Title: Unexpected
Author: Lori R 5 / 2003
Email: Gussywussy55@y...
Category: Cliffhangers (Michael and Isabel)
Rating: PG (Language and some violence)
Disclaimer: I use these characters for my own
enjoyment. No infringement is intended.
Feedback: Yes, please. Good or bad.
Summary: Set after Graduation. While on the run,
Michael and Isabel find themselves brought together by
someone unexpected that helps to ingnite feelings they
never knew they had.

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

"This blows! I don't know why Max sent me with you on
this detail! He knows how much I hate it!" complained
Michael as he and Maria sat waiting for the washers to
stop so they could put the contents in dryers. He
slouched down in his chair and stuck his long lanky
legs out in front of him, ankles crossed. He folded
his arms and stuck out his bottom lip in a pout of
protest.
Maria rolled her eyes as she turned a page in the
magazine she was reading. The sound of washers in
their spin cycles suddenly ceased. She put down the
magazine and patted Michael's leg.
"Because it's our turn, Space Boy. Now quit pouting
and help me put the wash in the dryers." 
Michael relunctuntly stood up and followed Maria to
the washers. Both lifted a lid and reached in. Maria
pulled out dark colors while Michael pulled
out....pinks?
Michael kept his cool as he did a side ways look at
Maria, then quickly put the garments back in the
washer and closed the lid.
"Come on, Guerin. Stop dawdling and put those things
in the dryer," said Maria taking her load to the to an
open one.
Michael raised the lid again and placed his hand over
the contents. 
"Now Guerin!" came Maria's voice.
Michael jumped at the sound and quickly shut the lid.
He crossed his arms and leaned on the washer.
"I think they're still wet."
Maria rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips in
frustration. "Of course they're still wet. And they
won't get dried sitting in there. I swear Michael, I
have to do everything when you're around!"
She pushed a protesting Michael out of the way and
opened the lid.
Her eyes widened in horror as her mouth opened in a
soundless scream. 
She reached in and pulled out what should have been
whites for their little group of runaways.
"Oh my gawd! What have you done?" She looked at
Michael. "Michael! What did you do?"
She pulled out a now pink T-shirt and stared at him,
then thrust it in his face.
"You put a red shirt in with whites? Are you crazy?
Everyone knows you can't do that! Look at this!
Everything of ours that was white is now...pink!"
Maria was shaking she was so upset.
Michael looked at the pink mess and said with
sincerity, "I'm sorry. I didn't see it."
Maria's eyes widened at his words. "You didn't see
it?! How could you 'not' see it?!"
She threw the clothes in the dryer and slammed the
door before adding the needed coins.
"I can't believe you can't do a simple thing like
seperate the things that are not white from the wash!
I mean how hard is that!? Can your simple alien brain
not understand that?!"
Michael's face took on a look of hurt quickly covered
by indignation. "Hey! I didn't do it on purpose! I
said I was sorry AND I hated this detail! And you
can't tell me that you never made a mistake doing the
laundry!"
"When I was 10! But you've been doing your own laundry
long enough to know what to do! Geeze, Michael! You've
ruined all of it! How are we going to replace these
things? We're not exactly rolling in money!"
Michael watched her stomp back over to the chairs and
sit down. "And you're telling everyone their things
are ruined, not me!" she added when she looked up to
find him watching her.
Michael's lips tightened before he said, "Fine. It was
my mistake. I'll tell them. Now will you shut up?"
Maria's eyes narrowed as she picked up the magazine
and tuned out Michael.
He watched her another few minutes then headed to the
far end of the laundromat and hopped up on an empty
washer. 
Maria had been riding his ass again lately and it was
really pissing him off. They had been on the run from
the Special Unit for nearly 7 months and in the last 2
she had begun to ride his case just like she had in
Roswell.
He wasn't smart enough, good enough to be her
boyfriend or anything else for that matter. Yet she
wouldn't let him go either. He had begun to believe
that the only reason she stayed was because of Liz and
to have something as close to what Liz had as she
could. And he was failing her. Again.
The dryers buzzed and they quietly and glaringly
gathered the clothes and folded them. Then with ever
growing tension between them, they returned to the
others.

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

"It's....pink. Of course I only have 3 shirts, and
pink not being one of my most flattering colors it
really limits my selection," dead panned Kyle as he
held the formerly treasured item up for inspection.
Max and Liz held up pink items too and looked at
Michael and Maria. 
"Yeah...it's all pink! Thank Space Boy for that! He
thought the colors would 'magically' seperate
themselves," Maria said with a hint of sarcasam. 
"I'm sure it wasn't on purpose, Maria," said Liz
looking down at her now pink camisole.
Isabel stood holding her top with the cute little bow
tie on it. Once white, it too was now pink. She loved
that shirt because it could be worn with nearly all of
the things she had in her now small selection of
clothing.
Her first instinct was to make a sarcastic comment
about Michael and Maria and their inability to do
their assigned job. However her first time at laundry
hadn't been a piece of cake either so she quickly
squelshed any harsh words that had risen to her
tongue. Besides, the need to change her things back to
white wasn't really a problem. A wave of the hand
would take care of that. She wondered why Michael
hadn't done it already for it was a simple thing to
do.
One look at his face though and she thought she
understood why.
His expression was one of hurt, anger, and defiance
as he glared at Maria.
Max took Liz's top from her. "It's okay. We'll just
change it back to white. It's no big deal."
Maria slowly turned to Michael with her hands on her
hips. "You could have changed them back? Why the hell
didn't you? You let me go on and on and you could have
fixed this!"
Michael pushed away from the wall where he had been
leaning and said, "Yeah I could have fixed them, but
you were so busy raining down on my ass about how
typical it was of me that I didn't see the point! I
didn't do it on purpose! It was a mistake. I
apologized, but did you care? No! You just figured it
was another typical screw up of Michael's. But then I
guess you never make those because you're so damn
perfect!"
The silence was deafning. 
Michael raised his hand and made 'everything' in the
room white before he stormed out and slammed the door.
Kyle looked around and said to no one in particular,
"Mr. Clean ain't got nuthin' on him."
Isabel walked to the window just in time to catch a
glimpse of Michael as he hopped on his rebuilt
motorcycle and tore off down the road.

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

Michael sat on the banks of a little lake that he and
Kyle had found while checking out the area for things
to do. He tossed stones angrily into the water and
watched the ripples spread from his efforts.
Why did he keep trying to please Maria? She had made
it clear so many times that he wasn't her ideal. She'd
even broken up with him more times then he'd like to
count all because he wasn't the perfect boyfriend she
dreamed of. Well what the hell did she expect? She
knew what he was when she hooked up with him! But
looking back he could see where she had always tried
to change him even from the first. He should have
stood his ground and insisted she not come along, but
he had to admit that at the time he was just glad that
she wanted to be with him. Too bad he hadn't realized
in time that she just didn't want to be stuck in
Roswell all alone while the others were on the run.
A twig snap startled him out of his thoughts and he
quickly raised up and turned around with an
outstretched hand in a gesture of defense.
"I thought I might find you here," said Isabel as she
slowly walked down to where he stood.
Michael lowered his hand. "I almost killed you."
Isabel didn't say anything. She stood beside him and
looked out over the water. A gentle breeze began to
filter across the lake and she closed her eyes as it
caressed her face.
Michael walked over to a tree and pulled a leaf off a
low swaying limb. He leaned against the trunk and
began twirrling the leaf between his fingers.
"It's peaceful here," said Isabel as she opened her
eyes. "Like the harsh realities of the world have
never touched it."
Michael tossed the leaf to the ground. "What are you
doing here, Isabel?"
She turned to look at him. "What was that back there,
Michael? I haven't seen you like that since you went
after Jesse."
Michael shook his head and looked off. "Nuthin'. Just
blowing off some steam."
Isabel walked over and stood before Michael, forcing
him to look at her or walk away.
"That was more than blowing off steam, Michael. That
was anger."
Michael met her eyes with his own. "She resents me and
what I've done to her life."
Isabel nodded then looked away. She knew what he
meant. She had felt the same thing from Jesse. The
difference between her and Michael was that she had
left Jesse behind and quietly divorced him with her
Father's help. He was free to get on with his life
while she tried to survive hers. 
"Do you resent her too?"
Michael shrugged. "I don't know. Sometimes I think I
do and then others..." He shrugged again. "I don't
know."
"The way we live Michael, the closeness...it's bound
to be hard on her. It is for all of us. And Liz is
married to Max and so she's lost her best friend in a
way."
"You're taking up for her?" asked Michael rolling his
eyes.
Isabel shook her head. "No, not really. I'm just
saying that we're all punchy. Our world revolves
around the six of us and whatever jobs we can find.
It's hard on relationships."
"But Maria and I have been at each others throats
basically from day one. It's time to face facts. We're
not meant to be together," said Michael scratching his
brow.
"You stayed on Earth for her, Michael. She came became
a fugitive for you. That doesn't count for anything?"
asked Isabel.
"And you left Jesse behind and divorced him behind his
back. All it means is that we aren't meant to be with
humans," said Michael. He walked to the waters edge
and watched it lap at the toes of his boots.
"And Max and Liz? They seem to be making it work,"
said Isabel. It hurt that Max had what he wanted and
she didn't. But she pushed that thought aside and went
to stand beside Michael.
"He healed her. Made her almost like us. It's
different." Michael clinched his jaw. There whole
lives changed just because Max had healed Liz.
Isabel looked at the man beside her. "Do you ever
wonder where we would be now if Max hadn't healed Liz?
If Tess and Nasedo had never come here?"
"Sometimes." The sun reflected brightly off the water
and he shielded his eyes against the glare.
"Sometimes I wish that..."
Michael suddenly tensed. "Shhh."
Isabel tensed as well, her eyes darting around the
area. "What?" she breathed quietly as her heart began
to pound, all the while trying to act nonchallant.
"Suit. Near the pier," Michael whispered.
Isabel's eyes cut in that direction, and sure enough
sitting in a car near the pier was an FBI agent.
"Oh gawd Michael, how did they find us?" whispered
Isabel.
Michael shook his head as he tried to think of what to
do.
He quickly glanced at the suit again from the corner
of his eye. "He hasn't tried to capture us since we've
been standing here so he must be waiting for us to
lead him back to the others." He looked at Isabel.
"Did you bring the van?"
"Kyle dropped me off. I told him I would get you to
give me a ride back."
"Good. Then we're going to walk real casual like to
the bike and get on. The one thing we know for sure is
that we can't go back to the house," said Michael.
Isabel's eyes widened in understanding. The pain he
saw there was quickly covered by resolve. 
"I'm ready," she said.
Michael barely nodded as he picked up another stone
and pitched it sideways to skim across the lake. Then
he turned and casually walked to his bike, Isabel by
his side. He handed her a helmet and put one on
himself. Their eyes met before they settled on the
bike and he started it up, heading off down the gravel
road.

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

Several miles down the road, Isabel tapped Michael on
the shoulder.
Michael quickly looked in his rear view mirror and
then shook his head. 
They were still being followed.
That's when he saw the bike trail off to the left
headed up into the woods. He quickly shot the bike
across the two lane road and into the woods. 
Isabel hung on tightly to Michael as he gunned the
bike through the trees. They came to a stop behind a
stand of trees and Michael cut the engine. They looked
behind them before taking their helmuts off and
standing to stretch their legs.
"We should be safe here for a bit. He can't get that
car up here, and it will take a while to climb even if
he doesn't wait on back up," said Michael.
"We have to warn Max and the others," said Isabel
nervously pulling a cell phone from her pocket.
Michael placed his hand over hers and shook his head.
"We can't. Not yet anyway. The signal could be
traced."
Isabel nodded and slipped the phone back inside her
pocket. "What do we do Michael? Where do we go?" 
Michael folded his arm around her shoulders. "I don't
know."
"Max will be worried about us. How are we going to let
him know what's happened?" Isabel bit her lip trying
not to panic.
Michael turned to Isabel and placed his hands on her
shoulders as he met her eyes. "Max is a smart guy.
That's why he's the King. He'll know something is up
and be on alert. We just have to figure out how to let
him know we aren't captured."
When Isabel didn't say anything he added, "We have to
draw the Special Unit away, Isabel. We have to be the
bait so the others can get away."
Isabel sighed raggedly and nodded as she rolled her
eyes to keep from crying. She might never see Max
again.
"Isabel, it's going to be okay. I'm here, so we'll
watch out for each other," Michael said trying to
reassure her.
Isabel took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm okay,
Michael. Let's just do what we have to do to keep them
safe."
Michael gave her a little nod. "Okay. Let's figure out
a way to get a message to Max."

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

"They should have been back by now. It's getting dark
out," said Max as he looked out the window. He turned
back to the others in the room and asked, "Kyle,
Isabel said she was going to come back with Michael?
You're sure that's what she said?"
Kyle nodded from where he sat on the sofa. "Yeah. I
dropped her off at the lake and she said that she
would get a ride back with Guerin."
"And you didn't see anything suspicous?"
"No. Nothing," Kyle replied.
Max turned to Liz. "I don't like it. They've been gone
too long."
Liz put her hand on Max's arm. "He was really upset,
Max. Maybe it's just taking longer than Isabel
thought. I'm sure their okay."
"Michael has tantrums all the time. That's Michael.
What makes this time any different?" asked Maria from
where she sat near Kyle.
"I have to agree with Max. The guy was really upset.
Royally pissed," said Kyle.
Maria rolleyed her eyes. "Okay, so I was a bit hard on
him. When have we not been on each others case before?
It's what he and I do."
"You were really hard on him this time, Maria," said
Liz quietly.
Maria stared at Liz, then nodded in agreement. "So
what makes Isabel think that she can get him back here
anyway?" asked Maria. "Michael's not exactly one you
can reason with."
Max looked at her and simply said, "Because it's
Isabel."
Maria frowned and folded her arms. That wasn't what
she wanted to hear.
Max looked back out the window. 
"They're okay, Max. I know they are," Liz reassured
him again as she lay her head on his arm.
"I hope so." But Max wasn't so sure.

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

The woods.....

Isabel rubbed her eyes and stood up. It was really
dark and cool in the woods, but they didn't dare try
to make a fire for fear the light would draw
attention. 
"We've been hiding in these woods for hours, Michael.
We are no closer to figuring out how to get a message
to Max than before. He must be going crazy by now."
Michael tossed down the stick he had been poking holes
in the ground with and stood up too.
"We should take turns getting some rest. Maybe an idea
will come to one of us if we're rested. I'll take the
first watch."
Isabel nodded and sat down by a tree. "Do you think
the Special Unit will find us?"
Michael shrugged as he sat down beside her. "I don't
know. We just have to hope they won't. Now just try to
get some sleep." He pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Try to have sweet dreams."
Isabel nodded and gave a small humorless laugh. "Yeah,
right." She closed her eyes and settled her head on
Michael's shoulder. It wasn't long before her eyes
shot open and she sat up.
"What's wrong?" asked Michael.
"That's it! The way to let Max know what's going on!
I'll dream walk him! Like when he was in the white
room!" exclaimed Isabel excitedly.
Michael nodded thoughtfully. "That just might work.
You think you can really do it?"
"I can try." 
"Then sweet dreams, Isabel," said Michael guiding her
back down to his shoulder.
Isabel snuggled against Michael until she was
reasonably comfortable and soon was seeking out Max's
dreams.

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

"Max, come to bed," pleaded Liz. Max hadn't moved from
the window and had finally stopped trying to call
Isabel's cell phone. 
"Where are they, Liz? Why isn't Isabel answering her
phone?" He shook his head. "Something's wrong. I can
feel it."
Liz walked up behind him and put her arms around his
waist as she lay her head on his back. "I'm beginning
to think you're right. It's not like Isabel to not
answer her phone."
"What if they're hurt? Or worse?" asked Max with
anguish.
"Don't think like that, Max! They're fine. We have to
believe that! Now, come to bed. You can't help them if
you're exhausted," said Liz tugging at his hand.
Max looked out the window one more time and then
nodded as he reluctuntly followed Liz to bed.


Max tossed fitfully as he tried to find some rest, but
worries of Isabel and Michael returned to haunt him.
When he finally fell into some sort of sleep it was
soon invaded by Isabel.

"Max....Max!" called Isabel!
Max opened his eyes in his dream and saw Isabel
standing beside his bed.
"Isabel!?" he asked groggily.
"I'm in your dream, Max, so listen well. I don't have
much time. The Special Unit has found us. Michael and
I are trying to draw them away from all of you, so you
and the others need to get out. Move someplace else 
as quickly as you can!"
Max shook his head. "What are you talking about?
They're here? We can't leave you and Micheal! I
won't!"
"You have to, Max! They've already seen us and we're
hiding right now, but it won't be long until they find
us again. Now take the others and get out. I'll visit
your dreams again to let you know what's going on."
She reached out to him as if to touch him, her eyes
bright with unshed tears. "Max, in case....in case
something happens and Michael and I...if we don't.."
"Don't say that! I'll come for you and Michael! Tell
me where you're at and I'll be there!" said Max
urgently. He couldn't believe this was happening.
Isabel shook her head. "No, Max. I'm not going to put
you in danger too. Take the others and get them to
safety. You're all they have." She looked around. "I
have to go now. I love you." She touched her lips and
held her hand out to him. Then before Max could
answer she was gone.


Max woke up in a cold sweat calling Isabel's name,
tears blurring his vision.
Liz sat up and touched his arm. "Max, what is it?"
"Isabel...she dream walked me. She said the Special
Unit is here and has found them."
Liz's eyes grew round. "What?! They've been
captured?!"
Max shook his head as he wiped at his eyes. "No, not
yet. They're trying to draw their attention from us so
we can move away from here." He rolled his eyes as the
tears gathered in his eyes. "She wouldn't tell me
where they were so I could help them. She....it was
like she was telling me good-bye."
Liz sat in shock at what Max was telling her. They had
been living quietly for several months now in this
little town and now they'd been found. 
"What do we do now, Max?"
Max took a deep breath and wiped at his tears. "We
gather what we can and move out tonight. Go wake Maria
and I'll get Kyle. And we'll hope that Isabel and
Michael escape."
Liz nodded as Max squeezed her hand before they went
to prepare their friends for departure.

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

Isabel opened her eyes and blinked as she woke slowly
from her dream. 
"Did it work?" asked Michael when she lifted her head
from his shoulder.
She nodded. "Yes."
Michael looked relieved. 
"Your turn to get some rest," said Isabel.
Michael shook his head. "I'm not tired. Besides what
you did wasn't really sleep. You were only out about
an hour."
"Michael..." 
"I'm fine. Look, if you're not going to sleep...really
sleep, then we need to move on before they come back.
We've been here too long as it is," he told her as he
stood up and reached down to lend her a hand up.
Isabel looked up at him then took his offered hand and
stood up. 
"Michael, where are we going to go?"
"I'm not sure, but any place is better than here.
Let's go."


They hadn't gone far when they came to the backside
edge of the woods.
Michael stopped the bike and looked around before
slowly heading out on the road.
He drove with Isabel leaning against him tightly for
almost an hour before he pulled into a MiniMart
parking lot. He stopped the bike and took off his
helmet while Isabel did the same.
"It's kind of risky stopping so soon, but we need
food," he told her.
"And a restroom," said Isabel sighing.
"Do what you have to do and I'll get some food. Make
it quick though. I don't like stopping so soon,"
Michael told her as they walked inside.
Isabel quickly made a beeline for the restroom sign in
the back of the store while Michael picked up drinks
and small snack items. He was just putting his
purchases on the counter when the door opened and two
men entered in dark suits.
"Shit," thought Michael to himself as he tried to stay
calm. He watched the men move around the store picking
up items then putting them back before settling on
some chips and drinks. They moved behind Michael to
wait in line.
Michael moved his purchases to the side. 
"Go ahead. I forgot something," he said not looking
up. He walked to the candy asile and pretended to hunt
for candy while glancing between the men and the
restroom.
The men paid for their items and left just as Isabel
opened the restroom door and came out.
Michael quickly made his way to her and took her arm
as he whispered in her ear, "Suits."
Isabel's eyes darted around nervously then caught
sight of the men out the window getting in their car.
"Hey! Are you two going to pay for this stuff?" called
out the man behind the register.
"Yeah! I just needed some gum," Michael answered as he
ushered Isabel to the front.
He paid for the items while Isabel watched out the
window.
"Ready?" he asked. But his eyes were asking if all was
clear.
Isabel nodded. "Ready."
They climbed back on the bike after stowing away their
purchases.
Michael started the bike and they headed further away
from Max and their friends.

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


That night.........

They had spent the day on the back of the motorcycle
and Isabel was sore.
Michael had finally spied a lake off in the distance
and they had crossed into what they assumed was
someones private property. 
"This is illegal, Michael. It's trespassing."
"I know, but we don't have a choice. We need the rest
and some place they won't find us."
They didn't dare make a fire so they ate by moonlight
their sparse dinner of Cokes, chips, and Twinkies
flavored with Tobasco.
"I feel grungy," said Isabel wiping her face with her
hands. "I wish I had my brush and some soap. A good
moisturizer too."
Michael reached in the storage compartment on the back
of his bike and pulled out something and tossed it to
Isabel.
"Sorry I didn't think of soap."
Isabel managed to catch what was thrown to her in the
dark and looked at him in surprise.
"Where did you get this?"
Michael shrugged. "I bought it back at the store. I
thought you might want to get the tangles out from the
ride." 
Isabel smiled greatfully in the darkness. "Thanks." 
Michael never failed to surprise her.
"You know I'll keep watch if you want to go over there
to the lake and clean up. Just don't be too loud,"
Michael told her as he leaned back on a log.
"Really?" asked Isabel longingly. She could just feel
that cool water on her body relaxing her muscles.
"Go," ordered Michael picking up a Twinkie and shoving
it in his mouth. He grinned at her, the white foamy
filling sqeezing through his teeth.
Isabel nodded and hurried over to the lake.
Michael slowly closed his mouth as he watched her. He
was worried. If it had just been him hiding from the
Special Unit it wouldn't be so bad. He could take care
of himself. But with Isabel along it was different.
She required rest that he didn't need and little
things like brushes and baths. Sure she had killed
Whitiker back in Roswell, and she held her own in the
fights they had, but it worried him that she was
caught on the run with him. If they were caught and
something happened to her he would never forgive
himself.

He heard light splashes and his attention was drawn to
the water. 
Isabel had entered the water and if he was making out
her form right she was....naked!
Michael frowned as he stood up and walked near where
she had entered the water. There on the ground were
her clothes. All of them. 
He blinked then looked out at the water. 
He couldn't see details, just a silhouette of Isabel's
cuvaceous body in the moon lit water.
Isabel glided in the water and then stood up and
smoothed her hands over her face and hair to remove
the droplets of water that clung there.
Michael swallowed as he made out the tips of her
nipples and how erect they were from the cold water.
He shook his head. "Pervert!" he scolded himself.
"It's Isabel." He turned and walked back to the log,
but not before Isabel saw him. She quickly ducked
lower in the water then realized Michael was walking
away.
She slowly stood up and then quickly made her way to
her clothes and dried off the best she could with her
shirt before putting her other clothes on. She carried
the damp shirt with her back to where Michael sat.

"Clean?" he asked, without looking up, paying little
attention to what she was doing. What little he had
seen at the water had burned itself in his brain and
made his imagination go places he wasn't wanting it
too. Hell, he was a normal, green blooded male! It
would be strange if some of those thoughts didn't
cross his mind after what he saw.
"Yeah. Thanks," she replied quietly. She looked
around for a branch and hung her damp shirt on it. She
sat down across from Michael with her back to a small
tree and picked up the brush and began tugging at the
tangles there.
Michael finally made himself look at her. She sat
there in her jeans and bra and nothing else.
He swallowed hard and his eyes widened at the shadowy
sight of her full breasts moving as she brushed the
tangles in her hair.
"Where's your shirt?" he asked huskily, his brows
furrowing.
Isabel stopped brushing her hair and pointed at the
shirt on the branch.
"I dried off with it and now it's wet." She looked at
Michael and crossed her arms over her chest though she
doubted he could see anything. "Is it making you
uncomfortable?" Because it was her. She felt so naked
sitting there in just her bra and jeans, but she had
no choice unless she put the wet top back on and she
didn't relish that thought.
Michael shook his head as he stretched and shifted his
now tight jeans. "No, I'm not uncomfortable." Liar. "I
was just wondering why you didn't use your powers to
dry it off."
Isabel had begun to brush her hair again and stopped
in mid stroke. "What?"
"Why didn't you use your powers to dry it?"
Isabel felt the heat of embarrassment quickly cover
her face. She had been so intent on drying off after
catching Michael watching her bathe that she
completely forgot she could use her powers to dry off.
She felt like an idot.
"I..I don't ...I don't know. I guess I ...forgot.
Being on the run and...all." Even to her ears it
sounded lame.
Michael got up and fetched her shirt, drying it with
his own powers before handing it to her.
"So you don't get cold."
Isabel took the shirt. "Thanks." 
Michael tried not to watch as Isabel quickly put the
shirt on and went back to brushing her hair. 
"It's getting late and we need to move before the sun
comes up so we aren't found. We need to get some
sleep," said Michael sitting back down carefully.
Isabel nodded and got up to put the brush back in the
storage. As she walked back to where she had been
sitting she couldn't resist a shiver from the cool air
coming off the water.
Michael sighed. "You're shivering."
Isabel nodded as she hugged herself. "I don't know if
it's from being cold or scared." 
She shivered again and rubbed her arms.
There was an edge of hysteria in her voice as she
said, "Michael, what if they don't follow us and go
after the others instead? Or what if they catch us?
The way that Max refused to talk about 'the White
Room' and the things I saw that they did to him there
when I dreamwalked him... I'm just so scared." 
Michael stared at Isabel as she began to lose it. He'd
seen her upset before, but now she was shaking
uncontrollabley. "Come here," he ordered as he patted
the ground beside him.
Isabel rushed over to him and moved in close to
Michael as he put his arms around her. He placed his
chin on the top of her head and said soothingly, "I
know you're scared. Hell, I am too. I don't know who
they're going to follow, but we have a better chance
of protecting ourselves than the others do. Only Max
has powers that can protect them and he has too many
watch after. We really need it to be us they come
after if that's what they're going to do."
"And they will come won't they, Michael?" It was
really more of a statement then a question that Isabel
asked in a soft whisper.
Michael swallowed hard. He was as scared as Isabel
was. His thoughts kept going to what he'd seen of Max
in the White Room too. The thought of that happening
to Isabel or to him made him sick inside. 
"Close your eyes, Isabel. I'm here and I've got you.
Just close your eyes and rest," whispered Michael as
he pressed his lips to her hair. 
Isabel heard the fear in his voice and that made her
more frightened. A tear began a lonely trail down her
cheek as she struggled not to let the others fall.


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


A click of guns awakened them.
The sound echoed in the woods by the lake and drove
fear deep into their hearts.
Michael and Isabel opened their eyes to see guns
trained at their heads by men in uniforms.
"If you move we will kill you," said the man in front
calmly.
Michael and Isabel stared, both afraid to move even an
inch for fear the man was telling the truth.
"You will put your hands behind your heads and get up
slowly!"
Michael and Isabel complied, the fear so tight in
their bellies that they thought they might get sick.
"Look, I don't know who you think we...." Michael
began. The butt of a rifle hit him hard upside his
head and sent him crashing back to the ground
unconscious. 
"MICHAEL!" screamed Isabel bending down towards him.
The butt came down on the back of her head and she
fell silently on top of Michael.
"Don't damage them. They want them alive and in good
condition," said the man in front as he gazed down on
the two heaped at his feet in the dirt. With the toe
of his boot he kicked Michael's shoe before turning
and walking away.


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


Isabel groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. Her head
ached something awful. 
"Michael?" she whispered as she struggled to sit up.
She found Michael laying unconscious beside her and
reached over to shake him. "Michael." 
Isabel grabbed her head. It was spinning and a sharp
pain was threatening to split it into.
Michael didn't move and that frightened Isabel more
than she already was.
"Michael! Michael, please wake up!"
Michael could hear Isabel's voice calling to him, but
the effort to concentrate on what she was saying was
killing his head. It felt like it was going to come
off. With an effort he said, "Don't yell."
Isabel sighed with a small measure of relief. "Thank,
God! I was afraid..." She looked around then whispered
with fear, "White Room."
Michael's eyes opened at her words. "No way. That was
taken out when Tess...." He looked around. His worst
nightmares were coming true. He slowly sat up and 
looked at Isabel and the fear he saw there echoed his
own, but with more intensity. They both knew that Max
had refused to discuss The White Room, and they had
respected that. But only Isabel had been inside Max's
head while he was held there and knew just what
horrible things were done to him. Things that Max had
hoped neither of them would ever endure.
Michael leaned over and put his arm around Isabel,
though the movement made him reel with dizziness. She
was shaking.
"They rebuilt it because of us. They want to torture
us, and do experiments on us and......kill us," said
Isabel, her voice rising with an edge of hysteria, but
ending with a whisper. 
Michael wanted to tell her that she was wrong, but he
couldn't. He was thinking the same things.

Suddenly the room was full of men in containment suits
reaching to pull the two aliens apart. 
"NO!" screamed Isabel as she kicked and fought the
men. "MICHAEL!!!"
"LET HER GO!!!! LEAVE HER ALONE YOU BASTARDS!!!"
Michael yelled as he stuggled with the men holding
him. 
One man stood alone, and with a simple flick of his
wrist the others took the two aliens out seperate
exits and away from one another.


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


Isabel lay on the examing table with tears sliding
silently out the corners of her eyes.
They had ripped her from Michael's arms and brought
her here to this sterile room and filled her with
drugs that wouldn't let her move let alone use her
powers. They had stripped her and left her naked on
the table, strapped down covered with a sheet. 
She could feel someone beside her head, but couldn't
turn to see who. 
"P...please. Please d-don't....hur-t me. Please," she
thought in her head over and over. If she could
vocalize the words she would have begged, but even her
ability to speak had been taken from her.
Lights came on over head and people gathered around
her, each with their own agenda. 
The sheet came off and her legs were placed in
stirrups as the table under her suddenly shortened.
"Oh gawd no!" cried Isabel inside. 
Then hands and instruments were prodding and probing
and needles were taking samples and then it was over. 
With the blessed help of the drugs used to keep her
subdued she closed her eyes and left her degradation
behind to slip into darkness.

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


Michael's body jumped and he let out the scream he
could no longer contain as volts of electricity poured
into his already abused body. 
"Enough," came the voice of his tormentor and saviour,
ending the torture that had been inflicted on him.
"Bring me the lab results as soon as they are ready,"
the voice ordered. "And get him out of here."
Michael flinched as hands released his bonds and
dragged him from the room and down a long hallway.
They placed him into a room that was just as sterile
as the rest and left.
He felt soft hands on his head, caressing him and
heard a sob that drove a knife down into his soul.
He turned his head and saw Isabel lying beside him 
looking at him with tears in her eyes. 
He swallowed hard. 
She closed her eyes then opened them and said, "They
hurt you," as her fingers traced the bruises on his
face.
Michael closed his eyes and let her fingers soothe
him. He hoped she hadn't gone through what he had. She
didn't appear to have outward signs like he did, but
something about her haunted look told him they had
harmed her in some way. 
He opened his eyes after a minute and asked, "What did
they do to you?"
Her eyes took on a vacant look and her fingers
stopped their soothing rythum.
"Isabel, what did they do to you?" Michael asked as he
saw the emptiness in her eyes.
"Nothing," she said quietly, as she once again focused
on him and continued to lightly caress his brow. 
He caught her hand in his and held it still as he
looked into her eyes and asked again. "What did they
do to you?"
Isabel looked off then back into his eyes. He wasn't
going to leave this alone. 
"They...examined me."
Michael's brow furrowed. "What do you mean they..." 
He stopped as comprehension dawned. He let go of her
hand and placed his on her cheek to wipe away a tear. 
"Can you get up?" she finally asked him so he wouln't
stare at her anymore.
"Why? Is there somewhere to go?" he asked with
unintended sarcasm.
Isabel shook her head. "No."
"Then I'll just stay right here. I don't think I could
get up if I wanted too."
"Do you think we'll get our powers back soon?" she
asked him as she tried to heal a bruise on his arm.
"Not if they don't want us too," he replied. "They
drugged us pretty heavy. And then what they did to
me...."
He looked away at the memory. "Now I know why Max
never talked about what happened to him." 
He looked at Isabel almost accusingly. "You should
have told me. You knew what they did to him." 
Isabel nodded as she wiped her eyes. "I see that now.
I was just trying to respect Max's wishes. I was
wrong. I'm sorry."
Michael nodded as he accepted her apology. He shifted
on the floor and pain ran throughout his body. He
grimmaced. 
Isabel gently touched a bruise. "I wish I could help
you."
Michael smiled a bit for her benefit. "I'll be okay.
It'll just take longer to heal is all."
Isabel bit her lip. Michael looked bad. Real bad and
it scared her. Who knows what damage he had inside.
"Does it hurt if I touch you?" she asked. 
He shook his head. "No. In fact, it feels nice.
Soothing." 
Isabel lay close to Michael and put her head next to
his. She began to stroke his hand. 
Michael sighed, and though he fought it her gentle
touch relaxed him enough to fall into an exhausted
sleep.
For Isabel there was no rest. She continued her watch
over Michael long after the lights in the room threw
them into darkness.


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


Hours later the sound of the overhead lights clicking
on and their sudden brightness made Isabel blink and
raise a hand to shield her eyes. 
Michael raised a hand to his eyes as well at the rude
awakening.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"I don't know," whispered Isabel as she sat up. 
Men in containment suits began to file into the room
and look down at them.
One stepped forward and took off his head covering and
spoke. He was the one from before. The one in charge.
"You look to be human in every way except blood.
You're hearts, lungs, everything is like ours...
except your blood. Why is that?"
"We don't know what you're talking about," said
Michael struggling to sit up.
The man smiled then pulled Michael's head back with a
jerk of his hair. His mouth breathed moist foul air on
Michael's skin as he said, "Don't play with me! You'll
only make it harder on yourselves! Tell me what I want
to know!" 
"He told you the truth! We don't know! What's wrong
with our blood?" cried Isabel as she was held back
from helping Michael.
The man pushed Michael away.
"The act is over. It's very clever how you were sent
here to look like us. Live like us. Procreate like
us."
When Michael and Isabel didn't respond he said, "Is
that how you will try to take over Earth? Create your
armies by bearing children to look like us? Take over
by blending in?"
When he still got no reaction from Michael and Isabel
he said, "We have the boy! We know what you are trying
to do! How you plan to take over!"
Michael shook his head. "Man, I don't know who or what
you think we are, but we aren't trying to take over
anything. We don't know what you're talking about."
"Bring him in!" the man ordered.
A woman entered the room carrying a baby. 
Isabel barely suppressed a gasp. 
Zan.
"We know that the other male fathered this boy. His
mother killed herself when she blew up our facility. 
Are there more of you out there? Are there more
children? How big are your armies? Answer me!"
Michael shook his head. "I don't know whose kid you've
got or why you think we should know all of the answers
to these weird questions you're asking, but dude,
you've made a big mistake."
The man walked over to Michael and pulled out a
scalpel. 
"Then if we kill this child it won't matter to you at
all? He means absolutely nothing to you?"
Michael felt sick. What was he to do?
"You're going to murder an innocent kid just because
you think we're some kind of aliens or something? 
Then you're fucked up man!"
The man took the baby and put the scalpel to its
throat and pressed. The baby began to cry as a thin
line of blood appeared on his neck. 
"DON'T! Please don't!" cried Isabel. She looked at
Michael for understanding. "I'm sorry. I can't let him
kill him." She pressed her fingers to her mouth. "I'm
sorry."
Michael nodded. He was about to give it all up
himself when the guy pressed the scalpel to Zan's
throat. 
He couldn't let this guy kill Max's kid.
"It's okay." He looked at the man who still held Zan. 
"He's innocent. Don't kill him. Please."
The scalpel was lowered and the child taken away.
"Tell me what I want or next time he dies."

Isabel was more scared than she ever thought possible.
She and Michael knew that they could die to protect
the others, but now that they were aware of Zan being
here they couldn't leave him to the Special Unit. They
had to fight to get him out of here.
"We don't know anything. If we're different we don't
know why," said Isabel.
"I'm getting very tired of hearing this," the man said
with annoyance.
"We can't tell you what we don't know! How many times
do we have to say it?!" said Michael as he held his
side.
With frustration in his eyes and a flick of his hand
the man and the those with him left.

Isabel knelt beside Michael. 
"How did they get Zan? Michael, we have to get him out
of here!" Isabel whispered anxiously.
"You think I don't know that!? I knew that Tess having
that kid was a mistake but I never dreamed this would
be why," said Michael.
Isabel bit her lip. "Michael, he's innocent. It could
very easily have been our child that was being held
now, not Max's. We have to save him. And it doesn't
matter if he's alien or human, they have no right to
hold him."
Michael sighed as he rubbed his head. "I know. I know.
I'm just...pissed. I feel so damned useless!"
"How are we going to get out of here AND get Zan?"
asked Isabel. 
"I don't know. This guy is ten times worse than Pierce
ever thought about being. Unless a miracle happens no
one is getting out," said Michael.


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

On the road somewhere going East....

"Max, it's been three days and Isabel still hasn't
come to you again. I think we have to face the facts
that Isabel and Michael might be..." 
"NO! Liz, don't you say it! I won't believe it!" said
Max shaking his head and gripping the stearing wheel
as he drove the van east. They had changed the color
again and some of the stickers to throw anyone off
that might be following them.
"Max, she's right. They could be dead." Kyle looked at
Maria who was staring at him wide eyed. "What? Someone
has to say the words. They could be dead. I don't
want it to be true, but we have to face that
possiblity."
"No. No, they're not dead. I would know if they were
and I can feel it in my heart that they're not dead,"
said Max firmly as he clung to his belief.
Liz looked back at Kyle and Maria before looking at
Max and touching the back of his neck. "Okay, Max. If
you believe it then we'll believe it too."
Kyle and Maria exchanged glances then looked out their
respective windows at the scenery that rolled by.

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


The lights had been out for what seemed like hours
when Michael asked, "Are you awake?"
"Yes."
"You should sleep. I know you didn't sleep the past
two black outs and you need to sleep," said Michael.
"I'm worried about Zan."
"Me too."
Isabel couldn't keep back the sob that escaped when
she whispered, "He's an innocent baby, Michael. How
could he cut him like that? Zan was so scared when he
hurt him."
Michael put his arm around her and pulled her closer
before placing his lips against her brow. "I don't
know, but somehow he will pay for it."
Isabel wiped her eyes. "When I saw them bring Zan in I
almost died."
"I know." What he didn't tell Isabel was that his
fears for her safety increased when he saw Zan and
what that Bastard did to him. If they would harm an
innocent child then nothing would stop them from doing
worse to Isabel. And the condition he was in after
being tortured he wasn't sure he could protect her.
A light quickly appeared then disappeared alerting
them to someone else in the room.
"Who's there?" demanded Michael sitting up and pushing
Isabel back.
"Ssshhhhh! I have to be quick so listen to me!" came a
woman's voice from the darkness.
"Who are you?" asked Isabel from behind Michael's
back.
"If I help you escape will you take the child with
you?" asked the woman urgently.
Michael and Isabel tensed at the request. 
"Why?" asked Michael suspicously. "Would you help us?"
"What they're doing...it's wrong. I don't know if you
are what they say you are, but I can't stand by and
watch him harm that child again. I want you to get him
out of here! Will you do it?"
Michael felt Isabel's hand grip his arm. 
"Just get us out of here and we'll take him with us,"
agreed Michael.
"I'll be back when the shift changes in a few hours."
Then the light and the voice were gone just as
suddenly as they had come.
"Can we trust her?" asked Isabel.
"We have to. We have no other options open to us,"
Michael replied. He lay back down and drew Isabel with
him. "We need rest. Go to sleep, Isabel. Who knows
when we'll get another chance."
But neither could force the sleep they so desperately
needed.


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


Though they were expecting the light to alert them to
their eminent departure, they were still surprised
when it came.
"Hurry! You must come with me before they know what
I've done," whispered the woman as she looked behind
her. "If we aren't out soon we'll never get out."
Michael got to his feet with Isabel's help and 
hurried to the door. A quick look outside and they
made their escape. 
"Where's the baby?" asked Isabel. "You said we would
take him with us."
"In the next room. I couldn't chance he would cry when
I came for you. It will be up to you to keep him quiet
while we get you out of here," the woman told her. She
took a card from her white coat pocket and slid it in
the ID scanner. Then placing her hand on another
portion of the scanner the door slid open and they
hurried into a sterile room not unlike the one Michael
and Isabel had been held in. The difference here was a
baby bed, and it was from there that Zan watched them
curiously as he put his fist in his mouth.
"Get him while I check to see if the coast is clear,"
the woman ordered.
Isabel smiled down at Zan and picked him up. She
hugged him to her and kissed his soft head. 
"I've got you, Zan. I'll protect you," she whispered.
She looked up to find Michael watching her. "We both
will."
Michael nodded then placed his hand behind Isabel's
back when the woman whispered sharply, "Let's go!"
They headed back out into the hall and down corridors
that seemed to go in a maze. 
"How much further?" asked Michael looking behind him.
His side was aching and a streak of fear was crawling
up the back of his neck. He slid his other arm around
Isabel and hurried her along.
"One more corridor," the woman told them. 
Suddenly gun shots rang out ahead of them and alarms
sounded. The woman had rounded the corner before
Michael and Isabel and caught the gun fire. She
clutched at the wall as she fell, a streak of blood
running down the wall behind her. 
Michael and Isabel quickly hugged their bodies to the
wall they were on to keep from being seen.
"Oh my gawd, Michael!" Isabel held Zan's head to her
as the baby began to whimper. "Shhhh!" she whispered
fearfully as she bounced the baby.
"This way!" Michael pulled her into a room and placed
his hand on the door. "Please work!" he prayed.
His powers were starting to come back! They were
strong enough to allow him to seal the door. He sighed
with relief then turned to Isabel. "We're screwed, you
know that don't you?"
Isabel's eyes widened at his words before nodding her
head. She looked down at Zan and prayed that a miracle
would happen.


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


A rest stop along the road.......

Kyle approached Maria where she sat on the top of a
picnic table. He sat beside her in silence a moment
before asking, "So do you think they're dead?"
Maria shook her head. "I don't know. I don't want it
to be true, but why hasn't Isabel contacted Max
again?"
Kyle nodded. "How do you feel if it's true? I bet it's
hard."
Maria nodded tearfully. "Yes. Things were changing
between us, you know. We were growing apart. But I
never wanted him hurt. Not any of them."
"Yeah, I know." Kyle put his arm around her shoulder.
"They're going to be okay. I feel it. Guerin's to
stubborn to die." 
"It's all my fault if they are," Maria said, then
cried on the shoulder Kyle offered her.


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


Michael looked up. "The ceilings the only other way
out. They know it and we know it."
"I can't crawl through there with a baby, Michael,"
said Isabel as she held the sleeping child in her
arms.
"I'm counting on them thinking the same thing." He
knelt down beside Isabel and looked at Zan. "If we're
going to save him and ourselves we have to go up. It's
our only chance."
Isabel glanced up at the ceiling with dread and down
at Zan before nodding to Michael. "Okay."
Michael dragged chairs and boxes as quietly as he
could then took Zan from Isabel. "Up you go."
Isabel climbed up to the top chair and then pulled
herself into the vent opening in the ceiling. Michael
climbed up carefully then handed Zan up to Isabel from
his precarious perch. 
With great effort he hoisted himself up and lay just
inside the vent in pain from the exertion. 
"Michael?" asked Isabel anxiously. Her concern grew
when beads of sweat popped out on his skin.
"I'm okay. Just start moving," said Michael motioning
her to follow him.
With one arm Isabel crawled along the vent behind
Michael, the other arm cradling Zan close to her body.
Thankfully the baby seemed to sense the gravity of the
situation and remained silent. 
They seemed to crawl forever when Michael stopped.
They heard voices and running footsteps in the
corridors and froze, holding their breaths until 
silence came again. They moved on until Michael
motioned that they would stop again. He pushed out the
vent cover and dropped himself down to the floor of a
boiler room. He smothered a groan of pain and
reached up for Zan. Isabel lowered the child down and
Michael held him until Isabel dropped down. He looked
at Zan and for a brief moment wondered if his and
Isabel's child would have looked like he did in their
dreams. 
"Michael?"
Isabel's voice broke into his thoughts and he shook
his head as he handed Zan to her. 
"Let's go."

They found a door and Michael cautiously opened it.
Another tunnel. Their shoulders slumped visibly. They
braced themselves and hurried through it, the light
dim and almost non-exsistent along the way. Water
puddles and the sound of mice scurrying gave them hope
until they reached a dead end.
"Damn!" Michael said angrily. 
"Do we go back?" Isabel asked as Zan began to cry.
"To what? Sure death?! We can't go back!" Michael
leaned against the wall in exhausted frustration. He
looked up tiredly and squinted at what he saw. He
pushed away from the wall smiling. "Miracles do
happen."
Isabel followed his gaze and asked, "Can you make it?"
Michael nodded. "I'll make it."
They put Zan on the ground and Michael bit back the
pain as he hoisted Isabel up. 
She pushed off the man hole cover and was greeted by
the fresh night air. She pulled herself up and leaned
down on her belly for Zan. 
Michael looked at the hole above him. Could he do it?
His ribs were killing him and his energy was about
gone. 
"Michael? Are you coming?" Isabel's voice asked
worriedly. She would never be able to get him out
alone. She hadn't the strength.
"Yeah," he called up to her. He took a deep breath and
jumped up almost screaming at the pain it caused him
when his weight hung by his stretched up arms. He
clung precariously to the edge of the opening as he
struggled to climb out. 
Isabel placed Zan on the ground and grabbed Michael's
arms and began to pull. Between both of them
struggling Michael finally made it onto the ground
beside Isabel. Both were panting hard from the effort
"Thanks," Michael managed to get out.
"Are you okay?" she was worried about him. She knew he
was in more pain than he was letting on. 
"Yeah." He looked around. He could see the lights
scanning the grounds and hear the alarms. "You know
this is outside the perimeter. We're outside their
visual scope," he said effectively sweeping her
concern away. He had to stay strong or he'd never
make it.
"How can that be?" asked Isabel.
"I don't know, but we are. Let's get out of here
before they send search teams outside the line," he
told her as he got up. 
Isabel grabbed Zan, who had gotten up and toddled over
beside them, and they hurried off into the night.


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

Hours later.........


"I'll take him a bit so you can rest," offered
Michael.
Isabel shook her head. "I don't mind holding him. I
like it." She kissed Zan's head as he slept in her
arms. She had healed the cut on his neck once they
were away and the child now slept peacefully.
"You're good with him," Michael noticed. She would
make a great Mother if she was ever given the chance.
A quick vision from their dreams of their child and
Isabel popped into his head. He shook his head to
clear it.
"He needs changing," Michael pointed out as he sniffed
the air around Zan and Isabel.
Isabel nodded. "I know, but there's nothing we can do
about it."
Michael pulled off his white scrub shirt. "Here."
Isabel couldn't bite back a gasp at seeing Michael's
body. "Oh my gawd! Michael, why didn't you tell me it
was this bad?!"
While her hands had healed his bruises, they couldn't
touch his insides like Max's could. It was very
apparent that his ribs were very badly broken. How he
kept on moving was beyond her.
"Why? There's nothing you could do," he told her. 
"We need to contact Max again. He needs to know what's
going on!" said Isabel.
"No! Not until we're far enough away," Michael told
her.
"But we don't know when that could be and we need to
get you help now!" argued Isabel.
Michael changed the subject. "Change Zan while I work
on changing these to something besides white," he said
indicating the scrubs they had on.

Isabel busied herself changing the sleeping baby, but
all the while her mind was on Michael. His ribs looked
terrible. She didn't know how he stood the pain, and
she could tell they were painful.
"He needs food," she told Michael as she turned to
Michael.
"Yeah, I know. We all do, but right now safety is more
important." He held out his hand. "Give me those dirty
things and I'll bury them. We have to hide our trail
as much as we can."
Isabel shook her head. "I'll do it. You watch Zan."

Michael sat beside the baby and looked down at him.
Max and Tess's kid. He never thought to see this kid
again. Max may have sent him away, but he'd bet Max
would be glad he was back though he'd be raging at
why.
Liz on the other hand might not be so thrilled knowing
her feelings about Tess.
The baby stirred and looked up at Michael. Michael
patted his own leg and Zan crawled up to Michael. He
placed an arm around the child and pulled him closer.
Zan put his fingers to Michael's mouth and Michael
gummed them with his lips. He caressed the baby's
head as he placed his cheek along the top of the soft
curls. 

Isabel looked up as she finished covering the hole she
had buried the diaper in, and smiled as she saw
Michael stroking Zan's head with his cheek . She grew
thoughtful. Had Michael thought about the child from
their dreams? She had, and the emptiness it created
was killing her.
"Ready?" Michael asked.
Isabel blinked away her thoughts. "Yeah." 
She took Zan from Michael and under the cover of
darkness they headed out once again.


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



Michael's steps slowed as they approached one of the
few houses along the road.
"I don't like stealing," said Isabel reading his mind.
"It's steal or die. I don't want to die," said Michael
as he tried to breathe without pain. He knew things
in his body were bad, but he couldn't give up. Isabel
and Zan needed him to get them to the others.
"I don't think anyone is at home. I'll go and get the
car. You wait with Zan," said Isabel. 
"I'll go," said Michael pushing away from the tree. 
"Michael, stop acting like you're not hurt! I can get
the car," said Isabel thrusting Zan at him.
Michael didn't argue. "Fine. If it'll get us out of
here, then go!" 
Isabel knew that his gruff words were really his way
of saying thanks. He was hurting bad and they both
knew it. 
She hurried to the car looking to make sure no one saw
her as she used her powers to get in the car and start
it. She waited in fear that the lights would come on
in the house and people would come charging out at
her. When neither happened she drove to where Michael
and Zan were.
"Get in!" 
Michael climbed in the back with Zan and fell back
against the seat. "Drive."


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


Isabel yawned as she looked in the review mirror at
Michael asleep with Zan on his chest in the back seat.

They had been on the road for 2 days now, stopping
only to change the color and plates on the car and to
get some food for them all. Isabel had torn a 
newspaper that they had found on the seat of the car
and changed it into money to buy what they needed. She
felt guilty about it, but Zan and Michael had need
food and diapers and bandages. They had wrapped
Michael's ribs, but Isabel believed they had made them
worse. Michael had a fever now. The last time that he
had one he had almost died and there were no healing
stones or Max to help him this time. 
Her head nodded and she jerked back to awareness. She
needed sleep. She really hadn't had much in almost 2
weeks. Spying a grove of trees up ahead, she pulled
into them deep enough to be shielded from prying eyes.
She did another check of Michael and Zan before laying
down on the front seat. She needed to contact Max.


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


"Max...Max....." 
Max rolled his head fitfully in his sleep as his name
was called anxiously.
"Max, you have to help us....Max.....!"
Max realized someone was calling him in his dream.
Isabel!
"Isabel?! Isabel, where are you?!" he called looking
around
Isabel suddenly stood before him in the misty cloud of
his dreams.
"Max! Max, you have to help us! Michael's hurt and he
needs help!"
"Are you captured?!" He hoped not. Shivers of fear ran
over his body at the memory of what was done to him in
the White Room.
"We escaped," Isabel told him quietly. He didn't like
how she was acting.
"Isabel...did they...hurt you too?" He held his breath
waiting for her answer.
Instead she said, "We're in East Texas in a small town
here. I've hidden us in a grove of trees , but I don't
know how much longer we can hide." She focused her
thoughts on visualizing a town sign for Max.
"I'm on my way. Just stay low, Isabel." He reached out
to her, but she was already fading away. "Isabel!"

Max sat up as he realized he called her name out loud.
"Max! Did Isabel contact you?" asked Liz sitting up
beside him.
Max threw off the sheet and grabbed his clothes.
"Michael's hurt! She said they're hiding in a little
town in East Texas."
Liz had hurried out of bed and began dressing too, but
stopped when Max said Michael was hurt. "Hurt? How?"
Max shook his head. "I don't know!" He shook his head.
"Get the others while I get the van!"
Liz watched him run out the door and knew he was
thinking of his own experience being held and
tortured. 
When would this nightmare ever end?


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


The heat from the East Texas sun made the temperature
soar even in the shade of the trees. 
Isabel pulled her sweaty body from the vinyl seat at
the sound of Zan crying.
"Shhhh Zan, don't cry, baby. Come here," she said
holding her arms out to him.
The baby was flushed from the heat, his hair clinging
to his head.
And though she and Zan were hot, Michael lay in the
back seat shivering.
"Oh my gawd, Michael!" whispered Isabel as she sat Zan
on the seat and hurriedly went around to the back.
She grabbed a water bottle from the floor and held
Michael's head up as she poured a small amount into
his mouth. He opened his eyes and smiled greatfully. 
"I'm sorry," he told her before his head lolled
against her breast.
Isabel stroked his hair. "Shhhh, just rest." She lay
his head back down on the seat and tore the bottom of
her shirt off. Pouring water over it she wet his face
and neck.
Zan began to cry again and Isabel pulled him back with
her. Grabbing up more water she poured it into a
bottle and handed it to Zan who sucked on it
thirstily.
Tears sprang to her eyes. "Please hurry, Max. Hurry."


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


Two days later........

Isabel bathed Michael's head with the rag then wiped
her brow. She had helped Michael from the car on to
the flatest part of the ground in hopes that the air
out of the car would be cooler.
"You and Zan would be safer if I just died. You could
move on," Michael whispered.
Isabel looked down on him startled and afraid. "Don't
you ever say that again! I need you Michael! And
you're not going to die! Do you hear me?!" She
wouldn't let him die! She refused to let the thought
enter head. 
"Isabel...."
"NO! Now you rest," said Isabel shaking her head. She
needed him. She had never realized how much until
their capture. The reasons why were unclear though. 
Zan stirred then settled back down as Isabel lay
between the two.
She was so tired and so scared. Michael's words
sounded like he was giving up and that wasn't Michael.
Michael was stronger than that. He had survived the
crash of their ship, Hank, and the Special Unit. He'd
survive this too! He had too. She reached out and took
his hand in hers. She felt his fingers wrap around
hers with a little squeeze. Please don't let him die.

Michael felt Isabel's hand close around his and he
wrapped his fingers the best he could with hers.
She was stronger than he and Max had ever given her
credit for. She had killed Whitiker to save herself
and Tess, and she hadn't folded when the Special Unit
had invaded her body. Now she was having to be strong
for both of them so they could save Zan. She always
handled what came her way with strength and some
resignation, and it opened his eyes again to all she
had given up in her life for them.
As he fell asleep, Michael knew that somewhere in his
heart a place that was set aside for Isabel was
steadily growing.


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


She felt the cold steel on her neck before hearing the
gun. If not for that she would have thought she was
having a nightmare about when they had been caught.
Isabel opened her eyes and saw the one human she hoped
to never see again.
"Surprised to see me, I see," he said smiling down at
her.
Afraid to move her head, she let her eyes roam side to
side. 
"The baby's with my men. The male is still here beside
you, but he's unconscious. I'm surprised one of you
hasn't healed him," he said curiously.
Unconscious?! Michael! She had to stall for time. Max
could save Michael if she stalled for time and allowed
him to get here. It had been days since she entered
his dream . Surely he would be here soon. She hoped
Michael would forgive her for what she was going to
do.
"We can't."
The man shook his head. "Still trying to make me
believe you're human? We saw you use your powers. We
have it on tape."
Isabel swallowed and blinked before saying, "We can't
because we don't have the ability."
That made the man raise his brows. "So it's true. Only
one of you is the healer." He looked intently at
Isabel. 
"What powers do you have? Your special abilities?"
"Will you help him? Save him? I'll tell you if you
help him."
The man nodded. "Of course we will. We want you
alive."
His words frightened Isabel. She knew what that meant.
"I-I can go into peoples dreams and see what they are
dreaming."
The man smiled with triumph. "And him? What are his
gifts?"
"We're not sure."
The man frowned. "What do you mean?"
"His powers were late to develop. So far he can only
do what we do. Nothing out of the ordinary." Would he
believe her?
The man nodded as he ran his hand over Isabe's hair
and smiled. "It's a start." He stood up. "Take them
back to the base."

Michael lay as still as he could. He had heard
everything Isabel had told them. She was buying them
time. Why else had she told the man so much yet with
held information about his powers.
He felt hands on him placing him on a gurney and then
walk away.
They hadn't strapped him down!
His eyes flew open. He saw Isabel being held by two
men. Another stood nearby holding Zan while the man
who had ordered his torture walked over and stroked
Isabel's cheek.
"I'm going to study you more in depth next I think."
Michael's anger and fear knew no bounds at hearing
those words. No matter how strong Isabel was she would
never survive what he and Max had. And the thought of
them touching her gave him a strength that was buried
deep inside. With pain and effort he forced himself to
sit up and he raised his arm. 
"ISABEL!" he shouted.
She looked his way and then broke free and grabbed Zan
before diving to the ground as the surprised men
around her took the force of the blast that Michael
sent their way. 
Guns began going off and Isabel and Zan screamed as
she made her way to Michael.
"MICHAEL!" 
Michael fell back exhausted on the gurney, blood
pouring down his arm.
Isabel placed her body and Zan's over his. 
A bullet found it's way into her side and she gasped
at the pain she felt there. 
"NOOOOO!" Came a cry of anguish.
Max! It was Max! 
She heard sounds of screaming and then silence.

Max ran with fear to Isabel and Michael, the others
following close behind.
His tears at seeing her body and Michael's bleeding
was almost more than he could take.
He gently touched her face.
"Isabel," he cried. 
"M-Maaaxxx," came her thready voice in reply.
Max's eyes widened and he turned her over gently.
There between Isabel and Michael was a baby.
"Zan," she whispered before closing her eyes.


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


Max, Liz, Maria and Kyle waited anxiously to see if
Michael and Isabel would be okay.
Max had tried desperately to save them both. Michael
was in the worst shape and drained Max of his energy. 
He had had to rest before he could even attempt to
heal Isabel and by then he thought it might be too
late.
Now they waited to see if his efforts even worked.

Max looked down at his son sleeping in his arms. His
son. He had never thought to see Zan again, yet here
he was and he was anxious to find out how Isabel and
Michael came to have him. Knowing that the Special
Unit had held them, he was almost certain they had had
Zan as well and that frightened him beyond belief. He
could find no injuries on his son and prayed that
nothing had been done to him.

Liz sat down beside him and touched Zan's blond curls
that were so much like his mother's.
Max's son. The tangible proof of his night with Tess.
He looked like an angel sleeping there in Max's arms,
and Max's joy mixed with worry was evident on his
face. 
Max looked at Liz. "I never thought I'd see him
again." He studied Liz.
"I can't send him away again, Liz. I wouldn't even if
I could. Is he going to cause problems between us?"
Liz again looked at the child only this time he was
watching her. She loved Max and now she must find a
way in her heart to love his child too. She held out
her hands to Zan and he willingly went into them.
"It will take time, Max, but I know he's innocent of
anything to do with Tess."
Max sagged with obvious relief. 


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

"Max! He's waking up!" called Kyle from the hotel room
next door.
Everyone gathered around the bed Michael was on and
watched as he struggled to wake up. 
He opened his eyes and tried to focus.
"How are you feeling, Michael?" Max asked him.
"Max?" Then his eyes opened wider as he realized he
was safe. "Isabel! Where's Isabel?!"
Maria looked on worriedly.
"ISABEL! Where is she?!" Michael asked again a bit
louder as he struggled to sit up.
Where was she? He had to know if she was okay? 
"She's right here in the next bed," said Liz
reassuringly.
Michael pushed Max aside and half fell on the bed
beside Isabel. He took her hand in his and stroked her
brow with the other. "What's wrong with her?"
"She was shot," Max told him.
Michael blanched. "Is she going to be okay?" 
"We don't know yet."
Maria frowned when Michael didn't ask to see her.
Then everyone watched in astonishment as Michael
brought her hand to his lips. "You can't die on me.
You hear me? I won't let you!"
Isabel began to stir. She opened her eyes and the
first thing she saw was Michael's face. "You're
alive!" she breathed with relief. "I was so scared,
Michael!" She sat up and wound her arms around his
neck, his arms holding her tightly to him. That's when
she saw the others standing there.
"Max!" she said with a smile. She reached out her hand
to him.
Zan started chattering in his own little form of
speach and Isabel's smile brightened. "Zan!"
She looked quickly at Max. "He's okay isn't he? They
didn't hurt him too did they?"
Max smiled as he said, "No. He wasn't harmed when we
found you. You saved his life, Isabel. You and Michael
saved my son. I'll always be greatful to you."
"It was Isabel. I was too weak," said Michael looking
at Isabel with respect and something else.
"No, it was Michael. He used his powers to protect
us," said Isabel smiling at him.
Everyone in the room was aware that something was
different between these two. 
"I think we need to let them rest," said Liz pulling
on Max's arm.
Max looked between Isabel and Michael. Their in love,
he realized. When did this happen?

Outside the room Liz handed Zan to Max and went to
Maria asking, "Are you okay?"
Maria looked at Liz and finally shrugged her
shoulders. "We aren't together anymore. Not really. It
was just easier to say we were. But we fight a lot and
that's not healthy. Not the way we do it. Something
in me always knew it would be Isabel that finally held
him even when he was going to stay behind for me. It
was their destiny after all."
"Maria...." said Liz putting her arm around her
friend.
"I'm fine really. I'm actually covered I think," Maria
told her looking at Kyle where he stood watching her.
She smiled at him and went to be by his side.

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


Michael pushed a tendril of hair out of Isabel's face.

"You saved my life."
"You saved mine," she replied.
They sat looking at one another for the longest time
then Isabel said, "You feel it too don't you,
Michael?"
He nodded. "Yeah. The feeling that I need to be with
you."
He placed his hand behind her neck and caressed it
softly before lowering his mouth to hers. 
Isabel felt like soaring when his lips met hers. She
felt safer than she had any time in her life. 
When Michael pulled back he smiled softly at her. "You
didn't slap me so I guess that's good."
Isabel laughed softly. 
"I feel like I've finally found what I've been
searching for," he told her. 
Isabel's eyes teared up at his words. "You're sure?"
After all, he and Maria flip flopped back and forth
all the time. Isabel didn't want to be a fling. She
couldn't handle that.
Michael read her mind and pulled her into his arms.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I
love you."
Isabel kissed him then said, "And I love you."
Michael kissed Isabel again, but this time with all
the passion that they knew was to be theirs for a life
time.

~End~