Name: Lori R                              7/03
Email: Gussywussy55@yahoo.com
Title:  'Power'
Category: In Crowder (Kyle and Isabel)
Rating:  NC 17, so please do not read this fic if you
are under the legal age!
Disclaimer: I adopted them for my own pleasure and no
infringement is intended.
Feedback: It would be nice...good or bad.
Summery:  Kyle is developing powers...Isabel is
finding herself attracted to him....is this all a good
thing or bad?
Some elements were requested...family, type power...so
I hope I wrote them to satisfaction.


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


Kyle was in a hurry to get to his job as a mechanic
for Pete's Garage.  He'd been fortunate to find the
job and even more so when Pete agreed to pay him in
cash each week without asking questions as to why.
Kyle liked getting his hands dirty working under the
cars and it gave him time to think about his situation
with the aliens he was on the run with.  They had
finally settled down in a nice size town in Texas and
all of them were working. And even if the jobs weren't
the kind the others would have liked, Kyle was happy. 
Another thing he found fortunate was that some how
Buddha had smiled on him and given him Isabel as his
room mate.  Not that anything had happened between
them. It was tough though sharing a room with someone
you had feelings for and those feelings weren't
returned.  Isabel still thought of him as nothing more
than a friend.  But he had been in love with her since
right after Alex had died though he hadn't realized it
until after she had married Jesse. 
Jesse.
Against Jesse's wishes Isabel had her Father obtain a
divorce for them on the grounds of abandonment.
She had regretted bringing him to the alien situation
and wanted him to have the normal life he deserved
that he would never have with her. She'd been
devestated for  a long while after since she had loved
Jesse, but now she had moved on with her life and Kyle
still held out hope that maybe someday she would see
him as more than just her friend.

The door opened behind Kyle as he searched the dresser
for his wallet and keys.
"Feeling better?" came the voice behind him.
Without glancing back he answered, "Yeah...yeah....it
was nothing. Something I ate I guess."
"That's what you said the past few mornings." She
looked at Kyle and said straight faced, "Maybe you're
pregnant."
Kyle looked at Isabel and said just as seriously,
"Yeah, and the Mother won't claim responsiblity." He
made a little face and she laughed.  
 "Hey! Have you seen my keys? I can't find them and I
really need to get to work!"
"No. Did you look under the bed?" asked Isabel as she
went to the dresser and pulled open a drawer to choose
some under things to put on after her shower.
Kyle looked up. "No. What would they be doing under
there?" 
Isabel shrugged. "I don't know, it's just a
suggestion. Have you looked everywhere else?"
"Yeah."
"Then look under the bed. The last place you look is
usually where you'll find it," said Isabel, moving to
the closet to get her robe.
Kyle glanced down at the bed and shrugged. Kneeling he
looked under his twin bed and ran his hand underneath.
Bingo! He rose back up with the sought after keys.
"How'd they get down there?"
Isabel shook her head as she looked for her slippers.
"I don't know. Have you seen my slippers?"
Kyle looked at her and asked, "Did you look under the
bed?"
"I don't keep them there."
"Didn't you just say that things will be in the last
place you look?"
Isabel made a face at him then knelt down to lift the
ruffle and look under her own bed.  There were her
slippers. She pulled them out and stood up to find
Kyle grinning.
"Slippers," she said weakly.
Kyle nodded and then headed for the door. "I'm out of
here!"
"Okay," replied Isabel as she went for her shower.

Outside in the company truck, Kyle blew out a breath.
He'd wanted to kiss her. Isabel had looked so damn
beautiful still all mussed up from not having been
awake long. He thought women were supposed to look bad
in the morning, but Isabel never did. Sighing he
started the truck and headed to work. 



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



Isabel looked up as a delivery person brought in a
vase of long stemmed red roses to the store where she
worked. This was the 4th one today, she thought with a
sigh.
"May I help you?"
"I have a delivery for Anna Stevens."
"Just a minute please," she told the man as she picked
up the phone to call Anna to the front.
A moment later a young woman appeared and squealed
with excitement at the sight of the roses. 
"Would you look at these flowers, Isabel! Aren't they
beautiful! I just adore Valentine's Day!"
"Yeah...they're just beautiful," agreed Isabel
quietly.
The girl's smile changed to a sympathetic frown. "I
wish you would let me fix you up with Stan's cousin.
He's a really nice guy. I think you'd hit it off."
Isabel shook her head. "No...that's okay. Blind dates
aren't for me."
"A beautiful nice girl like you should have men
begging her to go out with them. You could have your
pick! I don't get you Isabel.  You could have any man
wanted and yet you're alone."
Isabel smiled uncomfortabley. "Yeah, well....."
They both looked up as a man came into the store. 
"Can I help you?" asked Isabel, relieved for the
interruption.
"Uhh...yeah. My wife....I...she..." the man blushed as
he looked around.
Isabel smiled. "You need a gift for your wife?"
At his nod, Isabel began to ask him questions about
his wife and helped the man find her a lovely gown and
robe to match. Then she pressed her advantage to his
being uncomfortable in the ladies store and got him to
purchase a small bottle of perfume as well. But the
man was happy as he left with his gift for his wife
and Isabel had made a nice sale.
Anna stood there watching her and shook her head with
a smile. "How do you do that?"
"Do what?" asked Isabel, as she looked again at Anna.
"Get the men to buy so much? You don't flirt and your
honest with them when they want to spend money on
something you know their wives will hate. How do you
do it?"
"I just think of what I would want and listen to the
men," said Isabel with a shrug.
Anna nodded. "Well you do it well." Then she headed to
off to help a new customer.
Isabel glanced at Anna's roses and the other flowers
that were gathering for the other girls in the shop.
She sighed. She doubted that anyone would ever give
her flowers again. She took a deep breath. Get a grip,
Isabel. They're just flowers. But as she walked off to
help a new customer, a small voice in the back of her
head whispered that flowers on Valentine's would be
nice because then it would mean someone loved her and
she wasn't alone.



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


"ALEXANDER!"
Kyle looked up from where he was putting new tires on
a SUV. "Yeah!"
"When you finish there get on that tune up on the
Chrysler!"
"Got it!" Kyle called back, as he rubbed his shoulder.
He was stiff.  Like he had slept wrong or something. 
Just a few more hours and he would call it a day. He
wanted to stop on his way home and pick up something,
but first he had to get the work done.
He reached for a tire to put on the SUV and pulled
back shaking his hands. 
"What the hell?!" His hands tingled like needles were
going in them. He worked them open and shut for a bit
before the tingling stopped.  He went on to finish his
work and  then headed out to make that stop he needed
to make before he headed on home.



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



Kyle walked in and found Max and Liz heading out all
dressed up.
"Big plans I take it?"
Liz smiled. "We are going to dinner then to the
concert in the park."
"Dressed kinda fancy for the park aren't you?" Kyle
teased.
"It's Valentine's. It's the perfect thing to wear,"
Liz replied, as Max grabbed her hand and headed for
the door. 
"Don't wait up!" called Max, as they left.
Michael entered the living room and called back over
his shoulder, "Let's go! The movie starts in 15
minutes!" He rolled his eyes at Kyle. "Valentine's.
The most ridiculous holiday created by man." He looked
at his watch. "Why can't women be on time?"
"I heard that Guerin!" said Maria as she came to stand
beside him. "Well let's go!"
"A movie huh?" said Kyle.
Michael nodded as Maria said, "AND dinner!"
Michael smiled tightly. "And dinner."
Kyle couldn't hold back a smile as he said, "Well you
kids have fun!"
Michael narrowed his eyes at Kyle as Maria dragged him
out the door.

Kyle ran out to the truck and retrieved his purchase
then hurried in to shower. He'd get cleaned up then
take a short nap. He was so tired for some reason
today and the nap would feel great. Grabbing a towel
he dried off and then shaved. Glancing at his watch he
knew it was at least 45 minutes before Isabel got off
work.  She would be home soon after and he wanted to
be rested and dressed before she arrived. 

It was few minutes after 7 when Isabel walked in the
door. She was an hour late and Kyle was beginning to
get worried.
She looked tired as she came in the door. Tired and
maybe a bit blue, but also very beautiful. He took a
deep breath.
"Hey! Long day?"
Isabel looked up and gave him a small smile. "Yeah.
Valentine's you know." Then she noticed how nice Kyle
looked and frowned.
"Are you going out?" Even Kyle had someone on
Valentine's. She didn't even know that he knew anyone
to date. It must be a customer from work.  Now she
truely felt alone. 
Kyle heard the tone of her voice and knew it for what 
it was. She didn't want to be alone today of all days.
He pulled a long stemmed rose from behind his back and
held it out to her. 
"I was hoping to go out for dinner with a beautiful
blond friend for Valentine's." He smiled at her.
Isabel's hand went to her throat and tears misted her
eyes she was so touched by the gesture. She reached
out for the rose and twirrled it between her fingers.
She smiled at Kyle. 
Kyle smiled. "So, how about it? Dinner? You, me? We'll
make the best of this day that society claims is for
those in love and screw everyone else."
Isabel smiled as she kissed Kyle on the cheek. "I'd
like that. Let me freshen up."
When she left the room, Kyle touched his cheek.
Someday he hoped that one of Isabel's kisses would
land on his lips and not his cheek and that it would
be because she loved him. Okay, so that was a wish
that he knew really wasn't going to happen, but it
never hurt to dream.



Later.........


Kyle and Isabel were enjoying dessert and just being
in each others company.  Kyle had sprung for a really
nice resturant and Isabel was having a wonderful time.
She always enjoyed being with Kyle and his gesture
this evening of making the day special for her touched
her so much. True, she wasn't in a romantic
relationship with him, but his friendship and
understanding were something she was so greatful for
and  it meant more to her than he could ever know.
"Kyle,  I want to thank you so much for all of this.
The rose, the dinner, and just making this day special
for me. You're a great friend," said Isabel, smiling
brightly up at him. 
Kyle plastered on a smile as he lifted his water
glass. "Yeah, that's me, a great... friend." Then his
smile softened. "I'm glad it made you happy." 
The glass began to shake in his hand as the tingling
began again. Isabel watched Kyle try to control the
shaking and she could tell he was unnerved by it. 
Then they both gasped as the glass shattered in his
hand.
"Oh gawd! Are you okay?" asked Isabel, grabbing a
napkin to dab at the water that had spilled then for
Kyle's hand. "Are you cut?"
Kyle stared at the glass pieces in confusion. "What?
Huh, no." He shook his head. "I mean no, I'm not cut
and yes,  I'm fine. I don't understand what just
happened? My hand just tingled and wham."
"Tingled?" asked Isabel, when she was satisfied he
wasn't hurt.
"Yeah. Like it fell asleep. It happened at work too,"
he replied as he rubbed at his hands.
Isabel reached over again and took his hands in hers.
"Let me see." She gently began to rub his hands, the
gentle warmth of her touch arousing things in Kyle he
knew he couldn't explore. He pulled his hands back.
"Thanks. They're fine now."
"You're sure?" asked Isabel, with concern.
Kyle nodded. "Yeah. Look, why don't we get out of
here? Maybe take a walk?"
Isabel nodded. "Sounds good."

They walked under the twinkling lights that sparkled
in the trees above them. In the distance they could
hear the concert that was playing in the park. 
"Do you want to go hear the concert?" asked Kyle.
Isabel shook her head. "Only if you do. I'm fine just
to walk."
Kyle smiled. "Then walking it is."
Isabel told Kyle about the men who had come into the
shop searching for gifts for their wives and
girlfriends and Kyle enjoyed listening as he watched
her talk. She was so animated tonight and it warmed
his heart to know that he was the one to make her
happy.
"Kyle, look!" said  Isabel excitedly, as she  pulled
on his arm.
Kyle looked to where she meant then rolled his eyes
and groaned. "Noooo. Isabel!" He turned to walk off
and she caught his arm to pull him back.
"Kyyyyle!" Isabel pleaded. 
Kyle rolled his head back and groaned again. "Noooo!"
Isabel made a sad face at him and Kyle relented.
"Fine," he muttered.
Isabel grinned and hugged his arm to her breasts
happily. "Yea!"
"You go get it and I'll go get some...."
"Goobers! It has to be Goobers!" said Isabel heading
down the movie asile.
"Of course. What else would we get," said Kyle to
himself.
He grabbed the Goobers and met Isabel at the checkout
counter.  The clerk eyed Isabel and then Kyle. "This
it?"
"Yes!" said Isabel happily.
The clerk eyed Kyle. "Really?"
"Really," said Kyle. 
The clerk smirked and rang up their rental. "Well you
kids enjoy it."
Kyle shot the guy a look then grabbed the bag and
handed it to Isabel before following her out the door.
Outside the store Isabel took their rental out of the
bag. "I just love this movie!"
"That guy in there thinks I'm a big wuss! Even a chick
flick is better than that!" complained Kyle.
"But I like it," said Isabel, smiling brightly at him.
"Thank you, Kyle. You're the only one that will watch
these things with me." 
Kyle's heart melted. "Yeah, sure. Just huh, don't let
it get out that you got me to watch 'The Berenstain
Bears And Cupid's Surprise', okay? It'll kill my
reputation as a guy."
"Okay," said Isabel, hugging his arm to her, oblivious
to the feelings of the man by her side.


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


They watched the movie and snacked on Goobers. Isabel
had gone off to get ready for bed while Kyle rewound
the tape.
He reached out to push the buttons on the VCR when
green sparks shot out of his fingers and shocked the
player making it pop and smoke. 
"What the hell!" gasped Kyle, as he jumped back. He
looked down at his hands and saw the green sparks were
now jumping like current along his hands.  His eyes
widened. "Oh my gawd!" Just like Liz! He began to
shake and to sweat. He didn't know if it was from fear
or the changes that he knew were occuring in his body.
Nausea took hold of him and threatened to spill his
dinner. He took a deep breath and willed himself to
calm down. He felt the tingling and nausea subside,
and he looked down to see the current was now gone. He
sat on the sofa and looked at the ruined VCR.  It was
finally happening.
He was changing into one of them.


"Kyle! Do you smell something burning?" Isabel called
out.
Kyle blinked. What was he going to do? Liz had been in
pain and gone through hell while she changed. Is that
what was going to happen to him too?
"KYLE?"
"What? NO! No, I don't!" he called back as he
continued to look at his hands.
He got up and took the VCR and what parts he could
find and hid them out back. He would tell everyone
tomorrow what was happening, but tonight he needed to
deal with this on his own. He wouldn't ruin their
Valentine's, especially Isabel's.



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


The next day at work Kyle was distracted. 
He had woke up feeling sick again and the sparks
shooting from his hand had melted the alarm clock. 
By the time he left for work the sparks had stopped
and the nausea had subsided some.
He wiped his brow and tried to concentrate on the tune
up he was working on, but he was too worried and
scared not to mention fatigued.
This is why he had come with the others. He had known
that at some point he would start to change as Liz had
and he had wanted to be with others like himself when
it did. Now that it was happening he couldn't even
tell them. He didn't know how. He knew they were
expecting it, but that still didn't make it any
easier.  
He began to feel worse as the morning went on and then
the current started again. Kyle was afraid to touch
the autos he was assigned to work on for fear of
exploding them.  He shoved his hands in his pockets
and begged the rest of the day off saying he felt sick
and had gone home. He crawled on his bed and rolled
the blanket around himself as he waited for the others
to come home and hopefully help him.


It was after 6 when Isabel arrived home and the house
smelled wonderful. 
Michael and Maria were fixing dinner and Isabel helped
herself to a cherry tomato from the salad Maria was
making.
"Where is everyone?"
Michael rolled his shoulders and shook his head as he
drained a pot of noodles.
"Max and Liz have been in their room since they came
in and I haven't seen Kyle," said Maria as she moved
to stir the sauce. "Taste this," she said, as she held
a spoon out to Isabel.
Isabel took a bite. "Mmmm good!"
Maria smiled. 
"Should I call everyone?" Isabel asked.
Michael snorted. "You can forget Max and Liz. They've
got other things on their mind besides food."
Maria hit him on the arm with the spoon.
"Ouch! Don't hit!" he told her, as he grabbed the
spoon.
"You don't know what their doing in there. They may
just want some down time."
Michael and Isabel both stared at her. 
Maria rolled her eyes. "Okay, so they're in there
having more fun than we are out here."
Michael looked at Isabel. "Go get Kyle and tell him to
get his butt out here or he misses out. And remind him
that you guys are supposed to do the dishes!"
Isabel nodded and headed to her room. 
She opened the door and found the room dark.  It took
a minute for Isabel to see that Kyle was under the
blanket on his bed.
"Kyle?" She frowned, wondering what he was doing home
asleep at this time of day.
When he didn't respond Isabel walked over to his bed
and shook him. "Kyle. Are you okay?"
He turned over, knocking the blanket aside in the
progress. His hands had green current running fast
between his fingers and he was clammy.
"OH MY GAWD!"
"Is...abel? He..lp me," he begged.
"Kyle, oh gawd! I'm going to get help! I'll be right
back! Do you hear? I'll be right back!" She covered
him up again and ran from the room to Max's and beat
on the door screaming his name.
Max jerked open the door. He was wearing his pajama
pants and nothing else. Liz was behind him wearing the
shirt. "Isabel! What's wrong?!"
"It's Kyle! He's sick! Oh gawd, Max! I...I...I think
he's changing!" She was crying and didn't even know
it. "You have to help him, Max!"
Max looked at Liz when she gasped. They ran to
Isabel's room to find Kyle moaning and the green
current running his hands.
Michael and Maria ran in behind them and drew up short
at the sight. 
"Oh my gawd!" said Maria, covering her mouth. "What's
wrong with him?!"
"He's changing," said Michael, recognizing the current
from when Isabel was shot and Liz had changed.
"I'll try to take some of it away!" said Max kneeling
down beside Kyle. He put his hand on Kyle's chest and 
was surprised when Liz pulled it way. 
"Max, you can't!  Remember what happened to me when
you tried to do that?" said Liz.  She looked at
Isabel.  "He'll make it worse if he tries to help him.
Kyle's just going to have to ride it out." She looked
at Kyle. "Kyle, Max can't help you. Remember? You have
to be strong!"
Kyle looked up at her and nodded. He remembered all
too well what happened when Max tried to help her.
Max stood up before Isabel. "Liz is right. When I
tried to help her I almost killed her. I can't help
him, Isabel. I'm sorry."
Isabel shook her head. "No! That's not good enough!
He's in pain! He needs help!"
When everyone just stood quietly looking at her and
Kyle with sympathy she screamed, "Get out then! If
none of you can help him then get out!"
"Isabel....don't..." Kyle said, but no one heard him.
"Do you want Max to kill him?!" asked Michael,
grabbing her arm. "We're sorry that Kyle's going
through this, but Liz made it and so will Kyle."
"Isabel, there's nothing  we can do to help him. You
have to understand that," said Max.
Isabel shook her head. "No! I don't understand! If you
can't help Kyle then I will!"
Michael's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"
Isabel looked around at all of them. "I'll go inside
his head and distract him so he won't feel the pain."
"Like hell you will!" exclaimed Michael.
"Isabel, that's crazy. I won't let you do it!" said
Max.
"We ruined his life, Max! Because of us he was shot!
We took away what ever normal life he should have had!
Now he's in pain and I'm going to try everything I can
to help him! We owe him that!" said Isabel.
"No! I forbid it!" said Max, firmly.
"You can't!" she replied.
"Try me. You don't know what it will do to either of
you in the condition he's in! I won't let you do
this!"
"I went into your head when you were in the White Room
and we were both okay!" Isabel desperately argued.
"We're both alien, Isabel. What ever Kyle is going
thru now won't make him alien. Just changed. If I
can't help him, what makes you think going into his
mind while he's changing won't hurt you both or worse?

Do you want to take the risk?"  Max replied.
"Stop it! Just....stop! I'm right here and ...I can
make my own...decisions!" yelled Kyle.
Everyone stared at him. 
Kyle looked at Isabel. "They can't help me so stop
yelling at them...you're killing my head." 
Isabel sat down and looked helplessly at Kyle. They
were right. 
"Just leave us alone," she  told the others in  quiet
defeat.
Maria and Liz left the room. Max and Michael stayed
behind. 
"Isabel...." 
"Just go away Max," said Isabel.
Max looked at Michael who nodded. They took their
leave and Isabel was left alone with Kyle.
"It's not his fault he can't help me," said Kyle,
pulling the blanket tighter.
"I know. I just keep coming back to this being all our
fault," said Isabel. 
Kyle closed his eyes. He was so tired. "Yeah, well if
it's a choice between this and being dead....I'm still
undecided."
To his surprise, Isabel lay down and wrapped her arms
around him. 
"You don't have to...do that," he told her, but
secretly he was glad. He felt some measure of comfort
just being in her arms.
"I know I don't. Now you need to rest," Isabel told
him.
 The current was strong coming off of his body and she
didn't know if she would be able to withstand it. But
she held on to Kyle determined to be there for him no
matter what.  Her friend didn't deserve this and she
would be here for him until he was okay.


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


Kyle  was dreaming. It had to be a dream because
reality wasn't this good and the pain he had been
feeling was almost gone.
Isabel approached the bed Kyle was laying on and she
was dressed in a gauzy low cut nighty that hid
nothing.
"Ready?" she whispered, as she ran a finger down the
'V' of her gown.
Kyle nodded wide eyed and swallowed. He'd been ready
forever.
Isabel crawled up the foot of the bed and made her way
slowly up Kyle's body and stretched out on top of him.
"Am I dreaming? I have to be right? I mean this..."
Isabel kissed him and his arms closed around her. His
hands began to wander and soon her gown was down to
her waist. She sat up and took his hands in her's and
placed them on her breasts.
Kyle's hands molded to the large orbs and gently
squeezed them. Isabel sighed.
"Mmmm, Kyle. Touch me....love me...." she breathed.
Kyle sat up and pressed her body to his as he kissed
her willing mouth.
"Oh gawd, you're so beautiful. I've loved you for so
long, Isabel. I can't believe this is happening," Kyle
whispered between kisses.
He looked into her eyes, but suddenly she changed into
a horrible green alien that began to suck at his face.
He began to scream.


"KYLE! Shhhh! It's okay, I'm here!"  soothed Isabel as
she pulled him tighter into her arms.
She couldn't stand to see this man that had been her
friend and confidant, the one who brought so much
laughter in to her life in such pain.
He thrashed about as if trying to escape some sort of
demon.
The pain must be excrutiating, thought Isabel as she
helplessly watched him.
Max opened the door and entered the room with Michael
behind him.
"We heard him cry out. How is he?" Max asked with
concern.
"In pain," said Isabel, brushing at Kyle's damp hair.
"Why don't you get some sleep. Michael and I will take
turns sitting with him," suggested Max.
Isabel shook her head as she recovered Kyle with the
blankets he had kicked off.
"Isabel, you're exhausted. Let us help," said Max.
"No. I'll take care of him. I'm fine. Just leave us
alone," said Isabel.
"He's our friend too, Isabel," Michael told her. "We
just want to help."
"I said I'll do it." Her tone made it clear that there
would be no more discussion.
Michael looked at Max and nodded his head towards the
door.
"Max! Michael!"
They both turned. "Thanks, but I need to do this." She
hoped they understood.
The both nodded then left the room and Michael said,
"Leave her alone. Sooner or later she'll ask for help
or fall over from exhaustion."
Max looked back at the closed door and nodded. He felt
helpless. He felt like Isabel faulted him for not
being able to help Kyle. He sighed. All they could do
is wait.


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


Three days.
It had been three days since Kyle had taken to his bed
and begun the change.
Three days and Isabel had refused to leave his side
except to briefly use the restroom.
He had argued with her at first, but then stopped as
the pain took over. It was easier to sleep.
Liz entered the room bringing a tray of food. 
"I brought some lunch."
She looked at the nightstand. Isabel's tray from this
morning was still sitting there untouched.
"You didn't eat."
"I'm not hungry," Isabel whispered as she wet a rag
for his head.
"Kyle ate, I see," Liz said, glancing at his tray.
Isabel nodded. "Yes."
"Let me take a turn and you get some rest. You can lay
right here and ...."
"No." Isabel's tone left no room for arguement.
Liz bit her lip. "Okay." She picked up the morning
tray and left the other. "I'm leaving this anyway. You
need to eat even if you don't want too."

She returned to the kitchen and found Maria doing
dishes. Maria glanced at the tray and shook her head.
"What's she trying to prove? He's our friend too. You
know this is just like when Michael was sick. She
didn't want me to help her at all, but she finally
relented."
Liz picked up an orange and rolled it around in her
hand thoughtfully. "I think that Isabel is very
selective in who she places her trust in, and when she
does place that trust she's very protective of those
people.  I think Kyle has found a place in those
feelings just like Max and Michael.  She may not
realize it, but Kyle means more to her than she may
care to admit."
"And you and I don't?"
Liz shook her head as she replaced the orange. "We
both know that if it wasn't for Max and Michael she
wouldn't have had anything to do with us. The reason
we're closer now is because of our situation and Max
and Michael.  But I think it's different with Kyle.
They have a special bond and I'm not really sure why. 
Sort of like what she shares with Max and Michael."
Maria nodded. "Do you think it's more than that? I
mean they do share a room."
Liz thought about it and shook her head. "No. I don't
think they're sleeping together, but I do think Kyle
would like it to be more."
Maria's eyebrows raised. "So you noticed it too. The
poor guy is so in love with her and she doesn't have a
clue."
Liz nodded. "I know.  I don't think the guys know
either and  I don't think we should be the ones to
tell them."
Maria agreed. "I don't even want to think about what
they would do if they found out."
"What do you mean?" asked Liz.
Maria turned to face Liz. "Look how they have reacted
to every guy Isabel has even looked at or who looked
at her. They are so super protective of her,
especially since the Jesse fiasco. Can you imagine if
they thought she had something going on with Kyle? I
mean please, the only reason they grudgingly let her
room with him is because  there were no other options
except to give Kyle the  couch which Isabel vetoed. 
If Kyle broke their trust by sleeping with Isabel they
would kill him.  I mean, I can just hear Michael now!"

"Hear me now about what?" asked Michael, as he walked
into the kitchen and kissed Maria's cheek.
He had just returned home after from work at the
bowling alley and had heard his name.
"Nothing. Liz and I were  just discussing  the fact
that Isabel hasn't been eating and we don't know what
to do. She's going to get sick." She looked at Liz.
Truth without all the facts. 
Michael frowned. "I didn't realize she wasn't eating. 
Does Max know?" He looked at Maria. "Why didn't you
say something?"
Maria raised her arms, "See! What did I tell you!" She
looked at Liz.
Liz nodded her head at Maria's look.  "She won't
listen to us."
Michael looked at the tray. "Is this her's?" At their
nods he walked out with a determined look on his face.
After he left, Liz said, "That was close." 
Maria nodded. 


Michael opened the door to the bedroom and walked in. 
He glanced down at the uneaten food on the tray.
"You're not eating?"
"I'm not hungry," Isabel told him wearily as she
rubbed her face. She was so tired, but she refused to
sleep.
Kyle might need something and she needed to be there
when he did.
"You look like hell and smell like it too," Michael
told her, as he wrinkled his nose.
"Thanks a lot, Michael."
Michael realized that didn't come out exactly right. 
He tried again.
"Look, Kyle might need all of us more when he wakes up
so he can learn to deal with whatever is going on
inside him. You're not going to be any good to any of
us if you get sick too. In fact you're probabley
driving him crazy hovering about him. You need to eat
and shower and then get some rest. Otherwise we'll be
taking care of you too."
Isabel raised her head. "I can't leave him, Michael.
We did this to him.  I feel like I need to be here."
Michael set the tray down. "Look. I'll sit with him.
You take care of yourself. If something happens with
him, I'll wake you up. Deal?"
Isabel was too tired to argue. She nodded and stood
up. She swayed a bit and Michael grabbed her to keep
her steady.
"You're worse off than I thought!"
"I just need some rest. I'll be fine."
"Why don't you skip the shower and food right now and
just sleep."
Isabel shook her head. "No, you were right. I smell."
She wrinkled her own nose. Why hadn't Kyle said
something? "Besides I'll rest better if I'm clean."
She looked at Michael. "Don't leave him!"
"I won't."

Isabel made her way to the bathroom and dragged off
her clothes. She turned on the water and let the spray
spill over her body and then let it fall on her face.
She began to cry. Small tears that blended into the
spray at first, but then sobs began to wrack her body.

"Please let him be okay. He doesn't deserve this.
Please let him be okay like Liz." Then with one last
plea she admitted to herself, "Please! I need him....I
need him."
She finished her bath then dried her hair and body
with her powers and then slipped on the robe she found
on the hook, having forgotten to bring clean clothes
in with her.
She went back to the bedroom and saw Michael still
sitting by Kyle. He looked up.
"He's the still asleep." He indicated her bed. "I
turned it down for you."
Isabel gave him a small smile of gratitude. "Thanks,"
she told him as she crawled in the bed.
Michael pulled the bit of robe that hung on her foot
off and then covered her up.
"He's going to be okay. Liz is, and Kyle will be too.
Don't worry."
But Isabel was already asleep and didn't hear.


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


Max dropped his jacket on a chair and joined the
others sitting at the dining table talking.
"How's Kyle?"
"The same," replied Maria.
"Michael finally got Isabel to shower and sleep," Liz
told him.
"She hasn't eaten since this started. Did you know
that?" asked Michael.
Max frowned in alarm. "No." He looked at Liz. "Why
weren't we told?"
Liz looked at Maria then back at Max. "She's upset
Max. You can't force her to eat."
"We're all concerned," Max replied.  He started to say
something else then reconsidered. She was right. "I'm
just surprised she's this upset."
Liz and Maria exchanged looks that weren't missed by
Michael.
"I don't remember it being this bad with Liz,"
commented  Michael.
Max nodded. "Me either."
"Maybe it's because we weren't always together.
Remember I went away to school and for a while I
didn't have the symptoms at all until you called the
school," said Liz.
"You were away from Max. You think Kyle's being close
to Max, Michael, and Isabel is what's making it
worse?" asked Maria.
Liz shrugged her shoulders. "It took me a long time to
change. Maybe Kyle's changing faster because he is
near them all the time."
"Well I don't guess we'll know until it's over," said
Max.
"I don't think Max and I are doing it to him," said
Michael.
Everyone looked at him. "Isabel's the only one of us
that's been near him so much.  If the change is more
intense for Kyle, I think it's because of her."
Liz and Maria exchanged looks that didn't go unnoticed
by the two males.
"What?" asked Max.
Liz looked at Max. "We think Kyle has feelings for
Isabel. Maybe that's what why this is harder on him.
She's always there and he feels this connection to her
like you and I had."
Max looked at Michael. "Did you know about this?"
Michael shook his head. "No, I mean  I didn't suspect
it until she finally went to sleep, but it makes
since. And I think Isabel has feelings for Kyle that
she's not admitting too."
Max nodded. "That would explain wanting to take care
of Kyle on her own."
He and Michael exchanged looks. Neither was sure they
liked this new development. It was Isabel and it was
strange to think of her with Kyle.
"Okay, so let me get this straight. Isabel's actually
hurting Kyle more than helping him and she doesn't
even realize it?" asked Maria.
"Yeah, I think so," said Liz.
"So who wants to tell her?" asked Maria.
No one said a word.


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


Kyle opened his eyes and blinked.  His whole body was
hurting. He took a deep breath and looked at his hands
and saw the current was still running high. He glanced
around the room and spotted Isabel in the bed next to
him asleep. 
Good. 
She hadn't been taking care of herself and he knew it
was because of him. 
He looked closer at her and noticed that her blanket
had come off and her robe was open over one breast.
He swallowed hard. Wouldn't you know the only time he
actually saw her naked breast besides in a dream and
she was sleeping and he was too sick to do anything
about it. Not that she'd let him do anything. He
sighed.  Just another string of unfairness being
yanked on the chain of his life.
Kyle knew Isabel wouldn't want anyone coming in and
seeing her uncovered  so he slowly made his way to her
bed and reached over to cover her breast. He looked
down at her sleeping so peacefully.  She was so
beautiful, he sighed to himself. But he knew she was
more than just beauty. Much more. He reached down to
close the robe over her breast and his fingers grazed
her warm skin.  He paused and closed his eyes, and
when he opened them he found her staring up at him. 
He quickly pulled his hand back and  looked away.
"Sorry."
Isabel nodded nervously as she pulled her robe closed
around her and sat up. The slight shock from Kyle's
touch, though it hadn't hurt her had awakened
something deep with in her.
"How do you feel?" She reached over to touch Kyle. He
was cold despite the hot current running along his
body. He lay down shivering. 
"It just got worse," he told her as he closed his
eyes.
Isabel bit her lip and frowned. 
"I need to sleep," he told her, though he had just
woke up.
Isabel nodded then surprised Kyle by climbing in
beside him.
"What are you doing?"
"Sleeping."
"With me? You know if you're going to make a guy's
dream come true you do do it when he's not sick," Kyle
cracked. 
Isabel smiled as she spooned Kyle and said, "Go to
sleep, Kyle."
To escape the pain Kyle was asleep and dreaming almost
immediately, and following behind him was
Isabel....right into his dreams.


......................Kyle looked up at the night sky
and the only stars to be seen where those forming a
'V'.
"That's the map showing the way to Antar," came a
familiar voice beside him.
He jumped, startled. "What are you doing here?"
"I don't know. I think you pulled me into your dream,"
said Isabel.
Kyle looked down at what she was wearing and blew out
a slow breath of appreciation. He whistled low.
Isabel looked down. She was dressed in the robe from
the bathroom and that was all. She pulled it tight.
"Kyle!"
"What!? I'm dreaming. Don't blame me for what my
subconscious does." Then he smiled. "Besides, that's
what you wore to bed."
True, thought Isabel. Then she gave him the once over.

Kyle looked down. He had on pajama bottoms and that
was it. "Okay, now I know I didn't dream  myself like
this. I had a shirt on when I went to sleep." Kyle
raised his brows at her. "You did this!"
Isabel blushed because he was right then quickly
asked, "Are you in pain?" The current still ran along
his hands.
Kyle shook his head. "No. None at all."
"Okay, this is weird. What's going on?" asked Isabel. 
She had never had a dream walk like this before.
Kyle shook his head. "I don't know."  He looked up
again. "So that's it, huh. Antar."
Isabel nodded. "Yeah."
"I hope you never go back," he told her.
Isabel looked sideways at him and smiled. "Really?"
Kyle shrugged. "Well yeah. I'd....I'd miss you."
Isabel's smile grew even bigger. "I'd miss you too."
Her answer pleased Kyle. "Want to walk?"
Isabel nodded and they walked along the sand staring
up at the stars.
"Well this isn't a beach since there isn't any water
and I was thinking of a beach," said Kyle, looking
around. 
Isabel realized where they were. "It's the rocks by
the pod chamber."
"What?"
"That's where we are. The rocks." She was really
confused now. "I don't understand. I had to have done
this." 
"So you conjured up the podchamber. Well that explains
why my beach isn't here. What it doesn't explain is
why you are able to control things in 'my' dream,"
said Kyle.
Isabel shook her head. "I'm not sure." But that was a
lie. She knew deep inside what was going on.
"You know, I just want to tell you how great you've
been while I've been going through this 'change'
thing. It's really meant a lot."
He stopped and faced her. "You didn't have to stay
with me you know." 
"I wanted too," she told him softly. "Who else would I
get to watch my movies with me if not you?" she
teased. 
He moved a tendril of hair from her face and his hand
lingered near her cheek. It moved to cup her chin and
then he was kissing her lips.
She didn't stop him.
His kiss was soft and wonderful, thought Isabel.
Everything she imagined  it would be.  Mentally she
sighed. She was facing the fact that what she felt for
Kyle was more than just needing a friend.  She
realized she loved him.
"I've wanted to do that for a long time," Kyle told
her, as he gazed in to her eyes.
"You have?" she asked breathlessly. She had no idea he
had felt this way towards her.
"Yeah. But I couldn't because...."
"Jesse." 
"Yeah. Do you mind? That I kissed you, I mean?"
If he had asked her that before he had kissed her she
might have hesitated, but now...now she was giving in
to the feelings she was having  for her friend.
"No, I don't mind."
Kyle smiled. "So if I wanted to do it again...."
"I might not mind," she whispered.
Kyle put his arms around her waist and kissed her.
Isabel's arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers
played with his hair while she lost herself in his
kiss.
When they pulled back Kyle blew out a breath then
pointed to a small outcropping of rocks and said,
"Let's go over there."
When they were seated, Kyle said, "I'm glad I kissed
you. It was better than my .....dreams," he said with
a small ironic laugh.
Isabel smiled softly...shyly. "I'm glad you did too."
She wanted him to do it again.
As if reading her mind he drew her to him.
He  kissed her neck and collar bone, then her
shoulders as his hands carefully  pushed the robe
aside. One finger traced the swell of her breast. 
Isabel moaned. 
"I hurt you!" he said pulling back.  He damned the
current that ran his body.
"NO! You didn't hurt me! You would never hurt me." She
took his hand in her's.
Then what, he wondered.
"Too fast?"
Isabel shook her head as she lay his hand back on her
skin. "Too good."
That was all Kyle needed to push open her robe to
reveal her bared breasts.
He swallowed as he gently cupped one with his hand. 
She gasped and the full globe heaved in his hand. He
gently caressed the skin and then rolled the nipple
between his finger and thumb before giving her other
breast the same treatment. 
Isabel sucked in her breath and shivered.
Kyle kissed her then lay her gently back on the rock
and half covered her body with his. He kissed the
mounds before him and then sucked one erect nipple in
to his hungry mouth.
Isabel gasped and arched her back. 
Kyle pushed the robe open the rest of the way
revealing her body to him.
She was naked. He ran his hands lightly along her body
and felt her silky skin. She was beautiful.
Isabel reached up to run her hands over Kyle's bared,
smooth, tan chest and she pressed her lips to it.
"Kyle...please...."
Both their eyes widened. Isabel was begging him to
touch  her. He never wanted to wake up from this
dream!
"Isabel..maybe we're...I'm moving too fast here."
She took his face in her hands and kissed him and all
their reason left. 
He wrapped her in his arms and savored the feel of her
skin next to his. When he woke up he wanted to
remember this feeling. Imprint this moment in his mind
forever.
"Kyle."
He looked down as she whispered his name and saw
longing mixed with confusion in her eyes. 
It took him but a moment to toss away his pajamas and
he sucked in his breath when she grasped him and
guided him between her open legs.
"Isabel..." he gasped as she welcomed him inside her
body.
The warmth of her body surrounding him was the heaven
he had always known it would be. He closed his eyes
and sighed. Bliss. She tightened her walls around him
and he sucked in his breath as his eyes shot open.
"Oh sweet heaven!" he hissed.
Isabel's body shook at his words. "What happened to
Buddha?" she asked as she pulled him closer, her
breasts pressed against his chest, her legs locked
around his.
"Buddha who?" Kyle replied as he kissed her.
Isabel smiled then sighed and closed her eyes as Kyle
began to kiss her chest and nip at her breast.
This felt so right. Kyle being inside her, his body
covering her's. It was like it was meant to be.
Kyle began to move inside of Isabel and her breath
caught. He filled her up and made her whole.
That was her last coherent thought. 
She began to move with Kyle, their bodies in sync with
one another as their pleasure built. 
Kyle was lost. Isabel was all he had dreamed of for so
long and she had been so unattainable, but now...now
here she was beneath him and his dreams were....his
dreams. 
A bit of reality crept in on him.  This was all a
dream. Nothing more. 
He didn't care. This was going to be his time to be
have the only thing he wanted.
Isabel's love.
"You are the most perfect thing inside and out that
I've ever layed my eyes on," he whispered to her.
Tears sprang to Isabel's eyes.
"I love you, Isabel. I've loved you for a very long
time," he told her as he raised up and pushed deep
inside of  her. 
Isabel touched his cheek and wrapped her legs around
his waste. 
"Kyle....why do I find myself loving you too? When did
you sneak in to my heart?"
Kyle smiled, his heart bursting. "Are you kidding?
I've always been there, you just had to look."
There were no more words as Kyle wove his fingers with
Isabel's and moved deeper and deeper inside her. They
both gasped as they came together, Isabel taking all
Kyle had to give and holding him to her.
Hot current ran wild around them wrapping them in a
coccoon that neither was aware of.
The current hit a peak, then began to die.
Kyle and Isabel slept, tangled and tired, yet content.
The fine line between dreams and reality had been
crossed..........


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


"OH! cried Maria, putting her hand to her throat as
she hurriedly back out of the bedroom where Kyle and
Isabel were.
Michael hurried down the hall. "What?!"  Max and Liz
were close on his heels.
Maria quickly closed the door. "Huh, nothing!  I just
....I just thought I saw a mouse. Silly me." She
looked at Liz then said, "You never know when you're
going to be surprised...by a mouse."
Liz didn't understand.
Max frowned. "I haven't seen any mice."
Michael knew when Maria was lying. "What's going on,
Maria?"
"I told you. I saw a mouse."
"Well if it's in the room we need to go in and get
it," said Michael, as he moved to enter the room.
"NO!" 
All eyes fell to Maria. "I..." She looked helplessly
at Liz.
"Why don't you want us to go in there?" asked Max.
Michael physically moved her and opened the door and
went in followed by Max and Liz.
Kyle and Isabel were clearly naked though covered from
the waist down with the sheet, and they were 
intwined, a coccoon of electric energy encircling
them. Both appeared to be asleep.
"OH!" said Liz, covering her eyes as she quickly
turned away. 
"What the hell!" exclaimed Michael, while Max turned a
mixture of pasty gray to red as he turned away.
"I tried to keep you out," said Maria, weakly.
"I'm going to kill him if the change doesn't," said
Max, clinching and unclinching his fists.
"I'll hold him down," promised Michael.
"LOOK!" gasped Maria.
Four sets of eyes watched as the current slowly
disappeared.
"What just happened?" asked Maria.
"I think it's over. The change. I think it's over,"
said Liz.
"Having sex stopped it?" asked Maria, curiously.
Max and Michael growled low at her words and Liz sent
her a warning look.
Max's eyes seemed to be frozen to the couple in the
bed. "Why aren't they moving?" he asked concerned. 
Max and Michael moved to the bed, each leaning over to
feel a pulse.
"Kyle's is okay. A bit fast, but not too much,"
reported Michael.
Max felt Isabel's. "Same here." He looked at Michael
then Liz. "I don't understand why they don't wake up."
"Maybe when the change caused the energy to stop
glowing in him it drained them," suggested Liz.
"Something drained them," said Maria under her breath.
The others looked at her and the two males were again
frowning. 
"What? Alien sex is draining."
Michael and Max's scowls deepened.
Liz again rolled warning eyes at Maria before covering
Kyle and Isabel up. She took Max's arm. "Let them
sleep." 
Max looked back down at the two in the bed and finally
nodded. He wasn't happy leaving Isabel naked in the
bed next to Kyle though. But there was nothing to be
done.
"We're just going to leave them like this?" exclaimed
Michael.
Max nodded. "Yeah. What's done is done."
He was going to have a long talk with Kyle and one
with Isabel too, when they woke up.


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


Kyle stirred first. He was so sore, but it was a good
kind of sore. 
Then he became aware that he was tangled with someone
and that they were both naked.
He opened his eyes and looked down. Blond hair greeted
him.  His eyes widened. 
Isabel!
Oh geeze! he thought to himself. He had sex with
Isabel and didn't even remember it! Wouldn't you know!
All he remembered was what he thought was a dream.
Wasn't it? But the position he found himself in now
suggested otherwise.
He froze as Isabel began to stir. 

Isabel opened her eyes and blinked. She slowly became
aware that she was naked and lying half on top of
Kyle....and he was naked too. Her eyes widened. And he
was awake! She could tell by his breathing. Her eyes
widened more.  It couldn't have been real! It was all
a dream! But her body was telling her it was very
real. 
Kyle's hand hesitantly lowered to her shoulder. "I
know you're awake," he told her quietly.
Isabel swallowed and slowly raised her head. Her hair
fell like a mussed curtain around her shoulders.  She
met Kyle's eyes then looked away blushing as she sat
up and pulled the sheet up over her breasts.
"I...I don't know what happened," she whispered. 
"I know," said Kyle sitting up beside her. 
"I thought it was all a dream," Isabel said, in
confusion.
Kyle looked at her with raised brows. "You too?"
Isabel met his eyes. "I've never had anything like
that happen before.  In the past when I've been a part
of peoples dreams I've just been an observer. This was
different."
"So we were really.... "
"I guess so," said  Isabel hoarsely, blushing again. 
"Wow,"  said Kyle, shocked. "Okay, what does it mean?"
Suddenly  Isabel's eyes widened and she exclaimed,
"Kyle! You're okay!" She hugged him then immediately
pulled back embarrassed tugging the sheet back up over
her breasts. He'd seen and touched everything in their
dream, but she was still shy.
Kyle looked at his hands and grinned. "Hey! I'm okay!"
Then he sobered. That meant the change was complete.
He glanced at Isabel and was again reminded of  what
had happened between them.  She was so beautiful
sitting there in nothing but a sheet blushing.  He
fiddled with the sheet nervously.  "This is really
awkward isn't it?" 
Isabel nodded.  
"Look, what I said...in the dream I mean. Well I meant
it. Just so you know. I love you," Kyle told her. He
held his breath waiting to see how she would react.
Isabel blushed and smiled. "I love you too."
"Yeah?" Kyle asked with relief.
"Yeah," Isabel nodded.
He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips, his
hand cupping her face.
"Wow...that was just...wow," Kyle said. 
Isabel blushed, yet was pleased with his words. 
Kyle looked at where they were. "As much as I want to
make love to you when I'm awake maybe we should get up
before the others......" 
Isabel blanched. "Find us! Oh, gawd if Max or Michael
found us like this they would kill us both!" exclaimed
Isabel.  Spying her robe on the floor beside the bed
she grabbed it up and pulled it on before getting up
and heading for the door.
"Isabel?"
She turned. 
"I love you."
She smiled then  ran to the bathroom and closed the
door.
Kyle lay back with his arms behind his head smiling in
wonder. Then he frowned. Things were all different now
and not just the changes in his body. 
Last night changed everything between him and Isabel
as well.  And now they'd admitted their feelings for
one another. 
He was scared.

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


Isabel  lightly touched her breast. It was sore, yet
felt good too.
Kyle's mouth and hands had done that to her. She
smiled softly to herself and ran her hands over her
arms.
What were they going to do? Max and Michael would be
furious. They thought that what was good for them
wasn't good for her, even though she had been the one
of them to marry and do it right the first time. Would
they understand that Kyle made her happy? She only
just realized it herself, but would they understand? 
She loved him. She smiled at that. And he loved her.
She glowed at the knowledge. 
She showered and dressed then took a deep breath
before going out to face Kyle again and the others.



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



 Isabel entered the dining room and found the others
sitting there drinking coffee. 
"Well look who's up!" said  Maria. 
"Morning," said Isabel, as she slid in to the nearest
chair.
Kyle entered the room a moment later and his eyes fell
on Isabel, but he addressed the group. "Morning."
Isabel smiled, then noticed the others looking at
them.
"Umm, Kyle's all better now! No more energy!" said
Isabel a bit too brightly. She seemed to realize it
and quieted.
"Yeah, yeah, I think I'm okay. No sign of powers, but
I'm not charged so that's okay," said Kyle. He looked
at Isabel and smiled. "I had a good nurse, though."
Isabel gave him a small smile, but looked away.  She
hadn't seen him since she'd left him in the bedroom
and now she was feeling strange.
Nervous...fluttery....wanting... Their romantic
relationship hadn't exactly started normally.
Kyle realized he was staring at Isabel and clapped his
hands together. "Well I'm starving! Being in bed for
days takes a lot out of you. Anyone else hungry?"
Michael growled and started to get up, and Max
clinched his hands as he cast angry eyes on Kyle.
Kyle took a step back. "Okay, so you're not hungry!" 
Isabel knew instantly what had to be upsetting Max and
Michael and nearly died. "Oh gawd," she whispered.
Kyle looked at her then at them. "Oh shit!" He held up
his hands. "Look, we didn't know we'd had sex until we
woke up naked together!" At the look on the two alien
males faces he added hastily, "Okay, that didn't come
out the way I intended."
"You're fixing to die, Valenti!" said Michael making
his way around the table.
"Michael!" said Isabel, slapping the table as she
stood up. "Stop it!"
Max stood up too. "I can't believe we trusted you! I
thought she was safe rooming with you! How long have
you two been sleeping together?" 
"She is safe with me and you can trust me!" yelled
Kyle.
"You had sex  with her!" yelled Max.
"I love her!" Kyle yelled back.
All eyes turned from Kyle to Isabel.
"And I love him too," said Isabel, as she looked at
Kyle. They had barely even told one another of their
feelings and now everyone knew. She looked at Max and
Michael. "I love him."
Max had the wind taken out of his sails.  "I want you
happy, Isabel. I just ....how do you know what you
feel for him isn't pity because of us?"
She looked at Kyle who waited for her answer as well,
before looking back at Max. "What I feel isn't pity.
It's love. Kyle makes me happy," she told him. She
looked at Michael.  "He makes me happy."
Michael looked at Kyle then Isabel then back to Kyle.
"You hurt her and I swear I'll kill you Valenti. It
will be slow and painful too."
"Michael!" Isabel's frown made him sit down.
"I'm not going to hurt her. I wouldn't do that," Kyle
assured them. 
Max hugged Isabel. "It's okay, Max."
Max held his hand out to Kyle. "I'm sorry. We're just
protective of her is all."
"I know. I am too."
Max held on to Kyle's hand and stared in to his eyes.
"But like Michael said, we'll kill you if you hurt
her." He released Kyle's hand and sat down.
Kyle swallowed hard. "I ...huh...think I'll go get
something to eat." He headed for the kitchen with
Isabel close on his heels after she had thrown a quick
glare at Max and Michael.

Kyle took a glass out of the cabinet and was getting
some juice when Isabel asked, "Did they change your
mind? About us I mean?" 
Kyle looked at her then handed her the glass of juice.
"No."
"I guess we should talk about last night," said
Isabel.
"And this morning," said Kyle, pouring himself a glass
of juice.  "Yeah, I guess so."
Isabel sat her glass down and moved closer to Kyle. "I
mean....."
Kyle sat his glass down too, and put his arms around
Isabel. "I love you, but I don't remember making love
to you outside of a dream."
"I know. Me either. And I love you too." 
Kyle kissed her. 
"I don't understand what happened last night," said
Isabel.
At that moment Maria came in to the kitchen. "Oops!
Sorry. I needed to get some more juice."
Suddenly the juice container on the counter moved
through the air to Maria. 
She stood there wide eyed and hesitantly reached out
for it. "How....how did that happen?"
Isabel and Kyle stood there staring in surprise at it
too. 
"Kyle, did you do that?" asked Isabel quietly.
Kyle shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe. I was
thinking about Maria and the juice."
"MAX! MICHAEL! LIZ!" yelled Maria.
The three came running. "What?!"
"Do it again, Kyle," encouraged Isabel. She could see
he was unsure. She squeezed his hand. "It's okay." 
Kyle looked at the glass on the counter and soon it
was moving towards Isabel.
"How'd you do that?" asked Max.
"I don't know. I just thought it and....it moved,"
said Kyle. 
"Telekinesis," said Liz. 
"What?" asked Michael.
"He moved it with his mind."
Everyone looked at Kyle. 
"This is my big power I suffered for? Hmmm." He almost
sounded let down, but Isabel knew he was a bit scared
too.
"Let us know if anything else happens," ordered Max.
Kyle nodded. "Yeah, sure. You know I think I need to
be alone."
Isabel watched him leave then asked, "Please don't be
hard him. He's scared and needs our help."
Max nodded then Michael did too.
Isabel followed Kyle out.



She knocked on their bedroom door and then entered the
room.
"Can I come in?" 
Kyle nodded. "Yeah. I just didn't want those guys
staring at me like I was a..."
"A freak?" supplied Isabel. 
Kyle looked at her apologetically. "Yeah."
Isabel sat on the bed beside him and lay her head on
his shoulder as she picked up his hand between her's.
"How do you feel?"
"Scared. Excited. I don't know. I don't know what I
expected."
"You know I'm here for you."
Kyle pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I
know. Is this what's it's been like for you guys all
this time?" 
Isabel nodded. 
Kyle felt closer to Isabel than he ever had and 
turned to kiss her. 
Isabel looked in his eyes and understood what he
wanted. He needed her physically right now as well as
emotionally.
She touched the side of his face and kissed him gently
on the lips. His mouth opened under her's and she
eagerly welcomed his seeking tongue.
His hands sought the buttons on her blouse and soon it
was gone from her body.
His fingers grew frustrated with the hooks on her bra
and suddenly it was undone, his mind having removed
the hooks from their clasp. He gazed in to her eyes.
"Isabel...."
She kissed him. "Love me, Kyle."
He raised her skirt and placed his hand over the
crotch of her panties while he nuzzled her breasts.
She was already damp and ready for him and that made
his own hunger grow.
He slid his hand inside her panties and over her moist
slit then his finger slid inside.
"Awwwwwwwwmmmm," Isabel moaned as her legs fell open
to Kyle's touch.
She pulled at his shirt raising it up over his head
after his arms were through.  She kissed his neck as
her hands lightly caressed his abs. She bucked up and
gasped when he thrust another finger inside her.
"Kyle....please!" 
She tugged at his pants and he withdrew his fingers to
help her. Then he slowly took off her skirt and
panties. 
Both stared amazed at the other's body. Dreams were
one thing, but reality was heaven. 
"You are more than I ever dreamed," he breathed as he
sank down between her legs.
"Kyle...." she gasped as he moved head of his hardness
back and forth over her slit.
Kyle kissed her with hungry need as he slid inside
her. 
Tears fell from Isabel's eyes as her body took him
deep to her core.
They moved as one, lovers bent on satisfying one
another's hunger and giving comfort.  
Kyle shot his warm seed deep in to Isabel's womb and
sighed with contentment when she came immediately
after him.
Isabel and Kyle held tight to one another and savoured
the bliss that came with knowing that they were with
the one they loved.



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


Kyle wiped his eyes then rubbed his head. He was
getting a headache from concentrating so much.
Everyday since the change when he wasn't at work he
spent time 'moving' things with his mind. If it wasn't
Isabel helping him, it was Max or Michael.
Isabel assured him that soon he would be able to move
things without having to try so hard, but he was
beginning to doubt that day would ever come.
"Kyle!"
Kyle looked at Max. 
"You've had it for today haven't you?"
Kyle nodded. "Yeah. I'm beat."
Max patted his shoulder. "You're doing fine. It wasn't
easy for us at first either. It will come."
Kyle nodded. 
"MAX! KYLE! MOVIE IN 10!" Came Liz's voice from the
living room.
"So, are you and Isabel coming too?" asked Max.
"If she wants," replied Kyle. "I'll go see."

Kyle knocked on the bathroom door and heard the toilet
flush and then the water run.
"Hey, are we going to the movies? They want to know."
"I think I'll stay here. Go if you want though,"
Isabel replied.
"Are you okay?" asked Kyle.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just not ....I'm not in a movie mood."
"Okay. Well I'll go tell them."
"Kyle, you can go if you want!"
"Okay!"

Isabel heard the door shut and walked out of the
bathroom and sat on the bed.
She picked up one of the small decorative pillows and
hugged it to her before she slid it under her top.
She stood up and looked at herself in the mirror and
rested her hand on the pillow before heading back to
the bed and laying down on her side.
How many times had they had unprotected sex? Too many
to count, but it only took once to get caught.
What was she going to do? 
Her relationship with Kyle was still so new and he was
still adjusting to his new power. She didn't even want
to think about Max and Michael's reactions.
She was lost in thought and didn't hear the door open
or see Kyle move to stand by the bed.
"What are you doing?"
Isabel started in surprise then quickly removed the
pillow before she sat up. 
"Nothing. I was just....I thought you went to the
movies with the others."
Kyle's brows furrowed as he glanced at the pillow she
had put back on the bed. He scratched his head then
folded his arms. "No. I just went to tell them we
weren't going. Are you pregnant?" he asked pointing to
her belly. He held his breath and waited for her
answer.
Tears welled up in Isabel's eyes and she nodded.
Kyle let out the breath he was holding and sat beside
Isabel and held her, all the while trying to grasp the
fact that he was going to be a Father. Okay, think of
your own feelings later Valenti, Isabel needs you
right now.
"We used protection," he said. 
"Not the first time," she sniffed. 
Kyle nodded.  "Yeah......Okay, so we're having a baby.
Yeah..... well now that's great!" He raised her chin
and wiped at her tears with his thumb. "Right? I mean
a kid that's part us, how cool is that?" 
Isabel sniffed again. "You aren't mad?"
"Mad? No." He shook his head. "Scared maybe. Max and
Michael are going to kick my ass you know."
Isabel gave him a shaky smile. "You're not the only
one whose ass they'll kick." She looked Kyle in the
eye. "Let's not tell them just yet."
"Seems like a plan to me," said Kyle, as he kissed her
and placed his hand over her flat belly.
Isabel placed her's on top of his and sighed. "I'm
scared. I don't know how to be a Mother."
"So. I don't know how to be a Dad, but we'll both
learn."
Isabel nodded and sighed. She felt better now that
Kyle knew.
Kyle swallowed his fear and held on to Isabel. 
Things were moving too fast for him and he felt
derailment was immenent.


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



A few months later....


Kyle was working with Michael on Michael's newly
aquired motorcycle giving it some fine tuning when
Michael asked, "So how are things between you and
Isabel?"
Kyle shrugged. "Good."
Michael eyed him as he wiped his hands on a grease
rag. "Just good?"
"No, they're great," amended Kyle. 
"She seems distracted," noted Michael.
Kyle shook his head. "No, she's fine."
Isabel chose that moment to walk up and pinch Kyle on
the behind. "Hey," she said winking at Michael when
Kyle jumped.
"Hey!" Kyle kissed Isabel. "What's up?"
"I'm on my way to work. I wanted to say bye," she told
him kissing him again.
"Be careful. Hey, why don't I meet you after you get
off and we'll eat dinner out," suggested Kyle.
Isabel grinned. "I'd love that!"
"Think about where you want to go then," Kyle told her
kissing her again.
"Okay. I love you! Bye, Michael," said Isabel winking
at him as she left.
Michael watched her leave. "Guess I was wrong."
"Guess so, "said Kyle. But inside he knew what Michael
had meant. He and Isabel both were wondering just how
to tell the others about her condition. Both dreaded
the reactions they were sure to get.


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


Isabel walked out of the dress shop where she worked
and looked up and down the street for Kyle. 
She checked her watch and saw that she was a few
minutes early and sat down on a bench just outside the
store. She smoothed her light jacket over her front
and then  quickly loosened it. It was getting tight
over her chest and a small bump was beginning to form
low. She was going to have to 'alter' her clothes
until she was ready to tell the others her secret.
"Excuse me, but do you have any idea where this
address is?" asked a voice behind her.
Isabel looked up into the eyes of an older man. "Let
me see," she told him as she reached for the paper he
extended towards her. "Sure, I know where that is. Let
me point you in the right direction." She stood up and
walked over to the edge of the corner near the alley.
"Just down that street....see?" she pointed.
The man grabbed her arm and put a hand over her mouth
as he dragged her in to the alley to a waiting car.
Isabel kicked and clawed as she tried to get away, but
to no avail.
As the car sped out of the alley, her eyes widened as
she saw Kyle walk up to the dress shop. He glanced
towards the car and saw her in the back. 
"ISABEL!"
Kyle's heart was beating fast as he jumped back in the
truck and sped after the car. 
"Come on! Come on!" he yelled at the truck as he tried
to get some speed.  
He ran a stop sign and prayed that no law officer
would be on his tail. Looking in the rear view mirror
he was at first startled then relieved to see
Michael's motorcycle behind him.  "I can't stop so I
hope you follow me!"
The car was heading out to the warehouse section of
town so Kyle dropped his speed and followed  at a
distance.  He stopped when the car stopped in front of
a large two story building  and a man got out to roll
back the door. He closed it as he went inside behind
the car.
Michael pulled up beside Kyle. "What the hell is going
on?!"
"They've got Isabel!"
Michael's eyes widened in fear. "Who? Who has her and
why?" he demanded.
"I don't know. I saw the car speed out of the alley by
her store and she was inside and some guy had his hand
over her mouth!"
"Okay, we've got to get in there and get her out! Can
you help me?" asked Michael.
"Yeah! Just make sure she's not hurt!" said Kyle.

They walked up to the building and peaked inside a
dirty window. 
"Oh shit!" exclaimed Michael quietly.
"What?" asked Kyle. He didn't like the sound of
Michael's voice.
"Nicholas."
"As in 'the Nicholas'?" Kyle was growing more and more
alarmed.
"Yeah. The one and only. How the hell did he know we
were here? Look, we've got to get Isabel out of there
and fast. There is no telling what Nicholas will do to
her." He was really worried. Nicholas was bad news.
Michael spied an opening in the ceiling. "We need to
get up there."
Kyle looked around and spotted a fire ladder on the
side of the building. "There!"
They headed up the ladder and to the roof top.
Locating the area they thought the opening was over 
they quietly entered the building. 
Inside there were small rooms with openings out on to
a larger room. Kyle and Michael made there way to the
door of one of those rooms and opened it. They could
over hear Nicholas.

"So you really thought you could hide from me! That is
amazing...and stupid!" said Nicholas. 
Isabel sat quietly tied to a chair. 
Nicholas ran his hand along her long blond hair and
smiled close to her face. "You can never hide from me
Vilandra."
Isabel twisted her head away. 
Nicholas stood up. "Kivar wants you back and this is
my last chance to bring you to him. He's lost his
patience and time is now up. I don't intend to die so
you will go back with me this time and become his
wife. He's eager for royal blood to rule again and
yours mixed with his will accomplish that end."
"I'm not going to marry him."
Nicholas smirked. "Oh, I think you will or he'll kill
your family and then you. Of course he doesn't know
I've found you yet. If he did he'd be here himself. I
plan to take you back and present you to him myself."
Isabel's heart started to beat faster. She knew that
Nicholas made no idle threat. Kivar was evil and
Nicholas too. Both would take joy out of killing her
family and her too if need be.
"How did you find us?" she asked.
"By accident actually, though I may be foolish for
admitting it. We stopped for gas and saw you working
in the dress shop. Imagine my surprise when I found
out the Princess of Antar was serving others,"
Nicholas laughed.
A fluke. He was here on a fluke. Their lives were in
jeopardy all because Nicholas had rolled in to the
right town by accident.
"Now, let's see where the others are at," said
Nicholas as he placed his hand on her head.
"NO!" screamed Isabel as she shook her head to get
away from Nicholas's mind grip.

Kyle started to head out the door at Isabel's scream,
but Michael held him back. "You can't!"
"I have too! He's hurting her!" said Kyle.
"He won't hurt her. He needs her."
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" screamed Nicholas.
Michael and Kyle looked out at the scene below.
Nicholas backhanded Isabel hard across her face.
"YOU'RE NO GOOD TO US!"
Isabel's head lolled and blood trickled out her mouth
as her cheek began to bruise.
"I'm going to kill that son of a bitch!" growled Kyle.
"Why'd he hit her? What did he mean she's no good to
them?" said Michael.
Kyle realized that Nicholas had to mean  the baby, and
closed his eyes. "No."
Michael reguarded Kyle and the look he saw didn't sit
well inside. "What? What do you know?"
Kyle felt an ache of fear  in his chest as he watched
Isabel look Nicholas in the eye in defiance. "She's
pregnant," he said quietly.
Michael looked at Kyle and it took everything he had
inside not to reach over and kill him. 
Kyle looked at Michael. "She didn't want anyone to
know yet."
"You got her pregnant?! When this is over you're a
dead man," promised Michael.
"So what else is new," said Kyle. He looked back out
over the room. "Hey! Do you see those boxes stacked
over there? Do you think I can move them?  Get
Nicholas's attention. Then maybe you can get to
Isabel."
Michael looked where Kyle indictated and nodded.
"Yeah. Just don't make any mistakes. We won't get a
second chance."
Kyle focused his mind on the boxes and began to move
them through the air.
Nicholas looked up in surprise. "What the hell is
going on? Find out who's doing that!" he ordered the
two men with him.
Kyle dropped the boxes on the heads of the men and
then rained the large stack on the other wall down on
them. 
Michael hurried down the stairs to Isabel's side just
as Nicholas turned around.
"Rath!"
Michael threw a ball of energy at Nicholas and briefly
knocked him back, but Nicholas came back at him and
blasted Michael against the wall.
Kyle stood up and began making the cans on the floor
fly about the room, desperately trying to avoid
hitting Isabel or Michael. The move distracted
Nicholas and allowed Michael to pull Isabel to safety.
He returned to  use his power to burst the lights from
above to shower down on Nicholas while Kyle moved the
heavy machinery toward the smaller man.
Nicholas was trying to use his powers to push the
machines back, but his powers had been failing him of
late. His time on Earth was almost up and his powers
had been growing weaker.
"Who are you?!" screamed Nicholas at Kyle, as Kyle
walked down the stairs.
"You're worst nightmare," Kyle told him, as everything
in the room began to spin and gather around Nicholas. 
Nicholas narrowed his eyes. "You're a human! The
Sheriff's son! How are you doing this? It makes no
sense!"
"I'm one of you now. And no one messes with what's
mine!" 
"YOU?! The whore carries your bastard?! If I don't
kill you, Kivar will!" shouted Nicholas.
"Don't call my family names you son of a bitch!"
gritted out Kyle. "Someone should have taken you out a
long time ago!"
Everything descended on Nicholas and began to crush
him down. "Michael!"
Michael walked over to where Nicholas was trapped
under the rubble. "Can't say I'm sorry to see you go,
you little bastard." Then he used his powers to burn
Nicholas in to dust.

Kyle hurried over to Isabel and knelt down. "Are you
okay?" The side of her face and her lip looked
terrible. He gently touched it and she winced. "I'm
sorry."
"I'm okay," Isabel said, but then she suddenly began
to cry.  She had been so scared for her baby and Kyle
as well as the others at home.
"Let's go," Kyle told her as he helped her to her
feet.


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


Max had healed Isabel's face and she was sleeping. 
Kyle sat by her side and watched over lest she wake
and needed something.
He had come so close to losing her and it terrified
him.
He took her hand and brought it to his lips while his
other hand lay on the small bump of her belly, and
made a decision.



Out in the living area Liz and Maria were just getting
home from work and they found Max and Michael in deep
discussion.
"I can't believe how close we were to losing her,"
said Max, in disbelief.
"Lose who? Isabel?" asked Liz, as she sat by Max.
"What happened?"
"Nicholas," said Michael.
"What!?" exclaimed Maria.
"Don't worry, he's dead. I killed him... with Kyle's
help," Michael told her.  He hadn't told Max about
Isabel being pregnant yet and he hadn't killed Kyle as
he had promised either. Isabel didn't even know that
Michael knew about the baby.
"So his new powers helped save Isabel. That's good. I
was afraid of how he would do if we ever had trouble,"
said Max.  "I'm glad to know we can trust him."
"I told you not to worry," said Liz. 
"I know. I was wrong," admitted Max.




Isabel woke up to Kyle's head bent over her hand. 
"Kyle."
He looked up and put his hand on her brow. "How do 
you feel?"
"I'm fine. Max healed my face and I've rested. I'm
perfectly okay," she smiled up at him.
"You almost died."
"But I didn't."
"But you could have."
"Kyle, I didn't. I'm okay," Isabel reassured him.
"I want to get married," he told her.
Isabel's eyes widened. "What?"
"I want to...."
"I heard you." Isabel sat up.
Kyle frowned. "You act like you don't want to."
"Why do you want to marry me?"
"Because I almost lost you!"
"Being married isn't going to change that, Kyle. I
could still die or you could," said Isabel.
"You're refusing to marry me?" He was hurt.
"I love you, you know that. I just need time." She
knew he was hurt and that in turn hurt her.
"Think about it, Isabel."
Kyle gave her one last look then left the room.



The others looked up as Kyle walked in. 
"How's Isabel?" asked Liz.
"She's fine." Kyle looked at Michael. Michael
understood and barely shook his head.
"I need to talk to you, Max," Kyle said.
"What about?" asked Max. "I thought everything was
okay."
"I have something to tell you and I think we should go
somewhere else to talk about it."
Michael shook his head. The guy had guts.
"You know what he wants?" asked Max as he looked in
confusion at Michael.
Michael rubbed his face and looked at Max then at
Kyle. 
"I'll tell him, Kyle." 
Everyone turned and looked at Isabel.
"No, I'll do it," Kyle told her.
"I'm the one that's pregnant."
Liz could see Max stiffen, and Maria could see from
Michael's reaction that he already knew the news.
"What?"
"Three months, I think," said Isabel as she nervously
fingered her shirt over her belly.
Max could see the tell tale bump when the top was
pulled tight. He looked up at Isabel who stood
watching his reaction then he looked at Kyle. "You
promised you wouldn't hurt her."
"He didn't hurt me, Max." Max looked at Isabel.
"I bet," said Maria under her breath.
Michael threw her a look that told her to keep quiet.
"I want to marry her," said Kyle, as he looked at
Isabel.
"Married! Well that's great! Right, Max?" said Liz.
She could see his emotions were running wild.
"She doesn't want to marry me," Kyle told them as he
continued looking at Isabel.
Everyone looked at Isabel.
"Why not?" asked Max.
"That's not what I said, Kyle," said Isabel
defensively.
"Okay, so you said you needed 'time'," said Kyle,
curling his fingers in the air.
"Kyle, I love you, but ......I messed up once....I
don't want to do that again."
Kyle felt like he'd been kicked in the gut. "So what
you're saying is you love me now, but you might not
later. Well that's just great, Isabel. When I told you
I loved you I meant it forever. See I don't say it if
I don't mean it." He turned and walked away.
"KYLE!" Tears welled up in Isabel's eyes. 
Max came to stand before her. "You haven't really
listened to me in a very long time, but I hope you do
now. Kyle is a great guy. I don't like how all this is
going, but he loves you and he wants to marry you. We
like him and he'll stick by you. Marry him." 
"I swore to love Jesse too, just as he swore to love
me. Well we all know how that turned out," said
Isabel.
Max put his arms around her. "This is different,
Isabel. Jesse didn't know about you and it wasn't fair
to him.  You didn't even know one another very long.
With Kyle, well he's not the same guy we knew when
this all started. And he knew about you before he fell
in love with you." He could see the emotions running
over her.  "He loves you. Don't mess this up."
Michael came to stand beside them.  "You know Max and
I didn't like you hookin' up with Kyle and I guess
that wasn't fair of us. We just didn't want to see you
hurt again. But Kyle's right for you, Isabel. I'm just
sorry I didn't say it before and that I didn't tell
him."
Isabel wiped her eyes and smiled. "Really?"
Michael nodded. "Really."
Max nodded too. "He's the one, Isabel."
Isabel nodded and grinned bigger. "Yeah, he is isn't
he." She looked towards the back door. "I need to go
find Kyle."


When she had left, Michael and Maria went to their
room and Liz put her arms around Max. "Max." She felt
him relax. "You're still mad at Kyle for getting her
pregnant aren't you."
"We never know when we will have to run for our lives
again. A baby complicates things."
"Is that all?"
"Yeah."
Liz looked up into his eyes. "You weren't thinking
about Zan?"
Tears came to Max's eyes. "I think about him all the
time."
"We didn't know we would be on the run, Max. You did
what was right for you and for Zan."
"And if Isabel's baby is human too?"
He didn't want Isabel to go through what he was.
"Only Isabel and Kyle can decide what will be best for
them and their child if it is human. We have to stay
out of it."
Max pulled Liz close and cried for his son.


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


Isabel walked until she found the van sitting in front
of the park. Kyle sat on a bench watching some
children playing on the swings. A small child playing
in the sandbox got up and ran in front of the swings
and was knocked down. 
Kyle jumped up and ran to the crying child and helped
him up.
"Hey, are you okay? I don't see any blood and I can't
feel any bumps. Let's clean some of that dirt off and
find your Mom and Dad," said Kyle, looking around as
he cleaned the dirt off of the child and wiped his
tears.  
"He's my little brother! I didn't mean to knock him
over!" cried the little girl that had been in the
swing. 
"He knows you didn't. Accidents happen. You just have
to be careful." 
Kyle stood up and took the children by the hand.
"Let's find your parents."
"Connor! Are you okay?!" cried a woman that came
running up and knelt by the little boy.
"Momma, I didn't mean to kick him!" cried the little
girl.
"I know sweetie. I saw what happened," the woman told
the little girl as she hugged her too.
The woman stood up. "Thanks. I tell my kids to never
talk to strangers, but I'm glad you were here."
Kyle nodded. 
"Come on kids. No more playing today."
Kyle turned away as the kids protested leaving the
park.  He spied Isabel standing by the bench watching
him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, as he sat back
down.
Isabel sat beside him. "That was nice what you did.
With the kids I mean."
Kyle shrugged. 
"You'll be a good Father, Kyle."
He smiled  a bit at that. "Thanks. I hope so."
"I think you'll make a good husband too."
Kyle looked over at Isabel. "What?"
Isabel wove her fingers with Kyle's where they lay on
his leg and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I was stupid. I'm sorry."
Kyle felt like his heart would burst. "What changed
you mind?"
"Max and Michael."
Kyle felt some of the pleasure leave him. "Really."
Isabel shook her head and then raised up to look at
Kyle. "It's not what you might think. They reminded me
that I had found the guy I've been waiting
for.....you."
Kyle blinked.  "Yeah? You're sure? Because I plan on
staying married to you until we die."
"I'm sure. I love you, Kyle."
Kyle slid his hand behind her neck and then kissed
her. 
Isabel went light headed just before they pulled
apart. 
Kyle rested his forehead on her's. "I love you."
Isabel rested her hands on his wrists. "I love you
too."
Kyle kissed her again, slow and delightfully long.
"Let's go home," she whispered.



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


About six months later.......


Kyle helped Isabel lay back on the bed then crawled
next to her.
"Feet?"
"They're fine," answered Isabel.
"Back?"
"A bit achy, but okay I guess."
"Turn over and I'll rub it for you," instructed Kyle.
"You're so good to me," sighed Isabel, as Kyle's hands
moved along her back.
"Better huh," Kyle grinned. He slid a hand around to
her front and lightly rubbed her belly. The baby
kicked hard enough to pop Kyle's hand up. 
"Did you see that!" he exclaimed.
"I felt it," said Isabel, as she placed her hand over
Kyle's.
"Oh yeah, right. And it really doesn't hurt?" He was
always asking her that.
"No."
Isabel turned her head. "Kyle?"
"Yeah?" he asked as he lay his chin on her shoulder.
"Am I repulsive? You know, in a 'you look like an
elephant' sort of way?"
Kyle raised his head.  "No. Far from it. You're
beautiful," he told her as he kissed her.
When he pulled back he could see his words were not
convincing her. 
He began to gently fondle her gown covered breast
which was by now humongous due to being pregnant.
Isabel closed her eyes and sighed. "Ohhhhhhhh."
"Does it hurt?"
"Nooooo, not really....just don't stop."
Kyle rolled her to her back and  pushed aside the gown
to reveal a breast. He laved the nipple gently and
Isabel purred. 
Kyle carefully drew the gown up high and placed his
hand between her legs. The moisture he found there let
him know that she needed him.  He slid his fingers
inside her and she gasped. 
"Did I hurt you?" he asked concerned.
Isabel shook her head. "Kyle, we've been through this
before, you're not going to hurt me."
"Okay." Kyle began to stroke her, her body responding
immediately to his touch.
Isabel reached for Kyle and slid her hand inside his
pj bottoms. He was thick with arousal, the tip of his
penis moist with precum.
"Kyle, I want more than touching," pleaded Isabel.
Kyle pulled back. "Isabel.....we can't."
"Please Kyle. I love when you touch me, but I want
you....in me," she begged.
"Isabel...." Kyle was getting frustrated. He wanted
her too, but he was afraid of hurting the baby. They
hadn't had actual intercourse in two weeks. 
Isabel pulled her gown down and turned away. "Never
mind," she whispered. Silent tears fell on the hand
she had under her head.
Kyle put his hand on her shoulder. "Isabel, please
don't do that. I just don't want to hurt the baby."
"So you say."
Kyle stared down at her and scratched his head. "I'm
going to get a drink. Do you want one?"
Isabel shook her head..
Kyle grabbed his robe and headed for the kitchen.  He
ached with unreleased need. He wanted his wife and was
afraid to touch her. He pulled open the refrigerator
door and grabbed the juice when the light went on
behind him.
"Kyle!"
Kyle looked up to see Liz and Max enter from the back
door. 
"How was the ballet?"
"Good. Well I thought so," said Liz. She looked at 
Max.  "Max slept."
"I said I was sorry about that," he told her.
"You owe me another ballet," she told him. She then
grabbed a glass out of the cabinet and poured herself
some juice. "What are you doing up, Kyle?"
Kyle pulled his robe around him. "I huh....couldn't
sleep."
Max could see why Kyle couldn't sleep and asked
amused, "Isabel's asleep?"
Kyle shook his head. "Nope." He put his glass in the
sink and then just stood there.
"Is something wrong?" asked Liz. "Maybe we can help."
Max hid a grin. "I don't think we can help Kyle with
his problem."
Liz thought about it after seeing Kyle send Max a
withering look. A cookbook flew off the shelf near
Max's head. It sunk in what was wrong.
"Oh!"
"I just....she wants....we haven't.....I don't
want......" Kyle slunk against the cabinet.
"You and Isabel haven't......" Liz asked. 
"Not in weeks," admitted Kyle. His face heated up.
"Why not?" Liz asked.
"Have you seen Isabel lately?" asked Kyle.
Max frowned. "Are you saying she disgusts you?" He
didn't like that. 
"Hell no! She turns me on!" 
Max and Liz frowned. "Then what? Doesn't she want
too?"
Kyle rubbed his palms in to his eyes. "All the time.
She wants to all the time!"
"Okay, I don't need to know this," said Max. He was
beginning to feel funny having this conversation about
Kyle's sex life with Isabel.
Kyle looked at Max and Liz. "What if it hurts the baby
this close to her having it?"
Liz bit back a grin, but Max frowned. "Makes sense."
"You can't hurt the baby or Isabel, Kyle. You've read
the books, seen the videos. If anything it will help
her," said Liz.
"You're sure?" Kyle asked.
"Very sure."
Kyle pushed away from the counter. "Night people!" And
he hurried off down the hall.
Liz grinned and then looked at Max. "What?"
"How do you know all of this stuff?"
"I pay attention and I read." She grew serious. "We
have to help Isabel when it's time. We have to know
what we're doing."
Max kissed the top of her head as he pulled her in to
his arms. "I'm glad you're so smart."



Kyle crawled back in bed next to Isabel. 
"Are you asleep?" 
"No."
He kissed her shoulder as he lifted her gown.
"What are you doing?" asked Isabel.
"Making love to my wife," Kyle told her as he drew her
gown off.
"Kyle," Isabel fairly glowed. She looked down. "You
don't have to. I know I repulse you."
Kyle dragged her panties off and  tossed his pants
with them. "You don't repulse me. You turn me on."
"Really?" Then she looked at her big belly. "How are
we...."
"Turn on your side away from me."
Kyle drew gentle circles on her belly and gradually
his hand made it's way to the center of her need. He
bent her leg and caressed her swollen folds. 
Isabel hissed. 
Kyle stroked himself and then slid into Isabel from
behind while he stroked her nub and folds.
"Awwwwwwwww," Isabel cried out softly.
"Let me know if it hurts," Kyle whispered.
"Doesn't.....hurt......awwwwwwwwwww."
Kyle gently pumped forward while Isabel moved her hips
backwards toward him.
"Isabellllllll," Kyle moaned as he kissed her ear.
Isabel's arm went behind her to grip Kyle's buttocks.
"Kyle! Oh please! Please!"
A few more thrusts and attention to her over
stimulated nub and Isabel came with Kyle on her heels.
They lay gasping and clutching one another until their
baby kicked hard.
"I don't think the kid liked what I just did to his
Mother," Kyle whispered. "Are you okay?"
"I'm wonderful," Isabel said, her sigh of contentment
obvious. "Thank you, Kyle."
Kyle kissed her. "I love you, Isabel."
"I love you too," Isabel said sleepily.
They fell asleep in one another's arms.


Max stared up at the ceiling as Liz silently laughed.
"I think Kyle and Isabel's problem got solved."
Max groaned. "I really didn't need to hear that."
Liz smiled as they settled down to sleep.


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



Six hours later Isabel delivered a son.
The pains had started four hours earlier and then
things progressed pretty quickly.
Kyle held his son and looked down at Isabel sleeping.
She had nursed him and then fallen asleep while
everyone else held the baby and Liz and Kyle cleaned
up the room. 
Kyle looked over to see Max holding his nephew. Kyle
noticed he was trying not to cry.
Michael and Maria were talking to Liz and so Kyle
walked over to Max.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Max quickly wiped his eyes and then looked at Kyle.
"He's a great kid, Kyle."
Kyle nodded proudly. "Can you believe that little
thing was inside Isabel just a while ago and now he's
here and one of us?"
Max nodded. "He is isn't he? One of us I mean."
Kyle's eyes widened. "Oh man! I'm sorry. I forgot
about your own son."
Max shook his head as he handed the baby to Kyle.
"Congratulations, Kyle. He's really great."
Kyle sat holding his son and looked at Max
thoughtfully.



Isabel woke up and looked around for her son. 
Kyle smiled when he saw her awake and brought the baby
to her.
"Hey!"
Isabel held her arms out for her baby and smiled down
at him.
"We need a name Kyle."
"I have one if you don't mind."
Isabel looked at him as he sat on the bed. "What is
it?"
Kyle told her and she smiled and nodded. "Perfect."


Everyone was gathered in the living room when Kyle
appeared. 
"Um, could you guys come back here please.  We've
decided on a name for the baby."
When everyone was in Kyle and Isabel's room Kyle said,
"Isabel and I didn't need to put much thought in to
what we were going to call our son after we saw him.
The only thing we need is approval from Max."
Everyone looked confused. 
"Me?" asked Max in bewilderment.
Isabel spoke up.  "Max, we'll understand if you say
no."
"I don't understand," Max said.
"Max, we want to name him James Zander Valenti."
Max blinked. "What?"
"If you don't want us to then we won't, but we thought
this way Zan is with us," said Isabel.
Max wiped at his eyes. "No, that's ....fine. It's a
great name," he said smiling.
Liz put her hand on Max's arm and Michael rubbed his
shoulder. Both knew what this meant to Max.
"It was Kyle's idea," said Isabel smiling up at him.
Max looked at Kyle. "Thanks."
Kyle nodded.



Later when everyone had left the room Isabel told
Kyle, "I want our son to grow up normal."
Kyle nodded. "He will. As normal as we can make it."
"I don't want to have to send him away like Max did
with Zan just to keep him safe." Isabel kissed the
baby's head.
"We won't. He's our son and we'll keep him safe," Kyle
told her, as he kissed her head.
"I wonder if he's alien," said Isabel.  "Will it
matter to you if he is?"
Kyle shook his head. "No. He's my son and that's all
that matters."
"He may have powers," Isabel reminded him.
"And he may not," Kyle replied. "If he does then he
has plenty of people to teach him how to use them,
like they did his old man."
Isabel sighed as she looked at James. 
"I love him, Kyle."
"Me too. I wish Pop could know about him. See him,"
Kyle said wistfully.
Isabel teared up. "I wish my parents could see him
too."
Kyle kissed the baby's head. "Maybe someday."
Isabel nodded as she dabbed at her eyes.
"Kyle?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't teach him to quote that short fat man."
Kyle started to argue then shrugged. "Yeah, okay."
And they laughed.



~End~