Roswell Fanatics

Title: Atop A Twisted Mountain
Pairings/Couples/Category: Alec/Maria Crossover Dark Angel/Roswell
Rating: Mature
Disclaimer: I own nothing EXCEPT Jerry Lurry and Chief Hughohonoboon.
Summary: Ten years after Alec brought down Manticore, he meets Maria DeLuca, the woman he has been dreaming of, who shows him Manticore may still exist.
Author's Note: This is different. Most people have never read or written about Alec/Maria before. Just bear with me here, I promise all will work out. Please review!

Part One: Going Into Town

5:45 AM. The rooster has just begun to crow, but this doesnt faze him. It wouldn't. He had been up for the last hour. He had always been an early riser. Didn't need much sleep. An hour one night, two the next. Sleep was the least of his concerns. No, he had too much to do. Cows to milk, eggs to collect, pigs to slop, chickens to butcher and clean. To many, this type of life would be hell. Too much work, not enough fun. But to Alec Lurry, this was fun. This was what he had work for so hard for the last ten years. Why? Because he loved it. Alec had worked on his dad's ranch for several years. Well, not his real dad. he never knew his real dad. Mr. Lurry was a man that he had just bonded with. He looked at him like a dad. When he died, he left Alec the ranch and everything on it. This is when Alec took his last name.

Up until ten years ago, Alec didnt know who Jerry Lurry was. He wouldn't. He had been living in a government facility called Mantiore. Manticore wasn't home. it was prison. Brainwashing, genetic enhancements, breeding partners, torture chambers and assignments to kill. And that was on a slow day. This was the kind of stuff you live your life trying to get away from. The stuff you try your best to forget. At thirty years old, ten years after the fall of Manticore, he still had not been able to forget. And he never would. It was what caused his lack of need for sleep. When you go so long without sleep, you begin to not need it.

After getting all his morning chores done, Alec climbed in his Ford pickup truck and headed to town. He needed feed for the chickens and a new saddle for his horse. He had two horses. One named Tarzan that didn't take well to being ridden and one named Tumbleweed that lived for it. He had ridden Tumbleweed so much that he had worn out the saddle. He didn't even bother to get one for Tarzan as he would never need it. Tarzan was good for pulling things.

When he got to town, he pulled up at the Agri-supply store. They had just opened about six months before. Up until then, he had to drive to Hondo, which was about 50 miles out of Roswell, to get everything he needed. He never minded the drive though, actually he rather enjoyed it. It was peaceful. After paying for his things, he walked out and put them in the back of the truck. That was when he saw her. He often wondered if she knew how much he pined for her. How he would watch her walk down the road with her boyfriend as her long blonde hair swung in the mid-summer breeze. How he wished he was the man holding her. But how would she? She was too wrapped up in her boyfriend and manicures and hair stylists. She was used to being primped an dpampered. Being just a poor rancher, Alec couldn't hold a candle to that. No, he didnt have a chance with Maria DeLuca.

Title: Atop A Twisted Mountain
Part Two: Did Someone Call For A Bus?
Written By: Ann
E-Mail: leann1092000@yahoo.com
Pairings/Couples/Category: Alec/Maria Crossover Dark Angel/Roswell
Rating: Mature
Disclaimer: I own nothing EXCEPT Jerry Lurry and Chief Hughohonoboon.
Summary: Alec discovers some things about himself when someone is killed in a freak bus accident.
Warning: Character Death

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

He was just about to get back into his truck and head to the ranch when he heard them start to argue.
“What do you expect me to do? This baby isn’t going to raise itself!”

“I told you Maria. I didn’t want this baby to begin with. It isn’t my responsibility!”

“Michael Guirin! I refuse to give up my baby or have an abortion because you’re not man enough to handle it!”

“You know what Maria? You’re right. You shouldn’t have to give up this baby on account of me. But don’t expect me to be there!”

You know the part of a movie that you wish you could just skip past? Just fast forward it but you cant because your sitting at a movie theater and not in your living room? Well, this is that moment. He had never seen anything like that before and never wanted to again, but when Alec watched Michael step into the street and get run over by that Greyhound bus, he couldn’t help but run out and check on him. But there was nothing Alec could do. Michael was dead.

It was like a piece out of The Twilight Zone. The police were swarming around now and the coroner had just closed the body bag. But the thing that got to Alec the most was Maria. Here is a pregnant girl, who just watched her boyfriend get run over by a bus and killed, just standing there saying nothing. Not mumbling, screaming or even shaking a little. Alec figured she must be in shock or something. He overheard one of the officers ask her if they should call her parents. She shook her head no. Walking up to her, Alec apologized for what happened and asked if there was anything he could do. She looked up and nodded saying he could take her home. He nodded back and walked her to his truck.

She got in and put her seat belt on. “Ugh! It smells like dog in here!”
“Oh, that’s Bo. He’s a great dog but he don’t smell so good.”
“You ever heard of giving him a bath?”
“You ever tried to wrestle a 98 pound St. Bernard who just happens to hate water?”

There was a silence. A very uncomfortable silence. “So um, where we headed?”
“1605 McAllister Lane. Michael and I just got that apartment yesterday.” He looked at her and said quietly. “You sure you want to stay there? I could take you to your parents house. It would be less of a reminder.”

For some reason, this set her off. “Listen cowboy, I said I want to go to my apartment. If I wanted your advice, I would have asked for it! Stop the truck!” He wasn’t going to until he realized they were in front of her building. He stopped the truck and got out, running to the other side and opening her door. He looked at her. “Listen, I know we have never been friends.” She snorted at this. “But that isn’t because I was not willing to be. I don’t even know if you remember me.” “Remember you? From where? Cow Polk R Us?”
Fighting back the urge to say something smart-assed in response to this, he simply said “My name is Alec Lurry. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m in the book.” She started to walk away when he said “You know, someone once told me that life is like being atop a twisted mountain. There is a new beginning around every bend. Things will get better Maria. I promise you that.” He then got back in his truck and waited until she was safely inside to drive away.

By the time he got home, it was already 9:20 at night. This had been one of the longest and most stressful days of his life. It wasn’t watching Michael get killed that had h im bothered though. Through his years at Manticore, he had seen many people get killed. He had even killed a few himself. Not that he was proud of it because he wasn’t, but it wasn’t anything unusual. No, the thing that had him so stressed was seeing how upset Maria wasn’t! She had been with Michael for over three years yet showed no emotion when she watched him get killed. This could only mean one of two things. Either she really had gone into shock or she didn’t really love him.

TBC

Atop A Twisted Mountain
By Ann

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Part Three: The Visitation

Before he had anymore time to think about it, there was a knock on the door. He walked through the hall and looked out the window. Quickly opening the door, he said “Maria. Are you ok?” She rolled her eyes and said with a tone of disgust “Why is it everytime a woman shows up at a man’s door, he automatically assumes she’s a damsel in distress and it’s his job to save her?”

Alec retorted “And why is it everytime a man shows any type of concern for a woman, she assumes that he assumes she’s a damsel in distress?” “Well, didn’t you?” She asked. “No.” he replied. “I was actually just shocked to see you standing on my front porch. I didn’t even think you knew where I lived.”

“I didn’t. I followed you here.” She admitted blushing slightly. “You followed me?” He asked. “Yeah, I wanted to know if it was some kind of sick joke.” Confused, he asked “If what was some kind of sick joke?”

“The barcode Alec. On your neck.” He paused for a minute shocked. What did she know about the barcodes? What did she know about Manticore? “Just a tattoo. No joke to it.” He tried to convince her. “That’s baloney Alec and you know it. I know about that place. What I want to know is what your assignment is."

“Ok Maria, I have no idea how you know about Manticore, but they were taken down ten years ago. They no longer exist.” “Where exactly did you get your information Alec?” “I was there Maria. I helped take them down.”

“You want a cookie?” She asked sarchastically. “What the hell is your problem? You come in here accusing me of playing jokes then turn into a royal bitch. What did I do that has you so pissed off?” “I just want to know your intentions Alec.” “My intentions? My intentions are to shut this door, walk into my kitchen, grab a bottle of whiskey and drink the night away. Something has to drown out this nightmare that is my life and this conversation sure as hell isn’t going to do it! As a matter of fact, all it is doing is giving me a cramp. IN MY ASS!” He started to shut the door when she threw her hand up and stopped it. “Who the hell are you and what do you know about Manticore?” He asked her trying not to totally lose his temper.

“Maybe we better go sit down.” He stepped back and signaled for her to walk in while rolling his eyes in a last great act of defyince. “Want a drink?” he asked. “Some water would be good.” “You don’t want the water.” He told her. “Why don’t you let me decide for myslef cowboy?” she replied. “Fine, you want the damn water? Coming right up princess.” He walked into the kitchen and returned with a glass containing a brown liquid. “What is that?” she asked. “The water.” He replied. “I’ll pass.” She said quickly. “I kind of figured you would. Here, I brought you a glass of orange juice just in case.” “Thank you.” She said. Alec grabbed his chest with his right hand and hit the floor. Maria jumped up and said “Alec! Are you ok?”

He sat up with a really confused look on his face. “I’m fine. Just surprised to hear you say thank you.” She smacked his arm and said “jerk!” She sat back down but noticed he was still looking at her strangely. “What Alec? Why are you giving me that look?”

“I’m confused Maria. You just showed more concern for someone you just met then you did for the man you were with for years. What’s the deal?” “You really don’t know, do you?” she asked. “Know what?” he responded with a quizical look on his face. “Michael was Manticore. He was in the Cyops division.”

“In other words, he brainwashed people.” Alec said. “And loved every minute of it” she replied. “Alec, Michael was there when you left Manticore.” “No one was there when I left Maria.”

“Listen to me a minute would you?” “I am listening.” “No you arent. You are only hearing what you want, but I’m not finished. Michael was there Alec. He was there in full force. You and everyone else that left that night were brainwashed into believing you took Manticore down. But you didn’t.”

“So you’re telling me that Manticore still exists?” “I’m not just telling you they still exist Alec. I’m telling you that you’re in danger. They’re looking for you. Michael was looking for you. His main job was to find you, X5-494, and bring you back.”

“None of this makes any since Maria. Why did they go to the trouble of brainwashing us into believing we took Manticore down if they were just going to hunt us down and bring us back? And if you knew who I was, knew my barcode number, why did you try to accuse me of playing jokes?”

“You’re job was to find a bride. That is why they let you out Alec. You were to find a bride and bring her back for breeding purposes. You didn’t do that so they went looking for you. They searched for almost nine years. I acted surprised because they are well known for cloning people. I wanted to make sure you really were X5-494 before I revealed any information.”

“Ok, say you’re right. Say they brainwashed us into believing we took them down. Say I went out and found a bride. If I believed that I took them down and there was nothing left, why would I return with my bride? And how do you know all this? Manticore was a top secret agency Maria. They don’t just reveal all their information.”

“Because, Alec, I was also part of Michael’s job.” She turned her head and lifted her hair revealing a barcode. “X5-495? Why were you put in my grouping instead of Michael’s?” “That’s the main reason he was searching for you. After they married Michael and I, they discovered that our genetic make-ups didn’t mesh well together. The marriage was quickly annulled. They went on a search through all their files and found someone who’s DNA would work the best with mine. You.”

“So they want us to return to them, get married and have children that they can test and experiment on? Not going to happen Maria.” “That’s what I am trying to tell you Alec. They are halfway there.”

“Meaning?” “Meaning, Alec, we are married.” “We cant be married Maria. I wasn’t there. There was no ceremony. No ceremony, no marriage.” He took a large drink out of his whiskey glass. “You were there Alec. There was a ceremony and we are married.”

“I think I would remember being at my own damn wedding Maria!” “No, you wouldn’t. I told you, Michael was Cyops. He was highly trained with this sort of thing. He found you one night at the Rodeo, brainwashed you into thinking you loved me and married us Alec. The next morning, your head cleared and you went home after finding yourself in…”

“In the stables.” He finished her sentence. He had thought maybe he had too much to drink that night and passed out. Alec wasn’t a big drinker but sometimes the flashbacks were too much to handle sober. “Why didn’t you fight the marriage? Why did you go along with it if it wasn’t what you wanted?” “I tried Alec. I fought as hard as I could for as long as I could. They just beat me and when that didn’t work, they brainwashed me too.”

“How did you find out all of this if you were brainwashed too?” “I told you Alec, I’m a fighter. When fighting was no longer enough, I snuck past the guards and into the file room. I stashed a bunch of the files into my shirt and ran back to my cell.”

“How is it you didn’t get caught?” “I did get caught. By Michael. He promised me leniency if I agreed to help him hunt you down. I agreed. I never could stand to be around him. Just the sight of him made me sick.”

“But what about your baby? You’re having Michael’s baby.”

“No Alec, this baby isn’t Michael’s. It’s yours.”

TBC

Atop A Twisted Mountain
By Roswell4ever1

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING!

Part Four- Say What???

You could have heard a pin drop as quiet as the room got. Until, that is, Alec dropped his glass.

“I don’t remember being with you Maria!”
“Well I guess you forgot Alec!”
“I’m a guy! Guys don’t forget sex!”

“Have you heard anything I’ve been telling you Alec? You were drugged. You wouldn’t remember. And besides, it wasn’t exactly sex.”

“Call it what you want Maria. It still sucks that I can’t remember any of it.”

“You wouldn’t want to remember. Not unless needles turn you on.”

“Needles? What the hell do needles have to do with it?

“That’s how I got pregnant Alec. We didn’t sleep together. They had you too drugged so they just took what they needed from you. Kind of like having blood work done. Then they put it in me. They don’t play nice Alec.”

“Well there is still one thing that doesn’t make sense Maria. If they had me drugged in the stables, why didn’t they just recapture me then? Why did they let me get away?”

“They were about to get caught. Sheriff Valenti was spotted walking to the stables and they couldn’t risk getting noticed. So they grabbed me and ran leaving you there.”

Alec sat back down and looked over at Maria. She was pale. More pale than usual. “Are you ok? You don’t look so good.”

“Yeah? Well maybe if I wasn’t getting the friggin third degree from you for something I had no damn control over I…”

“You what?” Alec asked calmly.

“Nothing. It isn’t your fault either.”

“I’m sorry Maria. I shouldn’t have yelled at you but you have to admit this sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone. If I had more time to digest it maybe it wouldn’t be so bad but this is all being thrown at me at once and I feel like I’m choking.”

“Imagine how I feel Alec. You have been away from them for the last ten years. I am finally somewhat freed this afternoon and I cant even enjoy it because I have to worry about them coming after me. I hate this. I just want a normal life for once.”

“If you want to lay down, there is a spare room in the back. You probably should stay here tonight as late as it is.” She looked at her watch and realized it was 2:45 am.

“No. I think I will head on home. Thank you anyway.” She stood up and started to head to the door when there was a knock.

Alec looked at Maria and whispered for her to step around the corner so she couldn’t be seen. “Who is it?”

“It is I Alec.”

“Chief?”

“Yes, let me in.”

Alec looked over at Maria and motioned that it was safe for her to come out. He opened the door and let the visitor in.

“Chief this is Maria. Maria this is Chief Hughohonoboon. He stays here on the ranch.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Maria said.

“I wish I could say the same,” The Chief replied “but unfortunately the timing is very wrong.”

“What’s going on?” Alec asked him. The Chief looked at Alec and Maria and said “You are both in grave danger. We must leave. Now.”

“Alec, they must have found us.” Maria said beginning to shake.

“You are being followed. They will be here shortly. We must leave now while we can. There is only a matter of minutes.”

Alec grabbed his duffel bags and quickly filled them. Grabbing Maria’s arm, he started toward the back of the house. But before any of them could get out, the gunfire began. They ran out the back door just as the front door was busted down. Alec had a ton of things running through his mind. But the biggest thing at the moment was the constant question of whether he could protect his wife and child. He would die trying if he had to…

TBC

Atop A Twisted Mountain
By Roswell4ever1 (Ann)

Disclaimer: I own nothing EXCEPT for Chief Hughohonoboon and Jerry Lurry.

Part Five- Hiding Out

“Damn! Quick, get over there!” Alec hollered to Maria and the Chief as they tried to escape the gunfire. Running into the barn, he stayed behind Maria the whole time to keep her shielded so she wouldn’t get hit from any flying bullets.

They were managing to stay ahead of the enemies but not by far. They were quickly closing in on them. As Maria ran into the barn, she was grabbed. She started to let out a scream but found her mouth covered by a large hand. “Shh. It is I. I will not harm you. Hurry, over here.” Chief Hughohonoboon told her as he lifted a hidden door. She never would have guessed it was a door at all. It just looked like part of the barn floor with hay over it like the rest. She carefully ran down the stairs with Alec right behind her. The Chief shut and locked the door right before the Manticore goons came running into the barn.

They stood there in silence as the enemies walked around right above their heads. They could hear them talking but couldn’t make out exactly what they were saying. The only words that were audible were burn, house and kill. Alec’s stomach fell as he figured by the time they got out of their shelter, his house and cows would be destroyed. But he couldn’t worry about that right now. He had a family to take care of. After about ten minutes, they heard the unwanted visitors walk back out of the barn.

“Oh my gosh Alec! You’re bleeding!” Maria said. Alec looked himself over and realized she was right. His shoulder was bleeding. “They shot you. The bastards shot you.”

“It’s alright Maria. I hadn’t even noticed it until you told me.” It didn’t hurt. His adrenaline was so high that he hadn’t even felt it. Looking around, Maria noticed a couch over against one wall. “Come over here so I can look at it.” Leading him over to the couch, she got to take a better look at the place. There were several rooms. The one they were in appeared to be a living room. It even had a tv. “What is this place Alec?”

“It’s a bomb shelter. Jerry put it in when he built the ranch in the 60s. He said if we ever got hit by a nuclear bomb, he wanted to be prepared.”

“I’m glad he put it here.” Maria said. “Yeah, me too.”

“Are there any scissors here?” She asked. “I really don’t know. I have never been down here before.” Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out his pocket knife. “Here, use this.” “Thank you.” She replied as she began to cut his shirt. The bullet had hit him in the back of the shoulder and went back out the front. It was amazing that she had not been hit by it. She went to work cleaning it up and then went in search of some thread and a needle. It would definitely need stitches. While she was gone, the Chief walked over and sat beside Alec.

“Thank you.” Alec told him. “For warning us.”

“It wasn’t much of a warning Alec. We barely made it out.”

“But we DID make it out. If you hadn’t come and told us, we would be dead by now. So thank you.”

“You’re welcome. She’s quite a woman Alec.”

Alec sat there and looked at the floor. “I have to keep her and the baby safe. I cant take the chance of them being killed. They didn’t ask for any of this.”

“Neither did you.” The chief told him.

“Yes I did. I underestimated those monsters. I actually thought I had taken them down. Like one person could really take them down. I’m so stupid!”

“You’re not stupid Alec. You believed what you were made to believe. You had no way of knowing it wasn’t true. For ten years you had peace. That would make anyone think they were safe.”

“I have to stop them Chief. I cant let them keep coming after Maria and the baby. I won’t.”

“They will kill you Alec.”

“I don’t care. Let them kill me. As long as it keeps my family safe, let them do whatever they damn well choose to me.”

“That won’t be keeping your family safe Alec. Once you’re gone, they will go after your family. And they will get them. If you get yourself killed, you will be handing your family right over to Manticore. If you want to keep them safe, you have to keep your head. Literally.”

“I don’t know what to do Chief.”

“You will have to stay here with your family Alec.”

“But if I stay here, Manticore will never be brought to justice. They will always be out there hurting other people. And how long do you think we can stay here before they find us?”

“Listen. Leave Manticore up to me. I will help you Alec if you let me.”

“Manticore isn’t your problem Chief.”

“Boon.”

“What?”

“Call me Boon.”

“This is my problem.”

“No it isn’t. You didn’t ask for it anymore than they did. You can not live your life in fear Alec. You have a family to care for.”

“This isn’t going to just go away Boon!”

“I know this. Leave it to me. I will come up with a plan. Until then, take care of them.”

“And what if she doesn’t want me taking care of her?”

“Alec it is not like you to have such anxiety. Why now?”

“Look around Boon. We are hiding out just to stay alive.”

“Why now?”

“We have killers hunting us down.”

“Why now?”

“We’re stuck in a bomb shelter. My house is probably gone and I have no idea what we are supposed to do now.”

“None of which is anything you can control right now. I know you Alec. You don’t worry about the uncontrollable. So tell the truth. Why such anxiety now?”

Alec looked down at the floor again and said quietly “Because I love her.”

“Have you told her?”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because Boon, she thinks we really just met yesterday afternoon. The only other contact she remembers having with me was with Manticore. The only memories she has have to do with Manticore. It’s like nothing before that ever happened.”

“Make her remember Alec.”

“She wouldn’t believe me if I told her.”

“And you know this how? You have to be willing to give her a chance. Help her remember. Don’t just write her off Alec. If you truly love her, you will help her. You have ablilities. Use them to help her. Show her where you are from. Where she is from. Show her how much you love her.”

Boon got up and walked up the stairs to the door.

“Be careful Boon. They could still be out there.”

“I would feel them if they were. Don’t give up Alec. Follow your heart. It won’t steer you wrong.” He opened the door and walked out closing it behind it. Alec walked over and locked it again.

“Help her remember.” He told himself. “I have to help her remember Antar.”

Atop A Twisted Mountain
Written by Ann

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Chief Hughohonoboon.

Part Six: Placing Blame.

Maria turned the corner to walk back into the living room. “I found a first aid kit with a needle and thread. I’ll have you fixed up in no it…”

She looked around the room and noticed that Alec was drawing strange symbols all over the cement floor. She had seen them before but couldn’t remember where or when. “What are these Alec?” she asked.

Alec looked up at her. He pointed to one of the symbols and told her “There are some things we need to discuss. Important things.”

“What things Alec? It’s been a really rough day and I don’t feel much like discussing important things right now.” She gave him a pouty look as she walked over and got ready to start sewing up his shoulder. Feeling like she was right and that they could both use the night to try to relax as much as possible, he said “Don’t worry about it. It’ll wait until tomorrow.”

She smiled as she threaded the needle. “Here, sit down so I can fix your shoulder.” He sat back down on the couch and tried to think about what they would do next while she sewed him up. Once she was finished with his shoulder, she walked into the bathroom to put the sewing kit back. She came back in and sat down on the couch. He turned on the television to see if anything was on. He wished he hadn’t. The news was on. They were showing a house up in flames. His house. Amazingly, his cows were not dead. They were however missing. So were his horses.

“Oh man, I’m sorry Alec. I never meant for any of this to happen to you.” Maria said as she grabbed hold of his hand.

“It isn’t your fault. It’s mine. I should have made sure they were destroyed ten years ago instead of just assuming they were. I let my guard down. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me. You would have never been brought into any of this if I had done the job right the first time.”

“I was already there. I was there when you attacked Manticore. You didn’t bring me into this.”

“Yes I did. I should have gotten everyone out when I left instead of running off by myself. Damn it! This should not be happening. I’m going to find a way to take them down for good if it’s the last thing I do.” Alec looked over and saw that Maria had fallen asleep. He smiled and carefully picked her up, not paying attention to his injured shoulder. She was more important. He carried her into one of the bedrooms and lay her down gently on the bed covering her up with the blanket. Looking at her sleep, Alec spoke quietly. “I will get you through this. You and my child. I will do my best to keep you both safe. I love you Maria.” He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead before stepping out of the room.

He had tried to sleep but failed miserably. He just wasn’t tired. Too much on his mind. Walking into the living room, he tried to relax. He sat down and put his feet up. Grabbing Riptide off the shelf behind him, he said quietly to himself “I wonder if she’ll ever get out of that damn hospital.” He heard a small laugh and looked up to see Maria standing in the doorway. “What are you doing up?” He asked her.

“Watching you.” She said. “You look kinda cute when you get all involved in a book.” She could see the conflict in his eyes. “You don’t have to tell me. I already know.”

“Know what?” He asked.

Looking him in the eyes, she replied “Where I’m from.”

TBC...

Atop A Twisted Mountain
Written by Ann
Email: leann1092000@yahoo.com
Rating: R
Summary: Maria just told Alec that she knows where she is from.

A/N- A BIG Thank You goes out to my beta Dana_Whittaker for helping me with this part. I know it took forever but it is finally here and I couldn't have done it without her!

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING EXCEPT for Jerry Jurry and Chief Hughohonoboon which was actually my five year old daughter’s creation so really, I don’t own him either!

Part Seven: Confusion

Alec looked at Maria confused. His green eyes looking into her brown ones.

“You know?” He asked. “But you said you never met me before the accident.”

“When did I say that?”

“When I was giving you a ride back to your apartment after Michael was killed. I said that I didn’t know if you remembered me and I believe your exact words were Remember you? From where? Cow Polk R Us?”

Maria cleared her throat. “Sorry. I was a real bitch wasn’t I? All I know is a name. Some place called Antar. What is that in Canada or something?”

Alec wasn’t quite sure how to go about this, but he knew it had to be done. How do you tell someone that they aren’t human though?

Before he had a chance to respond to her, he started to smell smoke. He looked at her then over at the door leading to the shelter.

“Shit! The barn is on fire. Come on, we have to get out of here NOW!”

“What?” She shrieked.

“Look, the only thing hiding the door to this place is hay. As soon as that fire burns it, we’re screwed!”

“Well how the hell are we supposed to get out of here?”

“There’s another door in the bathroom. It leads out to the pasture about a mile from here. We have to hurry, if they’re out there, they’ll be here any minute.”

They started to run through the shelter to the bathroom. Alec threw the door in the ceiling open and helped Maria through it, pulling himself up after. They found themselves in what looked like a large underground tunnel. Running, as fast as they could, they made it through the tunnel and to the last door. Alec opened it and found himself face to face with another man. Startled, he jumped back slightly.

“Boon, thank God it’s you. Here, help me get Maria out of here.” He lifted her up to where Boon was standing. But he wasn’t alone. Maria gasped when she saw who he was standing with. “Michael.” She muttered right before passing out.

When Maria woke up, she found herself on an unfamiliar bed. She quickly sat up. “Where are we?” She asked, looking at Alec.

“Vegas.” He replied.

“Vegas? How long was I asleep?”

“About six and a half hours. You passed out when you saw Michael.”

“Michael?” She asked, tensing. “Alec, Michael’s dead. Isn’t he?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I need to know.” She said.

“Well, apparently, the Michael you were with, the one who was run over by the bus, wasn’t Michael. He was a clone. Manticore was using the real Michael for testing. He was still there until Boon got a lead and managed to get him out.”

“Where is he?” She asked.

“In the room next door. He’s in pretty bad shape. Boon’s taking care of him.”

“Alec, how long are we going to be here?”

“Until we can’t be.” He replied.

It had been six weeks since they made it to Vegas. They had to change their names and appearances. Maria called herself Majandra and turned her hair black and cut it short, while Alec called himself Jensen and bleached his. Michael went by Brendan and also went black and let it grow long enough to spike it, instead of the military cut he always had to keep. They went out when they needed to, always making sure to keep as low a profile as possible.

Alec never had a chance to tell Maria about where they were from. Every time he got started, something happened and he wasn’t able to get it out. It was time she knew though. He looked over to where she was sitting.

“Can we talk?” He asked.
“Yeah, what’s up?” She asked.

“I think you better sit down.” He started. Once she was seated on the couch next to him, he turned and faced her.

“We aren’t from around here Maria.”

“Yeah, I know. We’re from some place called Antar.”

“You once asked me if Antar was in Canada.”

“Yeah, I remember.” She said.

Alec nodded. “Antar isn’t in Canada. It’s much farther than that.”

“How much farther?” She asked.

“Oh, somewhere between here and Neptune.”

“Neptune?” She laughed. “What are you talking about Alec?”

“We aren’t human Maria. We aren’t from Earth. Antar is a planet. Not a country.”

“Yeah right. And I’m the queen.” She joked.

Alec looked at her and arched his eyebrow. The fact of the matter was, she was the queen.

“What the hell is your problem?” She yelled.

“What?” Alec asked. “You asked me where Antar was. What did you expect me to do? Lie about it?”

“No.” She said. “I expected you to tell me the truth. Lying is what you did!”

“Why the hell would I lie to you?” He asked. He was trying not to lose his temper. He knew this wasn’t something a person heard everyday and it had to come as quite a shock to her.

“Why not? How do I know you aren’t? Why wouldn’t you lie to me Alec?”

“Because I love you!”

TBC…

Dang, I didn't think anyone was reading it. Ok, I'll get a new part up soon.

Ann