Roswell Fanatics

~Maria~

Michael accepts my hand and steps out of the tub pulling my into his arms. I can't even imagine that there are words to explain just how complete it makes me feel being able to really know that I'm not dreaming. With all the times I pinched myself, I know it's not a dream.

"Anything." I hear him say before his lips are pressed against mind and I'm feeling all fluttery again. The kiss doesn't last long but it's enough to make me wish that we weren't having to face the others. I wanted more then anything to be able to just stay like this forever.

He releases me and takes my hand, leaving me feeling the loss of the warmth from his arms, but still feeling joy at knowing that the closeness wasn't going to be ending. I smile as I walk with him out of the bathroom. We don't have to go far when I see Liz and Max not far from us, her fingers entwined with his. This is so great! Liz get's the man of her dreams and I get the man of mine! It's simply fantastic.

Michael walks up, keeping my hand in his as he pats Max's shoulder and says something to him. At the same time, I look at Liz and give her a smile, seeing her blush. Wording out, 'Way to go chica,' I notice that she seems to be looking at Max more which simply means that its obvious we interupted their moment.

I see Michael smirk at Max before guiding me to the living room where the others are waiting. Tess scoots over so there's enough room for me and Michael to sit beside each other and I lean against him slightly as I look at my sister with a smile. I notice out of the corner of my eye, Trevor giving me a wink and nodding with a satisfied smile and simply grin back as I look over at Michael happily.

*Max*

Michael interupts before I can even get started on my conversation with Liz. I wanted to tell her everything -- little green men and all -- but I guess this isn't going to be the time. At least she knows that I have something to tell her, and she didn't seem to object to being with me. I'll just have to hope she's still feeling that way after she knows. Witches and teleknesis are one thing, she may feel entirely differently about aliens...

Still, I can't help but notice how Michael is holding Maria's hand, and how much he's smiling. I don't know what happened between these two but it's clearly been good. He doesn't even seem to mind me being so cosy with Liz. I'd swear he's amused by it. This is a side of Michael that I very rarely see.

"I guess we should join them...before the others decide that it's us that needs a search party this time..." Liz comments with a wry smile. "Maybe later though...?"

"Count on it," I tell her. My hand still in hers, I head back into the livingroom. There, I see that Michael and Maria have taken our seats on the sofa next to Tess. Shrugging, I guide Liz to the armchair that Maria had been using on the other side of Tess. I perch on the arm, waiting for her to sit.

"We're all back," I say to Cameron and Mena. "What more do you have to tell us?"

I'm so so so sorry for not posting! I promise to do it as soon as possible...when I read everything.

~Cameron~

I nodded as I saw everyone enter, noting the changes within both groups and smiling. “We’ll try not to take too much of your time. Please, close your eyes… if people want to join hands they can, but it’s not necessary.” I stand to move behind Mena, my hands going to my mothers shoulders as I close my own eyes. “Listen carefully to Mena’s voice because soon, you will see things she wishes you to see as well.”

Mena began speaking quietly, “Centuries ago, in Ancient Greece, a maiden was chased by shadows down the dirt paths that were used as streets. She was led into a temple that was supposed to have been destroyed, Selene’s temple. There, a girl she had known for a long time handed her an amulet and told her that she had a purpose to serve, that she was to guide. Through the many years, she did this.”

Images began rushing through Isabel’s mind as she listened. A woman in the old toga like garments, an old stone temple with a crescent moon etched in each pyre, young ladies being handed amulets. Garb changed, but it always seemed the same. Four girls seemed to keep being chosen. Then, another group is revealed, one where a girl that looked just like Serena and a Mena replica were joined by two others, eventually becoming a group of five.

“Then, several years passed and she was no longer able to maintain the needs and with the last of her gift from Selene, she finally came to her resting place.” Mena’s voice continued and she sent images of Maggie becoming dust as well as the different fights over the centuries and then an image of the Atrox himself. He’d looked so human but the death and despair radiated from him even with her memories. She remembered her fighting him when she hadn’t been a daughter anymore. Before she became a guide for Daughters. She’d still had her premonitions, but she hadn’t known or remembered why.

Maria tensed as she saw an image of someone that she felt as though she’d seen him, been near him before. Her hand squeezed Michael’s as she could almost smell the scent of death from the image. Dark hair, dark eyes, tall and imposing. Empty gaze. She felt fear rush through her and she began shaking, “The Atrox,” she found herself saying aloud, uncertain how she knew.

“Yes, it was a form he had chosen to use then, however now he could have taken over someone else.” Mena replied and spoke no more, the images fading. When I opened my eyes, I saw that Mena had passed out and my concern grew.

“Adam, take mom up to her room and cover her. I’ll make some tea while you start the cleansing.” I turned to the others. “Please, think over everything you have seen and heard. We have less then seventy-two hours and I would like to know where my brother and I will stand before everything comes our way.” I paused a moment before continuing, “I’m sorry that we’ve upset the balance of your lives in such a way. I wish things could have been different. I’ll probably see you all sometime this weekend. Feel free to finish your tea and leave whenever you are ready.”

As I watched Adam pick up Mena, I moved to make my way to the kitchen so that I could begin what I knew needed to be done. Mena was going through these strange spells more often of late and that truly concerned me.

*Max*

I'm a bit stunned by what I've seen and by the way Liz's hand was tightening around mine, I know she was too. This is incredible. She's part of something so big. I'm from another planet and all, but she's actually part of legacy spanning thousands of years. It's incredible.

Adam picks up Mena and carries her out of the room as the rest of us sit in silence, although we've been given permission to go. I know this is going to take quite some time to sort out and get used to. I still want to talk to Liz about me, too, although at this point I think that news seems a lot less shocking that it might have been.

Breaking the silence, I rub the back of Liz's hand and get to my feet. "Well, we'll leave you to take care of Mena then, although I'm sure our friends will have more questions for you later."

.

~Cameron~

"Well, we'll leave you to take care of Mena then, although I'm sure our friends will have more questions for you later." I hear Max say and turn from the stove, walking back into the den for a moment.

"One last thing before you all go," I start, my voice low as I decided to explain, "The amulets work differently for those not Chosen by Selene. However, no matter who wears it, most Followers are burned if they touch the amulets. Also, a Follower hates non-digital clocks, anything that uses hands to tell time. It reminds them of their eternal bond with evil."

She sighed and looked around, "Sons and Daughters are given magnanimity of spirit, physical energy and courage. But, it's a rough road, living the life we were chosen for. So, if you are thinking it'll be easy to fight the Atrox and keep a relatively normal life, it would be best that you not return here."

"However, if you find you have questions the door is open whether it be day or night." I hear Adam say and look to see him walking slowly down the stairs. He meets my gaze and smiles, "Mom's resting."

"Good." I nodded and then looked back at the others, "Goodnight. Rest well and be careful." With that I walked out of the room and back to the kitchen.

Michael

After Cameron leaves the room, I look to Maria. "You ready to go? Or did you have more questions for them?"


ooc: sorry so short

~Maria~

I'm still feeling shaken by everything I'd seen during the sharing that they just did when I vaguely hear Max tell Cameron, "Well, we'll leave you to take care of Mena then, although I'm sure our friends will have more questions for you later."

I simply nod, not really paying much attention to things as I focus more on the fact that Michael is next to me. I know that I'm safe, but the image of the Atrox is still in my head and I need to force it away. Cameron comes back from the kitchen and says, "One last thing before you all go." She begins, "The amulets work differently for those not Chosen by Selene. However, no matter who wears it, most Followers are burned if they touch the amulets. Also, a Follower hates non-digital clocks, anything that uses hands to tell time. It reminds them of their eternal bond with evil."

She sighed and looked around, "Sons and Daughters are given magnanimity of spirit, physical energy and courage. But, it's a rough road, living the life we were chosen for. So, if you are thinking it'll be easy to fight the Atrox and keep a relatively normal life, it would be best that you not return here."

"However, if you find you have questions the door is open whether it be day or night." Her brother comes back in and adds, "Mom's resting."

"Good." Cameron replies and I watch her turn back toward us, "Goodnight. Rest well and be careful."

She walks back out toward the kitchen and I sigh. What would happen if I chose not to live the life I was chosen for? Looking at Michael, I smiled as he asked, "You ready to go? Or did you have more questions for them?"

I shake my head, "I'm ready to go. I think I've had enough information given to me on what I am tonight." I would much rather learn more about Michael and have some time alone with him. I just still can't believe that he feels the same about me. "Where do we want to go?"

I squeeze his hand gently in mine, glad that I didn't have to pretend anymore. I wanted more then anything to have him in my life in more then occassional friends manner, but now... now I had that and I prayed nothing would ever take that away from me.

*Max*

Maria and Michael lead the way out of this strange house and I have to wonder about them. All this time they've been play-acting like enemies and suddenly they're more-than-friends. It's amazing. I've loved Liz for as long as I can remember, but I've always kept my distance because of my secret. Maybe, sharing that secret now can bring us together.

I give Liz's hand a slight squeeze. "Are you ready to go?"

She nods and I walk with her towards the door. I hardly know what to think about Mena and the Sons and Daughters. Followers who are affected by analog clocks, of all things! And Cameron's warning about a difficult life for those who chose that road... but then I guess it isn't my problem. I'll help Liz and the others, if I can, but it's their choice.

"Liz? I realize you're probably a bit overwhelmed by all this. The things she said were pretty amazing... but I'd still like to talk to you about some other equally strange things, if you think you want to..."

Michael

"I'm ready to go. I think I've had enough information given to me on what I am tonight." She says to me. "Where do we want to go?"

"How about my place? I'm sure that we can get some privacy there." I glare at my brother. He and I need to have a long talk and my expression tells him so, but that will wait. Right now, my only thoughts are on Maria. Having her so open to me and who I am is refreshing. I want to tell her, show her all that I am. I'm a little nervous to do so, but I know she won't turn me away, or ridicule me. She will accept me for who I am.

I lead the way toward the door. I see Max talking with Liz and hope that he tells her the truth. The way they were acting in the hall, and the feelings I know he has for her...they deserve each other.

Isabel stands and I almost go up to her, to make sure she is ok, but then I see Alex right next to her. The way he is standing so close to her and the concerned expression tells me that he'll take care of her.

The others are standing around, all a little uncertain of what to do next.

"We'll talk later." I growl at Trevor upon passing him. I'm upset that he's kept something like this from me. Then again, I've also kept my secret so I shouldn't be mad. But right now, logic isn't the number one priority at the moment. With Maria's kisses and touch lingering and all that has happened, all I want is to hold her in my arms again and lose myself in her feel.

We walk out of the house and I stop long enough to take a deep breath of fresh air.

"We'll go on my bike so Tess can have the car." I lead her to my motorcycle.


ooc: I'll temp for Teresa if you need me to Storm...and even Tess if need be so we can bring Kyle back into this...Just let me know