Title: Not All That It Seems
Author: Lori R 7/01
Email: Gussywussy55@yahoo.com
Category: Max/Isabel
Rating: 'R' This fic is submitted to some sites with a
NC17 version for pages 3 and 4. Please be aware of the
ratings on each page so that you read the correct one.
The pages are indicators, so if you are underage,
please read the 'R' rated version.
Disclaimer: The characters and show are not owned by
me, but I do enjoy writing about them.
Feedback: Yes please! I love feedback good or bad.
Thanks to Maizli and bluesun for their feedback on
this fic!
Summary: Twist on the '4 Square' theory and follows
some of the past seasons story lines. An appearance by
some familiar characters. Set 5 years after Tess went
to the home planet pregnant with Max's child.

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

"Vilandra...Vilandra," the voice came softly as if
through a mist to Isabel's dreams. 
Isabel twisted in her sleep, her hands clinching and
unflinching as she struggled to an awareness that
escaped her reach.
"Vilandra...Vilandra it is alright my love. What you
have been told is true is not as it seems. Don't be
afraid to seek the truth," came the voice again in a
whisper of familiarity to her.
As Isabel finally reached waking, the voice departed
her dreams. Shaking herself and brushing her hair from
her eyes, Isabel tried to remember what had awakened
her. She had vague feelings of hearing a voice and
seeing clouds of some kind...but it was the voice, if
in truth that's what it was, that haunted her. 
"I hate dreams that I can't remember" she said as she
punched her pillow and prepared to go back to sleep. 
"Just once I would love to wake up and remember my
dreams clearly," she said sleepily as she settled down
to try and recapture a sleep that would not return,
her head full of images she couldn't place.

******

Max twisted on his bed as he tried to get back to
sleep.
Finally he got up and did a few curls with his weights
to help him relax and hopefully get back to sleep.
He could have sworn he heard a voice, but upon waking
he knew that it was impossible since he lived alone.
Crawling back to his bed, Max closed his eyes and
tried in vain to remember the voice and where he had
heard it before.
Turning over he sighed as he realized it was just
another dream and nothing more.
But still sleep wouldn't come.

*******

Isabel dressed for work at the design center. She had
been hired for her clothing creations and was thrilled
that her designs were so well received. 
Living anywhere but Roswell still seemed strange to
her, but also freeing. The aliens had changed so much
since realizing they could never go to their home
planet of Antar. They had embraced their human life
more fully and relied less on one another. That is not
to say that they never spoke, for they were always on
the phone with each other or email, and of course
Isabel still liked to pop into their dreams to see
what was going on. But she never told the Michael and
Max she did that. Being caught at it would be
something they would not forgive easily.

She was just about to leave for work when her phone
rang. Hesitating for an instant she glanced at her
caller ID and saw that it was Max. Reaching for the
phone she greeted him tiredly with, "Max, I have to be
at work soon. What is it?"
Max grinned on his end as he imagined Isabel tapping
her foot as she waited impatiently for him to explain
his reason for calling her.
"I was just needing to hear a voice I knew before I
stepped out to work myself," he said as he felt a
shiver run through him.
Isabel sat down and through a yawn asked, "What do you
mean by that?"
Max mentally shook himself as he said, "Oh nothing I
guess. I didn't sleep well and thought I would call
and see how you were. From the yawn I'm hearing I take
it you didn't sleep well either."
"No I didn't. But, you had a reason for calling other
to hear my voice now what is it?" asked Isabel as she
suddenly felt like someone had walked on her grave as
the expression goes.
Max sighed as he said, "I just had this weird dream
last night is all. Nothing really. It just annoys me
when I can't remember something and this dream is just
nagging at me."
Isabel closed her eyes and took a breath as she asked,
"Max, what about the dream bothers you?"
Max bit his lip in concentration as he said, "That's
just it Iz, I can't remember. Well look, I know you
have to get to work and I have to be at work to so
I'll talk to you later."
"Max...are you sure you are okay?" asked Isabel as she
thought about her own unusual dream.
"Yeah. Look I'm sorry to have called and worried you
Isabel. Really I'm okay." 
"How's Michael?" she asked already knowing the answer.
"He's the same freewheeling bachelor he's always been.
He's a good partner though. Look Iz, I've to go. We
are meeting a client so I'll talk to you later. Love
you."
"Yeah...love you too," she replied quietly as she hung
up the phone.
"I think that tonight I may need to pay Max a little
visit...find out what's bothering him," she said to
herself.

*******

Max walked by Michael's office and sighed as he shook
his head. Michael asleep here meant he hadn't gone
home again. Another late night.
"Michael! Wake up. The client will be here in 20
minutes and you look like hell. Get yourself cleaned
up," said Max as he went into Michael's office and
shook his shoulders.
"What? Whaatttt?" asked Michael as he swatted at Max's
hand.
"W-a-k-e U-p! Client...meeting...20 minutes...you...a
mess...GET UP!" said Max pointing at his watch and
then starting the coffee.
Michael sat up and rubbed his head, and then stood up
and stretched.
"Man that thing is uncomfortable to sleep on all
night," he complained as he rubbed his aching back.
"So why do it? You have a perfectly good bed at your
apartment," asked Max.
"Because Maxwell I am ducking the lovely lady who
thinks she wants me as her man. I'm not ready for that
kind of commitment yet," replied Michael taking the
coffee Max offered him.
Max smiled at Michael's words. Michael had sworn off
of women as long standing partners after he and Maria
had parted ways two years before.
"So Max...you don't look so chipper yourself this
morning. What's up?" asked Michael as he went into the
bathroom they shared between their offices and quickly
groomed himself for the meeting.
Max shook his head and walked to the window of
Michael's office.
"I didn't sleep well. I had this weird dream...kept
hearing a voice actually calling my name. Nothing big,
but it just wouldn't let go of me you know?" explained
Max as he drank his coffee.
Michael stuck his head out the bathroom door and
asked, "Isabel wasn't dream walking you again was she?
Playing tricks?"
Max shook his head. "She knows not to do that unless
it is an emergency Michael. No, it was just a dream,
but it sure was...different."
Michael reemerged and said, "Look whatever it is let
it go. It is just a dream and as you have said before
dreams are just that. Dreams. Nothing more and with no
hidden meaning."
Max shook his head. "I thought that until Tess and
I..."
Michael put up his hand. "Just stop right there
Maxwell! Tess messed with our heads and the whole
destiny thing. She tricked you into all of that and
getting her pregnant. Those dreams were not real."
Max nodded and said,"I know that Michael, but I think
sometimes dreams do come true. You just have to know
which ones to believe."
Michael put his arm around Max's shoulders as they
went to the outer office and he said, "Max, face it
man. You are a dreamer. You want things to be real.
Now stop this and get focused on our client."
Just then the door opened and a man entered.
"Morning Mr. Lord! Welcome to 'Evans and Guerin
Investigations'! I'm Michael Guerin and this is my
partner Max Evans." said Michael as he shook hands
with a man in his 40's with stealy eyes.
"Mr Guerin," said the man looking Michael over as he
shook hands.
Turning to Max and giving him the same intent look he
extended his hand and said, "Mr. Evans, it's a
pleasure."
Max shook the mans hand but did not feel the sincerity
in the mans words. He immediately felt they did not
want this man as a client. Why he didn't know, but
something about the man said not to trust him.

*******

Later...

"Michael I don't think we should take Mr. Lord on as a
client. Something about him just seems...not right,"
said Max as he looked at the paper work they had
filled out.
Michael sat on the corner of Max's desk and played
with a pencil as he observed Max. Finally he said,
"Max what exactly about the man do you not like? I
sensed from the moment he shook hands with you that
this was not going to go well. I have to admit though
that there is something about him I can't quite put my
finger on either. I mean you cut the meeting short so
we din't find out why he wanted our services. And man!
The way he stared at us though, it was like ..."
Max nodded his head in agreement. "...someone had
walked across your grave. It's that and something
else. I don't know maybe lack of sleep on my part."
"Max what if we do a little background work on this
guy and see what we find out before we agree to take
hi on or not," suggested Michael.
Max nodded. "Yeah, fine. But if he is shady we let
Valenti in on it."
"Right," said Michael as he got up to leave.
"Go home and sleep Maxwell. You look like hell and it
has been a long morning. Take the rest of the day
off."
Max rubbed his eyes as he got up. "I think I will. See
you tomorrow Michael."

*******

Isabel crawled into bed early. She was worn out. 
Design meetings all morning and model fits in the
afternoon. Add on to that a work dinner and she had
left her more exhausted than ever. 
Sighing she turned out her light and rolled over, her
naked body enjoying the cool feel of crisp sheets. She
would sleep a bit and then dream walk Max later. He
wouldn't be asleep yet anyway.

*******

Max put his dishes in the sink and then went to the
bathroom to brush his teeth. Turning out the light he
climbed in bed and turned off his lamp. The music from
his stereo lulled him to sleep...and to dream.

*******

"Zan...Zan...she is meant for you. Believe what you
feel to be right for it is my son. What was before
will be again....what is now is not as it seems," came
the voice through the mist. 
Max woke up and looked around. His stereo was off. The
timer had shut it off. So the voices had come from...?
He got up as if drugged and got a drink of water
before heading back to bed. Flopping down he he took a
deep breath before closing his eyes and finally
drifting off to sleep again.

*******

Isabel woke up and glanced at her clock. 
3 o'clock a.m.
She rubbed her eyes and grimaced. She had dreamed
again but still the damn thing eluded her in her
memory.
Well while she was awake she was going to dream walk
Max and see what he was dreaming. Maybe there was a
connection. It was just too strange that they both
were experiencing dreams about voices at the same
time.
Laying down she concentrated hard on Max and soon she
was inside his dreams...

...Isabel sat on the rock inside the cave observing
Max as he walked towards the area where the stones had
been kept. Why was he dreaming about the cave when it
was no more? Just as he approached the stones a bright
misty light began to shine and their mother appeared. 
Isabel began to sit up straight in shock at what she
was seeing as Max turned to the light and their mother
began to speak.
"Zan my son it is alright. Everything will be alright
if you only trust your feelings and your heart and
love her."
Max reached out a hand towards the light as he spoke,
"But mother who is it I am to love? Not Liz, that was
over long ago and she is human. Tess? She admitted her
treachery and deceit by getting pregnant with my son.
Who is it I'm supposed to give my heart to mother?
Who?"
Their mother smiled softly and said, "Zan you know
who. Your bride from this world. Our world. She is
with you now but not as she was here. Remember I told
you before my son that all is not as it seems."
Isabel held her breath as Max took a step towards the
light. Who could their mother mean? Was this the dream
she had dreamed herself? Had their mother to come to
her about her destiny?
Max shook his head in confusion and frustration at his
mother's words.
"Stop talking in riddles and tell me who it is! I
don't understand! Who am I to love? Who was my bride
before if not Tess...Ava? Who mother? Who is it?" he
shouted at her image.
"Vilandra my son. Vilandra is your bride and chosen
one."
"Vilandra? Isabel?! No...No! That can't be! The
book...what you said before...how?" stuttered Max in
shock as he stepped back stumbling.

Isabel felt as if the breath had been knocked out of
her. Max was dreaming she had been his wife on Antar,
but he was also fighting it. What was all of this?
Why was he dreaming this?

Her attention was again focused on the misty bright
form of their mother as she said, "Zan those feelings
you have for her, this closeness you feel. It is from
your love for each other that followed you from Antar.
We had no idea you would be raised as brother and
sister when we sent you to Earth all those years ago.
We just hoped that you would realize the mistake and
follow your hearts to one another...but it has not
happened yet," she finished with a sad shake of her
head.
Max recovered himself and asked with dread," If she is
not my sister then who is? Ava?" 
With a sad nod his mother acknowledged Max's question.
"It had been my everlasting shame that Ava betrayed us
with Kivar. But she is my daughter and I still love
her. Just as I love the son she bore to you."

Max reeled back from the horror of this new knowledge.
"No! I slept with her! She can't be my sister!" said
Max sickened by the thought of the act.
"She is my adopted daughter Max. She is Kivar's
sister. We took her in when her family was killed in a
war that Kivar blames us for. She is not your blood,
nor was she our choice for you," explained his mother.

At this comment about Max's son, Isabel gasped causing
Max to jump and their mother to turn. 
"Vilandra..." she called opening her arms to Isabel.
"No!" Isabel cried out as she suddenly awoke from
Max's dream.
Isabel sat up and gasped as the tears began to fall
and she began to rock, her arms wrapped around
herself.
"No it can't be true...it can't...but how did she
know...ohhhh it is true...what do I do now? What do I
do now?"


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

Isabel called in sick the next day at work, her visit
to Max's dream having filled her mind. 
She lay about in bed and the sofa in a daze reliving
the dream. She had dream walked enough people
including Max to know that dreams were based on what
that person subconsciously wanted, or it was based on
some sort of reality. When she had first entered his
dream she had thought it was the first, but after
their mother turned and acknowledged Isabel's presence
in the dream, she knew it was not just Max's dream of
what he desired. In fact he seemed to be just as
surprised and shocked as she was.
But what also puzzled Isabel was that the only contact
they had had with their mother was the hologram. So
how had she connected to Max in his dreams?

Isabel lay her head back on the cushioned sofa and
pushed her tangled hair out of her face as she thought
back over the years to her relationship with Max. 
They had always been close. 
Very close in fact.
But she was close to Michael too.
No, that wasn't true. She was much closer to Max and
now looking back she could see that it really wasn't
like other siblings. The looks, the touches he gave
her...the jealousy she felt about Liz and the others
he had dated since...the overprotection of each other,
were they more?
The question now was did she tell him? And how. What
if their mother had contacted them for a reason? 

As she went for a drink she then had another horrible
thought.
The image she had seen and come to know as her mother
may not be her mother after all.
Taking a glass from the cabinet to get water, Isabel
froze.
All the security she had based her life on...Max as
her brother, the image of her mother...now they were
all a lie. 
The glass in her hand dropped and shattered on the
floor unnoticed.
Her life was turned upside down and she couldn't go to
Max about it as she might have before.
Tears filled her eyes again as she looked down and saw
the broken glass. Just like her life.
Broken.

********

Max 1/2 listened to Michael as he reported his
findings or rather lack of them on Mr. Lord.
"I'm telling you Maxwell this guy has no history. No
background. Nothing! He just appeared out of no
where," said Michael as he paced Max's office.
Max finally focused on Michael's words and asked,"You
think he has illegal activities he is hiding or
something else?"
Michael leaned over the desk and said, "I think this
guy is interested in us and not actually having us
doing any investigating for him. But why?"
Max leaned his head back on his chair and looked at
the ceiling saying, "If that's true, is he FBI
connected or what? It's been years since we have had
to deal with any of this, so why now?"
Michael shook his head and said, "I don't know but I'm
sure as hell going to find out!"

Max nodded, but his thoughts had already drifted back
to last night. He could have sworn a woman was in this
elusive dream he kept having, and this time he also
felt like Isabel was there too. But why? He would just
have to ask Miss Isabel if she had been visiting him
in his sleep and why.

*******

Isabel could hear the phone ringing but hoped it would
stop soon. Max had called here at least a dozen times
tonight and she had not picked up. What could she say
to him knowing what she did?
Finally it stopped.
Isabel lay back against the pillow on her bed and
sighed. What was she going to do?
She didn't know how long she lay there in thought when
the phone rang again.
Looking at her caller ID, she saw that it was Michael.
It was late, so it must be important.
What if it was about Max? Or what if Michael needed
her for some reason?
Hesitating a minute she finally picked up the phone.
"Michael... Hi," she said carefully.
"No not Michael, but Max! I figured you would talk to
Michael. Why are you not answering my calls?" demanded
Max.
Caught off guard and panicking Isabel finally got out,
"Max! What are you talking about? I just got home and
saw your messages. What's up?" she asked trying to
sound casual but coming off nervous.
"Don't give me that Isabel! You were hiding from me.
Damn it Isabel I have asked you not to dream walk me!
You did didn't you? Last night? You know I hate that
unless it is an emergency! Why did you do it?" he
asked more upset that she was avoiding him than that
she had dream walked him.
Isabel couldn't say anything. She closed her eyes and
swallowed the bile rising in her throat. 
Now what should she do?
Finally she lied to him...again.
"Max I can't talk...I huh...have company," she said
without thinking about the time of night. Maybe he
would think she had someone with her and couldn't
talk.
Max frowned and felt his stomach began to roll.
"Company? This late? It can't be work...Isabel is
someone... sleeping over?" asked Max not thrilled
about some guy sleeping with Isabel.
Realizing the mistake in her lie, Isabel started to
rush on and explain the misunderstanding when she
realized this could work for her.
"Uh yeah Max. I am a big girl you know," said Isabel
in reply.
Max stiffened as he realized Isabel was no longer an
innocent and it bothered him like hell.
In fact he was angry.
"Well don't let me stop you from enjoying yourself!
I'm sorry I bothered you!" and he hung up.
"From bad to worse," she said beginning to cry again
as she hung up the phone and cried herself to sleep.

********

The dream came on her quickly but now she was aware
and was looking for it.
The woman of the mist, for now Isabel felt like she
could not call her mother, invaded her dream.

"Vilandra...you are aware of me now aren't you?" asked
the woman.
"Yes, and I know who you are, but not how or why you
are here," came Isabel's reply. 
"I've come because it is time Vilandra. We have
observed all of you from afar and now it is time to
set things right with you. You have questions to ask
of me. Questions about what you heard last night," the
woman answered.
Isabel flinched as last night was mentioned.
"Y--yes...how did you know? And how is it you could
see me? And how is it you are here now? And..." she
questioned.
The woman smiled at her.
"One at a time Vilandra...one at a time. First I am
able to enter peoples dreams the same as you. We have
observed you from afar. I must say that we were not at
all happy when we realized the mistake that was made
when you and Zan were raised together instead of Zan
and Ava. We...," she said.
"Wait! I still don't understand about Ava being
Kivar's sister and your adopted daughter. Why did you
not raise him as well?" said Isabel.
"Kivar was already of age when their family was
killed. He was away on his own. Ava was a young woman.
Our families had been friends and we took her in when
her parents were killed. Kivar returned and blamed us
for his parents death. I loved Ava as my own and was
destroyed when she betrayed us," the woman said sadly.
"Then why was she sent to Earth with us?" asked Isabel
confused.
"Because she was betrothed to Rath. He was not happy
with the match but agreed to it because Zan thought it
would be a good one...his sister and his second in
command...his friend. We had hoped the new life would
change her, but it did not it seems. She deceived us
all," said the woman.
Isabel nodded as she digested this information.
The woman observed Isabel for a moment before asking,
"You want to know about you and Zan," she stated.
Isabel looked up and her face said it all.
"How?"
"You met at a party and fell in love. We couldn't keep
you apart. You truly are the daughter I wanted. Good
and honest," the woman said.
Isabel cringed as she thought how she had deceived Max
earlier and felt ashamed that this woman would call
her honest.
"Tell him the truth Vilandra. He deserves to know. It
was meant that you be together."
"And what if we don't want this? This life you planned
for us," asked Isabel.
"Not that 'we' planned, but what we resurrected for
you. You found each other before and shall again if
you are honest and look within yourselves."
"But..." Isabel began but stopped when the woman began
to fade.
"Don't go! I have more questions! I need answers!"
called Isabel as she woke to her empty room.

"I can't talk to him about this, not yet. I don't even
know what I feel about all of this much less about
him," she thought to herself as she proceeded process
what she had heard and to make plans.

**********

A few days later...

Max could hear someone moving and knew he was not
alone in his apartment. 
Michael?
He got up slowly and crept to the door of his room and
could see a figure walking across the room.
Not Michael's build.
Not Michael.
Suddenly the lights came on and Max squinted against
the light.
Isabel stared open mouthed at Max who was naked and
blinking against the light.

Max cursed himself for letting himself get lax in his
reflexes. Caught off guard by an enemy was what could
get him killed.
As his eyes settled on who had entered his apartment
unasked Max gasped.
Isabel.
And here he stood naked with her staring at him.
Grabbing a nearby pillow off the couch he held it in
front of himself as he scooted towards his bedroom to
get some clothes.
"Dammit Isabel! Don't just sneak in here like that!"
said Max flustered.
Isabel snapped her mouth shut and averted her eyes.
"S-s-o--sorry! I just...well I needed to talk to you,"
she stammered confused at the rush of feelings she
felt.

Max dressed and returned to the living room and sat
down nervously.
Why was he nervous in front of her?
"What was so important that it couldn't wait?" he
asked.
"I need to talk to you about the dreams," she said.
Max shook his head. "Those are best forgotten. Just
don't dream walk me anymore."
"No! You don't understand. Max...I lied to you."
Max looked at Isabel and waited.
Isabel got up to pace around the room as she began.
"When you called about the dream you had had, I was
surprised because I had had one too. It sounded just
like yours. So I decided to investigate and see if
they were," she explained as she twisted her fingers
with nervousness.
Max waited and when she didn't go on he began to
worry.
"Were they?"
Nodding Isabel continued.
"Yes. But there is something you should know."
Taking a moment she said, "We were dream walked by our
...your mother. She can dream walk the same as I."
Max stood up and came to her and took her by the
shoulders.
"Are you serious? How do you know it wasn't just a
dream?" he asked anxiously.
"Because I have talked with her."
"What? You've talked with her? How?"
Isabel told him about everything...except that he and
she were married on Antar.
Max sat in shock. 
Relief that his son was okay came to him first. And
then all the rest sank into him.
"I don't believe this. So why is she coming to us now?
So I have two sisters," he said quietly.
Isabel remained quiet.
After a minute as things began to register, Max sat up
straight and looked at her.
He got up and stood before her and looked her in the
eyes and said slowly, "I don't have two sisters do I?"
Isabel didn't move as her eyes looked away.
He felt his chest tighten as he held her shoulders and
asked, "You started to say earlier 'our' mother but
you changed it to 'your' mother. She's not your mother
is she?"
Shaking her head but still not looking at him, Isabel
felt tears come to her eyes.
Max felt chills as he asked hoarsely, "Isabel. Who are
you?"
Her lips trembled as she still couldn't answer.
Max gently shook her as he asked again, "Who are you?"
He felt he knew but he needed to hear her say it.
Again he shook her, this time with more force causing
her head to rattle on her shoulders.
Finally she got out in a whisper, "I'm your wife."

******

"I'm your wife."
It still unnerved him to think of those words.
He had let her go and stood there in stunned silence
as she went to the window and stared out at the coming
dawn.
"What do we do Max?" she asked quietly.
Max didn't know.
"I don't know. We need to talk to Michael I think.
Tell him," Max said in a small voice.
Isabel studied Max before going to the couch and
sitting down.
"Max, you do believe me don't you?" she asked.
Max stared in front of him as he said, "Isabel I don't
know. I believe that you believe it, but..." he turned
to her, "I don't know if it's true. What if it's not?
How can everything that has happened to us so far have
been false? It's just hard to believe that's all."

A knock at the door let them know that Michael had
arrived.
"What's so important that I had to get off a case to
come over?" asked Michael as he walked in the door.
One look at their faces and he knew something bad had
happened.
"Shit! Aliens or FBI?" he asked tensing.
Max rubbed his neck and glancing Isabel's way
uncomfortable said, "Well aliens...Isabel thinks."
At her pained look , he hastily corrected, "We...we
think."
"Why? What's happened?" asked Michael as he looked
from Isabel to Max and wondered at the strained air
between them.
"I think Isabel should tell you," said Max as he again
looked her way.
Isabel frowned and sighing said, "Thanks Max, thanks a
lot."
"Iz...," Max began as he started towards her, the ache
in his gut sharp.
Isabel feeling alone and lost, held up her hand and
said, "No Max, you want me to tell it, then fine. I'll
tell it."
"Somebody tell it or I'm going to lose it," said
Michael getting really bad vibes.
So Isabel began to tell about the dreams.
She told everything but the part about her and Max.
When she was done, Michael sat eyes wide with his
mouth opening and closing as if to speak, but no words
were coming out. 
Finally he said, "You mean Tess and I were...?"
At Isabel's nod, he asked, "But then why did we get
the Destiny dreams? I thought she said we were
betrothed on Antar? And the book? If it was me and
Tess, then that means..." he trailed off looking at
Max and Isabel with ever widening eyes.
Neither Max nor Isabel could look at each other.
"You two?" asked Michael pointing his finger back and
forth between the two.
"So she says," Max replied as he shoved his hands in
the pockets of his pants.
"So 'she says'? No Max, it is so your mother says! So
don't put this on me, I didn't ask for it!" Isabel
said in irritation fed up with Max making her feel
like she had dreamed all of this up.
Michael sat back crossing his arms as he watched them.
The tension grew before he said, "You know I can't see
me and Tess, but I can see you two together. You act
married as it is."
"Michael!" shouted Max and Isabel in shock.
"What?" he asked shrugging. "Has it never entered your
minds that you two are closer than any brother and
sister I'v ever met?" he asked.
"Like you've met so many," spat Isabel back at him,
unnerved that Michael also thought things were not
quite right between her and Max.
"Michael, Isabel and I care for each other because of
coming out of the pods. The bond we share is ..."
began Max.
"Hey!" interrupted Michael as he pointed to himself.
"I came out of the pods to, and I don't see Isabel and
I acting that way!" Leaning back he added, "No man, I
think she is right. How much of this is truth I don't
know, but I do know that we need to find out more."
Max looked at Isabel as she watched him under hooded
lashes. If it was true then were their feelings going
to change? Had it ruined their relationship?
"I'm heading out. I'm getting closer to something with
this Mr.Lord, but I'm not sure what it is yet," said
Michael as he got up and prepared to leave.
"I'll walk you out Michael," said Max going outside
with him.

"What's up man? You never walk me outside," said
Michael as they approached his bike.
Max looked around before asking, "Michael what do I
do? What if Isabel is my wife? I've always known her
as my sister. I don't know that I can think of her as
my wife. This may even drive us apart."
Michael climbed on his bike before saying, "Max I
think that you and Isabel are going to work this out.
Am I shocked? Hell yes... and no. Like I said in
there, I've always felt you two should have been more.
Hell Maxwell, there were a few times I came to your
window or came upon you guys somewhere and I thought,
'Damn are they doing it?."
At Max's stricken look, Michael said, "Oh don't give
me that look Maxwell. It's true so just think about
it. I know it's weird and strange and maybe even makes
you sick at this point, but if it's true, you guys
would make a great couple."
"Why are you so sure this is real Michael? Have you
been having dreams too?" asked Max.
"Dreams? No. Not yet anyway, but maybe it's because
Tess is gone and we never wanted to be together. You
and Isabel were together in another life and you are
close now. Maybe that's the key."
"You sure are accepting of this dream Michael. Why?"
asked Max.
Michael looked up at the morning sky and then at Max.
"I don't know. I guess it is like I said. The bond you
two have. If I had not already noticed it then...well
I don't know. All I'm saying is that it makes sense to
me. Well look man I've got to go. Mr.Lord is one slick
dude and I'm going to nail his ass with whatever it is
he is up to. Later."
So saying, Michael roared off on his bike.

Max looked to his apartment and sighing heavily went
inside.

*******

They sat in silence that was near unbearable, the easy
comfort they had had with each other over the years
gone.

"Well I guess we need to talk about this," said Max
trying to make an opening on a topic that neither was
eager to discuss.
"You think," said Isabel sarcastically, yet with hurt
in her voice. 
"Isabel...," began Max coming to sit beside her.
"Max, if it is true then things are going to change
between us. And even if it's not then they will still
change. I don't want to lose you," said Isabel sadly.
Max put his hand on her cheek and then pulled it away
quickly as he realized what he had done.
"See..it has started already, " said Isabel as she
noticed his reluctance to touch her.
Max got up to pace the room.
He didn't know what to do.
Finally he turned to her and said, "Okay let's take
this objectively. What if it is not true? Then why
should things change? No harm no foul as far as I can
see."
"And if they are true?" asked Isabel.
Wetting his lips Max said, "Then...I don't know.
Isabel I love you and I know that you love me. But in
love with you? Having you for my wife? I don't know.
I'm sorry." 
Then he turned to her and asked, "How do you feel
about this?"
Isabel had dreaded this moment. She had had more time
to think and it was hard to verbalize her feelings to
him.
"I'm scared. Max you have no idea ...no memory of her
visits like I do. I've talked to her. She is real Max.
I think we need to find out more...but how?" 
Max again sat beside her and asked, "If we held hands
during her visit to one of our dreams , and
concentrated, the way you and Liz did for me, could we
both see her?"
Isabel thought about this and slowly nodded.
"I'm not sure, but maybe. We can try."
Max touched her hair this time and though both were
self conscious, he didn't pull away.
"Tonight we will try then."

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

Michael followed Mr.Lord to the Old Soap Factory and
watched while he entered.
What the hell was a dressy old guy like Lord doing in
a place like this? He still couldn't figure out why he
was in Roswell.
Getting off his bike and hiding it behind a storage
building, he followed as close as he dared. 
Quickening his pace he came to an abrupt stop and
jumped behind some old boxes as he heard voices up
ahead.
Staying close to the boxes he could see Mr.Lord, but
not who he was talking with.

"Sos, did youse find her?" asked the lazy voice of the
unseen person.
"Not yet. But I will. I have the other two on a fake
investigation so they should stay out of the way while
I locate her," said Mr.Lord.
"Roswell dicks. What a riot. But what can youse expect
from them?" said the voice.
"They are not as dumb as you think so don't get cocky.
All of you messed up before so now I have to fix this
mess you created," said Mr.Lord.
"Hey! I didn't screw this up! Blame the others! Not
me!" said the voice in anger.
"Well they paid the price so no since in looking back
on that now. But I'm warning you...if you let her
escape me again you will feel my anger like nothing
you have ever felt before," said Mr. Lord with quiet
force.
There was a pause before Michael heard, "Yeah I hear
youse. I'll get her for you and then you will get your
heir. Then you will have your revenge. And I'll gets
what I want," said the voice. 
"Yes...my revenge," said Mr.Lord with relish. "Now
leave here and stay hidden. I won't have someone
seeing you and mistaking you for him and ruining
this."
"Hey I'm already gone," said the voice.

Michael could here them leaving and he tried to
follow, but couldn't get close enough without being
seen.
Who had Lord been talking with? 
All he knew was that they were being duped and he had
to tell Max and Isabel.

******

Max and Isabel lay side by side on his bed, each very
aware of the other and where they were.
"You ready?" asked Max looking at Isabel.
Isabel took a deep breath and nodded.
He reached out his hand and took her cold, shaking one
in his and they closed their eyes.

Having done this before, Isabel was more aware of her
surroundings, but Max soon focused and looked around.
"Well are we in the right place? I mean all this mist
how do you know whose dream we are in?"
"We are in your dream Max," said Isabel quietly.
"How can you tell?" he asked still not sure.
Swallowing hard, Isabel pointed and said in a
strangled voice, "Look."
Max turned to look where Isabel pointed and sucked in
his breath sharply. "I never... would!"
Unwillingly their eyes stayed glued to the scene
before them...

Dream Max and Dream Isabel were swimming in a
pool...nude apparently.
As Isabel leaned back to let the water wet her hair,
her large breasts lifted from the water, droplets
sparkling at the tips, and then came back down to bob
on the water top. Max's gaze never left her as he came
closer to her. As she straightened Max was level with
her breasts and eyed them longingly. Isabel watched
him and then lifted herself up a little so her heavy
breasts were inches from him. Then he leaned over and
placed his mouth on her nipple and laved it, sucking
it until he could get as much of the breast in his
mouth as he could. Isabel moaned as she threw her head
back and grasped his head, running her fingers through
his wet hair. 

"No!" said Isabel suddenly looking away from the scene
embarrassed...and flushed.
Max turned and grabbed hold of her hand and quickly
said, "Isabel if we wake now we won't meet with
whoever you say is dream walking us!"
Pointing toward their erotic dream selves Max said,
"Now I know I didn't dream that over there on purpose!
I couldn't have...I wouldn't..."
"Then how did it come to be here Max? I can dream walk
you, but I can't plant dreams like that! Dreams are
part of your wants or reality!" said Isabel beginning
to breathe hard with anxiety.
"You're saying I wanted that to happen? That I dream
about you...us like that? No!" said Max, his eyes
drawn unbidden back to where the dream couple were
making love in the water.
"She is right Zan, what the dreams show you are from
wants or based in reality. In your case both," said a
soft voice as a woman approached them.
Max and Isabel turned to the woman and Max dropped
Isabel's hand as he slowly approached the woman.
"Mother?" he asked warily.
"Zan!" breathed his mother through happy tears. "You
are aware of me." Looking to Isabel she nodded and
smiled, "You have done well Vilandra."
"You are real," said Max as he tried to comprehend
that all that Isabel had told him may in fact be
truth.
"Yes my son I am. I have watched you with pride from
far away, but now I must intervene for we no longer
can wait for you to rediscover each other."
"It's true then? Isa...Vilandra and I were...married?"
asked Max as he nodded toward the dream couple.
As the woman looked to where he indicated she nodded.
"All true. But now all of you and are in danger and so
is your son. It is time to reconcile with your past
and save your future."
Isabel shook her head as she asked, "What do mean we
are in danger?"
"Kivar is among you."
Max and Isabel looked to one another, the anxious
feeling of being hunted returning at the mention of
Kivar.
"Here? How? Why?" asked Max.
"Kivar seeks out Vilandra and will stop at nothing to
have her."
Isabel shivered as she heard this.
"How is he here? I thought the grinolith had only one
chance to make a journey," asked Max as he glanced
worriedly at Isabel.
"Many things have changed since we sent you to Earth.
At the time only one trip was possible, but now Kivar
has developed a device to allow him to journey to
Earth and not just through an emissary. He is there
himself and he will have his revenge and Vilandra."
Isabel hugged herself as she started shaking and said,
"I can't believe this is happening! First the dreams,
then this," pointing towards their dream selves, "and
now Kivar! I don't know if I can handle anymore of
this."
"Isabel, I will be here and so will Michael. We won't
let Kivar get to you," said Max as he touched her
shoulder.
Isabel nodded but still she was afraid.
"Vilandra you must be cautious, but Zan so will you.
Kivar wants you dead my son and he will stop at
nothing to see you destroyed," said his mother.
"But how will we know him?" asked Max as he approached
the woman.
"You will know him...you will know him," said his
mother as she began to fade into the mist.
"Wait! Mother, stay! I have so many questions for you!
I want to know about my son!" pleaded Max, but she was
gone.
Turning to Isabel Max said, "We have to wake up now
Isabel and make plans."
Isabel glanced again toward the lovers and nodded.

As they awoke on Max's bed, each became conscious of
the dream and all it held. Isabel quickly sat up and
wiped at her flushed face.
"I'm going to get a drink!" she said hurriedly as she
started to get up.
Max grabbed at her arm.
"Isabel, we have to talk about this and plan," said
Max.
"I know, but ..." said Isabel hastily, but not looking
at Max.
"Isabel...what we saw...we have to talk about it. You
were right. She is real. Our...my mother...we have to
listen to her about this. Kivar is dangerous and I
won't let him have you," said Max trying to relieve
her anxiety while his was growing.
"I know that you will try Max, but I don't know that
you will succeed. I'm going to bed. Goodnight," she
said as she quickly left the room before he could
answer.
Max lay back on his bed and thought about the other
part of his dream. The vision of him and Isabel.
Correction, Zan and Vilandra making love. Who was he
kidding? It was him and Isabel. Now what?

********

Michael used his powers to open Max's door and enter
the darkened apartment. Heading towards Max's room he
stopped as he heard crying and spotted Isabel on the
sofa. Heading towards her he realized she was asleep
and softly crying. Isabel rarely cried and when she
did he had always hated it. To see and hear her cry
just pained him. He sat next to her and gently shook
her shoulder to wake her up. 
Isabel woke suddenly and sat up quickly as a hand
touched her.
"Michael! You scared me!" she said as she wiped at her
face.
Too late.
"Why are you crying?" asked Michael as he wiped at her
tears.
Shaking her head, Isabel said, "Nothing."
Michael frowned and then said, "It's Max isn't it? The
dreams about you two?"
Isabel hesitated and then nodded. "I don't know if I
can accept that Max and I are supposed to be together
Michael. I've always known him as something else, and
now..."
"So you two agree that the dreams are true?" he asked.
"We did a joint walk in his dream and ...his mother
showed up. She said Kivar is here Micah el! Not just
his emissary, but him! He wants me and to kill Max!
What are we going to do?" asked Isabel leaving out the
part about the dream lovers.
Michael felt like two and two had just fit.
"We need to get Max. I think I know who Kivar is,"
said Michael.

After Michael woke Max and he joined them in the
living area, Michael explained how he had followed
Mr.Lord and what he had heard.
"I just don't know who he was talking too. The accent
wasn't from around here. In fact, it reminded me of
when our doubles were here, but it didn't sound like
Rath," said Michael.
"Michael we have to be sure. We can't just accuse
someone like that," said Max.
"Max, Mr.Lord is not who he says he is, and he talked
about us being put on a phoney trail and getting the
girl! Now what other girl could it be? It has to be
Isabel!" said Michael, his temper beginning to rise.
"Max, I think Michael is right. We have to assume it
is him and that someone is working with him. But who?"
said Isabel.
"Okay, if we go with Mr.Lord being Kivar, then what do
we do? We need to find out who is with him for sure,"
said Max.
"Leave that to me Maxwell. I'll keep on tailing him
until he leads me to this other guy," said Michael.
Max nodded. "Okay Michael."
Turning to Isabel he said, "I want you here. Take a
leave of absence or whatever, but you need to be here
so we can protect you. Besides, our powers work better
when we work together."
Isabel began to protest. "Max, I can't just leave my
job, they wouldn't understand! I can take care of
myself away from here."
"Isabel if you don't stay here, then I'm coming back
there with you! I won't have you unprotected!" argued
Max.
"And who made you my protector?" demanded Isabel
irrationally.
"Isabel..." warned Max getting just as angry.
"Max is right Isabel. One of us needs to be with you,
and I'm tracking Kivar. It has to be Max," said
Michael as he watched her and then Max. He knew what
was coming.
He didn't have long to wait.
"I'm not a child to be babysat!" yelled Isabel.
"No you aren't! But if something happened to you I
couldn't live with it! So choose which it is! Are you
staying me or am I coming with you?" Max yelled back
at her.
Isabel glared at Max and then at Michael who had begun
to smirk.
"Be ready to leave in the morning Max, because I have
to be at work day after tomorrow," gritted Isabel.
"Interesting. You know this may be a good time for you
two to work on this marriage you two have," said
Michael.
"SHUT UP!" Max and Isabel both yelled at Michael
before they each stormed out of the room.
"Interesting in deed," he smiled to himself.

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

A few days later at Isabel's...

"You are not coming to work with me Max so just get
that thought right out of your head!" said Isabel
firmly as she prepared to leave for work.
"Isabel how can I protect you if I'm not there with
you?" asked Max just as determined he was going with
her.
"I will be around others so no one will have a chance
to come near me. Now let me go!" replied Isabel.
Max thought about what she said and realized he may be
over reacting. But he would still feel better if he
was there.
"How about I drop you at the door and pick you up? But
only if you promise not to go anywhere alone," said
Max finally.
"Fine," said Isabel sharply, somehow disappointed Max
had not pushed his point.
"Fine," Max said as he grabbed his keys and they
headed out the door.

*********

A road out in the middle of no where...

Mr.Lord pulled his car to a stop and got out next to
the motorcycles and walked to where a punked out young
man stood waiting for him.
"Sos?" asked the young man, his jewelry gleaming in
the sunlight.
"He sent her home, but went along with her," came the
reply. "It couldn't be more perfect if I had planned
it myself."
The tattooed young man nodded and smiled his silky
smile so like another's.
"I'll get on it. Soon we will have her and he will be
dead."
"Don't mess this up. It's our last chance. I'll take
care of the other one if need be," said Mr.Lord.

Each left to head for his targeted victim.

**********

Michael cursed as he walked back to Roswell. 
Out of gas! How could he be out of gas? He had filled
up just last night.
On he walked beginning to suspect that someone had
tinkered with his bike.

**********

"What do you mean you lost him Michael?" asked Max
tensing up.
"I mean I lost him Max. My bike ran out of gas, which
is odd, but when I got back he was gone. Checked out.
I'm sorry," said Michael. 
Max gripped the phone. "How much head start do you
think he has?"
"I would guess about 2 to 3 hours," Michael replied.
"Thanks for calling Michael. If you find out anything
else let me know," Max said.
"I will." He paused before adding,"We will catch him
Max. We won't let anything happen to Isabel. You
either."
"Yeah...right," said Max softly as he hung up, his
senses on alert as he headed to Isabel's office.

*********

Isabel started out the door of her office when Max
stopped her.
"What are you doing here?" asked Isabel startled.
"Michael called. Lord's gone," explained Max as he
guided her to the end of the hall.
"Gone? How? I thought Michael was tailing him!" Isabel
exclaimed, the hair on her arms rising at the news.
"Yeah he was, but someone may have messed with his
bike. Anyway the point is you can't be here, or at
your apartment as long as we don't know where he or
his accomplice are. Isabel, we have to go into
hiding," Max told her knowing she would have a fit.
But she surprised him by saying, "I'll let my boss
know that we have a family emergency and I don't know
when I 'll be back."
"You're okay with this?" asked Max looking at her.
Isabel shook her head as she said, "No, but knowing
what we do of Kivar I'm not staying here and letting
him hurt innocent people."
Max smiled gently at her and nodded. "I'll wait out
her e for you."
So Isabel went to tell her boss that she was again
leaving while Max planned where they would go next.

*********

Weeks later on a beach in Texas...

Isabel lay sleeping on the bed while the breeze off
the water blew through the windows.
Max sat in a chair nearby and watched her sleeping,
the moonlight peeping in to give light to an otherwise
darkened room.
They had driven straight through stopping only for
gas,food,and restroom breaks, each taking a turn to
drive while the other slept. 
Each having time to think on all that they had learned
over the past few weeks and trying to figure out how
to deal with it. That was a problem while being uneasy
around each other. Each touch or look was now
scrutinized for hidden meaning. 
Max watched Isabel turn over on her back, her hair
falling about the pillow, moaning in her sleep as she
dreamed.
Was she dreaming of them as he had everytime he closed
his eyes?
Max rubbed his face as thoughts about their past life
came to him. He had been practicing the techniques
Tess had shown him on memory retrieval and realized
that every memory he had thought he shared with Tess
were really his and Isabel's. 
Tess had altered his dreams.
It angered him each time he thought of Tess and her
deception and then sadness swept over him just as
quickly as his son came to mind. He would be almost
six years old now. What was he like? Would he be like
Max or had they already turned his son against him and
their people?

Max's attention was drawn back to Isabel as her moans
deepened and she moved her hands over her head and
arched her back. 
Max watched all of this and felt himself tighten and
respond to her. He had found lately that all of the
little things she did like play with her hair, lose
her temper, the way she moved and even her scent
brought back more and more memories of his life with
her before. They were things that had carried over to
this life. He could no longer deny that he and Isabel
had been married lovers in their other life or that he
had deeper feelings for her now. Over their time
together lately he had found himself falling in love
with her. How could he have forgotten her? How would
she react? She wasn't his sister, but he didn't know
if she would accept that. Maybe she didn't feel the
same. In that case he would suffer in silence and try
to love her as before.

Isabel was lost in a dream of sultry seduction with
Max. His hands and mouth bringing her to a frenzy as
he made love to her. She wanted him as badly as he
wanted her, begging him to never stop touching
her...loving her. Suddenly she cried out as her dream
peak was reached causing her to wake up sweating and
panting.
"Isabel are you okay?" asked Max as he tried to
control his own reaction to her actions while sleeping
and her sexy scent that wafted the room. It was
obvious what kind of a dream she just had. He just
hoped he was the cause.
Isabel jumped startled as she realized Max was in the
room.
"Max! What are you doing in here?" she asked as she
tried to act calm at seeing him so near after the
dream she had just had.
"I don't know, I just came in and sat down. Checking
to make sure you were safe," he answered truthfully.
"You didn't have to, but thanks." Looking at the clock
and seeing that it was nearing 3:00 a.m. Isabel said,
"Why don't you sleep Max? You must be totally
exhausted by now."
Max rubbed his eyes and nodded, "I am, but I just
can't sleep." Then looking her way he asked
cautiously, "Can we talk about it Isabel? The dreams?
This past we are supposed to share?"
Isabel looked away quickly and felt like a trapped
animal. She had both dreaded and wanted to discuss
this with Max, but was afraid of how he would react to
her new feelings for him. He would be shocked and
maybe disgusted with her.
"I don't want to Max, I mean it's so late. Maybe we
should wait until morning. You know, 'good nights
sleep' and all," she finally said still not looking
his way.
Max sighed and looked away too. That was not what he
had hoped to hear. 
"Sure Isabel, tomorrow," he sighed deeply as he got up
and left the room to go to his.
Isabel got up and went to the window, the breeze
cooling her fevered skin. Seeing the water she decided
to take a swim and tire herself out, and hopefully
send her into a dreamless sleep.
Quietly she left the house and headed towards the
water unaware that Max had glimpsed her leaving and
followed her to make sure she was safe.

Isabel reached the waters edge and let it lap at her
toes before going back to the beach and reaching for
her shirt. 
Max held his breath as he watched her disrobe to bare
skin and walk naked back to the water.
She was more beautiful than he had ever thought and
better than his memories. 
He watched as she walked out into the water and and
lay back, the water wetting her hair and skin, the
moonlight making her sparkle luminously.
Without thought he slowly walked to where she had left
her clothes and began to take off his own, leaving
them joined with hers in a heap on the sand.
Walking as if dazed to the water, he entered and swam
to Isabel stopping behind her.
Isabel sensed someone behind her and tensed, her guard
went up as she thought of Kivar. Turning slowly she
was shocked to find Max close behind her.
"Max?" she asked breathlessly.
Max took in her dripping hair and the water lapping
the tops of her breasts. His eyes searched her face
and found glowing eyes and full lips. 
Lips he wanted to kiss.
Leaning in he put his hands on her either side of face
and took her lips with his in a soft yet seeking kiss.
Isabel at first was shocked and then pleased that Max
had apparently discovered he had the same feelings she
had. She put her arms around his neck and drew him to
her, their naked bodies pressed together as his kiss
deepened, and his tonger searched her open mouth for
its secrets.
Breaking the kiss, Isabel threw her head back as Max
placed his hands on her back and kissed her down her
neck to the tops of her breasts. Rising slightly so
her breasts came above the water, Isabel moaned as Max
cupped a breast and took the hardened nipple into his
mouth and sucked. One hand cupped her bottom and the
other her breast as he tried to pull her closer to
him.
Max kissed his way back up her neck and looked into
her eyes.
He said nothing with words, but his eyes spoke
volumes.
They headed towards the beach and up to the house,
their clothes forgotten.

Max lay Isabel back on his bed and looking in her eyes
he saw trust and love. That was all the encouragement
he needed.
Max lay his body on top of hers and kissed her deeply
as his hands searched between them for her moist
opening.
Isabel opened up to Max's searching hand and helped
guide him to her.
Max begin to enter her hot passage slowly, the
tightness gripping him with pleasure. He thrust hard
and sucked in his breath at her gasp of pain and
realization as he ripped through her barrier. 
"Isabel?" he asked in shock. "But..."
"Shhhh Max...shhhh," she said as she placed her hands
on his face and lips.
He kissed her as he thrust again, his motions helping
them to find a rhythm and follow it as they rode the
waves of pleasure together until they cried out in
ecstasy as Max filled her womb with warmth. 
Max collapsed on top of Isabel and tried to regain his
breath as she struggled to regain her own.
Finally Max moved to Isabel's side and both thought of
what had just happened between them.
Max swallowed hard and then tried asking the question
at the front of his mind.
"Isabel...you...I mean...I thought...you said...I
never wanted to ...hurt you," he struggled to say.
Isabel closed her eyes as her lie was questioned.
Wetting her lips she answered, "I never said I had
spent the night with a man Max, I just said I had
company. You just assumed."
"But you didn't correct me," he said as he digested
the fact that he was her first, and if he had his way,
her last.
"No I didn't," she said quietly as drew the sheet over
her.
"Are you sorry?" he asked praying she wasn't.
Silence.
His nervousness showed as he asked,"Isabel? Are you
sorry?"
Isabel shook her head, before she realized he couldn't
see it.
"That it was you? No, I'm not sorry. I'm just
wondering what happens to us now Max? What now?"
"I don't know Isabel. I don't know," he replied as he
pulled her to him and kissed her forehead as they lay
quietly, each lost in their own thoughts before they
fell asleep in each others arms exhausted.

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

The next day Isabel awoke to nausea, but put it down
to having had little sleep the night before. Max had
woke her up off and on all night to make love and so
she was exhausted.
She got up quietly and getting some toast, she sat
down to watch Max sleep. 
Well they had done it. They had accepted their past
and neither was sorry, but now what? Not everyone
would be as accepting as Michael had been.
Feeling much better, Isabel decided to take a swim and
gather their clothes from the beach.
Heading out the door and down the beach she never saw
the figure watching her and smiling.

********

Isabel gathered the clothes and was about to turn when
Max suddenly appeared running up to her.
"Isabel! We have to hurry! They've found us!" said Max
hurriedly, grabbing at her arm and pulling her along.
"What? Max, wait! Why aren't we taking the car?" asked
Isabel as she tried to take in that they were found.
"We can't take the car, they are right there. We have
to go on foot until we find another way. Now come on!"
he hissed at her.
Isabel dropped the clothes and ran after Max, her
stomach twisting in fear.

********

Max woke and stretched, he had not slept so well in
such a long time. He smiled to himself as he
remembered the night he and Isabel had spent together.
Getting up and looking around he wondered where Isabel
was. 
As he headed down to the beach he thought, she's mine
now in every way. It's real.
As he drew closer to where they had left their
clothes, he noticed the sand stirred up and the
clothes thrown about. He ran the rest of the way and
searched up and down the beach. Two sets of tracks
meant only one thing. 
Kivar had Isabel.
Max let out an anguished cry as he fell to the sand
and cried.

**********

"Max, where did you learn to ride a motorcycle? Did
Michael teach you?" asked Isabel as they climbed on
the bike that Max had found.
"Yeah, Michael taught me," came his reply. "Hold on."
Off they went, Isabel never thinking that Max was not
who he seemed.

*********

"Max slow down, what do you mean Isabel is gone? Kivar
has her?" asked Michael as he tried to calm Max down.
"I think so Michael. I don't know for sure, but she is
gone. I don't know where to look," said Max.
Michael closed his eyes in thought, "Okay look, I'll
be there in about eight hours unless I can get a
flight out. Don't move! And Max...we will find her."
Max nodded as he hung up the phone and sank to the
floor. First his son, and now Isabel. Kivar would pay
dearly.

********

"Max why are we stopping here?" asked Isabel as they
pulled to a stop on a deserted road.
"Get off sweet thing," said her companion.
"What?" asked Isabel confused in the switch of
behavior in Max.
"I said to get off. What? You don't hear so good," he
asked in a silky voice.
Isabel froze and then began to back up. "You're not
Max are you?" she whispered.
"Very good. You may not be as smart as Lonnie, but
youse sure a hell of a lot easier on the eyes," he
said as he pulled her to him.
"No! You can't be...you're dead," Isabel said as she
fought him off.
"Do I looks dead to youse?" he laughed grinning at
her.
"Zan," she said hoarsely.
"The one and only," he smirked lazily.
"But how?" asked Isabel.
Zan frowned as recalled for Isabel how Lonnie and Rath
had tried to kill him and Ava had just stood by like a
scared chicken and let them do it. Nicholas had
rescued him with Kivar's help and now he was here, his
goal of returning to Antar to be King within reach.
"And now it's time to meets our partner. Mr.Lord!" he
called out as he grinned at her.
Isabel pushed out of Zan's arms and saw an older man
approach them.
Kivar.
"Very good Zan. You did well. Very well," he said as
he stopped in front of where Zan had released Isabel.
"I said I would get her, and I did. I don't go back on
my word," said Zan.
"Yes...well as soon as we leave this planet I will
have you Vilandra just as I should have on Antar all
those years ago before you ran off with Zan," said
Kivar as he came closer to her. "You are more
beautiful now then you were then and I never dreamed
that was possible," he whispered as he touched her
hair.
Isabel jerked her head from his touch causing Kivar to
frown.
"She left youse for me? How bad is that?" laughed Zan
as he put his arm around Isabel.
"Don't touch her Zan," came the quiet warning from
Kivar.
Isabel cringed as Zan caressed her shoulder and he
kissed her on the cheek.
Kivar raised his hand and flung Zan back away from
Isabel.
Zan lay stunned on the ground while Isabel gasped.
"I said don't touch her. You never did listen to me
Zan. Always taking what belonged to me...even my
family. But now I will have my revenge," said Kivar as
he pulled Isabel to him.
"Hey man! What's up with this? No one pushes around
Zan! I'm the King or did youse forget Kivar?" said Zan
getting up.
"You King? I think not. If anyone were King besides me
it would be Max. You aren't even King material, but
then neither is he. I told you before Zan, no one
takes Vilandra away from me...especially twice," Kivar
finished evilly.
"What...what are youse talking about man? What are
youse doing?" asked Zan as he raised his hand to throw
up a shield, Kivar blasted Zan with his powers.
Zan's shield was nothing against Kivar and he fell to
the ground in agony as Isabel screamed.
"Why?" Zan cried out.
As Kivar dragged Isabel over to where Zan lay, he
said, "Because she is mine and no one will stop me
from being King in every way or from having her and
getting my heir."
Zan looked up at Isabel, a mixture of pleading and
asking for forgiveness written on his face as he
realized that Kivar had used him.
Isabel looked at him and shook her head as tears fell
down for the one who looked so much like Max, but was
not.
Carelessly dismissing Zan, Kivar dragged Isabel to a
stand of trees and using his powers he unveiled a
transporter hidden amongst them.
He entered the transporter with Isabel and inserting a
crystal key they left Earth.

*******

Michael and Max had traveled for hours looking in
every motel until Max said. "How do we know they
didn't go on a back road Michael?"
Michael pulled over and got out a map from his jacket.
"Okay lets assume they did that. These are the roads
that are marked. Which one do you propose we take?
There are just too many Maxwell. Maybe we should split
up."
"No! We stay together. Let's just take them one at a
time." Looking at the map Max pointed his finger at a
road. "This one. Let's start here."
Michael sighed as he folded the map and returned it to
his pocket.
"Max, this may not work. We will find her, but it
might not be as soon as we would like," said Michael.
"We have to find her Michael! We've just realized our
past and now we have a future. I don't want to lose
her again," said Max, his anguish making him drop his
head to his arms.
Michael sat back and looked at Max for a long moment
before he asked, "Max...did you and Isabel...?"
Max didn't answer for the longest time, but then he
nodded.
Michael closed his eyes and then raised them skyward.
This was not good.
"Max, in all your horny haste, did you remember what
happened between you and Tess? You have a son out
there somewhere because of one night of lust with
Tess, did you even think about that when and you and
Isabel were together? She is alien to you know or did
you forget that? The same physiology applies to her."
Max raised his head and looked at Michael, the
expression on his face said it all.
"Oh shit," said Michael under his breath as he and Max
realized that Kivar could very easily kill Isabel if
she carried Max's child.

Max sat stunned as he realized that he and Isabel had
never even thought about her getting pregnant. He had
never intended for that to happen, at least not yet,
and he imagined she had not thought about it either.
Having children with her someday was great, but not
while fighting Kivar. Not while Kivar held all the
cards.

********

They turned onto the road marked on the map and
followed it to a stand of trees stopping just short of
them. Walking around they heard moaning and quickly
found the source.
"Zan?" asked Max as he knelt beside his wounded
double.
Zan coughed as Max bent over him to inspect his
wounds.
"Don't...bother. (cough) I've tried... (cough)
to...heal them (cough) myself."
Looking Max over he smiled and said, "So youse Max,
the real King. (cough) I should have known (cough) it
wasn't me." 
"Don't talk Zan! I'll see what I can do for you," said
Max as he tried to heal his double and failed. Only
minor healing occurred.
"I don't understand why it's not working," he said to
Michael.
"Kivar's (cough) to powerful. He didn't (cough) even
finish (cough) me off. Dying (cough) finish...me," he
gasped out pleadingly.
Max looked to Michael.
"Where is Isabel, Zan?" asked Max as he looked back
down at his twin. "Does Kivar have her?"
Zan nodded and pointed towards the trees.
"He has a (cough) transporter (cough) in the trees. He
(cough) took her to (cough) Antar."
Max stood up slowly and faced Michael.
"I'm already on it Max," said Michael as he raced
towards the trees.
Max squatted back down by Zan.
"I'm sorry I couldn't heal you."
Zan shook his head.
"Don't be. (cough) Without the others (cough cough) or
going (cough cough) home, it's better this way."
"What happened to the others?" asked Max.
"Kivar (cough) killed them for (cough) trying to
(cough) trick him."
"All of them?" asked Max horrified.
Zan nodded. Looking at Max he asked, "Please...finish
(cough) me."
Max turned as he heard Michael call out from the
trees,"Max! I've found it!"
Max looked back down at Zan, who held his eyes with
his own, and then standing he used his powers to
finish Zan off.
Max felt ill. He had just killed and it was like
killing ones self. But he couldn't leave Zan to die
the slow death that Kivar had left him too. A death
that he knew no one, not even Zan or Max could stop.
Wiping his eyes, Max headed towards the trees and
Michael.

"We have a problem Max. We have the transporter, but
no way to know how to use it. It looks like a key of
some sort was used, but I can't find it. I'm sorry,"
said Michael.
Max made his own search and then slammed his fist
against the side of the transporter. 
Michael put his hand on Max's shoulder in a show of
comfort for his friend.
"We won't stop looking for a way Max."
Max nodded.
"Michael I want you to go back to Roswell and get the
book and anything else you can find that we salvaged
from the chamber after it was destroyed. Bring it to
me here," said Max.
Michael nodded. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to go over this thing and just hope I can
find a way to bring Isabel home."

******* 

Isabel sat on the bed in the room that had been given
to her. She had always assumed that she came from
little green men and their shiny plastic lives, but
Kivar had told her that they were much like Earthlings
and many of Earth's developments and creations came
from Antar and other planets when they had settled on
the planet.
He had left her in this bedroom, but told her that she
had the run of the castle. He had treated her as
kindly as Kivar could she suspected. But still she
feared and hated the man.
Isabel turned as she heard the door to her chamber
open.
"You!" she said stunned.
"Yes Vilandra, it is I. Welcome to Antar," said the
woman of her dreams.
"But how? I thought you were..." Isabel began.
"Captured? Imprisoned? I am in a way. Until Zan
returns and over throws Kivar. He keeps me here in
case Zan causes problems. But I'm no fool. I know that
when he has Zan, he will kill him and me."
Isabel walked to the woman, and as she reached her,
the woman enveloped her in an embrace.
"I've missed you Vilandra."
The tears that filled Isabel's eyes threatened to
spill over.
"I thought you were my mother. And when you said I
wasn't...I felt so lost. I don't even know your name,"
she said.
"My name is Karra. I am your mother in every way but
blood. When you married Zan, you became my daughter."
Looking down, she placed her hand over Isabel's
abdomen down low.
"I see that Zan wasted no time in getting you with
child. This is good... but also dangerous. You must
not't let Kivar know," Karra said.
Isabel stepped back and shook her head as she touched
her belly down low.
"I'm...I'm not having a baby...you are mistaken!" she
said shaking her head.
Karra brushed Isabel's hair out of her face and said,
"You know it is true Vilandra. You feel it inside of
you."
Isabel sank down on the bed in shock.
A baby.
Karra sat beside her watching.
"You really had no idea?"
Isabel slowly shook her head.
"Oh dear," Karra said as she closed her arms around
Isabel and the girl lay her head on the woman's
shoulder.
The door opened again and both women looked up.
"Isabel."
"Tess," said Isabel as she stood up and looked at the
traitor who would have them all killed.

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

Isabel tried to hide her shock at Tess's appearance.
She was much to thin, and unkempt. The look in her
eyes was wild. Insane.
"It's Ava here, but I guess a part of me will always
be Tess. I see that Kivar found you. I'm sorry," Tess
said seemingly sincere. But she had done that before.
"Mother?" asked a small voice behind her.
Isabel looked wide eyed to Tess's face and then behind
her, as a young boy emerged from behind her skirt.
"Alex, this is Vilandra, but we call her Isabel."
Looking at Isabel and taking a breath she said,
"Isabel...this is my son... Alex."
Isabel slowly approached the boy who was Max's son and
looked so much like him. No trace of Tess was evident.
Kneeling she said softly, "Alex...it's nice to meet
you. I hope we can be friends."
She looked up at Tess. "You named him for Alex?"
Tess nodded. "I felt bad about Alex...I should never
have done that to him. It was a mistake... I know that
now. Oh how I know that now," she trailed off as she
looked lovingly down at her son.
"Alex, why don't you go with your grandmother and
play. I need to talk to Isabel," she said as she
looked at the woman who hated her.
"It was nice to meet you Alex," said Isabel as tears
filled her eyes.
"Are you going to cry?" he asked her curiously.
Isabel smiled and wiped at her tears. "No, I'm not
going to cry Alex."
"Good. My mother does that a lot you know," he said as
he raced to Karra.
"Vilandra, you must listen to Ava. She has changed.
Please listen to her," said Karra as she took Alex's
hand and they left room.
Isabel stood and walked away from Tess as she
considered Karra's words.
"He's sweet Tess. How did he end up that way with you
for his mother?" asked Isabel still hurting from how
Tess had tricked them and killed Alex.
Tess's shoulders slumped even more as she said,
"Isabel I know you won't believe me, but I am sorry
for all I did on Earth. I had no idea that things
would be the way they are here...or Kivar."
Isabel faced her and said, "You're right Tess, I don't
believe you. You may have tricked Karra again, but not
me! You killed Alex, you deceived all of us, and you
tricked Max into getting you pregnant. He loved Liz!"
Tess smiled a small smile at the last comment as she
sat on the bed. "I would think you would be glad about
him not being with Liz. Karra says you have found one
another."
Isabel walked to Tess and asked, "You knew about Max
and me didn't you? That Zan and Vilandra were not
siblings? How could you do this to all of us Tess?"
Tess's eyes filled with tears as she tried to explain.
"I was raised with all of my memories of here intact.
I knew that Kivar was Ava's...my brother and that I
was adopted into Zan's...Max's family. I loved him,
but he only had eyes for you...Vilandra. Kivar had
eyes for you too. He wanted you for himself and was
enraged when he found out you and Zan had married. I
couldn't believe it either. I hated him and you for
that. All I had ever wanted was Zan and he wanted me
to marry Rath. Rath. His friend, not him.
Rath...Michael and I didn't love one another, but he
was willing to marry me to ensure peace between the
kingdoms. When Kivar found out about you and Zan and
that Zan was going to marry me off to Rath, Kivar had
us all killed."
"But how could he kill his own sister?" asked Isabel
in disbelief.
After a long moment Tess admitted, "I knew he was
going to kill all of us."
At Isabel's shocked look, she quickly explained,
"Kivar came to me and played on my hurt and anger. We
had discussed a plan for when the Antarians released
us to Earth to be reborn. We knew they would do that.
Kivar said it was our only chance to take hold of the
kingdom. I was so full of hate towards Zan and you
that I agreed. He was my brother. My blood. And
besides I knew Kivar would kill me anyway if I didn't
help him with his plan. Nasedo agreed to help us
because Kivar threatened his family. He had no choice,
and you know the rest."
"And having Max's child guaranties Kivar's hold on the
throne," Isabel said.
"Not really," Tess said quietly.
Isabel turned suspicious eyes on Tess. "But?"
"Kivar wanted the three of you so he could show the
people his power. Michael was not really needed, but
Max was to die publicly, and you were to marry Kivar
and give him a legitimate heir of his blood. His links
to the thrown. He would control the kingdom through
you and your child. My child would be no help to Kivar
except as a back up in case you couldn't give him a
child."
"Oh God," said Isabel stunned.
"But I didn't count on loving Alex like I do. I
thought I could get pregnant, have the child and give
him to Kivar with no problems or attachments. But I
was wrong," she said sadly.
"So now what?" asked Isabel.
Tess looked at her and said, "As soon as you conceive
a child with Kivar, my son is sure to die. Kivar will
want no one who can threaten him later or his hold on
the throne." Shaking her head and with a spark of
determination in her eyes, she said, "I can't let my
son die Isabel. I can't!"
Isabel felt fear as she asked, "What are you going to
do Tess?" Isabel just knew that killing her was in
Tess's plan.
"I want to make right what I helped to destroy as well
as save my son," explained Tess. 
Standing and walking over to Isabel she whispered, "I
want you to take my son home to Max and raise him as
your own."

********

Max had gone through the transporter so many times now
that he new every inch by heart, but it still didn't
help him any without the key.
He had been here for two days now going over this. He
had buried Zan in the woods and then set out on his
task, his mind set on trying to find Isabel and
bringing her back. His mind refused to think that she
could be at Kivar's mercy. Or be dead.
He sat down to get a drink and rest when he heard a
motorcycle drive up. 
Michael.
And he had Liz with him.
What was Michael thinking?
He got up and walked over to Michael and Liz.
Giving Michael an annoyed look, he then looked to Liz.
"Hello Liz."
"Max," she said with a small worried smile.
Then she rushed to him and hugged him to her,
surprising him as he closed his arms around her and
looked at Michael.
"I told her everything Max. She's a scientist. I
figured she might could help us," said Michael.
Liz stood back and said, "I'll try, but I'm still just
learning. I hope I can help you get Isabel back Max."
Max looked at Michael and back to Liz, "Michael, you
explained 'everything' to you Liz?"
Liz nodded as she looked up into his face. "Everything
Max."
Max nodded as he said, "Liz, I love her and need to
get her back. Please help me."
"I'm going to try Max. Let's get started," she said as
she followed him to the transporter and got to work.

Hours later as they sat in Max's room going over what
they thought they had learned so far, Liz said, "Max
I'm glad that you two finally found each other. Your
destiny I mean. I really am."
At Max's look of disbelief she hurried to say, "I know
that sounds funny coming from me after all you and I
went through, but it's true. Our lives together just
ran its course and I think now it was because
somewhere deep inside of you , you knew you should be
with Isabel."
Michael turned from the window and watched Max and
Liz, listening intently to their conversation.
"I was always jealous of the closeness and time you
two spent together, and I think she felt the same
towards me," Liz said.
"Michael seems to think like you do," said Max
glancing Michael's way.
"Great minds think alike Max," said Michael as he
smiled at Liz and she smiled back causing Max to do a
double take.
"Is...something going on here?" Max asked as he
pointed at the two of them.
Liz smiled shyly as she shrugged and looked toward the
man in question, but Michael stood up and came behind
Liz putting his hands on her shoulders saying, "Maybe.
It's kinda new Max, so no questions, okay?"
Max nodded trying to hide his shock and relief.
"Great," said Michael self consciously as he dragged
up a chair.
"Okay guys look, I think what we are going to have to
do is sit tight," said Liz getting back to the
business at hand.
At Max's protest Liz continued, "Max I know you want
to go to her now and bring her back, but it just isn't
possible. What with Alex's notes, the book, the maps,
and going over the transporter we just don't have what
we need to start the it from what I can see."
"What about the crystals? We have those? Can't they be
used?" asked Max picking them up and swirling them in
his hand.
"You mean like concentrating on them near the
transporter?" asked Michael also picking up one of the
crystals.
"Yes!" said Max as he looked hopefully towards his
friends.
"But I thought they only healed or resurrected
aliens?" asked Liz.
"They do, but what if they can start the transporter?
We have to try!" said Max as he got up and headed
towards the door.
"Max! It will be light in a few more hours. Wait until
then, "said Liz.
Turning to her Max said, "I can't Liz. If Michael told
you everything then you know there is another reason
we have to hurry and find Isabel."
Michael looked away.
"You didn't tell her," stated Max not asking a
question.
"Tell me what?" asked Liz cautiously.
Max let go of the door and said, "Isabel may be
pregnant with my child."
"Ohhh," said Liz trying not to look shocked.
"How do you feel about that Liz?" asked Michael
crossing his arms and holding his breath, watching
her.
"Like we need to hurry," said Liz as she mentally
shook herself and touched his arm, heading towards the
door.
Michael uncrossed his arms and let out his breath as
Max opened the door.
"Thanks Liz," Max said and she nodded as the three
headed to the transporter site.

********

Isabel looked out over the land below and realized
that her recessed memories of her life here were
returning more and more. 
"This was my room with Zan," she said to herself.
"Yes it was, but soon it will belong to both of us my
dear Vilandra," said Kivar as he entered the room and
came up behind her.
Isabel turned away from the window and tried to move
away from Kivar, but he grabbed her quickly.
"Stay my dear, don't run off on my account," he said
close to her ear, his hot breath moist on her skin.
"Let me go Kivar, I'm not going to marry you!" said
Isabel as she tried to shake him off and use her
powers on him.
"Your powers are useless against me Vilandra. You will
marry me whether you want to or not! You will beget my
heir, and you will be a good little Queen by my side
when I am crowned King do you understand?" snapped
Kivar as he gripped her arm.
"Never!" said Isabel fighting him.
Kivar pulled her to him and gripped her hair in a vise
like grip. 
"You will do as I say Vilandra or I will kill them
all. Do you want that on your head?" he asked as he
kissed her harshly.
Isabel spat as she pulled away from Kivar's grip.
"My name is Isabel not Vilandra and I'm not going to
be bullied by you!" she said as she wiped her mouth.
Kivar jerked her to him and placed his hands on either
side of her head and began to read her mind, searching
for those she held close to her in order to tame her.
Isabel tried to blank her mind as Kivar began to probe
her mind, but his powers were great and soon he was
raping her mind.
"Your Earth parents...dead in an accident two years
ago...you miss them, especially the
woman...Alex...also dead...Michael...Max...that must
be Rath and Zan!" 
Just as he was about to release her, he let out a roar
of rage.
"NO!!! NO!!!" and he shoved a dazed Isabel to the
floor. As he clinched his fists and looked down on
her, he yelled, "You let him touch you! You carry his
child now! You are of no use to me anymore!" 
Grabbing a frightened Isabel off the floor, he layed
his hand roughly on her abdomen causing Isabel to fear
for her unborn child.
"I will rid you of the child and still carry out my
plan! Once my son is born then I can have you killed!"
"KIVAR! Leave her alone!" cried out Tess as she
entered Isabel's room.
"Who do you think you are Ava to order me about? You
forget yourself. I can kill you and that bastard child
and no one would miss you," the threatened her.
"NO! No more threats from you, no more of my hiding
and cowering from you! My son and I are your blood
Kivar, and you treat us like garbage! Not any more!"
said Tess in a shaky voice as she stood up to Kivar.
Kivar let go of Isabel and headed for Tess.
"You will leave this room now and go to your own
chambers Ava and await my decision on your fate. Now
go!" he ordered her.
"No," answered Tess.
Kivar raised his hand and sent Tess flying across the
room.
"Run Isabel, run! And don't forget what I asked!"
screamed Tess as Karra and Alex came running to the
door.
"Mother!" cried Alex as tried to save his her from his
uncle.
Karra held onto him and cried out, "Vilandra, you must
take Alex and go now! Head for the transporter and
leave this place! Go!" 
Isabel approached Kivar from behind while he was
distracted by Tess. She lifted the heavy jar on the
table beside the bed and sent it crashing down on his
head. Kivar collapsed unconscious on the floor.
"Let's go Tess, Karra!" said Isabel as she raced with
Alex out the door.
"Which way?" she asked.
"Down this passage," said Tess as she and Karra led
the way.
Entering the chamber where the transporter was held
Isabel turned and asked, "Do you know how to work it?"
"I do," said Tess as she produced a crystal key.
"Then hurry inside so we can leave!" said Isabel.
"I can not go Vilandra. Earth's atmosphere would kill
me. You are a hybrid and able to live on both worlds,
but I am not," said Karra shaking her head.
"Tess get in with Alex," ordered Isabel as she looked
sadly at Karra who she must leave behind to Kivar.
"No. I will stay and fend Kivar off for as long as I
can so you can escape. Just take care of my son," said
Tess bending down to Alex.
"Mother, you are not coming with us," said Alex matter
of factly, but with tears in his eyes.
Isabel watched as Tess's own eyes filled with tears
and she shook her head, her hand lovingly caressing
her son's hair.
"No baby, I'm not. Isabel will take you to your father
and he and Isabel will raise you now. Just remember
that I love you, okay?"
"Yes mother," said Alex as he hugged her.
Standing up, Tess looked at Isabel and said, "You must
go! Kivar will be here any minute."
"Let me stay Tess! You should be with your son!
I'll..." began Isabel.
"No Isabel, it has to be this way. I have to set right
what I destroyed. Besides, you now carry Max's child
too. You are his rightful Queen and that is how it was
meant to be. Now go," said Tess.
Isabel wanted stay and fight Kivar, but knew that Tess
was right. She had to save Max's son and her own
unborn child. Suddenly she hugged Tess to her and then
Karra before she took hold of Alex's hand and entered
the transporter.
Tess placed the crystals in the holder and the
transporter sent Isabel and Alex to Earth just as
Kivar entered the chamber.

"What have you done?" roared Kivar as he rushed up to
Tess and Karra.
"I've repaired a wrong," said Tess as she faced Kivar
with Karra at her side.
But in the end Kivar was stronger.


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

Max, Michael, and Liz approached the transporter just
as the door was about to close.
"It's been activated!" yelled Max as he began to run
towards the transporter.
"Max!" called out Liz as Max reached the door and
tried to keep it open, failing in his attempt.
Slamming his hand on the door in frustration at
missing an opportunity to save Isabel, Max stood back
as the machine lit up and hummed softly, then all went
quiet.
"Max, get back! You don't know who is in there!"
called Michael as he went to pull Max back.
"Protect Liz, Michael!" called Max as he shook Michael
off and prepared to meet who or whatever exited the
transporter.
The door slid open revealing Isabel to his great
relief, and with her was a small boy clutching her
hand that looked like him.
His son!
It had to be. Max in disbelief turned his eyes to
Isabel who nodded, tears in her her own at the shocked
expression on his face.
The boy stepped out of the transporter with Isabel and
let go of her hand. He walked with slow steps to where
Max had knelt. The boy stared at the man he had never
met, but had heard about all his young life. 
"Max, this is Alex," said Isabel softly.
Max, Michael, and Liz gasped at Isabel's words. 
Liz covered her mouth as tears began to pour from her
eyes. Michael wiped at his own eyes as he watched his
friend greet his son for the very first time.
"Hello Alex," said Max choking on his own tears.
Alex looked at Max and said, "Father."
Max's tears flowed down his cheeks at the word. He
never thought he would hear his son say those words.
Alex stepped closer to Max and raised his small hand
to Max's cheek wiping away the tears that coursed
down.
"My mother cried a lot too. But she's dead now," said
Alex sadly. "Uncle Kivar killed her."
Max raised eyes to Isabel's as he grabbed Alex to him
and hugged him tightly. He saw her nod, her hand
covering her mouth.
"I don't know how he knows, but I think it's true,"
she said.
Max kissed his son and never wanted to let him go, but
at Michael's next words he quickly released him and
stood up.
"Max we have to get rid of Kivar. This has to end."
Max looked at Isabel and went to her hugging her to
him tightly, and kissing her deeply before saying, "Oh
God Isabel, I thought I had lost you. Thank you for my
son."
Looking down between them he pressed his hand to her
abdomen. She covered his with her own as they looked
in each others eyes.
"Max! We can't stand here and wait for Kivar to come!
We have to go after him! Now!" yelled Michael.
"Uncle Kivar is here," said Alex in his small voice.
Everyone turned to look at the small boy and then at
the transporter.
Max shoved Alex towards Isabel and said, "Take him and
run Isabel! Take Liz and go! Michael and I will take
care of Kivar!" said Max quickly.
"No Max, I won't leave you!" Isabel cried as she
clutched Alex to her.
"Go Isabel, I can't fight Kivar and worry about you
and Alex!" yelled Max as the door began to open.
Isabel and Liz each took Alex by the hand and ran
while Max and Michael prepared to meet Kivar.

Kivar stepped out of the transporter and his anger was
great.
"Zan!" he roared in rage.
"Kivar!" yelled Max as Michael stood at his side.
"You've ruined my plans for the last time Zan! I'm
going to kill you myself now and be done with you!" he
shouted as he raised his hand and gripped Max and
Michael in a rush of energy that had them clutching
their heads and screaming in agony.
Kivar focused all his power on the ones he blamed for
everything, all else forgotten except his hatred and
intent to destroy.
Max and Michael fell to the ground in pain as their
life was being sucked out of them.
"He is going to kill them just like my mother," said
Alex in his small voice.
Isabel let go of Alex and started towards Max and
Michael.
Liz grabbed at her arm and said, "Isabel you can't!
Max said to stay here with Alex."
Isabel shook Liz's arm off and shouted, "I will not
let Kivar kill them! I will die before that happens."
"Uncle Kivar needs to rejuvenate soon, he's losing
energy. He will have to take the transporter and leave
or he will die here," said Alex out loud to himself as
he watched the scene in front of him.
Liz and Isabel looked at each other and then Isabel
knelt beside the boy and asked, "How do you know this
Alex? How do you know he will die?"
"Because he always came back to rejuvenate after he
came here. He takes the transporter with him and hides
it until he needs it. He doesn't know that I know it
though, so don't tell him. He will be very angry with
me if finds out," explained Alex.
"No I won't tell him Alex," said Isabel as she stood
and said to Liz, "If we don't make it, take Alex.
Please!"
Liz nodded as she pulled Alex into her arms.
Isabel ran around the place where Kivar was blasting
Max and Michael with his energy.
She ran to an area a distance in front of the
transporter and raised her hand to the object and
began to focus all of her energy. The transporter
began to glow and get hot as Isabel felt her energy
being drained from her. 
"She can't do it alone," said Alex as he pulled away
from Liz and ran to Isabel, placing his small hand on
hers and lending his energy to her.
Liz ran after them and stopped as the transporter
turned red and suddenly began to break up and then
explode.
The force of the explosion sent Isabel down on 
Alex's body protecting him from any debris that rained
down.
Liz covered her head and then crawled to Isabel and
Alex to check if they were okay.
Kivar turned at the explosion and raised his hand to
the three who still remained down, but without the
transporter and the energy he had already used, his
power was weakened and he could not maintain the
energy needed to kill them.
Max and Michael gasped as they were released from
Kivar's hold ,and after a moment they stood and
combining their powers attacked Kivar, dealing him
blows of energy that would eventually kill him.
Michael walked over to guard the dying Kivar as Max
rushed to Isabel, Alex, and Liz.
Seeing that Michael was okay, Liz ran to him and he
held her close to him as he kept an eye on Kivar.
Max lifted Isabel carefully off of Alex and healed her
wounds.
Isabel's hand went to her abdomen as she looked
quickly to Max whose hand joined hers.
"My sister is not hurt," said Alex as he touched
Isabel's face with his hand.
"What? How do you know that Alex?" asked Max as he
watched his son.
"I just do. I can feel her," said Alex shrugging his
small shoulders.
Isabel and Max looked from Alex to each other, and
then Max place his hand over the area where the child
lay and concentrated. Smiling he touched Isabel's
hair.
"He's right. Our daughter is fine."
Smiling back in relief Isabel allowed Max to help her
stand. They walked to where Michael watched Kivar.
Max looked down on their enemy and said, "You've
killed so many Kivar. You've almost wiped out a race
of people and you killed Tess. Now you have brought it
all back on yourself."
Kivar struggled to breathe and then his eyes rolling
back in his head, he died. His body disintegrated and
he was nothing but dust.
"It's over," said Max in relief as he hugged Isabel
and Alex to him.
"Finally," said Michael as he kissed Liz's head.
"I want to go home Max," said Isabel tiredly.
"We will have to go to the beach house first Isabel
and plan what to do. We can't just show up in Roswell
and start living together with you pregnant and my son
in tow. I don't think they would understand. We're
going to have to live somewhere else. We can't go back
to Roswell," said Max to her.
"Where will you go Max?" asked Michael not wanting to
lose his friends.
"We will stay at the beach for the month that Isabel
needs until the baby comes. We can plan then," said
Max.

Walking away they left behind the last of Kivar and
hopefully their enemies.

**********

That night....

Michael and Liz were asleep in Isabel's old beach room
while Alex slept on the sofa.
Isabel and Max were asleep in his room when they began
to dream.

The mists surrounded them as they walked hand in hand
to the woman before them.
Karra.
"I thought you had been killed by Kivar!" said Isabel
as she approached the woman.
"I almost was. Kivar left me wounded and headed after
you. Our people found me and healed me. I see you
found my son and all is alright now," said Karra
smiling at Max.
"What about Ava?" asked Max. "Is she really dead as
Alex said?"
Karra nodded sadly. "She fought bravely Zan, but
nothing could be done for her. She gave her life to
save all of you."
"I still can't forgive her for all the deceit she
surrounded us with," said Max.
"Max, she was truly a changed person. You should have
seen her. She was disillusioned over the lies and evil
of Kivar and the feelings of guilt over killing Alex
and deceiving all of us," said Isabel.
"I just can't believe that Isabel," said Max
struggling with the thought of Tess turning out good.
"She was willing to give up her son that she loved
more than anything to you to raise Max. She didn't
want Kivar's evil to touch him anymore. To maybe see
him killed," said Isabel. "She wanted to put
everything right."
Max nodded as Karra said, "Zan, Ava was a good mother
to your son. Don't allow your bitter memories of her
to touch Alex."
"And now I have another grandchild coming. I'm very
pleased Zan," said Karra as she beamed her approval.
"In a months time," said Max touching Isabel's belly.
"Why would you think that Zan? Only on Antar do births
happen in a months time. You are hybrid...part human.
Vilandra's child will be carried the same as a human
child, nine months I believe is what it took for Ava
to deliver Alex," said Karra.
"But she said that it would happen quickly! Nasedo
told her! And I saw her just as I saw Alex! She
already has formed. She is small,but we can connect,"
said Max.
"Nasedo probably assumed Ava would be like other
Antarian females and deliver that way. Or it could be
that he told her that to hasten your departure from
Earth, we will never know. But I do know that she was
just as shocked as you are that the baby would be
gestating for nine months. The baby is formed and
aware, but you were designed to carry the child a
human length of time in order to avoid problems with
humans."
"Well that is one thing we won't have to explain,"
said Max as he hugged Isabel.
"I must go now. I will visit with you again from time
to time," said Karra as she began to fade.
"Goodbye mother," said Max softly.

*********

Nine months later...

Michael and Liz had moved to Texas to be near Max and
Isabel who had decided to remain there. Michael had
sold the business for them and they had restarted here
where they were doing very well. Being alien had its
advantages in the investigation world.
Isabel had quit her job and planned to design from
home and just be a mom for now. She had plans for a
maternity line and working from home would allow her
to be with her children.

Max, Michael, and Liz were sitting at the table
playing Monopoly while Isabel had moved to the sofa to
take a break.
Alex came in and sat down next to Isabel and placed
his head on her huge belly.
She was used to this by now. Alex liked to lay his
head on her. They figured he communicated with the
baby that way.

Alex was a sweet child who they decided had
telekinetic abilities of some kind which explained how
he knew about Tess and Kivar. He had started calling
Max 'Daddy' instead of the more formal father, and
Isabel 'Momma' which delighted them both.
Max and Isabel had married in Texas after changing
Isabel's records so they would not show they had been
adopted into the same family and raised as siblings
which would cause problems. She the name Antar for a
maiden name. A tie to home.

Alex raised his head and looked at Isabel.
"My sister says she ready is now," he said.
Everyone stopped and stared at Alex.
"What sweety?" asked Isabel nervously as she touched
his hair.
"My sister. She is ready to come out now. I'm glad,"
he said as he ran off to play in his room.
Isabel froze as the ones at the table hurried in to
her.
"You feeling anything Isabel?" asked Max as he bent
near her and placed his hand over her belly.
"No," she said shaking her head.
Suddenly a burst of reddish fluid burst from between
her legs and soaked the sofa.
"Oh man!" exclaimed Michael.
"I think Alex may be right Max. I'm not in pain, but
my water just broke so I guess we are having a baby,"
she laughed nervously.
"Michael we have to get her to bed," said Max as Liz
set about gathering what they would need.
Between the two of them they got Isabel to bed and
within hours she had painlessly delivered her daughter
thanks to Max's powers in controlling any pain she
would have had.
"She's a beauty guys, congratulations," said Liz as
she and Michael came in with Alex who crawled up next
to Isabel and the baby.
"How do you like your new sister Alex?" asked Max
looking at his family.
Alex smiled down at his sister and kissed her head to
everyone's surprise.
"I like her and she likes me," said Alex matter of
factly.
"No jealousy there," said Michael grinning.
"That's good, that means they will be close," said
Liz.
"And that means a lot when you are one of a few," said
Isabel looking at Max and Michael who smiled back in
agreement.
"What's her name?" asked Alex.
"Well we thought you might like to help us with that,"
said Isabel.
"Any ideas Alex?" asked Max.
Scrunching up his brow in thought, Alex gave the
naming great consideration much to everyone's
amusement.
"Her name is Alexia Karra," he said.
Everyone grinned as Max asked, "Isn't that a lot like
your name son? Don't you want to call her first name
something else?"
Alex looked to his father and said gravely, "No,
that's why I like that name, and anyway I shall call
her Lexy."
"Then that is what it should be," said Isabel smiling
down at her baby. "Hello Lexy. And welcome to the
world."
"A world where nothing is all that it seems," said Max
kissing his family.

End