Title: Going Home
Name: Lori 5/01
Email: Gussywussy55@yahoo.com
Category/Rating: Michael/Isabel PG13
Disclaimer: Not owned by me.
Feedback: Yes please! Any kind is okay by me.
Summary: Leaving Earth for home...what happens...set
after "Baby It's You'...

***********

"We can go home?" asked Isabel stunned. "Are you
kidding me?" she asked looking at Michael.
Michael looked her in the eyes, and said without
hesitation, "Nope, it's the real thing. Apparently
Alex got hold of the book and found a translation. How
he got the book, or how long he had been working on
this I don't know, but it's all there. Why we are
here, how we arrived...everything," he stressed as he
looked away.
"Everything?" asked Isabel confused.
"He means about our destinies," said Max looking
through the stack of papers Michael had given him.
Looking at Michael he asked, "You read it didn't you?
You know what it says."
Michael nodded as he confirmed, "Yeah, I read it."
He glanced at Isabel, and then away.
"What? Is it bad?" asked Isabel wanting to know what
was in the papers.
"It confirms what we guessed already. Tess and I are
married, and you and Michael are betrothed," replied
Max.
Looking to Michael, Isabel felt a mixture of fear and
relief. They were going to have to face this now.
Everything had changed. Alex had changed it.
"Well this is good for Max and Tess's baby, right? I
mean Tess can go home, and the baby will be
safe...right?" she asked fear of the unknown beginning
to grip her. 
"I have to with them Isabel. She is my wife, and I
won't be separated from my son. I'm leaving too," he
said fear filling him with this new knowledge.
"We all have to leave. The book says we have to stay
together to survive. Isabel and I can't stay here if
you and Tess leave," said Michael, his voice full of
sadness, and resignation.
"But this is our home!" said Isabel, not sure if she
was ready to give up her life on Earth.
"Isabel, we have always known that one day we might be
going home. That was our goal...one we never thought
we would reach. But now Alex has given us the means to
do it...we have to leave," said Max as looked up into
the sky at the falling snow, and the stars beyond.
"We're really leaving," she said unbelievingly.
"I have to go tell Tess about this," said Max as he
started off for the Valenti home.

Isabel and Michael watched him hurry through the night
before turning to each other.
"Isabel..."
"Michael, when do you think we will leave?" she
interrupted.
He knew she was avoiding talking about them, and for
now that was okay with him.
"Umm, I guess soon. You know Tess needs to get the
baby away from here," he answered.
Isabel nodded in agreement with him.
"We have to say goodbye to everyone," she said as
tears began to fall.
"Yeah. This sucks!" he said without thinking.
"It sucks that we are leaving, or that you and I will
be mated?" she asked trying to keep the hurt out of
her voice, yet failing.
Michael looked to her, and realized how what he had
said sounded like. He wouldn't hurt Isabel for
anything.
"Isabel...I just meant that all of this time I had
wanted to go home. There was nothing here for me. And 
now that we are really leaving, I have found a reason
to stay. It just sucks," he tried to explain to her.
Looking upwards to the sky, Isabel said," Yeah, well
I've wanted to stay until now. I've been hurt over and
over here. I'm ready for a change...and I guess Alex
wanted me to have it too. Why else would he have
broken the code? But then why didn't he tell us?"
Her tears flowed now, the cool wetness chilling her
face.
Michael got off of his bike, and came to stand by her.
Taking her in his arms, he held her while she cried.
"I think the reason we didn't have this yet Is, was
because Alex didn't want you to leave. Otherwise he
would have given this to us before now," reasoned
Michael trying to comfort her.
Pulling back from him, Isabel said with certainty,"Liz
was right. Alex was murdered...because of me...because
of us...he risked his life decoding this for us
Michael. We killed him."
Taking her by the shoulders, Michael shook her gently 
as he said,"No! I don't believe we killed him. Alex
knew the risks! He didn't have to do this for us! He
chose to do it. Accept it as the gift he intended."

Isabel rested her head on Michael's chest as she cried
for what should have been, and for what was to come.
"I don't want to loses my parents Michael. I won't
have them where we are going. I'll be alone," she
whispered.
Michael shook his head as he patted her hair.
"You won't be alone Isabel. Max, Tess, and I will be
there with you."
"Max will have Tess and the baby. He may not love her,
but he will stand by her and protect her. And you..."
she trailed off.
"And me?" he asked.
Pulling from his arms, and walking across the bridge,
Isabel finally said,"What are we Michael?" 
At his questioning look she clarified,"What are we
going to be to each other? Friends? Mates? What? I
need to know."
Michael rubbed his face as he thought about her
question. They were his also.
"I honestly don't know Isabel. I have feelings for
Maria. Maybe I never should have let that go this far,
but I really never thought we would go home. I figured
it was just another failed dream I had. I know you and
I will always be friends...I guess we will have to see
when we get there if we are going to be more."
"They'll expect us to be more, just as they will
expect Max and Tess to rule them...us," she said.
"Yeah, well..." he replied feeling lost.
"Do you think we were happy Michael?" Isabel asked
after a long time.
"Before?" he asked.
"Yeah. We are betrothed...were...do you think we were
in love? That we were happy?" 
He could see that this was important to her, and it
was something he had avoided thinking about. But now
he had to think about it. Had to tell her what he had
read.
"I know we were Isabel. The book gave us a history,"
he said looking away.
Noticing his hesitation, Isabel walked to him,
shivering as she did.
"What did it say Michael?" she asked hushed.
It took a minute for him to answer her...he had
trouble with his own feelings on this.
"It said that you and I were betrothed, and it was the
eve of our wedding. That we had met in secret for
months...that we were lovers."
Isabel gasped at this revelation.
"Max and I were best friends...I was his second. He
was very agreeable to a marriage between us...he just
wasn't happy when he found out you were already
pregnant," said Michael looking away, and then back at
her trying to judge her reaction.
"Pregnant? We were going to have a baby?" she asked
shocked.
"That's what the book says. They captured us, but not
without a fight. They killed Tess and Max immediately
as they slept. Their son too. They made you watch as
they stabbed me over and over. Before I died you
grabbed a knife, and started attacking those
nearby...Kivar ordered you killed. We died in each
others arms."

Isabel's tears flowed down her cheeks at his words.
Kivar had killed them and their unborn child, as well
as Max, Tess, and their son. And this is who they were
going back to take the thrown back from.
"Michael, I don't know that I'm strong enough for
this," she said fearfully.
"We will be together Isabel. Remember, we have each
other...and Max and Tess. I won't let anything hurt
you this time. I failed you before, but not this
time," he said trying to reassure her as well as
himself.
Isabel smiled softly at that.
He probably didn't realize he had just made a
commitment to her.
Starting for his bike, he said,"I've got to go. Maria
and Liz know what's in the book too. I want to spend
time with her before we leave."
Looking up at the sky, he said,"Don't forget to turn
off the snow."
"I will."
She watched as he rode off.
Looking up, she realized she would never see snow
again. Never see her family...or Roswell and all it
meant to her.
"Please...let this be the right thing that we are
going to do. I'm so scared...please let it all be
alright," she begged of whatever unseen being was
listening.
Raising her hand, she stopped the snow, and began
walking home to say goodbye.

***********

Michael sat with his arms around a sobbing Maria,
trying to hold back his own tears.
"Maria, we talked about this. I told you that I would
be leaving someday, I warned you about this," he said
still not believing that he was leaving, and would
never see her again.
Maria swiped at the tears on her face as she
replied,"You said a year, or 2, or fifty, not a few
days from now."
Michael looked towards the ceiling, and then closed
his eyes.
"I didn't know Alex was decoding the book Maria. I
didn't know that Max would get Tess pregnant, or
that..."
"Wait! What? Max slept with Tess? He got her pregnant?
Oh my God! Liz will die...wait..." she said as
realization dawned on her. "Are you having to leave
because Tess is pregnant? That's it isn't it? You guys
are leaving because Max couldn't keep it in his
pants!"
Michael ran his hands over her arms as he said,"The
baby's just part of it Maria, we have to leave. That
has been our goal all along...to go home. You have
always known that."
"I thought this was finally your home now Michael.
Me...us...why can't it stay that way?" she pleaded
with him.
Michael got up, and started to pace. 
"Maria, I'm not going through this again with you,
it's only drawing out the pain of my leaving. I'm
going and that's that!"
"You're going to be with her...with Isabel! You will
be mates, and forget about me!" she started crying
again.
"I'll never forget about you Maria, that could never
happen. As for Isabel and I being mates...I don't
know. That's our destiny, but...well I just don't
know," he said wondering what would happen himself.
"Let's just enjoy being together while we can. We will
leave in another day or two, so let's not fight about
this the whole time," he said.
Nodding her head, Michael enveloped Maria in his arms,
and silently held her.

********

Isabel heard Max in his room, and went to see how Tess
had taken the news that they were leaving. Tess was
probable happy since she had wanted to leave all
along, and then with her baby dying, she was most
likely relieved too.
Isabel entered Max's room without knocking as usual.
Max was sitting on the bed, his head in his hands,
tears in his eyes.
"Max! Is something wrong with Tess or the baby?" asked
Isabel as she hurried to his side.
Max wiped at his tears as he lifted his face to
Isabel.
"No, no, nothing like that. I'm just...well, I hate to
leave Liz. I know we have been at odds the past
several months, but I still love her, and it just
hurts to know that I'll be leaving her forever, and
we're angry with each other," he said.
Isabel put her arms around him to comfort him. 
He had made her life miserable the past several
months, but that all seemed so far in the past when
compared to the problems he had experienced lately.
"Max, we are all making sacrifices by going home. You
just have to get past this," she said not unkindly
adding, "Max, when are we leaving? How are we going to
tell Mom and Dad?"
Max looked at her, and said sadly, "We leave tomorrow
night."
At her look of dismay mingled with resignation he
said,"I know it's soon, but my son will die if we
don't." Then after a moments hesitation he
said,"Isabel, we can't tell Mom and Dad that we are
leaving. What excuse would we give? We have to just
disappear."
"Disappear? How?" she asked.
Taking a deep breath he said, "We die."
Surely she had not heard him correctly.
"Die? Max, what are you talking about? That would
devastate Mom and Dad to lose both of us! There has to
be another way!" she said, as she shook her head
vigorously.
"Isabel, there is no other way. Do you think I would
torture them if we could avoid it? The four of us have
to die, so that they will forget about us...not look
for us."
"We can never come back if we do it this way Max. Have
you thought about that?" she said through her tears.
"I know Isabel, but there is no other way. Tomorrow
night we die."

**********

"Max are you sure about this?" asked Valenti as they
all sat in his living room.
"Sheriff, it's the only way I can think of. This way
no one will look for us...they can move on with their
lives," he said thinking of Liz as he glanced her way.

"Okay then, I'll have what we need to make it look
real," said Valenti. Standing he went to Max and
extended his hand.
"Max, I just want to tell you it's been a pleasure
knowing you...all of you," he amended as he looked at
Michael, Isabel, and finally Tess.
Going to Tess, he hugged her.
"You've been like a daughter to me. I now Kyle thinks
of you as a sister, and well we're going to miss 
you."
Looking at Max also, he added,"Take care of that
baby."
Max looked shocked as Valenti said this.
"How did you know?" he asked feeling embarrassed that
Liz was hearing about the baby this way. Turning his
gaze towards Liz, he saw tears in her eyes at this new
knowledge that he had slept with Tess, and got her
pregnant.
"I had to tell him and Kyle, Max. I've been so sick,
that they started questioning things," said Tess.
"I figured that night when you two came in that
something like this had happened. I just hate that
your child is threatened here," said Valenti not
passing any judgments on them.
"What do you mean their child is threatened here?"
asked Liz quietly as Maria held her.
Max looked at her uncomfortably as he explained, "The
Earth's atmosphere is killing my son. We have to leave
or he will die soon. An alien pregnancy only lasts
about a month, so we are running out of time."
"Oh," said Liz dazed by everything.

Isabel watched all of this as if in a dream. She still
couldn't believe they were going to be leaving here
for good. 
She was so scared. She didn't know what to expect, and
she wondered if she and Michael would be together on
Antar. That was another reason she was scared. 
Michael.
She loved him as a friend, but the people on Antar
would expect them to produce children together, and
she didn't know if she could do 'that' with him. But
the alternative was to be alone forever, and she
didn't like that either.
Looking his way, she caught Maria watching her.
Maria hadn't said two words to her tonight. She most
likely thought Isabel would put the moves on Michael
as soon as they were gone. 

"How long will it take you to get to Antar Max?" asked
Liz.
"If Alex decoded the book properly, then seconds,"
replied Max sitting beside her.
"Seconds? How is that possible?" she asked.
"The Grinolith is a portal. We always thought a ship
would take us home, but we will be taken into the
Grinolith and instantly be transported home."

Michael heard Max and Liz talking about how they would
get to Antar. It was hard to believe that they would
be there in about the time it took to snap your
fingers.
"I'm heading on home. I don't know what we will find
when we get there, and I want to be rested and ready,"
said Michael standing up to leave.
Isabel was standing near him, and said, "I'll see you
tomorrow Michael."
"And all the tomorrows after that," said Maria under
her breath. 
But Isabel heard her.
"Maria, we didn't plan this. This was planned for us,
please don't be mad at me for something that I have no
control over," said Isabel,not wanting to leave Earth
with bad feelings towards anyone.
Maria stopped and digested what Isabel said. Michael
had told her the same thing.
"I'm sorry Isabel. I just am not handling this very
well. I just keep forgetting what you guys are going
through," she said.
Hugging her, Isabel said,"It's okay Maria. And I hope
it makes you feel better to know that Michael is upset
too. I'll watch out for him. We'll all watch out for
each other."
Maria nodded. "Thanks."
"I'll catch you guys tomorrow," said Michael to Isabel
as he left with Maria to take her home.

***********

Michael kissed Maria goodnight, and was preparing to
leave when she grabbed his hand, begging, "Michael!
Michael stay the night with me...it's our last
chance."
Michael looked down at their hands, and then at her
before saying, "No, Maria."
At her hurt look, he clarified his answer, "I won't
sleep with you knowing I'll never be back to be with
you again. That's not fair to you or to me."
"But I want too. I can hold this memory forever.
Please Michael!"
Shaking his head as he pulling her to him, he said, "I
don't know if it could happen or not, but what if you
got pregnant? You would be alone, and I would never
know that child. Plus how would you raise a half alien
child? No, it's better this way."
"I'll risk it," she said tearfully.
taking a breath Michael said, "No Maria, I'm not going
to sleep with you. I'm not willing to risk it."
Nodding her head in understanding, Maria kissed him
once more before letting him go.
Then they said good night for the last time...
"Good night Michael."
"Good night Maria." 

***********

Isabel was restless all night. 
This was her last night on Earth. The last night in
this house. The last night in her bed.
Getting up she went to the window and stared out. 
The stars were shining brightly...a clear night.
Looking about, she saw a figure in the yard. On closer
inspection she realized it was Michael pacing about.
Isabel went downstairs, and out the back door,
stopping on the steps.
"Michael? What are you doing here?" she asked.
Michael jumped, startled by her presence.
"I just didn't want to be alone...last night and all.
I figured you guys were sleeping, and so I just hung
out here," he said guiltily.
"That's a first," she said softly. 
At his quizzical look she said, "Usually it doesn't
matter that we are asleep, you just come on in."
"Yeah," he nodded.
"Well?"
Michael came closer to her, and sat down on the steps.
Isabel sat next to him, and waited.
Finally Michael said, "Isabel, do you think it is very
different where we are going? I mean, do you think
they look like us? When Nacedo died, he changed forms
and looked alien at some points. Will everyone look
like that you think?"
Isabel had wondered that same thing. 
"I don't know Michael. Our mother said she had taken
human form so we could understand. I'm not sure what
to expect. I just know that I'm so scared...more
scared than I've ever been in my life," she replied
shivering just thinking about it.
Michael saw her shiver, and put his arm around her
comfortingly.
"I'll protect you Isabel. I'm never going to let
anything happen to you. We'll stick together and do
what we have to. Maybe it won't be so bad, you know.
It will be a challenge," Michael said as he tried to
reassure her, and himself.
Laying her head on his shoulder, Isabel looked to the
sky.
"We will be up there somewhere by this time tomorrow
Michael. It seems odd...not real, you know?"
Michael rested his chin on her head as he said, "Yeah,
I know. But maybe in the long run it will be best."
They didn't say anything for the longest time as they
both thought about what leaving would mean to the two
of them as a couple.
After a time, Isabel asked, "Michael...are we going to
be mates, or just friends? Are we going to just ignore
this or pursue it?"
"Isabel, like I said before, I don't know. We have to
see what happens. I don't want to say one thing if it
turns out to be another way."
Looking at the pinkening sky, Isabel got up and said,
"The sun is coming up. My last breakfast with my
parents...want to stay?"
Shaking his head as he stood up, Michael said,"That
should just be you guys. I'll catch you guy later at
the Crashdown."
Hugging him to her, Isabel said, "I'll see you later
Michael."
And he was gone.

********

"Wow! Somebody was industrious this morning! What a
nice surprise sweetheart," said Phillip Evans as he
and Diane entered the kitchen.
Isabel had preparedomeletss and french toast...the
only things she knew how to make well.
"What's theoccasionn Isabel?" asked Diane as she sat
down.
"Nooccasionn, I just felt like making it this
morning," she replied trying to keep the catch out of
her voice.
"Max! Look what your sister has made for us this
morning," said Diane as Max entered the kitchen.
"Looks good Isabel," said Max catching her eye. He
thought if he ate he might throw up, but for Isabel
and his parents he would try.
As the four of them ate, Phillip and Diane chatted not
noticing that Max and Isabel were silent.
"Well, time for us to head out to work," said Phillip
as he and Diane stood to leave.
"Breakfast was truly wonderful Isabel. Thank you,"
said Diane as she hugged Isabel.
"You're leaving? Now?" asked Isabel as she stood in a
rush. This was the last time that she would ever see
her parents, and she didn't want it to end.
"Well of course Isabel," laughed Phillip amused. "Is
something wrong?"
"No! No...well...I ...have a good day," she finally
got out.
"You too honey," her dad said.
Max got up to hug his parents and said, "I love you
guys."
Diane paused at that, and said, "Well we love you too
Max. Both of you," she said taking both of their hands
in hers.
"Son, is everything okay?" asked Phillipeyingg him.
"Yeah Dad, everything is just fine. I just thought
that I don't tell you guys enough that I love you
that's all," said Max realizing how strange he must be
acting to them.
"Well good. We'll see you guys tonight," Phillip said
as he and Diane headed out the door.
"Oh my god, that was so hard," cried Isabel throwing
her arms around Max.
"Isabel, it has to be this way. Now no looking back.
We have to get ready to go."
"What are you taking with you Max?" asked Isabel.
"Nothing, and neither are you," said Max.
"What? Nothing?" she asked shocked.
"It has to seem natural. If we leave with stuff, then
it will look like we were running away, and that would
really torture them. Only take what you will leave in
the jeep when we crash it."
At her look, he relented some, "Take some
pictures...things that won't be missed."
Nodding, Isabel cleaned the kitchen, and then went to
her room to collect what she would take.

********

When all was said and done, Isabel only took some
pictures of her family and friends...and few letters
from Alex all of which she stuck into her back pocket.
Looking about, she grabbed her bear at the last
minute,along with her purse and a jacket, and headed
out the door.
Max was coming out of his room, and ran into Isabel.
Seeing her with only the bear, he asked, "Change your
mind?"
Hugging the bear to her, she only nodded.
"It will be missed Isabel," Max said referring to the
bear.
"I don't care Max. I'm taking him...I need him with
me," she whispereddefiantlyy.
"Isabel..." 
But he stopped at her look. He couldn't deny her the
bear.
"Yeah, okay...let's go," he said taking her hand and
heading for the jeep.
"Wait!" she said pulling back.
"Isabel we can't prolong this!" said Max.
"Just one more look around..please Max?" she asked.
Max nodded.
So they walked through the house room by room, and the
yard ending up at the jeep.
Max started the jeep, and they drove away without
looking back.

*******

"Now you can do whatever you want with this stuff
Maria. When you sell my bike, you should be able to
get a good price," he told her as he took some
pictures and stuck them in his pocket.
"Okay," she said dazed.
"Okay....time to go," said Michael as he looked about
his small apartment sadness filling him. He picked up
a jacket that would be left in the jeep as a decoy.
Taking his hand, Maria followed Michael out. Then they
got in her car, and headed for the Crashdown.

******

Tess sat on her bed looking about. Kyle was in the
doorway watching her.
"Kyle...thank you...thank you for letting me use you
room...for being kind to me," said Tess.
Kyle nodded.
"I'll miss you you know," he told her.
"I'll miss you too," she replied as she placed her
hand on her tummy.
"Is it moving or something?" he askeduncomfortablyy.
"Yeah...he's struggling to live," she said softly.
"Yeah..." said Kyle for want of anything else.
"Okay, I'm ready," she told him as she got up, holding
her purse and sweater that would be left in the jeep.
Kyle put his arm around her to support her as they
headed out the door.

********

It was nearing quitting time for Michael, Maria, and
Liz. Max, Tess, Kyle, and Isabel were sitting in a
booth waiting for them.
Finally the three said what they had prepared to avoid
suspicion, "Well let's go catch that movie."
They headed for the door, and to the various vehicles.

Driving they headed out of town, and to the bridge way
out of town. Cutting the engine, they got out, leaving
the items they had brought to be found in the wreckage
to identify them when their bodies were not found. And
with their powers, the royal four sent the jeep
speeding down the bridge and over the side, where it
crashed and burst into flames.

Isabel wiped at her tears as she turned to get into
Kyle's truck with Max, and Tess. Michael rode with
Maria and Liz. They all headed towards the cave.

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

They stopped at the base of the Cliff, and headed up
to the cave. Max carried Tess, so she wouldn't put the
baby in any more danger. The group was solemn as they
reached their destination. Max used his powers to open
the entrance, and then the Royal Four turned to their
human friends to say goodbye.
Michael took Maria in his arms, and kissed her.
Tears rolling down her face, his unreadable.
Kyle and Valenti each hugged Tess and Isabel, before
shaking hands, and then hugging Max and Michael.
Finally Max and Liz hugged, and said goodbye.
The humans headed back down the trail to wait.

The four aliens entered the cave, and made their way
to the chamber. 
Max put the crystal in the slot, and they watched as
the Grinolith began to hum, and light up in
spectacular colors.
"When do enter it?" asked Isabel nervously.
"The book says when we perform the ritual," said Max
unsure of how this worked.
"What's the ritual?" asked Michael standing behind
Isabel.
"Umm, let me see...." said Max searching the notes
Alex had made for them.
"We have to chant the words together, and concentrate
while holding hands," said Tess absently. 
The other three stopped and looked at her.
"What did you just say?" asked Max looking at her.
"Nothing," said Tess quickly. "I'm just guessing."
Max searched the papers again until he found the
passage he was looking for.
Eying Tess, he said, "Pretty good guess. That is
exactly what it says. How did you know that Tess?"
Tess backed up nervously as Michael, Isabel , and Max
started to circle her.
"I guess Nacedo told me at some point. Max! What are
you guys doing? We have to leave! Our baby is dying
here!" said Tess urgently as she clutched at her
belly.
"Tess, if Nacedo told you about this, then why didn't
you share that information with us?" asked Michael
suspiciously.
"What? Michael, you know me...we're friends...what's
wrong with people?" asked Tess panicked, as she backed
up against a wall.
"Max, check the baby's vitals," commanded Isabel. 
Something wasn't right here.
Max approached Tess, and reached out for her. She
fought at his hands, until Michael held her from
behind.
"You're hurting my baby!" screamed Tess as Max placed
his hand over her abdomen.
Concentrating hard, Max tried and tried to make a
connection with his son...but to no avail.
Removing his hand, he stood up and asked, "What did
you do Tess? Those times before I could see him...feel
him...our son. What did you do?"
Tess stopped fighting and clutched at her belly.
"He's dead! You killed him, by not leaving soon
enough! You murdered your own son!" cried Tess
accusingly.
Max blanched at her words that tore threw his heart.
"No! I did nothing to him! You did something to him!
What did you do Tess?" he demanded approaching her.
She cowered at the fury she saw in his face.
"Leave me alone!" she cried out.
"I'll make you tell me!" said Max as he grabbed her,
and began to shake her.
Michael and Isabel watched all of this with dread at
what Tess might have done with Max's son.

Just then the grinoliths noise grew louder and louder.
They all turned to see it began to shake.
"We have to leave!" cried Tess as the grinoliths power
grew.
"Why do we have to leave now? The baby, if there
really was one is dead. What's going on Tess?" cried
Max as he 
gripped her arms.
Tess looked at them with crazed eyes, and then
yelled,"If we don't leave now, we will all be stuck 
here and die! Max, we have to go!"
"Is there a baby?" asked Isabel anxiously.
"Yes! I don't know why Max can't feel him or see him,
but I am pregnant! Please, we have to leave before it
is too late!" cried Tess pulling at Max.
"Max?" asked Isabel.
"I don't like this Max. Somethings not right here,"
said Michael shaking his head.
Max looked at both of them , and then said, "If she is
still pregnant...if she really was, and my son is is
still alive, I have to leave here to save him. I'm not
asking you to go anymore. I can't ask that of you...I
realize that now. But we need you to help us with the
chant...the ritual."
"I'm going with you Max," said Isabel standing next to
Max.
Max smiled at her greatfully. "Are you sure Isabel?"
Nodding, she gave him a shaky smile,and then looked to
Michael. "Well? Are you staying here?"
Michael knew this was his moment to back out. He could
be with Maria, or leave for another world. A world he
was not familiar with. 

The noise in the chamber was deafening now.
"Michael?" Max yelled over the sound.
"I'm coming with you!" he yelled back, now committed.
Isabel stared at him, as he glanced her way.
Giving him a soft smile, Isabel joined hands with him 
and Max, while Max and Michael joined hands with Tess.
Then they closed their eyes, and chanted the words
needed to go home.
Suddenly everything went black then blinding bright.
The noise stopped, and then nothing.
Isabel opened her eyes, and gasped.
Michael heard her, and opened his to look her way, but
stopped.
"Oh my God," said Isabel in a whisper.
"Where's Max and Tess?" asked Michael.
"Michael?" asked Isabel her voice shaking.
"Oh my God. They're gone," he said quietly as he
pulled Isabel to him in a protective embrace.
"Michael, where are we?" asked Isabel.
Shaking his head, Michael answered, "I don't know. It
looks...strange though. A mix of Earth's ancient
history and Star Trek."
"Where do you suppose Max and Tess are?" asked Isabel 
looking around.
"I don't know, but we will find them. I promise you
that Isabel. We're together, so it will be all right,"
he told her.
"Yeah,okay," she said somewhat relieved.

"So you've returned. Welcome back Princess
Vilandra...Prince Rath. We've waited long for your
return," said a voice behind them.
Turning around, they found a man in flowing robes
watching them. 
"Who are you , and where are we?" asked Michael
holding Isabel to him tighter.
"I'm Randor, and this is Antar. Now the healing can
began," he replied.
"Healing? You mean the war? Yeah, we know a little bit
about that," said Michael.
"Where's my brother and Tess?" asked Isabel.
"Your brother, King Zan and... Tess? You must mean
Queen Ava, well they are in another place. That is a
problem actually."
"A problem? What do you mean 'a problem'? How?"
demanded Michael.
Randor walked to the only window in the room and
looked out.
"They are being held captive by Kivhar."
"Kivhar? Kivhar has them? How? We were together one
minute, and then we arrived here and they were gone!"
exclaimed Isabel.
"Somehow he intercepted their life sign signals, and
captured them," explained Randor.
"We have to get them back!" said Michael.
"That will take planning my Lord. Kivhar is evil, and
will stop at nothing to have all of you. He failed to
retrieve your life sign signals, so we have hope."
"Hope...yeah we need lots of that," said Isabel to
herself.
"We have you and Lord Rath, Princess. Our warrior
leaders have returned to us. We now have a chance with
you two to lead us to victory!" said Randor shaking
his fist.
Looking at Isabel, Michael said,"Oh man are we in
trouble."

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

"I know you are probably tired, and want to refresh
yourselves before you start to deal with Kivhar, so
I'll have you shown to your quarters...I doubt you
remember the way," said Randor as he clapped his
hands, and two beings quickly appeared.
"Is that what our people look like?" asked Michael
staring at the luminous figures that had near human
features dressed in flowing robes.
Looking at them, Randor nodded. 
"Yes, this is what our people look like. I have taken
on the full human form so that you may be at ease."
"So we looked like that before we... died?" asked
Isabel, trying not to stare..
"Yes Princess. We then blended your essence with the
nearest species that had elements we could live with,
and an intelligence close to our own. The result is
what you are now," answered Randor. "Now come, let's
see you to your quarters." As he started to leave, he
suddenly turned and asked, "I didn't think Princess,
my Lord...you may want to share quarters as you did
before. What is your wish?"
Michael and Isabel looked quickly, and uncomfortable
at one another. 
"Uh...we shared a room here? We don't remember that,"
said Isabel.
"You don't remember. Well that is not unusual I
suppose considering all you have been through. If you
wish the separate quarters, then that is up to you
Princess," said Randor waiting for her answer.
"Michael?" she asked as she looked his way.
"Yeah...maybe separate is good Isabel. You know...not
rushing things," said Michael thinking about the
implications of what sharing a room would be.
Slightly relieved, and hurt as well, Isabel nodded and
agreed.
"Separate Mr. Randor."
"Just Randor, Princess."
"Randor," said Isabel not used to the 'Princess' title
yet.
"I'm Isabel ,Randor, and this is Michael. We are not
used to the names and titles of the lives we had
here," said Isabel to the older man.
Randor looked at her intently for a moment, before
nodding, and saying,"As you wish Pri...Isabel. But you
must understand, the people will not understand you
not taking your title back or your name. You may wish
to reconsider this."
Isabel looked to Michael, who said," Maybe he's right
Isabel. We need to get used to who we were so they
will follow us, and then we can begin getting them
used to who we are now."
"Okay Michael." Addressing Randor she said, "We will
go by our titles and names that were given to us
here...for now."
Randor nodded as he noticed how Princess Vilandra
looked to Prince Rath for advice, as she had in the
days before Kivhar took over. Yes, everything should
be all right now.

***********

Isabel looked about the rooms that were hers. 
The rooms that had been hers...and Michael's before. 
They were very luxurious with large open windows
draped in fine materials, and a large bed that was
also draped in fine materials. The furnishings were
not to elaborate, yet comfortable looking. Flowers and
plants were everywhere. What was unusual to her was
that while these things were reminiscent of midevil
Earth, other things were futuristic by Earth
standards. The voice commands for lights, food,
whatever one wished. Looking in the dressing area, she
found several items of clothing...long and flowing
gowns with bodices of ornate quality, and a pair of
pants, a shirt, and boots. They really mixed styles
here, thought Isabel as she went through the clothing.
Needing a bath to help her think, she looked at the
large tub and wondered allowed, "Now how can I get
water for a bath?" Immediately the water began to
appear in the tub with bubbles added in, as if from
thin air.
"Well I guess that answers my question," she said to
herself as she began to strip off her clothes.
Entering the tub, she had just began to soak in the
bubble filled water when she heard her name being
called.
"Michael?" she called out feeling funny that he would
be seeing her in her bath.
"Isabel?" called Michael as he entered the room, and
stopped, staring with his mouth falling open at the
sight of Isabel in the tub of bubbles.
"Uh...sorry. I didn't know this was...," he stammered
shocked at finding her this way. Recovering quickly,
he regained his nonchalant attitude, crossing his 
arms and commenting, "Well you seem to have made
yourself feel right at home. Leave it to you to seek
out a bubble bath when we have to find Max and Tess,
and deal with Kivhar."
At first Isabel was trying to hide her confusing
pleasure at his initial reaction to seeing her in the
tub, then she took offense that he thought she didn't
care about Max and Tess.
"Michael, I do care about Max and Tess! How could you
think otherwise! I think better when I'm in the tub. I
just don't know how we are going to get to Kivhar, and
also save Max and Tess."
Michael knew he was being unfair to her, and relented.
"Hey, I know you would do anything for Max and Tess, I
was just a little shocked at finding you in the tub."
Looking about and whistling he said, "I haven't even
been through the rooms they say were mine. I came to
find you instead. These are nice by the way."
Isabel only heard that he was shocked at finding her
in the tub.
She said,"Michael, you've seen me in a bathing suit,
this no different." Then she added quickly," What did
you want?"
Michael took a breath starting to get uncomfortable.
He had been trying not to stare at Isabel.
"Well, I was just wondering how we should go about
looking for Max and Tess? We really don't know this
Kivhar well except that he is a mean SOB. Maybe we
should have Randor fill us in on what's been happening
here, and a little about our lives before so we will
know where we stand."
Isabel nodded, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth
as she listened and thought about what Michael said.
"That's probably a good idea Michael. I'll get
dressed, and we can go find Randor."
Michael had been entranced watching Isabel chew on her
bottom lip. He realized she had quit speaking, and
mentally shook himself, before turning to go. But then
he turned back saying, "Isabel?"
"Yeah?" 
"It's not the same."
"What?" she asked confused.
"Seeing you in a bathing suit, and in the tub. It's
not the same."
And with that he left.
Isabel smiled softly as she blew bubbles off of her
hand. Why was she feeling this way about Michael? What
was going to happen between them? Well first things
first. They had to find Max and Tess, and deal with
Kivar before she thought about Michael and herself.
So she rose up out of the tub to get ready for meeting
with Randor and Michael.

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

Michael was waiting in the hall with Randor when
Isabel arrived. He stood up slowly, staring at her as
she walked the length of the great hall. 
"Princess! How lovely you look! I'm glad you found
your way here. Your seat on the counsel has been kept
for you," said Randor.
The other members stood, and bowed their heads to
Isabel as she came to her chair next to Michael.
Noticing him staring at her, Isabel asked, "Michael,
is there something wrong? Why are you staring at me?"
Michael shook his head as if to clear it.
"What? Noth...nothing. Nothing is the matter. Umm, why
are you dressed that way?" he asked as he indicated
her clothes.
Looking down at her long flowing burgundy gown over
pants, with its deep cut bodice, Isabel smiled.
"They came and took my clothes away while I was
bathing, it was this or go naked. I thought this the
better of the choices."
Michael swallowed as he said quietly, "Not much
difference as far as I can see. Isabel, that thing is
so thin you can just about see through it."
"Get used to it Michael, this is the way the females
dress here I guess."
Looking at him, she asked, "Why haven't you cleaned up
or changed?"
"Unlike you, I had more important things to worry
about than a bath," he responded taking his eyes away
from her attire.
At her hurt look, he amended, "Sorry, I know you said
a bath helps you to think. I've been checking this
place out. It's a fortress. Sort of old world Earth,
but with high tech stuff...voice commands, lasers,
space ships. It's different from anything we are used
to that is for sure."
Isabel sat down in the chair that a servant held for
her.
"Princess, are you ready to discuss plans on how to
eliminate Kivhar, and to rescue King Zan and Queen
Ava?" asked Randor seating himself on her other side.
Looking at Michael she nervously said,"Ye..yes. How do
we go about doing this?"
At their silence she asked, "You do have ideas don't
you?"
Randor shook his head.
"We have waited all these years for the four of you to
return and guide us to defeating Kivhar. Now with the
King and Queen captured, we will follow yours and
Prince Rath's lead. Whatever you decide to do , we
will follow."
Fear clinching her heart, Isabel turned to Michael and
said, "Michael, what do we do? I don't know anything
about planning a rescue like this or capturing
Kivhar."
Michael saw the fear in her eyes, and knew that
everything was on him if they were to save Max and
Tess. 
Standing up he said, "The Princess and I need to be
updated on Kivhar's moves since we have been gone. We
need plans to his compound, we need to know our
strengths and weaknesses as well as his. How many men
do we have? What are our weapons, and theirs? Find
these things out and report back to me at once."
All of the counsel leaders stood and nodded as they
hurried away. Randor also stood and smiled at Michael.
"Very good, Lord Rath. They are following you already.
They still see you as the strong leader, and soldier
you were before."
Looking to Isabel he said, "Princess, your warring
skills will return to you as you go along. You were,
and are a great leader in your own right. The
mightiest female warrior our people have ever seen.
All will be well, you will see."
At this he left them alone.

Michael sat down again next to Isabel.
"Well, we've fooled them so far," he said leaning his
head back.
"Michael, what if we can't do it? What if we can't
come up with a plan to rescue Max, Tess, and the baby?
What if we get them killed instead?" she asked afraid.
"Isabel, Kivhar is not going to let Max and Tess live
once she has the baby. That's all that's saving them
right now. When the month is up, and she has that kid,
their lives are nothing to him," said Michael laying
it out for her.
"Oh God, Michael! We have to save them. Whatever we do
, we have to try with everything we have to see that
they don't die," she whispered hoarsely.
Knowing how upset she was, Michael took her hand in
his , and said, "We will save them Isabel...or we will
die trying."
Nodding with tears in her eyes, Isabel replied,"That's
what I'm afraid of."

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

Michael entered his quarters in the castle and
stopped.
"Whoa."
One wall was nothing but windows like Isabel's had
been, but where her furnishings were draped with
gauze, his were heavier as were the furnishings they
covered. Weapons of all kinds adorned the walls, and
the bed was large enough for 6 people.
Going into the dressing area, Michael frowned at the
clothing he found there.
"Ain't now way...no way am I wearing that sissy girl
stuff," he grumbled to himself.
Striding from the rooms he came into contact with a
servant.
"Where's Randor?" he demanded.
The glowing being took Michael to Randor in the
garden.
"My Lord Rath, is something amiss?"
"I'm not wearing those funny clothes up there Randor!
I wear jeans, and my style boots...button down
shirts...T-shirts! I'm not wearing that fru fru,
girly-girl stuff that's up there!" said Michael in an
increasingly loud voice.
"But my Lord, those are your favorite articles of
clothing! What shall you wear?" asked Randor appalled.
"Can't you make me something? Something like what I
have on now?" asked Michael pointing to what he was
wearing.
Randor walked around Michael looking him up and down.
"Well...we can replicate something my Lord, but you
must face the fact that at times you will have to wear
the clothes of our people. Especially to formal
functions..such as meeting Kivhar," he finished eying
Michael for his reaction.
Michael ran his hand through his hair, and then
grabbed the back of his neck.
"Fine.Fine. But only for today ...and for that formal
thing you were talking about," said Michael
reluctantly.
"Very good my Lord," said Randor.

*****

Isabel entered the dinning area and found everyone but
Michael waiting.
"Princess," said Randor as he bowed to her.
"Randor," she replied nodding in return, and sitting 
down.
Footsteps caused her to look up and gasp.
Michael. 
Or she thought it was Michael.
Her heart raced as she took in his attire of tight
light brown pants, dark brown knee boots, and a vest
of soft brown over a white open necked shirt.
Smiling softly at his discomfort, she watched as
Michael acknowledged those at the table, and came to
sit beside her.
"You look nice Michael," remarked Isabel.
"Yeah right. These clothes are so sissy...I want my
own stuff," he griped rolling the sleeves up.
"I was thinking you looked like a ships captain, or
maybe a pirate from Earth's colonial history," said
Isabel softly.
Michael stopped the goblet he was about to drink from
at his lips, and stared at her.
"Really? A pirate? A captain? Well, that's okay I
guess," said Michael shrugging his shoulders.
"Princess, the counsel has news for you," said Randor.
Sitting forward quickly, Isabel asked, "What news?"
"Kivhar holds the King and Queen hostage in his
fortress deep in the prison. His physicians watch
over the Queen and her unborn child carefully. King
Zan is allowed with her, but he is watched as well."
"What can you tell us about our own army? asked
Michael.
"We have 4000 troops my Lord. 1000 ships to fly,and
3000 foot soldiers. We are not as heavily armed as
they are, but we are good soldiers. Our powers in some
ways are stronger than Kivhar's...but his in some ways
can be more deadly."
"Who leads the fleet of ships?" asked Michael.
"Why you do Prince Rath, you are our most celebrated
pilot," replied Randor.
"And the foot soldiers?" asked Isabel uneasily.
"You Princess, when my Lord is with the ships. You
compliment each other in battle."
Leaning towards Randor, Michael whispered, "I don't
know how to fly, especially not a space ship!"
"I've never led an army! How do I do that?" asked
Isabel under her breath.
"I'll reteach you. I taught you both before, I can do
so again," said Randor confidently.
"I hope so, because we are running out of time,"
remarked Michael.
"Give me 3 days my Lord. In 3 days I'll have you
flying...and you Princess will be ready to lead your
armies again."
"Three days! Are you crazy? We can't do all of that in
3 days!" said Isabel with panic in her voice.
"You can , and you will Princess...to save your
brother you will."

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

"Dammit! I can't do this!" shouted Michael as he tried
to pilot the ship out of orbit for the third time.
"You can, and you will my Lord, just be patient. Your
touch is heavy, and a soft one is required," said
Randor as he observed Michael's touch at the controls.
"Required maybe, but having it is something else,"
replied Michael in an irritated voice.
"Just think about the goal my Lord. What you want the
ship to do. Where you want it to go, and it will
follow. Focus," said Randor.
"Think about it and it will come huh," said Michael
under his breath.
"What my Lord?" asked a puzzled Randor.
"Nothing, just a movie I ...huh...it's an old Earth
saying," said Michael. "Nacedo and Tess said I should
focus more too."
"They were correct. Well let's try it again shall we?"
asked Randor.
"Yeah..let's," said Michael as he closed his eyes, and
took a deep breath before focusing on what he wanted
the ship to do, and where he wanted it to go.
Then it happened.
The ship began to move where Michael was focusing.
Using his hands on the controls that Randor had him
memorize, Michael flew the ship into space, speeding
through the star lit darkness to the other side of the
planet.
"Woowho!Yeah! Ride 'um cowboy!" shouted Michael as he
guided the ship to the exact spot he and Randor had
plotted on the map.
"I did it! Did you see that Randor? I did it!" said
Michael excitedly, his body pumped with the heavy
adrenaline rush.
"Yes my Lord, you did indeed do it, just as I knew you
would. Your skills have not been silenced by your time
spent on Earth," praised Randor to his
protege''protege''.
Michael took a breath and tried to calm his beating
heart down. 
He had flown.
Not just some plane, but a space ship.
An alien space ship.
That was sobering to him.
Wow, if Maria could see him now.
Maria.
He missed her, but somehow, he didn't really have time
to think about her here, not when he and Isabel were
trying to save Max and Tess.
Isabel.
There went his heart again, racing from...what?
The mantle of Princess Warrior seemed to fit Isabel.
He remembered when she had wanted to kill Brody, how
she was so sure that it was the thing to do...not
wanting to, but needing to protect. And to survive she
had been willing to do it.
She had used strategies on Max and Nicholas when the
Skins had invaded Roswell, but she had kept cool when
captured by Nicholas.
Killing Whittaker had almost killed Isabel though. She
had been in a walking shock after that. But she had
come through that, and was stronger for it.

Shaking his head to empty the thoughts of Isabel
Michael turned to Randor and asked, "When do we
practice weapons and powers?"
"Now my Lord. Now you are ready."

***********

"Ow!" yelped Isabel as she was hit by a laser blast
set on low.
Randor shook his head.
"Princess you are not focusing. Let your powers guide
you. You are stronger than this...much stronger.
You've never let a laser hit you before in your life,"
lectured Randor.
"This isn't my life! My life was on Earth! I'm doing
my best with what little I know about my powers, so
get off my case!" shouted Isabel rubbing her arm where
the laser had ripped threw her sleeve and burned a
thin line on her arm.
Eying here intently, Randor considered her words.
"Yes, you are right. Your world until now has been not
as it was before. We shall rectify that now," he said
as he stood before Isabel.
"What are you going to do?" asked Isabel as Randor
stood in front of her and placed his hands on either
side of her head closing his eyes.
"Shhh...I'm going to let you see your powers...what
you are capable of when you let yourself be open to
your strengths."
"Oh..."whispered Isabel as she closed her eyes, and
visions began to fill her head.
Flashes of entering minds to seek out her enemies
plans and weaknesses, changing molecular structure to
confuse and overpower their enemies, strength beyond
anything she ever thought she had...the power to
kill...and to have mercy...it all came flooding into
her mind as she saw what her life had be like here
before they had been sent to Earth...her life as a
Warrior Princess.

Opening her eyes, she looked into Randor's knowing
ones and she nodded in acceptance of what she now knew
was her destiny. Not only must she fight to save Max,
Tess, and the baby, but to fight for her people, and
to avenge the deaths of those before her, including
her own.
"I'm ready to try again Randor. I'll practice until I
get it right," she said determined.
"You will get it Princess now that you know about the
strength you had in the past."

*******

"I hurt all over," said Isabel as she sank into a
chair in her room.
Michael sat on the chair opposite her and hid a small
grin.
"Not quite the martial arts you are used to I take
it?"
"Not quite, but I finally got it down. You know, I
guess I took to martial arts on Earth because of being
a warrior here. What do you think?" she asked as she
rolled her shoulders in pain.
"Could be right. Things I did on Earth like the map,
and figuring the planet alignments when we tried to
contact Nacedo at the library, they are part of the
pilot and strategist that Randor says that I was
before."
Watching her roll her shoulders and wince, Michael
asked," You want me to call for some help for you
Isabel?"
"No! I would hate for them to think me weak. I'm
supposed to be the strong warrior, I can't let them
see me this way." Looking at him though, she begged,
"Michael, would you do it? Give me a shoulder and back
rub?"

Michael suddenly felt uncomfortable being here alone
with Isabel, and the thought of touching her made his
insides feel strange. Why was that? Hell, he'd given
her back rubs before, been in her bedroom , just the
two of them for hours on end just sitting and talking.
But that was way before they had let the humans in on
their little secret. Now for some reason it seemed
different. But she was clearly in pain, and he had to
admire the way she was trying to be a leader even if
she didn't know what she was doing, and was going by
instinct.
"Okay, go lay down on the bed, and I will try and not
hurt you anymore than you already do," said Michael as
he walked over to help her up.
Groaning, Isabel stood and went to lay down on the bed
as Michael had instructed.
Straddling her legs, Michael knelt and placed his
hands on Isabel's shoulders and began to give her a
back and shoulder rub. 
The perfect pressure, and circular motion of Michael's
fingers and the pads of his thumbs soon had Isabel
closing her eyes and relaxing, the soreness leaving
her body.
"Mmmm, that feels so good Michael," she moaned softly
from deep down inside.
Michael's hands faltered at her sexy sounding voice
saying something only Maria had ever said to him, and
that was after fooling around.
Taking his hands away and getting up quickly, Michael
said,"Your done. A good soak will take care of the
rest. I've got to go now."
Stunned by his abrupt change, Isabel looked up at him
and asked,"What? I thought you were finished for the
day?"
Heading out the door, Michael said,"Huh, no...I have
to...have to...huh....I have to go recheck the ships."
And with that he left a very confused Isabel behind.

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

On another part of the planet....

Max stood in front of Kivhar for the first time since
he and Tess had arrived here instead of their original
destination. 
"So Zan, have you decided to be cooperative yet?
Surely you do not intend for you and Ava to be
incarcerated forever?" asked Kivhar .
Max twisted his hands behind his back where they were
tied.
"I will not allow you to take my son from me Kivhar. I
will not allow you to corrupt his life the way you
have done the beings of this planet," replied Max.
Kivhar frowned at Max's reply. This is not what he had
expected. The Zan of before would have folded before
now.
"You are foolish Zan. No wonder it was so easy to kill
you before, and take over the throne. You make foolish
choices. You think nothing of your subjects and only
of yourself. The child will be better off with me then
he ever would be with you as a father," said Kivhar
ruthlessly.
Max again wondered if he had really been that bad of a
King. Had he been selfish? Did he risk everyone else's
lives so that he may pursue his own interests? Well
whatever King he had been before, he knew that no one
was going to take his son from him. That may seem
selfish, but his son was all he had left, now that
Isabel and Michael were dead. Tess was with him, but
they rarely spoke. She worried about what would happen
to them after she had the baby, and Max dwelled on the
loss of his sister and friend. And he missed Liz.

Suddenly a messenger entered the room and went quickly
to Kivhar , bowing before him.
"What news do you have today? Are they still trying to
act like an army?" sneered Kivhar as he waited for the
messenger to speak.
"They are growing stronger Your Highness. Their
leaders have roused their spirits to fight again, to
regain the throne, and to save the King and Queen,"
replied the messenger nervously.
The darkness that entered over Kivhar's face made Max
cringe slightly inside. The man was furious.
"How have they roused the rebels? What leaders could
they possibly have that the people would embrace as
their leaders?" demanded Kivhar.
"It's the Princess and Lord Rath, Your Highness. They
have returned and have taken up the mantle to fight
for the return of King Zan and his bride and child."
"She is alive? When? Why was I not notified of this
sooner?" demanded Kivhar in anger.
"I do not know Your Highness," answered the cowering
messenger.

Max couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Isabel and Michael were alive and were leading an army
to rescue them!
His relief at knowing his sister and friend were alive
almost outweighed his fear for their safety.
They knew nothing of battle and wars. They would be
killed if they were not careful.

Kivhar seemed to remember that Max was still present
and said,"Do not feel relief at the mention of your
sister and her lover. I killed them before and will do
so again unless she carries through with the agreement
we made before."
"What agreement?" asked Max.
"She knows. I will have it fulfilled, or all will die
and I will still have your son," replied Kivhar
evilly.
"She won't remember what agreement you are taking
about! Besides, she won't agree to anything with you
Kivhar!" argued Max loudly.
"We shall see Zan, we shall see," said Kivhar as he
dismissed Max and his jailers.

*********

Tess sat listening to Max tell about his meeting with
Kivhar, and with each word she grew more frightened.
Max watched her become paler as he spoke, and finally
he asked,"Tess, are you alright? Is it the baby?"
Tess shook her head as she turned tearful eyes to Max.
"I'm afraid Max. Kivhar will hold Isabel to the
agreement they made before. They will take our son,
and we will die," she said in a choked voice.
"What do you mean 'they' will take our son? You mean
Kivhar? What agreement did he make with Vilandra
before he killed her?" demanded Max as he gripped her
shoulders.
"She agreed to give him a child... a son of her flesh
and his...a bond that would strengthen his ties to the
throne..." said Tess.
"No! Isabel would never do that! She would never
betray me!" shouted Max.
"It wasn't Isabel, Max it was Vilandra. And she didn't
really betray you. She was trying to save you...save
us ..save our first son by intervening. But she loved
Rath, and they were found together...Kivhar was
furious that she was no longer the virgin he needed
her to be...a virgin wife...the mother he needed for
his son. So he murdered all of us. He was going to
take the throne, but discovered we had been sent to
Earth to be reborn. Now he needs our son or his and
Isabel's to fully take over the throne."
"How do you know all of this Tess?" asked Max quietly,
his heart full of dread.
"Nacedo told me..." she whispered.
"And you didn't tell us? You didn't think we should
know about this?" he yelled at her.
"He made me forget what he told me Max until a time
when it would be called on for me to remember it. I
guess being here and being pregnant has set off my
memories. I'm sorry Max...and I'm so scared for all of
us," she finished in a whisper.
Max watched Tess, and believed her to be speaking the
truth. Kneeling beside her, he took Tess in his arms
and said, "We will come through this Tess. If Isabel
and Michael are as strong at being leaders as what
Kivhar's spies say they are, then we have a chance."
Closing his eyes, he prayed for the first time in his
life,"Please God, let them be okay, and deliver all of
us to safety."

***********

"Are you ready Isabel?" asked Michael.
Isabel stood staring out her window lost in her
thoughts. Jumping at the sound of Michael's voice she
said, "Do you think we can really do this Michael? Can
we save them and our people? Or are we just leading
them to their deaths?"
Michael stood behind Isabel and put his hands on her
shoulders. 
"Isabel, you can't have any doubts, not this late in
the game. Everyone is depending on us...especially Max
and Tess. We can't let them down."
Nodding her head, Isabel said, "I know Michael, but
what if we fail? What do we do?"
"If we fail Isabel we will be dead and it won't
matter," replied Michael quietly. "It's time to go.
You have to be strong now. If they see you weak and
fearful they won't follow you , and Kivhar will act on
that."
Taking a deep breath, Isabel threw back her shoulders,
and turned to Michael looking into his eyes.
"Okay Michael, I'm ready. I won't let you or the
others down."
Smiling at her, Michael moved a wayard lock of her
hair behind her ear and said, "I know you won't
Isabel. You are the Warrior Princess, and everyone
loves you and will follow you."
Smiling tremulously back at him, she asked,"Even you
Michael?"
No longer smiling, Michael replied seriously," Even to
my death."
"Don't say that Michael!" Isabel said fearfully.
Hugging her to him, Michael said,"Yeah okay..." even
though he knew that he would put his trust and his
life in her hands anytime.
"Take care of yourself Michael. I'll see you at his
fortress."
Parting they went down to meet their army.

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

Isabel sat in the darkness of her tent reflecting on
the days battle...her first.
Chills ran over her as she recalled how many they had
lost on the ground. She still had no idea how many
ships they had lost or if Michael was even alive. No
word had come to them yet.
Tears formed as she recalled how they had ridden in
their land skimmers to the point where the battle was
to be fought. They had hoped to surprise Kivhar's
army, but instead they had been ambushed themselves. 
Kivhar's men had descended on them with such force
that the rebel army had barely had time to withdraw
with what few survivors they had left.

She had killed.
Oh, sure she had killed Whittaker on Earth, but this
was different. She had used her powers to
deliberately and ruthlessly murder other beings.
The first had been about to slay her with a powerful
laser gun that burned your insides as it killed you
slowly ...a death that was most horrible to witness,
yet alone feel. She had used her mind to burn the gun 
from his hands and then burn him to dust.
And she hadn't cared at the time. All that had
mattered was surviving the battle.
And she had. 
This time.
She had killed so many automatically, that she had
lost count.
And she hadn't cared.
Until now.
Tears coursed down her cheeks and she hugged herself
as she thought about how different things were here
than they were on Earth. Even when they fought
Nicholas and the Skins, they had each other. Here she
had herself and beings she didn't know. Michael may
be dead, Max and Tess as well. If by some slim chance
they came out on top in this war, would she be strong
enough to lead these people if she were alone?
Laying down on her side, she cried herself to sleep
as her guards watched over her tent. They knew this
had been traumatic for her, but they had every
confidence that Vilandra would stay strong just as
she had today.

********

Michael stepped from his ship and surveyed the damage
around him.
Holy shit! The smoke was dissipating and the bodies
could be seen clearly all around him.
Fear ran threw him as his eyes searched quickly for
signs of Isabel's body. 
How could she have survived this carnage? 
Isabel was strong, but this...
His gut rolled as he thought about what it would 
mean to not have her with him anymore...the loss 
settled oh him heavily as his eyes teared.
Shaking his head, Michael thought about the air war
they had staged that day...and won.
His soldiers said he flew just as he had in the days 
before he was sent to Earth...his skills may be even
better.
He had laughed at that. 
His skills.
He had never flown until a few days ago, and now it
seemed second nature to him. He had hit his targets
every time. Randor would be proud of him.
The strategies had worked in the air, but it seems
that land fight went sour.
How many were lost?

"Lord Rath? We have found the ground squad. They are
beyond this point in the cover of the trees," said a
soldier.
"How many?" asked Michael.
"Not many my lord. Maybe half of the ground army still
exists."
Michael closed his eyes and prayed that Isabel was
not one of the casualties.
"They said the Princess killed more than anyone. She
has not lost her touch my lord."
Michael's eyes snapped open as he sighed in relief.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"In a tent being guarded by by her men."
"Tell the men to sleep...set guards around the 
perimeter, and let me know at once if anything seems
amiss," ordered Michael as he started for the trees.
"Where will you be my lord?"
"I'll be with the Princess," Michael said as he went
to find Isabel.

Approaching the tent Michael nodded as the sentries 
immediately let him pass inside the tent, bowing
their heads to him. 
Isabel was asleep on her cot, her arms around her,
tears staining her face.
Michael went to her and grabbed her up in his arms
holding her tightly to him, as his relief washed over
him at actually seeing that she was okay.
Startled, Isabel squelched a scream as she was pulled
up out of her troubled sleep. Realizing that it was
Michael who had her, she wrapped her arms around him
and held on to him, crying with relief that he was
alive and unharmed.
"Michael," she sobbed in to his neck.
"Shhh, it's okay now Isabel...I'm here," soothed
Michael as he ran his hands down her tangled hair and
kissed her brow.
"Michael I was so scared...and then I thought you may
be dead too..." she cried holding him so tightly with
a strength he didn't know she had.
"I heard how well you did Isabel. The men say you
have not lost your touch...you are still their
'Warrior Princess'."
Stepping back and sitting down, Isabel shook her head
as she said,"I was terrified Michael. I killed with
out thinking after the first one...and I didn't care
if they lived or died...I just didn't care..."she
trailed off as she saw it all again in her mind.
Kneeling before her, Michael took her hands in his and
said,"Isabel look at me! Look at me!"
When she complied he continued," You killed to
survive. It was killed or be killed. If you dwell on
this you will die...from carelessness. I can't lose
you Isabel. You have to get over this feeling...for
now. I know you hate killing, but it is that or die,
and I don't want you to die."

Isabel looked at Michael as he spoke and his words
penetrated her brain.
Raising her hand to his cheek she said,"I thought you
were dead and wanted to die too. I can't go on
here with out you Michael. I never realized how much
you mean to me until today when I thought I had
lost you."
Turning his mouth to her hand, he kissed the inside
of her hand.
"I discovered the same thing Isabel. I don't' know
exactly what it means, but I think when this is all
over we should find out."
"Stay with me tonight Michael," she asked.
"I'll stay and hold you as you sleep Isabel. I'll
protect you," said Michael as he got up to lay down
on the cot beside Isabel, pulling her to him and
wrapping her in his arms.
Sighing, Isabel drifted off to sleep secure in
Michael's arms.
Michael made sure Isabel was sleeping peacefully
before allowing himself to sleep too.
His last thought before sleep claimed him was how
could a person fall in love quickly when they were
supposed to be in love with someone else?

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

"This is where they are holding the King and Queen.
The room is situated between these towers but
underground. It will be difficult to penetrate," said
one of the rebel spies.
"How many guards?" asked Michael looking at the map.
"Two at each entrance to the building and room," came
the reply.
Michael frowned. "That's too many. We need to be able
cut that down by half."
Isabel pointed to the main portion of the
building,"Could we create a diversion here and hold
them until they are rescued?"
"What type of diversion?" asked Michael.
"I don't know...yet. But we have to do this soon. The
month is almost up and Tess will be having the baby. I
don't know what our chances will be of saving any of
them if that happens," she replied.
"I want Kivhar alive. I want him to look me in the
face and tell me why he has done this. He has sent his
lackeys to Earth plotting this revenge against us ,
and I want to know why," said Michael.
"Years of revenge...I would like to know too," said
Isabel.
"Okay, so we send troops in here to enter the towers
under cover of darkness. My ships will attack from the
air once we know they are safe and destroy the
compound," said Michael looking at Isabel.
Isabel walked to the other side of the tent, chewing
her nail in thought, a frown creasing her brow.
"What? What's wrong?" asked Michael.
Turning, Isabel said," I think I know of a diversion."
Standing up , Michael asked her,"What?"
Looking him straight in the eye, Isabel answered,"I go
in to talk to him."
Michael's anger rose immediately,"Are you crazy?" he
yelled at her. "I'm not letting you do that!"
"Michael this is not your choice, it's mine. If I
enter the compound under the pretext of seeing Kivhar,
we will direct their attention to me and away from Max
and Tess. They will be too shocked that I've shown up
there during this war," reasoned Isabel.
"I said 'no' Isabel! We will come up with another way!
Kivhar has had his sights on you and you will not
deliver yourself to him."
"I'm not going to surrender Michael, just be a willing
pawn to overthrow him," argued Isabel.
"No! That's the end of that idea!" yelled Michael.
"It's not for you to decide Michael. I'm the ruling
leader until Max returns. You can't tell me what to
do," Isabel said quietly knowing how much that
statement would hurt Michael, but needing him to
understand that she would do this.
Michael's hurt and anger showed clearly on his face.
"You will get yourself and them killed. You can't do
this," he said threw clinched teeth.
"I can and I will Michael," she replied just as
determined.
Michael turned his back on her and ordered,"Make sure
the ships are ready. We leave shortly after dark."
Turning back to Isabel, Michael said,"Nothing I say
seems to matter, so I'm leaving to be with my men."
"Michael..." began Isabel.
And Michael left the tent.

***********

The suns were just beginning to set when Isabel exited
her tent. Everyone stopped and stared at the sight she
made.
Gone were the thigh boots and pants with tunic cover.
In there place were soft slippers, and the sheerest of
materials colored in pale rose. The bodice was cut to
show off her attributes to their fullest. Her jewelry
was glimmering stones of this planet, set around her
neck and hands, and in her hair.

Michael had been speaking with his men when the
silence let him know that Isabel had come into view.
Turning around he held back a gasp at her dress.
She was more beautiful than he had ever seen her. 
And she looked scared to death.
Walking to her, he noticed her eyes never left him as
he approached her.
"Going whoring are we?" he asked.
The pain that shot across her face pained him also.
Why had he said that?
"Isabel...I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I'm sorry,"
said Michael, his voice reflecting his sincerity.
Nodding, Isabel said,"I know that's the way I look
Michael, but this is how they dress. I have to seem
like I am willing to discuss things with Kivhar, and
dressing in my warriors clothes will not do that."
Michael said," I know that Isabel, but I don't have to
like this. I still think you are wrong in doing this.
We can find another way to divert attention. Don't do
this...please."
"I'm supposed to be this great warrior Michael. This
leader who will sacrifice for her people...Max is my
brother. If I can't sacrifice for him , then who do I
sacrifice for?"
Quietly Michael asked,"What about for me?"
"Michael...." she whispered with pain in her voice
wanting him to understand.
"Yeah well I guess I see. So last night meant nothing.
I have to go Isabel, my ships are ready," said Michael
as he turned to go.
"Michael!. Please..." Isabel started, but was cut off
by Michael's retreating back. "...understand," she
finished softly as she watched him walk away.
Throwing back her shoulders, Isabel looked at her men
who had been watching her argument with Michael.
"Move out!" she ordered.

********

"When I enter the compound, then wait the designated
time and then attack. If things do not go as planned,
then it is your choice to save yourselves or die as
warriors," she told her men.
Climbing into the waiting skimmer, Isabel bit her
lower lip as she tried to quiet her nerves. 
She was going into the lions den. God save them all.

********
"Who is here?" asked Kivhar, not believing he had
heard correctly.
"The Princess Vilandra. She says she wishes to speak
with you," said his servant.
Sitting back, Kivhar wondered just what Vilandra's
ploy was. He knew she could be devious, and he did not
trust her, but he was willing to see her to see how
her time on Earth had treated her. After all, Zan was
no longer the zealous King he once was, Vilandra may
not be the warrior she once was either.
"Send her to me," he ordered. "And bring Zan."

Isabel entered the main chamber escorted by Kivhar's
men.
Shit!
Beside Kivhar sat Max, his hands shackled behind him.
This was a problem she had not anticipated.

Max stared at Isabel. She looked so beautiful, but
nearly naked in those clothes.
And she looked determined.
Her eyes shot to him and he smiled encouragingly at
her.
"Well, well Princess Vilandra, to what do we owe this
honor?" asked Kivhar sarcastically.
"Kivhar," she replied with disdain.
"I hear your warrior skills have not been lost. You
took a sizable amount out of my army," said Kivhar.
"Not near enough. But then you know how you hit my
army, so we at least know where we stand in that
area," replied Isabel talking to her enemy.
"What do you want Vilandra?" asked Kivhar.
"I want you to let my brother, Ava, and their baby go
free. I want you to leave my people alone," she
replied.
Laughter filled the chamber.
"You do not want much do you," laughed Kivhar.
"I'm serious Kivhar. Let them go and I won't kill
you," said Isabel looking him in the eyes.
Sobering, Kivhar replied, "And just how do you expect
to kill me? I have or will have all you ask for. I'm
in no fear of you Vilandra. You have failed...again,
to gain your brothers kingdom back."
"Again? What are you talking about Kivhar?" she asked.

Max knew what Kivhar was speaking of, and he knew
trouble was coming worse than it already was.
"You deceived me before Vilandra. You promised me a
son of our blood to insure my hold on the throne, and
instead, you gave yourself to that bastard Rath and
were no longer the virgin bride I needed." He stopped
and said evilly, "The only way to set them all free is
for you to join with me and give me a son. Otherwise
they all die and you too...again."
"Isabel, don't do this! We will find away out of
this," said Max.
Kivhar looked at Isabel and asked," Do you really wish
to watch them all die again before I kill you myself?
Such a pity, and I thought you loved them."
Isabel felt herself chill all over, but keeping her
warrior's head, she said,"I accept Kivhar. Let my
brother , Ava, and the baby go. I give you the word of
Vilandra, Princess of Antar that you shall have the
son you desire."
Watching her closely, Kivhar spoke with his servant
before finally nodding.
"Set them free, but keep an eye on them. Call the
Disciple and tell him that a wedding is to be
performed tomorrow." 
"Isabel, you can't do this!" said Max as his shackles
were freed and he came to her.
"I can and I will Max. Our people need you to lead
them. I may have a daughter instead of a son...who
knows," she said not looking him in the eye.
"He'll kill you Isabel," said Max with pain in his
voice.
"He'll kill everyone if I don't. Max, just go. Take
Tess and go. Everything will work out...and Max? Tell
Michael I do love him," she finished hugging Max to
her.
Max held on to her tightly before saying,"I'll tell
him. Take care Isabel. I love you."
"See Zan and his bride to the gates," ordered Kivhar
before stepping down to Isabel and embracing her.
Whispering in her ear he said,"Tomorrow night we shall
be one my love, and in no time you shall deliver me a
son."
Kissing her cheek, Kivhar turned and left.
Isabel clinched her hands together and prayed she had
made the right decision.

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

"What do you mean our spies say that she is marrying
Kivhar? When?" demanded Michael.
"Tomorrow my lord," came the reply from his adviser.
"I can't believe she would do that !" said Michael
shocked at this news.
"Our sources say that Kivhar promised to release King
Zan and the Queen if she did this. It is the bargain
she made years ago and broke."
"What? What are you talking about? What bargain?"
asked Michael alert.
"She made the deal years ago to bare Kivhar a son to
seal his hand on the throne. But because she loved you
she was not the virgin he needed, he killed everyone.
Now he holds her to her promise. But he has not
released the King and Queen...I doubt she knows this."
Michael closed his eyes. "Oh shit...he will kill them
all. We have to get in there and now."
"Yes my lord we are ready."
"Give me a minute," ordered Michael as he turned his
back on the adviser.
The man left and Michael sighed,"Isabel what have you
done?"

*******

"Are you ready Princess?" asked the physician.
"What is this Kivhar?" asked Isabel as she eyed the
physician.
"I'm just making sure that I'm not deceived again my
love. The physician will just check to make sure you
are still intact."
"You don't trust me."
"No," was his reply.
Getting up , Isabel accompanied the man to her
assigned chamber.
"I'm sorry Princess, but this must be done,"said the
physician who looked more than eager to touch her body
by the way he was looking at her.
"I'm sorry too," she said as she used her powers to
disintegrate the man.
Heading to the door, she snuck down the corridor and
followed it to the chamber room. 
Footsteps alerted her to the fact that someone was
coming.
"When the marriage is pronounced, kill the King and
Queen. Burn the bodies so no one knows."
"Yes sir."
Isabel swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. 
He hadn't let them go. He had tricked her.
Well what did she expect, he had never played by the
rules.
Retracing her steps, Isabel found her way to the twin
towers, and down the steps to the lower level where
the cells were.
Seeing the guard there, she drew a knife from her
waist and slit his throat. Trying not to gag at the
sickly sweet smell, Isabel placed her hand over him
and disintegrated him.
Six more guards down and she was at the cell door.
"Max?" she whispered.
"Isabel?" 
"I'm here. Stand back," she ordered.
Concentrating, she opened the door and entered.
"Isabel!" said Max as he saw her covered in blood.
Looking down Isabel saw what he saw. Swiping her hand
across herself, she regained her normal appearance.
"Isabel?" asked Max.
"Don't ask Max...not now," she said as she eyed Tess
in the corner.
"Can you walk?" she asked.
"Yes...with help," replied Tess as Max helped her up.
"Max, your powers?" asked Isabel.
Max shook his head."They gave us something to quiet
our powers. Until it wears off, I'm no help."
"Okay then, we go back the way I came in. Let's go."

Heading out the door, they retraced Isabel's route,
but had to stop so Tess could rest.
"We have to move on. My men will attack soon, and this
compound will be destroyed along with everyone in it
unless we get moving," urged Isabel.
"I'm ready," said Tess.
Again they started out only to be stopped by Kivhar's
men.
"Tell Kivhar we have them," ordered a guard.
"I don't think so," said Isabel as she raised her hand
at the men and Max and Tess watched as they caught
fire and exploded.
"Isabel?" asked Max horrified as he looked at her.
"It's war Max," was her only explanation.
"War yes Princess, but you can not work that on me,"
stated Kivhar as he stood looking down the steps at
them.
"Did you have to kill them that way? Such a mess to
clean up you know," said Kivhar as he sauntered toward
them.
Max moved in front of Tess and Isabel , but Isabel
pushed him aside.
"I can handle this Max," she said eying Kivhar.
"Isabel..."
"Just go Max...leave me...I can take care of myself,"
said Isabel her eyes never leaving Kivhar.
Max looked at her and knew she would not leave without
trying to kill Kivhar, and he needed to get Tess out
of there, so taking Tess by the hand they went back
the way they had come.
"So it is to be this way is it? More trickery
Vilandra?" asked Kivhar.
"No. I'm coming with you. I'll marry you...I just
wanted them to escape. You lied to me Kivhar. You said
you would let them go. I did what I had to see them
free," said Isabel.
Eyes widening at her statement, Kivhar held out his
hand to her.
"Let us go then. The Disciple awaits us to perform the
ceremony.
Putting her hand in his, Isabel allowed Kivhar to lead
her to the main chamber.

********

Max and Tess hurried through the corridor until they
found a door leading out. Leaving the compound
quietly, they walked until they came to some men on
the edge of the woods.
"Stop! It is the King and Queen!" said a soldier near
them.
Everyone fell to their knees, their heads bowed.
Max was stunned at this action and urged them to their
feet.
"They have Isabel...Vilandra! We have to save her!" he
said.
"We have a plan Your Majesty. The Princess has all
arranged."
"Then what are you waiting for?" yelled Max.
"The sign," was the soldiers reply.
"What sign?" demanded Max.
"That one, Majesty," pointed out the man.
Looking up Max saw ships in the sky.
"Now we go," said the soldier leading the way.
"Tess, stay here. I've got to go and help save
Isabel."
"I'll be here when you get back Max," said Tess.
Turning to a servant Max ordered,"Watch over the
Queen."
Then he joined his troops to save Isabel.

********

Isabel stood before the robed Disciple with Kivhar
saying the words that would bind her to him.
She had not looked at the Disciple or Kivhar, but held
her head high and watched the night sky out the window
above the Disciples head.
"We are bound now Vilandra. You will soon give me my
son," he said as he placed his lips on her cheek.
"I don't think so Kivhar," she replied.
"What do you mean?" he asked confused.
Turning to face him, Isabel said, "I mean Kivhar, I
can't bare you a son. I'm not pure."
"What!? What do you mean?" sputtered Kivhar angrily.
"I'm not the virgin you assumed me to be," said Isabel
sneering at him.
"No! No, this can't be! You gave your word to me!"
yelled Kivhar.
"No, I said Vilandra promised you. I am not Vilandra.
I'm Isabel. You and the Skins never seemed to grasp
that little point," she said as she pulled off her
trailing veils leaving only the bodice and leggings.
"Who? How?" he yelled.
"That would be me last night," said Michael as he
threw back the hood of the Disciples robe.
"You! No! She is mine! I will kill you both again! You
deceptive whore!" yelled Kivhar.
"Hey man! Don't call her that!" said Michael quietly.
"Whore!" Kivhar yelled louder as he approached Isabel.
Isabel swept her leg around and under Kivhar knocking
him to the ground, placing her hand at his neck and
pressing on the life giving artery there that Randor
had said was the same as humans.
"I told you not to call her that man," sneered Michael
as he raised his hand against Kivahr.
"You think you can kill me? You couldn't do it before
Rath. You don't have what it takes," taunted Kivhar.
"You sure talk a lot for someone in the position you
are in," remarked Michael.
"No, I think you do," said Kivhar as he watched his
men overpower Michael.
Fighting , but unable to loosen his himself, Michael
yelled,"Kill him Isabel! Kill him!"
Isabel froze as she watched Michael being held.
Looking down at Kivhar who grinned at her, Isabel
looked back at Michael.
"Micheal..."
"Kill him Isabel! Kill him now!" 
"She can't do it Rath. Like she said , she is not
Vilandra, she doesn't have taste to kill," laughed
Kivhar.
Isabel loosened her hold on Kivhar allowing him to get
up.
"Isabel!!! yelled Michael.
Kivhar stood up and swiftly swung around and hit
Isabel in the mouth causing her head to swing sideways
as she gasped in pain.
Michael strained against his holders as he growled at
Kivhar.
Isabel slowly turned her bloodied lip and bruising
cheek back to Kivahr.
Smiling at her, Kivhar ordered,"Kill them... and make
it slow so they will suffer."
He turned to walk away when Isabel's voice stopped
him.
"Kivhar."
Turning, Kivhar saw Isabel raise her hand against him.
"You are not strong enough to hurt me let alone kill
me Vilandra. You are nothing...nothing but a whore,"
he taunted her.

Then the compound was hit with the air attack.
The walls shook as the fortress was hit repeatedly.
Outside they could hear the land troops fighting with
Kivhar's men.
"What have you done?" yelled Kivhar.
"We are taking back what is ours," said Isabel.
"You will never regain the throne! It is mine and no
one will take it from me!" screamed Kivhar.

Closing her eyes, Isabel focused her energy on Kivhar.
Kivhar began to laugh, then gasp as he clutched at his
chest.
"What?!" he gurgled as he fell to the floor, blood
foaming from his mouth.
Isabel walked up him slowly and knelt down.
"Ever had your insides fried from the inside out
Kivhar? No? Well you are now. It is slow and
painful...what you did to my people. What you did to
us years ago according to Randor."
Kivahr began to scream,"How? You are not strong
enough!"
"We learned a lot on Earth Kivhar. And one thing we
learned was to never underestimate your enemies."
Standing Isabel watched as Kivhar begged for a quick
death.
Kivhar's men let Michael go and ran off.

Max and his army flooded into the hall, but stopped
upon seeing Kivhar in agony on the floor with Michael
and Isabel standing and watching.
"What's going on here?" he demanded. "Who did this?"
"I did," said Isabel as she rregardedKivhar.
"Isabel! Don't make him suffer!" said Max pleading
with her.
"She has to Max. Once this starts you can't stop it.
He won't die unless he burns out on his own. They
could raise him back," explained Michael.
Max watched horrified as Kivahr burned to death and
nothing was left but ashes, with Isabel and Michael
watching eemotionless
"It's done,. We have to leave now before the walls
fall down on us," said Michael as he took Isabel in
his arms.
"How could you do that to him Isabel?" asked Max
shocked by what he had seen as they started to leave.
Turning to look at him, she said, "It was how he
killed us before Max. It was him or us. I chose us."
Then she walked out of the room.
Michael looked at Max and said, "She has seen a lot
Max...killed more than you can imagine. That's why
they call her ,"The Warrior Princess'."
"I't will take awhile for this to sink into me
Michael. She just seems...you both seem so callous to
all of this."
"Not callous Max, just warriors who fought and won the
biggest battle of all for their people. They are free
now Max. No more war," explained Michael.
"She'll be okay then?"
"Yeah...in time...we all will," said Michael as he and
Max went to join the celebration now going on outside.
And the walls came tumbling down behind them.

*******

Max and Tess sat on their thrones, Tess holding their
son that had been born the day before during the
celebration.
"He has Max's ears poor kid," remarked Michael
teasingly.
"I heard that," laughed Max as he reached out to take
his son.
"Where is Isabel?" he asked.
"I don't know. I'll go look for her," said Michael as
he hurried out of the chamber.
"Michael we can send someone for her!" called out Tess
laughing.

******
Michael found Isabel in her chambers staring out at
the garden below.
"Hey! What's taking you so long?" asked Michael coming
up behind her and putting his arms around her,
nuzzling her neck in the process.
"Thinking," she replied quietly.
"About what?" he asked as he nibbled her ear."
"What's going to happen between us Michael? What are
we? Friends who gravitate to each other in need, or
lovers?"
Michael stopped and turned her to him.
"Where is this coming from? I thought we talked about
this?"
"No, we didn't. We said we would talk about it later.
Well, it's later," said Isabel with anxious eyes.
"Placing his hands on her arms, Michael said,"Isabel I
love you."
"But just a few short weeks ago, you loved Maria! How
can you change that fast? What if you aren't really in
love with me? What if you could go back to her?" she
asked uneasily.
"I thought I was in love with her, but now I know that
it wasn't real. Isabel, I love you. That is not going
to change," Michael tried to reassure her.
"No matter what?" she asked.
"No matter what," he confirmed.
Going into his arms, she kissed him on his chin.
"I love you Michael. I just don't want you to feel
trapped with me...or bored," she said against his
chest.
"Trapped? Never. Bored? Unlikely. We can always tell
Max we want to marry and start a family. He married
Tess as she was giving birth to their son. I don't
want to wait that long," said Michael as he kissed her
hair.
"Then we better get married soon," said Isabel as she
looked up into his eyes.
Michael smiled at her then his mouth dropped open as
her words registered with him.
"What? How? We did it one night!" he asked stunned.
"One 'time' is all it takes Michael, and you were very
amorous that night in the tent," grinned Isabel.
Kissing her deeply, Michael asked,"Can we tell Max
about the baby part after we are married?"
Smiling Isabel said,"After what he did with Tess, he
better not say anything."
"They are waiting on us," he whispered in her ear.
"Let them wait," she whispered back as she led him to
her bed.

The End