Roswell Fanatics

Title: Dark Hearts

Author: Roswellianprincess16 aka Selena

Rating: TEEN/MATURE (for some violence and heavy situations)

Coupling: All CC, Dreamer focus

Disclaimer: I do not own Roswell or any of its properties including its characters. They belong to Jason Katims and their perspective partners.

Summary: Altering the events of the episode End of the World (S2). Liz never pretends to sleep with Kyle. When Future Max tells her she has to do something else, she breaks down, knowing that she would die if she had to break Max's heart again.... and hers. So instead, she runs. She runs far away hoping that Max will now see why he needs to be with Tess. Now, almost a decade later, Cara Morrison is a New York city crime scene investigator, when she falls upon a body. That body holds an incredibly familiar face from her past. And a frighteningly familiar symbol. A silverhandprint. And now, she is forced to face the image of the man who haunts her dreams.

Author's Note: Thank you Hybrid-Angel for the awesome banner! I love it!!! You're the best. And thank you Melissa aka mmcherron for your wonderful help beta-ing. You're fabulous.



Some lines taken from EOTW.

Dark Hearts

Chapter 1:

She ran through the dark streets, her dark hair flailing wildly behind her. Her legs were burning with exhaustion as she took the familiar turn. She couldn’t stop. Everything depended on her actions at this one moment. She was no longer sure she could do this. She was sure she would die first.

Her words repeated in her head, threatening to haunt her.

“My life is only in danger if I am with you.” She’d said to him as she watched his heart shatter before her. “You know, Max, if...if you truly love me, you'll let me go. I may love you, but I...I don't want to die for you.”

With that, she watched his eyes darken and fill with despair. She would never be able to forget the way it felt to stomp upon his heart. The way her own heart fell into pieces in her chest. She slowed as she reached the front door and took a deep breath before knocking. Everything depended on him. She prayed that he would help her. She tried to calm the screaming within her heart pleading for her to go back to Max.

The door swung open and she was faced with a very groggy Michael Guerin.

“I need your help.” She hadn’t noticed the tears that had started to fall down her face, the look of complete panic that had overtaken her features. She reached into her pocket and felt the money she’d taken out earlier that day, when she realized, she’d run out of options.

“It’s 2am, what the....?” He paused when he wiped his eyes and saw her face. “What happened?”

“I can’t tell you too much. But I just want you to know that I’m doing this for all of your well being.” She pushed past him into his apartment and paced back and forth in frustration.

“Liz, if you tell me what’s wrong, maybe we can help you.”

“There’s nothing you can do now. I’m leaving town. I need you to help me change my identification.”

She could see the panic building in his eyes. She knew she was acting irrationally, but she was desperate. She needed to do this, before someone caught on.

“Liz… slow down. What do you mean you’re leaving town?” She stopped pacing and planted her feet on the floor. The voice rang again within her ears.

“It didn't work. We have to do something else.” Well, she was doing something else. Despite her protests and her better judgment, here she was, standing before the one person she had never truly had to depend on, pleading to save his life.

“This is my driver’s license. Change it. I know you can.”

“This is crazy.”

“If you don’t do this… if I don’t do this, something very bad is going to happen Michael.”

“Look Liz, whatever it is we can handle it! We’re strong.”

“You aren’t listening to me! This isn’t about you or me Michael! This is about the future of our entire planet. I will not have that hanging over my head!” She yelled, letting the complete frustration explode. How long had she felt like she might combust?

“What are you talking about?”

“Are you going to help me or not. Because if not… I’m doing this without you.” She walked over to his door and felt his strong hand grip her arm. She turned back to see the worry on his face. The voice returned to plague her.

“Just 25 minutes before I came here, I held Michael in my arms...dead. Isabel died 2 weeks before that. Now, you have to do this. You have to find a way. All of our lives depend on it.” She shook her head sharply, hoping to shake the voice from her head. No… no, she didn’t want to carry this burden. She didn’t want to have to do this.

“Liz? Liz, are you ok? Maybe I should call Maria.” He began to pull her back into the apartment when she shook free.

“Do you trust me?”

“What?” He asked, completely lost by the inquiry.

“I’ve never given you any reason to doubt me. All I’ve done is everything in my power to help protect you. Now is no different.”

“Not at the cost of you disappearing Liz. I know I can do some crazy things… but I don’t see how this could work. People are going to ask questions.”

“I’ve handled it. Change it.” She held up her license and reached into her pocket to pull out a few other essentials, such as a birth certificate, a social security card, and a picture ID. He reached his hand up, with a touch of hesitation and swiped the paper work, changing most of the information.

She looked down at her picture ID. Cara Morrison. Liz Parker had just died.

“At the first sign of trouble you call. I… how am I going to explain this to Max? To Maria?”

“You won’t have to say anything. I left them all letters. You never saw me tonight.” She packed everything back into her pockets and reached for the door.

“Hey… you don’t have to do this.”

She turned to face him sadly, the last bit of her old life staring back at her.

“I wish that were true.” She opened the door and stepped out into the eternally dark night.

She shot up straight in bed, her forehead drenched in sweat. She put her hand against her chest, but the tightening around her heart continued. She spun around, letting her flannel pajama bottoms hang off the side of the bed, as she tried to catch her breath. It was the third time that month that she’d had the same dream. God, how she wished it was a dream.

“Cara? Are you ok?” She looked up, suddenly startled at the voice coming from the other side of the door. She took another deep breath and somehow found the strength to walk toward the door. She opened it slowly and peeked out at the familiar face.

“Yea, I’m fine Serena. I’m sorry to have woken you up.”

“You were talking in your sleep… and then you started whimpering.” Her friend looked at her worriedly, her beautiful face wrinkled in concern. “Cara, this has been happening for a few weeks. Are you sure you don’t want to go see my therapist? You could come with me, just talk to him for a few minutes.”

Liz laughed at the absurdity of it. It sounded much like a Maria request. Maria…. She lowered her head sadly, remembering her long lost friend. She wondered what she was doing with her life these days.

“Serena, I’m really not comfortable talking to strangers about my issues.”

“Well… then at least come with me to yoga class. Maybe you need to clear your mind.”

“How about I let you know.” She laughed, knowing that she would not be going. “Besides, I might have to meet with Ava tomorrow afternoon.”

“Maybe I’ll join you.”

“It’ll be tomorrow, after work.”

“You know… I’ve been thinking. Maybe these dreams have something to do with your gifts.”

“Serena….”

“Look Cara, there’s no point denying what you can do. You’ve spent so long fighting your past, so long running away. It’s going to catch up. Maybe these dreams are a sign that it’s getting closer.”

“Let’s hope not.” Liz looked down at the pendant wrapped around her neck. She held it tightly in her hands, the only reminder of her old life. “Go back to bed. I’ll be fine, I promise.” She smiled and nodded at her friend, waiting until she reached her room before closing the door behind her.

She leaned up against the closed door and sighed. She didn’t want to remember him anymore. To remember his long hair and his soft eyes pleading with her.

“You have to help me fall out of love with you.”

What kind of request was that? What was a girl her age supposed to do? He gave her no options. He ripped her life away with just those few words. She’d been running ever since. Running from him, running from his current self, running from the life she had loved. It wasn’t fair. She wiped away the few tears escaping her eyes.

She would not cry. This was the life she had made for herself, things could be much worse. With that, she lay back in bed, and demanded her eyes to close. No more dark shadows, she whispered to herself, as she focused her breathing and slowly drifted off to sleep.

<center>***</center>

She walked down the dark hallway as she reached the last apartment and knocked softly. She heard the clicking of the peep hole, and waited patiently as the door was unlocked and opened.

“Hey.” The face on the other side of the door smiled, and despite it all, she smiled back.

Years earlier, if anyone had told Liz that she’d be best friends with her enemy’s duplicate, she would have laughed, and then told them they were crazy. But here she stood, in Ava’s apartment, ready for her weekly training.

She thought about the very first time she’d seen her, her piercing blue eyes were staring into her own brown ones, registering no recognition. She was lying in a pool of her own blood, several bruises covering her face, cuts and scratches along her body.

Instead of help, Liz had walked up to her in a blazing fury. She’d blasted her. The energy had simply swirled uncontrollably at her fingertips and exploded like lightning onto her helpless body. They both looked at each other in pure shock.

“After all I did, how dare you leave them?!” She’d yelled at her, the blue lightning still swirling with live energy in her hands. “I threw my life away so that you could get your destiny Tess! I practically handed him to you and you’re here?!”

Turned out, she wasn’t Tess. What was more; the duplicate version of Isabel and Michael had beaten her and left her for dead. Ava vowed to teach Liz all she knew about her powers and helping them control them. Liz told her all she knew about the royal four back in Roswell. They were forced to bond over their shared secret.

“Hey. Sorry I’m late. Serena says hi.”

“Yea, tell her I said wassup.” Ava smirked and Liz smiled, as she removed her jacket. She remembered the day she realized the difference between Ava and Tess. The compassion that was part of Ava’s natural demeanor, the intensity and loyalty to friends and family. Liz had thought back to everything she’d learned.

Back to the story of the 8 pods sent in 1947. She’d figured something out. Ava didn’t fit in with the hard core punks of New York. Ava was more of an Isabel… a Michael… a Max. Something had gone wrong, and they’d lost their Tess to the wicked wench back home.

“So, did you do the exercise I gave you?” Ava questioned and Liz nodded, rubbing her hands together to get rid of the static. She could already feel the tingling in her fingers, the force within her willing her to release the power.

“The dreams have been getting worse.” Liz said with a worried look, as Ava looked up slowly from clearing her coffee table.

“Something’s happening Liz. I don’t know what it is… but its coming. You can feel it to, that’s why your mind’s on overload. The stress at work ain’t helping.”

“My job isn’t the issue. Work is the only thing that keeps me sane.” Ava shrugged at her stubbornness, and pushed the couch against the back wall.

“You working tonight?” Liz nodded in response as she closed her eyes and began to focus. She thought of Serena’s yoga techniques. They were good for something. She slowed her breathing and tried to clear her mind. Focus, she told herself as she focused on Ava, standing across the room.

“I can’t hear you.” Ava shouted across the room. She took a deep breath and felt the energy begin to swirl in her mind.

Can you hear me now? The voice said softly as Ava looked up stunned to find Liz standing still in the other corner of the room. What about now? Her voice registered louder as Ava smiled. Liz’s lips weren’t moving.

“You did it.” Liz opened her eyes and smiled. She’d been working on her focus. She had to avoid all distractions if she wanted to keep her powers under control. It had been a nightmare the first week they began to develop. She was like a bad wiring system, turning things on and off or blowing things up just by walking by. Ava’s training had helped to control the madness, and had given her more understanding of her powers than she’d thought possible.

“If he healed you then… you’re different now.” She’d told her. Different? What did that mean? Now she knew.

She’d found it ironic, that after running from all of the intergalactic madness, she’d end up being forced to live her life this way. She was now with Ava, another of their kind, and she herself was now a part of them.

“Liz. Something’s wrong.” Liz looked down at her glowing hands and willed them to stop.

“I’m sorry.”

“What’s going on?” Ava walked up closer, her eyes staring into her own.

“I can feel him.” The room went silent as they both simply stared into each other’s eyes.

“Are you sure?”

“I haven’t felt it in almost nine years Ava. It was like our connection was gone. And then, about a week ago, I just… felt it.”

“He’s here.” Ava whispered and began to reset the living room as if officially ending the session.

“What? What do you mean he’s here?”

“It’s the only way to explain your feelings. He… he’s here.” Liz lowered her head as she thought about what that could mean. Was it possible? Of course not, she knew he was gone. Something had happened; something serious had broken their bond. It had been gone for so long… there was no way. Not now, not after all this time.

“I’ve gotta go. Are you coming by Saturday for dinner?”

“Yea.” Liz grabbed her jacket and headed toward the door, her head feeling heavy and confused. “Liz.”

She turned around to face Ava, seeing the concern plaguing her eyes.

“What.”

“Be careful.” Liz nodded. She headed back out into the dark hallway and off to work.

After a long trip on the subway, she walked into the lab, and almost immediately got bombarded by Colin, her partner. He was smoking a cigarette which he immediately put out at seeing her. She smirked, knowing he’d been caught red handed.

“You know better.” She whispered.

“I’m going to die anyway lad.” He stated with his Scottish burr. “A call came in about ten minutes ago. We have a body.” She nodded and grabbed her kit, ready to go to the scene.

After years in college for Criminal Justice and Forensic science, she’d landed a job as a specialist for the NYPD. Not the prettiest job in the world, but it kept her busy. She had to admit, the more she did it, the more she liked it. Her fascination with Biology had been satisfied by the countless bodies she was able to prod into, due to the autopsy procedures. This one, she was sure would be no different.

“You look awful.” Colin prodded playfully as they jumped into the car. She laughed softly, and took a sip of the coffee she’d grabbed along the way.

“I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“What could be troublin’ ya darling?” She smiled, enjoying the sound of his voice and leaned back against her seat.

“Nothing you’d understand.”

“You know, you’ve been my partner for a good three years now. Don’t I at least get a summary?”

“I’m a mystery. I like it that way.” She smiled, as they reached the crime scene, a subway entrance completely covered over with the yellow caution tape.

She grabbed her case and put on her gloves, leaving the coffee in the car. She stepped out into the cool early evening air and flashed her badge as they let her through and down the stairs.

“This is odd.” She heard Colin say as he headed toward a darker part of the tunnels, and found the body on the ground, covered.

“What would she have been doing out in here?” Liz looked around, asking herself the same question. The officers in charge pulled off the blanket, and it was all she could do to gasp. Her heart seemed to tighten in her chest as she felt the bile rise in her throat. The face staring back at her was far too familiar.

The short gelled hair, the piercings, and the dark makeup didn’t seem to stand out as much in comparison to the familiar dark eyes. Liz leaned down to look closer, her eyes traveling down her body. On her stomach was another familiar mark. Liz immediately reached to her own stomach, to the same spot where hers had stood. On the woman was a silver hand print. And the woman looked exactly like Isabel Evans.

kath7 wrote:Also, if Liz suspected ages ago that Tess and Ava somehow got mixed up...why wouldn't she have taken Ava back to Roswell? I mean, wouldn't that change things? Who cares if Tess leaves if Ava's there? Not to mention, that makes me think that they could have just done that on the show. How dumb were they anyway? They should have kept Ava around. Yeesh. Liz didn't think things through very well, did she?

Just wanted to address a few things. Yup. Obviously Liz didn't think things through at all. She was hurting and desperate. So... she just wanted to disappear altogether. Now here's the thing. 1) How do you prove Ava and Tess were switched? You really can't... the only thing seperating them are their physical differences... and why get to know Ava when most of them don't know or think Tess is bad? See... in this world... She never killed Alex. So... she still has a semi-good rep. More to be revealed soon.

xmag wrote:Plus, there's the problem that, if Liz knew (or even suspected) that Tess belonged to the defective bunch, why isn't she worried about the Roswellians ? i mean, Rath and Vilandra killed Zan, so Tess could have killed Alex, Maria, Kyle, anybody on her path who could prevent her to get Max. The defectives were killers, humans, aliens, they didn't care !

In this reality... Zan isn't dead. So... neither is Alex.


Chapter 2:

“Are you alright?” She snapped back to reality with the voice behind her. “Cara?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m fine. I just… she just… reminded me of someone. That’s all.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm the madness within her. She could feel the energy swirling at her fingers. Now was not the time or place to lose control. She closed her eyes and tried to focus, letting her mind erase the image before her. But the minute she opened her eyes again, there it stood staring right back at her.

“What happened?” She managed to ask, as the police put the blanket back over her head.

“It seems she was thrown several feet, causing severe contusions on the back of her head and neck. Oddly enough, other than that, we can find no sign of struggle except for the few bruises on her arms… and that.” They pointed toward her stomach. Liz nodded in understanding. Her mind was swirling. What could it mean? She remembered the picture that Sheriff Valenti had shown her that day in his office. 1959. Nasedo. All of the images rushed back to her as she tried to steady herself. She knew what he had been capable of but… he was dead.

“When we were born, our protector was gone. We never knew where he went. We had to raise ourselves.”

There was another. Ava had clearly told her that. Could he have done this? But why? Why to one of his own? Wasn’t their mission to protect the royal four?

“Alright. We’re taking her back to the lab for further testing. Does she have anyone we can contact?” Colin motioned to the EMT’s to pick up her body.

“No. She had no form of identification. We have no idea who she is.”

“Vilandra.” Liz whispered, her mind swirling uncontrollably into a headache.

“What did you say dear?”

“Nothing. Let’s go.”

<center>***</center>

She removed her gloves and sat back exhausted. She couldn’t even believe what she was looking at. Somehow, she’d managed to convince them to do the inner examination before doing the blood sampling. She knew what they would find if they went there. But, if she could open her up, perhaps she could distract them long enough not to worry about it.

She was right. What was inside was far more interesting than what she could have imagined. She heard the door open as Colin stepped in after her, his white lab coat covering his slacks and Polo shirt. She smirked, he was such a character. She took the chart and continued to fill out some of her findings, taking good care to keep out any alien related thoughts that were filling her head.

“Anything interesting?”

“Well, check this out.” She put her chart down and walked over to the other side of the body, turning on the light above the examining table. She kept her face covered with a towel, because she simply couldn’t work otherwise.

“You see this? It looks like some sort of extreme heat was applied to this area, melting her bones and melding them together.” She pointed in a circular motion to the melted bone and looked up to see Colin’s interested gaze.

“What do ya think it means?”

“Well, it’s very possible that it’s some sort of abnormality.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Or perhaps, her attacker tortured her.”

“There are no burn marks on her skin.”

“Well, what about the theory of spontaneous combustion?” She stepped away from the body and leaned up against the cold metal counter. She didn’t want to believe what she knew could be the real reason behind it all.

“Come on Cara, you can’t possible believe that. You know this is much bigger than all that.” He removed the blanket covering the bottom part of the body and looked at her stomach flesh. “It’s gone.”

“What is?”

“The handprint.”

“Maybe it was one of those washable tattoos or something.” She turned quickly around as she began to tidy up the area, putting away some of the tools.

“The FBI is coming down from Washington. Chief Rodriguez told me that they might be taking over the case. If there seems to be any hint that this might be a matter of national security.” Liz felt her fingers begin to buzz, her anger causing her energy to swirl within her.

“Some NY city punk gets killed and suddenly the FBI cares? Come on McCune. Let’s be real here. She’s a Jane Doe, with no family and as it seems no place of residence except the subway tunnels. You know as well as I do… this isn’t something for the FBI to be worried about.”

“Well, they seem to think otherwise.”

“Why continue to poke and prod her? I mean… she’s dead. Let her rest in peace.”

“Liz… can you explain the burning of her internal organs? Or, how about the fact that there is no apparent cause of death, can you explain that too?”

She stood up and walked back toward the table, leaned over the body into her partner’s face. Somehow, all these miles away, she still had to protect them. It was unbelievable. The I-Know-An-Alien Club seemed to be a lifelong membership.

“Her insides reached unbelievably high degrees, which I’m assuming in my professional opinion would have made her explode from the inside out; had it not been for her attacker, who with a few whacks killed her first. The contusions to her head are severe, and then she fell, making the injuries worse. It’s quite possible that it was the fall that did it. He might have just made off with the wallet.”

“That’s a pretty convincing argument Parker. So, you are saying she would have died anyway?” She nodded her head in response and demanded her heart to calm. She didn’t like lying, she never had. “Well, let’s hand it in. See if the Chief buys it. Maybe we can avoid a nasty little scandal with the Bureau.”

She breathed a small sigh of relief as she tagged the body’s foot with a Jane Doe tag, and began to bag her. She placed her in the cold lockers where the other dead bodies resided. Liz hated the fact that there were countless bodies in there, that had never been claimed, that had their own sad stories to tell.

Just as she was finishing up, the double doors to the exam room were pushed open as the young intern came storming in, a look of pure nervous energy covering her expression.

“We just got a call from Rodriguez. He said that he just got a call from L.A.”

“And?” Colin stood up as he removed his gloves and continued filing the report. His dark blonde hair was brushed back neatly, making the view of his aqua blue eyes striking. He looked back over at Liz and she looked at him with the same curious expression. This was something big.

“They found another body about a week ago. He said it had the same silver handprint.”

<center>***</center>

Liz looked behind her for the third time that evening. She’d felt odd all night, since she’d left the lab. What did all of these new things mean? How did they correlate to what she already knew? Why was she somehow involved in it all, again?

She reached the darkened hallway with the blinking light bulb and headed to the last apartment. She jammed on the door loudly, as she looked around, expecting someone to jump in at her from the shadows.

“There’s nothing there.” She whispered to herself, despite the constant tingling on the back of her neck.

“Who is it?” She heard the familiar New York accent on the other side of the door and hit the door harder. “I said who the he…?” Ava opened the door and abruptly stopped mid-sentence.

“Are you alone?”

“Yea.” She looked at Liz startled, and stepped back as Liz walked in. She closed the door behind her and turned to look at her. Their eyes meeting in one very tense moment. “What?”

“Cal Langley. Do you recognize that name?” Liz paced back and forth in the living room as Ava sat down, a questioning look filling her eyes.

“Liz, I just came in from work and I’m tired.” She looked down at her face, the face that had been so tough and broken when they’d first met, and now looked so similar to her duplicate. She’d cleaned up and gotten a job, and it was all Liz could do to ask her to dye her hair. The similarity to Tess had started to drive her insane, and Ava thankfully obliged. Now, with only a nose ring and black hair, her bright blue eyes were piercing and strong. She was a changed woman.

“Cal Langley. Do you recognize that name at all? Ava, if you do, I need you to tell me.” She stopped pacing madly and sat next to Ava, reaching out to grab her hands in her own. She was pleading and desperate. She knew that. But she needed to know.

“No. I don’t remember ever hearing it.”

“Him.” Liz shoved a picture in her face as Ava studied it carefully. Her eyes narrowed a bit in concentration as she looked on and then up, with a blank expression.

“He looks vaguely familiar. I wouldn’t be able to tell you why.”

“He was your protector.” The silence fell between them as Ava studied the picture again.

“How do you know?”

“Three days after police found his body, it disappeared. It had turned into a mass of dirt and stones.”

“His body?” Ava put the picture down, as if ridding herself of something cursed and looked up wide eyed.

“It’s the same way Nasedo died.”

“They can’t die.”

“Oh but they can. If the person killing them knows how they can die very easily. If they are somehow more powerful than they are.”

“Who could be more powerful than our protectors?” A mental image of Max running through the CrashDown doors with blood on his bare chest and panic on his grief stricken face, struck her. It came so hard that she had to hold on to the couch to steady herself.

“I don’t know Ava. I know the Skins were capable of it, but it seems odd. They knew about the other group, they had been watching them. But… we barely knew about you guys. How would they have known? There might be someone else, some other enemy we don’t know about.” She took a deep breath and pulled out the other picture. “Ava… we found another body tonight.”

Ava looked up, her big blue eyes looking openly into her own brown ones, seeking answers.

“Vilandra’s dead.” She didn’t know how else to say it. What else could she say really? Ava’s face wrinkled in confusion as she began to stand up in disbelief.

“What? What do you mean?”

“We found her body in the subway tonight. She’s dead.” Ava stepped back slowly, refusing to believe her words. Liz stood and walked slowly over to her. “I’m sorry. I know she was your only family.”

“No. NO! Who would kill her? Why?”

“Same reason they tried killing you? To get rid of you?”

“No, this doesn’t make sense.”

“This was on her stomach.” Liz handed her the picture as Ava gasped.

“It was the same mark they saw on Langley before he decomposed.” She could see Ava’s throat thicken as she tried to swallow. She knew exactly how she was feeling.

“I thought you said….”

“Yes, it was the symbol Max left behind on me when he healed me. But, it was also a symbol that Nasedo had left behind when he killed people back in the 50s and 70s. The only thing is… Nasedo is dead. And now… so is Langley.”

“Max.” Ava whispered, as her head shot up to look at Liz in stunned surprise. Max? No. No way. He was the healer. “If he could leave the mark behind when healing… he’s the only person left, capable of leaving it behind at all.”

“No. Not possible.”

“Why not?”

“Because… he heals people, not kills them. That’s his gift. Michael is the one who’s killed someone before, but he didn’t leave a mark.”

“Just ‘cause he heals people, don’t mean he doesn’t have the power to kill Liz. He’s the King… his power could be beyond all of us.” An image of the soft, docile Max she remembered snapped into her mind. It wasn’t possible. She just couldn’t believe it.

“I think you should stay with me for now. It’s been two people that are somehow related to you… I don’t know what the person is after; I’m not leaving you here alone.”

Ava nodded in response as she headed toward her room. Liz sat on the couch and tried to think of what Ava was saying. A sudden image of Max as a vicious killer flashed in her mind. She shook her head to take it away. No, it just… it didn’t make sense. She looked at the pictures in her pocket, hoping to get some sense of her thoughts. She was so confused. Now the FBI was on their way to take over and leave her in the dark.

She decided then that she would do all she could to try and figure this out. She had to. There were two people back in Roswell depending on her to do so. She thought of Michael and Isabel, and wondered what type of lives they were living. Had they had to run? Had they been safe? What happened while she’d been gone? She took out her cell phone and dialed information.

Her stomach was full of butterflies as she heard the voice on the other line.

“City please?”

“Roswell, New Mexico.” Liz took a deep breath; she knew that once she did this, there was no turning back. But, she wasn’t sure she could do this alone. “I need a number to a Michael Guerin, please.”

A/N: Hello everyone. My next post will be Thursday evening. I have a full day planned for tomorrow. I see you're all dying to know, just what is going on. Who is this person making all these attacks? Is it someone we know or a new person all together? Well... here's a bit of an answer.

Chapter 3:

She held her breath as the phone rang on the other line, waiting patiently for someone to answer.

“Hello?” The sound of the female voice startled her. She sat in silence, unsure of what to say. “Hello?”

“Hi… umm… can I speak to Michael Guerin please?” Liz tried to keep her voice steady, an ache in her stomach making it almost impossible for her to sit straight.

“Who’s this?”

She heard the small twinge of jealousy and froze. Could it be?

“Maria?”

“Yea, who’s this?” Liz felt her heart jump for a moment, and then suddenly sink. She was talking to Maria. But she had no clue what to say.

“Umm… Maria, this is Liz.” She waited, holding her breath in the silence, not sure of her best friend’s response.

“What? Who is this?! This isn’t funny you know!” The voice suddenly came from the other line, angry and hurt, and obviously somewhat indignant.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but I swear, it’s me.”

“Liz Parker is dead. She died when I was in high school.”

“Dead? Didn’t you get my note?” There was a long silence. She had told her that she needed to leave… that something had come up and that she would have to go. But she had told her she would be safe. That she loved her more then anything.

“Who is it?” She heard a male voice in the background ask. She felt her arms get goose bumps.

“It’s someone claiming to be Liz.” She heard Maria say and felt her chest throb with a tight pain. She was going to end up having a heart attack.

“What?!” The male voice came in on the line with a gruff salutation.

“Hello?”

“Michael. It’s Liz. You said if there was trouble… to call.” There was a pause and then a long breath.

“It took you almost ten years to call.” He said it with a hint of accusation that made her feel a heavy measure of guilt.

“I know.” Was all she could say in response, because truthfully, she couldn’t be sorry. There was just no room for it.

“Are you ok?” He asked immediately after, his voice taking on a protective tone.

“Something serious has come up.”

“Liz… hold on… Maria wants to talk to you.” She heard some struggling and Michael in the background. “You’re so difficult woman.” She smiled as she thought of Michael and Maria, living together in a little apartment, happy and safe. The type of life she’d always wanted. She lowered her head sadly when she heard her voice on the other line.

“Liz?!”

“Hey Maria.”

“Oh my God! I can’t believe this! Do you know how long we’ve been frickin’ worried about you?!! What the hell took you so long to call??” She smiled at her friend’s forwardness, and realized just how much she missed her.

“The idea was to stay away Maria. I didn’t want to break my cover.”

“Liz… what happened all those years ago?”

“I really… I don’t know. I guess I just did what had to be done.”

“From what you wrote, I didn’t get the impression that Future Max wanted you to disappear and put yourself in danger.”

“He left me no choice.”

“There had to be another way.”

“Well, I couldn’t think of any.” A small silence ensued, and Maria continued.

“Everyone thought you were dead. Tess… she mind warped everyone to think you’d died in a car accident. There were no questions. Only the group knew you’d just vanished.”

Liz thought sadly about the reaction her parents must have had. The anger that had been building for years was switched on, burning brightly with another log, because of the choice she was forced to make. All for someone else’s damned destiny.

“Max tried looking for you… but you left no trail.”

“I know.”

“Then… he left.” Liz sat silently, feeling the pit of her stomach drop within her.

“Left?”

“He and Tess had gone out for a drive one afternoon… and somehow they set off the Granolith. They were both shot up into space, heading toward Antar.” Liz lowered her head in sudden understanding. The break of the connection happened when he left Earth. Could it have been a mistake? After all, Tess had always wanted to go back home. But, Max would never leave Michael and Isabel behind. She looked up as Ava stepped in from her room with a suitcase full of clothes.

“Isabel and Alex live in Seattle. They got pretty rich off of one of those “.com” companies Alex started and sold. They’re married you know.” Liz could hear the smile on the other side of the line. She couldn’t help but smile in return. Of course they were. Losing her brother must have made Isabel understand how fleeting time was. How quickly life could escape.

“And you and Michael?”

“Marriage is a man made institution Liz. It’s made to hold down a woman or make her his property. We don’t need all that mess. He’s my baby and he knows it. If he acts up, I smack him around a little bit.” Liz laughed at Maria’s expression and shook her head, loving the feeling of warmth overtaking her body. She felt home. For the first time in almost a decade, she finally felt like she had a piece of home again.

“Ok, ok, give me the phone.” Liz could hear and Michael was again back on the line. “Talk to me.”

“There have been two murders, both leaving behind a silver handprint. One of them was of the second group’s protector; the other was of Isabel’s duplicate… Lonnie.”

“You know them?” She could hear the amazement in his voice.

“Yes, sort of, well they look exactly like you all do… except different. Someone killed them Michael. Until we find out why… I’m worried other people will die.”

“But Nasedo was the only one who killed that way.”

“I know. I’m as lost as you are.”

“How do you know about this?”

“I work for the NYPD.” There was a short silence.

“So you’re in New York.”

“Yes.”

“We’re coming.”

“WE?”

“I’m not leaving Maria alone with some psycho killing my alien kin. She’s coming with me. I’m calling Isabel and having her and Alex meet me. Do you have room for us, or do we need to find a place?” Michael stated with a finality that was all his own. Liz sighed loudly, knowing there was no way around it. There was no point arguing.

“Umm… well, right now I live with a roommate and I’m housing a friend. So… it’s a little tight. But, if you guys don’t mind.”

“We’ll be there in a few days. Until then, don’t do anything Liz. Just stay put.”

“Ok.” She hung up the phone and looked up at a confused Ava.

“Who was that?”

“Back-up.” She said as she grabbed a few bags and they headed out the door.

<center>***</center>

“Long day?” Serena brought in hot soup from the kitchen and placed it on the eating trays before the two girls.

“Yea.”

“Looks like it. Some soup and hot tea will relax you girls and get you all set for bed.”

Ava snickered sarcastically. “Sleep. Right.”

“You know what? I don’t know what you two are involved in, but whatever it is, it can’t be good. You both are always in the midst of some sort of trouble. That’s so unhealthy for your psyche.”

“Look, Serena, she’s not exactly psyched to be here, can you just, step off a little?”

“She’s running for her life Cara. It has something to do; I’m sure, with you as well. You both are constantly leaving me out of the loop, and still, somehow, I’m always a step ahead of you.” Liz looked up as she and Ava met eyes.

“You got a call today.”

“From?”

“I don’t know, it was a man. He didn’t give a name.”

“What’d he say?”

“He was asking for Liz.” The room fell silent as Ava continued focused on her soup. Serena continued on. “Now, I’ve known you since undergrad Cara… and I’ve always thought… there’s more to her than meets the eye. And then there was the whole weird thing about how you never responded promptly to Cara. Then here comes Ava… who calls you Liz. A nickname, you both joke. So… today, my interest was finally peaked and I did some research.”

“Oh Serena, come on.”

“I’m a broadcasting major honey, I’m working for channel 8, and I have resources.”

“That’s when I found out about Liz Parker, from Roswell, New Mexico. Just this little high school girl, that died, and it struck me. The girl in the picture… looked exactly like you.”

The room fell completely silent now, with no one making eye contact, and the tension building.

“I found another entry… about a place called the CrashDown Café, where there was a shooting. And a girl was supposedly shot. But she wasn’t. What are you running from Liz?”

Liz closed her eyes and sighed loudly. It was out. Her secret was exposed. But could she trust Serena?

“Well… Serena said… she’s going to be your friend someday….” His words struck her again, as they always did, with a blow to the head. She held her forehead, hoping to calm the painful ache, and get rid of his voice.

“Does it have to do with your gifts? Did someone find out about them?”

“Sort of.” Liz replied weakly, unable to give further explanation.

“You can trust me. You know that. I’ve always been your friend Liz.”

Ava looked at Liz carefully, wondering what she was going to do. Liz looked up and took a deep breath.

“Look… we both know I’m different. You felt it the day you met me. Part of it has to do with my accident all those years ago. I left Roswell because… there were things happening that I couldn’t control. If I didn’t leave, people that I loved would get hurt. That’s why I’ve had to lie all these years.” Ava smiled at Liz’s inconspicuous answer. It told enough without revealing too much.

“I understand.”

“Now, if he calls again, you tell him that no Liz lives here.”

“I did. I told him no one by that name lived here. It was only me and you.”

“And if I’m home, give me the phone.”

“Cara… I mean, Liz. I won’t let anything bad happen to you; to either of you. Besides, I’ve been taking those kickboxing classes. I dare someone to try and mess with us.” She winked and went back to her soup. Liz sighed and took a sip of the hot broth.

It felt somewhat freeing not to lie about her name anymore. Besides, if Serena had suspected her and was an enemy, she would have turned her in long before. Now, it was on to the next obstacle. Finding out all she could about her cases.

<center>***</center>

She closed the door behind her and felt the relief of finally being alone in her room. It had been a long night, and she was beyond exhausted. She went into her dresser, looking to pull out some comfortable pajamas when she felt it. The odd sense of someone watching her, someone close… and she just couldn’t shake the feeling. She looked up and around, and not seeing anything, she went back to her drawer and pulled out her cotton pants and long sleeve shirt.

She reached for her light switch and turned it off, as she threw the pajamas on the bed. It was a habit to get dressed in the dark, one she’d developed after leaving. It was as if she feared someone would see her. They would know, that very sacred place on her stomach would be exposed and they would be aware of her large secret.

She started taking off her shirt and placed it on the bed, feeling a slight twirl of night air against her back. She shivered a bit, and removed her pants as well, standing simply in her underwear. She felt the pricks on the back of her neck again, and she looked out the window into the night.

“It’s only your imagination.” She whispered to herself, trying to calm her nerves. Her hands were already becoming warm in self defense.

She put on her pajamas and folded up her clothes, placing them in front of the night table on the floor. She lay in bed and pulled her covers high, wanting to warm up her limbs.

She sighed loudly, wanting to relax. She closed her eyes. There was just darkness. She breathed in and out, taking slow, even breaths. Just as she was drifting off, she heard the rustling. A tight grip was suddenly on her throat, and she could barely breathe.

“No more questions. The case is closed.” Her eyes flew open as she looked into a pair that seemed oddly familiar. “Stop.” And with that, he was gone.

She shot up in bed and grabbed her neck, the feel of his fingers still vividly implanted in her mind. Was it real, or just a dream? She took a few ragged breaths before willing herself to stay calm. The eyes had been terrifying. The dark, empty eyes that had looked into hers with one statement, Death; they were an awfully familiar shade of honey.

A/N: First of all, welcome to all the new readers! (KRISTA!!! ) Now, it seems you all have questions as to who this mystery man in her room was. IN fact, the concensus is Zan. Let's find out who it was....

Chapter 4:

Liz walked into the office, her head set for another day of intense research. She placed her hand over her mouth as she yawned. She hadn’t slept very well, again. This time it wasn’t the nightmares.

It was the unending feeling that there was someone hiding in the shadows, ready to strangle her. His grip had been strong, she remembered, as she placed her hand around her neck. Why did he want her to stop? How did he know she was searching him out?

Could this be some new breed of alien enemy none of them knew about? Anything was possible, she knew that now, as she washed her hands and put on her lab coat. She pushed open the double doors and went in, to find a neatly scrubbed table.

“She’s gone.” She turned at the familiar sound of the Scottish accent and looked inquiringly at Colin.

“What do you mean she’s gone?” The pit of her stomach was already beginning a dull ache, the sense that perhaps they’d gotten to her first.

“The FBI came to claim her this morning.”

“And they just took her? What about the report?” She tried to keep her voice calm, but her insides were a mess, knowing the meaning of this event. If they were to test Vilandra, the supposed Jane Doe, they would find out that she was not of this Earth.

Then, the FBI would be prompted to start an investigation and the Special Unit would reopen and they’d have to run again and…. Her head was swirling endlessly and she felt she had to sit down to take it all in. Don’t panic, she told herself. Just don’t panic.

“When they came to pick her up, the body was gone.” Her head shot up and she stared at him blankly, as if listening to a foreign language.

“What?”

“Someone came in last night and took her. They did a thorough search in the building this morning… she wasn’t misplaced. I think we have a thief on our hands.” Her heart skipped a few beats and then started to thud violently in her chest. Her hands came up to her neck reflexively as she rubbed softly on the spot where the mystery man’s fingers had stood.

“The case is closed.” He’d been very adamant that she prod no further. Was he so set on hiding his identity that he’d steal her body? But what would he do with it? As if Colin were reading her thoughts, he took a step further and pulled a piece of gum from his pocket.

“I think he burned her.” He stuffed the gum into his mouth, making a disgusted face, and then chewing on it. He held up the pack of Nicorette and smiled. “Trying to quit lad, just for you, because I hate the looks you give me.”

“Don’t do it for me Colin. Do it for your lungs.” She smiled as she removed the rubber gloves she had come in with. Seems she wouldn’t need them any time soon. “Why burn her?”

“No evidence. There’s nothing we can do with ashes. The case is closed. Period.” Her head registered his last words. The case is closed. It’s closed.

No. No, the case was far from closed. She knew that very well. She was beginning to get the ill feeling that she knew who could be behind it all.

“Come on. I’ll buy you lunch.” She nodded and went behind Colin out into the busy New York City streets.

<center>***</center>

Liz looked down at her beeper for the sixth time that afternoon. She’d been at work for like two hours, done paperwork, and then been sent home to sleep by Colin, who was convinced she had insomnia.

She decided it best not to inform him of the mysterious men in her bedroom in the middle of the night, because then, he might also think she was psychotic. And she wasn’t absolutely certain she could deny it. It was a slow day and it seemed no one was getting killed in New York yet. But the day was young.

How morbid, she thought to herself with a giggle as she looked out her apartment window and took another sip of her chocolate. The days were getting colder, as the fall days shortened and made way for winter. The city was bustling under the afternoon sun; the streets were jammed with after school traffic. She was partially glad she was home and not on the road.

“I’m going to work Liz.” Ava came in from the bathroom, scrubbed and clean in her uniform. She seemed to like her waitress position and she’d gotten to work somewhere that made her feel comfortable just being herself.

Jekyll and Hyde Restaurant was definitely not what could be considered the traditional dining experience, but she was able to wear her fishnets and her piercings, and tease the diners until they were incredibly uncomfortable. It was all part of the job. And she fit in quite perfectly.

“No problem. Call me when you get there, and Serena is picking you up tonight. She’s going to be at the library until late tonight, so just call her on her cell phone if anything.” Ava nodded and headed toward Liz, placing her hand on her shoulder.

“You look exhausted.”

“Yea, long night.”

“Get some sleep. You got the place to yourself for a few hours.” She smiled and Liz smiled in return, realizing that she would finally get some peace and quiet to think for herself.

“Guess you’re right. I’ll try. Bring me back some of those rib tips tonight.” Liz handed her a twenty dollar bill and smiled.

“I’ll even bring you back a complimentary Mudslide.” Ava winked and headed out the door into the afternoon. Liz finished her chocolate and thought of everything she and Colin had spoken of that afternoon.

The FBI had been keenly interested in the body, even after reading their report. They weren’t buying her story. Not that she blamed them… they were smarter than she hoped they’d be. Then again, now there was no body. Perhaps now, they’d wait on pins and needles until the next one showed up. The next one….

No. There wouldn’t be a next one, she told herself. She would figure it out before it got to that. She thought about what the logical process of elimination would be. If she was going to understand who was next, she had to understand the motives up to now. She had taken criminal psychology in college… she knew about getting into the killer’s mind; although, she had never been very fond of the idea.

“I think he burned her. […] The case is closed.” Colin’s voice registered in her head. It made perfect sense. Suddenly, another thought popped into her head. She picked up her cell phone and took out her wallet, as she started to dial a number scribbled on a piece of paper.

“Hello?”

“Michael?”

“Liz… you ok?”

“Yea, listen, I need to ask you a question. The summer I went to Florida, Maria told me that you guys… well, you buried Pierce.”

“Yea.” She could hear the uncomfortable tone in his voice. Obviously, this wasn’t a memory he liked to rehash.

“But first, what did you do?”

“Max and Sheriff Valenti suggested we burn the body.” She stood still, the cell phone in her hands, as she thought about his words. “Said that way we rule out most of the evidence, avoid any questions if it were found. Guess that just didn’t work well for the bones.”

“Right.” Liz thought of the melded bone on the body’s rib cage. “But… don’t your powers let you change the matter of the bone? Couldn’t you, say, pulverize it?”

“Definitely. We didn’t think of it at the time, we were a little too traumatized I think, but had we thought of it, that would have been the best idea. Leave no evidence at all, as if the body never existed.” She nodded her head as she felt a cool breeze surround her. Suddenly, the room seemed extremely cold and empty. “Liz, what’s this about?”

“The body is gone Michael. Whoever did it, didn’t want us finding out how. So… he finished the job.”

She heard a string of a few curses on the other end of the line and smiled. She could hear Maria inquiring about their conversation, and between driving and talking on the phone and dealing with Maria, Michael sounded like he was ready to explode.

“Will you wait?! Not you Liz. Maria won’t shut up. Listen, we’re meeting Isabel and Alex tomorrow; that was the earliest flight we could get out. We should be over your way by the weekend.”

“Ok. I’ll keep you informed of any changes.”

“Fine. Maria says hi. Call if anything.”

“I will.” She nodded with a smile and hung up, thinking about that summer. She hadn’t been there. She had gone away, trying to put as much space between her and Max as she could. After all, she had just heard his destiny.

He was the announced King of Antar, and Tess, his young bride. There was no place for human Liz Parker. She had wondered, could she just walk away? Could she leave him after everything he’d just been through? It’s not that she didn’t care. She told herself that over and over again.

He’d just been tortured by the FBI and he’d needed her. She had helped save him. She’d given all she could. She told him she loved him. Then… she went to spend the summer in Florida with her aunt. He must have hated her.

But she knew, even then she knew that staying behind in Roswell would have driven her insane. Even so, up to this day, it was no excuse. She had started the ball rolling that very summer… it was only a matter of time until things fell apart.

She snapped back to reality, realizing her hand was on the pendant she’d taken from Max, as a final memory of what they were.

“I need to get some sleep.” She told herself as she headed toward her room, ready to give her mind a rest.

She grabbed the bag of pretzels from the counter to take with her and closed the door once inside her sanctuary.

She pulled down the sheets and placed the pretzel bag on the corner of her night table. She most definitely wouldn’t be sleeping in jeans. She opened her drawer and pulled out some sweats, hoping to be both comfortable and warm, in her chilled room. She closed the drawer and threw the sweats on the bed as she headed to close the blinds in her window.

The sun was moving to the other side of the sky, causing shadows to start forming, announcing the beginning of the early evening, and the coming of darkness.

The room got relatively darker, as she began to undo her pants and heard movement. She stood still, listening carefully, knowing that her brain was exhausted and perhaps playing evil tricks. She heard the rustling again and realized it was the sound of the front door.

It had just opened and closed softly. Her heart suddenly beat loudly, so loudly she was afraid the person out in the living room could hear her. It could just be Serena, she said to herself as she heard the soft footsteps exploring the space.

It wasn’t Serena. Serena walked the house with confidence, knowing every crease and creaky board. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her wild nerves. She rubbed her hands together, feeling the static between them. The electricity between them was growing. She could feel the tingle in her fingertips. Whoever it was, they’d be sorry they decided to break into this house.

She leaned softly against her door, listening to the nearing footsteps and the feeling the vibrations against the door. She tried calming her heart, tried focusing on her mission just as Serena had always mentioned. But there was something happening.

She knew the minute the body had reached the other side of the door and she held her breath. She looked down and noticed the door was locked. Ha, she thought to herself.

Then, there was a click. She looked down as she saw the lock tab turn. Her eyes widened as they traveled back up the door. She stepped away slowly, moving backward, her face never leaving the door. She readied her hands, placing them out with her palms facing away. The door swung open slowly and she froze, looking at the face of her intruder.

<center>***</center>

She looked at his face, her eyes wide; her hands limp at her sides. She felt as if she’d been kicked in the stomach. She was trying to regain her breath. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight before her. Nothing.

“I told you to stop looking for me.” His voice whispered brusquely and sounding slightly hoarse, as if he hadn’t spoken in a long time.

She looked at his darkly tanned face with the line of old cut across his eyebrow and reaching dangerously close to his eye. His hair was long and shaggy. Uncomfortably similar to the man who’d driven her away so long ago, but it was his eyes that struck her.

His eyes were narrowed and threatening, holding absolutely no familiarity or emotion. There was just ice and darkness. A deep, terrifying darkness that seemed so contradictory to the warm hazel pupils she once knew so very well.

He stepped forward slowly, like a lion stalking his prey, causing her to step back as well.

“The case is closed, do you understand me?” She took a deep, tight breath, feeling the air restricting in her chest. Her lungs burned. Her head was beginning to spin. She couldn’t hyperventilate. This was too important. This wasn’t the voice of the man she’d known and loved all those years ago. She didn’t know who this was.

“Max?”

“Don’t. Don’t talk to me like you know me.” He bit quickly, his eyes digging deeply into her own.

“Don’t you know who I am? It’s me… its Liz.” She whispered and took a step forward, hoping to have somehow made an impact. She didn’t know what she expected his reaction to be, but his face remained the same stoic, angry expression. Instead, he took a step forward, his body now near enough for her to smell his scent, a mixture of burning wood, perspiration brought on by hard work, and a smell that could only be described as Max.

“I don’t give a damn who you are.” His warm breath brushed her face softly, but the words felt more like a slap. The mixture of emotions plaguing her now was too intense to describe, but her fingers were tingling. She was ready to blast him into the other room.

“Max, what are you doing?” She finally managed to ask, as they remained close enough to radiate heat. “What are you doing? You don’t think the FBI is going to figure it out? To find you, and then what are you going to do?”

“They don’t know anything.”

“What did you do with her? Did you burn her? Why are you doing this Max? This isn’t like you, this is….”

“This IS like me.” He practically growled, his eyes still cemented on hers, making her entire skin radiate with abounding energy. She felt like any moment she could spontaneously combust.

“No, no it’s not. The Max Evans I knew was careful and discreet, he planned things. He always thought things out. This is rash and crazy! You… you can’t just go and kill these people and expect no one to notice!”

“Well…” He whispered with an unnerving calm. “I guess time changes things. I’m not the Max Evans you remember. I swear; you get in my way Liz, and I won’t hesitate to kill you too.” With that, he turned and walked out of her room, into the hallway, and out of the house.

She stood frozen in place, his scent still lingering in the spot where he stood, her legs feeling like they might give out any moment. Her anger blazed, her fingers tingling as they exploded in light, following his path toward the front door.

Kath7 wrote: I'm still not finding Liz very sympathetic in this. I'm not sure why. I guess I can't escape the feeling that she made things a million times worse by running away from Roswell and then not thinking logically about what the dupes in New York actually meant. I mean, it's so obvious. Liz is too smart to have missed that Ava could replace Tess if she left. Her whole reason for leaving became faulty at that time.

I can see your point. Something to think about. Although Liz is smart, and knows that Ava could have replaced Tess if Tess left... the point is, she is still working under the apprehension that Tess and Max belong together, and that she isn't supposed to be with him. It didn't matter if Ava replaced Tess... she couldn't have remained with him. She left, knowing that in itself would change the future, and hopefully not hurt those involved any further. Granted, not a well thought out plan... seeing as she hurt everyone, even her parents. But.... she was desperate and under pressure from F. Max. Just think about those things... they're not necessarily answers, but just... yea.





Chapter 5:

It had taken all her energy to get herself into bed, and then almost an hour to finally drift to sleep. Everything was swirling in her head. This was wrong, this was all wrong. Why was Max there? Why would he be killing people? What was wrong with him?

She had no answers. All she knew was that it was as if she had fallen into a time warp. Before her stood a very similar version of the man that had condemned her to a life of solitude. Future Max had been everything she had ever dreamed Max would be, including their romantic wedding in Vegas. He represented everything she’d ever wanted but would never have.

Then here stood this new man; the man who called himself Max Evans, who wore his face, but who had a completely different soul. Is this what she had changed the course of the future for? In order to one day be faced with a cruel, heartless murderer? No! Why would life be so cruel?

She thought of the way her heart had lost control right before she saw him. Somewhere inside, her body had known he was there. Their connection had returned. He must have felt it too, but his rock hard demeanor had shown no sign of feeling. What happened back on Antar? Her thoughts went over every possible scenario, none of which ended this badly. Then another thought suddenly plagued her… if he was back… where was Tess?

She shivered at the memory of his expression. His eyes had been so… empty. She had been able to look into this man’s deepest thoughts and feelings, just by looking into his eyes. Now, all she saw was hatred. Hatred… for her? The feeling made her ill to her stomach. Could she have ignited such hatred? Could someone who loved her so passionately now hate her as much?

She felt herself begin to drift back, as her heavy head registered the voice of the other person in the room.

“Liz, I brought your food back. You wanna eat?” She opened her eyes slowly, her heavy lids making it difficult for her to return to any sense of consciousness. She tried to focus on the bright blue before her, the eyes that were glaring at her with a friendly smile. “Hey, are you ok? You look… terrified. Another nightmare?” Ava sat on the bed, as Liz began to sit up slowly, finally making out the shapes surrounding her.

“I saw him.”

“Who?” Ava looked at her curiously, her eyes showing a register of amused confusion.

“Max. He came here.” They stared at each other for a few moments, and Ava turned her face away, suddenly taking an interest in her hands. “Ava… he just broke right in here and then… he threatened to kill me.”

Her friend’s eyes shifted back toward hers with shock registering clearly.

“I… I don’t know what to say. That’s… crazy.”

“To kill me Ava. KILL ME! I mean, those words couldn’t even leave Max’s mouth if he meant them! I just… he’s the one. The one who killed Vilandra.”

“Why?” Ava whispered, her hand now upon Liz’s, offering some sort of comfort or sympathy.

“I wish I knew. I wish I knew a lot of things.” Liz removed the covers and turned to get off the bed as Ava stood up to follow. “He looked so… broken. Something happened. I know it did. Something must have happened on Antar.”

“On where?” Serena walked in and closed the door, throwing the keys on the table.

“Serena….” Liz looked up, her eyes suddenly lighting up. “You remember how you told me that you could disguise your voice really well?”

“Yea, learned it in theater in college. I picked up a bunch of useless crap in college.”

“Do you think you could call a few places for me? I need to find out where someone is staying.”

“I guess so. What’s this about?”

“I think I might have figured out who called the other day. I need to find him.” The three girls stood around the counter separating the kitchen and the living room. Serena sat up on the stool and looked at Liz curiously.

“You are very troubled. Your eyes are smoky. Liz… what’s going on?”

“Someone from my past has come for me… but he’s lost. I have to help him find himself again. But I can’t let him know I’m doing it.”

“Liz, that isn’t your place, it’s dangerous.” Ava interjected, her eyes looking at her disapprovingly.

“I have to put an end to this. I… I don’t want to run anymore.” Liz whispered as the room fell silent. “I have to undo whatever damage I’ve done, Ava. He may never be the same again… unless I help him.”

“And if he kills you?” Serena’s eyes widened as she looked at the exchange between the two.

“Woah, woah. Kills? It’s like that?” She looked at Liz who shook her head quickly, trying to ease her concerns.

“Look, he wouldn’t hurt me.”

“No, Liz. The Max you KNEW wouldn’t hurt you. This one… this isn’t the same Max.”

“He’s in there somewhere. I know he is.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because, if he really wanted to kill me, he would have done it today, while he had the chance.” The three sat quietly as they thought about the situation. Liz reached over and grabbed her rib tips and mudslide she began to unwrap them. “Look, I know him. He’s buying time, hoping to scare me off or something. He doesn’t know I can do what I can do. If anything… I’ll fight back. Although, I don’t think it would come to that. He just… he’s not like that.”

“He killed someone Liz.”

“I know… but… I know.” She was defeated. She wanted to believe, but now, she wasn’t even sure what she was convincing herself of. They were right. The Max Evans she’d known and loved was gone and had been replaced by this unrecognizable version. She’d have to learn to break past him and figure out what was happening. Even if it meant at the expense of her life.

<center>***</center>

Liz tossed and turned, finding it impossible to find a restful sleep. She had slept far too long that afternoon and despite her exhaustion, she couldn’t sleep more than fifteen minute intervals. She looked up at the ceiling, admiring the different ridges and stains up there. She really needed to paint the ceiling.

She closed her eyes, trying to will sleep to come. She breathed deeply, knowing that she needed her strength for the battle before her. Somewhere inside her, a voice was screaming to stay away, to simply stay out of the mess. That was the rational Liz Parker. The one she’d always been and known and listened to. After all, the man was dangerous. He was dangerous to both her body and her heart.

Memories had flooded her the minute he’d walked out the door, memories she had kept hidden in some secret part of her brain that she’d refused to think about until she saw his face again. She had almost forgotten what it had felt like to be in love with him. Almost. Her mind swirled with memories, one in particular that just never left her.

“When I healed you, I made this… this connection. A picture of that dress came into my mind and, I knew how you felt about it.”

“How did I feel about it?”

“It was the single supreme embarrassment of your life. But your mom made it, and she was so proud of it. So you wore it, for her sake.” They stood, awkwardly separated by the space between them, the intensity between them building, the boy she thought she’d known suddenly looking incredibly different to her.

“I’ve… I’ve never tried this before, but, maybe I can make the connection go the other way. So you can see, you know? That I’m still me.” He walked over to her, his innocent, scared, and beautiful eyes staring into hers so openly she couldn’t refuse. “I have to touch you.”

She nodded, unsure of whether or not this was such a good idea. She could only stare at his face, the face she’d seen so many times before, that she’d practically grown up knowing. And still, she knew nothing about him.

That’s when she saw the images, suddenly swirling through her brain. She was seeing Max Evans for the first time, truly seeing him, despite the layers of secrecy he always wore. She could feel his fear, his loneliness. She could feel everything he was feeling. And then, out of the blue, there she was, looking at herself through his eyes. She knew then that she would never forget how she felt at that moment.

‘I saw me as he saw me. And in his eyes… I was beautiful.’ She’d written into her journal, a memory the intense feelings he’d stirred. When the connection was broken, she could only stare into his honey colored eyes, awed by the magic that surrounded him.

Tears fell down her face, tears she didn’t know she was even shedding for the loss of the man who could make her feel that way. And for the loss of the woman who had incited those feelings. She was no longer the Liz Parker he had revered back in high school.

She knew she had also changed. She had become embittered and hostile, completely protective and unafraid of anything. She’d gotten her heart stomped on and her life taken away from her all in one night. She was sure she could face anything.

But what remained was her loyalty. She would never turn her back when someone needed her. And she knew, even though he didn’t know it, Max needed her. He was so unhappy, and that wasn’t the point. That wasn’t the point of the change. He wasn’t supposed to be unhappy; he was just supposed to be with someone else. Isn’t that how it worked?

As she drifted more and more into sleep she felt an odd sensation as she was pulled away from her thoughts.

“Where is he?” He stood above the body on the ground, his eyes looking down mercilessly.

“I don’t know man, seriously. I haven’t even seen him for mad long. He skipped out on us! He ran away.” Rath lay on the floor, his face the exact replica of Michael Guerin’s, his Mohawk and piercings the only obvious difference. His voice was shaky but firm, an obvious attempt to hide his fear.

“I don’t believe you.” Max’s voice spit back out, harsh and full of venomous anger.

“You gotta believe me! I ain’t lyin’.” He crawled on the floor, spitting up some blood. Max reached out his hand as he blasted him again, sending his body flying across the empty tunnel.

“You’re a good for nothing son of a-.”

“LISTEN! Listen to me.” Rath quickly interrupted, grabbing his stomach in pain. “I can’t get you Zan, but… maybe I can give you some information. Something you may want. About our planet… about Antar.”

A hearty, dark laugh filled the space, echoing frighteningly through the walls. There was the scattering of some rodents and then pure silence. Rath stared up at his King, truly registering fear for the first time. Then, Max walked up from the shadows and into the path of a light bulb.

“There’s nothing you can tell me about Antar that I don’t already know.” And he blasted him, sending a shrill scream through the air and then silence.

The only sound was that of footsteps on cement as Max approached the limp body.

“Here’s a little trick I tried on Vilandra.” He swiped his hand over the body as it was set to flames, smoking and crackling before him.

Liz shot up in bed, her hair moving wildly behind her. She tried taking some deep breaths, tried making sense of what she’d just seen. But her hands were shaking and she couldn’t seem to still the electricity traveling through her fingertips and up her arms.

She winced at the pain, the bright blue lighting bolts attacking her arms in little spurts, and jumping back and forth in between her hands.

She closed her eyes and tried to breathe. The images seemed burned into her head. Rath’s body lying lifeless on the ground and Max’s blank expression as he set him on fire.

This wasn’t a nightmare. She looked around her bed for a moment, thinking too fast to process any actual thoughts. This was real. She was somehow tapping into Max, connecting with him, quite vividly. He was nearby. She looked around suddenly, remembering their encounter that afternoon. He’d gone and killed Rath right after he’d left.

Of course. She went through the process in her head. A game of elimination. There cannot be a royal eight. There can only be a royal four. Was he killing them off in order to go back with his own? Was that why he was after Zan? She rubbed her head, feeling the familiar throb returning. She had better go see a doctor. She was sure her blood pressure was over the roof.

She got up from her bed and walked out into dark apartment. She stepped softly, making sure not to wake anyone. She was probably not going to be sleeping the rest of the night. At least, she didn’t have to work the next day. Finally, a two day vacation. She could focus on her investigation. She sat on the window seat, looking out into the very alert world of New York, even at an ungodly hour of the morning.

She sighed loudly. She wished Michael and Isabel would arrive soon. Perhaps they’d notice something she missed. Then again, she’d missed years of their life. How long after she left did Max go to Antar? Was it a voluntary trip? She leaned her head back against the wall as she pulled on her nightshirt, trying to stretch it past her knees.

“Couldn’t sleep?” She looked up, startled for a moment by the voice outside her head.

“Nah.” She replied as Ava plopped herself on the couch, looking over at her.

“Wanna talk about it.”

“I guess I’m just… scared. I’m scared I won’t be able to fix this.”

“You’re not superwoman Liz. You can’t fix everything.”

“I know, but it doesn’t mean I can’t try.” She turned to look back out the window, wondering where he was tonight.

“You still love him, don’t you?” Ava said, more as a statement than a question.

“I never stopped.” They looked at each other for a few moments and then Liz looked up, a strange expression in her gaze.

“What?” Ava asked, seeing the wheels turning.

“I need you to contact Zan.”

“What?! Are you serious? The man hates me Liz. I abandoned them… he would never wanna talk to me again.”

“He’ll want to hear what you have to say. Trust me.”

“What if I can’t find him?”

“You can. He loved you once… there has to be some sort of connection still there.” Liz stated sadly.

“And what do I tell him?”

“To stay put. That there’s someone he’s going to want to see.” She looked back out the window, eagerly awaiting the break of day. At least now, she had a plan.

A/N: Hey everyone. I'm having some personal issues I gotta deal with. So I'm going to post this chapter tonight. And I won't be back til Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning ok? Sorry. I hope you at least enjoy this.

Chapter 6:

It was half past ten when Liz finally woke up. She’d fallen asleep around 6am, after having woken up at 3am. She got up from the bed, feeling absolutely groggy. She didn’t even want to imagine what she looked like.

She waddled over to the bathroom, still drunk with sleep, and closed the door behind her. She looked into the mirror, and scowled at her reflection. Her hair was flat and wild all at once, and there were some dark circles under her eyes. She looked awful.

From the distance, she could hear the sound of her cell phone ringing. She finished brushing her teeth as fast as she could. Who was bothering her? She thought about Ava who was probably still sleeping in the office, which had become her temporary residence. Serena was surely already off to school. Trying to get her second master’s degree took up most of her time.

The phone rang again and she ran out of the bathroom with the toothbrush still in her mouth trying to catch it before whoever it was hung up.

“Hewo?” She asked, before taking the brush out of her mouth. “Hello?”

“Liz!”

“Yes?” She asked, wondering who was on the other line.

“It’s me, Alex! I just spoke to Maria… I knew you would get to us one day. Where have you been?” She smiled, loving the sound of his voice, completely different from the high pitched teenager he’d once been.

“Alex. You have no idea how good it is to hear from you.”

“Let me guess… it was Czechoslovakian related?” Liz laughed, remembering the reference to their secret code.

“You know it was. I don’t just up and go when I know I would’ve beaten you to valedictorian.”

“Ha, ha! I wasn’t even in the running.” She heard him laugh and felt her heart break, realizing all the years she’d missed with her family and friends. She, Maria and Alex had been inseparable, all through their childhood. Now, she didn’t even know where they lived. The thought made her incredibly homesick.

“Where are you?”

“With Isabel, Michael, and Maria at the airport. We’re trying to figure out how much the airport parking is so we can go see you!”

She felt the molecules in her body explode with energy. She was far too excited for words. She started rummaging through her clothes. She was seeing her friends for the first time in almost a decade. It was practically a reunion. She wanted to look her best, take them to dinner, and maybe rent a few movies. In between her thoughts, she realized the real reason they were there. They were helping her solve the alien mystery, and then… they would leave again. She’d be back to her old life. All alone, once again.

“Liz? You there?”

“Yea. Sorry… I was spacing out a bit. I can’t wait to see you Alex.”

“Ditto. Now I gotta go. We’ll be there, umm, by like 7pm tonight.”

“I’ll be there.”

She hung up the phone and sat on her bed, taking a look around at her room. She hadn’t realized how much she missed them until she’d spoken to them. She didn’t think she could bear losing them again. Would they remain supportive when they realized what was going on? Would they take sides?

She headed back toward the bathroom as she finished brushing her teeth and combed her hair. She had pretty much the whole day before they got there. But… she did have a mission.

She went out into the living room, her baggy shirt and sweats making her look even smaller than she was. She sat on the couch, and turned on the television, hoping to take a few hours to simply clear her mind before the coming confrontation. She’d find him and she’d get the answers that she wanted. She was not a teenage girl anymore… she could face him.

She looked at the television, not really seeing the images flashing across. Her mind was completely distracted.

There was so much about Max that tugged at her heart strings. His presence alone made it difficult for her to stand there, looking strong and being brave. After all, she’d never truly stopped loving him. It was her love that had driven her away.

“It didn’t work. We have to do something else.”

“No. I… I can’t.”

“You have to.”

“Do you know how hard it was for me to tell him that I didn’t want to die for him? He’s the only reason I’m alive right now. You… you’ve… you gotta come up with another plan. Please go to someone else. I… I just… I can’t do this anymore.”

She’d pleaded with him through teary eyes. The man that she so adored came and told her she wouldn’t have her happy ending. What was she supposed to do? She was just a teenage girl! His eyes still burned with love for her, even after coming from the future to change it. He still loved her.

But… not anymore. She thought of Max’s eyes, those intense, soul searching eyes. How they’d looked, so dark and angry. There was so much bitterness in them. And that adoring stare had disappeared.

She’d left Roswell, hoping to change the future without completely breaking his heart. She knew how much she’d hurt him already. The plan she had thought up would only do further damage. She’d even decided who would help her.

Her ex-boyfriend, Kyle Valenti, would have been perfect, but she couldn’t go through with it. She couldn’t bear having to cause him anymore pain. So, she opted for something that would spare both of their feelings. She ran.

“So much for that plan.” She murmured under her breath. She wanted to believe what she’d done was for the best. But… she hadn’t been the same ever since. She couldn’t trust anyone, until she met Serena and Ava. She’d been alone for so long with her feelings that she had started growing cold.

“You carry a dark heart.” Serena had told her the first week they had met in undergraduate college. First, Liz thought she was crazy, with all her spiritual mumbo jumbo. But, she’d been right. Liz had been plagued with bitterness and heartbreak from the day she’d left Roswell.

She saw the same darkness in Max. But she was beginning to heal. And now, meeting up with the people she’d missed for so long, was proving to be a healing all its own. Did that mean that it was possible to cure Max? To help him?

Her thoughts were interrupted at the sound of the house phone. She leaned across the couch and grabbed the cordless from the lamp table.

“Hello?”

“You’re going to love me.” Liz smiled at Serena’s quirky voice on the other line.

“Ok, spill.”

“Well, after doing some research and using my resources, I have found that our mystery man, Max Evans, is staying at a motel down the street. He’s literally like three blocks away.”

Liz walked toward the window and looked out. The street was loud and active, as it would be any other weekday. What was he doing?

“It’s not a coincidence that he’s that close.”

“I didn’t think so either.”

“Thanks Serena. I owe you one.”

“No problem. Just make some of that split pea soup you make so good. That’s payment enough.” Liz smiled and hung up her cell phone, still looking out the window.

The front door unlocked and she looked over to see Ava coming through.

“Wait… I thought… what are you doing up?” Liz stood suddenly, realizing that she’d been alone in the apartment the whole time. Suddenly, being alone worked her nerves. Anyone could be lurking in the shadows. And by anyone… she meant Max.

“I found your bargaining chip.” Ava said with an exhausted glance as she propped herself on the couch.

“Zan?” Now Liz’s interest was peaked.

“I tried contacting him last night. I could barely get through. So, I went out searching this morning. It turns out he left the group just after I did.”

“Why?”

“They tried to kill him.” Ava’s dark blue eyes lowered sadly. Things had really messed up when she left. In a way, Liz completely understood what Ava was going through. They both had to run, leave everything they’d known behind, in order to save both themselves, and those they loved. “They tried to kill him and I wasn’t there to protect him.” Her voice was thick and full of emotion. She was going to hate herself forever for that.

“There’s nothing you could have done.”

“He had been planning to leave. I think that’s the worst part. Liz… I’ve always been the obedient wife. I played the part to perfection. It’s what I’ve always known. And… still… it isn’t right. When I left, I told myself it was because he didn’t love me. But now…, I think it was partially because I didn’t love him either.”

Liz’s eyes registered surprise. Ava had been Zan’s wife, even back on Antar. Tess had specifically mentioned that it was their destiny to replay that romance, that it was part of their genetic makeup. Now, Ava was telling her that she didn’t love Zan? Max’s words echoed in her head.

“It’s like I always told you. We make our own destinies.”

No. She couldn’t believe that. She couldn’t because it meant that everything she gave up was for nothing. Could they have still been together, despite the obstacles at hand? Without bringing on the end of the world?

“I’m sorry Ava.”

“I know. I’m sorry too.” She stood up and headed toward the kitchen. “It’s been a long morning. I think I’m gonna take a hot bath.”

Liz nodded as she watched Ava head away and into the bathroom. She turned back to her seat by the window and looked out again. She sighed deeply. Her world was quickly turning upside down.

She looked out the window and searched the streets carefully. She knew he was close.

“Where are you?” She whispered to herself.

<center>***</center>

“Where are you?”

The voice appeared suddenly, without warning into his mind. It was loud and clear. As if she were standing right before him, asking him the question. He looked around, startled by the sound, and then looked up from his seat in the diner booth. He was a busy man, but it didn’t mean he didn’t have to eat. The motel food was not anything that looked edible.

He could almost make out her shape from her apartment window, about four stories up in the building across the street. She was looking out the window, obviously thinking about something.

He hadn’t expected her to be home when he’d gone in. All he’d wanted was to find evidence that she lived there. Seems she’d been going by a different name. But the connection didn’t lie. The minute he came into New York, he knew she was there… somewhere among the endless crowd of people.

He hadn’t come to New York to see her. He was there to fulfill a mission. To finally end the years of suffering he’d had to endure.

But their meeting caught him off guard, and now, it was all he could do to fight the images of her that plagued his mind.

It amazed him to see that there was still a speck of humanity left within him, a hint of the man he used to be. He thought that person had died years ago. But, he refused to let his emotions get the best of him. Emotions made him weak, he knew that.

He finished his lunch and paid the bill, leaving the tip on the table. There were so many questions plaguing his mind.

Why would Liz just leave? Just disappear all those years ago, without saying goodbye? He didn’t consider a letter goodbye, and her reasons for leaving were not nearly explained. She’d just decided to get up and go and leave her entire life behind her. Could she have wanted to be away from him that badly?

But the main thing bothering him was the connection. It was too strong for comfort. Did that explain the voice? Or, was there something else about her he didn’t know? He remembered the static feeling across the room when he’d faced her, the sense that something might explode.

Initially, he’d thought it was the tension. But tension doesn’t literally leave a shock at the doorknob. Whatever happened between them did. As he stepped out of the diner, he looked back up to her apartment window, to find it empty. She was gone.

Perhaps he could finally get some answers. After he finished what he’d come to accomplish. He could very well demand she explain her actions. He could ask her why she left. But… did he really want to know?

He cursed under his breath for his weakness. He didn’t need to be thinking about her right now. He needed to focus. There were much more important things to consider. He walked slowly down the street, taking in the sights and sounds.

He’d had a long, sleepless night and it was beginning to catch up with him. He would go back to the motel and rest, then, he’d find Zan.

He walked the few blocks to the motel and headed up to his room, ready to put his thoughts to rest. He needed to continue to control his emotions if he hoped to succeed. Having Liz so near was affecting his plans.

He pulled out his key card and reached for the knob when he felt a sting of static on the metal. He ripped his hand away for a moment, caught off guard. Then, he reached again as he opened the door and stepped into the dark room.

The room still smelled like a trace of cigarette smoke. It was dark, even with the table lamps on, because of the thick fabric curtain covering the window.

He looked around cautiously as the door closed behind him. There was something wrong. He could sense it. His body began to react, all of his molecules shifting, ready for an attack.

He sat on the bed, his back toward the window, and started removing his boots, waiting patiently for the body to present itself.

He knew she was there. He could feel her.

“I know who you’re after. I want to know why.” He turned around to face her, as she stepped in from the shadows and stood before him. Her feet were firmly planted on the ground.

His entire body tensed. He could feel his muscles reacting to her presence. After almost ten years, she still had that effect on him. She made him want to know nothing but her.

But he couldn’t. He had to remain focused. Why did she come here? He thought, frustrated. He wasn’t sure he could deal with her right now.

“What are you doing here?” He asked; his voice was full of the irritation he was feeling.

“I’m here for answers.” She said without a blink, looking completely determined. He had forgotten what it was like to stand on the other side of her demanding face. It hadn’t happened often, but he knew she was stubborn. She’d get her way. Suddenly, the memories came flooding through, despite his trying to dispute them.

“Um...I really didn't wanna say this before because I didn't want anybody else to get involved, but...I'm going to the reservation.” He watched her as she looked at him with those big brown eyes that made his heart race. He could barely make out her words; he was so distracted by everything that was Liz. Of course, he had to focus, she was saying something important.

“No… no you’re not. We’re being watched.” He tried to be firm, but his voice came out like a soft whisper. He had a hard time denying her anything. He had a feeling if she were to ask the impossible; he’d find a way to give it to her.

“Maybe you’re not just being watched, you know? Maybe it’s more than that. Max, today they came for the files. What if tomorrow they come for you? If there’s anything there, any possibility at all that this means something, we need to find out.” She looked at him with honest concern that made entire body warm. He had never had anyone who truly cared about him. Sure, he had Isabel and Michael, but, they were family. And his parents, of course, they were family as well.

Liz cared for him in a very intimate way, a way that made his insides bubble with excitement.

“Thanks for the offer… but no.” He denied with a smile, hoping to soften the blow. He appreciated what she wanted to do. But he couldn’t let her run off by herself.

“Max, you saved my life.”

“What does that have to do with it?”

“It’s what started all of this. People suspecting you. If anything happened to you… or Michael or Isabel, I just… I couldn’t live with that. Let me do this one thing.”

He looked at her with wonder, amazed at how much she felt for all of them. He would have saved her if it meant publicly declaring his alien status. He just couldn’t imagine not having her in his life.

“Liz, I already told you no.” He pleaded, understanding her motives, but not wanting to push her away.

“Max, I didn’t come here for permission. I came here for the pendant. If you don’t give it to me, I’ll just draw it. I’m going.” He couldn’t get through to her. Her stubbornness was both endearing and frustrating.

He sighed as she walked away from him and towards his bedroom window, ready to climb out. He stood up and reached for her, turning her around to face him. He placed the pendant around her neck and leaned in to rest his forehead upon hers. There was nothing he could say that would stop her.

“Hey. First moment anything weird happens, anything at all, you come back.”

Max looked at the pendant on Liz’s neck. She’d taken it. He had wondered where it had gone, and then eventually, he’d simply forgotten about it. Now, there it stood, upon her neck, reminding him of simpler times.

“Did you hear me? I said I’m here for answers.” She interrupted his thoughts. He needed some distance, some space. There was a queen size bed between them and it still wasn’t enough.

He walked over to the door and opened it, standing beside it as he turned back to face her.

“You shouldn’t be here. You have to leave.” He stated, as he swung his hand in the direction of the door.

Before he knew what was happening, a streak of blue lightning swung his way and he ducked, letting it hit the door and slam it shut.

“You don’t seem to understand Max. I’m not the Liz Parker you remember either. I want answers. And I want them now!”

A/N: Hey guys, thanks so much for your concern. You guys are great.

Chapter 7:

She stood in her place, trying to calm her shaking knees. Her hands were still shaking from the use of her power. But, she held them tightly at her sides, refusing to let him see her weakness. She knew her voice sounded slightly shaky. She would have to calm that as well.

“How did you do that?” Max asked with genuine curiosity.

“I’m the one asking the questions.” She said, before she was able to think. Her eyes widened slightly, surprised by the conviction in her own voice. She didn’t know she could be in any way menacing.

“Fine.” He stepped away from the door and back toward the bed. His eyes turned back to the hard, dark look.

“Why are you after Zan? Are you going to kill him?” She stepped forward, letting her legs lean against the bed. He was also against the other side of the bed, only a few feet away from her.

“I’m not getting you involved Liz.” She looked up and caught a flicker of emotion in his dark eyes before it quickly disappeared again.

“You don’t have a choice. I need to know.”

“Really? Why is that?” Max turned and walked toward the desk, pulling the chair out and sitting, with his feet up on the table. When he turned to face her again, she felt her stomach jump nervously. Stop it, she whispered to herself, don’t let him get to you.

“I work for the New York city police department. If you don’t tell me, I’m going to turn you in.” She stood frozen in place as his feet slowly dragged off the table and he stood. He walked slowly toward her until he was facing her, their bodies barely touching.

“For some reason, I don’t believe that.” He whispered huskily, sending a shiver through her skin. She had to say something, she knew she did, but she was drawing a blank. All she could think of was the way his eyes were burning into hers, the distant smell of soap that lingered on his body. She knew her breathing was a mess, she could tell by the pain in her chest.

“I could be wired.”

“But you’re not.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know you. You wouldn’t turn me in.” A flare of anger drifted through her. Was he going to use what they had against her? How dare he!

“What has happened to you? Huh? Where is the Max Evans I remember?” She finally broke down and yelled, feeling the frustration building within her.

“Don’t go there.” He turned away, making space between them.

“Why? Why? Because you don’t want to remember? You don’t want to think about what we’ve lost?”

“Don’t pretend to know anything about me Liz! Ok? Because you don’t.” He turned, his face registering a fury that should have scared her. But instead, it fueled her anger even more.

“I don’t? Oh, of course. Max Evans, the boy I’ve known since the third grade. Who was my reading partner in seventh grade English, and my bio partner in tenth? The man who showed me his soul and who has seen mine? Of course, why would I know you?” Her fury was blazing as she confronted him, feeling her heart finally breaking inside of her. “There are few people I know as intensely as I know you. I still remember exactly what you were feeling. Don’t you dare assume that I’ve forgotten.”

Finally, she stepped away from him, having to distance herself in order to avoid screaming. She had lost her cool. Had gone completely against the rules she’d set for herself.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me. I’ve changed Liz. I’ve been to hell and back. I’m not the same person.”

“Then I can help you heal.”

“You’re the CAUSE of my pain!” He turned away from her, his hands flying in the air in frustration.

“What?! Is that what this is all about? Me leaving?”

“You think it’s ok to just disappear? To leave me a frickin’ note giving me some cock and bull story about how you had to leave in order to save me? In order to help me fulfill my destiny?! You took away my options Liz! You made the choice for me!”

“It’s not MY fault! I HAD to!” Her eyes were filling with tears. She had to calm down. She couldn’t do this. She wouldn’t break down in front of him.

“HAD TO?” Their voices were getting louder and louder, the tension between the two rising. She looked down and wiped away the single tear that managed to escape her eyes.

“I’m not going to discuss this. If you won’t tell me what you want with Zan, then fine! Good luck finding him.” She stormed away from him and toward the door, before she felt his strong grip on her arm. A current ran through the both of them as their skin touched, she realized, for the first time.

He pushed her against the wall, pinning her arms against the faded wallpaper with his strong hands. He held her with a firm grip, but his fingers remained soft against her.

“If you know where he is, you have to tell me.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything. You haven’t told me a thing, why should I feel compelled to share with you?”

“This isn’t a game.” He whispered angrily.

“Then don’t play with me.”

“I can’t do this with you Liz.” He let go of her arms and turned away, back toward his bed. She took a deep breath, not realizing she’d been holding it. She turned to face him, feeling absolutely, emotionally defeated. And by the look of his slumping shoulders, he was exhausted as well.

“You loved me once, do you even remember that?” He stood in silence with his back facing her. She took a few steps closer, letting her words linger. The tears were threatening to attack her again.

“Don’t Liz. Please, don’t.”

“I’m going to continue my investigation. With or without your help. If you want Zan, you’re going to have to give me a call. You know where to find me.”

She turned around and left the room, letting the door slam behind her. She leaned up against it, releasing the tears she’d been holding. She had to get away. She stood up straight and started to walk down the hall, when she heard the sound of glass breaking within the room.

It was somehow comforting to know that she wasn’t the only one so affected by their reunion.

<center>***</center>

Liz sat in the airport coffee shop for almost an hour, not wanting to return home. She needed distance between she and Max. And three blocks didn’t seem to be enough distance to calm the hurt pounding within her. Why did she have to see him again? Wasn’t the point to remain anonymous forever? There was something so painful lurking underneath those hidden depths of his. Something that was breaking her heart every time she looked into his eyes.

She knew he could see the bitterness she’d saved up throughout the years as well. If he couldn’t hear them through her venomous words. She sipped her mocha latte and wiped away the stray tears. She was in public; she couldn’t be looking like a psycho. Especially not in an airport, where people were constantly looking for psychos such as herself.

She looked up at the flight listings. They had finally arrived. Now, she just had to go to their gate. Her stomach was full of butterflies. She felt like the only person in the airport, despite the crowds. JFK was famous for being a busy airport, but tonight seemed to be housing half of New York. The state… not the city.

What would they think of her now, after all these years? She knew they loved her regardless but… there was an insecurity that lingered. What if they hadn’t gotten over her leaving them behind?

She was planning on explaining it all once they got to the house, over dinner. But… it didn’t change the fact that it made her queasy just thinking about it.

She headed toward Gate 6 and stood in place, as the speakers declared that the passengers were ready to unload off the plane. Would she even recognize them after all this time? It was all so much, so fast. Her fingers were tingling with the nervous sensation of energy and power.

The doors opened as a slow crowd of people started coming through. She looked around, her eyes eager to catch a partially familiar face.

The crowd continued to walk through, faces recognizing faces, and smiles and hugs being exchanged. She felt her stomach begin to hurt. Would she get such a warm welcome?

Then, her eyes fell upon a pair of very familiar faces. Coming through the door was Michael, with his hair long and shaggy, cut into layers and making him look like a pure rock star. He had stubble growing on his chin, as if he had shaved yesterday, but was being reminded to do so today. But she remembered those eyes; the last pair of eyes she’d looked into before disappearing forever. Those had not changed.

Next to him was a beautiful brunette, with long brown hair, and dark brown lips. Maria had gone completely diva, more so than she used to be, and her dark, sexy look complimented Michael’s rock star image even more. The two had grown to look like a perfect pair.

Michael was carrying a book bag and she was behind him, talking, as it seemed, endlessly, because his eyes were rolling to the top of his head with every sentence. Behind them, came the tall figure of a woman, her hair was medium length and light brown, sporting golden highlights that swirled like sunlight. Isabel Evans still had to the power to be the most amazing looking creature in the room. Next to her stood a bushy looking Alex, with grown out hair and a full beard and mustache and an adorable pair of glasses. It was Alex at his best.

She took a step forward and pulled her hair behind her ears in a nervous gesture. Then she waved them down. This would be interesting.

She saw the blue eyes widen and then there was a shriek. That’s when Maria came running toward her, throwing her bag back at Michael and opening her arms to welcome Liz into her embrace.

They hugged for a few moments, simply letting their arms linger, enjoying the memory they were making. Liz felt her heart get heavy. It had been so long since she’d been with Maria. Ava and Serena at least served to be her close friends, but Maria had always been pretty much like a sister.

“Oh my God… Liz… I can’t even believe it.” She hugged her tightly as Maria pulled away to look at her face, smiled, and then pulled her in close again for another hug. “Look at you! You look incredible!”

The rest of the group came in and one by one they hugged her tightly, leaving no doubt that she was still very much a part of them. She smiled, letting herself enjoy the moment. Perhaps, all those years when she felt so completely alone with her secret, she had been wrong. They were and always would be her friends.

“Can you believe this Michael? I just… I can’t even believe we’re here! She looks incredible! Doesn’t she look incredible?” Liz laughed as she hugged Alex, who had made himself next in line.

“Maria, will you just shush for a second. My goodness, take a breather.” Michael shook his head and they all laughed in response.

“I’m nervous. I talk a lot when I’m nervous. I just… I’m just so excited!” Maria threw herself in his arms as Liz went in to hug Isabel as well.

“Liz, you really do look great.” Isabel said with a smile. Her hand then went into Alex’s hand. They held onto each other, as Liz looked at them with a smile. Their hands seemed to melt into one, as if they were used to being part of one unit. It made her yearn for her other half. The half that was now an evil, heartless murderer.

She turned to look at Michael who hesitated before giving her a stiff hug.

“I never expected you to call.”

“I know. Thank you for coming, all of you. There’s a lot to talk about, but I figured, maybe we can just start with dinner. You guys hungry?” They all nodded as they headed to baggage claim to get their things.

<center>***</center>

“So, wait, are you sure that it was the attack that killed her?” Isabel looked across the table at Liz, with a forkful of lasagna and a worried look in her eyes.

“The temperature that her insides reached is only possible through a serious blast of energy. One that I’ve only ever heard Michael was capable of. But it left a handprint. Which Michael’s didn’t. So initially, I thought it might be a protector. See, Nasedo wasn’t the only one.” Liz said in between a few bites of her lasagna and garlic bread.

“There were two?”

“One for each set.” Alex said in the middle of a bite.

“Exactly.” Isabel and Michael nodded in understanding.

“Do you know who the other one is?”

“His name was Cal Langley.”

“Was?” Maria said with a raised eyebrow.

“He died a week before Vilandra. Same mark.” They ate the rest of their food in silence, taking in her words.

“Whoever it is, is after that group.”

“I wanted to believe it was the Skins.”

“They’re dead.” Isabel said with a pause as Liz looked up from her meal. “We umm… we kind of killed them. Courtney… she was a skin. She told us their purpose and we destroyed them.”

“If I had known that….” Liz whispered as she looked up to catch both Maria and Alex’s eyes upon her. They knew her well, even after all these years.

“What is it Liz?”

“There’s something else isn’t there?” Maria put her fork down and crossed her arms over her chest, awaiting an answer.

“What happened to Max?”

“You think this is the time to talk about Max?”

“Michael!” Maria slapped his arm, looking at Liz apologetically.

“I think he may be responsible.” Liz whispered as the group froze in place.

“Liz, that’s impossible. Max is gone. He disappeared shortly after you did.” Isabel whispered with a tense edge to her voice. She had also put down her eating utensil; her hands were down at her sides.

“I saw him.” Liz looked down at her lap as she said it, knowing it would cause a riot.

“WHAT?!” It was as if they all yelled it at the same time, a musical parade of different voices all at their high unbelieving pitches.

“I need to know what happened to him.”

“He and Tess went for a drive and just… disappeared. The granolith no longer exists. It was destroyed. We think they might have been sent back to Antar.” Isabel said with disbelief, taking in the entire story.

“Right.”

“Do you know where he is?” Michael said, with a shaky hint in his voice.

“He’s not ready to see you all yet. He’s… he’s looking for something… for someone.”

“Liz… maybe it’s us. Maybe he needs to see us, to talk to us.” Just as Isabel was finishing her sentence, the door lock turned and the door swung open, revealing a sight that left them all speechless.

A/N: Hopefully this will hold you guys until Thursday, when I return.

And THANK YOU! All of your feedback is really great! Seems you all are on a great path... Let's find out who it really was.


Chapter 8:

“What is she doing here?” Maria stood up, throwing her napkin on the table.

“Maria, sit.”

“How did you know we would be here? And where’s Max? And your hair looks awful!”

“MARIA! SIT.” Liz stood up, trying to make her way toward the door. She had forgotten to mention one very important point.

“Liz, she’s… she’s the evil hussy!”

“Excuse me! I am not a hussy you slut!”

“Who are you calling a slut?”

“Who you calling a hussy?”

“LADIES PLEASE!” Liz went toward Ava and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “Maria. This isn’t Tess.”

“Of course it’s Tess.”

“No, it’s Ava. Tess’ double. The thing is... your duplicates… they looked exactly like you.”

“Looked?” Michael stood up, his hands coming down on the table in frustration.

“Rath is dead too.”

“What is going on Liz?”

“I’m not sure! I told you, I’m trying to figure it out! But, I didn’t want to be alone. I’m going to Max for answers. If I can’t get him to talk to me… maybe he’ll talk to you guys.”

“No. You’ve done enough Liz. Maybe it’s time I went to see him.” Michael walked up, toward them, looking carefully at Ava.

“That ain’t such a good idea.”

“Oh?” Maria said with a snap.

“Look, she has a connection to Max that is beyond explanation. If there’s anybody that he’s gonna listen to, it’s her. He’s on a mission, and if the love of his life can’t stop him, none of you can.”

They stood in silence as Isabel stood up and walked toward Michael.

“She’s right. We all know that if there’s anyone Max will listen to… its Liz.”

“I’ve tried reaching him but… something is holding him back. Something awful.” Liz whispered and sat down on the couch, feeling exhausted from her long day.

“All I can tell you is that when you left… he was absolutely defeated. His heart was broken. He felt like he failed you, because he couldn’t find you. Tess kept trying to convince him it was for the best, that a life without him was safer than a life with him. He started believing it… and then, he just disappeared.”

Liz sat, thinking about Isabel’s words as Isabel sat beside her. There was a tug in her stomach, as the words came flooding back to her.

“Ok, I...I just re-read "Romeo and Juliet", and you know, the first thing that I realized is that isn't even the title. It's called "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet". They die. You know, she's this young girl, she...she's younger than me, and she dies. Look, I think the reason why people think that it's such a romantic play is they don't know what it's like to be put in that position...but when your life and...and other people's lives are...are put at risk, there isn't anything romantic about it. Max, you can't stop what's happening to you. I mean, your life will always be dangerous, but my life, it doesn't have to be. My life is only in danger if I am with you. I...I want to be in love with boys...normal boys. I...I want to see my 21st birthday. I...I want to have a wedding day. I...I...I want to have children...and I want my children to be safe. You know, Max, if...if you truly love me, you'll let me go. I may love you, but I...I don't want to die for you.”

Those words had broken everything that she held dear. Everything she’d ever cared about had been ripped from her with those carefully crafted words. Why? Because he had told her it was important, it meant the end of the world. But she hadn’t told Tess her reasons when she’d tried to get them together. There was only one way Tess could have known. Only one explanation.

“How...how stupid do you think I am? I don't know what your plan is, but I know you don't want to help me. You hate me. You all do. Don't you think I know that?”

“Yeah, I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Max. His future's you.”

“And you just came to this?”

“No, no. Look, I came to it that day in the desert when I walked away from him. Tess, I...I...I am sick of living like this, and I'm not gonna be free to move on unless I get Max to move on.”

“Look, I don't need your help. If Max doesn't come around on his own, he can...he can go to hell for all I care.”

“Tess...it was really hard for me to come here. You can imagine, and look...I know that it's hard for you to admit that you need help...but you do. It's up to you.”

She’d known. She’d known all along that she’d go to her because she would have nowhere to run. No place to go. She would be compelled to save him without hurting him because that’s who Liz was. And Tess knew that.

“Oh my God. It was all a lie.”

<center>***</center>

“Liz, is everything ok? You seemed really upset after dinner.”

“Is this about that Max guy?” Serena sat on Liz’s left and Maria on her right on the couch as they watched the television.

“She told you about him?” Maria asked; bringing her feet up onto the couch to hug her arms around her legs clad in cotton pajamas.

“Just recently. She’s big on keeping secrets isn’t she? It’s part of what makes her aura so dark.”

“She hasn’t always been like this you know.”

“She’s been hurt deeply. It’s affected her inner spirit. It’s like she’s lost trying to find another half of herself.”

“She used to be so crazy about this guy; I had to give her grief relief once, to calm her down.”

“Isn’t that the stuff you use on animals?”

“Yea, helps calm them down.”

“Guys, I’m sitting right here, do you mind not talking about me as if I weren’t?”

“Just stating the obvious.” Maria said with a snicker as she turned to face the TV.

“Great, I should’ve known you two would have too much to talk about.” They all laughed as Ava came in and headed toward the fridge for a glass of water.

“She really spooks me out.”

“I know it takes some getting used to Maria, but she’s nothing like Tess. Would I be her friend if she were?”

“Nah, I guess not.”

“Where’s Michael?”

“He went out for a walk with Isabel. Guess they needed to talk. Alex is in the shower.”

“I think I’m going to head to bed as well. I’ve… I’ve had a tough night.”

“We’ll talk more in the morning Liz.” She walked down the hall, knocking on the bathroom door along the way.

“Goodnight Alex.” She yelled in, as she heard him yell a goodnight in return. She smiled, liking having her friends so close. It made what she had to do, easier.

She closed the door behind her and leaned her body up against it taking a deep breath. She could be wrong about tonight, about the pieces of the puzzle that were slowly coming together. She wanted to believe badly that she was, because it meant that her whole life… from the moment she listened to Future Max’s stories about their incredible unattainable future to now, she’d cheated herself. She didn’t want to believe that.

She got into bed and let her mind rest, even if only temporarily. She would figure out what to do.

It was well into the morning when Liz opened her eyes from sleep. It was the first interrupted sleep she’d had in days. She looked at her alarm clock. It read 4am. She listened carefully to the house. When she heard no stirring, she started getting up, putting her jeans back on and ready to go out.

She went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth and washed her face. She ran her fingers through her layered hair, feeling a touch of nervousness as she attempted to make herself look presentable. She told herself that she didn’t care what she looked like. She was there for battle. But she looked in the mirror and rubbed her eyes hoping to rub the sleep away.

She tiptoed toward the door beside the bathroom and walked in softly, heading toward the futon.

“Ava? Ava, wake up.” The groggy blue eyes opened, exposing a confused expression.

“Hmm? What?”

“I need you to wake up and be quiet. We have to go.”

“Where we going?”

“We need to find Zan.”

“Now? Can’t this wait?”

“No. Please… I need your help.”

“Ok. Gimme a few minutes.” Liz nodded in response and headed toward the living room to wait for her friend. She wasn’t absolutely certain she knew what she was doing, but she knew it was important. She turned around to see Ava, dressed in jeans and a hoody, ready to go.

<center>***</center>

He knew the minute she appeared before his room door, as he stepped away from his seat near the window. He hadn’t been able to sleep that night. He’d tried, but was awoken by the recurring nightmares. He was surprised he could ever sleep, with the images that haunted him daily.

He turned around and headed toward the door, knowing she was hesitating. He could feel her, standing there right outside his door, hesitating. Before she could knock, he opened the door and looked into her startled eyes.

“Good morning. I… I was afraid you might be asleep.”

“I don’t sleep.” He stated matter- of- fact. He didn’t want to show her that he was truly interested in her reason for being there. He wanted to remain blank, to prevent letting her know just how much she affected him. He did it because he had been haunted by her all night; haunted by their earlier conversation and by the pain in her eyes right before she walked away from him… again.

“Right.” She stated shortly as he left the door open, and walked in, assuming that she would simply follow. She didn’t.

“What did you want Liz.”

“I can take you to Zan, under one condition.”

“I don’t do conditions.”

“It’s going to take you a lot longer to find him without me.” She said with an unwavering voice. He turned around to face her, when she took a step in, letting the door close softly behind her.

“What’s your condition?”

“That you answer some questions.”

“No.”

“A few questions? What are a few questions if I’m giving you exactly what you want?” She said through clenched teeth, trying to control her temper. He thought about it, unsure of whether or not he’d want to tell her the secrets he was holding so close to his being.

“One question. For one person. It’s a fair deal.”

He watched her hesitate and then nod. “Fine. But I get to ask mine now.”

“Go ahead.”

“She took you didn’t she?”

“She?” The door opened as Ava walked in; peeking through to make sure that Liz was alright.

Max’s eyes narrowed at the sight as he stepped in front of Liz in a protective gesture.

“What are you doing here? Who are you?!”

“Max… Max, she’s not who you think.”

“I killed you with my bare hands, you’re dead! WHO ARE YOU?” His voice roared in the quiet night and he felt Liz shake behind him. Slowly, her hand stretched ahead toward his, putting them down.

“Her name is Ava. She’s Tess’ duplicate. She’s not her… she’s not her.” Her words were ringing in his ears, as the memories threatened to attack him, memories of her blue eyes losing life within his arms. He stepped away from them, running his hands through his hair, feeling overwhelmed by the image.

“You have to go. You have to leave.” He stated shakily not wanting to let on the horrific images running through his mind.

“What happened? What did she do to you?”

“No. Leave.” Ava stared at him with wide eyes and he turned away, the pure hatred threatening to move him to blast her to oblivion.

“Ava, go sit in the car.”

“Liz…”

“I’ll be right out.” Ava nodded and left, as the door closed and left them both in the dark room, standing only feet away from each other.

“Is this your idea of some sort of trick? Bringing her here? What now Liz? Tess is gone so maybe I’ll try to get Max to fall in love with her dupe?”

“What? No! That’s… that’s not it at all… I. Forget it. I’m not explaining this to you, there’s no reason. I have Zan. Do you want him?”

“What are you playing Liz? Is this another one of your tricks?”

“I have NEVER tricked you.” She whispered angrily, as he watched her eyes register a pure hurt from his words.

“Then why help me? Why if you think I’m a killer?”

“Because I know you. And I know whatever you’re up to… it’s only because you… you need answers.”

“That doesn’t make murder ok.”

“You’re not a murderer.”

“You don’t want to believe I am because it means that I’m no longer the man you fell in love with.” The room sat in silence as the tension between them built. He regretted the words the minute he said them. He knew he had cut straight at her heart. And still… somewhere inside him, the bitterness demanded he say it. He wanted to simply forget her, forget that they’d shared something magical, and forget what it felt like to love her. The only way he could do that was to numb himself to those things and to simply think of the pain. The pain of her last words to him.

“I may love you, but… I don’t want to die for you.”

He couldn’t figure that out. Especially after they’d jumped off bridges together, and fought off the evil FBI together. Then, she’d simply walked away, as if it had all meant nothing, as if she couldn’t be bothered. To make matters worse… she pushed him into Tess’ arms. Arms that tried to have him killed.

He watched as she tried to compose herself, her breaths coming strong and even, her jaw tightening. She was hurt. He cursed himself. He had wanted to hurt her, to make her feel his pain. But seeing her now… he wasn’t sure it made him feel the way he thought it would.

“Michael and Isabel are here. They want to see you.”

Their names sent his head into spirals. His family. How long had it been since he’d seen his family? He thought of the last time he’d seen them and lowered his head sadly. She was pulling out wildcards left and right. He had to admit… whatever game she was playing, she was playing it well.

“Why did you call them? I don’t want them involved! They don’t need to know what’s happening!”

“Why Max? Because, you think you can do it all on your own?”

“You can’t help me Liz, get off it.”

“I know I have what you need!”

“And as always you want to control the situation! God, Liz can’t you just let me handle this! Stay out of it! Stop trying to make my decisions for me! Stop thinking you can control our lives! MY LIFE!”

“I’m not controlling… you are.”

“Oh? So, I was the one that decided that I HAD to be with my destiny from some thousand year old book in a foreign language? I was the one that decided not to make this work, despite everything we’d been through? Me, Liz? I made those decisions?”

“You weren’t thinking straight.”

“And you were?”

“You don’t know what I went through ok?! It wasn’t easy for me to leave! I didn’t want to! I had to.” She was losing her composure as he continued to crack at her walls. He would break her. That was his mission. She would stay away as he completed his task.

“It’s all bull. I don’t buy it.”

“I don’t care whether or not you believe me. It’s true. If you want Zan, meet me at the coffee shop this afternoon at 3pm. Then, you’re going to see Isabel and Michael, because they didn’t come all this way to be ignored. They’re your family.” With that she turned and walked toward the door, ready to leave.

“I went against my will.” He spit out, wishing he hadn’t, as she suddenly turned to face him.

“What?”

“You’re giving me Zan, I’m giving you the answer. I was taken to Antar against my will. I was there until this year, although it felt like a lifetime. I’m here for unfinished business.”

“Then… you’re returning?” He could swear he heard a hint of choked up tears in her voice. What did that mean?

“One question.” She nodded and then left, closing the door and leaving him behind in the darkness.

A/N: You all seem very eager to find out... WHAT HAPPENED TO MAX? And that's completely understandable, seeing as how, we can clearly see, he's a different man. Well... here's the background you've all been watiing for. AND, the answer as to WHERE is Tess?

Chapter 9:

He lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling, thinking about their conversation. The memories had been flashing before him as Liz had spoken. They were as vivid as if they were still happening.

He had jumped into his Jeep, ready to go off on another search. He knew Liz couldn’t have gotten far. What happened? Was she kidnapped by an enemy? Did she runaway? Did something bad happen to her? He could still feel her, the strong connection that they shared unwilling to break. She was alive, he at least knew that much. As he was pulling off, he heard her voice, the voice that would become permanently ingrained in his head forever.

“Max! Max, wait!” He resisted the urge to drive off, knowing that it would only make her angry.

“What is it Tess?”

“Where are you going?”

“Out to search for Liz.”

“This search has gone nowhere Max. Not even Isabel can contact her. She’s blocking her out.”

“I can find her.” He answered vindictively, referring to their special connection. A connection he continued to remind Tess they would never share.

“I’m coming with you.”

“What for?”

“Because… there’s something I want to show you.” He moved over as she jumped into the driver’s seat and took over, with him sitting in the passenger seat.

They drove in an awkward silence for a while, as he sat just taking in the scenery. He recognized the route. They were headed toward the pod chambers.

“I know that you and Liz share something special. Something that for the life of me, I can’t even explain.” She started, her voice soft and subtle, sounding like it was stating mere facts.

“Yes, we do.”

“But, I also see that she’s hurt you Max. She’s left you when you’ve needed her most and now, now she’s disappeared completely. What does that say about her own feelings?”

“That she’s afraid. That she buys into this destiny stuff you’ve been feeding us.”

“I haven’t been feeding you anything. It’s true. I was your wife back on Antar. I remember that life, as clear as day. It’s not my fault that you don’t.”

“I just find it odd that you would be the only one of us to remember.” She laughed, a laugh that made the hairs on his arm stand up straight.

“I’m not.” She pulled up the car as they reached the pod chamber. He hesitated before getting out. Tess was up to something. “There is another set… you know that.”

“So?”

“They remember.”

“Well… maybe you should go be with their leader then.” She had been walking ahead of him, making the path toward the chamber when she stopped and turned to look at him sharply.

“Why do you think Liz tried setting us up?”

“Because she thinks she’s doing the right thing.”

“Of course, noble Liz, always doing the right thing.”

“She only knows what we’ve told her. I don’t blame her for being confused, I just want to know why she went about it the way she did.”

“Because Max… it’s over. She doesn’t want to be with you anymore. What you two had was… something new and exciting. Now, it’s time to wake up. Face what’s right in front of you.” She turned to look at him as they entered the Granolith chamber, which seemed to be alive and active.

“Oh my God… it’s… on!” He looked around stunned, unsure of what it meant. He could feel her following close behind him. He turned to look at her, questions in his eyes.

“What do you know about this?”

“I know that I’m going to make you remember. Now that she’s gone… nothing is standing in our way. We can go back Max. Back to Antar. Free the people and come back before anyone even knows we’re gone! You can be their hero.”

Her words were like slow poison, trickling their way through his system. He knew there was a trick in there somewhere, but he wasn’t sure what truth was and what lies were.

“But Michael… and Isabel.”

“They can live here, happily with their human counter parts. They have no responsibilities to a nation. There are the others. The replacements.”

He walked around the large cone, examining it carefully. The lights within it were flashing bright purples and blues, looking like magical dust swirling within.

“What would I do? I know nothing of the Antarian system or the way to rule. I’m… I’m just a kid Tess.”

“You are the King!” She stated as she grabbed his shoulders in both her arms and held him up firmly. “What do you have to stay for?” She looked out the chamber walls and smirked. “Liz? She’s gone Max. This is a one time only opportunity. If you don’t take it now… you’re destined to question yourself forever.”

He hesitated, knowing her words were doing something to his being. No, he could not simply leave his family and friends behind. And what of Liz? He had to find her!

“She’s gone Max.” Tess’ dark words registered in his brain as he looked up to meet her dark blue eyes. “Don’t worry. You won’t remember her where we’re going.” With that, she placed her hand upon the cold glass and it was as if their atoms erupted, flying in a million particles into the space and reforming, fitting them into the space ship. Within moments, they were off, flying at unbelievable speeds, heading out of the Earth’s atmosphere and into the dark depths of space.

The conniving witch had tricked him, kidnapped him and stolen him away against his will. The memories after that were dreadful. He could remember the very first time he opened his eyes after the arrival. It was as if everything on the planet were heightened.

The smells and colors and textures were all beyond what his human brain could bear. He had been ill for days, unable to become accustomed to the feeling of their gravitational pull, which was different from Earth’s. Heavier. Then, he’d seen her. She was dressed in regal attire, her head covered in golden locks and a crown.

“Remove him from the barracks. He will be hung tomorrow.” His stomach sank at the memory of her voice, which now held a different timber all together. Even her face looked different. She was no longer… human.

They’d thrown him in the prison dungeon, where everything was dark and musty. It was there that he felt the change within him begin. There was a strength growing within him he hadn’t expected. Flashes of memories flooded, memories of a life and time that had long passed. Secret passages, contacts, cruelties all flashed within him. The only way he would survive this was using everything he knew now and the things he was remembering. He too would have to, for lack of better words, dehumanize.

The day of his hanging, he demanded to speak to the queen alone. The last dying wish of a desperate man.

“Why?”

She walked in slowly, the long dress flowing behind her. Her face was somber, but she stood tall, as if she knew she had the right to be where she was.

“I had no choice. It was predetermined. It was our destiny.”

He cringed at the word, the word he’d grown to hate because of all its connotations.

“I thought our destiny was to be together? To create an heir to the throne of Antar, and one day rule together as man and wife once again?”

“That would never work.” She turned sharply away from him, not wanting to look him in the eye. “You know that.”

“I remember.” He whispered softly, as her face turned slowly to meet his. Her eyes were wide, as she walked, step by step, until she was before him. “This place… you. It’s all coming back to me. The way you smiled at me when we swam in the river near Damaris Rock. How I’d wrap my around tightly around you when we danced. The smell of your skin after a night of passion. I remember it all.”

His words proved to be too much. She stepped closer to him, their bodies touching, and her eyes full of tears.

“You remember....” Her words were soft and wistful. Like that of a teenage girl newly in love.

“If you could free me, we could be together again…”

“But Kivar. No, he would never allow it.”

“Do you love me?”

“Yes.”

“Then save me.” He whispered into her lips as he kissed her, thoroughly and passionately. His hands crept up her body, from her waist, up her arms, and finally onto her neck. He caressed her cheeks softly and then began to tighten his grip. Little by little, he kept his lips locked upon hers, muffling her attempt to breath or scream. He opened his eyes, wanting to enjoy watching the life drain out of her, slowly and deliberately, as her blue eyes registered the betrayal and then finally lost all touch of reality.

She would not be the only life he had to take. In order to survive, to break free, he held many lives in his hands. By both sword and ugly battle. He had become calloused and knew that it was all ironically to remain human. Would it work?

It took him nearly three years to gather up an army strong enough to fight Kivar. Even so, he wasn’t sure he would be able to face him. Larek had gathered forces together from neighboring planets as well, hoping to start a rebel force strong enough to dethrone him.

The battle had been terrifying. Nothing had ever prepared him for such death. He could not imagine a lifetime of such decisions. But as he held Kivar’s life in his hands, and he thought back to the many lives the man had taken, including his own, he knew something had to be done. He could not be the king Antar needed. But… he thought he might know who could.

Max awoke at the slight knock on the door.

“Housekeeping.” He stood up suddenly, startled by the crack of light coming through the thick curtain.

“One second.” He called out, as he looked over at the alarm clock beside him. It was past 2pm. He had fallen asleep and between his memories and nightmares had slept far beyond what he wanted to.

He ran to the bathroom to shower and clean up, knowing he had little time before his meeting with Liz.

There was something that called out to him about her; the mere fact that she represented everything that made him human. He still loved her because of it.

<center>***</center>

Liz sat at the coffee shop, taking in the brisk fall air that swung through with every customer. He would be there. She knew he would. She could bet her life on it. Because she knew Max, even after all these years, a part of him had not changed. She was trying desperately to hold on to that small part.

Across her sat Michael, with a strong cup of black coffee and beside him was Maria, with a cup of hazelnut. They were so alike and yet… so completely different. She smiled at them, enjoying their intense concentration on each other. Michael looked at her through narrowed eyes across his cup. Maria looked at him head on, her finger slowly circling the rim of hers.

Beside her sat Alex, drinking a cup of Vanilla Chai with his hand upon Isabel’s as she drank her café au lait. Their fingers twirled around each others’ slowly, as if trying to capture them. Interesting, she thought to herself. She’d never realized how much you can tell about a person by just watching what they drank. She looked down at her cup. Hot chocolate, of course.

She sat in the uncomfortable silence, trying to take in their thoughts. They were all nervous, beyond nervous actually. They didn’t know how Max would react to seeing them all again. She’d told them to wait, that right now was not a good time. But, they’d demanded to see him, in hopes of avoiding further disaster. She didn’t have the option of saying no.

She wrung her hands nervously, trying to calm the static electricity swirling through her fingers. Everything she’d learned from Ava was quickly going down the drain with every Max encounter. She could barely keep her powers under control.

“What time is it?” Maria’s voice finally broke in, not able to keep the silence for too long.

“It’s ten after three.” Alex said with a glance at his watch.

“He’s late.” Michael said with a sip of his coffee. “He’s hoping we’ll leave before he gets here.”

“Or, he’s watching us as we speak.” Liz said as she stood up and looked out the glass windows, searching for his face. She could feel him. He was near.

She walked over to the window slowly, looking around carefully for some sign of him. She found it in the glaring eyes across the street. He was hiding in plain sight, amidst the crowd of passerby’s he simply stood, against the bus stop, with one foot up behind him and his arms crossed at his chest.

She stared into his dark eyes for a moment, eyes that were beginning to look more and more familiar. What was happening? Was he softening? She turned back to the faces all staring at her, questioning her movements.

“I’ll be right back, I need some air.” They watched her carefully as she stepped outside the shop. She could feel their eyes burning in to her back and instead of crossing the street; she turned to her left and started walking, in no particular direction. She looked across the street again, hoping to meet his gaze. He was gone. She turned forward and was startled in place when his golden eyes appeared directly before her.

“You didn’t tell me we’d have company.”

“I wasn’t asking you out on a date, if that’s what you were thinking.”

“Why are they here?” His voice deepened, as if taking on some sort of confrontational tone.

“To see you. They want to see you Max. They’re your family and they’re worried.”

“You had no right to bring them here.” He looked around as he moved her out of the middle of the sidewalk and they stood, talking next to the brick wall of the building beside them. “Not until I finish what I came to do, not until I know for sure it’s safe for them.”

“It’ll never be safe Max! We have to just accept our fate as it’s handed to us.”

“No… fate doesn’t rule my life. I control my destiny. Right now, I’m telling you it’s not safe to have them exposed to me. Not while I’m trying to fix things.”

“If you would just tell me what you’re up to, I can at least give them a good reason why they can’t see you.”

“Zan. You promised me Zan.”

“Are you going to kill him?”

“What do you think?”

“You killed both Rath and Vilandra… people who look just like your family… you would have killed Ava, with even more viciousness because you thought she was Tess….”

“Liz.”

“You’re not going to kill him thought. Because… if you were, you would have found him already. You’re… stalling?”

“No, I’m trying to make sure this goes right. There can’t be any mistakes.”

“Please… just tell me.” She tried to control the sound of frustration in her voice, but it was failing her. She didn’t know what else to do to get him to open up. She NEEDED to feel like she could somehow help. In order to keep her sane; in order to avoid thinking only of his beautiful eyes and chiseled arms.

“Fine. But… in case something happens… will you just please see them? Confirm to them that you’re alright?”

“I don’t… I don’t know what to say to them.”

“Just tell them…” She sighed, unsure herself of what he could say after all these years. “Tell them how you feel about them. Tell them as if you were seeing them for the last time.”

She tried keeping her emotions under control, feeling her throat tighten with sadness. They would cry. She knew Isabel and Maria would at least. Michael would demand answers. Answers he just couldn’t give him.

“Ready for this?” She asked as she turned, ready to head back toward the shop. He stood frozen in place behind her. “Max?”

“I don’t know… I don’t know if I can do this. If, I can face them again.”

“Max, you have to. You can’t just let them wonder where you are the rest of your life!” She stopped short, the minute the words came out of her mouth. She shook her head as he looked up at her, his eyes registering her words. “Shut up. We’re talking about you. Ok? I’m not the one going around killing people.”

He grabbed her arm tightly, looking at her with wide eyes.

“You want to say that a little louder?”

“Well… I’m not.” She shook free from his grip and turned again. “Come on. We’re doing this.”

“No. We’re not.” He turned and walked away, leaving her standing frozen in place.

“Max! You can’t just leave. They… they’re waiting to see you.”

“Tomorrow; you and me on the corner of Lexington and 3rd Ave. We go see Zan. No tricks.”

“Me? I thought you didn’t want me involved?”

“You have what I need.”

“Max.” She practically whispered his name now, frustrated with the turn of events. He seemed troubled, upset and haunted from lack of sleep. His eyes were glassy and dark, and she knew that he’d had troubled sleep.

She felt helpless, knowing that Michael and Isabel would let her have it for letting him leave. She felt a heavy sigh escape her lips, knowing there was nothing else she could say.

“Don’t do this.”

“Tomorrow. 5pm.” With that, he walked down the crowded New York City streets, disappearing into the masses. She felt her heart drop.

“Right. Tomorrow.”

A/N: Hello everyone! You all seem satisfied with the answers you have received. But will Michael and Isabel simply take a 'no' on seeing Max?

Be back on Monday for the next post. And be warned... we are reaching a conclusion soon.

Chapter 10:

“I can’t believe you let him run!”

“It’s not her fault Isabel, she tried to stop him.”

“You should’ve told us he was there!”

“Hello… she just explained that he didn’t want to come in. There’s nothing she could have done. The man is an adult Michael; he can make his own decisions.”

Alex, Maria and Liz sat on the couch in the living room as Isabel sat on the loveseat and Michael paced angrily.

“What did he say?” Isabel turned to Liz again, trying to calm her frustration and moving her hand toward Michael in a motion to sit.

“I think he’s scared. Whatever happened to him… Isabel, he’s not the same Max that left. I need for you to understand that.”

“He’s still my brother, that will never change.”

“I don’t think that’s what she’s saying. Is it?” Michael finally stopped pacing and knelt on the floor before the couch. “Look next to you. Both sides. That’s Maria and Alex, your best friends since childhood. Do you want something bad to happen to them?”

“NO!” Liz stood up abruptly, her heart beating rapidly within her chest.

“Michael, stop it. Nothing’s going to happen.”

“He’s just making a point Maria.”

“Well, that’s not the way to make it and you know it. Liz has always put her best foot forward to help in any way she can. She saved all of your butts countless times, this one is no different.” The room went silent as the tension subsided. She was right of course. But Liz could only think of the face of the man who haunted her.

His dark hair falling to his shoulders and his eyes looking at her adoringly, expressing everything she knew Max felt when he looked at her. She had done as he’d asked and it had cost her dearly. She was incapable of finding a stable relationship, her thoughts constantly dragging back to his words, the magical night she knew she’d never share.

“Liz.”

“We eloped. We were only 19.” Ironic, she thought. Here she was, in her late twenties, having come in and out of failed relationships because of her failure to let anyone in too close. Knowing that there would be no one who could ever touch her the way he had.

“Liz?” She felt herself snap back to reality and sighed.

“I’m sorry what?”

“Ok, come on. You have had a long enough day. It’s time for bed.” Maria stood up and grabbed her, one arm around her waist leading her toward the bedroom.

“Where’s Ava?” Michael asked suspiciously as they headed down the hall.

“Working.” Serena said as she walked into tense apartment and closed the door behind her. “Woah. Getting some seriously bad vibes… everything ok in here?” She put down several of her shopping bags on the counter, and turned to see Isabel nod and head to the kitchen to help.

“I don’t like the idea of her snooping around.” Michael huffed in a hushed whisper.

“She lives here.” Alex stated matter-of-factly as he stood to help Isabel and Serena in the kitchen.

Maria finally closed the door behind them in the room. Liz sat on the bed, looking utterly exhausted. Maria headed over to her and smiled.

“What?”

“You look awful babe.”

“Thanks.” She smiled, amused at her friend’s honesty and warmed by the ability to be near her again. It had been far too long since she’d had this kind of contact. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to let Maria go ever again. Or Alex. Or even Isabel and Michael… despite their difficulties.

“Talk to me. I know something’s bugging you.”

“How did I get into this mess? How? Why me? Why didn’t he just go to someone else?” Liz hated the sound of her own voice, soft and pathetic whimpers with every word.

“It’s you I trust. You I have faith in.” His voice interrupted her thoughts. She cursed herself for thinking of him again. Max trusted her once… those times were now long gone.

“I thought this was all over.”

“Hate to break it to you chica but… well, you’re kind of a life long member of this super secret club. You’re connected to Max in ways that are absolutely unexplainable. And now… well, it seems you are the only person who can bring him out of this crazy funk he’s in.”

“It’s not in a funk Maria. He killed people. He had his reasons, but I’m sure it doesn’t make it any easier. He’s scared to see his family because of what they think of him. Now he’s running… even from me.” Liz sighed loudly, reaching a hand up to her chest.

The swirls of blue-green electricity were flying through her arms and fingers as she tried to massage the ache away. Maria’s eyes grew wide at the sight. She placed her hand over her mouth to keep from the shriek that threatened to consume her.

Liz looked down, stunned. Crap. She had forgotten to tell them about her powers. She was just so used to them, she’d kind of forgotten.

“What the hell are those?” Maria’s eyes kept their perfectly round shape as she reached a finger out to touch Liz’s skin. She withdrew quickly, not wanting to hurt Maria.

“Don’t. It’ll hurt.”

“Doesn’t it hurt you?”

“A little. I’ve… I’ve kinda gotten used to it.”

“Used to what? The pain? Or the weirdness?”

“Both.” She laughed at Maria’s classic expression. Guess some things never changed.

“You have to tell Michael.”

“How’s it going to change anything?”

“HELLO? You’ve got leverage. The secret handshake. You’re in. Don’t you know what that means?”

“Umm… no, not really.”

“Maybe we don’t need anymore of these annoying confrontations. We can contact Max another way.” Maria’s eyebrows went up suggestively as Liz thought about the plan. Would it work? Now, her own powers of thought transference were getting stronger. She knew that with Isabel’s power, they could tag team him.

“And if it doesn’t work?”

“It’ll work. It has to.” Maria stood up and watched Liz for a moment, her eyes glaring down sadly. “You’re worried about him, aren’t you?”

“I can’t help it. I still love him. And all I can think of is that he’ll do his business and disappear again.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted? For you two not to be together anymore?”

“So many things have happened Maria… so many things that have already changed the course of the future. I… I don’t know what else is left. Does this mean we’ve averted disaster? Does it mean that now, in this time frame we can be together? Where’s Tess?”

“I don’t know… you’re the science geek.” Maria smiled and headed toward the door, her hand on the knob ready to leave. “I’m going to tell the others about our plan. Why don’t you take a nap. Food will be ready by the time you wake up.”

Liz nodded and started getting comfortable, pulling her sheets up toward her shoulders, wanting to get rid of the cold feeling within her.

“Liz.” She opened her eyes and looked once more at Maria, enjoying the comfortable feeling of home that came with it. “It’s going to be ok. I promise. It won’t hurt forever.”

Liz nodded and closed her eyes as the door clicked close. She tried listening to the hushed whispers outside of her door. She knew they were talking about her, about the plan and coming to some sort of quiet consensus.

She thought about how Michael had taken the role of leader since Max had left. How he’d stepped up and taken care of everyone, all the while searching for clues as to what happened to his friend. After years of searching, they assumed he’d simply left, or been killed.

The answer didn’t please him, or Isabel for that matter. When Liz had called, they were at their final straw. All they wanted to do now was see Max again. To ensure that he was safe and to help him get back to the life he left behind.

And Liz was part of that life, a painful part. Perhaps, it was his seeing her that reminded him why he didn’t want to go back to living that life. Perhaps, it was seeing her that settled for him why he couldn’t trust anyone ever again. Because she’d run. As always, she’d run. But, this time, it was because she really had no option.

Where was her life now exactly? A very respectable place, by most standards, but was she happy? She had a great job, doing something she loved, a comfortable apartment, now she had her friends. But, there was that one thing that constantly eluded her. Intimacy.

Serena and Ava were the closest friends she had, and despite her attempt at dating, she’d never gotten serious with any man. All she knew was Colin and the bar downtown were no threat, so she resided there often, not afraid to drink and talk, knowing he would never push a subject she didn’t want to discuss. Geez… she was still running.

Now, with everyone back, she knew that at least she could put that part behind her. It wouldn’t be over night, but she knew that they could pick up where they left off, and rebuild the shattered part of their friendships. And still… it didn’t seem right. Her heart was still yearning for that one person she knew she could not have. The darkness that had consumed her for so many years was now being tempted by a force even darker than herself.

The Max Evans that had looked into her eyes today was different. Not the same one from days before, but not the one she recognized. He was more like a perfect mixture of them both. His golden eyes had peered into her dark ones and registered emotion. There had been desire there, she knew that. But why, why now? Every time they were together he acted as though she were a nuisance, getting in the way of his ever important mission.

Then again, why would he trust her? She’d disappeared without telling a soul of her whereabouts. She’d left him to his own and not once tried to reassure him she was alright. Even when she felt the connection break, she never tried to call to reassure he was alright. She had failed him, plain and simple. Now, she wasn’t sure she could make it up to him. Wasn’t sure he would want her to.

She felt sleep take over her busy mind, lulling her into a peaceful darkness.

“The other night, we umm… we kissed.” Liz looked down shyly as she took another bite of her ice cream. Her legs were folded tightly beneath her and she looked up to catch Maria’s interested gaze upon her.

“And?” Maria prodded playfully, taking a bite of her own ice cream, sitting in the exact same position as Liz, facing her on the couch.

“I don’t think that we should talk about it.” She resorted to looking back down and playing with her ice cream. She didn’t think she could deal with rehashing the way Max made her feel.

“Are you kidding? We have to talk about it! We’re the only two people in this world capable of having this conversation.”

“That we know of.”

“Don’t complicate things, ok? Who wants to go first? Fine, I’ll start. I’ll start.” Maria sat up excitedly as she held her spoon up in her ice cream, building the interest. “It was… explosive.”

“Yea, uh, that’s a really good word for it.” Liz smiled taking another bite of her ice cream as Maria snickered in response.

“Right?”

“Ok.”

“It was like every cell in my body felt the same cell in his and started heating up.”

“And I got really dizzy. Did you get dizzy?” Liz smiled excitedly, as she waited for Maria’s response.

“I get dizzy just thinking about it.”

They laughed and chatted a bit more, when Liz stopped to think.

“Ok, now here’s the big question. Do you think we feel this way because of the fact that they’re like....”

“Oh, their non-human status.”

“Right”

“What if they’ve like ruined it for us with anyone else?”

The truth was they had. Liz stirred slightly, feeling her temples throb slightly at the memory. What had Maria said?

“Human-alien relationships are bound to be disasters. Just don’t think you can enter into something with Max and expect not to get hurt in the end of it. I mean me? I’m Teflon, babe. Michael starts acting like a total loser, I just walk away. But you and Max, ah…… You guys have that whole look-into-my-eyes soul mate thing.”

And darn her… she was right. Why? Why had Michael and Maria and even Isabel and Alex been able to be together? Why was she destined to live her life in solitude?

She knew she was being selfish. After all, it was the future of the world that had prompted her to make the decisions she did. But, seeing Max again had brought so many things into perspective.

The main question plagued her. Who was she to alter with what time had set forth? Could she really try and play powerful when the security of the entire planet was at stake? What right did she have above others? What about free will?

She opened her eyes slowly, hearing the clinking of plates and smelling a hint of what was to be dinner. She stood up slowly and held her head, feeling lightheaded. She looked down at her achy arms and saw the trace of blue-green disappear. They must have been acting up as she slept. She looked over at her alarm and noticed it was nearly 9pm.

She’d only slept maybe an hour, but it felt like a full night. She headed to the bathroom, cleaned up and went into the kitchen, to catch everyone putting down plates and serving food. Michael looked up and spotted her first, his eyes looking at her with a mixture of apology and frustration.

“How you feeling?”

“Hungry.” Liz said and headed closer to the table as everyone simply looked at her. She looked down at her hands to see the electrical swirls and quickly tugged them into her pockets self consciously. They were only just starting to hurt. She would have to ask Ava what that was all about. She felt her cheeks turn a deep crimson, the heat within them exposing her embarrassment.

“Why didn’t you tell us? We can probably help.” Isabel stood up and went close to her, but Liz took a step back, trying to prevent any contact.

“No. It… it might hurt.”

“How long Liz?” Michael stepped up and handed her a plate of food as she finally took her seat at the table.

“A few months after I left Roswell it started. I pretty much had it under control… just recently… something’s wrong.”

“Does it hurt?” Isabel looked at her worriedly.

“Sometimes.”

“It’s not supposed to. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I mean… how?”

“When Max healed me… he changed me.” They all stopped what they were doing and stared at her in silence.

“What do you mean changed you?” Alex looked at her suspiciously and sat down beside her. She pulled her hands out of her pockets and closed her eyes, willing the power to swirl. She could feel their awe, even with her eyes closed as the blue lightning swirled from within her arms down to her fingertips. She created a small tennis sized ball of power.

Incredible, isn’t it? She said within herself and opened her eyes to see their reactions. They were all staring at her blankly.

“How… how did you just do that voice thingy? I heard you! In my head.” Maria walked over closer to Liz to look at her face carefully.

“You’ve dealt with this alone?”

“No. Ava has been gracious enough to help train me. In exchange, I helped her find a job and move out of the tunnels. She hasn’t been a part of that foursome for years. She’s trying to get her act together. I think she realizes… no one’s going home.” She picked up her fork and looked down at her food. “Can we start?”

They all nodded and it was as if the room sprung to life, everyone scrambling to find their seat and start eating.

“So… you want to try and dreamwalk him tonight?” Isabel looked up as she took a bite of her steak and onions with ridiculous amounts of Tabasco sauce.

“I can get into his head on my own now, with my power… but together… I think we can probably bring in Michael too. That way, you guys can at least see for yourselves what I mean.”

Michael nodded in response as he took another bite of his mashed potatoes. The table seemed to silence for a few moments. It was as if everyone were agreeing to the plan. Then, they simply enjoyed the rest of their dinner.