pleasantly surprised when she shook her head and cut her eyes over at him and responded softly, "More like envious."

As they approached the camp, Courtney gave Tyler a mischievous smile, "Want to have some fun with them?"


~~~~~~~~~


Tyler glanced around the campsite as the group munched on their breakfasts and caught Courtney's eye. When he gave her a conspiring wink, she asked, "I was just wondering, was last night some kind of religious observation?"

"Huh?" "Wha...??" She was met with several confused looks.

She innocently stated. "It's just that all night long I kept hearing some of you praying."

Max stilled, his fork half way up to his mouth as he was swept with a feeling of apprehensiveness, "Ummm, praying?"

"Yes, I distinctively heard several voices cry out ‘Oh God' - ‘Oh my God' - ‘yes God'."

Maria's eyes opened wide, "Omigod." She whispered.

"Just like that, Maria, only you were much louder." As eight red-faced young adults stared at their plates or the ground, she delivered the coup de grace, "Funny, I never knew that God's name was Michael."

As Michael choked on his breakfast, Courtney and Tyler burst out laughing.


~~~~~~~~~~


"You'll be careful?" Maria looked up at her Spaceboy. "You won't let those things eat you?"

"No one's going to be eaten, Maria!" He shook his head. "And yes, I'll be careful." He promised her, "But what about you? Can I trust you to stay out of trouble?"

Kyle walked by with his arm around Sera's shoulder, calling out to Michael, "Don't worry, Guerin, Alex and I will keep her in line."

"I beg your pardon?" Maria cried indignantly, staring at Kyle's back. "Keep me in line!" But Michael just grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a sound kiss. When she came up for air, Maria had forgotten what she was mad about.

"Let's head out." Max called, holding Liz's hand.

As the group heading back up the mountain put on their backpacks, Alex double-checked their cell phones. "Check in regularly, and if you need us, you just give us a call." Isabel gave him a fierce hug, "The same goes for you."

Alex, Maria and Kyle stood and watched their friends and loved ones until they were out of site. "So now what?" Alex asked. Kyle shrugged but Maria informed them, "We could clean up."

"Clean up?" Kyle objected, "This place is made of dirt, what's there to clean?"

"Pack then." Maria rolled her eyes at him. "Max told Michael that as soon as they get back, he wants to head on out. We need to have everything packed up and ready to go."

While Kyle grimaced, Alex nodded, "Cleaning it is."

"Uhuh," Kyle held up his hands, "You guys can clean if you want, but I'm off to the stream to see if I can catch us some fish for lunch."

As he headed to gather up his fishing gear, Maria called after him, "I'm not gutting any fish!"


~~~~~~~~~~


Hours later the mountain group stopped for a quick lunch. Tyler informed Max, "We better hope we do this quick, or we'll be living off the land. Our supplies are beginning to run low."

"How low?" Max asked in concern. Tyler shrugged, "A few more days, if we're frugal." Then he smiled, "And you guys made fun of me when I bought all that extra trail food."

Max grinned at him, "Hopefully, we'll take care of the crystals this evening, and be back at camp by early afternoon tomorrow."


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


Arriving at the cave site late in the afternoon, they unsealed the opening and entered the cave. Michael touched the nose of the spacecraft that sat there, "Never thought I'd see you again, buddy." Isabel just shook her head as he talked to the ship as if it understood him.

Max called back to them, "Come on, let's fry these little bastards."

Once the seven had slid down ropes into the lower cave, Max kept a close watch over Liz. While she had been changed and was a part of the Four-Square, he was no less concerned about what could happen should she become infected.

Michael asked, "So, what's the plan, Maxwell?"

"We'll form the Four-Square." He looked at Tyler, Sera and Courtney, "And see if we can pull you guys in with us." Max, Liz, Michael and Isabel stood forming their square. Then Tyler reached to clasp his hand where Michael and Isabel's joined. Courtney did the same with Max and Liz, while Sera grasped Liz and Isabel's other hands. Closing their eyes, they concentrated, sending their strength to Max.

Max was startled at the amount of power he felt coursing through out him. Pushing aside the fear that something would go wrong, he began to focus on the crystals in the room. He imagined them getting hotter and hotter. As the minutes passed, the heat in the room began to rise, sweat began to drip from their faces and bodies.

Courtney cried out in pain and was forced to drop her hold as the heat began to dry out her husk. "I'm sorry," she whispered, not knowing if anyone could even hear her. She darted for the rope and quickly pulled herself out of the cave, crying out in pain as the ropes brushed her skin. She rushed outside to collapse on the cool grass.

"Max!" His eyes popped open at Liz's distressed cry, and he saw that everyone, including himself were dripping with sweat, their skin flushed. He broke the connection. "Liz!" He grabbed her close as she swayed, "Are you alright?"

"Hot… it's so hot…" Looking around he saw Michael holding up Isabel as Tyler held onto Sera, and realized that they were all in danger of heatstroke. "Michael, we have to get everyone out of here. Cool everyone down."

Once they were all back in the main chamber, they saw Courtney laying face down just outside the cavern. "Courtney!" Tyler called as he ran towards her. When she slowly turned over, they gasped at the sight of her husk looking as if it had been roasted. Tyler reached for her, but stood helplessly as he was afraid to touch her. "Max," he called out, "Can you help her?"

But Courtney shook her head, "Water…" she whispered, "It needs water."

All they had was the bottled water in their packs, and they each grabbed a bottle, and taking a few sips for themselves, they poured the water on her blistered skin. It alleviated her pain somewhat, but not much. "Damn, I didn't even think of what the heat would do to her, to any of us." Max blamed himself.

Courtney shook her head, "No, Max. I could have left as soon as it started getting hot, but I wanted to try and help."

Grabbing another bottle, Isabel slowly poured it over Courtney's arms and legs. "She's severely dehydrated and needs to soak in water. We have to get her in the stream." She pulled out her cell phone and began to dial, "Then we have to get her back to camp." When it was answered on the other end, she was blunt. "We need you guys."


~~~~~~~~~


While Max was able to heal the blisters on Courtney's husk, the dehydration had caused it to tighten painfully making it extremely difficult for her to walk. Using poles made from stripling trees, a sleeping bag and some ropes, they fashioned a stretcher to carry her. It took several hours, very painful hours for Courtney, to make it to the stream where they were to meet Alex, Maria and Kyle. The plan was that once she was rehydrated enough to travel, Alex, Kyle and Maria would take her back to camp.

Arriving at the stream, they found an area forming a pool, the water swirling around. Once Courtney was sitting in the stream, water coursing over her body, Liz asked her, "Feel better?" Courtney nodded, her teeth chattering. "Freezing, but better." It might be summer, but the water was icy cold. Liz looked around the stream then walked over to ask Max. "Can you guys manipulate some of these rocks to damn up this pool? Then you could warm up the water a little for her."

While Max, Michael and Tyler created a small dam, the girls refilled the water bottles. They had just all sat down to rest when they heard a roaring sound. They stared in shock as two bright lights rounded the bend. "What the hell?" Michael stood up taking a defensive stand, Isabel joined him while Max stood read to throw up his protective shield.

In the waning light of dusk they recognized the Rover with Kyle at the wheel. As the occupants piled out, Max just stared, "How the heck did they…" A white-faced Maria ran straight into Michael’s arms. "Michael! Never ride with that maniac! I was sure he was going to drive us right off the mountain." Isabel dashed over to greet Alex.

Kyle stood with his hands on his hips with a look of impatience. "We were in a hurry, Maria."

When Max looked at the dents and scrapes covering the Rover, Kyle had the grace to look chagrined. "Okay, so there were a few bumps along the way. Not like it's anything you guys can't fix later."


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


Since the Rover had been packed with supplies, they decided to camp there near the stream. The following morning Courtney was almost fully recovered and wanted to return with the others to check on the crystals and reseal the cave.

"Hey, we want to go, too." Kyle insisted. "I don't think that's..." Max started only to be interrupted by Michael, "No way, Maria is not going in there again!"

"Guys," Isabel calmly suggested, "Why don't they come with us, but just stay outside the cave? They should be safe enough there."

So once again they found themselves in front of the cave. Kyle had complained that he could have driven the Rover closer, but Tyler had vetoed that idea. As the weary group collapsed just outside the entrance, Michael complained, "Okay, now even I'm starting to get sick of this place, ship or no ship."

Max smiled at him, "Can't say I disagree with you, Michael. Come on, why don't you and I scout out things inside while the others get a little more rest." Tyler offered to come with them, but Max declined.

Repelling down in to the cave, the crystals didn't look any different, but when they reached out and touched various crystals, there were no pulses which indicated that the organisms were dead. Clasping Max on the shoulder, Michael congratulated him. "Looks like we did the trick, Maximillian."

"Looks like it, but I want to be sure. Let's just test a few more of these clusters."

As he walked along, Michael's flashlight highlighted a slight opening in the back wall. "Maxwell, think we should check this out?" Using their powers, they widened the opening and entered what turned out to be a huge underground cavern, and glistening in their lamplight were millions and millions of shimmering crystals, and pulsing in the center was a giant cluster reaching towards the ceiling.

Michael looked over at Max, "We're gonna need a bigger boat."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC

Thanks for the feedback. Well, here we go - I really would have liked more time to tweak at it, but I've dawdled long enough.
=========

Previously on Evil Takes a Holiday ~ Repelling down in to the cave, the crystals didn't look any different, but when they reached out and touched various crystals, there were no pulses which indicated that the organisms were dead. Clasping Max on the shoulder, Michael congratulated him. "Looks like we did the trick, Maximillian."

"Looks like it, but I want to be sure. Let's just test a few more of these clusters."

As he walked along, Michael's flashlight highlighted a slight opening in the back wall. "Maxwell, think we should check this out?" Using their powers, they widened the opening and entered what turned out to be a huge underground cavern, and glistening in their lamplight were millions and millions of shimmering crystals, and pulsing in the center was a giant cluster reaching towards the ceiling.

Michael looked over at Max, "We're gonna need a bigger boat."
------------------

Chapter 25

Max sat on a rocky outcrop and looked out over the vista taking in how beautiful the mountains were. Pristine, majestic - and soon potentially deadly. If they weren't able to destroy those crystal organisms, they would eventually spread mountain to mountain, state to state, country to country.

He sensed her before she rounded the bend, “Max?” She called out as she approached him, “You alright?”

He looked down into Liz’s worried countenance as he held out his hand to her. As she took it and settled down beside him, he squeezed her hand, “Not really." With a wan smile, he confided. "That cavern is immense and it's just crammed full of those damned crystals. How are we ever going to generate enough heat to kill them all?” He rubbed at his forehead, “I'm supposed to be the leader, but I just don't know what to do."

"Honey, you aren't alone here," she slid her arm around his waist, "and being a leader doesn't mean you have to have all the answers. There’s a reason world leaders have advisors, ya know." Max gave her a rueful smile.

"We're a team, Max, all of us. And if we have to fry those bugs one crystal at a time, then that’s what we’ll do." She grinned, “Of course, we may be in our 40's by the time we finish.” Max chuckled as he pulled her tightly to him and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Here we are facing a potential worldwide disaster, and you can still make me feel better. Have I ever told you how special you are?”

Tilting her head up, "You just now figuring that out?" she asked cheekily. Just as Max leaned down to kiss her, they heard a familiar voice callout. "Max! Liz! Where are you guys?"
With a heavy sigh, Max groaned, "How does she do it?" As Liz chuckled, they turned to watch Maria climbing up the mountain. As she neared them, she complained, "What? Are you two part mountain goat, too?" She grabbed onto Max's arm, bending over breathing heavily, then looking out at the view, she whispered in awe, "Wow."

"Yeah," Max nodded, "I just needed a good dose of that."

"Well, breathe deep and come on back down to the cave, Tyler has an idea."


~~~~~~~~~~~


Once Max and Liz rejoined the others, Tyler informed Max. “I think I know a way we can generate enough firepower to destroy the crystals.” He first looked over at Serena before looking back at Max. “We could blow up the ship.”

Michael jumped to his feet. “Blow up the ship? Are you crazy?”

“Michael,” Tyler reasoned, “There is no purpose in keeping the ship intact. It’s served its purpose and if we can use it…”

“How?” Max interrupted. “What kind of firepower are we talking about here?”

“The ship has a central power source, I guess the best comparison here on earth would be the nuclear reactor in a submarine.”

“Nuclear?” Kyle joined Michael in the foot jumping. “You’re saying that ship is a nuclear bomb?!”

“Not yet.” Tyler looked around, “But I think Alex could probably help me make it one.”

“Me?” A wide eyed Alex shook his head and held up his hands, “I don’t know nothing ‘bout birthing no bombs.”

Maria held up her hands, “Wait! You do realize that if you blow up this mountain, you’re gonna blow us up, too.”

“No we wouldn’t, Maria.” Tyler calmly responded. “With a timer, we’d be safely down to the RV before it blew. Besides, I’m not talking about a massive atomic explosion, but a small controlled event. We’ll use just enough of the power core to blow up the cavern and destroy the crystals, not the whole mountain.”

“But Tyler, any explosion is going to be detected.” Liz informed him. “Eventually the feds will be all over this area, and then there’s radiation. The entire area would be contaminated with radiation for years and years.”

Tyler disagreed, "Any radiation would be contained to the cavern area."

Liz looked at Max as he stared at the ground in contemplation. “Max? What do you think?” She asked quietly.

He looked around at the concerned faces surrounding him, “We can’t let those crystals continue to spread. Those damn things almost killed Maria, if they get into the general populace, the human race will be doomed.” Max looked at Tyler, “You really think we can safely do this?” Tyler nodded, and Max stood up, “Then let’s go look at the power core, show me exactly what you’re talking about.”


~~~~~~~~~~~


While Max, Tyler and Alex went back into the ship, Isabel stated that she was going to go look at the new crystal cavern with Michael. “I’m coming with you.” Liz joined her.

Overhearing, Michael turned and informed her, “Uh, no – and, oh yeah - Hell No!”

At Liz’s frown, Isabel told her, “Michael’s right, Liz, you can’t risk it. Max would have our heads if anything happened to you.”

“But I’m changed now, part of the Four-Square, I should be fine.” Liz plead her case, “Besides, I’ll be careful, I won’t even go into the main cave, just stand in the opening.” Then giving Michael a hard stare, she insisted, “But I am going.”

Michael looked heavenward and murmured, “Damn, stubborn women.” Then he kissed Maria goodbye while warning her to stay out of trouble, much to her consternation. Stalking into the cave, he left Isabel and Liz jogging to catch up.

Once sliding down into the little cave, Isabel reached out and touched several of the crystals, but none of them pulsed. “At least we know all of these are dead.” They crunched as she and Michael crossed over to the opening. But as soon as they stepped into the large cavern, the millions of crystals inside began to pulse.

Liz stood in the opening and gazed in awe. The floor, the walls and the ceiling were covered in the pulsating organisms. “Amazing, they seem to be pulsating in rhythm, like they all have a connection.” And the brightest pulsations were coming from the gigantic crystal in the center of the cavern.


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


Max exited the ship and saw that Maria and Courtney were working on putting together a meal. “Where’s everybody else?” He asked. Courtney looked up and told him, “Kyle and Sera went back to the stream to get more water, and uh...” her voice trailed off uncomfortably.

“And Liz?” Max asked suspiciously.

“She’s with Isabel and Spaceboy… they went to check out the cavern.” Maria tensed for the explosion.

But Max just quietly asked, “The cavern? She’s in the cavern?” No response was necessary as he turned and dashed back into the cave with a brusque “Damn it.”

Liz started when she heard an angry call. “LIZ!” “Uh oh,” she thought as turned to see Max stalking her way, and remembered a line from one of her fave movies, “That is not a happy to see me face at all.” She put on big smile, “Max! How did things go in the ship?”

He grabbed her by the arm, his voice tense, “Forget the ship! What are you doing down here? After what Maria just went through I can’t believe you just rushed right into the middle here.” He glared at Michael and Isabel, who just looked around nonchalantly. “And you two, what were you thinking allowing her…”

“Max Evans, I am not a child, no one allows me to do anything.” Liz argued, but realizing that his words were more from worry than anger, she melted and leaned into him. “Oh Max, I'm just fine, and I was being careful. I didn’t go into the cavern, I just stood out here and looked in.”

He wrapped his arms around her, “Liz, I couldn’t stand it if...” He tilted her face up to his, “Please, will you go back and join Maria?”

Before she could respond, she heard Isabel’s sharp cry, “Ouch!” Followed by Michael’s “Damnit, Isabel, now look what you’ve done.”

Max and Liz turned to see that Isabel had cut her finger on one of the crystals. “Oh, God.” Liz murmured and Max rushed over to heal the cut. “Max, wait!” Liz called out, “Isabel, let the blood run just a bit, maybe that will keep the organisms out.”

Isabel nodded at Liz and squeezed her hand around the finger with the cut, several drops of blood dripped onto the crystals below. “That should be enough.” Max reached out to heal the injury, but Isabel stopped him. “Max, it’s just a small cut. I can heal this one myself.” As Max stepped back away from her, Isabel swiped her hand over her finger and healed it. “There, good as new.”

Just then Michael noticed something strange happening with the crystals. “Maxwell, look!”

The crystals that Isabel’s blood had dripped onto were pulsing madly and out of rhythm with the other crystals. Then the affected crystals began to shimmy and became wiggly like gelatin before melting into a blue ooze.

“Omigod,” Isabel just stared at the gooey ooze, “What the heck just happened?” Michael grinned, “Guess they didn’t like the way you taste. Looks like a bad case of food poisoning.”

An offended Isabel glared at him, "Oh please, as if you're a yummy treat."

Max looked at Liz, then took her hand, “May I?” Catching on, she nodded, and Max used his powers to create a small cut on her finger, squeezing a few drops of Liz’s blood into his palm. He then slung the droplets onto several of the pulsing crystals - nothing. They continued to pulse normally. Then he healed Liz’s cut. “Must just be alien blood.” He and Michael both created small cuts and shook their hands to spread drops of blood around. The crystals went ballistic - just like with Isabel’s blood.

Isabel childishly stuck her tongue out at Michael, “Hah, they don’t like you either.”

“Max,” Liz spoke excitedly, “Do you know what this means? Your blood is obviously poisonous to the organisms. We won’t have to worry about using the ship’s reactor.”

Michael looked skeptical, “Uh, Liz, even with six of us being aliens, you’d have to drain us dry to kill all these things.”

As Liz looked around the enormous cavern, “Oh, yeah.” She signed, “Oh well, it was a thought.”


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


As the group gathered around for a simple supper, Isabel told Alex and the others about what happened in the cavern with their blood.

Courtney looked over at Tyler, “Have you ever heard of that? That our blood is poison to the crystals?” He shook his head in the negative. “No, and I’m sure that the miners would have gotten plenty of cuts working on Kaldonia.”

“Maybe it’s Earth’s atmosphere? Couldn’t the organisms be changed here?” Sera wondered.

“Possible,” Tyler consented, “but maybe it’s not just any alien blood, but hybrid blood. After all, they’ve never had any contact with it.”

“But our blood is alien. My blood samples proved it.” Max said quietly. Liz leaned over against him as she knew that Max was remembering the White Room and Pierce telling him that his blood wasn’t normal.

“Actually, it’s ‘upberalien’.” Alex leaned in Max’s direction, “Remember the alien translation? In order to create a hybrid, they had to create that DNA bridge. The...”

“Gandariam!” Isabel exclaimed, “That must be it. It’s the only difference in our blood from a pure Antarian.”

Courtney stood up, and began to clean up the remains of their meal. “I’d suggest we put it to a test. But, I’m not sure if my husk would interfere with me being able to give you a clean sample.”

Tyler rose, “Guess that leaves me.”

“Either way, we still don’t have enough blood to destroy all of those crystals. We’d need a tank of hybrid blood.” Michael pointed out, “I don’t like the bomb idea either, but I think that’s our best shot.” But he also rose and followed Max and Tyler as they returned to the cavern. When Liz, Isabel, Courtney and Sera also made their way, Maria called out. “I’ll just hang back here, if you don’t mind.” Alex moved over beside her, “I think Kyle and I will hang with you.”

Once back in the cavern, Tyler’s blood had no effect on the crystals, but Sera’s did. “Alex was right,” Isabel said with pride in her voice, “it must be the Gandarium in our blood. These guys are severely allergic.”

Looking over at the goo from her spot in the opening, Liz concurred, “I’d say that was a major anaphylactic meltdown alright.” She then looked over at the large pulsing crystal in the center, and a thought crossed her mind. “Tyler, didn’t either you or Courtney say that these things grow in a colony on Kaldonia?”

“Yeah,” Tyler responded, “Why?”

“Do they have a Queen?” She asked. Tyler looked to Courtney who just shrugged, “I really don’t know.” Tyler admitted, “Me neither, I’ve never studied up on them.”

“Well,” Liz pondered, “In an ant colony, if you kill the Queen, you kill the colony. And I was thinking it’s possible that,” she pointed to the large crystal in the center of the cavern, “that just may be their Queen.”

~~~~~~~~~~
TBC

Thanks for the feedback, it's much appreciated.

Previously on “Evil Takes a Holiday” ~ Once back in the cavern, Tyler’s blood had no effect on the crystals, but Sera’s did. “Alex was right,” Isabel said with pride in her voice, “it must be the Gandarium in our blood. These guys are severely allergic.”

Looking over at the goo from her spot in the opening, Liz concurred, “I’d say that was a major anaphylactic meltdown alright.” She then looked over at the large pulsing crystal in the center, and a thought crossed her mind. “Tyler, didn’t either you or Courtney say that these things grow in a colony on Kathania?”

“Yeah,” Tyler responded, “Why?”

“Do they have a Queen?” She asked. Tyler looked to Courtney who just shrugged, “I really don’t know.” Tyler admitted, “Me neither, I’ve never studied up on them.”

“Well,” Liz pondered, “In an ant colony, if you kill the Queen, you kill the colony. And I was thinking it’s possible that,” she pointed to the large crystal in the center of the cavern, “that just may be their Queen.”
---------------------

Chapter 26


Everyone had gathered around a small campfire just beyond the opening of the cave, where Alex, Maria and Kyle had been brought up to date on what had happened with the crystals.

“So you guys think if you can kill this Crystal Queen, then it will take all of them out?” Alex asked.

Max answered, “That’s the theory.” He wrapped his arms around Liz as she sat cradled between his knees. Liz leaned back into him commenting further, “Before Isabel’s blood dripped on them, all the crystals were pulsing in rhythm along with the largest one. Once those few got the blood on them, they became very erratic, before turning into jelly."

“You should have seen those crystals when just a few drops of my blood hit them.” Isabel told them, “They went nuts. Like this...” She crossed her eyes, stuck out her tongue and began shaking like she was having a seizure, then Isabel slumped over, “…and they melted.”

The other campers smiled at her antics, clapping at her performance. As Isabel stood and took a bow, Maria laughed, “And you call me a drama queen.”

“Seriously,” Max informed them, ‘if that large crystal is the core of the colony, then destroying it could be the answer to destroying the entire colony.”


“So how will you know for sure?” Kyle wondered. Max shrugged, “ We’ll just have to throw some blood on it, and see what happens.”

Kyle looked over at Sera, concern on his face, “Just how much blood are we talking about here?”

“If that thing is their queen, it’ll take a good bit.” Michael pointed out. “Cause that is one big mutha.”

Max nodded in agreement, “We want to make sure to get plenty on it, so I’d estimate several pints worth.”

“So, Maxwell, when are we going to do this thing?”

Max looked around the campfire before answering Michael’s question, “We could wait until morning, get a good night’s rest...” Isabel interrupted, “I don’t think I could sleep, Max. Let’s just get it over with as soon as we can.” Seeing the agreeing nods from Sera and Michael, he agreed. “Alright, that way if this doesn’t work, we can still get the ship’s power core ready to use tomorrow.”


~~~~~~~~~~~


“Owwww! Watch it, Vampira.” Michael groused.

“Oh, stop being such a baby,” Isabel admonished him, “if you’d sit still, I could find your vein.” They had decided to take approximately a pint from each ‘hybrid’. Max and Sera had already contributed their share, now Isabel was working on Michael before giving her own donation.

As Liz and Maria watched Michael and Isabel, Maria gave Liz a look, “You sure this is going to work, ‘chica?” Liz shrugged, “It’s the best shot we’ve got, short of going nuclear.”

“Then it has to work.” Maria stated positively. Liz smiled, “I’m going to check on Max and Sera. Send Michael in as soon as Isabel’s done with him.”

Liz entered the cave to find Max and Sera resting on sleeping bags while they munched on candy bars. “You two doing alright?” Receiving nods from both, Kyle grinned from his spot near Sera. “Wouldn’t want you guys to stop eating long enough to answer.”

Sera chewed while responding, “mmph... ‘cuperating.”

“You’ll think recuperate if you eat all those chocolate bars before Michael and Isabel get in here.” Liz warned as she plopped down beside Max. He broke off a segment of his chocolate bar and held it up to her lips. She reached to hold his hand with hers as she leaned over and closed her lips over his fingers, gently sucking the treat into her mouth. Max’s eyes glazed over as he stared at her as she licked her lips and he quickly leaned over to capture her lips with his, his tongue tangling with her chocolate covered one.

“Oh, gross!” Kyle grimaced. “You two have ruined chocolate for me forever.” But he was diverted when Sera taunted, “Oh, I doubt that,” in a husky voice. He turned to see her slip a piece into her mouth, and then she leaned over to kiss him. “Ummmmm,” he moaned.

An acerbic voice rang out, “I know blood donors are supposed to have sugar, but... give me a break.”

The two couples broke apart to look up to see that Michael and Maria had joined them. Maria cut her eyes over at him, “I’d think you’d be used to this by now, Spaceboy. Besides, I was thinking of using the same treatment on you, but if you don’t want...” Her words were silenced as Michael sought his own ‘sugar’ fix.


~~~~~~~~~~


Having collected all the blood, and taking some time to recover from blood loss, the hybrids were anxious to test their theory. For safety’s sake, Alex, Maria and Kyle had been asked to remain on the upper level, near the hole leading down into the small cave. Meanwhile Tyler, Courtney and Liz stood within the small cave with the dead crystals. From her spot at the opening, Liz looked out into the large cavern as Max, Sera, Isabel and Michael made their way to the center and each took up a place around the large crystal. Liz felt a twinge at not being able to join them. What good was it being a member of the Four-Square if she couldn’t participate? Couldn’t be of help? Max was probably disappointed in her, though she knew he would never admit it.

Max turned and looked back at Liz. When he saw her gnawing at her bottom lip with a look of frustration on her face, he turned and handed Isabel the container holding his blood. “Hang on to this for me.” She looked at him in confusion as he walked back over towards Liz. “Max? Where are you going?”

He stopped in front of Liz, “I know what you’re thinking, that you’re letting the Four-Square down." He took her hand, "But you’re not, Liz. You are the one who thought this up, you’re very much a part of this plan.”

She had the grace to look chagrined. “I know that, Max, I do. I’m just being foolish and I’m sorry.” She squeezed his hand and ruefully confessed, “Guess I’m just feeling a little left out since I’m not needed in there.”

Max reached out to grasp the back of her head, leaning over to press a kiss to her forehead. “I always need you, Liz. Don’t ever doubt that.”

She smiled, “I know. Now, shoo, go save the world.” But he surprised her by reaching down and picking her up. She automatically grabbed his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist. ‘Max! What are you doing?” She cried out as he began to walk back into the middle of the cavern, one arm underneath her bottom, the other around her back.

He grinned up into her face, “Making you a part of this.” She laughed, “Max, you’re crazy.” He nodded, “Crazy about you.”

When he once again reached the crystal, he told Isabel, “Give Liz my blood.” After she did so, he instructed them, “Open your containers, and when I give the countdown, everyone toss their blood on the crystal, then back away as quickly as you can.”

As they stood on all four sides of the pulsing crystal, Max began the countdown - “3, 2, 1 - Now!” They slung the blood up on the sides of the crystal. Immediately, it began to pulse wildly and they could see the mass inside the crystal begin to shimmy and convulse. They all backed away as the crystals went ballistic. The entire cavern pulsed erratically and the crystals began to quiver. Light flashed like a laser show. Liz called out excitedly, “It’s working!”

From their vantage point at the cavern opening, Tyler and Courtney could only look on in amazement and Tyler called out, “Get out! Come on, hurry!” They were already headed back across the cavern, but before they could make it more than half way to the exit, the entire cavern suddenly exploded into a gelatinous goo.

“Aughhhhhhhhhh,” Isabel and Sera both screamed, “Aiyyyyyyyyyyyyy!” The blue goo rained down all over them. Michael tried running towards Isabel and Sera, only to slip in the gooey mess and land on his ass. As he tried to get up, he kept falling. “Damnation!”

Max held Liz tight as he tried to maneuver in the slime, only to slip himself as he and Liz went down. “Oh, God,” Max grabbed Liz, “Are you alright?” She nodded wiping the slime off her face. Then she began to laugh, “Their dead, Max. It worked, they’re all dead!” She reached down and tossed handfuls of the goop into the air.

Having heard the screaming from above, Alex, Kyle and Maria had rushed down into the cave and stood watching as Michael kept slipping and sliding, Isabel wiping at the blue goo that covered her, and Max and Liz laughing as she tossed slime about. Alex grinned at the sight of Isabel and dove right in, slipping and sliding his way over to her. Just before he reached her - SPLAT! - he was surprised with a face full of goo. Wiping his face, he saw a grinning Liz as she tossed more goo in his direction. “Oh, you are going to get it, little girl.” He scooped a glob and started after a squealing Liz, who darted behind Max, “Max! Protect me”. But Max just pulled her in front and held her while Alex dropped piles of goo on her head as she shrieked. Soon Maria, Kyle, Tyler and Courtney were also covered in the gelatinous remains of the crystals as they joined in to play in celebration.


~~~~~~~~~~~


“Uncle” Alex cried out as Isabel and Maria double-teamed him. “I give, I give!” As he fell back on the ground, Isabel plopped beside him while Maria turned her sights on Michael.

Max and Liz sat on the goopy ground, laughing at the antics of their friends. Max called out, “It’s getting late, we should get back to camp and clean up.” He wiped at his face as he spoke, while Liz squeezed blue goop out of her hair.

As they all slipped their way towards the exit, Liz lifted her hand to wipe a smudge off Max’s face, and promptly froze, “Oh no. Oh NO!” She looked at Max in distress and held up her hand, “My ring, it’s gone!”

“Oh, Lizzie,” Maria commiserated, “It must have slid off while we were playing.”

She looked wildly around the goo covered cavern and her heart sank. “We’ll never find it.” Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her face, leaving tracks on her cheeks. “Oh, Max, my ring…” He hugged her close, “Shhhh, don’t cry, baby. We will find it. Come on, we’ll all look.”

Everyone began crawling around on all fours in the areas they had previously played in, patting their hands through the gelatinous slime. After a while, Michael stood up, “This is hopeless, it could be anywhere in here.”

Kyle agreed, sitting back on his heels, “Yeah, it’s like a needle in a haystack - a messy, slimy haystack.”

Liz began to cry again with heartbreaking sobs. “Oh, Max, I’m sor... sorry. I can’t buh... believe I lost... my ring.” Max sat back and pulled her into his lap, “Don’t cry, Liz.” He rocked her, “It’ll be alright, sweetheart. When we get home, I’ll just buy you a new one.”

Liz froze then leaned away from him, a look of dismay on her face.

“Awwwwww, Max,” Alex wore a pained expression, “Nooooo.” Even Michael and Kyle were shaking their heads at what he’s said. Maria and Isabel wore matching looks of disgust. But Max didn’t notice anyone but Liz, and immediately knew he’d said the wrong thing. His brain repeated silently in his head, ‘Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.’ Like a needle stuck on a scratched record.

Liz spoke softly, “A new one?” Then her voice rose, “Just buy a new one?” Max could only stare helplessly as Liz fixed him with a disbelieving look, “That ring is a symbol, Max. A symbol that you love me and want to spend your life with me, and when I accepted it, it became a symbol of my love for you. And you think you can just go out and buy a replacement?”

Max stammered, “No… Liz, that’s … I mean… I, didn’t… uhh...” He heard Kyle’s voice offside, “Damn, and I thought Guerin was dense.” And Sera’s answering, “Shhhhhush.” Their friends all pulled up pieces of ground, ready to watch the show.

Liz scrambled to her feet, “If it means so little to you, then maybe we should just forget about it.” As she started to walk away, Max lunged at her, “Liz, wait.” Slipping he caused both of them to fall prone on the slimy ground. She rolled over on her back, frowning up at him.

Damn, he thought, how had they gone from playful victory to this? Oh – right - because I’m the Idiot King. “Liz, please… yes, your ring means all that, and more.” She just stared up at him. He brushed some fresh goop off her face, “I couldn’t bear to see you crying, I just wanted to stop you from hurting, and instead I just made it worse. I’m sorry, Liz.”

“Really?” She whispered. “You mean it?”

With their foreheads together, he whispered, “Liz, you know my soul inside out, you know what you mean to me. I love you, heart and soul.” She threw her arms around his neck, “I love you, too, Max.”

Just as their lips met, Michael’s voice sarcastically rang out. “Thank God, the cosmos have righted themselves once again. Now, if you two can let go of each other for two seconds, I think I have an idea to find this ring.” Max pulled his head back to glare at him, but Liz squirmed out of his arms to sit up, “What, Michael?” Her voice tinged with hope.

He pointed around the cavern. “We were only on this side of the cavern, so if we lay out a grid pattern on this half of the cave, dry up manageable sections of this stuff, we can just sift through it. Easier that just grabbing handfuls at random.”

Soon, they all had designated sections to work in. After what felt like hours, Kyle moved over to a new section that Sera had ‘dried out’ for him. He leaned back and stretched as he glanced over at Alex working the next section. “Damn,” he grumbled, “my knees are killing me. If we ever find this damned thing, I’m going to glue it …OUCH!” He cried out, jerking his hand up.

Alex looked up, “You alright?”

Hearing Kyle’s cry, everyone looked in his direction as he leaned back over and lifted up the offending item that had cut into his hand. Liz screamed, “My ring!” as she scrambled in his direction. “Kyle! Thank you, thank you.” She hugged him tight as Max joined them, adding his own thanks. Kyle just hugged her back, “Think nothing of it… glad to be of service.”

Liz turned to Max with a big smile on her face, but before she could slip it on, he took it from her. Holding the ring in his palm, he waved his hand over it, cleaning away all the dried goop, leaving it once again sparkling. He then took her hand and as he slipped the ring back on her finger, he asked with a smile, “Liz, will you please accept this ring as a symbol of my love, and of my desire to spend the rest of my life with you?”

“Oh, Max.” Liz practically purred, “Yes.” They kissed each other, lost in their own little world.

“Humans,” Courtney whispered to Tyler, “gotta love ‘em, they get so emotional.” “Yeah,” he agreed wrapping his arm around her, “I find it tends to rub off on you.” She smiled at him, “I’m beginning to realize that.”

Michael looked over to see Maria and Isabel wiping tears from their eyes and rolled his, “What? You two are crying?” He shook his head, “What are you going to do when there’s an actual wedding?”

Alex leaned over to Kyle, “What was that you were saying earlier about ‘glue’?” Kyle just grinned, “Ah, shuddup, Whitman.”

~~~~~~~~
TBC

Chapter 27 - The Conclusion


It was a tired and weary group that made their way out of the cave into the dawning new day. They decided that they would hike back down to where they had left the Rover before succumbing to some well-deserved rest.

Isabel groaned, "What I wouldn't give for a long, hot bubble bath." Even though they had used their powers to clean up all the goopy crystal remains, she still felt grungy.

"Would you settle for a cold shower?" Alex grinned, "We can hike back down to the stream."

Kyle yawned, "All I want right now is 40 winks, I'm exhausted" "Awww," Sera crooned, "poor baby."

"But first, we need to reseal the cave." Tyler held up the alien ‘remote control'.

"But what about the ship?" Alex asked. "Are we just going to leave it in there? What about the power core? Isn't it dangerous?"

Max looked over at Tyler who answered, "We depleted almost all the power on our trip here. While there was enough juice left that we could have used it to blow up the crystals, the ship itself can never fly again." He turned to look back at the cave, "I think it's best that we just leave it hidden here.”

Max agreed, “It's not like we have anywhere safer to put it."

They packed up all their camping gear; then Tyler used the alien device to seal up the cave. Combining their alien powers, soon there was no sign that a cave had ever existed or that anyone had ever camped in the area.

As the others started down the mountain, Maria tugged on Michael's hand. "Well, you finally got to see the ship, Michael. Not once, but twice.” She waved her hand at the now rocked face. "But how do you feel? You know, leaving it here?"

He squeezed her hand, as he too looked at the wall of rock covering the cave. "I know that I would have never been satisfied until I saw it, and I guess that's a good thing because if we hadn't come up here, we wouldn't have learned about those crystals until it was too late, but," he looked down at her with a smile, "I hope I never have to come back up here again."

"Ditto, Spaceboy." She grinned.


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


After reaching the Rover, they all shared a quick meal from their dwindling supplies. After eating, Liz glanced at her visibly clean appearance, but grimaced. "I agree with Isabel, I still feel grungy. I want to wash up before we get some sleep."

Isabel stood up, "Let's walk along the stream a ways, see if we can find a little pool where we can soak."

"But it'll be freezing." Maria objected.

"No, it won't we can use our powers to heat it up," Sera reminded her, "like we did for Courtney."

"With all our powers, we should have it warm in no time." Liz interjected.

"Uh, no offense, Lizzie," Maria grinned, "but keep your powers to yourself. We want to be warm, not electrocuted." Prompting Liz to start chasing after a squealing Maria with her fingers outstretched.

Shaking her head at their antics, Isabel turned her attention to the guys. "Okay, boys, you head upstream, while we head downstream," Isabel ordered. "And no peeking. I see anyone come around the bend, and you'll be swimming with the fishes!"


~~~~~~~~~~~


Once everyone was clean again, they met back up to collect their tents and sleeping bags and spread out to catch up on some sleep.

As Michael and Maria settled down in their tent, Maria pondered. "You know, Michael, I was just thinking - Max did use his voodoo on me when I was infected. Do you think I'll get powers some day?" His eyes widened and he cut them over towards her in apprehension as she prattled on, "I hope they're like Isabel's. Wouldn't it be cool if I could style my hair with the wave of a hand, or change the color of my clothes?" She got a sneaky look on her face. "Liz and I could play tricks on the Pam Troys of the world."

He gave her a shrug and a weak smile, "Guess we'll have to cross that bridge if we ever get to it." But as the thought of how often he made Maria angry crossed his mind, he could only pray not, because an angry Maria Deluca with alien powers was not something Michael ever wanted to face. Bring on Skins, FBI, and deadly crystals - but not that.

Seeking to distract her, he pulled her down beside him, “Right now, I have a little alien ability of my own I’d like to try out on you.” Reaching down to fondle the front of his pants, she grinned, “Doesn’t feel so little to me.”

When he rolled them over to stretch out over her, all thoughts of alien powers went right out of her head.


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


While the other couples retired to their respective tents, Tyler asked Courtney to take a walk with him. As they neared the stream, he took her hand. "I know we've only known each other a short while," he smiled at her, "but I feel like I've known you forever." Courtney squeezed his hand, "I feel the same. I feel so lucky to have found you – and in Leadville, Colorado, of all places." She smiled.

He gave her an answering smile, then turned more serious, "It really scared me when you were burned, and I knew that I didn't want to lose you.” Tyler turned to wrap his arms around her. “Courtney, I want you to come back to Roswell with me."

She reached up to caress his face. "I was hoping you'd ask." She looked up at him with a cheeky grin, "So, does this mean we're ‘going steady'?" He laughed out loud as he leaned down to kiss her.


~~~~~~~~~~~


Max and Liz had chosen a spot upstream, away from the other tents. After using his powers to quickly assemble their tent, Max and Liz crawled inside. Liz stretched out on the sleeping bag, closing her eyes, "Ummm, I could sleep for a week."

Max stretched out beside her and propping his head on one hand, he drew a finger along her bare arm. "I'm not really feeling all that tired right now."

She opened one eye, "Oh, really?" Max grinned. "I thought we could celebrate our re-engagement."

"Hmmmmm," Liz placed a finger on her chin. "I do have some cards, we could play gin." Max just scrunched his nose and shook his head.

"No?" In faux innocence, she sighed, "I guess I could see if Isabel brought any games. How about Scrabble?" He leaned over to nuzzle her temple, "Not exactly the kind of games I had in mind."

With a grin, she reached up to pull him over on her. "In that case, maybe you'd better show me." And his lips sought out hers in a deep, tongue-tangling kiss.

Max reached behind Liz's neck to untie the halter top she wore, as he pulled it down to reveal her bare breasts, he murmured, "This has got to be my favorite top." She giggled as he pulled it from her body. "You say that about all my tops - once they're off."

"Hmmm, I think I’m beginning to see a pattern here." He drew his lips down her chest to latch onto a nipple, laving it with his tongue. Her laughter soon turned to moans as he moved his mouth over to give equal attention to her other pouting nipple. He reached down to unfasten her shorts and slid his hand inside. “Damn, you feel so good,” he whispered as she moved against his hand. Never stopping his motions, he used his other hand to tug her shorts down her legs. She kicked them off. "Now you." She urged him to remove his clothing. Soon they lay naked, limbs entwined.

They rolled so that Liz lay partially over Max. "Now," she cried softly, her tongue teasing his copper nipple, as she slid her hand up and down his erection. "I want you now, Max."

He grasped her hips to pull her over to sink down over his erection. As she took in all of him, he groaned and closed his eyes, reveling in the delicious sensations. Liz braced her hands on his shoulders as she began to ride him. Max opened his eyes to see her bobbing breasts just inches from his face. He raised his head to draw one tight berry into his mouth, rolling it with his tongue. "Aughhhhh, Max." Liz moaned as she pumped up and down. He gave her other breast equal attention and she undulated faster and faster. She could feel the sweet pressure building towards the ultimate release.

Suddenly, Max flipped them over, his mouth nibbling, biting at hers as his hands pushed her knees up and even further apart, tilting her pelvis to drive into her at a furious pace. "Oh, God, Max," Liz whimpered, just out of reach of perfect bliss. "Harder," she encouraged him. And when he reached down to give her swollen little bud a pinch, she flew apart. "Aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee," she screamed as her body clamped tightly around his pumping manhood. A few more pumps and he followed her over with his own hoarse cry, "Lizzzzzzzzzzzzzz!"

They collapsed together, basking in the afterglow. Catching her breath, Liz gasped with a smile, "We should get re-engaged more often."


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


The following day the gang once again rolled back into Leadville and found a spot at the RV Park. The girls spilled out of the RV with their bathing gear in hand. "Oh, I cannot wait to have a hot shower." Maria moaned in anticipation. “With lots of soap and shampoo,” Sera agreed.

Once everyone returned clean and shiny, Kyle looked around, "So what's next on the agenda?"

"Shopping - we need to replenish our supplies." Tyler answered, "We're just about out of everything."

"Shopping is not exactly my forte." Kyle grimaced, "So, I think I'll just stay here - hook up the cable and check out ESPN." When Michael nodded, "I'm with you", Maria just glared, "Michael!"

"Hey, Blondie, I've done almost all the cooking, I think someone else can buy the groceries."

"Fine," Isabel said, "You two would only be in the way anyhow, picking out nothing but bunch of junk food."

Michael looked at her, "Hey, that reminds me, pick up some of those Flaming Cheetos."

Ignoring him, Isabel looked at Tyler, "How about you, me, and Courtney hitting the grocery store? The others can see to the hookups and filling the water tank?"


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

Although Isabel had brought back hotdogs and hamburger to grill out, everyone agreed that they wanted to go out for dinner. They ended up back at the same pub where they had discovered that Courtney was still alive. "At least this time, I won't have to chase you down." Tyler teased her.

They had the staff pull several tables together and enjoyed a dinner of delicious steaks. Just as they were all about finished, Michael stood up. "Hey, Kyle, how about punching up E7 on the jukebox?" Michael handed him some change, as he pulled Maria to her feet.

"Uh, Michael, what are you doing?" Maria looked at him suspiciously, as Michael led her to the small dance floor.

"Just asking you to dance." He responded matter of factly.

"But you don't dance," she informed him, "at least not without a lot of begging from me, and you certainly don't like country music."

The opening strains began, "Shhhhh, just listen to the words." He pulled her close and began to shuffle in what passed as dancing for Michael.

My Maria - don't you know I've come a long long way
I been longin' to see her
When she's around she takes my blues away

Sweet Maria - the sunlight surely hurts my eyes
I'm a lonely dreamer on a highway in the skies
Ma-reeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-ah
Ma-reeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-ah, I love you

My Maria - there were some blue and sorrow times
Just my thoughts about you bring back my piece of mind
Gypsy lady - you're a miracle work for me
You set my soul free like a ship sailing on the sea

She is the sunlight when skies are grey
She treats me so right - lady take me away

My Ma-reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-ah, Mareeeeeeeeeeeeeee-ah, I love you
My Ma-reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-ah, Mareeeeeeeeeeeeeee-ah, I love you

My Maria ~ Brooks & Dunn


As the song faded away, Michael looked down into Maria's face as she looked up with shining eyes and a big smile, and his heart swelled. Before he knew what he was doing, he blurted out, "Marry me."

Her smile faded and was replaced by a look of surprise, "Wha... what did you say?"

Feeling somewhat surprised himself, he looked around and with pink cheeks. "I said.." he sank to one knee and looked up at her. "Will you marry me?"

"Omigod! Yes, YES!" She fell against him and he stood holding her tight as she rained kisses on him. He shrugged, "But I don't have a ring." Maria's smile never faltered, "We'll pick one out together."

Their friends crowded around to congratulate them. Liz hugged Maria, "I'm so happy for you, Maria."

Isabel gave her a hug, "I already have some ideas - maybe an outdoor wedding, and I see you in something flowing and ethereal." Maria looked a little alarmed while Liz just laughed. "You'll get used to it." Then looking at Isabel she told her, "I think I'm seeing a career building here for you, Isabel." Isabel paused, thought and then smiled, "You know, you just might be right."

Michael retrieved his ‘fiancee' as Kyle called out, "Barkeep! Root Beer all around!"


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


Several days later they once again approached the city limits of Roswell, New Mexico. As the RV sailed through, Max slowed down and pulled the Rover over to the side of the road in front of the ‘Welcome to Roswell’ sign. "Well, here we are."

Michael squeezed Maria's hand, which was now adorned with a small emerald ring with two tiny diamond chips on either side that they had found in a little jewelry shop back in Leadville. He looked up at that silly sign and grinned, "Never thought I would say this, but I'm actually happy to see that stupid green alien."

Maria sighed, "I know the feeling Spaceboy, I think that every time I see you." She squealed as Michael pounced on her, "Oh you do, Blondie?" She shrieked as he tickled her.

Max grinned at them in the rearview mirror before turning to look at Liz. Reaching out his hand, she slipped hers into it. "What about you, Max? Are you happy to be home?"

Bringing her hand to his lips, he declared with all the love in his soul, "When I'm with you, Liz, I'm always home."

She gave him a bright smile as he pulled back on the road and they crossed the city limits back into Roswell.


----------------

The End ~


----------
AN: Thank you to everyone who has ventured into my “Evil” series. I only hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did writing it. I want to give special thanks to AvengingAngelIQ and Realistic Dreamer, the ones who first encouraged me to start writing and posting, and allowed me to bounce ideas off of their heads, as did Diehard and DMG527 along with their beta work and support. Love you guys.