Part 1

"The past two weeks have been like heaven," Liz breathed in his ear.

He turned his head slightly, his cheek brushing hers. "For me, too."

She slid a small, delicate hand up the side of his arm and snuggled in even closer.

Touching him was still like coming home for her. She couldn't get used to the fact that he wasn't pulling away, wasn't afraid anymore. He was her Max now, and everyone at school knew it. Not that they were making out in the eraser room all the time and cutting classes like before...

She smiled at the memory of the explosive beginning to their physical relationship two months before. It was still somewhat of a mystery, the whole vision quest thing. But at least things felt more normal now. And they were being careful this time...which was the only condition anyone would leave them alone together.

Every so often, Maria would still barrage her with questions.

"Any glowing hickeys? Any rashes? Anything past second base?" And Liz would sigh inwardly but answer her well-intentioned questions. It wasn't like Liz understood herself what had happened. She could only guess how it must have looked to everyone else.

Her parents would only leave them alone together one night a week, if they were in by 11:30. Sure, it was a pain, but Liz knew she had to gain their trust again and it was worth it to spend any time with Max.

He gently disentangled his arm from her and reached for the ignition on the Jeep.

"No, not yet," Liz whispered.

Max lowered his hand again and rested it on her thigh gently. "We barely have time to get back."

Liz put her hand on top of his and laced their fingers together.

She looked up at the stars one last time. This stretch of desert by highway 42 had become one of their favorite spots to be alone, ever since that night when they found the orb. It was romantic, secluded, and was a constant reminder of the intimacy they had almost shared.

A small smile played around her lips. She would never forget the tenderness he had showed in even their most passionate moments.

But when Max leaned over and gently placed his lips against her own, the sensation drove all further thought from Liz's mind. She relaxed against him and reached up to feel the smooth muscles at his neck. Their kiss deepened, but finally Max pulled away. "Time to go," he whispered.

Liz glared him half-heartedly. "Do you always have to be so responsible?"

"Yes, when it means the difference between your parents tolerating our relationship or calling out the dogs on me every time I come near you. I'm not going to mess this up, Liz. It's too important."

She nodded guiltily at the fervancy in his eyes.

He smiled at her and touched her cheek. "I'm doing it for you, for us. For our future." He reached for the keys and started up the Jeep.

Liz glanced back at the desert, longing for a last glance of their private sanctuary, as if to reassure herself it would always be there.

She found herself frowning as a dark, ominous cloud drifted over the moon. She could no longer even see the transmission tower.

How did it get so dark so fast? Must be a storm coming. Liz shivered and glanced back over at Max, but the darkness covered his face as well.

She reached out and slipped her hand through the crook of his arm as he shifted gears. But not even touching him could dispel the uneasy feeling she had.

It stayed with her the rest of the night.

It wasn't until the Monday morning that Liz could put a name to her feeling...

Tess Hart.

A petite blond who normally wouldn't have even registered on Liz's panic scale. In fact, Liz had been staring at her all morning, trying to figure out why her instincts told her to hate this girl.

Sure, there was already a faction of girls at West Roswell High who hated "the New Girl," but that was out of sheer jealousy. She was blond, cute and curvy...and new.

The guys were falling all over themselves to get a glimpse of her, prompting the formation of the very bitter "Old Girls Club." Membership into this society consisted of two things: hating Tess Hart and conniving to keep her away from West Roswell guys.

Liz glanced to the door of the classroom as the teacher walked over to close it. At least five or six guys were making fools of themselves as they fought for Tess's attention. She was holding court at the doorway like a reluctant queen bee.

As Mr. Solomon stood behind her clearing his throat, Tess smiled a very sweet smile and disengaged herself from the boys. She looked over the class in front of her and gave Max a smile before heading his way.

The look on his face was unmistakeable.

He looked...interested as he watched Tess move by his desk. In fact, he turned in his desk and watched her with his mouth hanging open.

Liz stared at him in unbelief, then turned away to see Maria also watching Max. She gave Liz a questioning look as she whispered, "Ready to join the 'Old Girls' Club' now?"

With wide eyes, Liz turned to watch Tess take a seat, suddenly recalling the darkness that had rolled across the desert Friday night.

Tess glanced around the room, her eyes finally meeting Liz's casually. Liz quickly turned back around in her chair. There was something... almost like a... warning... that had brushed against her mind.

And Liz knew.

She just knew...that nothing would ever be the same between she and Max again.

Lunchtime was tense. Liz couldn't get Max to say five words as he wolfed down his sandwich. Even Isabel was staring at him.

"So, has anyone else got any suggestions?" Michael looked from one face to other. "I mean, this thing has to do something."

"It makes a great paperweight, right, Max?"

Max completely missed Isabel's sarcasm.

"Yeah, sure," he mumbled through a mouthful of sandwich.

The group just stared at him and moved on with the conversation. "So, you don't get any kind of impressions at all from this orb thingee?" Maria looked at Michael with raised eyebrows.

"No, and I've tried everything I know to do," Michael shook his head in frustration.

"Well, isn't this always how it is at first?" Alex broke in casually.

"What are you talking about?" Isabel frowned at him.

"Well, this search seems to be moving forward on someone else's timetable. Just like always, you won't know what this is until whoever it is that sent it lets you know what it is," Alex threw a few cheese balls in his mouth and crunched loudly.

Michael frowned at him. "That's the last thing we need to be doing is just sitting around and waiting for something else to happen. There's got to be an answer somewhere."

Maria watched Michael drum his fingers on the table. "Well, unidentified glowing objects are not exactly in my range of expertise, so I'll just have to pass," she waved her hands vaguely.

"My first thought was that it was just a signal beacon, that the shaft of light was communicating with someone else," Liz ventured.

"Which means, again, that we just sit and wait to see how 'they' respond, right, Michael?" Isabel asked pointedly.

Maria stood up quickly and grabbed her leftover lunch. "Okay, guys, enough shop talk. This stuff gives me the creeps. Just let me know when the Czechoslovakians have landed, okay?" she spat out as quietly as possible and headed for the trash can.

Liz blinked in surprise and grabbed her uneaten lunch. "Maria," Liz called after her, running to catch up. "What's wrong?"

It didn't take much encouragement for Maria to vent quietly as they walked across the quad. "This orb thing is too much. I mean, how do we know they didnšt just make contact with their people? They probably did. And they're probably killers. Like Nasedo. What if they don't like the fact that we know their secret?"

"I don't know, Maria," Liz began.

But Maria stopped suddenly and turned to face Liz. "What if they come to get them now? What if we just wake up one day and they're... gone?"

Liz just stared back for a moment. Liz put her arms around her friend and pulled her close as Maria's chin started quivering.

But Liz couldn't think of a thing to say. Her worst fear was coming true much closer to home.

Part 2

Max couldn't decide which was harder to deal with, the look of hurt and confusion on Liz's face, or the guilt he felt whenever he saw her. Not that it really mattered. All in all, it made for a pretty lousy day.

He had tried everything he could think of to fight his....attraction...connection... whatever, to Tess.
He thought of Liz, of his love for her and that feeling inside whenever she touched him. When that didn't work, he had moved on to mud, dog food, dead puppies, toilets, garbage, athlete's foot, mold, mildew, and finally, Valenti.

But the minute he saw Tess, he was back in "spazzland".

What was it about her?

He cautiously studied her as she sat diagonally ahead of him in U.S. Government class. Liz wasn't in this class, so he didnšt have to worry about being "caught," but it still didn't feel right checking out an attractive girl.

And Tess was attractive, no doubt. She was medium height, with blonde hair and light blue eyes. But she was about as opposite from Liz, his ideal woman, as you could get. Sure, she filled out her clothes in places Liz...

Well, not that it mattered to him. Right? Surely that wasn't the reason.

But, be honest, what else could it be? He had never even talked to her, so it couldn't be her sparkling personality that attracted him.

Attracted him.

Okay, he lectured himself. You're attracted to her. Big deal. You can be in love and still be attracted to someone else, right?

Right.

But when Tess looked back at him suddenly, the blue eyes drew him in...in a way he'd never experienced before. Her face was like an echo in his memory, almost like a deja vu.

As her eyes widened, he realized that she felt it, too, the connection between them.

He finally pulled his eyes away and took a deep breath. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before with a girl.

Of course, the only thing he had to compare it to was Liz.

Who was beautiful. Wonderful. Brave. Worth dying for.

He shook his head. If that was true, then what the hell was happening to him?

In the bathroom after her one class without Tess, Liz splashed cold water on her face.

This couldn't be happening.

It was like a nightmare.

Tess was in five of Liz's classes. She was everywhere, especially whenever Liz tried to talk to Max.

And Max wasn't acting like himself at all. Anytime Tess was near, he stumbled over words, blushed and eventually excused himself quickly to leave.

Liz studied him like she would a specimen under a microscope. She noted the symptoms and tried to unemotionally diagnose the problem. But the answer hurt every time.

He was more than just attracted.

It was impossible, her mind screamed at her, but somehow, Max Evans was falling in love with someone else.

Maria opened her locker with a sigh. She hadn't seen Michael since her blow-up at lunch. To tell the truth, she didn't want to.

She told herself over and over again to just accept the fact that his life was complicated. That there were things she would have trouble dealing with occasionally.

But, losing him...after she had opened herself up to him so much...

That, she knew she'd never be able to deal with.

As she pulled out her science book, a small tray came with it. It was wooden, with small round grooves cut out in rows. The note taped to it read, "How's this for being 'a guy'? -Michael"

Maria smiled.

A tray for her aromatherapy oils.

She wondered briefly if this were handmade, then decided it didn't matter.

Genie powers aside, it still meant the same thing.

He cared.

Part 3

Max fought the impulse to turn and run as he lead the way through the rows of books.

How had this happened? Had he sat straighter when the teacher asked for a volunteer? He had tried to keep his eyes down and his body perfectly still. He didn't remember doing anything to draw attention to himself, but somehow, Mr. Green had picked him to show Tess around the library, anyway.

Not that he minded, really.

Tess was a sweet girl, but being around her drove him crazy. He couldn't think straight.

He suddenly realized that he hadn't said anything in quite a while.

"Um...this is the...card catalog. We have it on computer," Max rested his hand on the terminal casually.

Tess smiled at him, "I see that."

Max's heart was beating doubletime when she finally looked away and blushed. Had he just been staring at her? Oh god...he had.

Yep, Max Evans...total jerk. "Sorry. Um...over here is the nonfiction section, which is, uh, my favorite."

Tess followed a step behind him. "Really? I'm more into fiction myself. Science fiction, actually."

Max turned to look at her. "Really?"

Tess scratched uncomfortably at her neck and looked down. "I'm not exactly sure why I said that."
Max just smiled at her, suddenly wanting to put her at ease. "There's some tables back in the back where you can read or study. Do you...want to sit down for few minutes and talk?" he held his breath for some reason.

She smiled back, a brilliant smile that curved her eyes into cute little half moons. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Max didn't know why, but his heart beat a little faster as she passed by him.

He froze as the movement brought back memories of Liz and that night at the Crashdown when he grabbed her and kissed her...

If anyone could have told him then that he'd feel this way about another girl, he would've denied it to the death.

How could he be falling in love with someone else?

"Falling in love with someone else," Maria sputtered. "How can you even think that?"

Liz shook her head. "I don't *want* to think it, Maria."

As they headed out to Maria's car after school, Liz happened to glance toward the library. Through the window, she saw Max and Tess sitting close at one of the tables. Liz stopped up short. Her stomach knotted up like a fist. What was happening?

She turned to Maria and pointed at the window. "Tell me how to not think it."

Maria came to stand beside her.

As Max gazed intently at Tess, Maria looked at them, then back at Liz. "I'm sure there's an explanation for this. You see, he would never cheat on you, because he KNOWS I'll kick his a-" Maria started for the library door, but Liz grabbed her arm and held her back.

"No, Maria. Let me handle it my own way, okay?" Liz stared at Maria with that stubborn look on her face until Maria relented.

"Okay, we'll do it your way. And then, if that doesn't work, I'll try it my way. Alien-head-in-a-basket."

Her way.

Liz wasn't one to back down from a confrontation. So she waited by the Jeep until Max appeared. He was walking slowly, his mind obviously turning something over.

Liz had only a moment to be glad that Isabel and Michael hadn't shown up yet before Max looked up with a startled look. He looked down and swallowed before speaking.

"Hi, Liz." He climbed into the Jeep, obviously glad to avoid conversation as long as possible.

Liz waited, and stood facing him with as much cold logic as she could muster. She was determined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

But Max had yet to meet her eyes, and the silence was stretching a bit.

"Max, look at me."

Max slowly slid his eyes toward hers, still not fully facing her.

Liz hesitated at the cornered look she saw there. "What's going on, Max?"

"Nothing," he swallowed nervously and glanced away again.

Anger flooded through her. Nothing?

"I don't believe you. I see the way you look at her, how you act around her," Liz bit her bottom lip to stay in control.
She couldn't bring herself to say the name, but Max didn't need her to tell him who she was talking about.

He seemed to fight with himself momentarily before speaking. "Liz, I don't know what's going on," he began urgently. "And I don't want to hurt you. That's the last thing I want to do."

She narrowed her eyes and he hesitated. "But..." she pushed him on.

He looked away, giving her a moment to fight for composure.

When he looked back at her, his face was set.

Liz knew that look and she suddenly, desperately wished to be somewhere else, anywhere else but here and now, having this conversation.

But he was already beginning...

"If you want me to be honest with you, there's something there between Tess and I. I don't know what it is..."

Liz forced a painful smile. "But you want to find out."

Max leaned in slightly. "I need to, Liz. And it's not fair to you to keep...pretending."

Liz swallowed past the tightness rising in her throat. "You mean pretending that you care about me?"

He looked panicked. "No! I meant...can't pretend I don't feel a...a connection to her, of some kind."

She waited for him to explain, but he stopped himself from continuing.

She nodded.

He was saying that he wanted to spend time with Tess, find out where the relationship might lead.

It hurt, and she couldn't stop the sarcasm from creeping in.

"And it's just a happy coincidence that she's built like a Victoria's Secret model," she bit out.

"Liz," Max looked at her tensely. "You know me better than that."

"Yeah...yeah, I thought I did. But I have to admit, I have this creeping doubt, I mean, are you going to use this excuse every time you feel an attraction to some girl?" Tears were threatening, but she blinked them back.

Max stared at her, then shook his head, obviously holding back anger. "How many times do I have to apologize for not being normal? I don't know what this is, Liz, but I canšt fight it. It's who I am." He looked straight ahead and hunched his shoulders. "Maybe you just can't understand."

With that, Liz could see him closing down, pulling away. And she couldn't bring herself to stop him. "Maybe I can't. Maybe I shouldn't have to." Her eyes moved across his impassive face one last time. How could he do this to her?

She turned and walked away, ignoring him when he finally stirred and called after her. She was ice; she was stone. He hadn't broken her heart again. She wouldn't let him.

She was sure now.

Her way sucked.

Part 4

And so it began. The interminable days of watching Max "explore" this new connection with Tess. He had effectively cut himself off from Liz, not talking more than necessary. But his eyes...

Liz fought with herself as she sat in Sociology, but she still watched him. She watched him watching HER. Those eyes, locked on Tess as she smiled shyly back at him.

As always, Liz felt as though she had been kicked in the stomach.

Why did she have to watch them? Why couldn't she just move on?

Then Tess noticed Liz watching her and her smile faltered.

Max turned to see what Tess was looking at and his eyes locked on Liz.

She didn't turn away. She knew exactly what would happen.

She watched with a detatched air as a shock of recognition crossed his face, followed by a quick flash of guilt, then a cutting off of emotions completely.

Liz could read him too well.

He still loved her, but he just couldn't help himself around Tess.

And Liz had to admit, in spite of all appearances, it was killing her...very slowly.

Liz sat down wearily in her lawn chair. Usually, the nightly ritual of lighting the candles relaxed her, but tonight, the air was too full of memories. Today had been an especially hard day, following a very hard two weeks since Tess had come.

At lunchtime, Max and Tess had sat together for the first time. Then, Isabel and Michael had wandered over to join them. Tess seemed fine to them.

But then why wouldn't they want Max to explore this connection with Tess?

And Liz couldn't help but think that if Max's connection to Tess was anything like his connection to Liz...they would probably...probably...

Liz was finally too exhausted to be detached anymore.

The unshed tears made her stomach cramp, but she still only allowed a bitter few.

Maybe the physical connection she and Max had experienced really had been all about finding the orb. And now, he needed to connect with another girl to find out something different about his past.

And Tess, Liz wiped her cheeks and sniffed, Tess is as good a choice as any.

Maria was certain that Tess was an undercover FBI agent or something else sinister.

Liz laughed bitterly.

She reached for her journal. She wouldn't allow herself to bask in that fantasy. Tess seemed like a perfectly normal girl to her.

Yeah, a perfectly normal girl that made her head feel like it was going to explode...

Liz tried to clear her mind, looking forward to writing down the thoughts swirling in her mind. Maybe she'd be able to get a better hold on her emotions this way.

But when she opened her journal, she froze.

Her heart thudded in her chest. She couldn't breathe.

Someone had found her journal...

In blazing red ink, the words, "Stay away," were scrawled on the page.

A chill ran through her.

The words...the words seemed to leave the page... floating up towards her, becoming a hazy cloud of red in front of her eyes.

Liz slammed the journal shut and tried to calm her breathing as the words faded.

Who, Liz thought in a panic, who came up here? Who knows where I hide my journal?

She looked around the rooftop, suddenly feeling very vulnerable and alone in the darkness.

She forced herself to move calmly as she stood and walked to her window. Panicky moves would make her feel worse.

As she bent down to enter the window, something reflecting in the pane of glass caught her attention. A shimmering figure, white with a circle of light surrounding it.

Her breath caught in her throat as she forced herself to turn around and look at it.

But it was gone.

She jerked her head back to look at the figure in the windowpane again, but there was no one...nothing... there.

A desperate smile crossed her face as she tried to laugh off the vision.

This thing with Max was really getting to her.

For a moment there, she could have sworn it was Tess.

Her logical mind back in focus the next morning, Liz went through her list of suspects as to who was her journal grafitti artist.

Her list was actually quite short- one name.

So, before school, Liz stood knocking on an apartment door.

After a few minutes, Michael opened his door with a sour look on his face. "Liz," he blinked a few times. "What do you want?"

"I have to talk to you," she said.

Liz felt like a bug under a microscope as he looked at her probingly.

Finally he lifted his arm and, after a slight hesitation, she ducked under it and into his apartment.

He closed the door behind her and leaned back on it with his arms crossed.

Liz smiled slightly. That was Michael. No use pretending that they were comfortable around each other. They weren't. "Michael, you haven't been up on my balcony again, have you?" she hesitantly began.

Michael furrowed his brow. "No. What's this about?" He pushed off the wall and came towards her.

Liz looked up at him. "And you haven't- haven't read my journal again, have you?"

"Of course not, Liz," he smirked. "Max tells me way more than I want to know about you."

Liz just stared at him.

Michael looked away for a second. "I mean, he used to."

Liz smiled ruefully.

Michael looked even more uncomfortable as he paced to the kitchen. "Sorry about how things turned out."

Why did it hurt even more to know that everyone else felt sorry for her?

"Yeah, thanks." She began to walk out, but he grabbed her arm.

"Liz, what's going on?" he looked at her suspiciously.

Liz pulled her arm out of his grasp. "It's nothing."

Michael looked at her through narrowed eyes.

"It's nothing," she reiterated firmly. Nothing she could explain, anyway.

But she could see that he didn't believe her.

Part 5

School was interminable, but at least Liz finally had something to keep her mind off of Max and Tess.

A crooked smile passed over her face.

Someone had broken in their apartment, and disturbed nothing except her journal, which should have been hidden so well that no one could find it.

Liz slumped in her seat.

Whoever it was had to have been watching her put it away. That was the only answer, and one that she wasn't ready to handle.

She shivered.

Suddenly, she realized someone was saying her name; *he* was saying her name.

Oh yeah...Biology...the class from hell.

She glanced over at Max.

There was concern in his eyes, and she glanced away.

"It's nothing, Max" she whispered as she kept her eyes straight ahead. He had no right to be concerned.

She heard him sigh.

She was glad the distance between them was bothering him, too.

It just felt good to know it, even though it didn't really help one single bit.

Max sat in Biology class trying not to watch Liz hurting or Tess sitting there looking...attractive as always.

He let out a sigh.

He was sure guilt was going to wear a groove in his brain. It was an automatic reaction.

See Tess.

Feel Attraction.

Feel Guilt.

He was beginning to wish he could poke his eyes out. Or get a lobotomy. Anything to get his mind off the fact that he was a total jerk for treating Liz like this.

But, as always, the complications because of his "other-worldliness" meant that he had to make sure of why he was attracted to Tess. She could be one of them. It was a long shot, but a remote possibility. It was the only positive explanation he could come up with.

From there, it all went downhill. Any other explanation meant that there was some danger to beware of and it was better to keep Liz out of the mix altogether.

So, with that thought firmly in mind, he decided to ask Tess over to study for the Biology test.

And maybe he could get some answers about her biology.

As in whether or not she's human, he quickly added with a rueful expression.

Maybe they'd better study downstairs in the family room, though...

After school at the Crashdown, Liz was going to tell Maria about the journal, but Maria had other things on her mind. She was singing lustily as she took off her uniform.

"What a girl wants, what a girl needs..."

"Maria, what has you in such a good mood?" Liz peered at her curiously. "Does it have something to do with why Michael caught a ride home with you today?"

"He said that he wants me to come over and watch a movie tonight," Maria didnšt allow herself a full smile. "I warned him that dating was an extremely 'human' thing to do and it clashed horribly with his 'no entanglements' policy, but he just smiled. Can you believe it?"

Liz smiled, "Definitely something to be excited about, Miss Teflon."

Maria grunted at her. "Fine. Give it to me. I can take it."

Liz raised her eyebrows. "Oh, really? Well, then, let's just visit the subject of the alien abyss which you so readily climbed out of just recently, vowing to never return."

"Don't even go there, Lizzie," Maria frowned at her sternly. She pulled out a vial of cedar and sniffed it.

"Am I going to have to do an intervention with you?" Liz tilted her head and looked innocent.

Maria tried to look mad, but she finally smiled. "I have done a 180 again, haven't I?"

"Yeah, it's funny how things keep...changing," Liz lost her smile momentarily.

Maria walked over and threw her arm around Liz's shoulder. "Not you and me, babe. Not ever. We'll survive no matter what they throw at us," she kissed Liz on the cheek. "I've got to go home and shower."

She grinned maniacally before breezing out the door.

"Have fun," Liz intoned automatically, but her thoughts were already elsewhere. On the long, lonely night ahead of her.

Alex called her at about 6:00 that night, doing his usual cheer-up-the-girls thing. Except tonight, it was only Liz who needed cheering.

"Heard you were free tonight. How about taking in a movie?" he asked without preamble. "I've heard that 'The Thomas Crown Affair' has some pretty steamy scenes which have been purported to actually cause people to forget their own disastrous love life, or lack thereof."

Liz smiled. "I don't think so, Alex. I was just planning on-"

"Sitting around your room listening to Alanis Morrisette and torturing yourself with thoughts of a certain unworthy alien?"

"Yeah," Liz shook her head with a smile. "Yeah, that sounds about right."

"Perish the thought! Why do that, when you could serve your fellow man by pretending to be a hot date and rescuing me from the depths of total rejection?" Alex's logic was flawless.

"Well-"

"I'll pick you up at 8:00, okay?" Alex's voice was so hopeful that Liz couldn't say no. Besides, it sounded much better than sitting around wondering when someone might break into their apartment again. She was almost afraid to look at her journal tonight.

"Okay, 8:00," she agreed.

Part 6

At 7:50 Liz found herself ready and waiting for Alex.

She wandered outside and sat in the doorway of the deserted Crashdown Cafe.

It was a peaceful and pleasant evening, all things considered. A gentle breeze wafted across her face.

She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, feeling safe in the darkness that shrouded her.

Voices drifted across the street and she reluctantly opened her eyes.

She was stunned to see Max and Tess coming out of the UFO Center.

Max had his uniform on, and Liz could've kicked herself for not remembering that 8:00 was when the UFO Center closed for the night.

Tess must have been visiting him.

The blonde looked perfect in her slim-fitting navy dress as she walked close beside Max, and slid her hand inside of his own.

Liz sucked in a breath and forced herself to look down, away from them. Her stomach twisted up in a knot.

When she finally looked back up, she wished she hadn't.

Max had stopped walking and was looking deeply into Tess's eyes. She stepped closer, and before Liz could even blink, their lips met.

Immediately, Liz felt her stomach rise up and she staggered to her feet.

Somehow she made it to the alley beside the cafe before she fell to her knees and retched horribly, hating the feeling of weakness and nausea that was sweeping over her.

After several dry heaves, she remembered that she hadn't eaten anything since early morning.

When exactly had her life started to fall apart?

Suddenly, she felt arms around her and heard Alex's voice. "It's okay, Lizzie, it's okay," he knelt behind her and rubbed her back softly. "I saw it, too."

Liz allowed herself to lean over into his arms, realizing for the first time that she was crying.

Alex pulled her close and laid his chin on her head, murmuring softly. "He's a grade A, first class asshole. He's not worth it."

But she couldn't stop crying, not for a long time.

Max shifted in his chair again, stealing a glance over at Tess. She had her head bowed over her US Government book, her long hair blocking his view. As her pencil scratched across the page, Max wondered at her ability to concentrate. He couldn't stop thinking about that kiss.

Tess stopped writing. "Max," She called softly, her eyes still looking down at her book. "What is it?"

He had been staring again.

"I'm...sorry," he took a deep breath and decided to continue. "I wanted to apologize for...kissing you like that. I donšt normally...uh..."

"It was nice," Tess finally smiled and turned her head enough to look at him. "Just forget about it."

Max nodded.

But he couldn't forget about it.

They worked for a few minutes more in silence before he finally got the courage to speak again.

"Tess, when we kissed, did you...uh.." he faded off.

"See things?" she asked without turning her head to him.

His heart leapt and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"You did?"

She looked deeply into his eyes a moment, then nodded.

"Did you?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah," he smiled.

She smiled in return.

"So, you know, then...about me."

Max leaned back in his chair, at ease for the first time in days. "Yeah. And you know about me, too." When she nodded, he almost laughed at the amazed look on her face.

"I've waited for this for a long time," she said. At Max's curious look, she continued quickly. "I mean, I've never met another...one."

Max frowned. "Really?"

Isabel chose just that moment to enter the room and pass by on her way to the kitchen.

Max gestured loosely at his sister, "She's one, too."

Isabel stopped dead in her tracks and turned on Max with cold fury in her eyes. "Max, what are you talking about?"

He jumped up, already pleading his case with his outstretched hands. "Iz, she's one, too."

"Max," Tess growled from where she sat.

Max looked in bewilderment at the two angry females on either side of him. "What?"

Isabel was obviously unsure of what to say, but Tess didn't hesitate.

"I realize that you are used to people knowing your secret. I saw from you that Liz knows," she admitted grudgingly. "But youšre the first person I've ever admitted it to, and I don't want others knowing. Especially Liz. Can't you understand that?"

Max nodded humbly. "I'm sorry, Tess. I just...I do understand. Trust me, I do. We may need to tell Michael, but we won't tell anyone else."

Tess looked at Isabel with a frown, but suddenly turned on her brilliant smile. "Great."

Liz shook her head. Alex was trying to help, but pizza was the last thing she wanted right now. Of course, it was the least offensive food item on the list of choices he had given her once he found out that she hadn't eaten all day. But the thought of all that grease...

"Here ya go," Alex grinned as he shoved a loaded plate of pizza at Liz.

Her stomach threatened to revolt immediately.

"Liz," Alex sounded concerned as he watched her pale face. "You need to eat."

Liz looked at him and nodded faintly. She reached for the pepperoni slice with as much energy as she could force and shoved it into her mouth before she could think about it any longer.

As she tore off a piece and chewed it, Alex smiled and began to relax. "You'll feel better once you've eaten. You always get sick when you don't eat, you know," said the resident Liz expert.

It was irritating, but he was right. Of course, it would help if the pizza didn't taste like sand. She could barely choke it down.

"Now, besides your ex-soul mate getting physical with a blond bimbette, what else is stirring your kettle?" Alex asked with his no-nonsense, best-friend stare.

Liz sighed. He knew her too well sometimes. How could she explain what she had seen in her journal? The words had...floated up off the page at her. She'd sound like lunatic.

"And no matter what it is, I won't think you're a lunatic," Alex said lightly.

Liz glanced at him sharply. "Promise?"

Alex frowned, "Of course. Could this be any worse than the whole 'Max-is-an-alien' talk we had in jail? And that didn't make me think you were a lunatic."

"No, you just accused me of being on hallucinogens."

Alex barked out a laugh. "Oh, that's right," he said sheepishly. "So, I learned my lesson. Liz Parker will always tell me the truth, because that's what she promised me. Even if it sounds wacky. Right?"

How had he managed to turn this around on her? Just like he did to Valenti that day in jail...

"You know, you really ought to think about being a lawyer, Alex."

He nodded knowingly. "Don't change the subject, Liz."

At least she wouldn't have to eat any more. She knew Alex as well as he knew her. They would be back at her balcony in five minutes. He would want to see it for himself.

Part 7

Maria smiled mischieviously as Michael leaned in close for another kiss. She opened her mouth and, just as he opened his in return, she took a breath and blew it into his mouth.

Michael coughed and pulled back from her in surprise. "What the hell was that?" he sputtered.

Maria giggled and collapsed on the couch. She looked up at his indignant face. "That was a suck-and-blow kiss. Great for breaking the mood, huh?"

Michael growled under his breath, "Hardly. Now I've got you right where I want you."

Maria raised her eyebrows as he moved to sit beside her. "Oh, you mean, on the couch? The same couch that you let Max and Liz borrow to explore their various connections on?"

Michael frowned at her. "Yeah, so what?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just waiting for you to admit that when I saw you sitting on the hood of a car that night, it wasn't actually hockey that you were thinking about."

She smiled at him as his eyes narrowed and a smirk played around his lips.

"I admit it freely."

Maria jumped up, "A-ha! So you were thinking about what, football, basketball, art..." she trailed off teasingly.

Michael stood up, towering over her. "None of the above."

He leaned down and watched her close her eyes in anticipation of a kiss. He placed his lips firmly on hers...and sucked the breath right out of her.

Her eyes flew open and she gasped for breath.

Michael smirked as he fell on the couch beside her. "Vacuum cleaner kiss."

Maria took one look at his grin and decided to wipe it off his face. She jumped at him, knocking him back on the couch.

After struggling to sit up, Michael felt her lips on his and returned the kiss with fire and wanting. He was careful to leave his hands on her waist, but it wasn't because he wanted to.

Maria took a breath and re-positioned herself in his lap.

Michael allowed himself to enjoy it for about thirty seconds, but the kissing became too intense and he firmly lifted her up off of his lap and set her on the couch beside him.

Maria sighed in frustration and watched him stand up and pace. "Hanging out with Max much?"

Michael cast her a grumpy look. "Want a soda?"

"Sure," she said listlessly. "You know, I thought you having your own apartment would be more fun than this. I think Max and Liz got more use out of that couch than we have. Not that they will anymore."

Michael tossed a cherry coke at her.

Maria tried to catch it, but it dropped to the floor. "Nice throw," she said sarcastically.

"Nice catch," Michael shot back as he sat on a stool across from her.

"Can't you say something to Max? He's killing Liz with this whole Tess thing."

"It's none of my business," Michael shrugged. "Max is a big boy; he can take care of himself."

"Well, he certainly knows how to do that. It's taking care of others he desperately needs to work on. Liz has been nothing but wonderful to him and he just keeps dumping load after load on her."

"Well if it hadn't been for Max, she wouldn't even be here, so give him a break, okay?"

Maria snapped, "Fine. God, I hate sexual tension. It's so frustrating!"

Michael just glowered at her.

Alex raised his eyebrows at Liz, but kept his mouth shut.

"It was here, Alex, I swear!"

Liz was flipping through her journal with something akin to panic. Where was it?

She finally stopped and closed the journal with a thud. She couldn't even meet his eyes.

The warning was gone.

Maybe she was a lunatic, forced out of hiding by extreme emotional turmoil.

She allowed Alex to help her up from the chair. The weakness overcoming her was too strong to fight.

Max, Tess and Isabel headed straight over to Michael's apartment. They had a lot to catch up on.

Of course, they hadn't expected Maria to be there.

But Maria took one look at Tess and excused herself breezily. "I had better get home. 'Night, Michael. Don't forget to take out the trash," she said, eyeing Tess with venom.

Tess just smiled sweetly in return, then shot her a look behind Max's back.

After Maria was gone, they all took a seat and broke the news to Michael.

The story came out slowly. Tess had broken out of her pod, she guessed, when she was younger than they. She had been taken to her first foster family in Tucson, AZ when she was three.

"Well, that raises more questions than it answers," Isabel ventured. "I don't suppose you remember where you were hatched or anything."

Tess stared at her. "Hatched? I was hatched?"

Max and Michael exchanged glances.

"Sort of, at least we were," Max admitted. "How did you end up here, in Roswell?"

Tess hesitated, "Well, itšs sort of weird, actually. Most of my life was pretty normal until two months ago. I mean, as normal as it can get when you're one of us. I started having these visions of this shaft of light and these symbols. They seemed so familiar, even though I hadnšt ever seen them before."

She paused as she saw the three exchange glances. She reached up for the gold heart around her neck and fiddled with it as she continued.

"Eventually, it came to me what they meant. They meant 'home.' And then one day I was looking at a map and, I don't know, the symbols fit with the physical characters on the map, and they pointed to Roswell. I didn't think I would be able to get here, but there was a fire and...my foster family lost everything," Tess suddenly looked very pale. "They...uh, couldn't...afford to keep me anymore, so I got shifted back to the orphanage. And, then...I ended up here."

Tess dropped her hands down in her lap and waited for their reaction.

"Who do you live with?" Isabel asked thoughtfully.

"Well, they're...not very representative of who I am, you know? I mean, they're nice and all, but...I don't want to have people over or anything, ya know?" Tess said in a rush.

Michael nodded. "Yeah, I know."

They all sat silently, lost in thought. Tess jumped up. "Can I borrow your bathroom?" she asked nervously.

"Sure," Michael gestured vaguely at the back room.

Isabel stood and walked in front of Tess. "Let me just check it for you. Michael isn't exactly known for his cleanliness," she said as she sent him a passing glare.

Max sighed and looked at Michael. "Well, now we know one thing," Max said uncomfortably. "The orb's light *was* a beacon. For Tess."

Michael had a frown on his face. "Something doesn't feel right. Why is she so nervous?"

Max looked at him with surprise. "Well, it could have something to do with the way you've been glaring at her ever since we got here."

Michael shoved himself off the couch and began to pace. "I can't help it. There's just something off about her."

"I would have to agree," Isabel added as she crossed back into the room. "And it doesn't make sense, why would you and Liz making out have led you to the orb, if it was just a signal for Tess?"

Max shook his head. "I don't know. But I saw everything she described tonight when we...uh, connected," he finished uncomfortably. "She's not lying about the symbols, or the fire."

*Thanks for the vote of confidence, Max,* he heard a voice whisper inside his head.

Startled, he glanced over in the direction of the bathroom.

Tess was standing there, an amused smile on her face. *Don't worry, they'll come around.*

Liz lay in bed, her blank eyes on the ceiling above her. She was listening to Alex talk with Maria, who had come by to check on her.

They obviously thought she couldnšt hear them in the hallway.

"Did you see her eyes? I haven't seen her this unhinged since Valenti had us in jail," Alex whispered.

"I still don't understand why she didn't tell me about this," Maria whispered angrily. "She was already upset about Tess and everything. God, I could kill Max for doing this to her."

"Yeah, well, stand in line. Right behind me and the FBI."

They were silent for a moment, and Liz tried to fill the space with harmless thoughts.

I wonder what Max and Tess are doing now?

Liz rolled her eyes.

Nice, harmless thought there.

Good grief, by the time school was out in May, she was going to be a vegetable if she couldn't...get...them...

A chill crept up her spine.

What was happening?

She suddenly couldn't see her room anymore-

She saw white-

FLASH

Max and Tess holding hands at the UFO Center

FLASH

Max laughing and smiling at Tess

FLASH

Their lips meeting in a kiss

FLASH

His hands sliding inside her shirt

"NO!" Liz sat bolt upright in bed, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

A vision. A flash...whatever-

The door to her bedroom flew open and Alex ran to her bed, Maria close behind.

"Liz, what is it?" Alex took in her glazed eyes and panicked. "What happened?"

Liz looked from his face to Maria's. "A vision...of Max and Tess."

Part 8

Maria was pissed. "So let me get this straight. You and Max make out, and you get visions. And...Tess and Max make out, and you still get visions? My god, whatever planet they come from must be one screwed up place."

Alex finally stopped pacing and faced Liz. "Okay, I'm going to give you a choice here *only* because we've been friends forever. Either you talk to Max, or I talk to Max. And if you want Max to survive, I suggest that you be the one to do it, because I am not going to sit by and let him mess with your head anymore. Let him find some other bimbette to send his little home movies to."

Liz stared at Alex, her eyes still unfocused.

He hesitated. "Not that you're...a bimbette."

Liz smiled wanly at them both. "Okay, you guys, I am too exhausted to deal with this right now. Alex, I'll talk to Max tomorrow. Why don't you guys go home and we'll sleep on it, okay?"

Maria grumbled under her breath, but stood up to leave. "If I hadn't promised Mom I'd be home by an hour ago, I'd stay here tonight. But I'm already in deep."

"Yeah, I wouldn't let you stay, anyway. I need some time alone, to think."

Alex just walked over to the bed, leaned over and kissed Liz on the forehead. "If you have any more visions tonight, you call me and I'll go stop them, right?"

Liz blanched as she caught his reference to Max and Tess, but nodded dutifully. "Right. Thanks."

Alex veered Maria towards the door. "I'll give you a ride."

Maria looked back at Liz and sighed. "Bye Liz."

After they exited, Liz turned on her side and pulled the covers up higher.

She hadn't told them the last part of the vision, the part that wouldn't leave, even when she closed her burning eyes.

In blazing red, the words "Stay away" were still floating in front of her.

She had never felt more alone in her life.

The next morning, Liz awoke with a start and immediately looked at the clock. 11:00 AM!

She groaned as she remembered the long, terrible night she had.

That nightmare had kept her awake for an hour.

What was it about?

Something about darkness... something threatening...

She was really losing it. How long had it been since she was afraid of the dark?

She stumbled over to the mirror, frowning at the circles under her eyes.

How could she have slept so long and still feel so bad? Her head was fuzzy...what time had she finally fallen asleep?

She walked to the bathroom and found a note on her way.

"Lizzie,

Didn't want to wake you. Don't be mad; Alex said you weren't feeling well last night. Come get me when you need a ride to school, if you feel well enough to go.

Love, Mom"

Liz crumpled up the note and tossed it in the trash with anger. She had already missed three classes and couldn't afford to miss anymore.

She walked into the bathroom, turned on the light and shut the door reluctantly.

Sometimes Liz felt a little shut up in the room without any windows, but it was better than having her father walk in on her while she was undressed again.

That had been so embarassing! He had promised to give her more privacy, but Liz wanted to make sure it didnšt happen again.

She slipped off her short pajamas and turned the hot water on. As it warmed up, she lifted her arms above her head and stretched.

She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the feeling. But when she opened them, she gasped.

She couldn't see anything. The room was completely black.

The nightmare suddenly came rushing back with a vengeance, her heart constricting in her chest.

She put her arms out to touch the wall, desperate to find the door and let in some light.

But she was going the wrong way, or was she? The wall seemed too long...the darkness was suffocating her.

She tried to shove down the feelings of panic.

Her hand touched something cold and smooth- and she took a deep breath.

The sink, right where it should be.

The light flickered on, and she glanced up in the mirror in relief.

At that moment, the lights went off again, and as the light faded Liz could see the ghostly white figure standing behind her.

A whisper brushed her mind... "Stay away..."

Liz stayed frozen in place, just trying to breathe normally for a long time after the lights came back on.

Maria smiled to see Liz coming her way. "Hey babe!" Then she frowned immediately. "What are we going for here? Disheveled and desperate?" questioning Liz's slouchy fatigue pants, baseball shirt and running shoes. "You do know that the 'I-don't-give-rip' look doesn't work anywhere but in Hollywood, right?"

Liz just looked at her and sighed.

"And what gives with the full set of luggage under your eyes, hon?" Maria grabbed her face and turned her toward the light. "Where did you sleep, outside in the dumpster? I knew I should have spent the night with you!"

Liz pulled away and began to walk. "Maria, could you stop, please? I'm fine. I just grabbed the first thing I could find."

Maria raised her eyebrows and nodded as she fell in beside her. "Okay. It's not like I don't understand why you had a bad night. I would, too, after seeing that ho making out with my...whatever the hell it is that you and Max were. But if he's doing that to you, I say, screw him."

Liz shook her head. "I have to talk to him. This is getting really weird and I have to see if there's some way to stop it."

Maria stopped her. "What do mean, 'getting' weird? It's been weird since day one! This is just another 'wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am' tutorial of 'how to live with Czechoslavakians,' babe. "

They stopped at Liz's locker.

"Yeah," Liz admitted. "I'm beginning to wonder why I even bother."

She opened the door, her eyes immediately fell on a picture of Max that she hadn't been able to bring herself to get rid of. He was smiling in that reserved way of his, eyes warm and caring.

Liz felt an overwhelming rush of emotions. "Oh yeah," she said softly, biting her bottom lip. "Now I remember."

Maria gives her a look and rips the picture out of her locker. "Get a life, Liz. Visions...Tess...ring a bell?"

"Yeah, it does," Liz angrily shoved a book in her locker. "I'd like to ring her bell."

Maria smiled.

As Liz walked into the Algebra classroom, she forced herself to look down and not over at Tess.

She wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

Since Max wasn't in this class with them, Tess always spent the entire class time giving Liz looks ranging from superior to venomous.

As Liz sat down and tried to fix her mind on the test ahead, she saw Tess rise and cross in front of her.

In spite of herself, Liz looked up and almost gasped.

Tess was wearing an ankle-length dress...all white. It fit her to a 't', but all Liz could think about was the white figure that had been haunting her.

A white figure...

Tess glanced back at her with a knowing look.

Liz felt dizzy and looked back at her desk.

She had to talk to Max. Somehow Tess was...

Doing what?

What she was thinking was absolutely impossible. It had to be in her imagination.

It just had to be.

Part 9

The bell would finally, finally ring in five minutes.

Liz wiped at her forehead desperately, trying to concentrate. It was difficult to focus her thoughts on the problems in front of her.

The room was so warm, so closed up; it was distracting her.

Of course, the fact that she hadn't done her homework the night before didnšt help.

Liz giggled and then stopped self-consciously.

Where did that come from?

She clumsily brushed her loose hair out of her face and tried to think.

But she was too tired, too emotional. Why had she even come?

Something about letting down her parents...her teachers.

The numbers and letters in front of her blurred for the umpteenth time and she just... finally gave up and let her mind drift.

She rested her head on her hand.

Max. She was supposed to talk to Max today.

About...what?

Oh. The visions.

She shifted and rubbed her eyebrows with her fingers.

And exactly what in the hell was she supposed to say?

Gee, Max, I saw a vision of you and Tess making out. She looks like a real good kisser. Way to go, stud.

Liz giggled as she pictured Max's response.

Mr. Garrison frowned at her.

Liz cleared her throat and tried to sober up.

Then a sudden whisper brushed her mind... "Stay away."

She looked over and Tess was staring at her.

Liz looked back straight ahead, trying to force her mind to regain sanity.

What is happening?

But another giggle was working its way back up her throat. She tried to stifle the hysterical noise, turning red with the effort.

When it finally broke through, it changed abruptly into a sob and Liz couldn't stop the flood of tears filling her eyes.

Oh my god...

She was in serious danger of completely embarassing herself in the middle of class. She jumped up and ran to the ladies' room.

When the bell rang a few minutes later, she waited until the classroom emptied before going to get her books. She wanted to avoid talking to anyone worried about her. And avoid catching a glimpse of that...whatever she was.

The tears had stopped flowing, and the red splotches on her face had mostly gone, but she could feel the bubble of hysteria just below the surface. It wasn't over, not by a long shot.

She got her books and handed in her paper, listening to a quick lecture from Mr. Garrison on proper bathroom etiquette on her way. She just nodded her head and escaped as soon as possible.

So far so good. She just needed to protect that bubble around her emotions.

She was the bubble girl. A bubbirl. A girlubble.

A giggle escaped and she wrestled it down fiercely.

No. The bubble girl will not tolerate flagrant and pitiful shows of emotion. The bubble girl is cut off from everything. Nothing touches her. Not even-

The rush of pain when she saw Max and Tess sitting together in the quad was almost her undoing. Almost.

But the bubble girl is still going, Liz thought, detatched. Showing tremendous willpower as she approaches to talk over the horrible warnings and visions with her ex-alien.

Ex-alien. Another giggle which she promptly squelched into a gasping squeak.

Another close call.

She stopped to take a breath, shifting her backpack to a more comfortable position.

Max was only fifteen feet away, and still oblivious to her approach.

Good.

The element of surprise was essential in her plan.

One look from those soulful brown eyes could pop the bubble in a millisecond.

Maybe even a nanosecond.

A milli-nanosecond.

Or is it a millo-nanisecond? she thought idly. No matter.

Only ten feet, Liz thought. Bubble don't fail me now.

Why do I feel so light-headed?

Max smiled at Tess and she threw a potato chip at him.

He ducked.

One foot in front of the other...

When he peeked at Tess, she threw a french fry this time...with ketchup, Liz noted.

"Liz," she heard Alex behind her.

She shook her head and kept walking.

Only five feet.

Tess turned her head and saw Liz approaching.

Oh no-

the sudden chill-

the whiteness-

and pain-

FLASH

Max and Tess kissing...

FLASH

flesh entertwining...

FLASH

under sheets...

As the blinding headache began to fade, Liz suddenly realized she had stopped two feet away from Max.

But the completion of the vision... "Stay away" was still floating in front of her.

She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, couldn't speak.

Dimly, she saw Max stand and take a step toward her.

"Liz?" He sounded concerned.

Things were turning darker...she was dizzy...falling...the ground rushing at her until...

Shouldn't that hurt? She was numb.

Alex's voice...

"Liz? Liz?"

Then her mind disappeared...exploding in a sea of stars...

The hallway was white, and it seemed to just stretch on forever.

Liz mindlessly floated somewhere just below the ceiling. She kept thinking that she would probably bounce off and go back down, but she didn't.

She just hovered there, so quiet, so still...

Except for that one sound...that annoying sound...a moaning?

She tried to focus her clouded mind on the sound.

It was soft, pained...

And with it came coldness.

And the sudden realization that she was shivering.

Uncontrollably.

And she was the one... she had been moaning.

Her eyes opened to the bright sunlight and two faces peering over her.

"Oh, thank God, Liz! Are you okay?" Maria's white face swam above her.

Why won't she stay still? Liz thought fuzzily.

"No, she's not okay. She passed out, for God's sake," Isabel's voice was frantic, and all Liz could see of her face was her hair...almost glowing around her head like a halo. Isabel's cool hand was smoothing Liz's forehead gently when she suddenly froze. "Oh...I-" she gasped and pulled her hand away.

Liz's eyes began to close again.

She wondered how long she could keep falling backwards, since she knew she was lying on the ground. Apparently forever...

Maria whispered over Liz, "Keep him away, Alex, or, I swear to God, I'll kill him."

Liz heard Alexšs angry voice. "I *said* stay back, Max. Haven't you done enough?"

As the world began to grow white again, Max's quiet reply reached her ears, "I saw it, Alex."

Then, nothing.

Part 10

Alex wouldn't let him near Liz.

Max clenched his jaw.

For God's sake, she had just collapsed in front of him, and he was sure that he knew why.

He had another vision right before she walked up, of he and Tess...and Liz looked as if she had seen it, too.

But how?

He looked over at her where she lay still and pale. The school nurse was just arriving to check on her.

Isabel had a stunned look on her face.

"Izzy, what's wrong?" Max called out.

She looked at him with wide eyes and immediately walked over to him. "I saw it, too, the vision, when I touched Liz. What does it mean? You and Tess haven't...?" she whispered with an obvious look.

Max answered easily. "No, not even close. Look, I don't know what's going on. But we've got to figure out what it is." He scrubbed his hair and glanced back at Liz. "Before this goes any farther."

A smiling face suddenly blocked Max's view.

"Remember me?" Tess chided him gently.

"Oh, yeah," Max suddenly felt guilty...again. "Sorry. I was just-"

"Worried about Liz, right?" Tess shook her head, her glittering eyes betraying her light tone. "I guess it's true what they say, huh? The squeaky wheel does get the grease. I'll just finish my lunch somewhere else. See ya'."

Why did he feel like he'd just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar?

Maria watched Tess walk to another lunch table.

There is something going on with her, I just know it.

Before she came, Liz was just fine and Max was Prince Charming. Now, Liz is a certifiable nut case and Max is looking more and more like he should run for office. He definitely has the two-timing, conniving part of it down, anyway.

Maria harumphed.

The nurse was busy taking Liz's blood pressure, which was, of course, up too high.

Perfect, Maria sighed. Just matches her accelerated heart rate and high temperature. She's a walking, talking, symptom bonanza.

Except, of course, she's not walking or talking.

Maria's chin started quivering and she pressed her hands to her face.

She was not going to let this happen to Liz, whatever it was. There had to be something she could do.

Liz was glad the doctor's simple diagnosis of dehydration and fatigue had satisfied her parents. That meant they would pump her full of fluids and leave her alone to rest. No phone calls, no visitors allowed.

But that was fine with her. She had a lot to think about. Things they wouldn't understand.

Since the nightmare returned every time she fell asleep, she just laid there and turned everything over in her mind.

The visions, the warnings...Tess...

And Max, the two of them...in bed together?

She shoved the thought out of her mind. It couldn't have happened. Max would never do that. At least, the Max she knew...

She rubbed at her eyes and shifted under the covers.

If only she could get him alone to talk. Every time she had tried, something had prevented her. Usually, just the sight of Tess was enough to steer her away, until the visions had started.

Liz sat up in bed, her thinking suddenly clear.

The visions had to be the key. And she had only experienced them before from Max, from his other-worldly body chemistry.

So, this had to be alien-induced.

And if Max hadn't been responsible for them...or Isabel...or Michael...that only left...

Oh, God...Nasedo?

The thought struck terror in her heart.

Liz jumped out of bed, putting her hand out against the wall to steady herself. She grabbed her jeans and a cardigan. Pulling them on quickly over her tank top and panties, she headed for the window.

Just then, a figure moved stealthily across the balcony and popped up in front of the window.

Liz stifled a scream, then breathed out loudly in annoyance. "Maria," she opened the window with a glare.

"I had to talk to you, and this place is like Ft. Knox. Your parents are completely overprotective, you know that, don't you?" she climbed in breathlessly, still managing to talk somehow.

"I know. They even took my phone away so I'd be forced to rest. I'm sorry," Liz shook her head ruefully. "I was just coming to talk to you."

Maria's eyes widened. "Do you feel well enough to be out of bed?"

"I have to be. I think I know who's behind all of this."

They stared at each other for a moment.

"Oh my god, are you thinking what I've been thinking?" Maria grabbed Liz's arms.

Liz nodded and they both whispered, "Nasedo."

Maria started to panic. "You are not supposed to agree with me! You're supposed to tell me that I'm wrong, that I'm overreacting, that she can't be Nasedo!"

Liz frowned, "She? Tess? No, Tess isn't Nasedo. Max would've known if she was. They've kissed, remember?"

Maria nodded, "True. And done God-only-knows-what-else, the jerk."

"Maria!"

"Sorry for the shot of realism there, babe," Maria looked Liz dead in the eye. "But that vision meant something. And you have got to get used to this. Now what did you mean about Nasedo?"

Liz glanced through the window nervously and then fixed her eyes back on Maria.

Maria grasped Liz's arms again and freaked out a little, "What? What? Do you think he's out there right now or something?"

"No, no. But I think he's been giving me the warnings to stay away. From Max."

"Yeah, well. Maybe you'll listen to him, since my warnings did absolutely no good," Maria nervously snapped back.

"Yeah well, maybe if you'd included visions, nightmares and hauntings, I'd have listened more."

Maria crossed over to the bed and sat down. "Liz, you can't keep going on like this. What are we going to do?"

Liz smiled a little at Maria's use of "we." That made her feel just a little better.

Part 11

Liz wasn't answering her phone.

Max hadn't been able to talk to her at all since that episode at lunch and it was driving him crazy. All her parents would say was that she was resting.

But if Liz had seen the vision that he had, then she would think that he and Tess were... had...

And it would have to be killing her.

Max hung up the phone with a grim look.

He looked back into the family room where Tess and Isabel were seated.

Tess had totally freaked him out with that telepathic message last night. So much so that he couldn't bring himself to tell Isabel and Michael about it. Not until he understood it more, anyway.

All Tess would say is that it was normal for them. But she couldnšt explain why none of the three could do it with each other. And she wouldnšt consent to test it with the others.

Honestly, she didn't seem to trust them very much.

But the telepathy had to mean something. Either something was different about her, or something was different about the connection between he and Tess.

Like what?

Together, they had been over every scrap of information about their lives, and they could find no special link between Max and Tess. Besides the obvious, anyway.

But Max wasn't ready to chalk it all up to him just being a jerk and betraying the girl he loved.

Yes, alright....that was what it felt like.

And yes, that was even what it looked like. Especially to Liz.

But it wasn't that. It couldn't be that.

He grabbed the chips and napkins and headed back to the den. They would sit here all night if they had to.

Liz needed him to find out what the connection was.

He felt that with every fiber of his being.

It was this part of her plan that Liz absolutely dreaded. Maria was on her way over to Max's and here she was at Michaelšs...again.

She knocked on his door...after cursing herself for having to do this.

He opened the door warily, scrubbing his hair in a sleepy motion. "Liz? What's up?"

Liz strode past him into the apartment. "I need to ask you a favor." She turned and met his eyes with determination.

Michael tilted his head and crossed his arms. "You're obviously feeling better. What is it?"

Nodding at his admonishment, she began, "I'm going to talk to Max. But I have this bad feeling that something may not let me get through it, so I need a back-up, preferably someone from...up north." She stopped and watched for his reaction.

"So, let me get this straight. You want Max back, and you want me to help," Michael smirked. "I can see one big problem with this scenario."

Liz glared at him. "You mean besides the fact that that's not what I'm trying to do at all?"

Michael blinked and shifted his body slightly. "Okay, so what are you trying to do?"

Liz wasn't quite sure how to answer him. "Yeah, I...need to warn him about Nasedo."

Michael's eyes narrowed. "What the hell do you know about Nasedo?"

Liz took a step forward and raised her hands in an effort to calm Michael. "He's trying to keep Max and I apart, I think."

Michael snapped at her. "What? That's ridiculous. Liz, the entire world is not concerned with your love life!"

"Michael, something's not right-" she began stubbornly.

He turned back to the door and opened it for her. "Yeah. You accusing Nasedo isn't right. You can leave now."

Liz stared at him and then shook her head as she walked toward the door. Just as she passed him, she stopped.

Strengthening her resolve, she turned to him one more time. "I realize that I sound..."

"Self-absorbed?" Michael supplied with a raised eyebrow.

"Uh, yeah...yeah," Liz glanced down quickly, trying not to look as desperate as she felt. "But if I'm right and something does happen to me before I can talk to Max, just please tell him what I said. Please. He may not listen to Maria."

Michael's face was unreadable, but he finally nodded. "Sure."

Liz nodded, feeling like shešd just burned her last bridge behind her.

"Things are getting worse, but I feel a lot better.
And that's all that really matters to me."

- Counting Crows

Max opened the door with a surprised look on his face. "Maria?"

She launched into her prepared speech. "Yeah, I don't want to be here, either, but Liz and Michael are on their way over to talk to you and I'm supposed to run interference."

"Liz and Michael?"

"Don't worry, Michael's just an escort because Liz is...worried that she won't make it or something."

Max shifted nervously as he spoke, "Yeah, how is she? I've been trying to call all afternoon, but her parents won't let me talk to her."

Maria examined her nails. "Pity. I guess they have something against two-timing guys who completely demolish their daughter's heart. Go figure."

Max sighed. "Yeah, well, I would ask you to come inside, but I have company."

Maria looks past Max to see Tess standing in the hallway, listening. "Oh, her? Tess won't mind, will you?" Maria pushed past Max and seated herself on the living room couch. "Liz will be here in just a sec."

Tess and Max entered the living room and exchanged a glance.

Maria looked up at them innocently. "Oh, did you want the couch? How rude of me," she said as she stood. "Go on, grope to your heart's content. I'm sure you won't mind if I sit here and glare at you. Just pretend like I'm not here."

Isabel covered her mouth with her hand to hide the smile on her face.

Max rolled his eyes.

Tess shot Maria a superior look. "Thank you, don't mind if I do," she said as she moved closer to Max and stared into his eyes.

Max glanced away, uncomfortable, but a touch from Tess on his arm brought his eyes back to hers. He got lost in them immediately.

Tess leaned in close to Max, looking directly at his lips...

"Dogs in heat," Maria mumbled as she looked around and grabbed a nearby cup. Jumping to her feet, she desperately flung the ice cold contents at them.

Tess gasped and pulled away from Max as he bellowed. "Maria!"

"Oops, did I do that?" Maria asked innocently.

Tess's eyes practically bored holes in Maria's head. She waved her hand once over the spilled soda dripping down her body and it disappeared.

Maria's smile fades and she backs away from Tess.

"What's wrong, Maria?" Tess taunted her. "If you can't bowl with the big girls, stay out of the tacky shoes."

Max goes to grab a towel out of the kitchen, then reached back and pulled Tess with him.

She hesitated, then looked back at Maria as she exited. "I guess we do want a little more privacy, don't we, Max?"

Maria stared after them a moment, trying to calm herself. "Well," she turned to Isabel. "I guess some aliens are green and slimy after all. Big surprise."

She sat back on the couch with a huff and shook her head. Maybe Tess wasn't Nasedo, but she was an alien just the same. And coming here was probably the last thing Liz should be doing.

Part 12

Liz hated walking alone at night, regardless of the circumstance.

And tonight, when she was expecting a visit from some unknown, shapeshifting alien who wanted God-only-knows-what from her...well, it was definitely worse.

But what could she do? Beg Michael to go with her?

No way. She had gotten all the way to Michael's without incident. She would just continue on to Max's- a few blocks away.

And Maria should be looking out for her. Maybe Max, too...

Don't get your hopes up, she lectured herself. This visit is strictly business. You are so over the alien. Right?

Yeah...right.

Okay, left on Maple, past the church and straight through the light.

There was plenty of traffic there, a few people. Liz breathed more easily now.

Until the turn for Max's street.

The noises of cars had faded into the background.

She was almost there. She could see the Evanses house ahead and her breath caught in her throat.

Maybe she should have let Maria give her a ride.

No, she was much safer this way.

Liz hunched her shoulders.

When your life starts resembling an episode of the Twilight Zone, it's time to cut your best friends loose. Otherwise, they'd be walking this long, dark road with you, just waiting for-

Good grief! Stop thinking like that, she ordered herself. Max is going to think you're a lunatic if you get there all out of breath and frantic. He may not even-

Liz's feet suddenly refused to move any farther.

A dark figure had stepped out from behind a tree. She squinted in the half-light.

It was the Indian man that she and Max had seen in the desert that night when they found the orb.

He was about 30 feet away, watching her. Waiting for her.

Her breath came out in a rush.

Nasedo?

Of course! He must've known about the orb. Was he guarding it when they discovered it?

The man began to walk slowly in her direction.

She fell back a step, then stopped herself. She was so close to Max's house. She had to go on.

What other option was there?

She clenched her fists tightly.

Maybe she should just try to talk to Max at school...although Nasedo had been able to get to her there, too.

Liz fought back tears of fear and frustration.

It was inevitable. Whatever he was going to do to her was going to happen regardless of where or when. She couldn't run from him.

So she slowly started walking forward.

Maybe he just wanted to show her something, something in the visions that she hadn't seen before. Maybe she could talk to him, even if he wouldn't let her talk to Max.

His face was passive, registering no emotion at all.

Liz stopped.

He was raising a hand toward her.

Maybe...

A chill crept up her spine.

Wait...no-

She saw white-

Her head jerked back in a spasm of pain.

FLASH

Max and Tess kissing...

FLASH

flesh entertwining...

FLASH

under sheets...

FLASH

Liz standing on the street outside Max's house

FLASH

Liz lying on the ground, lifeless

She couldn't see- couldn't think-

The stabbing pain slashed through her mind bringing blinding light, pulsating red spots and finally, blackness.

On her knees now, she opened her mouth to scream for help, but another burst of pain forced the breath from her lungs.

Pain...like her brain was being squeezed, manipulated.

This time the pulsating red spots stayed, with residual pain and warm, sticky wetness flowing from her nose.

Blood...

Finally, the pain receded and Liz realized that someone had picked her up.

Through the dizziness, she heard Michael's voice calling her name. He was walking, holding her close to his chest.

Liz weakly grabbed at his shirt, just trying to breathe normally again.

Suddenly, Michael stopped and groaned in pain. He dropped to his knees, Liz falling limply out of his arms.

She opened her eyes and gasped.

Blackness.

She pressed her hands to her eyes as she sat up, trying to make them see something, anything.

A whisper of pain touched her mind, and she braced herself for another onslaught. But it never came.

Something was buffering it...

"Michael," Liz ventured in between breaths. She could hear his ragged breathing in front of her.

She hesitated, then reached her hands up to touch his face.

He was grimacing, hands to his head.

Liz swore to herself. He was protecting her somehow. This was her fault.

A strange dizziness overcame Liz as the red spots returned.

She felt a... presence in her mind... taking over, leaving a burning trail as it branched its way throughout her body.

It felt...wrong, very wrong.

She tried to fight it.

NO!

In response, the warmth radiating through her became scorchingly hot, burning, boiling...

She dimly heard Michael beside her let out an agonized cry.

Pain...

Darkness.

Max hit the door running.

That vision- Liz, lifeless- was seared into his brain.

It only took seconds to see them in front of his neighbor's house- two dark figures writhing against the white of the sidewalk- one on his knees, hands to his head; the smaller one coiled tight against the ground, barely moving.

Max moved forward in horror, feeling each heartbeat like a hammer in his chest.

Someone was hurting Liz and Michael...

And when someone stepped directly in front of Max, he shoved them out of the way and continued on faster.

Now he could see the blood on Liz's face, the agony on Michael's...

But there was a sudden burst of light from in front of him, and someone was standing in his way again.

Max blinked. It was the Indian from the desert, the night Liz and he found the orb.

This man had just produced light from thin air.

Maria was sitting on the couch inventing interesting and painful ways to get rid of Tess when Max rushed by with terror in his eyes.

And Maria was on her feet in an instant, blocking Tess's path. "Going somewhere?" she smirked.

Tess took a step back, murder in her eyes. "You have no idea what you're doing," she spat out. "I'm not gonna let you screw this up for me." Tess reached out her hands, her fingers taunt.

Maria flew back against the couch, her head cracking loudly against the wooden frame. Fear coursed through Maria as she felt the knot on her head.

Tess was a lot more dangerous that she seemed.

But Maria had only a second to be glad that she couldn't get up to follow Tess.

Isabel was beside her in an instant. "Maria," she pulled her up and propelled her towards the door. "We've got to help Max. Something's happening."

Part 13

"Nasedo," Max managed as he stepped toward him, his dark eyes growing dangerous.

The Indian approached slowly, then stopped with a nod.

"Why are you hurting them?" Max managed as his anger found a focus. "Stop hurting them!"

Nasedo shook his head. "You don't understand-"

"No! You don't understand," Max snarled as he reached out to grab him. "Stop it, or-"

As soon as he touched him, they made a connection.

Max started to jerk back, but the rush of images came immediately...

FLASH

Close up Max's face, moving into his hazel eyes, magnifying the iris, then the individual cells in the iris, even down to the DNA structure (a strange shifting double helix structure)

FLASH

Close up Tess's face, moving into her blue eyes, magnifying the iris, then the individual cells in the iris, even down to the DNA structure (an identically strange shifting double helix structure)

FLASH

The two DNA strands side by side, mirror images of each other

FLASH

Max and Tess kissing

FLASH

Tess holding a baby

FLASH

Max with his arm around Tess, watching a boy fly a kite

FLASH

Max turning away from Tess...and toward Liz

FLASH

The little boy fades away....

FLASH

The blinking orb sounding off...

Max was frozen in place.

"Max," he heard Isabel's questioning voice behind him.

Then Maria's, dangerously close to tears, "Oh my god, Liz....Michael."

She runs past them, Isabel right behind her.

Max releases his hold on Nasedo, but can't pull his eyes away.

"The orb is...?"

Nasedo's face is emotionless as he finishes, "The guardian."

Max nods and swallows hard. He looks back at Tess behind him, then back at Nasedo. "And if I choose her, then..." he trails off.

Nasedo gives Max a long look and steps out of the way, showing Liz lying motionless, her head in Maria's lap.

Max feels panic seize him as he automatically starts toward them. Liz looks dead already...

Suddenly, a small but strong hand on Max's arm stops him. Despite himself, Max feels a connection spring up with Tess at the touch.

Before he can pull away her fear, her love for him and her anguish at the situation wash over him. And he suddenly understands. "You already knew," he whispers, looking back at her. "That we're..."

She nods, "Made for each other. You can't leave me, Max. You can't choose her."

Maria can't see through the tears blinding her eyes. She can't see Michael's face, just the blur that she knows is him. He is still in agony, though he has become more still since Isabel connected to him.

She's helping him somehow.

Please, Isabel, help him.

She looked down at Liz, who was again unconscious, and groaned.

What's happening?

Maria glanced up in Max's direction. She instinctively knew that he was the key. Tess was pleading with him, saying something she couldnšt quite hear from this distance.

And he was listening...

What the hell's the matter with him?

Max's heart twisted at Tess's words. He wouldn't willingly hurt her, especially now that he knew who she was.

"Max, this is it for me. Please."

Her eyes are pleading with him, trying to tell him something he can't quite read.

But Liz-

The orb will kill her to keep he and Tess together.

He doesn't even have time to think.

"Tess, I'm sorry. I love her."

"Max," Maria screamed at him, "Max, for god's sake, do something!"

He is gone before Tess can object any further, before even one of her tears falls.

She watches with dead eyes as Nasedo heads toward her, not even flinching when he reaches out.

Max connected with Liz as soon as he touched her, and in that moment, he knew what was happening.

The orb was using the connection Max had made with Liz's mind to kill her...

Somehow Michael had been fighting the orb, keeping the intense energy flowing through her from doing too much damage.

But even with Isabel helping, the orb was pushing them back, taking over Liz's body and burning her up from the inside.

Max focused his mind on the blood in her veins, cooling the temperature and slowing her heartbeat to normal.

And then the orb was on him.

An explosion of pain rocked his senses, and a searing pain behind his eyes told him that the orb was trying to blind him as he knew it had Liz.

He pulled back his mind and stopped the damage to his nerves, regenerating the tissue quickly.

The pain receded as his connection to Liz faltered, and he immediately sensed the blood in her veins heat up again.

The orb was too strong, he couldn't protect himself and Liz.

Somewhere, he was vaguely aware of Isabel and Michael being let go. Their presence was gone from Liz's body. He hoped they were alright.

Liz's heartbeat was frenetic now, and weakening by the second.

Max again reached out with his mind; he had to save her.

As her heartbeat once again slowed, the onslaught on his mind began again- full tilt, and in screaming neon colors.

Suddenly another presence joined him, strong enough to hold off the orb, pulling him back from Liz.

*No, she'll die!*

*The orb will kill you instead,* Nasedo whispered.

*I don't care. No! Don't pull me back!*

And suddenly, the pain stopped.

Max was thrown back from Liz, and found himself three feet away on his back. He wanted to get up, to go to Liz, but the pain was too intense. "Liz, hang on," he winced, and focused his sapped strength on healing himself.

He felt hands on him, and the warmth that flooded through him brought feelings of fear, love and despair. The combined powers of Michael and Isabel mended his body in seconds.

He looked up at them questioningly, "Is she okay?"

Isabel looked over and gasped.

As Max followed her gaze, his heart lurched. Maria was passed out on the ground beside Liz. Over them, Nasedo was bending down, his hand on Liz's neck- glowing.

"No," Max yelled as he jumped up. He was by Liz's side in two seconds, throwing Nasedo back away from her.

He glanced over at Maria stirring, glad to see Michael already by her side.

Liz was waking up, too, her face pale and on the verge of panic as she sat up. She swiped at the blood on her face and looked around with unfocused eyes. "Max," she whispered.

He grimaced as he realized that she couldn't see him. "I'm right here," he whispered.

She was startled by his closeness, but immediately reached out a shaking hand towards his face. Before she could reach him, she stopped herself and lowered her hand.

Max suddenly remembered all that had come between them. He blinked.

It was all over. She had to know it.

He grabbed her hand and pulled it to his face, desperate for her to feel his love.

"Oh, god, you're burning up."

Liz reached her thumb over and gently touched his lips as he spoke. "I am so sorry. Are you okay?" he asked softly.

He reached out, palm facing her and the remaining blood disappeared from her face.

Liz couldn't help the tears that filled her eyes. "Yeah...I'm just a little..."

"Shaken up," he asked, his tone light.

"Yeah," she smiled painfully and dropped her hand from his face. "My head is killing me. Got aspirin?"

"I've got something better," Max said with a smile.

Liz wondered at the tone in his voice, but understood when he leaned in close and kissed her tenderly.

She was so shocked she almost pulled away. What had changed?

He placed his hands on her neck and made a connection as he kissed her one more time.

Liz felt a warmth flood through her again, but this time it brought feelings of love and regret. It soothed away the pain. Max was healing her body.

He pulled back after a moment, watching her carefully as she opened her eyes.

Her face immediately clouded up. "I still can't see you," she whispered. "Why can't I see?"

Maria gasped quietly.

Max couldn't stand to see the panic on Liz's face. He grabbed her and pulled her into an embrace, looking up at Isabel desperately. "We'll fix it, Liz. Don't worry. Whatever it is..."

He quickly went over in his mind the steps he had taken in healing her, sure that he had repaired the damaged optic nerve-

"Max, Michael, where's Nasedo?" Isabel's voice interupted his thoughts.

Max jerked his head back up, only now realizing the sidewalk was empty.

"What is it, Max?" Liz whispered fearfully as she pulled away, her eyes darting around.

Max cursed under his breath. "Nasedo is gone."

Maria's voice carried strongly over to them. "And it looks like he took the slimy little soul mate-snatcher with him. Maybe he is a good guy after all."

Part 14

The realization that Tess was gone hit Max with a thud.

They had all searched the entire house as quickly as possible and found nothing.

That is, everyone searched except for Liz.

Max had squirreled Liz away up to his room, away from his parents' prying eyes. He left her sitting ramrod straight on his bed, obviously fighting for control of her emotions.

He rubbed his face wearily as he pulled his thoughts back to the present.

The four of them were having a whispered meeting in the hallway and Max was trying to ignore Maria glaring at him.

"Okay, Tess is gone. Let's just assume we'll see her at school tomorrow," he said low, even though his gut instinct told him that she wouldn't be there. "I don't know what else to do. Right now, we need to figure out what to do with Liz."

"What to do with her," Maria barely kept her fury to a whisper. "You're talking about her like it's not your total fault that this happened. You and that alien bitch did everything you could to make her life miserable. You should have been the one bleeding on the ground, you bastard! Not Liz!"

By this point, Michael was not only holding Maria back, but dragging her out into the fourier. "Maria, calm down," Michael held her close to his side as she punched at him angrily.

"Let me go, you son-of-a-"

"Hey! I'm trying to be a guy here. You like that, remember," he set her down, still holding her arms at her side.

She finally broke down in tears and he pulled her into an embrace.

He looked back at Max who was watching from downcast eyes.

Isabel put her hand on Max's arm, but he shoved it off and headed for his room.

Michael led Maria over to the couch and sat her down, where she immediately leaned into him. Michael hesitated a moment, then put his arms around her. He looked up at Isabel uncomfortably.

Isabel raised her eyebrows, then suddenly understood his predicament. She pantomimed petting Maria's hair and patting her on the back.

Michael nodded and tentatively raised a hand to Maria's hair. He stroked it softly, then used his other hand to rub her back.

Isabel gave him a double thumbs up sign and smiled as she exited the room.

Alex must be rubbing off on me.

Max opened the door to his room as quietly as possible, but Liz still jumped up off the bed about a foot. "Max," she called out as she half-turned to the doorway. "Is that you?"

"Yes," he answered quickly, shutting the door behind him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

He stopped as he noticed her hands gripping the comforter on his bed tightly.

Her knuckles were white.

"Liz, I am so sorry," he whispered as he took a step toward her.

She didn't move a muscle.

Max slowly sat down beside her, wondering how much he needed to explain. And how in the world to begin.

Her next words gave him a clue. "I saw you kiss her," Liz said faintly. "I was waiting for Alex outside the Crashdown... and there you were. And then I started having the visions...and the warnings...and the pain."

Liz stood up and slowly moved to the window, away from him.

"Oh god, Liz..." Max buried his head in his hands.

He was sorry.

Oh god, was he sorry.

He knew that he had lost every right (if he had ever had it) to comfort Liz or explain his behavior over the last weeks. But he had to try.

"This has been a nightmare for you. And I am so sorry," he finally managed, putting every ounce of feeling into the words that he could. "But she was...is...genetically my mate. Tess is from my world."

Max looked up, hating to speak the name into such a brittle silence.

Liz was standing at the window, head held high, her arms stiff at her sides.

Max rushed on, despising himself for having to say that.

"I don't know how it works on our planet. If there's only one person you can be with or if there are choices. But the orb brought Tess here and tried to make us bond because we're... genetically compatible...survival of the species and all that."

Max stood, waiting for some sign from Liz.

She took a deep, controlled breath, but said nothing.

The door suddenly opened and Maria burst into the room.

Liz whirled around and gasped.

"Oh, Liz, I'm sorry," Maria exclaimed as she rushed over to her. She stopped in front of her and gently reached out to pull her into a hug.

Liz laid her cheek on Maria's shoulder and covered her face up with her hand as she lost her composure.

Maria turned and glared at Max. "If you donšt mind, Mr. Fixit, I'm taking her to the hospital so we can find out what the hell you've done to her. And if you know what's good for you, you'll stay away."

Max felt tears sting his eyes.

He watched Maria lead Liz carefully to the door, growing more desperate by the second. "Liz, wait! Tess is gone because I didn't choose her. I told her I loved you," his voice cracked with emotion.

Liz froze.

Max searched her face intently. "Liz?"

She slowly turned toward him and did something that shocked all three of them.

Her hand whipped up and smacked him across the face.

It wasn't the hardest he had ever been hit, but Maxwell Evans felt the blow to the core of his being.

He sat down on his bed, not even raising his eyes to watch them leave.

He was vaguely aware of Maria's whispered words as they walked down the hallway.

"Good girl, Liz."

Liz sat in Maria's Mom's car as she had done seemingly millions of times before, but the feelings inside of her were anything but familiar.

She had listened to Maria's ramblings for a minute, but then realized that she was mainly talking to herself. That was Maria's way of dealing.

And Liz's way...well, Liz's way wasn't working.

Her hands were folded neatly in her lap, but their very stillness was evidence of the war of emotions going on inside of her.

At the forefront was genuine panic. Breath-stealing, alogical, spastic panic.

Because ever since the nightmare, the one she still couldn't remember...darkness had terrified her.

And this, this everlasting yawning pit of blackness, was coming very, very close to claiming her sanity.

As if it weren't already hanging by a thread...

She took a shaky breath.

Max had said he loved her.

But Max kissed Tess.

Max had kissed Liz.

Max and Tess were alien something-or-others.

But Max had chosen Liz instead...

And Liz felt...Liz was..completely numb.

She had slapped Max.

She couldn't even see his face or how much it had hurt him.

She had hoped that it would pull away some of the layers of pain built up inside of her.

She had hoped, in that brief second before her hand stung his cheek, that it would make them even. That he would feel as ravaged as she did.

Did he?

Not that it mattered. Now she was on her way to the hospital.

She couldn't even think of what story she could tell to cover their butts this time. She couldn't even make herself care if someone found out what had really happened...that there really were aliens in Roswell.

Not that anyone would believe me...

Liz smiled.

Yep, that blackness was absolutely mind-numbing...

Part 15

Alex woke up from his short nap to the most beautiful sight...

Isabel was leaning over him, loose hair falling around her face as she gazed at him with those deep brown eyes. "How's Liz?"

Alex blinked and jerked his head up.

Liz?

He glanced down at the sleeping girl in his lap and it all came rushing back at him: the phone call at midnight, the hurried ride to the hospital and the long wait in the e.r.

"Oh, god, what time is it?" Alex groaned.

"It's almost 2 a.m.," Isabel said as she pulled up a chair. "Has she not even been back yet?"

Alex rubbed his face with both hands in an effort to wake up more. "Nah, nah. We're way down on the list. Apparently, this is the night everyone in the tri-county area decided to experiment with alcohol, drugs and, strangely enough, power tools." Alex frowned. "I mean, what are the chances that someone would have a pruning accident at midnight?"

Isabel shook her head, "How is Liz? Can she see anything?"

"No, not at all," Alex looked down and lightly brushed a few hairs back from Liz's face as she slept. "She got a migraine and practically passed out at about 1:00."

Isabel sat back in her chair with a worried look.

Alex noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned to see Max and Michael entering from the hallway, coffee in their hands.

"Great," Alex muttered. "He came to finish her off."

He stared at Max with cold eyes. Maria and Liz both had been so exhausted and frightened by their experience that it was difficult to get any details from them about what happened. Finally, Alex had resigned himself to comforting the girls, figuring he could pummel the truth out of Max later.

Isabel looked back at Max and shook her head slightly.

Max halted, a worried look on his face.

Alex placed one of his long arms over Liz's sleeping form.

"I'll take it, Maxwell." Michael reached over for the coffees.

Max met Alex's eyes for another second and then turned to sit down alone.

Michael walked over to Isabel with a frown. "Alex, Iz, coffee?"'

Isabel took a cup from him.

"No thanks," Alex said. "I thought Maria told Roswell's own Maquis de Sade to stay away from Liz."

Isabel sighed. "I know you're really mad at Max, Alex, but he feels as rotten about this as everyone else does. Worse, in fact. Tess disappeared."

Alex raised his eyebrows. "And I'm supposed to care...why?"

"Because, Alex," Isabel looked around and whispered nervously. "She's one of us."

Alex's jaw dropped. He looked over at Maria, who was slumped down in a nearby chair, asleep. "Am I, like, always gonna to be the last to know this stuff?" he said with exasperation.

Isabel glanced at Michael as he frowned at Alex and stalked away.

"Alex," Isabel went on quickly. "She asked us not to tell anyone, especially Liz."

Alex frowned. "Why especially her?"

"Tess and Max are...linked somehow," Isabel said as she glanced away nervously. "Some sort of genetic match that makes them mates. Or at least they would have probably been at home. Here, well, things are more complicated."

Alex tried to stay calm. "So, Liz is...a complication?"

"Alex...I'm just explaining the facts. And for your information, Max went totally against everything the connections and his instincts were telling him to do. He chose Liz."

But Alex was already shaking his head. "Whatever. What I want to know is-" Alex's voice had gotten louder during the conversation and he paused as Liz began to stir. She grew still again and Alex continued in a whisper, "--is why was Nasedo there? And why didn't any of you stop Liz from getting hurt?"

Isabel looked away guiltily, "We tried, Alex. Michael and I both tried, but the orb was too strong. We all had to be healed from coming into contact with it. "

Liz moaned softly in her sleep, "No..."

Alex looked down and put his hand on her head softly. "Liz, it's okay."

"No..." She awakened suddenly and thrashed around as she scrambled to sit up.

"Liz, it's me," Alex said, reaching out to calm her.

She was still breathing heavily.

He watched with concern as she become perfectly still. "Liz?"

She hesitated a moment, then whispered, "Alex?"

"I'm right here," he said as calmly as possible.

Liz swallowed convulsively. "I can't see, Alex."

He nodded, although he didn't know why, and said firmly, "I know. But it's okay."

Liz was shaking her head nervously, "No, you don't understand. I can't see, Alex! I CAN'T SEE!" She stood up, frantically pacing and holding her hands to her head. "It's all black. Everything is black. Oh God..."

Alex stood slowly, unsure of what to do. Liz was in a complete panic. He traded glances with Maria, who was now awake and watching Liz with terrified look eyes.

Then Max was suddenly there, crushing Liz close to him, whispering words no one else could hear.

A war was going on inside of Liz, but all they could hear of the struggle was a few broken sobs. She sagged against Max, and finally allowed him to sit her down on the couch.

Alex watched Max's pained expression as she immediately pushed him away.

"No it won't be alright," she whispered fiercely. "It won't ever be alright again. Don't you understand? I can't see anything." Her voice choked on the last words.

Alex moved over beside her on the couch, his face grim.

He wasn't going to kill Max in the middle of the hospital, but he was definitely going to pencil it in for the future. But for now, he needed to concentrate on Liz. He put his arm gently around her shoulders.

She leaned over into his embrace, and Alex couldn't keep the smirk off his face as Max stood up and walked away.

Maybe I won't have to kill him after all. Liz is doing a pretty good job of it herself.

"It's going to be okay, Lizzie. Shhhh," he whispered as he settled back to hold her close.

Her breathing was calm again, but he noticed that she kept her eyes closed and her body was far from relaxed.

He glanced over to see Michael enveloping a sobbing Maria in his arms.

Someone is going to pay for all of this misery, Alex thought, and pay big.

About thirty minutes later, they finally got the call to send Liz back.

Alex helped her to her feet and excused himself to go phone Liz's parents, as he and Maria had already agreed upon.

But Liz had a death grip on his arm, and he finally motioned to Isabel to make the call.

"Okay, Liz, I'm here."

As they followed the nurse down the long hallway, Alex fervently wished the doctor would give them some good news, or anything that might be classified as such under these circumstances.

But somehow, he was sure they wouldn't get it.

Part 16

Maria glared at the doctor's back as he exited behind the Parkers, saying that he wanted to speak with them alone in the hallway.

The way he had questioned Liz made Maria want to scream.

His tone had been so condescending! As if Liz was a child who had simply had a nightmare.

But after Mrs. Parker's hysterical reaction to the news, Liz needed strength right now, not emotional outbursts.

So Maria just gritted her teeth and walked over to Liz.

She was huddled on the table, as miserable as Maria had ever seen her. Maria shook her head and reached out for Liz's limp hand. "We'll figure it out, okay? He doesn't know crap. He doesn't even know what really happened."

Liz just pulled her hand away to wipe at a tear. "Neither do I."

Maria turned away, her head aching. This lump on the back of my head isn't helping anything, that's for sure.

She felt it with her fingertips as she had been compulsively ever since that Martian "ho" had thrown her back against the couch like a sack of potatoes.

God, did she want to get even with her for that!

She glanced over and saw Michael watching her with concern. She pulled her fingers away from her head. This was nothing.

And there was no *freakin'* way she was going to do what Michael wanted her to.

She crossed her arms.

She didn't care if he could heal her with one touch, Max Evans had better not come within ten feet of her or there would be hell to pay.

Max had thought his life was pretty miserable before he saved Liz's life. And then again, when they were back to 'just friends', it had been even worse.

But this...this was pure hell.

He knew what it was like to kiss Liz, to hold her and to have her want him.

And to go from that to this...

He sat still as stone, forcing the agonizing emotions down deep inside of him.

Right now, he couldn't afford to feel.

So he stood up...and paced.

This waiting was so useless.

The doctors wouldn't be able to tell them anything Max didn't already know. Her eyes were fine; he had healed her completely.

Something else was keeping her from seeing.

But what?

If only Nasedo hadn't disappeared. He would know for sure.

And Tess...

Max winced.

Her name brought up a maelstorm of emotions.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the wall.

Anger. Tess had watched Liz hurting, fighting for life just yards away, and all she was concerned about was keeping Max for herself.

Fear. There was something else behind her eyes, something she wasn't telling him, something vital.

Frustration. He felt the drive for them to be together, to be mates as they were made to be, even though he knew they couldn't be.

And relief. That she was gone; that she had accepted his decision.

He loved Liz. He had chosen her. It was the only choice he could have made.

If only Liz could understand...

Max pushed off the wall as he saw Isabel walking over to him. Her face was grim.

Max sighed.

The next few days were going to be rough ones, for everyone.

Liz was exhausted.

After two days of further testing, numerous specialists and lots of waiting, they were no closer to an answer.

She still couldn't see anything but darkness. Had to be helped everywhere, to do everything. It ate away at her to be so dependent on everyone else.

And her mom was driving her crazy. She had been overprotective before, but now she was practically psychotic about it.

Liz rolled her eyes.

Her poor little crippled daughter couldn't be trusted alone for one minute.

Which was why Maria was sitting out here on the balcony, too.

Of course, it was nice not to be alone...with all that darkness crowding in on her.

And Maria was one of those comfortable kind of people who could be around a lot and not get in the way.

Liz smiled.

Like now, for example.

Even a newly-blind person could tell that Maria was fast asleep.

For one thing, she was actually quiet.

And she was making those little gurgly noises in the back of her throat. Trust Maria to be completely original. She doesn't even snore like a normal person.

The cool night air brushed across Lizšs face and she pulled the blanket up tighter.

God, how she wanted to write in her journal.

Her thoughts had been whirling around since that night, a jumble of worries, theories and fear.

They had gradually distilled into two sentences that she so desperately wanted to write down:

I now know that I can survive almost anything.

I'm just not really sure that I want to.

Part 17

Morning came too early for Liz.

She yawned again as Maria chattered on. "I have been dying to get my hands on your face all year. How about plum eyeshadow? It'll look great."

Liz set her mouth in a stern line. "Maria, I am not a Barbie doll. Just do my make-up the way I usually do it," she demanded. "...Please."

Liz listened to the sounds Maria made carefully.

She was rummaging through the make-up bag for something else.

They had already fought once over what outfit Liz would wear. It had been like pulling teeth to make Maria get out Liz's jeans and plain red sweater.

Maria had wanted Liz to wear a skin-tight black dress with some shawl she brought with her.

Like Liz wasn't already going to call enough attention to herself by having to grope around the school like an idiot.

She tilted her head questioningly. "Maria?"

"Fine. Boring brown it is. Shut your eyes," Maria sighed again as she started lightly touching the shadow to Liz's eyelid.

The sensation relaxed Liz and unbidden tears sprang into her eyes. "Thanks, Maria," she whispered, "For everything."

Maria stopped suddenly. "Hey, no tears when we're doing the eyes, okay?" she exclaimed with a choked voice.

Liz nodded and took a deep breath.

This was going to be hard enough without breaking down every five minutes.

Maria quickly returned to a professional tone. "Okay, you just relax. You are going to look fabulous!"

"Well, Mrs. Parker," said Principal Adams quietly. "I assure you that we can accomodate the special needs of any student and we'll go out of our way to help Liz until she can get back on her feet."

Liz nodded slightly.

Yep, that's me. Poor little blind girl.

Maria slipped her hand into Liz's.

"We have reworked her schedule so that she has Alex Manes or Maria in each one of her classes. She can tape the lectures, have one of her friends read her assignments to her and take her tests orally."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Adams," Nancy Parker said warmly.

"May I ask what the doctor's report was, as far as what the future holds for Liz?"

They were talking about her like she wasn't even in the room!

Liz bit back angry words.

"Well..." Mrs. Parker hesitated. "It doesn't seem to be a physical malady, so we're assuming that she was just under too much stress. From work and from school. So...we're taking the specialist's advice and trying to keep her in her normal routine as much as possible, just trying to back off the level of stress."

Just then Maria leaned over, a smile in her voice, "Thanks, babe. No more long shifts at the Crashdown for us. We'll be too busy working on your homework!!"

Liz managed a small smile into the darkness around her.

"Very good, Mrs. Parker. We will do everything we can to further your efforts in that area. Liz has always been a favorite with her teachers, and I know they will want to help."

Tears stung Liz's eyes at the unexpected kind words.

She could hear her mother stand up from her chair and knew she was shaking the principal's hand.

Oh god...

Liz gripped the arms of her chair. She wasn't ready to face this, not by a long shot.

Maria walked slightly ahead of Liz, trying desperately to ignore the stares and whispering around them.

Liz's hand on her arm felt burning hot. She must feel like a freak show.

Think of something to say, to take her mind off of it....

"Umm...oh, you should see the tacky dress Bobbie Mayfield is wearing today. If she's going for that Oscar the Grouch look, why doesn't she just wear a trash can instead of subjecting everyone to that awful green color?"

Liz gave a strained laugh. "I just found a reason to be glad that I can't see."

Maria grimaced but tried to join in the laugh.

Nice going, flake. Let's try to NOT talk about seeing, O-KAY?

They were finally there.

"Here's your locker. Good thing I know your combination already....Now I don't have you in this class, but Alex will be here in a sec to pick you up. Here's your book and workbook," she said, glad to focus on the task at hand.

Liz mutely accepted the items.

Maria stopped when she saw the tears standing in her eyes. "Oh, god. I need to stop being so nice to you, or you'll never make it. Want me to smack you around a little bit?" Maria asked with a small smile.

Liz laughed and wiped at her eyes.

"Careful, careful," Maria cautioned her as she caught Liz's hands in hers. "Eyes, eyes."

"Liz," Isabel exclaimed as she walked up. "You look fabulous! I like the new make-up."

Liz's jaw dropped and she glared in Maria's general direction. "Maria! You said it was boring brown."

Maria smiled. "Yeah, it is. And a few other more spiffy colors. Don't worry, you look gorgeous!"

Liz sighed, but she had to smile.

That night, Alex took one last swig of caffeine-blasted Jolt cola. "Okay, Liz, I am now fortified to cram all night, if need be. Bring on the books!"

But one look at Liz told him that the all-nighter would have to be postponed. She was leaning over the counter at the Crashdown, eyes closed.

It was after hours and they had the whole place to themselves. Liz's parents had actually left them alone for a few minutes.

"Great, Alex," she whispered. "But I think I'll need a six pack of that stuff."

Alex raised his eyebrows. "Liz, have you ever seen someone high on Jolt? It's not a pretty sight."

She laughed and lifted her head, smiling serenely at him.

But one look at her vacant eyes took away his smile.

He didn't understand why it bothered him so badly, but it did. He found himself longing for the old Liz, who always looked him straight in the eyes. That stubborn glare of hers used to frustrate him so bad.

"Alex?" Liz suddenly looked apprehensive.

"I'm here," he said quickly.

That was something else to get used to. When you're with a newly blind person, you don't sit still and stare at them. They can sense that.

He grabbed his backpack and started shoving books around. "So, Liz," he said lightly. "How are you doing?"

"Tired, but good," she answered, remaining maddeningly still. "How are you?"

Alex laughed at the exxagerated look of polite inquiry on her face. "Okay, I know, pretty lame," he said as he sat in the stool beside her. "But I really want to know how you're dealing with this. We've been so busy trying to get stuff done that we haven't actually talked about...what happened to you."

"Yeah," Liz said softly. "I know."

Alex decided to go for broke. "You know, I hate to mention the spawn of Satan without my crucifix handy, but what about Tess? I mean, where was she during all of it? I was really beginning to think that she was behind some of this stuff. Weren't you?"

Liz sighed. "Yeah. Um...I don't know what happened to her. Max said she just...disappeared after she talked to him."

"Yeah, he seems to have that effect on people," Alex said vaguely. His instincts were telling him that something else was going on. "Liz, are you sure you're okay?"

She turned her head towards him and smiled. "Alex, I am fine. Everything is going to be fine."

He frowned.

He wanted answers. And he hoped he knew where to find them. "Liz, I think I might have to go home early after all. Let's get through this Biology review quick, okay?"

"Sure. I'm not much good tonight, anyway. School is really...exhausting now," Liz reached out for Alex's hand. "Thanks for helping me. I honestly couldn't have made it today without you."

That clenched it. Alex was now sure he had to do something. Liz was just...accepting this...like it was supposed to happen.

Forget it. Liz Parker was not going to stay blind. No way.

Max awoke in a sweat.

He was breathing hard, and the waves of need that were crashing through him were intense.

His body was throbbing with the heat.

It wanted relief, needed release from the urges pent-up inside of him.

What...what had happened?

He tried to clear his fuzzy mind.

What he was thinking was impossible...

Someone...somone had been touching him...intimately.

He could still feel the trail of fire down his chest, where it started, down through his groin and inner thigh.

Glancing down, he could see a glowing red line slowly fading.

But he was alone...

His mind raced as he grappled with the meaning of what had just happened.

If it had been a dream, it was definitely the most physically affecting dream he'd ever had, even though he couldn't remember a thing about it.

He eased himself into a sitting position, willing away the desires stirred up.

In this state, Liz wasn't far from his mind.

But had the dream been about Liz?

He frowned.

For some reason, he was almost sure it hadn't been.

And he wasn't even about to whisper the name that first came to his mind.

Damn.

Bring on the guilt.

Part 18

Maria watched Liz and Isabel carefully making their way through the crowded halls.

Liz looked a little bit more relaxed today. That was a good sign.

Maria called out a greeting.

"Hi, guys."

They halted for a moment.

"Hi, Maria," Liz sighed. "We're on our way to make the hand-off."

Isabel quickly handed a note to Maria and shook her head to indicate the need for secrecy.

"Beginning to feel like a baton, are we?" Isabel asked Liz brightly.

"Not beginning to," Liz shook her head as they walked off. "I'm way past the baton stage. At this point, I feel more like a package than a person."

"Which would make me a mail carrier," Isabel tilted her head slightly. "A less than flattering image, that's for sure. Bye, Maria."

As they walked off, Maria opened the note. It was a list of names and numbers from Alex.

This was what she had been waiting for.

She wouldn't wait until after school; she would love skipping a class for this.

Finally, "Operation Bury Tess" was now under way.

Michael glanced in the Principal's office as he walked by, strictly out of habit. But what he saw stopped him cold.

Max Evans coming out of the Principal's office?

He couldn't stop the sideways grin that passed over his face.

Now this could be really fun.

Lots of pigs-flying and hell-freezing-over jokes. He lived for that.

But his smile disappeared quickly when Valenti came out of the office next, chatting with the secretary.

Michael swore to himself.

Max met his gaze and indicated the hallway on the left as he exited the outer office door.

Michael fell in step beside him. "Tell me that had nothing to do with Tess."

Max's face was grim. "It had everything to do with Tess. She not only disappeared, but falsified all of her school records."

Michael grabbed Max's arm and pulled him to a halt. "Cut to the chase, Max."

Max sighed. "It's not that bad. At least, I don't think it is. There was just no one living at the address she listed. All the family names and numbers were bogus. Even her old school records were wrong. They have no way of knowing if she's okay or if they should be worried."

Michael frowned. Max seemed to be worried enough about her for everybody. "What did Valenti want?"

Max started walking again. "He just knew that we had been seeing each other. He wanted to know if anything strange happened this weekend between us. So I lied. Again."

Michael thumped him on the back. "Good. Look, don't sweat the small stuff, Maxwell. Lies are our friends."

Michael sauntered away.

As long as Tess didn't spill the beans about what she knew, she could disappear forever and it wouldn't bother him a bit.

He frowned as he thought of her.

Max was so trusting, he could easily be taken in by people.

But Tess had never seemed exactly open and honest to Michael. In fact, he knew she was hiding something, something besides the usual alien stuff. Something that would have made Max feel differently about her.

Her false records weren't a surprise to Michael at all.

Maria handed her list to Alex quickly as she came in the door. Alex glanced at it, then over at Liz, who was quietly waiting for class to begin.

Every name on the list was crossed off.

He sighed and looked back at Maria, just taking her seat beside Max.

She shrugged as she noticed Alex watching.

He raised a hand and nodded.

He still had one more name to check on, one that hadn't returned his call last night.

It had to be the one.

Tess was the farthest thing from Max's mind as he watched Liz and Alex working on a lab together.

Or rather, Liz was sitting there, listening to Alex do it. Occasionally she would call out instructions, or hold the flask for him. But it was too dangerous for her to work the Bunsen burner or pour the elements.

So she just sat on her stool, back straight, a slight frown on her face.

It had to be frustrating to just sit there.

But she still looked beautiful.

Max smiled slowly, his eyes taking in her profile.

Especially in that sweater. The red color was perfect for her and it was just low cut enough to drive him crazy. It had always been one of his favorites.

And her hair was loose, flowing over her shoulders...he was dying to touch it.

Max shoved the thought out of his head.

Liz wanted nothing to do with him right now.

Max sighed.

"So," came a clipped voice beside him. "Any sign of the E.T. Wonderbra girl?"

He half-turned to glance at Maria.

She had certainly been keeping up her end of the bargain to make his life a living hell, as best friends of your ex-girlfriend are wont to do from time to time.

"No," he said, tightly. "I don't know where she is. No one does."

She kept her eyes on the flask she was pouring, but he could see she was angry.

What had Ms. Hardy been thinking, putting he and Maria together as lab partners?

Just when Max turned back to his workbook, she turned to him and whispered fiercely. "Look, I still don't know whose fault all of this was, but it really doesn't matter. You need to give Liz some time. She is...reeling right now, trying to deal with the fact that she may be, like, blind for life because some psycho pet rock from outer space wanted her dead. The last thing she needs is you messing with her head right now. Just respect what she's been through enough to stay away. Do you think you can handle that?"

Max saw her fighting tears as she turned away.

He glanced down, realizing she had seen him watching Liz. "Yeah. But, Maria-"

Maria reluctantly looked over at him.

"I do love Liz. And I would give anything to go back and stop it from happening," Max stared straight ahead. "All of it...You will probably forgive me long before I will forgive myself."

Maria stared at him for a minute. "Well, it's Liz's forgiveness you need to worry about. Not mine."

Part 19

Alex slammed the phone down.

The child placement services in Tucson, Az was possibly the worst run state office left of the Mississippi.

He had left three messages with their dubiously named message service, and no reply.

He swore under his breath.

Things seemed to be going well for Liz, but he could see how much effort it took for her to just go through what used to be a normal day.

And it pissed him off. It really did.

If these so-called public servants didn't get off their asses and call him back...

Words failed Alex at this point and he shoved the phone into the wall.

Maria looked in the mirror in Liz's bathroom and took a deep breath.

There were still two more days in the school week and she was exhausted.

She hated to admit it even to herself, but being with Liz was so draining.

How would she make it? How would any of them make it?

Tears welled up in her eyes.

No, she lectured herself, wiping them away quickly. Don't let Liz see you-

She stopped herself cold.

See you?

God, when am I going to get used to this?

The tears flooded back.

She couldn't wait to see Michael. She needed his arms around her like she needed air to breathe.

When she was surrounded by his familiar scent, warmed by his touch... then she might just feel like everything would be okay.

Liz was still on her balcony after Maria left.

Three days of the school week gone and this was her first chance to relax on her balcony, alone.
Maria was actually spending the night at home tonight.

Of course, she had been so wonderful, but...

It was a relief to be alone, to be able to forget that she was handicapped now and depending on so many people.

But there are trade-offs, she readily admitted.

Being alone also meant that she also felt the presence stronger...the darkness.

Even now, she felt it creeping around her, as it had been ever since that night.

A shiver passed through her.

In her mind, she had finally given it a name, although she had told no one.

It wasn't that she thought they wouldn't believe her...it was just that....well, yeah, okay, they wouldn't believe her. And they would think she was obsessing over the Max thing again.

And she wasnšt.

Really.

I mean who had time to obsess over a lost relationship when you had to count the steps from the cash register to the counter and from the counter to the swinging doors, just so you wouldn't run into something and completely embarass yourself?

In all honesty, counting was a fairly numbing occupation. It was impossible to worry and count at the same time, even for her.

Which was why she was beginning to wish for something to count right about now.

In the dark silence, she could feel the presence strongly now... the envy... the hatred...and something unrecognizable.

And she knew she should be afraid.

But Liz Parker wasn't going to play that game anymore.

A slight smile graced her face.

"You won't break me, Tess. You can't."

The silence was palpable.

Her response was immediate.

Liz fell back as the lawn chair began to slide under her and gain momentum quickly.

She barely had time to hold her arms out into the darkness in front of her before she slammed into the brick wall lining the roof.

Alex's eyes immediately went to the answering machine as he entered his room.

No messages.

He sighed and sat down, bringing his hands to the top of his head as he thought.

"Bye, Alex," came his Momšs voice. "We'll be home around 11:00 or so."

"Yeah, have a great time," he called out distractedly.

He was getting desperate. Maybe he could find out the home number of the lady in charge of the-

His eyes fell on the fax machine.

There was a printout...and from upside-down, it looked like a photograph of someone very familiar.

Part 20

Ringing. Her head was ringing.

Liz slowly opened her eyes and winced.

Her hand automatically went to the right side of her face, which felt, for the most part, completely paralyzed.

Why was her face wet?

There's that ringing again...

Liz stared at her fingers, covered in bright red blood.

What...

The ringing was coming from inside.

She pulled herself to a sitting position, wondering why nighttime suddenly seemed so much brighter than the last time she had seen it.

Seen it?

Liz froze.

She was seeing it.

Nighttime. The balcony. The chairs. The stars.

She could see!

The ringing again.

Liz dizzily walked to the window. She was so happy to see her hand as it reached for the sill, blood and all. By the time she finally made it to the phone, a silly grin was plastered on her face. "Hello?"

"Liz, hey it's me. I've got-"

"Alex! I can see," Liz glanced excitedly in the mirror straight ahead, momentarily taken aback by the bloody abrasion on her forehead and cheek.

Alex sounded stunned. "What?"

Liz grimaced and turned away from the mirror, wanting to enjoy the moment. "Yes, I can see. I can see everything!" She reached out and wiped her hand off on a tissue haphazardly.

"That's great! What...what happened?"

"Oh, well," Liz was having a hard time remembering exactly how she ended up there. "I sort of...fell and hit the wall on my balcony. My head is killing me, but I really couldn't care less!"

She could hear Alex's voice turn serious. "Well, um, I hate to ruin your first moments of sight, but I've just gotten some info about Tess' adopted parents that you are...are not going to believe...hold on...what the-"

Liz bent forward, trying to hear better. "Alex?"

There were thudding noises, and the receiver fell to the floor.

"Alex!"

She heard him cry out amid a flurry of noise on the other end.

Liz was frozen, her emotions and logic fighting for control.

Alex was being attacked?

She dropped the phone, grabbed her purse and fled down the hallway, yelling as she went. "Mom, I can see now and I've got to go to Alex's!"

"What??"

Her Mom's yell caught up with her on the stairs:

"Elizabeth Parker, you better get your butt back up here!"

Isabel was walking by Max's room when she heard his answering machine pick up. Who would be calling Max?

She shrugged and headed to the bathroom.

Tonight was the night she did her weekly facial mask and her mind was on getting the perfect mix of ingredients this time. The homemade masks just worked so-

Wait a minute, that's Liz's voice...she sounds upset.

Isabel reached Max's room in three strides, intent on hearing the message.

"...not there. But something just happened at Alex's," Liz's strained voice continued. "I'm not sure what, but I'm on my way there now. I don't want you to..."

Liz's voice faded behind as Isabel grabbed her purse and raced to the front door.

Oh my god...what's wrong with Alex?

Liz cautiously pushed open the front door of the Whitman's house. No one was answering her knock and she was desperate.

The entire house was cold and still, shrouded in darkness.

Liz could barely choke out the question, "Alex?"

She headed for his room quickly, afraid to find out why he wasn't answering.

"Alex?"

A soft groan came from inside.

She turned the doorknob, only to find it locked.

She pounded on the door.

"Alex!"

The knob wouldnšt give.

She looked around frantically for something to break the door open with...

But suddenly, it clicked and swung open in front of her.

Liz's heart thumped in her chest.

The entire room was ransacked... furniture toppled, books strewn about and small objects embedded deeply into the walls.

Like a malevolent wind had swept through...

"Oh god," Liz cried as she saw Alex.

He lay awkwardly sprawled beside his bed, his eyes still open.

He was mumbling something and Liz felt tears sting her eyes as she bent over him.

"Alex?"

His face was rapidly showing black and blue bruises, his nose bloodied and obviously broken.

She touched his face lightly and finally asked, "God, Alex, who did this to you?"

He shifted painfully, reaching a hand down to his side. As Liz's eyes followed his movements, she gasped.

The shiny handle of a pair of scissors stuck out of his side. Blood was collecting all over the floor beneath him.

Liz was so horrified, she almost didn't hear the loud clatter from the main room. She whipped around. "Someone's here," she whispered. Her eyes darted around the room, looking for a weapon of any kind.

Alex grunted loudly and grabbed her hands, pressing something in them.

The scissors...covered in his blood.

Liz gave an involuntary cry.

Their eyes met and Liz nodded mutely at Alex's unspoken question.

She touched his face once more, then turned to slowly walk to the door.

The scissors felt slippery in her hands as she raised them up, blades open.

Could she really stab someone...?

Then a soft noise reached her ears from right outside the door.

Liz gulped and quickly stepped to one side.

A face appeared in the darkness and Liz desperately jabbed the scissors at it-

And Isabel grabbed her hand in midair.

They stared at each other for a long moment, each exhaling loudly.

Then Isabel released her arm and Liz fell back against the wall in relief. "Liz," Isabel began, "What are you...oh my god. Alex!"

Liz watched Isabel run to Alex and kneel beside him.

She must've gotten my message for Max.

Liz pushed herself off the wall and followed Isabel. "You can heal him, right?"

But Isabel apparently didnšt hear her...

Liz's eyes widened as she realized she was already making a connection to him. "Oh...good."

As Liz watched, she felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck.

She was being watched.

She slowly turned her head and looked around the room.

A familiar feeling was creeping over her...

She shivered.

The darkness would be soon to follow.

She glanced once more at Isabel and Alex, then ran for the car.

She knew who had done this.

And why.

Part 21

Liz changed gears with calm efficiency. Her mind felt unclouded and sharp for the first time in weeks.

Isabel would heal Alex. He would be fine.

But Maria could be next.

Her lifelines. Her best friends.

Tess was trying to take them away from her, too!

"Let's just add that onto the rather long list of reasons to kick her ass the next time I see her," Liz growled as she shoved the stick into third gear and reached for her cell phone.

Somehow she managed to dial the number while swerving around a parked truck. But then again, she could drive to Maria's house in her sleep.

Max's answering machine picked up again on the third ring.

She left him a quick message while running through the red light doing 50 mph.

Mom would kill me for driving like this.

Wait a minute, why am I going to Maria's? She'll be at Michael's. He could protect her!

But she had to warn them.

She punched in his number and watched the road nervously.

Maria was just starting to completely relax when she heard a strange noise. "Michael, what was that?"

"The refrigerator," he looked over at her with raised eyebrows. "It's shifting gears. It thinks it's a race car."

She smiled at him archly. "Trust you to have a delusional fridge."

Michael grabbed the phone as soon as it rang. "Yeah," he said as he leaned over on the counter. He frowned and glanced at Maria. "Yeah, she's here, Liz....What? Is he okay?"

At this, Maria jumped up from the couch and walked over to Michael, touching his arm lightly for support.

"Yeah, I'll keep an eye on her....Max was at work. He should be home soon....Yeah, I'll try him for you."

Liz could breathe more freely now. Maria would be safe with Michael. She did a slow U-turn and headed back toward Alex's house.

Maybe Isabel wouldn't mind healing Liz's face; it was really beginning to throb.

A sudden chill made Liz slam on the brakes.

Oh no, not again.

The presence and the too-familiar darkness crept over her.

Liz gripped the steering wheel fiercely as her vision slowly disappeared. Her breath came in short gasps, but she managed to keep herself from panicking.

She had her phone with her...and Michael knew where she was if anything... anything...happened...

A whisper brushed across her mind.

*I will break you.*

"Like hell you will," Liz spat out.

*Like Alex, I will. And Maria's next. Unless you're willing to play the game...*

Liz forced back more angry words. At present, she wasn't holding the cards. "Fine."

*The cave. Now.*

The darkness retreated, leaving Liz shivering.

But at least she could see again.

And for some reason, she suddenly felt calm.

It was all clear to her now.

This was all Tess wanted. Revenge.

Liz fixed steely eyes on the road ahead of her.

Whatever.

As long as she left Alex and Maria alone, Liz could handle it.

She put the car back in gear and hesitated. Should she try Max one last time?

But what would she say?

Liz felt sick as she realized that she basically had nothing to say to him.

Nothing coherent, anyway.

Just a bunch of leftover feelings that were hard to make heads or tails out of.

Oh...

And love.

Liz couldn't deny it to herself.

There was always that. And there would always be that. No matter what happened. But then again, there would always be Tess.

That was the main thing she had learned from this. If things were ever going to be right again with Max, Liz had to face her. They had some unfinished business to take care of.

So Liz slowly turned the car around and headed for the highway, hoping she could at least get some answers before Tess completely demolished her.

Max had left work early. Just to drive around.

He needed some time to think.

He was trying his level best to "respect" what Liz had been through and give her time, like Maria so strongly suggested.

But, it didn't feel like respecting.

It felt like ignoring...ignoring the person he loved to distraction, the girl who held his life in the palm of his hand.

Liz was in her own private hell right now. And he was supposed to stay away.

Not only did that not make sense, it was just a load of crap!

Why should he use all his energies forcing himself to stay away whe he could be using that time to help her.

And he was sure that he could help her somehow.

Maybe if he made the connection to her again, he would be able to sense where the problem was. And even if he couldn't, just to be near her again would be heaven.

Just to look into her beautiful eyes and touch her as he had done the night after the shooting, the first time they had connected.

Max inhaled deeply.

*the cave*

He blinked.

Where had that come from?

*Max, the cave...*

Tess?

*It was Nasedo....I'm in the cave.*

Max's throat constricted.

Nasedo had Tess?

He shook his head.

*Max...hurry.*

He had to go. He knew it was her.

And if she was in trouble, he had to help.

Max turned the jeep around and headed to the highway.

Part 22

Alex couldn't believe this night. Could it get any weirder?

Here he was in his bedroom, lying on the floor with his fantasy girl's head on his chest and- get this- comforting *her*.

Comforting her because he had been at death's door and she didn't want him dead. In fact, she didn't want him dead enough to save him, if you could believe that.

Which, he couldn't.

Granted, she didn't risk her life and the lives of her two friends by doing it like Max did for Liz.

But still, Isabel Evans reached out and exerted a tremendous amount of energy for him- Alex Charles Whitman!

Unreal.

Not to mention the fact that surrounding this unreal scenario was the background of his room, which besides being the sight of numerous fantasies involving he and the aforementioned fantasy girl, currently looked like it might actually rate high enough to merit federal disaster relief funds.

Totally unreal.

He looked down at Isabel.

Her wide, tear-filled eyes caught him by surprise. "Hey, you okay?"

He inclined his head to see if they really were tears, or if it was just his imagination. "Isabel...I'm fine. You fixed me. And by the way, you did a great job on the nose. I think it's much more refined-looking."

He smiled, glad to see her eyes twinkle at him just a little bit.

Isabel sat up, recovered enough to tease him back. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice."

Alex grinned and sat up as well. "Well, I guess maybe we'd better try it out and make sure."

Isabel looked at him suspiciously. "Sure of what?"

Alex leaned in and whispered, "That they fit together just right when we kiss."

Isabel gave a little gasp, then let her gaze wandered down to his smile.

Come home to Papa, Alex thought as he leaned in...

And the phone rang.

Alex jerked his head toward the noise.

"Not again," Isabel muttered as she grabbed his face in both her hands and kissed him soundly.

Soft lips...warm breath...and that shimmering hair in his hands.

Oh god, how Alex loved that hair...

As Isabel pulled back from him slowly, Alex stared at her in wonder.

Life was so amazing.

One minute, an alienette with a vendetta takes a stab at you, and the next minute, a beautiful goddess (also an alien) heals you and takes you to the seventh of never with one kiss.

Amazing.

And she's leaning in again...

Phone? Phone? What's a phone?

Liz sat in the car, taking a deep breath.

Her heart was already pounding, and she wasn't even to the cave yet.

"There is nothing to fear except fear itself," she mumbled to herself. "And, of course, the occasional psychopathic...alien genetic mate of your ex-boyfriend."

She closed her eyes briefly and opened the car door. She didn't realize anyone was there until she felt the door stop suddenly.

Looking up in fear, she was relieved to see Eddie's face in the moonlight. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there," she breathed out, then paused. "How did you know I was coming?"

"You need a new muffler," he grinned at her.

"Oh," Liz said, a little embarassed. "I guess that would do it."

She stepped out of the car and Eddie reached out his hand to help her out.

She gave him a genuine smile for his courtesy. "Thank you."

"So, Liz, what brings you out here?"

Liz lost her smile quickly. "I was hoping to go back to the cave...although now that I'm here, I'm not exactly sure how to get there."

Eddie frowned at her. "Why do you want to go back?"

Liz hesitated, pressing her lips together as she thought. "I can't explain, Eddie. I wish I could, but I just have to go. Alone."

Eddie stared at her for a moment. "I'm not about to let you wander around in those woods by yourself. Just give me a second to get my flashlight. I'll be right back."

Liz watched as he strode off toward the Indian trinket shop beside the road.

If she let him come with her, then he might be in danger, too.

She quickly turned and walked into the dark woods alone.

"Maria, Liz said Alex was going to be fine," Michael said, exasperated.

Maria slammed down the phone. "Then why aren't they answering the phone?"

Michael glowered at her. "I don't know. Why don't you call them back and ask?"

Maria rolled her eyes and kept pacing. "So Liz was driving? When did this happen?" she asked again.

"If I'd known you were going to be this annoying, I would have just handed you the phone so you could talk to her yourself."

Maria stared at him a moment, then grabbed the phone again and dialed quickly.

As they waited, Michael threw himself down on the couch.

Maria sighed and hung up the phone. "So why isn't she answering now?" She looked over at Michael with a calculated look. "I want to see Alex."

Michael looked up at her. "No, it's too dangerous."

"I don't care."

He stood up and stared her down. "You're not going."

She narrowed her eyes. "I am."

"You're-"

"I'm going."

"It's-"

"Michael-"

"too-"

"MICHAEL-"

"dangerous!"

"I'M GOING," Maria shouted as she grabbed her car keys.

"GOD!" Michael threw his hands in the air. "Alright! Alright! If it's gonna shut you up, we'll go!" He yanked the keys out of her hand and exited, followed a very smug Maria.

Eddie swore quietly under his breath.

He didn't realize Liz would go off by herself like that.

It hadn't taken him long to locate the flashlight but when he checked in with River Dog, the old man had wanted to warn him about the presence at the cave...

And of course, Liz hadn't waited.

Eddie set off on his own after her.

What kind of Indian would he be if he couldn't track down a girl?

Part 23

"Well, at least we know why they weren't answering the phone," Michael said drily, as he leaned against the doorframe.

Alex and Isabel pulled apart and stood up quickly, each wiping nervously at their mouth.

"Oh my god," Maria gasped as she looked at Alex's bedroom.

Alex tried to wipe the hilarious grin off of his face in acknowledgment of the condition of his room, but his lips had a mind of their own.

Who could blame them after coming into contact with that glorious creature. Other parts of his body were extremely jealous...

"Yeah, it's awful, isn't it," he finally managed.

"Well, you look okay. Are you okay?" Maria crossed to him. "Because Liz said that you got attacked or something...but she didn't say who did it or how bad it was or anything. But this... this looks bad, really, really bad."

"He looks fine now, but it took some major healing to get him this way," Isabel said with a frown.

Maria suddenly noticed the blood on the floor beneath them and looked up at Alex, pale.

Isabel's phone rang, startling everyone. "I'll get it," she said firmly, grabbing the phone out of her purse and walking toward the hallway.

Maria threw her arms around Alex and hugged him.

Alex hugged her back.

"I'm fine. What?" he asked, pulling back from her. "You thought that was my blood?"

Maria smiled up at him shakily.

"No way," he smiled, shaking his head at her. "I pass out at the sight of my own blood, remember? And see, I'm staring right at it. No problem..." Alex started to frown. "Although it is... awfully red, isn't it?"

Maria grabbed one of his arms as he began to sway.

"Maybe you should sit down," she said.

Alex nodded vaguely, "Maybe I should."

"So, who did this?" Michael asked grimly. "Did you see anyone?"

Alex shook his head as Maria turned over a chair for him.

"We have to go," Isabel interupted as she snapped her cell phone shut. "Max wants us to meet him at the cave."

Alex blinked. "Wait, does this have something to do with Tess?"

Isabel tilted her head slightly, "How did you know that?"

"I just remembered," Alex said as he jumped up and started shuffling through the loose papers scattered all over the floor. "I've got something to show you."

The farther into the woods she got, the less sure Liz was that she'd done the right thing.

This was suicide. The only thing missing was the bottle of pills.

Tess had powers; she played mind games; she hated Liz.

The deep layers of evergreens blocked out most of the moonlight and Liz stumbled constantly over the uneven ground.

She swallowed nervously and tried to stop her train of thought.

It wasn't as if she'd be safe from Tess anywhere else.

And it wasn't as if her friends would be safe, either.

Or Max.

Liz looked behind her nervously.

The forrest was so dark and still back there.

But it was even darker where she was headed.

Liz took a deep, shuddering breath.

She didn't want to face the darkness again.

Eddie could hear Liz's footsteps up ahead, but hung back, hiding the beam from his flashlight.

River Dog said that was about to happen was necessary...

But he would be there, when the time came.

Max stared at the Parker's car as he parked the Jeep beside it, unable to imagine any likely theory as to why it would be at the reservation.

He jumped out and checked the empty car quickly.

Liz's purse was in the front seat.

He placed his hand on the hood of the car.

Still warm.

He glanced around quickly, but felt sure of which direction she had headed in.

A feeling of dread stole over him.

Had Liz heard Tess calling to him?

No matter... Liz was here.

And if Nasedo was here...

Oh god...

The fear almost choked him.

He sprinted for the woods, glad that he had at least called Izzy for back-up.

Maria threw down the papers she was flipping through. "Alex, why can't you just tell us what it is?"

Isabel held up a sheet. "Is this it?" She handed it to Alex and the others gathered around him.

He glanced over it quickly, nodded and looked up at them. "Remember that fire Tess told you about? The one where she said that her foster family lost everything?"

Isabel and Michael exchanged questioning looks.

"Yeah," Michael ventured.

"Well, according to the records at Greene Memorial in Tucson," Alex took a deep breath. "Tess Hart died in that fire...about three months ago."

Part 24

Michael gripped the steering wheel in silence.

He and Isabel had given up trying to figure things out a while back.

He just could not bend his brain around the fact that Tess was dead.

How the hell did they miss the fact that she was a...a ghost?

She must've felt pretty damn real to Max.

Michael shook his head.

What they knew about themselves wouldn't even fill a book, and they knew absolutely nothing about what happened to them when they died.

Except they apparently didn't "go gently into that good night." In fact, it looked like Tess had no intention of going anywhere.

This was really giving Michael the willies.

Max was trying to rescue a dead girl and he didn't even know it.

Max had been running through the moonlit forest as fast as he dared for half an hour, dodging tree branches and stumbling over roots.

The path to the cave wasn't clear at all, and he wasn't sure how he knew where to go.

He just did.

With every labored breath, he prayed for Liz to get stopped or slowed down enough for him to get to her.

Not that he was sure at all what might happen if he didn't...

Who knew what Nasedo was thinking?

Why would he have even taken Tess to begin with?

God...what a nightmare!

Max was still trying to process the fact that obviously Liz could see again, and he was glad...

But why did it happen just in time for her to get up here and right back into Nasedo's clutches? It couldn't be a coincidence.

Max's fear pushed him on, but he was eventually forced to stagger to a stop, completely out of breath.

He bent over and grimaced in frustration, resting his hands on his knees a moment.

He was running like an idiot, form all wrong; that had to be why he was so winded.

But Liz couldn't be that far ahead now.

His eyes closed as he again thought of Nasedo finding her first, of those beautiful brown eyes wide with fear...

Oh god-

His heart clenched like a fist and he suddenly didn't give a damn about breathing.

He could breathe later, after Liz was safe.

And Tess, too.

Max ran on as if his life depended on it.

A dark man stood by the cave, his eyes wary as he glanced around the forest.

He looked every inch the mountain man: his tangled beard streaked with gray, his well-worn clothes suited for rugged outdoor life, a backpack on the ground at his feet.

After satisfying himself that all was still, he idly pulled out a pocketknife and began digging up under his fingernails.

His movements were calm and precise as he waited, glancing up at the trail before him occasionally.

Maria sat by Alex in the back seat, snuggled close under his arm.

Of course, she'd rather be up there with Michael, but she understood the need for he and Isabel to compare notes on what Tess's death meant for them.

As far as she was concerned, it didn't change a thing.

In fact, it made more sense to her.

Tess had been messing with Liz's mind from the beginning, and her being a disembodied alien skank wasn't all that different from her being just a regular alien skank.

Except now Maria didn't have to worry about kicking Tess's slimy butt all around town for doing this to Liz.

Because someone else had already burned her butt up.

And in spite of her best efforts, Maria wasn't half sorry about it, either.

She just wished Liz knew.

But Liz wasn't answering her cell phone and she had no way of knowing where they were headed.

Maria was glad she would be at home, safe and sound when they confronted Tess.

Just in case.

Liz stood breathlessly facing the cave, fear gnawing away at her.

She just had to get this over with.

If she didn't go straight in, she wouldn't go in at all.

But oh, she did not feel in control of the situation.

She was feeling more alone with each passing second.

Her eyes closed briefly.

Stupid, independent Liz.

Why hadn't she called Max?

He had no idea she was even here.

No one did.

*I wouldn't say no one...*

With Tess's smug voice came her memories of Alex crying out in pain as the scissors ripped into his side.

Liz grimaced, hurt and rage flooding through her.

She knew she was being manipulated.

She hated it.

But there was just no choice.

Her anger propelled her forward into the mouth of the cave.

Eddie watched her enter after hesitating for a moment.

A frown settled on his face.

River Dog's warning was fresh in his mind and Liz seemed so small and helpless.

Why had she come here alone?

Shaking his head, he walked toward the cave.

Before he had taken a few steps, there was movement out of the corner of his eye.

He turned his flashlight on the strangest looking man he'd ever seen.

Max slowed as he saw a light blink off ahead. He gulped, working hard to breathe quietly in the darkness.

The cave stood just beyond a thicket of trees, a black, gaping hole.

The light had come from somewhere beside those trees.

Was it Liz?

Oh god, please let her be okay...

He approached cautiously, his face grim with determination.

The red Jetta pulled into the Indian reservation, startling River Dog out of his contemplative meditation.

He watched the four teenagers scramble out and run to the other vehicles, both empty.

Then Isabel noticed River Dog watching them.

She touched Michael's arm and nodded in his direction.

Alex and Maria turned hopefully.

River Dog nodded in their direction.

At Michael's frown, he indicated the direction to the cave with an air of resignation.

The four immediately ran off into the woods.

River Dog sighed.

Eddie stood quietly in the path as Max approached.

At Max's surprised look, he simply said, "She's in there. Be very careful."

Max blinked at him, then quickly passed on into the cave.

Eddie looked back to the trail, waiting for the others.

Part 25

Max walked forward into the dark silence until he could stand it no longer.

He couldn't sense anyone there at all. Not Tess. Not Nasedo...

"Liz," he whispered. "Liz, where are you?"

Suddenly, torches lit up on both sides of him, the flames crackling and spitting far into the back of the cave.

Max walked cautiously forward, following the trail of light ahead.

He had no choice.

The trail of lights eventually branched off, leading him to a smaller cave.

Max peered into the darkness there, the empty silence filling him with dread.

Seconds ticked by...

"Liz," he whispered.

The lights from behind winked out suddenly.

Max crouched, ready for anything.

Very slowly, a glow filled the room, illuminating a slim figure in front of him with long, silky, dark hair.

Her back was turned, but Max would know that body anywhere.

He took a step forward. "Liz!"

The light grew, caressing the curves of her body softly.

Max suddenly realized that she was only wearing panties and a tank top.

He had a hard time remembering why he had been so worried about her.

Liz was fine...in fact, she looked...absolutely...breath-taking as she turned to him with a sexy smile."Max," she said, walking slowly towards him. "I knew you'd come."

The hesitant smile on his face widened. "Liz, how did you..."

Liz stopped a few feet in front of him, her eyes daring him to drink his fill of her.

And he couldn't help himself.

As she lifted her arms up and rested them tantalizingly on her head, her tank drifted up high over her navel.

The smooth expanse of skin between the low rise of her bikini panties and the hem of her tank was so rounded, so perfect.

Max forced his eyes up to her face, taking in her closed eyes and rapturous expression.

He hated to question her...

"Liz," he breathed "I don't understand..."

She opened her eyes and stepped closer, bringing her slim arms around his neck.

Max steeled himself, keeping his hands down for the moment.

Something was off...

"I want you, Max."

His mouth fell open just a little in surprise.

She brought his head down to hers and took full advantage of the opportunity to caress his mouth with her tongue.

His hands went to her waist and slid across the warm, soft skin he found there.

His breathing was ragged...

And as his mind opened to the sensations, they connected.

Almost immediately, Max wanted to pull back.

The rush of images coming from Liz were like none that he'd ever seen before.

They were disjointed, faded images of an unfamiliar childhood, one filled with loneliness and want.
The little girl in the mirror looked more like....oh, god...

It was Tess!

Max felt her anguish as he saw flashes, her memories, of a strange man, a girl, a silver bracelet, a school...and then, the fire....

Oh no...

She had awakened to flames burning, searing, boiling her skin.

Max felt trapped with her as the fire raged on.

The pain was unbearable.

But finally, the darkness came... the numb, eternal existence outside the fire.

Max felt nothing but loneliness...

And he knew what Tess was trying to tell him.

She had come back for him.

And she wanted to take him with her.

In the dark little corner of her mind left, Liz raged.

She could feel Max against her, could taste his tongue with her own, but she had no control over her body.

Tess had completely taken over.

The kiss was a trap and Liz knew it; her body was being used to trap Max.

The power was building up, she could feel it.

NO!

Liz forced her mind to come against the strong presence.

She pushed; she beat; she screamed until she felt a...a loosening.

And while Tess was focusing on the connection to Max, Liz shoved her way through the barrier and joined them.

And they were all one... all seeing images of death.

Tess began to draw power from the distant orb, the guardian, using its hatred of humans to open the link.

Liz felt the familiar warmth steal through her, quickly beginning to burn as before.

She heard Max cry out in pain and she pushed him away from her desperately.

He must be feeling her pain.

It was agonizing, fierce... deadly.

She fell to the ground, all thought quickly overcome...

But the connection stayed.

*And now, we die. Together in life no longer, but alive in death forever.*

Tess's voice echoed in Max's head, as he crouched near the ground trying to fight the energy overtaking his body.

It coursed through him, sending out waves of stunning pain.

It was coming from Liz. The connection...

He couldn't think of how to save her. He couldn't even save himself.

He just... felt... pain. His...hers...

Tess was killing both of them.

Oh god...not Liz, too.

He felt Tess's anger tremor through the connection.

*Yes, her, too!*

Max clenched his teeth, and focused his energy on pushing the pain back.

*Leave her alone, dammit! I'll go! I'll go! JUST STOP!*

He felt Tess's confusion, fear and rage all tangled together.

The pain screamed from Liz's body into his.

*How dare you think of her! You are mine! You were made for me!*

But Max suddenly felt the power pull away, waning slowly.

His head fell forward in relief.

She couldn't use the orb to kill Liz if it would harm him, too. It wouldn't go through with it. The connection between them had saved them.

Michael reached the cave first, pausing only long enough to gauge how far behind him the others were.

He frowned when he didn't see them at all.

"I'm goin' in," he called out to the empty space behind him.

He strode toward the entrance, having no idea of what to find.

A low rumbling shook the air in front of him and Michael instinctively jumped back.

Ahead of him, he saw a flash of white teeth and a mountain of black fur.

"Michael!" he heard Isabel yell behind him.

Falling back in disbelief, he stumbled as her hand grabbed onto his jacket and propelled him back toward the forest.

Isabel hissed in his ear, "I really don't think you want to tangle with a bear, Michael."

Michael pulled his arm away from her. "Isabel..." He gazed back at the cave long and hard.

"Michael, Max can't be in there. There's a bear in there!"

Michael looked into her frantic eyes and put a calming hand on her arm. "He's okay, Iz."

She shuddered and looked away.

Alex and Maria ran up, breathing heavily.

"Uh, did you just say a bear?" Alex asked as he stopped, his eyebrows raised high.

Isabel nodded.

A low growl came from inside the cave.

Part 26

Max looked over at Liz and the breath left his body.

She was glaring at him with hatred.

Max shook his head.

No, that's Tess...

"Damn you. I wasn't supposed to die in that fire," Tess/Liz whispered fiercely. She scrambled to her feet and backed away. "Liz Parker should have died but you saved her. You saved her...why not me?"

Max followed her, his heart in his throat. "Tess, I'm sorry. I wasn't there. I didn't know," he spoke very calmly, stretching out his hands toward her. "Let's just talk about it and you can let Liz go."

Tess fumed at him. "NO! If I let her go, then I don't exist to you. The orb gave me a second chance. And you chose this- this human," Tess spat the words out as she slammed a fist into the wall. Max was frantic to see her pull the hand back, broken and bloody.

He managed to stay back and keep his train of thought with great effort. "The orb gave you another chance? How?"

Tess glared at him for a moment, then relented slightly. "It's just like healing someone; you just have to have more power. And believe me, the guardian has as much power as he wants."

"So, after you were...burned, the orb...uh," Max hesitated, not able to continue.

She smiled, but it was a hollow one. "Resurrected me? Yeah."

Max was reeling. These words coming out of Liz's mouth...

"Why?" he whispered.

"Oh, it had its reasons: preserving the blood line, keeping you and Liz apart. That's the funny thing, you two being together awakened it, and I think it immediately started plotting against you. I just happened to be the answer to both problems."

She looked away, and her voice tightened. "Then, as soon as it found out that you didn't...want me, it killed me again. Two miserable lives and two painful deaths," Tess paused and whispered. "...all for want of you, Max Evans."

Max felt a shudder pass through him.

Michael squinted his eyes and began to walk forward.

Maria grabbed his arm. "Michael, are you crazy? That thing will eat you alive!" Maria was desperate. "And I refuse to watch you get eaten, Michael Guerin!"

He shrugged her off and walked on. "Stay back, Maria."

A loud roar shook the cave.

Maria shrieked, but Alex held her back.

Isabel went after him. "Michael, get your ass back here!"

He was still walking forward...

Suddenly, the bear lunged into the moonlight, teeth bared, claws extended.

Isabel froze in terror.

Michael crouched down, but held his ground. "Here goes nothin'," he whispered to himself.

Isabel screamed as the bear stood up on its hind legs, now towering over Michael.

"Oh my god!" Alex ran forward and grabbed Isabel, pulling her back with him. As they reached where Maria stood horrified, he placed himself in front of the girls. "Don't watch."

Isabel clung to Alex's shoulder; Maria squeezed his arm tight.

But their eyes were fixed on the scene before them.

The bear lumbered closer to Michael, his massive claws now just inches away.

Alex just had time to realize that he should probably leave the girls to help Michael.

But a sudden roar tore into his thoughts.

The powerful jaws were open, the sharp teeth dripping saliva only inches from Michael's face as the terrible roar blasted by him.

He was completely motionless, dwarfed by the huge beast.

Alex desperately pulled free from the girls and ran toward Michael.

Oh my GOD what am I doing...

Suddenly the bear stopped.

It eyed Michael for what seemed like forever, taking no notice of Alex at all.

Then put its front paws down and padded back to the cave.

Alex stared at Michael, then back at the cave.

Michael let out his breath slowly, his eyes transfixed on the spot where the bear had been.

Alex was the first to speak, pointing at the bear with joking bravado. "Yeah, you better stay in that cave. I got somemin' for ya' nex' time!" He nodded and turned to the girls as the ran up breathlessly. "I think I need to change my pants," Alex said lightly.

Isabel touched him lightly on the arm, her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you." Then she turned to Michael and yelled at him shakily. "Why did you do that?"

Maria slid her hand in the crook of his arm and tried to steady her breathing.

Michael glanced down at her, then over at Isabel. "That wasn't a bear. That was Nasedo. Max is in there alright."

Max felt the weight of her words, but had to try again. "Tess, this is between you and me," Max whispered. "Let Liz go."

Tess's face twisted in anger and she backed away from him. "NO! She dies first," Tess yelled and turn to run. She flung her arms out, sending shockwaves out in all directions. Darkness enveloped them.

"Tess, TESS!" Max yelled as the energy knocked him backwards.

The cave parroted his words back at him, distorting them until they were no longer recognizable.

He jumped to his feet, quickly focusing on making light in his hands.

Just as the light illuminated the walls around him, he heard a distant rumble ahead.

He sucked in a breath.

Cave-in.

They all stared at Michael in amazement.

"Why would he want to keep us from Max?" Isabel asked.

Suddenly, a rumbling drew their attention to the cave.

The ground began to termor under their feet and they grabbed at each other for safety.

A large cloud of dust blew out out of the cave, barely visible in the moonlight, followed by more rumblings and crashing sounds.

"Oh my god, Max!" Isabel ran toward the cave, followed by the others.

In the darkness, the dust overcame them quickly.

Coughing and choking, Michael held up his hands as he attempted to peer into the cave ahead. "MAX? MAX? I swear, if Tess hurt him, I'm gonna--"

"Kill her?" Maria asked with a desperate attempt at a smile. "Guess again. She's been there, done that. Remember?"

A sudden light in Isabelšs hands made everyone pause.

Then Alex, still back at the cave opening, spoke up. "Hey, where's the bear? I mean, Nasedo?"

They all glanced at him and froze.

"R-right behind you, Alex," Maria managed to choke out.

Alex turned to see the silhouette of the beast at the mouth of the cave, standing still as stone.

Part 27

Max moved aside the rocks and rubble, searching frantically for some sign of Liz's buried body.

She had to be in there somewhere.

"Liz?"

The glow from his hands showed endless debris circling him, only a small path trailing behind him where he had cleared it away.

She could be anywhere.

A slight sound caught his attention.

He whirled around, hearing a small avalanche behind him.

A delicate hand appeared, weakly thrust up through the rubble.

His breath left him in a rush.

Max carefully picked his way over to her, unsure of the shifting rocks beneath him.

A slab of rock had sheltered Liz's upper body from the brunt of the collapse. It leaned against the cave wall, smaller rocks almost burying the side of it.

Max winced at the sight of Liz reaching her hand out from under it, unable to move because her legs were trapped.

He touched her hand gently. "Liz..."

"Max," he heard a soft whisper, then coughing.

He quickly reached out and scooped rocks and dirt away from the slab.

Soon he was able to crouch beside it, where her unprotected legs had caught the brunt of the collapse. They were buried under rubble and dirt.

"Max?"

He peered back under the slab and saw her wide eyes watching him.

She shifted her weight, trying to move her legs.

Shoving some of the debris aside, he could see that several large rocks had her legs pinned to the ground.

Max reached out and touched the rocks, dissolving them and the rubble entirely.

In the dim light, her legs looked badly bruised and gashed, and he was surprised she didn't seem to be in more pain.

"It's okay. Everything will be alright."

But as he reached out to touch her, another rumble sounded close by.

There was no telling how much damage Tess had done to the cave walls. The area wasn't safe at all.

Max bent up under the slab and pulled Liz out, bringing her in tightly to her chest.

She grabbed tightly at his shirt and took a shuddering breath.

Since he couldn't carry Liz forward through the wreckage, there was nowhere to go but back.

"Nice bear, nice bear..." Alex whispered as he backed away. "With nice, nice big...big teeth."

Michael reached out and pulled Alex back with the others. "No sudden movements."

They were silent a moment, then Maria spoke up with a shaky voice. "So, first he didn't want us to come in. Now he doesn't want us to leave? God, he must be from your planet. Any chance he's related to Max?"

Michael saw the bear glance her way and pulled her behind him. "Maria, shut up!"

After picking his way back along the path he had made, Max knelt and gently placed Liz on the ground. She was watching him with a peaceful smile, the glow from his hands bathing her bruised face in soft light.

As he brushed the hair off of her face and cupped her head in his hands, he whispered, "Liz?"

The countenance on her face fell.

"No, it's still me," she whispered sadly. Tears filled her eyes and she reached up to put her one good hand on his face. The other lay limp at her side.

"Tess..." Max sighed.

"Max, don't you understand? I waited my whole life for you."

Max froze, touched by her words. His mouth worked at making a response, but nothing came out.

Tess watched him, then laid back quietly on the ground. She healed Liz's body and faded the dirt away.

Max's eyes travelled downward as her beautifully slim legs became whole again. He was suddenly aware again of how little she was wearing and pulled his eyes away.

He knew Tess had undressed Liz's body, not Liz... but it still had the same effect.

Tess watched him and whispered painfully, "Please, Max, make love to me. Even if it is just making love to her. Please."

He shook his head.

Tess grabbed at his shirt desperately. "Max, you want to. I knew it when we kissed. I saw how much you love her. How much you want her."

He couldn't deny it, but it was wrong...

"Max, please...please...It will be all I'll have of you."

Her eyes pleaded with him.

No- Liz's eyes pleaded with him.

Max pulled her hands away from his shirt firmly. "I can't do that to her, Tess. I'm sorry."

Her eyes closed. "Do you believe in reincarnation, Max?"

He watched her, feeling bereaved for her, but wanting nothing more than to see Liz set free.
"Tess, let her go."

A breath of air whispered by Max, extinguishing the light from his hands.

He reached out in the dark for her...

*I'll always come back for you, Max. Always.*

Where did she go?

He heard scraping sounds and rocks crashing against the walls as he scrambled to his feet.

But before he could rekindle the light, a sudden blow to his head knocked him flat on his back.

"Liz..." he said weakly, trying to get up.

Falling back against the floor, he closed his eyes despite his best efforts.

The darkness swirled around him.

Then, nothing.

Michael felt completely helpless.

Every time he moved, the bear Nasedo growled at him.

He felt like growling back.

He wasn't afraid for himself or Isabel, but there was no telling about Nasedo's intentions toward Alex and Maria. Probably not good ones, he guessed.

He sighed noisily.

It was eating him up not knowing where Max was, or if he was okay.

But all he could do was wait.

Probably Michael's least favorite thing in the world.

Definitely high up on his torture list.

A distant sound suddenly caught his attention.

He glanced over at Isabel and saw that she had heard it, too.

It was a shifting, rumbling, crashing sound, getting closer.

By this time, Alex and Maria were looking over his way.

It was getting louder.

About the time Michael had decided that his first instincts were correct and it was dangerous, the bear lumbered back to the front of the cave.

Michael yelled, "Run!"

The noise was deafening now...

He grabbed Maria, pulling her along with him.

Before they could reach the mouth of the cave, the noise reached a crescendo and Michael threw them both down on the ground.

An explosion scattered rocks, dirt and debris all over his back.

He could feel Maria sobbing underneath him, tremors running through her. He held her even tighter, hoping that Isabel and Alex were okay.

Part 28

Max sat up groggily, wondering why it was so loud and dark in his room.

His head ached.

He squinted into the darkness, trying to find the familiar outline of a doorway, but there was nothing.

Nothing?

A feeling was growing over him that something was very wrong.

Besides the very obvious fact that his head was killing him...

Something had definitely hit him, right there...

He felt the lump on the side of his head, wincing.

Must've been a rock... a big rock.

A rock?

Suddenly, his memory flooded back.

Oh no...

Max climbed unsteadily to his feet, light springing up between his hands.

In front of him was the pile of debris, shoved up against... no, exploded against the sides of the cave. It was all rubble now, and in the middle was a wide path.

Max followed the trail quickly, ignoring his dizziness.

A glow was coming from up ahead.

Michael lifted his head warily, coughing once again in the dust-filled air.

Maria was quiet underneath him now, but still shaking.

He sat up, pulling her with him gently. "You okay?" he asked, peering into her tear-filled eyes.

She nodded.

He took her hand and pulled her to her feet, looking around quickly.

Maria gasped.

Across the cave from them, Isabel was lying on her side, Alex draped over her like a rag doll.

Michael and Maria made their way over the rocks cautiously.

"Izzy? Alex?" Michael's voice was tight as he bent over them.

They weren't moving.

Then Isabel stirred, moving Alex's body off of her.

She opened her eyes and stared up into Michael's worried face. "I'm... I'm fine. What happened?"

"Alex," Maria's voice was weak with fear as she knelt beside him. "Alex?"

He was covered in dirt, a small rivulet of blood making its way down the side of his face.

Isabel turned over and sat up, frantic at the sight.

She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "Alex!"

He opened his eyes painfully, grimacing. "Not so loud...I'm okay. God, where is that light coming from?"

Michael sat back on his heels, suddenly realizing that there was a glow lighting the cave, getting brighter by the second.

He whirled around to find the source.

And he was in no way prepared for what he saw.

Liz Parker stood there, wearing a sinister smile and practically nothing else.

And the light was glowing from her body...

Eddie was seriously beginning to doubt his sanity.

Not only could he not remember why his brain felt like it had been soft-scrambled, but he couldn't even remember why he was in the woods to begin with.

Not since his vision quest had he been this confused.

And that had been because he hadn't eaten in a week.

At the memory, Eddie sent up a quick prayer to his spirit guide.

He looked around, his eyes coming to rest on a nearby path. It was familiar to him. It was one that would take him to... River Dog's cave.

Eddie paused. The cave... yes...

Somebody had come up to him, in front of the cave. That was the last thing he remembered...

And now he was a good ten minutes walk away from the cave.

He frowned.

There was a reason he was going there.... something important... and somebody obviously didn't want him there.

Liz! The name jumped out at him.

Eddie swore under his breath and took off at a run.

He had to hurry.

Michael stood to his feet in shock.

Maria pulled her eyes away from Alex and gasped. "Liz? What are you doing here?" Maria quickly stood and began to walk towards her.

Michael pulled her back.

"Michael! What?"

Isabel stood next to them. "Maria, she's glowing. That's not Liz."

"That's coming from her?" Maria asked, fighting to keep from being hysterical. "Okay, the bear is Nasedo. So... who the hell is she?"

Alex's voice came from behind them as he slowly came forward, hand to his head. "That's Tess. And I don't suppose you would... uh, consider putting more clothes on my friend's body, would you?" he asked her with a pained smile.

At her name, Liz/Tess walked slowly forward, smiling playfully. "So, you figured it all out, Alex. Bravo. Too bad it's too late. There's no going back now. For any of you."

Maria glanced up at Michael, trying to see if Liz's mostly unclothed body had any effect on him at all.

Michael narrowed his eyes and smirked. "Wanna bet?"

Isabel stepped forward. "Where's Max?" she said, her voice strained.

Tess lost her smile. "That's all you have to say to me? Now that you know the truth, I don't even get an 'I'm sorry your life was cut dramatically short, Tess.' Not even a hint of sorrow that I'm DEAD?"

Michael and Isabel exchanged glances.

"My condolences. Now move out of the way, Tess," Michael warned her as he stepped forward menacingly.

She sauntered toward them. "Fine, okay..." a little half-smile found its way across her face.

Then she stopped.

Her eyes narrowed.

"You first."

Before they could move, she flung out her hands, sending a shockwave spinning at them.

All four of them found themselves hurtling back through space, then gasping for breath as the wind was knocked out of them.

Michael clutched at his chest, trying not to panic.

He was vaguely aware of a brown blur that passed by him, the fur just brushing against his skin, the hot,pungent smell of a beast acrid in his nose.

The bear-!

Liz screamed and there was a scuffling sound, then silence.

By the time Michael had gotten control of his breathing again, a shout rang through the cave.

It was Max.

"NOooo!"

Michael sat up and gasped at the sight before him.

In the fading light, he could see a huge, bulky shape bent over Liz's prone form.

The bear had attacked her, its huge jaws were still buried deep in her neck.

There was blood, and Michael just couldn't make himself move toward her.

How could she survive that?

Suddenly, Max was there trying to force the bear's jaws apart, his voice ragged with emotion as he yelled for help.

Michael jumped up just as the glow from Liz's body went completely out.

Part 29

"Dammit! Let her go!"

The darkness make it impossible for Max to see Liz now, but he would never forget what he had already seen: her beautiful skin splashed with crimson, brown eyes wide and staring in pain, hands pushing weakly against the bear's jaws.

Oh god...

A sob tore through him.

"Liz!"

His hands started glowing hot.

His lips curled back in a snarl as he tried to pour as much energy into his hands as he could.

He wanted that bear to feel his pain.

To die from pain or let her go.

In the darkness, he heard Michael's ragged voice.

"Max, it's Nasedo. The bear- it's Nasedo."

Max froze.

Before he could even process the thought, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness.

It rested on Max's face, then on the bear and finally, on Liz.

"Liz," Eddie shouted. He ran to stand in front of Max, glancing at him before speaking to the beast breathlessly.
"You don't have to kill her. There's another way."

Max blinked, trying to formulate a coherent thought.

A way to do what? To get rid of Tess?

Max glanced down as the bear sat still, its jaws digging into Liz's neck.

She coughed up blood helplessly, unable to move an inch.

Max swallowed.

He felt the seconds tick by...

One turn of the bear's head and Liz's neck would be broken. In the glow of the flashlight beam, he could just make out her panicked eyes as she fought to breathe.

Max fell to his knees beside her, tears filling his eyes.

Liz grabbed for his hand weakly, her eyes locked on his.

Max felt like he was suffocating with her.

He bent over and put his face beside hers, closing his eyes and whispering his love.

Liz choked and sobbed quietly beside him.

Suddenly the bear released her.

He reared back and Max looked up just in time to see a huge paw swing in his direction.

The impact flung him against the cave wall, the darkness swirling in again...

Eddie took a step back as the bear looked over at him next. He steeled himself for an attack, but none came. "There is another way," Eddie repeated.

He felt Michael come to stand behind him.

"Just as you taught River Dog before, these five can become as one again, and send the presence on. There is no need to kill again."

The bear was still for a moment.

Then it lumbered its way past Liz and toward the back of the tunnel.

The torches lit up as it passed.

Eddie took a deep breath and walked to Liz's side, his eyes hard.

She looked up at him wearily, blood streaming between the fingers at her throat.

"You could heal her."

Her eyes narrowed and then closed.

Eddie shook his head and looked up at Michael as he approached.

"She's dying; we have to hurry," Eddie paused. "Uh...pick her up."

Michael stared at him, then looked at Liz's...slightly dressed body below them.

"Like that? Max would kick my ass."

Eddie shifted uncomfortably.

Alex pushed his way between them. "Excuse me," he said as he removed his outer shirt and laid it over Liz's body. He put his arms under her legs and back, cradling her bloody body to his chest. He grimaced and looked over at Eddie. "Follow that bear."

Eddie nodded curtly and led the way.

Michael turned to see Maria standing by his side, white as a sheet.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him.

Isabel connected to Max immediately, and felt a surge of rage and despair flow from him. "Oh god," she whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek.

She felt with her mind the exact spot of the bruising in his brain and healed it quickly.

Max stirred and opened his eyes, the connection between them flowing his thanks and love to her.

She smiled tearfully and kissed his cheek, then he was up and running after the others.

Isabel sat back on her heels, wiping her face with a shaking hand.

She took a deep breath and stood up, following close behind Max.

Maria walked on in silence, pulled forward by Michael's hand.

She shivered and stumbled on a rock.

Michael turned back to steady her, then kept walking.

Maria wanted to help Liz, she really did.

But she had long since lost the ability to think rationally.

She just hoped someone would tell her...

Oh god...exactly what to do.

The light from the torches threw strange shifting shadows on the walls ahead.

Just like that night not so long ago.

Only then, it had been Michael's life on the line.

And now, it was Liz... glowing Liz... barely alive Liz...

It was so horrible.

Maria's breath was coming in gasps.

She yanked back on Michael's hand.

He turned to her, concerned. "What?"

She grabbed his arms. "Did you see her? Did you see that blood all over her?
Oh my god, Michael, she's going to die. The bear-"

He grabbed her, trying to be as firm as possible. "It's not a bear. Remember? It's Nasedo!"

Maria screamed at him, tears in her eyes. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Michael pulled her to him, crushing her in an attempt to silence the panicked words.

Then he pulled her back and looked into her tear-filled eyes. "Maria, I'll make you a deal. Right now, you've got to pull yourself together. In thirty minutes, thirty minutes exactly, I promise you, you can fall apart all you want, and I'll hold you. You can cry, scream, hit me, kick me, whatever. But not right now. Okay?"

He stared at her, willing her to take strength from him.

Maria stared at him for a moment, then smiled. "Okay," she whispered. "Thank you."

He reached out awkwardly and caressed her cheek.

Then they turned to follow the torchlights.

Part 30

Max laid Liz down in the center of the symbol, the same one they had used to heal Michael. He brushed the hair off of her face, then looked up at Eddie.

Eddie nodded.

Max bent over Liz and whispered to her. "Liz, I'll be right here."

She opened her eyes briefly and reached for him, trying to pull his lips down to hers.

Max resisted for a moment, then gave in.

They connected instantly.

*Max!*

He knew it was Tess.

*I'm going to heal her, Tess. I won't let her die.*

But it was a bluff.

How could he heal Liz if Tess was in control of her body?

*Good question, Max. You can't. So, just relax and let's enjoy these last few moments of Liz's life together. You and me.*

Max knew she could feel his emotions.

He stopped holding back his anger and hatred of being connected to her.

He felt her falter.

Liz was dying.

And she was scared.

She felt the pain, the blood leaving her body.

And Tess gloating.

Her body still wasn't her own.

Her mind was all she had left.

And it was quickly... too quickly, losing ground.

Max!

Oh god, Max...

Isabel bolted to the center of the symbol when Eddie nodded at her.

She laid her hands on Max's back and closed her eyes. Almost immediately, she felt him in her mind, joining hers.

He was angry, grappling with Tess.

Isabel could feel Tess's presence... and Liz barely hanging on.

They didn't have much time.

Michael took a last glance across at Maria before thrusting his hands on Max's arm. The connection took hold as soon as he closed his eyes and he felt Tess scream at them.

*What are you doing? Why are you doing this to me?*

Michael joined his mind with Isabel and Max's, pushing against Tess.

Maria's face was streaked with tears as she walked forward.

If this didn't work...

She forced herself to clear her mind and placed a hand gently on Max's back, close enough to touch Michael.

Glancing up, she saw Eddie nod at Alex.

Alex walked forward and knelt beside Liz, placing a hand on Max's other arm.

Maria closed her eyes and concentrated.

She heard an echo in her head, fuzzy at first.

It sounded like... Michael.

As she focused on the sound, it became more distinct.

It was him! In her mind!

*Maria! Do you feel Tess?*

Maria frowned.

She couldnšt feel anything except Michael...

Oh, wait... there was anger... and she focused on it.

No, that's Max.

*Hi, Max.*

*Maria! Good. Help us. Focus on Tess.*

Max's love for Liz washed over Maria and she paused.

Tess...

*What does she feel like?*

Max's voice came to her softly.

*Darkness. She's here with me. Just beside me.*

Michael warned her, *Wait. Don't focus on her alone. Just join us, then focus.*

*Aren't we joined?*

*Not all of us. Just wait.*

A familiar dry voice sounded nearby.

*So, this is what it's like to really be schizophrenic. Cool.*

*Alex!*

*That's me.*

She gave him a mental hug, surprised that she could do that.

*Thanks. Where's Liz?*

Maria focused on Max again.

He answered shortly.

*She's weakening. Iz?*

*I'm here. Just... waiting for Eddie.*

Max was concerned.

*You okay?*

*Fine.*

Maria could feel Isabel's fear. It was impossible to lie here.

*I'm here. Let's begin.*

Eddiešs voice signalled the joining.

Maria felt Max reach out with his mind to hers, linking them.

She reached out to Michael.

The oneness was amazing. Their minds were completely joined.

She didn't have to wonder how it felt to be an alien anymore.

She was one.

She smiled as Alex joined, his thoughts of Isabel shared by everyone.

*Really, Alex.*

Maria could tell she was flattered by Alex's thoughts.

Of course, they all knew he was only doing this to keep her from being scared.

Warm smiles in the darkness.

Then Isabel reached out to Eddie and they were all joined.

*Alright, now Tess...*

With the strength of everyone's minds, it was easy to find the presence.

Maria immediately felt her hatred and anger for all of them.

*Liz deserves to die. She should already be dead! Not me!*

At her words, the warmth of being joined left Maria.

Red hot anger blazed through her, leaving her to quickly wonder if it was hers, Max's or Alex's... or just everyone's...

No matter.

The anger focused their minds on Tess like a lazer beam.

And suddenly there was another force there.

*Nasedo.*

Max's thought echoed in everyone's mind.

A jolt of energy shot through them, empowering them all.

It grew until Maria thought she would explode if she couldn't let go.

She frantically directed her thoughts at Tess, feeling the others do the same.

Tess suddenly pulled away.

*No-*

And the power broke free from them... in brilliant white light that soon covered everything.

She was gone.

Alex soon got used to the white light.

It was still hearing the others' thoughts that was so amazing to him.

Always the last to know, always the outsider...now he felt...joined.

Even Michael now made sense to him.

He could feel his love for Maria, his concern for her and the fear of discovery that drove everything he did.

And Isabel... truly as beautiful on the inside as the outside. Her love for Max, for Michael... and something he was trying to not notice about himself. But it was something good.

*Alex... focus, here.*

Isabel's voice was warm and caring.

But she was right, they were supposed to be concentrating on Liz.

She was so weak and needed a lot of healing.

He could feel Max's fear and love for Liz.

Absolutely overwhelming.

Never again would he make fun of their soulful glances at each other.

This was the real thing.

He tried to ignore the feelings from Max and focus on Liz.

Where was she?

Part 31-Conclusion

Warm.

Sigh.

Peaceful.

Smile.

After pain and agony... so wonderful.

She blinked.

*Max?*

She felt him rushing toward her, connecting with her.

*Liz? Oh god, don't leave me... please.*

He was so worried...

*Liz!*

*Maria?*

Liz was feeling strength pour into her, and an overwhelming sense of love and good will around her.

*Yes, it's me! Girl, when we get out of this, you have some major explaining to do! I'll get out the vanilla ice cream.*

Liz smiled, but another voice interupted her thoughts.

*Ugh. Only if you include toppings.*

*Isabel?*

Alex's warm voice enveloped her. *I'm here, too. And Michael. And Eddie. Max is going to heal you... Love you. See you on the flip side. *

Liz sent back her love to him, and to Maria. And warm thanks to Michael, Isabel and Eddie.

She felt them leave.

*Liz? Just relax and breathe deeply.*

*Oh, am I still breathing?*

Liz frowned.

It seemed to her like she didn't really have a body anymore.

*Just barely, sweetheart. But please keep it up.*

The word brought her a sense of love and hope. She felt his fear and earnestness.

*Of course. Anything for you.*

She felt sleepy... and slowly, the white light disappeared, replaced by darkness.

The darkness surrounded her.

She felt panic, fear... loneliness.

And jerked up so suddenly that she smacked her head right into Max's.

"Ow!"

Liz stared at him blankly, then smiled. "Sorry. I guess I was dreaming. About Tess... and the cave."
Liz stopped at the look on Max's face.

His eyes were filled with tears and he was gazing at her as though she might disappear any second. He reached a shaky hand out to touch her face. "You can see me?"

Liz nodded.

Max took a deep breath. "And it's really... you?"

Liz's lips parted to speak, and then she hesitated. Max's hair was rumpled, his clothing dirty and blood-stained.

For the first time, she realized they were in the cave... with Maria, Michael and everyone standing nearby.

Tears sprang into her eyes. "It really happened, didn't it?"

Max nodded, unable to speak.

She could barely bring herself to whisper the words, "And she's gone?"

"Yes," Max whispered. And in his eyes, she saw an apology.

It flew through her mind once again, the pain of seeing him with her, the break-up, the kiss, the blindness, the horror of life without sight and without Max.

She looked at him again, the past haunting her eyes.

"I am so sorry," he whispered. He raised his eyebrows, finally looking away as tears crowded into his eyes.

He was asking forgiveness for all of it.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Liz saw Maria pulling the others away.

Liz caught her eye and smiled shakily.

Maria smiled, then buried herself in Michael's arms as they walked away.

Liz looked back at Max.

In the torchlight, shadows played across his downcast face.

Liz knew that these would be the most important words she ever said to him. She pulled his face up gently and stared into his eyes a moment. "I love you, Max."

He looked at her, shocked and relieved as she continued.

"I know why you did what you did. And you were right. You needed to find out what she was."

Max blinked a few times and a smile spread across his face.

"But," Liz added. "It may take a while to... get things back to normal. Well, at least, to where they were before."

His smile faltered a moment, then blazed at her again.

Liz smiled in return.

"So, how many times have you saved my life now?"

Max leaned in, reached out to cup her neck gently in his hands and kissed her.

Liz pulled him into her as she raised up on her knees.

As she felt his hands on her bare waist, she jumped, then exhaled slowly.

Max slid his arms around her, pulling her close. "I guess I do have something to thank Tess for."

Liz pulled back in surprise. "What?" she demanded.

His eyes twinkled, but he ducked to hide a blush in her neck. "I don't think I would have had near this amount of success if I had tried to get you in this cave alone without your pants on."

Liz laughed, shaking her head in surprise.

Maybe it won't take long at all to get back to the way things were.

Maybe... they'll be better.