By Kara

Disclaimer: I don't own anything here, never have, never will. If I could dreamwalk though...*evilgrin* All of this belongs to Melinda Metz, Jason Katims, WB, Pocket Books, Dido, and any others whose names I can't remember

Spoilers: None, but takes place two years in the future, around high school graduation

Rating: PG-13/R for 'adult situations'. Yes, they have sex. No, I don't go into detail (grin)

 Part I "Visions"

"I had another vision last night."

The six were sitting on the grass in their usual spot. Everything was normal. Liz sat leaning up against Max, getting as close to him as she could without actually being in his lap. Isabel rested her foot against Alex's leg, painting her toenails crimson, while Alex tried not to blush. And Maria was glaring at him. It was one of their off days. Maybe tomorrow they'd be on again.

Michael cleared his throat. "Maybe you didn't hear me. I had another vision last night." It was almost the end of senior year. Graduation was a few days away. One last summer together waited for them, before they scattered in the fall. Liz and Max were headed back east for pre-med. Izzy got into pre-law at UCLA, like her parents had done. Alex was headed off to California too--either to major in film or music or something...or maybe Isabel. At least Maria was staying around. She still had no idea what she wanted--when she was talking to him.

And he was going to the art school up at Albuquerque, all expenses paid, a one way ticket out of Roswell, New Mexico. Maria had already hinted that she might come to visit. Or maybe he could drive his old beat-up truck a couple times a month. Just to make sure the Evanses didn't forget what it was like to have children. And to make sure that the Crashdown kept stocked up in Tabasco sauce.

"Another vision?" Izzy's voice was tired. "Remember what happened with the last one?"

Maria muttered something about visions of nookie motels, but he figured that he'd just ignore her. She was probably PMS-ing again. Or got a bad vial of cedar oil.

He lowered his voice, so that the other students around wouldn't hear. "It wasn't about domes or anything, Iz. I think it was a message."

That got their attention. Max stopped playing with Liz's hair. Isabel dropped her nail polish, and it splashed all over Alex's jeans. And Maria finally met his eyes.

"E.T. phone home?" Alex cracked. Michael resisted the urge to melt Alex's wallet-chain to his face.

"Seriously. Like someone knows we're here. They've been searching for a really long time, and now they've found us. Like someone's coming to get us. Someone good. Someone who's...Czechoslovakian."

Maria's beautiful eyes widened, those soft lips opened to say something--and for the first time since he'd known her, nothing came out.

"Home." Izzy's voice was soft. Her face said it all--the fear of the unknown, the sorrow of leaving. The longing for someplace that she wasn't. Even with her and Alex's relationship that moved at the speed of a glacier, Michael still thought she wanted to go home more than any of them. Well, not more than him. But what he wanted all depended on how Maria felt that day, if they were on, or off.

"Did they say when?" Liz's voice, as always, was calm. She was Max's quiet strength, only getting shook up by some strong emotion. She'd learned control over the past two years, through all the hard times and worse times they'd been through since she and Max first decided to throw caution to the wind. He envied Max, because most of the time, his and Liz's relationship went like things were supposed to. They were the fairy tale. They had problems, but at least they knew where they stood from day to day.

"Soon. It's the third time I've had the dream, and the message is getting stronger. I think soon." At the fallen looks on the five faces around him, he couldn't help feeling angry--at them, and at himself. "We knew it would happen! We knew it was only time before something blew up. It was part of the risk..." He didn't know if he was speaking to himself, to Maria, or to everyone else.

Her lower lip trembled, and she shook her head. He could see the tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

"Maria..." He reached out to her, trying to fix it in some way. But she got up and ran away.

She sat on her bed, holding her lavender-scented Michael-bear. Michael had shoved it at her last Valentine's Day with a quick, hot kiss between History and English. That had been one of their 'on' weeks. One of these days, she'd just dump him and move on to a real guy who treated her better. He was so annoying, and so grungy, and sometimes she hated him more than anything. But his kisses made the bottom drop out of her stomach, and his touch sent fire racing through her veins that no amount of cedar oil could calm. And something drew her to his rebelling Czechoslovakian nature. She wouldn't admit to anyone that she needed him--but she did.

Something rattled at her window. She knew it was him. He refused to use the door like most normal people. Her mom even joked about it sometimes, when she saw Michael walking out of Maria's room at odd times. At least her mom liked Michael, though sometimes she made cryptic remarks about how fast the Tabasco seemed to disappear with him around.

"Well, can I come in?" His voice was gentler than usual.

She snorted. "Like you ever ask." And like she ever said no.

He slipped in, one arm held behind his back. When he dropped to the floor, he held his hand out to her, a fragile spray of long, pale purple flowers.

"Lavender! You knew I was getting low..." She took the herb gently, suddenly shy. "Thank you."

"Umm, you're welcome I guess," he mumbled, his ears turning pink.

"So, about these visions..." She looked up at him, fidgeting in that cute way he had. "What...what...are they like, little green men or something?"

He flopped down in his usual place at the end of her bed, picking up Michael-bear. He sniffed the teddy bear's head, an odd look on his face. "What'd you do to him? He smells like those flowers now." He tried to look indignant. "He's a very masculine bear."

She couldn't help giggling. Her laugh seemed to break the ice. His face visibly relaxed, and he moved to put his arms around her. She settled back against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It sounded like a real human heart. She'd lain against it often enough to know.

"They weren't little green men. And they didn't have three eyes. It was more...a feeling, I guess." He rested his chin against her head. She liked cuddling quietly with him. They didn't usually get to do this, because they were either fighting or macking. Even after two years of whatever their relationship was. "They felt right...like Max or Iz. Like me. Like we belonged together..."

Like we do, she added silently. But she couldn't try to make him stay. She'd always known the price of their relationship.

"And it was just like they knew where we were, and that they were coming to take us home. I guess they finally realized that the crash happened, and that we were left behind." He was quiet for a while, and she thought she felt something damp fall on top of her head. "They want us, Maria. They're coming to take us home. They love us after all." He began to shake slightly.

There's gotta be something better than Roswell, New Mexico. A conversation from over two years before echoed in her mind, that first night they'd actually talked and realized that something connected them in spite of everything. What would she do if her father suddenly showed up on her doorstep? Would she feel the same way?

She took him in her arms, cradling his head against her shoulder, letting him cry into her shirt. She stroked his spiky hair, kissing the top of his head. At least he'd learned to cry in front of her. They'd come a long way, down a rough road, but they still had a long way to go.

"Are you gonna go?" They sat on the roof of the Crashdown, candles burning like tiny stars. The coolness of the desert night surrounded them. She shivered, and Max tightened his arms around her.

"I don't know, Liz. I always hoped we'd go back, but...but I never thought it would actually happen." Which was true. He'd always been more concerned with having to leave one day, because someone found out the truth. There had been too many close calls over the years.

But as usual, Liz was able to read his thoughts, just because she knew him inside and out. "None of you ever thought about it, did you?" Except Michael. And maybe Iz sometimes. He knew she felt left out a lot. That had changed a little bit, with Alex, since he was drawn to the person inside as well as out. But he knew his little sister still felt alone sometimes.

"I guess I was so busy trying to take care of us all that I never thought..." Or never let himself think. What would he do without Liz? He didn't know where his home was. He loved his parents, and he loved Liz more than life, but to be with people like him, people who understood the Tabasco and the depths of his feelings. People who wouldn't think of him as an alien, but just the same as everyone else.

He buried his face in her soft, dark hair, trying to forget that this might be one of the last times he could do this. But Michael was right. They all had known from the start that it would never last.

I love you, Liz. You know that. You know I can't live without you. But I can't stay here, and not know...

She turned, her mouth met his, as if she'd read the answer in every touch of his body. Every caress of her lips spoke to him.

I know, Max. I just hope I can love you enough to let you go.

"Hey, honey. Nice to see you, Alex." Her mom's warm voice drifted in from the doorway as she dropped her briefcase on the table. "Sorry I'm so late. A client had some issues we needed to take care of." Her parents' small law firm had boomed in the past couple years. Both her mom and her dad were thrilled that she'd decided she wanted to do the same thing. But Isabel figured that if she knew the laws and could argue them, maybe she could do something about her own precarious situation on Earth. Plus, she looked hot in a business suit.

"It's okay, Momma." She blushed. She hadn't called her mom that in years, since Michael first teased her about it. Her mother gave her an odd look, but didn't say anything. Alex caught her eye, and gave her hand a quick squeeze. He knew what she was thinking.

Her mom smiled at them. "Let me guess. Your brother's out with Liz, and Michael's made up with Maria for this week." Isabel's mom, of all of theirs, knew the most about what went on in the group, though she didn't know the most important secret of all. There were a thousand times when Isabel felt like blurting it out, but she couldn't. There was an oath she made a long time ago that kept her from it, no matter how much she loved her mother.

"Where else would Max and Michael be?" She tried not to let the scorn she felt into her voice. But her mom picked up on it. She always did.

Her mom reached out and stroked her hair. "It's hard to share your big brothers, honey, but they've had to learn to share you too." She smiled. "I remember when the three of you were inseparable. When Michael flushed your doll down the toilet, and Max almost blew up the garage with his chemistry set."

"Mom!" She tried not to blush. Alex was grinning, clearly enjoying this.

But her mom only grinned at her. "And Mr. Whitman over here was the same way with Maria and Liz, always hanging out at the Crashdown. Jeff Parker always wondered if you'd pick his baby or Amy DeLuca's to take away from Roswell." She gave Alex a soft smile. "I'm glad you picked my baby. She needed someone like you."

"Mom!!" Isabel blushed bright red. "Can't you wait til I leave the room to tell him this?" But it was her mother's way. She loved both Isabel and Max more than anything. So how could Isabel tell her that soon, she might not see her mother anymore? Mom, I'm sorry, but I'm going home...I won't forget you, but I need to go, even though you're my only mother, and I love you...

Her pajamas felt stiff, the sun was in her eyes, and something was laying on top of her chest. Maybe she left the window open and a cat got in or something. She rolled over, and smacked right into a spiky head.

"Michael!"

"What what what?" He sat up, almost smacking her in the face with his arms. He shook himself slightly, and then stared at her, as if he realized where he was. "What are you doing here?"

"It's my bed, idiot! What are you doing here? Why didn't you go home?"

But then it hit her. He was going home. Very soon. And from the way his face fell, he probably remembered it too.

"Michael..." She reached out for his hand, remembering how good she'd slept next to him.

But he pushed her hand away, untangled himself from her, and got out of bed. He began to pace across her floor. "Not now, okay? Let's not do this now. Not when we don't have much time left."

She slid out of bed, ignoring the fact that she was still wearing her clothes from last night. "I'm sorry," she said softly. She held out her hand to him, hoping for a compromise.

He gave her one of his usual rakish looks. "Besides. There are so many other things we can be doing." He looked at the clock. "We're already late for class anyways."

How much time would they have left? She'd already given Michael her heart--though she couldn't tell him that. And after he left, she might as well have something good to cry about...

She reached out, ran her hands up his chest, touching his face, running through his messed-up hair.

Would Michael have sex on his home planet? And how would they do it anyways, if human form wasn't their true form?

But Michael was completely and utterly human to her, no matter what anyone said. Annoying, but all human. And all hers.

Part II: "The Realization"

"Did Maria show up for English today?" Liz caught up with Isabel as they walked out to the quad for lunch.

"Negative. Michael didn't show up for homeroom either--not like that means anything." Which was true. Michael never showed up at school earlier than eleven...yet he somehow managed to pass most of his classes and graduate with the rest of them.

Liz tried not to be concerned. Maria could be sick. Or her car could've broken down. Or...

"There they are." And there they were, glaring at each other as usual. Liz sighed in relief.

"It's all his fault. If he hadn't tried to fix my car again..." Maria's angry voice reached them before she did. She slapped Michael's arm, but somehow the emotion and the gesture seemed a little forced to Liz. Michael seemed a bit more on edge than usual, hovering around Maria as if he didn't want to let her out of his sight. Which was understandable, considering what could happen in the next few days.

Which reminded her...

"Michael, did you have good dreams last night?"

Was it her imagination, or was he blushing? She needed to stop thinking this way. It was just another off day for Maria and Michael, that was all.

They settled on the grass in their usual spots. This time Alex casually leaned against Isabel. Even Maria was quieter than normal. Things had changed. No matter what happened in the next few days, now they knew that their time could end--any day now.

"I didn't dream anything last night." Michael's voice was quiet. He played with one of Maria's curls, trying to look a lot more lighthearted than he probaly felt. "So I don't know what..."

"But I did." Max had a slight smile on his face. "You're not the only one who can have vision quests, Michael. You were right. It will be soon."

Liz felt her guts freeze up inside. This shouldn't happen. They were going to go off to college together, and then maybe get married, and save lives and further medical science...maybe finding out what Max was...

Her hands began to shake.

"Liz?" She looked so pale. There were bags under her eyes too, like she hadn't slept that much. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her forever, but if he did that, he knew he'd be tempted just to stay with her forever. He reached out, touching her face lightly. "Sweetie, it'll be okay..."

She looked up at him, her dark eyes wounded. "No, it won't be okay. You're leaving. Things are finally going right, and Valenti's finally on our side, and they're coming for you, which isn't right. Not now."

Why did leaving have to mean choosing between the two most important dreams he'd ever had? He'd loved Liz since the first moment he saw her, twelve years ago. But home...

He tried to put his arms around her, but she moved away, huddling up next to Maria. Maria hugged Liz tight, giving Max a lesser glare than the ones she usually flung at Michael.

"We have to tell Mom." Izzy's voice knocked him out of his trance.

"What?" Maybe he hadn't heard her right.

"Max, we need to tell Mom. We can't just disappear. It would kill her and Dad." He could see some of the same struggle on his sister's face. He never thought it would be this hard to leave. All that they'd gone through not to put down roots...

Isabel reached out, squeezing his hand. "None of us ever planned any of this, Max. It's not like we had a choice." Her voice was soft, her face serious. Somehow, his baby sister had gotten more beautiful in the past two years. She'd softened some, grown deeper. He was really starting to like the person she'd become.

"Besides, Maxwell. It's not like we'd want it any other way." Michael gave him half of his usual rakish grin. But Michael's eyes didn't look directly at his. They only saw Maria.

Michael hung back a little, not knowing how to feel around all these families. Hank had stopped caring after the child-support checks stopped six months ago, when Michael turned eighteen. His foster-father only cared that he paid the rent on time each month with the money he made at his job.

But Maria must have noticed, because she spent most of the evening giving him soft smiles. It was definately one of their on days. He felt like taking her in his arms and kissing her as long as he could without breathing. His hands ached to touch her. But they'd promised to keep it cool for a little while--at least around the others. His and Max's dreams had been quiet for so long that he was beginning to think his subconscious had dreamed it all up. But it felt so real. And the being had felt so much like him that he'd woken up in tears--something he hadn't done since he was young, and first crawled out his window to find safety at Max's house.

Then the Evanses got up to leave. And from the look on Izzy's face, she and Max were probably going to tell their parents tonight. He should probably be there for that. His brother and sister looked like they could use a little support. Isabel waved him over.

"We're leaving. If you want..."

He gave her a half-hearted smile. "I wouldn't miss it, Izzy." That way he could just head over to Maria's afterward. He liked sleeping next to her. He didn't want to admit it, but it made him seem loved. The chemistry between them was explosive, but he liked this softer, kinda snuggly side. Not that he'd ever admit it to anyone.

He walked over to the Parkers, and gave Liz probably the first hug she'd ever gotten from him in their entire lives. "We're leaving now. Say goodnight to him at least." The happy love couple hadn't talked since their fight at lunch a week before. He gave her a rough, brotherly kiss by her ear. "Nice speech, Liz."

She gave him a slight smile, and hugged him back with more strength than he expected. "Thanks, Michael." She gave him a Look. "Just take care of Maria, okay? She's my best friend, and I love her very much."

He blushed. He should've guessed that they couldn't fool Liz. "I do too," he mumbled. He shoved her towards Max, letting the Evanses make small talk with the Parkers before they left.

Sometimes she wondered what she saw in the grungy outcast from the wrong side of the tracks. Who would've guessed that she would've found a soul-mate in someone so...alien? She smiled to herself. The stories she could sell to the tabloids...

It wasn't like she had a future with Michael. Even if he stayed and they eventually got married, it wasn't like they could have children. And she wanted children sometimes--maybe a little boy with spiky blond curls, or a little girl with soulful dark eyes and a passionate nature... And there was always the possibility that he'd leave, like her dad did. And then she'd be stuck alone, with this piece of him and her...a memory of what had been and what could've been and what would never be. Besides, who knew what kind of powers the kids would have, not to mention taste in fashion? It was really better off this way. But she couldn't help but wonder...

Strong arms pulled her back into the kitchen, and then soft lips were hungrily kissing hers. She let herself melt against his body, not letting herself fall too much into his embrace. Sometimes she couldn't decide if her life was more like a tabloid, or a romance novel. I had sex with the hottest alien on earth...and he ripped my bodice with more passion than Scarlet and Rhett.

"Tonight?" Her voice was breathless. She hated when that happened.

"Leave the window open." One last kiss, a quick "I love you," and he was gone. But he never said the 'l' word. That was a Max and Liz thing. He really was leaving. Too many things were changing, way too fast...

He hugged her quickly. "You'll be okay?"

She nodded. "Max and Michael will be there. If something happens, I'll call. I promise."

They were just finally starting to get somewhere after two years of platonic friendship, with the occasional flirting. And now she was going away. But he could be patient. He'd waited all these years after all. He could wait til she came back. Which he knew she would. Isabel belonged here, like the guys did. They just needed to realize that for themselves.

Before he could stop himself, he leaned over, kissing her lightly. "You'll be fine. We'll be fine."

She looked at him, surprised, but smiled almost shyly, an expression he never thought he'd see on her face. She hugged him one more time. "Thanks, Alex. For everything."

He just wanted Liz to be happy--what they all wanted for their precious children.

Part III "I'll Find You"

Maria stared at her CD player, waiting for the familiar tap at her window. She paced for a while, sat back down and fidgeted, then paced some more. She would probably wear a mark into the carpet where she'd paced all night. She hoped it was going okay for Max and Isabel. They were two of her best friends.

She hit the play button on her remote, letting a random song play off of whatever she'd shoved into the tray earlier.

"My lover's gone
No earthly ships will ever bring him home again..."

It was true. No earthly ship would be able to. Her alien was going to a galaxy far, far away. Nope, had to change it to a new song...this was getting to be too much... She hit the fast-forward button, jumping to the next random song.

A heavy drumbeat introduced it. She sat down on her bed, momentarily entranced.

"I didn't hear you leave
I wonder why am I still here
I don't want to move a thing
It might change my memory

Oh, I am what I am
I'll do what I want
But I can't hide
I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe until you're resting here with me
I won't leave
I can't hide
I cannot be
Until you're resting here with me..."

It was her. This song could be the theme song for her life. It was her entire existence, and had been, ever since that first kiss from Michael. Not their first real kiss, in high school, but their first dare kiss, back in fifth grade. Back when "Cheesehead Guerin" suddenly changed in her eyes.

She would wait for him, no matter how long it took, no matter what the cost, so that she could live and breathe with him again.

 "Mom, Dad, can we talk?"

His parents turned around as they got inside the door, surprised looks on their faces.

"What is it, honey?" His mom's voice was concerned.

"Can we sit down? All of us?" His mom and dad exchanged looks, but complied, sitting on the couch in the living room. Isabel took her favorite chair, Michael sitting on the arm of it. Max decided he needed their support, and took the other side, next to his sister. Isabel looked at him, took one of his hands and hers, and Michael's in the other. He looked at the man and woman who had fought with their lives to keep two children they found naked in the desert, and suddenly wished there was another way.

"Mom, Dad...umm...we finally found out where we came from."

Again, the exchange of looks between the senior Evanses. His mom and Dad mastered the art of speaking without words after so many years of marriage. He could only wish he and Liz would get to that point--if they were just allowed a little more time...

"Where's that, son?" From the look on his mom's face, he could tell she was remembering that day they'd watched the old home movies, and talked about how much he'd wanted to go home at first. He always thought she knew something was different about her children. It was Mother Radar or something. Something all real mothers had for their children.

But how could he tell them they were aliens?

Michael solved the problem for him.

He gave them the most serious look they'd ever seen on his face.

"Remember the crash of '47?" They nodded, perplexed looks on their face.

And then, Michael pointed straight up. "Well, it seems like we've still got some family around."

"There were these incubation pods...we...hatched right before you found Izzy and me." Max couldn't tell if his parents believed him or not. "That's why Valenti and the FBI and everyone else was after us for so long. Because I healed Liz that day that there was a shooting at the Crashdown."

"And Liz and Maria and Alex all found out?" His mother's voice was surprisingly calm. There was a look of wonder on her face, as if suddenly she had discovered light.

"Son, are you sure?" His dad looked lost. He liked to have concrete, unarguable proof. That's why he'd gone into law--with the right pieces of knowlege, you could solve any case and answer any question. That, and he and his wife both believed that everyone had certain rights--and that it was their job to make sure those rights were protected.

In answer, Isabel held out her hand. She touched her mom's black shoe, and then the bottle of 7-up that sat on the coffee table, left over from lunch. Slowly, the soda darkened to black.

Michael walked over to where he knew the wall safe was, placed his palm on the painting that hung in front of it, and with a soft click, both the painting and door popped open on their hinges.

And Max took the glass sitting next to the soda, and broke it. Under his hands, the pieces melded back together, to form a perfect whole again.

Neither of his parents spoke for a long time.

"So you didn't tell us because you thought we'd be in danger?" His mother's voice was soft, and he could see tears in the corners of her eyes. His heart froze in his chest. Would she hate them? Would she regret ever picking them up that night

Max nodded slowly. Isabel tightened her grip on his hand.

="Son..." His dad's voice was choked. "Max...Isabel...Michael..." He looked at each of them. "I'm guessing you're telling us this now because something's urging you to?"

Closing his eyes, Max nodded.

"How soon?"

And then it hit all three of them, a flash stronger than any of them had ever felt.

"No!" Michael cried. "It's not fair! It's too early!"

Strong disapproval, and the sense that this wasn't an intergalatic taxi.

"One more day," Max heard Isabel whisper. "Just a little bit more time. We've waited this long."

The sense of thinking about it. A stream of pure joy that they'd finally been found. The ability to wait one more day, and a vision of a hill by the crash site, the stars aligned for three hours before sunrise.

Max exhaled, the feeling of tears building up in his chest. He looked at his parents, surprised to find his vision of them blurred, until the first tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Momma, Daddy..." Isabel got out of the chair, and threw herself into their mom's arms.

"Baby..." His mom whispered, hugging her close. He saw her look over Isabel's shoulder at their father. "Philip, I can't do it...I can't let my babies go."

Surprise filled his quivering insides. His dad gave him one of his old grins. "Did you think we'd love you any less, Max? You're our son, no matter what anyone says. We were meant to drive down that highway that night." And Max found familiar arms wound around both him and Michael, the family's unspoken third child.

He buried his face in his father's shoulder, letting all the hard emotions that had built up finally spill out. From the way Michael's shoulders shook, he could tell his best friend was doing the same thing.

When the flood of tears was dried, his mom only looked at the three of them, and smiled that special smile of hers. "Did you really think it was that much of a surprise?" She gave a little laugh. "I always knew my babies were special."

"Hi, Maria, yeah, the Evanses didn't have heart attacks, how was your night, and by the way, did I tell you how beautiful you look today?" She glared at him, the same Michael glare that she'd used since they were eight years old.

"Not to mention the fact that we're too young, my mother would kill us both, and isn't it slightly illegal since you aren't exactly from around here?"

He just stood there, arms crossed, giving her that rakish half-smile that belonged to her alone.

"I love you," he said, walking toward her.

"Who are you, and what have you done with my cheesebreath?"

And then he was kissing her, his lips running from her neck to her ear, leaving a trail of fire behind. And wasn't the room getting awfully warm? At least her mom was still on a date with Jim...

"So, marry me." His voice was drowsy as he rested his head on her breasts, one of his hands running through her curls, the other held tightly in one of her hands.

He was serious. But if he was serious...

Her free hand moved to stroke his hair. "So, is it tomorrow or the next day?" She tried to keep her tone light, but knew she failed miserably.

He looked up at her, startled.

She gave him a small smile. "I've known you for too long, spaceboy. We've fought since you first hatched out of your pod."

His hand fell from her hair to caress her cheek. His touch was gentle, the way it was after they'd had a big break-up, and he was trying to apologize for not understanding his own emotions enough. They'd broken it off at least twelve times since the first intense one at the rave, two and a half years before.

"When we were telling Mr. and Mrs. Evans...we all saw them. They wanted to take us now, but they let us have one more day." His fingers traced her lips, the contours of her cheeks, the place where her dimples would be if she smiled. "I meant to ask you to marry me eventually, after school I guess, but I thought we'd have more time..."

So he was going. But could she blame him? His old dream of his family driving up in a spaceship was finally coming true.

They were finally talking about feelings and dreams, something they'd never done seriously before, and of course it had to happen right before he went away. She knew they'd get there eventually...it would just take time and a lot of fights. But why did it have to cost her her life? She really would be all alone on Earth. Without the last alien.

"So, Max is with Liz tonight?" She didn't have to ask though. Max probably reached the Crashdown at the same time Michael popped through her window.

He laughed, kissing her shoulder. "I think tonight's the night Max's been dreaming about since we discovered what sex was. I'm surprised he managed to hold out this long."

Liz sat on the roof, candles lit. Soft music played on the CD player in her window, a CD that Alex had burned for her of all her favorite songs. She wrapped herself in an old jacket of Max's, pretending that it was his arms inside the sleeves, holding her close. She could feel time running out on them.

Then she heard the sound of feet on the ladder. And her heart jumped to her throat.

And his arms were around her, and for a moment, everything was okay.

"They took it well." His mouth brushed against her ear. "Mom said she wasn't surprised." There was a catch in his voice.

"But?" She raised her face to his, looking him in the eye. This was Max. She knew how to read the silent signals he sent. Alien or not, he was hers, and nothing could change that.

He rested his forehead against hers. "We have twenty-four hours...they're coming tomorrow."

And you're leaving me all alone. I knew you would, but I wanted to pretend that it wasn't true. You're leaving me all alone.

But she couldn't say it. She didn't have to. He knew how she felt. He could read her as easily as she read him. Sometimes there was no need for words.

She leaned back, brushed the dark hair out of his beautiful eyes. "Then we'd better make the most of what we have."

And he kissed her, just as he'd kissed her that first time, when the barriers broke and the bridge of no return was burned. Time to set one more bridge aflame.

"Alex, phone!"

He clicked the receiver he'd been clutching for the past hour. "Isabel!"

Her voice was choked up. He could hear her breaths hiccuping across the phonelines. Had her parents not believed her? No, the Evanses loved them more than anything. Unless it meant...

He closed his eyes, almost dropped the cordless. "Tomorrow?"

Her sobs got louder.

He was on his feet and out the door before he knew it. "I'll be back later, Mom! Don't wait up, call me at Max's if you need me!"

He never remembered how he made it to his car, started it, and drove it all the way to Isabel's without crashing or hurting anyone. But Isabel was at the door waiting for him, and in his arms the minute he stepped out of the car.

It wasn't fair. Just when things were finally working out between him and Isabel. He'd waited way longer than Michael and Max. He'd finally gotten to see the beautiful person he'd always known Isabel was on the inside, and they were finally making that connection between the two of them work, in spite of everything. And now it had to get taken away.

He stroked her back, holding her close, wishing he could do anything in the world to make her feel better. How would he feel if he had to leave the only life he'd ever known to go to a completely alien place? But she was going to be with people like her. How could she ever love him with other alien guys to get her attention?

But the way Isabel wrapped her arms around him, pulling him even closer, made him have second thoughts about that. He didn't want things rushed, because it might be their last day together. He wanted to savor every memory naturally. Not everyone was lucky enough to know Isabel Evans inside and out. That was worth a lot more than casual sex the night before he might never see her again--tempting as it was.

But he didn't think he could afford the emotional trauma. He knew Maria and Liz would hurt more than anything in the morning, and for a long time afterwards. They were both in so deep that they'd probably live alone for the rest of their lives with poodles named Michael and Max.

It was better to forsake the heartache for the sexual pleasure. If Isabel came back, and nothing changed, then he would pursue. But for now, he'd hold the girl he loved, and try to make her feel better.

He picked her up in his arms, cradling her gently. He carried her into the house and down the hall to her room, laying her on her bed. But she clung to him, and wouldn't let go, tears still streaming down her face.

"Stay?" The look on her face almost broke his heart. She was all alone here. He knew where Max and Michael were. It didn't take a genius to figure that out.

He smiled at her. "Yeah. Anything for you."

He helped her unzip her dress, staring in open wonder at her beautiful body. He'd never imagined that he would see it so close. But for once, his desire to protect her overcame his desire to throw her down on the bed and have wild, freaky circus sex.

He found her red satin pajamas underneath her teddy bear and helped her into them. He laid her down on her bed and pulled the leopard-print comforter up. "I'll be right back. I'm gonna borrow some clothes from Max."

She nodded, clutching the battered teddy bear close.

Walking from Isabel's room to Max's, he passed Mrs. Evans in the hallway. She automatically handed him a pair of sweats and an old shirt.

"Max is out tonight, so I thought you might need these." She gave him a soft smile. His opinion of Mrs. Evans rose. She was an amazing woman. He wondered if his own mother could be that strong.

Out of an odd instinct, he leaned over and kissed her cheek gently. "I'll take care of her tonight. And I'll take care of Maria and Liz tomorrow."

Mrs. Evans smiled at him. "Good boy. The girls will need it."

He looked at her closely. "And you?" Again, the same gentle smile. "We'll be strong for each other."

He walked back into Isabel's room. It felt odd, putting on her brother's clothes, turning down the covers to one of his best friend's sister's bed. As soon as he slid into bed, Isabel wrapped herself around him, cuddling close. He put his arm around her shoulders, and kissed the top of her head.

"Thanks, Alex." Her body relaxed against his.

And as the girl of Alex Whitman's dreams fell asleep on his shoulder, he laid awake and wondered what tomorrow would bring.

When the moon finally made its way to Liz's window, Max still lay awake, Liz's head resting in the hollow between his chest and his chin. He stroked the long hair that blanketed them both, memorizing its weight and color in the moonlight.

"It's time, isn't it?" Her head moved slightly, brushing her lips against his neck. "It's too soon."

"Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day. It was the nightingale, not the lark...believe me love, it was the nightingale." He kissed her temple.

She raised herself up on her forearms, looking him in the eyes. "It was the lark, the herald of morn. I must be gone and live, or stay and die." Her eyes were wet.

"I'd rather die than leave you, Liz..." He kissed her tears away.

She shook her head, her silky hair feeling as soft as rain on his face. "No, you need to go. You don't belong here. You need to go home." And he knew that she knew that she didn't believe that. But they had to pretend, if only to make it easier.

She smiled at him. "Day always comes too soon."

The six met at the hill in the desert the next morning, sleeping bags and camping supplies in hand. The parents hadn't made too much of a fuss, after Mr. and Mrs. Evans called the Amy DeLuca, the Whitmans, and the Parkers, to explain how their two would be studying abroad for the first year of college and had to leave tomorrow, could the kids spend one last night together on a camp-out?

They spent the day scattered across the hills. Liz and Max found a sheltered pool. Isabel sat on a rock with Alex, talking. And Michael and Maria laid down on a blanket in each other's arms in the shade of two ancient incubation pods deep in a cave, sorting out all the emotions they'd ever felt.

They met again at sunset, eating half-baked pancakes and charred steaks. Maria tried not to cry when she saw the bottles of maple syrup and tabasco sauce come out, both dumped liberally on the meat and the pancakes.

The silence was broken when Max put his tin plate down at his feet. "Liz and I did something today that we'd like to show you..."

Michael groaned. "We really don't need to know that much about your sex life, Maxwell..." He gave Max his old grin.

"Like we'd want to watch, much less get involved," Maria added. "Orgies with my best friends are so last year." Her mouth twitched, the beginning of a smile appearing.

=Michael looked at her, touching her face gently. "Stupid broccoli breath."

She kissed him gently. "Hotdog face."

Isabel groaned. "I thought you guys were going to grow out of that."

"Umm, remember what I was saying?" Max waved at them. "Earth to all space cadets..." The joke didn't fly as high as it was supposed to.

"You have our undivided attention, Max." Alex walked over until he was six inches from Max, kneeled down, and stared him straight in the eye. "Let's have it, spaceboy."

Max pushed Alex back playfully, a slight smile on his face. "Liz and I tried to form a connection today, like I did when I healed her. I think...I think I can connect all of us." So we don't have to be alone.

No jokes, no remarks, no snickers or laughs. Just five people looking at him, hopeful faces for the first time in almost two weeks.

"I can't guarantee anything..." He didn't know if it would work between all of them. Michael and Maria could probably pull it off on their own, and definitely Maria and Liz, close as they were. But all together...

One last time.

They joined hands, gathering closer to the fire. "Michael, Izzy...concentrate like when we're trying to make the connection to heal someone...but concentrate on all of us. It shouldn't be too hard."

And then *flash* Class with Mr. Raddish in fifth grade

*flash* Michael and Maria's first kiss, on a dare

*flash* Milkshakes at the Crashdown

*flash* The pillowfight at Liz's eleventh birthday slumber party

*flash* First day of high school, seeing each other in the halls

*flash* Liz shot, blood streaming down her uniform

*flash* Michael waking up from his cocoon, them crowded around him

*flash* Hands held, exactly like they were doing now, but shining with a soft light.

Michael looked around at the faces of his friends. His family. The only ones who knew him completely. The three he was going to leave behind. He felt them inside of him, the way he'd only felt Max and Isabel before. And he could even pick out the largest bundle of warmth, a distinctive feeling that had a smell of cedar, and a lightening flash of dimples and blond hair.

"I don't know about you guys, but Maria and I are gonna sleep now." Sleep. They'd alternated talk with sex all night--not something completely unusual for them, except it was usually a lot less talk, and a lot more sex. But now, he just wanted to hold her close after emptying his soul all day. With sleep, he'd dream. And his dreams would be full of her.

By unspoken agreement, sleeping places had been found far out of eye- and ear-shot of each other. It was enough that it was the last night together. It didn't need to be public. Michael knew that enough tears would be shed.

He took Maria by the hand, back to their blanket from earlier. They unrolled the sleeping backs, zipping them together to form a double. They curled up, Maria snuggled against Michael's chest.

"Cheesebreath," he whispered to her, kissing her ear. I love you

"Pissbreath," she whispered back. I love you too. Come back to me.

Maybe he wouldn't be the last virgin on earth after all.

Isabel led him to where their sleeping bags were already spread, and pushed him bag onto his. "Lay down, and hold my hand. Don't say anything. Just trust me."

Trust her? To the ends of the galaxy and back.

He laid back, and closed his eyes. Isabel began massaging his hand as she laid down next to him. He tried not to laugh, concentrating instead on the backs of his eyelids. He was beginning to count backward from 100 when it hit.

He was standing inside a half-lit room, still hand-in-hand with Isabel. Two familiar people stood at the altar, flowers strewn everywhere. The couple kissed, and everyone clapped. Then, the room faded, turning into the front room of a house, sunlight streaming in every window. The two from the altar sat on the floor, the man laying his spiky light brown head against the blond woman's bulging belly, and smiling. Then, the picture changed again, same room, but with the woman and man swinging around a small child. The child had soft golden curls, round cherub cheeks, and hazel eyes. He laughed and chattered a mile a minute.

"Mommy, Daddy, fly me higher!"

And the dream faded. Alex found himself back on the sleeping bag, still holding Isabel's hand. He looked at her, wondering what that all meant. It was someone's dream, he knew, probably Maria's. Maybe Michael's. Dreams that would never be. The thought made his heart hurt.

"Max and Michael don't do it very well, but I can dreamwalk sometimes. I can see what other people are dreaming, like Michael's..." She flushed slightly. "It takes a lot of power, and sometimes you won't always see me..."

He closed his eyes, feeling them fill up with tears. "But you can see me," he finished. Something that would connect them across time and space. Max and Liz, Maria and Michael all had that brief meeting of flesh to keep them warm. But Isabel was offering to come visit in his very dreams.

And somehow, that seemed like the greater gift, the one that would make him strong enough to hold his best friends, when they were left all alone.

He took Isabel in his arms, hugging her tight. She pushed back slightly, a vulnerable look on her beautiful face. She closed her eyes, and leaned closer to him, brushing her lips against his. All the fires of heaven couldn't match what raced through his veins.

"No." He pushed back. "I don't want it this way. I want it natural, like it's supposed to be."

She opened her eyes, gave him a startled look. "But I thought you loved me..."

"I do," he cut in. "I do love you. But..." He touched her cheek. "I don't want sex because it's our last night together. That's fine for the others. They're at that point."

Tears slipped down her pale cheeks as her gift was refused.

"Honey..." His heart broke as he took her in his arms, cradling her in his lap. "I'll wait for you... I'll wait til the end of time, until you're resting here with me..." He buried his face in her soft blond hair, hiding the tears he felt coursing down his cheeks. "I don't want to lose myself to you until I know I can keep you forever..."

And her arms came around him, and they cried together, for what might have been, and what might not be.

They stood on the hill, hand in hand, all six. They knew this goodbye would be the hardest of all, but none were prepared for how cold and far-away the stars looked, even that close to dawn. The desert night had never seemed so big. How would they find each other across such a vast expanse of time and space?

And a silver star shot across the sky at incredible speed, finally settling over the six like a glittering egg.

"Flight of the Navigator," Alex whispered, his favorite movie from when he was a kid. "Just like Max the spaceship..."

And a door opened on the lower half, two shining beings coalescing there. One, a female, had Max's dark hair and Isabel's face. The other, a blond, looked like a softened version of Michael.

Each held up a hand. And each of them heard the silent outpouring of grief, of loss. Of love.

Come.

Isabel hugged Maria and Liz together. "I'll send them back as soon as I can," she whispered, a soft quick kiss to both their cheeks. "I always wanted sisters." She smiled at them. "Look after my mom, please?"

Silent promises.

Her hug for Alex was stronger than any he'd ever felt before, as if she were trying to meld her body with his so that she could remember the feeling forever. One last gentle kiss, another promise. I'll find you, if I can.

I'll be waiting.

And she disappeared.

Max's rough hug shook Alex. "Thanks for saving my life, bro."

Brother. Blood brother.

Max smiled gently at Maria, pulling one of her curls. "Don't drown yourself in cedar."

She took his hand, kissing it gently. "Don't stay away too long. She might start dating Kyle again."

Grins of best friends. A gentle kiss brushed against Maria's mouth--an innocent kiss.

Take care of her for me.

With my life, I love her too.

And Liz stood in front of him. No tears, no fierce kisses. Just one last soulful look, Czechoslovakian eyes to human ones, and a similiar promise.

Three words to set their fate adrift in space. Three words that could beat time, if time let them.

I love you.

And Max disappeared.

Michael hugged Alex without a word, went to Liz, and kissed her as gently as Max had kissed Maria.

He quirked a smile at her. "A good friend, huh?"

She smiled back. "Always."

He hugged her tight. "I don't envy Max Evans anymore."

They both looked at Maria, and then at each other. And it was understood.

He walked to her, stopped a few steps in front, and got down on one knee.

When I come back, his eyes said. I will come back.

Cheesehead.

Dogshit breath.

"You're the last alien on earth," she said softly. "You know what that means."

"Marry me," he said. "You owe me a wedding." And from his pocket, he took a simple silver ring. Slipped it on her finger.

And she was crushed against his chest, holding on for dear life, not willing to let him go. Not willing to breathe without him, because she didn't think she could. The last alien on earth.

His mouth met hers, with the same innocence and hesitation as their first kiss.

The tears in his eyes spoke more than words ever could.

And he broke away, running towards the ship.

He turned back. Mouthed three words.

She gave him a smile, and nodded once.

His face crumpled, and he let loose a sob.

And he disappeared.

Go to Home Is........