Max opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. Memories surfaced of other times he had stared up at that ceiling with Liz by his side or on top of him. The corners of his mouth turned up at the thought of Liz. A whole night of uninterrupted rest had done him good. The three parts of himself were merging quite well. It helped that two of his three parts held the same opinion of her. The third had recognized her as his lover but hadn�t been able to place her name until the other two let themselves be heard. He ran a hand over his face, chuckling softly. �By the Light, I�m a schizophrenic. I�m even thinking of myself as three separate people.�
The night�s rest had done him real good. He felt strong like he never had been before. He sat up and threw his legs over the side of the bed. Max made his way into the Parker apartment. Liz was still asleep in an armchair and Isabel was sprawled out on the couch. He leaned over the back to touch her shoulder. �Hey um... Isabel. Isabel.�
�Leave me alone.� She whined and pulled a cushion over her head.
�Isabel.� He hissed again.
�Damn it, Max.� Isabel sat up and opened her eyes. It took her a minute to realize where she was and what had happened the night before. �Max... is that you?�
�Hey, he�s in here somewhere.� He smiled down at her. �Where are your parents?�
�Our parents.� She corrected him. �They went home last night. I stayed just in case you needed me.�
�Thanks sis.� Max touched her face lightly. �You know... I never forgot who you were. I just didn�t know you were Isabel...�
�Did you think I was Vilandra?�
�Yes and no. I knew you were my sister but the name just escaped me. I�m working on it. It�s like my brain is rusty. Older memories come easier... if that�s backward enough for you.� Max hopped over the back of the couch to sit next to her. �I was taken apart molecule by molecule and fused together with another person and then reconstructed... It�s gonna take a awhile.�
�Hey remind me to soundproof the walls tonight.� Liz sat up and stretched.
�Hey Liz.� Max flashed her his infamous half smile.
�How do you feel?� She asked, taking note of how the bond between Isabel and Max seemed to be intact.
�150 per cent better than I ever have. Gonna have to do something about this hair,� He tugged at his white locks. �Gonna have to grow this back.� He rubbed at his chin. �And I�m not too sure about these clothes.�
�That�s what the Granilith gave you. I think it took your clothes and your jewelry.� Liz pulled her blanket tighter around her body.
�See, there you go. That�s another thing I�m missing.� He snapped his fingers. �I loved that ring... and I�m not the only one who liked the tongue stud.�
�Don�t forget your tattoos.� Isabel smacked the shoulder that used to house his favorite tattoo.
�Oh yeah. See I liked that one. Wish the Light had let me keep it.� Max rubbed the shoulder where his favorite words had once been.
�I don�t remember that one.� Liz shook her head. Isabel and Max exchanged a glance.
�Yeah, well, you would have liked it too.� Isabel got up. �I�m gonna go raid the kitchen.�
�Go ahead.� Liz nodded and pointed in the general direction of the kitchen. �Tabasco is in the refrigerator.�
�Is something wrong?� Max stayed where he was but he got the feeling that it was a little closer than Liz would have liked.
�Why would you think that?� She wouldn�t meet his eyes.
�For one, you won�t look at me. Two, I know you. Something�s the matter.�
�We should talk... later. Let�s go get something to eat.�
--
�Brody, you�re okay. Nothing happened to you.� Maria stroked his hand gently.
�How do you know? I mean, they took me again. Right out of my rooms at the Center. I was this close to finding the location of aliens on Earth.� He held up his fingers to demonstrate. �Then they put me back in the desert.�
�Good thing we were out having a bonfire.� Michael nodded sincerely. �You could have been out there for days... no one would have found you...�
�Michael, can it.� Maria hissed at him.
�It seems like every time I�m alone, they take me. What do they want with me?� Brody leaned his head back on his couch. �They�re already here, why are they taking me?�
The phone rang. Michael answered it. ��Sup? ... Who? ... Yeah, yeah, this is Brody�s place... He�s a little sick right now, actually... Sydney--�
Brody jumped up and ripped the phone out of Michael�s hands. �Hallo? ... I�m sorry... I was feeling sick actually... Are you still bringing her or not? ... Sydney is my daughter too... So bring her a week early... Of course it�s not an inconvenience... I am the boss, Nicole. I make my own hours and I dictate policy... (Click) Love you too.�
�The ex?� Michael asked and narrowly dodged Maria�s well-aimed smack.
�So, Sydney is coming?� Maria smiled sweetly.
�Yes... I just hope they can refrain from taking me while she is here.�
--
Liz eyed her parents when they walked into the kitchen. They looked like teenagers in love. Isabel raised her eyebrows and mouthed �okay.� Max grinned at the Parkers then turned his smile on Liz. Liz looked away but was biting her lip to keep a huge smile from showing.
�Okay, Mom, Dad. We�re gonna go see how the Evans handled everything that we told them last night.� Liz stood and motioned for Isabel and Max to do the same. The moment that Max stood up, Jeff bowed his head and remained like that until the threesome had exited the room. Liz and Isabel took a brief moment at the base of the stairs to make themselves presentable, with the aid of their gifts.
Along the walk through town to the Evans, Isabel felt like she was suffocating. The tension she felt between Max and Liz was palpable; for some reason she stopped and stared at a streetlight. As Max and Liz continued down the street towards it, it blinked off. Her eyes took in the surroundings. People on cell phones started hitting them and punching buttons to keep them working. Isabel turned around and saw people staring at their phones that had just started working again. She hurried to catch up with them. They hadn�t noticed a thing.
--
Diane curled her hand around her coffee cup and watched her husband think. She barely registered the news program that was on the television. �A bizarre set of events this early December morning. Last night, an unprecedented event, a tremor shook Roswell. Many citizens never felt a thing. It is believed the epicenter is out in the desert, near Highway 82. Power outages occurred shortly thereafter along Main St. Attempts to correct these problems are under way... This just in: Main St. power is back on line but the outages are traveling across town...�
�Philip.� Diane whispered.
�This just doesn�t make any sense. How could this be possible?� Philip shook his head. �Our children are normal.�
�Do you remember the pigeon?�
�Pigeon?� He shook his head. �What pigeon?�
�A few months after we brought Isabel and Max home... we took them to the park, there were pigeons everywhere... one of them had a broken wing.� Diane hoped that if he could admit what had happened that day, he could see what was going on now.
�You told Isabel to leave it alone but Max picked it up. He wouldn�t put it down. I remember. He held it in his hands and locked eyes with me. Then it flew right out of his hands.� Philip sank into a chair. The lights flickered and the TV shut off, startling them both. Ten minutes later, three teenagers walked into the kitchen.
�Um, hi.� Max stepped into the kitchen. �Mom, Dad.�
�Max, how are you feeling?� Diane decided that she shouldn�t push him if what Isabel and Liz had said was true.
�Better. I remember now... well, I remember more. It�s like when you have a template then it breaks and then you put it back together and make a copy. Then after you�ve used both copies for a while... you try to put them back together and... there are extra pieces and missing pieces but it�s still whole.� Max locked eyes with his father. �Make sense?�
�No, but I think I understand.� Philip nodded. �Shouldn�t we notify someone of what�s going on? There is so much craziness going on as a result of what happened last night.�
�No!� The teenagers yelled. Isabel�s eyes filled with tears. �Dad, no. We can�t tell anyone who isn�t already involved.�
�But shouldn�t we tell someone who can help?� He insisted.
�No. You don�t understand.� Liz shook her head. �There is no one on Earth who can help...�
Max�s mind replayed the events of the previous May in his head. There was only one way that his father would believe the horrible things that had happened to him. �Do you trust me?�
�What kind of question is that? I�m your father.� Philip bristled at the implication.
�I want to show you something but it will only work if you trust me.� Max knelt before his father and held his hands. �Relax and look into my eyes. I�ll match my breathing to yours.�
The two were only linked for a matter of seconds but that small about of time was enough to transmit every second of terror that Max had felt in the white room at the hands of Agent Pierce and the FBI. Philip pulled his son into a tight embrace. �I�m so sorry.�
�Mom?� Isabel turned to her mother. The two women hugged, leaving Liz to feel very out of place. She started to edge her way out the door when Diane saw her.
�Liz, honey. Thank you for trying to explain everything to us. I know this hasn�t been easy on you either.� Mrs. Evans pulled the girl into a hug.
�It�s been a change.� Liz admitted, hugging her back.
�Okay. Mom, Dad. I know that you have more questions but I have to talk to Liz first.� Max then looked at Isabel, remembering how much she had wanted to tell their mother about them. �Or you can ask Isabel.�
�Yeah. I can answer almost everything.� Isabel smiled.
--
Liz led Max to his room and sat in his chair. He sat on the bed facing her and waited but she didn�t start talking. �Liz, what�s wrong? I�ve been getting this strange feeling from you since last night.�
�It�s just that everything is happening so fast. Ever since I got back from Florida... I�ve pushed you away, I�ve let you in, I�ve shoved you away, I broke your heart, I made you hate me and then you were gone.� Liz let the tears roll down her face. �Then I was violated and made to believe that I didn�t love you. Then Zan. He just waltzed in and swept me away. He was everything that I loved about you but he had this rough edge to him. When he helped me realize who I was... I needed his strength, his understanding. I almost forgot about you.�
Max let her talk. He had seen a lot of this during his times with her but she needed to speak the words. A huge part of Liz was still human, and that�s what he needed. She couldn�t lose sight of where she came from. As much as she was her father�s daughter, she was also her mother�s daughter as well.
�That night that you came to me. I thought you were Zan, I really did. When I realized it was you. I was overwhelmed. I had thought you hated me but there you were seducing me.� Liz gave wry little laugh. �You never gave up on me but I had given up on you. When you told me that you knew about Kyle and Rath, it floored me... that you could still love after all that.� Liz kept her eyes on the floor by his feet, not willing to even look at his feet. �Do you know how scary it was that you couldn�t remember your own names but you knew you loved me?�
�There�s more.� He whispered.
�Yes, there is. I didn�t have time to process all of this at the time but I felt it. I was angry that you expected to come home after nearly a month and that I�d just lie back and let you have me. That after the way you left, you would expect me to just jump into your arms like this summer and fall never happened. I was just... you had some nerve to make such assumptions about me.�
�You don�t mean that.�
�You�re right. I don�t.� Liz sighed and wiped at her eyes. �Cause then I could be angry at Zan for the way he was so possessive of me.�
�Do you feel better?� Max asked, that amused twinkle in his eye. �I mean, you didn�t make it easy on us, the way you walked around wearing practically nothing all the time.�
�Max. I�m trying to be serious here.� She threw a pencil at him from the desk.
�Ok. I�ll be serious.� Max locked his eyes on her face and let the memories surface. �I was upset at you when I left. I still couldn�t believe that you had slept with Kyle... especially when I noticed that the two of you weren�t even dating. I wanted to hate you but I never could. I loved you too much. After Rath shot his mouth off, I couldn�t think about anything about you. I didn�t think you would forgive me for letting what happened to you happen. I should have been there to stop it. You did try to talk to me and I blew you off.�
Liz knew she needed to hear it but it hurt her that she had caused that turmoil.
�I let Tess help me with memory retrieval so I could go home to you. So I could take care of you. And the more I remembered about being King, the more I realized that everything Tess had done to tear us apart didn�t work for one reason. I never loved her the way I loved you. The way I still love you.� Max tried to hide a smile. �When I came back, I went to you. I just wanted to see you, to make sure you were okay. I thought you were asleep. I couldn�t believe you were naked... all I could do was stare at you. My heart was doing flip-flops because you wanted me.� He took a deep breath. �I know that we didn�t intend to sleep together when I got back but then your instincts reacted to me.�
�How did you know that?�
�I told you. The Light answered all my questions. Zan and Max have the same soul. You and I are soul mates... that�s how I was able to start the change in the first place. You couldn�t have just had one of us. We are the same.� Max hoped that she understood. �And neither of us would have backed off.�
�Really, now.� Liz pursed her lips. �What if I had broken up with both of you?�
�Both of us would have wormed our way back into your life.� Max said matter-of-factly. �Liz, why is the wall still there?�
�I don�t know.� She shook her head and sighed.
�We took the risk that one of us would have to die to be what we had to be. To be King, to be with you. We were willing that you would have at least one of us. The Light saw the sacrifice that we were willing to make and fused us together. We love you.� Max pulled her chair closer to him. �I love you. I will always love you. No matter what happens, we�ll get through it. We will be stronger for surviving this, Liz.�
�Are you sure? I was so scared that you would die in there and then there you are and you don�t remember my name.� Liz felt the tears building up again. �Then you didn�t remember Michael or Isabel or Ava... you parents. But you knew Larek.�
�I explained that. I know you. If you had decided to tell me your name was Queen Doofus of the planet Klingon... I would still love you and know you. There has only ever been one Larek in my life. Isabel, Michael and Ava have had two or three lives just like me. I knew them. You, there�s only one you, but you�ve only been in two of my three lives. It just took a little time.� Max gathered her hands into his and kissed her knuckles. �You didn�t do this to me. This is what�s best. For everyone.�
They pressed their foreheads together, sitting in silence for awhile. Liz giggled out of nowhere. �What?�
�You are Max Evans, King Zan of Antar, ruler of an entire people on two planets, fates of billions of lives rest on your shoulders, and you have school tomorrow, an 11 o�clock curfew and you�re on probation.� Liz just burst out laughing. �How do you feel?�
Max started laughing with her. �Well, once I convince my shrink that there actually are three people in my head, I�m sure I�ll feel just fine.�
Once more silence hung over them, much more comfortable than what it had been. Max needed to clear something up. �Liz, I was never with you just to make love.�
�No?� Liz hid the smile on her face but couldn�t hide the smile in her eyes.
�It was never about sex, none of it. Not the soap factory, Michael�s apartment, your room, the park, the alley, the eraser room, the janitor�s closet, here, your parents� bed, the couch, the break room, the backseat of your car...�
�I think I get the picture.� Liz put a finger to his lips.
�It was about us, me not really being able to believe that you loved me enough to make love to me. Like a dream, you just want to hang on to those moments just in case it ends and you wake up.� Max leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. �Can we do this right? Start over with the dating and then progress towards the other stuff?�
�If you insist but um... I wouldn�t mind just picking things up from where they were.� Liz leaned in to kiss him again. �Although I do think we need to get back the tongue stud and the nipple ring, maybe the gauge nine in your eyebrow.�
�What about the hair?� Max sat up for her inspection. �I like the spikes.�
�Me too and if the white is there to stay, it�ll look better.� Liz nodded with a goofy grin.
�And these clothes...�
�Keep them. You don�t have to wear them but I like the shirt.� She ran a finger down the lines in the shirt as they formed to his muscles.
�Can I do something?� Max slid his hands into her hair and combed them from scalp to the tips of her hair. �I like it better like this.�
�Only if I get to do this.� Liz ran a hand down his neck, caressing the nape of his neck.
�Okay, I can�t see what you did.� Max craned his neck to see in the mirror.
�You marked me... so I marked you.� Liz smiled.
�I guess it�s only fair. Come on. I�m starving. Maybe we can teach my mom how to cook the way she used to.�
--
Max strode through the halls of West Roswell. All eyes were on him. For most people it was because no one had seen him in three weeks. Everyone had figured he had taken off after hearing the rumor that Liz had slept with Kyle. To their shock, Liz had walked in with him, arms around each other. Kyle had walked in with his arm around a pink-haired Tess.
For a select few, 50 or so, their eyes followed Max and Liz. When the couple came close, their heads bowed in recognition before resuming their former tasks. It was subtle so that no humans were aware that it was happening. One or two teachers had done the same. Few people thought to question the whereabouts of Max�s older brother Zan and why Liz wasn�t too broken up about him being gone.
Max couldn�t believe how many kids at school really had Antarian lineage. So many more families must have escaped than previously thought. If it was an army that he wanted, it was an army that he got. A glance in the mirror at Liz�s locker reminded him that it wasn�t his army, it was the Light�s will being done through him, the hallowed one.
Part 24
Maria walked into Brody�s office talking and complaining about Michael once again. �So the guy thinks he�s going to get out of getting me a Christmas present. I told him, that today is the last day of finals and he�s got a week to get busy and you know what he said?�
�Hi.�
The voice made Maria scream. She hadn�t even noticed the little girl sitting in the chair until it turned around. �Who are you?�
�Sydney Davis.� The little girl turned back around to the game on the screen.
�Oh... you must be Brody�s daughter. Where�s your daddy?� Maria quickly pulled herself together.
�He�s in the back.�
�Wow. Well, he didn�t tell me that you were coming or else I would have brought you something to eat, too.� Maria set the bag down on the table and backed away.
�I ate on the plane.� Sydney shrugged and opened the bag.
�Oh, well. Tell your dad that Maria said hi.�
�Okay.� The little girl shrugged again. Just then Brody walked into the room. He halted upon seeing Maria.
�I was just leaving.� Maria pointed to the door with her thumb.
�I didn�t pay you.� Brody reached for his wallet.
�Don�t worry about it. I have a little left over from that huge tip you left me. Bye Brody, bye Sydney.� Maria waved and exited the room. She waved to Max and was out the door.
Max waved back and went back to shoving alien guts into a plastic alien body. Before, working at the Center had seemed morbid, now it was amusing that humans thought of his people this way. He was pulled from his thoughts when Brody rushed into the main room with his daughter in his arms.
�Max! I need you to drive us to the hospital.� He yelled out.
�What�s wrong?� Max pulled his keys out of his pocket.
�We need to hurry. She has a fever.� Brody was on the edge of panic. Max could see that very clearly. Very rapidly he made a decision. It was the least he could do after all that Brody had been through. �Max!�
�Lay her on the ground.� Max ordered, changing course to intercept Brody.
�What?�
�Just do it. I can help.�
Reluctantly, Brody laid Sydney on the ground. Max knelt beside her and placed his hands on her head and heart. A glow shone out from the sides of his hands as the connection was made. Brody watched in wonder as Max�s face screwed up in pain and concentration. When it was over, he faltered backward.
�What did you do?� Brody asked.
�I helped her.� Max whispered.
�Daddy?� Sydney sat up. Brody placed a hand on her forehead but only encountered cool skin.
�How do you feel honey?�
�Sleepy. Can we go home?� She asked softly.
He picked her up in his arms once more. He stood but turned back to Max. �They gave you this gift... didn�t they?�
�Yeah.� Max nodded and watched them leave. At least he didn�t have to make up a story. Brody had done it for him. It was dark and quiet around him, just what he needed to recharge after a save like that. The poor girl was on the brink of a relapse... one she wouldn�t have recovered from.
--
Liz groaned and pulled a pillow over her head, pressing the phone even harder to her head. �Alex, Maria, you don�t understand. They�re like rabbits.�
�I�m sure it�s not that bad.� Alex sighed into the phone. �I mean, you and Zan were like that too.�
�But they�re my parents.� Liz huffed.
�Let me guess, Zanimax is still holding out on you.� Maria deadpanned. �Big whoop. If Michael suddenly decided to stop being physical so he could be sweet and charming... I�d definitely go for that.�
�How about we stop talking about sex?� Alex suggested. �Let�s talk about Liz�s new popularity.�
�Or the weird trend spreading through school.� Maria added.
�What do you guys want to know?� Liz pulled the pillow off her head and stared in her reflection. Her streaks had been gone for three days and she didn�t know what he had done but they wouldn�t come back. But she had gotten him back. The mark she had left on his neck was her family crest. It was a tree, bright green with flaky bark. It was really very small but the detail was immaculate.
�Ok, explain to us how everyone knows that you and Max are whatever it is that you are?� Alex probed. Liz could almost see his blue eyes waiting in anticipation.
�Max and I have spent a great deal of time talking. He said that the only reason Zan knew I was different was because Max saved my life, awakening just a small part of my alienness. So... he didn�t notice all the other when he�d gone to school with me.� Liz took a breath and keep going. �Now that others have been awakened, they can just feel him. It�s him they�re bowing to, not me.�
�Not true. I saw Paulie bow his head when you passed him in trig.� Maria pointed out.
�Maybe it�s because Max and I have both been chosen.� Liz didn�t really know what she was talking about but it sounded right.
�Chosen. Does this have to do with the butterflies and the white hair?� Alex quickly put together the things that had never been answered to his satisfaction.
�Okay. Let�s see. The butterfly is like the Antar royal seal. Their version of the butterfly is much uglier as a caterpillar, much prettier as a butterfly but... if even it�s wing brushes you... you could die.� Liz eyes went wide as she explained. �So it�s kinda misleading and all that. Disarming to look at. Anyway, me wearing the mark basically means that Max has chosen me to have his kids.�
�Lizzie, you�re not... are you?� Maria couldn�t even say the word.
�No.� Liz scoffed. �But Larek has already told people on Antar already, they�ll be expecting a child... soon.�
�Okay, so you�re his royal baby maker.� Alex cracked.
�Shut up. You guys wanted to know and so I�m telling you.� Liz huffed again.
�Okay, okay. So what�s with Max and his premature grayage?� Maria pressed.
�It�s not gray. It�s white. The Light touched him. Do you know what that means?� Liz�s voice was full of awe. �He�s special. Max is important. The Light chose him to lead this army that it created on Earth. I think that�s also why people at school notice Max. I mean, could you imagine God just taking you inside him and telling you everything that you wanted to know?�
�Is that what happened?� Maria whispered.
�Not exactly. But Max is still processing a lot of the things he was told. If you ask just the right question, he could tell you things... sometimes it just blows my mind. Max is like sacred now.�
�And you�re trying to get into his pants. Isn�t that sacrilegious?� Alex pointed out.
�Okay, so it doesn�t exactly make sense.�
�It does explain why everywhere Max went on Sunday, there was a power outage.� Alex went on.
�Yeah, wasn�t that weird? I think it was the electromagnetic pulses that the Granilith sent out. I mean, Max was right in the middle of it. Who knows how much of that he absorbed?� Liz had often pondered that phenomenon in the past few days.
�Okay, we�re losing her. She�ll start talking science and we�ll never learn anything.� Maria groaned. �Hey! Why are all the Anti-Antarians getting pierced?�
�Hey, they�re behind Max now.� Liz protested. �It�s like... I don�t know. The metal makes up for something that we lose by being here on earth. It�s all very strange but Max noticed it before he and Zan merged. The taste is incredible. It ups the tasty value of all food and makes for awesome make out sessions.�
�TMI, Liz.� Alex complained.
�Anyway, Michael told me that Courtney had asked him about piercings once. It�s just something that makes living on Earth more enjoyable for Antarians.� Liz shrugged. Suddenly she glanced at the window. Three seconds later, Max�s spiky head appeared over the side of the roof. �I gotta go.�
�Oh, see, she calls us when she�s bored and the second that Max goes over, she�s too busy to talk to us.� Alex teased his friend.
�Oh I know. How self-involved is that?� Maria agreed with him.
�I�ll see you tomorrow at school.� Liz hung up the phone and waited for Max to climb through the window. �Working late?�
�I was supposed to but Brody left early and I�ve just been walking around for about two hours now.� Max shoved his hands into his pockets.
�Maria told me that Brody�s daughter is here.� Liz nodded and sat up. Max leaned against her desk and nodded slowly. He wasn�t ready to tell her what he had done. �Did you talk to anyone about the um... pulse?�
�I explained to Valenti what was going on. I think I really confused him but Kyle was there, he kinda understands. Um... it seems that the local geology team has an Expatriate. I gave the order to keep everything hush-hush. So this whole ordeal will be... unexplained.� Max kept his eyes on her feet, but even those toes were sexy.
�That�s good.� She pursed her lips. Then remembered something that had happened at school. �What did the counselor want?�
�That... I went into her office and the principal was there too. They think that I might be starting a gang. I tried explaining that I didn�t even know all the kids that were dressing like me and... they had to let me go because my grades are good and I don�t have a record...� He trailed off as their eyes met. They both had the same marks on their records. Eraser room. �... for trouble that is.�
�Um... has Larek tried to contact you yet?� Liz asked, seeing that he wanted to stay but didn�t want to have to make anything up.
�No. He said resources were running low. It may be a while yet before he can contact us with news. Brody... hopefully it doesn�t happen while Sydney is here. He�d totally flip out and with Sydney feeling better now. I wouldn�t want their time wasted since she lives with her mother.�
�What are you talking about Max?�
--
�Maxwell.� Michael nodded to his friend. They had decided to meet out at the old soap factory. Max had promised to teach Michael some control, as well as some good moves for defense.
Max never stopped throwing punches and kicks at his punching bag. His frustrations were building. Liz was pushing to move forward, she was upset at him for healing Sydney... well, not upset exactly, concerned was more like it. Isabel had been dancing around on ice, just waiting for her parents to tell her that they were disgusted by her alien heritage. His parents kept staring at him as if they expected him to sprout a second head. Michael was barely talking to him. The kids at school were either bowing or staring... sometimes both.
�Brody told Maria what you did. Why�d you do it? You could have gotten caught. What if Brody had decided to tell someone? He took her to the doctor this morning. All tests came back clean this afternoon.� Michael ranted. �This isn�t just about you. What if we all get picked up tonight?�
�Chill!� Max spun around and strode over to his second. �I had my reasons.�
�Care to share?�
�She was going to die. Brody has been unwittingly helping us since the moment he got here. If I had let her be... she�d be on her way to the morgue now. I had to do something.� Max ran a hand over his face. �Brody thinks I have a gift that �they� gave me. He won�t tell anyone. Sydney won�t even know what�s happened to her.�
�Don�t you ever think about the rest of us?�
�All the time!� Max felt his frustrations come to a boil. �I never wanted to be a King, Michael. When I killed the protector that saved my life... I did it because I knew that Rath and Lannie were coming to get me. I couldn�t risk the knowledge of the second set getting out. I took that loyal shapeshifter�s life to save mine, yours, Tess�s and Isabel�s lives. When Valenti was onto us in the beginning... I was seriously going to turn myself in so that you and Isabel didn�t have to deal with this. When I was in the White Room... you guys were all I thought about. I didn�t care what happened to me.
�Michael. I let the summit leaders all think you and Isabel were dead. You don�t have to do this. You can be normal. Isabel can be normal. This isn�t something that I would want anyone to go through if they could avoid it.� Max went on, not knowing whether or not what he was saying was making an impact. �Do you understand that it was just something I felt I had to do?�
�I guess.� Michael lifted a hand then dropped. �Sorry.�
�You want to learn the combination that Liz used on you in the kitchen?�
�Hell yeah.� Michael snorted. �I�m going to get her back for that.�
--
Isabel had told Alex and Liz everything that she had been feeling. It had started back when she had told Larek her name wasn�t Vilandra. The protest had felt wrong at the time, it still felt wrong. �I have these dreams where I meet this man and I love this man... a lot. Next thing I know... I�m surrounded by carnage.�
�Memories.� Liz whispered almost to herself.
�You think? I mean, Tess was dead, Michael was dead and Max and I were staring at each other with murder in our eyes. I�ve never felt the things that I felt in that dream.� Isabel whispered, afraid to admit what was going on. �Max and I... we... I�m just afraid that it will become like that.�
�You can�t shut him out.� Alex advised his ex-girlfriend. �That�s what will happen if you do. It will cause a rift and then you�ll drift apart and turn on each other. You have to talk to him about this.�
�Michael told me that he�s been feeling like a different person.� Liz admitted.
--
�Why do you think I remember the battles we planned together?� Michael slammed his fist into the pillar, not even feeling the sting.
�You said that you and Isabel passed out while I was in the Granilith?�
�Yeah.�
�Maybe when the Granilith was puttin� me back together, it fixed you guys too.� Max shrugged. �What about Ava?�
�Kyle said that she was out for a minute when Liz lost her concentration.�
�Cause Tess is still alive...� Max nodded his head. �We�ll have to wait until Larek contacts us to know what happened but I think I�m getting the picture.�
�Right.� Michael nodded then smirked. �In the meantime, would you please service my cousin? She�s damn annoying when she�s horny.�
--
�Maria, slow down.� Max spoke calmly into the phone. �Start from the beginning.�
�Ok. I�m babysitting for Brody. He�s Christmas shopping for Sydney, so I said that I�d do it. We were playing just fine and then, a minute ago she started talking really funny. I really think you should get over here.� Maria took a deep breath and blew it out, making a whooshing sound into the phone. �I think it�s a contact.�
�We�ll be there.� Max hung up the phone and turned to Liz. �Let�s go.�
�Max, what is it?� Liz stood up from the bed. They had been talking, yet again, when the phone had rang.
�Maria, something�s up with Sydney.�
--
Max watched Sydney walk around and examine the house. She hadn�t noticed him yet. �Maria, do all humans live like this?�
�I wish. This is pretty sweet living if you ask me.� Maria snorted. Sydney turned just then and spied Max. She immediately bowed.
�Your highness.� Sydney whispered.
�Who are you?� Max asked, leading Liz further into the house.
�Apologies, King Zan. Larek is quite busy. He has appointed me to take over his contact position. My name is Kiro.� She tilted her head.
�What news do you have, Kiro?� Max sat and waited.
�Queen Tess is dead. She made a stronghold on Antar just before she met with Khivar. On the day of the meeting, she was weak and just before Khivar used her weakness to his advantage, she killed him. She died moments after.� Kiro stepped forward. �I was in attendance and I must say that I�ve never seen the power that she released when I thought she was at her weakest.�
�Khivar is dead... Tess is dead. Who... What has been happening since the meeting?� Max ran a hand through his hair. This was just too big to process all at once.
�Well, there was a skirmish while Larek was gone. Those loyal to you, fought very bravely. News spread quickly of your orders and Khivar�s death. Our people revolted. We are free.� Kiro�s smiled grew bright. �We await your new orders.�
�Wow.� Liz whispered and sank down on the arm of Max�s chair.
�Might I add that we are all very excited that you have found someone to bring more royal blood to Antar. Larek told us that you had anointed a woman and that you had been touched. The light is with us.� Kiro beamed. The small girl looked very proud.
�Okay. So Tess is dead... just like that? I mean, I didn�t like the girl but how can it happen?� Maria butt in.
�Later.� Max cut her off. �Kiro. I don�t want to hear from you in this body anymore. Find a different one. You will be the liaison. You relay my orders. Incarcerate the betrayers, rebuild what you have to. Talk to Larek, he�ll help you out. I want peace, but train who you have to, to maintain the peace on Antar.�
�Sir... you have to appoint someone to lead the army. Without Rath, we are lost.� Kiro advised.
�But--� Maria tried to cut it but Max raised his hand to her. He and Liz exchanged a look and Liz took Maria into another room.
�What happened to Medi?� Max asked, pulling himself from his seat.
�Medi died in the final battle. All the officers were executed after Khivar took over. We have no army.� Kiro spoke. It was so strange to hear such mature talk come from such a small little girl.
�Ask Larek to lend you ten of his officers. Recruit any one who is willing to defend our planet. No children, no teenagers. Don�t force anyone. Train them well.� Max sighed. �Larek has promised to help in anyway he can.�
�Yes, sir. I will see what I can do about changing hosts and then I�ll get back to you with Larek�s response.� Kiro closed her eyes and then collapsed. Sydney opened her eyes, rubbing them. �Did I fall asleep?�
�Yeah, I�ll go get Maria.� Max rubbed the small girl�s hair.
--
�Tell us, Max.� Michael demanded. This routine was feeling familiar.
�Alright, now that we�re all here.� Max looked around the Parker living room. All eyes were on him; waiting for him to answer their questions. �Tess is dead but she won. She took out Khivar before she died.�
�How did she die?� Ava asked softly.
�Kiro told me she was weak but let out a blast of energy much too strong for her state of body. I think that the minute or you that you were passed out in the chamber, was Tess drawing strength from you to finish what she went there for.� Max scratched at the back of his neck. �I think maybe all our souls were made whole again. Zan and Max joining. Tess drawing strength from Ava and then dying. Isabel and Michael�s black outs. Those dreams are memories, guys.�
�What are we going to do now?� Isabel sighed heavily.
�That is really up to the three of you. As far as the inhabitants of Antar are concerned, I am the only one left.� Max looked each person in the eye. �If you want to be normal, do that. If you want to join in, I�ll find a way to reintroduce you to the court. What do you say?�
Ava fiddled with her lip piercing, looking from friend to friend. Isabel looked to her parents. Michael kept his eyes on his own feet. Kyle crossed his arms and turned to Ava. Maria shook her head at Michael�s silent form. Alex just waited, there was nothing else he could do. Liz watched Max watch his friends. She didn�t really have much of a choice; his people knew about her. The Evans could barely grasp the meaning of what was going on. The Parkers knew what these kids chose to do was going to affect two worlds.
�I do need an answer. Options are limited here. I have yet to meet anyone at school who doesn�t want to train to fight. Their parents are busy drawing on their memories and learning their abilities. We can�t involve the government. They wouldn�t understand and any warning we give won�t be nearly enough. I pray that the fighting won�t make it down here but who knows how many of the traitors will be caught and how many will escape the sweeps?� Max sat down and grasped onto Liz�s hand. �So what�s it going to be?�
Part 25
�I have to admit that I�m in awe of him.� Diane sipped her coffee at the Parker table. �I always knew he was special but... my son is the ruler of a planet of alien beings.�
�I know how you feel. When I married Jeff, I knew that he was different. Claudia and I had a talk about the importance of being normal.� Nancy sighed. �It just didn�t hit me until Liz was holding a cushion in her arms and the colors began rapidly changing before my eyes. I just never expected any of this.�
�Philip took this hard. We know that Isabel and Max aren�t really ours but we could pretend. Max just doesn�t seem to need us anymore. He never talks to us and this... I think it makes it harder.�
�Liz has never been able to really talk to me. She and Jeff have a really strong bond. They can talk about anything.� Nancy peered into the living room where her daughter was listening to her friends discuss the situation. �Even Max.�
--
�So, you�re a member of the royal court.� Philip looked over Jeff�s rifle, eyeing the crosshairs.
�Afraid so. Although I could imagine the snubbing already. Shape-shifters vs. Expatriates.� Jeff rolled his eyes.
�Shape-shifters?�
�Well... Here�s the deal. All true Antarians are shape-shifters. Expatriates by now are a mixture of Antarian and Human. Our shapes are fixed. We can do almost everything but change the face we wear.� Jeff explained as well as they can.
�How do you deal with this? I know he�s my son, but he�s also King Zan. How can you teach your son to be a man if he already is one?� Philip glanced down the hall where he could see his son talking to his sister.
�My mother was intended to be the royal surrogate. So she was brought here to escape a fate that her parents didn�t want for her. She met my father, but unfortunately as things go, he didn�t stick around long. She thought it was a curse, that we would never find love if we weren�t normal enough. So everything we did was normal. My favorite flavor is vanilla, I like my food bland, I went a little wild as a teenager, followed around a band like the other kids.� Jeff followed his companion�s gaze to the living room where he could see Max sitting like the King he was. �I did everything I could when Liz was born to keep her normal. She was normal. Now she�s set to be Zan�s surrogate and that�s what she wants. No matter what her plans are, she still talks to me. They need advice... they�re still kids.�
�I suppose you�re right. We can�t make up their minds for them... but we can be there for them.� Philip nodded solemnly.
--
�All I�m saying is that while I want to be normal... I want to meet my mother. I can�t have her thinking that I�m dead when I�m right here.� Isabel whispered to her brother. �Did Larek or Kiro mention her?�
�No, they didn�t. I don�t think they know where she is.� Max whispered back and looked across the room where Michael and Liz were talking.
�I know that you want to go, Michael.� Liz laid her head on the arm of the couch and reached out to touch his hair.
�I do. I want to go. I want to see if my parents made it through. I want to see if I�m really the warrior that I am in my dreams and memories.� Michael swatted away her attempts to stick his hair up in the air. �I just don�t know if I want to leave. Do I want to give up the only family that I know I have? Do I want to forget that I have a sorta girlfriend that tends to hate my guts?�
�I kinda don�t have a choice. I mean... if Max goes... I�m going. I wouldn�t stay here without him. If I asked him to, he would stay... but I�m not going to.� Liz shifted her glance to Ava. She and Kyle weren�t talking but they weren�t sucking face as per usual.
�I ain�t goin�. I don�t want it.� Ava decided and announced it to the room. �I never wanted none of it. I did what I was supposed to. I was companion to Zan, I gave him up when I was supposed to, I don�t got a damn thing left to do but live and die.�
�Okay.� Max let out a relieved sigh. He felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. �Isabel, Michael?�
�I don�t know. I really don�t want to regret my decision, Max.� Isabel admitted. �I don�t want to hurt Mom and Dad. I don�t want to hurt our real mom. I can�t make this decision today.�
�Me neither, Maxwell.� Michael agreed with her. Maria turned around to let out her breath of relief.
�I think what we mean is... we�ll be here for you. If you need us to go when you need to go... we�ll go.� Isabel hoped her brother knew what they meant.
�Okay, when the time comes, we�ll figure something out. Once we have more details... it should be easier to make a decision. I know I said I needed an answer but under the circumstances... where are we gonna go?� Max ran a hand over his face. �Meeting adjourned.�
--
Max led Liz out of the old soap factory and over to the old fence. The stars shown brightly down on them from the nighttime sky. He hadn�t said a word since suggesting they take a walk. It was cold but they were both hot from their work out session. �Max?�
�You know... it feels strange to be call that... even after the past week.� He admitted. Liz had learned to take note of which Max had control. It wasn�t as if it was a major difference but the shifts were noticeable to her. Sometimes he was the same old Max that she had always known, then he�d be aggressive and dominating like Zan and still other times while the dominating attitude was present, he�d speak very regally.
�Would you rather be called Zan? Cause I can do that...� she told him and leaned back against the fence.
�What do you want to call me?� He turned his amber eyes on her and waited for an answer.
�What do you want?� She pressed. She could see how he was struggling with this. �Talk to me.�
�I am three people and one soul. We all agree but we all have different reasons for it. I have lived three lives.� He leaned on the fence beside Liz for support. �I remember the day that Vilandra was born. I remember my studies, the war games, Rathard�s pranks. Larek and his eternal penchant for getting me into trouble. I remember the day my father died and how I held my mother for hours while she cried.
�I remember meeting Avaria just a day before the wedding. I was so young and shy around women that I believed I loved her. I remember being introduced to Clada. She was just a child and already it was decided that when she came of age... she would begin sharing my bed. I remember how it felt to kill my own sister before I died myself.
�I remember pushin� though my membrane, yo. I fell on the floor of the filthy sewer. I pulled Lannie out of hers. Together we pulled out Rath and I... I helped Ava all by myself. We nearly froze to death that first night. We ate garbage and stole clothes for two years until the protector found us. I remember the day I realized that Ava was mine. I used to steal from paper bags on the subway. The first thing I ever killed begged for her life. She was sent to protect us and once we got the info we needed. I killed her.� Max took a deep breath.
�I remember watching Michael leave the cave. Isabel waited for me, I was waiting for Tess but we gave up and wandered out into the desert. I remember learning to read with my dad. Seeing you the moment I stepped off the school bus in the third grade. The day we found Michael, he had gotten into a fight. We ran after him and cleaned him up so the teacher would never know. I remember the first day of high school, you were wearing this blue tank top and this navy skirt and I remember thinking that if they were much tighter... I�d be spending the first day back at school in the boys� bathroom.� He chuckled at her shy smile. �I remember the exact moment that I first kissed you. It was only going to be a kiss but then I just couldn�t stop.�
�What�s all this about?� Liz tilted her head to look into his face.
�I am trying to deal with all this stuff in my head and just dying to wrap myself in you and forget it all.� He moved closer, locking eyes with hers.
�Why haven�t you?� She whispered.
�Because I didn�t want to be with you if I was still good as married to her.� From the tone of voice, Liz could tell that it was the original Zan�s influence. �It wouldn�t be right because I love you so much more than for you to be my surrogate.�
�So now that Tess is dead and Ava wants to be normal and stay here...�
�I can choose my bride and it will be accepted by all my people.� He smiled at her. His eyes drooped as Liz slid between his body and the fence.
�Zan...�
�Max.� He corrected her.
�Max, my parents went to a convention this morning.�
--
Liz pushed Max down on her bed, straddling his lap as she sucked his tongue into her mouth. The way she pulled his tongue into her mouth then relaxed until it almost slipped out of her mouth just to suck it back in again, reminded him so much of how she had once done that to a lower part of his anatomy. His groan vibrated in both their mouths. He ran his fingers through her hair, keeping her head close to his as their bodies rubbed against one another.
She clutched onto his shirt, ripping it down the middle so she could knead the hard flesh beneath. Liz tried desperately to control the fire running rampant through her body. It was very difficult not to grind herself against his erection beneath her. Finally they broke their kiss for some much needed air.
Running her fingers over his chest, Liz bit her lip. �How do you want it?�
�What?� Max�s heavy lids rose just high enough to watch her heaving chest before him.
�This is for you. Michael�s apartment, the janitor�s closet, the shower, your room, my room or the park.� She whispered even as she leaned in to lick his earlobe.
�Janitor�s closet doesn�t seem fair to you, don�t want to waste time to get to the park, same thing with the shower idea.� Max�s eyes rolled back in his head as he was losing the battle inside his body. She was sucking on his earlobe and rolling her hips against him. �I think we shouldn�t make a plan.�
�Works for me.� She breathed out and pulled back, yanking her shirt over her head. His mouth immediately latched onto her neck, drawing her flesh into his mouth, caressing it with his tongue. Carefully, she slid her hands between them to unhook her bra, sliding it down her shoulders and arms. Max shivered when her hardened nipples pressed against his chest.
Holding his head against her body with one hand, Liz reached back and pulled off her shoes. Max moved his mouth down her chest, running his tongue between her breasts. One hand slid beneath her back to support her as she arched into his mouth and the other ran up and down her leather-clad leg. When his mouth closed over her taut nipple, her hips bucked against him, grinding against his crotch.
Max slid off the bed, setting Liz on her feet much to her surprise. Kneeling, he kissed his way down her stomach, his hands running up her legs, coming together behind her rear at her zipper. Continuing to kiss at his mark on her stomach, he slid the zipper down and glided his hands between the leather and her bare flesh. �Oh god... no panties?�
The only thing she could do was shake her head. Slowly, he pulled the smooth leather down her legs, holding her steady while she stepped out of the pants. Her eyes fluttered closed but she could feel him stand up and slide his fingers between her legs to feel how hot and wet she was. To steady herself, she blindly reached out, her hand came in contact with his hip. Her fingers slid down the front of his pants, rubbing the tight material over his straining erection. Suddenly her world spun.
Liz found herself lying on her bed when she opened her eyes. Max was struggling to pull off his shoes. When he flipped open his fly, she could see the dark hair just underneath. �Did we decide that no boxers was the way to go after all?�
�Definitely.� He gasped as the cold night air hit his heated cock. Liz scrambled underneath the sheets when the cold became too much to handle without his added heat. Finally, he was free of the constricting garment and climbed into the bed. �Maybe we should close the window.�
�Or we could make our own heat.� Liz whispered as she spread her legs to bring him closer. He lowered his head to meet her in a searing kiss. As they devoured each other they couldn�t stop touching and rubbing against each other. His hard cock pressed against her fiery center, eliciting moans from them both. �Max, please...�
Max shifted and began sliding inside her body. Once fully sheathed, he stopped to revel in the feel of her silky hot walls all around him. It was Liz that began their rhythm, pushing up against him while running her hands across his chest and around to his back. His pace quickly sped up at her urging.
Their lips hovered just millimeters apart from each other, so close they could taste each other�s breath as they panted. He could feel it coming, with a grunt he thrust hard, making her cry out his name. Her inner walls seemed to close around his pulsing cock as if trying to draw him deeper inside her. She met his fierce pounding and clung to him harder, gasping as he reached places inside her that she never knew existed.
Max winced when her long deep scream met his ears just as her body tightened around him so tight that any thought of holding on longer was impossible. She milked him of everything he had and scratched her nails down his back. Spent, they panted for breath as their heart rates returned to normal.
Carefully, Max shifted them onto their sides, not wanting to move from within the circle of her arms just yet. With a finger, he traced her hairline then her eyebrow piercing and then her cheek, all the way down her chin. �I love you.�
�Max...� Liz smiled serenely and rested her head on the pillow. �I love you too... all three of you.�
�It�s just me.� He whispered. Suddenly she rolled away from him. She opened her nightstand and pulled out a small pouch.
�I almost forgot.� Liz smiled as she rolled back to him. Gently she urged him onto his back. �I had Michael go back to the Granilith. He found these but I�m afraid your clothes are gone forever.�
Max took the pouch and emptied it into his hand. Several pieces of silver fell out. A small smile crossed his face. �Wanna help?�
�Can I?� She grinned wickedly.
�Of course.� He nodded and let her go to work. Liz took the ear cuff and hoop and put them to his ear. A light glow flashed and suddenly the pieces of silver had pierced his ear. There were two hoops with pewter beads. She fixed one to his eyebrow and held onto the other. Then she affixed his nipple ring and his lip stud. He eyed what was left. �Tongue stud and two hoops.�
�Well, let�s get the tongue stud out of the way.� Liz slipped the bar into her mouth and bent her head to kiss him. Their tongues dueled for several long moments before they came up for air. �Better?�
�Much.� He flicked out his tongue, exposing the shiny ball for a split second. �Two left. What to do?�
�Umm...� She rolled the pewter ball between her fingers then slid her hand beneath the sheet.
�What are you doing?� He panicked for three seconds until he felt the tingling at his belly button. He held up the remaining hoop and then his hand disappeared beneath the blanket. �I think this one will go...�
Liz gasped when cold silver came in contact with her nipple. �Hey...�
�You�ll love it, trust me.�
�Well, I already trust you...� She teased and snuggled closer to the warmth of his body.
�Hey, did I tell you that I spoke to Kiro today?� Max wrapped and arm around her.
�You did? Who did she possess this time?� His snicker caught her by surprise.
�There I was doing some shopping for my mom when Pam Troy came rushing down the aisle and bowed at my feet.� He started laughing, unable to help it at the memory. �People were looking at her really strange. Then she starts gushing about all the things that have been going on, on Antar.�
�You have got to be kidding. Kiro possessed Pam Troy. Skanky Pam Troy.�
�One and the same. Anyway, three officers made it through the sweeps and they are busy training a new army, just in case. They... they found out that my mother died in the camps.� Max�s voice took on a solemn tone. �The Skins are in captivity but it may not stay that way for long. They won�t need us for a long while. When they do... they�ll call. I guess that�s good. We can lead semi-quasi-normal lives in the meantime.�
�I guess. What are you going to tell Isabel?� Liz took his hand in hers and squeezed.
�The truth. Maybe she�ll be able to live a normal life now.� He shrugged. �And Jegad is taking over the army so I don�t have much to worry about. Michael is going to want to go. As soon as I get him trained, he�ll start training the others.�
�Don�t be too sure about Michael. He wants to stay as much as he wants to go.� She sighed and decided that she needed to lighten the mood. �So what happened when Pam was exorcised?�
�Well, we had to go outside to talk but we weren�t well hidden so people kept looking at us. So when Kiro said her goodbye, she knelt down in front of me again. So Pam opened her eyes to find my crotch kinda hear her face with me shouting: �Hell no! I love my girlfriend and she would be so pissed to find out you tried to get me to pay you to suck my cock!��
�You didn�t!� Liz exclaimed.
�I did. I�ve never in my life seen Pam blush before that moment.� Max snorted with laughter. �Seriously though. We should be able to make it through the rest of high school without running from evil aliens. Unless of course any did in fact, get off Antar.�
�I hope so. Although... high school should be a lot simpler now.� She nestled her face into his neck.
�Yeah, we might be able to do the valedictorian/salutatorian thing that you were talking about a few weeks back.�
�That�d be nice. But first... we gotta get some sleep. Shut the window.� She murmured. A hand caressed his neck then rubbed across his chest, moving her bright green mark from his neck to his chest.
Max held out his hand while stifling a yawn. The open window slid shut softly. Under the sheet he rubbed his hand on her outer thigh, brushing lightly over her stomach and finally resting on her shoulder. His mark appeared on her shoulder blade. A purple fist- or heart-shape pierced by a primitive weapon surrounded by a square border of green water.
�How are you doing this? How are you able to be this wonderful after all that you�ve been through?� Liz whispered into his neck.
�I could ask you the same thing.� Max kissed the top of her head.
�What�s your secret?� She couldn�t keep her eyes open anymore.
�I don�t have any secrets from you.� He was asleep almost before the words passed his lips. The silence of the night enveloped the two of them and carried them into sleep with the knowledge that this was the way it was meant to be... eventually.
Part 26
�So that�s it. She�s dead.� Isabel�s chin started quivering. �But that message...�
�That message is over fifty years old, Iz.� Max squeezed her hands. Their parents sat a ways off waiting to see what was happening. �We always knew there was a possibility they were dead.�
�I know that Max. I know that. But that message gave me hope. You know, it hit me over the summer that if you were King... then it meant that our father was dead but I always held out hope that she was alive.� Tears found their way down her cheeks. Suddenly her body started hitching and she gave up trying to argue with him. The sobs wracked her body as her brother took her into his arms.
�Sh. Sh. It�s okay. We still have Mom and Dad. You can lead the normal life that you�ve always wanted. You don�t have to worry about a thing.� Max rubbed her back gently, kissing her head.
�Yeah, nothing but you. Do you think I�m just going to forget my brother�s king?� Isabel clung to him. �I can�t be normal, Max. No matter how hard I try. No other person on this planet has woken up with memories of falling in love with the enemy, or killing their brother, or causing the destruction of a civilization.�
�Isabel... you are not Vilandra.� He tried desperately to reassure her. �I remember her and I remember Lannie. If I had to choose... I�d pick you to be my sister.�
�Mom and Dad are scared of us.� She whispered.
�No but imagine this. You found two children and loved them unconditionally for 11 years and then suddenly you realize that they had lives before you. In fact they are royalty with alien powers. How would you feel?�
�Overwhelmed...� Isabel fought the new onslaught of tears and reached out for her mother. �Mom.�
Diane rushed to her side, enveloping her in a circle of comfort that only a mother could provide. �It�ll be okay honey. You have us. We�ll be here.�
�I love you, Mom.�
--
�Why didn�t Maxwell tell me himself?� Michael slammed his fist into his kitchen counter.
�I thought it would be better if it came from me.� Liz reached out to touch his arm but shrank away when she felt he wasn�t done expressing his anguish. As if on cue, he punched the counter several more times.
�Were they in those camps he was talking about?� He asked, his voice tight.
�I think so.� She nodded almost imperceptibly. �I�m really sorry, Michael.�
�I always figured they were out there. I never wanted to believe they had died in the crash. In my mind, they were always alive and looking for me. I should have known... no one ever comes for me.� He leaned on his arms, braced against the counter.
�Michael... Don�t do that to yourself. If they were alive, you know they would come for you. I�ll bet they loved you to pieces. They were probably so proud that their son was the King�s second, that you could command an army the way you did.�
�Can you just leave me alone now?�
�You aren�t alone here. My dad sees you like a son now. You do have family...�
�Leave.�
Liz nodded and walked out slowly, watching him bore holes in the countertop with his eyes. �We all love you, Michael.�
Michael stayed still until the door shut behind her. Then he sank to the floor and did something that only one person had ever seen him do before. He cried.
--
Max sat at the counter of the Crashdown with Mr. Parker�s address book. He was finishing up the last of the calls. He was just sending out an alert that the ships were coming to return them to Antar. It wasn�t an order, just an alert. Each Expatriate had to make their own decision. It was going to take the ships four years to reach Earth.
Liz came up behind him and kissed his neck. She slid an arm around his body, letting her hand rest over her mark through his clothes. Max quickly wrapped up his conversation and turned to face her, meeting her in a sweet kiss. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Maria storming into restaurant.
�What did you tell Michael?� She demanded. �What did you tell him?�
�Maria...� Max started but she cut him off.
�He�s crying his eyes out. I have never and I do mean never seen him like this.� She accused him.
�Maria. It�s my fault.� Liz stopped her. �Max found out that his parents were dead. I told Michael. He was fine when I left him, I swear.�
�I hate seeing him like this. He wouldn�t even let me touch him.� Tears began filling Maria�s eyes.
�Hey, he�ll be okay but he�s got to deal with this in his own way. You know how he is.� Max told her gently. �Be there for him. You�re the only one I�ve ever seen him lean on.�
--
Max looked around the room. All his friends were hanging out and gorging on pizza in his living room. Isabel was going to stay behind. She was thinking about UCLA and if she was lucky, while she studied she might be discovered and do some modeling. Michael was going to go. He and Jeff Parker had talked and it was very possible that he had some family left on Antar. Maria had been upset by that tidbit but she figured that at the rate their relationship was going, they�d barely be speaking when the ships arrived. Alex was glad that Isabel was staying but was still just a friend. Liz...
Liz was going to follow Max wherever he needed to go. She and Max had agreed to go BAMA in college, double even that course load. Then they�d be set no matter what planet they were on.
�Hey Max, where�s that sexy outfit of yours?� Maria piped up and ignored Michael�s glare.
�It�s uh... put away for future use.� Max shrugged and leaned back against the arm of the couch he was sitting on. Liz leaned back on him, resting their plate on her stomach. �Believe it or not... that�s how I used to dress on Antar.�
�I like it.� Liz tilted her head back for a kiss.
�That was Zan... ever the trendsetter.� Isabel rolled her eyes. �You�re doing it again. It�s no wonder they thought you were starting a gang.�
�Talk about paranoid.� Alex nodded. �Can I get in on some of those training sessions? I need to keep up my manly figure.� He flexed his puny arms, making them all laugh.
--
Max fiddled with the rings in his hand. He had gone back to the Granilith and found the ring on the floor. He had stared at it for a few hours in his room while everyone else was asleep. Finally he had made a decision. He split the ring in two, engraving both pieces with two marks and two names.
�Hey Max. What�s up?� Liz bounded down the walkway and waited to see what was so important that they had to meet at the fountain so early in the morning.
�You know, I�ve been thinking. We can�t legally get married yet... and even if we could, we�re both still living with our parents.� Max jumped right in. �On Antar, we have a ceremony--�
�You want to do the ceremony?� Her eyes widened. Liz threw her arms around him, hugging him tight, kissing him passionately.
�So you like the idea?� He tossed her the smile reserved especially for her.
�When do we do it?�
�Now. Ready?� He waited for her nod and then led her to a patch of earth that he had turned over while waiting for her arrival. �I uh... I made these.�
Max slipped one of the rings onto her finger and then let Liz slide the other ring onto his. He took their left hands and laced their fingers together. They dipped their hands into the rich soil, looking into each other�s eyes. Then they returned to the fountain and rinsed their hands clean. They held their hands between them, not caring that they dripped with water.
�Liz Parker of the house of Clada... I love you with all my heart and soul, which I give to you until the end of time.� Max whispered the words softly to her.
�Max Evans, Zan of the throne of Antar... I love you with all my heart and soul, which I give to you until the end of time.� Liz whispered back. They kissed gently to seal their words.
�Now all we have to do is make it through a year and a half in separate houses.� He pressed his forehead against hers.
�Just until graduation.� Her eyes slid closed.
--
Epilogue � 2002
�I remember the first day of kindergarten. I was so excited. I met my best friend that day. Ever since then, I have done two things. Learn and grow. Many things have stayed the same since that first day of school. I still get excited on the first day of school and I still talk to my best friend. Many things have also changed. I now have seven best friends and this morning I woke up sad. I was sad because this is the last day that I set foot in the halls of West Roswell High School. These walls hold four years worth of memories, good and bad, happy and sad.
�We�ve all made plans for the future. Some of us are going to college, some of us are going to travel, some are going to join one armed force or another, some are going to stay here and work... and I know some of us are getting married� Liz winked at Max in his seat on the front row. �Whatever the plan, we will always have one thing in common... we went to high school in Roswell and survived.� Liz paused in her speech as the crowd chuckled at her little joke.
�I know some of us will remember high school forever as either the best experience in our lives, or the worst. So become a doctor, a lawyer, a scientist, a nurse, a CEO, a waitress, a cook, a Marine, a police officer, a mother, a father... become whatever it is in you to become. Never stop doing two things. Learning and growing. After today we are going to scatter to the four winds and some of us may never see each other again.
�It�s not a reason to be sad, though. Today, we walk out of this institution, adults. I don�t know about all of you but I am ready to face the world on my own. Congratulations and farewell, class of 2002."
The End
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Somewhere In Between
DMartinez