Title: The Search
Author: Lori 4/1/01
Email: Gussywussy55@y...
Category/Rating: Michael/Isabel ...R
Discalimer: The WB owns these characters.
Feedback: Yes please.
Summary: Michael and Isabel search for answers...

***********


She was here again.
Here with him. 
They walk towards each other slowly, yet with
anticipation of what they know is to come.
He reaches out for her, and she comes into his arms
willingly.
He caresses her long hair, and bare shoulders, his
touch gentle, and yet arousing.
She lifts her face to his, and he takes it in his
hands ,bending to kiss her waiting lips.
She responds eargerly, and hungrily to his soft, and
then demanding kisses.
They cling to each other , their need building in
them.
He picks her up, and carries her to their hide a way
,and lays her down.
He gazes down at her, and his heart jumps at the love
he sees reflected in her eyes. 
He comes into her waiting arms,and they again partake
of passionate kisses and touches.
When they finally come together it is with supreme joy
that they enjoy each others bodies. The love they feel
for each other is overwhelming, but clear.
His seed rushes from him to her womb, and encases
itself inside of her. 
They know with a certainty that they have created life
from their love.
They fall asleep holding one another and...

*********

Michael woke up suddenly, his heart racing, his body
covered in sweat.
What the hell? 
He got up ,and made his shakey way to the bathroom to
wash his face.
Looking in the mirror he saw a terrified man looking
back at him.
This was the fifth night in as many days that he had
had this dream.
It was always the same. 
And it was always with Isabel.

******

Isabel sat up quickly gasping for air.
Her heart pounded ,and her hair clung to her damp
face.
This can't be happening again, she thought.
The same dream had awakened her every night for five
nights. 
Always of them.
Always of him.
Aways of Michael.

Isabel got out of bed and went into the bathroom that
she shared with Max.
Quietly she washed her face, and pressed her head to
the cool mirror in the bathroom.
These dreams had stopped last year after the stars had
dispersed. She and Michael never spoke about them,
though she thought about them often.
About the cliff, about the baby, about their destiny.
She returned to her room in time for her window to be
thrown open and Michael to come through.
"Michael! What are you doing here?" Isabel asked in a
whisper.
Michael stared for a second at the image Isabel
presented.
Her hair hanging tossed and damp, her tank top molded
to her proud, firm breasts, and her pajama bottoms
hanging low and baggy. She looked sexy.
"Get some stuff and come on!" he responded urgently,
tearing his eyes from her.
Isabel 's mouth fell open, and then she shut it just
as fast.
"Come on? Just where do you think I'm going with you
at this time of night? And why are you crawling
through my window? You haven't done that since that
night we went to the library."
Michael turned from the window and faced Isabel.
"You and I are going on a little trip. We have got to
straighten out somethings, and I want them done now!
So just get some clothes in a bag and lets go!" said
Michael.
Isabel sat on the bed and shook her head.
"I'm not going with you Michael until you tell me what
this is all about," said Isabel afraid she already
knew.
Michael gave her a look that said he wasn't in the
mood to be messed with, but neither was she. She
crossed her arms and waited, her breathing rapid. 
Michael started pacing the room , his hands running
through his hair like a wild man.
"I really don't want to talk about this right now
Isabel...not here."
Isabel stood up, and looking at the floor she
asked,"Is it about the dreams?"
Michael abruptly stopped, and looked at her. "You're
having dreams?"
Isabel looked at Michael's face now."Yeah. For five
nights now I've had the same dream. You?"
Michael nodded his head slowly, and swallowed hard.
"Yeah."
Isabel nodded, and began to gather some things in a
bag.
"How long will we be gone?"
Michael stared as Isabel packed a small bag.
"Um...I don't know...a couple of days...maybe more,
maybe less."
She grabbed some jeans and headed for the bathroom,
returning a short time later dressed to leave.
"Are we telling Max? We should tell him where were
going ,and what's happening," said Isabel.
"No! He'll just try and stop us. This is between you 
and me and whatever is going on. No one else...at
least for now," said Michael.
"Okay, let's go then," said Isabel as she picked up
her bag and handed it to Michael. He watched as she
climbed out the window, and then followed her, closing
the window behind them.

Max watched as Michael and Isabel climbed on Michael's
bike. He had been awakened by a noise coming from
outside ,and thought Michael had come by again to talk
like he sometimes did. 
But instead he saw Isabel leaving with Michael.
He felt a fear begin as he dressed quickly , and
headed to his jeep. 
He drove for over an hour, and pulled over frustrated.
He had lost them. 
Hitting the stearing wheel his anger at Michael and
Isabel grew. What had Michael gotten Isabel involved
in now? Where had they gone? And for how long since
Isabel had taken a bag with her?
Max turned the jeep toward Roswell and drove home
hoping that Michael and Isabel were okay.

*******

Isabel held on to Michael's waist tightly as he drove
along the highway. Her head was laying on his back to
help block the wind. She felt comfortable here with
him. Maybe it was just being friends, but she wasn't
sure.

Michael was very aware of Isabel's arms around his
waist, and tried hard not to think about how good they
felt being there. How comfortable it was. How right.
Her head was laying on his back, he assumed to block
the wind. That felt natuarl too. Why was that?

Michael pulled into the parking lot of a motel at
dawn, and pulled to a stop infront of the office.
"I'll go in and see about some rooms," said Michael as
Isabel released her hold on his waist.
Both of them felt a loss at this simple move.
Isabel nodded as she stood up, and stretched her legs
and back.
Looking around she saw that Michael had brought them
to a nice, but out of the way motel. One that would
not distract them from their talk.

Michael returned frowning.
"What's wrong?" asked Isabel.
"They only had one room left. It has a double bed and
that's it. I took it though." Looking around he turned
to her and said,"Let's get our stuff ,and go find the
room."
Isabel watched Michael walk off with their bags and
followed him, nervous about sharing a room with him
for who knows how long.
"Why am I so nervous? It's only Michael," she thought.

Michael stopped infront of an upstairs room and
unlocked the door with the key card.
"Feel strange using a key?" asked Isabel jokingly
trying to relieve the tension between them.
Michael looked at her and grinned."Yeah, well we can't
be too careful when it comes to stuff like that here."
He nodded down the hall to where another couple stood
talking. 
Isabel followed his gaze and nodded ,and then entered
the room behind Michael.
He placed their bags on the dresser, and floor ,and
turned to Isabel.
"You can have the bed ,and I'll take the floor. I'm
used to the floor anyway."
Isabel nodded, and felt a strange sense of
disappointment that he didn't try to half the bed with
her.
"Let's eat and then we can talk," suggested Isabel.
"Sound's good," replied Michael as he held the door
for Isabel to exit.

*******

"Hey hon, what will you have?" asked the waitress.
Michael looked at the menu and gave his order.
"And your lovely lady?"
Michael's head snapped up at that.
"Huh , she's not...we're not...ask her," stammered
Michael uncomfortabley.
Isabel gave Michael one of her looks before ordering
some toast and coffee.
The waitress left to fill their order and Isabel
asked, "Michael, why are you so jumpy? You would think
we were guilty of something."
Looking across the tabel at Isabel , Michael had to
struggle to remain composed. Wind blown and tired, she
was still beautiful.
"I'm just tired and confused about the dreams is all,"
he told her.
"I know, so am I, but we are finally going to talk
about them, and see if we can figure out some answers,
so lighten up."
Michael sneered at her as the waitress brought their
food.
Michael dug right in ,and ate his food quickly, while
Isabel just picked at her toast.
"Aren't you hungry?" asked Michael pointing his fork
at her toast.
Isabel shook her head. "No. I'm tired and just want to
get this over with."
Michael pulled some cash from his pocket.
"Let's go then," he said as he stood up.
"Come back now folks. We like seeing young couples who
are in love coming here."
Michael and Isabel looked at each other, and headed to
their room.

*******

They didn't speak until they reached the room.
Michael flopped down on the chair, and Isabel sat on
the bed.
"Okay, where do we start?" asked Michael.
Isabel stared at him.
"I thought you had a plan? You barged into my room,
dragged me off in the middle of the night to a motel
to talk, and you didn't have a plan?"
"Okay, okay! Let me think," said Michael as he got up
and began to pace.
Isabel watched this for a while before finally
saying,"Michael. Why don't we start with the dreams.
Tell me about yours."
Michael shook his head. "No way I'm going first. You
tell me about yours."
Isabel swallowed, and then said thinly, "Okay I will."

How had she gotten into this? Well she had wanted
talking, and now she would start it.
"Um, we...you and me...are um, making love in the
desert again. It's almost the same as before, but the
feelings...the sensations,it's all so vivid. I can
almost smell everything too." she looked at
Michael,"What about you?"
Michael had stopped pacing as Isabel had begun
describing her dreams. They were his it seemed. She
had not given details, but he would bet they were
sharing the same dreams again.
"Michael?"
"Uh, yeah. Well it sounds like we are both dreaming
the same things again. So why do you think that is?"
asked Michael, coming out of his own thoughts.
Isabel shook her head as she stared at the floor.
"If I knew that we wouldn't be here." Then she
asked,"Michael, do you see anything...special in the
dreams? Anything I should know about?"
Michael turned to her and said,"You mean like knowing
without a doubt that when we made love we created a
child?"
"Yeah," replied Isabel softly, her eyes raising to
Michael's.
"And like knowing that we loved one another," asked
Michael, his eyes searching hers.
"Yes,"said Isabel.
"No, I didn't see anything," replied Michael quickly
as he turned away from Isabel.
"What? But you just said..." stammered Isabel shocked
,and piqued at Michael.
Michael turned on her and said,"Isabel, I'm with
Maria...well sort of...I don't know what we are,but
I'm not with you! I never have been, and never can be!
This is all just a mistake!"
Isabel felt the tears rise in her eyes , but fought
them down. Her pride hurt. He didn't want her.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea to come here
Michael. Look, I'm exhausted, so this is what I'm
going to do. I'm going to sleep on this bed, and then
I'm going to shower, and take a cab home. You can do
whatever you want. But from now on , don't come in my
window anymore,or ask me to talk about 'things'."

Michael watched as Isabel stood up, and walked to the
side of the bed ,and lay down. 
He had hurt her.
He knew Isabel well enough to know that she was hiding
her hurt at what he had said to her.
He felt awful for doing that to her, but he was so
confused. He was supposed to have feelings for Maria,
but the feelings he had for Isabel were so much
stronger ,and that's where the confusion was driving
him crazy.
"Isabel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said..."
"Save it Michael. You said exactly what you wanted
too. 
I'm not important to you, is what you essentially
said. Now just let me rest. Heaven only knows I've had
very little the past week."
She closed her eyes, and sleep finally came.

*********

Isabel and Michael were making love on the cliff, the
evening air slightly cool to their hot ,passion
touched skin.
They moved as one as they reached their mutual
climaxes, moaning in pleasure as waves of ecstacy
rolled over them.
Michael kissed Isabel long and deep, his kisses being
returned furvently by Isabel.
His hand went to her full breast, and slid down to her
rounded belly, full with his child. He caressed the
large mound as he felt his child kick under his hand.

*******

Michael lay on the floor sleeping when he heard the
moans. He struggled to open his eyes, and then was
wide awake as he realized why he had heard the moans.
He had been dreaming of Isabel and their child again,
and apparently she was too. 
Both had been moaning in their sleep.
He rose up on shaky legs and went to the bed.
She was clinching and unclinching her hands, moaning
and writhing on the bed. 
His body, already flushed and still aching with need
from the dream, responded to her by hardening more. 
"Isabel," he called as he touched her shoulder.
Her skin was heated through her shirt, and clinging to
her with a fine sheen of perspiration. She looked ...
No, he couldn't think of her that way.!
"Isabel!"
Isabel awoke with a start, and sat up breathing very
hard.
"What?" she asked startled.
"Um,nothing," replied Michael as he realized he would
have to tell her why he was waking her, and he didn't
want to talk about it again.
"What Michael? Oh no, it's happened again!" said
Isabel as the realization hit her. She ran her fingers
through her long hair as she tried to still her
pounding heart.
"Yeah, it happened again," said Michael as he sat on
the side of the bed near her.
"Michael, we have to discuss this no matter how
uncomfortable we find it. I don't think the dreams are

going to stop until we do," said Isabel in a soft
voice, husky with sleep and desire.
Michael looked at her tossled hair, and sleep weary
eyes, her voice sending shivers all over him.
"Yeah, I think you're right. Okay, no running away
this time. No sparing of feelings or anything else. I
want to know what the hell is going on," said Michael
as he averted his eyes from Isabel's .

Isabel took a deep breath as she struggled to remain
neutral to Michael's nearness. 
She was craving him. 
Ever since he had arrived at her window, she had been
having these feelings of desire for him. More than
usual anyway. She wondered what he would do if knew
that she had been wanting him in more than a friendly
way. She didn't know how to handle it herself, so how
could she expect him to know.

"Isabel, tell me exactly what you saw just now in your
dream.We have hinted before, but have never said
exactly what we saw. Maybe the dreams are not totally
the same," said Michael.
"I went first last time Michael, and got burned. You
go first this time," replied Isabel hugging her knees
to her.
Michael looked at her for a second, feeling bad about
their earlier talk. He nodded, and said,"Yeah,
well..okay."
He wasn't good at talking about this kind of stuff
epsecially with her. He looked around the room,and
then started talking.
" I huh, saw us making love on the cliff, we both
were...climaxing together really intensely...we were
kissing...I could feel how much you loved me, how much
I...loved you." 
He stopped to judge her reaction so far. She just kept
hugging her knees, and staring ahead, but she was
listening.
Swallowing hard at the memory of the dream he
continued. "I ...touched you , running my hands along
your body...feeling your stomach. It was um...really
big with ...our baby. I could feel it kick under my
hand. I could feel it Isabel! All of it!" He looked at
her again seeing tears in her eyes.
"Isabel, what's wrong?" he asked concerned as he
touched her hair, running his hand down its soft
length.
Isabel wiped at her tears and shook her head.
"It's exactly what I dreamed. Exactly. I could feel it
all to, just as you described it. It was wonderful.
I've never been so happy and loved in my whole life,"
she finished so softly he barely heard her.

Michael pulled her to him and hugged her, kissing the
top of her head.
"Yeah I know what you mean. I've never felt that happy
either. It was like last time, but even more so. I've
never felt anything that intense and perfect before."
He shook his head."I wish I knew what was going on."
He pulled back and looked at her.
"Isabel, I've been dating Maria off and on for over a
year now. We fight a lot, and she drives me crazy
sometimes, but I've always thought she and I had
something, you know , special. I even want to protect
her. We both come from homes that were not typical,
we both have a need to get out of Roswell, and we both
like to piss each other off. I don't know. We have
alot in common, but I've still always had the feeling
that I'm not compete. That someone else was waiting
for me. Is that the way you feel?" 
He felt foolish now for saying all of that, but they
had agreed to get it all out. He had never put himself
totally out there for anyone before, and maybe he
should have kept it that way.

Isabel had listened to Michael talk ,and was surprised
at how open he was being. This wasn't the Michael of
late. In fact she hadn't seen any part of the Michael
she used to know in so long that she had forgotten how
much she missed him.
"Say something Isabel. Anything," said Michael feeling
awful with passing ,silent minute.
"Michael, I don't know if we belong together or not. I
see you and Maria fight, and make up ,and I envy her.
I've seen you change from a scared , angry, abused
boy, to a determined, protective, self sufficient
man."
She pushed her hair out of her face where it had
fallen, the move not lost on Michael, who wanted to
reach out again to touch it.
"I've not really dated anyone who mattered to me. I
thought maybe Alex, but he was just a friend, and I
feel bad for letting him think that we could be
something more. And then there was Grant. I really
thought with Grant there might have been something.
But we know how that turned out."
She looked at the ceiling now, lost in her own
musings.
" Sometimes I feel like the dreams are a torture for
me. I can't be happy in my real life with the man I
want, so I just have to be happy in my dreams with
him."

Michael couldn't believe he heard her correctly.
"Did you just say you want me? he asked.
Isabel mentally shook herself and said quickly,"No. I
was just thinking about the dreams."
She tried changing the subject quickly,"So now we know
the dreams are identical in every way, but that
doesn't explain why we keep having them. We need to
find out why Michael."
Michael could tell he wasn't going to find out what
she meant by wanting him, so he let it go. Maybe he
had just tried to read something into what she said
that wasn't there.
"Okay Isabel, we'll try looking in this."
He got up and went to his bag, and pulled out the
alien book that Tess had given them.
"Michael, how did you get that? Max had it hidden
away," asked a surprised Isabel.
"We have questions that this can answer. Max may not
want to know the answers because he is afraid they
will lead to Tess, but I have to know. What about
you?"
"I need to know too. But Michael, I'm scared. What if
we find out things that we don't want to know? Things
that will change us...all of us forever? I don't know
if I can handle that, can you?" asked Isabel
nervously.
"All I know is that I can't live like this anymore.
All these questions, dreams of you and me, that weird
message from your mom, all of the alien and Dupe
stuff. I'm tired of guessing and wondering. I need to
know, no matter what. I'm going to find out Isabel.
Are with me?"
Isabel looked at him and knew he had always had this
quest to find out more about them. She was not as
happy with her life as everyone thought. Sure she
loved being popular and her family, but she was lonely
too. Everyone but her had someone, and she dispaired
of ever having anyone. If this book helped to bring an
end to that, then she was with him on finding out the
answers.
"Okay Michael. Let's find out."

They opened the book and began to look, really look at
it. The pictures of the four of them as children. The
pictures of the four them as adults. And the pictures
of Tess and Isabel pregnant standing with Max and
Michael. 
"You figured out the signs to call for Nasedo Michael,
try again to decipher the book, encouraged Isabel.
"Don't you think I've tried? I just can't do it! It's
not like they gave me a code book you know! My brain
isn't tatooed with a deciphering code like Max's with
the seal!"
Isabel got up off of the bed and started for the
bathroom.
Michael rubbed his head and face. He was such an
idiot.
"Isabel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. Come
back and we'll look at the book together."
Isabel sighed as she turned to him and said,"Michael,
I'm going to take a shower. I still haven't had a good
rest yet, and I'm tired. You look at the book while I
try and wake up."
Michael nodded and began looking at the book.
He went through every page of the metal book studying
it over and over before slamming it shut.
"Damn!"
He heard Isabel still in the shower.
He knocked on the door, and it pushed open to a steamy
room.
"Hey Isabel, quit using all of the hot water. I want a
hot shower to you know."
Isabel didn't answer at first, but when she did he
could tell she was crying.
"I'll hurry Michael. Just leave okay."
Michael turned to go, and then turned back ,and walked
to the shower. He hesitated before pulling back the
curtain to reveal Isabel standing naked under the
water, her tears flowing down with the water.
"Isabel?" he asked, his breathing labored at the sight
of her.
Isabel jumped startled at Michael's invasion of her
bath.
"Michael, what the hell are you doing?!" she demanded
trying to turn away from his purusal of her body.
"I don't know," he replied dumbly.
"Well I'm not finished, so please leave", said Isabel
beginning to wish he really wouldn't.
"What?" he asked her as he licked his lips, his eyes
still on her wet body. Her rounded hips, her narrow
back, her long wet hair ,and legs that went on
forever.
Isabel turned toward him slowly until they faced each
other and said, "I'm not finished yet."
Michael took in her full, high breasts, her flat
stomach, and the V of hair that curled tight with
water drops.
Raising his eyes to hers ,he found her watching him
apprectiating her body. She refused to cover herself.
"Isabel?" he asked hoarsely.
"Michael, I'll be out in a minute."
"You were crying."
She looked away.
"I'm fine."
"You're not. Why were you crying?"
"Michael..."
"Because of me?"
Her eyes flew to his.
"Yeah I thought so."
"Michael , I'll be out in a minute."
Michael came into the shower with her,clothes and all.
"What are you doing Michael? Get out, " Isabel said
not really wanting him too.
He placed his hands on her hips ,and looked down at
her breasts heaving against his wet shirt. He then
looked in her eyes.
"Not until I do this." And he pulled her to him and
kissed her. He felt her resist at first, but then she
gave herself over to the kiss ,opening her mouth to
his searching tongue. Her arms went around his neck
,and she kissed him back enjoying the feel of his arms
around her, and his kiss that caused her to go weak.
Images flew between them of each others life since the
crash ...and before. Images of their life on the their
home planet. How they met...a Kings warrior sister and
his second in command... how Max the King, or Zan as
he had been known, had given his blessing to let them
marry... images of secret meetings, and making
love...of creating a child...of being at war...of
being attacked...images of dying together on the
battle field before they could marry ,and have their
child."
Breaking apart Michael looked in her eyes , and then
reluctuntly let her go.
"I.." he began.
"I know. I saw them too. Michael?"
"Let's get dressed and...", he tried again.
"Michael? Is that all you have to say?" asked Isabel
now afraid.
Michael averted his eyes. "Get dressed."
Isabel began to cry again as he left the room.

*******

When she left the bathroom, she found Michael dressed
,and sitting on the chair.
He looked up when she came in, and gestured toward the
bed for her to sit down.
Isabel sat down slowly watching him the whole time.
"I can't believe the whole time all we had to do was
kiss to find out a clue," he said with quiet anger.
"Are you mad at me Michael? What did I do to make you
mad at me?" asked Isabel sharply.
He looked at her intensly before answering,"I'm not
mad at you Isabel. I'm trying to figure out why this
answer came to us like that. A kiss. Why didn't Max
and Tess see the answers when they kissed? They kissed
alot. Why us?"
Isabel thought for a few minutes before going to him
,and kneeling infront of him.
"I think that it didn't work for them because they
don't have feelings for each other."
Michael's eyes went to hers as he shook his head.
"What? Tess has made no bones about Max being hers
from another life. So that doesn't fly."
"Michael, she said what Nasedo had fed her. And Max
definitely does not have feelings for her."
"But why did it work for us?" he asked beginning to
see where she was going with this.
Isabel took a breath before saying softly, "I think it
worked for us because we have feelings that are deeper
than friendship for each other. I know mine are..."
"And mine must be to for us to connect like that," he
finished for her.
"Yeah," she whispered.
"Yeah," he whispered back. "So what do we do now? I
liked the dreams Isabel, how they made me feel, but
I'm scared to of what they could mean to all of us."
"I know, I feel the same way. Maybe we should spend
some time exploring this new discovery."
Michael took her hands in his and asked,"How do we
tell Max and Maria and the others? Maria is going to
be so pissed. I love her you know...as a friend I'm
beginning to see. And well good old Max, is just going
to s*** when he finds out."
Isabel smiled slightly at that. "I don't know how we
will tell them, but I think being honest would serve
the best."
"Honest with Maria is like a kick in the head
sometimes. She wants it, but only if it's good news,"
said Michael already dreading the confrontation with
her.
"Yeah, well like you said Max won't be to happy
either."
Standing up Isabel walked to her bag and began packing
her things.
"So we're going to leave now. Just like that,"said
Michael watching her.
Looking at him in the mirror Isabel nodded as she
continued packing.
"The sooner the better. We came here to talk and to
try and get some answers, which we have done. We need
to get back and talk to the others."

Michael gathered his things, and went to pay the bill,
while Isabel waited at the bike.

********

The ride back seemed to end to soon for both of them,
for soon they pulled into the Evans' driveway.
They sat looking at the house,each lost in their won
thoughts about what had happened . Then Isabel let go
of Michael's waist, and climbed off of the bike.
"Where have you two been?" demanded Max as he startled
the other two.
Isabel looked guiltily at Max, while Michael gave him
a
don't mess with me look.
"I asked you where you've been! You sneak off in the
middle of the night for who knows where without
telling anyone, and then just show up like nothing has
happened. What if Mom and Dad had been here Isabel?
How would you have explained this? And you," he said
looking at Michael,"you just take her off like that!
What were you thinking Michael?"
"Right now I'm thinking you can just go to hell
Maxwell," drawled Michael as he leaned back on his
bike.
"Michael!" said Isabel quickly. "We don't need that
attitude...not now." She turned to Max and said,"We
went to talk and find some clues about things."
"What? You couldn't do that here? Isabel, you know
better than to encourage Michael in his schemes!"
"Max!" said Isabel through clenched teeth,"We found
out something that effects us."
At Max's startled look, Isabel went on,"We need to
talk to you and Tess."
"What did you find out? How did you..." asked Max.
"Not until Tess is here Maxwell. We don't want to tell
this more than once to you guys," said Michael.
"I'll go call her now," said Max as gave them one last
look and went inside.

"Michael, how are we going to explain just how we
found out? Max will have a fit if he finds out you
were in my bath with me...that you saw
me...naked...that you..." Isabel faltered.
Michael watched her uneasiness and said,"How I touched
you?"
"Yeah," said Isabel averting her eyes for a minute.
"We'll skip that part if we can. We'' just say we
kissed," said Michael as if that solved the problem.
"But what if they ask why we kissed? How it started?
What do we say?" persisted Isabel.
Michael looked off in exassperation, "Isabel, don't
borrow trouble! It might not come up! We'll handle it
if it does."
Isabel still had her doubts, but refrained from
harping on the subject with Michael.
"I'll see you inside," she said as he watched her go
inside.
"This is not going to go well," thought Michael as he
climbed off of his bike and went inside.

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

"Let me get this straight," said Tess as she paced.
"You saw images because you thought kissing would
bring them on? Why would you think that?"
"I agree with Tess, what would make you think that
kissing would bring on these images?"
Looking at them suspicously he asked,"Did something
happen to bring about this kiss? I just don't buy that
you thought it might work."
Michael and Isabel looked uncomfortabely at each
other.
"Isabel? Michael?" asked Max as he and Tess observed
them.
"We have to tell them Michael," said Isabel.
"Well now we do that you just confirmed their doubts!"
said Michael angrily.
Isabel gave Michael a hurt look as he looked away.
Max demanded again,"What happened that you are not
telling us?"
"Michael and I had a fight about the dreams we have
been having again..."began Isabel.
"You've had them again? Why didn't you say so?" asked
Max immediately concerned about this development.
"How long?"
"About a week..exactly the same dreams..each others
that is, but the dreams are more...vivid.
Clear...detailed," said Isabel as she looked away.
"How clear? asked Tess curiously as she came nearer.
"Like we can smell, feel, and taste each other," said
Michael baldly.
"And our baby," whispered Isabel staring unseeing
ahead of her.
"Everything? Like 'everything'? Really?" asked Tess.
"Even my baby's kicks," said Isabel quietly.
"What!? No! We decided that those were just images
brought on by the planet alignment, and they were not
real. Just plans of what could have been if we had
chosen it, but we didn't! There is no baby!" said
Max, his voice raising.
"Were you there Max? Did you feel what we did ? See
what we did? No! These were real! Very real, so don't
tell us we imagined it!" lashed Michael as he got up
to pace around the room. He knew this had been a
mistake to tell them the truth.
"So these images made you kiss?" asked Tess still
trying to figure out how it all fit together.
Max watched the other two as Tess asked this question.
They were still holding out! What had happened while
they were gone?
"Tell us," said Max, his voice brooking no
disobedience.
"Michael?" pleaded Isabel.
Michael turned around and said,"We fought, she
slept..alone" at Max's look,"and then she went to take
a shower. I had been looking at the book...yeah that's
right I took the book."
The looks Max gave him were not making this any
easier.
"And?" asked Max his patience gone.
"I thought she was using all the hot water ,and
knocked to tell her to get out. She didn't hear me, so
I went in and heard her crying,"said Michael.
"And?" asked Max his tension mounting.
"I felt the need to kiss her and so ....I got in the
shower with her and kissed her," finished Michael
quickly , yet staring Max straight in the eye.
"You what?" asked Max in a low voice.
"You got in the shower naked with Isabel?" asked Tess
intrigued at this turn of events.
"No! He had his clothes on, I was the
only...one...naked," Isabel said quickly,but ended
weakly.
"What?" questioned Max so tightly that they thought he
might blow at any minute.
"Relax Max, nothing but a kiss happened. The point is
that when we kissed we connected ,and these images
flew between us of our lives on our home planet. We
think it is because we have feelings for each other
that are stronger than just friendship," said Michael
hurriedly.
"More than friends? What does that mean?" asked Max.
"Just what he said Max. We know we were in love on our
planet. You approved our betrothal, and Michael and I
met in secret creating a child that was killed before
it was born when we were killed in battle on our
planet, " said Isabel trying to make him understand.
Max shook his head as he tried to digest all he had
heard.
"This is so hard to believe! You're asking Tess and I
to believe that the dreams are telling about our past.
I don't believe that. Liz is my future , not Tess! I'm
sorry Tess," he added quickly.
"Look Max, you made your feelings clear when I
arrived. You have Liz ,and I have Kyle now. I don't
want our destiny anymore either," said Tess.
"We aren't saying your destinies are like ours, only
that we think we connected because we do have feelings
of some kind for each other. You guys don't so you
wouldn't connect. We just don't know to what extent
this effects us," said Isabel carefully.
"You mean like being in love?" asked Tess.
Max looked at them carefully.
"What about Maria, Michael?"
"I don't know. I have feelings for her for sure, but I
think it is friendship and commom backgrounds. I don't
know actually. All I do know is that Isabel means more
to me than anybody else I know right now," he said
rubbing his hands over his face.
"Isabel?" asked Max looking at her.
"Max, you know I love Michael, I just need to know
what kind of love it is."
"No sex," Max said suddenly and vey low.
"What?" they asked him shocked.
"This love your seeking to find out about, just don't
add sex to it. We don't need that," he said feeling
embarassed at having said it.
At Michael's stricken look Max said ,"I'm serious you
guys. We don't need that. If these dreams and images
are real, we don't need a repeat of history. Isabel
got pregnant before you were able to marry..."
"Max..." began Isabel.
"I'm not saying that you guys will get married, but
you have to think of the consequences of having sex,"
said Max quickly.
"No hanky panky? This should be good," said Tess.
They all gave her a look that made he hunch her
shoulders down.
"I'm hurt that you would think I would take advantage
of Isabel, Max," said Michael drily.
"Michael no hands on anything that is covered by
clothing do we understand one another?" asked Max.
Michael stared into Max's eyes a long while before
saying, "Okay Maxwell,no touching or sex..for now," he
added as a dig to Max, causing the other to look up
quickly.
"For now?"
"You worry to much Max," said Michael.

*******

"Are you sure you want to do this alone Michael?"
asked Isabel as they watched Maria lock up the
Crashdown's front doors.
"Yeah, it's best if I do it. She might get physical,
and I don't want you being a target," said Michael as
he warily watched Maria approach.
"Okay guys, either help clean up or get out," said
Maria.
"I'm going. See you later," said Isabel giving Michael
a meaningful look as she left.
"Well Space Boy, it looks like we are all alone,"
cooed Maria to Michael as she wrapped her arms around
his neck and started to kiss him.
Michael gently, but firmly pulled her arms from around
his neck, and his lips away from her kiss.
"What's going on?" asked Maria confused.
"We have to talk," said Michael looking at her.
"Talk? Okay...so let's...talk," said Maria sitting on
the stool nest to him.
"Maria, I have to tell you something. I found out
something that I'm happy with, but might piss you
off," said Michael thinking he was softening the blow.
"Yeah..." asked Maria on alert.
"See it's like this, Isabel and I..."
"Isabel! Are you trying to tell me you want Isabel? No
that can't be it! That wouldn't be it! Not after what
we went through before!" she yelled. She turned to
face him and asked,"You're not telling me that Isabel
is who you want are you?" Tears formed in her eyes.
"Maria," he began plaintively.
"You SOB!" yelled Maria slapping him all over his head
and shoulders, causing Michael to cover his head ,and
then try to catch her flaying arms.
"Maria stop it!" yelled Michael.
Maria suddenly collapsed on the counter crying.
"Why her? Why not me?" she cried.
Michael hesitated before patting her back.
"Isabel and I found out about our past lives...how
happy we were...we had a baby. We still have some of
those feelings that we want to explore and if we can
pick up with them. We really don't know what's going
to happen, but Maria, I do love you. Your a good
friend that I'll always care for."
Maria sniffed ans sneared,"A 'good friend'. Yeah
that's me, the good friend. Go away Michael. Just go
away and find your alien lover. I bet you're sleeping
together to aren't you? That's just perfect," she
wailed.
"We are not sleeping together Maria. We haven't done
that. This is about our feelings for one another, not
sex," said Michael not wanting Maria to think that
Isabel was using sex to get him away from her.
"Leave me alone Michael."
"Goodbye Maria," said Michael sadly. 
He knew he had just lost a friend.

*********

"So how did she take it?" asked Isabel as Michael
climbed in her window much later that night.
"How do you think?" asked Michael as he lay on her
bed.
"That bad huh?" asked Isabel as she joined him on the
bed, sharing a pillow.
"That bad," he stated without giving details.
"I'm sorry Michael," said Isabel as she turned to face
him, her nose almost pressed to his.
"Yeah, me too."
They looked at each other, remembering the kiss they
shared in the shower. 
"Isabel..." Michael began in a whisper.
"Yeah?" she replied.

The connecting door to the bathroom opened and Max
came in , stopping short at seeing Michael and Isabel
on her bed looking very cozy.
"What are you doing?" asked Max in a hiss,looking
behind him."Mom or Dad could come in here, and see you
two together. Besides, I thought you promised...no
sex."
Isabel sat up, and Michael leaned on his arm.
"Max, we were only talking," said Isabel irritated
that Max had just interrupted her and Michael from who
knows what.
"Max your timing is something," said Michael.
"It looks like my timing is perfect Michael," said Max
with some anger. "Go home."
"Max! You can't ask him to leave my room!"
Michael began to head for the window.
"It's okay Isabel, I need to go anyway. I have to work
early."
Stopping, Michael headed back to the bed where Isabel
was and leaned down to pull her up to him. He kissed
her hungrily, and she responded just as hotly.
Max stood looking at them open mouthed in shock as
they continued to devour each other finally breaking
off the lengthy kiss.
"Night Isabel," he said breathlessly, his heart
pounding.
"Night Michael," she whispered as she touched her
swollen lips where his taste lingered.
"Michael!" gritted Max.
"Relax Max, it wasn't sex," said Michael as he
stumbled out the window.
Max looked at Isabel who was still in a daze.
"Oh no!"Max thought.

******

Over the next few weeks Michael and Isabel spent alot
of time together. They went to the pod chamber, the
quarry, and his apartment when ever they had spare
time and he wasn't working.
They played games, listened to music, but mostly they
talked. Really talked like they hadn't done in ages.

Michael had forgotten how insecure Isabel really was,
since she always had up her wall. She was funny too.
Her sense of humor was dry like his, so they
appreciated each others jokes. She couldn't cook, but
she could decorate with the best of them. And she had
compassion for others that she didn't like to show
incase someone got to close, and hurt her. He also had
forgotten until the trip that she was so beautiful. 
Her laughter was like sunshine to him. When she was
gone, so was the sun to him. The warmth.

Isabel hadn't realized how well read Michael was, or
how insightful. He hid his knowledge of things from
everyone so he wouldn't attract attention to himself
as anything but a poor boy. He was also very good with
his hands. He could paint, and craft things from wood
,and metal. His smile when he showed it was the making
of her day. She loved to see it, and would do things
to make him smile or laugh just so she could see it.

Slowly without them knowing it, their love for each
other grew deeper until one day each one realized they
were inlove. But did the other one feel the same?

*******

Isabel was getting dressed for bed when Michael came 
to her window.
"Is it safe from the guard dog?" he asked.
Isabel laughed and helped him in the window.
"Don't let him hear you call him that. He just cares
about us Michael, don't needle him so."
"He doesn't want me in your pants Isabel, that's what
he cares about," replied Michael kissing her.
Isabel ran her hands through Michael's hair and pulled
him closer to her enjoying the feel of his touch on
her.
Michael broke off the kiss and pulled away.
"I'm going to need a cold shower if you kiss me like
that again Isabel," said Michael shakily.
"Wanting me are you?" she said as she approached him.
"Go sit on the bed! Now! Get away from me!" demanded
Michael as he pointed to the bed.
Isabel laughed to herself, enjoying her power over
him. She went and sat on the bed.
"Why are you here Michael?" she asked when she was
settled.
"How do you feel about me? About us I mean?" he asked
her after a moments hesitation.
"Us?" she asked in a squeaky voice.
"Yeah us."
He got up to pace, he was always pacing she noticed
amused.
"I'm having feelings that are really scaring me, but I
like them too. I want to know if you feel the same,"
he said.
Isabel blushed as she realized what he was asking her.
"You want to know if I'm in love with you, or if I
still feel like a friend."
He stopped and looked at her. "Yeah."
Fear was written all over his face. Good or bad?
"If I say I'm in love with you , will that be good
news or bad?" she asked him.
"Good news ," he said walking to her slowly.
She looked like she wanted to cry.
He put his hand on her cheek, and asked,"What is it
Isabel?"
A tear began a trail down her face as she asked,"Do
you think history will repeat itself Michael?"
He knew what she meant. Would they die in battle.
"Not if I can help it Isabel. I lost you once, and I'm
not going to let that happen again. You , me, and
whoever else may come along will not be destroyed
again. I'll make sure of it!"
Isabel smiled slightly at his words, "Whoever else may
come along Michael?"
Michael blushed and said,"Yeah, whoever else may come
along. I'm in love with you Isabel. I don't know if
love carries over to other lifetimes, but I know that
I loved you before, and I love you now."
Isabel did cry then.
"Great, I tell you that I love you , and you cry," he
teased.
She laughed then and said,"I'm crying because I'm
happy,and scared. I love you too, but I'm so scared
that we'll make the same mistakes."
"I'm scared too. This is new to me. You know we are
not the same ones we were on our home planet Isabel.
We know what happened before and can work to avoid
those same mistakes."
He kissed her and held her tight.
"Isabel, your parents have always allowed me in your
home with few questions asked, how are they going to
react to us being together? I think they just tolerate
me hoping I'll finally go away."
"My parents will love you because I do. They want me
to be happy,and you make me happy."
"Not if he keeps climbing in the window of your
bedroom they won't be happy," said Max to the startled
couple. He walked over to them and said,
"So you fell in love. I guess I'm happy for you. I
just think it might be hard for you guys being so
young and all. But Isabel is right Michael, they will
accept you because she loves you. That's just the way
they are." He paused and then added," Now go home."
"Aw Max," said Isabel.
"Home Michael. Keep telling yourself it's so my
parents will like you," said Max as he closed the
window on Michael's retreating back.
"Max!" stomped Isabel.
"Isabel, go to bed," said Max gently.
"Goodnight Max."

*******

4 years later....

"Michael get the baby's bottle and bag when you come!"
called Isabel as she handed the baby to Max."
"Isabel how long are you guys going to be gone?" asked
Max, as he eyed the large stuffed bag that Michael
appeared with.
"Just a few hours, but you never know what he will
need," replied Michael putting the bag down.
"The bottles are in the fridge, so get one and heat it
to warm as he needs it Max," said Michael as he handed
one bottle to Max.
"The bag has diapers ,wipes, and blankets. Oh and
extra clothes if he messes those up," said Isabel.
"Messes them up? Why would he do that?Hey you guys,
why would he do that?" asked a paniced Max to the
retreating backs of Michael and Isabel.
"Emergency numbers in the bag Max,"called Michael as
he waved over his head and closed the door.
"Do you think the baby will be okay with Max?" asked
Isabel worriedly. "He's only a few months old Michael,
maybe we should take him with us."
Michael steered Isabel toward the SUV and helped her
inside. Getting in his own side he said,"The baby will
be fine. Max may not be , but our son will be fine.
It's play time Isabel, and I want every minute I can
get with you," said Michael hungrily.
Isabel felt herself grow heated with desire at his
look.
"Michael just what do you have planned?" she purred at
him.
"Payback for Uncle Max, and pleasure for us," Michael
growled as he kissed her ,and then pulled out of the
drive for an afternoon with his wife.

End