Episode 13 - Fast Forward To The Good Parts...

Premieres May 9th, 2002

Written by: Daniel, David, Darkchilde, Heather and Marianne

Michael was laid out in couch he had both his TV on as his CD player where Enter the Sandman by Metallica poured out of the speakers. The TV's sound was turned down and the image need to be corrected as it was full of distortion.

What can I do to get Maria to forgive me or even talk to me when she doesn't even give me time to explain? He sighed as he looked at the TV. Would flowers do? It wasn't exactly his style. But, he reasoned, they were probably the kind of thing that he should do. Not that Maria would probably accept anything from you just now, Michael. He tried to rake his brain for more ideas of getting on her good side.

Suddenly a chap was heard from the door. Michael rose and turned the music down a little to make sure that it was his door and as the sharp tap was heard again he wandered over to the door.

Before he could open the door there was yet another chap. "For crying out loud, give me a minute." Michael grabbed the handle and opened the door angrily to reveal an embarrassed looking Liz.

"Hi, Michael."

She couldn't had come her self, she had to send Liz. I've messed up big time. I wonder if she's ever going to forgive me or just talk to me letting me explain why did what I did.

"Liz. Hey." He said slowly, trying to hide his disappointment as he looked at her and took a step back from the door to let her in. "What's up?".

"I came to pick up some things that belonged to Maria, that you said she had forgot here." Liz said and looked at him apologetically. "She...um...she was too busy to come herself."

Michael started looking around trying to find something that could belong to Maria. He mentally chastised himself for failing to come up with a feasible excuse as to why he was wanting Maria around. He really should have looked for something that could have belonged to her already. He paused for a second and picked up a CD that Isabel had given him a loan of. That would do...

"Got it. Just figured she would be missing it...that's why I wanted her to come and get it...but you know, you can just give it to her." Michael said as he walked over to Liz and handed her the CD.

"Thanks." Liz looked at him with a sympathetic smile as she took the CD which she knew for a fact didn't belong to her best friend. Dammit Maria, if you could only see him...this is as un Michael as I've seen him. You really did a number on him.

Michael shrugged his shoulders as he folded his arms across his chest. "Not a problem. If she has left anything else here you know, I'll...just drop them at work and save you the journey over here."

"I'm sorry for the way things have turned out Michael, " Liz said sadly as she looked at him trying desperately to hide his feelings. "I'm sure she'll come round eventually..."

"It's nothing Liz, it's probably for the best this way " Michael said as he twisted his shoulders and put his hands in his back pockets of the worn out jeans he had on.

"You don't really believe that do you?" Liz asked

"No, but when I try to talk to her she just leaves with giving me a chance to explain it to her. I mean I only want what's best for her, but she just ignores me instead. It's kind of frustrating, you know?" Michael with an uneasy look in his eyes as he took a deep breath. "I'm not going to beat myself up over it indefinitely, it's not worth it. You know?"

Liz nodded her head as she looked at Michael and took a deep breath. "I understand Michael, and I'll try to talk to her, make her hear you out. I better go now though or I'll be late for work. You on tonight?"

Michael shook his head as he walked towards the door. "Not tonight. Listen, thanks Liz for trying, maybe she'll listen to you. Maria is the best thing that has happened in my miserable life, I just want to know I gave it a real shot to make it back up with her." Michael said with all the honesty that he possessed.

Liz smiled at him and nodded her head. "I'll try my best. Bye Michael, talk to you later." Liz said as she backed out the door and turned around and began to walk away..

Michael closed the door after Liz and walked back to his couch. Suddenly the distortion on the TV bothered and annoyed him. He walked over to it and turned it off. He walked back to couch and lay down. Only the sound of the melancholic music of Metallica was heard in the apartment.

Michael growled, as once again his mind became settle around Maria.

He sat up and realised it must be the apartment that held to many memories that he really couldn't deal with at the moment. He needed to somewhere on neutral ground. The only place that he could think of was to go over to the Evans household.

He could talk to Max about things, he would understand what Michael was going through after all the shit that had happened with Liz. Michael rose and walked over to the CD-player turning it off, after that he look around if to see if he had forgot about something he found nothing before he walked out the apartment and heading to where he always gravitated when he needed some place safe. To his family.

~ ~ ~

Tess groaned as she pulled a book from the ever increasing mountain in front of her. The damn school were seriously sadistic or deluded if they thought she would be able to get through all this and do the required course work. "Who wants to graduate anyway? Stupid piece of paper...i could fake it if I really wanted to..."

She sighed as she began reading not noticing the amused expression of the person standing at her door. "Well, you could fake it...but if you want to do that you may as well make it a business venture and make our millions..."

Tess looked up at the sound of the voice and smiled slightly as she looked at him. "Why would you be entitled to any of my millions?"

Kyle smiled as he leaned against the door frame. "Well, I know what you'd be up to...and I know lots of people who could make use of your services..."

She took a deep breath as she looked at the books. "You know how appealing that sounds as opposed to this?"

Kyle smiled as he looks at her. "Yup, it was hard enough doing all that at the time...you might be there all weekend..."

Tess groaned as she looked up. "Do you actually want anything or are you here just to make me feel worse?"

Kyle began to laugh as he held his hands up in a defence position. "Well, I was planning on making you feel worse but since my mission is accomplished I was wondering if you want to go out?" He walked towards her and sat down. "I don't think my sanity could face another Friday night in the home."

She shook her head in mock sympathy. "Poor baby."

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Come on...you don't want to be stuck in here? A couple of hours fun isn't exactly going to kill you..."

She looked at him and bit her lip. It would be good to get out the house...have some fun. She looked down at her books and sighed. If she stopped now she would never get back at them..."I should probably stay..."

Kyle picked up a book and closed it. "You can do this tomorrow. I'll...I'll call someone who knows what they're doing with this. You could ask Evans!" He gave her a puppy dog look with a smile. "Please? A couple of hours?"

She looked at him before laughing slightly. "Is that the expression you use to win all the ladies over?"

Kyle grinned at her and nodded his head. "What can I say...it's a gift."

She shook her head and stood up. "I cannot believe that I let you talk me into this...so, where are we going?"

He jumped up from the bed and walked quickly to the door. "Well, I thought we'd just grab a burger and then see a film? Well, one film in particular..."

Tess groaned as she followed him out unenthusiastically. "I don't want to go to the crashdown..."

"Tough." Kyle grabbed her hand and tossed her her jacket. "It's been 2 weeks. You can't avoid it forever."

"I'm not 'avoiding' it, I just like my life better without the hassle of avoiding Liz and Maria's shifts..." She muttered as she walked to the car. "Fine, if we're eating there I pick the movie...and I promise you it will be the sappiest most girlie film there..."

Kyle groaned as he walked to the other side of the car and began driving. "If you think blackmail will change my mind...I mean, of course you could choose the movie. But you know that as soon as we get there that you'll change your mind and let me watch Spiderman..."

Tess shook her head and smirked at him. "No. Last chance...you turn the car around and I'll watch your stupid super hero movie. If not...I think I saw that Crossroads is still playing..."

Kyle grimaced as he clutched the wheel. "You wouldn't dare...you don't even like Britney Spears..."

Tess smirked as she looked at him. "No, I don't, but I'll learn. So you going to turn the car around?"

Kyle took a deep breath and looked at her with a smile. "I'm going to have to call you on that, Tess. There's the Crashdown."

Tess tilted her head back on the seat as he pulled the car to a stop. No avoiding it...and now she was stuck watching Crossroads as well. Could this night get any worse? She walked out the car and Kyle walked beside her, she could kill him. They walked in the restaurant and she stopped and inwardly groaned as she noticed Maria, Liz and Alex all sitting at the counter. Shoot me. Shoot me now. She sighed as she went over to Kyle and shook her head. "Good call, Kyle. This won't be awkward at all..."

"You're worrying about nothing. You go grab a booth and I'll order, OK? You won't even have to talk to them..."

Tess nodded her head and sighed. Now all she had to do was make sure they didn't poison her...

Kyle walked over to the counter. He smiled and tried to keep it light as he was faced by an outraged Maria and a gobsmacked Liz. Relax, Kyle. You haven't done anything wrong...

"Hey guys. How's it going?" Kyle gave a grin as he looked at the three faces. "Liz, we'll have a double of fries and a couple of burgers with everything, a couple of bottles of tabasco, an alien blast and a large coke, please. Oooh, and if you could add a slice of double chocolate fudge cake..."

"Taking the little lady out on a date?" Maria said through clenched teeth as she glared at Tess while clenching her fists.

Alex took a deep breath as he spoke before Kyle could respond to Maria. "You trying to keep your energy up Kyle?"

Kyle turned away from Maria and grinned at Alex. "Spiderman."

Alex nodded his head in understanding and gave him a smile. "Ah, now I get it...tell me how good it is?"

Kyle nodded his head as he looked at Alex with a smile. "That I will, and if you are up to it we can catch it later?"

Alex nodded his head as he looked at Maria disapprovingly. "I'm definitely up for it. We still on for Star Wars? Maria! Will you please stop already? I think we get the idea."

Maria turned to him defensively. "I'm not doing anything that she isn't doing back."

Alex turned and looked at Tess and shook his head before turning back to look at Maria. "Well, if you didn't do it first..."

Maria opened her mouth to respond when the door opened and laughing voices came through the door. She looked and saw Isabel and Serena and smiled at Alex. "Finally, someone who will see how wrong this situation is..."

Alex glared at her and shook his head. "Do not start anything, Maria."

Kyle shook his head as he looked at Isabel and then to Tess. This was not something he wanted to deal with after what she had done to Tess. "I'm going to make that my cue to go, what with the queen of darkness' appearence...Liz, give me a shout when the foods ready. I'll see you guys later..."

Maria ignored him and looked at Isabel who was apparently frozen to the spot as she looked between Alex and Tess. Serena looked at her and gave a smile before gently pulling her along. She looked at Liz and smiled. "Liz Parker. How are you?"

Liz laughed gently at Serena's exaggerated greeting as she gave her a smile. "I am fine, and you? How did the date go?"

Serena nodded her head as she nudged Isabel who was glaring at Tess. "Good, good...I'm meeting him again later. I have to say he's a bit...conventional for me. No bite." She giggled slightly as she looked at Liz. "I'm going to try and corrupt him tonight."

Liz looked at her and laughed. "I'm sure that will be fun."

Serena gave a wicked smile and winked at Liz. "It will be, I can guarantee it." She turned around and spotted Maria. "Maria, hello again." Maria nodded her head and smiled at Serena as she turned to Alex. "Hello, I don't believe we've met. I'm Serena...I go to college with Isabel."

Alex gave a friendly smile and took her offered hand. "Hi, I'm Alex."

Serena opened her mouth and smiled. "Alex? Wow, I've heard a lot about you. Isabel talks a lot about you...she has quite the high opinion of you."

Alex nodded his head as he shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "I don't know about that..."

Isabel looked at him and smiled slightly. "Everyone has a high opinion of him..."

Serena smiled as she looked at him as he concentrated on his drink in front of him. "I'm sure they have." She sighed and turned to Isabel, "Well, I'm just going to dive in the little girls room...do you want to get anything to drink before we go?"

Isabel looked at her awkwardly. "Um, no...I'm fine. You?"

Serena shook her head as she walked away. Isabel looked at Alex and smiled. "How's it going?"

Alex nodded his head as he looked at her with a smile. "Going good."

Isabel nodded and looked at Maria and then Liz. "What the hell is she doing in here? I thought she would be a little more considerate..."

Alex sighed as he took a deep breath. "It doesn't bother me, really..."

Maria looked at Isabel. "I know! I mean, I think she thinks she can just waltz back in here..."

"And everyone will greet her with open arms?" Isabel finished for her as she looked over at Tess and shook her head angrily. "She is severely mistaken."

Liz looked at Alex who was shaking his head at the conversation of Maria and Isabel and smiled warmly as she walked over to a table. As she walked past she stopped and whispered in his ear gently. "If they go for the knives to attack her let me know..."

Alex smirked as he looked at Isabel and sighed. "So where are you two of to tonight?"

"You know, I think we should go over and speak to her. In fact, I think we should speak to both of them. Mr Valenti is going to get a serious ear bashing for this...I mean he should be more considerate. Do you think either of them even think about Alex?" Maria said cutting over Alex's attempts to change the subject.

"I'm fine. God...do I look bothered?"

Isabel nodded her head as she gave him a quick smile before turning back to Maria. "I know. I have no idea what they are playing at."

Alex groaned loudly and brought his head forward to the counter and began banging it gently against the counter in exasperation. What? Did they want him to be all pathetic and need protecting? "Will you both please relax?"

Maria looked at him and smiled at him. "Alex we are relaxed, trust me. We just don't want her in here. She must have a perfectly nice rock she can go hang out at, or under...whatever suits..."

Alex looked at her and shook his head as he stood up. He was not going to spend the night listening to this. He looked at them both and smiled as he spoke. "Continue, please...don't let me stop you. I'm just going to go sit over here." As he finished talking he took a deep breath and walked over to the booth with Tess and Kyle and stopped. "Um, hi."

Tess and Kyle looked at him in surprise. Tess looked at him quickly before quickly looking down at her hands. What was she supposed to do now?

Kyle looked at Alex and smiled. "Hey."

Alex nodded his head as he looked at them both. "Is it okay if I join you two?"

Kyle grinned at him and immediately moved over to let him sit. "That you can."

Alex smiled as he sat down. "Thanks. Finally I get away from those two...i think they are under the impression that I'm a 4 year old that needs them to protect me." He looked at Tess who was still looking at her fries awkwardly and began to speak. "But I've just had enough of the weird behaviour in the past two weeks to last me a lifetime. I just want things to get back to normal. Don't you Tess?"

Tess looked up at him and nodded her head slightly. Alex nodded and looked at Kyle. "Um, Kyle...I kinda left my drink over there. I don't suppose that you could maybe..? It's just if I go over there then I'm going to get tackled for conversing with the enemy..."

Kyle nodded his head with a smile. "No problem. I even promise not to wind them up."

Alex moved and let Kyle stand up. "I wouldn't be so cocky...they are baying for your blood as well..."

Kyle shrugged it off and walked over to the counter. As soon as he was out of earshot Alex looked at Tess and whispered to her gently. "Tess? Can you remember when you said you would do anything to make it up to me?"

Tess looked at him almost fearfully. She had said that. But what if he wanted her to leave? She took a deep breath and nodded her head. She had promised...no matter what. "Yes...i remember..."

Alex looked at her and smiled at her slightly. "Good, well, what I want from you is for you to start acting normal around me and not like I'm about to drop dead any second. I have enough of that from the others." He nodded his head to indicate towards Maria and Isabel who were both glaring angrily at Kyle. He looked at her and took a deep breath as he continued. "The *only* thing I need from you is to treat me like normal...maybe then the pair of us could start working out what happened to us."

Tess smiled at him and let out a deep breath in relief. She bit her lip as she looked at him. "I can do that. Are you...sure?"

Alex stuck his hand out for her to shake. "No, not entirely...but it feels right just now...and that's good enough for me."

She nodded her head gratefully as she took his hand and shook. "Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me..." Her voice was quiet as she immediately wiped her eyes after letting go of his hand. She didn't expect this, but it felt great.

Alex smiled at her as he sat back. "Not a problem. Just don't...cry. Kyle will have me strung up if he thinks I made you cry..."

Tess began to laugh gently as she wiped her eyes. "Sorry..."

Kyle walked over with a grin on his face accompanied by Liz who was looking at Alex uncertainly. Kyle sat down and smiled. "So...what's up?"

Tess shook her head and smiled at him happily. "Nothing...nothings up. Things are good..."

Liz looked at Alex quizzically as he looked at her with a smile as she sat the food down. "I can't do the whole 'this is someones fault' thing indefinitely. I don't want to be that bitter..." He looked at her and nodded over to Maria and Isabel. "I can't do that...it's no ones fault apart from a little twerp in New York..."

Liz looked at him and smiled as she nodded her head. "I understand that. I just want you to be happy and if this makes you happy, then no one has any right to make it hard on you."

Alex nodded his head and smiled at her thankfully. "Thanks, Liz."

She shook her head and smiled at him as she turned back to the counter. "Not a problem..."

Kyle looked at her leave before turning conspiratorially to Alex and Tess and smiling. "You guys should see it over at the counter...it looks like Isabel and Maria are going to explode."

Alex looked at Kyle disapprovingly but with a slight smile. "Kyle. Play nice."

Kyle sighed and took a bite of his burger as he passed the fries over to Alex. "Fine. If you want to rob me of my fun...so, Tess...are we still having to sit through Crossroads? Hey, Whitman...you could come with us..."

Maria and Isabel looked over at the now vocal booth in disgust as Liz walked over. "How can he sit with them?" Maria asked as she looked at Liz.

Liz looked at her and shook her head. "Maybe he thought he wouldn't be ignored over there."

Maria looked at her angrily. "We didn't ignore him."

Liz looked at her disbelievingly. "No? Then why did you both keep on talking about Tess when he asked you to stop?"

Isabel looked at Liz and shook her head. "She would have upset him. I don't think she should have put him in that position."

Liz looked at her and shook her head. "The only people here who upset him was you two...treating him like some kind of weakling who couldn't fight his own battles. Now he's moved on and got over it, maybe you two should think about doing the same or else you are going to lose him."

Isabel looked at Liz angrily and was about to reply when Serena walked out towards her. "Hey, ready? Can't keep the boys waiting all night. Where's Alex?"

Isabel looked away from Liz and nodded over to the booth. "Over there, come on. We should get going. See you later Maria."

Serena looked at Liz and smiled. "See you later guys." She looked over at the booth and smiles as she catches Alex's eye. "Bye Alex, nice meeting you."

Alex nodded his head and gave her a smile. "Nice meeting you Serena."

Isabel sighed as she followed Serena to the door reluctantly. Maria turned and looked at Liz. "She's not looking too happy for a girl going on a date does she? Of course your little outburst probably didn't help."

Liz shook her head and picked up her order pad. "Listen, I didn't say anything that isn't true and you both are going to have to handle it eventually. You aren't helping."

~ ~ ~

Max took off his shoes as he had just come through the door. It had been nice to go out and eat with his parents it took his mind off other things. Like Tess. Or Alex. Or Nicholas. Or his son. Or Liz. His mind had never left the realm of those subjects for the past two weeks and he was tired, mentally. So it was nice to go and be...normal for once.

He slowly walked up the stairs as he opened the he got the feeling he wasn't alone and there on his bed Michael was sitting reading some science magazine.

Max sighed as he saw Michael. So much for the normal night... "Hey Michael. What's up? You haven't sought refuge here in a while..."

Michael looked up at Max for moment before he turned his attention back to the magazine he was reading "I was bored, my TV is almost broke, nothing else to do thought we could talk...or not."

Max sighed and sat over on the chair and looked at him. "What do you want to talk about?"

Michael shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the magazine. "Not much. How about how the royal 4 can be a good unit when two members can't be in the same room as each other without tearing each others hair out? And while Nicholas is still going about doing god knows what kind of damage..."

Max tilted his head back. Yeah, his night off was definitely over. "Well I was thinking it might be a good idea for the four of us to meet up this weekend to try and resolve our differences...at the very least to get Tess and Isabel to call a truce."

Michael put the magazine down and looked at Max. "You sure it's an good idea since Isabel seems to loath Tess? I mean it doesn't seem as though she wants to get along with Tess. And I think Tess is still smarting over what Isabel did."

"We can't wait forever and Isabel is mature enough to understand that she has to get over her problems with Tess. We're together, the four of us and that's not optional."

Michael just shrugged his shoulders and picked up his magazine again. "Your the king, Maxwell...your call...probably right though."

Max chose to ignore Michael's comment as he looked at his friend. Michael definitely didn't look happy. Not that he ever really looked happy...

"So what's on your mind, Michael?" Max asked looking directly at him. "You're not your usual sparkling self tonight."

"It's nothing okay just drop it." Michael said almost annoyed that Max asked the question.

"So I take it thing haven't gotten better between you and Maria?" Max asked as he turned towards his friend.

Michael put the magazine down and sighed. "I really messed it up with her you know, she won't even let me explain my actions, it would be a lot easier if she didn't run away as soon as we are within a hundred feet from each other. And when I try to walk up to her and talk she just keeps walking away every time I try." Michael said pouring his mind and heart out as he sank down into a lying position on Max's bed.

"I'm sorry Michael, but I think she will get over it with time." Max said sympathetically, if anyone knew what Michael was going through was him. "Just give her a few weeks."

~ ~ ~

The music in the club echoed through the speakers as the dance floor filled with bodies. Isabel, Serena, Christian and some guy Serena was dating who Isabel had forgot his name already were all sat at a table, trying in vain to hold a conversation above the drone of the music.

As another slow tune started to play Christian saw his chance to ask Isabel for a dance. "So Isabel could I have the pleasure of having this dance?" Christian looked at Isabel with big eyes and reached out his hand.

Isabel shifted in her seat and shook her head as she offered him her most apologetic smile. She really didn't want to dance tonight. She didn't really want to be out tonight. "I'm not that good of a dancer..."

This only resulted in that both Serena and Christian looked at her disbelievingly. Isabel started to feel bad that she had turned Christian's question down when it was so obviously a lie.

"What?" Serena asked as she looked at Isabel disapprovingly. "Is this false modesty, Isabel? We've all seen you dance."

Isabel smiled and took Christians hand and allowed him to guide her to the dance floor. "Okay I'll dance this one with you."

Christian was happy and it showed with a big smile on his lips. Isabel and Christian danced slowly across the dance floor to the song and Christian smiled as he touched her hair tenderly.

"You know, Isabel. I have really started to feel a lot for you in the past few weeks...a lot. I don't expect anything from you...but I thought you should know. " Christian spoke softly unaware that Isabel didn't hear him, she was trapped in her own thoughts.

Alex and I danced like this at prom. Kinda strange that it took so long before he would even ask me...or that it took so long until I realised what I felt about him...too long.

Christian didn't notice that Isabel hadn't heard a word of what he had said. Isabel looked at with sadness in her eyes. This is so wrong, Isabel. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be doing this to a good person...

"Christian I'm sorry but I'm not feeling well, I think I need to get home." Isabel said trying sound believable.

Christian looked at Isabel quizzically. "I didn't mean to frighten you off..."

Isabel shook her head and fought her own guilt as she looked at his disappointed face. "It's nothing like that, I promise. I just have the worst headache."

"Okay, I'll drive you home..." Christian said as he took her arm protectively and guided her away from the dance floor.

"It's not necessary, I can drive myself...you stay and have fun." Isabel said, trying to get away from his sympathetic gaze. She felt worse every minute she was around him.

"I'm not letting you drive home alone our by yourself if your ill. What do you take me for?" Christian said and looking at her.

The couple walked over to Serena and her date, explaining that Isabel didn't feel too good, said their goodbyes and left for Christian's car.

What wrong about me with me, here I am out on date with Christian and start to think about Alex. That's not fair towards Christian...or me. Time to do some serious thinking Isabel.

~ ~ ~

Maria sat at the table watching her mother as she cooked. This evening was her bit date with Jim and she wanted everything to be perfect. Of course while the meal itself may be excellent, Amy herself was a nervous wreck over preparing it. Once again the thought of her mother and Jim alone together caused her to shudder. Sitting next to her, Sean leaned back in his chair while eating a pear smiling at Maria's expression which conveyed various degrees of horror.

"Ugh, Mom what time will be safe for me to come home?" Maria asked as she looked at the amount of food her mother had prepared..

"You may have to spend the night with Liz," Sean said with a smirk. "Unless you think you can handle the noise."

Suddenly out of nowhere Maria's hand sailed through the air and smacked Sean right on the back of his head.

*Thwap*

"Ow what was that for?" Sean asked rubbing the back of his head.

Amy gave Sean a look that could practically melt through ice. "Knock it off," Amy warned him sternly before turning to Maria. "After dinner we're going out, so you can come home whenever you like."

Amy turned back to the stove to check on her pie.

"And where exactly would you two be going?" Sean asked while looking at Maria, desperately trying to get a rise from her. "Maybe drive around town for a bit, probably even rent a room?"

Maria was about ready to jump Sean and strangle him when there was a knock at the door, which Sean quickly got up to answer. "I think I'll get that...remember Maria, find out all the sordid details..."

"What are you doing tonight honey?" Amy asked her daughter as she tried to prevent Maria chasing Sean out the house.

"Nothing really," Maria said. "Just gonna hang out with the others."

Amy took a seat across from Maria and reached for her daughter's hand. "Maria honey, don't you think you're being too harsh on Michael?"

"What!?!" Maria asked in shock. "What does any of this have to do with Michael? I don't miss Michael at all. Quite the contrary...since I've been a free woman I've realised what I have been missing for the past few years...it's been fun being free and single." She looked around the kitchen before turning back to her mother. "Nope, I don't miss him at all..."

"Well then that's probably a good thing," Amy said getting up from her seat. "Since he's been moping around the house for weeks."

"Hey it's got nothing to do with me," Maria said. "If he wants to stalk me then hey that's his problem."

Amy sat there at a loss for words for a moment, unable to understand her daughter's stubbornness. Before getting a chance to say anything Sean came back into the kitchen with liz following behind him.

"I need to talk to you," Liz said. "But if you're too busy I can always come back later."

"No, no problem at all," Maria said.

Quickly getting up from her chair, Maria grabbed her purse and taking Liz's hand dragged her out of the house. Once outside Liz was able to pry her hand loose and pull a CD from her purse to give to Maria.

"What's this?" Maria asked looking over the CD in her hand.

"It's from Michael's, I forgot to give you it last night." Liz said as they walked to her car.

"Now isn't that typical," Maria said as she looked at the disc.

"What?" Liz asked opening her car door.

"It's not my CD," Maria said making her way over to the driver's side. "It's one that Isabel loaned him."

Liz unlocked the doors and got behind the wheel. When Maria took her seat, Liz started the engine but didn't put it into drive.

"I just think that Michael really wants to see you," Liz said. "He really misses you. The CD was just an excuse.."

"Well I miss my dad," Maria snapped. "But oh no it's not about what I want, it's about what Michael wants. He doesn't care about what I want."

Liz pulled the car away from the curb and drove down the street.

"Have you heard anything from your dad?" Liz asked.

Maria nodded. "He says that he wants me to stay with him for the summer,"

"Well that's great isn't it?" Liz asked.

"Yeah, I...I don't know," Maria said. "Right now my mother is getting ready for her date with Jim. I've never seen her worked up before. Sure it seem like her nerves were really worked. But there was still that feeling of happiness around her. And right now if I were to be around my father that feeling wouldn't be around me. Because I don't know if I can handle it yet."

The two drove in silence the rest of the way.

~ ~ ~

Kyle was sitting on the couch and shook his head as he flicked through the channels on the remote as Jim was talking to him as he got ready.

"So what I'm saying is that when you take the car you could at least clean it out after you. I mean, I have a date with Amy tonight. Kyle? Are you even listening?"

Kyle looked at the TV and nodded his head as he flicked through the channels.

"Kyle?"

Kyle looked at his dad and nodded his head. "Sure, clean out the car, date with Amy, I got it..."

Jim sighed as he sat down beside Kyle. "So, what is your plans for the day?"

Kyle didn't take his eyes of the TV as he replied. "Um, I'm meeting Alex, Liz and Maria so I'll be home late..."

Jim looked at him and bit his lip. "What about Tess?"

Kyle sighed as he gave up on the TV and turned to face his dad. "She's at the gym, and afterwards I think she's trying to catch up some more...you know that her and Alex were talking last night?"

Jim looked at him and shook his head. "Really? Well, that's really something."

Kyle nodded his head and couldn't surpress his grin. "Yup, they were getting along great...totally put the whole thing behind them."

Jim smiled happily. Maybe finally his family would get to move on. "That is great news." He took a minute before continuing. "So, how is things going on between you and Tess?"

Kyle shrugged his shoulders. "Fine. Why?"

"I mean, it can't be easy for you to be back on the sofa? You'll be suffering at training..."

Kyle turned and put the TV off before looking around warily at Kyle. Where was this conversation going? "No...I'm fine. I crash on the bed when I come home from practise...it's just like last year..."

Jim nodded his head as he looked away from him. "But it's far from being ideal...I mean, you must wish you had your room back."

Kyle looked at Jim seriously. "Okay, what's going on because none of this bothered you before. If your saying that you think that Tess should leave then I have to say no. She doesn't deserved being abandoned..."

Jim looked at him and shook his head. "No, nothing like that...I just, I think we might have to consider getting a bigger house at one point. I mean, there's hardly enough room for 2 people in here let alone more..."

Kyle squinted at Jim. He definitely didn't like the sound of this. "Dad. We are fine like we are. We have lots of room for the three of us and we've lived here forever. This is where I grew up."

Jim shook his head. "Sometimes things change, Kyle. You aren't going to live here forever, and neither is Tess..."

"Then why do we need a bigger house?"

Jim looked at him and stood up. "Because it's not always just going to be about you two..."

"What?!" Kyle turned around and shook his head, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Jim looked at him and was about to speak before there was a knock on the door. "That'll be Liz and Maria. I'll see you later."

Kyle looked at Jim and grabbed his jacket. "We'll talk about this later, dad."

Jim opened the door and smiled awkwardly at Kyle. "Umm, I won't be in until late..."

Kyle cringed as he shook his head. "I don't even want to think what you are insinuating with that so I'm just going to go. I'll see you later."

Kyle quickly walked out the door and groaned at Maria who took his arm sympathetically. "They are like rabbits...he gets more action than I do..."

Maria shuddered as she shook her head. "Ugh, please don't bring that mental image up...I'll not be able to look at my mom for a month..."

Liz grinned at them both as she opened the car door. "Well, lets ignore them and get to Alex's before you two are suffering from nightmares for the rest of your natural born lives..."

Kyle looked at Maria and shook his head. "She has no sympathy..."

Maria shook her head. "Nope, definitely not...no sympathy and no idea..."

~ ~ ~

Isabel sat in the Crashdown and skimmed through a magazine as she drank her milkshake.

"Feeling better?"

She turned abruptly and saw Serena looking at her with a smile as she sat down. "Your mom pointed me in this direction. How are you feeling? You look tired."

Isabel sighed as she looked at her. "Thanks."

Serena nodded her head as she ordered a coffee from the waitress. "Don't mention it. So, you want to tell me what is going on? Why are you being so cold with Christian?"

Isabel looked at her friend and shook her head. This was not a conversation she wanted to have with her and immediately Isabel looked at Serena defensively. "I have no idea what you're talking about. "Me and Christian are fine..."

"Don't even start that one Isabel, I'm not blind and neither is Christian. He called me up last night and told me how you've been acting weird with him for the past few weeks. He doesn't deserve it you know...he's too nice a guy and he thinks the world of you."

Isabel stood up and looked at Serena. "I am not having this conversation with you. I'll see you later."

As Isabel walked out the Crashdown she immediately became aware that she had been followed out. "I know you are confused about Alex but you have to be fair! You can't mess about with Christian and use him until Alex is feeling up to having a relationship."

Isabel span around and looked at Serena. "Oh, so I'm using Christian? I'm glad you have such a high opinion of me."

Serena groaned and ran her hand through her hair. "I'm not saying that, I'm just saying that you have to decide what you want. Is it Alex or is it Christian?"

Isabel looked at her and shook her head, if only it was that simple. "How...how can I do that when I don't know what I want? I don't know what I want...all I know is that I'm confused."

Serena looked at her sympathetically for a minute before taking a step towards her and putting her arms around her shoulders. "Isabel...I am so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I mean, it's natural that you will be confused. I just want you to be careful that you don't hurt anyone...I care too much for you and Christian to let either of you get hurt."

Isabel sighed as she allowed Serena to hug her. "I don't want to hurt anyone..."

"I know. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll work it out. And I'll be here for you while you do..."

~ ~ ~

The doorbell was ringing.

Sitting up, Alex rubbed at his eyes sleepily, wondering who the vile beast was that was ringing his
doorbell. Yawning, he stretched, and went to make whoever it was stop it. Scratchy his head, he yawned again, and opened the door.

Kyle, Liz, and Maria stood on the doorstep, and all three of them where smiling brightly at him. Kyle was loaded down with six packs of almost every flavour of soda known to man, Liz clutched a large stack of movies and CDs against her chest, and Maria's arms were being weighed down with about five bags full of what looked suspiciously like junk food. Alex blinked at them, and blinked again.

"Hey guys." He finally managed, stepping out of the way and gesturing with his arm to let them in. "What's up?"

"Well, we decided that we needed some bonding time." Maria piped up, beaming at him as she stepped through the door, Kyle and Liz hot on her heels.

"Oh-great." Alex nodded. "Um, just how much bonding time?"

"Gee, thanks Whitman. I turned down a hot date to spend time with you." Kyle teased, and Alex rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry, Kyle, the TV will still be there when you get home."

"Yeah, but Tellia gets lonely without me."

"Oh, well." Alex chuckled, and Maria and Liz just rolled their eyes. "So, what movies did you bring?"
He asked, as they stepped into the living room. The brunette quickly deposited the movies on the coffee
table, and she gestured with her arm.

"See for yourself!"

Alex scooted over to the table, and started picking up cases at random. "Untamed Heart. Sleepless In
Seattle. When Harry Met Sally. Texas Chainsaw Massacre-Kyle, why do I get the feeling that you
picked this one?"

"You know me so well." Kyle agreed.

"So pick one-and not the Chainsaw Massacre, please." Liz demanded, flopping down on the couch. Kyle claimed an armchair, and Maria took the other end of the couch, leaving Alex to sit in between the girls.

"Why not? It's a classic!" Kyle argued.

"Classic trash." Maria agreed.

"Bite me, Deluca."

"Eeew, no."

Alex chuckled, and selected 'Untamed Heart'. Marisa Tomi was much cuter then Meg Ryan.

Sliding the movie into the VCR, Alex sat down between the two girls, preparing to be bored stiff. He could already see Kyle's eyes rolling back into the back of his head.

"Hey, Alex?" Liz asked a little while later, just as he was about to slip into a nice peaceful doze.

"Yes?"

"What were you and Tess talking about the other night?" She asked, her voice curious. Alex looked
over at her, and lifted an eyebrow, but she smiled. However, on the other side of him, he felt Maria
tense, up, and he risked a glance at her. She was going to start ranting about what an Evil Hussy Of
Doom Tess was again, he could already tell.

Alex sighed. He really didn't want to have to go through that again.

"Well, I was getting a headache listening to all the Tess-bitching." Alex was cut off by Maria's offended
yelp. Liz grinned, and he heard Kyle laugh in the background. "Anyway, even if Tess had meant to kill
me-which I don't think she did-she didn't do a very good job, now did she? She won't try to do it again-I have, apparently, more lives then a cat."

Liz and Maria's startled-and in unison!-gasps of surprised horror brought a tiny grin to his face. The
young man rolled his eyes comically, and leaned back against the couch, stretching out his arms along the back.

"Oh, chill out, ladies. If I can joke about it, then you guys can to!" He chuckled, and the girls
exchanged worried looks. "Look, I've never been the type of person to hold a grudge, you know that.
Besides, Tess is probably the only person that could begin to understand what I'm going through, and I'm relatively certain that she's the only one that's going to be any help to me when it comes time for me
to try and figure out what happened."

Maria, who had been oddly quiet up until now, let out a tiny hurt sounded noise, and Alex bite back the sigh of frustration that tried to force it's way past his lips.

"Look, it's not your fault. It's just...ya know." Alex shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess." Maria replied.

"So, does anyone get blown up in this movie?" Kyle asked, deciding that some one needed to break the ice, and that someone was going to be him.

Liz snorted with laugher, and Maria launched into a slightly huffy analysis of the plot, and, for just a
little while, they got back to the business of being teenagers again.

~ ~ ~

Max shifted uncomfortably on wooden steps of the Valenti family home, looking at Michael, who was
sitting beside him, out of the corner of his eye.

"Look, I really don't think that this is a good idea. I mean..." Max trailed off, and Michael snorted.

"Maxwell, you know as well as I do that there is no way in hell that Iz is going to spend any time with
Tess-unless she's smacking her around. We're going to need the element of surprise if this is going to
work." The young man told his friend.

"I don't know. I think maybe we should do this later, after I've had a chance to talk with her." Max
decided, standing up and brushing off his jeans. "We'll have to do this later."

"Do what later?" Tess's voice asked from behind them. Both boys jumped, and they turned around to see the young woman standing in front of them, her hands on her hips. She looked surprised to see them, but then shrugged. "Never mind. Come in, and tell me what's going on."

The blonde girl walked past them and up the steps, and, left with nothing else to do, they followed her.

Once they were inside, she turned to them, and crossed her arms over her chest. "So, what? What's going on?"

"We-all four of us-we have to talk." Max started.

"I don't think so." Tess declared, much to Max's astonishment. "I don't *have* to do anything I don't
want to do, and right now, I don't want to do *anything* alien related or *with* anyone alien."

The young man blinked, and Michael seemed to be trying to control his laughter. "That didn't come out the way it was supposed to. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. What did you really mean?" Tess asked, still not uncrossing her arms.

"I think that if we're ever going to figure out what happened to Alex, we're going to have to work together to do it. All four of us." Max stressed the last bit.

Tess studied to the floor around her shoes for a second, before she finally looked back up at them, her
lip caught in between her teeth. "I...yeah, your right. We do need to figure out what happened to Alex-we *owe* him that much. But," She continued, her voice taking on a rather flinty tone. "I'm not taking any shit off of Isabel. She's keeps her nasty little hands *out* of my mind. I'm not putting up with jack from her, especially after her little stunt."

"You can't blame her for that." Max jumped to his sister's defence.

"She was just pissed-we *did* think that you had killed Alex after all." Michael agreed.

Tess let out a short bark of derisive laughter, her lips twisting into a bitter smile. "How typical. I'm
literally *forced* to mind warp Alex by our enemies, and I'm condemned for life. *Isabel* decides that
ripping through my mind would be great fun just for the hell of it, and of course she was right to do it,
because, after all, she's Princess frikkin' Isabel. I'll be right back. I wanna change clothes. "

The pretty blonde turned on her heel and stalked out, before Michael or Max had a chance to respond.

~ ~ ~

Max came home expecting to find Isabel. Michael and Tess, it had been decided would wait outside and come in later after he had dropped the bombshell to his increasingly volatile sibling. This was only the beginning and Max only knew one way to handle things. One foot in front of the other moving forward and leaving the past behind him. Situations needed to be dealt with and his own sister on his side was a great comfort to hope for.

The hallway was dark and no physical light would relieve the weight he was mentally carrying. He knew he couldn't turn away from who he is, but he could make the best of what he is. With a soft knock on the door, Max made his presence known. "Can I talk to you Isabel?"

"Sure…Why not? I can't get pass the first paragraph anyway."

"That bad?" Max smirked with a little humor.

"Yeah Max…" But Isabel wasn't buying the cheap attempt for innocent conversation. "So what did you really come in for?"

Isabel knew him all too well. As Max thought, What a better way to come out and say what's needed to be said than by just saying it?

"We need to work together. There is a purpose for the four of us, so we must find a way to work together."

Isabel shook her head and sighed as she looked at him. "It's not that simple anymore Max."

"It has to be."

"Are you willing to go that route? Look where it has landed you." She looked at him directly, her full concentration on him. "We trusted her before and she betrayed us. It'll happen again."

"You know how much stronger we are if we work together and each of us must find that common ground to mend ties."

"Mend ties, huh? Well, she will have to earn my trust back." She swung her feet around so they were against the floor. "And I doubt she will be able to do that."

"Like us all. Listen, Michael and Tess are waiting outside, will you come?" He wanted to run as he prepared for the inevitable explosion that would follow that information. He waited but as it didn't come he looked at his sister who was looking at him with a strange smile on her face. He looked perplexed as she stood up and walked to the door. This was definitely not what he had anticipated.

"Don't look so surprised, Max. I think you were right in that we should all be together as a team. But don't think you were just going to come in here and give me this whole speech about coming together and working as one and I was suppose to forget what she had done." She turned to him and put her hand on his arm. "Yes, Max I understand what she went through, but don't underestimate that she will need to earn my trust. And honestly having her around more will let me keep a close eye on her. And believe me Max I will kill her if she slips again. I won't ask for permission, I will kill her like the lying, manipulative witch she is. Okay?"

Max looked at her, his eyes wide and tried to work through what the appropriate answer was. Instead all he could force out was a mumbled 'Okay."

Without a moment of hesitation, Isabel walked out her bedroom door leaving a confused Max looking after her before following her quickly.

In the front room, Michael stood facing Isabel and Max as they entered the living room. Tess sat in a chair facing away from them.

"Michael…Tess please come into the kitchen, we have so much to talk about." Isabel said with false cheer as she glared at Tess. "Lets catch up on the old times...you know, before we were stabbed in the back..."

As Michael passed he stopped for a slight pause to show his confusion at Isabel and her shipper mood, while Tess wasted no time by showing her confidence to turn and walk, but with inverted eyes. She clearly wasn't going to be intimidated by Isabel.

Isabel didn't miss a beat to include Tess as she lightly brushed her shoulder with her hand. At the end of her small gesture, Isabel rubbed her thumb and fore figure, "Yes, we'll have to do something about that chip on your shoulder, honey." Her bright shinning smile faded into a smirk with attitude, while her eyes watched Tess enter the kitchen.

Michael was the first to reach Max, "What did you say to her because I feel we need to do a power check. Because I'm wondering if you got Tess' powers of mind manipulation?"

~ ~ ~

"Kyle I must say that was very…enlightening and that will be the last time you pick the movie."

"And I always did wonder why we never went out?" Maria gave a face of playful disgust.

Liz breaks in, clearly not involved in the discussion about the movie. "Guys I was thinking what if Serena is…"

"Is what…an alien? Maybe you're picking up an alien vibe from your new found powers?" As Kyle animatedly whirls his hands in front of their faces.

"Kyle I'm serious. I really feel that I've heard her name before and it's really bugging me because it's important...I know it."

"Serena's a pretty popular name." Kyle said with a shrug as he tossed a handful of chips in his mouth. "You just want to have an interesting life again, since it's been relatively normal for oh..." He looked at his watch sarcastically, "all of 2 weeks..."

"And how many Serena's do you know, Kyle?" Maria shoots back.

Kyle fumbles to find the words as Alex walks back in the room with freshly popped popcorn.

"Do you think it could be a part of a prediction? You know, one of them was due to marry a Serena?"

"I was there when they heard their destiny…and they were all paired off..." Liz said as she looked at Kyle.

Kyle shrugged his shoulders as he looked at her. "Maybe Zan had more than one lady on the go...you know what those kings are like...they like their fun..."

Maria groaned as she threw a cushion at Kyle's head and turned back to Liz. "If we are thinking on those lines maybe it could have been something River Dog could have predicted or Eddie would have talked about, so Michael or Max could have repeated it?"

Liz sighed as she sank down on the chair. "Maybe Maria, but I'll have to ask Max or Michael because they spent more time with them than I did."

"I don't think you are thinking about the obvious. Serena is Indian, maybe she knows River dog or Eddie?" Kyle protests.

"And what would that prove about the importance of her name." Liz confirmed as Kyle continued.

"Maybe she is just a relative that Eddie or River Dog spoke about it to Michael or Max? I mean she lost her granddad just when Riverdog died so maybe...you know, she could be his granddaughter..."

Liz nodded her head enthusiastically. "I should have asked her. I need to see if Riverdog mentioned it..."

Maria wasn't trying to hide the uneasiness of hearing Michael's name being mentioned. Everyone in the room was picking up on her uncomfortable vibe and Alex was the first to ask,

"So, Maria, has Michael apologised yet?"

Maria turned to him and nodded her head grimly. "Yes, but I'm sorry to say that isn't good enough. I mean he's completely missing the point of why he's lost my trust. He totally manipulated the situation for the benefit of himself because if he would have stopped and thought it out, he would have seen the bigger picture."

Alex made it his point to cough loudly, but played it off nicely, "excuse me…a popcorn kernel must have went down the wrong tube."

"Like Michael, I wondered if this manipulative thing isn't some genetic flaw that makes THEM dishonest and devious?"

Maria felt Liz ready to protest for Max, so Alex spoke up. "Actually Isabel isn't really as bad as the others."

"Yeah, sure Alex, I don't mean to point out the obvious, but Isabel constantly played mind games with you. She'd like you for a friend, then maybe more and then just a friend."

"But Maria, how can you just let Michael go if you won't give him a chance to try and try to make a mends? All he wants is to apologies and leave you be afterwards if that's what you want."

"Liz it hurts to much to see him, even if he means well…he always means well, but enough is enough."

"I can understand that, but don't forget about closer which will let you move on, like you want. Possibly be able to just be friends…like Max and I."

~ ~ ~

As Max took a seat between Tess and Isabel he could feel a cold streak quickly clime up his spine. He didn't deny the tension Isabel was projecting towards Tess, but questions needed to be answered one way or another. Before focusing on questioning Tess, Max briefly looked in Michael's direction. To his surprise, Michael looked as if he enjoyed the pressure Isabel was putting on Tess. Max widen his eyes as if to say to Michael, don't encourage her, but it didn't help much especially after seeing Isabel's expression. Her candy sweet grin turned into an ice-cold stare after discarding that Max was even looking at her and went directly to Tess.

Max leaned forward to block Isabel's stare and began asking Tess some questions. "I want to know about Nicholas and I know it maybe difficult…"

"Living from day to day is difficult, what is one more pressure to add to the bunch?"

"Tess don't talk like that. We're are here so we can share the burden and get what needs to get done once and for all. And to make it work we must work together." Max took a moment to glance at everyone and focus on Isabel to make her understand he means business. With a slight shrug and the roll of her eyes, Isabel acknowledged his gesture, but still reminded him of her promise by her look of confidence.

Tess made a movement as Max tried to get Tess to answer his question. "May I get a glass of water?"

Max was about to say yes when Isabel interrupts, "So, what is going on with Alex?"

Tess, Max or Michael missed the accusing under tone Isabel was directing towards her, but she wasn't going to take that.

"Don't worry about who I'm talking to." Tess said with a grim look. "My life has nothing to do with any of you now."

"I think that is what got you into this trouble to begin with and now we have to clean up your mess." Isabel said seriously, all false friendship clearly pushed out the way.

Tess was about to retaliate, but Michael jumped in, "Girls lets hold off on the cat fight and stick to finding out what Nicholas and the dupes want from us."

With a heavy sign Tess kept her eye contact to Michael and Max and began to answer the question.

"Not long after the crash, I found myself somewhere what looked to be like a junk yard. Soon after my…" Tess couldn't say his name, but among inverted eye glances, Max gave a small nod and Tess continued on. Blinking back tears, Tess shook off her feelings because this was something she couldn't quite face up to in front of them. "Anyway, Nicholas found me and carted me over to a run down New York studio in the heart of deserted factory base. As soon as I recovered, I snuck out of there as fast as I could. Nicholas told me he knew I wouldn't stick around, always staying one step ahead, but that was all part of his plan. He would build me up to break me down. Constantly messing with my emotions and feeding off of my pain."

Tess' breathing had gotten to a point where too many emotions were clouding her thinking and reminding her of a place where only Nicholas wanted her to be. Manipulated her to be.

At the sign of Tess' heighten emotions, Max began to speak. "This isn't something we're going to handle right now or next week. We're going to wait until the summer and plan for them to come to us. Having the home court advantage will only benefit us and feed the Roswell press which would then be passed off as another close encounter and not taken too seriously."

"That sounds all good in theory, but after all the planning Nicholas did to get Tess to come to Roswell and mess up our lives, how wouldn't he know Tess would fall through. Maybe he's expecting her to turn on him. Tess, you yourself said he seemed to be one step of the ball game." Michael wasn't seeing eye to eye with Max and the continuing questions only drove him farther away from excepting this decision. He didn't plan on being a sitting duck.

"I can't promise that I don't know if he's expecting me to turn on him. All he could know is that I died in that run down hotel room."

"That might be our key." Max began, "He may start looking for you if you don't turn up when he's expecting."

"But how can we be so sure he'll come back looking for her."

"We don't, but we need to get something of his that's great importance and power."

Isabel spoke for the first time, without any judgement or emotion. "You mean the granolith?"

"Yes."

"What will that do for us." Michael stated, "We used the crystal to send Tess back home, but somehow you landed in New York. Go figure."

"Why we have it isn't as important than we just took something with this potential power and he's left with nothing." Max tried to make it clear.

"Ok great king, how do you plan on getting it here? Its not like we can disassemble it and ship it here." Michael said seriously. This was not the smartest plan that Max had ever had.

Tess spoke up for Max, "I could mind warp them to believe it's gone?"

For a brief moment Max and Michael ponder the idea. "And then I could leave a note…something he'll know to come to Roswell. That way he'll be walking into a trap."

The moment Isabel heard Tess release the idea of mind wrap like nothing happened as if Alex's death never happened. The sadness became too much and anger boiled over. "Go with what you know…control and manipulate. What makes you any different than Nicholas?"

Isabel's harsh words crossed the line and Tess left for the front door immediately. With the roll of her eyes, Isabel walked to the back door and stepped out into the night, under the stars she once loved to gaze at.

"You sure know how to clear a room Maxwell." Michael said as he looked at him. "So what now? Make up some white flags and see if they can call truce?"

"Shut up Michael." Max said wearily as he rubbed his eyes. "I don't need this."

"I don't break that easy, but I do want to know why waiting is such a good idea. What about the power of spontaneity?"

"Where has rash and impulsiveness gotten us before?" Max said as he looked at Michael. "I just want us to be sure and keep everyone safe. If we do this on our terms it will be better."

"That maybe true in some cases, but how hard is it to go to New York corner these jerks."

"And then do what, kill them. Are you ready to kill?" Michael didn't answer, but Max continued. "Another reason why we can't just spring on them is the obvious that there are more key players than Nicholas and the dupes. We might be feeding into the Skin's hands if we up and move on Nicholas. I know they're involved because of where the Sheriff found Alex and what we found in place of the body we buried…what we thought was Alex."

"Alright, but if Nicholas or any evil plan wants to take us out…whatever happens now or then, I just hope that waiting isn't worse off than going now."

~ ~ ~

Amy walked down the hall while putting her earrings in, she took a moment to stop and check her makeup in the mirror.

Outside Sean lay on his back on the floor of the front seat of his car reaching beneath the passenger seat. Cleaning his car had been easier said than done. And clearing out beneath the seats was the last thing that had to be done. As his hands roamed beneath the seat his fingers came in
contact with something soft and mushy. Picking it up Sean pulled it out from beneath the seat and saw what he had found. Whatever it was, it had obviously been edible in the past. Now it seemed to be the host to several types of organisms.

"Awwwww," Sean groaned as he tossed the decaying substance into the trash bin he had waiting in the car doorway.

Quickly reaching for a rag Sean cleaned off his hands when he heard a car pull up in front of the house and someone get out. Sean quickly sat up and looking out the rear window of his car saw Jim walking towards the house. Scrambling out of the front seat and ran to stand in front of Jim.

"Sorry Jim," Sean said. "Orders from Amy. You're not to be let into the house until she gives the word."

"Is that so?" Jim asked with a smirk.

"I'm afraid so," Sean said nodding.

Jim stepped past Sean and continued towards the house. Sean quickly followed him, close on his heels.

"I'm serious," Sean called after him.

"I know you are," Jim said as he stopped right at the front door. Turning around he lowered himself and sat on the front steps.

Sean sat on the hood of his car watching Jim as he waited for Amy.

"So you wouldn't happen to be staying for dinner would you?" Jim asked hoping he didn't sound to obvious.

"Nah," Sean said shaking his head. "Don't worry I won't be around to cramp your style."

"So what are your plans for tonight?" Jim asked.

"I'll probably hang with some of my friends," Sean said. "Either that or catch a movie, I'll think of something."

Jim's brow furrowed with concern when he heard Sean's statement. "You know Sean you're a good kid," Jim said. "You can do better than that lot you hang out with, they'll only get you in trouble."

"Ah don't worry about me," Sean said. "I'm not going to let Aunt Amy down, not this time." Sean turned and smiled at Jim. "Thanks."

"What for?" Jim asked.

"For saying that I'm a good kid," Sean said. "Nobody's really told me that before. Especially not a Sheriff..."

"Well it's true," Jim said. "Amy's lucky to have someone like you around."

"You it's just so ironic when I think about it," Sean said. "Aunt Amy has become like this completely different person since she saw Alex alive again."

"Is that so?" Jim asked.

"Oh yeah," Sean said. "She says it's a sign."

"A sign?" Jim asked.

"Amy's not blind, she's seen the way everyone has been these past few months. She says that Alex coming back is the sort of thing that shows things are on the way back up."

"It's certainly the boost everyone needs," Jim said nodding in agreement.

The two of them sat in respective silence, while Sean debated over whether or not to ask Jim about Tess. He had been meaning to do it for quite a while.

"Say Jim," Sean said getting his attention. "I was just wondering..."

Sean was interrupted by the front door opening and Amy stepping out.

"Jim!" Amy said standing in front of the door way. "I'm so glad you're here, why don't you come in?"

Jim rose to his feet and entered the house while Amy held the door open for him. The second Jim was inside Amy made eye contact with Sean conveying a hidden message to leave.

"I'll see you guys later," Sean said as he got up off the hood and slipped behind the wheel of his car. "Have fun." Starting the engine, Sean backed up the driveway and headed down the street.

Meanwhile at Alex's home, Alex tried focusing on the movie playing in front of him. It proved quite difficult while Liz and Kyle were trying to reason with Maria about her treatment of Michael.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you," Maria said. "But Michael screwed up big time, and in my opinion I shouldn't have to say a darn thing to him."

"That's it," Alex said exasperated.

Using the remote Alex turned off the Movie and turned to Maria.

"Maria why don't you go talk to Michael?" Alex asked.

"What?" Maria asked.

"You can't keep putting him through this state of misery," Kyle said.

"He deserves it," Maria shot back.

"I've never seen him so lost before," Liz said. "Not even after he killed Pierce."

Maria looked uneasy after Liz's last comment.

"Maria could you at least be his friend?" Liz asked desperately.

"And why should I?" Maria asked.

"Because the two of you have been through too much to lose it all because of a mistake Michael made," Liz said.

"Alright! Alright!" Maria relented. "I'll go talk to him, but I'm doing this for him so he'll stop moping around."

Alex watched Maria as she walked out the front door. At that particular moment Alex couldn't help but think about Isabel. There was a time when Alex would have given anything to be with Isabel. But that time had passed, now Alex had been given a second chance to move forward with his life. And
being with Isabel would simply be a reminder of how he nearly failed his first chance. One thing Alex was certain of was that he did want Isabel to be a part of his life, even if it was only as a friend.

"Listen I'll be right back," Alex said. "I've gotta do something real quick, I'll be right back."

Alex left his friends and headed to his room, once inside he closed and locked the door behind him. Sitting on the edge of his bed Alex buried his face in his hands. Tilting his head slightly Alex caught sight of his cordless resting on the night stand by the bed. Taking a few deep breaths Alex reached for the phone and slowly dialled Isabel's number.

"Hello?" Isabel said answering after a few rings.

It took Alex a moment to find his voice and speak up.

"Hi Iz," Alex said.

"Alex!?!" Isabel asked surprised.

"Isabel please listen," Alex said. "There's some things I need to tell you, so bare with me on this. I know that things have been weird between us lately. I mean well they've been weird before, but not so much as they are now."

"Alex what are you saying?" Isabel asked.

"What I'm saying Isabel," Alex said. "Is that I don't want to lose you. I know the way I've been acting has been hard for you. And I'm sorry, I needed time. I know that's a weak excuse but it's the only one I've got. I'm hoping you can forgive me and maybe we can beyond what's happened. I don't want to lose your friendship."

"I understand Alex," Isabel said. "I know that what you've been through must have been awful. But I want you to know that I'll always be here for you if you ever need me. If you ever need to talk or anything else. Thanks for calling."

"I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner," Alex said. "I've just had a lot going on."

"It's okay," Isabel said. "I'm just glad we had this chance to talk."

"Well I've gotta get back before Kyle and Liz begin to wonder where I am," Alex said. "I'm glad we had this chance to talk."

"Me too," Isabel said. "Me too."

"Well I'll talk to you later," Alex said. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Isabel said before hanging up on her side of the line.

~ ~ ~

Maria stood outside the door and lifted her hand to chap the door. Just chap the door and give him a second, if he doesn't answer then you can always say you tried. She took a deep breath but was unable to actually chap the door. She would just do it another day. It could wait...it wasn't like it was important anyway...

She turned away and began walking away when she heard a door open behind her and instinctively knew who was there. Damn. She really didn't want to do this now. Mental note, Maria. Never listen to the others advice again.

"Maria?"

She closed her eyes at the sound of his voice and took a deep breath before turning around and walking towards him. She could do this. "Michael."

"Hi...um, do you want to come in?" Michael shifted as he looked at her, clearly unsure of how he was supposed to act around her.

Maria shook her head as she looked at him. "I heard you wanted to speak to me, and we can do that out here."

Michael took a deep breath and nodded his head as he looked at her. "Fine. Well, just...let me say this before you start yelling at me again okay? Right, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I know that that's only words but I do mean them. I only did it because I wanted to protect you. I never made him leave. I just asked him to be honest with you..."

He looked at her and took another deep breath as he tried to force the words out. "And...and I might have been wrong about it, but...if it was a mistake then everyone makes mistakes but you know it's not fair that you are lynching me for it. Anyway, I'm sorry...but that's it. I won't say it again because I have tried everything to make you see that I didn't do it for any malicious reason. I just wanted to save you from being hurt later on...so that's it. I said what I wanted..."

She looked at him and fought to surpress the smile. She was still angry at him but she had never heard him as...un cool as this. Nervous even and it made her happy that she could evoke that kind of response. "Can I talk now? Good...listen, I am not going to lie to you and pretend that things can go back to normal...I mean, I don't know if I'll ever be able to trust you fully again...you hurt me so much...more than Dad did..."

Michael shoved his hands deep in his pockets as he looked at her, "Yeah, well...I can't help that...but that was never my intention..."

Maria shook her head to cut him off. "Don't. Let me finish...I know that you thought it would be better to find out earlier and maybe you are right. But it wasn't your decision to make. But, it might have worked out for the best...dad wants me to spend some time with him and his family in the summer..." She looks at Michael and smiles at him warmly. "Listen, I don't blame you anymore...but I don't want us to get back together. But I would really like us to try and be friends and see how that goes. We've never tried that before, who knows...maybe we'll have more luck with that. What do you say?"

Michael looked at her and took a deep breath as he nodded his head and smiled at her. "I think I can settle for that."

Maria nodded and moved in to hug him quickly. As she felt his arms around her she tried to ignore how right it felt, and the way her skin tingled under his touch, and how much she loved him. She quickly pulled back and looked at him, her face slightly flushed. "Um, yeah okay...well, I have to get back to the others...they'll be wondering where the hell I am. Um, can I give you a lift?"

Michael looked at her and gave her a weak smile as he turned back to the door. "Thanks...if you could drop me off at Max's that would be great...thanks."

Maria turned quickly and blew air onto her face in an attempt to cool down. "No problem at all..."

~ ~ ~

Jim Valenti knew that he had the goofiest grin on his face, as he watched Amy Deluca from across the table. Her light brown hair was curled around her face, and one of her tiny hands rested in his, holding on tightly. He ran his thumb across the tops of her fingers, and smiled at her again, before clearing his
throat and beginning.

"Amy."

"Yes, Jim?" She asked, tilting her head to the left, her eyes glittering. Jim lost his train of thought
for a moment, before his carefully prepared speech came flooding back to him.

"I was just thinking.about everything that's been going on for the past few months. Alex and Tess
coming back, Michelle's death, the whole thing with Brian. I just...I don't know how I would have gotten through any of this without you. You've been.my rock."

Amy grinned, and she patted his wrist with her free hand. "The feeling is definitely mutual."

Jim leaned forward, and Amy met him half way, and they kissed softly, tenderly. Not the great raging passion of youth, or the burning intensity of first love, but with the gentle, giving joy of those who have learned to love again after great sorrow.

As they separated, Jim threw his speech to the wind. Standing up, he kept a hold of her hand, and moved around to the table to kneel beside the woman. Amy stared at him, her mouth working but no sound coming out.

"Amy-I love you, and I...I can't imagine my life without you in it. I don't want to. You mean...you mean so much to me...and I...I love you. More then I could ever say." Jim swallowed hard, her tiny hand still clasped in his large, warm one.

"Jim." She whispered, her large eyes luminous. He reached into his coat pocket with one hand, and pulled out a small velvet box, flipping it open, so that she could see the ring.

"Amy Deluca, would you do me to the honour of being my wife?" He asked, his blue eyes locked with her hazel ones.

She gasped, her free hand fluttering to her mouth. Two tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her
cheeks, never breaking his gaze. For a long second, she just stared at him, her lips trembling. And then
she broke into a warm, brilliant smile, and she nodded her head. He grinned, and palmed the ring out of the box, slipping the delicate band around her finger. She leaned forward, and kissed him, with a passion that only those who have loved and lost could ever truly understand.

~ ~ ~

"So, where's Isabel tonight? Sharpening her tongue for the next verbal match with Tess? We should see tickets next time..." Michael asked, lounging on Max's bed. Max himself was seated at his computer, ideally spinning his chair.

"Went to a movie with Serena. How'd it go with Maria?" The young man replied.

The corner of Michael's lips turned up, and he shrugged noncommittally. "We talked. We're going to
try to be friends now. It was good."

Max grinned, and nodded. "That's good."

"Yeah." Michael forced his lips back into their usual smirk. "Anyway, can I borrow some of your college brochures? Chambers is after me about them again, and I figure if I show her that I actually have the material, that'll get her off my back."

"Top drawer." Max pointed toward his drawers. "You know, you might actually wanna think about applying to some of those colleges, Michael."

"College is your thing, Maxwell. Not mine." Michael stuck his hand in the drawer, blindly groping for the
papers. His fingers brushed against something cold and stone.

//Flash//

Loud explosions. Fire. Smoke.

//Flash//

Creatures running, screaming. Panic in the air.

//Flash//

"We must find the Royal Four!"

Michael reeled back, like he'd been burned, his eyes wide.

"Michael?" Max asked, sounding worried. " Michael, what's wrong?"

The young man didn't reply, he just stuck his hand back into the drawer, his long artist's fingers
wrapping around the cool, smooth something. Pulling it out, he looked down at a medallion, with an oddly familiar shape burned on the front of it.

He whirled around, his jaw set, and glared at his best friend. "What the hell is this, Maxwell?"

Max didn't reply, his face shocked and more then a little worried. Michael didn't care.

"Are you keeping things from us? After all that shit about trusting one another?"

"Michael, wait.I--" The amber eyed young man started, but Michael cut him off.

"Save is Maxwell. I don't wanna hear about it." The wild haired young man shoved the medallion into his
pocket and stormed out of Max's bedroom, slamming the door at he went.

The bang echoed through the room silent room.

TBC

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