Isabel checked her watch, and muttered under her breath. She was exhausted, sick of classes and basically sick of even existing at this point. Taking a deep breath, she ran down the hallway towards her next class.

Home. A word that laid heavy on her mind. One more class today, and she could jump in her car and drive home. Home. The place that, just a few months ago, she couldn’t wait to put behind her. Now it was her sanctuary, a place where she could crank up the music and deny that the real world ever existed.

But first, she had to make it through this class. She’d come to college looking for a way to escape Roswell. It was only a town over, just a few minutes by car, but at least it wasn’t the same old same old.

Yet she found herself missing everything that Roswell had. Security, history, her family. She missed the popularity at West Roswell. At college, she was just a face in the crowd.

It was what she always wanted. Now that she had it, Isabel wasn’t sure she’d like it.

She sat down in her seat right as the professor slammed the door shut.

"Welcome to General Psychology. I’m Dr. Kearns."

Isabel opened up her backpack and pulled out the textbook.

"I’m assuming most of you are Freshmen. You’re on your own for the first time, having escaped the cesspool that is High School. Congratulations." He took a deep breath. "But do you know who you are?"

One boy spoke up. "I’m the same as I always was. What kind of question is that?"

Dr. Kearns chuckled. "That’s the kind of question that you’ll be asking in Psychology. It’s my tradition to let the class out early on the first day." He paused to see the look of jubilance on his student’s faces. "But leave you with a massive assignment. For our next class meeting on Wednesday, I’d like you to read the first chapter of your textbook, and complete a self psychoanalysis. Then we will spend the rest of the week getting to know one another."

Isabel put her book away and pulled out her keys. It was finally time to go home.

~

"Hello?" Isabel yelled as she entered her house.

There was no answer. Max was probably hanging out at the Crashdown, while her parents were still at school.

She turned on the TV, but each and every channel was playing junk. Isabel turned it off in disgust.

Isabel went to her room and sat down at the desk. With a big sigh, she pulled out her Psych text book. She didn’t want this hanging over her head.

Isabel chuckled. Psychoanalysis was a form of treatment championed by Sigmund Freud—it was supposed to help gain insight into the human mind.

"It doesn’t say anything about alien minds," she muttered.

Isabel pulled a sheet of paper out of and started to write.

To know me, you’d have to know my world. My world
consists of my friends…

My brother Max. The leader. The King. For as long as I can remember Max has been making the decisions for me and Michael.

There are times when I really feel for him, and there are times when I think he is the most selfish person on the planet. And for these past several months Max has been trying to find a way home. A way to save his son.

//flash//

Max's fingers danced across the keyboard, his eyes focused on the computer monitor. Max was so absorbed in what he was reading that he didn't notice Brody come up behind him.

"What are you looking for, Evans?" Brody asked leaning over Max’s shoulder to look at the monitor.

"I was just doing some research on the crash for a project at school," Max replied quickly.

"Oh really?" Brody smirked. "Anything in particular?"

"Just the crash in general, mainly the ship that they found at the crash site."

"Oh really?" Brody asked curiously. "Which one, the first or second crash site?"

Max looked up at him impressed. "You know that there's two of them?"

"I own a UFO center, Max." Brody laughed. "I also have spent the last few years finding out everything about them." He said as he pointed up. "Of course, I know about them both."

He nodded in reply, "I guess that makes sense, it's just most people don't know about there being two."

Brody sighed in agreement, "You'd be surprised at how little people really know about the crash," He smiled slightly as he continued. "Most people that know about the crash know about it because they probably heard it from either a friend, a relative, or saw it in a movie. They never really take the time to read a book or look it up on a computer. But then again, most people haven't had the same experiences as us, have they Max?"

"What do you mean?" Max asked sounding slightly confused.

"Well, most people aren't abduc..." Brody started to say as a voice from behind them caught their attention.

"Um, hello," Liz voiced feeling like she was intruding.

"Liz," Max replied turning in his chair to face her.

"Oh. Hello," Brody acknowledged standing up straight. "Can I help you with anything?"

"She's here to help me with my project," Max stated quickly .

"Well, I'll leave you two alone then," Brody replied heading towards the exit. "Make sure to lock up when you're done."

"I will," Max said as he watched Brody walk out before he turned towards Liz.

A slight moment of silence lingered between Liz and Max, until he finally spoke up. "Thanks for coming Liz," he replied getting up from his chair.

"Well, I know how much this means to you," Liz whispered .

Max nodded and sighed, his heart still aching for his son and all that he had lost. He tried to remain strong and focused on the task at hand. He removed a box from beneath the desk he was working at and he gestured for Liz to follow him. Together they moved to a nearby counter, on which Max placed the box.

"These are some documents I removed from the archive. They're supposed to contain some information about the ship that crashed.” Max explained as his fingers moved over the dusty papers. “Would you mind looking over them?"

"Sure," Liz agreed as she reached into the box.

Max’s hand grazed hers as he meant to help Liz remove the files from the box. For a moment the two of them stopped and looked at each other. After what seemed like forever, Max pulled the papers out of the box and handed them to Liz.

"Uhm.. thanks," Liz whispered.

"You're welcome."

Max sighed and went back to the desk to continue working on the computer. Liz began to look over the documents. The two worked in an anguished silence for several hours. Max searched every electronic resource that Brody had at his disposal and each search ended in failure.

Max growled in frustration and banged his fist on the desk.

"Max, what's wrong?" Liz asked coming up behind him and placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Do you think that we'll find him, Liz..." Max asked softly as he looked at the screen. "I can't think of anything else we can do, everything always leads to a dead end."

"Don't say that," Liz groaned. "Max, listen to me, we are going to find your son. And we'll all do it together, but it will take time...it won't happen over night..."

Max sighed loudly as he looked at her, "I know we will, but...it's just hard..."

Liz nodded her head, "I know it is, but we'll get through this no matter how long it takes...we just have to keep hoping for a break."

Max glanced at her and placed his hand on hers, "Thanks, Liz. For all your help this summer..."

//The cave looked vacant and cold. The fading sun pierced down through the hole in the ceiling. The emptiness overwhelmed his heart.

Max touched the cool metal beneath his fingertips. "The Granolith, our one time deal."

He stood up and slammed his hand against the cave wall, the jagged edges scratching his hand. "Why Tess?"

He felt the hot tears sting the corners of his eyes. “You betrayed us, you deserve to…”

"Max?" He heard her voice linger in the air tearing his thoughts away from Tess.

"Did you find anything?" He asked sharply as he rubbed his forehead.

"No," Liz whispered ."But, we will find something soon."

Max nodded and walked out of the chamber needing fresh air. He felt as if he was dying, that a part if himself was lost.//

“Max?“ Liz whispered as she glanced at their hands and smiled sadly. Max looked at her as her words brought him out of his thoughts. "You would have done it for me... that's what friends do."

Max looked at her seriously, "I'm not sure I could have..."

Liz sighed and slowly pulled her hand away, "You would have if you had been in my position..."

Max studied her for a second as her expression turned to one of sadness. "Is everything okay, Liz?"

Max's voice caused Liz to snap out of her daze and she nodded her head, "I'm fine, but I have to go, Max."

"Okay..." Max replied as Liz began to pick up her things, "Liz what's wrong?"

"Nothing." She smiled at him slightly, "I'll see you at school tomorrow," Liz mumbled as she turned around and left the museum.

Max stood there alone in the dark silence of the UFO museum. He made his way back to computer and shut it down, he decided that he had done enough for the day. Max turned off the lights and headed towards the exit.

~

Max was half awake when he heard the phone begin to ring. His parents had left early that day, and Isabel was in the shower at the moment. Max felt that if he left it, whoever was calling would give up and try again later. But, when the ringing persisted, Max flung himself out of his bed and stalked down the hall towards the phone.

"What?" Max moaned into the receiver.

"Well, hello to you to," the voice on the other end responded.

"Eddie?" Max asked recognizing his voice.

"Hey, you remembered me...I'm touched." Eddie replied from the other end of the phone line.

"What is it?" Max inquired.

"Riverdog wants to speak with you."

"Why?"

"He says he has something to tell you," Eddie explained. "He said it might be of some importance to you."

"The last time I spoke with Riverdog he said that he didn't know anything that would help me."

"Well that was then and this is now." Eddie paused. "So, do you want to hear what he has to say or not?"

"Alright," Max agreed. "Where do I meet him."

"He wants you to meet him at the reservation at 4pm," Eddie informed him. "Don't be late."

"I'll be there," Max stated before he hung up the phone.

//flash//

Isabel paused and looked over her last paragraph. Then she began to write again.

Then there’s Liz Parker, the girl whom Max has been in love with since the third grade. Liz and I have never and probably will never be best friends. There are just too many differences between us.

And although her involvement with us has greatly complicated— and even endangered— our lives at times, I realize that she’s proven more than once that’s she willing to risk her own life in order to save ours. People like that don’t come along every day. Liz has demonstrated her willingness to do anything she can to help us whenever we need it.

//flash//

Liz pawed through her dresser drawer, searching for her watch. "Come on, where is it?" she muttered. She closed the drawer in frustration

Maybe I put it in my jewelry box, she thought. She raised the lid and "When You Wish Upon a Star" began to play. She sorted through her assortment of rings and bracelets, still not finding the watch.

Her fingers brushed against the silver heart pendant of a necklace. She stared down at it for a moment, her eyes watering. Then she yanked her hand away abruptly, the lid slamming shut on its own.

Liz closed her eyes and took a deep breath before picking her backpack up off the floor. She glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand. It was 7:43. If she hadn't missed the bus she would have gotten to school on time, but there’s no way she’d make it now having to walk.

She left her room and then the apartment, locking the door behind her and sliding the key under the mat. She hurried down the steps and out into the front of the Crashdown.

Just as she made it to the door, she heard a familiar voice call her name. Liz turned around and smiled at Sean. "Hey."

"Hey," he said back, hands stuffed in his pockets.

There was a moment of silence.

"So, I…really have to go. You know, school and everything."

"Oh. Right. Yeah. Okay. Do you…need a ride?"

Her first instinct was to turn him down. But they were friends and friends helped each other out. And if she had to walk, she’d miss at least half of first period. "Yeah. A ride would be great, Sean. Thanks."

Sean led the way out the door and to his car. He unlocked the doors and she climbed into the passenger seat. She fastened her seatbelt as he started the engine.

He pulled the car onto the road, then glanced at her sideways. "So… how are you doing?"

Liz stared out the windshield. "I’m okay."

"Really? Because you look tired."

She opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. She was tired. There was no sense in denying it. She had done nothing all summer but work and try to help Max find a way to get to Antar to save his son. And now with school back in session, she knew things could only get worse. "Yeah. I guess I am tired," she admitted.

"It’s only your first week back to school, Parker, you should relax."

Liz cringed inwardly at his usage of her last name. It reminded her of someone else who used to call her by her last name on occasion. "Yeah, I’ll try," she lied softly. They drove the rest of the way in silence. He dropped her off about 100 yards from the school gates of West Roswell High at 7:57.

"I have to...leave you here, I can't risk breaking my parole again or they'll cart me off to court..." Sean said as he looked at her slightly embarrassed.

She smiled at him gratefully, "Don't worry about it. Thanks for the ride, Sean," she said as she grabbed her backpack and reached for the door handle.

"No problem. See you later."

"Sure." Liz climbed out of the car, slid her knapsack onto her back and hurried into the school, hoping she would make it before the bell.

~

Liz sat in study hall fourth period trying to concentrate on her calculus assignment. She closed her eyes briefly and massaged her temples, trying to rid the pressure that was increasing in her head.

"Psss! Liz!"

Her eyes flew open and she looked over at Max, who was peering into the room and motioning her over to the door.

Liz glanced up, relieved that Mrs. Johnson hadn’t noticed his presence. She rose to her feet and walked to the front of the room.

Mrs. Johnson looked up. "What can I do for you, Liz?"

"May I please have a bathroom pass?"

The teacher pulled the bathroom pass—a wooden ruler with the word ‘Pass’ in bold black letters—out of the top drawer and handed it to her.

"Thank you." Liz hurried towards the door and out into the hallway. "What’s going on?"

"Not here," Max said, a hint of excitement in his voice. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall and into the eraser room. He closed the door and locked it with a wave of his hand.

Liz took a step away from him, her heart pounding a bit faster. "Max—"

"Eddie called me this morning."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"He called and said Riverdog wanted to see me, that he has some information."

"What kind of information?"

Max shook his head. "He wouldn’t say. But I have a good feeling about this. Like it could be the key to saving my son. I know it's important."

"That’s great, Max." She smiled gently. It was great. As much as the thought of Max having a child with the woman who had murdered Alex sickened her, she hoped that Max could save his son. It wasn’t the baby’s fault. She couldn’t wish ill will on any child, let alone Max’s. Especially not when she herself was just as responsible for Alex’s death as Tess was.

The thought of Alex sent a rush of fresh grief surging through her and she had to struggle with herself not to cry.

"So I was thinking that after school we could head out to the reservation and see what Riverdog has to say," Max was saying.

Liz shook her head. "Max, I can’t go. I have to work after school today."

He looked at her blankly. "Can’t you get Maria to cover for you?"

"Maria and Michael are having dinner with her mom tonight, remember?"

"Isn’t there anyone else you could get to work in your place?"

Liz stared down at the floor. "I’m sorry, Max."

He sighed. "Okay. Well, I’ll come by your place when I get back then."

She nodded and their eyes met. There was a moment of silence.

Max gazed at her. "Liz…I miss you..."

"Max..." Liz swallowed hard and looked away. "I should get back to class. I’ll see you later."

She stood at the door expectantly and he sighed as he waved his hand and reluctantly unlocked the door. The door clicked open and without another word, she turned and left him in the eraser room alone.

~

Liz sat down at her desk in her bedroom and booted up her computer. Her English essay wasn’t due for two weeks, but she wanted to try and get it written ahead of time. It was hard telling what might come up between now and then, and she needed to try and get as much of her schoolwork taken care of as she could before any alien-related crises occurred.

As she waited for Windows to open, her gaze drifted to the framed picture of her and Alex that was sitting on her desk.

Her mind flashed back to the night before her freshman year, when she and Alex had talked on the swing-set outside of Roswell Elementary school and waited for Maria to join them on their last night time walk of the summer.

Tears flooded her eyes at the sudden memory. She stood up and walked over to her dresser. She opened the jewelry box lid and picked up the silver heart necklace that lay inside. She carefully opened the locket and stared at the picture of Alex, Maria and her. Then she gazed at the inscription on the inside of it, opposite the small photo. There in tiny letters were the words, "Liz, Happy 15th b-day. Love, Alex."

Clutching the necklace tightly in the palm of her hand, she collapsed onto her bed and began to cry.

She cried for all of the times that she could have spent with Alex but instead chose to spend it with Max. She cried for all of the times that she would never get to hear his voice or feel his arms around her again while she was hurt or upset. She cried for all the things that his life should have been filled with, all of the things that Tess had deprived him of.

But mostly she cried because if she hadn’t changed the future, Alex would have been alive right now.

"I’m sorry, Alex," she whispered through her tears. "I am so sorry."

//flash//

Isabel stopped writing and put her pen down for a moment, shaking her hand to loosen up the cramped muscles. She rolled her neck to loosen up and her eyes fell upon the picture she had on the wall. She looked at it for a minute before sighing sadly and looked away.

Then she picked up her pen again.

Maria Deluca. When I first found out that Liz had told her about who we were, I was furious. And terrified. Whenever she got around one of us, she started freaking out. It was like she thought we were horrible monsters or something. But once she got used to the idea, she treated us like any other normal human beings.

Like Liz, Maria has voluntarily put herself—and her mother’s Jetta—on the line for us an uncountable amount of times. And while I don’t have much in common with her, either, I see how being with her has been good for Michael.

//flash//

Maria Deluca was sitting in her seat in first period history when she looked out the window. A familiar car drove straight past the school and she frowned, wondering where her cousin was going.

A moment later, Liz walked through the gates and waved towards the car as it drove back in the direction it had come from.

Maria’s eyes narrowed.

Liz ran up the walk as Sean’s car disappeared.

"What are you staring at?" The voice behind her asked.

"I thought I saw Sean..."

"I thought he wasn't allowed near the school anymore?"

She turned around in her seat to look at Kyle Valenti, who sat directly behind her. "Yeah," she said tensely.

The bell rang.

"All right, class. Settle down. I know you’re all terribly excited to hear today’s lecture on the French Revolution of the 1700’s, but please try to contain yourselves," Mr. Summers said.

"Oh, I’ll do my best," Kyle said sarcastically, just loud enough for her to hear.

She grinned. Then she stifled a yawn and leaned back in her chair, making sure to keep her eyes open so that it least looked like she was listening.

Her mind wandered between the upcoming dinner she had with Michael and her mother that evening, and how to tell Liz to back away from her cousin. By the time the class had finally ended, she decided to wear her navy blue dress to dinner and to use the straight-forward approach with her best friend.

Kyle walked with her out into the hallway. "See you in English?"

"Yep." Maria waved at him and then turned to see Liz at her locker. She took a deep breath and marched over to her, determined. "Liz."

Liz turned and smiled at her, but the smile faded almost instantly. "Maria, what’s wrong? Are you okay?"

Maria blinked in surprise, momentarily puzzled by the worry in her friend’s voice. "Yeah, I’m fine. But we need to talk."

"Okay. What’s up?"

"You got a ride with Sean this morning," Maria said bluntly.

"Yeah. He gave me a ride. I was running late when I met him." She turned back and pulled a book out of her locker and slid it into her bag. "Why?"

Maria felt like shaking her. "Liz, you have to stop doing this. It isn’t right."

"What are you talking about?" Liz asked blankly.

"I mean you and Sean…this whole—" Maria held her arms out, trying to illustrate her exasperation. "—weird relationship the two of you have."

"Maria, Sean and I are just friends."

She felt like screaming. How many times had Liz said that now? She had lost track. Maria took a deep breath to calm her growing irritation. "Maybe that’s all it is for you. But you know that he likes you for more than a friend."

"So what, I should just stop being his friend and completely ignore him whenever I see him?"

Maria debated the question for a moment. Then she frowned. "No, that’s not what I meant. I just meant that you shouldn’t be leading him on like you have been."

Liz turned to her with narrowed eyes. "You mean unlike what you’ve been doing with Brody?"

She felt her face grow hot and her irritation turned to anger. "Okay, first of all, that is completely different. And secondly, we’re talking about you and Sean, not me and Brody."

"The only difference is that Sean happens to be your cousin."

"That’s right, he is, and I don’t want to see him get hurt, Liz. And that’s what’s going to happen because you know that one of these days you and Max are going to get back together."

Liz looked at the floor, suddenly appearing very weary. "No, I don’t know that."

Maria felt her anger fade away into frustration. "Liz, we’ve been through this like a thousand times. Max loves you. He always has. And you love him."

"Sometimes it’s not enough," she said softly, gazing at the inside of her locker door.

"Yeah, and sometimes it is." Maria shut the door and gazed at her. "Just give it up, Liz. You know you want to be with him."

Liz met her eyes. "It’s too soon, Maria."

Maria sighed. It seemed like she couldn’t get through to Liz about anything these days. But she had to keep trying. After all, that’s what friendship was all about. "Liz, it’s been four months. I know that he made mistakes, but you just…need to give him another chance. Tess is gone…she’s on another planet," Maria reminded her, automatically lowering her voice. "Besides, look at Michael and I. He cheated on me with Courtney, but that’s in the past…you just…need to move on." The thought of Michael with Courtney still stung, but Maria ignored it. After all, the girl was dead.

"Michael kissed Courtney, Maria. He didn’t get her pregnant. And Courtney didn’t kill anyone." She slid her backpack on.

Maria stared at her, wishing she could fix everything. "Liz…"

"I know you’re just trying to help. But please don’t push me into getting back together with Max. Because I’m just not ready. I’m not sure I ever will be." Liz started to walk away from her. "I have class. I’ll see you later."

Maria stared after her, suddenly feeling guilty about bringing Max up at all. She sighed and wished that she and her friends could have just one non-angst filled day for a change.

Not likely,she thought, shaking her head.

She turned and headed to class.

~

Maria looked around the schoolyard for Liz at lunchtime, intending to apologize for what she’d said about the whole Max-situation, but she didn’t see Liz anywhere.

She spotted Max sitting at a table, intently reading some book, then she saw Kyle sitting by himself under a shade tree. She took a deep breath and headed towards Kyle.

He was leaned against the trunk of the tree with his eyes closed.

"This seat taken?"

Kyle opened his eyes and looked up at her with a grin. "It is now."

He actually looked happy to see her. Not that she was surprised; she and Kyle had gotten to be pretty good friends over the summer. Which was good because they’d probably end up brother and sister within a few years, considering how often her mother and his father were going out these days.

Maria smiled and remembered how two years ago the very thought of her mom dating Kyle’s dad had made her feel physically ill on more than one occasion. Of course, that had been before she knew that Valenti was on their side of the whole E.T.-has-arrived concept.

She sat down on the grass next to Kyle and opened her sack lunch. She pulled out a baggie of carrot sticks and offered one of them to Kyle.

He grimaced, but took one anyway. He bit into it and made a face. "You did bring something other than this for lunch, right?"

Maria smiled. "Yep. I also brought celery sticks and non-fat strawberry yogurt."

Kyle rolled his eyes. "So what’s with all the health food?"

"I happen to like it. You should give it a chance. Buddha would be proud, don’t you think?"

"Actually, Buddha’s against anything that could make you puke just by thinking about eating it," he replied wryly.

Maria smacked his arm lightly. "I’m trying to eat here, thank you."

"Sorry." He shifted positions as the sunshine filtered down through the tree’s branches and shone on him. He squinted against the light. "So…do you wanna do something tonight? Maybe hang out and watch movies? We could invite Liz. She seems kind of…depressed today."

"Liz has to work tonight."

"Oh. Well, maybe we could hang out at the Crashdown then."

"I…actually have plans tonight. Michael and I are having dinner with my mom." She felt Kyle tense slightly at Michael’s name.

"Oh. Right. Maybe some other time," Kyle replied vaguely.

Maria sighed inwardly. Were she and Michael the only ones out of their group that were going to be happy? Not that Kyle really had a reason to be. Out of everyone, Tess’s betrayal had affected him the most deeply. She knew that even though he never said a word about her. And she knew better than to mention the girl’s name in front of him. He didn’t even like it when she mentioned Michael, Max or Isabel to him. He had pretty much completely withdrawn all contact with the three of them.

If there was only some way to get everyone back on track. But that would take a miracle.

And after everything that had happened in the past six months, Maria wasn’t about to put much faith in miracles. Well, except for the fact that she and Michael were still together and happier than ever, which was sort of a miracle.

Maria looked up and smiled as Michael walked over to them and sat down next to her on the grass. "Hey."

"Hey," he said, giving her a brief kiss. He looked over at Kyle. "Hey, Kyle."

"Hey." Kyle grabbed his book bag and stood up. "See ya later, Maria."

"Yeah." She watched as he started to walk away. "Hey, Kyle! Wait!" She shoved her lunch sack in Michael’s hands and jumped to her feet.

Kyle waited, looking slightly impatient. "What?"

"Maybe we could do the movie thing Friday night. You, me and Liz."

He almost smiled. "Sure."

Maria watched as he walked away, then she returned to her spot next to Michael, who was frowning at her lunch. "I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t seem to get through to Liz or Kyle."

He glanced at her. "Well, you’re trying. That’s all that matters." He held up her plastic baggie of celery. "You’re not really going to eat this, are you?"

Maria rolled her eyes.

~

Maria turned the blankets back on her bed and changed into her night shirt. She was about to turn off the light when she glanced over at the framed photo of Alex on her dresser.

She walked across the room and picked it up. She remembered the summer before their sophomore year of high school. Alex’s parents had dragged him to Memphis to visit his aunt and uncle all summer long, and when the three of them had moped for a month non-stop because they hated being separated, Liz’s dad talked to Maria’s mom and gave them permission to fly out there and visit him.

She smiled at the memory and set the picture frame down again. She moved across the room and flipped the light off, then crawled into bed. "Goodnight, Alex. Wherever you are," Maria whispered.

//flash//

Isabel paused and looked over her last paragraph and sighed. She tapped her pen on her chin and then began to write.

Michael.

He's always been distant, a loner. I never thought I'd see the day he'd open up to anyone, let alone a human. Maria seems to have carved herself a permanent niche in his life, and the amazing thing is, he doesn't seem to mind.

//flash//

Michael swiped his brush across the canvas in a long sweeping motion. A night desert scene, with a prominent rock formation and a thin strip of stars in the distant sky; in the foreground is a blonde girl sitting cross legged on the ground, her eyes are bright and there is a slight smile on her face. Stepping back, he examined it closely, narrowing his eyes at one star in the sky that appeared to shine more brightly than the others. Picking up a fine detail brush, he carefully edged blue around the shining star until it no longer stood out. Moving away again, he studied his work carefully and his face pulled into a satisfied smirk.

"Very nice, Mr. Guerin," the art teacher spoke from over his shoulder.

Turning to give the man a disinterested look, Michael shrugged, "Just doing the assignment."

"So, this is what you feel best represents you? A girl, in the desert."

Michael gave the teacher an irritated look when he heard the man’s teasing tone, "It’s open to interpretation."

"Fine, Mr. Guerin," the teacher said as he moved on.

Staring at the piece in front of him, Michael thought back to the events of the summer, and the day he’d taken this mental snapshot of Maria.

//"Michael, I appreciate your manly strength, but I think I can manage."

"Whatever you say, Ms. Deluca," Michael tried to hide a smile as Amy struggled to carry the large box of ‘I heart Aliens’ mugs into the storage room.

"You see, not all women need to have a man around to do their lifting for them," her voice was strained as she hefted the box onto the work table.

He couldn’t resist, "Then why exactly did you hire me?"

Amy tried to hide her surprised expression and shot Michael a quick smile, "Well, I knew that your incredible people skills would be a great addition to the shop’s sales staff."

Unable to stop an amused snort, Michael nodded, "Whatever you say, Ms. Deluca."

"That’s right," Amy smiled and nodded in return. "With that attitude you’ll go far around here."

Walking quickly across the room, he lifted the box and put it on the appropriate shelf while Amy was sorting through some scented candles in the corner.

"Well, it’s two o’clock, so I’m gonna’ take off. My shift at the Crashdown starts in half an hour," he said, walking back out into the main room of the store.

"All right," Amy called.

He picked up his sunglasses and settled them on his nose as he headed for the front door.

"Oh, Michael!" Amy’s voice stopped him.

Turning around he saw her standing in the doorway to the storage room with her hand on her hip, her brow furrowed in concentration, "You’re taking Maria out after your shift tonight?"

"Yeah…" he replied cautiously.

"Well, I know that you won’t get off at the Crashdown until late, but I still expect her to be home by midnight. This is just a friendly warning."

Nodding, he turned and put his hand on the door again.

"Michael…?" her questioning tone stopped him again.

"Yeah?"

He could see it in her eyes. The question. It was the only thing that made him uncomfortable about working with her. She was more than a little suspicious about it, and he had a feeling that she basically knew. That didn’t make it any easier to face her.

Amy studied him for a moment, biting the inside of her cheek - she was on the verge of asking, he knew it.

"Never mind," her voice was almost resigned as she shook her head slightly and gave him a silent warning with her eyes.

It was all he could do to keep up the nonchalant façade as he quickly exited the store.//

The bell sounded, and Michael quickly turned his easel to face the wall before he left the art room. In the hall, he plowed his way through students, glaring at a guy who bumped his arm, and staring down a sophomore in a football uniform who didn’t immediately move away from his locker.

"Scaring the underclassmen?"

Maria ran her hand up his arm in a familiar manner, and he cast a quick glance her way.

"Isn’t that what seniors are supposed to do? I’m just trying to fit in," he said smugly as he retrieved his physics book from his locker.

She laughed and moved close, pressing herself sensually into his side while she stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, "I’ll see you after school."

He kept his eyes on his locker and waited until he knew she was a safe distance away to glance after her as she moved down the hallway. It seemed that she anticipated his move, because the minute he looked, her head turned and she winked at him over her shoulder. Keeping his gaze level and unaffected, he watched her until she rounded the corner.

Walking quickly down the hall and into his physics class, he took a seat at the back of the room and reminded himself that he couldn’t fall asleep. The teacher started droning on about vectors, and he let his eyes wander to the window. He missed the good old days when he could just ditch when he got bored. Now, he had to be responsible, and do things like go to class…and graduate. In a way, though, even his summer hadn’t been much of a break from responsibility…

//"Hey, Spaceboy, aren’t you off now?" Maria poked her head into the kitchen and smiled at him.

He glanced down at the grill, then back at her, "Have to finish these burgers."

She nodded and gave him a smile as she turned back out to the dining room. He watched through the window as she sat down at the counter and began talking to Liz. Brody walked in at that moment, and immediately gravitated toward her, as usual. Michael watched as she and Liz chatted with him, although it was obvious who Brody was most interested in speaking to.

"Order up," he barked sharply enough to make Liz jump and give him a quick glare.

Later, on his bike, with Maria’s arms wrapped tightly around his waist, and her body pressed against his back, he lost himself in the passing scenery of the desert at night. His eyes scanned the stars, and he thought briefly about Tess and the baby, then he thought about Alex. The sky was bright, with the moon shining full, the stars were impossible to ignore. By the time he reached his destination, he was in a fairly dark mood.

"All right, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to tell me what’s going on?"

Michael looked at Maria, she was sitting on the ground a few feet in front of him. Irritated that she’d interrupted his brooding inspection of the landscape and the sky, he narrowed his eyes, "What?"

"You. This," she gestured at the desert around them. "I’m sorry, but this isn’t really your style, Michael. You’ve never been a guy who just stops to enjoy the view."

He looked into her eyes, Maria was watching him carefully, her expression was concerned - she knew what was on his mind. Taking a step forward, he kneeled down to eye level with her. She was framed perfectly at that moment, with the moonlight illuminating her face and the landscape to make a startling picture. His eyes wouldn’t leave her form.

As she watched him watch her, a small, secret smile pulled at her lips as her eyes met his, "I guess you’ll never stop looking up there, huh?"

Sighing, he cocked his head to the side, and reached out to cup her face in his hand, still marveling at the way she managed to overshadow the scene behind her, "It’s all from a different perspective now."

There wasn’t a need to say more, they were beyond words, and when she reached out for him, he reached back for her.//

"Mr. Guerin? Mr. Guerin."

Startled, he looked up to see his physics teacher, Mrs. Smith-Johnson or John-Smithson or something, staring down at him.

"Huh?"

"I said, class is over. I suspect it wasn’t my lecture that has you completely enraptured and unwilling to leave my room?"

"Oh, uh…" he grabbed his book and stood quickly, "I was just leaving."

"You need to pass physics, young man. This is your last year," she said sternly as he headed for the door.

"Yes, ma'am," he mumbled as he quickly exited the room.

//flash//

Isabel paused and began to write again.

And then there’s Kyle. He’s Liz’s ex-boyfriend, and the football team’s leading player. But Tess’ departure has effected him more than anybody expected. But behind his tough guy image, it can be hard to tell..

Kyle stalked down the hall, all 160 pounds of the Grecian-Roman wrestler, as furious as can be. Kids cleared out of his way, squishing up against the lockers. Nobody wanted to be in the path of a furious football captain.

He opened the room to the art studio.

"Guerin," he growled.

Michael looked up from his painting, traces of paint all over his clothes and a few flecks in his hair. "What?"

Kyle walked closer to Michael, his blue eyes blazing. "What in the heck do you think you’re doing?"

Michael shrugged. "Painting."

"I mean with Maria."

"What do you mean? My relationship with Maria isn’t any concern of yours."

"Maria," Kyle growled. "Is almost my sister. I don’t want her to be hurt. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I won’t let all of this, this crap ruin her life."

"I’m not ruining her life!" Michael yelled, a streak of red paint streaking across the painting.

"Whatever." Kyle said, throwing down the piece of paper he’d been holding. "Just know that I’m watching you."

Michael bent down as the door slammed once more. He picked up the paper that Kyle had thrown down. Uncrumpling it, he saw that it was a picture of the eight of them, at prom.

Images flew through Michael’s mind.

//Kyle was in his bedroom, digging in the closet.

"Take this! And that! And this!" he yelled.

Items flew out of the closet.

Michael looked down at the items. The prom dress that Tess wore was crumpled on the floor, along with a blue football jersey, as well as the flowered bedspread. He watched in awe as Kyle got up from the closet and picked up all of the discarded items.

Kyle didn’t struggle under the weight of the big pile, his muscles strengthened by years of athletics. Grunting, he walked out into the backyard. He dropped it unceremoniously in a pile of leaves.

He went over to the side of the yard and picked up a can of gasoline.

With a smile on his face, he poured the can over the pile of clothing. He quickly dug in his pocket and dug out a box of matches. His eyes sparkled as he drew the match across the box, striking the flame.

He threw the match and jogged back to a safe distance.

Kyle was determined to rid himself of Tess’ ghost. He was sick of the constant reminder of her in the house. Her clothes, her belongings, every where he went. His own room wasn’t even his own- the smell of her perfume still lingered months later.

His Dad, his Dad might be willing to let the house stay a museum, but Kyle wasn’t going to live that way. If he was going to live, then he was going to live free of all this alien crap. It wasn’t going to rule his destiny.

Tess was being burned, the same way that his Dad said they burned Pierce’s body last year. True, Tess wasn’t here, but all the items, all the things that made Tess, well, Tess, were here. Maybe their group was becoming the Roswellian mafia.

"KYLE!" His Dad’s voice yelled. "What in the?" Jim ran down the driveway, grabbing the hose as he went. The cool water from the hose doused the fire and put it out.

Jim stared down at the smoldering embers. He could make out a face, a face smiling out at him despite being surrounded by ash.

"Is this Tess’ stuff?" He asked accusingly, already knowing the answer.

Kyle nodded. "Yep."

Jim’s face hardened. "I don’t understand you. First of all, you set a fire, a dangerous fire that could have easily gotten out of hand, when I’m not home in our backyard? What if it got out of control? What would happen to our home?"

"I know how to set a fire, all right?"

"No, it’s not ALL RIGHT!" Jim yelled. "It’s irresponsible and stupid. And to take your sister’s things- it’s terrible!."

"NO!" Kyle growled, his voice harsh. "Let’s set things straight. Tess was never my sister. She was an alien, a stray that we took in. She never had any loyalty to you or to me. She used us. And now she’s gone. No matter how long we wait, she won’t come back. Dad, she’s gone. Gone. Just like Mom. And I’m not going to live in this house for years with little memories of her, staying to haunt me."

"You’re out of line son!" Jim growled.

"I’m the only one who is thinking in this mess." Kyle muttered as he walked inside the house, slamming the screen door in his father’s face.//

Kyle walked to his car avoiding Isabel and Max standing in the quad. He didn't want to associate with them any more. They were the ones that ruined his family, friends, and life.

//flash//

Isabel glanced over the last paragraph as she continued to write.

We've put the Sheriff through a lot and I'm really grateful for the sacrifices that he's made for us. I know that Kyle resents the fact that even though we cost the Sheriff his job he's still willing to help us in our endeavor to find out more about our origins and our true purpose on Earth.

//flash//

Jim sat at his desk staring at the mess of papers spread out before him. He couldn't concentrate on what he was doing because too many memories from the past summer and school year were coming at him from all sides.

The memories were trying to force there way to the present. He tried to push them aside. He needed to focus. He wanted his old job back and solving the current caseloads before him was the only way to go about it.

He took a deep breath in preparation for the work before him. Before he could get started however, the pleasing aroma of roses assaulted his nose. That scent drew him back to the night that he and Amy spent together in romantic bliss.

//Amy smiled sweetly at Jim over the top of her wine glass that she held loosely between both her hands. Jim returned her smile with a sexy grin of his own.

They were seated in a dimly lit corner of a restaurant in Albuquerque. Freshly plucked roses and soft candlelight surrounded them.

Jim could see Amy swaying slowly to the sounds of a violinist playing majestically in the background.

He couldn't believe his luck. There he sat seated next to the most amazing woman ever. He hated the fact that all throughout the night and their relationship, she has shared some of her most intimate secrets with him and he couldn't even share his main secret; a secret that concerned not only his son and his son's friends but her daughter as well. It was a secret that was the cause of the death of her laughter's best friend.

Jim gulped down his wine in one swallow as if that one glass would be able to drown out the image of Alex's body in that car.

He shook his head to clear it then he smiled at Amy. "I believe that they are playing our song. Would you care to dance?"

Amy took his offered hand and off they went. //

Jim broke out of his trance as his eyes landed on a missing persons file sending his mind back to that day.

//Jim stared out at the sea of eyes that were trained upon him. Some in suspicion, others in disbelief, most in curiosity. Only six pairs of eyes stared at him in sympathy, pain, regret, and truth. It was those eyes that he wanted to avoid.

He gave a simple statement to the crowd. "Tessa Harding was found missing yesterday morning. At first it was ruled as a kidnapping but no ransom note had been found. What was found was a note written by a lonely depressed girl. So this is now being handled as a runaway case. If anyone has any information into Tess's disappearance, please contact the police department or me."

He went on to explain where and how the note was found. Then he proceeded to read the note.

He found reading the forged note left a very fowl taste in his mouth. Tess betrayed his trust and love for her and now he had to spread lies on top of the lies she had already fed them. His heart was weary. He felt as if he lost a child. Which in away he did. //

Jim groaned softly and shuffled a few papers but his mind still wasn't ready to focus on the task before him.

~

Jim slowly walked up to Kyle's bedroom door and partially opened it.

He peeked inside and noticed that Kyle was asleep. He walked in completely and stood by his son's bed.

Earlier that day he came home and found Kyle trashing his room. They got into a big argument with Kyle about Jim's role in helping the Evans kids and Michael Guerin.

Kyle felt that they couldn't be trusted. He felt that they would turn out just like Tess. No matter what Kyle said Jim couldn't do anything thing less than trust them. They gave him back his son and that deserved trust in his eyes.

Jim reached out and swept aside a lock of hair that had fallen in Kyle’s face. He didn't know how to begin to solve the problems between Kyle and him.

When Tess was there they had came so close to becoming a family again. He loved her like a daughter and he knew that Kyle loved her also. He felt so sad and angry at the fact that he couldn't see through her lies and schemes.

He let out a weary sigh and turned to walk out the room. He stopped in his track when he heard the sound of Kyle tossing and turning in his sleep. Then he heard his son's voice. It was filled with tears and pain.

"Tess! Why? Why did you lie to me? Why did you use me? I thought you loved me. Tess?"

Tears ran slowly down Jim's face. He rested his head against the wall next to the door. He wanted to weep like a baby, but he had to be strong for his son's sake.

He whispered softly more to himself than Kyle. "She betrayed us all son. And distancing yourself from everyone else will not give you the answer as to why."

He stood up and walked out the room.

//flash//

Isabel placed her pen down as she came to think of Tess.

Closing her eyes, she imagined Tess whirling through space in the granolith, her hand clutching her stomach protectively. Isabel imagined her stepping off the rocket at her destination, being greeted by Khivar…

"Greetings, Ava. What have you brought for me?" a broad shouldered dark haired man asked the petite blonde, as he strode out of his fairytale castle.

"I am pregnant with the heir," Tess says coolly. "I was unable to bring the other three, but I have crippled their support system. They are weak, and will be no threat to us."

"Wonderful, you have served me well," Khivar grins at the girl.

No, no…that was too 1950’s cheesy sci-fi. It would probably be a little more like…

Tess stepping off the rocket into a barren, desolate desert of a world to be greeted by a gruffer looking Khivar as a harsh wind blows sand around them.

"I’m carrying his child, I did as you asked," Tess’s voice is soft, the sound almost whipped away by the wind.

"Where are the others?" Khivar narrows his eyes and steps toward the girl, grabbing her wrist and pulling her close.

Her blonde hair is blowing across her face as Tess begins to cry, "I nearly had them, they were within my grasp, but I failed. They are stronger than we thought."

"Your betrayal of your family leaves a great deal to be desired. I’m used to better results from my women," Khivar quickly backhands Tess across the face and drags her away into the swirling sand storm.

…No, not that one either. It was a little too ‘Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome’. The scene would probably play out in an entirely different fashion…

Tess walks proudly down the gangplank of her ship and her eyes casually inspect the legions of troops lined up to greet her in the high tech space station.

"My lord, Khivar," Tess bows her head briefly at the dark haired man who approaches her with his cloak flying behind him.

"You are carrying the heir?" Khivar asks.

"Yes, my liege.”

"The three?"

"They escaped me, my lord."

"No matter, we will be upon them in a few weeks. We will crush them," Khivar smirked. "Come, you will join me in the war room, we have much to prepare for."

Tess bows again and follows Khivar through the rows of troops.

…Well, that one had a decidedly ‘Star Wars’ flare, and left Isabel feeling chilled to the bone. She wondered briefly why she was so easily able to conjure the image of the dark haired man, he seemed so familiar - quickly she brushed the thoughts from her mind, she didn’t want any of Vilandra’s remnants and preferred to ignore them when they presented themselves.

Tess.

The whole thing was a mystery to Isabel. She could almost imagine Tess doing what she did to make sure that they could get home, but being willing to turn them over to Khivar? Plotting to get pregnant, knowing she would hand her child over to his father’s enemy?

It just didn’t fit.

For the thousandth time, she replayed every moment she could remember spending with Tess, wondering what clue it was that she missed. Nothing had ever indicated this as a possibility. Tess’s loyalty to the concept of the royal four and destiny had seemed to far outweigh anyone else’s.

So many things didn’t fit. Kyle and the Sheriff…Tess had seemed genuinely attached to both of them. In fact, before prom, Isabel had the distinct impression that Tess and Kyle might have been headed down their own road. It didn’t make sense.

Tess and Kyle.

Tess and Sheriff Valenti.

Tess and Max.

How could everyone who had a close relationship with her be so completely fooled?

She remembered Tess from the good times. Tess helping them, saving them from the Skins. Her helping Max at the summit, staying by his side. The way that she made a place for herself in the Valenti family, they loved her and she seemed to love them. Images slipped through her mind…Tess laughing in Las Vegas, smiling at prom…

How could she betray her family, everyone that she loved?

Of course, this wasn’t an unfamiliar story to Isabel. In fact, it was achingly familiar… Vilandra.

Isabel shuddered at the thought. She picked up her pen and slowly wrote Alex's name out.

Alex...

Her gaze drifted to the prom photo of the eight of them that was tacked to the wall. She reached her hand out and took the picture down and looked at it. Her hand hovered over Alex's face as he holds her in the photo and she smiles happily for a second before taking a deep breath and putting the photo in her drawer. She picked up her pen and began to write again.

Alex...Alex is, no, Alex was...

She scrubbed the words out before taking a deep breath and started again.

Alex is de...

Isabel stared at the paper that she had been writing on. She reread the last line she wrote over and over again, yet couldn't bring herself to finish it. She slammed her pen down on her desk in anger, picked up the paper, balled it up and threw it in her trash can. It sparked as it engulfed into a blue flame.

She smiled and turned back to her desk and pulled out a fresh sheet. She stared at it for a few minutes before poising her pen to write.

I am Isabel Evans and this is my self psychoanalysis.

Isabel continued to write as her brother was on his way to the reservation.

Max drove the jeep along the highway to the reservation. He was nervous, perhaps Riverdog had the answers that Max so desperately needed. When he finally arrived he quickly jumped out of the jeep and headed towards the familiar man who was waiting on him.

"Where is he, Eddie?" Max asked.

"What you no chit chat?" Eddie smirked.

Max sighed.

Eddie turned to his left and pointed at a large hill.

"He's in the ravine on the other side of that hill," Eddie said.

Max took off in the direction Eddie pointed, he carefully made his way down the hill into the ravine. Once inside the Ravine Max found himself alone, he looked around the surrounding area and saw no one. Max heard a gasping sound coming from further down the ravine.

Max followed the sound until he saw someone lying on floor of the ravine. Upon coming closer to the prone form laying on the ravine floor, Max recognized who it was.

"RIVERDOG!" Max shouted as he rushed to Riverdogs side.

Riverdog was coughing up blood as Max kneeled next to him. Max reached his hand behind Riverdog's head and cradled him.

"Look into my eyes," Max urged as he placed his hand on Riverdog's chest, concentrating on forming the connection.

When the connection was formed Max began searching Riverdog's body for what was wrong with him. Max found it quickly, whatever it was, it was spreading throughout Riverdog's body.

Max focused on trying to stop whatever it was. But at every attempt he made the substance continued to spread. It was then that Max realized that he couldn't save Riverdog.

"I'm sorry," Max whispered.

Riverdog stretched out his hand towards Max. Max hesitated for a moment before taking Riverdog's hand. The connection was instantaneous, Max's mind was struck with a barrage of images.

//flash//

Two ships flying through a dark sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning danced through the clouds. The first ship crashed into a field, while the second crashed into the distant horizon.

//flash//

Riverdog chants in a hushed voice as he reveals the silver medallion in his head. The striking silver looked foreign to the Earth. Four circles overlapped as a Chinese star crossed over them, a small blue stone set in the middle. It glowed in the moonlight reflecting the 'V' constellation in the sky.

//flash//

A young girl with light copper skin, and long dark hair. The expression on her face was one of fear at first, but soon became a look of understanding.

//flash//

The same girl playing with a younger girl with blond ringlets, her blue eyes sparkled. Nacedo watching on while talking to Riverdog.

//flash//

Max fell backwards, gasping for breath when the connection was severed. He was confused, and didn't know what to make of the flashes he had just received. But the confusion stopped when he looked over at Riverdog laying motionless on the ravine floor.

Max placed his fingers on the side of Riverdog's neck, searching for a pulse. When he didn't find one, it was with utter devastation that Max realized that Riverdog was dead. Max removed his jacket and laid it over Riverdog.

As Max sadly looked at Riverdog's lifeless body his eyes were drawn towards a small soft glow coming from Riverdog's cupped hand. He slowly opened up his palm to see a silver medallion reflecting in the moonlight. Max gasped as he picked up the medallion, it was the one from his flashes.

It was a clue from his past. Max looked towards the sky, and tried to relive the flashes he had got as he had tried to heal Riverdog. As Max took a sorrowful look at the man at his feet he looked again at the strange medallion that he had with him. It was clearly not human but where did it come from? Why did Riverdog have it? Was this strange medallion the reason Riverdog had to see him? Was it the reason he had died? Max looked at the medallion, which was still glistening and sighed loudly. It all had to fit together somehow, but somehow he couldn't figure out what it meant. Was it a way home? Was it something about their past? He looked at the medallion for one last time before he put it in his pocket. Whatever it was, it had been worth killing for, so it was clearly important. He took one last look at Riverdog.

"What does it mean, Riverdog? What did you need to tell me? Why was it important?"

As his questions hung in the air he sighed and turned around towards the reservation to get help.

End Episode 1

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