Zan lay out on his bed with Deina, a game board between him and the young girl. They were playing the Monoan version of Clue. Small crystalline figures stuck to the board with small suction devices, the clues were held in small devices that allowed the player to view all their clues while only allowing the opponent to see one clue with the touch of a button. �Do you understand what I�m saying?�
�Yes, I do.� Deina nodded and studied her clues closely.
�And you�re not upset?� Zan narrowed his eyes at her, playfully.
�No.� She shook her head with a slight smile and blush creeping across her face. �I understand... actually... I just couldn�t believe it when they told me.�
�Couldn�t believe what?� Zan raised his pierced eyebrow at the young girl.
�Well, that they would expect me to do that when I�m so young... I mean, I always try to do what�s expected of me without complaint.� She nodded and moved her pieces. Zan hit a button and a light showed Deina what was wrong with her accusation. She adjusted her information on her side of the board.
�To tell you the truth, I didn�t really think I would be given a girl so soon, or one so young. I never plan to... have need of those services. I love my Elizabeth with all my heart and soul. She is carrying my child and that is all I need.� Zan moved the pieces to make his own accusation. �If... and I might add that it is a very slim possibility... if I am unable to sire an heir by Elizabeth and if you haven�t made a very lucky Antarian very happy... we might require your duties to be called in.�
�It sounds fair.� She smiled.
�You are really quite brave. I imagine that if I had been told at such a young age that I would be expected to make love to a person so much older than myself before I was ready... I would have kicked and screamed and ran the other direction.� He smiled at her and pointed to the game board. She quickly proved his case wrong and waited for him to continue. �When I found out that I was supposed to marry Avaria, I was so upset. I wanted nothing to do with her. I just wanted my Elizabeth. So tell me, have you got your eye set on any Antarians?�
�Actually...� She blushed and ducked her head. �There�s a Monoan boy that I�ve been talking to...� She turned her face away from the king. �Is that okay? I mean... a Monoan?�
�Depends. Who is this Monoan?� Zan squinted his eyes at her. �Is he nice to you?�
�Yes, yes he is. I don�t think his parents like me very much, though.� Deina bit her lip and forgot all about the game they were playing.
�What do your parents think?�
�My parents are dead. The captain is my guardian and he doesn�t think much on the matter... because I haven�t talk to him about it.� She confessed and quickly moved to change the subject. �Is it true that the Commander�s wife is the granddaughter of Juvnori the protector?�
�Great-granddaughter.� Zan nodded.
�Wow. Is she going to take his place?�
�Take his place?� Zan shook his head in confusion.
�Well, I mean...� Deina trailed off as she tried to figure out what exactly the king needed to know.
�King Zan--�
�Just call me Zan.�
�Zan, um... Juvnori was part of the royal court.� She watched him nod his head. �Before he was a protector, he was a warrior. He was a young man when he began training under Rathard. He was going to be a great warrior someday and then Antar fell and he swore he would protect the royal four... Didn�t you know that?�
�I suppose I did... I just didn�t remember.�
--
Sam paced the length of the common room and glanced at two doors intermittently. �He�s still in there with her and she�s still in there. What is going on? Michael, you have to go in there and see what is going on.�
�Sam, just sit down.� Michael told her and rolled his eyes. �I�m sure it�s nothing.�
�You�re just siding with him because you�re a man.� She glared at him.
�No, he�s my best friend.�
�Liz is your cousin.� Sam countered and finally stopped pacing. �She is just paranoid with this different side of Zan coming out.�
�Liz is prone to paranoia, years of knowing about aliens and finding out she was one and all sorts of government conspiracies will do that to a person.� Michael shook his head at her and leapt to catch his son before he rolled off the couch in his sleep. �You little guy... will be put to bed.�
When Michael started toward Liz�s room, Sam grabbed his arm and steered him to their bedroom. �I said no, Michael Guerin. You will not bother her until after we know what�s going on.�
�Ok, ok. Can you blame a guy for trying?� Michael sighed and laid his son down in the middle of the bed.
�You are an infuriating man, Michael Guerin.�
�You are... a beautiful woman, Samantha Guerin.� Michael turned and pulled her to him.
�Sycophant.� She murmured into his chest. Inhaling his scent got her seriously aroused. �Oh.. Michael... how do you do this to me?�
�Do what?� Michael bent his head to nuzzle her neck.
�This.� She melted against him. �Make me completely incoherent without even doing a thing.�
�Practice.� Michael leaned back in the doorway so the door wouldn�t shut on them. He needed to see both doors of his friends.
�This is just so bizarre. I wasn�t even sure we would be together like this... mmm... and now that we are... I ... oh my Light... just... can�t stop.� Sam gasped out as she clutched onto a shelf in the Eraser room. Her other hand was tangled in Michael�s hair, keeping his face buried between her legs. He had been waiting for her to pass by. He pulled her in and sat her on a table before dropping to his knees. His tongue ran up between her folds, gathering her juices into his mouth. He pulled away slightly.
�Keep talking.� His breath puffed against her swollen lips, sending shivers through her body.
�You are so weird.� She murmured before she tried to think of something to talk about. �Do I even want to know where you learned to... Oh My... Michael!�
His tongue dipped inside her tight opening. He just couldn�t get enough of her. After he had had a talk with Max about how to please a woman, and ignored the fact that Liz was the woman Max was talking about, he had needed to find Sam. It had only been three hours since they had separated to go to school and he needed her. Michael had a physical need to be with her. He would have to talk to Max about that too.
�Oh Michael... don�t stop doing that. That feels.... mmmm... so good.� Her head banged against the wall behind her. �Ow.�
�You okay?� Michael shot up to his feet. He cradled her face in his hands and looked into her face. �Did I hurt you?�
�No. I hit my head.� Sam pushed the slight discomfort to the back of her mind and brought his lips down to hers. �Make me feel better.�
Michael glanced up when Max�s door opened, admitting only the young girl into the common room. She caught his eye and immediately started blushing. She saw the familiar way that he was holding his wife and turned away, tucking her hair behind her ear. Sam nudged him. He nodded stiffly and released his hold on her.
�Hurry� Sam whispered. �I�ll make it worth your while.�
�Right.� Michael rushed over to Zan�s door, glancing back only once before entering.
�Deina... Can I ask you something?� Sam wrinkled up her nose. She didn�t want to talk to the girl before she knew what was going on but she needed some information.
--
Zan looked up when Michael walked in and continued to gather up the game pieces. Michael paced for a minute and kept glancing at the door. �Michael, my friend, what is wrong? I haven�t seen you like this since the end of senior year.�
�What?� Michael scratched his neck and turned fully to his friend and king.
�You wanted to know about our sexual drives then...� Zan prodded. Michael opened his mouth to speak just as the memory slammed through his brain.
Max watched Michael pace the length of his room and had to shut his eyes before he got dizzy. �Michael. Stop it. You�re giving me vertigo.�
�I gotta ask you something.� Michael finally spoke, barely stopping to look at Max�s curious expression.
�Ok... what?� Max lay back on his bed and waited. It was a full four minutes before Michael could find the right words to ask what he wanted to know. �Michael.�
�When you and Liz first... started... doing it... were there any side effects?� Michael finally stopped and sat in the desk chair, pulling it up to the bed.
�Side effects? It�s a tough call, Michael. Liz was awakening when we first made love. I�d call that a major side effect... but otherwise, nothing.� Max shook his head. �Are you and Maria...?�
�Maria? What? No.� Michael shook his head. �Maria isn�t even an issue. What I want to know is... Well... I uh... I�ve been like... charged.�
�Charged.� Max shook his head in confusion.
�Like charged.� Michael pronounced the word slowly. �Like... I�ve got a perpetual... hard on... for like hours now. I�ve attacked Sam like three times today.�
�Sam?� Max shook his head.
�Samantha Orozco.� Michael scoffed, becoming more and more exasperated with his friend. �Sam. The only female Sam we know. Nasedo�s great-granddaughter.�
�Yeah, Michael. I know who she is. Since when have you and she been...?� Max sat up and motioned with his hands. �I didn�t even know that you were together.�
�Beside the point, Maximilian. I want to know what�s going on.� He scratched at his eyebrow and leaned back in the chair.
�Ok. Calm down. Just tell me when you started having sex with her and what�s been going on.�
�Ok.� Michael took a deep breath and tried to clear his head but his body was screaming to him that Sam was just 13 blocks away at work. �Last night when we connected, I got these feelings off her. We�ve been pretty hot and heavy for a while now and when we got back to my place... we... consummated our relationship. I mean... I told her I love her. And I do... I really do.�
Max nodded and bit back a smirk. Liz had been right all along.
�This morning... I was watching her sleep and I... woke her up.� Michael jerked his head to the side to make sure Max knew what he meant. �I pulled her into the Eraser room this morning and after school we ended up under the stadium.�
�Is this why you were asking me those questions in study hall?�
�Well yeah.�
�I see...� Max smirked and ran a hand through his spikes. �Ok... well... Liz and I were at it constantly if you remember right...�
�Unfortunately I do.� Michael wrinkled up his nose.
�Well, I�m sure it�s not just you. I... I was better at controlling myself but Liz was... insatiable for the most part.� Max drew on his Zan memories for those experiences. �I ain�t gon� lie. I wanted it but she was just... in heat. It�s part of our instincts. You find your match and you bond. You just connect and there ain�t no stoppin� it. Then it�s like you markin� your territory. I claimed Liz in every way I could think of... everywhere we wouldn�t get arrested.�
�Ok. Stop saying Liz�s name. That�s really gross. I�m her cousin.� Michael groaned. �So this is normal? I�m not like hurting her?�
�Naw. She wants it just as bad if not more.�
�This is not related.� Michael shook his head. �I was sent in here to find out what... Deina was doing in here... with you.�
�We were playing Bokia.� Zan shook his head.
�That�s all?�
�Yeah. I talked to her about this arrangement and I�m meeting her boyfriend for approval soon.� Zan stared at his second. �What�s going on?�
�Sam was worried that you might be... seeking some extra-marital activity and she�s holding out on me until I know for sure. Now that I know... I�m going to bed.� Michael waved Zan off and disappeared out the door.
--
Liz tossed and turned on her bed. It was just so hot in her room. She was day two in Zan-repulsion and already it was beginning to fade. She even missed him a little. Even more though, she missed her friends. She wanted to talk to Isabel and Maria and Alex... she wanted to tell them about the baby. She missed them so much. She regretted the slight rift that had grown between she and Maria over Michael.
�We�re graduating today!� Maria sang out when she entered Liz�s room early that May morning. �Underclassmen have school and WE don�t.�
�Hey Maria.� Max raised a limp hand in a gesture of good morning but didn�t pull his face out of Liz�s pillow.
�Hey lover boy.� Maria flopped down on the bed beside him. �You spend the night or come over early?�
�Spen da nigh.� Came his muffled response. Slowly he rolled over and squinted his eyes against the morning sun. �Why are you up so early? I know Liz is getting ready for all the crap she has to do... you?�
�I am actually just stopping off to let Liz know that I can be found at Space Boy�s this morning.� She licked her lips. �We haven�t spent too much time together lately and we need to make up.�
�Ok.� He mumbled and pulled the sheet up his stomach to keep his decency.
�Hey, just a question. That tattoo you got on your chest. What�s that mean?�
�That�s Liz�s family mark. I marked her too... with my personal mark.� Max sighed and started to drift back into slumber.
�Michael got one the other day. It�s on his back. I saw it when he changed his shirt before his shift yesterday. It�s uh... um... a blue sword thing with a butterfly base.� Maria tried to describe the mark.
�Maria, it�s really early and I didn�t get too much sleep last night...�
�Right. Talk to you later. Tell Liz where I am.�
�Where�s that?�
�Michael�s. I�m going to surprise him.�
By the time that her words really registered in Max�s brain it was too late. Maria was long gone. �Liz!�
Liz sighed. That day was a good day and a bad day. It brought out things in everyone that no one had known was there. Rolling over, she stared at Zan�s pillow. It had been cleansed of his scent just for her.
Groaning, she realized that she hated sleeping alone.
--
Michael found Sam staring out a window at the stars, presumably in the direction of the Earth Solar System. He could tell something was wrong and wrapped his arms around her. �What�s wrong?�
�I was just thinking... again.�
�About what?� He prodded and rested his head on her shoulder.
�Maria.� Sam whispered. He remained quiet and so she kept talking. �I know that I have nothing back on Earth. Just a set of abusive adoptive parents. My own parents wouldn�t keep me. You�ve got this whole family, this whole destiny... and I�m just this person that walked into your life uninvited and I just took over. I took away the one person you felt you could trust aside from family and I seduced you. I made you a father before you were ready...�
�Stop it.� Michael cut her off. �It�s not your fault that Maria hates me. She just... she didn�t see what was right there. Everyone else knew... she just saw what she wanted to see. You did not seduce me away from her...� He took a deep breath and thought about how he could word his thoughts. Sam was always more sensitive than she let on. �I felt this pull to you immediately. Maria and I drifted apart and there you were... this beautiful creature that understood me better than anyone because... she was a throw away like me. She knew what it was like to hide under the bed when her father came home drunk and pissed.�
�But--� She tried to interrupt but he squeezed her tighter.
�As for the father part... I made you a mother before we were ready. That was both of us but... do you realize that on some level we had to have been ready? I wouldn�t give you and Erik up just so Maria would talk to me again.� He turned his head into her hair. �Maria may have been the first one to really touch me but you are my first love. You are my only love.�
�Michael... you can�t tell me you don�t miss her.� Sam leaned back into him and stared out at the stars.
�You�re right. I do. I miss her because I care about her but she wasn�t for me. She kept trying to change me into someone that I�m not... you never did and you still don�t.�
�I just wish that I could have known her the way that you and Liz did. She seemed like a really good friend.�
�She was... she was there for me after that last run in I had with my foster dad. Didn�t ask any questions... just took me in out of the rain and let me cry... even helped me get out of jail when they thought I had done something to him... Maria�s a good person. I think that if the two of you had met under different circumstances... you�d be best friends.�
Maria turned the knob slowly and stopped when she heard Michael�s voice. She smiled as she listened to the things he was saying.
�I keep meaning to explain this but... I just look at you and the words fly right out of my head... You are so beautiful and you don�t even know it... Your hair is so soft and so is your skin... your eyes are just incredible. Your lips are perfect for... kissing as well as griping me out and talking... I love to hear you talk. I�I love you. I know you think that I don�t but I do. From the moment I took the time to really look at you, something in me knew it and the walls came tumbling down for you... yeah... I really mean it. As great as being with you is... I�m just... I�m not after your body... however wonderful that part is. I just needed you to know that I love you, all of you.�
Maria had tears in her eyes. �He must be practicing what to say to me. I knew I wasn�t the only one who missed us.� She pushed the door open. �Space Boy!�
Michael had just given into to the urge he and Sam had had to be joined together in the most intimate of ways. No sooner had he finished his speech, with kisses planted here and there, and pushed inside of her sweet body did the door fly open. There stood Maria, the smile on her face faded rapidly as she took in their naked bodies on his bed. Their naked, joined bodies that quivered with anticipation of completing the act they had just begun.
Maria stood there dumbly frozen to the spot just outside of Michael�s apartment.
--
Liz tossed her blankets off as her body temperature rose. Why was it so damn hot? She ran her hands through her hair, smoothing back the sweaty strands. Arching her back, she ran her hands down her body. A tingling ran through her as her fingers brushed her pierced nipple through her thin nightgown. Her shoulder felt really warm. If she could have seen it, she would have seen her husband�s mark glowing a deep purple. She only knew one thing. She needed him now. �Zan!�
--
Zan lay on his bed and tried to get to sleep but his chest felt really hot. Just seconds before he heard his name being called, a tingling ran through his chest, right under the spot where his wife�s mark lay. He couldn�t cross the common room fast enough.
Part 10
Zan stood in the doorway to his room and watched his beautiful wife tossing and turning on their bed. She sat up and motioned him to come closer. Liz was holding her head in her hands. �Elizabeth?�
�Zan... I... god you smell but... I need you.� She wrinkled up her nose and reached out for him.
�Sweet love, what is it?� Zan crawled up the bed to lay with his wife. That�s when he noticed the glow on her shoulder. Tentatively he touched her shoulder and was rewarded with a low keening as her back arched and her hands clasped around her abdomen. To steady herself, she placed a hand on his chest, subconsciously seeking out her glowing mark on his chest. Zan�s back also arched and a rush flowed through him. Knowledge and sensation rolled around between them and through them both. When it was over, Zan cradled his wife in his arms. �A son. We�re going to have a son.�
�Yeah.� Liz whispered and turned her face away from him. He still stank but he was so comforting that she ignored the way he smelled, how hot his skin was, how ugly he was. She just needed a night to sleep in his arms. �God, couldn�t you have showered today?�
--
�Guess I ruined our evening.� Samantha leaned against Michael as he led them to their bedroom. They stopped only when a flash of dark hair and bronze skin flew by them into Liz�s room. �Oh! We forgot to tell them about the...�
�The Glowing.� Michael finished her sentence and snickered. �I think they figured it out.�
�Yeah... come on... I am so tired.� She pulled them to their door.
�Well, someone keeps insisting on dwelling on things beyond her control...� He teased lightly. Sighing he guided them both onto the bed for some much needed rest. He remembered how badly things got after Maria found out about his and Sam�s relationship.
Maria burst into Liz�s room in tears. Liz and Max had just finished dressing for the day and stared at her. Max groaned and looked to Liz. �She went to Michael�s this morning.�
�And he was in bed with that girl, and he said that he loved her, they were naked, they were doing it.� Maria sobbed and reached for Liz who wrapped her arms around her heart-broken friend. �How could he do this to me?�
�Maria... he... I think...� Liz stammered. She was trying to explain but there was only one reason that Maria would have reacted like this... she didn�t know. �We all thought you knew.�
�What?� Maria pulled back slowly and looked to her friends. Max was staring out the window and Liz wore this apologetic expression on her face. �You knew? How long? Why didn�t you tell me?�
�Maria... it�s just that you haven�t even really spoken to Michael since Homecoming and... we all thought you had broken up with him... Michael included.� Liz whispered.
�Broken up with Michael? I have never broken up with Michael. We fight and we get back together... that�s the way we work.� Maria protested.
�You and Michael haven�t been fighting these past months...� Max murmured almost to himself. �I... I didn�t know for sure until just the other day.�
�For sure?� Maria turned her gaze back to Liz.
�I was there one day when she showed up. Apparently she had been to Michael�s apartment before and he told her that she could go to him for anything. They were planning on moving her in with him soon... Max talked to Michael the other day and they... they�ve been living together for the past week.� Liz took Maria�s hand. The tears had stopped and an expression of shock had taken over. Liz had never seen Maria like this.
�So you knew and you never told me?� Maria�s shock turned into disbelief.
�I thought you knew. They thought they were being sneaky but I noticed and I thought everyone else had too. Michael�s been different since before Christmas and I think that Sam is the reason why. She�s really good for him.� Liz tried to explain but Maria started shaking her head. �He is happy, Maria.�
�So that�s it? You�re on his side.�
�What sides, Maria? He�s family and he�s happy and I�m happy for him. I�m sorry that you saw what I think you saw this morning and I�m sorry you didn�t see what�s been going on with them... I am but you can�t ask me to hate him or to hate her. I like Sam; she�s a nice girl and she�s been through a lot and Michael has helped her out--�
�Stop!� Maria cried and wiped at her eyes. �I don�t want to hear about what a sweet girl she is, or how pretty she is, or how much Michael likes her. I don�t want to hear it from you. Why didn�t you tell me that he was sleeping with that slut?!�
�She is not a slut!� Michael called into the room as he made his way through the Parker apartment. �And she didn�t tell you because she didn�t know. The only one who knew I was sleeping with Sam was Max. What the hell were you doing at my place at the crack of dawn for?�
Liz and Max stood and crept out the window so Michael and Maria could have it out without an audience. They didn�t need to hear it but there was nowhere they could go.
�What are you doing here? Shouldn�t you and Miss Green Thing be getting it on?� Maria shot out at him.
�What Sam and I do is nobody�s business but ours. What right did you have just bursting into my home like you lived there?� Michael shouted just as loud. �You act like I just did something to hurt you.�
�You think me walking in and seeing you in bed with her didn�t hurt?� Maria whispered. �I felt like I�d just been stabbed in the chest. Why didn�t you break up with me?�
�What? You broke up with me... at least I took the three months where you didn�t speak to me as a break up. I didn�t owe you anything. I�ve been perfectly fine with it. You and I both knew this wasn�t going to last forever and I thought it had finally ended. Sam and I got close and kept getting closer...� Michael held back on telling Maria the whole thing. It had been hard enough to tell Max that he loved Sam, he didn�t know if he could tell Maria.
�Why didn�t you tell me?�
�Why should I have? Sam couldn�t let anyone know and I just don�t go announcing that I have a girlfriend to everyone. You know me. I�m not like that.� He scratched at his eyebrow. �So now you know. Fine.�
�I know you Michael. At least I thought I did and I thought you had a little more respect for me than to go sneaking around behind my back with some little green alien girl.� Maria couldn�t resist spitting that out at him. �How do you know she won�t screw up your life like her grandfather did?�
�First off!� Michael yelled but then calmed himself down. �First off, you don�t just stop talking to someone and expect to get a full explanation of their feelings months later. I thought you were the one that told me it didn�t work like that. Second, yes Sam is an alien. She�s like me. She�s like Liz. You going to hate her just because her parents are from Antar? If you do, then you hate half your circle of friends...� Michael shook his head and did what he didn�t want to do. �I love Sam. We didn�t sneak around behind your back. We snuck around behind the Orozcos� backs because if her parents knew where she was, she�d have to go home. Her parents beat her and I tried as hard as I could to get her out of there. Now that I got her out, she�s not going back. We just chose not to shove our relationship in anyone�s faces. Now, I left my very confused girlfriend at home and I have to explain to her what just happened.�
�Michael...� Maria called after him as he made to leave Liz�s room. �I love you.�
�Why did you come over this morning?� He whispered over his shoulder, his anger fading and condescension replacing itself with sympathy at how Maria must have seen things.
�I wanted to give you an early graduation present...� Maria felt tears stinging at her eyes. She was going to give him a little strip tease in the hopes of reconciliation and an evolution of their rocky relationship. �You won�t be getting it now.�
Michael nodded and kept on walking, suddenly regretting every angry word he had just said to her but too proud to take any of them back.
Michael pulled his wife closer and breathed in her scent. She never wore perfume and if she did it was a light scent reminiscent of rain or water, maybe once in a while cherries but always soft. It was a stark contrast to her personality. Where most people thought she was shy and thoughtful, she was really wary and aloof. Her looks tended to through people off. She was maybe 5�7�, just a little taller than most people and she dressed very casually, projecting an aura of sociability. If they really knew what she was like, no one would think that. It was in this personality that she and Michael definitely had to share a soul. The day after they had become intimate, they had marked each other.
Gently, he pushed aside the neck of her blouse to see his mark on the front of her shoulder. A purple hand surrounded by a single flame. Four years that mark had sat on her upper chest and she had no objection. She often told him that she belonged to him and her mark on him meant he belonged to her. In the four years they had been physically together, they never tired of touching each other or being together, a rare thing for the both of them.
As he drifted off into sleep, Michael thanked the Light for the first time that she had been brought to him four years before.
--
Zan woke up to find his arms empty and the bed beside him cold. Lifting his head, he could hear his wife retching in the bathroom. The sound made him want to lose his dinner as well. Liz slowly made her way back to the bed and into his arms. His hands ran down her arms and trailed down to her abdomen to rest over their son. �Elizabeth? Are you okay?�
�Just a little morning sickness.� Liz buried her head in his shoulder and traced over his chest muscles with a finger. �It�s not so bad... I missed you.�
�I was just across the way.� He told her sincerely. She swatted him. �What?�
�Nothing. Did you miss me?� Liz asked her confused husband.
�Every second. I thought I would go insane without your touch.� Zan closed his eyes and pressed his lips to her forehead.
�Well... you can touch me all you want now.� She murmured and inhaled his scent, rubbing her nose against his hard flesh. Her hunger for her husband was rapidly returning and having him hold her wasn�t nearly enough. �Please touch me...�
�What was that?� He rubbed his lips against her skin and felt how she was squirming against him. Zan found himself being pushed back on the bed as Liz rose up on her knees.
�I said touch me.� She whispered huskily. Slowly, his hands molded themselves to her curves as she hovered above him. A wave of her hand and their clothes disappeared. He stared up at her in shock.
�Elizabeth!�
--
Sam stumbled into the common room to find a bewildered Liz sitting on the couch. Mrs. Parker sat next her with a confused expression on her face as well. �Okay, what did I miss so early this morning?�
�I don�t know. She isn�t making any sense.� Nancy shook her head.
�It�s King Zan.� Liz shook her head free of the cobwebs. �This morning I... I�m better and I wanted to make love and...�
�What?� Sam prodded.
�I don�t know. We�ve never had to deal with this before. He�s never been like this.� Liz kept shaking her head.
�What?� Sam sat down and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
�My husband is a prude.� Liz finally spat it out. All three women whipped their heads around at the roar of laughter that Michael let out from where he had been listening at the doorway. �It�s not funny Michael.�
�Yes it is.� He barely made it to the couch before he collapsed, still laughing. �All those times I walked in on the two of you in the... strangest places and most interesting positions and... what did he do?�
�Not that it�s any of your business but I shocked him so badly that he�s gone off to pray for my soul.� Liz closed her eyes when Michael�s laughter rose again in volume.
�You�re not serious.� Sam�s mouth dropped open. She too had walked in on Liz and Zan or Max and been shocked but not really surprised by what she had seen. �What happened?�
�All I did was make his clothes vanish.� Liz shrugged helplessly.
�You weren�t kidding about the prude part, were you?� Michael snorted and realized that it really wasn�t funny to a pregnant Antarian. �I�ll talk to him.�
�Honey...� Nancy bit her lip. She and Liz were both a little uncomfortable having the other present during this conversation. �I�m sure that it�s nothing.�
�Nothing? Mom, he�s praying for my soul because he thinks that I�m a temptress sent from Hell.� Liz closed her eyes. �He�s never been like this... not even all those times we were together in my room at home and you guys never knew.�
�Liz.� Nancy gave her daughter a stern look.
�Oh like you didn�t know that Max spent practically every night at your house.� Michael made a face. �Come on, Aunt Nancy. You and Uncle Jeff are smarter than that.�
�It�s one thing to know and another to hear it admitted.� She held up her hands and got up to busy herself with something, anything to take away from the discussion at hand.
�I�ll talk to him. Maybe we�ll get rid of King Zan and get one of the other two back.� He snorted and got to his feet. �Where is he?�
�The chapel on level five, on the other side of the gym.� Liz sighed and curled up into a ball on the couch. Things just kept getting weirder.
Part 11
Michael found Zan kneeling at the front of the chapel in front of a replica of the Granilith. The room resembled the Granilith chamber except for the small replica at the back. There was plenty of room for 50 or so people but it stood empty save for the King. Light pulsed from the replica, casting shadows on the shiny walls. Michael approached him slowly and watched him stare at the pulsing replica. Zan�s knees were spread, he sat on his heels with toes bent backward beneath him, his hands rested on his thighs and his head tilted up to catch the warm light. He looked so relaxed but Michael didn�t want to surprise him. Zan�s voice filled the room when he acknowledged his second. �It�s not nearly as fine as the genuine article but... faith�s the aspect that does it.�
�Wanna talk about it?� Michael shrugged as he debated whether to sit or not.
�I don�t understand what�s happening.� Zan�s voice dropped to a whisper. His head turned slightly to look at Michael before looking at his reflection in one shining reflective surface. He was dressed as a king should be; leather pants that hugged his legs, allowing for free movement, shirt that fit his broad shoulders and conformed to his muscles. His hair was tied up at the back of his head; a single streak of white hair ran from forehead to the end of the tail. If he looked like he was king... why didn�t he feel it? This was the first time that he had felt so like his own self and yet not at the same time.
�What are you talking about?� Michael finally sank to his knees next to his friend and leader. �Is this about what happened with Liz this morning? Or something else?�
�It�s everything, Rathard.� Zan�s voice grew even softer.
�Michael, remember?� He pointed at his own chest. �I don�t like that name and we both know that Liz wouldn�t appreciate that name being used anymore.�
�Right.� He nodded stiffly. �This is what I mean. I feel like everyone is correcting me of late. I don�t say anything correctly. I don�t do anything right and... my wife is a stranger to me.� Zan sighed heavily before continuing. �I don�t know what got into her this morning.�
�This morning? Zan, buddy... we have to get one of the other guys back because from what I understand... the only thing unusual about this morning was your lack of enthusiasm.� Michael snorted and shifted his eyes to his feet. �You tell me what was wrong this morning and we�ll go from there.�
�It�s just that...� The dark haired king dropped his head onto his chest, rocking backward to sit on the floor of the chapel. He debated actually telling Michael what was going on. �I�m not used to... having relations.�
�You�re kidding right?� Michael snorted again but bit his tongue on further comments. How in the world was this the same guy he went to for sex advice many, many times in the past?
�When I was married to Avaria... well, first off... I was very young when Father died. He was so involved with saving our worlds that I... Nothing was explained to me. Mother and I could not talk about this. I was too busy to talk to you and then he was gone and I was king. I was coroneted and then I chose Avaria to be my queen. After our wedding it was still a week before we were together. Neither of us knew what to do.�
�You�re kidding...�
�I knew what was socially acceptable in court and I still have no problems with that... it�s the other...� Zan sighed deeply. �I... we were never... I loved her, I really thought I did and we just never... It took two months before we actually saw each other... all of each other.�
�So what? You had sex with your clothes on?� Michael bit back a laugh.
�Essentially. Our marriage was a young marriage and didn�t last long. The love I mean. I still loved her but when she found out she couldn�t carry a child, she pulled away from me. Her lack of faith in me drove a wedge between us. Then we were dead.� Zan�s gaze dropped to his knees. �I am not accustomed whatever it is that Elizabeth is.�
�Zan, you�ve been married to the woman for three years. Your Antarian wedding was five years ago. You�ve been sleeping with her even before that.� Michael shook his head. �It�s not her. It�s you.�
�Me?�
�This, Liz is an evil temptress that has to be stopped... who do you think made her that way?� He rolled his eyes at Zan�s dumbstruck expression. �You.�
�Me?�
�Echo much?�
�I don�t remember.� Zan shut his eyes. �I get flashes of us before we came aboard the ship. I know she is my wife. I know I love her. I know her touch but I don�t remember anything else.�
Michael�s eyes widened. So that was it. This particular side of his best friend didn�t have memories of the other two. �Holy shit.�
�I don�t know why this is? I know I died but there is 16 years of my life that I cannot recall. Elizabeth often says that I have a split personality. Do you suppose this is true?� Zan pondered aloud his predicament.
�It�s gotta be. Normally you still remember stuff, just your personality changes.� Michael groaned and thought back on the past few days. �Great, the one personality that know it�s a split personality doesn�t know anything else.� He looked his friend straight in the eye. �All I can say is go with it. If she wants to make freaky animal love... just do it. Everyone wins all around.� Then squinting his eyes, he spied a shadow just outside the doorway. �Just leave the details to me and relax. Deina...�
--
�Oh... look at you... You�re so handsome.� Liz pinched Erik�s cheeks. �You�re going to drive all the girls crazy.�
�Please don�t do that. If his ego is anything like his father�s, it�ll swell unnecessarily... although I do agree. He�s the cutest little thing ever.� Sam kissed her son in passing as she busied herself with picking up laundry in the room she shared with her husband and son.
�Ah nite-nite ah Lis.� Erik stuck out his little lip.
�Ok. Come on.� Liz picked him up and lay back on the bed. �Let�s go night-night.�
Sam held up her hand and ticked off five beats after Erik closed his eyes. Right on schedule the little boy bounced up and started jumping on the bed. �Hey, hey. No jumping. Sit your little butt down.�
�Ah jump.� The little boy kept right on jumping all over the bed. The women turned to see the door slide open and young Deina enter the room.
�Good afternoon. Queen Liz, your presence is requested on level two... as is yours Protector Sam.� Deina bowed her head slightly. Liz and Sam glanced at each other in confusion of both the request and Sam�s apparently new title.
�What�s on level two?�
--
Deina hoisted Erik up on her hip and smiled at the young man standing at the entrance where she had led the two still obviously curious women. �Varel.�
�Deina.� A smile lit up his face as he stared down into Deina�s. �I have the room ready.�
�Thank you. This is Queen Elizabeth and Protector Samantha.� She turned slightly to introduce her charges. �And this is the Commander�s son, Erik.�
�Your highness.� Varel bowed his head. �Come with me and I�ll show you in. Bye. ... Deina.�
Liz and Sam watched the little display with mild amusement. It was obvious the kids liked each other. They stepped inside the doors when they opened and had to wait while Varel slowly inched his way backward into the room with him, his eyes locked on Deina�s.
�Um, Varel?� Liz spoke up. His head whipped around and then he blushed sheepishly.
�I apologize. Come with me.� He ducked his head and moved past them.
�Varel? Where are we going?� Liz asked but followed him down a corridor.
�In here, your highness. If you would, take off your clothes and someone will be with you.� Varel snuck a glance at the queen and then quickly looked away.
�Hold on, Varel.� Sam held up her hand. �What is this place?�
�A Ginahero.� He shook his head as if they were idiots.
�Which is...� She motioned for him to elaborate.
�Oh, excuse me. Ginahero is the Monoan word. Loreni is the Antarian.� He nodded, proud of his knowledge. His lessons with Deina were definitely paying off.
�We�re from Earth.� Liz bit back a smile.
�Oh! I�ve not gone through too many lessons.� Varel sighed and hung his head. He raised his hands to his shoulders. �Um... relaxation technique that... involves the touching... no... pressing?�
Liz watched him touch his own shoulders. �Massage?�
�Yes. That�s it.� He nodded again and dropped his hands to his side. �A massage. If your highness and protector would go inside, someone will be with you shortly.�
�Thank you.� Liz smiled broadly at Sam and then the young man before her. �Varel? How old are you?�
�19 on Monoa. 22 on Antar. 18 on Earth.� He answered honestly. He fidgeted then asked her a question. �I don�t want to appear to think I am above my station but... is it alright if I came to you or King Zan for some advice?�
�I�m sure he�d love it.� Liz nodded and pulled Sam into the room. �Bye Varel.�
�Enjoy your day.� Varel called after them into the room before the door slid shut.
�That was too adorable.� Liz giggled and eyed the room. There were two tables and racks with oils on them.
�Puppy love. It�s enough to make you gag.� Sam rolled her eyes and found two robes. She tossed one to Liz. �Shall we? I believe the men have found a way to pamper us.�
--
�What are you planning, Michael?� Zan followed his second around the fourth level of the ship.
�Well, Mr. Romantic... I didn�t watch you all those times without learning a few things myself.� Michael nodded to the servants and they rushed in with a table and chairs. �Our wives are down below getting the works. Massage, Jacuzzi, and all that other stuff women like to feel pretty.�
�Why?� Zan watched the servants set up the table and disappear into another room. They returned with dining implements and small lights that floated above the table.
�Simple. I want my wife alone tonight and you have some apologizing to do. After they�ve been made beautiful, we�ll treat them to dinner and then... I don�t know... stargazing from an isolated deck and then you are on your own. I know what I�ll be doing but...� Michael trailed off and shrugged his shoulders. �Max was definitely the romantic one of the three of you.�
�I... I talked to the medic and she told me that she doesn�t know anything. Elizabeth knew the most about this.� Zan turned to stare out a window.
�You want to know what I think?� Michael nodded to the people as they stepped out of his path. He pulled Zan with him into another room, where more servants were setting up an almost identical romantic dining area. �I think that Max and Zan had their bodies for11 years as obviously dominant characters and only traces of you. Then comes this merging. They fight and bicker over being dominant but then there�s you. You are the basis for both of their existences and naturally you have to surface for your turn in the body.�
�I don�t remember you being anything but a strategist.� Zan shook his head.
�What can I say? I am an amazing man.�
--
�You know? I could get used to this.� Liz sighed as she sank into a bath that smelled of something definitely not from Earth. The smell steamed up into the air, intoxicating the relaxing forms in the tubs.
�Michael�s been a good boy. He�ll get his reward tonight.� Sam oohed as she let her relaxed muscles soak in the hot water it took her a moment to notice that Liz hadn�t added to her gratitude of the men�s doing. �Liz?�
�What if... never mind.� Liz closed her eyes and sank lower in the water.
�What?�
�I haven�t seen Zan all day and last thing he told me was that he was going to the chapel.� The queen tried to push her thoughts out of her mind but they didn�t comply.
�It�s just the Original Zan talking. He loves you.� Sam turned her head to the woman who had become her best friend in the past 3 years and offered her comfort. �Who knows what the man was like?�
�He was married to Avaria.�
--
The Monoan stared incredulously at King Zan. �Are you sure?�
�I�m sure.� Zan nodded. �Have it done immediately.�
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