Title: Closure
Author: Lori R 5/02
Category: Michael and Isabel (Cliffhanger)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own them, but I should. I write
about this couple for my enjoyment, and no
infringement is intended.
Feedback: Yes, it would be nice so I can see what
works, and what does not. 
Summary: Set sometime after 'Graduation'.The gang is still on
the run. Jesse has been killed in NY, and Michael and
Isabel are returning from Roswell where he has taken
Isabel to see Jesse's grave. They will meet up with
the others in a week. Isabel reveals she didn't love
Jesse as she should have, and that her grief is mostly
from guilt of not protecting him. Michael is wanting
to part ways with Maria. Then they stumble upon a
second book, an album, in the ruins of the Pod Chamber
that shows the aliens offspring. Now Michael and
Isabel have decided to let destiny have a chance. But
is destiny really theirs? And how will everyone else
react?



*********************

Several months after graduation, somewhere on the
road....

Isabel stepped out on the walk that was in front of
her cheap motel room, almost stumbling over Michael.
He was sitting with his back against the wall, feet
propped up on a cracked planter, guarding the rooms
that were occupied by his friends.
Isabel rubbed her arms as she looked up at the night
sky. 
"It's quiet," she commented.
"Yeah, out here maybe, but in there," he pointed a
thumb behind him, "It's just one big bitch fest." He
was glad it was his night to stand guard instead of
having to listen to Maria.
Isabel leaned against the wall as she asked, "What is
she unhappy about now?"
"She wants to sing at that club we passed as we came
into town," said Michael sighing as he rubbed the area
between his eyes.
"How many times do we have to tell her that we can't
call that kind of attention to ourselves?" asked
Isabel shaking her head.
"I know!.....I....know," he gentled his tone at her
look. "She shouldn't have come," he said quietly as he
looked up and down the walk, ever vigilant in his
watch despite this problem with Maria that was on his
mind.
"At least you have her here with you," said Isabel,
looking at the rings she twisted around on her finger.
Michael watched as the sadness that had followed
Isabel these many months, fell across her face.
He stood up and put his arm around her. 
"You were smart to not let Jesse come Isabel. It's
safer for him, and I should have done the same with
Maria. Now she's unhappy and is driving me crazy, and
that is making us both unhappy."
"But your together Michael, just as Max and Liz are.
Kyle and I are alone here. He was alone before so
maybe it's not as bad for him as it is for me. I
always seem to be the one alone, you know. All I
wanted was a normal life, and just when I finally
found it being an alien screwed it all up again," she
told him.
She wiped at a tear that slid down her perfect cheek.
"Listen to me. I'm depressing myself now," she said
with a small laugh.
Michael squeezed her shoulder and forced a smile for
her benefit. He was worried about her. Max was in
honeymoon mode despite being on the run, and so he
hadn't noticed Isabel's sadness. And though she
complained, he had Maria, but Isabel had no one since
she was technically still married to Jesse. And
knowing Isabel, she wouldn't enter into anything with
Kyle or anyone for that matter as long as she was
married, even if it meant being alone forever.
"You know, if you would stop dream walking Jesse this
would be easier on you," he admonished.
"I know, but it is all I have...besides my rings and
memories. I just can't wipe him out of my life
Michael. You should understand that," said Isabel
moving away.
"I'm just saying that you are making this harder on
yourself is all. But I understand. As hard as it is
having Maria here, I would go crazy if she wasn't," he
admitted.
Isabel nodded in acknowledgment of his words. She
knew he was right, but it didn't make it any easier.
She looked at her watch. "It's my turn at lookout."
Michael grimaced. "I'll take your turn." He had no
desire to continue arguing with Maria. But then again
he was tired and needed some rest. They had been
cooped up in the van all day and he was worn out from
driving then standing guard.
Isabel shook her head. "You need the rest. Besides,"
she said smiling, "You can't hide out here forever."
Michael made a face at her.
"Be careful. Everything seems quiet, but you never
know," he warned her.
"I know Michael. It's not like I haven't been cautious
all my life you know," said Isabel taking Michael's
place in the chair by the wall.
He blinked at her words. She was right. How many times
had heard her say that he and Max never thought about
how being alien effected her as well. She understood
as he did what it meant to be ever alert, not daring
to trust because of who they were. He should remember
that. 
"Goodnight Isabel," he said with affection as well as
fatigue.
"Night Michael," said Isabel, as she began her watch.


Hours later as day is breaking....

Isabel stretched and yawned as the sun began to appear
over the horizon. Soon they would be on the road
again. She would try to catnap in the van, but with it
being so cramped inside, that was next to impossible
to do.
The door to her left opened and Max walked out. 
"Morning Isabel," he said. "Everything seems quiet."
Isabel stifled a yawn. " Yeah. Nothing happening out
here. I'm going to get some coffee. Want some?" she
asked. 
"Yeah, that would be great," replied Max as he took up
her place by the wall. 
Isabel walked to the coffee shop next to the motel and
ordered some coffee for 6 people. As she was leaving
she noticed the newspapers had been delivered. She
stood there reading the headlines through the paper
machine window when the blood left her face. She
dropped the card board container holding the cups of
coffee as she collapsed on the ground in a dead faint.

Max heard shouting coming from the coffee shop and
quickly stood up. What he saw drove fear throughout
his body.
"Michael! Michael, it's Isabel!" he shouted before
running towards where Isabel lay on the ground
surrounded by on lookers.
He pushed his way through and knelt beside her just as
Michael joined him.
"What happened? Did anyone see?" Max asked as he
quickly searched for signs of being injured.
A waitress spoke up. "I was leaving my shift and saw
her. She was standing there holding those cups of
coffee, and reading the newspapers through the glass.
Next thing I know she's on the ground."
Max looked at Michael who was already heading to the
machines. Scanning each he stopped before one, sucking
in his breath as his eyes fell on the one from New
York. 'Young Attorney Struck Down By Courthouse
Gunfire'.....reading on he found the name Isabel had
sought....Jesse Rameriez. 
He started to use his powers to retrieve the paper
inside, but caught himself in time. Searching his
pocket for change, he placed the coins in the machine
and grabbed a paper. Returning to Max, he squatted
next to him and said, "Jesse's dead."
Max stared at Michael in disbelief. Michael nodded
grimly.
"Do you need an ambulance?" asked the waitress.
"No! No we can take care of her. Thanks," said Max as
he picked Isabel up and carried her to the motel with
Michael following behind watching his back.

"Oh my gawd what happened?" exclaimed Liz as Max and
Michael burst into the room shared by Liz and Max.
Michael handed her the paper as Maria and Kyle entered
the room. 
"Jesse's dead," she informed the two as she handed
Kyle the paper.
"How?" asked Maria shocked.
"It says he was killed by gang members after one of
their members Jesse was appointed to as legal council
was found guilty," read Kyle. He shook his head sadly.
"Max, why is she still unconscious?" asked Liz as she
moved to stand beside him.
"Shock I guess," said Max, who was also worried about
Isabel. "Get a wet cloth for her head."
"Max, we can't stay here. If someone who was in that
crowd when she fainted tells about it, we are going to
be zeroed in on," said Michael. He looked down at
Isabel who had begun to stir as Liz placed a cool
cloth on her brow.
"Jesse....Jesse...no Jesse.....oh gawd no," she moaned
as she became aware of her surroundings, and
remembered why she was here. She pressed her hands to
her face, and cried.
Max sat beside her stroking her brow. "Isabel, we're
so sorry about Jesse. I know you are hurting,
but....." he looked at Michael and Liz before saying,
"we have to leave before someone figures out your
connection to Jesse." He felt terrible. She had been
grieving for the husband she had left behind, praying
that one day they would be reunited, and now it was
never to be. He reached behind him and touched Liz's
hand.
Isabel closed her eyes. Tears fell silently down her
face as her lips quivered.
"Max, can't we wait one day? Even half a day?" asked
Kyle as he watched Isabel struggle between grieving
for her husband and her duty to her family and
friends.
Max shook his head. "I wish we could, I really do, but
even now someone may be suspicious about what happened
outside. We have to leave." He stroked Isabel's arm
gently, feeling her tension underneath his hand. 
"Isabel, you understand don't you? We just can't stay
here....later when we are away we'll hold up a few
days to give you some time. Okay?"
Isabel nodded as she wiped her tears away. They had to
keep running, and nothing would stop that. Not even
Jesse dying.
Michael frowned. He wondered if all was as it seemed
with Jesse's death, or if the special unit had
eliminated him. He would discuss it with Max later
when Isabel wasn't around.

Later that night.......

Isabel rested her head on the window of the van as
Kyle drove down the road, the headlights glowing in
the darkness of the night.
Jesse was dead.
She kept seeing the headlines in her mind, the words
reverberating in her head .
Tears fell, and casually as she could she brushed them
away.
Behind her but sitting by the opposite window, Michael
watched as Isabel struggled to not show emotion. He
was angered by the fact they couldn't even let her
grieve. She wouldn't be able to attend the funeral
either. She had been devastated when Alex died, but
then she was allowed to grieve. Now when it was her
own husband who was dead she had to hide it. Well he
was going to do what he could about that.
Moving a sleeping Maria off of his shoulder, Michael
moved next to Isabel.
"You okay?" he whispered so as not to wake Maria or
Liz. Max was riding shot gun up front with Kyle.
Isabel bit her lip and nodded.
"Liar. You're not okay," said Michael.
"Then why did you ask?" replied Isabel searching for a
tissue.
Michael pushed her hair back out of her face, and when
she looked up, his heart broke at the look in her
eyes. He pulled her to him and let he silently cry hot
tears on to his neck. He stroked her hair and back,
his hands soothing Isabel, yet also encouraging her to
release her pain. How many times had she held him,
protected him as he was doing now?
When she couldn't cry anymore tears, Isabel pulled
back.
"Thank you Michael," she whispered as she wiped her
nose.
Michael nodded, suddenly uncomfortable. He remembered
Maria being torn up about Alex, and how he had been
there for her and her mom when Alex had died. But
this, this made him feel really helpless. He couldn't
help Isabel, couldn't help her through this, and it
made him feel useless.

"Max, do you see what I see?" asked Kyle tensing as he
drove.
"Yeah, slow down a bit and let me think," ordered Max,
also tensing.
Up a head was a barricade, and officers searching
cars.
Michael came to the front of the van.
"What's going on?"
"They're searching everyone," said Max worriedly.
"Then turn around!" said Michael.
"If we do then they will suspect something is wrong.
We have to go on through," said Max.
"We're far enough back that some of us could get out
and walk. We could change the color of the van too,"
said Liz peering out the window.
Max nodded. "That might work. We've already changed
our ID's so that is not a problem. Michael, take
Isabel and Maria and meet us up ahead out of sight.
Make sure you walk far enough in the shadows so they
don't detect you," said Max.
Michael nodded and then went to wake Maria. After
explaining what was going to happen the 3 of them
exited the van. Isabel glanced around, and seeing that
they were the last in line, waved her hand and changed
the color of the van while Michael took care of the
plates and the bumper sticker.
"Let's go," he ordered, and the 3 took off to
disappear into the shadows.

Kyle pulled to a stop beside the officer with the
flashlight and rolled down his creaky window.
"Can I see some ID and registration please?" asked the
officer.
Kyle handed him the requested items and asked, "What's
up?"
"We're just making a routine stop of all vehicles
moving in and out of this vicinity. No need to be
alarmed," the first officer said.
The officer shined the light at Max and Liz and asked
for their ID's as well.
"Anyone else inside?" he asked.
"No, just us," answered Kyle honestly.
Max watched as another officer walked around their
van.
The second officer moved next to him and shook his
head.
The first officer returned the ID's and said, "You can
move on. Thank you for your cooperation."
Kyle smiled and rolled his window back up as he drove
off.
"Whew!" he said as he blew out a breath.
Max and Liz also breathed a sigh of relief before Max
said, "Drive on down until the check point is out of
sight and we'll pick up the others."

"How much farther are they going to make us walk?"
asked Maria watching the van move on down the road.
"Until they are out of sight of the check point and we
can safely get back to the van. Things must have gone
okay since they are ahead of us now," said Michael.
Isabel followed silently behind, lost in her own
thoughts, her steps automatically following Michael
and Maria's.
Michael kept glancing behind to make sure Isabel was
with them. He was sure that at this point Isabel
really didn't care if she lived or died and he was
going to make sure it was not the latter. He had
almost lost her once when she was shot, and that
wasn't going to happen again.
"They've pulled over. Let's go," said Michael moving
towards the van.
After the 3 piled back into the van Kyle took off.
"Any problems?" asked Michael.
"No. I don't know what they're looking for, but I
strongly suspect it was us," said Max.
"We need to drive on for awhile and then bed
down,"said Michael. "No sense in stopping now and risk
them finding us anyway."
"I agree," said Max.
So Kyle kept driving on in to the starless night, the
inhabitants of the van tired, but alert. Their journey
never ending.

******************

A few weeks later.....

Isabel smiled as she ran up to Jesse, his arms open
for her to run in to.
Then the shots...so much blood. Jesse lay on the
ground with blood trickling from his mouth, a hole in
his gut. 
"JESSE!" Isabel screamed as she fell to the ground and
pulled him into her arms.
"Isabel....why didn't you let me go with you? I'm
dying because you wouldn't let me be with you. You've
killed me Isabel," gasped Jesse before the life flowed
out of him.
"No...no...Jesse! Nooooooooo!" screamed Isabel into
the night.

Max sat up straight as he heard the screams. He jumped
out of bed, and ran out the door of his room with Liz
on his heals, nearly running into Michael and Maria as
they to headed to the room where the screams came
from.
They rushed in to find Kyle over Isabel, trying
frantically to wake her up.
Max sat on the bed pulling Isabel to him, his words
and actions finally reaching her until she quieted and
woke up.
"Oh gawd!" she said shaking, her dream still vivid to
her.
"You okay now Isabel? Was it a bad dream?" asked Max
rubbing her back.
"Jesse....I saw Jesse...shot...the blood....him saying
it wouldn't have happened if I had let him come with
us....it was all my fault Max. I should have let him
come with us, he would be alive now if I had just let
him come with us," sobbed Isabel into his shoulder.
Max frowned, and looked up at the others. 
He stayed until Isabel fell back asleep, and then went
outside with Kyle and Michael.
"I'm sorry Max. I was standing guard when she started
screaming. I couldn't wake her," said Kyle.
"That's okay Kyle. Has she done this before? I've
never heard her," said Max worried about Isabel.
"She's not slept well since we left Roswell, but since
finding out about Jesse, she barely sleeps and has
these nightmares."
Max nodded. Why hadn't been more sensitive to Isabel's
grief? Because you've been so wrapped up in being
married, that's why, he told himself.
"We need to really be there for her right now....be
more sensitive to her feelings," said Max.
Michael nodded, but wondered how they were going to do
that on the run. Isabel couldn't wake up screaming
every night, and alert other guests. But he was glad
Max realized Isabel was hurting. She needed both of
them now, and even though he was relieved they
wouldn't have to worry about Jesse talking anymore,
Isabel had loved him, and so that made the situation
hard.
"Max, I'm going to stay with Isabel," said Liz poking
her head out the door.
"Yeah, okay," he said kissing her good night.
"Max, what if Jesse was killed by the Special Forces?
What if it wasn't a gang?" asked Michael when Liz
closed the door.
"I've thought about that too. I just hope that's not
what happened?" said Max.
"And if it is?" asked Kyle, nervously biting his
thumbnail.
"I don't know. We have to be more vigilant in making
sure we don't attract attention. And with Isabel the
way she is right now, we have to watch after her even
more," said Max.
Michael agreed. He was making it his business to make
sure Isabel stayed safe.

********************

Michael sat down next to Max in the dingy diner.
"This place should be condemned," commented Michael
looking in his cup before raising it to his lips,
grimacing at the taste of the liquid inside.
Max pushed his plate of uneaten eggs aside, the runny
faces of the yolks looking as uncooked as they
probably tasted. He had been going over his
conversation with Liz in his mind. There was a
solution to the problem, but it wasn't one he wanted
to take. The risk was high, but it had to be done. He
saw no other way.
The silence went on a few more minutes before Max 
finally broached what was on his mind. He had been
thinking about this all night.
"Michael, I need to talk to you," said Max.
"What about?" asked Michael sipping his juice instead.
"This thing with Isabel, her grief and nightmares,
we've got to do something to help her," Max said.
"And how do we do that?" asked Michael.
"Liz and I were talking, and we think Isabel needs
closure."
"Closure. Okay, but how do we help her get closure? "
asked Michael.
"I'm going to take Isabel to Roswell," said Max. He
waited for the arguement he knew was to come.
Michael looked at Max surprised. "What? You know
that's impossible. Besides, what good would that do?
Jesse's dead."
"Exactly, Jesse's dead. She needs to see his grave,
say goodbye," said Max.
Michael shook his head. "It's too risky Max. I know
she's hurting, but at some point she'll put this
behind her."
"She's not going to forget him Michael," said Max.
"It's Roswell, Max. The place we've been running from!
What if you're caught? Did you ever think that they
may be watching for us to show up?" said Michael
sitting forward. He ran his hand through his hair. 
"I know, but it needs to be done. She can't go on like
this," said Max.
Michael looked out of the dirty window and saw Isabel
sitting on the bench in front of the motel office. She
just sat staring at her hand...the hand with her
wedding rings.
"What if it had been Maria? You would want to see her
grave one time wouldn't you? I know if it had been
Liz, I would," said Max.
Michael didn't say anything for a moment, then he
looked at Max. "Yeah, yeah I would. But you're not
going to take her, I am."
Max shook his head. "It should be me Michael. You just
make sure everyone else is safe and kept moving."
Michael leaned back and shook his head as he eyed Max.
"If anyone is taking her it's going to be me. You're
the King whether you want the job or not. You can't go
back to Roswell. On the other hand, I'm your second in
command...the soldier whether I like it or not. My job
is to watch out for you two, and that's what I'm going
to do. That's what I was sent to Earth to do."
Max looked into Michael's eyes and after a moment he
nodded. Michael wouldn't let anything happen to
Isabel. He would defend her with his life.
"We'll get you a cheap car or truck. I think she just
needs to say goodbye so she can move on. The paper
said they were taking his body back to Roswell to
buried," said Max.
Michael nodded. 
"You'll stay away from town, and any place anyone
might recognize you. Don't make contact with anyone,"
said Max, as he outlined where he and the others would
be waiting for them. 
"If you need to get in touch with us then Isabel can
dream walk one of us," said Max.
"Right. No problem," said Michael not liking this
plan, but seeing no other way if Isabel was going to
get over this. Without this closure Max spoke of, then
Isabel was putting herself and the others in danger.

***************

Isabel stared out the window of the truck that Max and
Michael had paid cash for so the others could keep the
van. They had changed the color and the plates just in
case, but it was reliable, and comfortable.
Since Jesse had died she did a lot of thinking. No
matter what the others said, she still felt
responsible for Jesse being killed. She should have
let him come with them. Tears gathered in the corners
of her eyes at the thought that she had caused another
death.
"You okay?" asked Michael glancing her way. Isabel had
been quiet since they had left early that morning.
She nodded. "Just thinking." She looked at Michael.
"Thanks for bringing me Michael. I didn't even
consider getting to see Jesse's...where he's at, but
I'm grateful to you and Max for letting me. I know how
dangerous this is for everyone, especially you."
Michael shrugged at her thanks. "You need closure.
Roswell's where you're going to get it. Just remember
the plan, no contact, and we have to go after dark so
no one spots us."
"I know," said Isabel, acknowledging his words. "Maria
was mad wasn't she?" she asked.
Michael snorted as he brushed a hand over his mouth.
"Understatement. She was righteously pissed she
couldn't come."
"I'm sorry you're in trouble with her because of me,"
said Isabel, not really sure she was sorry. Maria had
done nothing but complain the last few months. At
first she was fine and agreeable, but lately she
wanted her life back, a life she had chosen to give up
for Michael.
"It's not you. She's always pissed at me for
something, so what's one more thing? At least we get a
break from her tirade and Max, Liz, and Kyle can deal
with her."
"But you love her reguardless," said Isabel again
looking out the window.
It took a moment, but then Michael said, "Yeah, sure."
He didn't want to explore those feelings at the
moment.
Isabel gave him a funny look, and then turned back to
the window. 
This was going to be a long trip.


************************

They stopped in a wooded area late that night away
from parks and rest stops.
"It's safer," Michael had said.
"It's a clear night so I'll take the bed of the
truck," said Michael after they had each finished a
trip to the woods to take care of nature.
Isabel nodded as she opened the windows on the truck
and lay on the wide seat.
Michael hopped in the back of the truck and lay down.
It was hard and bumpy. His back was going to kill him
in the morning. 
"Night Michael," came Isabel's voice through the
window.
"Night," he replied as he tried to get comfortable.
It was going to be a long night.

**************

.....Isabel ran into the night. Her heart and lungs
felt like they were going to burst. "Michael! Michael,
where are you? Please don't leave me! MICHAEL!!!!"....

Michael's eyes snapped open and he immediately hopped
over the side of the truck, yanking open the door.
"Isabel! Isabel wake up!" said Michael gently as he
patted her face.
Isabel jerked upright as she woke up from her
nightmare. Beads of sweat dotted her face, and her
eyes were wild.
"Oh gawd," she whispered. "I'm ...I'm sorry."
Michael shook his head. "It's okay. I wasn't getting
much sleep anyway. Are you okay though?" he asked her
concerned. He wondered what she had dreamed that had
made her call out his name.
Isabel was shaking, but she nodded anyway. Why had she
dreamed about Michael?
Michael could see she wasn't fine.
"Move over," he told her.
When she complied, he climbed in beside her and shut
the door. Pulling her to him, he lay her head on his
shoulder. "Go to sleep. I'll be here to chase the bad
dreams away."
Isabel slowly began to relax, and after awhile she
finally slept with Michael's arm secure around her
shoulders.
Michael settled himself down and lay his head back,
but not before kissing Isabel on the top of her head.
His last thought was that for some reason this felt
right, but he didn't want to delve into why.

********** ********

They had been on the road for a week now. Their
routine was second nature to them. Days were spent
taking turns driving, and nights were spent locked in
each others arms so Isabel could sleep without
nightmares. It was strange to both that once Michael
had told her he would keep the dreams away by holding
her while they slept, it was true. The bad dreams had
not returned. They didn't speak of this, but each
wondered if the other had noticed. In any case 
Michael had not gone back to the bed of the truck, and
now they slept on the seat of the cab side by side
locked in each others arms.
"We should be there by tonight," said Michael.
Isabel nodded, a knot in her stomach rolling,
threatening to make her sick.
"You don't look so good," Michael told her.
Isabel's hand fluttered about her face. "I'm just
scared...nervous...whatever you call it."
"About being back in Roswell? Yeah, it's weird. I
never thought we'd see this place again," said
Michael, unconsciously shivering.
Isabel shook her head, though now that Michael brought
it up, it was strange being this close to home and not
being able to see her parents or Sheriff Valenti..
"No,I mean Jesse's dead. I'm going to go look at this
place in the cemetery where he is buried, just as I
did with Alex. And just like Alex, he wasn't supposed
to die."
"Don't go there again Isabel. You are not the reason
they are dead, so I don't want to hear that crap
again," said Michael firmly. He hated when she did
that to herself.
"But you know..."
"I said I don't want to hear it, and I meant it!"
Michael said again.
Isabel hesitated then nodded.

The cave was another hour away....the cave where they
had all been born...Max, Tess, Michael, and herself.
She wondered if anyone had been there to snoop around
since they had been gone.
They made the drive in silence.

Underneath the stars Michael pulled the truck to a
stop next to what had been the cave. 
He cut the engine.
"Looks the same as it did almost a year ago," Isabel
said ,getting out.
Michael walked up beside her.
"Think we can get in?" she asked him.
"One way to find out," said Michael.
Standing side by side, they raised their arms,
releasing their powers at the destruction Tess's ship
had caused when she had left Earth, pregnant with Zan,
her child with Max.
A small opening big enough to allow a person to crawl
through opened up where no one would think to look.
"Let's hide the truck and head inside. Later we'll
head to the cemetery when it's late enough," said
Michael.
They hid the truck from anyone that may come out for
some reason.
After crawling inside, they stood looking at the
destruction. 
"Shit, what a mess," said Michael as he began to move
rocks about until he could get to what had once been
the pod chamber.
Isabel stared at the now crushed pods that had housed
them, and felt a loss. 
"It's really all gone Michael," she said as she walked
over to the one that had been hers.
"Let's look inside at the chamber," Michael said,
moving that direction.
Looking inside he stepped back. "Shattered. All of
it," he told Isabel.
Isabel turned around,tripping on a rock.
Falling to her knees before Michael could catch her,
she raised her head and froze.
Michael bent down beside her. "You hurt yourself?" But
he couldn't see anything.
Isabel slowly shook her head as she stared ahead.
Michael followed her gaze.
There under the rock was a book. 
"What the?" Michael said, as he helped Isabel up and
retrieved the book.
It looked a lot like the one Tess had given them.
Opening it up he and Isabel gasped at what was inside.
"I can't handle this right now," whispered Isabel,
putting her hands out and backing up before she
hurried to the otherside of the ruined cave.
Michael continued to stare at what was in his hands. 
His heart was racing, and his he couldn't get enough
air into his lungs.
His world had just begun to spin out of control.

**************

Silence.
"Okay, come on," Michael whispered as he and Isabel
crouched down and hurried through the cemetery. There
was very little moon light tonight due to clouds, so
keeping out of sight was easier. They kept an eye out
for any semi fresh graves, hoping to find Jesse's.
"Here....over here I think," said Michael as he
stopped by a mound of dirt that had been there maybe a
few weeks.
Isabel felt a weight on her chest as she slowly walked
around to what the apparently just laid marker.
She knelt down and gingerly touched the letters
engraved on the stone. "Jesse," she whispered.
She brushed at a tear that trickled down her cheek and
read the rest of the words on the marker. 
Surprise filled her at the last line. "Together again
in eternity with his lovely bride, Isabel."
It read like she was dead. 
Her Dad's doing she was sure.
She had wanted to bring flowers,but couldn't. Someone
may wonder who brought them, and figure out she had
been here. That she wasn't dead.
"I'm sorry Jesse. You shouldn't have died so young.
I'm sorry I hid so much from you, but I wanted to
protect you and I failed. I hope you have peace now,"
Isabel said. She touched her fingertips to her lips
and then the engraved stone.
"Isabel, we can't stay too long," said Michael
apologetically as he looked around. It was a hell of a
long way to come for just a few minutes, but if it
helped Isabel then it was worth it. 
A few more minutes passed before Isabel finally rose.
"Okay, let's go."
Michael looked down at the grave. "Sorry about before.
You know when I wanted to kill you. But I want you to
know I'll protect Isabel. Like I once told you, she
and I were together before you were born and will be
once you're bones. I just didn't think it would be
like this."
He followed Isabel out of the cemetery just as they
had come in. Low and quiet. No one any wiser of their
having been there.

*******************

"We'll rest up tonight and start on the road
tomorrow," said Michael nervously. "You need to let
Max know our plans.
Isabel nodded as she hugged herself. She was cold,
but it wasn't from the cave.
She lay down near the rocks Michael had heated for
them. She finally relaxed enough to make contact with
Max.....

..."Max?" she called out to the mist. 
"I hear you," he replied.
"We're leaving tomorrow. Where are you?"
The mist wafted away and Isabel found Max sitting at
their parents breakfast table.
She sat next to him.
"You found Jesse?" he asked her.
"Yes."
He nodded. 
"You miss Mom and Dad too," Isabel commented.
"Yeah. A lot," Max replied quietly.
"I wish I could see them....talk to them," said Isabel
wistfully. "I really want to talk to Mom."
Max turned to her. "You can't Isabel. Don't give in to
that feeling."
"I know, I just...I just need to talk to her," said
Isabel.
Max picked up on her tone and asked, "Did something
happen?"
Isabel shook her head, and shrugged.
"Isabel? Something happened, what is it?" Max pressed.
"I'm just tired is all. The trip was long, but I do
feel better. It will just take some time."
Max didn't believe her, but didn't push the issue.
"So you and Michael are returning tomorrow. We'll meet
up with you in about a week at the planned location,"
said Max.
Isabel nodded.
"I've got to go. I can only do this for so long," she
told him.
"Take care Isabel," Max told her.
"You too."...

She awoke from the dream and sat up.
"Well?" asked Michael. He didn't want to think about
where his mind had been going while watching Isabel.
That damned book had put ideas in his head he didn't
know if he liked.
"They'll meet us in about a week," she told him
looking away.
They weren't going to play this game. The game where
you ignored each other, and pretended you weren't
because you are uncomfortable. They had to live
together with four other people. They had to talk
about the book, or make themselves and everyone else
miserable trying to ignore what was in it. He broke
the silence.
"Isabel, we have to talk," he told her. "The timing
sucks I know, but we don't have a choice."
"I know."
Well at least she agreed, he thought as he tossed a
pebble aside.
"I didn't know there was another book, did you? I mean
I never thought about it. Especially not one like we
found," he told her.
"It's an album Michael. Call it what it is. It's an
album about the four of us," said Isabel. "And I
really don't want to talk about this now," she told
him as she turned away.
"I don't like what I saw anymore than you did, but
it's fact and we have to deal," he told her.
Isabel turned to face him again. "It might not be
fact, and I don't have to deal, not right now. I know
we need to talk about it, but not right now." Her eyes
closed. "Not tonight of all nights."
Michael wanted to hit himself. Of course tonight was
not the night to discuss this. Here he had brought her
to deal with Jesse's death, and he was making her
deal with more when she didn't have to yet.
"You're right. Sorry. We'll talk about it tomorrow
after we start back," he told her as he lay down on
the other side of the heated rocks.
Isabel didn't reply. But she had heard him. What the
book showed disturbed her. And Michael too it seemed.
She closed her eyes and prayed for sleep. A dreamless
sleep. 
But it wasn't to be.

******************

......."Michael, don't throw him so high!" said Isabel
watching Michael with their son.
"He likes it don't you son?" said Michael again
tossing his son in the air.
Isabel smiled. 
"He's like his father, he likes dangerous things,"
replied Isabel.
Michael held his son close as he walked over to
Isabel, kissing her.
"At least he doesn't have my hair," he laughed.
Isabel reached up and lovingly touched his hair,
saying,"Maybe this next one will."...


Isabel and Michael both sat up with a start.
They looked at one another across the rocks.
"Did you...." said Isabel.
"....just dream," said Michael at the same time.
Isabel looked away. Both were unnerved by what had
just happened. 
"I never knew if it was Tess or really the planets,
now we know," said Michael, wiping his sweating palms
on his pants.
Isabel didn't say anything.
Michael looked up at her.
"We have to talk about what we found Isabel. We need
to talk before we meet up with the others. Max has to
know too," said Michael.
Isabel faced Michael. "His destiny changed. So did
ours."
Michael shook his head. "There's a reason we found the
book and had the dreams. Those pictures tell more than
the other book ever did."
"Michael...."
"IT HAS THE PICTURES OF OUR CHILDREN, ISABEL! The
likeness of Max's son Zan, is amazing! The child from
our dreams...that is him in that book! And that little
girl...our daughter, now you explain that away for
me!" said Michael just as freaked out as Isabel, but
knowing it meant something.
Isabel shook her head. "I...I can't."
Michael sighed, a bit of the sharpness going out of
him. "You know what it means, the same as I do." 
He ran his hand through his tousled hair. This
complicated everything.
"There is no point of saying anything to Max or anyone
else. Max is with Liz, Tess is dead, and you're with
Maria. No point upsetting everyone over nothing," said
Isabel from her side of the rocks. Her head rested on
her hands folded on her bent knees.
"Max's destiny may have changed because Tess died, but
ours is still open," said Michael. "We don't know how
we'll end up."
Isabel raised her head. "What are you talking about?
Of course it's not open. You love Maria, and I'm...."
she stopped. She wasn't married anymore.
"I know you loved Jesse, that you're grieving for him,
but Maria and me," he looked off. "Living this close
with her....I always thought I loved her enough that I
couldn't be with out her. I mean, I stayed on this
planet for her! But now," he shook his head. "Now, I
think it was all just security that someone loved me.
What Maria and I have is not like you and Jesse." He
sounded jealous.
Isabel stared at him. "What? You've gone on about
Maria forever Michael. The little things you two do to
irritate one another drives us all crazy." She looked
away guiltily. "And don't be jealous of Jesse and me,
Michael....things aren't always what they seem."
Michael sat up. "What are you talking about? You two
were crazy for one another. You even pushed us all
into accepting him, and rushed a wedding to be with
him! Or did you forget all of that?"
"I just didn't want to be alone," she replied softly.
Michael sat up straight. "What?" He couldn't believe
she just said what he thought he heard.
"I tried...I really did. I wanted to love Jesse. I
even told myself that I did. But...." she looked away.
"BUT...?" Michael pushed, his heart hammering in his
chest. She couldn't be saying this. Couldn't mean....
"I loved him at first." There she had said it. She
covertly glanced at Michael.
"You're saying you didn't love him enough to be
married to him?" asked Michael feeling sick.
"I did! I really did at first....but you were all
right. It was too soon. We didn't know one another. 
We had nothing in common. And then....it was too late.
We were married," admitted Isabel wiping her cheeks.
It felt good to finally share this with some one. She
had tried to be a good wife to Jesse, sort of like she
owed it to him for not loving him the way she should
have. Michael's next words really went straight to it
all.
"So we've both used someone else...someone human to
feel loved. Man we are so screwed up."|
"I did love him Michael. Just not like he wanted or
deserved," said Isabel quietly.
"Same with Maria. She deserves better...someone who
really loves her enough to put up with her needs,"
said Michael. "I have to let her go Isabel. I can't
mislead her anymore. Can't mislead myself."
Isabel looked at Michael. "That doesn't mean the book
was right Michael. I know what you're thinking. 'Drop
Maria and take up with Isabel. The book says so.'
That's not the way it works. If we're truly meant to
be together we will. Not because of a book. Not
because we're afraid of having no one to love or have
someone to love us."
"But you know we will be together Isabel. I can feel
it. It's strong. The images and the dreams we had
tonight. Those prove it," he told her. 
She didn't know if they did or not, but she knew the
feelings Michael was referring to. She always felt
close to him, and she had never felt that way with
Jesse. Maybe it was knowing that they were betrothed
on Antar, or maybe it was the dreams before and now,
perhaps it was because they were both aliens, but
whatever it was, she knew he was right. Someday
destiny was not going to be pushed aside anymore, and
it was going to force them to act.
Isabel shivered.
"You're cold."
Michael stood up and came around to sit beside her. 
"What are you doing?" she asked him, her pulse
excelerating.
"I'm going to keep you warm," he told her as he lay
back and pulled her with him.
She didn't resist. "What about the rocks?"
"What about them?" he said as he breathed in her
scent.
Isabel lay her head on his chest and sighed.
"Michael? You know Max and I always cared for
you....loved you, right?" she asked. It hurt her to
think he might not have really believe it.
"Yeah, but I needed more. You know what I mean?" he
asked her.
She nodded. 
"Think it could be that way between us?" he asked her.
He held his breath waiting for her answer. 
She hesitated before answering. "Yeah, I think it
could," she quietly admitted. She was scared now of
what that meant.
He hugged her tighter. "Take it slow?" he asked her.
She nodded. "We'll take it slow."
"Maria's gonna be pissed," he said sighing in
resignation.
"I'm sorry," she told him as she listened to his heart
beating.
"It will be worth it," he told her as he tilted her
head up and pressed his lips to hers. 
Much better than a dream.

*********************

Michael woke up, and gazed at the woman in his arms. 
Isabel.
She was sound asleep so he could look to his hearts
content. Really look at her. With a critical eye he
looked at her mussed hair, smooth, clear skin, and
perfect features. Perfect. Yeah, that was Isabel to
look at. But he wasn't naive enough to think that she
was perfect inside. They had grown up together so he
knew that she could be just as temperamental as he
was. Another thing to consider in this Destiny thing. 
She stirred in his arms, and gradually began to wake
up. Opening her eyes, the first thing Isabel saw was
Michael looking down at her. 
Each was thinking about the kisses they had shared
last night. 
"Hey," he said softly.
"Hey," she replied just as softly. 
It was strange yet familiar waking up like this. Oh,
sure they had slept in each others arms on the trip
here, but that was as friends. Now things were
different. 
They had kissed. 
And they were now aware of another book. A book
containing pictures of their children. No longer could
they ignore the destinies that had been layed out for
them on a planet far away. Now they must face them.
"You hungry?" he asked her.
"Not really, but go ahead and eat if you want," she
replied as she sat up, and ran her fingers like a comb
through her tangled hair. Her hands were shaking. She
was very aware of Michael watching her.
"It looks good to me," he told her as he reached up to
rub the thick strands between his fingers.
She paused slightly and then said, "Thanks. But it's
tangled. I need to get them out before they get
worse."
Michael sat up behind her. He was so close she could
feel his breath on her skin.
"I still like it," he said, before he stood up and
left the cave.
Isabel blew out a breath as her hands fell down in
front of her.
"What are we doing?" she asked herself. "Are we
crazy?"
Her eyes went in the direction that Michael gone. "I
don't want to do to him what I did to Jesse. Maybe
this is a mistake."

Michael stood outside looking around just out of sight
of anyone who might happen upon the cave. It was
almost dark. Time for them to be moving on. But
Michael's mind was on the woman in the cave.
"What am I thinking asking Isabel to consider
following our destiny? Is it because I hate seeing
Isabel the way she's been since Jesse died, or does it
have to do with the mess that's going on with Maria?
What the hell is it?"
He looked back towards the cave entrance. 
"Why does she pull at me like this? I'm not even sure
this is something she wants." 
Out loud he said, "And I have five days alone with her
to figure it all out."

***************

Isabel had concealed the book under the floor of the
truck by making it seem like it was a part of it. No
one would ever know it was there.
"It's done," she told Michael.
"Are you ready?" Michael asked her. 
Isabel looked off towards Roswell. 
"What?" he asked her, his senses now more alert. He
looked around thinking she heard something.
"I want to see my parents," Isabel said wistfully.
Michael relaxed a bit, but shook his head. "You know
we can't Isabel. They may be watched."
"I know. I just really need my Mother right now," she
said turning her back the direction Roswell lay in.
Michael could never understand why Isabel or any girl
needed her Mother so much. He hadn't had one and he
had turned out okay. Sure, Jim Valenti had something
to do with that as well as his own ability to adapt,
but who needed parents anyway? Then a thought planted
its self in his head, and his mind began to change.
Your children will need you They will need you to
teach them about their heritage as hybrids. They won't
have to wonder why they are different, where they came
from, or how to protect themselves. He and Isabel
would teach them.
Whoa! Where had that come from?, wondered a stunned
Michael. He knew in that moment that no matter what,
he was going to be a terrific Dad. The kind he had
never had. He also knew he was going to be with
Isable. And in order for that to happen he had to
start with the small stuff. He had to find a way for
Isabel to see her Mother.
"Get in," he told Isabel, as he opened the door for
her.
Isabel got in and Michael closed the door. He got in
on his own side and headed towards Roswell.
"Michael, what are you doing?" asked Isabel as she
noticed which way they were traveling.
Michael took a deep breath as he gripped the wheel.
"I'm taking you to see your Mother."
Isabel's eyes widened as her mouth made a small 'o'.
She was touched by Michael's gesture, but it was going
to get them killed. "Michael, we can't do that! We
don't know who may be watching! It's sweet of you,
but we can't! Now turn around before it's too late!"
"No."
Isabel stared. "No? Michael!"
He stopped the truck outside of town behind an
abandoned building, and turned to Isabel. "Dream walk
her and tell her to meet us here."
"Michael," Isabel said his name more softly and with
feeling.
"Do it!" he instructed her. His look belied the
sharpness in his voice.
So Isabel closed her eyes and soon made contact with
Diane... 
...Isabel watched her Mother. She was sitting in
Isabel's old room holding her bear. 
"Mother, mother do you hear me?" she asked Diane. 
"Isabel?" asked a confused Diane as she looked up. 
"Yes, Mom its me. Mom, meet me behind the abandoned
store just north of town. And don't let anyone see you
okay?" said Isabel.
"Isabel!" Diane exclaimed happily. But then she grew
sad. 
"This is a dream."
"Yes it is, but I'm really waiting at the abandoned
building. Please Mother,come to me," said Isabel as
she left Diane's dream.

"Did you do it?" asked Michael, when Isabel opened her
eyes.
"I think so. I'm not sure. If Mom realizes what I did
then she should be here soon." She looked at Michael
and asked,"Will we be safe here just waiting?"
Michael looked out the windows. "I hope so. It
shouldn't take her long to get here, so we may be
okay."
Isabel quietly regarded Michael. When he felt her gaze
on him he asked, "What? You keep looking at me."
Isabel softly smiled at him. "Thank you Michael. This
means so much to me."
Michael's mouth raised in a small smile as he nodded
his head at her. 
They didn't have long to wait before a car drove up
and turned off its lights.
Diane and Phillip exited the car and headed to where
Isabel had jumped out of the truck. The two women
enveloped one another in each others arms as Phillip
and Michael stood silently watching.
"Isabel!" cried Diane as she kissed her daughter's
cheek.
"Mom!" cried Isabel as she took in the familiar scent
of her Mother's perfume. She missed her parents so
much.
They stood back and Isabel looked to her Father.
"Daddy!" She ran into his open arms.
He too hugged Isabel tightly to him. 
"Sweetheart! How are you? Are you okay?" he asked
her.
Isabel nodded as she lay her head on her Father's
chest.
"Max?" Phillip asked. 
"He's fine. We're all fine Daddy," said Isabel. Then
she added, "We read about Jesse. Michael brought me to
see.....to see where he is."
"I'm so sorry honey. Jesse was a good man. I know you
miss him," said Phillip squeezing Isabel tighter.
Isabel glanced at Michael, but he was watching for
signs of anyone who might have followed her parents
from town.
"Yeah, he was," she replied. She stood back and then
looked at Diane. 
"Mom, can I talk to you?"
Diane and Phillip looked at one another before Diane
said, "Sure honey. Let's go sit in my car."
After they were inside, Diane asked, "What is it
Isabel?"
Isabel didn't know how to begin. 
"Mom, did you ever make a huge mistake, but you
couldn't make it right? Then something happened that
you felt was right, but you were afraid you might mess
it up?" asked Isabel nervously.
Diane shook her head at Isabel with confusion. "What
are you talking about Isabel?"
"Mom, everyone was right about me and Jesse. We got
married too quickly. I was in love with the idea of
having someone, but ....it wasn't really Jesse." She
looked at her Mother to see her reaction.
Diane blinked. "You didn't love him?"
Isabel shook her head. "No, I loved him, just not the
way he deserved to be loved."
Diane looked at Isabel. "Oh sweetheart. When did you
discover this?"
"Right before we left. I had hoped he could have a new
life without me, but then he was killed. What did I do
to him Mom?" cried Isabel as she leaned on her
Mother's shoulder.
Diane's heart broke for Isabel. She had learned a hard
lesson. But knowing now that her daughter was an
alien, she guessed it wasn't the only hard lesson she
had experienced.
"You tried to make it right Isabel. What happened to
Jesse is not your fault so I don't want you torturing
yourself over it." Then she asked, "What is it that
you feel is right, but are afraid you will mess up?"
Taking a deep breath, Isabel told Diane in a rush as
much as she could about the Destinies, the dreams, the
books, and what had happened since leaving Roswell.
Now that her parents knew about the aliens, Isabel
held nothing back.
Diane sat listening to Isabel pour everything out in
that rapid fire way she had when she was nervous. 
When Isabel was done, Diane said, "We read Liz's
journal Isabel. Her Father brought it to us, and to
Maria's Mother. We know about all of it honey,"
Isabel sat back stunned. "Everything?"
Diane nodded. 
"So you know the details about Michael and me," said
Isabel in relief. 
"Well what was in the journal. I don't know how you
and Michael really felt about all of it though. I just
wish I had known then. All of you have been through so
much Isabel. It breaks my heart that you felt you
couldnt trust us,"said Diane as she regarded Isabel. 
"Mom, we wanted to tell you, but we didn't know how
you would take it. I wish we had told you sooner,"
said Isabel.
Diane nodded, but kept looking at Isabel.
Something was different.
"Isabel, is there something going on?"
At Isabel's silence she asked, "Between you and
Michael?" 
Isabel looked at her Mother. "We....we think we want
to go ahead with our destiny."
Diane nodded trying to hide her surprise. "I see. And
when did you two decide this?"
"Last night," admitted Isabel. "Are we wrong? I mean
we were together on Antar, and we are supposed to be
together here so is it wrong?"
"Last night? You two ...." queried Diane.
"No! Oh no Mom, it 's not like that! Michael and I
have never done that," said Isabel. 
Diane stroked Isabel's hair as she asked, "I see. Well
then it depends Isabel. How do you feel about one
another? I know you are friends, but are the feelings
deeper? And are you sure this time?"
Isabel looked out the window at Michael talking to her
Dad. Her features softened. 
"I know I love him. He's been my friend forever. In
love? I don't know yet. But I do know that we are
drawn to one another for some reason. And the dreams
showed us our family. We both want that. But...."
"But?" asked Diane, observing Isabel closely.
Isabel looked at her Mother. "I don't want to hurt him
like I did Jesse. He's had too much of that in his
life. I don't want to be the cause of more."
Diane's eyes teared up as she caressed Isabel's cheek.
"You won't hurt him Isabel. When you looked at Michael
just now I saw what I never saw in your eyes when you
looked at Jesse. I saw a woman in love."
Isabel hugged Diane. "Oh Mom!"
A knock on the window made the two women look up. They
rolled down the window.
"Isabel, we have to move. We've risked a lot as it
is," said Michael.
The two got out of the car, and Isabel hugged her Dad.
"I love you Daddy," she whispered.
Phillip hugged her back. "I love you too, Pumpkin." He
kissed her cheek.
Isabel moved to Diane. "Mom!" she sobbed. 
"It's okay baby. Just follow your heart," whispered
Diane as she stroked Isabel's back.
Isabel nodded and then pulled back. "I love you two so
much!"
Michael watched the Evans' and felt envy. He wanted
that.
"Isabel, we have to go," he said apologetically.
Isabel quickly kissed her parents again, and then
climbed inside the truck. 
Phillip stuck out his hand to Michael. "Thank you for
bringing her home Michael. Even if it was for a very
short time."
Michael nodded.
"Take care honey. And tell Max....tell him we love
him," said Diane as she and Phillip waved at Isabel
and Michael.
"I will," cried Isabel smiling as she and Michael
drove away.
They rode in silence for a few miles before Isabel
said, "Thank you Michael."
Michael nodded. He realized she couldn't see him in
the dark so he said, "Yeah. I just thought, we're
here, sooo"
"It was dangerous. Max will be furious," said Isabel.
"Hey, we live with danger every day of our lives,"
said Michael, not really caring if Max was mad or not.
"I saw you talking to my Dad," said Isabel. She
wondered what was said.
"Yeah." 
"What about?" asked Isabel.
"Oh you know....how was Max and the others......what
route were we taking....did I take advantage of his
daughter while she was grieving for her
husband....that sort of stuff," said Michael off
handedly.
"What!?" exclaimed Isabel. "He didn't do that! Did
he?"
Michael gave a smirk as he reviewed the conversation
with Phillip in his head....

......."So Michael, how is Max doing? I worry about my
kids....all of you being out there on the run," said
Phillip.
"He's fine sir. All of us are fine. Just tired of
running," said Michael.
"I know you are. Maybe it will be okay to settle down
soon," said Phillip.
Michael nodded, he hoped so too.
"So what route are you taking?" asked Phillip.
"North then west," said Michael vaguely. He didn't
want to tell too much. You never knew when the Evans'
would be questioned. The less they knew the better.
Phillip understood and nodded. "Good. Good. Sooooo
Michael. You didn't sleep with my daughter while she
was vulnerable did you?" asked Phillip watching
Michael closely.
Michael's mouth fell open. "What?! Of course not!" So
he lied a bit.
Phillip finally nodded. "Good. I had to ask. You
know, a Father gets concerned when his daughter is
traveling alone with a man, even if he is her friend."
Michael nodded. He didn't know, but he hoped too
someday. "I understand."
Phillip clapped him on the back. "Good."......

"I'm sorry Michael. I can't believe he did that," said
Isabel. She was so embarrassed.
"Hey, he's concerned. I can't fault that," said
Michael in Phillip's defense.
Isabel looked at him.
Michael shrugged. "I'm just saying he was making sure
his daughter was okay. I'll be the same way with our
daughter too, I bet." He never realized he had said
it. Their daughter.
But Isabel heard it. And she wasn't as upset as she
thought she would be with the idea. No, just the
opposite.
She moved over on the seat beside Michael and lay her
head on his shoulder.
"Do you mind? I'm still tired," Isabel asked quietly.
"Uh no. Go ahead."
He put his arm around her shoulder as they drove into
the night.

********************

They were sitting in the bed of the truck looking up
at the sky as they waited for the sun to finish going
down. Traveling at night was much easier. Less traffic
or traffic stops. 
They were more careful around each other for the first
two days. Purposely keeping things off of the destiny
topic, but it was getting very hard to stick to that.
They would meet up with the others soon, and they
needed to know what they were going to do. Would they
follow destiny or leave it buried? If they followed it
then they would have to deal with Maria....and Max.
Michael had been spending his time going over how he
would tell Maria that he didn't want to be with her
anymore. He was finding himself falling more and more
for Isabel, and he honestly liked the idea of being
with her. Someone who understood what being an alien
really meant.
"Sooooo are we going to talk about it?" asked Michael.

"It?" asked Isabel watching the sun burn its way down.
The stars waiting to take up their duty to shine in
the sky. It was beautiful.
"Us," he clarified.
Isabel looked at Michael. No more avoiding it. "Yeah,
I guess we need to talk." She sighed.
"You're having second thoughts," he said as he looked
at his hands. He should have known that she wouldn't
want to be with him as a couple. Hadn't Maria always
said he was poor boyfriend material? It would make
sense Isabel didn't want him as her husband or the
father of her children.
Isabel read the hurt on his face, and raised her hand
to it.
"I never said that."
"You were thinking it," he told her.
"No. I was thinking that it is going to be a mess when
we get back and tell everyone what we decided," Isabel
told him. She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss.
Michael responded to her kiss with a deeper one of his
own, taking her in his arms. The fingers on one of his
hands ran into her hair and caressed her.
She moaned under his mouth. That pushed Michael's
hunger for her even more. 
She tasted so sweet to him. 
He couldn't breathe, so he finally broke the kiss with
her by licking her lips lightly with his tongue. 
She opened her eyes and sighed. 
He kissed her forehead, her eyes, the tip of her nose,
and once again her lips. Feather kisses. Lovers
kisses.
Her hands lay on his chest. She could feel his heart
beating fast under her hand like a runaway train. 
"Michael..." she breathed against his mouth.
His hand stole down to her shirt and covered a heaving
breast. Gawd she felt good in his hand and it wasn't
even bare skin! He began to knead her, and the moan
she illicited excited him.
"No...no we can't!" she gasped as she pulled away.
Michael's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he
had just done. He had lost himself and groped her.
"Iz, I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me," he
said with some frustration. His body was still
reacting to the kiss and touching her.
"We...we can't do this Michael," said Isabel gently as
she tried to ignore the burning desire she had from
Michael's kisses, and the touch of his hand. "Not yet.
We have to be sure."
"I know," he said hoarsely. He stood up. "Let's go."
He held out his hand to Isabel.
She looked at it and then took hold. He helped her up
and then held on to her hand for a moment before
letting go.
"Michael...."
"Let's go Isabel," he replied as he hopped over the
side of the truck and got inside the cab.
Isabel followed him, her heart heavy at what might
have happened if she had not stopped them.

****************

They rode the rest of the way to meet the others in
almost total silence.
It was the longest ride either of them had ever taken.
Night was just falling when they spotted the van at
the designated motel. Everything had gone according to
plan. 
Well almost everything. Michael hadn't planned on
falling in love with Isabel or planned on seeking his
destiny with her when he left. 
Max was going to be so pissed. 
Maria would kill him.
"The phrase 'home sweet home' seems so wrong when you
are talking about a motel that you don't even live
at," said Michael as he and Isabel sat in the truck
outside the motel .
Isabel smiled. "I know."
Neither one moved to get out.
Finally Isabel said, "I bet their all up there waiting
on us."
"Yeah, I bet you're right," agreed Michael looking up
at the second story.
"We should....go," Isabel said.
"Probably," Michael agreed.
"So why aren't we moving?" asked Isabel looking at
Michael.
"I don't know about you, but I'm not eager for my ass
to get kicked by Max....and Maria," he added.
"So you still want...." Isabel asked. She hadn't been
sure after the past few days.
Michael picked up her hand. "I want to. I'm just sorry
I was a jerk before and groped you. It's not all about
sex for me, even if that is a plus," he said half
smiling. Then growing serious, he said, "We need to
take it slow."
Isabel smiled.
"Time to face the music," said Michael as the door
above opened and Kyle stepped out.
"Hey their back!" called Kyle in to the room behind
him.
Maria came racing out the door and down the steps to
the truck.
"Michael! I'm so glad you're back! I was so worried!"
said Maria as she kissed him through the window.
Max and Liz stood outside Isabel's door. 
"Hey stranger!" said Max as he opened the door for
Isabel. He hugged her and asked, "Everything okay?"
Isabel nodded as she hugged Max. "Yeah. It's fine."
She looked at Michael who was looking uncomfortable y
at her while he pulled Maria's arms from around his
neck. 
Isabel looked away and then back at the couple behind
her. She met Michael's eyes. They seemed to be
pleading with her to understand that Maria's eyes
around him was not his idea. Then she followed the
others upstairs, looking back in time to see Maria
kiss Michael again long and hard. 
And then it hit her.
She was jealous.
And she was in love with Michael.

****************

Isabel turned over in bed as a hand smothered her
scream. 
"Shhhh, it's me!" said Michael as he knelt beside her
bed.
"What are you doing here?" she whispered back to him
as she sat up. She looked towards the bathroom where
Kyle was taking a shower.
"I wanted to see you," he whispered huskily as he
pushed her hair behind her ear.
She smiled. She had been having an erotic dream about
them. She had been having a lot of those lately. She
wondered if he could tell in the light of the TV that
had been left on that she was all flushed and aroused.
Then she frowned.
"What about taking it slow?" she asked moaning.
"I lied," he told her.
"We can't get caught Michael," said Isabel, her breath
catching as he kissed her neck.
"We won't," he assured her as he crawled up on the bed
next to her. 
"I just wanted to hold you ...and taste you," he told
her as he nuzzled her neck. 
She smiled as she played with the buttons on his
shirt. Then she remembered where they were.
"You can't be here Michael. Kyle will be out soon.
Besides," she asked pulling back from him. "Where's
Maria? You seemed to enjoy kissing her when we got
back." She couldn't hide the jealousy in her voice.
"Isabel, you know I didn't want to kiss her," said
Michael looking into her eyes.
Isabel nodded ashamed. "I know. I just ...."
"You were jealous?" he asked her seriously.
She looked at him. "Michael, I....I love you."
Michael's face took on a look of pleasure.
"I love you too, Isabel. I don't understand all of
this, but I do understand that. And I don't want to
prolong this anymore," said Michael as his lips found
hers and drank in her taste. He could smell her spicey
scent. He craved her. 
Isabel was melting in the warmth of his kiss. "We 
haaaaaven't.....mmmmuchhhhhh..... Michael you have to
stop that," Isabel moaned as Michael ran his tongue
over her ear then down to her collar bone. 
But Michael was too far gone. He had been fighting
coming to her room, but something was driving him. 
His hand moved up to cup her breast as his knee
separated hers. His other hand raised the edge of her
T-shirt and felt the silky skin covering her belly
underneath. Isabel's back arched up as her arms went
around Michael's neck. She forgot all about Kyle,
Maria, and the outside world as she lost herself in
Michael's arms. This is what both of them had been
fighting for years, and now they seemed to be drawn
together.
She ran her hands under Michael's shirt and pulled it
over his head. Her legs moved to lock behind him as he
moved his hips against her. 
They were panting between devouring kisses, their
hands wondering over one anothers bodies as if
memorizing each inch. Michael raised her shirt to
expose a breast. His mouth claimed it and he sucked
hungrily.
"Yes! Oh yes...." Isabel moaned as she held his head
to breast.
"Oh my gawd!" came Kyle's shocked voice from the open
bathroom door. His mouth dropped open in amazement at
the sight of Michael and Isabel dry humping on the bed
before him.
Isabel and Michael were so far gone they never heard
him.
"Hello! Hey! Could you two stop that please!" called
out Kyle. He was disturbed at the display between the
two friends. He looked up as the door to the room
opened after a short knock.
"Hey it's time to party.....OH MY GAWD!!!" cried Maria
as she and Liz stood at the open door.
Maria's face fell as she saw Michael wrapped in
Isabel's legs while he suckled at her breast.
Liz's mouth dropped down then shut very quickly.
"Michael! Isabel! Stop it! STOP!"
Then Max appeared. 
He took in the scene in one glance, and quickly pushed
through Maria and Liz to pull Michael off of Isabel,
and throw him across the room.
"You son of a bitch! What the hell are you doing?" he
yelled at a stunned Michael.
Liz quickly looked outside, and then closed the door.
"Max! We have to be quiet!" warned Liz.
Michael looked at Isabel struggling to regain her
composure as she covered herself.
She was wild eyed and shaking as she looked his way.
He knew how she felt. What the hell had just happened
between them?
"Answer me damn you!" shouted Max. "Liz, take Maria
out of here!" he ordered. Maria's crying was not
helping the situation.
Liz led a hysterical Maria away with Kyle following
behind as he struggled to pull on a pair of pants.
Michael stood up, but his eyes never left Isabel.
"I don't know what happened," he told Max.....and
Isabel. Gawd, he'd just attacked her! What was wrong
with him?
Isabel stood up and nervously pressed her shaking
hands to her head. "Me either. I just...I lost
control." 
"What were you two even doing together?" Max asked. He
was angry as well as confused. 
Michael and Isabel looked at one another. Should they
tell Max now about their decision and what they found?
"I don't think it's your business Max," Michael
finally told him.
Max glared at him. "Wrong Michael! We are a group and
this effects everyone!"
"Max....Max, Michael and I....well we..." Isabel
didn't know how to go on. 
"You what?" The tone and uncertainty in her voice,
added with the way she kept looking at Michael made
Max feel like maybe he didn't want to know what was
going on. 
"We're together Max," said Michael. He knew this was
going to be bad.
"Together? What do you mean together?" Max asked. This
was getting worse.
Michael put his arm around Isabel.
"As in together together. You know life time
commitment, have kids...that kind of thing," said
Michael. He almost dared Max to tell them they
couldn't.
Max took it up.
"Are you saying you're in love? Since when?" asked Max
shocked.
"It's been building. The dreams have returned, and we
bonded on the trip," said Michael.
"The dreams are back?" Then something else Michael
said came to him. "You bonded on the trip? What do
mean by bonded?" Max knew he should have gone with
Isabel. He had trusted Michael and that trust was
broken. 
"We didn't have sex Max if that's what you're
thinking. At least not really. But yes, the dreams are
back and they are more powerful than before," replied
Michael.
" Plus....Max, Michael and I found another book. An
album. It had pictures of our children in it," said
Isabel. 
"What?" Max sat down.
"Your son, mine and Michael's from our fist dream, and
our daughter," said Isabel as she looked at Michael.
She still couldn't believe the pictures in the book.
Her children with Michael.
"You don't know that Tess didn't plant that book or
Nasedo!" pointed out Max.
"We brought it back with us Max. It's real," said
Michael.
Max was stunned, yet also still upset with Michael and
Isabel.
"You can't tell me that you two were gone a two weeks
and fell in love in that time. And don't try telling
me destiny is right, because destiny is what you make
of it," said Max. 
"Max, we have fought our destiny for years. Now that
Michael and I have decided to allow it to happen
we're finding out we love one another. Please be happy
for us," pleaded Isabel.
"He can't Isabel. To be happy for us would mean
admitting the destinies were right. Max can't do that.
It would mean that Tess was right about us, and that
means no Liz," said Michael eyeing Max. "Right
Maxwell?"
"Max?"Isabel looked at Max and willed him to disagree,
but she knew Michael was right.
Max just looked away.
"Max, we chose to follow our destiny. That doesn't
mean you had to. Just be happy for us," said Isabel
coming to stand before him.
"I can't Isabel. I can't be happy for something that
will tear all of apart. I'm sorry," said Max. "I'm
asking you two to not follow this."
"You son of a bitch,"said Michael under his breath.
Isabel couldn't believe Max was asking this of them.
"Max, don't ask that of us. I love him. Please don't
do this," begged Isabel.
"Like you loved Jesse?" asked Max. He didn't want to
be cruel, but he didn't want either one them hurt
later on when they realized they had made a mistake.
Isabel felt like she had been slapped.
"I love Michael, Max. I tried to ignore our destiny,
and instead chose Jesse. I loved him Max, but I wasn't
in love with him like I am Michael. It's always been
Michael, we were just to scared to admit it," said
Isabel. She was hurt and angry at Max for not
accepting their desire to be together. "We support you
being with Liz, Max. The least you could do is support
us."
Max sucked in his lip as he watched and listened to
Isabel. In his heart he knew things would never be the
same between the six of them if Michael and Isabel
pursued their desire to be together. They were all
each other had. He couldn't let it happen.
"I'm sorry," he told them.
Isabel's pained expression said it all.
"Then we can't stay Max," she told him quietly.
"What? You can't leave! It's too dangerous," said Max,
stunned that Isabel would even consider leaving just
to be with Michael.
"We know, but it's the only way for us to be together
apparently," said Michael, as he moved behind Isabel.
He placed his hand on her shoulder in support. She was
shaking. This was hard for him, but he knew it was ten
times worse for Isabel. It made him feel good though
to know she loved him so much that she was willing to
leave the group to be with him.
Max couldn't believe what he was hearing. He shook his
head and stormed out of the room.
Isabel turned in Michael's arms and cried.
"Are we wrong Michael?" she asked against his chest.
Michael rubbed her back. "No. It's just hard that's
all. I never really thought Max would tell us no," he
said in amazement. He had to be strong for Isabel.
Now they had to figure out where to go.

**************

"They can't do this Liz! I can't believe that they are
even considering it!" said Max as he paced their room.
Liz sat and watched Max pace during is tirade.
"They had an album?" she asked. That unnerved her
more. She was still shocked from seeing Michael and
Isabel together.
"They said they brought it with them," said Max
sitting down beside her.
"I think we should see it," Liz told him.
Max looked at her. "Why?"
"I don't know. But I think it's important that we do,"
she told him, as she lay her head on his shoulder.
Max didn't say anything as he sat and wondered just
what they would see.

***************

"Oh my gawd...that's your son Max," said Liz quietly,
as she looked down at the pictures of the children in
the book. Beside the childrens pictures were those of
Max and Tess, and Michael and Isabel.
She looked at the pictures of Michael and Isabel's
children. A boy and a girl.
"Did the boy in your dreams really look like this?"
she asked, as she touched the pictures.
"Yeah, he did," said Isabel softly. She could remember
how he felt in her arms. How he smelled.
Liz nodded. "He's adorable Isabel."
"Thanks," Isabel replied.
"So you believe them?" asked Max. He had been
speechless upon seeing the images of his son, and of
him and Tess.
"I think we have to Max," Liz told him. 
"But look what it's already done to all of us. Maria
is a basket case. How do we all live together if
Michael and Isabel follow this plan layed out for all
of us on another planet?" asked Max.
"We don't want to leave Max, but you are not leaving
us any choice," said Michael.
They love each other Max. Just like you and I do," Liz
told him. She was sad that Maria was the one that was
hurt the most in all of this, but she couldn't deny
the way Michael and Isabel were with one another. The
look of love Michael had for Isabel was one he had
never given Maria, no matter how much they had meant
to one another. Something told her that this was
right.
"They'll leave Max. Do you want that? I don't. As much
as I hate her being hurt by all of this, Maria will
get over it eventually. We need to stick together,"
Liz told him.
Isabel looked at Michael. She had goose bumps from
Liz's words of support.
Max looked at Liz and she nodded. He then looked at
Michael and Isabel. 
"Okay, we.....I accept that you love one another, and
that you are going to be together. I'm sorry for
before. I do want you to be happy," Max told them.
Isabel smiled through her tears as she hugged Max and
then Liz.
"Thank you," she whispered in Liz's ear.
Liz nodded as she stepped back. She watched as Michael
kissed Isabel.
It still hurt her to think of Maria's pain over this,
but she knew in the long run it would be okay.

*****************

A few hours later.....

Maria hesitated before opening the door to her room.
Michael stood there as she had known he would be.
"Come to torture me some more?" she asked.
"We need to talk Maria," said Michael.
"Really? You think?" Maria asked with pain in her
voice.
"Let me in?" he asked her.
Maria stepped back.
Michael entered the room.
"So talk," said Maria as she closed the door.
Michael didn't beat around the bush.
"You saw how it is. I'm sorry you found out that way,
but it's true. I love Isabel and she loves me. We
decided to be together," said Michael. He waited for
the yelling.
It didn't come.
Maria sat on the bed. 
"I was shocked to see you ...with her in bed. Not an
image I wanted burned into my brain. But I'm actually
not as surprised I as I thought I would be. You see I
never really thought you were mine. I knew that
someday this destiny thing would come back and bite me
in the ass. You and Isabel, even Max and Liz have
something you and I never had. As much as I've tried
to live the alien life, it's just not working. We
fight all the time. You and Isabel....you get along
great. It's the whole alien thing. "
"I do love you Maria. But Isabel...." Michael tried to
tell her.
"You're in love with her. I know," said Maria.
She stood up. "Go and be with her space boy. Be happy.
It's all you ever really wanted anyway."
Michael stood before her. "I don't want this to end
our friendship Maria. We all have to live together. It
can't be hell."
"I know. I'll work on it," she told him, putting on
her brave face.
He hugged her then left the room.
And she cried.

* ***********

Michael's eyes were closed as he lay with his head in
Isabel's lap while she massaged his temples.
He had been warring with himself all evening and had
reached a decision.
"Hey Isabel."
"Yeah," she breathed next to his ear as she leaned
over to kiss it.
"You want to get married?" he asked her.
Isabel's hands stilled.
Michael opened his eyes. "Isabel?"
She was staring speechlessly down at him.
He sat up. "Isabel, do you want to get married?"
Isabel found her voice though it was shaky. "Why? Do
you?"
"Well I thought if we have those kids that book said
we are then it might be better if we were," he told
her.
"Oh," said Isabel looking down. She was disappointed. 
Michael frowned. "You don't want to?" 
"You want to get married because we 'might' have kids?
What if the book is wrong and we can't have any
Michael? Then you're stuck with me," said Isabel, as
she moved to the side of the bed.
Michael sat beside her. "I don't think it's wrong.
Besides, I wouldn't be stuck. How can I be stuck if
I'm married to the woman I love?"
Isabel looked over at him. "Really?"
Michael took her face in his hands. "I love you
Isabel. I want to marry you so no one else can come
between us. Besides, I think we'll look bitchin
growing old together," he told her as he kissed her.
She laughed softly as her hands covered his and she
returned his kiss.
"Then I'll marry you Michael," Isabel told him.
And she did.


End