Roswell Fanatics

::OK it's short... I mean real short but it's something... school started back up again and college is... not fun especially when you have no idea what you want out of college or life lol... I'm sure many of you have been there or will... you understand. Anyway... I'll be back soon!::

Part 19B

"No, no, no, no!" Maria pulled her cedar oil from her purse and immediately started inhaling the scent, in an attempt to calm herself. "Oh my God, no, I’m not… no… no."

"Are you even joking me?" Michael laughed hysterically. "I always knew there was something off about her.

"Shut up Michael!" she yelled. She then began quietly chanting. "I‘m not an alien; I‘m not an alien."

"Maria, you are completely human. You were created exactly how Catherine was. Claudia knew of Amy DeLuca, and thought her unborn daughter would be a good candidate for Ianna," Larek explained.

"Excuse me? Candidate? This is insane! I don’t believe this." Maria looked at Liz. "Please, please, tell me you are joking!"

Liz shook her head. "Sorry Maria. It’s true."

"Excuse me," Alex spoke up from the back. "I’m just wondering if Kyle and I should know anything."

"No, you two have no affiliation with their past lives," Larek told them.

"Thank God," Kyle muttered.

"Ok! FOCUS ON ME PLEASE!" Maria cried. "I am Michael’s stupid alien lover from Antar! And I am Max’s and Isabel’s sister!" She inhaled more cedar oil. "Oh my God."

Michael grabbed her. "You need some air," he said, dragging her away from the group. He gently pushed her out the door and locked it behind her.

"MICHAEL! What did you do that for?" Liz asked, hurrying towards the door to get to Maria.

"Hey, I am not going to deal with her while she’s like that. She’s crazy I tell you."

Liz glared at him. "Get your alien ass out there, and talk to her. NOW!"

"Fine," Michael said. "But if she goes all crazy Maria on me, I’m sending her back in here for you to deal with."

Michael went outside where Maria was standing alone, sniffing her cedar oil. "You ok?" he asked her.

"No! How would you feel if you were reincarnated alien royalty?" Michael glanced at her and tilted his head. "Oh… wait. I guess you are reincarnated alien royalty, huh?"

"Yup," he said.

Maria sighed, calming down a bit. "This is just strange. I mean… I don’t… I don’t know what I mean."

Michael exhaled slowly. "I know that this is a lot of information. Hell, it is for all of us, but…"

"But what?" she asked.

"Umm…" he stuttered.”I, um… I’m glad things turned out the way they did. I’m glad that I get another chance to love you."

Maria felt tears well up in her eyes. She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. "I love you Spaceboy."

"I love you, too Spacegirl," he laughed.

She kissed him again, and she had a feeling that it was all going to be ok, as long as they all stuck together.

Part 20

Antar - The Palace - 6 weeks later

Zan walked around the castle like a zombie. It had been that way since Catherine had died 6 weeks ago, and Zan wasn’t living well without her. Larek had become extremely worried about the young King. Khivar hadn’t made any contact with the Royal family since Catherine’s murder, but Larek knew that he was still out there, biding him time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Larek had spoken with the Queen on several occasions, trying to figure out what to do about him. Larek knew that the death of Catherine had hit him hard, and it was something Zan would never fully forget or get over. But Larek knew that Zan had to go on with his life, because that is what Catherine would have wanted for him.

Larek entered the yard where Zan was sitting, quietly reading. Larek and the Queen now had a plan to get Zan to start living again, and Larek just hoped it would work.

"Zan," Larek said, sitting next to him.

"Larek," he addressed his friend, without looking up from his book.

"What are you doing?" Larek asked.

"I’m reading. Catherine wanted me to read this book. I have to finish it quickly," Zan told him.

"Why do you have to finish it quickly?"

"Because when the baby comes, I won’t have time to read, and the baby is going to be here any day," Zan explained.

Larek frowned. "What baby?"

"My baby! Catherine and I are having a baby, where have you been Larek?"

Larek was extremely disturbed by this new turn of events. "Zan… Catherine isn’t here."

"I know. She had to go to town and get some things. She’ll be back anytime."

Larek couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Zan was obviously hallucinating things, but he hadn’t before.

"Zan… Catherine died," Larek told him.

Zan slammed the book shut. "How dare you say something like that to me? She’s not dead she’s just away. She’ll be back!"

Larek shook his head. "Zan… Catherine died 6 weeks ago. So did the baby. They aren’t coming back."

"No, shut up! JUST SHUT UP!" Zan yelled. "Catherine and the baby are fine!"

Larek pulled Zan up and led him towards the garden. He pointed towards a rock and a white rose bush. "Look! That’s where Catherine and the baby are buried. They are gone, Zan! You need to snap out of this."

Zan knelt down and ran his fingers over the inscription on the rock. "Princess Catherine and Baby," he whispered.

"She really isn’t coming back, is she Larek?"

Larek shook his head sadly. "Zan, you need to start living again. Catherine wouldn’t want this."

"I know, but I… I miss her so much. Sometimes I feel her and she’s so close, I believe she never died. I don’t know what’s happening to me."

"It’s just a part of grieving. Denial is a strong emotion, but it’s time. Your people need you to start leading them. You are a king."

"I know."

"And I hate to tell you this right now, but you will need to get married."

Zan sighed, still planted on Catherine’s grave. "I will marry Ava," he said reluctantly. "She’s the only person I trust to sit at my side."

"I’ll tell your Mother," Larek said solemnly.

"Can you give me a minute?" Zan asked.

"Sure." Larek headed away leaving Zan alone with his wife.

* * *

"I’m going crazy," Zan said. "I’m going crazy without you. Literally. I go through spells where I don’t believe you are dead and my mind has made up this place where you are. It’s ridiculous really, but living without you… it’s hard. You were my everything, Catherine. Sometimes I feel like I can’t do this without you." He choked back some tears. "I’m going to marry Ava. Not right now, but eventually. I don’t want to. I’d much rather live alone and just live in a dream world where you are still alive, but I can’t. As much as I wish I wasn’t right now, I’m a king and I have responsibilities. You understand that though, you always did. I just want you to know, that even though I’ll eventually marry Ava, I’ll never love another as much as I love you. And even though it may look like I’m living happily, I’ll always miss you. No one will ever replace you and I will never forget you. I love you Catherine, and I love our baby." Zan picked a single white rose from the bush and laid it across the stone. "Goodbye, Catherine." He swallowed hard, got up, and walked slowly to the castle, wishing he had one more day with his beloved.

Part 21

::A/N: OK so this starts to skip into the future a lot, getting really close to the fall of the Antarian Monarchy.


Antar - One Antarian Year Before the Fall

Vilandra knocked on Ianna’s door and waited until her sister gave her the okay to enter. She shut the door behind her and looked at Ianna who was lying on her bed, looking at the ceiling.

"I’m sorry," Vilandra told her, sitting down next to her.

"Whatever," Ianna spat. "Like you care what I’m feeling."

Vilandra felt a stab of pain from the comment. "I do care Ianna. You’re my sister and I love you. But I have no control over this."

Ianna shot up and glared at Vilandra. "You do! You could tell her no. Dad isn’t here anymore. No one is forcing these decisions upon us."

"Mother said that Rath and I are getting married, I can’t help it. It was her decision, and she’s the Queen, Ianna."

"I love him," Ianna whispered. "I love him so much and now I’m losing him. I don’t know how many more people in my life I can lose."

"I know that this is hard…" Vilandra started but Ianna cut her off.

"My best friend just died, my Brother is going insane, and the one person in the whole world that always was there for me no matter what is marrying my sister. Tell me you know how I’m feeling."

"I loved Catherine like a sister! And Zan… he’s my brother, too. And I lost the man I loved. He killed Catherine. How do you think I’m feeling?" Vilandra cried.

"So why don’t you just go on ahead and take Rath. He’s yours Vilandra. Did you come in here for permission? You don’t need it."

"Ianna, you have to understand..."

"Understand what? That you are a selfish princess who has to have things exactly as she wants them. Haven’t you always been that way? Running away from home, falling in love with a murderer, defying Father and Zan."

"What about you?" Vilandra started. "You used to always be in trouble. Until you were thirteen, you weren’t even allowed to leave the premises!"

"That’s because I had to do whatever possible so that people would see me. I’m the forgotten daughter, the screw up. My whole life, I’ve been shoved to the background. While our parents were off trying to find you and Zan suitable mates, they were trying to figure out how to hide me. You and Zan get everything! Zan’s going to be the mighty King and you’re going to be the princess that sits by his side and takes over if something happens to him. I’m nothing. Don’t you realize that? Our father wrote a will. You and Zan got everything, and he left me nothing. So now Vilandra… tell me that you understand, because I sure don’t."

Vilandra sat in silence for a few moments. Her sister really had been shoved to the background. "I’m sorry," Vilandra choked out.

"Rath was the only person who ever put me first, well Rath and Catherine. She would always be there for me. Now she’s gone and Rath is going to be gone, too."

"He’ll still be here. You two can always be friends."

"Friends?" Ianna snickered. "Rath and I will never be friends. I’m in love with him. He’s in love with me. And you don’t love him at all. So, he’s going to marry you, and I’m going to be alone. Don’t you get it?"

"Ianna, I don’t know what to do." Vilandra felt tears well up in her eyes.

"Give him up," Ianna said.

"No, I can’t," Vilandra told her. "He’s all I have."

Ianna shook her head. "Fine, then get out of my room, because I have nothing left to say to you."

Vilandra sadly stood up and walked out into the hall, not knowing what to do.

* * *

Antar - The Palace - 3 weeks before the fall

Zan paced nervously back and forth. He was getting married today, for the second time in his life. This time however, the wedding was going to be very small. He was marrying Ava, the woman he was supposed to marry from birth. But that had all changed when he fell in love with Catherine. From the moment he had laid eyes on her, he knew she was the one and still to this day, he knew that no other woman would ever replace her.

Zan’s biggest enemy, Khivar, had murdered Catherine almost two years ago. Technically, it had been one of Khivar’s men that had sent the bullet through his beloved, but Zan blamed Khivar nonetheless.
Now Catherine was dead and Zan was marrying Ava. It wasn’t that Zan didn’t love Ava, because he did. She was one of his best friends. They had grown up together, but Zan didn’t love Ava the way Ava loved him. Ava loved Zan completely and romantically. Zan loved Ava like a sister. He had hurt her when he told her he was marrying Catherine, but being the selfless person that she was, she had convinced Zan’s father that she was the one that had called off the wedding, even though it had been Zan.

"Zan, you ready?" Larek asked, coming up being the King.

"Yeah…" Zan said softly.

"Hey, I know that this is going to be a hard day, and Ava understands. She knows how much you still love Catherine."

"Am I doing the right thing? I mean… is it fair for me to marry Ava, even though I’ll never love her?"

"I think you are doing the right thing for this planet, Zan. And that’s what is important now," Larek told him. "The rebellion that Khivar is leading has turned this planet upside down. We are on the verge of a great civil war. I think you taking a wife, will get your followers to listen to you again."

"Whatever you say." Zan let out a long breath. Here we go, he thought to himself.

* * *

Antar - The Palace - Hours before the Fall

"Excuse me? Princess Vilandra?" the young servant girl said, from outside Vilandra’s door. Vilandra got up and opened the door.

"What?" she asked.

The girl held out a letter and handed it to Vilandra. "This just came for you."

"Thank you," Vilandra said, taking the letter.

The servant girl left, and Vilandra shut the door. She sat down on her bed and tore open the letter, reading it slowly. She stared at it for a few minutes, before reading it again.

She thought for a while, before resolving about what to do. She shoved the letter under her mattress and left the room, sneaking out of the palace walls.

* * *

"Lonnie, I’m so glad you made it," Khivar said, walking to her and hugging her tightly.

"What do you want?" Vilandra snapped.

"I want you. I’m sorry Lonnie, for everything. I was so stupid," he told her.

"I don’t believe you. Leave my family and me alone. You’ve done enough," she spat bitterly.

"Vilandra… please," he pleaded. "I love you. It’s always been you, but I was too stupid to realize it. You’re everything to me. Please, I need your help."

Vilandra was taken aback by his attitude. He seemed like the Khivar she had fallen in love with, not the one that had killed her friend.

"Vilandra, I want to make peace with Zan. Please, let my men and me through to make peace. We can end this rebellion."

"I don’t know, I don’t trust you."

Khivar took her hand in his and kissed her gently on the lips. "Lonnie, I won’t hurt you again, I promise. Just take me to see Zan."

Vilandra bit her bottom lip. "Ok, but no armies, just you."

"Deal," Khivar said, grinning.


::Coming up... The fall of the Royal Family... and soon... Where do they go from here?::

Part 22

Ianna looked up from her book to see Vilandra entering the yard with Khivar. She strategically placed herself behind a huge rose bush and peaked out to see what they were doing. Ianna watched as Khivar grinned at Vilandra and then pulled her to him, kissing her lightly. Vilandra giggled and kissed him back. Ianna felt nauseous from the sight. She didn’t know what the hell was going on, but Zan was going to be pissed.

Ianna continued watching as they pulled apart and continued to the castle door. She was losing sight of them, so she went from behind the rose bush to the side of the castle so that she would be able to see them until they got inside. After that, they were both screwed. Zan had promised that if he ever saw Khivar again he would personally torture him for all the pain he had put the Royal Family through.

Ianna blinked and when her eyes were open, again she saw Khivar reach for a knife. Ianna gasped, but stayed where she was. It wouldn’t do anyone good to get herself killed, and she didn’t’ think Khivar would hurt Vilandra. She was wrong.

Khivar hid the knife behind his back and then pulled Vilandra’s arm again. She turned a bright, happy smile on her face. He then took the knife and stuck it into Vilandra’s stomach. Ianna tried to scream but couldn’t as Khivar stabbed Vilandra again. Vilandra cried out in pain and Ianna saw her struggling to fight off Khivar.

He dropped her to the ground and continued into the castle.
Ianna ran out from her hiding spot and knelt beside her sister.

"Oh my… Vilandra!" Ianna cried.

"Ianna… I thought… he said he wanted to make peace with Zan. He lied… he lied again! I’m so stupid," she choked.

"Vilandra, I saw the whole thing, I could have helped you. I’m so sorry," Ianna told her.

"Don’t be. I’m glad you protected yourself little sister. I love you. Hurry, warn the others."

"I’m not leaving you here to die alone!" Ianna cried again.

"Go Ianna!" Vilandra ordered. "Go in through the back and get Rath. He’s in his room!"

"I love you Vilandra!" Ianna told her sister.

"Go!" Vilandra struggled with words now.

Ianna thought for a minute before lifting Vilandra up. She carried her into the garden and put her next to Catherine’s grave. It was hidden slightly and maybe Vilandra would be able to hide and live until the battle was over. "Just stay here, where you’re hidden!" Ianna yelled, running towards the back of the castle. She hurried in the back door and ran up the back steps slamming open the door to Rath’s room.

"Ianna! What are doing?" Rath exclaimed.

"Vilandra’s dead! Khivar killed her! He’s in the castle!" she told him.

Rath jumped off the bed and ran to the door. "Stay here," he said to her.

"No! I’m not letting you go alone! I’m going, too!" she protested.

"Ianna!"

"RATH!" She wasn’t going to lose this.

"Fine, but stay behind me!"

The two walked quietly down the hall into the study. Zan, Ava, and Larek were sitting around talking; obviously not knowing what was going on.

"Zan!" Ianna ran to him and hugged him. "Vilandra’s dead!"

"What?" Zan stood up and looked at Rath. Everyone started talking at once.

"Keep your voices down!" Rath hushed them. "Khivar is in the castle. God only knows how big his army is!"

"How did this happen?" Zan asked anxiety filling him.

"Vilandra said that he told her he was coming to make peace so she let him in. He tricked her," Ianna told him. Suddenly, they heard gunshots and a scream from downstairs.

"He got Mom!" Ianna cried. She rushed towards the door to go to her mother, but Rath stopped her.

"Are you crazy? He’s going to be coming for us next!"

"We need a plan Zan!" Ava told him.

"Rath, get Ianna and Ava out of here now," Zan ordered.

They heard yelling and Larek looked out the window. "Khivar’s army is in the yard." He ran to the window on another side of the room and looked out. "The disturbance must have alerted our soldiers, because they are fighting Khivar’s men already, but our numbers don’t compare to his. We are in big trouble. Most of the guards are dead."

"Rath… go now. Get them as far as you can safely and then get back here. Ianna and Ava, once Rath leaves you run as far as you can. Get as far away from here as possible!"

"I’m not leaving you Zan!" Ava said.

"Ava!" Zan warned.

"I am Queen now! Your mother is dead, I am Queen, and I have a say in this!” she cried.

"Ava, I’m doing this for your safety. You have to survive! If I die, you’ll sit on the throne. Please… for the sake of this planet," he begged her.

Ava started crying and kissed him. "I love you Zan. I know I’m not Catherine, but I love you."

Zan kissed her back. "I love you too," he told her.

"We need to go now!" Rath cried. He heard more yelling and he knew that Khivar’s men were on the search for them. Rath took Ianna’s hand and Ava followed behind them. He looked out to door and checked to make sure it was clear both ways, then exited, shutting the door behind him.

Larek started making a barricade in front of the door and Zan got away from the windows so no one outside would see him.
"This is not good Your Highness… not good at all."

* * *

Rath, Ianna, and Ava entered the garden and kept a good lookout. Most of Khivar’s men were inside the castle and Rath prayed that they hadn’t found Zan and Larek yet. Rath only had to get Ianna and Ava a few more feet and they would be outside the palace walls. They walked quickly, hiding behind different things and staying close to the side of the castle.
Rath led, followed by Ianna, and then Ava. They were almost home free when Ava let out a cry from behind.

One of Khivar’s men had grabbed her and without so much as a thought, slit her throat. She fell to the ground in a slump and the men started towards them.

Ianna gasped and Rath pulled her and the two started sprinting as fast as they could towards the brick wall that surrounded the castle. They weren’t fast enough.

Khivar’s men caught up with them and grabbed Ianna by the hair. "Rath!" she screamed.

Rath took out his gun and fired at the man holding Ianna. He fell to the
ground and Ianna ran towards Rath. There were more coming. Rath stood strongly in front of Ianna, wanting to protect her and started firing at the army. One by one, they fell, and the numbers dwindled.

Once Rath knew it was safe, they ran some more. They were almost there, but Rath heard more men on his trail so he turned to fire again. Ianna was standing out in the open, and Rath heard a shot fired at her.

"Nooo!" he cried, pushing her to the ground and taking the bullet himself.

"Rath!" Ianna screamed, scrambling to get to him.

"I love you," Rath told her, as he lay dying.

One of Khivar’s men aimed at Ianna and shot her in the back. She fell onto Rath and screamed in pain. Khivar’s men then took off in the other direction after shooting her, leaving them both for dead.

"Rath! We can get away!" she told him, although they were both bleeding profusely.

Rath coughed and blood shot from his mouth. "Go, you can still make it!" he told her.

"I can’t move," she said, her body paralyzed.

With what little strength he had, Rath put his arms around her and held her tightly as they both bled to death.

* * *

"Your Highness, they are storming the castle. You need to leave now."

"Larek, I’m not leaving my castle and my soldiers. I’m going to fight. Khivar will not take my throne until I’m dead and gone."

"With all due respect, you are going to die. Our soldiers are dropping very quickly. Khivar has about five hundred men out there."

"Where is Rath?"

"Sir, I don’t know," Larek answered. "Last we heard he was getting the Queen and your sister out of here and into a place of safety."

"He should have been back by now. I’m going to find him."

"Um… excuse me Your Highness as your advisor I really don’t think that’s a good idea. There are tons of Khivar’s men out there just waiting to be the lucky one to off the King of Antar and be a hero to Khivar and the rebellion."

"Larek, I’m going to find my wife and sister."

"Zan, as your friend. I’m begging you, don’t do this. It’s suicide."

Zan looked solemnly at one of his best friends since childhood. "Larek, I have a duty to my family to make sure they are safe." Zan put his arm on Larek’s shoulder. "If I’m not back by the time that bastard gets here, save yourself. Do whatever you have to. Just survive. You know what to do after that."

"Yes sir," Larek said, understanding completely.

"I’m no longer a king, Larek. I’m just a lowly civilian. My time as ruler is done. You’ve been a great friend Larek. I hope to know you in the next life."

"Goodbye Zan," Larek said, and he watched his friend rush into the battle. "May a higher power be with you."

* * *

Zan exited the study and ran downstairs and into the yard. He held his gun ready to be fired and walked by the side of the castle walls, trying not to be seen yet.

He passed the garden and saw Vilandra lying there dead. Next, he came across Ava’s dead body. He tried to forget this as he hurried through the yard, passing many dead bodies on his way. At the entrance of the castle was the worst sight of all. His best friend and sister lying motionless together. Rath’s arms around Ianna. He knelt down beside them. They were both dead.

Zan had no one. He went back towards the castle, having his questions answered. But there was still one problem. Khivar would not make it out of this alive.

Zan ran back into the castle, where most of the army now was. None of
Khivar’s men were in the yard and Zan could have escaped unharmed, but he wouldn’t leave Larek there and he wouldn’t let Khivar take his crown.
Zan entered the castle and turned to look into the recreation room. He headed down the hallway into the big living room. There was Khivar, sitting on his throne, with his crown perched atop his head.

"King Zan!" Khivar said with delight. "I’ve waited for this a long time."

"I’m going to kill you Khivar. For my sisters, my mother, my friends… and most importantly for Catherine," Zan threatened. He took out his sword and held it up.

"You sure do talk big Zan, but I’ve killed your entire army and your whole family. You really aren’t in the position to threaten." Khivar hopped off the throne and started towards Zan.

Zan held his position and his sword. "Let’s go Khivar. Just you and me."

"Ok." Khivar grinned. He took out his sword and the two immediately started fighting. They were fairly even matched.

Zan lunged, his sword toward Khivar and narrowly missed being struck himself. Khivar jumped and lunged his sword at Zan’s abdomen. Zan made a shield with his own sword, protecting himself. Zan’s sword was then lower to the floor and Khivar took his chance and kicked it out of his hands. Zan struggled to get his sword back, but Khivar stepped on it, holding it down with his foot.

He took his other foot and kicked Zan down on the ground. "This is it King Zan. In a few short moments, you will join your lovely Catherine and I will take your throne.

Zan was tired. He hadn’t even put up much of a fight to be honest. This was it and he knew it.

Khivar kicked Zan again and turned him onto his back. He put his foot on Zan’s chest and pushed down. Zan struggled for air as Khivar’s boot put a weight on his lungs.
Before he knew it, Khivar was thrusting his sword into Zan’s body, blood flowing all over.

"Rest in peace, Your Highness," Khivar laughed bitterly.

"This isn’t over Khivar," Zan spat. "This isn’t over."

* * *

Roswell, New Mexico - Michael’s Apartment - Late Sunday Night

"Khivar had no idea what Zan was talking about. Zan had planned to reincarnate you as hybrids long before this attack. His mother and I had been developing them in a secret laboratory for months.”

"I lived obviously. Khivar found me in the study after he killed Zan and made me his servant. I eventually escaped and finished developing you all," he said, pointing to Tess, Isabel, Michael, and Max. "You were sent to Earth with foufour protectors.”

“What about the other set?” Michael asked, remembering what Hal had told him.

“We messed up on the first set, but sent them along anyway, in case something should happen. Their protectors died, so Naseado dumped them in the sewers in New York, hoping they would stay away from you. You were safely hidden with the Granolith, in hopes that when you were old enough you would come back to Antar and help our world.”

“Wow.” Tess said.

“You were all four supposed to grow up with Naseado and Cal Langely, your other protector, but Michael, Max, and Isabel hatched a month before you were supposed too. You left and when Naseado went to the cave, he only found Tess. When you activated the orbs, it sent a signal to Antar and that’s how Khivar knows you are alive. It’s how I knew you were here. That’s why I came here and bought the UFO Center. I’m here to train you.”

"So eventually we’ll go back to Antar then?” Michael asked.

"Yes… eventually, if you want too.” Larek told them.

“Just those four?” Liz asked.

“That’s up to you all.” Larek said. “At this point, the war is so our of control, I’m not even sure if your presence would make a difference. And I would hate to see you all die again. I think that you should continue living life as normal teenage kids, and we’ll just see what happens.”

Max nodded in agreement. “I think that’s a good idea.”

“Me too.” Michael agreed.

“I think we need to all get home.” Tess said.

Liz looked at her watch. “It’s really late and we do have school tomorrow.”

The group stood and stretched out, having been sitting in the same place for a few hours. Kyle, Valenti, and Tess said their goodbyes and headed home first. Alex went later, with Isabel. Courtney and Larek left, Courtney disappointed by the new development of Maria being Ianna. Max and Liz then left, holding hands. They were officially back together. That left just Michael and Maria alone in the apartment.

Michael sat down on the couch and yawned. Maria sat next to him and turned towards him.

“What?” Michael asked, noticing his girlfriend watching him.

Maria smiled. “You died for me.” She said, almost in awe.

“Not like it did much good.” He mumbled. “You died anyway.”

“Michael, thank you.”

“For what?” He asked confused.

“For loving me.”

Michael put his arm around her and pulled her closer, kissing her on the forehead. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. The familiar feeling of being safe, of being in his arms, overwhelmed her, and she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Epilogue

Roswell, New Mexico - West Roswell High - A Week Later

The group of friends gathered around the lunch table in the quad, everyone pairing off into couples. Max and Liz held hands under the table and snuck looks at each other whenever they could. Michael and Maria bantered back and forth, tossing food at each other whenever appropriate. Isabel smiled at Alex as he laced his fingers with hers. The two weren't officially a couple yet, but everyone knew it was coming. The surprise was Kyle and Tess. They gave each other shy, secret looks and the group couldn't understand what was up with them, although Tess having a distraction from Max was a good thing.

"So what should we do tonight?" Maria asked the group. "It is Friday."

"How about a movie night?" Alex exclaimed.

"Fine, but you and Kyle are not picking the movie!" Michael told them.

Everyone started laughing. "Yeah, because the last time you guys picked the movie, we lost brain cells!" Liz said, scooting closer to Max.

"Fine, but the girls can?t pick it then." Kyle said.

Maria pouted. "Why not?"

"Because you?ll pick some stupid lovey dovey movie." Michael said, sticking his tongue out in disgust.

"That's ok with me." Max said, looking at Liz.

"Oh, I think I might be sick!" Isabel said, looking the other way.

"Fine, how about if Max and Michael pick the movie then?" Tess suggested, knowing then they'd get the best of both worlds.

"Sounds good to me. Maxwell?"

Max shook his head. "Michael and I will go after school."

"Ok then how about 7 at my house?" Kyle asked.

The group all agreed.

And there they were. A group of eight friends that held a life-altering secret. They knew that the story of the Royal four, or the Royal six now, was far from over. In fact, it was just beginning. But they refused to live their lives in fear. They wouldn't make the same mistakes twice. They would prepare themselves for whatever was coming, but they wouldn't obsess over it.

As Liz looked around the table at her friends, she couldn?t stop smiling. They had been through a lot, and would go through a lot more, but she had a feeling that it would be ok. Because they were together and together, they could do anything.

::Well that's the end! Thanks to everyone who has read and posted feedback I really appreciate it! I hope you liked it as much as I liked writing it! I was thinking about doing a sequel but we'll see... Anyway check out my other two fics I'm working on right now... "All The Things She Left Behind" which is on the CC board and "You'll Be In My Heart" which I just started and is posted on the AU board. Also thanks to my wonderful beta! I couldn't have done this without her!::