Episode 8 - Good-Bye To You

Premieres February 18th, 2002

Written by: Raspor, Marianne, Tracy

"Do you have anything other than OJ, some cheap sugary drink, Snapple and of course we can't forget the Tabasco sauce." Maria called towards Michael from the kitchen.

"You know, it's difficult to take you seriously when you have your head in my refridgerator and I'm talking to your ass...not that I mind of course." Michael said as he turned back towards the TV screen.

Maria walked from the kitchen and slapped him around the head. "That's the kind of macho, sexist junk that no man of mine will be allowed to spout. So? About the drink?"

Michael rubbed the back of his head as she walked back towards the kitchen. "Help yourself to a cold, thirst quenching H2O drink that comes from the faucet, if you're going to be that picky."

"Oooh water - no thank you. Especially not when it comes out a funny beige colour...I think I'll just take the canned sugar." She sighed and grabbed a soda and walked over and sat next to Michael.

"So, can you believe the one person I never thought would come back in my life has? My father has walked back into my life as easily as he has walked out." She grinned as she opened her can. "It's like I've found this incredible person I never knew I had. I want to get to know my father. That's weird…'my father.' My dad. Dad."

She giggled slightly and Michael rolled his eyes as her fingers inched towards Michael to give him a hug to prove her excitement.

"You know, with that look on your face, you almost could ruin my mood. Can I please get some hint of excitement? You know, 'Maria, I am so glad your dad is back?' Or, 'Maria, I am so excited for you that I could just take you out for a really expensive dinner?'"

Michael shook his head before looking at her. "I'm happy for you, okay?"

He looked at her and she grinned at him and he turned back towards the TV. He couldn't help the feeling he got when she looked at him and when she smiled and the way she held her breath to savior that last moment was eating him. He knew she had wanted this since she was seven. But it still scared him the fact that one day she might decide to live with him. To leave him for a man who showed up and promised an earth he would never be able to deliver.

Maria looked at him and smiled. He had his deep in thought face on. "You know, I think you'll like him once you meet. I know, you think it's a little bit weird him showing up and all, but you'll really like him."

"Sure I will..."

Maria smiled as she took a drink of her soda. "So? What are you watching?"

Michael looked straight at the TV and sighed. "Nothing."

"Oh, that's good. Can I put Rosie on?" Maria asked with a smile.

Michael groaned as he stood up and walked towards the kitchen table. "Fine, but I refuse to watch...daytime crap isn't exactly my idea of fun."

Maria looked at him strangely. "Michael is everything okay? Do we need to talk about something?"

Michael turned and looked at her. "No, why? I just need to be left alone right now. Besides, you know that those talk shows bug me, so I just thought I'd get some reading done."

"If you want, I'll leave?"

Michael rolled his eyes. "I didn't mean it that way. I just need some quiet time. Just promise me that you won't go on again about how you want to go on one of those shows with the slogan: I slept with an Alien..."

"Spoil Sport." Maria smirked as she turned around to the TV and flicked the channel. "Okay, but even you have to admit that would be a great show."

Michael sat down at the table as the front door was knocked. Maria walked over to the door and Michael looked at her. "You can just leave it, it's probably just Mr Hayden complaining about something."

Maria looked at him and shook her head. "That's what I love about you, Spaceboy, you are such a great "People Person"."

She opened the door and looked shocked. "Um, hi...dad?"

Brian looked at her with a slight smile. "Bad time?"

Maria looked shocked as she opened the door. "No, not a bad time, it's just...well - what are you doing here?"

Brian nodded his head with a grin. "I went over to your house and Sean answered the door. Man that boy has grown. I wanted to see you and he eventually told me you would probably be here after he gave me a thourough interogation"

Brian looked at Maria before his eyes glances towards the interior of the apartment.

Maria smiled as she replied loud enough for Michael to over hear. "Oh that's nice. It's good to be wanted every once in a while." She gave Brian a wink to let him know that she was only teasing. "Well as you're here would you like to come in and see the painting?"

Brian looked at her and smiled as she ushered him in. "That would be great, thank you."

Michael looked up from the table as Brian walked in and said hello. Michael looked Brian up and down before he replied coldly.

"Hi."

Maria glared at Michael as she raised her voice and put on a cheery voice. "So, would you like anything to drink first?"

Brian nodded as he walked over to the table. "Sure, what do you have?"

Michael looked at him with a fake smile. " I got OJ, Snapple, well water and good old Tabasco sauce."

An evil smile peered over Michael's face while Brian looked at Maria with confusion as she hit Michael on the arm with her arm. She looked at him and smiled sweetly as he rubbed his arm. "Sorry, Michael, didn't see you there."

Michael looked at her as she walked over to the refridgerator. "Sure you didn't."

Maria ignored Michael as he complained and turned back Brian. "How about an ice tea Snapple."

Brian nodded his head in aproval as he gave her a smile. "Sounds fine, thanks. Glass no ice though."

Michael looked at her with his best fake grin. "Mmm, you know that does sound good will you get me one too, sweetie. No glass, though."

Maria looked at him and forced herself to smile at him. "Not a problem, 'sweetie', why don't you go and take my dad into the lounge?"

Michael stood up reluctantly and ushered Brian into the lounge where the TV was blaring.

"Rosie, huh? I'm assuming my daughter got her mothers adiction for these things?"

Michael nodded his head as he turned the TV off and stood awkwardly looking at Brian.

Brian broke the silence as he looked at Michael. "So Michael, how long have you lived in Roswell?"

Michael watched Brian intently as he answered. It was strtange but Brian's gaze never really held eye contact.

Sign of a guilty conscience if ever there was one. Michael though as he answered. "All my life."

Brian nodded. "Any family?"

Michael shook his head but didn't answer as he turned to Brian. "Actually Brian - can I call you Brian? I'd like to get your take on the painting."

Brian looked taken aback but nodded as Michael led him over to it. "So, what do you think?"

Brian looked at it intently for a minute before he began to speak passionately. "This painting has a great history. The colors and textures speak a loud about what the artist felt. I remember when I was younger how my mom used to love just looking at it for hours..."

Maria walked back in as Brian stopped talking.

Brian sighed as he turned away from the painting and took a glass from Maria. "Enough about the past. Michael, weren't you going to tell me more about my daughter?"

Michael shrugged his shoulders as he took the drink from Maria. "Not really. What I'd like to know is what brings you to Roswell after all this time?"

Maria raised an eyebrow at Michael and was about to speak before Brian interupted and looked at Michael as he shook his head. "Isn't it obvious? To try and build bridges...to try and attone for some mistakes I made when I was stupid."

"What a loser..." Michael muttered under his breath so it was inaudible to Maria and Brian.

Brian looked at him. "What was that?"

Michael smiled at him innocently. "Nothing, just clearing my throat. So I bet you've wondered what Maria would be like after all these years. Her looks, personality, or her life style…you don't know anything of her temper or emotional out bursts or the food cravings she goes through. Man that girl can eat."

Brian looked at him and nodded his head. "Of course, I want to know all that. But to be completely honest, I am more interested in her future than her past. But I want to know everything about her."

Michael looked at him and nodded his head as Maria pulled Brian over to the sofa.

Sure you do, Brian.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kyle looked around at his room, okay so it was still a mess but at least it looked better then when he started two hours ago. He looked towards his work desk, there it lay, a photo album, he had found under his bed.

It was so tempting to walk over there and pick the album up, just take a look at the photos inside. He turned around as he shook his head. He was just about to step out of his room, when he turned and walked back, picked the album up, and slowly took a seat on his bed.

He heard the phone ring when he was about to open the photo album, but as he didn't hear Jim call for him, he assumed it wasn't for him. And he took a deep breath as he turned the pages of the photo album slowly taking in every image and desperately trying to remember the scene from each picture, even though in some of the photo's he was little more than a baby.

Kyle smiled sadly at the images as he turned the pages. He looked and saw one image that he remembered more then the others. It was the first one that only contained him and Jim, in all the images that followed his mother wasn't on there.

//FLASH//

It was Sunday dinner, the Valenti family had eaten dinner together on a Sunday for as long as Kyle could remember. The table was set, and only one thing missing and that was his father who had gone by the office, saying there was something he had forgot, and

that was six hours ago.

"Mom, dad's food it getting cold." Kyle said

"I know, son" Kyle's mother answered wearily.

"When will dad be home? " Kyle asked

"I don't know Kyle"

Kyle looked at his mother, she looked so sad as she spoke to him and began to clear the table. "Well it's school tomorrow, so you need to go to the bathroom and brush your teeth, and change into pajamas."

"Okay, will you tell me story?" Kyle asked with glowing eyes

"Aren't you too old for stories, now that you're eight?" She had said with a slight smile as he looked at her.

"No, I will never be to old to listen to your stories " Kyle said as he bounced from the table.

"Really, so what should it be about?" His mother asked as she looked at him.

"Alien's," He said with a grin. "Scary ones who want to come and take over the world."

Kyle's mom looked at him and began to laugh. "Let me guess, they are all driven back by Captain Kyle and the planets saved?" As Kyle nodded his head enthusiastically she sighed and nodded. "Okay, I 'll see what I can come up with, if you just get ready by the time I'm finished."

"Yes mom" Kyle said when he rushed towards the bathroom to change and brush

his teeth.

Five minutes later Kyle clad in spider man pajamas jumped into the bed when his mother came into the room.

"Okay then, shall I tell you what the Aliens have been up to or..." She smiled at him as she sat down, "would you not rather have a story about teddies and trains?"

Kyle made a face as he looked at her. "Mom, stories about teddies are for babies, I want one about scary aliens."

Kyle's mom looked at him and sighed. "Okay, but if it's too scary for you you have to tell me to stop. Deal?"

Kyle nodded his head as he sank under the covers. "Deal."

Kyle's mother started her story as Kyle was drawn into the story as she animatedly described events and powers and little green men. As the story continued, Kyle eventually fell asleep.

//FLASH//

Jim had watched his son from the doorframe for some minute wondering what

his son had been thinking about, and as he watched Kyle suddenly became aware of him.

"Dad?" Kyle asked up with a questioning look in his eyes.

Jim looked at him as he walked in and sat on the bed beside him. "That was your mother's cousin on the phone, he said that we should come over, he had some things to discuss that wouldn't be appropriate over the phone."

Kyle suddenly looked very nervous as he sat the album down. This was what he wanted, some information but he hadn't expected it to come as soon. Jim looked at him and put his hand on his son's shoulder.

"But maybe you don't want to go? I know it's all happened a bit fast, but..." Jim began slowly, never taking his eyes from Kyle.

"What if she moved on, Dad. You know, got herself a new family, a new son to tell her

stories to, a new husband, what will we do then?" Kyle asked quietly as he looked down at his hands.

Jim sighed as he answered softly. "Honestly? I don't know. But, no matter what she's got now Kyle, we will have to accept it. If she wanted those things, she can have them, but you will always be her son, no one can take that away from you. And no matter what happens, no matter what she says...you'll still always have me. I'm not going anywhere." Jim put his arm around Kyle's shoulder. "If you don't want to go I'll understand"

"No, I need to see, she's my mother, I want to know so many things, how

she's been, where she's been. Why she left, why she never tried to get in contact. I want her to see that we didn't need her." Kyle said with a trace of bitterness as he stood up and walked towards the door. "Come on, I think it will be better if we get it over with."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tess came through the door and looked around at her room, something on her nightstand caught her attention. It was photo, sticking out under some other papers.

Hmmm, it must have ended up there when I unpacked my things.

Tess walked towards her bed, she sat down and gently picked the photo up. Five of the people on the photo had their face burnt away: Liz, Max, Michael, Maria and Isabel.She slowly lay down on her bed, just looking at photo.

Maybe if I had been human, Kyle might have been more interested, what if I had been a normal human girl growing up here in Roswell, could it have evolved into something. Maybe we would have been like Max and Liz...but I ruined it...my own fault for being an alien freak.

She reached over and put a finger to her own image and burned a whole in it. "You don't deserve to remember this."

As she sat the photo down she looked at her cell phone. Tess looked at her phone, as some thoughts played in her mind.

It would be nice to hear his voice again, maybe just for a moment, or even to hear the Sherriff's voice, they don't need to know that I'm even here.

Tess picked up the phone and dialed the number. As she waited for the tone, she nervously began to tap her hands against her leg. The phone rang three times before someone picked it up and answered.

"Hello, the Valentis." Kyle said on the other side of the line.

Tess didn't say anything as she bit her lip in an effort to stop herself from saying anything.

"Hello, if this some joke, you're in trouble when I get my hand's on you." Kyle said aggresively. "Anytime today would be good."

You can't say anything, he hates you. Just hang up. Hang up. She desperately tried to talk herself out of talking as Kyle's voice continued to speak. "Hello, are you going to talk or hang up?"

Tess quickly put the phone down, there by ending the connection. "Hi, Kyle...just me..."

As she sat looking at the phone she began to feel her head begin to throb painfully.

She looked around as things began to get blurry, she knew something was wrong. Aliens didn't get sick and she was in agony. "Oww..."

Tess tried to sit up but she found it hard as she was over whelmed with nausea. She slowly rose from her position, and stumbled towards the bathroom using the walls as a support. As shereached the bathroom she felt her self stumble and grabbed ahold of the doorframe to stop herself from falling.

"Oh god...what's wrong..."

She quickly walked over to the wash-hand basin and splashed some water on her face, as she looked up she saw she was a lot paler then usually. She continue to splash water on her face, still feeling weak in her legs, but as she splashed for the third time she felt her

legs steady under her as the pain began to subside.

"It's okay, there's nothing wrong...just tired. That's all...need to get some sleep."

She sighed as she wiped her face and tried to convince herself that she was okay as she decided she would go and get some fresh air.

I'll go into town. Just try and get the cobwebs out and then I'll come back, get some sleep. I'll be fine then. I'll be fine.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Max sat at the Crashdown counter while Liz is stood with Maria on the other side of the counter talking loudly about an order. Michael is an earshot away in the kitchen as Maria and Liz walked over and stood beside him.

"You know, I don't think I can take it anymore. He was really...really horrible..." Maria said with a sigh as Liz picked up a salt and peper shaker and began to fill it.

"What's wrong?" Max said as he took a bite from his burger. "Michael being 'Mr Personalty' again?"

Liz looked at him as he looked at her innocently. "What?"

Liz looked at Maria and sighed. "What happened?"

Maria looked at her and Max as she took a drink from his coke. "You should have seen the way he acted yesterday. My dad showed up and he was treating him like he was a criminal..."

Michael looked over and muttered. "Well, if the shoe fits..."

"Where the hell do you get off?" Maria said as she turned back to Michael.

Michael shook his head as Max looked at Liz quizzically.

"You know, I don't have time for this just now and I really don't want to hear your excuses. I have customers to wait on." Maria said with a toss of her head as she stormed over to a table.

Michael looked at her before turning back to Max and Liz. "Her father is bad news. What kind of father would leave his child behind and come back when it's most convenient? I swear that painting has something to do with his return."

Liz shook her head as she looked at him. "You don't know that so I'm assuming you have some kind of proof?"

Michael shook his head as he turned back to the burgers. "Not exactly, but it's obvious. It's the way he looks at things and in things he won't say. Like, he started talking about the painting yesterday, but as soon as Maria came back in the room he changed the subject. It's like he's keeping something hidden."

Max looked at him and shook his head. "And it's not possible that the painting belonged to his mother and it's painful to talk about, and that he's only getting to know Maria and doesn't want to push things? And I'm betting you weren't exactly subtle with your feelings."

Michael tossed the burgers angrilly and looked at Max. "You weren't there Maxwell, trust me. I'm right. He's bad news."

Maria walked back over to the window and stood in front of Michael with an angry look. "Don't start talking about my father. At least he's trying to make up some time with me now. Can't you let me enjoy this one thing without trashing it?"

Michael sighed and looked at her. "I do want you to enjoy it, but you are going to get hurt!"

Maria slammed her fist agains the counter as she looked at him. "Fu…Michael if you don't shut up…"

Liz looked at Max hastilly before quickly grabbing Maria and dragging her towards the staff room. "Maria you need a break, Max...will you watch the counter for a second?"

Max nodded his head as Liz escorted Maria out back.

Max looked at Michael. "That was really constructive there, Michael. Well done. What's going on with you?"

Michael gave a growl of frustration as he looked at Max. "Have you not heard a thing that's been said?"

Max walked behind the counter and strood in front of the window as he said quietly. "No there's stuff deeper than what is on the surface."

Michael turned away from Max and walked over to the back of the kitchen. "I don't know what you're talking about. I just don't want her to be hurt, but Maria's so damn blinded by her pride that she wouldn't listen to anyone that speaks differently about her dear old dad."

Max shook his head. "Do you always have to take the defensive approach? Maybe if you tried to be more open minded and tactful then you wouldn't have this problem. But you can't do that, you have to tackle things head on."

"You know what?" Michael walked over to Max and pointed to himself. "This is me…you and Maria should know that. I'm not going to sit back and watch her get hurt."

Max shook his head and sighed. "I hate to tell you this Michael, but the only person who is hurting her just now is you. And, if you don't find another way of communicating to Maria, then you are going to lose her for good."

In the back of the Crashdown Liz was standing as Maria paced up and down angrilly.

"Maria take a breath and calm down."

Maria shook her head. "You know what would calm me down? Strangeling Michael! When I need him the most, he seems to drag me down. My father could have come back without any selfish reasons, but no...Michael thinks the worst. Like always."

Liz sighed and reached out for Maria's arm. "You know what he's like...a typical guy. He's probably just worried that your dad will cut in on his time... Let him speak for himself and you'll see."

Maria smiled as she looked at Liz. Her voice was much softer. "I know I'm just blowing this all out of proportion, but I just can't take Michael's shit about this...it's just...it's just too hard, I'm too happy about this for him to keep bringing me down."

Liz lifted Maria's hand and gave it a little squeeze. "You need to talk to him, stay here and I'll take care of your tables until you come back."

Liz gave Maria a hug as she spoke before she pulled back slightly and looked at her with a smile."Just don't be too long."

Maria smiled as she nodded her head. "Thanks."

As Liz walked out of the staff room she smiled as she saw Max waiting for her at the counter. "Well, hopefully that's that. What's going on with Michael?"

Max shook his head as he answered. "I don't know, I think I persuaded him to go talk to her."

"Do you believe what Michael is saying? Should we be suspicious about Maria's dad? I mean, I just can't see it. If he wanted a stupid painting all he would have to do is ask Maria for it."

Max nodded his head as he looked at her. He smiled inwardly as he looked at her, it wouldn't have been long ago that they wouldn't have been able to talk like this. But now they were back on track, the way they should be.

"Max? I was saying that it sounds good, they aren't killing each other now."

Max looked up abruptly and blushed slightly as Liz looked at him with amusement. "You were a million miles away there. I hope it was nice..."

Max looked at her and shook his head. "Trust me, I was right here."

Liz blushed slightly as she walked over to the door and listened. "Yeah, they are definitely talking now. Which is a good job since they have that dinner later..."

Max let out a deep breath as Liz walked over to a table and began clearing it away. "Poor Amy...it should be interesting..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The drive had been tense for the first ten minutes as neither Kyle or Jim knew how to make conversation. Each of them couldn't help but think about the different scenario's that could occur.

I wonder what he is thinking, how is taking this. Jim looked at his son while he thought. It was so much for him to take in, meeting his mother after 10 years.

Kyle let out a deep breath as he watched the desert pass by the window. How would his dad handle it if his mom had remarried? How would he take it if she had a new family?

"So, what do you think about going for pizza and catching a ball game after this." Jim asked with a big smile on face.

"You don't think I'm too old to be bribed with pizza and a ball game? " Kyle asked looking at his dad like he was crazy. "You used to do that when I had to go to the dentist."

"I only did that because you were so difficult." Jim said with a smile.

"I was only difficult because the dentist was a sadist..." Kyle said as he rubbed the side of his mouth like he was remembering the pain.

"So what do you say, my treat?" Jim asked as he glanced at his son with an amused expression.

"Well...when you put it like that, how can I refuse?" Kyle said with a smile.

Jim pulled the car to stop in front of the address he had been given. Both him and Kyle took a deep breath as they looked at each other.

"You know that no matter what happens, I will always be there for you, and give you support, I know I've not been the best dad around, but I've tried...and I think you turned out well. I don't think any father could be prouder of their son than I am of you..." Jim said

Kyle looked at his dad and smiled gently as he squeezzed his shoulder. "I know dad, it's not easy to do your job and raise a child, but you were never a bad father. A little too work obsessed sometimes, but I knew that you cared..."

"I just wanted you to know." Jim said softly.

"Thanks Dad" said Kyle and hugged his dad, who was a little startled by this, but hugged Kyle back

Kyle exhaled deeply as he looekd towards the house. "Maybe we should get this show on the road?"

"Yeah" Jim said, as both of them opened their doors.

Kyle and Jim walked up to the door of the house and knocked. A second later, a man opened the door and invited the two Valentis inside.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Amy, Sean and Michael all sat all around the kitchen table in the DeLuca's house. They had been waiting for Maria to come back from work so the could have dinner together as they had decided earlier.

"Where could she be" Amy asked, "I thought she would come as soon as possible from work. Michael, you were working today, any idea where she could be?"

"I don't know" said Michael and shrugged. "I think she said she would work an extra half hour because Susie was going to be late."

Sean just gave a look indicating that he had nothing to bring to acknowledge where Maria was. "You know, she might be playing some cruel trick on us...making us have dinner with starve all day while she's out having fun...and food...with 'daddy'."

Amy looked at her nephew disaprovingly. "Now Sean, you didn't starve today...what about that large portion of fries you had an hour ago. I swear, one of these days I will get you to eat properly...and as for Maria's father, I thought we agreed we were going to try and be nice about it? For Maria."

Michael shared a look with Sean that said that they weren't convinced about the validity of Amy's argument. "Yeah, whatever..."

Sean sighed as he looked at the clock. "So Aunt Amy, don't you think it's strange he came back after all these years ?"

"Hmm, I don't know" said Amy.

"Well, I think it's strange, it's like just out of the blue" Michael said as he looked at Sean and Amy.

"Yeah that's what I mean, does he want something?" Sean said. "It's just a little weird."

"I don't think so, but I don't know." was Amy's answer as she looked at the door, clearly becoming uncomfortable with the conversation.

The door bell sounded is hear

"I'll get that" said Amy and rose from hear chare and walked towards the

door.

Saved by the bell. Amy thought while she opened the door. She exhaled disapointedly as she saw Brian standing there. "Brian, what are you doing here?" She asked flatly.

"Hi" Brian said as he looked at her. "I see you're as polite as ever..."

Amy smiled sarcastically. "Oh, I'm always polite to people who are welcome...not to no gooders who disappear for 11 years on end."

"Touche. Okay, I won't take up a lot of your time, but can I come in." Maria's dad asked.

Amy began to alugh as she leaned against the door. "You are kidding?"

Brian looked at her and sighed. "You know, we are both Maria's parents and it might be nice if we tried to get along."

Amy rolled her eyes and stood back from the door as he walked in. "Fine, we are sitting in here talking."

"Thank you." Brian said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Hi" Maria's dad said look at Michael and Sean.

"Hi" Sean and Michael said grudginly in union as they looked him up and down.

Brian stood there as Michael's and Sean's cold gaze begins to penetrate. He looked uncomfortable as he shifted from one foot to the other.

After a second Amy stepped in front of Michael and Sean and looked at Brian. "What can I help you with?"

"I came to see Maria." Brian said as he looked around.

"Really. What for?" Michael asked curiously.

But before he could get any answer Maria opened the door and walked in as she began to talk. "Whoever said working for money is fun should be shot." Maria declared as she walked into the kitchen.

"Oh, hi, dad" Maria said to her dad with a puzzled expression on her face. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi Maria" her dad responded with a smile. "I was just stopping by to see you."

"You waited long?" Maria asked with a smile as she dropped her bag on the table.

"No, I just got here." he answered

"Well, that's perfect timing" She said with a smile as she looked at him, "would you like to have dinner with us, I'm sure no one has anything against it. Right?" Maria said as she turned and gave a warning look to Michael and Sean.

Don't be so sure. Thought both Michael and Sean

"I'm not sure" her dad said as he looked at the hostile looks he was receiving from Amy, Michael and Sean.

"Of course you should eat with us, right?" Maria said looking at the others. "We will just get a table for 5 instead of 4 at the restaurant."

"Of course" both Michael and Sean said in union with sarcasm in their voices.

"Mom?" Maria asked as she looked at Amy.

Amy sighed as she looked at Maria and nodded her head. "Sure, although we probably better call ahead to make sure they can squeeze us in."

Brian looked at her gratefully and smiled. "Not to worry, I'll find us someplace if they can't. My treat."

Maria grinned as she bounced up. "That's great! Okay, just give me two minutes to get changed and we'll go." She grabbed her bag and ran out the room glowing with happiness.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kyle and Jim sat in the small lounge as a man stood up above them. "I'm sorry about that, Jim. Business...I can't get a minute. So...this is Kyle?" He said ushering to Kyle. "You've definitely grown since I saw you last. What are you? 18? 19?"

Kyle nodded his head. "I'm 18."

Jim smiled as he looked at the man. "I got to tell you Gerry, this is a nice place you got here."

Josh smiled as he sat down across from them both. "Nah, I give all the credit to the wife. If it were down to me it would be a pigsty. So, Kyle...you a ball player?"

Kyle nodded his head and sighed. "Yeah, football and basketball."

Gerry looked at Jim and smiled. "You got yourself an Allstar there then. See, I got lumbered with two girls...one is one of those 'goths' and the other is training to be a dancer."

Jim smiled as Kyle looked on. May as well get it over with, Kyle.

"Mr Claymore..."

Gerry looked at him and shook his head. "Gerry, please..."

Kyle smiled and looked at him. "Gerry. Gerry, where's my mom?"

Gerry looked slightly taken aback but looked at him and sighed. "Well, your mother came to me after she left Roswell...I think it was about 10 years ago. She was really upset, I don't think she really thought about what she was doing. She just thought things would be better without her being there."

Kyle looked at him and shook his head. "You are kidding me? She thought it would be for the best to leave her 8 year old son and her husband? Where is she now?"

"Kyle, I think it would be good if you tried to relax. Gerry is coming to that." Jim said as he looked at Kyle and then to Gerry who was looking uncomfortable.

Kyle nodded his head, it was difficult to relax. "Sorry..."

Gerry smiled sympathetically as he walked over to the shelf on the wall, "Don't worry about it, it's understandable."

Kyle looked at him curiously. "Is everything alright?"

Gerry shook his head as he pulled a book down. "No...not really."

Kyle looked at Jim as Gerry walked back over to the seat and sat down. He opened the book and took out two envelopes and a newspaper clipping. He sat them down on the table and looked at Jim and Kyle sympathetically. "I wish there was another way I could say this, I wish that you didn't have to be put through it. But..." He paused and Kyle noticed that his eyes were glazed over. "But your mother is dead."

Kyle looked at him and shook his head as he began to laugh. "Yeah, sure she is. What, did she tell you to tell us that so she could live with her new family?"

Jim looked at him and then back to Gerry.

"Kyle, I'm sorry. She knew she was dying, that's why she left. Jim...I'm so sorry, she told me not to tell you."

Kyle shook his head and looked angrilly at Gerry. "Why would she do that? You don't need to lie to protect her, she doesn't deserve it!"

Gerry looked at him and shook his head. "Have a look at these," he slid along the newspaper clipping and the two envelopes that has Kyle's and Jim's names on them.

Jim looked at Kyle. He didn't know what he should say. His heart was pounding and he could hardly believe it as Kyle stared at the envelope in front of him. Never, did he ever imagine that she would be dead. He picked up the orbituary and read through it.

Kyle looked at him expectantly. "Well?"

Gerry looked at the two of them and stood up. "Jim, Kyle...I can only apologise for being the one who hd to tell you. I'm really sorry, but I'm going to leave you two alone. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything..."

Jim looked up and nodded his head weakly. "Thanks Gerry..."

Kyle read through the clipping and picked up the envelope. Mom's last words. Dear Kyle, sorry didn't say goodbye on the account of me being dead. Give my love to dad... He looked at the paper. She didn't even have the decency to say goodbye.

"Kyle? Are you okay?" Jim asked as he looked at Kyle's shell shocked face.

"Fine. Never better. You?" Kyle picked up the newspaper and crumpled it into a ball as he stood up. "You know, dad? I'm really feeling like a pizza right about now. I'll see you in the car."

Jim stood up as Kyle walked out and sighed as he picked up the envelopes. What had happened? Why did she not trust him to get her through it? "Dammit, Michelle...why the hell did you have to do something as stupid? We could have got through it together..."

He shook his head as he walked out the lounge towards the kitchen, his thoughts dictated by how Kyle would be taking it. Just when he thought he'd found her, she goes and leaves him again. Jim thought as he walked out to the car after saying his goodbyes. How long would it take to heal him this time?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They all sat around the table as Sean whispered to Maria with a grin on his face. "What no Crashdown reservations? This is new..."

Maria groaned as she looked at him and whispered. "Be good, Michael is already a handful."

She couldn't blame Sean for feeling a little uneasy, it wasn't a usual occurance for the De Luca family to be in such a high class restaurant.

Sean smiled as he looked around. "I didn't think they served lobster in Roswell...congrats, Maria...daddy is loaded..."

Maria elbowed him hard in the ribs as she gave him a warning look. "Stop it."

Brian motioned to the waiter that they need a table for 5 as Maria walked up to be beside Amy and Brian. "Wow, this place is lovely..."

Amy looked around awkwardly. "I bet they can only afford to decorate like this because of how much they charge their customers..."

Brian looked at her and smiled reassuringly. "I told you, this is my treat so all of you get whatever you'd like."

Sean leaned close to Michael and whisperd. "Guess who will be getting the largest steak on the menu?"

Michael smiled as he shook his head. "Could this guy be any more fake?"

Amy looked at Brian and smiled. "Well that's awful nice of you, Brian."

"Least I can do."

With a low voice, to Sean, Michael whispered. "Good old Mr De Luca, he aims to please."

The 5 of them were ushered to a table and they sat down . As they looked over the menu Amy looked up. "This is really expensive, are you sure you want to eat here?"

Brian looked at her. "Amy, I told you it's fine. I just want us to have a nice dinner."

Amy sighed as she looked at him. "So is this suppose to make up for lost times with your daughter?"

Maria rolled her eyes as she looked at Amy. "Can we maybe save the run away father talk until after dinner?"

Brian sighed as he shook his head. "Don't worry about it, and no Amy...this is not supposed to make up for anything." He turned to Maria and smiled. "Honey, I do want to say it's so nice to finally see you. You've grown up beautifully, no doubt thanks to the genes you inherited from your beautiful mother.".

Maria blushed slightly as she looked at him. "Thanks dad."

Amy rolled her eyes. It was so typical for him to use a corny line like that and get away with it. "So, Brian? What have you been doing with yourself since you've been gone?"

Brian took a drink from his water as answered. "Funny that you bring that up. See I'm up from San Diego because a small firm has approached me about seeking some land in Roswell."

Sean looked at him with interest. "So you're a realtor?"

Brian nodded. "Yup, among other things. I like to refer to myself as a 'worldly' businessman. To be good you must have a hand in everything."

Amy looked at him with an innocent smile. "Some people would call that a thief."

Maria almost choked as she took a drink from her water and looked at her mother with widened eyes. "MOM!"

Sean tried to disguise his laughter by pretending he was coughing and Maria could only look on dumbstruck. How could her mother call her father a thief...right in front of him?

Brian was not able to take his eyes off of Amy or her comment as Amy stared right back at him without a hint of regret. Michael looked at this and he began to smile slightly as he asked Brian with a slightly mocking tone. "So Brian I was wondering if you could fill Maria in on the history about that painting you seemed so in tune with it."

Maria, who was relieved of the change of subject smiled at Michael appreciateively. She turned to Brian and smiled. "Oh?"

Brian turned away from Amy and looked at Maria and shook his head. "I'd love to, but better wait till later."

Amy looked at him and gave another sweet smile. "Oh no, do share."

Sean looked on and grinned. "Don't turn shy on us now, Bri. You must be itching to tell."

Brian cringed at the slang use of his name as he turned to Maria and smiled softly. "Ok, if you want to hear about it now. The painting was given to your grandmother as a wedding present. I remember growing up and hearing all these crazy stories of its interpretation. She was crazy about it." She smiled at him and he took a deep breath as he continued. "I gotta admit it saddens me to see the painting being stored at your boyfriend's apartment. It should be somewhere where you could appreciate it. Something as special and rare should be looked after properly. I don't mean any offence, Michael."

Maria shook her head and smiled. "Don't worry, Michael will take good care of it."

Sean smiled to himself as he said quietly, but still loud enough for everyone to hear what was going on. "Not to mention she's over his place enough to keep an eye on it…or something like that."

Maria kicked out under the table and hissed. "Shut up, Sean."

Michael looked at Brian seriously. "I promise you Brian that the painting is in good hands."

Brian nodded his head soberly. "I do trust my daughter's choices, but as for you I can't figure that one out. You are not like any teenage boy I've ever met...it's hard for me to work out what makes you tick."

Sean rolled his eyes as the waiter walked over. "Trust me, don't try, it'll drive you crazy..."

Brian nodded his head as Sean looked at the waiter and with a grin at Brian he closed his menu. "I'll have the largest steak on the menu, with all the trimmings."

Maria looked at him in horror as Michael looked at Brian and then to the waiter. "You know, that sounds really good. Make that for me too, with a bottle of tabasco."

Maria looked at Brian apologetically as she ordered. This was not going the way she had hoped.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Max walked into the room caring a tray with two glasses of coke, a bowl of chips and dip. He put the tray down on table in front of couch and sat down.

"Did you put movie in the video" Max asked

"Yeah, it's ready to hit play." Liz said.

After a few minutes Liz turned towards Max.

"So, have any other strange things been going on? No more notes through the door?" Liz asked as Max sat down beside her.

"Nope, it's been quiet again. Hopefully things will be back to normal now." Max said with a sigh.

Liz sighed as she took a few chips. "Do you think it was Tess?"

Max looked at her and thought for a second before he sighed as he answered. "I...in a way, I hope it was...because that means she's here and we can get some answers...but, I hope it's not as well...because she is holding all the cards now. Does that make sense? I don't like the thought that we are so vulnerable."

Liz looked at him and touched his arm gently. "I know what you mean. But it must be hard for you...knowing she could be so near."

"I don't care about her anymore, she betrayed us, and killed Alex, but I would like to get hold of my son; so she can't corrupt him or let him be raised by Khivar." Max said seriously.

Liz looked at him, it was so clear he was suffering. What do you expect, Liz? The murdering bitch has his son. How's he supposed to react?

Liz looked at him and smiled; now was the time to attempt to change the subject.

"So? How's Isabel doing" Liz asked with a smile.

"Well she seems to feel better then ever, she's began dating again" Max said.

"Really, who?" Liz asked with interest. "Anyone I know?"

"Some guy from one of her classes at college, I think" Max answered with a shrug of his shoulders.

"So, what's he like." Liz asked

"I don't know, haven't met him that much" Max said. "I think Izzy's terrified that I'll scare him off."

Liz began to laugh. "You scare him off? Never..."

Max grinned and was about to respond when they both heard two voices walk in the door. Liz looked at Max quizzically as Isabel and Serena walked in the room laughing.

"What's so funny?" Liz asked while she looked at Serena and Isabel who were still giggling.

"Well, we've been out celebrating the end of the semester" Isabel said with a smile as she flopped down on one of the seats.

Serena took a seat on the sofa, and turned to Liz. "We aren't...umm...interupting you two are we?"

Liz blushed slightly as she looked from Max to Serena and shook her head. "No...no...we were just going to watch a movie."

Serena nodded her head as she reached over to the chips. "May I?"

Liz nodded her head as Isabel's cell phone rings. "Sorry. Excuse me."

Isabel stood up and walked out the lounge and Serena smiled as she said out loud. "Two guesses as to who that is."

She turned towards Liz and Max and grinned. "She's been talking to him all night over the phone, the last couple of weeks, it's like she's become another person than she was when I first met her. She's seemed really happy."

Max smiled at this and said "Well I have to agree, I haven't seen Isabel smile like she has recently in months. Maybe things are starting to turn around for her."

Liz looked at both Max and Serena and smiled as she turned and looked towards the kitchen, trying to catch a sight of Isabel but fails. She knew that it wasn't right to go from one extreme to another. It just didn't seem right that Isabel could be like a completely different person almost overnight. Liz sighed. Maybe she was reading too much into it, but she couldn't help but be worried.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tess had stood outside the house for over an hour. It was funny looking at it from that angle. Being on the outside, looking into a world that she used to belong to. It was almost torture standing here fighting the urge to go over and desperately try and reclaim her life.

There's no one there to welcome you back anyway. she thought bitterly. How would they take her return? Kill her? Beat her?

She sighed as she heard a car come up and she quickly hid futher into the shadows. She looked at her watch; it was after 11? They never usually stayed out that late. She edged closer to the house and saw the car stop and Kyle storm out of the car straight into the house. He looked...angry, and hurt? She bit her lip and watched as Jim got out the car and stood by the door breathing deeply before he followed Kyle into the house. "Something's wrong."

She looked at the house and couldn't prevent the feelings of dread that engulfed her, what could have happened? She quickly began to walk over towards the house, her own apprehensions momentarilly forgotten.

As she walked she suddenly felt her head beginning to throb again. "Oh, no...not again."

As she grabbed her head she suddenly felt images flashing towards the front of her mind.

//FLASH//

Tess was sitting outside the lab and mindwarped the group of scientists.

//FLASH//

Amy being mindwarped after Brody had taken them hostage.

//FLASH//

Alex giving her the information he had gathered for her, then begging her not to mind warp him again.

//FLASH//

Tess wobbled slightly as the images subsided. The pain immediately subsided but she looked around desperately. "What's happening to me?"

She looked longingly towards the house before turning away quickly and heading home.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Inside the house Jim watched regretfully as Kyle paced up and down. "Kyle?...Kyle, please, sit down and we'll talk."

Kyle looked at Jim and shook his head. "I don't want to talk. I couldn't care less about it."

Jim shook his head and sighed. "I know...I know this must be hard for you, but you don't have to deal with this on your own."

Kyle stopped pacing and looked at Jim. "I told you, I'm fine! I don't need to talk."

Jim walked over to him. "She was your mom."

Kyle looked at him and shook his head. "No! She wasn't my mom." He spat bitterly. "She was the woman who gave birth to me, but she missed out on any of the stuff that would have made her a mom."

"You don't mean that. She loved you!"

Kyle shook his head. "Yeah, she left us with a note! That's not how I would define "love". I need some air."

Kyle began to walk out but Jim stepped in his way. "No. You aren't going outside like this."

Kyle looked at Jim and tried to push past him. "Dammit Dad, just get out my way!"

"Sit down. You need to talk about this, I won't..." He touched Kyle's arm gently. "I won't let you bottle it up this time."

Kyle looked at him and shook his head as he pleaded desperately. "Just let me go...get out my way." As Jim shook his head Kyle looked at him and shouted loudly. "Get out of my way!"

Jim's heart broke as he looked at his son, how could he explain how something that cruel could happen? "No. I won't."

Kyle looked at his dad and tried to push past him again, but Jim held him tightly. In a second, Kyle had pulled his arm back and punched Jim hard in the face knocking him to the ground.

Kyle looked down at his dad, and couldn't stop a sob escaping as he fell to his knees. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry..."

Jim looked at his son as he sat up. Kyle looked so young as he sat there and looked at his dad with shame and apology. Jim looked at Kyle and sat beside him and wrapped him in his arms. This was exactly how Kyle had looked when he realised his mom had left the first time.

"Kyle? Kyle...look at me."

Kyle looked up and shook his head. "I am so...sorry. I didn't...I didn't mean it. I'm sorry..."

Jim hugged him gently and began to comfort him. "I'm fine. I'm fine..."

Kyle hugged his dad and sobbed gently. "Why...why now. Why didn't she tell us? Wh...why didn't she give us a chance...to say goodbye?"

Jim sighed deeply as he thought. "I think she wanted to spare you from seeing her dying. That can have a lasting affect on someone so young. I think she didn't tell you because she loved you."

"I just wished I had a chance to say goodbye..." Kyle said as he wiped his tears.

Jim sighed as he shook his head. "So do I...so do I..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The streets were deserted as Maria and Michael walked through them in an icy silence. Maria sighed loudly as Michael talked. He couldn't even attempt to apologise?

"Maria? What do you think? Is it the done thing? I mean she is your mom, but she's also my boss so this birthday that she has...am I supposed to buy her anything?"

Maria raised her head and looked at Michael as he waited on a reply. "Do what you want. Like always."

Michael looked at her strangely before he shrugged his shoulders and turned away. "You know, you've been acting really weird tonight. Have you got a problem with something?"

Maria looked at him and shook her head before she walked a few steps ahead. How could she make him understand? [i] Face it Maria, from another planet he may be...but he certainly isn't anymore enlightened than any other pig-headed teenage boy around.[/i] She sighed as she stopped and waited on him to catch up, the nights events still playing in her head. Why couldn't Michael accept that she had found exactly what she always wanted?

She turned around and looked at Michael as she spoke. "Why don't you like my dad?"

Michael looked at her and she looked at him intently as he seemed to consider how best to answer it.

"I don't trust him. I mean, who shows up after 11 years with such a pathetic excuse? It's too convenient."

Maria's voice almost stuck in her throat as she looked at him. Convenient? Pathetic excuse? How dare he?

"You..." She began heatedly before she took a deep breath and walked over to stand right in front of him. "You think the fact that my *father* wants to get to know his daughter is a pathetic excuse? Please, explain, since you are the "king" of pathetic excuses why my fathers is so glaringly obvious? I mean, you aren't exactly great with emotions yourself."

Michael looked at her and shook his head as he tried to keep his voice calm. "Maria, I know you don't want to hear this, but it isn't normal for someone who walked out on their family without so much as a phone call for 11 years."

Maria shook her head and walked away. "Like you have any right to comment on 'normal'?"

Michael rolled his eyes and ignored her as he continued in a slightly louder voice as he walked up to her. "You might not want to see it, but everyone else does. And if you don't want to listen to me, then why don't you listen to Sean? He thinks it as well. You just have to get your head out of the clouds and face facts, it might not be nice, but it's better than living a fantasy and getting hurt in the end."

Maria looked straight ahead and fiercly wiped her eyes before Michael could see her crying. She couldn't deny that what he was saying might make sense if it had been anyone else. But it was *her* father. He missed her.

Stop it Maria, she told herself firmly. You don't have to justify how you feel and dad definately doesn't have to prove himself to Michael.

"Can you remember a few years ago? When Nasedo first made an appearence and had killed all those people? You *defended* a murderer because you thought he was your father. The reason you have a problem with my dad, isn't because he just showed up. It's because your jealous that it's not your dad who's shown up. That's what this is all about! You have no right to try to take this from me!!"

Maria stared coldly into Michaels eyes as he replied angrilly. "I don't want to take him from you! And you know what? What happened with Nasedo should be proof enough that you can't trust people who just show up out of no where, promising the earth!"

"Did you ever stop to think that humans are slightly more trustworthy than aliens? I mean, no offence but you don't exactly have a sparkling record: out of 5 of you we had a killer and a serial killer in your ranks. Don't even get me started on your record, and the fact that not one of you can tell the truth." Maria spat bitterly as she glared at him.

Michael let out a growl of frustration as he retorted. "Well, I don't know why you are so determined to be near such a dangerous group. I mean, god forbid that I disagree with you, Maria. Because you are the only one who can be right, and I must be suffering from some alien affliction because I can't agree with 'Little Ms Perfect De Luca!"

Maria turned and began to walk away as Michael called after her. "So, that's it? You don't like something I said and you go of sulking? Well fine. No doubt you can go run off to daddy and he'll fix everything. Just don't come crying to me when he shows his true colours."

Maria turned abruptly and looked at him with a mixture of anger and pain as she forced the words out of her mouth as she willed herself not to cry. "You know what? I wouldn't come crying to you about anything! I am sick and tired of this...of the way you think you can treat me. I know exactly why my dad came back, he came back because he just lost his mother and he wanted to get to know his daughter. But you...you just can't see that. How can someone be that cynical? But you know what? I don't care anymore...I don't. I honestly couldn't care less if I didn't see you again. We're over. I can't take you anymore...not like this. My dad just wants me to be happy...maybe that's something you should try with your next girlfriend."

She turned away again and began walking quickly as he watched her go.

"Fine! I'll do that!" He called angrilly from where he was standing before he turned and walked quickly back to his apartment.

Maria continued walking with a strange feeling that she couldn't explain. As she wiped her eyes again she sighed.

Come on, Maria. You were right to be angry. He had no right to say what he said. You and him are just not compatible anymore.

Somehow, despite the words making sense, it didn't make her feel any better as she forced her feet to walk along the hard sidewalk. As Maria walked, engrossed in thought she didn't hear the car pull up beside her.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that it's not safe for young women to be walking about the dark streets alone at night?"

Maria jumped and looked up to see her father looking at her with a mixture of amusement and disaproval as he continued. "I thought your boyfriend was taking you home? And have you been crying?"

Maria looked at him and nodded her head weakly as she looked at him. "We had a fight."

Brian sighed as he got out the car and walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her in an embrace. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home and you can fill me in."

"Thanks." Maria mumbled as she was led over to the car. She couldn't explain how great it was to be able to talk to her dad. My dad, no matter what Michael says. He came back for me, not for anything else.

As they sat in the car, Brian began to drive before turning to Maria. "You want to tell me what happened?"

Maria shifted in her seat and stared out the window as she spoke quietly. "We see things too differently. He doesn't try to understand my point of view. He just see's bad in everyone."

Brian looked at her before turning back to the road. "Maybe you both just need some time to cool of? It's better not to make rash decisions when you're angry, you might regret them."

Maria shook her head and turned to look at him. "I don't think time will help. I think this might be it."

Brian smiled sadly. "Well, we'll see. But, if you do decide that you'll be happier without him I can only say that I'm glad, anyone who can make you that upset isn't worth it." He reached over and squeezed her hand gently before quickly putting it back on the steering wheel as he continued with a slight smile. "Besides, that boy had a funny look about him. How does he get his hair to stay up as high on his head? He must spend all his money on styling products..."

Maria impulsively began to giggle. "You think that's bad? He sometimes leaves it flat. I've been trying to get him to get it styled for a year. That was a lot of work that made his hair spiky again."

Brian grinned at her as he turned the corner to her street. "So, you're responsible for that? No wonder the two of you didn't last."

Maria giggled a little more before sighing as Brian pulled up to the door.

"Well, that's us, end of the line." He looked at her as she looked towards the house. "Maria? Would...would you like to do something on Saturday? Just...the two of us. I mean if you don't want to that's fine, but I would like us to do something. Anything you want."

Maria looked at him and nodded her head as her eyes filled with tears. "I would love to." She reached over and hugged him tightly. "Thanks...Dad."

He sighed as he hugged her tightly. "You don't have to thank me for anything..."

She reluctantly pulled away and got out the car and walked around towards the house. She turned to him and waved as he rolled the window down. "Have a think about Saturday and give me a call. And don't worry too much about Michael, I'm sure you two will work something out. Goodnight."

He waved, started the engine and drove off as she waved after him. "Goodnight."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The room was in total darkness apart from the moonlight that shone through the window onto the bed. Kyle closed his eyes in an attempt to get to sleep but as soon as his lids closed they snapped back open and he couldn't help but look at the envelope that was propped against his dresser. He looked at the clock: 2.47am, before he looked back at the letter. He sat up and picked the letter of the dresser and fingered the sealed envelope.

"A stupid letter...that's what we were worth. An explanation on a cold, lifeless sheet of paper. Thanks mom."

He took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes as he slammed the letter angrilly down onto the dresser and lay his head on the pillow.

Nice track record with women you have going on Kyle. Liz? Dumps you for an alien, with only a mild dose of humiliation added. Tess? A fricken alien murdering bitch and your mom, a dying coward who found it easier to run than face things with you. Doing real good there.

He sighed as he closed his eyes and tried to force the thoughts to stop. It was true that he didn't have the best track record, but, he reasoned, none of it had been his fault. He couldn't help Liz falling for another guy, he couldn't help that Tess had taken them all in and he couldn't help that his mom had left without saying goodbye. A dull ache filled him and he shook his head as he squeezed his eyes shut and forced himself to sleep.

//FLASH//

In a second Kyle suddenly recognised the familiar feeling he got when he was no longer in his own dream. "Guys, whoever this is, you are really not catching me on a good night."

He walked about slightly and had a look around and he heard a familiar voice talking. "Alex? Okay, Kyle. You are seriously wigging out..."

Despite his trepidation he walked towards the sound of the voice and tried to listen to what it was saying, in an attempt to find out who's dream he was intruding on.

"You killed me, you didn't deserve to have a baby. That's why he died. No one gets to be happy when they did what you did."

Kyle stopped and looked around. There was no mistaking it, Alex was definately there and standing over someone who was on the ground. "Whew, okay...I'll wake up anytime, I don't need to see any dead people I know walking about. Come on, whoever is dreaming this just wake up."

He walked closer and looked around him. He recognised this place, it was the abandoned house on the outskirts. Him and Nicky Benedict used to play in it during the holidays.

"I didn't...didn't mean to kill you. It was an accident. I didn't ever want to hurt you..."

Kyle looked back at the scene with a mixture of horror and anger. He knew that voice. Tess.

'Alex' gave a grotesque smile and looked at her. "Oh well, as long as your sorry. Tell that to my parents, that'll make up for it. Or Isabel. Or Kyle. You would have done it to him as well...."

Tess looked up and her face was tear stained as she shook her head determindly. "No! No...I wouldn't have, I swear. I didn't want to hurt anyone...I'm so sorry."

Kyle stormed over towards Tess, his eyes burning. He was about to confront her when Alex's image faded into Nicholas'.

"Don't listen to him Ava. You did exactly what we wanted you to do. You just need to finish the job, now like a good girl. Go on."

Tess began to sob as she shook her head. "No! I'm...I'm not Ava! I wo...won't hurt them anymore!"

Nicholas began to laugh low and sadistically. "But you do it so well."

"You can't make me!"

Nicholas bent down next to her and whispered. "Of course I can, I can do anything I want...because you are weak, pathetic...and there's no one here to protect you."

Kyle looked on with interest as Nicholas disappeared leaving Tess surrounded by nothing except the room.

"Tess." He didn't realise he had said it until she turned around and looked at him.

"No, no, no, no...I can't take anymore. Leave me alone." She whispered as Kyle walked over to her.

Kyle's voice was raised and desperate as he looked at her. "Why did you do it? Why did you kill Alex? Why did you betray us?"

Tess scrambled about as she tried to stand up and began to run away. "You're not real! Leave me alone! I can't change the past. You're not real! Go away!"

With that Kyle found himself falling backwards as he was pushed from the dream.

//FLASH//

He sat up abruptly and began breathing raggedly. Tess. She was back. She was in Roswell. He switched the lamp on beside his bed as he pushed the covers back from his bed and grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of pants and put them on. Okay, Kyle. Think. Go to Evans or see her yourself?

Kyle quickly grabbed his training shoes and put them on his feet, already knowing what he was doing. He had no intention of going to Max. Not until he had a shot at her first. He needed answers.

He grabbed his car keys and ran from the room, careful to be quiet.

As he began driving the car he thought about the dream that he had witnessed. He couldn't deny that she looked upset...and that she seemed genuinely sorry. Dammit Kyle, you should know how good an actress she is by now!

He kept his eyes on the road as he drove quickly towards the outskirts. It was a good job that his dad couldn't see him now, he must have been breaking 10 traffic violations. As he approached the house he skidded to a halt and climbed out the car. As he ran towards the house all rational thoughts went out his head as he ran in and began searching for her.

"Tess!" He called loudly as he ran from room to room. "I know you're here!"

He clenched his fist in an attempt to keep his emotions in check as he walked through into a room and saw her lying on a bed. "Tess."

She looked up and he glared at her. She looked exactly like she had in her dream, but much paler than he could remember her. She'd also lost weight and there was clear tear tracks. If this had been anyone else he would have felt bad.

Who are you trying to kid, Kyle? Even though it's Tess you still feel bad.

She looked at him in shock and immediately stood up. "Kyle? What...what are you doing here?"

"A better question is maybe what the hell you are doing here? I thought you were away "home" with the heir? I mean, that's why you killed Alex? Don't tell me that information he sacrificed his life for wasn't good enough? Answer me!"

Tess backed off as she held her hand out. "Kyle, please calm down...please..."

"Why? Why the hell would you do what you did? Why weren't any of us good enough? Why Alex?"

Tess walked over and wobbled slightly as she tried to talk. "Kyle, please..I...I can explain."

He looked at her and shouted at her. "Explain? Okay, Tess. Explain why you killed Alex? Explain why you mindwarped me? Explain why you lied to us for over a year? Come on Tess...I'm waiting to hear this great explanation!!"

She backed off and shook her head. He looked at her intently as she stuttered, clearly thrown. "How...how did you find me?"

Kyle smiled bitterly as he took large steps to reach her and stood in front of her. "You don't know?"

She shook her head and he began to laugh as he took another step beside her. "You want to see a trick? I bet you anything I can tell you what you were dreaming about an hour ago. You saw Alex? You saw Nicholas and you saw me."

Tess gasped as she shook her head. "No...it was just a dream...you couldn't...couldn't have seen..."

Kyle looked at her. "I like to consider it a leaving present that you left me. Well, I can't give you all the credit...Evans started it."

Tess shook her head sadly. "I'm so sorry..."

He looked at her and shook his head. "Where, have I heard that before? Come on, Tess. Explain." She leant against the wall and shook her head.

"Explain!"

Tess flinched as he shouted. "I...I...it's just, I didn't...I couldn't help....they...I mean he..."

As she tried to finish she gasped as a sudden onslaught of pain pierced through her head.

//FLASH//

Tess surrounded by Nicholas, Lonnie and Rath in New York.

//FLASH//

Alex crying as he asked her why she had mindwarped him.

//FLASH//

Crashing to the Earth in the Granolith and losing her baby.

//FLASH//

As the flashes stopped she looked at Kyle weakly before collapsing to the floor. Kyle looked at her and his eyes widened and he immediately went over to her. "Tess? Tess, wake up!"

He bent down beside her and felt for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief as he felt a steady pulse. He lifted her up and walked over to the bed and layed her down.

"Nice Kyle, look after the murderer..." He said quietly as he brushed the hair of the side of her face. As he touched her his mind wandered back.

//FLASH//

Kyle dancing with Tess in Las Vegas.

//FLASH//

During the Christmas service.

//FLASH//

The two of them laughing at school.

//FLASH//

As he looked at her he angrilly ran a hand through his hair. "It wasn't real, none of the feeling you had for her was real."

He looked away from her and saw the photo on the wall. He looked and saw that the only faces still in the picture was the ones of Kyle and Alex. He sighed as he looked closer and noticed that her own face had been burned out as well. "What is going through that head of yours?"

He sat down and looked at her as she began to stir. She opened her eyes and looked at him before sitting up and looking at him.

His expression softned and he took a deep breath. "Tess, stay there. You're sick...just...please..." He reached out for her as she grimaced in pain again. "Please, just tell me what happened?"

Tess looked at him and began to cry gently as she slid back down on the bed. "I'm so sorry..."

Kyle looked at her as she drifted into unconsciousness again. He looked at her and picked up his phone.

"Something's wrong here, okay, now's the time to bring in the big guns..."

He opened the phone and looked at the numbers as he glanced back at Tess.

They will never give her a break. They'll kill her if she's not dead when they get here. She'll talk to me, I can get her to talk.

He sighed and closed the phone again and took his jacket of and sat down beside her. "Just you and me Tessie, you better have a damn good explanation..."

End Episode 8

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