Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: Meet the Dupes and Max In The City. For the situations if not the storylines.
Summary and need to know: Follows Metallic. Lannie and Rath got Zan out of the way so that they could convince Max to go to the Summit. Before they left, Rath had his way with Liz. Liz finds herself changing and liking it very much. Ava refused to go back with Lannie, Rath, Max and Tess. This is an alternative to the ending on the show last week.
Notes: Strange title? Yes. Think of it as an alternative to the Secret of Steel: That, which does not kill us, makes us stronger.
A man knelt on the floor of a filthy apartment. He concentrated hard. This would be his last chance. He could not fail now. Not with the Summit so close. Five races, five families were supposed to meet to determine the fate of the human race as well as the known universe. Antar was gone. Antar�s sun, the red giant, had finally burned out.
He pushed himself harder and one by one the stones began glowing and rising up in the air. He let his eyes look over the prone body before him. So much power in one being. It was humbling to know that the future of one�s race was in the hands of one creature.
The body levitated and hung suspended in the air. Energy buzzed and crackled, blocking out the street noise from outside. The warm glow of the healing stones grew brighter with intensity, outshining even the bright streetlight filtering in through the dirty window. Roaches fled for the dark corners in fear. Mice squealed as they were blinded but the man continued to look directly into the center of the bright light.
It was time. The man let go of his hold on their power and the stones continued to glow brightly. He looked away as the features on the body began to change and restore themselves. He closed his eyes and the buzz became white noise. Totally relaxing. He would not last long if this was successful but it would be worth it. If it was unsuccessful... he would still not last long but it would have been for naught.
Suddenly, the white noise was gone. The light was gone. Its warmth no longer touched the man�s face. Slowly, so very slowly, he opened his eyes to find the most beautiful young man standing over him. The older man�s mouth worked up and down soundlessly.
The younger man looked himself over. The pain and misery were gone. One thing remained, resolve. �Where are they?�
�Gone. I saw the whole thing. I was too late. I should have been there sooner.� The older man rambled, unable to look away from the young man. �I was sent to protect you.�
�You were damn late. Where did they go?� The younger man�s eyes flashed.
�I followed them after I got your... you to safety. They stole a car, changed the plates to New Mexico.� He stammered.
�You tell anyone?� Came the gruff response, mild interest colored his voice.
�No. I do not even know why they would leave so soon before the gathering.�
�New Mexico.� The young man shook his head. �They gonna pay for betrayin� me.�
�Yes sir.� Eyes lit up with glee. The young man wasn�t missing a step. The healing had been a success.
�Yeah, gonna pay.� The young man put his hand on the old man�s forehead. �You did good.�
�Welcome back, King Zan.� Those were the last words out of the old man�s mouth before his eyes rolled back in his sockets and his body burst into flames.
�S�right. I�m back.� Zan clapped his hands together. �And I�m gonna get my payback.�
He ran a hand over the spot where he had just lain and the blanket transformed into a backpack. Carefully he knelt and placed all the healing stones in the pack. Slinging it over his shoulder he stepped over the still burning body of his savior and walked out the door. �Roswell, New Mexico, look out. The Man is comin� to get ya.�
Part 1
Liz Parker sat on the diner counter with a bowl of ice cream. She slid a bottle of Tabasco sauce down to her guest, Ava. They had become friends over the weekend. Liz had been taking out the trash when she saw the smaller girl curled up in the dumpster. Without her parents� knowledge, Ava had become an addition to the household. Even Liz�s new outlook on life had not taken away her heart. Ava had even helped her perfect her look. Liz had found a new best friend in the carbon copy of a girl she had tried to hate.
They went shopping together and made fashion sense out of what the Roswell mall claimed to be the latest fashion. Liz had even gotten her belly button and eyebrow pierced without the extreme pain due to Ava�s powers. It drove her parents into a fit but they were dealing with it: her whole look and attitude. At least she was still going to school and passing her classes.
Liz rolled a glob of ice cream around her still sore tongue stud and took in her friend�s pensive face. �Wanna talk about it?�
�About what?� Ava barely looked up as she doused her ice cream in Tabasco sauce.
�Zan. I know you must miss him. I mean if someone that close to me just died... I�d probably go crazy.� Liz glanced out the window into the darkened street. Sometimes she thought that Max might just pop up and knock. She knew it would never happen. Not after what happened with Rath. Max probably didn�t even know but she knew and that was enough.
�I loved him. I know he would check out other girls, sometimes he�d do someone else but he was mine. He told me he loved me and I believe that he thought he meant it.� Ava twirled her spoon around in her melted mess. �We loved that we had each other.�
�He would go out on you?� Liz was not at all sure she liked the sound of that. �Remember Liz, Rath went out on Lannie with you.� She just wished that inner voice would quit reminding her what she had done.
�Yeah. I mean, we young. I had fun sometimes too. I ain�t no nun.� Ava grinned. �We came out of our pods back in �87. We�ve been around a bit longer but we got started early. In the city you�re an adult by 14, you know?�
�I guess.� Liz nodded. Suddenly Ava�s smile dropped. �What?�
�It�s just that... no matter how much he told me that he loved me... I never really believed that it was real. We got all our memories. I know that we had an arranged marriage on Antar. I just kept thinking that maybe he�d fall out of love with me... you know?� Ava met Liz�s eyes. �I always felt there was someone else out there that he�d fall in love with.�
�Yeah. I know what you mean. I love Max and I don�t think that anything that I do or subject myself to... nothing will change that but I know he�ll wake up and realize that he�s in love with her and I�ll be left alone.� Liz set down her spoon. �That�s why I had to break it off first. He has this whole destiny to fulfill.�
�He was never meant to fulfill it.� Ava�s voice was so soft that Liz barely heard it.
�What?�
�Or maybe he was and Zan was never meant to fulfill it. Sometimes I just don�t get it.� Ava floated her bowl to the sink. �One of them wasn�t meant to survive... too bad we�ll never get to find out.�
�What do you mean?� Liz hopped down from the counter and tossed her bowl into the sink.
�I mean... Rath and Lannie killed Zan.� Ava bit back a sob. �They said it was an accident but they staged it.�
�Rath. And Lannie. Killed Zan.� Liz shook her head in what she hoped was disbelief. She had not told Ava about the flashes. She wanted to hear it, make sure what she had seen was not a hallucination.
�We were talkin� about this Summit thing and Zan said we wasn�t goin�. Lannie dropped a basketball and Zan went after it. Rath kicked him to the street and a truck ran over him.� Ava rushed it all out as fast as she could. She sucked in a deep breath and shook her head. �I see it when I close my eyes. I know I wanted to go but I would have never gone against Zan to go... that�s why I let Tess go in my place.�
�Wow.� Liz whispered. Then her mind reeled. �Whoa. I slept with a murderer?�
�You did the deed with Rath? Was it good?� Ava grinned wickedly.
�That�s beside the point.� Liz blushed and ducked her head.
�You ever sleep with Max? I can tell you that Zan was the best.� Ava continued to make her friend blush.
�No. Max and I never did it... although there was a time or two that it almost happened.� Liz nodded and ran a hand through her brown and purple hair.
�Trust me, with Zan, there wasn�t no almosts.� Ava smirked. �Once you do alien, you don�t do nothing else. It don�t feel right.�
--
Maria flopped down on the couch next to Alex in her house. She was miserable. She was not talking to Liz because of what she had seen. She had gone to Michael�s to yell at him again and Liz had been there, topless. Not only that but Michael�s hands had been on her breasts. Maria had not waited for an explanation. There was no need for one. Liz did not tell Maria about kissing Rath until after she knew that Rath was not Michael.
�Just talk to her.� Alex groaned. �It probably wasn�t what you thought. I haven�t seen Michael with anyone but Isabel since Max disappeared with those clones.�
�That doesn�t mean a damn thing. This isn�t the first time that Michael�s done this. Remember Courtney? I think he was enjoying himself a little too much with her.� Maria curled up in a ball.
�Did you even tell Liz about that rumor circulating around school? I�ve heard it from seven different people.� Alex scratched his chin. �One person told me that Kyle got chased out of Liz�s room when her dad ran in with a shotgun.�
�Mr. Parker doesn�t even own a shotgun... he�s got a rifle.� Maria flipped her hand at her friend. �It�s probably not true. I mean, Liz would tell me if her and Kyle... had... you know, sex.�
�Liz is great at keeping secrets when she needs to.� He pointed out, thinking about those months that he didn�t know about the aliens in his homeroom.
�Do you think she really slept with Michael?� Maria turned to face Alex.
�No. And I don�t think that she slept with Kyle either. I think Pam Troy just made it up because she liked Max and then she liked Kyle and Liz has �had� them both, you know?�
�I guess but that doesn�t explain what I saw.�
--
Isabel paced Michael�s apartment. He groaned and closed his eyes and waited for her to pick up her rant where she had left off the night before.
�He doesn�t call or even let us know where he went with those freaks. For all we know, they kidnapped him. Anyone could have written that note.� Isabel made herself stop before she could start hyperventilating. After a few deep breaths, she continued. �But Max would never let anything happen if he could help it.�
�Remember the white room?�
�You�re not helping things, Michael.� She glared at her friend. She tilted her head at him and started in. �Where�s Maria?�
�I don�t want to talk about it.� He crossed his arms and sat back.
�I notice none of them are talking to you, why?�
�There may have been a misunderstanding regarding a scene here last week.� Michael told himself that he was not going to say anymore than that. Isabel had other plans.
�A misunderstanding? Regarding a scene? Who talks like that? I know you don�t.�
�Look. Maria came over unexpectedly and she misconstrued what was happening here because nothing was happening.� �No more. Don�t say any more.� Michael hopped to his feet and began messing around in his kitchen.
�Misconstrued? Have you been reading the dictionary?� Isabel laughed, knowing that Michael was seconds away from spilling the beans.
�You want to know what happened? I�ll tell you.� Michael laid his hands on the counter and stared at the chip in the Formica. �Last week... Liz comes over looking like one of those New York freaks. She tells me that Rath and Lannie killed Zan. She wouldn�t tell me how she knew... so I kissed her.�
�You kissed Liz?� Isabel�s jaw dropped. �Then Maria saw and flipped?�
�No. I�m not done yet. See, Max told me that�s how he gets flashes from Liz. Anyway. In these flashes that I got... It turns out that Liz slept with Rath after having bizarre fantasies after he kissed her at school.� Michael waved off her interested look. �I saw the whole thing, Isabel. He left marks all over her body; he cut her lip... so I decided that I was going to help. I told her to take off her shirt and I was trying really hard to heal all the scratches on her chest when...�
�Maria comes in and flips out.� Isabel nodded. �Liz really slept with Rath?�
�She did. I asked her why she let him hurt her... she said she loved it.� He shook his head. �The whole thing is pretty sick... I told her it would never happen but she said something like she�d come to me if she had to.�
�Come to you?� She shook her head.
�Because I�m the closest to Rath that she was going to get.� Michael ran his hands through his hair.
�You�re worried... why?�
�I don�t think I could stay away from her if she tried. Isabel, I�ve seen inside her and... It�s like a pull.�
�You mean like how Max has always been drawn to her?� Slowly she slid into a chair on the other side of the counter.
�I guess. I know I don�t have feelings or anything for her... but I think that�s the point for her. She�s got a few screws loose in that head of hers.� Michael shrugged and sighed. �What would Max do?�
--
�This isn�t right.� Max shook his head and pulled Tess closer.
�So now you got a conscience?� Rath rolled his eyes. �This is how we live.�
�You don�t have to steal. You could get a job and just stay here until you can afford a better place.� Tess stepped behind Max at the glare she got from Rath.
�Yo, we been here for 12 years. First thing I saw when I bust out was that wall over there. We ate garbage for a couple years til we met our protector. Said we wasn�t supposed to come out yet. We busted out too early.� Lannie threw her hands up in the air. �This is what we know. We ain�t about to change.�
�All I�m saying is that you don�t have to keep doing this. Just because you live in the sewer doesn�t mean you belong in the sewer.� Max cut in. �I didn�t say anything because I didn�t think I�d be staying here long. Now... I don�t think I can go back.�
�I go wherever he goes.� Tess threw in.
�Listen to her. He ain�t even sticking it to her yet and already she�s as bad as Ava.� Rath laughed. Tess blushed a deep red and buried her face in Max�s back.
�Don�t talk to her like that. I�m tired of you two treating her like crap.� Max roared. �We want to go back. As soon as the Summit is over... we�re gone.�
�Yo, you the man.� Lannie sank back on the couch. �If. If you want go home after the summit, you go home. If you don�t, you go Home.�
�Home?� Max�s ears perked up at that. �As in...� He pointed up. �Home?�
�You got it, Duke.� Rath nodded. �This Summit goes good and we all goin� home.�
�Max. Home.� Tess smiled up at him. �Can you believe it?�
�Home.� Max whispered. Thoughts flew through his mind. Isabel, Michael, his parents. Liz. Kyle. Liz and Kyle. Liz and Kyle in bed. �Yeah. Home.�
--
Zan stepped off the bus and blew off the driver. He had been asked very nicely to get off the bus or else the cops would be involved. Now he was on foot. Bag slung over his shoulder, he hiked up the Caprock. It was getting dark and the lights from six cities shone around him. �Damn hicks.�
He kept muttering as he tried to decide which way to go. Odessa was North, Monahans was East, Kermit was South, Jal was West, No Trees was just a couple of miles ahead and Wink was just beyond Kermit. He could go back up to Midland but there was no point. �Damn hicks.�
None of the towns were particularly appealing but he could stop in at Kermit and scan a map. Then he would know how to get there. He could already smell Ava and the others. It was not too far. Just a few hours drive once he knew how to get there. Roswell was just on the other side of the border. �If the other four are hicks... I swear I�ll put them out of their misery.�
Part 2
Ava stood in front of the school debating on whether or not it would be worth it to step into Tess�s shoes. Liz said no one would notice, that Tess did not associate with many people. It would be easy really and with Liz already having introduced her �Metallic� look... it would be easy to fit in.
�Tess?� Ava whirled around at the name. She had gotten used to being called Tess. Whenever Mr. Parker would find her, he would call her by her counterpart�s name. This time it was Isabel.
�Yo.� Ava nodded.
�Not Tess.� Isabel looked like she was going to cry. �Tess went with Max, didn�t she?�
�Yeah. Saw them drive off myself.�
�Why did they go? Max didn�t tell me he was leaving. He left a note for my parents and that was it.� Isabel blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling.
�Yo, I didn�t ask for no explanation. He agreed to go, he brought Tess, I took off and they left.� Ava suddenly felt awkward. �Yo, tell Liz I said never mind.�
�Um... ok.� Isabel nodded and watched the smaller girl walk toward downtown Roswell. She never even heard Michael walk up behind her.
�She tell you anything?�
�Michael!� Isabel jumped. �Don�t do that.�
�Well, what did she say?� Michael didn�t back down.
�Max left with Lannie and Rath... and Tess. Ava stayed. She didn�t say why. I wish he would call or something. It�s been like a whole week now.� Isabel had to catch herself before the tears started again.
�Hey, he�ll be back with some newfound knowledge about our place in the universe, we�ll yell at him. He�ll freak then mope over Liz and all will be back to normal.� He wrapped an arm around Isabel and walked her into the school.
�I hope you�re right.�
--
Zan walked into town and shook his head. Aliens were everywhere. �Don�t these hicks got nothin� else to do?�
He had had to walk most of the way from Kermit. Those freaks had taken one look at him and kept their hands poised over the phone the entire time he was in the convenience store. Then he had just hopped onto a big rig and hopped off when it went a different direction than he needed. Once he had reached highway 285, it was smooth sailing from there.
Roswell was worse than he thought it would be. Then he spotted a girl definitely out of place. He could even smell that she was different. Rath had always said he was a dog but it was true. Humans smelled different than they did. Zan thought it had something to do with what a galactic moron Rath was. Eyes closed, ears covered, Zan could tell if a human, a hybrid or a shape shifter had entered the room.
This girl... she was something different. She was serving the morning crowd outside some cheesy alien themed restaurant... in a leather skirt, tank top and boots. �Finally, someone with some class.�
When she looked up, they locked eyes. She looked shocked for a minute before she ran inside the diner. He was about to cross the street when he caught a glimpse of pink and black hair. �Ava!�
She spun around and her eyes went wide. �Zan?�
�Who the hell else do you think it is?�
--
Liz yanked off her apron and headed out the door for school. Max was back. She had seen him and he was decked out like Rath. Oh God. Did that mean Rath was back?
She waved off her dad�s exasperated look at her outfit and hopped into her mom�s car. They were just glad she was going to school. Mr. Parker stopped her before she could drive off. �Liz, Mrs. Evans called again this morning. She wanted to know if you had heard from Max.�
�No, Dad, I haven�t. Even if Max were going to call someone, it wouldn�t be me. He hasn�t really spoken to me since I dumped him.� Liz shrugged and put the car in gear. �I�m gonna be late. Besides... I think I just saw him out in front of the UFO Center.�
The whole drive to school was a blur. Before she knew it, Liz found herself in her astronomy class, blindly copying notes from the overhead about the original 13 zodiac signs. Then her mind wandered.
Last week when Rath kissed her, another side of her had woken up. The way they had had sex had seemed so enjoyable at the time... but now... Liz just could not believe she had done it. While she still liked her tongue piercing and she was getting used to the eyebrow and belly button... the sting had gone. She wondered if Rath had done something to her.
Ava had talked to her about the powers. Rath�s were usually pure power but he could do the others to a certain extent. Had he planted the need for the violent coupling? Liz already knew that the thoughts she had had about Michael were residual of the ones she had hadabout Rath. The whole thing was just too bizarre.
Slowly, her thoughts turned to Max. She had always thought that Max was beautiful but the way he looked that morning was just... gorgeous. He had really let Rath and Lannie have a go at him.
Tess. The name came out of nowhere. If Max was back, chances were Tess was too. Liz sighed. She had to get off this damned alien kick she was on.
--
Michael could not help but glance at Liz from his seat in the back of their history class. This pull was getting annoying. He could not remember when he noticed it but it was getting stronger lately. Maybe it was the clothes... or the hair... or the piercings. There was something different about Liz and he could not pinpoint it just yet but he would. He had to... or else he would go crazy trying. �Where the hell is Max when you need him?�
--
�Zan, I am Larek.� The Brody-puppet stepped forward introduced himself in the room. They all stood around a table.
�Actually, I prefer Max.� Max nodded uncertainly to the circle.
�That�s a human name.� Kathana turned up her nose.
�That�s what I am... for the most part.� Max threw up his defenses. �Let�s just get down to business. I�ll follow as best I can.�
�He doesn�t know what he�s doing.� Sero protested. �Why is he here?�
�He�s Zan. Human or Antarian, it�s him. It�s only right to have him here.� Larek cut in. �Now, let�s get to business.�
�Not without me you don�t.� Nicholas strolled into the room. �Nice to see you and your genocidal girlfriend again.� He smirked. �Kill anyone today?�
�The day�s not over.� Tess glared and stepped behind Max�s chair.
�Look. I�m not here to hear you gripe about your mistakes or to watch you pop your pimples.� Max tried not to get out of control but the situation was tiring already. �I was told you needed me and I�m here.�
�Yes, let�s get to business for the third time already.� Larek sighed wearily. �The fighting has to stop...�
--
Sheriff Valenti pulled over to the side of the road where it looked like Max and Tess were having an argument. He hadn�t seen the girl in days. �Folks have been looking for you two.�
�Sheriff.� Ava nodded.
�Max, get in. Your parents filed a missing persons report. They�ll want to know you�re alright.�
�Yo. I ain�t goin� nowhere.� Zan crossed his arms. Suddenly, he felt Ava�s hand on his arm.
�Don�t be an ass. Just go with him. You�ll figure it all out, I�m sure.� She backed off.
�Let�s go Mr. Evans.� Valenti bit back a laugh at how ridiculous Max looked. Zan just swiped his thumb at his nose and approached the squad car. �I�m going to assume this was an absence due to otherworldly circumstances. You�ll have to come up with something to tell the Evans.�
�Yo, whatever. Let�s just go.� Zan got in the back seat. He was still trying to come to terms with what Ava had been trying to tell him. He did not need any cornball Sheriffs getting their panties in a twist over his presence. Zan had not even really heard a word that Valenti had said, nor was he answering any questions on the ride.
When Zan snapped to attention, they were turning down Murray Lane. The squad car pulled into a driveway with two vehicles. �I understand that Philip hasn�t been to work since you�ve been gone.�
�Shut up already. What am I supposed to do here?� Zan got out of the car. This was another contact. It had to be. Who would they be having him meet here? Why did the Emissary send someone who looked like a cop?
�I don�t appreciate the attitude. Get in that house before I make you.� Valenti slammed his door shut and gestured to the cozy-looking house.
Contact. Zan shook his head. He prepared himself for another round of �Who wants to be King of Antar?�
The second he stepped into the house, he knew something was not right. It was not a contact meeting with the Emissary. A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes started crying. She threw her arms around him.
Zan tried to back off but the woman held on tight. �Max... I�ve been so worried.�
Max? Names ran through Zan�s brain. Max sounded familiar. Then it clicked. Max Evans was the Zan of the Roswell set.
Part 3
�Yo, cool it Moms.� Zan pulled himself out of Diane Evans grip. His mind raced for a good cover. He could not hide now that people had seen him. Lannie had always been much better at reconnoitering. �You got the wrong guy.�
�Max? Is that you?� Philip Evans rushed into the room upon hearing a familiar voice. �What happened to you? Why are you wearing those clothes?�
�Like I said. You got the wrong guy.� Zan backed into the living room, away from the Evans and the Sheriff. His eyes fell on the pictures of Max and Isabel in the living room. The rings on their fingers caught his eye. Barely squinting, he could make out the �Class of 2002� engraved on the class rings.
�Max. What�s going on?� Diane whispered, her tears still flowing.
�Max, do you want to explain to your parents where you�ve been for a week?� Sheriff Valenti nodded his head subtly, hoping the boy would pick up on the motion.
�Yo, I don�t even know why I�m here. I was having words with my woman about lookin� for my lil� brother and sister and the next thing I know... 5-O pulls up demands I get in the car.� Zan let the shock set in. He thumbed his nose and crossed his arms, flashing his tattoos to the Evans. �I ain�t this Max guy.�
�Why didn�t you say something sooner?� Valenti fiddled with his hat.
�Not like you gave me a chance.� He muttered and shook his head. Ava had known this was going to happen. �Yo, I�m only here to find my baby brother and sister. I ain�t seen �em in like 10 years... probly longer. I�ll just go now.�
�Hold on there. What�s your name?� Philip called to the young man before he could make his way out the door.
�Zan... Antar.� He threw in just for reference. Even if he couldn�t find anyone soon, these cornballs were bound to mention the name to their kids. It should stir up something. �Yo, can I bounce?�
Zan watched the Evans share a look then turn to the Sheriff. Diane finally spoke up. �We want to talk to you. I�m Diane Evans, this is my husband Philip.�
�Yo.� He nodded.
�We�re sorry about this misunderstanding but you look almost exactly like our son...� Philip gestured to the pictures to Zan�s left. �We�d like to ask you a few questions.�
�Sweet,� he thought, �it actually worked.�
--
Isabel slid onto the bench next to Liz at lunch. They were not friends in any case, but the tension was there all the same. Liz did not look up. �You talked to Michael... didn�t you?�
�Yeah, he told me.� Isabel nodded. �He says that he�s drawn to you.�
�He did?� Liz let loose a smirk. Her eyes met his almost immediately when they lifted up from her uneaten lunch.
�He said that you�re different but he doesn�t know why. It�s upsetting him.� Isabel caught the way Michael was returning Liz�s gaze.
Slowly, Liz turned to Isabel. �It�s simple. I don�t want Michael. I think that whatever... force Rath had over me... I think it spilled over into Michael. Ask him if that sounds right.�
�So you did... sleep with Rath?� Isabel asked carefully, not really sure if she wanted to hear the answer. The silence was thick between them. �Did you?�
�Yeah. I did.� Liz nodded slowly. �I don�t know what got into me. When he kissed me that morning... I thought he was Michael and it was just weird.�
�What happened?� Isabel just had to know what had gone on.
�I felt like something inside of me was stirring, coming to the surface. I wanted him. I needed him to be with me.� She paused, unsure of how to continue without sounding like some kind of slut. �It was strange. I knew that he would think nothing of me. But when he looked at me... my body responded against my will.�
�And he took full advantage.�
�He made it seem like that�s what I wanted. And I did... to a certain extent. It�s just so confusing. I don�t want all that anymore but I... I don�t know. I�m still different now but I don�t know how exactly.� Liz shook her head solemnly. Isabel nodded and shrugged at Michael. There were just so many things they did not know.
--
Max listened to the arguments around him, just barely beginning to understand the problems that his people had been facing over the past 50 years. He could feel Tess fidgeting on his right. Rath and Lonnie were looking on with expressions of extreme boredom. Max just wished this whole thing could be over with.
He wondered what his parents were doing.
--
�Um, Zan, would you like some tea?� Diane asked uncertainly. While the man before her definitely held strong resemblance to her son, he had an edge that was quite scary.
�Nah, you got a coke?� He sat down at the kitchen table, the chain on his pants clinking loudly.
�Cherry coke alright?� She asked with a wavering smile.
�My favorite.� He tried to tone down his attitude a bit but he was never one for acting. He caught Mr. Evans and Sheriff Valenti whispering in the doorway. His alien hearing let him pick up on the conversation.
�I�m just saying. He looks like a ruffian. I�d hate to leave him here with you folks.� Valenti hissed.
�I�m sure he won�t try anything. I just want to ask him questions about Max and Isabel. I�m sure you understand. We�ve raised them like our own but the fact is... they aren�t.� Philip shook his head. �If he�s anything like Max, he�ll be defensive but not a troublemaker.�
�I�ll be in the neighborhood.� Valenti tipped his hat at Mrs. Evans and went out the back door. Zan wanted to laugh at these cornballs. He wouldn�t kill them, not if he didn�t have to.
�So, Mr. Antar.� Philip sat across the table. �Where are you from?�
�New York.� He fiddled with his eyebrow piercing. �So you think that Max and Isabel could be my baby brother and sister, huh? The kids gotta be like 17 by now.�
�Well, the resemblance to Max is remarkable.� Philip nodded as Diane set three glasses on the table and disappeared into the other room. �I assume Isabel is as well. We found them together... out by...�
�In the middle of nowhere.� Diane finished and set a scrapbook in front of Zan. He withheld an amused snort and opened the book.
Diane and Philip eyed his tattoos as he flipped through the book. They exchanged glances. �Mr. Antar-�
�Name�s Zan, Pops.� He muttered as his eyes caught a symbol in one of the pictures. The two children were drawing in the sand on a beach. Every Antarian knew that symbol.
�Zan, how old are you?� Phil finished his question.
�20, how old are you?� He glanced up.
�It�s just that if you were planning on taking them with you...�
�Hold up, Pops. I ain�t taking the brats nowhere. Being a parent to them ain�t in my job description. I�m just here to pass on what was passed to me.� Zan sniffed. �Like a legacy.�
�Well, Max ran away last week. He left us a note and we haven�t heard from him since.� Diane dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. �We don�t know where he might have gone.�
�If he�s anything like me, he�ll show up soon enough. And without a scratch on him.� Zan rose from the table. �I�m gonna bounce now. I�ll be in touch.�
--
Michael was tired of the clanging sound the bell made every time Maria slammed down on it with a new order. He was grateful when Mr. Parker relieved him for a break. Unfortunately, that coincided with Maria�s break.
Maria sat on the couch and glared at him. Michael gave up. �Look, I didn�t sleep with her. If you must know, I�m a virgin.�
�Right. And you weren�t groping her in your apartment.� Maria hissed.
�I wasn�t groping her, I was...� He made himself drop to a whisper. �... healing her.�
�Why?� Maria suddenly lost her anger. Michael healing anyone was amazing in and of itself but healing her best friend. That was important.
�You just ask Liz what happened the night that the freaks came to the Center. I�m not going to tell anyone else.� Michael yanked the bandana off his head. �I swear, I might have kissed her but I never had sex with her.�
�Whoa! You kissed her?� Maria exclaimed and jumped to her feet.
�Hold on! It was to get some important information like how Liz knew that Rath and Lonnie killed Zan.� Michael stopped her from leaving the break room.
�They told us it was an accident.� She protested.
�It wasn�t an accident. Ask Liz.� He pointed out the window and into the diner where Liz was waiting tables, yet again refusing to wear the uniform.
--
Liz felt him. Max was very near. That same feeling that she had had that morning was back. Quickly, she went about collecting dirty dishes and refilling drinks. She did not have time to be thinking about Max.
Just then, Ava burst into the Crashdown. �Liz, I gotta talk to you.�
�I�ll be there, just a minute.� Liz waved her off and finished up with her tables, passing off the order pad to Agnes. She rushed into the break room and started pulling things from her locker. Before she could react, someone walked up behind her and braced their arms on either side of her body.
�Yo girl, you lookin� tight.�
Part 4
Liz froze. She eyed the arms on either side of her shoulders; strong, muscular arms with tattoos. She could feel his breath on her neck. It felt like Max but it just could not be at the same time. Then he stepped closer and took a deep breath.
�Your smell is different.� He rasped.
�Is-- Is that a good thing or a bad thing?� Even as she asked this, one of his hands dropped from the locker to her waist, pulling her back against him.
�It can be a very good thing.� The way the sentence was breathed into her ear made her forget what she was doing at her locker. His other hand fell to her leg, sliding up to her hip and back down again. �When I saw you this morning, I knew you was different. You ain�t like the rest of them.�
�Max... what�s gotten into you?� She tried to turn around but he was holding her too tightly.
�Max?� He released her and backed away. �How do you know him?�
�Yo Liz! Hurry it up. I gotta talk to you...� Ava burst into the break room and trailed off after seeing Zan standing near Liz. �Zan.�
�What?� Liz turned and finally laid eyes on the Max-look-alike. �I thought you said he was dead.�
�How many times do I gotta say this?� Zan rolled his eyes. �Not dead, almost dead. Difference. Thank Antar for protectors.�
�Where is the protector?� Ava asked warily, scooting towards Liz.
�Offed him. He didn�t know about Roswell and he wasn�t gonna find out.� He crossed his arms �You two... friends?�
�Wow. Information overload.� Liz raised a hand to her head. �Roof. Fifteen minutes, Ava.�
Liz ran up the stairs without even a glance back. Ava turned to Zan. �See what you did? You let Liz see you.�
�Does everyone in this fuckin� town know Max?� He stepped to her. �We�s supposed to keep a low profile.�
�He�s got friends here, human friends... like Liz.� Ava whispered and pulled him out into the alley.
�She�s not human.� He scoffed at her.
�What�re ya talkin� about? She�s Max�s human bitch, at least she was.� The small pink haired girl hopped up to the ladder and started climbing.
�Get down here, Ava. We never finished talkin�.� Zan roared. �Where are Rath and Lannie?�
�They took off, I told you.� She hopped back down. �They took Max and Tess with them. They�s at the Summit by now.�
�The Summit?� Zan shook his head. �Fuckin� idiots. Don�t they know it�s a setup?�
�It�s too late to stop them. That�s what I was tryin� to tell you earlier.� She reached out to touch him. �I can�t believe you�re here. I thought I lost you.�
�Like you care. Left me for dead in Chinatown is what you did.� He sneered at her.
�That wasn�t my fault. I love you. I didn�t know they were going to kill you.� Ava let the tears fall. �I�m sorry.�
�Too late for sorries.� Zan backed away from her touch. �The protector saved me and you ran off.�
�You shouldn�t have killed him. Their protector is dead too. That means no more answers.� She whispered as loudly as she dared.
�If he knew that the other set survived... he�d�ve told Larek or even Nicholas. I ain�t takin� no chances here, Ava.�
�Fine. Liz is waiting for me.� She bit her lip and started up the ladder.
�I�m telling you. The Summit is rigged!� He yelled up after her.
--
�Ladies, gentlemen.� Nicholas raised his hands. �It�s simple. Khivar wants the power, not the title. We�ll let the clueless wonder down there sit on the throne and look pretty but Khivar will rule.�
�I don�t like that.� Larek shook his head. �Everything that Khivar has done in the past 50 years has brought nothing but destruction and misery to all our worlds.�
�I agree. This is not the way we want to go.� Kathana shook her head.
�Zan cannot rule. He can�t even remember being Zan.� Sero cut in.
�Stop.� Max�s voice carried over the table. �I am sitting right here. Don�t talk like I�m not.� His voice rose just a bit. �I may not be what I was born to be but I do have a say in this.�
�Whoa. You almost sound serious.� Nicholas mocked.
�Settle down or I�ll sick her after you.� Max gestured to Tess. �She�s been practicing, mind you...�
Nicholas sat back at Tess�s menacing glare. The others at the table ignored the flexing going on between the table�s two youngest looking members.
�What do you propose, Max?� Larek leaned forward.
�It seems to me that this war... no one can remember what it was all about.� Max started but was cut off.
�The Granilith.� Kathana whispered, hushing the table.
�Max. You want to tackle that subject?� Nicholas clasped his 15-year-old hands in front of him.
�Yo, back off shrimp. No one knows where the damn thing is.� Rath rubbed his temples.
�Max?� Nicholas repeated.
�Max, what is he going on about?� Larek sighed wearily.
�I have it.� Max stated firmly. Looks of shock swept the table.
�And Khivar wants it. Hand it over, Max.� Nicholas smirked. �It�s the only way out of this mess.�
�No.� Max ignored the wild gestures that Rath and Lannie were making. Tess continued to stand beside him and look stoic. �It was entrusted to my protector and now that he�s gone... it�s up to me to keep it safe. My mother must have had reason to send it so far away from the fighting.�
--
�Isabel, honey?� Isabel heard her mother call from the kitchen the second she walked in the front door. �Can you come in here please?�
�Did Max call?� Isabel rushed in to find both her parents sitting at the table.
�We had a visitor today.� Philip started. �Your older brother.�
�What?� Isabel sat down slowly. �What do you mean?�
�Zan. Zan Antar. He was here this morning.� Diane started rambling. �Said he was from New York. He wanted to talk to you and Max.�
�Zan?� Her eyes went wide. Isabel sucked in a deep breath. �Zan was here? You saw Zan?�
�Do you remember him, honey?� Diane asked.
�It�s not possible. He�s dead. They told us he was dead.� Isabel kept repeating herself. �Are you sure it was Zan?�
�He looked almost exactly like Max.� Philip told her. �You remember him, don�t you?�
�I... I can�t talk about this.� Isabel jumped up and ran out the door.
Part 5
Isabel rushed into the Crashdown. She pushed past Maria and into the kitchen.
�Excuse you!� Maria yelled after her. Isabel ignored her.
�Michael.� She hissed as he flipped a row of burgers.
�What do you want? I�m working.� He did not even look up.
�Michael, it�s important.� She tugged on his arm. �Someone went to my house today saying that he was mine and Max�s big brother, Zan.�
�So.�
�Zan, Michael. He�s dead. He told my parents his name was Zan Antar.� She tugged on his arm again. �Antar.�
�You�re kidding.� Michael finally let her words sink in. �Did you see him?�
�No. Michael, they said he looked just like Max.�
--
�Ava, what�s going on?� Liz pulled her robe on as she got out of the shower. �You guys said that he was dead and I know that was not Max.�
�We thought he was dead.� Ava whispered and looked in the mirror, grateful that she had fixed the signs that she had been crying. �Our protector brought him back. Look, Liz... Zan was saying some crazy shit about you not being human.�
�What?� Liz shook her head and yanked clothes from her closet.
�Zan has always been able to tell a human from a Skin from one of us... sometimes he can even pick out the puppets...� Ava trailed off. �What aren�t you telling me?�
�About what?� Liz quickly changed into her new uniform. Leather skirt and army colored tank top.
�You and Max. You said you was his girl. He don�t like Tess. Why?� Ava sat on the bed.
�Max saved my life. I would have died if it weren�t for him.� Liz sighed at the memory.
�Yo, he used his powers to save you?� Ava�s eyes widened. They hadn�t ever done that.
�Yeah.� Liz nodded and pulled her hair on top of her head with a clip. �Hey, I was wondering. Can Rath like... make someone like him?�
�Sure, he does it all the time... He�s always got four or five idiots drooling over him, trying to get some.� She shrugged, not really paying attention. She was still thinking about the ramifications of saving a human life with the powers they had.
Liz thought about what Ava said then remembered something Michael often did. For instance, when Max had been in the hospital. He had turned on the charm and that nurse had been practically all over him.
�You�ve been changed. That has to be it.� Ava said out of nowhere.
�What?� Liz snapped her head up.
�Max changed you. That�s got to be why Zan thinks you�re different... Look, Zan�s not exactly cherry at the moment.� Ava popped a piece of gum into her mouth. �I don�t know what he�s doing here but it can�t be good... because an angry Zan is not a good Zan.�
�Is he staying here? I mean, he�s staying in Roswell?� Liz suddenly couldn�t shake the feeling she had with him in the break room.
�You bet I am.� Zan�s voice made them both jump. He was lying on the roof, his head inside the window, a sexy grin on his face. �Yo, is this town completely dead or are all the decent people in this room?�
�Yo, they�s all present Zan.� Ava knelt in front of him. �We cool?�
�Whatever. Come here.� They started making out right there. Liz turned away, very uncomfortable with the display. What Zan said next made her whirl around in exasperation. �Yo, she a Mary?�
�Excuse me?� Liz�s mouth dropped open.
�Naw, babe... Rath... he did her.� Ava stepped back as Zan flipped himself into the room.
�Poor girl.� Zan raised an eyebrow at Ava, releasing her as he edged toward Liz. �How did it go? He stare at you like he was gonna ditch you then turn around give you the look?�
Liz didn�t nod or shake her head but the words wouldn�t come either as Zan circled her, looking her over.
�Let me guess, he did you until you passed out and when you came to, he was gone.� Zan made a clicking noise with his tongue stud and his teeth. �Works it over the chick every time. You didn�t think you were special did you?�
�No. I mean. I knew he didn�t think much of me. He... He made me want it.� Liz stammered and blushed. So many thoughts ran through her head. Confusion over what she felt about the Rath situation and mild disgust for herself. Then there was desire shooting through her body with the way that Zan was looking her over.
�Of course, he made you want it, yo. Nobody in their right mind would do Rath... �Cept for maybe Lannie.� Zan stroked his goatee. �No way you would have given him a second look. You�s too good for him.�
--
�You�ve been holding out on us. Where is it?� Rath demanded of Max.
�Stop it.� Max yelled as he paced the room. �If you didn�t know about it... then you shouldn�t know about it.�
�You owe us. That was our ticket home and you sold out.� Rath slammed a puck into a crystal vase against the wall with his hockey stick.
�Yo, you kinda owe him, Rath.� Lannie lay back on the couch. �After what you did, this makes you even.�
�What are you talking about?� Rath tossed the stick down, barely missing Tess by inches. Tess scrambled to her feet and stepped behind Max.
�You betray him and he betrays us. It�s oh so fairy tale.� Lannie waved her hand around in a bored gesture.
�I have no clue what the two of you are talking about.� Max sighed and closed his eyes. �Look. We were brought here with the Granilith to keep it out of Khivar�s hands... right? That�s what I�m doing. I don�t care what Larek says. The fewer people who know its location, the better.�
Rath stared at Lannie hard. �Tell him, Rath. Tell him all about the Mary.�
�Oh that. That�s nothing.� Rath blew her off. �Who cares about her?�
�What are you guys talking about?� Tess almost whispered, not wanting to get Rath�s attention. She was getting tired of being used as target practice.
�I said it�s nothing, Retard.� Rath glared.
�Lannie?� Max turned to her. His head hurt and the more secrets there were, the worse his head hurt.
�See... Rath... He got his rocks off back in Roswell--� Lannie stopped talking at the glare Rath was sending her. �If you don�t, I will. I just thought he should know.�
�Stuff it, Lannie. It�s none of your business.� Rath growled at her.
�None of my business, *Lover?*� She glared right back at him. �It is my business. You are mine and she was his.�
�Bullshit.�
�Yo Max. Your bitch was a Mary, right?� Lannie smirked at Max�s confused look. �Peaches, the brunette. She was pure and clean right? Never been touched.�
�You�re talking about Liz?� Tess finally stepped out from behind Max. �What does Rath have to do with Liz?�
�It�s about what they did, yo.� Lannie grinned at Max. �She did with him what you ain�t done to her or to her.� She pointed to Tess.
Slowly the idea formed in his mind. He couldn�t accept it... It didn�t sound right. �She�s not...� Max couldn�t say it out loud. �She�s not mine. She�s... She�s with Kyle.�
�He never did her.� Rath shook his head. �Trust me... she was cherry.�
�Liz would never...� Max stammered. �And not with you.�
�She was beggin� for it.� Rath kept goading him. He was having too much fun. If he was not going home right away, he�d have to get Max to crack. �You should have done her when you had the chance.�
Tess ducked just in time. Max�s hand lifted and energy shot out of his hand, slamming Rath against the far wall.
�You don�t talk about her! Don�t even think about her!� Max roared.
�He just told the truth, yo.� Lannie shrugged, not even glancing at Rath, who had slumped where he landed, unconscious.
�Max?� Tess whispered.
�Leave me alone.� He muttered as he stormed out into the sewers. Liz with Kyle was hard enough for him to digest but... �No. Don�t think about it.�
It wouldn�t go away. Max kept thinking about it. Liz had slept with Kyle but they had dated for a long time before. Had Liz not gotten shot, they would probably still be dating and made love a lot sooner. There was no way that Liz would just sleep with someone she just met... Would she? Sometimes he felt like he didn�t even know her anymore.
Part 6
Zan rummaged through Liz�s things while she had gone to make an appearance for her parents. He ran a finger over her music collection and snorted. Nothing worth listening to. Then he moved on to her closet. He pulled out her red sweater and laughed. �Yo, don�t tell me she was cornball.�
�That she was.� Ava adjusted her nose ring in the mirror. �I seen her before. She made vast improvements...�
She watched him stare at the sweater. He was absently playing with the ball on the inside of his mouth.
Zan touched the soft fabric as a vision ran through his mind. ***�I can�t stop.� Liz whispered as Max�s mouth ran down her throat. Gently, he lowered her onto the couch.*** Ava�s voice brought him back.
�You want her.�
�Huh?� He snapped his head around, nearly biting the inside of his bottom lip in the process.
�Fine. Do her if you want.� Ava waved him off. �I don�t care.�
�Ava.� He tilted his head at her and scoffed.
�I saw the look on that ugly mug of yours. You was picturing her in those cute little sweaters of hers. You�re dying to do her.� She shrugged. �Yo, it�s cool. I knew it would happen as soon as I saw you here.�
--
Liz rolled her eyes as she ate her dinner. Her father was giving her that look again. �No, Dad.�
�What? I didn�t say anything.� Jeff shook his head but didn�t take his eyes off her eyebrow piercing.
�I�m not on drugs. I�m not depressed. My grades are good. My tips are great so I must be doing something right. Happy?� She stabbed at the macaroni with her fork.
�How did you even get that without my consent? I know your mother didn�t give you permission.� He leaned forward.
�A friend did it.� She shrugged. �Where is Mom?�
�Working her shift.� He gave her a look that said not to change the subject again. �You know Diane Evans has been calling here ever since Max ran away. Does this have anything to do with that?�
�No. Max and I... (Sigh) No.� She stared down at her plate, no longer hungry.
�Maria and Alex haven�t been around.�
�Alex is busy with his band and Maria...� Liz trailed off, not wanting to get into it with her father. �We�re having differences but we�ll be fine.�
�I noticed that Tess is doing this new look with you. I didn�t think the two of you were friends.�
�That�s not Tess, Dad. Her name is Ava.� She glanced up at him.
�Oh. Do you have a name change too?� He smiled at her.
�No.� She let a small smile loose. She took a bite of mashed potatoes, cringing when her fork slid across her tongue piercing. The noise caught her father�s attention.
�Lizzie?� Jeff sat up. Liz swallowed nervously. �Open your mouth.� She shook her head slowly. �Don�t tell me you got your tongue pierced?� She pursed her lips but didn�t answer him. �What am I going to do with you?�
--
�Why are we here?� Maria mumbled as she threw open Michael�s apartment door. Michael and Isabel were sitting on the bed in deep discussion when Maria and Alex arrived.
�Where�s Liz?� Michael immediately asked.
�You want her here. You call her.� Maria shot back.
�So why are we here?� Alex shut the door and slid onto a barstool.
�Zan�s here.� Isabel whispered.
�Zan?� Alex squinted his eyes in question. �Why does that name sound familiar?�
�Someone who looked like Max showed up at my house today. He told my parents that he was our older brother, Zan Antar.� Isabel clarified.
�Zan�s the name of the other Max from New York.� Michael nodded.
�He�s dead.� Maria shook her head.
�That�s what we thought.� He ran a hand across his face, pushing his brown hair out of his face. �Call Liz and tell her to get here.�
�Really, we should warn her about the Max look-alike.� Alex nodded reaching for Michael�s phone?�
�Why? She�ll just jump his bones anyway.� Maria muttered.
�Hey! I told you. Nothing happened between us.� Michael shouted.
�Maria. I talked to Liz. She doesn�t like Michael... she doesn�t even like Rath. It�s just something that happened.� Isabel had begun her rant and stopped when she noticed the stunned expressions on Maria and Alex�s faces. �And you two didn�t know that she slept with Rath.�
--
Tess found Max sitting on the old subway rails. The tunnels were never used anymore but she knew he was hoping one would come along and run him over just the same. Tess had a reason for going after him even after he said that he wanted to be alone. She had to come clean. �Max?�
�Go away.� He mumbled, his head between his hands, his elbows resting on his knees.
�I have to tell you something.�
�Unless you can tell me that Liz didn�t sleep with Kyle and Rath... I don�t think I want to hear it.� Max sat up and looked up at her. His eyes were red and swollen but no trace of tears could be found on his cheeks.
�That�s just it. Rath just said that Liz was a virgin when they...� She stopped when she saw how much it was going to hurt Max to hear those words again. �Do you remember when Liz set you up? For us to get together?�
�Vaguely.� He nodded. The day before he had seen Liz and Kyle in bed together, Liz had arranged it so that Max and Tess would start talking to each other in hopes of getting him to move on. Even sleeping with Kyle had not gotten Max to move on. He just loved her too much, no matter how much he was hurting.
�I think that she also set up the thing with Kyle.�
�Why would she do that?�
�She came to talk to me one day, Max.� Tess knelt down in front of him. She wanted to take his hand but she figured it would be the wrong move at this point. �I thought she was going to stake her claim on you but she did the opposite. She told me that she had given you up that day at the pod chamber.�
Max looked away. That day held so much pain for him.
�She wanted you to fulfill your destiny so she was stepping aside but she noticed that you wouldn�t let me step in either. She thought that if she helped me out... you would pay more attention to me and we would be together... but you found out.� Tess paused in an attempt to gauge how well it was sinking in. �I know Kyle. Normally you would think he would jump at the chance to be with Liz but... he�s changed since you healed him.�
�And how�s that?� His voice was hoarse and scratchy but he didn�t care anymore.
�Kyle and I talk. I asked Liz about what happened between them and she said it was great. I asked Kyle and he said that it never happened.� Max did not even blink, much less give a response. �Why would any guy say nothing happened if something did?�
�What about Rath?�
�Lannie said she saw... afterwards. I just think you�d have to ask Liz herself.�
�I can�t do that now, can I? We�re here until the Summit is over.� Max rubbed at his eyes. �I- I have to see this through. They want to negotiate.�
�Max. Why didn�t you tell Rath and Lannie about the Granilith?� Tess slowly placed a hand on his arm.
�I don�t trust them. If we can make it through the next two weeks... we�ll be fine... I think.�
Part 7
Liz dropped her backpack on the floor and hefted the take-out boxes onto an overturned crate. Zan had chosen the old soap factory as his new home. He sat up and raked his hair back up into place. �What the hell is that smell?�
�What?� Liz looked at him confused. �What smell?�
�Like dead rats.� Zan wrinkled up his nose as he reached for one of the boxes.
�Cows. Trust me, if they were dead, they�d smell worse.� Liz laughed at the look of horror on his face. Suddenly she remembered and pulled a bottle of Tabasco from her backpack. �The gang usually uses this. Claim it tastes better.�
�I will never get how you people can live out here. If it ain�t cows, it�s uh... horses or whatever.� He doused his burger in Tabasco and took a bite. �This tastes funny.�
Liz took a bite then rushed to find a bottle of coke from her bag. �Whoo. Tastes fine to me.�
�It�s the beef. It�s not like... goat or somethin�... is it?� He reached over and pulled a coke from her bag.
�No.� She laughed at him. It was so strange that one day after meeting this guy, she was already goofing around with him. �There�s nothing wrong with the meat. My dad gets it from the slaughterhouse on the other side of town. I�ll bet you never ate a burger with real meat before.�
�Guess not.� He then proceeded to inhale the rest of the burger then start in on the fries.
�Hungry?� She raised an eyebrow as she poured more coke down her throat to cool the stinging in her tongue.
�I ain�t eaten in like three days... maybe more. Don�t know how long I was out.�
�So, why did you come here?� Liz watched him try to hide the uncontrollable flinch at her question. �It�s because they killed you... isn�t it?�
He didn�t answer her, just took a long swig from his coke. Zan had that look on his face that Liz knew so well. It was the one Max had given her when he tried to keep her from going to the Reservation to find out about the pendant, the one he had worn when she was going to follow Tess into the girls� bathroom.
�Okay. You don�t want to talk about it. I completely understand. When I almost died... that was the last thing that I wanted to talk about. So, uh, where�s Ava?� Liz took another drink of her coke as she glanced around.
�Don�t know. You almost died?� He started in on Liz�s untouched food after he finished his. �Which one of these idiots brought you back?�
�He�s not an idiot.� She shot back. �Max... he was in love with me. He said he couldn�t just let me die. He told me that I was not supposed to die like that.� She noted the amused look on his face. �What?�
�You got it so bad for him I can smell it.� Zan wiped at his mouth and sat back. �How did it happen, yo? Cause we�s programmed to be with our mates.�
�Well, Max, Isabel and Michael came out of the pods first. They left Tess behind. Then they lost Michael because he was scared. The Evans found Max and Isabel, they adopted them. Michael was found by a farmer, drinking with the sheep. They found each other in school.� Liz took a breath as she began the next part. �Last year there was a shooting in the Crashdown. A stray bullet hit me and I was dying. I could feel the life drain out of my body and suddenly Max was there. He brought me back. We eventually got together and then Tess showed up with Nasedo, that�s their protector. She kept trying to steal him from me... until we found out that I had stolen him from her...�
�So, he falls for you knowin� that he supposed to be with Tess?�
�No. We didn�t know about Max being King or him being married to Tess. We just knew that he was an alien... and the government wanted to experiment on him.� Liz sighed. �So, I did the responsible thing and stepped out of the picture... So, do you have your memories from before?�
�All of �em.� He nodded stiffly and noted how Liz kept drinking her coke. �Tongue piercing?�
�Yeah. The Tabasco is stinging the hell out of the hole. I wish I had waited until I met Ava to get that one done. My eyebrow and belly button don�t even feel sore.� Liz couldn�t take much more of the burning feeling.
�Yo, come �ere. I can fix that. You prepared to have that hole permanently?� Zan scooted to the edge of the old mattress. Liz moved closer, biting her lip. �Are you?�
�Yeah.� She let a smile loose. �Go ahead.�
�You really trust me. Why?� Zan whispered as he placed his hands on the sides of her face.
�You�ve got the same thing in you that Max does. I trust him...� She trailed off as his face came closer. She couldn�t help but get lost in his amber eyes. She opened her mouth and closed her eyes. When she felt his breath on her chin, she knew she should pull away but then she didn�t. She wanted was what coming next.
Zan�s mouth closed over hers, his tongue slipped into her mouth and as it passed over hers, the stinging went away. Before she could reciprocate, his mouth was gone. �Better?�
�Huh? Oh. Yeah.� Liz opened her eyes to find him popping a fry in his mouth. She must have looked disappointed or confused because he shrugged.
�No biggie. Just figured you wouldn�t want my fingers in your mouth.� He polished off both boxes of food. She shut her mouth and savored the taste he left in her mouth.
�Right. Cause your... tongue just... tastes so much better.� Liz tried to brush it off but she was just a little hurt.
--
Alex slid into the booth next to Isabel. �Did you guys warn her?�
�No.� She shook her head. �I had a meeting at lunch with my therapist. She wanted to know how I was coping with my truant brother and my older brother suddenly back in my life.�
�I couldn�t find her. I�d see her in the halls but as soon as I thought I had her, she�d disappear on me.� Michael ran a hand over his face. Just then Maria showed up in uniform.
�Okay. I just asked her dad. He said she had some meeting after school, which I might add is a lie. She stopped in to grab food and then she left. He�s not expecting her back until later. She�s not scheduled to work today.� Maria sighed and tapped the table. �Ava. Where is the phony? She would know what�s going on.�
�None of us have seen her since yesterday.� Isabel whispered and wrung her hands. �I�m really scared not knowing where that guy is.�
�After my shift... we go looking for him.� Maria smoothed out her apron then turned on Michael. �Don�t even think about leaving without me. I will seriously kick your ass.�
--
�We have been over and over this.� Larek slammed his hand down on the table. It was the first time the mild-mannered alien had lost his temper. �He�s sworn to protect the Granilith. There is no evidence of misuse. I say we trust him.�
�You didn�t trust him the last time, Larek.� Nicholas pointed out. �You betrayed your friend.�
�I believe that was Khivar, not me.� Larek said softly.
�What does any of this matter? The star burned out...� Max stood up and began walking the length of the room. �If Earth astronomies are correct, then that happened over 50 years ago... when I was sent here. Am I right?�
�More or less.� Kathana conceded. �The light it gave until a few weeks ago was not visible from this planet. Now it is nothing but a solid mass of uselessness. The planets are dying. We need the power of the Granilith.�
�It won�t do any good at this point, Kathana.� Sero butt in.
�Khivar�s plan sounds like a good one to me.� Hanar sat up. �The fighting has to stop.�
�Well, that�s something we all agree on.� Larek grumbled.
�If no one tells me what the Granilith is about, then I can�t make another decision about it.� Max spoke up again. �Our peoples already live in darkness. The fighting is pointless. As far as I�m concerned... I don�t need to go back.�
�Then you concede your planet to Khivar.� Nicholas sat up, suddenly interested.
�He didn�t say that.� Tess shot out. �I�ve been sitting in on this for two days now. You people talk in careful circles. Nothing is going to be accomplished if you�re striving for political correctness.�
�Yo, she�s right.� Lannie pushed herself off the wall she was leaning on. �What my brother meant was... if he�s going to be ignored the way you guys is doing now... then he doesn�t see the point in goin� back. Power is nothing without respect.�
�He�s a child!� Hanar shouted. �He can�t rule a planet.�
�If that�s how you feel then why the hell did you bother me for so long to get me here!� Max whirled on the human-looking alien.
�That was the Emissary�s decision, not ours.� She answered him.
�Let�s get this straight! Right here, right now.� Max jabbed his finger into the table. �You might think I�m not Zan because I don�t remember but I�ve got the cards here. Zan demanded nothing but respect from you people I�m sure. I�m just demanding the same. Treat me with respect or lose the Granilith forever.�
--
Liz led the way into town. Zan was going stir crazy so she was taking him on a tour. They both ignored the stares that generated by their presence. �So, you and Ava... you�ve got an open relationship.�
�She does. I�m with her when I�m with her. When she�s with someone else... I have a little fun.� Zan shook his head at the people in the park. �This town sucks.�
�It does. So... you�re a one woman kind of man?� Liz managed a smile.
�Hey. You get in a fight with the woman and she goes to someone else... you�re entitled to the same right.� He nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. �Ava... she�s the one my mother chose. My father chose Rath to be my second and fate chose Lannie to be my sister. You work with what you got.�
�Why did you come here? I know you hate it and all.� Liz sat on a bench near the park.
�Yo, I�s walkin� down the street, tryin� to get the point across to my fellow morons that the damn Summit is a setup. Lannie drops a rock she stole, I go to get it and Rath fuckin� kicks me to the street. I put up my shield but it can�t take 3 tons of speeding truck. I get smashed.� Zan thumbed his nose and crossed his arms. �So I�m out of it. Then when I�m healed, our latest protector is kneeling like some fuckin� idiot.�
Liz waited for him to continue. He had this helpless expression in his eyes but his face remained a mask of distaste. He was like Max but he wasn�t. She could tell that he took everything onto his own shoulders just like Max did.
�So he tells me that he saw �em get in a car and change the plates to New Mexico. Only one reason to go to New Mexico. So I offed him and came down here.�
�Why?� Liz shook her head. �Why kill the protector?�
�Here�s the deal. They, the new protectors, they don�t know about this set here in Roswell. They only know bout us. They think these cornballs died in the crash. That�s the card we got against our enemies.� He shrugged. �I don�t know what I was gonna do when I found �em but I was late. They took off. Prolly at the Summit screwin� me over.�
�Why do you think the Summit is a setup?� Liz shook her head.
�All this time our star has been dead. Givin� off this weak-ass light... and just now when the last light died they want to get together and solve our problems. It�s gotta be a setup. They was prolly gonna kill us once they got the chance.� Zan saw the concern in Liz�s face. He had been trying to forget what Ava said, been trying to forget how he caved and tasted her that afternoon. He had played it like that was the only way to heal her tongue. �What?�
�You really believe that.� She whispered.
�Don�t wanna bum you or anythin� but... Max prolly ain�t gonna make it back. If the old hood don�t kill �em... Rath will. Simple as that.� He shrugged.
�We have to warn him.� Liz jumped to her feet. �I warned him about the Granilith but I didn�t know that Rath killed you until after they were gone.�
�Hey! It�s not like I can just call them up. We live in the sewers, yo. We steal to survive. Besides... it�s too late. The Summit started yesterday. There is nothing that you and I can do.� He stepped away. �They could all die at that damn thing. I�ve accepted that. They die and the rest of us step up.�
�You really don�t know what you�re gonna do now... do you?� Liz calmed down. Not like Max would speak to her again if he were to come back. She was already dead to him.
�Not a damn clue.� Zan shook his head. The blip of police sirens got their attention as Valenti pulled his cruiser over. �Shit.�
Valenti got out and motioned for Liz to come closer. �Hey Sheriff. What�s up?�
�I thought I should warn you about this... person.� Valenti subtly gestured to Zan. �He�s not Max.�
�I know.� Liz nodded with raised eyebrows.
�He told the Evans that he�s Max and Isabel�s older brother.� Valenti went on.
�He�s not that either. He�s like... Max�s older twin.� Liz tried to explain. �Well, not even that. Zan and Max are basically the same person in two different bodies.�
�What the hell are you tellin� him?� Zan growled when Liz and Valenti whispered longer than he thought they should be.
�I�m just explaining how things are, Zan.� Liz motioned him over. �Sheriff Valenti knows about... well, almost everything.�
�Damn it! Can�t Max keep a secret?� Zan shook his head.
�Is he the reason that Max ran away?� Valenti looked to Liz but kept glancing at Zan.
�No, no. See, um... there�s this like intergalactic meeting and Max took Tess to try and work things out.� Liz nodded emphatically as she twisted the rings on her fingers. �Zan was supposed to go but he was...�
�Incapacitated.� He filled in.
�Right, so Max went in his place. No trouble. Promise.� She smiled sweetly.
�No more alien invasions like when we disappeared...� Valenti turned his hat over in his hands.
�Hopefully not. No more Nicholas.� Liz smiled up at the old man. �Don�t worry. Anything happens and we�ll keep you informed.�
�You.� Valenti pointed at Zan. �Stay out of trouble. This is your warning.�
�Yo whatever, Pops. Liz, let�s bounce.� He grabbed her arm and pulled her away.
�See you around.� Liz called over her shoulder. Valenti watched them disappear into the park before he got back in his cruiser. He�d have to keep an eye on this Zan guy.
�Liz, you�ve been holdin� out on me. You�re goin� to tell me everything.� Zan spun her around and sat her on a picnic table. �Who knows about us, what you know about the Granilith and who knows about the second set.�
--
�Stay away from me.� Max called over his shoulder as he pulled Tess along with him. �I appreciate you sticking up for me, Lannie but that�s as far as it goes.�
�You�re gonna get us killed.� Rath kept his voice even but rushed his pace to catch up.
�I�m here for one reason. Zan�s dead and I�m the only one left that they are supposed to take seriously... but they won�t even do that because neither of you told me what�s been going on. You all remember what I can�t.� Max dragged Tess to a secluded corner of the sewer hideout. �You just stay away from me until I say otherwise. I�m the man now.�
�Max?� Tess whispered as she sat on a crate against the wall. Max yanked a curtain to block his view of Rath and Lannie.
�You said you could help me remember the past life.� He turned to her and sat nearby. �Teach me.�
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