Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, but to the writers and
producers of Roswell
Spoilers: After Chant Down Babylon, changes happening where Max is
successfully rescued,
and Michael was the one who broke up
with Maria.
***
The road goes ever on and on down from the
door where it began.
Now far ahead the road has gone and I must follow if I can.
Pursuing it with weary feet until it joins some larger way,
where many paths and errands meet -and whither then, I cannot say.
- J. R. R. Tolkien
***
Tess arrived at Khivar’s house later that night. The plump maid showed Tess into the large, spacious dark study where Khivar apparently liked to brood. The plush leather chair behind the desk was turned from her, hiding the ruling king behind its girth.
“Ahem,” Tess cleared her throat.
The chair swiveled and revealed Khivar in a loose silk like
shirt. His top three buttons were
undone, revealing pale smooth skin. “So
you’ve chosen a nurse?”
Tess threw the list of names onto his desk. “Yes,” she replied morosely.
“Well, who was it?
Denar? Kepter?” Khivar smirked,
his beady eyes narrowing in victory.
Tess shook her head.
“Her name is Maia.”
Khivar’s body tensed.
“What? I don’t believe she was
on the list?”
Now it was Tess’ turn to gloat. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure she wasn’t either. But I hired her to take care of Zander for
me.”
Khivar rose from his seat and walked over to Tess, who stood
tall and defiant. “You chose a woman
you know nothing about? She could be a
killer for all you know!” he scoffed.
“Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”
Tess bit the inside of her cheek. It was true she didn’t know her at all in fact, but the glaring
logic, which put Maia in Tess’ favor, was Khivar hadn’t recommended the
woman. Also the noticeable familiarity
of the woman to Tess and her child, like she had been waiting for them, won
Tess over.
“I’m sorry. She is my
choice,” Tess declared. “Why? Do you
know her?”
Khivar had a look on his face like he’d swallowed something
bitter. “No. Not at all,” he replied sweetly.
“But one thing I want to remind you of, people aren’t always as they
seem on Antar.”
Tess smiled and rolled her eyes. Sometimes that could be a good thing, thought Tess.
~ * ~
Tess cautiously made her way towards Zander’s room. Khivar’s palace, if you could call it that, was brilliant with the light of the moon illuminating each room. The material that the palace was made of seemed to allow outside light in, but didn’t reveal the inner structure of the palace to onlookers. There were some strange materials and life forms here.
Finally Tess found Zander’s room. It was dark with an intense mirage of lights hovering over
Zander’s crib. Tess didn’t know what to
make of the illusion. As she reached
out to touch it, the lighted floating mist, it seemed to cringe at her
touch. Suddenly, as she pressed her
hand forward, it dissipated like fog.
Zander awoke suddenly, as if aware his mother was near. Tess lifted the growing child into her arms
and rocked him gently. His dark brown
eyes peered up at her as if to ask her something. Tess lowered her lips to his forehead. “It’s all right Zander. Mommy’s
taking care of everything.”
She looked around the room and found a rocking chair out on
the balcony. The only good thing about
the room was that it had a spectacular view.
As Tess rested in the chair, Zander nestled comfortably in the crook of
her arms, she allowed herself to drift off.
It was a restful sleep.
Tess dreamed of Zander, a little older than he was now. He was playing in his room, building cities
out of shining blocks. His dark eyes
peered up at her as he had done before, but then a dark shadow was cast upon
the city he’d built.
Tess began to toss fitfully. Zander was grown now - a young strapping man. Tess reached out to her son, feeling a pride
well up in her. But Zander’s face
seemed dark and foreboding and just as her fingers touched his face, he
disappeared. In his place stood
Khivar. His smug face smirked at Tess
and began to laugh.
When she awoke, Tess realized that Zander was squirming in
her arms. She looked down at her little
boy and felt her body relax. He was
safe.
But for how long, a voice inside asked warily.
“I don’t know,” Tess said aloud.
~ * ~
“Your new nurse is here!” Khivar exclaimed as he barged into Zander’s room.
Tess scowled. “Don’t
you knock?”
Khivar chuckled.
“Now why do I need to do that? It’s
not as if I caught you in something inappropriate,” he motioned to her fully
clothed body. “Apparently you didn’t
even bother to change out of yesterday’s clothes.
Tess tossed her head allowing the long blonde curly locks to
rest behind her shoulders. “So where is
she?” she asked expectantly.
Khivar smiled pleasantly, his hands entwined together. “Oh, my men are just making a thorough check
of her persons,” he explained gleefully.
“Just for Zander’s safety of course.”
Tess stifled back a cutting comment, pasting a smile on her
face. “Well you can go now. And send her up soon please?” Tess snipped
at Khivar.
He rolled his eyes and bowed theatrically at her. Tess turned her back on his mocking demeanor
and went back to the balcony. “As you
wish Ava,” he laughed arrogantly.
After what seemed like several hours, in the span of maybe
twenty minutes, Tess waited anxiously for the woman she’d just made caretaker
of her son. As she stroked Zander’s
smooth soft hair, Tess couldn’t shake the horrible feeling of last night’s
dream. Looking down at her son who
seemed quite content to stare out at the vast expanse before him, Tess
whispered to her son, “I won’t let him have you Zander. I won’t.”
“And neither will I my Queen,” an elderly voice
smiled. “I’m sorry it took so
long. Khivar interrogated me
thoroughly.”
Tess watched the older woman hobble over to the
balcony. She seemed more fragile than
she’d been the night before. Tess rose
from the rocking chair and approached the older nurse. “I hope he didn’t hurt you,” apologized
Tess.
Maia looked up at her with a twinkle in her eye. “That piece of scum? I’ve been dealing with ambitious power
mongrels like him in the span of my lifetime,” she said dismissively.
Tess motioned her to have a seat on a near by couch. “I’m sure you have,” Tess laughed.
Maia’s eyes seemed to stare intently at Zander. “Is…is that Zander?” choked Maia.
Tess looked at her son, which she held tightly in her
arms. She nodded. “Yes,” Tess replied in a child like voice. “This is my Zander!”
She placed a kiss on her son’s head and then allowed Maia’s
extended arms to hold him. “He’s more
beautiful than his picture,” she whispered, nuzzling her nose in the thin layer
of hair.
Tess smiled. She
thought she should have been uncomfortable with the familiarity the woman was
having with her child, but Zander seemed to enjoy the attention and Tess felt
at ease with her. “Why did you call me
your Queen?” Tess asked curiously.
In all the time she’d been back on Antar Tess had yet once to encounter
someone who had referred to her as ‘Queen’.
Maia smiled gently at Tess.
“I know you well Ava. You
have nothing to fear from me. I watched
you grow and become a strong and beautiful Queen.”
Tess frowned. “Did I
know you before? I feel like I should know you.”
Maia swallowed and lowered her eyes down to the restless
child. “I should probably find out what
he likes and dislikes,” she whispered, changing the subject. “Does he have a schedule?”
Tess didn’t like the sadness evading from her. It was as if she’d hurt her feelings. Tess smiled and went along with the
woman. “No,” she sighed. “He doesn’t have a set schedule. I’d like to spend as much time with him as
possible. Khivar said that he couldn’t
take the atmosphere I’m living in yet so he has to stay here.”
Maia nodded.
“Unfortunately Khivar’s not lying about that. The area you’re living in is not suitable for infants and young
children. Its’ atmosphere is dangerous
since the last war,” explained Maia.
“Our bodies are more equipped to handle the harsh pollutants that had
been released.”
Tess smoothed the wrinkles in her black pants. “What can you tell me about the war?”
Maia adjusted Zander’s position in her lap and looked
attentively at Tess. “I know you still
don’t remember much about your life Ava, but you will. It will come back.”
Tess bit her lip.
“Can you just tell me what happened?
I mean I can’t spend my lifetime here on Antar without knowing? I remember a lot about my life with…Max…” Her voice trailed off at the memories she’d
made with Max, or Zan…
Maia’s voice interrupted her reverie. “You and Zan were in love,” the older
nurse nodded, reminiscently. “But I’m
sure you hate him after what he’s done to you, right?”
The sudden change in her demeanor was startling. Tess frowned. “What?” She shook her
head in confusion, then suddenly a knock came at the door.
Khivar poked his head in through a small crack in the
door. “How is everyone getting along?”
Tess swallowed hard.
“Fine,” she choked. Tess looked
hard at the older woman. How did she
know he was coming?
Khivar walked into the room and towards the two women. “I’ve had you checked out…Maia, isn’t it?”
he sneered.
Tess watched Maia stare at Khivar glassily, as if looking
through him. “Yes, Your Highness,” she
smiled politely.
Khivar turned to Tess.
“I don’t think you really want this woman caring for your child Ava,” he
stated calmly.
Tess looked at him expressionless. “Why is that?” she asked.
“She’s not who she says she is. I found no recollection in our databases of any woman named
Maia.”
Tess looked at Maia who remained calm, playing with Zander
while the conversation ensued. “Well
how do I know that? I’ve never seen
anything remotely like a computer here on Antar. How am I supposed to check these nurses references.”
Khivar furrowed his brow in frustration. “That’s what my men and their resources are
for. We are here to protect little Zander
here.” The tall lanky man approached
Zander, reaching out to touch him.
Maia growled and wrapped her arms securely around the
child. “Well I think that Ava is a good
judge of character and can make her own decisions, don’t you?” the older
woman asked defiantly. “Or is she some
toy you think you can make bend to your will?”
Tess didn’t know what to make of the situation. She didn’t trust Khivar as far as she could
throw him, but she knew she couldn’t ignore his revelation. Part of her knew that he wasn’t lying about
Maia, well at least off of it. Tess
shook her head. “I think she’s
fine. I haven’t felt any alarms going
off in my head and Zander seems to like her.”
Tess observed Zander playing with Maia’s lips and exploring her face. His giggles set her mind and hear at ease.
Khivar’s body seemed to tense and his hands clenched into
fists. “I warn you, if anything happens
to Zander, it will be on your head!” he warned menacingly. It was almost as if he was promising
something would happen. He stalked out
of the room and slammed the door.
Tess locked gazes with Maia. “I don’t believe your name is Maia as much as I believe Khivar is
king,” Tess revealed. “Tell me who you
are.”
Maia shook her head.
“I can’t do that yet child. Not
here in his house.”
Tess thought about how reasonable that excuse was. Khivar was bound to have eyes
everywhere, listening to every conversation she had in his house. “Okay,” she drawled slowly. “Even if I believe that, why is Khivar
adamant about getting you out of here?”
“He doesn’t know who I am,” Maia stated, “and that’s more
dangerous than knowing who I am and having me take care of Zander.”
Tess sighed. She got
up from the couch and looked out the balcony terrace. “I will trus…”
Before Tess could finish her sentence, she felt a horrible
pain rush through her. She hadn’t been
in contact with Max for a while, since she’d had to pull out when Khivar had
walked into her home with the list of nurses.
But now it felt like where he had been, there was nothing.
Tess fell to her knees in pain. “What’s happening?” she gasped in pain.
Suddenly she felt a warmth flow over her and a soothing
voice melting away the throbbing darkness that consumed her. When she awoke, Tess found herself cradled
in Maia’s arms and being gently rocked.
Rubbing her head, Tess groggily regained consciousness. She sat up and looked curiously at
Maia. “I’ve heard your voice before,”
Tess accused.
Maia smiled and brushed a stray tendril from Tess’
face. “You’ll be fine.”
Tess slowly got up from the floor and looked around for
Zander. “Where’s Zander?” she demanded.
Maia pushed herself up to standing position on a near by
coffee table. “He’s in his play pen,”
Maia replied. “Don’t you think you
should sit down after that?”
Tess looked over at the older woman. She seemed less fragile and her frame seemed
to have grown taller and straighter.
“Who are you?”
Maia led Tess to the couch and sat her down. She disappeared behind a swinging door and
came back with a glass of water. Tess
accepted the glass of water and looked at her questioningly. “Who are you?” she repeated.
The nurse patted her on the hand and smiled. “I think you need to worry less about that
and more about,” she looked around the room, leaned forward and whispered, “about
Zan.”
Tess stood up quickly and shook her head. “No!
You need to tell me how you know all of this stuff and what about Max?”
she cried. Suddenly light-headedness
overwhelmed her and Tess had to sit down.
Maia again began patting her hand. “All in good time my child.
Now you have to worry about him.
He’s losing touch my daughter and you have to hurry.”
Tess furrowed her brow when Maia called her ‘my daughter’,
but could say anything before she faded into darkness.
~~~
Maria had arrived and was ready to take over for the evening. “What happened guys?” she frowned.
The trio looked at each other, eyes darting from one
another. “Things have changed. Max isn’t breathing.”
Michael’s statement threw her. “You mean he’s dead? And
you guys are just standing around like nothing’s happened?” Maria yelled,
staring at them incredulously.
“He’s not dead. He’s
alive, but just not breathing.” Michael
shook his head as Maria looked on in confusion.
“You don’t need to know all the details, except if anything
changes in his condition, call us,” Michael stated.
Maria rolled her eyes and walked over to Liz, hoping to get
a straight answer from her. “Liz? What happened? You look horrible.”
Liz lowered her eyes and tucked a lock of hair behind her
ear. “Nothing,” she whispered. “Look, I gotta get some sleep before my
shift starts this morning. Plus, my dad
will kill me if I’m late again.”
Maria watched Michael, Isabel and Liz walk out the cave
entrance. She felt like an outsider
again and shouted in a non-verbal response.
Then after counting to ten, Maria settled in for the early dawn and
looked unhappily at the comatose Max.
~~~
When Isabel and Michael believed that Max had been stable for an hour or so, they felt like they could possibly leave for the night. Michael drove Isabel home in the quiet of the night. He felt like he’d been through an emotional roller coaster. It was almost a list of miracles that Max hadn’t died that night. He shook his head at the memory of feeling no breath come from Max’s mouth or nose, and the relief he felt when he’d discovered his heart still beating.
Michael walked Isabel to the door. He was on autopilot. He wasn’t thinking about what he was doing, he was just doing it.
“Isabel!” a man’s voice cried in alarm.
Both Isabel and Michael seemed startled out of their foggy reverie. “Jesse?” Isabel whispered.
Michael watched Isabel launch into Jesse’s arms, while he stood there motionless. He couldn’t believe they’d have to deal with him now, after tonight. Michael closed his eyes and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Isabel called softly.
Michael turned around to see Isabel reaching out to him. He’d dreamed of her doing that, but it was always marred by Jesse’s presence in the background, just as it was tonight. “What?” he barked.
“Don’t bark at her like that!” Jesse growled. Isabel held him back as he leaned forward menacingly.
Michael rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
Isabel looked at him pleadingly. “I just want to talk to you about something Michael.”
Michael raised his eyebrows and lifted his arms with impatience. “Yeah?”
Isabel turned quietly to Jesse who looked like he was ready to have at it with Michael. “I just need a second alone with him okay?”
Jesse looked incredulously at Isabel. “Are you kidding me? You’ve been with Michael for god knows how long and now you need a ‘second’ alone with him?” Jesse yelled.
Michael bit back a reply. He had no business sticking his nose in their relationship, he reminded himself. “I’ll be outside,” he stated stalking out the door, out of the ‘marital zone’.
It was a few minutes before she joined him out in the yard. He’d been stomping back the divets he’d made while waiting for Isabel. “What is it?” he sighed warily as he heard the door open.
Isabel walked towards him. “I’m sorry about that,” she apologized softly. “I just think he’s a bit tired from the plane.”
Michael shook his head and looked at her skeptically. “If you ask me he’s just a jerk and the plane ride just made it more apparent!” he retorted.
Isabel threw up her hands. “Can you not do that Michael? Please?” she cried. “I can’t take this!”
Michael looked up from the patch of grass he’d just kicked, and sighed. Isabel had dark rings under her eyes and her hair was disheveled; a completely different person than he remembered. Michael nodded. “I’m sorry,” he whispered as he pulled her against him.
He felt Isabel’s limp arms slowly return his embrace. Michael pulled away slightly and stroked her short red hair. “I’ll try,” he promised.
Isabel looked up with her big brown eyes and smiled half-heartedly. “That’s all I’m asking Michael.”
Michael nodded. She mouthed a ‘thank you’ and breathed a sigh of relief. With that, Michael dropped his hands from her shoulders and waved good night. He watched her in the rear view mirror, standing in the driveway as he drove away.