Title: What Now? Author: Lori Category/Rating:Michael/Isabel "R" Disclaimer:Owned by The WB not me. Feedback:Yes, please! Summary:What if Max had come back with different news for Michael and Isabel, after he had talked to Tess... ************** "Michael, this can't be," said Isabel as she looked at Michael. "I know, but why not?" asked Michael. They looked at one another, neither blinking or saying exactly what they were feeling. Michael wondered if Isabel just didn't want there to be a baby because it would be his. Isabel wondered what would happen if it were all true. Part of her didn't really believe it. Part of her was scared to death it was. Max approached the two silent aliens and gained their attention. They turned to look at him expectantly, feeling their stomachs tighten at his expression. "We need to go somewhere and talk," Max said avoiding looking at them. "No, tell us now what Tess said Maxwell," demanded Michael. Max looked at him,and then quickly at Isabel and away. "Michael, I really think it best that you hear what I have to say in private. No sense in attracting attention," said Max trying to stay calm. Isabel didn't like the way Max was acting. Something isn't right, she thought. "Max. Max you have to tell us. Tell us right now because you are scaring me," said Isabel beginning to slightly shake. Max looked at Isabel, and said softly, "Isabel, please let's just go somewhere else. Somewhere not so public." Michael had heard enough. "Max, is this your way of telling us the news isn't great?" asked Michael tightly, his palms starting to sweat. "Max?" begged Isabel with her words and her eyes. Max knew he would just have to tell them. He wished he didn't have to do this. Looking right at Isabel, he placed one hand at the back of Isabel's neck, caressing it gently,and took her hand in his with the other. "Isabel...Tess says that most likely you are pregnant with Michael's child. That the bonding you two experienced happens very rarely, and the circumstances must be just right." He stopped as he this let this sink in for them. Isabel's hand had grown icy cold. Her eyes seemed to see nothing. Michael looked at her with his mouth open. Shock was apparent on both of their faces. "It seems that you both must have been dreaming about the other for a reason...Tess didn't know if it was preordained, or your own buried feelings for one another, but she said whatever it was, with the alignment of the stars both of you wouldn't dream this unless it was true." "No...no...NO!" said Isabel jumping up from the stool, and running out the back of The Crashdown. "Isabel!" said Max, jumping up, ready to go after her. "Max! I'm the one who should go," said Michael quietly but firmly as he stood up ,and put out a shakey hand to stop Max. "Michael..." began Max unsure of what to say to him or Isabel , but knowing someone had to go after her. "Max, it's ...my baby that she is carrying. My place to go after her," said Michael almost choking on the words. Max eyed him for a minute and then sat down slowly nodding. "Okay Michael. But don't let her do anything stupid." Michael nodded as he took deep breaths, and then followed the path Isabel had gone. ****** Maria watched as Max talked with Michael and Isabel. He seemed to not want to talk to them about something. Oh God! Maybe they were talking about the baby. Her attention was caught when Isabel jumped up yelling no,and ran out the back with Michael chasing her. Both of them looked like hell. Maria clutched the counter to steady herself. It must be true. Michael and Isabel were going to have a baby. She looked toward Max who stil sat at the counter watching the closing door. He glanced around, and caught Maria watching him. His eyes said it all. Her question was answered. She looked down and wiped at the tears that formed , but she would not let fall. What would happen now? ****** Isabel ran down the alley and stopped,tears streaming down her face. Her heart pounded as she sank down against the wall, squatting down. "Oh my God, this can't be happening? " she thought over and over. Michael came out the door of The Crashdown and looked around, spying Isabel down the alley crying. He walked to her, not really knowing what to say to her. He was having a hard time with this himself, and didn't know how to comfort her. Coming to a stop before her Michael squatted down ,and placed his hand gently on her shaking shoulder. Clearing his throat, Michael asked softy,"Isabel, are you okay? I mean I know you're not okay, but ..." He looked off feeling so inadequate. What the hell did you say to your best friend who was now pregnant with your child from a dream? He tried again. "Isabel,..." "No! This isn't real! I'm not pregnant with your baby! I'm not..." Her sobs interrupted him. He couldn't stand to see her cry, and it hurt him more because he was the cause. He pulled her to him quickly as stood up, holding her sobbing body close to his. He buried his face in her hair , his hand pressed to the back of her neck. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought how much this was going to effect everything. Isabel clung to Michael as if he were her lifeline. She cried hot tears against his neck and chest, her hands clutching hand fulls of his shirt that smelled from the kitchen of The Crashdown. "Oh God, Michael, what are we going to do? What are we going to do?" she asked between sobs. Michael shook his head and said, "I don't know Isabel, but we will figure this out together. I told you before I'm not going to let you go through this alone. I'm in this too." Isabel nodded her head and began to snuff and wipe at her tears. ***** Max came out the back door and saw his sister in Michael's arms, both of them crying. Tess had said preordained or buried feelings. He couldn't believe it was buried feelings, but preordained meant he and Tess were likely to go through the same thing, and he chose not to believe that at all. His future was with Liz , not Tess. But he had also believed that Michael and Maria had some sort of a future. Maybe Tess was wrong. Maybe Isabel wasn't really pregnant. Afterall, what did they really know about this? He approached the two aliens who he loved more than anyone and said carefully,"Isabel? Michael? I've been thinking, maybe Tess is wrong. Maybe we need one of those pregnancy tests. We could try anyway." Michael and Isabel pulled apart and looked at Max. "Would it work on us Max? We're alien hybrids. Maybe they won't work," said Isabel. "Do you want to try Isabel?" asked Michael not sure of what he would want the test to reveal. "I think we have to Michael," said Isabel wiping at her face. "It still might not tell us anything Isabel,"reminded Michael, not wanting her to get her hopes up. Isabel looked at him and said softly,"I know Michael, but I think we need to explore all of our options." ****** "Michael you don't have to go in with me," said Isabel nervously. Her hands were between her knees, because they wouldn't stop shaking. Michael glanced at her from his driver seat in the jeep. She looked so pale and beaten. This was his fault somehow. He had done this to her, and he would make it right. He would make this as easy on her as he could. "Isabel, I told you I'm here, and if that means going to buy a pregnancy test with you , then that's what I'm going to do," replied Michael with as much calm as he could muster. Isabel nodded as she looked at her lap. In a way she was relieved he was going with her, and in a way she was embarrassed. It was such a personal thing to buy, and it wasn't like they had been intimate or anything. Still, he wa her best friend, and having Michael with her, gave her some feeling of comfort. They parked in front of the drug store , and he took her hand in his, leading her inside after she couldn't make her feet work. They found the isle with the tests,and began to look at the different ones available. "Why are there so many? Let's just get one or two and go," said Michael beginning to feel uncomfortable at the looks they were receiving. Isabel nodded ,and grabbed two tests, and they started for the check out. "Did you see who that was looking over the pregnancy tests with that Guerin boy? It was the Evans girl, Isabel her name is. Imagine...pregnant by that one. He's nothing but trouble they say." "And her. Well with looks like that, I'm sure she has had more than one lover. I'm surprised it hasn't happened before now." Michael and Isabel stopped as they recognized the town gossips voices. Michael looked quickly at Isabel who had blanched at the first remark about them. Michael's anger surfaced quickly after his initial shock faded. How dare they talk about Isabel like that! He was used to hearing people talk about him like he was nothing, but Isabel came from a good family,and had never hurt anyone. He started forward to confront them, when Isabel stopped him with her hand, and a softly spoken,"Michael, I can't do this. I'm sorry but I just can't." She dropped the tests on the nearest counter and headed out the door, with Michael on her heels. "Isabel, they are just mean spirited bitches with nothing better to do than gossip," he said as he caught up with her. Isabel turned shining eyes on Michael as she clutched her arms around herself. "Michael, we don't need this kind of attention focused on us. And my family...what will they say? Even if the baby isn't real, just having those two in there seeing us look at those tests is enough to condemn us." Michael looked off, his hands on his hips as he digested the truth of her words. "So what are you saying Isabel? Do we go somewhere else for this test? Do we wait it out, and see what develops taking the chance your parents won't find out? What?" Isabel looked off and took a deep breath. "I'm saying maybe I need to leave Roswell." Michael looked at her like she was insane. "Are you crazy! That's the last thing you need to do! You are not going anywhere Isabel!" "Michael, I can't stay in Roswell and have a baby!" said Isabel getting very agitated. Michael put his arms around her to calm her down when he saw how excited she was getting. "Okay,okay, shhh. Just don't..don't do anything yet. Let's carry through with the test first, and then see what happens. Okay?" Isabel closed her eyes against Michael's chest and nodded. Michael helped her in the jeep,and as he walked to his side he thought what a hell of a mess their lives had been turned into. ******* Michael walked into his apartment after dropping off Isabel at her home. Max was with her, so he knew she wouldn't skip out. Maria sat on the couch and watched Michael enter the apartment, not noticing her. He walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge only to slam it shut ,hitting it hard. He lay his head on his arm above the door and his shoulders shook. Maria walked over to him and placed her hand on his back, causing him to jump. "What the hell are you doing here Maria?" he asked as he wiped at his eyes hurriedly. "Michael...I ...I saw you and Isabel and Max today. I ..know that ...I know that Isabel's ..." she just couldn't say it. Michael looked at her and said,"That she's pregnant with my baby." "Yeah," she replied with pain in her voice. She leaned her head on his chest as her arms went around him. "What's going to happen now Michael?" she asked afraid of the answer. Michael rubbed her arm as he said," We don't know. All I know for sure is that I'm not deserting her. It's my baby and I'm not letting her go through this alone. Whatever caused this to happen , happened for a reason, and I'm going to find out what it is." Maria closed her eyes as she heard those words, knowing in her heart that this was the begining of the end for them, and the tears began to fall. ***** Max sat in the chair in Isabel's room, and watched her sit and stare at nothing, her face a picture of anguish. "Isabel, we will get a test tomorrow in another town, somewhere people don't any of us. We will find out if it is true or not." Isabel shook her head slowly. "Max, I know deep in my heart that it won't do any good. I can feel that this is real. I'm pregnant with Michael's baby. I'm pregnant with Michael's baby." Max wished he knew what to do. Their parents would find out soon enough if the gossips had been busy , and he was sure they had. "Isabel, what do you want to do?" asked Max. Isabel smiled a sad smile and said, "I want my life back. I want all of this to go away. I want to be normal." "Isabel..." "I have to leave Roswell Max, and you know that I'm right. It is the only way." *** Max stared at Isabel his anxiety level rising. "Isabel, you don't mean that," said Max hoarsely. Isabel got off of the bed, and walked to the window. "I do mean it Max. I can't stay here ,and face more of what Michael, and I heard today. Besides, it will bring more focus on us ,and we don't need that. You've said that yourself so many times." Max hated having his words come back at him. They never dreamed anything like this would happen. Coming up behind her, Max put his hands on Isabel's shoulders and said, "I can't lose you Isabel. We all need to stay together. If we seperate, who knows what could happen. We will figure out a way with this. You know Tess may be trying to pull a fast one on us. Maybe you're not..." Isabel turned to him,"Max, I can feel it. I know I am. Besides, why would she lie about this?" Max looked at her tear stained face ,and placing his forehead on hers he said, "We need answers before you do anything Isabel. Give this a little time...please." Isabel slowly nodded her head. "Just a while Max, and then I leave. The gossips might have made the choice for me you know." ***** Tess sat on the park bench looking at the stars. Things here had not been easy so far. Max and others refused to believe in their destiny, even after Isabel found she was carrying Michael's baby. Why couldn't they just go with what had been planned for them? She heard footsteps ,and turned to find the other three aliens behind her. "I wondered when all of you would come to me." "Tess, you have to tell us more. We don't understand how all of this happened," said Max. "Why did this happen to us?" asked Michael his voice clearly showing that he didn't trust her, but he needed answers. "All I remember from our our lives is that Max and I were married , and that Michael and Isabel were betrothed. We were leaders of our planet, and were killed for trying to protect it," said Tess. "But how do you know that when we don't remember it?" asked Max. "Being raised by Nasedo, has taught me things. Besides, who's to say that they didn't deliberately leave those images with me when they sent us here?" said Tess. "What else do you know?" asked Michael. "Just what Nasedo has told me. About different cultural things, and all." "Like how I came to be carrying Michael's baby?" asked Isabel. "Yes. Like I told Max, sometimes this happens. When a bonding so strong happens that nothing can break it. You and Michael must have very strong feelings for one another for them to have carried over to this lifetime. Very rarely can a couple conceive a child through dreams. On our world, that kind of love must be absolute. You two have that love." Michael and Isabel shook their heads. "I don't buy that," said Michael. "Isabel and I are only friends. I would do anything for her, but I'm not having romantic feelings about her." "Then why did you have the dreams of being intimate with her Michael? I understand they occurred more than once," said Tess. Michael looked nervously at Isabel. "I don't know. They just happened. How do we know you didn't cause this to happen to us? How do we know she is even pregnant? Maybe you just planted the idea in our heads!" said Michael grasping at things. Tess looked at Isabel. "Do you feel this way too?" "I don't know what I feel," said Isabel. "I would feel scared if I was in your place," said Tess sympathetically. "Yeah, well I am that," replied Isabel. "I still say we need a pregnancy test. And I don't think Tess should be anywhere near us when Isabel takes it. That should prove if she is telling the truth about not causing this," said Max. "I agree," said Michael looking at Tess, and then at Isabel. "Okay," said Isabel. "Let's get a test, and I'll take it in the morning." She sounded defeated. "It will only tell you what I already have," said Tess. "But if I was in your position, I would do the same thing." With the eyes of the others on her, Tess walked away. ***** They drove to the next town pulling in to an all night drugstore. "I'll go alone this time," said Michael to Isabel as he got out of the jeep. Isabel took a deep breath ,and shook her head. "I'm coming." "Isabel, you don't have too. Michael said he would do it," said Max as he tried to protect her from more pain. Isabel got out of the jeep, and stood next to Michael. "I can do this," she said. Michael saw how scared she was, and knew her fear must be greater than his own. Afterall, she would be the one who had to carry the baby. He reached over ,taking her hand in his, and squeezed it gently. "Let's go," he said softly. They found the aisle , and picked two tests. Carrying them to the front Isabel began to slow down. "I can get them Isabel. Why don't you go to the jeep with Max," said Michael sensing why she was having trouble. Isabel shook her head, and continued to the check out, placing the tests on the counter. The clerk gave them one quick look, and rang up the purchase. Michael paid for them, grabbed the sack along with Isabel's hand, and headed for the jeep. "Was there any trouble getting them?" asked Max as they got in the jeep. "No," said Michael as he looked at the back of Isabel's head. "No," she replied automatically. Max glanced at Michael then at Isabel and said,"Good." ****** Isabel had wanted to get up before either Max or Michael so she could take the test, but upon turning her light on, she found Michael laying on her floor wide awake. "Michael? What are you doing here? I thought you slept in Max's room last night?" Michael sat up, and said, "I wanted to be near you in case you needed me," said Michael looking embarrassed. "You mean in case I just up and left don't you?" asked Isabel. Michael looked her right in the eye as he got up and approached the bed. "Would you have done that Isabel? Just left without telling me? Us?" he corrected quickly. Isabel shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know." "Are you going in there now to take it?" he asked his heart pounding, palms sweating. Isabel got up and walked to the bathroom door. "I guess we will know soon," she said. She got ready to close the door when she turned back and said,"Michael?" He looked up and said ,"Yeah?" "Thank you." At his confused look, she added,"For going with me." He smiled slightly at her as he nodded his head. She closed the door, and he held his breath. ****** Iabel sank to the floor and stared at the two sticks in her hand. It was true. She had felt like it was, but to see the results staring at her like this, well it was hard to digest. She was going to have a baby. Michael's baby. Oh my God. She was 17 years old, how could she have a baby? And Michael? She loved him sure, but in love with him? And the dreams. Was what Tess said true? So far she had told the truth, so maybe that was true too. She looked toward the door. She had to tell Michael. How were they going to handle this? Isabel entered her room , and Michael took one look at her face and knew. Well, he had it confirmed anyway. Somehow he had already known. Isabel was carrying his baby. His baby. He was going to be a father. He was 18, and going to be a father. What the hell were they going to do? In a small voice, Isabel asked,"Michael, what do we do now?" Michael went to her ,and rubbing her arms up and down he finally pulled her into his own and held her tight. "I don't know. Isabel...I'm sorry." "It was both of us Michael, not just you. I dreamed about us too." "Yeah, about that..." he began to ask. Isabel pulled out of Michael's arms. "I'm tired Michael. The baby I guess," said Isabel quickly as she moved away from Michael ,and wiped her eyes. "Isabel..." Michael tried again. Max chose that moment to enter Isabel's room. He took one look at Isabel and Michael and asked, "You did it already? What did it say?" When neither of them said anything to him, he looked with a broken heart at Isabel. Starting for her to comfort her, she held up her hand. "No, just no...I need to be alone. Please, both of you just leave me alone," Isabel began to cry again. "Isabel..." began Max as he tried again to go to her. "Max, no...just leave me alone for awhile," pleaded Isabel as she sank down in a ball on her bed. Max looked plaintively at Michael who stared at Isabel with pain in his eyes. "He's hurting too," thought Max. "Michael, let's go to my room," said Max as he touched Michael's arm. "Max...," Michael said as he pulled away ,and started toward Isabel. "Michael!" said Max sharply to get Michael's attention. Michael looked at Max, and then at Isabel, and went to Max's room. "Max, she won't talk to me about the baby! We have to talk about this , and she won't!" said Michael as he paced Max's room. "She's scared Michael, just like you, but you know Isabel, she will talk about this in her own time," said Max. "We may not have time Max! What if your parent's find out? Do you really think they are going to let me near her when they find out it's my baby ? How about the alien thing? We can't tell them, so what do we do?" Max had thought about that too. "I don't know Michael. All I know is that Isabel is hurting, and so are you. We will work this all out, but right now I don't know how." ****** "Did you confirm what they purchased?" asked the man in the car. "Yes sir. Two pregnancy tests," replied the other man standing outside the car. "This is good. I want both of them brought to me. And make no mistake, they are not to be harmed in any way. Do I make myself clear?" said the man in the car. "Yes sir, Agent Pierce." "Good," said the man in the car as he drove away. ****** Liz sat with Maria in a booth at the Crashdown just after closing. Maria had been upset ever since she had found out about Michael , Isabel , and the baby. Liz tried to comfort her, but she was afraid herself. If this could happen to Michael and Isabel, what was to stop it from happening to Max and Tess? "Maria, crying isn't going to help anything," said Liz patting Maria's hands. Maria sobbed ,wringing the tissue in her hands. "Liz, why did we fall for them? Aliens' for heavens sakes! What were we thinking!" "Maria, think how they must feel right now? They are teenagers that have grown up as friends, and they find out they had these past lives that were meant to be carried over to this one. Now they are going to have a baby out of weird circumstances. They must be very scared , and confused you know?" said Liz trying to see both sides in case this happened to her and Max. "Who's side are you on Liz? My life has fallen apart," cried Maria. Liz put her arm around Maria and said, "Maria, I'm on your side of course, I'm just saying that it's not like they ran off, and had sex behind your back or anything. They need our support. I'm not exactly excited about all of this either you know. What if this happens to Max and Tess? I'll be in the same position as you." Maria heard the voice of reason behind Liz's words, but it still hurt to know that Michael was bonded to Isabel. "So what are you suggesting? That I make nice with them and pretend this doesn't hurt?" Liz looked at her and said, "Yeah, I am. Don't make them more miserable than they already are. Give them your support, and move on." "But it hurts. I know you're right, but I hate it," sobbed Maria again. "I know. I know," said Liz quietly. ******** "Isabel! Isabel!" came her father's voice at the bottom of the stairs. "Come down here please." Sighing, Isabel looked at Max and Michael . "I think the gossips have reached home." Max stood up to go with her. "It will be okay Is. I'll go with you to soften the blow. I won't let them think badly of you." "No Max. I'll go with her. It's about me too, and I'm not going to hide up here while she goes down there and gets raked over the coals," said Michael coming up behind Isabel. "Michael, it's best that I go," said Max protectively of Isabel. "And I can't protect her? Is that what you're saying Max?" asked Michael, his defenses up, and his anger rising. "Stop it you two! I can't deal with your male egos right now. I'm going alone," said Isabel rubbing her head. "Isabel wait. Let one of us go with you," pleaded Max, as he gave Michael a look of irritaion. Isabel stopped with her hand on the door knob. "I'm doing this on my own...like I always do," she finished softly as she left the room. Max and Michael looked at one another, and Michael asked,"What did she mean by that?" "I don't know," said Max just as confused as Michael. "Max, I'm going down there. I don't care what Isabel said, I'm part of this, and I have the right to be down there with her," said Michael heading for the door. "Michael, you know Isabel, she won't like that." "Yeah, well I don't like the way she acts like I'm not part of this. That is my baby too, Max. When will she realize that?" And then he headed down stairs. ****** "Isabel, sit down," said Phillip Evans, pointing to a chair. Isabel sat in the chair ,and watched as her father paced , then sat beside her mother on the sofa. "Isabel,...we've heard some disturbing rumors ...that we know are not true mind you, but we feel you should be aware of them," said Phillip holding her mothers hand. "Isabel, some people are saying that you and Michael were seen buying... a pregnancy test a few days ago," said Diane Evans, searching her daughters face. "That's not true," said Isabel skimming the truth. She looked at her parents relieved faces, feeling bad at the lie she just told. She had lied to them all her life about being alien, and now this. Well, she couldn't do it anymore. They may hate her, or they could support her, but she just couldn't lie to them about this. "Well...not totally true anyway, " she added watching her parents. Michael stopped on the stairs, and listened to Isabel and her parents, before entering the room behind Phillip and Diane. Isabel looked up to see Michael, and felt a measure of relief that he was there. She had said she wanted to do this alone, but it wasn't true. This was a burden that was to heavy for her. "We didn't buy it. We heard the gossip, and I paniced ,and left," she said quietly to her parents shocked faces. "What!?" they asked dumbly. "We didn't buy it. We went to another town where people wouldn't know us. But it was to late, the damage was done," said Michael as he came to stand beside Isabel's chair. He placed his hand on her shoulder ,and felt her tremble. He knew Isabel wanted to tell them everything , and he haad to stop her. "No," Diane began to cry. "It's true then. You and Michael?" asked her father. "Yes sir, it's true," lied Michael. "We trusted you Michael. Treated you like our own. And then you get our Izzy pregnant," said Phillip as he got up and walked to the fireplace, his back to them. Isabel looked at Michael. This wasn't fair to him. They assumed he had sex with her, but they couldn't tell them it wasn't true. How did you tell your parents you were alien, and about how you got pregnant? Michael knew what Isabel was probabley thinking, but he didn't care that her parents thought he had slept with her. They had to protect their secret about being aliens, no matter how much Isabel had always wanted to tell them. Phillip turned around ,and looking at the couple asked, Just what are you planning on doing? You're kids yourselves, surely you're not planning on raising this baby?" "Yes sir we are," said Michael quickly as Isabel sat stunned. She had not thought that far ahead. Raise the baby with Michael? She was still trying to adjust to everything that had happened, but this? Was he wanting to marry her, live together, or just share the responsability of raising their child? Phillip watched his daughter, and knew that she was as shocked by Michael's statement as he was. Maybe he could talk some sense into her. "I think that we need to think on all of this ,and regroup in a few minutes. I for one need a drink, and to digest all of this. Diane," he said as he guided a distraught Diane to the kitchen. ******* Isabel turned to Michael and asked,"Michael, what was that all about, telling my father we are going to the raise the baby? Are you insane?" "I said that because we are. We can do this Isabel. I'm not letting anyone get their hands on my kid!" said Michael, shocked by his own admission. "And what makes you think I even want to have this baby Michael?" asked Isabel , angry that Michael just assumed she was going to do what he wanted. Michael grabbed Isabel's shoulders, and searched her eyes. "What are you talking about? Of course you're going to have it! It's ours Isabel, a part of us, and you're not getting rid of it!" Isabel pulled out of Michael's grasp, and said in frustration ,"You're not telling me what to do Michael! You and Max are always telling me what to do ,and what to think! Well this is my body ,and I will decide if , and when I'm having a baby!" She ran up the stairs to her room with Michael close on her heels. "Isabel! Isabel you can't be serious? Don't do something like that,please!" begged Michael. Max came through the door when he heard the commotion , taking in the anger of Isabel and Michael. "What's going on?" he asked anxiously. "She's being crazy Max! She's thinking about not having the baby! Stop her! She can't do this!" said Michael running his hands through his hair, and clutching the back of his neck. Max looked to where Isabel stood with her back to them and asked, "Isabel, is that true? Are you thinking of not having the baby?" "It's my decision Max, not Michael's and not yours," said Isabel as she closed her eyes , and wondered what had made her even say that she did not want to have the baby. She was so scared, but she wouldn't mind having this baby. She was just so frustrated with how Max and Michael treated her sometimes, like she couldn't make any decisions for herself. Grabbing her jacket she headed for her door. "Where are you going?" asked Michael quickly, grabbing at her arm. Not looking at him, Isabel said,"I'm going out for some air. I need to clear my head." "I'm coming with you," said Michael as he released her. "No Michael, you're not! God, why can't you two just let me be alone? My life is screwed, and you two haven't left me alone to breathe for even a minute! Just let me be!" She went out the door , and out the front of the house. "Max, what if she ..." began Michael. "Michael, she won't do anything right now, it's too late in the day." Max looked out the window and watched Isabel walk down the sidewalk. "I don't know what she will do tomorrow though. She's scared. I never seen her this scared Michael." "Yeah, well I'm not exactly Mr. Calm myself. I'm in a relationship...was in a relationship, and now I'm having a baby with my best friend. Not exactly how I had planned my life," said Michael. "Maria freaked?" asked Max sympatheticly. Michael rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, "Well she wasn't jumping up and congratulating me." "I'm going after her Max," said Michael after a moment. "I know," said Max holding himself back from going after her himself. "Michael, do not let anything happen to her." "I won't," said Michael as he hurried out the door. ****** Isabel walked mindless of where she was going. I've got to get a hold of myself. Think Isabel, you've got to make a decision about Michael and the baby. She loved Michael, but to be with him forever, she had never thought about being with him in that way. Not that it would be bad, he was cute, and she loved him, but he was her friend. Not a romantic boyfriend. It was very apparent he wanted this baby, she guessd it came from having no family to call his own. But they were so young. This was so hard. Isabel looked up and noticed she had walked down a deserted part of the road , and began to turn back. Her parents would want to know her plans, and she still didn't know. A car drove up behind her going slowly as it approached. "Isabel!" yelled Michael as he walked toward her. Isabel stopped ,and waited for him to catch up to her. She had known one of them would come for her, even knew it would be Michael. "I thought I said I wanted to be alone?" she asked when he came even with her. "We need to talk," said Michael. "I know," said Isabel looking off. Just then the car sped up to them ,and 3 men jumped out grabbing the two aliens. Michael yelled Isabel's name ,and tried to protect her from the suited men, but they hit him hard on the head, knocking him out. Isabel screamed, and kicked out the men. When they hit Michael, she screamed his name, and they knocked her out as well. They placed the unconscience aliens in the car and drove away. ****** Max paced his room ,and kept watch out the window for Michael and Isabel. Where were they? It was dark now , and they had been gone for hours. "Max! Come down here!" called his father. Max hesitated before turning from the window, and going downstairs. "Yes sir?" said Max. "Where is Isabel?" demanded Phillip. Max glanced away, and back before saying, "Uh , she went out for a walk. She wanted to clear her head," said Max not wanting to tell the whole truth, and get Isabel in more trouble. "It's been hours Max," said Diane nervously. "She left with Michael didn't she?" she asked quietly. "Yes, but that doesn't mean anything. He just wanted to talk to her," said Max trying to sound like nothing was amiss. "She ran off with him didn't she? No, don't deny it Max, she ran off with Michael to have the baby. Why couldn't she have talked with us more about this? Why did she have to leave?" asked Phillip sadly. Max was shocked that his parents could believe that Isabel would just leave like that. "No! I mean ...I don't know..." said Max suddenly unsure of what may have happened. Isabel had said she was going to leave, but he hadn't believed she really would. And Michael would do anything to make sure she didn't run off with the baby, and do anything without his knowledge. "She's gone Phillip. We've lost our baby," cried Diane into her hands. Max stood and watched as his father went to Diane and they cried together. Who was to cry with him? Not only had he lost Isabel, but Michael too. He was all alone here now. He went to his room, and he cried alone. ******* Michael rubbed his aching head as he regained conscienceness. He opened his eyes to see he was in a bright room. Isabel! He moved too quickly ,and the pain blinded his eyes as he struggled to sit up. He spied Isabel laying close by him, and he crawled to her. "Isabel!" he said panicked. He checked her over, and determined that she was just unconscienceous. Taking her gently in his arms, Michael pulled her close to him , and called her name gently, but urgently. "Isabel? Isabel, wake up now. You've got to wake up. Isabel!" Isabel stirred in Michael's arms , and fought down the wave of nausea that hit her. The pain in her head was excruciating. "What happened?" she asked as her head rolled against Michael's chest. "I think we've been kidnapped....by the FBI...by Pierce," said Micheal worry seeping into his voice. Isabel felt herself go cold. This was her fault. They were here because she had insisted on going out alone. "Oh God, Michael, what have I done? I just had to go out alone, and now we're who knows where! What are they going to do to us?" she asked, but feeling like she already knew. Michael swallowed hard. He had to stay calm for Isabel's sake. But truth be told, he was terrified. This was their nightmare come true. "I don't know Isabel, but I'm not going to let them hurt you or the baby," said Michael fiercely. "The baby!" Isabel's hand went to her abodomen where her child lay. "Oh God, they can't hurt the baby Michael! We can't let that happen," said Isabel as tears welled in her eyes. Michael smiled softly as he heard Isabel's words. She wanted to protect the baby. She wanted it. Resting his head on hers, he said to her,"We'll protect it Isabel. No one is going to hurt it," said Michael. Clap,clap,clap,clap... "Oh how human that sounds, but then we know that is not possible," said Pierce as he stood near by. They stiffened as they guardedly watched, and wondered how he had appeared. No doors were in evidence. Michael clutched Isabel to him tighter as if to protect her from the evil he knew was in the room in the form of Pierce. "What do you want with us Pierce?" asked Michael. Pierce looked mildly astonished that they knew who he was. Recovering he said, "I think you know the answer to that. You two are alien hybrids, and you have created a baby. We want to study you...find out what makes you work...what makes you what you are. Where you come from." "Where we come from? We come from here. We live in Roswell. This is crazy. Let us go," cried Isabel. "You may live in Roswell now, but you are not from Roswell or even from Earth," replied Pierce tightly. "I'm going to let you rest tonight, but tomorrow we will begin to find out the answers to my questions, and you better have good answers. Oh, and in case you try, we have given you an injection to keep your powers under control." Looking at Michael he said smuggly, "We know you don't have to much control over your powers, but it is better to be safe than sorry, if you know what I mean." Kneeling down before them, he went to touch Isabel's hair , but Michael tensed and pulled her even tighter to him. Pierce held up his hands and grinned. "Tomorrow we will find out all there is to know about your baby. Get some sleep...you're going to need it." He stood up and called out, "Take them to their room and make them comfortable." ******* Michael layed Isabel on the bed in the room they were given. "Just rest. We can't go anywhere until we figure out what to do, so rest is better for you...and the baby," said Michael as he sat on the bed next to her. They looked around the room. A double bed, a table, two chairs, and a small trunk. A bathroom with no door was to the side. No windows, and the one sliding door. The walls were bare and glaring white, almost strerile. "Real cheery place they've given us. The Hilton of prisons I guess," said Michael trying to lighten up the mood for Isabel. "Yeah , I guess," she replied absently. Michael watched her for a minute before moving up to sit with his back against the wall. He pulled her into his arms and said, "Isabel, this was not your fault. I should have seen the car was following you , and instead I was all ready to yell at you. I'm the one who 's sorry." Isabel shook her head and said, "They have been watching us for a while Michael. They knew I was pregnant, they knew you don't have control of your powers, they also knew where to find us...they followed us. I don't think we could have avoided this. Now I just want to get out of here." Isabel was right Michael realized. They knew alot about them already which ment they had been observed for awhile. But how and when? "Any ideas on how to get out of here?" asked Isabel. "Nope, but we will, you can count on that." I hope thought Michael. "I'm tired Michael, I want to go to sleep," said Isabel against Michael's chest. "I'll sleep on the floor," said Michael as he got ready to move his arms from around her. "No! I mean, stay here...please? At least until I fall asleep," asked Isabel. Michael ran his hands up and down her arms as he said,"I'm not going anywhere then. I will stay until you fall asleep." Isabel closed her eyes,and snuggled on Michael's chest. Neither realized the other was thinking just how right this felt. In a nightmarish situation, they found a bit of comfort in each others arms. ******* Michael woke up with Isabel still laying on his chest. His arms and back cramped him, but he hated to disturb her. Trying to stretch without waking her, Michael moved slightly. Isabel came wide awake at the movement. "Michael?" "Yeah?" "It's real then. We are really here," she said flatly. "Oh yeah, we're here alright," he replied. Isabel moved and then stiled suddenly. "What?" asked Michael. Jumping up with her hand over her mouth, Isabel ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet. Michael had followed now held her hair for her. "Geez Isabel, are you okay?" he asked concerned. Isabel wiped at her mouth , and nodded. "I guess it's morning sickness. That's the first time. It would be great if that was the last time too," she said embarrassed that Michael had seen her be sick. Michael sensed that she was embarrassed and said, "Hey, this is just part of it I hear...you know... being pregnant. I'll help you anyway I can Isabel. If it means holding your hair, or whatever, then I'm here." Tears came to Isabel's eyes. He was being so protective of her that she couldn't help but smile. "Thanks Michael." Washing her face and mouth, Isabel went back into the other room to join Michael just as Pierce entered. "Well I hope you slept well, because it is testing time , and only correct answers will do. Take her," he said to the men with him. Michael jumped up to go to Isabel , but was held back by two of the men. "Leave her alone Pierce you son of a bitch! Take me, but leave her alone!" yelled Michael fighting his holders. "Oh don't worry, we'll take you in a few minutes, but right now we want the little mother. We want to see how she is. Bring her," he ordered as the other two men took a screaming Isabel out of the room behind Pierce, leaving Michael behind with his two restrainers. "If you hurt her Pierce, I'll kill you! You hear me you bastard? I'll kill you!" yelled Michael before the needle shoved into his arm released its drug to oblivion. ****** Isabel was terrified. She knew what they were going to do , but she had never gone through a physical exam before due to the fact that they were never sick , and the fear of having their secret discovered by use of blood tests and internal examinations. They had restrained her arms ,and her legs were bent in the stirrups, and secured making her uncomfortable on the table. On top of all of that, there were all of these men as well as Pierce in the room looking at her. She wanted to die of mortification. "Lets's get started shall we?" said Pierce to the doctor at the end of the table by her feet. The man proceeded to exam her, only to stop abruptly, and whisper to Pierce. "What? That's not possible," said Pierce. The doctor came around to her side , and began to feel around her abdomen. "Well?" asked Pierce. "Pregnant, but I don't know how," replied the doctor very confused. Pierce came to stand by Isabel's head, "How is it you are pregnant and still a virgin? Or does that not mean the same thing on your planet as it does here?" "I don't know what you are talking about, "said Isabel. Pierce gave her a tolerant smile,"Don't mess with me sweet, you have never been touched sexually, yet you are pregnant. How? Isn't the male the father? How did you conceive?" ****** Michael woke up in another sterile room strapped to a table. Shit! He had been overcome twice by these guys, and all because he couldn't use his powers. He wondered what they had with Isabel. Was she okay? Was the baby? "Awake now are we?" asked Pierce as he entered the room with several men in white coats. "Where is Isabel, Pierce? If you have harmed her or..." said Michael struggling against the straps that bound him. "Or the baby? Yes, the baby..." said Pierce coming to stand near Michael's head. "What about it?" asked Michael guardedly. "Just how was it conceived?" Michael looked at Pierce like he had grown several heads. "What are you talking about? Like I'm going to tell you about our intimate moments," said Michael carefully. "Don't try and pull one over on me!" snapped Pierce. "We know she has never had intercourse, yet she is pregnant! How is it that she conceived that child? Is it normal for your species?" Isabel had not told Pierce anything or Pierce would not be here with Michael demanding answers. "F*** you," said Michael calmly. Pierce stood up ,and snapped his fingers. Four men came quickly and began to run IV's into Michael. "I told you not to try pulling one over on me. She didn't listen either," said Pierce nastily. Michael cringed as what Pierce said ,and the drugs began to take effect. "What...did ...you do...to ...her?" asked Michael groggily. "Sweet dreams Mich..." was all Michael heard Pierce say before he closed his eyes. ******* Isabel curled up on the bed, and tried to stop shaking. Where was Michael, and what were they doing to him? The door slid open quietly , and two men carried Michael in , threw him on the floor, then left. "Michael!" cried Isabel anxiously as she hurried to his limp form. "Oh God, Michael what have they done to you?" asked Isabel as she saw the red marks on Michael's body. Michael began to wake up as pain hit his body. He had never hurt so much in his life, not even when Hank used to beat him. "Is...abel?" called Michael as he struggled to sit up. "Michael lay still!" said Isabel pressing him back down. "Isabel, I just need to get...up" said Michael stubbornly as he again tried to get up. Isabel lent her body to his, and helped guide him to the bed. "What did they do to you Michael?" asked Isabel as she helped Michael take off his shirt. Isabel gasped as she saw how much worse the marks were than what she first thought. "Oh Michael," she cried as she went to get a wet rag to tend to him. Michael lay on the bed and closed his eyes. They had tortured him. He had awoke to probes , and shocks. They had all but fried him in an effort to get him to tell them about their home planet, their purpose here, and how Isabel had conceived. What had they done to her? "Isabel?" He searched her face. She had been crying, but she looked okay outwardly. But what about...no...not the baby. What did they do to the baby? "Isabel, what...did they do...to you? Did they hurt you? Did they hurt...the baby?" asked Michael trying to swallow back the pain ,along with his anxiety for Isabel and the baby. Isabel stopped ,and looked at Michael's pained face. She could see his concern for her in his eyes. "I'm okay Michael. The baby's okay too." She hesitated. Michael noticed. "What? Something happened. What?" Isabel looked away as she said,"They gave me a physical. It's just that...I've never had one. That's all." She looked at Michael before smoothing his hair from his forehead. "I'm fine, I promise." After a minute she asked,"Michael, why did they do this to you?" Then realization struck. "They did this because I wouldn't tell them how I got pregnant didn't they? Michael, I'm so sorry," cried Isabel as she kissed his forehead, and then again caressed his hair. Michael felt some minor relief as Isabel touched his brow. "Isabel, it's okay. They would have done it anyway, that was just their excuse," said Michael trying to calm her. "I don't think I can heal you Michael. I'm not good at that like Max," said Isabel. "We don't need to anyway Isabel. They don't need anymore evidence to use against us." "But Michael, you are in pain," said Isabel softly. "No Isabel. No healing," said Michael firmly. "Just the pain...not the wounds. Just let me try to take the pain?" "You don't know how Isabel, only Max can do it. Besides, they said they gave us something to bury our powers." "How do we know they did? Have you tried to use your powers?" asked Isabel close to his ear in case someone was listening. Michael shook his head. "Rest Michael...just rest..." whispered Isabel. Isabel lay beside Michael on the bed, and focused on Max. She had never tried this without focusing on a picture, so she would have to rely on the pictures in her head. ***** Max was restless in his sleep as he had been since Isabel and Michael had left. Then in the back of his mind, he could hear his name being called. Being called by Isabel. Isabel? She came into his dream , and sat beside him on the bed. "Isabel, is that really you?" asked Max. "Yes, Max, it's really me, but I need your help. I don't know how long I can keep this connection between us. Max, Michael and I have been kidnapped by Pierce." "Pierce? Isabel are you sure?" asked Max suddenly more frightened than he had ever been in his life. "Max, they have tortured Michael, and he is in so much pain. I can't heal him, and we know we shouldn't cover his outward scars, but Max I can't bear to see him in so much pain! Help us, please!" begged Isabel. Max hated seeing Isabel so upset, and knowing they were being held by Pierce was almost more than he could take. "Isabel,how can I help? I'm here, and your here but it's all a dream. What am I supposed to do?" asked Max in frustration. "I don't know...can't you tell me something I can do to help him?" asked Isabel desperately. "No, nothing," said Max. "Max...help...us..." begged Isabel as she began to fade away. "Isabel!" cried out Max as he sat up in bed, his skin wet with sweat. She had been here! He knew she had been here. But how was he to get to where Isabel and Michael were if he didn't know their location? What was he to do? ******* As Michael moaned in his sleep,Isabel used a wet rag to sooth his wounds. He tossed his head, and wimpered, crying out,"NO! Don't touch her! You sorry son of a bitch, don't hurt her anymore! Hurt me, but don't touch Isabel any more!" cried Michael, his fists clinched as he strained against imaginary bonds. The rag slowed in Isabel's hand at Michael's words. Oh my God, they had used her to get to Michael! She had to know what happened to him, but she knew he would never tell her. Biting her lip in indecision, Isabel argued with herself over whether she should dream walk Michael. She knew it would be wrong,he had told her so many times to never dream walk him, but she had to know what they did to him. But did she really want to know? That part scared her. What horrible things had they done to Michael? Michael cried out again, his back arching in agony. The decision was made. She lay down , and took hold of Michael's hand. Then closing her eyes, she focused... Visions of Michael being tortured flooded her head along with the pain he was experiencing. Michael being drugged... Michael being probed and cut... Michael being shocked... Michael being shown images of Isabel being tortured, and the baby being torn from her body to be disected... Isabel awoke in a sweat gasping for breath. They had done horrible things to Michael, the worst in his eyes, was the torture of her, and the taking of the baby. He hadn't known that Pierce had lied. How could he after all Pierce had already done to him. She lay close to Michael, putting her head on his shoulder, her tears falling to run down his chest. Michael could feel the wettness that touched his chest, and raised his hand to touch it. Isabel was crying. "Isabel," he whispered hoarsely. Isabel raised her head to look down at Michael's face. "Michael..." she tried to speak, but her words caught in her throat. "Are you okay? Are you hurting?" asked Michael concerned. Isabel shook her head. "I'm fine Michael, just tired. I haven't slept yet." Michael frowned at this. "Why not? You need to sleep, especially now with the baby." "I was watching you all night. I was...afraid for you." "Afraid for me? Why?" asked Michael confused. "Michael...I...I did something I know I shouldn't have..." she couldn't finish. Michael looked at her trying to figure out what she had done, and it hit him. "Oh my God, you dream walked me didn't you?" He rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. "Why did you do that? I've asked you before not to dream walk me Isabel, and you knew I would really not want you to do it now, with all of this going on." He closed his eyes. He kndw she had seen it all. Seen his weakness. "Michael..." began Isabel as she reached out to touch his hair. Michael turned away from her. "Don't! Okay, just...don't." Isabel froze. She had know Michael's feelings on her dream walking him ,and she had done it anyway to help her understand what had been done to him. "Michael, I had to know what they did to you! You were in pain, and crying out my name...I had to know why! Please don't be angry with me for wanting to understand," said Isabel urgently, trying to make Michael see why she had done it. "I was weak Isabel. Not only can I not control my powers, but I can't protect you either," said Michael with quiet anger. Isabel held his face in both of her hands and asked, "Michael, did you tell them anything?" Michael looked her in the eye and said, "No. They tried to brake me, but I wouldn't tell them what they wanted to know." Isabel smiled softly at him as she whispered, "Then you are not weak Michael. Infact you are the strongest person I know. You have survived Hank, and moving out on your own, and now you have survived a torture so horrible...Michael even if you had told, I would not have blamed you. Do you hear me Michael? You are strong! Don't ever think that you are weak." Michael felt his body began to relax as he let her words sink in to him. He was strong. Michael reached up to push Isabel's hair out of her eyes. "Get some rest Isabel. I'll watch over you now." Isabel lay back down by Michael's side, and closed her eyes, sleep coming swift to her exhausted body. ********** Liz sat at her desk writing, when she heard Max knock on her window. Going over and raising the sash, she let him in. "Max, what are you doing here? It's late," asked Liz. Max looked at Liz with wild eyes, and she knew it was bad news. "What's happened Max? Is it Isabel and Michael?" Max began to pace her room as he said,"Isabel came to me in a dream! You know, dream walked me! She and Michael were kidnapped by Pierce! She said that they were torturing Michael!" He stopped pacing, and looked at Liz with tears in his eyes. "If they are torturing Michael, what will they do to Isabel?" Liz went to Max and put her arms around him. "I don't know Max. Did she say where they were?" Max shook his head as he pulled back,"No, she didn't know. She wanted me to help take Michael's pain away. I couldn't help them Liz," said Max as his face contorted in pain. Liz placed her hand along Max's face and said, "Max, Max we will find them! Do you think that Isabel will be back to dream walk you again?" "I think so." "Then when she does, get as much information from her as you can, and we will go from there." Max's face took on a sudden determined look. "I'll kill Pierce myself if he harms her or Michael again in anyway." Liz knew without a doubt that Max meant it. ******** "Next round my alien friends, up and at um!" boomed Pierce as he entered the room where the two aliens slept. Michael and Isabel jumped at the bright lights and intrusion. Isabel felt the nausea roll. She tried to quiet it down, but it would not be quelled. Jumping up , she ran to the bathroom with her hand over her mouth. "Lovely," commented Pierce dryly. Michael stood up painfully slow, but he stood straight and tall. Pierce had to admire the stamina of the male, but it also caused him consternation. He was not breaking as he should have. Maybe they would work on the female today. Isabel returned to the room, and Michael raised his arm to put it around her, pulling her close to his side. Definitely the female, thought Pierce. You get a rest today," he said to Michael. "Take her," he commanded the two with him. "No! I told you before Pierce, hurt me but leave her alone!" yelled Michael, pushing Isabel behind him. "Get out of the way," ordered Pierce in a low growl. "No! I'm not letting you do to her what you did to me! She wouldn't survive it! Take me, but not her!" "I said to get out of the way! Now it do it before I kill you both!" Pierce said more forcefully. Michael remembered Isabel's words about their powers, and his being strong. Michael smiled at the thought. Pierce noticed this and said,"Do you really think you can stop all three of us?" He laughed, and added,"We just may kill you now. After all, there is one more of you out there that we know of. We'll get Max." Raising his hand, Michael threw wild energy at the men and Pierce. Isabel screamed as white light filled the room, and encompassed the three terrified men. Michael could feel all of his anger, and fears being released on the three men as the energy tightened around them, throwing them against the wall. Isabel grabbed Michael's arm. "Michael! Michael stop!" begged Isabel. Michael shook his head as he lowered his hand, the energy gone. The three men lay in heaps on the floor. Michael cautiously approached them. He first felt of Pierce, and then frowning he checked the other two. "Michael?" asked Isabel shaking with fear. Rising slowly to his feet, Michael stood looking in shock at what he had done. "They're dead," he stated quietly as he stared at the men. "What? asked Isabel nervously, her hands going to her face to stifle a another scream. "They're dead. I killed them," said Michael flatly. Isabel went to Michael and put her hand on his shoulder. "We have to get out of here Michael! They will kill us for sure now! Michael!" said Isabel near hysterical. Michael pulled himself together, and grabbed Isabel's arm. He winced as his body revolted in the sudden action. "Let's go. Be careful, and if anything should happen to me, then you run like hell, and ...and just tell the baby about me," said Michael. Isabel pulled on his hand,"Nothing is going to happen to you Michael! You are not going to leave this baby, and me alone! Do you hear me? It's all or nothing." They looked at one another, and made the silent agreement that they would leave together, or die together. "Let's go." ******* Michael and Isabel got to the door of the room , and Michael stopped. "Wait," he said as went back to the dead men, and felt for their weapons. Melted. Damn! Then Michael realized he must have fried their insides with his energy, and fought the rolling in his stomach at the thought. Well better them then Isabel or the baby, thought Michael, trying to justify to himself what he had done. Heading back to Isabel, he grabbed her arm ,and they headed out the door that the two men had left open. They headed down a maze of hallways, some familiar from when they were tested, and some not. "Michael," whispered Isabel,"where are we going?" "Shhh," said Michael as he heard footsteps approaching. He pulled her into a darkened room, with a window high on the door. Ducking down they waited for the retreating footsteps to leave. Michael crouched closely behind Isabel, his gaze traveling down her hair to her profiled face full of fear. She was really was such a natural beauty ,and with a strength that he never dreamed exsisted. "I think they're gone," said Isabel quietly. She turned to look at Michael , surprised to find him watching her. "What should we do Michael?" she asked softly. Michael took hold of her hand and asked,"Do think you could do whatever it takes to get out of here Isabel?" Isabel looked at him curiously,"Of course." "Including killing?" "Killing?" she asked as her other hand went to her throat. "I have to know Isabel. Can you kill someone if you have too?" asked Michael urgently. "I don't know Michael! I've never thought about doing that." "Okay, okay! Look, I just need to know that you can help if things get really intense. We don't know what or who will be after us when they discover the bodies. Do you think you can help?" asked Michael caressing her hand without thinking. Isabel closed her eyes and thought about what Michael had gone through for her, and about the baby she carried. Taking a deep breath she opened her eyes and said,"Michael, I'll do anything that needs to be done to get us out of here...including killing," she finished quietly. Michael searched her eyes, and seeing that she meant it, he pulled her to him, and kissed her brow. "Let's go then," he said. ******* Max and Liz were with Maria and Alex in the darkened park of Roswell. "So what you are saying is that Michael and Isabel were kidnapped by Pierce, and he has been torturing them? Oh my God," said Alex as he paced around with hands on his head. Maria sat on the bench , her face even paler in the moonlight. "They are torturing him? We've got to help them! We have to do something to help them!" cried Maria. "They have only tortured Michael, but I'm sure they won't hurt Isabel since she is pregnant. Pierce will want to observe the whole process to see how it compares to humnas," said Tess. Alex's head snapped back at that. "Isabel's pregnant? She's really pregnant. So it was true then. How...?" "We don't know how, but it is true, and that's another reason we have to get them out of there. We don't know for sure what Pierce will do. If he gets his hands on an alien baby then we are all doomed," said Max. "And Isabel hasn't dream walked you again, Max?" asked Liz putting her hand on his shoulder. Max shook his head. "No, and I just knew she would, that's something else that bothers me. Why hasn't she come to me again?" "All we can do is wait until we know where they are," said Tess, as she observed Liz and Max. "But for how long? For how long..." asked Alex. ******* Michael and Isabel had been through so many hallways that they felt like rats in a maze. Suddenly an alarm began to sound, and lights flashed. "We've been found out!" said Michael, tightening his grip on Isabel's hand. With his hold on her hand secure, Michael began to run through the hallways pulling Isabel behind him. "Halt!" came a shout as shots rang out over their heads. Isabel screamed, and they both ducked as shots rang out again. "Run Isabel! Don't look back! Just keep running!" yelled Michael. He pulled up suddenly, and ducked into a room with a metal door, slamming it shut behind them, and fusing it closed with his powers. "Michael, we're trapped!" said Isabel as she whirrled around looking for an exit. Michael looked around ,and then up. "We're going up Isabel," said Michael, pulling with effort, a table over to climb on. Reaching above him, he moved the ceiling tile aside , and motioned for Isabel to to climb up. "Be careful that you don't fall through the ceiling. Stay on the beams," said Michael as he helped push her up through the opening. He struggled to pull himself up, and grunted at the pain it caused him. All of the running, and now this was taking it's toll on him. Finally he was through the opening, and replaced the tile. They crawled along the narrow beams for what seemed like forever. The area was hot, and Isabel felt nauseaous. She could hear Michael breathing hard behind her, and knew he was weakening due to his injuries. Were they ever going to be free, or were they meant to die right here? Then they saw an opening to a storage type room. They paused and looked at one another, and nodded. Letting themselves down through the opening in the tiles, they looked around. "There is a door Michael," said Isabel. "Let me check it out," said Michael, holding his side. "Michael, are you okay?" asked Isabel concerned. "Yeah, yeah, I'm just fine," lied Michael. He opened the door a bit and then wider and glanced out. He motioned for Isabel to come, and they again started out in a hallway, only this time they could see a room with pipes and large sealed covers overhead. "We're going up," whispered Michael," as he climbed up and struggled to open the cover. Finally it came loose , and he opened it. Darkness and cool air greeted him. He climbed out, and Isabel joined him above ground. "We made it," she said taking in the air. Michael shook his head,"We haven't made it until we are out of this area. Run and don't look back." Grabbing her hand he he began to run. Search lights were showering their beams everywhere. They dodged here,and there low to the ground until they hit tree cover. Stopping for just a moment to catch their breaths, they began to run again through the trees. Branches came from seemingly no where to hit them, and roots tripped, them. Isabel fell hard one time, and cried out in pain. "Isabel! Are you okay?" asked Michael as he bent to help her up. "I'm okay Michael," said Isabel rubbing her sore hands together. "You fell hard Isabel...are you sure you're ...okay? Everythings okay?" Isabel realized he also referred to their child. "It's okay Michael, I promise," said Isabel touching his arm in reassurance. "You tell me if you began to hurt or something," said Michael. "Michael, we have to push on. I'm fine. We're both fine," she said as she place her hand low on her abdomen. Michael nodded, and they started off again. ****** They had been on the move most of the night. They had covered alot of territory, but they they still we're not in the clear. They came to the highway, and spied a car infront of a diner. Isabel kept watch as Michael used his powers to open the door. Motioning Isabel to come, she slid in on the drivers side and moved over. Michael hot wired the car , and they sped off. "We just stole a car. What is happening to us?" asked Isabel. "Did you want to walk some more ,and chance them getting us? I'll take my chances with the stolen car." Isabel broached a subject that had been bothering her. "Michael, we can't go back to Roswell. They will be looking for us to go there. What do we do?" Michael stared out the front window as he drove for awhile, before finally saying,"Let's head north. Go as far as we can on this tank of gas, and then see where we are." Isbael nodded as her lids began to flutter in her exhausted state. Michael looked over in time to see her catch herself. "Isabel, lay your head on my shoulder, and sleep." "You need sleep more than I do Michael. Why don't you let me drive?" Michael shook his head. "I'll let you know when I'm tired. Go to sleep," he said pulling her head down to his shoulder. Isabel snuggled her head down, and soon she was fast asleep. Michael rubbed his ribs and shoulders. The pain was fixing to kick his ass. He couldn't let Isabel know until he had her safe. Taking a deep breath , he focused his mind away from the pain, and on what they would do next. ******* Isabel awoke to sunshine streaming into the windows. Raising her head she looked around. "Where are we Michael?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes. Michael winced as he said, "No where. We are no where. This things gas gage is broken, because it still reads full , and we've been driving for hours." Isabel noticed Michael wince and asked,"How long have you been hurting Michael? I know all of this hasn't been good for you. Let me drive now." "I'm fine. I'll drive a little more. Keep a look out for some place to stop." Isabel looked at their clothes and asked,"We can't go anywhere dressed in these scrubs Michael. And we don't have any money. What are we going to do?" "I don't know okay! I just don't know!" yelled Michael, the pain and pressure getting to him. "Michael, I'm going to get in touch with Max and get him to help us." "No! We can't let them get involved Isabel!" said Michael adamently. "We need help! Max is the only one we can ask, Michael. I'm doing this!" At his look, she added, "Michael, it's not just us we have to think about. We have to think about the baby. We need help from Max." Michael gritted his teeth , and nodded."Okay, but only on the condition that he doesn't try and come get us. We can't let him get too close." "Okay, Michael," said Isabel as she began to search the car. "What are you doing?" asked Michael. "I'm looking for anything that might help us," said Isabel. Looking in the glove box, she found maps, sunglasses, $5 in change, and asprin. "I wonder what's in the truck?" she asked Michael. "No one's around, I'll pull over and see. Might change the plates too, so no one connects this car for a stolen one," said Micahel. Michael pulled off on the side of the road, and got ready to get out, when Isabel said,"I'll go. You rest a minute." Michael nodded gratefully, and laid his head back on the seat, as Isabel got out to search the trunk. Inside she found two bags, a cooler, and some tools. Searching the bags, she found some mens clothes a little bigger than Michael. In the cooler was sodas, beer,water, and some apples. Using her powers she changed the plates on the car, and carrying her bounty, she returned to the front seat. "Well, find anything helpful," asked Michael wearily. "Some clothes that should fit you. They may be a little big though. I also found some drinks,and some apples." Looking at Micahel she added, "Please let me drive now Michael. You're exhausted and in pain. You can lay out in the back." At his look, she added,"No arguments! If we are in this together, then let me do my share." "Yeah, okay. Let's drink something first, and I'll change clothes. Just make sure you stay North, and let me know if you have problems." Michael went on the far side of the car and changed clothes. He put on a white T shirt, and jeans that were slightly baggie, and some tennis shoes that were one size too big. Isabel found a shirt that she could tie up that she put on over a pair of boxers the guy had. He also had socks galore, so she put on a pair, and proceeded to hand Michael a soda, while taking water for herself. They each had an apple , and then Michael climbed in the back and lay down. "Well here we go," said Isabel under her breath as she started out on the road. ******** The car began to sputter and jerk about an hour later, causing Michael to wake up and ask,"What's going on?" "I think we have hit bottom with the gasoline," replied Isabel pulling over on the road, and stopping the car. "What now?" she asked. "What time is it?" asked Michael. "About 6 oclock if this clock is accurate," said Isabel. "I'm for sleeping for awhile. Head out walking in the dark," said Michael. "Sounds good to me. Michael, why don't you try the asprin, see if it helps." He shook his head,"We don't know what asprin will do to us. Can't chance it at this point." Isabel knew he was right, so she didn't argue with him. Laying down on the seat, she decided to contact Max if she could. ******** Max lay on his bed thinking. He had not slept in days.Why had Isabel not contacted him? The only answer he had kept coming back to him...they were dead. The tears came unbidden as he grieved for his sister and his best friend. They did not deserve to to die. When he found Pierce he would kill him, himself. Max's eyes drifted closed as the days of no rest, and crying gave in to exhaustion. "Max? Max? Wake up Max!" came Isabel's voice to him. "Isabel? Isabel is that really you?" Max called out to the voice. "Max, you have to help us!" said Isabel as she appeared before him. "I though you were dead!" said Max sitting up. "We escaped, but we can't come back here....Michael killed Pierce and two others. He's hurt bad Max, and we are on the run. We need you to get some money to us. Just wire it over the line in Colorado, and we will get it. Can you do that Max?" "I'll bring it myself," said Max. "No,Max! You can't do that! They will be after us, and they can't get you too. Have Liz wire the money in case they are watching you. Please Max!" Max knew she was right, and that Liz was the next best choice for sending the money. "Okay Isabel, I'll do it. Will you be staying in Colorado?" he asked. "No Max. I don't know where we will be, but I'll keep in touch." Then she asked,"What do Mom and Dad think?" knowing that her parents were worried about her. "They think you and Michael have run off to have the baby," said Max. Isabel nodded,"I have to go now Max." "Isabel!" cried out Max, as she disappeared. ******** "She came to you and asked for money? Why don't they just come home if Pierce is dead?" asked Liz. "Because the FBI will be looking for them. The FBI knows they have a life here, so they will plant people here to watch for them. To watch me. You have to wire the money for me Liz. Will you do it?" asked Max. "Yeah, I'll do it." "Okay here is where it will go..." ******* Isabel and Michael had been walking forever. "Michael I have to rest," said Isabel holding her side. Michael would not have admitted it to her, but he needed to rest too. "We will take 15 ,and then move on" said Michael. "How long until we get there?" she asked. Michael looked around and guessed,"A few more hours." "I want a bath so badly, and a nice soft bed," she said stretching. Michael smiled at that. "That sounds like my Isabel. What about food?" Rubbing her stomach she nodded,"Oh yeah, a very high priority! This one inside is starving," she laughed. Michael sobered at that. "You think all of this has hurt it? Not eating and resting like you should? You know, all the stress and stuff?" Isabel put her hand on the slight bulge of her tummy. It had appeared it seemed like from out of no where. "I don't know. It seems to be okay. I mean I have a pooch now, where I didn't before. That's good right? That means it's growing?" she asked seeking reassurance. Michael came to sit beside her. "You have a pooch? isn't it to soon for that?" "I don't know, I've never had an alien baby before," replied Isabel. Then a little embarrassed Michael asked,"Can I feel it?" Also embarrassed, Isabel took his hand and placed it low on her abdomen where the pooch was. "See." Michael caressed the spot where she placed his hand, and smiled. "Wow," he whispered softly. Isabel looked at his face. "Yeah, wow," she said just as softly her hand on top of his. Michael realized he was caressing her tummy, and pulled his hand away. "Let's start walking," he said in strange voice. Isabel felt a loss when Michael removed his hand. Getting up she followed Michael, and wondered at the feelings she was having. ******* They had found the Western Union and collected their money. Max had sent them probabley all of his savings, because there were several thousands of dollars. They checked into a motel, that was decent looking and Isabel reveled in her first bath in days. Michael found a clothing store where he purchased a change of clothes for her, and several for himself. Isabel would come back and get what she needed after cleaning up. Stopping to get some food, he arrived back just as Isabel was coming out of the bathroom wrapping a large towel around herself. Her wet hair streamed down her back. They stood looking at one another in shock before Michael closed the door, and put down his packages. "Uh, I got you one change of clothes like you asked. I hope you like them," he said still staring at her. "Thanks," she said softly as she touched her hair. "I'm just going to get cleaned up if you are through in there," said Michael searching for something to say so it wouldn't be obvious that he was staring at her. "What? Oh yeah, I'll finish getting dressed out here, and then go get the other things I need." They broke eye contact when Michael nodded and headed for the bathroom. Closing the door and leaning on it he thought to himself, "What is going on? Why do I keep getting all warm around Isabel? Why do I have this fuzzy feeling? Fuzzy feeling? Oh jeez...don't let it be! That would screw everything up. Or would it?" Michael pondered what was going on as he stepped into the shower. Isabel quickly got dressed in the things Michael had purchased for her. Well, he had shown good taste. She would have chosen these things herself, she admitted surprised that he had cared enough to choose something she would like. She had spent time in the shower trying to sort out the confusing feelings she was feeling for Michael. He was her friend, she would do anything for him, she carried his child,they had been through hell together, but she didn't think the feelings she had, had anything to do with that. Gathering some money, she went to shop, deciding to worry on her feelings later. ********* Isabel had been gone about an hour when she returned to find the shower still running. And people said she took long baths. Putting her bags on the table, Isabel knocked on the bathroom door. "Michael! Michael! Come on out! You've been in there an hour! You must be a prune by now!Michael!" she called out. No answer. Isabel began to get scared. Using her powers to unlock the door, she entered the steamy room. "Michael?" she called again. When he still didn't answer, she pulled back the shower curtain, and yelled,"Michael!" at the unconsciencous form on the floor of the tub. ******* Isabel leaned down to shake Michael's shoulder. "Michael! Michael,please wake up!" she said, her anxietly building. Michael roused a little, and looked up at Isabel. "What? What's going on?" he asked clearly not aware of his surroundings. "Michael, you have to help me get you out of the tub! I can't lift you by myself. Michael!" she said louder as Michael closed his eyes again. Seeing that he was not going to be able to help her, and knowing she couldn't do it alone, she rang the front desk and asked for help. ********* "What's wrong with him? asked the manager who arrived to help her. "He tie one on, and get beat up?" "Lack of sleep actually. Please just get him into the bed. I can't do it myself," said Isabel trying to avert her eyes from Michael's very naked form. The manager lifted Michael up and carried him to the bed, laying him down. "That it? Need anything else?" Isabel smiled gratefully to the man. "No, thank you though. I really do appreciate your help. Here's something for your trouble," she said as she offered the man money. The man looked at the money and shook his head,"Keep it." Then looking at Isabel he asked, " Honey, you okay? You sure it's okay to leave him with you ...you know with him like this?" Isabel looked at Michael and said, "I'm very sure. Thanks for your concern though." After the man left, Isabel went to the bed and swept her hand over it drying Michael and the sheets. Then she did what she had avoided doing...she looked at Michael. She gasped, not at his maked body, but as she saw the extent of his injuries. Bruises and burns were everywhere. It was worse than she had imagined. Tears fell down as she covered his body. Laying down close to him, she lay her hand on his , and closed her eyes. Please Max, here my call. ******** Max could feel her this time before he saw her. "Isabel? What is it?" "Max, Michael's worse than I thought! He has been keeping it from me, and now he's unconsciencous! Max, I know we said you couldn't come here, but we need you! Please come, and help him! I can't lose him Max!" cried Isabel, unaware she of what she had said. "Tell me where you are, and I'll be there, Isabel!" said Max. After telling Max their location, Isabel left. Max got up and prepaired to leave, writing a note to his parents not to worry about him, that he needed to be alone for a few days. And then he went to Liz. ********** The rest of that day and night, Isabel paced the room ,and checked on Michael every few minutes. The manager dropped by to check on her, and bring her food. He said she reminded him of his daughter. A knock at the door. Isabel went to answer it, and found a strange man outside with a service bag. "Yes?" "I'm here to fix the cable," said the man. "The cabel? It's fine," said Isabel guardedly. "Got's to fix all of the rooms," said the man pushing his way in. "Wait! I don't know anything about this!" said Isabel. The man turned around, dropping his bag , and pulling a gun. "No, I don't guess you would. We've been tailing you. Did you really think that we would let you kill Pierce and the others? You aliens just think you can take over don't you? Well I'm not letting our world be taken over by the likes of you. I'm going to kill you myself, which is what Pierce should have done." Raising the gun at Isabel, he prepaired to pull the trigger, when she screamed, and through out her hand, focusing all of her energy on the man. He screamed and dropped the gun, his body exploding into a shower of burnt snow like flakes. Isabel shook as she realized what she had done. She had killed. Running to the bathroom she threw up in the toilet. Washing her face, she walked back into the room, and lay down next to Michael. Another knock on the door. Isabel began to shake harder. Getting up she walked across the room. Reaching the door, she asked with as much calm as she could, "Who is it?" "Isabel?" came Max's voice. Isabel jerked the door open ,and threw herself into Max's arms. "Oh God, Max, I'm so glad you're here!" sobbed Isabel into Max's neck. Max held on to his sister, and looked at Liz who had come in behind him. "Max, smell that? It smells like burning flesh," said Liz wrinkling her nose. Max leaned back, and taking Isabel's face in his hands, asked," Isabel, calm down and tell me what happened." Taking deep breaths, Isabel told Max and Liz everything that had happened since Pierce had taken them. "And you killed him?" asked Liz. Turning to Liz, Isabel asked bitterly, "What else was I supposed to do? He would have killed Michael,me ,and the baby! Yes I killed him!" Liz looked away uncomfortabley," I...I just meant..." "I know what you meant!" said Isabel looking away. Max went over to Michael and bent down, "Is he this way all over?" Max asked Isabel. "Yes. Max, he was tortured so badly," cried Isabel. "Maybe you two need to go over there, while I work on him," said Max. As Liz started to go across the room, Isabel said,"No! I'm not going anywhere." Max lowered the sheet again. "Isabel, he's naked....you know..." said Max. "I've seen him naked Max. Just help him!" said Isabel. Max's eyes went up over Isabel's comment, but he let it slide as he lowered the sheet, and began to work on Michael. The pain Michael had experienced was so severe that Max didn't know how Michael had stood it. The images that flooded him were awful. They treated animals better than they had his friend. Finally Max dropped to the floor, his energy drained from healing Michael. "Max?" asked Isabel from his side. "I'm ...okay. Just...drai...ned," said Max gasping for breath. "Thank you Max," said Isabel kissing Max on the cheek. Max nodded. Covering Michael back up, Isabel climbed on the bed beside him, and throwing her arm across him, fell asleep, the past few days having taken it's toll on her. Liz and Max stared open mouthed at Isabel's actions. Looking at each other, they wondered what had happened over the past few weeks that Isabel was not telling them. Max rose up and went to sit in a chair next to Liz. "I guess we wait until they wake up for answers." ********* The scream woke Michael. Isabel was screaming! He opened his eyes , and prepaired to jump up when he realized that she was laying next to him, apparently having a nightmare. "Isabel! Isabel, wake up!" said Michael, just as Max and Liz reached her side. Seeing the two he asked,"Max? Liz? What the hell are you two doing here?" As Max struggled to get Isabel to wake up, Liz explained, "Isabel asked Max to come." "Oh God, I killed him!" screamed Isabel. "What the hell is she talking about? Killed who? It's just a dream...right?" demanded Michael as he looked from Isabel to Max and Liz. "No, she had to kill an agent who got into the room," replied Max, his face reflecting his fear at not being able to wake Isabel from her nightmare. "Let me try Max," said Michael, as he pulled Isabel from Max's arms. Max reluctuntly let Michael pull Isabel from him. "Shhh....shhhhh....Isabel,I'm here. Shhhh....Iabel, I'm not letting anyone hurt you. Shhhh....it's over now," said Michael softly, his voice gentle. He kissed Isabel's brow as he continued to soothe her fears. Isabel became aware of Michael's voice, and calmed down. Michael would take care of her. He was here with her. Breathing normal again, Isabel fell into a peaceful sleep. Max looked at Michael and asked,"Would you mind explaining how you got her to do that?" Michael shook his head, "Not now Maxwell, I'm tired." Michael pulled Isabel closer to him, and fell back to sleep. "I definitely want answers when they wake up," said Max sitting next to Liz again. ********** Isabel and Michael stretched at the same time. Opening their eyes they froze at the sight of Max and Liz watching them. "About time you two woke up," said Max. "Max...uh...I...oh no..." said Isabel as she jumped up and ran to the bathroom. "Isabel!" called Max starting after her. "It's just morning sickness Max, she'll be okay," said Michael getting ready to lift the sheet, and then realizing he was naked underneath. "Uh, where are my clothes?" he asked. "Here," said Max as he offered some he found on the dresser to Michael. "Turning around or what?" he asked as the two continued to watch him. "Oh, yeah, sorry," Liz said as she and Max turned away. Michael hurriedly dressed, noticing that his bruises and burns were gone. "So, you healed me huh? Thanks. You can turn around now," he said. Isabel came out of the bathroom and sat on the bed next to Michael. "Okay, I want to know what you two are not telling me?" asked Max. "Well since I haven't told you anything, I'm in the dark. What did you tell them Isabel?" asked Michael. Looking confused, Isabel said,"I don't know what he's talking about. I told them everything that has happened to us." "What about the touches, the looks...are you two sleepng together?" asked Max. "What!?!" Michael and Isabel exclaimed. "You heard me. Are you two sleeping together? You act like....lovers in a way," said Max as he watched the two on the bed. "I thought we were acting like friends who have been through hell and back together. What about you Isabel?" said Michael, his temper rising at the accusation that he would sleep with Isabel. "Max, I can't believe that you think Michael and I are sleeping together," said Isabel shocked. "You have a dirty mind Maxwell. I wouldn't sleep with Isabel!" said Michael. Isabel looked at him, her feelings hurt ,"You wouldn't sleep with me! Why not?" "What, what?!" asked Michael suddenly confused. "You just said you wouldn't sleep with me. Aren't I good enough to sleep with?" asked Isabel. "Sure you are, but I just wouldn't do that to you. What are you getting all riled up for?" asked Michael, not understanding where this was coming from. Liz and Max looked at each other,"Hormones," mouthed Liz. "What? Do you want me to sleep with you?" asked Michael. "Don't go there Michael!" yelled Isabel as she walked into the bathroom and slammed the door. Michael turned to the others, and asked "What the hell just happened?" ******** Isabel sat on the floor, and cried. She was so embarrassed. What had possessed her to go off on Michael like that? She had practically begged Michael to sleep with her, and in front of Max and Liz too! A knock sounded on the door. "Go away please," Isabel called out. "Isabel, it's me, Liz," came the voice she really didn't want to hear. "I want to be alone," Isabel called out again. "They have gone for a walk Isabel, if you want to come out," offered Liz. Isabel knew Liz would not leave her alone, so she got up, washed her face, and opened the door. "So, where did they go?" asked Isabel trying to pretend indifference. "Um they just went out for coffee," said Liz, gesturing in the direction of the resturaunt. "Oh," said Isabel sitting in a chair by the window. Liz watched her for a minute, before Isabel snapped, "What? I know you are dying to say something, so just get it over with." "I was just wondering what it felt like to be pregnant?" asked Liz. "What?" asked Isabel, unprepaired for that question. "What's it like to be pregnant?" Liz asked again, coming to sit beside Isabel. "Well," said Isabel thoughtfully, "it's something you just can't describe. I mean it hasn't moved yet or anything, but knowing I have this life inside of me that is half me, and half Michael, is just so...so...wonderful," she finished unaware that her face had taken on a glow at her mention of Michael's name. "So do you love him?" asked Liz softly. "What? Love Michael? Sure, we grew up together, we've been there for each...what?" asked Isabel as Liz shook her head. "I should have asked are you in love with him?" Isabel snapped her head back. "I don't know what you mean." "Isabel, this is hard for me to ask, because Maria is my friend, and she loves Michael, but I just need to know if you are in love with him. That you are not trapping him with this baby that neither of you wanted," said Liz quickly. Isabel looked at her and said,"We may not have asked for this to happen to us, but we both want this baby Liz. As for if I'm in love with Michael...I don't know." She looked away as she added, "It has only been a few weeks you know? I could be though...he's really great. But that doesn't mean he is in love with me. I don't want him to stay with me out of a sense of obligation." Liz nodded her head, but to herself she thought,'You two are so in love with each other, but are to stubborn to admit it. And poor Maria.' The door opened, and Michael, and Max walked in. "Is it safe to enter," asked Michael looking towards the girls. Isabel got up, looking very embarrassed. "Michael, I'm so sorry! I don't know what got in to me. Can we blame it on hormones?" apologized Isabel. Michael smiled at her softly, and pushing her hair out of her eyes, said quietly, "Yeah, it's okay." Catching himself with his fingers in her hair, Michael pulled them away quickly before adding,"I brought you some juice, and fruit. That's what you eat in the morning, right?" Isabel smiled gratefully, as she took the food,"Thanks Michael! We were starving, weren't we little one?" Michael ran his hand over Isabel's pooch with out thinking,"I guess he'll always be hungry like his old man." "Or she," replied Isabel placing her hand over his. Feeling like intruders to an intimate moment, Max and Liz digested what they saw quietly. Max seeing the change in Michael and Isabel as one that would not be broken. Whatever they were going through was binding them tightly together whether they realized it or not. Liz could see that the two aliens were in love with each other, though they were not ready to admit it yet. Child or not, Max and Liz knew that Michael and Isabel were not going to be seperated. ******** "So when are you two coming back to Roswell?" asked Max. "We can't come back, and risk all of you," said Michael. "But we are stronger together Michael, this just proves it. If you come back , then we can fight them together." "He's right Michael," said Liz. "Who asked you?" snapped Michael at Liz. "You don't have any say in this." "Michael..." began Max. "Sorry...sorry...I'm just wanting to watch out for my family," said Michael apologetically. "Are we family Michael?" asked Isabel behind him. Michael turned, and stood up. He looked at Isabel and said, "Yeah, we are. I think we are." "Because of the baby?" Isabel asked. Sensing that a private discussion of importance was about to happen, Liz stood up and said,"Max, would you go get some fresh air with me? I'd also like to walk around ,and see what they have around here." Max looked at her , and then at Michael and Isabel. He wanted to know what was going on here, but Liz seemed very intent on going for a walk. Standing up he said,"Yeah, sure Liz...uh, we'll back in a little while." Isabel and Michael never even noticed Max and Liz leave. "Michael? Is it because of the baby?" Isabel asked again. Michael just kept staring at Isabel. She had this terrific glow about her. And she smelled so good. She had just asked him something too. Oh yeah... "Yes...I mean no...I mean, Isabel we have always been a family, but now we have a baby , and that makes us a real family." "But if there was no baby...would we still be feeling this ...closeness?" she asked as she walked away from him. So she felt it too. This thing drawing them to one another. Was it because of their circumstances, or was it more? "I don't know. I like to think that we would still be feeling this way...you?" he asked. Isabel smiled slightly ,and shrugged her shoulders as she said," I don't know. It's just strange you know. You've been my friend for so long, and now...you're ...more." "More?" he asked as he moved closer behind her. Isabel nodded as she said,"Yeah, more." "How much more?" Michael asked as he stood so closely behind her, that she could feel him breathing into her hair. Closing her eyes she answered breathlessly," Much more." "Isabel..." whispered Michael as he put his hands on her shoulders ,his eyes closing as he inhaled her sweet scent. "Michael..." she barely managed as she leaned back against him, thrilling in the feel of his strong hands on her shoulders. "Hey , have you two...oh!" said Max, as he and Liz barged back into the room, stopping short at the sight of Michael and Isabel having an intimate moment. "What's going on?" asked Max as Michael and Isabel pulled away, their eyes everywhere, but on each other. Liz felt badly for the two would be lovers and said, " Uh, Max decided we could sight see later." Michael looked at Max and said tightly,"Your timing is really off man." "Isabel?" asked Max looking at his sister. "Max, you want anwers that we can't give you yet, because we don't know them ourselves! I'm asking you to leave," said Isabel a little more harshly than she had intended. "What?" asked Max shocked by her behavior. "Max," Isabel said more gently this time," we needed you to help us. You did. We are very grateful, but we can't go back to Roswell. Not yet. We need to be absolutely sure it is safe. We also need to figure this out about Michael and me. We can't do that if you are constantly in our faces. Please Max, you and Liz go home. We'll come home when it is safe." Max looked from Isabel to Michael, and knew that they had made up their minds about this. "You'll keep in touch with me? How can I let you know when it is safe?" asked Max pained at leaving them behind. With tears in her eyes, Isabel said," I'll come to you in your dreams." Max took her in his arms, and they hugged each other tight. Looking at Michael over Isabel's shoulder, he said," Keep her safe Michael. I need you to bring her home." Michael nodded,"Yeah man, I'll keep her safe." Standing back, he watched as Liz hugged Isabel and whispered, "I hate this for Maria, but good luck to you two." Isabel nodded, and whispered back, "Thanks," to the one female she never thought she would say that too. Taking Liz's hand, Max went out the door. ******** "Michael how much longer are we going to stay here?" asked Isabel as she pulled back the covers on the bed that night. "We can move on tomorrow if you want," replied Michael walking in from the bathroom in his boxer shorts. Isabel stopped short at the sight of him. They had spent many nights together in one bed since their adventure had begun, but this night seemed very different. Noticing her hesitance, Michael asked,"You want me to sleep on the floor? I can you know...I'm used to it." "What? No...no. We will share the bed as usual," said Isabel getting in on her side. Michael eyed her for a minute, and then got in on his side. They lay apart, covers to their chests, staring at the ceiling. "Soooo, any idea where you might want to go?" asked Michael trying to break the tension. "No. No idea. I just wondered," replied Isabel trying to sound normal. Michael turned on his side, and looked at Isabel,"Is it going to be this way from now on? I mean I liked it before when we were easy with each other. This just sucks." Turning on her side to face him, and smiling slightly, Isabel said,"Yeah it does, doesn't it." "Goodnight Isabel." "Goodnight Michael." ******** "Nooooooo!" Screamed Isabel thrashing in the bed. Michael jumped at her scream, and immediately tried to soothe her. "Shhhh Isabel, it's me...come on wake up....shhhh." "Don't hurt him! Oh God, please don't hurt him!" she screamed throwing out her hand as if to let her powers stay off whoever was trying to hurt the one she wanted to protect. Michael grabbed her hand, and held it down, not knowing if she could use her powers in her sleep. "Isabel! No one is here! Who are you trying to protect? I'll help you! Is it the baby? We'll protect it together! Isabel!" said Michael forcefully as he lay on top of her to control her thrashing. Isabel screamed again, but this time Michael had his answer. "Don't hurt him! Oh God, don't let them hurt Michael! Please...." she sobbed until the fight went out of her, and she slept against Michael's chest. Michael lay with his arms around Isabel, gently caressing her hair as he thought over her words. She was protecting him. ******* Three Weeks Later... Isabel walked down the street with Michael looking in the shop windows. He had come along to pacify her, and to watch out for her. "Are you almost done Isabel? This is not exactly my idea of fun," asked Michael. "Almost Michael, there are just two more stores on this row, and then we'll be through. I haven't bought anything, and it's so much fun looking," Isabel gushed, happy to be out doing what she loved...shopping. Michael let her take his hand ,and drag him into the next one...a video store...well this was more his speed. They looked at the release, and decided on a couple of DVD's. One shop left to go thought Michael , as he glanced through their purchases. That's when he noticed Isabel had stopped. She was gazing in the last stores window...a maternity shop. In the window were cribs, layettes, baby clothes, maternity clothes...baby heaven. Her hands touched the glass as she looked longingly at the the items. Walking up behind her, Michael put his hand on her shoulder,"Going inside?" Isabel shook her head,"No since in getting things we can't carry with us. We don't know where we will be, or how long we will be roaming. Let's just go." Michael could see the wistful look she threw some of the items, and took her hand, and led her inside. "Can I help you?" asked the sales woman who approached them. "We'd like to see some clothes for her, and some baby stuff," said Michael. "Michael...I..." began Isabel overwhelmed that he noticed she needed clothes, and that she wanted something for the baby. "This way then," smiled the woman. She showed Isabel several outfits, some proper, some not for her traveling needs. Finally she settled on three that she could mix and match. A fourth she left behind as frivolous. Next she picked out a soft blue and white blanket, and a tiny blue and white sleeper. "Blue? You know something I don't?" asked Michael eyeing the items she picked. "No, I just like them," said Isabel. Suddenly she laughed, "Do you know something I should know?" On the counter with her items were a ball mitt, and a soft bodied baby doll. "What?" asked Michael shifting uncomfortabley. "If it's a boy, we're covered, and if it's a girl, I'm covered too." Leaning up, Isabel kissed Michael's cheek,"Thank you Michael. The baby, and I both thank you." Michael smiled down at her."Your both welcome," he said huskily. ********* Later after they had eaten a late dinner, and walked back to their room, Isabel went through her bags of goodies, stopping short when she got to the bottom. "Michael, what's this?" asked Isabel as she removed the one outfit she had wanted , but didn't get because she thought it too frivolous for now. "I just thought you might like it. I didn't get to see you in any of them, but the lady said you looked beautiful, so ...I got it for you," said Michael sheepishly. Tears sprang to her eyes, as she ran to him, and threw arms around his neck, kissing him. Surprised by her actions, Michael hugged her to him , and kissed her back. Mouths parted to allow searching tongues to enter. They kissed hesitantly at first, but soon the kisses turned deeper, until they finally broke apart for air. Still holding each other, they looked into each others eyes. "Wow," said Michael hoarsely. "Hhmmm, yeah," agreed Isabel. "I've never felt anything like that before," he said as he began to rub her back with slow, small circles. "Me either," she said breathlessly. Laying her head on hid shoulder, she asked, "What's happening to us Michael?" already knowing the answer. "I...I don't know," he replied pulling from her embrace. Confused and hurt, Isabel looked at his retreating back. "You don't know, or you don't want to know?" she asked. "Isabel, I know what you want to hear, I know what I want to say, but I'm not ready," said Michael. Holding back her tears, Isabel put away her new things, the joy in having them gone. ******** Michael turned over in the bed ,and his arm fell across Isabel. Coming awake, he realized where his hand had landed. Her rouding belly. She had been rounding pretty quickly they thought. Maybe it had to do with being alien, they weren't sure, but to them she looked to be four or five months along, even though they new that she were only three. Her clothes were tight...until today that is. Then he'd taken all the joy away from her, by not being able to say what he felt. He opened his hand to the firmness of her belly , caressing the place where his child lay inside of her. Then he felt it. The slightest ripple under his hand. He held his breath waiting for it to happen again. "Holding your breath won't make it happen any quicker," said Isabel quietly. "You felt that?" asked Michael totally awed by what had just happened. Isabel laughed softly,"Of course I felt it, it's happening in me Michael." "What's it feel like?" he asked moving his head down to her belly, and resting it there. Running her fingrs threw his hair, she said,"Like little butterfly wings kissing you." "When did they start?" he asked. "Earlier this evening," she said after a moments hesitation. He closed his eyes, and then raised his head to look at her. "And you didn't tell me?" he asked sadly. "I wanted to, but you were so quiet after what happened earlier..." she said. "Yeah," he said, feeling bad about that. "Isabel I want to know when these things happen to you. When you feel the baby. How else will I know what's going on?" "I'm sorry Michael. I guess I just didn't think, I'm sorry." Isabel felt the baby move again , and said, "Give me your hand Michael." Taking his hand, she placed it where the baby was moving. "Feel it?" His huge grin spoke volumes. "Can I see it?" he asked. Isabel stared at him. "You want to see my belly? Michael, it's huge," she complained. "Not to me. Please?" he asked sweetly. Looking at him just a second, and feeling strange doing it, Isabel lifted her shirt top above her belly to just under her breasts. Michael placed his hand over her tummy, and slowly felt around on Isabel's belly. Then he felt, and saw a slight ripple. His eyes widening, Michael leaned down and kissed the spot where his child had moved. Isabel gasped as a shiver of pleasure went through her at the touch of Michael's lips on her belly. Laying his head back down on her belly, he said quietly, "Isabel, I love you." Isbael fingers froze in their movement in his hair. "Did you hear me?" he asked uncertainly. Tears in her eyes, she nodded, and then realized he couldn't see her nod. "Ye...mmm....yes. Yes I heard you," she said so softly that he almost missed it. He closed his eyes as he tried not to be embarrassed that she had not said it back. He had been wrong in thinking that she loved him too. "Michael?" Opening his eyes , he said," Yeah?" "I love you too." He raised up to look at her. "I'm talking about being 'in love' Isabel, not just loving you as a friend," explained Michael carefully. "I know. That's what I mean too," she said with emotion. Michael leaned over her, his face inches from hers. "Isabel, when did this happen? One day we're friends, and then we're in love. When did it happen?" asked Michael still confused. "Does it really matter when it happened , as long as it did?" "No, I guess not," he said as he lowered his mouth to hers. She welcomed his kiss with her own passionate one. Losing himself in his her arms, Michael began to explore her body, and she his. Breaking apart from their kiss, Michael lay back on the bed, panting as much from needing air as from desire. "Why did you stop?" she asked, just as aroused as Michael. "I'm not going to have sex with you," he finally got out. "What?" she almost cried out in frustration. Leaning over her again, he said, "Isabel, I want to marry you." She froze. "You want to what?" she asked in a choking voice. Looking at her tenderly, he asked again,"Isabel, I want to marry you. I've thought about this all evening, and I'm in love with you, you're having my baby, why not?" Isabel relaxed as his reasons sank in. He had said he was in love with her first. Not your having a baby, but I'm in love with you. "Yeah, I'd like to marry you Michael Guerin. I'd like that alot," she said as she threw her arms around him, and kissed him. Knowing she was aroused still, Michael pulled back again, much to his own shock. "No Isabel. I'll marry you before I have sex with you," said Michael, his own arousal killing him. "But I'm already pregnant!" she complained, wanting to feel him inside her. "By a dream, not by me...the physical me that is. I never thought of myself as an old fashioned kind of guy, but with you , I want a ring on your finger first. You deserve that," he said taking her hand in his. Feeling how special he wanted this to be for her, she relented. "When do we get married?" she asked. "Tomorrow, if we can," he replied tightly. "Tomorrow," she agreed smiling at his apparent discomfort. "Um, I'm just going to take a quick shower to cool off," he said as he got up to go to the bathroom. "Take one for me too," she sighed as she tried to throw her thoughts of him somewhere else. ********* "Max? Max? Wake up Max..." called Isabel. "Isabel? You here....Isabel? What's wrong?" cried Max as he sat up quickly. Isabel approached him , and smiled as she lowered her form slowly to the bed beside him. "Wow!" said Max, eyeing her belly. "Yeah, I guess gestation for aliens goes fast, or we just get very big," she laughed. "What's wrong Isabel? You don't seem upset, infact you seem....happy!" said Max watching her, and thinking how radiant she looked. "I am happy, Max." Looking at him she added carefully, "Michael and I got married today!" "You what?" asked Max surprised. "We got married today Max, " she said again softly. "Wow..." he said almost to himself. "Congratulations are in order I guess." "He loves me Max, and I love him. Not just as friends, but we are in love with each other." She laughed a little laugh as she added," We don't even know when it happened, but it did , and so we got married." Searching his face, she asked,"Are you really happy for us Max?" Seeing how happy she was, and remembering what he had observed when he had last seen them, he didn't doubt that they were in love. "Yes, I mean it," he said smiling at her. "I have to go now Max. But I'll be back very soon." "Goodbye, Isabel." "Goodbye, Max." ******** They had found a minister who would marry them by playing on his sympathies with her pregnancey. Michael had purchased a gold nugget, and using his powers fashioned a ring for her. He had been practicing his powers, and they were more focused,stronger, but he was still developing them. Isabel wore her special outfit that Michael had surprised her with from the maternity store. They had married in the ministers garden , with a bouquet of flowers for her from same. They had eaten a light dinner, and returned to their room, for their first night as man and wife. Michael had made the sweetest, gentlest love to her. They had been surprised to discover that Pierce's doctors had been correct. She had been a virgin when Michael entered her, taking her virginity swiftly. But the pleasure he gave her soon out weighed the moment of pain. They had laughed over manuvering around her burgeoning belly, but thrilled in findings ways to please ,and arouse each other. Michael was surprised to find Isabel a willing wildcat in bed, as well as a kitten. Isabel enjoyed Michael's forcefulness, as well as his gentleness. Laying snuggled together ,Isabel's legs entwined with his, as she dozed, Michael asked quietly,"Isabel, would you like to go home?" "Mmmmm?" she asked sleepily. "I asked if you would like to go home?" Isabel's eyes flew open, as she leaned up to look at him. "Go home? Can we do that? I mean, is it safe for them, for us..." looking down at her belly,and placing her hand there, "...for the baby?" Placing his hand over hers, he said,"I think it's okay. Max is right. We're stronger together than apart. I think we should go home." Smiling down at him, she kissed him , and said,"Let's go home." ******* "Huh, I wanted to talk to all of you at the same time, because ...well this is pretty important." Max, looked at his friends sitting around him in the alien museum. "What is it Max? Has something else happened to Michael and Isabel? I thought they were doing okay?" asked Liz. "They're not okay? But, I thought you healed him," said Maria, her eyes widening at the thought that Michael might be hurt again. "Isabel's alright isn't she?" asked Alex concerned for the girl who held his heart. "Why don't we just let Max tell us what he has to tell us," said Tess waiting paitently. Max looked at Tess greatfully before saying,"Yeah, well, the thing is, they are okay. No one else has found them." Then he paused before adding,"But there is news. Good news infact. They are coming home!" Everyone began talking at once. Maria was planning what she and Michael would do his first night home, and Alex was thinking of Isabel. Looking at Maria and Alex's faces, he knew he had to tell them, but... Tess saw the hesitation on Max's face. "Max, is there something else?" she asked. Everyone stopped, and looked at Max. "Yeah," he said uncomfortabely. "Well," asked Liz. "They are huh...they...got married," he finally said. Silence. "No way," said Maria quietly. "Mmmarried?" asked Alex shocked. "Isabel is married to Michael?" Tess looked around the room at each of them, before asking,"What are you surprised at? They left here with her pregnant...they have been together night and day for months now, getting closer. I told all of you before, the dreams were based on actual feelings for each other. Why are you surprised that they married?" "But he loves me..." said Maria looking at the floor with tears in her eyes. Liz bent down next to her,"Maria remember we talked about you giving him up. He belongs with Isabel..their having a baby together...and I told you,he loves her. I saw it myself the last time Max and I saw them." Maria raised her eyes to Liz,"I know, but I just hoped that...you know, he would come back to me." Alex gazed at his feet. He hurt like hell inside, but he knew this was right. Some part of him always knew that Michael and Isabel had some sort of chemisty going. "When will they be here Max?" asked Tess. Max looked at her, and said,"I don't know. She just came to me, and said they were coming home." "Then let's get his apartment ready for them," said Tess. ******** "There it is Isabel...Roswell, New Mexico. You know, I've tried most of my life to get out of this stinking town, and when I finally do, I come right back. Ironic isn't it?" said Michael gazing at the town. Isabel ran her fingers in an unconscious pattern on her belly. "Home." Looking at Michael she asked,"Do you really think we will be safer here?" Gazing back at her, and running his hand along her neck, and collar bone, Michael said,"Yeah I do. If anyone comes for us, we are stronger with Max and Tess's powers." He looked away before asking, "Are you nervous about seeing everyone?" "Yeah," said Isabel nodding her head. "Do you think Max told them we are married?" "Hell I hope so. Maria may have calmed down by now," he half joked. "Michael, they are going to be hurt. We have to be careful ,and remember that." She looked down at her belly before adding,"I'm just scared to see my parents again." Michael looked at her quickly. "Don't be afraid Isabel. We will tell them together we are married...maybe that will soften the blow of us being gone." "I hope so." Michael kicked the car into gear,"Let's go home." ******* "Mom? Dad?" called out Isabel carefully as she and Michael entered the kitchen. "Maybe they're not home," said Michael looking around. "Isabel? Isabel, is that you?" said her mom as she entered the kitchen, her hand flying to mouth at the sight of her daughter. "Mom," Isabel broke down, as her mother opened her arms to her. Isabel went into her mothers arms,and clung to her while Michael watched from behind her. Pulling back, and holding Isabel at arms length, she viewed Isabel's large form. "Oh my goodness! You must be about ready to deliver! I...I thought you were not due for quite awhile yet," said Diane. "Yeah well..." Isabel didn't really comment, not really knowing how. "Michael," said Diane acknowledging him. "Mrs. Evans," replied Michael. Isabel turned to Michael, and took his hand."Mom, uh, Michael and I....we're married," said Isabel showing her ring to her mom. Diane took Isabel's hand in hers, and gazed at the ring on her finger. "Married?" "Mom?" Diane smiled tremuously as she hugged Isabel to her again, and then hugged Michael. "Well, it's a double celebration then," she said breathlessly. Michael smiled at Isabel's glowing face. One hurdle crossed, three to go. ******** Phillip Evans sat in the back yard throwing pieces of grass at nothing, while lost in thought. He wanted his daughter home. He had worried about her, and yes,even Michael for months now. "Daddy?" came a voice from his dreams. Tears filled his eyes as he wished she were really here. "Daddy? came the voice again. Phillip came out of his reviere, and saw Isabel crossing the yard to him. "Isabel?" he asked, not believing his eyes. "It's really me Daddy," she said , Michael following along behind her. "Princess!" said Phillip as he jumped up,and crossed to her, enveloping her in his arms. "I've missed you baby!" "I've missed you too, Daddy," cried Isabel. Standing back , he looked at her belly , and asked,"Are you okay honey? Everythings okay?" "Yes, Daddy, everythings fine." Looking at Michael and holding out her hand to him, she added,"We're married Daddy." Phillip looked at both of them, and nodded his head. "I'm just glad you're back." ********* "How do you know they haven't leased it to someone else Michael?" asked Isabel, as they stood outside Michael's apartment. "Did Max say they had?" he asked her. "No, but..." "Then it's still mine," he said as he unlocked the door. "Michael , what are you doing?" screamed Isabel as he picked her up. "Carrying my wife over the thresh hold," he replied kissing her. "You'll hurt yourself," she laughed. "Then I'll hurt myself while carrying the one I love," he said kissing her again. Isabel and Michael didn't notice that they weren't alone until they heard Max clear his throat. "Surprise," he called out lamely. Michael and Isabel looked around to see their friends watching them...some smiling, some with mouths open in shock. Michael gently put Isabel down, and put his arm around her. "We thought we would get it ready for you," offered Liz in the thick silence. "It looks great. Thanks," replied Michael looking at Maria, who's mouth was hanging open. "We...we didn't expect anyone to be here," said Isabel looking nervously at Alex, who was staring at her belly. "That's apparent," said Maria, who's eyes also moved to Isabel's large form. Michael pulled Isabel to the sofa, and helped her sit down. "Want something to drink?" he asked her. "No, I'm fine," said Isabel smiling at him softly. "You need to drink something Isabel. I'll get you some water," he said, going to get her a glass. Maria followed him into the kitchen. "Why did you marry her? Was it because of the baby?" asked Maria at his shoulder, her voice cracking. Michael turned off the water, and set the glass down on the cabinet. He turned to look at Maria and said,"I love her Maria." At her look, he said,"I don't say that to hurt you Maria, but to help you see. I love her. I have this incredible feeling of contentment when I'm with her, and she makes me feel like...I don't know...like I can do anything." "And I don't?" she asked hurting. "You're my friend, Maria. You always will be. I owe you alot, but my heart belongs to her." Maria nodded. "Yeah, that's what Liz has been telling me, but I wouldn't listen. You know me, stubborn," she said sniffing back tears. Michael shook his head, and hugged her. Then he picked up the water, and went to Isabel. Alex sat down next to Isabel on the sofa. "So, you married him huh?" "Alex, I ..." began Isabel. "Isabel, it's okay. On some plain, I always knew it was you and Michael." At her look, he explaianed,"You always were looking after each other, even when you fought with each other. The way your eyes followed him, and the way you acted when he was with Maria,...I knew." "I'm sorry, Alex." "I'm not, not if you're happy," he said. "I'm very happy," she said smiling. Alex nodded. Tess came to stand before Isabel, and looked at her thoughtfully. "How do you feel Isabel?" she asked squatting down before her. "Fine. Great actually...except for being the size of a house," she laughed. Michael came to sit beside her. "Everything seems okay, except we can't figure out why she has gotten so big, so fast." "I think I may know why," said Tess. "I need to bring Nacedo here." "Nacedo!" exclaimed Michael. "How can he help?" asked Max. "I just need to be sure about something," said Tess. Walking to the phone, she called the alien who had raised her. ******** "Well," said the older alien as Max admitted him to the apartment, "the wanderers have returned I see." Standing infront of Isabel, he asked,"How do you feel Isabel?" "Fine. Big, but fine." she replied nervously. "Come lay down on the bed," ordered Nacedo. Michael helped her up, and over to the bed. "What are you going to do ?" asked Michael to Nacedo. "I'm confirming a hunch that Tess has," explained Nacedo as he placed his hands over Isabel's belly. After a moment, he smiled, and nodded. "Excellant!" "What is?" asked Max, as he watched the alien. Standing and looking at Michael and then at Isabel, Nacedo, said,"Twins. Isabel carries twins. That is why she ihas gotten so large so fast." "Oh my God ....twins?!?!" exclaimed Michael as he ran his fingers threw his hair, and dropped down on the bed next to an equally shocked Isabel. "Noooo....twins? Nooooo...." she kept saying as she rubbed her hand over belly. "Oh, yes. Very definitely twins. They run in her family actually," confirmed Nacedo. "Max, and Tess will likey have twins too." Max looked quickly at Tess, and then at Liz. "When will their babies be born?" asked Max changing the subject away from him and Tess. "I would say, another month," said Nacedo. "But that is still soon," they said. "Not for aliens births," said Tess. "I think they need to be alone to digest this," said Max watching his sister and friend, who still seemed to be in shock. Everyone filed out, leaving Isabel and Michael on the bed. "Twins," said Isabel weakly. "Twins," said Michael just as weakly. "Michael..." she said her voice containing panic. Taking her hand in his, Michael kissed it and said, "We've come this far Isabel. We've survived Pierce, and the FBI, killing, being on the run, dreams,...we can do this." "We can do this..." she repeated staring at the ceiling. Neither was very sure. ******* 6 weeks later... "Michael, wake up," said Isabel, as she tugged on Michael's arm. Michael rolled over, and with his eyes shut said,"If it's not the babies, I'm still asleep." "Michael, wake up!" said Isabel more insistently. Opening his eyes, Michael looked at her. "What?" "I want to go to the pod chamber." "You want to what?" he asked scratching his head. "I want to go to the pod chamber." "Okay, tomorrow we will go to the pod chamber, but the roads will be bumpy, and I don't think very comfortable," said Michael rolling back over. "Michael, I want to go now," said Isabel, beginning to get out of bed. Michael's eyes opened, and watched her a minute, before asking,"Why now? It's 3:00 a.m. Can't it wait until daylight?" "No, I want to go now," she said grabbing the keys. "Wait,wait,wait! I'm coming. Let me get some clothes on," he said tripping over his pants as pulled them on. "I'll be in the car," she said as she walked out the door. "Hey, aren't you even going to change clothes?" he called, as he noticed she still had on her gown. "Guess,not" he said as he pulled on a shirt , and headed out the door. ******* "Why did we have to come here now Isabel?" asked Michael as he helped her into the chamber. "I don't know Michael. I just had this need to come here," she said looking around. "Other women want pickles, and weird stuff to eat, my wife wants to visit the place where she was born," grumbled Michael. "Michael," said Isabel going still, and touching her belly. "What?" he asked as he leaned against the chamber wall. "My water just broke." "Your what?" he asked rubbing his eyes sleepily. "My water just broke," she said as calm as she could. Eyes snapping open, Michael was suddenly down by her side. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Well I felt a gush, I'm wet...yes, I pretty positive it broke," she said trying not to grin at his growing anxiety. "We've got to get you out of here!" said Michael ready to help her up. "No." He froze. "No?" "No." "Why the hell not?!" he asked upset. "I think I'm supposed to have the babies here," she said calmly. "What? What makes you think that?" he asked as he sank down next to her. "I'm not sure, but I know this is where it will be." Michael looked around at the chamber, and said,"Isabel, this is not the cleanest, best place to have a baby. Besides," he said, his nerves showing,"We can't do this by ourselves. What if we do it wrong? Or what if one needs help? I might drop one on its' head!" Isabel squelched a giggle,"You won't drop one, and it was good enough for us to be born in Michael. Nothing will go wrong...I trust you," she said gripping his hand as her first pain hit her. "Oh shit!" he said as he realized they were really going to do this, right here, right now. ******** 6 hours later.... "Isabel, let me get you some help!" begged Michael, as he helped her pace the chamber, the pains coming more quickly. "No! I'm fine. You're all I need, Michael, so just help me....please?" she panted between pains. "Okay, okay..." he said as he felt her grip his hand again. Damn, she was strong! Were all pregnant women that strong in labor, or just alien women? "Michael!" said Isabel suddenly, as she quit walking. "What?" he asked, afraid to know. "It's now Michael! Oh God, Michael, I've changed my mind! I can't do this! I can't have a baby, let alone two! I've changed my mind!" said Isabel beginning to get hysterical. Michael took her face in his hands, and said,"Isabel, look in my eyes! Look in my eyes!" When she did, he said,"You can do this Isabel. You are so ready to do this. Those babies are ready to meet us, Isabel, and I'm ready to meet them...aren't you?" Michael's calm voice came through her frightened mind, and Isabel began to breathe. "Okay," she said knealing on the ground. "Okay, whoever you are out there, I need help here, so provide it okay? Oh, and let these kids be okay...Isabel too," he said to himself as he kneeled at the end of Isabel's bent legs. After more pains, and several pushes, Michael helped Isabel deliver their son. Bursting with pride,Michael handed him to his mother,for a minute before taking him ,and wrapping him in part of her torn gown. Laying him next to her, he prepaired for baby number two. More pains, more pushes, and a loud scream, brought his daughter into Michael's waiting hands. Isabel held her daughter as Michael delivered the afterbirth. How he knew what to do, he didn't know, but it all just came naturally to him, as if he had done it before. As she held her daughter, Michael held his son. "What are we going to name them Isabel?" asked Michael. "How about Hunter and Rachel?" "Hunter? That's a warrior's name...and Rachel. That's beautiful. Yeah, sounds good." Looking at her he asked,"Are you feeling okay Isabel?" Smiling at him , she said, "Better than okay, Michael. We did it. We have our babies, and we had them here. It's a cycle." Noises at the entrance of the chamber, showed Max, Tess, and Nacedo entering the cave. "Your babies are beautiful!" cooed Tess over the babies. "Oh my God! You had the babies! Why didn't you tell someone?" exclaimed Max knealing beside Isabel, and touching his nieces head. "They couldn't Max. It's ritual with our speicies. They had to do this alone," explained Nacedo. "Is that why I knew what to do when the time came?" asked Michael. "Well, in part. You probably remembered doing this before on our world." "What do mean, before?" asked Isabel. "I mean when you delivered your son on our world." "What! What happened to him?" asked Isabel afraid to know. "He died in the war along with you...just hours after you delivered him," said Nacedo. "You're a bastard,you know that!" said Michael glaring at Nacedo through tearful eyes. "I'm telling you this so you will understand why you did what you did, and how important these children are. They are our future. Your children, and Max and Tess's." Isabel kissed her babies,and cried for the one she had lost on the home planet, while Michael pulled her to him. "We will not let anyone hurt these babies. We've already killed to protect them, we'll do it again," vowed Michael. "You won't be alone in this, as long as you four stick together," said Nacedo. Max observed the new family. He looked at Tess, and saw her watching them too. He didn't know where their destiny would lead them, but right now, he would do everything in his power to protect his sisters family. "Let's get you guys home. Time for the others to meet them. Mom and Dad will freak," added Max smiling. "We will be there in just a minute," said Michael, as the others went outside. Helping Isabel up, and handing her their son, Michael carried his daughter as he guided Isabel out of the cave. "Isabel?" Michael said." "Yes?" "I love you, and our children with all of my heart. I just want you to know that, and that I'll do everything in my power to protect you," said Michael kissing her. Touching his face with her hand, Isabel said,"I know that Michael. I love you too. I trust that you'll protect us, and care for us." "Let's go home." "Michael?" "Yeah?" "What do we do now? Two babies?" "Got me Isabel, got me." But they were smiling as they took their babies home. End