Liz knew he was there before she even felt the breeze, before the window opened, before his steps on the ladder. She had felt him when he was six blocks away and her body had been anticipating his arrival. Memories of their nights together after her parents went to bed and he snuck in her window over the past week. If he had taken much longer, she would have had to start without him... she�d keep that in mind for next time.
Her parents had grounded her. No work, no phone, only Maria and Alex had been allowed to visit. The thought that had gotten her through the horribly long days was the memory of what she had felt coming from Zan when he saved her from getting run over. He had been terrified; he said that he needed her. That had also been the last time that he had said anything like that.
He was in the room but he was just watching her. Keeping her eyes closed, she smiled. Zan had spent their first day as an Antarian couple just watching her sleep. Her body was screaming at her to get him into the bed. �I�m not asleep.�
�Did I wake you?� His voice was low and husky. His eyes ran over her bare back and hip just barely revealed by the sheet over her.
�I thought you�d never get here.� She barely turned her head.
�You knew I was coming back?�
�I�ve been waiting.� Liz rolled over, exposing her bare chest, her protruding nipples rising and falling with her labored breathing. �Took you long enough to get back here.�
�I had some things to do.� The room was dark but she felt the heat of his body as he sat beside her on the bed. �So you�ve been waiting for me... naked?�
�Uh-huh... Let�s see what we can do about getting you out of those clothes.� She tugged on his shirt, yanking it over his head and then running her hands over his chest, urging him down on top of her. Her fingers found his pierced nipple. First she scraped a blue nail over it and then pulled on it, eliciting a hiss from deep within his body.
He couldn�t keep his hands to himself any longer. First he touched a finger to her lips, a bit surprised when she licked the tip of his finger, then ran it down her chin, neck and chest to one erect nipple. Even though it was hard to see in the dark room, he had no trouble putting his lips to hers.
Running one hand through her hair, massaging one breast with the other, he ended his kiss before she could deepen it. He took his time tasting the skin on her neck, dragging his mouth down to the other breast, licking and nipping at her flesh, listening to her moans. Slowly, very slowly, he slid his hand away from her chest and down her stomach, leaving his mark on the spot where a bullet had once entered her body. Then he continued his journey beneath the sheets, pausing as he reached her womanly curls. �How long have you been waiting for me like this?�
�Oh God... since you left.� She half moaned/half whispered her answer. He resumed his torture. Liz moaned and arched into his mouth, his goatee scraped at her sensitive flesh with every movement of his mouth. A whimper escaped when he stopped the burning trail down her body with his fingers. She bent her legs at the knee and spread her legs, inviting him to touch her where she ached.
He slipped his fingers further and brushed across her clit. He rubbed at the bundle of nerves and listened to her moans. He sucked her nipple deep into his mouth, laving his tongue around the hard peak. Liz tilted her hips upward, making his fingers slide between her folds.
He lifted his head away from her chest and concentrated on what his hand was doing to her. Gently and then eventually with more force he pushed his fingers inside her wet passage. The silken walls contracted around his hand. His eyes closed as he continued to pump his fingers inside her. He fought to remain in control but the growing bulge in his jeans screamed for him to slide inside her. Slowly his eyes opened and he stared at how beautiful she looked in the dark.
Liz ran her hands through her hair as her hips bucked up against his hand. She whimpered when his hand left her and barely suppressed a startled yelp when she felt his mouth replace his hand. His hands cupped her ass to bring her closer to his face as he lapped and sucked at her juices. He slid his tongue inside her, tasting her sweet flesh. Finally he couldn�t take anymore. Her soft moans were getting louder.
He sat up and leaned over her, unzipping his jeans. Liz surprised him when she flipped open the button and pushed his jeans down. As he reached down to slide out of his boxers he whispered to her, �Sh, we don�t want to wake your parents.�
Liz suddenly realized something that she should have much sooner. Panicking, she shoved him off her. Zan did not wear boxers. Zan had more tattoos. Zan�s tongue and lip were pierced. She had been so caught up in sensation that she hadn�t noticed. If it hadn�t been for the warning about her parents hearing, she would have never realized. Zan was always trying to make her forget that her parents were in the next room. He wanted them to hear her screaming in ecstasy.
�Liz?� His voice was full of confusion.
�Who are you?� Liz asked warily, sliding off the bed, putting it between them.
�Liz, it�s me.� He watched how she shook with fear, how she covered herself up. �Liz. What�s wrong?�
�I don�t know who you are but...� She squinted her eyes in the darkness. �Why do you look like him?�
�It�s me, Liz. Max.� Max gestured to the lamp and it turned on, throwing light on his half naked body and her totally nude one. The light also let him notice the differences in her appearance. Her beautiful brown hair was streaked blue and purple; her navel was pierced, as was her eyebrow. �What�s wrong?�
�Oh my God... Max? Is that really you? You look like...� Liz stepped closer, arms still crossed over her chest. �I can�t believe it. I didn�t think you�d be back so soon.�
�Who did you think I was?� There was no mistaking the look of hurt on his face as the knowledge sank in. Anger filled him but he kept it in check. �Who did you think you were about to have sex with?�
She opened her mouth to explain, a guilty expression crossed her face. She knew he already thought that she had slept with Kyle and who knew if Rath had said anything to him; the things that he must be thinking about her. He silenced her with a motion. He grabbed his shirt and went out the window. Liz just had to call after him. �Max!�
--
Isabel banged on her parents bedroom door. �Mom, Dad, get up. Get up.�
�Honey? What is it?� Philip came out pulling on his robe.
�Come on. Come on.� She motioned to the front door. �He�s coming.�
�Who?� Diane stumbled out behind her husband.
�You�ll see.� She raced to the front door and yanked it open. She could feel him. He was close. Isabel ignored the cold and bounced on the balls of her feet, staring in the direction that she knew he was coming from.
�Isabel, honey...� Diane tried to get her daughter back in the house.
�Mom, just wait. He�ll be here any minute and then you�ll wish you would have stayed.�
�Who? Who would be coming at three o�clock in the morning?� Philip asked, rubbing his face with a hand. Then something caught his eye. Someone was walking down the street. Spikes, tattoos, goatee. �What in the hell is he doing here?�
Isabel stared in confusion but she knew that it wasn�t Zan. It had to be Max. �What in the world has he done to himself?�
Diane sighed heavily. Her son had been missing for three weeks. Her daughter was suffering. Their scary older brother usually caused nothing but heartache and confusion. There he was, making his way over to them.
�Look at you. You look like crap.� Isabel called out as she crossed the lawn.
�You look beautiful too. You should go to school on Monday looking like that. Alex will be sure to swoon.� Max crossed the street, dropped his bag and pulled Isabel into a hug. �I missed you.�
�You could have told us where you were going. Liz had to tell us what happened. So many things have happened since you left.� Isabel squeezed him tight just to make sure he was really there. �I heard you, Max. You said you were coming home. I heard you.�
�Max?� Diane put a hand to her mouth. �Oh my Lord...�
Max pulled out of Isabel�s arms and approached his parents, head bowed. When he was standing directly in front of him, he raised his head. If he could face people who wanted to kill him and take over his people, then he could face his own parents. �I�m home.�
--
Max wrapped his hands around a mug of coffee. He and his parents had been talking for close to three hours. They tried to understand but he wouldn�t tell them much. They talked about how irresponsible it was of him to run away, how inconsiderate it was of him not to at least call, how happy they were that he was alright. Now with dawn pouring in the windows, he knew they were finally going to bring up his appearance.
His mother kept eyeing his piercings and his tattoos. �You haven�t talked to your brother?�
�Well, she�s hardly had a chance since I got here.� Max shook his head and gave Isabel a small smile.
�You don�t remember?� Diane poured cream into her coffee.
�Remember what?� He looked at the tired expressions on everyone�s faces. �Remember what?�
�Um... about a week after you left... we got a visitor.� Isabel tried to cushion the blow. �... From New York.�
�Who?� Max asked suspiciously.
�Your older brother.� Philip leaned forward on the table. Max glanced at Isabel.
�Zan.� She whispered.
�But he�s dead.� Max protested.
�I know that�s what they told us.� Isabel rushed in. �It�s him.�
�Are you sure?� Max kept looking at Isabel despite his parents� attempts to get his attention.
�Not at first... if it weren�t for Liz... we would have never known for sure.� She pulled her hair back out of her face.
�Liz?� He immediately stiffened. The memory of what had happened in her room just hours before still fresh and stinging.
�She�s the only one that he talks to. If we want to get a hold of him, we have to talk to her. Max, he�s been driving us crazy because we don�t know why he�s here.�
�Max, do you remember him?� Diane pressed, not understanding what they were talking about.
�Um...� Isabel just nodded for him to keep up what they were thinking. �Vaguely. I don�t really remember but um... I might recall a big brother.�
�I�ve talked to him. He doesn�t seem to want to take the two of you away but... let�s just hope that he never tries.� Philip clasped his hands together.
�What does he look like?� Max asked. Isabel reached for her purse on the back of the chair and pulled out a mirror. She opened it and pushed it at him.
�Exactly like what you�ll see in there.� She leaned forward. �And I do mean exactly. Every piercing and tattoo visible is the same.�
�You�ve got to be kidding.� Max�s eyes widened.
�In fact, we thought it was him at first that was walking out there. He�s a very...� Their mother interrupted their hushed conversation.
�Obnoxious.� Isabel filled in. �Rude. Infuriating.�
�Interesting... young man.� Diane finished.
�He�s been telling stories about our parents.� Isabel tilted her head toward her brother, letting her hair fall to shield her face from their parents. �He makes a habit of upsetting mom every chance he gets.� She kept her voice very low. �You have to do something. We... just haven�t been able to tell whether he�s good or bad but Liz keeps insisting that we owe him our lives. You have to talk to her. I didn�t tell her that you were coming back.�
�Why not?� He was starting to understand what had happened back in Liz�s room.
�Because every time I see her she�s with him or he�s hanging around. I didn�t want to tell him that you were coming back.� Isabel cleared her throat. �So you�ll talk to him?�
�Yeah, I will.� Max looked his father in the eye across the table. �I�ll take care of it.�
�There�s just something we want you to do first... before you talk to anyone...� Philip looked down at his hands. Max nodded and waited for the request.
--
Max sat on the couch and stared at his hands. His therapist turned on the tape and waited. �How long has it been Max?�
�Going on four weeks.� He nodded.
�I see that you�ve changed your dress code. Pierced your eyebrow and ear. I thought you said that you didn�t like needles.�
�I don�t... but I had a little help.� Max let his eyes fall on his ring. Immediately the taste of Liz�s was in his mouth, the feel of her skin on his fingers, her moans in his ears, her nude body before his eyes, the smell of her arousal in his nostrils. Then it was shattered by his therapist�s voice.
�Would you like to talk about why you ran away?�
Max didn�t lift his eyes from his hands but kept his eyes off the ring. Liz had been waiting for someone else in her room the night he returned. He pieced together things that Isabel told him but he knew she was still holding back. Zan had been sleeping with Liz. Isabel hadn�t said that but she knew.
�Do you want to talk about your brother?� The therapist uncapped his pen and poised his hand to take notes. He had a notepad for every client and he had yet to use his Max Evans pad.
�What�s there to say? He�s here.� Max shrugged. �I haven�t met him yet.�
�How does his re-emergence make you feel?�
�I don�t know. I think I could handle it better if he wasn�t sleeping with my ex-girlfriend.� Max muttered bitterly.
�Wow. You just confided in me. This is a real breakthrough for us, Max. Tell me why this upsets you. Let�s explore this.�
�You want to know? Fine.� Max rose to his feet, moved to the window seat and closed his eyes. �I�ll talk.�
�Take your time. I�m not pushing you.�
�She broke up with me. Not because she doesn�t love me but because she didn�t think she was worthy. I pursued her. She pushed me away. Then she... she wanted me to believe that she lost her virginity to her ex-boyfriend, Kyle.�
�I imagine this upset you.�
�I felt betrayed. I really thought she had slept with him. Then Tess and I ran away.�
�What happened to Tess?�
�She found relatives to live with. Beside the point. She told me that Kyle said nothing happened between him and Liz. I didn�t find this out until after...�
�After what?�
�This guy that we all met very briefly, he used Liz very badly and I didn�t know until it was too late. I left her thinking that I hated her and then he just took advantage of her. He bragged about it to my face. To my face.� Max tightened his fisted hand. �I came home, hoping to take care of her... and then I realize that she�s been sleeping with... my brother.�
The therapist waited for him to continue.
�We used to know each other so well... now... I just don�t know what to think any more.� Max opened his eyes; he was sitting on the couch.
�Do you remember your brother at all? I realize you were a child when your parents adopted you.� The therapist recapped his pen. His notepad remained blank. �Max. I can�t help you if you don�t talk to me.�
Max had imagined the whole conversation after his therapist had uncapped his pen.
�Your parents are very worried about you. According to them, you missed Thanksgiving, two weeks of school and you still won�t tell them why you left.�
�I just had to get away. You can�t know who you are if everyone is watching and waiting to see who you will become.� Max pronounced each word slowly and softly.
�That�s interesting.� He uncapped the pen and scribbled some notes. �Your parents are also worried about your faith.�
�They shouldn�t.�
�They get upset when you don�t attend services with them. Not even Midnight mass on Christmas. Is there some problem you have with God?�
�I don�t believe in him.� He answered simply.
�Why not?�
�Do you?�
�That�s beside the point.�
�Is it? If you can�t even admit to me that you believe in God... how could you understand that I don�t? How could you fathom the reasons that I don�t? Let�s just say that with all I�ve seen and done in my short life... I�ve been given no proof of a higher being such as God. I have faith in my family and friends. That�s all I need.� Max rose from the couch and went to the window. �That�s enough theological talk.�
--
Liz yawned as she scanned her English text into her head. It was Friday and she was bored and tired. School was losing all its appeal since the mastery of her gifts. Sure it freed her mind to think about other things... like Max. Isabel had been avoiding her all week. She hadn�t seen Michael yet and Alex had been keeping his distance since the scene at Michael�s apartment the Saturday before. Maria kept probing her for information about being Expatriate and sex.
Her week had consisted of sneaking off to find Zan so he could teach her how to maximize her powers, after which was usually a pretty active bout of lovemaking.
�Yo, let�s bounce.� Zan pulled her out of her seat.
�Wait. I can�t just leave. I missed last Friday already.� She protested and turned to gather her things.
�So ditch today too.� He waited impatiently as she put all her things away. �I wanna check that cave out.�
�Zan... Max is back.� She waited for him to respond but he just stared at her.
�Sweet. He made it through the summit.� He took hold of her arm and pulled her out of the school.
�Stop. You don�t understand.� Liz yanked her arm back. �I was waiting for you last night.�
�So.�
�So, you never came... Max did.� Liz wrapped her arms around herself. �I thought he was you. I didn�t know he was even coming back.�
�Did you fuck him?� Zan crossed his arms defensively.
�No!� She shouted and added in her head, �but we came awful close.�
�Then it�s no big deal.� He glanced into the parking lot. �Where�s your ride?�
�In case you hadn�t noticed... I�ve been getting a ride with Maria. My dad really doesn�t want me around you.� Liz sank onto a bench. �He knows that he can�t stop us but... he�s desperate. He thinks you pushed me into the street.�
�Is that what you think?� She noticed the amused twinkle in his amber eyes.
�No, you know I don�t.�
�Then forget him. He don�t understand us. He won�t. Leave it and deal.� He touched her face lightly, stroked her nose and back up. �Let�s bounce. We got better things to be doin�.�
--
Michael waited in Max�s room for him to get home. Isabel had told him that he would be coming home and not to let Liz tell Zan. The only way to do that was to not tell Liz. He felt really bad about it but all�s fair... and whatever that saying said. Michael heard Max talking through the door. �Mom... I�m just tired. I�ll get my assignments on Monday. I�ll be caught up in time for finals... I know it�s only a week and a half... Fine, I�ll go after school today...� The door opened and Max felt directly onto the bed, using his powers to shut the door.
�Rough day?�
�Michael?� Max�s muffled voice barely reached Michael�s ears. He rolled over.
�Shit... you look just like Zan. What did they do to you in New York?� Michael shook his head at his friend.
�They didn�t do anything. I did this.�
�What does Diane think of your manly facial hair?�
�She wants me to shave it off. She also wants me to remove all jewelry that must be inserted through the skin. She won�t talk about the tattoos. She starts tearing up when she sees one.� Max shrugged and made himself comfortable on his bed. After a few moments of silence Max brought up the delicate subject that Isabel had not really been willing to discuss with him. �What�s up with Liz? Isabel said that she�s been spending time with Zan.�
�Is that all she said?� Michael scratched at the back of his neck. �That is the understatement of the year.�
�Are they... is she...� Max couldn�t ask it. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. �They�re fucking... aren�t they.�
�You kiss your mother with that mouth?� Michael avoided the question.
�Tell me. Do you know?�
�Yes, unfortunately I do.� He looked at Max�s pained expression. �Yeah, they�re doing it.�
�He�s doing the same thing to her that Rath did... isn�t he.� Max was so sure that it had to be something like that.
�How did you know about that?� Michael�s eyes widened.
�He bragged about it... constantly. I had to set him straight.�
�Ok. Rath changed Liz�s will to want to have sex with him but... Liz and Zan are doing it of their own free will. Least, that�s what she keeps saying. I don�t think anyone could change her will again after what happened.� Michael sighed. �And I wouldn�t let it. Trust me. If I thought that he was using her... I would have kicked his ass or attempted to do so much sooner.�
�So you think that he isn�t?�
�Look. I don�t like the guy but Liz is family and she claims that they have mutual feelings of equal strength. If it weren�t for her constantly defending him to us... we would have tried killing him when he first popped up.� Michael watched confusion cross his friend�s face. �Oh... Isabel didn�t tell you about Liz?�
�What?�
�Liz is... damn it. What�s the word she used? Ex-pastry?� Michael racked his brain.
�Expatriate?� Max whispered.
�Yeah, how did you know?� Michael shook his head. �Anyway. She and I are very distantly related.�
�Liz is an Antarian?� Max shushed him. �How long has she known?�
�She was awakened last Friday. Her dad had a cow... but I did get a raise out of it. Nepotism is awesome. Hey, did you know that Liz�s grandmother��
�She was supposed to host my heir. I know. That�s why they staged the crash.� Max ran a hand over his face. �So you and Liz are getting along better these days?�
�Better doesn�t cover it.� Michael rolled his eyes. �You�d think we were brother and sister or something. She covers for Maria and I cover for her. It works out pretty good.�
�What?�
�Liz says that she�s coming over to my place but goes to meet Zan. Maria says she�s at Liz�s but goes to my place.� He raised an eyebrow when he told Max the next part. �Let me tell you. You and Zan are at the top of Jeff Parker�s hit list. Especially after he marked her.�
�He marked her?�
--
�I don�t know how I let you talk me into this.� Liz sighed as his cock slid out from inside her. She readjusted her clothes, putting them back into place. Zan�s zipper made a loud noise as it was restored to the up position. �Anyone could have seen us.�
�No one did.� He stopped her hand as it pulled her shirt down over her stomach. �When did that happen?�
�What?�
�That.� He pointed to his mark on her stomach. �I didn�t mark you there.�
�Max.� She whispered letting her head hit the wall behind her.
�So, he�s got his memories.� Zan fiddled with his lip piercing. �Let�s get out of here.�
He walked off, Liz followed while she pulled her hair off her neck, securing it with a rubber band that appeared out of nowhere. They stepped out of the alley and strolled into downtown Roswell. They entered the park, where they trained. There was a grouping of trees that hid everything they did from view.
Zan taught her how to control her powers. The day before he got her upset and then told her to use her powers. Liz soon figured out what he was trying to do, teach her to use them under strain and still maintain control.
�Can I ask you something?� Liz asked as she pushed a pebble across the path at an alarming speed.
�What?�
�What are you going to do? I mean... since everyone thinks you�re dead.�
�I�ll tell you what. I was made for two things. Fucking and fighting. I don�t gotta fight now so I�ll just fuck.� Zan didn�t even bother looking up as he answered her question. She opened her mouth to ask him another question. �Don�t ask me shit you already know the answer to.�
�What�s gonna happen now that Max is here?� Liz rushed to get out; slightly hurt at the tone he had taken with her. He only ever used that tone when he was close to admitting that she was well more than just a fuck to him.
Zan kept his mouth shut. He knew how she felt about him; he knew how she had felt about Max. The feelings were just about equal in strength. The truth was, he had no clue what he was going to do with Max around.
--
Max walked through the school to his locker, ignoring the stares and whispers. He had the list of assignments the counselor had given him to be caught up with before finals. All he had to do was get his books. The eighth period hallway buzz was in full effect the way it was every Friday just before the final bell.
Somehow the school seemed smaller than he remembered, less important. He opened his locker, stuffed his books into his bag and got ready for the long walk out to the Jeep to wait for Isabel. Then he heard her voice.
�Stop it. Let me get my books.�
�Hurry it up, yo. Let�s bounce already.� Zan muttered, glaring at everyone that gawked at him.
Max managed to keep his outward appearance in control but inside his mind was racing. Isabel was right. He and Zan looked almost exactly alike. If it wasn�t for Max�s preppy preference in clothes and Zan�s stud, there would be no telling them apart. Before he realized that he had moved. They were standing face to face.
�Yo little bro. How was the summit?�
Part 17
Max felt all the stares and whispers around them fade away. In the back of his mind he could hear the rumors spreading. People wondering what was going on and since when have there been two Maxes.
Liz turned slowly and noticed the two guys had the same look in their eyes. This was the moment she had been dreading. It was this moment that made the whole situation real.
Zan held out his hand. Max took it. �Finally get to meet the King, yo. How does it feel?�
�Shouldn�t I be asking you that?� Max raised an eyebrow. �I thought you were supposed to be dead.�
�Funny, I thought you was supposed be dead.� Zan countered. �Didn�t think anyone would make it out of that Summit. Where are Rath and Lannie?�
�Hell.� Max didn�t even turn his head at Liz�s gasp.
�Aw. You kill �em just for me?� Zan sneered.
�Tess killed them for me, actually.�
�Were is the little blonde? You got her pantin� away somewhere, just beggin� you to give it to her?�
�She went back to Antar actually. She�s going to lead our people to freedom. What she does with her feelings regarding me is none of my business.� Max kept his eyes locked on the spitting image of his own face.
�Wow.� Zan stroked his goatee. �Loved to stay and shoot the breeze awhile longer but I gotta get my woman home.� He pulled Liz to his side. She pulled back and turned back to her locker, forcing herself to remain calm as things unfolded behind her.
�Is she? She must not know you too well.� Max watched Liz�s back stiffen then returned his eyes to Zan�s. The older Antarian�s stance had gone defensive.
�She knows me better than I know myself.� Zan narrowed his eyes at his younger counterpart.
�Really? Then why was she trying so hard to get me into bed last night?�
�Yo, it was a mistake. Besides, you lost out. I�m the one that got her, not you.� They were standing nose to nose by that point. When they were pushed apart, they stood stunned until after they both received a slap by Liz.
�Now you can both forget it. I�m not property. I don�t care whose mark I�m wearing or who put them there. I am my own person. Human right.� Liz glared at them both, snapping her head around to look each in the eye.
Max then saw the butterfly on her neck. It was wearing a crown, his eyes widened. He and his almost twin stared after her as she stormed off muttering about what pigs men were no matter what planet they came from.
�Yo, you blew it.� Zan commented.
�Think you blew it too. Trust me. She doesn�t forgive easily.� Max spared Zan a pained glare and walked off through the crowd that had gathered to see what was going on. Zan fiddled with his lip stud a moment before taking off in his own direction.
--
Liz managed to make it to Maria�s car without breaking down. She was breathing heavy. For one split moment back there, she had remembered the things that Max had done and could do to her. It had taken all her strength to manage giving them what they both deserved for talking about her the way they were.
One minute after the final bell rang, Maria came racing out to the car. �Liz! Omigod. I just heard the craziest thing.�
�That two Max Evans were about to get into a fight over me?� Liz supplied, staring at the hood ornament.
�Yeah, actually.� Maria looked her friend over. Liz was wearing cargo pants and a tank top and did not look one bit cold. �Are you okay?�
�Yeah, um... I just... I�m a little heated. They both made me so mad.�
�Get in. We�ll talk until I have to work.� Maria got behind the wheel and waited for Liz to climb in on the other side. Once they were on the road, Liz turned on the air conditioner. Liz retold the happenings in the hallway all the while fanning herself with the cold air. �Ok. That had to have been really strange.�
�And to top it off. They have very few ways to distinguish them with their clothes on.� Liz fanned herself faster. �Why is it so hot?�
�Babe, it�s 65 degrees out side, you�re wearing a tank top, you have the air conditioner going and you�re hot?� Maria shook her head. �And what�s this about only telling them apart with their clothes on?�
�Maria! Get your mind out of the gutter.� Liz mentally told herself to do the same. �I just mean that Zan has a lip stud, Max doesn�t. Otherwise, they�re identical. Max, if you can believe it, is pierced and tattooed. Another thing is, Zan has tattoos on his chest and Max doesn�t.�
�How do you know that?�
�Well, Max came to my room last night and I thought he was Zan.�
�Oh! So the ex knows about the current. The shit has hit the fan then?�
�Max got really upset and just ran out last night before I could explain. When I told Zan, he just blew me off. I think Isabel has already talked to Max about everything.� Liz took a long slow breath.
�Liz, you�re starting to glow. What are you thinking about?�
�Nothing.�
�Nothing. Last time you started glowing... you were thinking about how you and Zan almost... But then you guys are past almosts...�
--
Max scanned his books, looked over his assignment sheet and waved his hand over a stack of notebook paper. In moments he had all the homework assignments that he had missed over the past two weeks. He wasn�t allowed to leave the house without his parents� okay. Sighing, he reached under the bed and pulled a bar with stoppers from beneath it. Opening the door, he pushed it into place and tightened the grips, using just a little of his powers to make sure it wouldn�t fall during his workout.
Max yanked off his shirt and rubbed his hands together before gripping the bar and lifting his legs off the ground. Gradually, inch by slow inch, he pulled himself up and let himself down. He ignored Isabel when she stopped directly in front of the door and stared at him. �What do you think you were doing?�
She tapped her foot impatiently. �Tish told me that you nearly got into a fight with your twin brother over Liz... at school. She couldn�t hear what you were saying to each other but she got the gist of it when Liz slapped you both.�
�We just got what we deserved. We shouldn�t have been talking about her the way we were in the first place.� Max never stopped his work out. �You weren�t going to tell me that they were together... were you.�
�I knew you�d figure it out. I mean, they are really, really disgusting together. I want to know about the summit.� Isabel hissed and leaned against the wall facing her brother.
�You don�t have to worry about it.� Max muttered through clenched teeth as he continued to pull himself up and down on the exercise bar.
�Don�t have to worry about it? I�m supposed to be Vilandra.� She hissed at him.
�All the world leaders think that you are dead... permanently. They saw Lannie�s body themselves... not to mention Rath�s. You and Michael and even Ava can be normal now.�
�We�ll never be normal, Max. Where�s Tess?�
�She�s probably on her way to Antar by now. She�s joining up with Larek to retake Antar.� He tried to keep his breathing even. �She�s going to take care of that end for me. She�ll contact us when there�s news.�
�How?�
�Probably through Larek and Brody.�
�Who�s Larek and what does Brody have to do with it?� Isabel sighed. �What are you going to do? You�re just going to sit back and let Tess do all the work?�
�NO.� Max dropped to the ground and motioned for Isabel to hold his feet for sit-ups. �Larek is an old family friend. When he contacts us, he�ll use Brody�s body. That�s why Brody hasn�t called wondering where I am. He�s been in New York. I am going to be doing something and I just found out that my part just got easier.�
�Enough with the cryptic, Max. Tell me.� She shifted, kneeling on his feet.
�Expatriates, here on Earth. If I can get them to ban together... we can have an Earth based army.�
�What the hell is an Expatriate?� Isabel was beyond impatient. When he didn�t answer right away, she leaned forward and yanked on his nipple ring.
�Ow! What the hell do you think you�re doing?� Max placed a hand over the throbbing nipple, alleviating the pain.
�Tell me.� She demanded. �Tell me or I�m telling Mom about the nipple ring and the tattoo on your back. I think she�d be very interest to know about the name Liz Parker being permanently branded on her son�s back.�
�Witch.�
�Don�t you know it. Tell me. I want to know if I can have my normal Christmas or not.�
�Okay, Nazi. It goes back a few generations. Antarians left Antar for Earth, secretly, to escape the wars. They�re called Expatriates because they were loyal to our father but they didn�t like the way I was running things. Most of them left when he died. A few years later, a huge crash was staged and many more escaped before the enslavement.�
�There are others like us?�
�No, not like us. They are suppressing their Antarian tendencies. They�ve been mating with humans in order to permanently break away from their roots.� Max whispered.
�How do we find them? Especially now that they are hiding... and if they left before we died... how will they know they can trust us?� Isabel pondered aloud.
�See, I thought it was going to be hard but Michael knows the Expatriate half of the story and I know the Antarian half of the story.�
�Michael didn�t say anything.�
�He�s still tripping over being related to Liz.�
�Michael didn�t tell me that much. I thought he was joking.�
�Here�s the deal. Liz�s grandmother was a little girl when she left Antar. She married a human and her son married a human. Liz is 1/3 Antarian. Liz is Expatriate. I�m going to talk to Mr. Parker later and see if we can organize a system or something.� Max nodded to Isabel�s disbelief. �They really are among us. The Expatriates thought that we, royal four reincarnated, were a rumor. We, Antarians, thought that Expatriates were a rumor. It�s kinda funny that the owner of the Crashdown is actually an alien himself.�
�Wow.� Isabel thought about it for a moment. �That�s why you�ve been drawn to Liz... isn�t it?�
�Maybe.�
--
�I am going insane. What was I thinking getting involved with Zan?� Liz paced her bedroom.
�I believe you were thinking with body parts below the waist.� Maria tilted her head at Liz�s glare. �Well, I do recall a conversation in which you were agonizing on whether or not to have sex with Zan. Why didn�t any of this sink in then?�
�I don�t know. Zan is just so dependable and loyal and sexy and smart and strong.�
�Babe, you just described Max. I don�t think that�s Zan.� Maria sat up on the bed. �Are you sure that you aren�t confusing them?�
�No. Maria. Don�t you get it?� Liz sank into her chair. �You told me that Max and I are soul mates... right?�
�Yes. I still believe that.� She leaned forward on the bed. �I�m telling you. You were made to be Mrs. Evans. From what you and Michael told me... that�s almost exactly what happened. I don�t see a Mrs. Zan on the horizon.�
�Okay. So... this is the deal. Max and Zan have the same soul. I�m serious. Don�t look at me like that. I�m not crazy.� Liz felt her anger rising. Maria was just sitting there with this look on her face that said �you�re insane.� Liz turned on her stereo, changed the CDs and turned up the volume and lowered it again just to release some energy that was building in her body.
�Okay, when you do that... it freaks me out.�
�Would you rather the lights explode? Or the pillows change colors? That�s what happened when my dad made a scene that day.� Liz let her frustrations float away. �Like I was saying. If you take fingerprints, they are the same person. They look exactly alike. They have the same soul. The only real difference is that Zan is more alien and Max is more human. But... Zan has changed a lot since he came here and Max is so different than when he left.�
�What are you saying?�
�That if I have to choose... I don�t think I can.�
--
Zan watched Ava hang on Kyle in the Crashdown. Disgusted, he turned to the counter and nodded to Maria. She leaned on the counter and glared at him. He tilted his head back. �What�s your problem?�
�My problem? You bragged about having sex with my best friend to her ex-boyfriend, the love of her life. If you really cared about her... that would have never happened.� Maria narrowed her eyes at him. �You know... sometimes... I just want to rip that stupid goatee off your elfin little chin.�
�Dare you to try it.� He smirked at her.
�Don�t tempt me.� She moved past him. Almost immediately, Jeff Parker replaced her in front of Zan.
�Yo pops.� Zan barely raised an eyebrow.
�You don�t give up. Do you? You�ve taken her from me, marked her and anointed her. She is my daughter. I will not stand for this.� Jeff was having trouble keeping his anger in check and his voice low.
�It�s her choice. Far as anointing goes... it�s just a formality. The Queen is headed for her throne, the princess is dead as is her fianc�... Did I mention that the Queen is only that in name only?� Zan leaned forward. �She never accepted the anointing. I think Liz will do just nicely.�
�Your father was a good person. How you were borne of him, I�ll never know.� The older man shook his head.
�How would you know? If memory serves... your mother was a child when she was taken away from Antar. My father was great and I am my father�s son.� Zan�s amber gaze never left the blue of Jeff�s. �I suggest that where I�m concerned, you mind your own business.�
�How about you leave Liz alone?� Max�s voice ripped through the quiet hostility. �She was doing fine before you interfered.�
�If I hadn�t stepped in, she would have died during her awakening.� Zan glared at his counterpart. �You�re the one that started it.�
�And I should have been the one to end it.� Max took a seat next to Zan, facing Mr. Parker. �Mr. Parker, may I speak with you, regarding matters of the Expatriate forces?�
�Whoa. Expatriate forces? There aren�t enough of us to do any fighting.� Jeff held up his hands. �We don�t want to fight. Reason number one for leaving that damned planet in the first place.�
�Can we talk without him?� Max gestured to Zan.
�Aw, come on, bro. Share the wealth. I wanna hear.� Zan goaded Max. �These are my people.�
�My people. I�m the man.� Max stood up.
�You think you the man? You ain�t nothin�. How long it take you to even realize what you are?� Zan rose to face his mirror image. �I�ve always known.�
�It doesn�t matter. I�m the one who knows what�s going on. I�m the one who took the chance and went to the Summit.� Max twirled the ring on this left hand around his fourth finger. �You�ve just been messing with everyone�s heads since you�ve been here, haven�t you?�
�I don�t do the head games.�
�What about that crap you pulled with my parents?�
�Please. If they don�t know what you are then they�re idiots.�
�Enough!� Liz appeared out of nowhere. She shoved them apart. �I am getting really tired of this. What is it that turns the two of you into Neanderthals when you�re in the same room?�
The three men just stared at her. She glared at each of them, her father included. �I�ll say this again. I am not property. Oh and I finally got a look at the butterfly.� She smacked Zan on the shoulder. �You anointed me without my permission.�
Liz locked eyes with Zan and saw the hurt that lay within them. She knew that he was disappointed that she didn�t want to be anointed. �Whatever. Bouncin� yo.�
He stalked out of the restaurant. Liz started to call after him but remembered that she wanted to talk to Max alone. It wasn�t that she didn�t want to be anointed as much as the fact that he didn�t ask her first. A creature very similar to the butterfly was a favorite of his father�s. He had once told Zan that it was a strange crest to have but it misled their enemies. Surprise was the most valuable form of attack. Liz turned to Max. �I need to talk to you.�
�I�m here to talk to your father.� Max didn�t look at her.
�And I told you. We won�t fight.� Jeff shook his head.
�I just want to be prepared in case our plan backfired.� Max hissed. �If Tess gets killed on Antar before she can take our planet back with Larek�s help... They will come to Earth. Skins.�
�You�re not serious. Skins?� Jeff paled.
�Dad, they�ve already been here. Congresswoman Whitaker. Courtney.� Liz didn�t mention when the whole town had disappeared because of the Earth-based Skin army led by Nicholas.
�You see what you�ve done? You�ve brought your war here.� Jeff slumped against the counter.
�Which is why we need to form an army here.� Max insisted. �I need you to spread the word but tell everyone not to panic. The number of skins left on Earth is but a handful. Those have few years left to live but the others will be coming for the Granilith.�
�The Granilith is here?� Mr. Parker suddenly perked up. �It�s here. We have a chance, then.�
--
Max led Liz through his house to his room, hoping to escape his mother but was not that lucky. �Max, I thought you were in your room doing your homework.�
�Yeah, I was. I needed help and I didn�t think it was fair to make Isabel help me. Liz will catch me up and I�ll be finished in half the time.� Max quickly explained.
�Oh, Hi!� Diane�s expression twisted into a smile and then confusion, as she looked Liz over. �It�s been a while since I saw you last, Liz honey.�
�Hi Mrs. Evans.� Liz nodded. �We should get started. We want Max to be my salutatorian, don�t we?�
�Come on, my grades were never that good.� Max shuffled past the two women and into the hallway, pulling Liz behind him. �Catch you later, Ma.�
�Let me know if you need anything.� Diane called after them. Max propelled Liz into his room and shut the door, locking it soundly.
�That was a little rude.� Liz commented as she took a seat on his bed.
�Trust me, when she asks if we need anything, the answer is no.� He caught her questioning headshake. �Just trust me, if you�ve ever tasted a frijole frittata, you�d know the pain it is to live in this house.� Max sat next to her on the bed. �What was it that you wanted to talk about?�
�A lot of things.� She turned to face him. �Like about Kyle...�
�I know.�
�You do?�
�Tess told me after Rath shot his mouth off.� Max caught the question forming. �She�s on Antar by now, hopefully, setting things in motion to retake Antar... for however long it can sustain life.�
�Okay. Wow.� Her eyes shifted to her hands.
�Nothing happened between us.�
�Hey, that�s none of my business.� Liz knew she was glad that nothing did happen between them.
�Liz, you have to know that I still love you. That I never stopped.� He took her hand in his. �I will never stop.�
�But Max...�
�Do you still care about me?� Max locked eyes with her.
�Of course I do. You just can�t shut off feelings like that.� Liz tried to pull away but he pulled her closer. Her body started glowing. Liz cursed silently at the Antarian instincts inside her. Even they couldn�t tell the difference between Max and Zan. Her body relaxed and his grip loosened.
�Show me why you felt the need to shut them off.� He whispered.
�Show you?� She couldn�t take her eyes off his lips. Her tongue whipped out to lick her suddenly very dry lips. Images from the night before flashed through her mind, fueling the glow encasing her body. The way Max tasted, the feel of his hard body against her, the scent that was pure Max, the sounds he made when she touched him just right, the sight of his ripped body before her. The more turned on she got the brighter the glow that emanated from deep inside her body.
�Show me.� Max saw the glow and it had meaning in the back of his mind. He was unprepared for her attack. Her fingers speared into his hair, forcing his face to hers. Their mouths met in a hungry kiss. Max wrapped his arms around her and waited for the flashes to answer all his questions about the past couple of months.
Liz sighed when she felt the connection flare up and the images shot back and forth. She witnessed the rage that Max felt when Rath taunted him in New York. She knew his thoughts when he had performed his makeover. He had done it for her. Antarians put on �war paint� before a battle or war, while they did this they kept the one they love the most in mind.
Max saw himself with Liz, his older self. He heard it all, saw it all, felt all her anguish that night when just moments before she was so happy that he would pick her over destiny. He watched her sacrifices. Then he watched the force that Rath had put on her. Then he saw how things evolved with Zan. He broke the kiss after her awakening.
They panted into each other�s necks. Max tasted the metallic sweetness of Liz�s mouth. Had he not tasted it, he would have never known he was missing it. �You got your tongue pierced?�
�Like it?� Liz rubbed her lips over his, mumbling her question.
�Love it.� Max met her kisses eagerly. They moved slowly and tenderly. Tongues slipping in and out of each other�s mouths and hands moving over each other�s bodies. All thought flew from their heads as they fell backward onto the bed.
Max shifted so that his upper body lay across hers. Then he felt one of her legs wrap around his and she rolled them both over so she was straddling his hips. Liz ran her hands over his chest, disintegrating his shirt. Her mouth left his and opened over the mole on his chest. Her tongue whipped out, wetting his skin before traveling down to his unpierced nipple. He groaned as her fingers found his other nipple and scraped over the ring and sensitive nipple.
Max ran his hands up her legs, cupping her ass, bringing her down against his erection. Liz ground her hips against him, purring into his chest. She sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. He watched as her clothes melted away, revealing every inch of her sexy body. Suddenly it was her bare skin under his hands. Her hot wet opening ground against his crotch. Liz ran her hands down his legs and his jeans disappeared along with boxers.
Liz couldn�t control herself, she rubbed her body against his, softly moaning his name. He ran his hand up her body to hold her to him as he kissed her neck. They stopped being able to tell where they were touching and not touching. She kissed his flesh wherever it presented itself to her. Max knew she was ready but he was going to prolong it as long as possible.
Finally, their mouths found each other again. He rolled on top and slipped his hand beneath her head to keep it from flopping back over the edge. Her legs wrapped around him, thrusting against his hips, urging him inside her. Max braced his feet on the floor for leverage. Liz clutched onto his shoulders. �Max... please... oh god... please.�
�Liz, I love you.� Max kissed her lips softly before entering her body slowly. It was heaven, having her all around him. He paused to savor the moment that he and his Liz were physically joined.
�Oh Max.� She whispered. Her voice sent him into action, thrusting in and out of her tight body. Max made sure his mouth covered each of her cries, else his mother should be near the room. Liz�s fingers gripped his shoulder and arm with such force that he knew he would be bruised. His free hand massaged her breast, teasing the nipple as he drove into her body.
They built up their pleasure together, rocking together in a sea of sensations. Max slid his hand down her body, gripping her thigh so he could increase the speed and force of his thrusts. He released her mouth and listened to her soft rasps. Her inner walls began contracting all around him. Max knew she would come soon, he just had to hold off coming until she did.
Liz fought to keep the scream from escaping her lips but even Max wasn�t fast enough to keep it from reverberating around the room. Her body spasms sent him over the edge, muffling her name in her neck.
It took several moments for them to realize there was someone banging on the door. Quickly, with a wave of their hands, they were both dressed. Max held his hand out and two books and paper flew into his hands. He made gesture at the door and then took Liz�s elbow in his hands.
The door flew open, admitting his mother and father. �What�s going on in here?�
�What?� Max asked innocently.
�We heard a scream.� Diane glanced at the two teenagers. �Then the door was locked.�
�The door wasn�t locked.� Max shook his head. �Liz hit her funnybone.�
Liz couldn�t do anything but nod and pinch her lips together. Philip glanced around then examined the door. �It must have gotten stuck. I�ll call a carpenter in the morning.�
�How is the homework coming?� Diane butt in.
�Oh, yeah.� Max let go of Liz�s arm and plucked a couple sheets of paper from the stack. �We�re a quarter way through the list.�
�Okay. We�ll leave you to it then.� They left Max and Liz alone.
Once the door shut, Liz collapsed in a heap against Max. His arms came around her and he pressed his lips to her head. She let herself relax and enjoy his warmth. �I feel so tired.�
�Then let�s sleep for awhile.� He murmured into her hair. The books and papers flew from the bed onto the floor. They lay back on the pillows and arranged themselves comfortably before they both drifted off.
--
Maria stuffed her apron into her locker and pulled out her street clothes. She was already pulling off her uniform when she turned around and came face to face with Zan. �What the hell are you doing here?�
�I need to talk to you.� He glanced around for Mr. Parker.
�No, you don�t. You need to leave Liz alone and let her and Max get back together. You need to stop making her turn into a glow-bug every time she�s horny.� Maria gave up and yanked her shirt over her head and pulled her jeans on under her uniform before wriggling out of it under her clothes.
�What?� Zan�s head snapped around to stare at her hard.
�You heard me. Stay away from her.�
�No. You said she was glowing. Was that today?� Zan advanced on her.
�Yeah, it was today... after school actually. Let me tell you, she�s going to have to get a hold on those fantasies if she�s going to light up every time she thinks about sex.� Maria snorted. �It�s a dead give away.�
�She�s not supposed to glow anymore.� He growled before disappearing out the back door. Zan tried to control the myriad of thoughts in his head. Liz had started glowing again. He was so sure that the awakening process had been completed. What did it mean?
Part 18
When Liz opened her eyes, it was light out and she felt warm. Then she remembered making love to Max in his room. He knew everything that had happened and he still loved her. Lifting her head, she looked into Max�s face. She touched a finger to his beautiful face, tracing his features with a feather light touch. His arms tightened around her as his eyelashes fluttered against his cheekbones.
�Morning.� He whispered burying his face in her hair. �Guess we were tired.�
�Yeah. I get like that after sex when preceded by glowing and soul baring experiences.� Liz managed a small smile.
�I meant what I said. I do love you, Liz.� Max pulled back to look into her eyes.
�Max...� Liz kept touching his face. Her finger lingered over the bare spot underneath his lip. It just reminded her that Zan had a piercing there. That she had made love to Zan in the park just hours before she had made love to Max. Tears stung at her eyes as the turmoil persisted in her brain. She had only one response to him. �I can�t say it to you until I can be absolutely sure that I love no one else but you.�
�Do you? Do you love Zan?� His circle of warm grew slack as his eyes peered into her face.
�I don�t know.� Liz sat up and rubbed at her eyes. �I will tell you what I do know. Until you showed up in my room the other night, well after I realized it was you... I didn�t think you still cared about me. Then when I met Zan, it was like an instant connection. He knows what I�ve been going through.�
�You sure about that?�
�Max, Zan and I have been exchanging memories for almost two weeks. We know each other inside and out... just like...� She trailed off, not wanting to hurt Max.
�You and me.� Max nodded and rolled onto his back. �You know... I was still upset with you when I got to New York but when Rath shot off his mouth... I wanted nothing more than to kill him for even talking about you.�
�Max, this is all very confusing for me. I don�t know what to do.�
�Answer me this. Can you talk to him like this?�
�Yes.�
�Does he tell you that he loves you?� They locked eyes and time passed around them. It was several minutes later that they were interrupted by Max�s mother.
�Morning kids. Liz, I called your father last night and told him where you were. You kids looked so exhausted from studying I just didn�t want to wake you.� Diane effervesced as she spoke. �Oh, Max, I made breakfast. Those frittatas that you liked.�
�Um, actually...� Max ignored the heaving that his stomach did whenever the abhorred frittatas were mentioned. �I think I�ll just take Liz home and check in with Mr. Davis.�
�Okay. I�ll save you some though.� She flitted out the open door.
�Wait for me to shower?� Max got up and began pulling clothes out of drawers and closets. Liz nodded and lay down in the spot where his warm body had just been. She knew she would have to choose but she didn�t know if she could live without either of them. One thing she would definitely have to do would be to tell Zan.
--
Michael finished with the stove and turned to Jeff Parker, who had been watching for a while. �All done, boss. Ready for the lunch rush.�
�Michael, have you been awakened?� Jeff asked seriously. The restaurant was dark and quiet around them. They didn�t open for another 2 hours.
�I don�t think it works like that for us. Why?� Michael pulled the bandana off his head and shoved his hair out of his face.
�If you had your powers, you could clean that stove in seconds.� He commented and crossed his arms.
�I have my powers... I just... I�m not too good at them. They don�t always work the way I want them to. So... I�m just trying to make sure you don�t have to replace the whole stove in case they get out of control.� Michael smirked.
�If I had mine, I would help you. The way things are going... I might have to go through an awakening of my own.� Jeff shook his head and gave a dry laugh. �I can�t believe I never felt the four of you.�
�Yeah well, there were eight of us. Four and four. I think maybe some things went wrong in the crash. I talked to a guy that was there and saw the pods. He says one set was leaking. Then um, Rath told me that one set was defective to begin with.� Michael glanced up the staircase. �Max told me when he got back that... he thinks we are the real four and that the others were too alien.�
�It�s possible. My mother never really told me much. Now I wish she would have but she was focusing on us living normal lives. She wouldn�t have wanted Liz to have been awakened... and I realize that had Max not started it... she would be dead now.�
�Maria... she said that Liz has been glowing. Is that part of the awakening?� Michael asked cautiously.
�Initially. I�ve been having to call on my mother�s memories more and more these past few days.� The older man sighed. �From what I can understand only someone with a strong connection to the one awakening can create the glow. Once the process is complete, the glow stops.�
�But Maria said that Liz was glowing yesterday.�
�That�s not possible.� Jeff shook his head. �Once she�s awakened, it�s done.�
�Then how did Zan make her glow in the first place? They only knew each other five days at the time.� Michael pointed out.
�It doesn�t make any sense.�
--
Zan sat on Liz�s bed and waited. He could hear her in the shower. Normally he would just walk in there and have his way with her but he didn�t feel he had the right anymore. Keeping his cool exterior was easy but the thoughts that ran through his brain were tiring.
Max was right, Zan was no longer the king. Everyone thought he was dead and the Summit leaders had met Max. He should have figured that he�d end up with nothing in the end... not even Ava. Max got everything. He got an adoptive family that loved him, he got the throne, the girl, respect. Zan was dumped in a sewer, his mate dumped him, his sister tried to kill him, his best friend helped her, the throne was taken away from him... it didn�t matter that he never wanted the damn thing in the first place.
Ava. That one stung. For almost 13 years he believed that he had loved her and knew that she refused to return the sentiment whole-heartedly. He told her that he loved her when they were alone and she would shrug it off. Then she would fight with him and go find someone else to entertain herself with. One thing had kept him from saying those three words to Liz. Even though he knew he did... he was afraid she would leave him.
Zan had to swallow his pride or else lose her. Liz emerged from the bathroom, hair dry, make up done, clothes on... looking beautiful. �Yo.�
�Hey... Zan.� Liz stopped in front of him. She didn�t know what to say.
�I wanted to tell you some things.� He started. His palms were sweaty and his throat dry but it was the most human he had ever felt in his entire life. �Don�t go cornball, Zan. She�ll dump you for sure.� He took a deep breath. �I know I don�t say it but you know I feel it. I love you and I don�t know how or why but it�s right.�
�Zan...� Liz bit her lip. She didn�t want to repeat the conversation that she had had with Max just an hour before.
�I sorry about anointin� you without your permission. But I was watchin� you sleep that day and I knew it had to happened again and again.� He caught her sly look. �I ain�t talkin� about sex. I meant the watchin� you part.� Zan shook his head to get back on track. �You want me take it off, I will.�
�No.�
�What?� He wasn�t sure he heard her right or understood what she was saying no to.
�No. I wasn�t mad that you anointed me. I was mad that you didn�t ask first. I�m over it.� Liz sat next to him. She had to tell him the truth. �I slept with Max last night.�
�I know.� Zan stood up and crossed his arms. He was preparing himself for the inevitable goodbye speech. �I�ll just head out west or somethin�. If it�s him you choose... I won�t mess it up.�
�Zan.� Liz felt the tears stinging at her eyes again.
�I mean it. Say the word and I�ll leave.� His harsh voice stung but she know what he was doing. She knew them both so well.
�Stay... at least until I can figure this out. I can�t tell you I love until I�m sure.� She fell back on her bed. �Why do I have to make this decision? It�s not fair.�
�Yeah, well. You can�t have us both.� He turned and crawled out the window.
�Why the hell not?� She asked no one in particular.
--
Max ran into Brody in the hallways of the UFO Center�s secure areas. Brody looked upset. �Max. What�s today?�
�The 9th.�
�Of November?� Brody shook his head. �Not possible.�
�You�re right, cause it�s December.� Max nodded to his boss�s head shaking.
�I don�t believe it. They took me again.� Brody marched down to his office and began typing into a journal of sorts. �Did they take you?�
�Yeah, actually. We�ve been gone three weeks. My folks thought I ran away. I don�t remember a thing. You?� Max played into the fantasy just to keep a good cover.
�No.� The older man shook his head. Then a voice made them both turn.
�Brody! You�re back.� Maria rushed into the room. �I got worried when you disappeared.�
�Maria. You�ll never believe it. I was abducted again. Max too. This was much longer than last time.� Brody turned and kept entering data into his system. Maria edged toward Max with a questioning look.
�He was at the summit.� Max whispered to her. �They possessed his body so that my dear friend Larek could speak to us.�
�Can they do that? Just borrow bodies whenever they want?� Maria forgot to keep her voice down.
�Well, if no one believes that it�s happening, there�s no one to stop them.� Brody called over his shoulder.
�Listen, Maria.� Max pulled her out of Brody�s hearing range. �We have to keep an eye on him.�
�Why?� Her green eyes went wide with curiosity as she waited for him to continue.
�Well, Larek is supposed to contact me as soon as there�s news. That could be today, tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now... but I need to speak to Larek when he does try to make contact.� He quietly explained things to her.
�And Larek will use Brody?� She waited for his nod. �But why Brody? He�s been abducted twice already.�
�He wasn�t abducted. Larek uses Brody�s body... sort of like a puppet and he won�t remember a thing.� He reassured her. �They don�t hurt him.�
�As long as they don�t hurt him. Brody is... good people and good people don�t deserve to get hurt... so...� Maria smiled brightly. �Liz didn�t answer her phone this morning and I know that you and she were supposed to have the talk... spill, girlfriend.�
Max couldn�t stop the smile that crossed his face. Too late he covered it up and raised his eyebrows with a shrug. �We talked in a manner of speaking. Everything�s out in the open.�
�So when do we get rid of Zan?� Maria did a little happy dance.
�I don�t think it�s gonna be that easy.�
--
�Lizzie, we need to talk.� Jeff pulled his daughter aside. �Michael and I were talking... he told me that you�ve been... glowing?�
�Well, yeah... Dad, we�ve already had a really embarrassing discussion about this.� Liz buried her head in her hands as she sat on the living room couch.
�I just think it�s really important that we figure this out. The glowing comes from the awakening. Afterwards... it�s not supposed to happen again. Ever.�
�What are you saying, dad?� Liz looked up, she needed answers to that very situation. �Tell me what�s supposed to happen.�
�Okay, just listen to me.� He sat on the other end of the couch and began. �Do you remember the Hendricks?� She nodded. �Their daughter is like you, her father was half. She and a full blooded, Earth born Expatriate fell in love. He couldn�t suppress his Antarian instincts and so she was awakened. First there was change in diet, then the glowing when... you know. She described the awakening as falling until she felt safe and only then did Antar appear to her. Her husband said that she looked really peaceful until suddenly her body convulsed. After it was complete, she reverted to her instincts. She was hungry, sleepy... aroused... That was the end. They�re still married, they have three kids and they are disgustingly happy.�
�Then why did I start glowing again?� Liz smiled a little at his last sentiment. �Everything you described... I went through that with Zan. Then... yesterday I was glowing. Max and I made a connection. Then all the after effects happened. We... then we slept and this morning I was starving. By the way... if Mrs. Evans ever offers to make you a frittata... the correct answer is anything but yes.� Liz gave a little shutter. The frijole frittata was not a pleasant experience and she should have tried harder to refuse. �What does this mean, Dad?�
�It takes a strong connection to initiate an awakening. What is your connection to Zan?� Jeff studied his daughter�s face while she thought it over.
�He�s just wonderful, Dad. I know you think he�s evil and will break my heart but... that tough stuff is just on the outside. Zan is just Zan... there�s no other way to really describe him. He�s a good guy. He doesn�t want to be king... he just wants to be.�
Jeff hid his smile with his hand. �And Max.�
�Max saved my life.� She sighed heavily. �I wish Grandma Claudia was here. She�s already met Max.�
�She did? I don�t remember him around her while...� He shook his head.
�Well... in a manner of speaking. When we were at the hospital... Max helped me say goodbye to her. She told me to follow my heart wherever it lead me...� Liz�s face pinched up in sadness as she remembered the last moments her grandmother was alive. �I just don�t know where that is anymore. They have the same soul. They were made from the same material into the same bodies. I just... I don�t know what I�m going to do.
�The same soul?� The wheels began turning in his old brain.
�You know, Maria was asking me the same thing yesterday. There are very few actual differences between them. The soul is the same, the history. Just the way they lived on Earth has been different. Like being reincarnated twice at the same time in two bodies. Maria says that Max and I are soul mates. That nothing is supposed to keep us apart, not even his supposed bride. She thinks that because we�re even technically the same species that it must have been meant to be.�
�Maybe... no...�
�What?� Liz looked up at her father, intrigued.
�I�ve never heard of this, from any of our fellow Expatriates. Then again, no person has ever been reborn into two separate bodies.� Jeff scratched at his head. �Maybe you aren�t supposed to choose.�
--
�Let me get this straight. Mr. Davis was at this summit thing with Max. He doesn�t remember anything but whenever Tess gets things straightened out on the home planet, this guy Larek is going to use Mr. Davis as a sort of... telephone to get in touch with Max.� Sheriff Valenti glanced at Maria.
�Hey, you said to keep you in the loop. This is what I know. So... I�m going to be spending a little more time with Brody like Max asked so that we know exactly when Larek tries to contact him.� Maria shrugged.
�I don�t like it.� Michael shook his head. �Who knows if we can really trust this Larek guy?�
�Look, buck-o. Max said he was a dear friend and I trust Max. Do you?�
�Of course I do.� Michael immediately spat back.
�Then shut up about it. Now. I�m taking Brody his dinner. I�ll be in touch.� Maria grabbed the bag off the counter and bounded out of the kitchen.
Valenti glanced out the door. �So is what I�m hearing about the Parker�s true?�
�Depends... who told you?� Michael went back to manning the stove.
�Maria, but Alex warned me that I needed a filter to pick out what�s true and what�s exaggerated.� Valenti twirled his hat in his hands.
�Most of it. Mr. Parker is like distantly related to my former self... on the alien side and it�s all fun and games in the Parker household. Mrs. Parker is completely human. Max is back and looking like Zan. Liz is going crazy and she�s got powers. Any questions?� Michael glanced over his shoulder.
�I think I got it.� Jim nodded. He opened his mouth to ask something else but changed his mind. �I�ll be checking in.�
�Don�t worry about Ava. She won�t hurt Kyle or anything. According to Liz, she�s harmless.�
--
Zan stared at the punching bag. The sound of punches could be heard, the dust flew off where impacts were made but there was never any other visual confirmation that contact was being made. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her. Saw her as she lay beside him sleeping, saw her laughing at something he did, saw her telling him a story, saw her disgusted with some comment he made. All the faces were beautiful; they were all Liz.
�Show off.� Her voice drifted over his head.
�Yo.� Zan turned his head to find her slinking over to him. �You remember the combination I taught you?�
She stopped and changed her route to face the punching bag. Liz didn�t bother to arrange her stance, she improvised. Right punch, left kick, left hook, spin, high right to the �neck� and still.
�Sweet.� He flashed her a smile. �Like how you just strolled up and then cut loose. Would have caught him by surprise.�
�Hey, you�re the one that taught me.� Liz bounced over and plopped down beside him. �Have you been here all day?�
�Where else am I goin�a go?� He lay back and tucked his hands under his head so he wouldn�t be tempted to touch her.
Liz lay next to him, using his arm as a pillow. �Can you just hold me? For a little while? I need to think and I don�t feel whole right now.�
�I ain�t got nothin� else to do.� Zan brought his arms around her and inhaled her scent.
�Why do you do that?�
�What?�
�Play everything down like you do. I�ve been inside your head, what you feel and what you say don�t always match.� Liz shifted onto her side to face him.
�Like you said, you�ve been in my head. Why does Max do it?� He countered.
�Max does it because he wants to be human... but he isn�t so he pushes everyone away. He tries to protect them. I think you do it because you don�t want anyone to know that you feel.�
�There you go.� Those were the last words spoken that afternoon. Liz�s head hurt so she closed her eyes and before she knew it, she was asleep.
Nothing made sense until the end. Grandma Claudia squeezed her hand and led her to a room. They kissed cheeks and then Liz was urged inside. The door shut behind her. She walked to a mirror and looked herself over. Her streaked hair was pulled on top of her head, a turn of her head revealed the butterfly. She wore a white dress with silver trim.
Two figures appeared behind her. Both wore white leather outfits, trimmed in silver. As they approached the mirror, their differences became clearer. Max and Zan. They moved in perfect synchrony. Liz watched her reflection as they both pressed kisses to her temples. Their hands ran down her body. Their lips traveled down her neck. Liz moaned under their attentions.
Suddenly she was snapped out of the room.
�Liz? You okay?� Zan whispered.
�Sorry. I guess I fell asleep.� Liz shook her head and sat up. It was a bizarre dream to have... and it didn�t help at all.
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